Got a camera or smartphone? Love South Africa’s awesome landscapes? Here’s your chance to shine! WWF South Africa has just kicked off a super cool photo competition called “Our country, through your lens” that’s all about showing off the incredible natural beauty around us.
Let’s face it – South Africa is drop-dead gorgeous. We’ve got it all: stunning wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and natural wonders that’ll make your jaw drop. That’s exactly what WWF wants everyone to capture and celebrate.
TV personality and heartthrob Masego ‘Maps’ Maponyane is backing the campaign all the way. “Look around us,” Maps says. “We’ve got fynbos you won’t find anywhere else on the planet, wide open spaces packed with unique critters, oceans full of amazing sea life, and communities with deep connections to nature. But hey, none of this is guaranteed to stick around forever.”
With climate change throwing punches at our environment, this photo competition comes at just the right time. It’s calling on all South Africans – whether you’re a pro with a fancy camera or just love snapping pics on your phone – to document what makes our country so special.
WWF’s top boss, Dr. Morné du Plessis, gets pretty passionate about it: “We’re choosing to believe things can get better – not because we’re wearing rose-colored glasses, but because we’re already seeing positive changes happening. From fixing up rivers in the Drakensberg to boosting rhino numbers and creating green jobs for young people, the good stuff is already happening!”
“This is all about getting people to hit pause on their busy lives and really see the amazing stuff around them,” he adds. “Whether it’s a kid planting a tree or a gorgeous sunrise over the beach – if it makes you feel hopeful, snap it and share it!”
How to join the fun:
• When? May 12 – June 6, 2025 (that’s less than a month, so get snapping!)
• How? Super easy! Just post your photo as a comment on WWF South Africa’s Facebook page or upload it to Instagram or TikTok – tag @WWFSouthAfrica and use #BelieveInBetter.
A panel of photography hotshots – including an internationally published photojournalist, a humanitarian storyteller, and an award-winning creative director – will pick 20 standout images. Then from June 9 to 27, everyone gets to vote for their favorites. Winners will be announced on July 2, followed by a public exhibition showcasing the best shots.
The goodies up for grabs:
• Main prize: An incredible two-night luxury photo safari for two at Madwaleni River Lodge in the Babanango Game Reserve (KwaZulu-Natal). You’ll get meals, accommodation, and daily game drives with a pro photographer by your side!
• Runners-up: Four lucky people will each score a large Recycled Buddy Backpack from Sealand Gear, worth R2 695.
Maps puts it perfectly: “Your camera has way more power than you think. It shows what matters to you. And if we don’t tell our own story, who will?”
So what are you waiting for? Grab your camera, head outdoors, and start capturing what makes South Africa so special!
For more details, check out WWF South Africa’s website ( https://www.wwf.org.za/) or their social media pages.
