South African photographer Johan Botha takes top honours
at the Commonwealth Photographic Awards
by Kresta Tyler Johnson
Residents in the 53 Commonwealth countries were invited to submit entries, on the theme of 'Youth', for the 2004 Commonwealth Photographic Awards. One overall award was made alongside six regional prizes.
South African Johan Botha was the regional winner for Africa with his captivating portrait of a young girl. Shot in a rural district of Limpopo province, in a community plagued by AIDS, the spirit and excitement of youth radiates from her eyes.
From over 1000 entries, three South African photographers, Leila Amanpour, Johan Booyens and James Oatway, were chosen and their work was highly commended for their submissions from the Africa region. The competition was open to all residents of Commonwealth countries and the entries were judged by a panel of British photographers.
An exhibition of the winners will be mounted in London at The Commonwealth Club during September. While the exhibition is not currently destined to travel, the Commonwealth Press Union is encouraging other interested parties in the Commonwealth to host further exhibitions.
