Stephen Kumalo

“The great valley of the Umzimkulu is still in darkness, but the light will come there. Ndotsheni is still in darkness, but the light will come there also. For it is the dawn that has come, as it has come for a thousand centuries, never failing. But when that dawn will come, of our emancipation, from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret.” Cry, the Beloved Country pg. 312

When I, Alan Paton, wrote this book, I felt that the land greatly represented what the characters were feeling inside. From this quote, we can see that Stephen Kumalo garners hope and peace from the sunrise, and it also gives relief. This is a beautiful quote, and it greatly represents the emotions that Kumalo feels throughout the book (from being in darkness and fear to having hope and light).

Kumalo was so lost in Johannesburg, and when he realized his son had done something so wrong, he felt even more that he was in darkness. Toward the end of the novel, he returned to his valley, unsure and unhappy, but he was given hope by Jarvis, who helped him and his people. This demonstrates the unifying power of love. The dawn comes to everyone, and it gives hope to everyone. In their hope they are united. This is why I included a picture of the dawn, for it’s vivid light, as described in the novel, is the beautiful scene of hope.

There are similar instances of people being united in today’s South Africa as well. In an address given by president Zuma, he talks about how religious groups helped shape South Africa, and it is only because they and other South Africans are united and able to work together that the country has been a successful democracy. Being unified in love (or at least not dislike) is a very strong thing indeed, it can even run a country.