Renowned photographer, Cedric Nunn, gave an extraordinary one-dimensional insight into the people living in Kenneth Gardens, at this week’s seminar held at DUT’s Engineering Science Built Environment (ESBE) boardroom, on the Steve Biko Campus in Durban.

The event was organised and hosted by the DUT Urban Futures Centre (UFC@DUT), giving Nunn the platform to showcase his photos which would form part of a photo essay in a book about Kenneth Gardens.

Kenneth Gardens, Umbilo, is the largest municipal housing estate in the city of Durban. It provides subsidised housing to approximately 1500 to 1800 individuals. A large portion of the residents have at least one member of their family with a serious physical or mental illness. The DUT staff and students from the Homeopathy Department have been running the weekly Wellness Clinic since 2011.
The Kenneth Gardens Community Engagement Project was initiated in 2011 by UFC@DUT’s Professor Monique Marks and Dr Kira Erwin. This year (2015), Nunn was asked to take photos of the Kenneth Gardens municipal housing estate to form part of a photo essay in a book. In taking these photos, he became fascinated by the community of Kenneth Gardens and spent a week behind his lens exploring the diversity, energy and very construction of the Kenneth Gardens estate. The documentary photographer said although Kenneth Gardens was dogged by social issues, is showed the strength of “heart” and togetherness through the people. “The photos are an indication of a bygone era and a beautiful part of the city which enhances one’s deep appreciation of the place. It is with all of its issues and complexities quite an extraordinary space and one that evokes passion, usually with people that are engaged with it (Kenneth Gardens),” he said.
His series of pictures on Kenneth Gardens showcases the Carrot and Peas Soup Kitchen run by voluntary help and shows the strength of community in helping others. Other pictures showcased children playing, also depicting the fact that there was no supervision of the children by adults as the children were being left on their own. Other pictures included scenic trees, spectacular building layouts, home-grown gardens and the volunteer care-workers based at Kenneth Gardens.
One of the dramatic parts of Kenneth Gardens are the trees from the late 1940s and 1950s. A lot of these trees are dying and no attempts are being made to save them.
The photos will be included in the book being done by the UFC@DUT which will entail a collection of oral history by Kenneth Gardens’ residents.
– Waheeda Peters
Pictured: Cedric Nunn showcasing his photos on Kenneth Gardens during the UFC@DUT seminar. Also pictured is one of Munn’s photos taken at Kenneth Gardens.