The African middle class..
Written by David WhiteAccording to a recent report by the African Development Bank, one in three Africans are middle class. That’s a lot of people…over 300,000,000 people in fact.There is a great slideshow over on Auntie here, with images from Philippe Sibelly (that was a hard byline to spot..).come on BBC pic desk, better credits please…if you’re not going to link back like this, then at least make the byline clearer…
Discussion (8 Comments)
It’s good work; I’m glad to see “another Africa” depicted in the mainstream media; and, yes, the BBC should certainly have made the photo credit much more prominent.
But the project has me wondering why it wasn’t shot by an African photographer.
Another way of asking that question would be, Why do so few African photographers have the resources to carry out such a project and the connections with the international media to get it published?
I understand that the answers to this question ultimately take us back to the power dynamics between rich nations and poor nations.
But, without attempting to change the whole world, What can be done to open doors for African photographers and other media professionals?
‘Rich’ photogs can afford to make a loss. To anyone else the idea seems unthinkable.
Here’s another thought. Maybe they aren’t that interested in the idea of shooting the African Middle class?
I agree that growing up in an atmosphere of plenty, on the one hand, or of want, on the other, creates very different notions of what is possible (or plausible or proper). That’s precisely why it would be good to put resources into the hands of photographers and other media professionals from the developing world. Along with the mentoring and networking that (many) rich world photographers take for granted.
As for the subject matter… It has, in fact, occurred to at least one African photographer. South African photog Oupa Nkosi has done a superb project on the country’s ‘black diamonds,’ the new black middle- and upper-classes. It’s easy to find via Google. (BTW, Nkosi had both resources and networks.)
Thanks @duckrabbitblog love the comment! http://www.duckrabbit.info/2011/05/the-african-middle-class/
RT @philippesibelly: Thanks@duckrabbitblog love the comment! http://www.duckrabbit.info/2011/05/the-african-middle-class/ Anytime.Thankyou.
Imagine taking photos of Africa that involves urban middle classes.
Mental!
Fresh!
New!
Erm…..Malian photographer http://www.lensculture.com/sidibe.html
Bollocks.
Attempt at a snarky comment and I screw up the link.
Let’s keep it simple.
http://www.lensculture.com/sidibe.html
Lol.