Karabo's photographic project focuses on Black riders at the Enos Mafokate Centre, emphasizing authenticity by avoiding overly curated imagery. He believes in capturing life as it unfolds, which showcases the community's engagement with equestrian sports. The title 'Black Rein' cleverly reflects themes of control and empowerment, encouraging representation in a sport historically linked to colonialism. Through his portraits, Karabo aims to connect young Black individuals from Soweto with equestrianism, fostering a sense of inclusion and highlighting how diversity is indicative of societal progress, especially in the context of South Africa's past.
Much like his past pursuits in photo documentary, Karabo worked alongside the athlete and the community surrounding the Enos Mafokate Centre, all the while avoiding an overly curated approach to his image making.
"Finding patience and remaining observational allows for me to capture the truth of life as it unfolds and for the purity of the story to come through," he explains, "the framing comes naturally once you are working with trust."
The project’s title Black Rein is a nod to a play on the words reign and rein. ... Karabo tells us. "The meaning of the word reign also led me to explore the idea of Black royalty."
"How diverse a sport is, is often an indicator of a nation's political progress," Karabo says. "For decades during apartheid, South Africa was barred from entering international competitions like the Olympics..."
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