I first came to live in the Graaff Reinet in December 1969 and lived in the location of Masizakhe, which stands for �self development� in the Xhosa language. On arrival I noticed that some of the houses in which the black people lived in were dilapidated, infrastructure was underdeveloped and poverty was rife. I soon came to know that prior to my arrival a Methodist Priest, the Reverend Hermanus and other eighteen or so respectable members of the community were detained and charged for having furthered the aims of the then banned Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). The trickery and astuteness of the special branch police against the detainees turned one against the other where some testified for the apartheid state against Reverend Hermanus and the others. Those who did so led to the disruption of their otherwise decent lives for they became the subject of ridicule in the community thus losing some of the respect that they had prior to their deeds. As to whether they indeed were all members of the PAC has always been a subject of interpretation as some of them refuted having been members nor of any political orgnisation. The special tried the same divisive tactic in the mid 1970�s when they detained a number of young student activists, some of whom belonged to the then South African Student Movement (SASM) and organisation of secondary and high school students. Again five of the student members, Mzuvukile Maqetuka, Mbuyiselo Ralawe, Zolile Maqetuka, Zandisile Pase, Rowena Bolosha and a non-student the late Thabo Nockpal were charged after a long spell in detention and subsequently served an eight month term prison sentence. This time only three members of the detained group were expected to give evidence against the five but refused to sell their soles and dignity, one the late Keith Nqai perjured himself and was sentenced to three months whilst the also refused to evidence and was released. This book not only depicts a photographic journey through Graaff Reinet but resonate the misery, laughter, joy and the political wisdom of a people who made it their duty to develop themselves against all odds and who paid homage to an adage that South Africa and their town in particular belong to all those who live in it provided that all enjoy the equal opportunities that life offers. The book unlike a plethora of others that trace the development of our towns and cities bears testimony and recognises the role played by those who built it � the majestic Dutch Reformed Church forms the pillar of the town, the Methodist Church in the southern part of the location, the Drostdy Hotel in Church Street and the AME Church and all other heritage sites that make Graaff Reinet this �Gem of the Karoo�. It captures in a clear and concise manner the uneven development of its various localities. It refutes the notion that it was the Pharaohs who built the pyramids of Egypt. The images in the book tell a story that the author refuses to narrate in words, for he believes that �a picture is worth a thousand words�. Mbuyiselo Ralawe Practising Attorney and Political Activist

I first came to live in the Graaff Reinet in December 1969 and lived in the location of Masizakhe, which stands for �self development� in the Xhosa language. On arrival I noticed that some of the houses in which the black people lived in were dilapidated, infrastructure was underdeveloped and poverty was rife. I soon came to know that prior to my arrival a Methodist Priest, the Reverend Hermanus and other eighteen or so respectable members of the community were detained and charged for having furthered the aims of the then banned Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). The trickery and astuteness of the special branch police against the detainees turned one against the other where some testified for the apartheid state against Reverend Hermanus and the others. Those who did so led to the disruption of their otherwise decent lives for they became the subject of ridicule in the community thus losing some of the respect that they had prior to their deeds. As to whether they indeed were all members of the PAC has always been a subject of interpretation as some of them refuted having been members nor of any political orgnisation. The special tried the same divisive tactic in the mid 1970�s when they detained a number of young student activists, some of whom belonged to the then South African Student Movement (SASM) and organisation of secondary and high school students. Again five of the student members, Mzuvukile Maqetuka, Mbuyiselo Ralawe, Zolile Maqetuka, Zandisile Pase, Rowena Bolosha and a non-student the late Thabo Nockpal were charged after a long spell in detention and subsequently served an eight month term prison sentence. This time only three members of the detained group were expected to give evidence against the five but refused to sell their soles and dignity, one the late Keith Nqai perjured himself and was sentenced to three months whilst the also refused to evidence and was released. This book not only depicts a photographic journey through Graaff Reinet but resonate the misery, laughter, joy and the political wisdom of a people who made it their duty to develop themselves against all odds and who paid homage to an adage that South Africa and their town in particular belong to all those who live in it provided that all enjoy the equal opportunities that life offers. The book unlike a plethora of others that trace the development of our towns and cities bears testimony and recognises the role played by those who built it � the majestic Dutch Reformed Church forms the pillar of the town, the Methodist Church in the southern part of the location, the Drostdy Hotel in Church Street and the AME Church and all other heritage sites that make Graaff Reinet this �Gem of the Karoo�. It captures in a clear and concise manner the uneven development of its various localities. It refutes the notion that it was the Pharaohs who built the pyramids of Egypt. The images in the book tell a story that the author refuses to narrate in words, for he believes that �a picture is worth a thousand words�. Mbuyiselo Ralawe Practising Attorney and Political Activist

I first came to live in the Graaff Reinet in December 1969 and lived in the location of Masizakhe, which stands for �self development� in the Xhosa language. On arrival I noticed that some of the houses in which the black people lived in were dilapidated, infrastructure was underdeveloped and poverty was rife. I soon came to know that prior to my arrival a Methodist Priest, the Reverend Hermanus and other eighteen or so respectable members of the community were detained and charged for having furthered the aims of the then banned Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). The trickery and astuteness of the special branch police against the detainees turned one against the other where some testified for the apartheid state against Reverend Hermanus and the others. Those who did so led to the disruption of their otherwise decent lives for they became the subject of ridicule in the community thus losing some of the respect that they had prior to their deeds. As to whether they indeed were all members of the PAC has always been a subject of interpretation as some of them refuted having been members nor of any political orgnisation. The special tried the same divisive tactic in the mid 1970�s when they detained a number of young student activists, some of whom belonged to the then South African Student Movement (SASM) and organisation of secondary and high school students. Again five of the student members, Mzuvukile Maqetuka, Mbuyiselo Ralawe, Zolile Maqetuka, Zandisile Pase, Rowena Bolosha and a non-student the late Thabo Nockpal were charged after a long spell in detention and subsequently served an eight month term prison sentence. This time only three members of the detained group were expected to give evidence against the five but refused to sell their soles and dignity, one the late Keith Nqai perjured himself and was sentenced to three months whilst the also refused to evidence and was released. This book not only depicts a photographic journey through Graaff Reinet but resonate the misery, laughter, joy and the political wisdom of a people who made it their duty to develop themselves against all odds and who paid homage to an adage that South Africa and their town in particular belong to all those who live in it provided that all enjoy the equal opportunities that life offers. The book unlike a plethora of others that trace the development of our towns and cities bears testimony and recognises the role played by those who built it � the majestic Dutch Reformed Church forms the pillar of the town, the Methodist Church in the southern part of the location, the Drostdy Hotel in Church Street and the AME Church and all other heritage sites that make Graaff Reinet this �Gem of the Karoo�. It captures in a clear and concise manner the uneven development of its various localities. It refutes the notion that it was the Pharaohs who built the pyramids of Egypt. The images in the book tell a story that the author refuses to narrate in words, for he believes that �a picture is worth a thousand words�. Mbuyiselo Ralawe Practising Attorney and Political Activist

“100 Strangers” was a challenge:

A Challenge to take a photo of 100 Strangers and to "Learn by Doing".

Unlike a candid series of photos this adventure has some rules...

• Take a portrait photo with the prior permission of the subject.
• Post the person’s photo and their story on an online photographic community website, namely Flickr®.com
• Participants must be complete strangers - No friends or family are to be represented.

Tim Commons, now a photojournalist, completed the Challenge over a six month period and discovered that the Adventure was well worth sharing, thus he became the Author of his first book "100 Strangers".

“100 Strangers” contains not only some amazing portraits, but displays an impressive cross-section of society. More impressive is the fact that this is a true representation of the photographer’s growth during the adventure.

No Stranger portraits were discarded in a bid to make his journey appear to be without trial or failure. In fact, it displays these failures and shows that they are a chance to grow and to be better next time.

The book shows that like any worthwhile pursuit it did encounter hurdles and was the catalyst for much debate. Tim was himself held under citizen’s arrest half way through his journey for taking Photos without Consent, before being released by the Police, without charge. The Adventure continued and some of his most compelling and impressive photos and encounters were to come.

The author started the project with a compact camera and little knowledge of photography. He finished his journey using some of the world's most sophisticated photographic equipment and the ability to engage complete Strangers and tell their stories to the world.

"When I started the project most people I approached and asked to partake said, 'No' and walked away still a Stranger, leaving me disappointed and dejected. By the end of my journey practically everyone I asked said, ‘Yes’”. -Tim Commons

The “100 Strangers” book is not only a book containing some great portrait photos; it represents the stories of everyday people who are not so every day. It will leave you with a feeling that you should not judge a book by its cover and that life is, and should be: A Challenge, An Adventure and A Journey.

“100 Strangers” was a challenge:

A Challenge to take a photo of 100 Strangers and to "Learn by Doing".

Unlike a candid series of photos this adventure has some rules...

• Take a portrait photo with the prior permission of the subject.
• Post the person’s photo and their story on an online photographic community website, namely Flickr®.com
• Participants must be complete strangers - No friends or family are to be represented.

Tim Commons, now a photojournalist, completed the Challenge over a six month period and discovered that the Adventure was well worth sharing, thus he became the Author of his first book "100 Strangers".

“100 Strangers” contains not only some amazing portraits, but displays an impressive cross-section of society. More impressive is the fact that this is a true representation of the photographer’s growth during the adventure.

No Stranger portraits were discarded in a bid to make his journey appear to be without trial or failure. In fact, it displays these failures and shows that they are a chance to grow and to be better next time.

The book shows that like any worthwhile pursuit it did encounter hurdles and was the catalyst for much debate. Tim was himself held under citizen’s arrest half way through his journey for taking Photos without Consent, before being released by the Police, without charge. The Adventure continued and some of his most compelling and impressive photos and encounters were to come.

The author started the project with a compact camera and little knowledge of photography. He finished his journey using some of the world's most sophisticated photographic equipment and the ability to engage complete Strangers and tell their stories to the world.

"When I started the project most people I approached and asked to partake said, 'No' and walked away still a Stranger, leaving me disappointed and dejected. By the end of my journey practically everyone I asked said, ‘Yes’”. -Tim Commons

The “100 Strangers” book is not only a book containing some great portrait photos; it represents the stories of everyday people who are not so every day. It will leave you with a feeling that you should not judge a book by its cover and that life is, and should be: A Challenge, An Adventure and A Journey.