At 25, Nkateko Mondhlana has already established himself as one of South Africa’s most exciting and established visual storytellers. His journey—from taking casual photographs on his school trips in Johannesburg at 16, to shooting an international magazine cover for Color Bloc at 22—is a testament to the power of curiosity, creative collaboration and taking action.
Born and raised in Soweto, Nkateko attended St. Matthews, a Catholic school that, he recalls, wasn’t exactly conducive to creativity in the traditional sense. “I went there from Grade 1 to Grade 12,” he says. “At 16, I became really interested in photography and the media space. I was obsessed with V Entertainment. I even remember asking their DP at an event how they got their job. He said he studied at WITS, and I thought, ‘Oh wow, you can actually study and pursue this path.’” That same year, a school trip ignited his love for photography. “I took my phone on the trip, which was kind of radical at a Catholic school, and I photographed everything. People reacted to the photos like I was famous. I didn’t do it for that, but it made me realise I loved this,” he shares humbly.
Nkateko’s early influences reveal a deeply personal approach to creativity. Films like Moonlight struck a chord with him when it premiered in 2016. “I resonated with the film because I am queer and I am Black,” he explains. “The way Black beauty was represented against the contrasting landscapes, the blue skylines, the audio—it all just stayed with me. It inspired me to think more about storytelling and screenwriting.” In photography, Nkateko found inspiration in photographer Tyler Mitchell, whose work celebrates Black joy in everyday life. “He explored what Black pure happiness looks like in mundane experiences—kids playing at the park, skateboarding—and it became a political statement in its own way. That perspective shaped my own approach to visual storytelling.”
All imagery courtesy of Nkateko Mondhlana
After high school, Nkateko pursued a degree in film and television at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), completing both his undergraduate and honors studies. “I really value my film background,” he says. “Everything I learned there informs my photography and my client work. I am still young in the directing space, but I call myself a director because you need to own who you are, no matter the years of experience.” For Nkateko, directing is about vision and collaboration. “If there’s a budget, we get someone to shoot the video, and I direct it. If not, I shoot, but I prefer directing because that’s where I feel I’m at my best creatively.”
Nkateko’s creative ethos is grounded in teamwork. He likens a collaborative project to a puzzle: “You need the correct pieces to complete it. Everyone in the work I’ve done has something valuable to contribute—whether it’s art direction, styling, makeup, or props. I can’t do anything by myself.” This philosophy is at the heart of Everythingin;Out, the photo collective he co-founded in 2023 with Aza Lithalethu Mbovane, Renaè Mangena, Hlengiwe Mkwayi.
The collective emerged from a simple desire: to create a platform that celebrates and archives photography in South Africa. “At the time, I was studio interning at a gear store called Glow Hire, assisting with shoots and managing gear. I met so many photographers, saw their work, and realised there was a gap—a need for a space that highlighted photography as a medium,” Nkateko explains. The collective’s first exhibition, self-titled Everythingin;Out, turned the studio into a live set, complete with monitors displaying images in real-time, all-black attire for attendees, and immersive installations that made guests feel part of the creative process.
Since then, and with the help of the National Arts Council, the collective has held three more exhibitions. A women-only show explored Black womanhood and spirituality; Imprinting examined the documentary form and everyday existence through a personal lens; and Their Closets, Their Caskets celebrated queer narratives, inviting photographers to submit work via an open call. “One of our values is to create an open platform,” Nkateko says. “We want to present and archive photography in a way that’s inclusive, collaborative and reflective of diverse perspectives.”
The collective’s work furthers curation to explore mentorship, community building and advocacy. “We’ve learned everything together—contracts, sponsorships, collaborations. It’s about handling this work with integrity,” Nkateko explains. He sees this approach as essential for shaping South Africa’s creative landscape. “Yes, the online is important for visibility, but physical spaces like exhibitions and photobooks will always hold value. Collectives like ours allow photography to take its rightful place alongside other art forms.”
All imagery courtesy of Nkateko Mondhlana
Despite his accomplishments, Nkateko remains grounded. He sees every project as a learning opportunity, whether commercial or creative. “I am still a student every day,” he says. “With commercial briefs, people hire me because of my creative work. They can see my perspective through grading, lighting, or landscape backdrops, and that’s what translates into client work. It’s about showing your voice consistently while adapting to different commercial contexts.”
His career highlights already read like a dream list for any young South African creative. Shooting his first international cover story for Color Bloc brought him full circle, collaborating with friends from WITS on a global platform. Directing his first lifestyle campaign for Sun King allowed him to work with a team of young creatives in Johannesburg and bring South African narratives to an international brand. Moving to Cape Town opened new possibilities, helping him discover more about himself and his creative approach as well as using myriad environmental backdrops to work creatively within.
As Nkateko looks to 2026, he says, “It’s about taking action. It’s amazing to conceptualize, but executing—that’s where real progress happens,” he says. He is particularly excited about working with new collaborators. “Your work expands when you work with different people. Everyone brings a new perspective, and that’s how creativity evolves.”
For Nkateko, the lessons of his journey are simple but profound. Be curious, take action and collaborate. “If you’re proactive and put yourself out there, even if something fails, you learn. You’re still a student, and every experience adds to your growth.”
Nkateko Mondhlana embodies the pulse of South African youth creativity. Through his lens, through Everythingin;Out, and through his commitment to mentorship and community, he is creating visuals – but deeper than that, he’s fostering opportunities, conversations and an archival legacy. Nkateko is an example of South Africa’s brimming talent, but also local youths’ unwavering desire to take action, and the reaping the rewards of doing so.
View more of Nkateko’s work and connect with him here
Written by Grace Crooks
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