Photographer icon Schadeberg dies at 89
RENOWNED South African photographer Jurgen Schadeberg, who through his lens captured some of South Africa’s most iconic photographs, has died. He was 89.
Born in Germany in 1931, Schadeberg moved to South Africa aged 19 in 1950 and started working at Drum magazine.
Working there, he captured some of South Africa’s pivotal events as opposition to apartheid laws grew, culminating in the Congress of the People gathering in Kliptown on June 25-26, 1955.
Schadeberg also captured a photo of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, staring out from the window of his old jail cell. That photograph was globally recognised as iconic.
Several years ago Schadeberg moved back to his native Germany and then to Spain, where he died on Saturday.
Fellow photographer Rashid Lombard said Schadeberg was one of the foremost Drum photographers.
“Through him you had the Ernest Coles and Alf Khumalos. It’s through him that their careers took off. His contribution to South African photography has been immense,” said Lombard.
Schadeberg also captured the Rivonia Trial at which ANC leaders like Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu were sentenced to life for their part in the fight against apartheid.
“He was responsible for a huge portfolio which young South Africans can look up to and research. I cherish my friendship with him and the knowledge we shared,” said Lombard.
Fanie Jason, a former Drum freelance photographer, said Schadeberg contributed immensely to the development of photojournalism and documenting of the Struggle in South Africa. “He helped Ernest Cole develop as a photographer, along with Peter Magubane. He was the foundation of photojournalism; he was in South Africa because he was willing to share his skills,” said Jason. |