DANCING THE DEATH DRILL

Set against the backdrop of Paris in 1958, the story begins with a violent incident in a prestigious restaurant that leaves two men dead and a head waiter awaiting trial.
As a journalist delves into this troubling event, he unravels the extraordinary life of Pitso Motaung, a young South African soldier who fought alongside the Allies during World War I.
Pitso's journey takes a heartbreaking turn when he boards the SS Mendi, a ship that tragically sank in 1917, resulting in the death of over six hundred black soldiers—a largely forgotten disaster.
Through a moving narrative that intertwines humour with sorrow, Fred Khumalo chronicles Pitso's life, spanning multiple conflicts and generations, while paying tribute to both the fallen and the survivors of this catastrophe. The story is a powerful exploration of love, war, and friendship, inspired by the tragic legacy of the SS Mendi.