When Rainclouds Gather Escaping South Africa & his troubled past Makehaya crosses the border to Botswana in the hope of leading a peaceful purposeful life In the village of Golema Mmidi he meets Gilbert a charismatic Englishman who is trying to modernise farming methods to benefit the community The two outsiders join forces but their task is fraught with hazards opposition from the corrupt chief the pressures of tradition & the unrelenting climate ever threaten to bring tragedy Maru Margaret an orphan from a despised tribe has lived her life under the loving protection of a missionary's wife She has only to open her mouth to cause confusion for her education & English accent do not fit her looks When she accepts her first teaching post in a remote village Margaret is befriended by Dikeledi sister of Maru the chief-in-waiting Despite making influential friends Margaret faces prejudice even from the children she teaches & her presence causes Maru & his best friend
- also Dikeledi's lover
- to become sworn enemies