Anita van Zyl’s Biography

Anita van Zyl was born in Johannesburg 1976, where she finished her schooling. She completed a national diploma in photography at Pretoria (Tswane ), after completing her diploma she moved down to Cape town where she studied further, completing a short course in journalism through Unisa and obtaining a distinction.

In the beginning of her career Anita gained invaluable experience in the production industry, producing various print adverts. She worked in various capacities behind the lens and learning to work with various people from all over the world. While she climbed steadily in the production world alone side this Anita started volunteering at a day care center for under privileged children in Langa, while there Anita documented her years of being at the center, making use of the images to raise funds. She exhibited her work in Cape town ,

Johannesburg and London. Her photographic career took a clear path with her talents being focused on photographing people and documenting their stories.

Her photographic career has given her the opportunity to travel the world and South Africa for various clients. Anita has had the opportunity to photograph Nelson Mandela , Hugh Masekela , and various inspiring local people like aurthors, and artists. She has also worked on rolling film working on a documentary for national geographic and a commercial for The Elders.

As Anita’s career grew she got involved in various NPO’s and NGO’s , Cape Town Partnership is a NPO that helps improve Cape Towns central city extensively. Anita has a long standing relationship with Etafeni another day care center situated in Nyanga. Etafeni is a day care center helping the community to be come resourceful in their struggle against AIDS.

Anita’s work has been published in various magazines, newspapers and has had the honour of her work being printed in a coffee table book compiled by George Hallet. She has been involved in various group exhibitions, and has received a silver Profoto award for one of her portfolios in 2009.

Not only has Anita been photographing but she has taught and is teaching photographing at Etafeni.