17/07/2026
My first photographic assignment was Nelson Mandela's inauguration.
Through his leadership tenure I was privileged to visit his homes in both Houghton and Qunu, and without fail, every encounter with Madiba was humbling. He exuded a generosity and a palpable love for humanity and its potential. The extraordinary impact he had on everyone he met stirs me as vividly now as it did then.
It is that lasting effect that shaped a belief I hold firmly: the impulse to give and support should not be reserved for particular observed days.
People in need are often lifted by the abundance of the moment, only to be forgotten until the next m̵a̵r̵k̵e̵t̵a̵b̵l̵e̵ moment.
Over the years I've been privileged to photograph countless community initiatives, and the projects with the most impact are always the ones that, as in the biblical story, teach a man to fish rather than give the man a fish.
And regardless of what inspired the initiative, the projects built for long term sustainability, the ones still delivering after the cameras and the giving have moved on, have the deepest impact on the communities in need.
They also hold the most powerful stories to tell.
This Mandela Day, as we honour the icon of our shared humanity, may the lasting effect you have on your community be his true legacy.
Let the 67 minutes be the spark, not the ceiling.
