ZULULAND: Dancers in the Dust
The idea to document traditional Zulu dance and music came to Katzenstein while he was on assignment for Rolling Stone Magazine in South Africa. When he traveled to Johannesburg in January, 1990 with journalist Samuel Freedman apartheid was nearing its end, and Nelson Mandela would soon be released from Victor Verster Prison. The project centered around the life and work of famed musician and activist Johnny Clegg, and Katzenstein accompanied Clegg on visits to nearby townships where he danced with Zulu men, who were living far from their ancestral homes in search of work.
The article Johnny Clegg’s War on Apartheid was published in the March 22, 1990 edition. After finishing the assignment Katzenstein traveled to the province of KwaZulu-Natal as a guest of Dudu Mntowaziwayo Ndlovu, a principal member of Clegg’s band, and a renowned dancer and percussionist. The memorable visit culminated in photographing a full day of festivities.