Post-Apartheid South Africa

Bhonco has “become estranged” (225) from beautiful things. Along with Camagu and Zim, he blames Zim’s daughter, Qukezwa, for stealing Camagu away from Xoliswa Ximiya. When his daughter comes to visit her parents, she announces that after school ends next week she will travel “to Pretoria to make personal applications” (226) for jobs in the city. Xoliswa Ximiya emphatically denies that it is because Camagu broke her heart. NoPetticoat, who had strongly objected to Xoliswa Ximiya leaving Qolorha-by-Sea earlier, now seems at peace with her daughter’s decision, even encouraging her to go. 

Zim, instead of being interested in all the activity in his homestead that a new baby brings, thinks only of NoEngland. He misses his wife and his preoccupation is so intense that he has stopped eating or engaging with others. He just lies under his tree, with a smile on his face thinking of NoEngland in the Otherworld. Camagu attempts to visit Qukezwa and Heitsi at Zim’s homestead, but the relatives turn him away since he is not recognized as the baby’s father.

The Middle Generations

Twin-Twin is seen as useful, and so the British protect him from the marauding Believers who attack the homesteads of the Unbelievers.