Durban Street Photographer Thabo Turns His Lens into a Side Hustle

An Old Camera + Smartphone = Viral Content

At first, Thabo just filmed street art and local vendors, editing short videos on his phone. No fancy lighting, no filters. Likes were modest—but comments poured in. South Africans resonated with his unfiltered storytelling.

He started studying Video Marketing South Africa and cases from Digital Marketing Video Collection. What worked? Local focus, emotion, and rhythm. That’s how organic reach started building up.

Getting Organized: From Creator to Monetizer

As his page grew, Thabo knew he had to manage earnings properly. He turned to Simply Accounting Pro and Sage for Accosagw for Paentunts and Bank Payments to track brand deals, taxes, and payments—keeping everything clean and compliant.

He also took out Safetynet Insurance South Africa for peace of mind. “A side hustle isn’t a gamble—it’s a long game,” he says. “You’ve got to separate income, insurance, and life planning clearly.”

Not Chasing Views Led to Steady Earnings

Interestingly, Thabo never filmed challenges or clickbait. By focusing on clear stories and clean edits, he now posts 1–2 sponsored videos a month. He’s not a celebrity—but his audience is real and engaged.

Using Simply Accounting Pro, he runs quarterly content reviews—tracking which videos sparked brand inquiries or drove conversions—refining both content and style over time.

A Side Hustle Isn’t About Getting Rich Fast. It’s About Gaining Control.

Thabo didn’t take shortcuts or rely on algorithm luck. He simply captured real life and used smart tools to turn passion into profit. Short-form content isn’t just for Gen Z—it’s for anyone living with purpose.

If you’re in South Africa, have a skill, and a bit of storytelling drive—maybe it’s time to do what Thabo did: Pick up that old phone, film your world, and take your side hustle seriously.