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2024 Winners
🥇🏆 FIRST PLACE 🏆🥇
"Suspended Beginnings"
by Grant Evans
Grant says "Kloof frogs are an endangered species. Like many amphibians, habitat loss is one of the leading causes of their decline. Kloof frogs thrive in specific environments, typically clean, slow-flowing water with densely vegetated riparian zones. They lay their eggs above and below the water in this dense foliage and keep the eggs hydrated by urinating on them. When the tadpoles are ready to swim, they drop into the water below and start the next stage of their lives."
Grant is officially the Southern African Youth Photographer of the Year 2024.
Find more of Grant's work on his instagram: @grant.evans.photos
🥈 SECOND PLACE 🥈
"Kalahari Reborn"
by Sofia Goosen
Sofia says "As the first light broke over the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, we made our way through the riverbed and encountered a herd of Blue Wildebeest marching steadily through the swirling dust. Their determined steps were framed by the soft glow of dawn, a symbol of the new beginnings this day brings to the Kgalagadi. Early the morning after the first rains of summer in the Kalahari, we came across a Black Wildebeest drinking from a rain pool. The image appeared almost entirely in shadows, with the only signs of life being the reflection of the animal and the soft glow of the morning light on the water’s surface. In the arid Kalahari, the first rains are nothing short of miraculous—breathing new life into the dry land. These rains awaken the ecosystem, bringing hope, growth, and new beginnings. It marks the start of the wet season and a time where conditions are slightly less harsh."
Find more of Sofias work on her instagram: @sofia_wildlifephotography
🥉 THIRD PLACE 🥉
"Runde Reunion"
by Joshua Shoebotham
Joshua says "Some sightings stay with you forever and this was without a doubt one of them! During a trip to Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, we spent days exploring its wilderness staying in the south and north of the park. The evenings along the Runde River in the north of the park were always the highlight. Every evening, elephants would walk from the riverbanks, their commonly used paths leading them right to the water’s edge. Typically they would arrive from the left with the Chilojo Cliffs behind them, but sometimes another group would walk out of the bush from the right, creating a scene of quiet harmony. On this particular evening, something special happened! Two big herds crossed paths, one arriving for a drink, the other making its way back into the bush. For a few moments, they stood together, a meeting of generations and families, before continuing their separate ways."
Find more of Joshua's work on his Instagram: @josh_shoebotham
FOURTH PLACE
"Teamwork"
by Benajmin Loon
Benjamin says "I woke up early one morning, very keen to take some photos. However on the drive I couldn't find any animals, so I decided to drive very slow to notice the small stuff. I noticed a woodpecker fly across the road and land nearby, it had food in its mouth so I waited to see where it went. It hopped down from its perch to a stump where it had its nest. I was extremely happy to have found the nest and spent the next hour sitting there taking photos. The male and female took turns collecting and bringing back food for the chicks and very rarely they would be on the perch at the same time. Eventually, after almost an hour I got this shot. I was extremely happy to have both parents, each with food in their mouths ready to feed the chicks. An overall great sighting."
Find more of Benjamin's work on his Instagram: @benj_photos_
FIFTH PLACE
"Motherly Comfort"
by Benjamin Loon
Benjamin says "It's always amazing to see baby Elephants feeling safe by their mothers, they always stay close and by each others side. For this image I wanted to show the close, caring relationship between them with the baby feeling safe below its mother. The elephant herd was drinking at a seasonal pan in the late afternoon with golden light. It was an incredible scene and after each sip of water, some would trickle out their mouths and catch the golden light. I managed to get a very sweet moment of the baby and mother drinking together and show that tight bond before the whole herd slowly moved off through the bush. It was an incredible sighting."
Find more of Benjamin's work on his Instagram: @benj_photos_
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