Educating the youth on photography
At first he used to be in front of the camera, but now you’ll find him behind it.
Owner of Hansa Photography, and founder of the Focus on Education Project, Mikail Hansa from Boksburg, was a model for approximately seven years, even participated in Mr South Africa.
He says he has lost the looks to be in front of the camera, so now he finds himself behind the lens.
Born in Durban, Hansa has always been “clicking” from as far back as he can remember.
However, he could only afford his first camera at 19, and has kept it as a reminder of his humble beginnings.
His passion for photography grew at his high school, Kersney College, where he belonged to the photography club.
As a freelance photojournalist, Hansa is working on two projects, while also embarking on a National School Photography Project aimed at creating awareness of photography as an extra-curricular activity at selected under-resourced schools.
This project could be of interest to teachers and make the learning experience fun for students.
Hansa had the opportunity to take pictures at many under-resourced schools across the country, and witnessed the children’s excitement and eagerness to learn about his profession.
Hansa has responded to the need, believing that education is empowerment leading to responsible contributing citizens to the socio-economic community.
Nelson Mandela inspired Hansa to create the Focus on Education photography project.
“Having the honour to have met and photographed Madiba, as my first official photoshoot at his Houghton home, was an unforgettable experience.
“It reminds me of what Madiba said, ‘As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same’ and photography is all about light,” he says.
Hansa has always wanted to give back to the community and seeing the kids’ expressions when he gives them the cameras, are unforgettable, satisfying and inspires him to give more.
Seventy-five per cent of what Hansa makes with his photography is spent on the project.
He launched this project at Everest Primary School in Durban, which Hansa also used to attend back in the day.
Schools that qualify to be a part of the Focus on Education project will receive a package worth approximately R5 000.
Hansa’s aspirations for the Focus on Education project is to get a few sponsors on board and to move on to national high schools and eventually, if all goes well, to the rest of Africa.
Hansa encourages school’s to send him a short motivation as to why their school should be selected and receive a Nikon camera.
Schools who would like to apply should log on to www.hansaphotography.co.za and follow the “Focus on Education” link.
A panel of judges will then view and decide, which schools are selected and present cameras to them personally.
“A photography lesson will follow, but with no exams and no one goes to the dark room,” he continues.
Hansa would like to take it a step further by having all the schools selected during the year to submit their best overall student image on different monthly themes, such as diversity, food and sports.
The winning school will receive a prize tailored to what the school might require, and if the right people or institutions come forward to contribute to the project, Focus on Education would also like to sponsor a bursary every year to the winning student who presents the best overall image and who has a passion for photography.
Others can get involved in the project by donating any cameras that they no longer need, whether it be a point and shoot or professional, any make or model, in working condition or not.
Hansa will try and fix them and hand them over to one of the selected schools in addition with a new camera.
If any camera agents or people want to donate toward the purchase of new cameras for schools, nationally, you can e-mail Hansa at focusoneducation@hansaphotography.co.za for further details.
