On the edges of Johannesburg, South Africa, 19-year-old Tsotsi's (Presley Chweneyagae) life has no meaning beyond survival. Orphaned at an early age, he has learned to fend for himself. One night, driven to the brink of desperation, Tsotsi steals a woman's car. But as he is driving off, he makes a shocking discovery in the backseat.