Jurgen Schadeberg: A Dedicated Photographer Who Documented South Africa’s Struggle Against Apartheid

Jurgen Schadeberg, a dedicated photographer who spent his life documenting South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, passed away in 2020. Before his passing, he shared with Al Jazeera some of his most iconic images and the stories behind them.

In 1948, apartheid was officially implemented in South Africa, an oppressive system that created strict boundaries between races. This led to increased restrictions and discrimination against non-white individuals. Despite this, resilient communities in Johannesburg continued to resist the apartheid laws.

As a young photographer for Drum magazine, Schadeberg captured the vibrant and diverse communities of Johannesburg in the 1950s. His lens documented the resilience and resistance of the people despite government efforts to erase all signs of multiracialism from the streets. He immortalized leading figures of the struggle against apartheid such as Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba and Nelson Mandela himself.

The first multiracial democratic election in South Africa was held on April 27, 1994, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era with Nelson Mandela as the country’s first Black president. The legacy of Jurgen Schadeberg lives on through his powerful photographs that continue to tell the story of South Africa’s fight against oppression.