DUNDEE KZN: In focus Coenie in the finals of the Student Competition of the Sony World Photography Awards, 2021.
"Through their work, they make an enormous difference without asking for anything in return."
Talented Dundonian Coenie Torlage has been shortlisted for the top 10 in the finals of the Student Competition of the Sony World Photography Awards, 2021.
The 21-year-old, who is studying at the much-vaunted Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography, is thrilled that his portfolio on ‘My Local Leaders’ has been selected as a finalist among students from around the world, including Argentina, Ecuador, the USA and China.
The brief from Sony was for photographers, representing higher learning institutes around the world, and involved the interpretation of ‘Building a Better Future’, where students were asked to present a story connected to those making a positive difference in the world.
Coenie, a former Dundee High student, said that for his project, he went in search of the most philanthropic leaders in his local community of rural Dundee.
“Through their work, they make an enormous difference without asking for anything in return. My subjects were carefully chosen and hailed from diverse walks of life, ranging from Zulu Royalty to a humble ‘gogo’ living in an informal settlement. Each has changed me in some way and all have one thing in common: they are working to help build a better future. They set an example I want to share; proving you can contribute to building a better future no matter what your social standing.” Â
Coenie used a full-frame camera and speedlights to create his stunning images. Many of his subjects will be familiar to Courier readers: Brother Daniel, Herman de Wet and Dave Durham, but there are possibly also lesser known ones like Mama Maria.
“She was a welcome and unexpected addition to the series. Her story started as an alcoholic and continues with her as a God-fearing woman who turned her life around and became a pillar for the community. Someone with so little to give started giving what she could to help the church, and the rest she used to feed hungry children from her neighbourhood.
“Now, with some help from the church, she often provides more than 100 meals a day, twice a week, and this is just a small glimpse into her story.”
Coenie describes his selection as a finalist as ‘a blessing and again proof of what is possible when you put something in God’s hands’.
“To be one of 10 selected students from around the world and the first second-year student from my institution is an honour I only dreamed of before and would never have accomplished without a miracle and the support from the Dundee / Glencoe community and everyone else who always sticks by my side.
“I am filled with a little more stress than before, now that I have to photograph and enter the images that will be used to choose the final winner. But I believe that if I once again put it in God’s hands, the right thing will happen.” The ‘Student Photography of the Year’ winner will be announced on April 15 in London and will be awarded €30,000 (RM147343.13) worth of Sony digital imaging equipment for their institution.
Readers can look at Coenie’s gallery by going here:
