ALPHA Media Holdings (AMH) correspondent journalist Margaret Lubinda is set to represent Zimbabwe at this year’s National Arts Festival (NAF) in South Africa, where she will showcase a powerful photographic project documenting the life and resilience of a visually impaired tailor from Bulawayo.
The exhibition, titled INTLABI YEKHAYA, opens on June 25 and runs until July 5 at the Albany Museum in Makhanda as part of the NAF programme.
It showcases works produced under the first edition of the Women in Photography Incubator Programme in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, supported by the provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The exhibition brings together 10 women photographers, with Lubinda being the only Zimbabwean participant in the programme.
Curated by Bekithemba Ntini and Loyiso Oldjohn, INTLABI YEKHAYA explores collaborative approaches to photography through visual storytelling, augmented reality and multimedia installations that seek to amplify emerging voices and challenge social norms within communities.
The exhibition examines themes including cultural preservation, identity, entrepreneurship, sport, resilience and community development, while highlighting the social and economic realities of township and rural life.
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Ntini, who is also Market Photo Workshop’s head of projects, said the exhibition aims to celebrate and promote the creativity of young women photographers while encouraging meaningful conversations about issues affecting their communities.
“The exhibition aims to celebrate and promote the creativity and voices of young women photographers, providing a platform for artistic expression, inspiring others and encouraging dialogue on issues that shape their lives and communities,” he said.
Ntini added that the exchange programme between Zimbabwean and South African female photographers seeks to foster cultural understanding and strengthen professional networks across the region.
“The programme promotes cultural understanding, enhances professional skills, empowers women and creates opportunities for collaboration and career growth while strengthening regional artistic connections.”
Participating photographers include Aphiwe Ngowapi, Tabiso Mbangi, Mandie Waista, Yanga Nginda, Solulele Menemene, Thabisa Nxawe, Buntu Mpupha, Christlin Gillies, Uthandile Matshoba and Lubinda.
Lubinda’s project follows the life of Rameck Manyepo, a visually impaired tailor whose determination has enabled him to provide for his family despite losing his sight.
Through a series of photographs, the project captures Manyepo’s daily routine as he prepares his tailoring equipment, makes pillows and travels independently to sell his products in Zvishavane.
Speaking ahead of the festival, Lubinda said being selected for the exhibition was both an honour and an opportunity to amplify a story of resilience that deserves a global audience.
“I feel very honoured and grateful to be part of this exhibition because it gives me a platform to tell my collaborator’s story,” she said.
“Rameck has shown incredible resilience and boldness in his work despite being visually impaired.”
Manyepo has lived with visual impairment for years and says he never got the chance to see his youngest out of six children, who is currently in Grade 6. However, he refused to allow his condition to define him.
Instead, he built a livelihood through tailoring, making pillows and travelling on his own to market and sell his products.
Lubinda said her work seeks to challenge perceptions around disability by portraying Manyepo not as a victim, but as a victor.
“My project follows him through his journey of tailoring, from gathering his products and preparing his machine to the everyday challenges he overcomes to provide for his children. Rameck is not a victim, but a victor.”
She added that exhibiting the project at one of Africa’s premier arts festivals could open doors for wider recognition of Manyepo’s work and inspire others facing adversity.
“Having this project shown at the National Arts Festival means a lot to me and my collaborator. It is a story worthy of a worldwide audience because it can inspire someone out there not to give up despite their circumstances.”
Lubinda further expressed hope that the exposure could also attract support for Manyepo's entrepreneurial efforts.
“I would be happy if the project contributes to transforming his life in some way,” she said.
“That is always my aim when I undertake documentary projects or stories — to tell stories that can make a positive difference in people’s lives.”
For Lubinda, the exhibition represents not only a personal milestone, but also an opportunity to place a remarkable Zimbabwean story of courage, determination and triumph before an international audience.
“Rameck has let his work see the world for him. Through this exhibition, I hope the world will also see him.”