Malawi Photography launches awards: Dick Mlanzi ‘Lifetime achiever’, Ras Kansengwa and Thoko Chikondi win
Photography Association of Malawi (Photama) has introduced awards for both commercial photographers and photojournalists in a bid to promote and improve professional standards.
Photama board member Theresa Chapulapula commended Photama for introducing the awards which she said would raise the profile of the body.
“I am proud of Photam for the initiative of recognizing some great works.This is the first time to have such an initiative since the association was established in 2008,” Chapulapula said.
She said Photama had come of age to make its presence felt to render services to the public.
“It is high time the membership made Photama known so that it comes a point when all those who need photographic works come to the association for services that will not only add some financial muscle to the association but make members feel the beauty of being in an association which will of course attract more members,” she said.
Photama Vice president Amos Kwazanji said the awards were introduced to motivate and recognize the work of photographers.
“The awards will have a big impact in the development of photography in the country,” Kwazanji said.
“I would like to thank Norwegian Embassy through Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosama) as the Cultural Support Fund has made it possible for us to hold the inaugural awards,” he said.
Deputy Mayor of the City of Blantyre Wild Ndipo commended Photama for the initiative saying photography has a big role in people’s lives.
“We are surrounding by the world of photography and it is essential to our lives hence to uphold the annual awards.
The awards saw renowned freelance Rash Peter Kansengwa winning the best photographer award to pocket K80,000 and a trophy with Nation newspaper’s renowned female photojournalist Thoko Chikondi winning the photojournalist award complete with K75,000.
Veteran female freelance journalist Hazel Gadama won the best female photographer accolade while legendary Dickie Milanzie former presidential photographer for late Dr Kamuzu Banda, Bakili Muluzi and Bingu wa Mutharika received in absential the Lifetime achiever award K100,000 and a trophy.
Norwegian Embassy, Cosoma and Nations Publications Limited received awards for their various roles in the promotion of photography in the country.
Zodiak Broadcasting Station journalist Maganizo Mazeze, Nation’s graphic design artist Andrew Mtumpanyama and Times groups’ Maureen Masamba were the judges for the awards held in Blantyre.
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