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Nzima described as a brave man

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Speaker after speaker has described legendary photographer Sam Nzima as a brave man who was dedicated to his craft.

Nzima’s former colleagues have shared some of the challenges they had to endure during apartheid.

He passed away after a short illness last Saturday at a hospital in Nelspruit at the age of 83.

Nzima was a recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga. He will be buried in his home province of Mpumalanga on May 27.

Nzima is famous for taking the iconic 1976 photograph of a dying Hector Pieterson durimg the Soweto uprising.

Nzima’s son Thulani Nzima has thanked everyone for their support during this difficult time.  Reggie Sibiya also read out a tribute from Sanef. Political Analyst Professor Somadoda Fikeni has also paid tribute to a man he describes as a legend in the African continent.

Fikeni says Nzima, who he described as a simple village boy, has always wanted to give back to his community.

“Often photo-journalists are over looked and people only focus on reporters / journalists but photographers are part of every story,” adds Fikeni.

He also took the opportunity to encourage people to cherish the freedom the country is enjoying today.

“The freedom we are enjoying today came at a very high price and let us protect it … it will take a very long time to forget Bra Sam’s work,” adds Fikeni.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in Mpumalanga on the day of the funeral.

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