Dr André Marais is on a one-year research fellowship in New Zealand with his family when they are deeply troubled by news of developments in their home country, South Africa. The political violence has escalated to the point where civilians are being killed and maimed in bomb attacks and schools are under threat of attack by gunmen. A nation-wide state of emergency is declared in June 1986 to stem the violence, but the death toll continues to mount. The family agonise on a decision to stay permanently in safe New Zealand or return to family and friends in South Africa and what André believes is his destiny.
The Marais family return to South Africa early in 1987 and take up residence in Pietermaritzburg where escalating political violence sees about two thousand killed during the next three years and more in the following years. André has a lectureship in the mathematics department at the local university. The quirks and foibles of his eccentric colleagues bring some humorous relief amidst all the tensions. His colleagues each have their own unique aims in life, some noble some not, but all under the scrutiny of the security police. André aims to fulfil a promise to his dying grandfather and eventually become Head of Mathematics. Achieving this is seriously challenged by the arrival of Richard, fresh from success in the USA.
With the continual violence the Marais family again decides to emigrate. To acquire the necessary overseas residency visas André needs a job offer and university positions have become scarce. Then political negotiations bring hope of peace and there are reasons to stay again. To emigrate or not is a recurring decision with the outcome changing with fluctuations in despair and hope in sync with political developments and some violent events that have a direct impact on the lives of the Marais family. The release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 brings great hope to the country but another fourteen thousand are killed before he eventually becomes president in 1994. During this period some shocking events leave the Marais family more fearful than ever.
The story paints a picture of what life was like for some during the violence leading to the end of Apartheid and the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the first president of the new South Africa. It ends with President Mandela winning the hearts of the White population with his support for the triumphant South African rugby team in the 1995 World Cup.
