The author
"Down Second Avenue" is an autobiographical novel about the author's life, coming from a rural area to the city. It portrays the treatment of black people in South Africa and the author's life in a somewhat superstitious community. Nevertheless, the poor conditions of life and mistreatment doesn't stop the author from hungrily seeking education.
Aunt Dora
Aunt Dora is described as a strong female presence in the author's life who neither romanticized her past nor her future. She only fought with the present as good as she was able to.
Ma-Lebona
Ma-Lebona is an interesting character who has an entire chapter dedicated to her and her eagerness to be a mother-in-law. She is obsessive over her son, and is essentially the one who chooses the bride instead of him. She is also always ready to give unasked for advice and her behavior shows that she sees herself as the only on fit for the role of a mother-in-law.
Rebone
Rebone is the author's childhood friend whom he meets while in school. It is clear to him that Rebone suffers some kind of abuse, presumably by her father. Later on in the novel the author confesses his love to Rebone, but she has already found someone else.
Rebecca
Rebecca is a woman whom the author meets after getting over his childhood love. The end up getting married, and he gets banned from being a teacher in South Africa. The author builds a life with Rebecca in Nigeria with their three children.
