Polokwane Observer sports reporter Herbert Rachuene took the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Trophy for Sports Photographer of the Year at a gala event at Protea Hotel Ranch Resort on Saturday evening.
Ironically Rachuene attended the awards function for purposes of coverage of the event while also present to collect the trophy.
The first place in the category is an accolade for years of hard work and commitment. It further secured Rachuene a spot among several world bests, Limpopo-born stars of the likes of Caster Semenya and Ude Fuchs who were honoured for their achievements of the past year.
Saying he was happy to be recognised by the provincial government, Rachuene indicated the trophy meant a lot to him. Growing up he never had anything and all he wanted was a camera, he said. “When I looked at cameras I thought of it as an income generator. I got my first camera in 2001 as a gift from a special someone and ever since have used it as means of survival and a contribution to photography as a career.” He thanked Polokwane Observer’s management for giving him opportunities to showcase his craft and those who helped him along the way. He thanked the organisers of the awards for including photography as a category. It meant that they also recognised photography that is otherwise a less decorated career, he concluded.
Featured photo: Polokwane Observer sports reporter Herbert Rachuene celebrates top honours.
