what is the setting of the power of one

The setting of The Power of One is South Africa during the 1930s and 40s. This was a deeply divided society, one in which the races were legally separated. Although the vast majority of South Africans were black, political power remained in the hands of the minority white population. At the same time, there were also profound cultural differences between those of Dutch descent—Afrikaaners—and those descended from British settlers. The protagonist of the story is the lone boy of British descent in a school full of Afrikaaners. As an outsider, he is ruthlessly bullied. Yet through his deeply traumatic experiences he comes to appreciate just what it means to be on the wrong end of bigotry and oppression. He develops sympathy with the majority black population over their appalling treatment and comes to recognize that, fundamentally, everyone is the same.