Joburg-based photographer Kgomotso ‘Neto’ Tleane is passionate about capturing people and telling their stories through his images. He credits love for music for drawing him towards photography. Today, he makes his images sing.
‘I discovered photography through my first love: music. I’m passionate about visual storytelling, presenting the people I meet and the spaces I navigate from a unique perspective. I think that’s what I’ve always tried to do, as well as show my perspective and how I perceive the world around me.’
‘I’ve always been interested in photography. My family kept photo albums when I was growing up. I was often on the internet and social media in 2011 when Tumblr was popular. Inspired by the images I saw online, which I saved in a folder on my computer, I started taking photographs with my cell phone and posting them on Instagram. I bought a camera a few months later.’
Asked where he’d visit if he could choose anywhere, Kgomotso’s answer was surprising. ‘Travelling from Limpopo to the Wild Coast, I couldn’t believe how different and beautiful the landscapes were. It was mind-blowing.’
‘I was working on a project there, and during my free time, I went outside to photograph the local people and landscapes. It was awe-inspiring and showed me how much beauty there is in this country and how much more there is to explore before I even think of travelling overseas. I’d like to see more of what South Africa and our people offer.
‘I have been to South Korea, and although that was mainly for music, I did take my camera and got to photograph people and places. It was a great experience, but before I travel more outside our borders, I’d like to explore more of our country and continent.’
A bystander observes a TV commercial being shot early in the morning in bustling Marabastad. – Marabastad,Pretoria,2018
Behind the scenes: extras pose as directed on a set built in Marabastad, Pretoria, to resemble East Africa for
a TV commercial.
Marabastad, Pretoria,2018
After a busy morning transporting commuters to their workplaces, taxi drivers usually relax at the rank while waiting for the post-work rush, washing half taxis and catching up with each other. Bree Street TaxiRank, Johannesburg, 2018
A street trader patiently waits for her turn to cross the road in the busy city of Dares Salaam. – DaresSalaam, Tanzania, 2020
During a photo assignment for a commercial, Ivisited Single Quarters, the famous market in Windhoek, Namibia, known for selling herbs and other food. My main reason for visiting w a s to try their popular street dish. kapana, thin beet strips prepared with beef faat and unique Namibian
kapana spice.
Katutura, Windhoek, Namibia, 2024
I was on a photography assignment in Tanzania for a corporate client. While we worked, a group of local school kids became curious about our work. One of the teachers invited us to the school to speak to the kids about our work
Tanga, Tanzania, 2020
In 2017, | was part of a team shooting a music video for the artist Morena Leraba in his home village of Semonkong in Lesotho. I had chance to interact with the locals, many of whom use horses to get around and to participate in events. I’d never experienced anything like that before.
Semonkong, Lesotho, 2017
| was in Marui, Tanzania, taking photos of a farmer and his work. Some of the other workers wanted their photographs taken, too. Khatibu Shomari (left) is pictured here with his friend.
Marui, Tanzania, 2020
My friend Sifiso Vilakazi owns a hair salon in Meadowlands. He is washing a client’s hair. I have taken many photos of Sifiso in his salon. This time it was for l Elle magazine’s feature on hair salons in the broader Johannesburg area, including towns, suburbs and townships. Meadowlands Zone 2, Soweto, 2018
Pictures by Kgomotso Neto
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Getaway
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