The image captures a moment from the daily life, between the blurring of the water and the close cropping, only a fraction of these men’s bodies is visible. Their bare skin, their proximity to one another, the intimate cropping of the image conveys the vulnerability these individuals share with each other and the world. The image reflects a sense of shared unity, promoting equality among young men. In South Africa, this unity is often challenged by toxic masculinity and societal expectations of male behaviour. The simple act of swimming together in a pool represents fun, liberation, and self-expression, which is closely linked to overall well-being.

Ogorogile Nong, is a South African visual artist currently developing a body of work around global warming and its effects on his community.