In South Africa,Matthew,an old black schoolteacher ,living in a small village under a grotesque boastful Kinglet,receives a letter from a former school mate who has become a priest ;he visits his sick sister Josephine ,a prostitute ;he meets again his son Gasha ,an "Amok " ,and his brother,a trade-union leader whose life will tragically end . Athough he's a teacher,Matthew only knew the world of his rural living;he discovers the realities of his country ,the racist Whites ,the police at their beck and call.