‘I have big ideas for Albany’: Who is photographer behind viral girl?

Lungisani Mjaji, the photographer who captured the beautiful three-year-old girl who has stolen the hearts of South Africans with her infectious smile, says he is hoping to work with Tiger Brands bread company, Albany Bakeries.

The little girl from rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – whose name is Lethukukhanya Mjaji – has gone viral on social media after heartwarming videos and pictures of her wearing a floral dress, running happily on a muddy dirt road and posing for the camera while holding the loaf of Albany bread.

The images caught the attention of the giant bread company which visited the Mjaji family bearing gifts.

ALSO READ : ‘Miss Albany bread’: South Africans gush over cute little girl

‘I’M HOPING TO SEE LETHUKUKHANYA ON ALBANY BILLBOARDS’

Speaking to The South African, Lungisani said that the branch managers brought with them blankets, lunch boxes and hampers that were enough to give to the other children in the area who often help him with his photography. Albany also bought a gas stove for Lungisani’s grandmother.

“The branch managers said that they were waiting for their bosses to let them know what would be the next step,” he said.

Lungisani said that he is grateful for the love and support that South Africans have shown him and Lethukukhanya. He said that he is hoping for more to come out of this.

“I’m hoping to see Lethukukhanya on Albany billboards and advertisements. I’m hoping to also work with Albany because I have big ideas for them,” he said.

He added that he wants to grow as a content creator and tell more authentic South African stories through photography.

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FIVE FACTS ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

1. Lungisani Mjaji is from KwaNongidi in KwaZulu-Natal.

2. The 26-year-old is Lethukukhanya aka Miss Albany’s uncle.

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3. He is a Tshwane University of Technology. He enrolled in photography studies in 2022.

4. He owns his own company, Innovative Photography, which he started in 2021.

5. With the viral Albany pictures, he wanted to wanted to capture the essence and beauty of South Africa, as well as its love for children.

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