A Mountain Divides, a book by Ajay Lalu, is a powerful visual journey into the heart of the Kaapse Klopse, tracing the living history, resilience and joy of communities shaped by slavery, forced removals and generational trauma.
Through vibrant portraits, intimate street moments and intergenerational narratives, the book honours the music, heritage and belonging that continue to define the Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations. The images echo the spirit of people who refuse to be forgotten, who reclaim their streets with colour, rhythm and pride, and who show that the Klopse is more than a carnival, it is a pathway to opportunity, creativity and community upliftment.
Here are a selection of photographs from A Mountain Divides:
Caption: Members of the TV Allstars troupe stand in vibrant unity, their joy reflecting the intergenerational spirit of the Klopse, where children, youth and elders celebrate side by side, keeping tradition alive.
Caption: Logan and Reagan Adams rehearse in the street, their story proving the Klopse can be a pathway out of poverty. Logan began playing trumpet at nine years old and now studies Jazz at the UCT School of Music.
Caption: A dedicated musician from the Juvie Boyz Entertainers plays his heart out, ensuring the music of the Klopse echoes through the city with passion and pride.
Caption: In Rose Street, Bo-Kaap – where the roots of the Klopse trace back to slavery and the origins of Tweede Nuwe Jaar – the tradition continues to thrive in the neighbourhood that first held its rhythms.
To order A Mountain Divides: e-mail ajay@lalu.co.za | R400 for the softcover and R1000 for the limited edition hardcover
All the proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to Shoot4purpose, which uses street photography to help women who have survived trauma to heal | www.shoot4purpose.org
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