Act 1 scene 1

In South Africa at the time shown in My Children! My Africa!, schools for white and black South Africans were completely segregated. This is shown in the play by Isabel and Thami attending different schools, and the fact that Thami did not receive an equal education to Isabel is shown by Isabel's shock and disgust at how simple and dull Thami's school seems. However, the play shows that even black South Africans raised in these segregated areas had the intellect to succeed in academics and in life, if the government would have allowed them the chance them. Mr. M knew the only path forward for black South Africans is education. Violence is never a long term solution.