Veleko was born on 19 August 1977 in Bodibe, North West (South African province). She grew up in Cape Town and attended Luhlaza High School in Khayelitsha. In 1995 she studied graphic design at the Cape Technikon. After moving to Johannesburg, she studied photography at the Market Theatre Photo Workshop(1999–2004), an organisation co-founded by David Goldblatt which aims to provide formal training to young photographers who would otherwise not have access to such resources. Veleko’s work presents a strong statement of a younger generation that is loud, self-expressive and daring; a collection of youth she strongly relates to. Such sentiments are evident in the photographs resulting from what she considers to be a “collaborative process”. The portraits are taken after being granted permission from the subjects.