We celebrate top local photographers who are shaping the visual landscape
South Africa is home to an exciting new generation of young photographers redefining the creative industry. Armed with a bold vision and unique perspectives, these talented artists are capturing the essence of our time, one frame at a time. They are not just capturing moments; they’re creating a visual legacy.
It’s clear South Africa’s creative future is in expert hands. Follow their journeys and prepare to be inspired!
Lungisani Mjaji
Photography is a challenging profession for many reasons, but for this passionate storyteller, it’s more than a career – it’s a calling. A winner of the GLF Africa Photo Competition in 2022, Lungisani’s portraits are captivating, showcasing his ability to highlight both the strength and vulnerability of his subjects. Whether capturing urban landscapes, the essence of rural happenings or intimate human expressions, Lungisani’s work speaks to the beauty of authenticity. Through his collaboration with Nikon in recent years, he has been able to immerse himself in a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for capturing the world as it is – raw and real!
Boipelo Khunou
Boipelo’s work is an ode to the act of feminine storytelling, and she takes great pride in responsibly reflecting her ideas and perspective with integrity. The Johannesburg-based multimedia artist’s photos celebrate lived experiences conceptually, with a cinematic quality that’s both intimate and striking. Her philosophy is botaki ke botshelo, which loosely translates to ‘artful living’. She is known for focusing on women and their natural surroundings. By blending natural light with vivid tones, she creates imagery that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. She believes that there is an awareness and sensitivity in being a viewer and witness as a photographer, who then gets to understand the relationship between bodies and external elements.
Basetsana Maluleka
South African-born Basetsana, now based in Melbourne, Australia, is a vibrant creative redefining the commercial and fashion photography scene. Working at the intersection of culture and fashion, her bold editorial style captures South African aesthetics with a modern twist, making her one of the country’s most sought-after fashion photographers. Blending technical expertise with drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, she also spotlights social issues affecting African women and women globally. Her career highlights include being named a Young Emerging Creative at the 2020 Design Indaba, shooting campaigns for ABSA Bank and Puma, collaborating with Dazed Magazine x Nike Shapa, and earning a feature in Photo Vogue for her passion projects. As a 2020 Lampost Luminary, she works with other female photographers to create concept-driven, impactful work. Bassie hopes to publish a photo book and host a solo exhibition, cementing her vision of photography as a tool for change and representation.
Austin Malema
A household name in South African photography, Austin (who hails from Tshiozwi, Limpopo) is best known for his eye-popping celebrity fashion and event photography, and edgy portraiture for media and publishing. In his work, he likes to play with sharp contrast, depth of field and vivid (almost techno) colour, creating a signature style. He has photographed local icons such as Minnie Dlamini, Pearl Thusi, Kim Engelbrecht, Kwesta and YoungstaCPT. From the red carpet to everyday street scenes, his lens transforms moments into timeless stories. In addition to being a skilled stills photographer, Austin is also a video editor, working with RTC Studio, a broadcasting and media production company. In this capacity, he has contributed to notable productions like Skeem Saam, The Real Jozi A-Listers, Selimathunzi and The Queen.
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Ayesha Kazim
Ayesha is known for her evocative editorial, portrait, lifestyle and commercial photography. Operating between the vibrant cultural hubs of London, New York and Cape Town, her work transcends borders and genres, blending analogue and digital mediums to preserve the fleeting, intimate moments that define everyday life. Of Nigerian-South African heritage, Ayesha’s multicultural background profoundly influences her creative lens. Living and working abroad has sharpened her ability to tell visual stories that resonate across a spectrum of communities. Her portraits are celebrated for their depth, authenticity and nuanced interplay of place and identity, exploring themes of heritage, community and self-expression. Her artistry has garnered significant accolades, including being shortlisted for The Photography Foundation x Leica Awards, Creative Activism Awards and American Photography 37 Award. Her body of work reflects her commitment to elevating underrepresented narratives. Among her standout projects are the Collection Launch portraits at Atelier100, an intimate exploration of artisanship and individuality; Atang Tshikare at Dior, a visual narrative spotlighting a pioneering SA designer; and ‘This Home of Ours’, a photo essay that reimagines concepts of belonging and heritage.
Dahlia Maubane
Photographer and multimedia designer Dahlia is passionate about supporting women artists in urban spaces. Her acclaimed photographic series on informal hairdressers in downtown Johannesburg, ‘Woza Sisi’, earned her international recognition, as well as the inaugural Market Photo Workshop Alumnus Award in 2018 and a Loerie Award nomination in the social media category in 2020. She was also included in the Mail & Guardian ‘Top 200 Young South Africans’ 2023 list. Dahlia, alongside photographer Bongiwe Phakathi and curator Fulufhelo Mobadi, co-founded the Woza Sisi Collective, a female-led organisation dedicated to expanding opportunities for black women photographers. Through her work, she emphasises the transformative potential of sustainable funding in the arts. Dahlia’s lens focuses on urban culture and the vibrancy of South African life. Her keen eye for detail brings out the texture and rhythm of her subjects, making her work an ode to the beauty often found in the mundane.
Jarryd Kleinhans
Jarryd is a digital media producer, founder of JVS and co-founder of Co.act Creative. Boasting a diverse skill set in all things visual, he is known for including a signature touch in creative direction and visual media production, especially when it comes to weddings and assisting social-media content creators. The Cape Town-based photographer’s work celebrates movement and emotion, capturing fleeting moments of energy and grace that leave a lasting impression – with a darker-than-usual look and feel. Jarryd enjoys pushing the boundaries and trying out new concepts. Besides the edgy, extra and moody content he produces for big personalities (like Nadia Jaftha and Robot Boii), he also shoots a lot of cool campaigns (G-Star RAW, Archive and Sportscene, to name a few). Jarryd also works with universities and businesses in his community that require storytelling with finesse in their marketing plans.
Niquita Bento
Niquita is a Cape Town-based, award-winning fashion photographer who started out as a sought-after street-style photographer. Over the years, she has demonstrated that the fashion industry offers limitless possibilities for those with vision and determination. Her work is defined by thoughtful composition and an ability to evoke genuine emotion, giving her opportunities to work around the world – from the bustling streets of New York to the serene coast of Mozambique – where her modern aesthetic adapts effortlessly. Known for her distinctively light-hearted yet sophisticated style, Niquita’s images have graced magazine covers, editorial spreads and campaigns for leading fashion and beauty brands – including Gucci, Chanel, Adidas and Jimmy Choo. An industry trailblazer, through her lens the essence of fashion comes alive in breathtaking and mesmerizing ways. Her creativity, mastery of her craft and unwavering dedication result in images that resonate and inspire.
By: Charlton Knight
Text courtesy of Club X magazine
Photography by: Supplied
