Thami Mbikwana
Thami is a 19 year old Black boy who attends Zolile High School. He has been a student of Mr. M for a very long time. His mother, Lillian Mbikwana, is a domestic worker and his father, Amos Mbikwana, works for a railway company. His parents live in Cape Town while he lives in Brakwater location with his grandmother and a married sister. He is a promising and a very smart student. Important aspects to his character to be aware of are:
• He has a very strong personality and he speaks his mind. As the story progresses he is defiant. For example, he tells Isabel that Mr. M has old-fashioned ideas and has no authority over him . He is radical and wants an ‘all out rebellion’ against apartheid and an immediate change. He stands up for what he thinks is right.
• He is rational. He takes time to reflect on issues. Isabel says that Thami is not easily frustrated, that he would ‘never grab his hickey stick and take it out on somebody if he does not win’. He, however, later becomes convinced that words are not enough and so gets involved with the comrades. He avoids direct confrontations with Mr M.
• He is a fearless leader. He is a natural leader. He is naturally respectful of authority, but is also impatient. He does not want to listen to Mr. M’s ideas about slowly defeating Apartheid when so many Black people are suffering. He does not believe that education can free Black people when it is part of the system of apartheid. Affected by the long-standing apartheid in South Africa, Thami discusses plans