Freediver and filmmaker Mogamat Shamier Magmoet has been selected by The National Geographic Society for a 2023 Wayfinder Award.
Cape Town, South Africa (08 June 2023) – Producer, Director, Filmmaker, Conservationist, Freediver and now Award Winner! Mogamat Shamier Magmoet has been selected as one of The National Geographic Society’s 2023 Wayfinder Award winners.
Wayfinder Award winners are selected for their exemplary achievements in exploration through science, education, conservation, technology, and storytelling. The National Geographic Society believes these individuals, through their work, have proven themselves to be the next generation of influential leaders, communicators, and innovators.
“On behalf of the National Geographic Society, we’re proud to name these 15 trailblazers as 2023 Wayfinder Award recipients for their exceptional contributions on a local and global scale,” said Alexander Moen, chief explorer engagement officer at the National Geographic Society.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate each of these individuals at Base Camp headquarters in June for our annual Explorers Festival where we’ll recognize their remarkable achievements that bring our mission to life.”
The Wayfinder Award recipients join the Society’s global community of National Geographic Explorers and each receives a monetary prize to support their work.
South African freediver Shamier Magmoet was selected as one of the fifteen recipients of the award.
“Shamier Magmoet is a South African freediver, conservationist and filmmaker who enables and educates youth to experience the ocean and become advocates and protectors of the ocean. As a pioneering underwater filmmaker of colour in Cape Town, Shamier has forged a path to make the ocean space more accessible to people from historically disadvantaged communities and connecting youth with mentors to learn and share their work.”
When the winners were announced, Shamier took to his Instagram to share his joy in being selected. He thanked his family for their never-ending support and National Geographic for creating life-changing opportunities.
Shamier advocates for the ocean and all its marine life, but he also advocates for the youth. He combines the two by sharing all the wonders of the ocean with youth from the Cape Flats. His documentary, Rise from Cape Flats showcases the work he does, where he takes youth to the beach and shows them how beautiful it is. Together they work to protect the ocean and find balance within their own lives.
It is an inspiring story and one we hope to see on many more international film festival stages. Stay tuned! Shamier is on the rise once again.
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