WADLALA

NGOTHANDO LWAMI.
UMLOBI: CLIFFORD
MHLANGA.
UMHLELI: CLIFFORD
MHLANGA OYAZIWA
NGO GASELA.
Cliffordgasela09@gm
ail.com.
INOMBOLO
ZOCINGO:
1
+267742191/+2677611
8943.

Isahluko sakuqala.

“Wangithembisa izulu emhlabeni wathi mina lawe sofa

silahlane. Wathi uthandi mina ngedwa. Ohh yah! Waze
wasichitha isikhathi sami. Ngangithi ngithole isithandwa
sami, kanti ngithole iqili umkhohlisi uqobo. Yeka
ukukuthanda kwami okunganga, ngizikhohlisa ngithi
ngithole isithandwa sami, umkhwenyana kamama
lobaba. Ngangingazi ukuthi ngithandana lomkhwenyana
welizwe lonke” kutsho uNomaswazi ziphahle umbombo
inyembezi. Angithi inhliziyo yakhe yayisopha igazi
ngoba wayethole ijaha lakhe lilele leyinye intombi.

“Ngiyaxolisa ntombenhle ngisuke ngalingeka. Uxolo

MaNdlo angazi bengingenwe kuyini. Ngiyakuthembisa
angeke ngiphinde ngikuphoxe futhi, xola MaGatsheni.
Xola Ndlovu enkulu engasindwa ngumboko wayo.

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Ngiyalivuma iphutha lami ngicela uxolo” kutsho uThabo
ngelizwi lokuzincengela.

“Okwami lawe kuphelile Thabo qhubeka lentombi

yakho” kutsho uNomaswazi etshayelela isivalo ephuma
esebuyela endlini yangakibo eNkulumane. “Wena
Sithandazile akuphume uhambe usalindeni? Kawuboni
ukuthi intombi yami isibuyile” nguThabo lowo ekhwaza
okomdumo wezulu.

“He he he! Hleka mntaka Mthembo. Wena Thabo

ucabana ukuthi ngilihule lakho mina?
Wangikhombiselani usazi ukuthi ulentombi yakho?
Angiyindawo mina uzabona ukuthi uyalala ngaphi
lentombi yakho” kutsho uSithandazile ezihlekela
engagqize qhakala. Wagqoka iyembe yakhe uThabo
wagijimela intombi yakhe. “MaNdlo MaNdlo! Mana
sikhulume mama” nguThabo lowo ebiza uNomaswazi
ngapho egijima.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engemingaki wayesemficile waqala

ukuncenga njalo. “MaNdlo ngiyakuthanda, uSithandazile
angimthandi liwule. Ngicela sikhulumisane ntombi yami
ngiyakucela.”
“Thabo ngicela ungangichitheli isikhathi sami okwami
lawe kuphelile. Qhubeka lewule lakho lelo angithi
ngilifice limbathe ingubo ndawonye” nguNomaswazi
lowo engatshengisi uxolo lakancane. “Uxolo MaNdlo
ngiphambanisile angeke ngiphinde futhi” nguThabo lowo
sezigobhoza inyembezi emehlweni esehawulisa. “Thabo

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bengikuthanda ngenhliziyo yami yonke, kodwa
ungephule umoya" kutsho uNomaswazi.

“Nkulumane Sokusile, asambeni makhiwa” nguwindi

lowo ebizela umtshova. “Sala kuhle mkhohlisi wenhliziyo
yami” nguNomaswazi lowo evalelisa uThabo ngapho
emisa umtshova. “Ngena sihambe khiwa” kutsho uwindi.

Wangena emtshoveni uNomaswazi, wanyathela

amafutha umtshayeli batshiya uThabo elokhu emile
ethwele imikhono ekhanda.

‘Ukungazi kufana lokufa sibili, sengilahlekelwe yintombi

yami engiyithandayo ngenxa yeseqamgwaqo lesi
esinguSithandazile. Yena ubabakazi ngizambikela
ngithini?’ Wayesidla amathambo engqondo uThabo
elokhu emile ndawonye xathu isithombe. Into
eyayimkhathaza kakhulu yikuthi wayetshengise
uyisekazi uNomaswazi, wamtshela lokuthi usezimisele
ukumthatha.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba ngamatshumi amathathu

wazihudula uThabo elubangise lapho aloja khona.
Uhamba nje ucabanga khatshana uselibele lokuthi
uhamba emgwaqweni ohamba izimota. “Piiiiiiiii piiiiiiiiiiii!
Yeyi wena ndoda akuphume emgwaqweni uzangenzisa
ingozi” kutsho umtshayeli womtshova ngapho etshaya
iwuta. Wethuka uThabo waphuma emgwaqweni
eselesithuli. “Tshayi mota sihambe mdala kudakiwe
lokhu” kutsho uwindi ekhuluma lomtshayeli.

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Wafika wazihlalela esofeni uThabo. USithandazile
wayesephekile itiye. “Usuphendukile jaha lami, ufike
kuhle ukudla sokulungile” nguSithandazile lowo
ebobotheka. Kazange aphendule uThabo wathula zwi
xathu isimungulu.

“Hawu Thabo! Ngakhuluma lawe wathula kwenzenjani?

Ulokhu usacabanga yena uMaNdlo wakho lowo?”
NguSithandazile lowo ephosa umbuzo kuThabo.
“Sithandazile phuma uphele endlini yami. Okwami lawe
kuphelile.” “Ngabona bakuloyile Thabo, ulele umbathe
lami ingubo ungibiza ngawo wonke amabizo othando
manje usungixotsha njengenja. Angeke ukubone lokho
mfana kaMdluli” kutsho uSithandazile.

‘Oh yah ngaze ngazokhela amalahle ekhanda’ watsho

ngenhliziyo uThabo. Wayesezisola kakhulu ngesenzo
sakhe. Khonapho nje lwakhala ucingo lwakhe.
Walwemukela, “yebo babakazi, unjani ntombendala?”
“Ngiyaphila mntanami, unjani umakoti wami uMaNdlo?”
Kutsho uyisekazi kaThabo. “Uyaphila babakazi
ngimtshiye endlini mina ngisemsebenzini” nguThabo
lowo ewahulula amanga aluhlaza tshoko. “Kulungile
ngizadlula ngimbona sengivela emakethi” nguyisekazi
kaThabo lowo evala ucingo lwakhe.

“Sithandazile ngicela uphume uhambe. Angifuni

ubabakazi akufice lapha. Ngiyakucela Thandi” watsho
ngelizwi lokuzincengela umfoka Mdluli. “Kulungile
ngizahamba mbayimbayi. Ngifuna ukubona ubabakazi
kuqala” watsho lawo ethele aqandayo uSithandazile.

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“Thandi uyangithanda?”
“Hawu Thabo! Ungabuza ukuthi imbuzi ngeyini yona
iphakamise umsila?” Kutsho uSithandazile ethe nhlo
uThabo enhlamvini zamehlo. “Nxa ungithanda ngicela
usukume uhambe sizabonana ntambama” watsho
ngelizwi lokuzincengela umfoka Mdluli. “Ha ha ha!
Ucabanga ukuthi ngilibhola lakho mina? Ngilinde
uyihlokazi ngifuna ukumbona ngawami la amabili”
nguSithandazile lowo ekhombela amehlo akhe
ngomunwe.

Zehla inyembezi ezingelamkhosi kuThabo, wasiphikisa

isitsho esithi inyembezi zendoda ziwela esifubeni.
“Thula Thabo indoda kayikhali. Ungakhaliswa yikwaliwa
yintombi?” Kutsho uSithandazile esanga uThabo
emsingatha embiza ngawo wonke amabizo othando.

“Oh yah! Yeka ukumthanda kwami okungaka. Ithemba

kalibulali sibili, ngizalithola ijaha elingithandayo elingeke
lingephule umoya” nguNomaswazi lowo ekhuluma
yedwa elingisa uhlanya. Ukhuluma nje udadewabo
usegumbini lokuphumulela umlalele. “No kwenzenjani
mnawami usukhuluma wedwa? Usekwenzeni uMdluli
mntaka mama” ngudadewabo kaNomaswazi lowo
ephosa umbuzo engena egumbini lomnawakhe.

Kazange aphendule uNomaswazi waqhubeka ebihla

xathu umfelwakazi. “Hawu mntaka mama ngakubuza
wangithela ngenyembezi kwenzenjani? Khuluma phela

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konakele ngaphi?” Wabuza njalo udadewabo
kaNomaswazi.

Khonapho nje lwakhala ucingo lukaNomaswazi,

walwamukela enjalo ebihla. “Ye-ye-yebo ba-ba-
babakazi.”
“Ukhalelani kanti makoti? Usekwenzeni uThabo
bakithi?” Kubuza uyisekazi kaThabo esekhathazekile
phela uyamthanda uNomaswazi. Wasiqhinqa isililo
uNomaswazi kwangathi ukhona osedlule ezweni.

“NaAyanda ngicele usale ungikhangelele emsikeni wami

lapha, ngisagijimela Cowdrypark” kutsho uyisekazi
kaThabo ekhuluma lomunye umama abathengisa
ndawonye emsikeni eNtumbane. “Kulungile,
sokwenzenjani MaMdluli” kubuza unina kaAyanda.
Kazange esayithola impendulo phela umuntu
ayekhuluma laye wayesechapha umgwaqo
esesiyamelela umtshova oya eCowdrypark.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba mihlanu watsho

usuthelekile umtshova. Wamginya wayidumisa insimbi
yamakhiwa umtshayeli elubangise eCowdrypark.
Umtshova wawuhamba ukhafula abanye uginya abanye
njalo njalo. “Ungitshiye eSigayweni mntanami” kutsho
uyisekazi kaThabo. “Kulungile masalu, mtshiye
esigayweni jeki” kutsho uWindi.

Ngemva kwemizuzu embalwa wawusumkhafulile

umtshova uMaMdluli. Wahaluzela elubangise lapho
okuloja khona umntwana womnewabo. “Thabo Thabo!

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Vula umtshayelani umntwana wabantu?” NguMaMdluli
lowo etshaya isivalo ngolaka.

Wethuka umfokaMdluli wehluleka lokusukuma esofeni.

UMaMdluli wathi esizwa kungelamuntu omvulelayo
wafuqa isivalo wangena angithi
kwakungahluthulelwanga. “Umenzani uMaNdlo Thabo?”
Kubuza uyisekazi kaThabo engakananzeleli ukuthi
ayisuye uNomaswazi ohlezi ethaleni.

“Ngi-ngi-ngiyaxolisa babakazi” ngumfokaMdluli lowo

esegagasa. “Sabona antiza, wangena utshinga
kwenzenjani?” Kutsho uSithandazile engagqize qhakala.
“Ungowangaphi wena mntwana ongelanhlonipho? Uvele
ubekwa yini lapha? Thabo ngubani lowu?” NguMaMdluli
lowo ebuza eseginqe esemanzi te. “Ngingumalukazana
wakho salukazi, ngihlala eMakhokhoba duze
leMadlodlo” kutsho uSithandazile.

“Antiza ukuthini iseqamgwaqo senkomponi lesi.

Awuzalekanga wena mntwanyana ngizakufundisa
isifundo ongeke wafa wasikhohlwa” nguyisekazi
kaThabo lowo edobha isichathulo sikaSithandazile
esicijileyo (highhill) emhahabela. “Lamuhla
lizawukhomba umuzi olotshwala lobabili ngiqinisile”
watsho etshaya uSithandazile ngesichathulo. Wathi
ezama ukubaleka wamtshaya ngaso njalo eqolo.

“Mama lo! Ngincedeni booo! Ngafa mina”

nguSithandazile lowo eqhinqa isililo esabiza
omakhelwane babuya begijima. Omunye

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wabomakhelwane wavula umnyango wahle waphuma
engumtshoko umntwana oyinkazana.

“Usilile wena bele lendlela” nguMaMdluli lowo

elandelisela uSithandazile ngamazwi. “Kube ulitshaye
kakhulu ihule leli MaMdluli” kutsho umnini muzi walapho
okuloja khona uThabo. “Thabo usweleni uze uzilahlele
kuseqamgwaqo seNkomponi?”
“Ngiyaxolisa babakazi ngisuke ngalingeka, angeke
ngiphinde futhi” kuphendula uThabo eseqhuqha.
“Ulingeka ukuthini uzenzisa lapha, ngizakuqhakala
ngempama mina” kutsho uMaMdluli esikiza uThabo
ngempama.

Wavika umoya umfana waxolisa waphinda phinda.

“Angifuni kuphinda ngiyizwe futhi indaba yakho
lamahule. Umtshayele ucingo umale. Izolo lokhu
ubungitshela ukuthi ufuna ukuyavelela uMaNdlo
ekupheleni kwenyanga lamuhla usugijima lamahule
mphu uyangenyanyisa mina” kutsho uMaMdluli
ekhafulela uThabo ebusweni.

‘Ngaze ngazenza, ngizamqalelwa ngubani

uNomaswazi? Kumbe ngiyekhuluma lomngane wakhe
uSazini angincengele yena’ wayebalisa ngenhliziyo
umfokaMdluli. Wahle wathatha izihluthulelo zemota
wasehluthulela endlini yakhe wayangena emoteni.
Wayidumisa wanyathela amafutha elubangise
eNkulumane koSokusile.

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Masinyane nje wayesefikile wamisa imota eduze
lamavinkilini akoSokusile. Wasetshayela umngane
kaNomaswazi ucingo. “Halo mngane, zikhuphani lapho”
nguSazini lowo esabela ucingo lwakhe. “Ngiyaphila
mngane, ngikoSokusile ngicela uzongibona khathesi
ngijahile” ngumfokaMdluli lowo eziqinisa njengendoda.
“Ngiyafika khonapho khathesi” kuphendula uSazini.

ISAHLUKO SESIBILI.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba mihlanu wayesefikile

uSazini babingelelana njengenjayelo. “Thabo ubukeka
udanile kwenzenjani?”
“Sa zimbi indaba, uNomaswazi ungalile angazi
ngenzenjani” nguThabo lowo elandisa esezibambe
ngenkophe inyembezi. “Aaaaaa! Akuthi uyasoma indlela
uNomaswazi akuthanda ngayo angeke akwale kalula

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nje.” NguSazini lowo engakukholwa akuzwa ngendlebe
zakhe.

Wayilandisa njengoba injalo indaba umfokaMdluli.

“Aaaa! Kanti yindaba engaka. Kodwa lawe Thabo
ubusungenwe kuyini? Asechithekile awasabutheki”
kutsho uSazini. Baxoxisana okwesikhatshana uSazini
wacina evuma ukuyancenga umngane wakhe.
“Kulungile akuthi ngiyemdinga angikamboni lamuhla”
kutsho uSazini ephuma emoteni elubangise ngakibo
kaNomaswazi.

Wafica umngane wakhe eyedwa abazali bakhe

bengekho. Babingelelana kwaba kuhle. “Noma
ngilomlayezo wakho” kususa uSazini. “Ovela kubani?”
Kubuza uNomaswazi esithi lazi umngane wakhe
ngamehlo abomvu gebhu okombhemi womthunzi
wenkukhu. “Noma ngithunywe nguMdluli, uthe
ngizomxolisela uphambanisile ngeke aphinde futhi.”
“Sazini nxa ufuna sizwane yekela ukungitshela
ngoThabo. Lowo usefana lofileyo kweyami inhliziyo”
watsho lawo seziphahle umbombo inyembezi. Wazama
ukuncenga uSazini kodwa wafana lotshaya idwala
ngempama. Wathi ebona ukuthi umngane wakhe
kancengeki wavalelisa wabuyela emavinkilini
koSokusile.

Wafika watshela uThabo ukuthi uNomaswazi

kancengeki. Zehla inyembezi ebusweni bendoda.
“Ngaze ngazigwaza ngowami, ngilahlekelwe ligolide
ngasala ngiphethe ilitshe elingelancedo.”

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“Ngizamncenga njalo mngane mhlawumbe uzakuxolela”
nguSazini lowo ezwela uThabo. “Ngiyabonga Sazi,
usale kuhle sengihamba. Thatha imali leyi uzathenga
okufunayo” watsho lawo emqhubela indibilitshi.
Behlukana uThabo wabuyela esilojeni sakhe.

“Ukungazi kufana lokufa sibili, iwule leli selingehlukanise

lothandiwe wami. Abazali bami ngizabatshela ngithini
njengoba ngangibatshelile ukuthi sengithole intombi
engizakwakha layo ubuhlobo?” NguThabo lowo
ekhuluma yedwa esedidekile. Wathatha
umakhalekhukhwini wakhe wawucofa wabuka
umpikitsha wakhe awuthatha eloNomaswazi.
Wawubuka isikhathi eside waze wahlengezela
inyembezi.

Esalibele elokhu ebuka umpikitsha kwangena umlayezo

kumakhalekhukhwini wakhe. Umlayezo wakhona
wawubhalwe kanje.

'Sabona Thabo uwephulile umoya wami, wadlala

ngothando lwami. Angifuni kuphinda ngikuthi tshazi
ngiyakuzonda. Kube ngikuthole umbethe ingubo
lomuntu engingamaziyo bengizakuxolela. Kumbe
ubususweleni uze ukhethe ukumbatha ingubo
lewule elaziwayo. Qhubeka loSithandazile wakho
okwami lawe kuphelile.

Yimi uNomaswazi.'

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Wawufunda umlayezo umfokaMdluli. Waginqa
wabamanzi te wadinga waswela ukuthi enzenjani.
Yopha igazi inhiziyo yakhe wacina etshayela
uNomaswazi ucingo. “Yebo ngingakunceda ngani?”
“Noma ngiyazi ngonile, ngicela uxolo ngeke ngiphinde”
kutsho uThabo ebeka iphika. “Awonanga lutho Mdluli
qhuba uthando lwakho lentombi yakho entsha”
kuphendula uNomaswazi equma ucingo lwakhe
engasalindanga impendulo.

Zatshovana insuku uThabo ehlala ezicelela uxolo

kuNomaswazi. Kodwa wayefana xathu lotshaya idwala
ngempama.

Waqala ukucaka umfokaMdluli kwathi kusiya phela

inyanga esekhanya ngekhanda. Angithi wayedliwa
ngumzwangedwa. ‘Lokhu sokungaphezu kwamandla
ami, kungcono ngiyexoxisana lobabakazi ngimcele
ayengincengela uMaNdlo,’ Watsho ngenhliziyo uThabo.
Ubalisa nje usendleleni eya lapho asilojeni sakhe.

Ekufikeni kwakhe wahle waqala ukuhlanza impahla

zakhe zemsebenzini. Eseqedile ukuhlanza impahla
zakhe wangena egumbini lakhe wacambalala ethaleni.
Esacambalele nje wacabanga ukuyavakatshela
uyisekazi. Wahle wavuka walunga waya endlini
kaMaMdluli.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engemingaki wayesefikile. “Kho

kho!” NguThabo lowo eqoqoda emnyango wendlu
kayisekazi. “Yebo ngena” kuvuma uMaMdluli. Wavula

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wangena umfokaMdluli. “Hawu nguwe mntano
mnewethu! Hlala lapha Mdluli” kutsho uMaMdluli.
Wahlala esofeni uThabo.

“Unjani mfana wami? Wacaka njengomdlezane udliwa

kuyini?” Wabuza ngokumangala okukhulu uMaNyathi
phela umntwana womnewabo wayecake okuzwisa usizi.
“Babakazi kunzima empilweni, angazi ngikuchazele
ngithini” watsho ebeka iphika umfana kaNyathi.

“Khuluma mntanami kwenzenjani?”

“Babakazi ngiyalivuma iphutha lami, ngicela
uyengixolisela kuNomaswazi. Ngiyazama ukuxolisa
kuye kodwa ngifana lothela amanzi emhlane wedada”
watsho lawo esezibambe ngenkophe inyembezi. “Lalela
lapha Thabo ngizamncenga uMaNdlo kodwa angifuni
kuphinda ngizwe amanyala akho lawo futhi siyezwana.”
Wavuma ngokunqekuza ikhanda umfokaMdluli.

Masinyane nje uMaMdluli wathatha umakhalekhukhwini

wakhe watshayela uNomaswazi ucingo. Walwamukela
ngokuphangisa uNomaswazi phela bayezwana
loyisekazi kaThabo. “Yebo babakazi.”
“Unjani mntanami, uyabuya nini uzongivakatshela
makoti? Sengikukhumbula malukazana wami” kutsho
uMaMdluli. “Ngiyaphila babakazi, ngizabuya kusasa
angisebenzi.”
“Kulungile makoti ubuye ngizabe ngikhona” kutsho
uMaMdluli. Baxoxa okwesikhatshana bavalelisana
uMaMdluli wasequma ucingo lwakhe.

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“Thabo zithiywa ngezikudlayo mntanami, gijima
uyenzikini yedolobho khathesi ufike uthenge isigqoko
lamathenisi kanye lamakha alephunga elimnandi
uwabise lapha.”
“Kulungile babakazi, kambe ukuthi uzavuma
uNomaswazi?” Wabuza elokuthandabuza umfokaMdluli.
“Khululeka Mdluli ngizamgoqa mina, wena yenza lokhu
engikutshela khona.”

Wavalelisa uThabo wabuyela esilojeni sakhe. Wafika

wathatha izihluthulelo zemota wayidumisa elubangise
enzikini yedolobho lakoBulawayo. Wafika wathenga
amakha alephunga elimnandi koT.M wasesiyathenga
isigqoko esimhlophe nke esilamaleyisi lamathenisi
amnyama. ‘Kungcono ngiyengena ko Huddon sly
ngithengele intombi yami iring’ watsho ngenhliziyo
uThabo esiyangena kwelinye ivinkili okuthengiswa
khona ubucwebe. Wafika wathenga indandatho
wasebuyela koyisekazi.

Wafika waqhubela uyisekazi impahla azithengileyi.

“Yikho ukuba yindoda lokhu Mdluli” kutsho uMaMdluli
ebuka impahla. Bakwejisa okwamahola ambalwa
wavalelisa uThabo wabuyela esilojeni sakhe.

“Engasake angixolele uNomaswazi bakithi, kambe

ngingaba yini ngaphandle kwakhe? Angeke ngiyithole
intombi elobuntu njengoNomaswazi” nguThabo lowo
ekhuluma yedwa ngapho epheka ukudla kwakhe
kwantambama. ‘Kodwa ubabakazi ngimthembile
uzamgoqa kuhle aze avume’ watsho lawo ngenhliziyo.

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Ngemva kwesikhatshana nje wayeseqedile ukupheka
waphakulua wadla wasesiyabukela umabonakude.
Esahlezi nje bamjuma ubuthongo wahle walala esofeni.
Walala waze waphaphama phakathi kobusuku wavuka
wayalala egumbini lakhe
lokulala.

Masinyane nje bamthumba ubuthongo bamusa ezweni

lamaphupho. Waphuma ehamba loNomaswazi
bebambene izandla bezixoxela ngendaba ezimnandi.
Besemangweni nje bahlangana leyinye intombi ebunjwe
kuhle imhlophe nke ngombala. Intombi leyo yabamba
isandla sikaThabo yamdonsa. Wethuka uThabo wahle
waphaphama esejuluka izithukuthuku.

Wavuka wathatha ilembu lakhe lokugeza wesula

izithukuthuku. Wasehlala ethaleni lakhe ezibuza
mayelana lephupho lakhe. Ngemva kwemizuzu
engemingaki walala njalo. Waze waphaphama sokusile
wahle walunga waya emsebenzini.

Ngalowo mzuzu uNomaswazi wayehlanza indlu

yangakibo. Eseqedile ukuyihlanza wahle wageza
walunga wayagada umtshova oya eCowdrpark.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba ngamatshumi amathathu

wayesefikile. Wehlela eSigayweni waya endlini
kayisekazi kaThabo. Wafica uMaMdluli emlinde
ngamehlo abomvu gebhu okombhemi womthunzi
wenkukhu. Babingelelana kwaba kuhle. “Buya uhlale

16
eceleni kwami makoti wami kudala ngakucina” kutsho
uMaMdluli ebobotheka.

Wamamatheka uNomaswazi wasukuma esofeni

ayehlezi kulo wayahlala eduze loMaMdluli. Bazixoxela
ngendaba ezimnandi behleka kuze kuvele isilakalaka.
Besaphakathi kwengxoxo uMaMdluli wathi, “MaNdlo
ungaphi uThabo?”
“Aaaaaa! Angazi” watsho lawo eseqhulule amehlo
umntakaNdlovu.

“Hawu MaNdlo! Kulomuntu ongahlala engazi ukuthi

ijaha lakhe lingaphi?”
“Sehlukana kudala loThabo babakazi” waphendula
esebhukutsha echibini lenyembezi uNomaswazi. “Thula
ungakhali malukazana, lehlukaniswa yini, yena uThabo
wayengakuthontisi nje?” NguMaMdluli lowo esenza
angathi akazi lutho.

“Babakazi uThabo wadlala ngothando lwami.

Ngambamba xhaka elele lomunye unkazana” kutsho
uNomaswazi esebihla ngapho ehweba amakhovula.
“Xola makoti” kutsho uMaMdluli esesula inyembezi
zikaNomaswazi. Waqhubeka uNomaswazi wathi,
“babakazi mina ngilokhu ngibugcinile ubuntombi bami.
Ngangilokhu ngigcine isithembiso sami loThabo. Wathi
umthetho wenkonzo yakhe awuvumi ukuthi alale
lenkazana engatshadanga layo. Manengi amajaha
ahlala ezibika kimi kodwa ngisenqaba ngoba angimtholi
engimthandayo. Inhliziyo yami iyopha igazi ngenxa

17
kaThabo, owephula isithembiso sethu.” Kulandisa
uNomaswazi elokhu ebihla okosane.

“Wayeqinisile MaNdlovu vele umthetho wenkonzo

yeSabatha awuvumi ukuthi lihlangane emacansini
lingatshadanga. Mhlawumbe wakhulelwa yimizwa
umntwana womnewethu phela imizwa yabobaba ayifani
leyethu oma...” Wamngena emlonyeni engakaqedi
inkulumo yakhe wathi, “kube wangitshela ukuthi
usethunywa yimizwa, ngangizamupha ubuntombi bami.
Kulokuthi ambathe ingubo lewule elidumileyo.”
“Ngiyakuzwa MaNdlo ngilinda okwemizuzu emibilili
ngiyabuya” watsho lawo esithi lothu uMaMdluli
esiyangena egumbini lakhe lokulala.

Waphuma esephethe usakazana ofanekiswe amaluba

(giftbag) wafika wayiqhubela uNomaswazi.
Wabobotheka umntwana oyinkazana wayamukela
usakazana wawubeka etafuleni. “Ngiyabonga eNyathi
eMdluli babakazi.”
“Vula ubone makoti kambe ungabonga into
ongayibonanga” kutsho uMaMdluli.

Wavula usakazana uNomaswazi wathaba

okwedluleleyo ebona impahla ayezithengelwe
nguThabo. “Impahla kanye lendandatho ukuthengelwe
nguThabo. Uthe ngimcelele uxolo, uthembisila ukuthi
nxa ungamukela isicelo sakhe uzakulobola atshade
lawe.”
“Yebo ngiyezwa babakazi kodwa inhliziyo yami isopha
igazi angeke ngenelise ukumxolela khathesi. Ngicela

18
umtshele angibekezelele mhlawumbe sengingamxolela
ngokuqhubeka kwensuku” kutsho uNomaswazi.
“Kulungile makoti ngizamazisa” kutsho uMaMdluli.
Masinyane nje uyisekazi kaThabo wapheka itiye
banatha loMaNdlovu.

ISAHLUKO SESITHATHU.

Atshovana amahola kwaze kwatshaya ihola lakuqala

emini uThabo watshayisa emsebenzini wakhe. Angithi
vele ngoMgqibelo batshayisa masinyane. Wahle
wayangena emoteni wayidumisa wanyathela amafutha
elubangise eCowdrpark. ‘Engasake amukele isicelo
sami uNomaswazi’ watsho ngenhliziyo uThabo esedlula
esikolo seThembiso.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engemingaki wayesefikile endlini

kayisekazi. “Kho kho!” NguThabo lowo eqoqoda
emnyango wendlu kayisekazi. “Ngubani?”
“Yimi antiza” kuphendula uThabo efuqa umnyango
engena angithi kwakungahluthulelwanga. Zehla
inyembezi ezingelamkhosi kuNomaswazi ebona uThabo
ekhanya ngekhanda.

19
Wafika wahlala phansi uThabo babingelelana babuzana
impilo. “Ufike kuhle mfana wami, intombi yakho
ingakahambi” kutsho uMaMdluli ephosa amehlo
kuThabo owayegxumeke ubuso phansi. Waqhubeka
uMaMdluli wathi, “akugobo lingeqondiswe. Bantwabami
awukho umuzi ongathunqi intuthu, ngicela lixolisane."
Wavusa ubuso uThabo wakhangela uNomaswazi
ngapho ehlengezela inyembezi wathi, “Noma
ngiyaxolisa ukwephula isithembiso sethu. Ngicela
ungixolele angeke ngiphinde.”
“Kulungile ngiyakuxolela, kodwa ngicela siyehlolwa igazi
kuqala” kuphendula uNomaswazi.

Wavuma ngekhanda uThabo kodwa uvalo lumdutshuza.

Angithi ijazi lomkhwenyana ladabuka embethe ingubo
loSithandekile.
“Thabo njengoba esekuxolele uMaNdlovu uthini ngaye?
Uyamlobola loba hatshi?” NguMaMdluli lowo ephosa
umbuzo. “Ngiyamthatha babakazi” kuphendula uThabo.
“Uyazizwela MaNdlo, uvumelana layo yini inkulumo
yejaha lakho?”
“Yebo ngiyavuma babakazi kodwa bengifisa siyehlolwa
igazi kuqala” waphendula ngelizwi eliphansi
uNomaswazi.

Batshona bezixoxela ilanga lathi selikhotheme

uNomaswazi wavalelisa. “Babakazi loMdluli sengihamba
lisale kuhle.”
“Yindaba ungalali makoti uzahamba kusasa ekuseni?”
Kubuza uyisekazi kaThabo. “Angeke ngilale lapha
babakazi ubaba uluhlaza engangibulala zhii” kutsho

20
uMaNdlovu. “Kulungile malukazana uhambe kuhle,
Thabo phelekezela omunye.”
“Kulungile babakazi” watsho lawo esithi lothu
ebobotheka umfokaMdluli.

Baqhubana lentombi yakhe besiyaphuma emnyango

baya emoteni. UThabo wafika wavulela uNomaswazi
isivalo semota wangena esebobotheka umntakaNdlovu.
Masinyane nje wadumisa imota uThabo wanyathela
amafutha kancane yahamba kuhle imota isiyangena
umgwaqo omkhulu.

“MaNdlo ngicela ungixolele angeke ngiphinde futhi,

ngasuka ngakhulelwa yimizwa.”
“Kube wangitshela Mdluli ngakupha ubuntombi bami.
Akusenani asechithekile awasabutheki. Sengikuxolele
kodwa inxeba elisenhliziyweni yami alikapholi” kutsho
uNomaswazi. Wayitshayela kuhle-kuhle imota
umfokaMdluli waze wayayimisa koSokusile.

Behla baqhubana bayangena emavinkilini uThabo

wafika wathengela intombi yakhe iziwiji lezi okuthiwa
ngamachocolate lenamunede basebebuyela emoteni.
“Ngiyabonga s'thandwa sami uhambe kuhle” kutsho
uNomaswazi esanga ijaha lakhe. “Ngiyabonga Noma
ntombi yami” kutsho uThabo zisehla inyembezi
zenjabulo ebusweni bakhe.

Wayibukela intombi yakhe yaze yayasithela emnyameni.

Wasengena emoteni yakhe wayitshayela wabuyela

21
esilojeni sakhe. ‘Kufanele ngimbonge ubabakazi wenze
umsebenzi omkhulu’ watsho ngenhliziyo uThabo.

Ekufikeni kwakhe endlini yakhe wahle wageza walala.

Ngemva kwamahola amathathu wayesejumekile.

‘Kumbe uThabo udliwa yini esecake kanjeya? Kumbe

yiyo lempicabadala (aids). Nxa eselomkhuhlane angeke
ngivume angilobole, phela ngiyabe sengifana xathu
lomuntu ohlala elangabini lomlilo ekhangele.’
Wayebalisa ngenhliziyo umntakaNdlovu.

‘Kungcono ngitshayele uThabo ucingo’ watsho

ngenhliziyo uNomaswazi ethatha umakhalekhukhwini
wakhe. Wacofa inombolo zocingo lukaThabo
wamtshayela ucingo. Wethuka uThabo esizwa ucingo
lwakhe lukhala walusabela.

“Yebo ndlovukazi yami, unjani s'thandwa sami.”

“Ngiyaphila Mdluli, uxolo ukukuphambanisa usulele jaha
lami. Ngiyakukhumbula somoya wami” kutsho
uNomaswazi ebobotheka. “Akulahlupho Noma khuluma
ngilalele ngilosi yami yasemhlabeni” kutsho uThabo.
“Baba Mdluli ngicela sihambe siyehlolwa igazi eMpilo
kusasa.”
“Kulungile ntombi yami” waphendula selumdutshuza
uvalo umfokaNyathi. Baxoxa okwemizuzu engaba
mithathu bavalelisana waquma ucingo lwakhe
uNomaswazi.

22
“Nxa ngingabanjwa ngilomkhuhlane ngizaba
ngokabani? Ukungazi kufana lokufa sibili, kube
ngangisazi ngabe angizange ngimbathe ingubo
loSithandazile.” NguThabo lowo ekhuluma yedwa
esehlezi phezulu kwethala. Kazange abuquthe
ubuthongo lobo busuku. Yayigigana imicabango
ekhanda lakhe.

Lasa elakusisa ilanga uNomaswazi wavuka walunga

waya emsebenzini. Kwathi kutshaya ihola lakuqala
emini watshayela uThabo ucingo, wacela ukuthi
bahlangane esibhedlela seMpilo angithi
wayesetshayisile emsebenzini. Wahle wayagada
umtshova wayakwehlela eMpilo.

Walinda okwemizuzu engaba mihlanu wabe esefikile

uThabo. Bafola emzileni laze lafika elabo ithuba lokuthi
bahlolwe bangena kwelinye igumbi. “Salibonani”
ngumongikazi lowo ebingelela uThabo lentombi yakhe.
Bavuma kanye-kanye. “Lizohlolwa igazi?” Kubuza
umongikazi ebakhangele enhlamvini zamehlo. “Yebo
sizohlolwa mongikazi” kutsho uNomaswazi. “Yindaba
licabange ukuzohlolwa igazi?” Wabuza njalo
umongikazi.

“Senzela ukuhlala sisazi ukuthi sisesimeni esinjani”

waphendula eziqinisa uThabo. Waxoxisana labo
umongikazi wabafundisa mayelana lokuvikela
umkhuhlane wempicabadala (aids). Wathi eseqedile
ukubafundisa wabahlola igazi wathi balinde umphumela
wabo.

23
Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba litshumi wawusuphumile
umphumela wabo. Batholakala bengelawo umkhuhlane.
Umongikazi wathi baphenduke njalo bazohlola igazi
kungedlula inyanga ezintathu.

Wathaba kakhulu umfokaMdluli kwathi kagiye atshaye

ivokloklo kodwa wesaba amehlo abantu. Waqhubana
lentombi yakhe bayangena emoteni. Wayidumisa
umfana elubangise ekhefa leHoliday inn. Wafika
wayimisa phambili kwekhefa behla bayangena ekhefa.
Wathenga ukudla kanye lenamunede umfokaMdluli
badla lentombi yakhe.

Bathi sebeqedile ukudla bangena emoteni baya endlini

kaThabo. Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba ngamatshumi
amathathu basebefikile. “Noma ngicela ungivumele
ngikwenze unkosikazi wami.”
“Kulungile baba” kuvuma uNomaswazi ebobotheka.
“Kulungile dali ekupheleni kwayonale inyanga
ngizathuma abantu bayengucelela ubuhlobo ngakini.
Sengidiniwe ngokuba nguphekeyakhe” kutsho uThabo.

“Ha ha ha! Mdluli ungibulaliselani ngembambo jaha

lami. Dinga imfanelo zabadala uhle ungithathe sizohlala
ndawonye njengamajuba.”
“Yisifiso sami leso MaNdlo, ngifisa sitshade ntombi yami
ngikutshintshe isibongo ube ngowakoNyathi” kutsho
umfokaMdluli. “Ngingajabula baba Mdluli” kutsho
uNomaswazi.

24
Zatshovana insuku inyanga yathi isiphelile uThabo
wacela amalanga okuphumula emsebenzini wakhe.
Umaqhuzu wakhe wasamukela isicelo sakhe wamupha
amalanga ambalwa. Wathaba umfokaMdluli wahle
walungiselela uhambo lwakhe lokuya kibo eLupane
esigani seDandanda. Khonapho nje watshayela intombi
yakhe ucingo. “Yebo jaha lami unjani?”
“Ngiyaphila MaNdlo, ngiya ekhaya lamuhla.
Ngilethemba wabatshela abadala ukuthi abakhwenyana
bayeza" kutsho uThabo. "Kulungile baba, ngatshela
ubabakazi wathi uzancweba ubaba udlebe. Kodwa
ubaba sowathatha umhlalaphansi ngikhuluma nje
usekhaka eFumugwe," kutsho uNomaswazi. “Kulungile
sithandwa usale kuhle.”
“Uhambe kuhle baba wabantwabami, ugcine isithembiso
sethu phela Mdluli” kutsho uNomaswazi ephetha
inkulumo yakhe. Waquma ucingo lwakhe umfokaNyathi.

Masinyane nje wangena emoteni wayidumisa,

wanyathela amafutha elubangise kibo. Wafica umdeni
wangakibo uthe gwaqa bemlinde ngamehlo abomvu.
Angithi wayetshayele unina ucingo wamazisa ukuthi
usendleleni. Babingelelana kwaba kuhle.

Ngemva kwalokho uyisemkhulu kaThabo wabizela

abantwabakhe kanye labazukulu edale. Masinyane nje
basebethe gwaqa edale kuthuli cwaka. “Thabo
usukhulile mzukulu?” Kubuza uyisemkhulu kaThabo
emkhangele enhlamvini zamehlo. “Yebo sengikhulile
babamkhulu” watsho ngokuzethemba umfana.

25
“Kuhle mfana wami, ngizwe uyihlokazi esithi uthe
usufuna ukuthatha umfazi.”
“Yebo kunjalo babamkhulu” wavuma njalo umfana.
“Indoda ngenjalo mzukulu ulalo ibhatshi yini? Ngoba lolu
uhambo ofuna ukuluhamba lufuna indoda
ezethembayo.”
“Yebo ngiyithengile isudu babamkhulu” waphendula
engagqize qhakala ujaha.

“Ha ha ha! Siphukuphuku somfana nxa ngibuza ibhatshi

ngibuza imfanelo zokuyathatha umfazi.”
“Ha ha ha! Ngilazo babamkhulu ngisuke ngeqiwa
ngamazwi ahlakaniphileyo” kutsho uThabo. “Kulungile
mzukulu ngizacela uSekaMzingeli akuqhube phambili
kwakusasa” kutsho uNyathi uyisemkhulu kaThabo.

Ngalowo mzuzu uNomaswazi wayesendlini kayisekazi

eMagwegwe. “Babakazi abantu bemzini engake
ngakutshela ngabo basendleleni.”
“Hawu Noma! Asigijime siyegada umtshova siye enzikini
yedolobho. Kumbe sizayifica ibhasi undanisa? Angithi
isuka lapha ngehola lesibili ngemva kwemini?”
“Yebo, sizayifica babakazi alikatshayi ihola lesibili
kusele imizuzu engamatshumi amahlanu ukuthi litshaye”
kuphendula uNomaswazi.

Balunga ngokuphangisa bahle bayagada umtshova

baya enzikini yedolobho lakoBulawayo. Ngenhlanhla
yamaSwazi aqonyiswa yinkosi elempunza bafica ibhasi
undanisa isiduma bangena ngokuphangisa. Wanyathela
amafutha umtshayeli yadla umango insimbi yamakhiwa

26
ilubangise khonale emakhaya. Ilanga lathi litshona
sebefikile emzini kayise kaNomaswazi.

ISAHLOKO SESINE.

Atshovana amahola lasa elakusisa uNomaswazi

labanawakhe bavuka bathanyela iguma benza yonke
imisebenzi yekuseni. “Noma Noma!” Nguyise
kaNomaswazi lowo ememeza indodakazi yakhe. “Baba”
kusabela uNomaswazi esiyalapho abizwa khona.
“Sengibuyile baba.”
“Kulungile gijima uyebiza uyihlo omdala loyihlo omncane
uthi ngithe ngicela bafike lapha ngokuphazima kweso”
kutsho uyise kaNomaswazi. Wathi lothu uNomaswazi
wayabiza uyise omdala loyise omncane.

Esedleleni lwakhala ucingo lwakhe walwamukela

ngokuphangisa. “Yebo baba Mdluli, utshonenjani
sithandwa?”
“Ngitshonile MaNdlo sesiyihlafunile lindaba labadala
bathe sizabuya sizovela kusasa. Ulokhu ukoBulawayo
kumbe useFumugwe?”
“Kulungile Mdluli ngizatshela abadala. Ngisekhaya
ngibuye izolo ntambama” kuphendula uNomaswazi.
Baxoxa okwesikhatshana wasequma ucingo lwakhe
umfokaMdluli.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engemingaki wayesefikile koyise

omdala uNomaswazi. Wakhuleka wavunyelwa nguyise
omdala wangena. “Sabona MaNdlo, unjani mntanami?”

27
“Yebo, ngiyaphila baba ngingabuza lina” kuphendula
uNomaswazi. “Kuhle mntanami, usiphatheleni
koNtuthuziyathunqa?”
“Ngiliphathele indaba ezimnandi. Ubaba uthe ngizolicela
kulethambo afisa liliqhobe lindawonye,” kuphendula
uNomaswazi.
“Kulungile MaNdlo asihambe siyedlula sithatha uyihlo
omncane” watsho lawo edobha udondolo lwakhe
uGatsheni wadondolozela bangena indlela eya emzini
womfowabo. Badlula bemthatha baya ngakibo
kaNomaswazi.

Ekufikeni kwabo uNomaswazi wahle wanyenyezela

uyisekazi ukuthi umkhwenyana uthe bazafika kusisa.
Uyisekazi wahle wadlulisa umlayezo kubanewabo.

“SekaThabo ngikhulume laye uSekaMzingeli uvumile

ukuqhuba uThabo ebukhweni bakhe” Kutsho
uyisemkhulu kaThabo. “Ngiyabonga baba, ngilethemba
uyazizwela ndodana. Inhlelo zakho zimi njani?” Kubuza
uyise kaThabo.

“Bengicabanga ukuvela ngihle ngilobole baba, imali

engilayo inengi” kuphendula uThabo. “Ulomntwana laye
yini umalukazana mzukulu?”
“Hatshi asilamntwana babamkhulu” kuphendula uThabo.
“Kulotsholwa abantwana mzukulu hatshi umfazi,
bekunjalo lasendulo. Ngensuku zalamuhla abantu
sebejaha amalobolo entombi ngenxa yobugovu nje.
Izolo bekulizilo lelo, uhlupho yikuthi abantu sebalahla

28
amasiko balandela amasiko ezizweni.” Kulandisa ixhegu
lakoNyathi.

UThabo wavuka kusisa emadabukakusa, walunga

wayadlula ethatha uyise kaMzingeli baya koBulawayo.
Babezixoxela cala celeni ngapho isidla umango insimbi
yamakhiwa.

Ilanga lathi likhipha imisebe yalo sebefikile koBulawayo.

“Baba angikwazi lapho esiyakhona uMaNdlo wathi
ngingafika eKhumalo west ngiphambuke emgwaqweni
omkhulu ngithathe oqonda entshonalanga. “Khululeka
mntanami ngiyakwazi eFumugwe, ngathutha
eMazhayimbe” kutsho uyise kaMzingeli.

Ngemva kwehola basebedlula emavinkilini eChaap

isihamba ngesivinini esikhulu imota kaThabo. “UJike
laphayana mfana wami, yikho eKhumalo west lapha”
kutsho uyise kaMzingeli. Wanyathela amafutha
umfokaMdluli masinyane nje basebedlula emavinkilini
eBazha.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba ngamatshumi amane

basebefikie emavinkilini eFumugwe wamisa imota
umfokaMdluli. Wehla emoteni wabuza umuzi wangakibo
kaNomaswazi komunye umfana. Wamlayela umuzi
umfana wahle wangena emoteni umfokaMdluli.
Wayidumisa wahamba umango omfitshane wasemisa
imota angithi basebefikile koNdlovu. Behla baqhubana
beqonda esangweni bafika bakhuleka.

29
“MaMoyo hamba uyetshela abantu bemzini bangene”
kutsho uyise omdala kaNomaswazi. Wathi lothu
umkhongi wakoNdlovu waya esangweni. Wafika
wabingelela wasesithi, “abadala bathi lingene.”
Baqhubana bayangena kwelinye ixhiba, bafika
bahlaliswa ecansini. Wabatshiya lapho umkhongi
wayaphenduka esephethe ingcebethu encane.

Wafaka imali yokungena ekhaya kanye lesivulamlomo

uyise kaMzingeli. Wathatha ingcebethu waphuma njalo
wayaphenduka esephethe iphepha elalibhalwe zonke
imfanelo zakoNdlovu. Ukangaziwe kwabizwa inkomo
uyise kaMzingeli wabhadala imali eyenela ukuthenga
inkomo. Wabuyela njalo umkhongi lapho
okwakubuthene khona umdeni wakoNdlovu.

Khonapho nje atshaya umbululu amanina zalilizela

izalukazi zibonga kwabakoMdluli. “BakoMdluli abadala
bathe babongile, bathembisile ukuthi bazaqhuba
umalukazana wenu ngemva kwamaviki amabili” kutsho
umkhongi wakoNdlovu. Wabonga uyise kaMzingeli
wavalelisa baphuma bayangena emoteni wayitshayela
uThabo babuyela eLupane.

“Uyabona abakwenuzala basasibambelele isintwini

mfana wami. Babize kuhle kakhulu abakubulalanga.
Lapha uthethe umfazi oqotho mntanami bakhuthele
abantwana bezintabeni” kutsho uyise kaMzingeli.
“Ngiyabonga baba” kutsho uThabo ebobotheka.

30
Uyise kaMzingeli wafika wabikela abakoMdluli mayelana
lohambo lwabo. Wajabula kakhulu umdeni wakoMdluli.
“Yikho ukuba yindoda lokhu mzukulu. Ngiyaziqhenya
ngawe mntano-mntanami awakhiwe umuzi Mdluli,
ukhule umdeni wakoNyathi. Asihambeni esibayeni”
kutsho uyisemkhulu kaThabo. Bathi lothu baqhubana
bobathathu baya esibayeni.

“Mzukulu indoda yindoda ngenkomo zayo. Ngiyakupha

ithokazi leli eliliganu.” Wabonga waze wahlaba phansi
ngedolo umfokaMdluli.

Baqhubana njalo babuyela ekhaya, bafika bazihlalela

edale. Angithi emzini kaMdluli amajaha kawakwejisi
emkulwini ahlala edale loyisemkhulu. “Ubuyela nini
emsebenzini ndodana?” Kubuza uyise kaThabo.
“Ngiyabuyela ngolweSibili baba” kuphendula uThabo.
“Kulungile ndodana.” Bazixoxela ngendaba
ezehlukeneyo uyisemkhulu kaThabo efundisa
abazukulu bakhe indlela okufanele baziphathe ngayo.

Atshovana amalanga uThabo wavalelisa wabuyela

emsebenzini wakhe. Angithi amalanga akhe ekhefu
ayesephelile. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga evela emsebenzini
wayadlula endlini kayisekazi. Wamfica ekhona
babingelelana babuzana impilo. “Wabatshiya benjani
ekhaya mntanami” kutsho uMaMdluli. “Ngabatshiya
bephilile babakazi” kuphendula umfoka Mdluli.

Waqhubeka wathi, “babakazi umalukazana wakho

uyabona amaguma ngeviki ezayo.”

31
“Zindaba ezimnandi lezo ndodana” watsho lawo injabulo
ibhaliwe ebusweni bakhe uMaMdluli.

Ngaleso sikhathi uMaNdlovu uyisekazi kaNomaswazi

wayehlezi emkulwini elaya umntwana womnewabo.
“Nomaswazi ususiyakwenda mntanami, okokuqala
yinhlonipho. Umhloniphe umyeni wakho ukuze
umakhele isithunzi, ungaphoseleni laye amazwi.
Uzihloniphe izihlobo zomyeni wakho, unyokozala
ngunyoko, uyihlozala laye nguyihlo ubahloniphe.
Ungafiki usuxabanisa umdeni wakwenuzala. Nxa
unyokozala engakukhuza kumbe akuthethise
ungatshoni usuthwele umlomo, njalo umkakho
ungamtsheli. Umalukazana uvuka kusemnyama ayenze
imisebenzi yakhe. Kuyasetshenzwa emendweni inkuni
ziyathezwa amanzi ayakhiwa kuyagigwa. Abantwana
ozabafica emendweni ayisibo bakho ungafiki
usubathuma kumbe usubapha amazopho okupheka
kumbe awokugiga. Umendo awuthunyelwa gundwane
mntanami loba kunzima njani kufanele ubekezele”
kutsho uMaNdlovu.

“Kunzima emendweni babakazi, utsho ukuthi

sengiyatshona ngiphekela abantwana abancane
ngibathezela lenkuni bezihlalele?” Wabuza esezibambe
ngenkophe inyembezi uNomaswazi. “Khumbula uya
emendweni mntanami, bengakuncedisa nxa befuna.
Kumbe nxa unyokozala kunguye othe bakuncedise
kodwa ungafiki usubathuma.”
“Kulungile babakazi, ngizabekezela loba kulukhuni nje”
kutsho uNomaswazi.

32
Atshovana amalanga uNomaswazi waqhutshwa
emendweni wakhe eLupane esigabeni seDandanda.
Bafika bahlala ngaphandle kwesango. Masinyane nje
wayesebabonile ugogo kaThabo wathi lothu waya
esangweni. Wafika waphosela imali phambili kwabo
wayithatha uyisekazi kaNomaswazi bangena ekhaya.
Bafika bahlala emnyango wexhiba baphiwa imali
bangena exhibeni. Bonke ababebingelela umalukazana
babemnika isipho andubana bembingelele. Abanye
babemnika indibilitshi, abanye insiba zenkukhu.

Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa baphiwa ukudla wayala

ukudla uNomaswazi waphiwa imali wasesidla.

Atshovana amahola laze layangena kunina ilanga

uNomaswazi, uyisekazi kanye lodadewabo omncane
balala kulelo xhiba. Bavuka kusisa ekuseni abantu
besalele bathanyela iguma babuthelela izibi bazitshiya
zingabuthwanga. Baphiwa imali basebezibutha.
Basebesiyakukha amanzi emgodini. Ekuphendukeni
kwabo kazange ayethule inkonxa uNomaswazi. Unina
kaThabo wamkhunga waseyethula inkonxa yamanzi.
Bahlala amalanga amabili eLupane basebebuyela
eFumugwe.

“Litshonile mnewethu.”
“Ngitshonile dadewethu, utshonenjani? Ngibona lina
ebelihambile.” Nguyise kaNomaswazi lowo ekhuluma
lodadewabo. “Sihambe kuhle Ndlovenkulu, basiphathe

33
kuhle kakhulu koMdluli. Njalo bazimele inkomo zidlana
uboya” kulandisa uyisekazi kaNomaswazi. “Kuhle lokho
dadewethu, lezi insuku sebebalutshwane abantu
abasalandela isintu. Amajaha kawasaloboli uyathola
umuntu esezele lomntwana wabantu waze waqeda
ithumbu engakhiphanga lutho.” Kutsho uyise
kaNomaswazi.

Zatshovana insuku waqhutshwa wayakwenda

uNomaswazi. “Noma ungakhathazeki uzasala
lomnawakho uNomagugu uzakuncedisa yonke
imisebenzi yakho” kutsho uyisekazi kaNomaswazi.
Wavuma ngokunqekuza ikhanda esezibambe
ngenkophe inyembezi.

Bamukelwa ngesihle koMdluli, bavuka kusisa ekuseni

kakhulu bayakukha amanzi. Ekuphendukeni kwabo
bafika bakhudumeza amanzi. AbakoMdluli bathi bevuka
bathola amanzi esekhudumala. Babathelela amanzi
bayageza, basebehlawula indibitshi yokugeziswa.

ISAHLUKO SESIHLANU.

Ngelanga elilandelayo baqala ukutheza inkuni. Kwathi

kusiyaphela amaviki amathathu sekulebonda lenkuni

34
elibekelelwe kuhle. Umalukazana wavuka kusisa
ekuseni kakhulu wathatha icansi, ingubo kanye
lenkatha, wakhwela ebondeni wendlala walala phezulu.
AbakoMdluli bathi bevuka babona umalukazana wabo
elele phezulu kwebonda. Bamnika imbuzi waseyehla
ebondeni.

Sebeqedile yonke imikhuba yekwendeni uyisekazi

kaNomaswazi wavalelisa wabuyela kibo. Watshiya
uNomaswazi lomnawakhe uNomagugu koMdluli. Kwathi
ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uNomagugu wabuyela kibo
watshiya udadewabo emendweni wakhe.

Unina kaThabo wayengamthontisi umalukazana wakhe.

Babehlala bendawonye xathu ibhulugwe lebhanti. Nxa
ungazi wawungaqagela uthi ngumuntu lodadewabo,
kanti akunjalo ngumuntu loninazala.

‘Ngaze ngakhumbula intombi yami bakithi’ wayebalisa

ngenhliziyo uThabo ecambaleke ethaleni lakhe. Wacina
ecabanga ukuthi angene emoteni ayebona intombi
yakhe kibo eLupane. Wahle wavuka wayageza
watshintsha impahla wangena emoteni yakhe
wayidumisa elubangise enzikini yedolobho
lakoBulawayo. Wafika wathenga ukudla okuhlukeneyo
wangena emoteni wayidumisa elubangise kibo.

Ngemva kwamahola angaba mabili lengxenye yemizuzu

wayesefikile ngakibo. Bajabulelana babingelelana
kwaba kuhle. Wayithapha ngamehlo intombi yakhe
iditshazela egumeni langakibo ilungiselela ukupheka

35
ukudla kwantambama. Wabobotheka enhliziyweni
wayesithi, ‘yimi lo esengizakhudunyezelwa amanzi
okugeza, ngiphekelwe ukudla okumnandi!’

Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa wayeseqedile ukupheka

uMaNdlovu waphakulela abantu badla. Sebeqedile
ukudla uMaNdlovu kanye labanawakhe bakaThabo
baqoqa imicephe bayihlanza. “MaNdlo kuhlwile
mntanami hamba uyekwendlalela umkakho” kutsho
unina kaThabo. “Kulungile mama” watsho lawo esithi
lothu uMaNdlovu elubangise exhibeni lomyeni wakhe.

Khonapho nje uThabo wavalelisa umdeni wangakibo

waya exhibeni lakhe. “Kho kho!” NguThabo lowo
eqoqoda ngapho efuqa isivalo engena exhibeni lakhe.
Wabobotheka umntakaNdlovu. “Unjani kodwa
Ndlovukazi yami?”
“Ngiyaphila Nyathi enkulu” kuphendula uMaNdlovu
ibhaliwe injabulo ebusweni bakhe. Bazihlalela ethaleni
baxoxa ngendaba ezehlukeneyo.

Ngemva kwesikhatshana bangena ensimini waqala

ukulima umfokaMdluli ingqe kwakulimeka nzima angithi
wayelima insimu entsha. Emveni kwalokho wabonga
umfokaMdluli wathi, “ngiyabonga ukungigcinela insimu
yami nkosikazi, ngicela uyigcine kuhle.”
“Uyamukelekile baba Mdluli, akula muntu ozangena
ensimini yakho” kuphendula uNomaswazi ebobotheka.
“MaNdlo ngangingathembi ukuthi ungendela emakhaya,
phela inengi lamankazana akoBulawayo awayithandi
impilo yemakhaya.”

36
“Uxolo Mdluli ungangifanisi lama born location mina
ngakhulela ekhaya ngifuthwa yintuthu ngigiga inyawuthi.
Akula msebenzi wekhaya engingawaziyo” kutsho
uMaNdlovu. Masinyane nje bathunjwa yibuthongo.

UMaNdlovu waphaphama kusasemnyama phandle

wayatheza inkuni eguswini. ILanga lathi lihlaba imisebe
yalo uThabo ekhona ephaphama wavuka wayageza
ubuso. “Livukenjani mama?”
“Ngivukile ndodana ngingabuza wena, ungaphi
uMaNdlovu?” Kubuza unina kaThabo. “Angazi mama
kalayelanga ukuthi uyangaphi, mina yikho ngivuka.”
“Kuhle Mdluli, mhlawumbe uyetheza inkuni phela kahlali
phansi unkosikazi wakho yisambane ngokwaso. Lapha
wathatha umfazi oqotho mntanami manga mabi, yimvu
inceku yeNkosi ngokwayo. Inhlonipho angikhulumi
ngamanzi okugeza ubuso kuye” ngunina kaThabo lowo
encoma umalukazana wakhe. “Ngiyabonga mama,
ngicela ukuhamba laye koBulawayo.”
“Kulungile ndodana vele kufanele uhlale eduze lobambo
lwakho ukuze ungacini usulingeka ngamaluba omhlaba.
Uyabuyela nini emsebenzini?” Kubuza uMaNkiwane
unina kaThabo. “Ngiyabuyela kusasa ekuseni mama”
kutsho umfokaMdluli.

Besaxoxa nje bezwa uMaNdlovu elahla phansi

umnyaba wenkuni. Wangena ekhaya wafika waviyoca
wabingelela umdeni wakoMdluli. Wathatha inkonxa
eselungela ukuya emgodini. “MaNdlo ngilinda sihambe
sonke mntanami” kutsho uMaNkiwane.

37
Walinda uninazala bahamba bobabili. “MaNdlo umyeni
wakho uthe ulungise impahla zakho lizahamba lonke
koBulawayo kusasa.”
“Izulu selizasewula mama angeke ngiyekoBulawayo
ngifulathela ukulima, ngizahamba singaqeda
ukuhlakula. Ngifuna ukuqala ngikuncedise imisebenzi
yemasimini” nguNomaswazi lowo esenqaba ukuhamba
lomyeni wakhe. Wancenga uMaNkiwane waze wavuma
uMaNdlovu kodwa wathi uzayahlala isikhatshana nje
koBulawayo aphenduke ekhaya ezolima.

Ekufikeni kwabo ekhaya uMaNdlovu wahle wahlanza

impahla zakhe kanye lezomyeni wakhe.

Atshovana amahola lasa elakusisa ilanga uMaNdlovu

lomyeni wakhe bavuka balunga baya koBulawayo.
Lwavutha ngamandla uthando kulabo ababili,
uNomaswazi wayephathwa njengeqanda. Kwathi
sokwedlule amaviki amabili uMaNdlovu wabuyela
ekhaya wayancedisa abakwabozala ukulima. Bathi
sebeqedile ukulima wabuyela koBulawayo.

Zatshovana insuku uNomaswazi waze wathatha isisu.

Wajabula umfokaMdluli phela wayesediniwe
ngokubizwa ngebizo njengebhasi.

Zatshovana insuku umthwalo kaNomaswazi ulokhu

ukhula. Ngemva kwenyanga eziyisitshiyagalombili
wayalindela esibhedlela seMpilo.

38
Wabeletha amaphahla abafana bodwa. Wajabula
kakhulu umdeni wakoNyathi usizwa kuthiwa
umalukazana wabo ubelethile.

“Baba njengoba umalukazana ebelethile ngicela

ukuyamnakekela” kususa unina kaThabo. “Licebo elihle
lelo nkosikazi, kangeke enelise ukunakekela abantwana
ababili eyedwa. Kungcono ugade ibhasi kusasa
uyembona. Amabizo abazukulu nguSiyanda lo Ayanda.
Ngoba uyakhula umdeni wakoNyathi” kutsho uyise
kaThabo. “Kulungile baba ngizayenza njalo” watsho
lawo ebobotheka uMaNkiwane, phela kamthontisi
umalukazana wakhe.

Lasa elakusisa ilanga wavuka empondozankomo

uMaNkiwane walungiselela uhambo lwakhe. Ngemva
kwehola wayeseqedile wathi hlasi isikhwama sakhe
sempahla wangena indlela eya esititshini samabhasi.
Walinda okwemizuzu engaba mithathu yatsho
isithelekile ibhasi ingadlanga nkotshana zamuntu.
Yamginya, wanyathela amafutha umtshayeli elubangise
khona kanye koBulawayo. Unina kaThabo wehlela
enzikini yedolobho wahle wayagada umtshova waya
endlini kaThabo eCowdrypark. Wafica indodana yakhe
ikhona babingelelana bajabulelana kwaba kuhle.

“Asengamhlophe mntanami, bavuke njani abazukulu

bami?”
“Aseyiwo mama, bavukile abazukulu bakho ngike
ngakhuluma lonina ecingweni khathesi” kuphendula

39
uThabo ebobotheka. “Kuhle ndodana bathi
bayamkhulula nini?”
“Angilaqiniso mama, kodwa ngicabangela ukuthi
bengamkhulula lamuhla kumbe kusasa. Mina
sengilungela ukuya emsebenzini ngizadlula ngikutshiya
esibhedlela eMpilo” kutsho uThabo. Wavuma
ngokunqekuza ikhanda uMaNkiwane ebobotheka
injabulo ibuzwa ubusweni bakhe.

Ngemva kwemizuzu wayeseqedile uThabo bangena

emoteni lonina, wayidumisa elubangise eMpilo. Wafika
watshiya unina esangweni lesibhedlela seMpilo yena
wasedlulela emsebenzini wakhe, phela kwasekusele
imizuzu embalwa ukuthi kutshaye isikhathi abaqala
ngaso umsebenzi. Walinda phose ihola elilengxenye
yemizuzu uMaNkiwane wasengena esibhedlela
waqonda egumbini lapho okulabadlezane khona.

Masinyane nje wayesembonile umalukazana wakhe

kanye labazukulu bakhe.
Wajabula okwenye indlela eyisimanga. Kwathi kutshaya
ihola letshumi ekuseni wakhululwa uNomaswazi
kwathiwa usengahamba endlini yakhe. UMaNkiwane
wahle watshayela uThabo ucingo wamazisa ukuthi
uMaNdlovu usekhululiwe esibhedlela. “Kulungile mama
ngiyabuya khathesi” kutsho uThabo.

Wayekela ukukanika imota uThabo waya kumqhatshi

wakhe. Wacela imvumo yokuthi ayethatha unina lemuli
yakhe ayebatshiya esilojeni sakhe. Wavumela phezulu
umqhatshi wakhe angithi bavele bayezwana. Kazange

40
esaphozisa amaseko umfokaMdluli wangena emoteni
wayidumisa elubangise eMpilo. Wayeseyigijimisa
ngesivinini esikhulu.

Masinyane nje wayesefikile eMpilo. UMaNkiwane lemuli

kaThabo bangena emoteni, wayidumisa njalo imota
uThabo wayabatshiya endlini yakhe wasebuyela
emsebenzini.

Zelekana zaze zaba ntathu inyanga uMaNkiwane

enakekela abazukulu bakhe. Wathi ebona abazukulu
bakhe sebekhula-khulile wasevalelisa wabuyela emzini
wakhe.

“MaNdlo ngibona kungcono ukuthi ngikudingele

unkazana ozakuncedisa endlini.”
“Ngiyakuzwa baba Mdluli, kodwa bengibona kungcono
ukuthi ngicele umnawami azongincedisa” kuphendula
uNomaswazi. Baxoxisana bacina bevumelane ukuthi
bazacela uNomagu umnawakhe kaNomaswazi
azobancedisa.

Wathatha umakhalekhukhwini wakhe uNomaswazi

watshayela unina ucingo. “Yebo mntanami unjani,
banjani abazukulu?” Ngunina kaNomaswazi lowo
esabela ucingo. “Ngiyaphila mama, abantwana
bayakhula. Ngicela uNomagugu azongincedisa
imisebenzi yami yendlini.”
“Kulungile Noma ngizakhuluma loyihlo, engavuma
uzabuya angithi vele umelele imphumela yakhe

41
eyebanga lesine emfundweni ephezulu,” kutsho unina
kaNomaswazi.

“SaMaNdlo bengikhuluma loNoma ecingweni khathesi,

uthe ucela uNomagugu azomncedisa imisebenzi yakhe
koBulawayo.” “Kulungile nkosikazi kahambe uGugu
ayencedisa udadewabo” kuphendula uNdlovu. Unina
kaNomaswazi wahle wathumezela uNomaswazi
umlayezo emtshela ukuthi ahlangabeze udadewabo
omncane kusisa enzikini yedolobho lakoBulawayo.

Atshovana amahola lasa elakusisa ilanga, uNomagugu

wayagada ibhasi waya koBulawayo. Angithi wayevele
elele ebophile imitshaqana yakhe. Wafica udadewabo
emlindele enzinkini yedolobho lakoBulawayo. “Unjani
kodwa mntaka mama?” “Ngiyaphila dadewethu, banjani
abantwabami?” Kuphendula uNomagugu. “Bayaphila
ngibatshiye lo sibale wakho asihambe ngiyafica
sebekhala” kutsho uNomaswazi. Baqhubana bayagada
umtshova wayabatshiya eduze lalapho okuloja khona
uThabo.

Ngemva kwemizuzu embalwa basebefikile endlini

kaThabo. “Abakavuki abafana bami SekaSiyanda?”
NguNomaswazi lowo ebuza umyeni wakhe edlula
egumbini lokuphumulela esiya kwelokulala.

“Salibonani sibali” nguNomagugu lowo ebingelela

uThabo ngapho eviyoca. “Sondela uxhawule sibali
angilumi abantu mina ha ha ha!” Watsho lawo ezihlekela

42
umfokaMdluli. Wasondela uNomagugu waxhawula
usibali wakhe.

ISAHLUKO SESITHUPHA.

Zelekana inyanga uNomaswazi ezihlalele kuhle

lomnawakhe. UNomagugu yena wayesemhlophe nke,
umzimba lo usiyisigombolozi ngokwaso kanti
wayesidlani ebabayo ngaphandle kwebilebile
ayezifakela lona kuphela. “Gugu ngiyabuya mbayimbayi
ngisaya embuthanweni wabomama. Silenhlanganiso
yethu singomama siyathengelana imiganu, imbiza

43
lokunye nje okutshiyeneyo okusetshenziswa emkulwini,”
kutsho uNomaswazi. “Kulungile dadewethu” kuvuma
uNomagugu ezidlalela labantwana bakadadewabo.

Ngalowo mzuzu uThabo wayesetshayisile emsebenzini,

angithi bayaphangisa ukutshayisa ngolwesihlanu. Wahle
wangena emoteni wayidumisa elubangise endlini yakhe.
“Utshonenjani sibali, sondela lapha ngibambe ibele”
Kutsho uThabo. “Ngitshonile sibali, ungiphatheleni
lamuhla” kutsho uNomagugu angithi usibali wakhe
ujayele ukumphathela iziwiji lezi okuthiwa ngama
chocolate ngolimi lwasemzini.

“Buya uzothatha ezimnandi mlamu wami” kutsho

uThabo enhliziyweni esithi wabanjwa mpukani. Wathi
lothu umntwana oyinkazana waya kusibali wakhe.
“Gugu nanso ichocolate yakho sondela lapha uthathe”
kutsho uThabo esadinga iqhinga lokuqila uNomagugu.
Wasondela uNomagugu wathatha isiwiji sakhe
wabonga.

“Gugu awuyifuni imali?”

“Ngiyayifuna SekaSiyanda” waphendula ebobotheka
umntwana oyinkazana engaliboni icala. Wakhipha
isizumbulu semali uThabo wasesithi; "nxa ungavuma
ukuya emacansini lami ngiyakunika yona." Wahlehla
nyovane uNomagugu wasesithi kuyazila lokho sibali
angeke ngidle udadewethu izithende. Wancenga
uThabo kodwa wafana xathu lothela amanzi emhlane
wedada.

44
‘Uthi kangihloleli ubaba yena lo sibili, akangiboni
ungizwa ngozipho njengekhomani. Angeke ngimbathe
ingubo losibali mina’ watsho ngenhliziyo uNomagugu.
“Ngiyaxolisa mlamu wami ngicela ungatsheli
udadewenu ngalindaba, ngiyacela MaGatsheni omuhle”
nguThabo lowo ngezwi lokuzincengela. “Kulungile
kodwa ungaphinda ngiyamtshela” kutsho umlamu
kaMdluli.

Ngemva kwemizuzu wayesefikile uNomaswazi

babingelelana. “Dadewethu sengikhumbula umama.
Ngicela imali ngiyembona ngizaphenduka njalo” kutsho
uNomagugu. Wethuka uThabo waqhulula amehlo xathu
inhloko yembuzi iphekwe lempondo. Lwamdutshuza
uvalo phela inhliziyo elecala ayikutholi ukuphumula.

“Hawu Gugu! Yindaba ungalindi uhambe kunyanga

ezayo? Mhlawumbe lemphumela yakho izabe
isiphumile.” Watsho lawo esebunile okomumbu otshiswe
lilanga uNomaswazi. “Uxolo dade, ngivumele ngiyebona
umama. Sesiside isikhathi ngingamboni” kutsho
uNomagugu. “Kulungile mntaka mama uzahamba
kusasa ibhasi izabe ikhona. Lunga siyefika edolobheni”
kutsho uNomaswazi. Wathi lothu uNomagugu
wayathatha ilembu lakhe lokugeza kanye lomlola
wayageza egumbini lokugezela.

“MaNdlo yindaba singahambi sokhe edolobheni usibali

asale labantwana?” Kubuza uThabo. “Akwenzi ukuthi
esale ngifuna ukuyamthengela impahla” kuphendula
uNomaswazi.

45
 Masinyane nje wayeselungile uNomagugu baqhubana
lodadewabo belubangise esititshini semitshova
eGarikai. “Dadewethu angifuni ukuthi sizondane
singabantwana bomuntu. Ngicela ukhuze indoda yakho
izibambe, ngisasemncane mina angingeke ngimbathe
ingubo lendoda yomnikazi.” Kulandisa uNomagugu.
“Aaaaaaaaa! Usekwenzeni uThabo Gugu?” Wabuza
esebambe owangaphansi uNomaswazi.

Walandisa indaba njengoba injalo uNomagugu.

“Kulungile mntaka mama ngizamkhuza” kutsho
uNomaswazi. ‘Baqinisile abathi ithendele alikhohlwa
ukukhala kwalo sibili. Ngangithi uThabo sewulahlile
umkhuba wakhe wobufebe kanti ngiyazikhohlisa nje.’
Wayebalisa ngenhliziyo uNomaswazi esethuli zwi xathu
isimungulu.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engemingaki basebefikile esitshini

semitshova. Bagada umtshova baya enzikini yedolobho
lakoBulawayo. Bafika bangena emavinkilini
okuthengiswa khona impahla. UNomaswazi wathengela
umnawakhe izigqoko, bayathenga ukudla koHyper
babuyela eCowdrypark.

Atshovana amahola bavalelisana bayalala. “Baba

kaSiyanda yindaba ungaziphathanga kanje?
Akuhloniphe njani umlamu wakho usenza kanje?”
“Uxolo nkosikazi mina bengizidlalela losibali nje
akulanto embi engiyenzileyo” nguThabo lowo ezama

46
ukucatsha ngomunwe. Bakhulumisana waxolisa
umfokaMdluli wathenbisa ukuthi angeke aphinde.

Lasa elakusisa ilanga uNomagugu wavuka

walungiselela uhambo lwakhe. Kwathi kutshaya ihola
letshumilambili emini esegadile ibhasi eya kibo
eFumugwe.

‘Kumbe usibali uzafika etshela umamazala ngalindaba?’

Yayibindana imicabango ekhanda likaThabo.

Zelekana inyanga amaphahla kaThabo aze enelisa

iminyaka emibili. Injabulo yayibuzwa emulini yakoMdluli
kungelalutho abaluswelayo.

“Ndlovukazi yami ngicabanga ukuthi ngithume idombo

lami liyeqedisa ukulobola ekupheleni kwenyanga.”
“Kulungile Mdluli” waphendula ebobotheka
uNomaswazi. “Ngicela ugezise abantwana
siyevakatshela umzawami uSiphamandla eNkulumane
12.”
“Kulungile baba” kutsho uNomaswazi. Wathi lothu
wagezisa amaphahla akhe. Masinyane nje
wayeseqedile. Walunga laye basebesiya eNkulumane
endlini yomzawakhe kaThabo.

Ngemva kwemizuzu basebefikile wamisa imota yakhe

phambili kwendlu yomzawakhe umfokaMdluli behla.
“Kho kho!” Ngumsindo wesivalo owezwakala uThabo
eqoqoda emnyango. “Yebo” kuvuma umzawakhe
kaThabo esukuma esiyavula isivalo.

47
“Hawu nguwe mzala! Uyaqagela uyazi, bengicabanga
ukukutshayela ucingo undoda lwana uthe ufuna ukuya
ekhaya. Linjani makoti sengilibala ukubingelela.”
“Ngiyaphila linjani baba omdala” kutsho uNomaswazi.
“Kungcono siyesimbone sizabuya sesixoxa. Nkosikazi
sala lapha loMaMoyo siyabuya khathesi kulomuntu
esifuna ukumbona laphaya” kutsho uThabo.

Kabasaphozisanga amaseko uThabo lomzawakhe

baqhubana bayabona indlu ethengiswayo. Wakhuleka
uSiphamandla wavuma umnini ndlu bangena. “Linjani
madoda” kubingelela umnini ndlu. Bavuma bonke
kanye-kanye. “Mnumzana Luphahla lo ngumzawami
uThabo Nyathi. Mzala nguye ubaba uLuphahla lo”
kutsho uSiphamandla. “Kuhle Vodloza, nguye ofuna
indlu ethengiswayo?” Kubuza uLuphahla. “Yebo nguye”
kutsho uSiphamandla. “Ngiyathaba ukukwazi Mdluli,
yiyo indlu ethengiswayo leyi ungayikhangela”
“Kulungile baba Luphahla” watsho esithi lothu
umfokaMdluli ebuka indlu.

“Sengiyibonile baba Luphahla, ngiyayifuna

ngizakuthumezela imali yakho ebhanga” kutsho uThabo.
“Kulungile Nyathi asihambe emahofisini siyetshintshela
incwadi zendlu ebizweni lakho nanzo izihluthulelo”
kutsho uLuphahla. Wahlawulela indlu uThabo bangena
emoteni kaLuphahla bayatshintshisa incwadi zendlu
ehofisini lecityconsil. Sebeqedile bangena indlela eya
endlini kaSiphamandla.

48
“Uyabona lapha usebenzile mzala yikho ukuba yindoda
lokhu” kutsho uSiphamandla. “Ngiyabonga mzawami,
ngilethemba lonkosikazi uzajabula” kutsho uThabo
ebobotheka. Masinyane nje basebefikile endlini
kaSiphamandla, kwaphekwa ukudla kwemini badla
bancinda. Batshona bezixoxela behleka bezijabulele.

Kwathi kutshaya ihola lesine umfokaMdluli wavalelisa.

Bangena emoteni lemuli yakhe wayadlula endlini yakhe
entsha. Wafika wamisa imota phandle wasesithi,
“Nkosikazi ngicela wehle singene lapha.” Wehla
engazange abuze lowodwa umbuzo uNomaswazi.
Baqhubana beqonda endlini uThabo wafika wavula
umnyango wendlu.

“Nkosikazi yiwo lo umuzi wethu omutsha engikuthengele

wona” kutsho umfokaMdluli. Wazincweba waphinda
uNomaswazi esithi mhlawumbe uyaphupha wabuzwa
ubuhlungu kwahle kwamcacela ukuthi kaphuphi.
“Angizwisisi baba Mdluli uthi sesizoloja lapha yini?”
Kutsho uMaNdlovu esenza angathi kazwanga yena
ezwile. “Uthi uyisiphoxo yini MaNdlo, ngithe
ngiyithengile” watsho ezihlekela umfokaMdluli. Wathaba
waze wadlulisa amalawulo umntaka Ndlovu.

Atshovana amalanga uMdluli lemuli yakhe baze

bathuthela endlini yabo eNkulumane.

KungoLweSihlanu uMaNdlovu lomngane wakhe

uMaTshuma bevela embuthanweni wabomama,
bezixoxela. “MaNdlovu uyazi sengidiniwe ngoDumani

49
ungitshaya ukusa kwamalanga. Sengize ngicabanga
ukumtshiya ngiyeloja eyami indlu mhlawumbe ngingake
ngitshaywe ngumoya,” kutsho uMaTshuma. “Bekezela
makhelwane umendo uvele unzima. Mina ngiphakathi
komhlane lembeleko, ngazitholela imvu yomuntu uqobo.
Uyangithanda uMdluli manga mabi uthe uzathumela
umuntu ngakithi ayeqedisa ukulobola ngakithi sibe
sesitshada,” kulandisa uMaNdlovu. “Wena wathola
indoda eqotho, uDumani kaziwa langakithi kodwa
ungiphatha njengesigqili sakhe. Engaze ahole imali
yonke uyiqedela etshwaleni, ngingabuza ukuthi imali
iyengaphi uvuka ngolaka. Kunje yimi engithenga ukudla
ngiphinde ngibhadalele lendlu. Enjalo lehloka
alisagamuli pho ngiyabe ngisahlaleleni?”
“Okwakho ngokwezandla sibili, uhlalelani lendoda
engakulobolanga? Mina angeke ngiqale lokho, tshiya
lokho uzayithola indoda ezakulobola” kutsho
uMaNdlovu.

Zatshovana insuku inyanga yaze yaphela uNomaswazi

wayavakatsha kibo. UThabo laye wayakibo angithi
wayephiwe ikhefu. Wafika wabikela abazali bakhe
ngendaba yamalobolo. Bavumela phezulu, uyise wathi
uzathengisa inkabi zakhe ezintathu amncedise
ukulobola. “Hatshi baba ungathengisi inkabi zakho imali
engilayo iyenela ukulobola uMaNdlovu,” Kutsho uThabo.
“Kuhle ndodana ngizakupha inkabi lezo zibe ngezakho.”
“Kulungile baba ngiyabonga” kutsho uThabo.

50
ISAHLUKO SESIKHOMBISA.

UThabo wavuka ngakusisa ekuseni walungiselela

uhambo lwakhe. Masinyane nje wayeseqedile wangena
emoteni wayidumisa elubangise emzini wedombo lakhe
uyise kaMzingeli. Wamfica esemi ngenyawo eselinde
yena. Wangena emoteni uyise kaMzingeli babingelelana
wayisusa njalo imota uThabo esiyangena umgwaqo oya
koBulawayo. Yayisitsha ingxoxo emoteni ewanyathela
amafutha ngapho kukhala umsakazo.

Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa basebefikile eFumugwe

ngakibo kaNomaswazi. Wamisa imota ngaphandle
kwesango behla baqonda esangweni. Wakhuleka uyise
kaMzingeli wavuma uNdlovu bangena bayahlaliswa
exhibeni lamankazana. Bafica umdeni wakoNdlovu uthe

51
gwaqa kulelo xhiba. Akuzange kubahluphe lokho ngoba
basebengabakhwenyana abaziwayo. Bakhipha iphela
abalibhalelwayo eliyilo elalilobufakazi.

Wahlawula imali eyenela inkomo ezazibiziwe uyise

kaMzingeli. Atshaya umpululu amanina bejabulela
ukulotsholwa kukaNomaswazi. Sebeqedile ukulobola
idombo likaThabo lacela imvumo yokuthi batshade.
Bavumela phezulu abakoNdlovu. Abasahlalanga
okuyangaphi abakoMdluli bavalelisa babuyela eLupane.

“Aaaaaa! Ulenhlanhla uNomaswazi. Abafana bakulezi

insuku abasavamanga ukulobola.” Kutsho uyisekazi
kaNomaswazi engasela mathe. “Akutsho uliphinde
dadewethu, njalo wendele ebantwini abazimeleyo.
Umuzi wakhona ungathi lidolobho, inkomo zidlana
uboya. Laphana umntwana womnewethu uphakathi
komhlane lembeleko sibili” kutsho uyisekazi
kaNomaswazi onguye owamqhubayo mhla
esiyakwenda. “Uziphathe kuhle phela Noma umhloniphe
umyeni wakho uzwile” nguMaNdlovu lowo ephosa
amazwi kuNomaswazi. Wanqekuza ikhanda
uNomaswazi ngapho ibhaliwe injabulo ebusweni bakhe.

“Sesiphendukile badala sibe lohambo oluhle kakhulu”

kutsho uyise kaMzingeli. “Ngiyabonga kakhulu
makhelwane umkhulu umsebenzi owenzileyo” kutsho
ixhegu lokoMdluli.

Amalanga kaThabo awokuphumula athi esephelile

wavalelisa abazali bakhe wabuyela emsebenzini.

52
Wafikisana loNomaswazi evela kibo. UThabo wavuka
kusisa ekuseni walunga waya emsebenzini. Ekufikeni
kwakhe emsebenzini ikhiwa lakhe lahle lamengezelela
iholo. ‘Bajabule abaphansi bangivulela inhlanhla’ watsho
lawo ngenhliziyo umfokaMdluli. Angithi koMdluli loba
bekhonza kodwa abazange bawalahle amadlozi akibo.

Zelekana insuku ikhiwa likaThabo lingasamthontisi,

wacina emnika enye imota yakhe enhle kakhulu. Lokho
kwadala inzondano phakathi kukaThabo lezinye
izisebenzi. Abanye babenyeya besithi uThabo ulomuthi
omubi yikho ikhiwa labo limthanda. Abanye njalo besithi
uyathakatha phela unjalo umuntu omnyama.
Ungathandwa likhiwa kuthiwa ulomuthi omubi.

Zatshovana inyanga waze waphela umnyaka abantu

abanengi baqala ukulungiselela ikhefu lekhisimusi.
UThabo laye wayengomunye wabalungiselela ukuya
kukhefu. Ikhiwa lakhe lamthengela ukudla kanye
lempahla zekhisimusi. Zazonda ngamandla ezinye
izisebenzi omunye ubaba okuthiwa nguNdebele waze
waphuma lecebo lokuthi aye enyangeni. Wavuka
ngolweSihlanu ekuseni waya enyangeni yakhe angithi
basebevalile. Wafika wachazela inyanga konke
okwenzakalayo emsebenzini.

“NginguGandula mina wethu angehlulwa lutho ufuna

simenzeni lujaha?” Kubuza inyanga imkhangele
enhlamvini zamehlo. “Ngifuna imota le ayiphiweyo
ibhewuke ahle afele lapho ukuze ikhiwa lithande mina”
kutsho uNdebele. Kwathiwa abhale ibizo likaThabo

53
aliphosele kolunye udiyo olumnyama tshu
abesekhuluma konke afuna kwenzakale kuThabo.

Wenza njengokutshelwa kwakhe uNdebele wakhuluma

konke afuna kwenzakale kuThabo. Inyanga yathela
okunye okungathi ligazi ediyweni yathatha inkemba
elolwe nxa zonke yagoqoza ngayo ediyweni ikhuluma
ulimi olaziwa yiyo yodwa. Emveni kwalokho yathi,
“alitshoni ilanga engayanga lusa amadada
aboyisemkhulu lumfana.” Wabonga uNdebele
wavalelisa wabuyela endlini yakhe.

Ngalowo mzuzu uThabo lemuli yakhe basebebophile

imitshaqana yabo sebelulungele uhambo. “Nkosikazi
angizwa kuhle ngizizwa ngisesaba ukuhamba ngemota
leyi.”
“Akulalutho Mdluli asikhuleke uNkulunkulu ukhona
uzasikhokhelela” kutsho uNomaswazi. Bavala
umnyango baguqa bakhuleka sebekhulekile
bahluthulela endlini yabo bangena emoteni. Wayidumisa
uThabo wawanyathela amafutha wathi esanda kuphuma
koBulawayo isondo lemota elaphambili ladubuka.

“Mama lo! Ngafa bo!” NguNomaswazi lowo esiqhinqa

isililo esebona imota isiphuma emgwaqweni. “Sivikele
Jehova” watsho lawo eqondisa imota emgwaqweni
umfokaMdluli wehlisa isiqubu kancane-kancane.
Wahamba ibanga elifitshane wabamba imiqobotsho.

UNomaswazi wayesekhefuzela xathu umuntu

obesemncintiswaneni wokugijima. Wehla uThabo

54
watshintsha isondo lemota wafaka elinye. Masinyane
nje wayeseqedile wangena emoteni wayidumisa
wanyathela amafutha wangena umgwaqo oya eLupane.
“SekaSiyanda tshayela kuhle mkami ukugijima ayisikho
ukufika baba” kutsho uMaNdlovu esephethe
amaphaphu ngezandla. “Khululeka nkosikazi angeke
ngilenze iphutha ngikubhewule” watsho lawo efitizela
ikhinobho lomsakazo uThabo. Wayetshaya ingoma
zenkonzo yezayoni. Angithi uvele uyazithanda isimanga
yena ukhonza ebandleni lesabatha.

Ngemva kwamahola angaba mabili basebefikile

eLupane ngakibo kaThabo. Yajabula imuli yakoMdluli
ibona uThabo kanye lemuli yakhe. “Mzukulu usuhamba
ngomtshina wemota! Abaphansi bakuthandile mfana
wami, kufanele senze iqhaga sibonge ukuze bahlale
bekuvikela njalo bekuvulele inhlanhla” kutsho
uyisemkhulu kaThabo. “Yikuthanda kweNkosi khulu,
imota leyi ngayiphiwa likhiwa engilisebenzelayo. Kodwa
iphose yasibulala lamuhla isidubuke isondo” kulandisa
uyise kaSiyanda.

“Ngiyakwazi uyakhonza mzukulu njalo inkonzo yenu

ayilivumeli ukuthi libambe imithi. Kodwa kufanele uqine
mfana wami ngoba izitha zakho seziqalile ukugadla”
kutsho ixhegu lakoMdluli. Angithi livele liyinyanga.
Konke okwakusenziwa nguGandula loNdebele
wayekukhangele njalo nguye owavikela abazukulu
bakhe.

55
‘Akufe okungumfana lokhu kambe singathi sileminyaka
eminengi kangaka sisebenzela ikhiwa leli, kodwa
lingasiphi lutho liphe umafikizolo imota.’ Watsho
ngenhliziyo uNdebele ecabanga ukuthi umuthi wakhe
loGandula ususebenza. Wayengazi ukuthi ukhe phansi.
Khonapho nje kwangena umlayezo
kumakhalekhukhwini wakhe.

Wawufundeka kanje lowo umlayezo, ‘mnumzana

Ndebele gijima ubuye esibhedlela seMpilo indodana
yakho uKhulumani ungene engozini yemota.’ Wahle
wayagada umtshova uNdebele waya esibhedlela
seMpilo.

Ngemva kwesikhatshana wayesefikile esibhedlela

seMpilo uNdebele. Zehla inyembezi ebona indodana
yakhe igcwele amabhanditshi umzimba wonke, njalo
ixhunywe elinye ithumbu elalimncedisa ukuphefumula.
‘Oh yaaah! Ngaze ngazigwaza ngowami’ watsho
ngenhliziyo esezisola ngesinqumo asithetheyo. Angithi
kwasokumcacele ukuthi utshaywa zinduku zakhe.
Isikhathi sezethekeli sathi sesedlule uNdebele
wazihudula wabuyela endlini yakhe.

Uyisemkhulu kaThabo wabizela umzukulu wakhe

ekusithekeni wasesithi, “mzukulu ngizahamba lawe
eMadojwa kusasa uyephekwa ngemithi yesintu.”
“Hawu babamkhulu! Yindaba ungangelaphi wena
njengoba uyinyanga nje?” Kubuza uThabo. “Inyanga
kayizelaphi mfana wami” kuphendula uyisemkhulu

56
kaThabo. Baxoxisana bavumelana ukuthi bazavuka
kusisa ekuseni baye eMadojwa. Kwaphekwa ukudla
kwantambama badla bancinda. Bakwejisa okwamahola
ambalwa bezixoxela ngendaba ezehlukeneyo.

Ngemva kwengxoxo yabo bavalelisana bayalala, phela

kwasekumnyama tshu impisi isingalenza iphutha idle
umniniyo.

Atshovana amahola uSekaSiyanda waphaphama

emadabukakusa wavusa unkosikazi wakhe. “MaNdlo!
Ngiyabuya mama ngisahambisa ukhulu esigabeni
seMadojwa.”
“Kulungile baba” kuvuma uMaNdlovu. Wavuka
umfokaMdluli wayageza ubuso waxubha amazinyo.

Ngalowo umzuzu uyisemkhulu wayesemlinde ngamehlo

abomvu. Babingelelana baqhubana bayangena
emoteni. Wayidumisa uThabo esiyaphuma esangweni
elubangise eMadojwa.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engemingaki basebefikile emzini

kaSigojwana inyanga eyakhele eLupane esigabeni
seMadojwa. Bafica kulehlekana labantu ababelindele
ukwelatshwa. Bafika bafola labo balindela elabo ithuba
lokuthi bangene.

Lakanye lafika elabo ithuba bayangena edumbeni

lokwelaphela. Wafaka imadlana yokukhanyisa
engcebethwini uMdluli. Wabhodla kanye uSigojwana
wakhuluma ulimi olwaziwa nguye yedwa. Emveni

57
kwalokho wathi, “isitha sakho sizimisele
ukukuhlanganisa labokhokho mzukulu, kodwa ungesabi
abaphansi bazakulwela. Ulombuzo mzukulu?”
“Makhosi! Pho ufelani umfana?” Kubuza ixhegu
lakoMdluli. “Ufela imota bathi yindaba ikhiwa linike yena.
Kufanele aphekwe ngemithi elamandla ukuze anqobe
izitha zakhe” kulandisa uSigojwana. Wavuma
ngokunqekuza ikhanda umuntu omdala.

Ngemuva kwalokho uSigojwana wacaba uThabo

wamgcoba imithi yakhe wasesiyachela imota kaThabo
ngomunye umuthi. Wahlawula imali yesimbo uMdluli
bathi lothu bayagqoka izicathulo zabo bayangena
emoteni babuyela eDandanda.

Atshovana amalanga uThabo lemuli yakhe baze

babuyela koBulawayo. UThabo wavuka kusisa ekuseni
walunga waya emsebenzini. Wenza umsebenzi wakhe
njengensukuzonke. UNdebele laye wayegezisa izimota
zekhiwa lakhe angithi yiwo umsebenzi
awuqhatshelwayo. ‘Kuqinile okungumfana lokhu’ watsho
ngenhliziyo uNdebele esithi lazi uThabo
owayephathekile ngokukanika imota.

58
ISAHLUKO SESITSHIYA GALOMBILI.

Zatshovana insuku indodana kaNdebele yaze

yakhululwa esibhedlela, angithi wayesesilile.

Wayezisebenzela kuhle uThabo ikhiwa lakhe

selimthanda okwedluleleyo. Wengezelelwa iholo njalo
waphiwa lesikhundla sokuba ngufolomani. Lokho
kwenza yena loNdebele baba yingwe lenja. UNdebele
wayengadeli ukubhoda izinyanga edinga umuthi
wokuxotshisa uThabo emsebenzini.

‘Kumbe lumfanyana lo uhamba kuyiphi inyanga?

Ngiyayifaka imithi yokumxotshisa emsebenzini kodwa
kungathi ngibasela ukuthi ikhiwa limthande ngamandla.’
Watsho ngenhliziyo uNdebele esedidekile, phela
wayephosele impande yokuxotshisa uThabo
emsebenzini kodwa ingamncedi ngalutho.

“Mngane akungitshele wamenzani uThabo aze

akuthande kanje? Uyakuthanda uMdluli manga mabi”
kutsho uMaTshuma umngane kaNomaswazi. “Ha ha ha!
Angimenzanga lutho mngane, luthando nje" waphendula
ebobotheka uNomaswazi. “Kujabula wena mngane,
mina ngipika ngigqoke ezami. UDumani ungitshaya
ukusa kwamalanga enjalo lengutsheni liqhude nje.
Ngiyafa ngendlala” kutsho uMaTshuma. “Uphakathi
kwelangabi lomlilo mngane wami. Mina angeke

59
ngiwaqambe amanga ngithi ngiyalamba, uMdluli
ungiphakulela ngidle ngize ngisuthe. Yindaba
ungakhulumi laye uDumani adinge umlalazi alole ihloka
lakhe?”
“Sengakhuluma ngaze ngadela MaNdlovu ngibona
kungcono ngizidingele idla licatsha lami sengizwele
ngendlala” kutsho uMaTshuma. Besaxoxa nje watsho
esefikile uThabo angithi laselibantu bahle izisebenzi
ezinengi sezitshayisile emankampanini. Kasahlalanga
okuyangaphi uMaTshuma wavalelisa waya endlini
yakhe.

‘Kufanele kengizidlise satshanyana kuyise kaSiyanda,

mhlawumbe ngingake ngizwe lokhu okuhlanyisa
uNomaswazi. Ngeke ngikumele ukulala ngendlala
ngivuswe ngayo,’ wayebalisa ngenhliziyo uMaTshuma
elubangise endlini yakhe.

Baqinisile abathi ungamthembi umuntu ngoba umuntu

yincwadi ongeke uyifunde uyizwisise. UNomaswazi
wayemthemba umngane wakhe emtshela yonke imfihlo
yomuzi wakhe engazi ukuthi yena umhamba ngaphansi
okwenyoka.

“MaNdlo uMaTshuma ubelandeni lapha?” Kubuza uyise

kaSiyanda. “Aaaaa! Lawe Mdluli kanti wakudlelani
uMaTshuma uze umzonde kanje?” Kuphendula
uMaNdlovu engaliboni icala. “Angimzondi nkosikazi
ngiyabuza nje” kutsho uMdluli. “Baba Mdluli
uMaTshuma ngumngane wami oqotho, ulobuntu njalo

60
uyakha yikho ngimthanda” kutsho uMaNdlovu.
“Kulungile MaNdlo” watsho ngelizwi eliphansi uThabo.

Ngemva kwemizuzu embalwa wayesephekile ukudla

kwantambama uMaNdlovu waphakulula badla.
Sebedlile bazibukelela umabonakude. “Baba ngicela
ukuyavakatshela umama eLupane, ekupheleni
kwayonale inyanga?”
“Kulungile Ndlovukazi yami” kutsho uThabo.

Inyanga yathi isiphelile wabopha imitshaqana yakhe

uMaNdlovu wacela umyeni wakhe ukuthi ayemtshiya
esititshini samabhasi aya eLupane. Masinyane nje
uThabo walayitshela imitshaqana kankosikazi wakhe
emoteni wayabagadisa ibhasi eya eLupane.

Isimanga wathi ephenduka endlini yakhe wafica

uMaTshuma ezihlalele ngaphansi kwesihlahla semengo.

“Sabona MaTshuma, uMaNdlo kakho uyekhaya” kutsho

uThabo. “Yebo baba Mdluli, ubengazisile ukuthi
uzavakatshela eLupane lamuhla” waphendula
ebobotheka uMaTshuma. “Pho ubekwa yini lapha wena
usazi ukuthi umngane wakho kakho? Sukuma uhambe
endlini yakho angifuni silingo mina.”
“Uxolo Mdluli, ngikhitshwe amathumbu ngicela okuya
ngasethunjini” kuphendula uMaTshuma esukuma
esondela kuyise kaSiyanda. “Uthi awungihloleli wena
mfazindini, ungabikela mina ngendlala wena ulendoda?”
“Ha ha ha! Yindoda ngebhulugwe uDumani. Ngicela
okudliwayo baba kaSiyanda kambe ngingafa ngendlala

61
ungikhangele?” Wezwa esemzwela umfokaMdluli wathi
kangene endlini apheke adle ahambe. Wabonga
kakhulu uMaTshuma wangena endlini kaMdluli
wasesiyapheka emkulwini.

Ngalowo umzuzu uMdluli wayebukele umdlalo webhola

kumabonakude. Kungemizuzu mingaki wayeseqedile
ukupheka uMaTshuma waphakulula ukudla
wasesiyanika uMdluli. Wafika waguqa phansi wathi,
“nanko ukudla baba Mdluli.” Kazange alinde impendulo
wasukuma wayathatha okwakhe ukudla wabuya wahlala
eceleni kukamfoka Mdluli waqala ukudla. ‘Hawu kodwa
Thixo wami ngavelelwa.’ Watsho ngenhliziyo uThabo
esukuma esiyahlala kwelinye isofa. “Hawu Mdluli! Kanti
uligwala kanje ha ha ha! Kambe ungabalekela umfazi”
nguMaTshuma lowo ezihlekela esithi lothu esiyabeka
umcephe emkulwini.

‘Aaaaaah! Sengize ngibonwa ubugwala ngumfazi,

kungcono ngizidlise satshanyana.’ Watsho lawo
ngenhliziyo esebuswa yimizwa le eyayisimvakatshele.
Masinyane nje wayesephendukile uMaTshuma wafika
wazilahlela phezulu kukaThabo phela wayebona
esemphuzele. “Wena MaTshuma yindaba
ungaziphathanga kanje? Indoda yakho izathini nxa
ingasithola” nguThabo lowo ekhwaza. Kodwa inhliziyo
yakhe isimthuma ukuthi azingenele ensimini
kaMaTshuma alime. Kwaba yisisanasana umtshado
wezinja uMdluli wacina engena ensimini kaMaTshuma
waqala ukulima.

62
Wazisola eseqedile umfolo owodwa esekhumbula
isifungo asenza lenkosikazi wakhe uNomaswazi.
“MaTshuma ngicela ungatsheli muntu
ngokwenzakeleyo, njalo ngicela lokhu kuhle kuphele
lamuhla angifuni kuchithekelwa ngumuzi wami.”
“Ngiyabonga Mdluli uyindoda eqotho angeke ngitshele
muntu ngalindaba. Kodwa ngicela sibe sitshontshana
phela Nyathi enkulu” watsho ebobotheka uMaTshuma.
“MaTshuma phuma endlini yami khathesi” wakhwaza
uThabo esecunulwe yinkulumo kaMaTshuma.

“Baba kaSiyanda kuzakusiza ukuthi uvume lokhu

engikutshoyo kungenjalo uzalala ubaliwe ejele.
Ngiyahlaba umkhosi ngithi ungibambe iganyavu” kutsho
uMaTshuma. Wathula zwi uMdluli esizwa
elokubotshiswa, wacina evuma ukuthi bazabe
betshontshana. Kasahlalanga okuyangaphi uMaTshuma
wavalelisa wabuyela emzini wakhe.

Ilanga lathi lingena kunina esefikile kwabozala

uMaNdlovu. Bamjabulela kakhulu abakoMdluli phela
bavele abamthontisi.

Atshovana amalanga uNomaswazi waze wabuyela

koBulawayo. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga uThabo eye
emsebenzini kwaqoqoda omunye umama oyakhelane
labo. Wathi lothu uNomaswazi wayavula umnyango.
“Salibonani MaMhlanga, ngena endlini sixoxe sihlezi
phansi makhi” nguMaNdlovu lowo ebingelela
umakhelwane wakhe. Wavuma uMaMhlanga
baqhubana bangena endlini bafika bahlala phansi

63
baqala ingxoxo yabo. “Mntanami okuncweba udlebe
ngowakho, vula amehlo ulungise izinto kusemasinyane.”
“Hawu MaMhlanga! Uchaza ukuthini nina?” Kubuza
uMaNdlovu eseqhulule amehlo xathu inhloko yembuzi
ephekwe lempondo. “Kulomngane wakho lo ohlala
uhamba laye umqaphe ngeso lokhozi kalunganga
usengakuthathela indoda. Sengilensuku ezimbalwa
ngimbona ephuma endlini yakho elomyeni wakho.”
“UMaTshuma ngumngane wami oqotho, njalo
ngiyamethemba angeke akwenze lokho.” Wala wemba
phansi uNomaswazi phela yena loMaTshuma
libhulugwe lebhanti. “Mntanami ubulawa ngongowakho,
akusenani sizayicela ivuthiwe” kutsho uMaMhlanga.
Kasahlalanga okuyangaphi uMaMhlanga wavalelisa
wabuyela endlini yakhe esezisola. Angithi
wayesephenduke umqambi wamanga.

“Isalukazi lesi sifuna ukungixabanisa lomngane wami”

kuthetha uNomaswazi. “Kho kho! MaNdlovu!”
NguMaTshuma lowo eqoqoda ngapho ebiza
uNomaswazi. Wathi lothu uNomaswazi wayavula
isivalo. “Sabona mngane, ngena endlini.” Wavuma
uMaTshuma baqhubana bangena endlini bafika bahlala
egumbini lokuphumulela. “Mngane ngizwe ukhuluma
wedwa kwenzenjani?” Kubuza uMaTshuma esenza
angathi kazwanga lutho yena ezwe konke. “Angithi
nguMaMhlanga lo ofuna ukusixabanisa. Uthi wakubona
uphuma endlini yami ngesikhathi ngisekhaya. Angazi
ukuthi wayethunywe ngubani ukuthi asale elinde indoda
yami.” Wethuka uMaTshuma esizwa lokho phela

64
wayengacabangeli ukuthi ukhona oyaziyo indaba yakhe
loyise kaSiyanda.

Kwathula cwaka okwemizuzu engaba mihlanu.

UMaTshuma wasesithi, “kukhona engizakuzwa sibili,
siyangihlolela isalukazi lesi. Loba uDumani eliqhude
angeke ngikudle izithende mngane wami.”
NguMaTshuma lowo ezenza omsulwa. Wavuma
ngekhanda uMaNdlovu wathi, “ungazihluphi ngaye lo
ulomhawu nje.” Masinyane nje wavalelisa waya esilojeni
sakhe uMaTshuma.

UThabo wathi esetshayisile emsebenzini watshayela

uMaTshuma ucingo wathi bahlangane enzikini
yedolobho lakoBulawayo. Kazange esaphozisa
amaseko uMaTshuma wahle wazicomba waba muhle
wayagada umtshova waya enzikini yedolobho
lakoBulawayo.

Masinyane nje basebendawonye bahle baya endlini

yomngane kaThabo ohlala eTshabalala. Bafika
bazijabulisa lapho angithi umngane kaThabo wayeseye
emsebenzini phela ungumawobho. Bathi sebeqedile
umdlalo wabadala uThabo wathi uMaTshuma ageze
bahambe. “Ingoma emnandi iyaphindwa Mdluli.
Asiphinde umphehlo” kutsho uMaTshuma ebobotheka.
“Geza sihambe uyaze uthole umyeni wakho esefikile.”
“Khohlwa ngaye lowo uvele ungena ngobusuku
nsukuzonke,” kutsho uMaMtshuma. Baphinda umphehlo
njengokutsho kukaMaTshuma.

65
Emveni kwalokho bageza baqhubana bayangena
emoteni. “Ngibongile Mdluli uyawazi umsebenzi
wehloka. Awufani leqhude elinguDumani”
nguMaTshuma lowo encoma indoda yomnikazi.
Wabobotheka kuphela uMdluli ngapho enyathela
amafutha wafika wamisa imota koSokusile wathengela
uMaTshuma isitshebo. Bavalelisana behlukana uMdluli
waya endlini yakhe.

Wafika wavula endlini yakhe uMdluli wangena

wayahlala esofeni. “Utshonenjani baba.”
“Ngitshonile nkosikazi unjani lemuli? Lamuhla ngiphuzile
ukutshayisa bengilomsebenzi omnengi kakhulu. Ngicela
ungikhudumezele amanzi ngigeze mhlawumbe
ngingezwa ngcono” kutsho uThabo ethe mbo ubuso
phansi. “Akhona amanzi atshisayo baba ungayageza”
kutsho uMaNdlovu.

“Hayi mina ngizofele tshwaleni kwenzenjani” nguDumani

lowo ehlabela ephindaphinda esiyangena lapho aloja
khona. “MaGolide vula ntombi yami isifikile indlamanzi”
kutsho uDumani eqoqoda emnyango. Wavuka wavula
isivalo uMaTshuma. “Utshonenjani Golide omuhle,
uphekeni mama?”
“Ngitshonile baba, hlala phansi udle” nguMaTshuma
lowo ngelizwi eliphansi. Wahlala phansi wadla wancinda
uDumani wageza izandla wabonga bahle bazilalela.

Atshovana amalanga uyise kaSiyanda engena

ngomnyama endlini yakhe. Angithi wayeqala ayebona
uMaTshuma andubana aye endlini. Kwathi ngelinye

66
ilanga unina kaSiyanda ehlanza impahla zomyeni
wakhe wafica ijazi lomkhwenyana elisetshenzisiweyo
esambeni sebhulugwe. "Yikho uThabo engena lapha
ngobusuku" nguNomaswazi lowo ekhuluma yedwa
angathi uselahlekelwa zingqondo. 'Mhlawumbe
uMaMhlanga wayeqinisile ukuthi uMaTshuma ungidla
izithende.' Wayebalisa ngenhliziyo uMaNdlovu
eqhubeka ngokuhlanza impahla zomyeni wakhe.

Eseqedile ukuhlanza impahla wahle wagezisa

amaphahla akhe laye wageza bayabona uyisekazi
kaThabo eNtumbane.

ISAHLUKO SESITSHIYA GALOLUNYE.

67
Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba ngamatshumi amathathu
basebefikile emsikeni kaMaMdluli eNtumbane. "Sabona
malukazana. Banjani abazukulu bami?"
"Yebo babakazi, bayaphila abazukulu bakho ukungezwa
kuphela ha ha ha!" Waphendula ezihlekela uMaNdlovu.
"Lifice sengitshayisa asihambeni endlini" kutsho
uMaMdluli.

Baqhubana bayagada umtshova baya endlini

kaMaMdluli eCowdrypark. Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba
ngamatshumi amahlanu basebefikile endlini kaMaMdluli.
Kazange esalinda uMaNdlovu wahle wahlubela
uMaMdluli indlubu ekhasini. "Kunzima malukazana
kodwa ngicela ubekezele, kulukhuni emendweni."
"Kunzima babakazi angazi yindaba uThabo esenza
kanje. Ngake ngezwa umakhelwane wami esithi wabona
umngane wami ephuma endlini yami ngisekhaya."
"Sokonakele malukazana vele umngane uyakuchithela
umuzi angene yena. Njengoba kuthiwa umngane wakho
wabonakala ephuma endlini yakho kungcono ufike
utshele umkakho ukuthi umama wakho uyagula ekhaya
ufuna ukuya emkhuhlaneni kusasa. Engavuma uhle
ugade ubuye ngapha sizababamba kuphela."
"Ngiyabonga babakazi licebo elihle lelo" kuphendula
uMaNdlovu. Kasahlalanga okuyangaphi uMaNdlovu
wavalelisa wabuyela endlini yakhe.

UThabo wathi etshayisa emsebenzini wayahlangana

loMaTshuma enzikini yedolobho. Wahle wayidumisa
imota baya endlini yomngane kaThabo. "Mdluli ngicela
ungiphe umntwana phela Nyathi enkulu" nguMaTshuma

68
lowo ebobotheka. "Hayi leyo isingaphezu kwamandla
ami MaGolide kungcono umdlalo wethu uphelele lapha.
Yena uDumani uzathini usumphathela isisu
angasaziyo?"
"Khohlwa ngoDumani baba, uvele uyamfuna umntwana
kodwa inhlanyelo yakhe ibolile. Sesileminyaka
eyisikhombisa sihlala sonke kodwa uyehluleka
ukungipha umntwana. Nxa ngingakhulelwa ngizathi isisu
ngesakhe, angithi kuthiwa ezalelwe esibayeni sakho
ngeyakho" watsho lawo eqabula uyise kaSiyanda.
Kwenzakala konke lokho bahlezi ethaleni lomngane
kaThabo.

Masinyane nje wangena ensimini kaMaTshuma uyise

kaSiyanda, wazilimela cala celeni. Kazange azihluphe
ngokugqoka ijazi lomkhwenyana. Angithi wayesebuswa
luphondo lukabhejane olwaselumi mpo. Sebeqedile
bangena emoteni uThabo wadlula etshiya uMaTshuma
lapho aloja khona yena wasesiya endlini yakhe. Wafica
unkosikazi wakhe lamawele akhe bebukele
umabonakude.

"Utshonenjani baba?"
"Ngitshonile mama asokudinwa lokhu, lezi insuku
ngisebenza nzima" kutsho uMdluli esenga lezimithiyo.
"Hamba uyegeza s'thandwa uzezwa ngcono" kutsho
uMaNdlovu. Wathi lothu uMdluli wayageza ezitshela
ukuthi uhlakaniphile engazi ukuthi ukhe phansi. "Baba
ngamukele ucingo, kuthiwe ngibuye eFumugwe kusasa
umama ubangwa lezibi."

69
"Ngezibuhlungu lezo nkosikazi uphethwe kuyini?
Ngizakuhambisa kusasa ngingatshayisa" kutsho
uMdluli. "Kuthiwe ulenyongo, ungakhathazeki
ngizahama lobabakazi ngemota kasibale." UThabo
wathi esizwa lokho wahle wabhalela uMaTshuma
umlayeza emazisa ukuthi uMaNdlovu uyakibo kusisa.

Wavuka entathakusa uMaNdlovu wakhudumeza

amanzi esitofini wasephekela umyeni wakhe itiye.
UMdluli wathi evuka wafica amanzi okugeza
esekhudumala wahle wayageza. Ngemva
kwesikhatshana nje wayeseqedile. "Baba ukudla
sokulungile" kutsho uMaNdlovu eviyoca. "Kulungile
nkosikazi" kutsho uMdluli esithi lothu esiya egumbini
lokuphumulela. Esetholile okuya ngaphansi kwamakhala
uThabo wavalelisa unkosikazi wakhe waya
emsebenzini. UMaNdlovu wahle wagezisa
abantwabakhe balunga baya endlini kayisekazi
kaThabo. Ngomnyama bafica endlini kuhluthulelwe
angithi uMaMdluli wayeseyewoda emkambo.

Kasachithanga isikhathi uMaNdlovu wahle wamtshayela

ucingo. Walusabela ngokuphangisa angithi
wayeluphethe. "Halo makoti!"
"Yebo babakazi ngiphandle" kutsho uMaNdlovu.
"Qoqoda umzawakho uNomathemba ukhona mina
angikho endlini" kutsho uMaMdluli. "Kulungile" kuvuma
uMaNdlovu equma ucingo lwakhe. "Kho kho!"
NguMaNdlovu lowo eqoqoda. "Ngubani?" Kubuza
isicino sikaMaMdluli uNomathemba evuka esiya isivalo.

70
"Yimi mzawami" kutsho uNomaswazi. Wavula isivalo
uNomathemba babingelelana baqhubana baya
egumbini lokuphumulela.

Atshovana amahola watshayisa emsebenzini wakhe

uMaMdluli wabuyela endlini yakhe. "MaNdlo tshayela
umyeni wakho ucingo umtshele ukuthi uhambe kuhle"
kutsho uMaMdluli. Wenza lokho akutshelwayo
uMaNdlovu wamangala esizwa ilizwi lowesifazana.
Angithi nguMaTshuma owayebuza uThabo ukuthi
ngubani. "Sengikhulume laye babakazi kodwa ngizwe
umuntu ongumama enyenyeza eceleni."
"Beka amaphaphu phansi konke lokho sizakulungisa"
nguMaMdluli lowo ezihlekela.

"Ngubani obekuthintile baba Mdluli?"

"Ngunina kaSiyanda MaGolide wami. Uthi usefikile
ekhaya asidle ukudla kwethu ntombenhle sizilalele."
Wazitshila uMaTshuma wayathatha imicephe efayo
kanye lamagilasi amabili emkulwini. Waphakulula badla
baze bancinda iminwe, angithi uThabo wayethenge
pizza kanye lenyama yenkukhu ekhanzingiweyo.

Sebedlile waqoqa imicephe uMaTshuma wayayibeka

emkulwini injalo ingageziswanga wabuyela egumbini
lokuphumulela. "Mdluli asihambe siyelala baba lamuhla
angiyi endlini yami uDumani ngizamtshela ngithi ngilele
kumzawami eMpophoma."
"Kulungile mama akuthi ngicitshe umakhalekhukhwini
wami angifuni kuphanjaniswa" kutsho uMdluli

71
ehlekelela. Khonapho nje baqhubana bayazijabulisa
egumbini likaMaNdlovu elokulala.

"Noma sala labantwana siyabuya khathesi uzwile"

nguMaMdluli lowo ekhuluma lendodakazi yakhe.
"Kulungile mama" kuvuma uNomathemba. "Malukazana
ngicela ungiphelekezele." Wasukuma uNomaswazi
walandela uMaMdluli. Besahamba nje wabuza
uMaNdlovu. "Manje sizaphenduka ngani njengoba
sokunqunda amehlo nje?"
"Khululeka ngicele umntaka mngane wami ukuthi
asihambise ngemota ngizamthelela amafutha"
kuphendula uMaMdluli.

Masinyane nje basebefikile endlini yomngane

kaMaMdluli. Bafica ujaha esebalindile bangena emoteni
ngokuphangisa. Wayidumisa umfana imota wanyathela
amafutha elubangise eNkulumane. Wafika wamisa
imota emavinkilini akoSokusile uMaMdluli lomalukazana
wakhe behla bahaluzela angathi ukhona obaxotshayo
besiya endlini kaThabo kungela opha omunye umlomo.
Wafika waqoqoda ngolaka xathu ipholisa uMaMdluli.

"Ungubani wena oqoqoda angathi ulipholisa uzabulala

isivalo sami nje." Kukhwaza uThabo evuka egqoka
ukabhudula eqonda emnyango. Wabaneka izibane
wathi gwabu isivalo.

"Aaaaaaaaaaa!" Ngamazwi aphuma emlonyeni

kaThabo lawo esebambe owangaphansi. Wadlula
eceleni uMaNdlovu waqonda egumbini lakhe lokulala

72
ephethe ugodo ayeludobhe ngaphansi kwesihlahla
semengo. Wafica umngane wakhe ezicambalalele
ethaleni lakhe egqoke isudu yokuzalwa.

"Bengithi ungumngane wami kanti uyinyoka" watsho

lawo etshaya uMaTshuma ngogodo. "Ngixolele bo!
Ngenziwa ngumona" watsho lawo eseqa
umntakaTshuma ebaleka etshiya izidwaba zakhe. Wathi
ethi uyaphuma emnyango uMaMdluli wamtshaya
ngesibhakela wayatshayana lomgubazi wendlu. UThabo
wathi ezama ukulamula waluhlalisa ugodo embanjeni
zakhe uNomaswazi. Kwaba yikusila kukaMaTshuma
wahle wacela empunzini eqonda lapho aloja khona.
UNomaswazi wathi uyamphinda uThabo wabe
eselubambile ugodo uMaMdluli.

"Sokwanele mntanami asihambe" kutsho uMaMdluli

edonsa uMaNdlovu ngengalo. Lwadeda kancane ulaka
kuNomaswazi baqhubana loyisekazi bayangena
emoteni babuyela eCowdrypark.

"Wangenza uMaTshuma, ngizamkhangelelwa ngubani

uMaNdlovu?" NguThabo lowo ekhuluma yedwa
esezisola ngezenzo zakhe. Abadala bathi okulempondo
akufihleki emgodleni laselivelile ihlazo likaMdluli
loMaTshuma.

"Babakazi mina uThabo angisamfuni sengidiniwe

ngezenzo zakhe uzaze angiphathele umkhuhlane,"
kutsho uMaNdlovu esesula inyembezi. "Kulukhuni
emendweni mntanami kodwa kuyabekezelwa.

73
Ungathathi isinqumo uzondile malukazana" kutsho
uMaMdluli. "Koze kube nini uThabo engizwisa
ubuhlungu na? Sengiphenduke isichaka sakhe
kungcono ngizibuyelele ngakithi kengimtshayise
ngomoya."
"Makoti amadoda ayafana ahlala efuna njalo nje angeke
umthole owakho wedwa mntanami. Okuqakathekileyo
yikuthi akuhloniphe loba esenza ubutshapha bakhe
abenzele khatshana lawe. Loba ungatshiya umendo
uyekwendela kweyinye indoda angeke ibathande
abantwabakho," kutsho uMaMdluli. Wanqekuza ikhanda
uNomaswazi wesula inyembezi. Bacina bevumelane
ukuthi uThabo kufanele akhuzwe.

UMaTshuma wayelokhu ebubula phela amanxeba

ayefutha. Esabubula nje wabe esefikile uDumani
ezihlabelela engaliboni icala. "Vula MaGolide ntombi
yami" watsho lawo eqoqoda. Wavuka uMaTshuma
wazihudula wayavula umnyango. Wangena uDumani
walayitha isibane kwakhanya indlu yonke. Wamangala
ebona unkosikazi wakhe evuvukile umlomo.
"Wenzenjani MaTshuma?"
"Ngitshaywe ngamatsotsi ngivela thenga isitshebo
emavinkilini" kutsho uMaTshuma ewahulula amanga
aluhlaza tshoko. Waba lenhlanhla uMaTshuma ngoba
akula muntu owambonayo engena endlini yakhe.

UThabo kazange abuquthe ubuthongo ngalobo busuku.

Imicabango yayimandela esakha ediliza. Wavuka kusisa
ekuseni waya endlini kayisekazi. Masinyane nje
wayesefikile. "Ngubani lo osiqoqodela ekuseni kanje?"

74
Kutsho uMaMdluli evuka esiyavula umnyango. "Hawu
nguwe Mdluli! Uvukenjani mntanami?"
"Ngivukile babakazi" kutsho uThabo egxumeke ubuso
phansi ngenxa yenhloni. Baqhubana baya egumbini
lokuphumulela.

ISAHLUKO SETSHUMI.

Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa uMaMdluli waqalisa

ukukhuza umntwana womnewabo. "Thabo ucabanga
ukuthi umntwana lo engahamba uzamthatha ngaphi
umfazi olobuntu kanje? Akuzinuke amakhwapha
mntwana womnewethu iyayangisa linto oyenzayo."
"Ngiyaxolisa babakazi ngiphambanisile" kuphendula
uThabo ethe mbo ubuso phansi. "Akuzame ukuzibutha
mntanami wekele ubutshapha. MaNdlovu kusukela
lamuhla umngane wakho ngumkakho siyezwana.
Amanyala omkakho uhlale phezulu kwawo ungahambi
usubikela umhlaba wonke uzwile." Wavuma

75
ngokunqekuza ikhanda uMaNdlovu. Lelo langa uThabo
lemuli yakhe batshona endlini kaMaMdluli. Baze
bavalelisa sekunqunda amehlo babuyela endlini yakhe.

Zatshovana insuku uThabo lemuli yakhe beziphilela

kuhle. Wayesefika endlini kukhanya umfokaMdluli
kungasekho okusolisayo. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga
bebukele umabonakude uThabo wathi, "nkosikazi
ngifisa sitshade ukuze lamhla ngifayo kungabi lomuntu
ozakubangisa ilifa labantwabami."
"Zindaba ezimnandi lezo baba" kuphendula uMaNdlovu
ebobotheka.

UMaTshuma yena lwalumdutshuza uvalo phela

wayeselenyanga ezintathu engagezi. 'Kumbe
ngizambikela ngithini uDumani?' Wazibuza umbuzo
umntakaTshuma. Khonapho nje wayesefikile uDumani
evela emsebenzini lelo langa wayengayanga
etshwaleni. "Litshonenjani baba."
"Ngitshonile nkosikazi ngingabuza wena" kuphendula
uDumani. "Baba angizizwa kuhle angazi kumbe
sengizithwele. Sengilenyanga ezintathu ngingayi
emfuleni" kutsho uMaTshuma. Wathaba waba manzi te
uDumani esizwa lokho. Wazitshaya isifuba wathi,
"amadlozi akithi akuzwile ukukhala kwami sengizakuba
ngubaba." Wabobotheka uMaTshuma. Enhliziyweni
yakhe esithi siphukuphukundini uthabela inhlanyelo
engasiyo yakho.

UThabo wayelokhu ebeka imali yathi isinengi wathatha

ikhefu lensuku ezimbalwa. "Nkosikazi ngicabanga ukuthi

76
siyevakatsha ekhaya kusasa. Ngizahle ngibikele
abadala mayelana lomtshado wethu ukuze banxuse
abantu kuselesikhathi. Imali isikhona ngicabanga ukuthi
sitshade mhla zingamathumi amabili lane ngenyanga
kampalakazi."
"Kulungile baba, licebo elihle lelo njalo abantu abanengi
bazabe bekhona angithi kuzabe kulikhefu lekhisimusi"
kutsho uMaNdlovu. Baxoxa nje ilanga selitshonile
sekukhanyise izibane.

UMaNdlovu wavuka kusisa ekuseni walungiselela

uhambo lwabo. Masinyane nje konke kwasokumi
ngomumo balayitshela imithwalo yabo emoteni.
Bangena emoteni wayidumisa uMdluli baya eLupane.

Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa basebefikile, bamukelwa

ngesihle. Wajabula umdeni wakoMdluli usizwa uThabo
esithi ufuna ukutshada.

Zatshovana insuku uThabo lemuli yakhe babuyela

koBulawayo. Enziwa amalungiselelo omtshado
banxuswa ngobunengi abantu. Unina kaThabo labanye
omalukazana bakoMdluli basebeqalisile ukutheza inkuni
ezizasetshenziswa emtshadweni. Izindlu zonke
zahlotshiswa ngombala olithanga kwaqunyiswa
ngoyibubende.

Kwathi mhla zingangamatshumi amabili lantathu

kumpalakazi uThabo waqhatsha imota ezimbili
zayathwala abakwabozala zayabachitha ngakibo. Yena

77
wathwala umdeni wakhe kanye lezihlobo zakhe
ngomtshova ayewuqhatshile waya kibo.

Lasa elakusisa ilanga kwakungasimuntu kuyinhlabathi

koMdluli. Batshadiswa kwaba kuhle kwaba njeya.
Kwadliwa kwaba mnandi. Abantu badla inyama baze
bayikhangela phela yayiphekwe ngomhluzi wenye.
Angithi uyisemkhulu kaThabo wayehlabe inkabi ezimbili.
Kwakukhala umsakazo bagiya abadala kanye
labesintwana. Ukutshelwa yikuncitshwa kwakumnandi
kulowo mthimba atshaya umbululu amanina zalilizela
izalukazi.

Sebetshadisiwe uThabo loNomaswazi abantu baqala

ukubakhunga. Baphiwa izipho ezehlukeneyo.

Ilanga lathi lingena kunina abantu bachitheka kwasala

izihlobo kuphela. Ngelanga elilandelayo izihlobo
zahanjiswa emizini yazo. UThabo lemuli yakhe babuyela
koBulawayo.

Zatshovana insuku uMaTshuma waze wabeletha

umntwana ongumfana. Kwamjabulisa lokho uDumani
wamuthi ibizo nguNdlalifa. Ukuzalwa kukaNdlalifa
kwenza uDumani waphusa utshwala phela wayethi nxa
etshayisa emsebenzini ahle aye endlini yakhe. UNdlalifa
wathi eselenyanga ezintathu ezelwe waqalisa ukuhlala
egula. Lokho kwenza lomzimba wakhe
wangahlambuluki. Bamhambisa esibhedlela kodwa
kazange asile bacina becabanga ukuyabhula
kubosiyazi.

78
Bavuka ngoMgqibelo ekuseni bagada baya eMganwini
kweyinye inyanga ezalwa eBhinga. Baba lenhlanhla
bayifica, kwakungela bantu abanengi. Masinyane nje
yabhula inyanga yabatshela yathi, "Leyi ngeyomdeni
ayingenwa lekadeni beyingangenwa. Hambisani
umntwana kibo liyembika emadlozini akhothwe zinyoka
zakibo. Wena mntwanyana utshele umyeni wakho
iqiniso kungenjalo uzakufa lumntwana." Bakhangelana
enhlamvini zamehlo uMaTshuma lomyeni wakhe kodwa
akula owapha omunye umlomo. Abasahlalanga
okuyangaphi bavalelisa babuyela endlini yabo.

"MaTshuma mfihlo bani oyifukameleyo na? Kumbe

umntwana lo ayisuye wami?" Kubuza uDumani. "Lawe
yise kaNdlalifa ungaphika njenyanga le eqamba
amanga. Yindodana yakho leyi Ngalonde" kutsho
uMaTshuma. "Kulungile sizahamba esibhedlela
siyekwenza iD.N test ukuze ngibe lesiqiniseko sokuthi
umntwana ngowami sibili."
"Siphukuphuku sendoda, ufuna ukuhlolelwa ngabantu
ukuthi umntwana ngowakho kumbe asowakho. Awuboni
ukuthi uNdlalifa ukufuze wakuqeda?" Kutsho
uMaTshuma ngelizwi eligcwele indelelo.

Mayi babo! Wabe eseyinyathele emsileni imamba.

Wamhahabela uDumani wamtshaya ngempama
etshisayo. "Kudala ngikwekelela wena Dumani" kutsho
uMaTshuma etshaya umyeni wakhe ngophini. Kwaliwa
kwaze kwalamula omakhelwane. UDumani waphuma
enjalo ethukuthele waya ebhawa. UMaTshuma wahle

79
wasala ethutha impahla zakhe waya eNtumbane endlini
yomngane wakhe.

Ngalowo umzuzu uThabo wayezihlalele lemuli yakhe

bebukele umabonakude. Lwakhala ucingo lukaThabo
lwamukelwa nguMaNdlovu angithi nguye
owayeluphethe. "Yebo ukhuluma lonina kaSiyanda
ngingakunceda?"
"Ngicela ukukhuluma loThabo" kutsho uMaTshuma.
Waqhubela umyeni wakhe ucingo ngokuthula
uMaNdlovu.

"Yebo ngikhuluma lobani?"

"Ukhuluma loMaTshuma Mdluli, ubuye uzobona
umntanakho" kulandisa uMaTshuma. "Wena MaTshuma
kudala ngehlukana lawe ngicela ungaphindi
ungitshayele ucingo futhi" kutsho uMdluli evala ucingo
lwakhe.

"Mngane angisazi ukuthi ngenzenjani ubaba

womntanami uyanginina."
"Khululeka mngane yizinto ezincane lezo kulomunye
ugogo oyinyanga engimaziyo asihambe kuye," kutsho
umngane kaMaTshuma. Abazange besaphozisa
amaseko bahle baya endlini yaleso salukazi.
UMaTshuma wafika walandisa indaba yakhe yonke.
"Yinto ezincane lezo thatha ibiza-biza uzathunqisela
ngayo ntambamba nxa usulala utsho konke ofuna
kwenzakale. Lowu omunye umuthi uzamfakela ekudleni
nguzwana mina. Uzabe esesenza konke okutshoyo

80
wena, inhlawulo yami uzayiletha nxa izinto zakho
sezilungile" kutsho leyo nyanga mthakathi.

Atshovana amahola lasa elakusisa ilanga uThabo

wazizwa esekhumbula uMaTshuma. "Nkosikazi
ngiyabuya khathesi ngisaya egalajini imota yami
iyakhwehlela." NguThabo lowo ewahulula amanga
aluhlaza tshoko angithi wayesebizwa ngumuthi.
"Kulungile Mdluli nanso imali ngicela usiphathele
isitshebo" kutsho uMaNdlovu. Wayamukela imali
uThabo wathatha izihluthulelo zemota yakhe
wayidumisa elubangise eNtumbane.

UMaTshuma wathi esalibele lwakhala ucingo lwakhe.

Walwamukela ngokuphangisa. "Halo baba Mdluli."
"Yebo mama ngisesititshini samabhasi eNtumbane buya
uzongibona," kutsho uThabo. "Kulungile baba
ngiyabuya khathesi" kuphendula uMaTshuma equma
ucingo lwakhe ngapho emamatheka.

"Mngane umuthi wesalukazi lesiyana ulamandla.

Usefonile uMdluli uthi ngizombona eComplex" kutsho
uMaTshuma. "Aphi amanga ami? Thula ubone uzezwa
ngawe lujaha" kutsho umngane kaMaTshuma.
Wazicomba ngokuphangisa uMaTshuma waphuma
wayabona uMdluli esititshini samabhasi eNtumbane.

Masinyane nje basebehlangene babingelelana.

"Ungaphi umfana wami?" Kubuza uThabo ebobotheka.
"Ngimtshiye elele baba asihambe uyembona"
kuphendula uMaTshuma. Wayidumisa imota uMdluli

81
waya endlini yomngane kaMaTshuma. "Salibonani
Mdluli" ngumngane kaMaTshuma ebingelela uThabo.
"Yebo mama linjani" kuphendula umfoka Mdluli.

UMaTshuma wadidizela wapheka ukudla kwemini.

Masinyane nje wayeseqedile waphakulula ukudla waya
egumbini lokuphumulela. Wathi eqhubela uThabo
ukudla umganu wamphunyuka wathi phahla phansi
wafa. Ukudla konke kwagcwala phansi.

"Aaaaaaa!" NguMaTshuma lomngane wakhe

bemangala. Waxolisa kakhulu uThabo. "Akulahlupho
Mdluli kuyatholakala" kutsho umngane kaMaTshuma.
Waphakulelwa njalo uThabo wayala ukudla. Wahlala
isikhatshana wavalelisa wayadlula ethenga inyama
wabuyela endlini yakhe.

"Kunzima mngane kadliseki uMdluli" kutsho

uMaTshuma. "Amadlozi akibo alamandla mina umyeni
wami ngamdlisa wahle wadela abakibo wanamathela
kimi. Kufanele sibuyele enyangeni siyichazele konke
okwenzakeleyo ukuze uphiwe eminye imithi elamandla"
kutsho umngane kaMaTshuma.

82
ISAHLUKO SETSHUMI LANYE.

Atshovana amalanga uThabo wavakatshela

uMaTshuma njalo. Wafika wamnika imali wathi edinge
eyakhe indlu yokuloja. "Ngiyabonga Mdluli umngane
wami ungitholele eyinye asihambe uyeyibona" kutsho
uMaTshuma. "Kulungile ngizakuthengela ithala lesitofu
kusasa." Wabonga uMaTshuma bavalelisana, uThabo
waya endlini yakhe.

Wafika endlini yakhe sokumnyama phinde kwakungela

magetsi. "Litshonenjani baba" kubingelela uMaNdlovu.
"Ngitshonile nkosikazi" kuvuma uMdluli. "Baba
kaSiyanda yindaba usungena ngobusuku? Kumbe
usuqalile imikhuba yakho loMaTshuma?"
"Yimi indoda lapha endlini asiwombuzo ongangibuza
wona lowo. Indlu yami asomthethwandaba" kutsho
uThabo. Wahle wazithulela zwi uMaNdlovu.

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Ngemva kwemizuzu embalwa bayangena egumbini labo
lokulala balala.

UMaNdlovu wavuka kusisa ekuseni wafaka amayaka

esitofini ngapho epheka kwelinye icele. Wavuka uMdluli
wageza wadla wavalelisa waya emsebenzini. Kwathi
sokuzatshaya ihola lakuqala watshayela uMaTshuma
ucingo wathi bahlangane edolobheni lakoBulawayo.
Isikhathi sokudla kwemini sathi sesitshayile uThabo
wayathatha imali ebhanga wayathengela uMaTshuma
ithala lezinye impahla zendlini. Waseqhatsha imota
yathwala lezo mpahla zaya esilojeni sikaMaTshuma.

Bafika bethula impahla bazingenisa endlini lapho

okuloja khona uMaTshuma. "UThabo yindoda
emadodeni sibili hatshi indojelana le enguDumani"
kutsho uMaTshuma ebeka kuhle impahla zakhe
zendlini. Wathi esebeke kuhle impahla zakhe zendlini
wayavakatshela umngane wakhe. "Kho kho! Sithabile"
nguMaTshuma lowo eqoqoda ememeza umngane
wakhe ngapho eqoqoda. "Ngena mngane" kutsho
uSithabile umngane kaMaTshuma. Wangena
uMaTshuma babingelelana lomngane wakhe.

"Mngane ubuyengaphi? Ngike ngakutshayela ucingo

inombolo zakho zayala ukungena."
"Uxolo mngane ngitshintshile inombolo zocingo, isilima
lesi esinguDumani besingitshayele ucingo. Ngizakupha
inombolo zami ezintsha. Bengiye edolobheni kuMdluli
usengithengele impahla zendlini, indlu isigcwele."

84
"Hayi bo! Akuthi uyasoma mngane" nguSithabile lowo
engakukholwa akutshelwayo. "Ngiqinisile sengifuna
isichitho kuphela ahle ehlukane lomfazi wakhe athathe
mina."
"Yizinto ezincane lezo kumele sibuyele enyangeni
leyana. Uzahle amenyanya okomuntu owenyanya into
ebolileyo" kutsho uSithabile. Baxoxa okwesikhatshana
wavalelisa uMaTshuma wabuyela esilojeni sakhe.

UThabo wathi etshayisa emsebenzini wayadlula ebona

uMaTshuma wasesiya endlini yakhe. Wafica uMaNdlovu
ebukele umabonakude lamaphahla akhe. "Litshonenjani
baba."
"Ngitshonile MaNdlovu" kuphendula uMdluli edlula esiya
egumbini lakhe lokulala. Wafika wakhipha impahla
zomsebenzi wayageza.

Masinyane nje wayeseqedile wayahlala lemuli yakhe

egumbini lokuphumulela. Bahlala isikhathi eside kungela
opha omunye umlomo. UMdluli wayezixoxela
loMaTshuma kuWhatsapp.

"Baba kaSiyanda ngithole umlayezo othi kulemali

ephumileyo ebhanga. Uke wakhipha imali ebhanga
yini?"
"Yebo ngiyithethe, angithi ifakwa yimi leyo mali"
kuphendula uMdluli. "Hawu Mdluli! Angithi imali yakho
ngeyami, ukhumbule mina lawe satshada. Kufanele
sibonisane kikho konke esikwenzayo."

85
"Angitshelwa okokwenza ngumfazi mina, imali leyi
isetshenzwa yimi" kutsho uMdluli. Wahle wavala
umlomo wakhe umntaka Ndlovu.

Zatshona insuku uThabo efika ngobusuku, unkosikazi

wakhe nxa embuza avuke ngolaka kumbe ahle
amtshaye. Loba kunjalo wabekezela uMaNdlovu
kazange ayekele ukumhlonipha umyeni wakhe. Angithi
walaywa engakayi kwenda. Wayesehlala ebihla njalo
nje. "Babeqinisile abadala ukuthi umendo awuthunyelwa
gundwane. Kube ngangisazi ukuthi uThabo unje
ngangingasoze ngivume ukwendela kuye"
nguNomaswazi lowo ekhuluma yedwa ngapho esesula
inyembezi.

Zatshovana insuku uThabo wayelala kuMaTshuma

kwamanye amalanga. Nxa uMaNdlovu embuza ukuthi
ulele ngaphi wayevusa umsindo oyesabekayo.

Kwathi ngokuqhubeka kwensuku umntwana

kaMaTshuma waqala ukugula umkhuhlane ongacaciyo.
UMaTshuma wacina etshela uThabo ukuthi wake
wayadinga usizo kubosiyazi, kwathiwa ahambise
umntwana kibo. Waphelelwa uThabo esizwa lokho.
Baxoxisana bacina bevumelana ukuthi bazakuya kibo
kaThabo kusisa.

'Lokhu sokungaphezu kwamandla ami, kungcono

kusasa ngiyebikela ubabakazi ngalindaba.' Wayebalisa
ngenhliziyo uNomaswazi esesula inyembezi. Khonapho
nje bamthumba ubuthongo waze waphaphama sokusile.

86
Ngalowo mzuzu uThabo loMaTshuma babesemangweni
belubangise eLupane. 'ILifa lezithutha lidliwa
yizihlakaniphi sibili uThabo usengowami. Sokusele
ukuthi ngidinge isichitho enyanye uNomaswazi ahle
athathe mina.' Watsho ngenhliziyo uMaTshuma
esezibona ngelihlo lengqondo eseyendele kuMdluli.

Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa basebefikile ngakibo

kaThabo. Wangenisa imota ekhaya uThabo behla baya
emthunzini lapho okwakuthe gwaqa umdeni wakoMdluli
becatshele ilanga. Angithi laligwaze umhlaba ilanga
litshisa bhe.

"Ungaphi uMaNdlovu?" Ngunina kaThabo lowo eqaga

indodana yakhe ngombuzo ingakahlali phansi. Kazange
aphendule uThabo wasondela wafika wabingelela
bahlala phansi. Baxoxa okungayingaphi uThabo
waseqala indaba yakhe.

"Badala ngizolitshengisa umalukazana wenu kanye

lomntwana. Umntwana kaphilanga kuhle, ngike
ngabhoda kubosiyazi ngidinga uncedo bathi kufanelwe
ngimlethe lapha abikwe emadlozini akoMdluli."
"Hatshi kowami umuzi, Thabo uthi kwenzenjani?"
Kubuza uyisemkhulu kaThabo. Walandisa njalo uThabo.
"Njengoba usithi uzositshengisa umalukazana uthini
ngoMaNdlovu?" Kungenela ugogo kaThabo
esehlengezela inyembezi. "Ngicabanga ukuthatha
umfazi wesibili go.." Kasayiqedanga inkulumo yakhe

87
uThabo uyisemkhulu esemzazathe ngomqwayi
emhlane.

"Isithembo emzini wami! Lingawa ilanga lidliwe linkunku,

phumani lihambe asomuzi wamazagwa lowu." Latsho
libatshaya ngoqwayi bobabili. Bayaphuma beminyana
entubeni.

"Hatshi Mdluli akwenziwa njalo yehlisa ulaka baba,

zwela usane lolu olungazi lutho" ngugogo kaThabo lowo
encenga umyeni wakhe. "Wenzakuhle ubaba ebaxotshe
angeke sidlalwe ngabantwana laba. Kahambe
lechithamuzi lakhe uThabo" kutsho uyise kaThabo.

Wancenga ugogo kaThabo lwaze lwadeda ulaka

kuyisemkhulu kaThabo. Babiza uThabo loMaTshuma
benza umkhuba wakoMdluli wabikwa emadlozini
umntwana wahle wavuka khwatshu.

"Thabo umntwana lo umthole ngaphandle komtshado

ngobutshapha bakho. Kala sabelo kulokhu
owakuthenga loMaNdlovu. Uhle wehlukane lalo
ichithamuzi lakho leli wondle umntwana kuphela.
Ungeqa amazwi ami azakufulathela amadlozi akoMdluli"
kutsho ixhegu lakoMdluli.

Kabasahlalanga okuyangaphi uThabo loMaTshuma

bavalelisa babuyela koBulawayo. "Mdluli uthini manje
njengoba abadala besithi sehlukane?" Kubuza
uMaTshuma. "Bengikuthanda MaGolide, kodwa angeke
ngeqe umlayo wabazali bami. Ngoba ilizwi lomuntu

88
omdala aliweli phansi" kuphendula uMdluli. "Oh yah!
Waze wadlala ngothando lwami Thabo. Ngabalekela
uDumani ngenxa yomntanakho lamuhla usungikhafula
okomuntu ekhafula amakhafithi oxakuxaku" watsho lawo
esebihla uMaTshuma. "Thula ungakhali angisoze
ngikulahle ngizakunakekela kanye lendodana yami.
Ukhumbule ukuthi ngatshada mina ngiyindoda yomuntu,
injabulo kaMaNdlovu iqakathekile kimi. Nguwe
owaziphosela kimi ngingakufuni ngicela ungangiphi
umlandu. Ngicabanga ukuthi sokufanele ngilungise
indlela zami khathesi, akulunganga ukuthi ngiqhubeke
ngithandana lawe ngitshadile. Ngicabanga ukuthi
uDumani kufanele alazi iqiniso angigwebe ukufohla
umuzi wakhe kube kanye," watsho lawo esehlengezela
inyembezi uThabo. Angithi wayesekhumbula indlela
ayehlukuluza ngayo uMaNdlovu.

'Ngangingazi ukuthi ikhuba lomunye alila ndima' watsho

ngenhliziyo uMaTshuma esesula inyembezi. "Mdluli loba
ungasangithandi ngicela unakekele indodana yakho."
"Kulungile MaGolide ngizaqhubeka ngilinakekela"
kuphendula uThabo. Ngalowo umzuzu basebengena
koBulawayo. UMdluli wadlula etshiya uMaTshuma
lomntwana wakhe eNtumbane yena waya eNkulumane
endlini yakhe. Wafica kutshaya umoya unkosikazi
wakhe engekho.

Ngalowo umzuzu uMaNdlovu wayesendlini kayisekazi.

"Babakazi ubaba kaSiyanda usengehlule uyathatha
imali ebhanga engangitsheli lokuthi uyisebenziseni. Lezi

89
insuku uselala engekho ngingambuza ulele ngaphi
uvuka ngolaka."
"MaNdlo ngicela ungasambuzi loba engaze elale
engekho uzaphenduka yedwa. Indoda ifana lempongo
iyalandela imihlambi eminengi kodwa ingadinwa
iyabuyela esibayeni sangakibo. Loba engaze enzeni
ungambuzi uzacina ecabanga ukuthi lawe awulali
endlini. Ungenza lokhu engikutshela khona uzabona
uzaqonda nta njengosolobhoni."
"Kambe!" Watsho ngelizwi elilensolo uNomaswazi.
"Ngiqinisile mntanami" kutsho uMaMdluli. Kasahlalanga
okuyangaphi uMaNdlovu wavalelisa wabuyela endlini
yakhe.

Ngaleso isikhathi uThabo wayelele emoteni angithi

wafica indlu ihluthulelwe. Lwamdutshuza uvalo
uMaNdlovu ebona imota yomyeni wakhe imile phambili
kwendlu yakhe. 'Mayi babo! Lamuhla ngizayisutha
induku' watsho ngenhliziyo uMaNdlovu eseqhuqha
ecabanga ukuthi umyeni wakhe uzamtshaya.

Wafika wavula endlini uMaNdlovu. UMdluli wehla

emoteni waqonda kunkosikazi wakhe. "Salibonani baba,
ngiyaxolisa ukuhamba lezihluthulelo" watsho lawo
eseguqe phansi uMaNdlovu. "Sukuma nkosikazi yimi
okufanele ngixolise wena ngoba ngikonele" kuphendula
uMdluli. Wasukuma kodwa imibuzo ibindana ekhanda
lakhe uMaNdlovu. Baqhubana bangena endlini bafika
bahlala egumbini lokuphumulela.

90
Kwathula cwaka kungela opha omunye umlomo. Wathi
lothu uThabo waguqa phambili kukaMaNdlovu
wabambelela emadolweni akhe. "MaNdlo ngiyazisola
ngesenzo sami uxolo ntombi yami angazi
ngasengingenwe kuyini sibili" kutsho uMdluli. "Kulungile
ngiyakuxolela" kuphendula uMaNdlovu.

ISAHLUKO SETSHUMI LAMBILI.

"Angeke ngigoqe izandla izinto zisonakala"

nguMaTshuma lowo ethetha ephuma endlini yakhe
elubangise enyangeni yakhe. Wafika wachazela
inyanga konke okwenzakeleyo. "Yinto ezincane lezo
mntanami uzabuya yedwa. Sengikupheka ngemithi yami
manje" kutsho inyanga icaba uMaTshuma imfaka
eminye imithi. "Sengikuphekile mntanami, lo omunye
umuthi uzageza ngawo lamuhla ntambama ungakalali.
Lowu omunye ngudelunina uzamfakela ekudleni
ukuvele adle angeke aphinde akhumbule kibo
uzanamathela kuwe."
"Kulungile gogo" wavalelisa wabuyela esilojeni sakhe
uMaTshuma.

Kwathi sokunqunda amehlo uMaTshuma waphuma

lapho aloja khona wayageza ngemithi ayiphiweyo.
Waba lenhlanhla ngoba kwakungela magetsi ngalowo
umzuzu. Atshovana amahola walala uMaTshuma
lendodana yakhe.

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Kuphakathi kwamabili uMdluli ulele lonkosikazi wakhe.
Khonapho nje wavakatshelwa liphupho, waphupha
esendlini kaMaTshuma. Kusenjalo wabona uMaTshuma
evuvuzela umuthi oyimpuphu esitshebeni waphakulula
ukudla wamnika. Wathi esithi uyadla wezwa ilizwi
endlebeni zakhe lisithi ungadli ukudla lokho mzukulu
wethuka wahle waphaphama.

Uyisemkhulu kaThabo wavuka kusisa ekuseni

watshayela umzukulu wakhe ucingo. "Yebo khulu
linjani" nguThabo lowo ekhuluma loyisemkhulu
ecingweni. "Ngiyaphila mzukulu ngicela ungayi endlini
kaMaTshuma njalo ungadli ukudla azakupha khona.
Loba engaze akutshayele ucingo esithi umntwana
uyagula ungayi ngoba usethiyile imijibila yakhe
lenyanga mthakathi yakhe. Ungavele uhambe angeke
uphunyuke kalula nje."
"Kulungile babamkhulu" kuvuma uThabo. Bavalelisana
uyisemkhulu kaThabo waquma ucingo lwakhe.

Walunga ngokuphangisa umfokaMdluli waya

emsebenzini wakhe. Imicabango yayibindana ekhanda
lakhe, ezibuza mayelana lephupho lakhe. Wathi
esezatshayisa emsebenzini kwangena umlayezo ovela
kuMaTshuma usithi amtshayele ucingo. Wawuziba lowo
umlayezo waziqhubekela ngomsebenzi wakhe.

Atshovana amahola watshayisa emsebenzini uMdluli.

Wathi esemangweni elubangise endlini yakhe lwakhala

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ucingo lwakhe. Walwemukela, "yebo MaTshuma
ngingakunceda."
"Baba kaNdlalifa umntwana uyatshisa angilamali
yokumhambisa esibhedlela" kutsho uMaTshuma
ngelizwi eliphansi. "Kulungile" watsho equma ucingo
lwakhe uMdluli.

'Kungasake kuye ngasifudlana bakithi' watsho

ngenhliziyo uMaTshuma echutha inkukhu. Masinyane
nje wayeseqedile wahle waqalisa ukupheka.

'Ngihambe ngiyebona umntanami, kumbe ngingayi?

Kodwa angeke ngifelwe ngumntwana ngenxa kakhulu,
kungenzeka ukuthi ubengikhohlisa nje ngoba ezonda
uMaTshuma.' Wayebalisa ngenhliziyo uyise kaSiyanda
ngapho etshayela imota. Khonapho nje wanyathela
amafutha elubangise esilojeni sikaMaTshuma
eNtumbane.

Ngemva kwemizuzu engemingaki wayesefikile. Wafika

waqoqoda wasengena endlini, wamangala ethola
umntwana ezidlalela engatshengisi ukuthi uyagula.
"Hawu MaTshuma! Yindaba udlala ngami kanje?"
Kukhwaza uThabo xathu umdumo wezulu. "Uxolo baba
Mdluli ubetshisa umntwana ngiyamangala lami
ngimbona esedlala" kutsho uMaTshuma eqamba
amanga aluhlaza tshoko.

Lwadeda kancane ulaka kuThabo waqalisa ukudlala

lendodana yakhe. UMaTshuma yena wayekhanzinga
inyama yenkukhu. Masinyane nje wayeseqedile

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waphakulula wasevuvuzela umuthi esitshebeni
sikaThabo. Kusenzakala konke lokho uThobo
wayelibele ezidlalela lendodana yakhe.

Mhlanokho wayepheke ukudla okugobhozisa amathe

uMaTshuma. Nxa ungazi wawungathi kuphekwe ekhefa.
"Nanku ukudla baba" kutsho uMaTshuma ebeka ukudla
etafuleni. "Uyilwile MaTshu vele ngifile liphango" watsho
lawo egeza izandla uMdluli. Wathi ethi uyacupha
isitshwala lwamdutshuza uvalo esekhumbula amazwi
kayisemkhulu. Waziduduza ngokuthi uMaTshuma
uyamthanda kangeke amfakele. Wadla waze wancinda
iminwe. "Uyapheka mama manga mabi" nguThabo lowo
encoma ukudla okuphekwe nguMaTshuma esegeza
izandla.

"Ngiyabonga baba" watsho lawo ebobotheka

uMaTshuma. Enhliziyweni esithi wabanjwa mpukani
kudala ngikuthiya uphunyuka.

ILanga lathi selibantu bahle wavalelisa uThabo waya

endlini yakhe.

Zatshona insuku uMaNdlovu wathola umsebenzi

wokuba ngumongikazi esibhedlela seMpilo. Angithi
waqeqetsha ulazo incwadi ezimvumela ukuba
ngumongikazi. UMaNdlovu waseqhatsha unkazana
ozamgcinela abantwana.

Kwathi ngelinye ilanga uThabo evela emsebenzini

wafikisana lonkosikazi wakhe. "Litshonile baba" kutsho

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uMaNdlovu. Watsaka amathe uThabo wathi, "hamba
uyegeza uyanginukela mina." Wamangala uMaNdlovu
waqonda egumbini lakhe lokulala wafika wakhipha
impahla zemsebenzini wasesiyageza.

Masinyane nje wayeseqedile ukugeza wahamba

wayahlala egumbini lokuphumulela wabukela umabona
kude labanye. "Wena Nomaswazi uzwa ngomuntu
onjani kanti ngithe hamba uyegeza ingcekeza yakho
kumbe uzitshiyile!" Watsho esukuma uThabo
esiyangena emoteni yakhe. Wayidumisa elubangise
eNtumane esilojeni sikaMaTshuma.

"Ngabona uyangihlolela uThabo kukhona engizakuzwa.

Kambe ngingathi ngiqeda ukugeza athi ngiyanuka!"
"Dadewethu into zabantu zelatshwa ngesintu kufanele
udinge uncedo masinyane umuzi ungakachitheki.
Kazenzi umyeni wakho kulomuntu ofake isichitho"
kutsho unkazana ogcina abantwana bakaMdluli.
"Awumazi kuhle uyise kaSiyanda uvele unje nxa
esefuna ukuyabona amagwimba akhe" kuphendula
uMaNdlovu engaliboni icala.

"Kho kho! MaTshu vula mama" nguMdluli lowo eqoqoda

ngapho ebiza. Wavuka wavula umnyango uMaTshuma
wangena uThabo. Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa
basebelele.

Wavuka kusisa ekuseni uMdluli waya endlini yakhe.

Wafica uMaNdlovu eselungela ukuya emsebenzini.
Wangena endlini wathatha impahla zakhe zonke

95
wazifaka emoteni wathi kangeke ahlale lamatshapha
yena. "Hamba baba kaSiyanda kodwa uzaphenduka
wedwa ngelinye ilanga. Okungapheliyo kuyahlola
uzangikhumbula" kutsho uMaNdlovu esesula inyembezi
ezasezigeleza ebusweni bakhe. Kazange azihluphe
ngaye uThabo wangena emoteni yakhe wayidumisa
wayatshiya impahla esilojeni sikaMaTshuma wasesiya
emsebenzini wakhe.

Atshovana amalanga uThabo waze wakhohlwa ngemuli

yakhe kanye lomdeni wakhe. Wavulela uMaTshuma
ibank account wayemfakela imali nyanga zonke.
UMaTshuma wayethatha imali ebhanga athumezele
kibo engatshelanga uThaba. Wayakhisa indlu
yesikhiwa ngakibo wathenga lenkomo zakhe.

UMaNdlovu wayeqhuba kuhle emsebenzini wakhe

wayengasazihluphi ngoThabo. Wayesethenge imota
yakhe enhle kakhulu. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga ezihlalele
endlini yakhe lwakhala ucingo lwakhe walwamukela.
"Halo babakazi."
"Yebo mntanami, unjani ubaba wabo Siyanda? Kudala
ngizama ukumtshayela ucingo kodwa inombolo zakhe
azingeni" kutsho uyisekazi kaThabo. "Angazi babakazi
sengilenyanga ezilitshumi ngingamazi. Lokhe wasukayo
lapha kakaze aphenduke."
"Kunzima mntanami kumbe wadlani lujaha? Kambe aze
adele umuzi wakhe ngenxa yeseqamgwaqo!" Watsho
lawo esekhathazekile uMaMdluli. "Ngiya ekhaya kusasa
babakazi, ngiphiwe amalanga amahlanu awekhefu"

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kutsho uNomaswazi. Baxoxa okwesikhatshana
bavalelisana waquma ucingo lwakhe uMaMdluli.

Khonapho nje wangena emoteni yakhe uMaNdlovu

waya edolobheni. Wafika wathenga ukudla
okuhlukeneyo wathi esephuma emnyango wevinkili
lakoT.M wahlangana loThabo. "Sabona Mdluli" kutsho
uNomaswazi emisa inqola ayethwele ngayo imithwalo
yakhe. Wethuka uThabo, phela wayengacabangeli
ukuthi bengahlangana. "Yebo MaNdlovu ngilinda lapho
ngiyabuya khathesi" kutsho uThabo.

Walinda uMaNdlovu. Masinyane nje wayesephendukile

uThabo baxoxa okwesikhatshana. "Asihambe emoteni
ngikuhambise endlini" kutsho uMdluli. "Ungazihluphi
Mdluli ngihamba ngemota leyana" watsho eyikhombela
ngomunwe. "Kulungile" kutsho uThabo eqhuba inqola
eqonda emoteni kaNomaswazi engasela mathe.
Balayitshela imithwalo bavalelisana wadumisa imota
yakhe wahamba uNomaswazi.

'Kutsho ukuthi uNomaswazi usekhombile. Imota le

uyithengelwe ngeyinye indoda' wayebalisa ngenhliziyo
ehlezi emoteni yakhe uMdluli.

Wavuka kusisa ekuseni uMaNdlovu balunga lemuli

yakhe bangena emoteni. Wayitshayela elubangise
eLupane kibo kaThabo. Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa
basebefikile, bemukelwa ngesihle. Angithi vele umdeni
wakoMdluli uyamthanda uMaNdlovu.

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"Waze wayipheka imboza lumfana bakithi, kambe
engalahla umntwana olobuntu kanje ngenxa
yeseqamgwaqo!" Kutsho uyisemkhulu kaThabo exoxa
lendodana yakhe. "Lapha uThabo ufana lokuthi ulahle
igolide wadobha ilitshe elingelancedo" kutsho uyise
kaThabo. Baxoxa nje bakwejisile edale angithi
kwasekunqunda amehlo.

Atshovana amalanga uMaNdlovu lemuli yakhe

bavalelisa babuyela koBulawayo. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga
ntambama bekwejisile bebukele umabonakude bezwa
kulomuntu oqoqodayo emnyango. Wathi lothu
uMaNdlovu wayavula isivalo. Wamangala ebona
uThabo babingelelana baqhubana baya egumbini
lokuphumulela. Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa
bavalelisaba bayalala. UThabo wacela ingubo wala
wemba phansi uMaNdlovu. "MaNdlovu usukhombile
angithi yikho usala lengubo" kukhwaza uThabo. "Mdluli
ungumyeni wami sibili kodwa angeke ngimbathe lawe
ingubo singahlolwanga igazi. Ngoba ngiyesaba ukufa
ngitshiye abantwabami behlupheka" kutsho
uNomaswazi. "Wena Nomaswazi uthi ngile aids mina
yiii?" Kutsho uThabo eyihlalisa impama esihlathini
sikaNomaswazi.
Kwavuka umsindo oyesabekayo kwaze kwavuka
omakhelwane.

ISAHLUKO SETSHUMI LANTATHU.

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Unkazana oncedisa endlini kaMdluli wahle watshayela
amapholisa ucingo wababikela ngokwenzakalayo.
Masinyane nje yayisifikile isantana ilamapholisa amabili.
Babuza isisusa sendaba omunye ebhala egwalweni.
Ngemva kwemizuzu wayesebotshiwe uThabo
bamqhuba bamfuqela emoteni. Wayidumisa imota
umtshayeli eqonda enkambeni yamapholisa. Bafika
bavalela uThabo esitokisini.

Wayesezisola ngesenzo sakhe umfokaMdluli kodwa

kwakungasancedi.

Wavuka kusisa ekuseni uMaNdlovu waya enkambeni

yamapholisa. Wafika wacela ukuthi umyeni wakhe
engabotshwa kodwa aphiwe i P.I engasondeli eduze
kwakhe. Bavuma abengalo yomthetho bachazela
uMaNdlovu ukuthi indaba yabo kufanele iyephelela
emthethwandaba. Wakhululwa uThabo walaywa ukuthi
engasondeli kuMaNdlovu icala lakhe lize liphele.

Icala likaThabo lathi seliphelile bahle behlukana

ngokusemthethweni. Indlu yathengiswa babelana imali.
UMaNdlovu wathatha eyakhe imali wayathenga indawo
yokwakha (stand) eCowdrypark. Wahle wathenga
impahla zokwakha waqhatsha umakhi waqalisa
ukwakha. Ngemva kwenyanga ezinhlanu indlu
kaMaNdlovu yayisiphelile. Wahle wathwala impahla
zakhe bayahlala kiyo.

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UThabo wathi esaphathekile ngomsebenzi wakhe
ikhiwa lakhe lambizela ehofisini. Lafika lamtshela ukuthi
alisela mali yokumhlawula kungcono ame ukusebenza.
Kwahle kwaba yikuphela komsebenzi kaThabo.
Wazihudula wayangena emoteni yakhe wayidumisa
elubangise eNtumbane. Wathi engakayifika endlini
wamisa imota eceleni komgwaqo wehla wayathenga
umoya (airtime) komunye umama owayethengisela
eceleni komgwaqo.

Khonapho nje wathutsha imota enkulu (truck) igijima

ngesivinini esesabekayo. Umtshayeli wathi eyijikisa
ejikweni lomgwaqo yamehlula yayathuza imota
kaThabo. Imota yahle yamuncana yaba ngokunye.
Umtshayeli lowo kazange ame wanyathela amafutha
ngamandla wabaleka.

UThabo wahle watshayela amapholisa ucingo.

Masinyane nje basebefikile babhala istatiment
basebedonsa imota kaThabo bayayitshiya enkambeni.

Zatshovana inyanga uMdluli engasebenzi esidla imali

esebhanga. Imali yathi isiphelile ebhanga uMaTshuma
wayengasamhloniphi esehlala emthethisa ngazo zonke
inhlamba. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga uMaTshuma evela
thengisa amatamatisi esititshini seNtumbane wafica
uThabo engaphekanga kwavuka umsindo oyesabekayo.

"Wena Thabo ulokhu ulengise amakhala ungapheli uthi

ngubani ozapheka? Phangisa upheke ngilambile mina

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nanku umbhida" kutsho uMaTshuma ezihlalela esofeni.
Wathi lothu uThabo wapheka isitshwala lombhida.

Masinyane nje wayeseqedile waphakulula badla.

Ngemva kwalokho wagezisa imicephe wasefaka amanzi
okugeza esitofini. Athi esekhudumala wagezisa
indodana yakhe. Ngemva kwamahola ambalwa
basebelele. "MaTshu ngicela ingubo" watsho ngelizwi
eliphansi uThabo. "Heyi wena Thabo usukhohliwe ukuthi
ngikupha ingubo kanye ngeviki?" Kutsho uMaTshuma
phela wayengasela ndaba loMdluli angithi
wayesekhombe umtshayeli wemitshova.

Wahle wathula zwi uMdluli esesaba ukutshaywa phela

umazi kuhle ukuthi ulesandla esilula. 'Oh yah!
Kwangenza ukungasuthiseki ngomfazi oyedwa' watsho
ngenhliziyo uMdluli.

UMaNdlovu loba wayesowehlukena loMdluli kodwa

wayehlala evakatshela uMaMdluli. Angithi
babengomakhelwane zazingapheli insuku ezimbili
bengabonananga.

Lasa elakusisa ilanga uMaTshuma wavuka ekuseni

walungiselela ukuyawoda amatamatisi akhe emkambo.
"Thabo usale uwatsha impahla lezi kanye lengubo
uzwile" kutsho uMaTshuma. "Kulungile mama ngizaqala
ngiphekele umntwana ilambazi ngibe sengiwatsha"
kuphendula uThabo. Waphuma wahamba uMaTshuma
watshiya uThabo epheka ilambazi.

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UMdluli wathi eseqedile ukuwatsha watshiya
umntanakhe edlala labantwana bakomakhelwane
wakhe waya emsikeni kayisekazi eNtumbane.
Ngomnyama kazange amfice wahle wayagada
umtshova waya eCowdrypark. Ngemva kwemizuzu
engaba ngamatshumi amathathu wayeseyehlile.
Wahweda waya endlini kayisekazi. Esahamba nje
wabona umfanyana ofana xathu lendodana yakhe
uAyanda edlala labanye abantwana. Wama
okwesikhatshana elokhu ekhangelisisa kuhle
waseqhubeka ngohambo lwakhe.

Wafika waqoqoda endlini kayisekazi. Wavuma

uMaMdluli esukuma esiyavula isivalo. Wamangala
ebona umntwana womnewabo. Babingelelana
baqhubana bangena endlini. Bazixoxela ngendaba
ezehlukeneyo. "Babakazi ngibone umntwana ofana
xathu loAyanda endlini leyana ehlotshiswe ngombala
olithanga."
"Nguye kanye yindlu kanina yonaleyana" kuphendula
uMaMdluli.

"Babakazi ngiyabuya khathesi ngisayahlola abantwana"

kutsho uMdluli. "Kulungile mntanami" kuphendula
uMaMdluli.

Wathi lothu uThabo waya endlini kaNomaswazi wafika

waqoqoda. Wasukuma uMaNdlovu wayavula umnyango
angithi lelo langa wayezasebenza ebusuku. "Sabona
Mdluli, ngena endlini baba kaSiyanda" kutsho
uMaNdlovu. Wangena endlini zimhlasele inhloni uMdluli

102
wafika wahlala esofeni. "Sisi hamba uyethenga isinkwa
lamaqanda emavinkilini" kutsho uMaNdlovu ekhuluma
lesisebenzi sakhe. Wathatha imali unkazana waya
emavinkilini.

"Mama kaSiyanda ngiyazisola ngesenzo sami.

Angisasebenzi inotho yami yonke seyatshabalala
okwamazolo ebona ilanga. Sengaphenduka isichaka
sikaMaTshuma. Yimi engiphekayo ngiwatshe ngenze
yonke imisebenzi yena ezihlalele. Ngicela sibuyisane
mama ungikhiphe kulobu ubunzima engikhangelane
labo," kutsho uMdluli zisehla inyembezi. "Kodwa
ngatsho Mdluli, aphi amanga ami? Ngakubekezelela
kangaki ungitshaya ungiphatha ngochuku? Angeke
ngenelise ukukuxolela wadlala ngothando lwami.

ISIPHETHO.

LOLU LUGWALO
LOKUZIBUMBELA KONKE
OKWENZAKALA

103
EGWALWENI AKUSILO
IQINISO. LOLU UGWALO
NGILULOBE NGISEBENZISA
IZEHLAKALO
ENGILOKUZIBONA
ZISENZAKALA EBANTWINI
ABANENGI. INJONGO
YIKUFUNDISA INTSHA
MAYELANA LOKUGCINA
KUHLE IMIZI.

NOT FOR SALE.

NGEYAMAHALA
AYITHENGISWA NXA

104
KUKHONA
OKUFUNDILEYO
THUMEZELA
UMNGANE LOBA
UMFOWENU AFUNDE
LAYE.
NGILITHANDA
LONKE.

105