Manyatsa Monyamane

Manyatsa Monyamane, a visual artist and storyteller based in Johannesburg, utilizes photography to narrate stories deeply rooted in African literature, theatre, and the nuances of daily life. Her work is distinguished by its focus on underrepresented themes, shining a light on narratives often bypassed by mainstream media. Monyamane's academic foundation includes a BTech degree in Photography, which has underpinned her distinguished career in the arts.

Monyamane's exceptional photography has garnered significant recognition, marking her as a finalist in Pop Cap 2016 and a top 15 finalist in 2017. Her talents have been further acknowledged through awards such as the Multi & New Media Merit Award and a solo exhibition under the Lizamore & Associates Mentorship Programme, both from the Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards. Her accolades also include being a top 10 finalist and Merit Award Winner in the Absa L’Atelier Art Competition, which facilitated a residency with the Ampersand Foundation in New York.

In 2018, Monyamane's work was internationally recognized when she was named a finalist for the International Women Photographers Award, leading to her participation in a traveling exhibition across Dubai, New Delhi, Tokyo, and Paris. Additionally, she received the 2018 US Woordfees Award in the Visual Arts category. Her international exposure continued with her involvement in group exhibitions such as "Where I Seek I Find Myself" at Mocada in Brooklyn, New York, and at Photoville 2018.

Monyamane's influence and reach were further solidified when she was selected by World Press Photo as one of the six African talents in the 4th edition of the 6x6 Global Talent Program, a testament to her significant contributions to the field of photography and her ongoing pursuit to explore and present stories through her lens.

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