Thanda knelt before a life-sized canvas where her body was traced and painted, floating amidst greens and blues, an umbilical cord linking her to her son. Created by her own hand, this body map narrates her survival story (Jager et al., 2016). This photo essay captures the stories of individuals from the Quarry Road West informal settlement who participated in a series of different arts-based research (ABR) workshops, designed to help survivors of the 2022 Durban floods express their experiences through visual storytelling (Ragus et al., 2024). ABR methodologies align with the principles of the “Disaster Studies Manifesto” by acknowledging and working to reduce the power imbalances inherent in research and by creating space for local perspectives and experiences of disasters to be meaningfully represented. This was important, as the first two authors are both white and non-South African and were conscious of their positionality in relation to South Africa’s past. The second two authors are local researchers who live in the impacted community. Taking place one year after the disaster, these workshops provided a platform for community members to reflect not only on the immediate trauma but also on the broader disruptions to water-energy-food (WEF) systems that shaped their recovery.
The 2022 floods were catastrophic: the South African government declared a national state of emergency (Udo and Naidu, 2022) and deployed 10,000 troops for rescue and relief efforts (Magome, 2022). Nearly 500 lives were lost, many remain missing and over 130,000 people were displaced – exposing both the devastating force of the floods and the deep structural inequalities embedded within Durban’s urban planning and emergency response systems (Bond and Galvin, 2023; Mudefi, 2023). Although destruction cut across class lines, bringing down million-dollar mansions and informal homes alike, the aftermath revealed a familiar pattern: pre-existing inequalities deepened (Barrios, 2017). Access to clean water, stable energy and food security fractured further, shaping who was able to rebuild – and who was left behind.
Thanda (whose body map is in Figure 1) lives in Quarry Road West, an informal settlement along the Palmiet River, squeezed between the river and a highway. These informal settlements in South Africa are a direct legacy of apartheid's spatial planning, where Black South Africans were pushed into marginal spaces with few services. Approximately 1,100 families live there, often relying on illegal electricity connections and perpetually struggling to access clean water and sanitation (Mazeka et al., 2019) (see Plates 2–16).
The photograph shows a tall vertical painting with a stylized human figure positioned in the center. At the top left of the painting, a cluster of handwritten text appears inside a rounded shape. At the top center, the word “SONKE” is written. The central figure has arms raised behind the head and closed eyes with long eyelashes. On the left side of the figure’s torso, a rectangular shape with the text “Kellogg’s Noodle” is shown, and above it, another small text block appears. On the right side of the torso, a large, rounded cooking pot shape is painted, and to its right, an oval form is connected by a long, curved element. The figure wears a yellow rectangular garment at the waist with a small blue rectangle on its front. The legs extend downward toward a blue area at the bottom of the painting. On the left side near the lower portion, the word “WATER” is written. The background consists of large painted areas surrounding the figure.Thanda's bodymap is nearly 2 meters long. At its center is an umbilical cord, connecting Thanda to her son. She painted it after the floods, trying to make sense of the fear she felt that day. Not just for herself, but for what might happen to him. Figure by author Alexandra Howland
The photograph shows a tall vertical painting with a stylized human figure positioned in the center. At the top left of the painting, a cluster of handwritten text appears inside a rounded shape. At the top center, the word “SONKE” is written. The central figure has arms raised behind the head and closed eyes with long eyelashes. On the left side of the figure’s torso, a rectangular shape with the text “Kellogg’s Noodle” is shown, and above it, another small text block appears. On the right side of the torso, a large, rounded cooking pot shape is painted, and to its right, an oval form is connected by a long, curved element. The figure wears a yellow rectangular garment at the waist with a small blue rectangle on its front. The legs extend downward toward a blue area at the bottom of the painting. On the left side near the lower portion, the word “WATER” is written. The background consists of large painted areas surrounding the figure.Thanda's bodymap is nearly 2 meters long. At its center is an umbilical cord, connecting Thanda to her son. She painted it after the floods, trying to make sense of the fear she felt that day. Not just for herself, but for what might happen to him. Figure by author Alexandra Howland
The photograph shows a row of corrugated metal structures extending across the frame. At the top right of the nearest structure, a round satellite dish labeled “StarSat” is mounted. Below it is a door with markings on its surface and a small square window to its right. A long clothesline stretches from the left side of the frame to the structure on the right, holding various garments, including shirts, shorts, and patterned fabric pieces. On the left side of the photograph, a woman stands facing the clothesline while hanging an item of clothing. Behind the person, additional metal structures appear with doors and roof panels. Several utility poles and wires extend across the top left area of the image. The ground throughout the scene is bare earth with small patches of grass.The following photographs were taken by two sisters who used disposable film cameras over a two-week period, as part of a broader arts-based project that grew from the initial ABR project. The images focus not on spectacle, but on the quiet repetition of everyday life, bathing, cooking, cleaning, and caring for one another. The project aimed to challenge the single story so often told about disasters, revealing instead the layered realities of informal living and family strength. This project was completely collaborative, and both sisters are authors on this photo essay. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a row of corrugated metal structures extending across the frame. At the top right of the nearest structure, a round satellite dish labeled “StarSat” is mounted. Below it is a door with markings on its surface and a small square window to its right. A long clothesline stretches from the left side of the frame to the structure on the right, holding various garments, including shirts, shorts, and patterned fabric pieces. On the left side of the photograph, a woman stands facing the clothesline while hanging an item of clothing. Behind the person, additional metal structures appear with doors and roof panels. Several utility poles and wires extend across the top left area of the image. The ground throughout the scene is bare earth with small patches of grass.The following photographs were taken by two sisters who used disposable film cameras over a two-week period, as part of a broader arts-based project that grew from the initial ABR project. The images focus not on spectacle, but on the quiet repetition of everyday life, bathing, cooking, cleaning, and caring for one another. The project aimed to challenge the single story so often told about disasters, revealing instead the layered realities of informal living and family strength. This project was completely collaborative, and both sisters are authors on this photo essay. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a wide outdoor scene with a cloudy sky across the top. Below the sky, trees extend across the upper portion from left to right. On the left side, a long building with a slanted roof is visible behind dense vegetation. In the center and right portions, several trees stand above a slope with scattered items and a small structure covered by a dark sheet. Near the center-right, a red umbrella is positioned among the vegetation. In the foreground, water flows across the lower part of the photograph, carrying plants and debris along its surface. Grass, branches, and various objects are spread across the ground and water at the bottom edge of the photograph.Quarry Road West is an informal settlement built along the edge of the Palmiet River in Durban. Wedged between the flood-prone river and the M19 highway, residents live with constant environmental and infrastructural risk. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a wide outdoor scene with a cloudy sky across the top. Below the sky, trees extend across the upper portion from left to right. On the left side, a long building with a slanted roof is visible behind dense vegetation. In the center and right portions, several trees stand above a slope with scattered items and a small structure covered by a dark sheet. Near the center-right, a red umbrella is positioned among the vegetation. In the foreground, water flows across the lower part of the photograph, carrying plants and debris along its surface. Grass, branches, and various objects are spread across the ground and water at the bottom edge of the photograph.Quarry Road West is an informal settlement built along the edge of the Palmiet River in Durban. Wedged between the flood-prone river and the M19 highway, residents live with constant environmental and infrastructural risk. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a wide outdoor view with a large canopy covering the top edge of the frame. Below the canopy, a roadway extends across the foreground. On the left side, a pickup truck is parked near the road’s edge. Behind it, a car is stopped near traffic lights positioned slightly left of center. Farther back, a bus is parked beside a grassy embankment. Several people are walking near the bus and along the road. In the background, trees form a continuous line across the upper portion of the photograph. On the far right, several more vehicles appear near a cluster of small structures. The foreground contains patches of dirt and grass along the bottom edge of the photograph.Over the years, the settlement has gradually expanded in all directions, with hand-built homes spreading across the land. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a wide outdoor view with a large canopy covering the top edge of the frame. Below the canopy, a roadway extends across the foreground. On the left side, a pickup truck is parked near the road’s edge. Behind it, a car is stopped near traffic lights positioned slightly left of center. Farther back, a bus is parked beside a grassy embankment. Several people are walking near the bus and along the road. In the background, trees form a continuous line across the upper portion of the photograph. On the far right, several more vehicles appear near a cluster of small structures. The foreground contains patches of dirt and grass along the bottom edge of the photograph.Over the years, the settlement has gradually expanded in all directions, with hand-built homes spreading across the land. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a narrow passage bordered on the left and right by tall corrugated metal walls. At the top center, the branches of a tree extend above the structures. On the left side of the passage, a wooden door is built into the metal wall. Farther along the passage, additional metal structures appear with small roof sections visible. On the right wall, an open doorway is present near the foreground. Several items of laundry hang along the right side on a line stretching toward the back of the passage. Multiple puddles of water lie on the ground throughout the passage, with small patches of grass growing near the edges. A small mat is placed on the ground near the right wall in the foreground.This informal settlement has limitations in accessing basic services including electricity. The exposed wires above the homes are part of an informal electricity network, rewired and shared so households can access power, despite lacking official services. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a narrow passage bordered on the left and right by tall corrugated metal walls. At the top center, the branches of a tree extend above the structures. On the left side of the passage, a wooden door is built into the metal wall. Farther along the passage, additional metal structures appear with small roof sections visible. On the right wall, an open doorway is present near the foreground. Several items of laundry hang along the right side on a line stretching toward the back of the passage. Multiple puddles of water lie on the ground throughout the passage, with small patches of grass growing near the edges. A small mat is placed on the ground near the right wall in the foreground.This informal settlement has limitations in accessing basic services including electricity. The exposed wires above the homes are part of an informal electricity network, rewired and shared so households can access power, despite lacking official services. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a wide muddy ground area in the foreground with scattered small debris. Across the top of the photograph, corrugated metal walls extend from left to right. On the left side, part of a doorway is visible. Near the center, a larger metal door with a grid-like frame stands closed. Two people move across the scene; on the left, one person walks holding a large two-toned umbrella, and beside them another person in a hooded top and shorts moves forward. Small puddles and wet patches cover the ground throughout the photograph.When it rains within Quarry Road West informal settlement, the soil is eroded quickly, as most of the homes are built on the rivers flood plain. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a wide muddy ground area in the foreground with scattered small debris. Across the top of the photograph, corrugated metal walls extend from left to right. On the left side, part of a doorway is visible. Near the center, a larger metal door with a grid-like frame stands closed. Two people move across the scene; on the left, one person walks holding a large two-toned umbrella, and beside them another person in a hooded top and shorts moves forward. Small puddles and wet patches cover the ground throughout the photograph.When it rains within Quarry Road West informal settlement, the soil is eroded quickly, as most of the homes are built on the rivers flood plain. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a close-up indoor scene with various kitchen items. On the left side, several containers, including a large can with printed text, sit on a patterned surface. In front of the containers, a round metal lid rests near the edge of the frame. In the center, a pot filled with food sits on a small stove, with a wooden spoon held by a person stirring the contents. The person is positioned on the right side of the photograph, wearing a sleeveless top. Behind the pot and stove, fabric panels hang along the wall, showing different patterns and textures. A cloth lies on the surface beneath the stove near the lower edge of the photograph.The woman here cooks in the same way Thanda once did, using illegal electricity lines to source power. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a close-up indoor scene with various kitchen items. On the left side, several containers, including a large can with printed text, sit on a patterned surface. In front of the containers, a round metal lid rests near the edge of the frame. In the center, a pot filled with food sits on a small stove, with a wooden spoon held by a person stirring the contents. The person is positioned on the right side of the photograph, wearing a sleeveless top. Behind the pot and stove, fabric panels hang along the wall, showing different patterns and textures. A cloth lies on the surface beneath the stove near the lower edge of the photograph.The woman here cooks in the same way Thanda once did, using illegal electricity lines to source power. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a dimly lit indoor scene with a round plastic tub positioned near the bottom center of the frame. Inside the tub, a child is seated, with the upper part of the child’s body faintly visible in the low light. The child’s left hand rests on the rim of the tub, which curves across the foreground. In the background, dark shapes of furniture and structural elements are barely visible due to the limited light.One of the authors has placed her baby in a tub for a bath inside her home. This is the most common way that people are able to bath. Water is collected from pumps and carried into each person’s hand built home. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a dimly lit indoor scene with a round plastic tub positioned near the bottom center of the frame. Inside the tub, a child is seated, with the upper part of the child’s body faintly visible in the low light. The child’s left hand rests on the rim of the tub, which curves across the foreground. In the background, dark shapes of furniture and structural elements are barely visible due to the limited light.One of the authors has placed her baby in a tub for a bath inside her home. This is the most common way that people are able to bath. Water is collected from pumps and carried into each person’s hand built home. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a scene with corrugated metal walls running down the left side of the frame. Below the wall, a pile of discarded items fills the lower left area, including bottles, containers, and several plastic bags. Near the center, a large container is filled with more bottles and bags, with a long object resting across the top edge. Grass grows in the lower right portion of the frame. Along the right side, a narrow muddy walkway extends into the background, where several people are visible walking between additional metal structures.During the floods, uncollected rubbish and blocked stormwater drains played a deadly role. But this wasn't a sudden failure—it was the outcome of decades of neglect rooted in apartheid-era planning and colonial infrastructures that excluded informal settlements from basic services. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a scene with corrugated metal walls running down the left side of the frame. Below the wall, a pile of discarded items fills the lower left area, including bottles, containers, and several plastic bags. Near the center, a large container is filled with more bottles and bags, with a long object resting across the top edge. Grass grows in the lower right portion of the frame. Along the right side, a narrow muddy walkway extends into the background, where several people are visible walking between additional metal structures.During the floods, uncollected rubbish and blocked stormwater drains played a deadly role. But this wasn't a sudden failure—it was the outcome of decades of neglect rooted in apartheid-era planning and colonial infrastructures that excluded informal settlements from basic services. Figure by authors
The photograph shows an outdoor area bordered on the left by a rough-textured wall with a barred window near the top left corner. A piece of cloth hangs through the bars. The ground below the window is uneven, with small items scattered near the base. To the right, corrugated metal walls form an enclosed space. Near the center, a large tree trunk lies on the ground with a plank resting across it. In the lower right portion, a puddle of water reflects part of the surroundings. Additional branches and smaller debris sit along the ground across the scene, with sunlight casting shadows on the walls and floor.When the rain came, there was nowhere for the water to go. Pathway’s turned to rivers, homes were submerged, and people were trapped. These preventable blockages became lethal, exposing how historical injustice continues to shape who lives, and who dies, in the face of disaster. Figure by authors
The photograph shows an outdoor area bordered on the left by a rough-textured wall with a barred window near the top left corner. A piece of cloth hangs through the bars. The ground below the window is uneven, with small items scattered near the base. To the right, corrugated metal walls form an enclosed space. Near the center, a large tree trunk lies on the ground with a plank resting across it. In the lower right portion, a puddle of water reflects part of the surroundings. Additional branches and smaller debris sit along the ground across the scene, with sunlight casting shadows on the walls and floor.When the rain came, there was nowhere for the water to go. Pathway’s turned to rivers, homes were submerged, and people were trapped. These preventable blockages became lethal, exposing how historical injustice continues to shape who lives, and who dies, in the face of disaster. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a large metal container occupying most of the frame. Near the top left, a cloth hangs over an opening serving as a doorway, with a person leaning inside through the opening. Painted stick-figure drawings appear across the upper left side of the container. Two rectangular vents are positioned lower on the container wall. On the right side, wooden planks form a makeshift barrier beside the container. In the foreground, the ground is uneven dirt with scattered pieces of wood, rocks, and patches of grass. A black plastic bag lies near the base of the container. In the background to the left, part of a roadway and a few vehicles are visible behind the grassy edge.Multiple abandoned toilet structures, destroyed from the force of the floods, remain in decay three years later. During this time this toilet has become a makeshift home – this photo showing the resident entering their home. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a large metal container occupying most of the frame. Near the top left, a cloth hangs over an opening serving as a doorway, with a person leaning inside through the opening. Painted stick-figure drawings appear across the upper left side of the container. Two rectangular vents are positioned lower on the container wall. On the right side, wooden planks form a makeshift barrier beside the container. In the foreground, the ground is uneven dirt with scattered pieces of wood, rocks, and patches of grass. A black plastic bag lies near the base of the container. In the background to the left, part of a roadway and a few vehicles are visible behind the grassy edge.Multiple abandoned toilet structures, destroyed from the force of the floods, remain in decay three years later. During this time this toilet has become a makeshift home – this photo showing the resident entering their home. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a large metal container extending across the frame, with peeling paint and multiple rusted holes along its lower panels. Near the top left corner, three small rectangular windows are visible. Below them, the container’s bottom edge is heavily damaged, exposing openings of various sizes. To the right, a large doorway stands open, revealing the dark interior. Debris, including pieces of metal, plastic, and plant material, is scattered along the ground beneath the damaged sections and in front of the doorway. The ground is muddy, with water collected in small areas near the bottom right. In the background, trees and a few vertical poles are visible above the container’s roofline.Damaged toilet block. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a large metal container extending across the frame, with peeling paint and multiple rusted holes along its lower panels. Near the top left corner, three small rectangular windows are visible. Below them, the container’s bottom edge is heavily damaged, exposing openings of various sizes. To the right, a large doorway stands open, revealing the dark interior. Debris, including pieces of metal, plastic, and plant material, is scattered along the ground beneath the damaged sections and in front of the doorway. The ground is muddy, with water collected in small areas near the bottom right. In the background, trees and a few vertical poles are visible above the container’s roofline.Damaged toilet block. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a grassy outdoor area with a wire fence running across the upper part of the frame. Behind the fence, piles of discarded items and patches of vegetation are visible. In the center foreground, a person is bent over near a small water outlet, supported by one hand on the ground. The person stands on uneven rocks and concrete blocks. Surrounding the rocks, there are scattered objects and patches of exposed soil. Grasses and plants grow along the edges of the scene, extending into the background on both sides.Limited access to clean water has forced residents to create their own systems. A pipe has been extended from the far side of the settlement, offering a shared point where people can wash clothes, clean dishes, or retrieve water to bring home. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a grassy outdoor area with a wire fence running across the upper part of the frame. Behind the fence, piles of discarded items and patches of vegetation are visible. In the center foreground, a person is bent over near a small water outlet, supported by one hand on the ground. The person stands on uneven rocks and concrete blocks. Surrounding the rocks, there are scattered objects and patches of exposed soil. Grasses and plants grow along the edges of the scene, extending into the background on both sides.Limited access to clean water has forced residents to create their own systems. A pipe has been extended from the far side of the settlement, offering a shared point where people can wash clothes, clean dishes, or retrieve water to bring home. Figure by authors
The photograph shows an outdoor scene with a grassy area extending across the upper half of the frame. At the top, several buildings and vehicles are visible behind the grass. In the center foreground, a person bends over a large round basin placed on a square stand, holding a piece of clothing. To the left, part of a small wooden structure with steps appears near the edge of the frame. On the ground in the foreground, scattered clothing and debris are visible. Thick vegetation fills the middle portion of the photograph, stretching from left to right behind the person.This improvised solution to water access reveals how communities navigate gaps in the formal WEF systems that are essential to survival, but are so often unevenly distributed. Figure by authors
The photograph shows an outdoor scene with a grassy area extending across the upper half of the frame. At the top, several buildings and vehicles are visible behind the grass. In the center foreground, a person bends over a large round basin placed on a square stand, holding a piece of clothing. To the left, part of a small wooden structure with steps appears near the edge of the frame. On the ground in the foreground, scattered clothing and debris are visible. Thick vegetation fills the middle portion of the photograph, stretching from left to right behind the person.This improvised solution to water access reveals how communities navigate gaps in the formal WEF systems that are essential to survival, but are so often unevenly distributed. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a grassy landscape extending across the upper portion of the frame, with roads, vehicles, streetlights, and several buildings visible behind the grass. In the center foreground, a fenced area contains large piles of assorted trash, including bags, bottles, and other discarded items. Wooden fence posts stand unevenly around the trash pile, with wires running between them. At the bottom right, a set of pipes is connected at a joint above the dirt. Vegetation and patches of exposed soil cover the lower part of the photograph.In the absence of consistent municipal waste services, residents have organized their own system of rubbish collection, sorting, and containment. This photo shows one of the designated drop-off points, simple, but effective. It also captures the distance many have to walk to dispose of their waste, highlighting the everyday labor involved in maintaining dignity and order when basic services are missing. Figure by authors
The photograph shows a grassy landscape extending across the upper portion of the frame, with roads, vehicles, streetlights, and several buildings visible behind the grass. In the center foreground, a fenced area contains large piles of assorted trash, including bags, bottles, and other discarded items. Wooden fence posts stand unevenly around the trash pile, with wires running between them. At the bottom right, a set of pipes is connected at a joint above the dirt. Vegetation and patches of exposed soil cover the lower part of the photograph.In the absence of consistent municipal waste services, residents have organized their own system of rubbish collection, sorting, and containment. This photo shows one of the designated drop-off points, simple, but effective. It also captures the distance many have to walk to dispose of their waste, highlighting the everyday labor involved in maintaining dignity and order when basic services are missing. Figure by authors
The photograph shows an outdoor passage framed on the left by a wooden post and corrugated metal sheets, and on the right by a tall metal wall. Near the top, wires extend across the open space. In the center, a person walks away from the camera while lifting a bucket above their shoulder. Near the person, a dark structure stands, with a rectangular panel displaying several circular markings in red and black. Additional metal sheets and structural elements appear in the background, along with partial views of trees and sky at the top.A young man carries water from the shared pipe back to his home so his family has a water supply within the home. Figure by authors
The photograph shows an outdoor passage framed on the left by a wooden post and corrugated metal sheets, and on the right by a tall metal wall. Near the top, wires extend across the open space. In the center, a person walks away from the camera while lifting a bucket above their shoulder. Near the person, a dark structure stands, with a rectangular panel displaying several circular markings in red and black. Additional metal sheets and structural elements appear in the background, along with partial views of trees and sky at the top.A young man carries water from the shared pipe back to his home so his family has a water supply within the home. Figure by authors
In her body map, Thanda paints her flood story, showing the rising levels of the Palmiet River as floodwaters encroached around her home. In the days leading up to the disaster, persistent light rain had saturated the already unstable terrain along the edges of the river. That day, as she prepared a meal for her son over a paraffin stove (an everyday reflection of the precarious energy systems in this informal settlement), she noticed early signs of trouble. Although the settlement initially seemed calm, with most residents sheltering indoors, she remembers looking across the river into her neighbors, where she saw their informal homes collapsing at the river as the sandbanks eroded under the weight of the water. Thanda recalled panic setting in. “I was cooking for my son, and when the water came, I just needed to find him.” Her pot boiled over as she rushed outside, floodwater already swirling around her ankles. Calling frantically for her son, she stumbled toward the highway, searching for higher ground. Around her, illegal electricity lines snapped and fell, their live wires sparking deadly threats in the rising water. Chaos unfolded as families fled their makeshift homes: some clutching cooking pots, mattresses or schoolbooks – the essentials of daily survival – others abandoning everything in a desperate sprint for safety. In that moment, the intricate entanglement of water, energy and food systems was exposed.
While the number of deaths and the scale of damage that occurred in the aftermath of the 2022 Durban floods tell part of the story, they miss the deeper truth: disasters like the Durban floods are not just the result of a changing climate, but they are the outcome of political decisions, economic inequalities and historical neglect. As climate change intensifies these weather events, the pre-existing injustices will exacerbate their deadly impact. These inequalities are deeply entangled with people’s environments and how they live. Thanda's story illustrates how disasters disrupt the fundamental systems that sustain life – water, energy and food – exposing the vulnerabilities inherent in them. During the floods, clean water sources were contaminated by overflowing sewage and debris; illegal and unsafe electricity lines collapsed into floodwaters, turning escape routes into lethal hazards and food supplies spoiled as homes and markets were destroyed. These breakdowns are not isolated failures; they reflect how interconnected and fragile the WEF systems are, especially for marginalized groups (Daher et al., 2021). While the WEF nexus is often treated in policy circles as a technical coordination problem, disasters make clear that it is also a social and political crisis (Albrecht et al., 2018). In the Quarry Road West informal settlement, weak infrastructure, insecure land tenure and limited access to safe services meant that when one system failed, it dragged the others down with it. The floods exposed how disruption in one part of the nexus rapidly cascades across all aspects of survival. Thanda's painting captures these ruptures not as abstract policy challenges, but as her daily reality, where the failure of the WEF nexus meant the difference between life and death.
About the author
Emily Ragus is a PhD candidate in Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on environmental collapse and the processes of repair, drawing on 14 years of experience as an emergency nurse, including helicopter retrieval work and deployments to conflict zones with the International Committee of the Red Cross. Alexandra Rose Howland is an artist and photographer who works in pre- and post-conflict settings, using long-term ethnographic methods to explore complex social and environmental issues. Together, they are part of a research collaborative that examines the intersection of art, science and disaster to better understand how crises shape societies and environments.
Author contribution statement
This photo essay is the result of a collaborative ABR project. Emily Ragus facilitated the workshops and wrote the text in collaboration with all co-authors. Alexandra Howland contributed photographic framing and editing, as well as shaping the visual and thematic focus. Andisiwe and Pinky Sonjica participated as co-researchers, guided the narrative direction and created the photographs. All authors contributed equally to the production of the essay and consent to being listed as co-authors.
