Be Brighter

The Cape Flats is a string of dangerous gang-ridden townships near the City of
Cape Town. The main problem in these areas is the high level of gang violence and
drug use – most young men living in the Cape Flats join gangs, assuming it is their
only option to earn money, be safe or feel included and survive the transition into manhood.

These gangs have a unique way of communicating through colloquial language and graffiti. Cape-coloured Afrikaans, colloquial versions of isiXhosa, and Sabela are the main languages
spoken in these townships.

Graffiti plays an integral part in this society – each suburb and gang have their own unique style. It only seemed fitting to create an alphabet to match each township. The idea is to communicate to these young men in their language, tone, and environment. Words like raak wys, dala, and maats – keep in the same tone of their everyday conversations. I took the distinct language and graffiti aesthetic associated with gangsterism and turned them into a strong expression of choice. They ultimately do have a choice, even if the ‘choice’ does not feel attainable at that moment.

The insight: young males can become aware of their choices, if they are
presented with another choice.

The five alphabets are seen across posters, stencils, and stickers which will occupy space on graffiti-clad walls of tuckshops, homes, and abandoned buildings.