Category Archives: south african history

Hunting Johannesburg’s first serial killer.

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Shaun Smillie

Mavis Davids struck a deal with the stranger in the big black car. Then she opened the passenger door, got in, and disappeared into the night. It was 1937 and in Europe Hitler’s land grab continued, South Africa still struggled … Continue reading →

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World War one remembered

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Shaun Smillie

This week a century ago an unknown Bosnian Serb shot a prince and triggered the worst conflict the world had yet seen. It involved millions and families still hold tell me down stories from loved ones that fought in this … Continue reading →

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A week’s long walk to see Madiba one last time

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Shaun Smillie

It has been a hard emotional week, chasing one of the biggest stories in the history of our country. Days of little sleep, mammoth queues, and a sense of comradre we are unlikely to experience again.   I hope these … Continue reading →

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The other Sharpeville

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Shaun Smillie

Something is not right with this picture. Sharpeville Township lies to the south of Johannesburg. But this photograph I snapped is in Durban Deep, to the west of the City of Gold. The bearing is all wrong To understand this … Continue reading →

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RIP Alf Kumalo

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Shaun Smillie

Veteran photographer Alf Kumalo died today. He died in his sleep, aged 82. Alf was a warm, good man. This is a blog post I wrote a year ago about Alf and one of this great friends. The press always … Continue reading →

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Mandela’s notes

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Shaun Smillie

Writing those first drafts of history is a cliché lumped on us journalists. But this here is a real first draft of history. Nelson Mandela’s scrawl, notes jotted in an exercise book. A speech imperfect in its scratched out words, … Continue reading →

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Hello USA

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Shaun Smillie

I watched its birth from the sidelines, I saw the pain endured in its writing and was blown away. That amazement was for the uncanny ability of the woman I love to draw on her earliest memories and weave them into … Continue reading →

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Recognition for a brave man

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Shaun Smillie

Siyanda walked to the podium and accepted a medal on behalf of a man he hardly knew. The medal was for bravery and it was for Siyanda’s father Looksmart Ngudle. Siyanda was a small boy when his father disappeared. As … Continue reading →

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Mandela’s lost interview.

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Shaun Smillie

With all things Mandela today, with the world celebrating the icon’s 94th birthday, here is a recently discovered article that was written about him. Journalist Peter Hazelhurst interviewed Mandela in May 1961 while the leader was in hiding. It was … Continue reading →

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More pictures from the Dawid Kruiper funeral

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Shaun Smillie

This gallery contains 9 photos.

Some more pics snapped on my Blackberry from my time up in the Northern Cape province covering the Dawid Kruiper funeral. Enjoy.          

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