Revered journo Nzima to be immortalised
Mpumalanga to build school in his honour
Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtsweni has announced that a school will be built in honour of deceased legendary photojournalist Sam Nzima.
The school will be constructed at Nzima’s home village of Lilydale in Bushbuckridge in the province.
Speaking during her office’s R281-million budget speech yesterday, Mtsweni said it was suitable that the school be built during Youth Month.
Nzima is the man who photographed the iconic picture of a dying Hector Pieterson in the hands of Mbuyisa Makhubu, with the young activist’s sister Antoinette Sithole running alongside, on June 16 1976 in Soweto.
“During the funeral of Mr Nzima [on May 26], I was requested by Deputy President [David Mabuza] to fulfil one of the promises made to Mr Nzima before his death. I’m glad to announce that the school will be built in Lilydale and be named after Mr Nzima,” said Mtsweni.
Nzima died on May 12 at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mbombela after a short illness. He was 83. Nzima was running a school of photography in Bushbuckridge at the time of his death.
During her speech, Mtsweni also promised to halt the killings of people living with albinism in the province.
“The only time that we are seen to be doing something on people living with albinism is when a horrible incident has happened. I have taken a decision that the status quo will no longer be tolerated.
“It simply cannot be business as usual for people with albinism, this issue is close to my heart and I would have failed in my position as premier if I did not champion it,” said Mtsweni.
“I have therefore decided to commission a study on extent of vulnerability of people living with albinism in the province with an aim to come up with a responsive programme.”
Mtsweni said her office will also come down hard on corruption, and that the public and whistleblowers should feel free to report fraud and corruption happening in government.
“Going forward, we will continue to strengthen proactive measures in the fight against fraud and corruption.”