Cameraperson is a storyteller in motion, capturing history as it happens
In an industry where fewer women are found behind the camera, Barbara Mdunge is firmly focused on the frame, capturing South Africa’s defining moments as they unfold.
As a Newzroom Afrika camera operator, Barbara has spent more than a decade capturing the country’s defining moments from the frontlines of unfolding history, and for her, the camera is a bridge between lived experience and the viewing public.
Globally, women make up less than 25 percent of camera operators and cinematographers, according to industry bodies such as UNESCO and the International Cinematographers Guild. In technical, equipment-heavy roles, the numbers are often even lower, placing Barbara among a small but growing group of women reshaping the field.
Raised in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, Barbara’s news media journey began with a childhood love of newspapers and an early curiosity about how stories are made. After matric, she boldly approached the editor of a local paper and asked to spend time in the newsroom. That decision opened the door to a world she instantly recognised as home. A bursary from the MDDA soon followed, allowing her to study professional photography and video production, laying the foundation for her career behind the lens.
She entered the industry professionally in 2013 and joined Newzroom Afrika at its launch in 2019. Since then, she has become known for her dynamic, close-to-the-action shooting style. Barbara favours handheld work, especially on fast-moving or high-intensity stories, because it places the viewer inside the moment. The physical demands of carrying and stabilising heavy camera equipment for extended periods are part of the role, requiring both endurance and technical precision. She believes movement adds urgency and realism to deliver impactful journalism.
Emotion is central to her visual language. When covering sensitive or deeply human stories, she turns to tight framing and close-ups to capture the raw expressions that reveal truth more powerfully than any wide shot. “Emotion lives in the details,” she says, and her work consistently reflects that philosophy.
She recalls the #FeesMustFall protests at Wits University as the most intense story she has ever covered. The environment felt like a war zone being unpredictable, volatile, and dangerous. Wearing full safety gear, staying alert, and being ready to run while still filming became part of the job. It was frightening, she admits, but unforgettable.
Working in a male-dominated field has brought its own challenges. Barbara has often been underestimated simply because of her gender. Yet she has met those doubts with resilience, consistency, and professionalism. Over the years, she has proven that the demands of camera work are not defined by gender, but by skill, instinct, and experience.
For young camera operators, especially women entering the industry, Barbara’s advice is grounded in humility and human connection. “Staying calm is pertinent, she says, “as well as treating everyone with respect. It is important to build relationships with the people on the ground as it not only gives me access to the story but for safety and trust too. In unpredictable environments especially, those relationships can make all the difference.”
Barbara is candid about the realities of news work. It is not glamorous. It is not entertainment. It is often emotionally draining, physically demanding and at times dangerous. Threats and unsafe environments are part of the job, and the approach a cameraperson takes into a story can determine their safety. But for those who are passionate about storytelling, she believes it is one of the most rewarding careers imaginable.
Behind every frame she captures is a belief that news can change lives. Barbara doesn’t just document events, she shapes how the audience sees them. She continues to give voice to the unheard, illuminate the truth, and record history as it unfolds.