Jaylen Neethling

From Malmesbury, Jaylen sees photography as a way to spotlight the voices and stories of her community. Her capturing of real moments helps her express creativity and connection, one image at a time.

  • Stories unspoken

  • Scavenging among waste

  • Huddled at Ali’s tuck shop

  • Unity in motion

In the town of Malmesbury, street life is intertwined with struggle and joy.

These are the hidden stories of Malmesbury of hardship and hope, of community and isolation, of colour and grey.

In the shadows of twilight, whispers spread like wildfire among the youth of the Abbotsdale township.

Soup kitchen tonight.

Eyes light up and bellies rumble in anticipation. A crew of dreams and desperation — all dressed in hoodies and hope. Some sneak away from chores, for those from broken homes, the soup kitchen isn’t just a meal. It’s a brief escape, a taste of warmth and a hint of community.

As they line up, silent prayers dance on their lips: Dear God, please let there be enough.

Five young people rummage through a massive pile of trash on a hill overlooking green fields and distant mountains. They’re searching for something - scraps to sell maybe or items to be  reused. Their lives unfold against a backdrop of waste and nature’s beauty. What stories do they tell of struggles? Of hopes? Youth carve out their own paths. Their resilience and determination shine like beacons on a cloudy day in Abbotsdale telling tales of survival.

In the gritty streets of the Malmesbury, five young souls huddle against the worn wooden walls of Ali’s Tuck Shop. Their backs turned to the world. They’re lost in a world of their own. Maybe they’re waiting for something? A friend, a deal, or just a moment to breathe. Graffiti on the walls whisper secrets of those who came before us. Dreams unspoken, struggles unshared and laughter unheard. What stories do they tell each other when the world isn’t watching.

A sea of young faces gather in a tight circle on a chilly day in Abbotsdale, outside Malmesbury. Their breaths mingling in the cool air. Dressed in layers, heads bow down together in a moment of shared experience. Some wear vibrant colours like red and green, while others blend into the shadows in hark hues. A lone figure watches from afar as the group’s energy pulses with unspoken stories.

The youth reveal a story of unity, of connection, of intertwined lives.

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