Lungisani Mjaji, commercial photographer based in Johannesburg

My journey into photography began in 2015 when a friend of mine, Afika Mndela, first introduced me to the craft. At the time, I didn’t take it seriously. It wasn’t until 2019, when I met another friend, Xola Xabendlini, who was deeply passionate about photography, that something shifted in me.

Her dedication reignited a spark I didn’t know I had and from that moment on, I never looked back. In 2022, I decided to formally pursue my passion and enrolled in a photography program. Today, in 2025, I proudly stand as a qualified commercial photographer, committed to telling powerful stories through the lens.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche? How has your style evolved over time?

I believe that a painter from the village will never paint the same as a painter from the township, because our stories are different, shaped by the worlds we come from. My photography is rooted in storytelling, and my focus is on capturing the raw, beautiful reality of village life.

From the beginning, my dream has been to give a voice to the village to show its soul. In 2022, my photograph titled “Light” earned second place in the Global Landscape Africa Photo Competition, marking a major milestone in my journey.

Then, on June 26, 2023, at exactly 12:12 p.m., I captured an image that changed everything: a young girl named Lethukukhanya Mjaji, standing in the village, holding a loaf of Albany bread. That single moment went viral, garnering millions of views and being featured on nearly every major news platform in South Africa. It trended for a month and became a symbol of authentic storytelling through photography.

Today, I’m proud to be recognized as one of the youngest and most well-known photographers in South Africa, dedicated to telling African village life stories. Through platforms like TikTok, where I have over 300,000 followers, and Facebook, with more than 200,000, I continue to share real-life moments that resonate deeply with people across the country and beyond.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography? How do you use your images to connect with others?

Village life is at the heart of my work. While some of my photographs are staged, I always remain patient and alert for those special, authentic moments that can’t be planned. I know every corner of the village, where to stand, when to stand, and how to frame the scene. I believe in getting it right in-camera, keeping my approach simple and intentional. For me, less is more.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

One moment that stands out for me is when my work became iconic and got recognised by millions of people in South Africa. It was my breakthrough and will forever be proud, as they always say in my language:

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it? What did you learn from that experience?

One of the biggest challenges I faced as a photographer was creating without hope, a clear goal, or a vision. In the beginning, I was simply taking pictures without a purpose.

But everything changed when I began to create with intention, when I had a vision and a goal behind my work. That shift in mindset led to my work being recognized. Now, every time I start a project, I ask myself one important question: Why am I creating this? Purpose drives everything I do.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

If I could collaborate with any brand or creative, it would be Dentsu Creative Agency. Together, I envision creating epic content that showcases the beauty of rural landscapes while seamlessly incorporating the brand into the visual story through a unique and creative style.

My dream has never been to leave the village in search of opportunities in the city. Instead, I want to bring opportunities to my village, proving that creativity and success can thrive right where I come from.

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

It represents the future of creatives and has the power to elevate the unknown, giving visibility to voices and talents that deserve to be seen and heard.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?