National Geographic has announced the winners of the #ExploreWithNatGeo Photo Competition 2021 brought to you by Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, in collaboration with The Sunday Times. Themed Find the epic in every day, over 1 200 qualifying entries were received from across the country, all conveying unique perspectives, moments, experiences and aspects of everyday life.

Lara Roussouw from Bloemfontein won first prize with her extraordinary photo, “Living on the Edge,” showing a lizard facing the iconic Augrabies Falls in the Northern Cape. The photograph was taken earlier this year, during Roussouw’s first holiday since lock-down, in the Kgalagadi National Park. “I loved the look of the lizard, as if it were appreciating the view of the Augrabies Falls from the viewing deck,” she said. She wins a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smart phone plus accessories

Cynthia Mokgoebo from Polokwane came second with her photo “Sharing a Moment” showing two grasshoppers on a twig, that she captured during a sunset walk to a nearby lake, winning a Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Karishma Rajcomar from Durban earned third prize with her photo “The Power of Touch” which conveys a sentiment of gratitude as she photographed her 91 year old grandmother’s hand resting over her own. She wins a Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.

The top ten finalists’ images can be viewed on the links below:

1. Lara Rossouw

https://www.instagram.com/p/COGkl57lkmW/

2. Cynthia Mokgoebo

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMsG1xTB3US/

3. Karishma Rajcomar

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNM_2j_hwEj/

4. Chanelle Groenewald

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMrXk50s3xE/

5. Evi

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMZEw4mHx8e/

6. Chris van Latum

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKNwHMJC4I/

7. Ziyaad

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNNKw9_rc_r/

8. Yoboymaverick

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMcO-3Yhxa1/

9. Jeanette Annandale Pretorius

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkf3N_LhEo/

10. Taryn Uytenbogaardt

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMpUXZvhclI/

The top 50 images can be viewed here: https://www.natgeotv.com/za/special/a-journey-in-to-the-epic-in-your-every-day-new

Entries can be viewed by searching the hashtags #ExploreWithNatGeo #GalaxyS21 and #withGalaxy on Instagram.

This was the first time that National Geographic invited amateur photographers in South Africa to showcase their unique stories and perspectives, enabling unique local stories and experiences to be depicted using the photographic medium. The judging panel included award-winning photographer and National Geographic Explorer Gulshan Khan.