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David Goldblatt: South Africa's chronicler of life under apartheid

Photograph by David Goldblatt Shop assistant, Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg in 1977.Photograph by David Goldblatt
One of Goldblatt's best-known works is this photo taken in 1977, entitled, 'Shop assistant, Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg'.

Acclaimed South African photographer David Goldblatt has died at the age of 87 at his home in the main city, Johannesburg.

Fans describe his talent as a photographer who "chronicled apartheid" and "could freeze time".

Goldblatt was the first South African to be given a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1988 and won a number of prestigious awards.

Here is a selection of some of his photographs from a career spanning three decades. We include Goldblatt's original caption with each image.

Photograph by David Goldblatt The commando of National Party supporters that escorted the late Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd to the party’s 50th anniversary celebrations. De Wildt, Transvaal (North-West Province), 31 October 1964.Photograph by David Goldblatt
'The commando of National Party supporters that escorted the late Dr Hendrik Verwoerd to the party's 50th anniversary celebrations. De Wildt, Transvaal (North-West Province), 31 October 1964.'
Photograph by David Goldblatt Fifteen-year old Lawrence Matjee after his assault and detention by the Security Police, Khotso House, de Villiers Street, Soweto, Johannesburg, 1985.Photograph by David Goldblatt
'Fifteen-year old Lawrence Matjee after his assault and detention by the Security Police, Khotso House, de Villiers Street, Soweto, Johannesburg, 1985.'
Photograph by David Goldblatt Dancing-master Ted van Rensburg watches two of his ballroom pupils, swinging to a record of Victor Sylvester and his Orchestra, in the MOTHS' Hall at the old Court House, Boksburg. 1980.Photograph by David Goldblatt
'Dancing-master Ted van Rensburg watches two of his ballroom pupils, swinging to a record of Victor Sylvester and his Orchestra, in the MOTHS' Hall at the old Court House, Boksburg. 1980.'
Photograph by David Goldblatt Woman dressed for an occasion, Joubert Park, Johannesburg. 1975.Photograph by David Goldblatt
'Woman dressed for an occasion, Joubert Park, Johannesburg. 1975.'
Photograph by David Goldblatt "Lashing" shovels retrieved from underground. Every grain of sand in the yellow tailings dumps that made the Witwatersrand landscape and every grain of gold that made its wealth, came from a rock off a black man's shovel underground. Central Salvage Yard, Randfontein Estates, Randfontein, 1966 .Photograph by David Goldblatt
'"Lashing" shovels retrieved from underground. Every grain of sand in the yellow tailings dumps that made the Witwatersrand landscape and every grain of gold that made its wealth, came from a rock off a black man's shovel underground. Central Salvage Yard, Randfontein Estates, Randfontein, 1966.'
Photograph by David Goldblatt Children on the border between Fietas and Mayfair, Johannesburg, circa 1959.Photograph by David Goldblatt
'Children on the border between Fietas and Mayfair, Johannesburg, circa 1959.'
Photograph by David Goldblatt A farmer's son with his nursemaid, Heimweeberg, Nietverdiend, Western Transvaal. 1964.Photograph by David Goldblatt
'A farmer's son with his nursemaid, Heimweeberg, Nietverdiend, Western Transvaal. 1964.'
Photograph by David Goldblatt, Ozzie Docrat with his daughter Nassima in his shop before its destruction in 1977.Photograph by David Goldblatt,
'Ozzie Docrat with his daughter Nassima in his shop before its destruction in 1977.'
Photograph by David Goldblatt An elder of the Dutch Reformed Church walking home with his family after the Sunday service, Carnavon, Cape Province (Northern Cape), January 1968.Photograph by David Goldblatt
'An elder of the Dutch Reformed Church walking home with his family after the Sunday service, Carnavon, Cape Province (Northern Cape), January 1968.'
Courtesty of Mikhael Subotzky David GoldblattCourtesty of Mikhael Subotzky
David Goldblatt 1930 - 2018

All pictures subject to copyright.