Through the lens of Morena Lekitla, the quiet eye behind South Africa’s breaking news

Aligned to World Day of the Cameraperson on February 20th

On World Day of the Cameraperson, it’s worth pausing to recognise the people whose work millions see every day, yet whose names rarely appear on screen. Among them is Morena Lekitla, a seasoned Electronic News Gathering (ENG) camera operator at Newzroom Afrika, whose lens has shaped how South Africans witness history unfold in real time.

For Lekitla, the journey began with a simple, enduring 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.”

His passion and technical precision have not gone unnoticed. In 2012, while still in film school, he won an award for Best Camera Work for his final student film project. That same year, he received recognition for Best Camera Operator for a news feature produced with an independent international producer. In 2014, he was awarded Best Camera Operator during the national elections for his work on a news channel, a moment that placed him at the heart of one of the country’s most significant democratic events.

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. He never wanted to be in front of the camera. In fact, he laughs at the idea. “I’m very shy, I don’t like attention, and I don’t like make‑up,” he admits. “Shooting news and being on the technical side has been nothing but amazing.”

A style built on emotion, precision and evolution

Ask Lekitla to describe his shooting style and he offers five words: evolving, perfection, engaging, emotional, professional. These aren’t labels - these are choices he makes every time he steps behind the camera.

He is meticulous about framing, always interrogating the background before he hits record. “Is it aligned with the story we want to tell? Is it reflective of the person or the place?” For him, a shot is never just a shot. It’s context, character, and clarity.

Carrying the weight of the story

News camerawork is not for the faint hearted. Lekitla has seen the full spectrum of human experience, from joy and chaos to grief and resilience. Some stories stay with him.

One of the most difficult 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.”

His most memorable assignments? Two seismic moments in recent South African history: the 2021 July unrest and the Fees Must Fall movement. “What a roller coaster,” he says of the unrest. The chaos, danger and unpredictability tested every skill he had honed over nearly two decades.

Lekitla believes great news coverage is never a solo act. “The story is not only the reporter’s, it becomes your story too,” he says. Teamwork, communication, planning and a shared vision are what transform raw events into compelling journalism. “Being in sync and knowing the story inside and out is crucial.”

Authenticity in an age of misinformation

In a world where misinformation spreads “faster than wildfire,” Lekitla sees authentic news as a public responsibility. “News has to remain authentic and true because it is the last line of trust and truth,” he says. For him, being a trusted source is not optional, it is the job.

To young camera operators rising through the ranks, Lekitla offers grounded, practical wisdom:

Be early, two hours early.Have confidence in your work.Accept that not every day will be your best.“Our industry works on time,” he says. “And days will never be the same.”

What people don’t see

“Being a news camera operator changes you,” Lekitla reflects. The responsibility of delivering news to millions is immense. The job demands resilience, technical agility, and emotional strength. Challenges - no lights, difficult personalities, technical failures - are daily realities. “I overcome them by finding a solution that aligns with my job description and getting the work done.”

Morena’s grounding comes from Soweto, the township he proudly calls home - rich in history, politically and socially vibrant. When he’s not on the road capturing the country’s most urgent stories, you’ll find him doing two things he loves: reading and napping.

In an industry where the spotlight rarely shines on the people behind the scenes, Morena Lekitla stands as a reminder that some of the most powerful voices in journalism never speak on camera. They show us the world steadily, skilfully and with heart.

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