We begin 2026 with a six-part series centered around themes of place, movement, and conflict. These issues demand deeper human-centered context, as displacement, political instability, and environmental pressure increasingly define daily life for millions.
In Episode 15 of Exposures, Zambian photographer Chona Mwemba turns his attention to a force so constant it often disappears from view: everyday motion. Not migration as crisis but the quiet, continuous circulation of people, labor, culture and influence that binds Zambia together.
Developed over several years and across extensive travel throughout the country, Movement observes how people traverse rivers, roads, islands, and rural corridors—and how those movements quietly transmit values, traditions, politics and mutual understanding. Mwemba frames movement not simply as a physical act, but as a mechanism for cultural continuity and social stability.
In this conversation, Mwemba reflects on his own path into photography, his instinct to photograph from distance and without spectacle, and his belief that movement shapes how information spreads and how empathy forms. The images resist urgency, instead asking the viewer to slow down and recognize the labor, endurance and dignity embedded in daily transit despite the structural realities.
This episode offers a deeper look at Movement as both a photographic series and a social inquiry rooted in observation, restraint and a profound respect for the lived rhythms of Zambian life.
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About Chona Mwemba
Chona Mwemba is a self-taught Zambian photographer with a deep love for capturing everyday life moments that cannot be replicated. The rawness and richness of his subjects and their environments serve as a personal reminder to always see the beauty of life regardless of geography. His work has been featured on platforms such as the BBC and The Times (UK). Through his work he strives to portray Zambia in a positive light. With this series of images he aspires to bring to life the beauty and strength of the Zambian people across the country, highlighting their gracious, resilient and amiable nature.
David Larsen
David Larsen is a South African photographer, journalist, and the founder ofAfrica Media Online, established in March 2000. Based in Cape Town, he focuses on documenting African stories, promoting digital archiving and training photographers across the continent. Larsen is also involved in promoting African photographers through various initiatives and awards
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