Prof Ntuli Tribute Is Captivating. The 5th Annual Dr Sam Nzima Memorial Lecture held on 16 June 2025 at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Mbombela Campus served as a stirring celebration of the enduring legacy of Dr Sam Nzima, South Africa’s legendary photojournalist. This year’s event was made especially memorable by a captivating tribute delivered by Prof Pitika Ntuli, a renowned South African sculptor, poet, academic, and anti-apartheid activist.
Organised in collaboration with the Sam Nzima Foundation, the lecture gathered influential figures, including members of the Nzima and Mazibuko Royal Houses from both South Africa and eSwatini, students, scholars, and dignitaries. It provided a powerful platform to reflect on the legacy of Dr Nzima, whose iconic photograph from the 1976 Soweto Uprising remains one of the most potent symbols of resistance against apartheid.
Prof Pitika Ntuli’s Tribute: A Profound Reflection on History
The centrepiece of the event was the compelling keynote address by Prof Pitika Ntuli, who received an honorary Doctorate of Language Practice from TUT in 2024. In his address, Prof Ntuli reflected on 49 years since the Soweto Uprising, inviting attendees to ponder a poignant question: “Do we have more to celebrate or regret in our democratic journey?”
Prof Ntuli lauded Dr Sam Nzima’s photojournalism not merely as an act of capturing a moment but as an act of revolutionary expression. “Sam Nzima didn’t just take a photo,” said Ntuli, “he exposed a wound and challenged the world to speak out.”
A Life of Exile and Art
Having lived in exile for 32 years in Swaziland and the United Kingdom due to his anti-apartheid activities, Prof Ntuli’s reflections were deeply personal. He drew striking parallels between his life and that of Dr Nzima, emphasising how both men used art as a means of resistance.
“Like Nzima’s photo, my sculptures are born out of pain and protest. They are monuments of memory, shaped not of bronze, but of brokenness and resilience.”
One of Ntuli’s most powerful references was to his own sculpture an “anti-monument” commemorating the Silverton Three created from found objects. He likened it to Nzima’s work, which captured “the dust, the sweat, the teargas, the blood, and the tears” of the tragic events on 16 June 1976.
Dr Sam Nzima: A Lens That Shook the World
To understand the weight of this tribute, one must understand the man it honoured.
Dr Sam Nzima gained global recognition for his heart-wrenching photograph of Hector Pieterson, a 12-year-old boy fatally wounded during the Soweto Uprising. The image shows Mbuyisa Makhubu carrying Pieterson’s lifeless body, followed by Antoinette Sithole, Hector’s sister, her face frozen in despair.
This singular photograph became an international rallying cry for the anti-apartheid movement, making it impossible for the world to ignore the cruelty of the regime.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Event Captured | Soweto Uprising, 16 June 1976 |
| Subject of the Photo | Hector Pieterson (12-year-old) |
| Photographer | Dr Sam Nzima |
| Global Impact | Used by international media to condemn apartheid |
| Consequences for Nzima | Forced to flee photojournalism and retreat to Lilydale, Mpumalanga |
The Cost of Truth: Life After the Photograph
Though globally celebrated, the photograph came at a great personal cost for Dr Nzima. Following its publication, he was targeted by the apartheid regime and pressured into leaving journalism altogether. He retreated to Lilydale, Mpumalanga, where he lived a quiet life, never forgetting the weight of the image he had captured.
Mbuyisa Makhubu, the young man carrying Hector, was also forced into exile. His whereabouts remain unknown to this day, a haunting reminder of the enduring scars of the apartheid era.
Thulani Nzima, son of the late photojournalist and Chairperson of the Sam Nzima Foundation, addressed the audience, saying:
“The Hector Pieterson picture became a rallying point for the international community and liberation movements. It’s not just a photo—it’s history framed in heartbreak.”
Remembering Dr Sam Nzima: A National Hero
Dr Nzima passed away in 2018, but his legacy lives on through tributes like this lecture series, educational initiatives, and art. The 5th Annual Memorial Lecture, held on Youth Day, was part of a weekend packed with events dedicated to celebrating youth activism and historical remembrance.
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 15 June | Sam Nzima Charity Golf Day | Local Golf Club |
| 15 June | TUT’s Netball and Soccer Semi-Finals | TUT Mbombela Sports Ground |
| 16 June | Dr Sam Nzima Memorial Lecture with Prof Ntuli | TUT Mbombela Campus |
The Role of the Sam Nzima Foundation
The Sam Nzima Foundation plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the legacy of Dr Nzima. Under the leadership of Thulani Nzima, the Foundation focuses on:
- Promoting media freedom and ethical journalism
- Offering youth mentorship in photography and activism
- Supporting historical preservation and educational outreach
Youth Day: More Than a Public Holiday
Holding the Dr Sam Nzima Memorial Lecture on Youth Day underscores its symbolic importance. The day commemorates the bravery of students during the Soweto Uprising, reminding the nation that freedom was not free. It also reaffirms the responsibility of today’s youth to continue the fight against inequality, corruption, and social injustice.
Prof Tinyiko Maluleke’s Welcome
TUT’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, officially welcomed guests at the event. He praised both Dr Nzima and Prof Ntuli for being torchbearers in South Africa’s journey toward justice.
“We must never forget that democracy came at a huge price. The likes of Sam Nzima gave us not just images, but inspiration.”
FAQs About Prof Ntuli Tribute Is Captivating
Who was Dr Sam Nzima and why is he important?
Ans: Dr Sam Nzima was a South African photojournalist best known for his iconic 1976 photograph of Hector Pieterson during the Soweto Uprising. His image became a global symbol of the struggle against apartheid and contributed significantly to international pressure on the apartheid regime.
What was the theme of Prof Pitika Ntuli’s tribute in 2025?
Ans: Prof Ntuli’s tribute focused on the power of art and photography in shaping political resistance and historical memory. He emphasized that Nzima’s photograph wasn’t just a snapshot—it was an act of defiance that demanded global attention.
What is the role of the Sam Nzima Foundation?
Ans: The Foundation works to preserve Dr Nzima’s legacy through educational outreach, support for ethical journalism, youth empowerment in photography, and historical preservation efforts across South Africa.
Conclusion
The Prof Ntuli tribute during the Dr Sam Nzima Memorial Lecture 2025 was more than a speech—it was a symphony of remembrance, resistance, and renewal. It celebrated the life of a man who used his lens as a weapon of truth and reminded a nation of the power of a single image to awaken the conscience of the world.
