When Rain Clouds Gather

When Rain Clouds Gather (African Writers) by Bessie Head

Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
The poverty-stricken village of Golema Mmidi, in the heart of rural Botswana, offers a haven to the exiles gathered there. Makhaya, a political refugee from South Africa, becomes involved with an English agricultural expert and the villagers as they struggle to upgrade their traditional farming methods with modern techniques. The pressures of tradition, the opposition of the local chief, and, above all, the harsh climate threaten to bring tragedy to the community, but strangely, there remains a hope for the future.
Synopsis:
The poverty-stricken village of Golema Mmidi, in the heart of rural Botswana, offers a haven to the exiles gathered there. back to top
About the Author
Bessie Head, one of Africa's best known writers, was born in South Africa but spent much of her life in Botswana. She died tragically early, in 1986, leaving behind her a fine collection of literary works. Tales of Tenderness and Power was the first of her works to be published after her death, and another anthology, A Woman Alone, has also been published posthumously. Both these titles reinforce Bessie Head's literary achievements, already evident in her novels Maru, When Rain clouds Gather, The Cardinals, A Collector of Treasures, A Question of Power, and her historical account Serowe: Village of the Rain Wind, which are all available in the Heinemann African Writer Series. back to top
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When Rain Clouds Gather - Bessie Head - Character List
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Makhaya Maseko
The main character. He is a refugee from South Africa, brought to Golema Mmidi by Dinorego. He becomes friends with Gilbert and is the one to find Matenge’s body. He has a mysterious past. He marries Paulina.
Old man
From the Barolong village. He helps Makhaya cross the border.
Dinorego
Gilbert’s translator. He is from Northern Botswana. He brings Makhaya into the village and introduces him to Gilbert. He is Maria’s father and very influential in the village. He is the only man who does not herd cattle and works in the fields. In his childhood, he was supposed to marry Mma-Millipede. His wife is dead.
Sekoto
Paramount chief. He is very charming. He hates his younger brother, Matenge. He lets Makhaya stay in Golema Mmidi because he wants to destroy his brother.
Gilbert Balfour
English agriculturalist. He came to Botswana in order to introduce more modern agricultural ideas. He marries Maria. He also gives Makhaya a job and convinces him to stay in Golema Mmidi.
Pelotona
Buys and sells cattle. Originally, he worked for Matenge buying cattle from the villagers at a low price and selling them to make a profit. He decided to join the co-operative and helps Gilbert.
Mma Millipede
Sets up marriages. She and Dinorego are good friends. She helps Pauline pursue Makhaya. She also helps set up the tobacco business. She is a strong Christian.
Maria
Dinorego’s daughter. She taught Gilbert Tswana in exchange for English lessons. She married Gilbert.
Joas Tsepe
Political leader. He stays with Matenge and is wanted by the police.
Mma-Baloi
Accused of witchcraft. She is being tried by Sekoto when Matenge comes to complain about Makhaya.
George Appleby-Smith
Police officer. He “sticks his neck out” for Makhaya. He is also friends with Sekoto.
Mr. Smedley
Refused to register co-operative for Joas Tsepe
Ramogodi
Forced Mma-Millipede into marriage, then divorced her because of her Christianity. He married his dead brother’s wife.
Major Ross
Chief immigration officer.
Sergeant Molefe
Police assistant-in-command
Paulina Seboso
Friend of Mma-Millipede. She was put in charge of the tobacco growers. She marries Makhaya.
Issac
Paulina's son. He herds cows for his family, but dies of malnutrition or tuberculosis in the drought.
Lorato
Paulina’s daughter. She makes a small village out of mud, and Makhaya helps her make grass.
Rakoane
Cow herder. He was the last to see Issac and told him to go home.
Segametse
Rakoane's wife
Grace Sebina
A prostitute, enemy of Paulina.