South Africa is mourning the death of a veteran photographer, Sam Nzima who died at Nelspruit, in Mpumalanga on Saturday. Nzima was affectionately known for taking the famous picture of dying Hector Peterson during Soweto Uprisings on June 12, 1976.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also expressed his deepest sadness. Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to Nzima’s family on behalf of government and the people of South Africa.
“Nzima was one of a kind and his camera captured the full brutality of apartheid oppression on the nation’s psyche and history from the Defiance Campaign through to forced removals and the Soweto student uprisings.
“We will especially remember his iconic photograph of a dying young Hector Peterson, which became a symbol of resistance against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in the black schools. We convey our heartfelt condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Nzima was the recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga.
The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said: “The death of veteran photographer, Sam Nzima has robbed South Africa of a true patriot. SANCO would like to express its condolences to the Nzima family, his colleagues in the media and South Africans that appreciated his remarkable work throughout decades of dedication to expose the brutality of the apartheid regime.
“His world acclaimed photo of the shooting of Hector Peterson put apartheid in South Africa firmly on the spotlight, as well as the agenda of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. It depicts his courage and the passion with which he used his skill to advance the course of the struggle for liberation and democracy.”
Mahlangu further said the history of resistance to oppression would be incomplete without Nzima’s incredible work. He added that Nzima was an institution and he showcased the evolution of the struggle for liberation at great risk to his personal safety,
“Nzima showcased a community activism and the ugly face of repression as part of the narrative to tell of the triumph of the human spirit and the march to Freedom and Democracy,” he said.
Source: http://www.semphete.co.za
The Guardian 