study guide

Mrs. Ndlela

A woman in Sophiatown who makes Absalom leave because of his friends.

Mrs. Lithebe

A woman in Johannesburg who houses Kumalo, and then Gertrude and her son.

Mrs. Mkize

A woman in Alexandra who houses Absalom and his stolen things.

Mary Jarvis

Arthur’s wife.

Maragaret Jarvis

Arthur’s mother, who dies at the end of the book.

Mr. Carmichael

The lawyer Father Vincent procures for Absalom.

John Harrison

Arthur’s brother-in-law who shares his opinions about the natives.

Napoleon Letsitsi

Agricultural demonstrator sent to Ndotsheni by Jarvis.

Kuluse

A Zulu man in Ndotsheni whose baby is dying for lack of milk.

Johannes Pafuri

Present with Matthew and Absalom at Arthur’s murder, isn’t called guilty at the trial.

Hlbanei

The taxi driver in Alexandra who steals things with Absalom.

Van Jarrsveld

Afrikaans policeman who informs Jarvis of Arthur’s murder.

Sir Oppenheimer

White man involved in government and development of the mines.

Richard Mpiring

Arthur’s houseboy who is wounded in the events that lead to Arthur’s death.

Dubula

Native African who organizes the bus boycott and Shantytown’s construction.

Inkosi

Means chief or master.

Tixo

A Xhosa word meaning Great Spirit.

Blood River

Battle of the Blood River where 464 Boers defeated more than 10,000 Zulu.

Umnunzana

Means sir.

Unfundisi

Means parson but is also used as a title and used with respect.

Transvaal

One of the two Boer Republics, diamonds and gold are discovered here in 1886.

Nelson Mandela

Head of ANC, jailed in 1963; freed in 1990, elected president in 1994.

Sharpeville

In 1960, police shot into demonstrators against pass laws, resulting in 69 deaths.

Soweto

Children demonstrate against Afrikaans in school, leading to a death toll of 1,500.

Pretoria

A city founded by Voortrekkers, capital of the Union of South Africa.