The Lens of Resistance: Jurgen Schadeberg and his Iconic Images that Fought against Apartheid in South Africa

Before his passing in 2020, renowned photographer Jurgen Schadeberg shared some of his most iconic images and the stories behind them with Al Jazeera. Schadeberg dedicated his life to documenting the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, a system of white supremacy, segregation, and inequality that created strict boundaries between races and increased discrimination against non-white individuals.

Despite the government’s efforts to erase all signs of multiracialism from the streets, Schadeberg’s lens documented the resilience and resistance of the people. He immortalized leading figures of the struggle against apartheid, such as Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba, and Nelson Mandela himself.

In 1948, apartheid was officially implemented in South Africa. This oppressive system led to increased restrictions and discrimination against non-white individuals. However, resilient communities in Johannesburg continued to resist apartheid laws. As a young photographer for Drum magazine in the 1950s, Schadeberg captured the vibrant and diverse communities of Johannesburg despite the government’s efforts to erase all signs of multiracialism from the streets.

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.