#AfricaThroughHerLens: Showcasing Africa's vibrant visual storytellers

bongiwe53
May 26
12 min read

Updated: May 30

In recognition of Africa Day observed on 25 May, fraymedia Foundation launched the #AfricaThroughHerLens visual campaign, a powerful visual heritage campaign celebrating African women who are telling their stories through the lens. The visual heritage campaign #AfricaThroughHerLens is to showcase the everyday power, creativity, and perspectives of African women on stage, behind and in front of the camera. Through this initiative of honoring African women visual storytellers, fraymedia Foundation is creating a living archive, reflecting the world as we see it.

During the week of Africa Day, 25-31 May 2025, fraymedia Foundation will be spotlighting the work of African women photographers, videographers, filmmakers, visual artists, journalists — and everyday storytellers — who capture the richness of life, culture, and creativity on the continent, from a range of countries including South Africa, Kenya, DRC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Malawi. Below is a list showcasing some of Africa's vibrant visual storytellers, spotlighted throughout the week. See how you can share your work with us and take part in the campaign here.

Showcasing Africa's vibrant visual storytellers:

Neo Ntsoma - South Africa

Neo Ntsoma is a multi-award-winning South African photographer renowned for her pioneering contributions to photojournalism, portraiture, and music photography. A true trailblazer, she made history as the first Black woman photographer at The Star newspaper and the first female recipient of the Mohamed Amin Award, part of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Photography Prize.

Born in Vryburg and raised in Mafikeng, Ntsoma’s passion for photography was sparked by a desire to challenge the misrepresentation of Black South Africans in mainstream media. Her work is defined by striking compositions, innovative angles, and an extraordinary ability to capture raw, emotional narratives that reflect the depth and complexity of African life.

Throughout her career, Ntsoma has remained committed to empowering the next generation of visual storytellers, especially young women entering the photography industry. She is the co-author of Women by Women: 50 Years of Women’s Photography in South Africa, a landmark publication that honours the creative voices and contributions of women in photography.

As the founder of Neo Ntsoma Productions, she continues to shape the future of visual storytelling by producing work that is both authentic and impactful. Her leadership extends to judging regional, national, and international photography competitions, where she lends her expertise to spotlight emerging talent.

Neo Ntsoma’s legacy lies not only in her powerful imagery but also in her unwavering advocacy for representation, equity, and the dignity of African stories told through the lens of those who live them.

Nyokabi Macharia - Kenya

Nyokabi Macharia is an award-winning actress based in Nairobi, Kenya, celebrated for her powerful performances across stage and screen. She holds a Master’s Degree in Music Theatre from the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Nyokabi has starred in major Kenyan television productions such as MaEmpress, Selina, County 49, and the Showmax Original Crime and Justice. She also played a leading role in Country Queen, Kenya’s first Netflix series.

On stage, she has captivated audiences with standout performances, most notably in Too Early for Birds: Mboya, for which she won Best Actress at the 2025 Kenya Theatre Awards. Her screen credits also include the Emmy-nominated animated series Big Mouth, the Oscar-selected short film Nawi, and Chaguo, a political drama that earned her Best Actress in a Film at the 2022 Kalasha International Film & TV Awards.

Her breakout lead role in Chaguo, where she portrayed Wendo, further cemented her as a rising force in African cinema. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.

Beyond acting, Nyokabi is a content creator passionate about storytelling through both personal and brand content. She is also the co-founder of Shorts From Africa, a platform created in collaboration with fellow actress Nice Githinji, aimed at showcasing authentic African narratives.

Her current project, INDEX ONE, is a bold new theatre production premiering in July 2025, which she describes as a deep reflection on the millennial experience. In her own words:

"This is a portrait of how much we have to break to find the pieces that form our mosaic. This is about agency—about one woman grabbing life by its hair and escorting it toward her destiny. Following a path paved with stories, music, cameras, stages, and laughter. Lots of laughter. The very same ingredients of INDEX ONE."

Nyokabi continues to push creative boundaries, using her artistry to inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences across generations.

Becky Awo Renni - Nigeria

Becky Awo Renni is a freelance documentary and nature photographer whose work blends a deep passion for storytelling with a keen eye for everyday beauty. Since beginning her photography journey in 2019, Renni has used her lens to capture moments of authenticity, emotion, and human connection. Through her creative platform, RenniStories, she documents the lives of everyday people, communities, and untold narratives that deserve to be seen and remembered.

Renni has collaborated on impactful visual storytelling projects with notable organizations including the United Nations (UN), Unzipped Stories, R.TV, and the European Pressphoto Agency. Her photography has been featured in The Republic Journal, and in July 2023, she debuted her first solo exhibition, "We Are Timeless", a powerful reflection on identity, memory, and shared humanity.

Through her work, Becky Renni celebrates the universal language of photography, using it to forge connections, evoke emotion, and inspire others to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Bella Makhubo - South Africa

Bella Makhubo is a dynamic creative entrepreneur who uses photography and digital media to tell powerful, socially resonant stories. Known as the "Township Photographer," she focuses her lens on critical themes such as community struggles, gender-based violence, family dynamics, feminism, and sexuality. Through a fusion of visual imagery and written narratives, Makhubo creates compelling digital stories that amplify marginalized voices and invite public reflection and dialogue. Her work is rooted in the belief that stories from the township must not only be told but also widely seen, discussed, and valued in public discourse and creative markets.

In her photography series "Esigangeni", Makhubo documents both living and non-living elements found in natural and everyday spaces. She explains:

"One significant issue in my township is the infestation of rodents in our homes. I aimed to create an image that highlights the size of these large rodents." This work reflects the urgent and often overlooked issues facing her community.

Her series "Vukuzenzele" showcases local clean-up efforts in Pimville, where residents have reclaimed a former dumping ground and transformed it into a vibrant play area where children can now play soccer and engage in recreational activities. In another series, "Female Riders", Makhubo examines gender norms and representation in sport and mobility. Capturing scenes from Lebo’s Backpackers in Orlando West, where women and girls receive cycling lessons, she says: "my goal was to explore and challenge the misconception that bicycles are only for boys or men."

Through all her work, Bella Makhubo advocates for inclusive storytelling that brings township realities into broader cultural conversations, empowering communities to take ownership of their narratives and spaces.

Kalizya Chifunda - Zambia

Kalizya Kakoma Chifunda is a cinematographer and camera operator based in Lusaka, Zambia, with over six years of experience in the film and television industry. Known for her keen eye and dynamic visual style, Kalizya has contributed to several acclaimed local productions, building a strong reputation for her technical skill and creative vision behind the lens.

Her recent work includes serving as the cinematographer on the upcoming Zambezi Magic series INKONDO, produced by In-Lens Media. The series, whose title translates to “War,” marks another milestone in her growing portfolio of high-impact storytelling.

Kalizya has previously worked on a range of popular television projects including: Makofi (Season 3), Zuba (Season 8), and Pamaliketi (Season 2).

Dedicated to elevating African narratives through cinematic excellence, Kalizya continues to push creative boundaries and inspire a new generation of visual storytellers in Zambia and beyond.

Eltina Gaspar - Angola

Eltina Gaspar is a filmmaker and visual artist from Luanda, Angola, whose work explores themes of human rights, social justice, and protest. Through the mediums of photography and video, she documents and critiques the social, political, and economic realities of her country, using visual storytelling as a tool for advocacy and reflection.

Eltina has worked as a producer and art director on music videos for several prominent Angolan artists, including Snick Shine, Young Double, and CMC. Alongside her collaborations, she continues to create powerful video art interventions that confront issues affecting her community.

In 2021, Eltina won her first major award in the Olhares Cruzados – Angola e Portugal competition, organized by Instituto Camões–Angola, for her photograph titled Igualdade. That same year, she directed her debut short film, E Nós?, which earned her Best Director in the Gender and Human Rights competition by Mosaiko – Instituto da Cidadania. Her work was also featured in the feminist group exhibition Em Dependência, organized by Ondjango.

Throughout 2022, Eltina's work was showcased in several exhibitions, including Entretons Hurbanos, Depois do Trabalho, and Café. She also completed two artistic residencies with Nesr Art Foundation and Pés Descalços, both of which culminated in public exhibitions.

In 2023, her project Relíquias da Cidade de Luanda was selected for the Goethe-Institut Angola festival. In 2024, she served as a jury member for a photography competition organized by Eskebra, participated in the group exhibition Luanda Sobre Vela, and won multiple awards: Best Director at Shortcutz Angola for the short film Luxo no Lixo; DocLuanda Award in the Luanda Precisa de Ti category for the documentary Olha e Me Ouvirás; Photography Award in the WHO Angola mental health competition.

Eltina also completed an international art residency in Portobelo, Panama, where she presented her final work titled Metonímia Triangular.

In 2025, she served as a mentor in the Urban Imaginaries and Audiovisual Creations workshop and is currently a finalist in the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy.

With a growing body of award-winning work, Eltina Gaspar continues to be a bold and necessary voice in African visual storytelling, pushing boundaries and fostering new narratives from Angola to the world.

Chido Nyaruwata - Zimbabwe

Chido Nyaruwata is a Zimbabwean-based African feminist, storyteller, and visual artist committed to amplifying the voices of African women and girls. Rooted in Harare, her work spans research, documentary, and nature photography, often focusing on the intersections between gender, the environment, and urban life.

Through her lens, Chido explores the experiences of women and girls within both natural and built environments, using visual storytelling to challenge gender norms, disrupt social stereotypes, and advocate for environmental justice.

Her impactful work has earned widespread recognition through various exhibitions and fellowships. In 2025, she was selected as a cohort member of the Free2Express photography and poetry project, an initiative by Magamba Network and WE LEAD Trust. That same year, her landscape photography of the Mtarazi Falls Sky Walk Bridge and its surroundings was featured in the Nhoroondo Dzematambidzanwa Virtual Group Exhibition, hosted by the Shepherd Foundation.

In 2024, she contributed to the We (Are) Invested Group Exhibition, organized by Pin Africa and Unpublished, showcasing selected works from her ongoing project This Land. Her engagement with critical pan-African discourse was further supported in 2022 when she was awarded the Ufahamu Africa Podcast Fellowship.

In 2021, her mobile film Food Security and Waste Management in Harare was shortlisted in the Earthbeat Challenge, an international short film competition affiliated with the United Nations. The film was screened during a side event at COP26 in Glasgow, UK.

Chido continues to use visual storytelling to center underrepresented voices, elevate feminist narratives, and engage audiences in conversations about justice, sustainability, and identity.

Elizabeth Sejake - South Africa

Elizabeth Sejake is an accomplished multimedia journalist and photographer with a rich and respected career in South African media. Currently working for Rapport Newspaper, she has also contributed her photographic and journalistic expertise to major publications such as the Sowetan, Sunday Times, and City Press. Her work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling through visual and written media.

She studied photography at Photo Teach, where she honed her technical and creative skills. Elizabeth was awarded a prestigious Reuters Foundation scholarship, which allowed her to further her studies at Cardiff University in Wales. She is also a recipient of the Masakhane Japan Fellowship, a programme that led to her work being exhibited in several cities across Japan, showcasing her unique visual perspective to international audiences.

Over the years, Elizabeth has received numerous accolades for her outstanding contributions to journalism and photography. In 2024, she was named both the Regional and National Vodacom Photographer of the Year. The following year, she received the Gauteng Regional Vodacom Journalist Award. Her achievements also include recognition at the Coca-Cola Sports Awards and awards associated with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), further cementing her reputation as a leading figure in her field.

Elizabeth's photographic work has been published in various magazines, books, and national publications. Through her lens, she continues to document powerful narratives and provide compelling visual commentary on social, cultural, and sporting life in South Africa.

Dianah Chiyangwa - Zimbabwe

Dianah Chiyangwa is a Zimbabwean-born, award-winning photojournalist, documentary photographer, writer, poet, and curator currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her work centers on critical social themes including women and children, migration, health, gender justice, climate change, and environmental issues.

Dianah has been widely recognized for her impactful storytelling, receiving numerous prestigious fellowships and reporting grants. Her accolades include fellowships in Digital Identity in Africa, Africa-China Relations, and the Climate Crisis—each supported by the Wits Centre for Journalism’s Africa-China Reporting Project. She is also a fellow of the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Gender Justice Reporting Project, WanaData/Code for Africa’s Data Journalism initiative, the African Women in Media/UNEP Environmental Reporting program, and the National Press Foundation’s Rare Diseases Reporting Project.

In 2023, she was selected as a fellow of the taz Panter Foundation’s Reconnecting African-European Perspectives initiative and awarded a reporting grant from the Pulitzer Center and Oxpeckers for investigative environmental journalism. In 2024, she was a recipient of the WWF/VukaNow Khetha Story Project, where she investigated illegal wildlife crimes. Dianah is currently an associate of Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism and a 2025 Norway-Democracy/Code for Africa Fact-Checking Fellow.

Irene Z Fon - Cameroon

Irene Z. Fon is an independent journalist, documentary photographer, and filmmaker from Cameroon with over two decades of experience working across local and international media platforms. Her career spans radio, print, web, and video journalism, reflecting a deep commitment to storytelling that empowers individuals and communities.

In 2018, Irene founded MPC, a media production company that creates news and informational content for both media outlets and businesses. The company’s mission is to support community empowerment through impactful storytelling and relevant information dissemination.

Her dedication to journalism has been recognized by the public, earning her an Award of Media Excellence, organized by The Returnees Project Inc. She is also an alumna of the prestigious International Documentary Film Fellowship, which took place across three countries and continents over three years. During this time, she produced three short documentaries under The Media Project’s Africa Film Project.

Irene’s photography focuses on everyday life, capturing the people and places that make up the vibrant fabric of her community. Her work has been featured on numerous platforms, including Global Press, and has been commissioned by Reuters. In addition, her photographs have appeared in media outlets covering her travel show and other storytelling ventures.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English from the University of Buea, Cameroon, where she also completed coursework in Mass Communication, Drama, and Theatre Arts.

Natasha Balegamire - DRC

Natasha Balegamire is a 25-year-old journalist and photographer based in South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Deeply passionate about photography, she has used her skills to document important social issues in her community. Natasha previously worked as a communications officer for an international organization focused on combating chronic malnutrition among children aged 0 to 59 months, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing rebel occupation in the province, the nutrition project was suspended.

Her photography series includes powerful images taken during the implementation of the project in Walungu territory and the Kadutu health zone in Bukavu. She has also documented the training of healthcare providers and health zone management teams on community-based nutrition in Murhesa and Walungu, helping raise awareness about using powdered micronutrients for children aged 6 to 23 months.

Through her lens, Natasha continues to spotlight the challenges and resilience of her community. Her work not only documents critical public health efforts but also amplifies the voices of those often left unseen, reaffirming the role of photography as both a storytelling tool and a force for social change.

Pamela Mwenisungo - Malawi

Pamela Mwenisungo, popularly known as Luki24 7, is a multi-talented Malawian artist making waves as a film-set boom swinger, audio producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter. She is recognized not only for her musical abilities but also for her dynamic presence in audio production. Though she is a newcomer to the film industry, Pamela is not afraid of taking on major projects and continues to thrive under Zozizwa Wide, a respected media company known for delivering high-quality sound services.

Driven by a strong belief in gender equality and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams regardless of obstacles, Pamela is steadily building a name for herself across various creative platforms. Her current film work includes the production "Welcome to Maula Prison," which is presently being premiered. She is also part of the production of the popular TV series "Pa Mango Lodge (Fatsani)," a MultiChoice production airing on Zambezi Magic. Additionally, she has worked on the EU-funded documentary "Kulondoloza and Zantchito: Entrepreneurship Voices," which highlights the stories and aspirations of young people. All of these projects have been carried out in collaboration with Zozizwa Wide Media.

Pamela’s talent has earned her several accolades. She won Best Female Rapper at the Malawi Hip Hop Awards, as well as in the Flaws Challenge. She was also the winner of the UNDP Rap Battle for Youth and placed as the runner-up in the Cameroon KocRap Competition. With each new endeavor, Pamela continues to inspire and represent the creative potential of young Malawian women in the arts and media.