Pretoria - Photographer Juda Ngwenya has been remembered for skillfully documenting South Africa’s history ethically, honestly and truthfully.
On Wednesday, people gathered for his memorial service at the Rhema Bible Church in Johannesburg, where he was remembered as a friend, a mentor and a smart dresser.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said his pictures do not only reveal mankind's capacity for evil and brutality, but they also depict the innate capacity for redemption, love, and compassion.
“Each shutter of his camera became an unstained record of truth," Deputy President Ramaphosa said in a tribute message delivered on his behalf.
“His work will forever be our library of history. In every photo, we will find him standing behind the lens to tell us the truth. We will find his flash an illumination into humanity's propensity for the darkness and destruction.”
In every frame and every angle, Deputy President Ramaphosa said, one finds his passion, dedication, kindness and empathy towards his subjects.
“For this, we must thank him for telling our story and for committing his life to ensuring that no one renders the history and memory of our people obsolete.”
Ngwenya, 65, passed away on 19 October, after suffering a stroke, leaving behind his wife Mwelase and five children. – SAnews.gov.za
