In the year 1960 Congo became an independent country. Later on the name was changed to Zaïre, and even later changed back (or forward) to Congo and so on.

In this novel the political and colonial situation of the last years before independence are interwoven with the personal story of a Dutch couple. The man works as a geologist for one of the important mining companies. The troubles in the country are reflected in the marriage of this man. The colonial people and Congo lose touch and drift apart, just like these two people in this marriage. In this time of change the wife moves back to The Netherlands with their children. For financial reasons the man contutinues his work with the mining corporation. When they are both in The Netherlanfds their marriage ends. The man returns to Africa, the woman stays behind and finds her freedom.

Anco Mali – Uru of de weg naar onafhankelijkheid – Soesterberg 2006 – 223 pages