Jürgen Schadeberg
Overview
Born in Germany (1931-2020), Schadeberg left Berlin at 19 for South Africa, where he became the chief photographer, Picture Editor, and Art Director at Drum Magazine. He became known as the Father of South African Photography for capturing the beginnings of the freedom movement, the effects of apartheid and the vibrancy of township life. Schadeberg photographed many historic and pivotal events in the 1950s, among them the Defiance Campaign of 1952, the 1956 Treason Trial, the Sophiatown removals of 1955, the Sophiatown jazz and social scene, the Sharpeville funeral of 1960 and pictures of Robben Island inmates.
Many of his iconic images are of key political figures (such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Trevor Huddleston and Govan Mbeki), as well as 1950’s jazz legends (Dolly Rathebe, Kippie Moeketsi, Thandi Klaasen and Miriam Makeba).
Featured Exhibitions
Nelson Mandela in his cell on Robben Island (Revisit), 1994
Gelatin silver print
Johannesburg, 1955
Gelatin silver print
We Won’t Move, Sophiatown, South Africa, 1955
Gelatin silver print
Mandela and Ruth First, 1951
Gelatin silver print
Mandela Defiance Campaign, 1952
Gelatin silver print
Mandela Portrait, 1994
Gelatin silver print
Mandela Waving Prison Bars, 1994
Gelatin silver print
Mandela Lime Quarry, 1994
Gelatin silver print
Mandela Smiling Portrait, 1993
Gelatin silver print
Mandela in Cell, 1994
Gelatin silver print
Mandela Law Office 1952
Gelatin silver print
After a meeting at the Garment Workers’ Hall in Anderson Street, Johannesburg, a Band of Volunteers, Including Nelson Mandela and Jusuf Cechalia, defy the Night Curfew Act and are arrested. They are each sentenced to between four and six weeks prison with the option of a fine which they refuse. They all serve their full sentence. 26th June, 1952
Gelatin silver print
Viola Hasbe, Union Leader, inspires the crowd into action, 6th April 1952
Gelatin silver print
The crowd in Red Square makes its demands clear, 6th April 1952
Gelatin silver print
The residents of Sophiatown are moved to the distant and arid newly created township of Meadowlands, 1959
Gelatin silver print
The matchbox houses and latrines of the new Meadowlands Township, 1959
Gelatin silver print
The accused taken to prison, Treason Trial, 1958
Gelatin silver print
Sophiatown residents gather their meagre belongings before the move, 1955
Gelatin silver print
Sophiatown removed, 1959
Gelatin silver print
An emotionally and physically exhausted Sophiatown resident, 1955
Gelatin silver print
Sophiatown rubble after the houses have been demolished, 1959
Gelatin silver print
A church left standing during the removals, 1958
Gelatin silver print
The end of of Sophiatown, 1959
Gelatin silver print
The Sophiatown residents gathering their belongings for the move, 1958
Gelatin silver print
The end of Sophiatown, 1959
Gelatin silver print
The police forcibly remove the residents of Sophiatown, 1955
Gelatin silver print
Sophiatown Removals, 1955
Gelatin silver print