Matthew Willman: Photographic Storyteller

Highlights:
  • Versatile Talent: Matthew Willman is a renowned South African-based documentary photographer, author, and professional speaker. 
  • Documentary Photographer: Willman has documented significant historical, social, and cultural moments across the world. 
  • Nelson Mandela Foundation: Willman’s career includes working for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, where he captured iconic images of the late South African president. His intimate and respectful portrayal of Mandela is one of the highlights of his body of work, earning him international recognition.
  • Author and Storyteller: As an accomplished author, Willman combines his photography with powerful storytelling. 


Formats Available:

Preferred Audience Sizes:

Outcomes:
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Durban, South Africa
  • **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000

Keynote Topics

Matthew Willman is a South African based documentary photographer, author & professional speaker.  He has expressed himself through an extraordinary body of work which includes writing, storytelling and exhibition.

Willman has gained over 24 years’ experience working for some of the world’s foremost institutions in the field of visual communication, development, visual arts and leadership.

A true global citizen, Willman has worked in 48 countries tailoring his inventive brand of communication to the needs of an array of clients

Which have included: Oxfam International, The World Health Organisation, The Nelson Mandela Foundation, The Bill Clinton Presidential Library, The Vodafone Foundation, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Centre, Robben Island Museum and The European Commission.

In 2019 Willman narrated and produced a short film documentary on the life of Nelson Mandela which was nominated and won an Emmy award in the USA.

Matthew Willman | Photographic Storyteller

Matthew Willman has had the pleasure of being commissioned to photograph individuals from a cross-section of the global community.

Private commissions include: US Presidents Barack Obama & President Bill Clinton, 6 South African Presidents, Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Annie Lennox.

Others include 22 Presidents, 12 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and a host of sports personalities, musicians, politicians and philanthropists.

Perhaps one of Matthew Willman greatest achievements was his significant contribution to the recording of the process of South Africa’s democratic change.

This occurred both in his work as a commissioned photographer to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and through ten years working with Mr Mandela himself.

In 2003 Matthew was commissioned to archive and document the life and times of Nelson Mandela for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Over the years this afforded him many incredibly many intimate experiences with a man who for Willman embodies the very spirit and conviction we all possess as South Africans.

His collection of work is now central to the Mandela Centre of Memory & Presidential Library in Johannesburg.

View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter

Talent Resources

Talent resources available for download

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

Talent FAQ

View further speakers

  • (21)
  • (4)
KERRY BARRETT - EMCEE

With a transformative journey from debilitating stage fright to becoming an esteemed figure in broadcast journalism, Kerry Barrett stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring speakers and professionals alike. Over two decades, Kerry has etched her mark as an Emmy-award winning network news anchor, host, and reporter, honing her craft in the intense spotlight […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Event Emcee
  • (42)
Nina Schick

Nina Schick is a globally recognized keynote speaker, author, and leading expert on disinformation, artificial intelligence, and the evolving landscape of global politics. With a keen focus on how emerging technologies are reshaping democracy and international relations, Nina has become a sought-after voice in the intersection of technology, media, and policy. Her insights provide invaluable […]

  • Travels from: London, UK
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • (9)
Pat Wadors

Pat Wadors is a renowned thought leader in organizational culture, employee engagement, and human-centered leadership. With decades of experience shaping workplace environments at leading global companies, she has earned a reputation for transforming corporate cultures and championing inclusive, people-first strategies. As a sought-after keynote speaker, she brings deep expertise, actionable insights, and a compelling vision […]

  • Travels from: Santa Barbara, CA
  • Culture Speakers
  • (56)
Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal

Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal, MD, is a clinician-educator and Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco. He sees patients and teaches medical students and residents in the emergency department, inpatient wards, and outpatient clinic at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, where he directs the internal medicine clerkship. He studies, writes, and speaks […]

  • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
  • Healthcare Speakers
  • (222)
Julie Hyman

Julie Hyman hosts the 3-5 p.m. ET show on Yahoo Finance Live. Julie has been a financial journalist for more than 20 years, covering events including the Great Financial Crisis, the collapse of drugmaker Valeant and the rise of meme stocks. Welcome to the world of financial news, where expertise meets eloquence, and insightful analysis […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Event Emcee
  • (75)
Aileen Lee

Aileen Lee is the founder of Cowboy Ventures. She partners at the earliest stages with enterprise and consumer-oriented startup teams to build products customers love, and to help teams build aspirational companies. She has over two decades of experience starting at seed stage and staying involved for many years beyond. Prior to Cowboy, Aileen spent […]

  • Travels from: Palo Alto, CA
  • Innovation Speakers
  • (23)
Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is a multifaceted artist whose impact extends far beyond the realms of music and film. With an extraordinary blend of creativity, intellect, and charisma, Monáe has emerged as a leading figure in contemporary culture. Known for her dynamic performances and thought-provoking works, she brings a unique perspective that resonates across diverse audiences. Her […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Celebrity Speakers
  • (15)
  • (4)
Emily Best

Emily Best is the dynamic founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, a groundbreaking platform that has revolutionized the way independent films are financed, produced, and distributed. Her work as an advocate for equity and inclusion within the entertainment industry and beyond has positioned her as a leading voice in leveraging entertainment for social impact. Emily’s commitment […]

  • Travels from: Atlanta, GA
  • Innovation Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.