Ritonde uses his digital camera to focus on entrepreneurship

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For Ritondeni Nemakonde, a young photographer from Fondwe village in Nzhelele, photography is more than just a profession—it is a calling. The 29-year-old’s reputation has spread wide, and his photographic brand, Mukoni Photography, is known throughout the region.

Nemakonde started his photography journey in 2017 under challenging circumstances. Despite studying civil engineering and obtaining his diploma at Denver College in Pretoria, he spent almost a year without securing a job in his field. He then turned to his growing passion for photography.

“I couldn’t afford a camera at first, but I didn’t let that stop me. I took on various piece jobs to raise the funds for my first camera, which was crucial in developing my skills and exploring the craft. It was a tough journey, but I was determined to succeed,” said Nemakonde.

As a young entrepreneur, Nemakonde finds the business world challenging. “I create detailed plans to ensure I meet clients’ deadlines and take time off to relax. As a photographer, I face numerous challenges, such as clients not respecting appointment times, the need to constantly upgrade equipment, and staying competitive and current with trends,” he said.

Nemakonde attributes his success to self-belief, innovation, a willingness to take risks, personal responsibility, and a forward-thinking attitude. “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. Small steps lead to significant achievements. Dreaming about your own business is the first small step. All the planning and effort you put in daily, no matter how insignificant it might seem, lay a solid foundation for the future,” he said.

Photography, for Nemakonde, is a powerful medium for showing different perspectives and connecting people. “One of the most important aspects of photography is its ability to preserve memories. I’ve captured countless moments at various events, such as parties, weddings, family gatherings, church events, and photoshoots, and the positive feedback from the community has been incredibly rewarding. Each photo I take aims to tell a story without words,” he concluded.

By: Maanda Bele

Maanda  Bele, born and raised in Nzhelele Siloam, studied journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He is passionate about current news and international affairs.

He worked as part of the Zoutnet team as an intern in 2017.

He is currently a freelance journalist specialising in news from the Vhembe district.