#ICYMI: The Sowetan pays tribute to Sam Nzima

Journalists gathered at the Sowetan offices in Parktown to attend the memorial of the late Sam Nzima on 17 May.

The Sowetan, originally The World, was where Nzima’s famous picture of Hector Pieterson during the Soweto student uprising was first published. A group of former colleagues attended the memorial to pay tribute to Nzima, who passed away at the age of 83 in Nelspruit on 12 May.

The founding editor of the Sowetan and friend, Joseph Joe Latakgomo said that Nzima and his work have become the reason so many young people decide to become journalists and that his dedication to his craft was an incredible thing to experience.

Latakgomo said that the Nzima’s photography was fuelled by his deep love of his country and his people. He added, “I hope that young journalists and photojournalists will follow in Sam’s footsteps.”

Colleague Tom Khoza, who assisted Nzima during the uprising of 1976, was also in attendance and shared his story of driving the car while Nzima took the celebrated image of Hector Pieterson.

While his family was not present at the memorial, Nzima’s son Thulani Nzima, shared a few words with the audience over a speakerphone during a call from Mpumalanga. He thanked all of his father’s friends and colleagues and announced his family’s decision to postpone the scheduled funeral they had set up for 19 May. He said that the family postponed it by a week and had accepted an offer of an official funeral from the local government in Mpumalanga.

The official funeral will take place on 26 May.

He also announced the construction of a memorial village in Mpumalanga. The village will include a two-ton statue of Nzima’s famous photo.

He said that he had fond memories of joining his father on many stories, including tagging along to the Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs games his father covered.

Fellow veteran journalist Suzette Mafuna, who is based in Canada, sent a letter to be read out at the memorial. She said that the famous picture of the 13-year-old boy killed by the apartheid police will remain in her and all of South African’s hearts forever.

Details: www.sowetanlive.co.za

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