Andile Ndunge

Andile Ndunge’s playful use of drone photography and videography inadvertently re-claims the medium as a tool for creativity and documenting spaces of love, friendship and home. Drone cameras, often linked to real estate work, commercial documentary use, and even weapons of warfare, are reimagined through Ndunge’s use of an “unmanned aircraft.” Ironically, he brings a sense of humanness to the tool. He does this by combining his roots and personal experiences to bring his own perspectives on land and places. His drone photography spans various locations and occasions, from the serene landscapes of Port Edward’s lakes and the foggy mountains of KwaKhanyayo to documenting everyday moments in his hometown of Amaotana, Inanda. Often these stills are a result of family holidays, attending family and friend events, or simply exploring new places. These drone stills reveal intimate glimpses of his life and surroundings, all the while documenting a map of his family’s placements.

Ukusebenzisa kuka-Andile Ndunge kwezithombe ze-drone sakudlala kanye namavidiyo ngokungazi ufuna kabusha lento njengethuluzi lokusungula nokubhala izindawo zothando, ubungani kanye nekhaya. Amakhamera e-drone, avame ukuxhunyaniswa nomsebenzi wezindlu, ukusetshenziswa kwemibhalo yezentengiselwano, kanye nezikhali zempi, acatshangelwa kabusha ngokusebenzisa kukaNdunge “indiza engenamuntu.” Okuxakayo ukuthi uletha umuzwa wobuntu kuleli thuluzi. Lokhu ukwenza ngokuhlanganisa imvelaphi yakhe kanye nolwazi lwakhe ukuze alethe eyakhe imibono ngomhlaba nezindawo. Ukuthwebula kwakhe izithombe ngendizamtshina kuthathela ezindaweni ezihlukeneyo kanye nezikhathi ezehlukeneyo, kusukela endaweni ezolile yamachibi asePort Edward kanye lezintaba ezinenkungu zaKwaKhanyayo kuya ekushicilelweni kwezikhathi zansuku zonke edolobheni langakubo e-Amaotana, eNanda. Ngokuvamile lezizithombe zama-drone ziwumphumela wamaholide omndeni, ukuya emicimbini yomndeni nabangani, noma ukuvele uhlole izindawo ezintsha. Lezi zithombe ze-drone ziveza amazwibela asondelene nempilo yakhe nendawo ezungezile, sonke lesi sikhathi ebhala ibalazwe lokubekwa komndeni wakhe.