The natural beauty on our estate inspires both professional and amateur photographers to capture its charm – and this year, the third edition of the popular Essence of Vergelegen photographic contest attracted over 500 entries.
The winners were announced on Thursday 27 March, at a celebration attended by 25 finalists and their families. Their photographs were displayed at the estate’s Stables restaurant.
Prizes included photographic equipment sponsored by Orms Direct photographic store, plus Vergelegen restaurant vouchers, wine, and experiences. There were several categories, judged by both Vergelegen and Orms Direct staff.
- Camera class (taken on any camera, with or without lenses);
- Smartphone class (taken on a cellphone or mobile device);
- Junior class (16 years and under, image taken on any device); and
- People’s choice, voted for by guests at the finalists’ function.
Camera class
Winner Michelle Becker, who lives in Muizenberg, visits Vergelegen frequently as her parents live in Somerset West.
“I first entered the contest two years ago, and was struck by finalists’ photographs that included people,” said Michelle. “I wanted to capture someone interacting with Vergelegen, so portrayed my sister Heidi du Toit admiring the estate’s flowers when she was in South Africa, from Rwanda.”
“Everyone loved and resonated with that photograph,” added Vergelegen MD Wayne Coetzer.
Second prize went to Shanté Hutton, and third place to Jean-Luc Lamarque.
Smartphone class
Stu Summerfield, a Somerset West resident and frequent Vergelegen visitor, captured a winning photograph of the Lourens River, which flows through the estate.
Second place went to Roger Molyneux, and third place to Shannon Lynn.
Junior class
Thirteen-year-old Zachari Davies, a grade seven learner at Applewood Preparatory School in Grabouw, lives near Vergelegen and visits the estate frequently with his family. His winning photograph of the farm’s entrance gates, with a striking sunset illuminating clouds and mountains in the background, was taken the evening before his birthday.
Second place went to Rachel Dillon, and third prize jointly to Isaiah Adriaans and Calista Mitchell.
People’s choice
Freelance photographer Christiaan Cloete lives in Stellenbosch, but is a regular visitor to Vergelegen. “I always admire reflections – if you get very close to the water, you can see the detail,” he said of his black and white photograph capturing water lilies in a pond.
MD Wayner Coetzer thanked everyone who entered the contest. “It’s just unbelievable to see some of the photos – we realise afresh what a gem we have here, to be enjoyed by locals and visitors from further afield.”
Marketing manager Caroline van Schalkwyk thanked Orms Direct for their generous sponsorship, and for overseeing the judging process. “Orms will soon be opening a branch in Waterstone Village shopping centre, and we encourage you to support them.”
The photographs will be displayed in the library on a rotational basis until the end of April 2025.
Pictured below: Michelle Becker, Stu Summerfield and Zachari Davies
