It can’t be understated that when Cole’s groundbreaking ‘House of Bondage’ was published 1967, not that much imagery had circulated beyond South Africa that described the reality of living under Apartheid. ‘House of Bondage’ was unique in how substantive it was as a study of the impacts of apartheid. Importantly it was from the perspective of a Black man for whom the brutality of the system was his everyday life, rather than a visiting international photojournalist. Making the work also came at a risk, and ultimately led to Cole being banned from his home country.
The conditions that allow for us to dehumanise others, tiered levels of statehood, segregated communities and economic disparity along racial lines are sadly still extremely relevant issues today. I’d argue that looking carefully at the realities of apartheid and the personal costs to Cole for voicing his dissent are potent today.