Jodi Windvogel
(South Africa)
In the realm of South African documentary photography and filmmaking, Jodi Windvogel is dedicated to dismantling stereotypes and casting a probing gaze upon vital social issues encompassing land, memory, gender and displacement. Through her lens, Jodi captures the intricate threads of human experiences, weaving an intimate and authentic tapestry that forges connections between her subjects and spectators. Her project, The Body at Risk, is a deeply personal endeavour, reflecting her unwavering commitment to reshaping narratives and amplifying the resilience and fortitude of marginalised communities, with the ultimate aim of fostering empathy, dialogue and transformative societal evolution.
As both a visual storyteller and a filmmaker, Jodi strives to present novel viewpoints, inviting audiences to reevaluate preconceptions and embrace a more expansive, compassionate view.
The Body at Risk
In South Africa, gender-based violence afflicts a staggering 25% of women, subjecting them to physical and/or sexual violence. The country grapples with a haunting prevalence of rape, with 250 out of 100,000 women falling victim, as per a 2016/17 report.
Her project, The Body at Risk, delves into the landscape shaped by this crisis, spotlighting often hidden stories. Through evocative photographs, it aims to visually highlight women’s safety issues, unveiling the psychological burdens faced in South Africa. The project strives to echo the unfolding trauma and explore enduring repercussions.
Focussed on sites of violence, it entails extensive research and visits across South Africa’s Western Cape province to capture 30-40 landscapes devoid of human presence – houses, bedrooms, desolate fields, all witnesses to heinous acts.
This contemporary endeavour engages in a dialogue without exploitation, offering poignant memorials that compel reflection on overlooked spaces. These images serve as stark reminders of the burdens borne by women, emphasising the imperative for enhanced safety measures in South Africa.
BTS Footage
From the Judge
Pauline Vermare
“I was deeply impressed with Jodi’s expert and heartfelt proposal. The project deals with the very sensitive and important issue of gender-based violence in her native South Africa. It is bound to have great social and political impact. Jodi’s talent and expertise in the field, her collaborative and ethical approach, will no doubt lead her to deliver a strong and impactful body of work.”
Gallery
Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain: Mother of two, A. Koopman (41), was doused in petrol and set alight by her boyfriend on 22 March 2024. She tried to escape but collapsed next to a container. She was rushed to hospital but died shortly afterwards.
©Jodi Windvogel
Scottsville, Kraaiontein: Mother of three A. Manuel (28) and the three-month pregnant M. van Wyk (27) were shot and killed on 3 February 2020. Community members found the two friends lying next to each other against the wall of the Old Apostolic Church the next morning.
©Jodi Windvogel
Mitchells Plain, Western Cape: C. Isaacs (17) was raped and murdered on 15 March 2020 inside her home. She attended a church service with her mother and sisters that day and had returned home around 9.15 am. Her father was asleep in the home after returning home from working a night shift earlier the day. Later, he would wake to find her body on the couch.
©Jodi Windvogel
Atlantis, Western Cape: C. Viljoen (21) was murdered by her ex-boyfriend on 3 May 2021. She was walking to a shop when he started following her, asking her to break up with her current partner. She refused and asked him to leave her alone. He then grabbed and pushed her against the wall, stabbing her in the chest. When she collapsed, he ran away.
©Jodi Windvogel
Heinz Park, Mitchells Plain: J. Mello (14), a Grade 6 pupil at primary school, attended a karaoke event at a high school to support a local soccer club on 31 August 2019. She was later dropped off by a taxi close to her home. Her body was found in the backyard of her home the following morning.
©Jodi Windvogel
Atlantis, Western Cape: J. D. Van Schalkwyk (18) was murdered on 13 February 2013 in Atlantis in the Western Cape. Her lifeless body was discovered in bushes.
©Jodi Windvogel
Sherwood Park, Atlantis: Mother of three, L. Wagner’s (33) body was found between trees in Sherwood Park, Atlantis, on 30 August 2012. She was seven-months pregnant at the time of the brutal murder.
©Jodi Windvogel
Athlone, Cape Town: L. Parsley (51) was shot and killed outside her house on 5 November 2023 in Athlone, Cape Town. She was waiting for her husband to open the gate so she could reverse into the driveway, when an unknown person approached the car and shot her.
©Jodi Windvogel
Philippi, Western Cape: N. Mtengwana’s (32) lifeless body was found underneath a bridge in Philippi on 2 May 2024. It is believed she was on her way to work. A witness alerted police that they saw a man pushing a woman off a bridge. When the police arrived, she was already dead.
©Jodi Windvogel
Atlantis, Western Cape: O. Skippers (23) and her daughter C. Skippers (2) were raped and murdered on 6 June 2017. The mother was on her way to braid her hair with her child but never returned. Their bodies were found in bushes in Protea Park, Atlantis,
©Jodi Windvogel
Eastridge, Mitchells Plain: S. L. Adams (6) was raped and murdered in her home in Eastridge, Mitchells Plain on 23 June 2018. She was buried in a shallow grave right opposite her grandmother’s house next to a wendy house.
©Jodi Windvogel
Claremont, Cape Town: A university student U. Mrwetyana (19) was raped and murdered at the post office in Claremont while she was collecting a parcel on 24 August 2019. Her rape and murder caused a nationwide outcry against gender-based violence across South Africa.
©Jodi Windvogel
