An African Family

Nozuko's Story

This is what photojournalism is about. The war was over. On April 23, 1994, in a remote South African village, eighteen-year-old Nozuko Ngcaweni, her infant daughter Nqobile tied to her back with a blanket and her beloved granny at her side, boarded a transport that took them to vote in the first democratic election held in South Africa. The young mother was relieved to see the violence end with a gentle hush across the land, and the future would be peaceful. Her grandmother was thankful that the next generation would have a life of dignity and equality. They had no idea that the next struggle was already under way; a war that would take millions of lives and decimate an entire generation. The enemy, HIV, was already hiding in Nozukos body. Within five years, Nozuko and Nqobile would be fighting for their lives. Nozuko would become a fierce warrior, not only for her own family, but for her community and her country. Like many soldiers before her, an ordinary woman discovered she had extraordinary skills. This is her journey, documented over twelve years since her first call to serve.