President Cyril Ramaphosa recently paid tribute to the late Dr Peter Magubane, a renowned veteran photographer and anti-apartheid activist who dedicated his life to capturing the plight of black South Africans.
Magubane, who passed away peacefully at the age of 91, chronicled decades of violence during the country’s apartheid era, including the historic Soweto student uprising of 1976. He also served as the official photographer of Nelson Mandela from 1990 until Mandela’s presidency in 1994.
President Ramaphosa expressed his deep condolences to Peter Magubane family, friends, and associates both within South Africa and around the world.
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He acknowledged Magubane’s significant contribution to documenting the struggle for freedom and capturing the diverse realities of life in the country. Magubane’s iconic visual records will forever be a testament to the resilience and determination of the South African people.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) also hailed Magubane as a giant in the field of photojournalism.
They recognized his unwavering courage in opposing the apartheid regime, which resulted in frequent harassment, beatings, buckshot wounds, and prolonged periods of interrogation and detention. Despite these challenges, Magubane’s spirit remained unbroken.
Magubane’s resistance went beyond his actions; it was also reflected in his innovative methods of capturing the truth. He ingeniously concealed his camera in a hollowed-out Bible, allowing him to discreetly take photographs by using a cable release from his pocket.
At other times, he concealed his camera beneath his jacket, inside a milk carton, or half a loaf of bread, pretending to eat while documenting crucial moments. These creative techniques enabled him to capture significant events while evading detection by the authorities.
Magubane’s remarkable resilience was demonstrated through his survival of a shooting incident during a student’s funeral in Natalspruit, Gauteng Province. Despite being shot seventeen times, he persevered and continued to document the struggle for justice and equality.
Additionally, he endured over 586 days in solitary confinement in 1969, further exemplifying his unwavering commitment to his craft and the cause he believed in. The details of Magubane’s funeral have yet to be announced, but his legacy as a trailblazing photographer and anti-apartheid activist will live on.
His images serve as a reminder of the immense sacrifices made by individuals like him during the fight against apartheid, and his work continues to inspire generations of photographers and activists.
Dr Peter Magubane’s impact on South Africa’s history cannot be overstated. His photographs not only captured the struggles and triumphs of the anti-apartheid movement but also showcased the resilience and strength of the South African people.
Through his lens, he provided a window into the reality of life under apartheid, ensuring that the stories of the oppressed were not forgotten.
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