SUMMARY
Set in colonial Rhodesia in the 1970s, Rutendo: The Chief’s Granddaughter by Colette Choto Mutangadura examines the relationship between a young black woman, Rutendo, and a young white soldier, Barry. The two meet at the chief’s homestead, where Rutendo is one of the chief’s granddaughters and is home for the school holidays where she is studying towards a teaching diploma. Barry, on the other hand, is a former bank worker but is working in the Rhodesian army as part of his National Service.
When the two meet, Rutendo tries to avoid starting a relationship with the white soldier, as she knows that their relationship is legally forbidden. However, Barry pursues her relentlessly until she gives in to her new lover. They carry out their relationship in secret, aware of the tumult that may arise should the relationship become known. While for Barry, the consequences seem minimal, for Rutendo, she risks losing her family’s trust and her dignity should the relationship become known. The conflict in their secret relationship is made worse when Barry tells Rutendo that he is married. On the other hand, Rutendo also wonders about the longevity of the relationship as she also wants to become a part of the liberation struggle and free Rhodesia from colonial rule. This desire means that she will be fighting on opposite ends of the war with her lover.
When Rutendo goes back to school after the holidays, the agony of the secret relationship continues to tear her apart. This is compounded by a strong desire to join her family and friends who are leaving the country to go and train as soldiers. When Barry visits her at school, she is struck by how much she loves him, and yet by how difficult their love will be when they decide to get together because of their skin colour. When she finishes college and goes back home, she enlists to join the army. The book ends after she has gone to the city to join the team that will be leaving the country for training. As she pangs for her lover, she realises that she loves her country more and is prepared to defend it, even when fighting for it means fighting against love.