Capturing Resistance: The Life and Legacy of Jurgen Schadeberg, a Photographer Who Documented South Africa’s Struggle Against Apartheid

Jurgen Schadeberg, a renowned photographer who passed away in 2020, dedicated his life to documenting the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Through his powerful lens, he captured the resilience and resistance of the people of Johannesburg as they fought against the oppressive system of white supremacy, segregation, and inequality that was implemented in 1948.

Despite government efforts to erase all signs of multiracialism from the streets, Schadeberg’s photographs documented the vibrant and diverse communities that continued to resist apartheid laws. He immortalized leading figures of the struggle against apartheid, including Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba, and Nelson Mandela himself.

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