What are the reasons for the conflict between Oupa and Veronica?

The major reason for the conflict between Oupa and Veronica was Veronica’s wish to leave the valley for the city. Oupa, her grandfather, was opposed to this idea because of a similar situation that resulted in the death of her daughter, Veronica’s mother. Veronica’s mother eloped with her boyfriend and settled in Johannesburg. A year later, she became very ill and later died, leaving behind Veronica as a baby.

Veronica was taken in and raised by her grandparents. Her grandfather worked as a tenant farmer, and her grandmother doubled as a servant in the landowner’s house. Veronica’s grandmother passed on, and Oupa expected Veronica to step into her responsibilities.

While all this was happening, Oupa was at risk of losing his farmland to a new landowner. The new developments worried him, but Veronica saw the situation as an opportunity to pursue her dreams in the city. She wanted to become a musician and made arrangements to stay with her friend Priscilla, who lived in Johannesburg with her mother.

At first, Oupa strongly objected to Veronica’s wish to leave the valley. Instead, he wanted her to work as a servant for the landowner. Veronica was strongly opposed to this: ‘‘You will never see me on my knees scrubbing a white man's floor." The conflict was resolved after she convinced Oupa to let her go.