Every year we celebrate Gauteng's jacaranda spring with a photo competition, asking our readers to share their favourite photographs of the blooming jacarandas with us on Instagram. From hundreds of images, we then narrow down the year's most spectacular shots to a list of 10 finalists with the top three winners chosen by popular vote. Everyone who shows their appreciation in our vote for the best photo of the season will also be entered into a prize draw. This year we will once again include a professional photo category – enlisting professional photographers to judge the entries.
Key dates for #JacarandaInYourPocket 2023 photo competition
Thu, Oct 12 until Mon, Nov 6 – The photo competition is open for entries.
Thu, Nov 9 – Finalists announced and voting opens.
Tue, Nov 14 – Voting closes.
Thu, Nov 16 – Winners, runners-up and voters' prizes are announced in our newsletter first and then on Instagram. Sign up here for our newsletter.
This year we have partnered with Gautrain, the best way to travel between two jacaranda cities. #YourGautrainJourneyStartsHere
#JacarandaInYourPocket 2023 rules
— Entrants must be 18 years or older.— All entrants must be following @johannesburginyourpocket and @thegautrain on Instagram to be eligible.
— Photographs must be submitted with the following hashtags #jacarandainyourpocket and #yourgautrainjourneystartshere
— The photo(s) submitted must have been shot in 2023 in Gauteng (please state where it was taken in your caption or location tag).
— The photo competition takes place on Instagram. Only entries posted on Instagram will be considered.
— Entries generated by AI will not be eligible
Competition Ts&Cs
— Any photograph entered by you must have been shot by you. You cannot enter someone else’s images in this competition.— Each entrant warrants to Johannesburg In Your Pocket that their entry does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any person, organisation or publisher.
— By entering the #JacarandaInYourPocket photo competition, you give permission to Johannesburg In Your Pocket and Gautrain to use your photographs for promotional and marketing purposes that relate to this competition, without compensation.
— Photos entered into the competition may be shared on Johannesburg In Your Pocket and Gautrain social media accounts with your photo credit and used to promote our #JacarandaInYourPocket campaign.
— Prizes are non-transferable and are valid for three months from the date of issue, unless otherwise specified.
— Prizes are subject to availability.
— Communication regarding prizes will be shared by Johannesburg In Your Pocket with the prize partner, and it will then be the responsibility of the prize partner and winner to ensure the offer is taken up.
— The judges' decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
— Winning photos may be used by Johannesburg In Your Pocket to promote our future #JacarandaInYourPocket campaigns with your photo credit.
— Johannesburg in Your Pocket is not responsible for any loss, or damages, incurred to property or person on any event in which you choose to participate.
What can I win with #JacarandaInYourPocket?
We love sharing amazing prizes and this year we have some incredible local hotel experiences for our first-, second- and third-place photography winners. We chose these hotels because each one offers a spectacular view of Joburg's tree line. Everyone who votes for their favourite finalists is also entered into our prize draw where we have a host of cool prizes up for grabs.Winner
voco Hotel The Bank: One night's accommodation in a Premium Room for two people sharing, including breakfast. Valid Thur – Sun, until 31 Dec 2023. The value of this prize is R4,000.First runner-up
@Sandton Hotel: One night's accommodation plus breakfast for two people. The value of the prize is R2500.
Second runner-up
Hallmark House Hotel: One night stay valued at R1,620 for two people. Plus a date night voucher for a special set menu valued at R595 for two people (excl. drinks) and breakfast included for two people. Total prize value R2215. Only valid for a Thur night.Third runner-up
Fish Bird Villa: One night (including a delicious French breakfast) for two people in the Master Room of Fish Bird Villa, an Art Deco gem in Kensington, valued at R1,980.Professional winner
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff: Brunch for two people valued at R850 p.p. (excl. drinks), served on Sun only from 11:30 –15:00. The prize will not be able to be redeemed on public holidays or special occasions like Mother's Day or Christmas Day; subject to availability. A booking will have to be made in advance; no walk-ins.Professional special mention 1
54 on Bath: A R1,000 voucher for a Perrier-Jouët Champagne bar experience for two.Professional Special mention 2
La Parada: A R1000 voucher.Voter prizes
Everybody who votes for their favourite finalists also has an opportunity to win. Here's what's up for grabs:Kensington Trading: A R750 gift voucher.
Hallmark House Hotel: Date night voucher valued at R595 per couple (excl. drinks); only valid for a Thur night.
Play Braamfontein: A 'Bottomless Brunch and Braam Rooftop Tour' at Loco for two valued at R500.
Arbour Café: A R500 voucher.
Ginologist: A bottle of gin and a six-pack of coolers from Ginologist valued at R400.
Jacaranda photo walks, tours and experiences
Throughout the season there are a variety of guided walks, tours and other jacaranda-themed experiences happening around Joburg and Pretoria. Check out our guide to the season's jacaranda events here.Where to find Gauteng's jacarandas
There are jacarandas blooming across the province and many lie within easy reach of the Gautrain. This year we've teamed up with Visit Gauteng and Gautrain to help us spread the news.Using Gautrain, in Pretoria get off at Pretoria Station and take a walk through the historic city centre in full bloom, or ride one more stop to Hatfield and explore the scenic streets of Arcadia and Brooklyn. Other popular jacaranda destinations include the suburbs of Waterkloof, Groenkloof, Sunnyside, Riviera and Muckleneuk.
In Joburg, there's a huge concentration of blooming jacaranda streets on the doorstep of the Rosebank Gautrain Station, especially in and around Melrose, Dunkeld and Parkwood, just a five- min walk from the station. Other famous Joburg jacaranda suburbs include Kensington, Parkview, Greenside, Melville, Parktown, Saxonwold and Westcliff.
For more ideas on the best jacaranda streets and viewpoints, read our guide to Gauteng's jacaranda spring.
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