Gugulethu is a contraction of igugu lethu, which is Xhosa for our treasure. It was established in the 1960's due to the overcrowding of Langa, which was the only black residential area for Cape Town at the time. During the Apartheid era black South Africans were not permitted to live in the city of Cape Town, and many people were removed from areas such as District Six to Gugulethu, Nyanga and Langa. The predominant language in Gugulethu is Xhosa.

All images are copyrighted Valerie Yeager 2006. Any violation will be strictly prosecuted. 

People with nothing are amazing resourceful. Advertisements are organized as wallpaper in a local kitchen.

 A local march for HIV awareness is publicized in the streets. AIDS is a disctinct local social concern.

Community kitchens provide entertainment and communal cooking facilities for those without these amenities in their homes.

All images are copyrighted Valerie Yeager 2006. Any violations will be strictly prosecuted.

Valerie Yeager is a (life-long) student of several things including photography and public health. These photos come from her work in South Africa completing program evaluations for HIV treatment. She currently lives in Birmingham, Alabama.