Khumalo
began his working career as a journalist in 1951, freelancing
for Bantu World, where he took photographs to illustrate his
stories. In 1956, Khumalo found a permanent position at the Golden
City Post.
As a young man, Khumalo was intrigued by the impact of pictures,
and their ability to “freeze moments in time”.
Khumalo had experienced this ability as a child, and this childhood
obsession encouraged him to pursue a career in photography.
In the course of an illustrious career as a documentary photographer
for over fifty years, Khumalo has documented the life and times
of a changing South Africa. He has photographed both quotidian
and historic events, and therefore solidified much of South
Africa’s collective photographic history, which will
benefit future generations.
During his time as a documentary photographer, Khumalo often
documented events inter alia. Such events included the Treason
Trial, the Rivonia Trial, trade union activity in the 1970s,
and the rise of the Black Consciousness Movement.
Khumalo also photographed several other historically prominent
events. These include the Student Uprising of 1976, the 1980s
State of Emergency, the un-banning of the liberation movements,
the Codesa talks, the first democratic elections and the inauguration
of South Africa’s first democratic government. Khumalo’s
was therefore privileged to witness and record these extraordinary
events, despite the fact that this often lead to detention,
arrests and harassment.
Khumalo’s work has been published in both local and
international newspapers, for example The Observer (UK), New
York Times, New York Post, The Sunday Independent (UK). In
September 2004, Khumalo’s work was honoured by a solo
exhibition of his life’s work at the 59th Session of
the United Nations General Assembly in New York, which was
well received by critics.
Khumalo, despite being older, still works professionally.
To ensure that future South African photographers have the
adequate means to improve their skills, Khumalo has opened
a photographic school in Diepkloof, Soweto.
This school provides all aspiring photographers with the necessary
training, and ensures that are not hindered by a lack of opportunity.
A nine-month course has therefore been designed to educate
photographers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, and
is supported by companies like Daimler Chrysler and IBM.
South Africa is indebted to Khumalo, as his body of work is
testament to his perseverance as a photographer during the
struggle, and his dedication. His photography is therefore
representative of the resistance that gained South Africa its
freedom, and is displayed in the Alfred Khumalo Museum in Soweto.
To honour his contribution to documentary photography and
journalism in South Africa, the South African Government bestowed
Alf Khumalo with the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, at the National
Orders awards on 19 October 2004.
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