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I photographed this woman in the small town of Clanwilliam, sitting on the floor outside the local grocery store with all her bags gathered around her. There was something about her presence : the weight of her belongings, the way she rested against the wall, the quiet exhaustion in her posture; that drew me in. She looked like someone who has lived a hard life, a soul shaped by years of carrying more than most people ever see.

As always, especially with older people, I approached her with respect and asked if I could take her portrait. She didn’t want her face photographed up close, and I honoured that. I asked if I could capture her from a distance instead, and she agreed. The photograph holds that boundary; a moment observed without intrusion, a portrait made on her terms.

This image is a glimpse into everyday life in a rural South African town: a woman resting with everything she carries, both seen and unseen.