Ken Oosterbroek, the Chief Photographer of The Star, was killed on 18 April 1994 in bloody pre-election fighting in Thokoza township on the East Rand, just two weeks before South Africans went to the polls in South Africa's first historic democratic elections.
It was a bittersweet time for all of us who worked at The Star on the elections at the time. Ken was a larger than life presence, an intricate personality and a wonderful talent. His untimely death in the crossfire between hostel dwellers and a South African peacekeeping force was a great tragedy.
This exhibition, 10 years on, features much of his early work as well as some of his most famous frames – the ones that brought him international fame and many awards – and includes some of his personal favourite photographs.
The exhibition runs until 30 April 2004 at the PhotoZa gallery in Mutual Square, Rosebank, Johannesburg (next to The Zone centre). Sponsors are Independent News & Media and Picturenet Africa.
Oosterbroek won many awards in his career, most notably: World Press Award 1993, SA Press Photographer 1989, 1991 and 1994.
It is worth a visit, least we forget how precious our peaceful democracy is and those that lost their lives pre-1994.
