Meet the Judges
Guest Judges
Toast Coetzer
I have 20+ years experience as a journalist in South Africa, specialising in travel writing and photography. My interests are varied: history, people, culture, climate change, palaeontology, archaeology, deserts, mountains, trees, music, rock art, stone tools, poetry, tortoises, books, hiking, exploration (islands!), birds - and cricket! My travels have taken me across Southern Africa, East Africa, and beyond, including destinations like Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and Argentina.
I have been involved with South Africa's biggest travel magazine, go! (Eng version) & Weg! (Afrikaans version) since the inception of the latter in 2004. Besides writing, editing and translating (English / Afrikaans) features for these magazines I also edit three of our special editions: go! Botswana, go! Wild Places, and go! Karoo (and their Afrikaans counterparts).
As content manager I run a portfolio of Instagram accounts, including @gomagsa (for go! magazine, 19.4k), @menseselense (for Weg! magazine, 50.2k), @my_mahindra (Mahindra fan account), and others.
Jon Kerrin
Jon Kerrin is an award winning nature photographer based in Cape Town, and a global ambassador for Fujifilm. His portfolio covers landscape, wildlife, and environmental photography. Jon’s work is balanced between exploring and capturing the beauty of the natural world, and teaching others how to do so as well.
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William Steel
From a young age I have been captivated by the wildlife that surrounded me. Raised in Botswana, I was able to explore and discover the beauty of untamed wilderness, and it sparked my love for nature. This passion for the natural world encompasses everything I do, and ultimately defines my photography.
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I believe that powerful photography is a combination of beauty and intrigue. I have always tried to focus on these aspects regardless of the subject that I am photographing. I hope to highlight the art in unexpected places, and as a result, create images that encapsulate the subject’s unique self.
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I have always had an interest in birdlife, and that is where my photographic journey began. As my hobby blossomed into a passion, and then a career, I began to turn my focus to storytelling. Great photography is a combination of beauty and intrigue. I have always tried to focus on these aspects regardless of the subject that I am photographing. My goal is to capture emotion. I am fortunate enough to call photography my career, but first and foremost it is my passion.
Kyle Goetsch
Kyle Goetsch is a Cape Town-based photographer renowned for his landscape, wildlife, and astrophotography. With a passion for nature and a keen eye for detail, he captures the beauty of Africa’s diverse landscapes, from rugged coastlines to starry skies. Kyle's work reflects not only his technical skill but also his commitment to conservation and educating others. He offers immersive photography workshops, guiding participants through breathtaking scenes and teaching them to capture the perfect shot. His workshops cater to both beginners and experienced photographers, providing hands-on experience in some of Africa’s most iconic settings. Kyle’s photography is a celebration of the natural world, encouraging others to explore and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
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In house Judges
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Menrad Holm
Menrad Holm, co-founder of the Youth Photographer of the Year competition, is a passionate award-winning landscape and nature photographer. Driven by a desire to create fair opportunities for young photographers in Southern Africa, Menrad launched this competition to nurture emerging talent. As an award-winning photographer with experience working with Go Magazine, he is committed to inspiring the next generation of photographers to focus on creativity, storytelling, and their unique vision.
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Alex Werth
Alexander Werth is a half South African, half German photographer from Cape Town. He focuses on mostly wildlife, landscape and street photography and is the founder of the community page @wildlifeofsa on Instagram, where he has carefully been showcasing only the best work wildlife photographers of Southern Africa have to offer. Alex brings a unique blend of artistic expertise and deep respect for the natural world to the judging panel.
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Konrad Andrag
Konrad Andrag, a passionate wildlife photographer, co-founded this competition to give youth photographers a platform to showcase their talent. His notable achievements include being featured by National Geographic, winning the BirdLife SA Youth Photography Competition, and being shortlisted multiple times for South African Photographer of the Year. Konrad believes young photographers are often overshadowed by more experienced adults with greater resources, and this competition aims to bridge that gap by providing a space for youth to thrive and be recognized on their own terms, across different categories of photography.