Coffee - Cart Girl is a collection of short stories by South African author Eskia Mphahlele. The book depicts social realism and deals with themes of segregation and apartheid.
Most of the stories in this book are set in Johannesburg during the 1950s and 1960s. During that time, the city was divided into white and black areas. The book portrays the struggles and injustices faced by black people during that period.
One of the prominent characters in the book is a young woman named Maisa, who works as a coffee- cart girl in Johannesburg. She struggles to survive due to various challenges and discriminations. Maisa's experiences give the readers an understanding of the daily struggles of black people living under apartheid.
Throughout the book, Mphahlele effectively portrays the socio - economic disparities and political unrest during that time. The stories highlight the harsh realities of segregation, poverty, police brutality, and lack of opportunities for black people.
Another significant character in the book is Tebogo, a young man involved in political activism. Tebogo represents the struggles of black people who stood against the oppressive system and sought to gain equality and justice. His story adds a political dimension to the book.
Coffee - Cart Girl offers poignant and impactful commentary on life during apartheid in South Africa. Eskia Mphahlele masterfully uses his fictional characters and narratives to shed light on social injustice and the hardships endured by black South Africans during a turbulent era in their history.