Yesterday we had the privilege of photographing South-African President Kgalema Motlanthe at the Johannesburg Stock Exhchange in Sandton and what an experience it was….

The JSE hired us to photograph this event and supply them with formal photographs for the company and for their press release.

In press photography and journalism it’s known as the hurry-up-and-wait game.  We were informed an hour before the president’s estimated time of arrival.  Luckily I was already in Randburg collecting canvas prints from a previous photoshoot.  I had to rush to the JSE and even though it was the middle of the day the traffic was hectic.

On my arrival at the JSE I was greeted by Trevor James, marketing manager, of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and told that they’re expecting President Motlanthe at 2 o’ clock, so I took a stand right next to the president’s official photographer and videographer and then we waited for the president’s arrival.  President Motlanthe got stuck at a previous appointment and only arrived an hour and a half later at the JSE.

The CEO of the JSE then escorted President Motlanthe into the JSE and described how the Shareboard worked.  They then posed for a few formal photos and then the president did a walkthrough of the JSE’s “Learn to Earn” initiative and spoke to a few of the JSE’s listed companies representatives before making their way to another meeting.

I enjoyed the event and got some great photographs and we are quite excited to be working with the JSE!

Riani

According to the Business times, President Motlanthe commented at the JSE that South Africa will do it’s part to deal with the global crisis as no country can look at this in isolation. Read more on The Times website