Getting life into focus in Nkobongo

In Africa one is to live by the principle of Ubuntu, and that is exactly what Philani Pityo and Lindokuhle Mbambo are doing with the pupils of Shakaskraal Secondary and Guzane Secondary School in Nkobongo.

The dynamic duo received free photography lessons from Ballito professional photographer Pedro da Costa last year and they are now passing this knowledge on to 15 school pupils from these two schools every Wednesday.

Da Costa said he was impressed by the young men when they met through their Inkayezi empowerment skills development and sports organisation, started by Pityo a few years ago.

He met with them once a week and helped them join the Ballito Photo Club.

“I wanted to give back to the community and they were eager to learn,” he said.

Pityo, who has already started taking photos of music and sports events around Nkobongo, said in the same spirit they wanted to pass on what they had learnt.

“As much as our new abilities will help us start our own businesses, we thought it much better to continue what Pedro has started and pass the knowledge on to other people who like photography but do not have the resources to learn,” said Pityo.

Also read: Shakaskraal success story – standing on Oprah’s shoulders

The youngsters are thriving under Pityo’s and Mbambo’s tutelage and said they were loving the lessons.

Pityo and Mbambo are continuing to submit photos for the Ballito Photo Club’s monthly competitions where they get feedback from the judges.

“Every month there are different photo topics and its so helpful to get the continual input on our work” said Pityo.

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