History

When Contrast was established in 1960, Jack Cope as Editor announced that it might be considered an impertinence to start a literary magazine at that time, but asserted that if it were to survive, it would have to succeed on its own merits. 2000 copies of the first issue were printed. Contrast was published by the South African Literary Journal (Pty) Ltd, a situation which is still in place after 60 years, although modified by changes to South African company law. Cope edited the magazine for the next twenty years on a non-paid basis, and the magazine attracted sufficient support from enough people (and donors) to stay afloat through some difficult times. It developed a healthy reputation and launched the careers of many of South Africa’s most notable writers. It also attracted criticism from some who felt that it was too Cape based. By 1970, the number of magazines printed was down to about 1000 copies an issue. Geoff Haresnape took over from Jack at the end of 1980 when Jack went to England.

Geoff continued the magazine and in turn handed over to Douglas Reid Skinner in 1989, when Contrast was re-launched as New Contrast following the merging of Contrast and UpStream. New technologies were brought into play to keep costs down, and for a number of issues, New Contrast also published a compact called The South African Literary Review. When Douglas resigned on his departure to England in 1992, there was a shift in the way New Contrast was run, with multiple editors, editorial collectives, and other ways of running the magazine being put in place. Michael King was appointed sole Editor in 1996 and he ran it for four years before stepping aside to run the business side of New Contrast.