Growing up in South Africa and later moving to the United States in 1987, I witnessed the country's political turmoil firsthand. Just a few years after my departure, Nelson Mandela's release from prison heralded a period of profound change. Eager to reconnect with my homeland on a deeper level, I envisioned a photojournalistic project that would capture the nuances of South Africa's post-apartheid journey. This dream took shape when I received a student grant from the Alexia Foundation in 2001 to document the lives of South Africa's first post-apartheid generation for my master's project. Despite ongoing challenges, South Africa's transition from racial conflict to coexistence serves as a compelling example of societal evolution. Despite the changing political landscape, I also discovered that for vast majority of South Africans, little had changed since apartheid ended. The following photo essay follows the stories of children born in 1994, the year of South Africa's inaugural free elections, offering a diverse glimpse into their lives in and around Johannesburg.