Category: Competition / Award
The Santu Mofokeng Foundation Photography Prize is an annual national award recognising outstanding emerging photographers living and working in South Africa. Established by the Santu Mofokeng Foundation in honour of one of the country’s most influential photographers, the prize celebrates new voices in contemporary photography while providing meaningful professional support at a pivotal stage in an artist’s career.
Created to honour Santu Mofokeng’s enduring legacy, the prize seeks photographers whose work demonstrates artistic excellence, originality and a thoughtful engagement with the photographic medium. Alongside significant financial support, the award is designed to increase the visibility of independent photographers through editorial features and future exhibition opportunities.
The prize is administered by the Santu Mofokeng Foundation, with Latitudes serving as the Foundation’s promotional and platform partner.
2026 Applications
Applications for the 2026 Santu Mofokeng Foundation Photography Prize are now open and close on 15 October 2026.
Eligible practitioners living and working in South Africa can submit their entries via the Foundation’s official online application form.
As this is an annual opportunity, photographers who miss this year’s deadline are encouraged to follow the Santu Mofokeng Foundation for future calls for entries.
Prize
The winner receives:
- R100,000 cash prize
- Editorial support
- A professional artist profile
- Opportunities for future exhibition presentations through Latitudes programmes
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to emerging photographers living and working in South Africa.
Eligible applicants include:
- Independent photographers
- Artist groups and collectives
- Contemporary photographers working in any photographic genre
Applicants must own the copyright and intellectual property rights to all submitted work.
Photographers with exclusive commercial gallery representation are not eligible.
There are no restrictions based on age, nationality or formal training, provided applicants are living and working in South Africa.
Application Requirements
Applicants are typically asked to submit:
- A cohesive body of 10–15 photographic works
- Work created within the past five years
- Supporting application information as outlined in the annual call for entries
Annual Applications
The Santu Mofokeng Foundation Photography Prize is expected to open annually. While submission requirements may evolve, applicants should prepare a recent body of photographic work and monitor the Foundation’s announcements for future application dates.
For emerging photographers seeking recognition, professional exposure and career development, the Santu Mofokeng Foundation Photography Prize represents one of South Africa’s most significant new opportunities in contemporary photography.
The inaugural prize was launched alongside an exhibition of Santu Mofokeng’s work at the Latitudes Centre for the Arts in Mountain View, Johannesburg, underscoring the Foundation’s commitment to celebrating Mofokeng’s legacy while investing in the future of contemporary photography. Eligible photographers can submit their entries through the Foundation’s official online application form.
