Ruthy Goes to Church

For the past 10 years, I have been documenting the lives of female activists and their personal struggles to encourage change in the communities in which they live. My work focusses often on social justice and the role of women in sub-Saharan Africa society. The resulting body of work highlights the successes of incredible women who are smashing glass ceilings. Some of the women actively campaign for change. Others encourage change by setting an example. But all, in their own way, work hard to change the way they are viewed by the world around them. ‘Ruthy Goes to Church’ is the portrayal of Ruth Jones, second-in-command of the Manenberg Church Brigade in Cape Town, South Africa. Ruthy was born and still lives in the infamous township of Manenberg, renowned for its drug and gang related crime. Despite growing up surrounded by violence, rape and drug abuse, Ruthy has managed to become a working mother, wife and local church activist. A beacon of hope in an otherwise dark world. Her love for her own children and for those in her brigade, her pride in her work with the church and her dedication to her community is what keeps her going. It’s thanks to women like Ruthy that South African townships have not completely imploded. It’s thanks to women like Ruthy that the people of Manenberg can still be proud of where they live and of who they are.