Ernest Cole Miners during a group medical examination. South Africa. Circa 1965.
“According to legend, Ernest Cole concealed a camera under his packed lunch in order to capture this image. No one has ever bee
(...) n able to explain how he managed to deceive the mine’s security. Former President of South Africa, and Secretary-General of the National Union Of Mineworkers, Kgalema Motlanthe, suggested that Cole must have sought employment at the mine in order to secure such incredible access. The image has a time-shifting quality which reflects the contradictory hidden heart of South Africa: is it 1890, 1965 or 2030?”
- Ernest Cole Estate © Ernest Cole | Magnum Photos