SOCIAL DYNAMICS OF A RESISTANCE PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE 1980s IN CAPE TOWN by ZUBEIDA VALLIE Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Design in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisor: Irvine Meyer Cape Town July 2014 CPUT copyright information The thesis may not be published either in part (in scholarly, scientific or technical journals), or as a whole (as a monograph), unless permission has been obtained from the University DECLARATION I, Zubeida Vallie, declare that the contents of this thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Signed Date ii ABSTRACT This study seeks to contribute to the field of documentary photography by looking at a resistance photographer who documented events during the liberation struggle against Apartheid in the 1980s in Cape Town, South Africa. The research explores the richness, depth and complexity of the reflective knowledge of the phenomenon and develops a sense of understanding of the meanings of the circumstances and social context of the researcher. It considers the thoughts, observations as well as reflections regarding the meanings and interpretations of experience as a photographer in the 1980s. The perspective of the research is to understand through the photographer’s memory the phenomenon of interest in the exhibition Martyrs, Saints & Sell-Outs and in so doing argue for a consideration of the lives of those who not only lived during Apartheid but continue to do so after its demise. In addition to thinking about questions of photographic representation, the study also addresses ideas of space, and unarticulated injuries and trauma. The photograph is well suited as a medium through which one may think about these difficult questions, for in its very inception, the medium is one of simultaneous absence and presence. The study concludes with recommendations for future investigation in the documentary photography narrative in Cape Town, South Africa. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . I would like to express my deepest appreciation of my supervisor, Irvine Meyer. This thesis would not have been possible without his patience, encouragement and guidance. Thanks to the Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Design, Prof Johannes Cronje, and the Head of the Media Department, Prof Nirvana Bechan, for their continual commitment to lifelong learning. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr Siona O’ Connell, curator of Martyrs, Saints & Sell-Outs, without whose persistence and invaluable suggestions this thesis would not have materialised. I am particularly grateful for the generous support and assistance given by my colleagues and students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. I wish to thank Gustav Swart for his comments as the language editor. A special thanks to the resistance participants… then and now. Finally, I would like to show my greatest appreciation of my family and friends who have been greatly tolerant and supportive in my long, reflective journey through memory and the photographic archive. iv DEDICATION To the unsung heroes men, women and children in Cape Town who struggled against Apartheid. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... iv DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ vi LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND ................................................................................................... 1 Statement of research problem ............................................................................................... 1 Introduction and background to the research problem ........................................................... 1 Research question .................................................................................................................. 3 Research sub-questions ...................................................................................................... 4 Research method .................................................................................................................... 4 Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 4 Current status of the research area ........................................................................................ 5 Mobilisation .......................................................................................................................... 5 Resistance to Apartheid....................................................................................................... 7 Iconic images ....................................................................................................................... 9 Censorship ......................................................................................................................... 13 A selection of articles, books and film/video media that relate to resistance in the liberation struggle in South Africa ...................................................................................... 13 Articles selection ............................................................................................................ 13 Books selection.............................................................................................................. 14 Film/video selection ....................................................................................................... 16 Economic value .................................................................................................................. 17 Research design ................................................................................................................... 17 Delineation of the research ................................................................................................... 18 Contribution of the research .................................................................................................. 18 Structure of the study ............................................................................................................ 19 vi CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT LITERATURE BY VARIOUS ROLE PLAYERS ON THE VISUAL APPRECIATION OF THE DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPH . 21 Analysis of role of social photography and its function during Apartheid ............................. 21 A brief history of documentary photography ......................................................................... 23 How documentary photography existed under Apartheid .................................................... 25 Drum photography................................................................................................................. 26 Overview of conflict and censorship ..................................................................................... 29 Analysis of various exhibitions .............................................................................................. 31 CHAPTER 3: MY BACKGROUND AND REFLECTIVE JOURNEY TOWARDS MARTYRS, SAINTS & SELL-OUTS ............................................................................................................ 33 Preamble ............................................................................................................................... 33 Photographs in the Good Hope Gallery, Cape Town ........................................................... 34 Inspirational Years: Retracing and Remembering ................................................................ 35 Personal childhood ............................................................................................................ 35 Newlands history................................................................................................................ 37 Rugby ................................................................................................................................. 38 Eviction ............................................................................................................................... 39 Move to Athlone, Cape Town ............................................................................................ 40 Lessons learnt at school .................................................................................................... 41 The Imam ........................................................................................................................... 44 The South African Context .................................................................................................... 44 Ruth Prowse Art School .......................................................................................................