Led by Jabulani Dhlamini, the initiative empowers Moroccan youth to explore storytelling through the lens
Courtesy of Of Soul & Joy.
Of Soul & Joy (OSJ), the Johannesburg-based photography programme dedicated to empowering youth has extended its reach beyond South Africa with a recent workshop in Morocco. The initiative introduced photography to children at Dar Al Atfal Sidi Bernoussi, an orphanage in Casablanca that has provided shelter, education, and support to vulnerable children since 1986. Running until 18 May 2025, the workshop formed part of OSJ’s ongoing mission to use photography as a tool for creative expression, education, and cross-cultural dialogue.
Supported by Rubis Mécénat and Vitogaz Maroc, the programme offered children aged 11 to 12 an immersive introduction to photography. Under the guidance of acclaimed South African photographer Jabulani Dhlamini and Moroccan photographers Marouane Beslem and Abdelhamid Behlamidi, participants learned photography’s technical and artistic fundamentals. More importantly, the children were encouraged to tell their stories and engage in visual conversations that transcend national borders.
Dhlamini remarked on the workshop’s impact: “Photography is a universal language – it goes beyond barriers of language, ethnicity, and creed. It’s a unifier, enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds to creatively tell their stories. What’s truly powerful is that, through photography, these children can communicate with the world, and their stories will resonate with anyone, anywhere.”
The workshop will culminate in a public exhibition at Lycée Lyautey in Casablanca on 23 May 2025. The school, the second largest French educational institution in Morocco, will host a showcase of the children’s work, including cyanotypes, photo prints, wallpapers, and archival pieces. Curated by Dhlamini, Beslem, and Behlamidi, the exhibition will offer a unique opportunity for young participants to present their work to the public and share their perspectives through photography.
Dar Al Atfal Sidi Bernoussi, the host of the workshop, plays a vital role in supporting approximately 260 boys, many of whom have been abandoned, orphaned, or come from families in extreme poverty. Through the support of Vitogaz Maroc, the orphanage has recently seen improvements to its facilities, including the refurbishment of its kitchen, bathrooms, and dormitories—enhancing the daily lives of the children in its care.
This initiative in Morocco is part of a growing legacy for Of Soul & Joy, which has been instrumental in fostering the talents of young photographers across Africa. The programme’s alums continue to receive international acclaim. In 2024, Tshepiso Mazibuko was honoured with both the Discovery Award, the Louis Roederer Foundation’s Public Award and the Madame Figaro Photo Award at the Rencontres d’Arles photography festival in France for her exhibition ‘Ho tshepa ntshepedi ya bontshepe’ (To Believe in Something That Will Never Happen). Fellow alumnus Vuyo Mabheka exhibited ‘Popihuise’ at the Biennale Images Vevey in Switzerland and received the Special Jury Prize, one of Europe’s most prestigious photography accolades.
As Of Soul & Joy expands its global presence, the photography workshop in Casablanca stands as a testament to the programme’s belief in art as a catalyst for change. By offering young people a creative outlet and the tools to express themselves, the initiative continues to build bridges across cultures and empower the next generation of storytellers.
For more information, please visit Of Soul & Joy.
