Ogomoditswe Monare on Growing in Confidence and Sharing Her Voice in Khwai
In the early hours of the morning, while the camp slowly wakes and the first rays of light filter through the mopane trees, Ogomoditswe Monare begins her day. Soft-spoken and steady, she moves through her tasks with care — but behind her quiet presence is a powerful story of growth, confidence, and becoming visible.
“I used to be someone who didn’t speak much. I always kept things to myself,” she shares. “But when Wild Shots Outreach came, that changed. I started seeing myself differently.”
As part of a recent Wild Shots Outreach workshop hosted by the Natural Selection Foundation in Khwai Private Reserve, Ogomoditswe joined a small group of her peers to learn the art of photography. But what she discovered went far beyond camera settings and composition.
“It wasn’t just about taking photos,” she explains. “It was about realising that I could share something — that my voice matters, too.” Holding a DSLR for the first time, Ogomoditswe began to see the familiar landscapes of her home with new eyes. The animals, the people, the moments between moments — they all became stories she could capture. And in doing so, she found something else: pride.
“I felt special that day. Being seen like that — it meant everything to me.” For Ogomoditswe, the experience became a turning point. Her confidence and passion stood out to those around her — and it opened a door. Not long after completing the workshop, she was offered a position at the lodge in Khwai, where she now plays an integral role.
“I never thought something like this would happen to me,” she says. “But Wild Shots made me realise: we all have something inside us. We just need a chance.” Her work may take place mostly behind the scenes, often unnoticed by the guests she helps serve, but her presence is steady and warm, her commitment unwavering. Since the workshop, she’s started to share more — her thoughts, her laughter, her sense of belonging.
“Now I speak. I talk to people, and I tell them about my place. It’s not always easy, but I’m learning.”
She recalls the joy of running to catch the perfect shot, laughing with others in the group, and seeing her photographs afterwards with a sense of wonder. She didn’t know she could do this — but she can. The Wild Shots program gave her more than a skill — it helped her find her voice, and ultimately helped her begin a meaningful career in conservation tourism. In a space where she once stayed silent, Ogomoditswe is now finding her rhythm. Sharing her love for Khwai, not just in pictures, but in presence.
“I understand now that I’m part of something important. The wilderness, the people, the work we do — it all connects.”
When the guests have departed and the day draws quiet again, Ogomoditswe still holds the lessons close. She walks her story gently, not chasing a spotlight, but embracing something far deeper: being seen for who she is, and celebrated for what she brings.
“I’ll never forget it,” she says softly. “They made me feel like I mattered.”
If you’d like to contribute to Wild Shots Outreach’s work or any of the other projects we support, please email info@naturalselectionfoundation.org or visit https://www.naturalselectionfoundation.org/conservation/wild-shots-outreach/