This archive report was first published on 29 October 2021.
On the eve of its 60th year anniversary, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) celebrated its decades of conservation work on the continent with a colorful reception and awards ceremony at the Nairobi National Museum. The event honored the late former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa, by launching the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards.
Launched earlier this year, the inaugural photography competition received almost 9,000 entries from 50 countries worldwide, including 10 countries in Africa. The competition aimed to engage new audiences in documenting wildlife and wild lands conservation in modern Africa.
The Grand Prize winner, Riccardo Marchegiani from Italy, received a cash prize of US$ 5,000 and a Shona elephant sculpture for his photo “Gelada and Baby” shot in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Marchegiani will also be featured with an interview and portfolio in Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
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.”
The collection of 79 winning images will be on display at the Nairobi National Museum through mid-January 2022 and will also be published in a special edition of Nature’s Best Photography magazine.
