Kliptown was the home to the Congress of the   People, which saw the drawing up of the Freedom Charter, a document that outlined an alternative vision to the oppressive policies   of apartheid. Despite its historical significance, Kliptown has been   neglected; there is lack of infrastructure, education and employment and due   to the absence of these necessities, the people of Kliptown face great challenges.   There are, however, places of hope such as the Walter Sisulu Square, which honours   the Freedom Charter. Another place of hope, on a smaller scale, is Bolo’s.

Marion was born in 1964 in Duisburg-Rheinhausen,   Germany, and moved to South Africa in 2010. Since relocating, she has spent a   great deal of time engaging with members of the Kliptown society at Bolo’s,   a private community centre run through Bolo’s initiative. Bolo’s celebrates what   township life is about: its people, their spirit and their aspirations, it is the epitome of Ubunthu,   meaning "humanity to others". The centre provides care and support   for children and the elderly. Activities such as helping with homework, feeding,   music, theatre and games are combined with spiritual guidance and providing a   platform for self-expression. Bolo introduced Marion to the people in his   community and she was quickly taken into their homes and their lives.

The impact the centre and its   people have had on Marion is life-changing and in this exhibition she has paid   artistic homage to the women who shared their lives with her. Marion has   worked in a variety of mediums that speak of township life: Sheshwe cloth, photographs   from Kliptown worked on in pastel and graphite, and newspaper collages.   Recycling materials is part of Kliptown’s daily life, and Marion has   considered that in her work. By enlarging the portraits, Marion wanted to   achieve the sense of grandeur and honour for the people who are often overlooked   in life by many.