The Inanda Heritage Collection marks the very first photographic documentary collection of Matthew Willman in 2000 / 2001. Over a period of 3 months Willman went out on his own to photograph the people of the Inanda Valley.
Steeped in history, the Inanda Valley is considered to be the birthplace of democracy in South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi created his passive resistance policies whilst living in the Inanda at the turn of the 20th century. Mandela voted in 1994 in the Inanda Valley. The valley is home to one of the most diverse cultural, religious and traditional communities in Southern Africa due in part to the port city of Durban.
Yet for almost every white family living in their small suburbs alongside the Inanda, they remain oblivious to this incredible location on their doorstep.
As a young South African growing up during the last years of Apartheid I was desperate to get involved, to learn and to become a part of the change that was happening in South Africa. The camera afforded me the opportunity to step into these African rural and township communities.
Understanding exists on the other side of fear.
It was from this first collection that Willman went on to dedicate the majority of his career over the next 20 years to humanitarian causes alongside international organisations across Southern & East Africa.