Seithati Motsoeneng
A talented young visionary, 29-year-old Kananelo Mphana from Lithabaneng, Maseru, is making waves in cinematography and marketing, after he recently earned an AFDA award for best cinematographer — one of the most prestigious accolades in South African film and performance arts.
With international recognition already under his belt, Kananelo is a rising star who says he is committed to making an impact that will continue to be felt both at home and abroad.
His academic excellence and artistic talent were recently recognised at the 2025 AFDA Awards in South Africa, where his postgraduate final-year project, Sirens Call, earned him a top award.
These awards celebrate excellence and innovation in film, television and live performance.
“Winning the AFDA award is just the beginning. It motivates me to push boundaries and explore new ways to tell stories.”
As the founder of MSU Company (also known as MSU Cloud Company) founded in 2020, which specialises in marketing and cinematography, Kananelo is turning his passion for storytelling into a platform that showcases the beauty, culture, and resilience of his homeland.
Kananelo combines cinematography and marketing to shine a global spotlight on Lesotho. His journey shows how vision, dedication, and talent can transform dreams into reality.
His love for visual storytelling began in high school, where he was first introduced to videography through creative school activities.
It was during his secondary education in one of the schools in the Free State where videography and cinematography formed part of classroom learning tools designed to enhance engagement.
“My passion for capturing moments started when I was still in high school,” he recalls.
“These early experiences sparked my interest in visual storytelling and shaped the path I wanted to follow.”
Family gatherings also became his first informal studio, as he documented special moments and memories.
“It became a way for me to connect with my roots and preserve memories.”
These formative experiences fuelled his desire to pursue cinematography professionally.
Seeking to refine his skills, Kananelo later moved to Cape Town to pursue an honours degree in Motion Pictures at AFDA, an education track he often refers to as his MBA in Moving Pictures because of its intensity and breadth.
“This qualification shaped me professionally. I wanted to understand the art of moving images and use it to tell stories that matter,” he explains.
For Kananelo, the true reward lies in the stories he tells. He hopes to elevate Lesotho’s image and capture the lives of its people, particularly in rural areas.
“My goal is to highlight the beauty, struggles, and resilience of our communities, inspiring awareness and change,” he said.
