APA-Pretoria (South Africa) South Africa’s Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has described late photographer and anti-apartheid activist Peter Magubane as a fearless journalist who used his camera as a mode of protest against the apartheid regime.
Magubane, who passed away on Monday aged 91, was recognised as one of South Africa’s most distinguished photojournalists and covered the most historic moments in the liberation struggle against apartheid. These included the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, the Rivonia Trial in 1964, and the Soweto uprising in 1976.
“Dr Peter Magubane was an excellent photojournalist and freedom fighter, who fearlessly documented apartheid’s injustices,” Kodwa said.
He added: “Dr Magubane used his camera as a mode of protest, never backing down against an oppressive regime.”
In the apartheid years, Magubane was arrested for his work and banned from covering events, at one time spending 586 days in solitary confinement.
The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture recently recognised Magubane in the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, which gives flowers to South Africa’s creative and cultural sector legends while they can still smell them.
He was also honoured with the National Order of Luthuli in Silver in 2017.
Kodwa said South Africa was a free and democratic country today partly because of the role played by “Magubane and many others who fought for our freedom.”
“As we celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s freedom this year, it is important to remember and celebrate the role Dr Magubane played in our freedom.
JN/APA