In a new photographic series titled, ‘Mfecane’, Cape Town-based photographer Raphael Blue Bromilow  teamed up with creative partner and stylist Liam Cowie to bring to life an interpretation of their mutually beloved film Beau Travail. After months of conversation and ideation they decided to execute their concept with Ntsika Bungane of Internet Girl who brought his own unique vision onto the field.

Blending fashion, symbolism, and raw emotion into a visually striking narrative, the series stars Ntsika Bungane, frontman of the band Internet Girl. Known to his audience as a rockstar, this photo series presents a new side of Ntsika — showcasing his personality from a different angle.

The series takes its name from ‘Mfecane’, a period of upheaval and transformation in Southern African history. The term, derived from a Zulu word meaning ‘Crushing’, speaks to the forces of destruction and creation – displacement and emergence – that shaped the region. This duality underpins the imagery in this body of work.

Raphael shares about the work, “Visually, Mfecane draws inspiration from Claire Denis’ Beau Travail (1999), particularly its restrained yet deeply textural approach to storytelling. I was captivated by how she sculpted an austere world through elemental contrasts. In these images, I’ve woven together salt, skin, sky, water, foam, and wire to evoke a subtle, tactile response—an interplay between sensation and structure. 

It becomes clear that while referencing these tactile physical elements, imbued in them are the overarching metaphors of the series. Wire could be seen as just metal but represents restraint, resilience, captivity and freedom. 

Ntsika was an essential collaborator for this vision. His presence in front of the camera is both striking and fluid, capable of embodying a spectrum of emotions with an understated intensity. This duality breathes life into the minimal studio environment, making it feel at once abstract and deeply human. In post-production, my focus was on proximity—getting as close as possible to the subject to reveal the nuances of his expression. Through this process, the dialogue between his emotions and the raw, textural elements of the scene became even more pronounced, reinforcing the quiet tension that defines this body of work.” 

About Ntsika, Raphael tells us more about his background: “Raised in the suburbs of Johannesburg, he often felt a disconnect from those around him—his clothing, speech, and artistic expression setting him apart. A few years ago, he channeled this outsider energy into forming Internet Girl, a genre-defying band blending alternative rock, pop, and electronic influences. Fast forward five years, and Ntsika has emerged as one of South Africa’s most compelling young talents. His band is now touring across Europe and the U.S., while he expands his creative reach into modeling and acting.”

“His presence in front of the camera is both striking and fluid, capable of embodying a spectrum of emotions with an understated intensity. This duality breathes life into the minimal studio environment, making it feel at once abstract and deeply human. In post-production, focus was on proximity—getting as close as possible to the subject to reveal the nuances of his expression. Through this process, the dialogue between his emotions and the raw, textural elements of the scene became even more pronounced, reinforcing the quiet tension that defines this body of work.” Says Raphael.

This fashion art series is not only a collaboration between creatives but showcases the merger of fashion and photographic culture in South Africa, where a new generation of artists is reimagining genres in groundbreaking and transformative ways.

Watch the latest video with Ntsika by Royd Ringdahl titled ‘Treat Him Like a Baby’ here

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