Lucia Mudima, Zimbabwe

Cynthia Matonhodze is a Zimbabwean documentary photographer currently based in Harare. Cynthia has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Zimbabwe and successfully completed the Photojournalism and Documentary Photography programme at the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2012.

Cynthia’s work focuses on human rights issues mostly in her native country Zimbabwe.

In 2013 Cynthia was shortlisted for the ZimRights Human Rights Journalist of the Year Award for her portrait documentary story on a local power utility’s negligence that has cost people their lives and have left others permanently disabled.

She was nominated for the World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass in 2016.

Cynthia is a founding member of the Zimbabwe Association of Female Photographers.

www.cynthiamatonhodze.com

A few words from the photographer

“I applied for this commission because I believe in the positive portrayal of women who work hard for their families. I am constantly striving to highlight human rights related challenges especially those caused by inequality, negligence and the tumultuous economy of Zimbabwe. However, this commission has enabled me to envision a different reality for women in the country. I have been given the chance to portray women positively and most of all to learn from the different participants that I have encountered. My experience of working with FotoDocument and my mentor was very positive. I was free to choose my subject and approach, which is rare. Even the editing sessions gave me a say and my opinion was valued. Giving photographers this freedom of expression and working openly in a collaborative style is important in this fast-paced world.”

Cynthia Matonhodze