MATTHEW Willman, the commissioned photographer for the Nelson Mandela Foundation/Centre of Memory, talks about his experience working with and photographing South Africa’s icon, Nelson Mandela.
“The biggest privilege that any photographer could ever ask for was to photograph Madiba, and it took me nine years to achieve that privilege. It was a hugely exciting journey to interact and getting to know this great man over the past 11 years,” said Willman.
Willman, who lives in Hillcrest, documented Mandela’s legacy photographically which included all the places in South Africa that has historical value to his life – Robben Island, Qunu, Nveso, The Inanda Heritage and the State Archives in Pretoria. His commissioned portrait work was to record Mandela’s legacy as a testimony for future generations both formal and informal.
Willman said Mandela’s death was an absolute shock for him. A colleague phoned him just after midnight with news of Mandela’s death.
“My first reaction was to turn on as many television networks as I could, and try to digest what really happened. After an hour, started to work responding with queries from media, charities, foundations, friends and colleagues wanting to verify things, looking for photos and more. The news of Mandela’s death only sunk in when I saw our President deliver the breaking news on television,” said Willman.
Willman added that he is comforted with keeping busy. Archbishop Desmond Tutu invited Willman to a church service at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town today, where Willman was able to grieve and chat to the Archbishop about their experiences with Mandela.
“We’re all orphans now. We were always protected by Nelson Mandela. He represented eldership, humanity and forgiveness. He had the ability to transcend divide,” said Willman.
He said people often asked him what Madiba was really like and he would always answer – “The man you see in public is the same man you see in private. He was transparent and true”.
“My message that I would share with people is, ‘Friends, we are South Africans. We need to speak out about what makes us special. Allow Mandela’s legacy to inspire you to go out everyday and be proud of who you are as a South African,” added Willman.
He said if he had one last chance to speak to Mandela now he would say, “Madiba, your journey has finished now, I want you to watch us from above. We are going to do your proud. We are going to overcome our challenges,” said Willman.
