The African Palliative Care Association (APCA), in partnership with the True Colours Trust (TCT), is pleased to announce the winners of the 3rd Annual Photography Competition.
This year, we received 80 photographs from 22 organisations. The entries featured various experiences of good palliative care, ranging from health education, emotional support, communication, home visits, family engagement and involvement to pain relief.
The photographs showcase the multi-dimensional nature of good palliative care, which is centred around person-centredness, supporting families, good pain and symptom control, easing suffering and enhancing human dignity.
The top five photographs are presented below.
Meet the five winners
First Place: Yeukai Kaponda – Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Zimbabwe (HOSPAZ)
Prize: 500 GBP
In this shared moment of laughter, a mother and her son remind us that palliative care is also about joy. Captured during a fortified food distribution programme, the family received nutritional support designed to improve the child's health, strengthen immunity and complement HIV treatment. For families facing serious illness, these interventions ease both physical and emotional burdens. The smile on the child's face reflects renewed hope, while the mother's expression speaks of relief and encouragement. Together, they show that quality palliative care nurtures not only the body but also the bonds that help families face each day with strength.
Second Place: Rosemary Chanetsa – Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Zimbabwe (HOSPAZ)
Prize: 300 GBP
Captured on 27 March 2026 in Raffingora, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe, this photograph shows a mother and her children revisiting notes after participating in a childhood cancer awareness session. The session provided practical information to help families better understand childhood cancer, seek timely support, and care for affected children with confidence. By combining health education with psychosocial support, palliative care empowers families to make informed decisions while reducing fear and uncertainty. Their smiles reflect more than happiness; they represent the reassurance that knowledge inspires hope, strengthens family resilience and enables compassionate care throughout the caregiving journey.
Third Place: Cosmas Wayiyatsa – Ndimoyo Palliative Care Trust, Malawi
Prize: 250 GBP
Healing begins where people feel most at home. During a home-based palliative care visit, our healthcare provider offers more than medical treatment, bringing comfort, compassion and hope to a patient facing a life-limiting illness. Through gentle conversation, careful symptom management and a reassuring presence, care is delivered with dignity and respect. In resource-limited communities like Malawi, these home visits bridge critical gaps in healthcare, reminding patients and families that they are not alone. The image reflects the true essence of palliative care: walking alongside people with compassion, every step of the journey.
Fourth Place: Isaline Goubau – Beninese Association for Palliative Care, Benin
Prize: 200 GBP
This photo was taken on 1 July 2026 during a home visit in a village in the municipality of Djakotomey, Benin.
As part of a survey conducted by the Beninese Association for Palliative Care (ABSP) and AfriMeDD (African Medical Detection Dogs), we visited women and men living with cancer and their families.
Sidonie, a palliative care nurse from Aplahoué District Hospital, used the opportunity of our visit to prescribe morphine to her patient, Ena, and explain how to take it.
The joy and relief with which patients welcome the nurse are a testament to the importance of her home visits to them.
Fifth Place: Alex Nkulanga – Mobile Hospice Mbarara, Uganda
Prize: 150 GBP
During a home visit, a palliative care provider offers comfort, pain assessment and emotional support to a seriously ill patient while empowering family members with practical caregiving guidance. Home-based palliative care preserves dignity, relieves suffering, strengthens family resilience and enables patients to remain surrounded by the people and places they love.
Celebrating the people behind the photographs
Behind every photograph is a person who took the time to capture a moment and share a story. Through their photographs, the participants have helped show the different ways palliative care is provided and experienced across African communities.
Each winning photograph offers a glimpse into the lives of people living with serious illness and those who care for them. From a shared smile to a home visit, these moments show how compassion, knowledge and support can make a difference.
APCA and True Colours Trust congratulate Yeukai Kaponda, Rosemary Chanetsa, Cosmas Wayiyatsa, Isaline Goubau and Alex Nkulanga on their achievements.
We also thank everyone who took part in this year's competition and the organisations that shared these important stories.
