Mandisa is a black South African woman in her mid-thirties who works as a domestic maid in Cape Town. Having grown up during the forced resettlements of apartheid, she carries deep cynicism about the systemic injustices that dictate her family's life. She is perceptive and fiercely protective of her children, though she struggles to maintain control over them in a chaotic environment. In an effort to explain the tragedy, she speaks directly to the victim's mother to provide context for her son's violent actions.

Mxolisi is Mandisa's eldest son, a twenty-year-old living in the segregated community of Guguletu. Despite his underlying sensitivity and intelligence, he has grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of opportunities and the constant presence of systemic racism. He eventually drops out of his poorly functioning school to join the student movements protesting the government. His involvement with these aggressive groups ultimately leads to his participation in a fatal mob attack.

The unnamed American student is a young activist attending a university in Cape Town. She is optimistic and deeply committed to her cause, hoping to assist the local populations as they resist apartheid. However, her well-meaning nature makes her dangerously unaware of the immediate risks and volatile anger in areas like Guguletu.

China is Mandisa's first boyfriend and the biological father of Mxolisi. Initially popular and respectful, his demeanor changes drastically when Mandisa unexpectedly becomes pregnant, as he resents the premature end to his own education. He abandons his young family shortly after marrying Mandisa, leaving a lasting absence in his son's life.

Tatomkhulu is Mandisa's paternal grandfather. He serves as a keeper of history and ancestral memory for his family, ensuring they understand the long roots of white colonialism in South Africa. He uses stories of the past to explain the deep anger present in modern generations.

Dwadwa is Mandisa's current husband and the father of Siziwe. He is a predictable and reliable presence in the household who provides financial and emotional stability. Unlike his wife, he readily recognizes the danger Mxolisi's political actions pose to the rest of the family.

Mandisa's mother is a hardworking woman desperate to see her daughter succeed where others have failed. Her intense fear of teenage pregnancy drives her to subject Mandisa to invasive physical inspections. This strict behavior ultimately strains their relationship and forces Mandisa away from her childhood home.

Reverend Mananga is a local minister in the community of Guguletu. He interacts with the aggressive student groups protesting in the streets, attempting to manage their demands for meeting spaces. He acts cautiously to avoid becoming a target of the youth's anger.

Nono is Mandisa's bold and outgoing childhood best friend. She is more rebellious than the sheltered Mandisa, exploring teenage romance openly despite the social risks. The two friends experience similar paths of early motherhood, keeping them connected throughout their lives.

Lunga is Mandisa's middle child, born from her relationship with her second partner. Like other boys his age, he is frequently out of school due to ongoing strikes. He spends his time wandering the chaotic streets of Guguletu, causing his mother constant worry.

Siziwe is Mandisa's youngest child and only daughter, fathered by Dwadwa. As a young girl in Guguletu, she faces particular vulnerabilities that cause Mandisa intense anxiety. She is highly observant and easily frightened by the police violence that frequently reaches their home.

Khaya is Mandisa's older brother. He grows up alongside her during the family's forced relocation from Blouvlei to Guguletu. He eventually marries Mandisa's childhood friend, Nono.

Skonana is one of Mandisa's immediate neighbors in Guguletu. She often acts as a local busybody, eagerly delivering neighborhood gossip. She is the first to bring Mandisa news of the violent mob attack on their street.

Mrs. Nelson is the affluent white woman who employs Mandisa as a domestic worker. She lives a comfortable, leisurely life entirely separated from the violence of the townships. She refuses to learn how to properly pronounce Mandisa's name, demonstrating her profound detachment from her employee's humanity.