["Worcester-From Hangman's Hill", "King William's Town-Maclean Street"] before 1880

These photographs by Sam Alexander, titled "Worcester-From Hangman's Hill" and "King William's Town-Maclean Street," offer a glimpse into South Africa’s colonial past. These images capture landscapes and street views, but they also reveal the power dynamics inherent in colonial representation. The choice of "Hangman's Hill" as a vantage point is heavy with the symbolism of colonial justice and control, while Maclean Street reflects colonial urban planning. The images are not merely neutral depictions; they are imbued with the narratives of settlement, dominance, and the erasure of indigenous histories. Alexander’s photographs invite us to reflect on whose stories are being told and whose are being left out. They serve as a reminder of the complex and often painful legacy of colonialism. These images prompt a deeper consideration of identity, place, and the ethics of representation.