Coloured by Corinna Kern

COLOURED

Not white enough during apartheid, not black enough in the new democracy – as the most marginalised ethnic group in South Africa, coloured communities have been struggling to find their identities. Constituting less than 9% of the South African population, Coloureds are classified as people of mixed race ancestry. Forced to live separated from Black African citizens under apartheid, they were imposed an intermediate status in the racial hierarchy, yet lacking significant political and economical power. Due to these interracial inequalities, coloured communities now often find themselves left out of constitutional attempts to bring back socioeconomic justice for previously disadvantaged groups.

These socioeconomic inequities, deeply rooted in coloured culture, give rise to a vicious cycle of unemployment, poverty, substance abuse and crime. The lack of career opportunities and recreational options heightens the exposure to gangsterism for young adolescents, constituting an alternative means of survival and a sense of belonging. This project explores how coloured identity finds expression in post-apartheid South Africa in its endeavours to break through a flawed value system while preserving and ever-present sense of community.

SCHAUDERVILLE, PORT ELIZABETH, ...urvival and sense of belonging.

SCHAUDERVILLE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 24, 2015: Adolescents play football in a flat complex in Schauderville, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 27, 2015. Schauderville is part of the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth where gangsterism is particularly high and sought after due to the socioeconomic conditions entrenched in society and as an alternative means of survival and sense of belonging.

SCHAUDERVILLE, PORT ELIZABETH, ...oups, the coloured communities.

SCHAUDERVILLE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 27, 2015: Children play at a flat complex in Schauderville, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 27, 2015. Schauderville is part of the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth where gangsterism is particularly high and sought after as an alternative means of survival and sense of belonging within the most marginalised of South Africa's ethnic groups, the coloured communities.

HELENVALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUT...estimatedly 21 different gangs.

HELENVALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 20, 2015: Members of a gang named 'Nice Time Bozzas' hang out while watching over their turf March 20, 2015 in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Part of the glamorization of gangs is the aspect of money and shiny items, such as golden rings or gold-plated teeth, as well as popularity among girls. Helenvale is currently home to estimatedly 21 different gangs.

HELENVALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUT... Democratic Republic of Congo.

HELENVALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 20, 2015: Gang-members of the Nice Time Bozzas fool around while watching over their turf, often done from the roof of a building March 20, 2015 in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Part of the glamorization of gangs is the aspect of money and shiny items, such as golden rings or gold-plated teeth, as well as popularity among girls. Helenvale is an area that is home to approximately 21 gangs, hence nicknamed 'Katanga', after the war-stricken province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

HELENVALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 20, 2015: Gang-members of the Nice Time Bozzas hang out and smoke shisha March 20, 2015 in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Gangsterism is particularly sought after by young adolscents as an alternative means of survival and sense of belonging. The aspect of money and popularity among girls becomes an attractive options when living in poverty-stricken areas. Helenvale is currently home to estimatedly 21 different gangs.

HELENVALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUT... due to gang-related shootings.

HELENVALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 10, 2015: Children play in a street in that a speedbump is the invisible border between two gangs, the 'Nice Time Bozzas' and the 'New Kids', March 10, 2015 in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Helenvale is an area that is home to approximately 21 gangs, hence nicknamed 'Katanga', after the war-stricken province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many people, especially children, get regularly shot in crossfires due to gang-related shootings.

GELVANDALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOU...e abuse, crime and gangsterism.

GELVANDALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 09, 2015: A roundabout is covered with garbage while a fire burns in the middle in Gelvandale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on March 09, 2015. In the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth, prevalently inhabited by coloured communities, this often happens as an expression of discontemp about the socioeconomic conditions and the inability of the police to react against crime. Rumours were spread about a missing child that day whereas other sources theorised it to be a distraction from a crime happening somewhere else. The legacy of the socioeconomic inequities deeply rooted in coloured communities as the most marginalised ethnic groups in South Africa, gives rise to a vicious cycle of unemployment, poverty, substance abuse, crime and gangsterism.

SCHAUDERVILLE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 27, 2015: Children play at a flat complex in Schauderville, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 27, 2015. Schauderville is part of the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth where gangsterism is particularly high and sought after as an alternative means of survival and sense of belonging within the most marginalised of South Africa's ethnic groups, the coloured communities.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - ...rinking is a common phenomenon.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 21, 2015: During a raid police officers search a tavern for suspected drug dealing March 21, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Many taverns are unlicensed; underage and binge drinking is a common phenomenon.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - ...eighten the police visibility.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 21, 2015: During a raid police officers search people for drugs March 21, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Due to the socioeconomic conditions, crime and drug abuse are high in coloured communities. Regular police raids are conducted in areas that are particularly affected by crime, substance abuse and gangsterism, such as Helenvale and Schauderville, and aim to heighten the police visibility.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - ...heighten the police visibility.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 21, 2015: During a raid police officers search people for drugs March 21, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Due to the socioeconomic conditions, crime and drug abuse are high in coloured communities. Regular police raids are conducted in areas that are particularly affected by crime, substance abuse and gangsterism, such as Helenvale and Schauderville, and aim to heighten the police visibility.

KUYGA, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AF...ns entrenched in their culture.

KUYGA, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 09, 2015: During a drug investigation a police officer stands in the entrance to the suspect's shack while community members watch the happenings March 09, 2015 in Kuyga, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Crime, substance abuse and drug dealing is prevalent in coloured communities and one of the results of the socioeconomic conditions entrenched in their culture.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - ...e Democratic Republic of Congo.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 06, 2015: Residents of a small community located next to a dumpsite run after a car to jump on its back March 06, 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. They make tips by helping people unload their garbage. Most of the people that stay here used to be associated with gangs and are now escaping this dangerous lifestyle. Many of them come from Helenvale, an area that is now home to approximately 21 gangs, hence nicknamed 'Katanga', after the war-stricken province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 06, 2015: Residents of a small community next to a dumpsite hang out in front of their shacks after a day of work April 06, 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. They make their living by tips for helping unload garbage off people's cars and reuse items. Most of the people that live at the dumpsite used to be associated with gangs and are now escaping this dangerous lifestyle. Many of them come from Helenvale, an area that is now home to approximately 21 gangs, hence nicknamed 'Katanga', after the war-stricken province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 06, 2015: A resident of a small community next to a dumpsite carries items found in the garbage to his shack March 06, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Most of the people that stay here used to be associated with gangs and are now escaping this dangerous lifestyle. Many of them come from Helenvale, an area that is now home to approximately 21 gangs, hence nicknamed 'Katanga', after the war-stricken province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 06, 2015: Residents of a small community located next to a dumpsite play domino while making a break from unloading garbage off cars which is their main income March 06, 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. They make tips by helping people unload their garbage. Most of the people that stay here used to be associated with gangs and are now escaping this dangerous lifestyle. Many of them come from Helenvale, an area that is now home to approximately 21 gangs, hence nicknamed 'Katanga', after the war-stricken province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 06, 2015: A resident of a small community living next to a dumpsite holds her child in her arms while another resident sorts out items found in the garbage April 06, 2014 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The community makes their living by getting tipped helping unload people's cars and re-using or repairing items found on the dumpsite. Most of the people that stay at the dumpsite used to be associated with gangs and are now escaping this dangerous lifestyle. Many of them come from Helenvale, an area that is now home to approximately 21 gangs, hence nicknamed 'Katanga', after the war-stricken province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

BETHELSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA - MAR... shortfalls in social services.

BETHELSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 07, 2015: Somersault on a mattress before the start of an outreach program on gangsterism on March 07, 2015 in Bethelsdorp, South Africa. Bethelsdorp is an area subject to the Reconstruction and Development Programme . Many parts of the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth, such as Bethelsdorp, are subject to the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) including social housing through RDP houses (as seen in the background) built for previously disadvantaged groups in order to alleviate poverty and address shortfalls in social services.

BETHELSDORP, PORT ELIZABETH, SO...six years in prison for murder.

BETHELSDORP, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 16, 2015: Students sit in the in the courtyard of Booysenspark High school captivated by an outreach programme performed as a response to the high prevalence of gangsterism, drug and alcohol abuse in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 16, 2015. Since religion is often the reason for people turning away from gangsterism, it is an important aspect of the outreach program that is performed by former gangster Neil Armstrong who spent six years in prison for murder.

BETHELSDORP, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 16, 2015: Students pray communally in the courtyard of Booysenspark High school before the start of an outreach programme performed as a response to the high prevalence of gangsterism, drug and alcohol abuse in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 16, 2015. Since religion is often the reason for people turning away from gangsterism, it is an important aspect of the outreach program that is performed by former gangster Neil Armstrong who spent six years in prison for murder.

BETHELSDORP, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 16, 2015: Two girls cry while consoling each other after an outreach programme at Booysenspark High school, that induced strong emotional reactions within many students on February 16, 2015 in Bethelsdorp, South Africa . The outreach programme was conducted as a response to the high prevalence of gangsterism, drug and alcohol abuse in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth, South Africa and performed by former gangster Neil Armstrong who spent six years in prison for murder.

BETHELSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA - MAR..., violence and substance abuse.

BETHELSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 27, 2015: Girls cheer during performances which form part of a 'block party' - an outreach program by an NGO called 'Truth Squad', which is directed by former gangster Neil Armstrong and his team on March 27, 2015 in Bethelsdorp, South Africa. Truth Squad preaches religion as a response to gangsterism, drug and alcohol abuse that often start in young ages. The NGO regularly holds blog parties as well as programs at various schools throughout the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, which are particulary prone to crime, violence and substance abuse.

HELENVALE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 17, 2015: Due to the high prevalence of crime and gangsterism in Helenvale, a school guard watches the gate at Helenvale Primary School to ensure the safety of the pupils March 17, 2015 in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Innocent people being shot in crossfires is a common phenomenon due to the gang wars over turf. One of the school's playgrounds adjoining the street is not used anymore due to risks of stray bullets being fired through the gate. Helenvale is currently home to estimatedly 21 different gangs.

BETHELSDORP, PORT ELIZABETH, SO...rty, substance abuse and crime.

BETHELSDORP, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 24, 2015: A students listens to an outreach programme performed as a response to the high prevalence of gangsterism, drug and alcohol abuse in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 24, 2015. The glamorization of gangsterism draws in young adolescents, both male and female. Gangsterism often becomes their sense of belonging while encouraging school drop-outs and playing part in the existing vicious cycle of unemployment, poverty, substance abuse and crime.

BETHELSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA - FEB...rty, substance abuse and crime.

BETHELSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 16, 2015: Writings decorate an old pinboard in a vandalised and abandoned classroom of Booysenspark High school, refering to, among others, the numbers gangs 26s (centre, '2Joney6) February 16, 2015 in Bethelsdorp, South Africa.The glamorization of gangsterism draws in young adolescents, both male and female. Gangsterism often becomes their sense of belonging while encouraging school drop-outs and playing part in the existing vicious cycle of unemployment, poverty, substance abuse and crime.

SCHAUDERVILLE, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 24, 2015: Lollie (C ), allegedly part of the number gang 26s and gang member of the 'Spotbouerz' plays cards for cash with people of his community in a flat complex in Schauderville, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 27, 2015. Schauderville is part of the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth where gangsterism is particularly high and sought after as an alternative means of survival and sense of belonging within the most marginalised of South Africa's ethnic groups, the coloured communities.

KABEGA PARK, PORT ELIZABETH, SO...ured communities such as Kuyga.

KABEGA PARK, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 09, 2015: The findings of a drug investigation lie on the table at a police station while the convicted owner waits in the background March 09, 2015 in Kabega Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Among others, an illegal firearm, mandrax tablets, crystal meth, a scale and bundles of money were confiscated after found under the bed in the convict's shack in Kuyga. Due to the socioeconomic conditions, crime and drug abuse are high in coloured communities such as Kuyga.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 21, 2015: On his search for drugs during a raid a police officer pulls out a bundle of money when investigating the contents of the person's pockets March 21, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Due to the socioeconomic conditions, crime and drug abuse are high in coloured communities. Regular police raids are conducted in areas that are particularly affected by crime, substance abuse and gangsterism, such as Helenvale and Schauderville, and aim to heighten the police visibility.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 21, 2015: During a raid a suspect is lying on the ground waiting for the police officers to finish their search for drugs March 21, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Due to the socioeconomic conditions, crime and drug abuse are high in coloured communities. Regular police raids are conducted in areas that are particularly affected by crime, substance abuse and gangsterism, such as Helenvale and Schauderville, and aim to heighten the police visibility.

ARCADIA, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH ...th Africa on February 20, 2015.

ARCADIA, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 20, 2015: Children playfully fight back a fire on a field in Arcadia, Port Elizabeth, South Africa on February 20, 2015.

Corinna Kern

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