Johannesburg - Snapping selfies is now one of South Africa’s numerous achievements in the Guinness World Book of Records.
Samsung Electronics South Africa says it has officially set a Guinness World Record for the most selfies - or self-portrait photographs - taken in 24 hours: a total of 12 598 photos.
Samsung’s attempt at the record took place in Johannesburg’s Sandton City and Cape Town’s Canal Walk in partnership with radio stations 947 FM and KFM last month.
The selfies were taken with supplied Samsung phones. Participants were also only allowed one snap each while they received a certificate to prove their participation.
“We are delighted to receive confirmation that we were successful in our attempt. We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took a selfie and helped us to break the record, especially here on SA soil,” said Justin Hume, Director of Product Marketing, Integrated Mobility at Samsung Electronics SA.
Other selfies records recognised by Guinness include that of Patrick Peterson in the US.
He holds the record for having snapped 1 449 photos of himself in an hour.
Selfies have become popular in the advent of smartphones and tablets.
In 2013, 'selfie' was been named as word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries.
In late 2014, selfie sticks, which help smartphone users take self-portraits, experienced rocketing demand during the holiday shopping season.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s selfie record joins the country’s numerous other entries in the Guinness hall of fame.
Searching for South Africa on the official Guinness World Record website throws up 3 191 results.
Among the Guinness World Record feats that have been set in South Africa are the largest pizza, baked in Norwood, Johannesburg in 1990, and the greatest distance covered on a motorcycle in 24 hours.