Fancy a two-day masterclass from one of South Africa's leading photographers and an all-expenses paid photo assignment? Enter your best photos for the chance to win

Thousands of words will be written about South Africa over the coming weeks as the country plays host to the 2010 FIFA World Cup TM – but can your photography paint a picture of a country of such contrasts?
 
South African Tourism is searching for someone who can capture the country’s soul on a ten-day, all expenses paid trip, which will include a two-day master-class with legendary South African Photographer Alf Khumalo and a photography assignment.
 
The judges are looking for photos in three categories: landscape, people and adventure.  The pictures do not have to be of South Africa, but they do have to be original, inspiring and taken with passion.  The images taken on the trip will form a week long exhibition at the National Geographic Store in London’s Regent Street
 
Judges
The competition judges are world renowned.  Alf Khumalo has been taking photos for five decades and his subjects have included Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African freedom fighters Steve Biko and Walker Sisulu as well as ordinary South Africans living during the apartheid years.
 
Alf Khumalo says:  “South Africa is one of the most photogenic countries. We have outstanding light conditions, amazing landscapes, wonderful mountains… the Kruger national park, the sea and, of course, there is township and rural life around the country. It’s a great place to photograph.”
 
He is joined on the judging panel by Steve Bloom.  Born and raised in South Africa, Steve specializes in images of the living world, capturing stunning portraits of people and wildlife.  Steve has lived in the UK since 1977, but spent 14 years taking images for Living Africa, his tribute to the continent of his birth.
 
South African Tourism’s UK Country Manager, Lebo Mokhesi explained the inspiration behind the competition: “Perhaps I am a little biased, but we have a stunningly beautiful country!  What better way to celebrate that fact than by encouraging people to explore it through photographs.  After all, our favourite memories are made up of images. South Africa is a destination that will undoubtedly enrich that memory bank – whether it’s your first sight of a wild lion, the moment you bungeed off of that bridge, or the smile on that child’s face when you said hello. The images you see in South Africa will stay with you for a very long time.”
 
Competition details
The photos submitted need to capture one of three themes – action, landscape or people. Only one photo can be entered for each theme. The three category winners will each receive a book of Alf Khumalo’s photography. One of the three will be chosen as the overall winner.

The three category winners need to attend a meeting in London on 15 July, at which they will be asked to discuss their work.  The photos do not have to be of South Africa – or be newly taken, but must be your own work.  The competition closes at 23:59 on 3 July 2010.

For further details and inspiration, and to enter the competition, go to: www.guardian.co.uk/photographers-wanted
Want to get out there and start filling up your ‘image bank’? 

Visit www.southafrica.net or call South African Tourism on 0870 1550044 for travel inspiration.