It highlights the dehumanizing effects of the apartheid system and the cramped, dangerous conditions of the trains.
Themba’s writing isn't just a historical record; it’s a masterclass in using "sub-textual" methods to confront a pernicious system. Through the symbol of the train, he highlights how apartheid didn't just separate races—it fractured the internal unity of the oppressed. View of Can Themba: The Legacy of a South African Writer Dube Train Short Story By Can Themba