1. Apartheid and its effects on black South Africans
Themba's stories often depict the harsh realities of life under apartheid, such as poverty, discrimination, and violence. In his story "The Suit," for example, he tells the story of a black man who is humiliated by his white employer and then beaten by the police. In "The Harbour," he describes the plight of black dockworkers who are forced to work in dangerous conditions for low wages.
2. The complex relationships between black and white people
Themba's stories also explore the complex relationships between black and white people in South Africa. In his story "The House of the Dead," for example, he tells the story of a black family that is forced to live in a white-owned slum. The family's relationship with the white landlord is strained, and they are constantly afraid of being evicted. In "The Madonna of Excelsior," he describes the relationship between a black woman and a white man. The woman is attracted to the man, but she is also aware of the dangers of being involved with a white man.
Themba's stories provide a powerful and moving account of the challenges faced by black South Africans during apartheid. They also offer insights into the complex relationships between black and white people in South Africa.