Educator and photographer Krystal Govender uses her platform NextGen Design & Media to celebrate women through Her Story, a portrait project featuring 31 women for Women’s Month. The project highlights strength, authenticity and the importance of every woman’s unique journey.
For Krystal Govender, every photograph is more than an image. It is a story, a memory and a celebration of a person’s journey.
As the founder of NextGen Design & Media, she has combined her lifelong passion for photography with her love for people to create Her Story, a Women’s Month project that honours the lives of 31 inspiring women. Krystal is much more than a photographer.
She has spent 17 years working in the education sector and currently serves as an academic specialist at a private institution, supporting schools, educators and educational initiatives across South Africa and parts of Africa.
At the same time, she is completing her Master’s degree in Education, while balancing life as a wife, and mother to her three-year-old son. Photography has always been part of her life. She has always enjoyed capturing meaningful moments, especially those shared with her young son.
‘My mom also had a love for photography, and I truly believe I inherited that passion from her,’ she explains.
Where education and photography meet
Many people see education and photography as two very different careers, but Krystal believes they share the same purpose.
‘Education is about helping people grow, discover their potential and feel empowered,’ she shares. ‘Photography does something very similar. It creates space for people to feel seen, appreciated and confident in who they are.’
Her work in education has allowed her to build meaningful relationships with people from different backgrounds, while photography has given her another way to celebrate their lives
‘I wanted to create more than beautiful photographs. I wanted to create an experience where people feel comfortable, valued and celebrated.’
Celebrating women through Her Story
The idea for Her Story grew from a simple but powerful belief that every woman carries a unique story.
‘Throughout my life I have been surrounded by remarkable women who have guided me, mentored me, encouraged me and loved me,’ Krystal says.
‘Their strength, kindness and resilience have shaped who I am today. ‘My hope is that every woman featured in Her Story reminds someone else that her own story matters too,’ she shares.
The 31 women featured in the project are people Krystal has met during her years living in Johannesburg. Although their paths crossed in different places and at different stages of life, they all share one common quality: they inspire others. Together, they reflect the diversity, beauty and strength found within their communities.
Empowering women through connection
Krystal hopes everyone who views the portraits and reads the stories will leave feeling inspired and encouraged.
‘I hope people feel inspired, encouraged and reminded that every person has a story worth listening to,’ she says. ‘More importantly, I hope women see themselves reflected in these stories and recognise that they are enough, that their experiences matter and that their own journey is worth celebrating.
‘My husband, Yugeshan, has always been one of my biggest supporters. ‘I have also been incredibly fortunate to have amazing women in my life who have mentored me, guided me, encouraged me and loved me throughout different seasons of my life,” she adds.
Rather than trying to do everything perfectly, she focuses on being fully present in whichever role she is fulfilling at that moment.
Krystal also extends a heartfelt thank you to Daniel Rogers for assistance and support over the two Her Story photoshoot days.
‘The help provided made a real difference, and there is deep gratitude for the contribution made to this special project.’
Power in support
Working on Her Story has also strengthened her belief in the power of women supporting one another.
‘This project has reminded me that every woman carries strength in her own unique way,’ she shares. ‘There is something incredibly powerful about women cheering one another on.’ Her message to women who may struggle to recognise their own worth is both heartfelt and encouraging.
‘Believe in yourself. You are capable of far more than you realise. Never allow comparison to steal your confidence or convince you that your dreams are too big. Your story matters because you matter.’ She offers similar advice to women hoping to pursue their dreams.
‘Believe in yourself and trust the process,’ she says. ‘Sometimes the dream can feel overwhelming, but every journey begins with a single step. Keep moving forward, even if progress feels slow. Continue learning, keep growing and never lose sight of your goal. Most importantly, celebrate other women as they succeed. There is room for all of us to grow together.’
Looking ahead, Krystal hopes Her Story becomes much more than a once-off photography project. ‘My dream is for it to become an annual initiative that grows year after year and reaches even more women and communities,’ she says. ‘When I think about Women’s Month, I think about the women who have mentored me, believed in me, supported me and encouraged me throughout my journey,’ she says.
‘Their influence has helped shape the woman I am today.’ Her final message captures the heart of Her Story and the spirit of Women’s Month: ‘We are stronger together. Let us continue to support one another, celebrate one another’s successes and remind every woman that she is seen, valued and worthy of celebration. After all, every woman carries a story that is uniquely her own, and every one of those stories matters.’
Her Story
I am Nandi Tabane
What has shaped the woman you are today?
‘The woman I am today was shaped by the remarkable women who came before me, especially my widowed mother, a nurse who courageously prioritised education despite the challenges of the 1980s. Her resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in our potential taught me that fear should never limit purpose. Today, I live by two principles: ‘Do it scared’ and ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’. They guide how I lead, parent, and strive to create opportunities for others
I am Elandrie Smit
What are you most proud of in this season of your life?
‘This season of my life, I’m most proud of carrying new life and embracing every challenge that comes with it. Now in my third trimester, I’ve learned that strength isn’t always loud – it’s found in perseverance, sacrifice, and showing up every day. Pregnancy has reminded me that women are incredibly powerful, resilient, and capable of achieving extraordinary things, even through life’s toughest seasons.’
I am Jeena Marriott
What has helped shape the woman you are today?
“I’ve always been passionate about helping people, whether through physical, emotional, or mental support and guidance. From a young age, I was fortunate to be surrounded by strong and influential men and women who encouraged and believed in my potential while showing me the value of resilience, compassion, and purpose. Those influences, combined with my natural desire for growth, have led me to a career where I can empower others to build healthier lifestyles, strengthen their bodies and minds, and discover what they’re capable of. Being able to turn my passion for helping people into meaningful work is something I am deeply grateful for.’
I am Priyeshni Naidu
What are you most proud of in this season of your life?
‘What I am most proud of in this season of my life is recognising my own strength. I’m raising a vibrant, resilient little girl while growing into a woman who truly values herself. As I reflect, I’m deeply grateful for my family and God’s faithfulness and the many ways He continues to bless my life. Every day, I’m becoming more confident, embracing my worth, and stepping fully into the woman God created me to be.’
- Follow Her Story on Instagram: @nextgendesignmedia
