ZOOMING IN ON THE WORLD CUP

BY LYNNE RIPPENAAR-MOSES

PHOTOGRAPHER Sikhulele ‘Skhu’ Nkomphela’s keen eye is taking him from the halls and sporting fields of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to the main stadium at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Nkomphela, a UWC alumnus and currently Media and Project Coordinator at UWC Sports Administration, says he is still in shock at the news that he is headed to Qatar as Head Volunteer of Media Operations at the World Cup to be held in November and December this year.

“It has not sunk in yet. I think it will only become real when I have my plane tickets in my hand. This is a result of years of hard work, honing my skills and taking advantage of the opportunities I have been fortunate to have over the years,” he says. Overwhelmed by the support he has received, Nkomphela says, “I can’t believe this is real. I am so proud to represent my country and my university.”

NKOMPHELA’S PASSION for photography began when his uncle, who was a photographer, handed him his first camera. “He had these old cameras and would show me these old photos of my parents and family.”

It was here that the photography bug bit him hard and it never left him – even when it seemed that a career in science was his destiny.

“From a very early age, it was imprinted on us that a career in science, maths and IT was the only way to go. At the start of my high school career I was selected to attend the Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology, and here we were ‘blinded’ to any career other than one in these fields.”

In a bid to ‘detach’ himself from the rigorous science-led curriculum, Nkomphela became involved in different societies, including the Eco Club and the young Lions Club (the Leos), and thought his real passion was to help others in need.

Nkomphela says, “I was dead set on becoming a paramedic, especially after I had the opportunity to assist in delivering a baby via C-section. But there was one requirement I didn’t meet – I couldn’t swim!”

NEXT, he tried to get into the Physiotherapy programme at UWC, but missed the entry requirement by one point. “A friend of mine refused to [allow me to] give up and said I should apply for something in Science to get a foot in the door. I enrolled for a BSc in Environmental and Water Science and for a while, it went well, but later on things got very difficult.” OF ALL THINGS, it was seeing some UWC brand marketing material that gave Nkomphela his first notion of a completely different career path.

“I saw these leaflets on campus with all these happy [student] faces and I wanted to be one of them,” he says.

But, rather than modelling, Nkomphela ended up working behind the camera, shooting the ‘happy faces’ and says, “The shots I took are still used to this day.”

It isn’t about your camera equipment and how fancy it is – you need to have that eye to capture the moment and tell the story.

SIKHULELE NKOMPHELA

CAPTURING CAMPUS LIFE through his lens at university sports matches, social events and graduations increasingly occupied him. Nkomphela says: “I always wanted to tell the stories of others through the gift I have. I remember at this one Bafana match in Port Elizabeth I was intimidated by all the photographers and their big lenses. But then I realised – it isn’t about your camera equipment and how fancy it is – you need to have that eye to capture the moment and tell the story.”

IN 2020, he became the first South African to be selected to serve on the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Media and Communications Committee, propelling him onto the international stage and soon, to the World Cup.

NKOMPHELA SAYS: “I want others to know that you don’t just have to be a doctor or scientist, but that you can turn a passion – like I have with photography – into a full career. In my spare time as a student, I went to shoot and strengthen my skills and I am seeing it pay off now.”

REFUTING THE NOTION that perhaps he could have skipped studying altogether, he says: “I am a proud UWC alumnus. I was rejected the first time, but someone fought for me to study at UWC. Every day I am amazed to work with the lecturers in whose classes I sat. Now I work alongside them shaping a future for others.” B+G