Guy Tillim

Jo'burg, 2004

  • A map of central Johannesburg at the Inner City Regeneration Project office, City Council, Loveday Street, 2004
    A map of central Johannesburg at the Inner City Regeneration Project office, City Council, Loveday Street, 2004
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • View of Hillbrow looking north from the roof of the Mariston Hotel, 2004
    View of Hillbrow looking north from the roof of the Mariston Hotel, 2004
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Al's Tower, a block of flats on Harrow Road, overlooking the Ponte building
    Al's Tower, a block of flats on Harrow Road, overlooking the Ponte building
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • The roof of Sherwood Heights, Smit Street
    The roof of Sherwood Heights, Smit Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • On the roof of Jeanwell House on Nugget Street
    On the roof of Jeanwell House on Nugget Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Tayeb Towers, Pritchard Street
    Tayeb Towers, Pritchard Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • San Jose, a block of flats in Olivia Street, Berea
    San Jose, a block of flats in Olivia Street, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • A fire threatens the Miller Weedon building on Twist Street
    A fire threatens the Miller Weedon building on Twist Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Oupa's geraniums, Yeoville
    Oupa's geraniums, Yeoville
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Manhattan Court, Plein Street
    Manhattan Court, Plein Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Cape Agulhas, Esselen Street, Hillbrow
    Cape Agulhas, Esselen Street, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Jeanwell House, a former commercial property in Nugget Street, converted to residential use
    Jeanwell House, a former commercial property in Nugget Street, converted to residential use
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Milton Court, Pritchard Street
    Milton Court, Pritchard Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Milton Court, Pritchard Street
    Milton Court, Pritchard Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Thulisile, eight floor, San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    Thulisile, eight floor, San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • July's shop, selling beer, chips and cigarettes, on the eighth floor of San Jose, Olivia Street
    July's shop, selling beer, chips and cigarettes, on the eighth floor of San Jose, Olivia Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Barber's shop, Hillbrow
    Barber's shop, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Manhattan Court, Plein Street
    Manhattan Court, Plein Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Stanhope Mansions, Plein Street
    Stanhope Mansions, Plein Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Corridor of slum apartments, Auret Street, Jeppestown
    Corridor of slum apartments, Auret Street, Jeppestown
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Cape Agulhas, Esselen Street, Hillbrow
    Cape Agulhas, Esselen Street, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • First floor, Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    First floor, Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • The view from an apartment in Jeanwell House overlooking the intersection of Nugget and Pritchard Street
    The view from an apartment in Jeanwell House overlooking the intersection of Nugget and Pritchard Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Pinky Masoe at her home in Sherwood Heights, Smit Street
    Pinky Masoe at her home in Sherwood Heights, Smit Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • The view from San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea, looking east over Yeoville
    The view from San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea, looking east over Yeoville
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Namasonto makes her bed, Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    Namasonto makes her bed, Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Fourth floor, San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    Fourth floor, San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Thulani Magrem and Sheila Thabang's place in Al's Tower, Joel Road, Berea
    Thulani Magrem and Sheila Thabang's place in Al's Tower, Joel Road, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Kenny Ncube on the balcony of his flat in Sherwood Heights, Smit Street
    Kenny Ncube on the balcony of his flat in Sherwood Heights, Smit Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Yoneda Kwaza, Grafton Road, Yeoville
    Yoneda Kwaza, Grafton Road, Yeoville
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Mathews Ngwenya at his place in Sherwood Heights, Smit Street
    Mathews Ngwenya at his place in Sherwood Heights, Smit Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Ntokozo (right) and his brother Vusi Tshabalala at Ntokozo's place, Milton Court, Pritchard Street
    Ntokozo (right) and his brother Vusi Tshabalala at Ntokozo's place, Milton Court, Pritchard Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    San Jose, Olivia Street, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Mbulelo at the bar he runs in a house in Joel Road, Berea
    Mbulelo at the bar he runs in a house in Joel Road, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Mbulelo's bar, Joel Road, Berea
    Mbulelo's bar, Joel Road, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Mbulelo's bar, Joel Road, Berea
    Mbulelo's bar, Joel Road, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Milthred Court, Kerk Street
    Milthred Court, Kerk Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Zimbabwean Innocent Mazeka's place, 402 Al's Tower, Joel Road, Berea
    Zimbabwean Innocent Mazeka's place, 402 Al's Tower, Joel Road, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Zimbabwean Innocent Mazeka's place, 402 Al'sTower, Joel Road, Berea
    Zimbabwean Innocent Mazeka's place, 402 Al'sTower, Joel Road, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Al's Tower, Joel Road, Berea
    Al's Tower, Joel Road, Berea
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Philip Radele, Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    Philip Radele, Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Tshililo (right) and her friends share a one-roomed apartment in Cape Agulhas, Esselen Street, Hillbrow
    Tshililo (right) and her friends share a one-roomed apartment in Cape Agulhas, Esselen Street, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Richard in the girl's room, Cape Agulhas, Esselen Street, Hillbrow
    Richard in the girl's room, Cape Agulhas, Esselen Street, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Nomasanto's room, Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    Nomasanto's room, Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Normas Kubheka, Milton Court, Pritchard Street
    Normas Kubheka, Milton Court, Pritchard Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Masala Kwinda's place at Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    Masala Kwinda's place at Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Export House, Bree Street
    Export House, Bree Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Grafton Road, Yeoville
    Grafton Road, Yeoville
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    Jeanwell House, Nugget Street
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Members of Wozani Security, known as the Red Ants, enter the Chelsea Hotel in Hillbrow during a clean-up operation
    Members of Wozani Security, known as the Red Ants, enter the Chelsea Hotel in Hillbrow during a clean-up operation
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Eviction by the Red Ants, Auret Street, Jeppestown
    Eviction by the Red Ants, Auret Street, Jeppestown
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Noverna Court, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow
    Noverna Court, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Noverna Court, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow
    Noverna Court, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Eviction aftermath, Noverna Court, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow
    Eviction aftermath, Noverna Court, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • Eviction aftermath, Noverma Court, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow
    Eviction aftermath, Noverma Court, Paul Nel Street, Hillbrow
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 43,6 × 65,5 cm (image size), 49,6 × 71,5 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • The Red Ants evict residents of Crest House, Main Street, Jeppestown
    The Red Ants evict residents of Crest House, Main Street, Jeppestown
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP
  • The view from the top of the Mariston Hotel looking south
    The view from the top of the Mariston Hotel looking south
    archival pigment ink on cotton paper, 35,3 × 52,4 cm (image size), 42 × 59,4 cm (paper size)
    edition of 5 + 1 AP

White residents fled Johannesburg’s inner city in the 1990s. The removal of the Group Areas Act foreshadowed a flow into the city of black residents and owners of small businesses seeking opportunities and better lives. Former denizens looked back in self-righteous justification at a city that was given over to plunder and mayhem. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy, backed up by eyewitness reports and statistics. Everyone had their horror stories.

In amongst this turmoil existed the tower blocks occupied by tenants who were holding onto occupancy and managing the buildings in ways of their own devising. Their story had gone something like this: in the 1990s the owners absconded, leaving managing agents to retrieve what rents they could. In most cases, these agents were corrupt, did not pay the utilities, and disappeared with the money. These were tidy sums, handed over by poor people who conscientiously paid up to avoid having to go back where they came from.

The decay of Jo’burg’s centre can be ascribed to many factors but perhaps none more so than the absence of Body Corporates. These had become relics of a more genteel era; the communal responsibilities that are contentious in even the most well-heeled blocks were not marked out. Windows were broken and not repaired. Lifts froze and their shafts became tips.

The relationship between tenants and owners or their agents deteriorated with disputes over the state of the buildings, and in some cases resulted in unpaid rents and dues. The buildings started looking like fire hazards, and the City Council began closing on them for unpaid utilities.

In between the needs of City Council and the aspirations of developers anticipating the bloom of an African city lies the fate of Jo’burg’s residents. The outcome will decide whether or not Johannesburg becomes, again, a city of exclusion. (Guy Tillim, 2004)

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