Tamary Kudita: Framing the African Story, One Imag...

Tamary Kudita: Framing the African Story, One Image at a Time

Audrey Galawu- Assistant Editor

“This past weekend, I had the honour of representing Zimbabwe on a world stage,” says award-winning photographer Tamary Kudita, her voice brimming with gratitude and purpose.

The occasion was the prestigious Forty Under 40 Global Awards in Dubai, where she was recognised in the Theatre and Arts category for her outstanding contributions to photography.

“I met so many incredible entrepreneurs along the way,” she reflects, “and I am deeply thankful—to the awards team, Richard Abbey Jnr, my family, friends, supporters, and most importantly, God.”

For Tamary, the honour is more than just a trophy—it’s a milestone in a journey grounded in faith and relentless creativity.

“To the creatives reading this, and to everyone else,” she shares, “don’t be discouraged by your surroundings because your blessing might not look like what you imagined. You don’t need everyone to believe in you; you just need the one person God has assigned to you.”

Kudita’s artistic ethos is rooted in intentionality and storytelling. A Zimbabwean based in South Africa, her work explores themes of African identity, colonial legacy, and cultural rebirth through striking visual narratives. She believes that photography is more than a click of a shutter—it's a vessel of meaning.

“Every act of faith matters,” she adds. “Every effort you put forth is significant. Keep showing up, keep creating, keep believing!”

A graduate of the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town, Tamary's approach to photography is both academic and deeply personal. Her images blend elements of performance, symbolism, and history to reclaim and reimagine the African experience. Her breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed series African Victorian, which subverted traditional ideas of black identity by blending Victorian aesthetics with African subjects.

Her work has traveled far and wide—most recently featured at a curated exhibition by Ruzy Rusike in Johannesburg, where she showcased pieces like Liberty 1980, The Gathering, Lotus, and Vessel. Each photograph carries a story—of women erased from liberation history, of identity stitched through fabric, of cultural objects turned symbols of power.

Tamary’s accolades include being named the 2021 Sony World Photography Awards’ Open Photographer of the Year, and her work has been exhibited as far as Miami Beach Art Week, where it became a permanent fixture at the Betsy Hotel.

Now, as she balances the thrill of global recognition with the quiet discipline of her craft, Tamary is preparing for new creative chapters. She plans to explore still life photography, specifically Renaissance floral arrangements, and is also venturing into the world of film.

From a small lens to a global platform, Tamary Kudita continues to amplify African stories with clarity and heart. In every frame, she invites the world not just to look—but to see.