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The Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition launched with the announcement of the Grand Prize Winner and 16 category awardees. The global competition received close to 9,000 entries from 50 countries worldwide, including 10 countries in Africa
African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) launched its 60th year anniversary on Thursday 28th,at a colorful reception and awards ceremony celebrating AWF’s decades of conservation work on the continent as well as the winners of the inaugural Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards, named in honor of the late former President of Tanzania.
TopNewskenya.co.ke has learnt that,Sixteen winning photographers from across the world attended the ceremony at the Nairobi National Museum. They received honorary certificates and awards for their photographs and videos in the global competition that received almost 9,000 entries from 50 countries worldwide, including 10 countries here in Africa.
The Grand Prize winner, Riccardo Marchegiani, from Italy received a cash prize of US$ 5,000 (KES 555,476) and a large Shona elephant sculpture for his photo “Gelada and Baby” shot in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia.
In addition, Marchegiani will be featured with an interview and portfolio in Nature’s Best Photography magazine, as well as a feature in a special edition devoted to the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards.
Speaking as he received his award, Marchegiani said,it was a great pleasure to accept the award that is a true testament of the hard work and dedication put throughout the years.
“I believe that the art form of photography expresses my vision and sensitivity to the beauty of nature. My objective is to raise awareness and encourage conservation in a more sustainable lifestyle,”He said.
Other category winners each received prize money of US$ 1,000 (KES 111,095) and a Shona elephant sculpture.
They will also be featured in the Nature’s Best Photography special edition.
Speaking at the celebration, AWF CEO Kaddu Sebunya said, “Within the context of a rapidly changing Africa, and armed with 60 years of experience, AWF has renewed its vision, and crafted strategic approaches to become a truly global African conservation organization. Through the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards, AWF is committed to finding, helping, and amplifying the authentic African voices advocating against the destruction of Africa’s natural wildlife heritage.
We are dedicated to defining and refining Africa’s agendas for conservation and development, and to represent these voices — trumpet these voices loudly — around the world.”he said
The inaugural photography competition was launched earlier this year to honor the former Tanzanian President, H.E. the late Benjamin Mkapa as an iconic conservation leader and one of AWF’s longest-serving board members.
In a bid to engage new audiences in documenting wildlife and wild lands conservation in modern Africa, the primary goal of the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards is to engage and involve photographers from Africa and around the world at all proficiency levels to share stories from the field that inspire and encourage new advocates for conservation.
The awards ceremony Guest of Honor, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Wildlife and Tourism, Hon. Najib Balala remarked: “With initiatives such as the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards, organizations such as AWF and Nature’s Best Photography are actively encouraging both international and domestic tourists to visit these unique landscapes and tell authentic stories that emphasize the magic behind Africa’s rich biodiversity hotspots and its people.
