Who is Mr. Thabane from Age of Iron and what is their importance?

Mrs. Curren meets Mr. Thabane when she takes Florence to search for Bheki. She immediately notices his articulate speech and suspects he is a teacher. In contrast to Mrs. Curren's views on the madness of the youth's activism and violence, Mr. Thabane believes that the new generation is strong and will change South Africa. He believes the older generation should stand behind the youths.