Legendary lensman Magubane captured the world in a flash
THE death of iconic lensman Peter Magubane has gripped the nation with a deep embrace of shock.
As we grieve, we thank Almighty God for the memorable years that He gave to the photo legend and beloved purveyor of justice and humility.
His death gives us cause to ponder how he touched our lives. Magubane’s commitment to social justice, reconciliation, human rights and the dignity of people will be remembered.
The world pays tribute to his immense contribution to peace and justice and his emphasis on the dignity and worth of every individual from conception to the grave. His courage in exposing the horrors of apartheid through his camera lens gave the world a 3D view of life under state-enforced racism. Magubane educated the outside world, giving people a bird’s eye view of the great racial divide. We are devastated to lose our national symbol of truth, love and hope.
Few individuals have had a greater impact on our political landscape than Peter Magubane. A formidable foe of racism, he was one of the most celebrated and inspiring leaders of the 20th and 21st centuries. He fearlessly condemned racism and totalitarianism as he fought for peace and justice with equal vigour. During his extraordinary lifetime, Magubane fought hard for a just world.
He was a rare breed, a passionate human rights defender who took on the mighty, the corrupt, the powerful and the defiant in his crusade for peace. His message to humanity was that our wounded world was yearning for peace.
Magubane was fair to both the victims and the architects who participated in crimes against humanity. He exposed the monstrosity of racism and oppression in graphic 3D.
The brilliant and sparkling light that illuminated our country amid the darkness and chaos has gone out.
History will remember Magubane as one of the most elevating and inspiring people of our age.
It is this quality of all-embracing warmth that stands out most prominently in his character. Our consolation in this hour of grief is that his life of truth and tolerance and his quest for justice and equality towards fellow human beings inspire our troubled and war-torn world to save itself by following his noble example.
Our continent can be proud of producing a son whose fight for freedom was relentless.
The light that illuminated our heartland and the suffering masses amid darkness has suddenly gone out.
We have lost a symbol of excellence, a freedom fighter who fearlessly confronted one of the most brutal political systems on Earth.
His thousands of photographic images of the pains of racism will be his legacy to South Africa.
With your lens, Magubane, you captured the world and in a flash, you changed the globe.