DRUM Archive (© BAHA)

Drum was one of the most influential publications in 20th-century South Africa, capturing the spirit, struggles, and cultural dynamism of Black urban life during the apartheid era. Founded in 1951, Drum became a vital platform for a generation of pioneering writers, journalists, and photographers who chronicled the political resistance, music, fashion, and everyday realities of the time.

It played a central role in the cultural awakening of the 1950s and 60s—known as the Sophiatown Renaissance—featuring the work of figures such as Can Themba, Henry Nxumalo, Nat Nakasa, and photographers like Bob Gosani and Jürgen Schadeberg.

The Drum Archive, now housed within the Bailey’s African History Archive (BAHA), preserves this rich visual and editorial legacy. Managed by BAHA in Johannesburg, the archive comprises thousands of photographs, articles, and original materials that document the lived experiences of Black South Africans under apartheid. Through exhibitions, publications, and educational initiatives, BAHA continues to safeguard and share the invaluable cultural and historical contributions of Drum magazine.