A farm murder shakes a community and family to a standstill, forcing young Faan Venter to return to the place where his beloved grandfather was murdered. His return to the farm reopens old wounds. Faan despairs about his future in South Africa, but answers to his questions about the future come from an unexpected place – from the past, as told by his great-grandmother Katryn.

Irma is a tomboy who believes independence is the only form of freedom. Then she meets Sampie, a charming rugby player with a heart of gold and oh-so-soft hands who sweeps her right off her feet to the altar, but not before she teaches him a thing or two.