When the final whistle blows at a local soccer ground in KwaTsaDuza, most people pack up and go home. But for Nqobile Kraai, that’s when the real work begins.
A final-year student at the University of Johannesburg and founder of the sports media platform Tap-In, Kraai has turned a camera into a tool for exposure, opportunity, and hope.
Through sports photography and storytelling, Tap-In documents township football leagues and tournaments that are often overlooked by mainstream media, yet overflowing with raw talent.
Covering competitions such as the Nomndayi Tournament, Diski 99, Springs LFA, Gauteng Hollywoodbets League, and other surrounding leagues, Tap-In has become a trusted source of local football content in KwaTsaDuza.
Its mission is clear: spot talent early and expose players to academies, professional clubs, and even international opportunities.
Kraai’s journey into sports photography is rooted in the game itself. Having played football throughout his life at Kwa-Thema Sports Complex, he understands the emotions, pressure, and dreams that live inside every match.
Nqobile Kraai has passion, integrity, and a lens focused on KwaTsaDuza talent.
“When I got to university, I focused heavily on my studies and stopped playing. In my second year, I discovered sports photography, and I fell in love with it,” he explains.
What started as a December experiment quickly grew into a calling. Kraai noticed a lack of sports media coverage in Kwa-Thema and decided: if no one was telling these stories, he would.
For Tap-In, photography is not about action shots alone; it’s about emotion, drama, and storytelling.
“Some pictures tell the whole story just by looking at them. I look for raw moments – emotion, pain, joy, hunger,” says Kraai.
Ahead of big local matches, he builds hype by researching team form, rivalry history, and player performances, creating posts that pull people into the game, much like professional sports media does at the elite level.
As a former player, Kraai understands exactly what those moments mean to the people on the pitch. Despite its growing influence, Tap-In operates under immense pressure.
From dusty grounds to university football.
The team often travels long distances at their own expense, sometimes arriving at venues only to find the games cancelled.
They sort through hundreds of photos per match, edit using a laptop with a broken screen, and face real safety risks just to capture content.
Most critically, they do not own a single camera.
The equipment currently used belongs to someone else and was recently returned, so at any moment, their work could come to a complete halt.
“If that happens, our goal to expose talent will be shut down instantly,” said Kraai.
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What sets Tap-In apart is its strong ethical foundation. Kraai is firm about respecting players and protecting their futures, even when controversial content could bring massive views.
“There are players who return to kasi football while still contracted to professional teams. I choose not to post them, because that could ruin their careers. Respecting their hustle comes before mine,” he explains.
Tap-In is not just posting moments; it is creating access. Scouts regularly contact the platform about players, and communities follow leagues more closely.
Local businesses get exposure during tournaments, and even people who can’t attend matches stay connected through scores, highlights, and stories.
“Everyone is watching, and when people watch, opportunities come,” said Kraai.
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