WWF South Africa launched the #BelieveInBetter photography competition, a movement to celebrate the natural wonders found in our beloved country. With a total of 1,100 entries now submitted, the photo submission phase has officially closed, and it’s time to cast your vote!
South Africa (12 June 2025) – South Africans seized the opportunity to highlight the incredible beauty of our country, all while standing a chance to win big. Whether inspired by the crashing waves of the ocean, the majestic birds soaring above us, or the mountains and forests that call to so many, WWF South Africa invited everyone to capture the beauty of South Africa through their lens as part of a nationwide visual movement: Our Country, Through Your Lens.
Participants were encouraged to submit photos that showcased the people, places and wildlife representing our extraordinary natural heritage, all open to creative interpretation. The competition offered the chance to win epic prizes, but more importantly, it served as a powerful way to shine a light on South Africa’s diverse and irreplaceable environment.
Local TV presenter, actor, and WWF South Africa board member Masego ‘Maps’ Maponyane championed the campaign, sharing inspiration for photographers:
“We have fynbos found nowhere else. Wide, open spaces with unique plants and animals. Oceans teeming with life. Birds that soar above our cities and towns, and communities whose connection to nature runs deep. But none of it is guaranteed.”
Capturing our heritage, whether with a phone or a camera, offered a chance to admire these wonders while also stopping to take a moment and witness the impacts of climate change and environmental loss. Every photograph helped to document South Africa’s natural heritage and emphasised the importance of protecting it.
“We choose to believe in better, not because we’re naïve about the challenges, but because we know that better begins with belief,” says WWF CEO Dr Morné du Plessis. “From restoring rivers in the Drakensberg’s water source areas to growing black rhino populations and creating green jobs for youth across the country, our work shows that a better future isn’t a fantasy; it’s already happening.”
“This movement is about encouraging people to stop, observe, and acknowledge what really matters in our day-to-day lives,” he adds. “From a child planting a tree to the sun rising over the ocean, if it makes you believe in something better, take the shot and share it.”
Photo Credit: Arthur Ahrens
Photo Credit: Luck Nhlanhla
Photo Credit: Candice van Eck
Photo Credit:AGS Pinkster Park Trust
How to Vote:
Visit the WWF website home page, where you can request a link to vote using your email address.
“After receiving over 1100 breathtaking entries from photographers across the country, WWF South Africa’s Our Country Through Your Lens photo competition has reached its most exciting stage… public voting is officially open!
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Every image tells a powerful story about the people, wildlife, and landscapes that make up our extraordinary natural heritage, and why it is so important to protect it. Now, it’s up to you to decide which photo moves you most.” – WWF South Africa.
In an exciting twist, there’s something in it for you too: simply by casting your vote, you’ll stand a chance to win a R5,000 voucher to spend at the WWF Shop, home to sustainable, proudly South African products.
A panel of expert judges, including a globally published photojournalist, humanitarian storyteller, and an award-winning creative director, has shortlisted 20 standout images. From 12 to 27 June, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite. Winners will be announced on 2 July, followed by a curated public exhibition.
The grand prize winner will receive a luxury two-night photo safari for two at Madwaleni River Lodge in the Babanango Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, including meals, accommodation, and daily game drives accompanied by a professional photographer. Four runners-up will each receive a large Recycled Buddy Backpack from Sealand Gear, valued at R2,695.00.
This isn’t just a chance to win a big prize; it’s a chance to show South Africa how you see its beauty through your lens. To tell a story that shows what we are fighting to save.
“This movement is about encouraging people to stop, observe, and acknowledge what really matters in our day to-day lives,” says WWF CEO Dr Morné du Plessis. “From a child planting a tree to the sun rising over the ocean, if it makes you believe in a better future, vote for it.”
Cast your vote now, and stay tuned to see who the winners are!
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