Stephen Kumalo-
Stephen Kumalo is the protagonist of the novel. He is wise and compassionate Zulu minister of the St Mark's church in the village of Ndotsheni. He is a father of Absalom Kumalo.
-James Jarvis-
James Jarvis is a white farmer and land owner in Ndotsheni. He does not share a same view of Blacks as his son, who fights for Black people's right. However, after his son's death, Jarvis changes his attitude towards Black people significantly.-
-Theophilus Msimangu-
Theophilus Msimangu is a young minister from Johannesburg. Though he can say hurtful words, he is an honest and kind man. He guides Kumalo through Johannesburg and help Kumalo find his son.
-Absalom Kumalo-
John Kumalo's one and only son. He went to Johannesburg in order to look for Gertrude. However, he never returned to Ndotsheni. He murdered Arthur Jarvis when he was discovered breaking into his house with Johannes Pafuri and Matthew Kumalo.
-Arthur Jarvis-
Arthur Jarvis is James Jarvis's son. He fought for black people's right. He is loved by both white and black people. However, he was murdered by Absalom Kumalo when he discovered Kumalo and his accomplices breaking into his house.
-Gertrude Kumalo-
Gertrude is a little sister of Stephen Kumalo. She went to Johannesburg to look for her husband, who works in a mine. However, instead of looking for her husband, she becomes a prostitute and sells alcohol, which is against christinan principles. Furthermore, she is very irresponsible and immature. She does not pay great attention to her son. When Kumalo asked where her son was, she was not able to pinpoint her son's whereabouts.
-John Kumalo-
He is a brother of Stephen Kumalo. He used to be a carpenter; however, he becomes a politician after he came to Johannesburg. He has a powerful voice that he uses to gain power. John Kumalo abandoned his faith as Christian and enjoys his power as politician. It is ironic how John Kumalo claims that black is ill-treated by White but still enjoys western custom to the point to abandon old customs.
-Dubula & Tomlinson-
Both Dubula & Tomlinson are heavy preachers in the battle between the white aristocracy and the black working class.
-Mrs. Lithebe-
A kind Christian lady who provides Kumalo, Gertrude, Gertrude's son, and Absalom's Girlfriend a place to stay.
-Father Vincent-
Father Vincent is a priest from England. .
Mr. Carmichael-
Mr. Carmichael is Absalom's lawyer. He represented Absalom without asking for money.
-Arthur's son-
Arthur's son is a bright child who yet understands the distance between Black and White.
-The young man-
The young man is a white man that works at the reformatory Absalom Kumalo was in. .
Johannes Pafuri and Matthew Kumalo-
Johannes Pafuri is the mastermind behind the scheme of breaking into Jarvis's house.
John Harrison-
The brother of Arthur's wife Mary. He takes in James Jarvis when he visits Johannesburg after Arthur's death.
Stephen Kumalo is the protagonist of the novel. He is wise and compassionate Zulu minister of the St Mark's church in the village of Ndotsheni. He is a father of Absalom Kumalo.
-James Jarvis-
James Jarvis is a white farmer and land owner in Ndotsheni. He does not share a same view of Blacks as his son, who fights for Black people's right. However, after his son's death, Jarvis changes his attitude towards Black people significantly.-
-Theophilus Msimangu-
Theophilus Msimangu is a young minister from Johannesburg. Though he can say hurtful words, he is an honest and kind man. He guides Kumalo through Johannesburg and help Kumalo find his son.
-Absalom Kumalo-
John Kumalo's one and only son. He went to Johannesburg in order to look for Gertrude. However, he never returned to Ndotsheni. He murdered Arthur Jarvis when he was discovered breaking into his house with Johannes Pafuri and Matthew Kumalo.
-Arthur Jarvis-
Arthur Jarvis is James Jarvis's son. He fought for black people's right. He is loved by both white and black people. However, he was murdered by Absalom Kumalo when he discovered Kumalo and his accomplices breaking into his house.
-Gertrude Kumalo-
Gertrude is a little sister of Stephen Kumalo. She went to Johannesburg to look for her husband, who works in a mine. However, instead of looking for her husband, she becomes a prostitute and sells alcohol, which is against christinan principles. Furthermore, she is very irresponsible and immature. She does not pay great attention to her son. When Kumalo asked where her son was, she was not able to pinpoint her son's whereabouts.
-John Kumalo-
He is a brother of Stephen Kumalo. He used to be a carpenter; however, he becomes a politician after he came to Johannesburg. He has a powerful voice that he uses to gain power. John Kumalo abandoned his faith as Christian and enjoys his power as politician. It is ironic how John Kumalo claims that black is ill-treated by White but still enjoys western custom to the point to abandon old customs.
-Dubula & Tomlinson-
Both Dubula & Tomlinson are heavy preachers in the battle between the white aristocracy and the black working class.
-Mrs. Lithebe-
A kind Christian lady who provides Kumalo, Gertrude, Gertrude's son, and Absalom's Girlfriend a place to stay.
-Father Vincent-
Father Vincent is a priest from England. .
Mr. Carmichael-
Mr. Carmichael is Absalom's lawyer. He represented Absalom without asking for money.
-Arthur's son-
Arthur's son is a bright child who yet understands the distance between Black and White.
-The young man-
The young man is a white man that works at the reformatory Absalom Kumalo was in. .
Johannes Pafuri and Matthew Kumalo-
Johannes Pafuri is the mastermind behind the scheme of breaking into Jarvis's house.
John Harrison-
The brother of Arthur's wife Mary. He takes in James Jarvis when he visits Johannesburg after Arthur's death.