A photographer visited Cape Town and snapped a shot of a famously colourful Bo-Kaap scene. That photograph has just scooped a global award!
Cape Town, South Africa (25 February 2026) – Out of almost half a million photographs submitted from hundreds of countries across the world, Robby Ogilvie’s snap of the Bo-Kaap has been announced as a category winner in this year’s Open Competition of the Sony World Photography Awards.
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Most South Africans will know the deep history behind the colourful houses of the Bo-Kaap.
They first originated as rental properties painted white by Dutch owners. After slavery was abolished in the 1830s, residents painted their homes in bright colours to celebrate their freedom and reclaim their Cape Malay identity.
“I’m thrilled to share that my photograph, Colour Divides, taken in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood of Cape Town, has been announced as a category winner in the 2026 Open Competition of the Sony World Photography Awards.” shares Robby.
The Open competition accepts entries across the world and rewards the best single, standalone images across 10 categories including Architecture, Creative, Landscape, Lifestyle, Motion, Street Photography, and Object.
“Selected from over 430,000 photographs submitted from more than 200 countries and territories, this recognition is incredibly humbling and deeply appreciated. To have this work acknowledged among so many remarkable global entries is a real honour.” adds Robby.
In April, his Bo-Kaap photograph will go on display at the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony and exhibition in London, where The Open Photographer of the Year will be announced.
When it’s not a local photographer scooping an acclaimed international award, it’s a local scene that carries a story the world should know.
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