Honey for the history books
The creators of the series want people to relate to the art and to feel represented and empowered
When Johannesburg-based graphic designer and art director Rendani Nemakhavhani partnered with photographer Kgomotso Neto Tleane in 2016, their collaboration resulted in the first instalment of The Honey, an ongoing photo novella that celebrates black love, Nineties nostalgia and narrative photography.
Following the third and latest instalment of The Honey, which launched on April 6 at Umuzi Studios, Nemakhavhani, who plays Aus’ Honey, and Tleane, who plays Aus Honey’s lover Gavini, spoke about the latest iteration of the series, in which they collaborate with musician Nonku Phiri and director Odendaal Esterhuyse. Rendani: I think it works in the inverse, where Rendani and Kgomotso were inspired by Yizo Yizo to create a storyline that speaks to where we think Chester and Papa Action would be, had they been a couple living in 2016. They love money and fast cars but, most importantly, they will always love each other.
I feel like we don’t have a violent nature but we love the idea that the Yizo Yizo characters exuded an almost indestructible invincibility. Their environment was very chaotic and ours also tends to be chaotic, but we live our best lives regardless. Honey and Gavini are positive and a very realistic version of love and hope and vulnerability in a black community. I feel like I relate to Chester as a liker of nice things. That’s the real me. I like nice things fam, there’s no way around it. Rendani: We learned a lot from working with the J&B Hive. To a certain degree we are pedantic about who we work with. We definitely respect and love the work of the people we’ve collaborated with thus far. Some of the most valuable advice given to me on collaborating is: either work with someone who is better than you or on the same level as you. Because what is the point of collaborating if you can’t learn anything from them?
We’re open to working with brands and people with whom we are aligned — both in a personal capacity, as well as a professional capacity. As long as we get to keep our authenticity within these collaborations, then we’re good to go.
The most important terms and conditions of working with us are trusting that we are capable of producing high-quality work — giving us creative control, acknowledging our contributions and also paying us accordingly — we feel that we are of international standards. from the same background so it’s easy to understand. If people want to know what it means, we’ll explain it in the best way possible. However, they must be aware that it’s probably a watered-down explanation, because so much gets lost in accommodation and direct translations.
Not subscribing to the pressures of the audience is also necessary for the story and the project to grow. But I’m also — and I’m still debating with myself about this — moving towards separating the business aspect of it from myself, Rendani. Rendani: It was crazy! But crazy in a good way and a bit overwhelming — mostly because we were moving into a zone that rattled our comfort. It’s safe to say that it was also life-changing. That world is so closed off and can be tricky. I do, however, feel like we’re working at it. I also feel that our work doesn’t exactly read as traditional art, so I think we take some getting used to in that sphere. Kgomotso: For me, the dream is to create work that can be used as a reference. This shit must go into the history books, must be on screens, people must study what The Honey is, [and] how and why people are reacting to it the way that they are. Archiving is really important. I work really hard to create work that speaks to and represents who I am as a black person in the most honest way. My goal is to create work that will go down in history.
Rendani: Creating art in South Africa right now feels like “the war” that I’m fighting, through this gift. I want black people to be happy and know that the world is theirs. Honey wants to show you that you can be whatever and whoever you want to be, despite your adversities.
I also hope that people are moved and feel proud to be represented in this manner. The Honey is an extremely personal project that at times feels like a calling. This project comes from a very fragile place within me. I never want to lose the essence of it, which is the idea that “The Honey Shall Govern”. This is where I get to explore myself as an artist, where “artist” is a term I’m still trying to identify as, coming from a design background.
It’s definitely starting to feel like it’s becoming bigger than us. When you know that what you’re doing is close to revolutionary, you want the message to be as authentic and as relatable as possible.