The will to die
author Can Themba
Genre psychology
Narrator Hangwi Liphadzi
Language english
Can Themba crafts a poignant and unsettling tale about a man’s descent into existential despair within the oppressive confines of apartheid-era South Africa. The story follows Duma, a well-educated, middle-class Black man whose life appears stable and respectable on the surface. But beneath the veneer of dignity lies a man plagued by deep psychological conflict and a growing sense of hopelessness. As Duma becomes increasingly aware of the subtle humiliations and brutal limitations imposed by a racist society, his inner world begins to unravel. His respectability—once a source of pride—becomes a prison. The story shifts between dark introspection and cutting social commentary, as Duma’s dignity is eroded by constant reminders of his marginalization. Unable to reconcile his internal worth with his external reality, he makes a tragic and deliberate decision: to write his will, not for possessions, but for his life itself. With lyrical language and masterful control, Themba builds a psychological portrait of a man crushed by a system that denies his full humanity. But this isn’t just a personal tragedy—it’s a political one. Duma’s despair reflects a larger sickness: the soul-crushing effects of apartheid on even the most “successful” Black South Africans.