Student Question
Why was Makhaya jailed in South Africa in When Rain Clouds Gather?
Quick answer:
Makhaya was jailed in South Africa for sabotage as he was a Zulu rebel fighting against the apartheid regime. As a freedom fighter, he opposed the oppressive government and was imprisoned for his actions. After being released, he defied a government order restricting his movement and fled to Botswana, seeking freedom and a new life away from the racism and oppression in South Africa.
Makhaya is a young Zulu rebel who was imprisoned by the apartheid South African government for sabotage. He is a freedom fighter who struggled to end the brutal apartheid government system. When Makhaya finally is released from prison, he begins making plans to cross the border into Botswana, where he hopes to find freedom. The South African government has put an order against Makhaya leaving the country, but he bravely defies this order and slips across the border into the country of Botswana. He hopes to leave his past of experiencing brutal racism and government oppression behind him as he starts a new life as a political refugee in Botswana. By leaving South Africa behind him, Makhaya also unfortunately leaves his comrades and those who cannot escape.
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