Ballito-based award-winning photographer Tim Driman is passionate about seeing young people flourish.
As one of the first mentors in the iLembe Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur programme, he has guided many aspiring entrepreneurs.
Tim’s journey into business was anything but conventional. After dropping out of college, he was forced to fend for himself, eventually building a successful logistics company over 25 years.
Once he had secured his financial future, he turned to his true passion of photography, capturing the wild landscapes and nature of Sub-Saharan Africa.
“I was never given anything by anyone,” said Tim. “If you work for excellence, not money, everything falls into place.”
His approach to learning is hands-on, preferring to understand how something works, not just how to use it. It was this mindset that helped him master photography, with the internet as his teacher.
In later life, Tim and his wife Yvonne became passionate about helping others to achieve their dreams, provided they showed determination. One of his first mentees was Vincent Mahanuga, a talented photographer and finalist in The Entrepreneur 2011 competition, and their bond remains strong to this day.
iLembe Chamber CEO, Cobus Oelofse said Driman’s involvement with the chamber was a perfect fit, “reflecting his entrepreneurial mindset and deep commitment to community development.”
“The chamber maintains a close connection with Tim, whether through his extensive network, links to the International Trade Desk, internship placements or simply catching up on the support he continues to provide to emerging businesses.”
Tim and Yvonne began photography in the 1990s, capturing transport loads with a Mamiya Rangefinder before shifting to digital with a Sony Mavica. In 2017, they switched to Sony’s mirrorless technology, later training others and mentoring young photographers.
Tim’s first real test, using Sony, was photographing Carmine Bee-eater birds at their famous nesting site on the Zambezi River in Namibia. The results were extraordinary.
As digital photography advanced, they immersed themselves in learning about the new technology.
Tim and Yvonne’s deep understanding of African ecosystems led them to train with Africa Nature Training, earning field guide certifications. They later advanced to become FGASA Trail Guides, an elite qualification allowing them to lead guests on Big Five walking safaris. Both passed with top marks and continue to expand their conservation expertise.
Tim’s photography skills have also earned him well-deserved recognition. At the prestigious Africa Photo Awards in 2001, he won first place in the Wildlife category for his breathtaking image, ‘Down the Hatch’.
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