Where and when does the novel Waiting for the Barbarians take place?

The setting is an unnamed colonial frontier town. The colony belongs to an unnamed Empire that can be any empire in the world, except for the new invention, the sunglasses worn by Colonel Joll, that indicates the time of the story. Such setting reminds various places but most likely refers to South Africa.

The town inhabited by the settlers is in constant fear of the barbarians, who threaten the town and the Empire although in reality they are peaceful. As there are no descriptive terms that would place these events at certain time and place, the setting becomes somewhat fantastic. The place is guarded by gates and walls, while the soldiers are to defend the town from the enemy. With no reference to the place or its surrounding, its outside borders and what is behind also become unrealistic. The setting is a post removed from reality with its attackers being also not so realistic especially that they never come.

The setting represents the conflict of two cultures that represent different values and different approaches to life. It is enmeshed in the psychology of the locals as well as individuals. As we have little knowledge of the town itself that is surrounded by deserts it becomes less important. We are immediately immersed in the action that involves the interaction between the magistrate and Collonel Joll seen through the perspective of the magistrate, who is critical of Joll's superficiality, concerned about his appearance and comfort. This somewhat illusory place and surrounding correspond to equally illusory context, as we have no knowledge of the factors that caused the arrival of Colonell Joll, who also doesn't want to reveal them.