FIND THE EPIC IN EVERY DAY AND WIN SOME SMART TECH
Get snapping, writes
Look out next Sunday for the l aunch of National Geographic’s #ExploreWithNatGeo photo competition, brought to you by Samsung Galaxy S21 5G in partnership with the Sunday Times. Themed “Find the epic in every day”, the competition invites all amateur photographers in SA to capture unique and remarkable moments, experiences or aspects of everyday life around them, with entries open from March 7 until April 3.
This is the first time in SA that National Geographic is inviting enthusiastic photographers, above the age of 16, to showcase their stories and perspectives through a lens.
“Visual storytelling is at the heart of National Geographic and we receive hundreds of photographs from our followers on social media every year,” said Evert van der Veer, vice-president, media networks, the Walt Disney Company Africa.
“Every picture tells a story, every day has an epic moment and we are excited to see what vibrant tales South Africans have to tell.”
Every week, 10 photos will be selected by the judging panel and, together with an additional 10 wildcard entries, will become the top 50 entrants.
From this batch of epic photos, the top 10 finalists will be selected by a panel that includes award-winning photographer and National Geographic Explorer Gulshan Khan.
All photos by the top 10 finalists in the competition will be published in Sunday Times Lifestyle and online at TimesLIVE.
“At Samsung, our goal is to help people ‘do what you can’t,” says Cambridge Mokanyane, Samsung SA chief marketing officer.
“We look forward to showcasing the immense talent waiting to be discovered.”
An outstanding image could earn you a prize worth R 70,000. The first prize is a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smart phone plus accessories. The second and third prizes are a Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, and a Samsung Galaxy S21 5G respectively.
To enter, fans are encouraged to post their photo on Instagram, tagging @NatGeo_Africa @SamsungMobileSA, adding #ExploreWithNatGeo and #GalaxyS21 hashtags.
The competition is open to nonprofessional photographers only.
The winner will be announced on Earth Day, April 22.
As we headed off to the heart of the Transkei, driving south from Durban with a lime green Nessy on our roof rack, we knew that this carefully planned trip had turned an unexpected corner.
The kayak, fondly named after the great Loch Ness Monster, had unexpectedly jumped aboard at the last minute, through the power of impulse.
As we set off with three children in the car, the green monster peeked over the roof, just visible through the windscreen, a temptation waiting to be explored. We were determined to find the perfect launch points for Nessy to enter the water.
Our first stop was at the Red Desert Nature Reserve, what has become known as “the world’s smallest desert”.
This reserve, 170km from Durban, is something of a secret. From the parking, a three-minute walk down a grassy path, we found dunes that are a dark reddish sand/clay colour. If you kneel down, you might forget where you are and be transported to the Arizona desert. Although small in size — it is only 200m in diameter and 11ha in its entirety — this was a unique place to visit. As we continued, we added a sprinkle of spontaneity with a stop at the Beaver Creek Coffee Estate. I had no idea they were growing coffee in this area and was intrigued to see the plantation on this small, familyrun estate.
Sitting outside, relaxing and enjoying the brew while looking over the plantation, I once again felt I’d discovered a fantastic little secret just a short distance from the city. Loaded with a few bags of coffee for the road, we were soon back on our way and heading over the Mtamvuna River bridge and officially crossing from KwaZulu-Natal into the Eastern Cape.
THE AMAZING RACE
Here, the landscape changes drastically. Our eyes were met with fairy-tale green hills with a handful of colourful circular traditional Xhosa homes with thatched roofs.
Our destination for the night was Mtentu Lodge and we can personally attest to their statement that “getting here is half the experience”. The journey is not smooth, and a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Alternatively, given that it is only 24km from the Wild Coast Sun (as the crow flies), hiking or cycling there are also options. In our case, with the children, we opted for the drive.
As we departed the tar road, our tyres left a cloud of dust trailing behind us. We drove for hours as the children snoozed. Our trailer followed, packed to the brim with necessities.
We followed the directions provided by the lodge, feeling like we were on The Amazing Race. With no road signs, we found ourselves navigating using pictorial and environmental clues such as “there is a drainage ditch just before the split” and “a telephone pole on the hill”.
We passed a school “with a green roof” and, finally, with the odometer on 47km, we saw our destination and our hearts swelled with excitement.
Stretching the stiffness away after the bumpy drive, we felt we’d arrived at the end of the Earth and discovered a secret paradise.
Mtentu Lodge is situated on a hill overlooking the ocean and forms part of the Mkambati Nature Reserve. The wooden houses look out onto the ocean and are connected by a wooden walkway. There are also some tent options.
We opted for the houses with bunk beds, a winning ticket with the children. There is a balcony for the parents to sip a cocktail as they watch the world in its most natural rhythm. Frequent guests include monkeys and lizards popping by to say hello.
After a hearty breakfast the next morning, we surveyed the landscape and realised Nessy would not be entering the ocean here. But
there were other adventures.
Following the advice of the locals, we decided to do the 12km round-trip hike to the Horseshoe Falls. It begins with a river crossing, assisted by a local with his rowing boat. Luckily, we’d timed it well and managed to cross at low tide. The same cannot be said for the return trip as the children decided to nap in the cave by the waterfall — how could we wake them in such tranquil surrounds?
Once across the river, the children ran from one pool to the next, splashing one another as they went along and oblivious to the fact that they’d covered a distance of about 4km.
Once we left the beach and started to walk over the hilltops, the kids tired and regular stops to refuel became necessary. A shipwreck distracted them and took us some distance further.
Finally, we crossed a river mouth and discovered a cave where we could get some shade, eat lunch and swim under the waterfall.
Sun-kissed and high on adrenaline, we started the return journey. As we walked, the weather changed. Smacked by the wind and burnt by the sand storming at us, the children braved the conditions and we appreciated the beauty of this wild coastline. The river crossing in high tide left us bruised and battered, but we arrived for dinner back at Mtentu with many stories to share.
NESSY GETS HER DAY
The next day was all about Nessy. After a stop at the shops in the busy town of Lusikisiki, we headed towards Mbotyi River Lodge.
Past the beautiful Magwa tea plantations and through the forest, we met our new home, where the ocean below us swelled with life.
We were thrilled to spot several whales breaching and the famous Wild Coast dolphins surfing the waves under the setting sun. I’ve no doubt now that this section of the South African coast, more commonly known as the Transkei, offers some of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes in the country.
We headed to the river mouth, enjoying the view of Sugarloaf Hill in the distance.
At last Nessy got to taste the waters. The kayak took us along the river, enveloped in nature with monkeys swinging overhead.
After visiting Magwa Falls, with a magnificent 142m drop, we headed back to the river mouth and rowed Nessy towards the beach — a soft and sandy spot, untouched and utterly deserted.
The water was warm, and a few fishermen were visible in the distance. A herd of cows passed by as the children were climbing into the kayak. They screamed with excitement while riding down the river mouth.
Nessy gently kissed the ocean and, like us, she recognised that this wild coast is truly a wonder to behold.