Nengovhela wins Photographer of the Year award

Limpopo Mirror correspondent Kaizer Nengovhela won the Photographer of the Year trophy during the 2019 Limpopo Sports awards. The trophies were handed over to the winners during a gala function held at Meropa Casino on Friday night.

The Limpopo Sports awards were hosted by the Limpopo MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Thandi Moraka. Altogether there were 16 categories, which included the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. In each category there were three nominees.

By winning the Photographer of the Year award, Nengovhela not only received a trophy, but also a cheque of R20 000.

The photographer from Tshiozwi in the Madombidzha district was delighted when he heard he had won. “I shoot in the dusty villages where most photographers shy away from. There is hidden sporting talent in these communities. My aim is to expose the talent. This could be an eye-opener for bigger sports clubs,” said Nengovhela earlier this week.

Nengovhela said that photographers must accept that their photos will not always be appreciated by everyone. “Criticism is the other recipe (for a successful career). Accept it and try focus on that,” he said.

Nengovhela expressed his appreciation for the support that he receives from family, friends, colleagues and the various editors. “I would not make it on my own if these people do not support me,” he said.

He said that he would not enter for next year’s competition, in order to give young and upcoming photographers the opportunity to shine. “I have been competing in this competition for a long time and I feel it is time to give others a chance. I will not be entering the competition for the next two years,” he said.

After this “sabbatical”, however, Nengovhela warns that he will be “back with a bang”. “I will come back armed with sharp eyes and improved shooting styles,” he promised.

Date:13 October 2019

By: Bernard Chiguvare

Bernard Chiguvare is a Zimbabwean-born journalist. He writes mainly for the online publication, Groundup.

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