Wembley to Soweto

In 1988, more than 80,000 people attended a concert at Wembley Stadium to celebrate the 70th birthday of Nelson Mandela. 600 million viewers tuned in, as the world sent many happy returns to prisoner 46664, and joined with him in spirit to demand an end to apartheid.

The iconic photograph of that momentous day was taken by the international photographer John Cole. This image now hangs on the wall of Nelson Mandela's Johannesburg home.

Twenty-two years later, with this original image in mind, actor/producer David Westhead of Wilton Pictures contacted John and they decided to set up a photography course coinciding with the 2010 World Cup. The aim of the project was to teach eight teenagers from Soweto's Umuzi Photo Club how to feed their families with their cameras.

'Wembley to Soweto', championed by Nelson Mandela's grandson Kweku, ran for four weeks with amazing results. The stunning photographs in this exhibition are testament to that.

Now, a second iconic stadium image - this time of the 2010 World Cup Kick-Off Concert, at a packed Orlando Stadium in Soweto, shot by one of the 'Wembley to Soweto' students - has taken its proud place next to John Cole's original image on Nelson Mandela's wall. A fitting conclusion to a wonderful project.

As Mr. Mandela said in his inauguration speech, 'We are all meant to shine, as children do.” Through their brilliant images, these eight young students have shone a clear bright light on their South Africa.