Sign up to our newsletter and become a Club Huck member.

Stay informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture

South Africa

Photography

The white South Africans longing for Apartheid's return

Stuck in the past — In the secluded village of Kleinfontein residents refuse to accept the diversity of South Africa as the modern Rainbow Nation, instead living a life of segregation and racism, as they long to return to their Apartheid past.

Written by: Michael Segalov

Reportage

Snapshots of the Rainbow Nation before and after Apartheid fell

Now and Then — Photographer Graeme Williams creates a thread between the present and past in Mandela's South Africa.

Written by: Andrea Kurland

Culture

The South African designers taking township style to the catwalk

The Smarteez — A creative revolution is taking root in Soweto, led by young South Africans like fashion crew The Smarteez who refuse to be beholden to the past.

Written by: Alex King

Surf

Bruce Gold: The last true surfing hippie

A dying breed — To celebrate 10 years of Huck, we're digging through the archives to unearth stories that feel as relevant as ever. We head to Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, to catch up with the enduring living legend of Bruce Gold.

Written by: Miles Masterson

Culture

The South African skate punks sparking a cultural revolution

A Soweto (Re-) Uprising — South Africa is still reeling from decades of divisive rule. Students are protesting against colonialist remnants of the past and communities still exist within borders. But in Soweto, the township-turned-city that first triggered the fight for civil rights, a new counter-culture is burning. It’s raw. It’s punk. It doesn’t give a fuck. And it’s writing its own history.

Written by: Nas Hoosen

Activism

Meet the South African activists fighting for equal education

A systemic struggle — To celebrate Huck's 10th anniversary, we're digging through the archives to unearth stories that feel as relevant as ever. Four years after we explored education in South Africa, inequality remains rife. The solution? Face facts. Get angry. Let the students speak.

Written by: Janine Stephen

Culture

The Sunshine Cinema: Getting South Africa talking about HIV activism through film

Solar powered social justice — At the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, the solar powered Sunshine Cinema crew took films and discussions to communities most affected by HIV.

Written by: Sydelle Willow Smith

Culture

The upstart photographers breaking down barriers

A different kind of storyelling — Three young South Africans hit the road together in a bid to understand the land that binds them.

Written by: Twenty Journey

Huck Docs

Skating South Africa’s Valley of a Thousand Hills

Zulu skate paradise — Indigo skate camp is giving Isithumba's very first generation of young skaters a deeper connection with each other and their divided country.

Written by: Alex King

Music

How the pulse of house music keeps South Africa connected

Township Two-step — Deep-house DJs are superstars in South Africa, where more house music is consumed than in any other country. But limited internet means that regional scenes and showcase parties remain crucial.

Written by: Mohato Lekena

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members.

You've read articles this month Thanks for reading

Join Club Huck — it's free!

Valued Huck reader, thank you for engaging with our journalism and taking an interest in our dispatches from the sharp edge of culture, sport, music and rebellion.

We want to offer you the chance to join Club Huck [it's free!] where you will receive exclusive newsletters, including personal takes on the state of pop culture and media from columnist Emma Garland, culture recommendations, interviews and dispatches straight to your inbox.

You'll also get priority access to Huck events, merch discounts, and more fun surprises.

Already part of the club? Enter your email above and we'll get you logged in.

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.