Sizwe Bansi
Sizwe Bansi is the protagonist of the play. He appears in Styles's photography studio. The reader eventually learns that he was nearly deported after losing his job. He is married and has two children. In order to avoid deportation, he ends up taking papers from a deceased man and stealing his identity. He is driven by a desire to survive, but seems to lack some of Buntu's moral flexibility. He is somewhat naive about the world, as he holds out hope that government officials will treat him fairly despite the rampant injustice occurring under apartheid.
Styles
Styles is a photographer. He is the first person to appear in the play. He is a fairly confident individual and repeatedly boasts about his ability to get great pictures of his customers. He talks about how many of these pictures say a lot about who people really are at their core. He takes a photograph of Sizwe, unknowingly aiding him in his efforts to assume the identity of Robert Zwelinzima.
Buntu
Buntu is a friend of Sizwe's friend Zola. Zola introduces them after Sizwe is facing the risk of deportation. Buntu is more worldly than Sizwe and is always thinking about risks and practical solutions. He distrusts the government and always assumes that bureaucrats and law enforcement officials will only hurt him. He convinces Sizwe to take the dead man's identity.
Robert Zwelinzima
Robert Zwelinzima is the dead man that Buntu stumbles upon. Not much is known about him, as he is deceased during the events of the play, but his identity is effectively erased when Sizwe decides to take his papers and begin living under his name.
Zola
Zola is a friend of Sizwe's. He is generous and does everything he can to help Sizwe stay in the province. He takes him in while he is hiding from government officials and, later, introduces him to Buntu.
Nowetu
Nowetu is Sizwe's wife. He loves her very much and their marriage appears to be fairly happy. She never appears in the text of the play, but plays a large role in his decision to pursue a better life. He believes that by assuming a new identity he will be better able to financially support her and their children.
Jacob
Jacob is a friend of Buntu's. He dies shortly before the events of the play. Buntu says he was incredibly hardworking and kind and spent almost all of his life doing draining farm labor.
Styles's Father
Styles's father was an army veteran who discouraged him from taking up photography. He is dead during the events of the play.
Mr. Bradley
Mr. Bradley is Styles's former boss at the car factory. Styles remembers him as racist, cruel, and hateful.
Henry Ford
Henry Ford is briefly described by Styles. He is the CEO and founder of Ford Motor Company. He comes to the factory where Styles works but does not go inside.
