This year for World Photography Day, The Weekender went on to explore an initiative named Storytelling Clubs, launched under the Nkashi Trust, which is equipping disadvantaged youth with photography and storytelling skills to reconnect with their heritage while building pathways to livelihoods.
Founder of the club, wildlife photographer and conservationist Karabo LebronPeter, said his own journey of overcoming barriers in the creative world inspired him to create the program. “I come from an era of gatekeeping, where one had to know someone to get a shot at doing something,” he said. “Lucky for me, I was blessed with good Samaritans who, after years of my facing challenges in doing what I do, found it fit to teach me what I know. I became a professional wildlife photography instructor in my early thirties.”
When he transitioned into conservation, LebronPeter saw an opportunity to pass down this knowledge to young people in the Delta. “It was important, through the Storytelling Clubs, to not only tell the stories of our abundant nature and wildlife, but also the people who make this place so vibrant. For us, it’s not just about taking a photo, it’s about telling stories with trust and care,” he explained.
The clubs, supported by Okavango Eternal—a partnership between National Geographic and De Beers—offer free training sessions to youth in remote communities. So far, 60 young people have participated, with plans to reach 90 by next year. Participants learn photography and narrative skills while documenting traditions, wildlife, and everyday community life.
Through this, LebronPeter said, the initiative helps participants deepen their sense of belonging. “They document traditional practices, wildlife, and community life. By capturing these moments, they deepen their connection to their roots and become active voices for conservation and cultural preservation.”
One striking example came from a club in Gudigwa, where a young photographer captured an older woman weaving a basket. “The raw materials were gathered from the Delta, which is not just a source of tourism but a source of livelihoods for women here. The image is powerful because it was taken by a young girl photographing an older woman, two generations connected by the Delta,” LebronPeter recalled.
Beyond cultural preservation, the clubs are creating pathways to income generation. Participants are trained in business skills such as pricing, marketing, and customer service, alongside creative work. “Most of our mentees are given opportunities to make a living through covering Nkashi Trust projects. Currently, we have two storytellers covering the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project’s annual Delta Crossing. They have grown from mentees to expedition photographers,” he said.
In fact, three graduates from the program have already secured full-time jobs at the Nkashi Trust as storytelling assistants.
Looking ahead, LebronPeter envisions expansion beyond the Okavango. “I want to expand the clubs across the Okavango Delta and eventually throughout Botswana. My vision is to build a network of skilled local storytellers who create work that supports livelihoods, strengthens cultural identity, and promotes conservation,” he said. “Over time, these storytellers will influence how our communities and the world see the Delta, shaping policies, tourism, and cultural pride.”
