Women behind the lens: ‘Despite the uncertainties of war, they were full of hope’
In September 2018, on a very hot day in Juba, South Sudan, a moment of resilience and hope presented itself. I was walking through the streets of the city and stumbled upon a group of students in their graduation gowns, marching in unison towards a gathering point. Parents and passersby were cheering them on. Among them was a cluster of radiant young women, whose smiles seemed to reflect resilience and determination. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that loomed over their country at that time, these graduates were full of hope for a brighter future; I felt compelled to capture their optimism.
After I had photographed them, the women, who were from the VIP Academy for Aviation and Technology, joined the procession of other graduates, following a marching band and moving forward in pursuit of their dreams.
This image is part of a series titled
This Time We Are Young, an ongoing project that delves into the multifaceted lives of young Africans, focused on people under 30 years old. Africa is full of opportunities and potential, although it can be tough in many ways. I wanted to document the young generation, the backbone of the continent, and share their hopes, dreams and resilience with the world.
I started in 2017 in Uganda, my home country, documenting what it meant to be young here. I also photographed young LGBTQ+ people in South Africa, one of a few countries in Africa where homosexuality is not criminalised.
I travelled to South Sudan because I wanted to learn how young people were surviving and keeping hope amid the conflict that had gripped the nation since its hard-fought independence in 2011. A month after my visit, a peace deal was signed.
Esther Ruth Mbabazi is a Ugandan photographer. See more of her work on her website and Instagram