Bergies, Kaapstad | 1998

Bergies are Cape Town’s street dwellers. The name once referred to people who took shelter in the forests around Table Mountain, but over time it came to describe a subculture of homeless individuals living on the fringes of society. With their belongings in shopping trolleys, they move through the city, surviving on odd jobs, tips, and handouts. Life is tough, yet they carry it with unexpected gentleness, humour and unyielding resilience. Alcohol often offers comfort. These analogue street portraits reveal their inner strength and softness—a striking contrast to their daily struggle.