Cry, The Beloved Country Journal 6

The Kumalo family parallels the valley that they are native to because both the family and the land are in a position of depravity.  The Kumalo family has lost three of it's members to the beast of Johannesburg.  Although Stephan was able to bring back a new daughter and a newborn boy, his sister has disappeared back into the gloom and his son faces the gallows.  His brother is also lost, but in a more figurative way.  Disposing of family traditions, Stephan's brother has traded his families values in favor of a political position of power.   Ndotsheni has also lost some of it's glory.  Just like the Kumalo family, the valley is breaking down and becoming weary.  The land "is not kept, or guarded, or cared for," (34) just like the family it bears.  Both the land in Ndotsheni and the Kumalo family are fused in representing the same lower class of South African society.  One symbol to represent the oppressed and dying culture of native South Africa.