Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 June 2025 – The Canon Miraisha Programme is an initiative empowering young people across Africa with skills training, workshops, and enterprise support. Since its launch in 2014, Miraisha has equipped over 7500 young people and aspiring professionals with the tools to earn qualifications, land jobs, and launch their own businesses. From Kenya to Uganda, Nigeria to Morrocco, the Miraisha Programme operates in 11 African countries, with South Africa having recently joined the list.
Canon’s Renowned Miraisha Programme Lands In South Africa - Sparking Transformation
Honing in and harnessing the power of the lens
The word 'Miraisha' is a blend of two words. The Japanese word ‘mirai’ meaning ‘future’ and the Swahili word ‘maisha’ meaning ‘livelihood’. Creating the mix of 'future livelihood'. This melding reflects the long-term goal of the programme, which is to not just teach young creatives how to become photographers and filmmakers, but rather to teach them skills and give them access to connections to turn photography and filmmaking into a sustainable living.
In collaboration with Market Photo Workshop, the first workshop kicked off on the 19th of May, with 15 eager participants. Over the three-day session, participants received basic photographic training that added valuable knowledge to each creative's toolkit. The workshop offered in-depth learning of Canon, the history of photography, contemporary photography, the exposure triangle to release full control over the camera and today’s technological advancements, providing a strong theoretical foundation. On the practical side, each workshop was equipped with the latest camera gear and lenses, giving participants hands-on experience with industry-standard tools. Thoughtfully curated and adapted to the South African context, the workshop ensured that each attendee walked away with a deeper understanding of the art of photography through a local lens.
“We are so pleased that Market Photo Workshop could help us bring this initiative to life. A lot of thought went into each, and every part of these workshops and we wanted to make sure our students left with not just camera skills but with a sense of inspiration and fulfilment too. “says Roger Machin, ICB Business Development Manager at Canon South Africa.
Partnership, collaboration and culture are central.
Canon's corporate philosophy, Kyosei, is a Japanese term meaning 'living and working together for the common good'. It embodies Canon's commitment to ensuring that all people, regardless of race, religion, or culture, can harmoniously live and work together now and into the future. Kyosei is not just a guiding principle but a call to action, encouraging collaboration, sustainability, and social responsibility in all aspects of Canon's business.
This ethos is at the heart of Miraisha, allowing Canon to not just modify their work to each country they operate in, but to embrace the cultural difference. From partnerships with the National Film and Television Institute in Ghana, to The NRB Bus in Kenya and SOS Children’s Villages in Morocco, collaboration is key to establishing longevity for the programme and crucial for solidifying connections that attendees could potentially benefit from for their career development. For the first time here in South Africa, in collaboration with The Market Photo Workshop, South African students were given a space to fully flesh out their creativity, expand their visions and take ownership of who they want to be in the creative sector.
In a country with such a high youth unemployment rate and a widening inequality gap, Canon is asserting itself as a company that does more than produce reliable products built to last. It is a company that wants to bridge economic inequality and provide opportunities to those who need it most, inspiring creators to not just learn but to follow their dreams with no regrets.