Behind the Rainbow - Tapa dura

This book is a novel that describes what could have happened in South Africa or possibly still could. The huge gap in lifestyle between the white and black population is still an area of conflict. The new black government has passed laws on black empowerment and insisted that businesses employ minimum quotas of black employees at every level of management. This has led to conflict between the groups, as young whites cannot find employment. This is exacerbated when the ANC appears to use black empowerment to their own ends by limiting business opportunities to those closely associated to their cause.

The emigration of the elite white South Africans from doctors to engineers has created a huge loss of skills. This has resulted in the breakdown of the medical services and the infrastructure. More than 20% of the white population has already immigrated to many countries to avoid the violence and intimidation experienced in South Africa.

There is a build up of tension that inevitably creates clashes and resentment. There is a veneer of calm, but real anger seething below the surface that frequently erupts into violence. Rape and murder is widespread, but in particular, the murder of farmers is commonplace.

Prior to the ANC government, there were commando groups in every village and town. This novel explores the possibility of these commando groups linking with the disenfranchised Zulu nation. Financing such an organisation would be through siphoning of government funds and poaching big game. The trophies or rhino horn was sold to either rich trophy hunters or into Asia.