A Universal Language
What do you think of this photo? Not bad at all? A black winged stilt in flight. Caught that reflection, starboard wing tastefully dipped into the lagoon and it’s in focus. Who do you think took it?
Photography is a universally shared language. It is only access to certain locations that really separates one photographer from another. I am ignoring minor variables like talent, absence of light and equipment here. Access is the defining privilege. The reality with Africa’s protected wilderness areas, is that being born next to a nature reserve doesn’t automatically grant you access. You pay like anyone else, with cash or labour, so the model works. You (and I mean we) should encourage the next generation of career conservationists with carefully hosted introductions at every opportunity, that is the entire point of responsible travel.?
Belinda, the photographer, is an unemployed teenager from Gweta village in rural Botswana. She had just five days of workshop training with a digital SLR before capturing that lovely stilt on her first ever game drive. Natural Selection hosts numerous groups from Wild Shots Outreach, an NGO that connects young Africans from disadvantaged communities with their natural heritage. This brilliantly simple initiative has earned many accolades. Programme Director, Rifumo Mathebula has just been awarded 'International Young Environmentalist of the Year 2022' by the UK's Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management for his work.
Natural Selection was founded in part to support creative projects like this across Southern Africa. Let's help keep Belinda and her generation behind that lens, enjoying nature!