Prominent South African photographer and anti-apartheid activist Peter Magubane has been hailed for his contributions to South Africa's liberation struggle following his death on Monday. He was 91.

Magubane covered key events during South Africa's fight against apartheid, including the 1976 Soweto uprising in which hundreds of protesting black students were killed.

Magubane's work pitted him against apartheid authorities, leading to his arrest and solitary confinement for 586 days and a five-year ban from photography.

South Africa's Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has praised Makubane as "an excellent photojournalist and freedom fighter, who fearlessly documented apartheid's injustices".

"Dr Magubane used his camera as a mode of protest, never backing down against an oppressive regime," Mr Kodwa added.

Magubane's "indomitable spirit, courage and exceptional contributions to journalism will be sorely missed", the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) said.

Magubane also served as the official photographer of liberation hero Nelson Mandela for four years after Mandela's release from prison in 1990.