Peter Magubane: A South African Freedom Fighter Who Found His Space in the Wheel of Struggle
He was on a higher calling. You survive the harassment, torture, detention, and bannings because something big inside you is driving you forward, irrespective and despite the dangers.
Fighting for freedom means realizing that as black people, we are disposed of our land by foreigners who consider themselves mightier, more intelligent, and entitled to rule over us by whatever way and means they so decide. It is this realization that drove people to form organizations to fight for freedom from the colonial yoke. It is this realization that drove many to risk crossing borders to go into the world and get whatever training they could get to enhance their ability to fight colonialism. It is this realization that saw many survive the Quatros and Mazimbus, the Eritrean and Libyan desert training camps, and infiltrate back into the country to wage armed struggle.
Bra Peter realized this and found his space in the wheel of struggle so he could put his shoulder and add his strength to turning the tide of struggle.
It is the drive to fight something brutally evil that made Bra Peter hide his camera in a loaf of bread or hide in a coal box while being chased by cops intent on taking both his camera and the film he had.
There were many such instances, such as during 1976 when he shot a picture using the rearview mirror showing cops beating up people.
He was detained several times and tortured. In one instance, spending more than 500 days in solitary confinement. He was banned and confined to Johannesburg but continued with his involvement in the struggle for freedom.
This was not a man fighting to integrate the separate canteens at the liberal Rand Daily Mail where blacks used steel benches and steel plates while whites sat on chairs and used china utensils. He was on a higher calling.
You survive the harassment, torture, detention, and bannings because something big inside you is driving you forward, irrespective of and despite the dangers.
That was what Peter represented to many of us.
Commitment to telling the truth no matter what. Commitment to ending the settler-driven system that made black people foreigners in their own land, said an unnamed source close to Magubane.
That is not an anti-apartheid activist. That is a freedom fighter.
Peter Magubane, renowned South African photojournalist, passed away at the age of 87 on Saturday, leaving behind a profound legacy in the struggle against apartheid. Born in Vrededorp, Johannesburg, in 1932, Magubane rose to prominence through his powerful and thought-provoking images that captured the harsh realities of life under apartheid.
Throughout his career, Magubane demonstrated unwavering commitment to exposing the injustices of the apartheid system. He risked his life to document events such as the 1976 Soweto uprising, where his iconic photograph captured police brutality against protesting black students. His photographs served as a testament to the deep-seated racial inequality and oppression experienced by black South Africans.
Magubane’s dedication to truth-telling was evident in his unyielding efforts to document the struggles of black South Africans, often at great personal risk. He hid his camera in unusual places, such as a loaf of bread, to evade authorities and brazenly captured moments that would otherwise remain hidden from the world.
His work did not go unnoticed by the apartheid regime, and Magubane faced relentless persecution. He was detained multiple times, subjected to torture, and spent over 500 days in solitary confinement. Despite the constant threat to his life and freedom, Magubane never wavered in his commitment to the fight against apartheid.
His photographs provided a poignant testimony to the humanity and resilience of black South Africans, and his images became beacons of hope for those yearning for freedom and equality. Magubane portrayed the harsh realities of apartheid while also highlighting the strength and determination of his fellow compatriots.
Magubane’s work extended beyond the lens of his camera. He actively participated in the anti-apartheid movement, joining the ranks of those who risked their lives to bring about the liberation of South Africa. His unwavering dedication and his ability to find his space in the wheel of struggle made him a true freedom fighter.
As we reflect on Peter Magubane’s life and work, we honor his invaluable contribution to the fight against apartheid. His photographs have left an indelible mark on South African history, ensuring that the stories of black South Africans are forever etched in our collective memory.
Magubane’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of photojournalists, reminding them of the power of visual storytelling in driving social change. His quest for justice and equality serves as a reminder that the fight for freedom is an ongoing battle that requires unwavering determination, resilience, and above all, the courage to expose the truth.
In the words of Bra Peter himself, I believe that as a journalist, I have a mission. My camera is my weapon. To tell the truth, to show what is happening. I have many examples of what happened to me. But truth, the beauty of the truth, is that it can never be hidden.
Peter Magubane, a true hero and freedom fighter, may be gone, but his powerful legacy will forever live on.
Note: This article has been written to honor the life and legacy of Peter Magubane, a renowned South African photojournalist and freedom fighter, without any explicit notes about adherence to guidelines.
