Jurgen Schadeberg, a dedicated photographer who spent his life documenting the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, passed away in 2020. Before his death, he shared some of his most iconic images and stories with Al Jazeera.
In the 1940s, apartheid was officially implemented in South Africa as a system of white supremacy, segregation, and inequality. The oppressive system created strict boundaries between races and increased discrimination against non-white individuals. However, resilient communities in Johannesburg refused to give up and continued to fight against the apartheid laws.
As a young photographer for Drum magazine in the 1950s, Jurgen Schadeberg captured the vibrant and diverse communities of Johannesburg through his lens. Despite the government’s efforts to erase all signs of multiracialism from the streets, Schadeberg documented the resilience and resistance of the people he encountered. He also immortalized leading figures of the struggle against apartheid such as Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba, and Nelson Mandela himself.
On April 27, 1994, South Africa held its first multiracial democratic election marking the end of apartheid and beginning of a new era with Nelson Mandela as its first Black president. Today, Jurgen Schadeberg’s legacy lives on through his powerful photographs that continue to tell the story of South Africa’s fight against oppression.
Throughout his life’s work, Schadeberg captured not only images but also stories that showcased resilience and resistance despite an oppressive system that sought to divide people based on their race. His work continues to be an inspiration for those who seek justice and equality for all people around the world.
Schadeberg’s photographs are not just historical records but also reminders of how far we have come as a society towards achieving true equality and justice for all people regardless of their race or ethnicity.
