Stein was the editor of the magazine from 1955 until 1958 when the political situation in South Africa forced him to leave his beloved country and flee to England. As a white South African Jew his empathy for his writers’ situations weeps from every page. Under Stein’s editorial reign, Drum became one of the most influential magazines in South Africa. Although many of the articles were banned, the staff managed to spark a few fires that would initiate global awareness that helped to eventually change the political situation in South Africa.

The parable is told in four parts.

Part One begins with the brutal murder of the magazine’s chief reporter, Henry Nxumalo, followed swiftly by other premature deaths through sickness and car crashes. These deaths and others to follow are referenced throughout the book and epitomise the plight of the South Africa blacks. Stein gradually introduces all of the players in his tragedy. His genuine love and admiration of the reporters shines through his humorous and rich portrayal of their idiosyncratic characters. At the turn of the last page I felt I knew Henry, Can, Casey, Bloke, Nat and all the others talented young writers. The eccentric proprietor Jim Bailey struggles with the paradox of allowing urban Africans their own voice and fielding the threat of a ban through the publication of controversial material. The on-going battles between owner and editor provide additional vitality to these memoirs.

Part Two describes the living conditions of the black reporters including Stein’s account of his two weeks undercover as an Indian in a black township. The exposés of police brutality and White Christian supremacy were easy pickings for this shrewd editor. There is a particularly poignant eyewitness account of the razing of the township of Sophiatown to allow the Whites to clean up their area. The Blacks were treated in the same manner as a dog who might be evicted from his kennel to allow a summerhouse to be erected in the owner’s garden. Family homes were simply disposed of. As the political situation worsened Drum, highlighted these injustices to the outside world and took the fight to a global stage.

In Part Three, Stein exiles to England to continue his battle against apartheid through the sporting bodies he was associated with. Many of the black reporters followed Stein’s example and fled to Europe and the United States, although one is left wondering if their plight improved with the move. Fifteen of the magazine’s few reporters were to die prematurely either abroad or in their homeland. The final conclusion to ‘Who Killed Mr Drum?’ is examined in polemic style in Part Four. Was it the journalists’ love of alcohol that killed them or Apartheid treating gifted men as animals and eventually grinding them down? Judge for yourself.

Despite the serious subject this is an enjoyable yarn delivered in a rich narrative. The witty and unusual dialog transports the reader into an exotic and dangerous world. The black and white pictures of the reporters add to the familiarity of the characters. Stein has stylishly served up a slice of history that should never be forgotten, telling that history as an insider with truth, sincerity, love and humour. For anyone who wasn’t around during the apartheid time or has forgotten the gruelling tales, this book is a must.

Moira McPartlin currently lives in Glasgow , but travels extensively with work. She started writing three years ago to relieve the boredom of airport lounges. She enjoys writing short stories and her passion for mountaineering and travel provides plenty of material for non fiction articles. Moira has yet to have any work published, but lives in hope. She is currently working on her first novel.

© 2005 Laura Hird All rights reserved.