As the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo exhibition kicked off, the 2024 winning photographs were on full display.
The exhibition is open to the public from March 12 until March 16.
The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest is an annual contest for young photojournalists, aged between 18 and 33.
The contest was founded on December 22, 2014, by the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency under the auspices of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO.
The Cape Town exhibition will be hosted by Independent Media, , and the African News Agency (ANA), in collaboration with the Sputnik News Agency and Radio.
Speaking to visitors at the Good Hope Gallery, Daria Nagovitcina, Manager of the Foreign Media Relations Division, International Cooperation Directorate for Sputnik was excited to launch the exhibition.
This photo contest was created in memory of Andrei Stenin, the Russian photojournalist whose unwavering commitment to truth continues to resonate within the media community.
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Nagovitcina explained how important this event is for Sputnik and described her fallen colleague, Stenin, as an exceptional and special person whose determination for exposing the truth cost him his life.
Stenin was killed in the line of duty while covering the war in the Donbas in 2014.
“We are in Cape Town, but this exhibition has already been to six other countries, including Serbia, Tanzania, China, Mauritius, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. So, South Africa is the seventh stop and seven is considered to be a very lucky number in Russia,” Nagovitcina said joyfully.
She said the works on display come from across the world, from photojournalists not only in South Africa but Russia, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India.
“We are going to enjoy the variety of photographs. Even though we may have some photographs that show the same issue, it speaks loudly about how they touch us and touch the photographers. They (the work) are all so unique and authentic,” she said.
Nagovitcina also revealed that South Africa is the record holder for the exhibition, it has held more exhibitions of the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo exhibition than Russia itself.
She also thanked Independent Media and Sekunjalo Group chairperson, Dr Iqbal Survé for continuing the partnership and bringing the exhibition to all.
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“Photojournalists from the African continent have been among the most talented participants. And the 2024 winner, Gunnar Oberhosel – South African – shared his work ‘Fire Series’,” Nagovitcina said.
While Oberhosel did receive his award in Moscow, he was gifted with a certificate on Tuesday evening.
Recognition was also given to 2017 winner, former Independent Media photographer, Phandulwazi Jikelo who was also in attendance.
Nagovitcina took guests on a guided tour of the exhibition as she gave a brief behind the scene story of the captivating images people were captivated by.
As she moved along the gallery floor seamlessly, the crowd was hanging on every word as they took pictures of themselves and friends at the amazing work by the photojournalist.
Members of the public are encouraged to take full advantage of the exhibition.
The applications for the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest opens on December 22.
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