Master photographer Fanie Jason appeared at the event dedicated to the launch of Linda Zama's book, 'Beyond the Icon,' at the District Six Museum in Cape Town, dressed in luxurious attire. The event took place at the Homecoming Centre in the city known as the Mother City, where bright and striking personalities gathered.
Jason looked impressive in a purple velvet trench coat and a white turtleneck, complemented by a bold cap. His appearance attracted widespread attention as he radiated the aura of an iconic figure, something often achieved by well-dressed women. However, here it was male dominance in the space.
The author recalled his father, Chunggelrion Swaminathan Govindaraju Naidu, who called himself Sam in his youth, reminiscent of characters from 1950s Michael Curtis films. He described how Indians from Durban easily adopted English nicknames. His father regularly visited Oss barbershop and wore expensive suits.
Despite the elegance, Fanie possessed his own unique charisma. Well-groomed dreadlocks were visible beneath his cap, which in the past could rival Lucky Dube's. One local celebrity, dressed in flowing chiffon, semi-precious stones, and riding boots, approached him. During a photoshoot for The National and IOL publications, she gracefully twirled in front of the cameras.
Among the guests was the judge's wife, who remained modest in a wool sweater and long coat but also held a prominent position, conversing with colleagues and sharing generational stories. Jason expressed respect for her by bowing and kneeling on one knee, which the author described as a masterclass in seduction.
In the front row was a former ambassador to seven countries who now writes children's books. She asked for help distributing her books in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The author noted that the people of Cape Town have excellent taste in clothing.
Guests continued to surround Jason to quickly chat and take photos. It was raining heavily outside, and the cold was felt even with minimal skin exposure.
Jason shared memories of his time in Durban, where Linda Zama, a former lawyer and confidante of Mandela, helped him. She was in the city for the presentation of her book 'Beyond the Icon,' in which she shares Mandela's lessons and values. The pair reminisced about the events of the 1980s and early 1990s.
The event became a meeting place for people connected to the anti-apartheid movement. Like GR Naidoo, Ranjith Kally, Alf Khumalo, Bernard Magubane, and David Goldblatt, Fanie Jason is known for documenting crucial moments in history. His photographs were published in leading world newspapers, and he was often under the surveillance of the apartheid Security Service. Jason was repeatedly in prison cells; once, he was incarcerated with Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Jason told an anecdote about photographing President Mandela and Princess Diana, when he advised Mandela to kiss her cheek, which caused both to laugh, although Mandela only shook her hand for the media.
Another incident occurred at the Jaipur Literary Festival, where he sat next to Diana's brother, Charles, the 9th Earl of Spencer of Althorp. Charles asked him about his origins, and after the answer 'South Africa,' he became embarrassed, as he had previously lived in Cape Town as a social outcast.
The author linked these two: the freelance photographer was hired by British tabloids to photograph the Spencers in candid moments. In the absence of privacy laws, Jason used inventive methods to satisfy client requests. According to the author's memory, Jason almost lost everything due to a lawsuit from Charles Spencer in English courts.
The atmosphere in District Six lacked such tension. Jason was a favorite in his community. He warmly exchanged pleasantries with media magnate and social entrepreneur Dr. Iqbal Surve, receiving a signed book on the Surve family's philanthropy. When the official events began, Jason took a seat in the corner of the hall, but his presence was evident.