This Time We Are Young by Esther Mbabazi

Uganda (2017 -2018)

At the time, Uganda was the world's youngest country by median age. This story explores some aspects of being young in Uganda.

South Sudan (2018)

This chapter documents coming of age amidst conflict - photographing the daily life of South Sudanese youths in Juba.

Belgium & Germany (2019)

Photographing young Africans in Europe, exploring their stories - when they moved and why, and what their life entails now, merging cultures of the two worlds they live in.

South Africa (2019-2020)

Documenting the lives of LGBTQ youths and migrants in South Africa, where many youths in other African countries dream of sanctuary.

Siya Hlongwa, 32, a trans woman...ophobic and not as open minded.

Siya Hlongwa, 32, a trans woman participates in awareness activities at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was homeless after her family disowned her when she came out to them. “I am a siren, I don not want to just be a statistic.” She says of her volunteering work at the university, where she aims to help younger people, especially the LGBT homeless. South Africa is the most open minded country in Africa in terms of people’s sexualities. Many queer people in other African countries dream of a time when their homes can be legally free as South Africa. So, what does it mean to be a queer youth in South Africa today? In a place where you have legal rights to be who you are, but at the same time, where many people in the communities are homophobic and not as open minded.

Pelo Boipelo, 18, and her partn...ophobic and not as open minded.

Pelo Boipelo, 18, and her partner Buhle Bontle, 19 enjoy quality time in Johannesburg, South Africa. Pelo identifies as pansexual and Buhle as queer. They have been together for two months and they mostly enjoy each other’s company, humour and affection. South Africa is the most open minded country in Africa in terms of people’s sexualities. Many queer people in other African countries dream of a time when their homes can be legally free as South Africa. So, what does it mean to be a queer youth in South Africa today? In a place where you have legal rights to be who you are, but at the same time, where many people in the communities are homophobic and not as open minded.

A portrait of Pelo Boipelo, 19,...ophobic and not as open minded.

A portrait of Pelo Boipelo, 19, in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is pansexual. A law student, Pelo is out to her mother and sisters but not to her father who she says is a homophobe. “I am privileged to be femme presenting, or, say, I don’t make people uncomfortable - but I make it a point to express my queerness.” “When I am with my partner, we get stared at a lot but because she is often confused for a guy, we haven’t faced any violence. I do not feel unsafe because of my sexuality, but in general being a woman, it is unsafe for us many times.” She says. South Africa is the most open minded country in Africa in terms of people’s sexualities. Many queer people in other African countries dream of a time when their homes can be legally free as South Africa. So, what does it mean to be a queer youth in South Africa today? In a place where you have legal rights to be who you are, but at the same time, where many people in the communities are homophobic and not as open minded.

Siya Hlongwa, 32, a trans woman participates in awareness activities at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was homeless after her family disowned her when she came out to them. “I am a siren, I do not want to just be a statistic.” She says of her volunteering work at the university, where she aims to help younger people, especially the LGBT homeless. When she was homeless, she realised there were many students who were sleeping in the university premises because they did not have homes to go to. She slept in the library, bathrooms, locker rooms, train stations and on the university campus, she befriended cleaners and security personnel to let her stay the nights. She is hoping to use her Architectural degree to create change in the university systems especially regarding student homelessness. South Africa is the most open minded country in Africa in terms of people’s sexualities. Many queer people in other African countries dream of a time when their homes can be legally free as South Africa. So, what does it mean to be a queer youth in South Africa today? In a place where you have legal rights to be who you are, but at the same time, where many people in the communities are homophobic and not as open minded.

Anold Mulaisho in Pretoria.

Anold Mulaisho at La Canteen, an LGBT bar in Pretoria.

Ross from Zimbabwe.

Anold Mulaisho at La Canteen, an LGBT bar in Pretoria.

Ashley from Zimbabwe

Esther Ruth Mbabazi

Also by Esther Ruth Mbabazi —

Commissioned Works

This Time We Are Young

The Things We Carry

A mysterious Fate: Nodding Syndrome in Northern Uganda