It was back in August 2017 that I had the good fortune to get staffed on a project in South Africa with Riaktr — the company where I fulfil my day job as a project manager. I remember it vividly: whilst finishing up a project in Cameroon, my manager called me: “Bob, would you be willing to do your next project in South Africa? You don’t have to say yes or no right away, it will require you to be on site quite a lot”. There was only one way I was going to answer that question: with a resounding YES!

Since I had heard many a story from colleagues and friends who had worked or traveled in SA, my expectations were fairly high. After my arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, I didn’t really get what all the fuss was about. Since I had to go straight to the client’s offices, I would have to wait until the weekend before I would have the chance to get a first good look.

When the weekend finally arrived, I got it. Two days, jam-packed with experiences and beautiful sights. From the creative vibes in the Maboneng and Braamfontein neighbourhoods of Johannesburg to the open spaces when driving away from bustling Jozi. My little Olympus bore the brunt of this visual assault on its sensor. For myself? Sensory overload and an exploding Lightroom library.

This was two years ago today and of course, my photography has evolved ever since. Looking back into that — unfiltered and cluttered — collection of photos was quite an exercise in finding the right shots. It shows that one can learn and improve a lot in two years time. Luckily, I at least had the basics right back then. Below, a selection of a couple of shots that give a bit of a view of my first eye contact with SA. As these articles progress, the details described in them and the photos showcased will progress as well. It’s part of the journey I want to share with you.