He noted that other real persons, who had died by the time of publication, were Albert Lutuli, Dr. Monty Naicker, Patrick Duncan, Advocate Donald Barkly Molteno, and Archbishop Geoffrey Clayton.

Prem Bodasingh is an Indian South African and a bright and talented high school student in Durban.

She becomes romantically involved with Hugh Mainwaring, a young white student leader who joins the Defiance Campaign.

Angered by what they perceive as his betrayal, he begins to receive disturbing letters and death threats from right wing fringe groups and individuals.

Lodewyk Prinsloo, a respected white railway clerk sees his life disintegrate when the South African police inform him that he is Coloured.