The late veteran and award-winning photographer Alf Kumalo(SABC)
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A friend and colleague of late photographer, Alf Kumalo, has described him as an extraordinary person and says the secret to his success was his humility which allowed him to get close to people and take "those iconic pictures."
Mogsien Williams says, "His great strength was to just be in the background and at the right moment able to take that extraordinary picture and that was his ability, almost invisible and then he would reappear and take the fantastic picture." He was speaking in an interview on SABC's Morning Live programme this morning.
Williams says above all he will remember his colleague for the humility he had.
The veteran and award-winning photographer died of suspected kidney failure at the age of 82. Kumalo had been in and out of hospital this year following a fall.
Speaking on the same programme, another colleague, Peter Magubane says, "Alf Kumalo used his camera as a gun to fight apartheid. The country has lost a wonderful man, a talented man."
Alf Khumalo used his camera as a gun to fight apartheid
His photographic career spanned over six decades. Kumalo was born at Vrededorp in Johannesburg and made his name as a photographer for Drum Magazine. Among the awards that he received were the National Order of Ikamanga, Nat Nakasa and Vodacom Lifetime Achievement award. Kumalo was closely associated with former president Nelson Mandela and ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Ten years ago, he opened a photographic museum and institute at his former house in Soweto to share his photographic skills with young South Africans.
The Nelson Mandela family has sent a message on Twitter saying: "We are saddened by the death of son, brother and uncle, Alf Kumalo. May his soul rest in peace."
