21-Year-Old South African Photographer Thato Setagane To Exhibit in London During Youth Month

A 21-year-old Gauteng photographer is making Mzansi proud after landing a spot at a prestigious London gallery. Thato Setagane exhibited three of his works in Fulham, UK, during Youth Month in June 2026. His black-and-white street photography of Johannesburg and Pretoria captivated an international audience at the Arrival Gallery.

Setagane was selected through an international open call that drew artists from around the world. His portfolio stood out and earned him a place at the 2026 group exhibition hosted at the Arrival Gallery. Three of his photographs made the cut for the London showcase.

Mzansi on the global stage

The works shown in London are from his portfolio titled Where The Light Is. They capture everyday South African life through a documentary lens. The images show people and spaces in Johannesburg and Pretoria in unposed moments.

Setagane describes himself as a quiet observer of city life. He is drawn to the fleeting moments that most people walk past without noticing. His photography is rooted in storytelling and a deep respect for the people in front of his lens.

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For the young photographer, street photography is about recognition. He wants to give visibility to the people and places that exist on the edges of public attention. By showing these stories in London, he brought a uniquely South African perspective to a global room.

The achievement carries extra weight because it happened during Youth Month. South Africa uses June to reflect on the contributions of young people. Setagane’s London debut adds to a growing list of young South African creatives making their mark abroad.

More SA youngsters going global

• A UWC student is set to represent South Africa at an international eco pageant in the Philippines.
• Two Gauteng North learners are gaining recognition for an AI education project that’s taken them from provincial success to the international stage.
• A young dancer from Cape Town stunned Mzansi after revealing his emotional journey from Eersterivier to Miami, inspiring renewed belief in dreams.

Source: Briefly News