David Westhead
The Wembley to Soweto Foundation, launched during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, began with a simple yet powerful idea: to use photography to empower disadvantaged youth in Johannesburg’s townships.
Armed with eight borrowed cameras, eight learners captured their communities’ perspective on the global event — offering an intimate glimpse into lives overlooked by mainstream coverage. These images, raw and compelling, stood as powerful counterpoints to the polished shots from professional photographers in the stadiums.
Inspired by this success, the foundation partnered with londonprintstudio for the 2012 London Olympics. Eight young people from inner-city neighbourhoods were trained with donated SLR cameras to document “The Other Side of Gold.” Their focus shifted to stories the global press ignored: housing projects with anti-terrorist missiles, protests, and the stark contrast between homelessness and corporate glitz. Their work, eclectic and unexpected, challenged them to avoid the obvious and capture the essence of each moment.
Twelve years on, the foundation has reached young people worldwide, many of whom have gone on to extraordinary achievements. Alumni include professional photographers, teachers, journalists, filmmakers and more. Some, like Kasey from East London, have stayed involved, teaching and inspiring others. Kasey’s journey — from working at Poundland to photographing Damon Albarn’s “Africa Express” to earning a degree in Mandarin from Beijing University — stands as a testament to the program’s transformative impact.
Through exhibitions, courses and projects, the foundation has documented untold stories while fostering creativity and opportunity. One enduring lesson is the value of flexibility, sometimes even bending principles for a greater good. As a result, this grassroots initiative continues to empower the overlooked, offering a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard.
David Westhead.
