Impressions from "Sharing the Motherload", the 2025 photovoice showcase

10 Oct 2025
Closeup of exhibition installation of printed canvasses attached with wooden pegs to ropes. Picture: Anne Morgenroth
10 Oct 2025

The Motherload Project hosted Sharing the Motherload, a public photovoice showcase at the Iziko South African National Gallery Annexe in September and October 2025.

The exhibition brought together photographs, stories, and Calls to Action from low-income mothers and fathers who participated in The Motherload Project research, shining a light on the invisible care work that sustains families and communities in South Africa. Their contributions highlight how everyday caregiving is shaped by structural inequality and the enduring legacies of colonialism and apartheid.

These images capture moments from the launch event, where participants, community members, policymakers, civil society partners and visitors explored the work for the first time.

Pictures by Lwando Nteya. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge and reveal the caption.

Julie Mentor of Embrace – the Movement for Mothers speaks at the launch of Sharing the Motherload.
Visitors move through the exhibition, reflecting on the mothers’ Calls to Action.
A visitor is taking in the powerful images and stories shared by mothers.
Co-researcher Chris Mfiki speaks about how the project reshaped his understanding of care work
Visitors viewing a father’s Call to Action: “Address absent fathers”.
person in exhibition space smiling and taking pictures with mobile phone
Group picture of 20+ people and one little puppy posing for shot in bright exhibition space
visitors at exhibition engaged in conversation
one person dancing, group of four people in background clapping and smiling

Selected comments from the visitor's book:

Really powerful, great evaluation.

I related so much to the images and comments. Words often in my heart & mind displayed before me had me feeling not so alone in my struggle with my own "MOTHERLOAD". 

Saw some familiar names... So glad to see they were part of this thought-provoking and grounding piece of work.