Peter Magubane, a celebrated photojournalist who documented the brutality and resistance of apartheid, passed away on Monday.
Magubane was one of the few Black photographers who covered the repressive era, risking his life to expose the injustices and atrocities committed by the white minority regime.
He captured some of the most iconic images of the struggle, such as the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, the 1964 Rivonia trial, the 1976 Soweto uprising, and the 1990 release of Nelson Mandela.
A Life of Courage and Sacrifice
Magubane was born in 1932 in Vrededorp, a multiracial suburb of Johannesburg that was later demolished under apartheid. He grew up in Sophiatown, a vibrant hub of Black culture and politics that was also razed by the authorities.
He started his career as a driver for Drum magazine, a influential publication that gave voice to Black perspectives and experiences. Magubane soon became a photographer, mentored by the legendary Bob Gosani and Jürgen Schadeberg.
He developed a distinctive style of photography, using dramatic angles, close-ups, and contrasts to convey the emotions and tensions of the times. He also used his camera as a weapon of resistance, challenging the censorship and propaganda of the apartheid regime.
Based on a report by Reuters, he paid a heavy price for his activism. He was harassed, assaulted, arrested, and banned from working as a journalist. He spent 586 days in solitary confinement, where he was tortured and starved. Magubane was shot in the chest by a police officer during the Soweto uprising, and his camera was smashed.
But he never gave up his passion and mission. He continued to take photos and smuggle them out of the country. He also became Nelson Mandela’s official photographer after his release from prison.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Hope
Magubane received numerous awards and honors for his work, both locally and internationally. He was hailed as a hero and a legend by his peers and admirers. He published several books of his photos, and his work was exhibited in many galleries and museums.
Magubane also mentored and inspired a new generation of photographers, who followed his footsteps in documenting the social and political realities of South Africa. He encouraged them to be truthful, courageous, and compassionate in their work.
Magubane died peacefully at his home in Johannesburg, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, four children, and several grandchildren. He will be remembered as a visionary, a patriot, and a humanitarian.
His granddaughter, Ulungile Magubane, said he was “someone who made very big sacrifices for the freedom that we enjoy today.”
She added: “Luckily he was alive to see the country change for the better.”
