Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images

Conservation Rangers from an anti-poaching unit work with locals to evacuate the bodies of four mountain gorrillas killed in mysterious circumstances in the park, Virunga National Park, Eastern Congo, 24 July 2007. A silver-back alpha male, the leader of the group was shot, three females were also killed.

In the latest Getty Images podcast, Getty Images CEO and Co-Founder Jonathan Klein recently talked with staff photographer Brent Stirton to discuss how Brent uses photojournalism not only to tell powerful stories but to prompt change.

Brent is a senior staff photographer for Reportage by Getty Images. He specializes in documentary work and he is renowned for his humanitarian efforts around the world. His images not only earn highly acclaimed awards, such as the Visa d’Or, World Press Photo and the Overseas Press Club, but also gain much needed attention to subjects that he is very passionate about. In fact, he was named by American Photo magazine as one of the ten heroes of photojournalism in 2007.

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On my last day in Cape Town, South Africa my alarm chimed at 5 AM. For me, being up at such an early hour would usually mean a trip to the airport to visit my clients in D.C. or Boston, but today was different – in the best possible way. Today was the day that I would meet and interview the esteemed Bishop Tutu.

It was a huge honor to share space with Bishop Tutu, who is an inspiring and beloved religious figure. He has a powerful charisma and infectious sense of humor that is matched only by his intelligence and genuine caring for other human beings.

The scope of achievements Bishop Tutu has accomplished during his lifetime are too numerous to mention, however I wanted to briefly touch on a couple of the most notable roles he’s played:

• He is the recipient of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the liberation struggle in 1978, when he became the first black secretary of the South African Council of Churches. As a dynamic leader of this council, Desmond Tutu’s goal was for “a democratic and just society without racial segregation.”

• Following the 1976 Soweto protests, during which Hector Peterson F.E.T. School’s namesake was killed, there was a country-wide uprising against apartheid. It’s from this point on that Bishop Tutu became a supporter of the economic boycott of his country, which played a significant part in dismantling the apartheid regime.

• As the moral conscience of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, described Tutu as “sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humor. Desmond Tutu’s voice will always be the voice of the voiceless.”

Our meeting with Bishop Tutu began with a private service at the St. Georges Cathedral, which is located in the central business district in Cape Town. Being Anglican, but perhaps not attending church as much as I should, it was interesting to compare and contrast the services from my native home of Australia. The service was relatively informal and the advent of humor was somewhat refreshing compared with the more traditional services I am accustomed to.

While you might think that it would be intimidating to meet Bishop Tutu, I found him to be very down to earth and approachable. After the church service, we headed to his favorite local cafe for breakfast and a well-earned coffee. It was then onto the interview.

I will always remember Tutu’s accessibility and willingness to be a part of the cause to help raise awareness of the Bridges to Understanding charity. He responded to my questions with insight that demonstrated a solid understanding of the issues with education and impoverished communities within South Africa.

At the conclusion of the interview, Bishop Tutu, who is somewhat shorter than I am, leaned up and whispered in my ear, “Now, I must go. Thank you for helping South Africa.”

With a wave from his bodyguard to signal the need to continue moving, we said our goodbyes and he walked off to his waiting vehicle.

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We visited the Methodist Church of Southern Africa to attend a service that Parishner Bram had organized.

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The church itself is relatively dilapidated, which is similiar to the condition that you find most structures in the settlement. There are large holes in the walls and ceiling and a lack of chairs for anyone to sit.

Due to the strength of the Christian faith in the Wallacedene settlement,  worshippers are not deterred from attending. Every Sunday, the four hour long service is packed with individuals from the local community.

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The atmosphere of the church is something to be experienced and difficult to describe through words. The only way to truly experience it is to hear it for yourself:

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I hope you’ll be as moved as we were.

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It’s certainly been a whirlwind tour thus far at the informal Wallacedene settlement in Cape Town, South Africa.

The settlement is located near the heart of the picturesque wine country, but the shanty village of Wallacedene is far from the glowing beauty of its close neighbors. When you enter the community of Wallacedene, the poverty is immediately apparant. Stray, malnourished dogs wander the streets in search of food while children play amongst the rubbish that is littered throughout the streets.

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It’s these conditions that led to the topic of our digital story, “Environmental Hazards,” which highlights the impact pollution is having on the health of the children in the Wallacedene settlement.

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Mothusi Mokhalimetso, one of the brightest learners at the school, was a victim of the squalid way of life in his community, contracting and almost dying from tuberculosis (TB). TB is a common and often deadly infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs. Typical symptoms include chronic coughing with blood tinged mucas, fever, night sweats and weight loss. The disease is spread through the air, and due to the close living proximity of residents in these villages, sick residents are often treated as outcasts.

One of the lucky few to survive, Mothusi is now sharing his story as part of the Bridges to Understanding workshop experience.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images – Mothusi Mokhalimetso is ready to share his story.

Unfortunately, TB is not the only killer in the Wallacedene settlement, around 60% of people in the settlement have AIDS, some of which even contracting it from birth.

Luthando Home Care Center takes in HIV infected and affected orphans and toddlers that are vulnerable to this disease. They provide them with food, shelter and access to social grants, particularly for those orphans who have no family to care for them.

Here I am with several of the orphans…

The children are incredibly affectionate, they want to cuddle you, be held close, climb all over you and play with your camera equipment. They are so little and cute, but in the back of your mind, you know this is the case because many have grown up malnourished and their growth has been stunted.

In spite of their struggles, in spite of the disease, dirty water and lack of sewage systems and sanitation, the people in Wallacedene remain upbeat. Their song and culture is what seems to keep them going, and they take each day as it comes.

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