Artists

Herman Potgieter studied art at the Durban Teachers' Training College and the Durban Technikon. He gained early recognition for his photography, winning the Shell Press Pictures Award for Best Colour Photographer in both 1979 and 1980. His international acclaim continued with a third-place award in the 1984 Nikon International Competition and a second-place finish in 1986. Potgieter exhibited his work in both Johannesburg and Cape Town and published several books. His photography is represented in the permanent collection of the Bensusan Museum of Photography.

Herman Potgieter was an extraordinary aviation photographer, best known for his most significant work produced during his association with the South African Air Force. His legacy is one of striking visual documentation, capturing both the world of aviation and wildlife. In 1998, at the age of 53, Potgieter tragically lost his life in an aviation accident in Kenya. In honour of his contribution and enduring impact, a brass plaque was designed and installed at the Air Force Museum at Swartkop AFB to commemorate his legacy.