On World Day of the Cameraperson, we celebrate the professionals who frame the moments that define nations — even though their names rarely appear on screen.
Among them is Morena Lekitla, a seasoned Electronic News Gathering (ENG) camera operator at Newzroom Afrika. For nearly two decades, his lens has helped South Africans witness history as it happens — steady, unflinching and precise.
While anchors deliver headlines, it is camerapeople like Lekitla who decide what the nation sees.
A Calling Born from Live Television
Lekitla’s journey into news was driven by a simple but powerful fascination: live television.
“Doing television in real time has always been something I desired to learn and know,” he says. “Being a news camera operator is a bonus for me.”
That early hunger translated quickly into recognition. In 2012, while still in film school, he won Best Camera Work for his final student film project. The same year, he earned recognition as Best Camera Operator for a news feature produced with an independent international producer.
By 2014, he was positioned at the heart of democracy itself — awarded Best Camera Operator during the national elections for his work on a news channel, capturing one of the country’s most significant political milestones.
Now eighteen years into the industry and part of Newzroom Afrika since its launch in 2019, Lekitla has become one of the channel’s most trusted visual storytellers.
Ironically, he never wanted the spotlight.
“I’m very shy, I don’t like attention, and I don’t like make-up,” he laughs. “Shooting news and being on the technical side has been nothing but amazing.”
A Style Defined by Emotion and Precision
Ask Lekitla to describe his shooting style and he offers five deliberate words:
Evolving. Perfection. Engaging. Emotional. Professional.
For him, framing is never accidental. Before pressing record, he studies the background with intent.
Is it aligned with the story?
Does it reflect the person or place?
“A shot is never just a shot,” he believes. It is context. Character. Clarity.
His approach reminds us that visual journalism is not passive documentation — it is interpretation shaped by responsibility.
Carrying the Weight of the Story
News camerawork is not for the faint-hearted. It demands technical skill and emotional endurance in equal measure.
One assignment that still weighs heavily on Lekitla was the suicide of a schoolgirl in Limpopo who had been bullied.
“Having to shoot the kid’s school clothes and books, knowing they won’t get to write in them again… it was heavy for me,” he recalls. “It’s one of those shoots I’ll forever carry with me.”
He has also stood at the centre of seismic national events. Covering the 2021 July unrest was, in his words, “a roller coaster” — a period marked by chaos, danger and unpredictability. He also documented the Fees Must Fall movement, another defining chapter in modern South African history.
Moments like these test not only technical expertise, but resilience.
Journalism Is a Team Sport
Lekitla is clear: powerful news coverage is never a solo act.
“The story is not only the reporter’s, it becomes your story too,” he says.
Teamwork, communication and shared vision are essential. To him, being “in sync” and knowing the story inside and out is crucial. When collaboration works, raw events transform into compelling journalism.
Authenticity in an Age of Misinformation
In a world where misinformation spreads “faster than wildfire,” Lekitla sees authenticity as non-negotiable.
“News has to remain authentic and true because it is the last line of trust and truth.”
For him, credibility is not optional. It is the responsibility of the craft.
To young camera operators rising through the ranks, his advice is direct and practical:
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Be early — two hours early.
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Have confidence in your work.
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Accept that not every day will be your best.
“Our industry works on time,” he says. “And days will never be the same.”
The Man Behind the Camera
“Being a news camera operator changes you,” Lekitla reflects.
The pressure of delivering news to millions requires emotional strength, technical agility and relentless problem-solving. Equipment failures. No lighting. Difficult personalities. Tight deadlines. These are daily realities.
“I overcome them by finding a solution that aligns with my job description and getting the work done.”
Grounded by his roots in Soweto — a township rich in political and social history — Lekitla carries both humility and pride. Off assignment, he finds balance in simple pleasures: reading and napping.
The Quiet Architects of Memory
On World Day of the Cameraperson, Morena Lekitla represents the many professionals who shape public memory without ever stepping into frame.
They do not seek applause.
They do not chase attention.
They hold the camera steady so the nation can see clearly.
And in doing so, they become the quiet custodians of truth.
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