A KALTBLUT exclusive by photographer Justin Anantawan. “Kibera, located in Nairobi, Kenya, is one of the largest slums in Africa with an estimated population of one million. A lot of the media coverage and discourse on the slum focuses on poverty, crime and drug use in the area. However, there is also a movement, especially amongst the youth, of residents striving to build a better community. This includes mental health organizations, visual arts programs, music production mentorship and fashion designers. I have had the privilege of photographing and telling the stories of many of these change makers.”
“I shot this editorial over the course of four months in Kibera with 34 models representing a variety of cultures (Kenyans, Somalis, South Sudanese), skin colors and body types. Kibera and Kenya as a whole is diverse with many different nationalities and tribes and I wanted to show this in my selection of models. As well, in this current world where humans are divided based on political views, religion, race, gender identity and sexual orientation, I wanted to illustrate the power of love in bringing people together to make positive social change. The cast of models includes a burn survivor who trains Kiberian youth to create sustainable art, a vitiligo activist, a fitness model who teaches football to children from the slums and a South Sudanese menstrual rights advocate working with girls in Kibera.
I interviewed one of the models, James Ohanga @jimmytruth_, who is a resident of Kibera and the founder of streetwear label Seasaw @seasaw888.”
He talked to me about Kibera love, his life growing up in the slums and social change:
What does “Kibera Love” mean to you?
“Kibera Love” means a lot to me because the love of the people in my community is genuine. It motivates people in the slums to live together in harmony and unity.
How was it like for you growing up in Kibera? What were the challenges and what happy memories do you have of your younger life?
My childhood was not easy. Me and my siblings had to make it on our own. In the slums you don’t live life – you survive. You can go without food so many times that it’s like a normal thing. The environment itself is not that encouraging. I have happy memories though. I got to go to school. I woke up every day to the smiles on the faces of my family – that was unforgettable.
How were you able to transition out of poverty?
I didn’t get out of the slums on my own. My brother Octopizzo became successful as a rapper and changed my life. It means a lot to me and I’ll be forever grateful for him for showing me this other part of life that I didn’t know. He motivates me to work harder than ever to archive even more in life.
What are some stereotypes about Kibera that you want to challenge?
There are myths and misconceptions about Kibera. People think robbery is the life there and that Kibera is not safe. However, the community has some of the most chilled and good people. People also believe that people in Kibera are always starving. However, people in Kibera are able to have enough food because they share with one another when someone is going hungry.
There are models in Kenya trying to make it in the fashion industry. What support do they need to succeed?
There are models here in Kibera and Kenya from all backgrounds, from different nations, refugees, trying to make it overseas and succeed in the fashion industry. They need connections, knowing someone with the same mission and vision willing to help them get out of the mud. They also need professionals in the industry to educate them on what they need to do to get them to the top.
There is a burgeoning movement of artists including designers, musicians, photographers and visual artists in Kibera working hard to succeed in their fields. What fuels their drive to succeed?
They come from tough family backgrounds and they want to use their talents to make money and support them. They are also underestimated by society and they want to prove wrong the people who believe that nothing good can come out of people from the slums.
You are an up and coming street fashion designer coming out of Kibera. Can you tell me about your brand Seasaw and what inspires you to create?
I started Seasaw three years ago with the aim to tell the untold stories and showcase the street culture of Kibera that is not well represented out in mainstream Kenyan society. To me, “Seasaw” means 50/50 because a seasaw goes back and forth, up and down – my design style cuts across all barriers whether you are rich or poor. My brand is meant to be inclusive and classless. I want to use my brand to change the viewpoint out there that nothing good can come out of the slums. We the residents of Kakuma are living proof that our community is thriving and we are striving to make it better everyday.
What are your hope and dreams for yourself and your Kiberian community?
I want to make Kibera a better place than I found it.
Photographer: Justin Anantawan @justin_anantawan
Stylist and creative director: Justin Anantawan @justin_anantawan
Models:
James Ohanga @jimmytruth_ @seasaw888
Cliff Nyanyuki @cliff_kivah
Jumah Jatteh @jumahjatteh
Georgina Wanjala @geo,wanjala @litmodelsng
Nyanasir James @iam_nasirjames @prolmodels
Nyekuoth Kong @nyekuothkong @imaginerystylemodels
Gabbie Nyieth @nyiethgabbie @enrolemodels
Eliza Achol @iamelizabethachol @isismodelsafrica
Stella Esho @stella_esho @isismodelsafrica
Bol Alier @bolalier_ @skimmermodelsafrica
Jackline Wanjiru @vit_jacky254
Julie Nasuju @julienasuju
Anok James @anokj_ames @ekmodelmanagement
Anok Andrews @anokmarial @litmodelsng
Ajak Deng Chol @ajakdengchol @wantmanagement
Gai Manyok @gaimanyok @mybookermodel
Mildred Achieng @_achieng__ @ekmodelmanagement
Dennis Mwanzia @mwanz1a
Monyjok Ngor Deng @monyjokngordeng @skimmer_models_africa
Nyaduel Bawar @nyaduel.bawar @isismodelsafrica
Nyakuar John @nyakuar_john_ @isismodelsafrica
Esther Okerubo @yoongis____pillow
Quir Jok @quir_jok
Gifty Deng @denggifty @skimmer_models_africa
Wucheng Lado @wuchen.lado @wantmanagement
Chuol Kong @chuolkong1 @wantmanagement
Rop Daisy @rop_daisy @isismodelsafrica
Adomich Bol @adomichmadol @imaginerystylemodels
Wyclife Oluoch @w.i.k.i.d.e
Badhiel Lony @badhiel_lony
Jackiy Achol @jackiy_achol
Mohamed Dahir @_dhahir
Gombek Chol @gombek.chol @prolmodels
Maker Luong Wechtuor @alasky_ss_icon @imaginerystylemodels
