The Covenant was published by Random House in 1980, during the apartheid era. The novel traces three families — the Van Doorns (Dutch/Afrikaner settlers), the Saltwoods (English colonists), and the Nxumalos (Zulu) — through four centuries of South African history: the Dutch East India Company’s settlement at the Cape, the Great Trek, the discovery of diamonds and gold, the Boer Wars, and the establishment and entrenchment of apartheid.
The novel was banned in South Africa upon publication — a distinction that pleased Michener, who intended the book as an indictment of the apartheid system. His research was exhaustive (he lived in South Africa for extended periods) and his sympathies clear: while he rendered Afrikaner characters with nuance and understanding, the system they created was presented as morally indefensible.
Collecting The Covenant
First edition (Random House, New York, 1980): Boards with dust jacket (two volumes in slipcase for the first printing).
Market values:
- Fine in dust jacket: $50–$150
- Very good: $20–$50
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Apartheid Novel
Published in 1980, The Covenant arrived at a critical moment in South African history — the Soweto uprising was four years past, international sanctions were mounting, and the apartheid regime was increasingly isolated. The book was banned in South Africa, which Michener considered a mark of honour. His three-family structure (Afrikaner, English, Black African) ensured that no group was presented as monolithically heroic or villainous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Michener live in each place he wrote about? Typically, yes. Michener’s research method involved living in the region for months or years, hiring local researchers, and immersing himself in local history, geography, and culture. For The Covenant, he spent extended periods in South Africa during the apartheid era.