TSHOLOFELO KODISANG, UNTITLED
The title of this project Bofifing belongs to the South Sesotho language. Ka Moetlo oa ba Sotho “Bofifi ke boemo ba hoba bohlokong ka lebaka la lefu. Ke hore, motho kapa batho ba hlokahalletsweng ke mong ka bona ba Bofifing.”1 Bofifing is used metaphorically to represent what was lost and the rediscovery of forgotten knowledge. This project is a contemplation of the importance of hair and how it informs and forms the basis of my identity. I reflect on my relationship with and the presentation of my hair against the misconceptions surrounding dreadlocks.
My intention with this project is to unpack misperceptions that continue to perpetuate anti-blackness. In African culture, from ancient times to now, hair has always been deeply symbolic and played a major role in the identity of the African people. With different hairstyles and adornments indicating amongst others, marital status, fertility, age, wealth, ranking in society and death. Hair is an inseparable part of my identity and a key signifier of my ethnicity. Over time, if not groomed and left in its natural state from the scalp, my hair becomes matted and knotted into itself. My struggle with hair began when I was enrolled into a model c school. At the time I grew my hair naturally after years of straightening it with relaxers. Nevertheless, leaving my hair the way it grew from my scalp was a breach of the schools “uniform policy”. I was continuously threatened with suspension and this deliberate elimination of the expression of my blackness continued into my working life. Today’s anti-black hair policies in key social institutions are embedded in the enduring colonial and apartheid desire to control black bodies. When Africans were kidnapped and sold into slavery, upon their arrival their owners shaved their heads as an act of dehumanization.
In South Africa, a “pencil test” was used to determine the racial identity of its people. Bofifing becomes the starting point for confronting hair politics. It astonishes me how a consciousness of the self can create so much controversy. I am realizing that the contention is not how I present my hair but rather the body I was born with is a political statement. With this body of work, I have decided to turn the camera on myself and experiment with different hairstyles and characters. My dreadlocks and body become the focal point. By exaggerating the length of my dreadlocks, I am reclaiming and relearning forgotten knowledge.
"...Some people stop stand back and stare
since I decided to let Mother nature style my hair
With her magnificent and powerful hands
She styled it in tune with the Motherland
Natural, nappy knots, dripping down long
Like mighty kings and queens, majestic and strong
No more running from the rain, drops flow free
Why even ancient winds don’t phase me
I jump into the shower, lather, rinse then shake my head
Like towering, magical mountains
still locked dread…”
Bio:
Tsholofelo Kodisang born in 1988 is from Thaba ‘Nchu in the Free State, South Africa. Tsholofelo is a Johannesburg-based documentary and portrait photographer interested in exploring and documenting the everyday life of Black South Africans and how she views modern-day South Africa. After obtaining her Master of Laws (LLM) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degrees and working in a corporate position for several years, she decided to pursue photography full-time and completed the Intermediate and Foundation Courses in Photography at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at Wits university. Tsholofelo has participated in several exhibitions and projects including the 2024 Through the Lens Collective August Women’s Month Online Exhibition, “Pula” group exhibition at Munro Viewpoint Gallery in Johannesburg and was part of the group exhibition “Your Beauty is My Concern” at Umhlabathi in Newtown, Johannesburg. Her work was featured in Publications such as “Africa, the fashion continent” which featured young African Photographers and fashion designers and the “Woza Sisi” publication which showcases work created by four female identifying South African photographers in response to Dahlia Maubane’s documentary project exploring how a group of women street hairstylists position themselves and use and negotiate urban space. Tsholofelo was selected for the 2022 inaugural Ruth Motau Mentorship and was part of the 2023 Photo tool 10:10 presentation and feedback session hosted by John Fleetwood.
INSTAGRAM : @tsholofelo_kodisang
