“Trouble in all the townships, it’s being muttered about everywhere, even with the State of Emergency hanging over the land like a dark cloud and the news under censorship and the mood all over a bit electrified, a bit alarmed, there is no silencing the voices that talk away under everything, like the thin crackle of static.”
During the apartheid era, the voice of black South Africans had been stifled by the system through suppression and control. In fact, the state of affairs in the political climate ensured that any sort of protest attracted persecution without trial. However, the protests known as ‘trouble’ persisted in the townships towards progress and a better future for the populace. This foreshadows the progression that will occur following the wave of unrest and demonstrations by the oppressed group in South Africa. The Swarts family is secluded from this dynamic that lingers in the backdrop until the fall of apartheid comes to pass. The narrative charts different eras in South African history as the people adjust to the post-apartheid society.
“And it’s exactly then, in the tiniest way, without even knowing it herself, that she begins to understand what country she’s living in.”
Though the family is sheltered from the reality of their country, they are aware or rather apathetic to the plights of the marginalized. The family acts as an allegory for the sentiments of the White South Africans during apartheid and post-apartheid. Each generation in the family holds a different perspective with the father in complete denial while Astrid is in opposition to change and Anton is accepting yet fails to act. Amor being the youngest is resolute to ensure that restitution is extended towards the oppressed people during the apartheid period. Initially, at a younger age she only wanted to fulfill her mother’s promise but gradually understands the complexity of the issue. Nonetheless, she pushes the question of reconciliation by keeping the promise to give Salome ownership of the house.
“Desirée’s father is an important cabinet minister, a physically as well as morally repugnant person with the blood of innocents on his hands, and Anton would like to hate him unequivocally but finds himself secretly stirred by the outward trappings of power. The mean-looking guards in a booth at the entrance, the busts and oil paintings of colonial criminals from a highly selective history, the casual mention of well-known, fear-inducing names, all of it is terrible but thrilling”
A great divide is seen between the older and younger generation as the country is heading towards a progressive future. The history of the nation was built on the backs and blood of the oppressed populace and reparations have never been settled. As such the newer generation feels the pressure to make up for the mistakes of their ancestors yet they are drawn to the former power. Anton is an embodiment of this feeling as described in the statement since he does not act on the promise yet guilty. As a soldier for the pro-apartheid administration, Anton is torn when it comes to his attitude about the political climate.
