The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Mbombela campus will come alive this weekend as Dr Sam Nzima’s 5th Memorial Lecture comes to the city.

The late Nzima was a photojournalist who took the iconic image of 12-year-old Hector Pieterson’s final moments after he was shot by the apartheid police in Soweto on June 16, 1976.

“The Hector Pieterson picture became a rallying point for the international community and liberation movements in their fight against the apartheid government,” said the Sam Nzima Foundation’s chairperson and Sam’s eldest son, Thulani Nzima.

The history of South Africa’s democracy cannot be told without reference to the historic June 16 Soweto riots, now marked annually as Youth Day. Similarly, you cannot talk about Hector Pieterson’s photo without mentioning the name of Dr Sam Nzima – the man behind this famous picture,” added Thulani.

Sam, also known as Bra Sam, passed away in his home village of Kwinyamahembe (Lillydale Trust) in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in May 2018.

Thulani said the Sam Nzima Foundation was set up while his father was still alive. Central to the foundation’s work is the protection, promotion and preservation of Sam’s legacy for posterity.

This year’s commemorative events are scheduled to begin with the Sam Nzima Charity Golf Day at the Mbombela Golf Club, followed by the TUT Sam Nzima netball and soccer semi-finals at the university’s sports grounds.

The series of events will take place on both Sunday and Monday, June 15 and 16. Monday’s events, hosted at TUT Mbombela, will be the pinnacle of the programme.

Among the VIPs expected to attend, are keynote speaker Professor Pitika Ntuli, the Nzima and Mazibuko Royal Houses from eSwatini and across South Africa.

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Ntuli is expected to reflect on the 49 years that have passed since June 16, 1976, and explore whether there is more to celebrate – or more to regret.

He will also reflect on Bra Sam’s life as a journalist and artist, and the significance of his contribution to South African history.

“The question is whether Dr Nzima is properly respected and honoured, commensurate with the magnitude of his contribution. This topic draws curiosity in the minds of South Africans who fought hard to deliver our democracy but now wonder whether the country is in a free fall,” said Thulani.

The foundation will host a special gala dinner for TUT academics, led by the vice chancellor and principal of TUT, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, at the Capital Hotel on Sunday evening.

The fifth Dr Sam Nzima Memorial Lecture on June 16 will also mark seven years since the passing of Dr Nzima. The foundation has commemorated this legend every year. For the foundation and the broader Nzima and Mazibuko clan, it is an opportunity to honour the bravery – and naivety – of the man who dared to brave police brutality to capture this iconic image in our history, thereby contributing to the democracy we enjoy today,” Thulani said.

“It is also an opportunity to remind the people of Mpumalanga, South Africa and the international community, that democracy came at a huge price. Lives were lost, and people like Sam Nzima – along with many other martyrs – should never be forgotten,” added Thulani.