In a world where young people are often encouraged to choose predictable career paths, 34-year-old Karabo ‘Silver Creatif’ Tlhagale of Maun has taken a different route, one shaped by passion, sharpened by resilience, and sustained by a refusal to abandon the creative voice within him.
Today, Tlhagale is widely regarded as one of the most consistent photographers and videographers in Ngamiland’s creative space, known for his distinct visual style and steady presence at weddings, in documentaries, adverts and lifestyle projects.
But his journey into the arts was neither glamorous nor clear-cut. It began, he said with instinct rather than strategy.
“I did not enter photography because I knew it could make me money. I entered because it made sense to my heart, even when it didn’t make sense to my pockets,” he recalled.
His defining moment arrived more than a decade ago when a friend invited him to a small documentary screening about skateboarding. It was not the subject matter that struck him rather it was the craft.
“I remember thinking: who created this? I asked my friend who proudly confirmed that he was the creative behind the masterpiece and I was captivated and inspired,” he said.
Something shifted that day and by 2014, driven by curiosity and a growing desire to learn the art properly, he enrolled at Limkokwing University to formalise his training.
“School helped me understand the technical side, but passion is what kept me going when everything else got hard,” he said.
Behind the polished images and creative acclaim lies a world of uncertainty and struggle that many outside the industry rarely see. Like many creatives, he has battled inconsistent income and the persistent challenge of underpayment.
Clients, he said, often demanded high-quality work but hesitated to pay its value. While some creatives leave the industry out of frustration, he has learned to survive its unpredictability with discipline and humility.
“You cannot sit home waiting for gigs. You must be moving, learning, working and staying alive long enough for your breakthrough to find you,” he said.
It is this mindset that has kept him relevant for more than a decade. His visual style, moody, crisp, storytelling in its composition has become his signature.
Asked how he has remained visible in an industry where many fade within a few years, he said: “Consistency and humility. You treat every small job like it is the biggest opportunity of your life.”
Tlhagale remembers shooting earlier events for little pay, simply to build a name.
“Reputation in this artwork is very important and for one to be recognised there is need to unveil talents to the people,” he said.
His advice to aspiring photographers and videographers is rooted in passion rather than glamour.
“Enter this industry with passion first and not desperation, not the desire to trend, if your motivation is money alone, disappointment will come fast,” he said.
He encouraged young creatives to keep learning and sharpening their craft.
“Skill grows only when you push it, your camera should feel like an extension of your hand,” he said. Among his proudest achievements is a music video he shot for his brother, work he continues to reference when measuring his artistic growth.
In a country where the creative industry is still developing, where funding is limited and opportunities unevenly distributed, maintaining momentum is itself a remarkable feat. Yet, Tlhagale is not done.
“I want to build something that outlives me, perhaps a training centre, a space where young creatives can access equipment, mentorship and opportunities,” he said.
Tlhagale’s story is more than a creative journey. It is a testament to the courage required to choose passion in a world that often treats the arts as optional and to remain committed even when the road is steep.
