Neville Ngomane (20) from Bushbuckridge, Limpopo, is achieving his dreams after winning a prestigious award for young photographers. 
Ngomane was named the Young Photographer of the Year in the International Chartered Institute of Water (CIWEM) and Environmental Management photography competition. His powerful photograph, Desperate Measures, shows a rhino’s horn being cut off in order to prevent the animal from being poached. It beat over 4 000 other international entries.
“When I heard that I had won the award, I thought it was a joke. I was so pleasantly surprised and didn’t know what to do or say. I have always imagined being amongst the best photographers in the world so this was a dream come true,” said Ngomane. As part of his winnings, Ngomane walked away with brand new camera equipment.
Ngomane first came across photography in 2015, when he borrowed an old camera from one of his teachers.
"I love everything about photography. It allows you to tell a story in the way you want it to be told. It allows you to capture something beautiful or powerful in one image.”
Ngomane now has his own company, Young Photographers, and is giving back to his community through Eco-Play, which teaches children at orphanages and other childcare facilities about conservation through fun activities.
“I have always said that if you find something you are passionate about, then you must do everything you can to feed that passion. That is the key to making a success of yourself in life, no matter where you come from,” he said.
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