Making Lemonade: a Photo Essay About Triumph Over Adversity

    JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, January 09, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Johannesburg photographer Janeke Wissekerke's photo essay, which chronicles the struggle against hardships in various forms, is entitled "Making Lemonade". It follows the stories of 3 people coming from various backgrounds and situations and how they, in their own way, have dealt with and conquered their circumstance.

Chumani Ulana: who lost his mother to illness at the age of 18 and subsequently having to find other ways to pay for his tertiary education tuition. Determined to further himself, he started mending clothing, offered gardening services and teaching art to the local children. After a period of time he saved up enough to pay for his first year of study, he excelled and was top of his class, and received a bursary to complete his diploma in fashion design.

Nelly aka "Star Lady": is a single mom with two boys, she is a female biker that rides under the Hoodratz motorcycle club, with "Bonolo" her beloved Harley Davidson. Not only is Nelly challenging racial stereotypes, but she is also challenging gender roles as well.

Cirvant: Lost his mother at the tender age of 12 to the HIV/AIDS virus and suffered sexual abuse as a child, with the absence of his father, he had to grow up fast and took it upon himself to be the father-figure to his sisters. He regards himself as a progressive modern day poet, teacher and motivational speaker.

The photo essay appears exclusively in Joburg Style Magazine.

Janeke Wissekerke is a photographer who is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She specializes in natural light photography, and stylistically skews towards photo journalism.

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