Winner: Local story through your Lens (with video)

I’m thrilled to be the second place winner in this competition

When Orms Direct, Canon RSA, and STUB Africa announced their Local Stories Through Your Lens photography competition in October, the brief was clear: document a local entrepreneur, tell their story through 3–5 images, and showcase the resilience of South African business owners.

I knew immediately whose story I wanted to tell.

My video talking through my entry, that was played at the award ceremony.

My award winning photos

What struck me most when I met Elizabeth wasn’t just the physical transformation of the land… it was her. Despite years of struggle, harsh weather conditions, and the daily challenges of farming in an under-resourced area, Elizabeth radiates joy and determination.

The judges’ feedback: ‘very strong visual storytelling in just a few images’, was incredibly affirming.

Meeting Elizabeth

Three years ago, Elizabeth stood in front of a municipal dumping ground in Kromdraai, Gauteng. She was unemployed, had four children to feed, and faced what seemed like insurmountable odds. The dumping ground sat directly in front of her house – a daily reminder of limited options and forgotten communities.

When Elizabeth started her small homestead farm, the land was a dump, as pictured below.

Elizabeth is part of the Kromdraai Farmer’s Project, an initiative transforming food deserts through sustainable agriculture. With innovative seed tape technology and dedicated mentorship, she turned bare soil into tonnes of fresh vegetables. But she didn’t stop there – she became a mentor herself, sharing surplus produce and knowledge with her neighbours.

This win is a milestone moment

I started professional photography in 2023. Two years might seem like nothing in a creative career, but this recognition feels significant – not because of the prize (though the R5,000 Orms print voucher and training voucher will absolutely help me grow), but because it validates the approach I’ve chosen.

I don’t just want to take beautiful photos. I want to tell stories that matter. Stories about people like Elizabeth who are building futures with their bare hands. Stories that challenge assumptions about what’s possible in under-resourced communities. Stories that honour the quiet, persistent work of transformation.

This award confirms I’m on the right path.

Photography has given me the privilege of witnessing extraordinary people. This competition win is a reminder that when we point our cameras at the right stories, everyone wins – especially the people brave enough to let us tell them.

Video of the Kromdraai Farmer’s Project

CHALLENGE The Kromdraai community struggled with high unemployment, limited resources, and food insecurity, with Elizabeth facing a municipal dumping ground outside her home that symbolised the area’s hopelessness. Environmental challenges like harsh weather, poor infrastructure, and roaming animals made any agricultural effort seem impossible without external support.

SOLUTION Reel Life provided Elizabeth with a garden-in-a-box starter kit featuring their patented water-saving seed tape technology, then supported her expansion to 200m² with training, resources, and ongoing mentorship from Community Champions. This three-tiered approach focused on food security, income generation, and skills development rather than simply distributing resources.

RESULTS The project saved 54.2 litres of water, produced over 2 tonnes of vegetables (5,065 servings), and generated annual income of R121,560 for Elizabeth’s family. The success inspired other residents to start their own gardens, creating a culture of self-reliance across the community.

IMPACT Elizabeth’s transformation from unemployed mother to empowered entrepreneur and mentor has created a ripple effect throughout Kromdraai, revitalising the local environment and instilling community pride. The project demonstrates how relationship-based support can address food security, unemployment, and malnutrition whilst equipping beneficiaries with skills for long-term independence.

“I’m happy with the garden because it’s a provider. I am not working, my husband is not working, so we are depending on this garden. I’m able to eat with that money, I’m able to save a little within that money.”
Elizabeth

If you’d like to learn more about the Kromdraai Farmer’s Project or support food security initiatives in South Africa, visit Reel Life’s website.