Murray Anderson-Ogle - What I love about the Lowveld

While we're in the same place for the next few months we've invited guests to contribute to There & Here by telling us what they love about their favourite place in the world. Our guest this week is Murray from White River, South Africa.

Bus buddy, Buyisiwe Shongwe, is an old friend and Miss South Africa runner up in 2009. We spent most of high school chatting on the bus.

What I love about the Lowveld is the people that choose to live in this beguiling corner of South Africa.

I am a photographer for Lowveld Living, a glossy, lifestyle magazine that focuses on the people in the area and the lives that they lead. Far from being a platteland (countryside) wasteland, which is only known for its wildlife, the Lowveld is home to some wonderful people. Some of these people are well known and others not, but simply they are lowvelders and they all have a story to tell. All my work is location based and I tend to look for interesting textures, light patterns, colours and contrast in my pictures.

Taibo Bacar is a fashion designer in Maputo. (Shot at his apartment in Maputo, Mocambique)

Tony Park is an adventure novelist, who sets his novels in Africa, mostly in the Lowveld. Funnily enough, Tony is actually Australian.

I love this picture of artist, Judith Mason, so much unexpected joy and happiness in one picture.

Dong Sparg owns a music supply shop and in his spare time is trying to build a de Haviland Tiger Moth.

I love colour in my work, I found this wall while walking to my car in Newtown, Johannesburg. Given Nkuna is an artist now based in Jo’burg, but comes from Komatipoort. (Shot in Newtown, Jo’burg)

Harold Voigt has been writing on this window for years, I was photographing his house at the time and I begged him to pose for this picture.

Ntando Lekhuleni is a musician and entrepreneur in Kabokweni near White River. He just has the greatest smile.

Actor and playwright Mncedisi Shabangu on a rooftop balcony in Newtown, Jo’burg.

This photograph of award winning investigative reporter Mzilikazi wa Afrika was for a music profile. Shot at a Sasol Petrol Station, with a monstrous hangover.

Rex is a buddy of mine, who has been working as a Londolozi Game Reserve ranger.

Murray Anderson-Ogle is a journalist, photographer and marathoner currently living in White River working as photo editor for Lowveld Living.