South Africa picked up its cameras and showed the world what’s worth protecting. After receiving over 1430 entries and 1530 votes from the public, WWF South Africa announces the winners of its ‘Our Country, Through Your Lens’ photo competition. This nationwide visual movement captured South Africa’s natural heritage through the eyes of its people.

The competition, which ran from 12 May to 27 June 2025, invited South Africans to document the places, people, and wildlife that make our country one of the most biodiverse on Earth. It forms part of WWF’s broader Believe in Better movement, a call to recognise what’s worth protecting. Submissions documented the full spectrum of natural diversity, from cascading waterfalls and ocean depths to majestic leopards and moments of human connection with nature.

Picture Perfect: Meet the Winners

Captured by Freda Jansen, from Hoedspruit in the Limpopo province, the winning photograph featured two giraffe bulls in a silent dance of dominance, captured on a crisp March morning in the Kruger National Park. This image stood out as a moment of raw strength and grace – a reminder that nature’s balance is fragile, and worth protecting if we truly believe in a better future.

She will receive a luxury two-night photo safari for two at Madwaleni River Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal’s Babanango Game Reserve, complete with meals, accommodation, and guided game drives led by a professional photographer.

Four other photographers earned runner-up recognition, each capturing unique aspects of South Africa’s natural heritage.

  • Putri Martosudarmo from Johannesburg photographed a majestic lion soaking up golden sunlight.”Moments like this are why I fell in love with South Africa and its nature. I get to be in the wild, observing a lion, where he is supposed to be. Patiently waiting for the right moment to capture his energy. Because an experience like this is once in a lifetime.”

  • Hendrik Louw from Centurion framed a brilliant green praying mantis against nature’s perfect palette, positioned delicately on violet petals beneath a clear azure sky. “There are 56 praying mantis species in South Africa, some rare and area-specific. The common green mantis declined but made a comeback during COVID due to less pruning and pesticides. I was lucky to spot this one against blue skies, capturing both intimacy and freedom.”

  • Christoff Theunissen from the Western Cape meticulously tracked the celestial dance above Hangklip Peak, layering 175 photographs taken over an hour and a half to reveal the stars’ graceful arcing paths across the night sky.

  • Kristin Rockhill from Cape Town created a powerful portrait of resilience. Fire may scorch the land, but it cannot destroy love, hope, or new beginnings. From Cape Town’s fire-scarred protea fields, Stephanie Esau—a mother, burn survivor, and woman of faith—mirrors the land’s journey: from devastation to regrowth, scars to sacred beauty.

These diverse perspectives demonstrated the range of talent and viewpoints that emerged from the competition. Each planet protector has won a Sealand Gear Recycled Buddy Backpack, valued at R2695.

Drawing on his dual expertise as both photographer and conservationist, competition judge Angus Burns, WWF’s Lead for Area-Based Conservation, explains what made these entries stand out: “What’s important to me is the emotion I get from looking at a photo. When I reviewed the entries for this competition, beyond all the technical considerations, I was specifically looking for whether that photograph convinced me to believe in better and see a planet where people and nature thrive together.”

Daniel Wentzel had this to say about his 6th place image: “Believing in better means a world where sharks thrive! This pyjama shark and freediver show we can coexist. Let’s protect these incredible creatures and their vital role in our oceans. ”

In 7th was Thato Pollen Legoabe. In the distance, the silhouette of a village adds human presence to the untamed beauty of the African wilderness. Warm smiles, vibrant attire, golden sunsets, and roaring lions—each frame captures South Africa’s natural beauty and the resilient spirit of its people.

Clare Appleyard said about her 8th placed pic: “Flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town and then driving for 9 hours was worth every moment to capture the glory of the Augrabies Falls in full flood. Truly a breath taking sight !”

Dihann Holtzhausen’s photo garnered 9th with his image of flowering red-hot pokers attracting the bees.

Brian Behrens- 10th- said: In the stillness of a Sabi Sands night, our dream came true. A beam of light revealed Tlalamba, the female leopard we’d followed from afar. One click, one heartbeat, and she vanished into darkness. Leaving behind a moment frozen in time.”

Christoff Theunissen features again: Kleinmond holds a very dear place in many South Africans’ hearts: from pristine beaches, to rocky shores, mountains and even wild horses, Kleinmond reminds us of peace and quiet amid nature’s bounty in our country.”

See the Winners Up Close 

This September, during Heritage Month, Cape Town’s Sea Point Promenade will be transformed into an outdoor gallery, showcasing the winning and runner-up photographs for the public to experience.

The photographs will also travel to Johannesburg for an exhibition later in the year, with venue and dates to be confirmed.

“These photographs remind us that conservation isn’t an abstract concept; it’s deeply personal. Every entry received in this competition represents someone who stopped, looked around, and decided that what they saw was worth preserving for future generations. When people connect with nature through their own lens, they become its most effective advocates. These aren’t just beautiful pictures; they’re declarations of love for the only planet we have, and reminders to ensure it thrives long after we’re gone,” concludes WWF CEO Dr Morné du Plessis. 

About WWF

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent environmental organisations, with a global network active in more than 100 countries, including South Africa. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving our biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF stands for the World Wide Fund for Nature.