TASTE-MAKERS • BUTHO NCUBE
Drakensberg MOUNTAINS through the lens
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n impassioned individual who has grown immensely fond of the outdoors, hiking, travelling and landscape photography, Butho Ncube views his camera as his travel companion, ensuring that he never misses a moment to capture life and the beautiful world that surrounds him through the lens. Born in the City of Kings – Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, Butho is currently based in South Africa in the Drakensberg area, where he works in the power generation industry at the Eskom Drakensberg Power Station. It was the pristine mountain-scapes and rocky outcrops in the region he calls home that got him hooked on hiking and photography. “The Drakensberg mountains are one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the world and I have the privilege to be staying and working in the area,” cites Butho. “My everyday view is the Drakensberg Amphitheatre, which I see when I open my bathroom window. From here I can see the Tugela waterfall, the second highest waterfall in the world and as an adventurous person, one can only imagine what it’s like to be blessed with such a view. You really don’t need any more inspiration to get out and explore as the views are difficult to resist.” Butho asserts that the tall, grandiose, and intimidating appearance of the mountains give one a sense of accomplishment after they climb to the top. It’s a great feeling of achievement and after climbing up the elevated terrains, it’s easy to appreciate how well worth the effort the climb was. “For me, over and above that, I go up just to get that one photo. I literally go out for an 8-hour hike for that one photo, and that’s my accomplishment and satisfaction,” says Butho. “You have to understand too that hiking isn’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea. Most people who hike the Drakensberg are not natives to the area but come as far as overseas. The local people don’t see anything extraordinary about the rock face; after all they have been seeing it since birth,” Butho asserts. Mystical beliefs by the local communities govern their willingness to explore the mountains, with some believing there is a big snake at the source of the Tugela River, and that if one sets foot anywhere
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