“Phaswane Mathaila’s journey from a first camera in Grade 10 to the Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Award reflects perseverance, creativity and a passion for visual storytelling.”
22 September 2026 | Story by: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Keitumetse Mokgope
3 minutes read time.
When Mr Phaswane Tumiso Mathaila received his first camera in Grade 10, photography was little more than a hobby.
The affordable DSLR camera, gifted to him by his parents while he was a learner at Gobetse Secondary School in Kutullo Village near Steelpoort, Limpopo, opened a world of creativity he had never imagined. What began as taking pictures for fun would eventually shape his career aspirations and earn him recognition as one of Vaal University of Technology’s top-performing students.
At the Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Awards, Mr Mathaila received the award for highest achievement in the Diploma in Photography after obtaining an 80.93% average. His achievement also earned him a bursary valued at R32,538.
“Receiving the Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Award is a great honour and a proud moment in my academic journey,” he said.
Looking back, Mr Mathaila credits his first camera with sparking a passion that grew into a commitment to visual storytelling.
“I simply enjoyed taking pictures and experimenting with the camera, without fully understanding that photography was an art and a powerful form of storytelling.”
Photography gradually became more than a hobby.
“It became a way for me to express myself, document people’s stories and explore my creativity.”
Inspired by photographers such as Ghana’s Bob Pixel, he developed a growing interest in photography, cinematography and visual storytelling. In 2023, he enrolled for a Diploma in Photography at VUT to transform his passion into a professional skill.
The journey was not without obstacles. Like many students in creative disciplines, Mr Mathaila had to balance practical projects, coursework and financial challenges.
“I learned to work with the resources available to me, manage my time carefully, plan my projects in advance and remain committed.”
Despite the difficulties, he remained focused on his goal and refused to allow his circumstances to define his future.
Mr Mathaila reserves special gratitude for his parents, who supported his studies despite facing their own financial pressures.
“My parents always tried their best to support me throughout my studies.”
“Their willingness to support my education and make sacrifices for my future motivated me to take my studies seriously and make the most of the opportunity I was given.”
He also credits his lecturers for helping him grow both technically and creatively through their guidance, feedback and encouragement.
Being recognised during VUT’s milestone 60th anniversary year made the achievement particularly meaningful.
“Being recognised for academic excellence during VUT’s 60th anniversary is a great honour.”
Now that he has completed his qualification, Mr Mathaila hopes to build a career in photography, cinematography and film while growing his business, NATOR PICTURES. He also hopes to create opportunities for young creatives, particularly those from rural communities like his own.
His advice to aspiring photographers is straightforward:
“Consult your lecturers, ask questions, listen to their feedback and learn from their experience.”
For Mr Mathaila, success is built through commitment and continuous practice.
“Academic excellence requires commitment, perseverance, sacrifice and continuous practice.”
From a young boy experimenting with a camera in Kutullo Village to becoming VUT’s top Photography graduate, Mr Mathaila’s story shows how a single opportunity can change the course of a life. The camera his parents bought him may have been small, but it opened the door to a future filled with creativity, purpose and possibility.