Katleho Shabala

Katleho directs commercials built to look striking and land emotionally. After graduating from TUT, he cut his teeth as a director's assistant and researcher, working alongside some of the most respected names in film and photography before stepping behind the camera himself for brands like Discovery, DStv and South African Tourism.

Outside the commercial world, he's a storyteller first — his credits include photography, editing and script supervision on Gomora for Mzansi Magic, and writing work for Discovery and Super Sonic. He leans on classic film technique to give modern work a timeless feel, with a mission centred on telling authentic South African stories, including queer narratives that don't always get the spotlight.