Retired photojournalist reflects back
“It was not easy during our time because of the apartheid regime and we were not allowed to take certain photos."
VANDERBIJLPARK. – It was night not to be forgotten when the Mikabell Multimedia hosted a successful Phototropic Exhibition and Talk with retired legendary photojournalist Leonard Khumalo, affectionately known as ‘Bra Len’ in media reflecting back to the 19th October 1977 clampdown of the black Newspapers, journalists and photojournalist.
This historical exhibition took place at Diniso Arts Complex in Bedworthpark this week where Bra Len shared his challenges, memories and experience as a photojournalist working for The World and Sowetan among other newspapers. Khumalo shared very interesting and sad stories about the challenges they experienced as photojournalist during those days.
Despite his age, his memory is still sharp and can still remember everything that happened during those years as a photojournalist.
Bra Len was and still is one of the most celebrated photojournalists to have come from Vaal and worked for historical newspapers like The World Newspaper.
“It was not easy during our time because of the apartheid regime and we were not allowed to take certain photos. Sometimes we would be arrested for nothing and be released without a trial. But I must say were very passionate about our job regardless of the challenges were experienced,” he told the audience.
It was young and old generation with MooiVaal Media veteran sports journalist Zacharia Nale sharing the stage with this legendary photojournalist also sharing his experience as a journalist. Nale said so much has been changed. Nale also shared his experience as a journalist and some of the challenges the current generation of journalists and photojournalist experience when they go to cover the stories.
“I’m very humbled to share the stage with Bra Len who is one of the photojournalists that I grew up admiring as an up-and-coming journalist. I was very fortunate to work with the past and current generation of journalists and photojournalist when I became a journalist in 1996. I learned so much from veteran journalists and photojournalist such as Peter Mabuye and Bra Len Khumalo. I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life and one day I will look back and tell my grandchildren that at one stage I shared the platform with this living legend. I feel people like Bra Len must be honoured while they are still alive for their contribution in this country,” said Nale.
