Case Study 6
Axe 3
Objet d'étude 3
Finger on the trigger
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Pay tribute to Peter Magubane's career.
Magubane was more than a journalist, he was an onlooker of South Africa's history. From the dark years of apartheid to the birth of the Rainbow Nation, he used his camera to give voice to his country. Write an article about Magubane's life and work to pay tribute to him on the next Freedom Day.l knew I could use my camera to tell the world how apartheid operated. I was demonstrating with the camera.― Peter Magubane
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1Farewell Magubane
Vidéo associée
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Farewell Magubane
Peter Sexford Magubane, a courageous South African photographer whose images testify to both the iniquity of apartheid and the determination and devotion of those who brought about its demise, passed away at 91 years of age in early January 2024.
Magubane leaves behind a vast archive of extraordinary images, many of which continue to be the signature images of some of the worst atrocities committed by the apartheid regime. […]
Magubane grew up in Sophiatown, a mixed-race area around 5 km from the center of the city of Johannesburg. He not only witnessed, but also took part in, many of the most significant events in modern South African history. […]
Between 1956 and 1961, Magubane took photographs of the Treason Trial, which saw 156 national leaders tried for high treason after the adoption of the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People in Kliptown in 1956. Among the accused were leading members of the African National Congress and of the Congress Alliance, including Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Helen Joseph, Ruth First and Bertha Mashaba.
During this period Magubane was arrested four times and frequently harassed and assaulted by the police.
He was one of the photographers who documented the immediate aftermath of the Sharpeville Massacre on 1 March 1960. On that day more than 7,000 people gathered outside a police station at Sharpeville, a place not far from the city of Johannesburg, to protest against being forced to carry passbooks. Arriving without their passes, their intention was to give themselves up for arrest.
Police officers opened fire and shot 13,000 bullets into the crowd. Official records stated that 69 people were killed, and over 300 wounded, although recent reports suggest the casualties were much higher.
Magubane leaves behind a vast archive of extraordinary images, many of which continue to be the signature images of some of the worst atrocities committed by the apartheid regime. […]
Magubane grew up in Sophiatown, a mixed-race area around 5 km from the center of the city of Johannesburg. He not only witnessed, but also took part in, many of the most significant events in modern South African history. […]
Between 1956 and 1961, Magubane took photographs of the Treason Trial, which saw 156 national leaders tried for high treason after the adoption of the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People in Kliptown in 1956. Among the accused were leading members of the African National Congress and of the Congress Alliance, including Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Helen Joseph, Ruth First and Bertha Mashaba.
During this period Magubane was arrested four times and frequently harassed and assaulted by the police.
He was one of the photographers who documented the immediate aftermath of the Sharpeville Massacre on 1 March 1960. On that day more than 7,000 people gathered outside a police station at Sharpeville, a place not far from the city of Johannesburg, to protest against being forced to carry passbooks. Arriving without their passes, their intention was to give themselves up for arrest.
Police officers opened fire and shot 13,000 bullets into the crowd. Official records stated that 69 people were killed, and over 300 wounded, although recent reports suggest the casualties were much higher.
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Step 1
Read the text.
1
Who was Peter Magubane?
2
Pick out the elements showing he was considered dangerous by the apartheid government.
3
Browse the web to find more information on the Sharpeville massacre and sum up what happened.
Watch the video.
4
How did Magubane define his role as a photographer?
5
Identify phrases showing he was courageous.
6
According to Adrian Steirn, has he helped improve the situation in his country?
Action!
Draw a timeline with the most important events of his life.
Cliquez pour accéder à un outil de dessin.
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2Witnessing history
Collection of photographies by Peter Magubane.
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Step 2
1
You are in charge of one picture. Who or what is shown? What do you notice about those people's expressions, actions, or surroundings?
2
Comment on the way Peter Magubane decided to frame the photo. What effect does the composition create on the viewer?
3
What part of South Africa's history does it illustrate? Use the clues from the picture, and browse the web if needed.
Action!
Present your picture to the class, then vote for the photo that left the strongest impression.
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The Peter Magubane Exhibition, which is currently in storage at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, comprises a collection of 104 photographs of Mandela captured by Magubane during his time as Mandela's official photographer.
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Ready...
- Select the most relevant elements of his biography that help tell his story. Focus on his role as a photojournalist during apartheid, his connection to Nelson Mandela, and his legacy today.
Steady...
- Find a striking headline and choose a powerful picture to illustrate your article.
- Organise your ideas in paragraphs, using linking words (such as however, as a result, therefore, in addition, finally) to connect your ideas smoothly.
Go!
- Write your article as a tribute. Be respectful, enthusiastic, and inspiring!
- Check your writing for clarity, flow, and any spelling or grammar mistakes before submitting.
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