AidanMurgatroyd

More than Friends

As a third culture kid born and raised in various regions of the world and spending more time outside South Africa than in it, I've always desired to explo...
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As a third culture kid born and raised in various regions of the world and spending more time outside South Africa than in it, I've always desired to explore, understand and connect with what it means to be South African. As a child of mixed cultural background with one English and one Afrikaans parent, even in the midst of family gatherings, I felt a sense of otherness. I returned to South Africa in 2017 and wanted to travel, connect and interact with the people, places and spaces that make up the South African experience. Finally in 2021, at the first chance available, I undertook a countrywide road trip over five months. The goal? To ascertain what it means to be South African, especially in a nation which encompasses so many cultures, languages and identities. Who are we?

Two of the closest friends I made on my journey through South Africa. Fellow photography student, Gift (left) and Sanele, (right), who is a fashion student. I met and interacted with them in KwaZulu-Natal through a creative agency. From there on, Gift joined me for nearly half of my trip, all the way back up the Wild Coast to Cape Town.

From the internationally award nominated series Becoming South African. Sony World Photography Awards student finalist submission.
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