STEVE EDWARDS was one of those extraordinary characters that only wildest Africa can produce. His singularly different articles appeared in Magnum from 1999 to the mid-2000s, always expressing an unusual perspective – thought-provoking, interesting, and well-written. He possessed a comprehensive personal library and was very well-read. His writings combined his broad knowledge and acute powers of observation with first-hand experience of a kind that most hunters and outdoors-men can only dream of.
Growing up on a farm in Rhodesia, Steve hunted from a nearly age. On leaving school, he spurned any 8-to-5 job and baulked against authority or close supervision. Consequently, apart from taking occasional odd jobs to fund his many solo wilderness adventures (which cost him practically nothing), he went unemployed for months on end. Somewhat eccentric, he was a loner whom many found difficult to get on with.
He loved the bush, and worked at increasing his knowledge of wildlife, tracking, the ecology, trees and vegetation. Seeking experience in hunting dangerous game, he applied for a job in Tsetse Control. Unfortunately, Steve had shoulder-length hair and no record of steady employment. The interviewing officer was ‘old school’ and completely misread him; consequently Steve’s application was unsuccessful.
