Summary

Preface to “Trevor, Pray” – The author describes how traditional spiritual practices (like witchcraft) are still practiced in South Africa, alongside various forms of Christianity.

Trevor, Pray – The author describes growing up in a family of women (including his mother, grandmother, blind great-grandmother, and aunts), saying he was generally unable to see his white father. He goes on to say that growing up in such a family was common, because the male parents of non-mixed black children were all working in the mines. He adds that the absence of men was filled by intense religious faith and practice, describing regular Tuesday night prayer meetings at his grandmother’s house. There, he says, he was asked to pray, because he prayed in English and, as he says, everybody knew English prayers got answered first.

After a description of how none of the ramshackle homes in...