Kaffir Boy Characters

Mark Mathabane Main character.

Mama Mark’s mother. Undermined by her husband. Finds whatever jobs she can to put her kids through school.

Papa Mark’s father. Total opposite of Mark. Hates apartheid, but has no idea how to fight it. The more problems he encounters, the more violent and drunken he becomes.

Granny When things get bad, Granny is a refuge. She believes Mark has what it takes to succeed in the world. Granny introduces Mark to tennis.

Scaramouche Mixed-race tennis player. Becomes Mark’s first mentor.

Wilfred Horn German living in South Africa. Runs the Barretts Tennis Ranch. Welcomes Mark to the ranch and encourages his dreams of being a tennis star.

Andre Zietsman A white South African who went to college in the United States on a tennis scholarship. Runs a sports shop in South Africa.

Stan Smith American tennis player who helps Mark.