The New Dark Age

1 July 2020 —The New Dark Age

George Hallet, one of a group of immensely talented (and, I might add, brave) South African photographers who documented Apartheid, and post-Apartheid South Africa, died today after a long illness. In 2012 George came to London for a brief stayover, on his way to somewhere else and we hung out for a short time.  I took him to St. Paul’s in the City, where the Occupy movement had set up a tent city in the square in front of the Cathedral.

A beautiful human being and thankfully, he has left us an indelible and moving record of the strength of the human spirit.

Hamba Kahle, George

George outside St. Paul’s Cathedral during the Occupy 2012

George surrounded by the Occupy tents on the Steps of St. Paul’s

Here are some links to his work:

• http://www.specialcollections.uct.ac.za/20-years/george-hallett
• https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/george-hallett
• https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/1995/32874/1/1995-George-Hallett-PNS3-AJ
• https://mg.co.za/article/2014-03-13-i-prefer-being-a-fly-on-the-wall/
  
  George Hallet does not want his photograph published in this newspaper – or any other, for that matter.

  “I prefer being a fly on the wall,” he says.