Matthew Langley, the son of a Yorkshire farming family and R.A.F. Spitfire pilot, had his first glimpse of Natal in 1942 when the troop-ship carrying him to the desert war in North Africa calls at the sea-port city of Durban for a few days to off-load and refuel. He and his friend Robert Hughes are befriended by a Durban family who show them the city and surrounding country-side. He becomes absolutely fascinated with the growing of sugar cane and dreams of one day owning a cane farm of his own.

In spite of his severe war injuries he is determined to return to find this farm of his dreams and to work it successfully. In doing so he meets the people of Natal and Zululand who with their warm hospitality and generosity befriend him and help him make his dream a reality.