In August 1993, ORDINARY PEOPLE visited the town of Schweizer-Reineke and its neighboring township, Ipelegeng, to observe two contrasting but simultaneous ceremonies - one held for the African National Congress, the other for the Afrikaner Resistance Movement (AWB). When the conservative white town council decided to give the "freedom of the city" to Eugene Terre'Blanche and the Wenkommando, the AWB's paramilitary group, the neighboring black township chose to honor Joe Modise, commander of the Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ANC's armed wing.

As these two diametrically opposed events are witnessed through the eyes of three of the town's children, MAKE BELIEVE reveals, through their hopes and their misgivings, the future of a country where children grow up entrenched in hatred and fear. Adri supports the AWB in what she sees as a God-ordained quest against communism. Kenny, a member of the ANC's Young Pioneers, hates AWB leader Eugene Terre'Blanche, but is prepared to talk to his children about a non-racial future. Niels is not taking sides, but believes that God's will will prevail.

Amidst the sharply contrasting festivities, the children demonstrate their innocence as they grapple with long standing prejudices and hatreds that they do not fully comprehend. As they speak, it becomes evident that the attitudes which children like them will develop toward each other may determine South Africa's future.