In pictures: Zambia's new generation

16 December 2019

Photographer Kerstin Hacker's pictures document the rapid pace of change in Lusaka, capital of Zambia.

News image — Fast-food restaurants, such as the South African chain Hungry Lion, have become popular with a young urban population

Kerstin Hacker Woman on the phone in a fast food restaurant — Fast-food restaurants, such as the South African chain Hungry Lion, have become popular with a young urban population

She sets out to document the everyday life of affluent inhabitants in the rapidly developing urban centres in a country where a large proportion of population is under 35.

Kerstin Hacker Nathan Malambo skateboards at Paark Xtreme Skate Park — Nathan Malambo, a promising young skateboarder, at Paark Xtreme

"What strikes me about Zambia is that there is such ambition in the country," Hacker, a senior lecturer at the UK's Anglia Ruskin University, says.

"Young people everywhere are working towards building their future. While some of them make small steps, others move fast.

Kerstin Hacker Two girls prepare back stage for a fashion show — Back stage at a fashion show during a urban youth festival at Nadec sports complex

Kerstin Hacker Chisala Musasha prepares a model for a photo shoot — Local designer Chisala Musasha prepares a model for a photo shoot

Kerstin Hacker Construction worker in a shop being built — A construction site for the Love of Home Chinese homeware store, in Kalingalinga

Kerstin Hacker Men at a car wash — Expensive cars are a status symbol for the Zambian middle classes and car washes are used to network by new entrepreneurs

Kerstin Hacker Shopping centre workers return empty trolleys from the car park — Workers return empty trolleys from the car park of the Manda Hill Shopping Mall

Kerstin Hacker A groom dances at a wedding — A "groomsman" performs a traditional choreographed dance at a wedding in an affluent hotel

Kerstin Hacker Girls waiting for a ballet class — Two sisters waiting for their ballet class to begin in a gym

Kerstin Hacker A girl attends a Baptist church service — Sunday service at the Evangel Baptist Church

Kerstin Hacker is exhibiting a new project; the Stories of Kalingalinga, a collaboration with the National Zambian Visual Arts Council and a group of Zambian photographers, opening on 16 January 2020 in the Ruskin Gallery, Cambridge.