( CNN ) -- When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in February 1990 , where he 'd spent more than 27 years for fighting racial segregation , the South African leader knew exactly who he wanted to become his official photographer : Peter Magubane . `` I became his photographer the next day he got home , '' remembers award-winning Magubane . `` He told the ANC [ African National Congress ] guys , 'this is the guy I want ' -- I was the happiest man . '' Mandela 's choice was n't a surprise ; Magubane , who had already photographed several milestones in Mandela 's life , including his early days as a political activist in the 1950s , was renowned for his impressive body of work chronicling the cruelties of apartheid . Read this - War reporter : 'My camera is my weapon ' And , like Mandela , Magubane had also faced the wrath of South Africa 's oppressive regime . In 1969 , Magubane was detained and kept in solitary confinement for 586 consecutive days . Later on , he was banned from working as a photographer for five years and sent to prison again for breaking the banning orders . `` I told myself , there is no one that is going to tell me what to do , '' says Magubane . `` I had prepared to die for what I 'm doing because I 'm not stealing anything , '' he adds . `` I am prepared to face the guns . I 'm prepared to face police , any gangster , whether black or white . I 'm not going to be told not to do my work . '' Watch this : South Africa 's 'Bang-Bang Club ' Magubane 's long and acclaimed career started some six decades ago at the legendary Drum magazine , a Johannesburg publication that became a platform for talented writers and photographers , depicting a vibrant black urban culture in white-dominated South Africa . Magubane started as a driver but was eventually promoted to the dark room and then the field . With his camera on hand , he went on to snap some of the most defining images of the anti-apartheid struggle -- from the treason trials in the 1950s to the youth uprising in Soweto in 1976 . Undeterred by threats , bans and prison , Magubane 's defiant spirit shaped his work in the field . His refusal to put down his camera meant that he 'd often have to get creative to bamboozle authorities . `` I 'd buy half a loaf of bread , cut the inside of the bread , and put the camera in there , '' Magubane says . `` I 'd go around taking pictures . '' And if a policeman appeared ... `` I 'm eating bread . '' Read this : Why mixed-race comic was 'born a crime ' The committed photographer , who also went on to work for the Rand Daily Mail and Time Magazine , has won several awards for his iconic images that resonate to this day . He has held exhibitions across the world , published 17 books and received seven honorary degrees . Today , at 81 , he is still working hard -- although he has found a new focus for his lens . `` I 'm sick and tired of taking pictures of dead people , '' says Magubane . His main interest now is shooting images displaying the culture , the people and the beauty of his country , including stunning photos of the setting sun . `` If I come across hell , hell will break loose , I will take pictures , '' he explains . `` I will stop and say 'no I 'm not doing the sun . ' But what I do n't want to do is wait there the whole day waiting for police to shoot people , '' adds Magubane . `` During apartheid fighting for freedom , yes , I did that . I 'm no longer fighting for freedom so I 'm not going to do that . '' Watch the video at the top of the story to see some of Peter Magubane 's iconic photographs . Teo Kermeliotis contributed to this report .
Photographer Peter Magubane chronicled the cruelties of apartheid . The South African photojournalist was imprisoned for his work by the oppressive regime . He spent years in solitary confinement and died from a heart attack while serving time at Robben Island prison.