KNYSNA NEWS - Fleming Photographic held an exhibition that showcased images produced by thirteen students – referred to as pen pals – who attended photography classes during the course of the year. Their images were on display at the Knysna Log Inn on Friday, December 2. The theme for the exhibition was “Children of the Sun”. With cameras sponsored by Olympus, they captured different moods and emotions from their visits to the townships in Knysna. Pen Pals is a Fleming Photographic project that has been running for six years. Each year thousands of students apply and only six are selected, and from the six students one gets to facilitate new recruits the next year. Cheska Estebain (16), one of the pen pals and the facilitator for 2017, said, “I’ve always been interested in photography, so I saw this as an opportunity to further my knowledge about the craft and learn the basics. It’s been very exciting but with lots of challenges, like knowing when to capture emotions.”

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All the pen pals interviewed were asked whether they had preconceived ideas of what the shoot will be like in the township before going there and how it was different to their own neighborhoods, if at all. To this Estebain, who stays in town, said, “It was my first time to visit the townships and it’s not what I expected. Some of the people there were walking around wearing their pyjamas without a worry in the world, which showed me that they don’t care what people think about them. Another thing I thought before going there was that they are sad because of their circumstances, but I learnt that they are content with what they have.” Nonhle Mpambani (19), who didn’t make it the first time she applied to be a pen pal, said, “Not making it through the first time motivated me to apply the second time. The journey has been very challenging and through it I have learnt a lot self-discipline.” Mpambani, who also stays in town, said what was rewarding about the photo shoot in the township was seeing the children’s faces light up. Another was Sheba Mbondo (17) from Judah Square, who found out about pen pals through a friend and immediately applied, said, “I have been drawing for as long as I can remember and I must say, photography has really grown on me and I’ll definitely continue taking pictures.”

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Mbondo said she enjoyed taking pictures at the location but that the language barrier was a challenge as she couldn’t communicate with them as much as she would’ve liked, as she only speaks English and Afrikaans. Ineke Small, a proud mother, described the project as a great confidence booster, especially for her son who is dyslexic. “For the duration of the course he has been so excited to learn more about photography and be part of something. I remember at some point there was a camera and Ian Fleming wanted to give it to one of the pen pals and they all decided to give it to my son. These images are nothing short of brilliant, I am proud of all of these children.” Her son, Sebastian Small (17), said, "Just being a pen pal is exciting, there is always something new to learn.” Ian Fleming welcomed the guests after they admired the images. Among the invited guests was Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies. Fleming said, “By teaching photography we’re not trying to make these children photographers, but we’re teaching them a life skill.”

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He then played a video with all the images flashing on the scene, with the photographers’ names next to them. Up next was Bouw-Spies, who presented the project with surprise donation of R5 000 and said, “I am making my commitment to be a friend of the pen pals. It is not much, but I promise to add more digits each year. I promise he (Ian Fleming) didn’t ask me for anything, he just invited me,” and laughed.