Question about Chapter 11 of Cry, The Beloved Country.

From the text:

- Absalom Kumalo. Yes, I know him well. Strange, he told me he had no people.

-Your son told him, my friend, that he had no people, said Msimangu in Zulu.

- He was no doubt ashamed, said Kumalo. I am sorry, he said to Msimangu in Zulu, that I speak no Afrikaans. For he had heard that sometimes they do not like black people who speak no Afrikaans.