Salym Fayad is an independent reporter and documentary photographer from Bogota, Colombia, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, since 2008. He has worked extensively in Sub-Saharan Africa covering issues related to music and popular culture, armed conflict, migration and human rights. His work has appeared in media outlets such as The New York Times, Boston Review, European Pressphoto Agency, Agence France-Presse, VICE, Mail & Guardian, The Guardian, Sunday Times, Libération, El Tiempo, Arcadia, Gatopardo, El Malpensante, Revista Semana, among others. His photographs have been exhibited in New York, Washington, Helsinki, Berlin, Perpignan, Bogota, Johannesburg and Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. He currently works on a collaborative multimedia project documenting life stories and cultural practices among the Somali community in Mayfair, Johannesburg, and the diaspora.
He has also worked in the management of cultural exchange projects between Colombia and South Africa, including the participation of South African group Blk Jks in Rock al Parque festival, and the tours in Southern Africa of Colombian bands Sidestepper, Bomba Estereo and La 33 Orchestra; as well as the participation of independent label Llorona Records at Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition in Johannesburg. Member of the networks of music promoters CCA Cultural Connections Africa and CCLA Cultural Connections Latin America. He is a co-founder of Otro Sur Foundation, an independent organisation promoting cultural exchange between Africa and Latin America, with which he organised the first Colombian film showcase in South Africa and co-directs the MUICA African film festival in Colombia. He is the co-founder of Wallay African film festival in Barcelona
Salym Fayad by virtue of his work as a cultural promoter, which has allowed him to be rooted in two continents, leads the ACA’s efforts around sustainable cultural exchanges. in his role as the head of our cultural exchange committee, Salym identifies organizations and institutions that are interested in cultural exchange projects within and outside the continent. His work supports the ACA vision to be a key player in terms of cultural exchanges on the African continent
