The branch makes a forward path and then angles upwards. A boy with worn shoes and stained trousers rests his belly on it, turning towards the reflective water. Besides the dominant branch and a scattering of twigs, the image is of a lonesome affair. Yet the boy can be said to be ambulant: note the unsettled character of his arm and leg, the disposition of his slender frame to reach towards the opaque surface below. Boys are often known for their daring. Here is a pointer to something supplementary, that slight moment between restraint and adventure.

— Emmanuel Iduma

This photograph was taken in Glencoe, South Africa, while I was visiting my parents nearby. I met a group of young boys who were on their way to go fishing and asked if I could join them. 

As we navigate a world that seems to become more polarised with every passing day, I like to remind myself of how we used to play as children. Hence the title of this image, Ama-Fishing, a mix of English and isiZulu. As children, we used to play with innocence and ease through a broken mix of different languages.

I took this photograph after I met a few youngsters who were on their way to fish at a nearby dam. During the short journey via an old railway track, we met another group of boys. These strangers decided to embark on the fishing quest together. They did not know each other, they did not speak the same languages, they came from different cultures, but they were united through their shared desire to engage in friendly play.

I believe that photography is one of the best ways to learn about the people and places that surround us. I use my photography to try and capture the nuances of South African lives that have a strong connection to the land.

— Coenraad H. Torlage

Coenraad H. Torlage is inspired by the intricate facets of South African existence, particularly those intimately linked to the land. His series “Young Farmers” won the Sony World Photography Awards Student Competition in 2021, a body of work subsequently expanded into “The Land Project.” See more of his work on his website, and on Instagram.