Fredrik Lerneryd (Nordens Fotoskola)
Moth Building
Award of Excellence
International Picture Story
In the heart of Johannesburg, mere minutes away from the city's central train station, an enigmatic sign looms: "MOTH."
Although hundreds and thousands of people pass it every single day, most have no awareness of what goes on inside. In fact, it is a rudimentary shelter for over 400 people. One that is cramped, uncomfortable, unsanitary and, supposedly, temporary.
The residents moved in six years ago, thinking they wouldn't be staying long. They arrived after being evicted from their old apartment blocks (torn down to make room for a gleaming shopping mall). The group was told they would be given a short-term place to live, something that would last for, at most, one year.
Six years later, nothing has happened. The living conditions grow worse, the residents more desperate and yet outside, life goes on...
Story: Moth Building
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Many of the over 400 resident that lives in here don't have their own room.Instead they use curtain as walls.Johannesburg 2015
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Dineo Mokgwetsi, a single mother, with a five year old daughter. Like many other here, she dont have job, and her opportunities is very limited. She canät even afford to send her daughter, Dineo to school. Johannesburg 2015
Story: Moth Building
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Magdalena Gadende wants to be a model and a dancer when she grows up.Johannesburg 2015
Story: Moth Building
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A view from inside the Moth Building in Johannesburg, 2015
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Ntokozo smoking a cigarette, trying to keep his head straight. In the back, two of hos friends are passed out. The weekends in Moth Building is filled with heavy drinking, and music playing from friday morning til' monday. Johannesburg 2015
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Busi is washing her children in one of the shower booth in the building.There is just cold water, and many of the toilets in the room don't work, so the place stinks of human feces. Johannesburg 2015
Story: Moth Building
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Sheila and Magdalena Gadende, a mother and daughter from Zimbabwe, on their way to Magdalenas school, Johannesburg 2015
Story: Moth Building
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Itumeleng is one of the many children in the building.The future for the children here is very limited, without any money its hard for them to even attend school. Johannesburg 2015