People buy groceries at a store in the township of Alexandra in South Africa. Iron bars have been installed at the entrance of the store for security. The area is infamously known as a “no-go zone” in the country, due to high levels of crime and violence. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

Built-in 1912, Alexandra is one of the main townships on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa’s financial hub. The town housed a large number of black South Africans working in mines and factories in the 20th century. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

Children play in a relatively well-built area of the town. Villas in the area are guarded with iron bars and fences. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

A mural decorates the wall outside a kindergarten. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

People hang out near the bar Joes Butchery in an affordable housing area. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

A woman sells fruit on the street. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

People walk past Alex Mall, which is home to more than 90 stores and touted as a retail landmark in Alexandra. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

People stroll around the mall. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

People line up to get their wages in front of a bank inside the mall. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

Customers visit a Chinese shop in the mall selling herbal medicine. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

Lawerence Pietersen, former head of the guard in Alexandra, points to a poster in the mall about Bongani Mbatha. Mbatha went to school in the town and later served as chief of logistics for the South African National Defence Force. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

An old photo of a dwelling Nelson Mandela lived in hangs on display in the mall. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin

Vehicles drive on Lenin Drive. Alexandria was home to many political activists and organizers, and was a center of demonstrations during Apartheid. Photo: Hu Shuli/Caixin