Day 76: When Rain Clouds Gather

Makhaya, a refugee from South Africa, slips into Botswana at the beginning of When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head. It is the mid-60’s, and Botswana is peacefully gaining its independence from Britain. It is a poor country with much unarable soil and primitive farming techniques.

Makhaya has some problems settling into the village of Gomena, not the least of which is that the corrupt local Chief Matenge will not allow him in the village. He gets a job with a white man named Gilbert Balfour helping teach the villagers new agricultural methods.

The book is sparsely written and very short. Its themes are the conflict between tribalism and the newer ways, about the political changes and changes in customs occurring in the 60’s in Africa.

I found the book interesting, especially the depiction of traditional customs, but I felt it required more knowledge of the situation in Botswana and South Africa in the 60’s than I had. More is implied than expressed, which is a part of its beauty but can also be frustrating. For example, Makhaya has just left prison in South Africa, but I guess we are supposed to know what he might have been in prison for. We believe it is for political reasons, but no details are provided.

Bessie Head herself was a refugee from South Africa who settled in Botswana. I’m sure the novel reflects both some of the problems she had in making a new life and the relief she felt in being able to settle into a relatively tranquil place.