Cattle
The South Africans lived an extremely simple life before the arrival of the British. Their needs were easily satisfied if only they had cattle to help them with the fieldwork and to give them milk. The British quickly understood this aspect and made sure to remove this element, making the indigenous people dependent on exterior help. However, there were still distant communities that manage to thrive because they had enough cattle to survive. Because of this, we can claim that cattle are used here as symbols of independence.
Capitalism
Capitalism has been hailed as the best and worst modern invention, an idea that changed dramatically the everyday lives of every person living on this planet. While most countries see it as something positive, the narrator portrays it in a negative image. In fact, the idea that capitalism is evil is one of the main motifs in the book, appearing on multiple occasions and in different contexts.
The dessert
The country of South Africa is extremely diverse geographically. While a large portion of the country is composed out of lush green pastures and fields, it is also the home of various desserts, including the Kalahari desert. The dessert also has an important significance in the story, symbolizing the hardship the people native to the country had to endure.
Just like children
Another important motif present in the book is the idea that the blacks are incapable of ruling themselves and of taking care of their own needs. This idea was used by the British rules as an excuse for why they conquered so many nations. The British thus claimed that they were during the black population a service by conquering them and by taking over their country.
Symbol for opportunity
The first institution that was segregates was the school and this action had a negative impact on the children belonging to the black community because it meant that they no longer received a qualitative education. The leaders of the anti-apartheid movement realized this early on and militated for a more equal education system for white and black children. The schools are also used here as a symbol, representing the idea of opportunity.
