Bandile Gumbi Becomes First Black Woman Director of Market Photo Workshop
In March 2025, Bandile Gumbi made history as the first Black woman to take the helm of the Market Photo Workshop (MPW) in Johannesburg. Established in 1989 by David Goldblatt as a response to apartheid, MPW provided training to Black South Africans who were excluded from higher education. Among its distinguished alumni are Zanele Muholi and Lebohang Kganye. Gumbi, who earned a BA in Law and an MA in Communication for Development from Malmö University, is focused on enhancing student access and scholarships while maintaining MPW's community-oriented teaching approach. The 2nd Black Women in Photography Conference in August 2025 showcased a growing emphasis on identity and self-representation in documentary photography, rooted in the institution's anti-apartheid legacy.
Key facts
- Bandile Gumbi became director of Market Photo Workshop in March 2025.
- She is the first Black woman to hold the position in MPW's 37-year history.
- MPW was founded by David Goldblatt in 1989 in Johannesburg.
- The school was created to provide photography training to Black South Africans during apartheid.
- Notable alumni include Zanele Muholi, Lebohang Kganye, Sabelo Mlangeni, Lolo Veleko, Ruth Motau, and Jodi Bieber.
- Gumbi holds a BA in Law and an MA from Malmö University, Sweden.
- She previously worked at Visual Arts Network, Goethe-Institut, Centre for the Creative Arts, and MPW from 2012-2014.
- The 2nd Black Women in Photography Conference took place in August 2025 in Johannesburg.
- The conference was organized by Muholi Art Institute in partnership with MPW and Ruth Motau's mentorship program.
- Gumbi's main concern is restoring student accessibility and scholarships to maintain MPW's legacy.
Entities
Artists
- Bandile Gumbi
- David Goldblatt
- Zanele Muholi
- Lebohang Kganye
- Sabelo Mlangeni
- Lolo Veleko
- Ruth Motau
- Jodi Bieber
- Paulo Freire
- Ana Paula Vitorio
- Thandi Sibeko
- Tshepiso Mazibuko
- Dahlia Maubane
- Fulufhelo Mobadi
- Tsholofelo Kodisang
Institutions
- Market Photo Workshop
- Market Theatre
- Market Theatre Foundation
- Muholi Art Institute
- Visual Arts Network
- Goethe-Institut
- Centre for the Creative Arts
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- International Exchange Festival
- International Festival of Cinema of Zimbabwe
- Untold Stories
- Malmö University
- PUC-Rio
- University of the Free State
- ZUM
Locations
- Johannesburg
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Zimbabwe
- Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro
- Africa
Sources
- ZUM IMS —