LILLYDALE – On Saturday the celebration of a photojournalism icon’s birthday, immortalising his work in stone and the launch of a photojournalism foundation and photo gallery took place.
After June 16th 1976, renowned photojournalist Samuel “Sam” Nzima fled from state security and put down his camera for good. He returned to Lillydale, the rural town near Bushbuck Ridge where he was born. This Saturday this rural town celebrated his 80th birthday, which was actually in August, coupled with the launch of the Sam Nzima foundation and photo gallery to be built in the rural town.
Sam’s notorious photograph of a fatally-wounded Hector Pieterson being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo while sister, Antoinette Sithole, cries hysterically, sent ripples through the world and helped to shake the very foundations of apartheid. The image opened the world’s eyes to the severe oppression of non-white people in South Africa, regardless of their age, and featured in newspapers and magazines globally.
A life-size statue of the photo was built in 2004 and revealed at Sam’s house in Lillydale on Saturday. The solid rock monument weighs an astounding 2,3 tons and stands at 2,2m tall.
After Sam landed at the party with a helicopter the revelry started. Traditional dancers re-enacted the story of June 16th, former freedom fighters and family praised Sam, and artist wrote and performed songs about his life. About 200 people attended the revelry, including Mbuyisa Makhubo ‘s family members.
“I can’t believe how many people are here today,” said a humbled Sam. “I feel so blessed. I never expected the photo to do that well. I just went there as part of my job. See, as a journalist you just cover a story, you don’t know if it will put you on the international map.”
Sam wants people from rural areas, who don’t have access to journalism schools, to be able to become photographers and photojournalists.
“I want to teach them the history and power of photojournalism and how to use it to their advantage.”
The foundation will provide students with photography courses, telephoto, wide-angle and standard lenses, as well as digital cameras. “We live in the digital age now. There’s no more film. I use to carry three cameras at the same time, all with different lenses. In journalism you can’t waste time changing lenses. So I want to provide them with enough equipment for them to get the best picture.”
The photography program will encompass more than photojournalism. Students will walk out of the program as news, social and studio photographers. “It will be a one-stop photography shop and photo gallery, displaying old black and white pictures of June 16th and many other similar events.”
When asked how he celebrates Youth Day every year, he smiles wryly and says: “June 16th is not a day for celebrations. One ‘celebrates’ birthdays and victories. This was not a happy day. We commemorate Youth Day. And I do so by addressing young people, educating them about that fateful day and teaching them to not be oppressed; that they should never let others take away their freedom.”
Sam still adores photography. These days, however, it’s just a hobby. “The Star and The Sowetan have asked me to freelance for them, but I
want to stay in Lillydale and give new journalists the opportunity to do something important.”
