Taking photos for survival is all in a day’s work for Sihle Luthuli

Sihle Luthuli is a young and determined man working hard to go beyond simply eking out a living for himself.

You may have seen him around the Ballito taxi rank or the traffic lights opposite Ballito Junction with his camera draped around his neck.

Sihle’s journey reflects the harsh reality that many young unemployed people in townships and rural areas face.

Despite the challenges, he chooses to remain positive and strives for excellence in his photography to support his mother and siblings.

Living in Thembeni, Sihle is responsible for providing for his family. He had to drop out of high school at 18 when his mother fell ill and became unemployed.

Determined to make a living, Sihle found a part-time job at a construction company and used his earnings to buy a second-hand camera.

He started taking photographs of people on weekends and saved up for better equipment.

As his skills improved, he began taking bigger gigs such as weddings and parties.

When his construction job fell away, he decided to pursue photography full-time.

Things looked up when his mother’s health improved and she got employment as a domestic worker.

But then he and his family experienced a serious setback when he was robbed of all his equipment by people who pretended to hire him for a church service in Thembeni.

His mother also lost her job.

Left with only one old camera and a long lens, Sihle has started over again, photographing people on Ballito’s streets.

He charges R10 per photo, earning R60 on a slow day and up to R200 on a busy one.

He remains hopeful and determined to do whatever he can to take care of his loved ones.

“It’s no use becoming despondent, I simply have to soldier on,” he said.

If you would like to contact Luthuli, visit Mshuthi Photography on Facebook.

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