LIMPOPO – Livhuwani Netshivhudzo, better known as ‘Muhali’, from the village of Khubvi has become a familiar face on the local sports scene, capturing memorable action shots at sporting events across the region.

In addition to sports photography, Muhali also photographs weddings, parties and other special occasions, regularly sharing his work on social media.

He began experimenting with photography in 2022 using a friend’s camera and has since turned his passion into a full-time career.

“I enjoy my work very much. People appreciate my photographs and respect me for the quality of my work,” he said.

Preserving moments for history

From local soccer fields to dreams of photographing the world’s biggest sporting events, Muhali believes photography is about preserving moments that become part of history.

“It’s about leaving a legacy because these photos become part of history for future generations,” he said.

He said that photography allows him to see the world from a different perspective while telling unique stories through his lens.

“It also gives me the opportunity to create art and meet different people along the way.”

The challenge of anticipating action

Like many sports photographers, Muhali says the profession comes with challenges, particularly the need to anticipate the action before it happens.

“Sometimes you miss important moments, like celebrations or key emotions, because you weren’t fast enough to anticipate them or your camera struggles to focus in time,” he said.

A mentor’s support

Muhali credits much of his growth to the support of fellow photographer Daniel Hlongwane, whom he describes as an important mentor.

“He inspired me and gave me valuable tips on capturing action shots. At one stage, when I lost my equipment, he even lent me his gear and encouraged me not to give up.”

Although he has never formally studied photography, Muhali says he developed his skills naturally by learning from experienced photographers, including local photographer Lesley Shivambu of Backpage.

Zooming in on the world stage

Looking ahead, he hopes to one day join photography teams covering major international sporting events. He is also sharing his knowledge with aspiring photographers, teaching young people the skills they need to create employment opportunities for themselves through photography.