1

INTSHAYELELO
Ndiziqonde ndisothuka ebuthongweni kumnyama kwelagumbi bendilele kulo ukuba ndisekunyeni.
Nzulu. Ngamandla.
Ngesosizathu bendise andanawo nalomandla okusukuma, bekuphele kwawona.
Bekubuhlungu. Umzimba wam ubuhlungu. Ndiziva okungathi andiphelelanga, okungathi abazali bam
bazondibona ndingena emnyango ukuba kukho into etshintshileyo ngam. Andiseyiyo intombi ngoku.
Nomtha: ”Luzuko!”
Luzuko: ”Mh?”
Nomtha: ”Vuka kulate.”
Luzuko: ”Mh? Ewe yima kancinci.”
Nomtha: ”Vuka undikhaphe kulate Zuko!”
Luzuko: ”Ewe.”
Ebesekobude ubuthongo. Ndibone ukuba kubhetele ndizisukumele ndinxibe ndihambe. Ekugqibeleni
yena ebengazukungena engxakini nabantu bakowabo, ndim umntu ebezongena engxakini. Bendishiye
nephone yam endlini, inoba abazali bebeqalisa ukukhathazeka ngoku.
Ebengacuphanga alarm na uLuzuko? Bekufanele ukuba sivuke ngothree andikhaphe ndigoduke.
Ibinguten ngoku ixesha. Phofu seyingo quarter to eleven. Bendike ndatsho ukuba ndisekunyeni? Yep!
Location.
Luzuko: ”Nomtha?”
Umfamfathe kulandawo bendileli kuyo wavula amehlo wabona ukuba andisekho bhedini ngoku.
Uxhumile wachopha ngempundu sethe qwa wokundibona ndinxiba.
Luzuko: ”Ngubani ixesha?”
Khange ndithethe, ndimolathise iwatshi ibisentla kwebhedi warhola amehlo waxhuma ukuthatha
iblukhwe yakhe.
Luzuko: ”Shit! Shit! Shit! Iphi iphone yam? Bendingacuphanga alarm?”
Undibuze.
Sinxibe sagqiba wakhangela iphone yakhe wade wayifumana ngaphantsi kwebhedi.
Undijongile ebona ukuba andisekho kwalapha mna. Ndilapha ngomzimba kodwa ingqondo yam ayikho
apha. Bendiyazi kwaye ndiqinisekile ukuba abazali bam bakhathazeke bayafa ngam kulandawo bakuyo-
umam'Grace ukhathazeke uyabhubha kulandawo akuyo. Bendikhathazeke ngaye kakhulu. Ityala
bebezolibeka kuye, umsebenzi wakhe ube sengcuphekweni. Ngaziphi izizathu? Ibingemnandanga
nangalendlela ibibabazwa ngayo nalento. Iyintlungu nje engonwabisiyo.
Luzuko: ”Nomtha.”
Nomtha: ”Masihambe Luzuko.”

2
Uzonwaye intloko esinekile.
Luzuko: ”Sinengxaki ... utata ubuyile, andizukwazi ukuba imoto yakhe. Netaxi ziphelile.”
Nomtha: ”Andizulala apha mna.”
Luzuko: ”Sawuthini? Uzovuka kusasa uhambe.”
Nomtha: ”Luzuko.”
Besendigwantyisile ngalamzuzu. Ibiqala ke ukundehlela into enje ebomini bam.
Abazali bam bebendithembe ngeyona ndlela kuba bendingazange ndabadanisa. Bendizimisele
esikolweni, ndipasa ngamanqaku aphezulu. Ndihlala ndiphuma kwitop five qho. Bendingena ngexesha,
ndiyilandela yonke imithetho. Le ibiqala ukundehlela ndisoyika nokubona impoxakalo ezoba sebusweni
babo.
Bendifunda ugrade nine ndina fifteen iminyaka. Besibabini ekhaya, indim nobhuti wam omdala
uLumumba obese university esenza unyaka wakhe wokugqibela. Ebesendlini ngoku naye kuba
besikwikhefu ezikolweni.
Besifunda kwisikolo esinye noLuzuko, esenza ugrade eleven yena. Besinonyaka kuphela sithandana
emveni kokuba sibe ngabahlobo iminyaka emibini yonke.
Naye kanje ngam ebesuka kwikhaya elifudumeleyo elingasokoliyo.
Ebekhuliswa ngutata wakhe nomanci wakhe ongamshiyi kakhulu ngeminyaka- ewe ebengalomadoda
utata wakhe. Ibingaqinanga kakhulu ingalo yakhe yomthetho. Abantwana bakhe ebanika inkululeko
ethile. Ebeseqhuba uLuzuko, ehamba indawo zokonwaba, enetshomi eziqhunywayo. Naye kungenzeka
ebeqhunywa kodwa ebeyifihla lonto etshaya icigarette kuphela.
Luzuko: ”Sithini ke Nomtha? Uyayazi uba ndigrounded ngokutshayisisa imoto kaDen edongeni
kulempelaveki iphelileyo. Izoba lelinye ityala ngaphezulu kwelinye ukuba ndiyithathile ngoku.”
Nomtha: ”Ubuthe uzocupha ialarm!”
Uphinde wazonwaya intloko.
Luzuko: ”Idate yam iwrongo.”
Nomtha: ”Luzuko!”
Uchophe phezulu kwebhedi wandijonga. Ibingase ndikhale kakhulu. Bendisesouphini nyani! Sithule
singathethi, besendicinga nokuhamba ngenyawo kodwa ndicinga ubungozi bokuhamba ngobusuku.
Bendingoyiki busuku koko ndisoyika into endinoyifumana ebumnyameni- umntu.
Uyabona mna? Bendise nkathwazeni.
Luzuko: ”Uwophula okokuqala umthetho Nomtha, ndiqinisekile ukuba akuzuba kubi kangako maan!
Kungoba sawuthini ke baby? Asinamoto, akukho zimoto, kwaye kusezinzulwini zobusuku ngoku.”
Nomtha: ”Andizukwazi ukulala ngaphandle kwasendlini. Andizange ndalala ngaphandle kwasendlini
Luzuko! Kuzawusa nini abazali bam bekhathazekile ngam? Kuzawusa nini? Inoba uyaphambana utata
kulandawo akuyo!”

3
Bendiyintandokazi katata wam. Ukuba bekukho into endiqiniseke ngayo apha emhlabeni ibiluthando
lukaSamora Tongai kum.
Ebendithanda utata.
Eyonanto bendiyoyika ibikukumphoxa. Umntakwethu ebesencanyiwe yena kuba noxa ebesenza kakuhle
esikolweni ebeziphilela obakhe ubomi. Imali yabazali eyixhaphaza ayitye kwiclubs zaseSandton.
Ebethanda ubomi obuphezulu nemoto zikanokutsho namantombi amahle kunye notywala obuduru.
Bebese nethemba lokuba mna andizuphuma mgceni kuba ndisalandela imithetho yabo .
Ibimdim lo. Ixesha lam lokuba sendlini ligqithe lagqithisisa. Ndingeyiyo intombi bendimnke ndiyiyo
emini.
Ndive ngaye sele endanga.
Luzuko: ”Okay ndizocela kubhuti akukhaphe sukukhala.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyoyika.”
Luzuko: ”Yintoni engako engenzeka? Uzoba grounded kuthathwe iphone yakho qha. Utatakho akasoze
ukubeke sandla.”
Nomtha: ”Inoba uphoxakele utata.”
Luzuko: ”Yima ndithumele uSakhiwo umyalezo aze apha. Ndonqena ube ndiyomnqonqozela.
Okungenani ungene endlini kungekabethi twelve. Askies baby, bendiba ndiyicuphile nyani le alarm.
Andiqondanga ukuba idate yam iwrongo.”
Ndinqwale ndosula inyembezi. Bendiyiqonda ukuba inyembezi bezingazunceda nganto. Sendise ngxakini
kakade. Okwam ibikukuba ndibe sendlini namhlanje. Noba kanjani, engekabethi utwelve. Bendisuke
ndaphenduka uCinderella.
Uthumele lomyalezo ubhuti wakhe. Akubanga xesha lingako wanqonqoza.
Uyimvulela.
Sakhiwo: ”Emergency yantoni? Wenze ntoni kulegame?”
Akamphendulanga wavula nje ucango.
Sakhiwo: ”Nomtha! Ufuna ntoni apha ngelixesha?! LUZUKO!”
Luzuko: ”Siselwe.”
Sakhiwo: ”Ubuqhunyiwe?”
Luzuko: ”Oko besilapha imini yonke noNomtha bendizoqhunywa nini?”
Sakhiwo: ”Nomtha. Eish! Qokelela izinto zakho ndikukhaphe. Uzothi ubuhleli phi kokwenu? Yintoni le
iniyobileyo naselwa.”
Sikrwaqulene noLuzuko wancuma kancinci nam ndancuma.
Usijongile wanikina intloko yakhe.
Sakhiwo: ”Come on! Luzuko!”

4
Uzivalele umlomo wakhe uLuzuko nam ngokunjalo.
Unikine intloko yakhe kwakhona wayophuma ngomnyango. Silandele emveni kwakhe.
Kuba sihlobene ixesha elide noLuzuko bendibazi bonke abantwana bakowabo kunye nabazali bakhe.
Bebengazi sithandana ke siyifihla. InguSakhiwo yedwa oyaziyo. Ebengemdalanga kakhulu, esenza unyaka
wakhe wokuqala euniversity.
Siyongena ngemva emotweni wayistater sahambeni.
Bendiluva uvalo lwam lungongoza indlela le yonke ukubheka ekhaya.
Sakhiwo: ”Niyisebenzisile icondom?”
Luzuko: ”Ewe.”
Sakhiwo: ”Nomtha?”
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”
Sakhiwo: ”Niyintoni kwizinto zabantu abadala?”
Luzuko: ”Hayibo!”
Sakhiwo: ”Seniselwa nje yilento yenu yokuleqa izinto ezikude kunani. UNomtha uzongena engxakini
ngenxa yakho Luzuko, awuvumi tu ukuphuma ezintweni. Si scandal emveni kwesinye. And into
ebuhlungu kukuba ufaka uNomtha kobububomi bobunja uzikhethele bona.”
Luzuko: ”Khawume Sakhi.”
Sakhiwo: ”Sund'xelela ukuba mandime. Undiphoxile ke wena Nomtha. Ayifani nawe tu into yokuba
ngaphandle kwendlu ngelixesha. Ungayiqheli lento, istage singakungeni kakubi kuba uzawuzisola.”
Undibambe isandla uLuzuko. Ndimjongile.
Luzuko: ”Uzobaright.”
Ndinqwalile. Bendiright mna. Ngaphandle kwalantlungu bendiyiva ngalamzuzu bendiright. Kodwa
bendiyazi ukuba abazali bam abakho right kulandawo bakuyo ngoku. Banexhala lam.
Kubethe elixesha ndingekho ndlini.
Luzuko: ”Kusebuhlungu?”
Ndinqwalile.
Luzuko: ”Kuzoya kuba right uzobona. Akuzuhlale kuqaqamba.”
Nomtha: ”Andiyithembi ke leyo. Andisafuni kwanto.”
Luzuko: ”Yeses uligwala!”
Ndinikine intloko.
Luzuko: ”Ungazisoli.”
Nomtha: ”Andizisoli.”

5
Luzuko: ”Nam andizisoli. And ndiyabulela kakhulu nganamhlanje. Ndiyakuthanda.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda namu.”
Ebengembanga kakhulu uLuzuko. Ebenobubele enothando kwaye ehlekisa. Besisonwaba xa sikunye.
Ebedinga ukukhula kwezitshomi zakhe ziqhunywayo qha. Aphume kuzo.
Besikufuphi nasendlini kengoku sizongena kwisitrato sam.
Sakhiwo: ”Nomtha? Kukowenu phaya?”
Ndijonge ngaphambili. Okomzuzwana ndamelwa yintliziyo. Kwama ixesha. Ubuthandabuza ukubhadla
komntu xa esithi ixesha lama. Bendilibone kum ngalamzuzu. Okungathi kubethwe iqhosha lika 'pause'
okomzuzwana.
Ndijijise ucango ndifuna ukuphuma ngoku imoto ihambayo. Okungathi ndakuhamba ngezam inyawo
ndizokhawuleza ukufika ekhaya ukogqitha imoto le besihamba ngayo. Ebetsixiwe amacango kodwa
ndaqhubeka ukujijisa. Undibambile uLuzuko ndajijisana naye.
Luzuko: ”Nomtha!”
Bendicinga utatam. Ebendithanda endikhathalele kakhulu. Ebengafuni kusuke nonwele entlokweni yam.
Inoba ebemelwe yintliziyo kungabikho kwam endlini ngalamaxesha. Ebecinge kakhulu, ingcinga zakhe
zagabadela wamelwa yintliziyo. Siso isizathu esinokwenza ukuba kubekho iambulance nezithuthi
zamapolisa. Siso qha.
Ndihlike isamisa imoto ndabaleka ukuya ngasendlini. Bekugcwele abantu bephunguza betsale intamo
befuna ukubona ukuba kwenzeke ntoni. Bekurhangqelwe ngezantambo zamapolisa kurhanqelwa ngazo
xa kukho ingozi.
Police: ”Hello?! Awuboni yicrime scene le?!”
Nomtha: ”Khaya. Kusekhaya.”
Sakhiwo: ”Nomtha!”
Ebehamba nepolisa elingutata. Uzondibamba isandla.
Police2: ”Sisi-”
Andimlindanga athethe ndaqhawula ndabaleka ukuyongena endlini. Bekugcwele nje ngamapolisa, kukho
neparamedics. Ndiyongena elounge ndaxinga emnyango. Bekukho abantu nakhona, kukho lomntu
uphethe icamera ufota umntu othe natya phantsi. Besendiwutsala umoya. Imiphunga yam inikezela.
Ndibambelele ngento kwaphahlalaka kusiwa ivase. Ndinxanxatheke ndabhekela kwakho umntu
osondela kum. Bekukho umsindo nje wokuba ndikhutshwe! Ndikhutshwe! Bendingakwazi. Yonke into
ibiyekelela. Intliziyo yam ibisima. Amalungu am engasakwazi ukumelana nesisindo sam. Amehlo am
ebona luzizi. Bendingakwazi. Utat'am? Umzimba katata wam! Umzimba kaSamora Tongai enembumbulu
entloko nasesifubeni. Utata wam. Bendingakwazi.
Kwehlike abantu befunqule ezabhedi ziqhutywayo besihla kwistairs, kukho umzimba ogqunyiweyo.
Ngaphambili kokuba bandibambe ndaleqisa khona ndavula lazip. Umam'am. Ndithe ndibanjwa ndabe
sendimbonile. Ebengenanto yena ebusweni. Evale amehlo zolileyo okungathi usebuthongweni
bethutyana.
Nomtha: ”Hayi! Umam'am! Hayi! Hayi!”

6
Bebezama ukundehlisa umoya kodwa bendiphambana. Kwenzeke ntoni apha?! Kwenzeke ntoni?!
Abazali bam babulewe ngubani ngesihlungu esinje?!
Utatam! USamora. Bendingasakwazi. Bekukuninzi. Bendiphi mna?!
Besendibanjwe ngapha nangapha ndayochotshiswa phantsi ndiphathelwa amanzi endingakwazanga
nokuwasela kuba ndiyagxwala. Abazali bam!
Ndicinge uLumumba. Okanye ebengekho ndlini yena eseclubbini namantombi netshomi zakhe.
Ngekubhetele ukuba ebengekho apha endlini. Ngekubhetele ukuba uyinjubaqa kwenye indawo utyana
nemali yabazali.
”We found another body in the cottage room. Clearshot in the head. Two bullets ...”
Hayi! Hayi! Hayi!
Hayi noLumumba!
Hayi uLumumba!
Ndikhale zoma inyembezi. Ndaphinde ndakhala kwakhona. Besingaphandle xa ziphuma zonke inqwelo
ziyalishe imizimba emithathu.
Samora Tongai.
Noxolo Tongai nomntakwethu; uLumumba Tongai.
Usapho endinalo lonke lwalayishwa kwizithuthi. Ndimile phaya ndizibuza ukuba kuzokwenzeka ntoni
kum. Ifemeli katata eseZimbabwe ibingavani nomama, ngezo zizathu bengena budlelwane nathi. Bonke.
Umama ebengenabani ngaphandle kotata. Walahlwa etipini ngabazali wakhulela ehome. Ibindim
umam'am ngoku. Bendiyintandane.
Ebendibambile uLuzuko endithulisa ndingakhali. Ndiqaphele omnye ubhuti endijongile. Nangoku
abonayo ukuba ndimjongile akalahlisi. Undijamele qha. Ebenxibe mnyama. Isilamba esikhulu
esimnyama, iblukhwe emnyama kunye neboots ezimnyama. Ebemnyama kwayena.
Ebenetattoo evelileyo entanyeni yakhe itattoo yomlilo.
Ndimncinele amehlo wandinqwalela kancinci. 'Sorry'
Utshilo. Andiwavanga amazwi kodwa ndokubonile ukunyakaza kwendebe zomlomo wakhe. Uthe 'sorry'
Luzuko: ”Nomtha ...”
Nomtha: ”Nguye Luzuko! Nanku! Nanku!”
Luzuko: ”Ubani?!”
Ndithe ndibheka kwakhona ndisolatha labhuti wezinto ezimnyama wabe engasabethi. Ebengekho.
Ndibheka-bhekile wabe engabonakali ndawo.
Nomtha: ”Ndimbonile. Ebenxibe izinto ezimnyama Luzuko. Ebelapha lamntu. Babulewe nguye! Uthe
'sorry' Luzuko. Babulewe nguye!”
Luzuko: ”Nomtha.”

7
Nomtha: ”Babulewe nguye! Babulewe nguye!”
Luzuko: ”Sakhiwo!”
Nomtha: ”Xelela amapolisa! Bhuti! Ndimbonile umntu obuleleyo! Ndimbonile!!”
Sakhiwo: ”Luzuko biza iparamedic!”
Nomtha: ”Nimele ntoni?! Nimele ntoni?! Thathani ezivan nileqise lamntu ubulele abazali bam! Unxibe
impahla ezimnyama.”
Sakhiwo: ”Shhhhh sisi uzobaright.”
Mna: ”Utatam! Abazali bam!”
Luzuko: ”Sicela uncedo!!”

8
ONE
Samora 'Sam' Tongai
Noxolo 'Koyo' Tongai
Lumumba Tongai
”...UThixo uphile, uThixo uthathile. Malibongwe igama leNkosi.”
Bendikhona.
Ngelokhwe emnyama.
Bendikhona. Xa kusihla ibhokisi katata emngxunyeni wakhe.
Bendikho xa kufakwa umama.
Bendikho xa kufakwa uLumumba. Intliziyo yam iphuma ingceba ngabhokisi enye etshonayo.
Bendonzakele. Bendonakele.
Ndikhale kwaphela nezonyembezi emehlweni am. Bendingenalo elinye ithemba. Bendinomsindo.
Kungani bebathathe bonke ngexesha elinye? Yintando kaThixo enjani le yokuba kushiyeke inkedama
engena kwabani?
Ndishiyeke phaya emadlakeni komnka abantu. Bendinemibuzo emininzi bendifuna ukuyibuza kodwa
bendiqonda ukuba ndimosha ngexesha lam kuba bekungekho mpendulo ndizokuzifumana. Bebemnkile,
behluthiwe kum. Xa bendishiya bonke bendawuba ngokabani mna? Xa behluthwa kum bonke ngaxesha
nye beyiyo yonke into kum ndizoshiyeka nabani?
"Nomtha.”
Ndiphethukile ndabona umam'Grace esiza kum. Ebenxibe impahla ezimnyama naye ethwele nezahats
zinkulu.
Nomtha: ”Mam'Grace.”
Undangile akufika kum.
Grace: ”Unjani?”
Ndinyuse amagxa. Bendinjani? Bendingazazi noba ndinjani. Ndisiva izinto ezininzi ngaxesha nye.
Nomtha: ”Ubuphi?”
Ndandimshiye endlini ngalamini kodwa ebusuku ebengekho endlini. Hayi nokuba bendisithi
ngedutyuliwe naye kodwa bendifuna nje ukuqonda ukuba usinde kanjani yena.
Grace: ”Ndisebenze ihalf day mna. Umnumzane uSamora wandikhulula ndiyophumla. Oh Nomtha! Imbi
into eyehlele umnumzana uSamora nomamakho- nobhuti wakho.”
Bendiqonda ukuba kutheni semcinga mva nje uLumumba. Bebengavani tu. Ebenesigezo, ngakumbi
ngakuGrace. Kugqithisele xa enxilile ke ibengathi uthetha nento hayi umntu. Kodwa kuba utata
ebemthanda uGrace ebembeka endaweni yakhe uLumumba.
Ndinqwalile nje kuphela.

9
Grace: ”Uzothini kengoku?”
Ndiphinde ndanyusa amagxa. Usapho lwam lonke belungqengqe ngemiqolo lugange umhlaba ngezifuba.
Bendiphelele apha. Ngaphandle bendingenaye omnye umntu. Bendingena bani.
Grace: ”Mna ndibuyela eMozambique for isikhathi esincane. Ndibe nabantwana bam, ndibone ukuba
ndizobuya ndiwufune ngakweliphi icala umsebenzi. Ndibuhlungu Nomtha ngabazali bakho. Utata wakho
ebeyindoda elunge kakhulu endiphatha kakuhle. Ebefana nefamily yam apha. Ndiyaxolisa kakhulu.”
Umama, uThixo ambusise ebengathandeki ncam. Ebengenguye lamntu ufikelelekayo unobubele ukufana
notata. Ebeyitrophy wife katata. Engaphangeli, engafundanga engeyonto ngaphandle kokuba ngumfazi
katata. Ububele babantwana ebengenabo tu. Bekungathi wazala kuba efuna ukonwabisa umyeni wakhe,
kuba iyinto ibifunwa ngutata- abantwana. Sakhula sihoywe ngutata. Inguye ongumama kuthi. Umama
ethembela kakhulu kubantu bebeqashelwe ukusigada. Bebetshintshwa oko nabobantu kuba bebesoloko
betyholwa ngokuncwasa utata. Naye avume ke kuba noba ebeyintoni umama ebethandwa ngumyeni
wakhe. Noxa ebemyekelela nje, ene addiction yokugembula notywala. UNoxolo Diko ebeyitya imali
yendoda yakhe.
Nomtha: ”Andiyazi.”
Grace: ”Oh Aneni!”
Undibambe isidlele endibiza ngegama utata wam ebelisebenzisa kakhulu. Aneni: uThixo unam.
Ibingekho into endingayenza ngaphandle kokuba ndikhale. Bendingayazi ukuba amangomso
andiphathele ntoni. Xa kuhamba noGrace lo bendinethemba lokuba mhlawumbi ndawuhlala naye
ixeshana bendingayazi.
”Aneni!”
Nomtha: ”Tete!” Aunty.
Khange andiphendule waqhubeka nendlela.
Nomtha: ”Kuzofuneka ndihambe.”
Grace: ”Andibathandi ababantu. Masithembe utatakho ubhale iwill phantsi bangakulinge badle imali
zikatatakho.”
Nomtha: ”Mandihambe.”
Grace: ”Hamba sisi. UThixo ukhona wena, ungaqumbi uqalekise. Uzolenza icebo.”
Uphinde wandanga ndaleqisa emveni kodabawo ...
Bekugqithe ivekana ezimbalwa sibafihlile otata. Bendishiyeke ekhaya nomnye wosisi bakatata. Bendiqala
phofu ukumbona ngezamini zisondele emfihlweni.
Abantu abaninzi bendiqala ukubabona ngezizithonga. Ndisibona futhi isizathu sokuba utata ababekele
kude naye. Ibingengo bantu balungileyo ncam. Bebenyolukele imali namafa qha, benga khathalelanga
ukuba umntakwabo ubulewe ngesihlungu nosapho lwakhe. Phofu bendilindele ntoni? Iminyaka emininzi
bengena budlelwane naye bebengazuqala ngoku seswelekile.

10
Babefuna ukuthatha umzimba wakhe bayowufihlela eZimbabwe apho azalwa khona, kodwa akubanga
salunga wafihlelwa kwicementary ekwalapha eJo'burg kunye nomama nobhuti. Bebenamatye bonke.
Ndiyivuyela ukuba bendawukwazi ukubabona xa ndisiva ndifuna ukuthetha nabo.
Utata wam ebengusomashishini omkhulu. Ebenenkampani yakhe wazivulela yona yakhula isaphethwe
nguye. Besiphila kamnandi, sifunda kwizikolo zabelungu, sihlala esilungwini. Imoto bezigcwelise igarage
yasekhaya. Kungekho nto esiyidingayo singayifumani. Ebeqinisekisa ukuba asisweli kwanto. Yiyo lonto
ndothuke ndamelwa yintliziyo xa kuthathwa zonke imoto zakhe zityiwa yibank. Inkampani yakhe
kwayona ibithathwe sistate kuba kuthiwa bekukho ubuqhophololo, sebenzisa imali emdaka iyicoce.
Utata- owam utata ebesebenzisana namagintsa amakhulu oyikekayo ukucoca imali yawo yegazi.
Ungamazi na umntu? Uqiniseke ngaye ummele nangaphambili kwesihlwele sabantu?
Ubomi bam bonke bendiwunqula umhlaba anyathela kuwo utata. Ndimfanisa noThixo kuba yonke into
ebeyenza ngokwencwadi, engafuni nto iphume ecaleni. Qho ebusuku ebendithandazela ngaphambili
kokuba ndilale. Qho ngeCawa esirhuqela ecaweni noLumumba, umama abe enezicwangciso zenwele
kunye nenzipho. Bekungekho ntlanganiso imphosayo yethu. Kungekho sports day asilibalayo. Utata wam
wayesithanda. Ebengenza nantoni na? Ingaba kuko oku ukwenza nantoni na? Yonke lempilo besiyiphila
ngokuba unikezele ngomphefumlo wakhe kwizikrelemnqa. Akakho umntu ebenexesha okanye ezidinga
ngokuqonda ukuba ishishini liqhuba njani kodwa besijonga kuye sawuba nezidingo. Ingaba sithi
abamenze azinikezele ngoluhlobo? Bekutheni angatsho ukuba ishishini lakhe liyasingela?
Bekuqhubeka ntoni ngotata wam? Ibingubani utata wam? Ingubani lo ubabuleleyo ebabulalela ntoni?
Amapolisa athembise ngokuba azoqinisekisa ngokuba ayaphanda. Bendingelo ithemba kwaye
ndingafuni kuzithembisa ze ndidane xa bungekhoyo ubulungiswa. Bendididekile nje ndingayazi nokuba
kuyasa okanye kuyahlwa. Bendibona nje kusisa kuphinde kusihlwa.
Aubrey: ”Shuuu!”
Ukhalaze esangena umntwana kaAunty. Ebemnke kusasa ephethe impepha ezininzi. Ibiyimpelaveki
namhlanje ndingayanga esikolweni. Bendisaqhubeka nesikolo okwangoku ndingayazi nokuba ndizoya
kude kubenini njengoba izinto bezinje nje.
Aunty: ”What?!”
Aubrey: ”I'm tired.” ndidiwe.
Aunty: ”Aneni make tea for your cousin.” yenzela umzala wakho itea.
Aubrey: ”Coffee Aneni, coffee.”
Ndisukumile ndayobeka amanzi wekofu ekhitshini. Bebethetha ngesiShona kengoku bexuba nesilungu.
Aunty: ”Yintoni?”
Aubrey: ”Ummeli. Akashiyanga kwanto uSamora.”
Aunty: ”Hayi maan suxoka Aubrey! Njani? USamora ebengusomashishini onemali Aubrey. Ehamba
nabantu abanemali enemoto ezinkulu! Abantwana bakhe befunda kwizikolo zabelungu. Lumumba,
ebenemoto. Hayi enye, hayi ezimbini! Ngoku akashiyanga kwanto?!”
Aubrey: ”Akuphelelanga apho.”
Aunty: ”Jesu!”

11
Aubrey: ”Unexesha engabhatali kwalendlu. Kuzobekwa laboard ye 'for sale' kungekudala. Sizonikwa
ieviction note.”
Aunty: ”Samora! Samora! Samora!
Isikolo salomntwana?”
Aubrey: ”Andinamsebenzi nalomntwana mna mama. Bendifuna imali mna nemoto ezi undithembise
zona ukusuka kwam eZimbabwe. Ayinanto lendoda! Nix!”
Aunty: ”Bendizokwazelaphi mna ukuba usematyaleni? Samora! Samora! Wahlekisa ngathi usaphila,
nangoku sewufile usenza intlekisa. Sawubuyela siphaca kulaZimbabwe sendithethe kangaka?!”
Aubrey: ”Ayikho nento esisayihleleleyo apha. Masishiye lomntwana apha singekasebenzisi lemali sinayo
kakade. Sinamatyala esiwenziswe kwanguwe ekhaya.”
Aunty: ”Bendiyazelaphi na mna uba sawufika engenamali uSamora?! Mxm! Ndinentloko.”
Aubrey: ”Ndinazo ipilisi kubhaka wam. So xa sikhutshwa apha nale mpahla izothathwa?”
Aunty: ”Boy boy! Sawuzithengisa kwangoku, kwazele le eviction note ifike sekubetha umoya ukuba
nefurniture bayayithatha.”
Aubrey: ”Atleast. Nale furniture ingathi ibudurwana. Lomntwana?”
Aunty: ”Sawumsa kumakazi wakho eSunninghill. Uzobona ukuba makamthini.”
Aubrey: ”Asidingi esinye isisu sokondla.”
Aunty: ”Ukuba bekutheni angafi kulandlu naye.”
Aubrey: ”Ngekubhetele ukuba ebefile nyani. Ayikho into ayisindeleyo ezoba luxanduva lefemeli ngoku.”
Aunty: ”Eyiphi yona ifamily? Aubrey umalume wakh wathi phithi ngama ntombazana aseJoburg.
Incukuthu zamantombi aseSouth Africa angafuni kuphangela. Wayitshata wayizalisa, wayibona ingcono
yona kunathi. Yona nabantwana bayo. AmaXhosa! Qaphela mntwanam. Noba uzohlala apha eSouth
Africa awuthandani nalontlanga. Kungcono amaTsonga okanye amaTswana ukuba awubafuni abantu
bakuni. Zulu, Xhosa! Zingxaki. Kakhulu amaXhosa. Sisokole thina. Sinobhuti oseSouth Africa kwindlu
enje. Asizuthatha mntwana thina. Ukuba umakazi wakho akamfuni uzozibona.”
Aubrey: ”Asingeni ndawo nyan.”
Aunty: ”Tu! Aneni!”
Nomtha: ”Tete!” Aunty
Aunty: ”Nants'icoffee!”
Ndikhawuleze ndosula inyembezi nemikhwinya ndayomnika lekofu yakhe. Ndiyongena ekamireni yam
inyembezi sezingumkrozo emehlweni am. Ndizigqume ebhedini ndasothula isikhalo. Ibiyintoni le
bendikuyo. Kuyafana noba utata ebengatyelwanga yonke imali yakhe yibank ibizotyiwa
ngalamaxhalanga akowabo.
Ndigqibe iveki ndisiya esikolweni. Sihleli enye emveni koko, kwiveki yesine sifikelwe yi eviction note.
Ngokuphela kwenyanga bekufanele ukuba sibe sesiphumile phaya. Ngeloxesha uAunty noAubrey
bebeseyithengise phantse yonke into endlini. Bendifihle iphoto zethu nobucwebe bukamama notata

12
ebhegini zam. EzikaLumumba ke ndifike sebethathe yonke into. Ndithathe isikipa sakhe besiphezulu
kwedresser. Besinuka lamavumba akhe wecologne eziduru. Bezingasekho kwakhona ndikrokra ukuba
uAubrey sezithathe zonke.
Bendidakumbile. Lendlu nje ibindikhumbuza abazali bam nomntwana wasekhaya. Bendiba nombono
wakhe esifundekela ngomculo engavuli cango xa simnqonqozela. Ndinombono wethu kwitafile
yokutyela. Sincokola sisitya. Ubungasoze umbone encokola umama.
'Nomtha! Iady alithethi lisitya.'
Ibingathi sihlala nomntakulo Queen Elizabeth apha endlini kodwa bekumnandi. Thina notata,
besingamageza. Sigcwale indlu sileqane kuyintsini. Sikhuliswe ngothando. Yilonto bekunzima kangaka
ukuhlala nabantu abanendzondo engaka. Bendingakwazi. Bebengcolile, bekhohlakele benyolukile.
Benyolukele amandla abanye abantu. Benyolukele amafa abanye abantu. Nale imali bebeyifumene
ngokuthengisa izinto zasekhaya ibizophelela emoyeni njengoba bebexhamazela nje ngemali
bebengayazi nokuba ize ngeyiphi indlela. Imali besele ndiyiqonda ukuba yeyegazi. Sikhuliswe ngemali
yegazi. Ulonwabo lwethu zinyembezi zabantu. Ebengubani na utata?
Aubrey: ”Nomtsa!”
Andiyazi bekutheni angandibizi ngeligama angabizi eli balaziyo.
Aubrey: ”Nomtsa!”
Nomtha: ”Aubrey!”
Aubrey: ”Awunabhuti?!”
Ebesekrobise intloko ekamireni yam.
Aubrey: ”Huh?”
Nomtha: ”Bhuti?”
Aubrey: ”Ziphi ibags zakho? Uyahamba uya eSuninghill. Siyahamba thina siphindela ekhaya.”
Nomtha: ”Sendipakishile.”
Aubrey: ”Uxelelwe ngubani ukuba upakishe?”
Ndinikine intloko yam.
Nomtha: ”Andixelelwanga ngumntu.”
Aubrey: ”Umamela indaba zabantu abadala?”
Ndinikine intloko yam.
Aubrey: ”Unangaphi?”
Nomtha: ”Fifteen.”
Aubrey: ”Ufresh for umntwana ona fifteen. Kodwa after twelve it's lunchtime. Uyamazi undize?”
Ndinike intloko yam.
Aubrey: ”Awufuni ndikufundise? Ndizokufu-”

13
Aunty: ”AUBREY!”
Aubrey: ”Shit. Mama?!”
Aunty: ”Hayibo! Uzipakisha ngoku kwakho ezompahla?!”
Unikine intloko yakhe edikwe!
Ugqwashule waphuma.
Utatam uSamora wayengumntu weCawa nomthandazo. Ebesithandazela. Xa silala, xa sivuka, xa sizotya.
Nasesidlangalaleni xa ephantse ukutshayisa imoto. Atsho ngomthandazo omncinane. Mna
bendingakwazi ukuthandaza ke. Esithi ndithandaze ubawo wasemazulwini. Ngalamzuzu ndiguqe
ngamadolo phantsi emaplangweni ndathi:
"Bawo wethu osemazulwini. Malithwe ngobungcwele igama lakho. Ubukumnkani bakho mabufike.
Intando yakho mayenziwe emhlabeni, njengoba isenziwa ezulwini. Siphe namhlanje isonka sethu.
Semihla ngemihla. Usixolele izono zethu, njengoba nathi sibaxolela abasonayo thina. Ungasingenisi
ekuhendweni, usisindise enkohlakalweni. Ngoba ubukumnkabi bobakho, namandla ngawakho,
nobungcwalisa bobakho kude kube ngunaphakade. Amen!”
Bendina fifteen. Bendingena five. Bendibazi ubungozi ebendikubo ngokuhlala noAubrey kwigumbi
elinye. Bendiyazi umntu omdala ungutata xa sele esenza okanye ethetha izinto ebekungafanelanga
azithethe emntwaneni kodwa bendibulela ukuba okwangoku ndisindile.
Nomtha: ”Usisindise enkohlakalweni. Usisindise enkohlakalweni. Usisindise enkohlakalweni. Usisindise
enkohlakalweni. Usisindise enkohlakalweni ...”
Ndiwaphinda phinde ndade ndabiwa bubuthongo ndileli bhaxa phantsi, ndizisonge oku komntu phethwe
sisiluma. Ndithi xa ndisothuka ebuthongweni ndiphinde kwakhona.
”Usisindise enkohlakalweni.”
Kusile. Kuye kwasa. Ibingase lingaphinde litshone kwakhona ilanga. Bendingaboyiki ubumnyama
nobusuku. Bendisoyika izilwanyana ezizizizalwane zethu ekufuneka basikhusele entlungwini endaweni
yoko balawulwa yinkanuko ibengabo abasivisa ubuhlungu.
Bendithandaza qho ungahambi kokuba ndilale. Nditsixa ucango xa ndilala.
IFIKILE IMINI YOKUBA NDIHAMBE. Noxa lendlu ibizele ingcinga nemibono yabo bekubuhlungu
ukuyishiya. Bendingayazi nokuba ndawuphila njani kulomakazi bendisiwa kuye ngoku kuba bendisuka
kwizilwanyana kwangoku. Bendinothandazo omncinane.
Ukho ngamaxesha onke, ukho endaweni zonke. Zoda zigqibeke zonke, ube Wena usahleli. Ube Wena
ungaphezi.
Bendinethemba noba belingangomtya werhali ukutyeba. Lingangencukuthu ubukhulu. Noba ebendinike
izizathu ezininzi ukuba ndingamthembi, eli lincinane bendilinika yena. Ndifuna andiphoxe ngendlela
ebendiphoxe ngayo ngelaxesha ebendiphoxile ngokuthatha abazali bam nomntakwethu.
Ndihlike ndibaleka kwisteps ukuphuma ekamireni yam ndayotsho ngaphandle ndehla ngendlela
kancinci. Bendiyibona imoto katata wakhe kumzi wesithathu ukusuka ekhaya. Uphumele ngaphandle
kwayo akundibona ndisiza ndibaleka. Ndifike ndazijula kuye sendimnkela ngenyembezi. Ndimqinisile.
Ebengengomntu wam wokuqala, umntu endimnike ubumtombi bam kuphela. Ebengumhlobo wam.

14
Nomtha: ”Uthini?”
Uyekelele ubuso bakhe wajonga phantsi. Ndive kusihla ezinye inyembezi. Ndabe sendikhala kakhulu.
Besendinethemba lokuba utata kaLuzuko uzovuma ndihlale kowabo. Andiyazi ixesha elingakanani. Ndide
ndigqibe isikolo.
Nomtha: ”Awuzamanga ngokwaneleyo!”
Luzuko: ”Ndimzamile Nomtha kodwa uyamazi utata. Ucinga ukuba kubhetele ube nabantu bakowenu
kuba mna ndingulo uhleli eqhunywa. Ndizamile. And uyayazi ukuba siyathandana mna nawe, ucinga
ukuba sawube sidyola kwakhe simithisane. Ndizamile.”
Bendinesingqala. Ndibuye umva ndisajonge kuye. Bendiphindela endlini.
Wosule ezakhe inyembezi naye.
Luzuko: ”Nomtha.”
Ndiphethukile ndagoduka.
Luzuko: ”Nomtha! Nomtha! Ndicela ungayenzi lento. Ungandishiyi kanje, ndizamile Nomtha ndizamile.
Nakum kubuhlungu kum. Nomtha!"
Ndiqhubekile ndahamba.
Luzuko: ”Nomtha!”
Ndiyongena endlini ndayongena ekamireni yam. Ndizivalele ndachopha phezulu kwebhendi yam.
Aunty: ”Aneni! We are going my darling. Come over with your bags.” siyahamba sthandwa sam. Yiza
nebhegi zakho.
Ndiyorhuqa isuitcase yam ndayoyibeka ezantsi, ndathutha nezinye izinto zabe zilayishwa kwimoto
endingayaziyo eyobakkie. UAunty noAubrey bebengena moto kaloku. Ndiyokulanda ezokugqibela.
Bekukhala umculo esitratweni. Bendiyazi ukuba ayingomntu walapha nguLuzuko. Okokuqala ibizi
suburbs apha. Ungxola ngomculo. Mnyama. Umise emzini wabantu.
"This isn't goodbye,
Even as I watch you leave
This isn't goodbye
'Cause I swear I won't cry
Even as tears fill my eyes
I swear I won't cry
Any other girl I let you walk away
Any other girl I'm sure I'll be okay
Tell me what makes a man wanna give you all his heart
Smile when you're around, cry when you're apart

15
If you know what makes a man wanna love you the way I do
Girl you gotta let me know
So I can get over you ...”
Ebezobanjwa lo. Abelungu bebezofounela amapolisa.
Sihambile sayofika eSunninghill.
UAunty ebekhwele ngaphambili, mna noAubrey singemva. Bendizigqume ngengubo yam ndingaboni
ubuso bakhe.
Bekuhlala uTete Constance nomyeni wakhe oliNigerian uKemel.
Bebengama Muslim, uTete Constance enxiba ihijab.
Ibingabantu abaright. Ndihleli nabo lanyaka ndawugqiba kunye nolandelayo. Utata ebebhatele iminyaka
emibini in advance esikolweni. Bendizofunda ugrade ten, emveni koko andiyazi.
IbinguMgqibelo ezintsukwini ndigqibile ukubhala qha ndisiya esikolweni.
Bendisekamireni yam ndifunda. Noxa bekuvalwe izikolo bendifundiswa izincwadi apha.
Constance: ”Nomtha!”
Nomtha: ”Dabs?!”
Constance: ”Woza la baby!”
Ndiphumile. Bebehleli bobabini nouncle Kemel.
Ndichophe kwisofa engaphambili kwabo.
Umalume uthinte umqala.
Kemel: ”Nomtha, you know we love you. Your aunty here loves you a lot. We took you in when your
parents died, it has been pleasant staying with you. But your aunt and I cannot stay with you anymore.
Uanti wakho nami sizoba nengane, manje we can't accomodate you. There is an orphanage we found.
Great Muslim orphanage. You will be taken care of. Allah will see you through." Uyayazi ukuba
siyakuthanda. Udabawo wakho uyakuthanda. Sakuthatha ukusweleka kwabazali bakho, kumyoli
ukuhlala nawe. Kodwa mna nodabawo wakho asisakwazi ukuhlala nawe. Sizoba nomntwana ongowethu
ngoku, asisenayo indawo yakho. Likhona ikhaya lenkedadama, lamaMuslim. Uzawunakekelwa. UAllah
uzokubonelela.
Fatima: ”Asikulahleli ebantwini abangeke bakuphathe kahle. Noba uyaphuma kwiprivate school
uzofunda. Uzolala embhedeni. Uzolala udlile.”
'Ndiza kuWe undincede, uncede lentliziyo ...'

16
TWO
Nomtha: ”King! King!”
King: ”Huh! Yintoni?!”
Nomtha: ”Ndigqibile.”
King: ”So?”
Ndiphefumlele ngaphandle. Bendingenalo ixesha lalenqalo kaKing ke namhlanje.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphangela!”
King: ”Yeah, so?”
Nomtha: ”So? So? Hayi khawuvuke uphume kwam wethu. Uyazazi ukuba ulisela kaloku wena,
ndizokushiya apha ndibuye ndingena nix apha endlini! Iphi kwetivi ubuthe uzoyithenga?”
King: ”Ndizoya va bra? Ndizoyithenga iway yakho.”
Nomtha: ”Mxm! Khawuphume kwam.”
Ndimtyhile ingubo ndazigibisela le kude. Undincinele amehlo wagqwashula wasukuma wanxiba ijean
yakhe.
King: ”Khandigaye imali yegawula.”
Igawula ibikukutya.
Ndijikelezise amehlo am ndakhupha itwenty rand ebegini bendiyiphethe. Uyixhuphule nokuyixhuphua
wayitasa msinyane okungathi ndingaphinde ndiyithathe. Ugqibezele ukunxiba izihlangu wabopha imitya
wanxiba nesilamba.
King: ”Late?”
Nomtha: ”Hayi namhlanje.”
King: ”Awuzubuya espani?”
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuba ndodwa ndike ndicinge ngengxaki zam King. Andidingi nawe uzokongeza kwezi
ndinazo.”
King: ”Awukayibhatali irent?”
Nomtha: ”Uyayazi andikayibhatali. Ndithe gabhu ematyaleni andikwazi nokuphefumla. Endaweni
yokuba uncedisane nam uzondincukutha kwa endinazo.”
King: ”Nomtha ndikuxelele nje uba basaqumbile abazali, xa benyibilika ndizokusorta baby girl. Udaddy
uzokwenza grand uyeva? Ndizokusorta ng'wana!”
Ukuba uyalazi iculo lemihla ngemihla. 'Unyenyi uzokwenza nyend' mihla le. Kuhlwa kuphinde kuse
sisahlabela lomhlabelo mnye.
UKing ndandibana naye kuleclub bendisebenza kuyo eJohannesburg CBD. Bendihlala kumaxhaka-xhaka
eflats, eHillbrow. Ibibubukhulu bendlu yangasese. Okay mhlawumbi bendibaxa izinto, kodwa ibincinci
yona. Bendingabaxi koko. Xa kunetha kunethontsi elingenayo kanye ezantsi kwebhedi. Ibhedi yam yona

17
... ibilelinye ibali lenye imini into yayo. Into enye endingakuxelela yona ngayo kukuba ibiphindisa. Ulala
kum? Uzovuka uqaqanjelwa zimbambo nawe. Ingusingle bed obalisa ngobomu.
UKing! Mnkru! Lomfana ebesuka eKyalami. Kwisuburbs, iestates. Ndamvuma eclub ngokubona ingathi
ngumfana oright onemali kanti ndizirhuqela ingxaki. Ebengene nzulu kwiziyobisi. Engena ephuma erehab
waze wancanywa kowabo. Ibingasekho nento bendimgcinele yona kuba ebezisa ezinye ingxaki
ezingaphezulu kwezi bendihleli ndinazo. Qha kuba umntu engancanywa. Bendingafuni ukumncama.
Kodwa ebendikhanda, kakhulu futhi.
Nomtha: ”Khawuhambe King.”
King: ”Ndiphume ngomnyango?”
Nomtha: ”Ngomnyango wantoni ndibakeka uEfe?!”
King: ”Ndizophuma ngefestire.”
Nomtha: ”Ndinga nqonqozelwa nguwe ezinzulwini zobusuku!”
King: ”Angeke baby. Ngizobona ukuthi ngizogidla va vandaag. Ngizok'bona ntwana. Dankie ngaleya
shandies yayizolo.”
Ndincume kancinci ndanikina intloko.
Nomtha: ”Izoba right lomali?”
Unqwalile.
King: ”Umjita uyakuncanywa uyezwa?”
Nomtha: ”Sharp.”
King: ”Sharp sharp, stocko saka saleZimbabwe!”
Ndiyihlekile kengoku ndamphuza emlonyeni. Uyogwencela efestireni wathaka. Ubethe ikhwelo ukuhlika
kwakhe. Ndishiyeke ndisondlula ibhedi yam. Isilungiso- ibhedana yam.
Ndizame ukuqoqosha ndakhupha icuba ebhegini yam ndayoma ngaphandle kwibalcony.
Bendikuthanda phaya, ndijonge ilanga liphuma ukuba ndikhona ngalomini. Apha- bendibona iJo'burg
yonke. Ibikuphela kwendawo ethandekayo ngeziflats. Ukubona iJob'urg. Bendiba nethemba kulendawo.
Ithemba lokuba imini yam izoba bhetele kunezolo. Amaphupho afezeke.
Ndilitsalile, ndibamba ithutyana ngaphambili kokuba ndiwukhuphe umsi. Ndiwuve emiphungeni.
Kukhale iphone yam endlini ndatsala okokugqibela ndalinyathela. Ndivalile ndangena endlini ndahoya
lephone yam ibikhala. Ngeloxesha kutsho iknock erhabaxa emnyango.
”Hello?”
Yolisa: ”Nomtha phuma sawuba late ntombi.”
Nomtha: ”Imizuzu emibini torho.”
”Kutheni esebeza?”
Kubuze udriver wethu uLandile.

18
Nomtha: ”Undifake kuloud for ntoni?”
Yolisa: ”Kutheni usebeza? Sube ubuza inanana!”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyeza wethu.”
Efe: ”I know you're in there! My friend, I want my money okay? Do you hear?! You owe me three
months now. I want my rent or you fokof! Mxm stupid idiot!!”
Ndiqabele phezulu kwekhabhathi ndaphuma ngefestile ndiyowa 'nko' ngomqolo phantsi. Ndike ndazifisa
isiqaqa ndizimamela ezintlungu. Ngendiyihleka ukuba bendingekho sengxakini noEfe. Ukuba uKing
wenza njani yena awe ngenyawo zombini bendingayazi. Inene bendingayazi.
Nomtha: ”Ja ne ... kunzima eGoli sihambele.”
Ndizincamile ndasukuma ndayophuma ndibaleka angandifumani lo unguEfe.
Bendilindwe sisithuthi sethu, ezaBenz zindala, ibimi ngaphandle kwegate ndankcunkca ukuyongena
ngaphakathi ndavala ucango ndiphefumlela phezulu.
Nomtha: ”Hamba! Hamba!”
Landile: ”Nangu umastendi wakho ekukhweba.”
Nomtha: ”Hambisa imoto Landile!”
Uyibalekisile wabe emi ngaphandle kweyadi uEfe enikina intloko yakhe ebambelele esinqeni. Ja
bendisebubhanxeni hayi kancinci. Inyanga ezintathu zonke futhi ikhabhathi zikhala ibhungane. Ifriji
inamanzi netswere kuphela. All white party! Kubi xa kungekuhlanga. Inene, inene.
Ndoyame esitulweni ndiyihleka. Ukuba bendingahleki bendawusitsho esofelweyo. Bendingafuni ukube
ndikhala, bendidikiwe kukukhala.
Yandisa: ”Umenze ntoni ulandlord wena?”
Landile: ”Uyakweleta awumboni?”
Yandisa: ”Nono!”
Nomtha: ”Khandiyeke wethu.”
Yandisa ”Kutheni ungathethi naye kakuhle umbaleka nje? Uyamazi ukuba uphambene kanjani
lamastandi wakho?”
Nomtha: ”Kusasa, ngoku ndibuya kwishift yam ebendivingcele eflatini efuna ndimtswebele ukuhlawula
amatyala am onke.”
Landile: ”Yini manje ukutswebela. Ukumtsipa?”
Ndiyihlekile.
Nomtha: ”Ufuna ndilale naye.”
Landile: ”Haa!”
Nomtha: ”Iyandistressa lento yalerent. Ngapha sibhatalwa icent. Umntu angazibona sethengisa nyani.”

19
Nomtha: ”Kuzolunga wethu Nomtha. Mbhatale ngeinstallments”
Nomtha: ”Ngale imali engaphumi nokuphuma emsebenzini? Kulenyanga ephelileyo ndipeye iR350!”
Landile: ”Habe! Enye ikuphi?”
Nomtha: ”Ndandiboleke imali kaloku emsebenzini. Ngapha ndibhatala itransport, andinakwanto
yokuthambisa, andinapads! Ipads ezi! Andinakutya. Eka Efe ndawuyithatha phi?”
Yandisa: ”Yhooo hayi ngqangqa sinazo nathi shame kodwa ezi zakho ... zininzi lolo.”
Ndinikine intloko yam ndaqubuda.
Nomtha: ”Andisedinwe. Iworse noba ndiyamtswebela ke uzondilala akugqiba aphinde afune imali yakhe.
Zizitayile zakhe ezi. Lantombi yaseMalawi wayenza kanje. Kuthwa ayinkulu ngeloxesha ichukumisa
isibeleko.”
Baphelile yintsini nam ndagqibela sendiyihleka.
Yandisa: ”Ungake ulale nalamgquba wesingcoli Nomtha. Noba sewuxakeke kanjani.”
Nomtha: ”Andicingi, ndawukupatanisa de ndiyifumane. Kuthwa akafuni nesikhuseli kaloku uEfe. Betha
inyama enyameni.”
Yandisa: ”Yhooo bayariska abantu. Usuke ulale nesisidlwengu ngaphandle kwesikhuseli! Ikhona lonto?!”
Malaika: ”Abantu baxakekile phela mnganiz.”
Yandisa: ”Yhooo ha.a yiba desperate kodwa faka iskhuseli kaloku sisi. Awusoze uthi unengxaki uzongeze
ngokuyolanda izifo.”
Malaika: ”And nyani isikhuseli ngundoqo.”
Landile: ”Ubhale kahle ntsizwa kamatilitsheni?”
Nomtha: ”Ngubani umntu kamatikiletsheni apha?”
Malaika: ”Yintoni yona leyo?”
Yolisa: ”Ninomona gqithi! Niphendula kuqala okungathi nake angena emnyangweni ka grade twelve
nina. Ndibhale kakuhle bhuti enkosi kakhulu ngokubuza. Ndiyadibana nomntu oyixabisileyo imfundo.”
Malaika: ”Ayiso stress kanje nesisikolo mntakabawo!”
Nomtha: ”Sis'stress into yokufunda sewumdala mntase. Ingxaki zobudala ngapha, umsebenzi ngapha!”
Landile: ”Nangena kanjani nina emsebenzini ningena matric? Ngoba phela kufunwa wona.”
Yandisa : ”Ndinawo mna.”
Nomtha: ”Bekungathethwa nawe. Uyaziwa uba unomatric.”
Yandisa: ”Sendisitsho nje ukuba angabi sabuza.”
Nomtha: ”Ndangena ngendlela zam mna.”
Landile: ”Eziphi lezoyindlela?”

20
Nomtha: ”Hayibo! Azithethwa zonke!”
Landile: ”Hehe! Ustouti wena Nomtha.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphanda mna qha. KuseGoli apha.”
Landile: ”Impela uqinisile. Akukona ekhaya la kusedolobheni.”
Samora: ”Babetshilo ukuba kunzima eGoli.”
Malaika: ”And basho vele! Bathi iGoli lizokuhlafuna likulahlele le!”
Singqinile sonke kwathuleka emveni koko. Omnye nomnye ebezicingela ingxaki zakhe.
Bendingenabo ubomi ngaphandle kweclub le bendiphangela kuyo kunye nalaKing uhluphayo.
Kwiminyaka eyitwenty two bendicinga ukuba ngalamaxesha bendawube sendifundile ndagqiba,
ndiphangela umsebenzi wamaphupho am . Ndinomzi wam nabantwana abambalwa. Kodwa ke kuthiwa
isicwangciso zezethu kodwa izigqibo zezikaThixo.
Ndabaleka ehome ndina seventeen years. Sibaleka kunye nomnye umntwana ndandise nditshomane
naye. Ndandise ndikhutshiwe kuleya ndandithenjiswe ukuba ndawuhlala kuyo nguTete Constance.
Kusithiwa kugcwele kwaye ayikh ndawo yam. Emveni kweveki nje ezimbalwa. Sisiwa kwesisihogo
ndadibana kuso noMbali.
Wayeneminyaka eyi eighteen yena ngelaxesha. Ndandi shiyekelwe ngunyaka omnye ngaphambili
kokuba ndilahlelwe esitratweni kwamna kwaye nempatho yakhona ingaginyisi mathe. Bebukele nje
inzuzo eza nabaxhasi thina singahoywanga.
Sabalekele kwezinye itshomi zakhe eHillbrow. Besiphila ngokuhambisa amaphepha eJoburg de saxabana
ngenxa yokuba befuna sithengise ngemizimba yethu. Bebesengene nakwidrugs, bexhomekeke
kumagweja asetown- belala nabobantu ababaphathele bona. Noba ngamabhurundi noba ngamandiya.
Into ebuhlungu ibikukuba nalomali ibingazi kubo, bebhatalwa ngedrugs. Besenziwa izinto
ezingathethekiyo beyotyiwe, kaloku aba bantu bebethanda indidi nentlobo zesilalo. Abanye bashicilele
yonke lonto.
Ndaphuma kanjalo kubo ndingekaqali mna, mhlawumbi bendingeka betheki ngalendlela bendibetheka
ngayo ngoku mna. Ndibe sendisiva ngomsebenzi wokuthengisa impahla kwezishop zooMy friend
ndaphangela khona ixesha elide kakhulu, ndimana ndifumana nowokucoca izindlu kwaphaya.
Ndabe ndifumana lo ndiphangela kuwo. Ubungabhatali kakhulu kodwa for umntu onograde eleven
bekungafani. Kwawona bekungafanelanga ukuba ndiwufumene, umanager wakhona wandithembisa
ukuba ndakuwufumana ukuba nje ndingalala naye. Andithi ndalala naye kodwa ndithi ndawufunana
umsebenzi. Andithi andizange ndilale naye.
Sibulise kwibouncer ibimi emnyango. Ebengeyo bouncer nje kuthi, simqhelile. Ebesisigantsintso sendoda
enyusa intsimbi. Enedimasana ezincinci ingathi zezomntwana wakhe. Bebesima bebabini emnyango,
bephatha nemimpu kuba bekuyingozi kulandawo ngamanye amaxesha.
Siyonxiba echanging room. Besinxiba izigcebhezana ze uniform ke ithanga lonke libe ngaphandle.
Yolisa: ”Kuthwa uyabizwa ngumanager.”
Ndijikelezise amehlo am. Ebendidika finish ke latata.

21
Nomtha: ”Ndizawuya, enkosi.”
Yolisa: ”Amathanga enu sana! Athe j'wamxa!”
”Rhaaa phuma!”
”Iyindoda etheni le kwichanging room yabafazi?!”
Nomtha: ”Uqale nini ukuba yindoda uYoli?”
Yolisa: ”Khawubabuze tshomi.”
”Nomtha khawuphume naletshomi yakho inezitho eziqinileyo ngathi ngumleqwa.”
”Umdyubha!”
Siphelile yintsini.
Yolisa: ”Sies!”
"Awuseyo moffie!"
Yolisa: "Moffie efresh bogogo!"
Utsho wagqwashula waphuma sashiyeka siphelile yintsini. Ebekuthanda ke naye ukuqhala izinto
ezishushu engena fridge yokuzipholisa.
Ndigqibile ndaya kwioffice yemananger. Ucango beluvuliwe kuqhuma lacigar yakhe ahleli nje
uyayitshaya ezimini.
Ayodeji: ”Umnyango.”
Besendiyazi ukuba usathana akafuni kuthetha apha. Bendibge kruquke!
Nomtha: ”Ayo.”
Ayodeji: ”We have a problem. Inkinga enkulu nalapha ezinkingeni. Please sit down.”
Ndiphefumlele ngaphandle ndachopha phantsi. UAyo Adeleke ebengum'Nigerian kodwa eneminyaka
ehlala apha eSouth Africa. Wahlala kakhulu eKapa ngaphambili kokuba aze ngakwelicala laseGautini.
Nomtha: ”Ndimamele.”
Undincinele amehlo wandiqhumisela lomsi wakhe ebusweni. Ndinikine intloko yam kancinci.
Ayodeji: ”Come sit on top of me now what is this? Acting all fresh. Nomtha, come on.”
Nomtha: ”Ayo ndise msebenzini.”
Ayodeji: ”What is this? This is you working. Yiz'apha. Khulula elibhanti uhlale kimi.”
Ndiphinde ndaphemfumlela ngaphandle ndajikela ngaphaya ndisiya kuye. Ebesezonekile esitulweni
elindele ukuba ndimkhulule ibhanti. Ndimkhulile ke nam, ndamkhulula nezip. Andiyibanxi, bendisothuka
qho xa ndibona indlela amkhulu ngayo. Undinyuse isikeyiti sam wabhekelisa ipeyinti yam ecaleni.
Ayodeji: ”Lace.”
Ubeke icigar wandibamba isinqe endisondezela ukuba ndichophe ngaphezulu kwakhe.

22
Nomtha: ”Condom.”
Ayodeji: ”Argh! Condom, condom. Acting fresh here.”
Ukhalaze eyikhupha edrawini wayifaka. Imithambo ibiphila. Ndike ndafumana ixesha lokuba ndikhokhe
umoya.
Ayodeji: ”Sit.”
Utsho endisondeza wandingqamanisa nobudoda bakhe wandehlisa kancinci.
Nomtha: ”Ayo!”
Ayodeji: ”Shhhh ...”
Usondeze indebe zakhe kwezam wandiphuza. Bendisinekile zintlungu kodwa besingekabiphi.
Ayodeji: ”Look ats me, kiss me like you mean it. It will not hurt. Nomtha.”
Nomtha: ”Khawume nawe! Eish!”
Ukhuphe ilubricant edrawini wandifaka yona kwababhetelana emveni koko. Ebesiza kade ke kengoku
ndikhale kwakudala endivale umlomo ekugqibeleni wagqiba. Undangile wandiqinisa wandiphuza
intamo.
Ayodeji: ”Contract extended. Thank you baby.”
Nomtha: ”Extended ixesha elingakanani?”
Ayodeji: ”Six months.”
Ndinikine intloko yam. Inyembezi bendizibambe ngenkophe.
Nomtha: ”Ubuthe izoba yicontract epermanent!”
Ayodeji: ”And then say what to the owner? Awuna matric Nomtha. I'm doing my best here. I could get
fired! I won't eat your nice cush.”
Nomtha: ”Mxm! Ndiyakuzonda!”
Ayodeji: ”Don't hurt my feelings.”
Ngeloxesha ebebetha ngoluka blanket uncumo. Ubhekisa idreads zakhe ngemva. Bezisesicukwini
nezidreads, engenzanga intloko yonke.
Ayodeji: ”Come kiss papa and get back to work.”
Ndosule inyembezi ndayomphuza. Undibhantsile ndakuphethuka, wayihleka kuba ndimjamele.
Ndiyophuma ngomnyango ndaya ezitoilet. Ndikhale ndonela ndazosula ubuso ndayozilungisa kakuhle.
Ndiright, ndinomsebenzi. Ndiright, ndinomsebenzi.
Ndenzela mna apha, ukuba ndiyawuyeka lomsebenzi ndawuthini?
Ndiphefumlile ndazijinga esipini ndaphuma ndayosebenza.

23
THREE
Bendikuthanda ukuphangela kulanight club. Noxa imali ibingeninzanga ngendlela bendinqwenela ngayo
kwaye imeko zempangelo yam zingaginyisi mathe- bendikuthanda. Mandithi bendithanda ukuphangela
'kwinightclub'. Kukho into ngabantu abaseleyo eyonwabisayo. Indlela bebekhululwa ngayo butywala,
badanise, bahleke, bakhale. Inkululeko yokujula izandla zakho emoyeni uzinikele nje, wonwabe.
Bendiyibawela.
Bendiqonda ukuba bekutheni abanye abantu bebephephela kwiziyobisi. Kuba nzima ukujongana nqo
nobomi. Isibindi namandla ayaphela. Udinwe kukulwa.
Bendiyibawela lentlobo yenkululeko. Ndingakhathaleli amangomso. Ndijule izandla zam emoyeni
ndiyekelele. Ohhhh bekwawuba mnandi. Lonkululeko. Bendiyiva incasa yakhona emlonyeni wam. Oku
kweJerusalema ndiyilangazelela. Kodwa bendiqonda ukuba bendifuna into ekude nam. Bendibotshwe
ngamatyathanga enkxwaleko zobomi obubobam. Ngamanye amaxesha, nxa ndindodwa kulaflat yam
ibhodlokayo bendizibona kwindlu yasekhaya noLumumba notata wam. Ndimbone endixwaya emagxeni
akhe ndihleka. Bendiluva ulonwabo olugqibekekileyo. Imfudumalo yekhaya. Xa ndimamelisisa kakuhle
ndilive ilizwi likatata lindiculela ingoma ndilele ezingubeni zam. Ebecula ngelizwi elimnandi ndizive
ndisindwa ngamehlo. Aqhube ecula, aqhube ... ndide ndilale.
Ndivule amehlo ndidakumbe ngakumbi ukubona ukuba ndiseJohannesburg, eHillbrow. Ndisekobubomi.
Bendikwi floor namhlanje hayi kwibar. Into ethetha ukuba. Tips! Tips! Tips!
Into inye ngokusebenza kwifloor- ukuba ingxaki zakho kwenzekile ukuba ungene nazo kwiclub,
ubuzishiya ngaphaya kwecounter ibengathi awunazo kwawena. Bekubalulekile ukuba uncume, ube
nobubele, umonde kwaye ubenendlela yokutsala amadoda anemali. Ukuba uzoba ngusis'Sindiswa
oginye uYesu esemnqamlezweni ubungenolunga apha. Nangaphandle kwefloor kodwa kwakwi club.
Bekufuneka uzibuze ukuba uJezebel angenza njani kulomeko yakho. Bendisenza njengoJezebel.
Ekugqibeleni bendingatyi imorals mna. Amatyala am bendinga wahlawuli ngesidima. Inye into ngam,
bendenza nantoni na ukuze ndingantywili. Bendinga zukuntywila. Noxa bendinqwenela ukuzintywizisa
ngoku kwam bendiqiniseka ukuba ndivela noba kungonwele.
Ndiyavuma, ibikwicala elibana leJo'burg lendawo kodwa bekungazi iphuqe zabantu kwaye nomgangatho
ubungekho phantsi. Bebesiza nabantu abanemali, abathenga utywala ngemali yokutya kwenyanga
yonke.
Malaika: ”Uyabizwa nguAyo girl!”
Nomtha: ”Ubani? Mna?”
Ibingase ibekanti akabizi mna. Into ibidibene nalandoda ibindenza isizaphu- zaphu.
Malaika: ”Ewe wena!”
Ebefundekelela ukuba ndimve ngaphaya komculo kuba ubufundekela kwawona. Bekugcwele ke
namhlanje, kakhulu kunesiqhelo. Bendingayazi nokuba mhlawumbi kuwe imoto yemali asaxelelwa.
Ndihambise iziselo zabantu ndaya kula Ayodeji ungenanto yokwenza.
Ayodeji: ”Smile!”
Ndimjikelezisele amehlo.

24
Ayodeji: ”Just because ngilala nawe doesn't mean you give me attitude. Lungisa iVVIP. Important people
are waiting for it in the VIP section so nyakaza. Wenze sure ukuthi yonke into iright or else ...”
Ndinqwalile.
Yolisa: ”Ungasigebengi ke njengoba usijonga kanje!”
Ndiyihleke nje ndakhawulezisa ukuyolungiselela ababantu bekuthiwa balindile. Ibingekho ngako nento
caba. Ndiqoshelisile ndahamba ndiyobalanda kulendawo bebehleli kuyo. Ibingabantu abangobhuti
abakwi early and late 30's abane namantombazane amathandathu.
Ababhuti bebenuka imali. Apha ke ububa nesiphiwo sokwahlukanisa phakathi komntu osuka emalini
nomntu onemali entsha, sarha buRAF kanje.
Sisiphiwo ubusufumana apha. Aba bebesuka kwimali, bekwimali. Ububona kwisinxibo sabo, ubona
kwindlela abaziphethe ngayo.
Bayohlala ke ndathatha iorder yabo. Ndizibambe nje kuba ndiphambili kwabo kodwa bendifuna
ukuscreama. Imali engaka?! Bebengabizi zinto nje zicheap. ORèmy martin, iMacallan nechampaign
eziliwaka- konke ngamaxabiso aseclub. Shu!
Nomtha: ”Nkos'enofefe! Andiyiqheli ke le yokubona abantu beyisebenzisa kangaka imali etywaleni
silamba!”
Nomcebo: ”Ukuthi ujwayele ukusebenza ebar iskhathi esiningi! Nomtha!”
Nomtha: ”Oko imihlathi yam ingawanga phantsi!”
Nomcebo: ”Awukho serious ntombazana! Kwakunini usebenza la?!”
Ayodeji: ”Less yada yada! Ladies! What is this? Fish market?!”
Nomtha: ”Bhut'wakho ngefong kong le Versace yase Small street!”
Yolisa: ”Susihlaza yi original leya. Uqobo lweqobelo. Bethunana, xa ningaxakekanga kakhulu nimxelele
ukuba angandi user mna andinangxaki.”
Nomtha: ”Awamaninzi amadoda ngeloxesha uzozincama kuAyo.”
Yolisa: ”Ukuthetha inyani zodwa kodwa beth'nana mhle uAyo.”
Nomtha: ”Ubuhle bekhiwane zimpethu!”
Yolisa: ”Yintoni kanti ingxaki yakho nomanager Nomtha? Siyayazi ukuba ungqongqo and ukrwada
ngamanye amaxesha kodwa leyakho indzondo inzulu sisi.”
Nomcebo: ”Unesidina mara uAyo.”
Yolisa: ”Ndiyaniva ne guys, kodwa mna Yolisa Jolingana ... ndingamnika mna.”
Nomtha: ”Umgangatho uphantsi nono.”
Yolisa: ”Akukho mgangatho xa kuziwa kwicrush. Noba bubusuku obunye.”
Ibingase ndiphalaze mntakabawo. Ibingeyonto ngaphandle kokuba ethetha ngaAyodeji. Bendiqinisekile
ukuba bendingengokuphela komntu ebelala naye kulaclub inye kuba eyazi ukuba kucengwe umsebenzi.
Siwuxakekele. Bendidikwa nakukunga nyaniseki kwakhe mna. Akuthembise izulu kanti uzokwenza into

25
elungela azokwazi ukuquqa ebuyelela . Umntu makabe yilento ayiyo. Atsho nje phandle ukuba uzomane
uhlaziya icontract ngempundu zakho. Kwaye ngenye imini, xa ndinesiyalo ndizokubiza kwaye uzovuma
kuba umsebenzi wakho usesichengeni. Uhlala usesichengeni.
Ndithathe izinto zabantu ndazisa, ndaphinda kwakhona. Ndaphinde ndaphinda. Itafile ibimnyama
ukugqiba kwam ndigqibele ngechampaign zabo ezilayitileyo. Amantombi ebeqinisekise ukuba
ayahlamba hayi kancinci. Ndincumile ndibabuza ukuba ndingabanceda ngenye into na banikina intloko
zabo. Kukho lo ebenendevu ezimhlophe ebejongene namathanga am.
Argh! Bendisonela xa kulapha. Ndincede nezinye itafile ezimbini ngaphandle kwayela. Ezinye bezizolile
noko. Ingabantu abambalwa enye inomntu kunye nomntu wakhe.
Ndiqhube kanjalo phantse ubusuku bonke. Ndihoye itafile ezintathu ukuya kwisine. Ulibale nokuba
unengxaki kuba oko ubusonwabile, uncumile. Kodwa bendibulawa zinyawo ukuphela kobusuku
sendizirhuqa inyawo kukudinwa kodwa besele ndizotshayisa.
Ndihambisele ababhuti namantombi wabo ibill kuba bebesezohamba. Besekukufuphi sivale ngoku
kodwa bekusagcwele. Kuba bekwi VVIP andikhawulezanga ukubasela ibill kuba utsho njalo uAyodeji.
Amantombazana ebejaiva, ejaivela ababhuti. Bekude kunyuka nezikeyiti kodwa bebengena msebenzi
nalonto ngelaxesha kuba bebeshushu kamnandi.
Ithathwe ngulo ebenendevu ezimhlophe wayijonga efinge intshiya.
”Sapha Simba, ndizoyihoya.”
Caba ibinguSimba igama lakhe lobhuti. Khange amphendule kwangoko waqhuba ukujonga ibill.
Ndiyafunga, ndiyafunga amehlo akhe ebesemathangeni kwakhona. Nxa! Amadoda, uhamba
namantombi apha kodwa usenaso isibindi sokube ejongene nam.
Simba: ”Ndizoyihoya.”
Ebenelizwi elikhulu ethethela phantsi.
Ukhuphe isipaji sakhe ekhupha icardi.
Ndenzile ndalibuyisela kuye. Itips zam bezibaliwe kulemali ibitsaliwe. Kodwa ndibone ngaye esithi rhutyu
imali esipajini. Ubale i two thousand yonke wayilahleka eyafileni engandiniki esandleni.
Simba: ”Siyabulela ngomsebenzi wakho omhle. Yitase ngoku ingabonwa ngumphathi wakho. Ubuthe
ungubani kanene igama?”
Nomtha: ”NdinguNomtha. Ndiyabulela.”
Bendimangala nokuba ethetha isiXhosa kakuhle kangaka. Ngaphandle kwamathandabuzo
ebengumXhosa. Ngenkangeleko kodwa ungatsho ukuba ngowase mntla Africa. Andiyazi noba libala
lakhe na elindenze ndicinge kanjalo okanye bubude bakhe- andiyazi kuba yonke lonto ubuyifumana
nalapha kodwa ndicinge njalo mna. Bebe ngabenzi kanje apha eMzantsi. Ebenokuthula ngaye,
engathethi kakhulu ,engakhwazi kakhulu. Kodwa ebencuma kakhulu. Ahlekele phezulu nabahlobo
bakhe.
Ndiyithathile imali ndayifaka emabeleni ngokukhawuleza. Ingxaki zam beziphelile ngobusuku nje
obunye. Ibingase ndixhuma-xhume luchulumanco, bendizoyeka ukutsiba ngefestire xa ndiphuma eflatini
kwaye bendizothenga intwana yokutya kunye nezinto zokuthambisa. Bendibetha ngoluka blanket
uncumo ndaphinde ndakhawuleza ukunquma. Sh*t! Sh*t!

26
Ngoku besendinesazela ngokuthatha lemali. Indisinda amabele kengoku, ngoku bendimana
ndibagcwalisela iziphuzo ndibone iphone ibiphezulu kwetafile ndayithatha. Ibiyi IPhone. Ukuba
yintloboni bendingeno kukuxelela. Qha ibinkulu kakhulu. Into ebendino kuxelela yona kukuba
bendizoyithengisa. Mhlawumbi ngamaxabiso aphantsi kakhulu kunexabiso ayithenga ngalo. Phofu
bekungekho mhlawumbi nganto, ngokuqinisekileyo bendizoy'thengisa ngamaxabiso aphantsi.
Bendingena ngxaki ngoko ukubabela kodwa ngoku endiphe isixa semali ngaphezulu kwetips zeVVIP ...
bawo!
Ndithe sendicinga ukunikisa ngayo ndaphinde ndacinga ukuba ndawube ndizifaka emanzini ashushu.
Ndincumile ndabashiya. Intliziyo yam ibethela ukuma.
Siqoqoshile kwabe sekusimnka abantu, behamba ngokuhamba kwade kwathula. Nditsho ndaphefumla
ukubona bengekho kulatafile kuba oko bendibambe umphefumlo.
Imehlo lam belingapheli emnyango njengoba bendicoca.
Ayodeji: ”Nomtha, a minute please. Vuyani, please come to my office after Nomtha.”
Unqwalile uVuyani. Ndilandele emveni kwakhe ndangena ngaphakathi.
Ayodeji: ”Leave it open.”
Oh so ebengazuzondi chophisa phezulu kwakhe. Ndiyohlala kwisitulo esiphambili kwakhe.
Ayodeji: ”Congratulations. You are officially debt free.”
Ndinqwalile ndajonga iphepha. Ngenyani itips zanamhlanje bezihlawule ityala lam lonke belishiyekile.
Bekungathi izinto ziyalunga ngoku. Andinatyala emsebenzini, andizuba natyala likaEfe.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Ayodeji: ”Pleasure. You may leave, call Vuyani for me.”
Ndinqwalile ndaphuma. Ingathi onke amehlo ebekum ukuphuma kwam kodwa bakhawuleza balahlisa
ndalubajonga..
Nomtha: ”Vuyani, office.”
Vuyani: ”Eish! Sayophulukana netips zam!”
Ndiyihlekile. Ingxaki zikaVuyo- njengokuba besimbiza emsebenzini, bezenziwa nguye. Ebezibiza ngoku
kwakhe zizihleleli kude naye. Imali abebanayo ngalamhla wokupeya, ngosuku lwesithathu sedinga
neyokukhwela imali. Besinethamsanqa kuba bekunganyanzelekanga siphathe ukutya. Besisitya
ekhitshini koku kuphekelwa icustomers. Ibityiwa ngamankazana kwigroove.
Sigqibile sayokhwela itransport sagoduka. Bekunga ncokolwa ke ukubuya kwethu late. Besilala cum
sonke kukudinwa.
Ndihlike egeyithini ndabaleka ukuyongena ngaphakathi. Ndimelwe yintliziyo ukubona izinto zam
zingaphandle kweflat yam. Yonke into! Bekukho iqhagi elake lalikhulu emnyango. Eish!
Ndiyonqoqoza kwiflat ibilala uEfe xa engayanga emzini wakhe kwisuburbs. Bezilungele thina eziphuqe
zeflats, hayi yena. Ebesenza imali eninzi kakhulu kuthi kodwa ebengafuni kuyichitha ngoku silungiselela.
Kuvuleke ucango wavela sencumile.

27
Efe: ”Nomtha, Nomtha ...”
Ebekwigown mntakabawo.
Nomtha: ”Bendicela undivulele iflat Efe, ndiyiphethe imali yakho.”
Unditsale ngentamo ndingalindelanga wandisondeza ebusweni bakhe. Uqinise kancinci ukundibonisa
ukuba ibingenguwo umdlalo lo.
Efe: ”Don't ever, ever do that sh*t you did in the morning again. Do you hear?!”
Ndinqwalile. Undiqinisile endibamba umphefumlo ndazama ukumsusa.
Efe: ”I'm doing too many favours for you but I'm getting nothing in return. Just trouble, trouble, trouble.
Do that sh*t again when you owe me my rent money. Do it again!”
Undikhulule ndawutsala umoya ndikhohlela into engapheliyo. Bendide ndachopha phantsi. Inyembezi
bezizehlela emehlweni, hayi nokuba bendikhala.
Efe: ”I don't have all night Nomtha.”
Ndisukumile ndamnika imali yakhe ndiyibeka phezulu kwetafile.
Undijamele wanditsala ngengalo endityhalela kulamali ndayowela phezulu kwetafile ndibetheka
ngobuso kuqala. Unditsale ngenwele ephinde esondeza ubuso bakhe kobam.
Nomtha: ”Efe ...”
Ebendibambe kabuhlungu.
Efe: ”You are full of sh*t wena. Nxa! Get out of my flat before I fix you that stupid attitude. Stupid girl. I
will slap you finish!”
Undigibisele ngesikhiya ebusweni ndasichola phantsi ndaphuma. Kukho igama lalanto ebesanda
kuyenza, kwaye ebengabanjwa ukuba ndinga mxela emapoliseni kodwa amapolisa ebengo gumbela
kwesakhe. Ekhokhelisa imali kunezikhalazo zabantu. Ngakumbi abantu bangaphandle abanemali kufana
noEfe. Ebengaphelelanga kweziflats, ebethengisa neziyobisi eyiyo nepimp yomarhosha abambalwa
kwalapha kwiflat zethu. Ebesazana nabantu abayingozi kwaye naye eyenze ingozi.
Ndingenise izinto zam, ndancediswa ngubhuti ebesisecurity ehlala kwiflat engaphambili kweyam.
Ebenga ngenanga namhlanje. Ebezithe brentwood yakhe okungathi akukho sezinzulwini zobusuku.
Inoba ebelala ngesikheyinda, wakhawuleza wanxiba ukuva ingxolo bendiyenza.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela bhut'Duma.”
Duma: ”Nomtha, yingani ungavetane uzohlala nami lana eflatini lami? Ngizokwenzela yonke into,
ngikuphathe kahle. Ngeke ulokho uhlutshwa uEfe.”
Ndincume kancinci.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela bhut'Duma kodwa ndiseright apha.”
Duma: ”Njengoba uxoshwa nje?”
Nomtha: ”Sendimhlawulile kuright.”
Duma: ”Kulungile ke ntombi. Uphi lomfanyana wakho?”

28
Nomtha: ”Andimazi.”
Unqwalile.
Dumi: ”As'bonge ke ntokazi. Usuyolala kahle.”
Ndibulele ndavala ucango.
Ndiphefumlile ndaqoqosha izinto zam kakuhle. Ndikhuphe lamali ibishiyekile ndayifaka kwibible
ndayifaka empahleni zam. Nditase amabele dololo iphone. Yhooo! Bendiyikhangela nasefrijini uzuqonde
ukuba bendimnkelwe zingqondo. Akukho apho bendingayi khangeli khona. Ndicinge ukuba kungenzeka
iwe kuEfe ngoku ebendityhalele etafileni kodwa bendinga zukuphindela phaya. Soze. Hayi ngoku
aqhunyiweyo uEfe. Ebezondingombha andidlwengulele phaya.
Ndihlambile, ndangena ezingubeni ndilala. Ndothuswe yingxolo yento ewayo apha ngaphakathi eflathini
ndaxhuma ebhedini.
King: ”Yimi baby!”
Nomtha: ”King?”
Ubetheke entweni wathukisa. Ulayite isibane. Ebebomvu krwee amehlo akhe, eqhunyiwe naye. Eneneni
andiyazi ukuba ndenze ntoni ukwehlelwa bobububhanxa bebundehlela.
Nomtha: ”Bendithe ungezi apha.”
King: ”Why? Because ufuna ukuza la namadoda wakho? Huh? Izifihle phi?”
Noxa bendiqhuma ngumsindo ndizibone sendiyihleka. Hayi bendingeno ngayihleki. Umntu ukhangela
indoda ezifihle eflatini yam, okay kulungile. Indawo yokuqala azojonga kuyo kusekomityini ephezulu
kwetafile. Ade ayijongise phantsi okungathi uzokhiqika awe lomntu. Ekomityini.
Nomtha: ”King lala okanye uphume kwam! Wawuke wayibona phi into yomntu ozifihla ekomityini?!”
King: ”Ulala namanye amadoda wena, utyiwa ngamanye amadoda Nomtha! Uyandifebela!”
Nomtha: ”Andifebi. Ndilala nenye indoda uzokwazi ukuba nendawo yokulala kwawena kuba ungundinga
s'thubeni. Ndilala nenye indoda kuba lomsebenzi ndiwusebenzayo uzokwazi ukufumana imali yedrugs
nokutya ndiwuvulela amathanga. Kodwa ayilalisi ke, ndiza ngomva okanye ndigaqe ngamadolo.
Ngamanye amaxesha ukuba ndinethamsanqa ndilala kwidesika. And awuzuyifumana apho londoda.
Ucime isibane ukugqiba kwakho ukuziphambanisa ulale. Andinaxesha lemfeketho yakho mna
cheeseboy!”
Hayi namhlanje. Hayi namhlanje!
Ndimve esothula isikhalo ndajikelezisa amehlo ndiyongena ezingubeni. Bendizidinelwe mna. Ndinestress
seIPhone yabantu. Ubuso bam buqaqamba kubetheka kulatafile yakwaEfe. Umqala wam ubuhlungu,
inyawo zam zifutha.
Ukhale wonela ndeva ngaye sengena ezingubeni.
King: ”Ndizoya erehab.”
Ebenesingqala.

29
Nomtha: ”Xa uphuma uphumele kowenu. Ndidikiwe nguwe. Akhonto undinceda ngayo ebomini
ngaphandle kokuba yingxaki yam ndizitsalela dweni. Ungabuyeli apha kwam. Uhambe uye kwezinye
icheese ezifana nawe.”
King: ”Nomtha ndiyakthanda. Ndikuthanda nyani! Ukubuya kwam erehab ndizokukhupha apha.
Ndizolukhupha kobubomi.”
Nomtha: ”Kokwesingaphi undixelela lonto?”
King: ”Ndizokukhupha nyani kulegame. Ndizokukhupha. Xa ndiright, ndisober ndizobuyela kwifamily
company ndiphangelele wena. Ng'zok'sorta ng'wanga. Thula wena!”
Eish bethunana! Bendiyazi mna ukuba uthetha nje. Ebesiva ebuhlungu kuba ndilalwa yenye indoda.
Ebendithanda yena ukundithanda kodwa ebenzulu kwiziyobisi kunzima ukuzihlangula.
Ndimve erhona ndamjonga. Ebemhle yena. Ndimphuzile ndamzela ngomva ndilala.
Ndivuke kusasa ndayoqokelela izinto zokuthambisa nezokutya. Ndizithengele nejeans ezimbini
kumadunusa ngeR50 enye. Ndathenga nezikipa ezimbalwa nesilamba seleather. Yonke lonto ngaphantsi
kweR400 kumadunusa. Bezifresh, izimpahla zoma Zara, ONLY nooForever 21.
Ndiphindele endlini esalele uKing. Ndenze ukutya wavuka sekuvutshiwe wondlula wahlamba satya.
Beziphelile iziyobisi emzimbeni wakhe.
King: ”Uyangena vandaag?”
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”
King: ”Imali yokutya uyifumene ...”
Nomtha: ”Kwi customer. Ngumntu onemali eninzi so ebendibulela ngokubaphatha kakuhle.”
King: ”Ndizokwenzela yonke into oyidingayo.”
Nomtha: ”Ndikufuna uphumile kwam nasempilweni yam. Uhambe uye erehab ulungise ubomi bakho
uye kowenu. Awunanto ekudibanisa nabantu abafana nam wena.”
King: ”Ungayisho kanjani into enjalo? Nomtha ngiyakuncanywa. Ngiyakufatela blind ng'wana. Sizovuka
sonke fede.”
Nomtha: ”Enyanisweni King! Abazali bakho bachithe imali eninzi ukukusa ezikolweni eziright wena
uzothetha 'ofede'. Akufane bekukhuphile kwabo, khawulungise ubomi bakho uphume kobu uzifaka
kubo. Akhonto intle ngentlupheko.”
King: ”Ngeke ngihlukane nawe.”
Andimhoyanga ndayolala. Ndivuke esekhona elungisa i iron yam. Caba ebezimisele ukuhlala apha imini
yonke yanamhlanje.
Ndihlambe ndagqiba ndanxiba iuniform yam ndayotshaya ngaphandle.
Ndive ngaye sendibamba isinqe endiphuza intamo.
King: ”Akhonto yakho ilapha nawe.”

30
Nomtha: ”Kulapho uphazame khona, ubomi bam bonke bulapha mna. Ndinesiqu sam qha apha
emhlabeni.”
King: ”Kutheni ungandi vumeli ndibe ngomnye umntu onaye?”
Nomtha: ”Ayikho nalento uyithethayo, khawume ndihoye iphone yam inoba itransport ifikile. One pull?”
King: ”Andifuni kutshaya ndifuna ukuthetha nawe.”
Nomtha: ”Ungakhiyi xa uhamba.”
King: ”Nomtha.”
Nomtha: ”Uzame ungandibeli izinto zam uyozithengisela ukuqhuntywa. Ina nantsi iR20.”
King: ”Ndicela undimamele umzuzwana.”
Ndithathe iphone yam phezulu kwetafile.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphuma ngoku! Uzobe ulapha late?”
King: ”Andiyazi. Mhlawumbi.”
Nomtha: ”Sawubonana ke.”
King: ”Ungalali namntu namhlanje!”
Nomtha: ”Haha!”
”Nomtha ubufunwa nguAyo.”
Eish!
Nomtha: ”Okay.”
”Inkulu into ekudibanisa noAyo sana. Alitshoni ilanga ningavalelenanga kula office.”
Nomtha: ”Iyakufuna kaloku.”
”Hayibo! Nomtha ndiyadlala!”
Nomtha: ”Okungathi yinto beningayihlebi! Umntu makahoye into ayizeleyo apha ayeke ukugadana
nabanye abafazi. Into esidibanisa apha ngumsebenzi. Ukuba ndingena phi ndiphuma phi andiqondi
ukuba ifuna mntu leyo. Ndiyayazi mna into endiyiquqelayo. Ukuba ibinifuna ngeniyazi kodwa ayinifuni.”
Nditsho ndaphuma ukugqiba kwam. Bendinexhala namhlanje. Bendiba nexhala qho xa endibiza phofu
kodwa ngoku belingaphaya. Bekungavalwanga emnyango naye engachophanga. Ebenyuka esihla etase
izandla zakhe. Umile akubona kukho umntu emnyango wandijamela.
Ebenomsindo. Ebefutha ngumsindo!
Ayodeji: ”Finally! Follow me.”
Undigilile emnyango ndagxadazela kancinci. Ndikhawuleze ndalandela emveni kwakhe, intliziyo yam
ibethela ngaphezulu ukubona apho besisiya khona.
Bekugcwele iscreens kwelagumbi. Zibonisa onke amagumbi eclub ngaphandle kwefitting rooms nezindlu
zangasese. Bendigaibele zingasebenzi icamera zasekhapha.

31
Ucofile kwabonakala iVVIP section. Uyise phambili kancinci kwavela mna ndibeka iziselo phezulu
kwetafile. Ndithathe iphone kwesosithuba ndiyifaka ngaphantsi kwetray ndahamba. Ibicace gca. Iphelile
yacima pam ndisayijamele. Ibingase umnhlaba undiginye ngalamzuzu.
”Unento engeyoyakho, ndizocela uyibuyise ngalomzuzu.”
Bendilazi elolizwi. Ayingawo lamazwi uwalibayo kuba nomnikazi akangabo ababantu balibaleka lula.
Simba: ”Please leave us Ayo. I'll handle it from here.”
Ndijonge uAyo andincede angandishiyi nalomntu. Bekubhetele kwayena kunalomntu.
Nomtha: ”Ayo.”
Ayodeji: ”I can't protect you this time Nomtha. This is a very dangerous man. Mnike iphone yakhe.”
Nomtha: ”Ayo.”
Simba: ”Ayodeji.”
Ayodeji: ”I'm leaving.”
Utsho wakhawuleza ukuphuma. Bekukho ibhotile yeMacallan phambi kwakhe. Ephethe iglass
ebeyigalele kuyo.
Ebenxibe ihempe emhlophe neblukhwe yelaphu egrey kunye neloafers.
Simba: ”Iphone yam.”
Ndiginye ingwiqi ndadlala ngezandla. Ebengabonakali ndawo lamntu ebehleka amehlo abenenyembezi
wayizolo. Bendijongene nomnye umntu ngoku.
Ndive ngeglass isithi tshuu igqitha endlebeni yam yayobetheka kwiscreen isophula kwasona.
Andiyazi ukuba ndisinde kanjanni anga ndichani.
Simba: ”Ndithetha nedonga?”
Nomtha: ”Hayi.”
Simba: ”Sapha iphone yam. Uthathe into engeyoyakho. Emveni kwemali engaka endikunike yona unayo
nentliziyo ende yokuba iproperty yam! Iphi?!”
Nomtha: ”Ayikho.”
Simba: ”Ayikho iphi? Sewuyithengisile?!”
Nomtha: ”Andiyithengisanga.”
Simba: ”Iphi?!”
Nomtha: ”Ilahlekile. Ndiyilahlile, andiyazi ilahleke phi.”
Ugibisele ibhotile yeMacallan, ibisagcwele. Iphihlikile nayo kuba ndiyiphephile. Usukumile wacotha
ukuza kum. Ndibuye umva ndade ndanqandwa yitafile.
Simba: ”Uthengise iphone yam? Uyayazi ukuba yimalini laphone? Icontacts zam eziphaya? Sewuyilahla
nje ubuyintoni kwizinto ezingezozakho?”

32
Nomtha: ”Bendi zoyibuyisa ndiyath-”
Andiyazi noba ufike ngaliphi na ixesha kum kodwa besendiphantsi yilampama ebendigalele ngayo.
Akandinikanga xesha wandinyusa ngenwele. Oh inwele zam!
Simba: ”Ndikubuza okokugqibela, iphi iphone yam?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyilahlile.”
Uqinise inwele zam wandigibisela le ndayokuwa.
Simba: ”Sukuma.”
Utsho ekhulula amaqhosha ehempe wayidobhorisha imikhono.
Ndisukumile.
Simba: ”Ndinike iphone yam.”
Nomtha: ”Ilahl-”
Kungene enye impama ndaxhathisa ndibambelela ngetafile. Ndive ikhonkco lebhanti.
Simba: ”Ndizokufundisa ukuzihlonipha izinto zabantu. Uthi noba uyibona ithe natya etheni ubalekele
kude nayo. Wakigqiba undisa apho uyithengise khona. Kobabugoxo beflats uyithengise kuzo ...”
Nomtha: ”Andiyith-”
Ungenile umvumba ngagxwala!

33
FOUR
Simba: ”Kuhamba njani? Landa iphone yam kulendawo ekukhomba khona itracker mfondini! Andiyazi
noba ndithetha isigrike na kuwe okanye awundiva ngasibom. Landa lo phone!”
Uyibeke phantsi iphone. Undijongile wandincinela amehlo.
Simba: ”Thula ufe wena okanye ndizok'phinda! Uphakame apho! Uzondixelela ukuba uyibele ntoni
iphone yam!”
Uchole ibhanti lakhe walinxiba walungisa ihempe yakhe ezama ukuyolula kuba ibishwabene kancinci.
Simba: ”Ndithe sukuma! Ndikubethe impundu adikubethanga indlebe.”
Ndizicengile ndasukuma. Ebengandibethanga impundu ebendibhaxabule. Bekutshotshozela kunzima
nokusukuma. Ndosule inyembezi bezisehla ngezidlele ndayochopha phantsi. Bekuqaqamba ngakumbi
kodwa ndazinyanzela kuba ebengekho ngaphezulu kokuba andikhabe kwakhona.
Uzochopha phambili kwam wathatha iphone yakhe wayicofa wayibeka endlebeni.
Simba: ”Ayodeji, bring me another bottle of Macallan please. And two glasses. Tell the waitress not to
get inside. I don't want anyone here ... tell your boss I'm using this room and I'll call him when I'm done.
Thank you. Iphi lemali bendikunike yona izolo? Itips naleya bendikufumbathise yona?”
Ndithinte umqala wam.
Nomtha: ”Ndisisebenzisile.”
Simba: ”Uyaqhunywa? Usebenzisa iziyobisi?”
Nomtha: ”Andisebenzisi ziyobisi.”
Simba: ”Huh? Hlala kakuhle uthethe kakuhle ndikuve, andizube ndisabela ube uthethela emazinyweni.
Usebenzisa iziyobisi?!”
Nomtha: ”Andizisebenzisi.”
Simba: ”Uyenzeni lamali endikunike yona izolo? Nale uthengise ngayo iphone yam?!”
Nomtha: ”Andiyithengisanga ipho-”
Simba: ”Then uyenze ntoni kaloku?! Ndixelele ukuba uyenze ntoni? Ube iphone yam emveni kokuba
ndikuphe itwo thousand rand yam ngaphezulu kwetip yam. Awunaphone ngoku, awunayo necent. Uthi
awuqhunywa. Uyenze ntoni iphone yam?”
Nomtha: ”Ilahlekile.”
Unyakaze ngokukhawuleza ndazigquma ubuso ndibaleka angandibethi ngempama kwakhona.
Uhlale ekucupheni kwesitulo.
Simba: ”Umonde wam ungaka ngoku kuwe ... ungaka. Undibele iphone okokuqala, ngaba ndikunyathele
ungakwazi nohamba kodwa andikwenzanga oko. Ndikunika imizuzu yexesha lam ngesizathu
endingasaziyo. Abantu bam bahla benyuka kuleCBD bekhangelana nephone yam oyibileyo so sundilinga.
Ukuba ucinga uba andisoze ndiphinde ndikukhabe uphazamile. Ndizokukhaba. Thetha.”

34
Nomtha: ”Iphone ndiyithathe ngaphambili kokuba undiphe imali. Bendifuna ukuyiphindisa kuba
bendinesazela kodwa bendisoy-”
Simba: ”Ubusithini imbuzo wam kuwe?”
Bendilibele noba undibuze ntoni usukumile wazoma phambi kwam. Ndizigqume ubuso ndajonga
phantsi. Unditsale ngenwele kwakhona wandijongisa kuye endisondeza ebusweni bakhe. Umphefumlo
wakhe ulapha, siphefumla umoya omnye. Ebendincinele amehlo wabusondeza ngakumbi ubuso bakhe
impumlo zethu zadibana. Bendingcangcazela. Uqinise izandla sakhe entlokweni yam.
Simba: ”Sizohamba siyothatha iphone yam kulendawo uyilahle kuyo Precious and then I will fuck you up
so much uzisole ubomi bakho bonke. Uyabona le bendiyenza apha, ngumdlalo kwinto endizokwenza
yona. Uzowukhomba lomsebenzi, ulale ngaphantsi kweblorhwe. Uyandiva? Uyayiva lento ndiythethayo?
Ndikunika imali yam unyolukela enye, iphi kanti lemali ingaka uyibileyo? Uyenzeni yonke lemali?”
Ngaphambili kokuba ndiphendule kuvuleke ucango kwangena uNamhla, lemtombazana ibindibuza
ngokuquqa kwam eofficini kaAyodeji.
Undikhulule wajonga kuye exinge emnyango. Ujonge kum uNamhla wajonga igumbi eli beliyimess
wajonga kuSimba.
Namhla: ”Uhm hi- umh-”
Simba: ”Simple instruction iyanoyisa apha. Kuthwe ungene apha?”
Urhole amehlo wanikina intloko.
Simba: ”Kuthwe ungene?”
Namhla: ”Hayi.”
Simba: ”Qha uqonde ukuba uzongena wena ngoku kuthiwe ungangeni? Phuma phandle uyonqonqoza.
Phuma.”
Uphume okungathi uyaleqwa uNamhla wavala ucango. Kuthathe ixeshana ngaphambili kokuba
anqonqoze.
Uyovula umnyango uSimba wawuvula wathi gebelele.
Namhla: ”Good morning, I'm Namhla. I'm here with your drinks.”
Ebengcangcazelisa ilizwi.
Simba: ”Namhla bani?”
Namhla: ”I beg yours?”
Simba: ”Ifani, unguNamhla bani?”
Namhla: ”Oh ndinguNamhla Diko.”
Simba: ”Namhla Diko. Awubonanga nto apha, awuvanga nto. Siyevana mos?”
Unqwalile.
Namhla: ”Andibonanga nto.”

35
Simba: ”Ndive usebesebe okanye aviwe nguNomtha apha ndizokundwendwela ndibe namazwi ambalwa
nawe okay?”
Namhla: ”Okay.”
Simba: ”Good girl nongqiza. Hamb'obeka ke etafileni ubuye uzoqoshelisa ezaglasses wosule.
Sewungenile ngoku kyafana.”
Ungenile uNamhla wazobeka lawhiskey phezulu kwetafile. Ebendikrwaqula kancinci kodwa engafuni
ukubhaqisa. Bendingafuni nokucinga indlela bendibukeka ngayo. Inwele zam bezidlaka-dlala zona.
Bendiyenye nje into. Ubekile wandikrwaqula okokugqibela waphuma.
Simba: ”Besiphi kanene? Oh iphone yam. Iphi?”
Nomtha: ”I- inoba ndiyiwise eroomini kaEfe.”
Simba: ”Boyfriend?”
Nomtha: ”Ngulandlord wam. Bendityala irent inyanga eziliqela so bendiyobhatala ngalamali yakho. Le
yetips iye kwimali bendiyiboleke kuAyodeji ne interest. Ndifike eqhunyiwe, ebenawo nomsindo wokuba
ndimbalekile ekuseni so wandi- undityhalile, ndicinga ukuba iwe ngeloxesha.”
Simba: ”Nguye okwenze iblue eye?”
Kunqonqoziwe emnyango.
Simba: ”Come!”
Kungene uNamhla ephethe izinto zokucleana, umnqwalele uSimba wahamba wayoqalisa ukuqoqosha.
Simba: ”Huh?”
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”
Simba: ”Buyintoni ubudlelwane bakho nawe naye?”
Nomtha: ”Ngulandlord.”
Simba: ”Qha?”
Nomtha: ”Qha.”
Simba: ”Oh umntu olala naye nguAyodeji kuphela?”
Ebethethela phantsi apho angeva uNamhla. Inoba ebelalise indlebe kulandwo ebekuyo. Eqinisekisa
ukuba akaphoswa nangu 'is'. Bekuzomnceda ukuba avale umlomo wakhe kuba kungenjalo ebezophela
enjengam. Bendazi bhetele ngoku ukuba uSimba akangomntu wokuhlekelwa. Ade aphume izithuba
kangaka ngenxa yephone? Inoba yontoni le ibibaluleke kangaka kulaphone? Bekumele ukuba kukho
abantu abasebenzayo apha kwi surveillance kodwa bendise interrogation room.
Nomtha: ”Huh?”
Simba: ”Ndiyababona abantu abalalanayo. Nina nazana etrassini. Ngumntu wakho yena?”
Ndinikine intloko.

36
Simba: ”Ndiyiqondile. Ncncnc ... ulisela, ulixoli kodwa akuphelelanga apho ukwanguye nomarhosha.
Excuse me! Khasishiye kancinci.”
Namhla: ”Ndiphinde ndibuye?”
Simba: ”Ndizothetha noAyodeji xa ndikudinga.”
Unqwalile wathatha izinto zakhe waphuma.
Nomtha: ”Andingo marhosha mna.”
Simba: ”Kuyafana ukuba unguye, ukuba wenzela umsebenzi akuthethi ukuba ungcono kwaba bathengisa
estratweni okanye i escourts. Niyarhosha qha.”
Nomtha: ”Kulungile ke.”
Simba: ”Ungowalapha eSouth Africa?”
Nomtha: ”Ndikhulele apha.”
Simba: ”Andikubuzanga lonto.”
Nomtha: ”Umama ngowalapha.”
Simba: ”Wena ungowaphi?”
Nomtha: ”EZimbabwe.”
Simba: ”Zimbabwe. Usebenzisa ifani kamama wakho?”
Nomtha: ”Ekatata.”
Simba: ”Awuna ID?”
Nomtha: ”Ndinayo.”
Simba: ”Ukuba uyicitezen yalapha eMzantsi, uneID. Yintoni engakulalisa nomphathi wakho?
Kokukunyolukela imali?”
Nomtha: ”Hayi.”
Simba: ”Yintoni?”
Nomtha: ”Andina ten. And apha kwakufunwa yena, uAyodeji wathi ukuba ndingalala naye angandinika
umsebenzi noba andinawo.”
Simba: ”Usiyeke kubani isikolo?”
Nomtha: ”Kunine.”
Simba: ”Woyiswa yintoni?”
Ndinyuse amagxa. Bendiyazi ukuba ndibe iphone yakhe kwaye ndifanele ukuphendula nantoni na kodwa
hayibo! Ubomi bam bebunento enokwenza njani nephone yakhe endiyibileyo? Ukuba ndilala nabani
nangaliphi na ixesha ibihlahlangana naye ngaliphi ixesha?

37
Ebesazothetha kwakhala iphone yakhe. Uyicofile wayifaka kuloud speaker eyibeka phezulu kwetafile.
Ugalele iwhiskey nam wandigalelela. Okanye ebezigalelela yena kwiglass ezimbini. Enye into awunoyazi.
Siphila ngokuphila, senza ngokwenza.
Bendinga cacelanga newhiskey mna. Kwanto ebutywala ndingayi khathalelanga kakhulu kodwa xa
ndisela bendisela ezizinto zisweet.
”Boss?”
Simba: ”Thetha nam, Sylvester.”
Sylvester: ”Siyifumene iphone yakho.”
Ujonge mna wandincinela amehlo. Ndiphefumlile, indlela bendivuye ngayo ibingathetheki kodwa
ubungenokutsho ngokundijonga ebusweni. Bendinqumile nje. Bendiqaqanjelwa zintsula, ubuso bam
bubuhlungu. Intlonzi yam itshisa. Ngapha ndine blue eye nembambo zam ziqaqamba kukutyhalwa
nguEfe. Inene inene xa linetha liyasingela.
Simba: ”Ayivulwanga?”
Sylverster: ”Hayi, usigolozele kuqala lomfo ukuba akukho phone yethu kodwa sangena sayifumana
elounge yakhe.”
Uphefumlile uSimba ekhangeleka edikiwe endaweni yokuba onwabe. Bendilindele ukuba uzoxhuma
xhuma akuva indaba zokuba bayifumene yindlela ebene stress ngayo.
Simba: ”Simple question Sylvester, ayivulwanga na?”
Sylvester: ”Ndithe hayi boss.”
Simba: ”Ndizokuva njani ukuba uthe hayi kuba undibalisela intsomi.”
Sylvester: ”Siyifumene boss.”
Simba: ”Nimnkile kuye?”
Sylvester: ”Siselapha ngaphandle boss asikahambi.”
Simba: ”Phindelani kulamfo nike nibe namazwi naye. Intlobo yamazwi angadingi kuthethwe. Ningayi
ngamandla kakhulu kodwa yolulani amalungu.”
Sylvester: ”Sure boss! And boss?!”
Simba: ”Sylvester?”
Sylvester: ”Uhm sibone unyana wakho ephuma apha kule building.”
Simba: ”Apho?”
Sylvester: ”Ewe, boss.”
Simba: ”Sylvester wazi ntoni ngalo building?”
Sylvester: ”Kukho idruglord ehlala apha kuthwa nguEfe ukubizwa kwakhe kodwa andikamboni mna
ngoku kwam. Unayo neharem encinci. Nabaqwayizi bassndleleni.”
Simba: ”Nomtha, ngubani ifani yale landlord yakho?”

38
Nomtha: ”Andiyazi, kodwa ngulo bebeyothatha kuye iphone.”
Simba: ”Ndiyayazi.”
Nomtha: ”Oh kodwa ndiva u-”
Simba: ”Ukhona umntu apha ophendula into ayibuzwayo? Sylvester that is the kingpin.”
Sylvester: ”Sawuba namazwana naye.”
Simba: ”Nizise iphone yam.”
Sylvester: ”Siyizise apho eclubbini?”
Simba: ”Hayi, ndiyahamba apha ngoku. Uyayazi ndifumaneka phi. Ufounele uButler umxelele ukuba
andiphandele ngalendoda. Ndifuna ukwazi ukuba ungubani, wenza ntoni, usebenzisana nabani, usupply
bani, ume ngantoni. Sylvester ndifuna ukwazi ukuba utya ntoni ekuseni nokuba unezikhenda ezingaphi.
Ndifuna ukwazi ukuba umntwana wam uyintoni kulobuilding, alandelwe ngumntu ndiyazi uphi ngawo
wonke amaxesha. Ndifuna ifile ngothree sharp edesikeni yam.”
Sylvester: ”Yes boss.”
Simba: ”Ebekhangeleka enjani? Ingathi uyaqhunywa?”
Sylvester: ”Sober boss. Uhlambe nokuhlamba wacheba nenwele. Ukhangeleka eright kum.”
Simba: ”Ingathi uyatya?”
Sylvester: ”Ngumqaba qaba boss.”
Simba: ”Inoba unenkazana ukuba akazanga kuqhunywa kodwa ndifuna ukwazi noba kunjalo. Nayo
yonke inkcukacha eniyifumanayo ngaloEfe.”
Sylvester: ”Sikuyo boss.”
Simba: ”Mlume bobby!”
Sylvester: ”Hawuuuuuuuu!”
Uyihleke kancinci uSimba wayicofa. Ebeqala ukuhleka oko singene apha. Inoba ebonwabele ukuba
iphone yakhe iright, ifumanekile. Nantoni na ibimphambanisa ekulaphone ibikhuselekile.
Simba: ”Bulela amawenu. Uyayifunda ibhayibhile?”
Nomtha: ”Andiyifundi.”
Simba: ”Ndifuna ukukunika isifundo.
Yima ndijonge kugoogle ndizokufundela kakuhle ndingashiyi nto. Errrr yes!
'Ukuba ke isandla sakho, nokuba lunyawo lwakho, luya kukhubekisa, lunqamle, ululahle: kukulungele
ukuba ungene ebomini usisiqhwala, mhlawumbi usisilima, kunokuba uthi, unezandla ezibini, mhlawumbi
uneenyawo ezimbini, uphoswe emlilweni ongunaphakade.' Yilento ibizokwenzeka kuwe le, mhlawumbi
ngeyisenzeka nangoku. Andifuni ukubona umntu omhle kangaka engena esihogweni. Uhleli umnyama
kakade uphinde uyotshiswa ngumlilo.”

39
Utsho wancuma kwavela lamazinyo akhe amahle amhlophe qhwa. Inoba yilonto ebethanda ukuhleka,
kuba ezazi ukuba unamazinyo amahle. UThixo sana, ezinye nje izinto awusoze uziqonde. Umntu
onentliziyo emdaka njenga lendoda amenze mhle kangaka! Phofu ebengekho mhle wethu, ebebukeka.
Enomtsalane. Mhlawumbi kukuba ekhululekile ngomzimba wakhe, eqinisekile ngesiqu sakhe. Nofafa we
arrogance. Umama watsho kodwa ukuba ubuhle bekhiwane zimpethu. Kulo bezinyuquza, zikhiqika.
Ebendonyanyisa.
Simba: ”Uthetha oluphi ulwimi? IsiNdebele?”
Nomtha: ”Ndithetha isiXhosa.”
Ukhawuleze wandinqumela kwagathi ayinguye lo ebentsintsitheka ngoku.
Bendingasayazi ukuba bendisenzani apha nalomntu unendevu ezimhlophe okungathi nguFather
Christmas. Ibifumanekile iphone yakhe, bendiqaqanjelwa mna zizivubeko zakhe. Ndiyavuma ukuba
kungenxa yam kodwa andibethe ngolahlobo?! Andiqhwabe ndiyonkuleka phantsi? Kufuneke ndijongane
naye ebusweni ndibe ndincokola. Bendinaso nestress sokuba ndizophulukana nomsebenzi wam.
Ndinestress sokuba uEfe uyankulwa phaya ngenxa yokuba ndiwise iphone yalendoda phaya. Iwe ngenxa
yam kodwa ukumbetha bekuzophinde kube yongxaki yam. Akhuphele isigqukru kumu! Kuba oSylvesta
Stallone bona bazobe bengekho noSimba wakhona.
Nomtha: ”NesiShona kancinci.”
Nditsho ndifakelela.
Simba: ”Uthini xa usithi 'ulisela elihle.'?”
Nomtha: ”Uthi 'ndakakuvenga.'”
Simba: ”Uxokela ntoni?”
Nomtha: ”Uthi 'Benzi'”
Uqinise imihlathi ngoku wandijamela.
Simba: ”Ndiyawazi lomagama wesiShona. Ndakakuvenga, ndiyakuzonda. Benzi, sbhanxa. Ncncn uyayazi
umntu angazibona sekubulele wena. Andiyazi noba isibindi sokundiqhela kangaka usithatha phi kuba
sikhiwa ngerhalafu apha kuwe.”
Mhlawumbi bendimoyika kuba ebengenguye lamntu wayizolo netshomi zakhe. Ebekhululeke ngeyona
ndlela enoncumo nje olufudumeleyo xa ethetha nabo. Hayi mna bendinethamsanqa. Oko ebendiqinisele
ubuso. Mhlawumbi ibinento enokwenza nokuba ndimbele iphone. Ebengeno ndityhola ngokundinyoba
ngphezulu kwetips andiphe zona. Ebengathunywanga ndim. Undincedile yena kodwa
ebengathunywanga ndim.
Nomtha: ”Uthi 'uri mbavha yakanaka.'”
Simba: ”Umhle?”
Nomtha: ”Wanaka.”
Simba: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Utsho encuma kwakhona woyama esitulweni.

40
Simba: ”Thatha izinto zakho ndikugoduse.”
Nomtha: ”Ishift yam ayikapheli. Ndiyabulela kodwa ngokuzivolontiya.”
Simba: ”I'm sorry ukuba ucinga uba bendikucela. Ndiyakuxelela ukuba wenzeni. Thatha amasaka wakho
ndikugoduse. Phinde uvule lomlomo uphendule.”
Cwaka.
Simba: ”I thought so. Uzophangela ngomsomnye. Ndizoxelela iboss yeboss yakho.”
Ewe, ndigqibe kwelo. Bendimzonda ngentliziyo yam yonke.
Ndisukumile ndancwina zintlungu.
Kanene ebendibethile losathane. Andiyazi nam ukuba bendicinga ukuba bendawu phangela kanjani
kunzima nokuma nje. Ndinqhwanyaze inyembezi ndizigxotha.
Simba: ”Uyaqaqanjelwa?”
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”
Simba: ”Tshotsho.”
Okay father chrismas omnyama. Ibisuke yancinci intliziyo yam kungase ndikhale ndizibhuqe phantsi.
Ndizicengile ukuyophuma emnyango ndehlika ndaya kwilockera yam ndiyothatha izinto zam.
Bekugcwele eclubbini ke kodwa kungagcwelanga kakhulu. Nditswebe inwele zam. Bekuzofuneka
ndizifrerhe. Ukuba ndizohlukumezeka kanje bekubhetele xa ndenze amarhobhozo.
Ayodeji: ”Ahhh ... you can walk, this is good.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyagoduka.”
Ayodeji: ”Ngizwile. Nomtha what were you thinking?!”
Nomtha: ”Ndivumelekile ukuba ndiphinde ndibuye.”
Ayodeji: ”Nomtha this not good. Akumelanga ngabe usebenza la nje siqale apho. And then you steal
from our customer! Uboss uzoyazi and-”
Simba: ”Ndithethe nayo iboss yakho Ayo there is no problem. Stay out of this. Ayilothuba lakho lokufuna
impundu eli. Nanini na. Yenza unsebenzi wakho.”
Ndiqinisekile ukuba nobam ubuso bebufana nobukaAyodeji, njengoba eberhole amehlo okungathi
yindubula enyathelwe yimoto nje. Ebethethelela mna?!
Simba: ”Masambe wena!”
Undityhale okungathi ndilibhantinti elityalelwa esiseleni. Bendingayazi nokuba ndihlale njani zintlungu.
Ndichophe ngecala ndajonga efestireni. Ndinbonise indlela wamisa ngaphambili kweflats zikaEfe.
Ebenyakamile enyuse impumlo.
Ndithathe ibag yam ndaphuma, akaphozisanga maseko wahamba ebalekisa. Ndifike ndaziphosa
ebhedini ndasothula isukhalo. Kungamaxesha anje apho bendikhumbula utata wam. Wayesoloko
enendlela yokundenza ndizive bhetele.

41
Kukhatywe ucango. Indlela belikhatywe ngobundobongela ngayo ndilive lisiwa phantsi. Ebehleli
engathathi ntweni nalamacango kaloku. Ndixhumile ebhedini ndabaleka ndizongena ebathroom ndeva
nglmvumba emqolo ndabhena. Kungene omnye, nomnye, nomnye. Bendingakwazi ukuphefumla
bendingakwazi nokucinga. Ukuba bendicinga ukuba uSimba undibhule, bekuworse ngoku. Ukuba
bendingumbona bendawushiyeka ndingumpha nje ngoku. Indlela bendibhulwa ngayo. Yonke nje indawo
ibifikeleleka. Bendingasakhali nokukhala ngoku ndizosonge ndayinyoka. Bekubuhlungu. Bendisopha
nokuba kuba bendisikeka kwezinye indawo.
Efe: ”Enough S'gebengu! You little b*tch! You come into my property, my flat and plant a phone so that
your boyfriend can beat me up. After everything I've done for you! Owing me rent for months. Look ats
me! Look! I want you out of here tomorrow. Futsek!”
Undikhabe isisu ngequza ndapena pena.
Efe: ”S'gebengu! Two lashes sivaye!”
Hayike undithwaxe into engaphaya kwe two lashes wade wanqwandwa. Bendithe natya phantsi
ndimanzi ngumchamo. Ndisopha ngapha. Imivumba yakhona Ibingathi ndisikwe ngeblade. Ndimana
ndiqatshulwa. Ndive ngamanzi abandayo ndagxwala ndisothula isikhalo. Bandishiye apho ndisakhala.
Bendiqinisekile ukuba bendawufela phaya. Bendizo funyanwa ngubani? Bendawufela kulaflat ndodwa.
Yintoni kanti le ndizifake kuyo ngoku?

42
FIVE
Nomtha: ”Ouch!”
Ibingathi nditshayiswe yitrain okanye umzimba wam ubethwe yinkanyamba. Bekungekho ndawo
ingaqaqambi, kusinda nengalo le ingumcimbi ukuyinyakazisa.
”Shhhhh Nomtha, sukunyakaza uzokhupha idrip.”
Bendilazi elilizwi. Ndome nko ndicinga ukuba inoba ndiphi na. Bendiseseroomini yam? Ukuba bekunjalo
uyazi njani yena? Ufike ngaliphi na ixesha?
Nomtha: ”Aaaaawu! Ouch! Ouch!”
Ukunyakaza kancinci nje bekundibulala.
Simba: ”Mkhuseli, ayikho into ongayenza okanye umnike yona ezodoma ezintlungu?”
Mkhuseli: ”Sendimnikile izinto for intlungu, ukuba ndiyamnika ngoku ndawube ndiyamyoba.”
Simba: ”Myobe!”
Mkhuseli: ”Simba ...”
Simba: ”Mkhuseli, andibhatalelanga imedical school ukuba uzothi hayi kum. Mnike nantoni na ukuze
abebhetele. Ukuba iyamyoba mayimyobe.”
Mkhuseli: ”Andizuyenza lont-”
Simba: ”Phuma!”
Mkhuseli: ”Bhut-”
Simba: ”Mkhuseli! Phuma! Thathe inonsense zakho uphume apha! Phuma! Ungaphinde ubuye apha!”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndizobuya late. Uzophinde ayotywe ngoku lomntu. Ungayikhuphi idrip ndizoyikhupha ngoku
kwam.”
Simba: ”Mxm!”
Uyihlekile.
Mkhuseli: ”Kuzotyiwa ntoni ntoni ngokuhlwa?”
Simba: ”Suzihlupha ngokuba sawutya ntoni, okanye ungukitchen girl? Ndikunike negrocery list
uyothenga izinto zokupheka?”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndizawuyotya nosis'Nokulunga since uzawunqaba wena. Kuzothiwa uphi kona?”
Simba: ”Phuma ezintweni zam Mkhuseli. Ungayi emzinam.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ncncnc ...”
Bendiyiva yonke lento yabo, bendincwina zintlungu. Noxa bekubuhlungu ukunyakaza bendinga kwazi
ukuhlala nje. Ibingase ibekho into endiyenza.
Simba: ”Shhhhhh ... zama ukulala, uzovuka ubhetele. Azosebenza lamayeza kaMkhuseli.”

43
Nomtha: ”Kubuhlungu.”
Simba: ”Ndiyayazi kodwa zama ukulala uzovuka ubhetele.”
Nomtha: ”Kubuhlungu.”
Ndiqale ukukhala inyembezi zehla ngamacala. Undibambe ingalo ndancwina. Bekungekho ndawo
engaqaqambiyo emzimbeni wam, ukuchathwa nje kancinci bendiqaqanjelwa.
Simba: ”Shhhhhh ... lala.”
Andiyazi nokuba bufike nini ubuthongo kwezantlungu bendikuzo kodwa ekugqibeleni ndide ndalala
obuhlayo. Bendisothuka kancinci ndiphinde ndilale kwakhona.
Ndothukile ebuthongweni kwakhona kodwa ndaqiniseka ukuba andinyakazi. Bekukhaya isibane ngoku,
kucaca ukuba kuhlwile. Bendikwigumbi elincinanana elihle. Belingahonjiswanga kangako. Iyibhedi ene
side tables nechest of drawers kunye netwo seater yesofa. Kodwa ibizolile. Ibingafani kwaphela
nalaroom kaEfe bendihlala kuyo.
Ndibeke ecaleni kwam ngakwicala lasekunene ndoma. Bekuhleli ubhuti onendevu ezimhlophe qhwaa.
Phofu ebengenguye nobhuti, engutata. Bekungafani noSimba onezixubileyo yena.
Ebefunda ibhayibhile eqwalasele yona.
”Siyabulela ukuba uvukile.”
Andimphendulanga. Ebethetha esajonga kwibhayibhile yakhe watyhila ikhasi elenca umnwe kuqala.
Uphefumlele phezulu esajonge kwibhayibhile.
”NdinguTat'uMluleki Matanzima.”
Nomtha: ”U- ukhona uSimba?”
Undijonge ngoko endiqwalasele ebusweni. Uphinde wajinga kwibhayibhile yakhe kwakhona.
Mluleki: ”Ubethwe nguSimba?”
Bendiyazi noba ndithini kuba ewe undibethile yena kodwa ibingenguye umntu ondibethe ndanje.
Mluleki: ”Uyinkazana kaSimba?”
Ndinikine intloko yam kancinci. Bendilibele nokuba akandijonganga.
Nomtha: ”Hayi.”
Mluleki: ”Ubethwe nguye?”
Nomtha: ”Akandibethanga ndanje.”
Ndigqibele ndisitsho. Bendinga zukumquma kuba nyani ke indiqhwabile, wandithwaxa nangebhanti.
Akukhathaliseki ukuba bendenze ntoni, ibingekabuzwa leyo into.
Mluleki: ”So ubethwe nguloEfe waseHillbrow?”
Oh ebeseyazi! Caba ebefuna ukungqinisisa. Ngokucacileyo ebemxelele uSimba qha engamkholwa.
Ebeyintoni yena kuSimba? Bendisonqena ukuthi ngumntakwabo kuba benendevu ezimhlophe bobabini

44
futhi benamabala antsundu namazwi amakhulu. Kuba zezo kuphela impawu endinothi zindenza
ndikrokrele ukuba bayazalana.
Nomtha: ”Ndibethwe nguye.”
Mluleki: ”NoSimba.”
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”
Mluleki: ”Unexesha elingakanani usazana noSimba?”
Ebeseyibekele bucala ibhayibhile endiqwalasele ebusweni ngoku andincinayo.
Nomtha: ”Andimazi.”
Mluleki: ”Interesting. Zinjani intlungu?”
Nomtha: ”Ndisaqaqanjelwa kodwa ndibhetele kuna ngokuya bendivuka.”
Mluleki: ”Kukho i ointment akuqabe yona uSimba, ndiyakholwa ukuba yiyo.”
Ebendiqabe into ndilele?! Ndiqaphele ngoko ukuba bendinxibe isikipa esingeso sam. Besimnyama.
Ngezantsi bendinganxibanga nto. Nepeyinti le ibingekho. Bendingeva nto engathi ndenziwe into kodwa
kwale yokukhululwa ndilele into bendingayonwabelanga tu. Ingubani ondikhululileyo? Kungenzeka
ngulasathana unguSimba.
Mluleki: ”Yintoni le inidibanisayo noSimba ukuba akudibani ndawo zenu zokuchama? Uzawundixelela
unangaphi mntwanam?”
Simba: ”Nomtha.”
Sibhekile sobabini notat'uMluleki. Eboyame emnyango engqiyame ngomgubasi esongele izandla zakhe
esifubeni. Igathi ebephinda wakhula ubude kwakhona, okanye ebehleli engaka? Hayi maan angakhula
into ebheke ngaphi njengoba sengwevu nokuba ngwevu nje?
Simba: ”Bhuti.”
Mluleki: ”Madiba.”
Simba: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Mluleki: ”Unjani uNokulunga?”
Ukrwaqule mna uSimba wangena ngaphakathi egumbini ethe chu.
Simba: ”Uphilile, kodwa ungamfounela umbuze nawe.”
Mluleki: ”Ndibuza kuwe.”
Simba: ”Uphilile.”
Mluleki: ”Ndiyaqala ndiyagqibelisa ukuba ngunonjanana wakho. Andizuba ngumantshingilane wakho
mna Simba. NoMkhuseli ngokunjalo.”
Simba: ”Andisoze ndiphinde ndikwenze umantshingilani, uMkhuseli ebexakelile eSurgery yakhe so
bekungekho omnye umntu endimthembileyo ukusala noNomtha angazami izinto eziphume ecaleni.
USylvester ebexakekile.”

45
Mluleki: ”Izinto eziphume ecaleni zezi zenziwa nguwe. Uqhwaya uchuku uqala impi namaNigeria. Simba
yintoni kanye le uyidalayo?”
Uqinise imihlathi yakhe wandijonga.
Simba: ”Urikunzwa sei?” uziva njani?
Ndinyuse ishiya kumva ethetha isiShona. Bendigqibele engasazi kakuhle njengoba ebesithetha nje
ngoku.
Nomtha: ”Akarega mukomana wake achindirova.” uyeke lamfana wakhe andibethe.
Zizehlele inyembezi ngalomzuzu. Indlela ebendibetha ngayo okungathi ndiyinto nje engenamsebenzi.
Okungathi andinaxabiso. Noba ndingafa akandikhathalelanga. Noba ndisopha akakhathalela lonto. Noba
sendizintsontsela akabina sizi. Bendinombono wobuso bukaEfe kuba bendimana ndimthi tshe ngoku
bendibethwa yinjanana yakhe. Esisifu ngumsindo. Nendlela ebencume ngayo ukundibona ndipenapena
kulasamente. Isitsho imvubu, ndingayazi nokuba izithonga zawude ziphele na. Bandishiya ndithe natya
phaya ndigodola ngamanzi abadigalele ngawo abandayo. Ndiqhaqhazela ndigodoliswa nayisamente.
Ndingenawo nawokusukuma. Ndizinikele phaya ndilindele ukufa, kuba bendingayiboni enye indlela.
UKing bendinga qinisekanga ukuba uyawubuya nini okanye uzobuya. Into ngaye kukuba
ubungenothembela kuye. Ebesithi gqi esidlangalaleni aphinde anyamalale ngolohlobo. Abuye
senebhabhalaza engcangcazela usizi lwento entushu ntushu luthuli. Emveni kwenyanga emnkile.
Bendiqinisekile ukuba bendawufela phaya. Ngekungcono nokuba bendifele phaya, kunoba ndihlangulwe
ngulo 'mudhara'. Ukuba undisindiseli bekungathethi ukuba ubhetele kunoEfe kuba bebengumgubo
wengxowa enye. Kwaye yena ebengathumeli zinjananan ukwenza umsebenzi wakhe omdaka,
ebezenzela ngoku kwakhe. Kukuba nje yena kulemeko yangalamzuzu, nje oku kwalamzuzu. Ebeyilento
abelungu bathi 'the lesser evil'
Kodwa ukuba ngu evil kona ebenguye. Bendizibona nempondo zakhe.
Simba: ”Ukhuselekile ngoku. Akhonto azophinde akwenze yona.”
Bendikhuseleke nyani? Kuba ngokubona kwam ibingathi ndibalekiswe kobunye ubungozi ndaziswa
kobunye. Noba bendisithini, bendise soupini. Imana nalapha kwisoup. Enengceba ze mince
ezingavutshwayo. Exhabisiweyo. Losoup.
Bendinga senayo nendawo yokuhlala kuba ndigxothiwe nguEfe. Bekubhetele kuba bendise nomsebenzi.
Bendizofuna enye indawo yokuhlala kweza flats zaseJo'burg.
Mluleki: ”Simba ndibuzile.”
Simba: ”And andikuphenduli.”
Utyhale ibhayibhile utat'uMluleki yayowa phaya phantsi. Usukumile walungisa ibhatyi zakhe waphuma
egila uSimba.
Ndiyayibona ekaSimba into kodwa ibhayibhile yona? Yenze ntoni ibhayibhile yabantu!
Mluleki: ”And ungandifaki mna xa uvutshelwa ngumqa! Naxa ivela le into yalentombazana!
Ungandifaki!”
Simba: ”I'm offended kukuba ucinga ukuba andikwazi ukuzilwela amadabi am.”

46
Mluleki: ”Amadabi akho achaphazela thina! Mna! Ndim nawe notata abachaphazeleka kulenyula yakho!
Nefemeli zethu! Ubetha umntwana wabant-”
Simba: ”Ayinanto enokwenza nanto leyo into. Iphakathi kwam noNomtha qha. Excuse yourself.”
Mluleki: ”Excuse myself ndirhuqwe nguwe ngemixhadi ukuba ndizokugadela yena?!”
Simba: ”Yimpazamo yam ukucinga ukuba umntakwethu has my back.”
Mluleki: ”And your front, and your sides Madiba! Kodwa engeyiyo ayiyo!”
Simba: ”Yeyiphi engeyiyo?”
Mluleki: ”Unangaphi lomntwana?”
Umjamele ubhuti wakhe uSimba wayihleka kancinci ngentsini engagqibelelekanga.
Mluleki: ”Andizuk'phendula ndiyabuza unangaphi lomntwana?”
Simba: ”Unangaphi Nomtha?”
Uhleke isiqhazolo ubhuti wakhe wanikina intloko yakhe kancinci.
Simba: ”Get the hell out.”
Mluleki: ”Ndifuna uqaphele.”
Simba: ”Kwaye ndizoqaphela.”
Mluleki: ”Diba uqale impi nabantu abanxanelwe igazi ngokubulala injanana yalaEfe. Kuzofuneka
umkhuphe nalapha, ayikhuselekanga lendawo. Ndiyacinga awuzuhlala ulapha, unomzi ekufuneka uye
kuwo- Simba, ndiphoxekile nguwe enyanisweni.”
Simba: ”Andiqali, ndiyacinga ukuba andigqibelisi. Phofu ndiqinisekile.”
Mluleki: ”Uzawukwenza ntoni ngaye?”
Simba: ”Njengoba ubusitsho kuzofuneka ndimkhuphe apha ndimse kwindawo ekhuselekileyo so
uzohlala eCenturion.”
Unqwalile uMluleki.
Mluleki: ”Unganqabi eGreenstone. Ndiyakucela ke apho.”
Simba: ”Uyayazi ukuba andisoze ndinqabe.”
Mluleki: ”Akhonto ndiyaziyo, into endiyaziyo kukuba andikwazi. Izinto ozenzayo for umntu ongamaziyo
nokum-”
Simba: ”Get away!”
Mluleki: ”Unganqabi eGreenstone.”
Unqwalile uSimba.
Mluleki: ”Uqaphele.”
Simba: ”Ndizodinga imvume yakho yokwenza into ekudingeka ukuba ndiyenze xa kunyanzelekile.

47
Mluleki: ”Ucela imvume ngoku?”
Simba: ”Kunjalo.”
Mluleki: ”Bazawuza emveni kwakho oku kwenja emveni kwethambo. Kuzofuneka uqaphele ngaphezulu
kunakuqala ngakumbi xa usiya kwatata okanye eGreenstone.”
Simba: ”IGreenstone ikhuselelile.”
Mluleki: ”Ifemeli?”
Simba: ”Ndithini kuwe? Womnke umntu ukhuselekile ndiqinisekile ngoko.”
Mluleki: ”UJunior? Usesithubeni, akaziwa noba ukweyiphi na imeko. Ukuba kukho umntu omaziyo ukuba
ngowakho akhuphele isixhiba kuye?”
Simba: ”Ndizomfihla nditsho ndiyazi ukuba uleli phi qho ebusuku. Xa elamba, enxanwa uzoza ephupheni
ndimenzele imfanelo zakhe.”
Mluleki: ”Umntu akalahlwa, umntu akancanywa. UJunior uphume nje endleleni kodwa udinga nina
nimbuyise ngothando hayi ukuba nibe gadala.”
Simba: ”Akhonto ndingayenzanga for uJunior bhut'Mluleki. Akhonto ezweni! Kubhetele xa efile ngoku
kuba nje uyahlupha and akahluphi mna ndodwa. Ukuba bendinesibindi bendizombulala ngoku kwam
qha andikwazi. Kengoku ndilindele ukuba lento ayothandayo imbulale okanye imbulalise. Qha. Ngoku
kufuneka ndibe ndiqashana nabantu abazobe beba yimisila yakhe ehamba ithwabula henge kulaJozi
ngomntu onekhaya nabazali? Mabamfumane bambulale bamzise apha ndimngcwabe. That's that on
that. Ungangenelela wena njengoTamkhulu kodwa mna nindikhuphe. Ndiyabulela kwakhona
ngalefavour.”
Mluleki: ”Yeah, yeah. Ndikhuphe.”
Ujonge mna uSimba ndabe ndizilalisile indlebe namehlo ndiwathe ndwanya kubo ngoku bathethayo.
Simba: ”Ndiyabuya. Ngubhuti wam omkhulu lo uMluleki.”
Ndinqwalile. Bendizothini?
Undikrwaqule nje latata waphuma emlandela uSimba.
Mluleki: ”Mncinci lamntwana.”
Simba: ”Mluleki.”
Mluleki: ”Zintanga zoJunior.”
Simba: ”So?”
Mluleki: ”Mncinci.”
Simba: ”Asiyi ndawo ngalencoko.”
Mluleki: ”Asiyi ndawo nyani kuba sekulate.”
Simba: ”Kulate nangoku.”
Mluleki: ”Damnit Simba. Inzima lento usifaka kuyo!”

48
Simba: ”Akhonto ndinifaka kuyo mna kodwa kuba nisempilweni yam ndizocela ukuba nibe neutral.”
Mluleki: ”Bull-f*ken-sh*t!”
Simba: ”Niyazi indawo yenu.”
Mluleki: ”Uyakwazi lomntwana? Uyayazi into azifaka kuyo apha kuwe?”
Simba: ”Ndim into?”
Mluleki: ”Ungaphinde umbethe.”
Simba: ”Awuzulawula iaffair zam.”
Mluleki: ”Ndiyakuxelela Simba.”
Simba: ”Ubungahambi? Ukulindile uUlatho endlini. Nabantwana bakho.”
Mluleki: ”Ungowothetha ke wena.”
Simba: ”Undibulisele.”
Mluleki: ”Ndizobulisa. Uhlambe abathapha.”
Simba: ”Okay mama.”
Uyihlekile utat'uMluleki.
Mluleki: ”Goodnight kiddo.”
Simba: ”Goodnight boss.”
Mluleki: ”Ungayekeli umsebenzi wakho ke!”
Akamphendulanga. Uphinde wangena wazoma ezantsi kwebhedi endijongile.
Uphakamise lento bendiyombethe wayibeka ecaleni endijonga imilenze namathanga.
Nomtha: ”Nguwe ondikhululeyo?”
Simba: ”Ewe. Ikhona ingxaki?”
Nomtha: ”Wanga uchiitei muflat mangu?” ubufuna ntoni eflattini yam?
Simba: ”Huh?”
Nomtha: ”Ubufuna ntoni eflatini yam?”
Simba: ”Uthe uMkhuseli ungabandejwa uzobethwa ngumoya. Ndikuthengele iunderwear ozozinxiba,
noba ungahamba ngesikipa eso sam.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizohamba nini apha?”
Simba: ”Uri kuzogara pano.” uzohlala apha.
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuhamba ndiyolanda izinto zam kulaflat ndizofuna enye indawo yokuhlala kuba
ndigxothiwe nguEfe kwaye nam bendingazu hlala phaya emveni kwalento andenze yona.”

49
Simba: ”Ndizothumela umntu ayothatha ezozinto zibalulekileyo kuwe qha. Izakhahathi zigxoko gxoko
nebhedi ezine zipringi ngaphandle akukho apho uzozisa khona kuba akukho apho uyakhona. Uvile mos
apha encokweni yam nobhuti ukuba akukhuselekanga. Ndibulele iright hand man kaEfe ngoku ke apho
akubona khona uzokubulala. Awuzuya msebenzini, awuzubuyela kulaflat. Kuba ukungena kwakho phaya
awuzuphuma.”
Nomtha: ”Andizuhlala apha mna. Ndinetshomi endisebenza nazo, ndizocela indawo kuzo ndibone ukuba
ndiyaphi. Ndingaya eSoweto ndiyohlala khona iGoli likhulu.”
Simba: ”Askies bendithe yidialogue le? Siyabonisana mna nawe? Princess, Izvi ndezvekukuudza
zvauchazoita.”
Ndim lo, ndikuxelela ukuba wenze ntoni.
Nomtha: ”Bubomi bam obu! Awunalungelo. Kukundixhwila oku! Andinamsebenzi noba ndibulewe!
Makandibulale uEfe!”
Simba: ”Njengoba uthengisa ngomzimba nje uzowuthengisa estratweni kulaEfe njengoba ucinga ukuba
kuzobalula ngolohlobo. Uzawuyotywa undlwengulwe uphambana yigang kaEfe! Uzokufumana
kwezitshomi nyana zakho and uzozirhuqela ingxaki zakho uzibulalise uphinde uthi nkebe umlomo
omkhulu!”
Nomtha: ”A-ndi-yo-ngxa-ki-ya-kho!”
Simba: ”Ndizokuqhwaba kengoku. Ndawukusondela ngempama.”
Utsho wandigquma wahlala kwesasitulo besihleli ubhuti wakhe.
Simba: ”Ubeyingxaki yam ngalamzuzu ubusiba iphone yam. Ndimenywe nguwe empilweni yakho so
sundixelela ukuba awuyongxaki yam. Ngendikuyeka bakudlwengulele nangphezulu kweroof. Uri
dambudziko rakawanda.” uyingxaki enkulu.
Nomtha: ”Ukuba ubunga bethanga uEfe ngendingekho apha. Ukuba ubungabulalanga us'gebengu
ngendingekho apha! Undigcina apha kuba unesazela.”
Simba: ”Sazela mna? Mamela apha ntombazana encinci awusoze undifumane nasesihogweni
ndinesazela. And ngendinga bethanga uEfe ukuba wena ubunganyolukanga walitutu elinikwa isandla
lifune ingalo. Umntu onesazela nguwe kuba unyele umntu owrongo. Awuzundixelela ngoku ukuba
andiyongxaki yakho kuba undenze ingxaki yakho. Minding my business ndiziselela nabangani bam
wazozenza ingxaki yam. Bendikunyobe ngemali ndaphuma kuwe kuba I knew you wouldn't handle me.
Kodwa wena kuba ubhadlile wafuna iattention yam. Uyifumene kengoku, ndim lo. Phinda uthethe
ingathi udilika eweni ndizokubetha ngomva wempama ufe isiqaqa.
Bekufanele ukuba ndiseGreenstone ngoku, kwam! Kodwa ndilapha ngenxa yobubhanxa bakho. I Was
willing to walk away from you, but you dragged me in. So deal! Uselapho uzilungise xa uthetha nam,
andinaxesha lokuba wenzakele mna ndakwenza worse. Phinda undikhwaze. Khawuzame ngoku ubone?
Benzi!” sbhanxa.
Utsho wasukuma ezophuma.
Ndizigqume ubuso ndakhala. Bendingayazi lento bendizifake kuyo. Bendingena msebenzi nyani ukuba
bandibulele noba bandenze umqwayizi andinaxesha. Bendingafuni ukuba nalendoda mna. Bendingafuni
ukubalapha. Ebendonyanyosa.

50
Nomtha: ”Ndakakuvenga! Ndakakuvenga! Ndakakuvenga!” ndiyakuzonda.
Simba: ”Ndiri kukuuraya iwe!” ndizokubulala wena!
Utsho waphuma wambhakraza ucango kwaphuma ihandle. Andiyazi ebesophula ntoni kwelacala
ebekulo kodwa ibinguphinkilli. Ingukrwaba kutshabalala. Ndizisongile ndathandaza, bendinga kwazi
nokuwugqibezela umthandazo wam kuba bendivele ndafikelwa zimyembezi ndaqaqanjelwa yintliziyo
kuthi ndisothule isikhalo. Bendiyozonda lendoda. Ngentliziyo yam yonke bendimzonda. Ibingase
ndimbambe ndimkrwitshe afe. Ndimbulale ngezam izandla ndingcwabe njengenja ayiyo. Bendimzonda!
Simba: ”Fuuuuuuuuu*k!”
Kukhale iglass eyophukayo kwazola umzuzwana. Bendide ndithule yilangxolo ebeyenza.
Kuvuleke ucango wangena ngaphakathi. Indlela ebekhangeleka ezole ngayo ubungenotsho ukuba nguye
lo ebetshabalalisa. Ubumbona nje ngokuphefumelela phezulu.
Simba: ”Ulambe kangakanani?”
Nomtha: ”Andilambanga.”
Simba: ”Ebekunike ukutya uMluleki?”
Nomtha: ”Akandinikanga kutya.”
Simba: ”Uhluthi yintoni?”
Nomtha: ”Andinamdla wokutya.”
Simba: ”Ingase ufe njengoba uzurakisa nje. Ndizothatha isitulo ndizohlala apha ndikubulale usifa.”
Cwaka. Kukhale iphone yakhe wayikhupha ngobundlobongela kulatasi yakhe.
Simba: ”Simba Matanzima, hello? K'theni ufouna ngeprivate number? Mhhh ... ewe. Umlandele wabona
ukuba ungena kweyiphi iflat? Umntu omnye angaba useless kanjani oluhlobo?! Ndithe- hello, dengane.
Ndithe tail him. Tail him! Ubone ukuba ungena kweliphi igumbi, sundixelela ngebuilding. Ufive to ukuba
ndikukhande wena. Ndikukhande lontloko ingena buchopho. Undifounela ngeprivate number
uzondixelela izinto eziuseless. Enyanisweni ... yizapha. Yizapha. Ndizokuwisa kulebuilding ufe bhetele
kuba akhonto yakho apha emhlabeni! Simple instruction. Izibhanxa yonke indawo! Left right zizibhanxa.
Yizapha uzoziwisa apha ufe.”
Ucofe ngesinyanzelo wabeka umnwe wakhe entloko ephefumlela phezulu.
Simba: ”Mash and gravy? Ukuba awutyi uzofa. Awuzundinceda nganto ukuba ufile. Andikuhlangulanga
kulayiphu uhlala kuyo umanzi toxo, usopha ukuba uzobulawa yindlala apha. Uzotya mos.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizotya.”
Simba: ”Ndizoza nokutya utye uphumle. UMkhuseli uthe kufuneka uphumle. Ndizokosula ngomso
ndiphinde ndikuthambise iointment. Mash and gravy?”
Nomtha: ”Iright.”
Simba: ”Iphekwe ngumkaMluleki. Uzohlupheka ukuba kulahliwe.”
Uzondigquma inyawo bezingagqumekanga waphuma.

51
Simba: ”Ngubani kengoku ozoklina lemess?”
Ebeyibuza nyani lonto? Okungathi ibingeziwanga nguye? Eheeee hayi.

52
SIX
”Nomtha?”
Nomtha: ”Mh?”
Simba: ”Vuka uzohlamba. Amanzi wakho a ready.”
Nomtha: ”Ngoku?"
Simba: ”Ewe ngoku, andizubakho imini yonke. Ndifuna uhamba ndikuhlambile.”
Yho! Ebengadlali na ngalento yakhe yokundihlamba?!
Tyhini bawo! Ndityhile amehlo ndizolula. Ebehamba ngogaga enxibe umzantsi wepyjama ebhinqele
emazantsi. Kuvele inwelana apha emazantsi esisu.
Simba: ”Nomtha?!”
Ndimjonge ebusweni.
Mna: ”Huh?”
Simba: ”Ndifuna ukuphangela mna andinamini yonke, vuka uzohlamba uzophindela ezingubeni
kwakhona ukugqiba kwakho. Ndifuna ukuthambisa nala ointment kaMkhuseli. Uyafuna okanye awufuni
ukuphila?”
Mbuzo mni kengoku lowo? Ikhona into yokuba umntu angafuni kuphila.
Mna: ”Ndiyafuna.”
Simba: ”Mandingabe ndilandelela emveni kwakho ingathi andincedi wena. Uzondifumana ebathroom.
Nd'funa ukuhlamba ke nam ukugqiba kwakho so ulibazisa mna.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizozihlamba ngoku kwam. Ndizokwazi, izandla zam zisebenza kakuhle.”
Undijamele.
Simba: ”Andikhumbuli ndikubuza.”
Mxm! Ayikho nento ibifunisa ukuba ndide ndihlanjwe qha ebesenzela izizathu zakhe ezingemsulwanga
lo. Ebendidika kanjani.
Izolo ndiye ndayotya lamash and gravy yakhona, ibimnandi ukufa ndade ndayigqiba yonke. Umfazi
katat'uMluleki ebepheka kamnandi, bendimnika oko.
Bekusekuyolo mess ngaphandle kwekamire kuba oko ebetshabalalise izinto.
Ibingena ensuit bathroom lakamire bendilala kuyo kengoku ndiphume ndaya kweyomntu wonke kodwa
andamfumana kuyo kwaye bekungekho manzi ebhafini and ebethe seweready.
Bendingayazi nokuba ndizomkhwaza ndithini ke ngoku mna.
Nomtha: ”Simba!”
Ukrobe komnye umnyango edikeke!
Nomtha: ”Oh!”

53
Nditshilo ndaya kuye. Ebesephindele ngaphakathi kwakhona. Ndinqonqozile ndazibetha ngaphakathi.
Ibipeyintwe ngogrey odark yona, inebhedi enkulu eneheadboard emnyama nebedside tables zakhona.
Bekungekho wardrobe nakhona. Kukho icouch nezazitulo zintle ezombini neplazma tv.
Impahla zakhe caba bezikula chest of drawers obiphaya. Ezixhonywayo zixhonywe kwenye nje into
eyenziwe ngentsimbi ibizimele. Bekungekho photo yakhe okanye eyosapho. Abatwana mhlawumbi
okanye abazali. Bendive ngomntwana omnye phofu bendingazi ukuba unangaphi yabo.
Ndingene komnye umnyango okhokhelela ebhathroom.
Ebegalela into kulamanzi ebesebhafini wawava ubushushu.
Simba: ”Inyekevu iyakhawuleza kunawe. Usaqaqanjelwa kakhulu?”
Nomtha: ”Hayi kakhulu.”
Simba: ”Khulula ke uzohlamba. Ndifake ioil neanticeptic izotsweba kancinci kodwa awuzufa.”
Ndikhulule isikipa ndasibeka kwibench ibiphaya. Bezibanda itiles ezinyaweni zam. Undijongile ngoku
ndiza ngakuye. Ebengayifihli tu le yokuba uyandibuka. Perv!
Simba: ”Khawuze ngomva ndijonge impundu.”
Ndiphefumlele phezulu ndamzela ngomva.
Simba: ”Akukubanga. Imivumba estrongo yile kaEfe. Ukukrazulile one!”
Ebendibamba umqolo endijonga.
Simba: ”Umnyama maan nawe! Yiva amanzi ukuba anjani ngaphambili kokuba ungene, ungatshi.”
Ndifake isandla ndaweva. Ebengekho shushu edikidiki.
Nomtha: ”Awashushwanga.”
Simba: ”Ngena ngaphakathi ke.”
Ndingenile ndifaka unyawo olunye ngocoselelo. Andiyazi bekutheni ndiwoyika kangaka nje. Ndifake
nelinye ndazika ukuchopha phantsi. Yhuuuu! Anditswebe amanzi kulamanxeba am. Bendithe gabhu
kuwo ephelela esuswini, amabele engaphandle kwamanzi. Ebengayigcwalisanga.
Nomtha: ”Shu!”
Simba: ”Uyaqaqanjelwa?”
Ndinqwalile sendimenyezelisa amehlo, inyembezi ndizibambe ngenkophe. Bekufanele ukuba
sendihlamba na ngoku? Bekungafanelanga ukuba ndosula iziphaluka kuphela?! Bendinga qondi ukuba
bekufanele ukuba ndingene ndonke emanzini ngoluhlobo. Beziqale phantsi ukutshotshozela izivubeko
zam.
Simba: ”Ungakhali kaloku. Nyamezela kancinci ndizokhawuleza ndigqibe.”
Nomtha: ”Kufanele ukuba ndihlambe?”
Undifingele intshiya.

54
Simba: ”Ewe.”
Bendingaqondi. Uthathe isponge wandihlamba umqolo nentamo. Ebengasiqinisi, engafaki cinzelelo.
Undihlambe amabele nesifuba, ethatha ixesha elide kuwo. Ebendijonge emehlweni. Unxuze amanzi
wandihlamba kwakhona sejonge isifuba sam ngoku. Ibindim okanye bekusuke kwatshisa kulabathroom?
Ndimjonge ebusweni endipura ngamanzi angena gwebu ngezandla zakhe.
Simba: ”Sukuma.”
Ndikhawulezile ukuma ngenyawo kuba amathanga am nezitho bezibuhlungu.
Undihlambe impundu nemilenze wanyuka ngamathanga. Wahlamba umphakathi wawo wandihlamba
ngaphambili.”
Simba: ”Vula kancinci.”
Besikhona isidingo sayonke lento na bethuna? Uginye ingwiqi ndakuwubhekelisa kancinci umlenze.
Ndibambelele egxeni lakhe wandihlamba ke ngesponge eqinisa isandla ngoku. Usijule emanzini isponge
wafaka intamb empompeni. Ibinentloko esilver enemigqobho emincinci. Uvulele amanzi aphuma
kulantloko okungathi yishower head encinci. Undipure ngemva wandipura nangaphambili. Undibambe
ngaphambili ngesandla ebundiphulularha. Bendibambe umzimba kwakhona. Unditshize ebusweni
ndaphepha ndiphantse ukuwa ndamjamela. Uwacimile amanzi wayigibisela phaya lanto.
Uyithatha itowl enkulu wandimela ngaphandle kwebhafu ndaphuma. Undosule ke ngocoselelo.
Simba: ”Done! Ndizokunceda ndikuthambise ulale. Awulabanga?”
Nomtha: ”Andikalambi.”
Simba: ”Yilento ubhitye kangaka awukufuni ukutya. Okanye sewuyiqhelile indlala? Or ukwi hunger
strike?”
Nomtha: ”Andilambanga.”
Simba: ”Mhhh.”
Undithambise umzimba wonke wandigibisela ngepeyinti.
Simba: ”Ndikuthengele zona zodwa ke andikuphathelanga mpahla. Unxiba bani? Ndizozama umntu
ozokuthengela.”
Nomtha: ”Size thirty. Small ngentla.”
Simba: ”Unxibiselana noMalkia and mncinci kunawe ndiqinisekile. Kuzofuna utye Nomtha.”
Nomtha: ”Umzimba wam ungaka kakade ayikokulamba.”
Simba: ”Ndiyawuthanda umzimba wakho kodwa noko ubengu thirty two. Anditsho ukuba utyebe nam.”
Kanene ebewuthanda xa eyintoni kwaye edibana phi? Bendisuke ndabhidwa, okanye ikhona into
ibindiphosile mhlawumbi. Sede andixelele ukuba mawube ngakanani okungathi kukho apho ebengena
khona. Akusemnandi!
Ndinxibile ndaphumela ekamireni yakhe ndisiya kule bendilala kuyo. Undikhwazile wandijulela isikipa
sakhe. Ndisithathile ndanxiba. Besisima entla kwamadolo.

55
Nomtha: ”Ndatenda.” ndatenda.
Simba: ”Wamnkelekile.”
Utsho ebetha ngoncumo olucukhu. Caba bendimcwabile ngokubulela.
Simba: ”Lala apha ebhedini yam, umntu ozozocleana angakuphazamisi kularoom ulala kuyo.”
Ndinqwalile ndayokwela ebhedini yakhe. Undithathele ithrow wandombhathisa. Undiphathele ipilisi
ndazisela ndalala. Bendisuke ndanexhala yilemeko kaSimba. Ibindenza nje uvalo yonke lento yokuhlala
ndixhomekeke kuye ngoluhlobo. Ebezozuza ntoni yena kuyo yonke lento yokundinceda kwakhe?
Bendiziva okungathi ndizifake entolongweni. Umahluko kukuba le ibingena zisele kodwa bendikuyo
ukuba kuyo yona. Kuba ngokubona kwam bendingasena lawulo ebomini bam. Ndigqityelwa nguye ngayo
yonke into ndithathe ngokuxelelwa qha mna. Bendivumelekile kona ukuba ndiphumele ngaphandle
kwalendlu? Kwaleyadi? Okanye bendawuphelela kulamadonga ubom bam bonke?
Bendingafuni nokuyicinga leyo into, ibindivala umphefumlo.
Bekusenzeka ntoni? Ibingandiphosi inkanuko ebendijonga ngayo ngamanye amaxesha- phofu
ngamaxesha amaninzi. Ukusukela eclubbini endijonga ngoluhlobo ebesaqhubeka ukundijonga ngalo.
Bendimoyika futhi. Kuba bendiyazi ukuba akakhonkothi kuphela kodwa uyaluma nokuluma. Ebeyithetha
into ayilandelise ngezenzo. Bendinesibindi nje sokuthetha intando yam ndingagobi lula kuba yimpilo
endiyiqhelileyo. Ndifunde ukuba nesikhumba esiqinileyo nesibindi. Uphila kanjalo kwezizitrato zaseJozi.
Akufuneki mntu unkene nkeke kakhulu kuba uyawukophuka.
Simba: ”Ucingaphi?”
Nomtha: ”Mh?”
Simba: ”Ndiyabuza ucinga phi?”
Nomtha: ”Ndicinga ukuba ndizophuma nini apha?”
Simba: ”Ukuya eCenturion? Ndizokusa ngomso ukuba andixakekanga kakhulu.”
Nomtha: ”Anditsho eCenturion mna nditsho apha ebomini bakho? Apha kuleflat? Ndizophuma nini?
Uzondikhulula nini?”
Simba: ”Awubanjwanga.”
Nomtha: ”So ndingaphuma ngalomzuzu ndihambe?”
Simba: ”Nomtha besiyithethile lento! Andiyazi kuzofuneka ndiyithethe kangaphi into yokuba
awukhuselekanga. Uvile ubungozi okubo ngoku bendithetha noMluleki, ukhuseleke apha kunaphaya
ngaphandle and no awuzuphuma apha.”
Nomtha: ”Ndilibhantinti lakho?”
Simba: ”Andinaxesha lalento mna.”
Nomtha: ”Yintoni le uyifunayo wena kum? Kutheni wandikhathalela kangaka?”
Simba: ”Andiyazi ndikukhathakele ngantoni! Andiyazi ndifuna ntoni kuwe. Ndikuphethe kakubi?”
Nomtha: ”Awundiphethanga kakubi.”

56
Nyani ke ebengandiphethanga kakubi kukuba nje bendingaziva right ukuba lapha naye. Bendimoyika.
Ndibubona ubungozi bakhe noxa sencuma. Ibingathi uncunyelwa ngusathana entla komlilo.
Bendingazazi injongo zakhe ngam kwaye lonto ibindoyikisa. Bendingamazi nokumazi. Ndazi ukuba
unguSimba Matanzima, unomntwana onguJunior noobhuti ababini. Unomzi oseGreenstone. Qha.
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuyothatha izinto zam eflatini.”
Simba: ”Ndithe kuwe zizothathwa izinto zakho.”
Nomtha: ”Nini?”
Simba: ”Xa ziyothathwa.”
Nomtha: ”Ingxaki yileyo. Ndifuna ukuyozithatha ngoku uEfe engekazilahleli estratweni izinto zam.
Ingathi wena awundithathi serious okanye ufuna ukuzithatha ngexesha othande ngalo wena. Ubomi
bam bukula box.”
Simba: ”Ndizozithatha! Ucinga ukuba ukuphuma kwakho uye kula flat yakho wuzubanjwa ngula Efe?
Usiya kwiproperty yakhe. Kwiterritory yakhe! Uzophuma nje ungene ingathi ungena toilet. Sometimes,
noba kunzima kangakanani sebenzisa ngqondo yakho.”
Nomtha: ”Andikwazi ukushiya obuya bom bam phaya Simba, akundimamelanga.”
Simba: ”Into endiyaziyo kukuba ubudinga uncedo nokhuseleko ndakunika oko. Lonto ithi kum kufuneka
ndiqinisekile ukuba awubuyeli kobabom kwakhona.”
Nomtha: ”Awundiva. Ukhetha ukungandiva.”
Simba: ”Ndikuva loud and f*cken clear. Awunambulelo gqithi wena. Yilonto ube iphone yam emveni
kokuba ndikuphe imali, mali leyo you can't account for. Ndibeka isiqu sam esichengeni, nefemeli yam
ukukhusela wena! Ngalomzuzu andilalanga kwam and andikho kwam ndinawe kuba uyandidinga
andizukushiya uwedwa. Andinaxesha lalento. Andiyikhathakelanga. Andikholwa ukuba ndizidina,
ndikhathalele umntu ongena mbulelo kangaka. Andikholwa. Andinaxesha lalento mna.”
Nomtha: ”Awundiva ngesibomu kuba awundimamelanga.”
Simba: ”Whatever Nomtha. What-fu*ken-ever.”
Ungene ebathroom wambhakraza ucango. Inoba ebelungisa qho njengoba ebekhuphela imisindo yakhe
kwifurniture.
Andimvanga xa ephuma ebathroom okanye xa ehamba kuba ndibiwe bubuthongo. Ndivuke ndidiniwe
ingathi andikhange ndilale. Inoba yilento yokulala kangaka. Bendiqhele ukuphangela late ebusuku
ndilale emini. Ngoku apha bendilala ubusuku nemini yonke.
Ndisukumile ebhedini ndizicenga ndaphuma ekamireni. Indlela bendilambe ngayo ibingathi ndigronjwe
namathumbu uqobo.
Bendingayazi noba kukho na ukutya kulomzi. Bekungekho nto ithi bekuke kwatshatyalaliswa kulandlu.
Kusikosi. Andikhange ndive kwalomntu ebeqoqosha.
Nomtha: ”Yhu!”
Ndothuke ndabheka umva ndaphantse ukuwa wandibamba lomntu.

57
”Askies ukothusa, ndiba usalele. NdinguBukhosi mna, uSimba ngubhuti wam. Uthe ndizokugada.
Ndikuphathele nempahla ezimbalwa. Bendizithenga noMalkia so ndiqinisekile ukuba uzozithanda.
Unestyle.”
Nomtha: ”Ngubani uMalkia kanene?”
Bendike ndeva noSimba ethetha ngokuba ndinxibiselana naye kodwa ungaphantsi kum.
Bukhosi: ”Ngumntwana kaSimba. Mgomnye wabantwana bakhe phofu.”
Nomtha: ”Unabantwana abangaphi?”
Bukhosi: ”Kutheni ungazoyazi ukuba unabantwana abangaphi?”
Ndinyuse amagxa am. Bendingazuyazi ukuba kutheni ndingabazi, into bendiyazi kukuba andibazi. Qha.
Bukhosi: ”Bane. NguMalik omdala, kulandele uNura kuze uJunior kugqibele uMalkia.”
Nomtha: ”Unesine sonke sabantwana?”
Unqwalile.
Bukhosi: ”Yep. Awunabo wena?”
Nomtha: ”Ndingamthini umntwana?”
Bukhosi: ”Benziwani abantwana?”
Nomtha: ”Andifuni mntwana mna.”
Bukhosi: ”Uzokwenza ntoni ke apha noSimba ukuba awufuni bantwana?”
Nomtha: ”Chii?” intoni?
Bukhosi: ”Huh?”
Nomtha: ”Andizokwenza bantwana apha mna kanti utheni ubhuti wakho kuwe?”
Bukhosi: ”Anizukwenza bantwana?”
Nomtha: ”Angabenza yena mhlawumbi kodwa akazubenza nam.”
Bukhosi: ”Ungubani kanene igama?”
Nomtha: ”Kuthwe uthengele bani impahla kanti.”
Bukhosi: ”Umh kuthwe kukho 'ipain in the ass endifuna uyithengele impahla and oh! Ukuba
awuzuxakeka uzondigadela yona. Ndim lo ke, ndizogada ipain in the ass.”
Noxa bendingazimiselanga ndizive sendihleka.
Nomtha: ”Aneni Nomtha Tongai.”
Bukhosi: ”Uligweja?”
Nomtha: ”Yintoni igweja?”
Bukhosi: ”Uzondixolela. Uloluphi uhlanga?”

58
Nomtha: ”Xhosa and Zimbabwean. Umama nguMxhosa. Wayenguye phofu.”
Bukhosi: ”So ukhulele apha wena?”
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”
Bukhosi: ”Awuzange wake waya kwelalizwe likatatakho?”
Nomtha: ”Ndimncinci. Ubudlelwane buka tata nefemeli yakhe bebu ... complicated.”
Bukhosi: ”Abasekho bobabini abazali bakho?”
Ndinqwalile.
Bukhosi: ”Askies.”
Nomtha: ”Ahhh it's fine.”
Bukhosi: ”Niyadyola nyani noSimba?”
Nomtha: ”Hehe!”
Bukhosi: ”Umncinci kuye. Ndiqinisekile uyay'bona nawe lonto.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayibona.”
Bukhosi: ”Abantwana bakhe badala kuwe, uninzi lwabo. Inoba umshiya ngeminyaka emibini qha
uMalkia. Nemeko enibonana phantsi kwazo zizokwenza ukuba bangakucaceli. Nam andikucacelanga
ncam ukuthetha inyani kodwa kuba ndithanda ubhuti wam ndimenzele ifavour. But I don't approve.”
Nomtha: ”USimba uyandinceda.”
Bukhosi: ”Ngemali?”
Nomtha: ”Akakandiniki mali so akandincedi ngamali.”
Bukhosi: ”Ukuthengela izinto ngemali so potatoe potato.”
Nomtha: ”Undinceda ngendawo ekhuselekileyo endizohlala kuyo. Okwethutyana.”
Bukhosi: ”Indlela endibona ngayo nendlela athetha ngayo uSimba akuyonto yethutyana le. Ndiva
kusithiwa uzohlala eCenturion.”
Ndinqwalile.
Bukhosi: ”Unefemeli uSimba, kuyo yonke lento niyenzayo angayilibali lonto. Unefemeli unabantwana.
Uneresponsibilities. Kungoku uJunior akaziwa ukuba ulalaphi, utye ntoni. Kungoku uxabise wena
ngaphezulu kwabantwana bakhe. Akalalanga kwakhe and kukhangeleka okungathi akazimiselanga
anytime soon. Fine yenzeni lento yomhlaliswano kodwa angalibali ifemeli yakhe. Qha. Asithi yekani,
nibadala sisi nawe noxa ungaphantsi kwakhe ngeminyaka ukhangeleka umdala. Uyayazi into oyenzayo.
Andikuthandi qha.”
Nomtha: ”Akukho ngxaki ngalonto.”
Bukhosi: ”Ndikuphathele ukutya nakuya phezulu kwetafile.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

59
Bukhosi: ”Wenza ntoni apha imini yonke xa engekhoyo uSimba?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyalala.”
Bukhosi: ”Imini yonke?!”
Nomtha: ”Bendiyotywa zipilisi endiziselayo so ewe. And akukudalanga ndilapha.”
Bukhosi: ”Ipilisi?”
Ndimbonise imilenze yam wakhamisa kancinci waphinde wakhawuleza wazilungisa.
Bukhosi: ”Simba?”
Nomtha: ”Ayinguye, kutheni nonke nicinga ukuba nguye?”
Bukhosi: ”Ngubani unonke?”
Nomtha: ”Nguwe notat'uMluleki.”
Bukhosi: ”Ebekubonile uMluleki?”
Ndinwalile.
Bukhosi: ”Kucacile ukuba noMkhuseli ukubonile mos. Ububizelwe yena?”
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”
Bukhosi: ”Ukuba ayingo Simba ngubani? And ungcwatywe kwesiphi isiganga?”
Nomtha: ”Ngumastandi wam. Libali elide eliquka noSimba. Ndifunyenwe nguSimba phaya eflatini
wandinceda. Ingxaki ngoku ndishiye izinto zam phaya. Andinaxesha lefurniture. Kukho iphoto zefamily
yam phaya neletter ndandizibhalelwa ngutata. Zizo zodwa izinto endinazo eziya. Nezipho wayendipha
zona utatam. Inecklace nebracelets ... andikwazi nozilanda. ”
Bukhosi: ”Kutheni ungayozilanda?”
Nomtha: ”Kuyingozi kum ukuba phaya. Ukuba angandibona uEfe angandibamba, andiyazi into
angayenza kum.”
Bukhosi: ”Uhamba nam? Haha! Nxiba siyolanda izinto zakho.”
Nomtha: ”USimb-”
Bukhosi: ”Akakho apha. Sawuhamba sobabini undibonise ibuilding, undixelele iflat number wena
ushiyeke emotweni ndiyokulandela lento uyifunayo. Sawubuya engekabuyi.”
Bendingaqinisekanga kwaphela ngalento kodwa ezazinto kuphela kwezinto endinazo zosapho lwam.
Ngapha koko ayinobakho into enothi babeke bakhona. Bendiyidinga labox. Njengoba uSimba ebethatha
ixesha lakhe nje ebezofumana siyolahlelwa kwahell. Ukuba bezingekalahlwa.
Nomtha: ”Masambe.”
Bukhosi: ”Nxiba ke. Kukho naba tight benu kunye netrainers kweza mpahla.”
Nomtha: ”Okay. Bendiba awundithandi.”
Bukhosi: ”Andikuthandi nangoku. Kodwa ndikunceda nje.”

60
Ndiyihlekile.
Sihambile noBukhosi. Ndimxelele ukuba ayikhangele phi. Intliziyo yam ibisemqaleni wam kulamoto.
Bendingcangcazela ndithobise intloko ndizifihlile ndingabonwa. Indlela bendinexhala ngayo bekusihla
nenyembezi.
Ungene ngaphakathi kwemoto wabeka ibhokisi ecaleni kwakhe waqhuba.
Ndivelise intloko sakubakude.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Bukhosi: ”Wamnkelekile. Ayondawo landawo.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”
Bukhosi: ”Kodwa ayenzi nto right kodwa leyo.”
Andiyazi ukuba ebethetha ngantoni so ndizivalele umlomo.
Sifikile wapaka imoto sayongena ngaphakathi. Bendiyibambele esifubeni ibox yam.
Singene ngaphakathi endlini.
USimba ebekhona enyuka esihla. Usibhekile sakungena waqinisa imihlathi.
Simba: ”Emveni kokuba ndithethe nawe kakuhle ukuba andikufuni kulaflat wena urhuqela uBukhosi
phaya?! Ndikulumnkisile wena uzifaka straight ebungozini ufaka noBukhosi.”
Bukhosi: ”Andif-”
Simba: ”Ndithetha nawe?”
Bukhosi: ”Awuthethi nam kod-”
Simba: ”Vala lomlomo. You don't know who you're dealing with. Awubazi. Ukuba bekusuke nonwele
kulontloko yakho utatakho ebezofuna intloko kabani etreyini? Eyam. So shut up! Andithethi nothetha
nawe. I will adress you njengangoku umamakho amelwe yintliziyo. Andithethanga nawe Nomtha?”
Nomtha: ”Simb-”
Simba: ”Kungoba awuvanga ndisithi ndizoylungisa lento?”
Nomtha: ”Nin-”
Simba: ”Bendithe kuwe I will sort this Nomtha! Ndisuka le eGreenstone ... okokuqala andilelanga khona,
ndilele nawe apha nanamhlanje ndizolala nawe apha. Kufuneka ndicuthe ixesha elincinane endilichitha
phaya ngenxa yokuba unenkani zobubhanxa. Ndithumele uSylvester ukuba ayothatha lento yakho
uyifuna kangaka and guess what? Nguwe noBukhosi ngaphandle eHillbrow. Emveni kokuba ndikuxelele
ukuba ungayi phaya. Ndagxininisa. Ndijonge.”
Ndinyuse ubuso nje kwatsho isithonga sempama ndawisa nalobox. Ndithe ndisakhalela leyo
wandinqakula ngenwele ndisawa wandiqhaqhathekisela ekamireni.
Bukhosi: ”Ndim othe sihambe!”

61
Simba: ”Khauwhambe uyonambuzela le kwa hell. UNomtha uyayazi imeko yaphaya kodwa ukufaka
zwaba phakathi, nditheni kuye? Nditheni kuwe wena?!”
Bendikhala nje andamphendula undikhulule ndema ndithobe ubuso undibethe ngempama ngoku
ndibuthobileyo wandiphinda ngenye.
Bukhosi: ”Hay maan bhuti.”
Simba: ”Nxa! Uyaqhela wena! Ndizolala eGreenstone namhlanje. Ulinde kufike uSylvester ngaphambili
kokuba uhambe. Atye lo! Uyoqokelela lamaphepha athe saaa phaya! Nxa!”
Uyophuma ngomnyango ndashiyeka ndichopha dekre phantsi ndisothula isikhalo...

62
SEVEN
Bukhosi: ”Uyamongoza. Jonga phezulu ndizokuphathela itowl enamanzi abandayo ebathroom.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizobaright, ndiyabulela.”
Ndisukumile ndayongena kula bathroom isetyenziswa ngumntu wonke. Ndihlambe ubuso bam kwibasin
ndazijonga esipilini. Ibingekho into ebonisa ukuba ndiqhwatyiwe- ohhhh ibilimehlo nje linobubomvu.
Ngapha koko bendiright. Ukuba kungafuneke ndibethwe kwakhona ukuba ndiyolanga elabox bendizoya
kaliwaka. Imemories zam zonke zikulabox. Bendingabethwa kaliwaka ndingabi namsebenzi. Ndithathe
isikere besiphaya ndaphuma naso. Ndimgqithe emi ngasemnyango ubukhosi ndayoqokelela iphoto
neletter ezi bezithe saa phantsi.
Ndizibuyisele eboxini yakhona ndathi chu ukuya ekamireni. Izidlele zam beziqaqamba, ubuso nje bonke
zimpama zikaSimba. Intlonzi iqaqamba kukutsalwa.
Bukhosi: ”Nomtha?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngokukufaka egxakini nomntakwenu kodwa undincedile.”
Bukhosi: ”Ndikubethisile kodwa.”
Nomtha: ”Andibethwanga ngenxa yakho. Noba ubungekho wena ebezondibetha efuna.”
Bukhosi: ”Ukuba bendingekho ngewunha phumanga.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiright. Ndiyabulela ngokundikhapha. Goodnight.”
Bukhosi: ”Ndizothetha naye ubhut-”
Nomtha: ”Suyenza lonto. Myeke. Ndizozilungisela ngoku kwam.”
Bukhosi: ”Kungcono ukuba ucinga njalo.”
Ndinqwalile ndayongena ekamireni ndatsuxa ndakrama.
Bukhosi: ”Ukutya? Bekuthwe utye.”
Nomtha: ”Andilambanga. Ukuba ufuna ukundinyanzela ngokutya makandinyanzele andiqhwabe ukuba
uyaqonda kodwa andinamdla wokutya.”
Bukhosi: ”Uzohlwaya wena ngokungafuni kutya. Kuzolamba wena.”
Nomtha: ”Andinamdla wokutya ngoku. Ukutya yinto ekude le engqondweni yam ngalomzuzu.”
Bukhosi: ”Okay. Unangaphi?”
Nomtha: ”Bukhosi, enyanisweni andikho mdleni wokuncokola.”
Bukhosi: ”Ndinesiyali apha and uphethe nezinto ezibukhali wazivalela nazo so ingase uthethe.
Ungehlelwa yinto ndilapha.”
Nomtha: ”Andizuzonzakalisa.”
Bukhosi: ”Uneminyaka emingaphi?”
Nomtha: ”Ndina twenty two.”

63
Bukhosi: ”Jeez usemncinci Nomtha. Ubuhlala wedwa kulaflat?”
Nomtha: ”Bendihlala ndodwa.”
Bukhosi: ”Wenza ntoni for a living?”
Nomtha: ”Bendisebenza kwenye ibar etown.”
Bukhosi: ”Uyiwaitress?”
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”
Bukhosi: ”Nidibene khona nobhuti?”
Nomtha: ”Ewe. Ebephume netshomi zakhe namantombi abo so babencedwa ndim. Nda- ndaba iphone
kabhuti wakho-”
Bukhosi: ”Wayiba wahamba nayo engakubonanga?!”
Nomtha: ”Zange andibone. Ndandigqibele icamera zingasebenzi kanti zilungisiwe so wabona ngokuse
ayofuna ukubona ifootage kumananger wam.”
Bukhosi: ”And then nathandana xa kutheni?”
Nomtha: ”Sithandana phi nobhuti wakho? Ndimthiye ngentliziyo yam yonke uSimba. Ndiyayazi ukuba
iqalwe ndim yonke lento ngokuba iphone yakhe kodwa wayifumana. Wandibetha futhi so ibingekho
enye into ngaphandle kokuba ebendimangalele nto leyo ngeyibhetele, ndiyazi ukuba ndilibhantinti once.
Undibethile uEfe wandigxotha kwakhe, wandifumana ndisopha phantsi ubhuti wakho wandinceda
wandizisa apha wandibizela noMkuseli. Andiyazi ukuba ebebuya ezothini eflatini yam kuba into
ibisidibanisa ibingasekho. Into ngoku kukuba sendinga sena nkululeko nje kungoba uqale impi
wayobulala uright hand man wala druglord ingumastandi wam. Kwavuka impi kengoku.
Andikhuselekanga ngenxa yalonto. Andina ndawo yokuhlala andinamsebenzi. Into endinayo enegama
lam yile box qha.”
Bukhosi: ”Ubhuti uimpulsive kwaye uprotective ngabantu abakhathalelayo. Akanangxaki nokususa impi
kufiwe ukuba kuyafiwa. Yilonto ebulele laright hand man. Ngezizathu endingenozazi mna ukukhathalele.
Kwalento yokuba aphindele umva eflatini yakho ithetha ukuba umthwebule. Sikhona isizathu kwaye
ngethansanqa wancedakala. Izolunga lento. Hayi ngalomzuzu, hayi ngomso kodwa izolunga.”
Ndizivalele umlomo wam mna. Ibizolunga ndingekho kwalapha okanye omnye wethu efile. Bendinga
zukuhlalela lento mna nokuba seluthiwa ndihleli ebuntofo ntofweni kangakanani. Le yokunkulwa mihla
le?! Bendingazuyimela mna.
Nomtha: ”Unomfazi ubhuti wakho?”
Bukhosi: ”Andiva?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabuza ukuba utshatile na? Akanxibi ringi, nomnwe wakhe weringi awubonakalisi ukuba
ebenxiba iringi. Unomfazi?”
Bukhosi: ”Nomtha ukuba unemibuzo malunga nobomi buka Simba ndizocebisa ukuba ubuze kuye.”
Nomtha: ”Kuzothini xa undixelele?”
Bukhosi: ”Andinagunya lokuxelela ngemarital status sikaSimba.”

64
Cwaka.
Bukhosi: ”Nomtha?”
Cwaka. Ndiyoqabela ebhedini ndalala ngaphezulu kwengubo. Undikhwazile uBukhosi, amatyeli amaninzi
andamphendula. Ndibiwe bubuthongo.
”Nomtha!”
Ndothuswe lilizwi endingalaziyo emnyango. Intliziyo yam ibivele yabethela ukuma ndicinga ukuba inoba
kungene abantu bakaEfe bazondithatha. Ndihlike ebhedini ngo one eight ndahlala ngaphaya kwayo.
Ndizifihla. Bendicinga nokungena ngaphantsi qha bendibambeka umphefumlo ndiphefumela phezulu.
Inzandla bezimanzi kukubila ndizama nje ukuba ndiphefumle. Ndizibambe isifuba ndithoba umoya.
Inoba ebendiva ngoku ndiphefumlela phezulu.
”Nomtha! Yizotya ukutya kwakho! Nomtha!”
Huh? Ndizotya ukutya kwamu? Ibingelolizwi lizwi likaBukhosi mos eli. Kwaye bekumele ukuba swmnkile
yena kufike u- ohhhhhhhhhhh maan uSylvester! Indlela bendirelieved ngayo ndide ndakhala. Oh bawo
wam bekukufuphi ukuba ndizimtsontsele. Enkosi Bawo! Enkosi mnini ntozonke. Yhini ukothuka kangaka.
Sylvester: ”Boss? Akavuli. Andiyazi noba uhleli na kutsixiwe apha. Akatyanga. Nomtha! Uboss ufuna
ukuthetha nawe.”
And yingxaki yam ngoba? Ngoku ebeyolala eGreestone emveni kokundiqhwaba ndide ndimongoze
ebenethemba lokuba mna ndizobambana necalls zakhe? Into bendiyazi kukuba ebengasoze andibethe
engekho apha. Kuzofuneka abelapha kuqala and into endingazuyenza kukuvula elacango
ndizohlukunyezwa yilandoda ndingayizo ihamba ibetha abantu . Bendinga mthembi kwa.
Bendingazuvula kwacango. Ukuba ebezongena ebezongena ngokulibeka phantsi. Cha! Nguhayi kumu
mntakabawo. Nguhayi.
Sylvester: ”Akaphenduli. Okay boss.”
Kuthe cwaka emveni koko. Andinyakazanga nokunyakaza kulandawo bendihleli kuyo. Ume ithuba elide
kuthe cwaka okungathi umnkile ndade ndeva izihlangu zakhe.
Ebenyathela ngocoselelo ukuba ndingeva ukuba kungona ahambayo. Ndikhawuleze ndangena
ezingubeni ndaphindela ebuthongweni kwakhona. Buhle kade kweli ityeli kuba bendisoyika ukulala
kukho lomntu untantayo apha. Bendihlukumezeke ngokwaneleyo ngelaxesha uSimba ebendihlamba
endiphatha-phatha. Umzimba wam ubundikhohlisa kuba ubuyithanda lanto ebendenza yona. Uphila
uhlokome xa ndihogela ivumva lakhe. Ngoku isandla sakhe besikum- bendimzonda kakhulu ngenxa
yalonto. Ngenxa yokuba noba ndimthiye kangakanani, noba ndimqalekisa kangakanani ubusabela.
Bendingumntu onjani?
Kukhawuleze kwasa. Ndiyafunga ikhona into eyenziwayo ngexesha xa sileleyo ayikho le. Bekukho i'clock
kulakamire bendilala kuyo kwaye ibindixelela ukuba nguten past four. Bendothuswe ngamaphupha
amabi ebendibamba ngobusuku.
Bebuzohla kade kengoku ubuthongo bam kuba bendosoyika.
Sylvester: ”Nomtha? Ndiyayazi uvukile, ndikuvile ukhala. Uright?”

65
Bendikhala? Inoba bendiphumelisa ngoku ndibanjwe yile narhmani kuba andikhange ndikhale tu.
Nokuba ndiyakhala andikhaleli ukuba ndiviwe.
Sylvester: ”Wenza umsebenzi wam nzima kakhulu ngokunga sebenzisani nam. Ndixelele ukuba uright
ndizophuma enweleni zakho.”
Eziphi zona?
Ndizisonge ezingubeni ndacula ingoma eyayithanda ukuculwa ngutata xa endilalisa. Ingoma yesiShona,
awayeculelwa ngumamakhe naye. Ndiyimbhombhile ndingavalali kuSylveter. Ngamanye amaxesha,
njenga namhlanje bendiziva ndimkhumbula kakhulu kude kuqaqamba intliziyo yam. Ibingase ndibenaye
kwakhona andixelele ukuba kuzoba right. Kuba bendisuke ndaxakana nobomi ngoku. Kudala
ndandingena ezintweni kulentlalo yam yaseJo'burg kodwa le yona ibindimonqele. NoKing lo ulinxila lelali
akazange nangenye imini abuye andibethe. Akazange nangenye imini athethe amagama arhabaxa kum.
Ebendixelela indlela andithanda ngayo nendlela azosikhupha kobubomi. Mna naye. Andixelele ukuba
uzonditshata. Ndidibane nefemeli yakhe. Ebengathethi kakhulu ngefemeli yakhe kodwa bendiyazi ukuba
unabazali bobabini notamkhulu kunye nomakhulu. Ebenabo nabantwana bakowabo, ndingazi ukuba
bangaphi.
Ndim umntu ebezondlala azoneke kuye. Xa eshushu is'kakhulu. Lafeeling wokuthetha nediary kuba
uyakhuphela qha noxa ungafumani nduduzo okanye impendulo. Eyam ibimana incwina nje ivuma into
engekhoyo indixelele ukuba iyandithanda.
Mhlawumbi yiyo lonto bendibambelele kangaka. Yiyo lonto bendingam khalali kwaphela. Kukuba ndibe
ndodwa ixesha elide kakhulu, ndihoyane nomsebenzi nokuba impilo yam iberight, ndibenento yolutya.
Ndihlawule irent. Ndihlambe. Kwafika yena wandithanda, ndaqala ngaye ukuba nobudlelwane.
Qha ke ingxaki yakhe yotywala ibindichaphazela kakubi kuba ebebela nam lo. Bendisoyika ukuba
ndizawuhamba ndibuye ndingena kwanto endlini.
Kunqonqoziwe emnyango ndephatsha.
Simba: ”Nomtha ndim.”
Eish! Elixesha.
Simba: ”Nomtha!”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyeza!”
Bendingafuni ukuphinde ndimcaphukise. Umzimba wam ubungasafuni kwanto ngoku bendibethwe
kwanele. Kangangokuba besendiphaku phaku ngoku kuba andiyazi noba izongena nini impama. Lonto
ebeyibeka. Hayi ebeyiplastarisha mntakabawo ihlale ithi nca ubenesiyezi kancinci. Ibikhupha
namafufunyana leya yakhe. Ndivule ikrama ndavula isitsixo ndamvulela ucango. Ume ngaphaya
komgubasi ewarhole onke amehlo akhe nengcambu zawo ekhamisile.
Simba: ”Wenze ntoni Nomtha?! Wenze ntoni?”
Ndizikhuse ubuso xa ephakamisa isandla ndalindela impama. Kuthe kwawugqitha imizuzu ingangeni
ndamkroba kancinci. Ebendijongile etase izandla zakhe.
Simba: ”Why?”
Nomtha: ”Why ntoni?”

66
Simba: ”Uyayazi ukuba ndithetha ngantoni Nomtha. Thiza!”
Ukhuphe isandla etasini wandibamba intloko.
Simba: ”Why princess? Uzothulele ntoni?”
Ndizigqume ubuso ndakhala. Bendiqaqanjelwa yintliziyo izika ngoku into endiyenzileyo ngomsindo.
Bendinomsindo ngelaxesha ngoku besendizizilela inwele zam. Bendine afro enkulu efuku-fuku. Oko
ndandiyikhulisa kusaphila utata wam. Eyinakekele nangaphezulu kwam intloko yam ngokulahlekelwa
kwam nguye ndazixeleleka ukuba ndizoyinika inkathalo ebeyinika yonke intloko yam. Ngoku
bendizichebe zonke ngesasikere bendisithathe ebathroom. Bendifuna ukuzisusa kuba ebenditsala ngazo
gadalala xa evukwe yimisindo yakhe. Bendingayimeli into yokuzibona zishiyekele ezandleni zakhe
ngenxa yokundixhwitha. Bendifuna ukuzibona ziwile. Kodwa ngoku bendizizilela. Bendikhakiswa
nakumbona lo phambi kwam. Ndikhaliswa yindzondo bendinayo ngakuye.
Undiphilule umqolo.
Nomtha: ”Sundibamba!”
Uchophe dekre ngemphundu naye apha ecaleni kwam wathula. Ndikhale ndade ndonela ndosula ubuso
bam.
Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa. Andisoze ndiphinde ndikuphakamisele isandla.”
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuhamba. Andifuni kukhuseleka ndifuna ukuhamba.”
Simba: ”Nomtha ...”
Nomtha: ”Ha. ana Simba. Ha. ana. Nd'funa uhamba mna, andifuni ukuhlala apha.”
Simba: ”Andisoze ndiphinde ndikubethe.”
Nomtha: ”Akuna msebenzi. Ndifuna ukuhamba qha mna.”
Simba: ”Uzobheka ngaphi?”
Nomtha: ”Noba ndibheke ngaphi akunamsebenzi. IJozi ndazifundela ngoku kwam, ndizofunda nezinye
indawo ndihlale khona. Zininzi ilokishi apha eGautini. Akazundifumana uEfe.”
Simba: ”Nomtha andisoze ndiphinde ndikubethe, andifuni uhambe. Ndifuna uhlale apha nam. Ayikuba
ndicinga ukuba undityala into kodwa kungoba ndikufuna apha. Andika understandi okwangoku kodwa
andifuni uhambe. Ndiyaxolisa ngokubetha. Ndixolele.”
Ndinikine intloko yam.
Nomtha: ”Yintoni le uyifuna kum?”
Simba: ”Andizazi ukuba ndenzani nam apha nawe Nomtha. Bendizixelele ukuba ndizolala kwam kodwa
abuhli nobuthongo kuba ndiyayazi ukuba ndikushiye ungekho right ngenxa yam. Ndizulise ndazincama
ndeza apha. Andifuni ukukukhathalela mna. Kodwa ndizibona ndinexanduva lokukukhusela.”
Nomtha: ”Ngubani ozondikhusela kuwe? And andi understandi xa usithi undifuna apha, ufuna ntoni
kanye kanye?”
Simba: ”Yilento ndingayaziyo nam. Bendikhathazekile kakhulu ngawe. Andiyazi ukuba utheni ureckless
kanje ngobomi bakho. Undikhathaze nyani. Ndize ndiphaphatheka apha. Sumthathela phantsi laEfe

67
Nomtha. Unegang. Ungqungwe zizigebenga zabantu kuba naye usiso. Akanasizi lamntu. Uthengisa
abantu for a living. Ebengazukusizela kuba ngobubhanxa bam ndizibonakalisile ukuba
ndiyyakukhathalela so to settle the score nam ebezokwenza umzekelo ngawe and bekungazuba mnandi.
Kangangoba uziva okungathi usentolongweni ndenzela wena. Ndiba paranoid nam ndibaxe izinto kwaye
ndiyayixolisela lonto kodwa injongo zam ngawe ayizezokulimaza. Ndiyafunga apho. Uzohamba uye
eCenturion awuzuvaleleka endlini imini yonke. Uzophuma phandle ubethwe ngumoya sibone ukuba
awuhli na lomlilo nomuba senza njani ukubheka phambili. Uzichebele ntoni inwele zakho?”
Nomtha: ”Ndenzela xa undibetha ungabe undixhwitha ngenwele.”
Cwaka. Uphefumlele ngaphandle qha wandiphulula intloko wandibamba intamo.
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukwazi ukuba xa wehlile umlilo, uzondivumela na ukuba ndihambe?”
Simba: ”Andizukubophelela ebhedini yam ufuna ukuhamba. Ndingathanda ukuba kungafika eloxesha
ube sewundithambele wayeka ukundizonda ngalendlela undizonda ngayo ukhethe ukuhlala nam.
Andizukufuxa. Uzoba nobomi bakho nam ndihlale eGreenstown ndizo kuwe ngalomalanga.”
Nomtha: ”Yintoni kanye kanye le uzobe uyizela?”
Simba: ”Nguwe.”
Nomtha: ”Iyandibhida nyani le arrangement mna ndikuxelele. Ingase ucace ngenjongo zakho kum. Kuba
uyaziphikisa xa uzothi ufuna ukundikhusele undikhathalele kodwa nguwe umntu endiziva okungathi
ndidinga ukukhuselwa kuye. Indlela okulula ngayo ukuba undiphakamisele isandla indixelela ukuba
ungumntu owenza into ayiqhelileyo kakade. Andinawo kemna amandla wakho so ukivuma kwam
uncedo lwakho kukuvuma ukuba sisigculelo sakho mihla le. Andinangxaki mna nokubhadula.
Andinangxaki nokuba ndodwa kuba ndiyakwazi mna ukuzikhusela. Ndineminyaka ndaphima ehome
ndazihlalela ndazikhulisa ndangaka. Ndizibonela mna ukuba ndidibanisa ntoni nantoni and ndilungile
ngoko. Kuba ukwwmnkela uncedo kukuzinikela emntwini akulawule njengoba usenza wena. Andiyiboni
inkathalo kuyo yonke lento mna. Andiyiboni.”
Simba: ”Noba awuboni ikhona. Ndiyakhathala ngawe kwaye ndikufuna ebomini bam.”
Nomtha: ”Ndibeyintoni ebomini bakho? Xa kubuzwa ukuba ngubani lo uzocacisa uthini wena?”
Uzosule ubuso wajonga phezulu ephefumla.
Simba: ”Ungumntu osebomini bam.”
Nomtha: ”Andiyivisisisi lento.”
Simba: ”I like you.”
Nomtha: ”Andifuni nokuthetha ke mna.”
Simba: ”Ndiyayazi undithiyile ngoku. But I just like you. I liked you ndikubona kulaclub kodwa bendibona
okungathi usengumntwana-”
Nomtha: ”You like me ukuba ubeyindoda kum?”
Simba: ”Mhlawumbi.”
Nomtha: ”Andisengo mntwana ngoku?”

68
Simba: ”Ungaphantsi kum ngeminyaka kodwa awunguye tu umntwana.”
Nomtha: ”Ndilingana nabantwana bakho. Unabo nabadala kum so ndicinga ukuba ndingu mntwana.”
Simba: ”Ngubani okuxelele ngabantwana bam?”
Nomtha: ”Akhomntu undixelele ngabantwana bakho ndivele ndayazi nje.”
Undijamele. Bendingakwazi mna. Bendingakwazi ukuba ngomnye umntu ngaphandle kukaNomtha.
Bendingayiqheli futhi ndingaboni ndiyiqhela nanini na into yokubala amagama am.
Simba: ”Ukuxelele nantoni uBukhosi?”
Nomtha: ”Bekukho enye into ekumele andixelele yona?”
Simba: ”Ukuxelele nantoni?”.
Nomtha: ”Ndimbuze ngabantwana qha wandixelela ngabantwana. Ndambuza ngemarital status sakho
wandixelela ukuba ndibuze wena.”
Simba: ”Ohhh. Ubuze mna nyani ngam. Le yokuba uyobuza koBukhosi izondenza bandithathe okungathi
andifikeleleli kuwe. Ndingqwabalala.”
Nomtha: ”Uyalhathala ukuba bacinga ntoni ngawe?”
Simba: ”Uthetha ukuthini? Kakade ndiyakhathala. Indlela abandibona ngayo ibalulekile kum, ngabanta
kwethu. Andifuni bacinge ukuba ndiyakuhlukumeza awukwazi nondibuza nto-”
Nomtha: ”Haha! Awufuni bacinge ukuba uyandihlukumeza noxa undihlukumeza nyani? Ufuna
bakholelwe into engekhoyo yokuba undiphethe kakuhle. Ubone umntu ozomonyula esoupini qha wena
kwazele uzofumana umntu ozomlawula umlale noba kunini. Iyafuneka inyani xa umdala.”
Simba: ”Ukuba bendifuna ukukulala qha Nomtha ngendikulele ndaphuma apho. Ndifuna ubudlelwane
nawe.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyozela mna.”
Simba: ”Unengxani nobudala bam?”
Nomtha: ”Ndingengxaki nawe as a human being. Andiyazi ucinga ukuba ndizoba nobudlelwane nawe
njani ndikuth- never mind.”
Simba: ”Thetha.”
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukulala.”
Simba: ”Awuzucheba kuqala?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyozela.”
Simba: ”Ingathi utyiwe ngamalulwane.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiright kanye.”
Simba: ”Ngewungazichebanga Nomtha. Unenwele ezintle.”
Nomtha: ”Ziright ngoku zingekhoyo. Ndawuba namatshanda kaloku kukuxhwithwa.”

69
Simba: ”Ndithe awusoze uphinde ubethwe ndim.”
Cwaka.
Simba: ”Awutyanga.”
Nomtha: ”Imihlathi yam ubuhlungu andizukwazi ukuhlafuna.”
Simba: ”Ndiyok'funela into ethambileyo?”
Nomtha: ”Kuthwa uphi kwakho?”
Simba: ”Mxm.”
Ndimgxothile waphuma kulekamire bendilala kuyo eshiya engalivalanga ucango. Ukuba akalumbhakrazi
akalivali.
Ndingene ezingubeni ndalala. Bufike kade ubuthongo kodwa ndide ndalala.
Ndothuke ndisiva amazwi kwelinye icala kuhlekelwa phazulu. Intsini kaSimba isitsho kuqala. Ndagqibela
ukumva ehleka kangakaya ngalamini wayeseclubini. Bendikhumbula umsebenzi. Ibizondibhora le into
yokulala ndivuke ndijikelezane nalendlu.
Ndivukile ndayovulela amanzi ebathroom. Bendingafuni ukuhlanjwa nguSimba namhlanje
mnatakabawo.
Simba: ”Awuzucheba kuqala?”
Ndibhekile wabe enxibe ushorti nje kuphela. Ehamba ngogaga ephethe ikomityi yekofu. Ebendincumele.
Ibindikrokrisa naleyo mntakabawo.
Wonwatyiswe yintoni? Okanye ufumene umngxunya ebezondingcwaba kuwo? Huh?
Nomtha: ”Ungandicheba kodwa ndizozihlamba.”
Simba: ”Ulapha uMkhuseli uzojonga amanxeba akho.”
Nomtha: ”Amanxeba ingathi ndihlatyiwe. Zifa mnyama ezizivubeko uyazibona mos.”
Simba: ”Cheeky ekuseni kuvukwa. Uzondifumana ekhitshini.”
Nomtha: ”Nguwe noMkhuseli nababi?”
Simba: ”NoMluleki.”
Nomtha: ”NguMluleki, ibenguwe, ibe-”
Simba: ”IbenguMkhuseli, ibenguBukhosi.”
Nomtha: ”Amadoda odwa!”
Simba: ”Ewe. Ndim ndodwa umntu onentombi naye yilast born. UMalkia.”
Nomtha: ”Ngulo ubusithi ungaphantsi kum?”
Simba: ”Inoba yiminyaka emibini ukuba akakho mnye. Umntu onolingana naye nguJunior. Unatwenty
bani wena?”

70
Nomtha: ”Two.”
Simba: ”Ungaphezulu kuwe.”
Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”
Ndimlandele ukuya ekhitshini, bebencokola kodwa bathula ndakungena bandijoga bakrwaqulana.
Mluleki: ”Andifuni nobuza.”
UMkhuseli ebezama ukubamba intsini kodwa esoyisakala. Ndizibone ndincuma kancinci.
Nomtha: ”Molweni.”
Bona: ”Ewe.”
Uze nomatshini uSimba wawufaka kwiplug.
Mkhuseli: ”Nichebela apha ekhitshini?”
Simba: ”Ewe.”
Mluleki: ”Uchetywe ngubani Nomtha?”
Simba: ”Bendiba uthe awufuni kubuza nje.”
Mluleki: ”Ndiyabuza ngoku.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizichebile.”
Simba: ”Ikqayi okanye ibrush?”
Nomtha: ”Ibrush.”
Mluleki: ”Bekuse kwathini?”
Simba: ”Ebesitsha.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ngumlilo?!”
Simba: ”Yimalini ukuba muncu?”
Mkhuseli: ”Utshiswe yintoni Nomtha.”
Ndolathe kuSimba.
Mkhuseli: ”Umtshisile?!”
Simba: ”Ndikutshisile Nomtha?”
Nomtha: ”Ndithi abuze kuwe ukuba nditheni.”
Simba: ”Uzichebile! Ndingena phi mna apha?! Ndifika kusasa mna, bendise Greestone ndafika uNomtha
echebile!”
Mluleki: ”Ubulele eGreenstone?”
Simba: ”Bendilele khona ndavuka ndeza apha.”

71
Nomtha: ”Ngo4.”
Mluleki: ”Simba!”
Simba: ”Khawume Mluleki.”
Mluleki: ”Sukuthi khawume kum!”
Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”
Mluleki: ”Mxm. Izothini into njengoba uNomtha ezoyohlala eCentury? Izoqhubeka le apha naphaya
uyenzayo?”
Simba: ”Andizukwenza apha naphaya, ndizohlala eGreenstone ndiye kuNomtha ngalomaxesha.
Ukhuselekile phaya akukho sidingo sokuba ndihlale kakhulu okanye ndibe ndifuna umntu ozomgada.”
Mluleki: ”Yintoni kanye kanye le uyenzayo?”
Simba: ”Yile ucinga ukuba ndiyayenza, and andikugwexi. Yiyo nyani le ucinga ukuba iyenzeka.”
Mluleki: ”Ngokucacileyo awukabhentsi kakuhle ngento yonke.”
Simba: ”One thing at a time. Andifuni kubalekisa mntu.”
Mluleki: ”Ncncnc.”
Nomtha: ”Awufuni kundibalekisa xa kutheni?”
Mluleki: ”Zithini kengoku intlelo zakho? Long term. Awucingi ukumenza unk-”
Simba: ”Shhhh! Ewe yinto endifuna ukuyenza.”
Mluleki: ”Simba ...”
Simba: ”Awukulimazi lomatshini?”
Nomtha: ”Nithetha ngam.”
Simba: ”Ewe sithetha ngawe. Uyakulimaza umatshini?”
Ndithe cwaka waqhubeka wandiceba. Bendidikwa yilento bebethetha ngam okungathi andikho apha.
And bendibeva ukuba bathetha ngam. Ingathi kanti uzondithengisa lo unguSimba. Andimthembi tu
lomntu. Noba bendizama ukulalisa uboya bekukho nje into ebephezulu kwayo.
Ebendiqwalasele ebusweni utat'uMluleki.
Mluleki: ”Kuzofuneka sithethe Simba. Namhlanje.”
Simba: ”Sawuthetha ukuthetha kona, nawe nomama otata kodwa hayi nmhlanje. Namhlanje sithuthela
eCenturion and siyothenga impahla for uNomtha nezinto zokuhlamba kunye nokutya.”
Mluleki: ”Uthetha nathi ngantoni? Uyayenze vele lento?”
Simba: ”Ukuba kuyavuma ewe. Yinto endifuna ukuyenza.”
Mluleki: ”Akuzubakuhle.”

72
Simba: ”Andilindelanga ukuba kube kuhle. Izolo kutshintshe yonke into. Bendingahlelanga kanje kodwa
kutshintshile ngoku.”
Mluleki: ”Yintoni etshintshe izinto?”
Simba: ”Yinto endiyibonileyo. Khawundijonge ndibone.”
Ndimjongile.
Simba: ”Utsho wamhle kengoku.”
Nomtha: ”Mxm.”
Simba: ”Uyaphi?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyohlamba. Ndivumelekile ukuba ndihlambe?”
Undincinele amehlo wandolatha ngomatshini.
Mluleki: ”Madiba, sidinga ukuthetha.”
Simba: ”Sizothetha.”
Mluleki: ”Ngoku.”
Simba: ”Bhuti ndizothetha xa ndithetha nawo wonke umntu.”
Mluleki: ”Kuzobe kunini ngoko?”
Simba: ”Andiyazi, ndisaxakekile okwalomzuzu.”
Mluleki: ”Ndifuna ukuthetha nawe ngoku. Andizulinda imini ongayaziyo kwawena ndifuna sithethe
ngalomzuzu mna.”
Simba: ”Masambe ekamireni yam. ”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndiyahamba mna.”
Mluleki: ”Akhomntu unexesha lakho Mkhuseli.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ubungandibizanga ndizojonga uNomtha?”
Simba: ”Ufuna ukumlandela ebathroom? Kuba uvile ukuba uthe uyohlamba. Ukuba ufuna uyomjonga
khona by all means.”
Mluleki: ”Bayafa abantu esibhedlele lomzuzu.”
Simba: ”Mxm. Tyhini!”
Bayihlekile. Ndiyongena ebathroom ndicinga ndizama ukudibanisa lenkcoko yabo ingam kucaba
akanokwazi nokulinda uMluleki. Kakade idibanisa abazaki xa kutheni? Ebefuna ukundibulala lo. Okanye
ebefuna ukundithengisa, likhona kodwa iyelenqe ebephezulu kwalo.
Mkhuseli: ”Nomtha ndizoza eCenturion late!!”
Simba: ”Khawuhambe Mkhuseli uhlukane nalomntu! Uzoza uzoza ntoni?!”
Nomtha: ”OK!”

73
Simba: ”Mkhuseli!”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndiyahamba!”
Simba: ”Ja hamba!”

74
EIGHT
Mluleki: ”Ukuba uyayiva?! Uzoyicacisa uthini?!”
Simba: ”Uzawumxelela wena?”
Mluleki: ”Uphila phantsi kweliphi ilitye na wena? Ucinga ukuba ikhona into efihlakala kude kuphele?
Ucinga ukuba inyani ayinoze ivele?!”
Simba: ”Andimuncwanga, ndiyayazi ukuba kungenzeka ivele inyaniso ngenye im-”
Mluleki: ”So yintoni kengoku le? Unesazela mhlawumbi? Umbone wavukwa sisazela?”
Simba: ”Andinasazela.”
Mluleki: ”Then what the fu*ck?!”
Simba: ”Ndizoyenza lento, Mlu.”
Mluleki: ”Ngoba? Ngoba ubhuqwa sisazela all of a sudden wena?”
Simba: ”Andinasazela.”
Mluleki: ”Kutheni? ndixelele isizathu ke.”
Simba: ”Andizukwenza lento apha mna, uNomtha ulapha. Kungenzeka uyasiva kungoku.”
Mluleki: ”Yintanga yoJunior le Simba.”
Simba: ”Ndigqib'othini?!”
Mluleki: ”Suthetha kanjalo kum!”
Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa okay. Just- khawubhekele kum undiphefumlela. Sawuthetha Mlu kodwa hayi apha,
hayi ngoku!”
Mluleki: ”This is f*cked up. Ndiyak'thanda uyayazi lonto, and ukuba wenza into endicinga ukuba ayiyo
ndizokuxelela. Lento izochaphazela abantu abaninzi kakhulu and kuzoba kubi kumntu wonke kuquka
noNomtha lo. Kuzobanzima ngakumbi kuye kuba wena uyindoda. Noba nguwe oqale lento uzawumelwa
wena ibengathi uthakathiwe okanye uhendiwe. Ijudgement nendzondo zibe kulomntu. Zilungisele oko.”
Simba: ”Ndiyayazi yonke lonto undixelela yona. Ayonto andingayicinganga yonke leyo kwaye
ndiyakuqinisekisa ukuba ndizoyilawula ngokukwam yonke lento.”
Mluleki: ”Usaqhubeka?”
Simba: ”Sendigqibile.”
Mluleki: ”Ayonto yangoku mos? Uzosinika ixesha sizame ukukuguqula ingqondo?”
Simba: ”Haha! Andikabi lapho okwangoku kodwa ndizosebenzela okokuba kude kufikele apho ndiqonda
futhi ndiqinisekile ukuba xa ndiwothula lombono okanye isicelo sizofika kumntu osamnkelayo.
Kusenzinyana okwangoku kwaye kukhangeleka okungathi ndizikhanda inyawo.”
Mluleki: ”Qhubeka uzikhande.”
Simba: ”Hahaha! Sawuthetha bru uyandilibazisa nyani.”

75
Mluleki: ”Nisafuna ukufaka izinto ezibhokisini?”
Simba: ”Kukho abantu abazondiqoqoshela yonke into endiyisebenzisayo iye eCenturion.”
Mluleki: ”Ithi lonto uzochitha ixesha elininzi khona?”
Simba: ”Ezi zilapha izinto Mlu. Ndinayo yonke into endiyidingayo eGreenstone. Ezi bezilapha ndifuna
zibe kuNomtha xa ndiphaya. Obviously ndizochitha ixesha khona kodwa elininzi ndizolichitha kwam kuba
ndithe kuNomtha andizukumfuxa.”
Mluleki: ”Ndizokuthandazisa kuphume lemimoya ikungenileyo. Khawume ndihambe ndiye kwam,
kumfazi wam endimthandayo.”
Simba: ”Fokof bru!”
Ndisukule emnyango ndayozipurisa izitya esinkini. Andiyazi bendizisukele ngaphi kwazona ndiyeke
ukuyongena ekamireni. Qha besekulate kuba kuvuleke ucango kwaphuma utat'uMluleki k'qala, uSimba
elandela emveni kwakhe.
Mluleki: ”Ndiyanishiya kwenu mna ngoku.”
Ndinqwale nje. Xa esithi kwenu inoba ebecinga ukuba uthetha ntoni kuba bekungekho kwam tu
kwaSimba. Bekungekho nto indidibanisa nezinto zikaSimba. Bendingafuni nto indidibanisa nazo.
Budlelwane? Heh!
Simba: ”Undibulisele kuUlato.”
Mluleki: ”Kunganjani ukuba uyozubulisela ngoku kwakho? Wagqibela nini ukuya kwam? Wagqibela nini
ukubona abazali bakho?”
Simba: ”Ungambulisi ke uNom- mxm maan u nto ... uUlatho.”
Mluleki: ”Yazi Nomtha andizange ndike ndikubuze isiduko sakho. Ungumamni?”
Ndinqhwanyazise amehlo.
Mluleki: ”Awusazi isiduku ukuba yontoni?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyasazi sona kodwa andinaso mna. Phofu andiyazi noba ndinaso na, andizange ndimbuze
utatam.”
Mluleki: ”Ungubani ifani yakho? Mhlawumbi ndingaqikelela ngayo isiduko sakho.”
Nomtha: ”NdinguTongai.”
Uqinise imihlathi kancinci wakrwaqula uSimba ebendiqwalasele kwayena. Ebendijonge ngenye nje
indlela ebendingayiqondi. Okungathi uyandisikizela. Yintoni kengoku ngesi sibini?
Mluleki: ”Yho! Hayi andinoyazi.”
Nomtha: ”Inoba kukuba iyifani yaseZimbabwe.”
Mluleki: ”Oh! Awungo mXhosa kanti?”
Nomtha: ”Umama wayengumXhosa, utata nguye owaseZimbabwe.”
Mluleki: ”Ohhh yilento umnyama kangaka!”

76
Nomtha: ”Haha!”
Mluleki: ”Hayi kakubi kodwa, ungayiyo ne model ukuba ubuthanda. Ufane naba Lupita Nyong'o
bakhona.”
Ndiyihleke nje.
Mluleki: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngomama wakho ndiyeva ukuba uthetha ngaye njengomntu ongasekhoyo.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. Kwakukudala kodwa ngoko.”
Mluleki: ”Kodwa inoba kusenzima nangoku, kodwa kubhetele xa usenotata.”
Ndiyihleke kancinci. Bendinqwenela ukuba bekunjalo.
Nomtha: ”Ngelishwa akusekho nalotata, basweleka kunye nomntakwethu nomama.”
Mluleki: ”Kwingozi yemoto?”
Nomtha: ”Badutyulwa. Ndicinga ukuba yayiyi hit. Ityala lakhona alihambeli ndawo kodwa, ndike ndiye
emapoliseni kodwa bayivalile kuba ayinankqubela. So I guess andizumfumana umntu owandibulalela
Ifemeli yam. Ndiyamnkele kodwa ngoku and ndiyamnkele ukuba ndindodwa ngoku.”
Simba: ”Awukho wedwa, ndikhona mna.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa kodwa ubukho bakho abundigcobisi nakancinci. Sawuhamba ngoku? Ndifuna
ukucambalala kancinci.”
Simba: ”Hamb'ocambalala.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Ndigibisele ifayidukhwe ndancumela utat'uMluleki ngoncumo okungagqibelekanga ndahamba.
Mluleki: ”Usekunyeni!”
Simba: ”Wena!”
Mluleki: ”Ucing'b-”
Simba: ”Shhhhhh! Khawuhambe kwam!”
Ndiyongena ekamireni ndazijula ezingubeni ndilalala. Indlela bendikruquke ngayo ibingase ndife.
Bendidikwa yilento yokuba ndingayazi ukuba babhunga ntoni aba ngam. Andiyazi lento uSimba ebefuna
ukuyenza kum amnqanda kuyo ubhuti wakhe. Ibindidika yonke lento. Ngaphezulu koko bendifuqwa
nanguSimba ozixelela ukuba ndingathemba yena ukuba ngumntu endinombala ebantwini abasebomini
bam.
'Awukho wedwa, awukho wedwa.' Mxm!
Ndothuke ehleli kwisitulo esise caleni kwebhendi bendilele kuyo elesa. Andiyazi ibiyintoni into yabo
nebhayibhile nobhuti wakhe kuba bebenga hlambulukanga.
Simba: ”Ey.”
Nomtha: ”Ufunani apha?”

77
Ndibuze ndizolula ndaphethuka ndalala ngecala ndijonga kuwe.
Simba: ”Ubumane ukhala. Bendizok'vusa qha ndonqena ukuthethiswa.”
Ndijikelezise amehlo am. Mxm.
Simba: ”USylvester undixelela ukuba ubukhala nangoku ubugadwe nguye, qha ungulo ubungavuli cango
kengoku asiyazi noba ububanjwe zinarhmani na okanye ubhukhala nyani.”
Nomtha: ”Ubuso bakho ayonto yokuqala endifuna ukuyibona ndivuka.”
Simba: ”Uchildish kengoku.”
Nomtha: ”Mudhara!”
Simba: ”Udinga ispace uzovuka kakuhle ebuthongweni?”
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna undixelele ukuba nibhunga ntoni ngam nobhuti wakho kuba kucacile nithetha ngam.
Yintoni le ufuna ukundenza yona angayivumiyo ubhuti wakho?”
Simba: ”Ubumamele incoko eprivate phakathi kwam noMluleki?!”
Nomtha: ”Yinyaniso yantoni le izovela? Sisazela santoni esi ubenaso wakundibona? Uzondenza ntoni?!”
Ebethobe intloko yakhe ejonge ibhayibhile ngoku ndithethayo kodwa ebesendijongile ngoku. Intloko
ebengayinyusanga, ethathe ngokunyusa amehlo wandijamela.
Simba: ”Bendithetha noMluleki.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi ukuba ubuthetha nabani kwaye benithetha ngabani. Yintoni lenyaniso ebesithi
izovela.”
Simba: ”Nomtha awuzusabela eyiyo kuba uve imbijana apha naphaya, awuvanga incoko epheleleyo.
Akhonto ndizokwenza yona.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiziva okungathi undenza isbhanxa sakho. Ikhona into eniyihlelayo ngam. Okanye wena ke
kuba ubhuti wakho ebevakala ekunqanda.”
Simba: ”Nomtha ... ndithini? Ndinqwena ukuba ubunga mamelanga indaba zethu kuba ngoku sewusiva
izinto ngendlela yakho. Andinanjongo zokukulimaza, ndiyaphinda ndiyatsho nangoku-”
Nomtha: ”Ndixelele kaloku ukuba yintoni!”
Ugibisele ibhayibhile phezulu kwetafile kodwa yatyibilika yayokuwa phantsi. Mnkru! Ibibuthwele
ukunzima labhayibhile.
Simba: ”Singathetha ngalento ngelinye ixesha? Andinamandla wokulwa nawe namhlanje, Mike Tyson.
Ndilambile okokuqala, okwesibini ndidiniwe. Ingase ndizibone sendityile ndahlamba, ndisebhedini
ndilele. Lomlo ndicela siwumisele ungomso emveni kwemini.”
Ndimncinele nje amehlo ndaphethuka ndimzela ngomva. Ukuba ebengandi xeleli kulungile. Bendihleli
ndinga zumnyanzela ukuba andixelele kuba kucacile ukuba akafuni kuthetha ngayo. Ngulo ebethulisa
ubhuti wakhe esithi athobe ilizwi lakhe kuba kungenzeka ndive.
Ndive kunyakaza ibedi, isandla sakhe sandibamba indlebe. Undbambe intloko waphefumlela phezulu.
Simba: ”Awuzuvuka sibambe siyotya?”

78
Nomtha: ”Ndivumelekile?”
Undiyekile wasukuma ebhedini wabuya umva endijonga ebusweni ekhangeleka okungathi uyayicinga
lento afuna ukuyithetha. Okanye mhlawumbi ufuna indlela yokuyibeka. Ukekelise intloko yakhe
kwelinye icala.
Simba: ”Ndifuna sicacise into enye emveni koko ndiyakholwa ukuba asizuphinde sithethe ngalento
kwakhona. Right? Right. It's a free country Nomtha. Kuzofuneka ukuba uzikhethele ngoku ukuba ufuna
ukuqhubela ulalwa nguAyo ukufumana imali ogayiboniyo nokuba iphelelaphi then qhuba-”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayibona mna ukuba iphelelaphi imali yam.”
Simba: ”Xelela mna. You bend over backwards kaninzi enyangeni, ndiqinisekile kodwa imali oyipeyayo
incinci. Ubusematyaleni erent noEfe, ngapha utyala uAyo ushiyeke nantoni? Nix! Zilch! Nada!
Indawo ubuhlala kuyo inerote ezingange ntloko yam. Amacango eziwela, iroof kufive to ukuba ikuwele
usalele. Listen, unabantu empilweni yakho aba uzixelele ukuba uzobalekela kubo ngoku. Bekutheni
bengaku ncedi? Huh? Ixesha eli lonke uAyo uzinika kuwe azingcwabe nzulu kuwe kanti unabo abantu
bokubalekela?”
Nomtha: ”Bebengazu ndinika umsebenzi.”
Simba: ”Kakade bebengazu kunika msebenzi, kodwa bebezawu kwenza inzame zokuba lomzuzu
ukhangelayo ubenephahla phantsi kwentloko yakho, ukhuseleke-”
Nomtha: ”Andiloxanduva labo!”
Simba: ”Kutheni uzoqala ngoku? Ndiyakuxelela ukuba uhlala ngendlu ngenxa yesimo esikuso ngoku,
osaziyo nawe kodwa ndiyayilungisa yonke lento. Ndiyayilungisa. Kuzothatha ixesha nomonde kodwa
ndizoqiniseka ukuba awube ujonga ngemva usoyika ukuba uEfe angathi gqi akuxhwile. Ndilungisa lonto.
Injongo zam zicacile kuwe, kulapho ke kuzofuneka kusebenze ifaith yakho apha. Undithembe noxa
kunzima. Ndiyayazi kuzoba nzima ukuba uxhomekeke kum okanye wamnkele uncedo kum kuba kudala
wayenza wedwa lento ekuthiwa bubomi. Ndiyayihlonipha lonto, andithathi nto kuwe ndingatsho futhi
ukuba uyivesile eqhekekayo ngoku kodwa ndithi kulungile ukuba uvumele abanye abantu bakuncede.
Kwakhona andithathi kuwe namandla wakho but ndifuna ukukunceda. Ngezizathu zam eziselfish
mhlawubi kodwa andizulala nawe kuba undihlawula. Sawulalana kuba iyinto ethandwa nefunwa
ngumzimba wakho. Nam andizukufixa ngesilalo ngenxa yokuba ndincedisana nawe kodwa kuba
ndakufuna ndiqala ukukubona. Akhonto utshintshileyo nanamhlanje. Kukhona kona, yonk'into
itshintshile. Ndikutyala ukhuseleko nephahla, nemfudumalo nothando. Ndikutyala usapho. Ndikutyala
ifinancial security. Ndikutyala ulonwabo nobutsha bakho. Ndizimisele ukukunika yonke lonto okanye
ndithi yonke endinokwazi nethengekayo ngemali. Okuninzi andisoze ndikwazi ukukubuyekeza Nomtha.
Kukhulu. Ndizokunakekela. Ndifuna nje ukuba uthobe idefences zakho kancinci uzivumele ukuba
uphefumle. Uve. Usinike ithuba mna naw-”
Nomtha: ”Simb-”
Simba: ”Nomtha, no pressure. Uyayazi ukuba ndiziva kanjani mna ngawe. Kungaphandle kwayo yonke
into eyehle netyhileke emveni koko. Uyayazi ideja vu? Uzive okungathi wehlelwa yinto owawuyibonile.
Awuyazi noba liphupho okanye yenzeka nyani na kuba awusaboni nomahluko. Ndizive njalo ukujongana
nawe ngamehlo. Ingathi sasike sajamelana ngolahlobo ngaphambili. Ndiyasiqonda isizathu ngoku kodwa
phaya ndandinga siqondi. Andiyithandi la club. Andiyikhathalelanga kangako kodwa ndiye phaya
ngesizathu ngalamini. Bekufanelekile ukuba ndijongane nempazamo zam, ndizolungisa. Ndenze kakuhle

79
ngakuwe. Nangona ndiphambana nje ndiyavuya ukuba usenaso ispark emehlweni akho, ndiyavuya
ukuba usefeisty.”
Ndimjongile ndaqhwanyazisa amehlo.
Nomtha: ”Ikhona into oyitshayayo?”
Uke wathula ixesha elide endijonge ngobuso obubonisa ukubhideka. Ebengalindelanga ukuba ndimbuzo
lombuzo bendimbuza wona, ndiyacinga. Emveni kwalamdwabo wakhe kodwa bekunyanzelekile
ndimbuze.
Simba: ”Huh? Intoni?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabuza ikhona na into oyitshayayo okanye ndim lo? Kuba endaweni yokuba ndicacelwe
ndisuke ndabhideka yiyo yonke lento uyithethayo ye deja vu nantoni. Andinaye noten mna andizuzazi
ezizinto uthetha ngazo.”
Simba: ”Andikholwa ukuba uyaqhula wena ngoku ndiserious kangaka.”
Nomtha: ”Ngaphandle kokudlala andikuva nyani.”
Simba: ”Ndiyadwaba.”
Nomtha: ”Uyadwaba.”
Simba: ”Ndiyayiqonda. Ndicinga ukuba ndiyafuna ukukuxelela ndingafuni. Bendithemba ukuba uzoba
kodwa ikweqile yonke lento ndiyithethileyo.”
Nomtha: ”Okanye ubuthemba ukuba ndingayiva.”
Simba: ”Kungenzeka. So uyavuma ukuya eCenturion?”
Ndiphefumlile ndanqwala. Bendizonda into yokuba besendibona ngalendlela andizobele ngayo ngoku.
Ukuba ndinga nabahlobo kodwa ekugqibeleni ndindodwa. Abayazi nokuba ndilala noAyodeji mihla le
ukuba anyuse icontract yam. Bekulixesha elincinci nje ngaphambili kokuba adikwe ndim. Nam ndafika
bekhona abanye, bahamba ngoku ndikhoyo nabanye ngaphambili. Wabona impundu ezintsha nezifresh
waqonda 'Jackpot' bendivuya ukuba ubuntombi bam ndabunika umntu ndandimthanda. Bendiziva
okungathi walibala ndim kodwa kuba kulaminyaka yokuqala, akazange azame ukuxhumana nam.
Engafumaneki kum efounini nangeleta. Ndandithumela ndithumele iletters. Kufana noKing. Ebendidikile
ukumgqibela kwam kuba ndingulo besendimkhalala kodwa bendimcinga. Ndikhumbula ukuvuka naye
ekuseni. Ecaleni kwakhe okanye ezingalweni zakhe. Amaphupha akhe ebendiculela ngawo busuku
nemini. Ebendilungele kodwa ebengazilungelanga yena. Ebendilungele kodwa ebeke andilungele.
Bendimthanda, ndimkhathalele. Ngaphezulu koko bendikhathazekile ngaye. Kube kanti uright.
Siyotya iburger nesmoothie eKuaia. Besingancokoli ke sijonge abantu bebehleka kumnandi kubo.
Ibingekho into besingancokola ngayo noSimba. Bendimmamela ndimthambela ngamanye amaxesha
kodwa ndiphinde ndicinge ukuba andikho kuBeauty and the beast apha. Ndisemhlabeni. Lendoda
ingandithembisa izulu nomhlaba kuba nayo ifuna ukuzuza into okwangoku. Mna bendifuna ukuba kuthi
kufika ixesha elinjalo ndibe sendizuze yonke into bendiyifuna. Ndithi ndiphuma kuye ndibe
ndingaphindeli kumagoxo-goxo eflats zaseHillbrow.
Bendinomsindo kancinci phofu. Ukuba kudala ndazicubhela apha ebomini ngoku sendidinga umntu
onepincilili ecaleni kwam ukuze ndikhululeke ngokupheleleyo. Ndiyazi ukuba noba ndingaduka kukho
umntu onamandla ongatabalaza andifumane.

80
Ngamanye amaxesha wenza into, hayi ngokuba uvuke ekuseni wathatha esosigqibo kodwa kuba
kuzokunceda ukuba uyenze.
Simba: ”So emveni kokuba uswelekelwe ngabazali uyohlala phi?”
Nomtha: ”Kutete wam. Kodwa nabo bandisa ehome. Bebengenayo indawo yam ebomini babo, bezoba
nomntwana ongowabo. Abanye odabawo zange balinge nokulinga. Emveni kokuva ukuba uSamora
akanayo nepeni egameni lakhe bamnka. ”
Simba: ”Wayesemetyaleni uSam? uSamora.”
Utsho ezilungisa wathintha umqala wakhe.
Nomtha: ”Watsho okungathi ubumazi. Yonke into anayo yatyiwa. Umzi, imoto. Akashiya kwanto
mntwini.”
Simba: ”Ngokumazi kwakho wena angayenza lonto? Anishiye niphaca?”
Nomtha: ”Ukuba wayesengxakini engenayo enye indlela andinomgxeka kakhulu. Kodwa ndiyayazi
ukuba utatam ebengasoze angandishiyi nanto.”
Simba: ”Okanye ebezazi ukuba ubole kanjani ngamatyala wayifihla endaweni ethile for wena. Azange
akushiyele letter? Nto?”
Nomtha: ”Utatam wayengeso sgelekeqe Simba. Ebengasoze acinge ukuba makafihle imali endaweni.”
Simba: ”Sifuna ukucinga lonto sonke ngabantu . Kodwa akuhlali kunjalo. Umntu unelayers Nomtha,
ubayilento eniyifunayo neniyidingayo. Ndifunde lonto mna kule business yasendlini. Awukwazi ukuba
yinto enye. Njengam kwifamily yam, nawe ngoku. Nidinga umntu enizoxhomekeka kuye, nithembele
kuye anikhusele. Yilonto utata wenu ebeyiyo kuni kuba anilotshaba nina. Kodwa kutshaba ndiba
lirhamba, ndombathe isikhumba sakhona ndirhubuluze phantsi ukuba kuyadingeka. Noba andinatyhefu,
andifuni intshaba zam zisondele ngokwaneleyo ukubona ukuba andinabungozi. Utatakho ebengutatakho
kuwe kodwa awunozazi zonke indlela zakhe. Ndithi mna uhleli phezulu kwemali, ukuba ungaserious
ekuqiqeni mhlawumbi ungayifumana. Sitsho sibe zizityebi.”
Nomtha: ”Wena nabani?”
Simba: ”Mna nawe tyhini.”
Ndizinikinele intloko ndaphindela ekutyeni kwam kwakhona.
Nomtha: ”Umntwana wam wokuqala uzoba nguSamora.”
Simba: ”Ndifile! Andina mntwana ozoba nguSamora mna. ”
Hayibo nqandani!
Nomtha: ”Andizuba namntwana nawe mna!”
Simba: ”Oh?”
Utsho okungathi uyothuka nyani. Manyani nyani ebesothuka ukuba andizuba namntwana naye.
Simba: ”Uzoba nomntwana nabani ke?”
Nomtha: ”Nabantu bam.”

81
Simba: ”Mhhhh.”
Nomtha: ”Andimthandi umhhhh wakho. Kuzofuneka ndiyohlaba, ndifake iloop, nditye ipilisi
ndisebenzise nesikhuseli. Noba andilali nawe. Andikhuselekanga nje ukuba segumbini nawe!”
Simba: ”Sijongise ngabantu.”
Nomtha: ”Ngubani onexesha.”
Simba: ”Akakho. UMonti makazosilanda. Uyonqena ukuhamba?”
Nomtha: ”Kutheni ubuza? Ufuna sihambe ngenyawo?”
Simba: ”Ewe kancinci. Ndizomxelela ukuba uzosifumana phi uMonti, ikhona indawo endifuna ukubonisa
yona.”
Siphumile sahamba ke. Besingahambanga umgama omde ndacinga ukuba bendiphethe ipaperbag ene
underwears kunye nephone entsha. USimba ebephume nazo ngempazamo emotweni. Ndithe abe esithi
chu ndizobaleka ndimfumane kuba ebesithi istraight indlela.
Ndiphindele ndayifumana bendibekele ndabulela. Ndiyophuma ndagilana nenye intombi ibingena
netshomi zayo. Kuyowa iphone yakhe nalepaper bag yam. Ndothukile okomzuzwana ndabe sendixolisa
ndimcholela iphone yakhe.
”Thank you, I'm so sorry. Bendijonge iphone yam!”
Ndinqwale nje ndihlohla kakuhle izinto zam ndaphuma. Ndikhawulezile ukuhamba ngalendlela
besihamba ngayo ndajika apho besijike khona. Bendizojika kweyesibini ikona ndihambe straight
kulandela besikuyo ukubheka kwam ndabona imoto. Isuke kanye ngoku bendiphuma yathi chuu emveni
kwam. Bendinamanwele. Into awandixelela yona utata newayesokolo eyigxininisa kukuba ndimamele
umzimba wam. Ukuba uyandilumnkisa ndilumnke nyani. Noba abukho ubungozi kodwa kubhetele ukuba
safe than sorry. Zonke inwele emzimbeni wam bezithe phatsha. Ndinamanwele nje. Ndinyuse isantya
ndiyibheka kancinci yabe inyusa esayo. Hayi ke ndaqhawula. Into bendiyithanda ngomzimba wam
kukuba ubundivumela. Nemilenze yam emide ndithi 'one!' Two!'
Ibiseyibaleka nayo kengoku qha yaxingiswa yenye ibibuya umva. Ndibheke kuthaka omnye emotweni
ndakhala ndibaleka ngakumbi. Ibisisigantsontso esifana nesi sisebenza naso eclubbini. Ndizive
sendiphelelwa ngumoya, inyawo zam sezilenga lenga emoyeni ndangeniswa emotweni yabaleka
ngesantya esikhulu. Bendimangele ukuba ndisayiphethe lepaper bag. Ndivele ndakhala ndisazama
ukukhokha umoya.
”Balahle Monti.”
Monti: ”Yes boss. Address?”
”Jikeleza kancinci usise eCenturion. Ufounele uSylvester as soon as you can. Umxelele aze kum
namhlanje. Afounele noMluleki.”
Monti: ”Yes boss.”
Simba: ”Bloody Foreigners! Damnit! Nguban- Monti ibingubani ebeyi shadow?”
Monti: ”Killer boss.”
Simba: ”Yeses!”

82
Monti: ”Ndizoba namazwi naye.”
Simba: ”Ndizothetha naye ngok'kwam. Jikeleza ulahle umkhondo usise endlini. UNomtha Akakho right.
Ndibize uMkhuseli?”
Ndinikine intloko. Ibingathi kuzobuya konke ukutya bendikutyile. Bendingekho right tuuu. Kwenzekeni?!
Kwenzekeni?!

83
NINE
Ndingene nje ndangqala etoilet ndiphalaza yonke into bendiyityile. Ndithobe phaya ethobhini
ndisakhonyuluka ndikhala nokukhala. Umzimba wam wonke ubungcangcazela. Kungene uSimba
wandinika amanzi asembombozini. Ebendivulele isiciko.
Simba: ”Sela.”
Nomtha: ”Waita zvako.” ndiyabulela.
Simba: ”Ndibize uMkhuseli akuphathele into ezokunceda ulale. Ndiyaxolisa, ngendinga kuyekanga
uhambe uwedwa.”
Nomtha: ”Bekukangaka bandibambe. Andiyazi noba ndiwathathephi amandla okubaleka ... baphantse
bandithatha.”
Uthobile wachopha ecaleni kwam wandiwolela esifubeni sakhe endiphulula umqolo kuba bendikhala.
Simba: ”Shhhhh ... abakuthathanga. Ukhuselekile, abasoze bakufumane.”
Nomtha: ”Bazondilalela. Bazondifumana.”
Simba: ”Ayisoze yenzeke lonto princess. Hayi ndiphila, abasoze bakufumane. Ndizobenza bazisole
nokuba bekuleqela ntoni.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizozifihla kude kubenini? Ndizohlala ndijonge ngemva kude kube nini?”
Simba: ”Nomtha, ndizoyilungisa yonke lento.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyoyika.”
Simba: ”Ndiyayazi. Ndiyayiqonda futhi. Ukhuseleke kodwa apha. Abasoze basondele tu apha. Nokuba
bayasondela abasoze balenze ixesha.”
Nomtha: ”Uqinisekile abasoze bandifumane?"
Simba: ”Ndiqinisekile. Abasoze bangene apha.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyoyika.”
Simba: ”It's okay. It's okay. Awufuni ndikuvulele amanzi?”
Ndiphefumele phezulu.
Nomtha: ”Ja.”
Simba: ”Yiza ndikuncede usukume.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizozihlamba. Ndifuna ukuba ndodwa kancinci.”
Simba: ”Bendizokuvulela amanzi qha. Ndilindele abantu.”
Nomtha: ”Okay.”
Simba: ”Awufuni nto yokuphunga?”
Nomtha: ”Ha.a ndiyabulela.”

84
Undivulele amanzi wandishiya. Ndisale ndihlamba ndake ndahlala emanzini ndivale amehlo. Bendimva
ngoku athethayo- phofu ebeshoutisa kwelinye icala.
Ndihleli amanzi ade abanda ceke, nangoko andiphumanga. Bendingenawo amandla okusukuma.
Bendichubhukile. Ibingase ndikhale kakhulu. Ndizile. Ndizilele inkululeko yam. Ibingathi ayibo bomi bam
obu bendibuphila. Ibingathi bobomnye umntu nje.
Kunqonqoziwe emnyamgo ndawujonga nje andathetha. Livuleke kancinci kwangena uSimba.
Simba: ”Unehours ulapha.”
Eboyame ngocango endijongile. Ndimjonge nje ndimqala ngezantsi ndinyuka naye.
Uze ngakum wachophe kwitub enkxuza isandla sakhe emanzini.
Simba: ”Abanda ceke lamanzi, ufuna i pneumonia?”
Cwaka. Uphefumlile wandijonga ebusweni. Ebenamehlo amancinci amnyama. Ebeba mancinci ngakumbi
xa ewancina.
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ubomi bam.”
Akandiphendulanga.
Nomtha: ”Andizukwazi ukuphila kanje mna. Kubhetele ndizise kubo aba bantu. Agqibe ngam
ndiphelelwe lixhala. Andikwazi ukuphila kanje, andikwazi. Ndifuna ubomi bam."
Simba: ”Uzobufumana ubomi bakho. Ndiyayazi kunzima Precious kodwa kuzofuneka ukuba womelele.”
Nomtha: ”Andifuni komelela, andifuni. Ndifuna ubomi bam mna. Ndifuna yonke lenarhmani iphele.”
Simba: ”Izophela.”
Nomtha: ”Nini?”
Simba: ”Andiyazi ukuba nini kodwa izophela yona. Nomtha ndizamana nokuyikungisa yonke lento-”
Nomtha: ”Ngesasantya wenze ngaso ukuba kube nje ndicela uyilungise ngaso.”
Simba: ”Ayisebenzi kanjalo.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizovaleleka apha ubomi bm bonke, ndizominxeka! Ukujamelana nalamagumbi, ndingaboni
bantu! Bubomi obo?! Andiphangeli, andifundi. Ndenza ntoni?!”
Simba: ”Uzofunda ukuba uyakufuna ukufunda. Uzotsho ufumane umsebenzi obhetelana kunalowa
wakho xa ufundile. Kungadingeki ukuba uzitwezele ndoda ongakholwanga yiyo.”
Nomtha: ”Umzuzwana nje. Ndidibana nawe umzuzwana kodwa sewukwaze ukuhlanga-hlanganisa
ubomi bam ngoluhlobo. Usekhona omnye umonakalo osezowenza?”
Simba: ”Phuma kulamanzi ungangenwa yingqele.”
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukungenwa yingqele ndife.”
Simba: ”Awuzufa.”
Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukufa!”

85
Simba: ”We don't always get what we want.”
Nomtha: ”Ndasinda ukubulawa nabantu basekhaya ukuba ndizotrafeka okuhlobo! Ngendinga hambanga
ndafa nabo mna.”
Simba: ”Nomtha sukuthetha kanjalo. Ungaphinde uthethe kanjalo. Ukuba bekufanele uba udutyulwe
ngewawudutyuliwe. Ungak'linge uthethe kanjalo. Yonke into izolunga. Kunganga khangeleki njalo ngoku
kodwa uzobona kuzolunga. Sukunikezela ngoku, usuka kude kangaka.”
”Boss.”
Simba: ”Nank'uKiller.”
Monti: ”Nank'uKiller ukhona.”
Simba: ”Mseni eflattini Monti, uphi uSylvester?”
Monti: ”Ukhona uthetha noMlu.”
Simba: ”Hambani nobathathu ndiyeza.”
Monti: ”Sure boss.”
Nomtha: ”Hamba, yiya kuye.”
Simba: ”Ndilinde uMkhuseli uzoshiyeka naye de ndibuye kuba noMluleki uzohamba nathi.”
Nomtha: ”Andidingi baby sitter.”
Simba: ”Uyidinga, ungayidinga. Uyifuna, ungayifuni uzoshiyeka nayo. Andizukushiya wedwa ushukuxeke
oluhlobo. Uphume kulamanzi!”
Usukumile wayophuma. Ebehamba ngenyawo phantsi enganxibanga zihlangu. Ndiphumile ndazomisa
ndacoca ibathtub.
Ndithambisile ndayonxiba impahla zokulala negown ndachopha phezulu kwebhedi. Ebenyanisile
ngokuthi bendishukuxelile. Bendishukuxele ngamandla. Izandla zam oko bezingcangcazela, bendiphaku-
phaku. Bendifane ndiziqinisa ndisithi ukuba bebendithathile kodwa bendisoyika. Ndivale icurtains
ndacima isibane ndilayita iside lamps. Kudimishile.
Kuhle, bendingazu bonwa mntu.
Andiyazi ndihleli ixesha elingakanani ndijamile phaya. Bekuncokolwa kwelinye icala, ndisiva amazwi nje
kuphela. Ndingeva ukuba bathetha bathini.
Kuvuleke ucango kunganqonqozwanga wazigibisela ngaphakathi uSimba waxinga ebheka-bheka.
Simba: ”Sitshile isibane?”
Nomtha: ”Asitshanga.”
Simba: ”Intonayo?”
Nomtha: ”Sikhanyisa kakhulu. Ingathi ndiyabonakala ngaphandle.”

86
Uncine amehlo.
Simba: ”Ndiyakuqinisekisa, akubonakali nto.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuxelela kuyabonakala.”
Simba: ”Alright. Ukuba ufuna kube mnyama kanje ukuze uzive ubhetele akukho ngxaki.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Simba: ”UMluleki ukuphathele imash and gravy kaUlatho. Ndimxelele ukuba uyayithanda wakuphakela
yona.”
Nomtha: ”Batya imash negravy qho kulamzi kanti?”
Uyihleke kancinci.
Simba: ”Benzela umntwana wabo.”
Nomtha: ”Sendithe nqa.”
Usondele kum wandibamba isandla wasiphuza ngaphakathi.
Simba: ”Uyangcangcazela.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”
Simba: ”Sukwenza lonto nam, akukho sidingo sokuba uziqinise kum. Ndiyayazi wothukile and kuzothatha
ixesha ngaphambili kokuba uberight. Masambe uyotya ukutya kwakho.”
Nomtha: ”Ndonqena ababantu baphaya.”
Simba: ”Abazukwenza nto, subonqena. Ulambile?”
Nomtha: ”Kakhulu.”
Simba: ”Masambe ke uyotya.”
Ndinxibe islippers ndalandela emveni kwakhe.
Bekukho uMluleli, uMkhuseli kunye nomnye ubhuti bendingamazi. Ebengengo Monti qha.
Simba: ”Kutheni ushiyekile wena Sylvester?”
Ohhh ibinguye lo uSylvester! Ebemde enxiba ihempe egqamileyo noshoti obeige. Ebenenwele eziblonde.
Ebengeyiyo tu lento bendiyilindele kwaye ebenganxibanga ngoluhlobo bendilindele ukuba anxibe ngalo.
Sylvester: ”Bendiba uzofuna ndishiyeke apha.”
Simba: ”Ndim umntu ozoshiyeka apha, hamba kuMonti. Ubhuti uzoza azothetha naye ngoku kwakhe
uKiller.”
Mluleki: ”Wena?”
Simba: ”Andizukwazi ukushiya uNomtha yedwa, uyandidinga.”
Undikrwaqule uMlu waphinde wajonga kuSimba.
Mluleki: ”Sawukwenza ugaan and treg. Asizuhlala xesha lingako, uMkhuseli nanku.”

87
Simba: ”Ndiyashiyeka.”
Mluleki: ”Andikukholwa.”
Simba: ”Awukholwa ntoni? Ukuba uNomtha wothukile kuba ephantse waxhwilwa wayokwenziwa God
knows what, God knows where! And I'm prioritizing her kuba uyandidinga ngaphezulu kokuba kudingeka
ukuba ndiye kuKiller?!”
Mluleki: ”UKiller compromised uNomtha. Bekumele ukuba uvule amehlo akaqhwanyaza
nokuqhwanyaza kodwa akabonakalanga kwa eleqwa ngabantu bakaEfe uNomtha. Kungenzeka ukuba
ngumngcatshi.”
Simba: ”Mbulale kaloku ukuba ucinga njalo.”
Mluleki: ”Masambe Sylvester.”
Simba: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Mluleki: ”Nomtha, ndiyaxolisa ngento ephantse ukwehlela namhlanje.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Simba: ”Nizawundazisa ukuba nihambe njani.”
Mluleki: ”Sawukwazisa ukuba sihambe njani ntoni?”
Simba: ”Nimncine.”
Mluleki: ”Inoba ucinga ukuba ndiphethwe nguwe wena. Goodnight Nomtha.”
Nomtha: ”Goodnight.”
Baphumile bavala ucango. Undikhuphele le mash and gravy seyifudumele kakuhle wandinika yona.
Simba: ”Uzohamba nini wena?”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndilinde uNomtha ndizomhlaba le injection.”
Simba: ”Mhlabe uzohamba.”
Mkhuseli: ”Njengoba esatya?”
Simba: ”Mhlabe Mkhuseli, uzoma umzuzwana ngokutya.”
Ukhuphe izinto zakhe wandosula ngewipe wandihlaba.
Mkhuseli: ”Izokulalisa.”
Ndinqwalile.
Mkhuseli: ”Nizombulala nyani uKiller?”
Simba: ”Ndiphi mna?”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndiyabuza.”
Simba: ”Nam ndiyabuza ukuba ndiphi na mna Doctor. Ndilapha endlini nawe. Founela uMluleki
umbuze.”

88
Mkhuseli: ”Mxm! Ufuna ube undiphoxisa ngoMluleki.”
Simba: ”Wawuthe awufuni nto ekudibanisayo. Yiba ngugqirha ke uphume ezintweni ezingadibenanga
nawe.”
Mkhuseli: ”Oh xa kufuneka ndizonithunga apha ndiyangena ezintweni ezingadibenanga nam k-”
Simba: ”Udinga intombi wena, lento uyenza nam ngoku uyoyenza naye. Andinaxesha lalonto mna
ngoku. Kunabantu abafuna uNomtha nam so ndizomosha amandla am kulonto pretty boy.”
Mkhuseli: ”Yintoni le uzifake kuyo kulegame?”
Simba: ”Futsekh ezintweni zam. Uhambe uye kwakho.”
Mkhuseli: ”Aniphekanga?”
Simba: ”Ngeliphi ixesha?”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndilambile.”
Simba: ”Hamb'otya eGreenstown. Andithi uqhele ukutya khona.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndizobe ndibuzwa wena ingxaki.”
Simba: ”Uzobe ubuzwa ukuba nditheni mna? Bayayazi bendithe ndizoya ngomso kuba ndine date
nabantwana.”
Mkhuseli: ”Uya xa unedate nabantwana qha?”
Simba: ”Ndiyaya eGreenstone. Andiyazi kutheni wonke umntu ecinga ukuba unegunya nelungelo
lokwazi ngokuphuma nokungena kwam emzini wam!”
Mkhuseli: ”Ingxaki ndiyayazi ukuba awudli ngokunqabelana kangaka nabantwana bakho. Kutshintshile
ngoku- kugqithe intsuku ungatyanga nabo idinara nesophoro. Bayakubuza qho, ngakumbi Malkia.”
Simba: ”Ndathetha nabo abantwana ndabaxelela imeko ukuba injani ngoku. Bayayazi. Bayayazi futhi
ukuba ndiyeka nantoni na xa bendidinga. Qha akuzufana nakuqala ngoku ngenxa yemeko but ndiyaya
eGreenstone ndilale nokulala. Ewe bazondikhumbula kakade kuba baqhele ukuba ndibekho 24/7.
Akusenzeki ngoku.”
Mkhuseli: ”UJunior ithini into yakhe?”
Simba: ”Undiyeke ngoJunior.”
Mkhuseli: ”Bhuti! Ngumntwana wakho lowa. Noba uyintlobo enjani yemess kodwa ngumntwana wakho
kwaye uzohlala ekudinga.”
Simba: ”UJunior akalufuni uncedo Mkhuseli. Andiyazi noba kufuneka ndenze njani ngoku yilonto
ndincama kuba akhonto singayizamanga nomamakhe ukumnceda ngengxaki yakhe. Kodwa usithembisa
ukutshintsha simvulele ikhaya labantwana bethu azosibela! Anyamalale. Akasabonakali nakulaHillbrow
ngoku. Andiyazi ube ilaptops wayotshona kweliphi.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ube ilaptops?!”
Simba: ”Utsho umamakhe. Uthi wayeye eyombona, caba bayabonana xa ndingekho mna ndifihlelwe-”
Mkhuseli: ”Omama ngabantwana babo.”

89
Simba: ”Wabela uMalkia noNura ilaptops.”
Mkhuseli: ”Funa ababantu bakho bamkhangele bamfumane ayofakwa ekhabalaza erehab!”
Simba: ”Ndingakunika inumber zawo wonke umntu onganceda Mkhuseli uyenze yonke lonto ngoku
kwakho. NoMluleki angakuncedisa naye kuba bendigqibele efuna. Mna ndi out. Ndizame konke
andisafuni kuzama.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ilaptop zibaluleke ukogqitha umntwana wakho?”
Simba: ”You're being stupid.”
Mkhuseli: ”Andiqondi ingxaki yam. Ufika njani, nini kwisigqibo sokuba unikezele ngegazi lakho? Yinto
enifundisana ngayo notata noMluleki kule business yenu? Ukuba umntu uyancanywa? Ukuba uyawabala
amathuba. Kumnandi nilala nityile ezibhedini ezinkulu, ezintofo ntofo umntwana wenu usesithubeni!
Nilala kanjani?”
Simba: ”Mna ndilala kakuhle nje. Kuba akhonto ndingazange ndiyenze njengotata kuba eluxanduva
lwam lamfana, waziswa ndim emhlabeni. Ndimpha uthando, ndingaphoswa nayenye into efuna umzali.
Ndiphuma naye njengabanye abantwana sijongane kanje emehlweni ihours. Ndamonyula kwizinto
ezininzi ngenxa yobutywala. Si'apoilt brat esinxila nje kuba kumnandi uJunior!”
Mkhuseli: ”Undiphe icontacts ezi. Ndizomfumana ndimfumane mna.”
Simba: ”Good for you.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndizotya eGreenstone.”
Simba: ”Indoda endala ihamba isitya kulemizi okungathi abazali bakho azange bakufundise ukupheka.”
Mkhuseli: ”Akumnandanga ukutya kwam.”
Simba: ”Ncncnc ...”
Mkhuseli: ”Uziva njani Nomtha?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiright enkosi.”
Mkhuseli: ”Uberight. Goodnightini.”
Simba: ”Ndizoy'thumela imali yakho.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ungayithumela ngoku ndiyofumana into yokutya.”
Simba: ”Hamba eGreenstone.”
Mkhuseli: ”Oh undithumela eGreenstone ngoku?”
Simba: ”Hamba.”
Bajongene ixesha elide banqwala bobabini. Usondele kubhuti wakhe uMkhuseli wamanga ithuba elide.
Simba: ”Ndiyak'canywa.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndiyak'thanda nam grootman.”

90
Umkhulule wayothatha izinto zakhe wayophuma ngomnyango engaphindanga wathetha. Ujonge
umnyango nangoku sephumile. Ndithinte umqala ndimothusa, wajonga kum. Uphefumlile.
Simba: ”Uyibonile le enye ikamire injani?”
Nomtha: ”Uzolala esofeni.”
Simba: ”Besendibuza ukuba uyibonile na.”
Nomtha: ”Oh okay. Uzolala esofeni.”
Simba: ”Akukho ngxaki. Uzotya imash yodwa kengoku? Kuba xa kutyiwa enye into uyahlutha.”
Nomtha: ”Bendityile eKuaia.”
Simba: ”Oh sendilibele. Khawume ndiyohlamba nam, ndizolala. Uzoba right wedwa?”
Nomtha: ”Ndisharp.”
Undibambe igxalaba wahamba wayongena ekamireni. Bekukhangeleka ndithathe imain bathroom mna.
Ndigqibezele ukutya kwam. Kukhale iphone yakhe ndayijonga nje yade yathula. Iqale apho ibiyeke khona
yathula kwakhona. Yenze lonto amatyeli amaninzi ndancama ndayithatha ndaya nayo ebathroom.
Nomtha: ”Simba!”
Simba: ”Huh?”
Nomtha: ”Phone!”
Simba: ”Yiphendule.”
Nomtha: ”Andizu phendula phone yakho mna.”
Simba: ”Yisapha, ngubani?”
Nomtha: ”Ngu ... Queen.”
Simba: ”Ndicela uyizise apha ngumntwanam.”
Ndingenile wabe ezimisa ekhangeleka okungathi uphuma ngalomzuzu emanzini kuba usemanzi.
Ndilahlisile.
Simba: ”Loudspeaker. Sweetheart?”
”Daddy ndiseBraamfontein. Ndicela undilande abanye abafan-”
Simba: ”GPS. Location. Ndiyeza!”
Malkia: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”
Simba: ”Akukho security guard somewhere?”
Malkia: ”Sikhona.”
Simba: ”Hamba kuso umxelele ukuba ulinde utatakho. Honestly Malkia!”
Malkia: ”Askies.”

91
Uthathe iphone kum wandishiya apho wayophuma ngomnyango wekamire. Ndiphindele ekhitshini
ndachopha kulandawo bendichophe kuyo. Bendisoyika ekamireni. Ingathi kuzovele kuthi gqi umntu
ngaphaya kwecurtains okanye kwiqardrobe. Uphume enxibe umzantsi wetracksuit nerunning shoes.
Simba: ”Masambe.”
Nomtha: ”Nam?”
Simba: ”Andizukushiya wedwa apha. Uright ngoku unje ungatshintshi. Awuzuphuma emotweni.”
Nomtha: ”Simba.”
Simba: ”Nomtha andizukushiya wedwa apha usoyika nesithunzi sakho.”
Ndisukumile ndaphuma kuqala. Ndikhwele ngemva. Bendisenzela ukuba umntwana wakhe ahlale
ngaphambili.
Simba: ”Seatbelt!”
Ndothuke ebuthongweni sembhakraza ucango wakhoya eyotshona. Ndithe phatsha ndaphunguza
ndikhangela into endingayaziyo. Uphinde wangena kwabe sekusiza amantombazana amabini enxibe
izigcebhezana zelokhwe nenwele ezibetha entla kwempundu.
Omnye uzohlala ecaleni kwam ngemva, omnye wahlala ngaphambili. Ungene nje waqhuba uSimba.
”Hi.”
Kutsho lo ebehleli ecaleni kwam. Ebenuka phuqu butywala.
Nomtha: ”Hello.”
Ibingenguye uMalkia kuba ayililo eli bendiliva efounini.
Ubhekile yena encina amehlo.
Malkia: ”Hi! Ndithi udaddy uhamba yedwa. Who's this?”
Ubuze utatakhe.
Simba: ”Sundiqhela Malkia. Ukoma Braamfontein ngalamaxesha obusuku uhamba ngaze! Unxilile!
Usakwazi ukuthetha still.”
Malkia: ”Oh askies ndithule. I'm quiet. Shhhhh Mbasa.”
Baphelile yintsini netshomi yakhe. Xa bezama ukuzibamba baphele ngakumbi. Ndincume kancici.
Malkia: ”Askies, askies! Ndifounele uMalik ke sana qha ikuvoicemail iphone yakhe. Hi, ndingu Malkia
mna. Ungu?”
Simba: ”Kia.”
Malkia: ”Oh kanene shhhhhh. Uyasigodusa?”
Simba: ”Ewe ndiyakugodusa.”
Malkia: ”Who's this?”

92
Simba: ”Sela amanzi uthule. Andikholwa ukuba uirresponsibe kangaka Malkia! Uyintoni eBraam
ngalamaxesha. Ufuna ukudlwengulwa ubulawe? Yintoni yakho elapha?!”
Malkia: ”Ayonto.”
Simba: ”Kokokugqibela ndikulanda esithube ngobusuku. Kokokuqala kokokugqibela. Ndiphinde
ndifumane icall yakho ezinzulwini zobusuku! Uphi umamakho?”
Malkia: ”Ukhona.”
Simba: ”Uthe uyaphi kuye?”
Malkia: ”EBraam.”
Simba: ”Ufounele wamxelela ukuba kukho abafana bebenithatha ngenkani?”
Malkia: ”Ndimxelelanga, ndicinge wena.”
Uthule wamkrwaqula. Umncumele uMalkia naye wancuma kancinci.
Malkia: ”Love you.”
Simba: ”Sela amanzi ngaphambili kokuba utipe. I love you too.”
Malkia: ”Bendikukhumbula.”
Simba: ”Ndizoza ngomso.”
Malkia: ”Awuzulala endlini then?”
Simba: ”Andizulala endlini.”
Unqwalile.
Malkia: ”Siyak'khumbula endlini. Nguye lomntu athi umama uhlala naye lo?”
Simba: ”Nguye, and andihlali naye. Ndihlala endlini.”
Malkia: ”Kweyiphi indlu?”
Simba: ”Malkia!”
Malkia: ”Awuhlali endlini. Uhlala phi? So that umntu xa ekufuna azokubona.”
Simba: ”Anytime xa undifuna uzondifumana. Ndifounele nje wena awusoze ungandifumani.”
Malkia: ”Umama yena?”
Simba: ”Stay out of it.”
Undikrwaqule wajonga phambili. Siyomisa ngaphandle wavula ucango lwemoto wayoncedisa uMalkia
ukuphuma bayongena eyadini. Ndiphefumlile ndakushiyeka ndodwa. Ukhawuleze waphuma.
Simba: ”Ndizolalisa uMalkia ndiphume ngoku. Uzokoyika?”
Nomtha: ”Ndizobaright.”
Simba: ”Awufuni kungena?”

93
Nomtha: ”Hayibo!”
Simba: ”Ndizokhawuleza.”
Ndinqwalile. Uyikhiyile wayongena ngaphakathi. Ndishiyeke ndivala amehlo kuba ibibangathi ndibona
umntu xa ndityhilile. Ibengathi usithele emahlahleni.
Ndothuswe licango livuleka.
Simba: ”Yizokhwela apha ecaleni kwam.”
Ndisukumile ndaphuma. Bekukho umntu ongumama omi emnyango esongele izandla zakhe esifubeni
ejonge kum. Ndimjongile nam.
Simba: ”Hey.”
Ndimjonge okokugqibela ndangena emotweni.
Nomtha: ”Ngunkosikazi wakho lo?”
Simba: ”Faka ibhanti sihambe.”
Nomtha: ”This is fucked up.”
Simba: ”Faka ibhanti.”
Nomtha: ”This is shitty.”
Simba: ”Nomtha ngumama wabantwana bam uNokulunga and uyayazi ukuba xa ndingekho endlini
ndiphi. Akhonto ishitty apha.”
Nomtha: ”Ndinengxaki ezoneleyo mna, andifuni ezinye ezingadibenanga nam. Hamb'ondibeka uze
emzini wakho ube nabantwana bakho.”
Simba: ”Ndizolala eCenturion. Ndizolala apha ngomso. Faka ibhanti sihambe.”
Nomtha: ”Usasijongile.”
Simba: ”Faka ibhanti.”
Sihambile ndakufaka ibhanti. Besithule indlela yonke ukubheka eCenturion.
Kukhale iphone yakhe wayijonga nje akayiphendula. Iphinde yaqala phantsi kwakhona.
Simba: ”Ngumama, ndizothetha naye ngomso.”
Nomtha: ”Inoba ufounelwe nguNkosikazi wakho.”
Simba: ”Shit! UMalkia kodwa, eish! Kuzofuneka ndiyilungise ngokukhawuleza lento.”
Ndizivalele umlomo wam ndajonga indlela. Bendingayazi ukuba yintoni le ebezoyilungisa, bendingafuni
nokwazi kuba bendinga ngeni ndawo.
Simba: ”Simenywe ngabazali bam ngomso. Kuthwa ndize nawe.”
Ndikhawuleze ndamjonga! Ebefunda imessage wandinika nam andayithatha yayowa phantsi.
Nomtha: ”Andizuyapho mna.”

94
Simba: ”Sewuyekile ukuchitha imini nabantwana bakho ngoku?”
Simba: ”Sawuya ngokuhlwa.”
Nomtha: ”Akhonto yenzekayo phakathi kwam nawe.”
Simba: ”Akhomntu othe kukho into eyenzekayo.”
Nomtha: ”Umntwana wakho uthi 'ndihlala nawe.”
Simba: ”Kanti?”
Nomtha: ”Uxelele umfazi wakho lonto?!”
Simba: ”Nomtha ... ndinentloko. Niyandi stressa.”
Mxxxxm ebephambene ukuba ebecinga uba ndizoya kubazali bakhe mna ... tyhini!

95
TEN
Ndothuke ebusuku intloko yam iphezulu kwesifuba sika Simba, ndixwelise ebhedini. Andithanga nqa
kutheni bendigodola kangakaya kuba ingubo bezisemazantsi ebhedi.
Ndisukumise intloko wam wothuka ngoko nangoko.
Simba: ”Uphupha kakubi?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyagodola.”
Simba: ”Uzikhabile kaloku ingubo. Akakhange uphinde ubene narhmani?”
Ndinikine intloko yam. Ndisudukile kuye ndayolala ekoneni yam kwakhona.
Sifike sangqala ezingubeni ukubuya kwethu eGreenstone. Phofu uye wathatha ingubo wayolala esofeni
yena mna ndayolala ekamireni ebhedini.
Ndothuswe nguye ndimanzi xhopho. Waphinde wandothusa kwakhona esithi bendikhala ndabe
ndinenyembezi nyani. Ugqibele selala ecaleni kwam.
Simba: ”Nditshatile.”
Uvele watsho esidlangalaleni. Bendileli ngecala ndimzele ngomva, andiphethukanga nangoku atshoyo.
Nomtha: ”Ndiy'qondile ukuba utshatile Simba. Noxa ubunga ndiniki impendulo xa ndikubuza kodwa
icacile ukuba utshatile.”
Ndimve ephefumlela phezulu.
Simba: ”Ndiyamthanda unkosikazi wam.”
Nomtha: ”Njengoba kufanele.”
Simba: ”Awuvele uyicime imizwa, ngakumbi xa uneminyaka unomntu. Sadibana eUniversity, wayesenza
ifirst year yakhe mna ndikwi last year. Isikolo zange yaba yinto yam. Ndaya nje kuba utata efuna
ndibenento yokuwela kuba bendizongena kwi family business ngokucacileyo. Ebesithanda ke yena
isikolo, esikhuthalele nam ngokuba naye ndazimisela ndifaka I effort ndade ndagraduata ndimshiya
ngemva ke kuba ungaphantsi kum nangeminyaka. Second year ndiphumile esikolweni ndayomlobola
wangunkosikazi wam. Sibe nomntwana wokuqala euniversity, sasingamhlelanga kodwa sonwabile kuba
besithandana kakhulu. Senza nabanye abantwana ke emtshatweni. Ndisafuna omnye okanye ababini
emveni kukaMalkia kodwa wabe engasafuni mntwana yena. Ndayihlonipha lonto ke kuba ekugqibeleni
umtshato unge compromise novisiswano and nguye obathwalayo abazale, ukuba uthi kwanele kwanele
ke ndawufa namthanyane kuba bendifuna abangabam hayi I adoption. NoNokulunga akayifuna lanto
yomntu ozosithwalela umntwana kuba enoloyiko lokuba anga attached emntwaneni okanye efune mna.
So I point yam kukuba sisuka kude ukuba ndingavele ndiyeke ukumthanda ngoku.
Andisokolo ndikhona so nguye okhulisa abantwana kakhulu kunam. Ungumama olungileyo- great
mother and a good wife. At some point siphelile esa spark phakathi kwam naye. Safana njengo mntu
nomntakwabo. Waphuma ngaphandle ke ekhangela lonto- ngalominyaka bendixakeke kakhulu ndihlala
ndingekho endlini. Ukuba ndikhona ndidiniwe ukuba ndifake inkonzo. Ndikhokhelise imali nalempilo
ibalekayo. I adrenaline yomsebenzi onobungozi. Wawungeka zalwa wena-”
Nomtha: ”Haha! Unabantwana abangaphi ngeloxesha?”

96
Ibingathi akade afike kulendawo bendiyifuna. Ndifuna ukuqonda lomntwana ungengowakhe.
Simba: ”Babini. NguMalik unyana wam wokuqala noNura.”
Nomtha: ”Mmhhk.”
Simba: ”Ndifumana three years back, sendinaye noMalkia ukuba uJunior akangowam. Iviwe nguye phofu
uNokulunga ethetha nomamakhe. Utata kaJunior uyayazi leminyaka yonke ukuba unonyana
kuNokulunga. Ngokutsho kukaJunior wayesiya kulendoda baphume bonke kodwa kuba engumntwana
ke ebengaqondi kakhuhle. Ebehleli ethanda utywala uJunior ngeloxesha. Unemali eninzi, uqhuba imoto
eziright azithengelwe ngabazali utya imali angayisebenzelanga. Kodwa ukuva lonto wazinikela etywaleni
kengoku nakwidrugs. Kucacile ukuba zona akazithandanga kuba wakhawuleza waziyeka.”
Nomtha: ”Yilonto unga mkhathalelanga nokuba ukwesiphi?”
Simba: ”Nomtha ngumntwana wam lowa. Ndandikhona ebelekwa. Silala ebusuku noNokulunga, sivuka
ezinzulwini zobusuku simthulise engalali. Oko ndandingu tata ebelekwa njengoba ndingu tata
nanamhlanje. Ukuba akalogazi lam akutsho ukuba ndizomlahla. Ndikhethe ukuyixolela lonto
ndaqhubeka nomtshato wam so bendingazu qumbela yena ndixolele umntu owanzisayo. Ndim utata
amaziyo. Ngunyana wam.”
Nomtha: ”Mh.”
Bendisamzele ngomva ndaphethuka kengoku ndimjonga. Ebengqengqe ngomqolo eqamelele izandla
zakhe. Undikrwaqule kancinci wandijonga umlomo lo bendiwugrenya. Ndiwuyekile waqhubeka
endijonga waphefumla ejonga phezulu kwakhona. Uvale amehlo wakhe.
Simba: ”Yiminyaka ndingasa tshatanga nomnkam. Sihlala kunye, ngaphantsi kophahla olunye, sikhulisa
abantwana bethu kunye kodwa asitshatanga.”
Nomtha: ”Njani ukuba anitshatanga? Nibonana nabanye abantu ngaphandle komtshato?”
Simba: ”Asikho open about it kodwa kuyacaca kuba asisenzi nto mna naye. Kodwa kuba uyandihlonipha
nam ngokunjalo, akhonto ndiyibonayo akhonto ayibonayo kude kubengoku. Ndimxelele ngawe
kwakuqala ukuba kukho umntu endidibene naye and ndikholiwe nguye futhi ndifuna abe ngunkosikazi
wam.”
Nomtha: ”Akhange uthethe nto kum ngokuba ngunkosikazi!”
Nditsho ndichopha ngempundu ndimjonga ndifinge intshiya.
Simba: ”Ndiyayazi andikhange ndithethe nto. Kungokuba bendingafuni ukongamela ngayo yonke into
ngexesha elinye. Kwa wena ungulo usenemisindo ngakum so I wanted to court you kqala. Sithathe
nezinto kancinci kodwa ndiyabona ukuba alikho ixesha lalonto ngoku kubhetele ndikwazise injongo zam
kube kanye.”
Nomtha: ”Kutheni uzofuna ukutshata nam? Yiyo lento ubuyithetha nobhuti wakho le ngalamini nani
valelene ekamireni?”
Simba: ”Ndandimxelela yona ewe. Ndimxelela nokuba ndifuna ukucela intlanganiso kubazali
noNokulunga ndibaxelele ukuba ndizothatha umfazi. Andiyifuni into yokuba sesithubeni, ihleli ingeyonto
yam leyo. Ndifuna into estable enothando. Ndifuna lonto nawe.”

97
Bendirhole amehlo am nenhcambu zawo. Ewe bendiyazi ukuba ufuna ubudlelwane nam, kodwa le
yokuba ndibe ngumfazi wakhe bendinga yilindelanga tu. Bekutsho kwakhanya nakwizinto ebezibeka
uMluleki kulangxabano yabo. Eyokuba kuzobanzima, ngakumbi kum. Ukuba akuzutyholwa yena kodwa
mna. Yonke nje into ibidibana kengoku. Bendingakholwa ukuba bendimfameke ngolohlobo ndide
ndingayidibanisi yonke lento. Bekusekusasa kakhulu for lento yonke andixelela yona uSimba.
Ebendijongile naye enyuse ishiya kancinci.
Simba: ”So ndim lo, ndicela ukukulobola. Ube ngunkosikazi wam, umlingane wam. Umamnci
wabantwana bam. Umam'uMatanzima. Umfazi wam wesibini.”
Nomtha: ”Kutheni uzoyifuna nam?”
Simba: ”Kuba ndiyifuna nawe. Andiyazi ukuba ndizothi kutheni Nomtha kodwa ndiyifuna nawe yonke
lonto. Andisoze ndiphinde ndibe nayo for unkosikazi wam ngezizathu ezicacileyo. Akukho apho azoya
khona ngoku and akafuni sohlukane so uzoyamnkela eyokuba ndinonkosikazi. Nawe uzotsho uyeke
ukuba wedwa. Uzoba nomyeni nosapho.”
Nomtha: ”Hayi ngalendlela. Andikuthandi nokukuthanda, Simba umdala le kum. Ndimncinci
kubantwana bakho bobathathu.”
Simba: ”Ingena phi kengoku yonke lonto?!”
Nomtha: ”Iyangena!”
Simba: ”So I arguement yakho kukuba ndimdala, ndinabantwana?”
Nomtha: ”Andikuthandi nokuthanda, hell ixesha elininzi ndikuthiyile. Unomfazi. Ungulo ubethayo futhi!”
Simba: ”Bendithe andisoze ndiphinde ndikubethe.”
Nomtha: ”Ucinga ukuba mna ndizokholelwa lonto? Ukuba uzovele uyeke nje ukubetha? Ekubeni wonke
umntu ebecinga ukuba ndibethwe nguwe ndize ndibenje. So kucacile ukuba umthetho wakho ungumntu
onesandla.”
Simba: ”Andisoze ndiphinde ndikubethe. Umfazi ukhona ukubakhona kodwa ndigqiboku xelela imeko
ngaye. Ngokwase mthethweni uzoba ngumfazi wokuqala kuba singazukohlukana, kodwa ephepheni
nguwe wedwa unkosikazi wam. Nasentliziyweni yam, nasebhedini yam. Nguwe wedwa. Kodwa
uNolukhanyo uzoba ngumamkhulu kuwe, uzomhlonipha njengomfazi wokuqala njengoba naye
ezokuhlonipha njengo wesibini nowokugqibela. Kuba andinhomntu wesithembu mna qhaa
kunyanzelekile ngoku. Anizukuhlalelana. Uzohlala kwakhe nabantwana bakhe, nawe uzohlala apha
kwakho nabakho abantwana.”
Ndiyihleke kancinci.
Nomtha: ”Nabam abantwana?”
Simba: ”Noba mnye ke.”
Nomtha: ”Ndinomntu mna.”
Undikrwaqule wanikina intloko yakhe kancinci.
Simba: ”Unomntu wena. Uphi ngoku lomntu wakho?”
Nomtha: ”Andimazi. Andisekho eflatini kaloku, ndilapha.”

98
Simba: ”Ubuke wamfounela?”
Nomtha: ”Akana phone.”
Simba: ”Ubumfumana kanjani kengoku xa umfuna? Okanye xa ekufuna yena?”
Nomtha: ”Ebevele athi gqi eflatini. Naye njengoJunior wakho, ebenengxaki notywala. Unongxaki
yotywala phofu kuba ebengeka fumani uncedo ngayo. Egxothiwe kowabo. Ukuba ebengekho zitshomini
ebekwam. Andiyazi inoba uphi ngoku.”
Simba: ”Uyamthanda?”
Ndinqwalile.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyamthanda.”
Simba: ”Uzofunda ukundithanda nam ngexesha. Kulula kakhulu ukuthanda umntu. Uzofunda.
Awusoze ude uyothengisa ngomzimba koAyo kanti ixesha eli lonke unendoda ekucaba uzomisa ngayo
ebantwini. Usuke ephi yena xa kufuneka kukutshwe imali yerent njengoba ubunamatyala ude uncamele
ebuseleni nje? Uphi yena?
You bend over backwards emsebenzini ubuya ulindelwe nguye naye ufuna eyakhe igame kodwa
akhonto ayizisayo etafileni. Ucomfortable ukuba uzithengise abenephahla ngaphantsi kwentloko yakhe
nokutya esuswini kutshile wena wedwa angakuncedi nganto? Nguye lomntu ozomkhokhelisa xa uthatha
isigqibo esikumila kunje? Njengoba ulilisa ngokumthanda nje uyakuthanda yena? Indoda eyaziyo ukuba
umntu wayo uthengisela ilivelihood yenu. Kungoku ayikuba akayanga kwiflat yakho wabona ukuba
kunjani kodwa I can bet my left eye ukuba noba singahamba siye emapoliseni namhlanje akukho case ye
missing persons, either from him okanye ezitshomi zakho ubufuna ukubalekela kuzo. Nothing. Not from
uAye, not from anybody.”
Nomtha: ”Uyandithanda ndiyayazi. Ebengathandi ukuba ndilale noAyo, efuna ndiyeke.”
Simba: ”Uyeke, uphelelwe ngumsebenzi kwawugqiba kuthini emveni koko? Utye ntoni? Urente
ngantoni?”
Nomtha: ”Andimthandeli nto andenzela yona okay? Ndimthanda kuba ndiyamthanda. Andiloxanduva
lwakhe.”
Simba: ”Mxm. Nomtha ungagqitha kuthwenty akungomntwana. Kukuzathuza komntwana oko and nawe
uyazivela nje. Udyola is'high school wena ukuba uzothetha kanjalo. Nabantwana basehigh school
bafumana ikheri ebantwini babo ngoku. Noba awumthandeli nto akwenzela yona makubekho uncedo
aza nalo. Makanga kusengeli phantsi ke nokuba akakuncedi nganto. Lo wakho umntu akanamva
akanamphmbili ngendlela omthetha ngayo. Lixesha elingakanani engundinga s'thubeni?”
Nomtha: ”Awuzugxekana nomntu wam. Ukuba woyisakala ukuthethela indawo ekungangeyakho yeka.
Kodwa sumenyelisa ngokuba enengxaki yotywala, uyazi kowakho umntwana ukuba kunzima
kangakanani ukuphuma etywaleni.”
Simba: ”uJunior usela kuba efuna ukuvisa umamakhe kabuhlungu. Akayamnkeli into yokuba
akangonyana wam wegazi. Uselela entlungwini yena. Emsindweni.”
Nomtha: ”Ngubani othe nowam umntu akanangxaki ezifana nezika Junior wakho okanye ezogqitha
ezakhe?”

99
Simba: ”Uzohlalela lonto kengoku wena? Noba kunjalo ke sithi unengxaki ezininzi kunathi sonke wena
uzoba lidyokhwe lakho? Ifemeli yakhe uyayazi?”
Nomtha: ”Andiyazi, ndizoyazelaphi?”
Simba: ”Awukwazi kowabo?”
Nomtha: ”Andikwazi nangoku, ebesiza kwam! And ugxothiwe kowabo.”
Simba: ”Oko wayegxothwe niqala ukuthandana?”
Nomtha: ”Akuna msebenzi ukuba ugxothwe nini”
Simba: ”Ifani yakhe yona uyayazi? Ukuba angafela kwakho ungamthini? Ungathi ngubani waphi?”
Nomtha: ”Wena ungathi ndingubani waphi?”
Simba: ”Aneni Nomtha Tongai-”
Nomtha: ”Andizange ndikuxelele igama lam lesiShona.”
Simba: ”Ndi- ndandilive ngoAyodeji ngokuya ubube iphone yam. Awuna close relatives,
awunabudlelwane nefemili yakulo mama wakho. Uzihlalela eHillbrow from eorphanage. Uphangela
etown, eclubini. Awunamntwana, awutshatanga. Ulisela.”
Ndincume kancinci.
Nomtha: ”Mxm.”
Simba: ”Ndiyakwazi. Noba ndinolwazi okushotayo kodwa ndiyakwazi. Uyandazi nawe, uyakwazi kwam.
Uyabazi abanta kwethu. Uyayazi ndinabantwana nomfazi, kunye nabazali. Uyayazi ndinguSimba
Matanzima, ndikwi early fifti-”
Nomtha: ”Uearly fifties yiminyaka emingaphi?”
Simba: ”Ndina fifty three kulonyaka uzayo.”
Nomtha: ”Yho! Umdala!”
Simba: ”Kodwa ubucinga ukuba ndikwi late thirties mos, yilonto usothuka.”
Nomtha: ”Ukwiminyaka yotata wam.”
Simba: ”Utatakho zintanga zoMluleki.”
Nomtha: ”Umazelaphi kengoku uba unangaphi uSamora?”
Simba: ”Akanoba yintanga yam.”
Nomtha: ”Njengoba wena unomntwana olingana nam.”
Simba: ”Ndakhawuleza ukuzala mna. Nabantwana bam abashiyani kakhulu kuba besifuna ukuzala
sigqibe noNokulunga.”
Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”
Simba: ”Utatakho, wayengutata onjani?”

100
Nomtha: ”Why uzobuza ngotata?”
Simba: ”Kuba nguye othanda ukuthetha ngaye. Zange ndakuva uthetha nomamakho.”
Nomtha: ”Favourite parent yam. Chief parent. Bekufana ukuba ndikhuliswa nguye yedwa kuba umamam
... ebengumama. Ebeyi trophy wife katata, ndingatsho. Andiqondi nokuba wayebafuna abantwana.
Ndicinga ukuba wazala kuba befunwa ngutata. Bendihlanjwa nguye, ndilaliswe nguye. Yonke into
ndiyenzelwa nguye.
Ebengaphoswa nayinto yethu. Umfumane engaphambili kwirow yokuqala ekuhlaza kwabanye
abantwana-”
Uyihlekile endijonge ebusweni. Nam bendithetha ndincumile. Bendinjalo xa ndicinga ngoSamora
ngamaxesha amaninzi. Kuba ngamanye bendikhala ndizibhuqe phantsi kuba enyanisweni kwakungekho
sidingo tu sokuba andishiye ngakumbi andishiye ndingena kwanto. Ndingena khaya, ndingena nto.
Bendixakwa ukuba woyisakala phi? Noba bekunjalo bendimthanda kakhulu.
Nomtha: ”Ebendithanda. Esithanda sonke nomama. Ebebakhona amaxesha abuye esishashalaza
batshikane nomama ibe yinto engako kodwa bendingafane sibabone bexambulisana. Ebeqiniseka ukuba
asiziboni ezozinto. Ebengutata oright.”
Simba: ”Uyamkhumbula.”
Ndinqwalile noxa ibingengo mbuzo.
Simba: ”Ebezowamnkela amalobolo am?”
Nomtha: ”Hell no!”
Simba: ”Kuba ndinendevu ezimhlophe?”
Nomtha: ”Ebezobulawa yintliziyo.”
Simba: ”Awunoyazi.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi ukuba utatam ebengafuni nix ngam. Akakho umntu ebezondilungela emehlweni
akhe. Ndiqinisekile ukuba unjalo nawe kuMalkia.”
Simba: ”Kunzima ukukhulisa intombi.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizokutshata.”
Unyuse ishiya kuba ebesendijongile kakade.
Simba: ”Okay.”
Nomtha: ”Okay.”
Usukumile wachopha ngempundu wandijonga eserious.
Simba: ”Kanjalo nje?”
Nomtha: ”Ucele ntoni kanti kum?”
Simba: ”Bendinga cingi ukuba uzovuma lula kanje. Besendilungele ukucenga ndibongoze. Uqinisekile?”
Nomtha: ”Ndicinga njalo.”

101
Simba: ”Uthetha ukuthini ukuba ucinga njalo? Awuqinisekanga?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiqinisekile ngokuba anditshateli thando. Ndiyakuzonda kancinci kodwa ndizokutshata.”
Simba: ”Ngoba?”
Nomtha: ”Kuba ngamanye amaxesha wenza into ongayithandi kuba it's in your best interest.
Ngalomaxesha ngoku. Mhlawumbi ndiyenzela ifinancial security okanye isecurity overall. Mhlawumbi
ndiyenzela istability esi uthetha ngaso nefemeli eyeyam. Ukuba yonke lonto ndizoyifumana ngokuba
nguMrs Matanzima jnr then ndizoyenza.”
Simba: ”Ndinga kukhusela ndiyenze yonke lonto ungatshatanga nam, ndifuna ukucacisa apho. Kodwa
ndifuna ukuyenza ungu nkosikazi wam. I wanna be settled.”
Ndiphefumlile.
Nomtha: ”Okay.”
Simba: ”Usuke undibhide xa uzole kangaka. Ndazi uNomtha ofiesty nonentloko elukhini. Lo
andimqhelanga.”
Nomtha: ”Ukuba awumqhelanga akuthethi ukuba akakho.”
Unqwalile esandiqwlasele ebusweni okungathi ubona into ewe nge spaceship ezulwini.
Simba: ”Ndizokulobola kubani?”
Nomtha: ”Userious na ngalento yokulobola?”
Simba: ”Uthetha ukuthini ukuba ndiserious ngumtshato lo ayingo masikhozi. Izinto ezinje sizithatha
serious. Lisiko lethu eli. Awusoze uthathe umntu niye ecourt kube kuphelele apho. Ndizokulobola,
ndikunxibise utye utsiki unxibe, uyalwe uthiywe igama-”
Nomtha: ”Hayike ndivume ukukutshata hayi ukwenzelwa iritual! Yintoni utsiki? Ndizotshintshwa igama
xa kutheni?”
Uzosule ubuso waphefumla.
Simba: ”Umkhono wegusha nenjeke.”
Ndimjikelezisele amehlo kuba ebendilahla worse kengoku and ngabom.
Nomtha: ”Nditshintshelwa ntoni igama?”
Simba: ”Umfazi kwaXhosa uphiwa igama lobufazi, unikwe isidima. Awuzubizwa ngoNomtha okanye
uAneni xa ndikulobole. Uzophiwa igama elitsha kuba ungumntu omtsha. Ungena kwisigaba esitsha
sobufazi.”
Nomtha: ”Ayike zizinto ezizondenza nditshintshe ingqondo ezi.”
Simba: ”Hahaha! This is gonna be interesting. Xa ungazi nenye kwezenziwayo! Ungumntwana waseGoli
nyani wena. Uzawube unyevulela yonke into kwezalali. Ngubani owakowenu ozothatha amalobolo?”
Nomtha: ”Andina femeli.”
Simba: ”Noba ngo aunty bakho aba bakusa ehome.”

102
Nomtha: ”Ndiyobapha imali emveni kokuba bendilahlele ehome?”
Simba: ”Lisiko.”
Nomtha: ”Ukuba libaluleke lomhlobo isiko then makuyekwe.”
Simba: ”Ndizocela kuMluleki akumele ke. Imali yakho yelobola ingene kuwe. Umluleki noMonti
noSylvester.”
Nomtha: ”Andimthandi laSylvester.”
Simba: ”Ngoba?”
Nomtha: ”Andiyazi kodwa andimva.”
Simba: ”Ikhona into akwenza yona okanye ayithetha ngalamini wayelapha?”
Nomtha: ”Akhonto imbi.”
Simba: ”Uqinisekile?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiqinisekile, ayikho.”
Simba: ”Andifuni ungamvisisisi, nguright hand wam lowa. Ndimthemba ngobomi bam. Obabantwana
bam. Obakho nobukaNokulunga.”
Nomtha: ”Nguright hand man wakho entweni kakuhle, kakuhle?”
Simba: ”Emsebenzini wam.”
Nomtha: ”Nenza ntoni nibulala abantu?”
Simba: ”Drugs neguns kumalazwe emfazwe. Ifraud encinci nje so sisebenzisana namashishini a
legitimate ukucleana imali yethu.”
Nomtha: ”Wenza lomsebenzi kaEfe?”
Simba: ”Andithengisi bantu mna, andiyopimp.”
Nomtha: ”Notatakho ukule business?”
Simba: ”Nguye nam noMluleki. UBukhosi apho nalapho.”
Nomtha: ”Yilonto ubukhali kangaka?”
Simba: ”Andikho bukhali.”
Nomtha: ”Qha utheni? Ukhohlakele?”
Simba: ”Ndikhohlakelanga.”
Nomtha: ”Okay.”
Simba: ”Andikho abusive.”
Nomtha: ”Mhhhhh.”
Simba: ”Ndiyabulela.”

103
Nomtha: ”Andenzeli wena.”
Simba: ”Ndiyayazi.”
Usukumile ebhedini.
Simba: ”Ungalali, ndiyokwenza icelebratory breakfast.”
Ndincume kancinci. Uzondiphuza ibunzi waphuma. Ndishiyeke ndiphefumla.

104
ELEVEN
Andikhange ndizame nokulala emveni kokuba ephumile ekamireni. Bese ndisithathile isigqibo.
Bekungekho kubuya mva ngoku kum. Ewe mhlawumbi bekukhona ukuba akukho nto ibiseyenziwe
kodwa bendingafuni kusitshintsha. Njengoba benditshilo kuSimba siphila kwilizwe lamadoda. Wenza
nantoni na ukuze uphume usaphefumla. Yilonto bendiyenza, kwaye bendinyanisekile ngesigqibo sam.
Ndizulise ndancama ndasukuma ebhedini ndayohlamba ubuso namazinyo. Andiyazi, andiyazi. Njengoba
besithathe esisigqibo noSimba bendimjonga ngenye indlela ngoku. Elaxhego belizoba ngumyeni wam,
mhlawumbi ukuba uThixo uthandile ukuba ndibe ngumzali abe ngutata womntwana wam. Hey, mamela.
Bendingayichasi into yokuba ngumzali, noxa bendingeno xhuma-xhuma yimincili kodwa bendingayi
caphukeli lonto. Kodwa ukuba kungenzeka ndibe ngumzali bendawuba nomntwana omnye. Qha.
Kakade ... bekutheni sendicinga ngabantwana? Bendi ngenawo nombono weso silalo sam naye noxa
bendivuma ebengaba tata- okay mandithule. Into yokuba ngaba tata undenze ndacima zonge ingcinga
ezingendawo engqondweni yam. Kodwa ebengutata. Angangalingani noSamora ngeminyaka kodwa
ebesondele kakhulu kuye kwabe ebezawuba ngumyeni wam. Aneni Nomtha Tongai!
Ndiqinise isibindi ndaphuma kulabathroom, ndiphuma kulakamire. Intliziyo isemqaleni. Ndixukuzelwa
sisisu, intlizoyo yam ibethela ukuba. Bekufuneka ndizikhumbuze ukuba ndiyenzela ntoni lento. Undoqo
yontoni. Amabhabhathane ecaleni. Inkanuko zenyama ndizibekela ecaleni. Bendinga mthandi
nokumthandi, ndixakwa kukuba umzimba wam umthambela kanjani ngoluhlobo.
Kuyenzeka ingqondo nentliziyo kunye nomzimba ziphikisane ngoluhlobo. Ibingu apha naphaya,
nditsalelwa kwelicala neliya.
Ndiphefumlile ndakungena ekhitshini. Bendizithoba izibilini ezi. Ndilungisa ukuphefumla ndibuyisa
nocwangco. Kodwa ndihogele isihogo ndakhohlela ngoko nangoko nditsarhwa yintuthu. Bekukhala
u'ntiiii, ntiiiii' uSimba ephekuza into. Umsi umnyama kwelakhitshi. Umntu omnye ukwazi kanjani
ukwenza umonakalo ongaka na bethuna?!
Simba: ”Yonakele icelebratory breakfast.”
Utshilo ngelokuncamela ndabamba intsini. Bezinge mhlophe indevu ngeloxesha exakwa kukwenza
ibreakfast yakwambala. Ebenxibe nepyjama kengoku ingathi uqhweshe endimangeni, yafana naye
kengoku eyekutshisa indlu.
Nomtha: ”Ubulapha ekhitshini?”
Kuba bendingaqondi kakuhle ngendlela bekuqhuma ngayo. Indlela andijonge ngayo bekucacile ukuba
ebelapha ekhitshini. Andiyazi- ku- yho! Bendingayazi nokuba ndicinge ntoni.
Simba: ”Ziyatshintsha izicwangciso, sawuya eKuaia siyofumana into yokutya.”
Nomtha: ”Ukupheka kona uyakwazi?”
Simba: ”Ndikwi fifties.”
Utshilo. Okungathi bekucacisa ukoyisakala kwakhe. Bethunana! Amaqanda, ibacon nesonka. Ayitshisisi
mzi yonke lonto. Ibinga tshisisi mzi.
Nomtha: ”Okay.”
Simba: ”Ndiqhele ukuphekelwa.”

105
Bekucacile. USimba noxa bendingafuni ukuyamnkela lonto ebeyilandoda. Andiqondi ikhona into
ebekwazi ukuyenza ebekelwe ukuba ngumsebenzi wabafazi. Yilontlobo yendoda yena. Into bendinga
yiqondi kukuba ebenyanzelwe yintoni? Yintoni le ibimnyanzelise ukuba azivolontiye kanti uyayazi ukuba
akulalanga nto phaya kuye?
Nomtha: ”Okay.”
Undincinele amehlo. Enkosi bawo ibiseyithulile nalento ibifundekela.
Simba: ”Hamb'ohlamba sizohamba. Ndisaphuma nabantwana.”
Nomtha: ”Kulungile ndizobona ukuba mandipheke ntoni, ungahamba.”
Simba: ”Ndikuthembise ibreakfast kengoku sawuhamba siyofumana ibrekafast.”
Ndimbhebhetile.
Nomtha: ”Besingay'hlelanga le yokuphuma kwaye uzamile. Uzamile woyisakala, ndizobona ukuba
ndipheka ntoni.”
Simba: ”Unentloni nokubonwa nam? Ingalonto yonke lento yakho yokungafuni ukuphuma nam?”
Nomtha: ”Anditshongo lonto.”
Simba: ”Hlamba kaloku sihambe siyotya.”
Nomtha: ”Okay. Ndinxibe ntoni?”
Simba: ”Noba unxibe ntoni.”
Ndinqwalile ndayokha amanzi empompini ndizosela. Uthathe lambiza ibimnyama kukutsha wayifaka
kwisink- eyigibisela phofu. Ndibeke iglass ndizohamba ndiyohlamba wandinqakula ingalo endijonge
ebusweni. Ndijonge kulandawo ebendibanbe kuye ndamjonga ebusweni.
Simba: ”Ukubuya kwam siya eKyalami.”
Nomtha: ”Kyalami?”
Simba: ”Kubazali bam. NoNokulunga.”
Ndiphenfumlile. Beku nyanzelekile na ukuba ndibekho nam? Bendi ngayilungelanga yonke lento mna.
Nomtha: ”Benditheni kuwe izolo?”
Simba: ”Nditheni mna kuwe? Kunyanzelekile bayazi abazali bazokwamnkela kakuhle Nomtha, bangacingi
ukuba ungunondatshaza ondichithele untshato kuba mhlawumbi yinto abayicingayo ngoku.”
Nomtha: ”Ukuba uthethile nonkosikazi wakho wamxelela ukuba ucinga ukuthatha omnye umntu
kutheni efounele abazali bakho? Kuba bafoune emveni kokuba sisuke phaya so kucacile uye
wabafounela.”
Simba: ”Into endikuxelele yona yendiyaziyo. Ukuba ebesithini kubo andizuyazi kuba nam bendinawe.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyoyika.”
Simba: ”Akhonto yoyikisayo apha, uzobona.”

106
Nomtha: ”Utsho nje wena kuba ungendim. Ndiyodibana nabazali bakho ubaxelele ukuba ufuna
ukundithatha njengo mfazi wakho wesibini. Ndimncinci le kuwe so bazocinga zonke ingcinga ngam.”
Simba: ”Bazocinga bayeke Nomtha. Ukuba beku ngaphambili kokuba uvume ukuba ngumfazi wam
bendizofane ndikuyeke so ngoku akuncedi ukugula kancinci kodwa uzofa. Ekugqibeleni kufanele bakwazi
kuba ndizokunxibisa ndikutshate. Nabantwana bam ndifuna bayive ngam. Seyazi uMalkia kodwa ndifuna
bazi bonke, bazi yonke into.”
Nomtha: ”Bazi nokuba uJunior akango wakho?”
Simba: ”Kunyanzelekile bayazi. Kuzotsho kuphenduleke imibuzo emininzi abanayo ngemeko yasendlini.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva.”
Simba: ”Uzoba right. Ngabantu bomzi wakho aba, uzobabaleka kude kube nini?”
Nomtha: ”Kodwa bekufanele ukuba uyobaxelela uwendwa kuqala wandule ukundisa khona.”
Simba: ”Sebekubuzile so noba ndinga hamba nawe akukho msebenzi. Okwabo kukumamela into
endiyoyithetha badibane nawe qha.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizonxiba ntoni?”
Simba: ”Jonga noba yintoni kwezimpahla ubuzithengelwe, kuzofuneka uyozithengela ngoku kwakho
impahla ezikholisa wena. ”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyoyika noba ndibe ndisesithubeni mna ngoku. Ndizomelwa yintlizo kwezo shops.”
Simba: ”Uzoya xa ndinga xakekanga ndikukhaphe ke. Okanye ufuna ukukhatshwa ngomnye umntu?”
Nomtha: ”Noba nguwe akukho ngxaki.”
Simba: ”Noba ngubani?”
Nomtha: ”Uyayazi ndithini.”
Simba: ”Ndizokukhapha. Okwangoku nxiba nantoni na oyifumanayo noba yiblukhwe noba sisikeyiti.”
Nomtha: ”Okay.”
Bendilibele noba ebendibambe isandla ixesha eli lonke, ndiqaphele ngokuba andiqinise isandla.
Nomtha: ”Mandiyohlamba.”
Simba: ”Hamb'ohlamba sizohamba sibuye.”
Nditsale isandla sam ndahamba ndayohlamba. Ndingene kwishower ndakhawuleza ukuhlamba
ndazomisa ndanxiba. Bendinganxibanga nto ixhomisa amehlo ke. Ndibrushe nenwele zam kuphela
ndaright.
Isisu sam besesixukuzeliswa lixhala lalento yangokuhlwa yokuyobika lomphanga. Bendiyiqonda nje
ukuba bebezondinyusela ishiya ukuba ngumntwana oyintoni lo utshata ixhego. Bancinge ukuba
ndisenveni kwemali. Bebezobe bengekho wrongo kodwa kuba enyanisweni andiyelanga uthando kuye.
Ebengekho ekhitshini kodwa kuseyi mess kwelakhitshi kunuka. Ndicinge ukuba usaphimile ndaya
kwenye ebathroom ndiyojonga itoothbrush yam kuba enye bendingayiboni. Ibiyenye nje into la kamire.

107
Kugcwele ibox zezinto ekusafuneke ziqoqoshwe. Ingathi ebengazimiselanga nalotata kuba umnandelwe
kukulala nam.
Ndingene ebathroom kukhala amanzi ndaxinga emnyango ndikhamisa. USimba ebemi ngaphantsi
kwamanzi eze. Ebenga hlambi nje kuphela, ethobe intloko amanzi embetha entloko. Esinye isandla
ebezibambe ngaphambili eziphulula ewavale vingci amehlo. Bendiqala ukubona umntu oyindoda
emastubator ndimgayazi nokuba ndithini.
Inyawo zam bezingavumi ukusuka phantsi zinyakaze. Okungathi zincanyathiselwe phatsi. Bendibambe
umphefumlo ndingakwazi nokucinga. Okungathi ubuvile ubukho bam unyuse ubuso wavula amehlo
wandibona ngoko nangoko. Akabonisanga kothuka kukundibona ndime phaya kwaye akayenkanga into
ebeyenza wade wagqiba ebiza ingama lam. Bendingaliva ilizwi lakhe kodwa ndikubona ukunyakaza
kwendebe zomlomo wakhe. Uphinde wathoba intloko amanzi ambetha emqolo ndabuya umva
ndaphuma ndizibamba isifuba okungathi kuzonceda ngento.
Ndiyopura umlomo wam ngemouth wash ndayochopha elounge ndilindele ukuba aphume. Uphumile
emveni kwexesha senxibile waphelela. Uthinte umqala ndamjonga ndingamjongi emehlweni kodwa.
Amehlo am ebe sesifubeni sakhe.
Simba: ”Uready?”
Nomtha: ”Uhm ewe. Singahamba. Ndigqibile, ndilinde wena. Bendilinde wena ugqibe ukuhlamba.
Ugqibe i- ugqibile? Mxm ugqibile kakade naku unxibike, andiyazi ukuba ndibuza ntoni. Singahamba.”
Ebencume kancinci.
Simba: ”Ngalanto oyibonile-”
Nomtha: ”Andibonanga nto.”
Simba: ”Akukho sidingo sokuba ubenetloni Nomtha.”
Nomtha: ”Andinazintloni.”
Simba: ”Izinto ezinje ziyenzeka.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi Simba andiyontombi emi amabele.”
Simba: ”Unamabele amahle.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyaya kodwa nditsho ukuba andiyontombi. Ndiyayazi izinto ezinje ziyenziwa, akukho sidingo
sokuba undicacisele. Bekunga melanga ukuba ndigibiseleke ebathroom bendingayazi.”
Simba: ”Andinangxaki mna so let's not make it a bit deal princess.”
Utsho encuma. Siphumile sahamba sayotya. Asincokolanga kakhulu ke kuba imilomo ibigcwele.
Sibuye nje wandibeka endlini endixelela ukuba kuzoza uMkhuseli. Andiyazi noba ebenyanga nini
lomkhuseli lowo and ukuba bekukhuselekile ibiyintoni isidingo sokuba ndibe ndizogadwa, kufuneke
ndibe ndincokola indaba ezibandayo. Ngekubhetele ukuba ibingumntu nje okanye uMonti okanye- hayi
bendinga mfuni laSylvester. Ngekubhethele uMonti ke kuba bendizo zihlalela ekamireni. Ndimlinde
ngokuyovula ibox yezinto zasekhitshini ndayozikhupha.
”Nqo! Nqo!”

108
Nomtha: ”Ndilapha bhuti!”
Ndiphumile wabe engena emnyango.
Nomtha: ”Molweni.”
Mkhuseli: ”Nomtha, akuphekwanga?”
Nomtha: ”Yhu!”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndikhatywe yinkawu kangaka. Nitye ntoni?”
Nomtha: ”Besitye out. USimba uzame ukwenza ibreakfast kusasa wagqibela setshisa nalombiza,
andikahlambi nezozitya zakhona.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndizo order in. Ufuna ntoni?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiright mna enkosi.”
Unqwalile wacofa iphone yakhe.
Mkhuseli: ”Ndiva kusithiwa uzoba ngumfazi wesibini.”
Ndinyuse amehlo ndamjonga. USimba! Sexelele wonke umntu.
Mkhuseli: ”Congratulations.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”
Mkhuseli: ”Unabo abantwana?”
Nomtha: ”Andikabinabo.”
Mkhuseli: ”Uzoba nabo?”
Ndimncinele amehlo ndingaphenduli. Andiyazi ukuba ebengena ndawuni kwinzalo yam kodwa
bendingafuni ukumphoxa. Kungoku bendiqonda ukuba andiyo fabourite yomntu, ndingafuni ukuzenzela
izinto worse ngokunyathela abantu ezithendeni.
Bendiyazi futhi ukuba usondelene noNokulunga, bonke phofu bekufanele bayamthande kuba
baneminyaka bemazi. Bayifemeli.
Nomtha: ”Mhlawumbi.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ndive uSimba ethetha ngokufuna umntwana. Enyanisweni Nomtha imnkile iminyaka
kuSimba, ukuba nifuna abantwana ngenikhawuleza kwangoku esenokubenza. Okanye nigcine isperms
zakhe.”
Nomtha: ”Bhut'Mkhuseli ndisandovuma izolo ukutshata noSimba.”
Mkhuseli: ”Uyamthanda uSimba?”
Kwakhona ndimncinele amehlo ngaphaya kweza zitya bendizama ukuzihlamba. Ndiphefumlile.
Mkhuseli: ”Injongo zakho ngalomtshato kukuzuza ntoni?”
Nomtha: ”Kukuzuza ntoni?”

109
Mkhuseli: ”Ewe.”
Nomtha: ”Bhut'Mkhuseli nguSimba ocele umtshato kumu. Mna nje I'm just trying to survive.
Bendamnkele uncedo lwakhe, wandixelela ngokuba ufuna ubudlelwane nam njengoba sefuna umtshato
ngoku nam ndavuma ngezizathu zam endizibekileyo kuye wandiva. Mdala uSimba. Akangomfana ona
eighteen obuqwa sistage.”
Mkhuseli: ”Ingxaki yileyo, kukuba mdala ufuna istability nomntu ozoguga naye. Umncinci wena kuye
ngeminyaka, ngokucacileyo. Uzomelana naye xa egula apha? Xa eluphala ngaphambili kwakho?
Ungamthandi nokumthanda. Most of the time umjonga okungathi ufuna ukumxabela ngezembe?”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi into endizofaka kuyo.”
Mkhuseli: ”Uyayazi nyani? Unabantwana lomntu abalingana nabangaphezulu kwakho. Bendingena
ngxaki ngelaxesha ubungumntu nje wakhe kodwa ukuba ube ngunkosikazi?! Ukhuphe uNokulunga
emzini wakhe.”
Nomtha: ”Andikhuphi mntu mzini wakhe mna.”
Mkhuseli: ”Awumkhuphi kodwa umthathela indoda. Uthathela abatshana bam utata. Ixesha notata
wabo. Akusoze kufane kakade ngoku sekukho wena kuba uzofuna ukubalapha kuba esakubuka wena.”
Nomtha: ”Ndicinga ukuba uke uyithethe xa kukho nobhuti wakho yonke lento bhuti Mkhuseli. Kuba
mhlawumbi ubila nje awuyazi imeko yomtshato kaSimba noNokulunga.”
Mkhuseli: ”Into endiyaziyo kukuba uNokulunga wabakho kungekabikho kwanto. Yonke into abanayo
namhlanje nalendawo ohlala kuyo ngabo bobabini. Ndiyayiqonda ukuba unabantu abasemveni kwakho
ngenxa kaSimba mhlawumbi kodwa ayithi lonto kunyanzelekile ukuba umtshate.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”
Mkhuseli: ”Yi opinion yam.”
Nomtha: ”Thetha nobhuti wakho. Mna andizizelanga apha. Andicelanga mtshato kuSimba. Andiyazi
ndizokuphendula ndithini kuyo yonke lento uyithethayo.”
Mkhuseli: ”Niwrongo noSimba. Nobabini. Kodwa khanibe niqhuba.”
Khange siphinde sithethe emveni koko. Ndihlambe izitya ndagqiba, ndahamba ndayokhupha izinto
ndizibeka ngendawo zakhona. Ndiphumele nakwizinto zokondlula. Bendifuna ukwenza into nje,
ndingahlali phantsi. Ndiyongqengqa ebhedini kuba bendidiniwe.
Ndothuswe lilizwi likaSimba ndothuka ukuba sekhona. Ndilele ngaliphi ixesha na kuba injongo yam
ibikukuthi ngqi nje ixeshana.
Ebendifingele intshiya.
Simba: ”Ndik'thumelele umyalezo ukuba ndifike sewuready.”
Nomtha: ”Iphone yam andiyazi noba ndiyibeke phi.”
Simba: ”Ukuba kubekwe ixesha ledinara Nomtha sifika ngeloxesha. Izothethisa into yokuba sifike late
kuba ibangathi sidelela umama. Xa udelela umama udelela uVenus.”
Nomtha: ”Masiye ngelinye ixesha bhetele. Andisaziva naright ngoku.”

110
Simba: ”Kubuhlungu ndawoni?”
Nomtha: ”Akukho ndawo ibuhlungu-”
Simba: ”Nomtha ngekubhetele ukuba bendingekavumi ukuba siyaya ngoku kuzoba krwada uba
sicancellishe yonke into. UNokulunga sephaya.”
Nomtha: ”Sephaya?”
Simba: ”Ingathi oko ebephaya imini yonke yanamhlanje.”
Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”
Simba: ”Nxiba ke sihambe.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizoshower fast.”
Simba: ”Shower ke. I'll cover for us. Ndizothi ndilityaziwe ngaba bafana.”
Ndinqwalile ndasukuma ebhedini nyabileyo ndaya ekamireni ndiyoshower ngokukhawuleza. UMkhuseli
ebenga bonakali ndawo ngoku.
Ndigqibile ndanxiba ilokhwe nebox heel emfitshanana. Nelokhwe yakhona ibingendaka.
Bendiyithengelwe nguBukhosi kunye noMalkia. Andizange ndimbuze ukuba wathi uthengela bani kuye.
Uzondikroba ndizijonge esipilini woyama ngomgubasi.
Simba: ”Yintoni ingxaki? Utheni uMkhuseli kuwe ngoku ndingekhoyo? Kuba ndimnke sivumelene
kakuhle kumnandi ngoku ndibuya sewurhuqa inyawo ukhangeleka okungathi uzokhupha ukutya
ngentla? Utheni kuwe lo?!”
Utsho ekhupha iphone yakhe etasini wayicofa.
Nomtha: ”Masambe ndiready.”
Bendicinga ukuba uyamfounela. Undijongile wayibeka endlebeni aphuma.
Simba: ”Masambe. Hello, Mkhuseli? Umxelele andifounele ndiyamfuna.”
Nomtha: ”Masambe.”
Uphethuke wonke wandibamba izidlele endiphuza ibunzi.
Simba: "Ndizobe ndilapha ecaleni ixesha lonke. Into endiyaziyo ngabazali bam kukuba abasoze
bakuhlasele, andiyazi utheni kuwe uMkhuseli kodwa ndizothetha naye.”
Nomtha: ”Myeke sukuthetha naye kuright.”
Ebonyanyile kodwa waworse ngokuva ndisitsho.
Simba: ”Kuright ntoni?”
Nomtha: ”Akathethanga nto.”
Simba: ”Andiyazi wenza ntoni uzama ukumkhusela kodwa akukho nto iright.”
Nomtha: ”Ebefuna nje ukwazi uk-”

111
Simba: ”Nomtha andikhathali. Ispace sakho sesakho, makasihloniphe. Okungenani ke ahloniphe mna.
Ayindonwabisi ukuba unento yokuthetha kuwe, into ezokwenza ukuba ucinge nganinzi ngesigqibo
sakho.”
Ndiphefumle nje andathetha. Amehlo ebemancinci ngakumbi ngumsindo. Into ngoSimba ebesuka
kuzero ayekusixty ngokuphanyaza kweso.
Ngomzuzu uyahleka, uncumile ngomnye ufuna izandla zakhe emqaleni womntu.
Ebeduda ngoku ingase enze into kodwa uzibambile. Siyongena emotweni sebhetele endivulela nocango.
Phofu bendingangeni ndawo kuba umsindo wakhe ubungajolisanga kum.
Bendiqonde ngoko ukuba indzondo yam kuzofuneke ndiyithomalalisa kuba ndim naye nabantu
bakowabo. Bendizomdinga kakhulu ukundixhasa kuba ndijongile nje bekuzoba nzima.
Ukhalise umculo wawulinganisa ngekhwelo. Indlela bendinexhala ngalo bekumnke naloncoko kum.
Oko simamele umculo wakhe, phofu mna bendingeva kwanto lixhala. Ebeswabulukile yena kumnandi
kuye.
Nomtha: ”Asikazufika?”
Simba: ”Asisekudanga kakhulu ngoku. Awufuni ukuthi laqa ishot?”
Nomtha: ”Mxm! Uhlekisa ngam.”
Simba: ”Ixhala elingaka lelantoni ingathi uyoxhonywa?”
Nomtha: ”Kuphi na kulendawo?”
Simba: ”Kyalami.”
Nomtha: ”Khayalamu?”
Simba: ”Ewe.”
Nomtha: ”Khayalamu.”
Undikrwaqule.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyacinga ukuba ngubani kanene owayethe uhlala kulondawo.”
Simba: ”Ngubani?”
Nomtha: ”Andikhumbuli kodwa ukhona umntu ohlala apha. Qha kuba bendingayihoyi.”
Unqwalile. Side safika apho besibhalelwe khona. Bekukhanya ngaphandle izibane zithe qhakra. Simise
ngaphambi kwendlu wabetha ohootara uSimba.
”Hey!”
Uyohlekile uSimba.
Simba: ”Nankuya umamam ke.”
Ndikrobise intloko ndambone esihla kwistairs wathu chu ukuza ngakuthi. Ebelixhekwazana elidala
enomzimba. Ebenxibe kakuhle ke kodwa.

112
Uphumile uSimba wamkhawulela emanga wamphuza.
”Ndizokubetha!”
Simba: ”Bendifuna ukukhawulelwa ngaphandle. Awusemhle, ubuyephi?”
”Mxm silinde wena. Uhamba wedwa?”
Simba: ”Ndihamba nomntu mama, Nomtha.”
”Masingeneni endlini sekuzotyiwa.”
Simba: ”Bendine worry yokuba sawufika kade.”
Ndiphumile emotweni ndayomolulela isandla wandijonga ebusweni. Bendinexhala lokuba
akazusamnkela isandla sam kodwa wandixhawula.
Simba: ”NguAneni Nomtha Tongai. Yilentombi bendinixelela ngayo ukuba ndifuna ukumtshata.
Uvumile.”
”Tongai?”
Simba: ”Ewe ngowase Zimbabwe kodwa ukhulele apha. Nomtha ngumama ondizalayo lo isithandwa sam
Bisola Elizabeth Okeke.”
”Kodwa ungandibiza ngoLizbeth.”
Uphelile yintsini uSimba.
Simba: ”Ungambizi ngoLizbeth Nomtha, unentlonti umama. Uphilile?”
Bisola: ”I'm fine how are you?”
Simba: ”Ndiyaphila ma.”
Bisola: ”UNokulunga akakho right Simba. Ebeleli apha izolo ekhala kulakamire. Yintoni lento oyenzayo
wawugqiba ukubamdala kangaka, ninabantwana abangaka. Yi midlife crisis?”
Simba: ”Mama, sawuthetha ngayo yonke into emveni kwedinara. Bendicela namnkele uNomtha sityeni
kakuhle sawuthetha kengoku.”
Uphefumlele ngaphandle umama wakhe wamphuza isandla sakhe esi ebesibambile emjonga ngothando.
Umphuze ibunzi uSimba.
Simba: ”I love you, mama.”
Bisola: ”God will bless you my son. Aneni, you're welocome sisi. Simba, ulandela ekhondweni likatata
wakho. Ndandimncinanana ndingaka ukutshata naye. Ndimhle.”
Simba: ”Usemhle nanamhlanje, mama.”
Bisola: ”Ohh bless you, unobubele. Ngoku ndisisikoro koro esisimelelayo.”
Simba: ”Usisikoro- koro esihle. Umntu angacinga ukuba unaseventy.”
Uphelile yintsini embetha igxalaba. Bekunuka kamnandi ukungena kwethu. Singene kwikhitshi
elingakanani ukuba likhulu lona. Bekukho umama oxibe iuniform yomncedisi nomfazi kaSimba. Kuba

113
ebemhlophe ebebomvu ubuso ebonakala ukuba ebekhala. Uginye ingwiqi akusibona wajonga izandla
zethu ezi bezidibene. Undikhulule uSimba waya kuye wayomanga emphuza ibunzi.
Simba: ”Nokulunga.”
Bisola: ”Ukhona noAluta, usalalisa umntwana.”
Simba: ”NoMluleki ukhona?”
Bisola: ”Ukhona naye, uhleli notatakho eofficini.”
Simba: ”Kulungile, ndizobabona emveni kwedinara. Kuphekwe nejolofu rice na apha?!”
Bisola: ”Ewe. Yonke into.”
Simba: ”Uyaphila Nokulunga?”
Unqwalile ejonge mna.
Simba: ”Umama uthi ubulele apha, bendiba uthe uze ekuseni.”
Nokulunga: ”Awundivanga kakuhle. Bendilele apha.”
Simba: ”Ibikhona ingxaki?”
Nokulunga: ”Ikhona ingxaki xa ndisiza kubazali bam? Okanye andisenawo amalungelo?”
Simba: ”Uyabona ke itheatrics andizikhathalelanga. Kulungile ukuba uze apha kodwa ungandibuzi
ngongabi namalungelo kwakho. Andikunqandanga ukuba ungazi apha ndiyabuza.”
Nokulunga: ”Bendiba undikhupha nalapha ngalendlela ondilkhuphe ngayo emzini wam.”
Simba: ”Awuhlali mzini wakho?”
Nokulunga: ”Emtshatweni wam.”
Simba: ”Ndizolinda kwelacala, masambe Nomtha.”
Nokulunga: ”Oh indlela ongasandi khathalelanga ngayo awunaxesha nokuba ndiyakhala.”
Simba: ”Ukhalela ntoni?”
Nokulunga: ”Simba ...”
Simba: ”Calm yourself makaMalik Suziphathisa okomntwana omncinci apha kuba uyayazi kakuhle ukuba
ndithethile nawe kakuhle nanjengoba sizothetha nanamhlanje.”
Nokulunga: ”Kulungile. Nditshike phambi komfazi wakho omncinci azobona apha kuwe ukuba
ndiqatyelwa entlono.”
”Bekungatyiwa na kwakho ipotyoyi?!”
Bisola: ”Kuzolunga ngoku siyaphaka.”
Venus: ”Simba!”
Simba: ”Sir?”
Venus: ”Khawuze ngapha.”

114
Undijongile ndanqwala engekathethi wandibamba igxalaba waphuma. Ujonge kum ngoko uNokulunga ...

115
TWELVE
Venus: ”Sicela ubulele Mluleki.”
Mluleki: ”Masivaleni amehlo. God bless our food dear Lord and bless the hand that prepared it, Amen.”
Thina: ”Amen!”
Bisola: ”Hands Mluleki, hands.”
Mluleki: ”Nditshilo nje mami.”
Bisola: ”Na so?”
Uyihlekile uMluleki.
Bisola: ”Masityeni.”
Utata walapha uVenus ebehleli kwintloko yetafile, unkosikazi wakhe ehleli ecaleni kwakhe. USimba
ebephakathi kwam noNokulunga, uMluleki ehleli ecaleni kuka Ulatho. Ebefunqule umntwana olisana
elisemabhayini ngeloxesha bekuthiwa kukho omnye oleleyo okwi nappy nabashiyeke nenanny endlini.
Andingeni ndawo.
Venus: ”Uyafumaneka uJunior?”
Utata uVenus, onyana bakhe bebethathe yena. Ngobude, ngebala nobuso. Lamehlo wabo mancinci
bebewathatha kuye. Eworse yena ingathi atsaliwe awake. Ebenenteshe ke yena. Noxa elixhego ke
kodwa ebefresh kunomam'uBisola.
Nokulunga: ”UtakaMalik umncamile.”
Venus: ”Njani ukumncama umntwana naSimba? Andiva kakuhle.”
Simba: ”Akadukanga uJunior mhlekazi, uyazazi apho akhoyo kwaye xa efuna ukubuya endlini azofumana
uncedo aludingayo uzobuya.”
Venus: ”Simba, ukuba akade azibone ukuba udinga uncedo kengoku kuthetha ukuba uyawuba
sesithubeni ubomi bakhe bonke kungekho nto uyenzayo wena njengotata wakhe?”
Simba: ”Ndidiniwe mna mhlekazi. UMkhuseli uthe ndinikele kuye, uzozama ukumfumana amse erehab.”
Mluleki: ”Into endiyaziyo mna kukuba akasekho eHillbrow. Kutsho kona ukuba uye kwenye indawo.”
Venus: ”Intliziyo yam ayizukuzola engekafumaneki lamntwana. Qinisekisani ukuba niyamkhangela
nimfumane nimfake erehab. Simba, uzawuyeka ukudinwa kancinci ukhangele umntwana. Ayisosicelo
esi.”
Simba: ”Yes Sir.”
Venus: ”Asisakuboni ekhapha, umamakho kudala ekhala ngawe.”
Simba: ”Bendixakekile Mhlekazi, uNomtha ebengekho right bendisahoye yena.”
Undijonge ngoko latata wanqwala kancinci.
Venus: ”Umcimbi wamaNigeria anikawulungisi wona? Ku-”

116
Bisola: ”Abeg, akuzuthethwa ngebusiness kusityiwa.”
Venus: ”Ayo business lento endiyibuzayo Lizzy.”
Bisola: ”Tata kaMluleki.”
Unyuse izandla emoyeni utat'uVenus wabuyela ekutyeni kwakhe. Bendikhe nje mna ndakuphakela
kwiplate yam kodwa bendingekatyi.
Bisola: ”Ubungekho right?”
Ubuze ejongise kum.
Simba: ”Ewe mama. Ebehlala eCBD kengoku ke umni weziflats bahlala kuzo ngumntu oqhunywayo
onobundlobongela, wayomvingcela embethisa ngenjanana zakhe. Ndamphindisela kemna njengoba
seyiyimfazwe nje ngoku.”
Mluleki: ”Ululamile kodwa ngoku, zange onzakale kakhulu noko.”
Umjamele uSimba.
Simba: ”Zange onzakale kakhulu? Wayengakwazi nokuphethuka uNomtha kuqaqamba nembambo,
nangoku usaqaqanjelwa. Wonzakala.”
Mluleki: ”Nditsho ukuba akazange ophuke ndawo. Ngethamsanqa.”
Uyongeze mva le yokugqibela kuba ebejanyelwe nguSimba. Utat'uVenus ebesijongile ede wancina
amehlo akhe.
Bisola: ”Bayasihlaza kodwa ababantu bawo wam. Ingathi sizizilqanyana sonke ngoku ngenxa yokuba
bafike kule South Africa badakisa igama lethu.”
Ulatho: ”Balidakise nyani ke mama kuba into nje eneNigerian phakathi ... mnkru!”
Mluleki: ”Injani laJoburg ngabo?!”
Simba: ”Kodwa ayingabo bodwa abagcwalise iJo'burg!”
Mluleki: ”Wonke nje lamntu wangaphandle uphaya. Somalian, Nigerian's, Ghanaians-”
Simba: ”Zimbabweans.”
Utsho ekrwaqule mna ndamjikelezisela amehlo waphela yintsini.
Mluleki: ”Kanene ungowase Zimbambwe Nomtha. Ndiyalibala.”
Simba: ”Ulibala njani? Akudingeki noba ubuzise apha uyazibonela nje ukuba lilo.”
Bisola: ”Caba ubonakala ngantoni?”
Simba: ”Akadingi ukubuzwa umntu othi 'urere' xa efuna ukuthi ulele. Uyazixela nje.”
Bisola: ”Make you no vex me! Awusoze ube xenophobic emzini wam! Abukho nje obububhanxa
ubuthethayo. Ungandicaphukisi."
Uthathe ngokuyihleka nje uSimba, wabeka isandla sakhe ethangeni lam ngaphantsi kwetafile.
Simba: ”Yitya ukutya kwakho.”

117
Bendilibele nokuba kufanele nditye ndijongene nabo ebusweni. Ndikrwaqule utat'uVenus wabe esitya
ukutya kwakhe naye kodwa iliso lakhe likhuthi.
Simba: ”Uxenophobic nawe, awukutyi ukutya kuka mama?”
Bendiphake ceazer salad kuphela. Bendifuna into elula, ndingaqondi ukuba kuzongena okwakutya. Hayi
ngoba kutheni qha nje ixhala. Bendibambe umzimba nje kulatafile ingathi akude kuphele sizohamba
noSimba.
Bisola: ”Konke ukutya okuletafile kuphekwe ndim.”
Ulatho: ”Nathi sincedisile.”
Bisola: ”Mhhh.”
Uyihlekile uUlatho.
Simba: ”Kuzofuneka umama akufundise ukupheka okukutya uzondiphekela ukutya okuright. Ngapha
koko ndizokushiya wedwa ndizohlala apha.”
Mluleki: ”Yitsho phandle ukuba ungumama's boy qha wena, ungabe utshona ezikoneni ugwegweleza.”
Simba: ”Ndingu mama's boy.”
Ndiyihleke kancinci. Uthinte umqala uNokulunga ndavala umlomo wam ngokutya.
Nokulunga: ”Ugqibele kudala ukutya okuphekiweyo, yilonto uhlile emzimbeni.”
Simba: ”Andihliswanga kukungatyi, ukutya kona ndiyatya qha zistress ezindibhuqayo.”
Bisola: ”Lonto uhle nyani, unyanisile uNokulunga. Ubunenteshana umhle.”
Simba: ”Ndizoba right.”
Mluleki: ”Kodwa uSimba akangomntu womzimba nenteshe njengathi, nangoku akagxekekanga.”
Bisola: ”Njengoba enentamo ende apha!”
Mluleki: ”Inde nyani yona.”
Simba: ”Ndiyekeni.”
Mluleki: ”Nomtha, uyakwazi phofu ukupheka wena?”
Ndinqwalile.
Nomtha: ”Kwayanzeleka ndifunde kwangoko ukuziphekela. Ngokuya ndiqhela ke ndazifundisa nezinye
izinto. Ndizama irecipe ezintsha. Ndingasa phekeli nje ukuphila.”
Uyihlekile.
Nokulunga: ”Ukuba bekungekho ngam ngabe wafa kudala uSimba, akukho kwanto akwazi ukuyipheka.
Wancama kudala ukupheka. Umntu otshisa nenoodles ezi zakwambala!”
Mluleki: ”Umama wayebukhali kum ndodwa apha endlini. Kupheka mna ndodwa oSimba
ingabantwana.”

118
Bisola: ”Abantwana bam abanobulawa yindlala ukutya nembiza zikhona. Sukulinge, bayakwazi ukupheka
abaya. Umntu oyingxaki mnye qha nguSimba.”
Simba: ”UMkhuseli lo uhamba esithubeni ekhangela umzi onokutya. Lowo? Ukuba uyonqena ukuya
eGreenstone uyakwi takeaways.”
Ulatho: ”Uke athi gqi nakwam!”
Simba: ”Uyay'bona!”
Bisola: ”Kuba esonqena hayi ukuba engakwazi. Hayi wena kokwezandla okwakho.”
Simba: ”Ndincame xa ndoyiswe yibacon qha. One, two ivutshwe! Ndiyibeke nje ndaphethuka
ndiyokhupha amaqanda xa ndiphinda ndiphethuka sekumnyama tsu.”
Mluleki: ”Hahahahahaha! Kuyaqhuma?!”
Simba: ”Bru!”
Mluleki: ”Hayi uyimomish. Ubuseza ibreakfast caba?”
Simba: ”Sancama sayotya ezanto zihealthy zase Kuaia.”
Mluleki: ”Ismoothie!”
Simba: ”Tyhini! Ndizixekele ngamafutha one way!”
Mluleki: ”Into ebuhlungu ke awusoze ubesakwazi ngoku sewuphekelwa ngapha nangapha. Okanye yinto
emnandi?”
Uthinte umqala uSimba akaphendula. Hayi ke kwathula emveni koko ku awkward into endingayaziyo.
Kukhale izitya, uSimba ebesitya ngesinye isandla esinye endibambe ithanga. Ebesitya ifried rice nenyama
yebhokhwe. Bekukho nefufu, nejolofu rice ... itafile ibidekiwe. Ingathi yiKrismesi. Andiyazi ukuba
bebekwenzani okushiyekileyo kuba bendiqinisekile ukuba akuzugqitywa konke okuya kutya. Ndisele
ijuice ndatya isalad yam. Mna mvundlana. Indlela besixekuzela ngayo isisu sam bendikrokra ukuba
notat'Venus ebesiva kulandawo akuyo.
Ulatho: ”Hayi maan Nokulunga.”
Utshilo ejonge uNokulunga wabe sentlimpinika ekhala. Caba ebekhalela phantsi njengoba
eqhashumbisiswa nguUlatho ngoku, ngokumthulisa.
Usukumile efundekelisa isitulo wankcunkca ukuphuma.
Kujongwe kuSimba wabe ezibambe intloko. Esinye isandla besisesethangeni lam waqinisa ukundibamba.
Bisola: ”Hamb'omjonga.”
Uphefumlile wasukuma wahamba elandela emveni kwakhe. Kushiyeke kuthulekile. Bendingayazi nokuba
ndithini ngesiqu sam, ndijikelezisa ukutya kwam ndingafuni kujonga mntu. Kuba bendiqinisekile ukuba
bendawufumana onke amehlo ejonge kum.
Bisola: ”Unangaphi Aneni? UnguAneni, abi?”
Nomtha: ”Ehe. Ndina twenty two.”

119
Ulatho: ”Uthe twenty two?! Shuuu awabimncinci. Uxakwe yintoni wangena isithembu umncinci
kangaka?”
Mluleki: ”Hayi Ulatho.”
Ulatho: ”Hayi ndiyabuza. Awekho mhlawumbi amakhwekwe alingana naye angatshatanga?! Naba
noBukhosi ukuba ufuna umntu omdadlana uthathe bona.”
Mluleki: ”Ulatho.”
Venus: ”Ungumntwana kabani?”
Ndifinge intshiya.
Nomtha: ”Ndingu mntwana kaSamora Tongai.”
Unqwale kancinci endiqwalasele ebusweni.
Bisola: ”Samora Tongai?”
Mluleki: ”Ewe mama. Ulatho khawuyojonga umntwana sthandwa sam.”
Ulatho: ”Ayinoba sevukile umntwana, usandolala.”
Mluleki: ”Sapha, hamb'ojonga umntwana.”
Umfingele intshiya wamikisa ngomntwana wahamba. Ndikutyhalele kude le ukutya kuba
bekungasangeni futhi ndingaboni kuzophinde kungene. Bendise ndaphelelwa ngumdla ngoku.
Kungene uSimba etshincekile. Ebetsintshe apha ebusweni uzuqonde engathi usele imagi yeholsum
yonke.
Uzochopha ecaleni kwam waphefumlela phazulu. Utata wakhe ebemjonge ngeliso elibi. Ukuba
ebeyiqaphele lonto uSimba akakhange ayinanze. Usele amanzi wandikrwaqula kancinci.
Simba: ”Askies.”
Nomtha: ”Akhongxaki.”
Simba: ”Awukutyanga nokukutya kwakho.”
Nomtha: ”Akungeni.”
Uphindisele isandla sakhe ethangeni lam wandinyusa ilokhwe endibamba umva wedolo ephulula.
Kuphume uNokulunga noUlatho belandelelana. Ayindiphosanga indlela ebendijonge kakubi ngayo
uUlatho! Bendiyiqonda kuba uthembeke kuNokulunga, ebengandazi mna. UNokulunga naye bengosisi
ngokomtshato, beneminyaka besazana.
Bazochopha phantsi bobabini.
Nokulunga: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”
Bisola: ”Akho ngxaki mntwanam.”
Nokulunga: ”Ndiyabulela mama.”
Ukhuphe umoya wafixiza ezibhebhetha ubuso. Ndibone uSimba emgxelesha.

120
Venus: ”Uphambene Simba?!”
Simba: ”Sir?”
Venus: ”Uphilile kakuhle na apha entloko?!”

Uke wamjonga utatakhe engaphenduli. Ebefana nonyana wakhe ngokusuka kuzero ukutsho ku eighty
ngokuphanyaza kweliso. Ebesisifu ngumsinto ebethe netafile kwangcangcazela ijolof rice. Bejongane
ibingathi ngunyaka utat'uVenus ede efutha. Ebezole okungathi ufile uSimba wandibamba isandla ngoku.
Kwangaphantsi kwetafile.
Simba: ”Ndiphile kakuhle.”
Venus: ”Andiqondi. Izinto ozenzayo zizinto zomntu ongenanto ebuchopheni Simba. Zizinto zomntu
ongaqiqanga apha entloko. Ayizonto zokuphila!”
Bisola: ”Uzozimisela ngentliziyo takaMluleki. Yehlisa umoya.”
Venus: ”Zizinto zokubhadla ezi uzenzayo Simba?! ZIZINTO ZOKUBHADLA EZI?!”
Mluleki: ”Tata!”
Bisola: ”Hayi khawuthethe naye Mluleki.”
Venus: ”ZIZINTO ZOKUBHADLA?!”
Mluleki: ”Tata.”
Bisola: ”Venus! Make you no vex me, abeg. Abeg.” ungandenzi umsindo.
Uphefumlile utat'uVenus wazosula ubuso.
Uyihleke kancinci uSimba woyama ngesitulo esajonge kutatakhe.
Venus: ”Usahleka?! Iyahlekisa lento uyenzayo? Uyibona ihlekisa wena? Huh? Simba- Simba! Simba!”
Mluleki: ”Tata yehlisa umoya. Akuzunceda nto ukuba umelwe yintliziyo ufele apha. Thoba umoya
mhlekazi.”
Venus: ”USimba akazutshata nalomntwana. Akukho mtshato namlobolo uzokwenzeka apha! Kunzima
ukuza apha endlini uhlale nam phantsi indixelele yonke into kuba uyayazi ndizokwala. Uthatha izigqibo
eziphambeneyo apha uchitha umtshato wakho weminyaka, uchitha usapho lwakho ngomtwa- uchitha
umzi wakho! Uvula itoti yezibungu?!”
Simba: ”Akukho mzi wam ndiwuchithayo tata. Akukho mzi ndiwuchithayo kuba andinamzi. Umzi wam
sewuchitheke kakade so ndizama ukwakha lonto noNomtha.”
Venus: ”Ngomphi lomzi uchithekileyo? Nanku uNokulunga ebelila ubusuku bonke izolo njengoba
esaxhwaleke nanamhlanje- ngenxa yesigqibo sakho!”
Simba: ”Akho mzi wam uwukhathaleleyo tata qha wena utyiwa sisazela sokuba ujongane n-”
Mluleki: ”Shut it Simba. Ngaphambili kokuba uthethe into ozozisola ngayo.”

121
Simba: ”Into endizoyenza kukutshata. Kuba umtshato wam noNokulunga wafa kudala. Umama uyazi
ekulandawo ukuba bendinga sonwabanga emzinam, noxa engasazi isizathu kodwa uyayazi ukuba
umtshato wam kudala waphela. Mna noNokulunga sayeka kdala ukuba ngabalingane. Three years ago
yafa yonke into bendiyiva entliziyweni yam for uNokulunga. Ndahlala naye kuba sisuka kude kwaye
akafuni ukuba umamakhe athi usisahluleki ngokubuyela kowabo. Noxa ndisithi ndizomshiya nomzi
akafuma. Kwakhona I sacrificed my freedom and happiness ndibuyela kulandlu. Three years singazani
njengomfazi nendoda noNokulunga. Sizi strangers. Ndithathe isigqibo sokuba ndithathe umfazi
ndingagugi ndodwa, ndingabi miserable and bitter ubomi bam bonke uzondixelela ukuba ndophula umzi
wam?! Akhonto uyaziyo ngengxaki zomzi wam! NguMluleki qha ondaziyo, yilonto elwile kodwa
wasamnkela isigqibo sam kuba uyayazi. Uzondixelela ukuba andinangqondo ngokuse ndifune into onayo
nomama? Ndihlale kulomkhenkce womtshato obubuxoki. Ndiphila ubuxoki iminyaka emingaka?!”
Venus: ”Nyana andina ngxaki mna nokuba ufune ukuthatha umfazi wesibini. Ukuba uNokulunga nawe
nifike kwesosigqibo akukho apho ndizolandula khona. Ikons itshisa wena Madiba. Kodwa hayi
lomntwana. Tshata noba ngubani kodwa hayi lomntwana. Uyabona leyo ayisoze yenzeke ndisaphila.
Anisoze nizifumane intsikelelo zam!”
Bisola: ”Venus ...”
Venus: ”Hayi Lizzy. Uyazi kulandawo ahleli kuyo uSimba ukuba ndimlwela ntoni. Uyayazi ukuba kutheni
ndingeke ndimnike intsikelelo zam.”
Bisola: ”Awusoze umkhethele umntu emakathandane naye. Intliziyo iyazenzela oko.”
Venus: ”Ukuba izomlahlekisa lontliziyo yakhe makayikhuphe okanye aze ndimkhuphele yona mna
ngalomzuzu.”
Mluleki: ”Tata ndicinga ukuba uSimba uyicingisisile yonke into ngaphambili kokuba athath-”
Venus: ”Mluleki cebisa into eyiyo emntwaneni. Umdala ungaka, cebisa into eright. Ungavumi lonto
ngenxa yokuba. Nyaniseka. Uyayazi nawe ukuba ayikho lento yenziwa nguSimba. Klaar!”
Bisola: ”Kungoba emncinci?”
Simba: ”Ayiyo lonto mama qha umyeni wakho unengxaki noNomtha.”
Bisola: ”Xa emazelaphi?”
Simba: ”Mbuze. Usose umbuza ukuba ingxaki yakhe indichaphazela njani mna.”
Venus: ”Young man!”
Bisola: ”Ukhona umntu ozondixelela ukuba kwenzeka ntoni apha? Kuba kucacile ukuba ikhona into
eniyazi nodwa kuletafile.”
Mluleki: ”Akhonto-”
Bisola: ”Simba?”
Simba: ”Buza kutata.”
Venus: ”Awuzuhamba apha ndinga kukhabanga.”
Mluleki: ”Ndicinga ukuba sehliseni imisindo sizothatha kaluhle.”

122
Venus: ”Ndifuna ukwazi isizathu mna Simba.”
Simba: ”Kuba ndiyamkhathalela. Ndifuna ukumnika usapho angenalo. Ndifuna ukumkhusela kubantu
abafana noEfe. Kuba akanaye umntu ozomkhusela. Akanatata, akanamama. Uyedwa. Ndimtyala oko.
Ndimtyala okuninzi kodwa koku endingakwazi ukumnika kona. Unezicelo nezinto azilindele kum,
ndimtyala ukuba ndibe zezozinto kuye. Ndiyayazi futhi ukuba ndizomthanda kakhulu"
Venus: ”Uqinisekile ukuba zizizathu zakho ezo nyani?”
Simba: ”Believe it or not andenzeli wena. Ndenzela mna. Indawo engangeyam.”
Venus: ”Kwakunyazelekile.”
Simba: ”Njengoba kunyanzelekile nangoku.”
Venus: ”Akunyanzelekanga. Qha senza impazamo yokuba singazigqibi-”
Simba: ”Kwakunga nyanzelekanga.”
Venus: ”Simba, khulula. Khulula yonke into uyamnkele ngokuba kwakufanele ibenjalo.”
Simba: ”Nandihambela ngaphambili.”
Venus: ”Kuba sasibona ukuba sawulinda ukuza kukanxele.”
Simba: ”Ndinike intsikelelo zakho nditshate uNomtha.”
Venus: ”Andisoze ndamamnkela njengomolokazana walapha kwaDlomo nyana. Andihlali nenyoka mna.
Ingqab-”
Simba: ”Sir, umthathi uyawuzala umlotha.”
Venus: ”Simba, ndithi umolokazana wam nguNokulunga qha. Onondatshaza, nonopatazane obarhugula
eHillbrow bethengisela amagweja kweza flats zidilikayo zimdaka abasoze babe part of usapho lwam.
Susirhugulela inkukhuma uzocela sikuxhase ngobobubhanxa. Simba, ungafumana nayiphi na intokazi
oyifunayo ukuphuma kwakho kulomnyango ukuba umtshato wakho udinga omnye umzi kodwa suharika
nantoni na uyizise emzini wam. Suzisa amathole amagqwirwa kwam. Inyoka zihlala ezoo hayi kowam
umzi. Ezam intsikelelo nenkxaso ndizozinika umntu okufaneleyo hayi nje noba ngubani. Hayi umntwan-
hayi Simba. Okwakho nje kukuba ube yindoda ugqibe umsebenz-”
Simba: ”NDIGQIBE UMSEBENZI?!”
Mluleki: ”Simba!”
Simba: ”NDIGQIBE UMS- hehehe!”
Bisola: ”Venus yintoni ingxaki ngawe uthetha ngoluhlob-”
Simba: ”Kulingile mama yiyeke. Akukho ngxaki kum. Ukuba utata ufuna kube ngoluhlobo andinangxaki
mna. Andinangxaki nentsikelelo. Ukuba kunyanzelekile ndizolikwaya ikhaya. Ndizonincama. Kuba
ukutshata ndizotshata. Otamnci bazondinceda ngento yonke ndiphume kuni. Ukusukela namhlanje
ndiyazi ukuba andinabazal-”
Venus: ”Uncama usapho lwakho nge- nge! Siyakuzala damnit! Awulizeli ngomva isapho nangeliphi na
ixesha. SIYAKUZALA! uzawusikwaya? Ngenxa yonondatsha-”

123
Simba: ”Ndiyalikwaya kuba ndizomenza umfazi lonondatshaza.”
Venus: ”Ndifile.”
Simba: ”Singayilungisa ngoku lonto.”
Bisola: ”Simba! Abeg comot! Khawuhambe uyobethwa ngumoya emzinakho mntwanam
ndingekakubuyiseli apho wawuvela khona ngalomzuzu kuba awuzugrogrisa utata wakho ndikhona.
Ndakukubulala ndenze icurry ngawe ndikutye.”
Usukumile uSimba.
Simba: ”Nisale kakuhle. Masambe Nomtha.”
Nokulunga: ”Tata kaMalik!”
Simba: ”Masambe.”
Ndisukumile ndiqhwanya qhwanyaza. Bebekhala bobabini utata nomama bakaSimba. Ezam
bendizibambe ngenkophe. Bendizele uyandiva ukuba ndithini? Ndibhidekile. Ndixhelekile. Ndibindekile.
Ibingathi kukho into endihleli apha esifubeni eyenza kubenzima ukuba ndiphefumle. Undibambile
uSimba ndixhomekeke kumandla akhe kuba bekungasebenzi namadolo la. Egevezela.
Mluleki: ”Simba ...”
Simba: ”Khawuyeke bru. Khawuyeke.”
Mluleki: ”Ndizokufounela.”
Simba: ”Okay.”
Mluleki: ”Ndiyak'thanda.”
Simba: ”Goodnight mama.”
Bisola: ”Simba, ubuye.”
Simba: ”Ndizohlala ndikuthanda.”
Bisola: ”Simba.”
Simba: ”Uzinakekele.”
Bisola: ”Uzoza apha ngomso Simba. Uzoza njengoba ubuqhele ukuza.”
Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”
Bisola: ”Ayingo bye bye lo. Please my son, don't kill me with heart attack. ”
Simba: ”Ndizokubona mama.”
Bisola: ”Uzondibona apha endlini. Ngomso uzobuya apha suzophunga ikofu kunye sana lam.”
Uphuze umamakhe ibunzi wandikhokhelela emnyango saphuma. Siyongena emotweni wangena kwicala
lakhe wathoba kwisteeeing wheel ixesha elide. Uvule ucango waphindela ngaphakathi endlini ehamba
ngesantya. Ndive amazwi. Utat'Venus. USimba. UMluleki. Bakhwazene nomam'uBisola engxola nabo
evakala ekhala. Uphinde waphuma ihempe seyivuleke wonke amaqhosa waqhuba imoto ...

124
THIRTEEN
Singene silandelelana endlini ndakhulula izihlangu zam ndazishiya apho. Ndiyokhupha amanzi efrijini
ndasela ndizama ukuthoba esisigaqa besisemqaleni wam. Bendingcangcazela. Izandla zam
zongcangcazela. Utsixile uSimba wama ngasemnyango endijongile.
Ndisele amanzi ndagqiba ndahamba ndisiya ekamireni. Undimbambe ngengalo ndisagqitha kuye
ndamjonga ebusweni ndilindele lento ebefuna ukuyithetha kodwa undibuke nje akathetha nto.
Nomtha: ”Simba, utatakho uyamazi uSamora? Niyamazi uSamora?”
Simba: ”Nomtha ...”
Nomtha: ”Ibingantoni yonke lanto? Ndiyinyoka? Ndilithole legqwirha? Unopatazane. Unondatshaza
inkukhuma?! Mna?”
Simba: ”Nomtha ...”
Nomtha: ”Yintoni ayaziyo ngoSamora utatakho? Kuba yonke lento yakhe yokuba nengxaki nam ivele
emveni kokuba ndibaxelele ukuba ndingumntwana kaTongai. Ndiyayazi niyamazi utata, nawe lo and
inkulu into. Kwalento utatakho asuke andithiye, andiyuce kungoba uyamazi utatam and ndifela izono
zakhe!”
Simba: ”Mhlawumbi utata uyamazi-”
Nomtha: ”Nawe!”
Simba: ”Andimazi mna utatakho Nomtha.”
Nomtha: ”Uyamazi Simba. Nonke nobhuti wakho niyamazi.”
Simba: ”Andimazi mna utatakho. Ukuba utata okanye uMluleki uyamazi andimazi mna. Neyokuba utata
ebekuthuka ngenxa yokuba umxelele ngegama likatata wakho ndiyiva ngawe mna. Ndimnke kulatafile
kuright.”
Nomtha: ”Ucinga ukuba kutheni endithuka ke ukuba ayinanto enokwenza noSamora? Angandithukelani
ngokubayinyoka engandazi? Ndibe yinyoka ngowuphi umzuzu?”
Simba: ”Kuba engafuni ndik'tshate.”
Nomtha: ”Isizathu kaloku sokungafuni unditshate siyintoni? Kuba uyibeke yacaca ukuba akanangxaki
nokuba uthathe umfazi wesibini, ingxaki kukuba ndim lomfazi wesibini. Lenkukhuma indim yiyo
engamnkelekanga emzini wakhe. Mna! Ungatshana noba ngubani kodwa hayi mna. So kucacile ukuba
ingxaki yakhe ndim!”
Simba: ”Andiyazi mna lonto. Into andiyaziyo kukuba ndithe ndifuna ukukulobola and yinto endizoyenza
lonto.”
Nomtha: ”This is too much. Ndiyabhanxwa apha. Wena nobhut'Mluleki notat'uVenus nazi into
ngotatam. Andiphambani.”
Simba: ”Anditshongo ukuba uyaphambana.”
Nomtha: ”Niyamazi uSamora.”
Simba: ”Mna andimazi.”

125
Nomtha: ”Uyamazi Simba, uyamazi.”
Simba: ”Andimazi mna utatakho Nomtha. Ndiyakuxelela ukuba andimazi. Mhlawumbi utata uyamazi,
mhlawumbi uMluleki uyamazi kodwa akhonto indidibanisa nabo mna.”
Nomtha: ”Nikwi business enye Simba akuno kwenzeka ukuba ungamazi umntu okucaca ukuba uthiywe
kangaka ngutata wakho. Sundenza igeza! Sundenza uthonqo.”
Simba: ”Utata usondelene kakhulu noMluleki kuba uthathe isihlalo sakhe kwibusiness and ngunyana
wakhe wokuqala. Mna ndiphendula kuMluleki. So kunezinto endingazuzazi abazazi bobabini and
mhlawumbi uSamora ngomnye wezozinto ke ukuba bayamazi.”
Nomtha: ”You are insulting my intelligence.”
Simba: ”Ndikuxelela inyaniso yam mna. Andiyazi ukuba uthi I'm insulting your intelligence ngokuse
kuthini.”
Nomtha: ”Andiyikholelwa ukuba awunomazi uSamora. Andiyikholelwa tu. Intetho yakho noba indeqile
na and andikwazi ukudibanisa kakuhle niyamazi utata wam. Into endingayaziyo nendinga yiqondiyo
kukuba udityaniswa yintoni nabantu abafana nani.”
Undikhulule ingalo wabuya umva kancinci endincinele amehlo.
Simba: ”Abantu abafa- abantu abafana nathi? What the hell do you mean xa usithi abantu abafana
nathi?”
Nomtha: ”Nditsho lonto kanye, abantu abafana nani.”
Simba: ”Kungoba singabantu abanjani thina?”
Nomtha: ”Ifraudsters. Idrug dealers!”
Simba: ”Uhlike kwelohashi ukulo kwakusasa sisi kuba lawuphala likuwisele phantsi. Awuzusinyusela
impumlo apha uzenze bhetele kuba ukuba utatakho unento emdibanise noVenus then naye ungabantu
abafana nathi. Andicingi ukuba babedityaniswa kukuncokola ngetea negolf notata. Either bubo ubufraud
obu, zizibhamu okanye idrugs. One way or the other ufana nathi kwayena qha swumazi wena.”
Nomtha: ”Utata wam ebengasoze abenento emdibanisa nedrug dealers. Ebeyindoda enyanisekileyo,
indoda engenzi izinto eziphume ecaleni. Ebengabulali bantu okanye athumele mntu ayobulala umntu.
Ukuba ebenento enokwenza notatakho kungoba utsalwe ngezixhanti wamfaka. Akangenanga kuzo
ngentando yakhe.”
Simba: ”You are so naive it's not even funny. Kuzobangcono ukuba uyamnkele into yokuba udaddy
dearest akanguye lomntu ubucinga ukuba nguye and yes ndizizo zonke ezozinto and I'm not apologetic
ngalonto. Ndikwishishini apha, andikhathali ukuba imali ndiyenza ngaluphi na uhlobo into
endiyikhathaleleyo yimali. I will call a hit and ndingabulala nomntu ngoku kwam. Ndithengisa izibhamu
ezibulala abantu kwimpi. Ndiyilondoda. Into endingazange ndiyenze ebomini bam kukuzenza umntu
endingenguye. I own my shit mna nana. Andizange ndizenze indoda elunguleyo kuba andiyiyo.”
Nomtha: ”Utatam yindoda elungileyo. Ebengenathambo ligwenxa emzimbeni wakhe. Ebelungile
utatam.”
Simba: ”Akhomntu othe ebengalunganga utata wakho Nomtha. Akakho tu. Nam ndilungile ebantwaneni
bam, ndilungile kuNokulunga. Naku ndihleli naye ithree year emveni kokuba ndifumanise ukuba

126
ndikhulisa umntwana wenye indoda, andamdubula ngeloxesha. Andilunganga ngokupheleleyo so ikhona
i1% elunguleyo kum. Utatakho inoba ibingaphezuku eyakhe kodwa akuthethi ukuba ebengenoba
sisikelem azane nedruglords ezingoVenus noMluleki.”
Nomtha: ”Ebene business. Legitimate business. Besithandaza qho xa silala. Qho ngeCawa sisecaweni.
Esendlini qho ebusuku andifake ezingubeni andiculele. Esenza yonke into ngokwencwadi. Ebesithanda
...”
Nditshilo ndizama ukuzixolisa. Ndizama ukuziqhatha. Bendizibambe ngenkophe inyembezi. Noxa
bendingafuni ukukholwa ukuba utatam bendingamazi bekunyanzelekile ngoku kuba inyaniso ibindijonge
emehlweni. Ebengutata olungileyo onyanisekileyo kuthi, ozinikeleyo kusapho lwakho kodwa
bendingamazi. Bendisazi lomntu amvezayo kuthi. Kukho lo amfihlayo. Lo umsebenzisana namagintsa
ukucoca imali yegazi.
Ndayiqonda lonto ngalamini kwakuthathwa imoto nezindlu zasekhaya ngenxa yefraud. Ngulo
wayesebenza imini yonke kodwa kungekho nto ibonisayo ngoku. Umntu ubungenomazi. Ndigqibe ngelo.
Awunoqiniseka ngaye kuba ekugqibeleni uzokuphoxa. Ngoku bendiqinisekile ngaphandle
kwamathandabuzo ukuba ebephila idouble life.
Ingaba ngutata kaSimba lo umbuleleyo? Ubabuleleyo. Okanye bekukho nezinye izikrelemnqa
ebesebenzisana nazo kobubuqhophololo ebebenza? Kuba bekucace gca okwekati emhlophe ehlungwini
ukuba uSamora ebe ngomnye wabo. Xa ndisithi wabo bendithetha ngooSimba nootata wakhe. NoEfe
nooSgebengu bakhe. Ebeyigusha eyombhethe ifele legusha. Wabulalisa abantu abamsulwa. Nam
ngendifele phaya ukuba. Noba ebeyintoni umama bekunga fanelanga ukuba ufele izono zikatata.
Bekungafanelanga ukuba uLumumba ufele ubuqhophololo bukatata. Bendimthanda ngentliziyo
nomphefumlo wam wonke kodwa ngebebulele yena a kuba kuyacaca ukuba nguye umntu bebemfuna.
Andiyazi ndifike njani phantsi kodwa bendichophe dekre kwitiles zakwelakhitshi ndizama ukuphefumla.
Bendingakwazi. Intliziyo yam ibiqaqamba. Ibibuhlungu. Ndisothule isikhalo nangaxesha nye ndizama
ukuphefumla.
Ibingubani utatam? Bebebulewe ngubani ebabulalela ntoni? Bekuqhubeka ntoni? Yintoni le bendizifake
kuyo?
Nomtha: ”Tshata umntu ofunwa ngutatakho. Andizukwazi ukuyenza lento mna.”
Nditsho ngaphakathi kwesingqala bendinaso. Andiyazi bendisakwazi njani ukuthetha kuba
bendiyinyhididi.
Uhleli ecaleni kwam uSimba wandiwolela kuye endiphuza intloko.
Nomtha: ”Andisafuni mtshato nawe ngoku. Ndizobaleka. Awusoze uphinde undibone. Utatakho akasoze
aphinde andibone. Ndizoya kude.”
Simba: ”Awuyi ndawo. Ufune ukuba ndikuhoye, ndikukhusele. Ndikuphe ifamily kwaye yinto
endizoyenza leyo.”
Nomtha: ”Andifuni mna. Andisayifuni yonke lonto.”
Simba: ”Nomtha akukho ukubuya ngamva ngoku princess. Akusekho ukubuya ngamva. Ndiyayiqonda
ukuba-”

127
Nomtha: ”Akhonto uyiqondayo Simba. Andifuni ukudealer nefamily yakho okanye nawe mna.
Andisafuni. Utatakho akandifuni, ngokucacileyo and kunokwenzeka ukuba nguye obulele utata wam so
ndizoyithatha njani ifani yomntu obulele utata wam? Ndizoba ngumntu onjeni otshata unyana womntu
othiya utata wam ngobomi bakhe bonke. Othiya mna.”
Simba: ”Uzokwazi kakuhle nje. Akhonto ezokudibanisa notata.”
Nomtha: ”Andifuni ukutshatela apha mna. Andifuni into endidibanisa nani Simba. Ningababulali.”
Simba: ”Nomtha, uyazi ungekavumi ukunditshata ukuba ndingumbulali.”
Nomtha: ”Nibulele utata wam!”
Simba: ”Andibulelanga tata wakho mna.”
Nomtha: ”Nimbulele!”
Simba: ”Nomtha ...”
Ndisukumile.
Nomtha: ”Yiz'othatha ingubo zakho sesikhona ispace phezulu kwebhedi. Ndifuna ukulala mna.”
Nditsho ndizosula ubuso ndamshiya apho ndayongena ekamireni. Ndikungise ibhedi ndakhulula
ndingena ezingubeni. Andikhangelanga nezompahla zokulala, bendinxibe ipanty nje kuphela.
Ndizigqumile ndikhalela ngaphantsi kwengubo. Bendicinga zonke ezazithuko zikatata kaSimba.
Ngekubhetele ukuba bendive ngondiva. Kodwa ukuba andithuke ngazo ebusweni bam ngaphambili
kwawo wonke lamntu. Inkukhuma mna? Bendiyazi ukuba bendilali noAyo kwaye bendisaqhubeka
ukulala ngenxa yomsebenzi kwaye abanye abantu bangavuma ukuba ngenene ndinguye unondatshaza
kodwa bekubuhlungu ukuthukwa ngesosithuko. Ngakumbi ngumntu omdala. Fine mandibe lithole
legqwirha. Kulungile noba angathi ndiyinyoka kodwa inkukhuma? Mna inkukhuma yonke!
Hayibo! Hayibo!
Kuvuleke ucango andeva footsteps zakhe. Ndive setyhila ingubo ndayiqinisa kodwa wandityhila.
Uphinde wayinyusa kancinci akubona ukuba andinxibanga ngentla. Uginye ingwiqi wandijonga
ebusweni.
Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngezithuko akuthuke ngazo utata. Ndizoqinisekisa ukuba awuphinde unyamezela
into enjengaleya kwakhona.”
Nomtha: ”Uzoqinisekisa ngokuba undincede ngemali ndihambe apha. Noba ayininzanga kakhulu
okokuba ndifumane noba yibhasi, noba ndiye kweliphi icala. Ndingaya naseKapa okanye
komaMpumalanga. Simba andizukwazi ukuqhubeka nalomtshato utata wakho endithiye kangaka.
Kuzochaphazeleka umama wakho okuthandayo kuba uzozisudusa kubo ngenxa yam.”
Simba: ”Leyo yinto endingasoze ndivume ukuba yenzeke. Njengoba ubuthatha isigqibo sokuba uzotshata
nam ngenxa yezizathu zakho akuka bikho nto itshintshileyo. Nangaphandle koko andisoze ndikuyeke uye
God knows where ungena plan. Ngoluhlobo besihlele ukuba sawukwenza ngalo, sawukwenza ngalo.
Ndizokunika yonke into oyidingayo, ndibe yonke into oyidingayo. Wena uzoba ngumfazi wam, xa kufike
ixesha sizame abantwana. Into engewuzikhathaza ngayo kukufuna isikolo qha wena. Sizolungisa nezonto
zamalobolo kuba sawukwenza njani ngazo. Kulenyanga izayo uyonxiba ekhayeni. Eyama Kapa yona
uyilibale kuba awuyi ndawo. Ukungakuthandi kukatata akukuchaphazeli zigqibo zethu. Yingxaki yakhe

128
azobona ukuba uyilungisa njani yena. Ukumbona umama ndizombona nangayiphi na indlela kodwa into
engazukwenzeka kukuba athi jump ndithi how high. Lonto ayisoze yenzeke. Ndizolala kula kamire.
Goodnight.”
Ndivale umlomo wam ndaphethuka ndijonga kweminye icala ndizigquma kwakhona. Uphinde
wandityhila endiphuza isidlele. Uvale ucango waphuma. Andiyazi ukuba ingqondo ikwazi njani ukuzola
ngokwaneleyo ukuba ude ufumane ubuthongo ngexesha nye ibe iphithene zizinto ezininzi. Ndivuke
kusasa ndibuva ubuso bam ukuba budumbile. Amehlo phofu. Umzimba udiniwe ungafuni kwanto.
Ndiphinde ndizigquma kwakhona ndalala ubuthongo. Ndothuke sekukhanya ngaphandle ndazincama
ndivuka kuba bendilambe ndisifa. Ndinxibe igown ndayopura ubuso ndixukuxa. Ndizijonge esipilini
ithuba elide ndaphumla ndaphuma. Bekuthe nkcwee endlini ingathi ndim ndodwa umntu okulendlu.
Ndingene ekhitshini ndothuka ukubona Sylvester echophe esofeni ebukele itivi. Ubhekile akundinona
wandincumela kancinci. Ndibe namanwele nje umzimba wam wonke. Bendingamthembi lomntu,
ndingamva. Andiyazi ukuba ebefuna ntoni apha.
Sylvester: ”Boss lady.”
Nomtha: ”Uphi uSimba?”
Sylvester: ”Kzn.”
Nomtha: ”Huh?”
Sylvester: ”Uboss useKzn. Ushiye mna ukuba ndikujonge ade abuye.”
Andijonge okanye andigade. Bendiba kuthiwe andikho setrongweni nje. Bekutheni ndane warder
kengoku? Bekutheni ndaziva okungathi ndinamaketanga. Okungathi ndingaphaya kwezisele?
Ndinqwale nje ndayobeka amanzi ekofu. Ndiwalinde abile ngokuqaba isonka ndayongena ekamireni
ndatsixa. Ndityele khona, ndahlamba ndaphindela ezingubeni.
Sylvester: ”Nomtha!”
Ndothuswe lilizwi lakhe ndisekude nobuthongo. Ndizolulile ndizamla yonke lonto.
Sylvester: ”Nomtha!”
Nomtha: ”Huh?!”
Sylvester: ”Ndicela uvele. Kukho umntu ofuna ukuthetha nawe.”
Namu? Huh? Inoba ibingubani lowo. Ndicinge ukuba mhlawumbi ngomnye webrothers zikaSimba.
Okanye ngubhut'Mluleki okanye uMkhuseli. Mhlawumbi nguBukhosi azondixelelisa kuba
ebengekathethi nto yena yedwa ngobudlelwane bam nobhuti wakhe. Bendiyazi ukuba uzoba nento
yokuthetha endingazuku yonwabela kwayena kuba watsho esaqala ukundobona ukuba akandithandi.
Ezinkonkxeni.
Nomtha: ”Ndiyeza.”
Ndiyopura ubuso ndaphuma. Bendilele ndinxibe icycle short nesikipa so akhange ndibe ndikhangela into
yokunxiba. Ndiphume engasekho emnyango ndaya elounge. Ndixinge kulandawo bendikuyo ndancina
amehlo am.

129
Nokulunga: ”Sishiye Sylvester.”
Sylvester: ”Askies ma'am kodwa andizukwazi ukukushiya naye. Ifavour yam iphelela apha.
Bekungafanelanga nokuba ulapha kuba akhange atsho nto ngokuza apha umlungu.”
Nokulunga: ”Sylvester uNomtha ngumfazi wesibini womyeni wam, ukuba ubungayazi lonto uyayazi
ngoku. Andidingi mvume ukuba ndizobona umom'omncinci wabantwana bam. Andiqondi futhi ukuba
umyeni wam uzawukuyonqabela into yokuba undiyuse undehlisa ngobukho bam apha. Andiqondi ukuba
ndidinga ukukukhumbuza ukuba ndingubani apha. Ndingu boss kuwe, andiphenduli kuwe. Yazi indawo
yakho kule food chain ungaziboni ulahlekelwa ngumsebenzi okanye umyeni wam edeala nawe.
Khawizinqabise ndithethe nomomnci wabantwana bam.”
Sylvester: ”Ndithatha iorders kusikhulu ma'am and njengoba benditshilo ukuba ufuna ukuthetha noboss
lady uzokwenjenjalo ndikhona. Ngaphandle kokuba uboss undinike ired light.”
Utsho wabeka iqatha ngaphezulu kwedolo wanyusa volume. Ebebukele iNBA. Umjamele uNokulunga
okungathi angamqhwaba ngempama. Lamplastarisho wendoda yakhe. Usongele izandla zakhe esifubeni
wajonga kum. Ebenxibe all black. Ingathi ngumhlolokazi. Mhlawumbi ebenguye, ebezilele utshato wakhe
ofileyo. Ebenxibe ilokhwe emnyama nehat enkulu emnyama. Umlomo ubomvu krwe.
Nokulunga: ”Ndizothetha nawe woman to woman. Kwalento yokuba unqike imilenzana yakho uyinqikele
indoda elingana notata wakho kucace gca ukuba awusenguye umntwana koko ungumfazi omdala.”
Nomtha: ”Nangaphandle kokunqikela uSimba imilenze andinguye umntwana. Ndingumfazi omdala
kakade.”
Undincinele amehlo wasondela kancinci ngakum. Umkrwaqule uSylvester waphindela etivini.
Nokulunga: ”Ndiyabona ukuba uze ngento enye nenye qha kumyeni wam. Kwaye ke ndizokunika lonto
mna ukuze uphume uphele emtshatweni wethu. Uhambe uyofumana intanga zakho kuba sthandwa sam
you will be miserable kulomtshato wakho. Akakho umntu ozokucacela ngaphandle kukaSimba kuba
uyakutya yena. Uzoba ngumfazana wale two room nyana, uphelele apha. Njengoba utata engakufuni nje
kwaye uvule ithanda phakathi kwabo uyawuba nezothe ubomi bakho bonke kule family. So ke kubhetele
uphume kwangoku nesidima sakho. Uyofumana enye indoda enemali nencanca enkulu. I'm sure intlanga
zakho zikhona and ndiva kusithiwa baphethe abobantu, baleka uyokhangela umthombo wemali khona.”
Ndiginye ingwiqi. Everyday bendizibona ndiqheleka.
Nomtha: ”Yintoni le othi uzondinika yona ukuze ndiphume emtshatweni wakho nendoda yakho?”
Ebengawulindelanga umbuzo wam wake waqhala amehlo. Yena noSylvester. Ebengasajonganga tivi
ngoku, ejonge thina. Mna phofu. Uthinte umqala uNokulunga wakrwaqula uSylvester naye.
Nokulunga: ”Imali. Andithi ufuna imali?”
Nomtha: ”Imalini?”
Sylvester: ”Ma'am ndicinga ukuba kubhetele uhambe. Andikuvulelanga apha ukuba uzokwenza lento
uyenzayo.”
Nokulunga: ”Twenty five thousand. Ndiqinisekile izokugcine ixesha elaneleyo ude ufumane omnye
utamkhulu osezofa.
Nomtha: ”Ndizoyifumana njani?”

130
Nokulunga: ”Andidlali apha ntombazana!”
Nomtha: ”Ndizoyifumana njani?”
Nokulunga: ”Ndinike iaccount number yakho ndizokufakela khona.”
Nomtha: ”Ndiphume kanjani kengoku apha?”
Nokulunga: ”Ngalendlela ubungene ngayo mhlawumbi. Andizukwenzela yonke into kaloku nawe
khawusebenzise ingqondo uphume apha qha into endiyifunayo. Ina faka le account apha. Mhlawumbi
ndingafaka ne extra uzokwazi ukuzothengela ichampaign ucelebrate kuba ndikusindisile ekugqibeleni.
Hayi kwifemeli qha kodwa nakuSimba. Uzondibulela ngenye imini.”
Ndithathe iphone yakhe ndayobhala ndamnika. Uyiqwalasele wanqwala.
Nokulunga: ”Uthathe isigqibo esiroght nono. Ndikuxelele into enye ngoSimba, uyazifela ngam.
Wandityumba kwabaninzi mariri wakhetha mna. Ndimxhasa leminyaka, ndilapha ecaleni kwakhe.
Ndamzalela oonyana abathathu bonke. Nantoni na akuxelele yona ngonyana wam omncinci nesizathu
sokuba akufune wena libala nono. Kuba noba kunjalo ndim lo ndisesemzini wethu. Ndisengumfazi kuye,
ndisalala kwimatrimonial bed. Awusoze udlule kwezizinto ndidlule kuzo nalendoda nangenxa yalendoda
wakugqiba uvumele umavukengceni we gold digger yase Hillbrow izokuthathela yonke into. Landoda
osenomsondo nje kodwa iyandithanda. Isandondla, ihoye izidingo zam nezabantwana bethu. Uzawuba
yonto yokuzunywa qha wena kuba ngumsebenzi wakho qha lowo. Intliziyo yona yathatyatywa ndimu lo.
Hamba sanalam. Hamba mhimhi. Ndizoythumela imali. Sylvester ndiyabulela.”
Sylvester: ”Uboss uzoyazi yonke lento. Ungekafiki nasendlini.”
Nokulunga: ”Ukuba uyakwazi okukulungeleyo uzovala umlonyana wakho.”
Sylvester: ”Ukuba ucinga ukuba uzondigrogrisa ngokuba ndandike ndakuzeka ungaqhuba. Into
endiyaziyo kukuba kuzofa mna kuqala kulandele wena. Baleka uyoxela. Kodwa ndiyakuxelela ukuba
uboss uzoyazi lento.”
Ibingathi uzowa phantsi uNokulunga wabambelela ngesofa. Caba enesibindi esingaka nje uyayazi ukuba
uzomgrogrisa.
Nokulunga: ”Ndizoyifaka imali Nomtha. USimba waziwa ndim. Ndizodealer naye mna. Uhambe. Ndicela
undikhuphe Sylvester.”
Unkcukcile ukuphuma eqhwashuzelisa izihlangu.
Nomtha: ”Sylvester.”
Sylvester: ”Boss lady.”
Nomtha: ”Bendicela ifavour.”
Sylvester: ”Andenzelani ifavour nomntu womlungu wam sisana. Ukuba ufuna ifavour kum uzoxelela
uboss, ibenguye uboss oxelelela mna. Ndiyenze ndibaleka lonto.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizokunika ihalf yalemali ndizoyinikwa nguNokulunga.”
Uphelile yintsini.

131
Sylvester: ”Yazi ingxaki yakho yintoni? Wena noNokulunga? Nibukela ifilm too much, nicinge ukuba
nizokwenza ezazinto zaphaya apha. AyoGodfather le! Bubomi bamanyani, and ihalf yaloten thousand
okanye twenty five thousand ayonto kum. Twelve thou five? Ndiyigibisela kwistrippers ngobusuku
obunye lomali. Andina favours zakho mna. Ungumntu kaboss qha. Don't cross the lines. Ndizokuhlopha
nawe undiyeke ndenze umsebenzi wam. Sigqibile mos.”
Nomtha: ”Ndizokunika yonke lemali.”
Sylvester: ”Andizukunceda boss lady.”
Utsho wandishiya apho ndaphefumla. Oko bendiwubambile umphefumlo wam ngoku ndithetha naye.
Ukuba bendingekho desperate bendingasoze ndimcele qha bendi desperate.
Nomtha: ”Bendicela ungamxeleli ke!”
Undijonge nje waphuma endishiya apho. Bendithandaza ukuba angamxeleli. Andincede!

132
FOURTEEN
Ndizive nditsalwa ngemilenze ndothuka ebuthongweni ndibambelela ngengubo ndayokunkuleka nazo
phantsi.

Oko bendikhala ke kuba bendingayazi ukuba kwenzeka ntoni and kumnyama nokuba mnyama
kulekamire.

Kukhanyiswe isibane ndisagqushalaza ngaphantsi kwengubo.

Simba: ”Good morning.”

Utsho ebambelele esinqeni endijongile. Bendingasedikwe ndibetheke kabuhlungu kanjani emaplangeni.

Ebenxibe umzantsi kwepyjama kuphela, nawo ewubhinqele ezantsi kuvele ipubic hairs kancici. Igaga
lonke lingaphandle. Ndithathe ezingubo ndazigibisela ebhedini ndayongena ebathroom. Ndithe
sendingenile ndacinga ukuba hayi maan! Benditsixile nje ukungena kwam apha kulekamire yena ungene
kanjani. Ndiphindele ekamireni ejonge efounini wanyusa amehlo akundibona ndiphuma. Ndijonge
emnyango wabe uqhaqhekile caba ugqekezile. Bendingayikholwa ke le into!

Nomtha: ”Ugqekezile?”

Simba: ”Amehlo akho awasebenzi honey?”

Ebendigcadisa lo.

Nomtha: ”This is a serious invasion of privacy. Xa nditsixile emnyango kuthetha ukuba andifuni mntu
ongenayo.”

Simba: ”Bendizoyazelaphi ukuba uzitsixele ngaphakathi okanye umnkile washiya utsixile mna?”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi ukuba ndikhona.”

Simba: ”Ndazi njani ukuba ukhona? Kuba ndiva kusithiwa une escape plan nomama wabantwan bam. So
ndiba akukho mntu kaloku mna.”

Ndimncinele amehlo ndaphethuka ndizongena ebathroom.

Simba: ”Hey! Uyaphi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyoxukuxa.”

Simba: ”Ndenza ntoni apha? Andithethi nawe?”

Ndiqinise imihlathi yam ndaphefumlela ngaphandle. Ugibisele iphone wasondela kum ndabuya umva
kancinci. Bendilumkela nokutyatyekwa ngempama ekuseni kuvukwa mntakabawo.

Simba: ”Ubaleka ntoni?”

Utsho esima.

Nomtha: ”Uzondiqhwaba.”

Simba: ”Ndizokuqhwaba nangoku.”

133
Indlela ebeserious ngakhona ndivele ndanesiyezi nje ukucinga impama yakhe.

Simba: ”Ucela ifavours koSylvester ngoku wena? Ubathembisa nangokubanyoba ngemali. Uyayazi
itwenty five thousand ukuba yimalini njengoba sewuphakuzela ukufuna ukuphaphatheka ngenxa
kaNokulunga okunika itshintshi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi ukuba yimali eninzi.”

Uyihleke kancinci wanikina intloko eyophuma ngomnyango.

Simba: ”Andifuni kuthiwe ndiyi abuser. Ukuba ndikulekamire omnye umzuzu ndizokhaba umntu.
Ndizama ukuba yindoda engcono kodwa zizilingo left right and center. Ndiyalingwa nje nguwo wonke
umntu. NgoSylvester. NgoNokulunga, ngoNomtha. NgoVenus. Fucking everybody trying me. Kusebaleni
kuni nenza itheko. Kuzothiwa ndiyahlukumeza emveni koko ...”

Ndishiyeke ndiphefumla ndachopha phezulu kwebhedi. Imali ibingenile ebankini yam, ine two thousand
ngaphezulu. Bendiyazi ukuba andizugqitha kuSylvester noba bendithanda ndakhetha ukuzilalela.
Bendisenza izicwangciso ngelaxesha ndilele kulabhedi. Ndicinga indawo okanye idolophu bendizoya
kuyo. Ndifike ndikhangele indawo yokurenta, umsebenzi ndiphole. Ngokucacileyo bendinga
cwangcisanga kakuhle. Bendiyazi futhi ukuba lemali ibizophela mhlawumbi ndingekawufumani
umsebenzi kuba njengoba ebetshilo uSylvester.

,akukho sefilmini apha. Andizufika kwidolophu entsha ndifumane indawo nomsebenzi ngemini enye.
Bendizoqala ngaphi kona kwidolophu endingayaziyo? Bendingayazi maan. Kodwa bendizibona
ndiphambana ukuhlala nababantu mna. Indzondo engaka kubantu abanga ndazi nokundazi ngenxa nje
yokuba ndinonyana wabo, umntakwabo, utata wabantwana babo, ubrother ... bendingazifuni apha.
Bendingazifuni kwababantu mna kodwa bendingena plan kwaye bendisoyika.

Ndingene ebathroom ndavulela amanzi ndizohlamba. Indlela belungongoza ngayo uvalo lwam ibingathi
intliziyo izoma ngalamzuzu. Ndikhulule ndangena ebhafini ndahlamba. Andiyazi noba yibhafu bendiyi
khathalele ngantoni leya kuba bendizithandela ishower mna. Ndikhawuleze ndaphuma ndazomisa,
ndaya ekamireni ndiyokhangela impahla zokunxiba. Kukhale iphone phezulu kwebhedi. Oko ebeyijule
phaya uSimba ngelaxesha ebethetha nam. Ndiyisukumisile ndijonga iscreen. Bekufouna uVenus. Ithulile
yaphinde yaqala phantsi kwakhona. Ungene ngokukhawuleza waxinga emnyango. Oko bendihamba
ngaze.

Unikine itloko wavala amehlo kancinci.

Simba: ”Iphone yam ibikhala? Ilapha mos. Ayikho apha?”

Nomtha: ”Ayikho mabeleni am kodwa.”

Simba: ”Sorry?”

Ebede endinyusele ishiya waphinda wandijonga esihla nam. Kumhla ndivelelwa.

Nomtha: ”Nantsi iphone yakho. Kufouna uVenus.”

Simba: ”Ngubani lowo?”

134
Yebethuna! Ndisondele kuye ndathatha isandla sakhe ndamnika iphone yakhe, phofu ndiyibeke
esandleni kuba kaloku 'ngutyekelele uthanda bani' yena.

Ndiphethukile ndayokhupha ipanty kwidrawers yepanty zam ndigoba kuba ibisezantsi ndimve ehlihliza
emveni kwam andamhoya. Ndiyinxibile ndakhupha nebra ndanxiba. Ndiphethuke esandijamele.

Nomtha: ”Ibikhona enye into?”

Simba: ”Imali ingenile?”

Ndifinge intshiya.

Simba: ”Imali le ibizofakwa nguNokulunga.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ingenile.”

Simba: ”Good, uyandikhupha for ibreakfast. Unxibe nice siya ebantwini abahlambayo.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo yimali yam le?!”

Simba: ”Uphangela kwamlungu bani kanene wena? Yimali yam leyo, naloNokulunga wakho akanatwenty
five thousand. Yimali yabantwana bam le, ukuba ndifuna ukuyitya ibreakfast ndizoyitya ibreakfast. Klaar!
Unxibe futhi uyeke ube undiseducer apha.”

Ndiyihleke kancinci. Bendizibona nje sendiseducer (na) naye. Ebenditya ngamehlo ngelaxesha.

Nomtha: ”Ndiphuma emanzini.”

Ikhalile iphone yakhe wayibeka endlebeni ephethuka.

Simba: ”Boss? Ewe ndiyise ngoku kwam. Ewe bendiye khona izolo ...”

Uphume ngomnyango wayotshonela. Ndikhangele into yokunxiba ndanxiba ilokhwe esilk ema entla
kwamadolo. Ibiyenye yezi zithengwe nguMalkia. Bendimvuma usisi ebeneliso lezinto ezintle.

Ndondlulile ndayococa ebathroom ndaya ekhitshini. Lomntu ebesithi ndixibe kakuhle ebesathetha
nephone ehamba ngogaga.

Simba: ”Vulela uSylvester umnyango Nomtha, bendiwutsixile.”

Uqhubekile wathetha nephone kodwa amehlo akhe ebekwimilenze yam. Ebe obsessed yimilenze yam
kuba naseclubbini wayebusy ejongongana nayo. Ebendidanise ngokuyizolela kangaka lento yemali
nokucela kwam ifavours kuSylvester. Bendilindele ukuba abe nobundlobongela. Ebenomsindo ewe
kodwa ebengeyiyo lonto bendiyilindele. Mhlawumbi nam bendilindele ukuba andibethe ndizoba
nesizathu nyani sokuhamba.

Ndiyovula umnyango ndarhola amehlo ukubona uSylvester. Ebene blue eye enjani yona emehlweni!
Umlomo wakhe ubusikekile kancinci.

Simba: ”Hey! Umfazi wam ukuvulela ucango, ndime apha. Awumjongi amabele. You don't do that shit!”

135
Uthinte umqala uSylvester walahlisa. Ebengandijonganga namabele ke ejonge mna ndimmangalele.
Ndisudukile emnyango wangena. Ebejanyelwe nguSimba obesabeke iphone endlebeni emamele emana
ngokuvuma nje.

Sylvester: ”Sorry boss.”

Simba: ”Sylvester you are scating on thin ice bru! Right hand man or not ukhona umntu ozokwenza
umsebenzi wakho ngcono kunawe. Andizube ndimamelene namaxolo akho ube usenza ifuck ups.”

Sylvester: ”Sure boss.”

Simba: ”Thin ice madzala , thin ice. Akhonto yophukileyo?”

Nomtha: ”Ebetheni?”

Simba: ”Ungenise uNokulunga apha.”

Nomtha: ”Umbethile?”

Simba: ”Sundenza isilwanyana Nomtha adimbethanga uSylvester ibiyifair fight kwiboxing ring. Ngenxa
yokuba engandivezanga blue eye akuthethi ukuba akandichananga mna.”

Sylvester: ”Ndifumene ipunch ezimbalwa.”

Simba: ”Uyabona? Argh bendisa thetha nephone kanene. Hello, yes boss. Ewe ndiyayazi mhlekazi
umsebenzi wam ndiyawazi. Ndineminyaka ndiwenza. Akukho siphazamisi ngandawo apha ndiyawenza
umsebenzi wam kwaye ndiwenza kakuhle. Ndise Centurion. Uxelele umama ukuba ndiright noNomtha
uright ndiyabulela ngokubuza. No thank you, goodbye. Yes boss.”

Ubeke iphone phezulu kwetafile waphefumlela phandle.

Simba: ”Masithethele ekamireni Sylvester. Ungabe ungena khona undilayitele ilaptop yam
ndisezithendeni zakho ngoku.”

Unqwalile uSylvester wahamba esishiya sobabini. Ebephunga ikofu wayirhabula endijonge emehlweni.
Uphefumlile wakugqiba okungathi bekukho into ebefuna ukuyithetha waphinde wazibamba.
Undincinele amehlo ecingela kum.

Simba: ”Ungaphinde ucele ifavours kubantu endibaqashe ukuba bakugade. Ndiyitsho okokuqala
nokokugqibela lento. Uzoqala ngokucela ifavours into elandelayo senisenzelana ikofu apha. Xa ndishiye
uSylvester apha ndimshiyele isizathu esaziwa ndim wena qhubeka nobomi bakho ubengathi ubona
idonga xa umbona. Ungaphefumleli ngakuye, ungathethi naye, ungancokoli naye. Andimshiyeli ukuba
nakhe ubuhlobo niplote iescape plans zenu. Bendithethe kakuhle nawe ndakuxelela ukuba ukhuseleke
xa usecaleni kwam kunaxa ungaphandle nalowelve thousand five hundred. You are under fucken
surveillance Nomtha Tongai. Bendicinga ukuba lanto yokuphantse uxhwilwe yakubonisa imeko okuyo
nabantu odeala nabo kodwa ngokucacileyo usazithatha lula izinto nangoku. Usacinga ukuba
ungaphaphatheka uye God knows where ndingafikeleli khona? Uzohambe ushiya itrail every-fucken-
where ungafunyanwa nguTiger ndingekakufumani mna. Yiza ndikuxelele into kemna princess, utata
akazukwenzanto ukuba usenam. Ungumntu wam. Uzokuthiya ayoma kwaphela ibhongo kodwa into
nomntu othandwa ndim yi no go area. Njengoba uxhamazela nje wena ngenxa yokuba eziphambanisile
izolo, noNokulunga aboyikisa ngenyoka ezifileyo bezokunyoba ngemali zam uzozibona etivini.

136
Sivumelene kakuhle mna nawe njengoba sewumpumputheka ucelana nefavours nje. Bendithe
andizuphinde ndikubethe, benditshilo kodwa ngoku uyazicelela. Uyandicenga ukuba ndikuqhwabe
uzotsho urestate isebenze kakuhle lengqondo yakho ucinge ngaphambili kokuba wenze. Uyayicela uthi
'ndibethe Simba, ndibethe Simba.'”

Sylvester: ”Boss? Skype iready.”

Simba: ”Two seconds.”

Sylvester: ”Ufuna ukuthetha nawe uAlekseyevich.”

Simba: ”Two seconds Sylvester.”

Uphinde watshonela ekamireni uSylvester etshintshile. Ebedikiwe nguSimba qha engenotsho.

Simba: ”Bendiphi kanene?”

Nomtha: ”'Ndibethe Simba, ndibethe Simba.'”

Uncumile wasukuka esitulweni enikina intloko yakhe kancinci.

Simba: ”Awubhadlanga wena. Ndizoba ready ngoku, lombala walelokhwe uyakufanela kodwa umhle
kakhulu xa unganxibanga nto.”

Undiphuze emlonyeni wayongena ekamireni yakhe wabuya nomnyango. Ibrownish- bronze-ish

lalokhwe. Ndizenzele ikomityi yekofu ndaphunga ndangqiba besatshone kulakamire. Kuphume
uSylvester emveni kwexesha.

Sylvester: ”Boss lady.”

Ndinqwale nje. Uphume ngomnyango wahamba. Ndiyomlinda ngetivi uSimba lomzuzu. Inoba
ebehlamba kulakamire.

Ndimlindile kulasofa kwakudala. Uphume semhle egqibile. Undincumele kancinci. Ebesuke wanice
kakhulu for umntu ofumanise ukuba ndinyotywe ngumfazi ukuba ndihlukane nendoda yakhe. Hayi
bendisuke ndaphathwa yintsini ke nam ukuyicinga nje yonke lanto yayizolo. Ibufilmrana nyani maan.
Inoba uNokulunga ebebukele iZee world wacinga ukuba yes! Ndizokwenza kanye lento kulantombi
yaseHillbrow. Heheee hayi mntakabawo. Besekushota aze nayo cash ngebrief case. Inene, inene
bayathandwa abantu. Lonto Bendingayazi ukuba ndithini ngala information yokuheshana kwabo. Yena
noSylvester. Bendinga bacacelanga bobabini, ndifuna ukuxela ngoku kodwa ndacinga ukuba ndiyibekele
umbeko.

Kukhale iphone yakhe wayiphendula sengaphambili kwam. Unyuse isandla ndambamba wanditsala
ukuba ndisukume. Ebenuka kamnandi ingase ndizingcwabe esifubeni sakhe.

Simba: ”Bru! Siyaphuma ngoku sisesendlini, ndenze ireservationd ngegama lam. Full name, Simba
Nkokheli Matanzima. Sure, uMluleki inoba isendleleni naye ngoku nathi sizokhawuleza. Sure.”

Nomtha: ”Nkokheli!”

Simba: ”First name Simba. Elo yimiddle name. NdinguSimba.”

137
Nomtha: ”Ndithanda eli likaNkokheli mna. Litsho lakufanela wayindoda yomXhosa yokwenyani.”

Simba: ”Nanini na ndiyindoda yomXhosa. Half Xhosa, half Nigerian.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake bendiba ndizobuza ngaba bantwana bakho banamagama angaqhelekanga.

Ayingowes'Nigeria mos.”

Simba: ”Malik, Arabic name. King.

Nura, Arabic. Light. Ukukhanya. NguMkhanyiseli ngesiXhosa okanye uKhanya. Kukukhanya kwethu.
Isibane sethu.

Malkia, Somalian name. Queen. Yi ndlovukazi yam. uJunior ngu ...Junior.”

Nomtha: ”Qha?”

Simba: ”NguJunior qha.”

Nomtha: ”Kwipasi kubhalwe bani?”

Simba: ”Junior Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo! So akathathanga igama lakho aze abizwe nguJunior ke kuba unguSimba Nkokheli
Junior?”

Simba: ”Aneni Nomtha Tongai, nguJunior qha. Wathiywa ngumamakhe so entliziyweni yakhe inoba
unguz'bani bani Junior. Igama likatatakhe wamanyani.”

Nomtha: ”Abanye abantwana bathiywe ngubani nguwe?”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Ebeyazi into ebeyenza uNokulunga.”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Yep. Indlela eninzulu ngayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ebesithi ndizofumana 'incanca enkulu' qha kuwe. Yena unentliziyo yakho. Kuba ufumanise
ukuba uJunior akangowakho kodwa usesebomini bakhe.”

Simba: ”Uzofumana incanca nentliziyo kunye nendoda. Uzoyeka ukuthetha kakhulu xa unguMatanzima
kuba unguBooi yena.”

Nomtha: ”AkangoMatanzima?”

Simba: ”Matanzima etshate nabani? Umfazi wam akazungabina fani yam ngenxa kaNokulunga. Uyazazi
ukuba ume ndawoni kum. Ndiyamhlonipha, wenze umsebenzi omhle ukundikhulisela abantwana.
Wenza indlu yethu yalikhaya waphinda way'bhidliza yena ngobufebe bakhe. Ukuba bendingayivanga
into kaJunior ngesisekunye nangoku.”

Nomtha: ”Uyatsho mos nawe ukuba wawusoloko usesithubeni, ubuye udiniwe ungafuni nokumbamba.”

138
Simba: ”Besingazukutya orgasms nedoggy style. Indleko bezingazuku hlawulwa ngu 'yifake yonke'.
Besiyenza xa ndinexesha okanye ndingadinwanga. Ukuba uhleli endlini imini yonke akhonto uyenzayo
uzofuna isex yemihla ngemihla kakade. Yilonto ndifuna ufunde nawe ungabe undibalela ihours
endimnke ngazo nerounds esizenzileyo ngeveki.”

Nomtha: ”Akusemnandi ucinga ukuba sawulala.”

Simba: ”Ubona lento ubufuna ukubaleka netwelve thousand five hundred? Hehe! Niphila kamnandi
maan noNokulunga. Yazi ingase ndibe nini. Ndiboniswa kamnandi.”

Ndizivalele umlomo wam. Ebeyithetha lula ngoku kodwa ebenomsindo ukundivusa kwakhe kuba ebeyazi
ukuba ngendihambile ndithanda.

Simba: ”Ndizomisa phaya ecaleni kwendlela ngoku ndikunike isibham undidubule.”

Utsho eserious ebusweni ndamfingela intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Unesibham?”

Simba: ”Ucinga ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Bendingayazi ukuba unesibhamu.”

Simba: ”Ubuyibambela. Ucinga ukuba umntu othengisa izibhamu angangabi nezibhamu? Ndineroom
yazo phaya kwam, zikwi display. Ubuzozibona ukuba ibingengomzi kaNokulunga. Andiqondi
angabonwabela ubukho bakho.”

Nomtha: ”Angaraka. Ndikudubuleleni?”

Simba: ”Kungcono ndife kunoba ndimamele wena ucula.”

Ndimbethe ngenqini egxalabeni wayihleka.

Nomtha: ”Andiziqaphelanga noba ndiyacula.”

Simba: ”Ingathi uyibhokhwe exhelwayo.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Simba: ”Ungaphinde uyenze lonto. Ucingele abantu.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Simba: ”Abantwana bam bangatya ntoni ndizibulele ngenxa yakho?”

Ndinikine intloko yam ndincumile. Ebendiqhela kakubi lomntu.

Siyongena kwirestaurant saya kwitafile yethu.

Nomtha: ”Sawutya kwirestaurant yamaChina?!”

Simba: ”Korean. Banchan.”

Nomtha: ”Korean Banchan? Yintoni iKorean Banchan?”

139
Simba: ”Korean restaurant, igama layo yiBanchan. Uyakwazi ukutya ngechop sticks? Ungandihlazi sizotya
nebest buddy yam apha.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Uphelile yintsini. Sifike kwitafile kukho umntu ongubhuti nosisi. Bebezintanga zoSimba bobabini.

”Nkokheli!”

Simba: ”Siyanda. Molo Lulu.”

Uxhawule uSiyanda wanga uLulu emphuza isandla.

Simba: ”Yifiancé yam uAneni Nomtha Tongai lona. Nomtha ngumhlobo wam omkhulu uSiyanda
Mahamba nonkosikazi wakhe uLuleka.”

Ndibaxhawule bobabini.

Luleka: ”Uyi model?”

Simba: ”Umodelishela mna ndodwa.”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Mxm kanene wena. Ndiyavuya ukwazi Nomtha.”

Sichophe phantsi sabuzana impilo sonke sancokola ngokufika kwethu kade apha. Ebekhululeka uSimba
xa enetshomi zakhe. Ehlekela phezulu engayeki ukuncuma. Bebengazisusi izandla komnye oSiyanda.

Siyanda: ”So umcele nini uNomtha akutshate?Ndagqibela ngokuya wawusithi akakho right mna.”

Luleka: ”Kona iphi i engangement ring?!”

Simba: ”Ayikabikho-”

Luleka: ”Nkokheli!”

Simba: ”Ni aware ukuba nini nodwa abandibiza ngelogama. NdinguSimba kuwo wonke umntu
ngaphandle kwenu.”

Luleka: ”Sukudukisa iphi iringi yomnye?”

Simba: ”Iringi yinto yokugqibela kaloku Lulu. Sendikhuphe ilobola kuqala emveni koko ndimfake iringi
yomngejo. Ndizobe ndiyadelela xa ndizomgaxa iringi kungekho nento ngaphambili. Asingoma gqobhoka
kaloku thina.”

Luleka: ”Omnye ubhuti wandigaxa nge engangement ring engaziwa nokwaziwa ekhaya.”

Siyanda: ”Singamagqobhoka kaloku thina sthandwa sam.”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! Yatsho lanto.”

Siyanda: ”Ey imizi ayifani kaloku Madiba. Wenza ntoni Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Bendiphangela kodwa ndisawuyekile ndizotya imali kaSimba. Umntu makucace xa eyi sugar
daddy.”

140
Luleka: ”Girl!”

Siyanda: ”Uyafundekela Nobhesi.”

Luleka: ”Cheers to that my nana! Ndithanda kanye abanje mna abantu.”

Simba: ”Uzofunda uNomtha azenzele imali yakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Nditye eyakho kodwa.”

Undijonge ebusweni encumile wandiphuza. Bendingalindelanga tu ndayihleka kancinci.

Simba: ”Pin yam ngu1011.”

Siyanda: ”Hahahahaha! Yem-yem! Vela bambhentsele! Ngqolomsila! Ntande! Zondwa zintshaba

zingazumenza nto! Into zasebukhosini madoda!”

Simba: ”Jonga mntram ayik'tshe yonke.”

Siyanda: ”Hahahaha!”

Luleka: ”Uthini uNokulunga?”

Simba: ”Unyobe uNomtha ngemali izolo. Twenty five thousand, ukuba aphume empilweni yam. Unyoba
umntu wam ngemali yam.”

Luleka: ”That is gangster!”

Simba: ”Andiyazi Lulu.”

Luleka: ”Wathini Nomtha?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyithathile.”

Siyanda: ”Une access eCenturion?”

Ubuze eserious, engayihlekeli tu yena.

Simba: ”Uvulelwe nguSylvester.”

Siyanda: ”Masithembe ube namazwi naye.”

Simba: ”Ucinga ntoni?”

Siyanda: ”Good. That is unacceptable. UNomtha uyaya yena kwakho?”

Simba: ”Eyofuna ntoni?”

Siyanda: ”Ungenwe yintoni uSylvester?”

Simba: ”USylvester ingathi ungxamele ukuba yingxaki. Akaqali ukwenza izinto ezinje kodwa impazamo
ikum ngokuba ndimxolele kuqala.”

Siyanda: ”Uneminyaka esebenza nawe uMonti. Years. Uthembekile akake aphoxe. Nyusa yena and get
rid of trash. Enyanisweni andiyazi ubuxolela kanjani ububhanxa obungaka kuloSylvester. Ulunge gqithi!"

141
Simba: ”Okanye wena ukhohlakele gqithi.”

Siyanda: ”Okanye wena uthemba gqithi. Ukuba uyonqena ndingakwenzela mna. Ngomso lo usayo.”

Simba: ”Yima kancinci Siyanda.”

Unikine intloko yakhe kancinci eqinise imihlathi. Yhuuu hayi ababantu banjani! Indlela ebesetshintshe
ngayo laSiyanda ubungenotsho ukuba ngulo ebentsintsitheka aqethuke intloko ngoku. Umfazi wakhe
umbambe isandla bancumelana. Waphinda waqinisa ubuso xa ejonga kuSimba kwakhona.

”Molweni!”

Bakhawuleze basukuma uSiyanda noSimba sasukuma mva thina. Baxhawulile banga Ulatho.
Ndimxhawule mna bangana noLuleka. Ubhuti undangile wandiphuza isidlele.

Mluleki: ”Uright?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Mluleki: ”Kuthwa unetwenty five thousand.”

Yhu! USimba. Ndinqwalile. Unikine intloko yakhe kancinci wachopha phantsi ecaleni konkosikazi wakhe
ebendijamele enyuse nempulo.

Luleka: ”Besizotoastela uSimba noNomtha. Mhlobo wam congratulations, ndiyavuya ukubona unomntu
okonwabisayo ecaleni kwakho kwaye ndininqwenelela uthando olunyulu nolunomonde. Cheers!”

Thina: ”Cheers.”

Siselile wandiphuza emlonyeni kwakhona.

Simba: ”Umhle kakhulu namhlanje.”

Ebesebeza kuve mna ndodwa.

Nomtha: ”Awusandiphuzi mntakabawo.”

Nam bendisebeza waphela yintsini kutaka lento ebeyisela.

Mluleki: ”Hay maan fok! Usithufela!”

Simba: ”Askies, askies. Ndihlekiswa nguNomtha.”

Ebesayihleka. Ndiqaphele uSiyanda esijongile enikina intloko yakhe encumile.

Luleka: ”I'm ready to order! Uright Ulatho, ingathi uconstipated mntase. Ndinazo ke ipilisi ze contipation
emotweni.”

Ulatho: ”Ndiright sthandwa, enkosi.”

Luleka: ”Ohhhh ke lovie. Ingathi awukho right, inoba ngabantwana ne.”

Siyanda: ”Nam ndilambile ngoku! Uphi lomntu azosinceda?!”

142
Simba: ”Ubuthe kanene uyakwazi ukutya ngechop sticks?”

Nomtha: ”Undiphefumlela endlebeni.”

Simba: ”Yilonto ingono zakho zimileyo kengoku? Une goosebumps?”

Nomtha: ”Bendikuxelele ukuba andingeni ndawo kwindlela umzimba wam oreacta ngayo kuwe.
Andikuthandi qha.”

Simba: ”Isex ingenaphi ekungandithandini kwakho?Noba singalala xa sigqiba uqhubeke ungandithandi.

Andifuni thando mna ndifuna uchophe ebusweni bam qha. Xa ndigqiba le brunch ndifumane idesert a lá
coochie.”

Kutsarwe mna ngamathe ndakhohlela isidala sento ephelile yena yintsini ecaleni kwam.

Luleka: ”Hayike! Nizoya kwinaughty corner!”

Nomtha: ”Lelixhego linendevu ezimhlophe!”

Simba: ”Hahaha!”

Mluleki: ”Khanizibambe phambi kwabantu.”

Simba: ”Sizibambile. Andithi Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm. Andisafuni nohlala ecaleni kwakho.”

Simba: ”Ndikuyekile.”

Ndijikelezise amehlo am.

143
SIXTEEN
Ndothuke ebuthongweni ndizama ukugqushalaza kodwa ndibambekile. Ndiwavule ngokukhawuleza
amehlo am ndijonga indawo bendikuyo. Beku empty ngaphandle kwesitulo besihleli ngaphambili kwesi
bendibotshelelwe kuso. Ibuyile ingqondo.

Bendithetha noSylvester ngaphandle kwendlu, ndimbuza imibuzo. Warhola itshefu etasini. Efe! Bendive
ilizwi lika Efe!

Ndibheka-bhekile kwabe kungekho mntu kularoom bendikuyo.

Bekukho isponge ekoneni, kukho neragi egityiselwe nje phezulu kwayo.

Bekupeyintwe mhlophe kukho iburglars ezifestireni. Bendinga kwazi nokuthini, ndiqinilwe kwesasitulo
bendibotshelelwe kuso. Ndigqushalaze ndancama ndakhala kuba bendiphelelwe ngamandla
namathemba. Ndikwaze kwakudala. Bendiqonda ukuba uEfe angayiyo yonke into kodwa ebengesiso
isibhanxa. Ukuba ebeyazi ukuba xa ndikhwazwa ndizofumana uncedo ngendivale umlomo so noxa
bendikwaza nje, ngethemba lokuba kukho umntu ozondifumana bendiyazi ukuba bendizawuhlala phaya
ixesha elide. Kodwa noba bekunjalo andiyekanga ukukhwaza ndicela amancedo kubantu. Emntwini.
Noba ngubani. Andincede andikhuphe apha. Kuvuleke ucango ndisakhwaza, kungene uEfe. Ebenxibe
impahla ezingathi zezemilitary namaquza akhona. Ebenesicuku esinedreadlocks wazitsweba zaya
ngemva. Ebehamba yedwa. Ungene setsho ngoncumo okudikayo nje ndanyakama.

Efe: ”Nomtha, Nomtha. How far?” molo.

Ndimjonge nje andamphendula wayohleka kancinci. Bendingayiboni nento ehlekisayo.

Efe: ”How you dey?”unjani.

Usondele kum wandibamba isilevu endibamba rhabaxa ukuba ndimjonge.

Efe: ”What do they say again in Zulu? Huh bebe? What do they say? Mhhhh what is it now ... 'Entlek
wena o re o tlo fela kae?' Aha! It's Sotho right. Abi?”

Undichwakaze kancinci ubuso. Bendinga khali nokukhala, inyembezi zizehlela nje ebusweni bam.
Bwndimonyanya ngentliziyo yam yonke uEfe. Ngentliziyo yam yonke. Ndigqushalazile ingase
ndimbambe ngezandla zam. Bwndingayazi ukuba bendawumenzani ndingena mandla akhe kodwa
bendifuna ukufa ndizamile.

Efe: ”Honest to God Nomtha, I dey miss you. There's somebody else in your room, you know? Another
sweet, gorgeous looking Zimbwabwean ass. But I dey miss you much much. You are the one that got
away. The one I never got to savour. But what do they say again? God for everyone. Na wa oo. We are
going to have a beautiful night you and I. All night long, till the morning comes. And then I'll send you
over to my G's in Saudi Arabia. They are looking for a melanin queen like you. Nice body. Exotic African
beauty. A little sex slave there. How about that? Mh?”

Uphindele emnyango enyuse amagxa wayotsixa ucango. Ubuyele kum wazondikhulula lantambo
ebendibobhelelo ngayo wayigibisela le kwenye ikona.

144
Uphinde wandiyusa isilevu kwakhona endiqwalasela ebusweni. Undiqhwabe ngomva wempama
ndazikhusa sele ingene yonke. Inditsho ndadizzy kodwa ibingafani neka Simba. Eka Simba ibiphuma
yodwa leya. Zizehlele nje inyembezi emehlweni. Bendibulela ukuba ndingena nwele kuba ndiqinisekile
ukuba ngenditsala ngazo ngoku.

Efe: ”Stupid b*tch! Who the hell do you think you are? Bringing your man to my flat to kill my brother!!
For what?!”

Ebendibambe intamo endikwritsha ndazama ukususa isandla sakhe entanyeni yam ndiphelelwa
ngumoya. Undityhalele umva ndayobetheka kabuhlungu ngentloko ndibuyisa umoya. Ndiphefumle
ndazama ukuphefumla kwakhona. Bendizoba neduma kulandawo bendibetheke kuyo ngentloko.
Bendiziva nje.

Undinyuse ngewashing wandibuyisa umva ndayobetheka edongeni ngomqolo kabuhlungu.

Ebesihla inyembezi endijamele nqo ebusweni.

Efe: ”My day one! My brother died because some low life stupid b*tch from no where comes into my
flat and traps me. After everything I have done for you. Huh? You getting away with not paying me my
rent on time. I didn't abuse you! I didn't sleep with you! I let you dodge me and pay me at your damn
time! YOU COME INTO MY HOUSE! my flat and you trap me? Me? Get my man killed by your drug dealer
boyfriend! You will bleed baby get. Out of your pussy, out of your ass! And then I will sell you stupid ass
to Arabians. You will wish I had killed you!”

Efe: ”God don butta my bread!” uThixo uyiphendule imithandazo yam.

Undiyekile wabuya umva ecumile.

Efe: ”Entlek wena o re otlo fella kae. Kere batho bamona never baloke! Hahaha. Tonight is the night of
the butternut. Tomorrow we are shipping the goodies! Heh! Money, money! Where is boyfriend now?”

Uchophe kwesasitulo besiphambili kwesi sam woyama ekhupha icuba elilayita. Ndichophe ngempundu
phantsi ndakhala. Bendiyazi ukuba noba ndingamcenga kangakanani ebengasoze andisizele. Noba
ndingam thembisa izulu nomhlaba ebesela egqibile ngam. Bendisoyikiwa nayilento ebezoyenza kum
ngalamzuzu. Ndingcangcazela umzimba wam wonke. Mhlawumbi ibingu msindo okanye iluloyiko.
Undijonge ngamehlo agcwele indzondo, eqhumisa umsi ewuqhumisela phezulu esandijamele. Bendifuna
ukuthetha kodwa ipride yam indibambe yandiqinisa.

Kunqonqoziwe emnyango. Indlela ibingxola ngayo ibingathi banqonqoza ngehamile. Usukumile uEfe
wayovula. Kubekho usebe sebe waluvula gebelele ucango. Andicinganga nangeziphumo zento
bendiyenza. Ukuvuleka nje kolacango ndibone inkululeko yam. Ndabalela ukuya emnyango, undinqakule
lula nje uEfe wandibamba ngempahla endigibisela kula matress ubusemveni kocago enxapha. Kungene
umntu ephethe ibox. Uyivulile wakhupha into eblue. Bayimpompile yankulu.

Kungene omnye nepipe bayivulela kwaphuma amanzi. Ibizeza swimming pools zimpontshwayo.

Bayigcwalisile baphuma nepipe.

Sishiyeke sobabini kwakhona. Ebetshaya elinye icuba waligqiba.

Nomtha: ”Andizange ndimthumele mna uSimba ukuba abulale uS'gebengu!”

145
Efe: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Efe ndiyakucela.”

Ilizwi lam beliqhekeka. Bendingcangcazela luloyiko.

Efe: ”You don't have to beg, you will get it for free.”

Utsho wadukuma waza ngakum. Unditsalile wandibamba intamo endiqinisa intamo kwakhona sibuya
umva. Ndimcengile ndibona ukuba undisa kulamanzi bebewagalele kulanto.

Nomtha: ”Efe.”

Efe: ”Shhhhhh. It's okay.”

Nomtha: ”Efe.”

Efe: ”Shhhhh now. It's okay.”

Ndizamile ukutshela kuye wandinyanzela endifaka kulamanzi embamba intloko yam ngaphantsi
ndigqushalazisa inyawo. Undibambe nezonyawo wazifaka ngaphakathi wandiyeka. Ndikhohlele ndataka
amanzi ngomlomo nempumlo.

Nomtha: ”Hayi! Hayi! Hayi!”

Uphinde wandifaka kwakhona endibamba ixesha elide. Ndizame ukubamba umoya ndoyisakala
nditsarheka kuba undibambe ixesha elide.

Undiyekile ndaphuma ndigqushalaza kwakhona. Ulayite elinye icuba watshaya embhombha ingoma
bendingayazi nokuba ithini. Eneneni bendinga yikhathalelanga.

Ndimbone enditsala endikhupha kulamanzi wandirhuqa ukuya etrasini.

Undijule phantsi wakhulula ibhanti. Ndizisongile kwelaphantsi.

Unditsale ngesikipa endisukumisa. Ndigqishalazile ndimlwa wandingquba intloko ngeyakhe ndafayinta.

Ndiphaphame sendibotswe inyawo nezandla endizise ngomva ezenzela kum. Bendingakwazi
nokunyakaza.

Ebendingena ngayo yonke imingxunya- emva nangaphambili. Nasemlonyeni. Ebengayeki ukundibetha xa

ndizama ukumlwisa, andikrwitshe ndide ndifeyinte. Impumlo yam yophe yade yayeka. Bendizonyanya
ngalamzuzu. Ndinqwenela ukuba andibulale bhetele, bekubhetele ukufa kunalanto ebendenza yona.
Bendiainisekile ukuba bendikrazukile yindlela bendiqaqanjelwa ngayo, inoba bekukho negazi. Uyenze
lonto iyure ezininzi engaphelelwa ngamandla. Aze aphinde aqalise apho ebeyeke khona. Bendiyekelele
mna ngeloxesha ndisiya kwelicala andisa kulo, amandla engekho kwawona. Unditsale ngengalo
wayokundithi dyumpu emanzini.

Uqhube ubusuku bonke emana eyondilahlela kulamanzi. Ukudina khona.

Ngengomso akhange ndithengiswe njengoba ebetshilo. Ndivalelwe kula one room ndingakwazi
nokuthini. Bendingasukumi nokusukuma ndichamela kulamatress bendijulwe kuwo. Bendithi ndokuziva
ukuba nditshiswa ngumchamo ndisothule isikhalo kuba bekunga tshisi bekuvutha. Kuvulwe ucango

146
ndothuka kodwa andanyakaza. Bendingenawo namandla ndiqaqanjelwa ndiyozo-yozo, amandla
engekho.

Kungene uEfe kuqala. Ebetshintshile ngoku. Ehlambile.

Kulandele abanye abantu emveni kwakhe, ibingantu abamsebenzelayo. Bangene netanki eliclear
balibeka phaya kwatsalwa upipe kwakhona awavulelwa amanzi. Bebendijongile ababantu ubabona nje
ukuba abasoze balandule ukuba banganikwa mna. Bendingeno kwazi. Bendingeno kwazi tu.

Kungene abanye kwakhona bephethe into ibingathi ngumqamlezo, uncumile uEfe akubabona bengena.
Bayixhone edongeni bazondifunqula bendibophelela kuyo. Omnye umlenze ubuphaya, omnye
ungaphaya. Izandla nazo zivulekile. Bendingakwazi nokuzigquma ndawo, nditwezekile kubo. Uhleli
esitulweni uEfe wabukela lo omnye esiza kum. Undiphulule ngaphambili ndazama ukugqushalaza
okungathi ndingakwazi ukuzigihla kuye wandiqhwaba ngempama phaya ngaphambili. Undifake umnwe.
Ndizamile ukuyisusa kungoku ingqondo yam, ndibe kwenye nje indawo engelo leligumbi. Bendicinga
uSimba. Ndinqwenela ukuba angeza andifumane andihlangule. Noba undihlangule njani, ibingase
ndimbone selapha ebabulele bonke ababantu. Umzimba wam ubungcangcazela wabe ecwabekile
ezokhuphile eziphulula noEfe ngokunjalo. Ubakhuphile ngokungxama wakhulula iblukhwe waqala apho
ebeyeke khona ngezolo.

Beaendimcenga ngoku. Ndingamcengi ukuba andisindise okanye andixolele kodwa ndimcenga ukuba
andibulale.

Kuphinde kwasa kwakhona ndikulamqamlezo uEfe ekum. Ibikhona into ebeyisela noba yintoni. Undiyeke
phaya wahamba endishiya. Bendibanjwa bubuthongo ndothuka ngokuva iburglar ikhala. Kungene
omnye bendingamazi wandothula emqamlezweni. Unzomba ubunkonkene ndasothula isikhalo.
Ndiyafunga bendibone igazi lisehla ngemilenze. Ndizosongile kulamatrasi. Bendinga qaphelanga nokuba
bendinxibe amacikici ndade ndazibamba indlebe. Ibingase ndiwakhuphe ndiwagibisele kude le! Phofu
besekusheke elinye.

Undiyeke phantsi waphuma etsixa kwakhona ndashiyeka ndikhala. USimba ebethe uyoze andikhangele
mhla ndaduka kodwa bendiphelelwe ngamathemba ngoku. Ebetshabalele. Kona noba ebendikhangela
ebeyawu ndifumana njani?

Kuphinde kwangena uEfe kwakhona ehamba yedwa. Uvule lanto ibingathi litanki wazondifunqula
endifaka khona.

Uthathe upipe wawufaka komnye umgxunya waphuma ngaphandle eshiya ucango luvulekile. Kungene
amanzi ndazisonga. Ubuyile wachophe esitulweni ecofa iphone yakhe. Ebethontsiza kancinci lamanzi.

Efe: ”Enjoy your bath. You're going to Saudi tomorrow. Jameel has paid all your money and your extra
bonus. You're lucky your buyer doesn't want damaged good because I was not done with you, my men
wanted a piece of that your cheap mean. But you're lucky. Jameel will do the damage himself. I hope
you said goodbye to that your Simba boyfriend because you will never see him again. You are an Arabian
hoe. When they are done with you, they will throw you in the bin like the trash you are. When you think
of Efe you will tremble! You will wish you were dead my girli- oo.”

Utsho wagibisela isitompi secuba kulamanzi ebeya enyuka wayophuma ngomnyango.”

147
Anyuke amanzi ade andigqumelela.

Ndive umlomo kowam. Ibingathi ndisivela kude isiphiphithi kodwa.

Simba: ”Uright princess, uright. Ukwenzentoni? Bakwenze ntoni?”

Mluleki: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Nanku utyhila amehlo.”

Mluleki: ”Utyhilile?!”

Mkhuseli: ”Uyaphaphama.”

Mluleki: ”Sinishiye?”

Simba: ”Akazuza lagqirha azomjonga?”

Mkhuseli: ”Ndingamjonga nam.”

Simba: ”Andikho comfortable ukuba ubone umntu wam eze.”

Mkhuseli: ”Andizumjonga umzimba.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna umntu ozomjonga kakuhle kwakhona, ndifuna lagqirha. Ndizombhatala, andithi ulala
naye? Mcenge aze apha ndiyamdinga. UNomtha uyamdinga.”

Mkhuseli: ”Ndizombiza.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Kukhale izihlangu kwangona ndivula amehlo. Ebengaphumanga ubhuti Mluleki, oyame egumbini.
Undibambe isandla esiphuza uSimba.

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa sthandwa sam. Ndiyaxolisa. Ubutshilo ukuba awumthandi uSylvester,

ngendimgxothile ngalomzuzu ebengenise uNokulunga apha. Ngendimamele uSiyanda. Ndizodeala naye
laEfe, uzozisola. Uzoqalekisa imini adibana ngayo nawe. Yena noSylvester.”

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Ilizwi lam Ibingathi ayilolam. Bendirhotshoza.

Simba: ”Ndilapha.”

Nomtha: ”Ungahambi.”

Simba: ”Andizuya ndawo princess. Lala.”

Nomtha: ”Uzobuya. Uzobuya Simba xa uhamba. Ungahambi. Uzobuya.”

Simba: ”Sthandwa sam akazubuya. Akazubuya.”

Nomtha: ”Ndimdaka.”

Simba: ”Nomtha awukho mdaka. Awusoze ube mdaka.”

148
Nomtha: ”Ndi- ndimdaka Simba. Ndimdaka. Umzimba wamu ... umzimba wamu! Ndiyopha. Ndi- ndi ...
ndimdaka.”

Undiphuza ibunzi, into endiyivayo ziza ndlanza zikaEfe. Zizandla zabo.

Ibingase ndiphethulwe kungoku ndilale ngesisu kuba bekuqaqamba. Kodwa bendiyazi ukuba
bekungazukwenza mahluko, kuba bekuqaqamba nangaphambili. Kuqaqamba umzimba wonke.

Simba: ”Awumdakanga baby, awusoze ubemdaka nanini na? Ndithembise ukuba uzoqina, for mna.
Ungamvumeli awine laEfe.”

Nomtha: ”Ebezondithengisa Simba. Ebezondithengisa eSaudi. Ebezondithengisa. Seyifumene imali.

Bendizoba- bendizo-”

Simba: ”Shhhhh uright ngoku baby, uright. Andisoze ndisuke ecaleni kwakho.”

Nomtha: ”Uzondithatha uEfe.”

Simba: ”Nomtha akazukwenza nto uEfe. Akasoze akubambe nangokhuni. Akazukwenza nto sisi. Lala
uphumle.”

Nomtha: ”Awuzuhamba?”

Ebesonda wona amehlo kodwa ndisoyika ukunikezela ndilale kuba bendimbona yonke indawo. Bekukho
apho angekho khona. Yena nelizwi lakhe nevumba lakhe, nezandla zakhe. Bendingafuni ukucimela.

Simba: ”Uzondifumana apha baby, uzondifumana apha. Andiyi ndawo. Shhhhh. Sukukhala ngoku,
usekhaya. Ukhuselekile.”

Nomtha: ”Ungahambi.”

Simba: ”Andizuhamba my beautiful girl. Uzondifumana ndilapha ecaleni kwakho.”

Nomtha: ”Uzondihlamba?”

Simba: ”Ndizokuhlamba. Uvuka kwakho waba right ndizokuhlamba.”

Nomtha: ”Ndimdaka nangaphakathi. Abuzukuhlambeka obubumdaka.”

Simba: ”Ndizobuhlamba ngeJeyes fluid, ibleach, iDomestos, iHandy-andy .. yonke into. Abuzuba
nachoice baby wam!”

Ndimncumele kwabe kusehla nenyembezi. Undosule wandiphuza emlonyeni. Bendingaweva

lamabhabhathane bendiwava xa endiphuza. Bendi ndindisholo.

Simba: ”Ukuba awulali andizukuhlamba.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizolala. Ndifuna ukuhalamba obubumdaka.”

Simba: ”Lala ke sisi. Cimela ulale, xa uvuka uzondifumana ndilapha ecaleni kwakho. Akukho apho
ndiyakhona.”

Nomtha: ”Ungahambi.”

149
Simba: ”Andizuyenza lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Undifumene.”

Simba: ”Ndikufumene. Ndikuxelele ukuba akukho apho ndingasoze ndikufumane khona. Hayi lula
kanjalo. Ndizohlala ndikufumana noba uya ngakweliphi na icala.”

Nomtha: ”Ubunga zundifumana eSaudi.”

Simba: ”Akukho apho ndingasoze ndikufumane khona Aneni.”

Nomtha: ”Bendixhonywe emqamlezweni.”

Ucimele wathoba intloko yakhe. Uphinde wandijonga kwakhona encuma.

Simba: ”Uzondixelela ngayo yonke into xa uvuka. Okay?”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”And xa uvuka ndizokuhlamba.

Nomtha: ”Nge asbestos?”

Uncumile.

Simba: ”NgeDomestos.”

Nomtha: ”NgeDomestos.”

Simba: ”NgeDomestos. Lala sisi, ndiyakuthanda uyeva? Ndiyakuthanda.”

Ndiphefumelele phezulu ndavala amehlo.

Simba: ”Yhoooooooooo!”

Mluleki: ”Hayi kaloku Simba ndoda. Hayi maan mfondini.”

Simba: ”Yhoooo!”

Mluleki: ”Hayi apha Simba. Akakalali ubuthongo uNomtha. Ufuna akuve ukhala kangaka? Uzophelelwa
lithemba xa ekuva unje. Yomelela.”

Simba: ”Njani?! Yhoo! Yhooo hayi!”

Mluleki: ”Simba.”

Ebengcangcazelisa ilizwi kwayena wafixiza. Bendizenza ingathi ndilele kodwa inyembezi zam bezisihla
ngamacala.

Simba: ”Yhooo hayi!”

Mluleki: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Ndiright.”

Mluleki: ”Yiba right. Awukwazi ukuphasalaka nawe. Hayi apha.”

150
Simba: ”Ndiright, ndiright.”

Utsho lonto kodwa waqala phantsi ukukhala. Bendikhala nam ndade ndabiwa bubuthongo.

Ndothuke ebuthongweni kukho umntu othandayozayo ... kodwa ebengathandazi. Ebefunda ibhayibhile.

” ..For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord. ”plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
Plans to give you hope and a future.”

”Amen!”

Bisola: ”My Lord will see you through my children. He has big plans for you. Eningazazi nina ngoku.”

Simba: ”Siyabulela mama. Ndiyabulela ngobukho bakho kwezintsuku.”

Bisola: ”Ndenza umsebenzi wam njengomama wakho sana lam.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi ukuba utata akakholwanga ukuba ubelapha.”

Bisola: ”Nkokheli! Ndakuthwala ndodwa, ndalunywa ndindodwa kwesasibhedlele. Ndakubeka apha

esifubeni. Inimba iviwa ndim. Akukho nandoda ezondilawula indixelele ukuba ndingayi ebantwaneni
bam mna. Ayisoze yenzeke leyo yona into nangeyiphi na imini.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Bisola: ”Kodwa ngewuyohlamba.”

Simba: ”Ndonqena avuke ndingekho uNomtha.”

Bisola: ”Umkhathalele ane?”

Simba: ”Ngaphezulu kokuba bendiqonda.”

Bisola: ”Ndibone ngalamini.”

Simba: ”Ndikhathazekile.”

Bisola: ”Kuzolunga. Uhlambe maan Simba ndizoshiyeka noNomtha. Akukho mnandi ukunukiselwa
ngamakhwapha endoda endala.”

Simba: ”Ndizomlinda alale aphinde avuke, ndandule ukuyohlamba.”

Bisola: ”Inoba uthini logqirha ophuma engena apha?”

Simba: ”Ndizohlamba. Ndithembise uNomtha ukuba uzovuka ndilapha. Uzawuphambana xa evuke

ndingekho kwakhona. Andifuni avuke ndingekho.”

Bisola: ”Ndiyakuva. Yitya ke bhetele.”

Simba: ”Andifuni kutya. Ndiright mama.”

Bisola: ”Okay. Ungakhali.”

Simba: ”Andikhali, ndiphandliwe.”

151
Bisola: ”Hahahaha! You are your father's son. It's okay, uyayazi ukuba ayikho kowenu into yokuba
indoda ayikhali. Xa kukhala uVenus 'Tiger' Matanzima ungubani wena?”

Simba: ”NdinguSimba Nkokheli Matanzima.”

Bisola: ”Ungunyana wam.”

Simba: ”Ndiyak'thanda.”

Bisola: ”Uthandwa ndim.”

152
SEVENTEEN
Nomtha: ”Uyandixhesha, ndiyeke.”

Simba: ”Ndiyakuxhesha? Askies. Bendingaqondi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyeke ndizihambele.”

Simba: ”Awufuni ndikubambe.”

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Mluleki: ”Simba myeke, mnike igumbi omnye.”

Simba: ”Ndiyamnceda njena, uhamba kabuhlungu.”

Mluleki: ”Myeke. Uqinisekile ukuba awufuni wheelchair Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright bhuti, enkosi.”

Mluleki: ”Ngubani othe uyeke ukuthi tata?”

Ndiyihleke kancinci ndasineka kwangoko ndibambelela ngebhanti likaSimba. Ebehamba ecaleni kwam.

Nomtha: ”Ungandihlekisi, istitches zam zibuhlungu xa ndihleka.”

Mluleki: ”Xolo.”

Nomtha: ”Bendigathi uxolise.”

Mluleli: ”Andizuphinde ndikuhlekise ke.”

Ndincume kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Ndiright, ndiright.”

Nditsho ndimkhulula ndizingcambazela. Bendistitshiwe ngaphambili kuba bendikrazuke kakhulu.

Impundu zam bezibhlungu kwazona kodwa ngethemsanqa bendingakrazukanga khona kodwa
bekungekuhlanga. Xa ndisiya ngasese! Bendizula zula kuqala, ndimince kube kudala ndizincame xa
kunyanzelekile. Bendinga kwazi nongakhali. USimba ebengene nam kwindlu yangasese ehleli nje ecaleni
kwam, endiphulula imilenze ndisenza unumber two.

Ukuba angathi ufuna ukundazi ndibhetele ndinga mbetha ngenqindi empumlweni kuba bekungekho
'ukwazi umntu bhetele' okogqitha okuya. Ibiba yihour okanye ezimbini ndingasese.

Ndiyekile ukuhamba ndema ndizigquma ubuso.

Simba: ”Cela undijongele iwheelchair.”

Mluleki: ”Sure.”

Simba: ”Shhhhh kaloku Nomtha. Uzobhitya zinyembezi njengoba ungasafuni nokutya nje.”

Nomtha: ”Kubuhlungu.”

153
Simba: ”Ndiyayazi sisi, ndiyayazi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuba right. Ndifuna nje- ndifuna ukuba right. Ezintlungu ziphele.”

Simba: ”Ziphe ixesha kaloku Nomtha, awuzuphola kwangoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ziphole kwangoku. Andizukwazi ukuphila kanje mna. Ezintlungu. Ingathi, ingathi.”

Simba: ”Shhhhhh baby. Awukho apho. Awukho apho.”

Undangile engasondeli kakhulu kum. Ebendiphulula umqolo. Undikhalise ngakumbi ngokukhala

bendiqaqanjelwa worse.

Simba: ”Shhhhh.”

Nomtha: ”Ndicela uziphelise ezintlungu, ndiyacela.”

Simba: ”Zizozi phelela sthandwa sam.”

Ndibheka-bhekile.

Nomtha: ”Ndicela undiphe into ezoziphelisa. Kwezizonto zakho.”

Ebedidekile kuqala, ndambona endincinela amehlo waqinisa imihlathi yakhe endijamele.

Simba: ”Hayi! Ungaphinde ebomini bakho bonke undicele lonto Nomtha kuba andisoze ndize ndiyenze
nanini na. Soze nangaphantsi kweziphi imeko ndikunike iziyobisi! WTF!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakucela.”

Simba: ”Baby ndiyayazi ukuba usezintlungwini and idesperate kodwa ungandiceli into endingasoze
ndikunike yona. Andizukufaka kwidrugs mna.”

Nomtha: ”Awundifaki Simba, awundifaki. Ndifuna nje into ezondenza ndindisholo kwitlungu. Lento
yakho izondinceda ndiyayazi. Ndiyakucela.”

Simba: ”Andizukunika drugs! Andizukwenza injunky Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ndiyafa zintlungu, andikwazi nokuhamba kakuhle. Uyabona nawe. Ndizoba bhetele
kancinci. Oko mzuzwana.”

Simba: ”Uzawuphola. Uthe ugqirha uzophola.”

Nomtha: ”Apha ngaphakathi? Ugqirha akakhange athethe nto ngokuphola ngaphakathi. Ngaphakathi
andisoze ndiphinde ndiberight-”

Simba: ”Nomtha-”

Nomtha: ”Ndizohlala ndikularoom. Ndizohlala ndikwela tanki.”

Simba: ”Ukwenze ntoni lo Efe?”

Ndivale umlomo wam ndosula inyembezi ebusweni bam.

Mluleki: ”Ndide ndayifumana. Zinqabile ezizitulo zenu.”

154
Ndiyochopha phantsi ndingakhange ndihlomle nto okanye ndiphendule. Caba ndiye ngamandla ukuhlala
kuba ndisukume ngokukhawuleza ndizithunuka ngakumbi.

Nomtha: ”Yhu! Eish!”

Mluleki: ”Uye ngamandla. Phinda uzame kwakhona.”

Ndiye ngocoselelo kweli ityeli ndachopha.

Mluleki: ”Nantso ke. Ndimphushe okanye ufuna ukumphusha ngoku kwakho Simba?”

Simba: ”Ungamtyhala ndisaya ngasese. Ndizonifumana ngendlela.”

Mluleki: ”Uright bru?”

Unqwalile uSimba.

Simba: ”Grand. Sharp. Ndizonifumana emotweni.”

Undikrwaqule ngaphambili kokuba aphethuke ahambe.

Mluleki: ”Uright uSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhhh.”

Mluleki: ”NguEwe okanye nguhayi lo 'mhhh'?”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”

Mluleki: ”Alright.”

Ndingene emotweni ukubuya kuka Simba, undifunqule wandingqemgqisa kwisitulo esingemva. Ebeyazi
ukuba ndiqaqanjelwa kangakanani xa ndichophe ngempundu.

Simba: ”Ndikubele ezinye ipain killers.”

Ndimrholele amehlo akandihoya. Undombathise ithrow ibingemva wangena emva naye, endisukumisa
inyawo ngocoselelo wazobeka phezulu kwamathanga akhe.

Simba: ”Lala.”

Mluleki: ”Bendiba uzochophe ngapha ke, ndingavalanga ucango nje.”

Simba: ”Ndiright apha. Ndicela undivalele.”

Mluleki: ”Siyakwam mos?”

Simba: ”Ungasisa eCenturion.”

Mluleki: ”Uqinisekile?”

Unqwalile nje kuphela akaphinde athethe. NoMluleki akaphindanga wathetha okanye abuze nto,
waqhuba sayindlela. Ebehambe kakuhle ke indlela yonke ndingathunukalanga kakhulu.

Singene eyadini samisa. Kutake uSimba kuqala wayobula indlu washiya ucango luthe gebelele.

155
Ubuye wazonceda mna ukuphuma emotweni. Kuthathe ixesha elide kunangoku bendingena kodwa
ebenomonde, endinika ixesha endilidingayo ndade ndehlika.

Ndibone uMluleki ejikela neWheelchair ndawarhola onke amehlo am. Ye bawo! uMluleki!

Nomtha: ”Inoba amapolosa asendleleni kungoku.”

Ebeyihleka sana okungathi akabanga wheelchair yabantu ubhuti Mluleki.

Mluleki: ”Zama ukuchopha ngocoselelo kwelityeli, ungazonzakalisi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyasoyika nesitulo esibiweyo. Singaphorhelwa ngumnini so.”

Mluleki: ”Leyo ndingafuna ukuyibona!”

Ndide ndachopha ndisineka ndincwina ndinjalo.

Ndityhalwe nguSimba ukuya ngasendlini. Uzame indlela yokuba iwheelchair ingene ngaphakathi
ingandishukuxanga.

Andiyazi. Kodwa kulandawo bendikuyo ngoku azama ukundingenisa emnyango- bendinge kudanga
kakhulu kulandawo ebenditsarhose kuyo uSulvester. Ndizive ndiphelelwa ngumoya kodwa ndaziqinisa.
Bendizibambe isifuba ndiva okungathi ndizoyeka ukuphefula ndife indlela bekunzima ngayo. Bendine
panic attack. Andiyazi undiqaphele nini uSimba wabe ethetha nam ezama ukudithoba umoya.
Bendingamva nokumva. Into bendiyiva bubukho bukaSylvester. Ivumba lakhe. Ibingathi undilalele
ekoneni ulindele ithuba eliright ukuba azondixhwila kwakhona andiphindisele kuEfe. Bendiyazi ukuba
andisoze ndiphinde ndisinde kuEfe ukuba bendinophindela kuye. Kwelityeli ebengazuphozisa ukundisa
eSaudi Arabia. Andiyazi nokuba undifumene kanjani uSimba kulandawo kuba iphone yam ibingekho
kum. Bekungekho nto okanye indlela ebenondifumana ngayo kodwa ebendifumene kwaye yilonto
ibibalulekile kum ngalamzuzu. Bendiyazi kona ukuba ebengasoze andibulale uEfe. Hayi ngokuba
endikhathalele okanye endivela kodwa ngenxa yokuba bendingase ngowakhe. Phofu bendingengo
wakhe kwasekuqaleni. Undilalele wandiba. Nakulamanzi bendiyazi ukuba ebengasoze avume ndife,
ebefuna ukundingcingcuthekisa ngokwaneleyo ukuba ndophuke. Engqondweni, emoyeni,
emphefumlweni.

Ukuba bendinga thengwanga ngulaJameel wakhona ngendinyukubezwe nguwo wonke lavobe.

Bendihlasimlelwa ngumzimba ukucinga intlungu bendizogqitha kuyo kwiqhuma labantu. Njengoba
bendiyinto ethungiweyo nengakwazi ukuchopha ngempundu kungoku, nguEfe omnye. Bendiyinto nje
eyonakeleyo. Bendinga qondi nokuba uSimba uyoze aphinde abe nomdla kum. Ubonile indlela bendiyiyo
nendlela bendopha ngayo. Angayifuna kanjani into enjalo? Kodwa bendinga zukumsola, bendingazifuni
kwamna. Bendiziva ndimdaka. Ubumdaka bam bumpompoza esikhumbeni, busuka ngaphakathi.
Bendiziva ndingcolile. Ibingekho iJeyes fluid, Handy-andy naDomestoes ibinondikhuculula izandla zakhe
emzimbeni wam. Isitho sangaphantsi emlonyeni ezimpundwini nangaphambili. Ebeqinisekile ukuba
nabani na uyabona ukuba ebephaya. Noba ndiyaphola bendingasoze ndilibale.

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Ndimjongile wandosula inyembezi.

Simba: ”Phefumla sis, uright. Ndikhona uyeva? Akhonto izokulimaza ndikhona.”

156
Mluleki: ”Ucinga ukuba kuright uba abuyele apha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright apha.”

Mluleki: ”Ugqiba kubanjwa yipanic attack Nomtha andiqondi ukuba buburight obo. Lendawo is
triggering you. Ndinomzi mna, ndinamagumbi oneleyo andisoze ndingabina one extra bedroom for nina.
Kwaye i advantage kukuba sawuba kufuphi noUlatho, sikwazi ukuncedisana noSimba ukukukhathalela.”

Simba: ”Andiqondi ndingoyiswa kukubakekela uNomtha mna.”

Mluleki: ”It's not a matter of ukoyiswa kodwa nawe uzolidinga ikhefu for your mental health.
Nizoludinga uncedo lwabanye abantu kuba ekugqibeleni anikho right nobabini.”

Uyihleke kancinci uSimba.

Simba: ”Asikho right sobabini?! Bru andixhwilwanga ndayokwenziwa God knows what for intsuku mna.
Kwakhona andizukoyiswa nguNomtha. Mental health yam iright.”

Mluleki: ”Really? Ukhumbule ukuba njengoba bekuxhwilwe uNomtha ushiyeke emva nam. Ububonwa
ndim uphambana apha so xa ndisithi udinga ikhefu kukuba ndiyayazi you've been through shit.
Ngenddlela eyohlukileyo kuNomtha ngokucacileyo, andisoze ndifanisa intlungu yenu kodwa nilimele
nobabini.”

Simba: ”Andiqondi kuright for uNomtha ukuba abe kwitoxic enviroment. Ndifuna alulame kakuhle.
Ngoku uvulnerable. Uva iintlungu kwaye udesperate , andithembi umfazi wakho angangamniki i'fix' xa
eyifuna. Uzokwenza nantoni na ukumbuyisela umva kuba usecaleni likaNokulunga, uNomtha ugqithe
kokuninzi kungoku andifuni ukuba aye komnye uhell. Asinayo enye indawo. Asizukwazi ukuba
eGreenstone, asizukwazi ukuya eKyalami.”

Mluleki: ”Ucinga ukuba uUlatho angenza lonto kuNomtha? How low do you think my wife would go
ngento engamchaphazeli ngqo?!”

Simba: ”Uderground low. Usix feet ukufutshane kakhulu kuye. Lower. That's how low. Wena uright,
ukuba ubuwedwa bendawumnyanzela uNomtha siye kwakho kodwa andizumenza lonto.”

Utyhale isitulo wandingenisa ngaphakathi. Bekukho intyantyambo ezingubomvu ogqamileyo ekhitshini

kunye neballoons.

Simba: ”Zivela kuSiyanda noLulu. Bathe sibaxelele xa ulungele indwendwe. ULulu uthe ndikuxelele
ukuba usemithandazweni yakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Undibulelele.”

Simba: ”Sendibulele. Uyafuna ukuya kwabhuti?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright apha.”

Simba: ”Awuzundoyisa. Andisoze ndoyiswe kukukunakekela mna. Andizukushiya uwedwa futhi,

ndizothatha ileave. Endikwazi ukuyenza ndilapha ndizoyenza ndilapha ude ululame.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho sidingo. Ungaphindela emsebenzini, ndizoba right.”

157
Simba: ”Sukwenza lonto kum. Ndim lo uthetha naye, ndiyayazi awuzuba right. Uyayazi ukuba awuzuba
right. Sukwenza ingathi awundidingi. Ndifuna undidinge.”

Siyongena ekamireni. Bekutshintshwe izinto zokondlula kukho intyatyambo kwibedside table nasecaleni
kwebhedi.

Nomtha: ”Azintle!”

Simba: ”Zithengwe ndimu.”

Nomtha: ”Zonke?”

Simba: ”Yep. Ndithatheke kancinci.”

Nomtha: ”Ha! Kancinci? Ukuba kukuthatheka kancinci oku, ndibawela ukubona xa uthatheke mpela.
Ndiyabulela.”

Uthathe. Ipaperbag encinci wandinika. Ndiyivulile ndibona ibox encinci yevelvet eblue.

Nomtha: ”Yiringi?”

Simba: ”Ayiringi.”

Nomtha: ”Ayoringi.”

Uhleke kancinci wandiphuza ibunzi.

Simba: ”Sube uhlukuhla, vula.”

Nomtha: ”Yiringi?”

Simba: ”Ayoringi baby. Vula.”

Ndiyibulile ndirhola amehlo kancinci ukuwabona.

Nomtha: ”Awamahla Simba!”

Simba: ”Yiza ndikufake, ukuba ibingengo macici wakho ngabe asikutrekhanga kulandawo ubukuyo.”

Ndiwarhole ngakumbi kengoku amehlo. Undikhulule eli linye belishoyekile wandifaka la matsha.

Simba: ”Awuboni ke!”

Mxm! Ebendigcadisa lo.

Nomtha: ”Ebene tracker lawa?”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Bendi senzela xa ubaleka. Bendingacingi ukuba ayawukundi nceda uxhwiliwe.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni uze kade kangaka kodwa ubuyazi ukuba ndiphi? Kutheni ufike kade kangaka kodwa
kukho itracker?”

158
Simba: ”Ibibamba iyeka baby wam. Nam ndimnkelwe zingqondo ukubona ifootage, uthathwa
nguSylvester ndalibala ukuba ndandikunike amacikici ane tracker. Ndicinga ngoku ndimane ndibukela
lafootage for into nje. Iclue. Ndiyakuthembisa ukubona nje ilocation sibaleke saya eBotswana.”

Bendinga sekho kwalapha eSouth Africa kanti?!

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngokukufaka kulemeko. Ndiyayazi ukuba amaxolo akazukwenza uba ungagqithi
kuyo yonke into ogqithe kuyo kodwa from the bottom of my heart I'm so sorry. USylvester yena
ndizomenza azisole ukuba ebekuncingela ntoni ukundingcatsha. Uzofa kancinci, kancinci. Akazubulawa
ndim. Uzobulawa zintlungu zakhe and if ukuna ifront row seat ndizoyilungisa lonto. Every dog has it's
day, uEfe yena uzokufumana okumfaneleyo ndifunga ngobomi bukaMha. Bazozisola baby. Bazozisola.”

Nomtha: ”Umfumene uSylvester?”

Simba: ”Kwangala mini. USiyanda usemanza ioperation encinnci ngoku, ndiomchecker ukuba uhambe
njani. Awufuni kungqengqa?”

Nomtha: ”Ingase ndikhulule nezimpahla.”

Simba: ”Sawuku khulula madam.”

Undincede ndasukuma esitulweni wandikhulula ipyjamas ezi bendizinxibile neundergarments zonke.

Bendihamba ngaze. Bendingenalo nexesha lokuba nentloni. Bekutshotshozela, ndifuna ukuzibona
ndingqengqile.

Undincede ndakhwela ebhedini ndalala ngecala.

Unyamalele wabuya sendosula. Undosule umzimba wonke wandigquma ngethrow endiphuza ibunzi.

Simba: ”Ungaphinde undifune drugs.”

Nomtha: ”Ndisezintlungwini.”

Simba: ”Ndikubele ipilisi ngaphezulu kwezi ubuzinikiwe, ne injection ngaphezulu. Ndizobuza uDoctor
Matanzima ukuba iright na le dosages singamubulali.”

Nomtha: ”Kubgangcono noba ndiyafa. Ngubani umntu ozofuna umntu onje?”

Simba: ”Suba sisibhanxa. Uzoba right. Lala, ndizokuphekela uvuke utye.”

Nomtha: ”Kumaxa ndizotshaba.”

Simba: ”Ndiyavuya ukuba usakwazi nokuqhula.”

Nomtha: ”Andikho right.”

Nditsho ndisebeza. Undiphuze ubuso, bonke ubuso. Ebegentle nam. Ibingathi ndingophuka.

Simba: ”I know baby. Ndiyayazi. Ndilapha, ndizokunakekela.”

Undiphuze isandla endosula inyembezi. Ebendilungele ibingase ndikhale. Bendiziva okungathi

ndophukile ngaphalathi. Okungathi ndigronjiwe kwakhutshwa yonke into endiphelelisayo nendenza
mna. Bekunzima. Bendingaphethuki ndingaziva okungathi ndiyakrazuka. Xa ndivala amehlo bendijinga

159
kula mnqamlezo. Ndingakwazi nokuzonwaya. Ebekhona uEfe. Ndisiva ivumba lakhe necuba ebelitshaya.
Endinyanzela emanzini. Ndibambe umoya etankini. La tshomi yakhe ibingapheleli ngokundinyukubeza
ngezandla kuphela xa ndivale amehlo am. Ebesenza okuninzi. Nabanye. USimba ebefika ndidada egazini
lam ndingaphefumli. Bendisothuka ndigxwala, into yokuqala bendiyibona ibinguSimba. Endiqinisekisa
ukuba ndikhuselekile. Akhonto iyawuphinde indehlele. Akhomntu uzondithatha. Bendiphindela
ebuthongweni kwakhona kuba bendiyotywa zipilisi ndiphinde ndothuke ndibile ndimanzi xhopho
ndikhala. Ekhona. Ngalo lonke ixesha. Bendimonyanya ngamanye, ndimlwe asuduke kum. Kuba
bendingawuboni umahluko kuye noEfe. Bendibona yena de ndive ilizwi lakhe. Andilelanga. Asilelanga.
Kude kwasa iyinto enye.

160
EIGHTEEN
Ndothuke ebuthongweni ndindodwa ezingubeni. Bekukhanya egumbini, kuvulwe icurtains ilanga
lingena. Ndiphefumelele phezulu ndolula isandla ndisiva ubushushu kulendawo ibilele uSimba yabe
ibanda ceke. Inoba bekukudala evukile. Ndiguqukile ndalala ngomqolo ndivala amehlo am kancinci.

Ndigxidike ebhedini ndahamba ndizongena ebathroom.

Simba: ”Uchwechw-”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan!”

Bendizibambe isifuba. Intliziyo ibethela phezulu kukothuka.

Nomtha: ”Undothusela ntoni?”

Simba: ”Uchwechwa uyaphi?”

Ebehleli kwisitulo besingasebhedini ephethe ibhayibhile. Bekukho into nje ngebhayibhile kowabo. Ukuba
ayingoMluleki okanye umam'uBisola, uzofika inguye onkonye ibhayibhile. Bendimqonda umamabo-
kancinci kodwa bona! Iz'gelekeqe ezifocus zifunda ngoMeshack noShedrack noAbednigo? Heh! Zange
zange.

Phofu wayetshilo uSylvester ukuba akukho kwiGodfather apha. Inoba izigelekeqe zokwenyani bezifunda
ibheyibhile. Kodwa ... ibingeyo nyani na lanto yeGodfather?

Nomtha: ”Ndiyachwechwa?”

Simba: ”Uyanyantsula. Awuziboni wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndihamba kakuhle. Ndiyabulela Detective walker. Njengoba uhleli kwesositulo, uzimele nje
ufuna ukuba ngu inspector we walks zethu.”

Lincumile elizothe lomntu. Ebekhangeleka sehlambile kuba ebemhlana. Ebemhle. Ebenganxibanga zinto
zixhomisa amehlo kuba ebesendlini, esekwi 'compassion leave' ngokutsho kwakhe. Oko ndaphuma
esibhedlele ebengekahambi imini yonke endlini. Ibusiness eyenzela apha. Kuphuma kungena abantu
abazise imali ye'stuff'. Bendingaqalisi kwa ukuvela. Bendingasa bathembi abantu bakhe kuba ndifunde
ukuba abanamqolo nakuthembeka bonke. Ukuba ebengcatshwe nguright hand man wakhe, amthembe
ngokujonga intshaba azifulatheleyo yena kanti nguye utshaba ixesha lonke.

Ukuba bekukho uJudas Escariot emhlabeni, ebenenwele eziblonde. Igama lakhe inguSylvester.
Umgcatshi. Bendizibuza ukuba inoba uzuze ntoni kulomngcatsho wakhe? Bebedibene pho noEfe? Baze
bakha iyelenqe ngeliphi ixesha? Efe lowo ubone ntoni ukuba angafumana ubhululu kuSylvester? Kucacile
bekukho indonga somewhere. Ndonga leyo ebengayiboni uSimba okanye ngenxa yeminyaka amazi
ngayo nezinto abadlula kuzo noSylvesyer, wakhetha ukumpha elinye ithuba. Atyhilele kwikhasi elitsha,
alibale ziziphoso zakhe. Uyihlekile lento bendiyithetha wafaka ibookmark kwibible wayoyibeka kwi
coffee table wabeka iqatha lakhe ngaphezulu kwedolo.

USimba undinakekele kwiveki ezigqithileyo. Bezingaphi ngoku? Zinthathu?

161
Besilala ebhedini enye ngokupheleleyo, kwintsuku okanye iveki yokuqala ndilandwe nguSimba
eBotswana bendinga bubhaqi ubuthongo. Phofu sobabini. Kuba bezindibamba inarhmani ndivuke
ndibile ndimanzi xhopho, ndisothule isikhalo. Oku kosana oluncinane ndiyolala kwakuvela ilanga.
Ebenomonde ngalo lonke eloxesha. Ungasoze umbone edikiwe. Noba ebedikwa ke kuba bendinombono
indlela bekudika ngayo ukothuswa uzileleli kamnandi kodwa ebenobubele nomonde.

Andishushuzele, andifundele ibhayibhile, andibalisele ngokukhula kwakhe. Andibalisele intsomi nje

engabhadlanga ukuba ingqondo yam iphazamiseke ngokwaneleyo ndifumane ubuthongo. Ebesithi
akayondoda elungileyo, kodwa bendikubona ukulunga kwakhe ngoku.

Bekukhona kona ebunzulwini bentliziyo yakhe.

Umzimba wam ubululama, istitches ziqhaqhekile. UMkhuseli ebenganqabanga kakhulu kuba uSimba
ebemfounela qho ukuba azondibona. Ebengajongi nto kuba ngulo ebengafuni ndibonwe umzimba
ngomnye umntu. Ibingekho ncam into ayizelayo ngaphandle kokuba endijonga amehlo, ivitals kunye
neweight. USimba ebekhathazekile kukungafuni kwam ukutya namanzi. Bekungoko ngoko, bendizama
ukutya ngoku noba ngamacephe ambalwa. Kusaqaqamba kodwa kubhetele. Ndikwazi ukuchopha
ngempundu kungabingathi ndizixhwithe inwele xa ndichopha.

Simba: ”Awothukanga izolo ebusuku.”

Nomtha: ”Andothukanga.”

Ndileli kwasa ndinga banjwanga yinarhmani.

Nomtha: ”Nawe utsho walala kamnandi ungothuswa ndim nezijwili zam.”

Simba: ”Akukho mini endingalaliyo ngayo kamnandi.”

Nomtha: ”Awusaphosisi.”

Uncume nje kancinci ngoncumo olungagqibelekanga.

Simba: ”Uziva njani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright, enkosi.”

Simba: ”Akusaqaqambi kakhulu?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi kakhulu. Umzimba wona ubaright. Kukuba nje andisaziva right.”

Bendingayazi ukuba ndiyibeke okanye ndiyicacise njani kuye. Bendiright kodwa ndingekho right.
Andiqondi ukuba ukhona umntu ogqitha kulanto ndigqithe kuyo ophuma ongenazivubeko. Uhlobo
lwezivubeko ongaziboniyo. Ongakwaziyo ukuziqaba iointment ziphole. Ezo zivubeko.

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi ndizophila kanjani nayo yonke lento, nezizivubeko. Kodwa ndiyayazi ukuba andinayo
enye ichoice. Enye kukufa kwaye andifuni ukufa. Ndiyafuna ukuphila, ndifuna nje ukuba kuphele
ezinarhmani zindibambayo. Ndiyayazi ndikhuselekile xa ndinawe kodwa ndinalento engathembi ncam.
Ingathi nanini na ndizophethuka esegumbini nam. Okanye ndizoqaphela ukuba liphupha yonke lento
yokuba ndilapha kwakhona. Ndothuke ebuthongweni ndizifumane kularoom. Nala Efe. Kukho into kum
engakholwa ukuba ndikhuselekile. Ayifuni ukukholwa ukuba ndiqhweshe lula kangaka.”

162
Uzosule ubuso ngezandla waphefumla.

Simba: ”Ndikuphoxile.”

Nomtha: ”Awundiphoxanga Simba, undisindisile. Ubungeno kwazi ukuba uSylvester uzondinikela oku
kwedini kubo kuba ubumthembile.”

Simba: ”Ndibe muncu ngokumthemba kangaka, nokwenza ukuba kubelula uba angene apha ngaphandle
kokugqitha kum kuqala. Bendiyazi ukuba uSylvester akanguye lowa ndimaziyo, bekukho nje
okutshintshileyo ngaye ebendinga kuqondi kodwa ndanethemba. Andikwenzelanga favours
ngokukukhupha phaya, bekungamelanga ugqithe kuyo yonke lanto ogqithe kuyo.”

Nomtha: ”Usaphila?”

Simba: ”Usaphila yena, andikafuni afe. Ukufa kulula kakhulu kuye. Akandiniki nempendulo endizidingayo
so uyandicaphukisa. Unikezele at this point. Akasa bukhathalelanga ubomi. Phofu uyayazi ukuba noba
angandinika impendulo uhleli ezofa. Ayikho indlela endinomxolela ngayo. Isono sakhe singaphaya
koxolo. Ndimsikile isandla Nomtha, andithi itsho ibhayibhile? Lento imhluphayo ikhutshwe. Neliso lakhe
likhutshiwe.”

Ndizive ndihlasimlelwa ngumzimba. Uyabona lowo, ibingu mbono bendinga nqweneli ukuwubona tu.

Nomtha: ”Yimpendulo yantoni le uyifunayo kuye?”

Simba: ”Ndifuna andixelele ukuba udibebe phi naloEfe. Nokuba uzuze ntoni yena ekukunikeleni ngeplate
yesilivere kubo? Zininzi nje izinto endifuna ukuziva kuye kodwa ndamnkele ukuba andizufumana nenye
impendulo kwimibuzo endinayo for yena.”

Nomtha: ”Zange ndamva lamntu.”

Simba: ”You have great instincts. Kodwa zange zibekho undibela iphone.”

Nomtha: ”Zazi khona kona kodwa ndandi desperate.”

Simba: ”Ndizophindela emsebenzini kuleveki izayo, andiyazi noba uzoba right ukushiyeka wedwa na
apha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoba right.”

Simba: ”Yona lendawo ikhuselekile. Akakho umntu onongena apha engancedwanga.”

Nomtha: ”Uphi yena uEfe?”

Simba: ”Uzimele. Sizomfumana Nomtha, ungaxhalabi. Akasoze ayicinge eyokuza apha.”

Nomtha: ”Mhlawumbi. Kodwa njengoba sekwazi nje apha angathumela ummtu azondithatha.
Ebesethembise umntu ngam, lamntu uzondifuna.”

Simba: ”Akazukufumana.”

Bekunzima ukuyikholelwa lonto. Kodwa bendinga lindelanga ukuba uSimba amise ubomi bakhe ngenxa
yokugadana nam imini yonke. Bendisoyika kona ukushiyeka ndodwa emini kodwa bendizozibona ndenje
njani? Bunyanzelekile. Bendiziva ndikhuselekile kulendlu xa ekhona. Xa engekho .... bendingayazi.

163
Simba: ”Akakho umntu ozongena apha. Isecurity itight. Umntu ozokwazi ukungena apha nguMonti
kuphela. Nakhona ndizokwazisa qho xa esiza. NoMkhuseli noMluleki qha.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Ubuyohlamba amazinyo?”

Nomtha: ”Nobuso, ewe.”

Simba: ”Ndithenge ibreakfast.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizotya ukugqiba kwam ukondlula.”

Simba: ”Ndizokondlula ngoku kwam. Hlamba uyotya.”

Ndinqwalile ndizongena ekamireni ndema emnyango ndimjonga esukuma kwesasitulo ebechophe kuso
eqalisa ukondlula.

Nomtha: ”Simba?”

Simba: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. Ngayo yonke into.”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Wamnkelekile baby.”

Ndisose ndingena eshower ndahlamba once. Ndiphume emgasekho ekamireni, ndathambisa ndinxiba
itracksuits. Bendinxiba zona mva nje. Itracksuits, iblukhwe. Izilamba. Ilokhwe bendingasa khululekanga
ukuzinxiba. Okwangoku. Bendizofika apho ndikhululeka ngokwaneleyo ukunxiba izinto eziveza umzimba
kodwa eloxesha belingekho namhlanje.

Ebesitya ekhitshini. Ndihleli ecaleni kwakhe wajonga isinxibo sam kodwa akathetha. Ebeqaphela yena,
bendiqinisekile ngoko. Kodwa ebengake athethe.

Sitye ngokuthula sade sagqiba.

Simba: ”OSiyanda bafuna ukuzokubona.”

Bekukudala befuna undibona kodwa bendingeka ziva ukuba sebantwini. Bendingafuni ukube ndijongwe
ngamehlo anosizi. Bendinga qondi ukuba bendawuyikhona leyo. UMluleki noSimba bebendiphatha
ngendlela efanayo nangaphambili kokuba- ngaphambili koEfe. Ebegentle yena ngoku kodwa
ebengandijongi abone isiaram. NoMluleki ngokunjalo. Noba bebendisizela bebenga ndenzi ndizive
ndingu'shame'.

Simba: ”NoMalkia ufuna ukuza apha.”

Ndikhawuleze ndamjonga wabe senomdla kulanto yesmoothie ibingasa phethanga nto ngoku.

Simba: ”Ufuna ukuza kum. Andisayi eGreenstone. Uyandikhumbula. Bendingazukwazi ukukushiya apha
wedwa. Nangoku andikafuni ukukushiya so ndicinga ukuba eze apha, kuba kuzobakho oSiyanda kuzoba
less awkward.”

164
Bendi ngekayivumi nale yokuzobonwa ngoSiyanda. Bendingena ngxaki nayo yona kuba noxa
bendingekatsho kuye kodwa bendizovuma uba baze namhlanje kuba kudala esithi bafuna ukundibona.
Le yabantwana bakhe yona bendinga qinisekanga tu ngayo. Bendingena mandla nomdla wokudeala ne
attitude yabo. Abantwana ngomama wabo, bebezobe bene attitude ngakum ... yho hayi. Bendinga
qinisekanga tu.

Nomtha: ”Njengoba kusiza oSiyanda ungahamba kwakho.”

Simba: ”Andizukushiya wedwa noSiyanda. Uyabazi kodwa udibene nabo kanye nje qha. Awubaqhelanga
lomhlobo.”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi ukuba kuzawuba nzima lomhlobo ukubaqhela kuba banice and ngamancoko.”

Simba: ”Ndimxelele ukuba aziphathe xa elapha. Akazugeza.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi Simba.”

Simba: ”Ekugqibeleni kuzofuneka udibene nabo bonke abantwana bam. Ungayihlehlisa uthini kodwa
ekugqibeleni. Uzoba ngumfazi wam, andizuhlala ndidibana nabo kwirestaurants xa ndifuna ukuchitha
ixesha lakho. Ndibe ne double life.”

Nomtha: ”Ndisezoba ngumfazi wakho?”

Undinyusele ishiya kulombuzo wam.

Simba: ”Ngumbuzo mni kengoku lowo?”

Ndithinte umqala indim olahlisayo kengoku.

Nomtha: ”Bendiba izinto zitshintshile.”

Simba: ”Zitshintshwa yintoni?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi. Yilendlela ubundibone ngayo? Andiqondi uzoba nomdla kumntu owonakele
kangaka.”

Simba: ”Nomtha andinafiveteen years mna. Ndiyindoda endala, ekudala ibona izinto. Ukuba u-
akutshintshi nto kum. Akutshintshi isigqibo sethu, sendifuna ukuqalisa ngamalobolo kulenyanga izayo
uzokwazi ukuyonxiba ekhaya.”

Nomtha: ”Utatakho akakandifuni nangoku kodwa.”

Simba: ”Andinaxesha lakhe nangoku. Andidingi mvume yakhe ukuba nditshate bani ndingatshati nabani.
Mna naye siqhuba ishishini qha, ukuba ndivumela bani ebhedini yam nokuba nditshata bani akangeni
ndawo. Abantu endibakhathaleleyo ngabantwana bam qha xa kuziwa kwi affairs zam and badala
bayaqonda. Ndibaxelele ukuba mna nomamabo sohlukene ngenxa yokuba umamabo unomntwana
nenye indoda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndibaxelele. Ekugqibeleni inyani bebezoyiva kuJunior so kubhetele xa beyive ngam.”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Banjani?”

165
Simba: ”Kunzima. Ukufumanisa ukuba umntwana wakowenu uyi half sibling? Ibangathi ubomi bakho
bonke bubuxoki kodwa ndabakhulisa. Ngabantwana bam bonke, andiyikhathalelanga into yokuba iDNA
ithi akangowam. Oko ndandikhona. Ndim umzali amaziyo. Ndim utata amaziyo so ndizoqhubeka ukuba
ngumzali wakhe. Izobakuye ke ukuba yena uyazikhupha kum kuba mdala ngokwaneleyo uJunior. Kodwa
kum akhonto itshintshileyo. Nakubantakwabo akutshintshanga nto.”

Nomtha: ”Andimtyholi mna uyazi? Ngokuphephela etywaleni. Andifuni nokuyicinga ukuba ibuhlungu
kangakanani into yokufumana ebudaleni ukuba umzali wakho akangomzali wakho. Ukuba wafunyanwa
ngokudyola. Yhu hayi ndingasela kwamna.”

Simba: ”Utsho kuba iboyfriend yakho ibilinxila nayo.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm! Ebengelo nxila. Ebenengxaki notywala. Ngoku sendigqithe kuyo yonke lento endigqithe
kuyo nalandoda yom'Nigeria andimsoli umntu osebenzisa utywala okanye idrugs to escape. Ubomi
bubanzima ingase ube ndindisholo.”

Simba: ”Bubugwala obo. Sewuthathe isigqibo sokuphila ufuna ukuphila uqhunyiwe? Ubaluhlupho
kubantu abakukhathaleleyo, bayakhathazeka ngawe nesigqibo sakho sokuba ndindisholo. Intlungu
kufuneka uzivumele uyive. Ujongane nayo. Le yona kukuhlukumeza abantu and andisoze ndiyiqonde
nanini na. UJunior akangomntwana wam straight. Ukusela kwakhe abe ngundinga sthubeni kuzomnceda
ngantoni? Sekwenzekile, akangowam. Kutshitsha ntoni ukunxila? Nix. Yena ngesamnkela xa ndimxelela
ukuba akhonto itshintshileyo kum.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba uphuma erehab esithi ufuna ukuba nobudlelwane notata wakhe omzalayo?”

Simba: ”Makabe nabo. Yindoda endala uJunior. Indoda endayifundisa ukuba ikwazi ukuzithathela
izigqibo ngobomi bakhe. Ukuba ufuna uba nobudlelwane nalandoda imzalayo kukuye. Andingeni ndawo
mna apho. Ndizodlala indima eyeyam, ukuba uyandivumela.”

Nomtha: ”Ingaze indehlele le into.”

Uphelile yintsini.

Simba: ”Intoni? Ukuba ndiyomithisa omnye umntu ngaphandle ndawugqiba ndithi umntwana
ngowakho?”

Ndimncinele amehlo wayihleka kwakhona.

Nomtha: ”Mxm. Ithini into ngoku malunga nobudlelwane bakho noNokulunga?”

Simba: ”Ithini into njani? Andisatshatanga noNokulunga.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ngumfazi wokuqala.”

Simba: ”Ey Nomtha kusekusasa for yonke lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuqonda kaloku ukuba kusazoba ngalandlela wawuthe kwaba ngayo. Uhlale
eGreenstone full time uze nje apha.”

Simba: ”Ndizohlala apha full time.”

Nomtha: ”Oh?”

166
Undigxeleshe ngeliso elibi ndayihleka.

Simba: ”Ayenzi sense eyokuba nditshate nawe kodwa ndiyolala eGreenstone. And uyanqwakuza xa
ndilele khona. Wenze itea ezinzulwini zobusuku.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Awusazithetheleli nje. Ubona lento utshintshe ikey ngoku. Kuba awusaculi lengoma
wawundiculela yona ngaphambili.”

Simba: ”Noba awundithandi kodwa uthe uziva ukhuselekile xa unam. Ndifuna uzive ukhuselekile
everyday. Ispare room ibe sispare room, hayi ikamire elala mna.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake.”

Simba: ”Beze oSiyanda?”

Nomtha: ”Mabeze.”

Simba: ”NoMalkia?”

Nomtha: ”Makaze naye uba uyafuna.”

Bafike emveni kwemini uSiyanda noLulu.

Siyanda: ”Leadership!”

Ebebavulele igate uSimba sabalinda ngaphandle kwendlu.

Simba: ”Molweni.”

Bahlikile emotweni bezosanga. Uvule oboot uLulu bayothutha iplastics bezigcwalise iboot oSimba.

Nomtha: ”And then?”

Luleka: ”Ndizoniphekela. Uthe uSimba kuzoza noMalkia and nigqibele kudala ukutya okuphekiweyo.
Ndizokwenza ukutya kwamagweja.”

Simba: ”Yintoni ukutya kwamagweja Lulu? Ngubani igweja?”

Siyanda: ”ULulu uzibizela ukugxothwa.”

Luleka: ”Ayikho into egxothisayo!”

Nomtha: ”Uzopheka ezizinto zabo? Uyakwazi?”

Simba: ”Ungowakwa Mugabe ke wena uzozenza bhetele ngam. Uligweja kwawena.”

Nomtha: ”Igweja nguwe kaloku mna ndingum'Zimbabwean.”

Simba: ”Igweja ligweja. And mna ndingumXhosa, ndinguMadiba, uYem-yem.”

Siyanda: ”Uvela bambhetsele!”

Luleka: ”Ndiyiqondile uzotsho! Yazi ndiyiqondile.”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Iyay'thanda into enombhentso phakathi lendoda.”

167
Siyanda: ”Awuthethi nokuthetha ntangam. Awuceli nokucela, uthi uvela nje intombi zikubhentsele!
Uvele nje qha!”

Simba: ”Zithi thatha bhuti!”

Siyanda: ”Zibhentsile ngeloxesha.”

Nomtha: ”Andizikhumbuli ndibhentsa mna.”

Simba: ”Ubuzoyicinga nini eyokubhentsa ujonge iphone yam. Wandibela iphone kaloku lo
unguNomtha.”

Luleka: ”Wambela iphone?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndandimncinci ndingayazi into bendiyenza.”

Simba: ”Kwakulo nyaka. Wayiba etafileni ndambhaqa ngeCCTV footage. Ndimphe itwo thousand ke
lomntu! Ndimnyobile nje kuba wayenemilenze emihle, ndiziva ndinethamsanqa nje ukuphefumla umoya
omnye naye. Kungathi ndimhlawule ukuba nelothamsanqa. Kanti ndizonkurwa.”

Siyanda: ”Hahahaha! Wabhentsela iphone!”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Khawuyeke ukudika wena S'yanda!”

Siyanda: ”Hahaha! Kengoku waqonda ukuba ulifuna endlini elisela.”

Simba: ”Ndaqonda ukuba noba angandibela ubomi bakhe bonke. Abe intliziyo yam, abe ibhedi yam, abe
umzi wam, abe ifani yam.”

Siyanda: ”Angabuyeki ubugwinta bakhe.”

Simba: ”Anditshintshi mntu mna, umntu makabe yilento afuna ukuba yiyo.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm! Sendonele nini. Masingene Lulu, uthi uzopheka ntoni?”

Luleka: ”Egusi soup. Fried rice. Igbankwu. Bitterleaf soup-”

Nomtha: ”Uyazelaphi yonke lento?”

Luleka: ”Ndafundiswa ngumama kaSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Uyamazi uBisola?”

Luleka: ”Ndiyazi yonke lefamily. Notat'uVenus. Bayafana nefamily kuba uSiyanda noSimba bangumtya
nethunga. Nakulo Siyanda uSimba uyaziwa. Ingathi kukowabo.”

Nomtha: ”Bendinga yazi ukuba baclose lomhlobo.”

Luleka: ”Kakhulu aba. Nam ke bandifakile kulonto yabo kuba andinachoice. USimba sefana nobhuti
wam.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba kumnandi ukuba nobuhlobo obunjalo.”

Luleka: ”Awunabo wena abahlobo abanjalo?”

168
Nomtha: ”Andibasondezi kangako abantu kum.”

Luleka: ”Wonke umntu uyabadinga abahlobo.”

Ndiyiqonde ngoku lonto. Hayi ngalamzuzu kodwa kuyo yonke lanto yokubethwa nguSgebengu nokuduka
kwam, ngekukho umntu ondifumeneyo. Nomntu okhathalayo ngam.

Simba: ”Nanku uMalkia efika.”

Luleka: ”Ukhatshwa ngubani?”

Simba: ”NguMalik noNura.”

Ndimrholele amehlo. Ebengatshongo ukuba kuza bonke abantwana bakhe apha! Lendoda!

Usondele kum wazondiphuza emlonyeni endibamba izidlele.

Simba: ”Relax.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuyazi ukuba bazoza bonke andithi?”

Luleka: ”Nathi besiyazi.”

Simba: ”Lulu, awuncedi.”

Luleka: ”Ndifeela bad ukwenza ingathi besingayazi.”

Simba: ”Uyaphi Nomtha?”

Bendisiya ngasekamireni.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyozifihla.”

Simba: ”Uzozifihla imini yonke?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe!”

Ndive uLuleka eyihleka.

Luleka: ”Uyozilungisa.”

Simba: ”For oMalkia?”

Luleka: ”You won't understand.”

Simba: ”Mxm! Uthi uzopheka ntoni?”

Ndingqale straight ewardrobini ukungena kwam ekamireni.

169
NINETEEN
Kunqonqozwe kanye nje ngaphambili kokuba kuvulwe ucango. Kungene wabheka-bheka amehlo akhe
ade andifumana ngaphambili kwesipili. Bendingeka nxibi, ndisajonga umzimba wam. Bendipholile
kwizivubeko zakudala. Umzimba wam ubugqithe kokuninzi. Kwintlungu eninzi kweziveki zigqithileyo.

Simba: ”Uright Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright. Bendisazijonga qha.”

Simba: ”Unomzimba omhle.”

Ndiyihleke kancinci. Mhlawumbi bendi nomzimba omhle ngaphambili kokuba uSgebengu

andibhaxabule. Noxa bendipholile bendi namabala anenkani ukusuka kwenziye indawo.

Ebesoyambe ngomnyango endijongile. Ndithinte umqala ndayonxiba lajean bendiyikhuphile

ndisezokhupha into yangasentla.

Ndiyojonga ewardrobini ndayifumana, ngethamsanqa ibingafuni kolulwa.

Ndijonge kuye.

Nomtha: ”Ndirirayiti?” ndiright?

Unqwalile wasuka emnyamgo esiza ngakum. Ngakumbi esondela, andiyazi bekusenzeka ntoni esuswini
sam. Bendixukuzelwa ngamathumbu.

Simba: ”Ukuba ubuza mna bekungekho sidingo sokuba utshintshe isinxibo. Uburight ngaphambili,
njengoba uright nangoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ibingathi ndiyawuxuzela kancinci.”

Simba: ”Ayikho lonto.”

Usondele wazoma ngaphambili kwam. Undibambe isinqe wandisondeza kuye. Ndiginye ingwiqi
ndazincumisa kancinci.

Usondeze ubuso bakhe kobam ndamjonga emehlweni ndibona ukuba uzondiphuza. Ngezizathu
endingazaziyo bendiyazi nje ukuba lo umphuzo uzokwahluka kwaba 'mbaa' siqhele ukubenza.
Bendibona emehlweni akhe. Ndinyuse obam ukukhawulelana naye saphuzana. Ndijikelezise izandla zam
entanyeni yakhe ndizama ukungcotsha ndilingane nobude bakhe. Undisomdeze ngakumbi kuye
imizimba yethu yadibana.

Undiphuze nzulu, kukho namalwimi. Bendiziva ndigevezelwa ngamadolo. Ebendiphuza ngokulamba

okuthile. Okungathi kudala elilindele elithuba, elilalele.

Undibambe impundu endingqamanisa naye ngaphambili. Bendimva ukuba ukhukhumele. Uphide wenza
lanto yokufeja kancinci ndavele ndoma nko ndanemibono bekungafanelanga ukuba ndiyayo. Uqaphele
ukuba andisamphuzi wandikhulula ebuya umva kancinci.

Simba: ”Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Masambe, inoba bathe nqa ukuba siphi.”

170
Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Undibambe ingalo ndoma ndiqhale amehlo wandikhulula okungathi lilahle elitshisayo. Into bendiyibona
nguye, yonke indawo bendibona yena. Zange ziphuzane ixesha lonke ngokuya endinyukubeza, ebesiya
nqo apho athunyelwe khona. Athathe, athethe. Ukuva ubudoda bukaSimba ndivele ndanombono wento
yonke kwakhona.

Simba: ”Nomtha ndim. Ndim uSimba.”

Utase izandla zakhe kuba engazazi ukuba azenzeni. Ebefuna ukundibamba kodwa ebeqaphela ukuba
bendingafuni kubanjwa. Bendingayazi ukuba bekutheni ngam? Yintoni yona le? Ndonakele ngalondlela
ngoku, xs ndibanjwa ibangathi nguEfe?

Ndichophe ebhedini ndazigquma ubuso.

Simba: ”Nomtha, baby. Andiyazi noba ndenzeni kuba ndifuna ukwanga qha andiyazi noba uzoba
comfortable na.”

Ndikhale ngakumbi. Nantsi indoda ibindikhathelele ngokwaneleyo ukuba indonge ngexesha

lobuthathaka bam. Ebendikhathalele, endicingela kodwa bendisoyika ukuba andibambe sibe intimate
ngenxa kaEfe. Ewe bendinga mthandi kodwa bendimkhathalele kakhulu. Bendingayazi ukuba ebeyintoni
kum ngalamzuzu kodwa ebeyinto. Into ebalulekileyo. Into endikhathaleleyo.

Bekutsho lukhulu kum ukuba wandikhangela. Bekunga nyanzelekanga. Ngethe 'good riddance'
waqhubeka nobomi bakhe, efumana umntu ongenazingxaki njengam. Ongonakalanga njengam. Ngoku
ebefuna ukunditshata, ndibe ngunkosikazi wakhe nasemveni kokundibona ndonakele. Ndisopha ngapha
nangapha, ndikrazukile. Usafuna ukuba nam. Usafuna ukuba nobomi nam.

Ndazi abantu bakhe, nabo bandazi. Ibingekho into ebendisiza nayo mna ngaphandle kwesiqu sam.
Bendizom'dibanisa nabani mna kuba umntu ebendinaye nguKing qha. Kwaye bendingasoze
ndimdibanise noKing. Ukuba bendawumfumana phofu, kuba bekukhangeleka okungathi uduke nelizwe.

Ndive izandla zakhe endiwolela kuye, intloko yam isesifubeni sakhe endiphulula umqolo.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”

Andiyazi bekutheni ndase ndane breakdown. Itiming ibingekho right. Indlu ibigcwele abantu bebeze
kuthi, mna bendiphalala kukongayelwa.

Undibambe isilevu ukuba ndimjonge emehlweni. Mekumangaza indlela ebesoft ngayo amehlo akhe
okungathi akake abenzima ngendlela yokuba uzive uqhaqhazela qha ekujonga. Wayetshilo phofu ukuba
akayonto enye kumntu wonke.

Simba: ”Uright ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright, ndiyaxolisa andiyazi ndingenwe yintoni.”

Simba: ”Khawuyeke ukuxolisa.”

Undosule inyembezi wandiphuza umlomo.

Simba: ”Ndikunike umzuzu uzolandela?”

171
Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ja ungasose uduke ixesha elide unabantu abeze kuwe.”

Simba: ”Beze kum nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Ha!”

Simba: ”Uhlambe ubuso. Kuzothwa bendikubetha ke apha njengoba unamehlo abomvu nje.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba bayakwazi kaloku ukuba unesandla.”

Simba: ”Uthetha ukuthini ukuba ndinesandla? Kakade ndinesandla.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi ukuba ndithetha ukuthini.”

Simba: ”Uthetha ububhanxa, nantso into endiyaziyo. Ungazifihli kakhulu apha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyeza ngoku.”

Uqwalile waphuma. Akaluvalanga ucango. Ndihlambe ubuso bam ndabuthambisa ndilandela emveni
kwakhe.

Bebehleli elounge. Yena, uSiyanda nonyana bakhe.

ULulu ebesekhitshini noMalkia.

Nomtha: ”Ndincedise ngantoni?”

Undijongile uLulu. Uyayibona lanto yokujonga umntu ngokungxama uphinde umjonge kwakhona
umqwalasele kuba kukho into oyibonileyo? Ebenze kanye lonto. Andimhoyanga ndabulisa uMalkia.
Ebendiqwalasele naye.

Nomtha: ”UnguMalkia right?”

Malkia: ”Ngalamini utata wayeyondilanda eBraam wayehamba nawe andithi?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Wayehamba nam, ewe.”

Luleka: ”Wayeyokulanda entweni eBraam utatakho?”

Malkia: ”Long story. Kodwa sasinxilile sistranded. Ubhut'Malik engafumaneni so ndafounela udaddy.”

Luleka: ”Inoba wayenjani ngumsindo?”

Malkia: ”Wandingxolisa ngosuku olulandelayo. Indlela ndandishushu ngayo andiqondi

ndandizongxoliseka. Wayede ekhala ngumsindo ngoku wayendilalisa. Ndiyayikhumbula leyo.”

Luleka: ”Andiqondi noba wayekhaliswa ngumsindo, kodwa kukuphoxeka. Uyayazi ukuba uJunior yi
alcoholic so ukukufumana unxile ngohlobo othi wawunxile ngalo wayephoxekile. Inoba wayeziva
okungathi woyisakele njengo mzali. Ndiyayazi ndingazityhola mna okukwam. Kuyingozi kulatown Malkia,
ningama ntombi, ninxile ningazazi namagama. Ngekwenzeke nantoni na. Utatakho inoba ebecinga
yonke lonto.”

172
Malkia: ”Andiphinde ndisele. Bendine stress nje.”

Luleka: ”Istress santoni na ntombi? Uyanxityiswa, uyafunda, uyatyiswa. Awuna stress se rent ne
installments. Okwakho nje kukuba uzikhathaze ngencwadi zakho nokupasa imodules qha.”

Malkia: ”Ibingumama nodaddy abandenza istress.”

Ukrwaqule mna uLuleka.

Luleka: ”Ungabo stressa ngezinto zabantu abadala.”

Malkia: ”Easier said than done. Bendibona nje ukuba izinto azisafani. Bekukudala zingasafani kodwa
ngoku bendibona nje ukuba ba miserable. Abahlalelani.”

Luleka: ”Nibadala ngoku Malkia. At your age seniqonda. USimba unyamezele ixesha elide kuba engafuni
nihlukumezeke kukohlukana kwabo kodwa ebengonwabanga. Unyamezele kuba efuna nina
nibenefamily kodwa ngoku ubeka isiqu sakhe nolonwabo lwakhe kuqala kuba nibadala. Babethandana
abazali benu, kakhulu futhi-”

Malkia: ”Ndiyayazi, umama wenza uJunior.”

Luleka: ”Akakwazanga ukubuya mva kulonto.”

Malkia: ”Kodwa abantu abangotata benza abantwana ngaphandle kwemitshato kungohlukwanwa. Utata
semkhulisile uJunior, njengomntwana wakhe. Ngeqhubile wamkhulisa wamxolela umama.”

Luleka: ”Bayahlala kuba bakhetha lonto. Yimpilo abazikhethela yona leyo yokwamnkela abantwana
bangaphandle komtshato. Andimangalanga mna sisigqibo sikatata wakho kuba amadoda awafani nathi.
Amadoda azithanda ukufa. Azixabise ukufa. Awanyamezeli bubhanxa. Uzokudyolela kaliwaka umntu
kodwa dyola kanye nje wena iyachitheka indibano. Andi mangalanga mna. And ewe ukuba ibinguye
onomntwana ngebesekunye noNokulunga. Unjani yena?”

Malkia: ”Oko engekho right kwezintsuku zigqithileyo. Uyaphalaza qho. Unezinto ezimnukisela kakubi nje
nokutya angasakutyiyo. But xa esitya ke uyatya kuba indlela atyebe ngayo. I think she's stress eating.”

Luleka: ”Uthi uyaphalaza?”

Unqwalile efinge intshiya.

Malkia: ”Qho. Umakhulu ude wamcebisa enze iginger inausea izoba bhetele.”

Ujonge mna erhole amehlo uLuleka.

Luleka: ”Umakhulu wakho, umama kamamakho?”

Malkia: ”Yep. Ndidinga itoilet, umchamo! Excuse me.”

Utsho watsiba wabaleka ukuyongena ebathroom.

Luleka: ”UNokulunga umithi!”

Bendiyikrokrele lonto ke kwezontetho zikaMalkia ndaphinda ndacinga ukuba mhlawumbi

ndiyagabadela. Ndacinga kungenzeka sistress.

173
Nomtha: ”Inoba ngoka ...?”

Ndibheke emveni kwethu koSimba elounge. Kuba ibiyi open plan, besibabona kuba balapha nje emveni
kwethu. Akukho madonga asohlukanisayo.

Luleka: ”Hayi! Kungenzeka?!”

Ndinyuse amagxa. Eneneni bendingayazi futhi bendingafuni nokwazi. Okay bendifuna kodwa
bendisoyika. Ukuba ebeke walala naye ngelixesha emana kuya kwakhe wamkhuleliswa ebengazufuna
ukuchitha nantoni na eyenzeka phakathi kwam naye abuyele emzini wakhe. Bendibuhlungu nje
kukucinga ukuba usabelana ngesondo noNokulunga. Bendinomona ukuba ebemazi ngendlela
bendingamazi ngayo. Kodwa uNokulunga ebemthanda. Mna bendingazazi, so kukho noko. Kwaye
wayetshilo uku- yho hayi bendishukuxekile bendingafuni ukuxoka.

Luleka: ”Andiqondi noba bebesa bambana mna.”

Wayetshilo kwezintetho zakhe uSimba ukuba kudala bengaliweli iziko. Bagqibela kudala ukuba ngumfazi
nendoda. Bendingafuni ukukholwa ukuba bebeke bazekana ngoku sendikho. Okanye ngelixesha
ndikuEfe? Hayi maan ngengekaboni mpawu ukuba bekungoko. Mhlawumbi ngelixesha bakhangela
uJunior, bazibona sebekunye. Huh?

Nomtha: ”Kungathini ukuba ngowakhe?”

Ujonge emveni kwam koSimba wajonga mna, wanyusa amagxa akhe.

Luleka: ”Ndifuna ukuthi akasoze uSimba kodwa umzimba ngumzimba kwaye inkanuko zinkanuko,
iworse umntu xa sele umazi ngolohlobo kulula ukubuyela kuye uhendeke. Never say never. Andiyazi ke
ukuba kungathini ukuba bamithisene.

Malkia: ”Shuuu! Ndiphantse ndazintsontsela!”

Luleka: ”Xa ubumincela ntoni wena?!”

Malkia: ”Iyadika into yokuquqa etoilet.”

Ndive ngesandla egxalabeni yabe inguSimba. Ebemi phakathi kwam noMalkia esibambe sobabini.

Simba: ”Uyamkhumbula uMalkia?”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Malkia nguNomtha lo. Igirlfriend yam.”

Ndimjonge ngoko wandinyusela ishiya caba undilindele ukuba ndiqhanqalaze. Ndizilume ulwimi.

Malkia: ”Besesidibene.”

Simba: ”Alright. Good. Niright?”

Ebejonge kum ngoku abuzayo ndanqwala.

Luleka: ”Ndiphekiswa ndodwa apha.”

Nomtha: Ndibuzile kodwa ukuba ndikuncede ngantoni andeva mpendulo.”

174
Luleka: ”Kucacile ukuba ububuza nje uzotsho ukuba ububuzile. Iworse ke sisi nguwe umntu ozotshata
neNigeria hayi mna. Umyeni wakho uzothi efuna iEgusi soup ungayazi ukuba mawudibanise ntoni
nantoni!”

Malkia: ”Ngubani otshatayo?!”

Urhole amehlo uLuleka wajonga kuSimba.

Ingathi bekuvele kwathi cwaka naba baseLounge bejonge kuthi beyekile ukuncokola.

Malkia: ”Uzotshata?!”

Simba: ”Malkia bendithethile nani ndanixelela ukuba ndinoNo-”

Malkia: ”Awukhange uthi uzotshata! Utshate nomama, umama akakho right kungoku ngenxa yokuba
wena uhlalisana nentanga yam ngoku uzotshata?!”

Simba: ”Malkia Matanzima, awundi phakamiseli ilizwi xa uthetha nam.”

Malkia: ”Umama uyaxolisa okay?! Uyazisola ngokuba nomntwana ngaphandle komtshato. Everyday
ndimva ekhala eroomini yenu daddy, uva kabuhlungu!”

”Malkia khawume ngezitantrums zakho.”

Simba: ”Myeke Malik.”

Malkia: ”Utshate nomama!”

Simba: ”Mna nomamakho asisatshatanga baby, we divorced three years ago. Asisatshatanga. Ndisingle,
ukuba ndifuna ukutshata uNomtha ndizomtshata kuba ndiyamthanda.”

Malkia: ”Awuzutshata nentanga yam! Itshomi zam zizothini! Umama uzoziva njani xa unomfazi olingana
nelast born yakho? How disgusting is that?”

Simba: ”Uyandidelela kengoku. Baby, awuzuziphatha njengomntwana omncinci. At some point

kuzofuneka ukhule. Mna nomamakho sohlukene. Umamakho unomntwana nenye indoda. Umntwana
wam ulinxila elihlala esitratweni ngenxa yokuba engafuni ukukholwa ukuba utatakhe ngut- ngu-”

Nura: ”Yeah ngubani? Into enisixelela yona nomama kukuba akangowakho kodwa anilikhuphi ukuba
ngokabani. Kuba uJunior uyafana nawe. Unayo indawo efana nawe.”

Simba: ”Zange niyibone iDNA test Nura?”

Nura: ”Ewe sayibona kod-”

Simba: ”Kodwa ntoni?”

Nura: ”Fine akangowakho, mna ndiyayikholwa lonto kuba watsho uJunior ngomlomo wakhe ukuba
wazivela ezinkonkxeni umama ethetha noMakhulu. Into endifuna ukuyazi kukuba ngubani utatakhe?”

Simba: ”Ufuna ukuyazi kubani? Kum?”

Unqwalile.

175
Simba: ”Ndinomntwana ngaphandle komtshato wam mna?”

Nura: ”Anditsho tata.”

Simba: ”Uthini?”

Nura: ”Andithethi.”

Ebebona ukuba utatakhe unomsindo njengoba eberhoxa nje ngoku.

Simba: ”Andina mntwana ngaphandle komtshato mna. Ukuba ufuna ukwazi utata womntwana kanyoko
ubuza kunyoko not kum. I'm divorced nomama wenu, usahleli kuba esafuna ukuhlala nam ndiya
eGreenstone ngenxa yenu. Bendilala khona ngenxa yenu! Ndinikhulisile nibadala nonke ngoku, you are
in fucken university. Ukuba nizolwa amadabi eningangeni ndawo kuwo ekubeni ndahlala kulamtshato
for three year, ndilala ecaleni komama wenu ukuba nje nikhule ngokwaneleyo I'm gonna get very mad!
Nibadala! Andizuhlala nomama wenu for nina anymore. Abantu bayohlukana and that's that.”

Malik: ”Tata andiqondi ukushoutisa kuzobanceda. Base in denial.”

Nura: ”Andikho in denial mna.”

Simba: ”Kukuba bendicinga ukuba nizoqonda kuba ndahlala nani phantsi ndanixelela ukuba kwenzeka
ntoni. So andiyazi ukuba kwanina nizimangaza njani ekubeni ndathetha nani kwangathi niyaqonda.
Ndinomsindo wokuba niza ngendelelo futhi. Akakho umntu othi ningabina zimvo kodwa sawuba
nengxaki xa nizoza ngendelelo nizodelela uNomtha. Akangeni ndawo emtshatweni wam nomama wenu.
Ubincinci bakhe aningeni ndawo kuko. Akangomama wenu, akangomanci wenu ngumntu wam.
Ndizomlobola ndimtshate. Ukuba anifuni nto edibanisa naye namnkelekile ukungezi apha eCenturion,
mna ndizoza kuni. Kungazubakho ngxabano. Nd'yanithanda, kodwa ndiyamthanda naye. Umama wenu
ndimthande ubomi bethu bonke sikunye Malkia, angazisola ngoku kodwa into andenze yona ayixoleleki
tu. Into ayenze uJunior ayixoleleki.”

Nura: ”Ngenxa yalomntu amenze naye umntwana?”

Simba: ”Obubu krelekrele bakho buyandidika.”

Nura: ”Ngoka bhut'Mluleki?”

Malik: ”Ngowefemeli?!”

Simba: ”Andifuni nithiye umama wenu.”

Malik: ”Umama uleli nomntu wasefemelini?!”

Kungenzeka ukuba ngumntu wasefemelimi? USimba wayetshilo ukuba uJunior wakhe watsho uba
wabeva bethetha uNokulunga nomamakhe. Nokuba wayembona utata wakhe xa engekho uSimba. Qha
enze ingathi uzombona nje. Mna kum bendizicingela ukuba akayazi yena ukuba ngubani kodwa ngoku
besendicinga ukuba uyamazi. Kungenzeka ukuba ngumntu wasefemelimi? Noba kunganjalo ke
bendingakholwa ukuba ngokaMluleki. U-Ulatho ebengasoze amlwele kangaka ukuba ebeyazi uba
umtyele indoda. Mkhuseli? And ebethanda ukuya eGreenstone! Ingaba ibinguye?! Okanye uBukhosi?
Indlela wayibeka yacaca ukuba akandithandi, mhlawumbi ebe- hayi maan bendidekile.

176
Malik: ”Madiba?”

Simba: ”Buzani kumama wenu.”

Malik: ”Lo yena umntwana anaye naye akangowakho?”

Malkia: ”Mna? Andingowakho?!”

Malik: ”Subhanxa wena, nditsho lo amkhulelweyo umama. Ngowakho okanye ngowomnye umntu?”

Simba: ”UNokulunga ukhulelwe?!”

Ubuze ewarhole onke amehlo akhe.

Malik: ”Ubungayazi?”

Simba: ”Ndingakubuza ukuba bendiyazi?! Ndiyayizibula.”

Malik: ”Akangowakho naye?”

Simba: ”Uqinisekile ukuba ukhulelwe? Sure. Sure.”

Malik: ”Ukhulelwe. Umakhulu uzohlala nathi kuba ehlutshwa zimorning sicknesses. Zimgulisa kakhulu.
Into bendino msindo ngayo mna yileyo, ukuba uyayazi ukuba ukhulelwe kodwa you are not there for her
xa ekudinga.”

Simba: ”UNokulunga akandixelelanga kwanto ngokumitha mna. Bendistressed kukuduka kuka Nomtha
ukumgqibela kwam andinokuxelela nokuba wayenxibe ntoni. Andiqaphelanga nto.”

Malik: ”So akangowakho then.”

Simba: ”Malik ndina three years ndingatshatanga nomamakho. Akunokwenzeka ukuba abe ngowam.”

Malik: ”Kuleminyaka yakhe usenza abantwana! Inoba ngubani kona utata walomntwana?! Ukuba
uyamazi!”

Simba: ”Watch yourself. UNokulunga ngunyoko. Awuthethi ntando yakho ngaye. ”

Malik: ”Usamthethelela nangoku? Una two yabantwana ngoku ngaphandle komtshato kodwa
usamthethelela. Umoshe umtshato wenu- ndiyayiva lebull yokuba ubungekho yada yada kodwa ayo
excuse leyo. Umoshe ubomi bethu qha yena. Ewe ubuhleli kulathree year emveni kokuba uvile
ngoJunior kodwa bekubonakala ukuba you are just tolerating each other. Noxa bebengaboni aba mna
bendibona ukuba kukho icrack enkulu and you were cold kumama. She's just ruining things and wena
you continue to protect her honour.”

Simba: ”Kuba wayengumfazi wam. Wandipha nina Malik, wandikhulisela nina wandinyamezela ndi
abusive kuye. Endiquma okungathi I'm the best husband ezweni. Nam kule three years bendiba nabo
abantu kuba nomamakho sohlukene noxa sihlala kunye. Umahluko kukuba mna bendizikhusela kuba
ndingafuni mntwana nomntu nje. Umama wenu ebenelungelo lokuba nomnye umntu kuba mna
bendinga mfuni. Ukuba ukhulelwe ayikho into enizoyenza ngaphandle kokuba nomxhase qha.
Khanikhule maan.”

177
Malik: ”Ndiyaphuma kwasendlini mna. Bazohlala bodwa nomakhulu noMalkia. Andifuni nto enokwenza
mna. And ekugqibeleni uzovela lomntu nimqumayo. Akhonto ifihlakala kude kuphele. Uzovela. Ukuba
asixelelwa nguJunior sawuzivela. Ndiyahamba mna.”

Luleka: ”Ukutya?”

Simba: ”Bayeke bahamba Lulu.”

Uphume kuqala uMalik kwalandela uNura esanga utatakhe kuqala. Uphume nje uMalkia wamphepha
utatakhe xa ezama ukumanga. Ulandele emveni kwabo ebajonga bengena emotweni bahamba. Ubuyele
ngaphakathi wangqala ekamireni wambhakraza ucango emveni kwakhe.

Sishiyeke sijongana noLulu ndakhupha umoya.

Nomtha: ”Siyithetha lento yokukhulelwa.”

Luleka: ”Akaphumi ezintweni uNokulunga. Iyintono emmithisayo ngoku kodwa ebezenza okungathi
ufuna ukubuyelana noSimba. Ndiyamcaphukela mna lamfazi shame. Umdaka gqithi and uyayazi ukuba
uzokhuliselwa nguSimba lamntwana njengoba angafuni ukuphuma kuye.”

Siyanda: ”Khawuyomjonga Nomtha, sawube sigqibezela ukupheka apha. Into engazukwenzeka kukuba
singayityi ledinarha siyizele apha.”

Luleka: ”Hayi nditshile kangaka!”

Siyanda: ”Hayi umnkam etshile kangaka! Demethi!”

Luleka: ”Donori!”

Siyanda: ”Awukazugqiba baby?”

Luleka: ”Ndincede kaloku ndizogqiba msinya.”

Ndibashiye bephuzana benyumbazana ndaya kuSimba. Andiyazi nebendizoyitsho.

Simba: ”Ndifuna undixele ukuba ngowakho na nalona umntwana, yiyo into endifuna ukuyazi?!”

Ndingene ethetha nephone ndalumbhakraza ucango azova ukuba kukho umntu ongenileyo, ingabingathi
ndiyamchwechwela.

Ubhekile wabe enamehlo abomvu. Ebekhala. Wosule amehlo waphinda wandizela ngomva. Ndibuye
umva ndizomshiya.

Simba: ”Nomtha!”

Ndibhekile wandikhweba.

Simba: ”This is fucked up. This is so fucked up. You are fucking up abantwana bam! Nobabini!! Nobabini!
Ndiyayazi ukuba ngowakho nalo umntwana noba ukhanyela nje ngowakho! Ngokabani ke? Uzothini
ungayazi?! Uzothini ungayazi! Nx!”

Uyigibisele edongeni lophone yaphasalaka. Ndimele qelele kuye. Uphethukile wandijonga.

178
Nomtha: ”Ukutya sekuzolunga. OSiyanda bathi abazuhamba bengatyanga dinara so ndicebisa ukuba
silungise itafile kuba bayapheka bona.”

Simba: ”Akukazuba ready ngoku ukutya.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Ayingo mntwana wam lowa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikuvile usitsho.”

Simba: ”Ndiyavuya ukuba abantwana bam sebekhule ngokwaneleyo, bazozihlalela. NoMalkia kuzoba
ngcono ayohlala esikolweni kulonyaka uzayo. Ndizohoya abantwana bam kuphela. Andizukondlala
noNokulunga nomntwana wakhe mna. Ndiphumile apho. Uzozibona ngalo umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuhlungu ukuba uphinde wakhulelwa?”

Simba: ”Andizazi. Andiyazi. Ndicinga ndiphoxwe kukuba careless kwakhe. Ucinga ukuba kuleminyaka
yakhe usakulungele ukube emitha?”

Nomtha: ”Kungenzeka ukuba ebemplanile lomntwana.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi ukuba akamplananga kuba ebese nethemba lokuba singalungisa izinto. Ebefune
ukulala nam some time ago. Ebeyazi ngoko ukuba umithi.”

Nomtha: ”Ebefuna ukutyhola wena?”

Simba: ”Andinxibise idyasi kwakhona.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani utata womntwana?”

Unyuse amagxa.

Nomtha: ”Ngubani utata kaJunior?”

Usondele kum wandiphuza ibunzi wagqitha wayophuma ngomnyango.

Simba: ”Ndim utata kaJunior.”

Utsho sengaphaya komgubasi. Ndishiyeke ndiphefumla ndalandela emveni kwakhe.

179
TWENTY
Siyanda: ”Ninga yilungisa kengoku itafile sekubhadlile ukutya.”

Simba: ”Ekugqibeleni! Bekunini ngoko!”

Luleka: ”Eyonanto awukwazi nokupheka iqanda eli lakwambhala wena!”

Simba: ”Ingena phi lonto?! Singatyi ngoku Lulu ngenxa yokuba singakwazi ukupheka?”

Siyanda: ”Banochuku abantu!”

Simba: ”Tyhini!”

Kukhale iphone kaSimba. Enye, hayi le ayibethekise edongeni. Ibisaphasalake phaya yona. Le ibiyile
ndandizame ukuyiba.

Simba: ”Hello? Akuvalwanga ngena. Uhamba nabani? Sure. NguMluleki.”

Siyanda: ”Uvaya nobani?”

Simba: ”Uhamba noBukhosi.”

Siyanda: ”Ndamgqinela kudala uBukhosi.”

Simba: ”Andiyotshomi yakhe kaloku ubukhosi yilonto engaxhaphakanga apha.”

Ndimjongile ndimncinele amehlo. Ingaba utsho lonto kuba inguye utata wabantwana bakaNokulunga?

Akubanga kudala seva amazwi esondela nganeno.

Mluleki: ”Hayibo! Asimenywa thina?!”

Simba: ”Entweni?!”

Mluleki: ”Kwidinara kakoku! Molweni Mahamba's!”

Siyanda: ”Madiba.”

Luleka: ”Oh bawo!”

Siyanda: ”Hahaha! Andizutsho ukuba vela bembhentsele. NguSimba yedwa ovela bambhentsele!”

Mluleki: ”Hahahaha! Oko wawuyiclown kulanyaka ndingamaziyo.”

Siyanda: ”Ulibele ukuba besisitya sonke ilunch.”

Mluleki: ”Siyalibala kaloku, sendilinele nalonto. Kuhle?”

Simba: ”Injani na lento? Indwendwe ibelilo elibuza impilo, libuze indoda yomnye umzi.”

Mluleki: ”Awude undibuze kaloku nawd ndiqonda ukuba mandikuhambele ngaphambili.”

Simba: ”Nivuke kakuhle bhuti?”

Mluleki: ”Ndiyaphila akhonto, sonwabe nje kakuhle. Zifiva nje. Ninjani nina?”

180
Simba: ”Akhonto intle kodwa siyacenga mfo kabawo. Siyacenga.”

Mluleki: ”Hayi cengani nisiya Diba. Ayikho enye indlela.”

Siyanda: ”Engakubulali iyakomeleza!”

Simba: ”Engakubulali ayizami ngokwaneleyo.”

Siyanda: ”Hayibo! Itsho na into?!”

Simba: ”Itsho into. Uvukile nawe Bukhosi?”

Bukhosi: ”Ndiyaphila nam enkosi. Ndonwabe nje kakuhle. Besendiyivile neyakho.”

Simba: ”Uzosa uNomtha eHillbrow kwakhona? Gabhadiya. Van damm.”

Bukhosi: ”Ndanditshilo ukuba ndiyaxolisa bhuti, bendingayazi ukuba ungumfazi mna unezixhiba.”

Simba: ”Azoba yinyanda lomazinyo ukuba uphinde nje wathi ndingumfazi. Uzothi ntlubu izisini njengoba
uhleli nje uqhekeke into engekhoyo. Andiyazi noyifuna apha.”

Siyanda: ”Hayibo kuyaliwa kanti?”

Simba: ”Une nonsense ingathi akangomntwana uBukhosi and uyandazi andimfuni umntu oyibullshit
yomntu. Ukuba awungomhlobo wam usisitha sam, kwamanye wamalanga kuzofuneka ukhethe ukuba
uyintoni kum. Kuba mna ezam izitha andizisondezi, azingeni emzini wam zitye nam etafileni sagqiba
zindingcatshe.”

Siyanda: ”Hlisa umoya Simba, sithethile noBukhosi uyiyekile lanto. Ungakwicala lethu.”

Simba: ”Andidibani nomntu ongenazigqibo mna. Usebenzela isitha sethu, usisitha sethu qha. Ukuba
uphinde wabe unanazela emveni kukaSesh Bukhosi uphumile mna empilweni yam. Uxhasa isitha sam
usiso wena kuqala gazi okanye hayi uphumile. Andinaxesha le bullshit mna and andiyizuyithatha from
anyone. Blood or not, family or not ndizokophisa. Awusebenzi ne enemy yefemeli yakho. Rule number
one. Wena notata ningumgubo wengxowa enye mvanje. Backstabbers and traiters. Ukuba nisaphilelani
ningase nizibulale nje nincede wonke umntu niyazi nodwa. Nibhetele nifile nje.”

Utsho wahamba wayolungisa edining table esishiya sirhole amehlo, ngakumbi uBukhosi. Ebentanya
tanyaza okungathi ukhwele itrain ewrongo. Uthinte umqala uMluleki.

Mluleki: ”Asiphazamisanga nto?”

Siyanda: ”Hayi noko. Besizobona aba bantu sibaphekele nedinara. Sekulithuba ingabonani kakuhle,
kuxakekiwe.”

Mluleki: ”Kunjalo. Nimenze ntoni kengoku uBhubesi lo wagragrama?”

Siyanda: ”Bekukho abantwana apha. Bonke. Izinto azihambanga ngohlobo besicinga ukuba zawuhamba
ngalo.”

Mluleki: ”Abantwana? Bonke?”

Siyanda: ”Bonke. UNokulunga u- ukhulelwe.”

181
Mluleki: ”UNokulunga?!”

Simba: ”Ungasose uthatha imic nespeaker uxelele wonke umntu walengingqi?! Nondaba.”

Siyanda: ”Awutshongo ukuba yeyakwa mkhozi kaloku.”

Mluleki: ”Ngumntwana kaSimba? Ngumntwana wakho Simba?”

Simba: ”Akangowam.”

Bukhosi: ”Shu! Ngokabani? Unotata omnye noJunior?”

Simba: ”Hamb'obuza uNokulunga. Andithi yibest friend yakho?”

Bukhosi: ”Uzondigragramela ixesha lonke ndilapha?”

Simba: ”Andikufuni kwam kwedini. Andiyonto nabangcatshi mna.”

Bukhosi: ”Andisa sebenzisani noSesh noCobra!”

Simba: ”Ungumngcatshi!”

Bukhosi: ”Sukhuphela umsindo wakho kaNokulunga kum. Ayindim umntu omithise umfazi wakho
ukhona. Kabini!”

Umgibisele ngevase wamchana entloko, sathi sisajonge leyo into wabe sele elapha enqandwa
nguMluleki.

Mluleki: ”Hayi maan Simba, yeka umntwana.”

Simba: ”Mnike imoto aphume kwam uBukhosi. Andimfuni apha ngoba uzophuma ngestretcher.
Makahambe.”

Siyanda: ”Thatha isitxiko uhambe Bukhosi.”

Simba: ”Makafokofe kwam angaphinde angene apha. Andihlali nomntu endingamthembiyo mna.
Ndifunde the hard way kuSylvester and andifuni buphinde benzeke obobubhanxa.”

Bukhosi: ”Andingo Sylvester mna ndingumntakwenu!”

Simba: ”Kuworse xa ndizongcatshwa ligazi lam. Andikufuni anywhere apha Bukhosi, I'm not even joking.
Ndikubone nje ngaphandle kwaleyadi ndizokudiliza. Andikuthembi ngefemeli yam. Andiyazi noba ubuye
nyani na ngoku okanye uthunyiwe uzonikisa ngabantu.”

Bukhosi: ”Andikholelwa ukuba ucinga ndingenza lonto kuwe mna. Andiyikholelwa lonto.”

Simba: ”Suyikholelwa ungaphandle komzi wam. Ube uyagqibelisa ukungena apha! Khaphume uyeke
ukophela izinto zam, phuma!”

Siyanda: ”Hamba Bukhosi.”

Bukhosi: ”Awufuni mna? Ndingumntwana wakowenu? Awufuni mna? Ugxotha mna kanje emzini
wakho?”

182
Simba: ”Uphumile kum mhla wayokwenza ubuhlobo nomntu owadubula umama wabantwana bam
wayongena eICU. Uphume kum mhla uyosebenzela abantu abathengisa amantombi wabancedisa nawe.
Uphume ngoko kum.”

Bukhosi: ”Uthengisa idrugs nawe! Suzenza bhetele. Izinto ozenzayo kwawena awungowothetha
okungathi unonembeza.”

Simba: ”Andithengisi bantu mna. Andikho kwihuman trafficking. That is where I draw the line.
Ukutshaya idrugs yichoice yomntu. Umntu uyazikhethela ipoison yakhe. Andiphumi apha
ndiyoyikhankasa ndenze obuy one get one free. Bayazikhethela. Amantombazana atwenza imilenze
wona awayikhethi lampilo. Iyabakhetha yona. Kukuxakeka kwabo okubenza bazinikele kulompilo.
Abantu abafana nawe abasenzisa lonto ukutyebisa itasi zakho abawakhathalelanga amanina. Nawaphi
na. Ndibomntwana oyintombi. NdinoNomtha apha, wena xa umjongile ubona ibusiness. Uphantse
wayophelela eSaudi Arabia ethengiselwa God knows who ngabantu abafana nawe. Usenenarhmani
nangoku. Othuke ekhala ebusuku uphinde ucinge ukuba ndizovumela umntu ofana nawe angene emzini
wam ahlale etafileni nathi nabafazi bethu. UMluleki unabantwana bamantombazana. Uzokuthemba
kanjani ngabo ukuba ubomi bentombi awubuxabisanga. Kuba uyifamily kufuneka sikuthembe.”

Mluleki: ”Ndingamthena ndimgcade emafutheni mna umntu ngabantwana bam.”

Simba: ”Andimfuni kwam nasempilweni yabantwana bam uBukhosi. Yenza lonto mna nawe sawuvana.
Udlalele kude kuMalkia okanye ndizokulimaza. Uligazi lam ewe kodwa ifemeli yam iza kuqala. Ndizame
nje. Ndilinge. F*ck off kwam!”

Umjonge ixesha elide esazibambe intloko. Yaba ngulo mjamelwano kuba noSimba ebengamyekanga,
ejame kwayena. Unyuse izandla zakhe uBukhosi wabuya umva. Uphethukile waphuma elandelwa
nguMluleki.

Simba: ”Nx!”

Uphindele kulatafile ebeyikungisa eshiya ivase le yophukele komnye yawela phantsi. Caba ibizothathwa
ngubani? Ndimu?

Ndiyothatha ibrush yokubutha nedustpan kuba bekungekho mntu wenza umnyakazo. Ndibuthile
ndalahla kwidustbin.

Mkhuseli: ”Kwenzeka ntoni? Ebesilwa nabani uBukhosi?!”

Ungene sebuza uMkhuseli. Akabulisanga nokubulisa kuqala.

Siyanda: ”Doctor!”

Usondele kuye wambulisa emanga ngecala.

Mkhuseli: ”Ubethwe ngubani uBukhosi?”

Simba: ”Nive kusithiwa kukho ntoni kwam nazogcwala apha? Uke uye kwaMluleki okanye ndim ndodwa
lo ufanelwe lizothe?!”

Mkhuseli: ”Utheni lo?”

183
Siyanda: ”Ulwe noBukhosi. Ubukhosi ebesebenzela uSesh.”

Mkhuseli: ”Kufanele ukuba ndimazi mna loSesh mhlawumbi?”

Siyanda: ”Ushushumbisa idrugs naye kodwa ukuyo nehuman trafficking. Usebenzisana namagweja.”

Mkhuseli: ”UBukhosi ebesebenzela lomntu?”

Simba: ”Ngulo wadubula uNokulunga efuna ukubulala mna. Ewe, ebesebenzela yena ngenxa yokuba
singamfuni kwibusiness. Ngukhanda shisa uBukhosi. Uzofa ngoku kuba uyaxhamazela.”

Mkhuseli: ”There is no lesser evil apha bhuti. Nani anirightanga ngalo niwenzayo kuba ngulo ufaka
abantu abasondele kuni ebungozini.”

Simba: ”UNomtha ungene ebungozini ngenxa yalaxam unguSylvester!”

Mkhuseli: ”Bendinga thethi ngoNomtha nam kodwa good point. Ngumzekelo omhle uNomtha.
Bekufanele ukuba noyayicingi-”

Siyanda: ”Doctor ndizokunqanda apho. Yenza into oyenzayo nathi senze esiyaziyo ukubeka ukutya
etafileni. Ungazenzi bhetele kunathi ngenxa yokuba ungugqirha. Ndizokrazula esocertificate ngoku
ubone uzoba namabhongo antoni ungena qualificstion.”

Mkhuseli: ”Hahahaha! Mxm! Ndinga kuphathela nokuphathela sibone ukuba ndizoyekiswa si certificate
esikrazukileyo na ukuba ngugqirha. Nomtha, Lulu. Kunuka kamnandi apha.”

Nomtha: ”NguLulu wonke.”

Luleka: ”Kodwa sawutya kudala yile drama yalomzi.”

Mkhuseli: ”Ingathi undivile indlela endilambe ngayo. Isisu sithe nca emqolo.”

Simba: ”UyiHobo wena. Yintoni uziphatha kanje? Lagqirha wakho uthandana naye akakuphekeli?”

Mkhuseli: ”'Lagqhirha ndithandana naye' ukwi call.”

Simba: ”UNomtha akahlelelanga ukuphekela wena ngenxa yokuba engekho kwicall.”

Mkhuseli: ”Akuphekanga Nomtha?!”

Simba: ”NoLulu.”

Mkhuseli: ”Yho hayi andizu ngatyi mna. Bendibulisile.”

Luleka: ”Ububulisile, ewe. Ewe uright?”

Mkhuseli: ”Ndidiniwe.”

Simba: ”Yiza nokutya oko sekuphakelwe ezintweni. Silambile thina.”

Bathuthe zonke izitya beseziphekiwe sayohlala etafile. Akaphozisanga maseko uMkhuseli waziphakela.
Yena yedwa. Kuba thina abanye besisalindele ukuba kuthandazwe kuqala ngaphambili kokuba kutyuwe,
nobhuti ebengekabuyi kuBukhosi.

184
Ungenile wazochopha kwintloko yatafile. Mna noSimba besikwicala lakhe lasekunene ooSiyanda
bengakwelokunene, uMkhuseli ecaleni kuka Siyanda. Kuba uLulu ebephakwathi kwakhe nobhuti.

Mluleki: ”Benilinde mna?”

Siyanda: ”Thandaza Nkokheli mfondini. Siyatshaba yindlala thina.”

Simba: ”Masivaleni amehlo. God bless our food, Amen.”

Thina: ”Amen!”

Siyanda: ”Nyani? Uzosenzela umthandazo wase pre-school unkosikazi wam etshile kangaka!”

Uyihleke kancinci uSimba wabe eziphakela.

Simba: ”Ubunga thandazi nje wena?”

Siyanda: ”Bendingaqondi kaloku ukuba uzokwenza uphela sonwabe womthandazo. Sawufane sithini?
Nomtha ufundise lomntu wakho ukuthandaza.”

Nomtha: ”Uzokwazelaphi ukuthandaza efunda ibhayibhile? Nakhona ufunda imishunqulo yengalo

nomkhupho wenyawo.”

Baphelile yintsini.

Simba: ”Andazi londawo qha.”

Nomtha: ”Ayikho enye iverse oke wayitsho ngaphandle kwaleyo. Ukesa indawo enye wena.”

Simba: ”Andikesi ndawo enye kodwa awuzuyazi wena lonto.”

Siyanda: ”Wamfundela nini lendawo yokukutshwa amalungu? Ngoku wayebe iphone yakho? Okanye
ikhona enye into ebephinde wayiba.”

Nomtha: ”Oh ndilisela mna?”

Siyanda: ”Anditsho sendibuza nje. Okanye uzithathan ngempazamo izinto.”

Simba: ”Siyanda sukuthi umntu wam lisela. Ndim ndidwa onelungelo lokuba atsho kanjalo. Linda
akubele kuqala wandule ukutsho ke. Kuba andiqondi usafe.”

Siyanda: ”Hahahahaha! Utsho!”

Nomtha: ”Yho yehake.”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Ndiyadlala. Bendicinga bhuti, ukuqalisa into yelobola.”

Mluleki: ”Ndingakumela mna ukuya kubantu bakuloNomtha.”

Simba: ”Sawuthetha ngalento ngelinye ixesha.”

Luleka: ”Xa singekho thina?”

Simba: ”Ewe xa ningekho. Andina ngxaki ukuthetha indaba zam kuni kodwa zezika Nomtha ezi. Andifuni
ukuthetha ngezinto zakhe esidlangalaleni.”

185
Luleka: ”Oh alright.”

Simba: ”Kumnandi ukutya kwakho, siyabulela.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Mluleki: ”Utata womntwana kaNokulunga ude wathi ngubani? Ngutata kaJunior?”

Utsarhwe kukutya wakhohlela isidala sento uMkhuseli. Ungonjwe nguSiyanda umqolo wade waright.
Amehlo ebelila kukutsarhwa. Ebebhetele kodwa esakhohlela. ULuleka umkhele amanzi wanikeza
uSiyanda amnike.

Mluleki: ”Uright?”

Unqwalile.

Mkhuseli: ”Kungene kakubi askies.”

Mluleki: ”Huh Simba?”

Mkhuseli: ”Nithi ngubani okhulelweyo?”

Mluleki: ”Ngumama kaMalik.”

Mkhuseli: ”UNokulunga?”

Mluleki: ”Nditsho nje, utheni wadomu?”

Mkhuseli: ”Ndothuswa yinto yokuba ukhulelwe. Bendiba abasekho kunye noSimba.”

Simba: ”Ayingo mntwana wam!”

Mkhuseli: ”Ayongowakho?!”

Simba: ”Ndina three year ndingalali noNokulunga mna. Andiyazi kutheni sizothetha ngoNokulunga
etafileni.”

Mkhuseli: ”Niqiniseke kangakanani ukuba ukhulelwe?!”

Siyanda: ”110%. Ubonwe nangumntwana.”

Mkhuseli: ”Ubani uMalkia?”

Siyanda: ”Malik.”

Mkhuseli: ”Inoba unenyanga ezingaphi?”

Simba: ”Siyintoni thina apho?”

Mkhuseli: ”Ukhulelwe nyani uNokulunga?!”

UMluleki umncinele amehlo.

Mluleki: ”Ungenwe yintoni wena? Uyintoni ezuswini zikaNokulunga? Ulala naye?”

186
Mkhuseli: ”Mna? Andilali naye?! Kutheni ucinga ukuba ndilala naye? Ubone ntoni? Andilali naye mna!
Mna? Hayibo! Uthi ngokabani yena?”

Uphelile yintsini uSimba.

Simba: ”Ungazibambisa wena. Ingathi ungumntu oguilty. Sawumazelaphi thina umntu uNokulunga
akrwempana naye umqolo. Akangowam, utata kaJunior uthi akasekho kwibaby making business and
nangona ndingafunu ukumkholwa andiqondi ukuba nguye. Asizubazi ke abanye abantu bakhe and
asinamsebenzi nalonto thina.”

Mkhuseli: ”Uqinisekile utata kaJunior ukuba ayinguye? Yima, ide yaba ngubani utata kaJunior?”

Simba: ”Uqinisekile ukuba ayinguye. Ndim utata kaJunior. Case closed. Asidibanelanga ukuthetha
ngoNokulunga apha. Ukuba kukho into ofuna ukuyazi kutheni ungayi eGreenstown ngalendlela uqhele
ukuya khona? Nincokola ntoni kakade noNokulunga ukuba awazi ukuba ukhulelwe?”

Mkhuseli: ”Asisatshayisani ncam noNokulunga. Ndisamnika ispace.”

Mluleki: ”How about uyeke ukutshomana ne ex wife yomntakwenu njengoba seninikana ispace ingathi
niyagwencelana.”

Simba: ”Kungenzeka ukuba bayagwencelana kaloku. Ulindele nantoni na kuNokulunga. Akusekho nto
ayenzayo inondiphoxa mna. Andithi noSylvester ngulo othe ebelala naye.”

Mluleki: ”Huh?!”

Siyanda: ”Ebesitalela ngalonto ngokuya besise warehouse.”

Mluleli: ”USylvester noNokulunga?! Akathethiswa kuba efuna ukukuvisa kabuhlungu ngalendlela umvisa
ngayo nawe.”

Simba: ”Andicingi njalo.”

Siyanda: ”Akavakali njengomntu oxokayo. Yinto yakudala, uNokulunga wazifunela kuye. Kwakhona
ngaphambili kokuba axhwilise uNomtha.”

Mluleki: ”Ngaphambili kokuba kuxhwilwe uNomtha? Aka- huh? Angayenza lonto uNokulunga?”

Simba: ”Noba kunjalo andifuni kwazi kuba andifuni ukubulala umama wabantwana bam okhulelweyo.”

Mluleki: ”Yho! Ngubani uNokulunga?”

Simba: ”Phinda ubuze. Ingathi ngumntu ohleli nje unempene. Uzigudla nakubani na ojingisayo.”

Mkhuseli: ”Kungenzeka ukuba ngumntwana kaSylvester!”

Simba: ”I doubt.”

Mkhuseli: ”Shu!”

Akhange siphinde sithethe ngento enoNokulunga noSylvester nempene kaNokulunga kwakhona. Sityile
sincokola nje ngezinto ezingena msebenzi. Enkosi kuSiyanda. Bendinga qondi ukuba bendawuhleka
ngohlobo bendihleka ngayo emveni kwayo yonke lanto. Bamnke sekuhlwile. Besihlambe nezitya

187
sesiyohlala elouge. Bebesela bona noLulu mna ndiziselela ismoothie endisenzelwe nguSimba.
Bendingeka kwazi mna.

Sikhalise umculo ozolileyo kwahamba uMkhuseli kuqala. Xa ndisithi besincokola, kumnandi bendinga
mbali yena kulonto kuba oko ethule edining room. Nangoku sesiye elouge unkonye ibeer enye ejonge
enkalweni wade wahamba. Sibakhuphile ke savalelisa sithembisa ukunganqabelani.

Bendimthanda uLulu, yena nomyeni wakhe.

Nomtha: ”Wakandini zvako?” unjani?

Bendibuza uSimba. Besiphindela endlini sibuyokhupha oSiyanda.

Undiphuze ibunzi

Simba: ”Ndiri rayiti. Ndinokuda.” ndiright. Ndiyakuthanda.

Andimphendulanga, ndancuma nje ndimphuza emlonyeni.

Mluleki: ”Mandibaleke nam. Unkosikazi sendibuza.”

Simba: ”Kufuneka sithethe.”

Mluleki: ”Malunga nelobolo?”

Simba: ”Hayi.”

Mluleki: ”Kulungile. Ufuna ukuqalisa nini ngento yokulobola?”

Simba: ”Soon. Andisafuni ukulinda.”

Mluleki: ”Kuzofuneka siyeni eZimbabwe?”

Simba: ”Siyothini khona?”

Mluleki: ”Sawulobola phi?”

Simba: ”Bendiba sawuthetha nawe umele uNomtha. Sifumane nomnye umntu. Kuba akafuni nto
emdibanisa nabantu bakuloSamora and ndiyafuna ukwenza izinto ngesiko.”

Mluleki: ”Amelwe ndim? Kufuneka umntu wakwaTongai. Noba imali izoya kuNomtha kodwa kufuneka
umntu wakwaTongai. Noba akakho sezityeni.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizomcholaphi mna kuba andibazi abantu bakulotata.”

Unyuse amagxa.

Mluleki: ”Andiyazi ngalendlela nithetha ngayo nina kodwa andizukwazi ukumela oTongai mna.
NdingumXhosa andingom'Zimbabwean. Andiyazi nenza njani. Ukuba ufuna ukwenza into yenze kakuhle.
Ingxoxo yelobola ayifani nokuhambisa umntu kwi isle. Ndingayenza ndinga celwanga leyo, hayi le.
Askies.”

Simba: ”Ndiyakuva.”

Mluleki: ”Mandimnke bhetele. Izobonana xa ijongene. Nomtha.”

188
Nomtha: ”Uhambe kakuhle.”

Umkhuphile uSimba wabiya ndiqokelela amakhoba abo ebeer.

Simba: ”Baby?”

Nomtha: ”Andibafuni abantu bakuloSamora. Andifuni nento ezondidibanisa nabo.”

Simba: ”Andithi-”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni nto endidibanisa nabo. Andizulotyolwa kubo mna.”

Simba: ”Awulotyolwa ku-”

Nomtha: ”Uzokondlala?”

Undincinele amehlo wahamba wayongena ekamireni engaphindanga wathetha. Umbhakraze ucango

kwangcangcazela izinto. How matured!

189
TWENTY ONE
Simba: ”Nomtha, sewulele?”

Nomtha: ”Andikalali, why?”

Uphefumlele phezulu. Walala ngomqolo. Ndiphethukile ndajonga kuye.

Simba: ”Andina buthongo.”

Nomtha: ”Mh. Kutheni? Ucinga ntoni?”

Simba: ”Ubomi bam. Ifemeli yam, abantwana bam.”

Nomtha: ”Ucinga ntoni ngabo?”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukwenza iDNA nabo bonke. Ndicinga ukuba kwenzeke uba ayingobam bonke aba
bantwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ingenzeka lonto?”

Simba: ”Ngendlela ekungayo ngayo ndiyayicinga neyokuba kube kanti ndenzelwe bonke abantwana
bam. Ixesha eli lonke andizilibali ndingutata kanti ndincedisiwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani kanti utata kaJunior? Kuba kuthiwa ufana nawe and kungenzeka abantwana bakho
ngabalomntu. Kuba ndibabona benguwe mna. Ngakumbi uMalik. Unguwe.”

Simba: ”UMalik ngowam yena. Samenza kuqala noNokulunga. Engekaqhelani kakhulu nefemeli yam.
Kufanele ukuba abe ngowam.”

Nomtha: ”Njengoba usithi kufanele abe ngowakho, kungoba awuqondi njalo kuNura noMalkia?”

Simba: ”Andisayazi. Yiyo lonto ndifuna ukwenza itests ndizoqiniseka.”

Nomtha: ”Kuthini kengoku xa sewuqinisekile? Ubaxelele ukuba abangobakho? Bafane noJunior bonke?”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukwazi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndicinga uyeke ngalendlela kungayo mna. Ungutata abamaziyo, ngabantwana bakho.
Akuzunceda nto ukwenza iDNA. Endaweni yoko izokwaphula abantwana benu.”

Simba: ”Andikwazi ukungazi Nomtha, andikwazi. Ukuba abangobam uNokulunga kuzofuneka abaxelele
utata wabo. Andiqondi ukuba ndingakwazi.”

Nomtha: ”Ungakwazi ukuthini? Ukuba ngutata kubo? Njengoba wawuthe akutshintshi nto ukuba uJunior
akalwanga nguwe kodwa ngumntwana wakho kuba oko wabangutata kuye ezalwa? Kutheni ungasose
uzixelela ukuba naba ngabakho. Ubazele, ubakhulisile. Nguwe utata abamaziyo. Ungalungisi into
engonakalanga.”

Simba: ”Kuba Nomtha, omnye ndingamamnkela. Ndingayinyamezele ukuba ndifetyelwe kwaphuma

umntwana. Ukuba bonk- ukuba bonke abangobam!”

Nomtha: ”Akusoze kwenzeke ukuba bangabi ngabantwana bakho bonke. Bayafana nawe aba
bantwana.”

190
Simba: ”Bafana nam kuba ndifana notata wam. UJunior ngumntwana kaVenus.”

Nomtha: ”Uyaphosisa! Utatakho?!”

Unqwale.

Simba: ”Nguye lo bendithetha naye ekuseni. Uthi akangowakhe lo.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi naye ukuba ngowakhe uJunior?”

Simba: ”Uyayazi.”

Nomtha: ”Oh Simba.”

Simba: ”Suyenza lonto. Sukundisizela.”

Nomtha: ”Utata wakho! Yho hayi uyabona bendingamva kuqala kodwa ngoku ndimthiyile. Kukungcola
okunjani oku kokulala nomfazi wonyana wakho? Ungakanani uNokulunga kuye?”

Undijonge ngoko wasondela kum endiphuza emlonyeni.

Simba: ”Ungakanani wena kum?”

Nomtha: ”Awungo tatazala wam wena.”

Unyuse amagxa akhe waphinda wangqengqa ngomqolo.

Simba: ”Uthi nguNokulunga owazifunela kuye. Yindoda yena. Ndandingekho ndiseRussia into engange
nyanga. Wayehlala ekhaya eKyalami nabazali. Bazokwazi ukumncedisa ngabantwana.”

Nomtha: ”Walala notatakho!”

Simba: ”Walala notata. Ekhaya. Umama ekhona ekamireni, utata wayolala noNokulunga kwiguest
bedroom. Yiyo lonto ndavele ndafuna idivorce. Kuba uyenza njani into yokulala nomzali wam uphinde
uzolala nam ngaphandle kwesazela? Ungazikhuseli, ungatyi nemorming after pills. Wakugqiba
uyandiyeka ndikhulise lomntwana iminyaka ndicinga ukuba ngowam. Ndiqale apho ukuba physically
abusive. Emveni kokuba ndive uba akangowam uJunior. Ndimbethe ayolala esibhedlele.
Bendimonyanya, ndinomsindo.”

Nomtha: ”Ngewa wumshiyile endaweni yokuba umhlukumeze.”

Simba: ”Bendinga funi ukuhamba kuba noxa enze yonke lonto bendimthanda. Nguye umntu bendimazi.
Umoshe uhappily ever after wam. Kuba bendizixelele ukuba ndawuguga ndife naye. Zange ndijonge
omnye umntu ndinaye. Naxa ndingekho endlini, singalali inyanga yonke bendinga jongi omnye umntu.
Umsindo wam bendiwu khuphela kuye. Ndimcuphela nento encinanane.”

Nomtha: ”Bobabini nje babolile. Andiyazi ukwazi njani ukuqhubeka nobudlelwane notatakho emveni
kwayo yonke lonto. Bendingasoze mna.”

Simba: ”Akukho lula kanjalo ukuphuma kutata. Andiyazi ukuba bekungekho ngoMluleki ngekunjani
ngoku. Ngendambulala. Ndicingela nje umama kuyo yonke lento. Ndiquma utata for umama.”

Nomtha: ”Umamakho akayazi?!”

191
Simba: ”Singaqala ngaphi ukumxelela ukuba umzukulwana wakhe si stepson sakhe? Ukuba umolokazana
wakhe yinkazana katata?”

Nomtha: ”Oh bawo emthanda kangaka uBisola! Elunge kangaka!”

Simba: ”Emthanda kangaka utata. Emthanda kangaka uJunior! Kaloku ebehlala nabo phaya eKyalami
yena engahlali nathi. Emgrooma utata ukuba abe kwibusiness ngenye imini.”

Nomtha: ”Ngabatheni abangekho kwibusiness?”

Simba: ”Asinoba sebugebengwini sonke kaloku Nomtha. Udoctor uluncedo kakhulu kuthi nabantu
abasebenzela thina. UBukhosi wenze ilaw khona ukuze asincede xa kukho into efunisa umthetho. Thina
sizizigelegeqe. Impilo yethu yile. IDegrees zezokuba sibenento zokuwela but failure is not an option.
UVenus ke yena zange waya esikolweni. Waphela ePrimary kodwa unengqondo yemveli.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba kengoku abangobakho abantwana uzobaxelela?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi. Kodwa andizukhulisa abantwana bakaVenus. Noba umama akayazi kodwa abantwana
bona kunyanzelekile beyazi ukuba uba kuzobakho ubudlelwane kum nabo bubudlelwane obufana
nobam noboMkhuseli, hayi ukuba ngabantwana bam. Andizuqhubeka ukuba sisibhanxa sikaNokulunga.
Ukusukela namhlanje akusekho nto indidibanisa naye. Ndizothatha yonke into yam eGreenstone.
Andizumthengela kutya, andizumbhatalela nix. Uzozibona. Uzocela kuVenus okanye kutata
walomntwana umncinci amncede. UMalkia ndizomzamela iflat ekufuphi nesikolo aphume phaya.”

Nomtha: ”UMalkia uyamthanda umamakhe.”

Simba: ”Andizukondla uNokulunga mna. Ulala notata wam, ulala neright hand man yam?! Undidelelisa
ngapha nangapha. Inoba kuthiwa ndiyindoda etheni ngabantu? Ukuba andimonelisi uhamba ezigudla
kuwo wonke lomntu ndikhona! Kuthiwani ngobudoda bam?!”

Nomtha: ”Yho hayi! Fine ke uNokulunga. Kodwa utatakho lo ukuzalayo, wakukhulisa. Azenze indoda
emfazini wakho! Hayibo! Wakugqiba uba bukhali ngomntu omtshatayo ngeloxesha yena uyilento ayiyo
elala umolokazana wakhe.”

Simba: ”Njengoba ebetshilo akanangxaki nokuba ungumfazi wam. Unengxaki yokuba ungumtwana
kaSamora.”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi kanti unengxaki noSamora kuba wayelala noNoxolo utatakho. Ukuba ndinga
ngumntwana wakhe, ndiyakuxelela Simba ndingazixhoma.”

Simba: ”Akanoba ngutatakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingafa. Njengoba ethanda impundu.”

Simba: ”Izoba ngutatazala wakho lomntu othi uthanda impundu.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi uyazithanda nangoku tyhini!”

Simba: ”Ndizozama ukudibana nabo apha evekini abantwana. Ndifuna zikhawuleze ziphume eziresults.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayenza nyani lento?”

192
Simba: ”Ndifuna ukuyenza. Ukungazi nokungaqiniseki oku kuzondiphambanisa. Ndifuna ukwazi.”

Ndinqwalile. Yhuuu hayi shame bendiqala mna ukuyiva into enje! Utata alale nomfazi wonyana wakhe
aze ammithise. Ukuba ebengegowakhe lo wokugqibela umntwana inoba ngokabani? Bendimvela
kulento ebefuna ukuyenza uSimba. Kuba ukuba kungenzeka ukuba akanabo abantwana yena. Ibekanti
ngabantakwabo nodade wakhe abantwana bakhe. Akanofa kengoku? Yhu hayi shame.

Ubuyele emsebenzini uSimba kwiveki elandelayo. Bendingoyiki kangako ukushiyeka ndodwa kodwa
bendinemini ibengathi kukho umntu ebendijongile. UMonti ebesima ngaphandle kweyadi xa
engaxakekanga kumsebenzi wabo.

Bendicinga ukuba uSimba akasathembi mntu. Akathembi mna, akathembi ndoda. Bendingamsoli.
Bendingeno themba kwamntu nam ndenziwe ngoluhlobo uNokuluga amenze ngalo.

Kuba unyaka ubusewuphakathi, bendizoya esikolweni kunyaka ozayo. Besendisifunelwe isokolo. Zezi
beziba nwshortlist. Bendiqhelile kakade ukufunda kwizikolo eziright kuba utatam wayendifundisa kuzo.
Bendingena xhala ngalonto.

Bendisenza umsebenzi wasendlini emini. Yonke into kaSimba ibilapha eflattini. Ethathe kwanto yakhe
eGreenstone, njengoba wayetshilo. UMalkia ebengafuni ukuhlala ngaphandle kuka mama wakhe. So
utatakhe ebezomnika yena ubuqu imali. Elingene izidingo zakhe kunye nezesikolo. Ebeyiphume nyani
into kaNokulunga. Inoba ebecinga ukuba kungenxa yam uNokulunga kwaye bendingena msebenzi naye.
NaloVenus wakhona nakakade. Bendingaba khathalelanga.

Kukhale iphone yam ndisekhitshini ndipheka. IbinguSimba. Ebenganqabi ke efounini xa engekho endlini-
phofu bendisithini. Yontoni into ibizomfounisa esendlini.

Ebefouna mhlawumbe kahlanu ngelanga. Ndiyakrokra ebenexhala neworry yokuba ndibe ndodwa
ekubeni ndingeka lulami kakuhle. Wazithatha isamples zabantwana bonke wazisa elaboratorie. Ebelinde
zona ngexhala ngoku.

Nomtha: ”Hello.”

Simba: ”Baby unjani?”

Bendiwuthathela phantsi umonde wakhe. Into yokuba semathandweni nomntu ongekho ncam apho
ungagungqi! Bendimazi umntu osemathandweni ukuba unjani kwaye ebenjalo uSimba. Bendifuna
ukumthanda nam, ngendlela andithanda ngayo okanye esondele kuyo kodwa bekundithatha ixesha
ukufika apho. Nento kaEfe ibindibuyisele umva. Bendisoma qho xa endiphaya ibengathi kukho apho
ezoya khona. Wandincama. Besilala nje. Siphuzane njengabantwana besikolo ndimve encwina ngasese.
Bendimvela ukuba ade azincede kodwa unzimba wam ubungeka lungeli into enjalo. Bendidinga ixesha.
Ukuba bendawude ndikulungele ukuwela iziko.

Nomtha: ”Hi.”

Simba: ”Usafuna ukuya ezishops?”

Bendi nesithukuthezi, ndimthumelele isms ndimxelela ukuba ndifuna ukuyothenga impahla.

Bendinetwenty seven thousand yonke ebankini, ndingasebenzisa noba yilabonus isecaleni ukuzithengela
impahla ndizityise kamnandi.

193
Nomtha: ”Ewe ndiyafuna.”

Simba: ”UMonti uzoza in twenty minutes akuse eSandton. Uzongena nawe akugade. Uzohambela kudala
kodwa hayi kakhulu. I'm not compromising apho.”

Nomtha: ”Andinangxaki nobukho bakhe.”

Simba: ”Good. Lungisa ke. UMonti uyaligcina ixesha. Ndizokufounela xa engaphandle.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”Sure. Ndizobuya ebusuku kakhulu namhlanje, ndiseLimpopo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingakulindi?”

Simba: ”Ungandilindi.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Uyonwabele imini yakho.”

Nomtha: ”Nawe.”

Simba: ”Haha! Ndiyabulela kodwa andizango konwaba apha. Alright ke.”

Nomtha: ”Bye!”

Itwenty minutes ibilixesha elifutshane kakhulu. Besendihlambile. Ndiyotshontsha mdamhle. Bendibazi

abantu balaSandton ngokuhlamba. Ukuba uyenje izobangathi uhambe ngekona, uhambe uzifihla.

Ufoune uSimba sendizogqiba. Ndithathe ipurse yam ndayokhwela imoto ngaphandle kwegate.

Ndimbulise nje asikhange siphinde sithethe sade sayofika eSandton. Undinike icard ngaphambili kokuba
sehlike ndalijonga ndifinge intshiya.

Monti: ”Uboss uthe ndikunike.”

Nomtha: ”Andizulidinga Monti, ndinayo imali kwelam icard.”

Monti: ”Kuthwe ndiqinisekise ukuba uyalisebenzisa.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake Mqinisekisi. Yehake Sol Kezner. Yehake Motsepe. Ndizosebenzisa eyam imali.”

Undiqinisele ubuso wavala umlomo. Ndiqale ngokutya ngaphambili kokuba ndikhangele ishop zempahla.
Bendibuka indawo kunye nabantu ngelixesha ndityayo. Ndiyothenga impahla ndagqiba. UMonti
ebendiphathisa noxa ebengathethi nam. Ndicinge izinto zokuthambisa. Ngaphambili kokuba ndibe
ngugirl weVarden Glycerine neDawn ndandithambisa izinto eziduru zazithengwa nguNoxolo. Kodwa
ndandingade ndibe noluya lusu lwakhe lumpuluswa. Wayekhanya nokukhanya yena njengoba mna
bendingu mtsuguru intombi kaSamora Tongai waseZimbabwe. BendinguAneni kunoba nguNomtha.
Ukutsho, bendithetha ukuba bendithathe kulo tata.

Siye ebody shop noMonti ndathenga izinto zokuthambisa. Bendizophuma ukubona umam'uBisola no
Venus. Bendinga kwazi nokubaphepha, ndibazimele kuba ebesendibonile uBisola esiza kum.

194
Ndizincumisile ke nam noxa ingase ndigabhe kukubona ubuso buka Venus. Ebendijonge okungathi
ndiyintshungama ngaphantsi kwesihlangu sakhe. Enyise impumlo wayobekela phezulu.

Bisola: ”Nomtha! How far. How bodi?” molo. Unjani?

Nomtha: ”Mhoroi, ndiri rayiti. Makandini zvenyu?” molweni, ndiright. Ninjani nina?

Bisola: ”I dey fine. Umhle! Ubuke wazibona?! Ndikugqibele kudala ungekho right, ululama kakuhle abi?”

Nomtha: ”Kunjalo mama.”

Bisola: ”Unjani ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Kuhle mama. Ndiyaphola.”

Bisola: ”USimba uright yena?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe mama uright.”

Bisola: ”Ndiva kusithiwa uphumile eGreenstone. Kutsho uMkhuseli.”

Ndithinte umqala.

Nomtha: ”Ewe mama, sehlala eCenturion ngoku.”

Bisola: ”Angathengi indlu enkulu na uSimba ebhatalwa kakuhle. Umnandelwe kukuhlala kulandlwana
angakwazi nokuzonwaya.”

Nomtha: ”Useright kulandlu. Nam andiboni ngxaki.”

Bendingafuni ndlu enkulu kakhulu ebandayo mna. Apho ndingazumva umyeni wam elala nendodakazi
yam. Bendiyicinga nje lonto kodwa andikhange ndiyithethe. Bendinga soze ndiyothethe.

Bisola: ”Akanohlala phaya ubomi bakhe bonke. Angahlala okwangoku kodwa aphume kulandawo. Utwo
rooms ebeqale wayontoni?”

Mna ke bendikholwa kanye ngulotwo rooms. Kodwa bendingubani mna? Ndiyintoni?

Ndiyihleke nje andaphendula.

Bisola: ”Kulungile ke Nomtha, ndingakulibazisi sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile.”

Bisola: ”Uxelele lanyana wam ukuba ndithi anganqabi kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizomxelela.”

Undigqithile wangena ngaphakathi eshop. Ebenganyakazi yena uVenus endijamele.

Venus: ”Ungahlala phaya utye imali zomntwana wam uzothenga imfeketho kodwa unyana wam
uzokutshata ndifile!”

Nomtha: ”Okay tata.”

195
Undincinele amehlo.

Venus: ”Kucacile ukuba alikwenzanga nto elaNigeria lalikubambile ukuba usenale attitude! Usadinga
umntu ozokufundisa ukuba inyoka zenziwa ntoni. Ukuba ubungathandwa ngunyana wam, ngendigqibe
kudala ngawe. Ngendiqiniseke mna ukuba awubuyi nokubuya apho ubukho. Kodwa uzoba nethamsanqa
kuba uthandwa ngunyana wam. Kodwa awusoze in your miserable life ubengumolokazana wam!”

Ndiyihleke kancinci. Hayi bendingafuni nokuba ngumolokazana wakhe. Ukuba omolokazana bakhe
ebebaphatha ngalendlela amphatha ngayo uNokulunga. Ndiyaxolisa. Athi eyokhalela kubo amthulise
ngencanca! Ndiyabulela enkosi. Kubhetele ndingabingo molokazana.

Nomtha: ”Unjani uJunior erehab? Uyalulama? Inoba Uyamkhumbula, ndiva kusithiwa ngonyena nyana
umthandayo. Senditsho unyana wonyana wakho. Umzukulwana.”

Bisola: ”Venus!”

Undijamele wandigila egqitha.

Monti: ”Ncncncnc.”

Andimhoyanga ndahamba saphuma sayongena emotweni.

Sifike kumise imoto kaMkhuseli ngaphandle weyadi. Undibambise ibags zam wazifaka nje eyadini
wahamba.

Ungenise imoto yakhe ngaphakathi uMkhuseli ndavala igate.

Nomtha: ”Ufuna ntoni apha?”

Mkhuseli: ”Bendizokroba nje. Unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright wena?”

Mkhuseli: ”Ndiyaphila wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ungandiphathisa impahla le.”

Mkhuseli: ”Ubusayotya imali?”

Nomtha: ”Bendisayotya imali kamamkhulu.”

Mkhuseli: ”Umamkhulu ngubani?”

Nomtha: ”NguNokulunga. Wandipha twenty seven thousang kaloku, zange uve?”

Mkhuseli: ”Ungathi ndandiyivile into enjalo.”

Nomtha: ”Uright?”

Ebenga khangeleki eright tu.

Mkhuseli: ”Andiyazi ndithethe nabani.”

Ndimfingele intshiya.

196
Nomtha: ”Wakhetha mna kengoku?”

Mkhuseli: ”Akakho omnye umntu endimthembayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba uthengise intliziyo yomntu kwiblack market, Mkhuseli ndizokubambisa.”

Uyihleke kancinci ngentsini engagagqibelekanga.

Ndibeke izinto phezulu kwebhedi ndatshintsha izihlangu ndinxiba islippers ndayochopha kwisofa
engaphambili kweyakhe. Ebegake izandla zakhe ngaphakathi kwamathanga.

Mkhuseli: ”Ndadlwengulwa.”

Ndirhole amehlo.

Nomtha: ”Okay- eerrr. Uhm ... awavula case?”

Mkhuseli: ”Hayi. Ngoba ndingumntu ongutata. Ndingahlelwa ukuba ndingayomangala ukuba

ndidlwengulwe.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi ukuba ndizothini mna Mkhuseli. Andiyazi nokuba ulindele ukuba ndithini. Askies?
Uyayazi mos ukuba nam ndidlwengulwe nguEfe.”

Bendinga thethi ngento yokudlwengulwa kwam ndingagwantyisi. Ibindikhathaza nje ingase ndenze
okungathi ayizange yenzeka.

Mkhuseli: ”Ndiyoyika ngoba andiqondi ukuba ukhona umntu ozondikholelwa xa ndiyithethayo. Ukuba
kukho umntu ozokholelwa ukuba indoda engangam, enamandla ingadlwengulwa ngumntu obhinqileyo.
Kodwa kwenzeka. Ngomnye umzuzu besihleka kumnandi siziselela, ngomye sendivuka ebhedini yakhe
ndinentloko enzima and ndihamba ngaze. Size sobabini. Ndithathe itests ndafumana itraces zedate rape
drug egazini lam.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ubugcinile ubungqina kubhetele.”

Mkhuseli: ”Ingxaki kukuba lomntu ukhulelwe kwaye kungenzeka ukuba ibendim utata womntwana.
Ndiyoyika ukuba noba wenzeke njani ndizozondwa ngulomntu ubomi bam bonke.”

Nomtha: ”Lomntu okudlwenguleyo? Usakhathalele umntu okudruggileyo waku- come on!”

Mkhuseli: ”Anditsho yena mna, nditsho utata wabantwana balomntu.”

Ndimjongile ndimncinele amehlo.

Nomtha: ”Bhut'Mkhuseli?”

Mkhuseli: ”NguNokulunga lomntu?”

Unqwalile ndawuva umoya uphela. Indlela bendothuke nebendonyanye ngayo bendingcangcazela.

UNokulunga na bethuna?!

Nomtha: ”Xelela ubhuti wakho. Mna ndicebisa lonto.”

197
Mkhuseli: ”Uzondibulala ubhuti!”

Nomtha: ”Sebenzisa ubuchule nawe. Yiya kuNokulunga uyombuza ngalomntwana, uyishicilele incoko
yakhona. Uthethe nangendlela akuyoba ngayo wakudlwengula nokuba uzomxelela ubhuti wakho.
Uzompola. Uthathe lomshicilelo uwufake kwimvulophu neresults zakho uzinyengeze apha xa kunganethi
ke. Ndizozifumana mna ndinike uSimba. Kuright ukuba awukafuni ukumbambisa, thatha isigqibo sakho
kodwa ungavumi lanondatshaza wenjanana akuxabanise nomntakwenu. Angawino kobubugqwirha
bakhe!”

Woyame esofeni enqwala.

Ndothukile uSimba xa engena ezingubeni. Ndaphethuka ndamphuza. Ebenuka fresh, caba ufike
wahlamba.

Simba: ”Bendithe ungandilindi.”

Nomtha: ”Bendilele ndothuka ngoku ungena ezingubeni.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho ngxaki. Uhambe kakuhle.”

Simba: ”Kakhulu. Baby ndingathada ukuncokola kodwa ndidiniwe.”

Nomtha: ”Oh alright, ungalala.”

Simba: ”Ebefuna ntoni kuwe uMkhuseli?”

Nomtha: ”Ukuxelele uMonti?”

Simba: ”Ucinga ntoni wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ebeze kum.”

Simba: ”Yintoni ekudibanisa noMkhuseli ke wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ebefuna ukuqonda ukuba zisandibamba na inarhmani nokuba kufuneka ndithethe nomntu.”

Simba: ”Ohhhh. Ungaziqhelisi ukundwendwelwa ngoMkhuseli. Andikho comfortable. Umntu

endimthembileyo nguMluleki qha. Wonke uvobe andimfuni ecaleni kwakho ndingekho.”

Nomtha: ”Caba njengoba ndisoyika ukulal nawe, ndingalala noMkhuseli?”

Simba: ”Andithethanga ngokulala. Mna nawe siyiproof yokuba akudingeki silalo ukuba sibe
nobudlelwane. Yinto endiyitshoyo leyo. Mabaye kuNokulunga lo bamqhelileyo. Goodnight.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Simba: ”Sawulwa ekuseni ukuba ufuna silwe.”

Mxxxm! Zimnkile intsuku ndisenza into enye yokucoca indlu ndifunde incwadi. Besiphuma noSimba
ngezinye intsuku, siyotya idinner ngaphandle. Ebephuma kanye evekini. Xa engaphumanga eqinisekisa
ukuba ubuya kungekarhatyeli. Bendingeka mlindeli ukubuya kwakhe. Bekusesemveni kwemini ndibeka
isophoro. Ungene nje wabulisa wayongena kwispare bedroom. Bendimangazekile kuba ebengayenzi into

198
yokungandiphuzi xa ebuya emsebenzini. Noba ebedinwe kangakanani na. Ebendiphiza andibuze impilo
nemini yam ukuba ibenjani noxa besendimxelele kaliwaka efounini.

Ndizothengile noxa bendicaphuka kancinci. Ndinqunqe iveg ndapheka. Ndive uguluguqu ndalalisa
indlebe. Bekusophuka nezinto inguphihli-phihli nje. Bekukho isipili eside kularoom. Bendiqonda ukuba
asisindanga. Ndive ngo'Yhoooooo' omkhulu emveni koko. Ngulowa wayewutsho ngelaxesha ndandilele
ebhedini ndibuya kuEfe. Ndimnyamezele ithuba elide ndazincama ndayongena. Ebezisonge phantsi
esothula isikhalo.

Ndiyochopha ecaleni kwam ndambeka esifubeni sam ekhala okosana ede enesingqala. Ude wathula
kwasala isingqala.

Simba: ”Zange ndophuka umphefumlo kanje Nomtha. Zange ndophuka kangaka.”

Nomtha: ”Kwenzeke ntoni? Umama ubhubhile?”

Bendingafuni nokuthetha ngelagumbi. Ibingathi kugqithe inkanyamba.

Simba: ”Abangobam Nomtha. Owam nguMalik kuphela. Nura, Junior, Malkia. Abangobam.”

Indlela bendothuke ngayo akuphumanga namazwi. Bendingenalo nelizwi. Uqale phantsi ukukhala
ndamncedisa nam kuba bawo yintoni le? Abantwana abane bonke emtshatweni owakhe mnye qha!
Bekucacile ukuba ibingabakaVenus bonke. Bawo wam ukuba lona ngoka Mkhuseli?! Yho!

199
TWENTY TWO
Ndothuke ekuseni ndindodwa ebhedini yethu. Bendombathiswe ithrow ndisanxibe ezampahla
bendizinxibe ngezolo. Bekunga khangeleki okungathi ebeleli nam uSimba. Ukuba ebezondilalisa nini
apha andinokuxelela kuba ndigqibele sikwenye iroom ndimduduza.

Ibuye yonke lanto bendi yixelelwe nguSimba izolo. ONokulunga banzulu maan! Isithathu sonke
sabantwana ngabaka bawozala wakhe. Yenye into ukulala notata womyeni wakho, umzalela!

Ndivule ndavuthulula ibhedi ndabeka ithrow ngaphezulu, ndilungisa nemiqamelelo. Ndihlambe

ngokukhawuleza eshower ndanxiba itracksuit nehoodie yakhona.

Bekukhala ibhungani nasekhitshini. Ndiyomjonga kwispare bedroom, mntu ebeke waphi?

Ndizame ukumfounela ndancama xa ndingamfumani. Ibikhala nje kodwa ingabanjwa. Bendi nexhala
kengoku. Bendine xhala lobudenge angabenza. Ebenomsindo, ebuhlungu apho akhoyo ndingafuni
azigake engxakini angazukwazi ukuzonyula kuyo ngenxa yokuba esemisindweni. Ebesenza qha kaloku
yena acinge mva.

Ndibe ndizilungiselela isidlo sasekuseni lomzuzu esadukile ndatya ndacleana. Bendingayazi nokuba bendi
zoyiqala ngaphi leya yalakamire ndavele ndavala nje ndingayiphathanga.

Bendifake impahla kwiwashing machine ngaphambili kokuba kufike oSiyanda, ndiyikhuphile ndayoneka
izobethwa ngumoya.

Ndichophe ngaphandle kwendlu ndasemlindweni- iphone esandleni kwazele ndiyive xa ebuyela kum.

Bekusemveni kwemini ukuva kwam igate. Besendi ncamile ngeloxesha ndaphindela endlini ndipheka
idinara ndibukele netivi. Kodwa yona iphone yam ibikufuphi nam ukuba nje kungenzeka afoune.

Ndibaleke ndayokroba, kwabe kungena imoto yakhe. Uyifake egarage wayivala. Ndingene endlini
ndamlinda khona, kuba ebezongena ngomnyango okhokhelisa khona njengoba ebevale ucango lwe
garage nje. Ebenxibe ushoti omfutshane nehoodie egrey, efake nerunning shoes. Bekungathi akakhange
abubhanje ubuthongo. Amehlo ebomvu krwee.

Simba: ”Morning.”

Nomtha: ”Sekubethe notwelve wagqitha. Ubuleliphi?”

Undijongile wazosula ubuso ephefumlela phezulu.

Nomtha: ”Kuba akhonto ethu ubulele apha endlini.”

Simba: ”Ndicela undibekele amanzi ekofu torho ndisayohlamba.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Kuzoba nentlanganiso apha endlini, noba awuphekanga. Phofu sukupheka. Ndiyakwazisa nje
ukuba uzilungiselele. Ungaboni ngabantu sebengena apha.”

200
Ndiphinde ndanqwala. Usondele kum wandiphuza ibunzi wahamba wayongena ekamireni yethu.
Ndigqibezele ukupheka ndazishiya apha nezombiza ndayongena ebathroom. Ndingene kanye xa ephuma
kwishower wothuka kancinci.

Bendiqinisekile ngokumjonga emehlweni ndingamjongi ngaphambili, kodwa iliso belilisela.

Simba: ”Ubundifuna?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuqonda ukuba uright na.”

Simba: ”Andikho right Nomtha. Namhlanje ndizotshintsha ibomi babantwana bam for the worst. Ndiziva
ndinesazela ngokwenza lento kodwa ndizoyenza. Ndiyayazi ukuba ubomi babo njengoba bebazi abusoze
buphinde bufane. Kuzofuneka baqhelane nento yokuba utata wabo ngutamkhulu wam, mna ndingu half
brother wabo. Ndithemba nje ukuba bazawu komelela bangafani noJunior.”

Nomtha: ”Ungaba xeleli ukuba utata wabo nguVenus kuba nawe awuqinisekanga ngalonto.”

Simba: ”Ndiqinisekile.”

Nomtha: ”Kuba befana nawe?”

Simba: ”Kuba ndathatha nesamples zikaVenus kwaye nguye imatch, kubo bobathathu. Kucacile ukuba
into yabo yaqala kwakudala njengoba noNura engowabo nje. Mna ixesha lonke ndenziwa udengana,
ndithunyelwa komaRussia nomaLagos niAfghanistan khona ukuze bazofumana ixesha kunye.
Ndisebenza ihours ezinde emsebenzini kanti utata wenzela ukuba akwazi ukungena umfazi wam! Enze
abantwana naye! Abantwana abathathu bonke Nomtha. Kucacile ukuba I didn't stand a chance
kuNokulunga. Umntu ebemfuna nguTiger, qha mna ndiyasetyenziswa nje. Iminyaka emingaka!”

Nomtha: ”Kudala yaqala lento yabo and bebelumnkile ngokuba bangabhaqwa ixesha elide kangaka!
Over twenty years!”

Simba: ”Njengoba ebeyokhalela ekhaya ade alale khona esenzisa okungathi uyikhathalele into yokuba
ndinawe kanti uyazenzisa, ufuna ukuyoqinisa ifokotho.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuthe uthe akangowakhe lona njena.”

Simba: ”Well ucinga ukuba ikhona into esuka kulamlomo walandoda endophinde ndiyikholelwe ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ubumkholelwe. Kungenzeka ukuba ngokaSylvester njengoba ebelala naye naye.”

Bendingafuni nokuyicinga eyokuba angangoka Mkhuseli. Bendimthandazisa ke apho uMkhuseli.

Simba: ”Ufile loSylvester wakhona.”

Nomtha: ”Ufile?!”

Simba: ”Ufile. Besiyolahla umzimba wakhe eJukskei noMluleki.”

Nomtha: ”Kulapho ubukho imini yonke apho? Ulahlana nemizimba emifuleni?!”

Simba: ”Kutheni undibuza ngalotone nje? Ubucinga ukuba sawum ngcungcuthekisa simse esibhedlele
mhlawumbi?”

201
Nomtha: ”Anditsho kanjalo. Qha andikho comfortable ngendlela ekulula ngayo kuwe
ukungcungcuthekisa umntu uyomlahla le!”

Simba: ”Well andinasizi ngomntu okuxhwile in the comfort of your home wayokunika abantu esazi
ukuba bazokuhlukumeza either physically, verbally or sexually! Okanye zontathu njengona bekunjalo.
And ebeyazi kakuhle ukuba uzothengiswa uyokwenziwa ikhoboka lesolalo God knows where! So ukuba
uzolindela uba ndibenosizi, novelwano emveni kokuba ndimbulele. Ndenze imemorial nesingcwabo
esikhulu uzolinda uthe ukhokhobe princess kuba I'm not gonna do that shit. Ufe njengenja ayiyo.
Ebendityela nomfazi lamntu!”

Nomtha: ”Ngenimlahle kwindawo azobonwa kuyo.”

Simba: ”Ndenze njani baby? Ndiyomonyula eJukskei ngoku ndi organise isingcwabo sakhe? Ndiye
emapoliseni ndiyowaxelelela ukuba aze ne search party ayokhangela umntu endimbuleleyo ndamlahla
emanzini? Huh? Yinto ofuna ndiyenze leyo? Andina ngxaki ndingayenza. Noba ndibanjiwe akukho
msebenzi. Unyana wam mdala uzozikhulisa nawe uzotsho uyeke ukuzinyanzela kum uye kwiboyfriend
yakho ekuthandayo nawe oyithandayo. Siya ngoku? Ndizonxiba impahla ezifudumeleyo ndingagodoli
kwiholding cells?”

Nomtha: ”Ukutya kuzoba ready. Xa ugqibile uzokufumana ekhitshini.”

Simba: ”Thanks.”

Nomtha: ”Zvanaka.”

Ndiphethukile ndizophuma ngomnyango wandikhwaza.

Simba: ”Ndineurombo.” ndiyaxolisa.

Ndiphethile ndimjonga ebusweni ndanqwala.

Simba: ”Andixoliseli into endiyenzileyo. Ukuba bekusenzeka ndimvuse ndimphinde kwakhona

ndingakwenza oko. Ndikhuphela umsindo wam kuwe. Ndixolisela lonto.

Kodwa kufuneka uqonde indoda endiyiyo ukuba yindoda ozochitha ubomi bakho bonke nayo. Kwimeko
ezinje, xa ndijongene nezinto ezifana nezi zoSylvester noEfe andizibuzi ukuba 'uThixo angenza ntoni xa
enoba kulemeko ndikuyo.' Ndizibuza ukuba 'uSathana angenza ntoni?' Ndenze into endicinga ukuba
ingenziwa nguye ndilale ubuthongo obuhlayo ebusuku. Ubomi buqhubeke.

UThixo ndimbone ngemini elandelayo sendicela ukuxolelwa izono noba ndizophinde ndone kwakhona
ngengomso. Xa ndisithi ndingabulala for wena andithethi line yakwi ncwadi kaSydney Sheldon.
Ndithetha ukuba ndingabulala. For wena, for uMalik. Ndiyimob justice yomntu omnye mna baby,
njengoba izikoli zibizelwa abahlali bazixhake ngevili bazitshise mna ndingumhlali ndimnye. Ndim ndodwa
imob. Ukuba ndifumana uEfe ndizomenza worse yena uzoma iminced meat. Uzawukopha.”

Uthathe itowl wazomisa. Ndimjonge ixesha elide ndingayazi nokuba ndicinge ntoni ngayo yonke lento
ebeyithethile. Ndimshiye apho ndayogaibezela idinara ndaphaka ndiyobeka kwidining table. Uphume
esanxibe ngokuyahlobo ebenxibe ngalo wandijonga ekhitshini wade wabona ukuba ndisedining room.
Uyobilisa amanzi kwakhona, wazigalelela ikofu wazohlala nqo ecaleni kwam. Bese ndisitya mna.

202
Ebecofa iphone ikofu yakhe eyibeke ngaphambili kwakhe. Uyibeke etafileni waphunga, ebeka esinye
isandla phezulu kwethanga lam endiphulula. Ndimjongile wabe engahoyanga nalento ebeyenza kum.

Nomtha: ”Kulentlanganiso, kuzobakho bani?”

Simba: ”Abantwana. UNokulunga, ubhut'Mluleki nathi.”

Nomtha: ”UVenus uzova sesiva ngabantwana ukuba igqabhukile inyongo?”

Simba: ”Andimkhathalelanga uVenus. Noba uyove njani andinamsebenzi. Ufile lamntu kum, andinanto
enophinde indidibanise naye emveni kwalento. Bendimyekile ngoJunior ndaqhubeka ndiba ngunyana
kuye, ndimsebenzela, ndimenzela izothonga zemali kodwa ngoku ndihlamba izandla zam kuye.
Ndiphumile nakulo business.”

Nomtha: ”Uzofuna umsebenzi?”

Undijonge okungathi ndiqalwa yimpambano wayeka nokundibamba eziphakela ukutya watya.

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Andizufuna msebenzi mna.”

Ujanyelwe ndim kwelityeli. Hayibo njani kaloku?! Ebezothini ukuthi uzoyeka umsebenzi wakugqiba
angakhangeli omnye? Lomntu ebendithembise ngokuba uzondisa esikolweni, andondle!

Nomtha: ”Usazondisa esikolweni kengoku xa ungaphangeli ungazukufuna nomsebenzi?”

Simba: ”Ndizokusa esikolweni Nomtha akukho nto itshintshileyo into endingazuyenza kukufuna
umsebenzi kuba xa ndikulungele ndizozisebenza mna. Into yokuba nomlungu ozondilawula
andisazumelana nayo, nangaphandle koko andizulamba ngokuse ndiyeke ukusebenza iveki okanye
inyanga ezimbini! Andingo masebenza eyitya mna, I don't live from hand to mouth. Qha ndifuna ukuba
strategic kuba ndizothatha abantu bakaVenus ngokuphuma kwam. Andifuni kuxhamazela.”

Nomtha: ”Ubhuti?”

Simba: ”Utheni ubhuti?”

Nomtha: ”Akazihamba nawe naye?”

Simba: ”Angayenzela ntoni lonto?”

Nomtha: ”Uzoqhubeka asebenzele uVenus?!”

Simba: ”Ewe tyhini Nomtha. UMluleki notatam bavana kakhulu okay. NguMluleki, nguMkhuseli,
nguBukhosi ibendim. Ngalondlela. So akazulandela emveni kwam ngenxa yokuba endityele umfazi,
engutata wabantwana bam.”

Nomtha: ”Bendicinga ukuba uzoyeka mna kuba ndibona indlela akuthanda ngayo.”

Simba: ”Uyandithanda ewe kodwa uneqhuma labantwana abafuna ukondliwa nomfazi nendleko.
Andilindelanga ukuba ashiye umsebenzi aqale nam phantsi. Bendiyotshintsha newill yam namhlanje.
Nendlu yam ndizoyifaka kwimarket ndiyithengise.”

203
Nomtha: ”Uthengisa nendlu?! Ayikho gameni lenu nobabini kanti?”

Simba: ”Satshata out of community of property with no accrual. Into yam yeyam, eyakhe yeyakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Uqinisekile ukuba ufuna ukuthengisa indlu?”

Simba: ”Izothengiswa landlu. Uzondiphumela kwam uNokulunga axelele utata wabantwana bakhe
amthengele indlu. Akukho necent yam azoyifumana, abantwana bakhe uzozibonela ngabo. Ndiyeka
namhlanje ukuba sisibhanxa sakhe. Uzofumana I eviction notice kungekudalanga.”

Yho! Bekutshintshe yonke into ngoku. USimba ebetshintshile. Indlela ebesuke wabukhali ngayo engena
xesha lokuba nabantwana bazochaphazeleka kulento yakhe ibithetha kona oko ukuba akasatshayi
ngalonqawa. Ebecaphuka nje ngokuthetha ngayo.

Simba: ”Imoto yam izothathwa namhlanje yona. Inoba ngoku emveni kwemini. Ndizoyutrader
ndithengele uMalik imoto ayeke ukusebenzisa ipublic transport.”

Nomtha: ”Awuzukwenza iyantlukwano kengoku phakathi kwabantwana?”

Simba: ”Ngokwenzela umntwana wam. Utata wabo nankuya unemali zonke akondli mntwana kuba
sizimele thina siyaziphangelela. Akanokoyiswa ngabantwana abathathu. Abane ngalo ammithoyo. Kuba
ukuba ngoka Sylvester kuzonyanzeleka ondlele inkazana yakhe. Ndizomxelela ukuba ayomkhangela
eJukskei utata womntwanakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Umsindo wakho uwujolise kuNokuzola, hayi abantwana. Abacelanga ukuba nomama olihule
bona. Bangama xhoba njengawe. Uqonde ukuba abazuzithatha kamnandi ezindaba.”

Uphindele ekutyeni kwakhe akandiphendula.

Simba: ”Uzoyizulisela kude kubenini wena lento yelobola?”

Nomtha: ”Njani ukuba ndiyizulisele?”

Simba: ”Nditsho ukuba bendiba uyawube sewundinike inkcukacha zala dabawo wakho ulapha eGautini
ndizomkhangela siqalise ingxoxo zelobola sizotshata.”

Nomtha: ”Singatshati ehome affairs ukuba awukwazi kulinda.”

Simba: ”Andifuni phela sonwabe womtshato mna. Ndikuxelele ukuba ndifuna ukwenza izinto ngendlela.
Ndikulobole ndikutshate ngelokhwe emhlophe ukuba ukholwa yiyo, kodwa andifuni mntshato
waseHome affairs.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni ukudeala nababantu mna.”

Simba: ”Akukho sidingo sokuba udeale nabo. Ifamily yam izodeala nabo emveni koko uphume kubo.
Ndiyayazi awifuni futhi awuthandi kodwa compromise kancinci.”

Nomtha: ”Ndidinga ixesha ndizocinga.”

Simba: ”Nomtha kudala ndacela ukuba unditshate wavuma. Ndiyayiaonda ukuba awunamincili futhi
andithi yiba nayo. Into endikucela yona kukuba ungandilindisi iminyaka ekubeni uvumile. Ndifuna
sitshate mna.”

204
Nomtha: ”Ndidinga ixeshana.”

Simba: ”Ungalithathi de ndibe ngwevu ke elixhesha ulidingayo. Kuleveki izayo ube sewuyazi ukuba
uyanditshata na okanye hayi.”

Nomtha: ”Sundixhesha.”

Simba: ”Sunyaba nawe. Andikuxheshi kodwa andinanyaka wonke.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva.”

Simba: ”Awundiva.”

Nomtha: ”Ayikuba senditshintshe ingqondo okanye ndiyathandabuza. Ndiqinisekile ngesigqibo sam qha
ndidikwa kukuba ndizobe ndijongana notete. Ukuba ubungafuni nto yelobola ngesatshata kudala.”

Simba: ”Ixesha lakho liqala ngoku. ”

Nomtha: ”Oh bawo! Uzoyicleana nini laroom?”

Simba: ”Ndizoyibona.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Kukhale iphone yakhe wayiphakamisa etafileni eyojonga.

Simba: ”Lucifer uqobo. Nokulunga?”

Uyifake kwiloud speaker wayobeka etafileni.

Nokulunga: ”Tata kaMalkia kwenzeka ntoni?!”

Simba: ”Njani ukuba kwenzeka ntoni?”

Nokulunga: ”Imoto izothathwa, nantsiya isimnka! Kutheni ubungasayihlawuli kanti? Kwenzeka ntoni?”

Simba: ”Uzova yonke into xa ulapha Nokulunga. UMluleki uzogqitha ngani azonithatha.”

Nokulunga: ”Ndikunike iminyaka ebomini bam, ndingumfazi wakho. Ndakuzalela abantwana Simba
ndibakhulisa ndodwa ndinendoda ephilayo kodwa isetheni! Uabuse kum ndakunkcekelela, namhlanje
unesibindi sokuthumela abantu bakho bazothatha imoto ngenxa yempundu ezintsha?! Wenza umama
wabantwana bakho nomfazi wakho kanje ngenxa yomntwana olingana nelast born yakho! Ingantoni
yonke lento undibizela yona?”

Simba: ”Uzoba seva ntoni xa ulapha?”

Nokulunga: ”Uzosilanda nini uMluleki?”

Simba: ”Inoba usendleleni. Abantwana bonke balapho?”

Nokulunga: ”Ewe bakhona. Sawufika inkazana yakho ikhona apho?”

Simba: ”Beningafika iphi?”

205
Nokulunga: ”Andikholwa ukuba ndim lo umenza kanje. Umdelelisa ngababantwana, bazocinga ukuba
mna nabo sikwilevel enye xa uzosidibanisa. Ndingumama wabantwana bakho. Nditshate nawe iminyaka
Simba. Lomntwana umazi imizuzu emibini sewuthetha ngokumtshata. Ndaphantse ndafa ngenxa
yakho!”

Simba: ”Nokulunga wenza irasi and andizuyimamela mna. UMluleki uzonilanda, uqinisekise ukuba
abantwana bonke bayakhwela kulomoto. Uxelele uMalik apakishe impahla zakhe azokwazi ukuzipakisha,
kukho apho endifuna siye khona ngomso.”

Nokulunga: ”Akasenampahla zilapha kaloku uMalik.”

Simba: ”Aze nezinto zakhe ebeze nazo apho.”

Nokulunga: ”Uyaphangela umntwana ngomso.”

Simba: ”Khawenze Nokulunga.”

Ubeke iphone waphefumlela phezulu.

Uyoyivula ngoku kwakhe igate. Bendiyikhulule impahla bendiyinxibile ndanxiba ilokhwe epholile ema
entla kwamadolo. Bangene belandelelana, besendigqibile ngezitya ndiziqoqosha nje.

Mluleki: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Mhoroi kunjani?”

Mluleka: ”Siyaphila kuhle akhonto.”

Ebeze nonkosikazi wakhe abantwana bengekho bona. Inoba bebene sitter ebancedisayo.

Ndibabulisile bonke bayohlala elounge. Bebencokola ke, caba baqhuba incoko yase motweni. Ndiyobeka
itray enejuice nedrinki etafileni bazithathela.

Nokulunga: ”Ndiyabulela mna.”

Ebenikwa yitshomi yakhe uUlatho. Kuphume uSimba ekamireni ephethe ienvelope enkulu. Uzochopha
ecaleni kwam ndamphulula umqolo wandincumela kancinci.

Simba: ”Bendingayazi uzobakho Ulatho.”

Nokulunga: ”Ubizwe ndim.”

Simba: ”Oh. Ukuba ufuna abekhona Andinangxaki. Uhm ndibize lentlanganiso le- ayikho lula kum yonke
lento. Ndingatsho ndithi yeyona nto emzima endake ndayenza ebomini bam bonke kwaye zininzi izinto
ezizima endanzayo. Kubuhlungu kodwa kunyanzelekile. Ndifuna niyazi ukuba ndiyanithanda. Nonke
futhi. Ndibekhona nisafihla emhlabeni ndathembisa ukuba ndawungabikho mhla ndalala ngomqolo.
Nindikhulisile. Ukukhulisa nina nam ndizibone ndikhula, ndathatha iresponsibility yokuba ngutata
okhoyo hayi ogibisela imali nje. Ewe ningatsho ukuba bendinga soloko ndikho kodwa bendizama
ukubeka ukutya etafileni ndinifundise kodwa ndibe present. Andizisoli nge sacrifices endazenza
ndizenzela nina kuba zazisuka entlizwiyeni ekhathalayo nasothandweni. Niyayazi ukuba umama wenu
nam sohlukene, sineminyaka singatshatanga. Akhonto ningayaziyo ngalonto. UNokulunga wafumana
ubhuti wenu kwenye indoda etshate nam. Utata kaJunior-”

206
Nokulunga: ”Simba! Awungeni ndawo kulonto! Abantwana bam bazova ngam ukuba utata wabo
ngubani! Awunandawo wena apho! Awuyonto apho! Ayondlela leyo!”

Malik: ”Yena utata asixelele andithi kudala sikubuza wena ungafuni kuyithetha? Uright asixelele utata.
Kwanele ngezimfihlelo zenu ngoku! UJunior use rehab ngenxa yakho! Uyilento ayiyo ngenxa yakho!
Endaweni yokuba uqinisekise ukuba uyalulama wenza omnye umntwana nenye futhi indoda!”

Nokulunga: ”Malik Nkokheli Matanzima!”

Mluleki: ”Malik hayi. Iphi imbeko? Xolisa kunyoko!”

Malik: ”Umenzele phantsi uJun-”

Mluleki: ”Malik!”

Malik: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”

Simba: ”Njengoba bendisatsho ke. Ubomi bam nomama wenu bubuxoki. Bonke nje. Umtshato wethu
ubu bubuxoki. Ndikhohliswe iminyaka yonke ndicinga ukuba ndinabantwana abane nonkosikazi wam-”

Nokulunga: ”Sasiyithethile lento three years ago! Ubhuti uyayazi! Abantwana bayayazi, wena uyayazi
uUlatho uyayazi! Akhomntu ungayaziyo. Ndakrexeza ndiyavuma, ndacela uxolo sagqitha apho. Ngoku
ugubhulula izinto zakudala ngenxa yokuba ufuna ukubukisa ngam emntwini wakho!”

Malik: ”Mna ndifuna kwazi utata kaJunior njengoba bekusithiwa wasefemelini.”

Nokulunga: ”Malik! Simba ndiyakucela ungayenzi lento phakathi kwabantu. Ndiyakucenga tata
wabantwana bam!”

Simba: ”Ndicinga ukuba ndinabantwana abane kanti bathathu. Sendamkele leyo ndizofumanisa ukuba
andina bantwana bathathu noNokulunga kodwa ndinomntwana omnye qha naye.”

Kukhuziwe! Ebengathi uzowa phantsi okanye uzophalaza uNokulunga. Abantwana bebekhamisile.

UMalkia sephuma inyembezi.

Malkia: ”Mama?”

Nokulunga: ”Ngabantwana bakho Simba! Sukubenza kanje abantwana. Ngabantwana bakho aba.
Sabafumana sobabini, sukohlwaya abantwana ngenxa yokuba ungafuni mna.”

Simba: ”Aningobantwana bam kodwa ningabanta kwethu nodade wethu. UMalik nguye kuphela
ongowam. Nura, Malkia. NoJunior, ninotata omnye-”

Malkia: ”MAMA!”

Nokulunga: ”Uxolo mntwanam.”

Simba: ”Utata wenu nguVenus Matanzima. Nazi iDNA tests, nomama wenu bubungqina bokuba
wanenza notatam.”

Nura: ”Mam- mama ngubani utata?”

207
Inyembezi bezizehlela emehlweni akhe. Bezisehla kwezikaSimba, engcangcazela apha ecaleni kwam.
UMluleki ebebambe uMalkia ebegixa naye ezakhe ziphalala. Uphume waphela kulondlu uMalik yena. U-
Ulatho ebekhamisile.

Nura: ”Ngubani utata wethu mama?”

208
TWENTY THREE
Nura: ”Mama, ngubani utata wethu?”

Nokulunga: ”Ndicela uxolo bantwana bam. Nguye, nguTamkhulu wenu uVenus utata wenu.”

Simba: ”So ayikuko nokuba ubungaqinisekanga kodwa uyayazi ukuba ngabantwana bakatata aba. Uthule
nento enkulu kangaka ixesha elide kangaka?!”

Nokulunga: ”Bendibakhusela kwintlungu. Bendiyazi ukuba bazova kabuhlungu-”

Simba: ”At some point kuzofuneka ume ngale bullshit yakho Nokulunga. Inyaniso seyiphumile ngoku.
Abantwana bayayazi ukuba abangobam, bayayazi futhi ukuba utata wabo ngutamkhulu wabo. Bayayazi
futhi ukuba mna andingotata wabo. UMluleki akangotamkhulu wabo. Umama akangomakhulu wabo.
Akayonto kubo ngaphandle komntu omngcatshileyo ungena emzini wakhe uyokhala kubo kanti ufuna
indoda yakhe. The very least you can do kukuba ubaxelele inyaniso. Awusoze in your miserable life
ucinge ukuba ukhusela umntu ngokumxokisa ubomi bakhe bonke. Umkhusela entweni? Uyamkhusela
okanye umincele ukuba amanyala akho angatyhileki? Naziwe ukuba niluhlobo okunjani lwabantu.
Yeyiphi lento ububakhusela kuye. Yinyaniso nge partenity yabo?”

Nokulunga: ”Bendibakhusela. Ndayazi kuNura ukuba akangomntwana wakho kuba bezingadibani idates,
bendifuna abe ngumntwana wakho kakhulu Simba kuba bendikwazi kuMalik ukuba ungutata oqotho.
Bendiyibona indlela ubumthanda ngayo.”

Simba: ”Wayiphinda kuJunior, wayiphinda kuMalkia. Impazamo enye yokuba nendoda etshatileyo,
ubawozala wakho ozala umyeni wakho ngaphandle kwesikhuseli. Kukho imorning after pills,
ngewuthathe zona.”

Nokulunga: ”Ngengekho uNura ngoku ukuba ndandisebenzise imorning after pill. Ndakhetha yena
kwaye andizisoli ngesigqibo sam. Ndiyabathanda abantwana-”

Mluleki: ”Nokulunga suzenza uMsamariya olungileyo apha ngoSimba. Njengoba uzosixelela ngokuba
ngengekho uNura ufuna kubengathi uSimba uthi ngewakhupha uNura? Kulomonakalo ungaka
sewuwenzile uzonyula ngokufaka lomntu umkhohlise 20+ years ube ngu good guy wena? Akakho umntu
othi ngewumkhuphile umntwana qha uSimba uthi ubune options. Okokuqala ngewuzikhusele. Ukuze
ungafini nasekusebenziseni imorning after. Sekhona ke lomntwana umthanda kakhulu, wamkhetha
kutheni ungakhululi umntwana kamama kuba kucacile ukuba umntu ubumfuna wena nguVenus. USimba
ubumsebenzisela izizathu zakho kodwa umntu ubuze ngaye apha ekhaya ngutata. 20+ year uSimba
ukhulisa abantwana owazi kakuhle ukuba ngabantakwethu. 20+ years! You have the nerve! The gull!
Yokufaka umntaka mama ukuze kuhlambeke igama lakho ebantwaneni bakho. LoVenus wakho sisperm
donor yena kucacile, agibisele imali aqhubeke nobomi. Okamama umntwana ungutata emntwaneni
wakho usenesibindi sokuyokwenza abanye?! Bakhuliswe ngulomengce while uVenus ephila ubomi
ebukele ekhuliselwa abantwana!”

Simba: ”Futhi angayenzi into yokuthi yimpazamo. Yintsomi emini leyo. Impazamo ingaba yinto yakanye.
Emveni koko ukuba uzimisele ukuqhuba ubudlelwane bakho nobawozala wakho uyahlaba, ufaka
isikhuseli. Nabenza ngabom ababantwana.”

209
Mluleki: ”Into endonyanyisayo bubumene mene bakho. Bubumene mene benu. Nimosha ubomi
babantu abaninzi kulenyuva damn yenu kodwa anikhathalelanga nto kuba niyayazi into eniyenzayo.
Awuzange wamthanda wena uSimba. Wabona umntu ozokusondeza uTiger kuba wawusiva ngaye,
wasebenzisa uSimba umyuca imali zakhe akondle ube nguIce princess wena. Wawufuna utata kakade.”

Nokulunga: ”Bendimthanda mna umyeni wam. Kakhulu futhi. Bendingasoze ndivume ukutsh-”

Simba: ”Get away Nokulunga! Andina msebenzi mna noba ubuze ngeziphi na injongo. Andina msebenzi
noba ubundithanda okanye ufuna ukusondela kutata akuna msebenzi. Andisayi khathalelanga yonke
lonto ngoku. Nanjengoko benditshilo ngaphambili, andisisoli. Andinamsebenzi noba ndibe sisibhanxa for
that 20+ years ndazinikela kuwe nabantwana bethu. Ekugqibeleni ngabantwana bakatata, baligazi lam
so akukho monakalo. Bona abasoze bafela izono zenu kuba njengoko etshilo uNomtha zange bakucenge
ukuba ubazise emhlabeni and abacelanga indlela abaze ngayo. Kodwa ndiyazigutyula mna ukusuka apha.
Empilweni yakho, abantwana ngokucacileyo bazoba sempilweni yam kwaye bazoba ngabantakwethu-”

Nokulunga: ”Abanasono abantwana bamu Simba. Sukubohlwaya ngenxa yezenzo zam noVenus. Bazi
wena aba bantwana. Bazi wena ungutata wabo, nguwe utata abamaziyo.”

Simba: ”Ingxaki yileyo. Abangobam. Ndabakhulisa, ndibathanda ngaphezulu kobom. Andibuhlungwanga

kuphela kodwa ndixheleke ndiyinyama. Oko ndijame ngalamehlo izolo akuhli nobuthongo. Ndonzakele
Nokulunga ngenxa yakho notata. Abantwana badidekile zizigqibo zenu. Ngekubhetele ukuba waba
yinkazana yakhe utata lo umfunayo nangandifazi mna kulento. Abantwana bayazi qha ukuba banotata
kodwa utata wabo utshatile. Ayiqali ngawe lonto. Kudala abantu babazinkazana bakhulisa abantwana
bamadoda abantu. Ubadidile ngoba usenze sonke sakholwa ukuba ngabam. Ngoku bazoqala kanjani
ukuyiqhela into yokuba utamkhulu ngutata, utata ngubhuti? Huh? Okanye ingqondo zenu zincinci
noVenus?”

Mluleki: ”Akhomntu othe abantwana banesono. Bayamazi futhi utata kodwa ngenye indlela. Banike
ithuba ukuba bazane notata wabo njengotata hayi utamkhulu. Ukuba bayafuna. Badala ngoku aba
bantwana awuzubagqibela njengoba ubagqibele ubomi bakho bonke. Uyeke ukwenza iexcuses and take
accountability of the fact that you fucked up ngobomi babantu. USimba akasoze aphinde abe
nobudlelwane nobunjani notata ngenxa yenu. Ukuba ubumkhathalele, umthanda njengoba usitsho
ngewawuthethe zonke inyani ngelaxesha kuphuma ekaJunior. Ubuthuleleni? Kuba mhlawumbi uJunior
ngoyame kubantakwabo angaziva eyedwa ongengokaSimba ade aphume ngaphandle. Ngefumabe
inkxaso kubantakwabo, bathuthuzelane baxolisane ukuba noko awugqithi kulento uwedwa. Nangoku
awuxolisi mntwini.”

Kukhale iphone yakhe uMluleki waphuma.

Kushiyeke kuthuleka kuthe cwaka. Usukumile uSimba wayohlala esiphakathini sikaMalkia noNura.
UMalkia uvele wabeka intloko yakhe esifubeni sikaSimba emkhalela. Umbambile USimba
wamshushuzela, kodwa kwangathi ugalela uparaffin emlilweni.

Malkia: ”Ndifuna, ndifuna ibenguwe utata wam mna!”

Simba: ”Shhhhh sisi sukhala. Ndingubhuti wakho. Ngalendlela bendikuthanda ngayo ndizoqhubeka
ndikuthande. Ndizoqhubeka ndinithande. Ubonile mos nakuJunior ukuba andizange ndimfulathele

210
ngokuva ukuba akangowam? Andizu kunifulathela nani. NooMluleki noMkhuseli bakhona. Four times
the love. Utamkhulu wenu ebenithanda ningaba zukuwala bakhe, uzonithanda ngakumbi ngoku.”

Malkia: ”Bendithi nguwe utatam! Bendithi nguwe utata wethu!”

Simba: ”Askies Madlomo. Askies Sophitsho. Ndiyayazi kunzima kuni nobabini ngoku kodwa zixoliseni
bantwana bam. Nam ndibuhlungu kulendawo. Intliziyo yam iqhekeke kaliwaka.”

Nura: ”Uyayazi yena uVenus ukuba ngutata wethu?”

Ufixizile uNokulunga wafinya ngetshefu yakhe efancy.

Nokulunga: ”Uyayazi.”

Nura: ”Kodwa naqonda ukuba nizoqhubeka nobuxoki benu? Uziva njani ngokuba engena budlelwane
nathi kodwa abanye abantwana bakhe banabo ubudlelwane nathi. Sizizinto zokufihlwa thina?”

Nokulunga: ”UVenus uyanithanda. Nizintandokazi zabazukulwana bakhe ngenx-”

Nura: ”Asifuni lonto mama. Asifuni ukuba ngabazukulwana kuba asingabo. Singabantwana bakhe.
Umakhulu uyayazi yena yonke lento?”

Nokulunga: ”Akanoyazi mntwanam. Akanoze ayazi umama-”

Simba: ”Ungakulinge uthi mama. Yithi Bisola kugcwale umlomo kuba umamam akasoze aba ngumama
kuwe. Ungena emzini wakhe umithela indoda yakhe?! Kunjani kuwe xa usiya kula Kyalami ubone umama
ekubeni umntya izithende? Kunjani? Umjonga njani emehlweni okungathi awunabantwana baliwaka
kuye? Wenza njani? Intliziyo yakho yenziwe ngestena seyiphi ihardware? Ubalekela kuye xa sele kukho
ingxaki ezenziwe nguye emtshatweni kanti awubalekeli kuye, ubalekela kwikrexe lakho. ”

Mluleki: ”Ndisayolanda uMalik.”

Simba: ”Umlanda aphi?”

Mluleki: ”Uthi ungaphandle eKyalami umnke nemoto yam so ndizolandwa nguBukhosi- bendinga
mfumani uMkhuseli, inoba uon call.”

Simba: ”Uthi sezofika?”

Mluleki: ”Akakudanga kakhulu. Uyagixa uMalik. Ndicinga ukuba ebeyoconfronta uVenus.”

Simba: ”Ngokucavileyo. Nikhawuleze engekabuzelwa amapolisa ngokuma ngaphandle kwemizi yabantu.

Nomama engeka mqapheli. Andifuni ayive kanje lento.”

Mluleki: ”Ndizobuya naye.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela bhuti.”

Mluleki: ”Sure.”

Ulatho: ”Ndingahike kuni? Ndicinga umntwana uzofuna ukuncanca.”

Mluleki: ”Ubu expresile njena. Andizukwazi ukube ndigqitha endlini ngoku ULatho, sawuhambeni sonke
xa ndihamba nam.”

211
Ulatho: ”Okay.”

Mluleki: ”Yenza itea.”

Unqwalile uUlatho waphuma akuva ihutara ngaphandle uMluleki. Bezehlile izijwili ngoku. Noxa
ebengayeni ukukhala uMalkia.

Nura: ”So niyathandana noVenus?”

Nokulunga: ”Ngumbuzo onjani lowo Nura?”

Nura: ”Ndifuna nje ukwazi ukuba niyathandana na okanye kwenzeka ntoni? Wawuke wamthanda utata-
u- wawuke wamthanda na okanye njengoba esitsho wawufuna ukusondela kutamkhulu.”

Nokulunga: ”Andiyazi ukuba lemibuzo yakho inento enokwenza njani nokuba ngabantwana bakaVenus.
Kodwa nenziwa ngothando. Mna notata wenu sanenza sithandana. Sasinga zimiselanga kodwa
kwenzeka.”

Nura: ”Kwenzela nathandana?”

Unqwalile.

Nokulunga: ”Sathandana ewe. Sayifihla ke kuba singafuni ukophula intliziyo kama- kaBisola nekaSimba.
Abantwana bethu, nina sanenza ngesibom. Sanihlela, wena ngakumbi. UMalkia was a beautiful surprise
ngakumbi ngoba yintombi ekudala wayilangazelela uVenus.”

Ndibone uSimba eyihleka kancinci.

Simba: ”Ininzi into yakho and uzimisele ngoku ngabina nyani. Okokuqala ubuthe yayiyimpazamo. Ngoku
uthi 'nyunyuyul nyaprayisi' niyathandana.”

Nokulunga: ”Kungoba andifuni ukukuvisa ubuhlungu.”

Simba: ”Nokulunga awuno ndivisa ubuhlungu obogqitha obu bokundixokisela ngabantwana bam.
Eyokuthandwa nguwe nokuba wawundithanda waze wabona indoda enesipaji esityebe ukogqitha mna
wakhetha ukuthanda wena. Kokwakho oko hayi mna, into endiyitshoyo kukuba thetha inyani and stick
to it. Abantwana babhidekile kungoku usafuna ukubaphixanisa intloko ngobunye ubuxoki.”

Nokulunga: ”Besithandana.”

Nura: ”'Beni?' Niyekile ngoku?”

Nokulunga: ”Umakhulu wakho akakho right, uyayazi lonto- ”

Nura: ”Unkosikazi kaVenus.”

Nokulunga: ”Ngumakhulu wakho uBisola Nura. Ngumakhulu wenu.”

Nura: ”Akasengo makhulu wethu njengoba utata engengo tata wethu. Ngumakhulu kaMalik hayi thina.
Asinaye thina umakhulu ngenxa yakho. Usihluthele utata ngoku usihluthela nomakhulu. Inoba bobuphi
obubudlelwane singaphinde sibe nabo nomakhulu ngoku emveni kokuba 'uthandane' nomyeni wakhe
wafumana thina? Ucinga ukuba uzocacela amaveza ndlebe.”

212
Nokulunga: ”Nura, umakhulu wenu uyanithanda.”

Nura: ” Ngenxa yokuba ixesha eli lonke ebecinga ukuba singabantwana bonyana bakhe. Ngekungena
ngxaki ukuba besingabantwana benye nje indoda hayi umakhulu. Isazela sizotya mna, mna. Ukuba wena
ukwazi njani andiyazi. Kuba ndiyamthanda mna umakhulu. Kakhulu futhi. Bendimthanda
njengotamkhulu noVenus kodwa kuzofuneka samnkele indlela izinto ezingayo. Njengoba ebetshilo
utamkhulu ukuba ngekungenje uba uJunior wayeyazile uba sobathathu asingonantwana bakatata.
Kubuhlungu nangoku kodwa kubhetele. UMalkia usemncinci yena kuzomthatha ixesha elide. Ndimdala
mna. Ndiyayazi ukuba ndingabuhlungu ndizibhuqe phantsi kodwa akuzitshintsha ukuba ndingokabani.
Andinagunya lokuzikhethela umzali. Awubakhethi, bayakukhetha. Ndizohlala ndibuhlungu nje ukuba
kubo bonke omama engabe wandinika bona uThixo wandinika wena. Umama onganyanisekanga
kubantwana bakhe nophixanisa impilo zabantu. Ndinomsindo mna. Kuwe, kuVenus. Ndinomsindo.
Andiqondi ukuba ndawunixolela ngento enisenze yona. Ndicingela umntwana wasekhaya kuba
uyakuthanda uMalkia and usezohlalelana nawe kuba akafuni ukuphuma endlini. Ndifuna nindiphe
umoya. Seninonke. Ndike ndizicinge. Ndizozobona uMalkia qha. I need to process all this ndiresete.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaziqhenya mna ngendoda oyiyo. Indlela okwazi ukuzichaza ngayo, uthethe kanye lento
isentliziyweni yakho. Awuzufa ndoda. Uzophila. Ayibulali lena intlungu. Thatha ixesha ofuna ukulithatha
kuba nam ndifikele kwesosigqibo. Into endiqiniseke ngayo kukuba andifuni nto enoNokulunga phakathi.
UMalik yindoda endala. Akhonto yakhe ezofuna sibe sidibana mna nawe. Awusekho kwiwill yam. Imoto
yam ndiyithathile, indlu yam ndizoyidinga kungekudala. Ingathi ngewusenza amalungisekelo noVenus
akufunele indawo yokuhlala.”

Nokulunga: ”Awuthengisi umzi! Awuthengisi umzi, Simba ndawuhlala phi?! Likhaya endilaziyo eliya.
Sawumisa kunye nabantwana bethu. Kufuneka ibekhona into endiyifumanayo kulomtshato! Iminyaka
emingaka ndizophindela e Meadowlands?”

Simba: ”UVenus angakuthengela indlu. Lamzi ndiwufake kwimarket. Ndizowuthengisa. Uzofumana I

eviction notice kungekudalanga. Ngumzi wam, usegameni lam. Ndandiwakhela usapho lwam! Ngoku
ikhaya lam leli. UMalik akanakhaya ngenxa yakho. OoJunior bona bazoba nalo ikhaya. Mna ndinaleflat
qha. ”

Nokulunga: ”Ndithengisele yona bhetele. Imemories ezingakaya zam nabantwana bam ozovele
uzithengisele umntu nje esingamaziyo.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayithengisa indlu yam and andizuyithengisela wena. Ndigqibile mna ukuthetha nawe. If you
want to sue andizukunqanda.”

Ndisukumile ndizoya ekamireni okanye ekhitshini. Ndenze ntoni? Andazi. Bendidunyelwa yintloko.
'Besithandana noVenus'? Noba angaziqinisa uSimba bendiyazi ukuba kubuhlungu ukuva lonto. Ukuba
unfazi wakho wakuthanda okomzuzwana nje ngaphambili kokuba abone obetele kunawe. Azinikele
kuye, anikele nesibeleko sakhe kuye kuba 'oh' kwakungeyo mpazamo. Unombono kengoku wena,
umbono womfazi wakho notata wakho besenza abantwana. Omnye emveni komnye okungathi yitaxi
erank. Ebeke wamthanda na ekuqaleni? Okanye kwangoko wayebona otikiti lakhe lokuphuma
eMeadowlands? Andithi ndibhetele kunaye mna kuba nam ndifuna itikiti lokuphuma kwantlupheko.
EHillbrow. Kodwa mna ndingama ngento enye yokuba ndinyanisekile kuSimba. Hello gold digger
yaseMeadowlanda, dibana nonopatazane waseHillbrow. Ha! Izolo ebendibona ubundatshaza kanti

213
ukwanguye naye unondatshaza. Ngonxibe iunderwear yakwaLa senza yena nefur coat yakhwa Burberry
kunye nered bottom. High class nono.

Simba: ”Uyaphi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyokwenza itea, ndikwenzele itea?”

Simba: ”Ndingayonwabela ikomityi yekofu.”

Nomtha: ”Nura? Malkia?”

Malkia: ”Ndiright mna, enkosi.”

Nura: ”Ndiright nam. Ndilinde umntu azondilanda.”

Simba: ”Uya eflattini?”

Nura: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Ungamlahli udadewenu.”

Nura: ”Andisoze. Andicingi ndiyenze lonto kuQueen.”

Uyihlekile uMalkia, ebesethe nca esifubeni sikatata wakhe. Ihoodie imanzi zinyembezi zakhe.

Ndibenzele into zokuphunga nam ndazenzela ikomityi. Ifikile imoto kaNura waphuma engavalelisanga
mntwini. Ulandelwe nguMalkia, kwabuya uNura sebizela uSimba ngaphandle. Ubalandele esishiya
ngaphandle. Indlela bekuthuleke ngayo ubunova inaliti isiwa phantsi. Ukuvale ngomfixizo okokuthula
uNokulunga. Khange ahoywe mntu. Enye into besingengoVenus thina, mna phofu. Ibinguye kaloku
uMthulisi noMesuli wenyembezi zakhe.

Simba: ”Umnkile uMalkia. UNura uzogqitha ngaye eKyalami.”

Nokulunga: ”EKyalami!”

Simba: ”Undinga umakhulu wakhe umntwana. Noba kokokugqibela. Uthe akazuthetha nto, ukuba
uthethile uthethile.”

Uphefumlile uNokulunga wavala umlomo wakhe.

Nokulunga: ”Ndiyabulela kakhulu ngokundi thiyisa ngabantwana bam nokuthatha ikhaya labo.”

Simba: ”It's my pleasure. Ndiyabulela nakuwe ngokundibambisa ilahle nokulala notata wam. Ungcatshe
umama ekuthanda ekuxhasa. Uzoyazi soon. Undithembe kwelo. UVenus uzombhala, uzomkhomba.
Kuba phakathi kwakho nomama uzokhetha umama. Uzolinda afe wena ube umiserable
kulaMeadowlands nomntwana ongenatata. Xa uyombika lomntwana wakho womngcatshi notata
ongena mqolo uye eJukskei, utata wakhe umcwila phaya. Nigibisele amatye.”

Uthe esothuka ezothetha kwabe kungena ubhuti elandelwa nguMalkia. Uyomanga utata wakhe.

Simba: ”You stay out of this, uyandiva? Ungaphinde uye kulaKyalami.”

Malik: ”Bendifuna ukumjonga emehlweni ndimxelele ukuba akayonto.”

214
Simba: ”Uncedile ungangeni. You're better than him. Ungaze uzithobe kulomgangatho wabo, awuyiyo
londoda wena. Awuzenzi ezozinto. Siyevana?”

Malik: ”Ndiyakuva taima.”

Simba: ”Ndiyakthanda.”

Malik: ”Ndiyakuthanda nam. Ndibuhlungu ukuba oNura abangobakho kodwa ndiyavuya mna. Ndiyavuya
ukuba ngunyana wakho. Ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”I love you so much, nyana.”

Malik: ”Ndiyakuthanda nam tata.”

Simba: ”Uzolala phi?”

Unyuse amagxa.

Simba: ”Sawulala sobabini kwiguestbedroom.”

Malik: ”Ndiyolala ngoku mna. Ndiyabulela tamkhulu.”

Mluleki: ”Hamb'olala Madiba.”

Uyongena ekamireni.

Malik: ”And then?!”

Simba: ”Lala wena!”

Bendisozela kwamna.

Mluleki: ”Masibe yindlela nathi.”

Ebesekhona na uUlatho?! Indlela ebethule ngayo ibingathi akakho indlela ebethule ngayo.

215
TWENTY-FOUR
Ndive ngoSimba engena ezingubeni wasondela kwelicala bendileli kulo endincamathela. Undiphulule
umphakathi wethanga wanyuka ngalo ukusuka emadolweni endibamba kancinci ngaphambili.
Usijikelezise esinqeni sam waphefumla.

Nomtha: ”Ufuna ntoni apha?”

Bendibuza ndisebeza. Andiyazi noba yintoni ibindenza ndisebeze.

Simba: ”Umbuzo kukuba usahleleli ntoni elixesha wena?”

Nomtha: ”Andinabuthongo.”

Simba: ”Awukabubhaqi tu? Oko ujamile?”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Simba: ”Ucinga ntoni le ingakulalisiyo?”

Nomtha: ”Ndicinga .... wena. Ubuke walala wena?”

Simba: ”Abunohla kum ubuthongo.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzofuneka ulale.”

Simba: ”Ingqondo yam ayifuni kuzola ngokwaneleyo ndide ndifumane ubuthongo.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzofuneka ukuba uzame.”

Simba: ”Ucinga ukuba andizamanga? I'm fucken upset! No andikho upset, ndinomsindo!”

Nomtha: ”Ngokufaneleyo.”

Simba: ”Ndiyamzonda!”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Simba: ”Andiyazi ukuba ndideale kanjani?”

Nomtha: ”Nam andiyazi ukuba ndizothi deala kanjani? Andizukwazi nokukucebisa kuba ndididekile.”

Simba: ”Bendimthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Mh.”

Simba: ”Azange andithande kwasekuqaleni. I was just a means to an end kuye. Istep ladder sokufikelela
kulendawo afuna ukuba kuyo. Kutata. KuVenus.”

Nomtha: ”Uva kabuhlungu.”

Simba: ”Of course ndiva kabuhlungu. Ndibe muncu andibonanga yonke into. Bendixakeke ngumsebenzi
kakhulu ukuba ndiqaphele. Ndihleli ndixakekile. Ndingena xesha lokuba endaweni enye umzuzu, soloko
kukho apho endixheshele khona. Ndifuna ukwenza yonke into ngoku kwam ukuba ndizofumana i

216
approval kaTiger ukuba ndiwufanele lomsebenzi. Ndingakwazi ukuwenza. Ndayipasa itest. Kanti
andipasanga.”

Nomtha: ”Awuzutyhola isiqu sakho ngabantu ababesebenzisa ubuchule ukuba zipuppet masters
ebomini bakho. Babeyazi into ebabeyenza, uVenus wayeyazi into wayeyenza.”

Simba: ”Zange andithande. Usemathandweni noVenus, uzimisele ukuba ngu makhwapheni nokuba
alinde ixesha angalaziyo kubhubhe umama. Kuba akasoze aphinde aphile ncam njengoba engekho right.
Mdala, badala. Kuzosoloko kukho into. Ukuba ayile yileya. Uzobe elindile yena. Ndiyayazi ukuba uVenus
akasoze enze into ukucutha ubomi bukamama. Noba semthanda kanjani uNokulunga ngoku kodwa
umama ngumama. Umama ... she is everything kuVenus. Angacutha nobakhe ongeze kobuka mama.
Uyayazi xa etshintshe ispice ekutyeni kwakhe. Wazi amancumo akhe, wazi intsini zakhe then kutheni?
Andi understandi. Okanye unento nam?! Ingalonto lento? Kuba ukuba usisitha sam ngevela.”

Nomtha: ”Shhhhhh ...”

Undiphuze entanyeni wandigrenya kancinci. Uphinde wandiphulula ithanga wandibamba ngaphambili.

Engafakanga isandla sakhe ngephakathi kweunderwear kodwa esihlisa esinyusa isandla ukundiphulula.

Simba: ”Ndixelele ukuba uzoyicingisisa lento yokuthetha nabantu bakuloSamora.”

Nomtha: ”Unganditshati ngezizathu ezingekho right.”

Simba: ”Sewuzazi izizathu zam. Akuka guquki nto, akukatshintshi nto.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayithanda imilenze yakho. Nomzimba wakho. Unomzimba omhle.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”There is this elegance ngawe. Awuzami kakhulu, awuzami nokuzama. You command respect.
Effortlessly beautiful, awuzazi ukuba umhle kangakanani. Nesikhumba sakho sihle. Andiyazi noba
awuqapheli into oyiyo okanye awunamsebenzi. Sewuqhelile. Umhle. Unenwele uneshort hair. Ikhona
lendlela ondijonga ngayo ... awuziqapheli wena kodwa mna ndiyaqaphela. Kwakutheni ubemncinci?”

Nomtha: ”Okanye nguwe owakhetha ubamdala.”

Simba: ”Ndiyathanda ukulala nawe. Sendisozela. Kakade kutheni uzolala ngepeyinti xa ndisithi ndizolala
noMalik? Uhlala unxibe ipyjamas zakho mos wena. Ube khofu khofu ingathi uyibhere.”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Kuyatshisa.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayibona lento yakho.”

Nomtha: ”Akhonto uyibonayo. Ulele uMalik?”

Simba: ”Ewe ulele. Ngomnye nje owenza ndingabubhaqi ubuthongo. Uyarhona lamntu!”

Nomtha: ”Haha! Urhuqa itractor.”

217
Simba: ”Yho hayi, andiyiqhelanga mna lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Andirhoni mna?”

Undibambe ibele.

Simba: ”Mh-mhhh.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”

Simba: ”Khawuphethuke undijonge.”

Ndike ndaqinisa intloko andaphethuka kwangoko. Bendisuke nda namabhabhathane esuswini,

ndabethwa naluvalo. Ndiphethukele kuye xa ndiphethuka kuba ebelapha ebusweni bam ndiphefumla
umoya omye naye.

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Kutheni wandizela ngomva?”

Nomtha: ”Uqaphela ngoku ukuba ndize ngomva? Kuba oko ndikuzele ngomva ixesha eli lonke
ungathethi.”

Simba: ”Bendingafuni ukukuphuza kaloku ngoko.”

Nomtha: ”Oh?”

Simba: ”Mhhhh.”

Undinyuse umlenze wawubeka phezulu kwakhe esondela ngakumbi kum endibambe impundu.

Simba: ”I wannna make you cum.”

Nomtha: ”Simba ...”

Simba: ”Andizu penetrator ude ube ready. Ndifuna ukwenza lento. Ungangenzi nto wena akukho ngxaki,
andifuni nto kuwe- okwangoku. Ndifuna ukwenzela lento.”

Intliziyo yam ibilele ibethela ukuma ngoku, nesisu sixukuzela. Hayi ngesizathu esicacileyo sokuba
ukufuphi nam kwaye umzimba wam uyamva. Bendivele ndibe negoosebumps xa ekufuphi oluhlobo.
Ingono zime nkqo, ibengase andibambe. Hayi ngohlobo lokubamba qha. Kodwa bendisoyika. Bendoyika
kuba bendiyazi ukuba ndizoyimosha yonke lento ndicingane noEfe. Kuba bendimfuna yena. Bekungaqali
ngoku ukuba ndimbawele. Ndaqaphela kudala ukuba noba ndiziva kanjani mna ngaye, umzimba wam ...
umzimba wam ubumthanda. Bekunga dingeki nokuba enze into engako ngaphambili kokuba ndizibone
sendigxiza.

Usondeze ubuso bakhe kobam kodwa akandiphuza. Umlomo ubulapha phambi kowam. Ebendijonge
emehlweni eserious. Ukekelise intloko wandiphuza, endikhokhela. Isandla sakhe besisezimpundwini
zam. Ebetasta oku kwebranti nechocolate. Bitter and sweet. Ebedibana phi nechocolate. Ufake ulwimi
ndamkhawulela ngelam sendiphefumlela phezulu. Undiphethule wabe sephezulu kwam kodwa imilomo
simgayiqhawulanga. Undiphuze intamo. Phakathi kwamabele. Ngaphezulu kombobho. Ngaphantsi
kwawo, bendimjongile ndimjongele ezantsi kwenkophe. Uphuze esinqeni wandiphuza ngaphambili.

218
Uvule imilenze yam endikhotha. Wenze kanye nje wandijonga ephefumlela phezulu, umphefumlo
wakhe undibetha ngaphambili.

Simba: ”Nantsi into ezokwenzeka. I'll eat you out, uze. Kodwa ndizodinga ukuba uthethe ixesha lonke
ungazocinga izinto ekungafunekanga uba uzicinge side sigqibe okay?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizothetha ndithini?”

Simba: ”Ndibalisele noba yintoni uzophazamiseka ungankonki. I'll be gentle, ndiyathembisa. And
akhonto izongena apha ngaphandle kolwimi lwam.”

Nomtha: ”Ndibalise ngoku?”

Simba: ”Ndizolawulwa nguwe mna. Balisa something, ukuba uyayeka ndiyayeka.”

Nomtha: ”Noba yintsomi?”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Simba: ”Noba yintoni.”

Ndiphefumlile.

Nomtha: ”Undivimbele ntoni ichocolate?”

Simba: ”Yintsomi yakho leyo?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ndiyabuza, ubutye ichocolate and undivimbile.”

Simba: ”Andikuvimbanga nto Nomtha, ichocolate isekhabhathini, ndiyithathe khona mna.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Simba: ”Ndawukugrenya iclit njengoba unochuku nje.”

Nomtha: ”Undincede!”

Simba: ”Yeka uchuku ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiluyekile.”

Simba: ”Uqale ukubalisa.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh ... ndizokubalisela ngoK-”

Simba: ”Ungathethi ngamanye amadoda kuyo yonke lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizobalisa ngantoni ke?!”

Simba: ”Ubuzothetha ngendoda?!”

Ndiphelile yintsini. Bendihlekiswa nayilento ubuso bakhe bukwi vjay yam njengoba ethetha nje.
Undehlise ipeyinti wayikhulula eyigibisela emva kwakhe.

Simba: ”Awuzuthetha ngenye indoda apha.”

219
Ndicingile.

Simba: ”Kwakulonyaka baby.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi ndizothini.”

Ndide ndavuma. Ukuba bendingazu thetha ngoKing okanye uLuzuko bendingayazi ukuba bendizothetha
ngabani.

Simba: ”Ndibalisele ngemovie oyithandayo.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi I Autumn in new york?”

Unikine intloko yakhe.

Nomtha: ”So kukho lotata. Ufana nawe, uyi- mhhhh.”

Umlomo wakhe ubusewukum. Ndivale amehlo am ndiphefumla.

Simba: ”Mh?”

Nomtha: ”Ufana nawe. Yiplayer.”

Unyuse intloko yakhe endifingele intshiya.

Simba: ”Not guilty! Wawuke wandibona ndiplayer bani?”

Nomtha: ”Uzoyekela lonto?”

Simba: ”Baby, ndiyiplayer mna?”

Nomtha: ”Charmer.”

Simba: ”I'll take that. Qhubeka.”

Uphindise ubuso bakhe kum. Ubontsi ukwiclit. Navigation for bani?

Simba: ”Mh?”

Nomtha: ”Uyicharmer- ahhhhh Simba. Ahhh!”

Simba: ”Mh?”

Ebenyusa isantya ecinga ukuba ndizokwazi njani ukucinga ndithethe mna kuba bendimnkelwa
zingqondo. Ibingathi andizitwezanga ngokwaneleyo ndamenzela igumbi sendincwina ndilibele noba
ndiyabalisa.

Unditswebe ithanda ndavuma amehlo.

Ufake umnwe, emibini.

Ebendijongile. Ngamehlo amancinci ayozo, yozo eqhuthe lamlomo ubukum kungekudala. Zange
ndayibona into enjeya. Indlela ebendijonge ngalo ibingathi ndizonyibilika. Ndisisiqede elangeni. Nento
ebeyenza ngezandla zakhe. Endibamba amadonga, ndisiva kamnandi ngeyona ndlela. Ungene nzulu.

220
Simba: ”Uyicharmer and? Uyathula ndiyayeka.”

Nomtha: ”Sukuyeka!”

Simba: ”Landela imithetho nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Akanandevu ezimhlophe yena- akana kwandevu kodwa unenwele ezimhlophe.”

Simba: ”Mhhhh?”

Nomtha: ”Mdala. Mhle. Unamehlo amancinci noncumo oluhle- argh!”

Ebenyuse isantya endibamba amadonga am kuthi ndikhale kuba bawo! Besisezulwini na apha. Ukuba
ebesenza kanje ngezandla bekunjani uku-

Simba: ”Ndiyeke?”

Nomtha: ”Ungayeki, kulondawo nje.”

Bendiziva ukuba ndimanzi nte! Ngubani ovulele ipipe na?

Nomtha: ”Engafuni commitment mntwini. Efuna nje into ecasual. Udibene nalentombi, uCharlotte.
Phofu abadi- ohhhhhh.”

Simba: ”Ungandixeleleli ukuba sewuzoza seliqala ukufudumala ibali.”

Besendiphaya kakade. Ndiwuva umzimba wam ungcangcazela, intloko yam ... ingathi ndibhabha
emafini. Ingathi ndiqhunyiwe. Bendiwuva umlomo wakhe kum ngoku ndizayo. Ndide ndaphefumla
kakuhle ndicinga ukuba icebo lakhe lisebenzile. Andikhange ndicinge ngoEfe ixesha eliya yonke.
Bendizama ukugqiba elibali, ndisiva yena kwelinye icala. Indlela awudlala okwe grand piano umzimba
wam. Mhlawumbi ispanish guitar sikaToni Braxton. Okungathi uyandinqula. Uyayazi ikey. Yenza ingoma.
Langoma kuthiwa ishaya ubusuku bonke- bendingenoba nangxaki nam. Ubusuku bonke.

Ebephezulu kwam endijonge ebusweni.

Simba: ”Bendifuna ukuliva lonke ibali.”

Nomtha: ”Qhubeka nam ndizoqhuba.”

Simba: ”UyiJukebox ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Andikhumbuli iJukebox ikhaliswa ngeminwe namalwimi.”

Simba: ”Indlela endikufuna ngayo ... you are so damn beautiful. Ndiyakuthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Umhle and ndiyakuthanda. Kakhulu. Umhle kakhulu xa usiza. Ingathi uyingelosi emnyama.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela kodwa ingelosi emnyama ngusathana. Andithi kuthiwa wakhutsha ezululwini
wasuswa nalomaphiko.”

Simba: ”Baby, ndim usathana. Ndim ibeast. Wena kwelibali ungubeauty.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayithanda lento yokuba ungusathana ane?”

221
Simba: ”Andingo Yesu.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa uyahamba emanzini?”

Simba: ”Damn right! Lomntwana. Umamela oEminem wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndothuka ukuba bamanyelwa nguwe. Ngubani omamela oJudy Boucher noElvis Presley?”

Uncume ingathi sisibhanxa.

Simba: ”Wazi eyiphi ingoma kaElvis?”

Nomtha: ”'Take my hand, take my whole life too ... for I can't help falling in love with youuuuu!”

Simba: ”Uyigoof it's so cute.”

Ndimncumele.

Simba: ”Enkosi ngoku ndithemba ngomzimba wakho kodwa ndifuna ukuyozikhulula nam.”

Ibiqine ngqi. Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Askies."

Simba: ”No stress. Bendisenzela wena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. Uzoya ebathroom?”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Utsho esukuma phezulu kwam wandiphuza kuqala.

Nomtha: ”Sies! Ngalomlomo!”

Simba: ”Uthini ngam bendifake amalwimi am, ndikusela.”

Nomtha: ”Sies Simba.”

Simba: ”Akho sies ngandawo apha. I loved it. Yonke into yakho ndiyayithanda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingeza ndizobukela?”

Uxingile wandijinga efinge intshiya.

Simba: ”Ufuna ukundibukela?”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Uqinisekile? Ndingayenza apha ekamireni ukuba uqinisekile.”

Mhhh! Aneni Nomtha Tongai! Ntombazana! Ndinqwalile izidlele zibuhlungu kukuncuma.

Simba: ”Nawe kuzofuneka ukuba umasturbate nam ke.”

Nomtha: ”Namu?!”

222
Simba: ”Hey, show me yours, I'll show you mine little one. Ngapha koko ndizokutsixela ngaphandle
kwala bathroom.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Ukhulule i underwear. Bahlali! Ibigoso xa imile. Bendike ndayibona ngaphambili koku kodwa ibingekho
nje. Umi ngamadolo ezantsi kwam wandivula imilenze eziphulula. Ebendijonge emehlweni ngeloxesha
ndicinga ukuba inoba ndisezulwini. Inoba bezisenziwa phofu izinto ezinje khona? Kuba bendingaziva
okungathi ndikulomhlaba. Ndinemincili yento endingayaziyo. Uziphulule nam ndadlala ngesiqu sam sade
seza. Kuqala mna. Ukhuphele esiswini sam wazondanga ndincangathi ndinjalo. Bekuthethwa lento xa
kusithiwa ibimessy isex.

Nomtha: ”Ulele?”

Simba: ”Ndiphumze amehlo am.”

Nomtha: ”Masipure uzowaphumza kaluhle ndingekho ncangathi.”

Simba: ”Mhh. Phakama kaloku nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Yithi phakama Nomtha ungathi nawe okungathi sewuphakamile wena.”

Simba: ”Undikhwaze amanzi xa eright.”

Sihlambe kwishower sayolala. Ndothuke kusasa engekho ebhedini. Ibingathi bendiyiphupha yonke lanto
besiyenze ebusuku. Mmmmh hayi! Ibingelo phupha tu. Bendikhumbula kakuhle. Ndincume okwesitunxa
ndayohlamba ndanxiba ilokhwe. Ndondlulile ndaya kwelacala. Ebehleli yedwa efunda inewspaper.
Ngubani ebesadunda inewspaper kulamaxesha?!

Okungathi undivile uye wabheka. Andiyazi. Kodwa bendinva emzimbeni wam xa esegumbini. Bekukho
into ibindixelela ngobukho bakhe. Ngoku kungqamana amehlo ethu ... bekune chemistry eyenzekayo.
Mhlawumbi ibingalama bhabhathane esuswini okanye indlela bendiba negoosebumps ngakhona.
Umzimba wam ubuyithanda lendoda.

Simba: ”Sikuncede?”

Ndifinge intshiya.

Simba: ”Kukhangeleka okungathi uxingile kulondawo.”

Mxm!

Nomtha: ”Utya ntoni? Oh hi!”

Bona: ”Hi!”

Bendinga mqaphelanga uMalik esofeni. Ebehleli nentombazana besitya into ekwibowls nabo, bebukele
itivi.

Simba: ”Yizotya, yigranola.”

Ndiye kuye wandiphuza.

223
Simba: ”Morning baby. Bendiba ndizokuvusa ukugqiba kwam apha.”

Nomtha: ”For ntoni?”

Simba: ”Ayifani nawe into yokulala kangaka. Uzoyigqiba?”

Nomtha: ”Uthe 'yizotya'”

Simba: ”Khange ndithi yizogqiba.”

Nomtha: ”Potatoe, potato. Iphi lachocolate ubuyitya ebusuku?”

Simba: ”Yitya ibreakfast kuqala, isepantry nezinye izinto. Uzokwenzani namhlanje?”

Nomtha: ”Mxm! Ucinga ukuba ndizokwenza ntoni wena?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi, yilonto ndibuza.”

Nomtha: ”Akhonto ndizoyenza.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna siphume naba bantwana ngaphambili kokuba aduke uMalik. For brunch.”

Malik: ”Sinezicwangciso.”

Simba: ”Andikubuzanga. Igirlfriend yakho iphefumla umoya wakwam, itya ukutya kwam so iyandityala.”

Malik: ”Utata? Besi nezicwangciso nyani.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna unikhupha.”

Malik: ”Fine. Ubunyamalele wayaphi ebusuku? Bendike ndothuka ungekho ebhedini.”

Simba: ”Ubusothuka usiyaphi wena ebusuku?”

Malik: ”Ngasese.”

Simba: ”Okay.”

Malik: ”Ubuphi?”

Simba: ”Malik! Ukuba uzoba ngumantshingilane kwam kubhetele ungasezi.”

Malik: ”Ndiyabuza kuphela ayixabanisi!”

Simba: ”Masiyeni kulebrunch nizophuma kum.”

Malik: ”Yho! Hahahaha!”

Simba: ”Uyandidika lomntwana.”

Ndiyihlekile.

Malik: ”Ndifuna ukuya ekhayeni kuleveki izayo.”

Simba: ”Oh? Uyothini?”

Malik: ”Ndiya nje. Ndifuna ukusila nembhizana. Andikasili oko ndifumene lomsebenzi.”

224
Simba: ”Sikhona isipho endikuthengele sona. Undikhumbuze ndikunike ngaphambili kokuba uhambe.”

Malik: ”Awufuni ukuhamba nam?”

Simba: ”Ndingathanda. Ndigqibele kudala ukugoduka kodwa andizukwazi ukuhamba ndishiye

uNomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Nizohamba intsuku ezingaphi?”

Malik: ”NgoLwesine sibuye ngeCawa.”

Simba: ”Masambe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiye kowenu?!”

Simba: ”KuloMalik. Emzinam, uzotsho usile.”

Nomtha: ”Xa ndikwazelaphi?”

Simba: ”Kanene ungumntwana wasedolophini wena. Masambe! Uzotsho ubone nelali!”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba akanangxaki uMalik. I think ebefuna ibeyinto yenu nobabini le.”

Malik: ”Andina stress mna guys.”

Simba: ”Ndingu 'guys' kuwe?”

Malik: ”Andina stress Nkokheli noNomtha.”

Simba: ”Uzobuya uwathwele lamazinyo wena! Akahambi mos uSiyasanga.”

Siyasanga: ”Andihambi.”

Malik: ”That is not nice tata.”

Simba: ”Akazutya ukutya kwam, aphefumle umoya wam aphinde kwakhona ekhayeni.”

Malik: ”Uyaqala ukuza apha?!”

Simba: ”Akaqali kugqiba igrocer yam.”

Malik: ”Hahahaha! Mxm. Sisayohlamba.”

Simba: ”Ayahlawulwa ke amanzi walapha. Umntu azihlambele. Ningenzi izimanga kwam, ndiyalala
kulabhedi. Ucango ningaluvali.”

Malik: ”Ndiyahamba mna ukubuya kwethu kule lunch.”

Simba: ”Kungathuleki kwelogumbu ndifuna ukuniva nincokola ndilapha.”

Umgibisele ngomqamelelo utata wakhe wayihleka emphindisela. Uyobatha itivi wawa phantsi.

Malik: ”Ndiyakuzonda.”

Uyihleke nje uSimba wabuyela kwiphepha ndaba lakhe. Bebebambene ngezandla ukuya ekamireni
beyihleka. Umbhakraze ucango.

225
Simba: ”Nkokheli Matanzima! Abantwana.”

Ubuyele kwiphepha lakhe esanikina intloko yakhe.

226
TWENTY-FIVE
Luleka: ”Ngenisixelele kwangethuba ukuba niyahamba yazi.”

Simba: ”Kwazele nizothini?”

Luleka: ”Sizohamba nani tyhini Nkokheli!”

Simba: ”Bendiba ningaba seLubhalase nina le eMount Ayliff.”

Luleka: ”Ndikhama ifayidukhwe qha mna eMount Ayliff.”

Simba: ”Lulu noba ungakhama ifayidukhwe awungowase Komani. UngawesePorth Elizabeth wena.”

Siyanda: ”Yho hayi uyahlaselwa umfazi wam kodwa apha. Lityala na umntu xa efuna ukubona ilali
zabantu?”

Luleka: ”Unochuku uNkokheli.”

Simba: ”Ningeza ngoDecember xa nifuna ukuza. Inoba sawube sesitshata ngoko ukuba uNomtha uyeke
ukurhuqa inyawo!”

Nomtha: ”Unjani kanti uSimba bethunana?”

Simba: ”Andifuni ibengathi ndim lo ungeja ifive years. Mabayazi abantu ukuba nguwe umntu ongafuni
ukunditshata.”

Luleka: ”Hayibo! Awufuni kutshata noSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Ndivumile ukumtshata uSimba qha ingxaki kukuba ufuna ukulobola.”

Siyanda: ”Hoga! Yingxaki umntu xa efuna ukulobola?”

Nomtha: ”Kum ewe. Into yelobola idibanisa ifamily, mna andifuni nto endidibanisa neyam kuba andibazi
nokubazi kakuhle and zicrooks zabantu.”

Siyanda: ”Oh hayi ndiyakuva ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Sawutshata noba kungoFebruary wethu.”

Simba: ”Kukudala ngoko.”

Luleka: ”Seniyihamba imarriage counselling. I recommend it mna. Sasiyihamba kumfundisi weCawa yam
noSiyanda ngaphambili kokuba sitshate.”

Nomtha: ”Sawuhamba imarriage counsellor kubafundisi nditshata noSathana?”

Bephelile yintsini.

Siyanda: ”And utsho nyani ukuba nguSathana.”

Ebesayihleka uSimba.

Simba: ”Azikho neSatan Witnesses.”

227
Luleka: ”Hahaha! Ngulomntu ekuthiwa ulesa oko lo?”

Nomtha: ”Ufunda ngomshunqulo wamalungu kaloku. No eye for and eye. No 'turn the other cheek'.”

Simba: ”Kuphela kwento endingasoze ndiyifunde leyo. Umntu andimniki nethuba lokuba andiqhwabe
kabini, ndimonzakalisa esagadle kanye.”

Nomtha: ”Ndithi mna makalobole kum qha sisuke ezintweni ezithethisayo.”

Luleka: ”Imali siyityeni sobane.”

Simba: ”Lulu uyazitshova ezintweni.”

Siyanda: ”Hahaha! Akavumi tu ukuphuma kuzo!”

Simba: ”Sekwilobola ngoku!”

Nomtha: ”Inoba eyakho yaya ebazalini bakho.”

Luleka: ”Yaya kubo eyam. Andiyazi noba benzani ngayo kuba abanoyikhomba kwabona.”

Siyanda: ”Ibingeyo yakho. Futhi kowenu sekumi umzi. Bebezoyenzani?”

Luleka: ”Bangasose bayitye emnqwazini ndingafumani necent. Ndim umntu otshilayo apha.”

Siyanda: ”Utshila ndawoni ke? Hayi suhleka utsho ngamacikici aseAfrika apha. Tyhini! Niyathanda
ukwenza ingathi niyathengwa ngelobola kanti ngumbulelo kubazali benu lo welobola. Zange ndithenge
mntu mna azosebenza. Awusebenzi nokusebenza ndifetsha ndodwa apha.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahahahahahahahaha! Yhuuu hayi ubhut'Siyanda!”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Mxm uyadika uSiyanda bethunana.”

Nomtha: ”Kutshila ubhut'Siyanda kulo

mtshato!”

Luleka: ”Caba ndilala ngomqolo mna ndibale ipali. Hayi uyamkhanyela umntu Judas. Ulimene-mene.”

Simba: ”Andiqondi ukuba sinomdla kwizinto zenu zasekamireni thina.”

Nomtha: ”And!”

Siyanda: ”Sityana nine-nine thina nomnkam. Hayi le yenu yokukhululana ngamehlo. Oko ndinijongile
nijongana snaxana.”

Simba: ”Asityani ngamehlo qha. For ibreakfast nditye i-”

Nomtha: ”Ha.a! Ha.a! Indevu zimhlophe ngeloxesha uzositalela ngezinto ozityileyo.”

Siyanda: ”Sawuthetha xa sisodwa ntanga yam. Kodwa ibalulekile into yokuthetha ngezinto ezinje xa sizi
couples.”

Luleka: ”Andiyazi ngokuthetha kodwa ihealthy sexual relationship kum ibalulekile. Ukwazi ukuthetha
nomntu wakho ngezinto ozonwabelayo xa ezenza nongekho comfortable ngazo. Imnandi into yokuba

228
nomntu ocomfortable naye. Ungoyiki ukuthi 'baby zama kanje kwazele sonwabe, sive kamnandi
sobabini.'”

Simba: ”Nam ndiyayithanda lonto Lulu. Umzimba womntu uyawufunda kodwa ukuba umntu unelizwi
kuba lula.”

Luleka: ”Right! And ingabi serious kakhulu isex. Ayizuba perfect. Uzothi efuna ukuyifaka eNiniva
iyongena etalashishi-”

Siyanda: ”Okanye asuze uLuleka.”

Luleka: ”Hahahaha! Ndingusthandwa mna andingoLuleka.”

Nomtha: ”Bendiba ndim ndodwa oncithekayo uSimba xa endibiza ngegama. Ndingu 'baby' mna. Ndingu
'Precious'.”

Undibambe isandla wandincumela. Ndisondele kuye ndamphuza. Andiyazi noba ibizeza bhotile zewayini
besizisela noLuleka ezindenza isibindi kangana na. Kuba nguye umntu ebendiphuza kuqala ndingafane
ndumqale mna.

Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”

Ndimncumele.

Siyanda: ”USimba wayeyi best man emtshatweni wam Nomtha.”

Simba: ”Umxelela ukuba athini?”

Siyanda: ”Ukuba xa ucinga ukwenza uMluleki uNomtha akukhumbuze ukuba wawuyibest man kum.”

Simba: ”Ukuba kubaluleke kangako kuwe Siyanda uzoba ngubest man. UMluleki akazikhathalelanga
ezizinto. Andiqondi noba uyayazi ukuba yintoni ibest man.”

Siyanda: ”Hahaha! So uthi ndizoba ngubest man?”

Simba: ”Ewe Siyanda.”

Siyanda: ”Udikiwe kengoku?”

Simba: ”Andidikwanga.”

Luleka: ”Nizohamba ngemoto enye noMalik?”

Siyanda: ”Ngumbuzo wewayini lo soze! Ucinga ukuba angahamba ngantoni uMalik? Ngehashi?”

Luleka: ”Uthi ndinxilile Siyanda Mahamba?”

Siyanda: ”Uhot mntuwam. Awukho nashushu.”

Ebengcangcazela yintsini uSimba ecaleni kwam.

Luleka: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Kuhleke mna kengoku. Ebeshushu. Nam mhlawumbi bendishushu game yam.

229
Simba: ”Sawukwenza iconvoy yemoto ezimbini Lulu. Ndimthengele imoto yakhe so uzohamba ngayo
ayoyibika.”

Siyanda: ”Umthengele imoto?”

Simba: ”Nditrade le ibisetyenziswa nguNokulunga ndongeza ndamthengela iBM.”

Siyanda: ”Hayibo!”

Simba: ”Ja.”

Luleka: ”Oh maan, ebenjani ukuvuya?”

Nomtha: ”Ebekhala.”

Luleka: ”Methuna. Yazi bendisitsho kuSiyanda sikuhleba kwi pillow talk ndithi kungcono ukhona
ongowakho umntwana kwaba bantwana bakaJezebel-”

Siyanda: ”Sukuthi umama womntwana kaSimba nguJezebel?”

Luleka: ”Kungcono uJezebel kunoNondatshaza mntuwam. Askies Simba kodwa nguJezebel uNokulunga
kum. Apho ndimbona khona! Andifuni nombona!”

Siyanda: ”Umlungisile futhi Simba awamnika nanto. Ndandikusola ke kula out of community wakho,
kodwa kucacile ukuba wabethelwa.”

Simba: ”Ndabethelwa.”

Siyanda: ”Ndifuna aphindele eMeadowlands mna. Azotsho abhadle apha entloko.”

Simba: ”Kucacile ukuba uzophindela khona. Andithi basathathe ibreak noTiger kuba umama 'engekho
right'.”

Siyanda: ”Ayingo mntwana kaTiger lo amkhulelweyo uNokulunga and uyayazi lonto uTiger. Yilonto bekwi
break nje ngoku.”

Luleka: ”Andisafuni noba kuthethwe ngabo abobantu ngoku mna. Bamosha umdla wam.”

Siqhubile sancokola ngayo yonke into ngaphandle koNokulunga noVenus. Besendingqengqe kuSimba
ngoku. USiyanda ehleli kwisofa yomntu omnye, uLuleka ehleli kweyakhe. Besisiya ekhayeni namhlanje
ebusuku bezosibophisa imithwalo bashunqule namaphiko enkukhu zingabhabhi endleleni. Mnkru.

Ibingekho nemithwalo bebeyibophile kuba bafike sigqibe yonke into saziselela noLuleka satya ke kuba
bebephethe itake-aways nomyeni wakhe. Besingafuni ukuhamba sishiye izinto ezimdaka ke nathi sibuye
kuvalelisile endlini kuba bendi ngazuhlamba zitya mna mntakabawo.

Siyanda: ”Senilinde uMalik ngoku?”

Simba: ”Sesilinde yena, uzotshayisa ayohlamba aze apha.”

Siyanda: ”Sisathetha ngomsebenzi. Uthe uyekela ntoni kuVenus?”

Simba: ”Uyayazi ukuba ndiyekela ntoni. Inkazana yakhe ibiseyimxelele yonke into. Ndimxelele nje ukuba
ufile kum kwaye andisena nto endidibanisa naye.”

230
Siyanda: ”Uzimisele ukuqala nini ukuziphangelela? Bendifuna ukujoina nam uze necontacts zakho nam
ndize nezam. Ndiyayazi ukuba ndim umntu ozozuza kakhulu kuba unabantu abaninzi obaziyo we-”

Simba: ”Mntakwethu, noba uze nomntu omnye nje qha ndingabulela lonto. Ukuba uyakholelwa kum nje
kuthetha lukhulu kum. Kodwa ngewuncekelela okwangoku kuba ndifuna ukuqoshelisa into yelobola
kuqala. Andifuni uyeke umsebenzi ngento engekazulunga ngoku.”

Siyanda: ”Ndingabe ndiqalisa okwangoku mna.”

Simba: ”Siya kuzofuneka ukuba ube nomonde mntakwethu. Ngalomzuzu ubambe apho usabambelele
khona. Kuzolunga kona kodwa I'm prioritizing into yelobola kuqala. Ngabe ndiselfish xa ndinothi yeka
umsebenzi wakho kwangoku. Unosapho, unoLulu othanda izinto.”

Luleka: ”Ndizithanda nyani ke mna izinto. Mna myenam bendicinga ukuba okwangoku umamele
ubhut'Nkokheli. Ndiyayazi ukuba kudala unentshisakalo yokuziphangelela kwaye ufuna ukuxhasa
umhlobo wakho-”

Simba: ”Oh sendingu mhlobo kaSiyanda qha ngoku? Wena awusayingeni eyam?”

Luleka: ”Yehake ithini na lento yakho?”

Siyanda: ”Ndiyaniva. Gqiba ngelobola. Uzondazisa ke xa sele ufuna ukuqalisa. Ungahlali kakhulu uqhele
ukungaphangeli.”

Simba: ”Andisoze. Ndinga phambana ukuba ndingahlala nje. Ndisemncinci for ukuhlala phantsi kwaye
nemali ayindivumeli.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyafuna mna shame ukuhlala phantsi. Ndifuna ukuba nguhousewife ndimithe, ndikhulise
abantwana bam uSiyanda andisebenzele.”

Siyanda: ”Yilonto ndifuna ukuziphangelela nam. Ndikufunela lonto.”

Umncumele uLuleka. Uye wafika uMalik waqala ngokutya. Andiyazi noba bekungekho na ukutya
kulandawo ahlala kuyo kuba ebengqala efrijini xa efika apha.

Ebenga xhaphakanga kakhulu kodwa ebeke athi tshe ngezinye imini.

Malik: ”UNomtha noLulu bashushu?”

Ebesela ubisi nge2l yakhona. Ibingadibani kwanalento ebeyitya ke tana.

Luleka: ”Susiqhela, siyashusha kuwe?”

Siyanda: ”Xa nishusha niyashusha Luleka suba bully apha ufune singatsho ukuba uyashusha.”

Luleka: ”Yehake Mthetheleli Mahamba.”

Siyanda: ”Hahaha!”

Simba: ”Nomtha, akukho nto uyilibeleyo? Ungafuni sijike sesikude.”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi ikhona, kodwa ungayojonga.”

Simba: ”Mna futhi?”

231
Nomtha: ”Uyafuna ukuya kwakho?”

Simba: ”Awuphinde usele wena.”

Utsho eyojonga ngoku kwakhe akabuya nanto. Yonke into besele siyipakishe emotweni kushota
siyokhwela qha. Sivalelisene noSiyanda saba yindlela. Bendisa sela iwine yam kemna kuba bendinga
qhubi. Ndinyuse umculo ndiwuncedisa nowuncedisa. Ebedikwe! edikwe uSimba emana kundikrwaqula.

Simba: ”Bekunga fanelanga ukuba kudlalwa ezithandwa ndim ingoma?”

Nomtha: ”Ngoba?”

Simba: ”Ngoba kuqhuba mna.”

Nomtha: ”Ufuna ukudlala oDalom kids ngoku?”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Simba: ”Ingathi awude utipe ndizokonwaba.”

Siqhubile kwakudala. Bese kusebusuku ndingekatipi kuba bendisasela, bengungona ndiyigqibezela iwine
yam.

Simba: ”Ndancunyelwa?”

Bendimncumele nyani. Ndimbambe ithanga wajonga isandla sam wandijonga enyuse ishiya.

Simba: ”Ihla ngezantsi iwine?”

Nomtha: ”Yiza ndiphuze.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaqhuba baby. Nomtha! Hayibo mfondini wandiphutha-phutha amaphambili ndiqhuba?

Nomtha sundikhulula.”

Undibambe isandla ndambhekelisa ndifaka isandla sam ngaphambili ndimbamba. Undikrwaqule

wajonga endleleni.

Simba: ”No more alcohol for you little lady.”

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo ndamkhupha ngaphandle kweshoti le ebeyinxibile ndimphulula. Uphefulele

phezulu waqinisa isteering wheel.

Nomtha: ”Unazo icondoms?”

Uphinde wandikrwaqula kwakhona ndabe ndisamphulula.

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Andinazo apha emotweni.”

Nomtha: ”Unazo phi?”

Simba: ”Endlini zikhona.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuzozisebenzisa nabani?”

232
Simba: ”Ndingazi sebenzisa nabani na Nomtha? Andihlali nawe kanti endlini?”

Nomtha: ”Uhlala nam.”

Simba: ”Kengoku?”

Ndinyuse amagxa.

Simba: ”Ndiyaqhuba Nomtha, khawuyeke ukuba stout.”

Nomtha: ”Misa ecaleni.”

Undikrwaqule kwakhona ndayihleka.

Simba: ”Ushushu.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi lento endiyenzayo.”

Simba: ”Ufuna sibanjelwe ipublic indecency?”

Nomtha: ”Khawyeke ukuba lixhego.”

Simba: ”Ndim ixhego?”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Yima ndikhangele indawo eneshed ndizomisa khona ndikubonise ixhego njengoba uphapha
nje.”

Ndincumele ecaleni ndakhupha iseatbelt ndamfaka emlonyeni. Uhlihlizile. Ndiqhubile ndade ndabona
semisa imoto kwezindawo zokuphumla. Ebebetha izibane qha. Undikhuphile kuye wandiphuza.
Ngelixesha andiphuzayo ndikhwele phezulu kwakhe, walalisa isitulo endibamba isinqe.

Simba: ”Uyayazi lento uyenzayo?”

Ndinqwalile. Undinyuse ilokhwe wakrazula ig-string yam yelace yashiyeka indibamba esinqeni. Uhlise
ushoti wavela wonke. Uzirabhe kum kuqala ndabe ndibambelele emagxeni akhe.

Simba: ”Chopha.”

Ndiphelile yintsini.

Simba: ”Awuzuyifumana ke lento xa uzoba ngudengana uhleka noba ayihlekisi.”

Ndosule inyembezi ndisahleka. Unikine intloko yakhe wazingqamanisa nam. Ndichophe kuye engena
kancinci, kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Mhhhhhhhh.”

Simba: ”Shit!”

Ebephakathi kum kodwa hayi wonke. Besendixakene nento njengoba bendiphapha nje. Undiphuzile
esandingena.

Simba: ”Unyanzelwa yintoni?”

233
Undibuze sendibambe ubuso endosula inyembezi.

Nomtha: ”Andinyanzelwa.”

Simba: ”Uyenzela mna lento, awukabikho ready.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiready.”

Simba: ”Baby awukho ready. Uyakhala and you've zoned out ngoku. Andiziva kakuhle ngalento, ingathi
ndiyazenzela kuwe and nawe uzondithiya worse ukuba ndiyanyanzelisa kuba wenzela mna. Andiyazi
ngoba andikufakeli pressure mna ukuba kutheni uzobona isidingo sokwenza into ongekabi comfortable
ukuyenza.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukukonwabisa.”

Simba: ”Uyandonwabisa. Andonwatyiswa sisilalo qha. Ndiyakufuna wena, kakhulu futhi kodwa hayi
ngoluhlobo baby.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Sukuma ke kum.”

Undichwakaze impundu ndasukuma ndayochopha kwisitulo sam. Undigibisele ngetissue ndazosula.

Ndikhulule elagqesha belisele esinqeni sam ndalisonga ndilifaka epursini yam ndayibuyisela ngemva.
Uhlikile wayochama. Uvule kwalicala lam wandiphuza, wandifaka ibhanti wavala.

Ufake umculo wakhe waqhuba. Uthathe isandla sam wasibeka phezulu kwethanga lakhe ebeka esakhe
kwesam.

Nomtha: ”Ayikehli.”

Undikrwaqule wandincinela amehlo ndahleka.

Simba: ”Ungaphinde undimbambe.”

Nomtha: ”Andizukubamba.”

Simba: ”Uright?”

Nomtha: ”Mh.”

Simba: ”Good.”

234
TWENTY-SIX
Simba: ”Nomtha! Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Khawuvuke, kunini ulele! Vuka ujonge ilali.”

Impumlo zam bezixinene ndinayo nentloko. Ndivule amehlo ndamjonga wandihleka.

Simba: ”Injani ibhabhalaza?”

Nomtha: ”Andinayo. Ndinentloko qha. Asikazufika?”

Simba: ”Asikudanga kakhulu. Udiniwe yindlela?”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Umzimba wam ubuhlungu ingase ndifumane ibhedi.”

Simba: ”Ngoku ubulele indlela yonke usancwase ubuthongo?!”

Nomtha: ”Andilelanga kakuhle kaloku kuba bendimana ndisothuka. Ndifuna ukulala kakuhle ndigcwale
ibhedi.”

Simba: ”Indlu inoba ingcwele ithuli. Izofuna ukucocwa and kuzoqaliswa ukusilwa for lembiza
izokwenziwa.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni ukusila?”

Simba: ”Awukwazi ukusila?”

Bekucacile kwalento yoba ndide ndibuze ukuba andiyazi. Bendinga wuqondi kengoku umbuzo wakhe.

Simba: ”Ukwenza umqombhothi. Upheka utywala besiXhosa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndim lomntu uzopheka obotywala kengoku?”

Simba: ”Ukuba sifuna ukutya intsipho ezine garlic neginger singa phekelwa nguwe umqombothi.”

Nomtha: ”Oh uhlekisa ngam?”

Simba: ”Andihlekisi ngawe ndithetha inyaniso. Uzoncediswa ngudabawo, sawucela yena. Uzobe ucleana
lomzuzu sisiya etown mna noMalik. Sithenge nezinto zokupheka for thina nabantu.”

Nomtha: ”Andisayonqeni into yokuzo setyenziswa ngenkani. Ugqibele nini ukuya emzinakho?”

Simba: ”Kudala.”

Nomtha: ”Kudala nini kaloku? Kulonyaka uphelileyo? Kulo ungaphaya?”

Simba: ”Bekukudala.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm. Ngumzi wakho noNokulunga?”

Unqwalile.

Nomtha: ”So ndizohlala emzinakho nomfazi wakho?”

235
Simba: ”Andizudiliza umzi wam ndokhe omnye ngenxa yokuba ndinomnye umntu. Andizuwuthengisa
futhi.”

Nomtha: ”Bendike ndathi uwuthengise okanye uwudilize mna?”

Simba: ”Awutshongo.”

Nomtha: ”Kengoku?”

Simba: ”Suthi kengoku kum kaloku. Itone owubuze ngayo lombuzo wakho-”

Nomtha: ”Ibingenguwo nombuzo, isistatement. Ndizohlala emzinakho nomfazi wakho. Njengoba

ndizotshata nawe.”

Simba: ”Indlebe zam zisebenza kakuhle kwaye ibingesiso istatement ingumbuzo. Nendlela owubuze
ngayo nge attitute andiyithandi.”

Nomtha: ”Shame ngoku ngayithandi kwakho kodwa andiqondi ukuba ndiyakuthanda nam ukuhlala
emzini owokhiwe nguNokulunga ewokhela abantwana bakhe.”

Simba: ”Abantwana bakhe noVenus. Ukuba ubafuna benekhaya uzobokhela utata wabo. Eli lokhiwa sithi
ndiyavuma kodwa yimali yam. Sonke isitena endisibeke kulamzi yimali yam hayi eka Nokulunga. Ngenxa
yokuba udecide ukungabi ngumfazi wam ayithethi ukuba ndizodiliza ndithengise umzi wam.
Sawukongeza omnye umzi ke mhla ndaphangela uzokwazi nawe ubenento oyikhombayo kungathiwa
ungene oku kwenyoka.”

Nomtha: ”Imemories enazenza noNokulunga kulamzi?”

Simba: ”Une issues.”

Nomtha: ”Andina issues qha nje ndiyabuza kuba ndifuna ukwazi.”

Simba: ”Ufuna singene sisilwa endlini. Uqhwaya uchuku ngento engekhoyo and uyandidika.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa ukuba ukubuza kwam imibuzo kukuqhwaya uchuku. Andizukubuza nto ke kuba
andifuni kukudika. Andithini ndiyadika mna?”

Simba: ”Baby sundenzela inerves kusasa, ndidiniwe. Azange ndikubone ukhalaza ngokuhlala eCenturion.
Esidlangalaleni unengxaki nomzi wam.”

Nomtha: ”Akufani.”

Simba: ”Akufani ntoni? Yintoni le ingafaniyo?”

Nomtha: ”UNokulunga ebenomzi wakhe eGreenstone. Ndizolala ebhedini yakhe, ndisebenzise icutlery
yakhe.”

Uphefumlile.

Simba: ”Ukhona umkhukhu wetools. Ungalala khona ukuba unengxaki nokuba umzi ndawokha ndino
Nokulunga. Uzokondlala umatress uzilalele phaya. Phela kwento ethethisayo. Bendinga kuvuseli
kuxoxiswa mna. Bendikuvusela uba ujonge ilali ezi njengoba ungazazi ilali. Unochuku gqithi wena
uyacaca ukuba ubuyi brat. USamora ebekutefisa too much.”

236
Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Hayibo ndiyibrat ngokuse kuthini?”

Simba: ”Suka!”

Nomtha: ”Yehake.”

Simba: ”Ufuna kugqibele wena?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake Simba! Yho hayike mntakabawo! Ayikho nalento siyilwelayo njengoba sewude
undiqinisele ubuso nje. And ndinentloko mna.”

Simba: ”Yila BJ ubuyenza ebusuku usiva iwine. Awubuxabisanga ubomi bakho. Uzawufela endleleni
njenge qhude.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Yehake qhude. Eyonanto ubuqethukise intloko uncine amehlo apha, ungatsho ukuba
andibuxabisanga ubomi bam.”

Simba: ”Anditsho ukuba bendinga yonwabelanga okay? Ndikuncoma ubudela kufa obu bakho mna qha.”

Nomtha: ”Askies ngalanto? Inoba ubuncithekile.”

Simba: ”Ibingase ndizifake kwezamoto bezigqitha kodwa akunani. Njengoba benditshilo ungazinyanzela
xa ungekabikho ready. Ndifuna ube present, hayi lanto ubusewuyenza yokuzona out unyuse amadonga.
Ibangathi ndiyanzinyanzela kuwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikuvile.”

Simba: ”Is it fair na ukuba ungafuni ukuba ndikubize ngegama lakho-owalithiywa ngabazali bakho,
elikwipasi yakho kodwa mna ndinguSimba? Okanye kuba mna ndikuthanda?”

Nomtha: ”Oh maan!”

Simba: ”Hayi ndiyabuza.”

Nomtha: ”Ufuna ndikubize ngesiduko?”

Simba: ”Ayi! Andiyithandi lanto yokubizwa ngesiduko ngumntu endiwela naye iziko.”

Nomtha: ”Oh ndim lowo? 'Umntu owela naye iziko' okay. Alright. Iworry yam akuwelwa neloziko.”

Simba: ”Umntu endi intimate naye.”

Nomtha: ”Simba ndingumntu wakho! Ndiyi fiance yakho.”

Simba: ”Fiance ewe kodwa awungomntu wam kuba awufuni ukuba nguye. Ndisavuyela into yokuba
sewuyekile ukundithiya ngoku. You like me kancinci.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakukhathalela. Ndiyakuhlonip-”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! Uhlonipha bani mna?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuhlonipha.”

237
Simba: ”Oh hayi bendingayazi. So uthi uzolalaphi ke njengoba ungawufuniyo umzi wam?”

Nomtha: ”Andithanga andiwufuni. Ndidikwa yilento ndizohlala emzini owokhiwe ngulamfazi.”

Simba: ”Wokhiwa zi contractors. Saqasha abantu. Inoba ebenqwenela ukuwokha ngoku kwakhe. Abeke
izitena-”

Uzinqumle ngentsini ehleka indlela bendimjonge ngayo. Belinezothe ke elixhego.

Nomtha: ”Compromise. Ukhuphe ibhedi yenu ke kularoom sizolala kuyo. Uthathe noba yeyabantwana.”

Simba: ”Besendayitshintsha kudala labhedi. Ibizezi bedroom suit zakudala ndifuna into yesimanje manje
ethi 'soka'”

Nomtha: ”Ulisoka wena?”

Simba: ”Rhaaaaa! Khandijonge? Bayenziwa abanje kulaZimbambwe yakho? Huh? Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Ulixhego elinice shame ndikunika oko. Andinoba nentloni ukuthi gqi nawe phakathi
kwabantu.”

Simba: ”Ndiyiboyfriend!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

Simba: ”So uyekile kengoku ukuziphambanisa malunga nendlu?”

Ndimncinele amehlo.

Simba: ”Uyekile?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyekile. Heh Simba, lantombi wawuhleli nayo eclubbini yayingumntu wakho?”

Simba: ”Sasihamba namantombi amaninzi. Ubone njani ukuba kukho ongowam?”

Nomtha: ”Wayebonakala nje. Ezigudla kuwe xa ndisondela etafileni yenu. Ibiyindelelo lanto by the way.
Undijonga ngoluyahlobo nokundinyoba ngemali phambili komntu wakho!”

Simba: ”Wayengengo mntu wam. Utshatile lamntu and umyeni wakhe unengxaki ye early ejaculation-”

Nomtha: ”Izulu uyawuliva ngembhali mntanam!”

Ebephelile yintsini.

Simba: ”Ivuswa ngeViagra.”

Nomtha: ”Akuzuba mnandi ke nam xa ndikufunela umncedisi xa ingasavuki eyakho.”

Simba: ”Eyam izovuka senditotoba. Ndingasaboni nangamehlo, ndiyiphutha phuthe ndenze umsebenzi
wam. Uyamthanda umyeni wakhe shame yena and sebala iminyaka afe azotsho afumane ukoneliseka on
a regular basis. Lixhegwana lomlungu, abelungu bahleli bedisadvantaged ke shame. Uninzi lwabo phofu.
Ndingabaquki. Mna bendinikezela eluntwini. Ndincedana nomntu oswelayo. Ndinikela ngeservices zam
kumphakathi. Icharity ethile. Kubalulekile kaloku ukunikezela ngobutyebi kumahlwempu-”

Nomtha: ”Yhuuuu ha.a tata kaMalik!”

238
Uyihlekile.

Simba: ”Ndithule ke.”

Nomtha: ”Qha mna ndithi umntu uyoze abone xa inguye oyicharity case. Ubutyebi sebuphelile elasta
two seconds. Ithi yowuva ubushushu inikezele. Karma. Ukhamensitha uzokunqonqozela emnyango
kusasa bhuti!”

Simba: ”Umntu andidyolele ndingazange ndimdyolele mna?! Hayike ndingambulala naloKhamensitha

wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”UnguJohn Wick kakoku wena.”

Simba: ”NdinguSimba mna.”

Nomtha: ”Ungupopeye. Itshomi yakho yayiwrongo nawe wayincedisa kobo buwrongo-”

Simba: ”Ukuba sizothetha ngowrong noright masithethe ngawe noAyodeji-”

Nomtha: ”Ingenaphi leyo?!”

Simba: ”Mamela. Sundijikelezisela amehlo. Mamela. Naniwrongo nani-”

Nomtha: ”UAyodeji hayi mna.”

Simba: ”Suzenza iAngel apha. Nenze izimanga zenu nani. Akanamfazi uAyodeji? Unomfazi.”

Nomtha: ”Hayini uNkokheli sukuphosisa! Akana mfazi uAyo!”

Simba: ”Nomtha, i owner yala establishment ngumhlobo wam. UAyodeji unomfazi womXhosa osuka
eMatatiel. Uneminyaka emtshatile. Unomfazi ekhayeni uAyo wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Njengoba ehamba emosha izibeleko zabantu nje unabafazi ababini?!”

Uyihlekile sana uSimba. Bendothuke nyani kuba sana hayi elasela lempundu libe nomfazi. Yhu! Amadoda
ebedalelwe ukusihlaza. Bafumana itraining yokuhlaza abafazi bona. Bebephilela lonto.

Simba: ”Ungupopeye. Kodwa ke ndiziva ndidinga ukuxelela ukuba akakho omnye umntu endinikela kuye
inkonzo zokwanelisa umphakathi. Inkonzo zam ndizozinika wena undenzele ommye unyana.”

Nomtha: ”Ngesimenza namhlanje lomntwana, angabi notata osimelelayo. Umntwana wam abe notata
olixhego amgayazi noba athi tata okanye athi tamkhulu.”

Simba: ”Awuyichasanga into yokwenza umntwana nam?”

Nomtha: ”Uyaphangela. Unegenes ezintle. Andikuchasanga ukuba nomntwana nomntu onjalo.

Onemali.”

Simba: ”Yep uyandi user straight wena. Abanye abantu bafuna abantwana nabantu babo kuba befuna
ukuba nomntu nabo. Kuba bebathanda befuna ukunika umntwana olothando. Kubekho wena mncuvi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyamfuna yena umntwana ndizoba nomntu ondithanda ngaphandle komda. Umntu obona
uThixo xa ebona mna. Umntu wam. Ndiyayifuna lonto. Ukuba lomntu akazusokola njengam, yibonus
leyo. Ukuba uzoba notata onjengawe yibonus. Abantu abaninzi bathandazela ukuzalela abantu abafana

239
nawe. Umzalele qha kodwa ungamtshati kuba uzokoyikiswa ngezibhamu. Ngapha unexhala lokuba uba
angabanjwa kwezidrugs zakhe. Ukuba angaya eDurban angabuyi kuba kukho into engahambanga
kakuhle bamdubula. Noba uthe ungamlindeli awukwazi kuba unexhala. Uthi xa umva engena ezingubeni
ubenenyembezi zovuyo kuba ubuyile. Ndisesosibhanxa esizokutshata kemna.”

Kuthe cwaka emveni koko. Bendingasa lindelanga nempendulo ndoyama esitulweni ndijonga iview.
Ibizilali nyani. Ndothuka into yokuba kubekho imizi emininzi emzini omnye. Umzi omnye ube
nezibhazalala ezintathu nehut. Nokugqagqana kwemizi. Umhlaba omninzi. Ukuzola. Bekukuhle.

Nomtha: ”Unayo ihut wena kwakho?”

Simba: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Ucinga ntoni?”

Simba: ”Ndicinga ukuba xa sifika endlini uzondinika yonke inkcukacha oyaziyo ngoaunty wakho. Nokuba
wamgqibela ehlala phi kuba ukuphindela kwethu eGauteng ndifuna ukuyodibana nabo siqalise
ngengxoxo ndikwenze umnkam. Undiphe indodana.”

Ndiginye ingwiqi.

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Okay?”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Ubusithi intliziyo yam itheni?”

Nomtha: ”Ihut. Bendibuza ukuba unayo na kwakho.”

Simba: ”Uronta?”

Nomtha: ”Uronta yilandlu iround mos inengca phezulu? Ihut?”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Ngubani othi Uronta yihut?”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni kanti?”

Simba: ”Nguronta! Ngubani ofika emaXhoseni athi uronta nguHut? Abazuyazi lonto abantu!”

Nomtha: ”Ubenza muncu abantu!”

Simba: ”Ngabantu bam aba ndiyabazi. Sazi ihart thina, imbiza. Iheart eyintliziyo. Awuzuthi xa kubuzwa
umntu uthi wena ukuhut. Uzothelwa nqa. Uwavalela ntoni amehlo?”

Ndiphefumlile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyalala.”

Simba: ”Asincokoli?”

240
Nomtha: ”Sigqibile ukuncokola.”

Simba: ”Uqumbele uhut? Andikhange ndithi ungabi ngomXhosa mna. Kodwa ndizokufundisa ubize izinto
right kuba kuzobe kusithiwa yilantombi kaSimba. Awazi mqombothi, awazi ronta. Awukwazi ukusila!”

Nomtha: ”Akunyanzelekanga.”

Simba: ”Kunyanzelekile uzifunde xa uzokwendela emXhoseni. Ukwitraining yakho kwezintsuku ulapha.

Ndizoxelela udabawo akufake esikolweni.”

Nomtha: ”Khange ndixelelwe ukuba ndizotshiliswa apha!”

Simba: ”Awutshiliswa ukwi training.”

Ndinikine intloko yam ndazilalela. Ibingekho nento bendiyivuselwe apha. Andiwuqwalaselanga

nakakuhle umzi kuba bendihebhuzela bubuthongo. Kodwa ndibonile ukuba unayo ihut. Okanye ndithi
nguronta?

Ndothuswe nguye esithi baya etown noMalik ndingalali kakhulu, ndicleane. Bekuluthuli nyani kodwa
ndifuna ukuphungula obungaphezulu kuqala. Bendiniwe. Andiyazi ndigqibele nini ukuhamba umgama
omde kangaka. Ndiphindele ebuthongweni emveni kokuba evale ucango.

241
TWENTY-SEVEN
Bendinge nxaphe halala! Bendingaqondi ukuba bendino msebenzi ongaka bekufuneka ndiwenze
kulandlu. Uthuli belukulandlu. Ibinkulu inekamire ezintlanu ukuquka nemain bedroom. Ibezibathroom
ezimbini, ipantry, ikhitshi, idining area nelounge. Ebenegarage ezimbini nenye ezimele yokwa ejonge
endlini ingasebuhlanti.

Fane ucinge ke lomagumbi angako kunye noronta ngaphezulu. Into ibincitha kukuba bekungekho
washing machine. Ibedding necurtains ndizihlamba ngezam izandla. Bendixakeke zizo ngaphandle
kwendlu emthunzini xa kungena umntu ongumama ehekeni.

Ebethe chuu ukuza nganeno ebeleke izandla zakhe emqolo. Bendimana ndimjonga ngoku asondelayo.

Lomama: ”Akukho zinja?!”

Nomtha: ”Azikho Ma.”

Lomama: ”Ohhhh molweni ntombazana.”

Undolulele isandla ndosula esam ndamxhawula.

Lomama: ”Nivukile?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe sesivukile.”

Bendimphendula ndifinge intshiya ndimthele nqa ezobuza ukuba sivukile na.

Lomama: ”Ehhhh. Ndingabafumana abantu abadala? Utata walapha okanye umama walapha?”

Nomtha: ”Utata walapha usetown ma. Ebemnke ekuseni kwaye andiyazi ukuba uzothatha ixesha
elingakanani.”

Lomama: ”Umama wakho yena uphi?”

Nomtha: ”Wasweleka umama wam.”

Bendiyiqonda ukuba ebebuza ngoNokulunga.

Lomama: ”Hayi maan! Wasweleka umnkaSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Oh hayi usaphila yena benditsho umama wam, uNokulunga akango mama wam.”

Lomama: ”Oh ndiba ungumntwana walapha. Awuno mfounela ntomb'yam? Ndisuka kwilali ekude ukuba
ndihambele ilize. Ndive ngomntu bendithe andibekele iliso mhla wafika. Bendinqwenela ukubona yena.”

Nomtha: ”Yena ubani? UNokulunga okanye uSimba?”

Lomama: ”Ndihambele kuSimba mna. Bendingonwaba noba bendinofumana umama walapha ke

kwelokuncamela noxa ndicinga ukuba ezindaba azifanelanga yena kodwa kukuxakwa mntwanam.”

Nomtha: ”Akayibambi ke nale phone. Andiyazi nyani ukuba bazobuya ngaliphi na ixesha. Xa usithi usuka
kwilali ekude ...”

Lomama: ”Awungo mntwana walapha wena?”

242
Nomtha: ”Ha.a mama, ndingumntu katata walapha.”

Akakwazanga ukufihla ulothuko lwakhe.

Lomama: ”Nitshatile?!”

Nomtha: ”Asikatshati kodwa sizamana nezinto ezinjalo.”

Lomama: ”Bendicela isichopho namanzi.”

Ndisukumile ndayomthathela isitulo namanzi endlini ndamnkile.

Lomama: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Uwasele wawagongqoza.

Lomama: ”Yhuuuuu andisehlupheke. Bendifuna ukumbona ke lomfana kuba kudala ndimdinga qha
sibhidana.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”

Lomama: ”Xa engaphenduli nefouni.”

Nomtha: ”Kungenzeka ukuba uyishiye emotweni ke mama kuba akayibambi nyani.”

Lomama: ”Andifuni nokuhlwelwa ndilapha ndigumntu ohlutshwa ngamehlo.”

Nomtha: ”Ikude kakhulu ilali yakho ma?”

Lomama: ”Kumntu osemtsha noko iba nguqhwi-qhwi. Singabantu abahlutshwa yimilenze thina ngoku
kubakude.”

Nomtha: ”Ehhhh.”

Lomama: ”Mhhhhh oh! Ndizocela wena kesisi umshiyele umyalezo noko xa usithi ungunkosikazi wakhe.
Ndincinga ukuba ungumntwana walapha mna. Kuba seku semveni kwemini ngoku kuzorhatyela ngoku
kulamasimi nendonda. Ndingumam'uNothingubani mna sisi. Nothingubani Maqhwazima ndihambele
umba wentombi yam uThoziwe. Mdala yena apha kuwe noko. Bendifuna ke sisi uxelele uSimba ukuba
umama kaThoziwe ebelapha, uNothingubani Maqhwazima. UThoziwe unomntwana walapha ekhaya,
onguSonwabiso. Ngenxa yokuba etshatile ke zange simbike umntwana, wayephila ke utamkhulu wakhe
ngeloxesha simondla ngalemali yakhe yenkam-nkam kuba wazolahlwa kuthi nguNcumisa ophaya
kulatawuni ngoku. Ndiyaso-ko-la!

Uyasibona isihlangu endihamba ngaso?”

Utsho endikhombisa sona. Ibingutommie. Abateki bakhona. Oobhontsi bobabini bebengaphandle iphele
izithende.

Nothingubani: ”Ndiphelele kulaThoziwe ukuba nomntwana andinayo nevela ngaphi imali kuba
andinapasi ndizopeya. Sasiphila ngomyeni wam kodwa wasweleka naye. Nditsala dweni ngalamntwana.
Omnye umzali sisilerha, omnye ngulo unemali kodwa akafaki nepeni emdaka emntwaneni. Oko wazalwa
zange ndava kusithiwa wayeke wambona umntwana. Yinkwenkwe endala ngoku uSoso efundayo.
Umntwana akanaso nesinjani isihlangu. Akanazo nezinjani impahla zasekhayeni. Ezesikolo uziphiwe

243
ngumisi wakhe. Uphatha incwadi ngengxowa yelayisi. Ndifuna ukuqonda nje ukuba njengoba ehlala
naba abantwana, besitya benxiba ucinga ntoni ngoSoso? Ngekubhetele noba kuthiwa sisilerha esifana
noThoziwe esizinikele emadodeni ukuphila kodwa inemali lendoda. Mayithathe uxanduva emntwaneni
wayo. Imhoye umntwana noba ayimfakanga zityeni. Akenzelwanga naliphi na isiko. Ngumntwana nanku
onezimbo oba inkukhu zabantu, uba ukutya emizini. Agqekeze athathe ukutya. Uyabona umntwana
ukuba kuyalanjwa kowabo. Imali endiyifumanayo kulamatorho am okuhlamba impahla yabantu iphelela
ematyaleni. Akasekho kulalali umntu ofuna ukundinceda nganto. Ndithwele ndweeeeeni, nditsala dweni
mntwanam. Besimhlonipha, sihlonipha umtshato wakhe kodwa usiyekelele kakhulu.”

Ebephuma inyembezi noxa ebengakhali isikhalo. Bendisuke ndaqaqanjelwa yintliziyo ngulomama.

Ubumbona maan kwalapha esinxibeni ukuba zimpahla wayezithenge ngoko, zikrazuka zithungwe,
zikrazuke zithungwe. Awusawazi nombala wefaskoti zakhe kuba zatsha ngamalanga zaphantshiswa
ngamanzi. Bendibuhlungu nokuba ndingena nto ityiwayo kulomzi. Bekungekho nenjani na. Inoba
ebelambe ngalamzuzu.

Nomtha: ”Xa ithetha intombi yakho iyatsho ukuba waxelelwa uSimba ngokuba ukhulelwe? Yamxelela?”

Nothingubani: ”Uthi wamxelela uThozi.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhhhh. Uneminyaka emingaphi yena kulonyaka?”

Nothingubani: ”Uneshumi elinesibini kulo unyaka.”

Nomtha: ”Yhuuu! Yinkwenkwe endala.”

Nothingubani: ”Mdala uSonwabiso. Unomsindo futhi. Ukhula ungumntwana onomsindo zimeko akhula
kuzo. Ndoyika nokuba ndizofa mna ndimshiye engenabani. Utata wakhe makabe nosizi. Noba ujule
iR200 ngenyanga bhetele. Amenzele imfanelo zakhe umntwana. Amhoye. Noba uthenge i50kg kamealie
mealie qha neswekile. Atye umphokoqo onamanzi aneswekile, uzokhula akunani. Ndizoncamela apha
kuba ndiyabona ndoyisakala kudala qha bendihleli ethembeni lokuba uzobhadla uThozi. Kuthwa
uyabonwa kulatown. Uhlala elokshini phaya unenzipho namashiya afakelwayo. Andizanga kulwa
kuSimba koko ndizocenga kuba naku ndoyiswe ngowam. Ayikuba uyasokola, hayi. Qha akafuni nto
imdibanisa nomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizomxelela uSimba mama. Ndizomxelela ndizame ukumcenga ukuba ayovela azosabela
kuwe. Andazi nto ngomntwana mna ngaphandle kowase mtshatweni. Zange ake abhude nangayo
eyokuba unomntwana ngaphandle komtshato. Inoba ebezondixelela okanye ebengasoze ayithethe
asinoyazi. Yaziwa nguye. Kodwa ndizomxelela ngayo yonke into ondixelele yona.”

Nothingubani: ”Ndiyakucela mntwanam. Ingase ndithethe naye umlomo ngomlomo. Kudala

ndangqubeka apha ndingamfumani. Kudala ndimdinga. Mhlawumbi xa ndithetha naye uzondisizela.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizomxelela ma.”

Nothingubani: ”Ndiyabulela. Andizuhlala kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile ke ma. Uzondixolela akukho nephungwayo into kungona ziyothengwa ngoku kuba
besifike ekuseni.”

244
Nothingubani: ”Akukho ngxaki mntanabantu. Ndiyabulela nje ukuba uzondigqithisela umyalezo mna.
Enye nenye andiyikhathalelanga kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Uzohamba kakuhle ke.”

Utsho wasukuma wavalelisa ebulela kwakhona ngokuba ndizomgqithisela umyalezo. Kodwa

bendimbona ukuba akonelisekanga. Udanile. Uze ezimisele ukuthetha naye nqo. Ebengayilindelanga
eyokuba uzomfumana engekho.

Umnkile ke wayophuma ngeheke wahamba. Besendityhafele nala washing bendiyenza kodwa

ndazinyenzela ndade ndagqiba. Kukhale iphone yam ndisoneka yabe inguSimba. Bekungoba ebebuyela
kum.

Nomtha: ”Hello?”

Simba: ”Ubundifounele.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe kodwa yeka ngoku.”

Simba: ”Hayi sundixelela ukuba ndiyeke. Andiyivanga bendiyishiye emotweni imoto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyavuma kaloku ukuba ubuxakekile nam ndiyiqondile kodwa sose uyeka.”

Simba: ”Ngoba?”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo Simba. Ningabuyi ngobumnyama ndizokoyika mna.”

Simba: ”Sisendleleni ebuyayo ngoku. Inoba ulambile.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinxaphile, andilambanga. Yhu hayi!”

Uyihleke kancinci. Ibingaqalisi tu ukuhlekisa ke tana.

Simba: ”Wenza ntoni ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ndigqibezela ukoneka icurtains nebedding. Sendigqibile ngezindlu. Ukugqiba kwam

ndiyahlamba ndiyalala. Uzondixolela shame eyokwenza utywala into andiyingeni mna. Udabawo wakho
uzoba yedwa namhlanje.”

Simba: ”Inoba udinwe nyani. Ndilubonile uthuli kwezozindlu. Nebedding necurtains! Ibininzi isepha na?”

Nomtha: ”Ikula five litre kaloku, ibingekaqhalwa.”

Simba: ”YiMaq?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Oh alright.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni ungena washing machine?”

Simba: ”Khawuyeke uchuku. Cikica.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyeke ke ndizolala.”

245
Simba: ”Lala baby.”

Mnkru! Bendizoke ndive ukuba uzozithethelela athini lonolwimishe ungondli umntwana kuba wayethe
akazange amdyolele uNokulunga. Kucacile bubuxoki obuphinda phindeneyo obo kuba naku kusithiwa
unomntwana. Mntwana lowo angamhoyanga kodwa uyayazi ngobukho bakhe. Akhonto ibindicaphukisa
njengomntu ongahoyanga umntwana wakhe. Okungathi wamthuma ukuba makamenze lamntwana.
Kuba ngelaxesha wayelala nomntu ngaphandle kwesikhuseli wayezazi izophumo. Mdala kaloku uSimba
mntakabawo wafundiswa kdala ngo'birds and the bees'. Bendingxamele ukuyiva. Yazi bendingxamile.
Ukuba uvuma njani umntwana asokole ekhona. Nyani njengoba ebebiza umam'uNothingubani ucinga
ntoni? Abomtshato abantwana bayatya bayahlutha, banxiba koSuperbalist noZara kodwa omnye ucela
amalizo. Yhu! Hayi bendiphoxekile shame kuba bendimthemba kwicala labantwana. Kanti ngomnye
utoki.

Ndigqibile ndayobeka amanzi okuhlamba ndahlamba ndayokhwela ebhedini. Indlela bendicubhuke

ngayo bukhawuleze bandithatha ubuthongo ndothuswa nguSimba endishukuxa endikhwaza.

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Vuka kaloku uzobeka isophoro. Okanye akuzutyiwa?”

Ingase umntu andibulale xa engandifuni. Bendizisola nokuba bendithwala intloko ndisiyaphi.

Ukusebenza kangaka kusalindelwe ukuba ndipheke kuba umntu uyarhawuka yena. Yho hayike
mntakabawo. Umntu angasizelwa noba akanabo abazali.

Nomtha: ”Oh ngenithenge itake-aways kodwa.”

Simba: ”Yhu hayi sawuncama sijike sibe zitake-aways kaloku.”

Nomtha: ”Ndidiniwe kodwa.”

Simba: ”Kungoba andidinwanga mna? Besisehla sinyuka kulatown ekubeni bendiqhuba ubusuku bonke
ndafika andalala ndahamba. Ndicela nje okwecephe ndizolala. Qha. Kuba akakho umntu
ongadinwanga.”

Nomtha: ”Bendinga zukwenza nto itake aways usuku olunye. Yho hayi kemna!”

Ndisukumile ebhedini ndakhulula lagown bendiyinxibile ndanxiba utight omnyama omde nehoodie
emnyama. Ulandele emveni kwam ukuya kuronta. Imbiza beziphaya. Hayike ibizotshintsha yonke lonto
ngomso kuba belikhona ikhitshi kulandlu. Le ka up and down ifriji ibe sendlini enkulu kodwa imbiza
zingapha zona.

Ndingene ndothuka ukubona abantu abangomama ababini abahleli ngakuright.

Nomtha: ”Molweni, Simba awutsho ukuba kukho abantu.”

Simba: ”Awundinikanga nethuba kodwa. Bamba abantu izandla.”

Ndiyobaxhawula.

Simba: ”Ngudabawo uNonzaliseko lowo, ngumanci lowo.”

Nomtha: ”Oh molweni. NdinguNomtha mna.”

246
Nonzaliseko: ”Unethemba lomendo kengoku xa ulala kodwa kufuneka usilile?”

Nomtha: ”Indlela bendidinwe ngayo bendingeno lunga.”

Manci: ”Akudinwa kaloku emzini. Uma kusasa kungekavuki mntu ulale mva.”

Nomtha: ”Andinolunga mna. Eyoma imini yonke ndingazubhatalwa! Kubhetele xa ndise msebenzini and
andiboni nento emisa imini yonke.”

Ndibabone bekrwaqulana.

Manci: ”Uyintombi yaphi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndingowa seRhawutini.”

Manci: ”Hayibo njani? Awunakhaya?”

Nomtha: ”Likhona lona kodwa besingasa goduki. Ndakhulela eGautini.”

Manci: ”Ngoku wawugoduka wawugodukela phi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndandi godukela eZimbabwe.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ohhhh akufane. AwungomXhosa! Hayi ke uyathetheleleka xa uyintlanga. Sendithe nqa

ungakwazi nokwenza umqombothi. Hayi uzofunda. Kamnandi usemncinci uzofundiseka. Akukho nto
ungazuyazi. Izophela into yokuhlala eGoli ngoku. Umzi wendoda kuzofuneka uvulwe ungavalwa oko.
Nimana nibuya.”

Ndijonge uSimba wabe encumile. Inoba ebencume ntoni na shame? Uncume ukungondli oku kwakhe?

Bandibuze nemimye imibuzwana ke abahlala. Bekukho idrum enkulu entla.

Ubakhuphe nje uSimba bezokhatshwa nguMalik. Besendibeke irice ndizokwenza inyama ebomvu
ndiyifake iveg.

Ndive ngezandla zindibamba isinqe ndaphefumla.

Simba: ”Sathwele umlomo?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi umlwo yiforeplay yakho kodwa andinawo namandla indlela endidinwe ngayo.”

Simba: ”Ulivila wena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Undiphuze intamo.

Simba: ”Bendikucinga emini.”

Nomtha: ”Ubundicinga ntoni?”

Simba: ”Bendikucinga nje. Ndicinga uwife to be wam.”

Nomtha: ”Wawuthe awuzange umdyolele uNokulunga.”

247
Simba: ”Sawuthetha ngoNokulunga qho na apha kulomzi? Ayikho enye into esinoncokola ngayo?”

Nomtha: ”Ikhona, yile ndiyithethayo.”

Simba: ”Ndiyatsho nangoku zange.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba umenze via bluetooth lomntwana kuthiwa awumondli ke.”

Undikhulule wandibamba isilevu endijongisa kuye.

Simba: ”Yeka ukungqunga, thetha lento ofuna ukuyithetha. Uthi umntwana wenze njani?”

Ndimsuse isandla esilevini sam.

Nomtha: ”Kukho umama ebezokufuna apha. UNothingubani Maqhwazima. Ebesithi usuka kwilali
ekudana kunale. Uhambele kuwe-”

Simba: ”Kum? Malunga?”

Nomtha: ”Malunga nomntwana onguSonwabiso owamenza twelve years ago nentombi yakhe. Mntwana
lowo ongamenzeli kwanto. Ongazange wambona nakanye ebomini bakho. Uthe ndikucenge uthathe
inxaxheba emntwaneni wakho. Ubenesazela. Kuba umama womntwana ngundinga sithubeni, wena
unemali ubhadlile kuba abantwana bakho uyabenzela kucacile ukuba awenzi kuba uthanda. Kodwa
umntwana uyakudinga, umakhulu uyedwa uzimele ngenkqayi elangeni. Akanasihlangu, akanampahla,
akanakutya. Akanawo nobhaka lo wesikolo uphatha ngeplastic yerice. Ubonelelwa ngabantu. Ebefuna
ukukuchukumisa isazela umakhulu.”

Simba: ”Baby andinaye omnye umntwana ngaphandle kwaba. Njengoba benditshilo mna andizange
ndanomntu ngaphandle komtshato wam. Ngendizazi ukuba ndinomntwana kwaye engasokoli. Andina
mntwana mna ongaphandle. Andinaye.”

Nomtha: ”Uthi lamama intombi yakhe yathi nguwe utata womntwana.”

Simba: ”Mna bani?”

Nomtha: ”Wena Simba.”

Simba: ”Intombi yakhe kuzofuneka imxelele kakuhle umama wayo ukuba ngubani utata kuba
ayikabindim. Zange ndanomntu mna apha ezilalini. Zange ndadyola.”

Nomtha: ”Ey andiyazi baba.” tata.

Simba: ”Sawuhamba siyosabela kusasa.”

Nomtha: ”Nabani nam?”

Simba: ”Ewe kaloku nawe. Ndizohlamba igama lam once and for all. Kuba ungafika igcwele yonke lelali
ukuba mna ndinomntwana endingamhoyanga. Ndizohamba nawe kanye kuba sewundinika iattitude
ungekava nokuba ndiphendula ndithini kwezontsolo. Sewukholelwa lomama ungamaziyo.”

Nomtha: ”Sawuhamba nyani ke. Kuba ndimangalele lonto yokuba noba ndingakwazi kangako ndiyayazi
uyabathanda abantwana bakho. Lo yena ohamba esiba inkukhu negrocer emizini kodwa umfazi wakho
uhamba enyoba amankazana ngetwenty nto thousand ingathi ngumntu wasefilmini. Sawuva ngomso.”

248
Simba: ”Noba ungakuyeka ukutya andisena mdla.”

Nomtha: ”UMalik yena?”

Simba: ”Ebetye iburger uMalik. Ungenza isonka wena utye. Ndizohlamba ndize nomatress. Sizolala apha
kuba utywala abuzulala bodwa. Ndizolala noMalik kwelacala wena ulale wedwa kweli.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni wandikhethela icala?”

Simba: ”Asizulwela amacala. And kufuneka uziqhelise kwangoku, licala labantu abangomama elo. Xa
kukho abantu awuhlali ngapha, uphelela ngapho qha. Ungandibuzi ngoo why. Ndisayohlamba.

Uthi lomama ungubani ifani?”

Nomtha: ”Uthe unguMatanzima.”

Simba: ”Ndim kaloku Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Yho mxm nguMaqhwazima.”

Simba: ”Makakhangele utata womntwana wakhe. Amncine kakuhle hayi mna. Ndazibona sendino
twelve years old nje.”

Andimphendulanga ndacima imbiza ndenza isonka ndatya. Bendingafuni nokucinga, kuba xa ndicinga
bendicinga izinto eziwrongo.

249
TWENTY-EIGHT
Simba: ”Nomtha!”

Bekumnyama kulandlu besilele kuyo nto leyo ethetha ukuba bekungeka si. Andiyazi ebendivusela ntoni
uSimba. Kona? Ebengatshongo ukuba uzolala kwicala labantu abangotata njengoba ebesese
mondlalweni wam nje ngoku.

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Kwenzeka ntoni kuwe namhlanje?”

Bendise ndanesifuthu-futhu nditshiselwa into endingayaziyo.

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Oko ukhala ubusuku bonke. Ndikuvusa nje uvale amehlo umzuzwana uphinde ukhale.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba ndiphupha kakubi, ndiyaxolisa.”

Simba: ”Ukhathazwe yintoni? Did I trigger them? Ezinarhmani zakho? Kuba besezikuyekile.”

Nomtha: ”Uzitriggersishe ngokuse kuthini kengoku wena?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi. Ndicinga mhlawumbi yilanto yasemotweni. Ubuphupha ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Andisakhumbuli noba bendiphupha ntoni.”

Simba: ”Awukhumbuli nyani?”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Nomtha: ”Andilikhumbuli lona kodwa ndiyayazi ukuba bendiphupha kakubi nje qha ndingakwazi ukuvula
amehlo.”

Simba: ”Ndicinga ukuba kudibene izinto zakho kakade nemimoya emdaka. Akufuneki mntu unentloko
ethambileyo kwezilali kuba uzoshicilelwa qho. Andinayo nento yokuqhumisa ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuzoqhumisa i impepho?

Simba: ”Lonto ikhoyo noba liyeza lokuqhumisa.”

Nomtha: ”Andiwasebenzisi amayeza.”

Simba: ”Ubunga zulisebenzisa, bendizoliqhumisa.”

Nomtha: ”Ja no. Kubhetele impepho andifuni kuqhunyiselwa mayeza mna.”

Simba: ”Unezinto ezininzi. Awufuni manzi?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”Zama ukulala ke sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Uyalala wena ecaleni labantu abangomama?”

250
Simba: ”Ndilala noba kusentla mna.”

Nomtha: ”Kumnandi uba nguwe mos.”

Simba: ”Nangoku kumnandi.”

Nomtha: ”Goodnight.”

Simba: ”Goodnight baby.”

Ndothuke sekukhanya ngaphandle. Umondlalo wabo ubungasekho kwelacala kukho owam wodwa.
Ndizolulile ndasukuma ndondlula.

Simba: ”Uvukile.”

Ndimjongile enxibe ioveralls, umntla nomzantsi neboots ezinyaweni.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni ungandivusanga?”

Simba: ”Awukhange ulale kaloku wena izolo. Uright?”

Uzondiphuza ibunzi endanga ngecala. Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Nitye ntoni?”

Simba: ”Sikhona isonka, sitye sona.”

Nomtha: ”Sisaya kwalamama?”

Simba: ”Ndiready mna, ndilinde wena.”

Nomtha: ”Bendifuna undincede ukuthutha imbiza nestove kuqala, ziye kwelacala. Andiyazi noba
ndiyagabadela na?”

Simba: ”Awufuni ukuphekela apha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndidikwa ngulomquqo mna. Ikhitshi likhona kulandu nedining room. Kutheni singasebenzisi
zona sizotyela ezandleni kuloronta?”

Simba: ”Nguwe umntu ophekayo so kuzobona wena ukuba wenza njani. Uba ufuna ukuphekeka
kwelacala it's fine kodwa akukho sidingo sokuba uqubule izinto ngapha, zikhona kwelacala.”

Nomtha: ”Oh.”

Simba: ”Kuthwa kufuneka sibe sesilapha endlini phaya emveni kwemini.”

Nomtha: ”Kutsho bani?”

Simba: ”Umanci nodabawo.”

Nomtha: ”Sizopheka yonke ledrum ngembiza ezincinci?”

Uphelile yintsini.

251
Simba: ”Kukho imbiza ezinkulu phaya emkhukhwini, nizopheka ngazo ngaphandle. Kufuneka lento
ikulomphanda ibe neconsistency yesidudu. Kuthwa ligwele xa inje. Kuqhele ukutshukuzwa kudidiyelwe
kodwa ngenxa yexesha kuvele kwagalelwa amanzi akhushu apha izokhawuleza.”

Nomtha: ”Oh sawukwenza umlilo?”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Unayo isunscreen?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi noba ndiyiphethe na.”

Simba: ”Kuzofuneka uthambise yona unga rhawulwa ngumlilo xa nipheka. Unxibe nabatight bakho bade.
Ngoku uhleli umnyama shame uphinde uzotshiswa yimililo.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake!”

Simba: ”Awumnyamanga kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Simba: ”Ndiya khathazeka ke uyazi ngezi narhmani zakho. Ndisuke ndingayazi noba ndithini xa
zikubambile, ukhala kabuhlungu.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoba right. Ndidinga ixesha.”

Simba: ”Zizovele zizihambele nje?”

Nomtha: ”Exesheni, ewe. Kufanele ukuba zihambe ziphele. Uzohamba unxibe kanje?”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhhh.”

Simba: ”Kusekhayeni apha, andizuswenkela ukuya kwilali engaphesheya.”

Nomtha: ”Uyawazi lomzi?”

Simba: ”Andiwazi kodwa sizomfumana. Zilali ezi, wonke umntu uyazana. Sawubuza umzi kamama uNo-
uthe ngubani?”

Nomtha: ”Nothingubani Maqhwazima.”

Simba: ”Sizokuzisa kwaba Maqhwazima bangaphesheya somfumana.”

Ndondlule ndagqiba ndayohlamba. Ndinxibe imidi skirt yesatin eblush pink, isikipa nje esimhlophe
nepush in sandal.

Ndigqibezele imbiza zam zayizolo ndahlamba izinto bekutyelwe kuzo zamdaka. Nekomityi- yonke into.

Malik: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Malik, hello.”

Malik: ”Ude wavuka.”

252
Nomtha: ”Ndide ndavuka.”

Malik: ”Sendisuka nase town mna.”

Nomtha: ”Uyaxoka!”

Malik: ”Buza kutata. Ebendithume izinto ezimbalwa.”

Nomtha: ”Niyavuka mos notatakho.”

Malik: ”Hayi kuyavukwa apha akulalwa. Uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright enkosi ngobuza.”

Ndiphendule ndimfingele intshiya.

Malik: ”Ndibuza ngoba ubukhala izolo, utata ebekhathazekile.”

Nomtha: ”Oh hayi ndiright. Ziqhelile ukundibamba inarhmani.”

Malik: ”Oh. Kungcono xa usharp.”

Nomtha: ”Yep.”

Malik: ”So wenzani? Uyaphangela?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizophindela esikolweni kulonyaka uzayo. Bendiphangela kodwa ke kwanyanzeleka

ndiwuyekile umsebenzi ngenxa yemeko.”

Malik: ”Mh?”

Ndinqwalile. Bendinga mjonganga ngoku sithethayo. Ndijonge izitya ezi bendizihlamba. Khange
kuphinde kubekho mbuzo. Xa ndimkrwaqula ebecofa iphone yakhe.

Simba: ”Nomtha wenza kade.”

Nomtha: ”Sendigqiba.”

Simba: ”Kunini! Ndikuxelele ukuba kufuneka sibuye kwangethuba kuzophekwa izidudu. Kuzoba njani xa
kufikwa singekho. Kuba kufuneka uncedise, izoba funny eyoba ungabikho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyagqiba.”

Simba: ”Khawulezisa kaloku.”

Ndimjonge ndimncinele amehlo. Ebengenalo nexesha lalonto, edikiwe qha. Uphume embomba into
engavakaliyo. Ndizihlambe ndagqiba ndosula itafile. Ndiyokhulula iapron ndathambisa izandla zam
ndaya kuye ngakwikraal. Eboyame khona ecofa iphone yakhe.

Simba: ”Ufunani apha?”

Ubuze eyihleka kancinci wabheka-bheka into endingayaziyo.

Simba: ”Nomtha awusondeli kaloku wena ngasebuhlanti.”

253
Nomtha: ”Ngoba?”

Simba: ”Yho! Kusezoba nzima. Masambe sizobuya. Awumhle ngosilky silky bakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ngiyabonga.”

Sihambile. Khange sisokole kakhulu sabuzisa sakhonjiswa lamzi bekuthiwa uhlala kuwo. Ibinguronta
omnye. Ubusikoni qona utyatyekiwe kungekho veti ngaphezulu. Ubrown nje ngumhlaba. Bekukho
imbiza emnyama encinci eziko kusaqhuma, caba kuyaphekwa.

Simba: ”Hey kwedini! Yizapha.”

Umkhwaze engahliki emotweni. Ubalekele weza. Ebenxibe iblukhwe ezidlaka-dlaka netakkie ezingena
mitya. Zikhamisile.

”Molweni.”

Ujonge mna uSimba.

Simba: ”Ungubani igama lakho?”

”NdinguSonwabise Maqhwazima.”

Simba: ”Ndingutat'uMatanzima mna. Ungumntwana kabani?”

Sonwabise: ”Ndingoka Thoziwe.”

Simba: ”Ungoka Thoziwe?”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Ukhona umakhulu wakho?”

Sonwabise: ”Uyochola amalongwe emasimini, kodwa kudala emnkile.”

Simba: ”Wenza ntoni wena phaya ngaseziko?”

Sonwabise: ”Ndipheke umphokoqo. Umakhulu uthe ungatshi ndiwugade.”

Simba: ”Uzanyiswe ngumakhulu wakho?”

Sonwabise: ”Hayi. Uzanyiswe ndim.”

Simba: ”Uyakwazi ukuzamisa umphokoqo?!”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Wogqitha nam kwedini. Uyayazi ukuba andikwazi tu mna ukupheka?”

Sonwabise: ”Hayibo! Umdala kangaka!”

Simba: ”Ndiphekelwa ngulosisi. Kutheni ungayanga esikolweni?”

Sonwabise: ”Ngumgqibelo namhlanje.”

254
Simba: ”Hayibo! Seyingumgqibelo?! Okay ke ndoda hamb'jonga imbiza yakho sawumlinda apha
emotweni umakhulu wakho. Uyawutya umqwayito? Khawubambe apha sibone.”

Uwuthethile wabulela. Uyohoya imbiza yakhe wongeza ezinye inkuni wavutha. Uthule ixesha elide
uSimba emjongile lamntwana ngoku axakeke ngumlilo wakhe. Uvule laplastic yomqwayito
wawuqwalasela ngaphambili kokuba atye.

Simba: ”Ufana endlini lomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ndibona lonto nam.”

Simba: ”Into endibhidayo kutheni ezotyhola mna nditshatile kodwa uBukhosi akanakwanja akanakati.”

Nomtha: ”Ucinga ukuba ngoka Bukhosi?”

Simba: ”Ngumntwana kaBukhosi lo baby. Ufana nqo naye. Nangamazinyo nangokuthetha ngokaBukhosi.
Umntwana asokole kangaka, kuleminyaka sekwazi ukupheka imiphokoqo ngaphandle kodwa unotata!
Hayibo!”

Nomtha: ”Ayenzi sense yonke lento ukuba ubuza mna. Uthi uyayazi nje umama walomntwana ukuba
ngokaBukhosi? Okanye engqondweni yakhe uzixelela ukuba walala nawe. Mhlawumbi wayenxilile ke.
Okanye kwalo Bukhosi akazazi ukuba unomntwana.”

Simba: ”Ndixakiwe mna baby. Uyabona ngoku sisaxakene nento kaVenus onesithathu sonke
sabantwana, ngapha ngoBukhosi abenza ohit and run kutyholwe thina!”

Uyongena endlini nembiza umntwana waphuma nenye. Ukhe amanzi kwidrum ibiphandle wawagalela
kulambiza wayongena endlini. Uphume nesitya se enamel esikhulu esifake kwitray weza kuthi
emotweni.

Sonwabiso: ”Sendiphakile ke, kodwa akukho sishebo.”

Undikrwaqule uSimba umbona ukuba wophuke umphefumlo.

Simba: ”Akukho ndawo ethengisa amasi apha boy? Mna bendityile kwam andilambanga ndibuzela
wena.”

Sonwabiso: ”Ayathengiswa kwamam'uNoyedwa.”

Ukhuphe iR200 etasini wamnkina.

Simba: ”Thatha imbombozi uthenge i5l yamasi. Uzithengele nechips nebiscuits.”

Sonwabise: ”Kuzothiwa ndiyibile imali.”

Simba: ”Yiza nepeni nephepha ndibhale phantsi ukuba uthunywe ndim Ungahambi udlala ke
ukhawuleze ubuye imali ingalahleki.”

Sonwabise: ”Eh!”

Ubaleke wayophindela endlini wabuya nezizinto ebezithunyiwe wahamba. Khange sincokole emveni
koko. Kungene intombazana endlini. Ebephethe ibag enkulu waphuma sengaphethanga nto. Umi

255
emnyango ejonge emotweni. Ebenxibe ilokhwe eyelloe efake neza razor cut. Kuthiwa zibump kwezinye
indawo.

Usijonge wancama wasondela nganeno evela kwelicala linam.

”Molweni.”

Nomtha: ”Molweni sisi, unjani?”

”Ndiright wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright, enkosi.”

Uthinte umqala.

”Benihambele apha?”

Ndikrwaqule uSimba wabe ezivalele umlomo wakhe. Ebene stress. Ndiphinde ndajonga kulosisi.

Nomtha: ”Ewe sisi qha sifike kukho inkwenkwe yalapha uSonwabiso. Silinde umakhulu wakhe, nguye
umntu esihambele kuye. Kuthiwa uyokha into kanene?”

Simba: ”Amalongwe- cow dung.”

Nomtha: ”Amalongwe.”

”Ohhhh nihambele kumama? Ndiyintombi yalapha, andiyazi noba nizofuna ukungena na okanye
nizomlinda apha emotweni.”

Nomtha: ”Ungusis'bani kanene? UThozi?”

Undifingele intshiya enqwala.

Thoziwe: ”Siyazana?”

Simba: ”Sizongena ngaphakathi sisi.”

Thoziwe: ”Oh alright. Nizondifumana khona ke.”

Uhlike ngoko nangoko uSimba nam ndahlidika ndayongena ngaphakathi. Bekurhidiwe nangaphakathi.
Noxa kungekho nto icacayo bekusikoni ngeyona ndlela. Kukho isingle beds macala. Kwakho ikhabhathi
yeplangwe entla evetwe dark green netafile enamapheyile. Bekusindiwe phantsi kuthe ncwaba.
Bekubetha umoya. Imbiza zakhona noxa zingena miqheba, zimenyezela phezulu kwekhabhathi.

Simba: ”Uyandazi mna?”

Ubuze losisi, ebechophe kwenye yebhedi. Umqwalasele wanikina intloko kancinci.

Thoziwe: ”Ndiyakufanisa andikwazi ncam.”

Uyihleke kancinci ingahlekisi uSimba. Besendiqhele loSimba unice, uhleka oko bendimlibele lo
unomsindo ukhawulezileyo ne temper. Ebenguboss ngoku. Hayi uSimba, hayi uNkokheli.

Simba: ”Undifanisa nabani?”

256
Thoziwe: ”Ufana kwatat'uVenus. Awungobhut'Mluleki?”

Simba: ”Awundazi mna?”

Thoziwe: ”Ungubhut'Mluleki.”

Simba: ”Uyamazi yena uBukhosi?”

Ndimbone ecimela kancinci waphefumlela phezulu. Uthinte umqala ngaphambili kokuba aphendule.

Thoziwe: ”Ndike ndimbone.”

Simba: ”Umbona xa umbona phi?!”

Thoziwe: ”Etown. Nalapha elalini ndike ndiyibone imoto yakhe. NgoDecember usela kulatarven
ingezantsi.”

Simba: ”Awumazi?”

Thoziwe: ”Ngokumbona ndiyamazi.”

Simba: ”Umntu omaziyo nguSimba.”

Thoziwe: ”Umntu endiqiniseke ngaye nguwe qha. USimba andimazi yena ubuqu kodwa ndiyeva ngaye.
Ndazi unkosikazi wakhe uNokulunga. Ndandike ndayomcleanela kwakhe komnye unyaka. Kwakukudala
ngoko, uSonwabise engekabikho. Ndimhlambela impahla nengubo. Wayendinike itorho.”

Unqwalile uSimba.

Simba: ”Njengoba uhamba usithi umntwana wakho ngokaSimba kodwa awumazi nokumazi ebusweni,
udala ntoni?!”

Wothuke wazibamba isifuba

Thoziwe: ”Zange ndixelele bantu mna bhuti! Akakho kulelali umntu omaziyo utata kaSonwabise. Zange
ndixelele bantu ukuba ngokaSimba. Zange!”

Simba: ”Ndize apha ngenxa yokuba umakhulu wakho kuthwa kudala equqa emzinam endifuna. Ufumene
umnkam wamxelela ukuba ufuna uSimba. Wamxelela ukuba agqithise umyalezo wokuba uSimba
makathathe inkxaxheba emntwaneni wakhe onguSonwabiso- nguSonwabiso mos umntwanakho?”

Thoziwe: ”Oh bawo wam umama! Bendingaqondi mna ukuba uzosuka apha ayogqogqa umntu
emzinakhe! Ndatsho lonto kuba ndiyazi ukuba akazulandelela umntu otshatileyo.”

Simba: ”Ngokabani?”

Thoziwe: ”Ngowam.”

Simba: ”Ungandenzi isibhanxa sisi. Uhambe usithi umntwanakho ngokaSimba. Kucacile ukuba
akangowakhe kuba awumazi nokumazi uSimba. Awumazi noba sewujongane naye emehlweni. Udlala
ngomntu omdala uyahlupheka uya ngaphaya ngaphesheya uyofuna mna kuba uthe unomntwana nam.
Ukuba bendixabene nomfazi wam wathwala izinto zakhe wahamba? Kuba mna ndinomntwana

257
ongaphandle komtshato one and two andimhoyanga. Utsala dweni umntwana. Okanye awuna msebenzi
wena nokumosha impilo zabantu?”

Ebengcangcazelisa umlomo wasuke wakhala. Usukume waphuma uSimba ndashiyeka ndodwa kula
bunk. Nentombi ekhalayo.

258
TWENTY-NINE
Ukhale wade wathula ndihleli phaya ndimjongile. NoSimba oko ebephumile. Bendingafuni noba ndibe ndiyomdika
ngaphandle ngakumbi njengoba ebhubha nje ngumsindo. Ndizichophele ndihoye ezam ndizidlalela igame.

”Nkqo! Nkqo! Molweni!”

Nomtha: ”Molweni ma.”

Ulungise ithwalo lakhe wazondixhawula. Endiqwalasele ebusweni.

Nothingubani: ”Yehake molweni! Andiqaphelanga ukuba nguwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndim lomntu.”

Nothingubani: ”Niyaphila ke sisi?”

Nomtha: ”Siyaphila enkosi unjani wena ma?”

Nothingubani: ”Siyaphila nathi. Akhonto, sonwabile. Inoba ndigxothwa nguwe. Kuba bendingumntu ongazukwenza
nto namhlanje. Ndasuke ndacinga ukuyoqokelela amalongwe ngaphaya emadlelweni.”

Bendingayazi noba yintoni amadlelo.

Nomtha: ”Akukho ngxaki ma. Ubungayazi ukuba sizoza, qha sizosabela ke kuba ufike ndamxelela lotata ukuba
ubuyombona. Nokuba lithuba umkhangela.”

Nothingubani: ”Uzenaye?!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ma, usemotweni. Ndizohamba ndiyombiza.”

Nothingubani: ”Okay ke sisi. Ndiyabona kukho noThozi. Kubhetele xa nikho nobabini. Ndizonibuza nidibene into
eniyicingayo ngalomntwana. Uyambona ke ntombi ukuba mhle kanjani? Ubone umntwana! Akanayo neblukhwe
yena uyadlakazela. Ukuba undixelela ngoThozi mna. Mhle upermile inwele ziyayokozela!”

Ndiphumile ndaya emotweni kuSimba. Ebelalise isitulo wajonga phezulu.

Nomtha: ”Hey.”

Simba: ”Ndizama ukuthoba umsindo wam kodwa ndiya ndiba worse.”

Nomtha: ”Ukhona umam'uNothingubani.”

Simba: ”Ukhona?!”

Nomtha: ”Akukudalanga engenile ukhona.”

Simba: ”Kubhetele xa ekhona kuba akhonto endizoyithetha nalantombi mna. Uyandicaphukisa nje. Kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba kutheni ezoquma utata womntwana?”

Simba: ”Ngam?! Kubo bonke abantu oMluleki noMkhuseli uzibonele mna! Ubone ukuba sisibhanxa esiright
endingaphephela ngaso?! No Mluleki utshatile, ebenothi nguye. Kodwa ndim lo ulula ebantwini!”

Nomtha: ”Akakwazi nokwazi loThozi, wazi uNokulunga nokuba umyeni wakhe nguSimba waqonda ukuba uzotsho
atyhole wena.”

Simba: ”Hayi! Masambe, ayikabuyi lenkwenkwe?”

259
Bekungathethwa ngaye! Uthe gqi ephethe amasi ngeplastic.

Uzonika uSimba itshintshi wabulela nge chips.

Uyongena endlini ebaleka.

Simba: ”Abenje umntwana! Umbonile yena uhlambile mhle. Umntwana uyavukuzela!”

Nomtha: ”Utsho nomamakhe. Masambe wethu singa libaziseki, asiphelelanga apha.”

Uphefumlile watsixa imoto, salandelelana ukuphindela endlini. Ebesitya umvubo wakhe uSonwabiso isitya sithe
gabhu.

Thoziwe: ”Suphanga.”

Simba: ”Yeka umntwana. Molweni ma.”

Usondele kuye wamolulela isandla. Umqwalasele ebusweni uSimba lamakhulu wanikina intloko ezigquma
ngefaskothi ekhala.

Nothingubani: ”Umlahle umntwana sefana nawe! Sisono esinjani esi nisenza emntwaneni?! Lusizi lwantoni olu?
Yhu yhu yhu!”

Uvele wema phambi kwakhe uSimba wabuya umva wazochopha phantsi. Iyomthulisa untombi yakhe wakhala
isidala sento wade wathoba umoya. Umphathele amanzi wawasela amehlo akhe ekuSimba.

Simba: ”Makhulu ndingu Simba mna. USimba Nkokheli Matanzima. Ndingunyana kaVenus. Unkosikazi undixelele
ukuba ubuke wafika kwam uzondifuna. Usose watsho ke ukuba uze malunga nantoni. Ndiqonde ukuba ndinga
phozisi maseko xa sele ufikile umyalezo kum. Ndiyitshaye isaqhuma.”

Nothingubani: ”Awukagqibi Nondoda uke uyodlala sithethe indaba zabantu abakhulu?”

Ebesekrwela isitya waphuma naso ngaphandle.

Nothingubani: ”Ndivuya kakubi ukuba nilapha nobabini noThozi. Kudala ndiquqa emzini wakho ndikufuna. Ndade
ndayaleza kummelwane ukuba andincede, xa ebona nje kuvuliwe athumele noba ngumntwana kwaba bakhe
bolusa kulamasimi akufutshane.”

Simba: ”Ndiyakuva mama. Kwaye ndizivile zonke izikhalazo zakho kunkosikazi. Undixelele yonke into nangokuswela
kwamasiko komntana- yonke into. Andifuni sibe siyitsala. Mama usisi lo uThozi ndiyaqala mna ukumbona
namhlanje. Andizange ndandibana naye nasemdudweni-”

Nothingubani: ”Hayibo!”

Simba: ”Ngaphambili kokuba ufike ke bendisambuza imibuzwana, ebenga ndazi nokuba ndingubani. Uthi
ndingumkhuluwa wam uMluleki. Mna akandazi kodwa uyeva ngam. Uyamazi futhi unkosikazi wam ndanditshate
naye wamenzela ijophu. Angakuxelela naye. Kucacile ke ukuba uyamazi utata womntwana, uyayazi ukuba
akandim. Nguye futhi nanjengoba wayekukhohlisile uzoyithetha inyani aphinde athethe ukuba wayendisukele
ngantoni. Kuba ndiyatsho ukuba kuzothwa ndingumntu ongena nyani mna kwam. Bendixabana izolo oku ndibuya
etown ndiqunjelwe kuba mna ndihamba ndishiya abantwana.”

Nothingubani: ”Mntakabawo! Thoziwe! Wawutheni kanti kum ndikubuza ngotata womntwana wakho?”

Thoziwe: ”Ndandithe ngowanga phesheya.”

Nothingubani: ”Ngowagaphesheya engubani? Wawungathanga nguSimba utata womntwana wakho? Wathi

yindoda yomntu?!”

260
Thoziwe: ”Ndanditshilo mama.”

Nothingubani: ”Wawuyenzela ntoni lonto?! Into yokuxoka ngendoda yomzi?! Huh! Thoziwe! Zintoni ezi undifaka
kuzo?! Huh? Ndiyaphaphatheka ndiyoqweqwedisa umntu kanti undixelele ubuxoki?! Uyenzela ntoni lonto
yokuxoka kangaka ngomntu wabantu.”

Thoziwe: ”Ndandinga zimiselanga mama-”

Nothingubani: ”Wawunga zimiselanga ntoni? Yhiii?! Iminyaka le ndazi ukuba utata womntwana ngumyeni
womntu. Ngulomfana wakwa Matanzima. Ndikukhulisela umntwana Thozi! Ndiwa ndivuka naye! Asinayo
neparaffini apha endlini, sibasa phandle. Umntwana akanaso nesikhenda esi sakwambhala! Umomozelisa iperm
wena, ufumbethe ubuxoki iminyaka le kuba ungafuni siyohlawulisa lomntu wakwenzakalisa. Ulahlisa umkhondo
ngenxa yokuba uyazi uba isisu asibikwa emzini womnye umfazi?! Uyenzela ntoni lonto?!”

Thoziwe: ”Ndiyaxolisa mama.”

Simba: ”Ungaxolisa ngokuba usixelele utata womntwana. Mna andiwakhathalelanga amaxolo akho nokuzisola
kwakho. Xelela umakhulu utata womntwana. Awenzeli makhulu kuphela kodwa wenzela nomntwana lo wakho
usokolayo. Mhlawumbi uyotsho ancedakale ngokudibana notata wakhe. Kubekho umzali omhoyileyo kuba
awumkhathalelanga nokokuqala wena. Inimba yakho wayipha izinja. Asoze umntwana aswele nesikhenda umhle
kangaka wakugqiba ungafuni ukuchaza ikhaya lakhe. Ungacingeli nomama wakho lo okuzalayo nokukhulisela
umntwana?!”

Thoziwe: ”Ngowam umntwana.”

Usothule isikhalo umakhulu ndaziva ndivakalelwa. Into yokukhalelwa ngumntu omdala ekhala ngesikhalo esikrakra
okuhlobo!

Simba: ”Uyabona kemna into endizokwenza yona ndizokukhaba uphume wonke lomazinyo. Fine ungamkhohlisa
umama wakho iminyaka kokwakho oko. Ungamhluphekisa nomntwana wakho kokwakho oko. Ngumzali wakho.
Kodwa ufake igama lam kulonto yakho so uzotsho ukuba ngumntwana kabani lo futhi uzoyichaza kwanamhlanje.
Sishiye izinto ezibalulekilyo thina engesizenza endaweni yokuba sibe sijongene nawe apha. Uzomchaza utata
walamntwana and uzoyenza ngoku. Kubhetele uzithethele ngaphambili kokuba ndikwenze uthethe mna. Kuba
uzothetha.”

Nothingubani: ”Mna- ndi- ndi. Ndide ndiyayikholelwa into yokuba nyani lomntwana ngowakwa Matanzima kuba
uyaxelelwa kwangabantu ukuba utatakhe ngowakwa Matanzima. Bambona ukufana bamse phaya.”

Simba: ”Andiyikhanyeli lonto nam makhulu. Andithi nawe ngokundibona uvele wabona uba ndinguyise nyani. Nam
akhange ndidinge ukuxelelwa ukuba ngowakuthi. Uzibuze kengoku ukuba inoba abantu bathini ngathi. Sinemoto
eziphezulu nemizi emikhulu kodwa soyiswa ngumntu omnye. Soyiswa ngumntwana, ngenxa yomntu ozimisele
ukuqina enyaleni. Kuthwa singabantu abatheni abayeka umntwana omncinci kangaka asokole kangaka? Kuba
ngewumse noba kubani endlini. Uyakosiya mos wena. Umlahlele endlini sizibonele thina ukuba simthini, ngowethu
mos. Ligazi lethu.

Into endifuna undixelele yona kukuba ngokabani qha. Sizosabela kulomntu nathi silusapho ukuba kumnandi kuye
na umntwana xa enje. Uyakholwa na umntwana xa esokola kanje enomzali. Enabazali. Wena ke ayisekho eyakho
kuba awunasizi selapha phambi kwamehlo wakho. Umjonga nje. Ndixelele mna lomntu ungutata womntwana.”

Wosule ubuso.

Thoziwe: ”Ngu- nguBukhosi.”

Nothingubani: ”Ngongubani uBukhosi kengoku?”

261
Thoziwe: ”NgowakwaMatanzima. Ngunyana katata uVenus.”

Uzosule ubuso uSimba.

Simba: ”Thozi, uBukhosi wakudlwengula?”

Uthule ixesha elide besendizigqibele ukuba nyani wadlwengulwa ukuze afumane lomntwana. Kodwa ukuba ade
axoke ngoSimba kengoku kumama wakhe. Umntu wakwaMatanzima!

Undibambe isandla uSimba ndamjonga. Ebengandijinganga nokundijonga ejonge kuThozi.

Thoziwe: ”Andizukwazi ukuthetha kukho umama.”

Nothingubani: ”Awuzukwazi njani ukuthetha ndikhona? Andizuphuma ngaphandle kwam mna. Into ozoyenza
Thoziwe kukuthetha. Ndikhona futhi.”

Simba: ”Ungabi ngqwabalala mzali. Into yerape ayonto il-”

Nothingubani: ”Wadlwengulwa Thozi?”

Unikine intloko efixiza.

Thoziwe: ”Sasinxilile-”

Nothingubani: ”Nantsoke into yakho! Watsalwa emxilweni kuba kaloku nawusela ibeer ezimbini nifuna amadoda
apho angakhoyo. Utywala buhla ezantsi. Wawinwa kuleveki ingapha kwalena, wabethwa ngumfazi walandoda
ngemvubu wathi 'shuuu'. Wafika embrutsu apha endlini ingathi ligqwirha eliwiswe yikhetshi. Ukuba uthetha
ngoThozi wena. Ushiye indoda kuladolophi ngeloxesha. Uyinto edlala amadoda wabantu kwezilali. Sesaziwa. Two
beers, bhedi. Uthengwa ngebeer ezimbini qha. Kwezindonga, kulamasimi, emizini yabafazi babantu. Akufani
engafuni nto enokwenza nawe utata walomntwana kuba akayazi noba uyamdyoba na. Ungunondatshaza
wehenyukazi owaziway-”

Thozi: ”Mama ...”

Nothingubani: ”Eleleke kusisa nguwe nesishiqi. Eleke kusisa. Akwanelanga ukuba ndisematyaleni nezitilesi
zomntwana wakho owamthi dimfi kum uyazi ukuba ndingumpha uchutyiwe. USonwabiso lisela. Uba ukutya
emizini, baba igusha zabantu. Ndingenelwe lityala legusha ngoku. Babe igusha bayoyityela kwinxiwa. Sixoxa
kosibonda sihlawula amatyala ngenxa yentlupheko omfake kuyo umntwana. Andinasana mna. Indoda yam
yatshaba owam umntwana sasimfundisa waziyekela ngenxa yobungantweni bakhe. Simnika ubomi wakhetha
ukuba sisigculelo samadoda. Indawo yokuzikhulula. Umthunzi wokuphumla. Uzothatha umntwana wakho
ndizisokolele ndodwa ngemali yejophu zam.”

Simba: ”Uyayazi uBukhosi ukuba ninomntwana?”

Unqwalile wanikina intloko.

Thoziwe: ”Wathi ndimkhuphe ukuba ndikhulelwe. Wandinika nemali kuba wayengekho - wayengeyedwanga.”

Simba: ”Njani uba wayengeyedwanga?”

Thoziwe: ”Yayiyi threesome.”

Simba: ”Wangamkhuphi ngoba wena?”

Thoziwe: ”Kwasekulate. Ndazama ebackdoor kodwa zange aphume.”

Simba: ”Wayeke wambona?”

262
Thoziwe: ”Zange. Wathi nje ukuba andimkhuphi ndingaze ndiphambanele kuye ngoba angandibulala. Ndathi
ndiyacwangcisa, ndandicwancisa. Andiyazi kwenzeka ntoni. Wacinga ukuba ndifuna ukumbamba ngomntwana
kodwa ndandinga funi kumbamba ngomntwana mna. Ndandingazazi noba ndikhulelwe, ndingafuni nomntwana.
Ndiyamoyika uBukhosi kuba nabantu balapha elalini bandixelela ukuba uyingozi. Yena nawe nobhut'Mluleki.”

Simba: ”Hehe! Kuthwa siyingozi kodwa unesibindi sohambe uxelela abantu ukuba ndim utata womntwana?”

Thoziwe: ”Ndaxelela umama qha. Ndaxoka kanye ngaphambili kokuba ndicinga andabi sakwazi ukuyitshintsha into
kuba wayeyekile ukundityhalela ekubeni ndibabonise utata womntwana. Ndandiyazi ukuba umama akasoze
ayithethe mntwini. Bendinga qondi ukuba uyoze aze kwakho. Ndiyaxolisa ukukufaka kulento.”

Simba: ”Ayolento lento. What do you mean kulento. Akhonto uyithatha serious wena. Awumkhathalelanga
lomntwana. Okungathi wakuthuma ukuba uyokwenza ithree somes nabantu ongabaziyo. Sesiphi kengoku isizathu
esibangela ukuba udlakazelise umntwana? Wena ube ngumadam ngelokhwe eziyellow umntwana ingathi ubethwe
lizulu. Ade abelisela emncinci kangaka ukhona ungumzali wakho, awuloxhekwazana. Namaxhekwa awabadlakazisi
kangaka abantwana. Cwaka.

Makhulu mna andinanto endizophinde ndiyithethe nentombi yakho mna. Bendize apha ngenxa yakho nokuba
ndihlambe igama lam kwam. Kuba ibingathi ndingumntu ongena nyani. Umntwana yena ... ndizothetha
nomkhuluwa wam naye umntakwethu lo ungutata. Sawubona ukuba senza njani kuba akasoze umntwana wethu
aphile lempilo. Kodwa sinemizi thina, sinabafazi. Kufuneka singqubanise intloko nabo singazigqibeli. Kuba
asizumnyanzela ngomntwana uBukhosi esithi akamfuni kananjengoba noThoziwe engamfuni ngoku ahlala aye.
Sifuna ukumenzela imfanelo zakhe. Enzelwe amasiko, yonke into yakhe ilunge. Asizozigwili thina mama kodwa
asingawo amaxelegu abantu. Siyazama. Sawuzama. Sawuthetha nomfana sibuze ukuba njengoba sekunje nje
uthini yena. UThozi kuzofuneka uqonde izigwegwe uhoye umzali wakho. Akakho umntu ozokuhoyela umzali
wakho. Umntwana yena sawubona ngaye kodwa kuphelela apho. Umama ngumama wakho.”

Nothingubani: ”Ndiyabulela, ngokuba usabele xa ubizwayo. Into mna enondonwabisa kukwazi ukuba umntwana
womntwana wam uhoyekile akasokoli. Ukuba ukhula kanje uzofa emncinci. Uzobanjwa emncinci. Yiyo lonto
ndiqonde ukuba ndiyisukumele into yakhe. Abahlali bazombetha bambulale ibe ngunam nam.”

Simba: ”Umkhulise kakuhle makhulu. Unembeko, uthobekile. Ndiyathemba nyani ukuba sawuthetha into
edibanayo nabanta kwethu. For nje umntwana. Enye nenye asisayikhathakelanga.”

Nothingubani: ”Siyabulela nyana. UThixo akubusise.”

Simba: ”Asizuhlala kakhulu. Losisi sayopheka utywala, sesilibaziseke kakhulu kungoku.”

Nothingubani: ”Kulungile ke nyana. Sawuva kuwe ke.”

Simba: ”Ndizoyilungisa ngaphambili kokuba ndihambe. Bendinga phethanga nemali ke kum kodwa nantsi intwana
yokuba niqokelele izinto ezimbalwa, noba kuse Supermarket. Nezinto ezibunyamarha azoyeka ukuba igusha
zabantu lomfo.”

Nothingubani: ”Ndoyika noyiphatha! Ndagqibela nini ukubamba engaka imali!”

Uyihleke kancinci uSimba.

Simba: ”Hayike! Siyakhululeka ngoku.”

Siphumile esikhupha umakhulu. Ebengabonakali ndawo uSonwabiso. Esasitya ebetyela kuso besihlanjiwe sabekwa
phezulu komphanda.

Simba: ”Bendiba ndizombona ke lomfo ngaphambili kokuba ndihambe ndike ndithethe naye ngalento yakhe
yobusela.”

263
Nothingubani: ”Nankuya ezantsi kwegadi kwelaqhuma lidlala ibhola. Andinalo nelizwi lokukhwaza.”

Simba: ”Akukho ngxaki ma ndizoya kuye.”

Usishiyile wehla ukuya ezantsi kwegadi. Ufike waphoselwa ibhola wadlala nabo ithutyana ebamakisa. Bakhethene
noSonwabise bathi chu ukunyuka. Ebemjongele phezulu emamele into ebeyithetha emana ehleka kancinci. Indlela
ebehleka ngayo ibingathi akanazo ezingxaki anazo emncinci. Ibingathi akadlakazeli. Abantwana ebedlala nabo
bebebahle benxibe kakuhle netakkie ezintle, yena ulwimi lukhamisile. Kodwa ebenoncumo kwaye ebengavimbi.
Noba ngumphokoqo ongena nto na. Noba mhlawumbi ngumealie meal wokugqibela lowo bapheke ngawo.

Ujike ebaleka waphindela kubahlobo bakhe wabuya yedwa uSimba.

Simba: ”Bendicela ukumboleka makhulu. Ngomso kusasa, bendifuna ukuba sithi tshe edolophini ngaphambili
kokuba ndixakeke.”

Nothingubani: ”Akukho ngxaki mntwanam. Wagqibela kudala nokuya edolophini akazulala yimincili. Andiyazi noba
ndawumnxibisa ntoni.”

Simba: ”Makahlambe nje makhulu, abesikoni. Enye nenye sawuyibona ngaphambili.”

Nothingubani: ”Siyabulela mntwanam. Ndiyabulela kakhulu.”

Simba: ”Kubulela mna. Hayi ke masiqhweshe. ”

Unqwalile saxhawulana sahamba saya emotweni. Ukhwele kwicala lakhe sendiphakathi. Engekachophi nakakuhle
ndasondela kuye ndimphuza ndimanga.

Undimangalele wandibuza naye encuma kancinci.

Simba: ”Yindlela yokuxolisa ngokunditshika izolo le.”

Nomtha: ”Bendicela undixolele munhu mangu.” mntu wam.

Uncumile waphinde wandiphuza kwakhona.

Simba: ”UBukhosi ngutata.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba akamfuni umntwana uBukhosi? Akafuni nto ezomdibanisa?”

Simba: ”Unomama uBukhosi. Umama uzomthatha ahlale naye. Akazuhlala phaya lamntwana. Ndiyamvela
lamakhulu kodwa akayongxaki yam. Ingxaki yam nguSonwabise. Ngumntwana womntakwethu.”

Nomtha: ”Makamthathe nyani uBisola. Hayi! Umntwana asokole kangaka! Ayimandanga umdala ungangam
intsokolo. Cinga kengoku una12 years, kufuneka upitilize wenze imizabo. Hayi ayibobomi bomntwana. Bekufanele
ukuba wabizelwa onontlalo ntle laThozi.”

Simba: ”Akam khathalelanga tu lamntwana lowa.”

Nomtha: ”Tu. Unjani yena njengoba umntwana ephatshile!”

Simba: ”Ncncncnc ... khawume ndifounele uMluleki.”

Uyifake kwiloud speaker.

Mluleki: ”Madiba.”

Simba: ”Yho! Bhuti sinengxaki.”

264
Mluleki: ”Kwenzeke ntoni?”

Simba: ”Kuziswe umntwana kuthiwa ngoka Bukhosi.”

Mluleki: ”Hayibo!”

Simba: ”Kunjalo!”

Mluleki: ”Uthini na kum?”

Simba: ”Njengoba ndisitsho nje. Libali elide kodwa qha andifuni ukungena nzulu kuyo ngoku qha ke bensifuna
ukukuxelela.”

Mluleki: ”Uthini wena?”

Simba: ”Nguye etshaya.”

Mluleki: ”Unangaphi?”

Simba: ”Yinkwenkwana ena twelve. Akhonto intle bhuti. Uhlala nomakhulu wakhe. Zange badyole nomama
womntwana, yaba ngumwino nje kwakho isiqhamo. Kwathiwa makakhutshwe-”

Mluleki: ”Kutsho uBukhosi?”

Simba: ”Ewe. Wayengakholwa nokuba ngowakhe kuba babebathathu. Zezanto zothree sam.”

Mluleki: ”OBukhosi benza ezizinto bazibona kweziblu movie?”

Uyihlekile uSimba.

Simba: ”Andonwabanga yindlela endimfumene ngayo kangangoba ndizoyomjongela izinto etown ngomso kusasa.
Akanazo nezokuya edolophini. Ngamadlaka-dlaka. Uyagqekeza nokugqekeza emizini abe ukutya. Umakhulu wakhe
unetyala legusha abayibileyo bayotyela enxiweni.”

Ukhalise ikhwelo uMluleki.

Mluleki: ”Nam andikwazi ukuthetha ngoku, I'm in the middle of something. Kodwa kubhetele athathwe.
Sawuhlawula thina sibone ukuba umntwana wethu simenza njani. Noba uhleli nomama.”

Simba: ”Bendicinga lonto nam.”

Mluleki: ”Simba sawuthetha late. Uyayazi uBukhosi?”

Simba: ”Hayi.”

Mluleki: ”Ndizombiza xa ndikufounela azivele. Wenze kakuhle Diba.”

Simba: ”Akukho kwanto endiyenzileyo.”

Mluleki: ”Ubulise kuNomtha.”

Simba: ”Lowo ongena ebuhlanti!”

Mluleki: ”Hahahaha!”

Simba: ”Imiphanda zidrum. Oronta ngohut.”

Mluleki: ”Tltltltltltltl! Sister in law.”

265
Simba: ”Ukuba kuthethwa ngomntu othwele idombolo nanku apha.”

Mluleki: ”Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Molweni bhuti unjani?”

Mlleki: ”Siyaphila unjani wena? Kunjani ezilalini?”

Ndivele ndayihleka.

Nomtha: ”Ndenza utywala.”

Simba: ”Ebekobude ubuthongo njengoba nangoku ezofika sezibhadlile izidudu.”

Mluleki: ”Hahahahaha! Hayi maan khanyeke. Niberight!”

Simba: ”Enkosi Madiba.”

Mluleki: ”Vela bambhentsele!”

Simba: ”Hahahaha!”

266
THIRTY
Sifike kungona besandogalela igwele ezimbizeni noSimba. Umlilo ubudwadwazela ukuvutha.
Bebebathathu eziko, ingudabawo uNonzaliseko, uManci nomnye umakoti ongaphezulu kancinci apha
kum ngobudala.

Simba: ”Molweni!”

Manci: ”Simba sawunidla! Lixesha lokufika eli?! Bekumele ukuba kubase uNomtha apha hayi thina?”

Simba: ”Yho hayibo manci isi aram sabantu besawukwazi?”

Ndimgxeleshile.

Manci: ”Kuyafundwa kaloku tyhini. Uzoncedisa uNosikhokhele bathuthe igwele bagalele apha
ezimbizeni.”

Simba: ”Uzoqale utshintshe mos?”

Ndinqwalile. Undikhokhelele phambili sayongena ekamireni.

Simba: ”Nxiba into eyiblukhwe uzogquma imilenze, ufake nehoodie.”

Nomtha: ”Ngoku kushushu.”

Simba: ”Uzorhawuka uthi shuu ufuna ukuba lilady eziko. Nxiba le incinci. Ude waba uyiphethe
isunscreen?”

Nomtha: ”Ndicela undijongele kwitoiletry bag yam lomzuzu ndikhangela utight.”

Ibingaphandle kwebag yam itoiletry bag wayithatha wayigqogqa ndabe nditshintsha mna lomzuzu.

Simba: ”Nantsi.”

Undigibisele ndayinyhibhela ebusweni.

Nomtha: ”Ndiright?”

Undijongile wanqwala. Bendinxibe nerunning shoes zam ingathi ndiya egymini.

Ndiphumile ndaya eziko. Bebephembela umlilo ngoku ubuhleli uvutha. Udabawo kaSimba ebeqabe
icalamine yena.

Nonzaliseko: ”Ndak'betha Nowayilesi!”

Manci: ”Yehake uzithe tight na ntombi?!”

Nomtha: ”Akunxitywa tight xa kuphekwa umqombothi?”

Bayiqhwebule intsini.

Manci: ”Kaloku sisi awukwazi ukuxiba iblukhwe apha wena, uzoba ngumfazi walapha.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa andinguye and uSimba uthe ndinxibe wona ndingazo rhawulwa ngumlilo so andiboni
nto ewrongo xa etshilo.”

267
Manci: ”USimba yindoda mntwanam and akazi kwanto. Uzotshatela apha ube ngumfazi walapha.
Akufunekanga ukuba unxibe iblukhwe.”

Nomtha: ”Yho!”

Nditshilo nje ndazithulela. Into bendinga zukuyenza kukuyotshintsha mna. Bendingakuqondi futhi
ukuzathuza kwakhe kuba nyani 'zingaphi inkomo?'. Ebezolobola sitshate, ewe, kodwa okwangoku
bendisengu Aneni Tongai.

Sithuthe igwele ke sapheka izidudu simane sizamisa xa kugalelwa intlama. Ilanga belime nkqo, ngumlilo
ngapha. Besekuphele nencoko kum. Bebesebenza ukuqhela bona ingathi abenzi nto. Siziphakile
zakubhadla simane siyogalela ezityeni ezikhulu.

Nonzaliseko: ”Siyatyiwa ke esisidudu, ungeza nesitya ndikuphathele. Usose uphathele noSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Yhu hayi ndiyabulela mna. Andifuni ukunxila.”

Bephelile yintsini. Ingathi bendizohlekwa oko apha shame.

Nonzaliseko: ”Asizukunxilisa kaloku ngoku asikafakwa.”

Nomtha: ”Asifakangwa ntoni?”

Nonzakiseko: ”Sisidudu nje esidomu Nomtha, asizukunxilisa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizophakela uSimba qha. Andisirhalelanga mna.”

Unikine intloko yakhe udabawo kaSimba. Ndiyomthathela ibowl engenkulwanga kakhulu ndizomphakela
kuyo. Bendiyifake kwitray. Bekukho ezatrays zeplanga kwaSimba.

Manci: ”Uzohlutha kulonto ungamphatheli isitya esiya sinesiciko se enamel.”

Nomtha: ”Akatyi kakhulu uSimba uzoba right apha.”

Manci: ”Inoba kuxhomekeka kumntu anaye ke kuba uNokulunga wayemphakela kuso esa sitya uSimba.”

Huh! Ndimkrwaqule wase ezamisa enye yembiza.

Uphakile udabawo kaSimba wabe ephuma endlini ngeloxesha. Ebetshintshile senxibe ushoti ngoku
negolf T-shirt.

Manci: ”Ye Simba?!”

Simba: ”Manci?”

Manci: ”Khawu sondele ngapha Madiba.”

Ebesiya emotweni yakhe wasondela efinge intshiya kancinci.

Simba: ”Yebo?”

Manci: ”Nguwe othe kuNomtha anxibe otight?”

Simba: ”Ewe? Ikhona ingxaki?”

268
Manci: ”Hayi kaloku ndoda, akana lungelo lokunxiba iblukhwe apha asikhindele uNomtha.”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Simba: ”Akanalungelo?”

Ndimnike isidudu sakhe ngeloxesha wathatha ibowl ejonge kuManci esafinge intshiya zakhe.

Simba: ”Ndicela iswekile baby.”

Nomtha: ”Oh! Ndizok'phathela endlini.”

Ndihambe netray ndayomthathela iswekile wayigalela emana ukuva wanqwala ukugqiba kwakhe.

Nonzaliseko: ”Yibeke apho phantsi sana lam. Sizoyisebenzisa nathi.”

Simba: ”UNomtha ngumntwana Manci-”

Manci: ”Waqalisa wangumfazi womntu awusenguye umntwana. Umntwana ngumntwana kowabo,

emzini ungumama wekhaya hayi umntwana.”

Simba: ”That's the thing ke Manci. UNomtha akangomfazi wamntu apha. Ngendingqinelana nawe ukuba
bekukwaVenus apha kodwa kukwam akazuhlonipha nto kuba uyintombi, intombi inxiba isintombi. Xa
sele engumfazi elapha ekhayeni akazunxiba blukhwe. Masinga gabadeli. Andizunxibisa umntwana
wabantu ilokhwe ezinde ndingekaziwa nakowabo sibe sikwam.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Kodwa uManci ngumazala- okanye uzoba ngumazala kuNomtha njengoba ubutshilo ukuba
uzomthatha. Akazuhamba ngeblukhwe ngaphambili koMazala wakhe.”

Simba: ”OoUlatho bahamba ngoshorti nebathing suit ngaphambili komama, dabawo. Batshatile ke bona,
uNomtha yintombi nje.”

Manci: ”Sibadala thina Simba, asisoze silandele njengo Nomanyano.”

Simba: ”Uyazigugisa Manci, umama mdala kuwe ngeminyaka embalwa."

Manci: ”Ye Simba! Uyazelaphi iminyaka yamu?”

Uyihleke kancinci uSimba.

Simba: ”Sanuba strict kakhulu noba akukho sidingo nani Manci, sizobalekwa ngabafazi.
NgowaseZimbabwe kaloku lomntu, uzobona kakuhle ukuba uzorhutyuziswa apha. Nawuqinisa isandla
mhla wangumam'uMatanzima. Mxoleleni okwangoku. Sewutyile wena isidudu?”

Ndinikine intloko yam ndisinekile.

Simba: ”Ngoba? Usinekela ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Isidudu emini.”

Simba: ”Isidudu sotywala sinqabile kengoku ke ngeloxesha sikho ngalo ukhwela kuso. Noba kusebusuku
noba kusekuzeni kusa. Ina khamisa uve.”

Ndikhamisile ndasinambitha. Ebendiqwalasele ebusweni ngeloxesha. Ndinyuse amagxa am.

269
Nomtha: ”Siright. Bendiba sawubangathi yicartoon.”

Simba: ”Oh uselana necartoons wena mh?”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Ndiyazibona kaloku indlela ezinganikisi ngayo umdla xa ndizibona kwababantu bazo.”

Simba: ”Ngumqombothi lo. Unentsipho, ayingalamanzi edama enziwa ngesonka. Ina khamisa.”

Nomtha: ”Hayike khange ndithi undityise tyhini!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Uyasiphazamisa nosiphazamisa, siyasebenza apha?!”

Simba: ”Ndimnkile ke dabawo. Akhonto eniyifunayo ukuthoba unxano?”

Manci: ”Ndingayonwabela into ehlwahlwazayo mna mntanam. Original ke. Iqobelo le khokha, hayi
abaSoda-T banerhasi eninzi.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Uyandazi kemna ke. Lanto yam, undiphathele necuba. Kudala ndagqibela ukutshaya.”

Simba: ”Ndizothuma uMalik aniphathele. Awufuni nto wena Ayola?”

Ubuze kulamakoti besisebenza naye.

Ayola: ”Iright idrinki kum bhuti.”

Simba: ”Awuseli wena?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Uzothini ungaseli? Uyasela!”

Ayoke: ”Ngemini ezinkulu dabawo.”

Simba: ”Udabawo uzofuna kusele wonke ummtu.”

Manci: ”Tyhini thiza! Sibenza nje ke thina asibuqalisi tu.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Uyazi uright ukufa umntu oziselelayo-”

Simba: ”Hayibo dabawo!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Nyani! Banobugqwirha nyani ababantu bangaseliyo ndikuxelele!”

Simba: ”Tltltltltltl! Uyakwekwa Manci!”

Ndirhole amehlo ndamtsweba kwangathi kungona ndimnyumbazayo umntu.

Usudukile kum wabuya umva.

Manci: ”Mxm!”

Usishiyile uSimba wayotyela emotweni. Uvulele umculo phezulu evule amacango amabini angaphambili.

Zibhadle zonke izidudu saphaka sayozibeka emthunzini. Bekuthiwa kufuneka ziphole ngaphambili
kokuba ziyofakwa. Imbiza bezizohlanjwa ndim noAyola bona bayophumla. Kuthiwe sizihlambe kwangoko
ke zisathambise. Senze lomduntsunzo ke sijijisana nentshwela.

Ayola: ”Unangaphi?”

270
Intoni ke? Mna noAyola akhange sincokole nto ingakho ngelixesha sisebenza. Phofu khange siqalise kwa
ukuncokola ngaphandle kokucela ukugqithiselwa into ethile nam ndimnike ke. Nokuduntsuza oku
besikwenza kunye. Ukuba unguAyola bendiyive ngokubizwa. Nam uve ngokubizwa ukuba ndingubani
igama lam. Eyokuba atsibele iminyaka yam nje esidlangalaleni bendingayazi. Ngubani umntu obuzisa
ngeminyaka.

Simba: ”Ye Nomtha?! Uyazazi ezi?”

Nomtha: ”Intoni?”

Simba: ”Soul brothers? Wawuphi?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndandingeka zalwa.”

Nditsho ndimjikelezisela amehlo. Ibingase ndimgibisele nangala fayidukhwe bendiyiphethe! Wonwabe

kamnandi mna ndiyatshila apha ndibuzwa neminyaka yam. Wonwaba kanjani mna ndisebenza?!

Simba: ”Wawu ngeka zalwa nyani! Uyakwazi ukudanisa?!”

Ye bawo!

Nomtha: ”Andikwazi!”

Simba: ”Yizapha mntanam ndikufundise. Yiza ungoyiki, andilumi.”

Manci: ”Yho! Ndiyaqala uyibona! Uzozigqiba nini imbiza ezi esalibele kudanisa?!”

Bebenabe ecaleni kwendlu nodabawo kaSimba. Ndigibisele ifayidukhwe embizeni ndaya kuye.
Bendifuna nokuphumla kancinci kwezimbiza. Bekuqaqamba isinqe.

Simba: ”Ma'ehleka nje amazinyo uthotho. Ma'ethule indlathi z'gcwel'uthando kodwa ma'ebheke le
indlovu iyasithela ...”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Ushota ngamachain amenyezelayo nehempe esilk!”

Simba: ”Ne perm mntanam. Wamuhle mntanomuntu, yayintle ingane yabantu!”

Undibambe isinqe.

Simba: ”Sapha esiye isandla. Sibeke apha esinye, ubeflex ke khulula umzimba.”

Nomtha: ”Wawudanisa kanje noomama.”

Simba: ”Umamakho wawungasoze umbhaqe edanisa.”

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Umazelaphi ukuba wa-”

Simba: ”Nditsho nam. Ndandingeno danisa nomama wakho kuba ndandilinde wena.”

271
Ndinikine intloko.

Nomtha: ”Phofu andinambono kamama edanisa.”

Simba: ”Ngoba?”

Ndinyuse amagxa ndazamla. Besesiyeke noko kudanisa.

Nomtha: ”Ndidiniwe.”

Simba: ”Ngqengqa kancinci uzovuka uzigqibezele imbiza.”

Nomtha: ”Kubhetele ndiqale ngazo ndinga zingxolisisi ngoManci wakho.”

Simba: ”Ndilibele ukuxelela uba mhlawumbi anganengxaki nawe. Ucinga ukuba ukhuphe uNokulunga
emzini wakhe, ndiyabona nje indlela ebethethe ngayo ngoku bendixelela udabawo uba ndizotshata.
Uvana kakhulu noNokulunga and basathetha so umfeeda ubuxoki kuba akazuyivuma nje eyokuba ulala
noVenus. ”

Nomtha: ”Ihleli izovela nje!”

Simba: ”Andifuni ivele kwangoku nomama engekayazi and ukuba umntu uyazigqibela andizumlungisa.
Makacinge into afuna ukuyicinga azibone. Andizobe ndizithethelela mna ndizichaza. Andibatyali nto.”

Nomtha: ”Yho hayike caba ndisezonzilelwa .”

Simba: ”Abangeni ndawo. Sebebonke. Andino zihlupha ngabo mna. Lomto bacinga ukuba yiyo yiyo.
Ungabe umlungisa umntu. Ungaqaqanjelwa yintloko.”

Nomtha: ”Shuu!”

Simba: ”Ungakwazi ukupheka uwedwa? Isidudu sotywala?”

Ndimjikezisele amehlo wayihleka. Ndizinyanzele ke kuba umzimba ubungavumi. Ndiyogqibezela imbiza

ndazihlamba zasikoni. Bebezolala apha odabawo noManci kaSimba. Andiyazi noba bekukho abanye
bebezokuza na. Ndihlambile ndalala. Ndothuswe nguSimba esithi ndiyabizwa. Bendibizelwa ezazitya
zezidudu ndizihlambe. Ibingase ndizibhuqe phantsi.

Nomtha: ”Yindengane le?!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Sisidudu, ndizokwenza ihewu.”

Nomtha: ”Uyakwazi ukwenza amageu?!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Andimazi lonodolophi simphathelwe nguSimba.”

Malik: ”Hayibo dabawo! Hahaha!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Inene- uyakwazi mos ukupheka isidudu? Uzamisa isidudu usipholise usifake ngeswekile
ibeninji. Ufake isilumiso, ungandibuzi ukuba yintoni isilumiso! Senza munqu ke sona. Lisefwe kengoku
basele abantu. Kuba bakhona abazosela idrinki, bakhona abe hewu, bakhona abotywala kubekho
o'mandingagqithwa Yesu' ephambi kwakhe umntu ubetha kuye.”

272
Ndiyihlekile.

Nonzaliseko: ”Uke undiphe le lokhwe yakho xa uhambayo ndizimince ngayo edolophini ngepeyi!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Awunongena!”

Malik: ”Ngoku ungaka makhulu!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ayinambeko ke lento kaSimba! Ndingaka ndingakanani?!”

Malik: ”Inoba unxiba ko45 wena kaloku Seko's!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Niyamkhubekisa umntu Malik, ngoku ndiyipikinini.”

Malik: ”Ncncncnc.

Andiyazi ibiphekwe ngubani isophoro kodwa ibiphekiwe. Ndihlambe izitya bezimdaka ndagqiba
ndahamba ndaya ekamireni ndizotshintsha ndilale. Bendingenawo nomdla wokutya indlela bendidinwe
ngayo. Bendiwuqhelile kemna umsebenzi. Eclub bendisima ishift yam yonke, ndisehla ndinyuka. Hayi
andiyazi ngoku. Bekusuke kuqaqambe yonke indawo.

Simba: ”Yintoni?”

Ebengqengqile ebeke iphone endlebeni.

Nomtha: ”Ndizolala.”

Simba: ”Ndizokuphathela umatress.”

Nomtha: ”Ingase ndilale apha mna, ebhedini hayi phakathi kwabantu.”

Simba: ”Awuzulala wedwa apha ngoba mna kunyanzelekile ndilale kulandlu.”

Nomtha: ”Andina ngxaki nokulala ndodwa.”

Simba: ”Uphathwe zinarhmani uwedwa?”

Nomtha: ”Kubhetele xa zindiphathela phakathi kwabantu?”

Simba: ”Ungathethi nam kanjalo. Akhomntu uzolala yedwa apha, uyazilimaza nokuzilimaza ngamanye
amaxesha and- I'm not discussing this. Hello? Ja ndisathetha noNomtha. Ubundifounele? Yintoni
Nomtha? Ndijanyelwe mfondini! Nix!”

Uyifake kwiloud speaker.

Mluleki: ”Molweni? Ndikwispeaker?”

Simba: ”Ewe. Thetha kuthethwa nawe, uyeke ube uthwele umlomo ingathi yindununu yetyiphu.”

Uphelile yintsini uMluleki.

Mluleki: ”Khanimeni ngepetty fights zenu. Nomtha uyaphila?”

273
Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila enkosi, unjani wena buthi?”

Mluleki: ”Ndiyaphila nam shame ungenile ezilalini. Kaloku ubusithi ngikhona uphume emntwini.
Ungambuzi noba unjani. Ungenwe sisiGoli.”

Simba: ”Silwela nalonto nangoku. Akafuni siphume esisiGoli!”

Mluleki: ”Hahahaha!”

Simba: ”Bhuti. Ukhona uBukhosi?”

Mluleki: ”Ukhona. Andikwazanga ukuzibamba ke sendimxelele ukuba kuthiwa unomntwana

kwaMaqhwazima.”

Simba: ”Uthini? Uthini Bukhosi?”

Bukhosi: ”Ndamnike imali yokuba asikhuphe lamntwana kuba ndandinga qinisekanga nokuba ngowam.
UThozi ngumntu wabantu.”

Simba: ”Engumntu wabantu enjalo wabandakanyeka nawe. Ngaphezulu koko awuzikhuseli, ukuba
awufuni mmtwana. You didn't pull out. Ulindele ukuba lamntwana akhuphane nezisu lula nje kanjalo
ngenxa yokuba wena awuqinisekanga? Awufuni ukuba ngutata? Awufuni kumithisa umntu wabantu?!
Yet you didn't take necessary precautions! Ngoku kukho igazi lethu elisokolayo ngenxa yobubhanxa
benu. Umntwana wethu ulisela kulalali, uzamela ukuba kungalanjwa. Ubusela obu sikukhupha kubo
wena umntwana ona twelve ungena kubo ngenxa yokuba udesperate. Wena kulaminyaka istress
wawunaso kukuba itakkie ekhutshwe ngezolo uzothenga umbala onjani? Uzoya ezoo okanye kwi
amusement park. Lamntwana uyasokola.”

Bukhosi: ”Bendingayazi noba ndinomntwana kuba bendingafuni mntwana mna. Zange andixelele-”

Simba: ”Sithini kengoku kuba ukhona?”

Bukhosi: ”Andiyazi bhuti ngoba lento yokuba ngutata ...”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi kemna. Ukuba ufuna intwana yobudlelwane nam uzonyusa ikawusi. Uzonyusa nemali
kuyohlawulwa lamntwana. Ndizohlala mna kude kube kugqityiwe ndibuye naye. Uzothetha noBisola
umcele akuhoyele umntwana. Uzoyeka umntwana wakho aphile lempilo ayiphilayo?”

Bukhosi: ”Uzony* laThozi. Ndinyuka ngomso ndizobona nalentwana kuthwa yeyam. Eish!”

Simba: ”Mandihambe, ufikele kowenu ungafikeli apha kwam.”

Bukhosi: ”Sure. But andikhweli nokukhwela sendigxothwa.”

Simba: ”Andifuni mntu kwam. Wena utatakho noMkhuseli. Andinifuni kwam.”

Bukhosi: ”Bhuti singazintoni noMkhuseli kodwa asisoze siyenze lonto. Soze. Ungasifanisi noVenus.”

Simba: ”Andithathi machances. Liphandlwa kanye libona. Sawuthetha ndixakekile pha. Bhuti.”

Mluleki: ”Kulungile.”

274
Simba: ”Tshintsha, uthatha ingubo zakho uye kulandlu. UMalik uzondiphathisa umatress wakho
uzokondlala ulale. Siyevana mos?”

Nomtha: ”Ja.”

Simba: ”Singathwalelani imilomo futhi. ”

Uphumile wandishiya ndodwa. Ndiphefumile ndayokhangela inighty ebagini yam. Into ibisithi ndizolala
kuronta ke.

275
THIRTY ONE
Bendingekho kuronta. Ibinguronta lo? Ndityikitye amehlo am ndizolula.

Simba: ”Hey.”

Ebenxibe ephelele oyame ephezulu kwebhedi ecaleni kwam.

Nomtha: ”Uzondilalisa apha?”

Simba: ”Sizolala apha ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Ngoba?”

Simba: ”Ngoba ububanjwe zinarhmani kwakhona. Kwaye into eworse ngoku uyasukuma ufune
ukubaleka.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo!”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Ubutshilo ke ukuba awufuni kulala kulandlu.”

Nomtha: ”Andikhumbuli kwalonto! Ndithi ndiyaphi xa ndibuzwa?”

Simba: ”Ufuna ukubaleka kuba 'uzokufumana akuxhome phezulu'. Uzokuphindisela kulandawo. Ndicinga
ukuba nguEfe lomntu. Ubungcangcazela luloyoko.”

Nomtha: ”Andisena ntloni!”

Simba: ”Ubuyenza silapha yonke lonto, ubonwe ndim noMalik. Ndikuthathile wakuqalwa zinarhmani
kulandlu. Ubuncwina ngenye indlela.”

Nomtha: ”Andisenantloni!”

Ubingase ndikhale bawo.

Simba: ”Ndikhawuleze ndakuthatha Nomtha akukho sidingo sentloni. Bekulelwe futhi. Bothuke ngokuse
ndizame ukuvusa wabe sewukhala. Khange bave ncwina.”

Nomtha: ”Yho!”

Simba: ”Udinga uncedo. Andiyazi, ibingathi zizoziphelela ezizinto kodwa kuya kusingela. Udinga
uncedo.”

Nomtha: ”Uncedo olunjani? Awakho amanzi ndihlambe? Ndiziva ndimdaka nje!”

Undijonge kalusizana wasondela kum endiphuza usidlele.

Simba: ”Awumdakanga.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi kodwa ndiziva ndimdaka nje ukuphupha ndi- ndiyayicaphukela yonke lento Simba.
Ndifuna iphele. Akazundimoshela ubomi ngoluhlobo lamntu.”

276
Simba: ”Akasoze ayenze lonto. Sokufumanela uncedo, uzoba right. Okay. Uzoba right. Qha zezizinto
zingavele zizihambele ezi, udinga uncedo lomntu. Professional help.”

Nomtha: ”Ndidinga ukutya nokulala.”

Simba: ”Nomtha ...”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni mntu uzondenza ndibe ndithetha ngerape yam nayo yonke lanto. Andifuni ukubuyela
umva. Andifuni. Andifuni nokuyicinga nje yonke lanto. Ayizange yenzeke.”

Simba: ”Ingxaki yileyo. Kukuba yenzeka and you need to deal with it ngoba kungenjalo awusoze
uberight.”

Nomtha: ”Simba ndicela ume torho. Andifuni ukuthetha ngoEfe.”

Simba: ”Fine!”

Ebecaphuka. Usukumile ebhedini.

Simba: ”Bendi thembise uSonwabiso ukuba ndimsa edolophini namhlanje. Ndifuna siye
eHemmingsway.”

Nomtha: ”Hamba.”

Bendingayazi nalo Hemmingsway ebendixelela ngayo. Into bendiyazi kukuba nyani ebemthembisile
umntwana. Ebezophoxeka kakhulu ukuba angabanjiswa iliwa, nomakhulu uNothingubani angaphoxeka
kuba ebene mincili for umzukulwana wakhe. Bendimdinga nam kuba bendingaziva right. Bendingekho
right ncam, umntwana kodwa ebemdinga kakhulu yena.

Simba: ”Uzobaright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright, ungakhathazeki ngam. Hamba.”

Simba: ”Andizubamde kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Ungasebenzi namhlanje. Bazozihluzela bapheke, benze yonke into wena uphumle. Undifounele
xa undidinga.”

Nomtha: ”Andizukudinga. Ndizokubona xa ubuya.”

Simba: ”Besithenge necereals ke nala granola yakho uthanda ukuyikhuma. Zenzele ibreakfast uhlambe
uphumle.”

Undiphuzile wafaka iwatshi waphuma ngomnyango. Ndishiyeke ndizinika, ndicela kwesabantwana.

Kucacile ukuba ndiye ndabiwa bubuthongo ke kuba ndothuswe kukunqonqozwa emnyango lo wekamire
bendilele kuyo. Ukuba uyayazi into yokulala kubesemini! Uvuka udiniwe, udomu. Awuyazi noba
sekungomso na okanye ngobani amaxesha.

”Nqo! Nqo!”

Eish uManci kaSimba kodwa.

277
Nomtha: ”Ngena!”

Kuvuleke ucango wangena ngaphakathi.

Manci: ”Hayibo! Usalele?!”

Nomtha: ”Sendivukile ngoku.”

Manci: ”Hayi kaloku ntombi akulalwa kubesemini apha. Kusezilalini hayi edolophini.”

Bawo wam!

Nomtha: ”Ubundidinga?”

Manci: ”Ewe sidinga izandla kulandlu, akulalwa xa kusetyezwa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoqale ndihlambe kuqala. Ndibone kengoku xa ndigqibo hlamba.”

Manci: ”Ungumamni ntombam?”

Nomtha: ”Andinaso isiduko.”

Manci: ”Njani ukuba ungabinaso? Intombi yam yendele kwintlanga. NgumZulu, unaso isiduko.
Ungumntu otheni wena ongena siduko?”

Nomtha: ”Andinaso.”

Manci: ”Mhhhhh ... uhlambe ke uzoncedisa kulandlu wethu. Siyabuthanda nathi ubuthongo kwaye
sinebhedi ezinkulu nathi, kodwa ke xa kusetyenzwa umntu uyazincama.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoza ndizoncedisa xa ndivukile naxa ndigqibile ukuhlamba.”

Unqwalile waphuma. Ibingase ndimgibisele ngalaside lamp afe isiqaqa etsho ngempundu ezininzi apha.
Tyhini bawo ade azondigqogqa okungathi akavanga ukuba andikho right. Ayinoba ebengavanga qha
ngababantu badala bagezayo. Bendizomphoxa kemna ndiphinde ndibe ngumntu ongenasimilo.
Akafuneki umntu omdala okungqada mbekweni. Akacaceleki.

Ndihlambile ndondlula ndayohlala kwindlu enabantu.

Bekungekho nento bendiyenza kuba bendizityhafele wethu mna. Ukuba nje ndingasose ndizivalele
kulandlu kukho abantu. Bendingazuzinyanzela ngomsebenzi ke futhi. Bangase bandibethe ukuba
bacacile.

Ubuye emveni kwemini uSimba efika noSonwabise. Ebengemhle, engemhle bawo wam! Ebemtsha
ukusuka entla ukuyotsho ngezantsi, echetyiswe necut. Ngeloxesha besekufike ootata abadala omnye
wabo ingumyeni kaManci. Bekukho nabantu bokuhlala ke. Beswkuthungiwe kwathethwa. Abantu
abangomama bebehlala kwelicala nyani. Okomzuzwana bendicinga ukuba uSimba udlala ngam ngokuthi
omama baba necala labo notata ngokunjalo. Izitulo zonke bezikotata thina sityatyulwa ngamakhukho.

Ndisele kancinci umqombothi kodwa bendinga wuthandi. Ebengene senxibe overall yena, caba ebeqale
wayotshintsha. Iflusk kadabawo ibiseyibambe ubushushu sesombela. Bekukho abantu bebendibuza
ukuba ndingumntwana kaNokulunga noSimba na, ndingabasi kude ndithi ndingoka Venus. Bandijonge
ngamacala xa endiveza udabawo ukuba ndingumntu kaSimba waseGoli. Bothuke ke. Bebesothuka

278
ubuncinci ndiyacinga. Ibingathi intsha ngam into yokuthandana nokutshata nomntu ongaphezulu
ngeminyaka. Okungathi bayaqala ukuyibona ngam.

Uchophe phakathi komyeni kaManci nelinye ixhego, uSobwabiso esoyama kuye. Baqundene ngentloko
bencokola. Usukumile ke kwathulwa kujongwa kuye.

Simba: ”Molweni Madlomo.”

Bona: ”Ewe!”

Simba: ”Ndibulisa nakubamelwane. Ehhh sidibene apha namhlanje ngalembizana incinci, unyana wam
uNkokheli undikrwecile wathi uyanyuka kuleveki ufuna uzokwenza imbizana encinane kuba kudala
kwagqityelwa ukusilwa kowabo. Nyani ke emzini kufuneka kuhlale kusilwe, kuvulwe umzi. Ndiqonde
ukuba mandimncede nam sisose siyandisa kancinci lembizana. Kulembiza uzobika nemoto entsha
ayithengileyo. Kukho ke nezi zamagqobhoka iziselo nazo zizokutshwa kuselwe kubemnandi.
Ndiyabulela.”

Kusukume umyeni kaManci kaSimba.

Tamnci: ”Ndibhotisa kuwo wonke umntu. Uhm siyabulela Madiba. Malkia, uyindoda mntwanam. Indoda
yenza kanje ke. Umntu kubalulekile ukuba ahlale, ahlele asile, ewe. Noba yimbizana nje kuke kuditywane
kanje kubemnandi. Andimdanga, imiqala yomile emadodeni. Siyabulela maan. Siyabulela nyana.
Izinyanya zawukukhanyisela, sivuyisana nawe nangemoto. Sigugile thina, sifuna nina kanye ngezimoto
zenu nisibalekisele kogqirha singafeli ezindlini. Ndiyabulela, amade lityala.”

Kusukume omnye utata. Ebebambe umnqazi wakhe ezandleni.

”KoMadiba, oYem-yem. Amantande! Siyabulela. Siyabulela kakhulu ngosibizela nganeno xa kukho into
efana nale. Malkia, ndingqinelana notamkhulu wakho ngokuthi bubudoda obu. Izinyanya
zizokukhanyisela mntwanam. Siyabulela.”

Kuthethe nomnye emveni kwakhe, kwathungwa emveni koko. Undikhwebile uSimba ndalandela emveni
kwabo.

Bendinxibe ilokhwe ke namhlanje. Noxa ibiveza umqolo wonke ke, ibiyilokhwe. Kwaye ibindana imela
ezantsi kwamadolo.

Simba: ”Unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright. Nihambe kakuhle? Awusemhle Soso!”

Uncumile ezibhenca.

Sonwabiso: ”Enkosi.”

Simba: ”Sihambe kakuhle kakhulu. Siphantse saphuma neshop yonke nguSonwabiso. Akazazi ukuba
ufuna ntoni.”

Nomtha: ”So nathatha yonke into ekwezavenkile.”

Simba: ”Phantse. Asizuhamba namhlanje thina, sisezoke sochophe kancinci.”

279
Nomtha: ”Kulungiswe lento kaSonwabiso?”

Simba: ”Sizofuna netranfers emveni kokuba sigqibe ngentlawulo, ayofunda eRhawutini.”

Nomtha: ”Uthini yena?”

Simba: ”Uyavuma.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh. Kuzothethwa nomamakho ke ahlale naye?”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Ndiqinisekile akazuba nangxaki. Akakho umzukulwana owake wahlala naye. Wayefuna
umntwana omnye kwaba bakaUlatho baninzi qha akafuni ngabantwana bakhe. Abafuni noMluleki.”

Nomtha: ”Andithi uJunior ebehlala nabo?”

Simba: ”UJunior uye semdala komama. Ukuhlala ke kuba ebethanda ukuya khona.”

Nomtha: ”Kubhetele ke izinto xa zoyondelela.”

Simba: ”Sifuna ukuhlawula yonke into, uBukhosi phofu kuba asimhlawulela umntwana wakhe
ephangela. Imali inikwe lamakhulu wakhe abone ukuba wenzani ngayo. Sawukhupha nenkomo
yesondlo. UMluleki uzityumbile. Akhonto ndizoyenza mna.”

Nomtha: ”Umfumene wena.”

Simba: ”More like undifumene yena, akhonto ndiyenzileyo mna.”

Nomtha: ”Uyalunga xa uthanda uyazi? Xa ungabethu abantu ngamabhanti ubaqhwaba, usenza nezinye i
extra mural activities ozanzayo ezingahlambulukanga.”

Simba: ”Uyandibhoxa. Uqinisekile uright?”

Nomtha: ”Sendiright ngoku. Bendingekho right kusasa qha bendingafuni ukumosha imini yakho
noSonwabise.”

Simba: ”Baby, ngewundixelele uhambe nathi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndibe right. Besendisombela.”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Uyawusela umqombothi? Unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Andiwuthandi ncam kodwa bayawuthanda abantu bawo.”

Simba: ”Mnandi umqombothi. Uyafuna ukusela? Kukho ibhotile yerosé kulandlu. Ndiyiphathelwe
ngulasisi walamoto imhlophe, andiyazi wayendibona phi ndisela irosé mna.”

Ndibheke lemoto ebendolathisa yona.

Nomtha: ”Uyifemeli losisi?”

Simba: ”Yifriend.”

Nomtha: ”Yakho?”

280
Simba: ”Bendimazi ngomyeni wakhe, yena noNokulunga bahlobana ngalondlela. Umyeni wakhe
wasweleka ke. U- uyandithanda usisi. Mhlawumbi ngaphezulu kobuhlobo. Soloko endiphathela izinto.”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Ukuncwasile.”

Simba: ”Shhhhh! Sukuthetha ngokuncwasa ngaphambili komntwana.”

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo.

Nomtha: ”Undibuzile ke ukuba ndingumntu kaMalkia na ndathi ndingumntwana wakho.”

Simba: ”Hahahaha!”

Nomtha: ”Hayike! Udabawo wakho nanko endiveza. 'Ngumntu kaSimba kelo!”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Uright kanye udabawo tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”Emveni koko akabina ncoko nam. Besisancokola kamnandi ke.”

Simba: ”Ngelaxesha besikwi process yesohlukaniso Nokulunga ndandike ndazohlala apha ndifuna
ukupholisa ingqondo kuba ndandi stressed kakhulu.

Wayendixhasa ke, endiphathela ukutya nebeer nesiqu sakhe. Kanye kodwa!”

Nomtha: ”Hah! Akatshomenanga noNokulunga kanti? Awutsho?!”

Simba: ”Uzoxhasa umntu owrongo kengoku kuba ndiyivictim.”

Indlela ibincume ngayo nalevictim ibingathi uxelelwe ukuba iKrismesi izofika early kulonyaka.

Nomtha: ”Ndak'betha victim! Uright ke angamxhasi kodwa angazinikeli kuwe ngolohlobo bawo losisi.”

Simba: ”Sulawula abantu ngemizimba yabo.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm! Akalambana umntwana?”

Sonwabiso: ”Hayi andilambanga mna sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Umamele kanti?”

Simba: ”Azinasiciko indlebe.”

Nomtha: ”So uthi wakuxhasa lasisi?”

Uphelile yintsini.

Simba: ”Nomtha khawube ngumntu opeaceful.”

Nomtha: ”Ungowothetha ke wena!”

Uthinte umqala.

Simba: ”Sibafumene abantu bakowenu. Udabawo wakho nomyeni wakhe.”

281
Nomtha: ”Msinya kanje?”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Bahlala ePretoria. Ndithe kuMluleki aye ingekapheli leveki. Ayosa iletter. Kuleya siqalise
ngengxoxo.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Kuzokhawuleza kugqithe uphume kubo. Ingathi ngewusenza amalungiselelo omtshato

ukubuyela kwethu eGoli. Uzokunceda uLulu.”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi iyakhawuleza yonke into.”

Simba: ”Akhonto ikhawulezayo. Andikwazi ukulinda ude ubenguAneni Nomtha Matanzima ngaphambili
kokuba ubaleke nalamakhwenkwe mancinci okanye kubuye la no-name alcoholic boyfriend yakho.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake! And point of correction, ndizoba nguTongai-Matanzima.”

Simba: ”Noba kunjalo andifuni kulinda. Mandihambise uSonwabiso ndizohoya abantu aba. Awufuni
uhamba nathi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizobe ndithe ngcu ecaleni kwakho ingathi ndiyinjanana yomlungu ngoku?”

Simba: ”Ngu 'hayi' wakho lowo?”

Nomtha: ”Haha! Nguye.”

Simba: ”Hamba ke uyoncokola noK wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Awuhlekisi.”

Ebencwabeka kukuba ndiyamkhweletela. Amadoda astrange. Ibisiya ibashushu ingoma ngokuya

kuthungwa. Bekuxhentswa kusityiwa kuselwa kumnandi. Ndisele iglass ezimbini kula wine kaSimba.
Bendingekho mdleni wotywala ncam. Ndiyongqengqa ekamireni ndakudikwa kukuchopha nangabantu.

Ndithuswe nguSimba eqabela ebhedini naye.

Nomtha: ”Ufuna ntoni apha?”

Simba: ”Bendingafuni ukothusa. Ndizolala nawe. Ndibaxelele otamkhulu ngenxaki yakho, nodabawo
wandingqinela.”

Bethuna lendoda. Ndiphethukile ndamphuza. Undiphuzile naye ekhwela phezulu kwam. Uphethuke nam
ndaba ngaphezulu kwakhe wandinyusa ilokhwe esehlisa ipanty. Ebengaphozisi maseko umntu wenkosi.
Ndimncedile nam ndayikhabela le waphinde waphethuka nam. Unyuse yonke ilokhwe wayigibesela le
esondeza ubuso bakhe kobam siphuzana kwakhona. Ndimkhulule iboxe le ebesele ngayo.
Ebengazihluphanga ngepyjamas.

Simba: ”Uright?”

Ndinqwalile. Undirhabhe ngayo ngaphambili wabe sendingena. Undiphuzile ngeloxesha engekanyakazi.

Simba: ”I love you so much.”

282
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”

Simba: ”Ndinyakaze?”

Ndinqwalile. Ndimangile ndamqinisa wabe enyakaza. Ebengaxheshaga ethatha ixesha lakhe.

Bendingakholwa ukuba ndim lo! Sithi aba. Bendingafuni ukuyimosha lento.

Simba: ”Ndiyak'thanda baby. This feels so good!”

Ndiphefumlile. NguSimba. NguSimba. Ebendixelela indlela andithanda ngayo nendlela endimhle ngayo.
Indlela ebeziva kamnandi ngayo. Oko ethetha endlebeni yam nangoku sendibona ukuba sekufuphi.
Bendingeka zi mna kodwa bekungekho msebenzi. Bendivuyela nje ukuba ndingankonkanga. Uqhubile
ethetha endlebeni zam, ndiyacinga ukuba ebesenzela uba ndingalibali ukuba ndinobani. Ndingalibali
ukuba ngubani ophalathi kwam kwaye lomntu uyandithanda. Uyandikhathalela. Akathathi nto
ndingamniki yona. Uyithatha ngononophelo. Ndimve ezimbamba umzimba ndeva ubushushu ngaphathi
kwam wavungama. Undiphuze intamo walala phezulu kwam nasemveni kokuba egqibile. Siphefulela
phezulu sobabini. Bwndikhala kuba okokuqala bendingavanga okungathi ndikwelagumbi. Bendingeva
vumba lakhe nelizwi lakhe. Nezandla zakhe zindibamba.

Simba: ”Ndiyak'thanda.”

Undiphuze emlonyeni wasuka kum endiwolela kuye ndangqengqa esifubeni sakhe ndingena msebenzi
nanto.

283
THIRTY-TWO
Simba: ”Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ye-na!”

Simba: ”Hayisuka khawuvuke.”

Nomtha: ”Mh? Yintoni bendingxola?”

Simba: ”Hayi. Andinabuthongo.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ayonyani! Undivusela ukuba awuna buthongo?”

Simba: ”Uyarhona kaloku ndifuna ukulala kuqala ulale kengoku nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Uphosisela ntoni?!”

Simba: ”Uyarhona Nomtha. Uyaqala ukuyiva ngam lonto?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. And kudala ndalala nabantu.”

Simba: ”Babezokuva phi urhona xa nilalana kwi office nasezigangeni.”

Nomtha: ”Ngabe ndinguThozi. Mhlawumbi erhangeni emveni kwebar. Okanye emotweni.”

Simba: ”Sies!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

Simba: ”Erhangeni nyani?”

Nomtha: ”Mhlawumbi, asinoyazi.”

Simba: ”Wawudomu esikolweni?”

Nomtha: ”Lento?!”

Simba: ”Ndiyabuza lento wasiyeka?”

Nomtha: ”Ndandinge domanga. Ndasiyeka kuba-”

Simba: ”Abantu bayampasa ugrade twelve behlala ehome. Ngaphantsi kwemeko ezifana nezakho.”

Nomtha: ”So?”

Simba: ”Sendisitsho ukuba akukho excuse yokuyeka isikolo.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Ungaphindeli uphinde usiyeke ke njengoba uzophindela.”

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo ndaphefumlela phezulu.

Nomtha: ”Wena wangeniswa yintoni ebutsotsini?”

284
Simba: ”Ndakuxelela mna ukuba ndizithandela imali. Umsebenzi endiwenzayo unemali, ekhawulezayo
nalapha ezimalini so ndangena ke ndijoina uVenus noMluleki ukugqiba kwa idegree. Yayiyi hustle katata,
nguye umntu wayesokola wabhenela ebutsotsini ke. Thina zange sasokola. Siyiva ngembhali intsokolo.
Yimpilo esizikhethele yona le.”

Nomtha: ”Nangoku sewunethuba lokuyiyeka njengoba ungasaphangeli notata wakho okanye for utata
wakho, awusoze uyeke?”

Unikine intloko.

Simba: ”Andizuyeka. Benditshilo kuwe ukuba u9 to 5 ayonto yam. Ukuphathwa ngumntu

bendikunyamezela kuVenus nje. Futhi ke kuba engandithandi bendisonqena nokuba ukuba andimlandeli
ndimmamele angandibulala. Nomtha ukhohlakele uVenus, mna ndikhohlakele ukogqitha uMluleki and
I'm trigger happy ngamanye amaxesha kodwa uVenus akana kwantliziyo. Ulapho akhoyo namhlanje
ngeso sizathu. Akaphi mntu second chances njengoba ndandenzile kuSylvester. Sendisazi bhetele ngoku
kodwa, ndisifunde nzima isifundo sam.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa unentliziyo entle wena, ulungile.”

Simba: ”Andilunganga baby. Ndisisilwanyana, awuzundithanda ndibe right. Ndiyeke ubugebengu

ndiginye uYesu ndinxibe impahla ezimhlophe. Ubomi abuyontsomi apho kuthandwa khona ibeast ibe
yiprince. Ndiyiyo ibeast mhlawumbi kodwa awungo belle. Awuzufumana prince ngaphantsi
kwesikhumba sam. Kodwa ndizokuthanda ude uyofa. Ndizozama ukuba nantoni na endiyenzayo
ingakuchaphazeli. Umsindo wam ndizozama ukuwulawula. Yinto into edingayenza hayi ukuba ndiyeke
lempilo. Baby, ndawufela kuyo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva.”

Simba: ”Good. Awuka ndithandi nanamhlanje?”

Nomtha: ”Ngenxa yokuba undiphile ngoku ucinga ukuba ndizok'thanda?”

Simba: ”Mxm!”

Nomtha: ”Ucinga ntoni ngam uMalik?”

Simba: ”Njani uba ucinga ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Akacingi ukuba ndingunopatazane ofuna ukutya imali katatakhe?”

Simba: ”Ngubani okhathalayo? Ndimfundisile ukuba abenemali yakhe naye izotyiwa ngumntu wakhe.
Andinaxesha lokuba uziva njani ngemali zam.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”

Simba: ”Lesson number one: ungabahoyi abantu. Nakancinane nje. Ngokucacileyo bazoba nento
yokuthetha kuba umncinci kum. And abazuba nento yokuthetha kum kodwa izoba kuwe ingxaki yabo.
Okungathi awutyi mali yomntu ongafuni ityiwe. Uba uzikhethele ubomi be unapologetic ngabo.
Ungathandisi mntu. Ungakhangelani no ewe wamntu kuba abantu aboneli. Bazothatha apha bathathe
phaya ngaphambili kokuba uqonde sewuligobho- gobho lomntu. ”

285
Nomtha: ”Okay Oprah Winfrey.”

Simba: ”Ndikuxelela ngomntu omnyama mna. Akanadanki.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Yehake. Kodwa ngamanye amaxesha, ndiyalibala ukuba unaleminyaka yakho-”

Simba: ”Kuba ndimhle?”

Nomtha: ”Kuba umhle ewe. Hahaha! Ulixhego elismart, nendevu zakho ezimhlophe.”

Simba: ”Kudala ndakuthanda wena, intonayo yayiluthando olwahlukileyo ngoko.”

Nomtha: ”Wawundithanda phi?”

Simba: ”Ndandikuthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Strange thing yazi. Bendike nento xa ndikujonga, kwangathi andiqali kukubona. Amehlo akho
ndandike ndawabona ngaphambili. Andiyazi. Inoba ndiyaphambana.”

Uthule ixesha elide endiqwalasele.

Simba: ”Mhhhh.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni undijonge kanjalo?”

Simba: ”Ndikujonge njani?”

Nomtha: ”Okungathi ikhona into ofuna ukuyithetha kodwa awufuni? Ukubone?”

Simba: ”Mhlawumbi ikhona.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyozela mna.”

Simba: ”Ndilinde ndilale kuqala. Andisoze ndilale sewulele.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo hayi. Undincede.”

Uyihlekile ndaphethuka ndimzela ngomva.

Baqoshelise izinto ngengomso. Bebusekhona utywala kodwa bungekho buninzi kangako, bebuleqile
abantu. Ndincedise ngokupheka ilunch. Bendipheka kamnandi ke mna ndingakugxabhisi ukutya.
Njengabanye abantu.

Bendithwele ihat kuba kukho notata bakwaMatanzima. Obawozala bam bangomso mntakabawo. Noba
bendinxibe ilokhwe ema entla kwamadolo ke bekungenani.

Kugqityezelwe utywala ke kuncokolwa. Ndijonge uSimba ngeoveralls ezi grey nehat yakhe emadolweni
kuba 'indoda ayothwali endlini'. Ebencokola nomnye wotamkhulu bakhe beserious bejongene ebusweni.
Bendicinga indlela ebendibamba ngayo izolo. Indlela ebenesineke ngayo, nezinto ebezisebeza endlebeni
yam. Ivumba lakhe, ukuqina nokomelela kwakhe. Lamehlo akhe abamancinci ngakumbi xa sisenza izinto
zakwigadi yase Eden. Noba intliziyo yam ibingekafiki apho kodwa umzimba ubu there. Unono ebefuna
icontact twenty four seven. Temperature ikulamaqondo aphezulu. Bendithanda nentliziyo yakhe, indlela
angutata ngayo - angumzali ngayo. Bendingaba nguAlutha ndibakhiqize omnye emveni komnye.
Ndibonile ebantwananeni bakhe, ndibonile kuSonwabiso. Bendiyibona kumntakwabo noSiyanda kunye

286
noLulu. Isihleko sakhe esimnandi. Ibongase ndimonwabise qho kuba bawo ebegevezelisa amadolo am
ngolancumo nalantsini. Kodwa bekukho noBoss. Ja ... bendiqaqanjelwa zizidlele ndakumcinga. Ebekhona
yena kodwa ibingase ndingabikho gumbini elinye naye. Into ke kukuba ebengekudala. Uthi unoSimba
uqhwanyaze sewukwi WWI. Undijongile wanyusa ishiya ndancuma ndilahlisa. Bheqiywane. Bathini
kanene abelungu xa beyikhumtsha lento yabo? 'There's a thin love between love and hate' bekumaxa
ndiphi kanene mna? Bendingekho apha ndingekho phaya. Kodwa kukho intetho nokuba sesiphakathini
futhi. Bendizama ukuqonda ukuba leliphi icala bendizowela kulo ndifele kulo. Uphinde wandijonga
kwakhona wafinga itshiya. Ndimncumele qha wancuma naye.

Umnkile uMalkia kusasa ngalaMvulo yena kuba ebengafani naba mahlalela besithi. Bamnkile odabawo
baphindela emizini yabo. Ndonwabe ukufa ndizoshiyeka nomntu wam. Sileli kwangethuba ke sothuswa
ngumntu onqonqozayo ngaphambili. Uyovula uSimba akaphinda wabuyeka ekamireni. Ndiphindele
ebuthongweni ndothuswa nguye senuka kamnandi esithi baya ngaphesheya noBukhosi. Kucacile ukuba
nguye lo obesinqonqozela. Bamnkile ke ndavuma emveni kwemini mna ndacoca indlu. Bendingena
ngxaki nokusebenza kuba umsebenzi wasendlini ubusenziwa ndim kakade eCenturion. Ndiphekile ke
bazobuya batye. Bebeshiye imoto caba kumnkiwe ngekaSimba.

Simba: ”Molweni!”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan! Undothusa!”

Simba: ”Askies.”

Ndichole lento bendiyiwise phantsi. Ebendifungele intshiya.

Simba: ”Askies baby.”

Utshilo akufika kufuphi nam ndanqwala. Ndimphuzile kuba ebesesondeza ubuso kum.

Simba: ”Uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright. Kutheni ubuza?”

Simba: ”Ndibuza empilweni nam. Kutheni umana ujonga emnyango, ingathi kuzongena bani?”

Ndimjongile.

Nomtha: ”Ndi anxious qha. Ndiright.”

Simba: ”Ndim nawe noBukhosi apha baby.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi. Nihambe njani?”

Uphefumlile wakrwaqula emnyango.

Simba: ”Size naye uSonwabise, umakhulu wakhe uleli akavuka. Use mortuary ngoku. Ifamily yabo
uphumile kumngxunya bebekuwo ixesha eli lonke besokola nomntwana. Kugcwele nje kularonta
sisiphithi-phithi.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan Simba. Uthini na kum?!”

287
Simba: ”Imagine kengoku ukuba ebesweleke enomntwana qha. Kube lithamsanqa nje ukuba ebekhona
uThozi wabhanqwa nguye. Akusaziwa noba ziphi ezimpahla esizithenga ngoku! Zezi azinxibileyo qha.”

Nomtha: ”Njani?”

Simba: ”Ndazelaphi? Ukuba ebenga mqhwabanga kuqala uBukhosi ngendimqhwabe mna kuqala
laThoziwe. Ukuba akazuzithengisa uzazi yedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Kakade uyazazi, uncede amqhwabe aphambane uBukhosi. Kodwa uba ubuke wamqhaba
ngoku kwakho avuke phantsi.”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Simba: ”Hayi maan!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Yho hayi shame uNothingubani kodwa!”

Simba: ”Inoba setshatyiswa nayinto yokwazi ukuba umzukulwana wakhe akazusokola. Kudala wasokola
lamama uright aphumle. Ebengenayo neID.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan! Suba insensitive.”

Simba: ”Kodwa nyani uphumle ke. Nalemali yentlawulo ebezoyirhwaphiliza iphele laThozi kuba
ebezoyidihla phi? Ngaphantsi komqamelelo?”

Nomtha: ”Ebezoyitya nyani aqhubeke aswele umakhulu. Kodwa umphefumlo womntu?”

Simba: ”Mdala lamntu.”

Nomtha: ”Oh oSimba. Nizoyeka kengoku ukuhlawula?”

Simba: ”Sihlawula ntoni bezotya imali yomntwana abangamondlanga? UBukhosi uthe uzokwakha ilitye
ke kuba bahleli bezopatanisa for isigcwabo kuba akanambutho. Imali yenkomo yesondlo sesiyishiyile.
Baby, asingo Bill Gates. Ingxaki yethu ngumntwana wethu, esinamandla kwako koku esikwenzileyo. ”

Nomtha: ”Umntwana kufuneka aye kodwa emngcwabeni.”

Simba: ”Sisezohlala ke kuba uBukhosi kufuneka aphindele emsebenzini.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho apho singxamele khona kodwa. Andikholwa ukuba umenzela yonke lomntu
umntakwenu emveni kokuba uphantse wambulala ngevase. Okanye unesazela sokuba umtshana wakho
uphantse akabina tata.”

Simba: ”Ayingobatshana abantwana babantakwethu. Ngabantwana bam.”

Nomtha: ”Umtshana uzomfumana kuMalkia.”

Simba: ”Sundikhumbuza.”

Bukhosi: ”Dumelang.”

Nomtha: ”Molweni! USonwabiso Maqhwazima!”

288
Uncumile. Uzondixhawula uBukhosi wabuza impilo. Ndiphakile kwatyiwa. Bamnkile ke ngokuhlwa.
Umnke ngengomso uBukhosi washiyeka nathi uSonwabiso. Simnke emveni kwesingcwabo. Ilitye
belingelikhulwanga lomhlobo kodwa lilihle. Siphindele eRhawutini ukuphuma nje kwethu kuso.
Ebesedikwe finish zilali uSimba. Bendingu mama ke kuSonwabiso, uSimba andiyazi umyekisele ntoni
ukuthi sisi. Bendimhoya ixesha eli lonke sisekhayeni. Ebengengo mntwana ohluphayo. Ebesefumene
netshomi zokudlala ibhola. Utamkhulu wakhe ebesithi ugood ukufa ebholeni, sembiza ngoMessi.
Ebeqhela msinya. NoSimba bebevana kakhulu.

Simba: ”Good morning, ndivuke ungekho ebhedini.”

Nomtha: ”And then?”

Simba: ”Hayibo Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiqhele ukuvuka ungekho mna kuqala kodwa awusoze undive ndikhalaza.”

Simba: ”Eleke kusisa, uyayophula intliziyo yam.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Good morning munhu wangu.”

Undiphuzile wayolayika iketile.

Simba: ”Ndivuswa nguJunior uthi uza apha.”

Nomtha: ”Ebengekho rehab na?”

Simba: ”Uphumile. Uthi uziva eright and landawo is depressing him. Uphume kuleveki iphelileyo,
uphumele kutatakhe.”

Nomtha: ”KuVenus?”

Simba: ”Ebehleli ehlala khona kakade, anagaphandle koko umzi uyathengiswa ngoku so ukuba akayo
eKyalami uzohlala eMeadowlands.”

Nomtha: ”Utata wakho wabanjani kodwa?! Akasamfaki kwi apartment noba kuse Braam umama
wabantwana bakhe? Usuka kwisuburbs waya straight elokishini!”

Simba: ”Ndikuxelele ukuba utata akanantliziyo. Uzozibona yena, yena uzohoya abantwana bakhe qha
but kuba senomntwana komnye umntu akazumfuna. Mhlawubi emveni kwethuba, kodwa ngoku
akamsebenzisi. UJunior ufuna ukwazana notata wakhe hayi utamkhulu so yilonto empha ichance
utatakhe. Inoba uzotsho ayeke ukunxila. And undibiza ngobhuti ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ungafihli eza wine ke nebeer zakho?”

Simba: ”Ukuba uzimisele ukuyeka uzoyeka. Asizufihla tywala bethu thina kuba ekugqibeleni uzohendeka
everywhere. Makafunde iself control.”

Nomtha: ”Phofu. Nonyana wakho uyahamba namhlanje.”

Simba: ”Kuzoba sisithukuthezi kengoku apha engekho uSonwabiso. Kumnandi ukuba nomntu
wokunqanda nathi asixabani kangako.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake mxabano!”

289
Simba: ”Hayi ndiyamfuna mna unyana Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Yhu khawume!”

Simba: ”Simdinga nyani umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Swwumane sithatha uSoso ngeweekends ukuba umfuna kangako umntu ozosiphathisa
ngentloko.”

Simba: ”Sawumane simboleka, kodwa ndifuna owam opermanent.”

Nomtha: ”Heh!”

Simba: ”Ndiyaguga, izobe ingavuki nokuvuka.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinombono, umane usithi yidlalise!”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Not mna!”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Simba: ”Awufuni ukuphinda uzame kwakhona?”

Nomtha: ”Intoni ke?”

Simba: ”Enye iround, okanye ezimbini.”

Nomtha: ”You want me in the khukho?”

Uphelile yintsini.

Simba: ”I want you in the kukho, baby.”

Ndimncumele nje. Sitye ibreakfast sobathathu noSonwabiso.

Simba: ”Khawuyovula emnyango.”

Nomtha: ”Sefikile?”

Unqwalile. Ebejonge iphone yakhe. Ndisukumile ndayovula umnyango ndoma.

Simba: ”Akangeni lomntu?!”

Ebethetha esiza kufuphi caba uyiyekile lephone ebeyicofa.

Junior: ”Ufuna ntoni apha Nomtha?!”

Nomtha: ”King! Wathi kum unguKing?!”

Junior: ”Ufuna ntoni apha? Ufuna ntoni apha uNomtha?”

Ebeqinise ubuso emveni kwam uSimba. Okanye ndithi uBoss? Kuba ebengengoSimba wam tu lo. Utase
izandla zakhe.

Simba: ”UnguKing xa bekuqale kwathini Junior?”

290
Junior: ”Ndizibiza njalo estratweni.”

Nomtha: ”Estratweni? Ubulala ebhedini yam, ulala nam! Andilazi negama lakho?! Are you for real?
Ndithanda umntu andilazi negama lakhe.”

Junior: ”Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Sundibamba.”

Utase izandla zakhe naye endijonga ndinyembezana emnyango. Bendivuya ukumbona, ukubona ukuba
ukhuselekile, nokuba akafelanga kulaJozi kodwa Wtf?! UnguJunior?! Unyana kaSimba? Umntakwabo
ngoku kodwa Wtf?!

291
THIRTY-THREE
Bendinga yikholwa kele into. Bendinga yikholwa tu. Yiminyaka emingaphi ndisazana noKing? Mingaphi?
Ndimnyamezela nobuphara-phara, nobunxila bakhe. Ndibambelela kwizithembiso zokuba uzozilungisa
anditshate kodwa into bendiyazi ngaye 'ligama lases'tratweni' wow. Wow!

Ndibambelele ocangweni kuba bekungathi ndingavele ndiwe nangawuphi na umzuzu. Bendidinga

ukuxhaswa. Ebeyekelele ubuso emnyango endijingile aphinde ajonge utata wakhe emveni kwam.

Nomtha: ”Wawuyile eflatini yam?”

Uvale amehlo kancinci ephefumla wazosula ubuso enqwala. Ndizibambe isifuba kuba bendiyiva
ityumnka intliziyo yam.

Nomtha: ”Kwathini kuwe xa ubona kunjeya?”

Junior: ”UEfe wathi-”

Nomtha: ”Ungandixeleli ngokuba uEfe wathi! Ndifuna undixelele ukuba kwathini emveni kokuba ubone
iflat yam injeya? Ikhona into owayenzayo ukuqonda ukuba kwenzeke ntoni? Ndiphi? Kutheni kugcwele
igazi eroomini yam mna ndingabonakali ndawo?! Huh?”

Junior: ”Waqonda ukuba uzodyola notatam kengoku?”

Ebenesibindi sokuba buhlungu. Ebenesibindi sokuyengezelisa inyembezi. Bendifuna okuninzi kuye

ngalamzuzu. Bendimthanda. Ndandisendi kruqukile yimikhwa yakhe kunye nobusela bakhe,
nezithembiso angazifezekisi kodwa bendimthanda kwaye bendimkhathalele. Bendifuna kube kanti naye
ebenentwana yenkathalo ngakum. Ukuba utywala nesitrato zange sibabuleke ukogqitha mna. Ukuba
kukhona into wayenza ukwazi ukuba kwenzeke ntoni kum nokuba ndiphi. Azidine ngokhuseleko lwam
njengoba ndandizidina ngolwakhe. Bendifuna ukuba andixelele uba waya emapoliseni wayophanda
ngokuduka kwam. Noxa bendiyazi entliziyweni yentliziyo zam ukuba ubomi bakhe baqhubeka kamnandi
kalula nje. Bendibona ebusweni nasemehlweni ukuba impendulo yemibuzo yam nguhayi. Utywala
bubaluleke ukogqitha mna. Ebenga ndikhathalelanga ngendlela bendilindele ukuba undikhathelele
ngayo. Ngendlela ebelilisela ngayo.

Mna mntu ebezoyeka utywala ngenxa yam andi'sorte'. Sitshate. Mna. Bendingazi negama lakhe
lamanyani.

Nomtha: ”Andazi negama lakho lokwenyani! Emveni kwento yonke endikuxelele yona ngam kunzima
nokundixelela negama eli lakho?!”

Uqinise imihlathi wajonga emveni kwam. Bendisabuva ubukho bukaSimba noxa ebenganyakazi
engathethi nokuthetha. Bendimva ephefumla.

Undijongile.

Junior: ”Bendikuthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Wathini kengoku emveni kokuba ubone iroom yomntu omthandayo injeya? Uyile
emapoliseni?”

292
Junior: ”Ndabuza kuEf-”

Nomtha: ”Sundixelela ngoEfe! Sukulinge! Andithethi ngaEfe mna ndithetha ngawe.”

Junior: ”Ndaphinde ndaya ngosuku okulandeyo ndafika ungekho.”

Nomtha: ”Wathini Junior?!”

Junior: ”Nomtha bendingenoya emapoliseni ngento engaphelelanga. Bendingayazi ukuba ndicinge ntoni
okay? Bendicinga nokuba ngalamadoda wawulala nawo, mhlawumbi ubene clatch-”

Nomtha: ”Junior, ubundithanda kodwa?”

Ujonge emveni kwam waginya ingwiqi. Ndive izihlangu zikaSimba. Ziyotshona. Khange ndibheke
nokubheka ukuba uye ngakweliphi icala.

Ujonge kum uJunior wosula inyembezi.

Junior: ”Ubungandithandi wena. Ulala namanye amadoda unam. Ungabina xesha lokuba ndizoziva
kanjani ngalonto. Bendiyi project nje kuwe kuba ubungenaye omnye umntu. Amadoda uyawa user
uwalaxaze. Ndim ndodwa umntu ubungazuzi nto kuye. Jonga ngoku ulala nomntu nonyana wakhe. Into
ebalulekileyo kuwe yimali. Oko kwakubaluleke imali kuwe.”

Nomtha: ”USimba akangotata wakho!”

Undirholele amehlo okungathi umangazwe nakukuba ndiyayazi ukuba akangotata wakhe uSimba.

Nomtha: ”Kumnandi kuwe ukuthi ndikhonze imali xa ndizizamela kuba usuka ebutyebini. Yonke into
uyayenzelwa into obuyikhathalele nobuyixabisile butywala nesitrato. Mna bendizama ukuphila
nangayiphi na indlela ebendinokwazi ngayo. Andizuzisola nakancinci ngalonto. Only I have to live with
the concequences zezigqibo zam. Mna! Ikhona into ubundinceda ngayo?”

Junior: ”Yiyo kanye lento endiyitshoyo, awuthandani nomntu kuba umthanda. Uthandana naye kuba
ufuna ukuzuza into kwaye ayilothando olo. Kwa ukundivuma kwakho kukubona ndithenga utywala
obuduru ndinxibe kakuhle hayi ukuba wawufuna ukwazi mna. Ukuba wawufuna ukundazi ngewulazi
igama nefani yam.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ndikhonze imali ngohlobo otsho ngalo yintoni into owake wandenzela yona wena?
Zange ndikuncekelele undirhunta usiba uthengise kwa izinto zam endizizamelayo?

Uphinde kwawena uzotya lemali ndiyifumana ngokwehlisa ipanty ndiyithobela enye indoda wakugqiba
nawe ufune igame yakho kwalapha kum?! Unditye esiqwini uphinde unditye imali! Ndikuphiphe
uphalaza kwam. Ndikunike indawo yokuhlala kwam! Kwindawo ebhatalwa ndim! Ngemali yam!
Uzondixelela lento undixelela yona. F*ck you!”

Undibambe ingalo ndisaphethuka ndema.

Junior: ”Into bendiyidinga kuwe kukuba undithembe ukuba ndizobaright ndibe yinto oyidingayo.
Bendinyamezela ulala namanye amadoda ndikhona kodwa bendikuxelela qho ukuba uphume kulampilo.
Bendidinga ube nomonde.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuzondixelela ngeliphi ixesha igama lakho? Nokuba ungubani?”

293
Junior: ”Bendinomsindo ngelaxesha. Bendiyicaphukela ifamily yam, ndingafuni kwanto endidibanisa
nabo. Ndifuna ukuba ngomnye umntu. Yilonto ndibe nguKing. Ayithethi lonto ukuba andikuthandi xa
ndinga kwazisi igama lam. Nomtha ... you were the only thing that made sense ebomini bam. Ndayibona
iroom yakho ewe kodwa ndandinomsindo kuba ndicinga ukuva uzifake wena kulameko ngenxa
yokuthanda imali. UEfe wandixelela ukuba ubethwe yindoda yakho wahamba nayo. Ndamkholwa.
Ndabuyela nzulu ekushusheni kuba ekugqibeleni bendikukhathalele.”

Ndizosule ubuso bam.

Junior: ”Uyamazi yena lomntu uzifake kuye?”

Ndimfingele intshiya. Angakulinge. Urhole amehlo akhe wazigquma ubuso ngesandla.

Junior: ”Nguwe lomntu ekuthiwa uzotshata notata?!”

Ndimjonge nje andamphendula.

Junior: ”Wow! Nomtha suyenza lonto. Buyela kum. Ndiyakuthanda. Uyamthanda kona ukumthanda
oku? Okanye ufuna imali? Ndizokunika imali. Nam ndinayo imali, utatam unemali. Akunyanzelekanga
ukuba uzitshatise ngenxa yokuba ufuna imali. Kuba awumthandi, ufana namanye amadoda
owasebezisayo uwalaxaze kodwa awumazi wena uSimba. Akafani noAyo. Uyingozi uSimba Nomtha-”

Ujonge emveni kwam waphinda wandijonga.

Junior: ”Sawuhamba apha. Ndizofumana umsebenzi noba kuseKapa okanye eDurban.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni kuye Kapa nase Durban mna.”

Junior: ”Noba kuphi sizoya. Silibale yiyo yonke into siqale kwislate esitsha mna nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Junior, ndizotshata nobhuti wakho.”

Junior: ”Awukatshati naye and usebungozini xa unobhuti. Utata akonwabamga tu ngaye ngoku kwaye
angenza nantoni, angambulala nokumbulala. Okanye yinto oyifunayo leyo? Ukuba afe uzofumana amafa
abantwana basekhaya nakamama?”

Nomtha: ”Junior-”

Junior: ”Ntwana ng'yak'ncanywa. Ngiyak'fatela. Lomntu lo akanguye lomntu ocinga ukuba nguye
Nomtha. Uyingozi. Ndiyamazi undikhulisile. Yena noVenus banje. Ngababulali. Uzolala kanjani ebusuku
ecaleni komntu onjalo? Huh? Uabusive uSimba, ubuze kumama. Mhlawumbi nesizathu sokuba umama
amdyolele yila abuse wayinyamezelayo kuSimba. Ngubani olaxaza umfazi wakhe kanje? Angamniki
nepeni emdaka? Umfazi wakhe weminyaka engaka? Umama wabantwana bakhe? Nokuba seluthiwa
uziva emone kengakanani kodwa ukumphindisela eLokshini. Alale ebackroom yakowabo kuba indlu
igcwele! Yimpilo ephilwa ngunkosikazi womntu onemali njengoSimba leyo? Kumnandi kuwe ucinga
ukuba akuzukwenzeka the same thing? Umama ngesizathu sokuba udyolile fine kodwa nawe
uzokhutshwa ngesinye. After iabuse, sexually and physically. Akhonto inormal ngokuthandana nomntu
olungana nelast born yakho. Uyayidabulisha iminyaka yakho lomntu. Ungutata wakho kodwa unesibindi
sokwehlisa ipanty kuba desperate. Uzokutshata akwenze isigqila sakhe se sex ne abuse. You will be
miserable ubomi bakho bonke engekho apha iinyanga. Yimpilo oyifunayo leyo? ”

294
Ndive kumbhakrazwa ucango, ebesakamireni caba.

Simba: ”Ubungezanga kum Junior?”

Ubhekele kum uJunior wandikhulula ingalo yam le ebeyibambile.

Junior: ”Ndiyamazi uNomtha.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabuza ubungezanga kum na?”

Unqwalile uJunior wangena ngaphakathi endishiya ndimi ndodwa emnyango ndizama ukuphefumla.
Ndimana ndizifaka nam ezintweni. Uyayibona le bendikuyo into bendingayazi. Bendingayazi tu
kwaphela. Ndiphumele ngaphandle ndiyobethwa ngumoya kuba bendiwudinga. Bendidinga nje
ukuphefumla.

Andiyazi ndihleli imizuzu emingaphi ngaphandle ndizula-zula nje kungekho apho ndiyakhona. Ndicinga.
Indlela ibiphixene ngayo ingqondo yam bekunzima nokokucinga.

Ndiphindele ngaphakathi bephuma nempahla zikaSonwabise. Wayethengelwe ezinye impahla nguSimba

kodwa zingenintsanga kakhulu.

Nomtha: ”Sewuhamba?!”

Uncumile.

Sonwabise: ”Ja ndiyahamba.”

Nomtha: ”Unganqabi ke uyeva? Umane uzosibona notamkhulu wakho.”

Sonwabise: ”Andizunqaba.”

Nomtha: ”Okay ke boy. Akhonto uyishiyileyo?”

Unikine intloko yakhe. Ndinqwalile. Ebenga ndijongi nasemehlweni uSimba engathethi nokuthetha.
UJunior ebesenamehlo abomvu krwee ngoku. Ebengenjenganga ngelixesha ebengena ngaphakathi ke.
Ndimnyusele ishiya wafixiza waphuma. Uyongena emotweni yakhe waphuma wahamba.

Simba: ”Ndisahambisa umntwana.”

Utsho engandijonganga nangoku, urhuqe ibag wayophuma emnyango wayilayisha emotweni wangena
ngaphakathi wahamba naye. Ndime kulandawo ndade ndalibala. Bendizigqibele ngoko engena
emotweni.

Ndiphindele ngaphakathi ndahlamba izitya besityele kuzo nezinye besikwi sink ndaziphindisela
ngendawo zazo. Ndicocile kwasikoni kubetha umoya. Bekusuke kwathi cwaka njengoba ebengekho
uSonwabiso. NoSimba lowo nakakade.

Bendingacingi ukuba uSimba uzofuna ukumsa ngoku kwakhe umntwana ngenxa kaVenus. Bendiba
uzozolandwa ngutata wakhe amse ngoku kwakhe.

Kukhale iphone yam ndayiphendula.

Luleka: ”Hi sthandwa, uright?”

295
Nomtha: ”Ndiright unjani wena?”

Luleka: ”Ndiyaphila nam. Uzoba free nini siphume for ilunch? thina sobabini nje.”

Nomtha: ”Yhu! Andiyazi Lulu, ndizobuyeka kuwe ngosuku.”

Luleka: ”Okay sthandwa, siyanikhumbula wethu nomyeni wakho nibuye necwaka.”

Nomtha: ”Sikhona sisi qha sisaxakekile.”

Luleka: ”USiyanda uthi uzolotyolwa soon, congratulations wethu! Enye into ndifuna undibalisele ukuba
ubhayize wenza njani ekhayeni and ingase ndikubheke emehlweni xa undibalisela.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Ufuna ukundihleka ebusweni bam?!”

Luleka: ”Ewe tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokufounela.”

Luleka: ”Uright Nomtha? Ingathi unomoya ophantsi.”

Ndimgcangcazelise indebe zomlomo kodwa ndazibamba ndingakhali tu.

Nomtha: ”Ndidiniwe, sileli late izolo ndavuka kwakusasa.”

Luleka: ”Uzitrafela ntoni na ntombi ungaphindeli ebhedini nje?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizolala ngoku. Ndidinwe nyani.”

Luleka: ”Phumla ke sisi. Ndizova ngawe ke malunga nelunch date. Ungandilindisi kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Soze.”

Ndiyidrophile ndaqhwanya- qhwanyaza.

Ndibone kubhetele ndiyolala nyani ndizophumza nengqondo le. Buze kade ubuthongo kodwa ndide
ndalala.

Ndithuke kummyama tshu ekamireni ndajonga ixesha yabe ingopast 2AM. Ebengekho ecaleni kwam
uSimba. Ndiyive isithi xhiwu intliziyo yam. Ndisukumile ndamjonga ebathroom kuqala. Andiyazi
bendicinga ukuba inoba wenzani ebathroom ngelaxesha.

Ndiyikroba kwenye ikamire kwabe kubetha ibhungane nakhona.

Ndimncamile ndizixelela ukuba akabuyanga endlini. Ulele ngaphandle.

Bendizo mfounela ukubuyela kwam ekamireni. Intliziyo yam ibibuhlungu, bendingaboni nto elalisa
ngaphandle kwendlu. Ndandimxelele ukuba ndinomntu, ayilotyala lam ukuba lomntu kube kanti
ngunyana wakhe. Okanye umntakwabo. Umhlaba mncinci kucacile kodwa awenziwanga ndim.
Akazutyhola mna ngempazamo zikaThixo. Kwalento yokuba utatakhe esazana nowam kubonisa kona
oko ukuba umhlaba awumkhulwanga ngoluhlobo sicinga ngalo. Ndithini?! Ebithwalisa umlomo imlalise
ngaphandle ibingekho.

296
Ndothukile ukubona umntu esofeni. Ebechophe ngempundu kwi one seater ethobe intloko okungathi
uyathandaza. Ebesebuthongweni kodwa kuba eberhona kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Simba!”

Uxhumile wema ngenyawo ngokukhawuleza wabamba isinqe. Uphefumle wakubona ukuba ndim.
Andiyazi noba ebecinga ukuba kuzobakho uSteven Segal na apha endlini kuba besihlala sobabini qha.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni walala esofeni?”

Simba: ”Bendibukele itivi.”

Ndijonge lativi imnyama tshu naye wayijonga. Iremote ibikulandawo bendiyibeke kuyo ukucima kwam
itivi ngaphambili kokuba ndiyocambalala. Ndimyekile andambuza nto ngobixoki bakhe. Ndiye ekhitshini
ndabeka amanzi.

Nomtha: ”Ndikwenzele ikofu?”

Simba: ”Itea.”

Ndinqwalile ndagalela izinto ezigalelwayo, namanzi akubila ndayomnika eyakhe ndimbekele kwitray
ndafaka nescones.

Ubulele wangena kuzo eziphanga elumela ngetea.

Nomtha: ”Awutshongo ukuba uzobuya late.”

Unyuse amagxa akhe umlomo ugcwele.

Sihleli phaya siphunga sisitya. Ngepast 2AM amaxesha. Khange ndiphinde ndithethe okanye ndimbuze
nto kwaye bekukhangeleka eright ngalonto kuba uzityele wagqiba wabeka kwi coffee table wayongena
ekamireni. Undiphuze ibunzi kuqala. Isiqhelo. Ndishiyeke ndigqibezela eyam ndicinga ukuba
ndawububhaqa kade ubuthongo ngoku.

297
THIRTY-FOUR
Technology. Ndiyafunga ukuba ubuthongo bundifumene elounge kuba andizikhumbuli ndisukuma
kodwa ndothuke ndisebhedini. Eyokuba ndingabiseva naxa ndiqutyulwayo ibindibhida. Bendawubiwa
ndothuke eDubai ngenye imini. Bendikhululwe nokukhulilulwa. Bendihamba ngepeyinti qha ngentla
ndingaze. Ndiphefumile ndakucinga indlela izinto ezingayo mva nje. Hayi na mva nje kodwa ukusukela
izolo. Juniya!

Bekungona kukhanya ngoku ukuba mna noSimba sasithetha ngomtu omnye ixesha eli lonke. Ukuba
wayendixelele igama lakhe lokwenyani uKing ngendazi kudala ukuba nguye lo. Bendawu kwazelaphi
mna ukuba uKing ngunyana kaSimba. Bebaninzi kanje oskhotheni nonontyintyi kulaJoburg! Bekungekho
sezilalini zoSimba apho ubuzisa ngomntu ube sewumazi. Besisedopophini apha, nakwidolophu enkulu.
Ewe bebengamanxila bobabini. Kodwa bekuphelele apho. Bendingazi ukuba ngumntwana kabani,
bangaphi kowabo, uhlala nabani kula Kyalami wayesithi uhlala kuyo. Ebengafani nakangako noSimba
kuba ukumbona kwam, ndibone nabantwana bakhe bendingeno ngafanisi. Ebethathe uNokulunga
kancinci kodwa naye engestrongwanga kuye. Kuphela komntwana ebengafani noVenus yena.

Bendifuna ukwazi ukuba uSimba ucinga ntoni? Bendicaphukela nalento ebendivalela ngaphandle
okungathi ndinetyala. Ibingezo zicwangciso zam ezi. Ndiyamthanda uKing kodwa bendiqonda ngoku
ukuba mhlawumbi uthando alwanelanga. Mhlawumbi mandincekelele kuSimba kuba kuthiwa kubhetele
umntu okuthandayo kunomthandayo wena.

Bendiyindidi. Bendiyazi ukuba uSimba unesandla. Bendisiva ngobhuti bakhe, bendizazela kum. Bendiyazi
ukuba wenza umsebenzi onjani, ukuba imali yakhe uyifumana njani. Bendazi ukuba mdala le kum,
mhlawubo kuwrongo ukuba sibe ngalendlela siyiyo, sazane ngokwa sekhukhweni.

Ndivukile ndayovulela amanzi okuhlamba ndahlamba eshower. Ndondlule sendinxibile ndigqibile.

Ndihambe ndaya ekhitshini. Ebehleli khona uSimba ephunga.

Nomtha: ”Good morning.”

Simba: ”Morning.”

Ebejameleme netea ibisekomityini. Ndiyobeka amanzi for eyam ndaqaba isonka ipeanut butter ne
butter. Bendinge namdla webreakfast ethe xaxa. Bendingena mdla wanto enyanisweni. Kodwa
bendizinyanzela nje kungekho nto esuswini. Bendilele ndingatyanga nokutya ngaphandle kweza muffins
zakusasa.

Simba: ”Bendifuna ukuthetha nawe.”

Hayike ubuvele waphetha tu umdla wam kokwakutya bendizokutya wakutsho lonto. Ndibenexhala nje
kuba bendiziva okungathi andizuyithanda into afuna ukuthetha nam ngayo. Ndiginye ingwiqi ndimjonga.
Bekunga khangeleli okungathi ebeke wabubhaqa ubuthongo. Ebhalwe ukudinwa nje ebusweni bakhe
enawo namehlo abomvu.

Nomtha: ”Ngoku?”

Simba: ”Hayi ngalomzuzu kodwa maduzane. Mhlawumbi xa ugqiba ukutya.”

Nomtha: ”Singathetha nangoku kuba andisenawo nomdla wokutya.”

298
Undijonge emehlweni ithuba elide engathethi. Uphefumelele phezulu wazamisa itea yakhe efundekela
ngeteaspoon.

Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”

Ookay!

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”

Uyihleke kancinci esaqwalasele itea ebendicinga ukuba seyibanda ngoku.

Simba: ”Uyayazi.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ndiyayazi.”

Simba: ”Wena uthanda uJunior. Okanye uKing.”

Nomtha: ”Simba ...”

Simba: ”Hayi andifuni uzithethelele okanye uzame ukuzathuza nam. Ndiyayazi, yinto endiyaziyo leyo
kwaye ndizibonele izolo. Bendisazama ukuyinambitha ndizibuza ukuba yinto endizokwazi ukuphila nayo
na leyo. Eyokwazi ukuba uthanda umntakwethu kodwa unam. Uzotshata nam.”

Nomtha: ”Simba-”

Simba: ”Bendicela ukuthetha.”

Ndinqwalile ukuba makaqhube. Bendinesigaqa emqaleni.

Simba: ”Ndibone indlela ekubelula ngayo ukuba ulibale nokuba ndisegumbini kwakuthi gqi uJunior.
Ngokunokwenu ibinini nobabini, nangoku sendimnkile awunaxesha lokuba ndimnke ndayaphi nokuba
ndiziva njani apho ndikhoyo. Ndiqinisekile ukuba awubhekanga nokubheka.”

Ebenyanisile. Andikhange ndimbheke. Bendiziva izihlangu zakhe ukuhamba ndabe ndijongane noJunior.
Kukuba bendothukile ukumbona. Bendimthanda uKing, ewe kodwa bendimkhathalele uSimba. Kakhulu
futhi. Andiyazi ibiyintoni lento ibindinqanda ndingamthandi kuba ebeyiyo yonke into ebengeyiyo uKing
Ebendithanda, endikhathalele. Iveki ezigqithileyo zindibonise yonke lonto. Ukuba undixabise
kangakanani ebomini bakhe. Bendingasena msebendi wokuba sidibene ngaluphi na uhlobo ngoku.

Bendizomthanda yena. Bendiyazi ukuba bendizomthanda. Kodwa noba kunjalo uKing yena ndimthande
kuba ingumntu wokuqala endibe nobudlelwane obusondele ngolahlobo. Njengoba ebetshilo
bewasebenzisela isizathu amadoda mna. Yena ibingekho into aza nayo endidika ngamaxesha amaninzi
kodwa ndithanda ukumnakekela. Bendiziva ndibalulekile ukumnceda. Ndiziva ndingekho useless.

Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda kakhulu kodwa hayi ukuba ndigqithe kwinto endigqithe kuyo noNokulunga-”

Nomtha: ”Simba awusoze uphinde- andisoze ndiye-”

Simba: ”Ndizohlale ndingathembi. Ayompilo endiyifunayo nawe leyo andifuni ukukufuxa kuba
ndizokufuxa. Andithembi mntu ngawe. Andithembi obhuti bam andithembi Malik ngawe. Ayibobomi
endifuna ubuphile obo. Njengoba sekukho noJunior ngoku endiyaziyo ukuba uyabathanda ingase
ndizixhwithe inwele. Ndoyika ukuba uzoba nobomi naye ecaleni undiphinde esika Nokulunga. Andikho

299
right, andizithandi ingcinga bendinazo izolo ndingehlelwa bubuthongo. UJunior ngumntakwethu, kodwa
besendicinga- andiyifuni lempilo mna. Andisoze ndibe sathemba ukuba akukho nto enizoyenza xa
ndingajonganga.”

Nomtha: ”Lilonke uthini?”

Besendithaka imifinya. Bendimva kakuhle ukuba uthini kodwa ndinqwenela ukuba athethe enye into.
Angandixeleli lento ebefuna ukundixelela yona.

Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”

Utshilo. Ebendidikela nokuba ebengandijonganga ebusweni ixesha eli lonke athethayo. Ejongene
nobubhanxa bemug.

Nomtha: ”Uthini Simba?”

Simba: ”Ndifuna wonwabe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndonwabile. Ndonwabile nawe. Simba ndonwabile.”

Simba: ”Awuzukonwaba ndim. Andizukonwaba ngam ngezi insecurities zam.”

Nomtha: ”Andisoze ndikwenze lonto Simba. Andisoze. Andisoze! Ndibonile ukuba uKing
akandikhathalelanga ngendlela ondikhathalele ngayo wena.”

Simba: ”Nawe awundikhathalelanga ngendlela omkhathalele ngayo uSimba. You don't consider my
feelings. Izolo you didn't consider my feelings. Ibingathi ndingumphandle ezintweni zakho noJunior.
Ingathi nikweliqampi lenu nodwa mna ndingaphandle. Ucinga ukuba ndigangter lomhlobo andiva
kabuhlungu xa endimthandayo nendizamayo engayiboni imizamo yam. I'm constantly trying kuwe and
ndinomonde kuwe. Andithi ndithande. Wenze iprogress so far kuba awundithiyanga ngendlela
wawundithiye ngayo, ndingathi zinyanzele undithande kodwa lenkathalo olilisela ngayo andiyiboni
mna.”

Nomtha: ”Simba ungathethi ngolohlobo, ndiyakukhathalela. Kakhulu. Ndicela undithembe ukuba

andisoze ndiyenze lonto mna. AndingoNokulunga. Andinguye.”

Unikine intloko yakhe esaqubudile. Ebekhala naye. Noxa ebengakhaleli phezulu inyembezi bezisihla
emehlweni akhe.

Simba: ”Andizukwazi ukukutshata. Ingxoxo zamalobola ndizimisele indefinitely. Imali yakhona

ndizoyifaka kwi account yakho njengoba bendihleli ndizokwenza. Ndizokugada ndiqinisekise ukhuseleko
lwakho. Ndizomkhangela ndimfumane uEfe. Ndikutyala oko. Yonke into endithe ndizokwenzela
ndizoyenza. Ufumane isikolo and e-mail me indleko zakhona ne stationary ufunde Nomtha.
Uziphengelele ungaxhomekeki mntwini. Ndifuna undithembise lonto qha. Ukuba awuzubuyela kula
Hillbrow. Awuzuthengisa umzimba wakho for imali kuba ndizoqhubeka ndikondla ude uphangele-”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni mali mna. Andifuna wena Simba.”

Wosule ubuso bakhe wafixiza endijonga. Undiqinisele ubuso.

300
Simba: ”Ungayenzi nzima yonke lento. Ukuba ufuna ukuhlala apha kulungile ndizophuma mna. I will
deposit imali emini. Enye izongena xa uqalise isikolo. Ukuba kukho apho woyisakala khona undifounele
ndizokunceda. Eyesikolo yona just send the email ndizobhatala yonke into upfront ungabe uba nestress
qho ngenyanga.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Ibingathi wothukile ukuba ndivumile kodwa ebenga ndiniki choice tu. Ebegqibile ukuba yinto ayifunayo
le. And ukumkhathalela kwam ibikumnika into ayifunayo nayidingayo. Ibiyi peace of mind ngoku. Nam
bekungazuba mnandi kum ukuba aphile obubom ngenxa yam. Bendimzonda ngakumbi uNokulunga.
Ebengaqondi yena kodwa ebeyonzakalisile lendoda. Ngalendlela uEfe ebendonakalise ngayo nam.

Unqwalile wagalela itea kwisink wasukuma wayongena kwispare bedroom embrakraza ucango.
Ndichophe dekre phantsi kwezatiles zelakhitshi ndasothula isikhalo. Ndivule ndizisonge phantsi kubanda
icala lobuso nengalo. Ndisukumile ndayolala ebhedini.

Ndothuke ebusuku kumnyama ekamireni. Ndiphuma phuthe iphone yam ndabona imoney in. Ibininzi
kakhulu izondikhona. Ndiqale phantsi ukukhala.

Ndivuke ekuseni ndapakisha impahla yam kwisuitcase yam. Bendinempahla qha. Kuzofuneka ndiqale
phantsi ngebhedi nayo yonke ifurniture. Kunqonqoziwe emnyango wangena exinga khona endijonga.

Simba: ”Nomtha, ndingemnka apha ndiyokhangela enye indawo. Akukho sidingo sokuba uphume and
isecurity itight apha.”

Nomtha: ”Xa ndihlala apha ndizohlala nawe. Siqhubeke nezigcwangciso zethu, sitshate sibe
nabantwana.”

Simba: ”Uzoyokhangela phi indawo?”

Okungathi ibihleli ingophukanga intliziyo yam iyityumze worse.

Nomtha: ”Simba, awuzuphila ubomi bakho bonke uwedwa ngenxa kaNokulunga. Uzoguga wedwa
ngenxa yoloyiko ngento ongayaziyo. Bubomi obunjani obo?”

Simba: ”Bobubhetele kunobu ndinobuphila ukuba ndingaqhuba nawe. Kuba andisenayo intliziyo
yokuxolela mna ngoku Nomtha, ukuba ungandenza kakubi ndingakubulala. Andifuni trongo and
ndiyakuthanda. Andifuni ubulawe ndim.”

Nomtha: ”Thatha ichances ibone ukuba uzodana kangakanani, Simba ayikho lento uyenzayo.”

Simba: ”Uyandithanda?”

Nomtha: ”Simba-”

Simba: ”Ufuna ukuhlalaphi ndikukhangelele indawo?”

Ndivale umlomo wam ndaqhubeka ndapakisha impahla yam ibiphezulu kwebhedi. Umile endijongile
ndipakisha ndigqiba waphuma.

Ndithathe iphone yam ndafounela uLukeka.

301
Luleka: ”Ndibusy namhlanje babes. No date for you.”

Ndiyihleke kancinci ndasuke ndazibona sendikhala.

Luleka: ”Nomtha yintoni sisi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndidinga ifavour. Ndidinga ungaxeleli mntu. Undithembise ngobomi mntu ukuba awusoze
uxelele mntu. Hayi uSimba, hayi uSiyanda.”

Luleka: ”Kwenzeka ntoni kanti Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndithembise kuqala.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyakucela Lulu torho. Ndiyayazi ukuba andikwazi lomhlobo kodwa ndidesperate kakhulu.
Ndidinga uncedo lwakho, akakho omnye umntu endimaziyo.”

Uphefumlele ngaphandle.

Luleka: ”Ndiyathembisa ngobomi bam ukuba andisoze ndixelele mntu.”

Nomtha: ”Ngakumbi uSiyanda noSimba.”

Luleka: ”Ngakumbi uSimba noSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. USimba wohlukene nam. Yindaba ende so ndifuna indawo erentisayo eSoweto
noba kuphi. Namhlanje.”

Luleka: ”Hayibo! Andiyazi noba ndiqalephi. Why?! Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokubalisela xa ndifumene indawo nda- hayi ngoku.”

Luleka: ”Ndine friend ehlala eNoordgesig. Ibe room kowabo kodwa ebefuna ukuyirentisa kuba uyohlala
nendoda yakhe so ndizomfounela ndimbuze ukuba isekhona na.”

Nomtha: ”Indawoni iseSoweto?”

Luleka: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndicela umfounle ngoku, sendipakishile. Undizamele netransport.”

Luleka: ”Ndizokusa ngoku kwam it's fine.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuthe uxakekile nj-”

Luleka: ”Andisaxakekanga. Benithethile noSimba Nomtha? Niqinisekile ngalento eniyenzayo kuba

niyanthandana. Yintoni le caba ingaka anikwazi ukuyilungisa kuba beniright ngoku usuka kulo Simba?
Konakale phi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndicela ufounele itshomi yakho.”

Luleka: ”Ndimthumele imessage uthi isekhona and ukhona namhlanje. Ufuna irent for the month cash.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoyibhatala yonke undinikile imali uSimba.”

Luleka: ”Imali yokuthini?”

302
Nomtha: ”Imali yokuba ndiberight apho ndiyakhona.”

Luleka: ”You people are mad. Nizozisola stru nasi! Undifounele xa uready.”

Nomtha: ”Ungasondeli endlini ufunyanwe yiCCTV.”

Luleka: ”Sharp.”

Nomtha: ”Enkosi Lulu.”

Ndihlambile ndaya ekhitshini. Ebesekhona uSimba engekahlambi.

Phofu izinto zakhe bezikule kamire inye siyisebenzisayo. Ebeyawaphunga ikofu.

Simba: ”Uzomnka nini?”

Ndinyuse amagxa am.

Simba: ”Ndithe kuMonti akufunele indawo esafe ozohlala kuyo. Naye akazunqaba kakhulu uzomane
esenza irounds, abe yishadow. Ungathatha le enye ibhedi ude uzithengele eyakho ukuba uyafuna,
kodwa isefresh.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Unqwalile waphunga itea yakhe. Uyiphunge wagqiba wayongena ekamireni. Ndizenzele ukutya ndatya
ndahlutha sathi mpo isisu. Ndihlambe izitya ndaqoqosha indlu yonke. Bendifuna ukushiya kusikoni.
Yonke into ibiyeyam ibiqoqoshiwe. Nebhokisi yam.

Uphume ekamireni sehlambile. Indlela ebemhle ngayo ibingase ndikhale. Ibingathi sisigebenga ke kodwa
ngamehlo abomvu. Phofu ebesiso.

Simba: ”Ungandilindeli.”

Yhu lomntu! Ebeya eyiqaqambisa intliziyo yam. Caba ebezobuya ngobusuku qho.

Nomtha: ”Andiphuzwa?”

Ndibuze seziqengqeleka inyambezi ndazirhewula. Ume ixesha elide endizele ngomva waphefumla.
Uphethukile wazondiphuza ibunzi. Ndimbambile ndamphuza emlonyeni. Ebethandabuza ekuqaleni
kodwa ndamkhokhela. Ebenuka imint. No chocolate, just mint. Bezithambile indebe zakhe. Ndimangile
ndimqinisa kakhulu. Ndimkhulule ndachopha esitulweni. Ume ecaleni kwam ixesha elide engahambi.

Ude wahamba wastater imoto yahamba. Ndiyothatha iphone yam ndafounela uLuleka eze.
Akathathanga xesha lide. Nditsixile ndirhuqa ibag yam enkulu ndingayiboni nendlela zinyembezi.
Ndimnke kanjalo ke. Ndiphume kanjalo ebomini bukaSimba.

303
THIRTY-FIVE
Luleka: ”Sawubulawa thina nguSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Ayosilahla eJukskei.”

Luleka: ”Yhuuu! Yena nalaSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Andingekhali!”

Luleka: ”Hahahaha! Ulilo negwala!”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo ndingagxwala. Azimandi ezi doughnuts. Kodwa ligwinya eli tshomi.”

Luleka: ”Ligwinya elifancy.”

Nomtha: ”Ndawujika ndibe zidoughnuts kwamna, undlela endizithanda ngayo!”

Luleka: ”Ufaka nam kule nonsense yakho?”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Awuxhaphe ke sisi.”

Uyihlekile wazosula.

Luleka: ”Sinjani isikolo?”

Ndiphefumlule. Bendiyifuna yona imfundo, ewe kodwa isikolo besikruqula! Ukuba yifull time student
bekubhorha hayi kancinci. Bekubhetele kuba ibingeso sokolo sabantwana ne uniform. Bendizozibhuqa
phantsi ndife. Yhini ndimdala kangaka ukuphundela esikolweni. Bendisenza ugrade eleven kuba
ndamyeka phakathi kwayena. Ngekubhetele ukuba bendiku grade twelve.

Lukeka: ”Noba awunothetha!”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi ndiyathunywa xa ndisiya.”

Luleka: ”Inoba uworse ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Yhu kaloku! Mhhhh mnandi, mnandi!”

Luleka: ”Ingathi ndihamba nomntwana apha.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Unjani uSiyanda?”

Luleka: ”Uright sisi, ebengalimelanga. Kukhothuka nje.”

USiyanda ebekwicar eccident kodwa njengoba ebesitsho uLuleka eberight, engenawo nomgruzuko.

Luleka: ”Awumkhumbuli?”

Nomtha: ”USiyanda? Every second. Every minute. Every hou-”

Luleka: ”Haskaaa! Uyayazi ukuba andithethi ngoSiyanda. Ungade ukhumbule umntu wam every second.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinamaxesha okumkhumbula kodwa umsebenzi wesikolo noJellytots uyandixakekisa.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyamsizela mna shame uSimba.”

304
Nomtha: ”Umsizela ngoba?”

Luleka: ”Ndimsizela ngenxa yokuba ephoswa zezi memories nizezayo noJellytots. Uphoswa yiyo yonke
nje into. Akayazi nokuba kukho uJellytots.”

Nomtha: ”Sundistressa.”

Luleka: ”Uzomxelela nini omnye Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Andikho ready ukudeala noSimba nefamily yakhe ngoku. And uyabazi abantu bakowabo
banjani, uVenus. Ndifuna ukumbamba ngezandla lomntwana andifuni ukufakelwa ityhefu
ngalamagqilwirha.”

Luleka: ”Ufustrated kuba akakwazi nokufumana noba ukweliphi na icala?”

Nomtha: ”Uzondithini ukuba ndikweliphi icala?”

Luleka: ”Nomtha kutheni umzonda kangaka uSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Andimzondi qha ndicurious ukuba uzondifumana and then athini? Bekufanele ukuba
unepeace of mind kaloku kuba akazube eneworry yokuba ndizolala nomntakwabo.”

Luleka: ”Udinga ukwazi ukuba usafe na apho ukhoyo. Wemnka engekho Nomtha. Wafika endlini kukhala
ibhungane-”

Nomtha: ”Wayeyazi ukuba ndizohamba kuba ndanditshilo qha zange ndilindele ukuba andifunele
indawo yena kuba bendingafuni lento yokuba ezokwazi wonke umnyakazo wam ekubeni angandifuni
ebomini bakhe.”

Luleka: ”Ayikuko nokuba akakufuni ebomini bakhe Nomtha intonayo ulimele kakhulu. Watsho kuwe mos
ukuba akazukwazi ukuthemba ukuba awuzukwenza nto emveni kwakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifele izono zikaNokulunga ndinguYesu mna? Uright kakade, wenza isigqibo esihle for isiqu
sakhe kuba wayezazi ukuba akazuphila kamnandi. Ayikuba zange ndizame ukumnqinisekisa ndimxelele
ukuba andingoNokulunga mna andisoze ndiyenze lonto. Andiyazi into ebefuna ndiyenze.”

Luleka: ”Mhlawumbi ebefuna umxelele ukuba uyamthanda nokuba-”

Nomtha: ”Yhoooo! Sawukhonza oSimba ngoku? Ndandingeka bikho apho. Andizugqina umntu
ngokumxelela into afuna ukuyiva ndibe ndingaziva ngalondlela. Kutheni ndastresswa nje?”

Luleka: ”I'm stressing you ngoba bekufanele ukuba nikunye kwicheck ups nezidates sibanazo kodwa
akazazi noba unomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Yeka uSimba.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyekile. Ndiniyekile. Ndibuhlungu nje kuba noba engatsho nje uyakukhumbula yena. Kule
eight months andikamboni namntu.”

Nomtha: ”Okungathi ebezobika kuwe ukuba ndinomntu ngokuLulu.”

Luleka: ”Ingase ude uzale, uyandidika.”

305
Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Ingxaki mna Lulu ndafunda ukungabambeleli kakhulu emtwini. Kwakufanele ukuba
ndafunda kubazali bam kuba zange ndiberight kukulahlekelwa ngabo, ndafumana esasikade singuKing
ndandi sithanda ngentliziyo yam yonke. Wandifundisa ukuba ndingaze ndithande umntu ngaphezulu
kokuba ndizithanda. USimba unengxaki engaphezulu kwakhe nam. Mna ke ndihleli ndilihule emehlweni
akhe kuba ndingulo ulalelwa eziofficin so ebezoba njani omnye kengoku?”

Luleka: ”Mxxxm. Sewuzithengile impahla zokuphuma? Yinyanga yakho kuleveki izayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizithengile. Kubhetele yonke enye into bese siyithengile. Luleka, andiyazi ndinga kubulela
kanjani ngendlela osixhase ngayo noJellytots. Ndiyabulela sisi, kakhulu.”

Luleka: ”Ubhetele ngoku kunangokuya wawukhala oko ingafuni nokuphuma eroomini.”

Nomtha: ”Kwakukubi.”

Luleka: ”Kusekubi nangoku kuba une anger and I anger ayikho right for umntwana. Kona uzomhoya
kanjani umntwana ungaphangeli?”

Nomtha: ”UThixo uzolenza icebo. Ndinayo nemali endiyisavayo, noSimba uyandipha imali.”

Luleka: ”Nam ndicinga ukuba uSimba akafuni ukufumana amaxesha. Nithumelana ie-mails, uyayazi i
account yakho angakwazi uukutracer. Andikholwa ukuba utya imali yakhe kodwa awumfuni.”

Nomtha: ”Hello? Ngubani owohlukana nomnye phakathi kwam naye? Ezonditshata. Iniba ndihlekwa
nangotete apho bakhoyo ukuba akukho nendoda endifunayo.”

Luleka: ”Balate shame ukhona laZulu boy wakwaShembe ukufunayo!”

Nomtha: ”Uhhhhh laShaka! Mhle yena qha ndidikwa sesasihluthu nendevu ezinde. Ndivele ndiphathwe
sisifuthu-futhu ingathi zikum. Ndingampha yena shame. Osule amanqagisa ke. Andimbali umntu wakhe
kuba ndingangumfazi wesibini for yena.”

Luleka: ”Hahahaha! Inoba uyifuna naphantsi kwamatye lencanca ude ufune ukuba ngumfazi wesibini!”

Nomtha: ”Ndincame ndikhale sisi akukho apho ndizobhaqa khona. Yho! Undihlukumezile uJellytots
ebomini. NalaShaka ke naye ingathi uyayazi into yakhe.”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Uziphethe kakubi ubawela amadoda abantu. Ukuhluphe kakhulu uJellys! Uhlukumeze
nam phofu. Hayi mna ndihluthi ngoku. Kunini sisitya!”

Nomtha: ”Dibanisa nezam ndizozitya xa ndinesithukuthezi mna.”

Luleka: ”Awunazintloni!”

Nomtha: ”Ndivumelekile ukuba ndifobele Lulu, umntwana wam akanatata.”

Luleka: ”Awukafuni ukwazi ukuba uyintoni nangoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna intombi mna, ndoyika ukuphoxeka xa ndizoba nenkwenkwe.”

Luleka: ”So kubhetele uphoxele esibhedlele?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe tyhini! Ndizomnyengeza phaya ndibe intombadzana.”

306
Luleka: ”Yehake ntombadzana. Uzobanjwa uphambane sisi ube abantwana babantu.”

Nomtha: ”Inkwenkwe yayifunwa nguSimba.”

Luleka: ”Ndaphantse ndathi ngoku enamakhwenkwe angaka.”

Nomtha: ”Inye kaloku ngoku. OJunior ngamaveza ndlebe.”

Luleka: ”Rude!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha. Lasausage iphethwe ngulamntana ingathi yinto kaSimba.”

Luleka: ”Sies!”

Nomtha: ”Times three. Ingaka ubadeki. Ukutsho ugcwale.”

Luleka: ”Pheza! Awukabhaqi after uSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Into endiyibhaqayo zihomeworka neassignment. Neparenting advices kumam'uKhethi

nomyeni wakhe!”

Luleka: ”Sisomiso.”

Nomtha: ”Sana!”

Luleka: ”Ngendakuthengela ivibrator.”

Nomtha: ”Uyibest friend yam wena.”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Kwamna andikho safe apha kuwe.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

Uyihlekile wanikina intloko yakhe. Zifakwe kwidoggy bag idoughnuts bezishiyekile ndathatha imikshake
yam ndalandela emveni kuka Lulu ukuphuma. Besine dates ezinje qho ngeveki. Noba siye kwindawo
yekota okanye icoffee shop. Besesi ngabahlobo abakhulu kule eight months ndimnkile eCenturion.
Bekungekho lula ukuqhela ukubandodwa kwakhona emveni kokuba noSimba. Bendikhumbula yonke
into ngaye. Ukuvuka ecaleni kwakhe. Ukunakekelwa nguye nokumenzela izinto. Bendikhumbula lampilo
besele ndiyiqhelile yokuba nomntu ekoneni yakho. Umntu okukhathalelayo nokuxhasayo.

Ndifumanise kwiveki ezimbalwa ndifikile phaya ukuba ndikhulelwe. Andilazi ukuba ibilibhadi lantoni eli
belindivelela, ngelaxesha besendibhetele ndaqala phantsi apho ndandiyeke khona. Inyanga ezintathu
zonke zepregnancy ndingunyembezi.

Ngephumile nalomntwana ukuba ibingengo Luleka.

Undenze ndaqonda ukuba yinto bendiyifuna. Bendisoyika kancinci xa eyithetha uSimba kodwa ibiyonto
bendiyidinga. Uvale isikhala bendingayazi nokuba sikhona ngoku ebengekafiki. Ebendigqibelelisa.
Bendiba buhlungu ukuba uSimba akakho kuba naye ebemfuna umntwana kodwa ndibuye ndizixokise
ngelokuba ebezomthandabuza nalomntwana abe endenzisa iDNA tests endenza unondatshaza.
Bendimthanda umntwana wam, ndingeka mboni bendimthanda.

Bendiyazi naye uzondithanda. Ebekuphela kwefamily endinayo.

307
Undibeke ngaphambili kwegate uLukeka. Akangenanga namhlanje.

Luleka: ”Hamb'ozibulala ngokutya.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Hambe kakuhle, ndiyabulela.”

Luleka: ”Okay sthandwa. Ungatyi kakhulu wethu Nomtha.”

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo ndayongena endlini. Bendisarenta iflat eback kodwa bendiphumile eNoordgesig
ngoku ndirenta eDiepkloof Extension. Bekuhlala ifamily eright kulomzi bendiqashe kuwo. Umntu
nomyeni wakhe. Bebebadala ke abantwana babo bezihlalela ingamadoda nentombi ezindala, njengam.
Abanye betshatile abanye behlalisana . Utata uMazubuko ebesaphangela yena, umam'uKhethiwe
ethathe umhlala phantsi.

”Mama wengane yami.”

Ndincumile ndayeka igate le bendiyivula ndamncumela. Ebehamba negirlfriend yakhe izithe front kula
front seat yequantum.

Shaka: ”Umamncane wakwami. Ninjani nengane yami?”

Nomtha: ”Molweni. Wabuya early kanje?”

Shaka: ”Iweekend phela mama. Mina nangu uIce cream.”

Ndincumile ndakhawuleza ukuyoyithatha. Ibiyi 2l ye cookies and cream.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. Enjoy!”

Nditsho ndibancinela iliso waphela yintsini uShaka.

Shaka: ”Ave ungasile! Nilale kahle?”

Nomtha: ”Ngiyabonga baba.”

Shaka: ”Uyabona ke ukuthuluma kambandi. Ngzok'shada wena, ubheke.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Ndizomthatha umntu wakho sisi!”

”Umuntu wesithembu vele uShaka, kungcono nje makungaba uwena umnakwethu ngoba
ngikukhonzile.”

Ndijike ndibaleka ukuyovula igate baphela yintsini.

Shaka: ”Bese uyawa!”

Bekuthule eroomini yam. Kuphole kamnandi futhi. Ndibeke izinto ndakhulula, ibingase ndihambe ngaze
xa ndisendlini.

Ndiye esikolweni ngoMvulo. Ibibhonga ilele kodwa ndincekelele ndibuya ndife bubuthongo. Zimnke
okungathi ziyaleqwa iveki. Siqhubeka ngedates zethu noLuleka. Bendisendlini ndeva ngento isihla
ngomlenze. Imini yonke bendisiva intlungu zimana zithula. Bendingazihoyanga kakhulu noxa bezisika nje
kodwa bendiqonda ngoku ukuba zeza contractions kwakuhleli kuthethwa ngazo and amanzi am.
Bekusebusuku ukufounela uLuleka. Besiqaphela singabhaqwa nguSiyanda.

308
Abantu balapha bebeseKzn. Bendisekunyeni. Ndikhumbule ukuba bendine number kaShaka for i
emegerncy yomntwana wakhe kuba enetransport. Ndimfounele waphendula wabe selapha kwamsinya.
Ibag yomntwana ibihleli iready enkosi kumam'uKhethi.

Ndiyirwephule wayirwephula kum uShaka. Bekuduma iquantum ngaphandle kweheke. Ndiyihleke

kancinci. Mntanam uba amgazalelwa kulemoto uzoba ngu'Short left' okanye izinto ezinjalo.
Undincedisile ndakhwela kwiseat esemveni kwakhe kungene umntu wakhe wazochopha ecaleni kwam.
Bandithathile bayindifaka kwiward ukufika nje kwethu. Akuthathanga xesha lide kwilabour ndabe
senditeta. Sive ngesikhalo sakhe kula ward ndeva inyembezi zizihlela. Indlela bendivuye ngayo.
Ebeyintombazana. Ebenamehlo apheleleyo. Nenzwane ezipheleleyo, neminwe epheleleyo. Ebemhle.
Ebesemhlophe kodwa indlebe zimnyama kucaca ukuba uzoba mnyama. Ebengena choice epakanyelwe.

Ndimncacisile ndibambe inyawana zakhe ezincinane. Bendisemathandweni. Bekungathi intliziyo yam

ikhutshiwe yabekwa phambi kwam. Ndimthiye ngoZendaya Nyeredzi Tongai. Amagama wechiShona
onke. Zendaya- Imibongo. Nyeredzi- Nkwenkwezi.

Nomtha: ”Muka muka kwayedza

Dzuba rabuza

Machongwe aimba

Muka muka

Muka upenye

Farifa kuvamba kwenguva ...”

Ndincumele ingoba bendiyicukelwa ngutata wam qho ekuseni xa endilungiselela isikolo. Ekama inwele
zam ezininzi ezingalawulekiyo. Bendiyiqonda indlela ebeziva ngayo ngoku. Ndiyiqonda indlela uSimba
ebeziva ngayo ngabantwana bakhe. Intliziyo yam ibiphuphumala luthando. Bendingena zicwangciso
zingako kodwa bendiyazi ukuba uThixo uyawusibonelela. Bendimfunela okuhle konke. Ndinemibongo
ngaye. My whole entire galaxy. Intombi kamama. Bendingumama.

Dear Jellytots

Uyadingwa. Ndibhala le letter kwione bedroom house yethu, uyandihlupha ke namhlanje kuba awufuni
tu ndilale. Oko ndiphethuka ebhedini ndizama indlela yokulala.

Ndikhathazekile ngezinye izinto.

Ndikuthanda kakhulu kodwa ndoyika ukuba andizuba ngumama oqotho kuwe. Uyabona, andibazi
ubudlelwane buka mama nentombi kuba zange ndibe nabo nowam umama.

Besingadibani ncam. Ngaphambili kokuba silinge uThixo wamthathela kuye.

Kodwa ndicinga ukuba andizufana nowam umama kuwe, ndizohluka. Kuba ndizokunika lonke
olwathando ndandilulangazelela kumama wam.

Andifuni uzive ngendlela endandiziva ngayo okanye ukhule ngendlela endakhula ngayo. Ungaze
uluthandabuze uthando lwam kuwe. Ungandixelela noba yintoni. Ndawuhlala ndikhona.

309
Andiyazi ukuba ndizothini kuwe xa undibuza ngotata wakho ... ndizobe ndicinga lomzuzu ungekakwazi
ukuthetha. Kuninzi endigqithe kuko kodwa ndizoba bhetele. Ndifuna ukuba bhetele for wena.

Andifuni ukhathazeke ngam. Andifuni ukuba ngumthwalo kuwe kodwa ndawunyaniseka kuba
ndiyakuthanda.

Undithande wethu, andiyazi ndingathini ukuba awunondithanda. Kunzima ngamanye amaxesha kuba
I'm used to being by myself. Ukuhamba kulula kum kuba andikoyiki ukubandodwa. Andifuni ukubanjalo
kuwe. Andifuni ukukhalala. Ndizoba nesineke nomonde. Ndizobambelela noba sendisopha.

I love you Jellytots yam. Ingase ube yintombi, ndicela ube yintombi. Andino ngalali kangaka ube
yinkwenkwe. Okay ungaba yinkwenkwe ukuba uyathanda. Yiba yinto ofuna ukuba yiyo. Umama
uzokuthanda anyways.

Love,

Mommy.

310
THIRTY-SIX
Kukhale iphone yam ndayixhumela ngokukhawuleza ingothusi uZendaya ebuthongweni. Bendidiniwe
nguye! Bendikuthanda ukuba ngumama omtsha, yonke into ilibhongo. Ukuncancisa. Ndimvuse
ebuthongweni kuba ingase ndibone lamehlo akhe angathi avaliwe ngoku ahlekile. Bendithanda
nevumba lakhe. Ebenuka kamnandi. Nendlu yonke inuka ivumba losana.

Kodwa imincili ibiphela msinya mntakabawo. Ebeyikhala into umntanam bendingena bhongo. Ngakumbi
kwintsuku zokuqala abethe kuse phandle usisi alale wakonela. Ibingase ndiyomnika umamakhe kodwa
umamakhe ibindim. Ndim umzali wakhe. Yilendibani nomanyano olungena sohlukaniso oku. Aphinde
alale ixesha elide ndimana ndiyobeka umnwe ngasempumlweni ndimve ukuba usaphefumla na kuba
andifuni ukungabona mntwana. Bendincacisa ibele. Xa ndiye esikolweni ndim expressela. Umama wase
next door ebendigadela yena simahla. Bendipha ke imali mna kodwa wayezivolontiyile. Bendimbulela
kakhulu. Bendiyibona ngoko intetho yokuba 'it takes a village'

Nomtha: ”Hi.”

Luleka: ”Hahahaha! Uhlukumezekile makaJellytots!”

Nomtha: ”Ulele kaloku umama womzi.”

Luleka: ”Senjani ngoku ukufeketha?”

Nomtha: ”Akusafani nakuqala kodwa ungcono.”

Luleka: ”Kungcono. Ndiyanikhumbula.”

Nomtha: ”Ukhunjulwa ndim tshomi.”

Besingasa bonani noLuleka. Ebeseqala ukuba nezikrokro ngokunqaba kwakhe qho ngeweekends
uSiyanda savumelanga ngokuba siyeke ukuxhumana. Ebendifounela yena xa efumene ithuba kodwa
mna ndingamfouneli.

Bendimkhumbula ke. Naye ngokunjalo. Ebefuna ukubona uZendaya kakhuhle qha ke ngenxa yemeko
engakwazi.

Nomtha: ”Akakho umyeni wakho?”

Luleka: ”Ndilinde yena abuye. Bebeye eKapa noSimba. Izolo.”

Nomtha: ”Ihamba kakuhle ibusiness yabo caba?”

Luleka: ”Kakuhle kakhulu sthandwa sam. Qha ndidikwa zihours ezi zabo ngoku kodwa kuthiwa kuzoba
ngcono.”

Nomtha: ”Nyamezela.”

Luleka: ”Ndizothini? Ye ntombi, umntwana unenyanga ezine zonke awukamxeleli uSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Oh uLulu!”

311
Luleka: ”Suthi 'oh uLulu' kum Nomtha. Usokola wendwa nomntwana ngoku ngenxa yokuba ungafuni
ukuxelela uSimba ukuna unomntwana! Asikwazi nokunceda. Asikwazi nokuba nobudlelwane noZendaya.
Andikwazi nokonwaba ndibalisele umyenam ngomtwana womhlobo wakhe omkhulu!”

Nomtha: ”Sisi ndiyaxolisa ngokufaka kuyo yonke lento. Bekungamelanga ndakufaka.”

Luleka: ”Ndigqibele indim kuphela itshomi yakho ke mna. Ubuzofaka bani? Andikusoli, intonayo sekukho
umntwana ngoku. Umphefumlo wonke, kufuneka umxelele uSimba sisi. Please. Angase abe nonyaka
wonke engazazi ukuba unomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Akakayazi?”

Luleka: ”Exelelwa ngubani?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake uyandiphoxa.”

Luleka: ”Andikuphoxi sisi qha akakho kaloku umntu ebezomxelela ngaphandle kwakho. Akayazi. Ukuba
ebeyazi ngendisazi.”

Ndiphefumlele ngaphandle.

Nomtha: ”Ndizomxelela.”

Luleka: ”Nini? Xa ena twenty five umntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Mhlawumbi xa ena one.”

Luleka: ”Nomtha!”

Ndiphinde ndaphefumlela ngaphandle ndisoyama kwione seater couch yam.

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ixesha ngaphandle kwe stress azondiphathela sona uSimba. Uyayazi uzobe ebuzisa
ngepaternity neDNA's. Ndisonwabela umntwana wam mna andiyifuni lonto.”

Luleka: ”Khawumcingele naye.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyeke ndibe selfish kancinci. Ndizomcingela xa ena eight months okanye.”

Luleka: ”Nomtha mbhem ...”

Nomtha: ”Ndizomxelela.”

Luleka: ”Alright, ndiyakthanda ke bye!”

Nomtha: ”Goodnight.”

Ndiphindele ezincwadini zam ndaphazanyiswa nguJellytots efuna ukuncanca. Bawo wam yayike yakho
phi into entle kangaka. Umntu asose abemhle oluhlobo ke eyedwa. Bendicinga uSamora, ndicinga
ukuba ngengutamkhulu onjani kuZendaya. Bendibuhlungu nje ukuba nejngoba izinto bezinje nje
ebengenaye utatomkhulu kuba bendingafuni aphefumle umoya omnye noVenus. Bendimthiye latata!

Silele nomntwanam ndothuswa nguLuleka ekuseni. Wothuse nomntwana ndamshushuzela wade

wabuyela ebuthongweni. Ndibuyeke kuye.

312
Luleka: ”Benisalele?”

Nomtha: ”Akakho uSiyanda?”

Luleka: ”Usaphumile, bendicinga. Namhlanje ndingakwazi ukwenza ilunch nani.”

Nomtha: ”Errrr namhlanje ayomini eright day yam.”

Luleka: ”Hayibo Nomtha ngoku ndikhumbula uJellytots mfana! Hayi sungcola mbhem khawenze kaloku
tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”Emotional blackmail this one. Sawudibana phi?”

Luleka: ”Ndizothumela imoto inilande. Ndenze ireservations under igama lam. Luleka Mahamba.
Nizofika kuqala okanye ndifike kuqala. Nibe nisitya ukuba nifike kuqala, it's on me.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake it's on me.”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Nihlambe ke.”

Nomtha: ”Rhaaa.”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Nomtha, uyayazi mos ukuba ndiyakuthanda?”

Ndifinge intshiya zam. Xa eqala kanje ebenzoba serious. Bendisiva nje ekutshintsheni kwetone yakhe
yokuthetha. Ndithinte umqala ndanqwala.

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Luleka: ”Ngaphandle kokuba ndikwazi ngoSimba, mna nawe sesinobuhlobo obubobethi. Uyafana nosisi
wam omncinci. Yonke into ndiyenza with your best interest at heart. Kuba unentloko elukhuni kakhulu
uyayidinga ipush ngamanye amaxesha. Uzondiqumbela ewe kodwa ndiyathemba uzoyazi ukuba yonke
into ndiyenza with good intentions.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba uxelele uSiyanda ngomntwana wam Lulu andisoze ndikuxolele!”

Luleka: ”Hayibo Nomtha sukuthetha kanjalo.”

Nomtha: ”Oh bawo! Umxelele Lulu?! Umxelele?!”

Luleka: ”Andimxelelanga!”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Ndimve ephefumla.

Luleka: ”Kutheni uzopanick(a) kangaka okungathi awuzimiselanga ukuba iphume inyaniso?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ngoku.”

Luleka: ”She's gonna hate me for this.”

Ndimve esebeza.

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

313
Luleka: ”Oh sorry ndichithele ifile ye colleague yam ngekofu.”

Nomtha: ”Sh*t sorry.”

Luleka: ”Ndicinga ukuba ndinecopy somewhere akukho ngxaki. Lungisani ke nepunky kamakazi. Imoto
yenu ifike niready.”

Nomtha: ”Okay sharp, later!”

Luleka: ”Love ya!”

Nomtha: ”Ditto!”

Andiphozisanga maseko ndahlamba ndenza imake up yam ndingekanxibi. Bendononwele ke, iafro yam
seyiphinde yakhula yankulu. Ibingalawuleki ifuna ndihlale ndifakele okanye ndirobhozile. Kodwa kuba
bendiyitreatile intle. Ndinxibe nesigcebezana selokhwe emhlophe esinyuke kancinci emadolweni.
Amathanga omdlezana engaphandle. Ibongekho plain white. Inefloral, bezingekho kangako. Ndizijonge
esipilini ndizibhenca. Yaaas mdlezane!

Bendishota ngamazipho kengoku qha bendisoyikisela umntwana wam xa ndimosula impundwana zakhe.
Ndimvusile ndaye ndamncancisa ndamhlamba. Ndipakishe yonke into yethu ngaphambili kokuba
ndimvuse kube ebehlupha uncame sewulibala ezinye izinto. Ndimfake kwistrawler sakhe asithengelwa
ngumakazi wakhe uLulu. Besibeige ngombala. Ndithanda ubuneutral obu. Sibe semlindweni nentombi
ezilishumi ke. Bendingafuni nokumosha umlomo wam ngokutya.

Undifounele esithi ingaphandle imoto. Sikhwele sahamba. Ebendixelele igama lerestau njengoba
ebendixelela ukuba udriver ungaphandle.

Undincedise ngestrawler sayongena ngaphakathi nomntwana wam. Sifumene itafile ndabe ndi order
into yokusela. Bekukuhle ke iyindawo epholileyo kukho namasapho.

Ndizicofele iphone yam ingathi ndisisibhanxa kuba ibingekho into bendizoyincokola no Zendaya.
Ebencwina and bendingayazi mna la language yakhe. Emveni kwethirty minutes engafiki, engafouni
ndimfounele. Imthathe ixesha ngaphambili kokuba ayiphambe. Ebesemotweni.

Nomtha: ”Thirty minutes ntombi! Sendide ndihluthi yijuice yakapha.”

Luleka: ”Ndiba ndiyakufounela ngoku ntombi ndijike sendise ndleleni.”

Nomtha: ”Ujikele ntoni?”

Luleka: ”Ndifounelwa ngubrother wam uthi umama uwe kwistairs wakruneka. USiyanda ngulo okwi
business meeting noSimba, andiyazi noba iphi ndonqena nokumphazamisa.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan Lulu sude uxolise sisi yiba nomamakho. Oh maan akophukanga?”

Luleka: ”Bonqena ukumbamba ngaphambili kokuba kufike Iparamedics.”

Nomtha: ”Hamba kumamakho. Sawudibana ngalomini ndingayaziyo. Aberight umama Lulu.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyabulela sthandwa sam.”

Nomtha: ”Undibizele udriver wakho ke siphindele endlini. Ndizomhlawula ngoku kwam.”

314
Luleka: ”Hayi!”

Ushoutise ndade ndaxhuma kukothuka. Ebengenwe yintoni na bethu uLuleka Mahamba? Okanye
wothuswe ngumamakhe. Ebestrange wethu.

Uthinte umqala.

Luleka: ”Askies. Hlala tshomi maan. Ibill ikum sukuzikhathaza. Awunongena erestaurant usele ijuice qha.
Nabantu balapho bazokuthela nqa. Hlala utye uzimamarishe. You deserve it. Mhlawumbi uzofumanela
uJellytots umalume. Kuza abanatu ananice ke apho.”

Nomtha: ”Aba be private jets ne yatch?”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Yityani. Sanuhamba. Full course meal. Nihambe kengoku niyolilelana endlini.”

Nomtha: ”Lulu, ndiyabulela kakhulu sisi. Ndiyabulela.”

Luleka: ”Stop uzondenza ndizive guilty ngakumbi ngalento ndiyenzayo. Ndiyakthanda!”

Nomtha: ”Uthandwa ndim, enkosi kakhulu.”

Luleka: ”Alright.”

Uyibeke phantsi iphone ndaphefumla. Okay kutsho ukuba ndizoqubeka ukuhlala ndibengathi
ndisisibhanxa apha. Shu!

Ndibize uwaiter ndaorder. Starters. Main and desert. Ndizincumele okungathi ndisisibhanxa.
Mhlawumbi bendingaso sibhanxa kakhulu. Bendizikhuphile, okanye ndikhutshiwe nomntwana wam.
Idate yokuqala yezininzi ezizayo.

Nomtha: ”Ndim nawe baby girl. Sithi sobabini.”

Ndimbale isandlana sakhe esincinci. Kufikile ukutya kwam ndaqalisa. Indlela bekumnandi ngakhona
bekunyibilika emlonyeni. Ubungeno kufumana kwamayi-mayi oku. Ingathi bendikulanqanawa kaJack.
Kakade uZendaya ebezondimonela kuba yena ukhethe ukungabi namazinyo. Ndimfunqule ndamfaka
ekoneni yakhe ndimkhuphela ibele ndamgquma kungaveli ibele lam. Ndimncacise wahlutha
ndamfunqula ndibhodlisa ndisitya ngesandla esinye. Bekunjena ke ukuba ngumama. Ufuna ukwenza
izinto ezininzi ngexesha elinye. Bendimana ndimphulula umaqolo lomzuzu ndihlafunayo wade
wabhodla. Ndimbeke kwistrawler ndimana ndimdlalisa.

Ndibone sekukho umntwana emdlalisa izidlele ndabheka-bheka ndikhangela umzali wakhe.

Angandiphandleli umntwana wam mntakabawo yhini!

”Ngumntanakho?!”

Ncoooo ebengemhle ke ngamazinyo amancinci. Ndinqwalile ndibheka-bheka umzali wakhe. Indlela

bekungakhuselekanga kumntwana oyintombi ukuba abe ezula zula eyedwa.

”Uxolo sisi! Umzuzwana ulapha omnye sebaleki. Iminathi nditheni ngokubaleka ushiye utata?”

Iminathi: ”Uthe ndingabaleki. Ndibone umntwana!”

Uphefumlele ngaphandle utata wakhe wanikina intloko.

315
”Bendizothi ungazali kodwa sendilate.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Kulate.”

”Subamba izandla zomntwana Imi, umntwana uyazitya izandla zakhe and unegerms. Linangaphi
elichina?”

Nomtha: ”Three months.”

”Oh mkhulu mos, uyabona?”

Ndiphelile yintsini.

Nomtha: ”Ungacinga ukuba akaboni kodwa ubona kakuhle nje.”

”UIminathi ngumntwana wam wokuqala ngoku ndisenemincili kakhulu unguba ngutata. Abantwana
bayandichasa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayoqonda. Intle intombi yakho.”

”Mhle ufuze umamakhe. I can't take credit. Iminathi umamele? Xa uxelela umama ukuba bendithetha
nosisi kamntama umxelele ukuba ndithe mhle umama kaIminathi mhle.”

Uyihlekile uIminathi.

Nomtha: ”Tape recorder?”

”Shu! Ngubani igama owakho?”

Nomtha: ”NguZendaya Nyeredzi Tongai.”

”Shona?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe!”

”Uzobamhle afane nawe uZendaya, kodwa amehlo la kaKung Fu.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha!”

”Kulungile ke sisi, ndize kwi meeting apha qha ndilincoko kakhulu.”

”Utshatile ke lomfo sisi! Angakuqhathi!”

Ndome nko! Ibililizwi likaSiyanda noba kanjani elo.

”Besincokola ngabantwana!”

Siyanda: ”Mhlekazi!”

Simba: ”Asinanyaka wonke ke thina.”

”Uzoguga msinya ke wena ungugrumpy. Sisi, siyabulela ngomzuzu. Mhle umntwana wakho.”

Bendibuva ubukho bukaSimba emveni kwam. Ndinqwale nje andathetha. Bahambile yena noSiyanda
noIminathi baya kwitafile yakhe andambona ehamba uSimba. Ubhekile ezomkhwaza uSiyanda amehlo

316
akhe awela kum wawakhupha negcambu zawo, wajonga emveni kwam. Ebesekhona kodwa ebethule.
Bendingemva ephefumla kungathi uwubambile.

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Uzoma phambi kwam ndimbone. Undijongile wajonga uZendaya kwistrawler sakhe waphinde
wandijonga.

Ndimolulele isandla.

Nomtha: ”Molo.”

Utase uzandla zakhe engandibambi, wajonga kwistrawler ixesha elide engathethi. Uncwinile uZendaya.
Wagqushalaza wakhala.

Nomtha: ”Shhhh baby, shhhh nana. Ncence? Mh nxenxe? Yiz'oncanca kumama sisi. Thula ke mntan'am.”

Ndimbone ebambelela esitulweni engathi uphelelwa yincindi, wathi dekre phantsi esitulweni ejinge
uZendaya.

Simba: ”Njani? Ngowakho?”

Ndinqwalile. Usukumile uSiyanda weza nganeno amehlo akhe awela kuZendaya.

Siyanda: ”Sh*t! NgokaSimba lomntwana mos Nomtha?!”

Ebendijonge ngamehlo aneglass uSimba. Wajonga umntwana kungathi ufuna ukusondela kuye.

Siyanda: ”Unomntwana Nomtha?”

Khange ndinqwale ndajonga uSimba ezosula ubuso okungathi uzonyamala umntwana. Uyekile
ukuncanca ndafaka ibele lam ndambhodlisa.

Siyanda: ”Sh*t!”

Bendiyazi kengoku kutheni uLuleka ebevakala okungathi unesazela. Kukuba ebenesazela nyani yilento
ayenzileyo. Andiqondi nokuba ibiyinyani le yokuba umama wakhe uwile qha ibiyintsomi yokuba
ndibelapha kenye ngelixesha oSimba bazobe belapha ngalo. Kwaye ebefuna bangandifumani naye,
bandifumane ndodwa nomntwana. Ebefuna uSimba abone umntwana. Andiyazi ukuba bendiziva kanjani
ngayo yonke lonto. Andizandi bendiziva njani kodwa ibingeyo feeling entle. Ndiginye ingwiqi ndajonga
umntwana wam ndimdlalisa isandla.

317
THIRTY-SEVEN
Simba: ”Ngubani igama lakhe?”

Ubuze engandijonganga mna ebambe isandlana sikaJellytots. Oko emfunqule into engange thirty
minutes yonke ukuba ibingagqithanga kwayona. Emjonge ebusweni, embuka. Ebemane esosula
inyembezi afixize kungekho nto ayithethayo. 30+ mizuzu. Besendiyeke nokokutya bendikutya kuba
bekubanda ceke ngoku. Nangaphandle koko bendinga senamdla wako.

Nomtha: ”NguZendaya. Zendaya Nyeredzi Tongai.”

Undikrwaqule xa ndisithi 'Tongai' waphinde wajonga umntwana wakhe.

Simba: ”Zendaya ... uyamazi utata? Mh? Uyamazi utatakho?”

Uncwinile uZendaya okungathi uyemva wancuma uSimba esosula inyembezi kwakhona. Bekungathi
akakwazi ukuzinqanda. Zingumthonbo nje.

Simba: ”Andisoze ndi understande, ukuba undifihlela kanjani into enje. Ndizama ukungabina msindo
kuba ndizokwenza ndithethe into endizozisola ngayo kodwa this is just wrong. Ngandlela zonke iwrongo
into oyenzileyo, andiyiqondi and- noba undizonda kangakanani. Noba uziva wenziwe kakubi
kangakanani awundifihleli umntwana wam. Three months yonke nding- f*ck. This is messed up.”

Uzigqume ubuso enikina intloko yakhe. USiyanda uyiqhube ngoku kwakhe intlanganiso yade yaphethwa.
Uthe uzomlinda ngaphandle uSimba esinika igumbi. Indlela ebendijonge ngayo ngaphambili kokuba
aphume, ebenomsindo. Ebenyembezana naye kuba ngela xesha ebekhala ukukhala uSimba. Indlela
ebothuke ngayo.

Simba: ”Undizonda ngolohlobo ungade undihlwaye ngenzala yam? Huh? Undithiye lomhlobo Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ayikho ngawe yonke lento. Ayikuba andikuxelelanga ngenxa yokuba ndifuna ukukohlwaya
ngumntwana. Andithathanga isigqibo sokuba ndodwa kuyo yonke ipregnancy yam nezinyanga ezintathu
kuba ndicinga ukuba 'okay izomvisa kabuhlungu uSimba, good'.

Ibizizizathu ezi selfish ngendlela yokuba ngumntwana wam wokuqala lo, mhlawumbi owokugqibela.
Ndiyayazi ukuba ndaxelela wena ngepregnancy okanye ngoZendaya uzoba usiza ne insecurities zakho-
andikusoli ngazo ngaphantsi kwemeko kodwa bendinga mfuneli lonto umntwana wam. Bendingafuni
ipregnancy yam ibe stressful ndibe ndincinwa ngokuba ngowakho na, naxa ekhona ube umthandabuza.
Bendingafuni xa endibuza uZendaya ngentsuku zakhe zokuqala emhlabeni utata wakhe
wayemthandabuza efuna ziDNA. Bendifuna lento for thina. Le bond endinayo naye yokuxhumana
nomntwana wam sobabini qha. Wena wabanalento nabankho abantwana, so lona ngomnye wabaninzi
mna ngowokuqala kum so bendingafuni ifocus ibe kwipaternity yakhe kodwa icelebration yobukho
bakhe.”

Simba: ”Ngomnye umntwana kwabaninzi kodwa ngowam. Ngumntwana wam! Ligazi lam!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi lonto kodwa bendingafuni ukuthatha ichances ngezizathu endizibikileyo.”

Simba: ”Ukunya kwakho Nomtha. F*ck you very much.”

Uyithethe ngalandlela wayedla ngokuthi 'Ndiyakuthanda Nomtha.'

318
Ndinqwalile. Uncwinile umntwana ezandleni zakhe. Ndiyacinga ebesiva nje ukuba kukho into ewrongo.
Umshushuzele waya enyukelana.

Simba: ”Ndicela undinike idummy.”

Nomtha: ”Uncanca ubele qha.”

Undifingele intshiya.

Simba: ”Xa usesikolweni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiya expressa, kodwa andiyiphethanga kuba ndifuna ancamce ebeleni xa ndikhoyo.”

Undiqwalasele ebusweni wanqwala. Usukumile wandinika yena ndamthatha ndimkhuphela ibele.

Uzorhuqa isitulo wazochopha ecaleni kwam uSimba edlala ngenyawo zakhe.

Simba: ”Ngendinani through ipregnancy yonke. Ndiphoswe zi doctors appointments nokuzalwa kwakhe
... nentsuku zakhe zokuqala emhlabeni. Three months yonke and then uzolindela ukuba ndiqonde uba
ubungayenzi ngokundithiya yonke lonto? Undohlwaya ngomntwana wam ngokuba ndohlukene nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Not everything is about you, kufuneka uyiqonde lonto. Ndiyakuqonda unoloyoko lwakho,
uNokulunga wakonzakalisa. Ndiyayoqonda lonto. Nam ndisavuka ebusuku ndibile xhopho zinarhmani so
ndiyayazi apha kum ukuba you don't just get over intlungu. Akukho lula kanjalo. Kodwa ndifuna uqonde
into yokuba ndingumama kuqala.

Ngendikuxelele ndiyayazi kodwa bendimfunela lento umntwana wam. Ukuzola. Bendizifunela lento
nam. Ndiyabulela futhi ukuba ubungayazi ngepregnancy kuba-”

Simba: ”Msapha, sethule. Ndifuna ukumbamba.”

Nomtha: ”Umbhodlise kuqala angatsarhwa.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi, Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Mxhase intamo Simba.”

Simba: ”Khawuyeke!”

Unxhase intamo wambeka esifubeni emphulula umqolo.

Nomtha: ”Bendicela siye kwam, ndifuna ukuchitha naye usuku.”

Nomtha: ”Ungamthatha ngomso, ndizomlungiselela kakuhle ndim expressele ubisi olwaneleyo

uzomthatha imini yonke ukuba uyafuna andina ngxaki.”

Simba: ”Three months yonke ndingekho ebomini bomntwana wam kusafuneka ndiphinde ndilinde
ungomso ube ready wena!”

Ndiphefumlele ngaphandle.

Nomtha: ”Ingxaki yam kukuba ngoku izochaphazela nam lento yakho, ngomso izoba nguwe nomntwana
wakho qha. Nobabini. Ndizoyekelela ubuso ngoku nam ndinibukele?”

319
Simba: ”Ungubani? Ngubani esisikhohlakali siphambi kwam? Huh?! Undifihlela ngomntwana wam
unyaka wonke. A whole year ndingayazi ngomntwana wam, ndikucela ezihours zishiyekileyo
zanamhlanje undixelela nge excuse efileyo. Wenza izinto ngawe kodwa ugqiboz'defender ngoku usithi
ubungafuni ndenze izinto ngam. Wenza kanye lonto wena lonto and makube right kuba inguwe. Kuba
ayikho ngawe nawe lento kodwa ingokuchitha ixesha nomntwana wam endiphoswe zinyanga ezintathu
zonke ebomini bakhe. Ngubani ebesazi ukuba bendizoyazi nini ukuba besinga dibenanga apha? You are
very spiteful! Ukhohlakele Nomtha! Andikhathali noba uthini nokuba zithini izizathu zakho kodwa you
are a vile human being! Undingcolele. Ubuyazi ukuba izondibulala yonke lento wenza ngoluhlobo.
Ubuyazi ukuba ndizozizonda ngokwahlukana nawe because then ngendinga phoswanga kangaka.
Umntwana wam ngenefani yam.”

Nomtha: ”Yiyo kanye into bendingayifuni leyo, uhlale nam ngenxa yokuba ndizoba nomntwana wakho
ube uyazi ukuba awundithembi nalomntwana awuthembi ukuba ngowakho.”

Simba: ”Ndicinga ukuba kufanele ndilumnke ngaphantsi kwemeko. Usebenzisa uloyiko lwam against me
and andizicelelanga ukuba ndibenje okay? Wazi kakuhle ukuba kutheni, bekufanele ukuba wena
uyaqond-”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaqonda nangoku. Yilonto nditshilo ukuba ndiyakuqonda apho usuka khona kodwa
akuthethi ukuba umntwana wam kufuneka agqithe kuyo yonke into ebezogqitha kuyo ngenxa
yezozoyiko zakho.”

Simba: ”Umntwana wethu! Ngumntwana wam nam! But usebenzise izoyiko zam against me. Andisoze
ndiyixolele leyo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayiqonda leyo into kodwa njengoba benditshilo umntwana wam uza kuqala kum. Ndenze
into bendibona ukuba iright for yena, bendiyidinga inkxaso yakho njengo tata womntwana kodwa
bendingafuni istress esiza nalonkxaso. Bendingafuni zintandabuzo zakho kuba emehlweni akho ndihleli
ndisisifebe! Kumosha uNokulunga esidlangalaleni sesithwaxelwa le kwahell nathi ngokuba yena ube
sisifebe. Wakwazi ukumnika elinye ithuba emveni kokuba ufumanise ukuba uJunior akangowakho,
wanyamezela obobudlelwane nibe nabo emveni kwalonto kodwa mna undigabha nje kungekho nento
endiyenzileyo. Uyolanda ifamily kaSamora uyixelele ngelobola wakugqiba undixelela ukuba awusafuni
nalomtshato. Undihlekisa ngabo! Kuba inoba ndandiyinto yokuhlekisa kulaZimbabwe behleli bengandi
khathalelanga. Ndingafuni kwanto endidibanisa nabo kodwa ndazincama ngenxa yokuba bendiwufuna
umtshato nawe. Andiyazi into oyifuna kum! Andiyazi into ubuyifuna kum! Ababantu benza okungathi
bayandikhathalela bazondisa kwiMuslim home enesihoyo kodwa beyazi ukuba bazondisa kwasathana
emveni kwentsuku, mna bendilungele ukudlula kulonto kwakhona ngenxa yakho wandilaxaza nje
kanjalo! Ndikucenga ukuba undiphe ithuba ndizibonakalise ukuba andingo Nokulun-”

Siyanda: ”Guys andiqondi yindawo eright yokukhwazana oluhlobo le. Kubhetele siyeni eCenturion
bhetele. Nijongwe nguwo wonke umntu kule restaurant. Please guys, nike niyeke ukuba nentloko
ezilukhuni nindimamele. Please.”

Usukumile wagaxa ibag yomtwana wayophuma ngomnyango. Ndishiyeke ndiphefumla ndazigquba

ibuso. Bendingafuni ukukhala ke. Bendingafuni tu. USiyanda uthathe istrawuler waphuma. Ndichophe
phaya ndakhala ndonela ndaya ngasese ndiyozilungisa. Ndithathe itake aways ndalandela emveni kwam.

320
Ukuba ebendishiyile bendizothi kuLulu afounele lamntu wemoto ndiziyele eDiepkloof. Bendingazube
ndiphambana ndifounelana naye. Bendidiniwe nje. Ndingene ecaleni kwakhe ngemva ndavala ucango.

Noxa ebesahlala kulaCenturion ebengasahlali kulandawo ebehlala kuyo. Ebethenge indlu. Ibintle
ngendlela engabaxekanga. Nangaphakathi ibi elegant. Inemibala eneutral, nefurniture yakhona. Obeige,
nocream nonude. Ibintle ngendlela engaphaphanga. Bendiyithanda.

Usishiye nje uSiyanda wahamba. Oko kuthulekile endleleni ngaphandle kwencwina kaZendaya.
Ebemncumele uSimba emdlalisa izandla.

Bandishiye apho bayotshona ekamireni. Uyayibona ke into bendiyitsho! Bendizokwenza ntoni ngesiqu
sam mna. Bekixhonywe ifoto zika Simba nabantwana bakhe- abantwana bakowabo phofu. Bekukho
neyam eblack and white ndikuloSimba ndizamisa isidudu sotywala. Bendihleka, caba ikhona lonto
ibithethwe nguNonzaliseko. Bendiqinisekile ukuba ibinguye kuba nguye umntu onondihlekisa kangaka
phakathi kwakhe noManci kaSimba. Bekungekho nothuli kulandlu kubetha umoya.

Bekukho ibalcony ekukhuphela kwi pool. Ibingase ndifake inyawo zam. Ndingqengqe kweza zotulo
emthunzini. Caba ndibiwe bubuthongo kuba ndothuswe nguSimba. Hayi nam ndihamba ndilala. Phofu
bendizothini kuba bendidiniwe, hayi kancinci. Ibingekho lula into yokufunda unomntwana ona three
months. Hleli nje uyakhala. Xa elambile. Xa emanzi. Xa engazazi ukuba athini. Yhu!

Nomtha: ”Askies.”

Andiyazi noba bendixolisela ukuba ndilele esitulweni sakhe na okanye endibhaqile.

Simba: ”Unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”UZendaya, unjani?”

Ndincumile.

Nomtha: ”Uyafeketha. Andilali ebusuku. Umama wase next door uthi umntwana webele udla
ngokufeketha ke kodwa ndingayeki umncacisa kuba liright for yena ubisi. Ndoyika umqalisa isolids
kwangoku, andiyazi noba ndenzani ngaye most of the time. Kodwa ululonwabo nje.”

Simba: ”Leroom nihlala kuyo kulaDiepkloof inaso ispace esoneleyo?”

Ndimrholele amehlo ndaphinda ndacinga ukuba ebetshilo uLulu wathi inoba uyayazi ukuba ndihlala phi
kuba ebenazo zonke indlela zokundifumana. Bendithemba ukuba akukho njalo kuba ndawalahla kwi
hughway nalomacikici wakhe aneyracker kuba ndingafuni andifumane. Ndandi nomsindo ndibuhlungu
ndingasafuni nento endidibanisa naye. Ewe imali, hayi imali.

Simba: ”Wawalahlelani amacikici wakho?”

Nomtha: ”Ngokuba bendingafuni uyazi apho ndihlala khona.”

Simba: ”Ukuba bekukho into ibikwehlele ndingakwazi nokuba uphi, wenziwani ngubani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndayeka ukuba yingxaki yakho ngalamini wandilaxaza Simba-”

321
Simba: ”Ndandizokufunela indawo-”

Nomtha: ”Bendingafuni undifunele indawo. Bendifuna undiphe ithuba, usiphe ithuba. Yiyo into
bendiyifuna leyo, hayi ukuba undifunele indawo.”

Simba: ”Waqhwesha njenge banjwa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndandihleli ndizohamba ekugqibeleni, ukuba ndihambe njani bekungena msebenzi.”

Simba: ”Stubborn. Ndifuna uhlala nomntwana wam.”

Nomtha: ”Andiva ke?”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ahlale nam.”

Nomtha: ”Njani ukuba ahlale nawe?”

Simba: ”Ahlale apha! Akhulele apha, kowabo. Hayi kwibackroom eSoweto. Abe neroom yakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Heh! Simba sawuba ne joint custody yomntwana. Akakho umntwana ozohlala nawe.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ifull custody yomntwana wam. Andifuni zivisits mna abe esiwa ngapha nangapha.”

Nomtha: ”Hehehe! Iphinde ibengathi bendiphambana ngokuthatha umntwana wam ndihlale naye
eDiepkloof ndingakixeleli ngayo. Namhlanje sewufuna ukumxutha. Qhuba ngohlobo obona ngalo.
Umthathe ukuba uyafuna.”

Simba: ”Anditsho kanjalo, Nomtha. Into endiyitshoyo kukuba ndifuna ukuhlala nan-”

Ndimshiye apho ndayongena ngaphakathi. Bendivutha ngumsindo. Bendingayikholwa le. Ndiphumele

ngasefront kuba bendingazuya ndawo. Ndicofile ndafouna yakhawulezwa ukuchola.

Nomtha: ”USimba ufuna ifull custody yomntwana wam. Uzomthatha ke mna mhlawumbi ndizoba ne
visitation rights ukuba ube nenceba. Lulu, ndiyathemba wonwabile kengoku umhlobo wakho uzotsho
onwabe. I hope you're happy with yourself sisi. Ndiyabulela kakhulu.”

Ndiyidrophile kungase ndiyibethekise egumbini qha bendizoyifumana phi enye.

Simba: ”Ndicela undimamele ndigqibe. Andifuni kukuthathela umntwana Nomtha, into endiyitsho-”

Nomtha: ”Simba a ngentando yakho. Ukuba ufuna ukuthatha umntwana mthathe. Yenza ngentando
yakho.”

Uphefumlele ngaphandle endijonga.

322
THIRTY-EIGHT
Simba: ”Ndibe ligwala.”

Ndimve esitsho.

Simba: ”Ndivumele izoyiko zam zimoshe into ebesinayo. Bendikubona undithambela, kwangokuvuma
umtshato ndibonile ukuba uyandithambela. Indlela omvuyele ngayo nobumkhalela ngayo uJunior
indenze ndaziva ndingeyonto kuwe. Indlela oye wandilibala ngayo wafocusa kuye ekubeni ndizama
inyanga ukuba undithande ngalendlela bendikuthanda ngayo mna. Bendifuna undithande ngalendlela
ndandikubone uthanda ngayo uJunior. Zange waba luncedo nganto ebomini bakho kodwa ibingathi
usisizathu sakho sokuphila.”

Nomtha: ”Waba ligwala nyani Simba. Bendinga soze ndingothuki ndibona umntu endakuxelela ukuba
unentliziyo yam. Zange ndiyifihle into yokuba ndinomntu, endimthandayo. UJunior ... andifuni ukuxoka
ndandimthanda ngentliziyo yam yonke. Kwakungekho nto andenzela yona kodwa ndandimthanda kuba
wayendithanda. Noba wayethanda utywala ngaphezulu kwam kodwa ndandimthanda. Olothando
belungasoze luphele nje ngokuba ndidibene nawe. Kodwa ngelixesha ndinawe ndibone indlela
ubuyiphethe kakuhle ngayo intliziyo yam. Indlela ubundibeka kuqala ngayo nendlela ubundimela ngayo,
mhlawumbi ekuqaleni ndandifuna ukutshatela izinto ubunondenzela zona nokhuseleko ebendinoba nalo
kuwe kodwa besendifuna ukuchitha ubomi bam bonke nawe. Ndakunika inkcukacha zikatete Constance
no uncle Kemel kuba besendifuna ukuba ngunkosikazi wakho ngentliziyo yam yonke. Ndiyamthanda
umntu onguye nentliziyo yakho kodwa

undiphoxile ngokundilaxaza kwakho. Ndakucenga Simba, ndicela undiphe ichance. Ndandiyazi ukuba
andikho perfect kodwa zange ndacinga omnye umntu ndinawe mna. Kwa uJunior. Ndandimthanda ewe
kodwa ndandimthanda kuba yayinguye umntu endandinobuya budlelwane ndandinabo naye.
Wayexhomekeke kum, ndivuyela lonto. Uba kukho umntu oxhomekeke kum, umntu endimnakekelayo.
Ndothuka kakade ukumbona kwam kwaye ndandi nomsindo wokuba ndide ndincedwe ngumntu nje
endadibana naye kwiclub ekhona why? Ebona ukuba ndidukile kwaye ndisengxakini, kwalento efumene
iroom yam isisiphithi-phithi kukho namagazi kodwa waphola. Ekubeni ndandimthatha njenge family
yam. Ndicatshukiswa nakukuba ndizinikele ngolahlobo kumntu ondinike igama nje lasestratweni.
Kuthetha ukuba mna naye sasingekho khasini elinye mos. Kwalonto yokuba angandixeleli nto ngosapho
lakhe yacaca nje kum ukuba wayendi thengisela iphupha ngomtshato nobomi obubhetele kunobuya
bam. Kuba wabona indlela endandi desperate ngayo. Wena, wena weza kum undazi. Usazi ubomi bam
nendlela ndandiphila ngayo kodwa wawufuna ukuba nabantwana nam, nonyana. Wandisa kowenu,
undithanda nokuba mna ndandingekabi lapho. Ukuthi gqi nje uJunior sewune insecurities ezingaphezulu
kothando owawunalo kum? Sewundigxotha oko mshologu.”

Simba: ”Yilonto ndivuma ukuba ndaba ligwala. Ndabona ukuba andina chance. Ndoyika nokukuva ukuba
ume ndawoni. Ndagqiba nje ukuba izoba nguJunior kuba umthanda kwaye watsho kum ukuba unam nje
ngezinto ubunozizuza kum. Kodwa Nomtha andifuni kukuthathela umntwana-”

Nomtha: ”Uthetha ukuthini ngokuba ufuna ifull custody yomntwana ke ukuba awufuni kundithathela
umntwana?”

Simba: ”Inoba ndibhidwe sisilungu-”

323
Bendingafuni, bendise nomsindo ndingafuni ukumhlekela kodwa ndizibhaqe sendincumile. Ubhidwe
sisilungu? Yena mntu wafunda esilungwi ubomi bakhe bonke?

Simba: ”Andifuni kumthatha umntwana. Andisoze ndiyenze lonto kuwe, kodwa Nomtha ndifuna
ukubuyela emntwaneni wam xa ndibuya empangelweni. Ndifuna ukuba ngufull time dad njengakubo
bonke abantwana bam. Okanye abantwana bendicinga ukuba ngabam. Ndifuna simkhulise kunye
uZendaya-”

Nomtha: ”Sizomkhulisa kunye noba uhlala eBhayi mna eTinarha. Akunyazelekanga ukuba side sibe
kunye ukuze sikhulise umntwana wethu-”

Simba: ”Nomtha ndifuna ukubanawe mna.”

Nomtha: ”Ngenxa yomntwana andithi? Kuba uba ubusazi apho ndihlala khona kwaye ufuna ukuba nam
ngewawuzile eDiepkloof kuba uyayazi apho ndihlala khona.”

Simba: ”Ndazi ukuba uhlala eDiepkloof qha, bendingayazi ukuba uhlala ndawoni phaya kuba zange
ndithumele mntu akulandele. Ndandibona nje ngetransactions obuzenza kula Dk. Ukuba kwakukho
umntu endambeka ukuba akugade ngendazi kudala ukuba ukhulelwe kwaye ngendaxhumana nawe
kwakudala. Ndandingayazi ukuba ukhulelwe umntwana wam kodwa ungabuza noba nguSiyanda,
Nomtha. Bendifuna ukuxolisa kuwe. Ukuba ungabuza uSiyanda angakuxelela. Ekhona umntwana okanye
engekho bendifuna ukuba nawe. Bendifuna ukuzozithoba kuwe, kukuba bendisoyik'-”

Nomtha: ”Senditsho ukuba ukuba utsho kanjalo, and ufuna ukuba sebomin-

Simba: ”Kakade ndifuna ukuba sebomini buka Zendaya, ndifuna ukuba sebomini bakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ngokuse kubekho uZendaya ngoku izoyiko zakho ziphelile? Sewuzoyeka ukuhleli nje ucinga
ukuba xa ndingekho nawe ndibusy nomntakwenu? Itrust issues zakho ziphelile? Awuzundifuxa
ngalandlela ubucinga ukuba uzondifuxa ngayo? Wathi awundithembi kal-”

Simba: ”Ndathi andithembi mntu ngawe.”

Nomtha: ”

Nomtha: ”Ngoku sekutshintshe ntoni?”

Simba: ”Akhonto itshintshileyo yiprocess le. Kodwa wena noZendaya nibalulekile kum. Andizuvumela
izoyiko zam zindiphosanise nethuba lokuba ngutata nokuba ngumyeni wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ufuna ukuba ngutata emntwaneni wakho uzoba ngutata. Abe neroom apha kwakho
kuba yinto oyifunayo mos leyo? Kodwa into endingazuyenza kukubuyela kumntu ongaqinisekanga
ngento ayifunayo mna.

Kubelula ukundishunqula ebomini bakho kodwa uthi uyandithanda. Andiyazi nithanda njani nina kodwa
apho ndisuka khona mna awumlahli ngolohlobo umntu omthandayo. Ekwakufanele ukuba wakwenza
wena ngewawuthethe nam ngeinsecurities zakho, ngendikuxelele ukuba umi ndawoni nam. Undiphoxile
maan Simba. Undidanisile. Bendinga yilindelanga lanto kuwe. Wenze intlekisa ngam, wophula intliziyo
yam. Bendindodwa ndikhulelwe uJellytots. Ndingena mntu wokumtefela njenga banye abantu.
Ndingena nkxaso. Ndindodwa. I was trying to enjoy my pregnancy kodwa engqondweni yam ndicinga
ukuba ngelapha uSimba.

324
Kodwa awukho kuba wagqiba ukuba uyandikhusela ndibe ndingafuni kukhuselwa ntweni qha ndifuna
ubomi nawe. Intliziyo yam ...

Undivise kabuhlungu. I can't get over that. Andikwazi. Andikwazi ukuzibeka kulo risk kwakhona,
ndiyafuna ukuba nawe nangoku. Yinto endenza umsindo leyo. Ndisafuna ukuba ngunkosikazi wakho. I'm
so mad and angry. Ndinonyaka wonke ndingalali namntu.”

Uyihlekile. Undibambe izandla wandijonga emehlweni efinga intshiya kancinci.

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa. Ebunzulwini bentliziyo yam ndiyaxolisa. Ndinesazela sokuba ndiphoswe yiyo lonto.
Akhonto bendifuna ngaphezulu kokuba nomntwana nawe. Ewe bendifuna ukukubamba ngaye ekuqaleni
kuba ulilahle elitshisayo nawe. Kodwa bendifuna ukuba ngumzali nawe. And I'm sorry I wasn't there for
you guys ngenxa yokuba ndibe ligwala.”

Nomtha: ”Awungo boss kum Simba. Unguboss kwaba bantu bakusebenzelayo. Hayi kum. Xa unomntu
awuzithatheli wedwa izigqibo ezichaphazela nina nobabini. Uyahlala nomntu phantsi uzoneke kuye,
uthethe naye. Into yakho yokungathembi bendiyiqonda kuba ndandilapha ukufumana kwakho itests
zabantwana ubucinga ukuba ngabakho. Ndandilapha ubothulela ezondaba ndibona nendlela
wawubuhlungu ngayo. Ngakumbi ngokuba yonke lento uyenzwe ngumntu ubumthemba nobucinga
ukuba he has your best interest at heart. Awusoze ungazithandabuzi. Awusoze uthembe. Mna bendizo
kuqinisekisa ukuba awuziva okungathi awunondithemba. Andithethi ngomnye umntu kodwa mna. Fine
ndine history yokuphithizela kodwa ndinawe ngalondela ndandinawe ngayo andizange ndakunika
sizathu sokuba ungandithembi, awuyenzi into yokundohlwayela ubufebe buka Nokulunga. Kuba ayonto
intsha. Wayazi four years back ukuba uyafeba, andizufela izono zakhe. Andizulaxazwa ndilaxazelwe
ubufebe bakhe mntakabawo. Wandithembisa ngomtshato and ndifuna unditshate. Hayi kuba
ndinomntwana wakho kodwa kuba isisicwangciso sethu.”

Simba: ”Usafuna ndikutshate?”

Nomtha: ”Wawuthe uzonditshata.”

Simba: ”Kodwa uth-”

Nomtha: ”Andinamsebenzi ukuba nditheni. Andizuxolisela into yokuba ungekho ebomini buka Zendaya.
Ubungekho ngokuba wazikhupha wena-

Ndishunqulwe kukukhala kwephone yam ndayodropha. Undijongile wakrwaqula iphone yam. Ndiyibeke
phantsi ndiphefumlela phezulu. Ndithe ndisajonga kuye kwakhona yaqala phantsi. Ndiphinde
ndayidropha.

Simba: ”Ungayibamba.”

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo.

Nomtha: ”Bendingadingi mvume yakho. Andifuni kuyibamba.”

Simba: ”Ngumntu wakho?”

Nomtha: ”Ubundinike umntu njengoba undilaxazile nje? Wawunyengeze umntu ebhegini yam?”

325
Simba: ”Uthi ufuna ukunditshata kodwa indzondo onayo emehlweni akho. Okanye ufuna ukundibulala
ndilel-

Ushunqulwe yeyakhe iphone naye. Uyibambile eyifaka kuloud. Andiyazi ebesenzela ntoni.

Simba: ”Hello.”

Siyanda: ”Errrr nigqibele niright noNomtha? Anibulalananga?”

Simba: ”Sisaphila sobabini.”

Utsho endijonga.

Siyanda: ”Erm Simba. Ndiyayazi nozama ukuthetha apho noNomtha. Nawe ufuna ukuchitha ixesha
nomntwana wenu kodwa uLulu ebefuna ukumbona kancinci. Umntwana. Oko endimele uba ndithethe
nawe. Nanku nangoku eyekelele ubuso apha.”

Uyihlekile uSimba. Ndinikine intloko yam ngokukhawuleza. Unyuse ishiya wathi 'why'. Ebengakhuphi
lizwi kodwa, enyakazisa indebe zomlomo. Andiyazi bekutheni kodwa ndivele ndoma ndimjonge umlomo.
Nempumlo. Bendinovalo endingalaziyo ukuba lelantoni nje.

Uthinte umqala. Bendimva ethetha kodwa ibingathi ndimvela kude. 'Why' 'I'm sorry' 'Why'. Ndimjonge
intamo kodwa ebengena nto.

Ndixhumile akundibamba.

Simba: ”Sorry. Uright?”

Ebendifingele intshiya. Ibingula mlomo nalampumlo. Okanye bendiphambana.

Nomtha: ”Umntu xa enetatoo uyakwazi ukuyisusa? Iyasuka?”

Simba: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Umntu xa ezigcogcile Simba, uyakwazi ukuyisusa itatoo yakhona?”

Simba: ”Why? Sifike njani kwitatoo?”

Nomtha: ”Ikhona nje into endiyicingayo.”

Undijonge emehlweni ithuba elide.

Simba: ”Ngelazer ewe. Ithatha ixesha kodwa iyasuka.”

Nomtha: ”Awufuni tatoo wena?”

Simba: ”Hayi.”

Nomtha: ”Zange wanayo?”

Uqinise imihlathi yakhe wazincumisa. Okanye ebencuma kakuhle qha mna bendibona izinto zam.
Bendididekile. Kukuba bendine flashbacks ngalamntu. Bendingaboni amehlo ukunyuka kuzo zonke.
Bendibona ukusukela empumlweni ukuhla. Enditeketisa. Sihleli naye etafileni nomama nLumumba.
Kodwa andikho na fifteen apho. Ndimncinci kakhulu. Lamntu ndandimbona ngalamini kuphuma

326
imizimba yabantu basekhaya, ecela uxolo kum wayengumhlobo katata. Wayenokuza endlini okanye xa
utata ehambe nam kwintlanganiso zomsebenzi ndimbone. Kodwa wanyamalala ixesha elide kuba
andimkhumbuli ekhona ngelixesha sendibhadlile ndikhulile. Bekunzima kum kuba bendingayazi ukuba
ibizingcinga nje okanye ingqondo yam ibidlala ngam. Ibingathi ndiqalwa kukuphambana kengoku.

Simba: ”Hayi.”

Ebendiqwalasele emehlweni ndambona eginya ingwiqi. Ndinikine intloko yam. Ayikho. Lento
bendiyicinga.

Nomtha: ”Askies undifanela nomntu. Kukuba mva nje, ngoku ndindodwa kwam. Bendicinga kakhulu
ngabazali bam nababulali babo. Icase yakhona yavele yaphela emoyeni ngenxa ye evidence engekhoyo.
Zange bafumane ubulungiswa obubafaneleyo. Umntu okanye abantu ababa bulalayo baqhubeka
nobomi okungathi abazange bashiye mntwana eyinkedama. I think yonke lento ndiyicinga ngoba
ndinoZendaya. Ukuba ndingaya esikolweni nditshayiswe yimoto ndibhubhe, anganabani? Ndihlala
nabantu abangandaziyo, abangakwaziyo wena. Ubungazazi noba unomntwana wena so ubungeke
uzame ukumfumana. It's sad you know. Ukuba umntwana wam angakhuliswa ngoVenus uba kungenzeka
into kuthi kuba andinamama ozomthatha mna. Andina family, bendifuna ukuba nefamily yam nawe
kodwa nawe wandilaxaza ndaqonda ukuba ndindodwa-

Simba: ”Nomtha, baby. Uright? Uthetha apha uthethe phaya, ayidibani yonke lento uyithethayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ugood ekufumaneni abantu Simba, unabantu abagood ekufumaneni abantu. Ndifuna lomntu
unetatoo entanyeni. Ukuba ndingafumana yena ndingafumana umbulali wabazali bam nomntakwethu.”

Simba: ”Baninzi Nomtha abantu abanoba ne tatoo. And sawukhangela sithi sikhangela itatoo yomlilo?”

Nomtha: ”Uyazelaphi ukuba yeyomlilo.”

Undifingele intshiya.

Simba: ”Usandotsho.”

Bendiphambana.

Nomtha: ”Ndicela uzame.”

Simba: ”Ndizozama kodwa wnsithembisi nto.”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyamvusa lo sizohamba.”

Simba: ”Bendicela ukumlanda ngeweekend. Ungeza nawe uzoqubha, ufundele apha.”

Ndimjonge intamo nalamlomo. Hayi maan Nomtha! Ndinqwalile. Ndiyothatha umntwana, uSimba
wathatha izinto zakhe.

Simba: ”Ndizothenga icar seat evekini.”

Andimhoyanga ndizicingela izinto zam mna.

327
THIRTY-NINE
Bendikruqukile! Bendiyithatha yonke into entle endake ndayithetha ngoZendaya. Indlela ebendidike
ngayo ibingase ndikhale isijwili. Ndinyuke ndisihla naye ndizama ukumthulisa wabe enyukelana.
Bekungekho nto ndingayizamanga ukumthulisa. Ebetyile, ehluthi. Engekho manzi. Ibele engalifuni.

Into ebefuna ukuyenza kukugxwala qha. Ebengawufuni nomqolo.

Ndikruquke worse ukuva iphone yam ikhala. Ibingeloxesha eliright tu eli!

Nomtha: ”Oh Zendaya kodwa! Yintoni mntanam? Mh? Xelela umama kubuhlungu ndawoni? Kubuhlungu
phi sisi?”

Ithule yaqala phantsi kwakhona. Ndiyixhwiphulele emsindweni wayona kuba ibindidika ngaphezulu
kokuba ndihleli ndidikiwe kakade.

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Hello, ndishoutelwa ntoni? Umenzani umntwana uyambulala?”

Ndiphefumlile. Bendingenawo nomdla wejokes zima Simba ezingahlekisiyo.

Ebendincitha nje kuba bendikufuphi ukuba ndikhale kwamna.

Nomtha: ”Andizukwazi ukuthetha ngoku Simba umntwana uyakhala.”

Simba: ”Ndiyamva. Nixabana ngantoni?”

Nomtha: ”Andimazi utheni. Ihour yonke ebetha ngesisingqi. Akafuni tu ukuthula.”

Simba: ”Yho! Ndize ndizokunceda ngaye?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi Simba.”

Wayesigqibele ngalamini wayezosibeka usibona. Ebefouna andibuze ukuba unjani wathumela nemali nje
esidlangalaleni ukuba ndimthengele izinto azidingayo. Wayemboleke ngempelaveki le besikuyo.
IbinguLwesihlanu ngokuhlwa.

Simba: ”Lungisani ke ndizoza ndizonilanda ndizokuncedisa ngaye. Ubumsezile icalpol?”

Nomtha: ”Andimsezanga, bendiseze ipanado.”

Simba: ”Awunayo iCalpol?”

Nomtha: ”Umntwana uyakhala Simba.”

Simba: ”Okay, okay. Ndiyeza. Ndizozama ukukhawuleza.”

Ndibeke iphone yam phantsi ndamshushuzela ndizula-zula laroom yonke.

Undifounele esithi ungaphandle uSimba ndamxelela ukuba makangene. Uzonqonqoza eroomini. Ebeyazi
kuba wsyengenile ngalamini. Esiphathise izinto. Ufike esathule umntwana enesingqala.

Simba: ”Molweni.”

328
Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Khawumzise, uright?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”It's unfair uba ufike ethule wena. Oko ndishushuzela engafuni nokubelekwa, engafuni
nokuncanca.”

Undijongile emshushuzela ngoku ebeseyekile ukukhala. Ebenyukelana sisingqala.

Simba: ”Ngewundifounele, ngendizile.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuzofika sethule nje kuyafana.”

Simba: ”Andiyazi ufuba ndenzeni okanye ndithini.”

Nomtha: ”Ndonganyelwe nje.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayiqonda lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela ngokuza.”

Unqwalile endijonga kalusizana. Bendingafuni kusizelwa mna.

Simba: ”Pakisha izinto zenu zempela veki sihambeni.”

Nomtha: ”Bendingafuni ukuhamba ke kodwa ezibhotile azizukonela iweekend yonke.”

Simba: ”Kukwenza i excuse ngomntwana wam. Yilento yakho yokuba nenkani noba kungekho sidingo
kuba benditshilo ukuba nawe uze.”

Nomtha: ”Uyithengile icar seat.”

Simba: ”Andikayithengi. Bendixakeke kakhulu andafumana thuba. Ndizoyithenga.”

Ndinqwalile ndakhupha impahla zethu nenappy zomntwana. Umthwalo ububa mnintsi ke xa uhamba
nomntwana. Ndipakishe ndagqiba ndamthatha xa endinika yena ndakhupha ibele ndamncancisa.
Uncancile ngoku. Ebemi phambi kwethu uSimba ebambelele esinqeni.

Simba: ”Kufuneka uyicingisise lento yokuyohlala nam eCenturion. Ndizokwazi ukunceda nam
ngomntwana uzokwazi uphumla, ungahlali nje ujongene nomntwana qho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoyicinga.”

Simba: ”Enkosi. Uyozela.”

Nomtha: ”Udiniwe kaloku kukwenza ivur vaai uyalala.”

Simba: ”Ndiqala ngalo ukuba nomntwana ofekethayo.”

Nomtha: ”Babenga fekethi iMalik.”

Simba: ”Zange bafekethe bonke.”

329
Nomtha: ”Ndim lo unethamsanqa lokuzala ixilongo laphezulu.”

Simba: ”Ixilongo lizala ixilongo.”

Nomtha: ”Haha! Yazi kwezizinto zam. Labox. Ndifumene ienvelope enesitsixo nenumber endingayaziyo
ebhaliweyo. Ibhalwe igama lam ngaphandle.”

Simba: ”Oh?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Khawukhuphe le box phaya ewardrobini phezulu.”

Uyoyikhupha wayibeka ecaleni kwam. Ndikhuphe la envelope ndamnika. Ufunde ingama lam elibhalwe
ngaphandle wayivula encina amehlo wakhe.

Simba: ”Ibhalwe ngutata wakho?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Yihand writting yakhe.”

Simba: ”Ukushiyele something kwilocker ekulendawo. Le yi locker number yakhona.”

Ndiphefumlile ndajonga umntwana wam.

Nomtha: ”I wonder yintoni.”

Simba: ”Indlela onokwazi ngayo kukuba uyoyithatha qha. Le yomqikelelo ayizukunceda nganto. Ina.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuyibambe uyondithathela yona.”

Simba: ”Uqinisekile?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ndiqinisekile.”

Simba: ”Okay. Ndizokuthathela yona.”

Nomtha: ”Enkosi.

Simba: ”Nddiyabulela ngokundithemba.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Awumindi?”

Wolathe kula box ndanikina intloko yam. Uchophe ebhedini ecaleni kwam wakhupha ialbum. Uncumile.
Iphoto yokuqala ibiyeyam ndimncinci. Bendincumile ndinyuse izandla caba ndizinyusele umntu
othwebula iphoto.

Simba: ”Ngekakhohlakali.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikhohlakakiswe ngumhlaba.”

330
Undikrwaqule kancinci watyhila kwenye. Uzibuke zonke. Isithi nje kwifamily outings . Eyadini endlini,
esikolweni. Bezininzi.

Simba: ”Wayekuthanda uSamora.”

Nomtha: ”Kakhulu.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabona.”

Uyivalile wayibuyila kwibox. Uthethe enye iphoto yam sendibukhula. Mhlawumbi bendikoma eight.
Benditsala ingalo yomntu. Ebengavelanga yena kodwa ingalo yakhe ivelile. Caba bendifuna ukufota naye
yena engafuni. Uyiphethule yabe ibhaliwe ngemva. Aneni and her Godfather.

Simba: ”Uyamazi lomntu?”

Ndiphinde ndajonga okungathi azange ndayibona kaliwaka. Ndizama ukuqonda lomntu uyiGodfather
yam ungabelanga ngobuso. Ndinyuse amagxa.

Simba: ”Ndiphe yona.”

Ndimfingele intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Uzoyithini?”

Simba: ”Ndizoyiframa. Umhle apha ndiyayithanda.”

Ndiyihleke kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Zininzi iphoto endimhle kuzo, thatha enye yazo.”

Simba: ”Ndithanda le.”

Nomtha: ”Enengalo yomntu ingamaziyo?”

Simba: ”Iright.”

Nomtha: ”You're weird.”

Simba: ”Ndiyithathe?”

Nomtha: ”Yithathe wethu Simba.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayithatha nangoku. Masambeni ke. Selele nokulala lo ungamtsarhi.”

Nomtha: ”Usancanca.”

Simba: ”Uzokhala xa ulikhupha ibele? Andifuni sihambeni ngobusuku.”

Ndimkhuphile wancwina kancinci kodwa akakhala. Utase laphoto waphindisela ibox endaweni yayo
waphatha ibags zethu.

Simba: ”Izinto ezingaka?!”

Nomtha: ”Zezomntwana wabo. Utshintsha oko kaloku umntwana.”

331
Simba: ”Masambeni.”

Nomtha: ”Awuyilibelanga i envelope?”

Unikine intloko yakhe. Sifike kukhala umculo kwaSimba.

Simba: ”Ukhona uMalik.”

Nomtha: ”Ufike nini?”

Unyuse amagxa.

Simba: ”Uvele agibiseleke noba kunini apha. Andiyazi noba kukho into emtyayo na okanye usube
ephelelwe kukuya kwiflat yakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Okanye usube ekhumbula utata wakho. ”

Simba: ”Mhlawumbi.”

Uthathe ibags sangena ngaphakathi, usikhokhele wavula enganqonqozanga. Ebehamba ngogaga

ekhitshini enxibe noshorti ejaiva.

Simba: ”Uyafundekela mfondini.”

Uncumile akubona utatakhe wancedisa ingoma ecula.

Simba: ”Umntwana ulele!”

Ucofe iremote wawuthoba ngokukhawuleza. Urhole amehlo ukundibona.

Malik: ”OK.”

Simba: ”Okay ntoni?”

Malik: ”Sekuphinde kwanjalo. Yinto yanini kengoku le yenu kids?”

Utsho esolatha ngefolokhwe utata wakhe wamlingisa wabaleka eyihleka.

Malik: ”Ugrand Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright enkosi unjani wena?”

Malik: ”Mojo! What's with the kid? Nimbephi?”

Simba: ”Siba abantwana?”

Malik: ”Ngokabani? Ngowakho Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ngowam.”

Uphinde wawarhola onke amehlo akhe. USimba ubeke izinto phantsi wazothatha umntwana kum.
Ebengencume ebeveze onke amazinyo ngaphandle.

Malik: ”Unomntwana?”

Ndinqwalile. Usondele kuye uSimba wamtyhila amabhayi.

332
Simba: ”NguZendaya Nyeredzi Tongai. Sisi wakho omncinci.”

Ujonge umntwana emtyhila yonke wonke amabhayi.

Malik: ”Ngumntwana wakho?!”

Ubuze utatakhe.

Simba: ”Ngumntwana wam.”

Umfunqule uMalik emjula phezulu wothuka uZendaya.

Nomtha: ”Malik!”

Malik: ”Vuka mawulele! Ekse! Kuthwa ngubani?!”

Simba: ”Zendaya. Uyabona uthathe amehlo am?”

Malik: ”Mfondini ithini into yakho? Uyafuna okanye awufuni ukujonga?!”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! NguSun Li!”

Malik: ”Hahaha! Guys. Ngowenu lomntwana?!”

Simba: ”Ngumntwana wam lo.”

Malik: ”Ndiyanibongela. Ninomntwana nyani?!”

Simba: ”Yehake.”

Malik: ”Ndizoyixoxa nabani eyoba nosisana ndimdala kangaka?”

Simba: ”Tyhini sawungazali ngenxa yalonto?!”

Malik: ”Nisose nisenza omnye kwangoku ke. Andifuni kubekho isiphazamisi xa ndinowam umntwana.
Utamkhulu angakwazi ukuteketisa umzukulwana wakhe kuba unabantwana.”

Simba: ”Wenza abantwana ngoku wena?”

Malik: ”Ndifuna ukwenza abantwana ngoku ungekabhubhi. Iminyaka imnkile.”

Simba: ”Uthetha inonsense. Sapha umntwana wam.”

Malik: ”Andikholwa ninomntwana. Nimfihlelani kengoku?”

Simba: ”Akafihlwanga. Ungafundekeli ngomculo. ”

Malik: ”Ja sure. Unomntwana, uNokulunga unomntwana. Ngabantwana ngapha nangapha.”

Simba: ”Ibhulu leplasi!”

Nomtha: ”Kanene wayekhulelwe uNokulunga! Yagqibela ingumntwana kabani ke umntwana wakhe.”

Simba: ”Ngokabani Malik? Nguwe ubhuti.”

Malik: ”Andibuzi otata babantu mna. Umntu umazi yena utata womntwana wakhe.”

333
Simba: ”NgokaSylvester. Nguye edada eJukskei.”

Nditsarwe ngamathe ndayihleka.

Nomtha: ”Hay maan Simba! Iwrongo maan ijoke yakho.”

Simba: ”Waphinda wayinkwenkwe.”

Nomtha: ”Uhhhh yinkwenkwe.”

Simba: ”Yinkwenkwe ubhulu leplasi. Mhophe qhwaa!”

Nomtha: ”Umazelaphi ke wena?”

Simba: ”Ndaboniswa nguMluleki, wayethumele uUlatho iphoto.”

Malik: ”Khaniyekeni ukuhleba ngomamam.”

Nomtha: ”Abantwana bahlala phi?”

Malik: ”UMalkia useMeadowlands, uNura uyazihlalela, uJuju useKyalami. Usober ngoku which is good.
Uyaphangela.”

Simba: ”UMalik uyibhatala nje iflat yakhe kuba uhlala elapha kwam esitya ukutya kwam.”

Malik: ”Bendigada wena ke apha ungabi lonely. Ngoku umntu wakho ubuyile andisafunwa. Kulungile!”

Simba: ”Ndizolala naye umntwana. Uzozikhangelela ikamire wena.”

Nomtha: ”Uzofuna ibele lomntu ebusuku.”

Simba: ”Mpompa kaloku idami.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyishiyile.”

Simba: ”Ngoba?”

Nomtha: ”Bendingacingi ukuba izodingeka.”

Simba: ”Ndizomane ndimzisa xa ekhala. Uzolala notatakhe. AmaDlomo alale odwa.”

Malik: ”Ningalali nobathathu nje?”

Simba: ”Mna noNomtha asikho together.”

Malik: ”Oh. Ndithi nibuyelene.”

Siyolala. Andilalanga phofu mna- hayi kwangoko. Ndifundile kuqala ndandula ukulala. Ndothuswe
kukukhala kuka Zendaya. Ebeleliswe ecaleni kwam. Ndithathe iwipe ndosula ingono ndamncancisa
uphindele ebuthongweni.

Bendingakholwa ukuba bekusemveni kwemini! Oko ndinomntwana zange ndavuka ngelaxesha.

Malik: ”Morning!”

Nomtha: ”Undothusa!”

334
Malik: ”Askies.”

Nomtha: ”Uphi uSimba?”

Malik: ”Usandophuma actually. Batshiselwe iwarehouse yabo kusasa so ebengxamele khona.”

Nomtha: ”Warehouse yantoni?”

Malik: ”Le benza ezizinto zabo zitshaywayo zingekho mthethweni. Uthe uzobuya ngoku kodwa.
Ndiyahamba mna.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhh yhoo!”

Malik: ”Kukho into besiyoyithatha. Uthe uye ekamireni phezulu kwebhedi. Sharp! Usalele uZendaya?”

Ndinqwalile.

Malik: ”Okay. Ndizoza ndizombona ngomso ngaphambili kokuba nihambe. Mojo!”

Ndinqwale nje ndayongena ekamireni kaSimba. Bekukho ibag phezulu kwebhedi. Ebrown.

Ndisondele ndayinkqika ndakhuza ndindwa. Ibigcwele imali ithe qhu! Zange ebomini bam ndake
ndabona imali engaka. Samora Tongai! Imali emgaka esematyaleni. Bendizibuza uba akayifakanga
bankini kuba ezazi ukuba ubolile ngamatyala na. Ebolile ngamatyala ebeyithatha phi imali engaka.
Bekukhi itape recorder nefile enkulu ebrown. Ndivule iletter yabe ibhalwe ngesandla sakhe. Ndizive
ndiphelelwa ngumoya ndingekamameli itape recorder okanye ndifunde iletter kuwe iphoto phantsi caba
ibiphakathi kwe envelope nayo. Ndiyicholile ndiyijonga ndazibamba isifuba. Bendingcangcazela.
Ndiyijonge ngemva yabe ibhaliwe ....

335
FORTY
'Panguva yaunoverenga izvi ndinenge ndafa ...'

Utshilo umqolo wokuqala.

'Ukufunda kwenu lencwandi ndawube sendingasekho' ibisitsho.

Bendingayazi ukuba ndawuyigqiba ndinjani kuba bekunzima kwa ukugqitha kulamgca nje wokuqala.
Bendiyibona kaluzizi zinyembezi bezisemehlweni am. Bendingazuyifunda le letter ndingena mfanekiso
welizwi likaSamora. Noxa wayeneminyaka ehlala apha eRhawutini wayelwimi elilukhuni. Umva nje
ukuba akangowalapha.

'Ndinototangira kupi.' Ndingaqala phi?

Iqhubeke yatsho.

'Ndinokumbira ruregerero.' Ndicela uxolo.

'Noxolo, sthandwa sam. Lumumba nyana wam olibhongo neqhayiya kum. Aneni-'

Ndiyivalile ndayifaka kwi envelope nalafoto bendiyichole phantsi. Ndiyohlamba ngokukhawuleza

engekavuki umntwana, ukhale ndingekagqibi nokosula ndaleqisa kuye mdimncacisile. Ndigqibezele
ukosula ndathambisa ndinxiba ngokukhawuleza.

Kukhale iphone yam ndayithatha ndiyiphendula.

Nomtha: ”Hello?”

Ndimve ephefumlela ngaphandle.

Luleka: ”Ndiba uzoyidroppa. Nomtha askies. Kunini ndizama ukukufounela, ndizama ukudibana nawe
ndizothetha nawe kodwa awufuni nento edibanise nam. Andikuxheshi kodwa bendifuna ukubuza ukuba
uzoxola nini. Usuku nonyaka ndizokwazi ukuyeka uba sisicefe kuwe ndilindele lomhla?”

Ndincume kancinci ndinikina intloko yam. Umntu kaSiyanda.

Nomtha: ”Andiyithandi into yokuba you went behind my back wanditrepa ukuba ndidibane noSimba.
Bendiziva okungathi ndingcatshiwe nguwe. Uthathe ichoice yokuzithathela mna esosigqibo and
ayindivisi kamnandi lonto. Andithandi ukunyanzelwa ngento, andithandi nyani.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyaxolisa kakhulu Nomtha. Ndiyaxolisa ukukungcatsha kodwa bendiziva okungathi ndenza
into eright. For wena, for uJellytots. Akumnandanga and ayinoba kulula ukukhulisa umntwana ufunda
kungekho nenkxaso kumntu osondeleyo kuwe. Ubuzoba lonely kuba nam bendinga zukwazi ukuqhubeka
ndixokisela umyeni wam. Ebesendikrobele ukuba kukho into eyenzekayo ndancama ndamxelela ngoku
sebekuboni erestau noSimba uba bendikwazi apho ukho kwaye bendiyazi ukuba unomntwana qha
ngenxa yokuba undithembile ngemfihlelo yakho bekuzoba wrongo ukuba ndithethe. Bendikwenye nje
iposition. Ulose, lose.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngokufaka engxakini nomyeni wakho kwaye ndiyayibulela yonke into ubusenzela
yona noZendaya. Andiyazi ngendiyintoni ngaphandle kwenkxaso nobukho bakho. Usincede kakhulu

336
ngexesha kanye besidinga ngalo umntu. Ndiyayibona into ubuyenza ngoku kodwa bendigekabikho ready
ngalamzuzu ukudeala noSimba.”

Luleka: ”Usafuna ukumthatha umntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi. Wasuke wathi uyicikozile kuba yena ebefuna ukuthi ufuna ukuba yifull time parent. Hayi
ukuba ufuna ukumhlutha kum.”

Luleka: ”Uziva njani ngoku?”

Ndiphefumlile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyavuya ede wasempilweni yommtwana wakhe uSimba. Uyamthanda, ebelele naye izolo.
Ungutata oqotho yena ndiyayazi lonto kodwa into bendingayifuni kukuba umntwana wam abe ejongwa
nge magnifying glasses kutsalwa nesamples ayokwenza iDNA's-”

Luleka: ”Uthini?”

Nomtha: ”Kuthwa unamehlo akhe, naye wonwabile ngaye I guess. Andiyazi noba uzokwenza itests zakhe
bucala na kodwa athandaze ndingambhaqi ukuba kunjalo. Kuba Lulu ndawumbulala ngoku kwam!”

Luleka: ”Kufuneke uqon-”

Nomtha: ”Xa kuziwa kuZendaya akhonto ndiyiqondayo. Ungandithandabuza mna uyoma apho uphela
khona kodwa umntwana wam hayi!”

Luleka: ”Ndirelieved ke ukuba niyazama. Ayikho into eyogqitha lonto. Bendinga zukwazi ukuhlala
ndikubukele usokola wedwa nomntwana kodwa utata wakhe uyaphila. Nathi asikwazi nokukunceda
simthathe ngezompela veki kuba uyafihlwa. Umntwana makamazi utata wakhe. Bonke abazali.
Ngaphandle kokuba yena akafuni ukuba sempilweni yakhe. Njengoba nawe ungathandanga
uluthathelwa izigqibo ungakwazi ukwenza ichoices zakho yindlela ebezoziva ngayo uSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”

Luleka: ”Siright?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe siright, ndiyakukhumbula.”

Luleka: ”Andinaxesha labantu abasileyo mna ndizifunela uJellytots wam. Yehake uvile ngewarehouse?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndothuka lonto ngoku. Ndivuka engekho kemna uSimba, uMalik uthi uleqise khona. Inoba
kwenzeke ntoni na?”

Luleka: ”Yinto yangabom ndikuxelele mna. Umntu onomona. Umntu onokuzuza nto ngokuwa koSiyanda,
kodwa ngethamsanqa ishipment ibingekafiki. Konakele nangoku kodwa kubhetele banayo iproduct yabo
and abazotyala bantu mali.”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi uzinikele nawe kule business yabo.”

Luleka: ”Kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Ungumfazi nyani.”

337
Luleka: ”Hahaha! Khawume wethu. Kengoku nisaxhwithana intsiba noSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Andisafuni nokuxabana namntu ngoku.”

Luleka: ”Uright. Ningabe nimosha amandla nisilwa nodwa kukho intshaba ezilindele ukuba uSimba alose
ifocus. Bangaphantsi koxinzelelo oluninzi abobantu. Be his peace.”

Nomtha: ”Peace yakhe nguZendaya, hayi mna. Ndisenomsindo wokuba endilaxazile endithembise
ngomtshato. Ndiba nengcwangu nje xa ndimbona.”

Luleka: ”Ubenomsindo uJellytots uncanca lomsondo nentiyo kuwe.”

Ndijikelezise amehlo.

Nomtha: ”Sawuphinde sithethe sisi kukho umntu emnyango.”

Luleka: ”Alright sthandwa. Ndizonibona evekini! Noba nize kwam sizobona umntwana nomalume
uSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Sawuthetha. Undixolisele kuSiyanda torho.”

Luleka: ”Usabekelwe umphako ngulowo.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo umntu ngomhlobo wakhe!”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Usengxakini.”

Nomtha: ”Nawe uyeke ukuba maka, umcofa cofe mhla ndisiza. Ndifike inzwane zithe saa angabinawo
nomdla wokuxabana.”

Luleka: ”Haaa!”

Nomtha: ”Khawuyeke sisi. Enkosi ngecall.”

Ndiye emnyango ndibeke uZendaya esinqeni sam. Ebemkhulu ke lonto! Bekuthiwe ndingamxheshi
ngesolids kuba unomzimba.

Ndikrobile kuqala ndandula ukuvula.

Mluleki: ”Ndonqene ukugibiselela ngaphakathi ke kuba ndinaso isitsixo. Molweni! Hey nanku loSun Li!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! USimba mntakabawo! Mxelele utamkhulu ukuba unguJellytots wena.”

Mluleki: ”Ayomincili, ayilochulumanco kuSimba! Molo Nomtha.”

Undangile ngoku ndiphethe umntwana, wabeka ibox enkulu ibiribithelwe ngento zakhona
ezimenyezelayo phantsi wafunqula umntwana.

Mluleki: ”Phantse wangaboni wena. Black China!”

Nomtha: ”Oh ubhuti!”

Mluleli: ”Hahaha! Unangaphi?”

Nomtha: ”Three months.”

338
Mluleki: ”Mkhulu! Wenza ntoni na uUlatho engangeni?! Latho!”

Ulatho: ”Ndiyezoo!”

Ndivele ndanaar! Bendingaqondi ukuba ndawuze ndimcacele uUlatho. Ibingase ndizibethekise edongeni
ukucinga ukuba ndizobonana nobuso bakhe. Ayikho ebeziyenza apha ngaphandle kokuba nguSuthukazi
Arosi kulaNozimanga unguNolungula. Bendifana mna noSimba. Ukuba awungomhlobo wam usisitha
sam.

U 'apha naphaya' womntu bendinga dibenanga naye. Kungene bantwana kuqala. Ababini
bebengashiyani kakhulu ngeminyaka nomdala kunabo. Bendingamazi ke yena nabanye abantwana babo
ababini. Ndibabulisile bonke nomama wabo. Sibashiye endlini sayohlala ngaphandle emthunzini. Umzi
kaSimba ubuyindawo eright for usapho.

Mluleki: ”Uyaphila Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila bhuti enkosi unjani wena?”

Mluleki: ”Siyaphila nathi akhonto. Ndizokubetha apha!”

Ndiyihleke kancinci.

Mluleki: ”Tyhini! Kanti ixesha eli lonke uyotshona nomntwana wethu?”

Nomtha: ”Zimeko bhuti.”

Mluleki: ”Hayi usincede thina. Yini usiphosanisa nentombi yokuqala kaSimba. Ndiyathemba niyazilungisa
izinto nizoqhubeka ngelobo njengoba nanihleli nizokwenza uzohlala apha nomntwana. Ngumzi wakho
lo. Awuzuhamba uqasha nomntwana ekhona uSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Okwangoku sihoye umntwana. USimba kunezinto ekufuneka ezilungisile ngesiqu sakhe
ngaphambili kokuba ndicinge nokuba ngunkosikazi wakhe.”

Unqwalile. Ebesafunqulwe nguye umntwana wandinika xa kwakhe efuna ukunyuselwa phezulu.

Isikhwele emntwini ngotata wakhe!

Mluleki: ”Oh. Kuhamba njani esikolweni?”

Nomtha: ”Kuyafundeka. Yonke into ihamba kakuhle. Sendingxamele ukuba ndide ndigqibe yonke into
edibene nesikolo ndizoziphangelela.”

Mluleki: ”Ufuna ukuphangela?”

Ndinqwalile.

Mluleli: ”Ungaphangelela mna. Ndidinga i assistant izondinceda ukusorta izinto zam. Kunzima
ukufumana umtu endimthemba ngokupheleleyo ngezinto zam kwaye endibafumanayo abantu abahlali.
Sewusazi ngokwaneleyo ngesikwenzayo wena kwaye uyifamily so ndiyakthamba.”

Ndithinte umqala wam.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela ukuba ucinga uba ndiyifamily-”

339
Mluleki: ”Uyiyo Nomtha. Ubalulekile kumntakwethu, ungumama womntwana wethu. Ukuba beninga
phakanyelwa ziziciko noSimba ngesewungu nkosikazi.”

Ndiyihleke kancinci ndikrwaqula uUlatho ebebambe ucwangco ecaleni komyeni wakhe. Indlela ebethule
ngayo ubunothi sisobanini qha nobhuti.

Nomtha: ”Niyabulela kakhulu bhuti kodwa andinokwazi-”

Mluleki: ”Ngoba?”

Undishunqule.

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ubuphangela wedwa ungasebenzeli uVenus. Utata womntwana wam ukwelishishini
lifana nelenu and ukuxhasa nina ndawube ndisebenza against yena. Ngendlela izinto ezingakhona
ulutshaba lukaSimba, andizukwazi kemna ukudebenzela utshaba lukaSimba.

Nento nje endibene nalandoda- ndiyaxolisa ukutsho kodwa hayi andiyifuni. Umamakho ndiyamthanda,
andifuni aswele indoda kuba andithembi ukuba andinomfakela ityhefu ukuba ndinosondela kuye
ngokwaneleyo.”

Unqwalile.

Mluleki: ”Ndiyakuva. Indzondo yakho kuye ikhangeleka ingaphezulu kokuba engcatshe uSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Ingaphezulu koko ewe kodwa ndimthiye ngeso sizathu. Andisazi isikhohlakali esilala nomfazi
wonyana wasa simzalise abantwana sawugqiba sivume, sibukele unyana waso emkhulisa sibe sisaqhuba
ukulala naye.”

Unqwalile endiqwalasele ebusweni. Yena uVenus ... ilanga lakhe belisiza. Ebezawuhlawulela izono zakhe.
Ndifunga utata.

Siqhubile ke sincokola nobhuti ngezinye izinto ezingengo Venus. Bamnkile ngokuhlwa. Akhange
ndiyivule ipresent yabo sizoyivula kunye noSimba. Ibinkulu.

Ndihlambe umntwana ndamlalisa, nam ndahlamba ndanxiba ipyjamas zam. Ndiyotya i ice cream
ekhitshini ndizulisa kuba ndilinde uSimba abuye. Bendifuna ukulala sekhona ndizova ukuba konakele
kangakanani kwi warehouse. Ndive imoto iduma egarage ndibukele itivi. Ebesevuke kabini uZendaya
ndiyomshushuzela ndimncancisa.

Ndiyovula olwacango lwasegarage lukhokhelela endlini wabe evala umnyango omkhulu. Uze nganeno
wandincinela amehlo ukundibona emnyango.

Bendicinga ukuba sendiziqonda imasks azinxibayo. Ukusukela ekubeni ngutata, iboyfriend,

usomashishini, nesigelekeqe. Bekungekho nto ndiyiqondayo ngaye. Ebetshintsha apha ibengathi
akunguye lowa uhleka eqethukise intloko.

Undifingele intshiya.

Simba: ”Baby, andikho mdleni wokuxabana nawe ngoku. Ndiyayazi ukuba unezinto odinga ukuziqonda
kum kodwa mna ngoku I'm only in the mood yokulala or f*ck.”

340
Ndiphefumelele phezulu ndimjonga emehlweni.

Nomtha: ”Andizangixabana. Bendifuna ukuchecka ukuba uright na.”

Uwancine ngakumbi amehlo.

Simba: ”Ukubonisile uMalik labag ndize nayo?”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Wafunda iletter, wabona yonk'into?”

Nomtha: ”Andikayifundi- andikakwazi. Ndibone imali qha. Ndisadinga amandla okuba nesibindi.”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Okay.”

Undijongile wahla nam. Usondele kum kancinci wandibamba isilevu erhabaxa kancinci, wasinyusa ukuba
ndimjonge. Usondeze ubuso bakhe kobam ndake ndayeka ukuphefumla. Bendiwubambile.

Indebe zakhe zidibene nezam, bezibanda ceke okungathi ebesitya isiqede.

Uze wonke endihlasela umlomo wandinyusa endikhokhelela ekamireni yakhe. Bendijikelezise imilenza
yam esinqeni sakhe.

Simba: ”'Mntana?!”

Nomtha: ”'Lele!”

Ibe seso siphithi-phithi endikhulula yonke into eyilahlela kwa hell. Ngokuphanyaza kweso besendihamba
ngaze. Ukhulule ngokukwawuleza waphezulu kwam endiphuza kwakhona. Undibambe amabele wafaka
umlomo wakhe ndambona enyakama.

Nomtha: ”Yintoni?”

Simba: ”Bisi.”

Ndimhlekile.

Simba: ”Ohealthy lesex. Ndifumana necalcium.”

Ndithe ndisayihleka wabe sewubuyisele umlomo wakhe endiphulula ngaphambili. Indlela bendimanzi
ngayo bendinga funi nokuthetha. Umzimba wam ubusamthanda, bendibona. Ebewazi amaqhosha
emakawacofe. Ufake iminwe endiphulula kamnandi ndaziva ndincwina ndifuna yena ubuqu. Uyabona
kudala ndalala namadoda. Ibingekho efika kuSimba ngokwazi indaba zakhe. Bendifunga ebene PhD
yokonwabisa nokuvisa umntu kamnandi. Ebengezi lamxhokonxo u uncomfortable yena. Ndizive
sendingcangcazela ndawabala mbhakra amehlo am. Ukhuphe iminwe ngoko nangoko akalinda nokuba
ndikhokhe umoya ngaphambili kokuba andingene ngamandla. Bekungekho sidingo sokuba ndithi ayifake
yonke okanye ngamandla kuba ebesenza kanye lonto. Ndimva esibelelweni. Ebetshilo phofu wathi he
wants to f*ck. Ebesenza kanye lonto. Bendingayazi ndithini ngesiqu sam. Ndifike kwiclimax kwakhona
wabe engayekelanga. Ebejdingena ngesantya segeza ndithi sendizixhwitha inwele ndibe nditsala
amashiti ndibe ndimnkrempa umqolo. Zange ndabaswzulwini kodwa bendinombono ukuba kunje

341
okanye ndiswzulwini. Okanye mhlawumbi bendimana ndikroba xa ndinyukela amaqhina. Inoba
ibiseyikokwesine ngoku ndifika kwaO wam wabe naye sevungama oku kwesilwanyana sasendle ndeva
ubushushu bakhe ngaphakathi kum. Waqhuba eyifaka kancinci okungathi ubuyisela ezi ziphumayo.
Undiphuze umlomo.

Simba: ”Ndinokuda, wakadini zvako?” ndiyakthanda, unjani.

Nomtha: ”Ndirirayiti.”

Simba: ”Ndineurombo.” uxolo.

Utsho esukuma kum wayongena ebathroom. And then?

Andiyanga kuye ndahamba ndayongena kwibathroom bendihlambe kuyo ndangena eshower ndikhama
namabele am umntwana angancanci ubumdaka. Ndiyeke amanzi andibethe entloko ndeva ngomnyango
uvuleka.

Nomtha: ”Wenza ntoni apha?”

Simba: ”One more?”

Sigqibe sendidinwe ndiyinja. Akukho ndawo ibingena mkhilindane. Ndikhamile kwakhona endibukele
ekhangeleka ekude ngengcinga.

Ndinde ndagqiba esandijongile waqubuda ezimbamba intloko. Bendingafuni nokuba okwangoku.

Simba: ”Uzoy'funda nini iletter?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ngoku. Andikwazi nokufunda imiqolo emibini ndingakhali.”

Simba: ”Ukuba ufuna ndibekho ndingabakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuyifunda ndodwa.”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Hamb'ojonga umntwana.”

Ndimshiye apho esaqubudile ndafika encwina. Ndimncancisile waphindela ebuthongweni nam ndalala.

342
FORTY TWO
Ndibeke iphone yam endlebeni ndiyimamele ikhala ingade icholwe. Bekukowesibini ngoku ndiyizama
ikhala ingene kwi voicemail. Eneneni besendikruqukile.

Simba: ”Nomtha ndithe ndizofikela apho. Ndisesendleleni.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikudikile.”

Simba: ”Anditshongo uba undidikile.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho sidingo sokuba ude utsho, uyavakala ukuba udikiwe. Akudikwanga wena wedwa ke.
Nam ndidikiwe ngumntwana wakho. Andikwazi nokuzonwaya kuba uhleli nje uyang'winiza. Iveki yona
usiza. Andiyazi noba sewujike wanguYesu na.”

Simba: ”Akuvalali ukuba ndiyaqhuba?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokuva njani ekhala kangaka uZendaya?!”

Simba: ”Ndizomthini mna. Nomtha ndidiniwe, ingase ndifike ndihlambe ndilale. Ndidiniwe.”

Nomtha: ”Nam ndidiwe kodwa Simba.”

Simba: ”Nyamezela.”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Yho! Hayike! Yho!”

Simba: ”Ndizonithatha ngomso.”

Nomtha: ”Yhoo!”

Simba: ”Yeka ukubaxa. Khambeke iphone endlebeni ndithethe naye.”

Nomtha: ”Uyagqushalaza izowa iphone yam.”

Simba: ”Suxoka.”

Nomtha: ”Khawume ndimncancise.”

Simba: ”Uchildish ngqith'wena.”

Nomtha: ”Umntu ndimgadele umntwana itwo weeks yonke usafuna elinye ixesha.”

Simba: ”Ndine three weeks ndinganiboni, yeyesine le.”

Nomtha: ”Four weeks?!”

Simba: ”Ndine four weeks ndimnkile.”

Nomtha: ”Andiqaphelanga noba sezingako iveki. Hayibo!”

Simba: ”Ndizovukela kuni ekuseni. Ndiyanikhumbula.”

Nomtha: ”Nam?”

Simba: ”Ewe nawe tyhini. Umncancisa ntoni lowo?”

343
Nomtha: ”Ndandikuxelele mos ukuba ndizomqalisa ibhotile ukufika kwam eDiepkloof.”

Simba: ”Uncanca yona yodwa?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe uncanca yona ngoku sede uyayiqhela.”

Simba: ”Ohhh.”

Nomtha:”Ufuna ukuwancanca wedwa amabele am?”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Mhlawumbi.”

Nomtha: ”Wakuncancisa ke wena uBisola. Owam umntwana ufuna ancance ibhotile. Okay.”

Simba: ”Traffic cops. Ndizonibona ngomso. Ndizofika nditipe.”

Nomtha: ”Mhh umntu utsho kanjalo xa ezoxakeka ke.”

Simba: ”Ndizawuxekeka nawe ngomso. Ube usenza ikegels.”

Nomtha: ”Ingase zikubambe ezotraffic!”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Bye baby!”

Nomtha: ”Uthi uZendaya uyak'thanda.”

Simba: ”Mxelele I love her to the moon and back. Uxelele nomamakhe.”

Nomsa: ”Sawukubona ngomso ke.”

Simba: ”Goodnightini.”

Nomtha: ”Night.”

Nomtha: ”Awufunwa nangutata wakho geza ndini lomXhosa!”

Bekugqithe iveli ezimbini- correction, ezine emveni kokufumana iletter nemali nala recording.
Ndazithatha kodwa bendingekagqibi ukufuna iletter, ndingekaqalisi ukumamela itape. Imali
bendiyisayishiye kule bag phaya kwaSimba. Lomzuzu bendingeka yazi ukuba ndizoyi investa okanye
ndizokwenzantoni bendifuna ihlale kula bag lomzuzu. KwaSimba, kuba ibikhuselekile phaya kunalapha.

Ndothuswe yiphone yam ekuseni ndaphethuka ndiyithatha. Ibingathi kukhawuleze kwasa maan.

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Kutsixiwe apha.”

Nomtha: ”Phi?”

Simba: ”Ndilapha ngaphandle Nomtha, yizovula.”

Nomtha: ”Ekuseni apha Simba?!”

Simba: ”Bendithe ndizoza ekuseni njena. Yizovula.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo noko uyibaxile.”

344
Simba: ”Khawuvule.”

Ndibeke iphone yam ndakhangela igown ndayibhinqa ndaphuma ndiphethe isitsixo. Bendizileleli
ngepeyinti qha kuba kutshisa.

Ebephumile emotweni emi ngaphandle kwemoto, ndimvulele igate wandincumela. Ebenxibe itracksuits.
Phofu umzantsi nesikipa nje netrainers. Ebephethe itake-aways.

Nomtha: ”Xa usiza nokutya.”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Hello.”

Undiphuze umlomo wangena ngaphakathi ndatsixa.

Simba: ”Uhliswe yintoni?”

Nomtha: ”Phi?”

Simba: ”Emzimbeni? Awuziboni uhlile?”

Nomtha: ”Andiziqaphelanga.”

Simba: ”Sisikolo?”

Nomtha: ”Nomntwana.”

Simba: ”Buyela eCenturion.”

Nomtha: ”Kuyafana naphaya mos kuba uzobe ukwezi business trips zakho.”

Simba: ”Akufani. Buyela eCenturion.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizobona.”

Simba: ”Uyeke inkani. Ndakugqibela kudala.”

Nomtha: ”Ubundikhumbula.”

Simba: ”Ewe baby bendikukhumbula.”

Nomtha: ”Simba, siyintoni?”

Simba: ”Early in the morning undibuza ngokuba siyintoni. Nomtha masiqale sitye kuqala.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Singene ngaphakathi wakhulula wangena ezingubeni. Usondeze umntwana kuye emphuza. Ndityile mna
lomzuzu besalele ndathi ndigqiba wabe sekokude ubuthongo uSimba. Ndithethe iphone yam ndibafota
nentombi yakhe ndayongena kwelinye icala ndibazela ngomva ndiphindela ebuthongweni nam.
Ibingekho into bendizoyihlalela ndibukelane nabantu abaleleyo. Bendihleli ndingeka zimiseli ukuvuka.

Simba: ”Hey, bendiba ufile.”

Nomtha: ”Bendidiniwe. Uyamhlamba?”

345
Bendibuza ibhasi ibhaliwe kuba ebesekomini yakhe emhlamba uSimba.

Kodwa unqwalile.

Simba: ”Ukhathazwe ngubani kangaka?”

Nomtha: ”Ngumntwana wakho.”

Undijongile.

Simba: ”Andizuphuma kakhulu. Bendigqibelisa ngoku. Ukuba ndimnkile ndizobuya kwangalo mini.”

Ndinqwalile. Khange ndikhalaze nokukhalaza ngokumnka kwakhe iveki ezine zonke kuba bendiqonda
ukuba ikhona into ibubalulekile ebeyihambele ngenxa yala warehouse yabo itshisiweyo. Kodwa
bendimdinga ke, ngakumbi kule iveki. Bendindinga uncedo lwakhe ngomntwana kuba bendidinwa nam.
Ndidinwa na sisikolo.

Nomtha: ”Izinto zihamba njani?”

Uphefumlile.

Simba: ”Iyalunga iWarehouse. Sawube sesisebenza kuleveki izayo. Besisebenzisa enye for- besisebenzisa
enye kodwa ayikho mgangathweni uright.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba iphinde yatshiswa kwakhona?”

Simba: ”Ayisoze iphinde yenzeke lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Uqiniseke kangakanani?”

Simba: ”Kuba ndimxelele lomntu utshisileyo ukuba sizoyixolela okwangoku, kodwa yaphinde yenzeka
into enje yimpi. Ndithemba ukuba undivile kuba ke mna I keep my promises. Uyayazi lonto.”

Nomtha: ”NguVenus andithi?”

Simba: ”Nguye. Uyakhanyela kodwa ndiyayazi, nguye. Ubuyimamele irecording?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyimamelanga. Neletter zange ndiyigqibe.”

Simba: ”Ngoba?”

Nomtha: ”Nje.”

Simba: ”Awunangxaki xa ndiyimamela?”

Nomtha: ”Undixelela ukuba zange uyimamele okanye ufunde iletter yam ngalamini wawyuyozithatha?”

Simba: ”Andikuxeleli nto.”

Nomtha: ”Wayifunda.”

Simba: ”Okay.”

Ndijikelezise amehlo am ndababukela behlambana. Umkhuphile wakhala uZendaya. Bendimazi

ngokungathandi ukuphuma emanzini ke.

346
Simba: ”Awuyo fish kaloku Mamntande, zifish zodwa izinto ezihlala emanzini.”

Nomtha: ”Silwa oko!”

Simba: ”Ade apholile amanzi umntu akafuni kuphuma. Sinesimemo.”

Ndimjongile wabe engandijonganga, ethambisa umntwana wakhe.

Simba: ”NguMluleki.”

Utshilo akubona ukuba andimbuzi nto.

Nomtha: ”Unantoni?”

Simba: ”Benza iparty yomntwana wabo uQhawe.”

Nomtha: ”Nini?”

Simba: ”Ngomso.”

Nomtha: ”Sawumthengela ntoni ngomso?”

Simba: ”Sendimthengele ipresent. Esuka kum nawe. Singumntu mnye. Mna nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Simba: ”Undithatha serious nje wena? As umntu?”

Ndiyihlekile.

Simba: ”Vuka sihambeni.”

Nomtha: ”Ima ndilale two minutes.”

Simba: ”Hayi Nomtha tyhini! Andizanga kuzobukela wena ulele mna. Uzolala nazendlini.”

Unditswebile ndisabhaqa ubuthongo.

Sichithe imini sihleli nje singenzi nto. Besizipholele ngaphandle kwendlu sisemthunzini. Bendilala
ndivuke. Bekumnandi nyani ngoku sendimlule uZendaya kuba bendikwazi ukuphumla kakuhle. Inkani
zam ngamanye amaxesha! Kuba eberight uSimba ngokuthi ndiyeke ukuncancisa. Bendingayazi ukuba
ndizothi sibuyelene okanye hayi. Bendingayazi kwamna into ibisenzeka kodwa ibiright kanye ngoku
ingenagama. Silalise umntwana kwasa phandle sijongile. Oko bendimgqibele ngalamini sasileli apha
njengoba besiphinda nangoku. Ubusuku bonke. Besenzela nezamini ndandivele ndinkonke.

Emveni kwemini siye kwaMluleki. Besekugcwele ngaphandle kuzijumping castle kuzigames nje
ezohlukeneyo. Bendinexhalana kuba bendiyazi ukuba uMluleki umeme ifamily yonke, bekunokwenzeka
ukuba notatakhe abephaya. Simise imoto estratweni uSimba wathatha umntwana. Ndithathe ibag yakhe
mna sangena. Sigqithe kwisiphithi-phithi sayongena ekhitshini. Abafazi bakwaMatanzima bonke
bebesekhitshini bejongene emehlweni beyihleka.

Nomtha: ”Molweni bethuna.”

347
Bisola: ”Oh! Oh! Nantsi lengelosi kudala ndifuna uyobona, mzise mzise! Yhuuuu Simba! Akasemhle.
Amehlo hahaha! China lakwabani. Ohhhh methuna Zendaya. Nomtha.”

Ndiyihlekile ndamanga ngoku afunqule umntwana.

Bisola: ”Ungumdlezana nyani uyabona uhlile nasemzimbeni? Okanye kukuba ndakugqibela kudala?”

Nomtha: ”Ndehlile. Andiyazi noba sisikolo na okanye ngumntwana. Kodwa ndehla ngoku seyeke
nokuncanca. Bendizothi kukuncancisa.”

Bisola: ”Uke uye kwagqirha maan. Abanye abantu babanengxaki xa begqiba kubeleka, ezinye zizifihle
ziyoziveza sekonakele. Uke ubone ugqirha. Uyatya kodwa? Kakuhle?”

Simba: ”Akatyi uyatshabalalisa! Andibuliswa mna?”

Bisola: ”Sorry my love, how far?”

Simba: ”Awusemhle.”

Bisola: ”Ndiyabulela, unqabile Simba.”

Simba: ”Uyayazi ingxaki.”

Bisola: ”Uyamazi utata wakho oko wayenje maan akangomntu wokuhoywa.”

Simba: ”Ndiva kusithiwa ufuna ukundibulala.”

Bendimangele ukuba emxelele lonto umama. Wothuke wazibamba isifuba.

Bisola: ”Angakubeka apha, uyayazi naye lonto. Tyhini bawo angade ahambe ethetha obobubhanxa. Ze
kusuke nonwele nje kulontloko uzawundibhaqa. Uyabona uzoqiniseka ukuba akukho kwanto yenzeka
kuwe kengoku noba ayinanto enokwenza naye. Kanti konakele phi na Simba. Nabantwana bathi
awusababoni.”

Simba: ”Bathi kutheni xa ubabuza?”

Bisola: ”Abathethi nto.”

Simba: ”Ngumamabo oyaziyo ukuba kutheni ndingasena budlelwane obusondeleyo nabantwana.

Andinomphendulela mna. Andifuni nokuba ngathi ndikrwada.”

Nokulunga: ”Andazi nto mna. Ngabantwana bakho. Mna ndihlala le eMeadowands.”

Simba: ”Ndingakuxelela ngoMalik mna. Umntwana wam. NoZendaya.”

Mhhh kube awkward kengoku.

Ulatho: ”Bhuti! Bangaphaya ngemva oMluleki.”

Simba: ”Oh alright. Uzomxelela nini umama ngabazululwana bakhe? Mh? Lungas? Hey liqheya nyani
lentwana! Kuthwa ngubani igama lakhe? Junior?”

348
Nomtha: ”Sylvester Stallone mntakabawo! Mhle nyani ufana notatakhe. Abantwana bangoku! Usokole
wedwa aphume efana noyise. Kubhetele kum ngamehlo qha. And akafani notamkhulu, andithi
Jellytots!”

Simba: ”Ndisaya ngemva. Ndiyavuya unibona.”

Bisola: ”Huh? Simba? Sikhona isizathu sokuba uthi abantwana bakho nguMalik noZendaya qha? Benzeni
abanye?”

Simba: ”Ayikuba benzeni, kukuba umamabo wenzani kwaye wayenza nabani. Abazukulwana bakho
nguMalik noZendaya. Qha.”

Utsho wayotshenela ngemva washiyeka egwinya ingwiqi uNokulunga.

Ulatho: ”Uyaphila Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright unjani wena sisi?”

Ulatho: ”Ndiright nam. Naziya ibites, ungazinceda ngazo. So senikunye kwakhona nobhuti?”

Nomtha: ”Sizama izinto ezinjalo.”

Ulatho: ”So waxola ukuba wamfihlela umntwana wakhe ipregnancy yonke nenyanga ngaphezulu?”

Nomtha: ”Mh unoxolo uSimba. Kubhetele kodwa ukuba ngowakhe. Umntwana.”

Undincinele amehlo. Umama ebengasekho ekhitshini nomntwana wam, bendingayazi ebemnke xa

kunini.

Nomtha: ”So umntwana yaba ngoka Sylvester. Inoba unjani ukukhululeka uMkhuseli. Indlela
wayenexhala ngayo ecinga ukuba ngowakhe. Ndamxelela avule icase once and for all. Irape noba
yenziwa ngubani, bubulwanyana. Ikuxutha isidima sakho ikuhluthule umntu onguye. Anditsho ukuba
wamdlwengula. Andifuni ukutshiswa mna. Kaloku kuthwa utata wabantwana bakho yiArsonist. Kunjani
eMeadowlands?”

Nokulunga: ”Bendisayotshintsha umntwana wam.”

Unkcunkcile ukuphuma. Indlela bendimzonda ngayo ibingase ndimbizele abahlali.

Ulatho: ”Uyazi Nomtha. Singamanina kufuneka sibambane, sixhasane. Ngakumbi thina bafazi
bakwaMatanzima. Ukuba asibambani thina singabafazi abayeni bethu bawuxatyaniswa sithi. Ungavumi
ukuba omnye umfazi alale ngenyembezi ngenxa yakho. AwungoThixo yena ogwebayo.”

Nomtha: ”Bendizolungena olumanyano lwenu ukuba beningajiki kwanina ninyathele umazala wenu
izithende. Sibambane sixhasane ntoni? Ubugqwirha?! Nibe nihleka nomama kaSimba apha kanti
niyampretenda. Mhla yavela le yona kwawufa umntu sibone ukuba lombuthwano wenu uphelelaphi.
Wena uyafana nje noNokulunga kuba endaweni yokuba umcebise kakuhle usaqhubela uyamxhasa.”

Ulatho: ”Nomtha ndineminyaka mna ndendele kulomzi. Iminyaka. Ungekazalwa nokuzalwa. Alukho
usapho olungena mfihlelo. Ukuba umkhathalele umama, wena nomyeni wakho nawumkhusela kulento
ingafiki ezindlebeni zakhe!”

349
Mluleki: ”Hey! Hey! Siniva singaphandle! Ndenzela umntwana wam iparty apha! Andivulanga ndimanga.
Nilweni ngenye imini kodwa ningamosheli umntwana wam usuku. Nomtha, uzokhathazeka uSimba xa
ndinigxotha kwam. Hlonipha umzi wam nalento niyizeleyo apha okanye uphindele eCenturion
uyozicinga kakuhle ukuba ungumama womntwana kaSimba na okanye unguNondatshaza esitratweni.
Wena ungumfazi okanye unguNondatshaza esitratweni, kuba ngendlela eniziphethe ngayo anohlukanga
kubo!”

Simba: ”Kwenzeka ntoni?”

Mluleki: ”Tyhini.”

Simba: ”Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Simba: ”Khawuze ngapha.”

Ndisukume ngokukhawuleze caba kuba ndivele ndanesiyezi ndabambelela ngetafile. Uxheshise weza
kum uSimba endibamba okungathi ndizowa.

Simba: ”Uright?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ndisukume ngokukhawuleza ndiright.”

Undive ibunzi qandiphuza. Ebekhathazekile nam ngokunjalo. Inoba ibingumsindo lo. Bendingasafuni
ukuba kulapati. Sendonele kodwa sisandofika.

Nomtha: ”Masigodukeni.”

Simba: ”Baby nditheni kuwe?”

Ebendisebezela endlebeni.

Nomtha: ”Uthetha izinto ezininzi, andinoyazi.”

Simba: ”Kuninzi okusesichengeni. Ngendlela oqhuba ngayo ngoku nendlela ongakwazi ukuzibamba
ngayo uzothetha izinto. Uzopotya izonto. Nditheni kuwe?”

Nomtha: ”Uthe ndingaxhamazeli.”

Simba: ”Ndingaphinde ndikuve unyusa ilizwi ke. Yitya something ngaphambili kokuba usiwele. Ikhona
into odlula kuyo endingayaziyo?”

Nomtha: ”Ayikho.”

Simba: ”Awukho right kodwa.”

Nomtha: ”Bendiyile eclinic kuthwa ndanikwa ipilisi.”

Simba: ”Kuthwa unantoni?”

350
Nomtha: ”Khange bandijonge. Bandinike ipilisi zokicacisa ukutya. Ndenze neHIV test kuba besendicinga
nayo.”

Simba: ”Uyazibona ukuba awunguwe?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoba right.”

Uyokhuphe iplain yoghurt wayibeka phambi kwam eyivula, wandinika necephe.

Simba: "Phindani nikhwazane ke.”

Utsho waphindela kobhuti esishiya sodwa. Undijonge nje waya ngaphambili ebantwaneni.

351
FORTY ONE
'Panguva yaunoverenga izvi ndinenge ndafa ...

Ndinototangira kupi? Ndinokumbira ruregerero.

Noxolo, sthandwa sam. Lumumba nyana wam olibhongo neqhayiya kum. Aneni mwedzi yanhu.
Ndiyayazi uzova ubuhlungu kakhulu yiyo yonke lento kuba ububona uThixo kum. Ndibuhlungu ukunazisa
ukuba andinguye lomntu bendicinga ukuba ndinguye. Umama wenu uyayazi, akukho nto angayaziyo.
Bendisoloko ndifuba ukunikhusela kobabomi bam bumnyama ningaba ntwana bam. Kodwa andinogcina
imfihlelo engaka ndide ndife nayo. Ekugqibeleni kufuneka niyazi ukuba utata wayengengo Yesu. Utata
wayeneziphene naye kuba ungumntu. Andina zikrokro ebomoni. Andina mathandabuzo ngempilo
endiyikhethileyo kuba ukwenzenjalo bendiqinisekisa ukuba niphila impilo enifanele. Ndithengise
umphefumlo wam and made a deal with the devil ngenxa yokuba ndifuna ukugcona lempilo ndiniqhelise
yona noNoxolo. Ishishini lam lapotyakala kudala. Bendingasenzi mali, ndingakwazi nokuhlawula
abasebenzi bam ndafumana icash injection kumntu owrongo. Kusathane wasemhlabeni. UVenus 'Tiger'
Matanzima. Bendimcocela imali yakhe emdaka. Ndimgcinele iziyobisi nezibhamu kwipremices zam.
Ngomzuzu omye bendinolawulo lwento yonke ngomnye ndazibona sendiyi puppet kaVenus. Selawula
ishishini lam mna ndiphendula kuye. Ndinyamezele kuba benifumana the best of everything kodwa
ibingebo bomi bendibufuna obu.

Bendifuna ukuba ngumntu onyanisekileyo ndibe ngumzekelo kuni. Bendinesazela qho xa ndinenzela into
ngemali emdaka. Ibinditya kancinci lonto indibulala kodwa bendawu kwenza njani? Indoda kufuneka
yenza ekufuneka ikwenzile. It was my obligation.

Ndibhala lencwadi kuba there is a hit on my head. Umhlobo wam undilumnkisile ukuba ndimnke
ndibaleke kuba ndizobulawa. Uyabona, ngenxa yokuba ndifuna ukuphuma kobubomi ndenze impazamo
yokubela uVenus. Ndikwasebenzisana namapolisa ndiwanika ubungqina bokumwisa phantsi neshishini
lakhe. Lendoda ayina sazela, ayina ntliziyo Noxolo. Akana mphefumlo. Sisiporho somntu, ndiyayazi
ukuba uzondibulala kwaye ngesihlungu. Andiyazi bendicinga ntoni ukumsa emapoliseni kuba akaqali
kuphandwa kungafunyanwa nto. Bendicinga ukuba ndawumnaqoba mna. Kukhangeleka okungathi
ndizibizele ukufa. Andizubaleka, ayibubo ubomi endinifunele bona obu. I'm gonna take this like a man.
Into angazuyifumana yimali le ndiyibileyo. Ndithemba ukuba ngexesha eniyifumana ngayo nawube
ningeka thwaxeki kangako. Andikwazi ukuyishiya nommeli kuba nangaphandle kokuba ndimtyala
kwayena uVenus uzoyazi. Akakho umntu ongekho sentendeni yezandla zakhe. Sekela. OoMinister,
ooCeba. Amapolisa aphezulu nabaphathi abambalwa. Une army yabantu abamsebenzelayo. Abantu
bekumele basebenzela ukumfaka eziseleni. Andiyazi bendicinga ntoni kodwa ndiyaqonda ngoku,
ukungena kwam kuye yayikukuvuma ukufa kuba ibingekho enye indlela bendinophuma ngayo
kobubomi.

Nijonge lephoto ndiyifake apha, nakubona lomntu nibaleke. Ningabalekeli mapoliseni kodwa nikhangele
iGodfather kaAneni uSimba Nkonkheli Matanzima. Ewe, uzalwa nguTiger kodwa ndimthemba ngobomi
bam ... nani mthembeni-

Ndizive ndixukuzelwa ngamathumbu. Godfather? Simthembe nathi kuba umthembe ngobomi bakhe
bonke? Simba.

Simba: ”Nomtha!”

352
Ndikhawuleze ndafaka iletter kwi envelope ndayiqhusheka ngaphantsi komqamelelo. Kuvuleke ucango
wandijonga.

Simba: ”Kufikile ukutya.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyeza ngoku.”

Simba: ”Yonk'intw'iright?”

Ndiphefumlile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiright. Ndiyeza ngoku.”

'Ndimthemba ngobomi bam ... nani mthembeni.'

'Kudala ndakuthanda ...'

'Akakushiyelaga mali utatakho?'

'Umama wakho wakho wawungasoze umbhaqe edanisa.'

'USam.'

'Ndiyakutyala okuninzi.'

'Ndimthemba ngobomi bam ... nani mthembeni.'

'Aneni and her Godfather. XO.'

'Ndiphe yona.'

'Uzoyithini?'

'Ndizoyiframa. Umhle apha ndiyayithanda'

Ndiyihleke kancinci.

'Zininzi iphoto endimhle kuzo, thatha enye yazo.'

'Ndithanda le.'

'Enengalo yomntu ingamaziyo?'

'Iright.'

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Bendingaqondi ukuba besendikude nengcinga. Ndimjongile wavula ucango lonke lathi gebelele
wasondela kum echophe ecaleni kwam ebhedini.

Undiphulule umqolo kanti uvula umthombo wenyembezi. Undiyekile ndakhala ndonela engathethi nto,
endiphulula nje.

Simba: ”Thetha nam.”

353
Nomtha: ”Babenyanisile ababantu ngokuthi uSamora uzibandakanye nabantu abangalunganga.”

Simba: ”Uyifundile iletter?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Andikayigqibi. Kodwa ndiyifundile. Ebemazi nyani uVenus. Umbiza ngomngcatshi nenyoka
kuba wamxela emapoliseni-”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi baby.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi.”

Bendingafuni ukungena kuyo eyokuba undifihlele ukuba uyamazi uSamora. Hayi nokuba undifihlele
kodwa ukhanyele ndimbiza ngamatyeli amaninzi. Kodwa ebesoloko ephuluka qha mna ndingahoyi kuba
naye ebevele andibhebhethe. Wayenyanisile ke ukuthi wandithanda kwakudala kuba noba imemory
yam inokuba mfiliba xa ndicinga igama elithi godfather bendivele ndiyive intliziyo yam ikhukhumala
luthando. Bendinga senakumkhumbula ngoku kuba ndamgqibela kudalaa ndiselula kakhulu Ebohluke
kakhulu kulamntu bendimbona engqondweni yam.

Simba: ”Yintoni enye oyifundileyo?”

Nomtha: ”Yikondawo qha. Nokuba lemali le yimali ayiba kuVenus and ebemfunela yona. Ekhuphe ihit
egameni lakhe. Ebezazi ukuba uzosweleka kodwa sandingayiboni yonke lonto thina. Ndsndingayiboni
yonke lonto. Wayengabonisi stress sokuba usengxakini. Wayesoloko enoncumo nomonde nangemini
zokugqibela.”

Simba: ”UVenus upowerful ngeyona ndlela. Uxhumene nabantu abaninzi. Abantu onolindela ukuba
baxabise abantu nezidingo zabo. Lamntu usebenzisana noceba ukuze izinto zakhe zihambe kakuhle
kwingingqi. Noba bambona eshushumbisa benze ingathi ababoni. Ungumthetho uqobo.

Amapolisa uwaphethe kanje. Ibusiness katata wakho wayiwisa ngoku kwakhe ukuze azokwazi
ukumbamba ngamaphambili amsebenzise. Wawela kulotrap uSam ngaphandle kwezilumnkiso zam.
Kwangathi ndifuna ubutyebi ndodwa ndamyeka.

Buye baphela ubuhlobo bethu ngenxa yalonto. Ndayeka ukuza kowenu, ndaphuma kuye. Kodwa
ngelixesha sesengxakini noVenus wabalekela kum endicela ukuba ndimncede ngani kuba yena
senikezele. Bendiyazi ukuba kukho imali ayibileyo kutata nokuba uyiqhusheke somewhere so yilonto
bendingaqondi kakuhle ukuba uhamba uthengisa ngomzimba njani kodwa u'Sam' une half a million
ukuba ayomillion ayibileyo kuTiger.”

Nomtha: ”Wawuyazi ngalamini. Eclubbini?”

Simba: ”Ndandingeno yazi. Ndakugqibela uyipikinini embhana enezidlele eziqhekekileyo nenwele

ezinkulu kakhulu! Hleli nje unemikhwinyana noba akubandi. Thetha kakhulu! Oko wawunenkani ngoko.
Unomsindo okhawuleziyo. Waphantse wamkhupha indlele uLumumba ngenye imini wasiwa esibhedlele.
Wamtshela! Kunzima ukukususa kuba soyika uphume nayo kodwa wawuhlekisa njengoba usahlekisa
nangoku xa ungaphethwanga yinkohlakalo. Kula club you were all woman. Bekungekho mntwana
mncinci undibiza ngo'baba'. Yilonto ibivele ithambe nangoku untliziyo yam xa undibiza kanjalo,
ubungaqondi wena but subconsciously ubusazi. Bendiqhelekile kuwe ngendlela yokuba noxa undithiyile

354
ubundithambele. Bekukho into ekutsalela kum njengoba nangoku ikhona. Noxa unomsindo onawo
ngakum.

Actually ndakugqibela ngalamini wawufumana abazali bakho.”

Ndothuke ndaxhuma ndisuduka kuye ndizigqume umlomo.

Nomtha: ”Unga- Simba.”

Unikine intloko yakhe ngokungathi ebeyazi into bendifuna ukuyibuza. Ngokungathi ebenesiphiwo
esithile sokufunda ingqondo.

Simba: ”Yayinge ndim.”

Nomtha: ”Uqinisekile ukuba yayingenguwe?”

Andiyazi bekutheni ndifuna ngentliziyo yam ukuba ingabinguye owabulala abazali bam nomntakwethu.
Bendifuna kubekanti akanaso kwasandla ekufeni kwabo. Ndithemba ukuba wayenga phazami utata
kulaletter yakhe ngokucinga ukuba singamthemba uSimba.

Bendixukuzelwa ngamathumbu intliziyo yam inzima. Ibiseyicaca ukuba nguVenus umntu obulele utata.
Ebenaso sonke isizathu sokumgudluza kuba ebelimeva esithendeni sakhe. Bekuright kengoku ukuba
ndibe nosapho, ndithandane nonyama wombulali wosapho lwam. Ndimzalele abazukulwana, ndibe
ngumolokazana wakhe? USamora ewe ebenthembile njengamntu ebenokusikhusela kodwa ebeyilindele
eyokuba sawukwazana ngoluhlobo loSimba. Eyokuba akazuba yiGodfather yam kodwa utata
wabantwana bam. Womntwana wam. Andiyazi bendiziva kanjani ngalonto, andiyazi. Bendingeno kwazi
ukumginya ngoku umntwana kuba ebesekhona.

Simba: ”Ndandizobuya ngemini elandelayo mna endise eCape Town. Kukho enye ikingpin
ndandiyothetha nayo ngoku distributa phaya. Kwakufanele ukuba kuye uMluleki kodwa wayitshintsa
lonto ngomzuzu wokugqibela. Zange sivane nalamntu ndathatha iflight ebuyayo. Ndifounelwe nguMonti
esithi kugcwele amapolisa apha, amapolisa neambulance. Andiyazi kwenzekani kuba ndsndibeke
uSylvester agade. Ndafika sekulate. Sekudityulwe uSam noKoyo. Umntu ndandicinga ukuba iniba
usindile nguLumumba kuba wayendixhaphakele kwiclubs. Qho ndimbona edlakaza imali ngotywala
obudurhu nomarhosha abasemgangathweni ophezulu. Ndothuka ndokubona kuba ndandicinga ukuba
ukhona nawe. Ukuba umzimba wesithathu kuleya yayikhutshwa ngowakho. Ndakubona.”

Nomtha: ”Tatoo yomlilo?”

Simba: ”Ndayisusa ngelazer surgery kwangaloveki. Ndifuna kuphele noba yinyanga ndizokufumana
ndikufake kwiboarding school.”

Nomtha: ”Kwathini?”

Simba: ”Ndasiwa eSaudi ngutata. Ndahlala inyanga ndabuya ndingayazi noba utshone ngaphi.
Ndancama de ndadibana nawe eclubini.”

Nomtha: ”Yayingubani?”

Simba: ”Baby andiyazi. Ndafika sekonakeke mna kodwa ndeva nje ukuba utata wathi kungaqhweshi
nekati. Yayi personal into yakhe noSam kuba uyifanisa nekaJudas noYesu. Wayemthembi uSam utata.

355
Andiyazi noba kukuba wayecinga uba ngenxa yokuba emvalele ekoneni akasoze enze nto kuye kodwa
wayesomdeze nangaphazulu kwam. Uyayazi mos ukuba mna notata zange saba nobudlelwane obufana
nabanta kwethu? Ingathi kukho apho intambo zethu zingadibani khona. Akandivisisi. Uthi kukuba
ezibona kakhulu kum, indim omthathileyo konyana bakhe kwaye endaweni yokuba ndisondele kuye
ndiya ndibhekela. Ndizibona amandla kakhulu. Ekuqaleni bendizama ukuba ngulonyana amfunayo.
Ndibaleka ilizwe lonke kuba ndicinga ukuba uzobona uba ndithembekile kuye kodwa besingafiki apho.
Ndiyaqonda ngoku ukuba besingafikiswa nakukuba ethanda unkosikazi wam. Noba ebengamthandi nje
ngomama kwaye engasoze kodwa kwezizifebe ebezithanda ecaleni ebeyi official mistress yakhe.
Emzalisa ngesibom- for some sick reason endingasoze ndiyazi. Ebengulonyana ndandingenguye uSam.
Besitya bonke emxaelela imfihlo ebengungafanelanga ukuba uzixelela mntu. Eberecorda uSam. Esenza
icopy, enye wayinika kanye elipolisa lisebenzela uTiger. Wayephambana ngumsindo. Yilonto
wayengafuni kuphume nempukane. Yilonto wonyanya ukuba awuqhweshanga kuphela kodwa unonyana
wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndakubuza Simba.”

Uphefumlele phezulu.

Simba: ”Ndandingenaso isizathu sokukufihlela inyani. Mhlawumbi ndandiyazi iwrongo into yokuba
ndikufune ngalendlela besendikufuna ngayo. Nomtha ukuqala nje kwam ukubona ndandifuna ukuzibona
ndiphakathi kwamathanga akho. Ndisajonge leyo ndafuna ukubona ndinabantwana nawe. Ndisafuna
lonto nnangoku. Ubenabantwana abaninzi bam. Ube nguUlatho.”

Ndincume kancinci ndanikina intloko.

Simba: ”Ndandiyazi ukuba kuzofuneka ndikuxelele yonke inyani. Ndikuxelele ukuba ndiyintoni kuwe.
Bendifuna ungandithathi njengomntu ongutata kuwe. Umntu othenjwe nguSam ukuba akugade mhla
kwenzeka into kuye. Kodwa bendinesazela mihla le. Isazela sokuba ndifuna ukwenza umfazi nomama
wabantwana bam. Ngaphezulu koko ndinesazela sokuba ndabalate. Zange ndiqonde ukuba utata
undibalekisela ukuba azobulala uSam, nomntu endandimbekile weza ne excuse eweak yokuba walamba
wayothenga ikota. Ngoku ndicinga ukuba wayeliliso likaVenus.”

Nomtha: ”Bawo wam kuninzi nje oku. Kuninzi!”

Simba: ”Process izinto ngendlela ofuna ngayo. Uyifunde laletter ukuba uyafuna, xa uready umamele la
recording. Kodwa kuyo yonke lonto ungandikhalali mna. Ndiyayazi unezizathu ezininzi zokuba ungafuni
nto ekudubanisa nam nabantu basekhaya kodwa ndifuna uyazi ukuba ndakuthanda kudala. Ngendlela
eyihlukile kule ewe kodwa nangoku ndisakuthanda. Ukuba ufuna ubulungiswa ndizogweba umntu ofuna
ukumgweba kodwa uyazi ukuba akukho ukubuya mva. Ndiyayiqonda ukuba uzoba nomsindo ngoku
ufune ukumbona etshabalala uVenus kodwa ungaxhamazeli. Ndiyakwazi ngokwenza ungacingi.
Wabhatyaza uzofa Nomtha and sinabantwana ngoku. Sinomntwana. Kufuneka senze yonke into
ngobuchule baby. Ndiyakuthanda, uyazi lonto. Ndandingayazi ukuba ungumntwana kaSam-”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ngoku undibetha impundu ngebhanti uyayazi. Ngoku undiqhwaba ngempama
ndayonkule phantsi uyayazi.”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Andizingci ngezozinto. Eneneni ndiyazisola ngoku.”

356
Nomtha: ”Andiyikholwa yonke lento le. Ingathi ndikwifilm. Andiqinisekanga nganto ebomini bam. Kuba
lomntu bendicinga ukuba ndiyamazi andimazi. Nguye umntu owabulalisa uNoxolo noLumumba.
Bekufanele ukuba kwabulawa yena yedwa, kungachaphazeleki abantu abamsulwa.”

Simba: ”Angasisigebenga uSam kodwa ebeyiyo yonke lanto ubucinga ukuba yiyo. Uyakhumbula
ndimuxelela ngokuba you can't be the same thing kuwo wonke umntu. Nam andinguye uboss kuwe,
ndinguSimba, utata kaZendaya. Yilonto endiyiyo. USam wayengutata kuwe kwaye wayekuthanda
ngokunga zenzisiyo. Wenza impazamo yokuthemba umntu owrongo qha. Wenza ngako konke
ukunikhusela nokuzikhupha kulampilo. Ayompilo yakhe leya. Yayingeyo mpilo yakhe. Wayeyi dolphin
phakathi kwesharks. Sizisharks thina obubomi sithi, thina sibobubomi kodwa akuthethi ukuba
asinokwazi ukuzisa umphefumlo emhlabeni nokuwunakelela lomphefumlo kuba sithatha eminye. Hold
on to that memory of your father uzixelele ukuba it was written in the stars. Kwasekugqityiwe ukuba
ibali lakhe liphele ngoluyahlobo kwaye wena kwakufanele ukuba elakho liqhube. Unefemeli yakho
ngoku, nabantwana abangabakho-”

Nomtha: ”Nomntwana.”

Simba: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Uthi ndinabantwana abangabani. Andinabantwana, ndinomntwana.”

Undijongenje akathetha. Ndiphefumlile.

Nomtha: ”I need to process.”

Simba: ”Yenza njalo. Bendimthengele idummy uZendaya izolo. Besiyifake amanzi awarm noMalik.
Awuzukwazi ukumpompela ubisi noba azikho zakhona. Umsengele?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyonkomo Simba. Mzise apha. ”

Simba: ”Bendifuna ukuhamba naye kwaMluleki sikushiye ubethwe ngumoya.”

Nomtha: ”Msapha ndimncacise kuqala.”

Simba: ”Ungamlumli nje Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ngoba?”

Simba: ”Kuright ukuncancisa umntwana ulala nendoda?”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi kukho ingxaki kulonto. Abanye abantu bancancisa abantwana bade bade no one.
Undixelela ukuba abalalwa bona unyaka wonke?”

Simba: ”Kodwa noba ungamlumla wena maan.”

Nomtha: ”Usemncinci lomntwana Simba, unenyanga ezintathu qha. Usalidinga ibisi kebele.
Andinangxaki nokuncancisa.”

Simba: ”Okay. Niyahamba namhlanje?”

Nomtha: ”Sisikolo ngomso.”

357
Unqwalile. Uphumile ndashiyeka ndiphefumla okungathi bendiwubambile umphefumlo wam. Yhooo
inene. NguDays of our lives obam ubomi sana.

358
FORTY THREE
Simba: ”Yintoni ingxaki wahlala wedwa apha?”

Nomtha: ”Ebekhala?”

Simba: ”Ebengakhali ndimthathile nje.”

Nomtha: ”Khawumsapha ndimbambe.”

Simba: ”Hayi suwara myeke apha kum.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzothiwa kutheni ndakubambisa umntwana imini yonke?”

Simba: ”Kuzothiwa kutheni wandibambisa umntwana kabani? Kutheni uhleli wedwa bebaninzi abantu?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizohlala nabani? Andifuni kuhlala ne ex wife nomfazi kabhuti wakho. Bayandidika nje
indlela abapretentious ngayo.”

Simba: ”Nomtha kuzofuneka wehlise umoya baby ngoba uzifakela istress. Suyingena kakhulu into
yoNokulunga, inyaniso izozivelela ngemini evela ngayo. Ndiyayazi yonke lento uyenzela ukundimela
kodwa andiyidingi lonto kuwe. Ngokucacileyo you're going through a lot noxa ungafuni ukutsho ukuba
yintoni kodwa awunguwe ncam plus nomsindo ngaphezulu. Uzocinga ukuba uyanceda kanti wenza
umonakalo. Thoba umoya uziyeke ezaba.”

Nomtha: ”Ndidikiwe na kukubalapha mna. Ingase side sigodukeni.”

Simba: ”Sizohamba kungekudala.”

Ndiphefumlile ndivala amehlo am.

Nomtha: ”Ndidiniwe.”

Ndimve echopha ecaleni kwam endosula inyembezi ibisihla ngecala.

Simba: ”Kwenzeka ntoni kanti? Kutheni usala ukuthetha nam?”

Nomtha: ”Ndidiniwe.”

Simba: ”Udinwe yintoni? Thetha nam.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi kwenzeka ntoni ngam Simba kodwa andiziva kakuhle. Ndinexesha ngoku ndingaziva
kakuhle. Ndihleli nje ndidiniwe ingase ndilale. Andiziva right tu. Ngapha kufuneka ndihoyane noZendaya
noba andiziva kakuhle, abe ekhala into engapheliyo. Sisikolo ngapha.”

Simba: ”Mhlawumbi awuzithathanga kakuhle zonke ezindaba zikatata wakho nam. You have to deal
with everything Nomtha. Uzive ngendlela oziva ngayo. Ungenzi okungathi uright ungekho right. Ngoba
ngoku ukhuphela umsindo ebantwini and uzomosha izinto uzisole.”

Nomtha: ”Andizithathanga kakuhle, ewe kodwa umsindo woNokulunga awudibenanga nento kaSamora.
Uyandicaphukisa nje yena nalatshomi yakhe uUlatho. Andiyazi nendiyizele apha. Nokungabi right kwam
akudibenanga nabo.”

359
Simba: ”Ndithe yiza eCenturion. Ngalondlela ndizokwazi ukukunceda ngomntwana de siyazi lengxaki
yakho ukuba yintoni. Andisoze ndiphinde ndiphume ixesha elide benditshilo kuwe.”

Nomtha: ”Umqolo wam ubuhlungu, akukho ndawo engaqaqambi. Nalo mzimba undifakela esinye
istress.”

Simba: ”Sawuya kugqirha. Uzoba right. Uyandikhathaza xa unje.”

Ndiphefumlile.

Nomtha: ”Yintoni ezokwenziwa ngoku?”

Simba: ”Akukatyiwa nokutyiwa. Kusikwe necake. Ininzi into esekwi programme.”

Nomtha: ”Sawuhamba kudala!”

Simba: ”Ndizocela uUlatho akuvulele kwenye yekamire uphumle. Ingathi uyozela nokozela.”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi ufuna into edibene nam uUlatho ngoku. Ndibekrwada kuye noNokulunga. Kodwa
ngokufanelekileyo.”

Simba: ”Uzokuvulela ikamire xa ecelwa ndim. Okanye sawuhamba ke. Awuzuhlala kanje.”

Nomtha: ”Sapha ndimbambe.”

Simba: ”Hayi myeke, ndiyeza ndisajonga uUlatho.”

Ndinqwalile ndavala amehlo am. Bendingakwazi ukudinwa okunje! Hayibo!

Ndive umntu ethinta umqala ndaqonda ukuba andiqalisi kwa ukuvula amehlo am. Ukuba ebefuna
ndimhoye ebezobiza igama lam hayi le ebendenzela yona. Bendingekho mdleni wayo yonke ne
nonsense kemna ndizicubhukele.

”Ntombi kaSam Tongai.”

Kuvele kwexhiwu ixhala kengoku ukuva ilizwi likaVenus. Bendinga lindelanga ukuba uzoza apha. Phofu
ibiyiparty yomzukulwana wakhe.

Kodwa mzumulwana okanye hayi, ibingafani naye into yokuhamba iparty zabantwana.

Venus: ”Unike unyana wam indodakazi. Siyabulela.”

Bendisavale amehlo am. Ndiyayazi bekukrwada yada yada, blah blah blah! Kodwa bendoyika umsindo
wam uzondenza ndenze into endizozisola ngayo. Bekudingeka ukuba ndithobe umsindo
ndingaxhamazeli. Bekukhangeleka kunzima ukuzibamba kum. Andiyazi.

Venus: ”Good move. Ubone ukuba njengoba ungazukutshatwa ngunyana wam mawumzalele bhetele
kuba amehlo am akuwe. Ndikujonge oku kokhozi. Well ndibotshelelwe izandla nenyawo ngoku,
andizukwazi ukubulala inyoka kodwa kukhangeleka okungathi inyoka itsica ityhefu yonke indawo.
Ipoisina wonke umntu kwelisapho. Iveza amabibi esawaquma iminyaka. Mamela apha ke ntomb'am,
uNokulunga undixelele ukuba you have a lot to say about everything. Ungumama womntwana kanyana
wam okanye hayi uvule lomlonyana wakho kunkosikazi wam mna ubuqu ndizodeala nawe. Uzokwazi
kakuhle ukuba kutheni ndibizwa ngo'Tiger'. Know your place okanye lamntwana wakho uzokhuliswa

360
ngamankazana kaSimba. Ukuba ucinga ukuba ndizokubukela utshabalalise usapho endisebenze nzima
kangaka ukulakha kukho okuzokwethusa. Ukuba kukho into ekufuneka uyazi ngam kukuba andizenzi
izethembiso ndingazifezi.”

Undicwakaze ubuso ndemva ehamba. Ndichophe ngempundu ndazigquma ubuso ndizama

ukuphefumla. Ibingase ndikhale kakhulu! Bendi ngcangcazela ngumsindo. Ebengasengo Venus utata
kaSimba, ebengu mbulali katata. Umbulali wefemeli yam.

Simba: ”Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Undifingele intshiya endiqwalasele ebisweni.

Simba: ”Uright?”

Ndinqwalile, kakade ebengazondi kholelwa kuba bekucaca nkuthathatha ukuba andikho right tu.

Simba: ”Sihambe?”

Ndikhawuleze ndahlunguzela intloko yam. Bendingafuni ukumoshela usuku ngenxa yokuba olwam
lonakele. Nobhuti wakhe bendingaqondi ukuba uzokonwabela ukumnka kwakhe kwamsinya kangaka
kungekenziwa nto.

Nomtha: ”Uthini uUlatho?”

Simba: ”Masambe, uthe ulale kwiroom kaOyintando. Yiyo engathi ibhetele kunezinye.”

Nomtha: ”Sewumnyengeze kubani umntwana?”

Simba: ”Usatshintshwa inappy. Ndizomzisa kuwe azolala, ingathi uyozela.”

Nomtha: ”Utshintshwa ngubani?”

Ulahlisile. Ndisukumile wandikhokhelela ekamireni. Uvule icurtains kungasose kubemnyama lomhlobo

bekumnyama ngawo. Ndizijule ebhedini nje ukuyibona kwam ndavala amehlo. Ndimve endombhathisa
wangqengqa ecaleni kwam. Akhange kubekho mntu uthethayo. Bendizama ukukhalela phantsi
angandiva uba ndiyakhala kodwa bendingakwazi ukuzibamba. Bendinowake wamkhulu umsindo.
Bendingakholwa ukuba losathana unguNokulunga sebaleke wayoxelela ikxexe lakhe ngento
esandokwenzeka ngoku. Caba ebengakwazi nokulinda, etshisa-tshiseka.

Ulatho: ”Nkqo!”

Simba: ”Ngaphakathi!”

Kuvuleke ucango.

Ulatho: ”Sefresh kengoku!”

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela. Yithi enkosi kumamkhulu!”

Ulatho: ”Ebengasakhali!”

Simba: ”Uyozela.”

361
Ulatho: ”Sesizoqalisa ngaphaya, uMluleki ebesekubuza.”

Simba: ”Ndiyeza ngoku, umxelele ndiyeza.”

Ulatho: ”Alright ke bhuti.”

Uphumile wavala ucango.

Simba: ”Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Oh! Ndiba sewulele.”

Ndithule. Uncancise umntwana idami yakhe embhabhazela ukuba alale.

Simba: ”Andikwazi nomculela mna. Umculela ntoni xa ufuna alale?”

Nomtha: ”Zininzi.”

Simba: ”Khawumculele enye.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo!

Ukuba ebeziva impumlo zam zixinene akakhange abonakalise. Ndiphethukile ndajonga kuZendaya.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni umlalise ngomqolo encanca?”

Ndimphethule ndimjongisa kum. Ndathatha ibhotile kutatakhe. Bendiweva uba amehlo akhe akum
kodwa andikhange ndimjonge.

Ndifixizile ndancuma xa eyeka ukuncanca endincumela. Ibingathi bekungona andibonayo.

Simba: ”Wenzani?”

Ukrobile wabe sencanca.

Nomtha: ”Ebendincumela.”

Simba: ”Mhhh.”

Nomtha: ”Hamba ebantwini tata kaZendaya.”

Simba: ”Ndizoya.”

Kodwa ebevala amehlo. Amen.

”Alukh'usana olungena nina. Alukh'usana okungena bani. Yas'ke yadlul'inkedam'ingena nina. Yas'ke
yadlul'inkedama ingenabani. Alukh'usana olungena nona. Alukh'usana olungena bani-”

Simba: ”Umculela ezingoma umntwanam?”

Nomtha: ”Ndimcunela nezesiShona. Namagwijo.”

Simba: ”Akaculelwa o'twinkle little spider' na lomntwana? Banjani abantu baseDiepkloof?”

362
Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Uzoba cula wena o'twinkle twinkle little star' andiyazi ingo twinkle little spider nje.
Kuzoba nzima.”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Asizazi ezizinto thina. Kodwa siyazifuna for abantwana bethu. Yiza ndiphuze.
Ndizonishiya.”

Nomtha: ”Uright uhambe.”

Simba: ”Mba.”

Nomtha: ”Mbaaaa.”

Simba: ”Ndiyak'thanda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyak'thanda nam. Undiphathele ibag kaJellytots torho. Yintoni?”

Simba: ”Ayonto.”

Nomtha: ”Wandijamela?”

Simba: ”Kuba ndiyak'thanda.”

Undiphuze umlomo nezidlele, nebunzi nempumlo. Ndiyihlekile ndimbhebhetha.

Nomtha: ”Wothusa umntwana Nkokheli Matanzima.”

Simba: ”Awuna Godfather mntana ndini!”

Nomtha: ”Yehake Godfather.”

Ebendijonge ngoncumo olufudumeleyo emenyezelisa amehlo.

Nomtha: ”Awusekho semathandweni nje.”

Uyihlekile waphuza umntwana wakhe waphuma. Ubuye nebag wayibeka nje waphinde waphuma
kwakhona. Ndizame ukulala. Noxa bekunzima kangakanani kuba ingqondo yam ibibaleka izinto ezininzi.
Bwndifuna ukuqonda ukuba kwenzeka ntoni ngam, okokuqala. Okwesibini bendingxamele le plan
kaSimba ngotata wakhe. Bendifuna ide ivele nenyani yokuba abantwana bakaNokulunga ngabakaVenus.
Bendifuna amshiye aphambane umama. Noba yinyanga ke kuba abantu abadala ngokuhlala kwimitshato
yabo. Futhi ebezohlaliswa nakuba ezibona segugile ukuba aphindele kowabo.

Simba: ”Junior ufuna ntoni apha?”

Ndive ilizwi likaSimba ndothuka ndixhuma. Bendisothuswa nayilento ethetha ngoJunior. NoJunior.

Ebemi ecaleni kwebhedi uKing, uSimba efumbethe amanqindi emnyango.

Nomtha: ”Kwenzeka ntoni?”

Junior: ”Bendisiva ingathi umntwana uyakhala.”

Simba: ”Umntwana uyakhala, unomntwana wena?”

Uphefumlile uKing.

363
Junior: ”Bendifuna ukuthetha noNomtha.”

Simba: ”Uxelelwe ngubani uba ulapha uNomtha sewufuna ukuthetha naye nje? Njengoba umjamele,
ujamele nomntwana wam elele uthetha naye? Huh?”

Junior: ”Ndive ngosis'Alutha ethetha noNokulunga.”

Simba: ”Waqonda ukuba mawuzochwechwa uzomjinga elele. Isibindi zokuvula ucango ude uzojama
apha ujamela umntu oleleyo. Uthetha, uthetha ntoni noNomtha?”

Ebesondela kuye.

Nomtha: ”Simba. Kukho umntwana aph-”

Andiwagqibanga kwabe sekusitsho isithonga sempama kuKing. Umbambe ngesixhanti wamsondeza

ebusweni bakhe ingathi bazophuzana.

Simba: ”Isibindi sokundiqhela usibolekwe ngubani? Ungena apha umntu wam ulele, uyazingenisa
uzomjamela! Elele! What shit is that?!”

Junior: ”Bendif-”

Thwaxa ngesinye isithonga. Wabaleka ebheka umva.

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Junior yintoni kum uNomtha?”

Junior: ”Ngumama kaZendaya.”

Simba: ”Uyintoni?”

Junior: ”Ungumntu wakho.”

Simba: ”So wena isibindi sokuzongena apha ubona ukuba kulelwe awuphendulwa xa unqonqoza,
utyhala ucango uyangega. Uzojamela amathanga womntu wam. Womama womntwana wam. Ngubani
lo ukuqhelise mna?”

Junior: ”Bendinga mjonganga mathang-”

Simba: ”Ndikuzele Junior. Ndikukhulisile wayilendoda oyiyo namhlanje njengoba seyivuka nje. Ungamili
amasende ucinge ukuba uzokwenza noba yintoni na ngenxa yokuba utata wakho enguTiger. Andimoyiki
utata. Umbuze naye uzokuxelela the same thing. Ungacingi ukuba ndiyamoyika. Andifuni ukuxabana
nawe. Ngumama wabantwana bam lo, ngumntu wam lo. You fucken respect that and you fucken
respect me kwedini!”

Mluleki: ”Kwenzeka ntoni ngoku?!”

Ebekruquke!

Simba: ”Ayingo Junior ozochwechwa apha uNomtha elele. Uyavuya uyazingenisa uzojonga amathanga
kaNimtha njenge pervet.”

Mluleki: ”Hayibo, Junior.”

364
Simba: ”Masambe Nomtha.”

Khange ndithethe nokuthetha ndasukuma ndasonga lanto besiyombethe ndathatha ibag yomntwana.

Ndithobile kuba isiyezi kwakhona. Ndibambelele ngamadolo waxheshisa kum ubhut'Mluleki. NoSimba
ukhawuleze wazondichophisa ebhedini.

Mluleki: ”Uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndinesiyezi.”

Mluleki: ”Yiza namanzi Junior.”

Uphumile wabuya namanzi asembhombhozini.

Mluleki: ”Kufuneka niyeni kugqirha.”

Simba: ”Ja sizoya ngomso.”

Mluleki: ”Okay. Nitsho xa nifika endlini. UJunior ndizothetha naye.”

Simba: ”Ndizombetha qha into endizomenza yona. Ukuba uzoba nemikhuba katatakhe ndizombetha
ndimbulale. Andiyondawo yokuphambanela.”

Mluleki: ”Ja makalungiswe ngoku. Ndivumelana nawe.”

Simba: ”Tyhini! Ude uvula ucango!”

Mluleki: ”Umbethe kancinci. Ufuna ukukhatywa one!”

Ndisukumile wathatha umntwana uSimba saphumeni ubhuti ebendibambele ibag.

365
FORTY FOUR
Sifike ngobusuku endlini. Bendingenawo namandla nomdla wokuthatha ibag yomntwana. Ndiziphumele
emotweni ndaya endlini ndimshiya ekhupha umntwana kwi car seat. Ndivulile ndakhanyisa isibane,
besingalayitanga ngaphakathi sikhanyise izibane zangaphandle kuphela. Bekusuke kwathi ncwe
nakulendlu. Ndigilwe yinto ndaxhuma ndikhala.

Simba: ”Ndim, ndim.”

Nomtha: ”Undothuselani!”

Undifingele itshiya wagqitha kum engena ngaphakathi. Ebexhakazela, ephethe ibag nomntwana
kwelinye icala nezitsixo zemoto. Ndiphefumlile ndabheka ngaphandle ngaphambili kokuba ndivale
ucango ndatsixa. Ndiyongena ekamireni efaka umntwana kwisleeping cott. Ebengeka mlungiseleli
ikamire yakhe kengoku besimlalisa kwicott kule besilala kuyo ikamire.

Ndingene ebathroom ndakhulula ndayongena kwishower ndimanzisa nezonwele nakakade. Ndihleli

phantsi amanzi endinethela okwemvula inyembezi zidibana nawo. Bendingayazi nento bendiyikhalela
kodwa ngezizathu endingazazi nebendingaziqondi bendivele ndomganyelwa yimizwa yokudakumba.
Andiyazi ndihleli ixesha elingakanani ngaphambili kokuba ndifunqulwe nguSimba. Ebengene ngempahla.
Uyondibeka phezulu kwebhedi wandifaka igown yakhe wandityhilela ingubo ndangena ngaphakathi.
Bendisaqhubeka ndikhala. Undosule inwele nge face towl. Uthathe ixesha lakhe eqinisekisa ukuba zoma
kakuhle. Undenze amagodo amakhulu. Xa ndingaphethwanga kukonqena bendiwabopha.

Simba: ”Shhhh you're okay baby. Uright. Ndikhona, uright.”

Nomtha: ”I'm just so sad. Akhonto endihambela kakuhle ebomini bam. Akhonto elu- akhonto elungayo.
Andisakwazi nokuba ngulomama endifuna ukuba nguye emntaneni wam kuba ndihleli nje ndidiniwe.
Andibiright and andiyazi yintoni ewrongo ngam. Yonke into yimess Simba. Andonwabanga tu,
ndiyazinyanzela kodwa andonwabanga tu. Andonwabanga.”

Simba: ”Kulungile ukuthi udinga uncedo baby. Uncedo olungaphezulu kum, uncedo olungaphezulu
kwakho. Umntu ozothetha naye, ndanditshilo kuwe.”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Nomtha: ”Andifuni kuthetha nomntu.”

Simba: ”Andiyazi ndizokunceda kanjani xa ungavumi ukuncedwa. Andiyazi ndizokwenza njani ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoba right.”

Simba: ”Nini xa ungafuni ncedo? Uzoba right nini?”

Ndifixizile.

Nomtha: ”Ndizoba right.”

Simba: ”Kodwa siyaya kugqirha ngomso. Okungenani sizokwazi ukuba okungaziva right kwakho ayikuko
oku kukwenza dizzy, kukuphelisa ngomzimba na. Mhlawumbi unesigulo esithile, sizokwazi ukufumana
uncedo sinyangwe ukuba siyanyangeka.”

366
Ndinqwalile. Bendinesingqala kukukhala, noxa bendiyekile ngoku ukukhala inyembezi bezingekayeki
ukuphuma emehlweni am. Ukwazi ukuba uVenus ngumbulali kaSamora kwaye ayikho into endizoyenza
ngoko, andizukwazi ukumbambisa. Ukuba ndiyambulala, ukuba ndiphumelele ndizobanjwa. Nokuba
andiphumelelanga ndihleli ndizobanjelwa oko kuzama ukumbulala. Ibingathi nale plan kaSimba ithatha
ixesha. Umonde lo ebefuna ndibe nawo bendizibona ndiphulukana nawe. Bendifuna kubekho into
eyenzekayo kwaye bendifuna yenzeke ngoku. Ngalomzuzu. Bendifuna awe bhu phantsi angabinawo
namandla okusukuma. Ngalomzuzu. Kodwa bwndiyazi ukuba kunganzima kuba engumntu onamandla.

Bezizininzi ezizinto. Bezizininzi.

Nezingena nto enokwenza nabantu bakuloSimba kodwa nesiqu sam. Noloyiko lwam lemihla ngemihla.
Ukuziva okungathi ndizothi ndiphuma emnyango kubekho umntu ondigquma ngento. Hleli nje
ndiyabheka-bheka. Naxa sele nditsixile endlini ndikhangela nangaphantsi kwebhedi nakwi wardrobe.
Ndijonge ukuba sisodwa na noZendaya. Bekukuninzi.

Ibingathi kukhawuleze kwasa kuba ndibhaqe ubuthongo ekuzeni kusa. Ndiye ndalala kodwa ndothuswa
liphupha elibi ndaphaphama, khange ndiphunde ndibubhaqe ubuthongo. Ebehoywe ndim ubusuku
bonke xa ekhala uZendaya kuba bendihleli. Bendibawela nobuthongo buka Simba kuba ebelele ezole
kamnandi. Enendawo ezincumayo. Bendimthanda ke kona, yima! Ngelaxesha- ohhhhh bendivumile kuye
ukuba ndiyamthanda.

Ndicinga ukuba sekulithuba ndimthanda. Bendingafuni ukuyivuma lonto esiqwini sam, bendingafuni
ukuyivuma kuye. Kodwa ngoku bekungona ndiba ne confidence yokumthanda ndivumele ukuba
ndimthande kuba bekungekho xinzelelo nasinyanzela. Bekungalindelekanga. Bendimthanda nje, just
because.

Simba: ”Vuka sthothobala k'seGoli la!”

Ungene efunqule umntwana. Ebekwi romper qha waphela yintsini ukundibona endolulela izandla.
Ndimncumele. Ndibancumele.

Nomtha: ”IJellytots zika mama! Ilekese zam! Hello Madlomo! Molo mimi! Molo Mamntade!”

Simba: ”Unjani umama womntwana?”

Ebechophe ebhedini endijingile nditeketisa umntwana. Ebenxibe ijean elight blue nesikipa esimhlophe.
Into ebemhle yona! Ebengena buhle bo pretty boy. Obu buphambanisa abantwana bajule ipanty
emoyeni. Ibisenzeka phofu lonto? Kweliphi ilizwe?

Ebenobuya buhle buxutywe nobungozi. Nezindevu zakhe zimhlophe zimnika lanto. Ebelixhego elihle
shame. Kodwa ibindim lowo, kuba mna bendimjonga ngamehlo othando, amehlo enkanuno.

Nomtha: ”Ulambile?”

Simba: ”Ulambele ukutya okanye ulembele amachips?”

Nomtha: ”Amachips?”

Simba: ”Itapul chips.”

Nomtha: ”Itapul chips?”

367
Simba: ”Yehake skhwenene.”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Ingxaki yam ndilost mntakabawo. Ukutya okanye amachips? Yintoni amachips?”

Simba: ”Ufraya amachips.”

Uqobe imehlo ndaphela yintsini. Lendoda ibingathethi isex! Ebengathi isex kufraya itapul chips! Hayi
soze!

Nomtha: ”Yho ha.a andiziqondi mna izinto zamaxekwazana namaxhego. Mhlawumbi umntu ona50+
njengawe angayiqonda lo language kodwa isex yisex.”

Simba: ”Suthetha ngesex phambi komntwana wam.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi wethu. Andifuni sex ndilambele ukutya. Uphekile?”

Simba: ”Ndizamile ndatshisa-”

Nomtha: ”Kakade.”

Simba: ”Andidibenanga nesigezo. Ndifumene something eKuaia. Gqibofika ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ingase ndifumane usteers kemna.”

Simba: ”Ulibele kukulala kaloku wena, uzitya into ekhoyo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”Pleasure sthandwa sam. Omnye usisi ke izolo! Tyhini ngumhlolo wam.”

Ndimfingele intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni?”

Simba: ”Akathanga uyandithanda?”

Nomtha: ”Izolo besikwa Mluleki nje, ngusisi ubudibene naye phi lowo?”

Simba: ”Pha!”

Nomtha: ”Wathi uyakuthanda?”

Simba: ”Tyhini!”

Bendingamkholwa.

Nomtha: ”Uyacaphuka kengoku?”

Simba: ”Ewe tynini Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ngoku uncume kangaka.”

Simba: ”Ndinomsindo.”

368
Nomtha: ”Uyiclown.”

Simba: ”Uqaphele phofu ukuba uthe uyandithanda? Okanye awuzivanga?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda nangoku.”

Undincumele nje akathetha. Nditeketise umntwana wathi ndihambe ndiyotya uzokondlula. Inoba
ibiyilento ndithe ndiyamthanda kuba indlela ebesonqena ngayo uSimba. Phofu ebekhuthala xa ethanda.

Ndiyotya bafika seberhuqa ihigh chair nemtombi yakhe, bendimshiye ebhedini.

Simba: ”Uvuke uziva njani namhlanje?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright, kukudinwa nje. Andilelanga nakakuhle so ingase ndilale kwakhona.”

Simba: ”Ufuna uphinde ulale?”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Siya kugqirha kaloku.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyonqena mna.”

Simba: ”Uzokonqena usiya.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Nantoni na ogqitha kuyo ndifuna uyazi ukuba ndikhona. Uba ufuna ukuthetha, nantoni na.
Ndikhona. Ungaziva okungathi uwedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Uzondililisa.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ube right mna. Yiyo into endiyifunayo leyo. Ukuba uberight. Kungamnandi ukuba ubone
umntu ngokukhawuleza kodwa ukuba awukaziva uready kulungile. Xa ukulungele undixelele.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokuxelela, ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”Ndiyak'thanda.”

Undiphuzile.

Nomtha: ”Into endizoyicela. Kwifamily gatherings zakowenu okanye iparty nantoni na. Bendicela
ukungayi mna. Kuba ndinomsindo and ukubona utata wakho is triggering. Andikwazi ukuwubamba
umsindo wam. UNokulunga andikwazi mommela, ndimthiyile lamntu ingase nje ndimvise ubuhlungu.
Ndicaphukiswa nabubuxoki obu.”

Simba: ”Kodwa kufuneka uqonde ukuba umama asimxeleli thina ngokuba sifuna ukukhusela uNokulunga
noVenus. Akunjalo. Sikhusela umama. Izombulala yonke lento ndiqinisekile. Uzofa. Ekugqibeleni
kufuneka eyazile, kukuVenus ke ukuba uyamxelela athathe lorisk okanye akamxeleli. Andifuni ayive
ngam mna. UMluleki akafuni ayive ngaye, abantwana abafuni ayive ngabo. Ingani ngamanye amaxesha
iyakhubaza.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva kodwa ingxaki ngulaNokulunga uyinyoka. Usafuna ntoni kona kwizinto zakowenu
ayeke ukuhlala eMeadowlands?”

369
Simba: ”Umenywe nguUlatho. Bayavana.”

Nomtha: ”Angathi hayi. Uyayazi ukuba uBisola uzobe ekhona, uyayazi ukuba wena uzobe ukhona
usathwatshuluka uyaya. Yazi ndifaswa nguVenus uyandigrogr-”

Simba: ”Uthethe nawe?!”

Nomtha: ”UVenus, ewe. Caba unfowunele emveni kwala confrontation wandikila kuye. Uzondixelela
ukuba uzondibulala uba ndithethe izinto zomzi-”

Simba: ”Uthe uzokubulala?!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Kwathini ke wena ungandixeleli yonke lonto? Bwndithe angathethi nawe, angasondeli na
kuwe.”

Nomtha: ”Mhlawumbi uthethe naye sethethile kaloku nam.”

Simba: ”Nndimfounele singekayi nokuya phaya!”

Ndinyuse amagxa am. Unikine intloko yakhe wacofa iphone yakhe.

Simba: ”Une anxieties zakho usake abesebusweni bakho akugrogrise emveni kokuba ndithethile naye
ukuba angasondeli nokusondela kuwe. Kuba ethunyelwe nguNokulunga!”

Nomtha: ”Andimhoyanga.”

Simba: ”I don't fucken care! Ndithe angathethi nawe wenza kanye lonto! Caba nditheni ndiyaphambana
mna kuye?!”

Ugqibile ukubhala wagibisela iphone etafileni.

Simba: ”Asoze akwenze nto.”

Nomtha: ”Andizuthetha ndaba zomntu mna. Yiyo lonto ndisithi andifuni nto indidibanisa nabantu
bakowenu. Ndihleli ndingavani nanoUlatho soo ...”

Simba: ”Akazukwenza nto uVenus.”

Sityile sagqiba ndayohlamba. Umntwana ndimtshintshe nje kuba uSimba ebesemhlambile. Ndinxibe
ushorti omncinci wedenim nesikipa nje.

Simba: ”Awusefishe!”

Nomtha: ”Kushushu.”

Simba: ”Yeyonxitywa endlini kodwa loshoti. Impundu zingaphandle, amathenga wonke angaphandle!”

Ndijikelezise amehlo am andamhoya. Ndiyofaka umntwana kwicar seat ndangena ngaphambili.

Ungenile naye eqinise ubuso. Ukhawuleze waswabuluka kodwa kuba ebesendibalisela ngoSonwabiso
ozoza ngempela veki kuba utatakhe engazubakho for iweekend. Nendlela sekhule nakrele krele ngayo.

370
Sifikile kugqirha salinda kancinci sabe siyongena. Ndimxelele ingxaki yam nendlela endilose ngayo
iweight nendidinwa ngayo.

USimba uthethe nangokukhala kwam oko, neanxiety ayibonayo. Usinike ibusiness card yetherapist
endingathetha nayo kuba ebesithi kungenzeka ukuba ndineAnxiety kakade okanye ndine PTSD okanye
idepression. Ebeyithe tsuphe neyokuba ndandike ndaxhwilwa.

Bendileli kwezabhedi zakhona sijonge imonitor noSimba.

Doctor: ”There. You're pregnant. Congradulations.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho congratulations ngandawo apha andinomitha ndinomntwana onaThree months!”

Doctor: ”Upregnant.”

Nomtha: ”Andimithanga.”

Ujonge kuSimba waphinde wandijonga.

Simba: ”Baby-”

Nomtha: ”Andimithanga.”

Simba: ”Nomtha-”

Nomtha: ”Umntwana wam unathree months.”

Simba: ”Four.”

Nomtha: ”Simba asizukwazi ukuba nomnye umntwana.”

Simba: ”Sekhona.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa andizukwazi mna ukuba nomnye umntwana. Andimfuni omnye umntwana hayi
ngoku.”

Simba: ”Uthini?”

Nomtha: ”Zikhona ioptions. Abortion. Adop-”

Simba: ”Ndiyamfuna mna umntwana.”

Ndiphefumlile ndijonga uZendaya. Bendingakholwa ukuba ndiphinde ndakhulelwa kwakhona.

Bendingakholelwa ukuba ndizophinde ndizale omnye umntwana kwakhona. Bendingekho ready.
Bendingamdingi omnye umntwana.

Simba: ”Sisibusiso lomntwana. Kum. Lithamsanqa ukuba ndisenenzala kuleminyaka yam. Ababa
bantwana sawubakhulisa kakuhle nje and we will manage. Asoze sibe ready nanini na. Kuzobanzima
kuwe ewe kodwa ndizozama ngamandla am onke ukwenzela izinto lula. Ndizofumana uncedo for
uZendaya uqhubeke ngesikolo. Sizoba right. Ndiyaqonda wothukile ngoku and wonganyelwe kodwa
sizoba right. OK?”

Ndinqwalile. Uphefumlile. I think ebenexhala. Uyandazi ngenkani nokwenza into endiyifunayo. Inoba
ebelindele ukuba ndibenenkani nangoku.

371
Nomtha: ”Andikholwa ukuba uphinde wandimithisa kwakhona. Awunditshati nokunditshata into oyaziyo
kukundizalisa unyaka nonyaka.”

Simba: ”Ndizokwenza into eright.”

Nomtha: ”Ubganditshati kuba kunyanzelekile.”

Simba: ”Andikutshati kuba kunyanzelekile.”

Nomtha: ”Singenzelani ifavours.”

Simba: ”Andizuyi wina le argument. Andiyazi noba sikwela ntoni.”

Ndimjamele ndajonge phezulu ndivala amehlo am. Ebendidika nje for undimithisa oku!

372
FORTY FIVE
Luleka: ”KwaMatanzima!”

Nomtha: ”Uyafundekela!”

Luleka: ”Inwele sana!”

Nomtha: ”Ndenze izolo.”

Luleka: ”Into ezino sugar.”

Simba: ”Hayi, hayi Lulu ndizok'betha. Ndingusugar kuwe?”

Ndimangile ndanga noSiyanda. IbinguLwesihlalu late. Undixelele ngezolo uSimba ukuba bazoza
namhlanje. Besizothenga itake aways sitye zona kuba besisonqena ukupheka. Mna phofu. Bebephethe
isnacks neziselo. Worry kengoku ibikukuba ndingazusela mna. Bendiyimess ebhetele kuleveki.
BendikwaSimba iveki yonke noZendaya. Besithathe izinto zethu zokunxiba ezizokonela iveki,
ebesashiyeka kula mama wase nextdoor eDiepkloof. Esiwa nguSimba xa ephangela abuye amlande
ngeloxesha amlanda ngalo. Ubeluncedo kakhulu.

Luleka: ”Ungusugar wethu kuNomtha, uyaphila?”

Simba: ”Ndiyaphila enkosi, awusanuki kamnandi.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyabulela. Intombi akufunekanga inuke isepha kaloku. Nomtha uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila enkosi unjani wena?”

Luleka: ”Ndiright sthandwa sam. Nkokheli awundibuzanga impilo yam.”

Nomtha: ”Kungona uqaphela ngoku?”

Luleka: ”Tyhini!”

Simba: ”Uyaphila Lulu?”

Luleka: ”Ndiyaphila enkosi. Ulele uJellyrots?”

Nomtha: ”Wenze uvurvai walala.”

Luleka: ”Uyanilola shame umntwanam.”

Nomtha: ”Ja uza nathi kakuhle. Sezoba neroom yakhe ke sana! Ndizotsho ndikwazi ukuncwina kakhle!”

Siyanda: ”Oh hayi noko!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Uxolo bhuti.”

Siyanda: ”Sibadala noko for ezizinto.”

Luleka: ”Izimanga mntakabawo.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ke nyani. Undiphilise kabuhlungu iveki yonke lomntwana.”

373
Luleka: ”Ukuminxekile?”

Nomtha: ”Ndipitsekile. Kaloku uSimba udyola nomntwana because ufuna ezaziman-”

Simba: ”Siyabulela kakhulu Nomtha. Siyabulela sisi.”

Besiphelile yintsini noLulu.

Luleka: ”Niyenzani niyifaka ifurniture?”

Nomtha: ”USimba ubize aba bantu bakhe. Ipipeyintwa isenziwa neflooring kuzongena izinto kule
sizongena kuyo iveki. Sizoyenza ngoku kwethu.”

Luleka: ”Ncooo bethuna. Ungumzali Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingumama ntombi yhu!”

Simba: ”Nizawuma nijongane emehlweni kengoku?”

Siyohlala nabo phantsi. Besise lounge. Ndiyothatha iglasses. USiyanda noLuleka bebesela ired wine.
USimba ke ebengumntu webeer. Qho.

Luleka: ”Awukho mdleni wena?”

Ndijonge uSimba, ndimjamela watsarwa yibeer ekhohlela.

Simba: ”Hay maan Nomtha!”

Luleka: ”Wenzeni uNomtha?”

Simba: ”Awumbonanga undijonge kanjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndisemdleni Lulu.”

Luleka: ”Intonayo? Ulunyulwe?”

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Ye madoda! Ndingena phi mna? Akubuzwa wena?”

Nomtha: ”USimba undimithile.”

Simba: ”Simithisene Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingu mmithiswa mna, wena ungummithisi. Nguwe onezinto ezimithisayo and wazikhuphela
kum.”

Ebengcangcazela yintsini.

Nomtha: ”Khawufane umjonge wonwabe kangakanani.”

Luleka: ”Ukhulelwe nyani?”

Ndijamele uSimba waphinde waphela yintsini. Uncame wayihleka noSiyanda.

374
Nomtha: ”Ndikuxelela ngoSimba mna. And ebeyazi into ebeyenza.”

Siyanda: ”Shot on target mnganam.”

Simba: ”Ndenza sure ku Nomtha. Ndizombetha ngowesithathu ngoku!”

Nomtha: ”Uphambene.”

Simba: ”Hahaha!”

Luleka: ”Ukhulelwe nyani? Andinithembi uyazi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndinenyanga yonke. Ndikhulelwe nyani.”

Luleka: ”Benimplanile?”

Nomtha: ”Ndikuxelela ukuba ndothuka ndaphantse ndafa ngalamini ndixelelwa ngugqirha. UZendaya
una three months qha-”

Simba: ”Four.”

Nomtha: ”Mncinci kakhulu ukuba olekeliswe. Ndineworry nje kuba akazufumana le attention
bendizomnika yona ukuba ebemnye. Bendifuna noba yiminyaka ke ngaphambili kokuba senze omnye.
Sibonde nomntwanam.”

Simba: ”Into ekufuneka uyiqonde kukuba ndimdala mna. Emveni kweminyaka emibini emithathu noba
ndisakwazi ukubenza abantwana ndizobe ndingekho mdleni wokutshintsha amanapkin nokumpelesa
mna. Ndimdala kaloku mna andingo mfana omncinci. Ndina fifty nto-”

Nomtha: ”Four.”

Simba: ”Ndina fifty nto miss.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

Simba: ”Ukuba bendize kuwe ndakucela ukuba sizame umntwana ubuzovuma?”

Ndinikine intloko.

Simba: ”Ubuzothandabuza uze nale argument uze nayo ngoku kodwa mna andiboni ngxaki ngokolekelisa
msinya. Phofu bendingacingi nokuba ungabamba kwangoko, ndithatha amachances kodwa naku kwaye
ndinemincili. Ngowokugqibela lo.”

Luleka: ”Ndonqena nokuthi congratulations, ndoyika uNomtha.”

Simba: ”Hahaha!”

Siyanda: ”Ndiyanivuyela mna. Ndiyabona indlela owonwabe ngayo mnganam.”

Simba: ”NoNomtha wonwabile kodwa wonwabele ngaphakathi.”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Simba: ”Ndonwabe nyani. Ndiyabulela mnganam.”

375
Siyanda: ”Ndilambile kodwa mna. Andikuthandi nokusela ndilambile.”

Simba: ”Masi ordeni!”

Kufikile ukutya kwethu satya sincokola kumnandi njengesiqhelo. Ndimbambe isandla uLuleka,
esidlangalaleni. Ndisiqinisile kancinci wandijonga ndamncumela undangile wandiqinisa.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Ibingathi ebeyazi into bendimbulelela yona kuba akabuzanga. Uvele wanqwala wandiphuza isidlele.

Ebesevukile uZendaya, ehleli nathi naye.

Ndiyolahla izinto besityela kuzo engqomeni ndizama ukuqoqosha kancinci. Undilandele uLulu neglass
yakhe yewayini.

Luleka: ”USimba uthe ndithethe nawe.”

Ndijonge uSimba wabe eyihleka engasihoyanga nokusihoya.

Luleka: ”Ungamqumbeli. Ukhathazekile. Uthe ugqirha usuggeste itherapy kuba urhanela imental illness.
USimba ukhathazekile ngawe. Undicelile izolo uba ndizame ukuthetha nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva Lulu kodwa ingase angandixheshi uSimba-”

Luleka: ”Andiqondi injongo zakhe kukuxhesha Nomtha. Ukhathazekile ngomntu wakhe qha. Uyakubona
awukho right ncam and uSimba ngumntu wesolutions. Ufuna ukusolva. Ufuna uberight. Ngakumbi ke
ngoku sewukhulelwe. Uzokhathazeka ngawe akhathazeke nangokuba kuzochaphazeleka nomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayiqonda lonto kodwa andikho ready. Ndiyazazi ndinengxaki, ndiyayazi ndidinga uncedo
kodwa andikabi ready ukughubhulula yonke lanto. Yonke nje into.”

Luleka: ”Isilonda siphola ngokuthunukwa.”

Nomtha: ”Andikafuni ukusithunuka. Kubhetele noba bekuthiwa sisilonda sokwenyani bhetele kodwa
ndonakele umphefumlo. Andifuni ukuphinda ndigqithe kulonto. Andifuni ukuphinda ndigqithe kuyo.
Andifuni nokuyicinga. Zange yenzeka. Zininzi maan ezizinto and zongezelela kwezinye I'm like can I get a
break! Please.”

Luleka: ”Nangaxesha nye awukwazi ukuphila kanje. Ungafumana noncedo ngale anxiety athi unayo
uSimba. Uthi ube nepanic attack apha evekini esikolweni kwanyanzeleka ukuba akulande kuba ubone
umntu ofana no-”

Nomtha: ”Ungalibizi igama lakhe!”

Luleka: ”Nomtha ...”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva sisi, ndiyakuva. Ndiyamqonda ukuba usuka phi uSimba. Ndiyaqonda futhi ukuba
ukhathazekile kuba he has to deal nayo yonke lento-”

Luleka: ”Nangaphandle kwalonto kunzima kakhulu kuye ukukubukela nje ugqitha kuyo yonke lento
akhonto akwazi ukuyenza. Uziva ehelpless.”

376
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi. Yazi kufuneka emane ethetha xa silala, xa-”

Luleka: ”Xa nenza izimanga.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Noba akathethi oko ke kuba akasosithethi ebhedini uSimba kodwa ingase ndive ilizwi
lakhe.”

Luleka: ”Oh Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”So Ndiyayazi ndiyaludinga uncedo kodwa andikabi ready ukulivula elocango okwangoku.
Mhlawumbi ndizobanaso isibindi kodwa ngoku. Ngalomzuzu. Andikabikho apho.”

Unqwalile.

Luleka: ”Ndiyakuva sthandwa. Ebethe ndithethe nawe qha. Ndithethile ke, andiyazi noba ndimphe
ifeedback okanye uzomxelela ngoku kwakho na?”

Nomtha: ”Ungatsho nje ukuba uthethile naye ndathini kodwa ndizomcacisela nam.”

Luleka: ”Okay.”

Siyanda: ”Lulu!”

Luleka: ”Lhalha?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake Lulu, lhalha.”

Luleka: ”Siyathandana kaloku nomntu wam.”

Siyanda: ”Luleka Mahamba!”

Luleka: ”Ndikuhoyile sthandwa sam!”

Siyanda: ”Yenza bye-bye!”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo! Ningxamele phi?”

Siyanda: ”Hayi Nomtha kurhatyele. Sufuna kungahanjwa xa kuziwe kuni.”

Nomtha: ”Sinesiyalo nje. Xa sinesiyalo sisuke senze abantwana.”

Bephele bonke yintsini.

Simba: ”Mkru!”

Luleka: ”Kufuneka sike siphume some time next week. Mna nawe noZendaya qha. Sagqibela kudala.”

Nomtha: ”Sagqibela kudala nyani.”

Sibakhuphile bahamba.

Nomtha: ”Kanene kuza uSonwabise ngomso.”

Simba: ”Akasezi.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo ngoba?”

377
Simba: ”Kuthwa angezi apha, andiyazi noba nguBisola okanye nguVenus ongabumanga na. Kuthwe
kuBukhosi uba umzisa apha asose empakishela yonke into yakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Inuka uVenus lento.”

Simba: ”Kucacile nguye. Makangamzisi uBukhosi kuba andizukwazi ukumhlalela nomntwana mna.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake, senomzukulwana webhongo kungenxa yakho. Njengoba namhlanke sekungafunwa

noba azotyela iweekend apha.”

Simba: ”Kunjalo ke.”

Nomtha: ”Yho hayi iwrongo landoda ekuthiwa nguVenus andinamabhongo! Umntu akwenze ukunya
wakugqiba uyakugezela. Inoba noKing lo uthunyelwe nguye ukuba andichwechwele. Inoba uthe
khawubuyele kwelahule, kuzophela nesosodyolo samabhongo.”

Simba: ”Ndizombulala kemna. Ukuba uzosetyenziswa nguVenus ukwenza umsebenzi wakhe omdaka
ndizombonisa icala angazange walibona. Uzama ukundincukuva uVenus. Utshise iwarehouse yam,
wabulala idistributor yam. Yenye emveni kwenye. Uyayazi ndiyaphola kemna and akuzubamnandi xa
ndimhoya. Kuba ndizomhoya. Kuba andimnquli mna. There's no love lost. Sekucacile ukuba lutshaba.”

Nomtha: ”Ingase ude umhoye.”

Simba: ”Ninje ke nina ukungalindi. Lindani.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake Yakobi.”

Simba: ”Hahaha!”

Nomtha: ”Ndizolinda ke ndibe nomonde kodwa ebunzulwini bentliziyo yam ndifuna kwenzeke yonke
into ngoku.”

Simba: ”Ungaxhamazeli. Bendicinga apha.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Bendicinga ukukulobola. Kulenyanga izayo. So ndizokucenga. Ndiyakucenga, uye kudabawo

wakho uyothetha naye. Noba singaya ngomso ndizokukhapha. Ukuba nje simazise ukuba ilobolo
iyaqhuba. Kukuwe ukuba uzomxelela ukuba besohlukene-”

Nomtha: ”Andibatyali ngcazelo. Ndifuna bandincede ngokuhlalela ezingxoxo qha. Bandinike imali yam
ndiphume kubo ngalendlela bebendikhuphile kakade.”

Simba: ”Ungayi ngolaka ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizozibamba.”

Simba: ”Ngomso ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ja ngomso.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela. Ndiyayazi wenza kuba iyinto efunwa ndim.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda kaloku.”

378
Simba: ”Andisoze ndidinwe kukuva usithi uyandithanda.”

Ndimncumele nje andathetha. Kusile salungiselela ukuya ePretoria.

Bendine nerves nje indlela yonke ndingenanto yokuthetha. Kuncame kwaphela nendaba.

Sifikile kule address wayeyifumene. Ebesenayo inumber katete Constance.

Caba bebehleli efestireni okanye belalele kuba ndibone ngoTete Constance ephuma erhuqisa ihijab.

Ndiphefumlile.

Simba: ”Ungabi nomsindo.”

Ndinqwalile sagxidika emotweni. Usondele kuthi wema ecaleni kwemoto. Kuphume uUncle Kemel
wama ngaphandle kwegate akeza kuthi.

Constance: ”Salam Aneni.”

Nomtha: ”Tete.”

Constance: ”Salam.”

Ubulise kuSimba wavuma ngo ewe wakhe.

Sijongene nje singayazi nokuba masenze ntoni. Bendizixelele ukuba ndizoza ndifrizise intliziyo yam.
Ndiyiqinise kodwa ndizibone sendikhala. Undangile endithulisa. Naye ebefixiza kodwa. Ndibanjwe
nguSimba ndakhalela kuye endiphulula umqolo. Usondele u uncle Kemel.

Kemel: ”Let's get inside.”

Simba: ”Uright?”

Ndinqwalile. Silandelene sayongena ngaphakathi.

379
FORTY SIX
Kemel: ” Asallamulailakum.”

Simba: ”Wa alaikumssalam wa ramahtulla.”

Ndimkrwaqule ngamehlo anombuzo. Bendingayazi ukuba uyakwazi ukubulisa.

Uthinte umqala uUncle Kemel wajonga mna. Ndijonge kuSimba mna naye wathinta umqala wakhe
ngaphambili kokuba athethe.

Simba: ”Umh ndinguSimba Matanzima. Ndi-”

Kemel: ”We know who you are, we spoke via email.” siyakwazi ukuba ungubani, besithethe kwi email.

Unqwalile uSimba.

Simba: ”Njengoba benditshilo kwi e-mail nanjengoko abantu bam bebethethe nani, besizocela ukuba
nimele uNomtha kwingxoxo zamalobolo. Njengoko besesithethile izinto zayondelela kubekho ingxakana
noNomtha wafumana umntwana. Kengoku ke sayimisa into yelobolo. Ngoko ke sizocela ukuthumele
abantu ngempelaveki.”

Kemel: ”Ndiyakuva. Sasinivile futhi kodwa safumana I e-mail ethi azisazukuqhubeka ingxongxo.
Ngeloxesha bekuhle abantu bakulo tata kaAneni uSamora, njenga bantu bakwaTongai. Kuba mna
andingoTongai. Andingo wase Zimbabwe. Andizikwazi ukuqhuba ingxoxo abantu basebukhweni
bengekho kuba lonto izodala ingxaki phakathi kosapho. Into yangempela veki yinto yesaquphe.”

Simba: ”Oh nanibize abantu eZimbabwe?”

Kemel: ”Ewe. Intombi yeyabo. Mna andikwazi ukuthatha imali yabo, ndingakwazi ukubaxoxela. Ngoku
kuzodingeka ukuba ndiphinde ndixhulumane nabo ukuze bazilungiselele ukuza.”

Simba: ”Ingxaki ilapho ke bawo. Ndiqinisekile ukuba uyayazi, nodabawo kaNomtha uyayazi ukuba
bebengenabo ubudlelwane nabantu bakuloSamora. Kwakudala. Into esiyifunayo qha thina kukugqithisa
isiko, ndiqinisekile ukuba abasoze bafune ilobola kaNomtha ekubeni wazikhulisa emveni kokusweleka
kwabazali bakhe. Nasemveni kokuba beqokelele yonke impahla yakuloNomtha waphuma ephaca.
Ilobola ikukubulela abazali okanye omalume, otamkhulu bomntwana ngokukhulisa umntwana.
Kukwakha ubuhlobo phakathi kwamasapho amabini. Mna andinamdla wokwakha ubuhlobo nabantu
bakwaTongai andiqondi kwa uNomtha unomdla kulonto kuba akanozinyhala kubantu bamlahlayo
ngexesha wayebadinga ngalo. Ayomali yabo ukuba bayithathe eneni bebengadingeki nokudingeka.”

Kemel: ”Ndiyala. Singabantu besintu. Xa sele uthathe isigqibo okanye unyathelo lokuba uzokwenza
izinto ngokwesiko neaithethe sethu kuzofuneka wenze izinto ngendlela eyiyo hayi ukunqumla
uyokwenza ezikholisa wena akukho kuthi ukuba sitshintshe indlela zobawo mnkhulu bethu.
AndingoTongai mna, unkosikazi wam akasoze axoxe ungumama. Ndim indoda. Abantu bakwaTongai
bakhona. UAneni asimtyali nto thina. Xa eze kuthi wafuna simenzele inceba akazusilawula asinike
umgaqo wokuba nawukwenza ngokuhlobo. Okanye athi ngenxa yokuba ningandikhulisanga ilobola
izothathwa ndim. Ilobola yeyabazali xa bengekho yeyomalule bentombi. Asixoxi ndaba yakulahlwa apha.
Umntu owenza kube ngohlobo okungalo ngoku nguSamora. Nguye umntu owafulathela usapho lwakhe
ekubeni babesokola bonke. Mhla elungelwa wazogutyula kuye. Ngenxa yokuba ubutyebi bakhe

380
buphelele emoyeni ngenxa yokunyoluka kwakhe asizuthatha maxanduva akhe thina. Mna nonkosikazi
wam nabantu bakwaTongai. Ukuba uze apha nje ulindele ukuba sixolise ngokukusa kwikhala lenkedama
sawuba ngwevu sikhokhobe kuba kunotshe lowo. Ukuba nifuna sibekho kwinto yelonola kaAnena
sawukwenza izint-”

Constance: ”Kemel-”

Kemel: ”Constance.”

Utsho ngelizwi eliqinileyo wathoba intloko yakhe utete Constance.

Simba: ”Hayi ndinendlebe nje ndivile. Ukulungisa nje uNomtha andiqondi ikhona into ebeyilindele kuni
malunga namaxolo. Khange nam undive ndithetha ngokuxolisa. Akalindelanga nto kuni. Ndiyakuva
nange lobola futhi siyabulela kodwa kubhetele sirhoxe thina xa kunjalo. Kutshatwe nje isigqobhoka kuba
into engazukwenzeka kukuba ilobola yethu iye kubantu bakwaTongai.”

Kemel: ”Hayi ke ayikho enye into esinawuphinde siyithethe xa kunjalo.”

Usukumile uSimba nam ndasukuma ndakhokhela ngaphambili. Ukhawuleze wandifumana endibamba

igxalaba. Bendomelwe ngumqala. Inyemmbezi ndizibambe ngenkophe. Bezenziwa ngumsindo. Umsindo
wokuba ndim umntu ozifake kulemeko. Ozifake kwababantu kwakhona. Bendingalindelanga xolo kuba
kodwa bendicinga ukuba ndizokifumana. Bendilindele abantu abathandaza kaliwaka ngemini
bazobubona ubuwrongo kwinto yokukhohlisa umntwana bemsa kwindawo eright kanti bayayazi ukuba
bamsa kwasathana.

Ndingene emotweni wafaka umntwana kwicar seat wayongena kwelakhe icala.

Bendivale amehlo am ndizama ukuzithoba imisindo. Khange ndimve estarta imoto.

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Simba: ”Ndiright.”

Nomtha: ”Simba ndiright, serious. Ndiright.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngokufaka kulento. Bendingayazi ukuba kuzohamba kanje. Bendingaqondi ukuba
uzofuna ukufaka abantu bakulotata wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ubungenoyazi.”

Simba: ”Indicaphukisile indlela ethethe ngayo landoda. Wawuhleli njani ngoku wawuke wahlala apha?”

Nomtha: ”Kakuhle. Iyandimangaza indlela angayo ngoku kuba wayelungile ngoku ndandihlala apha.
Sawuthini ngoku?”

Simba: ”Eneneni f*ck yonke lento.”

Nomtha: ”Singabanika ilobola ke. Bayithathe imali. Ndiyayazi ukuba yonke lento yelobola ibalulekile
kuwe.”

381
Simba: ”Ayibalulekanga ukogqitha wena. Ukuba siyaqhubeka nababantu kucacile ukuba sawubaninzi
isigezo ekuzofuneka usinyamezele ukusuka kubo.”

Nomtha: ”Askies.”

Simba: ”Uxolisela ntoni? Mabayoziqengqa aba bantu. USam unesizathu sokuba abakhuphe ebomini
bakhe, ebengasoze abagutyule nje ngaphandle kwesizathu.”

Nomtha: ”Masihambe.”

Simba: ”Masibambe baby.”

Ustater imoto sezohamba kwaphuma utete Constance ekhawuleza esiza kuthi. Ndihlise ifestire
ndimfingele intshiya.

Constance: ”These are your uncle Edward's numbers and address. He is a cousin of ours and he is from
the same clan. He will help you, I will talk to him to help you.” Zinumber zika nedilesi kamalume wakho
uEdward ezi. Ngumzala wethu osebenzisa iziduko zethu. Uzokunceda, ndizothetha naye akuncede.”

Utsho endifumbathisa isigcebhezana sephepha wabaleka wabuyela eyadini.

Nomtha: ”Edward.”

Simba: ”Khawusapha ndibone uhlala phi? Uyafuna phofu siye kuye?”

Nomtha: ”Utete uthe uzothetha naye. Singamzama.”

Simba: ”Hayi namhlanje kodwa, ulapha naye. Naku, PTA.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm! Andiqaphelanga nalonto.”

Simba: ”Sihambe?”

Ndinqwalile.

Ndiphinde ndacimela. Enyanisweni bendiyenzela yena yonke lento. Kuba bendibona ukuba ibaluleke
kangakanani kuye. Bendimbona ukuba uyavuma nje kuba soyisakele nokuba siphoxekile kodwa
akayibisisisi into yokunga loboli.

Simba: ”Silapha.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo! Ukukhula kunzima!”

Simba: ”Khawume ndifounele lenumber ndimxelele ukuba singaphandle. Andiqondi ukuba sizovunyelwa
ukungena.”

Simba: ”Hello? How are you?-

Uqhubile ukumxelela ukuba ungubani nokuba uhamba nam, sithunyelwe nguTete constance kuye.
Unqwalile uSimba encuma kancinci endijongile. Uvalelisile.

Simba: ”Sinemvume yokungena.”

Nomtha: ”Happy!”

382
Simba: ”Suba njalo. Kuzohamba kakuhle.”

Nomtha: ”Ingase ndibone seyigqithile yonke lento.”

Simba: ”Izogqitha baby wam.”

Singene ngaphakathi sayomisa kwiparking. Kuze umntu kuthi. Ebemde kakhulu enxibe iglasses zamehlo.

Uhlikile emotweni uSimba wayomxhawula isandla undikrobile wandikhweba. Ndigxidikile ndihamba

kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Molweni.”

Edward: ”Aneni.”

Nomtha: ”Kunjani?”

Edward: ”Siyaphila enkosi unjani wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila nam.”

Edward: ”Ukhulile. Ukugqibela kwam wawuyintozanana encinanana. Sewumdala ngoku sewuzoba

ngumfazi womntu.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Ungumama.”

Edward: ”Oh! Sewunomntwana?”

Simba: ”Nanku emotweni.”

Edward: ”Uyintoni?”

Nomtha: ”Yintombazana nguZendaya Nyeredzi.”

Edward: ”Mahle amagama akhe bendithi azoba ngawesiXhosa. Masingeneni ngaphakathi.”

Ebethetha isilungu ke. Simana sifana nechiShona apho nalapho. Bekukho unkosikazi wakhe ngaphakathi
elungile efana naye. Besingaqinisekanga kangako phofu kodwa bebenobubele. Bekungekho bantwana.
USimba akaphozisanga maseko wangena endabeni. Umxelele ngayo yonke into ukusukela kwiletter
ukuzotsho kule yanamhlanje. Bendizithulele mna ndibayekile bethetha.

Edward: ”Ndiyakuva. Akukho ngxaki. Mna ke andicengi ndolalaphi, bayayazi nabo. Andibahoyanga mna.
Ndizokwenzela umntwana kaSamora kuba utata wakhe ndandimthanda kwaye sasivana nocousin.
Kwaye andimsoli mna ngokuzishiya ezoya ncukuthu. Kwakunyanzelekile enze into ekufuneka ukuba
ayenze for usapho lwakhe. Ningeza ngoMgqibelo sizoxoxeni. Bakhona ootamnci nabazala abazokuza
bazonceda kuba hayi wonke umntu wakwaTongai umkwayile uSamora.”

Simba: ”Siyabulela kakhulu. Asisoze siyilibale into osenzela yona. Siyabulela.”

Edward: ”Siyabulela ukuba sikwazi ukuba luncedo qha thina.”

Ndinqwalile ndincuma.

383
Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela kakhulu.”

Edward: ”Wamnkelekile sisi. Utata wakho ebezozingca kakhulu ngawe. Ebekuthanda kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Siyabulela.”

Edward: ”Yeyiphi ityhefu yakho?”

Nomtha: ”Mna?”

Edward: ”Hayi! Hayi! Uyasela nawe?!”

Simba: ”Hayi akaseli. Uyasela?”

Nomtha: ”Andiseli.”

Simba: ”Besendithe nqa.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

Ndiyoncedisa ekhitshini ngokutya lomzuzu baselayo. Bekuvulelwe netivi bebukele irugby. Bendinga
ncedisi phofu, ebeziphekela ukutya kwakwakhe ndihleli phambi kwakhe ndifunqule umntwana wam
sincokola.

Sityile kwakulunga ukutya. Simnke sekusaziwa ukuba ndikhulelwe omnye umntwana. Ebesithi
akankonyanga zinkolelo zokuba akulunganga ukuchaza ukuba ukholelwe ungekafiki kwinyanga ezithile.
Mnkru!

Sifike ngokuhlwa endlini. Oko sincokola ngoEdward nobubele bakhe nonkosikazi wakhe. Sifike endlini
salalisa umntwana sayolala. Asihlambanga nokuhlamba indlela besidinwe ngayo. Mna ndodwa phofu.
USimba uyongena eshower wahlamba. Hayi bendidiniwe mna mntakabawo yhini!

Simba: ”Hayi Nomtha khawuhlambe. Ndizolala nomntu onuka ilanga ndihlambile mna?”

Nomtha: ”Awuthunywanga ndim.”

Simba: ”Sawulala nje kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Ibingathi sawuthini?”

Simba: ”Hayibo!”

Nomtha: ”Ndidiniwe.”

Simba: ”Noba inye iround? Ihleli ingekho nento oyenzayo kakade. Lala ngomqolo kuzobila mna.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuthi ndihlambe ndikubonise umntu olala ngomqolo. Uzawuba nesiphika uny*”

Simba: ”Yizapha ndiqale ndiphuze. Ndiyakthanda. Ndiyayazi uyenzele mna yonke into oyenze namhlanje.
Ndiyabulela kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Kudala ndifuna ukutshata. Wandilahla.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”

384
Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi. Yima ndihlambe sizofraya itapul chips.”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Sewuyekile ukudinwa?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuhlamba igama lam.”

Simba: ”Hahaha!”

385
FORTY SEVEN
Nomtha: ”Khawuyeke undincanca ibele umdala.”

Simba: ”Hehehe! Khawuvuke.”

Ndivule iliso elinye ndimjonga, ndilivalile kwakhona ndanikina intloko yam.

Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Simba: ”Enye qha.”

Nomtha: ”Uzophela kaloku. Umntwana usalele?”

Simba: ”Ndisando mncancisa idami yakhe, ulele.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh. Awphangeli?”

Simba: ”Ndizohamba emini namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Ndimncumele ndasondeza ubuso bam kobakhe ndimphuza.

Ndiqabelise nomlenze kuye. Khange abe ebuza nokubuza wandibamba ithanga endisondeza ngakumbi
kuye endiphulula ithanga. Ukuba uthetha ngebattery wena, uqobo luka Eveready. Simba Matanzima.

Simba: ”Khawuthi ndihlambe ndizo order ibreakfast. Okanye uzoyipheka?”

Nomtha: ”Wtf?! Asikho busy na apha?”

Simba: ”Ubuthe hayi. Uzopheka? Hayi? Ewe? Yibe ucinga ukuba ubawele ntoni okanye ndizokuthengela
noba yintoni.”

Undiphuze emlonyeni wantswayuza ukuyongena ebathroom. Ye mntakabawo amadoda ayamhlukumeza

umntu. Besendi gwantyisile. Ndondlule ndagqiba ndanxiba igown yam ndayizenzela into yokuphunga.
Ndikhuphe igranola ndazenzela yona ndifaka iyoghurt lomzuzu bendisaphunga.

Uphume senxibile ekamireni uSimba. Phofu ebenxibile? Ebenxibe nje ushorti ewubhinqele ezantsi.
Ebehamba ngogaga. Inteshana yakhe ingaphandle. Besendigqibile uphunga ngeloxesha, ndihleli esofeni
ndisitya.

Simba: ”Okay. Uzenzele wedwa?”

Nomtha: ”Bendiba ufuna ukuorder njena?”

Simba: ”Khawundenzele nam kaloku.”

Nomtha: ”Simba, galela igranola esityeni ufake ubisi qha. Uba uyafuna ufake nefruit iseskhaftineni apho
ibishiyeka kum.”

Unqike ifriji wakhupha esaskhaftina.

Simba: ”Umntu akahoyekanga apha.”

386
Nomtha: ”Kukuthini ukungahoyeki na?”

Simba: ”Andenzelwa kutya mna. Umntu uzenzela yedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Uxolo.”

Simba: ”Mxm. Kuzofuneka ulungiselele umtshato kwangoku. Uthethe noLulu, wazi abantu.”

Nomtha: ”Bendiba kuba undilobola sawuya emafezi.”

Simba: ”Andifuni kutshatela home affairs mna, ndanditshilo kuwe.”

Nomtha: ”Nanenze umtshato omkhulu nomfazi wakho wokuqala?”

Simba: ”Satshata.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi ukuba natshata. Ndibuza ukuba yayingulo mtshato uwufunayo nam?”

Simba: ”Satshata qha. Andiyazi kutheni uzixaka ngemitshato engengoyakho. Ngewuplana wena qha.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi kaloku nawe uzoplana nam andizuplana ndodwa mna.”

Simba: ”Ndizobe ndinanazela ezilokhweni mna?”

Nomtha: ”Nguntshato wethu! Ndinomntwana mna, ndinomnye osendleleni. Ukuba bekusiya ngam
ngendisiya ehome affairs kodwa omnye ubhuti ufuna umtshato omkhulu so kunyanzelekile ananazele
ezilokhweni mntakabawo umntu weNkosi kuba mna mntwana kaSamora noKoyo Tongai andizuyenza
ndodwa lento. Thank you.”

Unikine intloko yakhe kancinci.

Uzochopha ecaleni kwam watya.

Simba: ”Awenzanga smoothie?”

Ndinikine intloko yam. Kuthe cwaka satya. Ndinabele kuye wandikrwaqula kancinci wanditsweba
ngaphantsi kwenyawo.

Simba: ”Andisakwazi ukulinda ube ngunkosikazi wam.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinemincili nam.”

Simba: ”Bendicinga siye kuSamora ngomso.”

Ndinqwalile.

Ubeke isitya sakhe etafileni wandolula iminwe endimassager nenyawo ezi.

Simba: ”Ndiyavuya ukuba ndizobakho kule ipregnancy. Ndikwazi ukuxhasa. Unditefele. Ungasokoli
uwedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyavuya ukhona nam. Sewumxelele uMalik?”

Simba: ”Ukuba sawuba nomnye umntwana?”

387
Nomtha: ”Nangelobola.”

Simba: ”Uyayazi ukuba sizotshata. Andikamxeleli ngomntwana. Ndizomxelela xa elapha.”

Nomtha: ”Bunjani ubudlelwane bakho nooMalkia noNura?”

Uphefumlele phezulu.

Simba: ”Bleh.”

Nomtha: ”Uthetha ukuthini xa usithi 'bleh'?”

Simba: ”Ngalomzuzu adinothi sinobudlelwane. Baphila impilo zabo nam ngokunjalo. Bendike ndafounela
uMalkia kuleveki iphelileyo qha wabe engxamile yabamfutshane naloncoko. And that was the first time
since ndabaxelela ukuba bangobam. Okwangoku ndidinga ispace. As umntu ebengutata wabo, as ubhuti.
Nabo bebedinga ispace bazokwazana noVenus. Bayayazi xa bendidinga ndizobakho.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Yep.”

Ndibeke isitya kwicoffee table nam ndachopha phezulu kwakhe ndijikelezisa izandla zam entanyeni
yakhe.

Nomtha: ”Indlela endikuthanda ngayo!”

Simba: ”Uthandwa ndim baby, kakhulu. Ndiyabulela ngokundenza utata kwakhona.”

Nomtha: ”Bendingena choice.”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Simba: ”Tu, kodwa ndiyabulela. Ndigqibile ngoku, andisoze ndiphinde.”

Nomtha: ”Good.”

Undibambe isinqe wandisondeza ebusweni bakhe endiphuza.

Simba: ”Ufunani?”

Nomtha: ”Wena, ndifuna wena.”

Siphuzele kwakhona, wandikhulula igown ndithethwa ngumoya opholileyo. Uyigibisele phantsi

wandicwakaza inpundu.

Ndimhlise ushorti endincedisa ndachopha kuye ndimfaka wonke. Ndimve evungama ndabe ndikhala
nam. Ebengene nzulu. Ndimbambe amagxa ndixhathisa ngawo ndinyakaza ngokukhawuleza phezulu
kwakhe. Ebendigcwalisa ngenye indlela.

Nomtha: ”Sh*t! Oh bawo!”

Undibambe isinqe encedisana nam naye endingena ngamandla, nzulu. Ibingase ndikhale. Woyame
esofeni endanga endiqinisa enyakaza ngokukhawuleza. Ebesekufuphi.

388
Nomtha: ”Oh bawo wam, Simba!”

Simba: ”Ndiyakthanda, wena.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhhhhh!”

Kunyamalele yonke into. Bendiziva ndikwelinye nje ilizwe. Ndibhabha emafini. Uqhubile wanyakaza
ngoku ndisensitive endingena ngamandla endingazange ndawabona. Besiphefumlela phezulu sibile
simanzi xhopho. Ndizibone sendiphinda ndisiza kwakhona, ngeloxesha ebengekudanga naye. Ukuba
bendinga khulelwanga kakade bendizoba nexhala nguloMessi ukhabela ezipalini qho. Siphefumle kunye
sidiniwe, sonele. Ebengeka phumi kum wavala amehlo ephefulela phezulu.

Simba: ”Ja ...”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyohlamba.”

Simba: ”Nam ndizohlamba nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiya kwishower.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna yona kanye.”

Nomtha: ”Simba ukuba umntwana uyavuka sihlamba.”

Simba: ”Makuqale mna ke wena ungene emveni kwam.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi sukuba nochuku. Nditsho kuqala ukuba ndifuna ukuhlamba.”

Simba: ”Ndizoyomfaka kula shower ubeke wavuka uZendaya.”

Ndiyihlekile. Ndisukile phezulu kwakhe ndantswayiza ukuyongena ebathroom. Uvuke sendigqibile

umntwana ndamhlamba ebhafini ndamnxibisa. Bendifuna siziphumele namhlanje. Bendifuna
ukuyobethwa ngumoya kwimall. Ndithengele noZendaya izinto ezimbalwa.

Ungene sendinxibile uSimba wandirholela amehlo.

Simba: ”Hayibo!”

Bendifaka amaxikici ngaphambili kwesipili kodwa ndimbona enyuse ishiya. Ebengazihluphanga

ngokunxiba iblukhwe yakhe ngeloxesha uDiba omncinci ebeme nqo okungathi akasandobhaqa.

Simba: ”Uyaphi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndisaphuma.”

Simba: ”Usaphuma?!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Undijongile wehla nam. Bendinxibe ilokhwana encinci emnyama enamachokoza amhlophe. Ibinemikho
emidana. Bendifake nesihlangu esichophileyo. Uyothatha umntwana wakhe wamfunqula wajonga kum.

Simba: ”Hm?”

389
Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Uyaphi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuyothengela uZendaya izinto ezimbalwa.”

Simba: ”Azinamagama ezozinto?”

Nomtha: ”Ikhona ingxaki?”

Simba: ”Ikhona?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ndiyabuza? Okanye andina lungelo lokuphuma nomntwana wam?”

Simba: ”Bendike ndathi awunalungelo?”

Nomtha: ”Ndibona izenzo zakho ezi kaloku, caba izoxoxisa into yokuba ndiphume.”

Simba: ”Ndimangele qha wamhle kangaka waphuma. Awutshongo nokuba uplane ukuphuma.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyicinga ngoku.”

Simba: ”Andithandi nihambe ngaphandle kwam.”

Nomtha: ”Sizoba right.”

Simba: ”Awunonxiba ilokhwe endana kunale?”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Uthetha iphone yakhe phezulu kwebhedi wayibeka endlebeni ephuma.

Simba: ”Monti, m chọrọ gị ebe a na 5 nkeji. Nwunye m na-ahapụ ụlọ ugbu a. ị maara ihe ị ga-eme.
Andifuni kubulala mntu ke kuba ukuba kuke kwenzeka- good. Good.”

Huh?

Ndigqibile ndathatha ibag yam neyomntwana.

Ebehleli naye esofeni emfunqule ecofa iphone.

Simba: ”UMonti ungaphandle.”

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”UMonti unilinde ngaphandle.”

Nomtha: ”Oh bendizobiza imeter taxi.”

Simba: ”Uzonisa anibuyise.”

Nomtha: ”Oh.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuthetha naye ngoluphi ulwimi?”

390
Simba: ”Igbo. Mbambe ndiyolayisha istrawuler necar seat.”

Nomtha: ”Ubutheni uthetha ngaye nges'Igbo?”

Simba: ”Ngoba ndiyathanda. Thatha umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Uzothwala umlomo kanje qho xa ndiphuma na? Ndingabimhle mna ndiphume?”

Simba: ”Ngubani othwele umlomo?”

Nomtha: ”Nguwe.”

Undunike umntwana waphuma nezizinto. Yho hayi mntakabawo ebezowuthwala aphinde ayeke
lomlomo wakhe. Into ibingazukwenzeka kukuba ndibe nguNozimasile mna ndungaphumi ndibethwe
ngumoya ndibone nabantu. Soze kaloku, andikho trongweni.

Simba: ”Kakade awunasikolo namhlanje?”

Ndimjonge nje ndazivalela umlomo wam. Usikhuphile sayokhwela emitweni wavala ucango.
Ndimkrobile ehamba ngenteshe eqinise imihlathi. Ukhuphe iphone yakhe wayicofa eyibeka endlebeni.
Andisisebenzisanga istrawler ndamphatha ngembheleko. Amagxa am ebezoba buhlungu kodwa
bendingafuni ukuba ndimpusha ndiphethe neplastic bags.

UMonti besimshiye ngaphandle. Inoba ebezosilinda side silungele ukubuyela endlini. Ndikhangele
indawo enokutya kuqala ndayohlala phantsi ndatya. Indlela besendilambe ngayo ibingathi andikhange
ndikuchathe oko kusile. Bendifuna nento ebunyamarha.

Nditye ndagqiba ndayoqala ebodyshop ndalandela kwishop yempahla yabantwana. Ndimthathele izinto
ezimbalwa kuba bezizincinci ezinye.

”Nomtha?!”

Ndibhekile ndifinge intshiya wabe lomntu ebendikhwaza ezigqume umlomo.

”Ndim uLuzuko!”

Nomtha: ”Oh hi.”

Udane kancinci kwaphela noloncumo ukuva indlela bendimpholele ngayo.

Luzuko: ”Long time!”

Nomtha: ”Eight years.”

Luzuko: ”Yho! Iminyaka emingaka, ixesha liyabaleka. Awusekhule! Awutshintshanga tu, oko wawumhle
kwakudala. Ulidark dindy eligrand. Umnandi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright enkosi, wena?”

Luzuko: ”Fede. Ndimnandi mna, ngakumbi ngoku sendibone wena. Yingcosi yakho le?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ewe ngumntwanwa wam.”

391
Luzuko: ”Mhle.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. ”

Luzuko: ”Nawe umhle, oko wawumhle. Yho! Andikholwa ukuba nguwe lomntu. Uright?”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Luzuko: ”Askies kwakhona ngabazali bakho. Ndakuphoxa back then. Ngendakuthatha uzohlala nathi
ekhaya. Waphelelaphi? Awufuni sitye ilunch sincokole kancinci.”

Nomtha: ”Sendityile.”

Luzuko: ”Drinki. Coffee. Milkshake. Smoothie. Noba yintoni, twenty minutes.”

Ndijonge iwatshi yam

Nomtha: ”Twenty minutes.”

Ndigqibezele ngempahla saphuma sayothenga iz'Smoothies.

Ndimxelele ke ukuba ndayohlala eHome, ndaya eTown njengoba bendihlala eDiepkloof nase Centurion
ngoku.

Luzuko: ”Nditshatile mna. Ndinomntwana wokuqala ndimfumene kulenyanga.”

Nomtha: ”Watshata?!”

Luzuko: ”Ndina four years ndingumyeni womntu.”

Nomtha: ”Kuhle, ndiyavuyisana nawe. Utatakho usaphila?”

Luzuko: ”Usaphila. Ebeke ... wanengxaki. Umfazi wakhe ebelala noSakhiwo so you can imagine
obobunzima. Bohlukana wafumana enye ipikinini seright ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo ubhut'Sakhi nomntu katatakho!”

Luzuko: ”Mfazi, anyways bazama ukulungisa izinto notata. Kuhamba bhetele.”

Nomtha: ”Kungcono xa kunjalo.”

Luzuko: ”Shit sendifounelwa ngumfazi wam, bendithe ndizophuma ndingene ke.”

Nomtha: ”Uze naye?!”

Luzuko: ”Hayi ndimshiye endlini but kudala ndilapha. Ina inumbers zam. Keep in touch, sapha iphone
ndizibuzze ndizoba neyakho nam.”

Ndimnikile ndafunda icard.

Nomtha: ”Ungummeli?”

Luzuko: ”Criminal laywer. Ndine law firm endiyivule nomhlobo wam.”

392
Nomtha: ”Lantsooo!”

Luzuko: ”Haskaa! Ndincedwe nangutata. Xa unemali ubomi buba mtyibilizi. Ndiyaxolisa ukuba zange
ndikwazi ukutshintsha ingqondo zikatata uhlale nathi. Ndiyavuya kodwa ukubona umhle wonwabile.
Ndiyavuya kakhulu awunambono.”

Iphinde yakhala iphone yakhe wayiphendula. Kukhale eyam ngeloxesha yabe inguSimba.

Nomtha: ”Munhu wangu.”

Simba: ”Kuhamba njani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright. Sendizofounela uMonti azosilanda, ndibugqiba.”

Simba: ”Ok. Uqinisekile kuhamba kakuhle?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe Simba.”

Simba: ”Nenzani ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ndigqibezela ukuthenga.”

Simba: ”Okay baby, yenza ubuye ke.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Ndiyibekile iphone yam wabe segqibile noLuzuko.

Luzuko: ”Nomtha kuzofuneka ndihambe.”

Nomtha: ”Ungakhululeka.”

Luzuko: ”Ndiyavuya ukubona. Sawuthetha ke. Hug?”

Ndimangile wahamba. Ndishiyeke ndimblockha ndashwabanisa nalo business card. Bendikuvuyele

ukumbona. Ndingamsoli ngokuba angakwazi ukuguqula ingqondo zikatata wakhe. Bendino akwaba ke
kodwa qha ndiphinde ndicinge uSimba xa esithi izinto zenzeke ngendlela bekufanele ukuba zenzeke
ngayo. Sasingabantwana, sikhulile ngoku. Ubuhlobo okanye nantoni na sasinayo nebesizoba yiyo ngoku
... bendingafuni. Besikhulile ngoku, sohluke kakhulu.

Uthe ndimxelele apho ndikhoyo uMonti wazosiphathisa. Andiyazi noba ibindim na kodwa ebendiqinisele
ubuso uMonti eyinto endingayaziyo. Ndimkrwaqule nje ndavala umlomo. Inyawo zam besezidiniwe yila
heel.

Sifike endlini ndamisa imbiza. Ubuye ngobusuku uSimba, bekubethe noten. Umntwana ebesando
kothuka ebuthongweni engafuni ukulala so ndimncacisa ngoku ndibukele itivi.

Simba: ”Dumelang.”

Nomtha: ”Yebo.”

Simba: ”Khandiphe umntwana wam.”

Ndimnikile. Ibingathi unomsindo kodwa uzibambile.

393
Simba: ”Ubuyothini emall?”

Ndimfingele intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Ndikuxelele ukuba ndiyothengela umntwana izinto ezimbalwa.”

Simba: ”And then kwathini?”

Nomtha: ”Ndazithenga ndabuya Simba.”

Simba: ”Kuphelele apho?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe!”

Simba: ”Ungasebenzisi lotone kum mna. Ngubani lendoda ubuhleli nayo ibamba umntwanam?”

Nomtha: ”So uMonti undilandele?!”

Simba: ”Ndik'buze umbuzo.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni ungatsho ukuba uzondilandela nangaphakathi? NguLuzuko lowa ndandimazi kudala.
Ndam-”

Simba: ”Ndiyibonile iphoto yalaLuzuko. Wayekhona ngalamini. Wawuthandana naye. Into yam kukuba
umshiye owam umntwana. Dibane namasoka akho wedwa hayi nosana lwam. Ngomso siya emadlakeni
uzilungiselele.”

Undishiye apho wayongena ekamireni ... nomntwana.

394
FORTY EIGHT
Nomtha: ”Simba-

Umise umnwe ndakhawuleza ndavala umlomo wam.

Simba: ”Uright uNorman. Xa umthemba nam ndiyamthemba. Ewe. Kulungile ndiyabulela Siyanda.
Alright. Huh?”

Ubuze ejonga kum. Umntwana ebeleliswe kwicott yakhe yena esezibgubeni noxa ebengangenanga
ngaphakathi. Ebehamba ngeboxer brief qha.

Nomtha: ”Awuzutya?”

Simba: ”Sendityile.”

Ndimfingele intshiya ndavala umlomo wam. Ebevulele amanzi ebhafini. Ndimcimele wona kuba
ebezogcwala. Ebengengo mntu webathtub ethanda ishower njengam so bendimangala.

Ndivulele amanzi kwi shower mna ndabe ndifaka ishower cap ndakhulula ndayongena. Ibenguqhwi-qhwi
ndabe sendiphuma. Drama King! Ebengqungwe ligwebu mntakabawo oka Venus umtwana wavala
amehlo. Bekukhala iMusiq Soulchild, ikhalela phantsi. Mnkru.

Ndithambisile. Ndithe ndiphinde ndimjonga wabe endijongile naye. Amadoda!

Simba: ”Yiz'apha ndikuhlebele.”

Bendinga mthembi ncam ke ndikuxelele qha ndintswayize ndasondela kuye. Undikhwebe ngomnwe
ndathoba ndibeka indlebe yam phambi komlomo wakhe azosebeza lento ebefuna ukuyisebeza.

Nomtha: ”Simbaaa!”

Besendithe dyumpu emanzini ngeloxesha. Inwele zam bendingazithwalelanga, ndiyikhuphile ishower

cap ukuphuma kwam ebathroom. Ndivele ndatyhafa ndaphefumlela ngaphandle.

Nomtha: ”Inwele zam.”

Simba: ”Andina msebenzi nenwele zakho. Andikho happy nge attitude yakho. Andiyikhathalelanga.”

Nomtha: ”Ndine attitude?”

Simba: ”Enuka phuqu. Kutheni ungandixeleli ngalomfana xa ndikubuza.”

Nomtha: ”Andikhumbuli undibuza ngomfana, into ondibuze yona yinto endiyenzileyo.”

Simba: ”Ngelaxesha bendikufounela ndikubuza wenzani wathi wena uthenga impahla kanti
userestaurant phambi kwalomfana.”

Nomtha: ”Andivumelekanga ukuba ndihlale nabantu endibaziyo?”

Simba: ”Uke wandiva ndisitsho?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabuza kakoku kuba ndiva okungathi andivumelekanga uba ndihlale nabantu.”

Simba: ”Into endiyitshoyo mna kukuba ungafaki umntwana wam esidyolweni sakho.”

395
Nomtha: ”Utshatile uLuzuko.”

Simba: ”So?”

Nomsa: ”So ntoni? Utshatile that's it. And mna ndinendoda endiyithandayo nendicinga ukuba
iyandithanda-”

Simba: ”Ndiyakthanda nangoku.”

Nomtha: ”So yintoni le?”

Simba: ”I'm pissed off ngoba awundixeleli ngamabomu ngaye. Kutheni ungazondixelela ukuba uhleli
nesdala sakho?”

Nomtha: ”Bendingafuni ukukuxelela ehleli phambi kwam. And andingomntwana omncinci mna. Ndina
twenty freaking three years old. Awuzuthi ungena ndikutsibele ngokuba ndidibene nobani wathini
ndathini. And andiyithandi into yokuba uzozebenzisa abantu bakho to invade iprivacy yam.
Ndiyayiqonda ukuba uMonti umbekele ukuba andigade, ndiyayiqonda lonto kwaye ndiyabulela kodwa
sanusebenzisa lonto uku invada iprivacy yam wakugqiba uyenze into engeyiyo ungalindeli kum.
Bendingasoze ndingakuxeleli ngoLuzuko, nangeliphi na ixesha bendizokuxelela. Ayilwisi lonto.”

Noxa bendinga mboni kuba ndimzele ngomva ndichophe phezulu kwakhe.

Bendimva enikina intloko yakhe.

Simba: ”Undidikela ukucikoza oku kwakho. Asoze angareporti kum uMonti. And akusoze kubemnandi
nanini na ukubona umntu wakho ehleli nesidala. Kufuneka ndiunderstanda kuba inguwe. Mayibendim
uzobona. Mna izobangathi I'm projecting kuba ndadyolelwa nguNokulunga yada yada. But asoze
ibemnandi nanini na. Mna ke ndiyavuma ndiyindoda enesikhwele, nangaphandle kwahistory yam
emtshatweni ndiyakhweleta. Uphume umhle apha, awutshongo noba uzohamba uthi gqi sewumhle, all
of a sudden kukho some criminal laywer ohleli nayo.”

Ndimnyusele ishiya okungathi uzondibona.

Nomtha: ”So uthi kufuneka ndiqale ndithethe kuwe xa ndifuna ukuphuma? Andikwazi ukuvele
ndihambe njengoba nawe uvele uhambe nje kodwa ubungumntu ebezohlala endlini? Mandithethe
nawe kuqala ndilinde imvume?”

Simba: ”Anditsho.”

Nomtha: ”Uthi anditshongo ukuba ndiyahamba kaloku yilonto ndibuza. Kuba ndigqibe ukuba
mandihambe ngoku ekuseni kuba bekungekho nto ndizoyenza and nawe uyaphangela. Bedizokwazisa
ukuba ndiya emall kukho izinto endifuna ukuzithenga ngaphambili kokuba ndihambe only for security-
masithi mhkawumbi awukho apha endlini. Ngapha koko ndingahamba ndikuxelele sendibuyile ukuba
oh! By the way bendiye emall okanye ndisemall ukuba kukho into oyifunayo ndingakuphathela.
Andizubabaleka futhi abantu endidibana nabo endibaziyo kuba bengamadoda. Andizuba krwada
ebantwini kodwa ndizokuhlonipha ndihloniphe nento esinayo.”

Simba: ”Awuzutshomana ne ex zakho kaloku. Undibona nditshomene nezidala zam mna?”

396
Nomtha: ”Andiboni nto mna. Ndihlala apha endlini and andinaMonti ozoreporta back. Kodwa
anditshomenanga naLuzuko. Bendiqala ukumbona namhlanje after iminyaka and ebeziva okungathi
undityala ingcazelo ngokungakwazi ukundinceda sathetha ke kodwa iphelele apho. Andisenanto
enondidibanisa naye nyani, andinabuhlobo naye.”

Simba: ”Unganabo ubudlelwane naye kuba unenkani and ufuna ukuprova ipoint kodwa ndizombulala
mna. Ndizomdubula apha afe.”

Nomtha: ”Uyandidinisa.”

Simba: ”The feeling is mutual baby and undidika ngokuba nomlomo omkhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Uba ubumncinci lomlomo bendigazukwazi ukufana uDiba omncinci. Ndenze naladeep throat
uyithandayo.”

Simba: ”Nomtha ... unezimanga wena.”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Askies ukuba ndikwenze uzive ngenye indlela. Ndizokuconsiderisha ngexesha elizayo.
Ndikuxelele nangaphambili kokuba ndihlambe ukuba ndiyazophuma- hayi kuba ndicela imvume. Ukuba
wazi nje uzoxelela nabantu bakho ukuba bandilandele.”

Simba: ”That would be nice. Ungagcebezi futhi.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba bekusiya ngawe ngendinxiba njengo Costance.”

Simba: ”Amathanga akho ngawobonwa ndim ndodwa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayiqonda eyoshorti lowa ndandiwunxube ngalamini kwagqirha. Mfutshane kakhulu

wona, kodwa la lokhwe nezinye ayizozigcebe. Andizudwanguza mna kaloku bhuti.”

Simba: ”Ngubani othe udwanguze. Okungenani mazibe ngezantsi kwamadolo.”

Nomtha: ”Compromise. Ngentla kwamadolo.”

Simba: ”Uyandibulala apha.”

Nomtha: ”Ngentla kwamadolo.”

Simba: ”Kulungile. Ibinjani imini yakho?”

Nomtha: ”Andikhange ndibe nepanic attack phambi kwabantu so ndithi ibiright. Bhetele kunoright.
Ndiyazingca ngam. Bendikoyika kakhulu ukuba phambili kwabantu abaninzi ndindodwa so kubhetele
ngoku.”

Simba: ”Kubhetele xa kunjalo. Usiyekile isikolo?”

Nomtha: ”Bendi off. Namhlanje nangomso asiyi.”

Simba: ”Nifunda kamnandi. Awukafuni ukuthatha yonke into yakho kulaDieptloof? Kuba senihlala apha,
futhi kuleveki izayo uzobe ungunkosikazi wam so ndizolindela ukuba uhlale apha.”

Nomtha: ”Singazithutha ngomso akukho ngxaki.”

397
Simba: ”Aha! Bendilindele umlo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa ukuphoxa.”

Simba: ”Ja, ja. Ndiyakthanda.”

Ebedlala ngamabele wam.

Nomtha: ”Namu.”

Simba: ”Ndiyathanda ukuba in control. Ebomini bam, kwishishini. Ndim lowo. Ndifuna izinto zenzeke
ngendlela yam and sendiqhele kanjalo. Ukuba xa ndisithi jump kuthiwa how high. Ndizozama
ukuziqhelanisa nokuba ayizukwenzeka qho kuwe kodwa ayitsho ukuba ndizoyeka ukufuna ulawulo
nokuba ndizoyeka ukukukhweletela. You are fucken beautiful. Ukuba bekuya ngam ngewunga phumi
kwalapha endlini. Ubomi bakho buqale ngam buphele ngam. Andizuyeka ukukhweleta kodwa andisoze
ndigabadele. Ndizolinda- kuzobanzima kakhulu. Kakhulu. Kakhulu. Kakhulu-

Ndiyihlekile.

Simba: ”Ndikufunele omnye umntu. Ebesebenza close noSiyanda. Ugood kakhulu and umthembile.
Ndiyayithemba ijudgement kaSiyanda kuba eyam indiphoxile so ...”

Nomtha: ”So andisazutshata nawe, ndizotshata nalomntu undifunele yena?”

Unditswebe ingono ndayihleka.

Simba: ”Suba muncu. Uzokuba ngudriver wakho slash security-”

Nomtha: ”Slash mpimpi.”

Kuhleke yena ngoku.

Simba: ”Slash mpimpi. Unguboss wakhe kodwa ndingubig boss so uzomamela mna ngaphezulu kokuba
emamela wena. Izobangathi uyapitshwa okanye iprivacy yakho asiyihlonophi kodwa ndenzela
ukhuseleko lwakho nabantwana bam mna. Undoqo ngulowo. Nokukugada ke kodwa ndenzela
ukhuseleko lwenu. NgoVenus ngoEfe ngoMaximilan, ndinentshaba. Nendingazaziyo. Andifuni zifike
kuwe ungakhuselekanga.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela. Xa uvuma kanje ungandilwisi uyandonwabisa kakhulu baby.”

Ndijikelezise amehlo am ndincume kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Uthini ngenwele zam ezi uzimoshileyo?”

Simba: ”Azimoshekanga qha zimanzi. Ungaphinde uzichebe.”

Nomtha: ”Andithembisi nto. Inwele ziyadika. Ayaphola nalamanzi.”

Simba: ”Phethuka uchophe phezulu kwam ngaphambili kokuba uphume. Ndikubhasele ngokuba yigood
girl.”

Nomtha: ”Bendithe ndiyakufuna?”

398
Simba: ”Undilambele. Ugxiza ngoku usemanzini.”

Nomtha: ”Oh bawo Simba.”

Uyihlekile. Ebendirabha iclit kamnandi. Ndiphethukile ndachopha kuye ndikhamisile, naye ngokunjalo.
Ungene wonke. Ndimangile andanyakaza.

Ndisondeze ubuso bam kobakhe ndimncumela. Ebendijongele ngaphantsi kwenkophe. Usondele

wandiphuza waqala ukunyakaza.

Ndixhume kuqala ekuseni ndisiva umntwana ekhala. Ndiyomthatha ndamfaka ngaphakathi kwethu
ndamncancisa.

Kucacile ukuba ndiphinde ndabiwa bubuthongo kuba ndothuke ndilulwa umlomo ngumntwana kaSimba.

Nomtha: ”Jellytots!”

Uyihlekile.

Ndivukile ndayomenzela ipuree ndimtyisa. Kungene uSimba emnyango. Ebenxibe ihempe emhlophe
neblukhwe egrey ema entla kwamaqatha. Ebemhle kangaka eswenkele amadlaka! Kulandele umfana
emveni kwakhe ndazibona sendibambe isifuba. Ebenebala lika Simba lobumnyama. Enze ezicut zikhoyo,
indevu zakhe bezinde kakhulu yena zimnyama qhu futhi ezakhe. Ebemhle maan! Ndithe ndijonga
uSimba wabe endinyusele ishiya ndakhohlela into engapheliyo nditshaba zintloni.

Simba: ”Wife.”

Nomtha: ”Hi. Hello. Hi.”

Uyihlekile wasondela kum endiphuza.

Simba: ”Hlamba sizohamba. Kukho umntu endifuna udibane naye, sondela ndoda. Ngunkosikazi wam lo
uAneni Nomtha, Nomtha nguNorman Jack lo.”

Undolulele isandla ndosula esam kuqala ndincuma kancinci. Bawo wam ebemhle!

Norman: ”Ndiyavuya ukwazi.”

Nomtha: ”Nam. Ndiyavuya nam ukwazi. Hayi kakhul- okay mandithule ngoku. Uzombamba umntwana
ndiyohlamba?”

Nditsho ndijonge kuSimba, ebendincumele ndamncinela amehlo.

Simba: ”Ungasilinda ngaphandle Norman uNomtha uzohlamba sihambeni-

Unqwalile wayophuma. Ndive uSimba ethintha umqala ndamjonga. Bendinga senazintloni ukubhaqwa
ndijonge uNorman.

Simba: ”UNorman ngumntu wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Njani uba ngumntu wam?”

Simba: ”Calm down sisi, andikuphathelanga soka apha. Uyeke nokuvuzisa izincwe.”

399
Oh bawo wam ndizintloni!

Nomtha: ”Simba, ndiyaxolisa bendinga zimiselanga ukumjonga kangaka-”

Simba: ”Kulungile ndiyaqonda. Uzoba ngudriver slash nogada wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Yena?!”

Simba: ”Uthetha ukuthini ukuba yena. Ewe yena. Ngulomntu bendikuxelela ngaye izolo.”

Nomtha: ”Mhh.”

Simba: ”Ikhona ingxaki?”

Ndinikine intloko. Kodwa ibikhona. Kakade ibikhona. Bendibhidwa nayilento ebona ukuba ndiyilendlela
ndiyiyo ngalaNorman kodwa ufuna asebenze nam. Bendiba unesikhwele. Okanye ndim? Bekusenzeka
ntoni apha? Ndiyalingwa mhlawumbi? Ndiyacutshwa?

Bendingayiqondi yonke lento.

Simba: ”Ikhona ingxaki na?”

Nomtha: ”Ubungenofuna umn- omnye umntu?”

Simba: ”Uzoba nengxaki noNorman?”

Nomtha: ”Andizuba nangxaki naye kodwa ndicinga ukuba angayingxaki kuwe. Kuthi. Uyajongena. Andithi
ndimncwasile kodwa mhle kakhulu Simba, andifuni ube insecure kuba ndimbona eyindoda entle.”

Simba: ”Andimhlanga mna?”

Ndimncumele.

Nomtha: ”Umhle kakhulu munhu wangu.”

Simba: ”Asizuba nangxaki then.”

Undiphuzile wathatha umntwana.

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ngumdlalo yonke lento kuwe ndizoba nomsindo kakhulu.”

Simba: ”Akukho mdlalo ngandawo. Ndiyavuya ukuba unyanisekile ngendlela akuaffecta ngayo.
Awuyimfama, njengokuba nam ndingeyiyo. Akazuba yingxaki uNorman. Akazuba yingxaki kum. Akazuba
yingxaki kuwe, akazuba yingxaki kuthi. Ngendlela endibona ngayo mna angayingxaki kuwe. Ngendlela
yokuba akabakhathalelanga abantu abangomama. Uthandana namadoda.”

Ndikhamisile. Yilento ebemandelwe yiyo yonke lento kosathana wendoda. Ndithe nqa egigitheka into
engapheliyo, bloody swine.

Nomtha: ”Angakulinge kweyam indoda.”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! Akazulinga kuba ndizithandela abafazi qha mna. Ndizithandela wena.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni nibahle kangaka na nina?”

400
Simba: ”Indoda ayintlanga.”

Nomtha: ”Awumhlanga nyani wena, ndithetha ngoNorman namanye abadoda. Ngabo o'Nina'”

Simba: ”Futsekh! Hamb'ohlamba sihambe. Zininzi izinto esizozenza namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Xa umhle kanjaka ingase ndikutye.”

Simba: ”Uyabatya nyani abantu. Ndiyavuya ukuba uyayithanda into oyibunayo cause I'm happy with my
view.”

Nomtha: ”Ungahappy worse xa ndinokhulula legown.”

Unikine intloko encume kancinci.

Simba: ”Later. Kukho into endifuna siyizame.”

Ndiphefumlile ndasukuma. Bendihlukumezekile ezweni! Ndiyohlamba ndagqiba ndahlamba umntwana.

Senze imuesli satya saba yindlela. Ebehleli ngaphambili noNorman uSimba thina singemva. Oko
ebethetha nephone etshika abantu indlela yonke. Bekundenza enye into ukumbona ekula element.
Enguboss. Kukho into ngamadoda anobungozi. Amadoda ane command. Amadoda athetha kwenzeke.
Aba nentwana ye arrogance. Hayi kakhulu fafa nje oku kwe Aromat. Aba banganyusi lizwi ukuviwa. Aba
bangena nje egumbini ubukho babo buvakale. Aba bangandingi GPS kodwa idilesi bayazi kakuhle.
Abanesakhono ngezandla namalwini nemilomo wabo. Uzibone sewukhala kuba bawo! uSimba Nkokheli
Matanzima. Yep, ebeyilandoda. Ebengamhlanga njengo Norman kodwa ebeyilandoda.

401
FORTY NINE
Simba: ”Uright sisi, uright. Shhhhh.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”

Simba: ”Akukho sidingo sokuba uxolise baby. ”

Nomtha: ”Inzima yonke lento kum.”

Simba: ” Ndiyayiqonda.”

Ndifixizile ndosula ubuso. Undibambe izidlele wandiphuza. Ndiyihlekile kuba bendiyimess nje njengoba
endiphuza.

Simba: ”Uright ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Masambe. Umntwana?”

Simba: ”Sawumshiya apha emotweni. Xa evukile uzomjonga uNorman. Sizobuya ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzothini xa sihamba naye? Andifuni ukushiya umntwana wam oyintombi nomntu
endingamaziyo.”

Ndimbone eqinisa imihlathi wakrwaqula uNorman kulandawo ebemi kuyo wanikina intloko.

Simba: ”Masambe naye. Sawubona ngeloxesha ukuba kukho into ezokwenzeka.”

Umkhuphe ngecar seat sahamba sobathathu. Sifike sabeka izinto besiziphethe waphindela emotweni
eyothatha iflowers besizithenge endleleni eza ngapha.

Ubuyile wazogaqa ecaleni kwam endibamba isandla wanqwala. Bendingayazi nokuba ndiqale ngaphi
ukuthetha. Njengoba ndiliciko nje kumaxesha amaninzi ebengekho kwa amazwi. Bendingayazi nokuba
ndiqale ndithini. Ndiphefumlile ndosula inyembezi beseziqaqalele phantsi ukuphalala. Andiyazi
ndagqibela nini ukuzobabona. Bekukhule ingca nentsangu kufunwa ukucleanwa kuba andisezi. Naxa
ndinqwebe isibindi bendiphelela kwiparking ndingabinaso esokusondela nganeno. Intliziyo yam
ibinzima.

Nomtha: ”Baba, ndim uAneni. Ndiyaxolisa ngokungazi ndizonibona. Andibinawo amandla- ndi,
ndiyanikhumbula. Kakhulu wena. Ndibuhlungu nje nayinto okanye izinto endizifumeneyo ngawe. Izinto
nempilo bendingayazi ukuba uyayiphila. Ndiziva okungathi bendingakwazi. Hayi ngalendlela bendicinga
ukuba ndikwazi ngayo. Ndinqwenela ukuba ubungazange uzifake kulampilo owazifaka kuyo. Mhlawumbi
bekungafingeki butyebi bungako. Ubunifumana umsebenzi uqashwe uphangele njengawo womke
umntu mhlawumbi ubunofumana amandla kwakhona. Akwaba. Akwaba. Akwaba. Ndiyayazi ndithetha
nje kuba sekulate ngoku. Eight years emveni kwesiganeko ngoku ndiziva okungathi kuyizolo. Nirhuqwa
ngaphandle kwendlu nigqunyiwe. Nileli kulamikhenkce ngaphaya kwala glass- zolileyo ingathi
bubuthongo nje bomzuzwana. Ingathi uzovuka undixelele ukuba uyandithanda nokuba yonke into
izolunga. Kwakungekho sidingo sokuba uthengise umphefumlo wam, ndandikuthanda anyways.
Ndikuthandela inzame zakho nendlela ubusikhathalele, usithanda ngayo. Ndisaluthanda nanamhlanje.
Indoda endiyithandazeleyo xa ndifuna indoda yindoda efana noSam. Ethanda usapho lwayo ukogqitha
ubomi. Ndiyifumene- ndizolotyolwa kulempela veki. USimba ufuna umtshato emveni koko. Ndizohamba

402
ndodwa enkundleni, noba andindodwanga izobe ingenguwe lomntu. Ndandisoloko ndinomnqweno
wokuba ibenguwe ondinikelayo- kumntu endizochitha naye ubom bam bonke. Ubekhona ukubona
abazukulwana bakho. Unomzukulwana ngoku, intombazana. NguZendaya igama- uyakhumbula
wawuhleli usithi umntwana wam abenguZendaya oyintombi, oyinkwenkwe ibenguSamora? Elinye
nguNyeredzi. Ndiyabona ngoku ukuba ngumzali. Intliziyo yakho iphuphumale luthando uzive okungathi
intliziyo yakho ingaphandle kwesifuba sakho. Ufune ukumenzela yonke into ayidingayo, ndiyakuqonda
somehow. Ndiyasiqonda isidingo sakho sokuba singasweli nto, sifumane only the best. Kodwa
ngaxeshanye awufuni ukwenza into engakohlukanisa nomntwana wakho. Ezokohlukanisa nosapho
lwakho kuba akakho umntu onolithanda nje ngawe. Ilizwi libi kakhulu. Izinto endidlule kuzo ungekho.
Ndinomsindo. Ndiyazama ukuba right kodwa andikho right. I'm not coping. Andizazi ipanic attacks
endibenazo esikolweni okanye kwindawo enabantu abaninzi. Ndihleli nje ndijonge ngemva ndilindile.
Ingathi kukho umntu ozofika andixhwephule ndingaphinde ndibuye. Ngamanye amaxesha kusa phandle
ndijamile kuba ndinenarhmani okanye abukho kwa ubuthongo. I'm so sad. USimba uyazama nam ndiziva
okungathi kufuneka ndipretende ngamanye amaxesha kuba I'm so sad and andifuni ukumdika. Andifuni
akhathazeke ngam. Ingathi kuzuza mna qha kulomtshato. Ndonakele, ndiziva okungathi andikho good
enough. I can't get over the fact yokuba wandibona ndingalandlela. Ndi- andikwazi ukugqitha kuyo
lanto. And ndisola wena kuba ndikulemeko nje kungenxa yakho. Kungenxa yakho. Ndinomsindo,
ndicaphukela nento yokuba ndisakuthanda. Ndikufuna apha-

Andibanga sakwazi nokuqhubeka wandanga uSimba. Undibambile ndade ndagqiba ukukhala uthethile
naye saqalisa ukucleana. Sibabacocele bonke sababekela intyatyambo. Ndithethe nakuLumumba kodwa
hayi kuNoxolo. Oko ndandingena nto yokuthetha naye njengoba bendingenayo nangalamzuzu. Sigqibile
sayokhwela emotweni.

Simba: ”Uright, baby?”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Wathula kangaka?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Simba: ”Kuzofuneka sithethe mna nawe. Ha.a don't give me that. Sizothetha. Andithi?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi namhlanje.”

Simba: ”Hayi namhlanje kodwa sawuthetha.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Good girl.”

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo wayihleka kancinci. Ibingathi ebefuna ukuba seduze nam azondibamba. Nam
bendinqwenela lonto kodwa imoto besihamba nayo incinci. Ukhuphe iphone yakhe etaseni wayicofa
eyibeka endlebeni.

Simba: ”Ey! Ungafouna ke beze. Sesiphuma. Noba kusemveni kwehour ke kuba uNomtha usezoqokelela
izinto zabo and ababantu babanento eninzi. Hahahaha! Kakhulu uyayazi mos nawe kudala ndiyifuna.
Kakulu bruh. Ndizok'thumela le address ke ubanike. Sure. Ndizombulisa. Uthi uSiyanda ndikubulise.”

403
Nomtha: ”Oh okay.”

Simba: ”Undidunele abantu abazosinceda ngokumova but uthi simxelele xa siready kuba baphaya
eSoweto nabo. EDlamini. Uyayazi iDlamini?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyeva nje ngayo. Zange ndaya.”

Simba: ”Baphayana ke.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi noba bendicinga ukuba sawuzithwala entloko na ezizinto kuba andicinganga
transport.”

Simba: ”Uyayazi ukuba ndawuyilungisa andithi? So uyaphola wena ube ngumadam ndikwenzele yonke
into.”

Nomtha: ”Siyaxabana na?”

Simba: ”Ubani thina? Asiyenzi lonto yokuxabana kaloku mna nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Unyanisile Godfather.”

Simba: ”Yazi akakabhabhatiswa uZendaya. Kufuneka simse eCaweni sometime nextweek. Ndizobuza
uBisola ukuba kwenziwa njani athethe nomfundisi wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayifuna nyani lonto?”

Simba: ”Ewe tyhini.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba kukho into eyenzeka kum okanye wena abantwana bethu bazawushiyeka nabani?”

Simba: ”NoSiyanda kaloku kucacile. Kodwa andizuya ndawo kwangoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ndisezodikwa nguwe.”

Simba: ”Ukuba kukho into eyenzekayo kum, wena usekhona nawuba sorted nabantwana bam. Andina
matyala, ndizobashiya beright noSiyanda ukhona. Ukuba awusafuni ukuhlala apha eJoburg kungakuwe
kodwa uba uyahlala uzoqiisekisa ukuba awuhlutshwa mntu.”

Nomtha: ”Ubusandothi awungxamanga. Sukuthetha ngokubhubha.”

Simba: ”Noba kunzima kangakanani kuyafuneka ukuba sithethe ngazo ezizinto. Sizotshata futhi ngoku
kuzofuneka sithethe ngezinto ezininzi.”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi. Kodwa andifuni nokucinga ubomi ngaphandle kwakho mna.”

Ujike wandijonga kalusizana.

Simba: ”Nam ndiyakthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”

404
Bekuhlanga hlangene kularoom, iyibox yonke indawo. Bwsendixelile ukuba ndiyahamba kodwa uSimba
wabathembisa ukuba sawuyibhatalela nenyanga ezayo kuba sihambe ngesaquphe baqubuleka.
Bavumile ke ababina ngxaki. UZendaya ebekwi room esenext door kulamakhulu ebemgada.

Simba: ”Benditshilo ke kuSiyanda ukuba izoba ngunyaka wonke uqoqosha izinto zakho kuba nibanento
eninzi nina.”

Nomtha: ”Ukhalaze sesikude.”

Simba: ”Ndidiniwe. Zizongena endlini zonke ezizinto?”

Nomtha: ”Ibhedi newardrobe ndiyazishiya. Umakhulu uthe uzolahla ezakhe afake ezi zam
ndimthengiseka ngediscount. Ezinye andiyazi.”

Simba: ”Kuzofuneka sizifake kwistoreroom, kungene izinto ezincinci endlini.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Iphi latape?”

Simba: ”Ikwi safe yam. Uyayifuna?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayibuza nje. Andikayifuni.”

Simba: ”Utsho xa uyifuna.”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ndithungise ilokhwe endizoyinxiba ngalamini yelobola. Iblue. Navy blue, bodycon. Apha
ezantsi inelalaphu lesishweshwe. Ndifuna ubamhle.”

Simba: ”Xa iyibodycon injani?”

Nomtha: ”Iyandibamba iyeke apha ezantsi.”

Simba: ”Ohh! Inde!”

Nomtha: ”Yes!”

Simba: ”Good girl.”

Ndimncumele. Sipakishe sagqiba sandula ukubiza imoving truck.

Gogo: ”Nawusishiya ngesithukuthezi.”

Nomtha: ”Nizoba right. Kuzongena umntu omtsha.”

Gogo: ”Sawuqhela nyani noxa kunzima nje ukuqhela ummtu omtsha, nawe sakuqhela.”

Simba: ”Uyaphangela ma?”

Gogo: ”Ndingulo ushiyeka noZendaya kaloku nyana andinatorho okwangoku.”

Simba: ”Ndibuza kuba asinamntu wokugada uZendaya noNomtha. Uyafunda, ndiyaphangela kwaye
andifuni aye kwidaycare esemncinci kangaka.”

405
Gogo: ”Andiyithandi nam idaycare kumntwana osemncinane kangaka. Angafika etyabuke
nezompundwana.”

Simba: ”Ukuba awunoba nangxaki ukuqhubeka umhoye. Andifuni sleep in kwaye akukho kufuphi ukuya
eCenturion. Kodwa lamfana ungaphandle ukwalapha eSoweto naye so angamane egqitha ngawe
akubuyise. Ngemali sawuthethana.”

Gogo: ”Ndingabulela kakhulu mntwanam. Anqabile amatorho.”

Simba: ”Seniqhelene nokuqhelana noZendaya kunye noNomtha.”

Unqwalile endijonga ngoncumo nam ndamncumela.

Bafike abantu kwathuthwa izinto zayolayishwa. Besekusele ezimbalwa sayoma ngaphandle noGogo.
Besincokola nje wethu waphidela ngaphakathi.

”Hawu! Mama wengane yam! Usuyathutha nje nengane yam ungashongo!”

Simba: ”The fuck?”

Ndihlekile yindlela ebenyakame ngayo.

Nomtha: ”Ndimfumanele utata owondlayo umntwana wam and akafuni sithembu yena.”

Ugxidikile kwiQuantum weza kuthi.

Shaka: ”Sanibonani.”

Nomtha: ”Yebo.”

Shaka: ”Uthuthela kuphi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiya eCenturion.”

Shaka: ”Hawu? Angisakuboni vele la sekudala wathutha vele. Bekusele iyimpahla zakho kphela.”

Ndihleli qha.

Nomtha: ”Ngutata kaZendaya wamanyani lo, Simba. NguShaka lo. Uhlala apha enextdoor. Ndakhatshwa
nguye nonkosikazi wakhe esibhedlele ngokuya ndandilunywa.”

Shaka: ”Ungamemezi!”

Nomtha: ”Awuphosisi!”

Shaka: ”Weee! Unjani baba?”

Simba: ”Kuhle akhonto kunjani?”

Shaka: ”Sikahle nathi. Nizohamba kahle ke ntombi. Ungazifihli phela kuleyoCenturion yakhona, sibone
ingane.”

Nomtha: ”Asizuzifihla ndiyabulela kakhulu bhuti.”

Shaka: ”Yaze yasinda imali yam ama ice cream neyinyama zentloko!”

406
Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Uzotsho uthenge iaeroplane.”

Shaka: ”Ngizozithengela indiza mshini vele. Nibambe kahle ntombi! Awuthi ngiyophumula, ngikhathele.”

Nomtha: ”Uvalelise kumamkhulu. Uthi ndithe andiphathele wena kakuhle.”

Shaka: ”Hahaha! Ngizomtshela. Siyabonga.”

Simba: ”Kuhle.”

Unqwalile wanqwala noShaka emqwalasele ebusweni. Uyovula igate wangenisa imoto oko emjongile
uSimba. Uphefumlile wajonga kum endincumela kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Masambeni endlini.”

Simba: ”Bendikuthembise nto.”

Nomtha: ”Awudinwanga tamkhulu?”

Unikine intloko kancinci.

Simba: ”Awufundi.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

Simba: ”Landoda-

Wolathe apho angene khona uShaka.

Simba: ”Ndinomona ngayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ngoba?”

Simba: ”Kuba wayekhona kwipregnancy yakho, wakhona ulunywa. Wabona uZendaya eseliyuku. Jonga
wazi necravings zakho, ingathi ndisisibhanxa mna ngoku ndimi apha.”

Nomtha: ”Uzolungisa yonke lonto kulo.”

Unqwalile wancuma akundijonga isisu. Okungathi kungona akhumbulayo ukuba sizoba nomnye
umntwana. Bendithandazela enye intombi.

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukwenza ivasectomy. Abantwana abathathu bonele.”

Nomtha: ”Bonele nakum ababini. Uncede ufune abanye abantwana kuba ukuba ubulelinye ixhego,
mhlawumbi ngewuthe awusafuni bantwana.”

Simba: ”Ndingumfana mna.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Ewe wethu.”

Simba: ”Uzibizela unomnganga.”

Nomtha: ”Uba unomnganga nguDiba omncinci andinangxaki.”

Unikine intloko yakhe kancinci.

407
Bekungathi iqengqeleke yakhawuleza iveki. NgoLwesihlanu ndikhatshwe nguSimba sayolala ePretoria
noZendaya. Sihleli phantse ubusuku bonke sincokola kwakhawuleza ukusa sekufuneka kuphinde
kuvukwe. Siphekile kuculwa ingoma. Isalads zona zenziwe ngengomso. Bendinga lindelanga yonke into
bebeyenzile ngelaxeshana. Bekukuhle isisiwili wili nje. Ibingeyonto inkulu kodwa bendibulela kuba
bendingalindelanga kwanto. Bekuzoxoxwa ngoku ihlawulwe kwangoku ingazuba yiprocess ende
njengesiqhelo, ngenxa yemeko. Ezethu bezohlukile.

Bafikile omalume bakaSimba noSiyanda kunye noMluleki. Ndibabonile kuba bendibakrobile. Kuxoxwe
iiyure ndade ndalala nokulala ndilindile. Ndivuke kusaxoxa kwazonqonqoza emveni kwenye ihour ukuba
ndiphume ndiyonikezwa umyeni. Bendinyembezana kuba bendicinga ukuba abazali bam abekho for
lomzuzu. Bendibulela uSimba kodwa ngokufuna izinto zenziwe ngoluhlobo kuba ibintle lento. Noba
ibingeyiyo nqo kodwa bendivuya. Bawo wam ndingu Aneni Tongai- Matanzima.

”Aneni, the people are waiting. Your husband is restless.”

Ndincumile ndaphuma ndisiya kubo. Bendixukuzelelwa sisisu.

408
FIFTY
Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Huh Simba, nguMgqibelo ayisosikolo.”

Indlela bendidinwe ngayo ibingase ndiyekwe ndiphumle ndizovuka ngeloxesha ndivuka ngalo.
Bendidiniwe hayi kancinci.

Simba: ”Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Khawuvuke.”

Eish! Eish! Eish!

Ndiphethukile ndalala ngomqolo ndimjonga.

Simba: ”UBisola ufounile, uthi uyeza.”

Nomtha: ”Uza apha?”

Unqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Why? Zange ake eze apha umamakho.”

Simba: ”Andiyazi. Ubuzile ukuba sikhona na wathi uyeza. Andimbuzanga nto ininzi nam ndivele
ndavuma.”

Ndinqwalile ndisamjonge emehlweni. IbinguMgqibelo ezintsukwini. Bendixakeke iveki yonke esikolweni

nesisisu besindidinisa. Ngapha bendidibene newedding planner ziqalisile ngokwenza izicwangciso for
untshato. Bendingayazi noba uzoba yilocation wedding okanye sawuwenzela kwaSimba. Akhonto
bendiyazi. Ilobola yahamba kakuhle. Bonke obhuti bakaSimba babekhona, noSiyanda noLuleka kunye
nabanye abahlobo bakaSimba. Bekukho lofamily imbalwa yakwaTongai for mna kuba bendingenayo
itshomi. Bekumnandi ke ngendlela engathethekiyo.

Nomtha: ”Kuzofuneka ndipheke.”

Simba: ”Ukuba uzotya.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokwenza icreamy chicken pasta. Ukuba uyatya okanye akakutyi andingeni ndawo.
Ungayothenga ucarrot cake wena lomzuzu. NeTin roof ice-cream.”

Unqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Yintoni wantshingi-ntshingi?”

Uphefumlele phezulu wazosula ubuso.

Simba: ”Andiqinisekanga ukuba ndiyafuna umama eze apha.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo ngoba?! Simba awuvani noVenus. Andiyazi kutheni uzofaka noBisola kulonto uyazi
ukuba ukuthanda kangakanani umamakho.”

409
Simba: ”Umama ngunkosikazi katata. Uzoza apha abuyele endlini afike amnike iupdates ngempilo yam.
Andiyifuni lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Ungamxelela ukuba angayenzi lonto.”

Simba: ”Uzovuma azibone sethethile.”

Nomtha: ”Sumenza kanje umamakho Simba uzomvisa kabuhlungu tana. Sumtyhalela le. Makangafeli
izono zikaVenus.”

Uphethukile wayophuma ngomnyango engaphendulanga. Mnkru! Mntakabawo.

Ndivukile ndondlula ibhedi ndaqoqosha ikamire ndayohlamba. Indaba ezimnandi kakhulu, uZendaya
ebesezilalela eroomini yakhe. Bendisonqena nento yokuba abe esiva incwina zethu ebusuku.
Bendiqonda ukuba akakabhadli kodwa bendingathandi. Kuba nathi sakhawuleza ukulaliswa sodwa.
USamora wayesithi sasilala sodwa ndinentsuku. Uba uthetha ngoNoxolo mna! Nangoku sesibhadlile
ufune ukulala nabazali uthi uyoyika okanye unenarhmani, ebekuphindisela ekamireni yakho kwakhona
owam umama. Andikhumbuli ndilala nabo.

Ndihkambile ndanxiba ilokhwe ema nqo ezantsi kwamadolo. Bendikhululile umfakelo ndenze amaflerho
wenwele zam. Iafro ibingumsebenzi nehalf.

Mmk ebekwimood nje uSimba. Caba baye ezivenkileni ukuyothenga ezizinto bendimyaleze zona.
Kunzima nokundixelela ukuba bayaphuma. Enyanisweni bendingayiqondi indlela angayo kumama.
Umama ebeyi victim kufana naye. Andiyazi kengoku xa ezosuka angamcaceli kwayena. Ngumama
wakho. Kuphela komzali anaye ngoku, xa efuna ukuzibhekelisa nakuye.

Ndidefroste ichicken breast ndabe ndibilisa ipasta ndenza neveg. Ndiqoqoshile endlini ndacleana imat
elounge ngevacuum cleaner. Besekubetha umoya ukubuya kwabo.

Simba: ”Andiyifumenanga icarrot cake. Ndithenge imulva pudding neice-cream.”

Nomtha: ”Ubungenothenga enye icake ke xa ungafumenanga leya. Noba yiblack forest.”

Simba: ”Baby, imnandi nepudding.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyadikwa ke mna ngumntu onento ezifunny. Ebetyile lo?”

Simba: ”Kunini kusile nejngoba kungona umbuza uba utyile na.”

Ndimncinele amehlo ndavala umlomo wam ndiqhubeka ndipheka.

Umshiye apho lomntwana ndamkhupha kwicar seat ndayojonga ibaby carrier ndambeka emqolo.

Ungene nezinye iplastic bags wafaka efrijini ezinye kwipantry. Ebethenge izinto ezininzi kunezi
bendimyaleze zona. Wongeza nezomntwana.

Simba: ”Msapha ndiyomhlamba.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizomhlamba ngoku kwam myeke.”

Usondele wamkhulula wamthatha. Ndamncedisa ukukhupha lento. Ebendidike goet! Ibingase

ndimgibisele ngalapasta bendiyenza.

410
Nomtha: ”Ungamxeleli angezi nje umamakho ukuba uzosithwalela umlomo?”

Simba: ”Hayi mandinga thwali umlomo kuwe. Andizukwenza ingathi ndinemincili ukubona umama noba
andinayo.”

Nomtha: ”Suba krwada kum kaloku.”

Undikrwaqule waphefumla.

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”

Nomtha: ”Yinto kamama qha ekuhluphayo?”

Simba: ”UVenus usenzela ingxaki ngapha nangapha. Ndilungisa ngapha uqhala enye and ndinento ethi
umama uthunyelwe ukuzoncina iinformationa apha.”

Nomtha: ”UBisola uyakuthanda. Akasoze athunyelwe nguVenus ukwenza imisebenzi yakhe emdaka.”

Simba: ”Andithembi mntu ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Umamakho akangoVenus.”

Undijamele wavala umlomo wakhe engandiphenduli.

Nomtha: ”Lengxaki onayo eyenziwe nguVenus, inkulu.”

Simba: ”It's costing me money. Eninzi kakhulu, kodwa ayongxaki endingasoze ndikwazi ukuyilungisa.
Ndidikwa yinto yokuba ehleli nje ulimeva nomqomo endleleni yam.”

Nomtha: ”Ungambulali nje?”

Unikine intloko yakhe.

Simba: ”Ndinqwenela ukuba bekulula kangako.”

Nomtha: ”Uzothini kengoku?”

Simba: ”Andikayazi okwangoku kodwa ikhona into ekufuneka ndiyenze azoyeka ukundithatha lula
ngoluhlobo.”

Ndinqwalile. Uzondiphuza wahamba wayotshonela ekamireni. Besendigqibile ukupheka xa eyomvulela

uSimba.

Ndiphumele ngaphandle nam.

Simba: ”Udriver kaVenus angahlali apha. Uzobuya akulande. Andimfuni kwiproperty yam.”

Ndimkrwecile. Ibingekamisi nokumisa imoto ngeloxesha. Uyomvulela ucango umama wakhe

wabambelela kuye egxidika.

Bisola: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Nnem.” mam'am.

411
Umncumele ngoncumo olufudumeleyo wamanga ithuba elide. Umphuze isidlele uSimba bajongana
ebusweni. Ndiqaphele ukuba unyembezana uBisola.

Bisola: ”Undiphoxe kakhulu!”

Ufinge intshiya uSimba.

Simba: ”Ndenze ntoni?”

Uthathe ngokunikina intloko wajonga kum uBisola.

Bisola: ”Vula imoto Simba uvulele uMalkia. Edward! Khupha ezizinto zikwi boot unike uSimba angene
nazo. Osuse.” sthandwa.

Nomtha: ”Molweni ma.”

Bisola: ”Ndewo. Khandincede ndingene, amathambo.” *Molo

Ndimbambile sangena ngaphakathi. Ebemhle enuka kamnandi.

Ndiyomncedisa ukuchopha kwione seater elounge. Kungene uSimba noMalkia bephethe iplastic bags.
UMalkia unike umama kaSimba ihandbag yakhe.

Malkia: ”Hi.”

Nomtha: ”Hello, Malkia. Mama niphilile namhlanje?”

Bisola: ”Siyaphila enkosi unjani wena?”

Nomtha: ”Siphilile nathi. Ndizokwenza itea.”

Bisola: ”Ndingabulela.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikuphathele ntoni Malkia?”

Malkia: ”No thanks, ndiright mna.”

Bisola: ”Ungamenzela amanzi adiki-diki ufake iginger.”

Malkia: ”Makhulu.”

Ubeke umnwe wakhe emlonyeni uBisola esithi makathule. Woyame esitulweni wavala amehlo.
Ndiyokwenza itea ekhitshini wabe ebuza impilo uSimba. Bancokola nangoZendaya ukuba unjani. Sesenza
ntoni na ngoku nokuba akahluphi na. Ndimphathele itea yakhe namanzi kaMalkia kunye nejuice for mna
noSimba.

Simba: ”Ingase ndifumane ibeer ebandayo.”

Bisola: ”Ekuseni apha sewufuna utywala!”

Simba: ”Akukho sekuseni.”

Ndibeke eyam iglass ndayofaka leya yakhe efrijini ndimphathela ibeer yakhe. Ubulele ndachopha ecaleni
kwakhe. UBisola ebezamisa itea wasijonga.

412
Bisola: ”Usengutata ebantwaneni bakho Simba?”

Simba: ”Andiva?”

Bisola: ”Ndiphinde ndawoni?”

Ubeke ibeer phezulu kwe coaster kwicoffee table wajonga kumama emfingele intshiya.

Simba: ”Mama abantwana ayingobam. Ndanditshilo kuwe ngalamini kwaMluleki ukuba abam
abantwana nguMalik noZendaya kuphela. Umntu owazi utata wabantwana nguNokulunga.”

Uvale amehlo kancinci uBisola.

Bisola: ”Abangobakho?”

Simba: ”Ndanditshilo kuwe mama.”

Bisola: ”Simba oko wawukho bezalwa aba bantwana. Wabakhulisa bade bangaka. Ngoku, ndiyayiqonda
ukuba abangobakho njengoba usitsho kwaye ndiyaqonda ukuba ikuvisa ubuhlungu lonto kodwa nabo
beva kabuhlungu. Nabo baxhelekile kuba bazi wena. Andiqondi bayamazi utata wabo. Ukuba
abangobegazi lakho akuthethi ukuba balahle mntwanam. Ngabantwana bakho aba bayakudinga.”

Simba: ”Ngabantwana baka- mama, ukuba bayandidinga- ukuba uyandidinga Malkia ndandithe uthini?”

Malkia: ”Wawuthe ndikufounele.”

Simba: ”Thank you.”

Bisola: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Nne?” mama?

Bisola: ”Kwenzeke ntoni kuwe? Kwenzeke ntoni kulandoda ilungileyo ndayikhulisa mna. Ebeka usapho
kuqala. Nilibele noVenus ukuba usapho luza kuqala?! Njengoba sesiqhekeke ngaphakathi nje namhlanje.
Kwenzeke ntoni kuwe?”

Simba: ”Kwenzeke uVenus. NoNokulunga. Andizuqhubeka ukuba ngupopeye wabantu mna mama. Not
for uVenus, not for uNokulunga. Nakubani na. Ixesha lokuba ndizondlalele bona phantsi bandixangxathe
laphela kudala. Abantu abaqhekeze usapho ngabo hayi mna kwaye andizuvuma ukuba kutyholwe mna.
Ndithathe iblame kuba ndasoloko ndilula ebantwini.”

Bisola: ”Awululanga mntwana wam. Kodwa uyindoda engcono wena. Utata wakho unokuzikhukhumeza,
nawe xa uzikhukhumeza akusoze kulunge nto. UNokulunga akakho right kulandawo akuyo. Umntwana
ndide ndamfunela umntu ozomnce-”

Uyihleke kancinci uSimba wathatha ibeer yakhe wayigongqoza.

Simba: ”Ukwakho uNokulunga?”

Bisola: ”Ukuba uyaqhubeka ukuhlala kula Meadowlands angazonza-”

Simba: ”Hehe! This is unbelievable. Usamkokosa loNokulunga?! Lo oxokise unyana wakho iminyaka,
three yabantwana kwisine ayingobam. Wabona indlela endophuke ngayo. Uyabona indlela abantwana

413
abonzakele ngayo kodwa usamzisa kwikhaya lam umfunele uncedo?! Ndixabisekile kuwe noVenus?
Yaz'intoni, fuck this!”

Usukumile wathatha isitsixo semoto.

Nomtha: ”Simba!”

Bisola: ”Simba!”

Simba: ”Xa ndibuya, ndingakufumani apha kwam.”

Nomtha: ”Tata kaZendaya!”

Simba: ”Wena noVenus, nifile kum.”

Uzigqume ubuso umama seziphalala inyembezi.

Simba: ”Ifamily yam ngunkosikazi wam nomntwana wam nabanta kwethu noMalkia. Wena noNokulunga
noVenus, you go to hell!”

Bisola: ”Nkokheli!”

Uyophuma ngomnyango akabheka. Ushiyeke esothula isikhalo umama ndabe ndimi nematha.
Ndixhumile ndamlandela wabe esekhona eyadini equbude kwisteering wheel. Bendiba uyakhala kodwa
ebengakhali. Sijongene ndimi kwicala lakhe lefestire. Uphefumlele phazulu.

Simba: ”Undifounele xa emnkile lamntu kwam.”

Nomtha: ”Uright?”

Uphefumlile.

Simba: ”Andikho right.”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi noba ebeyiqonda into ebeyenza umama Simba.”

Simba: ”Uyayazi into andenze yona lamfazi. Uyayazi ukuba abantwana bonke abangobam. Uyayazi
indlela endixheleke ngayo yilonto kodwa usakhe amfake emzini wakhe! Kwikhaya lam!”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi ebesothuka ngoku nje ukuba abangobakho.”

Simba: ”Ebezenzisa. Ndandimxelele kwaMluleki ukuba abangobam. Abam abantwana nguMalik

noZendaya. Akamuncwanga umama. Uhleli noVenus iminyaka wamtshata eminye ngaphezulu
akamuncwanga. Ukuba athathe lomntu amfake kwakhe eyazi ukuba uvise unyana wakhe kabuhlungu!
Andikwazi ukuya ekhaya ngenxa yakhe noVenus yena uyakwazi ukuhlala ekhaya akhalele kumama wam!
Umzukulwana wakhe umntwana wam akakwazi ukubonana nomakhulu wakhe. Umntwana
wesasidlwengu uSylvester uhoywa nguBisola. Nomtha enyanisweni andiyazi nifuna ndithini. Andiyazi
nilindele ukuba ndizive kanjani.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuqonda mna.”

Simba: ”Then yiba kwicala lam uyeke ukube uthethelela umama. Be on my fucken side! Ungunkosikazi
wam!”

414
Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Ndicela ufoune xa bemnkile.”

Ustarte imoto waphuma. Ndishiyeke ndixakene nento. Ndiyongena endlini wabe uMalkia encedisa
uBisola ukusukuma esofeni.

Bisola: ”UEdward uthi ungaphandle.”

Ndinqwalile.

Bisola: ”Xa ehlise umoya ndizozama ukuthetha naye.”

Ndiphinde ndanqwala kwakhona.

Bisola: ”Umxelele uMalkia ukhulelwe.”

Ndijonge uMalkia ngoko wabe enxiba ihoody enkulu.

Bisola: ”Akamazi utata womntwana. Ulele nendoda angayaziyo kwezi nightclubs sistress aphantsi kwaso
ngenxa yayo yonke lento iqhubekayo. Umntwana uzilahlela etywaleni uthathwa i advantage
ngamadoda. Umithi ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Uxelelwe uNokulunga?”

Bisola: ”UNokulunga akakho right.”

Nomtha: ”USimba akangotata kaMalkia. UNokulunga makakuxelele utata womntwana mama azokwazi
ukumnceda. Akhonto edibene noNokulunga nabantwana bakhe asazoyingena uSimba. USimba
ugqibotsho ngoku indlela akhubeke ngayo ukuba kuxabiseke uNokulunga ngaphezulu kwakhe kodwa
andikuboni uyithathela ngqalelweni into yakhe. Umyeni wam naye akakho right mama. Unyana wakho
akakho right. Mcingeleni naye.”

Uzosule inyembezi wabuyela esitulweni eqala phantsi ukukhala.

Nomtha: ”Uzawuphoxakala uzisole mhla weva ukuba uluhlobo luni lwenyoka uNokulunga. Ngeloxesha
kuzobe sekulate. Uzobe ulahlekelwe ngunyana. Mbuze ut-. Bendicebisa ulungise izinto kwangoku. Nne.”

Ukhale wathoba umoya waphathelwa amanzi nguMalkia.

Uncedwe ndim ukusukuma kule game ndamkhapha emotweni ngaphandle. Undimisile xa ndijikayo
wakhuba ibox emnyama evelvet.

Bisola: ”Ndivile ukuba nitshatile noSimba. Ukuhlawulele ilobola. Ndibuhlungu ukuba ndiyive ngabantu
andaziswa kodwa akunani. Le necklace ndayinikwa ngumazala wam. Umakhulu kaSimba. Ndiyipha wena
namhlanje, ndiyakwamnkela kusapho lakwa Matanzima. Ndiyayazi ukuba njengoba izinto zinje nje
namhlanje andinomenywa emtshatweni okanye xa unxityiswa. Ndizoxelela noManci nooDabawo benu,
igama lakho unguLinokhanyo.”

Undiphuze isandla wangena ngaphakathi emotweni yahamba. Bendizibambe ngenkophe inyembezi.

Ndingene endlini ndathatha ifoun yam ndacofa ndayibeka endlebeni.

Simba: ”Umnkile?”

415
Nomtha: ”Ewe. Umnke wayaphi?”

Simba: ”Bendiye eKyalami.”

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Akhonto endiyenzileyo. Ndibaxelele nje ukuba uba akaphumi phaya ndizomxelela umama ukuba
abantwana ngabakabani. Ndenze neDNA.”

Nomtha: ”Bathini?”

Simba: ”Umnkile. Kodwa akonwabanga uVenus. Ndibafumene bephuzana ekamireni kamama.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo!”

Simba: ”Akukho Nokulunga ungekho right apha. Qha bafuna ukulalana kuba babuyelene.”

Nomtha: ”Umama undinike inecklace apha. Intle inedayinami. Ndoyika ukuba inezizinto zenu.”

Simba: ”Ndizothi uMonti ayithathe ayoyijonga. YekaMakhulu ndifuna uyigcine.”

Nomtha: ”Bendihleli ndizoyigcina intle kakhulu.”

Simba: ”Intle ifana nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizohlamba ndikulinde. Uzondifumana ekamireni.”

Simba: ”Unganxibi nto. Ufake lo necklace qha. Ndifike umanzi.”

Nomtha: ”Of course.”

Simba: ”A hụrụ m gị n'anya.” ndiyakthanda.

Nomtha: ”Nam.”

416
FIFTY ONE
Undijongile uSimba. Kwakhona.

Simba: ”Nomtha khawuvule.”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Hayi!”

Nditsho ndigqwashula ndisukuma. Besikwi office yakhe. Kushushu qhu yile heater besiyilayitile.
Bekubanda namhlanje eJoburg. Ndibuye esikolweni ndahlamba nomntwana wam sangena ezungubeni
salala. Ndivuke ukubuya kuka Simba ndamisa imbiza ekhawulezileyo- stir fry nerice ndazohlala naye kwi
office yakhe ndenza ihome work. Bendizifumana ndisekokeni njengoba ndinguMrs Matanzima nje
ngoku, xa kuthiwa umntu ulala ephenduka bekuthethwa ngoSimba Matanzima. Into entsha ebengafuni
take away ngoku, efuna ukutya okuphekwe endlini. Ndisinde ngalamini sasibuya kwicheckup kuphela
kuba wayonwabela ukubona iJellybean yakhe. Mnkru! Yonke into ibiright ke uminxinxi ekhula kakuhle
noxa ebemphethe kakubi umama wakhe. Bendike ndivuke ndinoZendaya ngamehlo amancinci kuba
ubuso budumbile. Ngamanye amaxesha kungangeni nokokutya. Bekukuninzi. Bendonwabe ngaphezulu
kokuqonda kule pregnancy kuba uSimba ukhona. Ndancwina nje ukhona kodwa uyakufuna kona ukutya
kwembiza. Ebezondifundisa idish zamaNigeria kuba ebezithanda nazo. 'Singahlali nje sityana
nemingqusho' ebesitsho. Xa sasike sawutya nini lomngqusho phofu? And andiqondi kuba ngumXhosa
lomntu. Andiyazi uyintoni kwidish zoBisola.

Simba: ”Awumdala for lento uyenzayo.”

Nomtha: ”Iworse ndenza umsebenzi wesikolo wena usela ihot chocolate upholile.”

Simba: ”Ndiyasebenza apha nam. Uba andisebenzi awukwenza nezo homeworks zebhongo kuba
ubhatalelwa ndim ifees.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Ngubani one million apha kulendlu? Ndiyi breadwinner.”

Simba: ”Ngubani othe kukho imillion kula bag?”

Nomtha: ”Nguwe.”

Simba: ”Waba imillion. Mhlawumbi wayisebenzisa enye okanye wayipha amankazana wakhe
nemigqakhwe yakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Whatever. USamora akankazana namgqakhwe.”

Simba: ”Hamb'ovula. Umxelele ndilapha ubhuti.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzofuneka ndiphume kengoku mna apha njengoba umbizela apha?”

Simba: ”Uba une office awuzuphuma. Yiza ndiphuze kuqala.”

Nomtha: ”Qala uchophe apha.”

Simba: ”So damn childish.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahahaha!”

417
Ndiphumile ndayovulela ubhut'Mluleki. Wabuya esele ngalamini uSimba. Ndimlinde ebhedini ndimanzi
ntee. Ibirhaaxana ke kunesiqhelo kodwa ndamnyamezela. Zange silale. Okay ekuzeni kusa mhlawumbi.
Ndalala ndafa. Imikhinqi isithini. Bendithanda ukweza izimanga nomyeni wam. Hahahaa!

Ngokuse mthethweni mntakabawo. Izono zokuba ndaqala ndazenza ndingatshatanga ndiqinisekile

ukuba besezicinyiwe ngoku.

Mluleki: ”Sister in-law.”

Nomtha: ”Molweni bhuti!”

Ebendincumele eveze wonke amazinyo. Inwele zakhe bezixuba kakhulu ngoku. Indevu zona ebezisusa
zonke. Betha ngebaby face. Uba uSimba angasusa lasalt and pepper wendevu ndingamlahla stru.

Mluleki: ”Unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila wena?”

Mluleki: ”Kuhle nakuthi akhonto. Ndingayofumana phi lendoda?”

Nomtha: ”Office. Ndikwenzele utea?”

Ukhulule idyasi yakhe wayixhoma.

Mluleki: ”Akuphekwanga?”

Nomtha: ”Rice ne stir fry.”

Mluleki: ”Ja maan! Ndilambile. Nekofu kodwa andiyichasanga.”

Nomtha: ”Alright. Uzomfumana eofficini uSimba.”

Mluleki: ”Umntwana wam ulele?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Kuyabanda nokubanda.”

Mluleki: ”Kubanda nyani namhlamje. Sisebusika, khawume ndimkhangele. Two coffees one sugar no
milk.”

Nomtha: ”Teaspoon?”

Mluleki: ”Icephe elikhulu. Ibenkulu ikomityi yakho.”

Nomtha: ”Yes sir!”

Mluleki: ”Dankie!”

Ndimenzele ikofu ndimphathela. Bebesabuzama impilo. Owam ke umntu ebenxibe oshorty ngeloxesha
kuyabanda. Bekungcono kuba ebwngahambi ngogaga.

Simba: ”Andenzelwanga mna?”

Nomtha: ”Ndikwenzele.”

418
Simba: ”Uphosisela ntoni?! Uthetha ukuba ibingenokonela kule tray?”

Nomtha: ”Bendisazoyi faka enye into qha isekamireni.”

Simba: ”Mxm. Ndicela ukofu nam Nomtha. Uyayazi ndiyithanda njani.”

Ndimncumele ndamncinela intloko wanikina intloko yakhe kancinci.

Ndiyomenzela naye ndabaphakela bobabini nobhuti kodwa ndakushiya ekhitshini.

Ndimnike ikofu yakhe naye wabulela. Ndiqokelele incwadi zam kuba bendingqengqe phantsi ngoku
ndibhalayo.”

Nomtha: ”Nizotyela apha?”

Simba: ”Sawutyeni sonke edining room. Gqibezela umsebenzi wakho apha etafileni ungaphumi.”

Nomtha: ”Andizuphazamisa?”

Simba: ”Hayi. Thatha isitulo uzosibeka apha ecaleni kwam.”

Ndiyogquma ukutya kuqala ndachopha ecaleni kwakhe ndabhala.

Mluleki: ”Kuthe gungqu kamnandi apha.”

Simba: ”Ey kuyabanda namhlanje. Kuxatyenwe one!”

Mluleki: ”Hayi kuxatyenwe nyani. Njengoba ukitile nje wena?”

Simba: ”Andizulazuli etheni kaloku mna. Banjani abantwana noUlatho?”

Mluleki: ”Yho!”

Simba: ”Yintoni ingxaki?”

Uphefumlele phezulu wazosula ubuso.

Mluleki: ”Uright yena kodwa hayi ncam.”

Simba: ”Yintoni?”

Mluleki: ”Besi- ebekhulelwe kwakhona.”

Simba: ”Hayi ninentlonti noko ngoku bhuti! Omnye umntwana nibangaka ukuba badala!”

Mluleki: ”Andiyazi kwenzeke njani kodwa simkhuphile.”

Simba: ”Oh.”

Mluleki: ”Ukhuphe nesibeleko uAlutha.”

Simba: ”Hayi uncedile asikhuphe kuba aniyazi tu into yokupreventa. Ndimangalele nento yokuba
amajoni akho asese fomini.”

Mluleki: ”Hahahaha! Futsekh!”

419
Simba: ”Inoba akukho lula kodwa nithathe isigqibo esiright. Mna ndizokwenza laprocedure yakhona
ngaphambili kokuba abeleke uNomtha. Ndimdala ngoku ukuba ndibe nabantwana.”

Mluleki: ”Noko abantwana ababini baright.”

Simba: ”Ja. Uzoba right uUlatho. Umxhase nawe. Ayinoba ilula lento ayenzileyo noba sisigqibo
enisithathe kunye.”

Mluleki: ”Ndiyayiqonda. Abantwana baright. Bayakhula.”

Simba: ”Ndabagqibela kudala. Ake andibokele bona uUlatho kuleveki izayo. Undiboleke wena.”

Mluleki: ”Ndizothetha naye ndimxelele. Uzobafumana kodwa.”

Simba: ”Andiyazi. Njengoba bengavani nje noNomtha kuchaphazeleka nabantwana bethu kanti
bendifuna bakhule kunye. Bakhule besazana.”

Mnkru oSimba bethunana.

Mluleki: ”Into engazukwenzeka kukuba ubudlelwane bethu nobabantwana bethu buchatshazelwe

ngabo. Ukuba bazodala iyantlukwano bona apha phakathi kwethu balate. Kwawuse kugoduke bona.
Andiyazi nabayibangayo kuba umntu unomyeni wakhe apha. Abendelanga myenini umnye.”

Simba: ”Hayi kuzofuneka ilungiswe lonto. Asizumela into yokonqena ukuya kwakho kuba sitshate nenja
nekati. Bazotsho lento bayibangayo kuba nyani andiyivisisisi into yabo. Ngabo bobabini qha
omolokazana phaya endlini ngoku. Kuzofuneka bebambisene ngento eninzi.

Uze wenze ingathi usisithulu.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo ndiyabhala!”

Simba: ”Mhhhh. Ubhala zona phofu?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake ubungancokoli nobhuti na?”

Mluleki: ”Ndifounelwe ngumama.”

Simba: ”Ndiyifunde ivaliwe.”

Undibambe ithanga ngaphantsi kwedesika ndamkrwaqula. Ebejonge ubhuti yena edlala ngecephe elikwi
komityi ebiseyi empty.

Sinyukile isandla sakhe ...

Mluleki: ”Wandifounela engakwazi nokuthetha sisikhalo esithi umthukile wamfokofa kwakho. Kukho
no'fuck you'”

Simba: ”Ndandithukisa ewe kodwa bendinga thuki yena ngo 'Fuck you.'”

Mluleki: ”Uthe ufile kuwe.”

Simba: ”Yena nomyeni wakhe bafile kum. Ndandingaphazami ke apho. Ufile kum. Andinamama
andinatata. Ifamily yam ngoku ngabantwana bam nonkosikazi wam. Omnye umntu makahambe ayofa.
Kuba nindenza isibhanxa senu mos. Anindikhathalelanga, anikhathalelanga indlela endiziva ngayo mna.

420
Ndikhokhelisa abanye abantu kunam. Mna umama kunzima nobuza ukuba ndinjani. Akakhathalelanga
mntwana wam, umntu amxabisileyo ngumntwana walarapist inguSylvester. Uyohlala ekhaya,
uNokulunga uyohlala ekhaya. Fuck them! Ndisatsho nangoku. Lamntu undidyolele, abantwana
abathathu bonke abangobam. Uyayazi lonto kodwa usamxabisa ngaphezulu kunam! Nokulunga osalala
noVenus!”

Mluleki: ”Basalala?”

Simba: ”Tyhini! Ndababhaqa bephatha-phathana ebhedini kamama! UVenus uzonyukelwa zihigh high
afele phezulu koNokulunga.”

Mluleki: ”Umama akayazi yena lonto.”

Simba: ”Noba kunjalo uyayazi ukuba unabantwana abangengo bam abafumana emtshatweni wethu.
Uyayazi lonto. Akukhathaliseki ukuba akayazi uba uyamntyela, eso sisizathu nje sokuba afutsekhe!
Ngengaqhubeki emtyela indoda uba ebemfokofile.”

Mluleki: ”Izoqhuba kude kubenini yonke lento?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi. Andisakhathali. Umama uzozibona. Uzophoxeka kabuhlungu.”

Mluleki: ”Ingakowabisi lonto.”

Simba: ”Iyandonwabisa kuba uzotsho abone ukuba uzigoba umqolo ngomntu omhlekayo xa emzele
ngomva. Mna mntu umthandayo nomkhathaleleyo akanaxesha lam. Akabethelwa nangudo ukuba
akafamenywanga okanye akaziswanga ngelobola. Uzondixelela ngoMalkia abakhulelweyo abangabazi
otata babo!”

Mluleki: ”Udlwengulwe?”

Simba: ”Kuyafana uba kunjalo kuba inoba ebenxile ububhanxa angayazi nayifunayo.”

Mluleki: ”Thiza! Makasikhuphe maan. Usigcinela ukuba makuthini?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi. Umama wakhe nankuya eMeadowlands ukuba akabuyelanga eKyalami. Utatakhe
ubusy zimpundu zikaNokulunga.”

Mluleki: ”Ungubhuti kuMalkia.”

Simba: ”Nawe, noMkhuseli kunye noBukhosi. AndingoChief brother wababantwana mna ndinengxaki
zam.”

Unikine intloko yakhe ephefumlela phezulu. Besendivale nezoncwadi. Uphinde wanyakazisa isandla
sakhe endiphulula ithanga wandiphulula ngaphambili ngaphezulu kwe underwear. Undikrwaqule
kancinci.

Mluleki: ”Indlela yokuba kuphele bonke obububhanxa kukuba umama axelelwe. Kuba kucacile uba
asoze iphele lento kaNokulunga notata. Simcengile sahlala naye phantsi. Sasebenzisa izigrogriso
kwafana. Makayazi ngoku kuba umama wenziwa isibhanxa. Into endonyanyisayo kukuba bayolalana
kwamama, ebhedini kamama! Iphi intlonipho?! Sizothi siyamkhusela umama abe eqhubeka
ebhanxwana. Hayi makayazi.”

421
Simba: ”Uyazi ukuba uzenzela intshaba kutata.”

Mluleki: ”Akazundibulala. Uzoqumba aphinde abe right.”

Simba: ”Ukuba ufuna ukumxelela, mxelele. Ndidikiwe mna yinto yefamily yakho.”

Mluleki: ”UAlutha uzophuma ngengqindi kulaNokulunga. Batshomene ngobukati kaloku xa kunje.

Yintoni abayincokolayo? Nomntu olala notatazala wakhe, nomntu olala nomyeni kamazala wakhe agqibe
abengumhlobo wenene nalomntu! Hay fok! Uyandonyanyisa laNokulunga. Uyandonyanyisa uVenus.
Hayi umama uzoyazi.”

Siyotya wahamba ubhuti. Indlela ebenomsindo ngayo bekungekho naloncoko etafileni.

Ndishiyeke ndiqoqosha izitya ngelixesha amkhuphileyo uSimba, ndayogalela amanzi kwisink

ndizohlamba izitya.

Kuvaleke ucango watsixa.

Simba: ”Yeses! Kuyabanda kwelaphandle!”

Nomtha: ”Awunxibanga kaloku wena.”

Uze kum wajikela ngemva endanga.

Nomtha: ”Unezimanga ke wena.”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Simba: ”Nanini na, naphi na. Uzivile indlela ubugxiza ngayo? Bekungazudingeka foreplay. Nangoku
futhi.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuyeke ukundigobha uyojonga umntwana. Ndisene homework mna andinaxesha lalento
uyifunayo.”

Undiyekile wandibhantsa.

Simba: ”Upakishe futhi.”

Nomtha: ”For ntoni?”

Simba: ”Xa ubuya esikolweni ndiyakukhupha.”

Nomtha: ”Oh?”

Simba: ”Andikhumbuli sisiya kwiweekend away and the works. Ngoku besise officini. Ngaphambili
kokuba ndiphazanyiswe nguMluleki, bendisenza amalungiselelo. Accomodation. Flight. Trasport. Yonke
into.”

Nomtha: ”Siya ngaphandle kwaseJoburg?”

Simba: ”Cape Town.”

Nomtha: ”Suxoka!!”

Simba: ”Cape Town baby.”

422
Nomtha: ”Siya eKapa nyani?! Ndayigqibela nini iKapa?!”

Simba: ”Wayeke wakusa uSamora?”

Nomtha: ”Kudalooo sasingayazi noba kubethwa abaphi. Sendikhunjuzwa ziphoto ezikula box.”

Simba: ”Oh bendizibonile nam. Ndifuna sibhiyoze. Ukubuyelana kwethu. Umanyano lwethu. Abantwana
bethu. Nothando lwethu. And this strong fiesty woman I'm married to side sahlulwe kukufa.”

Nomtha: ”Baby, ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”No thank you. Ndiyabulela ngokundonwabisa ngendlela endonwaba ngayo nawe. Ewe ke
kufuneka ndibe ngumengce kancinci kodwa kulungile. Ndonwabile. Great sex. Nokutya okumnandi.
Ndihlutha macala-”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha!”

Simba: ”I love you so much baby. Akhonto ndingasoze ndikwenzele yona. Ndiyabulela ngokundipha
elinye ithuba kwakhona. Ndiyabulela kakhulu. Ndiyabulela ngokuvuma ukuba ngunkosikazi wam. Ndim
umntu ongakufanelanga hayi ngenye indlela.”

Uthobile wagaqa ngedolo phantsi ndamncumela ndimjongele phantsi ndinyembezana. Ukhuphe ibhokisi
encinci etasini wakhupha umsesane. Ndimnike umnwe wam wandifaka. Wasukuma wazondanga.
Ndimqinise kanobom. Bezizobakho imini ezimnandi, zibe liqela. Bezizobakho imini ezimuncu singqubane
intloko njengoba besiqhele ukwenza ngamanye amaxesha. Zizobakho ezibuhlungu. Kubekho inkxwaleko.
Nemini zendandabuzo. Kodwa ukuba lendoda ibizoba secaleni kwam bendizimisele ukuhamba londlela
naye. Lomzuzu ubu intimate ngendlela engathethekiyo. Bendithanda nokuba akayenzanga
esidlangalaleni sabantu lento. Ebeyenzela mna. Bendizothi xa ndilapha kwelikhitshi ndimcinge egaqe
ngedolo emenyezelisa amehlo ephethe umsesane.

Zizinto ezincinane nezilula ebomini ...

Siphuzene isidala sento sendinyusela phezulu kwakhala uZendaya. Ukhawuleze wandehlisa.

Simba: ”Andikholwa ukuba ngowam umntwana ondenza kanje!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha!”

Simba: ”Uzondifumana ebhedini xa ugqibe yonke into, ndizosose ndilale. Nditsixile nda activata ialarms.”

Nomtha: ”Sho Skhokho.”

Simba: ”Moja!”

Nomtha: ”Inecklace yam ndizoyifumana nini back?!”

Simba: ”Umntwana wam uyakhala Nomtha, uzoyifumana ngomso. Ibingenanto!”

Nomtha: ”Wafumana ntoni uUlatho yena?”

Simba: ”Why do you care? Wafumana i engagement ring kamama.”

Nomtha: ”UNokulunga?”

423
Simba: ”Uyazazi ukuba ubufuna ukwazi uNokulunga.”

Nomtha: ”Ye?”

Simba: ”Ipearls zikamama.”

Nomtha: ”Mna ndifumana ipearls zikamama kaVenus!”

Simba: ”Hey suyeya lo necklace. Umama ebengafuni kunikisa ngayo naye kuba wayiphiwa ngumazala
wakhe. Oko yayihleli kwisafe. UMamkhumbeni wayezofuna inxitywe ngunkosikazi wam kuba
wayendithanda kakhulu. Ndandingu Mluleki kuVenus. Izobuya imenyezela and uzoyinxiba. For mna.”

Nomtha: ”Bendihleli ndizoyixiba kakade intle kakhulu.”

Simba: ”Nawe umhle. Umntwanam Nomtha Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Hamb'omhoya. Undipakishele!”

Simba: ”Yithi ngcu!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

424
FIFTY-TWO
Nomtha: ”Simba!”

Simba: ”Office!”

Nomtha: ”Gogo!”

Simba: ”Umnkile! Khawuzapha!”

Ndigibisele izinto zam phantsi ndayokroba eroomini yomntwana kuqala kwabe kukhala umoya. Ndijonge
ekamireni nakhona ebengekho. Ndiyonqonqoza eofficini.

Simba: ”Ngena.”

Ebemi ngenyawo enxibe ichino enavy nesikipa esimhlophe esinemigca emnyama neloafers ezimnyama.

Nomtha: ”Okay, awusemhle.”

Undincumele kancinci kodwa ibiluncumo okungagqibelekanga.

Ndimfingelr intshiya.

Simba: ”Kuzofuneka ukhawulezise ukuhlamba kuba uthatha unyaka wonke ukuzilungisa. Andifuni
sishiyeke eaiport kuba sifike emveni kwexesha.”

Nomtha: ”Alright. Umntwan'am yena uphi?”

Simba: ”KuLulu noSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Uright?”

Simba: ”Fine and dandy.”

Ebengekho right tu.

Simba: ”Ndizokwenza uSkype.”

Utsho endikrwaqula kancinci waphindela kwilaptop yakhe.

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Ndizibambe isinqe ndimjongile. Uphinde wandikrwaqula wanyusa ishiya.

Simba: ”Huh?”

Ndinikile intloko yam.

Simba: ”Awuzuyo hlamba? Kufuneke ndithethe nababantu.”

Nomtha: ”Kuthethwa ntoni le ungafuni ndiyive?”

Uphinde wandijonga endinyusela ishiya.

Simba: ”Uqale nini ukuba nomdla kwinkcukacha zomsebenzi wam wena? Yizapha ndiphuze uyohlamba, I
need to talk to these people kwaye kufuneka sihambe. Yiza.”

425
Nomtha: ”Bendikukhumbula ke namhlanje njengoba ndizofika uotherwise.”

Simba: ”Kuba njani uba 'otherwise'?”

Nomtha: ”Ungalendlela uyiyo, awufuni nondixelela ukuba kwenzeka ntoni. Ingathi uthwele ingxaki
zelizwe.”

Simba: ”Andithanga uzapha?”

Ndimfingele intshiya ndisiya kodwa.

Nomtha: ”Hayi thetha kakuhle kaloku tyhini!”

Simba: ”Kunini ndithe yiza.”

Uphethukile ndachopha kwezulu kwakhe ndamphuza. Undinyusile ndihlale kakuhle phezulu kwakhe
wanyakazisa isitulo.

Simba: ”Ubudlala kakuhle nabanye abantwana?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake.”

Simba: ”Bendiku khumbula nam namhlanje. Andiyanga emsebenzini okanye kwiwarehouse. Oko
bendine skype meetings ne international call. Oko ndizama ukulungisa izinto, ndicimana nemililo. Kukho
umntu ondibambe ngamaphambili. Undifuna ndiwile. Ufuna ukulimaza ibusiness yam. I'm fucken
pissed!”

Nomtha: ”Ucinga nguVenus?”

Simba: ”Inuka yena. Kufuneka ndenze icall ebalulekileyo baby. Hamb'ohlamba please.”

Nomtha: ”Okay, ndiyemnka.”

Ndisukumile phezulu kwakhe wazosula ubuso wacofa ilaptop. Ebengxisha inyawo ezi engahlaliseki.
Entshingi- ntshingi.

”I'm not a happy man Simba.”

Simba: ”I can imagine you're not.”

”I don't board on a sinking ship and yours is a fucken Titanic!”

Undikrwaqula endicenga ngamehlo ndanqwala ndiphuma. Besekuphele nokokonwaba kum ngoku.

Ndiyohlamba msinyane kwi shower ndanxiba ileggings nesikipa esikhulwana netrainers. Bendingekho
mdleli wobamhle. Bendiba ndawuzilungisa ndibe ngunopopi kodwa ukumona uSimba estressed
ngoluyahlobo- bendikgathazeke ngaye ukogqitha into endizoyinxiba.

Ungene ebaleka uSimba ekamireni ndothuka ndaxhuma.

Uyokhupha labag inemali yam wayifaka eroofini ngokukhawuleza. Ukhuphe nezibham ezimbini
kwipedestal nenye ibegana wazifaka kwisafe yakhe.

Simba: ”Libazisa amapolisa kancinci baby!”

426
Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Emnyango! Amapolisa!”

Uvalo lwam belusemqaleni kengoku andakwazo nokunyakaza. Ugqibile waphuma ebaleka wayongena
kwenye iroom- ndilandela emveni kwakhe phofu, endaweni yokuba ndiye emnyango. Bendiqala
ukuyibona ivuliwe laroom. Ebenofuya umamlambo ndingayazi. Ibigcwele izibhamu zikwi display.
Uthathe iriffles wazongena nayo ekamireni yethu, caba ebeyifihla nayo.

Ulitsixile ucango kwakhona wayovula umnyango neheke. Bekungekho mapolisa kodwa kuthe gqi ivan
zilandelana ngoko. Inoba bezintlanu.

Ebemise amagxa akhe uSimba enoba buso buntshingi- ntshingi kwakhona. Ingathi ebengothukanga
exhamazela ngoku. Ndiphefumlile ndasongela izandla zam.

”Simba 'Sniper' Matanzima. Sadibana kwakhona mhlobo wam omkhulu!”

Simba: ”Mpepanduku. Besingayazi ukuba sawu ndwendwelwa ngamankazana euniform eblue

namhlanje. Omama be society- ngendixelele uMrs Matanzima abize otshomi bakhe kwenziwe ihigh tea.”

Uhlekile latata wandikrwaqula.

”Mam'uMatanzima omncinci-

Undolulele isandla ndasonga ezam. Uphinde wayihleka kwakhona.

Simba: ”Yeka uharassa unkosikazi wam Mpepanduku undixelele ukuba uzofunani emzinam.”

Mpepanduku: ”Lena Sniper Sir yiSearch warrant. Ngenani ngaphakathi madoda. Niguqululule nipetsulise
yonke into!”

Balandelene ukuyongena ngaphakathi.

Simba: ”Uziva njani? Ukuba ngunondatshaza kaVenus? Xa esithi guqa ngamadolo okanye uze ngomva,
njengo nopatazana othembekileyo wenza oko. Indoda enomfazi nabantwana- sisifetyana senye indoda.
Ncncncncnc ...”

Mpepanduku: ”Phinda nje! Ndizokufaka ihandcuffs ndikuhlohle emveni kwalavan ngalomzuzu!”

Simba: ”Ndangena kula van Mpepanduku, ndayovalelwa eziseleni noba ngumzuzu- ndinabahlobo
abayaziyo idilesi yakho nesikolo sabantwana bakho. Okanye ndithi izikolo? Ndizondwendwela u- ngubani
kanene? Palesa? Ncumisa?”

Umjonge ngamehlo azele indzondo. Ibingathi angamkhafulela nasebusweni.

Mpepanduku: ”Sniper, ndilinge nje ugrogrise usaph-”

Simba: ”Uzothini? Uzobaleka uyoxelela uVenus? Khawuhambe sibone.”

Mpepanduku: ”Every dog has it's day Sniper boy. Wonke umgorho unesuku lawo. Wena Snippy uzobe
uku orange kungekudalanga kwaye sakuphathelwa wena on a silver platter. Qhubeka wena nezigrogriso
zakho ucinge ukuba nguwe nguwe. Uqinisekise ukuba umnkakho umshiya nepontana kuba uzomnka
ixesha elide mhlobo wam wenene.”

427
Simba: ”Noba ndiyangena Mpepanduku kwezozisele nto leyo endingayiboni isenzeka. Kodwa
masizigcadise sithi ndingenile, awuzuthi nkenye amazinyo uhleke kanje kwawena. Ndikwi solitary,
ndiseRobben fucken island. Wena, nenja nekati kunye nentakumba yakwakho nizobe nisopha. Niphantsi
kweliso lam nonke. Ndingathatha lephone ngalomzuzu ndibuze ukuba umntwana wakho uZimbini
undawoni kulaUJ bazondixelela. Ndizokwenza imassacre. World war 1. Isandlwana. Mpepanduku noba
uyijonga ngaphi lento kodwa mntanam you are fucked. Macala. Kuba uyazazi uzophuma kanjani
kuVenus and nam andikuyekanga so qhude maniki-niki Cinderella. Dala what you must little Princess. Oh
senigqibile winx club? Omama bomthandazo. Hehehe!”

”Clean.”

Mpepanduku: ”Yonk'indawo?!”

”Clean Sergeant.”

Simba: ”Hamba Cinderella ngaphambili kokuba uuphenduke indyandya phambili komzi wam. Niphinde
nizofaka omnye umthandazo ladies, nixibe imini skirts zenu next time. Onopatazane mabaveze
amathanga!”

Alindiphosanga elapolisa liqobele uSimba iliso wanqwala kancinci. Belisebezisana naye.

Ebesisifu uMpepanduku. Engcangcazela ngumsindo.

Mpepanduku: ”Soon and very soon.”

Simba: ”The battle isandlwana Sergeant Mpepanduku. Sharpville Massacre. Izitrato zawuzala igazi.
Either way, wena awuphumeleli kwelibali. Lose-Lose. Undibulisele kuNcumisa. Umxelele ukuba
ndizojikela ngoMvulo ndizotya umrhodu wakhe. Ndiyamthanda unkosikazi wam, kodwa uNcumi ... hayi
hayi! Yapheka usisi. Bendimthengele ufar away last time, kuthwa ngufar away na baby ezaperfume
zikwezancwadi?-

Ukuba uze nini kuSimba andiyazi kodwa ebesekufuphi kuye xa ebanjwa lelinye ipolisa.

Mpepanduku: ”Hlukana nefamily yam! Ndizokubulala ngalomzuzu!”

Simba: ”Uza kwam upetsulisa umzi wam phambi konkosikazi wam nomntwana wam ngaphakathi
wakugqiba uzondix- Mpepanduku, ina ethe daai deng. You fuck me over, I fuck you right back. You fuck
nabantu bam ucula amagugu Cinderella uhlale kwibase yebhedi. Sigqibile mos apha? Okanye nizofaka
icostume nenze ishow? Ndicinge njalo. Fuck off!”

Bayongena kwivans zabo bemnka. Wakhawuleza wayongena endlini uSimba endishiya ngaphandle.
Yintoni leya? Ngubani lowa ebethetha namapolisa? Mhlawumbi nguloSniper wakhona kuba ndandike
ndadibana noBoss ngaphambili kwaye lowa ebengenguye. Lowa ebengunyana kaTiger Matanzima. Xa
esithi yena notata wakhe bebefana ebengaphazami. Ebengunyana katata wakhe. Ndizibambe isisu
ndaphindela ngaphakathi. Ndikhawulelwa 'kuphasalala' ndingeka ngeni nangaphakathi.

Simba: ”... kuba akazanga kwakho Siyanda uze kwam. Zonke ezingxaki ziza kum wena usandixelela ukuba
ndiphole?! Ndiyayazi nguye maan damnit! Siyanda, xa undijongile ndisisibhanxa? Kutheni kengoku
undiphatha okwesibhanxa? Ngula nopatazane uMpepanduku, ndiyayazi akukho nto azondenza yona
engakhululwanga nguVenus so akazundibambela lonto. Ubulindele ukuba ndiso- andimdubulanga.

428
Andimkhuphanga amazinyo. Seyintshaba kakade- ndiya eKapa mna. Izofika ishipment, uqinisekile
ngobomi bakho ukuba iright. Good. Another favour, uxelele uMonti aye kuZimbini, uyamazi ngubani
yena. Angamoyikisi ngumntwana lowa. Ambulise nje kakhuhle ashiye umyalezo wokuba nguSniper
umhlobo omkhulu katata wakho, andibulisele kuye. Abulise noNcumisa kunye noLungelwa.
Angamoyikisi. Good sawuthetha late.”

Ucofe iphone yakhe wayibeka endlebeni.

Simba: ”Fihla? NguMatanzima. Simba Matanzima. Kakade uyandazi ndikubhatala imali eninzi kakubi.
Uyifumene i email yam? Ndicela ujonge iemails zakho ngoku. Kukho izinto endifuna zilungisiwe kwi will
yam and ndizifuna zilungiswe namhlanje. Ndithunyelwe icopy phambi kokuba kuphele usuku
lwanamhlanje. Fine ngomso. Yonke into endikuthumele yona uyijongisise ubuyele kum. Fihla ndizodinga
ukuba undiprioritize ukusukela kuleveki izayo. Kuza isaqhwithi. Alright. Wenze umsebenzi wakho. Imali
yam iphelela kuwe yonke kodwa kufuneka ndikuncedise. Please take me seriously. Yizapha baby-

Ndiphefumlile ndasondela kuye. Unditsalile wandanga ephefumlela phezulu kwayena.

Simba: ”Askies.”

Nomtha: ”Sisengxakini?”

Simba: ”Sisempini. Ndisempini noVenus. Ufuna igazi lam. Ufuna ukundonzakalisa ngalendlela
endimonzakalise ngayo itasi.”

Nomtha: ”Simba, ndiyoyika mna. Ndoyikisela abantwana bam kuyo yonke lento.”

Simba: ”Ukuba kukho into ezokwenzeka izokwenzeka kum. Hayi nina. Never. Uyandiva? Soze.”

Nomtha: ”Ucinga ukuba indenza ndizive bhetele kengoku lonto?”

Simba: ”Baby, nguVenus lo esithetha ngaye. Akazunikezela nje lula. Uzolwa ade ayongena emngxunyeni.
Kodwa into endikuthembisa yona kukuba akukho nto namntu ozonichatha wena nabantwana bam.
Yonke into iyaphasalaka ngoku kodwa ndizoyilungisa. NoSiyanda sizoyilungisa.”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngayo yonke lento yanamhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Sisahamba?”

Simba: ”Masambe. Mandifounele uNorman.”

Ukhuphe iphone wayongena eofficini. Bendinga zukuqalisa ukuqoqosha lamess ebeyenzile.

Ndiyovula ucango lwe offici wabe eqhumisa.

Nomtha: ”Uyatshaya?!”

Simba: ”Ayo entyi, yicigar.”

Nomtha: ”Uyafuna phofu ukuhamba? Noba singamisela iveki ezayo andina ngxaki. Ndifuna ukuyolanda
umntwana wam silale.”

429
Simba: ”Umntwana ukhuselekile koSiyanda. Mna nawe sizoya eKapa. Qha. Yenza into oyenzayo,
uNorman isendleni.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Hamba kaloku suthi okay usaxinge apha andithi uyabona kuyaqhuma apha? Umntwana, umsi.”

Ndiphumile ndayohlamba ubuso bam ebathroom. Kunqonqoziwe emnyango ndayovula sendifinge

intshiya kuba uqale nini ukulindela ukungeniswa ndim ekamireni yethu ngoku?

Ndithe gqi ngo Norman.

Simba: ”Ndizoze ndikhokhobe uNorman esabhayiza emnyango. Honestly?!”

Nomtha: ”Ibags?”

Unqwalile uNorman ndamsukela emnyango angene ndajamela lo unguSimba. Krwada! Ebekhangeleka

engena xesha lakhe uNorman kodwa akazukhuphela imisindo yakhe ebantwini abamsulwa kuba esoyika
uVenus.

Simba: ”Jonga izinto zakho ziphelele na uyongena emotweni.”

Ndimjamele ndayongena ekamireni ndaphinde ndaphuma wabe engena uNorman kwakhona ezothatha
enye ibag. Ndifounele uLulu endleleni ndalala sade sayofika esikhululweni. Ndilele nasemoyeni
ndothuka xa sifika. Bekukho imoto esilindileyo nangaphaya, wasinceda ngempahla.

Simba: ”Mamnkeli.”

Mamnkeli: ”Simba my boy!”

Umange ixesha elidana emncumele ngoncumo olufudumeleyo. Ebelixhego elingaphantsi kancinci

koVenus.

Simba: ”Ngunkosikazi wam uNomtha lo, Nomtha nguMamnkeli lo. Goodwill Mamnkeli. Ungudriver.”

Unikine intloko yakhe latata waphela yintsini uSimba.

Simba: ”yiGodfather yam, oh by the way ngumntwana kaSam Tongai lo.”

Mamnkeli: ”Samuel Tongai?!”

Simba: ”Ngezizathu endingazaziyo wayesoloko embiza ngoSamuel.”

Mamnkeli: ”Ungumntwana kaSam?!”

Simba: ”NguAneni Tongai. Aneni Nomtha.”

Mamnkeli: ”Aneni! Simba! Ngulamntwana wayemncinanana ngoku lo?”

Simba: ”Yintombi endala ngoku.”

Mamnkeli: ”Ncncncnc ...”

Simba: ”Khawume Mamnkeli. Ungudriver okanye?”

430
Mamnkeli: ”Ndawuze ndikubulale nyani wena kwedini. One of these days. Ndiyabuya ukuboba son.
Ndiyavuya ukubona nawe Aneni, ndakugqibela umncinci kakhulu lomfana esemncinci kwayena. He!”

Singene emotweni ngemva emveni kokuba belayishe izinto zethu. Bendi semathandweni ngoko
nangoko. Ibintle iKapa hands down.

Simba: ”Ndiye ndacancella ireservations, sizohlala kwibeachhouse kaGoodwill. Yazi ngubani igama lakhe
lesiXhosa?”

Ndinikine intloko ndincumile kuba ebebambe intsini.

Mamnkeli: ”Uzawuhamba ngebhokisi apha wena!”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! NguMahonono.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Mahonono?”

Mamnkeli: ”Banjani abantwana kwedini?”

Simba: ”Ungandibuzi ngabantwana bakaVenus. Umntwana wam uMalik uright. Omncinci ndimshiye
kuSiyanda.”

Mamnkeli: ”Unomtwana nentombi kaSamuel?!”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Mamnkeli: ”Unjani uBisola?”

Simba: ”Ndandithe kuwe mtshate umama kuba oko wawumthanda. Naye ebekholiwe nguwe.”

Mamnkeli: ”Nditshatile Simba.”

Simba: ”Unkosikazi wakho usehome Mamnkeli. Akakwazi nokuba ungubani.”

Mamnkeli: ”Usaphila. Ndimtyala intembeko nentlonipho. Side sohlulwe kukufa.”

Simba: ”Mhla esifa umama uzobe enkonkene sistroke. Kuba uMluleki uzomxelela yonke into.”

Mamnkeli: ”UVenus ubulawa nini?”

Simba: ”Good question.”

431
FIFTY-THREE
Nomtha: ”Umnkile uMamnkeli?”

Unqwalile. Ebetshintshile kwimpahla ebezinxibilile efake iswimming trunk emnyama emfutshane,

eyibhinqele ezantsi. Ebenxibe neshades.

Simba: ”Unethamsanqa akukho abanye abatantu apha.”

Ndimnyusele ishiya.

Nomtha: ”Otherwise?”

Simba: ”Bendizokuxwaya ndiyokuvalela ngaphakathi.”

Ndiyihlekile. Bendinxibe ibikini kuphela ngentla ndihamba ngamabele. Bendiwukhulule umntla.

Simba: ”Yiza ndikuthambise isunscreen.”

Nomtha: ”Bese ndizigqwakazile and ndinesanti ngoku.”

Simba: ”Hamb'ongena emanzini uze ndikuthambise kaloku.”

Ebemi entla kwam ndimjongele phezulu. Ebebambelele esinqeni kuvele iqhagala lesisu elinoboya njenge
milenze yakhe. Kuvele ipubic hair kancinci njengoba ebhinqele ezantsi. UDiba ebemi nkqo.

Nomtha: ”Umnkile uMamnkeli?”

Simba: ”Ndithe ewe. Uzondibuza umamnkeli imini yonke kanene wena.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm. Ndincede ndisukume. Ioil iyaphi yona?”

Simba: ”Spf 30.”

Undivezele wakhawuleza wayisusa ndingabonanga kakuhle. Ndiyihlekile ndinikina intloko yam kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Andibonanga.”

Simba: ”Ayoyokubonwa yeyothambisa. Hambo pura.”

Nomtha: ”Ndisukumise.”

Ndimolulele isandla wanditsala ngaso ndasukuma ndinxanxatheka.

Nomtha: ”Ndine worry iring yam ingene emanzini.”

Simba: ”Ikonela kakuhle lering, ayisoze iphume. Ungayikhululi.”

Nomtha: ”Andithi ndohl-”

Simba: ”Ndithi suyikhulula. Andikhathali noba awuthini. Suyikhulula qha.”

Nomtha: ”Rude much!”

Simba: ”Uzondifumana kwilounger.”

432
Nomtha: ”OK.”

Ndibaleke ndayongena emanzini. Ndithathe ixesha lam ndiqubha ndingena ngaphantsi kwamaza.
Ndakufunda ndimncinci ukuqubha. NoLumumba sikhuphisane ngokungena ngaphantsi kwamanzi
sibambe imiphefumlo ixesha elide. Bendiwakhumbula amanzi olwandle nokuva isanti ngaphantsi
kwenyawu. Kaloku bekungekho lwandle kwelaRhawuti. Ndidiniwe ukuqubha ndaphumela ngaphandle
ndisiya kuSimba. Ebengqengqe ngomqolo kwilounger evale namehlo akhe. Ndithinte umqala wothuka
ezibamba isinqe.

Ubone ukuba ndim wanikina intloko yakhe.

Nomtha: ”Uyaguga tata. Sewulele?”

Simba: ”Ndithe hamb'opura, andikuthumanga ukuba uyoqubha.”

Ndimncumele nje andathetha. Usukumile wazolula.

Simba: ”Ngqengqa ngomqolo.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ngesisu? Ithini na lento?”

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Benithetha ngantoni noMamnkeli? Benikhangeleka niserious.”

Simba: ”Shhhh.”

Nomtha: ”Andivumelekanga ukuba ndithethe?”

Unikine itlintloko wagalela le oil emabeleni, esuswini nangaphambili. Ndiginye imgwiqi ndimjonga
ebusweni. Bendidikwa nayilento ndingakwazi ukumbona amehlo zezidimasi ebezifakile. Ugaqe
ngamadolo phakathi kwemilenze yam ndayivula ukumenzela igumbi. Ibinkulu noko le lounger
ingangqengqa abantu ababini. Uphinde wacinga kwakhona wayidibanisa eyam. Wancuma okungathi
ufumene ichiza lesifo esinga nyangekiyo. Ndinikine intloko yam kancinci ndimncumele kwamna.
Ukhulule iglasses wazigibisela kwenye ilounger kodwa zayowa phantsi.

Simba: ”Oops! Uyakhula umntwanam.”

Utsho endirabha isisu wanyuka wandirabha amabele edlala ngawo. Uthathe ixesha lakhe kuwo edlala
nangengono zam emana kuzichwakaza kancinci, azijije aziqinise. Bese ndiwavale vingci amehlo am
ngelaxesha. Undirabhe isisu kwakhona wehla ngaso waphinde wadlala ngamabele. Undirabhe emazantsi
esisu waqhaqha intambho zebikini wayikhupha eyigibisela kude. Usudukile kum ndeva izandla zakhe
emathangeni am. Bezifirm zindirabha amacala nangaphezulu. Ndiphefumlile ndatyhila amehlo.
Ebendijongele ngaphantsi kwenkokhe, amehlo akhe amancinci eyozo-yozo yinkanuko. Uncumile
ndakuvula amathanga. Ebengekafuni ukundibamba kulandawo bendifuna andibambe kuyo emana
kungabangathi ugileka kuyo ngempazamo ndigqushalaze.

Nomtha: ”Simba ...”

Simba: ”Ukuba uyazibamba ndiyayiyeka yonke lento.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakucela.”

433
Simba: ”Ucela ntoni? Bendinga thanga uthule?”

Nomtha: ”Ubutshilo.”

Simba: ”Izandla zolulele entla kwentloko yakho, ndizozibopha ukuba uyaziphatha ndikuvale lomlomo.
Ndiyayazi lento endiyenzayo.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Good girl. Ndizokunakelela. I always take care of you andithi?”

Ndinqwalile.

Uqhubile endibamba yonke indawo kodwa hayi kule bendifuna andibambe kuyo. Ngeloxesha bendigxiza
mntakabawo ndiyiVictoria falls. Bendifuna izandla zakhe kum ngalamzuzu kodwa bekuthiwe
ndingathethi so ndincwinile kuphela ndavala umlomo wam.

Undibambe iclit ngobhontsi nje wandiphulula, ngeloxesha bendiziva okungathi ndingaqhashumba nanini
na. Bendikufuphi ngeyona ndlela. Ndifuna ukukhululwa. Kodwa bekukhangeleka emandelwe kukundi
ngcungcuthekisa. Ebesithi xa ebona ukuba sendifikile apho ndibhalelwe khona andiyeke andiphulule
amathanga. Undifake umnwe omnye, emibini wayigoba kancinci wayinyakazisa emana kuyigoba.
Ndivale amehlo ndaziyekela kwangathi ndisemafini. Ndikhwaze igama lakhe ndabe ndibambelele kula
lounger ndingcangcazela. Undibambe ngoko kwiclit endirabha ngesantya esikhawulezileyo.
Bendisensitive ngeyona ndlela ingase ndimbambe angandiyeki. Okanye andiyeke? Bendingayazi nento
bendiyifuma.

Nomtha: ”Ohhhhh oh oh! Simba!”

Simba: ”Ndixelele ufuna ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna wena.”

Simba: ”Undifuna njani? Slow? Rough? Ndixelele uyifuna njani baby?”

Nomtha: ”Ohhh Simbaa!”

Simba: ”Tell me.”

Nomtha: ”Noba kanjani!”

Simba: ”No! no! no! Yintoni inoba kanjani? Undive ndithetha ngenoba kanjani mna?”

Nomtha: ”Rough!”

Simba: ”Kwakubi ke. Kuba mna bendifuna ukuthatha ixesha lam kuwe. Ndikungene kancinci kodwa
ndikungene nzulu. Ugcwale ndim. Ndifuna ungcangcazeke kube ngathi kukho inkanyamba. But I can do
rough.”

Ndiphinde ndangcangcazela kwakhona yilento ayithethayo, yindlela ayithetha ngayo kunye nepressure
kwiclit yam. Yhuuu kuthe nethe! Kuthe cosololo. Bendingakwazi nokuwagcina evulekile amehlo am.
Undichwekreze amathanga ndothuka ndimjonga ndincuma. Uncumile naye wazondiphuza umlomo.

434
Simba: ”Phethuka uze ngomva.”

Usukumile wakhulula iswimming trunk. Ebemi ethe nqo uDiba. Imithambo imile ifana nale ibisezandleni.
Ndimbambile ndimfaka emlonyeni kancinci. Undibambe intloko wayiqinisa.

Simba: ”Befumla ndizoyifaka yonke.”

Oh bawo! Ebeyithanda ke lento. Ndiphefumle ngempumlo ndikhamisa wazifaka wayoma emqaleni.

Ebengangenanga wonke kodwa ebephaya. Uzikhuphile ndaphefumla amehlo elila. Uphindile kwakhona
wazikhupha. Undiphethule ngokukhawuleza wandithoba umqolo. Akakhange andilumnkise wabe
sengena ngaphakathi wonke. Sikhale bobabini akakhokha moya endingena rhabaxa, ngamandla.
Ebendichwekeza nempundu zashushu. Akubanga kudala ndabe sendimva evungama ndeva ubushushu.

Simba: ”Baby!”

”Oh!”

Kutsho ilizwi lendoda ndabe ndibheka kwabe kungekho mntu.

Nomtha: ”Simba!”

Simba: ”Shhhhh.”

Uqhubile endingena endiphuma okungathi akukho mntu osendlini osibone- ohhh bawo bendingafuni
nokuyicinga.

Simba: ”Suwubamba umzimba baby ndenzela wena apha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright mna.”

Simba: ”Awukho right. Subamba umzimba please. Ndifuna uze okokugqibela ndizohoya lomntu. Do it for
me.”

Andiyazi bendingenwe yintoni ndafuna . Xa etsho kanjalo ndivele ndaphefumla ndayeka ukubamba
umzimba. Uqhubile endingena ngesinyeisandla endiphulula iclit.

Simba: ”Yenza ngok'kwakho baby, zibambe ngok'kwakho.”

Ndiyidlalise ngokuwam wabe endingena ngamandla. Ndingcangcazele kwakhona.

Simba: ”Suziyeka.”

Nomtha: ”Ha.a andizukwazi.”

Simba: ”Andiceli, zibambe.”

Nomtha: ”It's too much!”

Simba: ”Yenzela mna baby. Uzondonwabisa kakhulu. Yenzela mna.”

Ndiphindile kwakhona ndangcangcazela ndayozo-yozo. Uzile naye okwesibini sangqengqa kwilounger

siphefumlela phezulu. Ja ibi intense.

Nomtha: ”Wow!”

435
Ndimve eyihleka.

Simba: ”Ufuna into ijike ikuxake.”

Nomtha: ”Haskaaa!”

Simba: ”Undiphe kamnandi baby. You make this old man very happy. Ndiyathanda nokuba uyakuthanda
undonwabisa. You're good to me. Ingxaki kengoku kukuba andoneli nguwe. The more I get, the more I
want. Intliziyo yam inde. I'm greedy xa kuziwa kuwe. Sawuyithini longxaki? Huh?”

Andithethanga ndaphefumla nje bendisozela kamnandi.

Undibambe ngaphambili kwakhona. This time we were making love. Lanto ebeyitshilo kanye. Ibingase
ndisothule isikhalo. Beku intense ngenye indlela ngoku. Ngolunye uhlobo. Ebendixelela indlela endimhle
ngayo, indlela andithanda ngayo. Indlela azondikhusela ngayo. Ngobomi bakhe. Indlela endimpha
kamnandi nendimonwabisa ngayo. Sifike kunye ekanana kwaye it was beautiful, undijonge ngamehlo
amancinci wandiphuza. Ngalamzuzu. Yonke into ibimnandi ezweni. Indim naye kuphela. Itshabalele
yonke into. Ubomi bam buqala buphele kuye. Intliziyo zethu zibeka kanye kanye. Kodwa ikhawuleze
yaphela yonke lonto kuba bekukho umntu endlini. Umntu ebemlindile.

Undiphumile wanxiba iswimming trunk wangena ngaphakathi wabuya negown.

Simba: ”Ndikufunqule?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright enkosi.”

Amadolo am ebegevezela. Singene ngaphakathi ndancuma kancinci zintloni ukubona lamntu.

Ebenzintanga zoSimba kodwa engekabina ndevu zingwevu yena. Ebenxibe ushorti nehempe
enemikhono emifutshane yepolo.

Simba: ”Godfrey nguNomtha unkosikazi wam lo. Nomtha ngumhlobo wam endikwasebenzisana naye
uGodfrey.”

Ndisonge izandla ndimncumela. Andiqondi ebefuna ukubanjwa zizandla zam emveni kwezinto
bendizenza ngazo. Nam bendingafuni phofu..

Godfrey: ”Ndiyavuya ukwazi.”

Simba: ”Ndiyeza ngoku God.”

Godfrey: ”Uhlambe, please!”

Simba: ”Shut up!”

Uyihlekile. Siyongena ebathroom. Ibingathi yeyokumnkani indlela ibingayo. Uvulele amanzi kwibathtub
agubhuzela ugwebu.

Simba: ”Ngena urelaxe. Mna ndizo khawulezisa kwishower.”

Ndinqwalile ndangena ngaphakathi ndivala amehlo am. Andimvanga enyakaza ndatyhila amehlo wabe
esandijongile. Ndimfingele intshiya kuba ebemenyezela zinyembezi amehlo akhe

Simba: ”Ndiyak'thanda.”

436
Undiphuze ibunzi wahamba. Ndijijithekile ndizama ukumjonga wakhulula wayongena eshower. Ndimthe
tshe ehlelwa zinyembezi. Ndiqonde mandinga mlandeli ndimnike igumbi kodwa bendikhathazekile
ngaye. Andimbonanga xa ephuma kodwa ukutyhila kwam amehlo ndivuka ebuthongweni ebengasekho.
Amanzi ebebanda ceke. Izandla nenyawo zishwabene.

Bekukho ukutya ekamireni ndatya ndangena ezingubeni ndinganxibanga. Ndizomisile ndathambisa qha.

Ndothuswe nguye engena ezingubeni.

Simba: ”Shhhh lala.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani ixesha?”

Simba: ”Lala Nomtha.”

Utsho enditshika ndamfingela intshiya ngoku angandiboniyo ebumnyameni.

Simba: ”Ndicela ulale.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani ixesha?”

Simba: ”Zi to two.”

Nomtha: ”Ubusenzani xa kungona ungena ezingubeni?”

Simba: ”Eish!”

Nomtha: ”Hayi sudikwa.”

Simba: ”Bendizama ukwenza idamage control, okay. Ungalala ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi lala mntakabawo.”

Ugqwashule waphuma ezingubeni wambhakraza ucango. Heh!

Ndisukumile ndamlandela ngoku ndinganxibanga. Ebehleli esitulweni ekhanyiswe yinyanga ebusweni

ngapha koko bekumnyama. Undijongile ndakuma ngaphambili kwakhe.

Simba: ”Akhonto ilungayo. Ishipment yonke! Ndisekunyeni. Ndizoqumbisa abantu abaninzi nabantu
abanobungozi kakhulu. UVenus undifuna ndifile.”

Uzosule ubuso. Ebengakhali kodwa.

Simba: ”Ndizolahlekelwa yimali eninzi ukuzama ukubuyekeza ababantu nokubaxolisa. Besendilahlekelwe

yimali kakade kwi warehouses ngoku ndilahla enye. Utshise zonke iwarehouses zam. Zonke! I'm out of
fucken business.”

Ndisondele kuye ndachopha phezulu kwakhe. Undijonge okungathi. Uyihleke kancinci. Ndiqaphele
ngoko ukuba bekumahliphi-hliphi kulandlu. Ebesopha izandla.

Undibambe isidlele endijongisa kuye wandiphuza.

Simba: ”Kuyo yonke into eyenzekayo ngoku baby. Ndifuna undithembe uyeva? Ndizocela lonto kuwe. I
need you to trust me. Womelele. For abantwana bethu. Akhonto ezokwenzeka kuwe, ndithembe koko.

437
But ndizodinga undithembe. Uzongaziqondi ezinye izinto kodwa they are going to make sense
ngaphambili kokuba uqonde. I love you so much. I love you guys so much. Ningayilibali lonto. Nithembe
uSiyanda. Inkani yakho uyibeke ecaleni. Uthembe uMamnkeli. Xa esithi yenza into uyenze ngaphandle
kokuphikisa, uyazi ukuba ilizwi lakhe lelam. Umyalelo wakhe usuka kum nkqo kwaye kuzondonwabisa
kakhulu ukuba wenza njengoba ndisitsho. Don't be sassy, don't be fiesty.”

Nomtha: ”Kukho into ezokwenzeka kuwe?”

Simba: ”Ikhona into ehleliweyo kodwa ndineplan. Yilonto ndizodinga ukuba womelele sisi. Okokugqibela
for mna. I'm gonna make it up to you xa ndikwazi. Okay?”

Ndinqwalile noxa bendingayazi ukuba uthetha ngantoni. Ngobobusuku, we made love ngaphantsi
kwenkwenkwezi kula lounger. Sileli ngaphandle sisiva isandi samaza.

Ndivuke ebhedini ndiseze, ndindodwa. Ndiyongena kwishower ngokukhawuleza ndanxiba ilokhwana

encinci epholileyo neflops.

Ndiyokhangela uSimba ukugqiba kwam.

Simba: ” ... ndiyabulela mhlobo wam. Ewe, ndizokomelela. Ndiyayazi. Unjani umntwana wam? Okay.
Usalele. Ha.a akakayazi. Hayi namhlanje. Ndifuna sonwabe, sesibuya ngomso. Siyanda, ndikufunele
umsebenzi kuGodfrey imali yakhona intle kakhulu. Siyanda unonkosikazi, awuzuhlala nje ungaphangeli.
Ubomi mabuqhubeke. Nobakhe buzobe buqhubeka and wena noMamnkela nizoqinisekisa ukuba
kwenzeka njalo. Ndiqinisekile yinto azoyizama leyo Siyanda ngutata wam lowa. Ndiyamazi. Izosebenza.
Kuzoba buhlungu kodwa kuzolunga. Uvale umlomo wakho ke ukuba awu- baby! Hi. Awumhle!”

Ebesabeke iphone endlebeni ndancuma kancinci. Amehlo akhe ebebomvu eyinyama. Bendizama
nokudibanisa yonke lento ebeyithetha kodwa bekungahlangani nto.

Andikamxeleli.

Ubomi mabuqhubeke.

Nobakhe buzoqhubeka.

Akakayazi. Ubani? Intoni.

Ebesephambi kwam wandiphuza.

Simba: ”Sizothetha ndoda. Ndiyabulela kakhulu, hayi zizinto zakhona mntakwethu. Kuzolunga. Sharp.
Siyaphuma namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Ubukhala.”

Simba: ”Ayikho indawo ofuna siye kuyo?”

Nomtha: ”Andithandi xa undifihlela izinto.”

Undiphuze emlonyeni wandibamba esinqeni.

Simba: ”Andizuthatha ingxaki zam zaseRhawutini ndizizise apha. Ndikuzise apha ukuba sizokonwaba hayi
ukudakumba. Sawuthetha ngengxaki as soon as we land. Okay?”

438
Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Awuna hat neshades?”

Nomtha: ”Yima ndiyozithatha.”

Simba: ”NeSuncreen. Hello? Ewe ndivile. Ewe kona kodwa sawuthini? Mamela andizukwazi ukuthetha
ngoku, sawuthetha ngomso. Uphi ngoku useKyalami? Alright bhuti sharp. Nam ndiyakthanda. Sharp.
Hamba Nomtha.”

Ndimncinele amehlo wancuma. Sihambile sagcwala iKapa. Bekumnandi kakhulu sisitya kamnandi,
siyihleka. Ebeke ajonge kude umbone ukuba ukude ngengcinga aphinde aberight. Ebengazisusi izandla
zakhe kum ehleli nje ufuna ukundibamba.

439
FIFTY-FOUR
Simba:”Baby! Baby!”

Nomtha: ”Kuyatsha?”

Ndimve eyihleka.

Simba: ”Khawuvuke.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo Simba! Yintoni ingxaki? Awusemhle, uyaphi?”

Ebenxibe iblukhwe yelaphu emonela nemfanela okungathi ithungelwe yena. Mhlawumbi ibithungelwe
yena. Unxibe ihempe emhlophe qhwaa ngentla. Bendingamboni ezinyaweni. Ebenuka nakamnandi,
bekungekho nto intsha ke apho.

Simba: ”Yilento endifuna sithethe ngayo.”

Nomtha: ”Kunyanzelekile kube ngoku?”

Simba: ”Kubalulekile ukuba kube ngoku.”

Ndisukumile ndachopha ngempundu.

Ubeke ibhokisi ezimbini phezulu kwebhedi. Ndizijonge ndifinge intshiya.

Simba: ”Vula.”

Wolathile watasa izandla endiqwalasele.

Ndimkrwaqule ndathatha ibox enye ndiyivula. Ndirhole amehlo kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Ayintle!”

Simba: ”Why, thank you. Vula enye.”

Ndiyikhuphile ndiyijikelezisa ndiyiqwalasela kakhuhle. Ibiyi wedding band emnyama na white gold
ngaphakathi. Ibinomgca ogold esiphakathini, ingekho plain black ngaphandle. Ndiyibuyisele ndavula
enye.

Nomtha: ”Wow! Ndim lo?”

Unqwalile. Ibiyiband nayo. White gold enamatye amatye amahlanu.

Simba: ”18 carat.”

Nomtha: ”Simba, intle.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna unditshate. Namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Namhlanje?”

Simba: ”Namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Intoni? Njani?”

440
Simba: ”Mamela ...

Uzochopha ebhendini wandibamba izandla endijonge emehlweni. Ndimjongile nam ndifinge intshiya.

Simba: ”Ayikho into endiyifuna ngaphezulu kokukutshata umtshato omkhulu. Sihlele kakuhle, kubekho
usapho lwethu nabahlobo kunye nabantu. Ndifuna ukubona kwilokhwe emhlophe uzilungisile for mna
kodwa ayonto endiyidingayo leyo. Into endiyidingayo kukuba ube ngunkosikazi wam. Ube nguMrs
Matanzima, ngoku semthethweni kwaye andifuni kulinda mna.

Akubalulekanga ukuba awunxibanga lokhwe enkulu nokuba awuzilungisanga kumna umhle kakade.
Akubalulekanga ukuba akukho bantu- ukuba kukho wena nje ndiyonwaba mna. Nguwe kakade umntu
obalulekileyo and it's i wedding yeyabantu kakade. Umtshato, the marriage yeyam nawe.”

Nomtha: ”So ufuna sitshate ehome affairs?”

Simba: ”Ewe. Noba asiziyekanga izicwangciso zomtshato omkhulu zona kodwa ndifuna sitshate ngokuse
mthethweni namhlanje.”

Ndizosule ubuso ndizulelwa yintloko.

Nomtha: ”Simba, ayisebenzi kanjalo into yehome affairs kaloku. Awuvele ugibiseleke ungena
appointment kuqala.”

Simba: ”Sendi emaile izinto zethu kulamntu katata uMamnkeli so kuzokwenzeka. Ukuba uyavuma
kuzokwenzeka ukuba sitshate namhlanje..”

Nomtha: ”Uthethe nini noMamnkeli?”

Simba: ”Ebusuku.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuke walala? Awukhangeleki njengomntu oke wabhaqa ubuthongo.”

Simba: ”Ndithe qwaka kancinci.”

Ndiphefumlile ndimjonge ebusweni.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni sewuwuxhesha nje umtshato? Kuba ukugqibela kwam uthetha nawe ngento
enokwenza nomtshato ubungafuni nokuva nge home affairs.”

Simba: ”Imeko zohlukile ngoku. Ndifuna ukuba ube ngunkosikazi wam, ube necertificate somtshato.
Akwanelanga ukuba ndikulobone, udinga iphepha.”

Nomtha: ”For ntoni?”

Simba: ”Ukuba sitshatile.”

Nomtha: ”Ngoba?”

Simba: ”Ndigqibotsho ukuba ngoba.”

Nomtha: ”Simba, andikuva kakuhle mna ukuzathuza kwakho. Andikuva. Izolo oku ibindim umntu
ebefuna senze kanje wena usala so namhlanje sewu anxious uba soyotshata namhlanje. Awulelanga
wenzana namalungiselelo omtshato. Kukho into ezibalulekileyo ezidinga uzixabise-”

441
Simba: ”Ndixabisa eyonanto ebaluleke ukuzogqitha zonke. Wena.”

Nomtha: ”Ungandixabisa ungandi qhaqhathisekeli ehome affairs-

Simba: ”Damnit Nomtha!”

Usukumile ebhedini wema ngenyawo endijonga ngomsindo.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni wa anxious ukuba ndibe ne marriage certificate? Kwenzeka ntoni?”

Andinangxaki mna nokukutshata, noba kungoluphi na uhlobo. Kodwa ndinento engekho right. Kungathi
undinika ihints ngezintetho zakhe kodwa andikuva. Ngoku ungxamelele ukuba ndibe nemarriage
certificate. Ufuna ndingabuzi ke? Ndenze njengoba usitsho?”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukukutshata qha mna. Ayikho into engaphaya. Ndifuna nje ukukutshata.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho nto ekufuneka ndizikhathaze ngayo?”

Simba: ”Tu.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Okay?”

Nomtha: ”Singayotshata akukho ngxaki.”

Ukhangeleke ekhululekile ukuva ndivuma. Usondele kum wandibamba ubuso wandiphuza.

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Ndimncumele kancinci.

Simba: ”Lungisa ke ndifuna ufounela uSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Malunga?”

Simba: ”Ebendifounele so ndibuyela kuye.”

Ndinqwalile. Uphumile ndashiyeka ndicinga into bendizoyinxiba kwezimpahla bendizipakishile. For

umtshato wam. Besenditshatile phofu kwaye kwakhukho bonke abantu ababalulekileyo and
ndandimhle. Ngoku noba bendinxibe ntoni.

Ndiyohlamba kuqala. Ndikhawulezisile kwishower ndaqoqosha ngokukhawuleza, nasekamireni.

Ndinxibe kwenye yelokhwe zam zesatin. Ibi orange-ish. Burnt orange. ngombala isima ezantsi
kwamadolo. Ibindibamba kaluhle ingagxekekanga kwisikhumba sam. Ndinxibe neheel enude.

Ndimfumene esathetha ne phone kwipatio. Ebesihla enyuka engandiboni ukuba ndimjongile.

Ngokungathi ebeweva amehlo am uphethukile wandijonga wancuma. Uqhubile nencoko kodwa
ebejonge kum.

Ugqibile wavula isliding door etasa iphone yakhe.

Nomtha: ”Ndiright?”

Simba: ”Baby, umhle kakhulu. Yizapha.”

442
Ndisondele kuye wandibamba izandla eendincumela.

Simba: ”Umhle.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela, nawe umhle.”

Undijikelezisile ndayihleka.

Simba: ”Masambe siyosebenzisa letwang yakho ukwenza ivows.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo ndine twang?!”

Simba: ”Ewe tyhini awuke uzive wena?”

Nomtha: ”Uyandisukela utakaZendaya. Uziphethe iringi?”

Simba: ”Yep. Yonke into ikhona.”

Nomtha: ”Sambe ke.”

Simfumene phaya uMamnkeli kunye noGodfrey. Bebesutile nabo bebahle.

Mamnkeli: ”Uhluthi kakhulu uMolokazana.”

Undikrwaqule isisu uSimba waphela yintsini.

Nomtha: ”Andityanga nokutya.”

Mamnkeli: ”Le yakho intlutha ayidingi nokutya. Sivuyisana nani nyani.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela kakhulu. Siyabulela.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhhh!”

Godfrey: ”Hahaha! Ndikubonile ukuba ulost.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinamaxesha okuthatha kade, siyabulela.”

Andiyazi noba ndim na okanye ebendijonge kalusizana uMamnkeli. Umqaphele uSimba wathinta umqala
wakhe wothuka kancinci.

Siyongena ngaphakathi ke salinda. Kuphume abantu kwangena thina.

Affiliator: ”Sizokhawulezisa ke kub-

Simba: ”Siyayiqonda bawo. Siyabulela kakhulu, noba singakhawulezisa.”

Simbambene izandla sijongene emehlweni sincumelene. Ebeqhwanya-qhwanyaza yena.

Affialiator: ”Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the witness of God and family to witness
unite Simba Nkokheli Matanzima and Aneni Nomtha Tongai in holy matrimony. In the words of Proverbs
'He that has found a wife has found a good thing and obtains favour from God.

Ukuba kukho namnye ocinga ukuba esisibini singamanyani ngokomtshato makathethe ngoku okanye
athule afe.”

443
Simba: ”Ukuba akathuli uzofa.”

Mamnkeli: ”Hahaha! Awufuni kuthetha ntokabawo?”

Utsho kuGodfrey wanikina intloko wabe ejanyelwe nguSimba. Uzame ukubamba intsini woyisakala
waphela.

Godfrey: ”Ndizobulawa ngalomehlo ndingeka thethi. Masiqhubeni.”

Affiliator: ”Good, bendicela nilandele emveni kwam. Iringi? Oh kuzoqala bani?”

Simba: ”Qala Nomtha.”

Ndimjamele wancuma. Sibambene izandla.

Affiliator: ”Aneni Nomtha Tongai , do you take Simba Nkokheli Matanzima to be your husband, to live
together in holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in
health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

Nomtha: ”I do

Affilliator: Do you take Aneni Nomtha Tongai to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you
love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful
to him as long as you both shall live?"

Simba: ”I do. Kodwa bendicela ukuthetha.”

Ndimfingele intshiya wanqwala umtshatisi.

Uthinte umqala semenyezelisa amehlo zinyembezi. Bendingayazi ukuba uzogqiba ngaliphi na ixesha
njengoba ebexakwe kwangoku.

Uzosule amehlo kuba besezisehla inyembezi. Ndimncedisila ndamosula nam wayihleka.

Simba: ”Askies.”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile, ungaxolisi. Uzokhalisa nam qha.”

Simba: ”Ndizama uzibamba. Ukuqala nje kwam ukukubona, ndayazi ukuba ndisengxakini. Ndayazi ukuba
ndisebungozini bokuthatheka nguwe ngokuba ungumntu okhethekileyo. Noxa la bar ingekho
kumgangatho wam ndiyayithanda kuba yandidibanisa nawe.

Ukusukela ngalomini ndayikholwa intetho yokuba awulufuni uthando olunyulu nolunyanisekuleyo

kodwa lona liyakufumana. You knew I would need you and that I was deserving of true love, waziveza.
Your timining couldn't be more perfect.

Yonke into endiyiyo ibona intliziyo yakho okwe khaya lakho. Ingalo zakho ukhuseleko lwam.

Uyabazi ubuthathaka bam, uyalwazi uloyiko lwam kodwa awundenzi ndizive ndingaphelanga.
Undithanda ngaphandle kwemida.

444
Undenza ndifune ukuba ngumntu ongcono. Ndikuthatha njengoba unje ngalomzuzu ngomso naphakade,
ube ngunkosikazi wam. Naxa kufika imini apho siguge sikhokhoba singwevu, ndizokubona ngalamehlo
nalentliziyo endikubona ngayo ngalomzuzu.

Namhlanje ndithembisa ukuthobeka kuwe, ndivumele ukuba nawe undikhokhele xa kukho isidingo.
Ndizokuhlonipha ndikweseke, ndikuxhase. Ndithembisa ukuphupha nawe. Ndibhiyoze nawe. Noba
yintoni esiyigityiselwa bubomi ndibe secaleni kwakho.

Kuzobakho amaxesha apho uthandabuzayo, apho ungaqinisekanga nganto. Kuzoba ubusuku apho
ndingabuyi endlini, ushiyeke wedwa nabantwana. Ngalomaxesha ndifuna ukhumbule uthando lwam
kuwe. Ukhumbule imini nobusuku esibuchithe kunye uyazi ukuba intliziyo yam ikuwe kwaye ndifuna
wonwabe. Uyazi ukuba kubalulekile kum ukuba wonwabe. Uhoye abantwana bethu nekhaya lethu.
Don't ever doubt us. Don't ever regret what we have. Uyazi ukuba ndakuthanda ngentliziyo yam yonke,
nomphefumlo side sohlulwe kukufa. Ndinethamsanqa kakhulu ukuba ungumfazi wam. Umama
wabantwana bam. Ungowam. Ungowam. I'm damn crazy about you, baby. Ndiyaxolisa futhi ngentlungu
osezogqitha kuzo ngenxa yam. Ndiyaxolisa ngokuba usezondidinga ndibe ndingekho. Thank you in
advance ngesipho ozondipha sona. Ndiyabulela ngokundikhulisela abantwana. Trust in me, uthembele
nasothandweni lwam nawe. Noba andikho, ubaxelele ngam abantwana bam. Ndiyabathanda,
ndiyanithanda. Ndiyanithanda Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Nam ndiyakuthanda.”

Nditshilo ndifixiza ndisosula amehlo. Enkosi bawo bendingafakanga make up. Indlela bendiyinyhididi
ngayo.

Simba: ”So so much baby, ungaze uyilibale lonto. Ungaze uyithandabuze lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Ungakulinge ufe.”

Simba: ”Ndizozama ungafi.”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi uyayolela.”

Simba: ”Mnkam izinto zomhlaba asizazi thina.”

Uthinte umqala wakhe utata otshatisayo wandiphuza uSimba endanga.

Nomtha: ”Akufunekanga silinde kuthiwe siphuzane?”

Simba: ”Linde bani?”

Ndihlekile.

Mtshatisi: ”Unsesane awunasiqalo awunasiphelo, into ethetha ukuba uthando lwenu alusoze luphele.
Nifaneke imisesana ngokwesithembiso nobungqina bokuba namhlanje ninguMyeni nonkosikazi.

Lemisesane inexabiso ngokuyinxiba kwenu. Ithi noxa nohlukile nikhethe ukuzimanya kunye. Mazibe
luphawu lothando. Noxa kwawuhlale kubekho inxunguphalo uthando lusisangqa solonwabe
nochulumanco. Inikhumbuze ngezifungo enizenzileyo namhlanje. Ukusukela ngoku ninguNkosikazi
nomyeni, you may kiss the bride.”

445
Nomtha: ”Sondela mfondini, kuthwa you may kiss me.”

Simba: ”Sondela sthandwa, sondela. Nal'uthando lwam lugcine lonto. Ncimb'ucalanye!”

Sihlekele emlonyeni womnye kuba indebe zakhe besezikwezam.

Simba: ”Ngowam lona, ngowam.”

Bendingebobetheke mntakabawo bekubuhlungu izidlele.

Simba: ”Ndohlala ndingowakho. Kude kuyovalwa.”

Siphuzene ixeshana kuba abantu mntakabawo. Ndinyuse umnwe ubunering. Eye engangement ndiyifake
kwiNecklace kamakhulu wakhe.

Bafune senzeni ilunch emveni koko kodwa walandula uSimba esithi ufuna siyolungiselela ukuhamba.
Bavuyisene nathi ke bebuka imisesana. UMamnkeli ebeziqhenya okungathi- phofu ngenza yokuba
enguGodfather ungutata. Kengoku kuthetha ukuba uSimba- hayi! Hayi!

Mamnkeli: ”Ulumnke nyana.”

Simba: ”Always.”

Mamnkeli: ”Sawuthetha emnxebeni ke. Nihambe kakuhle. Ndiyabulela ngokundibandakanya.”

Simba: ”Kubulela mna kakhulu tata. Undincede kakhulu.”

Mamnkeli: ”Ukhethe kakuhle boy mhle umolokazana.”

Simba: ”Siyabulela driver. Ungakhululeka. Bendicela ifavour kwakhona. UNomtha-

Unqwale engekagqibi nokuthetha.

Mamnkeli: ”Ngobom bam.”

Unqwalile uSimba enenyembezi emehlweni. Bangene bakhalelana. Bendingayazi nokuba yintoni le

ingako ibakhalisayo kodwa ndibanike igumbi. Bakhululene wabe sekhupha itshefu yakhe uMamkeli
ezosula amehlo. Unqwalile noSimba wanqwala. Undangile mna wayongena emotweni yakhe akahamba.
Bekukhangeleka esakhala.

Undivulele ucango uSimba ndangena. Sibambene izandla indlela yonke sade sayofika.

Izandla zakhe zibe kum ukungena nje kwethu endlini, impahla sihamba sizishiya. Ibihluke kunazo zonke
le yangoku. Bekungathi kukho into ayithethayo kum. Izithembiso. Ukuzisola. Isazela. Uthando.
Benduluva. Ebesakhala. Ebekhalisa nam kulento yakhe. Sithe sakufika kwibig O sobabini wandibamba
endiqinisa ekhala okomntwana. Bendingamyekelanga nam.

Sifike eJoburg saya endlini. USimba uthe singamlandi umntwana kuba usafuna ukuchitha ixesha nam.
Senze lonto ke sachitha ixesha sincokola ngezinto ezingena msebenzi. Ixesha elininzi bekuncokola
imizomba. Xa ikwikhefu kuncokole thina. Obabusuku andiqondi ukuba bendawuze ndibulibale.

446
FIFTY-FIVE
Ndothuke ebuthongweni ndindodwa ekamireni. IbinguMvulo! Bekufanele ukuba ndisesikolweni
namhlanje. Ndixhumile ndijonge ixesha. Damn it all to hell! Ibizipast twelve. Bekungekho ukuthini ngoku,
bendilate kakhulu ndingazulenza tu ixesha noba sekuthiwa ndiyathanda. Iphone yam ibicimile. Great.
Ndiyilayitile yalayita umzuzwana yacima kwakhona.

Ndivukile ndayohamba. Ndingene ebhafini ndathatha ixesha lam ukuzikhuculula ndashave.

Ndithambisile ndanxiba itracksuits.

Bekungabandi nokubanda ke phofu, eneneni bekishushu.

Bekuthe nkcwee endlini kungekho kwalo Simba. Ebengekho kwezinye iroom, ebengekho kwi office.
Ebengekho egarage, engabonakali ndawo. Ndicinge iphone yam ndizomtsalela umnxeba ndanqandwa
yindlala. Ndizenzele ijungle oats. Ndisayidubela nje ndeva umdumo wetomo ngaphandle kweyadi.
Ungene exhakazela ngeplastic bags zokutya wancuma ukundibona.

Simba: ”Uvukile?”

Ndimjonge nje ndagqiba ukudubela isidudu ndayongena ekamireni ndithatha iphone yam. Ibingekho
nento bendizoyenza yona intonayo bendifuna ukusuka phambi kwakhe kuba bendibona ukuba
ndiyacaphuka nyani.

Ndichophe ekoneni yebhedi ndadlala igame ndizama ukukhokha umoya. Kungene imessage ngeloxesha
ndayijonga. Ibisuka komnye umfana bendifunda naye.

'Absent on a Monday'

Ndiyihlekile ndamphendula: 'Khandiyeke ndiselwe. Ngomso.'

Ufake i emojie yomntu oncumileyo.

Bendinemincili yokumxelela ukuba nditshatile, ndibabonise iring yam. Besingezo bossom buddies ke qha
besinobuhlobo obuthini. Oko sasebenza kunye kwenye iassigment. Bendonwabela nento yokuba
ndinabantu nje endivana nabo ngaphandle kwabahlobo bakaSimba, uLulu noSiyanda.

Ndiyojonga isidudu sam ndafika ndithotyelwe umlilo. Ebeqoqosha legrocer ebeyoyithenga.

Ndiphunguzile ndikhangela umntwana. Ebenalo lona ixesha lokuyothenga ukutya kodwa kunzima ukuba
ayothatha umntwana wakhe.

Simba: ”Ndenze ntoni?”

Ndimve endanga ngemva endibambe esisisu besikhula. Undiphuze intamo.

Simba: ”Andifuni sixabane.”

Indlela ebeyitsho ngayo indenze ndanyilibika umkhenkce kancinane. Ndikhumbule indlela

ebebuthathaka ngayo izolo. Kwezintsuku ezigqithileyo phofu. Ebesuke wanofefe kunye nomva ndedwa
endingawaziyo ukuba uvela phi.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni ungandivusanga?”

447
Undikhulule wayoqoqosha kwakhona. Ndimkrwaqule kanye xa endikrwaqula naye.

Nomtha: ”Uncuma ntoni? Kutheni undiyeke ndalala kodwa uyayazi ukuba sisikolo namhlanje?”

Simba: ”Bendifuna ukuchitha imini nawe. Andonelanga yilempela veki, andifuni kwahlukana nawe.”

Esheeee!

Nomtha: ”I can't afford ukushiyeka esikolweni Simba. Kuzofuneka ukuba undicingele kaloku,
andiziphangeli mna njengawe.”

Simba: ”Andiziphangeli kwamna. Andiphangeli, ndisemanzini abilayo nabantu bendi sebenzisana nabo.”

Nomtha: ”Wenza ntoni Simba ngalaVenus? Ingathi usonge izandla uyamyeka akuthwaxe ngapha
nangapha akukho nto uyenzayo wena. Umbukele ebhidliza yonke into ozama ukuyakha. Umbukele
ekwenzela intshaba ngapha nangapha, wenza ntoni wena?”

Simba: ”UVenus akufunekanga umngxamele kuba uzozikhanda enyaweni. Ndingalahlekelwa kokuninzi

ukuba ndiyaxhamazela.”

Nomtha: ”Iyandicaphukisa yonke lento mna ndikuxelele. Andiboni nto inzima kakngako mna kuyo yonke
lento. Uyakuye ubengathi ufuna uxolo umbulale qha. Andiyazi lento yokuba ibe itsala mna.”

Simba: ”Ubukela ifilm kakhulu ingxaki yakho. Kufuneka ndibe strategic and ndenza kanye lonto. Lempi,
yimpi endizoyilwa ngoku kwam ngendlela yam.”

Nomtha: ”Ithini londlela? Ubuthe uneplan, ithini loplan?”

Simba: ”Andizukwazi ukukuxelela. The less people know, the better. Futhi wena ungoyena
ekungafunekanga ayazi kuba awukwazi tu ukuzenzisa kwaye emsindweni wakho ungakhupha yonke
into. Ndinecebo baby, omalume bam bazondinceda. Njengoba benditshilo ndizodinga ukuba
undithembe. Uthembe ukuba yonke lento ndizoyenza ndiyenza kuba ndifuna ukudeala noVenus. Ayikho
enye indlela ngaphandle kwale. Yonke into endikuxelele yona uyenze. Uhlukane nenkani. Womelele, for
mna. For abantwana bethu. Ukhumbule ukuba mna nawe sitshatile kwaye nokufa akuzusihlukanisa.”

Nomtha: ”Akunnandanga kum kuba ndiyabona indlela ekubuhlungu kuwe ukubukela yonke into
oyisebenzele nzima iphasalaka. Izolo bendikhona. Izolo elinye bendikhona. Akumnadanga kum.”

Simba: ”Kuzolunga.”

Nomtha: ”Makude kulunge.”

Simba: ”Kuzolunga baby, into endingafuni yenzeke kukuba sibe sixambulisana mna nawe. Ndifuna
sonwabe qha.”

Nomtha: ”Sawuxabana ke ukuba awundivusi kodwa kufuneka ndiye esikolweni.”

Simba: ”Namhlanje qha. Futhi ubuleli kamnandi, khange silale izolo.”

Ndimncumele wenza into ngamashiya akhe ndaphela yintsini.

Nomtha: ”Ndikuphakele ioats?”

448
Simba: ”Yhooo hayi ndiyabulela. Lonto inyeke-nyeke ingathi kukutya kwekati iphinde ityiwe ndim.”

Nomtha: ”Ufuna ntoni wena?”

Simba: ”Sonka, amaqanda, bacon, bangers nemushroom.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikwenzele?”

Simba: ”Please.”

Nomtha: ”Yazi ndiba uzothi hayi mntuwam ndizozenzela ngoku kwam.”

Simba: ”Nditye amaqanda ayirubber?”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Uzobe uziphekele ngoku kwakho.”

Simba: ”Ndikwazelaphi oko kupheka mna.”

Nomtha: ”Ubusenza njani leminyaka?”

Simba: ”Benditshate noNokulunga.”

Nomtha: ”Ngoku besenohlukene nam ndise Diepkloof?”

Simba: ”ooMug and bean noTashas bakholo lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Akumnandanga ke tana ukutya kwaseTashas.”

Simba: ”No?”

Nomtha: ”Hay ncam. Kuba nje iyirestau.”

Simba: ”Ukuba akuphekwanga ndim. Nditye nenyama zentloko mna erank. Nemigodu, beggars can't be
choosers.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh ndatsho ndayibawela kengoku inyama yentloko.”

Simba: ”Sawuyoyithenga ukugqiba kwethu ukutya. Umntwanam angatyi inyama zentloko for
ibreakfast.”

Nomtha: ”Ubawela abe yintoni?”

Simba: ”Noba uyintoni ndizomthanda. Sendine nkwenkwe kunye nentombi. Lonto uThixo andipha yona,
qha angabina gama laseZimbabwe.”

Nomtha: ”Awamandanga amagama am?!”

Nomtha: ”Amandi kodwa andisafuni gama lamaForeigner ngoku. Ndifuna igama lesiXhosa.”

Nomtha: ”Eyonanto unoMalik noNura.”

Simba: ”Yilonto ndisitsho kakoku ukuba sendifuna igama lesiXhosa.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa uzobanalo endimpha lona kaloku. Noba yimiddle name.”

Simba: ”Middle name ewe.”

449
Nomtha: ”Unengxaki nam wena.”

Simba: ”Ndinengxaki nento yokuba uzoba nguTongai-Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingaqhubeka ndisebenzise ifani yam kakoku ukuba awufuni neyakho.”

Simba: ”Uphambene ruuu.”

Ndiyihlekile. Besendi senzela yena ibreakfast yakhe. Indlela bendilambe ngayo ngeloxesha. Bendimana
ndikruntsula kule ndiyenzayo kemna ndingazihluphi.

Nomtha: ”Ye Simba.”

Simba: ”Baby.”

Nomtha: ”Bendicinga ukuba uba udinga imali ukuhlawula ababantu bakho ungatatha kuleya kaSamora.”

Simba: ”Andikho broke, broke baby. Nangaphandle koko andinosebenzisa imali akubele yona uSamora.
Yeyakho lamali. Ukuba ikugcine, kuba asiqinisekanga ngobom.”

Nomtha: ”Ndithetha ukuba awuzusokola ikhona imali ehleliyo.”

Simba: ”Ndibahlawule abantu, ndahlawula noSiyanda imali eyoneleyo ndamfunela nomsebenzi

kuGodfrey kuba mna andizuphangela iinyanga eziliqela ndilungisa lento ndizoyilungisa. Kodwa ke
ayizuhlala olahlobo ehleli ngalo lamali. Ukuba akukho nto ocinga ukuyenza ngayo ndizothetha
nefinancial manager yam ijonge ukuba ingayityala ngaphi. Ndijonge kemna njengoba ndisenza kweyam
ukuba ihamba kakuhle na yonke lonto.

Andiboni uzoyidinga ngoku nyani kuba wena noMalik nizofumana imali qho ngenyanga.”

Nomtha: ”Ube uphi wena?”

Simba: ”Ndikhona.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Ugqibile ukuqoqosha wahamba eyohlala ngaphambili kwetivi elayita iUEFA. Ufounile wathetha nephone
ixesha elide

Ndinde ndagqiba ukumlungiselela esathetha nephone. Ndimphathele ngetray satya sobabini kuba
bendingasasifuni isidudu. Ebethetha ulwimi lakuloBisola.

Simba: ”Utya nam ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ubuthetha nabani?”

Simba: ”Nomalume wam.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh malunga?”

Simba: ”Besithetha nje.”

Ndinqwalile. Sityile sagqiba sabukela imovie. Siyothenga inyama yentloko emini sayityela apho. Indlela
ibimnandi ngayo. Siyibethe sayivala saphindela endlini.

450
Simba: ”Andisafuni sihambe ngemoto enye.”

Nomtha: ”Ngoba kutheni?”

Simba: ”Akukho right uba abantu bahambe ngemoto enye.”

Nomtha: ”Xa kuhanjwa umgama omde.”

Simba: ”Noba asihambi mgama omde thina. Kukho ihit entlokweni yam.”

Ndizive ndibanda.

Undibambe ithanga ndabe ndingumkhenkce. Yilento ebeyolela kangaka? Exheshisha ngomtshato?

Endiyaleza koSiyanda notat'uMamnkeli.

Simba: ”Lomntu onikwe ijob undixelele.”

Nomtha: ”Uyinikwe nguVenus?”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni ekuxelele?”

Simba: ”Kuba abantu abaninzi abasebenzela uVenus ndiyabazi. Akayazi kodwa ukuba ndiyamazi uOnke
kwaye undityala ifavour ethile so undixelele ukuba ndiyazi nje. Ndiyathembisa kodwa akhonto
ezokwenzeka kum. Sendiyazi kwaye ndizozikhusela qha andifuni kubekho into echaphazela wena
nabantwana bam.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuthiye ntoni uVenus? Angabulala umntwana wakhe? Okanye awungowakhe?!”

Simba: ”NdinguVenus Nomtha. Akunokwenzeka ukuba ndingabi ngowakhe.”

Ebefana naye nyani ke. Yena ukogqitha bonke abantakwabo.

Simba: ”Akazundenza nto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingambulala ngezndla zam. Akano ndibulalela usapho aphinde abulale umyeni wam.
Ndixolele ukubhantinta kemna andinaxesha lobobubhanxa. Asizukhonza uVenus apha. Rhaaa!”

Simba: ”Hey! Udlalele kude kuVenus! Andidlali Nomtha, udlalele kude lee kulandoda kuba ndizoxabana
nawe. Ungakulinge!”

Ebenditshintshele umntu. Ndinqwalile. Ebengandiceli endixelela.

Uphinde wandikrwaqula wajonga indlela. Sifike silindwe nguMluleki ngaphandle kwegate. Singene
kunye.

Mluleki: ”Molweni.”

Ugxidike kuqala uSimba baxhawulana.

Simba: ”Unjani?”

Mluleki: ”Kuhle enkosi akhonto. Nomtha.”

451
Nomtha: ”Molweni bhuti.”

Mluleki: ”Uyaphila?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila enkosi unjani wena?”

Mluleki: ”Kuhle akhonto.”

Simba: ”Uzosibona ngantoni?”

Ndimgxeleshile uSimba. Ibingafani naye ke le yokuba krwada kumntakwabo into.

Nomtha: ”Vula Simba singeneni.”

Uyovula. Indlela bendisuke ndanentloni ngayo. Bwkusenzeka ni kanti kwaba babini?

Mluleki: ”Nimsephi umntwana? Andambona.”

Nomtha: ”U-

Simba: ”UseDiepkloof kwinanny yakhe. Besimshiye khona.”

Hayibo!

Mluleki: ”Hayi noko, nide nishiye umntwana kwinanny impelaveki yonke kodwa sikhona thina?”

Simba: ”Ninabantwana abaninzi. Ebehleli ezoba luxanduva kulaUlatho kuba wena ungulo oxakekileyo
zizinto zakho noVenus.”

Mluleki: ”Ngempela veki andixakeki lomhlobo uyayazi lonto. Ukuba umntwana ayohlala nomntu nje
bekhona ootamkhulu.”

Singene ngaphakathi.

Simba: ”Ungagaleli ijuice Nomtha, siphe ibeer.”

Ndizigalelele mna ndodwa ijuice ndayohlala kunye nabo. Ndichophe ecaleni kuka Simba.

UThinte umqala ubhut'Mluleki.

Mluleki: ”Nizombona nini umama?”

Simba: ”Ndimbona ntoni?”

Mluleki: ”Simba, umama ufe icala uyakudinga. Nguwe wedwa ongekamboni!”

Nomtha: ”Ufe icala umama?!”

Mluleki: ”Awuxelelanga noNomtha?”

Simba: ”Uthe kuthiwa uzoba right xa efumana iphysio.”

Mluleki: ”Simba kutheni ungena ntliziyo nje?! Umama ufumanise ukuba abazukulwana bakhe
ngabantwana bomyeni wakhe, nokuba unkosikazi wakho likrexe likatata. Kungoku nje ukwisohlukaniso
notata, kunzima kuye. Awukwazi kuvelana naye!”

452
Nomtha: ”Uxelelwe ngubani?”

Mluleki: ”Ndim. Kodwa umama akatshongo ukuba uxelelwe ndim, akafuni nditsho.”

Nomtha: ”Uthi uyivephi kengoku uBisola xa esithi makungatshiwo ukuba uxelelwe nguwe?”

Simba: ”Khawume ngomsindo Nomtha. Umama ndamxelela mna apho ndime khona naye kwaye
akukatshintshi nto ngokuba asuke eve inyaniso. Ufile kum umama, yena nomyeni wakhe bafile kum.
Ukuba uzozondihlasela emzinam ngaba bantu ndizocela ukuba undiphumele ngomnyango kuba mna
nawe asizuvana.”

Mluleki: ”Mntakwenu, ngumama lo.”

Simba: ”Ngumama kuwe. NoVenus ngutata kuni. Mna andinabazali. Ifamily yam nguMalik noNomtha
nabantwana bam.”

Mluleki: ”Awuzalwa wedwa.”

Simba: ”Andinoxhomekeka kuni nganto. Ndiyibonile lonto kulonyaka. Ningazalwa nam kodwa andino
xhomekeka kuni nganto. Andino thembela kuni. Ukuba anindityeli umfazi nindifihlela izinto
ezibalulekileyo ndide ndincedwe ngumntu wangaphandle ongeyonto kum. Ongelilo igazi lam!”

Nomtha: ”And kutheni kuzofuneka ifihlwe into yokuba uyive ngawe ekaNokulunga nabantwana into? Xa
ekhusela wena ngubani omakadliwe zingonyama. Kuba uzocinga uba nguSimba lomntu, uyayazi lonto
nomama uyayazi futhi niyayazi nokuba izinto zinjani phakathi kwabo-

Simba: ”Nomtha, ufuna ukuyohlala ekamireni?”

Nomtha: ”Haska! Kubhetele ndiyohlala khona!”

Simba: ”Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Khawume tata kaMalik!”

Ndiyingena ekamireni ndimbhakraza ucango. Rhaaa ezizinto ezi! Nxa!

Ndinyuke ndisihla kulakamire ndazibona sendikhala ngumsindo. Banjani na abantu bakuloSimba?!

Ndimthembe kangaka ubhut'Mluleki uzomenza ngoluhlobo uSimba?! Uyayazi kakuhle nje ukuba
ubudlelwane babo bubuthathaka kwaye uVenus akamfuni uSimba. Uyozenza qhaf-qhaf kumamakhe uthi
makaxelelwe, makaxelelwe kanti uyayazi ukuba uzozimela emveni kukaSimba. Kuba uyathandwa yena
ngutatakhe ngengavumanga ukuba afihlwe. Makayazi uba nguye lo uxelele umama ka Simba kuba
akazumenza nto yena.

Ungene ekamireni ndichophile uSimba.

Ebenamehlo abomvu krweee.

Simba: ”Andifuni ulwe amadabi am.”

Nomtha: ”Ukubulalela nalento yokuba ecinga uba nguwe omxelileyo kuBisola andithi?”

Simba: ”Yiyeke njengoba inje.”

453
Nomtha: ”UBisola uyithetha kanjani into enje?!”

Simba: ”Ebefuna ukumxelela ukuba nguye kodwa ndamnqanda.”

Nomtha: ”Ngemxelele noxa kunjalo kaloku ukuba ukukhathalele lomhlobo. Ukuba ukuthanda lomhlobo.
Kucacile ke ukuba uBisola ukhathalele wonke umntu ngaphandle kwakho. Ukukhohlakalele noba sefe
icala.”

Uncume kancinci.

Simba: ”Akuncedi nto ukuba uVenus akwaye wonke umntwana wakhe. Ndim mos umntu ohleli
emthiyile so akwenzi mahluko ngoku. NoMluleki akafani nam. Ukuba angaphelelwa ngumsebenzi
noVenus angalamba.”

Nomtha: ”Ufundile lamntu unedegree. Ukuba akabazi ubutsotsi makabuyeke. Anganikezeli ngabantu
ukuze kusinde yena. Ukuba ebeyindoda yokwenyani, enyanisekileyo ngesenza into eright athethe
inyaniso qha. Akhusele wena. Wenza njani umntu xa umthanda. You sacrifice yourself!”

Simba: ”Yiyeke Nomtha. Sekwenzekile, kwenzekile. Akhonto azondenza yona uVenus. Ukuba
andinobakho wena uzazi ukuba uthemba uSiyanda ngobomi bakho. Uthemba uMamnkeli. Uthemba
uNorman noMonti. Kakhulu uMonti. Uthembe uGordfrey. Kukho noSolomon, uzovela naye exesheni
naye ungamthemba ngobomi bakho. Ungamthiyi uMluleki kodwa ungamxeleli yonke into. Ungamxeleli
nto ebalulekileyo ukusukela namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”NoMkhuseli walala noNokulunga.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi.”

Simba: ”Wandixelela. Ebecinga ukuba unntwana ingangowakhe so ukubona ukuba ngokaSylvester

wandixelela.”

Nomtha: ”Uthi wamdlwengula.”

Simba: ”Wayesitsho. Kuzofuneka siyolanda umntwana ngoku. Simenyelwe nedinara.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizonxiba ntoni bawo?”

Simba: ”Iwardrobe iphuphumala impahla kodwa uqhekeka intloko xa kufuneka unxibe.”

Nomtha: ”Awuzu understanda.”

Simba: ”Ngcono ndinga understandi. Upakishe ke apha evekini kuba ndiyokutyisa utsiki.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni utsiki?”

Simba: ”Uzoba ngumakoti. Unxibe amadakhi, njengabanye abafazi.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh. Ukuba andithwaliswa ipheyile ndiyokha amanzi emlanjeni!”

Simba: ”Sinomzi wethu, awunamazala awuna bawozala.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizohamba ngoshorti.”

454
Simba: ”Uzonxiba amajerumani.”

Silungisile ke ndanxiba kakuhlana kunetracksuits ezi bendizinxibile. Sahamba.

Nomtha: ”Ye Simba.”

Simba: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Naxabana No Venus? Lento angakufuni kangaka.”

Simba: ”Ngaphandle kokuba ndabulala umntakwethu zange silwe.”

Nomtha: ”Umntakwenu?”

Simba: ”Ilast born.”

Nomtha: ”Wambulala?”

Unqwalile. Huh?!

455
FIFTY-SIX
Luleka: ”Zunyamezel'zunyamezel mntwanasemzini. Nqo! Nqo! Hayi mntwan' asemzini! Halala! Halala!”

Nomtha: ”Aniboni ngempela, isencane lengane!”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Incane nyani mntaka bawo. Ndim na okanye kukho iglow ethile?!”

Nomtha: ”Yehake glow. Lulu!”

Sangene ixesha elide. Bebexhawulana noSimba. Ndabulisa uSiyanda ndakugqiba.

Siyanda: ”Mrs Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Molweni bhuti.”

Luleka: ”Ngenani, ngenani. Asizubuza mpilo emnyango. Ndigalele idrinki?”

Simba: ”Ibeer mna, please.”

Nomtha: ”Nam.”

Simba: ”Awubhudi?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndinxaniwe njena. Wena mawusele kodwa mna andikwazi ukusela? Ngowam ndodwa
lomntwana?”

Simba: ”Andithwelanga mntwana mna.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa uzobanaye so kufuneka siyeke sobabini.”

Simba: ”Ndikwi 50's namhlanje. Ndiyaqala ngqa ukuyiva lonto.”

Luleka: ”Ndimphathele ijuice Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe sisi, ndiyazidlalela.”

Simba: ”Caba ubuzomamela uNomtha na kanti wena Lulu.”

Luleka: ”Andifuni ucaphukisa umntu okhulelweyo mna. Nasebantwini unkosikazi wakho.”

Simba: ”Awukuthemba wena.”

Siyanda: ”Uphilile mntakwethu?”

Simba: ”Siphilile, akhonto. Sonwabe nje kakuhle. Unjani wena?”

Siyanda: ”Ndiyaphila nam enkosi. Bekumnandi eKapa?”

Simba: ”Bekumnandi nje kuba ndinonkosikazi wam. Ingxaki zikulandela yonke indawo.”

Siyanda: ”Zizonto zakhona mngaman, sawuthini?”

Simba: ”Sawuthini nyani?”

Siyanda: ”Ndithethile noGod.”

456
Simba: ”Mh.”

Siyanda: ”Sithethe into evanayo. Ndiyaqala kuleveki izayo. Imali intle kakhulu.”

Simba: ”Kakade intle kakhulu.”

Siyanda: ”Ndiyabulela mnganam.”

Simba: ”Wayeka umsebenzi wakho ngenxa yam. Bekunyanzelekile ukuba ndikuncede kuba kungenxa
yam ukuba kubenje.”

Siyanda: ”Kungenxa keVenus. Hayi wena. Akhonto uyenzileyo wena. Kodwa imini yakhe iyeza. Every dog
has it's day.”

Simba: ”Kunjalo.”

Luleka: ”Khanimeni ngoVenus mntakabawo, ndikruqukile kulandoda. Bekumnandi eKapa?”

Nomtha: ”Kakhulu sisi. Ibingase singabuyi.”

Luleka: ”Yehake! Nisose nihlale khona?!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe tyhini! Bekumnandi kakhulu. Bendikonwabele ukuhlala nomyeni wam oko. Ingase
ndiyeke nesosikolo.”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Ungakulinge!”

Nomtha: ”Ebenjani ukuhlupha umntwana?”

Luleka: ”Unako ukufeketha kodwa ebengekho bad kangako. Uthanda uSiyanda ke usisiza.”

Nomtha: ”Uyawathanda amadoda.”

Simba: ”Ndibethe umntu ngomntwana wam mna. Uphi yena selele?”

Siyanda: ”Ulele.”

Siyanda : ”Nizomvusa xa senihamba. Ulele.”

Luleka: ”Ebengeve ekhalela isifuba sikaSiyanda?! Uba ngambeka othuke akhale ancame ambeke kuso
uSiyanda. Hahaha!”

Siyanda: ”Uyaqala umntwana ukubona isifuba esicomfortable oluhlobo.”

Simba: ”Mxm. Siyabulela kakhulu guys. Nisincedile.”

Siyanda: ”Akhonto. Ngenitshate njani nintsingize umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

Sincokole ke kwamnandi. USimba noSiyanda bayotshonela becela igumbi kancinci babhunge ezabo.

Luleka: ”Ikuphethe njani ipregnancy?”

Nomtha: ”Bendigula kodwa mvanje sendiright. Andisaguli lomhlobo noxa ndiba namaxesha.”

457
Luleka: ”Kungcono. Kodwa umhle maan Nomtha! Inoba yenye intombi.”

Nomtha: ”Kungenzeka yazi.”

Luleka: ”Uzoba ngumama wama ntombazana.”

Nomtha: ”Kungcono uSimba senendodana. Uyabazi baba obsessed kanjani ngabantwana bamadodana
aba aphinde aba namantombazana odwa.”

Luleka: ”Andiqondi uobsessed ngayo yonke lonto uSimba. Ukuba unabantwana nje nawe kugqityiwe.”

Nomtha: ”Undimithise ngamabomi futhi. Kumatyeli omabini.”

Luleka: ”Wayebafuna ke abantwana. Indlela wayene mincili ngayo efounela uSiyanda!”

Nomtha: ”Ndinombono.”

Luleka: ”Wayonwabe kakhulu. Ndiyavuya mna ukuba izinto ziright phakathi kwanu nokuba niphinde
nafumanana. Kungathi anizange nohlukana ixesha elide indlela enithandana ngayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyamthanda wethu.”

Luleka: ”Uyakuthanda naye. Kakhulu. Uyakhathazeka kakhulu ngawe.”

Nomtha: ”Kukhathazeka mna Lulu. Bekumnandi kule weekend away kodwa ebenxunguphele. Yilento
yokutshiswa kwe warehouse zakhe, nokubuyekeza abantu imali zabo. Ebesoyika ukuba uzoba nentshaba
ngenxa yayo yonke lento. Ininzi nje into ephezulu kwamagxa akhe. Ngaphezulu kwayo yonke lonto
ifamily yakhe imenzela phantsi. Kubuhlungu kakhulu, uyayibona lonto kodwa uyaziqinisa. Ukhala oko
okanye endijonge kalusizana. Andiyazi noba kufuneka ndiyithethe lento kodwa uVenus umkhuphele ihit.
Ucinga ukuba nguye oxelele umamabo ngabantwana bakhe noNokulunga so uqumbile. Ufuna umbulala.
Kha ufane ucinge!”

Luleka: ”Undixelele uSiyanda. Uthi uSimba uthe umnqande ngoku kwakhe ubhuti wakhe ukuba achaze
igama lakhe. Umntu ongena msebenzi nokuba uxelelwe na okanye ucinga uba nguSimba nguBisola.
Ndiyacinga kuba ewazi amandla abantwana bakhe. Uyayazi futhi ukuba uMluleki uxhomekeke kakhulu
kutata wakhe. Angonakalelwa kakhulu ukuba angakwaywa ngutata wabo.”

Nomtha: ”Utsho nakum uSimba uba uthe angabisathetha. Kodwa sebona ke ukuba uSimba uzobulawa
usathule. Kubaluleke ubudlelwane bakhe notatakhe ukogqitha ubomi bomntakwabo. Uyayazi ukuba
ukhuphe ihit uVenus.”

Luleka: ”Andizuyazi ukuba ucinga ntoni. Into endiyaziyo kukuba uSimba uzodlula kuyo yonke lento.
Abamcingeli balahlela yonke into kuye kuba bemazi ukuba unokuyimela and uzoyimela. Wena Nomtha
kuzofuneka ube sisibhanxa sisi. Uvale umlomo wakho uqubude intloko. Abantu abamthandi umntu
obhadlileyo so kufuneka uzenze muncu ungangeni ngxakini. Umthembe uSimba. Noba unentandabuzo
umthembe, ukulwela kanje nabantwana benu kuba engafuni umoshe nentwana yamandla akho.
Sokulwela thina. USiyanda uzokulwela wena ungabinawo nala okuzonwaya amandla. Uzobona wena.”

Ndinqwalile. Baphume ngoko oSimba ekamireni. Ebefunqule umntwana wam.

Nomtha: ”Ijellytots zimaNomtha!”

458
Luleka: ”Yhuuuu methuna, uyalazi ilizwi likamamakhe!”

Nomtha: ”Yayazi kaloku uyamthanda umamakhe. Andithi Madlomo?! Mama uyamthanda

umntwanakhe. Molo mimi! Molo sisi. Semhle ke! Hampona uthengelwe nelokhwe! Oh uLulu ke.”

Siyanda: ”Ndiphelelwe ngumsebenzi mna ooLulu benza ishopping spree. Zezeveki yonke impahla
azothengelweyo uJellytots.”

Nomtha: ”Yhuuuu omakazi bethunana. Ndiyabulela. Utshilo uba enkosi kumakazi?”

Luleka: ”Utshilo. Andithi Zen zen?!”

Simba: ”Khawu msapha ndimbabe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokunika ndisamphethe.”

Simba: ”Hayibo khawusapha umntwana tyhini!”

Utsho emthatha mntakabawo uSimba. Ndimyekile nam babe beyihleka ooSiyanda.

Sitye emfunqule sade sagqibe. Asihlelanga kwasebusuku kakhulu kuba bendinesikolo ngengomso.

Sifike salala endlini.

Ndivuke ndaya esikolweni. Bendihanjiswa ndibuyiswe nguNorman njenge siqhelo. USimba ebehlala
nomntwna emini kuba engasaphangeli.

Ebedinisa ngokuba efuna isilalo mihla le kuba engenanto yokwenza yenza. Iphele iveki ndingapheki tu.
Besisitya itake aways okanye sitye ngaphandle. Bekumnandi kona. Bendine checkup ngoLwesithathu,
sahambeni sobathathu. Mna bendihamba noNorman noZendaya, yena eqhutywa ngomnye udriver
bendinga mazi. UMonti ebenqabile. Sibuye ngendlela endingazaziyo ndodnqena nokubuza kuNorman
kuba bendinga zufumana mpendulo. Ebengelo ncoko so nam bendizivalela umlomo wam. Siye samisa
ngaphandle kweheke. Ibigated lendawo besisiza kuyo. Kuthe gqi uSimba sehamba ngoMonti ngeCiti golf
endingayaziyo.

Bavulelwe bona iheke salandela emveni kwabo. Siye samisa kwiparking lot enye.

Wagxidika kuqala uNorman. Nam ndigxidikile ndayokhulula umntwana kwicar seat.

Simba: ”Yeka ndizomkhupha.”

Utsho emkhupha ngoku kwakhe wamfunqula.

Nomtha: ”Kuphi apha?”

Simba: ”Kuse Wilgheuwel.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Sizothini apha thina?”

Simba: ”Kukho into endifuna ukubonisa yona. Monti ungasikhokhela, Norman uzoshiyela apha wena.
Uvule amehlo.”

Norman: ”Always boss.”

459
Uhambe ngaphambili uMonti.

Nomtha: ”Yimoto kabani le? Iphi eyakho?”

Simba: ”Kukho apho ndiyishiye khona, bendingafuni mntu ozondilandela apha.”

Nomtha: ”Iyoyikisa yonke lento.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi sthandwa sam. Ndiyayazi. Kodwa ndenza yonke lento ukukhusela nina.”

Ndinqwalile. Sinikwe isitsixo ngomnye utata ebenxibe iuniform yesecurity. Siyongena kwilift yasinyusela
ngaphezulu. Uvulile uMonti sangena emveni kwakhe. Ibiyiroom engenanto. Bekukho ifireplace nebuilt in
cupboard newardrobe kwikamire enye eyimain. Ngapha koko bekukhala ibhungane.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni uzosibonisa indlu e empty?”

Simba: ”Yeyakho.”

Ndimrholele amehlo.

Simba: ”Xa ndingekho ndisiya kwitrips ndifuna uze apha. Akukho Venus uyaziyo lendawo. Nobhuti
abayazi. Yaziwa nguSiyanda nam, noNorman kunye noMonti ngoku. Andifuni ushiyeke kwindawo
abazobe bephuma bengena kuyo xa ndingekho.”

Nomtha: ”Njengoba uthe awuzuphangela iinyanga? Uzophuma uyephi?”

Simba: ”Ukuba kungakho into enyanzelisa ukuba ndihambe. Ungangezi, ungeza kukuwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayithanda yona, incinci kamnandi.”

Simba: ”Inekamire ezimbini. For wena nomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Simba: ”Uyayithanda?”

Ndiye ndanqwala. Bendingeno ngayithandi.

Simba: ”Good girl. Masambeni ke. Izobonana endlini, asizuphuma kunye.”

Nomtha: ”Ndipheke?”

Simba: ”Ungapheki. Noba ungahlamba nje, noba awunxibanga ndihleli ndizozikhulula kakade. Kukho
ivibrator endiyithenge izolo. Xa ugqibolalisa umntwana uyisebenzise uyibeke apha ude uze. Ndifuna
ukufika ugxiza namhlanje.”

Ndiginye ingwiqi. Undiphuzile wandikhokhela ndalandela. Ibingathi andide ndifike endlini kengoku.
IbinguLwesithathu ngoko. NgoLwesine sibone ufinancial manager yakhe emveni kwesikolo. Sidibene
phambili ke caba uxelele uNorman. Umntwana ebebizelwe uGogo namhlanje. Sibuyele endlini
umntwana sehlanjiwe. Bendityile nokutya noSimba wathi uright, ndimshiye athetha nephone ndayolala.

NgoLwesihlanu ndilandwe nguNorman njengesiqhelo. Besisiya ekhayeni late kwaye besele ndipakishile
ukulungiselela uhambo. Bendinemincili ukunxiba amajerumani bendi wathungiselwe nguSimba.
Ebethenge neqhiya emnyama athi yikhetshemiya, netowls.

460
Ndifile ndakhulula ugogo ndayohlamba salinda uSimba. Ufounile.

Simba: ”Baby.”

Nomtha: ”Ndilinde wena.”

Simba: ”Uzoza azokulanda uMalik, sizohamba naye. Mna sendingaphili, izobonana endlini.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo! Njani?! Bendifuna ukuhamba nawe mna. Andisakwazi nokuhamba nawe ukugoduka
ngoku ngenxa yobubhanxa behit!”

Simba: ”Nditheni kuwe ngomsindo wakho?”

Nomtha: ”Ndidikiwe yiyo yonke lento mna.”

Simba: ”Nam ngokunjalo, kodwa kukho isizathu sokuba kubenje. Kuzolunga. I'm gonna need you to calm
the fuck down. Ndithetha nawe okokugqibela ngomsindo wakho Nomtha. Kudala ndikuxelela ukuba
uzokufaka engxakini. Andiphinde ndithethe ngalento. Khawube uyandifounela uMalik. Ndiyakthanda.”

Nomtha: ”OK.”

Simba: ”Nomtha, ndithi ndiyakthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Nam ndiyakthanda tata kaZendaya.”

Simba: ”I love you so baby, nihambe kakuhle.”

Nomtha: ”Nawe. Ube safe.”

Simba: ”Always.”

Sihambe kakuhle kakhulu noMalik. Ebelincoko ke engamfuni umntu olala kuba 'uzomozelisa'.

Besiqala ukuchitha ixesha elide kangaka isithi sobabini kuphela. Isinike ithuba lokuba sazana ngaphandle
kuka Simba. Ebemdala nakum kanene.

Sifundekele uZendaya ngomculo sade sayofika. Inoba ebesitsho ukuba 'ndifuna utatam mna.'

Ebehleli ukufika kwethu uSimba.

Nomtha: ”Kudala ufikile?”

Simba: ”Three hours.”

Malik: ”Ubuhamba noMonti?”

Simba: ”Yintanga yakho uMonti? Ndihamba naye ewe. Ugodukile kodwa ngoku. Ngomso siyajikeni ke.”

Malik: ”Ja, ngoMvulo yimpangelo. Mandilale mna.”

Simba: ”Ungalali kakhulu ndifuna ngoeight kuxhelwe.”

Malik: ”Sure Taima. Goodnightini.”

Nomtha: ”Good morning!”

461
Simba: ”Ngena nomntwana Malik, umlalise ebhedini yethu.”

Malik: ”Anilali nina?”

Simba: ”Ndisafuna uthetha noNomtha.”

Unqwalile wathatha umntwana wayongena naye endlini. Ndijonge kuSimba wangena emotweni.

Simba: ”Yizochopha phezukwam.”

Nomtha: ”UMalik-”

Simba: ”Uyolala, yiza. Bendikukhumbula.”

Utshilo sakuvala ucango. Ebendinyusa ilokhwe wabhekelisa ipanty ecaleni wandiphulula ngaphambili.

Nomtha: ”Nam. Simba sinebhedi.”

Simba: ”Ndikufuna apha kuqala.”

Undingene ndingalindelanga ndamanga. Sithe sigqiba sabe sihefuzela sobabini, siyogqibezela

ngaphakathi. Bwndibona ukuba bekutheni ebefuna siqale ngaphandle. Kungoba eberough nam
ndingxola. Ikamire kaMalik ibikwalapha. Ebebetha ngesantya esisezantsi endlini. Ethatha ixesha lakhe.

Kukhawuleze kwasa. Bendilele ihour enye nje kuphela kuba oko besipetsulisana noSimba. Ndihlambe
sendixheshisela ukuba uManci afike sendinxibile atleast I underwear kuba bendizonxityiswa/bhinqiswa
nguye.

Undibhinqisile ndaya kuronta ndihlala emveni kokhukho. Bandiyalile ke bendixelela ukuba umfazi
uziphatha njani nokuba uphathwa njani umyeni. Ndinikwe negama lomzi kwathiwa ndinguLinokhanyo.
Wayetshilo uBisola ukuba ndizothiywa lona ngoManci so bendingothukanga. Ndityile inyama kwathiwa
ndenze itea ke ndikotize.

Simba: ”Awusefaneleke Linokhanyo.”

Nomtha: ”Ane? Ndifana noManci bakho ngoku.”

Simba: ”Umhle sthandwa sam. Ndiyabulela ngokundenza umyeni.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho nesidingo sokuba undibulele. Ndiyakuthanda.”

Simba: ”Uthandwa ndim. Wenzani wenza itea?”

Nomtha: ”Kuthiwa ndikotize. Uyazi uba sexy kanjani kwi overalls?!”

Uyihlekile.

Simba: ”Sendiyazi ngoku. Iway zam madoda!”

Nomtha: ”Kuyakhuzwa kesana. Kuthwa akamncinci shame.”

Simba: ”Shame ntoni kengoku?”

Nomtha: ”Baya ndisizela kule beast inguwe.”

462
Simba: ”The beast that will love you to death. Yenza ke itea Linokhanyo.”

Nomtha: ”Uzondibiza ngeligama kengoku?”

Simba: ”Ewe tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ungakulinge mna!”

Simba: ”Yehake! Banjani kanti abantu baseZimbambwe?!”

Nomtha: ”Mxm! Khawuhambe uyandiphazamisa.”

Bahleli imini yonke abantu. Ndiphekile ndaphaka ndahlamba nezitya emveni koko. Bahambe xa kuqala
ukuba mnyama. USimba nonyana wakhe bebevalelene emotweni bengene ukuphuma kwam endlini.
Ebekhala uMalik ngokubona kwam. Ungene enamehlo abomvu uSimba.

Nomtha: ”Uright uMalik?”

Unqwalile. Kukhale iphone yakhe wayifingela intshiya ngaphambili kokuba ayiphendule.

Simba: ”Uncle how far? I'm going good thank you. Yes, tomorrow. In Abuja. Yes. I will be fine na. The
family is okay, yes. I'm mostly scared for them. I know. Thank you so much, God will bless you. Ise! Ise!
Hahaha! Thank you. Ngumalume wam, Ndiyayazi uzobuza.”

Nomtha: ”Kanti bendingazubuza.”

Simba: ”Uxokela ntoni? Ngoku sewulayite amehlo.”

Usondele ebhedini wakhulula izihlangu waqabela ebhedini ebeka intloko yakhe esifubeni sam.

Ndimve engcangcazela ndamjonga ebusweni.

Nomtha: ”Simba?”

Hayi unyukelene umntu wasothula isikhalo ede enesingqala. Xa ehlisa umoya undikhulule ipyjamas.
Uphume kwakulo kamire ukugqiba kwethu. Ndimfumene egixa ngasebuhlanti ethwele izandla entloko.

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi noba uyandidinga na okanye ndikuphe igumbi.”

Uzosule unyembezi ndakumanga. Undibambile wandiqinisa.

Bendizibambe ngenkophe ezam.

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi ukuba ndikuncede kanjani.”

Simba: ”Andid- andidingi ncedo. Ndibuhlungu nje kuba ngamanye amaxesha ugqithisa abantu
obathandayo entlungwini. Ndinigqithisa entlungwini, ngakumbi wena. Ndinqwenela ukuba izinto
bezohlukile. Andifuni ukukuvisa kabuhlungu kwakhona. Utatakho- angandidanela.”

Nomtha: ”Sawuba right Simba. Sawuba right.”

Simba: ”Womelele. Ukuba womelele kwaye uthoba imisindo akuzuba nzima kangako. Undithembe.
Uthembe nabantu endikuyaleze kubo. Umamele Nomtha. Ndiyayazi une opinios zakho kodwa
umamele.”

463
Nomtha: ”Ndizokumamela. Ukusukela namhlanje andisoze ndibe ndigqwashula. Kukuba ndiyadikwa
mna ngabantu abasileyo.”

Simba: ”Andithi sukudikwa. Ndithi cinga ngaphambili kokuba wenze. Ungazifaki zingxakini. Be a good
girl for me.”

Ndinqwalile. Bendizoyekela kuye nyani kuba bendisuke ndibe nomsindo okhawulezileyo mna. Asilalanga
nangabo busuku. Besincokola sisenza izicwangciso nje. Esenza lanto yakhe yokuba endiyala. Siyihlekile
sakhala. Endixelela indlela andithanda ngayo. Endixelela nokuba ndimthembe. Ndibe nomonde.
Ndingaze ndimnikezele. Ndingaze ndiyikhuphe kulomnwe iringi yakhe. Ndingaze ndicinge
nokuyitshintsha ifani yakhe noba kwenzekani kum naye. Siphikisene isidala sento ngalonto. We made
love kwakhona. And again and again. Esebeza amazwi amnandi ezindlebeni zam.

Ndithi kusile phandle sijonge ngamehlo amanye. Ndivuke ndabusy ke kuba ndingumfazi. Sihambe
emveni kwemini. Ebengeloncoko tu namhlanje uMalik. Ndiyayazi bekungekudalanga siphumile endlini
kodwa ebenqumile nje. Amehlo eyinyama. Uthe uright xa ndimbuza. Enditshika. Khange ndiphinde
ndithetha.

Kukhale iphone kaMalik sisegarage, uyiphendule waphuma emotweni ethetha nayo ngaphandle. Kuthe
tshe imoto emnyama ngesantya esake saphezulu isiya kwelicala siya kulo. Kuthe gqi iambulance
netraffics. Kungekudala kwagqitha ifire brigade namapolisa.

Nomtha: ”Inoba kukho ingozi.”

Nditshilo akungena uMalik.

Malik: ”Ndifounelwa nguMonti, uthi yimoto katata leya. Idutyulwe exploda. Ebengaphakathi naye.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani utata?”

Undikrwaqule.

Malik: ”NguSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuzame ukumfounela naye. Inoba uphi yena xa kuqhashumba imoto?”

Uphinde wandikrwaqula kwakhona waphuma ngaphandle kwemoto engandiphendulanga. Ndithathe

iphone yam ndizama ukumfounela ayaphumela.

Ndizame uNorman.

Norman: ”Hello.”

Nomtha: ”Norman, founela uMonti umxelele anike uSimba iphone ndithethe naye. Kuthiwa imoto yakhe
iqhashumbile. Ebedutyulwa Norman ndifuna ukuthetha nomyeni wam. UMalik uyakhala apha.”

Norman: ”Uyeza kuwe uMonti.”

Nomtha: ”Undivile ukuba nditheni?”

Norman: ”Ndizomfounela.”

Nomtha: ”Qha.”

464
Ndibeke iphone yam ndaphefumla. Bendine bad feeling nje kodwa bendingafuni ukuya apho ingcinga
zam bezindisa khona. Kunqonqozwe efestireni yemoto.

Monti.

Indlela ebendijonge ngayo ndivele ndasothula isikhalo. Andikwazanga nokuzibamba. Ndakhala.

465
FIFTY-SEVEN
”Nomtha.”

Bendingasa lelanga buthongo ndisanda kuvuka. Ndivile xa kunqonqozwa naxa evula umnyango kodwa
ndszixelela ukuba ndizozivalela umlomo wam.

Malik: ”MakaJellytots.”

Ebekhwazela kufuphi nebhedi ngoku.

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Malik: ”Kuthwa ndizokuvusa uzotya, kudala ulele.”

Nomtha: ”Andilambanga Malik. Umntanam?”

Malik: ”Uhoywe nguMamkhulu.”

Ndinqwalile.

Malik: ”Usis'Lulu uthi ndikuxelele ukuba usendleleni.”

Nomtha: ”OK.”

Malik: ”Ndikuphathele ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright Malik, enkosi. Ndifuna uba ndodwa. Undiphathele uZendaya torho angahluphi
abantu.”

Malik: ”Ndizomhoya umntasekhaya.”

Nomtha: ”OK.”

Malik: ”Usis'Lulu usendleleni. Ndikuphathele amanzi uzosela amayeza wakho ubuwanikwe ngugqirha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Ndimve efixiza kancinci ndazigquma ngengubo ndisothula isikhalo.

Ndive ngelizwi likadabawo kwalapha erumini yam noSimba. Caba uyobizwa nguMalik.

Nonzaliseko: ”Phephisa kaloku sisi, xola mfazana. Kunzima ewe kodwa ungasose ukhale oku komntu
ongenathemba. Sukukhala kangaka. Yhini maan!”

Bendinesingqala. Ndizamile, ndizamile ukuthula ndimohendule kodwa xa ndizama ukukhupha amazwi

bendingakwazi ndisuke ndikhale. Uhleli ecaleni kwam endishushuzela ndade ndabiwa bubuthongo.

Bekuyizolo ekuseni ukuva ngokuqhashumba kwemoto ibihamba uSimba. Emveni kokuba silandwe
nguMonti egarage sigqithe kulandawo yengozi. Bebesithi ndingaphumi, yada yada kodwa bendingeno
kwazi. Ibingumyeni wam lowa. Utata wabantwana bam. Intliziyo ibisemqaleni ndiweva amadolo
ayagovozela. Bendidinga ukuxhaswa kuba ngesizathu endinga saziyo bendisuke andaziva nenyawo zam.
Undixhasile ke uMonti yabe icinywa umlilo itshe yangqungqa. Bekukho umzimba. Ubungeno wufanisa
indlela ubutshe ngayo, andivunyelwanga nguMonti ukuba ndisondele ngakumbi. Ndizigqibele

466
ndinolunye nje ulothuko endingazange ndalano ngaphambili kwacima izibane. I was into a state of
shock. Kutshiwo.

Ndothuke ebhedini yesibhedlele. Into yokuqala endiyibuzileyo nguSimba. Besendilibele yonke into
yengozi nomzimba wakhe otshe wangqungqa. Engqondweni yam ebesemotweni elandela emveni
kwethu noMonti. Kodwa bendiva nje ukuba kukho into engekho right. Kwindlela bebekrwaqulana ngayo.
Kwindlela bebendijonge ngayo kalusizi. Ndithe ndakubuya ezingqodweni ndaziva ndiphelelwa
ngumphefumlo. Ndizibambe isifuba ndinombono wemoto nomsi omkhulu. Izicima mlilo. Amapolisa.

Ndihlatywe inaliti ndanikwa nepilisi ndisele apha endlini. Ibingathi kuzothiwa kuyadlalwa. Bendilindele
umntu ozondixelela ukuba mhlawumbi kwenzeke impazamo. Ukuba ayingomzimba kaSimba lowa,
ngomnye umntu. UThixo andixolele kodwa bendibawela ngentliziyo yam yonke ukuba ibengomnye
umntu. Hayi uSimba wam, hayi umyeni wam. Hayi utata wabantwana bam.

Bekulusuku olulandelayo namhlanje emalanga. Bekulusuku olulandelayo? Bendinga qinisekanga,

akhonto bendiqiniseke ngayo ngoku. Yonke into ibingenzi sense. Bendingeka kholwa.

Ndothuke ebuthongweni kukho umntu othe nca kum wajikelisa isandla sakhe endibambe isisu. Intloko
bendinayo bekunzima nokuphakamisa intloko.

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Bendifuna into ezondinceda ngalentloko ke tana. Ibingathi ndizofa. Ingathi izoqhekeka phakathi.

Luleka: ”Ndim uLulu sisi.”

Utsho ngempumlo ezixineneyo. Ebengalelanga tu. Ndingcangcazele umzimba wonke sisikhalo.

Luleka: ”Kuzolunga sisi. Kuzolunga, sikhona. NoSiyanda ukhona, sikhona. Ungakhali.”

Nomtha: ”Ebethe kum akuzukwenzeka nto kuye. Ebethe ak- ebethe akuzukwenzeka nto kuye Lulu.”

Luleka: ”Shhhh Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Uthini ngam? Xa ezondishiya uthini ngam nabantwana bakhe? Uyenza kanjani into enje kum
uSimba?”

Luleka: ”Awuzuyiqonda ngoku kodw-”

Nomtha: ”Andisoze ndiyiqonde nanini na. Andisoze.”

Luleka: ”Kuzodingeka ukuba unyamezele sisi. Ebethethile nawe uSimba. Ucingele lomntwana Nomtha.
Ucingele uZendaya. Ndiyayazi kunzima sisi, and kulungile ukukhala. Kuright ukukhala. Ugqithe kuyo
yonke into ekufuneka ugqithe kuyo kodwa ungazilimazi. Ucingele umntwana kaSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Andikakholwa uyazi Luleka. Ebendixelela, endilumnkisa. Endilungiselela. Ebeyazi ukuba

uzofunyanwa nguVenus. Lulu, ebestrange nje kwezintsuku zigqithileyo ukusuka eKapa. Nalapha ekhala
nje. Engafuni sihambe naye ngemoto, ngekubhetele nokuba besife kunye kulamoto. Kuba ndishiyekela
ntoni mna? Yena nabantwana, yiyo ifamily endinayo. Xa endishiya ngoku uthi ndizothini mna Lulu. Uthi
ndizozilwelwa ngubani ezintshaba xa engekho ezondinceda? Uthi ndizothandwa ngubani?”

467
Luleka: ”Ohhh Nomtha ... sukuthetha kanjalo. Sukulinge uthethe kanjalo. Ndiyayiqonda uva kabuhlungu,
kubuhlungu nakuthi. Akusoze kufane kodwa nakuthi kubuhlungu.”

Ndivale umlomo ndacimela. Bendibona yena nje. Yonke indawo bendibona yena. Xa ndivala amehlo.

Bendisiva ilizwi lakhe. Ndisiva izandla zakhe zindibamba. Ndibona umzimba wakhe uthe natya ecaleni
kwendlela ungu'wiiiii' wemoto kodwa kum ingathi izinto zenzeka ngeslow motion. Kwenzeka njani?
Bendingafuni ukukholwa. Bendingafuni tu ukukholwa. Bendifuna ukulala ndivuswe nguye. Bendifuna
ukuvuswa nguye engena ezingubeni esithi ebeye eDurban okanye eMpumalanga. Okanye mhlawumbi
usebenze kwarhatyela. Bendinga zukuqumba nokuqumba. Bendizombuza ukuba utyile na. Ndimgalelele
amanzi okuhlamba ndimrhabhe umqolo ndimbalisela ngemini yam. Ndimamele endibalisela ngeyakhe.
Sithandane ubusuku bonke.

Bendingafuni ukulala engekho kwicala lakhe lebhedi. Ebemnke nentliziyo yam.

Khange ndibubhaqe ubuthongo ebusuku. Ndileli xa kuqala ukusa.

Ndothuswe lilizwi likadabawo eculela phantsi.

Nonzaliseko: ”Linokhanyo Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Andilelanga dabawo.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Khawuvuke ujonge.”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi noba ndizokwazi nokuphakamisa intloko.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Zicenge. Kuthiwe ndikuphathele leyoghurt, uzicenge ngayo xa kungangeni ukutya. Noba
ngamacephe amathathu. Kukho nerhewu ke kulandlu. Ubambe nje umphefumlo sizoya kwelacala kuba
kufuneka uhlambile uzohlala kulandlu.”

Ndizicengile ndasukuma. Amehlo bendiweva ukuba adumbile hayi kancinci. Ebelumeza nokulumeza.
Ndichophe ngempundu wandinika ibowl enemuesli neplain yoghurt. Phofu ibiyiyoghurt ene muesli kuba
yiyo ibininzi. Ebeze netray ke kukho nefruit salade nomongi mali. Ebesiza nayo kakule lomntu wayibhuda
kumongi.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Hayi zicenge nomama. Uyoyikwa ke ndikuxelele.”

Ndifinge intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Njani ukuba ndiyoyikwa?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Nomanyano ebezokukroba apha waphelela ngaphaya komgubasi kuba kaloku uyakoyika.
NoMluleki ngokunjalo. Bamane bebuza kum ukuba utyile na nokuba unjani na.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani uNomanyano?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ngumazala wakho kaloku, awumazi umazala wakho?”

468
Ebengenguye nomazala kum ngoku kodwa andikhange ndibe ndiyithetha leyo into. Ebelunge ngoku
andoyikayo kuba bendingafuni nokumbona. Bendidikwa kukuba kuzofuneka ndibe ndizenzisa ngoku
ingathi ndimxabele ngezembe. Bonke noMankazana ongumyeni wakhe.

Nomtha: ”Simbiza ngelakowabo igama eRhawutini.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ohhhh yilonto kaloku. Ngababantu bezintlanga oNomanyano. Umntu akalikhathalelanga

elomzi igama. Kwalapha ufike esabela, mingaphi phofu iminyaka etshatile?”

Luleka: ”Ndingangena?!”

Utsho etyhala ucango watsho ngaphakathi.

Luleka: ”Uyatya umntu wamu!”

Ndimncumele kancinci. Bekubuhlungu nokuhleka. Kubuhlungu kuba ndinaso nesazela sokuba

ndiyancuma apha kodwa uSimba yena akasoze aphinde alifumane elithuba. Bendicinga ixesha lethu
lolugqibela, ndizama ukucinga ukuba bekungekho ngxabano na phalathi kwethu. Kodwa bendine
ngcinga ezintle zodwa. Noxa bendiba buhlungu ndakucinga ukuba usweleke enetliziyo ebuhlungu.
Eyethu imizuzu yokugqibela ibi magical, kodwa ebengonwabanga. Ndimncinge enoMalik emotweni
emangile emkhalela. Ebeyazi. Kodwa akakhange andixelele. Mhlawumbi ebeyazi ukuba bendingasoze
ndibe right tu. Bekungazuba mnandi ngalendlela bekumnandi ngayo.

Bendizofuna ukuncamathela kuye, sife kunye bhetele. Nabantwana bethu. Kuse kusinde uMalik. Kodwa
mna nabam abantwana bekufanele ukuba sikulamoto nathi kuba le yona intlungu bendiyiva.
Bendingazibona ndiphumela ngaphaya kwayo. Bekuqaqamba.

Luleka: ”Ndizohamb kemna ukuba ndiyakukhalisa. Kuba ubusitya apha ungalili.”

Ndosule inyembezi.

Nomtha: ”Andikhali.”

Wosule ezakhe wabambelela esinqeni endijongile.

Nomtha: ”uSiyanda?”

Luleka: ”Basetown noMonti, bahambe noZendaya. UMalik naye uzivalele eroomini yakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Oh umntwana kaSimba.”

Luleka: ”Uzoba right. Ndicinga ukuba udikwe ngabantu aba babe bemjonga bemsizela.”

Nomtha: ”Kunyanzelekile mna ndiye kwelacala?”

Luleka: ”Ewe sthandwa sam. Akhonto uzoyenza wena ngaphandle kokuhlala kumatress uzingqengqele
ukuba uyafuna.”

Ndiphefumlile.

Nomtha: ”Ndisuke andayazi Lulu. Andisakhumbuli noba ubom bam bebunjani ngaphambili kokuba
ndidibane noSimba. Andiziboni ndinabantwana ababini ngaphandle kwakhe. Andinawo lombono.”

469
Luleka: ”Andiyazi ndizothini ukuze uzive bhetele.”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi ikhona into ezondenza ndizive bhetele. Ndinomsindo. Inoba lento ikum
mhlawumbi. Akufunekanga ndibe nosapho mna. Akufunekanga ndithandwe. Kuba waqala wathatha
uSamora ngoku nguSimba. Ngulomntu umnye ochongene nam. Nolonwabo lwam. Ngoku ngabantwana
bam abazodlula kulento. Abazuba nawo nomfanekiso katata wabo. Abazulwazi uthando lwakhe, baluve
kubo. Bazawuva ngembali koMalik. Iworse kulo.”

Wosule inyembezi waphefumlela phezulu.

Nomtha: ”Ulapha eroomini yakhe uMalik?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Amanzi wakho azophola, qale uhlambe kuqala.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukujonga umntwana kaSimba.”

Luleka: ”Nomtha yitya kuqala. Cingela lowo umntwana kaSimba kuqala. Noba ngamane amahlanu
ubenento esuswini.”

Ndiphefumlile ndakhelelela. Ndikhe amacephe ambalwa ndakubeka.

Luleka: ”Yikha nefruit. Ambalwa nje, usele uMongi.”

Ndimjamele wandincumela kancinci. Ndityile ndaphantse ukuyigqiba ke yona ndasela umongi. Undinike
ipilisi zam ndazisela, kunye nebendizinikwe ngugqirha kwicheckup. Usishiyile udabawo waphuma
nedakhi lam nefaskothi yakhona. Ndihlambile ndanxiba ngentla, ndalindela amadakhi kudabawo.
Bendinxibe neturtle neck kuba noxa ebesithi kushushu uLuleka bendingayiva mna lonto. Bekusuke
kwabanda. Bendigodola. Kungathi nelanga lityhafile kwalona. Unqonqozile wangena udabawo.

Nonzaliseko: ”Yehake umfazi akanxibi tight nonondrokhwe?”

Nomtha: ”Zange ndiwuthenge kwa ukuwuthenga ke unondrokhwe.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Mnkru! Mntakabawo! Ina nxiba. Ngumfisho nalamajerumani. Inene ebekufelethisa

nalomyeni wakho.”

Ndincume kancinci. Belisima ezantsi kwamadolo. Ezantsana kunawo, izitho zingaphandle. Ndithwele
ikhetshemiya ndaxakatha ityali. Undibhinqise enye apha esinqeni.

Nonzaliseko: ”Nantso ke. Uzoyibeka ezithweni nje le. Noba ufuna ukungqengqa ungajaji.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela dabawo.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Kulungile sisi.”

Uthathe itray waphuma. Bekungafunwa noba ndichithe amanzi nguLuleka. Uphume nekomu
eyondichithela amanzi ndabe ndiyonqonqoza kwiroom kaMalik.

Malik: ”Ngubani?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndim uNomtha!”

470
Luleka: ”Ungakwazi kaloku sisi! Awuliphakamisi kaloku wena ilizwi lakho ngoku. Kufuneka ubengathi
uyasebeza.”

Nomtha: ”Oh?”

Luleka: ”Ewe. Andifuni uhletywe ngaba mama kulandlu.”

Bendinga khathalelanga kwalonto.

Uvule ucango wandincumela kancinci engalivuli gebelele. Ebekhangeleka eright.

Malik: ”Uphakamile!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Kuthiwa uzivalele.”

Malik: ”Ndigrand mna. Ndidikwe ngaba bantu baninzi qha. Ndidikiwe nje ngabantu. Uziva njani wena?”

Ndinyuse amagxa. Bendingayazi nokuba ndizochaza ndithi ndiziva njani kuba bendingayazi. Bendingafuni
nokuva. Ndosule izidlele bezihleli nje zimanzi mvanje. Undibambe igxalaba endincumela kalusizana.

Nomtha: ”Mandiye kulandlu.”

Malik: ”Kuthwe ndikugade ke utye ukutya kwakho. Usele namayeza ungabi nastress. Ngapha koko ...
ncncncnc.”

Ndimcumele.

Nomtha: ”Kutsho bani?”

Malik: ”Kutsho uMonti.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm! Sharp ke.”

Malik: ”Okay.”

Ndithe chu ukuphuma. Ngethamsanqa lam kwabe kumisa imoto kusihla uSiyanda noMonti. Ndibalinde
apho ngaphandle wagxidisa umntwana uSiyanda weza naye kum. Bendisosula ubuso. Ngoku ndosula
ezinye kuwa ezinye. Azipheli.

Undange ngecala elinye uSiyanda ebambe umntwana ngelinye. Ebefixiza kwayena. Undikhulule
endijonga ebusweni.

Siyanda: ”Sikhona thina.”

Akufani. Umntu endimdingayo akakho. Ibingase nditsho kodwa ndincumile ndanqwala. Ndithathe
umntwana wam ndahamba ndisiya kuronta.

Uzame ukuthetha nam uMonti ndamgqitha okungathi andimboni.

Ndingene kuronta onke amehlo akum. UBisola ebehleli noManci kumattress. Ndithe tshe uVenus
kwicala lotata. Yena uMluleki noBukhosi. Bekukho nabanye otata kodwa ndizibonele bona. Bekukho
nabanye nje abantu, nabatshakazi kugcwele. Ukhawuleze wasukuma uManci wathatha uZendaya
emfunqulela kuye. Ndimncumele kancinci ndayochopha ecaleni kukaBisola. Ebezigqube ubuso
ngetshefu ukusibona engcangcazela. Ndichophile ndasongela izandla zam phezulu kwamathanga am

471
ndijonge phantsi. Uthuthuzelwe ngumama ebehleli esitulweni, wayochopha ecaleni kwakhe akusothula
isikhalo.

Bisola: ”Yhuuuuu! Yhuuu!”

Ebekhala wethu. Kungathi ndimchukumisile. Ngakuye bendingeva nto. Bendingamsizeli ndingavelani

naye. Ebemzala kodwa intlungu yam neyakhe bezingafani. Yena ebekhaliswa sizazela sokuba ubekunye
nomyeni wakhe. Ukuba mhlawumbi ngephila ukuba bekungekho ngenxa yobumene mene bakhe.

Mluleki: ”Nomtha, ndiyaxolisa sisi. Kubuhlungu kuthi sonke. Andiyazi noba ndikududuze ndithini
mntwanam kuba andikwazi komelela kwamna. Kulendawo ndikuyo ndiyopha. Intliziyo yam iyopha.
Andifuni kuthi yintando kaThixo kuba akusiyiyo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela bhuti, ndiyaxolisa nakuni.”

Unqwalile wayophuma ngomnyango egixa. Ndinyuse amehlo angqamana nakaVenus. Ebenesibindi

sokuchiphiza inyembezi yena? Argh! Bendonyanye nyi! Kodwa andiyazi ndixelelwe kangaphi nguSimba
ukuba ndiwulawule umsindo wam kuba ndizozibulalisa. Ukuba ebenesibindi sokubulala unyana wakhe,
beku bekiselaphi mna.

”Nqo! nqo! Ngaphakathi!”

Venus: ”Mahonono!”

Mamnkeli: ”Tiger.”

Ujonge ngakwelicala lethu, wajonga mna wajonga umama kaSimba. Nalawheelchair isemveni kocango.

Omnye umama: ”Singangenisini umthandazo Manci?”

Manci: ”Khawuyobabiza kwelacala, bonke noMalik. Kufuneka kungene umthandazo nyani.”

Usukumile waphuma.

Usondele kuthi uMnkeli emveni kokuba exhawule uVenus. Ebengekabuzi nempilo. Uyothetha nomama
kaSimba, wabe enesingqala. Usuke kuye sebhetele ngoku. Uzogaqa ngaphambili kwam.

Mamnkeli: ”Unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Andikazazi okwangoku.”

Mamnkeli: ”Kuzolunga mntwanam. Kuzolunga. Akafanga uSimba, ulele. Uyayazi langoma ithi 'uhleleli
ntoni emangcwabeni, itsukw'ezine vuka Lazaro! Akafanga ulele uLazaro.' Uzokulwela. Uzonilwela. Wena
thoba intloko yakhe ubambe ucwangco. Womelele. Kunzima ewe kodwa yomelela. Yinto ibinokonwabisa
uNkokheli leyo.”

Ndinqwalile. Kube sekungena abantu, wahamba wayohlala ecaleni kukaVenus.

472
FIFTY-EIGHT
Iphelile loveki icotha injalo. Bekungathi ixesha limi ndaweni nye. Okungathi abantu bayaqhubeka
nobomi, bayaphila mna ndibabukele nje obam bumile. Bendilala ixesha elininzi. Bendi ngabubhaqi
ukuthongo ebusuku, kuba bendilal nabantu kuronta bendikhalela phantsi ndingaviwa mntu. Ndiphinde
ndasiwa esibhedlele kuba ndivuke ndingakwazi nokunyusa intloko. Ndilale usuku olunye ukuba
ndigadwe kuzokuhla nehigh blood kuba ibinyukile kwayona. Ndifumene amazwi angqoqo kugqirha
ukuba ndicingele umntwana. Inyanga bezipbantsi kakhulu ukuba ndinga belekiswa ngaphambili
wexesha, kwaye bendibeka ubomi bomntwana emgciphekweni.

Undinike nenqwaba yamayeza angena bungozi emntwaneni. Andifumenanga nezo pilisi zokulala
bendizincwasile. Ndilandwe nguLuleka.

Ndimkhalele esangena.

Luleka: ”Injani intloko ngoku?”

Ubuzile emveni kokuba ndithule.

Ndiphefumlele ngaphandle. Bendincibe ipyjamas negown ngaphezulu.

Nomtha: ”Ibhetelana kodwa isavakala.”

Luleka: ”Iyabulala ke intloko.”

Utsho endiqinisela ilizwi ndakrwaqula kancinci ndisukuma ebhedini ndithwala iqhiya. Bebezondixolela ke
kuba bendizofika ngezipyjamas. Ibingase ndihlambe kuqala ngaphambili kokuba ndinxibe amajerumani.
Phofu bendinga baweli nokuwanxiba kwa, ndicomfortable kwipyjamas zam ezifuku-fuku. Kodwa
bekunyanzelekile.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi. Ndilambe!”

Luleka: ”Good ulambe. Awutyi kakuhle kwezintsuku and kufuneka utyile. Just for umntwana lowo,
ubenento esuswini. Ubawela ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndibawela icustard nechocolate cake.”

Uyihlekile.

Luleka: ”Unecravings! Ayikokutya kodwa oko.”

Nomtha: ”Noba ndiyigqiba ndodwa icake?”

Luleka: ”Noba uyigqiba wedwa icake.”

Nomtha: ”Andizazi noba ndirhalele ntoni ndikuxelele. Ndilambile qha. Nomlomo wam ingathi uxwebile.”

Luleka: ”Haha! Uxwebe nyani! Ingathi ubusika intleke.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni leyo?”

Luleka: ”Oh! Kanene ungumntwana waseGoli, awunozazi ezizinto. Enyanisweni Nomtha, uziva njani?”

473
Nomtha: ”Ingase ndingabuyeli kulamzi. Andiyazi noba yindlela endiziva ngayo na kodwa andifuni
ukubuyela kulamzi. I'm emotionally drained. Ukubonana notata kaVenus nabantu babe bendisizela
kunditheza amandla nomphefumlo. Ndifuna ingabikho le ndawo e empty apha kum. Ndiziva okungathi
andiphelelanga. Andikho right tu. Ndiyazama kodwa kubuhlungu maan. Ingase ndilale ubuthongo
obude.”

Luleka: ”Kuzogqitha sisi. Kunzima ewe kodwa kuzogqitha. Noko sizombeka kuleveki wohlukane naba
bantu.”

Nomtha: ”Kukho indawo ebendibonise yona, Wilgeheuwel or ntoni.”

Luleka: ”Ewe kuse Wilgeheuwel.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni ukunihlupha ngakumbi noSiyanda kuba kuninzi esenindenzele kona kungoku, inkxaso
yenu-”

Luleka: ”Ungazikhathazi ngalonto wena. Nantoni na oyifunayo ungasihlupha sisi. Ngubani obalalayo.
Abahlobo bakholo lonto. Samthembisa uSimba ukuba nantoni na, so ungasicingeli thina.”

Nomtha: ”Lulu ndiyabulela. Ndifuna ukuthuthela phaya. Ingase ndingabuyeli eCenturion ukusuka kwam
apha. Andikabi ready, andiqondi ukuba ndizoba ready.”

Luleka: ”Ndizothetha noSiyanda acele noba nguSolomon lomzuzu siselapha thina. Afune abantu
abazoqokelela izinto aba monotarishe qha yena zisiwe eWilgeheuwel. Sithathe ngoku zibeka ngendawo
zazo thina. Nguqhwi-qhwi wethu yonke lanto.”

Nomtha: ”Bekuthethwe ngokuba impahla zikaSimba sihliswe zonke zizohlanjwa. Angaziaokelela nazo
uba angakwazi.”

Unqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ngubani kakade loSolomon? Kuba noSimba ebeke wathetha ngaye.”

Luleka: ”Ngumhlobo wabo naye ofana nobhuti kubo qha ebengekho apha eJoburg esaphumile.
Uzombona xa efika.”

Nomtha: ”Ukule business yabo naye?”

Luleka: ”Usebenza kwiMarine yena. Yilonto ebengekho.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhhh.”

Luleka: ”Masambe sibuyele emzini wakho.

Abantwana bakaNokulunga bakhona, bona noUlatho.”

Nomtha: ”Argh yere!”

Luleka: ”Akakabikho yena uNokulunga.”

Nomtha: ”Ukhona uKing?”

Luleka: ”Ukhona. Bakhona bobathathu.”

474
Nomtha: ”Mababe khona, ukuba abazanga nangxaki andinangxaki nabo.”

Luleka: ”Abanolenza ixesha.”

Nomtha: ”Utsho?!”

Luleka: ”Abasoze kaloku. Sawube siphi thina xa begeza?”

Nomtha: ”Umama kaSimba unjani?”

Luleka: ”Akakho right tu. Ngomnye odinga ugqirha.”

Nomtha: ”Mxxxxx.”

Luleka: ”And then?”

Ndijikelezise amehlo.

Luleka: ”Mxolele wethu uBisola. Ummo wakhe unentliziyo entle. Ebengaqondi yena ukuba kuzofikelela
apha.”

Nomtha: ”Andika mcaceli okwangoku. Andibacacelanga bonke abantu bakulo Simba. Ubhuti
sendimsizela nje kuba ingathi iyamthwaxa yonke lento kodwa ndine resentment ngakuye kuba
bekukhusekwa yena ngomyeni wam.”

Luleka: ”Hoyana nesiqu sakho okwangoku. Esistress uzifakela sona asinilungelanga.”

Ndibambe isisu sam ndaohefumla. Bendingayikholwa ncam into yomntu onilwela setshabile kodwa
bendinqwenela ukuba kube kanti kukho ubunyani kulantetho kaMamnkeli yokuba uzosilwela, ulele.
Uyayazi kulandawo akuyo ukuba uyandityala. Wayethe uyazifezekisa izithembiso zakhe. Bendifuna
ngoku asix feet under azifezekise ke. Utata wam afumane ubulungiswa, naye ubuqu afumane
ubulungiswa. Njengoba uVenus ecinga ukuba unguBawo wethu wasemhlabeni simbonise ukuba mnye
uThixo. Noxa bendimthandabuza nje.

Ukholo lwam beluluncinane mna kuThixo. Mhlawumbi belungekho kwalona. Ndibambelela kumbono
wezulu, nobomi obungaphaya for comfort.

Ndixukuzelelwe sisisu sahleka noLuleka.

Sithathe impepha sahamba. Amayeza ebesekum. Ebeqhutyelwa nguMonti. Ndibambe umzimba wam
ukumbona wabe esihlila emotweni endivulela ucango. Ndijikele ndayongena kwelinye icala ndizivulela
ngoku kwam. Ndibabone bejongene noLuleka ndenza okungathi andibonanga kwanto.

Siyothenga ukutya. Ibingathi ebewanqa yonke into uLuleka kulashop. Abantu bebendijonga
ndingabethelwa nangu do. Inoba bebesithi lixelegu laphi eli.

Ummisise imoto sayohlala engceni sisondala ithrow bendihambe nayo ukuya esibhedlele.

Nomtha: ”This is nice. Ingathi sikwi picnic. Kushota ichampaign.”

Luleka: ”Sitshiswe siohambane ukuba sibonwe ngabantu bakulo Simba!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Kungathiwa simtyile!”

475
Luleka: ”Khawubajonge bayabhiyoza. Basela utywala ngeza glass zinengcondo. Umtyile!”

Nomtha: ”Kungathiwa kakade ebehlele ukumbulala. Angatshata ixhego emncinci kangaka!”

Luleka: ”'Ebefuna uphunyelwa zimali!'"

Nomtha: ”Ukuba bendinga khulelwanga, ngendine nto ehlala emabeleni enebrandy engaxutywanga
ndimane ndisithi laqa. Ndiphanjaniswa nayinto yokuba ndigqitha kuyo yonke lentlungu ndisober. Ndiyiva
yonke iyandikhubaza. Inditya ngaphakathi.”

Undibambe nje isandla akathetha. Sitye sahlutha izisu zithe mpo. Ndingqengqile noLuleka endilinganisa.
Besincokola ngoSimba. Umntu anguye, imemories zethu naye. Beside sihleke xa sithetha ngezinye izinto.
Sihleke sikhale. Iyimemorial yethu sobabini. Bendiyazi ukuba bekuzothethwa ngohlobo enengena
ziphene nohlobo ebelunge ngalo. Ebelungile yena kodwa ebezofuna kwaziwe ukuba ebenguSathana,
okanye ke ebuzalana nosathana. Ebengafuni noyiva eyokuba ulungile noxa ebenako ukulunga.
Ebenentliziyo entle. Intliziyo exolelayo.

Sothuswe nguMonti sesibiwe bubuthongo apho. Siyihlekile wasinikinela intloko encume kancinci.

Bekuphithizelwa kwaSimba. Sekumi nentente ngaphandle kwezindlu. Intente enkulu. Bekuqhuma imbiza
ecaleni kwendlu, abatshakazi behleli kwizitulo zeplastic bencokola. Bekukho naba xakathileyo bathwala
ikhetshemiya kuthiwa ungubawozala kubo. Ebemdala wethu uSimba naye.

Undivulele ucango kweli ityeli uMonti wandinyusela ishiya ndakumjona. Caba ebesithi 'ewe,
ndikuvulele. Uzothini kengoku.'

Ndibulele ndingekahliki nokuhlika. Bendisaqweba isibindi. Ndisonqena lamehlo abantu. Umsebezo

wabo.

Nomtha: ”Ubuphi Monti?”

Ibingenzi sense kum ukuba uSimba abe yedwa emotweni kodwa ebeqhutyelwa nguye uSimba ukuza
kwethu apha. Ebelinde yena futhi. Bendinga sakwazi ukuzibamba ngoku kuba ndiyabona ungqumbo yam
ibingandincedi nganto kuba andiziumani impendulo endizidingayo ngokuthwala umlomo.

Uthinte umqala wakhe walungisa ukuma. Ebengeka phumi noLulu kodwa ethule efile kungathi akakho
nakulamoto.

Monti: ”Bendi ngumntu ozoshiyeka apha ekhayeni mna, ikhona into bendizoyilungisa. Wandikhulula ke
umlungu ngelokuthi uzoziqhubela imoto yakhe akukho ngxaki.”

Nomtha: ”Wava ngobani ukuba kukho ingxaki?”

Monti: ”NgoNorman. Ebethetha naye emnxebeni xa evulelwa imbumbhulu. Wakhawuleza wandifounela

ukuba ndibaleke ndiye kuye ndafika sekulate. Ndaleqisa kuni.”

Ndinqwalile ndiyinambitha lento ebendixelela yona.

Nomtha: ”Akatshongo kum ukuba awunyuki nathi.”

Unyuse amagxa wosula umbilo ebunzi.

476
Monti: ”Inoba ebengaboni iyinto ebalulekileyo. Ndibuhlungu ukuba ebeyedwa ngexesha andidinga
ngalo, ukuba bendinothatha ind-”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile bhut'Monti, ndim lo. Ndiyaxolisa. Ndifuna ukutyhola umntu ngalento and
bendityhola wena. Nabani na.”

Unqwalile oku komntu oyiqondayo into bendithetha ngayo.

Siyanda: ”Kunini ndisithi niyaphuma niyaphuma! Ndifuna wena sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Yhini ndizifikela.”

Siyanda: ”Ufikela kuthi ke sisi. Besifuna ukuthetha nawe noMluleki.”

Nomtha: ”NoMluleki?”

Siyanda: ”Ewe. Andizukwazi ukubahambela ngaphambili ngezinto kuba ekugqibeleni ngobhuti

bakaSimba mna ndingumhlobo qha.”

Ndiphefumlile ndagxidika emotweni.

Siyanda: ”Ukhangeleka ubhetele, utsho wayeka nokuba grey.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela kakhulu.”

Siyanda: ”Hahahaha!”

Ndichophe elounge. Undiphathele umntwana wam uMalik nanjengoba bendimcelile. Ndimfunqule nje
ndingenawo namandla nobubele bokuteketisa. Bendimkhumbula nje kuba ebehleli engekho kum.

Bangene belandelelana ubhuti noSiyanda kunye noBukhosi.

Bandibulisile ke bachopha phantsi.

Mluleki: ”Sikubize apha kuba sifuna ukubonisa ilitye kunye nebhokisi ekhethiweyo ukuze uba
unesikhalazo sizokhawuleza sitshintshe kwangoku. Kuba ilitye lizoqalisa ukwakhiwa namhlanje. Umbhalo
ngulo bekuthiwa uwufunile.”

Ndijonge lacatalogue, bandibonisa abazikhethileyo.

Nomtha: ”Hayi ziright ezi. Andinangxaki nazo.”

Siyanda: ”Uqinisekile?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiqinisekile.”

Siyanda: ”Kuzofuneka sihambe siyoclaima kwimibutho yakhe imali izongena kwi account yakho
kwamsinyane.”

Nomtha: ”Kukho into engazukonela kulamali ikwelacard likaSimba?”

Siyanda: ”Ayikho. Kodwa kufuneka uclaime. Ndinazo iforms ekufuneka zigcwalisiwe, singavukela etown
ngomso.”

477
Nomtha: ”Okay. Ikhona enye into ezondidinga?”

Mlukeki: ”Yonke into siyibambile. Ebenombutho nalapha ekhayeni so bancedise ngohlobo abamncedise
ngalo uSimba. Nohlobo abasebenza ngalo. Kukho nencwadi emabantu abamkhaphileyo nezinto-

Bukhosi: ”Iziphekiso. Kukho idrinki nejuice. Sawukongeza kancinci thina. Ndingongeza nangokwam,
kweyam itasi.”

Mluleki: ”Incwadi yakhona ikuMalik. Nguye owazi yonke into.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba kukho into eshotayo bhut'Siyanda, ityengwe. Nabantu abazozimasa bangalambi.
Kubekho nenyama ebomvu.”

Mluleki: ”Food wise ndithenge yonke into izolo. Sawuphinde siyokongeza ngoLwesihlanu for
umgqibelo.”

Nomtha: ”Andazi kwanto mna. Nizobuza kudabawo abuze ebafazini.”

Mluleki: ”Sihambe noMamkhulu nomnye umtshakazi walapha ekhaya izolo. Ubuze ngoku kwakhe
kubatshakazi, babala yonke into edingekayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela kakhulu.”

Banqwalile bahlala bemana bendikrwaqula. Kungene udabawo ezondixutha umntwana wam. Oh!
Lomfazi!

Nonzaliseko: ”Uphuma nje esibhedlele sewuzothiwa dimfi umntwana. Hayi nizongonjwa nguSimba.
Ebengafuni nix ngalomntwana! Nibuze kuManci wenu!”

Mluleki: ”Uyaluthanda ke uqhushululu uManci wethu ndimazi phaya kuUlatho. Bafikile namhlanje
nabantwana.”

Nomtha: ”Sendivile. Bakulandlu?”

Mluleki: ”Bathe saa! Sesigqibile mos apha.”

Siyanda: ”Ndibona kanjalo.”

Kungene uUlatho erhuqa uBisola xa bephuma oSiyanda.

Bisola: ”How far?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ma.”

Bisola: ”Usothusile maan. Unjani ngoku? Uziva njani?”

Nomtha: ”Isavakala intloko kodwa ndibhetele.”

Bisola: ”Kungcono ke sisi. Bendithi ndikujonge ke, kuthiwa usando ngena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuhlamba kuqala ndizongqengqa kwelocala.”

Bisola: ”Okay sthandwa sam. Thatha ixesha lakho.”

478
Ndinqwalile baphinde barhuqana baphuma. Ebethetha ngenye indlela umama kaSimba. Ethetha funny
shame. Amehlo ebedumbile.

Ndiphathelwe amanzi ngudabawo wandokulela nedakhi lam ndabhinqa ndayohlala kulandlu. Ndilele
ndoyame egumbini ndavuswa kusithiwa ndilale kakuhle, ndalala. Uqhubile amalungiselelo ndimane
ndibizelwa bucala ngoobhuti sibhunge. Besi claimile kwi funeral covers zakhe zonke. Kukho
eseyingenile.

Bekumama kumabo imithandazo yosapho ke ngaphambili kokuba kulalwe nasekuseni. Besekufike

neyakude ifamily kugcwele. Bekuba semagezeni ebusuku bencokola baqhathane ibe yilontsini bade
banqandwe ukuba bangafundekeli kakhulu kuba bazosihlebisa ngomakhelwane kuthiwe sonwabile.
Kufuneka sizomase, kodwa incoko ibiqhuba yona. Kuncokolwe nangoSimba.

IbinguLwesihlanu namhlanje kwasekuseni. Kufike abanye abantu ke, befika ngokufika bephuma
emazweni abanye. Abanye kwilali ezohlukileyo.

Ndithe tshe noNokulunga nelawu lakhe ngoku bendigqiba kuhlamba. Bendihlamba kwasekuseni
ndizophindela kumatresa. Ndiphindele ngaphakathi kukho ubhut'Siyanda nomnye ubhuti. Ebedweni
enobu bam yena ubumnyama. Ebekhangeleka emncinci kubo bobabini uSimba moSiyanda. Eyawaba
nendevu ezinkulu naye. Ezakhe zimnyama. Bendithanda lasalt and pepper kaSimba mna.

Nomtha: ”Molweni.”

Ndibulise ndifinge intshiya ndijonge kuye. Lobhuti ndingamaziyo. Ebephethe ifile esandleni.

Bavumile bobabini basukuma bema ngenyawo. Ndiyomxhawula ndasose ndixhawula nobhuti kuba
ndingafuni ukumkhetha.

Nomtha: ”Nifuna mna okanye nizihlalele?”

Uncumile uSiyanda. Bebesechophile ngoku.

Siyanda: ”Bendifuna wena. Si. NguSolomon Mbam lo. Andiyazi noba ebekuxelele na ngaye uSimba.
Ngulo ndandithethe ngaye malunga nokuthutha impahla yenu. Bendifuna ukumothula kuwe kuba
akazukunqabela.”

Solomon: ”Ndizoxhaphaka.”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi akhomntu ndingayalezwanga kuye kulaRhawuti.”

Bayihlekile.

Solomon: ”Hayi wonke umntu, kubantu ababalulekileyo qha. And ukuba asenzi njengoba kutshiwo
sawugetyengwa yilandoda.”

Nomtha: ”Kuthiwa ukwiMarine.”

Unqwalile.

Solomon: ”Ndikhona ngoku, ndisaphumle msebenzi.”

Ndinqwalile nam.

479
Solomon: ”Ndikuphathele ezimpepha. Ndizifumene eofficini kaSimba, ibhalelwe kuwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Solomon: ”Yonke into yenu ndiyithile. Ezinye bezingazuba nandawo ndazishiya. Ndilungise iroom
yomntwana qha kuba bendinexeshana otherwise ngusaa.”

Nomtha: ”Bendinga yilindelanga naleyo uyenzileyo, ndiyabulela kakhulu.”

Unqwalile.

Siyanda: ”Isizathu sokuba ndizonazisa kukuba uzobe uwedwa kuleveki izayo. Iveki yonke ndizobe
ndingekho and ndihamba noLulu. Lomfo akazunqaba ke ungamoyiki. OoMonti bakhona for isecurity and
and kodwa thina singabantu bakho nangezinto ezipersonal.”

Nomtha: ”Niyohlala eKapa?”

Siyanda: ”Hayi!”

Nomtha: ”Ndibuza ngoba uGodfrey eseKapa.”

Siyanda: ”Ndizohlala apha. Ndibamba nje iveki. Kukho umhlobo wam, uyifamily phofu. Kufuneka
ndimncede. Yiveki qha ungaxhalabi. UMamnkeli yena unonkosikazi oseHome so akafuni kunqaba
kakhulu kuye. Nesimo sakhe asonwabisi kwaphela. Ngoyena ozonabela uqaqaqa.”

Solomon: ”Utsho ukuba ngomnye.”

Siyanda: ”Ewe nditsho. Ngomnye.”

Ndinqwalile. Bendibuhlungu kukuba bengazubakho kodwa mabenze into ekufuneka bayenze.

Ekugqibeleni ibingendim ndodwa umntu obadingayo bekucacile.

Bandiphe igumbi ndajonga le envelop. ANENI NOMTHA TONGAI-MATANZIMA.

Ibibhalwe ngonobumbha abakhulu ngehandwritting kaSimba. Bekufanele ukuba ngugqirha indlela

eberhoqoloza ngayo. Ndiyiqondile ukuba yenye i'Ukuba ufunda leleta ndiswelekile ...' kufana
nekaSamora. Ebeyazi ukuba bendingeka gqibi kwaleya kaSamora. Ebecinga ukuba ndawuwa boleka
kubani amandla okuqala eyakhe. Kubuhlungu kangaka ngoku.

"OH! Nomtha. Bendithume uMalik andibekele impahla zam ekamireni katatakhe ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ekamireni yam?!”

Nokulunga: ”Kuba wokhiwa ndim nomyeni wam lomzi yikamire yam.”

Nomtha: ”Nokulunga andinawo amandla akho sisi. Ndiswelekelwe ngumyeni wam, ndizilile. Andibe
ndilwisana nawe mna ndisenza ichaos. Xelela umntu obumthumile ungandihluphi mna. Ukungena
kulakamire awuzungena.”

Amehlo akhe ebesesuswimi sam ndambona eqhwanya-qhwanyaza into engekhoyo. Eneneni yintoni
ebesayifuna apha uNokulunga. Obhuti banjani na kanti? Umama wabo uhamba ngewheelchair ngenxa

480
yeligqwirha kodwa basamyeka aphithizele apha! Ebemathe owuphi umhlobo na lamadoda. Kungene
uMalik ngoko wancina amehlo ukusibona.

Malik: ”Uright Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Umamakho uthi ufake ibags zakhe ekamireni kaSimba. Ndicela uzikhuphe uyozifaka kweyakho
iroom Malik. Undincede bhuti, ngomoya weCawa ungaphinde ungene kulakamire ndingekho kuba mna
andingeni kweyakho. Andilwi. Andithandi qha.”

Malik: ”Andizifakanga apho mna ibag. Zisemkhukhwini.”

Nomtha: ”Oh.”

Nokulunga: ”Ufake impahla zam kobabugoxo bomkhukhu umdaka?!”

Malik: ”Utamkhulu uyayazi ukuba ulapha?”

Umncinele amehlo wagqwashula waphuma. Ndishiyeke ndiphefumla.

Nomtha: ”Ifamily yakho!”

Malik: ”Umbonile ufake iringi lamntu?”

Nomtha: ”Ufake iringi?!”

Malik: ”Ufakwe ngutamkhulu kaloku. Kuthiwa njengoba ephumile nje umakhulu usose wacinga
umtshata.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan Simba! Nxa wena Malik. Umakhulu wakho akathandiswa kuyo yonke lento?”

Malik: ”Tu.”

Nomtha: ”Utamkhulu wakho akagivi fakhi mos. Bendiba uyamthanda. Kanti yeyantoni yonke lento
yokuqumbela uSimba kanti uyayazi ukuba ukholiwe?!”

Unyuse amaxha akhe.

Nomtha: ”Uzofa uBisola.”

Malik: ”Sefile ekulandawo.”

Rhaaaa landoda!

481
FIFTY-NINE
'Myeni wam endimthandayo.

Ndicinga intsuku/ neveki ezikhokhelela ukushiywa kwam nguwe. Indlela besonwabe ngayo, andiqondi
ukuba ndanditshilo kuwe ukubuya kwethu eKapa. Ndiyacinga ukuba ndalibala. Bendiyonwabele
impelaveki yethu. Mhlawumbe kukuba bendonwabe ngolahlobo lento sendinxunguphele kangaka nje
namhlanje.

Izithembiso nezifungo owawuzenza ngaphambili komfundisi nabahlobo bakho zintinga ezindlebeni zam
ubusuku nemini. Ndiyabulela ngokuba ngumyeni kum. Ndiyabulela ngokundipha usapho.

Ndiyabulela ngobomi bakho, ngothando lwakho in my lowest moments. Andisoze ndiyilibale indlela
owawundinakekela ngayo nendlela wawu gentle ngayo kum.

Ndalubona uthando lwakho. Bendisoloko ndilubona kodwa ngalamzuzu, ngezontsuku ndaziva ukuba
ndiyathandwa. Kuba ndandizicaphukela, ndabona indlela ondithanda ngayo ndaqonda ukuba noko
akukapheli. Lisekhona ithemba.

Zininzi izinto ozizo kum. Zininzi izinto endikukhumbula ngazo. Ngelixeshana nje elincinane uThixo
endiboleke wena ube yinto yonke kum. Andisoze ndikulibale.

Andikho right. Ndinoloyiko. Ndididekile. Nangoku ndisalindele ukuba uthi gqi ngomnyango undixelele
ukuba yimpazamo. Undikhwaze undivuse ebuthongweni kuba ndifuna ngentliziyo yam yonke ukuba
ibeliphupha eli. Kodwa ndiyabona ngoku ukuba awukho, awusoze uphinde ubekho kwaye ayikho into
endinokuyenza ngalonto.

Kuzondithatha ixesha elide ukufunda ukuba ngaphandle kwakho. Andiqondi ndizophila. Andiphili
kungoku. Ndiyaphefumla nje. Kodwa ndizophefumla, for abantwana bethu. Intlungu yam iphinda-
phindeke kane kuba andizileli mna ndodwa. Ndizilela nabantwana bakho abathathu.

Ndiyabulela ngokuzenza lula izinto kum ngokundidibanisa nabahlobo bakho. Andiyazi ngendingubani
ngaphandle kwabo.

Ndikhumbula nezinto ezincinanana. Ndikhumbula ukubizwa 'baby'. Isihleko sakho. Ivumba lakho.
Ubukho nje bakho. Siyavakala isikhala sakho. Akakho umntu ozothatha indawo yakho. Mnye uSimba.
Mnye uSniper. Mnye umyeni wam. Andifuni ukubakhulisa ndodwa mna abantwana bethu, andifuni
ukuba yisingle parent. Andifuni ukuba ndodwa. Andifuni omnye umntu. Ndifuna wena. Sidinga wena.

Andikwazi nokugqiba le letter kuba ndiyayidyobha. Intliziyo yam iyopha. Ndicinga uZendaya, ukuba
ndizothi uphi utata wakhe xa endibuza. Ebeselazi ilizwi lakho. Ungena nje emnyango abheka-bheke.
Ndizothi uphi utata xa ndisithi usezulwini ajonge phezulu angakuboni.

Andikwazi nokunikezela kuba bazoxelelwa ngubani ngawe. Ndim ozobaxelela ngendlela owabenza
njengo. Wabagcwangcisa wabathanda bengekabikho. Ndizobaxelela ngendlela wawuyimela ngayo into
yakho. Ewe, ewe unguSathana ndiyavuma kodwa ubunobuThixo ngawe.

Basazodinga ukuba ndibaxelele ngemagics zakho nesuper powers zakho. Ukuba uyakwazi ukudibanisa
umntu ezingceba umbumbe kwakhona abe nobomi. Umntu ebesenqwenela ukufa. UnobuThixo ngawe.

482
'Nokufa akunosohlukanisa' wawutshilo ngomtshato wethu. Ndiyatsho namhlanje. Ukuba ucinga ukuba
eyam nawe iphelela apha awumazi wena uAneni Linokhanyo Matanzima. Ayisosiphelo sethu esi. Eyama
doda yona ayipheli.

Ndiyakuthanda. Mihlayonke. Ndicinga ukuba ndizompha elogama umntwana wethu. Andithi ubuthe
awufuni gama leChiShona. NguMihlayonke Matanzima. Ndizomxelela yonke into ngawe. Ndizobathanda,
ndibathandele nawe. Ngoku I'm just angry. Nothing makes sense. Ndizoba right, just not today. Today I
don't want to be okay. Andifuni tu. Ndifuna ukungxunguphala. Namhlanje nangomso, nangomsonye.
Ndizoba right kodwa. Asoze kuphinde kuberight kodwa mna ndizoba right. Sizoba right nabantwana
nobhuti wabo.

Love you baby. Kunjani kwaSathana?

See you later.

Yours in love,

Aneni Nomtha Linokhanyo Tongai-Matanzima.'

Ugqibile ukufunda incwadi yam uMalik kwahlatyelwa ingoma. Uyigqibe kunzima kuba engegixa. Andiyazi
noba kutheni bebeyifundisa yena. Ibiyimini yomfihlo. Kusabanjwe icawa ngaphambili kwendlu
ententeni. Zibe zininzi izithethi ezithetha ngobomi bukaSimba. Into endiyithandayo ibingekho lanto
yokuba 'wayelunge kakhulu engenolimaza nempukane'

Abahlobo bakhe nabantu ebesebeza nabo bebemchaze njengoba ebenjalo. Bemchuba. Bechaza uboss.
USniper. Bebembalwa abebesazi uSimba Nkokheli. NgoSiyanda noLulu. OMonti noNorman. OoMamnkeli
noGodfrey kunye noSolomon.

Kodwa bonke bebengayishiyi into yokuba ebekhohlakele. Ebengu 'fear fokol'. Kodwa bendingayikholwa
leyo kuba wake wathi kum 'wonke umntu unento ayoyikayo, nekroti loyika ubugwala' bendingacingi
ukuba ebengenanto ayoyikayo. Ibikhona. Kodwa ebengasoze abaxelele bona kuba kwakhona wayetshilo
ukuba ubayilento abantu bacinga ukuba uyiyo. Xa besithi uyingomyama uyavungama, awuthi ndiyikati
mna. Kodwa awusoze ube yinto enye kumntu wonke. Ndiyibonile nalonto. Ebeyinto eyohlukileyo kuwo
wonke umntu othethe ngaye nakum.

Bekuthethwa ngendoda ibi aima ikuchathe skoen. Sniper. Kuphinde kuthethwe ngendoda ibiculela
umntwana, imbeke esifubeni ade alale. Kuthethwe ngendoda eruthless. Eyigqiba ngoku into, kuphinde
kuthethwe ngendoda enomonde.

Ekugqibeleni besingabantu abachukumiseke ngendlela ezohlukeneyo nguye. Abanye bemcinga

ngendzondo abanye ngochulumanco.

Uyobekwa kwikhaya lakhe lokugqibela. Bendingahambi ngenyawo zam ukuyogalela umhlamba.

Bendibanjwe ngapha nangapha inyawo zam ziburhuqa kuba bawo bezisuke azawazi umsebenzi wazo.
Ityali bensiyibhinqe esinqeni ibiwe phaya. Iqhiya ndingayazi nokuba ikweliphi. Bendikhululwe umxakatho
kuba bendine sifuthu-futhu. Unditsibele wandikhulula lonto udabawo. Bendingenawo namandla
okukhala kuba ibingu mcimbi kwalowo. Ndizokhala kuronta sendisothuka ekuqulekeni. Ndithwele
izandla zam entloko ndakhala. Ngelaxesha bendingena xesha lokomelela phambili kwentshaba zam.

483
Bendingena xesha lokomelela tu. Bendifuna ukudada kwinyembezi zam. Ungxunguphalo lwam
belungafaniswa nanto.

Ndizigqume ngetyali kumatress. Ngoba Simba. Ngoba? Ubuthe awusoze ufe. Ebethe akasoze abhubhe.
Ebethe akukho nto ezokwenzeka kuye. Kutheni endenze ngoluhlobo nje? Yhuuuu!

Besendithule ndijamile nje ngaphantsi kwengubo. Abantu bebebuyile emadlakeni bencokola nalapha
endlini. Obingase bahambe. Bonke! Ibingase bahambe.

”Linokhanyo.”

Nomtha: ”Dabawo.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Vuka sisi uyolala ekamireni yakho.”

Manci: ”Myeke dabawo, makabe ehlala apha lomzuzu.”

Bisola: ”Mthathe Nonzaliseko ayolala ekamireni. Akusekho nento enyanzelisa ukuba abe ethe natya
apha ngoku. Uzoza azolala ebusuku ke. Abuzuhla nobuthongo yilengxolo.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Sukuma ke sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Bisola: ”Sukuma Nomtha, uhambe uyongqengqa ebhedini. Aphathelwe into etyiwayo noba yintoni. Oko
egqibele ngendengane kusasa.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ndizotsho kulasisi waseRhawutini umphakela ezizonto zabo zifundileyo.”

Bisola: ”Mxm, dabawo!”

Ndisukumile.

Nonzaliseko: ”Mafutshane namajerumane wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizowanxiba nangoku ndingasena myeni?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ungumfazi walapha. Noba ubona isoka kwiminyaka ezayo ezokulobola apha kuba
ungowalapa.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”

Singene endlini kuhleli abantwana bakaSimba bonke. Phofu abantwana bakuloSimba nabakaSimba.
Nabanye abantwana basefemelini. Ndiyokhongozela usana lwam kuMalik ndayongena naye ekamireni.

Luleka: ”Uyalala? Sicinga ukuhamba thina.”

Nomtha: ”Niphindela eRhawutini okanye niya kulo mntakwenu onidingayo?”

Luleka: ”Siya ekhaya namhlanje. Sizovuka size ngomso sandule ukuya eRhawutini. NgoMvulo sihambe
ke.”

Nomtha: ”Nihamba msinya kodwa.”

484
Luleka: ”Andithandi kwamna ukukushiya kanje kwamsinya kodwa the sooner the better. Kubalulekile
ukuba siyitshaye isaqhuma.”

Nomtha: ”Uphi lomntu?”

Luleka: ”Besithe uphi izolo?”

Nomtha: ”Andikhumbuli nisitsho.”

Luleka: ”Oh uselontukeni. UseBotswana.”

Nomtha: ”Niya kwelinye ilizwe. Ingase ndibe nini.”

Luleka: ”Ingase uhambe nathi.”

Nomtha: ”Ja. Ndikhawuleze nibuye. Ndizokukhumbula.”

Luleka: ”Sizokhawuleza sthandwa.”

Ndinqwalile.

Luleka: ”Siyakuthanda. Womelele. Uthobe intloko yakho uvale umlomo wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”

Luleka: ”Ufuna ukuphindela nini wena eRhawutini?”

Nomtha: ”Kwamsinya kuba ndinesikolo ekufuneka ndibuyele kuso. Kusezodingeka ukuba ndibeke izinto
ngendawo zazo. USolomon ebethe wenze iroom kaZendaya so kungcono.”

Luleka: ”Kungcono nyani. So Mihlayonke.”

Nomtha: ”Limnandi?”

Luleka: ”Angalithanda uSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzobakho neleChiShona. Ukuba yinkwenkwe imiddle name izoba nguSamora. Kuba uMalik
senguNkokheli.”

Luleka: ”Makabe nguSimba: Power.”

Nomtha: ”Mnye uSimba. Uzokhula afune ukufana naye aphoxeke ukuba akade afane naye. Uright abe
nguSamora.”

Unqwalile.

Luleka: ”Ndiyazingca ngawe.”

Nomtha: ”Uzingca ntoni? Andikwazanga nokomelela ntombi. Ibingase ndizijule phezulu kwebhokisi
yakhe.”

Luleka: ”Yilonto ndisithi womelele. Kuba mna ngendizilahlele phaya.”

Nomtha: ”Haha!

485
Luleka: ”Ndiyazingca nyani ngawe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela kakhulu sisi. Ngento yonke.”

Luleka: ”Awulambanga, ubutyile?”

Nomtha: ”Ebwtshilo ke udabawo ukuba usisi waseRhawutini andenzele okukutya kwethu kufundileyo.
Izinto phofu, hayi nokutya.”

Luleka: ”Hahaha! Yima ndiyokwenzela sizohamba noSiyanda. Unayo ibhotile egcweleyo umntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Khawubuze kuMalik.”

Luleka: ”Okay.”

Ebendikrapa ubuso nalomntwana. Andiyazi into bendimthathela yona. Ndimjonge nje engayazi noba
kwenzeka ntoni shame. Akayazi noba namhlanje bekufihlwa utata wakhe. Ibingase ndibe muncu ndifane
naye.

Siyanda: ”Hayibo! Kuthiwa ulapha uLulu.”

Nomtha: ”Ndimcele andiphathele ukutya.”

Siyanda: ”Khawube uzohlala ngapha elounge lomzuzu. Uzolala xa sihamba, yiza. Asizube singena
ezikamini thina!”

Uzothatha umntwana waphuma, ndalandela emveni kwabo mna. Ndibuyisele ixakatho kuqala,
ndathwala kakuhle.

Bebengekho abantwana, inguye yedwa. NoZendaya ke.

Nomtha: ”Uthi usis'Lulu niyindlela ngoMvulo.”

Siyanda: ”Ehhhh. Siyindlela sibubomi.”

Nomtha: ”Nisibuyele nepresents ke. Niyaphi kanene?”

Siyanda: ”Uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright why?”

Siyanda: ”Ndibona lento undibuza Into eninzi kaliqena. Ye sthandwa sam! UNomtha akasayazi ukuba
sithe siyaphi!”

Ebengena mgomnyango uLulu wafinga intshiya.

Luleka: ”Benditshilo ukuba eBotswana.”

Siyanda: ”And nam bendimxelele. Masingahlali Lulu. Indlela endidinwe ngayo, ingase ndihlambe
ndilale.”

Nomtha: ”Ufanele ukudinwa, usebenze kakhulu.”

Luleka: ”Uwuqhelile wethu umsebenzi. Nomtha, izobonana ngomso. Ulale kakuhle sisi.”

486
Nomtha: ”Nihambe kakuhle!”

Bandangile bahamba. Ndishiyeke ndisitya. Bangene ngokungena ke bezovalelisa. Kushiyeke abangena

makhaya akufuphi. Bebehamba ngomso bona. Ndikugqibile ukutya kwam ndiziva ukuba ndihluthi.
Ndayohlamba ndihlamba nomntwana wam salala. Kutyiwe intloko ngomso kwagqityezelwa nenyama
nokutya bekushiyekile.

Kuhlanjwe nempahla kaSimba. Bamnkile abantu basemazweni. Utata Mamnkeli undishiye ne number
zakhe esithi ndimfounele xa ndimdinga. Bendimsizela ngonkosikazi wakhe kuba bekukhangeleka
okungathi uzogqotha kule ndikuyo maduze nje. Ndibulele ke wahamba. Bemnkile noNorman noMonti.
UMonti ebesiya kowabo yena, ezolinda mna ukubuyela eRhawutini sihambe kunye. Undixelele phofu.
Bendingayazi ukuba izothini into yabo njengoba ebengekho uSimba. Bebezoqhubeka basebenze kucacile
kodwa bendizobahlawula njani. Ngendithetha noSiyanda ke qha ebesemnkile noLulu. Bendiyiqonda ke
kuba bebeneflight yangomso ebusuku.

Solomon: ”Ubizwa bani? Linokhanyo? Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Noba leliphi kodwa kuthiwa Linokhanyo apha.”

Solomon: ”Ayike siyindlela thina.”

Nomtha: ”Oh niyahamba ukwenjenje?”

Solomon: ”Siyindlela. Sendinazo inumbers zakho, ndifuna ukubuzzer uzobanezam nawe. Ndenzela ukuba
xa useRhawutini undifounela as soon as ufika. Ndizokuncedisa nange furniture kuba izodinga iman
power.”

Nomtha: ”Uzondi baby sitter kakuhle, kaluhle. Yibeke icace ukuba njengoba engekho uSiyanda noLulu
babeke wena undibaby sitter.”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Solomon: ”Tu ke tana. Uzoba wedwa ke nawe njengoba bengekho nam ndindodwa so ...”

Nomtha: ”Ninexesha elingakanani ningabahlobo noSimba?”

Solomon: ”Mhhh about ten.”

Nomtha: ”Ukwi fourties zakho wena?”

Solomon: ”Ewe. Late fouties.”

Nomtha: ”Awutshatanga?”

Unikine intloko.

Solomon: ”Ndihlala ndi ashore so eyomfazi nabantwana bendingekayi cingi.”

Nomtha: ”Awukatyholwa nokutyholwa?!”

Solomon: ”Andikho irresponsible. Andifuni uhamba ndishiya abantwana and andikabafuni abam.
Ndiyayazi ndiyaguga kodwa andikabafuni.”

487
Nomtha: ”Ohhh alright ke. Oh natsi ndizoyisaver, Solomon.”

Solomon: ”Solly kuwe sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Solly Moholo.”

Solomon: ”Solly qha. Abahlobo bam bandibiza ngoSolly. Xa bengandibhanxi bathi Solomon Mahlangu.
Umfazi kaSimba ngumhlobo kum.”

Ndinqwale nje.

Solomon: ”Uzofouna ke. Kuba ndihleli ndizova ngoMonti xa ukhona but I would rather you call me.
Ndingaxhamleki emzini wakho omtsha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizofouna, ndiyabulela.”

Solomon: ”Only a pleasure. Mandibaleke ke. Joburg?”

Nomtha: ”Joburg.”

Unqwalile wabaleka ukuyongena emotweni. Ebehamba yedwa. Imnkile nayo. Bebesiya bephela abantu.
Njengoba bebehamba nje ibingase ndibanqande, nangona bendidikiwe ngabo.

Mluleki: ”Linokhanyo, ubhale kamnandi sisi. Mahle amazwi akho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndisuke ndaliyilo.”

Mluleki: ”Ayikho lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. Uthethe kamnandi nawe. USimba ebengena ngxaki nendlela izinto ezigqibeke
ngayo. Andifuni uzisole ucinge ukuba ebenekratshi okanye ebeziva engcatshiwe nguwe. Ebevuyela
ukuba ekwazi ukukhusela wena.”

Mluleki: ”Wena?”

Nomtha: ”Mna? Kubhetele ndingathethi. Ndiphoxekile qha kodwa nam andikubambanga ngantliziyo.
Ekugqibeleni akuzusolwa wena okungathi ubusemveni kwezambhumbulu. Ngewuyinqandile lento? Ewe.
Ndiziva kanjalo. Nomamakho ngenga kukhuthazanga ukuba usithele ngoSimba kodwa unazi ngaphezulu
kokuba ndinonazi mna. Wanithwala wanikhulisa nabangotata kum. Ndinentlonipho eninzi ngakuwe
bhuti. Ndisaphoxekile ngoku kodwa ndiyakuhlonipha.”

Mluleki: ”You're making me feel worse. Uziva njani wena? Awuzudinga gqirha? Umntwana uright?”

Nomtha: ”Lendawo ibuhlungu andiqondi ingancedwa nanguGqirha. Ngaphandle kokuba uyayikhupha

afake enye.”

Mluleki: ”Intliziyo.”

Nomtha: ”Yona. ”

Mluleki: ”Andina mazwi okukwenza uzive bhetele.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho ngxaki. Nam ayandiphelela amazwi ngamanye amaxesha.”

488
Mluleki: ”Ndizoba nesibindi. Umntwana wasekhaya uzobufumana ubulunguswa. Noba akukho ngomso.
Noba akukho ngomsonye- njengoba ubutshilo nawe. UBisola uzofumana yonke imfanelo yakhe kulamzi,
afumane nobakhe ubulungiswa.”

Nomtha: ”Unanazela apha loNokulunga.”

Mluleki: ”Bangejile notata. Bakwi process yedivorce nomama. Ufuna ukuthatha ibreak kuyo yonke into
so emveni kwayo yonke into uzoya eKapa.”

Ndincumele ecaleni ndicinga intetho kaSimba ngo Mamnkeli noBisola.

Nomtha: ”I'm rooting for her.”

Mluleki: ”Unommeli ogood.”

Nomtha: ”Tata kaSonwabise?”

Mluleki: ”Wenze icriminal law yena.”

Nomtha: ”Oh kanene. Nihamba nini nina?”

Mluleki: ”Ndisafuna ukuchopha mna. Ndizohlala kwatata kuba kwethu kuseThambo.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhh okay.”

Alutha: ”Mlu! Uyabizwa ngutata!”

Mluleki: ”Ayithandi kulindiswa lendoda. Sawuthetha.”

Nomtha: ”OK.”

Ndimjonge wade wayosithela endlini ndakhupha umoya. Bebeseliqela abantu eyadini noxa
bebephunguke kakhulu. Siyongena ekamireni nomntwana wam siyolala.

Uthini kanene uErykah Badu kulangoma? What a day, what a day!

Ibingase ndilale ndingavuki!

489
SIXTY
”Ubumthanda nyani utaima.”

Ndixhumile kukothuka kuba khange ndimve naxa esondela kum.

Ndimbhekile ndaphinde ndaqhubeka nalento bendiyenza.

Nomtha: ”Zange ndathanda tatakho mna.”

Junior: ”Ndithetha ngoSimba. Bendinga cingi ukuba uyamthanda. Iletter yakho, indlela oyiyo nje
ngikusweleka kwakhe. Ubumthanda. Usamthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Khawu ndimele King.”

Junior: ”Andilwi nawe. Zange ndifumane thuba lokuthetha nawe emveni kokuba ndingqubeke kuwe
eCenturion.”

Nomtha: ”Besizophinde sithethe ntoni na King? Kuba sathetha yonke into ekwakufanele ukuba
siyithethile. Ndabona kakuhle ukuba ubundi user qha wena, and akusena msebenzi. Ndaba nomsindo
kwagqitha.”

Junior: ”Ndifuna ukuxolisa. Zange ndixokise ngalamini. Zange ndilifumane ithuba.”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile King.”

Junior: ”Akulunganga. Ndakophula intliziyo undithanda. Ndandikuthanda nam Nomtha, yonke into
ndandiyithetha kuwe ndandinyanisile kuyo. Ndandine njongo ngawe kodwa ngalamzuzu ndandingafuni
ukuba nguJunior. Ndandinomsindo kakhulu ndigxothiwe ekhaya ngenxa yokuba ndingafuni kuyeka
utywala. Nangalento kaTMan. Ndandisanda kuva ukuba ngutata wam, ndingeka yamnkeli-”

Nomtha: ”Yayinga dibenanga nam yonke lonto. Noba ubungenguye uJunior ke uqhubeke ube nguloKing
wawunguye ungenamva namphambili kodwa ubenguKing ondikhathalele ngendlela wawusoloko
undifundekela ngayo. I can never get over the fact that ndandikuncamela icent yam emdaka. Ndikulalisi
phantsi kophahla lwam. Kungekho nto undinika yona ngaphandle kwezithembiso namaphupha kodwa
kwanzima ufika eroomini yam ufika kungendlela owafika kungayo awacinga nokuba uye emapoliseni.
Umamela uEfe ubumazi kakuhle kamhlophe ukuba ngutokie. I can't get over that. Kodwa njengoba
nditsho akusena msebenzi wethu. Mhlawumbi bekufanele ukuba izinto zenzeke ngolohlobo ndizodibana
noSimba. Otherwise ngendinga dibenanga naye, so kulungile. Ndaxola kudala.”

Junior: ”Fede. Mina ndigrend cause uhlengene netaima uyabona? Otherwise umuntu ogrend baia lowa.
Undikhulisile, noba ebenespani sakhe ke noTMan ebesincanywa. Ebesifatela-

Nomtha: ”Umntu angaphuma estratweni kodwa istrato asoze siphume kuye.”

Uyihlekile.

Junior: ”Khawume maan! Hahaha! Njengoba bendisitsho litaima eligrand. Ngumntu ogrand. NoOleidi
ebemphathe sharp, fede bezinok'shuba uyang'thola? Balwe babethane. Uman Sniper mos une anger
sometimes, nesandla but mfethu landoda. He was always there. Ebengoyiki ukukuxelela ukuba

490
uyakuncaywa, uyakufatela. Asincabuze singamadoda. Ubuhlungu yona into ayenza umaOleidi ngokum
xokisela iminyaka, uyang'thola?

Mara wasisiza thina, cause makube sayazi kdala bahlukana kudala ngabe asizange salufumana oluthando
salufumana kuye.

Ngabe singama abuser njengaye or sizenza tough. Uyababona mos abantwana bakaTMan banjani?
Sikhule kakuhle thina Nomtha, yonke lonto sasingeke sibeyiyo ngaphandle kuka taima. UTMan ugrand
yena mara akanalo olwa thando. Ufana netrainer yamajoni. Uzokufundisa ngokwenza imali, nebusiness.
Nengqondo esharp. Ikrele-krele ke la laiti kodwa akanalo olwathando nalankathalo kataima.”

Ndinqwalile. Bendiyiva into ayithethayo nalapho asuka khona. Kodwa bendingafuni ukukholwa uba into
yokuba nesandla kuka Simba kunento enokwenza noVenus. Kodwa mhlawumbi kungenzeka.
Bendizokwenza umzekelo ngokuba uMluleki engena sandla kodwa ndaphinda ndacinga ukuba
siyakhuliswa ngumntu omnye asikhulise, asiphathe ngendlela ehlukileyo. Ebethandwa uMluleki
nguVenus. Embekele ecaleni kwakhe kodwa uSimba ...

Andikholwa ukuba ebemthanda. Ngabantwana bakhe bobabini. USimba nguVenus Matanzima kodwa
impatho yohlukile, isizathu sesi ndingasaziyo. Zange ndiyisabelisise nento yokubulala kwakhe
umntakwabo. Kungenzeka ukuba siso isizathu sokuba uVenus amcaphukele oluhlobo uSimba. Ade
angabina nimba le, ambulale.

Nomtha: ”Ibizoba sisono ukuba beninga khuliswanga nguSimba.”

Junior: ”Right? Inye nje into endizozisola ngayo, kukuba emveni kokubuya erehab- ndabona wena unaye
zange ndimphe ithuba uyabona? Ndavele ndalibala ngaye. Zange ndimbulele ngokundikhulisa ndaba
yilendoda ndiyiyo namhlanje. Ndimnike intyatyabo zakhe esaphila. Kuba nasemveni kokuba evile ukuba
andingo wakhe zange ayeke ukundithanda. Zange andiphathe ngendlela eyohlukileyo kwabanye
abantwana basekhaya. Wayenomsindo ngakuLunga kodwa ungachaphazeli mna. Ndim nje umntu
owamphoxa kodwa nangoko wayezama, wade wadikwa. Kodwa wandimela yena so into endingasoze
ndiyenze kukuba ndizame ukuphinde ndibe nento nawe- noba ubusandithanda. Bendinga soze ndiyenze
lonto kuye. Bendinga soze ndifune ukumphoxa ngalondlela. Ngumntakwethu ngoku, okanye ebesengu
mntakwethu. Ndingutamnci wabantwana bakhe. Into endizama ukuyitsho kukuba ndiniphoxe nobabini,
but I'm gonna be there for uZendaya noMihlayonke. Nawe ukuba kukho into oyidingayo ungonqeni
ukundithinta ucinge ukuba ndizoza ngezinye ingqondo, ukhululeke.”

Nomtha: ”Awusekhule.”

Junior: ”Hehehe! Awudeleli kengoku?”

Nomtha: ”Awuthandi ukuzenza mdala kum! Ndiyabulela. Ukhulile nyani. And ndiyabuya ukuba ubuyekile
utywala-”

Junior: ”Hayi! Hayi! Andibuyekanga, kodwa ndibusela ngesikolo.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ndiyaqala ukuyiva. Kaloku ialcoholics zibuyeka kwa utywala xa ziphuma erehab.”

Junior: ”Ndibusela kakuhle nje, njengawo wonke umntu tyhini. Ngabe niyabaxa kaloku xa nizofuna
ukuba ndibuyeke kwa. Akakho right umntu ongaseliyo.”

491
Nomtha: ”Wayetshilo udabawo wenu kuManci uba umntu ongaseliyo unento eninzi. Ngaba babhabhayo
abo.”

Junior: ”Yhoo hayi nyani abantu abangaseliyo. Indoda izothethela neteabag le yakwambala. Nithakathe
ke nina.”

Nomtha: ”Ungaphindi ubuyele etywaleni qha wena.”

Junior: ”Andisoze-

”Yintoni Junior wema emnyango?”

Junior: ”Ndithetha nomama kaZendaya.”

Malik: ”Niya nini kwaMkhulu?”

Junior: ”Hayibo! Uyasigxotha?”

Malik: ”Andinigxothi. And kufanelanga ukuba uphindele erhawutini wena?”

Junior: ”Ndingxamela ntoni ndingaphangeli?”

Malik: ”Awuphangeleli uTiger kanti?”

Junior: ”Ndizoya xa ndithanda emsebenzini. Wena usabekwa yintoni apha?”

Malik: ”Ndiswelekelwe ngutata mfondini, ndinikwe intsuku emsebenzini.”

Junior: ”Tha mfethu. Asikathethi oko ndilapha.”

Malik: ”Bekubusy.”

Junior: ”Ja.”

Malik: ”Uyakuhlupha lo unguJunior?”

Junior: ”Hayibo! Andimhluphi, bendizoxolisa qha kodwa besigqibile ukuthetha ngoku.”

Malik: ”Khandikhaphe ke siye phesheya, ingase ndifumane ezibandayo. Ziziyalo apha.”

Junior: ”Akho zinto, uba uzondithengela nje kugrand.”

Malik: ”Ndizokuthengela ntwana. Kanene awuseli wena Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndabuyeka mna.”

Malik: ”Hahaha! Uzoba strong. Masambe wena, uyeke ukuhlupha abantu. Siyabuya!”

Nomtha: ”Okay!”

Balandelene bayophuma. IbinguLwesine ezintsukwini. Bendihlambe impahla zam nezomntwana.

Bendifuna ukuphindela eRhawutini mna.

Bebengathethi nto ngezila omama kaSimba nodabawo. Ndandivile ke ukuba kufuneka ndinxibe izila
njengoba ndiswelekelwe ngumyeni. Bekufuneka ndiphindele esikolweni kaloku mna, ndingazuhlala apha

492
ndingenzi nto. Ibinga zundinceda nganto eyokuba ngumahlalela into. Bendizothetha nabo ngokuhlwa
nje ndibaxelele ukuba ndiyahamba mna ngaphambili kokuba iphele iveki.

Besekumnke wonke umntu, abantwana bakaVenus bonke nonkosikazi wabo uUlatho. UNokulunga
nelawu likaSylvester kunye noVenus wakhona. Bekushiyeke thina- mna, umama kaSimba, udabawo,
kunye noMalik.

Wonke omnye umntu ebephindele emzini wakhe. Bebemana bezovela ke ooManci, bezobona uBisola.

Umntwana wam bendibeke emqolo. Ndisonge impahla ndagqiba ndaya kulandlu. Bekupheka udabawo
ke, ndingeka pheki mna oko ndilapha. Nomakoti balapha efemelini nokadabawo bebepheka xa belapha.
Bebemthanda uNosimanye wabo ke. Behleli nje bafuna ukuzojongana naye ebusweni abancokolele.
Bebendifounele ngoMvulo uSiyanda noLulu. Bengeka phindi ndithethe nabo ke emveni koko. Iphone
kaLulu ibingaphumeli xa ndiyizama. Ndiyacinga ukuba ibiyi network.

Nonzaliseko: ”Awusabeleke.”

Ndihlele kancinci ndayonaba phantsi ndimgxithisa uZendaya. Umama ebesolulwa yiphysio yakhe. Kwisi
phithi-phithi somntu zange ndiqaphele nokuba uze nomntu wakhe wokumnceda.

Ebehlala apha nathi naye.

Nomtha: ”Ebefeketha, ndifuna ukuhlamba impahla mna.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ukuba ebengelo xilongo laphezulu ngendimthatha ke uzofunda kakuhle. Uzotsho

ungawulahli lomzi ube linxiwa ukwazi ukumana ubuya.”

Bisola: ”Angayenza lonto yokulahla umzi wakhe nomyeni wakhe?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Sawuthini? Akasekho kaloku umntu ebesiza ngaye.”

Bisola: ”Ungumfazi uLinokhanyo apha. Ngumzi wakho lo, ikhaya labantwana bakho. Awusoze ube
linxiwa lomzi ukhona, ngabe unentlonti. Caba umntwana wam uzolahlwa apha kungabikho nomntu
ozovula umzi! Angakuporhela uphambane uSimba!”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Ye mama.”

Bisola: ”Yebo?”

Ndithinte umqala kuqala. Ndingayazi ukuba ndizoqala ngokuthini.

Nomtha: ”Erm ... bendifuna ukuphindela esikolweni apha eveniki.”

Bisola: ”Okay.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Bekuke kwathethwa ngento yezila ekufuneka ndilinxibile ke kengoku bendilindele kuni
mna ukuba nindixelele okanye nindinxibise ndingafuni ukunihambela ngaphambili okanye ndinixheshe
kodwa ndiyabona ngoku ukuba akukho mnyakazo nantetho yezila ngakuni, ndibhidekile.”

Bisola: ”Mhhh.”

493
Yehake mhlola! Ebezondenzela lento na lomama?

Ndijonge kudabawo, mhlawumbi yena ibikhona enye into ebezoyithetha ngaphandle ko okay no mhhh.
Akaqakisanga kwa ukuwuvula owakhe umlomo udabawo. Ndithule ke nam, kodwa ngoLwesihlanu
bendihamba mna bendinxibile benngandi nxibanga. Bekunesikolo ebekufuneka ndiphindele kuso.

Sityile ngokuhlwa, sekubuye nooMalik. Bebekhalisa umculo behleli ngaphandle netshomi zabo kuselwa.

Ndihlambe izitya besityela kuzo ndagqiba.

Nonzaliseko: ”Linokhanyo awukagqibi?”

Nomtha: ”Sendigqibile. Ndosula nje apha.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Khawuhlale apha phantsi sithethe, ufuna ukuhamba nini?”

Nomtha: ”Bendicinga ukuhamba ngoLwesihlanu. Ndithuthela kwindawo entsha kengoku bendifuna

ukufika ndilungise noba zibhedi, ndithethe nalamama ushiyeka nomntwana sibone ukuba sizokwenza
kanjani ngoku kuba ndifuna ukuphindela esikolweni.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ohhhh. Hayi ndiyakuva, hayi ungahamba.”

Nomtha: ”Izila?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Hayi awuzuzila wena. Awuzulinxiba wena izila.”

Nomtha: ”Oh?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Into yokuzila ayinyanzelekanga. Kwaye ayikokunxiba impahla emnyama. Umntu uzila
ngentliziyo nangezenzo akunyanzelekanga ukuba unxibe nto, noSimba watsho ukuba singabe sikunxibisa
amazila.”

Nomtha: ”Watsho?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Ewe. Wathetha nam. Ininzi into esayithetha noSimba, inoba uthi ndikucacele ngantoni
kangaka? Wayeyolela apha esithi ndikuxhase, mhla kwenzeka into. Ungake unxibe izila. Nangoku oManci
abakholwanga kuba bayenza isiko into yokuzila kanti ayilosiko lento.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva. Ndifuna ukuphindela eRhawutini nyani. Andifuni. Intliziyo yam ayikabi ready
kodwa andizuhlala apha unomphelo.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Kusezoba nzima mntwanam. Kakhulu nje. Kubhetele xa unabahlobo nosapho,

ugabiwedwa kuba kungona izokutya yonke lento xa uwedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Kukhangeleka okungathi ndizoba ndodwa ke kuba abahlobo endinabo abakho. Andiyazi noba
baseKapa okanye baseBotswana na kuba bsbethetha into engavakaliyo. Andiyazi noba mhlawumbi
baxoka nje kuba bengafuni ndingabe ndibahlupha kuba zange ndiyive lanto babeyithetha. Kodwa
ndizobe ndisesikolweni ixesha elininzi so andiqondi ndizobe ndicinga kakhulu esikolweni.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Oh mtwana bantu. Yanga ungomelela sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizozama dabawo.”

494
Nonzaliseko: ”Uzame mntwanam. Womelelele aba bantwana bakho.”

Ndinqwalile sendigwantyisile. Bendiyoyika nyani into yokuba kulaWilgeheuwel ndodwa. Bendoyika

ukuba ndodwa. Kodwa ibingekho into bendizoyenza. Bekunyanzelekile ndiziqhelanise nobubomi
kwangoku. Bekubhetele kuba bendisiya endaweni entsha, kulaCentury- yonke into ibizondikhumbuza
uSimba.

Ndiphwfumlile zingehli inyembezi.

Siyolala kwangethuba noZendaya. Bendidiniwe maan. Ibingeko kudinwa kokusebenza kodwa ndidiniwe.
Ephefumlweni, bendidiniwe.

Ukhawuleze wafika uLwesihlanu wokuhamba. Oko kumnandana ke ngenxa kaMalik noJunior.

Ebengekayi kowabo lowo esahleli apha benxila noMalik bathethe kakhulu basonwabise ngobuxoki. Sileli
izisu ziqaqamba ngalaLwesine kukugigitheka. Bendide ndinamahlaba mna. NoBisola ebonwabile shame
elibele nokuba ufe icala. Ebengcambaza umzuzu nje omnye obe sefuna iwheelchair yakhe. Bekusenzima
kuye kodwa bendimbona ukuba ebengafuni ukugxila kwintlungu yakhe. Aba bantwana bebemonwabisa
alibale zingxaki zakhe. Bendingafuni noyiqala le kaVenus. Isibindi ebenaso! Isibindi sikaNokulunga.
Ibindibhida into yabo kuba uSimba wayethetha ngothando lukaVenus noBisola oku kolu luka Romeo
noJuliet. Oluka Jack noRose. Emzoba njengomntu owunqulayo umhlaba anyathela kuwo uBisola,
utatakhe. Indlela ebemenzela phantsi ngayo ... bendingaqondi.

Bendinomsindo kuba emenzele phantsi naye uSimba kodwa bendimsizela maan. Omnye umfazi adlule
kulantlungu ebedlula kuyo ngenxa yendoda. Ade afe icala kodwa yona izibonise ubunja ngokungabina
mvakalelo ... bendithandabuza yonke lonto mna. Ndithandabuza kwa olothando. Uzondilanda uMonti
emveni kwemini. Besele ndimi ngaye ke ndiready. Ndiqhube uBisola ndimkhupha endlini sama
ngaphandle koronta. Ebechophile yena indim omileyo. Asithethanga ixesha elide sijonge enkalweni.
Ebemana ephefumlela phezulu ibengathi uzothetha kungaphumi mazwi.

Uyihleke kancinci ndancuma.

Nomtha: ”Ndicinga ukuba sihambe, udikiwe uMonti.”

Bisola: ”Ndibona lonto, kunini esigxelesha qha wonqena mna. Ndixakwe yinto emandiyithethe
mntanam. Ndisezoke ndichophe apha mna intsukwana ngaphambili kokuba ndiye eKapa. Ndizohlala
kwibeach house.”

Utsho endijongela phezulu encuma.

Nomtha: ”Mhhh ... ndiyayazi labeach house. ”

Bisola: ”Uyatsho uMamnkeli ukuba nanihlala kuyo. Ibingase ndihambe yonke into seyiphethiwe kodwa
andizukwazi ukuphindela kulaRhawuti mna. Ndingafuni nokuhlala kwezilali. Ungazibona sewuchola
amaphepha apha.”

Nomtha: ”Idepressing nyani lendawo. Kuzoba worse xa kumnke uMalik noJunior.”

Bisola: ”Ndinga phambanela apha. Kungcono eKapa ulwandle lulapha. Kuzole kamnandi ukuba ndikwazi
ukucinga kodwa uMamnkeli noLiziwe bazoba khona and andizubonana nalanond- andizubonana nabaya.
Ukuba ndike ndababona kwakhona ndongabadubula bafe. Nomtha, bendimthanda la Nokulunga.

495
Phakathi kwakhe noUlatho bendikhetha yena. Ndamvulela ikhaya labantwana ba- yhuuu umntu inene,
yinkulu ukuzazi!

Ndiyadwaba wethu mna Nomtha, nihambe kakuhle wethu. Unganqabi efounini. Uke uze nawe eKapa
ngenye impela veki.”

Nomtha: ”Noba uyadlala ndizoke ndize nyani.”

Uyihlekile.

Bisola: ”Womelele.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizozama ma. Mandihambe. Sawuthetha efounini.”

Bisola: ”Okay sthandwa.”

Ndimangile ndayongena emva emotweni nomntwana wam sahambeni ...

Bekugqithe enye iveki emveni kokuba ndibuyele eRhawutini. Bendingayazi nokuba iphi iphone yam kuba
oko ndafika ndayicima ndayijula phaya ndalibala ngayo. Bendungeka buyeli esikolweni, ndingeka lungisi
izinto. Oko ndandifike zingendlela bezingayo nangoku. Ndahlisa umatrasi kuphela ndilala kuwo ebusuku.
Ibase isemi ngedonga. Bendiyimess. Bekungcono kuba bendisamhoya umntwana wam. Bendingafuni
ukuphuma qha, ndifuna ukuzihlalela apha endlini.

Ndothuswe yingxolo endingayaziyo nokuba yeyandoni ndaxhuma ebhedini- okay kwimatress. Ndijonge
umntwana wam wabe esekobude ubuthongo. Noxa eyakhe iroom ibiright bendifuna alale ecaleni kwam.
Bebuhla ngcono ubuthongo xa esecaleni kwam.

”Nomtha! Linokhanyo!”

Ebekhwanza ngaphathi kwendlu ndaxhumela igown ndayovula ucango lwekamire. Bendiweva amehlo
am ukuba adumbile emancinci. Bendinentloko ebuhlungu ingase ndicimele.

Ndiluvulele kuye, wabe semi phambi kwam. Uqhale amehlo endijonga intloko nobuso obu. Bendichebe
emenyezelayo yona inkqayi. Inoba ibiseyibrush cut ngoku kuba bekukudala ngoko. Ndisothule isikhalo
wabe sendiwolela kuye endanga ndakhala.

Solomon: ”Ndandithe undifounele.”

Khange ndithethe kuba bendisakhala. Sime kanjeya ndade ndazama ukuthoba umoya sekusele isingqala
kuphela. Ndisukile kuyo ndizosula ubuso. Ebemi emveni kwakhe uNorman ejonge phantsi.

Solomon: ”Ndicinga ukuba uxelele uMonti azame abafana noba babini si arrange ifurniture.”

Norman: ”Sure.”

Ebejonge kum. Endijonge ngamehlo anosizi.

Nomtha: ”Andizukwazi nokunibhatala.”

Solomon: ”Ngubani othethe ngombhatalo? Ungahamba Norman.”

Unqwalile waphuma.

496
Solomon: ”Uphi umntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Ulele.”

Solomon: ”Iphone?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi noba iphi.”

Solomon: ”Iveki yonke sijika egeyithini kungavunywa ukuba singene. Side sanyanzelisa namhlanje kuba
losecurity ukhoyo uyatsho ukuba uyandazi mna- ngulo wayekhona ndithutha izinto. Uyabona siqhekeze
nocango.”

Nomtha: ”Bendicinga ukuba ndizokwaz-”

Solomon: ”Kulungile. Besikhathazekile ngawe. Mna noMonti noNorman. NoMluleki ebeke wakubuza
kuMonti qha asifuni bayazi apho ukhoyo. Kulungile ukungabikho right kodwa xa uzovalela nathi
ngaphandle uthi makuthini?”

Nomtha: ”Bendicinga ukuba ndizokomelela.”

Solomon: ”Kuright. OoSiyanda bathe ndikugade and I haven't been doing a great job at that.
Bangaphoxeka ndim. Ungaphinde uyenze lento. ”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Baphi bona?”

Solomon: ”Baye babambeka, bazobuya kuleveki izayo.”

Nomtha: ”Oh.”

Bendidanile and bendivakala apha elizwini.

Solomon: ”Oh udanele ukuba uzoxinga nesisibhanxa sinavy blue hm?”

Ndiyihleke kancinci.

Solomon: ”Utya ntoni apha? Upheile.”

Nomtha: ”Kukhona ukutya ndiyatya.”

Solomon: ”Ukuba ubhitya kanje xa usitya kakuhle kuzofuneka ndizohlala just outside the door
ndizokutyisa ngoku kwam. I'm making breakfast.”

Nomtha: ”Uyakwazi ukupheka?”

Solomon: ”Hey now! NdinguChef Bam mna. Ndingucooker. Uzondijoiner? Wenza njani apha xa ufuna
ukunyakaza?”

Nomtha: ”Ndenza amacebo. Ndizohlamba kuqala ndinuka ibhokhwe.”

Solomon: ”Ibhokhwe enethiweyo.”

Ndincumile. Bendifuna ukuhleka ke.

497
Nomtha: ”Ndigqibele kudala ukuhlamba.”

Solomon: ”Uyawadinga amanzi. Ubuhleli une short hair?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizichebile.”

Solomon: ”Iyakufanela ishort hair. Uba ungatya kancinci uyeke uboxoka kwezinye indawo ungamhlana.”

Ndinikine intloko yam kancinci wayihleka.

Solomon: ”Come here.”

Undolulele izandla ndamanga kwakhona.

Solomon: ”You're gonna be okay.”

Ndinqwalile.

Undikhulule wandiphulula isandla.

Solomon: ”Hamb'ohlamba ke Abashanti.”

Nomtha: ”Xa bekuqale kwathini?”

Solomon: ”Awubazi Abashanti?!”

Ebede warhola amehlo wabambelela esinqeni.

Nomtha: ”Andibazi.”

Solomon: ”Wow! Ayikho into endizophinde ndiyithethe nawe! Awubazi Abashanti?”

Nomtha: ”Ndithe andibazi.”

Solomon: ”Andiphinde ndithethe nawe. Nix!”

Ndiyihlekile ndayohlamba.

498
SIXTY ONE
Gogo: ”Uhambe njani kugqirha?”

Nomtha: ”Kakuhle.”

Gogo: ”Kuthiwa ukhula kakuhle umntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Ja.”

Gogo: ”Uzophindela nini kengoku kwakhona?”

Nomtha: ”Next month.”

Gogo: ”Ubutyile? Bendipheke indyandya.”

Nomtha: ”Yhuuu hayi andizutya lanto mna, enkosi.”

Gogo: ”Uzawutya ntoni ke?”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo ugogo ke! Ndide ndiyabhuda apha.”

Gogo: ”Ubhala umsebenzi wesikolo?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Gogo: ”Oh uxolo ke sisi, ndithukuthezelwa yilento usuke wathula kangaka. Khawu ndenzele itea kuqala
ndithi rhabhu. Kuyabanda namhlanje kweliRhawuti.”

Ayonyani!! Ndimjongile wabe esenza ezizinto zakhe zewool zithungwayo.

Into yokuncediswa ngumntu imdala mntakabawo. Ujika usebenze yena, phofu ebengasenzi endlini.
Ebegada uZendaya kuphela. Apheke ke xa ecacile kodwa ebeyazi ukuba umsebenzi wakhe ngumntwana
kuphela.

Ndisukumile ndayobeka amanzi ndabe ndigalela izinto. Indlela ebendithuma ngayo itea besendiyazi
nokuba uphunga itea enjani.

Gogo: ”Uthe uyeza na loNorman?”

Nomtha: ”Usendleleni.”

Gogo: ”Ufike kade ke namhlanje. Ndifuna ukuya emzini wam mna.”

Nomtha: ”Uleqa ukuyopheka?”

Gogo: ”Ngabe andizelanga kaloku xa ndizoma imini yonke emsebenzini ndiphinde ndimelwe zimbiza!”

Nomtha: ”Uma imini yonke phi?”

Gogo: ”Apha tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”Hehehe!”

Gogo: ”Ndizokubetha Nomtha!”

499
Nomtha: ”Yehake nditheni?! Ndikwenzele kule cup ke uzobuya nayo ngomso. Uzofika ungekagqibi
ukuphunga uNorman.”

Gogo: ”Ibingena msebenzi kaloku, bendizom qwayita oku kwam njengoba endiqwayotile nje!
Ndiyabulela sisi imnani itea yakho.”

Ndijikelezise amehlo am ndayochopha kwi desk yam ndaqhubeka nonsebenzi wam. Bendibuyele
kakuhle esikolweni ngoku noGogo ebuyile azogada umntwana xa ndisesikolweni. Ebegoduka ngo4PM.
Yonke into ibingendawo yayo ngoku, yatsho yayindlu kengoku umzana wam. Bendithanda nalento
yokuba incinci kamnandi, yonele mna nomntwana wam. Bendithanda nokuba noba bengekho oLulu
bekukho uSolly. Ebeluncedo kakhulu, eprotective. Ndiba nomntu wokuthetha nje xa ndisendlini emnkile
uGogo.

Gogo: ”Khawunyise iwayilesi. Imnandi ke lengoma.”

Oh bawo! Ndisukumile kwakhona ndayonyusa ivolume yeradio. Andiyinyusanga kakhulu ke kuba

besinomgaqo apha. Kungavumelekanga ukuba singxolise umculo.

' ... ngihlala ng'khala imihla namalanga ngomzali wam.

Ngeke ng'khohlwe nimbulala ngaphandle kwesono.

Kubuhlungu, kuyadabukisa.

Usethul'umama wam angeke ng'sambona!'

Ndiyoyicima kwayona ndayohlala phantsi ndityhila incwadi ndiyijamela nje kuba ingqondo yam
ibingekho kwakuleto. Khange athethe uGogo. Ndivale ezoncwadi ndaziqoqosha.

Nomtha: ”Unditsixele torho ndiyasolala.”

Gogo: ”Ugqibile ukubhala?”

Nomtha: ”Besendigqiba.”

Gogo: ”Ngewugqibezela umsebenzi lo wesikolo kuba xa sele uwuyekile kuzoba nzima ukuba uphinde
ubuyele kuwo ebusu. Uyazi ukuba uyaphumla kamnandi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizowugqibezela ngomso.”

Gogo: ”Esikolweni? Ayo home work? Umsebenzi wasekhaya wenziwa ekhaya.”

Nomtha: ”Oh uGogo bawo wamadinga! Uhambe kakuhle, ndizok'bona ngomso.”

Gogo: ”Nomtha, siyaya mntwanam ukuba kunzima-

Nomtha: ”Andifuni ukuthetha ngoSimba.”

Gogo: ”Ayompilo kodwa le yakho. Kwayena uSimba ebengeno thanda ukuba angabona indlela
ozingcungcuthekisa ngayo apha. Kukho nomntwana okufuneka ukuba umcingele kaloku sisi ngoku.”

500
Nomtha: ”Ingase nindiyeke ndithathe ixesha lam ningandixheshi ukuba ndibe bhetele ngexesha
elithandwa nini. Akukagqithi nenyanga simfimhlile uSimba. Ingathi besimfihla izolo. Everything is a
trigger. Yonke into!”

Gogo: ”Bendinga kunqandi ukuba uzile kaloku mntwanam kodwa bendi-

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa ukuqhawula ndiyolala mna.”

Uphefumlele ngaphandle wandijonga ngaphaya kweglasses. Ukuba ebezifakela ntoni ukuba uzondijonga
ngaphaya kwazo.

Gogo: ”Hamb'olala. Ndizicime izibane?”

Nomtha: ”Yes please, ndiyabulela Ma.”

Akandiphendulanga. Ndigibisele lobhaka phantsi ndayongena ezingubeni ndingatshintshelanga

kwipyjamas. Ndothuswe ngumntwana ngepast 3AM khange ndiphinde ndibubhaqe ubuthongo.
Ndikhuculile indlu yam ndenza into ebu spring cleaning kodwa hayi ncam. Ndenze ibreakfast yesidudu
samabele ndatya ndayohlamba ndilungiselela isikolo.

Oko bendihebhuzela kungekabethi nelunch.

Zululethu: ”Awulali namhlanje ntombi!”

Azukiwe: ”Umbonile!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiphelelwe bubuthongo ngo3 khange ndiphinde ndilale.”

Azukiwe: ”Iyadika ke lanto!”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo ube ujamile!”

Zululalethu: ”K'mele siphumeni yazi. Maybe for imovie or ilunch. Siyeni eZoo maybe.”

Nomtha: ”Yho hayi hambani.”

Azukiwe: ”Uyadinga nokuphuma. Ukuba ubungengo preggy bendizothi sihambe nextweekend siyeni
eMagaliesburg.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinomntwana kaloku mna sisi nangaphandle kokukhulelwa. Andizuhamba ivatshula. Ndizilile
nokuzila, I don't think ndivumelekile ukuba ndonwabe.”

Azukiwe: ”Yho hayike! Ngenxa yokuba uzilile akuthethi ukuba kufuneka ube miserable. Kufuneka
uthathe ixesha for isiqu sakho. Uke uphumle kuyo yonke into wonwabe uzivise kamnandi. Ngapha koko
ukuba ukokosa intlungu awuzuba nagazi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiphelile nyani ane?”

Zululethu: ”Uzoba right. Uqeda kushonelwa yindoda yakho, of course uzolahla umzimba. Mara nawe
ungazivaleli kakhulu.”

Azukiwe: ”Uze kule picnic yenziwayo ngomso.”

Nomtha: ”Iyandonqenisa ke le yokuyozityisa ngengca eparkhini.”

501
Azukiwe: ”Emveni kwemini siyoselanu kunye sityeni. Kuzoba mnandi. Uteacher bae uzobe ekhona. Black
diamons.”

Zululethu: ”Uyabona lowa! Ngathi ng'gamunika. Ismell sakhe sodwa nje siza kwiclit. Ngathi ngithi
'yithathe yonke baba!'”

Nomtha: ”Mahule! Akamhlanga nobamhle lamntu.”

Azukiwe: ”Uyajongeka ke kodwa. Uphiwe ke nangaphambili. Awunolamba.”

Zululethu: ”Rhaaa ungaba saties lapha mngani!”

Nomtha: ”Uright shame yena.”

Azukiwe: ”Usthethele naye kaloku Nomz. Ingathi niyavana nina kuba nizi foreigner nobabini.”

Zululethu: ”Ja and uyathanda ukuk'dlalisa nangengane. Please bandla.”

Nomtha: ”Yhoo ha.a yekani omnye umntwana.”

Azukiwe: ”Umfunela kuw- askies. Askies.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi suka nawe sundenza lonto apha it's fine. You don't have to walk on eggshells around
me.”

Azukiwe: ”So uzoza?”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba inanny kaZendaya iyavuma ndingeza.”

Azukiwe: ”Mxelele uya kwitrip yesikolo.”

Nomtha: ”Andimdala for itrip zesikolo.”

Azukiwe: ”Ndiyalibala noba umdala le kunathi yazi.”

Nomtha: ”Ningo Yesterday kaloku nina. Masibuyeleni eclassini.”

Zululethu: ”Ujarhele ukubuyela eclassini uyolala.”

Nomtha: ”Sundidika Lethu. Andilali eclassini mna.”

Zululethu: ”Hahaha! Okay.”

Uvumile ukugada umntwana uGogo. Khange ndikwazi ukumxokisela ndamxelela inyani. Indlela ebevuye
ngayo ukuba ndiyaphuma ndiyobethwa ngumoya! Ndisiwe nguNorman wandishiya ngelithi uzova ngam
xa ndiready ukulandwa. Bendimhle ke ndizamile ukubamhle. Ndafaka nentwana yemake up kungacaci
ukuba ndidiniwe kungalali ebusuku.

Bekukho noteachers bethu ke kumnandi. Ibipholile wethu lanto kufotwa. Ndike ndalala kamnandi
ndothuswa ngomnye womisi esithi sitshintsha ilocation. Kuhanjiwe ke. Isetting ibiformal-ish. Sityile ke
kuba ibizisnacks qha kunye nedrinks kula picnic. Indlela bekumnandi ngayo ukutya! Kuvulelwe notywala
ke kwamnandi.

502
Bendihleli ndodwa ndibukele wonke umntu onwabile kodwa ndingakwazi ukufika kolwa lonwabo.
Bendinesazela endingasazoyo wethu. Ukuba ndonwabe. Ibingathi akukho fair ukuba ndonwabe.
Ngakumbi ngoku. Kusengoko. Kodwa bekunge mnandanga ukujamela abanye abantwana bonwabile.
Ndiyogalela ibeer kwimbhombhozi kaTupperware ndayigcwalisa. Heineken.

Bendingaqondi ukuba ingenza monakalo ongako ngosuku nje olunye.

Bebekhona abantu abasela bade bayobeleka kodwa abantwana babo baphume beright. Bendiyazi ukuba
ndizama ukulungiselela lento bendiyenza kodwa bendiyidinga. Bendidinga ukuyitywa ndingayiva
intlungu. Ndizotsho ndibhaqe ubuthongo obuhlayo ubusuku nje obunye.

Ndiyisele ndayigqiba ndayogalela enye. Nenye emveni koko, nenye futhi. Umqhele ubusewunyuka. Uzile
wandijonga uAzukiwe ndamqinisekisa ukuba ndiright makagambe ayokonwaba, angabe egadene nam.
Uhambile wayojaiva nontanga bakhe. Besishiyana ke ngeminyaka kuba njengoba bendimdala kwabanye
abafundi bekukho nabadala kum. Umiss uzoncokola nam. Indlela ebeshushu ngayo bendiphela yintsini.

Lamar: ”Ladies!”

Phumla: ”Mr Okeke!”

Lamar: ”Miss Mtirara.”

Phumla: ”It's pronounced as 'krakra' not rara.”

Lamar: ”I'm sorry.”

Phumla: ”Suba sorry, ndixelele awukafuni mntu nangoku?!”

Miss Mtirara! Uyihleke nje uOkeke wanikina intloko yakhe kancinci.

Phumla: ”Excuse me kancinci, ndisaya ngasese. Ndiyabuya unganyamalali.”

Lamar: ”Never.”

Ubaleke wayotshona ezitoilet. Siyeke ukumjonga akutshonela. Wayihlela. Bendincumile mna.

Lamar: ”Why udakiwe?”

Nomtha: ”Andidakwanga.”

Lamar: ”I beg to differ. Yibeer le. Kutheni usela?”

Nomtha: ”With all due respect sir, andiqondi ukuba kukho apho ungena khona wena ekuseleni kwam.”

Lamar: ”Aneni.”

Nomtha: ”Yes, sir.”

Lamar: ”Lamar outside the class please. Ayikho right enganeni lento uyenzayo.”

Nomtha: ”Okay, askies.”

Lamar: ”Let me take you home.”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile, udriver wam uzondilanda. Yima ndimfounele- great! Icimile iphone yam.”

503
Lamar: ”Mandikugoduse.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzothwani ngabantu xa ndiphuma nawe?”

Lamar: ”Ndikhapha istudent sam ekungafanelanga nokuba siyasela. Come masambe Mrs Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Yes, sir!”

Uncumile wanikina intloko yakhe.

Ndiye kuZululethu. Ebemi nomnye umfana bendingamazi bethetha.

Nomtha: ”Lethu.”

Zululethu: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyahamba, uxelele noAzukiwe andimboni.”

Zululethu: ”Woza ngiyok'gibelisa. Bewuphuza?! Nomtha! Idakiwe!”

Nomtha: ”Shhhhh. Ungxolelani?”

Zululethu: ”Uyaphuza?!”

Nomtha: ”Bendi. Ndihahamba ngoku bye.”

Zululethu: ”Ithi ngikukhiphe sisi.”

Lamar: ”I've got her.”

Zululethu: ”Ngizomkhipha akuna stress Sir.”

Lamar: ”Ukhatshwa yimi.”

Zululethu: ”Why?”

Nomtha: ”Kuba iphone yam iflat and andikwazi ufounela uNorman.”

Zululethu: ”Awuyazi ngekhanda?”

Nomtha: ”No.”

Zululethu: ”NoNkululeko ulethwe umngani wakhe lana if bewungajarhanga besizobamela sikubeke.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinxilile mna ndifuna nokuphuma apha. Kufanele ukuba ndisendlini nomntwana wam.”

Zululethu: ”Kungcono uhamba noTisha ke. Mara bekumnandi angithi?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Zululethu: ”Good. Monday ke.”

Nomtha: ”Sharp.”

Zululethu: ”Into azok'shaya yona uAzukile

uhamba nendoda yakhe!”

504
Nomtha: ”Hahaha!”

Siyokhwela kwimoto yakhe sahamba. Ebeshushu kwayena ke kodwa hay lomhlobo. Ungene ngaphakathi
eyadini wayondingenisa endlini. Umntwana ebeDiepkloof. Kamnandi bendizofika nditipe. Undivulele
ummyango uOkeke ndangena washiyeka ngaphandle yena.

Lamar: ”Uphuze amanzi amaningi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. Awufuni ukungena for itea?”

Lamar: ”I don't think thats a good idea. Boundries and stuff.”

Nomtha: ”Lamar outside the class' so awungotitshala ngoku. Ndidinga umntu wokuncokola
umzuzwana.”

Lamar: ”Wena uzophuza itiye mna ngizoyolanda amabeer wami emotweni. Ayifour. Mawaphela I'm
leaving.”

Nomtha: ”Deal.”

Ndisele amanzi abandayo yena wabe esela ibeer. Ndiyotshintsha ndanxiba ipyjamas zam sahlala
elounge. Bekushushu kamnandi silayite iheater. Mna phofu. Sincokole ke ndimxelela ngoSimba. Yinto
bendifuna ukuthetha ngayo qho uSimba. Ndikhale ndakugqiba, kodwa bendingaba qhelanga lomhlobo
abantwana basesikolweni. Bebancinci futhi for izinto ezizima oluhlobo ingathi abazuqonda. And
benfingafuni kudika bantu mna.

Bendiphethwe butywala kengoku so ndithethile ndathetha ndathetha. Besendikhala ke wazochopha

ecaleni lwam endibamba isandla.

Ndothuke ebuthongweni ndisindwa yintloko. Bendivuswa ngumntu onqonqozayo emnyango. Bendinayo

nemikhinqi. Andiyazi ngoba. Ndiziqaphele ngoko ukuba ndihamba ngaze. Ze. Njengokuba ndazalwa.
Ndiphinde ndangena ezingubeni ndizifihla andiyazi ndizifihlela bani. Bendiziqhekeza intloko ndizama
ukucinga ukuba ndifike njani apha. Ndomile ndakuva umzimba ecaleni kwam. Ndibheke kancinci. Ohhh
Yesu Okeke! Ebekobude ubuthongo. Ndimkrobile wabe eze kwayena. Thiza!

Ndiphumile ezingubeni kwabe kukho icondoms phantsi. Hayi enye, hayi ezimbini. Kucacisa imikhinqi le
bendinayo. Yhooo yho yho! Aneni Matanzima! Ndenzeni bawo!

Bendiziva ndinesizaphu zaphu. Ndibaleke ndayongena ebathroom ndakukhupha konke ukutya

kwangezolo. Konke. Bendizonyanya. Bubomi bam bakudala obu. LoNomtha wangoku ebengayenzi lento!
Bendizicaphukela!

Ndipure ubuso nomlomo ndachwechwa ukuphuma. Ndinxibe igown ndingayazi ukuba ndimvuse okanye
ndizigibisele kwibalcony kuphele ngam. Kubuye yonke into yayizolo. Uqalwe ndim futhi. Ukumphuza.
Wabe ethandabuza endinqanda kodwa wade wavuma. Ohhhhhh Mesiya. Ndizomjongelwa ngubani
lotata!

”Nomtha!”

Yhuuu! Solomon.

505
Ndivale ucango lwekamire ndaya emnyango ndiyovula wabe sendikhwaza kwakhona.

Nomtha: ”Coming!”

Solomon: ”Indlela endinomsindo ngayo! Iphi iphone yakho. The hell?!”

Ebehamba noMonti. Ebengonwabanga tu, endiqinisele ubuso. Ndilahlisile.

Solomon: ”Iphi iphone? Kutheni ungafounelanga uNorman akulande? Ufike njani apha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizame itransport.”

Solomon: ”From?”

Nomtha: ”Umntu wasesikolweni.”

Monti: ”Singangena?”

Nomtha: ”Ngenani.”

Ndibasudukele bangena ngaphakathi bayochopha elounge. UMonti phofu. USolomon ebenyuka esihla
ebhubha ngumsindo.

Solomon: ”Andifuni ukukhunekisa ndithethe ndinomsindo. Usothusile Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa. Ndinenzele ikofu?”

Solomon: ”Asifuni ko-”

Monti: ”Bendicela uzochopha phantsi sithethe nawe. Hlala phantsi Solomon.”

Solomon: ”Sundixelela ukuba nden- who the fuck are you? Ngubani lo?!”

Mh! Ome emqaleni amathe. Ebehamba ngogaga ephethe isikipa nejacket ebeyinxibile. Ebenxibe
ephelele ngezantsi.

Isantya akhawuleze ngaso uMonti ukusukuma! Undijamele kabuhlungu kanjani, wajonga kuOkeke.

Solomon: ”Andithethi na? Utsalile Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Bendicela uhambe Lamar. Ngoku- ngoku.”

Ndigxininisile kuba ebefuna ukuthetha nam. Unqwalile waphuma eziphethe ngesandla izinto zakhe.
Umlandele uMonti.

Solomon: ”Uzobanjwa ke apha. Myeke, hlala phantsi.”

Monti: ”Ndifuna ukwenza iphone call.”

Solomon: ”Monti, yiyeke.”

Monti: ”Ndiyaxokisa kodwa andithathi orders kuwe. Ndisayofouna.”

Uzosule ubuso watsho ngo 'Fuck' omkhulu uSolomon.

Solomon: ”Wenzeni?”

506
Nomtha: ”Ungake!”

Bendingadingi ukuba abe endohlulela apha. Bendinesazela kungoku. Besindibhuqa.

Solomon: ”Umithi Nomtha come on! Umngani wam u- fuck man! Fuck! Ulele naye lomnt-

Nomtha: ”Ungangeni ekamireni yam! Solly?!”

Uyongena sana. Bebenjani kanti abantu?!

Uphume senyabile kulakamire.

Undijongile wanikina intloko yakhe.

Solomon: ”Ndizothi uNorman ayolanda umntwana kaSimba kulaDiepkloof. Okanye usabuya umntu
wakho nizoqhala enye ipacket yecondoms?”

Ndinyongena ekamireni ndavala ucango ndatsixa. Ndiyozigibisela ebhedini.

507
SIXTY-TWO
Bendiphethe irazer ndimi ngaphambili kwesipili. Besingcangcazela isandla sam. Ndivale amehlo ndazisika
phakathi kwamathanga laphuma ngoko nangoko igazi. Argh!

Kubebuhlungu kodwa ibibhetele kunaleya isentliziyweni intlungu. Ndichophe phezulu kwemat

ndizigqume ubuso.

Bekufana nokusela ipilisi zentlungu. Indinceda ukudakumbisa intlungu engaphakathi. Bendiba nenkululo
ethile. Bendiyenza okwesibini ngoku. Okokuqala bendizisike izihlahla zozibini. Imikrwelo nje, ndibe
bhetele ndiphinde ndidinge into kwakhona. Ibingazenzi bhetele izinto nalanto yam yokulala noLamar
ibizenze worse izinto ngakum kuba bendibhuqwa sisazela. Bendimbona oko esikolweni, okanye eclassini
kuba ebesifundisa kodwa bendithoba intloko yam ndingathethi. Xa kuphuma iclass ndikhawuleze
ndiphume kuba bendinokumbona elaqaza endikhangela xa kuphuma iclass. Bendingafuni ukube
ndithetha ngayo lanto yobabusuku. Bendizibethe phantse iveki yonke. Ndiziva ndiphoxekile kwaye
ndidanile. Bendinganxilanga nobubhanxa caba ndingade ndingayazi into bendiyenza. Ndandiyazi kakuhle
ndayivumela yenzeke. Old habits. Kwakhona bendingafuni ukuba nguNomtha wakudala osebenzisa
abantu ngesilalo abalahlele phaya akugqiba. Bekufuneka ukuba ndizikhumbuze lonto. Kodwa bendifuna
kwanto ibinokwenza kudakumbe intlungu bendiziva bekulula ukubuyela kulaNomtha.

Ndibuyele ekamireni kukhala iphone yam kwipedestal. Ndiyithathile ndaphefumla ndakubona igama
likaNorman. Ebesandihambisa esikolweni. Besihleli singancokoli mna naye, ndikhwela nje ndimxelele
apho ndiyakhona andise aphinde andilande. Kodwa ngoku ububona ukuba ayikuko ukuthula nje kodwa
uqumbile. Undiqumbele. Unomsindo ngakum. Bendingambuzi nto ke kwaye ndingazumbuza nto,
bendilindele ukuba mhla wayeka ukundithwalela umlomo afune ukuthetha ndizothetha. Hayi ukuba
ndibe ndimlandelela.

Nomtha: ”Hello, Norman.”

Norman: ”Unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila.”

Norman: ”Ndiyaphila nam enkosi ngokubuza.”

Nomtha: ”Andibuzanga.”

Norman: ”Ndiyayazi, I'm being sarcastic.”

Cwaka. Ebelindele impendulo kuba naye uke wathula ithutyana ndeva ngaye sethinta umqala.

Norman: ”Nomtha bendicela ukuza apho Kwakho ndizothetha nawe ubuso ngobuso.”

Nomtha: ”Ungeza.”

Norman: ”Ndizobalapho emveni kwemini. Awuzundidinga?”

Nomtha: ”Akukho apho ndizoya khona namhlanje.”

Norman: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Nomtha: ”Alright.”

508
Ndiyibeke kwipedestal kwakhona ndondlula ibhedi yam kakuhle ndakhuculula iroom. Ibihleli isikoni
kakade kuba bendike ndayiguqulula yonke landlu ezintsukwini ndiphelelwe bubuthongo.
Bekumenyezela, kodwa ithuba bendilifumana bendiyicoca. Ndikhuphe impahla kwiwardrobe ndayiqalela
ndiyisonga kakuhle. Bendihlambe namadonga kungekho nebalana elimdaka. Ndigqibe engekavuki
uZendaya. Ndiye kwamanye amagumbi ndabhala umsebenzi wasekhaya bendiwunikwe esikolweni for
impelaveki.

Bendingeka gqibi ukukhala kwakhe ndayomhoya. Ndimenzele ukutya watya ndambeka phantsi ndabhala
ndagqiba. UGogo ebengekho namhlanje, ndishiyeke ndodwa nomntwana wam. Bendimphepha kwayena
kuleveki. Ndifike ndiyozivalela ekamireni yam ade ahambe. Ebdyiqaphele lonto kuba uke wandibuza
ukuba ikhona na into uyenzileyo endikhubekisileyo. Ibingenguye kakade ubindim ingqaki. Bendinxibe
isikipa nje esikhulu ndayonxiba itracksuit kungaveli umkrwelo wam.

Ndithathe iphone ndafounela uBisola. Ikhale yade yangena kuvoicemail ingaphendulwa. Ndimncamile
kweyesithathu. Bendingafuni ukuse ndishiye imissed calls ezininzi ndimenze ixhala. Bendidinga
ukuthetha naye. Ibingathi ndiyaphambana xa kungekho naloGogo ugoqomisayo. Bekungcono kuba
bendisiva ilizwi lomntwana wam encwina ncwina.

Ndiyomvulela umnyango uNorman. Undinqwalela ndamjonga nje.

Norman: ”Molweni kwakhona.”

Nomtha: ”Ungangena.”

Ungenile wayochopha esofeni elounge. Ndilandele emveni kwakhe ndachopha phantsi kwesinye isitulo.

Norman: ”Ndizongena emxholweni. Nomtha andiyithandanga indlela owenze ngalo kuleveki iphelileyo.
Ndingudriver wakho ndisi security sakho. Ndiyazama ukukunika inkululeko ungaziva okungathi
usetrongweni kodwa indlela ondiqhuba ngayo indifaka emanzini abilayo, undenza incompetent.
Andithandi ukubangathi ndenza uphela sonwabe mna, ndibhatalwa imali eninizi ukuba ndenze njalo.
Ilivelihood yam ixhomekeke kulomsebenzi. Ubomi bam buxhomekeke ekubeni ndiyakukhusela
kungenzeki nto kuba ndingafa. Andifuni ukuthetha ngobu careless obenzileyo. Ukhulelwe.

Ungafumaneki nasefounini, ungafumaneki kulandawo bendikushiye kuyo. Kufuneka uthethe nam.

Ndizokwenza umsebenzi wam kakuhle, umsebenzi wokukhusela wena.”

Nomtha: ”Norman, andizuzithethelela. Ndazi ngcono. Ndiyayazi into bekufanele ndiyenze kodwa
andayenza kwaye ndiyaxolisa. Andizutshintsha nto ke kuba sekwenzekile. Into endizokuthembisa yona
kukuba ayisoze iphinde yenzeke into enje kwakhona. Ndiyaxolisa.”

Unqwalile. Undijonge emehlweni endiqwalasela.

Nomtha: ”Ibikhona enye into?”

Norman: ”Ayikho. Yiyo qha into bendifuna ukuthetha nawe ngayo.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Ndiyabulela ke. Kwakhona, ndiyaxolisa. Andisoze ndiphinde.”

Norman: ”Okay. Nomtha ndiyayiqonda ukuba kuninzi ogqitha kuko-

509
Nomtha: ”Please don't. Ndiyaxolisa ngokuba luhlupho nokukufaka engxakini. Ayisoze iphinde yenzeke
into enje.”

Unqwalile.

Norman: ”Ndiyabulela. Kulungile le ndizova ngawe xa undidinga.”

Ndinqwalile nam wasukuma wahamba. Ndiphefumlile. Bendingaqondi nokuba ndibambe umphefumlo

wam.

Ndifounelwe yisecurity ukuba there is a Solomon ondifunayo ndavuma bamngenise. Ebengasakwazi

ukungena eyadini ngaphamdle kwemvume yam. Umntu- okanye abantu bebenalo nkululeko nguNorman
kunye noMonti. UMonti beningaphindanga ndambona emveni kwalamini. Kodwa ndiyafunga bendike
ndamthi tshe ngaphandle kweyadi ngenye imini ndisiya esikolweni. Ku imessage efounini yam. Bendiba
nguBisola kodwa ibiphuma kuMalik. Ndamgqibela nini?!

'Bendicela uzobona iJellytots namhlanje ndiyamkhumbula.'

'Ucinga ukuba ngabani ixesha kuba kuba late.'

'Ngoku.'

'Okay. Ndizokwazisa abagadi bakungenise ke.'

'Ndingeza nantoni etyiwayo?'

'Nix.'

'Sharp then.'

Kukhale idoorbell ndasukuma ndiyovula. Andiyazi bendinethamsanqa lantoni namhlanje kwasuke

kwaphithizela okungathi kusemagqirheni kwam.

Ebeqinise imihlathi endincinele amehlo.

Solomon: ”Really?”

Nomtha: ”Ungangena ngaphakathi.”

Solomon: ”Kutheni sendingakwazi ukungena ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Excuse me?”

Solomon: ”You're excused. Uhleli wedwa apha?”

Ndiphefumlile ndavala ucango emveni kwakhe wabe elaqaza wayohlala elounge naye. Into ibindihlekisa
kuba ebehleli kanye kwesasitulo besihleli uNorman. Ukuba akuzi uYesu uqobo emveni kwakhe
bendizophoxeka shame.

Uhleli phaya kwesasitulo endijamele. Ukuba nje iliso belibulala ngekudala ndafa.

Solomon: ”NguLamar Okeke lamntu wakho, uyakutitsha.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

510
Solomon: ”Sewuthandana ngoku? Emveni kweveki ezingaphi u-

Nomtha: ”Solomon-

Solomon: ”Usazilile. Ukhulelwe umntwana kaSimba kodwa unesibindi sogcwalisa icondoms eroomini,
ungenise enye indoda emzini womnganam. Awuzibeki wena wedwa esichengeni kodwa ubeka
nomntwana lo umthweleyo. Andikhathali noba unestress kangakanani mna kodwa you don't get to be
reckless. Awuyenzi lonto. Usenza ifailures koMonti. Undiphoxile mna.”

Nomtha: ”Solomon ndiphoxeke mna kuqapa kwaye ndiyazisola-

Solomon: ”Bekunga fanelanga nokuna ucinga ngenye indoda ngoku wena. Bekunga fanelanga ukuba
uhlwelwa ungaphandle. Bekungafanelanga ukuba uyasela. Ukhulelwe! Awusoze ungayazi ukuba
akuselwa umntu ekhulelwe!”

Ndivale umlomo wam ndibambe kwezindawo bendizisike kuzo apha esihlahleni. Ibingathi ndiyayiva
iblade. Ndivale amehlo am.

Solomon: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikumamele.”

Solomon: ”Ubuzoziva kanjani wena ukuba ubunova ukuba uSimba akalindanga nenyanga ngaphambili
kokuba atsibele kwibhedi yenye indoda?! Bekuzothini kuwe as unkosikazi walomntu. Umama
wabantwana bakhe. Ukuba ebengasakwazi nokulinda, kunzima nokulinda. Ibonwe ngoMonti lonto!
Lomasikizi.”

Cwaka.

Solomon: ”Nomtha ndithetha nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva.”

Solomon: ”Uzomane usithi uyandiva kengoku? Ayikho enye into ozophinde uyithethe?”

Nomtha: ”Bendixolisile kuNorman. Ndizoxolisa nakuMonti xa ndimbona. Ndiyayazi kuwrongo ukusela

ndikhulelwe, kodwa bendibona iyonto bendiyidinga ngelaxesha. Bendifuna ukuba ndidisholo ngelaxesha
kodwa akuncedanga ntweni, endaweni yoko ndizifake kwenye ingxaki. Nakhona bendiyenza kuba-
ngezizathu zam. It was not worth it. Hayi nakancinci. But only I have to live with the consequences
nonva ndedwa wam. Andiphoxanga wena ndiphoxe umyeni wam ndaziphoxa nam. Andizukwenza
excuses ndizithethelele yonke into eyenzekileyo yenzeke ngokuba ndithathe isigqibo sokuba yenzeke.
Isigqibo esibhanxekileyo ndazibeka esichengeni, ndabela ihealth yam esichengeni. Ndiyayazi lonto. I'm
already hard on myself kakade so andidingi ijudgement yakho okanye eyomnye umntu. Please.”

Solomon: ”Icoping mechanism yakho ayiyo sisi. Siyayazi uva kabu-

Nomtha: ”Akhonto uyaziyo. Ayikho tu into oyaziyo. You are casting stones nje kuba uziva okungathi
awunasono wena. Akhonto uyaziyo. Akhonto niyaziyo. Into endiyitshoyo nje kukuba ndizibonile
ubuwrongo bam. I'm judging myself enough. Andilali ebusuku sisazela nentlungu. Inzima yonke lento
kum and I'm truing to survive everyday. Ngenxa kaZendaya nalomntwana qha. Ngapha koko ndidikiwe
mna. Ndonele, enyanisweni. Bendicela ukulala.”

511
Solomon: ”Andikuhlaseli Nomtha, ungaziva kanjalo wena kodwa akunjalo. Ndinomsindo. Ndidanile qha.
Kuba uyenza wrongo yonke lento wena. Ndacelwa ukuba ndibekhona uzokwazi ukuthetha nam-

Nomtha: ”Andifuni ukuthetha nawe. Andifuni undigade. UNorman noMonti ngabo abantu ababekelwa
ukuba bandigade, wena uyipersonal bodyguard yam-

Solomon: ”Ngokuse kuthini?! Yintoni le ndiyenzileyo bekunga-

Nomtha: ”Yilonto ungasakwazi ukungena apha. Kuba andisakudingi.”

Solomon: ”Hayibo Nomtha! Ndiwrongo ngokuba ndikuxelele ukuwrongo bakho?”

Nomtha: ”Ubuwrongo endibaziyo nendibubonayo nam. Awundixelelanga nto ndingayaziyo. Okokudana

ndikuva apha kum kuqala. Ndizohlulela mna kuqala. Andenzi excuses kodwa I'm dealing ngayo yonke
into ngendlela endikwazi ngayo. Ndibonile and ndimfumene enye indlela. Yonke into bekumele ukuba
uyenze ingenziwa ngoNorman. Bayaziqonda iboundries. Abagibiseleli kwindawo endibaxelela kakuhle
ukuba bangayi kuzo. Kukwam apha. Indoda yam nguSimba kwaye nguye kuphela. Akathanga ngokufa
washiya wena ukuba uthathe indawo yakhe. Ndiyabulela ukuba uthathe ixesha kwiholiday yakho
wazodijonga. Ndiyabulela ngokundilungiselela umzi wam kodwa andisazuludinga uncedo lwakho.”

Solomon: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngokugibisekela kwikamire yakho Nomtha. Andizenzi Simba kuwe, undikholwe
apho kodwa I have his best interest at heart.”

Nomtha: ”Yinto entle leyo kodwa yiba nebest interest for umhlobo wakho kude le. Njengoba benditshilo
kukho uNorman noMonti. Ndiyabahlonipha ndizobamamela. Andidingi baby sitter.”

Solomon: ”Ndithembise kSiyanda ukuba ndizokujonga.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyomeme yakho mna. Andiyomeme kaSiyanda ndingeyo mheme kaLulu. Kwalento yokuba
babe seKapa bese Botswana ngexesha elinye ithetha yona kanye into yokuba bebengabahlobo
bakaSimba hayi abam. Andibasoli kuba abandityali nto. Andikwazi nokwazi ke wena. Ndiqhelile ke futhi
mna ukuyenza ndidodwa lento ibubomi. Kudala ndaba ndodwa. Umntu besendithembele kuye ngulo
ungasekhoyo. Undishiye nabantwana bam. Ndimphoxile ndiyaqonda kodwa andisoze ndiphinde.
Omnye umntu andinaxesha lokuba uziva njani.”

Kukhale iphone yabe iMalik. Ungenile, exhesheni ndeva ngedoorbell.

Ndizosule amehlo ndayovula ucango. Sangene.

Malik: ”Yho waphela kangaka Nomtha?! Uyatya!”

Nomtha: ”Suba krwada. Ngena kukho umntu apha.”

Malik: ”Uhleli nabani?”

Nomtha: ”Solomon, uyamazi?”

Malik: ”Oh bra Sol!”

Solomon: ”Molo kwedini Nkokheli! Uphilile?”

Malik: ”Ndiright unjani wena?”

512
Solomon: ”Ndiyaphila nam. Hayi ke undifumene ndibaleka.”

Malik: ”Awugxothwanga ndim, ndiyathemba.”

Solomon: ”Hayi boy. Ufike ndihamba kakade.”

Malik: ”Kulungile ke.”

Solomon: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Uhambe kakuhle, ndiyabulela ngayo yonke into.”

Unqwalile waphuma.

Malik: ”Kwenzeka ntoni kwakho itension apha? Okanye ndim?”

Nomtha: ”Ayinguwe, bendixhwithana ngaphambili kokuba ufike.”

Malik: ”Ngoba?”

Nomtha: ”Ngokuba bendisela.”

Malik: ”Utywala?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Kuninzi kodwa andifuni ukuxhwithana nomnye umntu kwakhona.”

Malik: ”Buyabhityisa ke utywala. Uyabona njengoba sewuhleli ungena mzimba nje uzoba worse uba
uzosela. Nomntwana kaTaima uzophuma esisidalwa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi. Bekuyizolo qha. Ndisifundile isifundo.”

Malik: ”Good. Ndiyayazi ukuba sideala ngezinto ngendlela ezohlukileyo. Andinothi kuba mna ndenze
ngoluhlobo ndilindele ukuba nawe wenze ngalo. Singabantu asifani kakade, futhi asisoze nanini na
sifane. Ukuba ubungakhulelwanga bendingazuthetha nothetha but ukhulelwe so ayo idea eright
utywala.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”

Malik: ”Nokuzilambisa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi, ndiyatya.”

Malik: ”Awukhangeleki njeengomntu otyayo Nomtha. Uphele ukuphela sisi. Kuzoshiyeka isisu sodwa.
Andiqondi nokuba iright for umntwana into yokubhitya kangaka. Inoba unjani yena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyatya nyani. Kuba ndine stress futhi ndingalali ebusuku. Ukhangeleka ungcono kunam
wena. Ingathi ndiyazibaxa mna izinto.”

Malik: ”Nonsense. Ayikho tu lonto akhonto uyibaxayo. Awuzuzixhesha ngenxa yokuba ndideala ngezinto
ngendlela yam. Akukho kudala kaloku utata e- sisuka le ekhayeni for umngcwabo. Kwaye akubekwanga
xesha lokuba yiba right ngoku. Khaziphumze. Hey Tots! Ekse kuyakhulwa!”

Uyomthatha wamphosa phezulu emteketisa. Ebengaboni ukuba ndiyabona umane endikrwaqula.

Malik: ”Bendifuna uzonijonga. Yagqibelana kudala.”

513
Nomtha: ”Andikufouneli nokufounela.”

Malik: ”Bendinga lindelanga nokuba undifounele kuba bendiqonda ukuba kusenzima kuwe. Eneneni
bendingezi ngabom apha kuba bendingafuni ukubona ungalendlela ungayo ngoku. Ibizonditya lonto.
Iyanditya ngoku. UTaima uzoba nesono.”

Nomtha: ”Akenzanga nto uSimba. Ndiyayazi ukuba uba bekusiya ngaye ngengabhubhanga kodwa
ebengena choice kulonto. Akazibulelanga ubulewe.”

Malik: ”Ndiyayicaphulela yonke lento!”

Nomtha: ”Nam.”Malik: ”You don't understand.”

Nomtha: ”Unjani wena?”

Malik: ”Ndiright mna.”

Nomtha: ”Kungcono. Andikapheki ke.”

Malik: ”Hayi noko andilambanga. Ukhula msinya lomntu!”

Nomtha: ”Uyakhula. Sebhetele nasekutefeni ngoku. Andiyazi bendizoyithini eyofekethelwa ngumntwana

ngaphezulu kwestress endinaso.”

Malik: ”Uzoba right.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi. Okanye andizuba right, asiyazi.”

Malik: ”Ubuke wababona oTamkhulu oko ubuyile?”

Nomtha: ”UVenus?”

Malik: ”Hayi. Utamkhulu uMluleki noMkhuseli.”

Nomtha: ”Oh hayi. Sasidityaniswa nguSimba kaloku and akasekho ngoku. Umntu endisathetha naye
nguBisola qha kubantu bakowenu.”

Malik: ”Ohhh. OSiyanda abakabuyi?”

Nomtha: ”Phi?”

Malik: ”Apho bakhoyo.”

Nomtha: ”Andibazi. Inoba abakabuyi.”

Malik: ”Awuthethi nabo kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi. Uyayitya salad ndenze eyoneleyo?”

Malik: ”Usatyana nesalads!”

Nomtha: ”Hayi! Hayi!”

Udlalise umntwana wakowabo wade wozela walala. Uyombeka ebhedini wabuya.

514
Malik: ”Ndicinga ukuba ndibaleke ngoku. Awusibonenga isitsixo sam?”

Bendisichole phantsi ndasibeka. Ndisithathile ndamnika. Ebengasithathi, endaweni yoko erhole amehlo
esijongile.

Nomtha: ”Ina.”

Malik: ”What the hell Nomtha! Are you self harming? Uyazisika?!”

Ndisibeke phezulu kwetafile isikhiya sakhe ndasongena izandla zam esifubeni. Ebendijonge ebusweni
ewarhole wonke amehlo kunye nengcambu zawo.

Malik: ”Udinga uncedo Nomtha ayokho right lento!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Malik: ”Udinga ndenze ntoni ndizokunceda?”

Nomtha: ”Akhonto ndiyidingayo, ndizoba right.”

Malik: ”Udinga uncedo qha mna into endiyaziyo. Ungazisika umthambo usweleke yilento uyenzayo.”

Nomtha: ”Sude ukhale Malik, andizami kuzibulala.”

Malik: ”Akakho umntu othi uzama ukuzibulala, you are self harming. Ukuba awufuni kuthetha nam ke
thetha noBisola. Andithi niyathetha? Thetha naye. Kuba ungathi awufuni ukuzibulala kwenzeke usike
indawo ewrongo ubhubhele apha uhleli nomtwana ungaziwa noba ubhubhile. Ndiyakucela.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizothetha naye uBisola, bendihleli ndizothetha naye. Ndiright. Ungade undikhalele.”

Malik: ”Ndicingela umntwana mna. Nalo usesuswini sakho uzobhubha nawe. Ukuba uyasinda
bazoshiyeka bezinkedama bangabina mama.”

Nomtha: ”Akhonto izokwenzeka. Thatha isikhiya sakho uhambe. Ndiyabulela ngozosikroba.

Bendikucinga.”

Wosule amehlo wanqwala. Uthatha isitsixo sakhe wayophuma. Ndiyotsixa ndayolala, ndiyeka nalosalad.

Ndothuswe yiphone yam ebuthongweni ndayithatha ndiyiphendula.

Nomtha: ”Hello.”

Bisola: ”Molweni ninjani?”

Nomtha: ”Siyaphila unjani wena ma?”

Bisola: ”Siyaphila nathi akhonto, uThixo usemhle. Ndibona imissed call yakho ke. Bendikwi physio
ndaneluch, iphone andiyiphathanga nokuyiphatha. Akhonto imbi?”

Nomtha: ”Yonke into ma. Akhonto intle.”

Bisola: ”Yintoni ingxaki?”

Nomtha: ”Andikho right.”

515
Bisola: ”Oh Nomtha, kakade awukho right.”

Nomtha: ”Ndilele nenye indoda.”

Kuthulekile ixesha elide engathethi.

Bisola: ”Bekutheni?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi bendingenwe yintoni okanye bendilindele ukuba kubenjani kodwa andiyifumenanga
nalonto. Endaweni yoko ingathi ndiworse kuba ndiyazonyanya. Ndinesazela sokuba ndimenzele phantsi
uSimba- ndifuna into ezondenza ndibe bhetele. Andifuni ukuva ntlungu. Ndandiyenza lento
ndilahlekelwe ngabazali bam and bendiziva ndi in control, ngoku andisenguye lamntu. Andiyazi ukuba
ndenze njani.”

Bisola: ”Ngumntu endimaziyo lowo?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi! Ngomnye nje wasesikolweni uLamar.”

Bisola: ”Yinto eqhubek-”

Nomtha: ”Yenzeke kanye nje.”

Bisola: ”Andiyazi ndizokwenza kanjani ulapho Nomtha. Usazilile kaloku kodwa wena. Bekungafunekanga
ukuba uzijule kwenye indoda usenelifu elimnyama elidinga ukuhlanjwa kodwa sekwenzekile kwaye
kwanele ukuba sewuzigweba wena. Ndizocela uMahonono azokulanda ngoLwesihlanu. Nomntwana.
Umpakishele impahla ezininzi ake asale kancinci.”

Nomtha: ”Andizukwazi ukumshiya apho ngoku uzigulelayo kwawena.”

Bisola: ”Kuzobakho umntu ozondiceda ngaye. Yiza apha ngempelaveki uzobethwa ngumoya sithethe
ukuba udinga ukuthetha uke umshiye uZendaya noba zinyangana ude uvale uzokwazi ukuhoyana nesiqu
sakho uziphuthume.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Ndizobooker iflight.”

Bisola: ”Uzokwenzela uMahonono. OoMonti basawenza kakuhle umsebenzi wabo wokugada?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ma.”

Bisola: ”Okay ke sisi kungcono. Xa uziva ufuna ukuthetha undifounele nanini na. Uthandaze Nomtha.
Indlela onamandla ngawo umthandazo, ndazi apha kum. Intlungu endikuyo mna yaziwa nguwe. Ndijijeke
amacala ngoku, asifuni nawe ude ufikelele apho okanye uzinikezele emadodeni ukuze ube bhetele.
Zikhona ezinye indlela. Thandaza. UThixo ayikho enomoyisa into, ayikho into angeke akulungise.
Usondele kanye kwakhulu kwabantliziyo zityumkileyo. Wena phosa kuye, ukhale kuye, uthethe kuye.
Uzixolele. Don't be too hard on yourself. ”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela ma.”

Bisola: ”Into ebalulekileyo awuwedwanga. Ungamane usiza apha kum xa uziva udinga ukupholisa
ingqondo yakho. Uzode ube right sisi, nawe uxakwe uzibuze ukuba ugqithe kanjani. Kuba mhlawumbi
ngoku ingathi akhonto icacayo. Wonganyelwe yintlungu kodwa kuzogqitha. Ungangalibali kodwa
yintlungu ozokwazi ukuphila nayo. Njengoba usitsho nje ukuba awufuni ukuba ngulaNomtha

516
wawunguye ulahlekelwe ngabazali yithandazele lonto. Ungavumi ukuba nguye tu. Uyilwe. Andizuthi
yenza kanje wenze kanje kuba kopha wena. Intlungu yakho yeyakho kwaye andizuthi yenza njengoba
ndisenza kuba awundim wena. Nanjengoba ndingenguwe nam. Amandla ethu awafaki. Kodwa wena
uyabona ukuba ayimpilo ozifunela yona le so yithandazele. Ucele amandla. Ndiba uzothi nguVenus
okanye ngaba bantwana bam.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Bisola: ”Ndizokubona ngempela veki ke.”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile ma. Ndiyabulela kakhulu. Ndibulela nokuba awundohluleli.”

Bisola: ”'Let he who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone.”

Metthews chapter 7:2 'For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measures
you use, it will be measured to you.”

Kodwa ndiyamjudger lamqothobana uleli nendoda yam wayizalela. Nalondoda izalise umfazi wonyana
wakhe.

Kodwa ke asithethi lonto, mna Bisola andingo Thixo. Le iphakathi kwakho noThixo wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Alright nilale kakuhle.”

Bisola: ”Kulungile.”

Bukhawuleze behla kwakhona ubuthongo bam. Bendiba kwawusa ndijamile kodwa ukuthetha noBisola
kundenze ndabhetele. Bekulula ukuthetha naye kuba uyayazi ukuba unentliziyo entle kwaye akazube
ekugibisela ngamatye.

Iqhube ngesantya sofudo iveki. Itsala into endingayaziyo. Ndiself harme kanye kuloveki, kwakhona
ethangeni. Bekusaphola lamsiko wangalamini unesikhokho.

Bendisamphepha uLamar. UNorman ebendisa esikolweni andibuyise njengesiqhelo. Bendiyazi ukuba

ndibekwe iliso kwaye bendingena ngxaki nalonto.

Ndiye kugqirha ngoLwesine, undinike isupplements ekufuneka ndizitye ukubuya egazini wandixelela
nezinto emandizitye nemandizisele ukundinceda. Bendimxelela nangengxaki yokulala, ndamxelela
ngokusweleka komyeni wam. Uthethe ngetherapy kwayena. Endinika inumber yomntu oyenza simahla
for abanye abantu wathi nditsho ukuba ndithunyelwe nguye. Ndilibeke kakuhle icard lakhona.
Bendibuya esikolweni ndiyongena ekamireni ndenze umsebenzi wesikolo ndingqengqe. Besigqibele
ngalamini ukuthetha into ende noGogo. Ebendikhwaza xa ehamba nditsho ndiphume ndilungise ukutya.

IbinguLwesihlanu. Bendingayanga esikolweni ke ndilovile. Bekusekusasa ndizohamba late ngo2PM.

Besendigqibile ukupakisha ndicoce kwamenyezela endlini ndingqengqe esofeni. Bendivale amehlo

kodwa ndingalelanga. Kukhale iphone yam ndabaleka ukuyoyuthatha ekamireni.

Luleka.

Nomtha: ”Hello.”

517
Luleka: ”Hi Nomtha unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright unjani wena?”

Luleka: ”Ndiyaphila nam. Bendifuna ukuxelela ukuba sibuyile izolo.”

Nomtha: ”Oh okay, kungcono xa nibuyile. Nahamba kakuhle?”

Luleka: ”Kakhulu sisi. Qha yathatha ixesha elingaphezulu kweli sasilihlelile noSiyanda. Besinga
zimiselanga ukuhlala kakhulu. Ndiva uMonti encokola noSiyanda, uthi ukhona namhlanje awuyanga
esikolweni. Bendifuna uzokubona.”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Hayi namhlanje. Ndizonibona ukubuya kwam.”

Luleka: ”Uyahamba?!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ndiya kuBisola kodwa iflight yam yeya late.”

Luleka: ”Ndingeza nangoku nje kuba kuse early.”

Nomtha: ”Kungcono ungezi sisi. Nyani ukubuya kwam sawudibana. Andikho mdleni wamntu ngoku
ingase ndibe ndodwa.”

Luleka: ”Oh. Oh okay. Alright. Ndizova ngawe ke ukubuya kwakho.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Luleka: ”USolomon uyandixelela ukuba uthe angasezi apho.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Andimdingi. Ndiqinisekile ukuxelele ibali lonke, nangomntu ebesekamireni yam.”

Luleka: ”Undixelele yonke into, ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Kulungile ke ndizokubona ngempela veki. ”

Luleka: ”Okay.”

Ndiyibeke phantsi ndaphefumla. Oko bendingqengqe esofeni ndade ndabiwa bubuthongo ndothuswa
ngumntwana ekhala.

Ndisose ndihlaba ukulungiselela ukuhamba yafika imoto semdiready. Ibingenguye noNorman inguMonti.
Ndimbulisile wasilayishisa izinto zethu saba yindlela.

518
SIXTY-THREE
Ndincumile ndakubona utata uMamnkeli. Ebesenza ezazinto zakwi movies ephethe intyatyambo.

Nomtha: ”Iphi into etyiwayo?”

Nditsho ndingekafiki nokufika kuye.

Mamnkeli: ”Hahahaha! Molweni. Uncedwe ngubani ukulayishela impahla?”

Nomtha: ”Ukhona usisi ondincedileyo, nomyeni wakhe. Molweni tata, zezam mos ezi?”

Mamnkeli: ”Ewe ndiziphathele wena. Yiza ndikuncede apha.”

Ndithathe intyatyambo zam.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Mamnkeli: ”Akukho nto. Zawubuna ngoku nezizinto. Unyanisile ukuba ngendithenge into etyiwayo.
Ulele lomntu?”

Nomtha: ”Cum! Akasindi!”

Mamnkeli: ”Ufanele ukukusinda njengoba usuke wakhaphu-kaphu oluhlobo. Akutyiwa kulaRhawuti?”

Nomtha: ”Kukwandlala kaloku phaya. Indlala ebomvu.”

Mamnkeli: ”Hayi maan! Nibocela siniposele amacala egusha kwelicala. Noko akukubanga kakhulu
ngapha. Inyama zinto zokudlala abantwana. Izinja zitya isteak.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Hayibo!”

Mamnkeli: ”Tltltltltl! Uzomfunqule ke mamthile. Andinazo ezazinto zokumxhoboshela.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho ngxaki mandisose ndisifa kube kanye.”

Mamnkeli: ”Tltltltltl! Andiyazi njengoba naba nemincili noSimba, nakhawuleza nolekelisa.”

Nomtha: ”Besifuna ukuphelelwa lixhala.”

Mamnkeli: ”Ndiyabona.”

Mamnkeli: ”Ninjani ke?”

Nomtha: ”Siyaphila unjani wena?”

Mamnkeli: ”Siphile kakuhle akhonto. Sonwabe nje kamnandi. Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Niphole kamnandi kweliKapa.”

Mamnkeli: ”Kuzolile kona kodwa akukho nto imnandi kangako. Kodwa ingxaki zethu zisitya siphole
elwandle inyawo zinyathele isanti.”

Nomtha: ”Yilento ndiyitshoyo. Yiyo nje into endiyingxameleyo. Ulwandle nesanti. Nalampepho itsho
kamnandi.”

519
Mamnkeli: ”Uze kanye endaweni eright ke. Uzopbatheka kakuhle ezintsuku ulapha.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni nobe ndiphuma.”

Mamnkeli: ”Uzovana ke noBisola. Uphuma ngenkani kulandlu.”

Nomtha: ”Nam ukuba bendingafundi ngendizivalela ngendlu.”

Mamnkeli: ”Nawufa nobancinci zezozinto. Umntu abe ezivalele endlini ecinga ingcinga ezingalunganga.
Wena ngakumbi- bekufanele ukuba uhlala nomntu. Uzokwazi ukuncokola naye ungacingi kakhulu.
Yilonto uhlileyo emzimbeni.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizobuyisa ke kanti.”

Mamnkeli: ”Kungancono.”

Ukhalise umculo sayofika. Umise ngaphambili kwendlu kwabe kuphuma uBisola esimelela ngentonga.
Ebekhangeleka okungathi ngongezwe iminyaka emibini kule yakhe. Ebegugile kwwlixheshana
ndingamboni.

Sigxidikile nomntwana saya kuye nqo.

Ebendincumele ngokufudumeleyo uncumo. Ebehamba ngentloko. Enxibe ilokhwana epholileyo.

Bisola: ”Molweni.”

Nomtha: ”Molweni ma.”

Bisola: ”Yebethunana akasemkhulu uZendaya!”

Ndisondele kuye ndamanga.

Bisola: ”Yhu! Makathathwe nyani, xa engaka mntakabawo ube nawe uziphelele. Yinto enjani leyo?”

Nomtha: ”Mkhulu nyani. Undisinda!”

Bisola: ”Masingeneni. Ingase ndingami ixesha elide. Undiphathele ezizinto ndikucele zona
mnt'ongutata?!”

Mamnkeli: ”Uyakhwaza mnt'ongumama!”

Bisola: ”Waa! Masingeneni.”

Nomtha: ”Sewungcambaza ngoku?”

Ibingekho nento bendiyibuza kuba bendizibonela ukuba uyangcambaza.

Bisola: ”Ndiyazama. Ngumsebenzi nale physio yalomfazi, ndinyamezela nje kuba ndiwubona umahluko
mkhulu. Kodwa ndikruqukile mna ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Soze unyamezela. Bendingacingi ukuba uzobe sewuzihambela mna. Ndicinga sawufika
usatyhalwa.”

Bisola: ”Bendawubhubha ngaphandle kwexesha kaloku. Khawubeke lomntu phantsi. Miracle! Miracle!”

520
”Ma?”

Bisola: ”Yiza nalamixhube besiyenza ngoku sana. Usigalelele kwezakomityi zincinci.”

Miracle: ”Okay ma.”

Nomtha: ”Ngulosisi wephysio?”

Bisola: ”Ubani uMiracle? Hayi, uyandinceda nje apha endlini. Ngulo uzondinceda nangoZendaya lo xa
usishiya wena. Sisiyalo noba sisiyalo apha, sawutsho sibe nomntu wokuteketisa noMiracle.”

Nomtha: ”Nihlala nobabini qha?”

Bisola: ”Singabuye sihlale nabani omnye na Nomtha?”

Ndiyihlekile wandijikelezisela amehlo wakhe.

Bisola: ”Unomzi wakhe kaloku uMamnkeli. Abantwana bakhe ke sebebadala bayazihlalela, omnye
utshatile. Lo ungumfana. Ibingekho into ibizomhlalisa apha umfazi wakhe emdinga ehome. Akayiyo
phofu landoda yenza izinto ezife amanqa uMahonono. Wayeth-

Mamnkeli: ”Nithini ngam?”

Bisola: ”Ndixelela uNomtha ukuba ndikuthume ukuba undiphathele amakhatha-khatha wam. Kwathiwa
kum ngelaxesha ndandingu mtshakazi emzini wakho, kwathiwa 'xa usemzini, wenza izinto ezenziwa
emzini. Ukuba umama ugwencela kwiphala kuhle, uba phaya nawe' sawuthakatha ngoku mntwanam.”

Utsho wabeka uplastic bag enevumba lamayeza.

Bisola: ”Zivela eNigeria ke ezi. Ikhona intombi yasekhaya, hayi nqo endlini. Kwilali engummelwane
weyethu. Ndimyalezile aze nazo kuba ubuthe uzoza apha. Ndizokunyanga. Ufike namhlanje naye.”

Usiphathele umxube ngetray lasisi. Sibulele.

Bisola: ”Uthathe nomntwana umbeke ebhedini. Uleli kabuhlungwana apha. Sela lomxube unceda istress.
Uzotsho ungozeli uhebhuzele. Bendihlutshwa bubuthongo kwamna kodwa ngoku ndivuka emveni
kwemini. Ayinabungozi nasemntwaneni. Uyatya kona?”

Ebendisinekele ngoku abuzayo. Bendibona ukuba bekutheni edlale ngaye ngendlela amdlale ngayo
uNokulunga uBisola. Ebenenkathalo nentliziyo entle. Bendicinga ngoku ukuba uzobe sendibuzile ngento
kaLamar kodwa ibingathi akayazi kwayona kwaye ebengatshintshanga. Esenguye. Bendixakwa ukuba
ubhude ndawoni kuSimba. Okanye mhlawumbi liqonya nje into yakhe. Akakhathalelwanga nguyise
nomama uxabisa abanye abantu ngaphandle kwakhe. Ibingasena msebenzi kodwa ngoku kuba
ebengasekho nalomntu. Bekungaba mnandi kodwa ukuba ngewa sweleka sekukho imvano phakathi
kwabo. Ayinoba kumnandi ukulahlekelwa ngumntwana ekubeni nagqibelisana kungemnandanga.
Ngamagama arhabaxa nophixano.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyatya. Into endihluphayo bubuthongo. Neso stress.”

Bisola: ”Awusoze ubenanqathe kaloku ukuba awulali kakuhle. Kufuneka uxhathise kulomxube. Ikhona
neyokufutha into apha. Ayingomayeza entakatho wethu, nokuba ubuthakatha ke uzithakatha wena.
Uhlambe isimnyama esi sokuswelekelwa ngumyeni. Nabazali bakho, wawuhlanjiwe?”

521
Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Bisola: ”Uzawugquma ke ngeli. Iyaselwa le. Ifana nale siyiselayo. Sawuyenza ngomso yona. Miracle!”

Miracle: ”Ma?!”

Bisola: ”Khawuvele! Yazi andiyiqheli kanjani into yokwenzelwa mna. Ingase into ndiyenze ngezam
izandla. Oko ndatshata zange ndibe namntu wokunceda ngomsebemzi wasendlini. Nabantwana bam
ndibagada ngoku kwam. Ndimfumana ngoku ndigugile umntu. Miracle!”

Uthe gqi.

Bisola: ”Noba singatyeni ngoku, uMamnkeli uzofuna ukuhamba.”

Nomtha: ”Bendiba ndizoqale ndihlambe ke, andiqondanga uba sawusophora ngoku.”

Bisola: ”Hayi masityeni, uzohlamba mva. UMamnkeli angahambi ngokuhlwa. Ndine bath oils
bendiziphathelwe yilentombazana uMandisa ke, undikhumbuze xa uhlamba.”

Ndinqwalile. Bendise ngxakini!

Siyotya ke sonke nosis'Miracle. Ebezipitse nje jean yakhe lonto ebeyinxibe ngaphezulu eyijule phaya
kude. Sibuelele ke kuqala satya. Ibikukutya kwaseNaija. Kukho nenyama zebhokhwe nalapho.

Umnkile uMamnkeli embeni kokutya noMiracle wanyamalalala nezitya. Undinikile ezibath oils ndavulela
amanzi ndahlamba. Ndike ndahlala ebhafini kwakudala ndaphuma sephola amanzi. Ndinxibe ipyjamas
zam.

Ndithathe umntwana wam kuMiracle kuba ebesevukile, ndiyomhlamba ndamtyisa.

Ndimshiye ebhedini kusasa ndaya elwandle. Belukufuphi. Livele ilanga ndihleli phantsi esantini
ndimamele amaza. Yilento bendiyidinga le. Bendidikiwe kukuvaleleka kulaWilgeheuwel.

Bendilele kakuhle ebusuku ngenxa yama'khatha-khatha' kaBisola. Ndothuswe ngumntwana nje ebusuku
efuna uncanca wakhawuleza waphindela ebuthongweni. Bendinexhala lokuba ndodwa phaya ukushiya
kwam umntwana. Bendisithanda esi siphithi-phithi salapha nengxolo kaBisola. Ebeyifundekela into
lamfazi ingathi unesifombo.

Ndiphindele kuba bendicinga umntwana wam. Ndifike behleli naye ngaphandle kusityiwa ibrealfast.

Nomtha: ”Molweni.”

Bisola: ”Utheni ethangeni?!”

Oh shucks! Bendilibele noba bendizikrwelile ndinxibe ushorti.

Nomtha: ”Ndikrwelekile. Bendisayotshintsha.”

Bisola: ”Hayi sukutshintsha, uright unjalo. Hlala phantsi utye. Uvukele uyohlala elwandle. ”

Ndichophe phantsi ndiwutsala ushorti ngoku ndaziyo ukuba awusoze utsaleke.

522
Nomtha: ”Ndiye kungekaveli nelanga. Mhle lomzi. Ndithanda nento yokuba ulwandle lulapha phambi
kwakho. Indikhumbuza uSimba lendawo. Ngoku sasilapha kwaku- andiyazi ndizoyibeka njani. Kumnandi
kumuncwana.”

Bisola: ”Uthi yayintle into uMamnkeli.”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Yayintle nyani. Kwamnandi, ndiqala nokuza elwandle emveni kweminyaka ndingasezi. Kukuhle
nje. Kanti ndiyagqibelisa ukuphuma naye.”

Bisola: ”Bubomi ke obo. Amangomso asiwazi. Yolonto nawe kuzofuneka ukuba uzixolele uzokwazi
ukuqhubeka nobomi. Uyeke uzingcungcuthekisa uzibhityisa utrafa usana apha. Noba ummtu uyakhala
akade abengathi akanathemba. Ucinga ukuba ebezovuya uSimba ukubona unje? Ebezothanda? Hayi.

Andithandi kwamna.”

Nomtha: ”Andizithandi kwamna.”

Bisola: ”Yintoni endinga kunceda ngayo uzoba bhetele?”

Nomtha: ”Kwale yokuvuma ndize apha indenze bhetele. Ukuba kulendawo.”

Bisola: ”Yitya ukutya kwakho.”

Ndinqwalile ndaziphakela ndatya. Ndithathe umntwana wam ndamfunqula xa eyongena endlini

uMiracle. Lomntu! Ebengahlali ndaweni nye, uhleli nje ufuna ukwehla enyuka. Ukuba akenzi le wenza
leya. Sithathe ixesha lethu ukutya kuthe cwaka. Mhla ndanemali ezininzi nam bendizifunela lempilo
nabantwana bam.

Nomtha: ”Kuhamba njani ngesahlukaniso?”

Uphefumlele phezulu.

Bisola: ”Ayikaphethwa. UVenus usaxhathisile, unenkani nje. Kodwa uyaziphambanisa kuba into
ezokwenzeka kukuba ndizofumana half yento yethu. Yonke into esinayo nalamzi wokhiwa ndim.
Ndimxelele nalaNokulunga ndathi ukuba umsebezela izinto ezingekhoyo uVenus uzozisola. NdinguBisola
mna. Ndawuhamba ngoku ndiye ekhaya ndibakungise kakuhle. Ukuba kunyanzelekile ukuba ndifike
kungangatho wabo. Kodwa ndazikhethela iNkosi mna, andifuni ukude ndinyanzeliseke uba ndibhabhe.
Ngamandla am. Uyakuwuhlala ndifile lamzi. Nakhona ndawuba ngumhlali wesithathu phaya
bangcungcutheke bafe!”

Nomtha: ”Imini yakhe inye uNokulunga. Notata kaSimba.”

Bisola: ”Ngubawozala wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Soze!”

Bisola: ”Wazichebela ntoni inwele zazintle kangaka?”

Nomtha: ”Ndinento yokuohambanela ezinweleni xa ndiqalwa kukuphambana.”

Bisola: ”Ziyakhula wethu inwele.”

523
Nomtha: ”Zizokhula.”

Siqhubeke satya sagqiba. Ndihlambile ndanxiba ilokhwe ende. Bendingafuni ukube ndibuzwa
mgemikrwelo esemathangeni am kwakhona. Andiyazi bendilibala njani. Ndiqaphele nento yokuba oko
ndilapha andikabinayo into ethi mandizisike. Indawo efuna intlungu, efuna ukopha.

Umama ebendinyanzele ukuba ndimkhaphe ayothenga emall. Bendiyazi ukuba wenzela mna kuba
ungulo bekuthiwa uyanyanzelwa ukuphuma endlini.

Siyokwa kwaKFC. Ebengatyi yena esithi ikrakra inyama yakhona. Ukuba bekuthetha asise khona
bendingayazi. Kuba ibinguye umntu ebethe singene. Ndityile ndagqiba. Bendithenge iburger yakhona
newings qha. Bendiyonqena nam inyama. Ichicken ngakumbi. Bendibawela kwanyama le yentloko hayi
inkukhu. Uthengile ezizinto zakhe ethatha unyaka wonke ke usisi. Ingangathi yinto encinci le besiyenza
noBisola kodwa indlela bendiyonwabele ngayo. Ukugilana nabantu, isiphithi-phithi nje. Umama kaSimba
ebengenabo nabantu abafana noMonti, ezihambela nje ithwabula henge yakhe engagadwanga.
Bendimoyikisela ke kuVenus, angamqasheli umntu ambulale. Bendiziva kaloku izonto zabantu balapha
abathengwa ngamaxabiso aphantsi ukuthatha umphefumlo.

Sithengile sagqiba, ndirhorhozela emveni kwakhe ixesha elininzi. Ndizithengele ilokhwe ezimbini
ezintathu nam. Silandwe nguMamnkeli kwakhona.

Uphinde wasijoiner kwisophoro uMamnkeli. Ebelincoko ke ethanda nokuhleka kengoku ke ibiyilonto

kulatafile esibalisele ngamaxesha omzabalazo. Umnkile ke kwamsinya emveni koko ndayongena
elwandle ndihamba ngaze. Undibonile ndiphuma uBisola wandinyakamela. Phofu bendiyinxibile ibikini,
ndihamba ngamabele.

Ndibuye ndahlamba ngeza oils zakhe ndayomrhabha inyawo. Ebecele uMiracle esithi liyaqaqamba
kukuhamba. Ndimshiye apho ukugqiba kwam. Ndiphungile ndalala.

Ngomso bendithembise uMamnkeli ukuba ndizophuma nomntwana wakhe ngaphambili kokuba

ndihambe. Bendingafuni nokuvuma ke kodwa kunzima ukwala kuye.

Ndithuke ebuthongweni ndijonga unntwana wam ukuba akakaqengqeleki na ebhedini. Ndijonge lomntu
uchophe esitulweni ndanikina intloko yam ndacimela. Ndithe sendicimele ndanombilini wokuba kukho
umntu ochophe apha ondijingileyo. Okanye ndiyaphambana. Amathumbu am avele axukuzela ndaziva
ndingcangcazela. Okay, Okay. Liphupha. Liphupha. Nditsho ngomthandazo omncinci ndikhalimela umoya
ongendawo. Ndiphinde ndawatyila kwakhona amehlo am usekhona. Inoba bendiphorhelwa kaloku, na
ngendlela ebendijamele ngayo eqinise imihlathi. Ebephorha. Ndijonge umntwana wam ndaphinde
ndajonga kuye. Ndithe ndisazama ukusukuma ndithathe umntwana ndibaleke wavele wandixhumela
endivala umlomo.

Nomtha: ”Hayi! Hayi! Hayi! Ngegama leNkosi! Nditshabalalisa umo-

Bendithetha into engavakaliyo kuba ebendigqume umlomo. Bendiphupha ne? Ibingelilo nephuma nje
iyinarhmani. Ingxaki kengoku kukuba bendingayazi ukuba ndizovuka kanjani. Bendithandaza ngoku
andibambe umlomo. Yena. Wona. Ibingengomntu. Ibingumoya omdaka oze kakubi. Bendifuna nje
ukuvuka kule inarhmani. Bendifuna ukuvuka!

524
SIXTY-FOUR
Ndixhumile xa ndifefezwa amanzi abandayo ebusweni. Ndutyhile amehlo am ndangqamana naye.

Simba: ”Ungaf-

Nomtha: ”Nced-

Undibambile wandivala umlomo. Bendigqushalaza ndikhala ngaphaya kwesandla esi andigqume ngaso
umlomo. Bendingayazi noba ndibize uncedo okanye ndithandaze na.

Simba: ”Uzovusa uZendaya Nomtha, khawuyeke. Ndim. Andifanga!”

Ndiqhubekile ndagqushalaza ndiphuma nenyembezi.

Simba: ”Linokhanyo, ndizosusa isandla sam. Ndicela ungafundekeli okay?”

Nomtha: ”Sakungcwaba. Watshela kulamoto! Umzimb- umzimba wakho, sakungcwaba! NCEDA-”

Undigqume umlomo kwakhona. Bendi-bendingaqondi. Bendididekile. Bekutheni lingapheli eli phupha?

Lenarhmani. Bekutheni ndingade ndothuke. Bekutheni kukhangeleka okungathi bendingaphuphi
kwamna?

Ivumba lakhe ibileliya bendilazi likaSimba. Ebelapha. Hayi! Hayi! Hayi! Bekusenzeka ntoni kum?
Bendicinga ukuba ndiqalwa yimpambano. Ingqondo zam bezisimnka ngoku kuba ndandikhona sisenza
amalungiselelo omngcwabo wakhe. Kukho wonke umntu emfihlweni, abahlobo bakhe nezalamani
samngcwaba. Wasweleka. Akunokwenzeka ukuba ibinguye lowa. Akusoze kwenzeke. Ndivele ndakhala
kuba ibingekho into endinoyenza. Bendisuka ndaphelelwa ngamandla ndayeka nokokulwa.

Yintoni le? Kwenzekani na kum?

Simba: ”Ndim uSimba.”

Ndinikine intloko kuba ebexola. Ebengenguye uSimba. USimba wafa wangcwatywa. Ebengenguye tu.

Simba: ”Ndim uSimba.”

Ndiphinde ndanikina intloko yam ziqengqeleka inyembezi emehlweni am. Ukuba ebenondikhulula
umlomo bendizogxwala kakhulu. Intlungu endagqitha kuyo azondixelela ukuba unguSimba. Hayi!
Akusoze. Akusoze kwenzeke ukuba uyaphila emveni kokuba simngcwabile samshiya emzini wakhe
emgaphantsi komhlamba. Ikhona ideath certificate yakhe. Kukho ilitye ngaphezulu kwengcwaba lakhe,
ilitye elibhalwe igama lakhe. Ummeli wakhe wasifundela iwill yakhe. Akunokwenzeka ukuba usaphila.

Noxasingazange simbone kuba ibhokisi ayizange ityhilwe kuba etshile kodwa yayikhona yona. Wonke
umntu wangqina ukuba ubhubhile.

Simba: ”Ndim lo? Awuboni ukuba ndim? Awumboni umyeni wakho?”

Ndinikine intloko yam wandikhulula umlomo. Bendiwavale mbhakra amehlo ndingafuni nokumbona.
Bendicinga nokukrasa kwakhona. Bendisoyika. Bendingcangcazela ngoku andibambileyo.

Nomtha: ”Thixo onamandla onke-

525
Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndamngcwaba mna umyeni wam. Ndamngcwaba uSimba.”

Simba: ”Ndim lo.”

Nomtha: ”Emagameni amathathu-

Simba: ”Nomtha andingomoya omdaka, khawume ngemithandazo.”

Nomtha: ”Tshabalalisa bawo imimoy-

Simba: ”Vula amehlo undijonge Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Sihlangule mthetheleli wento zonke kwimimoya engendawo. Yitshabalalise uyitshise ngomlilo
wakh-

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Umyeni wam ndamngcwaba mna. Ndamngcwaba uSimba.”

Simba: ”Baby nd-”

Nomtha: ”Tshabalalisa-

Simba: ”Ndim lo. Ndim uSimba, andibhubhanga. Zange ndibhubhe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndakungcwaba mna. Ndamngcwaba uSimba.”

Simba: ”Ndim lo Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Simba: ”Uyayazi ukuba uVenus wathumela umntu andibulale-

Nomtha: ”Andizuthetha nesiporho mna! Andizuyenza lonto owam umyeni ndimngcwabile. Andisoze
ndigqithe kuyo yonke lento ndigqithe kuyo uzondixelela ukuba uyaphila. Uzondixelela ukuba nguwe lo,
nguwe lo nantoni? Nguwe lo ntoni?! Umyeni wam ufile qha mna. Ndingcwabile ndamshiya ezilalini.
Awuzuvumbuluka apho uvumbuluka khona uzondenza ingathi ndiyaphambana apha, undixelele ukuba
umyeni wam nguwe ekubeni ndamngcwa-

Simba: ”Zange kungcwatywe mn-

Nomtha: ”Umyeni wam. Andithethi ngawe mna, andikwazi nokwazi wena. Ndithetha ngomyeni wam lo
endamngcwabayo. Lo endisazama nangoku ukwamnkela ukuba akasekho. Awuzundixelela ukuba
uyaphila mna. Awuzuyenza lonto. Awusoze uyenze lonto.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaxoli-

Nomtha: ”Fuck you noxolo lwakho. Ufile wena, ufile kum! Awuzugibiseleka ebomini bam ucinge ukuba
ndizoxhuma-xuma yimincili kuba uvuke ekufeni. UnguYesu kaloku wena. Ufa uvuka, kungabina msebenzi
ngaba bantu abakuthandayo obavisa ubuhlungu ngesibom. Ubuyazi kakuhle indlela bekuzondibulala
ngayo ukusweleka kwakho waqhubeka. Uyayazi ukuba ndandinjani kuSamora, noba awuyazi
ndakuxelela. Nanamhlanje andikaxoli, wena uzondenzela lamanyala! Uzondigqithisa kuyo yonke lento

526
undigqithise kuyo kweziveki zigqithileyo wakugqiba uthi gqi nje kubengathi akwenzekanga nto. Undlala
ngemizwa yethu sikukhathalele, sikuthanda. Undibukele ndiphalala apha ndingumcinga ngoku kumnandi
kuwe. Siphi apha? Huh? Yindlalo yonke lento kuwe? Ndiyijoke mna kuwe Simba? Hlala ufile unjalo ke.
Ungandixeleli ukuba awuzange wafa- nyif nyif uVenus. Hlala ufile. Uphume uphele kulekamire uhambe
uphindele kulendawo ubuzifise kuyo. Rhaaa! Nx! Khandiyeke!”

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”NDIYEKE!”

Undiyekile wema ngenyawo endijonge ngamehlo azele inyembezi.

Simba: ”Bendinga-”

Nomtha: ”Ndithe phuma apha! Andikhathalelanga ngcazelo yakho, qhubeka uyofa apho ubukho! Uyenza
kanjani into enje kum?! Uyenza kanjani? Undidlulisa kanjani kubuhlungu obunje Simba? Undibukele
nditsala dweni, ndijonge ndingakanani! Ndijonge! Ngenxa yakho! Ndincede mna. Ndincede!”

Ndiphethukile ndazigquma. Bendiphefumlela phezulu ngumsindo. Bendingasa didekanga ngoku kodwa

ndibhubha ngumsindo. Bendingayi kholwa yonke lento. Bendingam'kholwa uSimba. Ukuba angandenza
kanje. Andenze ndicinge ukuba uswelekile. Ndigqithe kuyo yonke into endisagqitha kuyo nangalamzuzu
kanti yena uphila kamnandi kulondawo ebekuyo usela icoctails! Mna ndinxunguphele apha. Ndizirhuxa
imini namalanga. Ndilala ngenyembezi ukuba ndiyalala. Ndide ndiyazisika ukuba nje ndizive ukuba
ndisaphila. Yena uzongena apha andixelele ukuba unguSimba. Ndithini kengoku mna? Ndenze njani,
ndithini?!

Ndimve ejikela waphuza umntwana watsala ingubo, andiyazi noba ebemombhathisa na okanye yintoni
le ebeyenza. Kuvaleke ucango emveni koko elivala ngocoselelo lingafundekeli. Yehake Mhlongo! Yhu
indlela bendi phambana ngayo ngumsindo bendingakwazi nokulala. Ndiphethu-phethuka, ndiguqu-
guquka. Bendinga senazo nenyembezi ngoku ndinomsindo qha. Uyenza kanjani into enje kum uSimba na
bethunana? Abe eyazi ukuba izondibulala yonke lento. Udlala ngam ngoluhlobo!

Ndisukumile ndaphuma ezingubeni. Ndayophuma ngomnyango. Bekumnyama indlu yonke ndakhanyisa.

Ebenga bonakali ndawo lomntu. Ndimgqogqe kumagumbi onke ngaphandle kweli belileli uBisola
nelikaMiracle. Ndiphumele ngaphandle ndaya elwandle. Ebemi khona etase izandla. Ebenxibe ijean
emnyama nemilitary boots emnyama. Efake ihoodie egrey.

Okungathi undivile ukuba ndimi emveni kwakhe waphethuka. Uphethuke sendikuye ngamanqindi
esifubeni ndixhumela ubuso kodwa engandivumeli. Undibambe zozibini izandla zam.

Simba: ”Uzokuzenzakalisa wenzakalise nomntwana! Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Umkhathelele ngantoni lomntwana? Ubungacingi ukuba uzawukwenzakala bobubuxoki bakho

bokuzifisa?! Undikhathalele ngantoni mna?!”

Simba: ”Ndenze into ekumele ndiyenze kuba uVenus ebendiza macala!”

Nomtha: ”Ukusenza sikholelwe ukuba ufile kukwenza into bekumele uyenze?! Ngubani owenza lonto?!
Awuvisanga mna kuphela ubuhlungu Simba, oBisola, uMalik-”

Simba: ”UMalik ndandimxelele ukuba ndihlele ntoni, uyayazi.”

527
Nomtha: ”Intoni?”

Simba: ”Uyayazi. UMonti noNorman bayayazi. OSiyanda bayayazi. Bebese Nigeria beyindinceda,
uSiyanda phofu.”

Nomtha: ”Abantu ababalulekileyo kuwe bayayazi. Sesi sibhanxa sindim emasikholelwe ukuba ubhubhile
kanti uphole kamnandi apho ubuphole khona, kumnandi kuwe omantshingilane bakho bakuxelela ukuba
I'm not fucken coping ngokufa kwakho, awabina naxesha lam kuba wonke umntu obalulekileyo
nomxabisileyo uyayazi ukuba uyaphila.”

Simba: ”Ndikuxabosile.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni kengoku undenze lento? Kutheni uhleli ixesha elinganga uyazi ukuba ndifa kancinci
kancinci apha ndicinga ukuba ubhubhile. Kuba ayikuba zange bakuxelele.”

Simba: ”Bendiyazi Nomtha ukuba uzolawulwa ngumsindo-

Nomtha: ”Bullshit! Bubuvuvu obu undixelela bona-

Simba: ”Andikuxelelanga ngoba ndiyakwa-

Nomtha: ”Awundazi. Ukuba ubundazi ubuzokwazi ukuba ungandithemba ngento enje. Ubuzondinika
ibenefit of the doubt. Kuba uyayazi indlela endiziva ngayo ngoVenus, uyayazi ukuba ndimfuna efile
ngokubulalisa uSamora. Bendingasoze ndone nto, kodwa ukhethe ukungandithembi and asinanto kaloku
ukuba awundithembi. Ndingunkosikazi wakho, umama wabantwana bakho. Ndiyayazi ubazi kdala
kunam bonke ababantu kodwa bekufuneka ukuba undithembile kodwa awandithemba. Endaweni yoko
undityumza intliziyo nomphefumlo undenze ndikholwe ukuba awusekho. Ufuna ndikholelwe ukuba
undikhathalele kengoku? Awusacingeli nomntwana lo wakho ukuba ebephumile apha. Undishiya
ndodwa noSolomon endingabaziyo, uthatha kwa aba Luleka bendinothetha nabo undishiya ndintywila
apha. Uzondixelela ukuba bendizolawulwa ngumsindo? Fuck you!”

Simba: ”Bekunga mandanga nakum-”

Nomtha: ”Fuck you! Wonke umntu uyayazi, ndim lo ungathenjwayo. Ndim lo makaxhwaleke.
Mandiphambane mna, ndizilimaze babe bepholile bona kuba bayayazi ukuba usaphila. Uthini ngam?
Nithini ngam?”

Simba: ”Ngendikuxele ndiyayazi lonto Nomtha -

Nomtha: ”Yhuuuuu! Sundibamba!”

Undukhulule ndosula inyembezi.

Simba: ”Bendifuna uVenus acinge ukuba ndiswelekile Nomtha, angacingeli xa ndimhlasela.”

Nomtha: ”NdinguVenus mna?”

Simba: ”Awunguye, kodw-

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ntoni?! Ndiyi liability mna. Ndiyi weakest link?”

528
Simba: ”UVenus ebezojonga kuwe abone ukuba kudlalwa ngaye kwaye bendifuna ikholeleke yonke
lanto.”

Nomtha: ”Wasebenzisa mna kengoku? Noba uyicikoza kanjani Simba ekugqibeleni undenzele phantsi
and undiphoxile. Undisebenzisile ukufezekisa lonto ubufuna ukuyifezekisa emveni koko sendenze iclass
act kulamfihlo mbumbulu wakho awusandixeleli. Uyeva ukuba andikho right ngenjanana zakho kodwa
still awuthumeli nerecorder neletter undixelele ukuba kwenzeka ntoni? Undikhohlakalela ngoluhlobo
Simba ndikhulelwe! Undingcolela ngoluhlobo!”

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa. Ibingekho lula nakum yonke lent-

Nomtha: ”Fuck that! Ibingekho lula ntoni?! Uyenze nzima ngoku kwakho, uyolela apha uyolela
ububhanxa kuba uyazazi ukuba uzokwenza ntoni. Uxhesha imitshato apha kanti uzozifisa. Awuna
msebenzi nam, uzondixelela ukuba ibinzima nakuwe. You compare into endigqithe kuyo neya-

Simba: ”Akhonto ndiyiqhathanisayo Nomtha. Anditsho kanjalo. Ndiyayazi ukuba eyam ayisoze ifike
kwinto ubugqitha kuyo and andizami kutsho kanjalo. Bekubuhlungu kum kuba bendisiva ukuba
awuzithandanga kak-

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabhanxelwa apha stru! Andikholwa nje ukuba nguwe lo undigqithise kuyo yonke lento.
Ayenzi sense yonke lento kum. Jonga, uyabona. Jonga kakuhle umsebenzi wezandla zakho. Ngenxa
yakho nemidlalo yakho ephambeneyo. Ndiyathemba ke ukuba wonwabile kuba uVenus uyabona ukuba
ndixhwalekile. Ayikho nento oyikhalelayo bastard! Ingase ufe nyani!”

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Ndiphethuke ndayongena endlini. Bendifuna ukumvisa kabuhlungu kodwa noba ndingamthuka kanjani
ndimqalekise kanjani ebengasoze ave kabuhlungu ngendlela bendive ngayo. Bendivuyile kona ukuba
usaphila. Kakhulu futhi. Kodwa bendingayazi ukuba ndizogqitha kanjani kuyo yonke lento endigqithe
kuyo ngenxa yakhe. Bendingayazi ukuba ndizogqitha kanjani kwintlungu andifake kuyo ngesibom.
Wonke umntu uyayazi, ndim lo caba akathembakali ngokugcina imfihlo zakhe. Ndim lo emakavalelwe
ngaphandle okungathi andingomfazi wakhe.

Ndiyixolela kanjani yonke lonto? Ukuba undibukele ndiphalala wasonga izandla zakhe akwabikho nto
ayenzayo ngoko? Kona ubuyele ntoni ngoku? Kuba ukuba ebezondivusa kabuhlungu kangaka bekufanele
ukuba ayigqibe into yakhe. Ndisose ndisifa bhetele. Ngoku ndigqithe kuyo yonke lanto for ilize. It was all
for nothing. Yonke nje lanto!

Ndilele. Kuyo yonke lanto ndibubhaqile ubuthongo. Ukuba kanjani andiyazi. Mhlawumbi nalento yokuba
ukhona uyaphila indiphe ukuzola bendikudinga kodwa bendinomsindo. Nangoku ndothukayo
ebuthongweni ndothuka swndinxapha. Kuba bendingakuva ukuzathuza kwakhe. Ebenoyenza yonke
lento engandivusi kabuhlumbu kodwa wakhetha kanye lonto.

Kunqonqoziwe emnyango ndathula ndafa. Bendicinga ukuba nguye.

Miracle: ”Knock, knock!”

Nomtha: ”Ngena!”

529
Ungene netray enokutya. Ndichophe ngempundu ndaqaphela ngoko ukuba umntwana wam akakho
ecaleni kwam!

Nomtha: ”Uthathwe ngubani uZendaya?”

Miracle: ”Uthathwe ngutata wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Ebesevukile? Khange ndimve.”

Miracle: ”Ebesalele.”

Nomtha: ”Tyhini! Uphi yena lowo?”

Miracle: ”Bahleli ngaphandle noMam'Bisola notat'uMamnkeli.”

Miracle: ”Ubuke wambona ngaphambili? Ngaphambili kwanamhlanje?”

Miracle: ”Ubani?”

Nomtha: ”Utata kaZendaya.”

Miracle: ”Bendumazi ebhubhule mna. Ndithuka ngoku ekuseni xa ndixelelwa ngumama ukuba ngunyana
wakhe uSimba.”

Nomtha: ”Zange ake eze apha?”

Miracle: ”Njengoba ndisitsho Nomtha ndimazi ebhubhile mna. Zange ndambona.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Ndiyabulela ngebreakfast.”

Miracle: ”Andiqondi nokuba iseyibreakfast, sekubethe notwelve.”

Nomtha: ”Sekubethe utwelve?! Andiyazi ndagqubela nini ukulala kubethe eloxesha. Ndiyabulela.”

Miracle: ”Okay sisi. Ndiluvale kwakhona ucango?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Miracle: ”Mandivule ifestire necurtains ke kuzongena umoya ofresh.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Uphumile wandishiya ndodwa. Ndityile ndavuka ndondlula ndaphindela ezingubeni. Ndingqengqe nje
ngaphezulu kwazo. Benditshiswa ngumntsontso kodwa ndingekabi ready ukuphuma ngalamnyango.
Futhi bendihamba namhlanje. Andiyazi ukuba bendizokwenza njani ngalonto. Ndihleli enye ihour
enethirty minutes ndancama ndazincama ndaphuma. Good. Bebengekho ngaphakathi. Ndiyovulela
amanzi ndahlamba. Ndiphume sendinxibile babe behleli elounge ngoku. USimba, uBisola kunye
noMamnkeli. Ebefunqule umntwana wam uSimba. Okay, owethu.

Nomtha: ”Molweni.”

Bona: ”Ewe!”

Nomtha: ”Bendicela umntwana wam ndizomhlamba.”

530
Simba: ”Ndimhlambile.”

Utsho endiqwalasele ebusweni.

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ndisayopakisha, ndizoba yindlela.”

Bisola: ”Ungahambi ngomso na?”

Nomtha: ”Ndisenikolo ngomso ma. Andizukwazi.”

Simba: ”Ndiqinisekile ukuba utitshala uOkeke akazuba namgxaki xa ungekho usuku olunye.”

Nomtha: ”Ubungafanga na wena? Sewuqiniseka nje? Ndisayopakisha.”

Andiphindanga ndalindela mpendulo ndaphethuka ndayongena ekamireni yam. Ngeloxesha

ndingxamele ukuba ngaphaya kocango ndisuke emehlweni akhe. Ebeyazi! Ebeyazi!

Ndingene ndavala ndisoyama ngocango ndaphefumla. Kakade injanana zakhe bezimxelele. Into enzima
kukundixelela ukuba umyeni wam uyaphila ngapha kulula ukuhoboloza ngoLamar. Nx!

531
SIXTY-FIVE
Kunqonqoziwe emnyango kwangena uSimba efunqule umntwana wakhe.

Simba: ”UBisola uthi uyamshiya umntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Unengxaki nalonto?”

Simba: ”Hayibo Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Uthe ndimshiye kuba andikho right, ngenxa yakho.”

Simba: ”Ndixolisile.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba uxolisile akuthethi ukuba ndiyakuxolela Simba. Undenza nje umsindo ube ulandela
emveni kwam.”

Simba: ”Andifuni uhambe sungathethanga kakuhle, ungavanga isizathu sokuba ndinkufihlele yonke
lento.”

Nomtha: ”Ubungandithembi ukuba ndizawuyigcina imfihlelo yakho. Ndinomlomo omkhulu kaloku mna,
wake wandixelela into ngaphambili wathi ndingayithethi mna ndayithetha-

Simba: ”Uyayazi azange yenzeke lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Oh ndiva lento usithi bendingazu kwazi ukwenza ukuzenzisa. Ndicinga ukuba wawuke wazifisa
ngaphambili ndabaleka ndayoxelela uVenus ukuba akakubulalanga kuba kaloku andina sifuba mna.
Kubhetele ndicinge ukuba ufile. Ndiphume ndingena esibhedlele ndiphathwa zintloko ndingakwazi
nokusukuma ebhedini. Ndinyukelwa zihigh blood. Ootoki bakho ayinoba zange bakuxelela yonke lento
waqonda ukuba mayife inja. Uzobuya ngoku, akhonto uyenzileyo ngoVenus. Usaphila wonwabile
nomfazi wakhe. Mna ndingcungcuthekiswe for absolutely no reason. So mandivuye ukuba ubuyile,
ukuba awufanga kuba kaloku nguwe umntu obalulekileyo mos, andina msebenzi mna. Noba ndigqithe
entweni mandi understande kakoku kuba une grand plan wena. Unditshatele ntoni ungatshati oMonti
noSiyanda? Ukuba awuzundithemba. Ukuba awuvakalelwa xa ndingcungcutheka, kuba nangoku
ubuyiswe kukuba ndileli noLamar qha. Ohodoshe bakho bakuxelele waqonda ukuba upatyakalisa yonke
lento uzondixelela ukuba ndilihule. Tshata aba bantu ubakhathaleleyo bhuti.”

Simba: ”Akukho nto ipotyakeleyo apha, akhomntu kaVenus uyaziyo ukuba ndilapha.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh. Andizuyomxelela nam ke njengoba ingekho into endidibanisa naye. Kunye nobhuti
bakho. Umamakho umntu endithetha naye seyazi nenjanana zakhe ziyayazi so usorted. Ungaphindela
ekufeni ke, enkosi ngokuzo ndazisa ukuba uyaphila.”

Simba: ”Ndiyawuqonda umsindo wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Bendiba akufunekanga ndiqumbe ndibe nomsindo kaloku kuba sewubuyile. Ndiyabulela
ukuba kanti ndisenelungelo lokuqumba.”

Simba: ”Kukuba andinoqiniseka ngawe Nomtha. Ucompulsive kakhulu. Mhlawumbi ngendikunikile ke

ibenefit of the doubt-

532
Nomtha: ”Should've. Could've. Would've. Awusayenzanga yonke lonto. Into endidikayo kukuba uhleli
usonge izandla usiva ukuba andizithathanda kakuhle indaba zokubhubha kwakho. Mhlawumbi
bendizoba nomsindo ngakuVenus ngemimi yomngcwabo, ndimgxeleshe ndenze yonke lonto kodwa
emveni koko! Kuba ubuyile nje namhlanje kucacile ukuba ubunokwazi. Wandibukela going through
whatever I was going through ngenxa yakho ube ungakwazi undikhulula kulantlungu. Kuba uyayazi
akakho umntu endimfuna efile njengo Venus. Bendingasoze ndibaleke ndiye kwakhe ndiyomxelela nto.
Bendinga zukuxelela nobhuti bakho kuba andina budlelwane nabo. Andinanto endidivanisa nabo.
Awundithembanga qha wena nangaphezulu koko undiyeke ndixhwaleka ndingena mntu ecaleni kwam.
Uyayazi andina family, ubucinga ukuba ndizokhalela kubani? Itshomi zakho zimnkile uzithathele kuzo
kuba bexabise wena kakade. Ndiyafouna aziphumeli iphone zabo ababuyeli nakum. Undithathela wena
uphinde undithathele abahlobo bakho. Ndizogadwa ngoSolomon endiqala nokuba bona. Kufuneka
ndivuyele lonto mna. Ukuba ndigadwa ngaba bantu! ”

Simba: ”Awuzufumana sohlukaniso.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuke wandiva ndisithi ndifuna isohlukaniso na wena? Ucuma nabani?!”

Simba: ”Andincumanga.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngento yonke odlule kuyo ngenxa yam. Ewe, unyanisile emveni kwesifihlo
ngendathetha nawe ndakwazisa ukuba ndiyaphila. Ndenze impazamo ngokunga kuxeleli kuba bendiyazi
ukuba awukho right qha bendingayazi ukuba to what extent. Bebe ngandixeleli yonke into oMonti kuba
beyazi uba ndizoza ndibaleka. Andibuyiswanga kukuba u- u- nalandoda.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ndenze ntoni?”

Simba: ”Sukufuna ndiyithethe Nomtha, uyayazi ukuba wenzeni nalandoda. Ndifounelwe nguMalik
wandixelela yonke into and ebekhala.”

Nomtha: ”Kungcono ke xa sivakala isikhalo. Kuba bendawukhala ndome mna ndingaxelelwa kwanto,
kungeziwa nto.”

Simba: ”Uyabuthetha ububhanxa xa ucacile ke. Andithi ndiyatsho ukuba nguye ondixelele yonke into in
detail. OMonti bebesitsho nje ukuba awukho right kodwa bengayibhentsisi ukuba awukho right
kangakanani. Yilonto ndibuyile kodwa akupotyakalanga nto ngokubakho kwam apha kuba sesiphezulu
kohlelo nomalume and andizuya eKapa, I mean eRhawutini. Ndizobe ndihlala apha ndizifihla uzokwazi
ukumane usiza ngempela veki.”

Nomtha: ”Andikholwa ukuba uyaphila.”

Simba: ”Ndingumoya ongendawo.”

Utsho wancuma. Bendidikwa nayilento ebuye esemhle yena. Ebenezifutyana ezikhulu, caba uyazilolonga
nokuzilolonga. Ebesene nteshana ke nakulonto. Mna ndilicala ngeloxesha.

Nomtha: ”Indlela endicaphuka ngayo ke tana njengoba kumnandi kuwe.”

Simba: ”Ukuba andihleli ndizokhala. Andifuni kukhala. Uthini ugqirha ngeweight yakho?”

533
Nomtha: ”Undinike isupplements.”

Simba: ”Uyazitya kengoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Uthi yintoni kengoku elulalisa notitshala wakho?”

Ndimkrwaqule ndavala umlomo wam. Ungenile ekamireni kuba ebesami ngasemnyango. Uzoma apha
ecaleni kwam esondele kakhulu.

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Ndiyabuza.”

Ndinyuse amagxa.

Simba: ”Oh njengoba ubunomlomo omkhulu kungekudala, awusakwazi ukuthetha ngoku? Ungenisa
amadoda kwikhaya labantwana bam, ubalalisa ebhedini yethu!”

Nomtha: ”Andinasizathu.”

Simba: ”Ulele naye nje kuba kumnandi? Uvukwe bubufebe baseHillbrow. Kudala walalwa yindoda enye,
ubungasakwazi nokulinda?”

Nomtha: ”Ndisisifebe?”

Simba: ”Awusiso?”

Nomtha: ”Bendingafebeli mntu kodwa kwelityeli and nawe uyazi ukuba ndandilala namadoda ngo-

Simba: ”Ngenxa yobufebe qha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndazi uswelekile kaloku mna. Ukuba wawundixelele ukuba awuswelekanga nyani
ngendingalelanga naye. Ngekunga-

Simba: ”Ndizokukhaba ngalamzuzu mna ngoku ukhulelweyo. Ndikuqwabaze lamathanjana wakho

ndiyokupha izinja. Umntanam umbonisa ezincanca zamakwirikwiri apha ulala namadoda amdaka
ongawaziyo uphinde uzondiphendula into ebolileyo apha. Awunambeko maan wena. Awuzihloniphi,
awuhloniphi nomntwana lo umthweleyo. Umdala ngoku awuna nineteen. Usezova kabuhlungu kuba
kukukhula oko. Ndisezofa manyani, uzama ukundibonisa ukuba uzohamba uzoneka kuwo wonke lomntu
ujingisayo ngenxa yokuba uva kabuhlungu! Kufuneka ndingafi kengoku mna kuba umfazi wam
uzohambe ekhukhuzwa ngaba lwatha- iyakunyumbaza lento ndiyithethayo?!”

Nomtha: ”Andiyihleli kuba ndiyihleka.”

Simba: ”No ndiserious. Ude unxibe iringi yam ubambana nencanca zoOkeke! Unxibe iringi yam!”

Nomtha: ”Wawuthe ndingayikhululi!”

Simba: ”Oh wayiva leyo? Ongazange uyive yile ndandikuxelela ukuba undithembe? Ungaxhamazeli?!”

534
Nomtha: ”Ucinga ukuba ndizodibanisa ezozinto mna nokufa kwakho?!”

Simba: ”Ukuba ungumntu obhadlileyo ubuzodibanisa. Uyanducaphukisa ngoba ngoku kufuneka ndibe
ndikrwitshana notitshala bakho ngenxa yokuba wena ungakwazi ukuzibamba.”

Nomtha: ”Awuzukrwitsha mntu. Lamntu wabizwa ndi-

Simba: ”Ucinga ukuba ndifuna ukuva yonke lonto mna?!”

Nomtha: ”Wabizwa ndim. Ndamngenisa nasendlini, waqalwa ndim. Wazi indoda yam iswelekile
njengoba nam bendicinga so ebengaziboni esenza into ewrongo njengoba nam bendinga ziboni ndisenza
into ewrong-

Undibethe ngetowl kaZendaya ebusweni ndavala umlomo kukothuka.

Simba: ”Uzoncedwa kukuba ukhulelwe kuba bendizokuqhwaba ngempama ubedizzy. Undazi kakuhle
qha uyathanda ukuziphambanisa. Ndizoyikrwitsha qha latitshala yakho ifunde isifundo engasoze
isilibale.”

Nomtha: ”Ungamlimazi torho Simba. Siyayazi uligints-

Simba: ”Uyalazi igintsa? Uyandibona mna? Xa undijonge kakuhle ubona ulow life wegintsa? Hayi
ungandiqheli.”

Nomtha: ”Ungamenzi nto ke noba awulogintsa. And andiyonwabelanga nalento yokuba ndilele nenye
indoda ndikhulelwe. Ukuba bendizokwazi ngendisenza imilingo kube kanti andilelanga naye kodwa
andizuxolisa kuwe-

Simba: ”The fuck not?!”

Nomtha: ”Kuba ubufile kaloku wena. Wandishiya kwinyubha-nyubha ndenza into bekufuneka ndiyenzile
ukuziva bhetele.”

Simba: ”Ndixolisile mna, wena kutheni kengoku ungazukuxolisa? Awutshatanga nam kanti? Awulalange
nendado engendim? Huh? Kutheni uzozingomba isifuba ngento engekhoyo?”

Nomtha: ”Andizingombi isisifuba! Ndiyatsho mos ukuba ndiyazisola. Bendibhuqwa sisazela sokuba
ndibuyele kwimukhwa yam yakudala kwaye bendingafuni ukuba ngulaNomtha u user amadoda
ukuzenza abebhetele. Ndithe sekwenzekile ndabona ukuba ndingcono kunoko ndizigweba. Ndide
ndazixela kumama kuba bendinesazela ndizilimaza nokuzilimaza.”

Simba: ”Umxelele uBisola?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndimxelele. Nguye umntu bendiziva ndisafe ukuthetha naye angandohluleli.”

Simba: ”Andizungakohluleli mna unikise ngezinto zam kuma kwirikwiri.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuyeke ukubakrwada.”

Simba: ”Yiforeigner qha lamntu andikho krwada. Andikholwa uba uxelele umamam ngobufebe bakho.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuyeke ukuthi ndisisifebe, ndim ndodwa umntu onelungelo lokuzibiza njalo xa ndifuna
hayi wena. Ungaphinde undibize njalo.”

535
Cwaka.

Simba: ”Ndizohlala apha noBisola.”

Nomtha: ”Ubusewutshilo.”

Simba: ”Ndizokubookhela iflight yangoLwesihlanu uze ngapha kuba mna andizukwazi ukuya eJoburg.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Oh! Kanjalo nje?!”

Nomtha: ”Kanjalo nje ntoni?”

Simba: ”Bendiba usezondilwisa nakule into.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizela ukuzobona umntwana wam hayi wena. Ubuzofa ixesha elingakanani?”

Simba: ”Mhlawumbi inyanga ezintathu.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuzobuya ngomngcwabo wam kuba bendawube sendifile.”

Simba: ”Uncedile andifounele uMalik. Bendingacingi ukuba kubi kangaka. Yinto yokugqibela bendifuna
yenzeke ke, undikholwe kulonto. Akusoze nanini na kube mnandi ku ukukubona ungcungcutheka. Intlelo
endinazo zingama zonke kuba ayikho into ezweni ebaluleke ukogqitha wena, nomlomo wakho omkhulu.
I'm genuinely sorry ngayo yonke into.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Nalala kaye nalandoda?”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo Simba ngumbuzo onjani lowo?!”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukwazi.”

Nomtha: ”Izonceda entweni yonke lonto?”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukwazi. Nalala kangaphi?”

Nomtha: ”Iround?”

Simba: ”Ndifuni kwazi rounds mna ndibuza ukuba nadibana kangaphi nalala?”

Nomtha: ”Kanye.”

Simba: ”Kanye?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Ungcono kunam.”

Nomtha: ”Izonceda ngantoni lonkcukacha? Kutheni sisathetha ngoLamar? Bendiba sigqithile apho.”

Simba: ”Ndigqitha njeni? So?”

Nomtha: ”So ntoni?”

536
Simba: ”Ndixelele, wayengcono kunam na?”

Nomtha: ”Enyanisweni andikhumbuli.”

Simba: ”Awukhumnuli njani?”

Nomtha: ”Kuba ndandishushu.”

Simba: ”Njani uba wawushushu?”

Nomtha: ”Ndandisele utywala.”

Simba: ”Uyasela nokusela?! Awukhulelwanga kanti Nomtha?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndasela kanye.”

Simba: ”Awukhulelwanga na?! Umbuzo wam, andibuzanga ukuba wasela kangakanani, awukhulelwanga
na?!”

Nomtha: ”Ndikhulelwe.”

Simba: ”Uyintoni kengoku etywaleni ukhulelwe?! Yayazi ukuba buyingozi emntwini okhulelweyo utywala
kodwa usaqhubeka ubeka ubomi bomntwana wam emgciphekweni.”

Nomtha: ”Njengoba nawe wawububeke emgciphekweni ngokudlala ukuzifisa ndikhulelwe.”

Simba: ”Kucacile ukuba andinokuthemba ngabantwana mos. Bhetele ndingafi nyani, ndigalelwe ityuwa.
Kuba ndafa uzoba nguJunior number two! Utywala! Hayi uxakile shame. Uphuma phambili. Yintoni enye
oyenzileyo? Ndisose ndisifa kwangoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ayikho.”

Simba: ”Lotitshala wakho umncwasile?”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Nomtha: ”Andimncwasanga.”

Simba: ”Be honest with me.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinyanisile, andimncwasanga.”

Simba: ”Ndithembe ukuba akukho nto ezophinde yenzeke phakathi kwakho nawe?”

Ndiphinde ndahlunguzela intloko.

Nomtha: ”Soze.”

Simba: ”Masithi iyenzeka, ndithini mna? Ndikuthini?”

Nomtha: ”Undibulale.”

Simba: ”Into endizokwazi ukuyenza.”

Nomtha: ”Divorce.”

537
Simba: ”Ndithe into endinokwazi ukuyenza.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi ke. Kuzofuneka uthembe ukuba undithembe. Andiyazi ungandithembi nje kungoku
uzokwenza kanjani kodwa ke yiyo into endiyicingayo.”

Simba: ”I'm playing it cool kodwa iyandibulala lento. Ukuba ube intimate nawe ngalondlela, wakungena.
Weva izinto endizivayo xa ndingaphakathi kwakho ... indenza ndifune ukuyomnqunqa. Andizuyenza
lonto kodwa ndifuna ukumgebenga. And I hate you ngokumvumela akubambe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa. Andiyenzanga kuba ndifuna ukukohlwaya ngonto kukuba nje andiyazi. Weakness.
Andizutyhola notywala kuba bendiyazi into bendiyenza, zange ndithathwe i advantage.”

Simba: ”Andifuni uthathwe iadvantave kodwa ayindenzi ndizive bhetele nale yokuba umnike umzimba
wakho ngesibomi. Umzimba wakho ngowoku banjwa ndim. Incwina yakho yeyam ndodwa. You orgasms
zezam. Hayi enye indoda. Ndim umntu onelungelo lokwenza inzwane zakho zishwabane. Mna. Not enye
indoda. Andizuphinde ndibe ndityelwa umfazi mna and divorce is not an option. Ndimdala ngoku
nabantwana bam bayandidinga. Ukuba awusigcini iaithembiso sakho uzozisola baby. Uzozisola kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Andisoze.”

Simba: ”Awuyelanga madoda esikolweni, uyele ukuyofunda. Ukuba udikiwe kukufunda ungahlala
phantsi ndikondle.”

Ndizivalele umlomo wam andamphendula.

Uyongqengqa ebhedini ebeke umntwana esifubeni sakhe endijongile.

Ndipakishe ndagqiba. Ibingengo mgodlo ke iyi overnight bag qha. Ndiyibeke phaya ibag ndaphuma
ndimshiya ebhedini ndiyotya. Bebebambene izandla uBisola noMankeli bejongene emehlweni bethetha.
Ukhawuleze wasikhulula uBisola akundibona. Wabheka uMamnkeli.

Mamnkeli: ”Ninezifombo nalomyeni wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Lento?”

Mamnkeli: ”Lento sive yonke into beniyithetha kulakamire. NgoLama notitshala. Sizihoyele indaba zethu
apha kodwa asikwazi ungaziva ezi zenu.”

Bisola: ”Mahonono! Uzomenza intloni umntwana, wabanjani na kanti?!”

Uphelile yintsini uMamnkeli.

Bendingasena ntloni ingase ndizifake ngaphantsi kwelitye. Ndijikile ndiyongena ekamireni ndavala
ucango. Uxhumile uSimba wandijonga. Ebelele ndamothusa ngomnyango.

Simba: ”Yintoni na wena?!”

Nomtha ”Andisena ntloni!”

Simba: ”Yintoni?”

Nomtha: ”Yhuuuuu! Andisemathe! Yhu!”

538
Simba: ”Yintoni?”

Nomtha: ”Yho hayi sana ndihlazekile.”

Simba: ”Yintoni?”

Nomtha: ”UMamnkeli.”

Simba: ”Sewusebezela ntoni ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Suhleka! Eish!”

Simba: ”Andihleki-

Ndimjamele.

Simba: ”Askies ke. Utheni?”

Nomtha: ”Uve yonke into besiyithetha!”

Simba: ”Uvile?”

Nomtha: ”Sukuncuma uvile. Uthetha ngoLama.”

Simba: ”Ngubani uLama?”

Nomtha: ”NguLamar!”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Uvile nge extra mural activities zakho?!”

Nomtha: ”Uzuhlele kodwa uviwe ubuza uba umnandi kunawe na uLamar. Andisenantloni inoba ucinga
ntoni ngam lotata?!”

Simba: ”Hahahahaha!”

Nomtha: ”Mxm!”

Simba: ”Tshotsho!”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokhatshwa ngubani e airport?”

Simba: ”Nguye.”

Nomtha: ”Yhoooo! Ndiyasiyeka isikolo.”

Simba: ”Hahahaha!”

Bisola: ”Nomtha! Hambani kaloku ungashiywa yiflight!”

Simba: ”Tltltltltlltl! Hahahahaha! Letim go.”

Eishhhh!

539
SIXTY SIX
Akhonto ibindityhafisa njengo kubuyela endlini ekhala ibhungane. Bekungcono kuba emini bendiba
sesikolweni ndingqungwe ngabantu, kodwa bendingeno hlala esikolweni imini kunyanzelekile ndibuyele
endlini.

Bendifika ilelobhungane kungekho naloGogo ebethanda ukundincina ngemibuzo ndisangena emnyango.

Bendikhumbula noZendaya.

Ibisengu Lwesibini ke evekini.

Nomtha: ”Norman, ayikho indawo oyaziyo ethengisa ukutya okumnandi. Andifuni ooKFC noMcDonald's
namhlanje, ndinqena nokupheka.”

Norman: ”Indawo endiyaziyo iseSoweto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndawoni khona, ndiyayazi iSoweto.”

Norman: ”Ndazi iNordges neDiepkloof.”

Norman: ”Kukho indawo eseOrlando East ke, iMoja Café. Kuthengiswa ukutya okumnandi kakhulu
phaya. Zininzi ke indawo kulaSoweto kodwa yona iphuma phambili.”

Nomtha: ”Masiye khona mntase. Ingase nditye ulusu.”

Norman: ”Luyathengiswa phaya necreamy samp nododorhoyi omnandi.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni kengoku udodorhoyi?”

Norman: ”Sisonka samanzi, awumazi udodorhoyi na? UngumXhosa waphi?”

Nomtha: ”Andingo mXhosa mna.”

Norman: ”AwungomXhosa?! Kodwa uthetha isiXhosa esintsonkothileyo!”

Nomtha: ”Andingo mXhosa, I'm Zimbabwean. Ndisasi isiXhosa kuba besithetha sona kakhulu
kuneChishona endlini kuba umama engumXhosa. Zange atsho uSimba ukuba ndinguAneni?”

Norman: ”Ndicinga ukuba ngalamagama akhoyo kaloku mna, uyabazi abazali ngokulandela
nokuphapha.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Ndendela nakumXhosa ke. USimba nguye ke umntu onothi uthetha isiXhosa
esintsonkothileyo.”

Norman: ”Hayisuka!”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoluxela! Hahaha!”

Norman: ”Ungake. Kodwa unesilungu kakhulu umyeni wakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ayikho lonto. USimba uyayithanda into enesintu sakowebo. Amasiko, ulwimi. Kukuba
ungamazi wena.”

Norman: ”Mhlawumbi yilonto.”

540
Nomtha: ”Utshatile, Norman?”

Norman: ”Ulincoko namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Kanene awusosithethi.”

Norman: ”Ndisiso kanti kodwa andifuni kutsiba migca apha kuba sisonka sam esi. Andifuni kuxabana
nomhlekazi.”

Nomtha: ”Caba nawe uyayazi ukuba uyaphila.”

Norman: ”Anditshongo ukuba uyaphila, kuba akaphili. Into endiza-

Nomtha: ”Cut the bull.”

Norman: ”Andikuxelelanga nto mna.”

Nomtha: ”Kakade awundixelelelanga nto. Ndive ngempukane eziluhlaza, ohodoshe.”

Norman: ”Mhh.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi noSimba ukuba ndiyayazi so akukho sidingo sokuba uxhalabe.”

Ukhuphe umoya.

Norman: ”Bendixelelwe kakuhle ukuba ndingayithi vu ngapha koko-

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayiqonda Norman. Akukho sidingo sokuba uzicacise. Ubusenza umsebenzi wakho qha
wena. Uke uthethe naye?”

Norman: ”Andinayo indlela yokuxhumana naye mna ma'am. Ndithatha iorders kuMonti qha.
Kwakutshiwo ke ukuba ndizithathe kuye.”

Nomtha: ”Oh alright. Ndiyakuva.”

Norman: ”Yilonto ukhaphu-khaphu kangaka kwezintsuku zimbalwa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikhaphu-kaphu?”

Norman: ”Kakhulu. Awukhangeleki okungathi uthwele umnqamlezo kaYesu-

Nomtha: ”Mxm uYesu.”

Norman: ”Yintoni? Awulokholwa?”

Nomtha: ”Andikholwa kunyana ndikholwa kuYise.”

Norman: ”Ohhh, uyakwazi ukukholwa komnye ungakholwa komnye kanti? Kuba kuthiwa wancama
unyana wakhe okukuphela kwamzeleyo, emncamela thina.”

Nomtha: ”Andimva lamfo mna.”

Norman: ”Hahahahaha! This is interesting!”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi nguMashaya waseBhayi, ubu tar Mthurarha.”

541
Norman: ”Hahahaha! Kanti uhlekisa kangaka!”

Nomtha: ”Abafazi abahlekisi Norman. So utshatile wena?”

Norman: ”Ndinepartner.”

Nomtha: ”Umntu xa esithi une partner, usube ethetha ukuba uyahlalisana.”

Norman: ”Awuyazi ukuba izinto zegays nelesbian ziyakhawulezisa. Enyakeni nje unomntu sewuhlala
naye, kowesibini ulobole ninabantwana.”

Nomtha: ”Kumnandi mos. Inoba mhle nomntu wakho.”

Norman: ”Hahaha! Ndiyabulela mhle, ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh.”

Besizothenga itake away. Phofu bendi, kuba bendizozithengela ndodwa. Kodwa sibone ubuhle bendawo
sayochopha phantsi sa order. Sityile ke sincokola ngeSoweto. Ebehlala eNaturena yena ne'Partner'
yakhe. INaturena ibikufuphi apha, ikufuphi ngakumbi eDk. Ibiyi suburb entle efikelekayo.

Ebepeya kakuhle naye, nomntu wakhe esebenza umsebenzi ompeyisa kakuhle eyi mananger
kwiCustomer Service yaseMerchant eBryaston.

Nomtha: ”Akuqashwa kengoku andifake?”

Norman: ”Awufundi?”

Nomtha: ”Xa ndigqibileyo kaloku.”

Norman: ”College. University. TVET?”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo hayi! Ingathi andide ndiphangele mna yhuu! Ndikhumbula ukuphangela mna.”

Norman: ”Wawuphangela phi ngaphambili kokuba ubuyele esikolweni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndandiphangela kwenye iclub eJoburg. Ndihlala eHillbrow!”

Norman: ”Wawuhlala eJozi?!”

Nomtha: ”Yep. Kwiflatana encinane phaya.”

Norman: ”Njengoba unguMrs prim and proper nje ngoku!”

Nomtha: ”Yehake Mrs prim and proper. Andikho nanjalo wethu mna ngumyeni oprim and proper, mna
ndise ngula girl wase Hillbrow qha ndingumfazi ngoku futhi ndingumama.”

Unikine intloko yakhe endincumele.

Norman: ”Ndifunde isifundo. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Mna ndikujonge ndabona umntu o- okay
ingandigxothisi lento ndizoythetha. Umntu osis'snob. Ispoiled brat esidada emalini. Yonke into ayifunayo
umyeni uyakufunela. Ndiyamangala xa usithi ukhumbula umsebenzi kum ingathi zange waphangela
okanye awusoze uphangele. Ufunda nje kuba uchitha ixesha.”

542
Nomtha: ”Umyeni wam usatsho nangoku ukuba ndisi snob. Wethu amaxesha okubasiso ndibe yibrat
kuba ndandikhule kanjalo. Yonke into ayifunayo uAneni uyayifumana, yintombi katata. Xa ndifuna
ukuhamba naye kwiboardroom meeting ndizoya kodwa xa ndina fifteen kwanyanzeleka ukuba ndikhule
kwezongqondo kuba basweleka abantu basekhaya ndasheka ndodwa. Ndarhereza ndihlala kwiflats
ezingundileyo zaseHillbrow. So bubomi wethu. Ndiyabazi ubutyebi kodwa uThixo wandehlisa,
wandithoba. Amanzi ndawafumana apha ezantsi. Ndahlupheka. Ngoku andisiso isityebi ndiyaphila qha.
Andisoze ndimjongele phantsi omnye umntu ngendlela ndandinomjongela phantsi ngayo eight okanye
nine years ago.”

Norman: ”Mhhhh. Mna ke zange ndasokola. Awunofane usibone istabane esisokolayo- ndiyadlala.
Hahaha! Kodwa andizange ndasokola. Ndisuka kwimiddle class family. Sasihlala eGlen ke kwindlu enkulu
ndifunda eRiverlea. Ukusuka apho ndaya euniversity ndafumana umsebenzi. Nomntu wam ngokunjalo.
Andiyazi tu intlupheko.”

Nomtha: ”Kumnandi kuwe. Ayikho ezweni into ekuthoba isidima njenge ntlupheko. Udinge nepad le
yakwa mbala, ubone apho ukuba jaaa bunzima ubomi. Kubuhlungu ukusokola.”

Norman: ”Ndinombono. Ndiyawazi amadoda anamasapho, aswela umsebenzi. Ngeloxesha endlini

balilisa amehlo bajonge kuyo abe engena themba lanto. Imbi into yokuhlupheka nokuswela kwendoda
kuba ijongwe okwentloko yekhaya. Kunyanzelekile izise ukutya etafileni. Asifani nani thina esiba nemali
zemiqamelelo nemibhejo.”

Nomtha: ”Yhe tana! Ndothuka ndiqala nje ukudibana noSimba! Imali andipha yona! Ndayobhatala
amatyala am onke, ndiqonda indibone ngantoni lendoda. Kungcono nyani xa ingumntu ongumama.
Ukusokola kwendoda lusizi maan!”

Norman: ”Kakhulu!”

Sitye sagqiba sisancokola kamnandi. Siyihleka. Bendingayazi, ndingasakhumbuli nokuba ndagqibela nini
ukuhleka ngolahlobo. Ndonwabe ngolahlobo. Bendiqonda futhi ukuba kungenxa yoba ndiyazi uba
umyeni wam uyaphila. Ayikho into ibinditya nebinditsala igazi njengokucinga ukuba akasekho uSimba.
Bendinomsindo ngendlela enze ngayo izinto ewe, kodwa bendivuye ngaphezulu kokuqonda ukuba
ukhona. Bendilala ubuthongo obuhlayo ndiyekile nokungxunguphala. Ndiyakuxelela mhla wasweleka
manyani ndawuze nditsho koMonti ukuba bandixelele apho akhoyo nyani. Ebezoncame abe ngomnye
umbala ofa avuke, afele izono zethu siphinde kwathina sife kodwa besifelwe. Yiyo lento bendinga
mvisisisi lamfo- kodwa besingekho apho.

Ndifike kukhala ibhungane endlini. Besendityile ndihluthi ndade ndabuya netake-away. Eyam
nekaNorman. Ebezoyishiya kuba engafuni umntu wakhe ayazi ukuba utye out kuba ebethe angatyi
uzopheka. Ndiyithathile kemna kuba bendizazi ukuba ndizokhatywa yinkawu kuba ndihleli nje
ndilambile. Njengoba umdla wam wokutya ububuya ngamandla bendihoboloza horho!

Ndiyohlamba ndanxiba impahla zokulala. Ndicinge sendicime nezibane ukuba ndifounele uMalik
ndimbulele.

Uyibambe seludala ikhala.

Malik: ”Hi, Nomtha.”

543
Nomtha: ”Uright?”

Malik: ”Fine and dandy, unjani wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright nam enkosi.”

Malik: ”Mh.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa ukufounela ngobusuku-”

Malik: ”Akukho ngxaki andikalali, sisabukele iseries. Ikhona ingxaki?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi, bendifuna nje ukukubulela.”

Malik: ”Oh?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. USimba undixelele ukuba uye wamfounela wamxelela yonke into.”

Malik: ”Uthethe naye?!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ndithethe naye.”

Malik: ”Zindaba ezimnandi, akukho nesidingo sokuba ubulele Nomtha into ebekugqithisa kuyo utata
ubiwrongo. Bendiyazi futhi ukuba oMonti abazumxelela ngezizathu zokuba bengafuni ukumphazamisa
kwinto ayenzayo, kodwa bendiyazi mna uba ebeyazi kakuhle imeko okuyo angayeka nantoni na for
wena. Ndiyavuya ukuba bendiright.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyavuya ukuba umxelele.”

Malik: ”Great, unjani ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ndingcono kakhulu. Ndise nomsindo kancinci kodwa ndonwabile ukuva ukuba usaphila.
Bendigowa nyani.”

Malik: ”Zimnandi ezindaba, ndiyabulela ngokundazisa. Bendikhathazekile nyani ngawe. Umncinci

kakhulu ukuba ugqithe kulonto uwedwa. Kuyafana ukuba ubuwedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Yeyake umncinci kakhulu.”

Malik: ”Noba unga si'stepmother sam umncinci le kum. Awundolekeli nokundolekela. Awolekeli noza
emveni kwam, awulingali kwanalo oza emveni koza emveni k-

Nomtha: ”Ok! Ok! Yhu!”

Malik: ”Hahahaha! Nangoku. Ziphi ijellytots?”

Nomtha: ”UBisola umthathile.”

Malik: ”Oh ukugogo wakhe?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Malik: ”Alright ke. Uthi ubaby kufuneka usimeme kwidinara ukubulela kakuhle.”

”Sukuxoka Malik!”

544
Ndimve ekhwaza ndayihleka.

Nomtha: ”Kuleveki izayo.”

Malik: ”Kulungile ke.”

Nomtha: ”Goodnight.”

Malik: ”Sho!”

”Aneni Tongai!”

Argh!

Nomtha: ”Ndizonifumana ngaphandle.”

Azukiwe: ”Ufuna ntoni lo?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi.”

Ndiye kuye. Ulinde ukuba kuphume wonke umntu wachopha phantsi esonga inyawo. Bekuphume isikolo
iclass yakhe iyiperiod yolugqibela.

Nomtha: ”Mr Okeke.”

Lamar: ”You've been avoiding me.” kudala undiphepha.

Nomtha: ”Andikuphephi qha bendingaboni ikho into ibinosithethisa.”

Lamar: ”Oh?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Lamar: ”I beg to differ.” Andivumelani nawe.

Ndiphefumlile ndijonga emnyango. Inoba uNorman sendilindile ngaphandle ebefika five minutes
ngaphambili kokuba siphume isikolo esenzela ukuba ndingamlindi.

Nomtha: ”What happes in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

Lamar: ”Ayo bullshit romcom movie le. Okokuqala ngifuna ukuxolisa if kungathi ndikuthathe i advantage
at your state.”

Nomtha: ”Awundithathanga advantage and nyani Mr Okeke asikho isidingo sokuba sibuyele emva sibe
siphicotha into eyenzekileyo. Ayonto ingako. Undifumene ngemoment of weakness and ndiyaxolisa
ngokuku user.”

Lamar: ”Undi user? Haha! My goodness I loved every minute of it.

Into engizama ukuyisho ukuthi I'm sorry kwenzeke udakiwe- sidakiwe but I'm not sorry at all.”

Nomtha: ”Angeke iphinde yenzeke lanto yenzeke ngobabusuku.”

Lamar: ”Nomtha, we are bot adults apha. Ngiyabona ukuthi uzoba reluctant ngoba ngiyakufundisa and
your husband just died and you're still in mourning. And ukhulelwe. Into engiyishoyo we can use this

545
time sibonane. Dates. Dinner night, the works. No sex is fine for me uze ube ready. Umuhle, you are a
Shona speaking beatiful melanin girl. Angikho namdala kakhulu, I'm only twenty nine so akuna nkinga-

Norman: ”Sinengxaki apha Nomtha. Ndikumele fifteen minutes yonke ngaphandle, abahlobo bakho
bathi ububizwe ngutitshala.”

Usukumile uLamar. Ebengenguye laNorman ndandihleli naye, ndihleka naye eMoja.

EbenguNorman/Transporter/security. Ebekhangeleka okungathi uzokwenza ikarate kicks ngoku!

Lamar: ”Ndiyax-

Norman: ”UnguLamar Okeke right?”

Undikrwaqule uLamar erhole amehlo kancinci.

Norman: ”Great. Mhlekazi umsebenzi wakho apha kukufundisa. Right? Qha. Ufundise ufokofe uye
kwakho. Yeyiphi lecurriculum ethi yiya emizini westudent zakho, umise istudent xa kufuneka zigodukile
kuba ufuna ukubaqhasa? Do you want me to escalate this matter?”

Lamar: ”No of course not.”

Norman: ”Yenza umsebenzi wakho mhlekazi uhlukane nokwenza izinto ongazihlawulelwa. Uzongena
engxakini enkulu kakhulu, awuyazi ukuba unyathela ezinzwaneni zobani. Hlukana noNomtha unless
inokwenza nento yesikolo. Ndikubone futhi eCenturion okanye ndive kusithiwa ubuphaya ndizokwenza
iartwork ngobuchopho bakho okay? Good boy. Masambe Nomtha.”

Ndilandele emveni kwakhe.

Norman: ”Mrs Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi ndiyayazi.”

Norman: ”Uyazi nje ukuba uba iboss indibuza ngalomfo andizuquma nto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi.”

Andikwazanga ukuya eKapa kulompela veki kuba bendixakeke kakhulu esikolweni. Ndimxelele uSimba,
ebengonwabanga kodwa waqonda. Bendizoba bona kwezayo iveki. Bendikruquke mna kuqala kodwa
bendidinga ukwenza unsebenzi wam wesikolo ndizopasa ndiphume kwinto enesikolo.

Ndifounelwe nguLuleka evekini. Andifuni nokuxoka bendimlibele shici ukuba bendimthembise

ukubuyela kuye. Bendilibele shici.

Nomtha: ”Hi.”

Luleka: ”Ndalinda, ndalinda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndilibele shici! Askies!”

Luleka: ”Uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila enkosi akhonto unjani wena?”

546
Luleka: ”Utshate nomXhosa nyani, kaloku wena xa ubuzwa impilo ubuthatha ngokuthi 'ndiright wena?'.
Ndiyaphila nam. Uzoba free nini ndizozokubona apho?”

Nomtha: ”Yhuuu! Ngeweekend ndizobe ndingekho. Evekini ndiyafunda so andiyazi ukuba ndizolifumana
nini ixesha. Ndibusy kakhulu esikolweni.”

Luleka: ”Grade twelve uhectic.”

Nomtha: ”Kakhulu.”

Luleka: ”Ungabuyela kwam xa ubuya esikolweni. Uzotya idinara nam noSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Kungcono sidibane kwirestaurant.”

Luleka: ”Okay. Nomtha are you mad at me or something? Kuba ndiva okungathi undipholele nje and
awufuni kudibana nam okanye ukuza kum. Uqumbele ukuba ndingakuxelelanga ngoSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Andisoze ndiqumbele lonto. Umntu wndimqumbeleyo nguSimba ubuqu. Nina aningeni
ndawo. Nam wandiquma ndingafuni uSimba ayazi ukuba ndiphi okanye ndikhulelwe and ndilindele
ukuba ube nalontembeko kumhlobo wakho so nyani ngabe ndiyaphambana uba ndizokuqumbela
lonto.”

Luleka: ”Yintoni kengoku ingxaki?”

Nomtha: ”Akukho ngxaki sisi nyani. Ndixakekile sisikolo, andizukwazi ukuza kwakho noSimba- nonto
maan, noSiyanda. Kungenzeka uVenus unibeke iso so andifuni abone nam.”

Luleka: ”Yi excuse ke leyo.”

Nomtha: ”Ayo excuse. Andifuni abantu bakwaMatanzima bandazi apho ndihlala khona. Qha.
Ndizokwenza usuku sometime kuleveki izayo ukuba andixakekanga esikolweni sidibane kulondawo.”

Luleka: ”Mhhh okay. Alright. Umntwana uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe uright, ukumakhulu wakhe uBisola. So ndihlala ndodwa.”

Luleka: ”Yho! Inoba zinjani iziyalu?! Kufuneka senze isleepover.”

Nomtha: ”Haha!”

Luleka: ”Kutheni wahleka? Kufuneka senze isleepover.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela kakhulu ngecall sthadwa. Uzova ngam ke kuleveki izayo.”

Luleka: ”Alright, love, bye.”

Nomtha: ”Sharp.”

Ndiyibeke phantsi iphone ndicinga indlela beku awkward ngayo kwaye ndiyayazi ndim. Njengoba
benditshilo nakuye bendinga qumbelanga ukuba encede uSimba okanye beye kuSimba. Okanye
bengandixelelanga ukuba uSimba uyaphila. Yinto ibilindelekile leyo. Yinto awayenza nakum. Intonayo
bendingasafuni ukuzisondeza kakhulu kuye ngendlela yokuba ndicinge ukuba ubuhlobo bethu
bungaphezulu kwento besiyiyo. Besihlobene kuba abayeni bethu naye ke engumyeni kaSimba.

547
Ndiyibonile lonto ngokungacingi nakanye ukufounela 'umhlobo wakhe' ebeswelekelwe ngumyeni,
nakanye nje ambuze ukuba unjani.

Ewe ebeyazi ukuba usaphila yena kodwa mna bendingayazi. Bendicinga nyani ukuba utshabile kuba
bandenze ndakholwa ukuba utshabile. Xa ungenoxhomekeka kwinkxaso yomhlobo wakhe ngexesha
elinzima ungumhlobo wantoni kakuhle, kakuhle? Xa kumnandi qha. Akakucingi xa kunzima kuba
uhoyane nalomntu ungumhlobo wakhe wokwenyani. So bendingaqumbanga. Nakancinci.
Besizoqhubeka ngobuhlobo bethu xa kukho uSimba, kubekho idinara nelunch nantoni qha bekuphelele
apho.

548
SIXTY-SEVEN
Simba: ”Uzochachatheka apha esantini ngenxa yokuba ungafuni ukuhlalelana nam.”

Nomtha: ”Kukuthini ukuchachatheka?”

Simba: ”Yilento uyenzayo. Sawuphila lempilo ngoku mna nawe?”

Nomtha: ”Simba andiyazi uthetha ngantoni mna kodwa ndizozipholela apha kuba ndinesithukuthezi,
uZendaya noMakhulu wakhe balele. Andizubukelana noMiracle eqoqosha.”

Bekunge kudalanga ndifikile. Bendilovile esikolweni kuba bendithe uSimba abooke iflight yango10
ekuseni. Bendilova okokugqibela ndiyafunga. Bendikhumbula nje umntwana wam. Ndafike belele
noBisola. Utata uMamnkeli undibeje nje wakhawuleza wemnka.

Simba: ”Andikho mna?”

Nomtha: ”Ngoku ndifike uxakekile?”

Simba: ”Andisaxakekanga kaloku ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Kengoku?”

Simba: ”Suthi kengoku kum.”

Nomtha: ”Uyandikhaba!”

Simba: ”Nangoku ndiyakukhaba. Uhambe kakuhle?”

Uchophe ecaleni kwam naye. Ebenxibe ijean ke njengoba ebechopha emanzini. Ijean nehempe
epholileyo. Mna ndifike ndatshintshela kwibathing suite yam.

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Qha umntu bendimgxamele ulele.”

Simba: ”Uncede alale, uyageza lamntu.”

Nomtha: ”Utheni?”

Simba: ”Uyafeketha. Ulaliswe kukugeza.

Nomtha: ”Ubethiwe?”

Simba: ”Siphambene thina sibetha umntu ongakaya?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake, ingcwangu zezantoni?”

Simba: ”Ayikho lento uyibuzayo ke nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”

Simba: ”Kunjani ukuhlala wedwa?”

Nomtha: ”Kuzolile, ingase ndihlale ndodwa uforever.”

Simba: ”Mxm.”

549
Nomtha: ”Ndixelele kaloku ukuba ufuna ndithini, ndizotsho lonto.”

Simba: ”Thetha inyani qha wena.”

Nomtha: ”Akumnandanga. Ziziyalo nje ingase ndihlale ndingekho endlini. Ndihlale ndisesikolweni.”

Simba: ”Uqale nini ukusithanda kangaka isikolo?”

Nomtha: ”Hehe! Inene.”

Simba: ”Uyahleka s'hlangu ubona iglue.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni ingxaki yakho?”

Simba: ”Ndingxamele ukuba uphele unyaka uzophuma kobabubhanxa besikolo.”

Nomtha: ”Ngenxa katitshala?”

Undijamele.

Simba: ”Kutheni ungafuni ndimkrwitshe lomntu?”

Nomtha: ”Simba ...”

Simba: ”Ndifuna nje isizathu noba sincinci ndizoyomkrwitsha.”

Nomtha: ”Kufuneka uthembe mna. Uthembe ukuba andisoze ndiyenze into enjalo. Andisoze
ndikudyolele. Qha.”

Simba: ”Nguye umntu endingamthembi.”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile ungamthembi. Andithi mthembe nam, ndithi themba mna. Isikolo sona andisoze
ndisiyeke ngenxa yokuba ndine history nalatitshala.”

Simba: ”Excuse me?! History ntoni? Awuna bubhanxa bahistory namntu Nomtha uleli naye kanye nje.
History ntoni?!”

Nomtha: ”No history.”

Simba: ”Tyhini le!”

Nomtha: ”Nam sendingxamele ude ndiphume kwesasikolo enyanisweni.”

Simba: ”Ngoba? Uyakuhlupha?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi. Qha ndiyabona ukuba ikwenza uncomfortable into yokubonana naye oko.”

Simba: ”Akakuhluphi yena.”

Nomtha: ”Mhh hayi.”

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Zange sithethe mos emveni kwayo yonke lanto yangalamini. Ndandimphepha, xa kuphuma
iclass yakhe ndiphume msinyane. So kengoku undibizile endixelela ukuba ebengazimiselanga kuthatha

550
iadvantage yam nton ntoni. Ndimxelela ukuba uba kukho umntu othethe I advantage yomnye ndim.
Kodwa kukuba bendingekho kwindawo eright, bendingena njongo zokuba nomntu.”

Simba: ”Wathini yena?”

Nomtha: ”Andilindanga ukuva ukuba uzothini.”

Bendisonqena ukufaka uNorman kanti uzoba sengxakini.

Simba: ”Sewumxele ke ukuba umephi naye, okanye awumanga phi. Ukuba uphinde wabe ekuhlupha
futhi efuna into angayaziyo undixelele.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Wayisebenzisa mos-

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Good. Andiphinde ndikubuze ngalotitshala kwakhona. Ukuba unento ofuna ukundixelela wena
uzondixelela.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. So Nigeria, ubuhlala phi?”

Simba: ”Abuja, kwihotel. Bendingafuni ukudika omalume emizini yabo.”

Nomtha: ”Ungahlali kulomamakho nje?”

Simba: ”Kwilali?! Yho hayi.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba bebevuyile ukubona omalume bakho, noba bekuphantsi kwemeko ezinje.”

Simba: ”Ja beberight. Banomsindo nje ngendlela aphatheke ngayo umama kuVenus. Akalibonanga
elidlalayo. Iyasuka namhlanje. Uzothi 'shuuu'.”

Nomtha: ”Akanovele abulawe nje?”

Simba: ”Ilula gqithi lonto. Idivorce yakhe nomama seyigqityiwe. Andiyazi ngubani othethe naye
wamcebisa kodwa bazokohlula yonke into phakathi. Izindlu- yonke into.”

Nomtha: ”Akayazi uba umama ulapha?”

Simba: ”Ucinga ukuba useNigeria kwaye akamkhathalelanga ngokwaneleyo ukuba amlandelele aqonde
ukuba ulapho nyani na. Wayeka nokwenza ingathi uyamkhathalela. Akakhathali qha ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Umamakho noMamnkeli?”

Simba: ”Ngabahlobo. Unkosikazi kaMamnkeli usaphefumla. Noba akakho zingqondweni kodwa usaphila.
UMamnkeli uthembekile kulamfazi akasoze amenze njalo.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa bayathandana nomamakho.”

Simba: ”Andiyazi ke leyo. Andiyo 'All you need is love' mna. Qha ngabahlobo. Umkhathalele umama,
bazana from way back.”

Nomtha: ”Kengoku abantakwenu abamfouneli umama wenu bambuze ukuba uphi unjani?”

551
Simba: ”Uthi wayethe kuba udinga ixesha lokuzikhotha amanxeba, balindele kuye. Kodwa uthi uMluleki
unyanzelisile wathetha naye nge e-mail emxelela ukuba usezingqondweni zabo- yena nomnkakhe
nabantwana. Inoba abantwana bathetha naye qho kuba ebebathanda abazukulwana bakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Oh maan uMluleli.”

Simba: ”Wayeke wakufounela wena?”

Nomtha: ”For ntoni tana? Andithi umntu ebendidibanisa nabo nguwe, so emveni komfihlo wonke umntu
uye wayotshona kwesakhe ke ubomi baqhubeka. Bendinga lindelanga necall yakhe ke yena kuba
wakuthengisa kuVenus.”

Simba: ”Ndakuxelela kodwa ukuba kutheni baxoka kanjalo.”

Nomtha: ”Ja kodwa kuyafana.”

Simba: ”Kodwa bendicinga ukuba okungenani ke uzokufounela ajonge ukuba nishiyeke kanjani
nomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Xa endikhathalele ngantoni? And ungacingi ukuba njengoba sewubuyile-

Simba: ”Andikabuyi.”

Nomtha: ”Nditsho xa sewuvuke officially ekufeni, andifuni kwanto ezobe isithi nyinyonyanyo kum.
Izophinde ibengathi ndinesixhiba and ndikhohlakele xa ndingabafuni kwam. Mna umntu
ongandixabisanga ndimphuma kwakusasa mntakabawo. Ndanyamezela isibhanxa iminyaka kanti
akanguye naloKing athi nguye. No more. Ndiyekile nokucinga ukuba itshomi zakho zezam. Umntu
kufuneka azirherezele ezakhe itshomi, hayi lento itshomi zabantu sibe sikhathazeka apha xa behoya
itshomi zabo. Uphinde undibone.”

Simba: ”Uthetha ngoSiyanda noLulu?”

Nomtha: ”ULulu iskakhulu. Wayesenza ntoni? Wayeyi secret agent kula Abuja?”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! Mxm.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ndiyabuza.”

Simba: ”Akhonto ayaziyo nganto uLulu qha ebehamba nomyeni wakhe ekwaxhasa mna.”

Nomtha: ”Ebekwiholiday.”

Simba: ”Ungatsho. Umxelele kengoku ukuba uziva kanjani?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi. Ndimxelele nje ukuba andimqumbelanga ngokugcina imfihlelo yakho. Akukho mntu
ndimqumbeleyo ngaphandle kwakho kuba undityala yonke into, ungumyeni wam. Bona abandityali nto
kwaye balandela umyalelo wakho kuba bethembeke kuwe abanye bezizihlobo zakho.”

Simba: ”Uzomxelela ngomso ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ngomso kuzobe kutheni?”

Simba: ”Bazondibona.”

552
Nomtha: ”Bakubona ntoni mhlawumbi? Abakubonanga ngokwaneleyo eAbuja? Singafumani chance
nawe thina ngoku besicinga ukuba uswelekile ngabo! Yhu! Banenceba bona.”

Simba: ”Ubundiqumbele ke wena sewukhweletela abantu nje. NoMalik uzobe ekhona, ndimbizile.”

Nomtha: ”Ubiright kuye ke kuba wakugqibela kudala. Kona ayizukrotyelwa lento yokuquqa kwethu apha
ngulaVenus unesisu esikhulu ingathi unogal'moya.”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! Ucinga ukuba ndiswelekile so akanaxesha lakho okanye ooSiyanda. Ukuba
ebekulandela kwawena ngekukho umntu oqapheleyo kwaba bam. Awuzuza qho ngeveki kodwa
awuzungazi apha. Ndifuna uze, fequently.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh ...”

Simba: ”Kuzobe kukho noMamnkeli nomntwana wakhe uZama. Mhle ke, inoba ulingana nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”

Simba: ”Mhle.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikuvile skhwama! Andizuba nasikhwele ngenxa yokuba ucinga uba omnye umntu mhle.”

Simba: ”Awumazi lowa mhle nyani- Hey! Hahahaha! Tyhini bawo lomntwana, undigalela ngesanti.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuphundele endlini.”

Simba: ”Andifuni, ndifuna ukuhlala apha nawe. Siyakhula isisu.”

Nomtha: ”Mh. Sendinalo negama.”

Simba: ”Igama lantoni, lomntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Kutheni bonke abantwana bam bezothiywa nguwe?”

Nomtha: ”Kuba bendizothini? Bendizoyok'vuza emangcwabeni ndithi Simba vela ngephupha uzothiya
umntwana?”

Simba: ”Usisitunxa. Ngubani futhi uSkhwama?”

Nomtha: ”Hahahahaha! Kungona uyicingayo?”

Simba: ”Tyhini! Kungona ndiyicingayo. Umthiye bani ke sive.”

Nomtha: ”Mihlayonke.”

Simba: ”Mh?”

Nomtha: ”Nd'zokthanda Monday, ndik'thande Tuesday, ndik'thande Wednesday. Thursday na Friday,

Mihlayonke- lo mihlayonye ke. Ngulo wethu.”

Ebephelile yintsini.

Simba: ”Yhooo hayi izinto zakho.”

553
Nomtha: ”Hahahaha!”

Simba: ”Limnandi lona igama. Sinothando Mihlayonke.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa uSinothando usilent. Singase sithi Mihlayonke Monday etc.”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! Uphambene awuziva. Limnandi. Noba ingalilo lodwa limnandi. Xa unowakho
umntwana uzomthiya Monday etc.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiphe omnye umntwana emveni kwalo.”

Simba: ”Ngabe ndiphambene ukuba ndingaphinde ndibe nomnye umntwana. Yibonus lo. UMihla.”

Nomtha: ”Ungathi umntwana wam yibhasela.”

Simba: ”Kulungile, kodwa amajoni am awaphinde ayohlasela ndawo. Ndiright ngabantwana.”

Nomtha: ”Sikuvile ke tata.”

Simba: ”Bendikukhumbula.”

Nomtha: ”Nam.”

Simba: ”Nam. Uzoyeka nini ukundiqumbela?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi.”

Simba: ”Kodwa usandithanda?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Hamba uyohlamba unxibe. Kukho umoya opholileyo ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Wena awuzuhlamba?”

Simba: ”Ubuncwase ukuhlamba nam?”

Nomtha: ”Sendibuza nje kuba uzohlala esantini ngeblukhwe.”

Simba: ”UMiracle uyandihlambela.”

Nomtha: ”Uyavuya wena.”

Simba: ”Ndiyavuya nangoku. Yiza ndikuncedise usukume.”

Nomtha: ”Kukude phantsi.”

Ndolule isandla wanditsala ndasukuma.

Ndimi phambi kwakhe endijongile eserious. Ndimncumele kancinci. Ndahamba ndaya endlini walandela
apha emveni kwam. Sitye kunye ngokuhlwa. Ebefunqulwe nguye umntwana. Ibingekho into yokuba
akutyiwa etafileni ke apha kuba besiqhuba indaba. UBisola esincokolela ngokukhula kwakhe eNigeria.
Ebeyithethiwe nguSimba ebegxeka ilali zabo. Esithi ezakhe zibhetele kunezika Bisola. Besilalise indlebe

554
ke nathi siyihleke. Ngenye imini bendibawela ukuke ndiye nam. Ndizibonele yonke lento bebethetha
ngayo. Bendibawela nokuya eZimbabwe. Noba andiyanga kuloSamora ndiphelele edolophinu yakhona.
Ndike ndinyathele umhlaba wokhokho bam.

Sitye sagqiba ndayohlamba umntwana. Besesihlambile thina. Umama ebelala msinya ke yena, uMiracle
esagoqomisa izitya yena. Ndingene kulakamire bendileli kuyo ngelaxesha bendizise umntwana. Ibingalali
mntu, uSimba elala kwenye. Nditeketise umntwana wam wade wabiwa bubuthongo. Usokolisile kuqala
kodwa wade walala.

Besendibiwe bubuthongo nam ndeva kunqonqozwa emnyango. Iknock yakhona ibisebeza- ukuba
ibikhona lonto. Intliziyo yam ibethele phezulu kuba bendiqonda ukuba ngubani.

Ndisukumile ndayomvulela ngoku kwam. Bendingafuni ube ndikhwaza o'come in'.

Ebemi ngaphaya komnyango enxibe ushorti wepyjama nesikipa sakhona. Ebehamba ngenyawo phantsi.

Simba: ”Andikwazi kulala. Ndicinga wena kweligumbi.”

Nomtha: ”Oh?”

Simba: ”Ndikhumbula umfazi wam. Ndivumelekile?

Utsho endibamba izidlele endiphuza. Kulamnyango. Ndimvumele nam ndajikelezisa ingalo entanyeni
yakhe izandla zakhe zandibamba impundu engena ngaphakathi. Kuvaleke ucango emveni kwethu.

Simba: ”Ndikufuna ngoku, baby. Andisakwazi nokulinda. Ndikufuna ngoku.”

Undinyuse inighty wayigibisela phaya wazikhulula isikipa esijula naso.

Simba: ”I want you now.”

Bendimfuna kwamna kodwa ndizivalele umlomo wam. Ndimphuzile wabe ehlisa iunderwear yakhe
nepyjama. Undifunqule wandinyusela phezulu.

Nomtha: ”Umntwana!”

Simba: ”Siye ekamireni yam?”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba uyavuka?”

Simba: ”Akazuvuka maan and sizomva xa ekhala asiyiYiphutha. Yima ndijonge icoast.”

Uyokroba emnyango wandikhweba sankcunkca ukuya kweyakhe ikamire. Bendisayihleka wabe sekum
endiphuza endinyusela phezulu kwakhona. Ebemi nkqo! UDiba. Eqine elilitye lenyengayo. Bendimfuna
kum kwamna. Ukuba naye bekufana nokubuya endlini emveni kwemini ende emsebenzini okanye
empangelweni. Elikhaya.

Undigibisele ebhedini wabe sele ephezulu kwam. Undingene ngoko nangoko emgakhange alumnkise.
Foreplay for ubani?!

Undingene nzulu waphinga wangathi uyaphuma waphinda wazifaka nzulu. Bendikhala ndingayazi
nokuba ndibambelele ndawoni. Ndijikelezise izandla zam entanyeni yakhe ndimsondeza kum. Esifubeni
sam. Uqhubile ukundingena nzulu. Ebengacengi. Engaceli. Ethatha nje ngobundlobongela bebuqhutywa

555
kukundigqibela kudala. Obunye mhlawumbi ikukuba njengoba ebesitsho 'ndinikise ngezinto zakhe'.
Ebebetha kwi g-spots. Ngoku andibonayo ukuba ndiyangcangcazela angayeki. Eqhuba ngesantya esinye.
Inoba umntwana ebeyibona kele.

Usukile kum wanyusela impundu zam phezulwana engena ngamandla ongezekileyo. Ndibambe amashiti
ndisakhala kuba bendikufuphi kwakhona. Ndithe sendifikile ndabe ndibuva ubushushu ekhuphela kum.
Uwele esifubeni sam engenaxesha lokuba uyandisinda okanye usinda umntwana. Ebephefumlela
phezulu, sobabini besiphefumlela phezulu.

Simba: ”Ndiyakthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Uthandwa ndim.”

Simba: ”Uyekile ukundiqumbela?”

Nomtha: ”Kutsho bani? Iround enye ucinga ukuba sewuxolelwe?”

Simba: ”Oh ufuna enye?”

Nomtha: ”Anditsho.”

Simba: ”Ndiyakbona uyayifuna-

Utsho endiphethula ndamzela ngomva. Oh bawo ebezondibulala ke ngale kuba ibingena iyotsho
kwisazela.

Undingene ndingalindelanga kwakhona.

Simba: ”Wenza lento nenye indoda. Indoda engendim. Umpha izinto zam. Umvumela akubambe kanje.
Umvumela akubone ngokuhlobo. Ebemnandi?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi!”

Simba: ”Uyenzeleni kengoku? Huh? Ukuphe kamnandi?”

Nomtha: ”Ahhhhhrgh Simba!”

Simba: ”Fucken yes! Lelikabani igama olikhwazayo? Lelam. Uyandiva?!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe!”

Simba: ”Good! Ungumfazi wam!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ndingumfazi wakho.”

Simba: ”Yes baby!”

Akubanga kudala kakhulu wabe sephefulela phezulu apha ecaleni kwam. Undiwolele kuye.

Simba: ”Umhle.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”Ndikthanda ngetliziyo yam. Ndinethamsanqa ukuba nawe ebomini bam. You make me so much
better. Ndiyaxolisa ukuba ndikuvise kabuhlungu. Ayikho into ezweni, ebakuleke ukogqitha wena. Uyinto

556
yonke kum. Yonke lento ndiyenzayo ndiyenzela wena nabantwana bam. Ndiyanithanda. Ndixelele ukuba
awusoze undiqumbele ixesha elide. Andifuni ungakwazi ukuthetha nawe xa ndikukhumbula. It's foreign
into yokungakwazi ukuthetha nawe nanini na.”

Nomtha: ”Ungaphinde uyenze lento. Ungaphinde undivise kabuhlungu kangaka.”

Simba: ”Andisoze.”

”Nindixelela ukuba animva umntwana lo ukhalayo naNomtha noSimba?! Akhale kangaka umntwana!!”

Simba: ”Ndizomhoya!”

Bisola: ”Tyhini Bawo! Ningalali naye nje umntwana okanye nimse kuMiracle ukuba uyaniphazamisa?!”

Uyihlekile uSimba waphuma ekamireni ehamba mbrutsu. Mnkru!

Bisola: ”Simba!”

Simba: ”Ndiyamhoya yhu!”

Ndiyihlekile kwamna.

557
SIXTY-EIGHT
”UYehova ngumalusi wam, andisweli lutho.

Wenza ukuba mandibuthe emakriweni aluhlaza; Undithundezela emanzini angawokuphumla.

Uyawubuyisa umphefumlo wam; Undikhaphela ezindleleni zobulungisa ngenxa yegama lakhe.

Nokuba ndihamba emfuleni wethunzi lokufa, Andiyi koyika bubi, ngokuba unam wena; Intonga yakho,
umsimelelo wakho, uyandithuthuzela.

Undilungisela isithebe phambi kwababandezeli bam, Uyithambisa ngeoli intloko yam, Indebe yam
iyaphalala.

Inene, ndiya kulandelwa kokulungileyo nenceba Yonke imihla yobomi bam, Ndihlale endlwini kaYehova
Imihla emide.”

Simba: ”Amen.”

Nomtha: ”Ngumthandazo na lo?”

Ndimbuzile ndigibisela ibhayibhile phantsi ndambona endigxelesha kakubi. Ndothuke ebuthongweni

efunda ibhayibhayi wandinika ukuba ndimfundele. Andiyazi noba ebengasaboni na okanye
ibikukundihlupha kuye.

Ibikukundihlupha.

Simba: ”Kanti wena wazi imimoya engendawo nemililo? Yiyo into ubuyifunda ebhayibhileni?”

Nomtha: ”Sewuqale nini ukuba nguReverend Matanzima.”

Simba: ”Ngok'suke ndifunde ibhayibhile sendinguRev? Bendingayifundi ibhayibhile ngaphambili?”

Nomtha: ”Ubuyifuna kodwa ufunda ezindawo zokukhupha amehlo.”

Simba: ”Ndiyifunda yonke ibhayibhile mna.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh.”

Simba: ”Awuvuki upheke ibreakfast, Linokhanyo?”

Nomtha: ”Ndingade ndibe nguLunokhanyo.”

Simba: ”Khandiphekele kaloku baby, ndigqibele kudala ukutya ukutya okuphekwe ngumnkam.”

Nomtha: ”Oh hayi ndidiniwe kodwa!”

Simba: ”Awudinwanga uphethwe kukonqena. Ndizophekelwa ngoMirecle ukhona?”

Nomtha: ”UMiracle upheka kamnandi kodwa.”

Simba: ”Ndikhetha ukutya okutshileyo okuphekwe ngunkosikazi wam kunokutya okumandi okuphekwe
nguMiracle.”

558
Nomtha: ”Ncoooo ... so ndim lo opheka ukutya okutshisiweyo? Phakathi kwam nawe ngubani umntu
opheka ukutya okutshileyo?”

Simba: ”Kodwa mna ndinomsebenzi wam endiwenzayo nendilungileyo kuwo hayi izitya. Ulumbambo
lwam, kwathathwa ibambo kum-

Nomtha: ”Uyindoda yasebhayibheli wena kaloku sekuthathwa imbambo zakho. Awunambambo zikum.”

Simba: ”Ndenza umzekelo. And kaloku bekungenothandwa ibambo zawo wonke amadoda. Zathathwa
kukhokho. Onke amadoda emveni koko ashota ngembambo kuba zithathwe nini.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Hayi zange ndiyive kanjalo mna eCaweni.”

Simba: ”Kweyiphi iCawa ungakhonzi? Wayigqibela kusaphila uSamora wena iCawa. Ungumhedeni.”

Nomtha: ”Oksalayo yintsomi le uyibalisayo tata kaZendaya. Nguchoa chosi. Qha.”

Simba: ”Okay kuright, hamb'opheka ke umyeni atye ukutya okuphekwe ngunkosikazi wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Kumnandi kodwa ukuba yindoda. Besipetsulusana sobabini ubusuku bonke kodwa wena
uzongqendeva kubuye uYesu. Kumnandi sana ukuba yindoda.”

Simba: ”Wawutshilo mos ukuba it's a man's world.”

Nomtha: ”Kwakutsho uWilliam Shakespeare.”

Simba: ”Hahahaha! Uxokela ntoni?! Unyanzelwa yintoni?”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha!”

Simba: ”Yeses! Inoba wawugood kwintsomi wena. Ungumashaya.”

Nomtha: ”Sude uthi ndingumashaya kaloku tyhini.”

Simba: ”Ncncncncnc ...”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Kanene bendintswayizile ukungena apha.”

Simba: ”Phinda untswayize ukuphuma ke sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Uyavuya, ndizogqogqa kwezi zakho. Uthenge impahla entsha tana?!”

Simba: ”Ewe. Bendizothini ndingasena mpahla.”

Nomtha: ”Yahlanjwa kwaphiswa ngayo.”

Simba: ”Ihamba njalo kaloku. Nangaphandle koko andiqondi bendinophinde ndinxibe lampahla.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzothiwani ngelangcwaba? Ngumntu waphi lowa namtshisa phaya?”

Simba: ”Wayesefile lamntu. Ngumntu ebesebenzela mna, qha wabayimpimpi ke kuVenus watshaba.
Umzimba wakhe wafunyanwa ngabantu bakowabo, labhokisi ayinanto. Sawukwenza imbiza yokuhlamba
nje mhla ndaphuma elubhacweni. Sendingxamele ukubuyela ebomini bam. Le yona into
ayindisebenzeli.”

559
Nomtha: ”Ingase umntwana afike sewuyiqoshelise yonke lento.”

Simba: ”Kwawube sekukudala kaloku.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhhh. Andifuni ukuphinde ndibe ndodwa futhi.”

Simba: ”Ndizobakho, awusoze uphinde ube wedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinjani?”

Simba: ”Umhle ingathi uyinto eze nekati.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Mxm. Ndisayopheka. Ungqengqe kamnandi.”

Simba: ”Ndizothatha inap lomzuzu engekavuki umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Akusemnandi.”

Simba: ”Ndojelwe intshontsho.”

Nomtha: ”Hey! Ungumyeni nyani sana.”

Simba: ”Ndizotya kudala apha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyahamba yho!”

Ndiqale ndayohlamba kwishower ndaya ekhitshini sendinuka fresh. Bendinga funi ukunukisela abantu
ngendoda nesilalo.

Nomtha: ”Molweni!”

Bisola: ”Uphi umntan'omntanam?”

Sana! Ugogo kamntwana wakhetha ubundlobongela ekuseni kuvukwa. Bekunuka kamnandi ekhitshini,
kunuka ikofu. Bekuhwlihlwizisa nebreakfast.

Nomtha: ”Usalele.”

Bisola: ”Oko nilalisa umntwana yedwa. Nindincamisile.”

Nomtha: ”Uqhelile ukulala yedwa lamntwana.”

Bisola: ”Kulebhedi inje?! Ukuba uqengqekile wayonkule phantsi nizothi beningenwe yintoni ukulalisa
imveku yodwa! Hayi ningasenzeli lomasikizi thina. Uphi yena lo unguSimba wavuka emini namhlanje?”

Nomtha: ”Usalele. Nileli kakuhle?”

Bisola: ”Ewe silele kakuhle mntanam enkosi. Nileli kakuhle nina?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ma. Sis'Miracle uleli kakuhle?”

Miracle: ”Ndilele kakuhle enkosi.”

Nomtha: ”Ungandibethi ke ndizokuchukela, uSimba ufuna ukwenzelwa ndim ibreakfast.”

Miracle: ”Akukho ngxaki sisi, sendigqiba mna.”

560
Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Kumbhakrazwe ucango seva ngoSimba ecula u'Let me hold you tight' akavela ngapha. Kukhale amanzi
wabe ebetha nekwelo caba udikwe kuyibalisa kuba ebengayiculi nokuyicula lengoma. Inoba ebekhala
uLuther kulandawo akuyo.

Uphume sendigqiba ngebreakfast yakhe. Ndimthe krwaqu esiza enxibe iswimming trunk nevest.

Simba: ”Nne, how bodi?” unjani?

Bisola: ”I dey fine.” ndiright.

Simba: ”I wan chop.”

Nomtha: ”Uba uyandithuka, nawe.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukutya kwam, akukabi right. Ahhh Miracle!”

Uncumile usis'Miracle wanqwala kancinci.

Bisola: ”Mkru!”

Simba: ”Utyiwa yintoni, nne?”

Umgibisele ngeapile waphepha.

Bisola: ”Ndityiwa yintoni kubani? Ndingakanani kuwe?”

Nomtha: ”Betha umntu Mabhayi.”

Bisola: ”Hahahaha! Mabhayi?! Uyamva uNomtha?! Hahahaha!”

Bisola: ”Bazophekelwa ntoni abantu aba bazayo usalibele kukugigitheka into engekhoyo.”

Simba: ”Hayibo kubuzwa mna? One, two yabantu abangomama.”

Bisola: ”Umntu uyazihoyela amandwendwe wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Mxelele mama.”

Bisola: ”Ukhona uMiracle, ukhona uNomtha. Andizube ndiphithizela ekhit- umntanam uvukile!”

Ndenze ibreakfast ndagqiba satya sobabini ngaphandle.

Nomtha: ”Uba ndingahlala apha ubomi bam bonke, ndingatyeba ndiglowe.”

Simba: ”Iglow sewunayo, kushota nje utyebe. Ukuhlala apha kona akuzukwenzeka baby. Andinanto
endidibanisa neKapa mna. Ndifuna impilo yaseRhawutini ekhawulezileyo. Ifast lane yobomi. Hayi apha.
Apha kuright xa uzothatha umhlala phantsi. Abantwana bam bese university, mna nawe sizipholele
kamnandi apha. Sihambe ngaze imini yonke. Sex on the beach yemihla mgemihla.”

Nomtha: ”Yazi andijongi olwalwandle ndingacingi mna nawe kulasanti.”

Simba: ”Nasekhitshini.”

561
Nomtha: ”Ungayikhwazi leyo uzosibethisa ngomamakho.”

Simba: ”Ndithule ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ukucinga ukuba bendinga soze ndiyenze kwakhona yona lento nawe ..”

Simba: ”Andika ngxameli unguganga umhlaba ngesifuba. Sizokwenza ezinye imemories ngaphezulu
kwezi.

Ndayibona ivideo uMalik efunda iletter yakho. Wabhala kamnandi sthandwa sam, kwakungathi ndife
manyani ingazomosha amazwi amnandi kanjeya.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Simba: ”Enyanisweni wabhala kamnandi. Ndifuna undibonise ke yonke into oyibhale phaya.
Olwathando. Ungabi nazikrokro mhla ndatshaba nyani.”

Ndiphunge ikofu yam andamphendula. Uphekile uMiracle wabe uSimba eyolanda abantu e airport.
Ebengazuphuma emotweni kwaye enxibe ukuba angaqapheleki. Umntu omaziyo angacingi ukuba nguye.
Bendicleana mna kodwa sendigqiba. Andithi bendifuna uMiracle apheke kuba nguye umntu ebepheka
kamnandi.

Kufike i4x4 katata uMamnkeli wehlika wayovula iboot.

Nomtha: ”Nank'tat'uMahonono.”

Bisola: ”Bendingeka mlindeli ke.”

Nomtha: ”Oh linene ke lonto. Uphethe icheckers. Caba uthi akanoza ephaca.”

Bisola: ”Ayiloxelegu lendoda kaloku uMamnkeli. Uhamba nabani?”

Nomtha: ”Nentombi enebraiding.”

Bisola: ”NguZama lowo. Inwele zemibala?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Bisola: ”NguZama.”

Nomtha: ”Yhuu ebenyanisile uSimba mhle!”

Bisola: ”Bahle kaloku abantwana bakaMamnkeli. Bapakanyelwe. Mhle umamabo, mhle utatabo.”

Nomtha: ”Mmmk.”

Uyazazi ebunzulwini bentliziyo yakhe ukuba ebefuna ukuncoma indo! Qha ke wonqena ibengathi. Nathi
sithule senza ingathi asazinto kodwa! Mh!

Ndisukule efestireni bakusondela nganeno. Unqonqoze nje ngomlomo engena ngaphakathi. Ibithe chu
emveni kwakhe intombi yakhe. Ingathi liqheta elithile. Qha emile is'Amanda du pond. Mna bendislender
kodwa noko bendingekho straight. Ebemhle maan ingathi ndimgamosulela nangelibala lam limnyama
ukuba ndingambamba. Uncumile, namazinyo la emahle.

562
Babulisile baya kuBisola bayombulisa encokola naye uZama.

Mamnkeli: ”Ngumnka Simba lowa uLinokhanyo-

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ungandibiza ngoNomtha.”

Mamnkeli: ”Ninjani kanti nino mazala wakho? Ninikwa amagama, isidima. Kodwa nisanyanzelisa ukuba
nizibize ngamagama asemakwenu.”

Bisola: ”Uyandazi kemna ukuba ndayikhaba kwakudala into yalaNomanyano wegama. Ifani
ndayitshintsha kwanela. Andizuthi ngoba nditshatile ngoku ndithathelwe ubumna. Igama nefani?!”

Nomtha: ”Mna ndinguTongai- Matanzima.”

Bisola: ”Wenze idouble barrel wena?”

Ndibaleke. Usondele kum uZama ezondanga.

Nomtha: ”Ndonqena nokubamba ingathi ndizokudakisa ubentsundu. Umhle maan!”

Zama: ”Ingathi ufana nobhut'Simba nje wena. I'm a hugger kemna. Awusanuki kamnandi!”

Nomtha: ”Cologne kaSimba, enkosi. Umhle maan Zama. Andikholwa utat'uMamnkeli unomntwana
omhle kangaka!”

Bisola: ”Hayibo ucinga ukuba ufana nabani lomntwana kuba unguntombi kayise. Qha ibala lelika
mamakhe. Mhlophe liqheya kaloku uNoalene.”

Nomtha: ”Liqheya?”

Mamnkeli: ”NgumXhosa xho! Uphi uSimba?”

Utshintshe incoko kuba ebekhangeleka engakhululekanga ukuthetha ngonkosikazi wakhe. Andiyazi noba
ebecingela uBisola na okanye ebengathandi ukuba kuthethwe ngaye. Inoba bekunzima kodwa shame.

Zama: ”Yho! Niyafanelana nobhuti!”

Ndiphelile yintsini yindlela avele wayitsho ngayo esidlangalaleni.

Zama: ”Kukuba ndinombono wakhe nesa skin tone sakhe ecaleni kwakho. Ibenguwe ke. Inoba ingathi
nikuVogue magazine.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Singaba semntla Africa thina kaloku, kwicase yakhe ke unozala ngowakhona so
kucacisa ibala.”

Zama: ”Ungowaphi wena?”

Nomtha: ”Zimbabwe. I'm actually Aneni Nomtha Tongai-

Bisola: ”Tongai-Matanzima!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Ewe mama!”

Bisola: ”Ndinabantwana bamantombi ngonyana bam Mamnkeli. Kaloku mna ndizele amadodana qha.”

563
Mamnkeli: ”Ukuphela kwawo.”

Bisola: ”Ja. Mamndlane, khasiphungise notatakho mntwanam. Ndasigqibela kdala isandla sikanesi.”

Zama: ”Isandla esiphilisayo, hahaha!”

Nomtha: ”UnguNurse?”

Zama: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Ohh sawucela kuwe amayeza.”

Zama: ”Yhuuu ingathi ngomakazi, andikruquke!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Uzokruquka uyeke!”

Asivanga nemoto iduma kwangena uMalik kuqala wasibulisa nje waya kumakhulu wakhe. Kulandele
uSimba noSiyanda emveni kwakhe.

Mamnkeli: ”Uzivile indaba ezimnandi Madiba?!”

Akamphendulanga wazondifunqula endijikelezisa.

Nomtha: ”Uzondiwisa!”

Undibeke phantsi wandiphuza.

Siyanda: ”Andizukwazi nokwanga uNomtha kuba umthe nca! Molo Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Molweni bhuti ninjani?”

Siyanda: ”Kuhle akhonto kunjani kuni?”

Nomtha: ”Siphile kakuhle nathi akhonto.”

Luleka: ”Oh! Mandixhakazelise ndodwa mna.”

Uyomnceda ngentyatyambo uSiyanda. Unike ezinye kum ndabulela uLuleka wayonika umama ezinye.
Bancokole ke. USiyanda ubone uZama ngoko wawaqhala wonke amehlo waphinde wazilungisa
kwamsinya ethinta umqala.

Simba: ”Uzivile indaba ezimnandi baby wam?”

Nomtha: ”Kuzonetha i ice-cream ngokuhlwa?”

Simba: ”Hayi.”

Nomtha: ”Sawukwenza omnye umntwana emveni kwalo?”

Simba: ”Nop.”

Nomtha: ”Hayike!”

Simba: ”uDearest bawozala wakho ubanjiwe umh twenty minutes ago, andithi baw'uMamnkeli?”

Mamnkeli: ”Thirty.”

564
Nomtha: ”Sukuphosisa!”

Simba: ”Ungachulumanci kakhulu, ndisezoba selubhacweni kuba ingathatha nexesha elide yonke lonto.
Kodwa lomzuzu eseluvalelweni kuzodlala ifilm. Kungcono umama sezofumana okwakhe okuseleyo baby
haha! Uzowa phantsi lamntu. Kungoku usengxakini kuba unike abantu iziyobisi ezingezizo. Ubhanxe
abantu kwaye utmyathandabuzwa. Yibatch yesibini le ewrongo. Masithandaze angafumani bail
kuzongqungqa. Emveni kokuzalwa kwabantwana bam. Nokutshata kwam nawe, this is proving to be the
best day of my life. Uyabona into enje, indibalekisa igazi. Adrenalin rush. Energy 120 baby!”

Ndimncumele nje ndivuyela ukuba izinto zakhe nezicwangciso zakhe ziqala ukuhamba kakuhle. Andiyazi
noba zezindaba bezimenza akhukhumale okanye yile film athetha ngayo esezodlala okanye kukundithi
ncaa na kodwa uDiba omncinci ebemi nqo. Ukuba besingekho phakathi kwabantu.

Luleka: ”Sawubulisa kanjani kengoku?”

Siyanda: ”Sincame saxhawula kaloku thina kuba umntu akafuni kusuka emntwini wakhe.”

Undiyekile uSimba ndanga uLulu. Ukhawuleze wandithi nca kwakhona. Undibuze impilo nam ndambuza
waphila ke. Ndibothule nakuZama. Bayohlala noBisola noMamnkeli.

Nomtha: ”Khandiyeke ndiye ebantwini.”

Simba: ”Ndiright apha.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo.”

Undiyekile wandanga kakuhle ke wandikhulula. Silandelene sibambene izandla saya komama noLulu.

565
SIXTY-NINE
Luleka: ”Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Hey.”

Usondele wazochopha ecaleni kwam. Bekubraywa inyama oomama behleli kwipatio. Mna noZama
kunye noMiracle besondlele itowl esantini sizingqengqele simane siyongena emanzini. Nomntwana wam
besihleli naye ngaphandle. ULulu ebehambe nomam'uBisola kunye noMamnkeli besanda kubuya ngoku.

Luleka: ”Ndizokuba, ndifuna sithethe.”

Nomtha: ”Oh okay. Ndiyeza.”

Zama: ”Mshiye umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Alright, ndiyeza ngoku.”

Ndisukumile ndalansela emveni kwakhe wandilinda sahambisana kunye.

Simba: ”Khawunxibe Nomtha!”

Ndimhlekele nje. Besinxibe ibathing suite sonke. phofu ngaphandle kukaMiracle. NoBisola, noLuleka.
Kuba bebengekho ke bona. Bendiqinisekile ukuba uzotshintshela kuyo uLuleka.

Simba: ”Nomtha!”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan Simba!”

Singene ngaphakathi endlini noLuleka ndayokhupha ijuice efrijini ndazigalelela ndichopha kwihigh chair.

Nomtha: ”Uright?”

Kungene uSimba sajonga kuye sobabini wancina amehlo.

Simba: ”Ndiyaphazamisa?”

Nomtha: ”Uzothini apha?”

Simba: ”Hayibo! Akungenwa?”

Nomtha: ”Ubuhleli ungangeni ngoku ubona thina uyanyebelezela uyangena.”

Simba: ”Ndim lo unyebelezayo? Kuwe?”

Kungene uSiyanda sethe phatsha esijonga.

Siyanda: ”Asikuthumelanga ukuzoncokola apha Simba.”

Simba: ”Ndiyagxothwa kaloku ndingekathethi. Nithetha ngantoni nodwa nishiya abanye ngaphandle.”

Luleka: ”Bendifuna ukuthetha noNomtha, eyedwa.”

Simba: ”Mhhh.”

566
Uthathe into ebeyothatha ekhabhathini baphuma belandelelana kwakhona.

Luleka: ”Abakwazi nokuzibamba.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyamazi kemna owam umntu ngokuthanda indaba. Setshiswa sisifuba ufuna ukuzofakaza.”

Uhlunguzele intloko yakhe kancinci uLuleka.

Luleka: ”Ndiright ukuba right kona qha nguwe lo ungafumanekiyo. Bendicinga ukuba ubusadinga ispace
kancinci kodwa ndiyabona ngoku ukuba uyandi avoider. Nangoku ndilapha akufani nakuqala wethu,
andiyazi ndizothini kuba izinto zi uncomfortable.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa ukuba ndizenze uncomfortable izinto. Kukuba ndingumntu otransparent mna.
Ukuba into ayindiphethanga kakuhle, noba ndizama kangakanani ukuyizulisela andikwazi. Ndi
confrontational.”

Luleka: ”Oh. Yintoni into engakuphethanga kakhuhle? Yinto yokuba singakuxelelanga ngoSimba?
Because that would be selfish of you ukuba undibeke ityala ngento ibingekho kulawulo lwam. USimba
usicengile, wasicela noSiyanda ukuba singathi vu so besingasoze sithethe thina.”

Nomtha: ”Ayikho ngalonto. Bwnditshilo ukuba umntu endinomqumbela ngalonto nguSimba qha. Hayi
wena, hayi uSiyanda, hayi bani. NguSimba qha. Nditshilo futhi ukuba iyafana nale ndandikucele yona
ukuba undifunise indawo and ungamxeleli uSimba ngobukho bam nobomntwana. Zange uyenze lonto
kodwa wazama indlela zokuba ayazi kuba engumhlobo wakho uSimba-

Luleka: ”So ngendenze njani kulemeko?”

Nomtha: ”Andilwi mna.”

Luleka: ”Sorry ngokuvakala okungathi ndiba bukhali kodwa enyanisweni andiyazi into ekumele ukuba
ndiyenzile mna kulemeko kuba ayifani tu nale uyifanisa nayo. USimba ebene lungelo lokwazi ukuba
unomntwana somewhere and nawe ubudinga uncedo lwakhe kodwa unenkani and usokolisa umntwana
kulonto. Nawe umiserable. Ngenditheni kengoku ukuze 'ungaphatheki kakubi'?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiziva ingathi ndikuyeke uhlise umoya kuba uyanduhlasela and andithandi ukubangathi
ndiyahlaselwa. Yonke lento izovele ibe yinto enkulu kunento eyiyo.”

Luleka: ”No sorry, masithethe. Ndizothoba umoya. Kukuba nje ndothukile wethu yiyo yonke into.
Bendiba njengoba sekukhangeleka okungathi umxolele uSimba awuzukususa umsindo wakhe uwuzise
kum. Ube tough kum. Kuba ekugqibeleni umastermind wayo yonke lento nguye. Umyeni wam uyeke
yonke into, nalomsebenzi bekufanele ukuba uwuqalile and nam ndahamba nomyeni wam ndiyeka
owam umsebenzi.”

Simba: ”Kutheni nikhwaza, wonke umntu uyayiva lento yenu.”

Ebefinge intshiya esijongile.

Nomtha: ”Siright baby, siyancokola nje.”

Simba: ”Uqinisekile ukuba niyancokola qha?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

567
Simba: ”Luleka.”

Luleka: ”Ikhona into esiyilungisayo.”

Simba: ”Yilungiseni nithetha kakuhle ke okanye izophela kwalento.”

Khange alindele mpendulo waphethuka wayophuma ngomnyango.

Nomtha: ”Luleka andixabani nawe mna. And andithu ngewutheni awathini. Andithi ngewu
ngawuyekanga umsebenzi wakho wayoxhasa umngane wenu nomyeni wakho. Andithi ngewushiyekile
apha umyeni wakho engaphaya kwelinye ilizwe. Andityholi wena nabani na ngezenzo zika Simba.
Andizange ndiyenze lonto. Andimoyiki uSimba, ungacingi ukuba ndifuna iweakest link kuba umyeni wam
ndimoyika, andimoyiki. Andithi ngekutheni qha ndithi mna ngendlela ekungakhona nangendlela izinto
ezenzeke ngayo ndibona ukuba mhlawumbi ndibe ne expectations eziphezulu. Ndicinge ukuba
singabahlobo mna nawe, ngaphandle kuka Siyanda noSimba kodwa ndiyaqonda ukuba ndigabadele.
Singabahlobo nje kuba abayeni bethu behlobene ngapha koko asihlobenanga mna nawe and that is
okay. Akhonto iyingqinisise ngokuba ungafouni nakanye, ungazami nokundithumela iSms okanye email
undibuze ukuba ndinjani since ndilahlekelwe ngumyeni. Kuba mna andiyazi ukuba ngumdlalo. I'm
grieving manyani, I'm going through hell and akukho nomntu endimbona njengo mhlobo wam.
Ndiyayibona ngoku into yeKapa neBotswana ukuba bendifuma ukugqumelela imfihlelo kaSimba kodwa
ngelaxesha bendibonwa ndibhanxwa. Mhlawumbi nizikhupha kwiholiday, which is fine. Andithi nguwe
ingxaki, ndithi ndim ne expectations zam mhlawumbi nokugabadela-

Simba: ”Nomtha! Khawubuye.”

Nomtha: ”Si-

Simba: ”Ha.a, buya! Yiza. Iphelile intlanganiso.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake Simba uyabaxa sana.”

Ndigxidike esitulweni ndaya kuye ngaphandle komnyango uphumile uLuleka waya kuSiyanda. Bangene
bancokola bejongene ebusweni.

Simba: ”Ubuthe uzothetha naye, awukhange uthi nizokwazana ingathi ninezifombo. Kuzothwa
niyaxabana apha.”

Nomtha: ”Ingxaki sothethela phezulu sobabini.”

Simba: ”Ninje nina bantu ababhinqileyo, ni emotional. Anikwazi ukuhlala phantsi nilungise izinto. Ibilula
lento, belufanele ukuba uvele wamxelela no maan Luleka. Ngendlela izinto ezenzeke ngayo ndiziva
okungathi one, two, three. Ngesosizathu ndigqibe ekubeni kubenje. Ungayitsali kude ubengathi
uyatshola. Nigabadele, ninyukelane ngolahlobo. Ningabafazi babantu, ayinasidima tu lento beniyenza.
Awusoze undibhaqe ndikhwazana kanje nomntu. Ayixabanisi lento.”

Nomtha: ”Kubhetele ube ngu mediator ke.”

Simba: ”Andizingeni kemna indaba zabafazi ke. Andifuni noba phakathi kwenu kuba okokuqala
ndizophathwa yintloko ngulomkhwazo wenu, okwesibini kuzoba kubi nje kuba noSiyanda akazuthanda
xa ndiphixa umfazi wakhe. Sort this shit out ngokuthula. Sort it namhlanje. Ukuba aniqhubeki nihlobana
kukungile. Akhomntu oninyanzele ukuba nihlobane.”

568
Nomtha: ”Ebengengo mhlobo wam kwasekuqaleni. Umthetho wam nje andingomntu wabahlobo.
Ndililolo. Abantu andibasondezi lomhlobo kum.

Esinye isifundo abahlobo bakho ngabakho. Ndizivulile ngoku for ubuhlobo ndehlelwa yilento. Kuncono
nyani kube ngalendlela okufanele ukuba kube ngayo. Sidibane xa nikhona nani. Singabina buhlobo
busecaleni. Mna I won't accept mediocrity nakubani. Andinamsindo, andimqumbelanga ndiphoxekile
qha. Kuba bendilindele ukuba uzondifounela wethu, otherwise wandixhasa emfihlweni endenzela yonke
into ndiyabulela kakhulu ngoko. Nomyeni wakhe wayezibambe ngoku kwakhe izinto, engandigqibeli
ntweni. Egqitha kum ngayo yonke into nencinane na. I appreciated that. Ngabahlobo abaright for wena.
Nalento yokuba bashiye yonke into ngenxa yakho bayokulandela ngaphaya eAbuja baright for wena.
Ndiyathemba ukuba bawe uzokwenza lonto ube ngulomhlobo kubo. Ndiyayithanda lonto for wena. Mna
umhlobo wam okwangoku nguwe. Ndide ndizenzele ezam ichomie.”

Undiphuze ibunzi.

Simba: ”Ndiyakthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Namu.”

Simba: ”Ingathi ngewunxiba ngoku, kunomoya opholileyo.”

Nomtha: ”Ingase ndihlambe kuqala. Ndizobe ndinetyuwa.”

Simba: ”Ngena kwishower ngokukhawuleza, sesizophaka.”

Nomtha: ”Ndilambe! Undikungiselele mos iflight ngomso. Ndifuna ukuhamba kwangexesha.”

Simba: ”Ungxamele ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukwenza umsebenzi wesikolo. Bebenikwe iassignment izolo. Idue ngoMvulo. Ndifuna
ukufika ndiyenze msinya.”

Simba: ”Mntanes'kolo! Bendiba uzohamba noMalik. Uzohamba ekuseni ke uzoba nexesha elaneleyo.”

Nomtha: ”Thank you baby.”

Simba: ”Akho nix. Ndizokukhumbula qha.”

Nomtha: ”Nam. Inoba ndizoza kulenyanga izayo ngoku. Andifuni ukuquqa apha.”

Simba: ”Ufuna ndife wena qha!”

Nomtha: ”Tu! Ndingxamele ukuba izinto zibuyele esiahelweni ndizovuka ecaleni kwakho mihla le.”

Simba: ”Ufuna undi user qha wena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikufunela umzimba wakho.”

Simba: ”Ndiyakubona. Nam ndifuna lonto kodwa kusekusasa ngoku. Angaphuma ngebail uVenus
kulatrongo okwangoku kodwa ukuphindela uzophindela and he won't serve a full sentence kuba
uzotyibilika awe afe kulatrongo mhla wagwetya. Uzofuna ukuba ngaphakathi ngoku kuba uyayazi ukuba
akukho safe ngaphandle. He's being investigated kuzobonwa ukuba uyifraud yomntu iHawks

569
zimthathele yonke into angabinayo necent egameni lakhe. Ngaphambili kokuba afe ndifuna ukumjonga
phakathi kwameho abone ukuba ndiyaphila. Abone ukuba ndimogqithe kumdlalo wakhe.

Kubhetele abantwana badala bazozizamela ke ngoku kwabo.”

Nomtha: ”La Nokulunga?”

Simba: ”Uzophindela eMeadowlands kaloku yena kuba akabhadlanga. Nangoku ebehleli emzini kamama
akacingi ukuba angaphulukana nawe lomzi azithengele omnye. Ikhaya labantwana bakhe? Mxm!”

Nomtha: ”Ndivela nje abantwana abazolahlekelwa ngutata kuyo yonke lonto. Ndiyabasizela. Ngapha
ezizibhanxa zimbini zibamoshele kuBisola. Andiqondi bawuze bacaceleke kuye.”

Simba: ”Exesheni banga right.”

Nomtha: ”Oh! Mna andisoze. Intliziyo yam ayintlanga lomhlobo! Ephila umama wabo! Uzoyeka ukuba yi
ice princess aphakame kwesasitulo siphezulu aphande. Angalindeli ukuba umama athathe inxaxheba
kwakhona emveni kwayo yonke into amdlulise kuyo.”

Bisola: ”Umama unoxolo. Akana nqala nje ngawe. Nam mhlawumbi, kodwa ngendlela endibona ngayo
uworse wena.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba kufuneka ndenze njani mhlawumbi? Ndixolele uVenus? Kuba nguye kuphela umntu
endimthiye ngentliziyo yam yonke.”

Simba: ”Nam andinalo uxolo lalanda. Andizuphumla de agange umhlaba and ndizoqinisekisa ukuba
ndiyayityhila lobhokisi ndimtswebe, ndimhlabe ngencula ukwenza sure uba nguye. Ndimfake twelve feet
under. Andinoba nangxaki ukuba ugronjwe ndim lomngxunya. Andisakhathali noba kuzova bani
kabuhlungu nokuba kuzochaphazeleka bani. Uthumele umntu andibulale esazi kakuhle ukuba
ndinabantwana, ndino nkosikazi. Ndizalwa nguye. Ndizothandaza mva ngeso sono, ndingxengxeze
kwizinyanya ukuba ndiplote ukufa kuka tata, kodwa ndawuze ndibhiyoze ngalomini.”

Nomtha: ”Ubhuti wakho lo wawuthe umbulele wambulala njani?”

Simba: ”Usakhumbula nezozinto?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizothini ukungazi khumbuli?”

Simba: ”Ayondawo yokuthetha ngalonto ngoku, ndizokubalisela ngokuhlwa. Ukuba ndinomdla.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Uright ngoku? Uwuthobile umoya?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ndiright.”

Simba: ”Hamb'ohlamba ke. Imagine izandla zam xa uzihlamba ngaphambili.”

Nomtha: ”Awunantloni!”

Simba: ”Hahahaha!”

570
Ndihambile ndayohlamba ndagqiba. Ndinxibe ijoggers nesweater.

Imo yezulu yaseKapa etshintsha oko!

Ndigqibe sebengaphakathi, ndithathe nomntwana wam ndamhlamba ndimnxibisa impahla

efudumeleyo. Ndayohlala nabantu bonke elouge kuncokolwa. Ebekungisa itafile uMiracle, encediswa
ngumama nentonga zakhe zokusimelela.

Siyanda: ”Ufuna ukulalisa umntwana wam ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe tyhini makalale.”

Siyanda: ”Ninetlonti.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe, makatye alale umntu azotsho akhule.”

Siyanda: ”Uya efana noSimba nqo.”

Nomtha: ”Uyaphosisa kodwa bhuti, ngamehlo qha into efana noSimba kulomntwana. Ufana
nomamakho andithiJellytots?!”

Zama: ”Ufana nawe nyani shame. Owam akafani tu nam umntwana.”

Siyanda: ”Unomntwana?!”

Simjonge phantse sonke kuba njengomntu oqala ukumbona namhlanje umbuze bukhali.

Mamkeli: ”Ina three indoda enkulu kulonyaka! Akagezi!”

Siyanda: ”Unomntwana ona three?!”

Simba: ”Bendithe uze naye ndizombona.”

Mamnkeli: ”NoBisola wayeke wathi eze naye qha unomunyu ngalomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ingase ibendim lo unomntwana ona three. Abe uMihlayonke sengaka!”

Ebeseyinkukhu esilwe umlomo uZama kengoku ingathi uphahlukile wazova sethethile engazimiselanga.
Andiyazi noba ibindim na lomntu ebegabadela na. USiyanda naye ebethule ngoku emana kumkrwaqula.

Miracle: ”Ngumntwana oyintoni?”

Ukhwaze ekwi dining area.

Mamnkeli: ”Yindodana, nguSanda.”

Nomtha: ”Sanda. Uphantse wanguSiyanda.”

Nditsho ndingqiniba uSiyanda ecaleni kwam wabe ome nko.

Usukumile uZama wayopbuma. Akhomntu uqwalaseleyo ukuba uphume etshintshile ebusweni.

Siqhubekile ke sizincokolela kumnandi. Ndabona ngoSiyanda senyebelezela ukuphuma. Uqale wazulisa
ekhitshini wakhupha ibeer efrijini.

Mamnkeli: ”Nezizibhanxa zingoMalik sezizoba nabantwana!”

571
Malik: ”Hayibo! Ikum ngoku lento?”

Simba: ”Into ingawe. OMalik sebehlalisana nokuhlalisana, andinokothuka ukuba kungathi gqi umntwana.
Mna umntu angakulinge azise umntwana kum, uyabona ukuba ndise nosendleleni.”

Malik: ”Andikazuba namntwana mna.”

Mamnkeli: ”Uright ungangxami wena mzukulwana. Ukukhulisa umntwana ayondlwana iyanetha.”

Bisola: ”Unyanisile. Angangxami.”

Nomtha: ”Baby ndicela ubambe umntwana kancinci, ndiyeza.”

Undifingele intshiya kodwa wamthatha. Ndizulise ekhitshini nam, ndanyebeleza ndaphuma.

Ndichwechwile ndajikela emveni kwendlu babe bemi kwelinye icala bona.

Siyanda: ”Ngowam?”

Zama: ”Ngowam.”

Siyanda: ”Andidlali apha Zama.”

Zama: ”Awunamntwana onam wena. USanda ngowam. Wandizuma wandishiya apho ungabhatalanga
nebill yehotel. Wandishiya enyanyeni. Ndakuxelela emveni kwenyanga wabe ungandazi nokundazi,
ndothuka namhlanje ukuba uyandazi.

Ucinga ukuba ndisemveni kwesentana zakho ndikuxelela ukuba utatam unemali. Uzondibuza ukuba
ngoqakho, ngowakho ntoni? Awunamntana nam wena.”

Siyanda: ”Ndinomntwana. Andikholwa-

Zama: ”Siyanda-

Ndichwechwe ndaphindela endlini ndinjani ukothuka. Uyabona lento yokuthanda indaba. ULuleka
ebesiza ngakum.

Luleka: ”Awumbonanga uSiyanda?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizok'bizela yena.”

Ufinge intshiya.

Luleka: ”O-kay.”

Ndiphume ngaphandle ndamkhwaza kabini wabe sesithi gqi.

Nomtha: ”ULulu ebezokukhangela.”

Siyanda: ”Oh dankie Nomtha, undincedile.”

Ungene ngaphakathi. Kuvele uZama.

Zama: ”Sekutyiwa?”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi.”

572
Singenisene kwabe sekuhlelwi etafileni. Usukumile uSimba wanditsalela isitulo. Ebefunqule nomntwana
shame umntu wam.

Nomtha: ”Enkosi baby.”

Simba: ”Ubuphi?”

Nomtha: ”Yhu! Awuzukholwa!”

Simba: ”Yintoni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokubalisela late.”

Unqwalile. Sibulele satya. Bendingafuni nokubajonga bobathathu kodwa bendincumile ndingafuni

kujumpisa ukuba kukho undonakele. Sincokole kamnandi, kumnandi nokutya kukaMiracle nenyama
yamadoda ethu ke!

573
SEVENTY
Simba: ”Uthini umlevo?”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo! Ungena?”

Simba: ”Ewe tyhini. Oko umane uyikhuza kancinci emveni kwedinara nam ndifuna ukwazi lento
uyikhuzayo.”

Ukhulule watshintshela kwipyjamas zakhe.

Nomtha: ”Awuhlambi?”

Simba: ”Yho hayibo!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabuza.”

Simba: ”Andihlambi Nomtha, yhu! Walipolisa lamanzi.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Ngewusitsho ukuba uyonqena ukuhlamba qha. Ungandi xeleli ukuba ndilipolisa
lamanzi.”

Simba: ”Ndiyonqena ke.”

Nomtha: ”Eyonanto ubusemlilweni ke and bendicinga ukuba njengoba ndihamba namhlanje ndingayazi
nokuba ndawuze ndibuye nini. Mhlawumbi, noba zimbini noba zintathu. Ndihamba nasekuseni ke
ngomso sooo ...”

Simba: ”Uzondihlalisa undincokolele?”

Ndincumile.

Simba: ”Uncumele ntoni? Ubuthe uzondibalisela.”

Nomtha: ”Akho ensuite kaloku apha, andizube ndiyohleba ebathroom ufundekelwa nangamanzi. Hamba
ubuye.”

Simba: ”Uncumele ntoni kuqala?”

Nomtha: ”Ndincunyiswa kukuba uyasithanda isilalo. Sewufuna ukuhlamba ngoku kuba ndithethe ngaso.”

Simba: ”Isilalo nonkosikazi wam endamkhuphela inkomo.”

Nomtha: ”Okay mhlekazi.”

Simba: ”Kuzophela naloncasa kuwe kuba uthanda amanzi ngoku nathi kufuneka siwathande.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani ozokhothana nezinto ezinuka muncu?”

Simba: ”Kuzokhothwa kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Mxm.”

Simba: ”Yiza ndiphuze, skhothane.”

574
Ndiyihlekile ndasondeza ubuso bam kobakhe, saphuzama ixesha elide wahamba waphuma
ngomnyango. Kutyiwe idinara sake sahlalali elounge sidlala usnake and ladder sincokola nokuncokola.
Besifundekela nje iyilonto. UBisola uye wayolala kwangoko, noMamnkeli wahamba. Ebeshiyekile uZama
ezolala noBisola, uSiyanda noLulu kwikamire kaSimba.

Bebesela nokusela ke bona saqonda ukuba makulalwe xa sebefuna ukulala lemidlalo yo truth or dare.
Yhooo ha.a kaloku! Siqonde ngoko ukuba sibizwa zibhedi. Umntwana wethu uthathwe nguMiracle,
andilandulanga ke nam kuba ibizoba ngudulu bhentsu kobubusuku. Bendihlele ukuba ibengudulu
bhentsu.

Ungene enxibe igown yakhe ebephume nayo. Ebesemanzi ke, caba uphume nje akosula akathambisa.

Simba: ”Ndiyonqonqozelwa ndisaphuma kwishower, uSiyanda ufuna ukwenza unumber two.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahahaha!”

Simba: ”Suhleka.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni indlu enkulu kangaka inebathroom enye qha na?”

Simba: ”Ndizoyazelaphi mna?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake wandiphoxa.”

Simba: ”Andikuphoxi, ndiyabuza qha mna.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake mntase bendisa kulevela kaloku. USiyanda wayeke wathetha ngoZama ngaphambili?”

Ufinge intshiya.

Simba: ”Nguwo umlevo wakho lowo?”

Nomtha: ”Hay maan ndiyabuza nje.”

Simba: ”UZama lo ka Mamnkeli?”

Nomtha: ”Yena.”

Simba: ”Ebezothethela ntoni ngoZama angamaziyo?”

Nomtha: ”Uqinisekile akamazi?”

Simba: ”Akamazi.”

Nomtha: ”Awuse layithi ke nono, bayazana aba bantu. Bazana nasekhukhweni. Izonto zabo zokuntsontsa
zazike zadibana benza umntu.”

Ebethambisa imilenze wena endijonga. Ubuso bakhe sana! Ebekhangeleka edidekile.

Simba: ”Uthini na lo?”

Nomtha: ”Ngaphambili kokuba sitye idinara, ngoku kuthethwa ngomntwana kaZama uSanda ndiqaphele
ukuba umhlobo wakho wenene uvele wabonisa umdla kuyo yonke lancoko. Ebede encina naye and
ebethe phatsha.”

575
Simba: ”Ifike ithini kengoku lonto? Akukrokrisi ukothuka ukuba uZama unomntwana. Nam ukuba
bendingazi ngendothukile.”

Nomtha: ”Wothuswa yintoni kengoku wena?”

Simba: ”Kukuba unomntwana. Worse okhule kangaka.”

Nomtha: ”Akamdalanga na uZama?”

Simba: ”Sawulwela into yokuba ndithe akabonakali uba unomntwana ngoku? Nawe awubonakali ukuba
ukhulelwe.”

Ndimgibisele ngomqamelelo awafika nakufuphi kuye. Uphelile yintsini.

Simba: ”Mhhh. Njengoba bendi satsho. Ebesothuka lonto ke uSiyanda ukuba unomntwana, into
emothuse worse kukuba unathree. Hayi apho ubonwe nangubani- phofu hayi. Akhonto niyiqapheleyo
nina-

Simba: ”Uvele wabona wena mntu wam ukuba one plus one = ikhukho nomntu ecaleni?”

Nomtha: ”Mamela kaloku Simba andikagqibi-

Simba: ”Hayike kutheni ndanguSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Ungubani, unguNkokheli?”

Simba: ”Ndingu munhu wanu. Ndingubaby. Ndingu tata kaZendaya. Ndingumyenam. AndingoSimba.”

Bendinga kwazi nongayihleki. Hayi mntakabawo ibintsha kraca ke le yokuba ndizobe ndimbiza
ngeziteketiso. Into angayifuniyo kubizwa ngegama lakhe. As of ngalamzuzu. Kuba bendiqhelile ukumbiza
ngegama lakhe elikwi ID yakhe. Andiyazi umfeketho lo.

Nomtha: ”Okay baby ke. Hahaha! Yehake mhlola. Bendiphi kanene? Oh ja, mna bendibahoyile ke
ndimamele nencoko yonke into. Nebody language yabo. Ndiqaphele kwa umothuko kaSiyanda ukubona
uZama ukuba something is beating the water apha sana-

Simba: ”Khona okshaya ivati!”

Nomtha: ”Nqo! Kodwa ndiphinde ndithi hay maan Nomtha, uyagabadela wethu. Inoba wothuswe
bubuhle kuba Zama ke kuba mhle ubaby girl. So wothuka lonto yomntwana ona three. Ndiqaphele
ukuyelelana kwamagama ke uSiyanda noSanda. Nditsho nakuZama uba maan sis'fanakalo-

Simba: ”Hahahahaha! Ungu mamgobhozi mfazi wam rhaaaa!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Khawuyeke ke uyandihlekisa.”

Simba: ”Tyhini! And then- hihihi! Uthi sis'fanakalo?!”

Nomtha: ”Emveni kokuba nditshilo ndibone uba maan utshintshe worse uZama-

Simba: ”Mh. Ngulo Siyanda noSanda bayeleleneyo?”

576
Nomtha: ”Ewe baby. Asukume aphume. Utshintshile ke ebusweni. Uthinzile. Izulise kancinci le
inguSiyanda ilandele emveni kwakhe, ndiqonde ndiyalandela kwamna. Ndakunika umntwana,
uyakhumbula ndithe ubambe umntwana?”

Simba: ”Andisakhumbuli.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikunike ummtwana ndayobakhangela ngemva. Simba! Into yokuqala endiyivileyo

ngu'Ngowam?'

Kubuza uSiyanda kuZama.”

Simba: ”Hayi maan userious na baby?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake. Ndikuxelela ungakuxokisi.

Ngokulandela intetho yabo ke babewinene, indoda yavuka yahamba ingabhatalanga kwa hotel leyo
ukuba yayiyi hotel. Shiyiyane umntwana bantu. Waxhumana naye ke wenza ingathi akamazi umhlobo
wakho njengoba bezodibana apha ngoku. Three year later.”

Simba: ”UZama noSiyanda?!”

Nomtha: ”Nqo ngeveg! Awumbonanga umhlobo wakho enomvandedwa emveni kwedinara.

Unomntwana aphoswe yithree year yonke ebomini bakhe ngenxa yegqe. Caba kwezi trip zenu
zomsebenzi nimane nisithi mani organizelwe iyifebe. Umntu angafaki condom kulonto yakhe.”

Simba: ”Mna ndisothuke yilento yokuba kubo bonke abantu anodibana nabo udibene noZama,
umntwana kaMamnkeli. Kungenzeka ukuba ngu-

Nomtha: ”Akuno kwenzeka, kwenzekile.”

Simba: ”Yho hayi akasoze amenze lonto uLulu uSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Khawube nombono! Awuna mntwana ongowakho wena-

Simba: ”Banaye umntwana oSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Banaye?”

Simba: ”Uhlala nomama kaSiyanda eDlamini. Banaye.”

Nomtha: ”Banomntwana?”

Simba: ”Wawuke wambona kwawena Nomtha andiyazi ulibele nje. Banaye, uadopted yena kodwa
ngowabo.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba uLulu akana bantwana?”

Simba: ”Hayi. Ndiyayazi ke leyo. Hayi lentsomi undibalisela yona. Kudala bazama umntwana. Bazama
nezizinto zakhona kodwa akanabo uLulu.”

Nomtha: ”Khawube nombono kengoku sewumithelwa ngaphandle ungenabo wena abantwana?!

Uzoziva njani uLuleka xa esiva lento? Yho hayi tana!”

Simba: ”Zange andixelele nto ngomntwana mna uSiyanda.”

577
Nomtha: ”Kaloku 'wayengayazi nalentombi'. Ndiphoxekile mna shame. Ndiyayazi lento ukuba noba
ingazubhidliza- mhlawumbi umtshato wabo kodwa uzawushukuxa.”

Simba: ”Nawe ulele nenye indoda kodwa akhonto ishukuxekileyo-

Nomtha: ”Rhaaa! Ufanisa into engafaniyo. Ubufile wena. Andiphumanga endlini ndisiya kwi 'business
trip' eKapa ndikushiya endlini mna, ndafika ndafuna istocko for the duration. Ukxezezile qha uSiyanda
and kukho umntwana ngoku. Kuzonyanzeleka axelele umfazi wakhe ke ngoku kuba seyazi. Akanofihla
umntu wonke! Soze. ULuleka uzawukophuka bawo yhini lendoda ukona into entle kangaka?!

Uyayibona kodwa lekona? Lentlungu?

'Oh kuba ndinge bantwana mna, ndizokwamnkela. Kuba amdizumnika abantwana' uzocinga njalo uLulu.
Maan!”

Simba: ”Ibonani icondom?!”

Nomtha: ”Upull out yena ebenabani? Uba ebemfuna raw.”

Simba: ”Kuzoshuba baby. Kakubi.”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Andiyazi.”

Simba: ”Uzomxelela kengoku uLuleka?”

Nomtha: ”Ngcu! Yhu andicingi mna Simba.”

Simba: ”Ukuba uvile ukuba ubuyazi awamxelela uzothini?”

Nomtha: ”Abe exelelwa ngubani? Kuba nguwe qha oyaziyo ukuba ndiyayazi, ngaphandle kokuba
uzontyiloza ntakana.”

Simba: ”Andizuthetha uyayazi lonto. Andingo mfazi mna. Kodwa ukuba ibindim uLuleka bendizolindela
ukuba undixelele.”

Nomtha: ”Asihlobenanga lomhlobo noLulu. Ndiyayazi ukuba ungamithisa akasoze andixelele. Akanobuza
noba ndinjani.”

Simba: ”Suba njalo. Suba nenqala.”

Nomtha: ”Andizumxelela. Nangaphandle kwayo yonke into, bendingeno mxelela. Wena thetha notshomi
wakho uthi ubavile. Uthi ubuyochama ngaphandle wabeva bethetha. Umxelele ukuba ahlambuluke.
Abone lomntwana, azixele emfazini abe ngumzali kula mntwana.”

Simba: ”Uyayazi inyula?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi kodwa ndiyayazi ukuba uSiyanda uthe gabhu enyuleni. Imbi maan yonke lento kodwa
ekugqibeleni kuzofuneka ithethiwe. Seyazi ke ngoku makaqale athethe. Bawo wam inoba unabantwana
abangakanani kulo nto yakhe?”

Simba: ”Mayibe ngowokuqala nowokugqibela lo. Mna andizumbuza nto uSiyanda. Ndizomyeka nje
kodwa ndiyayazi ukuba uzothetha nam and ndizomcebisa kakuhle. Ndizothetha inyani qha, kube kuye
ukuba ugqiba entweni-

578
Nomtha: ”Hayibo! Sunxiba, usanxibela ntoni?”

Uncumile wayigibisela le ipyjama wasondela kum.

Uqabele phezulu kwam ndangqengqa nam ndijikelezisa izandla zam entanyeni yakhe. Nemilenze
esinqeni. Amasango inene, ebevukeli. Hayi hayi hayi iyohoo Amen!

Ebengekho rhabaxa kuba engafuni ndifundekele siviwe ngabantu. Bekukhangeleka okungathi amadonga
la awadekanga lomhlobo.

Ndothuke kuqala ekuseni kuba bendinexhala lohambo. Bendingafuni ukushiywa yiflight yam ke.

Ndithe ndisukuma wanditsala enditsalela kuye. Senze omnye udulubhentsu. Imnandi ke ekuseni. Nanini
na phofu kodwa ekuseni.

Nomtha: ”Ndonqena nokuphuma.”

Simba: ”Hayi suka. Yiba nguwe qha ungabonisi ukuba kukho into oyivileyo. Ungalandeli mntu namhlanje.
Ngekungcono ukuba awuvanga nto.”

Nomtha: ”Okukuthanda kwam indaba.”

Simba: ”Kufuneka wenze iJournalism.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni. Khawume ndiyohlamba mna, ndiyahamba namhlanje.”

Simba: ”Akumnandanga ke xa uhamba.”

Nomtha: ”Akumnandanga ukuhamba.”

Simba: ”Hamb'ohlamba. Ndiyakthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda nam Vela bambhentsele!”

Simba: ”Hahaha!”

Ndiyohlamba ndagqiba ndinga phazanyiswanga kula bathroom. Bendine xhala kubekho umntu ofuna
ukuntsontsa okanye enze unumber two. Ndinxibele kwaphaya. Sendinxibele indlela. Emveni
kwebreakfast bendiyinquntsa. Ndiphume kusiza uZama enxibe uonesie.

Nomtha: ”Morning!”

Zama: ”Awusonwabe hayi ke!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Andithanga ningonwabi mna.”

Zama: ”Yhu! Ndifuna ukuhlamba ndihambe.”

Nomtha: ”Ekuseni apha?”

Zama: ”Ndibaleka nina. Ndizobuya xa kukho uBisola yedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Kutheni kakade unga sebenzisanga ibathroom yakhe kuba ubuleli naye?”

Zama: ”Ingathi uzoliva ivumba-

579
Nomtha: ”Uzonukisela thina apha?!”

Zama: ”Hahahaha!”

Akhonto ibimbi njengokuba ndodwa. Ibingase ndingabuyi esikolweni kuba bendiyazi ukuba ndizobuyela
emadongeni. Yiyo into ibindenza ndifune ukukrwitsha esasikhubekiso sezim singuVenus. Kuba ibingu
msebenzi wezandla zakhe ezimdaka ezi. Ebengayifunanga ibail, njengoba ebetshilo uSimba ukuba
woyika ukubulawa ngaphandle. Ebeziva ekhuseleke ngaphakathi caba. Ebephandwa nokuphandwa.
Amashishini akhe asemthethweni afihle okanye aquma la angekho mthethweni. Ibingathi kwenziwa
kade kum maan kodwa bendizifundisa umonde.

Khange ndibe nangxaki noLamar. Ebeqinisekisa ukuba uhambela kude nam. NoSimba besithetha
phantse oko ngomnxeba. Bekungonelanga wethu kodwa bekungafani. Kodwa bendifuna ubomi bam
bunuyele esiqhelweni. Le yona ibingeyiyo, tu.

Bendisenza amaqanda kuba ndonqene ukhupheka. Amaqanda nerussian nesonka. Ne cheese- nayo
yonke into ibingachasi kakhulu. Akukho nto bendingayitsi.

Ndibaleke ndayothatha iphone yam eroomini. Bendilindele ukuba ibe nguSimba ke kuba besingekathethi
namhlanje. Ebexakekile ukumfounela kwam wathi uzobuyela kum. Bendothuswe nangulomntu
ebendifounela kuba ukugqibela kwethu ukuthetha saphazamiseka singekagqibi. Ndingekathethi kakuhle
naye.

Nomtha: ”Hello.”

Kuthe cwaka ndeva ngaye sesothula isikhalo.

Luleka: ”Andiyazanga uku- andiyazanga ukuba ndiyephi. Ndilapha ngaphandle. Andiyazi ndiyephi-
ndivele ndazibona ndilapha-

Nomtha: ”Ndizothi uvulelwe baby, akhongxaki.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyaxolisa ukuhlupha-

Nomtha: ”Uzovulelwa ngoku awundihluphi.”

Ndiyomkhawulela ngaphandle. Bekubanda ke ndinganxibanga nokunxiba. Ungxidike nje wandanga

ekhala. Bendiqonda nje nangaphandle kokuyibuza ukuba uvile. Bendiyazi.

Bendimvela maan!

Luleka: ”Bubo ubudala bekuthethwa ngabo obu na?!”

Ndimphulule umqolo andamphendula.

Luleka: ”Nguye lo through thin and thin? Ubetter for worse? Yhooo hayi!”

Rhaaa uSiyanda!

580
SEVENTY ONE
Luleka: ”Abuhli nobubuthongo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndibuncamile mna ndazobukela ezi reality show zababafazi abanemali. Ndikwenzele itea?”

Luleka: ”Ndinga yonwabela mntase.”

Ndisukumile ndayobeka amanzi ekhitshini. Uyohlala esofeni wajamela itivi.

Luleka: ”Bendicela ungamxeleli uSimba ukuba ndilapha. Uba angafouna, ndiyayazi uSiyanda uzothumela
yena akubuze.”

Nomtha: ”Akayazi ukuba uphi?”

Luleka: ”Ucinga ukuba bendizobe ndimxelela ukuba ndiyakushiya ngoku ndiyaphi?”

Nomtha: ”Mh kakade ubunga zukuba nalo eloxesha.”

Ndimphendule ke noxa ebendiphoxa.

Luleka: ”Uxolo ngoku gibiseleka apha. Ndivele ndacinga wena, ndiyayazi ukuba ubuthe sihlobene
ngoSimba noSiyanda qha.”

Nomtha: ”Akukho ngxaki Lulu. Awulambanga? Ndilambile mna.”

Luleka: ”Andiqondi kuzongena nokokutya kum ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ungazilambisi ke tana. Kungcono ukutya kakhulu utyebe kunokubhitya. Kunzima ukubuyisa
igazi.”

Luleka: ”Ungathini wena?”

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Besithetha endizele ngomva ebukele itivi, uphethukile wandijonga. Ebebonakala ukuba akakhange
abuthi qwaka ubuthongo. Namehlo akhe ebebomvu krwe, kucacile ukuba akakhange ayeke ukukhala.

Luleka: ”Ukuba uSimba angamithisa ngaphandle, ungathini wena? Ungenza njani, ungamxolela?”

Nomtha: ”Yhu Lulu andiyazi. Senditsho kulula ukuthi ngoku ndingathi ndithi, kodwa xa sele isenzeka
into- andiyazi ndikuxelele.”

Luleka: ”Wandijolela uSiyanda, kwezi trips zakhe wandijolela. Uthi yinto yakanye le kodwa ndiqinisekile
ukuba akuphela komntu abe nale 'one time thing' naye koluhambo lwakhe. Mhlawumbi kusezokuthi gqi
amanye amantombi athi anabantwana noSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Uthini xa umbuza uba bakhona na abanye?”

Luleka: ”Ikhona into endinoyikholelwa ephuma kula mlomo kaSiyanda ngoku? Undijolele wathi cwaka
ngalonto. Ukuba bekungekho mntwana bendizocinga ukuba izonto ziperfect emtshatweni wethu kanti
akunjalo.”

581
Nomtha: ”Andiqondi ukuba izinto kufuneke zingabi perfect ukuze indoda iye ngaphandle. Ungamenzela
yonke into umntu kodwa xa efuna ukudyola uzokwenza kanye lonto. Umtshato wenu ngokuno kwam
uperfect, qha ingxaki nguSiyanda. Klaar!”

Kukhale iphone yam phezulu kwesofa wayithatha uLuleka endikhawulela ngayo.

Luleka: ”NguSimba, ungamxeleli ukuba ndilapha torho! Inoba ufounelwe nguSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Kucacile, akandifouneli ngelixesha kaloku.”

Ndiyithathile ndayiyeka yaringa yade yacima. Iphinde yaqala ekuqaleni ukukhala ndayiphendula.
Ndiphendule sendithethela phantsi okungathi ndothuka ebuthongweni.

Nomtha: ”Baby.”

Simba: ”Ulele?”

Nomtha: ”Heh! Userious?”

Simba: ”Kakade ulele, askies.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Undikhumbule?”

Simba: ”Ndikukhumbule ewe kodwa andikude ndikuvusele lonto elixesha.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni ingxaki kaloku? Uright?”

Simba: ”Ndiright mna baby. Ugqibele nini ukuthetha noLulela?”

Nomtha: ”Ngalamini ndandilapho. Kutheni ubuza?”

Simba: ”Akakho apho?”

Nomtha: ”Ebezofuna ntoni apha?”

Simba: ”Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni?”

Simba: ”Akakho apho uLuleka? USiyanda ukhathazeke uyafa ngaye, akamazi ukuba uphi. Akukho apho
angamkhangelanga khona.”

Nomtha: ”Akakho apha uLulu. Baxabene na?”

Uphefumlele phezulu.

Simba: ”Baby, uSiyanda ukhathazeke kakhulu ngoLuleka. Umnke enomsindo kakhulu kwabo-

Nomtha: ”Wayaphi?”

Simba: ”Ulapho andithi?”

Nomtha: ”Simba, ndiyakuxelela ukuba akakho apha uLuleka.”

Simba: ”Khohlela ukuba akakho apho, uba ulapho thimla.”

582
Bendingeno ngayihleki. Yehake thimla okanye ukhohlele. Tyhini bawo nditheni ndixhwiliwe na
sendisenza isigns. Heheheh!

Nomtha: ”Xelela umhlobo wakho ukuba uLuleka akakho apha kwam and inoba akafuni amazi- phofu
kucacile ukuba akafuni amazi, kuba ukuba ebefuna amazi ngemfounela amxelele ukuba uphi.”

Simba: ”Oh usecaleni lika Lulu? Ukhetha amacala?”

Nomtha: ”Bendingayazi mna ukuba kukho amacala sendinecala nje.”

Simba: ”Ungazingeni Nomtha izinto zabantu ababini, zizojike zishiyeke nawe ngomso. Ukuba ulapho
uLuleka yitsho uSiyanda azomthatha balungise izinto. Sukuba ngumqobo-

Nomtha: ”Uyandiqhela kengoku wena-

Simba: ”Uqhelwa kwa ndim? Ikwandim uwena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndicela ukulala.”

Simba: ”Uyageza futhi wena. Ndizomxelela uSiyanda azomjonga apho uLuleka.”

Nomtha: ”Kwam? Akazungena nakula gate ke kuba ungena ngemvume yam qha. Mxelele aze.”

Simba: ”Khawuyeke maan Nomtha. Yazi ukhathazeke kanjani uSiyanda?”

Nomtha: ”Akakho apha uLuleka, Simba.”

Simba: ”Okay kaloku sude unditshike. Unxibe ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndinxibe igambhuts!”

Simba: ”Tsekh!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Uyandidika ingxaki.”

Simba: ”Ndiyakukhumbula mna.”

Nomtha: ”Nam. Good night.”

Simba: ”Awundi khumbuli tu wena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakukhumbula qha ndiyozela.”

Simba: ”Ngoku uthe qwaa kangaka wena uyozela? Awundikhumbuli?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakukhumbula.”

Simba: ”Ja ungazotsho ngo 'nam' obandayo apha. Lala ke, sawuthetha ngomso.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Khandifotele yona.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan Simba! Hahaha! Sewuyekile ukuqumbela ukugezelwa?”

Simba: ”Ingena phi yona?”

583
Nomtha: ”Phofu. Kodwa andizuthumela photo mna.”

Simba: ”Ndiyak'cela.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuyeke izimanga umdala!”

Simba: ”Uze kulempela veki izayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndixakekile bhuti, ndidiwe futhi kemna ngulo up and down.”

Simba: ”Ndikukhumbula nyani ndikuxelele. Ndizofa uba awuzi.”

Nomtha: ”Rest in peace ke Madiba kuba andizuza nyani mna.”

Ndibeke iphone yam phantsi.

Nomtha: ”Sithunywe nguSiyanda esisi tunxa. Uthi ukhathazekile ngawe, kudala ekufounela.”

Luleka: ”Mxm! Ebeyondijonga kwtshomi zam. Ndifumana imessages bayandibuza uba ndiphi umyeni
wam uyandikhangela.”

Nomtha: ”Uthi ndithimle ukuba ulapha, uba awukho ndikhohlele.”

Uncume kancinci.

Luleka: ”Andikuvanga uthimla.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiphambene mna? Uright aqwayiteke atsho abhadle kakuhle ubhut'Siyanda. Makahambe
ayolala akunike ispace ayeke ukuziphambanisa apha abe esenza ingathi uxhwiliwe kodwa uziphumele
ngoku kwakho. Sekufuneka kusizelwe yena ngoku ukuba argh shame ukhathazekile ngawe?”

Luleka: ”Ndiyabulela Nomtha. Andikaku lungeli ukujongana naye okwangoku. Ndisafuna ukuke
ndiphozise ingqondo ndicinge kakuhle ukuba ndizothini ngoku. Umama uzondilanda ngomso.”

Nomtha: ”Ukulanda ukusaphi?”

Luleka: ”Ekhaya eVaal.”

Nomtha: ”Oh. Uthi unomntwana nentombi yaphi uSiyanda?”

Luleka: ”Yehake! Unomntwana nalaZama. Yazi Nomtha ndibethelwe ndikuxelele. Ndibethelwe

ngalamini, ndabona indlela amjonge ngayo uSiyanda uba kukho into. Ndacinga ukuba mhlawumbi kuba
emhle laZama, uSiyanda uthathekile okanye uphandlekile whatever. Andayihoya. Uthe endixelela
namhlanje ukuba unomntwana nala Zama andothuka. Ndothukile ukuba undidyolele nokuba
unomntwana owegazi lakhe kodwa ibungathi bendilindele nto.”

584
SEVENTY-THREE
Siyanda: ”Khawu yomjonga Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndicinga masimyeke kancinci.”

Siyanda: ”Ndifuna ukumjonga qha andiqondi ukuba uyafuna ukundibona.”

Nomtha: ”Ja, andicingi ukuba ufuna ukukubona okwangoku.”

Siyanda: ”Sh*t!”

Nomtha: ”Ungaphinde utsho.”

Siyanda: ”Sh*t!”

Ndihleke kancinci. Uphefumlele ngaphandle ejonge emnyangweni wekamire kungathi uzophuma

uLuleka. Bendifuna ukuyomjonga kona kodwa bendisoyika shame. Bendiyazi nje ukuba ndizawufika
ndimncedise sikhale sobabini ukuba ebekhala.

Sichophe ixesha elide kungekho mntu uthethayo.

Siyanda: ”Ngelaxesha ubungenile kutheni ukhawuleze waphuma?”

Nomtha: ”Uthe ndimshiye, ufuna ukuba yedwa.”

Unqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Awulambanga? Sendisitya kakhulu ngoku xa ndine stress mna, ndayeka ukuzityisa ngendlala.”

Siyanda: ”Yilonto sewutyebe kangaka.”

Nomtha: ”Haaaa! Ukrwada! Ndikhulelwe andityebanga.”

Siyanda: ”Ndilambile. Ndigqibele kudala ukutya. Ingase ingabiso sonka ke. Irice bhetele.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokwenza istir fry. Siright mos?”

Siyanda: ”Sigrand. Nerice.”

Nomtha: ”Ndak'betha rice, kucacile ukuba uyakholwa yiyo.”

Siyanda: ”Ndilambile mfondini. Ezi noodles nepasta zenu zijikela emqolo.”

Nomtha: ”Irice?”

Siyanda: ”kuba ndingayityi ke ipapa.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo nyani?!”

Siyanda: ”Yho hayi, ipapa!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha!”

Siyanda: ”Ndiyomjonga mna Nomtha.”

585
Nomtha: ”Khawuhambe sibone.”

Uzicengile wayonqonqoza wazingenisa. Andiqondi ukuba ebehoyiwe. Ndibe ndibeka imbiza mna
lomzuzu, ndabe ndiziphakela imuesli ukubambisa nje kuba bendilambile kuxukuzela amathumbu.

Ukhawuleze waphuma, wanikina intloko yakhe xa ndimjonga.

Siyanda: ”Ndiyolanda umntana.”

Nomtha: ”Ufuna umntana?”

Siyanda: ”Ewe, uthi ndimlande. Ndicinga utyiwe zintetha zikamama zokuba nalo 'simthengileyo'
umntana asihlali naye.”

Nomtha: ”Umuncu kwangokucinga ukuba umntana uthengiwe. Angakulinge anenze nizisole ngento
enimenzele yona lamntana.”

Siyanda: ”Andisoze ndazisola mna ngalamntwana. Akakho umntu ezweni onondenza ndizisole,
ngakumbi uMadosini.”

Nomtha: ”Ye Siyanda, ngumama kaLuleka lowa okanye ungumama omncinci?”

Siyanda: ”Umzele. Ngumama wakhe straight.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo!”

Siyanda: ”Ja.”

Nomtha: ”Uzithetha kanjani maan izinto ezinjeya emntaneni wakho omzeleyo? Akulunganga kwa konga
mzelanga, azilunganga kwa. Kodwa owakho! Hayibo!”

Siyanda: ”Lide ibali. Kodwa akhonto yothusayo, umthetho wakhe unje. Ungqabalala unje.”

Nomtha: ”Uyakhonza lamntu uthakatha emini? Ndimve ethetha ngabantwana babafundisi ebekufanele
ukuba batshata noLuleka.”

Siyanda: ”Bayakhonza kwinkonzo yosindiso. Kodwa icawa yona ayinanto Nomtha, into isemntwini.
Ubugqwirha bukula mama, hayi icawa akhonza kuyo.”

Nomtha: ”Kakade. Undicaphukisile mna uyazi. Kodwa ndikuxelele mna Siyanda ukuba ibingu mama wam
lowa ngendim guzula mna ebomini bam. Ndizixelele nje ukuba andina mama qha ke. Nawe kwilixa
elizayo ungabe ufounelana naye kuba uyayazi uyityhefu enjani kusis'Luleka. Ngaphandle kokuba injongo
zakho kukuxhelisa umphefumlo kaLulu ngaye. Ningaqalisi kwa ukumfaka kwizinto zenu. Abantu abanjeya
boyisa nemithandazo, akukho nto inophinde imguqule ngoku kuba sekulate.”

Siyanda: ”Yimpazamo yam ke leyo. Mpazamo leyo endingasoze ndiyiphinde. Kukuba nje bendixakiwe.”

Nomtha: ”Notata kasis'Luleka, kuba uyatsho ukuba ebefounela yena kwasuke kwathi gqi esi silingo sino
nondrokhwe abarhalayo. Ningamfaki maan ezintweni zenu. Uyityhefu yomntu lomama. Yima kancinci
ndisabele into yomntana, akakho right for ukugada umntana ngoku usis'Lulu. Uzokhathaza nje umntana
athi efika afikele kwinyembezi.”

Siyanda: ”Ndonqene nokutsho ke mna.”

586
Nomtha: ”Undijongele imbiza torho.”

Ndiyonqonqoza emnyango, nam ndizingenisile ke kuba bendinga hoywa nam.

Nomtha: ”Lulu, ndim uNomtha.”

Ebezisonge ebhedini endizele ngomva.

Luleka: ”Uphi uSiyanda?”

Nomtha: ”Ungaphandle emotweni.”

Luleka: ”Ndithe ayothatha umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Uyandixelela. Lulu?”

Luleka: ”Mh?”

Ndithinte umqala kuqala. Bendiziva ukuba ndiyagabadela ngokumbuza ngomntwana wabo kodwa
bendiziva okungathi ayiloxesha eliright lokuba athathe umntwana ngoku. Mabajongane nale bajongene
nayo kuqala into. Bangazisi umntwana kwindawo enempixano. Umntwana ebeyiva lonto, xa
kungekuhlanga endlini.

Nomtha: ”Awucingi ukuba ake ame kancinci umntwana?”

Luleka: ”Ndifuna amthathe.”

Nomtha: ”Lulu, izinto azikabikho right kuwe nobhut'Siyanda. Wena awukho right. Umntana uzobona nje
ukuba kukho undonakele angakhululeki afune ukuphindela apho avela khona. Kuright ukuba ufuna
ukumthatha kodwa lixesha eli elingekho right. Andifuni noba ngathi ndiyagxuphuleka kodwa ndifuna
umnike the best of you lamnatana. Ungamlandi usaphalala kanje sisi maan.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyakuva.”

Nomtha: ”Ndimxelele ukuba angamlandi?”

Luleka: ”Mxelele ahambe. Makamnke!”

Nomtha: ”Myeke wena, ndizomgxotha okomshologu. Ayikho into oyidingayo?”

Luleka: ”Awunazo ipilisi zentlungu? Ndisuke ndaqaqanjelwa yintloko.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinazo. Ayisoze ingaqaqambi, kuqaqamba eyam ngalomzuzu.”

Luleka: ”Ungatyi ipilisi ke wena!”

Nomtha: ”Ndizosela amanzi.”

Luleka: ”Enkosi, ndizosela ngala esempompeni ebathroom amanzi.”

Nomtha: ”Alright ke. Ndizobona ngawe xa uvuka ebuthongweni ke. Uze sizobukela itivi.”

Luleka: ”Ndizoza.”

Ndimvalele ucango. USiyanda ebesendilindile endirholele amehlo

587
Nomtha: ”Kuthwa ndikuxelele uhambe uye kwakho.”

Siyanda: ”Ndimyeke umntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Myeke.”

Ndimve ephefumlela ngaphandle kukukhululeka.

Siyanda: ”Ndizomnika igumbi eli alidingayo, andizube ndimdika.”

Nomtha: ”Xa ekulungele, uzoxhumana nawe. Unayo inumber yakho. Ingase nibe right, right ke kum.
Angakuxoleli ngoba ecinga ukuba kunyanzelekile okanye kuba ecinga akazulunga komnye umntu.”

Siyanda: ”Ndithandazela ukuba angandishiyi mna. Ukuba yayiyingxaki kum into yokuba engena
bantwana ngendamazisa kwakuqala. Bendiyazi ukuba sizo adopta kube right, noba bendingena
mntwana ongowam.”

Nomtha: ”Awusa zukufumana noko kutya ke.”

Siyanda: ”Noba ndilinde emotweni? Yho hayibo Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi. Kuthwe uhambe wena.”

Siyanda: ”Hayibo mfazi ka mfowethu.”

Nomtha: ”Linda emotweni ndizo kunyengezela.”

Siyanda: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Nomtha: ”Sewulisizana nje ngoku.”

Siyanda: ”Mxm!”

Uphumile ndashiyeka ndigqibezela ukupheka.

Ndimphakele ukugqiba kwam ukupheka wahamba. Bendimphakele iskhaftina esinzi ngokwaneleyo

ukuba atye nangomso. Ebendidikile ngayo yonke into kodwa ke ebengu mhlobo omkhulu kaSimba,
nomyeni wam ebethe ndingazingeni kakhulu izinto zabantu ababini kengoku ke nam bendinga zingeni.
Kakhulu. Bendizingena, hayi khakhulu.

Zimnkile intsuku ehlala nam uLulu. Bendingena ngxaki kuba bendi nomntu wokuncokola xa ndibuya
esikolweni. Ibisisiyalo into yokuhlala ndodwa kunekho Zendaya, kungekho Simba. Kungekho nalo gogo.

Ebengathethi kwintsuku zokuqala, nam ke bendixakeke zi assignments zesikolo , ndifundela ne tests

kodwa eleke zihamba intsuku ebesiya eswabuluka sincokola xa ndibuya esikolweni. Ebendincedisa ke
nangezinye ihome works.

Nomtha: ”Ye Lulu.”

Ibingu Lwesithathu ezintsukwini, bendibuye early eaikolweni. Ndibhale nje ndabuya. Bendidikwe
kukufunda incwadi zam, sibukele eza movies zamagweja zinoku thakatha phakathi.

Luleka: ”Mh?”

588
Nomtha: ”Into ndandizama ukuyitsho eKapa kukuba-

Luleka: ”Uvusa uchuku kengoku.”

Nomtha: ”Andivusi chuku, qha ndifuna ukukuxelela nje indlela endiziva ngayo kuba ndise nenqala
nangoku and ndifuna sibe right ngokupheleleyo mna nawe.”

Luleka: ”Okay. ”

Nomtha: ”Mna ndandi ngayazi ukuba uSimba usaphila.”

Luleka: ”Ewe wawungayazi kakade.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Ingxaki yam kukuba ungazange undijonge ukuba ndishiyeke ndinjani kuba wawungekho
mos kwi missions zo Simba wena, uhlala ehotel ngeloxesha ngewundi founele undibuze ukuba ndinjani.
Ndishiyeke njani.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyaxolisa Nomtha. Ndandinalo nyani ithuba lokuba ndikufounele, ndikuxhase qha
ndandingeno kwazi. Ndandifuna ukukuxhasa ngentliziyo yam yonke kodwa ndandinga kwazi kuba
ndandizo qhabalaka ngenyaniso. Bendinga soze mna ndikwazi ukugcina imfihlelo ka Simba kuwe.
Kunzima macala kuba kulindeleke uba ndigcine imfihlo kaSima ndiphinde ndikuxhase.”

Nomtha: ”Kwanzima ne email le yakwa mbhala. Ne SMS.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyaxolisa. Ingxaki andina excuse yokuba ndinga thumeli myalezo okanye I email, kuba
ukuthetha nawe ngephone ndandinga soze ndikwazi ukukuxokisela. Ndiyaxolisa. Mna ke ubuhlobo bam
nawe bayeka ukuba ngoSimba noSiyanda ngelaxesha wawu khulelwe uZendaya. Ngelaxesha ndakubona
njengo mhlobo wam. Kuba mna nawe saba nemfihlelo ezingadibanisi mna noSimba okanye uSiyanda.
Ndibe wrongo ngokunga thethi nawe kodwa ayikuba ndixabise uSimba kunawe.”

Nomtha: ”Alright.”

Lukeka: ”Ebunzulwini bentliziyo yam ndicela uxolo.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake bunzulu bentliziyo. Akukho ngxaki. Ndifuna sibe right qha, noba sihlobene ngokuba
ngabafazi babahlobo ke noba sihlobene ngaphandle kwabo.”

Luleka: ”Andina ngxaki noba sihlobene ngaphandle kwabo mna. Andisayithembi into eyindoda.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ubuza mna, yonke lanto ibithethwa ngumama wakho bububhanxa.”

Luleka: ”Ngomnye lowo.”

Nomtha: ”Ingxaki yakhe kanye kanye yintoni nawe?”

Luleka: ”Kukuba ubomi bakhe bonke wayendibekele umntwana kamfundisi. Mna ke bendingekho apho,
ndamitha ndimithela omnye umfana ndisenza ugrade ten wandikhuphisa isisu. Ndaphinde ndamitha xa
ndisenza uten wandikhuphisa kwakhona. Wayengafuni ndiyohlaba kuba inaliti 'ikwenza manzi'.
Esandibekele umntwana kamfundisi. Wayefuna ukundigcina ndinyulu for yena ngeloxesha yena
umatasa-tasa ngamanye amadoda.”

Nomtha: ”Ugay?!”

589
Luleka: ”Ndikuxelela ukuba nanamhlanje usaphila lompilo, siyathetha mna naye by the way. Uphila
idouble life kuba naye uphilela utata wakhe omfunela ubomi obuthile. Yena uthanda enye indoda.
Ndikuxelela ukuba ngendina londoda mna namhlanje etya macala. Kodwa ndabona uSiyanda
ndamthanda. Wandixelela day one ukuba 'uyabona ke mntana kaThixo, mna ndisebenza lo msebenzi,
ndiyilendoda. Andizutshintsha ubumna for anybody' Nomtha, ndamthandela nje lonto. Ukuba
akazenzanga ngelosi ethile. Kodwa ke eso sigqibo zange simonwabise umama. Nangoku akamthandisisi
uSiyanda, kuba emazi uba unguye. Akafihli nto ngobuyena, qha wenza nje kuba efuna ukonyelisa mna.”

Nomtha: ”Bendizibuza lonto ukuba ngowuphi umzali okhetha icala lomkhwenyana okrexezileyo. Nditsho
kuSiyanda ndithi ningaphinde noba nixakwe ngaluphi na uhlobo nimfake ezintweni zenu. Ewe umntu
akalahlwa kodwa uMadosini yena ufanelwe ngumgqomo.”

Luleka: ”Yayingathi uzode atshintshe ke kum. Qha ndiyabona ukuba akasoze aphinde atshintshe.”

Nomtha: ”Soze! Kwaye nawe ngewuzikhupha kuye. Ungamphi nomzuzu.”

Luleka: ”Yho andisoze Nomtha! Soze! Ndizomxelela notata ukuba uyafuna- ukuba usenomdla wokuba
sempilweni yam angalinge afake uMadosini.”

Nomtha: ”Uburight ngokuba nimthathe umntwana. Mthatheni nyani ahlale nani.”

Luleka: ”Ndizomthatha nyani. Ngomso ndiphindela kwam.”

Nomtha: ”Hayike! Ungalulinge ubuyele kuSiyanda. Mlahle uzohlana nam. Uthathe nomntana wenu!”

Luleka: ”Ye ntombi! Andithanga umyeni wakho afe mna!”

Nomtha: ”Yey hayi mntakabawo!”

Luleka: ”Andiyazi sawukwenza njani kodwa sawubona. Into endingayifuniyo kukuba acinge ukuba
kuright ukundijolela kwakhona.”

Nomtha: ”Kakade.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyamkhumbula kodwa.”

Nomtha: ”Menemene ndini!”

Luleka: ”Ndithemba ukuba akazukuba yingxaki uZama.”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi ukuba uzoba yingxaki. USiyanda uyakuthanda Lulu qha uye wafikelwa bubuhule.”

Luleka: ”Bubo nyani.”

Uye wafika utata kaLulu. Bendilindele uMadosini wesibini kodwa ebohluke kakhulu kuye, undikhumbuze
uSamora nje ngendlela ezininzi. Ebemthanda uLuleka kwaye emxhasa ngento yonke. Elindele
ukumqubula aye naye kowabo ukuba ebefuna lonto, qha uLulu ebesefuna ukuphindela emzini wakhe
kumyeni wakhe uSiyanda. Uhleli nathi imini yonke sincokola. Ebehlekisa nokuhlekisa ke. Uye wemnka
ngoLwesihlanu. Mna noLulu siye sayokondlala ekamireni ka Zendaya salala khona ngoku akhoyo,
ukumenzela igumbi, ikamire benzimbini qha kulandawo yam. Sivuke ekuseni saphekela utata wahamba
emveni kwe breakfast.

590
Nam bendizobuya ndihambe ndiye eKnysna kuSimba. Njengoba ibiyondelelela into kaLuleka bendine
mincili yokuya emyenini wam sichithe impela veki kunye.

Ulandwe kusasa ngoLwesihlanu uLulu. Bendiyawa lova esikolweni, ibingekho into engako besiyesenza
ngaphandle kwe exams ne assingments. Ibingathi andide ndigqibe. Ukugqiba kwam bendizoya eKapa
kumyeni wam nditye iholideyi naye nomntwana wethu. Bendivuyile kuba ibilungile into kaSiyanda
noLulu wethu. Ndibathandazela bangohlukani. Bendiyazi ukuba akusoze kube lula, kusezoba ndima
kakhulu qha ibingase bomelele kuba bebethandana. Kwaye kuthi love always win.

591
SEVENTY-FOUR
Simba: ”Abantu bam.”

Nomtha: ”Molweni.”

Simba: ”Hi, baby. Yiza ndiphuze.”

Ndimphuzile ndamanga.

Simba: ”Utheni wamhle kangaka!”

Nomtha: ”Uthetho wam!”

Simba: ”Yhoooo! Sapha ndikuncede. Uphilile?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila enkosi unjani wena?”

Simba: ”Ndiyaphila ngoku sendibone wena.”

Nomtha: ”Good answer.”

Simba: ”Bendiku khumbula.”

Nomtha: ”Ubundixelela qho. Ndiyayazi.”

Simba: ”Siya siba sikhulu esi sisu.”

Nomtha: ”Indlela endikruquke ngayo ke ndikuxelele! Ingathi andide ndizale. Yhoo hayi ndidiniwe.
Ndidikwa nokuba ndindodwa nje nakwezi check ups. Abanye abantwana bayakhantshwa ngabantu
babo, kubekho mna.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa ukuba andikwazi ukuxhasa ngalendlela ondinga ukuba ndikuxhase ngayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ingase ke ubekho xa ndibeleka.”

Simba: ”Nakanjani ndizobakhona. Andisoze ndiphindwe ndiphoswe.”

Nomtha: ”Ihamba njani into kaVenus? Ingathi upholile nje wena ngoku. Imnandi lendlela esiphile ngayo.
Wena ube ngaphaya kwelizwe mna ndibe ndodwa kulandlu.”

Simba: ”Indonwabisa njani?”

Nomtha: ”Iyandidika maan mna yonke lento. Kwakunini! Iyatsala yonke lento maan ingathi upholile!
Usonge izandla upholile. Makude kubekho into eyenzekayo sizoqhubeka kakuhle nobomi. Ndizohlala
nomntwana wam. Kufuneka ndibe ndithetha naye efounini, ndimbona ngaphaya kwescreen. Andiyazi
noba uthanda ntoni, nokuba akathandi ntoni. Ndingu mama nje ngegama and mna umntwana wam
ndifuna ukuzikhulisela.”

Simba: ”From zero to one eighty.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifustrated ingxaki yam. Kucacile ukuba ubuzophola kulaNigeria ndibe ndixhwaleka mna
ndodwa apha. Kuba upholile ngoku. Umnandele yimpepho yaseKapa. Uyibele shici into ekufanele ukuba
uyenze.”

592
Simba: ”Khawuhlise umoya. Kutheni ufuna sixabane?”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni sixabane qha ndifuna ubomi bam back. Ayondlela endifuna ukuphila ngayo le mna.
Ndifuna ubomi bam mna Simba.”

Simba: ”Izinto ziya yondelela.”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Kwawubuya uYesu!”

Ufake ibag yam ngemva emotweni wakhwela ngaphambili ecaleni kwam. Undincede ngeseatbelt le
bendijijisana nayo.

Simba: ”Andifuni sichithe lempeveli siqumbelene. Andikubuzelanga uzondiqumbela apha. Ugqiba nini
ukubhala?”

Nomtha: ”Kuleveki izayo.”

Simba: ”Mhhhh. Uzotsho uye eKapa.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni kuhlala eKapa mna. Ndifuna ukuphindela kwam.”

Simba: ”Ey Nomtha! Uyaluthanda uchuku.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni ukuhlala nomamakho mna.”

Simba: ”Ngoba?”

Nomtha: ”Lungisa lento kaVenus, Simba. Kucace icala kube kanye. Lungisa lento ka Venus. Kwakunini
ngoko. Kwakunini.”

Simba: ”Andihlelanga nje! Ndiyayilungisa, ukuba ubuke uthule undimamele kancinci ubuzova ukuba
ityala lisaqhubeka and ingekapheli leveki uzoba nengozi phaya etrongweni. Bendinga funi ukumenza nto
ingekabi final into yolwahlulo lezinto nomama. So umama ufumene isixa sakhe. Indlu ke yona yeye
stake. As of izolo kufreezwe I accounts zakhe ne offshore accounts. Yonke into yakhe yeye state.”

Nomtha: ”Njenge zikatata.”

Simba: ”Ewe kaloku xa ungabhatali netax zizothathwa izinto. Mna yonke into yam elegit ndikwi process
yokuyi thumela kuZendaya noMalik. Zingabi segameni lam.”

Nomtha: ”Mna?”

Simba: ”Wena utheni?”

Nomtha: ”Awuzuzizisa kum ezinye.”

Simba: ”Ndikucacele ngantoni? Ungumntwana wam wena?”

Nomtha: ”NdinguNkosikazi wakho tyhini!”

Simba: ”Uthathe imali yam uyoyitya noben ten bakho?!”

Nomtha: ”EParis. Uben ten othetha is'French.”

Simba: ”Ncncncnc. Uyekile kengoku ukuqumbela into engekhoyo?”

593
Nomtha: ”Andiqumbelanga nto engekhoyo, nawe ungandingqinela ukuba ibiqalisa ukudika into yokuba
kubangabikho nkqubela.”

Simba: ”Andikuxeleli kuba ndingafuni ube ndikuxakekisa ngenye into ngaphandle kwesikolo sakho.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ngewutshilo ukuba kukho inkqubela.”

Simba: ”Ngenditshilo.”

Sifikile kulendawo ebeyibookhile. Ibingaxhomisi mehlo. Ibiyilodge nje esimple kodwa intle, izole
kamnandi.

Ubeke ibags zam ekamireni.

Simba: ”Uzohlamba kuqala?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Kuyiwaphi?”

Simba: ”Sizotya.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Ndilambile.”

Simba: ”Kakade ulambile.”

Nomtha: ”Wenza ntoni ukhulula?”

Simba: ”Ndizohlamba nawe nam tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”Kuzohlanjwa qha?”

Simba: ”Kungahlanjwa qha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyiqondile!”

Uyihlekile. Siyohlamba, senza nezinye izinto kakade. Bendilumnkele ukutyibilika ndiyowa phaya kodwa
ke khange ndityibilike. Senze umjikelo omnye kwi shower, sagqibezela ebhedini. Ndibiwe bubuthongo
wandothusa endincumele.

Nomtha: ”Yintoni?”

Simba: ”Bendiku khumbula ukuvuka ecaleni kwakho.”

Nomtha: ”Oh?”

Simba: ”Noba ulele imizuzwana nje kodwa ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyavuya nam myeni wam. Yilonto intliziyo yam iba buhlungu kuba ndifuna ukubuka kanje
mihla yonke.”

Simba: ”Hey! Igama lomntwana wam.”

Nomtha: ”Uyalikhumbula!”

Simba: ”Kakade! Ndine feeling.”

594
Nomtha: ”Yokuba yintombi?”

Simba: ”Yokuba yinkwenkwe.”

Nomtha: ”Saside sabheja?”

Simba: ”Khawuvuke siyotya, andizubheja nawe mna. Kuhamba njani esikolweni? Ubhala kakuhle?”

Ndisukumile ebhedini noxa ibingathi silale kanje imini yonke nobusuku bayo. Bekufanele sitye
mntakabawo. Ndikhangele into yokunxiba ndanxiba.

Nomtha: ”Ndibhala kakuhle.”

Simba: ”Uqwamza usiya.”

Nomtha: ”Oksalayo ndizopasa.”

Simba: ”Yilonto endiyifunayo nam leyo mntuwam. Ndidikiwe kukuba nomfazi ose High school.
Undenzela umjojo!”

Nomtha: ”Suka!”

Simba: ”Kuthiwa iright phofu isex kwezinyanga zakho?”

Nomtha: ”Uqonde ukuba mawubuze emveni kokuba sewubhaqile.”

Simba: ”Ewe tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”It's highly recommended lento. Ndizotsho nditete kakuhle xa kufike imini.”

Simba: ”Ndide andikwazi ukuba unjani xa unga khulelwanga kuba ukhulelwa oko!”

Nomtha: ”Rhaaa! Andithi nguwe lo ondibamba ngabantwana!”

Simba: ”Nguwe ofuna ukubamba mna ngabantwana. Ndakushiya uthi saaa sewugcwalise indlu
ngabantwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ndibone nangalento ubhalise abantwana bakho kwizinto zakho.”

Simba: ”Ungu number one wam wena. Asinoxatyaniswa ngabantwana. UNokulunga ebefounele umama
ke.”

Nomtha: ”Esithi nantsi intoni?”

Simba: ”Ufuna uncedo kaloku. Uphindele eMeadowlands, akafuni ukuhlala khona kuba bayaxabana
nomama wa-

Nomtha: ”Yingxaki kamama njani? Uphilile uNokulunga?”

Simba: ”Akasoze uba uphilile. Indoda isetrongweni ngoku, amahlathi aphelile. Yilonto ndisithi makanga
phumi kwa kulatrongo uVenus kuba uzonyoma afune ukuphuma.”

Nomtha: ”Makanga phumi nyani.”

Simba: ”Makanga phumi!”

595
Siyitya kwirestaurant. Ndithenge iburger mna, yena watya isteak. Besityela ngaphandle. Kuzole
kamnandi sizincokolela sibukele nabantu. Ibizizinto ezincinane ezinje bendizi khumbula ke. Ubomi
obuqhelekileyo. Hayi le abe kude kunam. Ibindi phambanisa lonto. Kakhulu.

Siphindele elodge yethu wasela ibeer sabukela imovie. Andiyibonanga naxa iphela kuba ndibiwe
bubuthongo. Undivusile uSimba sahamba sayolala.

Undothusile wayena ndisekobude ubuthongo. Bekukhanya elayite isibane.

Nomtha: ”Yintoni?”

Simba: ”Vuka baby, siya eRhawitini.”

Ndimfingele intshiya ndatyokitya amehlo. Ndisanxile bubuthongo. Ibingeka zinzi nalento ebeyithetha.

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Vuka! UVenus usesibhedlele.”

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva, usesibhedlele uVenus. Wena uyintoni eRhawutini?”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukuthetha naye ngaphambili kokuba kucinywe imitshini. Noba akazundiva, ndifuna
ukuthetha naye esaphefumla.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzothiwa nguwe ombuleleyo?”

Simba: ”Bendise trongweni mna? Ndifuna ukuhamba. Abantu bam bathi kungasa ebhubhile. Uxhaswe
ngemachine.”

Nomtha: ”Uyavuka ngoku ekufeni?”

Simba: ”Ayonto ubuyifuna kanti leyo? Ukuba ubomi bethu bubuyele esiqhelweni?”

Nomtha: ”Bendingafuni ukuba kuzoba msinya kanje kaloku mna.”

Simba: ”Alikho ixesha eligqitha ungoku. Vuka.”

Nomtha: ”Kuzothiwa usisiporho sana.”

Uncumile.

Ndisukumile ndanxiba.

Simba: ”Hayibo! Kanjalo nje?!”

Nomtha: ”Njani ukuba kanjalo nje?”

Simba: ”Akuhlanjwa?”

Nomtha: ”Asingxamanga kanti?”

596
Simba: ”Hayi, hlamba Nomtha hayibo!”

Nomtha: ”Usuke uzenze othanda amanzi!”

Simba: ”Hlamba, hlamba!”

Ndiyongena kwishower ndakhawuleza ndahlamba ndayonxiba. Ixhala bendinalo ibingathi ndim lomntu
uvuka ekufeni. Bendiyazi nje ukuba izoba ngumothuko kumntu wonke. Bendivuya ke kodwa ukuba
uzoyeka ukubhaca. Besendikruqukile kodwa yilanto.

Sifikele kwesi sibhedlele bekuthiwa ukuso.

Bebehleli kwibench onyana bakhe bobathathu, uNolukhanyo nabantwana bakhe bobathathu.

Kubheke ubhut'Mluleki kuqala ndambona ekhupha amehlo wonke. Kugxwale uNolukhanyo nabanye
bajonga lento okanye lomntu wothusa abantu.

Mluleki: ”Simba!”

Simba: ”Molweni. Ungakweyiphi iward uVenus?”

Mluleki: ”Damnit Simba! Yazi ndake ndayikrokrela eyokuba awubhubhanga.”

Simba: ”Ungakweliphi icala uVenus.”

Mluleki: ”Nguwe lo?”

Simba: ”Ndim njani?”

Mluleki: ”Nguwe owenze yonke into nguwe! Nguwe obulalise utata?!”

Simba: ”Ufile!”

Umxhumele wanqandwa sisecurity. Andiyazi noba besithake safika kanjani nanini kuthi.

Mluleki: ”Awunalungelo lokuba lapha wena! Elapha utata kungenxa yakho!”

Simba: ”Kutsho bani? Kutsho wena?”

Security: ”Mhlekazi ndizocela uphume.”

Simba: ”Mnumzana, ndingunyana walatata. Ndingunyana kaVenus, awunalungelo lokundigxotha apha.

Ukuba kukho into eyenzeke kulandoda ndinga thethanga nayo, I will sue you ubedizzy!”

Mluleki: ”Nkokheli! Awuzubona tata wena!

Simba: ”Kutsho bani?”

Nokulunga: ”Awuzubona Venus wena.”

Simba: ”Utsho ngabuni kengoku wena? Uyintoni kutata?”

Nokulunga: ”Ndingumama wabantwana bakhe.”

597
Simba: ”Mxm! Hlala apha phantsi Nomtha, ndizobona islerha esizondixelela ukuba ndingaboni uVenus.
Hlala apha. ”

Ndichophe phantsi nam ndavala umlomo.

598
SEVENTY-FIVE
Sihleli phaya kude kunabo kodwa singekudanga ngendlela bendinqwenela sibe kuyo ngayo. Ubungeno
yazi into bebenoyenza kuba bebe semisindweni. Ebegqusha unyawo uSimba engakwazi nokuhlala
kakuhle.

Mluleki: ”Isibindi sokudlala ukuzifisa apha kanti ixesha eli lonke ufuna ukuwisa utata, wakugqiba
umbulale! Isibindi sakho. Wakugqiba uzoveza ubuso bakho apha!”

Simba: ”Ndithe mna kuwe ukuba uziva okungathi unegunya ngaphezulu kwam ndibizele amapolisa
azondikhupha. UVenus makatsho ngoku kwakhe ukuba uSimbi Nkokheli Matanzima akavumelekanga
apha, kungona ndizophuma nomnkam. Into yokuzifisa kwam ayichaphazelanga wena nangayiphi na
indlela. Awuyinto wena kum. Andiyonto nabantu abaweak mna. NdinguSimba! Andiyonto namabhetye
bhetye athenga iskelem.”

Mluleki: ”Ukufa kwakho- okanye ukuzifisa kuchaphazele wonke umntu! Ukhathaze umama!-

Simba: ”Bra ndineveki, mhlawumbi inyanga ngoku ndihleli nomama andikamva ethetha ngokuba uke
wamjonga ukuba unjani kuba ubusy uphuzana nentsula zikaVenus. Uyazazi ukuba wamlahla kuphelile
ngawe kuba awumeli nto. Awumeli nto Mluleki. Ungu 'ewe' wendoda engameli nto kuba woyame
kakhulu ngabantu. Uxhomekeke ebantwini ukuze uzise isonka kwakho. Inyukelene nje into yam noVenus
kungoba wena wayothetha izinto wasithela ngegama lam. Nalapho ndakuyeka kuba ndiyakwazi
ulibhetye-bhetye elinga meli nto. Kwaphuma ihit ngegama lam esuka kuVenus, ndide ndaxelelwa ngayo
ngumntu wangaphandle ukhona uyazi ukuba kuplotwa ukuwa kwam. Wathula! Kuba akhonto
uyimelayo.

Bekufuneka kufe mna? Bra ndinomfazi ndinabantwana mna. Ukuba uVenus uzolwa then I show up for
myself kuba mna I talk the talk and walk the walk. Ndiyilondoda mna.

Ndizoveza ubuso bam apha futhi ndifuna ibe bubuso bokugqibela abubonayo, acinge ukuba
uyaphorhelwa. Andijonge apha emehlweni afe ndimxelele ukuba u useless. Ndizohlala apha kwaye
ndizobona, sibone ukuba ngubani unondatshaza ozondinqanda. Njengoba ndingqungwe zipitikoti
necross my body. Ndifuna lo umnye uzondinqanda. Ndilingeni hehe! Ndilingeni.”

Mluleki: ”Awunguye uSimba endikhule naye wena. Awunguye laSimba ndandimnceda ukulungiselela
esikolweni. Ndimmela xa eqalwa ngabanye abantwana esikolweni. Awunguye tu.”

Simba: ”Kungoba ndakhula ndayingonyama wena wakhetha ukuba yikati. Kakade andizoba ngulaSimba
mna kuba ndifunde ukuzilwela nokuzimela kuba kakho umntu ondixhase ngalondlela. Akakho umntu
endinethemba lokuba uzondimela, ndisethele ngaye njengani kuba utata wenu akazange wandithanda.
Zange. Nizomane nisithi ndatshintsha, ansisenguye uSimba endsndinguye ndimncinci kungenxa yenu!
Nalandoda. Nonke! Uzondixelela ukuba andinguye uSimba okhule naye, f*ck that. Awunguye uMluleki
ndandikhula naye. Andisanazi nje nonke.”

Ndimbambe ithanga wabetha isandla sakhe phezulu kwesam woyama esitulweni.

Mluleki: ”Uthini ngaba bantwana abangazuba natata?”

Simba: ”Ey Mluleli! Khawume kancinci.”

599
Mluleki: ”Yonke into katata iwe phantsi. Abantwana abanafa asuka kutata wabo kuba wena
utshabalalise yonke into awacingela bantwana bakatata wakho.”

Simba: ”Kuba yena wabacingela abam abantwana? Abakhe babaluleke kakhulu ukogqitha abam? Heh?
Noba abam abana tata ngenxa yotata wabo owandityela umfazi wandiyeka ndakhulisa abantwana
iminyaka. Watshabalalisa ishishini lam ndinga menzanga nto ngaphandle nje kokuba ndizimele
ndaphumelela ngaphandle kwakhe? Ndangcono kunaye kumdlalo wakhe? Hehe! Hehehe! Ukuba ufuna
ukususa eyam nawe xa kusifa utata wakho Mluleki makuyiwe. Ukuba ufuna ukuba nempi nam
masibephaya, ihlome ihlasele. Kutyiwe efileyo.”

Bukhosi: ”Mayingade ifikele apho. Impi kaSimba notata mayiphelele kuye notata. Bhuti, unga inherithi
impi zabantu ongaxhobelanga ukuzilwa. Kubuhlungu kuthi sonke. Kodwa siyaya ukuba bekufuneka
kubekho ewayo. Besicinga ukuba ngubhut'Simba kwabuhlungu, kanti akunguye. Yangutata. Abantwana
bethu nabo bazawuthatha lento. Nababo abantwana. Yiyo kengoku xa injalo?”

Mluleki: ”Mna uSimba andisoze ndimxolele-

Simba: ”Andinaxesha loxolo lwakho kuba andilucelanga kwasekuqaleni. Andizisoli nganto nangoku.
Ukuba kukho into endizisola ngayo kukuba ingezo zandla zam ezimbeke kulandawo. Ndiyazisola ngoko.
Kuba ukuba ibuzezam ngesesiqalisile ngoku ukwenza amalungiselelo omngcwabo kuba ebengazuku
fumana nethuba lokuza apha esibhedlele. Qha.

Mna ngoku sendibonile ukuba umntu endinaye, usapho lwam ngumnkam nabantwana bethu qha.
Ngabo endikhathalele ukuba baziva njani nokuba bacinga ntoni ngam. Ukuba ibinguMalik othetha lonto
ngendiziva ngenye indlela. Hayi wena.”

Mkhuseli: ”Mna ndicinga ukuba siyekeni ukuthetha ngoku. Kuba hleze sone ngakumbi. Sekonakele ewe
kodwa akukonalakaleli ukuba singakwazi ukulungisa. Lelam. Sothuke sonke ngendlela izinto ezingayo.
Sonke besiqinisekile ukuba uSimba ubhubhile. Samfihla samshiya ekhayeni. Kodwa kubuhlungu ngoku
thina bancinci ukunibona nixhekeka kanje. Endaweni yokuba kubekho uxolo kuba umntu ebephixanisa
nobefaka ithanda kuthi bantwana bakhe akasenawo lomandla, siqalisa ezinye impi.”

Simba: ”Andiqali mpi namntu mna Mkhuseli. Ukuba uyivile intetho yam ukuba ithini ngewuvile ukuba
andizami kuqala qhushululu nobhuti. Niyayazi indlela besisondelene nebesimelana ngayo nobhuti.
Kungangeni namoya ungene ngaphakathi kwethu kodwa undijikele ngemizuzu yokugqibela
wazibonakalisa mpela ukuba ungakweliphi icala lesikali xa kusingela kwelam. Into yam kengoku kukuba
mna Simba Nkokheli Matanzima andina bhuti unguMluleki. Ukuba kukho nomnye ofuna ukuba naye
makenze njalo. Sendilungise izinto noBisola siright. Ndiright nonyana wam nonkosikazi wam. Ngabo
abantu abanondenza ndingalali ebusuku ukuba singangavani. Anibalulekanga lomhlobo nicinga ngawo
kum nina.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi tata kaMalik.”

Simba: ”Andizanga kuni futhi apha. Andizanga kuzobamba ntlanganiso ndilungise ubuhlobo enabona
nina. OMkhuseli benditya izithende belala nomama womntwana wam.”

Mkhuseli: ”Uyayazi ukuba azange kwenzeke kanjalo.”

600
Simba: ”Ubunyoka yinto yenu apha ekhaya, nosulela nabantwana. Lomntu ngumntu ochithe umzi
kamama. Yena nalaVenus. Bawubhidliza bhu phantsi. Umama wafa icala yilenyoka niyifaka ezingubeni
ngoku. Umntu akanothembela kuni kuba ndingama phixi-phixi.”

Nokulunga: ”Andizungazi uzovelela utata wabantwana bam mna Simba kuba wena unengxaki nam.”

Simba: ”Akukho mntu unexesha lakho Nokulunga. Mna phofu andiku khathalelanga. Nokokuqala.
Akukho futhi umntu othethe nawe. Ingathi ngewuhoyana nomntwana wakho uvale umlomo.”

Nolukunga: ”Okanye kuzothini? Uzondibizela abantu bandibethele ibhokisi njengoba wenzile kuVenus.”

Nomtha: ”Suhoyana nalo Nokulunga Simba. Awuzube uphendulana nabafazi ube unyukiselanya,
kuzojongwa kuwe ungubgabhadli kuba ungummtu oyindoda.”

Bendithethela okokuba kuve yena yedwa. Wanqwala evala umyeni wakho. Ibingekho nalento bebeyenza
phambili kwabantwana, babe bekhwazana.

Kuthe cwaka ke ngaphandle kwengxolo yesibhedlele. Ebendibambe isandla edlala ngering yam
yomtshato.

Kuze ugqirha nendaba ezimbi kubantu bebemkhathalela. Isimo sikaVenus besingeka tshintshi. Endaweni
yoko bebe noloyiko lokuba angangalenzi ixesha kobu busuku. Ukhale kuqala uMalkia bakhala kunye
noNokulunga. Bekucacile ukuba wasiyeka isisu kuba ebemithele ukuzala. Bashushuzele abanta kwabo.
Bekuthiwe siyombona abafuna ukumbona kodwa singangeni siligquba, kuyovaleliswa. Yinto ebakhalise
ngakumbi, kukungabikho kwethemba lokuba uzosinda.

Bekungcono ngelaxesha bebenethemba lokuba angalulama, ngoku ebetshabalele lomathemba.

Kuyongena uNokulunga noMalkia kuqala. Kwalandela uMluleki nonkosikazi wakhe. Bebenga bonakali
ndawo abantwana.

Baphume bekhala nabo ke kwangena abanye njalo njalo. USimba ebelindele kungene yena. Mna
bendingasoze ndiyongena phaya. Bendingafuni nokumbona laVenus. Bendicinga ukuba ndawuba
nesibindi sokuyomthuka. Ebendithathele okuninzi. Abazali bam nomntakwethu wandithathela uSimba
ixesha elide. Belilide kakhulu elaxesha ndikxwalekile ndicinga ukuba umyeni wam uswelekile. Waphinde
wahlala kude nam ndandodwa kwakhona.

Ukuba lapha nje kwesisitulo bendichophe kuso ndive ukuba umntu owabulala abantu bendibathanda
nendisaba thanda namhlanje, abebenga sono- ibibubu lungiswa bam obo. Ndibufumene ngomyeni wam.
Bendicinga nje oba busuku ngelaxhesha ndijonge bengena bephuma bekhala. Sendifika imizimba
igqunyiwe, andanalo nethuba lokukhetha nabo noba baxhaswe yimatshini.

Simba: ”Uyakhala.”

Utsho endiqinisa isandla esi ebesibambile.

Nomtha: ”Bubugqwirha ukumincela ukub angasindi? Atshabe. Ndicinga untlungu endadlula kuyo
ngenxa yakhe. Nento endibeyiyo emveni koko ngenxa yakhe. Nangoko waqhubeka ukundivisa obunye
ubuhlungu. Wavisa wena ubuhlungu ubomi bakho bonke. Ekukhetha kwabanye abantwana, yonke lan-

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi yonke into ayenzayo uVenus, baby. Ndiyazi kakuhle kwaye akukho bugqwirha
ngandawo. Iso ngeso. Oyenza kwicala lasekunene, uyenza nakwelasekhohlo. Wakushiya ungenabani

601
wena. Kungcono ukuba abantwana bakhe banabanta kwabo kunye nomama. Bebehleli bengamqhelanga
lomhlobo utata wabo. Akukho bugqwirha ngandawo.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Sukukhalela landoda.”

Nomtha: ”Andikhaleli yena.”

Simba: ”Sukukhala kwa. Ukhale kwanele.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikhala okokugqibela.”

Uyihlekile.

Simba: ”Njengoba ufeketha kangaka wena ukhala okokugqibela?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyafeketha?”

Simba: ”Tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”Yehake.”

Simba: ”Ndinendawo edanileyo? Andiyazi. Noba yontoni kakuhle, kakuhle le ndiyivayo. Bendinga
nqweneli ukuba kufikele apha. Bendi nethemba lokuba endleleni kuzophela yonke lantiyo anayo
ngakum. Noba asilungisi budlelwane kodwa ingade ifikelele ekubulaleni.”

Nomtha: ”Izoba khona indawo ezisolayo kuba ekugqibeleni ungumzali wakho. Kodwa nyani ukuba
ayinguye ngeyinguwe. Bekumele kubekho omnye owayo kuba yinto ebeyifuna leyo. Kufe wena.
Ndibuhlungu nje kuba kukhangeleka okungathi ulahlekelwa nangabanta kwenu.”

Simba: ”Bendinyanisile ngoku bendisithi ababalulekanga ngendlela enibaluleke ngayo nina nabantwana
bam. Ndibuhlungu nam kodwa ingalo uyayishinqula uyidinga kodwa kuba kunyanzelekile ukuba utyhefu
ingangeni emzimbeni. Ukuba bayilocancer ekufuneka ndiyinqumle makube njalo. Kwawuba buhlungu
kude kungabi buhlungu.”

Ndinqwalile. Bebesengene bonke kwasukuma uSimba ezongena. Undibuzile kwakho ukuba andifuni
kuyongena naye ndanikina intloko.

Ebemjamele ngamehlo abomvu ubhut'Mluleli. Unyuse amagxa wakhe wayongena. Kulandele isecutity,
caba kuthiwe singene kunye naye simgade angamfuthaniseli ngomqamelelo. Ayikho nento ebencekelele
yona ayeke ukufa kube kanye.

Ungene ixesha elide ukogqitha wonke umntu waphuma enesingqala kukukhala. Undolulele isandla
wanditsala sahamba. Siye endlini safika nje wakhwela efounini. Bendidiniwe mna shame. Ndiqaqanjelwa
nazinyawo, ndiyongena ezingubeni emveni kokutshintshela kwipyjamas.

Simba: ”Ndizolala kulebhedi nam?”

Ndimfingele intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Kuzobe kutheni ungalali kuyo?

602
Simba: ”Le wawuleli kuyo nalatintshala wakho. Iphinde ilale mna lobhedi?”

Nomtha: ”Inye ibhedi apha.”

Simba: ”Akukho msebenzi noba zingaphi kodwa andizulala kulebhedi mna. Ndizolala esofeni ke.”

Nomtha: ”Andizukwazi ukuzolala nawe esofeni kuzosa ndiqaqanjelwa ngumzimba.”

Simba: ”Ungalala wena.”

Nomtha: ”Bendifuna undibambe kodwa ndide ndilale. Uyaphinda uyaphuma mos ngoku?”

Simba: ”Ndiyphindela ewe. Ndifuna ukuqiniseka ukuba uyabhubha. Ndizobuya ndilale esofeni. Into
yokuphindela eCenturion sawuyibona, andinamdla wokuthutha mna ngoku. Into endifuna uphumile
yilebhedi, noba ndithenge ithree quarter akukho msebenzi. Andizulala kulebhedi mna.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva.”

Simba: ”Andizukwazi nokulala nawe kuyo noxa ndikulangazelela kangaka.”

Nomtha: ”Ha.a mntakabawo funa enye indlela yokukhupha ifustrations zakho, andina mandla for le
uyifunayo isex.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi. Andifuni ukulimaza nomntwana wam.”

Nomtha: ”Wethu.”

Simba: ”Wethu. Ndiyahamba mna baby, andifuni ukuhlala kakhulu.”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Khawusondele ndithandaze ngaphambili kokuba uhambe.”

Simba: ”Uthandazela mna?”

Nomtha: ”Ndithandazela thina, zisa izandla uvale amehlo. Emagameni amathathu, egameni loYise,
egameni lonyana nelomoya oyingcwele ...

Ndithandazile ndagqiba. Bendiba izoba ngumthandazo nje omfutshane kodwa ndizibone sendithandaza
into ende. Ndibika zonke ingxaki zethu kuThixo. Ndimmema kwelixesha linzima nelizoba nzima
empilweni yethu. Ndimmema nakwimpi besizongena kuzo. Ukuba abe ngumnqobi wethu, asilwele kuba
thina besilwe ngokwaneleyo esiyekelele.

Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda nam, myeni wam.”

Simba: ”Undithanda kanganani?”

Nomtha: ”Kakhulu. Wena undithanda kangakanani.”

Simba: ”KangangoThixo ethanda ihlabathi. Ndakuthanda kangako.”

Ndimncumele ndamphuza.

603
Nomtha: ”Uzame ungaxambulisani namntu ke koluhambo lwakho.”

Simba: ”Ndizame ukungophuli mazinyo amntu?”

Nomtha: ”Please ”

Simba: ”Ndizozama kakhulu. Mandihambe.”

Nomtha: ”Undifounele xa kwenzekile.”

Unqwalile waphuma ngomnyango. Ndizame ukulala behla ubuthongo ke noxa ndike ndaqwayiteka.
Ndothuswe yiphone yam. Ibingu Simba.

Nomtha: ”Kwenzekile?”

Simba: ”Utshaba ngoku. Ndimbonile.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi noba ndithi phephisa na.”

Simba: ”Andiyazi nento endidinga ukuyiva ngoku. Ndiyabuya.”

Nomtha: ”Uphephe.”

Simba: ”Always. I love you, baby.”

Nomtha: ”Love you to the moon and back.”

Simba: ”Lalani ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuye ke nawe.”

Uyibeke phantsi engaphendulanga. Ebengazubuya kwangoku. Ndiphindele ebuthongweni.

604
SEVENTY-SIX
Simba: ”Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Mh? Ubuye nini?”

Simba: ”Sekulithuba ndibuyile.”

Nomtha: ”Usweleke nyani?”

Unqwalile kuphela.

Ebevule nje ucango wema ngase mnyango akangena ekamireni ngaphakathi.

Nomtha: ”Akuhlanga lungehliyo.”

Uyihleke kancinci wanyusa amagxa.

Simba: ”Bendikudinga.”

Nomtha: Yiza uzongena ezingubeni.”

Simba: ”Uyayazi ukuba bendithe andizulala kulebhedi.”

Nomtha: ”Kungoba ufuna kuthini? Ufuna ndizolala esofeni nawe?”

Simba: ”Sekubusa ngoku, andiqondi sawulala.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuhleli phi wabuya ekuzeni kusa?”

Simba: ”Ndiye koSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Bekutheni ungabuyi uze endlini?”

Unyuse amagxa akhe kwakhona.

Simba: ”Bendifuna ukucinga.”

Nomtha: ”Uyazisola ngayo yonke lento?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi baby. Andiyazi.”

Nomtha: ”Akunanto ekufuneka uzisole ngayo.”

Simba: ”Andizoli ngokuba ufile uVenus. Ndizisola ngokuba abantwana bakhe bebesakha ubudlelwane
naye, abantwana bam. Andinabo nabo mna, ngoku abana tata. Baneslerha sika mama qha. Umama
Andiqondi ukuba usabaphatha ngokufana nakuqala ngendlela abeze ngayo. Indlela ebekhala ngayo
uMalkia, ukhulelwe nokukhulelwa.”

Ndisukumile ebhedini ndaya kuye ndamanga. Uyeke ucango wandibamba.

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi ndizothini ukuze uzive ngcono. Ukuba kuzokwenza uzive bhetele ngewuxhumana
nabo. Ubaxhase ngalondlela ukwazi ngayo.”

Simba: ”Ndizozama. Masiyongqengqa esofeni, ndiyozela.”

605
Nomtha: ”Kufuneka ndilale esofeni ngoku ngenxa yoba ungafuni ukuzolala nam ebhedini?”

Simba: ”Ngenxa yokuba walala nenye indoda ebhedini yam!”

Nomtha: ”Kucacile ukuba awuxolanga ngalanto.”

Simba: ”Zange ndithi ndixolile. Andiqondi nokuba yinto endizogqitha kuyo ngakumbi xa kusekho labhedi.
Ndinemfanekiso emibi endingafuni ukuyibona.”

Nomtha: ”Sawuyithini ibhedi ke?”

Simba: ”Uzobona ukuba uyithini?”

Nomtha: ”Kwamna? Ngawaphi amandla? Ukuba ufuna ukulala esofeni qho kulungile ke uba
awuzukhupha ibhedi. Kodwa mna andizuzophula umqolo ndilale ngentsula enye esofeni.”

Simba: ”Kutsho bani?”

Nomtha: ”Kutsho mna. Ndilambile futhi mna.”

Simba: ”Elixesha?! Awukho serious.”

Nomtha: ”Ndilambe nyani. Ndicela undiqabele ipeanut butter nejam. Izonka zibe zine.”

Unikine intloko kodwa waya ekhitshini ndabe ndiyongqengqa esofeni mna.

Nomtha: ”Yafika imarriagez certificate.”

Simba: ”Ja ndiyayazi.”

Nomtha: ”Uqumbile na?”

Simba: ”Umoya wam uphantsi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakubona usuke wamaka.”

Simba: ”Andiziva ngalendlela bendicinga ukuba ndizoziva ngayo. Enye into bendiyicinga yinto yale
business ngoku. Ndicinga ukuyiyeka yonke lento. Ndinabantwana ndingumyeni kuwe, andisafuni into
enonifaka ebungozini.”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi wawungena bantwana nankosikazi ngaphambili.”

Simba: ”True. Kodwa ndiyacinga ukuwuyeka. Ndiphinde ndithandabuze kuba kuzofuneka ndisebenzele
enye indoda. Ndipbendule kwenye indoda.”

Nomtha: ”Akunyanzelekanga ukuba wenze zonke ezozigqibo ngalomzuzu. Hoyana nale into kuqala.
Siyaya khona emfihlweni?”

Simba: ”Ukugqiba kwakho ukubhala ndifuna sihambe. Umama uzofuna ukuya kwangoko ekhayeni
ayozimasa, andifuni abe yedwa.”

Nomtha: ”Uzomzilela noxa behlukene? Futhi nangendlela abohlukene ngayo?”

Simba: ”Ndiyamazi umama.”

606
Nomtha: ”UNokulunga?”

Simba: ”Yinkazana nje uNokulunga kuVenus. Umama wabantwana. Izinyanya azimazi nokumazi ukuba
ade ayozila. Uzofika ngomhla womlindo okanye ngowomfihlo aphinde ajike. Kuba into engeke yenzeke
kukuba ahlale emzini kamama.”

Nomtha: ”Ungase kungabikho nto ithethisayo okanye umlwo kwakhona.”

Simba: ”Into endikuxelela yona kukuba akuzuba mnandi, kuzoba kubi. Ayizukufikela emlweni ke noko.”

Nomtha: ”Kungakuhle ke ukuba kuzoba njalo. Enkosi.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna sike sihlale ekhayeni. Iyandidika nalendawo, incinci kakhulu.”

Nomtha: ”Unengxaki and ingxaki zakho zininzi.”

Simba: ”Incinci kakhulu lendawo for le rent endiyibhatalayo. Xa sibuya kunyaka ozayo ndifuna siphindele
kwam. Umntwana afike siphaya.”

Nomtha: ”Kanene ndisezoba ngumdlezana! Ungaphinde undimithise!”

Uyihlekile.

Simba: ”Wawuke weva ngenaliti?”

Nomtha: ”Wawuthe uzokwenza lanto yakhona ungaphinde wenze abanye abantwana.”

Simba: ”Nditshintshe ingqondo zam kaloku. Awufuni kuthatha igap year kunyaka ozayo? Ukhulise
abantwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuqhubeka nokufunda mna. Andizuhlalela ukuba nguhouse wife nongcini
wabantwana bakho.”

Simba: ”Funda online ke. Kwaba UNISA.”

Nomtha: ”Uba ndifuna iuniversity experience?”

Simba: ”Izokwenzela ntoni iuniversity experience? Iright le yokufunda usendlini. Ube ngumama, ube
ngumfazi. Umntu oncedisayo ancedise qha, angenzi yonke into. Sibe present for abantwana bethu.”

Nomtha: ”Yho andizuyazi le yokuba kungafunwa ndifunde.”

Simba: ”Ngubani othi sukufunda?”

Nomtha: ”Le yokulawulwa ukuba ndifunde phi njani kaloku. Ndandigqibele uyixhasa into yokufunda
kwam, andiyazi ungenelwe ngumona kasathana nini.”

Simba: ”Umoya ka sathana? Khemani! Into endiyitshoyo kukuba kungcono ufunde online. IUNISA iright.
Le yokuba uzobe use campus imini yonke, ubuye ngobusuku abantwana sebelele uphinde umnke
ekuseni besalele. Uyafunda mos, into ebalulekileyo.”

Nomtha: ”Kulungile. Ndizokwenza ngalondlela ithandwa nguwe ke.”

Simba: ”Uzozi applayela okanye ndikwenzele?”

607
Nomtha: ”Yenza wethu, andithi nguwe ondithathela izigqibo. Into elandelayo uzongafuni ndiphangele.”

Simba: ”Andinokohlulwa nguwe nabantwana bam.”

Nomtha: ”So ndingaphangeli?”

Simba: ”Anditsho ukuba ungaphangeli. Ndiyatsho nje ukuba ndiyanikhona, unemali onazo ezandayo
kungoku. Uzobe une qualification. Ungalinda abantwana bakhule kancinci ngaphambili kokuba
usebenze.”

Nomtha: ”Okanye ndingazenza zonke. Okanye wena ube ngu stay at home dad,”

Simba: ”Ukuba uzobhatala Indlu eCenturion, neflat yam. I car insurances- yonke into. Ndingahlala
ndikhulise abantwana.”

Nomtha: ”Hee hayi! Wavuka ekufeni sewufuna ukundiphilisa is'1800.”

Simba: ”Sawukoma esi sonka.”

Nomtha: ”Ndihluthi.”

Simba: ”Hayi yitya Nomtha tyhini! Awuzu ndenzisa isonka ujike uhluthe. Ubuthe ulambile futhi. Yitya.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni neso sonka. Ndisayolala ebhedini.”

Simba: ”Hayibo!”

Nomtha: ”Hayi, tyhini!”

Nditsho sendisukuma ndisiya ekamireni. Ebesile lo. Kufuneka ndingafundi euniversity ngoku ngenxa
yezizathu zakhe eziphambeneyo. Ebengenwe yintoni?!

Buhle kade ubuthongo kuba bendicaphuka, kodwa ndide ndalala.

Ndothuswe yiphone yam kwipedestal ndayithatha ndiyiphendula.

Bisola: ”Niyaphila?”

Nomtha: ”Kuhle mama akhonto, unjani wena?”

Bisola: ”Kuhle. Ukufuphi noSimba?”

Nomtha: ”Ufuna yena?”

Bisola: ”Ewe mntanam. Ndimfounele kaliqena iphone yakhe ayibanjwa.”

Nomtha: ”Okay, bamba kancinci.”

Ndisukumile ndaya elounge. Ungene ndisaxakiwe ukuba ndizomkhangela ngaphi. Ebenxibe ushoti
nevest ebile emanzi xhopho. Caba ebesuka ekubalekeni.

Nomtha: ”Umama ufuna ukuthetha nawe.”

Simba: ”UBisola?”

608
Nomtha: ”Ayisecace.”

Simba: ”Ndicela undifakele yona kuloud speaker.”

Ndiyifakile wachopha esofeni. Bendiyisondeze emlonyeni wakhe iphone, avakale xa ephendula

umamakhe.

Simba: ”Nne.” mama.

Bisola: ”Kunini ndikufounela ungabambi phone!”

Simba: ”Ndiyishiye apha endlini ma, endisazilolonga.”

Bisola: ”Uswelekile nyani?”

Simba: ”Bendiba ndizokuxelela.”

Bisola: ”Ndiyiva ngoMamnkeli, uthi ubone kwiphepha ndaba ukuba idruglord uTiger Matanzima
uswelekile izolo.”

Simba: ”Kunjalo.”

Bisola: ”Yhooo!”

Simba: ”Ndimbonile ndathetha naye ngaphambili kokuba asweleke. Ebevale amehlo, andiqondi nokuba
undivile na kodwa ndiye ndathetha naye.”

Bisola: ”Niqalisile ngama lungiselelo omngcwabo?”

Simba: ”Inoba baqalile. Mna andizingeni.

Bisola: ”Ndiyehla mna ngomso. Ndizohamba naye ke uZendaya.”

Simba: ”Sicela niphathe yonke into yakhe, sawuhla nathi kungekudala. Sizoke sichophe kancinci phaya
kwam.”

Bisola: ”Niyamthatha na?”

Simba: ”Ewe sizomthatha.”

Bisola: ”Yhooo! Into yokuthatha abantwana babantu, sendimqhelile kaloku mna njengoba sexuthwa
nje!”

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa.”

Bisola: ”Hay suka! Ninochuku noNomtha!”

Simba: ”Haha! Ndiyaxolisa kaloku, unjani wena? Uright?”

Bisola: ”Bendizothini ungabi right?”

Simba: ”Ndiyakujonga nje kaloku. Ayinoba akukho buhlungu.”

Bisola: ”Kubuhlungu kakade kuba wayengumyeni wam, sitshata siselula kakhulu. Sazala abantwana
abahle. Sokha ikhaya sibakhulisa kunye, uzoba ngutoki ngemizuzu yokugqibela.”

609
Simba: ”Okanye utyhileke ngemizuzu yokugqibela, kuba kudala wangutoki. Qha ebengufoki owafihlayo
amabibi akhe.”

Bisola: ”Ungatsho kanjalo. Unjani wena?”

Simba: ”Ndiright mna. Bendicingela nje abantwana kuphela.”

Bisola: ”Inoba kunzima.”

Simba: ”Kunzima kubo bonke kuba ebebathanda bona, njengokuba nabo bebemthanda. Kwaye ke
ndilutshaba lwabo ngoku.”

Bisola: ”Akhonto indibulala ngokuba kubekho uqhekekwano neyantlukwano phakathi kwenu.

Sanikhulisa ukuba nibumbane. Nigcinane.”

Simba: ”Mhlawumbi wena, nne. Utata yena ebefuna kanye kubenje. Kungabikho budlelwane phakathi
kwethu. Okanye mna ndingabina budlelwane nabantakwethu.”

Bisola: ”Nina nimnika kanye into ebeyifuna.”

Simba: ”Andiqondi futhi ukuba kwawuphinde kufane. Ingathi ngewu samnkela ukuba izinto zawubane
ngoku. Yonke lento indibonise okuninzi kwaye andiqondi ukuba kwamna ndiyafuna ukuba nobudlelwane
nabo. UMluleki phofu. Ndiyayoqonda futhi eyokuba kwawuba njalo nakwabanye, bazobona ndisisizathu
bengena tata bandithiye. Andizukubacenga ke nam ukuba baqonde imeko bendijongene nayo kuba
bekufanele ukuba bayabona into yokuba bekunyanzelekile. Kucacile kodwa kum ukuba kubo
bekubhetele ukuba ibe ndim ophulukene nobomi bakhe, hayi uVenus so ndizoba nobudlelwane njani
nabantu abanjalo?”

Bisola: ”Noba kunjalo, andizukuyena ukunithandazela. Kubekho uxolo phakathi kwenu. Yintlungu kum
ndingumzali le.”

Simba: ”Hey! Sawu bonaneni ekhaya ke mama.”

Bisola: ”Kulungile sthandwa sam.”

Simba: ”Siyak'thanda noNomtha.”

Bisola: ”Nithandwa ndim bantwana bam.”

Simba: ”Kulungile.”

Ndiyicimile.

Nomtha: ”Good morning!”

Simba: ”Hayiskaa! Undilalise ndodwa apha uzothi 'good morning'. Yiza ndiphuze.”

Nomtha: ”Andikaxukuxi ke tana.”

Simba: ”Sies! Mbaa!”

Nomtha: ”Mbaaaa!”

Simba: ”Awuyi esikolweni?”

610
Nomtha: ”Ndizohlamba ngoku.”

Simba: ”Okay. Ndizohlamba ngoku, ndikukhaphe.”

Ndimncinele amehlo.

Nomtha: ”Ngoba?”

Simba: ”Why, baby? Andivumelekanga ukuba ndikhaphe unkosikazi wam esikolweni?”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni drama ke mna!”

Simba: ”Ngubani oke wathetha ngedrama.”

Nomtha: ”Simba ungake ube uyoqala uqhushululu noLamar!”

Simba: ”Andiyoqala qhushululu qha ndifuna ukuba namazwi naye.”

Nomtha: ”Oh bawo wam!”

Simba: ”Baby, kufuneka uqonde ukuba my ego is bruised apha. Andikwazi nokulala ebhedini yakwam
kuba ibilele esasibhanxa! Ndiyazeya ngamanye amaxesha, ukuba Mhlawumbi andina stamina osidingayo
okanye esilingana nesakhe. Andiyazi noba uke ucinge yena xa ndihefuzela ngaphezulu kwakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndandishushu ndimanzi!”

Simba: ”Akuna msebenzi. Ndiyenzela mna lento. Ego yam. Andizuba namazwi amade nomfundisi ntsapo.
Izoba ngugqaba- gqaba nje ndiyokulinda ugqibe ukubhala.”

Nomtha: ”Uzondilinda nokundilinda!”

Simba: ”Best believe!”

Nomtha: ”Mnkru! Ndaze ndazifaka obishini!”

Uyihlekile. Sihlambe kunye kwishower sahamba endikhapha esikolweni.

Sohlukene ke wahamba ezakhe nam ndihamba ezam. Bendikweloxhala ke lokuba ndizova uqhushululu
kodwa andikhange ndive nto. Ndibhale ndagqiba ndabaleka ukuya kuye. Andincokolanga nokuncokola
nabantu endifunda nabo. Ebecofa iphone yakhe ukungena kwam emotweni.

Nomtha: ”Awubanjwanga?”

Uvele wayihleka. Ndimncine ndamncama esala ukundixelela ukuba kwenzeke ntoni. Kwintsuku
ezilandelayo sibonwe ngooSiyanda, nabanye abahlobo bakaSimba bezoduduza. Izinto kubo bezingeka
buyeli kwisiqhelo. Ibubandarha into yabo. Bekuzothatha ixesha, bendiqonda. Bekwaphuke ithemba.
Kuzothatha ixesha ukuba liphinde lavuseleleka kwakhona phofu. Bekukuhle kuba bebezama. Okanye
bebezinyanzela? Andiyazi. Asikhange sithethe ngabo. Bekungathi nabo akuyonto bebefuna ukuyincokola
kengoku asayichatha nathi.

Simnkile ke sipakishe impahla eyoneleyo kuba sisezoke sichophe. USimba ngomnye bendingasa mqondi
kakuhle. Ebenokutshintsha okuthile ngoku. Bendizoke ndiyibone lento yakhe. Bekuqondala ngoku
ngaphantsi kwemeko kodwa besawubona.

611
SEVENTY-SEVEN
Nomtha: ”Ndinxibe kakuhle?”

Simba: ”Ewe baby wam, yiza ndikulungise ixakatho kakuhle.”

Ndisondele kuye wandincedisa ngokundilungisa ixakatho. Undincumele nam ndancuma. Besifikele

kwakhe. Sindedisene ngokucleana sisuse uthuli.

Nomtha: ”Wawuthe kanene ngubani lo nimfihlileyo?”

Simba: ”Yibhokisi nje engena mntu. Ndizochitha ilitye ngelixesha ndilapha, ndisile nomqombothi
ukwazisa izinyanya ukuba ndisaphila. Kuba zindazi ndingasekho. Ngalondlela azikwazi ukundikhusela.”

Nomtha: ”Kufuneka lidilizwe nyani elalitye.

Simba: ”Ndizawuyenza lonto emveni komfihlo katata. Okwangoku lizakube limi phaya.”

Nomtha: ”Abantu bazokothuka ukukubona.”

Simba: ”Umama sefike wabaxelela abasendlini ukuba kwaphazanywa, mna ndisaphila. Nabo bebe
nexhala lokuba kwafihlwa umntu owrongo nokuba ngamashwa lonto. Kwanyanzeleka ebaxelele ukuba
utata wayezama ukundibulala, ndabhacela eNigeria.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba baye bothuka.”

Simba: ”Njengoba kufanele. Ayinoba lula into yokukholelwa ukuba umntu angenza iyelenqe lokugudluza
unyana wakhe amzeleyo.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh. Kodwa noba kunjalo, bazokothuka. Yenye into ukuxelelwa ukuba usaphila kwaye
ungum qaba-qaba. Ikwayenye eyokubona ngeliso lenyama. Kuzakucingwa ukuba kubonwa isiporho.”

Simba: ”Bayayazi ukuba ndiyaphila kaloku Nomtha. Abazukucinga ukuba babona isiporho. Kodwa
bawuqhela kade kuba bebesele bezixelele ukuba ndatshaba. Bamnkela lonyaniso, bezixolisa.”

Nomtha: ”Abahlali?”

Simba: ”Ngabo nabo. Otamkhulu bam baxelele nabantu aba balulekileyo, ndiqinisekile ukuba
bayisasazile yafikelela ebahlalini. Ukothuka ewe, kodwa andina xhala lanto.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Kubhetele xa ungenaxhala.”

Simba: ”Kuba wena unalo?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Kodwa kancinci.”

Simba: ”Akukho sidingo sokundixhalabela. Yabona ke, umhle kengoku Linokhanyo.”

Nomtha: ”Uncede undikhumbuze, bendizothi nqa xa kukhwazwa uLinokhanyo.”

Simba: ”Masihambe ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ndimele kancinci ndilande izinto zam-

612
Simba: ”Uzawuzula kengoku sewufuna ukumelwa kancinci!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Suba nochuku.”

Ndithathe izinto zam ekamireni ndake ndazibuka esipilini ndahamba ndaya kuye. Besifikele kwakhe-
kwethu. Bekulithule nje kuba oko kwagqibela kudala ukuba nomntu. Undincedisile ukucoca ke salala.
Bendizithanda ilali. Ukuzola kwayo nobomi obucothayo, hayi esasi phithi-phithi saseRhawutini
sokusoloko uleqile. Besendivuya ngoku ukuba sawuke sichophe kancinci nasemveni komfihlo.
Bendingayi ginyisisi ncam ngaphambili, ndivuma nje kuba ndingacelwa. Bendingena ngxaki ngoku.

Siyikhwela imoto saba yindlela. Besiphethe izinto zokutshintsha kuba besizomlala unamhlanje. Ebethe
uSimba asizukulala qho phaya, ngunamhlanje qha. Kuba abantakwabo bengekafiki.

Nomtha: ”Kuzofihlwa nini? Kuleveki?”

Simba: ”Kwezayo. Kule ndicinga ukuba kwawukwenziwa amalungiselelo, kulungiswe izindlu. Izinto
ezinjalo. NgoMgqibelo afihlwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhh.”

Simba: ”Ungasebenzi kakhulu phaya. Noba kuthiwe ulivila akunamsebenzi. Ungazitrafeli uVenus.”

Nomtha: ”Xa ndibuzwa ndizothi 'buzani kuSimba'”

Simba: ”Buzani kubawo.”

Nomtha: ”Ebexelelwe ubhuti kaZendaya?”

Simba: ”Ndiye ndamazisa, ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Alright.”

Bekunga gcwelanga ngaphandle kodwa bebekhona abantu abambalwa. Bekuvetwa nezindlu, enye
seyigqityiwe. Into enye ngomzi wakuloSimba. Ubumkhulu. UVenus ebeqinisekise ukuba uyokha
akadlalali.

Nomtha: ”UBisola inoba uhleli ematrassini?”

Simba: ”Uzohlala.”

Nomtha: ”Ebemthanda shame umyeni wakhe. Mna, indoda indenza lanto! Bendizonxiba utight necrop
top!”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Kucacile ukuba awundithandi wena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda, qha wandenza yonke lamfitshi-mfitshi ndiphila mna ungacingi ukuba
ndawuthozama xa ungasekho. Andisoze mna. Umama ungumntu obhetele kunam.”

Simba: ”Ingxaki yakho unenqala.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright.”

Simba: ”Awukho right. Lungisa intliziyo yakho okanye uzothakatha.”

613
Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Mxm!”

Sihlidikile emotweni sayongena endlini silandelelana. Sisukumise izandla sibulisa abantu bebeseziko.
Bebesebe qalisile ukujonga uSimba okungathi sisiphorho. Bemqhalele amehlo. Ebengabahoyanga ke
yena.

Bekondlelwe itrassi umama nomanci behleli khona.

”YHU! Hayibo bethunana ayingo Simba lo?!”

Bamxhumele ke bemanga omakoti bakowabo. Odabawo bede bekhala. Ibingathi kufike ibhokisi.

Nonzaliseko: ”Tyhini madoda! Yake yakho phi na? Into yomntu ovuka ekufeni?”

Simba: ”Ukuthi ndivuka ekufeni kukuthi benditshabile. Bendinga tshabanga.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Sangcwaba kaloku thina Madiba. Singcwaba wena. Ngoku ke sawuyiqhela lula eyokuba
yayingenguwe. Sesixolise intliziyo zethu samnkela into yokuba akasekho uSimba.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayiqonda lonto. Kodwa ndikhona, ndisaphila.”

Mamnci: ”Ngoku saxelelwa ukuba uyaphila besendifuna ukutaka ndiphume ngalamnyango.”

Nonzaliseko: ”Kwamna! Hahaha! Niyaphila?”

Simba: ”Siyaphila dabawo akhonto. Sonwabe nje kakuhle, ngaphantsi kwemeko. Ninjani nina?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Oh ngaphantsi kwemeko mntwana wam. Ukufa lisela! Uyazi xa ndijonga ubhuti,
bendingacingi ukuba namhlanje sawube sihleli kanje silungiselela ukumfihla. Ukufa akumfanelanga
kwaphela.”

”Akumfanelanga tu!”

Nonzaliselo: ”Sibuhlungu. Sixhelekile. Kodwa ke sithi xa kuyintando kaThixo, mayenzeke. Sibulela nje
inxesha asiboleke lona naye wade waba yingwevu ebeyiyo. Ingwevu ebisazi isintu. Ingwevu ibiwazi
amasiko akoweyo, nebiluthanda usapho. Akumnandanga mntanam. Akumnandanga tu kodwa idalelwe
thina le.”

Uphefumle uSimba. Bendichophe ecaleni komama ndimbambe isandla. Uqhubile ke ebuza wonke
umntu osendlini impilo. Ndabe ndincokola nomama.

Nomtha: ”Uright?”

Bisola: ”Ingathi sekukudala ndilapha, ndikhumbula iKapa.”

Nomtha: ”Uze notata uMamnkeli?”

Bisola: ”Hayi ushiyekile, ndize nalentombi igada umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”uMiracle ulapha?!”

Bisola: ”Ebezohoywa ngubani kaloku uZendaya?!”

Nomtha: ”Hayi shame, uzojika nini kengoku yena? Okanye uzolinda umfihlo?”

614
Bisola: ”Hayi uyahamba apha evekini kuba senikho kaloku. Uzolinda umfihlo awukhathalele ngantoni?
Bendisonqena ukuhlupha abantu ngomntwana womntwana wam.”

Nomtha: ”Oh methuna.”

Bisola: ”Mxm! Khawuke wenzele abantu aba into ephungwayo mntanam. Utsho aba bafazi bakubonise
iscones.”

Nomtha: ”Senityile isidudu?”

Bisola: ”Kudala!”

Nomtha: ”Okay mandiyoyenza ke.”

Bisola: ”Yima, Nosimo! Uyambona umama kaZendaya?”

Nosimo: ”Ndiyambona kengoku ukuba mhle ufuze bani!”

Simba: ”Andivanga ke?!”

Nosimo: ”Hahaha! Uwhooo ubhuti ke!”

Simba: ”Ningakulinge nifanise umntwana wam nabantu endingabaziyo. Uqale nini ukufana Nomtha
umntwana wam?!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Linokhanyo! Linokhanyo!”

Bisola: ”Mxelele dabawo! Asazani naNomtha thina apha. Umolokazana wethu nguLinokhanyo.”

Simba: ”Kodwa nithi umntwana wam ufana naye?”

Nosimo: ”Ndiphazamile ke dabawo.”

Manci: ”Ndibona amehlo qha mna. Kodwa yena ufana nomama wakhe. Yintombi emnyama entle.”

Nosimo: ”Endwebe! Ndiyavuya ukukwazi ke sisi. Ndingusis'Nosimo mna. Ndendele kuXabiso. Unyana
kaManci lo.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhhh ndiyavuya ukukwazi. NdinguLinokhanyo mna.”

Bisola: ”Ebeyosenzela itea uLinokhanyo.”

Manci: ”Sike sive isandla saseGautini!”

Ndiyihlekile ndahamba kwabanye omakoti. Ndifikele kwabanye endibaziyo nendingabazi. Ndothuliwe ke

njengomfazi kaSimba.

Nomtha: ”IJellytots zimaNomtha! Mariri! Molo Madlomo! Molo mntanam! Sis'Miracle!”

Ndimandile ndathatha umntwana wam ndimteketisa. Indlela ebefana nam ngayo! Beku nyanisiwe,
ebefana ngamehlo qha notatakhe.

Nomtha: ”Uright sisi?”

Miracle: ”Ndiright unjani wena?”

615
Nomtha: ”Ndirirayiti. Bendikukhumbula wena! Ubumkhumbuka umama? Hayi?”

Nosimo: ”Awuhlali naye kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi, uhlala nogogo wakhe.”

Nosimo: ”Yehake! Nifanele ukuza nomnye nimthathe namsa kumama umntwana!”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo!”

Nosimo: ”Nomthatheni umntwana wenu nincede!”

Nomtha: ”Sawugoduka naye. Ebekhaka ke phofu umama!”

Miracle: ”Akafuni athathwe.”

Nosimo: ”Bethuna!”

”Ngaba babini qha abantwana bakho Linokhanyo? Usemnye phofu. ”

Nomtha: ”Ewe nguye yedwa.”

”Kanene uSimba unomnye kuNokulunga, ngubani nguMalik?”

”Abanye ngabaka bani?”

”Ngabaka tamnci.”

”Hayini! Sanuxoka!”

Andiyingenanga ke leyo. Ndinikise ngomntwana kuMiracle kwakhona ndayokwenza latea ibiceliwe.

Bebesathetha nangoku, beyikhuza. Iskakhulu bendiqaohele ukuba ngabafazi basefemelini.

Ndise itea mna bathatha abaphungayo. Bendibafakele nescones.

Nomtha: ”Ndikwenzele nawe baby okanye ufuna ijuice?”

Nonzaliseko: ”Sakukudla uhambe kancinci somtshakazi! Ngubaby uSimba? Phakathi komama bakhe?”

Simba: ”Hayibo ndingubaby mna dabawo tyhini!”

Nonzaliseko: ”Uthini na ngoku?”

Bekuphele umntu wonke yintsini endlini!

Simba: ”Sanufuna undixabanisa nomnkam. Ndenzeke ikofu wena baby.”

Nonzakiseko: ”Undincamisile!”

Utsho eqhwaba izandla!

Bisola: ”Yekani abantwana bam bethuna. Ndindincede!”

Zihambile intsuku siquqa mihla le ukuyoncedisa. Umzimba ubusele ukwelicala, ugcinwe kwaRussel.
Ubhuti noUlatho kunye negquba labo lamaJuba labantwana bekhona nabo. UMkhuseki noBukhosi

616
bebengekavali bona. Kubantwana bakaNokulunga kukho uMalkia qha. Abanye bengekafiki. Bebehlala
kowabo ke bona oUlatho, bengamane beyolala emzini wabo.

Bebengathethisani. Ubhut'Mluleki noSimba. Nam noUlatho ke singathethi. Besiyingene zwava into

yabayeni bethu, kakade besihleli singengo bahlobo so bekungekho ngxaki. Abantu bebebona wethu
ukuba kukho itension kodwa bengabuzi kuthi. Bebeyibona kakhulu koSimba kuba kaloku bebevana
kakhulu nomntakwabo. Ngoku abathethi.

Kufike uLwesihlanu ke kwafika wonke umntu ebengekho wasendlini nabantu abazana noVenus.
Bekugcwele kungoku, ndizibuza ukuba kuzoba njani ngengomso xa sele kufike nabantu ebesebenzisana
nabo nabaziyo. Bekuzogcwala! Besixakekile ke silungiselela abantu, kugqityezelwa ukwakha ilitye.
Bekungekho ukuphumla side sinxaphile. Bekumnandi ke kodwa ukuba nabanye abafazi eziko.
Besizincokolela ngabayeni bethi nento yonke. Mna ke bendingekho na buhlungu ngotatazala wam.
Bakhona abebemthanda ke bethetha kaye kakuhle. Entliziyweni yam bendisithi 'yahamb'injaaa!'”

617
SEVENTY-EIGHT
Junior: ”Mama kaZendaya.”

Nomtha: ”Malume kaZendaya.”

Junior: ”Ndicela wena kancinci.”

Nomtha: ”Mna?”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Junior: ”Ewe. Umzuzwana nje.”

Ndinqwalile ndamkhokhelela ngaphandle. IbiyiCawa ezintsukwini. Utata kaSimba simbeke ngezolo

kwikhaya lakhe lokugqibela. Bebemphumele shame bona abantu hayi kancinci. Nabantu bakwa
Matanzima bexhele igusha zaninzi kakhulu inyama sayitya yashiyeka kwesa sihlwele sabantu besiphaya.

Intente ibizele yaphuphumala. Imoto zingumgcelele eyadini nangaphandle.

Kukho nezikhondla khondla zamadoda amakhulu oyikekayo esingawaziyo ukuba angobani.

Kuqhume isibhamu emadlakeni. Bekunga dutyulwa mntu kodwa kudutyulwa emoyeni. Oku
komngcwabo weJoni. Izibhamu ezinkulu iAK47. Bemkhapha ngendlela ebephila ngayo.

Ebefikile ngoNgqibelo ekuseni uNokulunga. Kuthiwa oko ekhala ke yena emadlakeni. Kaloku thina bafazi
asiyanga sixakeke zimbiza eziko. Imbiza kunye nendaba. Hayike bezingapheli zona, ezinye emveni
kwezinye siyihleka intsini. EbenguChief mourner. Umzilikazi wodume ngehat ezinkulu. Ebekhatshwe
ngumama wakhe ke emnceda nalowhity wakhe. Umntana walanja inguSylvester. Kaze yade yathini na
yena into yakhe kula Jukskei? Inoba zange ude ufunyanwe na umzimba wakhe? Phofu bendizihluphelani
ndicingana nezigebenga?

Nomtha: ”USonwabiso Matanzima! Awusemhle! Uyazibona uyakhula?”

Sonwabiso: ”Umama lowa ebendibuza wena.”

Nomtha: ”Mna? Uthi ufuna ntoni lo mama?”

”Hi! Ndim okucelayo sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Ohh okay, ndithe nqa kengoku. Junior ndiyeza uyeva? Ndifuna ukuhoya losisi, ngumama
kaSonwabiso.”

Junior: ”Oh ngulomntu! Yho obhuti nabo!”

Nomtha: ”Sugeza!”

Ndijikele ecaleni kwendlu apho ebemi khona uThoziwe, ebehamba nenye intombazana.

Nomtha: ”Molweni.”

Thoziwe: ”Hi sisi kunjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila ninjani nina?”

618
Thoziwe: ”Siyaphila nathi akhonto. Usandikhumbula?”

Nomtha: ”UnguThozi mos? Umama kaSoso?”

Thoziwe: ”Ewe ndinguye sisi, ndiba awusandazi. Ye sisi ndithe uSoso andibizele wena kuba
bendinqwenela ukuthetha nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Thoziwe: ”Bendifuna ukukucela ukuba nindibolekeni umntwana noba zintsukwana nje ndike ndichithe
ixeshana naye. Ndizombuyiswa kwamsinya, andimthathi.”

Nomtha: ”Yho ke sisi zizinto ekufuneka uzithethe notata balapha ezo. Mna ndingumendi nje apha, ndize
ngekhukho kwaye ke andinguye nomanci kaSonwabiso. Kungabhetele ukuba ufumene omnye wobhuti
bakwa Matanzima ucele kubo unyana wabo. Ndingase ngxakini mntasekhaya ndifokofwe ngalomzuzu.”

Uyihleke kancinci.

Thoziwe: ”Bendinqwenela ukuba undithethele nabo. Okaye noBukhosi ubuqu. Mhlawumbi angandivela
xa ecengwa nguwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingafane ndizama ke sisi kodwa andigaranti nto-

Bukhosi: ”Nomtha? Molweni. Andilambe sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Usinde njani wena ekutyeni?”

Bukhosi: ”Bendisa khaphe ezinye ibras. Ndilambe!”

Nomtha: ”Cela umfazi kabhuti wakho uUlatho akwenzele ulapha endlini. ”

Bukhosi: ”Oh wena awuthumeki?”

Ndiyihlekile. Ndicinge semnka ukuba hayi maan ngusingaye lo.

Nomtha: ”Bhuti!”

Bukhosi: ”Yebo?”

Nomtha: ”Bendicela usose usondela apha, bendisa thetha nomama kaSonwabiso apha. Ebefuna
ukuthetha nomnye wenu.”

Bukhosi: ”Omnye wethu? Ja Thozi.”

Thoziwe: ”Molweni bhuti, unjani?”

Bukhosi: ”Ndiright.”

Wasuke wayebe-yebeza umntu akathetha lento ebeyithetha kum. Undijongile ubhut'Bukhosi kuba
ebebizwe ndimu ke.

Nomtha: ”UThozi ebesithi ucela ukuboleka umntana-

Bukhosi: ”Ubani umntana?”

619
Nomtha: ”USonwabiso.”

Bukhosi: ”Sewuno mntana wena sewuboleka abantwana nje? Umboleka umsaphi umntana wam?”

Thoziwe: ”Andimthath-

Bukhosi: ”Andikubuzanga lonto mna. Ndiyabuza ukuba sewuphinde wanomntana na wena na. Kuba
ukugqibela kwam wawungena mntana, ndazithathela umntana kumakhulu wakhe. Uyandibhida ngoku
sewunomntana ombolekayo. Hayi uyandixaka.”

Thoziwe: ”Ndiyayazi yonke lonto bhut'Bukhosi, kodwa uSonwabiso akanaye omnye umama. Akasoze
aphinde abenaye omnye umama. Bendifuna ukuchitha ixeshana naye ndizoxolisa ngayo yonke into
engmdamgqithisa kuyo. Ndandimncinci, ndingazi bhetele. Ngoku ndiyabona umonakalo endawenza. ”

Bukhosi: ”Yohlukana nomntana wam. Ukuba ufuna ukwenza izilungiso zala owakho uzenze kuye. Uright
lomntana. Uyatyandwa, ukhathalelwe unomzali. Ndim lomzali. Uyazibona ngoku ukuba ubomana bakho
bucuphile ufuna umntana wam? Ufuna ube umtraumatisa apha umvuselela amanxeba aphola kudala?
Hayibo Thozi. Nibetheke kakuhle ebomini. Ungazobethekela kum. Uyigqibile ngoku lento ubuyifuna
ngaphandle, uzoxakekisa umntana wam. Xelela umntu qha wena ukuba mhla wabhubha azise noba
ngubani kwifamily yakwa Matanzima ndizoza nomntana sizokungcwaba. Ndizomxelela kakuhle ukuba
umama wakho ubhubhile. Njengoba sewungcangcazela nje ngoku, sewungathi uyimpuku etshone kwioli
yintoni ozomnika yona umntana wam?”

Thozama: ”Andina HIV!”

Bukhosi: ”Ukhona umntu one HIV ofana nawe? Bazithanda ukufa abo bantu, abohlukanga kum
noNomtha. Ngekubhetele noba ubunalo HIV, ubuzotsho uhlambe utye amayeza akho. Wena unesifo nje
esisodwa nje. Sawunyangwa lingcwaba. Into entle ongamenzela yona uSonwabiso ngoku kukuba ufe!”

Nomtha: ”Bhuti!”

Bukhosi: ”Hayskaa! Babanjani oThozi? Umntu abetheke, abetheke azofuna ukuxhwala umntana ngoku.
Ngexesha ebefresh ebebaleka etheni. Awuxabisanga mpilo yakho kungoku, kuba ngewu sesibhedlele
ngalomzuzu uyonyanga nantoni na onayo. Athi umntana sekhulile ekufuna akufumane uright.
Khawuyeke aba bantu sisi, uphi umntanam? Sonwabiso! Yiza boy! Ebethini lasisi kuwe?

Ndishiyeke ndingayazi nokuba mandithini.

Thoziwe: ”Ndiyabulela sisi, masihambe Mapaseka.”

Oh bethuna! Besendimsizela kemna shame. Ibingathi yimpuku engene kwifish oil nyani ke shame.
Ephethwe yipaal perle. Ephaphatheka nomoya. Imilenzana yakhe iyimicingana, ungavungula ngayo!
Akugqiba wanxiba isihlangu esiphakamileyo enxitywe yidyasi. Kula purse yakhe, ngaphandle
kwamathandabuzo bekukho ivarantyontyo yakhe. Ebengubergikazi shame.

Junior: ”Yho!”

Nomtha: ”Kurough!”

Junior: ”Hayi ngunontyintyi lo, akabuzwa. Ude unemilomo ebomvu. Ebefunani?”

620
Nomtha: ”Ebefuna ukubolekwa umntana wakhe.”

Junior: ”Hayi rhaaa!”

Ndiyihlekile.

Junior: ”Bendifuna ukukucela torho undithethele nomyeni wakho, ndifuna ukuthetha naye ndixolise.
Izobangathi ngoku kuba ndibona uVenus engasekho. Kodwa uyakhumbula ndithetha nawe ngelaxesha
ndandicinga ukuba uswelekile? Ndisitsho ukuba uba ndingafumana ithuba ndimbulele ngokundikhulisa
nokundinyamezela kwakhe? Ndifuna lonto ngaphambili kokuba ndihambe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndicinga uvele uye kuye mna King. Ngubhuti wam. Wamazi ndingeka mazi nokumazi mna.”

Junior: ”Kodwa umazi ngcono wena.”

Nomtha: ”King.”

Junior: ”Ndiyakucenga.”

Ndiphefumle.

Nomtha: ”Okay. Ndizomzama.”

Junior: ”Ndiyabulela!”

Undishiye apho. Ndiphethuke ndathi gqi ngaye. Undijonge nje okungathi ndiyinkukhuma ngaphambili
komtshayelo, ndivele ndalunywa ngamazantsi esisu. Bendenze ntoni ngoku?

Nomtha: ”Simb-

Undigqithe tshuuu wayongena endlini ndikuxelele mna owam umyeni. Ndashiyeka ndimatshekile.

Ndiqonde mandimyeke, ndiyeke nalento kaJunior njengoba besendingu enemy number one nje kuye.
Sendisuke ndanezothe. Inene!

Besipheke intloko ke. Ilitheko, zityiwa nangubani na. Abantu base mazweni bamnkile ke emveni kokuba
batye. Babe behamba ngokuhamba. Kuphunguka.

Besizophindela kwethu namhlanje noSimba, kuba besileleli apha ukusukela ngoLwesihlanu.

Umama uBisola ebesukile kuMatress naye.

Simba: ”Bayakubiza oSiyanda wena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndim uwena?”

Undishiye apho ndalandela emveni kwakhe.

Nomtha: ”Senihamba!”

Luleka: ”Siyaphangela thina ngomso.”

Nomtha: ”Uphangela kwamlungu ubani na sana?”

Luleka: ”Umyeni wam uyaphangela ngomso. Akango mahlalela kaloku yena.”

621
Nomtha: ”Lonto sisezozihlala ezilali noSimba. Niyifumene inyama? Nihambe nisitya.”

Luleka: ”Yhuuu hayi, ndiyabulela mna sisi. Izonquma nokunquma nalenyama hayi.”

Nomtha: ”Uziva udikiwe yinyama yomzi wam.”

Luleka: ”Haha!”

Nomtha: ”Zinjani izinto ngoku ehuis?”

Ukhuphe umoya. Bebencokolela buqelelana kuthi uSiyanda nomhlobo wakhe ongenabuchopho uSimba.
Bengenoyiva incoko yethu, bendithobe nelizwi.

Luleka: ”Ntombi!”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni?”

Luleka: ”Akululanga sisi, kodwa siyacenga. EbeseKapa mos.”

Nomtha: ”Nini na ngoku?”

Luleka: ”Wayeye ngoLwesine, yena nomntakwabo notata wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Beyohlawula?”

Unqwalile.

Luleka: ”Beyohlawula umntana. Wasukela ngaphaya ke kusasa ngoMgqibelo. Bendithe kemna aze kwa
ngoLwesihlanu xa begqiba kuhlawula kwangathi ndiyakhweleta ke, oSiyanda abagqagqaniselayo. Into
yam kukuba kusekutsha kum. Ingathi ngendicingela, aqondi ukuba andizami kuba funny qha kusenzima.
Oko ndicingana naye endleleni eza apha ndicinga ukuba inoba wenzani? Inoba benzani? Badlala uhappy
family .. yhuu.”

Nomtha: ”Oh maaan Lulu. Bekutheni ungahambi naye?”

Luleka: ”Bendibapha igumbi. Ndingamfuxi.”

Nomtha: ”Uthini kengoku xa umxelela indlela oziva ngayo?”

Luleka: ”Andimxelelanga. Nomtha ndifuna abe nobudlelwane nomntana wakhe. Ingabi ngathi
ndiyammonela okanye kutheni. Mna ndizozama indlela yokuba ndingabi insecure ngalendlela ndingayo
ngoku. ”

Nomtha: ”Nidinga imarriage counselling.”

Luleka: ”Ndicinga njalo nam. Ndizoke ndiwuphakamise lombono ndibone ukuba uzovuma na.”

Nomtha: ”Ndicinga ukuba uzovuma mna. Nantoni na ezokwenza uzive secure na bhetele ubhut'Siyanda
uzokuyenza. Ndikholwa kanjalo mna. Ukuba uyakuthanda. Ayinoba kulula nakuye, uyafuna ukwakha
ubudlelwane nomntana wakhe kodww ucingela nawe. Kwinto ayenzayo angakukhathazi.”

Luleka: ”Ndivuyiswa yolento uqinisekise ngalonto okungathi ubuke wathetha naye.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Hayi wethu, sendizicingela nje.”

622
Siyanda: ”Masambe nkosikazi!”

Luleka: ”Sendingu nkosikazi ngoku?”

Siyanda: ”Siyaxabana?”

Luleka: ”Asixabani.”

Siyanda: ”Kutheni wangafuni ndithi nkosikazi?”

Luleka: ”Uyandigugisa xa usithi nkosikazi.”

Siyanda: ”Yehake! Uvuke kakuhle namhlanje Nomtha?”

Luleka: ”Kuthiwa nguLinokhanyo.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayilibala nalonto nomazala wam ngeloxesha ndandithiywe nguye. Ebendikhwaza

ngoNomtha ngoku wakhuzwa ngabafazi. Bacinga uyandidela okanye unesigezo kanti akukho kwalonto.”

Siyanda: ”Sikuqhele unguNomtha ke thina. Ezinye asizazi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila bhuti, akhonto. Sonwabe nje kakuhle. Nibe njani nina?”

Siyanda: ”Hayi lantsooo maan! Noko uyafunda Nomtha uyayibona lonto? Sewubetha nangezimpilo
zakhona. Wayeka ukuthi uright uphume emntwini.”

Ndiyihlekile. Sivalelisene ke baba yindlela. Sashiyeka sobabini noSimba. Ndimshiye apho yedwa kuba
hayi ngoku sathana. Nantoni na ibimntya ibizoke ilinde. Bendidinwe ndiyimfe ngalamzuzu. Ndingena
xesha lenqala mna.

Ndiphindele ekuxakekeni, ndincedisa abafazi. Okanye bona bebencedisa thina bafazi bakwaMatanzima.
Zigodukile ezinye izinto zabantu bezibolekiwe. Abanye abafazi behamba nazo xa behamba ezabo

Kuthe kusihlwa kwabe sekushiyeke usapho lakwaMatanzima namanye amaDlomo ke. Umama yena
bekungekho nomnye umntu wakowabo ozileyo. Nomnye. Bekucacile ukuba bebengena xesha kwa.
UNokulunga naye caba ebemnkile ke kuba ebengabonakali ndawo. Kubizwe intlanganiso bayothethela
kwindlu enkulu. Ibibizwe zingwevu zakwaMatanzima ibizelwa onyana bakaVenus. Sishiyeke kulandlu
besiphekela kuyo thina sincokola nje amapholi. UMiracle ebemnkile ke yena ndizimpelesela usana lwam.

Bebenyukelana kulandlu, sibeva ngoku silapha qha kungavakali ukuba kuthiwani.

Bisola: ”Nizohamba nini Ulatho?”

Ulatho: ”Sizoke sihlale kancinci mama. Ake abone umyeni wam ukuba sawuzama ngakweliphi na icala
kuba akasena mpangelo ngoku ngokumnka kukatata.”

Bisola: ”Ndabafundisa mna abam onyana, ndisenza njalo nje ndandisenzela imini ezinje. Bakwazi
ukuyophangela njenga bantu bonke.”

Ulatho: ”Enye into mama, akasaqhelanga la enviroment yeoffini neboss. Uqhele ukuphathwa ngutata.”

623
Bisola: ”Isiqhelo uzosithatha asibeke ecaleni kengoku kuba akakho lotata wakhe. Unesiqhuma
sabantwana esifuna ukondliwa nguye. Ukuba uzoba nempakamo nizolamba. Umxelele nawe ukuba
achophe akhawuleze asukume.”

Ulatho: ”Usaxhelekile umyeni wam. Ebesondelene kakhulu notata. Iminyaka esebenza naye.
Akuzundinceda ukumfakela ucinzelelo ngelixesha linzima kangaka kuye. Makathathe ixesha alidingayo
ukuze abe semandleni kwakhona. UThixo ukhona, uzolakha icebo. Noko asinolamba. Ekhaya
bamkhathalele kakhulu uMluleki. Bamxabise kakhulu, bamthanda kakhulu-

Nonzaliseko: ”Umama wakhe lo omzalayo akamthandi yena? Xa efuna angaxhomekeki kubantu

basebukhweni. Abe yindoda enezothe apha eyekelele ubuso elindele amalizo akamkhathalelanga?
Akamthandi? Kwawena uzobe sewudikwa nguye uye kumadoda anemali okanye umdelele kuba kaloku
wondliwa kowenu! Indoda yindoda ngokuba yintloko. Awusoze ube yintloko eyenzelwayo. Izanyelwe
ngamanye amadoda yona izile unyaka wonke. Ilizwi lakhe lingavakali, kuba kaloku akanamali?
Siyamthanda nathi, ukogqitha abo bantu bakowenu ngumntana wethu. Lonto sinayo sawumphokozela
nabantwana bakhe kodwa kuzofuneka azithathe naye. Sibuhlungu sonke ngubhuti. Noba engengo mzali
wethu kodwa sibuhlungu sonke. Ukuba uzonkonyana nentlungu uzawuzibona sewulala ngaphantsi
kweblorhwe uthi uthakathiwe.”

Bisola: ”Hayi ndizothetha naye kanye mna uMluleki. Uyindoda endala, andisoze ndimgqibele.
Kubuhlungu ewe. Ngakumbi kuye kuba bebesondelene kakhulu noVenus. Kodwa ke akasekho ngoku.
Ukuba uzobamba inkqala yomntu ongasekho, abeyintshaba yabantakwano kuzoba nzima kuye. Kuzoba
nzima mpela. Kuba uthwala amadyokwe angangowakhe.”

Ulatho: ”Umama uthathe icala likabhut'Simba.”

Bisola: ”Kukho amacala? Ngabantwana bam mna aba. Ngonyana bam, ndabathwala ndabakhulisa ngezi
zandla. Ndindidwa utata wabo esenza abantwana noNokulunga ukuba akakho theni. Bakhula bangaka.
Icala lam linye lelokuba abantwana bam babumbane bathi. Ningamagqwirha gqithi nani ningabafazi.
Nifike niphembela iyantlukwano! Abantu benifuke benje ukubambana. Benje ukuxhasana, nonwabela
ukuba lanyoka ibohlule phakathi yabenza intshaba. Andilali kemna ebusuku ndithandazela ukuba
bavane kwakhona kuba ukungavani kwabo kuzochaphazela abazukulwana bam nezizukulwana.
Abazubanayo lento bebenayo oSimba!”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ke mama, ndithethela mna Linokhanyo ke apha, mna andisoze ndithi kutata
kaZendaya makamxolele unbhuti ekubeni engaluceli uxolo yena-

Ulatho: ”Yintoni le ayenzileyo umyeni wam Nomtha? Kuba ngokwazi kwam umntu owazama ukubulala
ubhut'Simba ngutata, hayi umyeni wam lo kucaba sekukhonjwa kuye imininwe. Ebengamtyali kumxelela
nto-

Nomtha: ”Yinto enixelelana yona leyo xa ningqengqe ebhedini? Ukuba ebenga mtyali nto?
Ukuhlambulula izazela zenu. Ubhuti ke sisi uyayazi ukuba wayemtyala yonke into umntakwabo-

Manci: ”Hayi khaniyekeni lento niyenzayo. Kusandofihlwa izolo namhlanje sekuxoxwa. Ukuba ayinini
ngabayeni benu! Niyibona ibhadlile nina into yokuba nibe nixhwithana okungathi nibambelene. Nide
nibonwe ngabantu beminye imizi ukuba abafazi balapha abavani? Hayini bafazi. Nize ngamakhukho
nobabini apha. Ningathathi amachuku asemakwenu niwazise apha emzini kabhuti. Ukuba naniqhele

624
kuxhwithana emakwenu akukho maqheyeni apha. Kudala ndinibukele ndithule. Ukuba uyaqhubeka
lento nakulonyaka uzayo sawubiza abantu basemakwenu banithathe. Niyilungise. Aaseblief tog. Ha.a
maan! Kwenzekani kanti emzini kabhuti?!”

Sithe simamele leyo seva into inyukelana kulandlu kuqhekeka izinto.

”Babambeni! Nqandani maan Khaya! Hayibo!”

”Mluleki! Nkokheli!”

Ndibeke umntwana ndathaka ukuphuma. Ndivile nje umntu endikhwaza ndabe ndigilana noUlatho
emnyango siyokroba. Into ibiphandle! Bebede baphumela ngaphandle bengayekani tu. Benengqungwe
ngabantu bemana bebhuqeka phantsi kukhala inqindi qha.

Nditsalwe nguMkhuseli ndamsusa ndisondela. Nomama ebebakhwaza, Mluleki! Simba!

Omama ke ngesikhalo. NoUlatho ebencame ekhala ngoku.

Ndisondele phaya kemna kuba bendifuna andive kakuhle lo unguSimba. Ndikhwaze kabini nje wabe
sezisusa kubhuti. Umgibisele inqindi ngeloxesha ubhuti hayi ke walibuyisela kwathaka igazi. Bendinga
monqelwe.

Ubanjwe nguBukhosi ubhut'Mluleki wazibeka phakathi kwabo wabe sesiza kum uSimba. Ebeligazi nje.

Mluleki: ”Ndiyeke maan Bukhosi ndibethe lenja! Uphakamisa isandla kum Simba?! Ndingakanani
kuwe?!”

Simba: ”Thatha umntana sihambe apha.”

Nomtha: ”Uyopha.”

Simba: ”Hamba Nomtha.”

Ndinkcunkcile ukuyothatha umntana wam. Ndixhakazele nguye nebhegi yethu. EkaSimba bendingayazi
nokuba iphi. Ebesabanjiwe ubhut'Mluleki ephuma izithuba.

USimba ebesemotweni yena. Ndilayishe umntana kwicar seat yakhe ndagibisela ibag ndakhwela
ngaswmva nam.

Simba: ”Uqale nini ukuhlala ngemva ngoku xa uhamba nam?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukugada umntana.”

Simba: ”Ugadwa ntoni umntana?”

Nomtha: ”Khawuqhube Simba uyeke uchuku torho.”

Simba: ”Nomtha.”

Ndigqidikile ndayohlala ngaphambili ecaleni kwakhe. Unxaphile wastater imoto.

”Sukuhamba ingeka lungiswa lento yenu nyana. Ukuba uhamba ngoku akukho nto engaphinde ilunge.”

Simba: ”Hay nawe. Yintoni engaphinde ithethwe xa kunje?”

625
Umshiye apho akalindela mpendulo yakhe.

Nomtha: ”Ngumntu omdala noko lowa.”

Tyhini bawo ade athi hayi nawe kwixhego labantu.

Simba: ”Ibhadlile lento ayithethayo? Uyabona ukuba uMluleki usaphuma izithuba ufuna umlwo yena
usalindele ukuba kuphinde kuthethwe!”

Mluleki: ”Eyamadoda ayipheli mfana wam!”

Ebelandela apha emveni kwemoto.

Nomtha: ”Simba hayi myeke maan! Simba!”

Ebesetake nakulomoto okaBisola unyana. Ndithe ndibheka kwabe kukhala inqindi. Babalekile
ukuzonqanda kwakhona. Ndingene kwicala lakhe ndaqhuba ukuphuma. Into bendigenayo lixesha lokuba
ndibe ndikhuzana namadoda amadala mna. Indevu zide zimhlophe kodwa abantu baziphathise
okwamakhwenkwe amadala. Into elandelayo sawuthi sinqanda sichaphazeleke kulanto yabo. Ebekwazi
kwakhe umntu, ebezothi xa egqibile ukuzenza uUndertaker ayibone egodukayo.

626
SEVENTY-NINE
Ndivuke ndaphutha-phutha iphone yam le ibikhala ngaphantsi komqamelelo. Eyonanto andiyazi nento
ibibangela ukuba ndingayicimi xa ndilala njengoba Ibindiphazamisa nje.

Nomtha: ”Hello mama.”

Bisola: ”Sewulele?”

Nomtha: ”Ndikobude ubuthongo.”

Bisola: ”Oh uxolo ukukuvusa mntanam. Yho! Abayeni benu?!”

Nomtha: ”Kwenzeke ntoni ngoku mama?”

Bisola: ”Ye mntana ndini, andiyazi into esiyenzelwe ngoMluleki noSimba. Kaloku ngaba bebenga
nqandeki kucaba bazode babulalane. Ngoku begxiza ngamagazi basalwa, sancama sababizela amapolisa
azobalanda abavalele bhetele. Kuba ngomandla makhulu, akakho ofuna ukoyiswa ngomnye.”

Nomtha: ”Nenze into eright mama. Balungile bevalelwe. Bazoke babhadle.”

Bisola: ”Hayibo Nomtha! Awuzukuya kuye? Nditsho kuba uUlatho uleqise khona noBukhosi kunye
noMluleki.”

Nomtha: ”Beqisa bayaphi na bona?”

Bisola: ”Bayofuna bakhululwe.”

Nomtha: ”Baphambene apha entloko. Kaloku amapolisa ebebizelwa into yokuba bohlulwe mos kuba
boyise abantu kwaye bayonzakalisana, kengoku yintoni abayoyenza emapoliseni? Bayeke ubayeka balale
khona babuye ngomso? Hayi andizuyenza mna lonto. NoBukhosi benze ilaw kodwa abayazi ukuba xa
bebambisa abantu bayabajwa. Seleqisa uyothini?”

Bisola: ”Hayi wethu Nomtha abantwana bam balale eziseleni okwezikelem?! Banqandekile noko ngoku
andiqondi bazophinde balwe.”

Nomtha: ”Inimba ke inama mene-mene. Kuba ngewubayekile balale. Bekuzosa bakhutshwe. Mna
akukho apho ndiyakhona mos xa bephume bonke? Andiphethanga zitsixo zetrongo. Ndiyabulela kodwa
ngokundazisa ma.”

Bisola: ”Kulungile ke, sawuthetha ngomso.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela ma.”

Ndicime iphone yam ndayiqhusheka ngaphantsi komqamelelo kwakhona. Bendingena mandla

wokudlala kemna. Futhi ndinga phambani apha entloko. Bebezohamba bayogcada bodwa emapoliseni.
Ayikho kaloku into ebeyibizelwe amapolisa ukuba bazophinde bachachatheke emveni kwabo. Sesiphi
esisifundi sebesifundile njengoba bebeyobalanda nje? Ingathi ngabantwana abancinci mntakabawo
amaxhanxasholo amaxhego amadala ako fifty nto, aleqa usixty! Tyhini bawo.

Ndothuswe ngumntu onqonqoza emnyango. Besekusile ngeloxesha kukhanya ngaphandle. Umntana

wam ebesaleli cum!

627
Ndisukumile ndayovula. Ebelumbhakraza mntakabawo ingathi ubetha igubu laseZion.

Nomtha: ”Hayi ndiyeza!”

Tyhini bawo!

Ndivulile wabe enegazi elomileyo ebusweni. Ebethungiwe apha ebunzi, enestitch esincinci. Ebebolekwe
nesilamba. Bendiyazi kuba bendizazi zonke impahla zakhe. Ndimsudukele emnyango wangena
ngaphakathi eqhwalela.

Simba: ”Awundibuzi noba ndinjani?”

Undibuze sendiyingena ekamireni ndaphutha ndimjonga kwakhona.

Nomtha: ”Unjani baby?”

Simba: ”Mxm.”

Mhhhk ke. Ndiyongena ekamireni ndavala ucango ndizongena ezingubeni.

Simba: ”Linokhanyo! Nomtha!”

Ndisukumile ndasabela ngamehlo. Ebethe folokohle esofeni esinekile.

Simba: ”Nomtha ndiyaqaqanjelwa.”

Nomtha: ”Awunikwanga ipili esibhedlele?”

Simba: ”Ndizinikiwe kodwa azindincedi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndithini ke mna?”

Undijamele akathetha. Ingathi ebefuna nokukhala. Inoba ebethunywe ndim ukulwa ndiyambona. Umntu
ahamba eba ngiSomandla, kufuneke thina songane nabo! Hayibo!

Nomtha: ”Ndikubekele amanzi uhlambe.”

Simba: ”Andizukwazi ukuzihlamba.”

Bekuthi ndiyihleke. Inene sihambe sizibona.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni ungazukwazi ukuzihlamba?”

Simba: ”Kumnandi kuwe xa ndinje ane? Awundikhathalelanga. Ndibone kwalento ungayanga

emapoliseni.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi awuziva kengoku. Ndizokubekela amanzi ndikuhlambe kuba yinto ayifunayo leyo.”

Simba: ”Uthetha ukuthini ukuba andiziva?”

Nomtha: ”Ngendihambe ndaya epolice station mna?”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Simba andikunqandanga ukuba umyeke uMluleki, ungagxidiki emotweni?”

628
Simba: ”Akusena msebenzi kaloku ngoku, ndigxidikile le ndabanjwa. Ayinoba umama akakuxelelanga
ukuba ndibanjiwe.”

Nomtha: ”Undixelele kakade kodwa ndithe andiohambenanga mna apha entloko. Ukuba bebengafuni
nibanjwe ngebuke baniyeke nibethane nibulalane. Injongo zokuba nisiwe emapoliseni ibikukuniqhawula
niyeke ukulwa oku benikwenza. Baphinde baleqeke emveni kwenu kengoku? Nam ndibe lapho ingathi
sizobambisana ngathi, omnye inyawo omnye ingalo. Ndishiye umntwana wam yena ndiyochachatheka
ezitrongweni ngezisu ezikhulu? Hayi awuziva. Uzinikiwe izinto zokuthambisa?”

Simba: ”Ndinenxeba elinye, leli lisebunzi qha. Umzimba ubuhlungu nje kuba bendingonjwa.”

Nomtha: ”Nomlomo uqhekekile.”

Simba: ”Fok!”

Nomtha: ”Nikhutshwe nini emapoliseni?”

Simba: ”UBukhosi uye wathetha nawo asikhupha. UMluleki ulimele kakhulu, and ebelahlekelwa ligazi.”

Nomtha: ”Umhlabile?”

Simba: ”Esuswini, ewe. Uphume amathumbu, ebebuyiselwa ngetorch!”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan Simba! Ngeliphi ixesha?”

Simba: ”Ngoku sisemveni kwevan.”

Nomtha: ”Nisake nifakwe kunye evanini?”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuyithathaphi into ebukhali?”

Simba: ”Ndimhlabe ngeOkapi yakhe. Undihlabe apha ethangeni yena ndayixutha ndamhlaba isisu.”

Ibikrazuukile nyani iblukhwe kulandawo ebehlatywe kuyo ethangeni. Ebenomthungo kwakulo.

Nomtha: ”Ngoku uthi mnye umthungo wakho?”

Simba: ”Kuyafana.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo nizintloni shame ndinincamile. Eyokuba umlwo wenu ude ufikele apha. Kude kubizwe
amapolisa wonke. Ngenxa yokuba ninganqandeki. Abantwana babukele lento yenu, umama ubukele
lonto yenu. Umama lo ebefe icala ngenxa yestress sikaVenus. Namhlanje nenza lento, nifuna
ukumgqibezela asose ebhubha kube kanye. Xa abantwana bakhe bezobulalana! Niko fifty something
ngeminyaka. Ningwevu. Kuphela nalo mnyama ngoku kwindevu ningwevu qha! Izinto enizenzayo
azenziwa nangoNomtha. Uyaphi?”

Simba: ”Ndiya kuMluleki andigqibezele, andithi undifuna ndifile.”

Nomtha: ”Hlala phantsi wethu ndikubekele amanzi okuhlamba.”

Simba: ”Uzoyeka ukudingxolisa?”

629
Nomtha: ”Ndizoyeka. Swndithethe kwanele.”

Simba: ”Uba bendiye kumama bhetele. Ngendibeleke ndisangena ngomnyango.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Ukuzele kaloku yena, mna owam umntana nankuya ezovuka kulabhedi andivur
vaye.”

Simba: ”Nileli kakuhle?”

Nomtha: ”Cum!”

Simba: ”Ncncnc ...”

Ebenikina intloko yakhe.

Nomtha: ”Yoyi! Yiza ndikukhulule.”

Simba: ”Ndikhululwa nje amanzi engekabikho right?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokombhathisa ithrow ukuba uyagodola kaloku my baby.”

Simba: ”Uyandiqhela wena.”

Ndichophe etafileni ndathatha inyawo lakhe ndilibeka ethangeni lam ndamkhulula isihlangu nekawusi.
Ebendijongele ngaphantsi kwenkophe. Ndimkhulule nakwelinye icala ndazigibisela phantsi. Ndisukumile
ndayomkhulula ibhanti ndimehlisa iblukhwe. Usukumise impundu ndayehlisa ngemilenze.

Nomtha: ”Caba iyakucwaba lento ndiyenzayo yokukhulula.”

Simba: ”Mxm.”

Belilikhulu ke lona elinxeba lisethangeni. Ndimkhulule isilamba nesikipa ebesinxibile. Ndiyogalela amanzi
ebhafini.

Nomtha: ”Yiza uzohlamba intloko.”

Simba: ”Kukuthini kanti ukuhlamba umntu?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokuhlamba nentloko kengoku?”

Simba: ”Ndiyaqaqanjelwa nje mna.”

Nomtha: ”Mntakabawo! Yiza ke first born yakulo Zendaya.”

Ndimhlambile ehlihliza engayeki. Ebeyibaxa be. Ndimhlambe nomzimba ndongena amanzi ndamhlamba
ngezantsi. UDiba ebemi ethe nkqo ke, ede enemithambo.

Uphumile ndamosula ndamthambisa. Ndigqibele ngokum thambisa ubuso. Undibambe isinqa

wandisondeza kuye.

Simba: ”Oko undivimba eRhawutini wena.”

Nomtha: ”Kaloku ubungafuni ukulala nam ebhedini. Hayi maan Simba khawume ngesilalo, yini
sewuqqanjelwa. Simba! Hayi tyhini! Khawuyeke.”

630
Simba: ”Enye.”

Nomtha: ”Umntana uzovuka ke!”

Simba: ”Chopha phezulu kobuso bam ke.”

Ndihlekile ndabhekela kuye.

Nomtha: ”Yazi ndine pain ingathi ndizoya kwiperiods.”

Simba: ”Awumithanga?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyonja andimithi. Ndikhulelwe.”

Simba: ”Kwiperiods ukhulelwe?!”

Ibiphele shici lonkanuko ngoku sene worry.

Nomtha: ”Anditshongo ukuba ndikhulelwe kaloku baby-

Simba: ”Awukhulelwanga kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi maan! Nguwe na lo ondenza muncu. Ndithi anditshongo ukuba ndikwiperiods, senditsho
intlungu yakhona. Ibu cramp-ish.”

Simba: ”Awugilekanga kula dulubhentsu besiwenza izolo?”

Nomtha: ”Yilonto. Andichathwanga nokuchathwa.”

Simba: ”Kuse early kaloku ukuba ungazala. Ungayenzi lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizothini ungalunywa siso sonke nje istress endikuso?”

Simba: ”Ustresswa ndim?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi. Ndikukhuphele ushotwane?”

Simba: ”Ungawukhupha. Sizoya ekhaya.”

Nomtha: ”Asinoke sizihlalele kwethu sidlalele kude le nedrama yakowenu? Ufuna ukuyongcukuvana
nobhuti wakho ngoku niphinde nibe nisilwa?”

Simba: ”Andiyongcukuva mntu. Ndifuna ukubona umama qha, ndixolise. Lento uyithethileyo indenze
ndacinga nje ukuba yonke lento ichaphazela yena kakhulu. Andifuni aphinde abe nesinye istroke,
abantwana bam nam sisamdinga.”

Nomtha: ”Singabe sinqanda amahayi hayi ke phaya. Kube uyothetha nomama qha. Eyochuku
ungayingeni.”

Simba: ”Nawe ngokuthetha nam ingathi ndingumntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Ndithetha nawe njengo nkosikazi wakho. Kuba yonke into yakho ichaphazela mna.”

Simba: ”Ay andiyithandi indlela othetha ngayo nam ngamanye amaxesha. Uyandishouta kaloku wena.”

631
Nomtha: ”Uxolo kaloku, andizukuphinda ndithethe.”

Simba: ”Anditsho ukuba ungathethi qha yindlela yokuthetha le ifunekayo.”

Nomtha: ”Nxiba.”

Simba: ”Yiza ndiphuze kuqala, andithandi ukulwa nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Asilwi.”

Enye into ibingasihlalisiyo endlini yindlala. Besingekabi nalo ixesha loluthenga ukutya for endlini
kukuxakeka. Mhlawumbi ngoLwesibini besizovukela khona.

Ndityise umntwana akuvuka ndamhlambe. Besendihlambile mna. Kuqhube mna kuba utetemane
ebeqaqanjelwa lithanga. Inoba beluqaqamba nyani kodwa shame qha ebendidikile kwangokuba
nenkani.

Sifuke kukho umama uBisola kunye nodabawo qha.

Nomtha: ”Molweni!”

Basabele ngoewe otyhafileyo. Nempilo yakhona ijafu jafu. Umama ubumbona apha ebusweni ukuba
sonele shame isiaram.

Simba: ”Nqo! Molweni!”

Bisola: ”Yazi ukuba bendina mandla, ngendikubleksema ngoku usisiqhwala. Yintoni le niyenza emzini
wam kusando kungcwatywa? Khona ukuba utata wenu ubunga mkhathalela! Ukwenza uqhushuluku
ngosuku emveni komngcwabo wakhe! Kude kuze imoto zamapolisa kwam!”

Simba: ”Wonke umntu obekulandlu uzokuxelela ukuba nguMali-

Bisola: ”Andina msebenzi! Izoba ngunam nam kakade ngoku kuba nizizikoro-koro! Nini nobabini!
Anizukukhomba minwe apha. Uphindele esibhedlele kengoku kuba ubuye wanentlungu kwelanxeba.
Belisopha nokopha.”

Simba: ”Hayibo!”

Bisola: ”Uzuyikhuze.”

Nomtha: ”Obhuti baye khona?”

Bisola: ”Baphindele eRhawutini ekuseni ooMkhuseli. Baya phangela kaloku bona. Abango ngantweni
abafana nobhuti babo. Izinto ezazi ubundlobongela qha. Abantwana endinabo. Nina!”

Nomtha: ”Ukhatshwe ngubani kengoku?”

Bisola: ”Ngumnkakhe noManci wenu. Umntanam aphume ke kwesasibhedlele.”

Simba: ”Uzophuma.”

Bisola: ”Ndifuna aphume nam ndizonibulala ngoku kwam bhetele. Ndiyazi ukuba njengoba ndanizisa
kulomhlaba nje ndiphinde ndanithatha.”

632
Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa mna mama. Akufanelanga ukuba inyukelene yafika apho ifike khona kodwa
bekunyanzelekile. Kuba ngoku besesiqala ukudelana kuba singazange sivane amandla. Uzoba right
uMluleki. Uzophuma esibhedlele abe right. Noba asivani kodwa le yona yokudelana iphelile.
Ekugqibeleni ndimdala game yam nam. Andizudelelwa yenye indoda ngolahlobo. Ithethe nam
ngolahlobo. Masingavani kodwa singadelelani.”

Uphele ngokunikina intloko yakhe umama akathetha. Ubuye yedwa uUlatho. Ebesagciniwe ubhuti. Ufike
nje wabeka amanzi asaphinde sambona ukumnka kwakhe nawo. Bendiphekile ke satyeni ndahlamba
izitya sahamba noSimba. Utye ipilisi zakhe walala. Ebethule ke engenancoko. Esuke wamaka nokuba
maka. Baleli kuqala nomntana ndabe ndisahlamba mna ndayobukela itivi.

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Baby?”

Usabelele ebuthongweni.

Nomtha: ”Hayi ndiyaqaqanjelwa mna.”

Simba: ”Yiza yizolala. Sizovuka siye kugqirha. Beka umntana ecaleni usondele.”

Ndingene esiphakathini umntana sambeka ecaleni.

Simba: ”Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Usaqaqanjelwa wancinwa?”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Masambe kugqirha.”

Nomtha: ”Sizoya ekuseni. Ndizonyamezela.”

Simba: ”Okay.”

Undisondeze esifubeni sakhe wandiphulula isisu salala.

633
EIGHTY
Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Hm?”

Nomtha: ”Simba!”

Uxhumile wakhanyisa iside lamp.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyalunywa mna.”

Simba: ”Siye kugqirha?”

Nomtha: ”Simthini umntana?”

Simba: ”Eish! Sizoncame simthini?”

Nomtha: ”Uhhhhh! Hayibo!”

Simba: ”Iphi ibag?”

Nomtha: ”Kwakunga thiwanga ihlale emotweni na Simba? Ubuza nento oyaziyo.”

Simba: ”Ina nxiba.”

Nomtha: ”Ey andifuni lokhwe mna ndiyalunywa. Awusephole.”

Simba: ”Asizukumnkelwa zingqondo sobabini.”

Ndithe chuu ukuya elounge ndathatha isitsixo semoto. Undithe wambhu igown yam ndanxiba ingalo.
Ebethatha umntwana namabhayi akhe namabisi yonke lonto exhakazela.

Nomtha: ”Thatha ibag yakhe baby, ujonge ukuba inezinto zakhe azozidinga.”

Simba: ”Yeyowuphi kanti le isemotweni?”

Hayi ndivele ndamjamela. Nx! Ibingase ndixhwithe inwele. Bendingafuni ukupacnika ke tana kodwa
bendizibona ukuba ndisondele. Bekuse early ukuba ndibele, ebesiyaphi na lomntwana. Ibihamba iphinde
ibuye intlungu. Ithi xa indithe nxiiii ndibambelele ide ithomalale. Uphume endlini waphinde wabaleka
wangena kwakhona hayi ke indlela endivele ndacaphuka ngayo ndivele ndaziva inyembezi.

Uvule ucango emva wabopha icar seat wagibisela yonke into nje wabavala ucango.

Simba: ”Uyakhala?”

Ndinikine intloko yam. Ustate imoto sahambeni.

Simba: ”Ndithini? Ndifounele umama?”

Nomtha: ”For ntoni?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi nam, ndiyabuza nje. Andithi uyakhala.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo Simba!”

634
Simba: ”Ndithule ne? Okanye ndikuculele?

Nomtha: ”Hayi, ungaculi baby.”

Simba: ”Ina isandla sam. Xa uqaqanjelwa usibambe usiqinise.”

Nomtha: ”Ungaculi kodwa.”

Simba: ”Andizucula uba awufuni ndicule. Ndicela undiboleke isandla sam kancinci ndifuna ukufounela
ubhut'Siphelo bazothatha umntana nosisi.”

Andifunana nokubuza ukuba ungongubani lobhut'Siphelo. Mna kaloku bendisazi onkosikazi babo, bona
ndingaba chani kakuhle. Ufounile ke wathetha naye. Andivanga nokuba ibihamba njani incoko kuba
bendibhuqwa zintlungu ngoku. Hayi bezihamba nam kakuhle.

Sifikisene nalabhut'Siphelo eparking lot wabaleka ukuyongena ngaphakathi. Besendibhokoda ngoku.

Uphume nestretcher ndalayishwa kuyo ngoncedo lomntu ophangela phaya ndabalekiselwa ngaphakathi.

Simba: Kwenzeka ntoni kengoku? Kwenzeka ntoni?!”

Andivanga bemphendula. Ndothuke sendikwelinye igumbi. Bendizigqibele ndise theatre, uSimba

endibambe isandla endixelela ukuba ndizoba right, nokuba ndenza kakuhle.

Simba: ”Baby.”

Ndimncumele. Undibambe isandla wandiphuza, ndiqaphele amehlo abomvu. Bendingafuni nokubuza

ukuba ebekhaliswa yintoni. Bendinento ethi umntana wam akaphilanga. Andikhumbuli ndimva ekhala
kula theatre.

Simba: ”Uziva njani?”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi ndine period pains.”

Simba: ”Usene cramps?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Ndiyaqaqanjelwa.”

Simba: ”Ndizocela unurse akuhoye.”

Nomtha: ”Sundishiya.”

Simba: ”Uyaqaqanjelwa njena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoba right.”

Undiphuze ibunz ndacimela.

Simba: ”Awuzundibuza ngomntwana? Ukuba unjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndoyika nokubuza.”

Simba: ”Ngoba? Kutheni uzokoyika ukubuza?”

Nomtha: ”Ndibona unamehlo abomvu ndicinga ukuba mhlawumbi akaphilanga.”

635
Simba: ”Hayi! Uyaphila. Unengxaki nelungs kodwa ogqirha bathi bazomgcina kula bhokisi ade aberight.
Kuthwa sistress esi sikubelekise kwangoko. Ubuke waxhuzula nokuxhuzula.”

Nomtha: ”Bendixhuzule?”

Simba: ”Uright kodwa ngoku. Ibengengo mxhuzulu ungamandla. Umntana wethu uzobaright, umama
wakhe uzoba right. Ndonwabele lonto qha mna. Nindenze ixhala kodwa. Enyanisweni Nomtha andiqondi
ukuba ndikuxelela ngokwaneleyo, ndiyakuthanda. Kakhulu. Ndiyaqonda ukuba nam ndongeze kwistress
sakho ngayo yonke into ukuzotsho kule yakamva nje, ndiyaxolisa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndixelele undithanda kangakanani.”

Simba: ”Kanjengoba uThixo wathanda ihlabathi.”

Ndimncumele wayihleka.

Simba: ”Uyaphinda uyalala?”

Nomtha: ”Mhh. Uyabona umbala omnyama uyaphela tu kwezindevu zakho?”

Simba: ”Nomtha ndimdala mna. Ndingutata wonyana ababini nentombi. Ndimdala.”

Nomtha: ”Yinkwenkwe?”

Simba: ”Ewe. Sigqibile ke ngoku, ndizokwenza ivasctomy ukuphindela kwethu eRhawutini. Andifuni
nempazamo.”

Nomtha: ”Uyazinceda. Inoba kuthiwe nqa elixhego ecaleni komntana.”

Simba: ”Ngubani ke umntana? Nguwe? Umama wabantwana ababini?”

Nomtha: ”Ndingubaby mna Simba. Eyokuba undibambe ngabantwana ayifuni mna.”

Simba: ”Ndikubambe ngabantwana kuba ndingafuni undishiye?”

Nomtha: ”Ndikushiye ndiye kwitype zam.”

Simba: ”Itype zakho obani?”

Nomtha: ”Itype tyhini.”

Simba: ”Itype yakho ndim qha.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba utsho.”

Simba: ”Nditsho nangoku. Awulambanga?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Simba: ”Kutheni ingathi awunamdla kulomntana?”

Nomtha: ”Njani ukuba andinamdla?”

Simba: ”Nditsho lento ndikufunza incukacha. Ingathi awunamdla wokwazi nto ngaye. Bendiba uzovuka
undibuze yena. Nangoku sendikuxelele ngaye awunamdla wokwazi enye into ngaye.”

636
Nomtha: ”Ndidikiwe ingxaki.”

Simba: ”Phumla ke ndizoyomjonga.”

Ndigcinwe esibhedlele intsuku ezine zonke ngaphambili kokuba ndikhululwe. Bendiright empilweni,
yonke into iright. Umntu ebesezohlala ngumntwana ke kuba ebengulo ebenayo nengxaki yemiphunga.
Bebethembisa kodwa ogqirha.

Simba: ”Umama uthi sibuyele kwakhe azokwazi ukukunceda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizodinga uncedo lwantoni umama, umntana eshiyeke esibhedlele?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi ke nam. Okanye ufuna ukusinceda ngomntana.”

Nomtha: ”Undixelela ukuba uzoxakwa nguZendaya wena?”

Simba: ”Anditsho, qha umama ebefuna ukunceda so nam bendingeno landula uncedo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndozothetha naye ndimbulele. Andifuni ukuba kowenu mna. Kukho nobhuti wakho
nonkosikazi wakhe. Ingase ndibe kwispace sam ndizophumla ndiphole kakuhle.”

Simba: ”Akukho ngxaki ukuba yinto oyifunayo leyo. Ndizomxelela umama ukuba sawuba right.”

Nomtha: ”Uchacha kakuhle ubhuti wakho?”

Simba: ”Ndithungwe ithanga lonke! Awukandibuzi noba ndinjani mna- awuzuthunukala?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright. Enkosi. Yhu! Undibone ndimitha!”

Simba: ”Oh sewuyinjanana ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Khawundiyeke Simba. Ijellytots zam zinjani?”

Simba: ”Uright! Bendilala naye ndiyomshiya xa ndiyobona wena. Bendingafuni abe ehlupha abantu
ngobusuku xa evukwa zingqondo zika mama wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake! Zeziphi ezongaqondo?”

Simba: ”Zezi zakho.”

Ndifike endlini ndatya ndahlamba ndalala. USimba nentombi yakhe bebefundekela kwelinye icala,
ivolume ivulwe yakumaqondo okugqibela mntakabawo.

Ungene ethetha nephone.

Simba: ”Nanku ke tata.”

Mamnkeli: ”Molweni Mamkhonde!”

Uphelile uSimba yintsini.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni ndangu Mamkhonde?”

Mamnkeli: ”Ndiyakupha isiduko, awusifuni?”

637
Nomtha: ”Ndingase ndisebenzise esakulo mama ke ukuba kunyanzekile kuba andizazi izinto zoTongai
ukuba zihamba njani.”

Uyihlekile.

Mamnkeli: ”Nivukile?”

Nomtha: ”Siyaphila tata akhonto, unjani wena?”

Mamnkeli: ”Siyaphila nathi. Akukhonto. Sonwabe nje kakuhle, sonwabe ngakumbi ukuva indaba
ezimnandi ngoBisola ukuba unyana walendoda akasakwazanga kulinda.”

Nomtha: ”Hey! Ungxamile.”

Mamnkeli: ”Ebefuna ukuzalelwa ezilalini, hayi lanto yasezidolophini.”

Nomtha: ”Ungxame kakhulu hayi.”

Mamnkeli: ”Iyandixelela lendoda ukuba usagqiniwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe basamgcinile tata. Bekusithiwa uzokutshwa mhla wakwazi ukuphefumla kakuhle,
wanyuka esikalini akwazi nokuncanca. Usezohlala.”

Mamnkeli: ”Ixesha yenye into mntanam. Lizovele lithi tshe kube sekusithiwa yizani nizolanda ipasile
yenu. Kufuneka nisebenzise elixesha nizilungiselela izikhalo. Niphumle, xa ningayanga ukumbona.”

Nomtha: ”Besihlele ukwenza njalo. NoSimba ndizombambela apha endlini, eyekugcwala ilali akasoze
asayibona kengoku ngenxa yonyana wakhe.”

Simba: ”Andinanto isetheni nangoku mna. Ndizobambeka!”

Mamnkeli: ”Uthini naDiba, uthu uzobambeka?”

Simba: ”Hayi noko. Andinode ndiphume izithuba.”

Mamnkeli: ”Kuhle, kuhle mfana wam. Siyabuyisana nani bantwana bam. Izipho nawuzifumana mhla
neza naye nganeno simbone.”

Nomtha: ”Siyabulela tata, siyabulela kakhulu.”

Mamnkeli: ”Kuthiwa ngubani igama?”

Nomtha: ”NguMihlayonke Matanzima.”

Mamnkeli: ”Oh nimthiye nelesixhosa ngenjonga enawangaphaya odwa uZendaya?”

Simba: ”Unalo naye elangaphaya.”

Nomtha: ”Ungakulinge unike umntana wam igama lesiNigeria okanye elesi Igbo!”

Simba: ”Oh abenawo aweChiShona kodwa mna andina lungelo lokuthiya awam?”

Nomtha: ”UngumXhosa Simba. Umntana wakho nguMihlayonke, igama lesiXhosa. Akukho sidingo
lokuyona lento ngegama lesibini!”

638
Simba: ”Kutsho bani?”

Nomtha: ”Khawuyeke baby maan! Wamosha amagama abantwana bakaNokulunga, bangoMalkia

noNuri.”

Simba: ”Amnandi!”

Nomtha: ”Awudinwanga kukuthiya?”

Simba: ”Kuyadinisa kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Sundijonga kanjalo.”

Simba: ”Ingxaki uwrongo.”

Mamnkeli: ”Kuthiwa ngubani eligama nilwisana ngalo?”

Simba: ”NguTanyaradzwa, we have found comfort.”

Nomtha: ”Alilibi! Alilide?!”

Mamnkeli: ”Ndiliva limnandi mna. SichiShona futhi eligama.”

Simba: ”Kaloku ungxamele ukundilwa akavanga negama.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi liright igama elinye. Made nokuba made lamagama umntana wam.”

Simba: ”Awundifuni qha wena!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Uzozenza usizana?”

Simba: ”Kodwa serious Nomtha, akekho nomnye umntwana endimthiyileyo mna. UZendaya nguwe,
uMihla nguwe. And kukuphela kwabantwana esawuba nabo aba. Ndiyayazi ukuba ndandingekho
kuZendaya, nakuMihla bendingekho kodwa ndikhona ngoku. Ndibe khona xa ezalwa. Imiddle name
nje?”

Ebeseyekile kengoku ukuqhula. Se serious.

Nomtha: ”Ndiyadlala, liright. Ndiyazidlalela mna.”

Simba: ”Sebeke nephone uMahonono.”

Nomtha: ”Uyabona ukuba siyaxabana.”

Simba: ”Nguwe lo.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi kaloku mna uzokhathazeka ube deep. Ndiyaziqhulela.”

Uhleli iveki ezintathu esibhedlele uMihlayonke. Wabuya, wapbinda akabiright sambuyisela kwakhona
wahlala ezimbini. Besizityele esibhedlele iholiday, singazivanga tu. Bendingeka qiniseki ngesikolo ukuba
ndizokwenza njani. USimba ebesamile ngelokuba ndiphumle kulonyaka ndikhulise abantwana. Bendine
option ye online learning kodwa ingeyonto bendiyinqwenela leyo. Ebengasa thethisi nto ngokuyeka
elishishini lakhe. Endaweni yoko ebeqalisa ukulungisa iwarehouse ethethana naba bantu bakhe
boyikisayo asebenza nabo. Bendingayazi nokuba besekutshintshile na ngoku. Ukuba akasoyiki ukuba

639
isichaphazele na ngoku. Yonke lanto wayeyithetha kucacile ukuba wayenga nyanisekanga. Bendinga
mbuzi nto ke nam.

Bekumnandi ukuba nomntu omtsha endlini. Wonke umntu obalulekileyo ebesivuyele. UMalik
ebengxamele ukumbona. Bebumnandi ubudlezana kuba bendichitha ixesha nomyeni wam nabantwana
bam. Xa esiya emzini onotywala ebekhawuleza abuye. Ongutata oncedisayo nasebantwaneni bakhe.
Benga xhomekekanga kum ndodwa. Bendiyithanda le mpilo. Impilo yelali. Yamajerumani ne coveralls.
Bendingayi chasanga eyokuhlala apha ngoku pheleleyo. Ndifunde kwelicala, nabantwana bam bafunde
ngapha. Kodwa phi ke? Umyeni wam ebefuna impilo ekhawulezileyo yaseGoli. Le mna besele
ndiyonqena nje. Beninga yazi. Eyokuba ngumfazi welali, indoda iyophangela eGoli?

640
EIGHTY-ONE
Nomtha: ”Tata kaZendaya.”

Simba: ”Mh?”

Nomtha: ”Bendicela ukuthetha nawe kancinci.”

Simba: ”Ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Noba kuxa ugqibile apho.”

Simba: ”Yinto eserious ongazukwazi ukuyithetha ndisebenza?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna uhoyo lwakho.”

Simba: ”Ndisa xakekile ke sizokuthetha xa ndigqibileyo.”

Nomtha: ”Okay, awukalambi?”

Simba: ”Ndilambile kona kodwa ndifuna ukutya sendigqibile apha. Ungabe ukuphaka kube kuphola.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Usalele lo ufekethayo?”

Nomtha: ”Ulele, noZendaya usanda kulala ngoku.”

Simba: ”Awufuni kuphumla wena njengoba besalele?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright, andidinwanga lomhlobo namhlanje.”

Simba: ”Okay ke.”

Ndimshiyile ndayingena endlini ndiyomphakela. Ebefaka itanki yena. Belikhona elikhulu kodwa eli
elenzela iwashing machine, izotsala khona amanzi. Bendibeke istampu emzini wam. Ndizothi ngumzi
wam ke kuba seyingowam nam. Oko ndandifike unjeya so bendongeza ifurniture nezozinto zincinci ke.

Eneneni bendikonwabele ukuhlala ezilalini mna. Ngaphezulu kokuba bendicinga. Lampilo nje
bendiyithandile.

Ungene sehlambe izandla ndamphathela ukutya kwakhe. Bendingazi phakelanga mna, ndinga
kucacelanga. Bekupheka mna mihla le ingase nditye okuphekwe ngomnye nje umntu.

Simba: ”Mh? Yintoni le ubufuna ukuyithetha nam?”

Nomtha: ”Bendicinga ...”

Simba: ”Mh?”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ndihlale apha. Ndizofunda eUNISA.”

Uyekile ukutya wandijonga endincinele amehlo.

Simba: ”Ithini na lento uyithethayo?”

641
Ndithinte umqala wam ndalungisa ukuhlala.

Nomtha: ”Andisafuni ukuphindela eRhawutini. Yinto endizama ukuyitsho le.”

Simba: ”Awufuni kuphindela Rhawutini?!”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Ndifuna ukuhlala apha.”

Simba: ”Uhlale wenzeni apha?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizofunda.”

Simba: ”Akufundeki eRhawutini?”

Nomtha: ”Kuyafundeka kodwa ingase ndihlale apha. Nabantwana bam.”

Simba: ”Awutshatanga Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi nditshatile.”

Simba: ”Yintoni kengoku uzofuna ukuhlala ezilalini umyeni wakho eseRhawutini? Ndiyakudika ngoku?
Udikiwe kulutshata?”

Nomtha: ”Ayinanto enokwenza nomtshato-

Simba: ”Inokwenza nantoni? Ifana lento nokuphuma ekamireni ningabatshati, omnye alale kweyakhe
nomnye alale kweyakhe. Inento yonke enokwenza nomtshato. Ufuna ukuhlala kwenye idolophu, umyeni
wakho ehlala kwenye. Wakugqiba uzondixelela ukuba ayinanto enokwenza nomtshato? Hayibo.”

Nomtha: ”Njengoba uzophindela kulomsebenzi wakho kwakhona, andifuni kuhlala eRhawutini mna.
Uyayazi ukuba uba nentshaba xa usenza lamsebenzi-

Simba: ”Zingobani ezontshaba?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizozazela phi mna?”

Simba: ”Naku kaloku uthetha ngokuba ndiba nentshaba, kucacile ukuba uyazazi. Andiyo gangsta mna.
Andikho kwigang. Andilogintsa. Andibenzi obobubhanxa. Ihustle yam isophisticated. Soze undibone
ndisenza bonke oba bubhanxa bokudubula izibhamu phezulu nantoni ntoni. Izinto ezenziwa
zezizibhanxa zingafundanga. Wawuke wandibona ndiphethe isibhamu?”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Simba: ”Kodwa ndiyasiphatha apha kum. Ndineroom egcwele zizibhamu on display, zange undibone
ndisenza obabubhanxa ngazo. Zange undibone nangenye imini ndisukela abantu-

Nomtha: ”Andithethi ngalonto mna Simba futhi nawe uyayazi lont-

Simba: ”Akhonto ndiyaziyo. Bobuphi obubu ngozi uziva okungathi ukubo ngenxa yam. Kuba mna
ndiqisekisa ukuba ukhuselekile. Unesecurity, sihlala kwindawo ekhuselekileyo. Into zam zomsebenzi
wam azizange zanichaphazela. NguSylvester qha umntu endingatsho ndithi ke nguye owakufaka
ebungozini ngenxa yam kodwa naye wayesenza njalo ngenxa kaEfe, hayi into edibene nomsebenzi

642
endiwenzayo. Kakade ndizobanazo intshaba, nawe unazo ngoku ungekho kwelishishini lam- hell wonke
umntu unentshaba. Kodwa ayikanichaphazeli.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuhlala apha mna.”

Simba: ”Awuzukuhlala apha Nomtha. Ukuphindela kwethu eRhawutini sizophuma kulandawo sibuyele
eCenturion. Awuzuhlala apha.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Tyhini! Ikhona na lonto? Isengu mtshato kona lowo?”

Nomtha: ”Simba, baninzi abantu abahlala kanje kodwa batshatile kuright kumnandi. Ayonto intsha
leyo.”

Simba: ”Owam umfazi, nabam abantwana bazohlala apho ndihlala khona. Qha. End of. Uzophinde
ukhale xa ndihlalisana nomnye umntu kulaRhawuti kuba mna into endingekhe ndiyimele kuba ndibhaqe
kanye enyakeni. Ndi absteine ngenkani. Kuba kokhiwe apha kugqityiwe. Yonke enye into ofuna
ukuyenza ungayenza xa sizile ngeholidays, njengangoku. Uthengile izinto kukho utshintsho ngelixeshana
silapha. Hayi eyokuba uzoxweba apha unyaka wonke undihlalise ndodwa eRhawutini. Umncinci for
ukuba ngumfazi welali. Utshatele exhegweni kodwa umncinci. Kukhangeleka kumnandi kuzolile kuba
uhleli ixeshana nje elincinane. Le uyifunayo ... hayi. Phofu ungahlala wena kwilali zakho ube ngumfazi
welali, undiboleke abantwana bam qha ufunde ke wena.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ke ndiyekile.”

Simba: ”Uyazinceda.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ndizofunda ke.”

Simba: ”eUNISA.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukufunda full time.”

Simba: ”Njengoba ubufuna ukufunda through UNISA ngoku? Xa useRhawutini sewufuna ukufunda full
time? Yintoni kakuhle wena ingxaki yakho nam? Ndim lomntu ungafuni kuhlalelana naye?”

Nomtha: ”Ayikuko ukuba andifuni kuhlalelana nawe. Qha bendibawela ukuhlala apha ekhayeni.”

Simba: ”Ndithe awuzukuhlala.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikuvile.”

Simba: ”Ungaregista apho ufuna ukuregista khona, ufunde uyoma kwaphela ibhongo. Sawuzama umntu
ozoshiyeka nabantwana, ndiyaphangela ndinemali. Ukuba bendinga phangeli bendizohlala nabo
abantwana bam. Ukuba nawe ubungafuni isikolo ubuzokwazi ukubakhulisa ngoku kwakho abantwana.
Noba ubunothatha igap year kulonyaka. UMihlayonke useloyuku, unezigulo futhi ... ingase ahlale nawe
mamakhe. Hayi umntu nje- kodwa izoba ngathi andifuni ufunde ke. Ndizomfuna umntu.”

Uthathe ukutya kwakhe watya. Oko ndijamile wade wagqiba. Ushiye itray etafileni waphuma wahamba.
Ebeyogqibezela itanki.

643
Ndihlambe izitya ndagqiba ndothula impahla ibihlanjiwe ndayipakisha kwibags. Besihamba ngeCawa.
Oomama nobhuti bekukudala bahamba bona. Wayeselulama kakuhle emveni kokuphindela esibhedlele.
Wahamba kwa kuqala keyena noUlatho. Zange baphinde badibane noSimba kuba bahamba kwa
kwamama baya kowabo umzi. Ebesekrukuke finish uSimba zilali. Qha enkcekelele kuba mna bendisa
mandelwe.

Kuqale ukuvuka lo ebesanda kulala umntwana ndamtyisa, kuvuke noMihlayonke sekhala. Bebeyenza ke
intloko xa becacile. Basuke bakhale bobabini ngexesha elinye. Kuba bekukho uSimba ke bekuba bhetele
kuba ebehoya omnye nam ndizimele ngowam. Andiyazo lomntu besizomfumana ebezokwenza njani
kuba besingena mali ikhiwa ngerhalafu kaloku caba sawude sibe nabantu ababini bokuhoya nje
abantwana. Mhlawumbi ebenyanisile uSimba. Mhlawumbi bekungcono ndihlale ekhaya kulona unyaka
abantwana babe bukhula. Bendikwa ngulo ebengxamele ukuphangela ndizimele. Eyikuxhomekeka yona
into zange ndayiqhela kwaye ndifunde nto kulameko kaNokulunga. Ewe uSimba wayenesigqukru sokuba
emenze wamkhulisela abantwana abayizo ukuba abangobakhe kodwa zange amshiye kwa nenye into.
Ngaphezulu koko wathengisa mzi bebehlala kuwo, wathengisa moto ebemthengele yona njengoba
ebephindele kowabo elokishini nje. Seqhele isuburb. Ubuyele ekuhlaleni nabazali ngoku, akaphangeli.

Bendifuna ukuba nezam izinto mna. Ezithi Nomtha. Kuba awunoqiniseka nganto apha emhlabeni. Soze
tu.

Sivuke ngengomso saxakeka imini yonke. Into ngelali kukuba awusoze udinge into yokwenza. USimba
ebevuka qho alungise le, alungise leya. Imfuyo embalwa ebenayo ibingahlali kwakhe, ihlala kwatamnci
wabo. Neyakowabo ibihlala phaya. Ebengayihoyanga nokuyihoya lomhlobo yena. Umntu bendisiva
kusithiwa uyihoyile ibingubhuti omdala uMluleki. Ebethenga amayeza okudipha, eyazi yonke into
eqhubekayo ngazo.

Ndizobuthelwa yinkosikazi kabhut'Siphelo sahlala ngaphandle imini yonke sincokola. Besihleba ke ixesha
elininzi. Ngayo yonke into nawo wonke umntu. Kubafazi befemeli yasendlini nguye bendimthanda.
Bebehlala apha ekhayeni ke nomyeni wakhe. Engulo house wife bendifuna ukuba nguye mna. Ebengene
imigalelo, eyokutya, eyezinto zasendlini. Benawo nombutho wasekhayeni. Nathi besinawo ke nowalapha
kodwa besine policy esinazo.

Umyeni wakhe ebephangela apha ekhayeni eyiMetro officer. Ebeyeke kugrade twelve yena isikolo.
Wenza ihome base nton nton emveni koko kodwa akaphangela. Bekungona efuna ukusukuma afune
umsebenzi ancedisane nomyeni wakhe, ebefuna bokhe indlu enkulu. Bebe noronta nendlu enguL.

Umnkile ke ndashiyeka ndibeka imbiza. USimba ebesaphumile eye kubantakwabo. Ebesevukile

uMihlayonke ndimbelekile, uZendaya ebezidlalela yena ndimana ndimjonga nje angatyi izinto ezimdaka.

Kukhale iphone yam ndalatya ukuyoyithatha. Ngethamsanqa ibingeka bekwa phantsi.

Nomtha: ”Nne.”

Ndimve eyihleka.

Bisola: ”Isikolo sikaSimba siyapaselwa.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ebezimisele kwayena ngendiyazi kakuhle qha akayihoyanga tu.

Bisola: ”Bayikhathalele ngantoni kaloku oSimba. Bayasazi isiXhosa sakowabo.”

644
Nomtha: ”Ndim lomntu ungahoyanga chiShona ke, kuba sendiphaphele isiXhosa ngoku.”

Bisola: ”Kuba kaloku utshatele nakusiXhosana wendoda.”

Nomtha: ”Njengoba nawe sewungumXhosa mpela.”

Bisola: ”Hahaha! Niyaphila kodwa?”

Nomtha: ”Siyaphila ma akhonto. Sonwabile. Unjani wena?”

Bisola: ”Kuhle nakuthi, akukho nto. Sonwabe nje kamnandi. Abatwana bayakhula?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Uyafeketha qha lo umncinci. Yhu!”

Bisola: ”Kodwa noZendaya wayefeketha.”

Nomtha: ”Phofu nyani. Kuba bebabini ke ngoku. Ngoba bavele bakhale bobabini ndingayazi noba
ndihoye omphi ndiyeke omphi. Ubudlezana!”

Bisola: ”Bazokhula akunani.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingxamele lonto. Ukuba bade bakhule ndizophumla.”

Bisola: ”Uzawukhumbula kwa obu buncinci. Uyabona mna ingase ndibenze amasana ngoku, njengoba
sebekhuphana amathumbu nje namhlanje befakana ezibhedlele.”

Nomtha: ”Unjani ngoku ubhuti?”

Bisola: ”Ebene infection ngoku kuleveki, uthi uUlatho umphindisele esibhedlele kwakhona kodwa
sephinde waphuma.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo hayibo. Njengoba sekungathi akukhange kwenzeke nto kuSimba nje.”

Bisola: ”Unesandla esibi kaloku yena. Unesihlungu nokuba nesihlungu. Ingathi ngumntu lo ufake
lamabhanti wakhona.”

Nomtha: ”Yho hayi! Akafaki mabhanti uSimba.”

Bisola: ”Unesandla esibi qha ke. Ninjani nina phofu?”

Nomtha: ”Mna noSimba?”

Bisola: ”Ewe wena noSimba. Izinto zihamba njani?”

Huh? Ebengazange wayibuza lonto ngaphambili umama kaSimba. Ndiqonda nje ukuba ikhona into
ethethwe ngunyana wakhe kwalonto ade abuze.

Nomtha: ”Siright mama, yonk'into ihamba kakuhle.”

Bisola: ”Ohhhh. USimba ebesithi akumnandanga ncam njena.”

Nomtha: ”Akumnandanga ncamu? Njani ke ukuba akumnandanga ncam.”

Uthinte umqala wakhe.

645
Bisola: ”Uthi akufani nje.”

Nomtha: ”Akufani? Uthi yintoni le ingafaniyo?”

Bisola: ”Ndizokucela ukuba ungabi defensive. Undive kakuhle. Itone yakho kungoku idefensive.
Unyaniseke futhi, andikuhlaseli okanye ndiza ngecala elithile. USimba akafane andixelele nto
ngomtshato wakhe. Ungumntu ozilungiselelayo ingxaki zakhe. Kucacile kengoku ukuba uziva exakiwe.”

Nomtha: ”Uthi nditheni?”

Bisola: ”Akatsho ukuba kutheni, uyatsho nje ukuba izonto azifani oko ebuye eNigeria. Akusekho lanto.
Noba nizama ngaluphi na uhlobo kukho ithana nje phakathi kwenu.”

Nomtha: ”Ingxaki ndim.”

Bisola: ”Akatshongo ukuba nguwe ingxaki.”

Nomtha: ”Anditsho ngolohlobo nam. Ndiyavuma ukuba ndim ingxaki. Andisasiva nyani esa spark
sasinaso, inoba kukuba besendizixelele ukuba akasekho okanye ndeva kabuhlungu kakhulu kodwa
ndiyaluva lona utshintsho. Bekumnandi ngelaxesha ebesanda kubuya, ekuhambeni kwexesha I was like
what now. Sibuyela njani esiqhelweni.”

Bisola: ”Ucinga ukuba awusamthandi.”

Nomtha: ”Angatsho kuba bendifuna nokuhlala apha ezilalini aphindele yedwa eRhawutini.”

Bisola: ”Mntanam ningayenzi lonto. Njengoba sewusitsho nje ngoku ukuba kukho utshintsho kwaye
izinto azifani, into yokugqibela eniyidingayo kukohlukana ngentlalo. Nizoqhela ukuba ngaphandle
komnye, lento ingayiva kumyeni wakho ufuna ukuyilinga komnye umntu naye abe nesizungu adinge
umntu ube ungekho ibe kukuphela komtshato wenu. Kuzofuneka ni adjuste kaloku. Futhi kukho
nomntwana omncinci ngoku. Awuzukufuna ukuchathwa kuba usaphola. Xa upholile udiniwe
ngabantwana, sisikolo ngapha kwelinye icala ngulomyeni. Kubanjalo. Kodwa ningayeki ukuba
ngabatshati. Ningavume ukuba kobuya budlelwane bokuba ngohousemate. Kutshiwo mos.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe kutshiwo.”

Bisola: ”Usamthanda phofu umyeni wakho?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe mama ndiyamthanda kona ukumthanda.”

Bisola: ”Nifune noba ngumfundisi ukufika kwenu eRhawutini. Nifune nomntu wonincedisa ngabantwana
nizoba nexhesha kunye. Andiyazi. Kodwa zamani. Ningavumeli umoya omdaka maan Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe mama, ndiyabulela.”

Bisola: ”Kulungile ke sisi nako sekhala lowo.”

Nomtha: ”Uqalile.”

Ndibeke iphone yam phantsi ndamshushuzela ngoku ebesemqolo.

Simba: ”Mzise.”

646
Nomtha: ”Hayi maan undothusa. Kudala ungenile?”

Simba: ”Ubuthetha nephone.”

Nomtha: ”Ndithetha nomama. Uthi ubuthethe naye.”

Simba: ”Bendisoyika ukuthetha nawe ngoku kwam. Bendizova ngomama ukuba uthe awusandithandi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”

Unqwalile.

Simba: ”Ndiyakthanda nam kakhulu.”

Ndinqwalile nam. Ndanqika imbiza ndiyizamisa.

Nomtha: ”Yintoni?”

Simba: ”Hayi ayonto.”

Utsho sehamba, ndaqonda mva ukuba ebefuna ndimncamise.

Nomtha: ”Ubufuna undincamisa? Yho askies!”

Simba: ”It's fine baby. Abahluphanga kakhulu aba?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Uyohlala esofeni eteketisa. Shame uSimba.

647
EIGHTY-TWO
Simba: ”Uthathe yonke into?”

Nomtha: ”Ndicinga njalo.”

Simba: ”Hehe! Ucinga njalo?”

Nomtha: ”Senditsho ingathi ndiyithathe yonke into. Ukuba kukho eshiyekileyo akukho ngxaki,
sizophinde sibuye mos noba kunini.”

Simba: ”Sawuyibona ngepasika. Bendicinga ukuba simane sibuya ngeholidays kuba uyakuthanda ukuba
lapha. Endingasoze ndiyivume kukuba uhlale apha full time.”

Nomtha: ”Oh.”

Ndimncumlele. Yenye yezinto bendizithanda kakhulu ngomyeni wam ezi, ebendikhathalele kwaye
endithanda. Ulonwabo lwam belulekile kum. Ubonile ukuba ndiyakuthanda ukubalapha ekhayeni, ewe
ke ezinye izizathu zokuba ndifune ukushiyeka ibikukuba bendiziva ndidinga ispace nakuye. Izinto
ibingathi zitshintshile phakathi kwethu. Kodwa hayi ngendlela eright. Emveni kokuthetha nomama
uBisola bendiziva ndifuna ukuzama for umtshato wethu. Ungatshabalali. Nobudlezane ngapha
bebundibambe ngezixhanti. Abantwana babini abangashiyani kakhulu bebendigqiba ububele. Ubomi
bam bebujikeleza kubo ngoku, umyeni wam ndimtyhalele ecaleni.

Bendingengo superwoman ekugqubeleni, bendongayelwa nam. Ndidinwa. Hell, bendingenawo

namandla okanye umdla wokuziphuthuma ndibe mhle. Nendinxiba nje kuba ndingafuni ukuhamba
ngaze.

Simba: ”Uzohlala eback?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizohlala apha ecaleni kwakho lomzuzu esalele utefayo lo.”

Simba: ”Okay.”

Uncumile wandiphuza isidlele.

Sihambe kamnandi ke sade sayofika eRhawutini. Abantwana abakhange bahluphe ngendlela besicinga
ukuba bebezohlupha ngayo.

USimba ebelungiselela ukuphindela emsebenzini ke elungisa kwarehouses zakhe nayo yonke into.
Ebexakeke kakhulu, bekubhetele kodwa kuba ebeyenza apha endlini yonke lonto okwangoku.
Umsebenzi ubumninzi kakhulu, siphumile kulandawo bendiyirentelwa eWegheheuel siphindela kwethu.
Bekungenzi sense nyani ke ukuba sixinane kulandawo sibaninzi. Ibiright ngelaxesha ibindim noZendaya
qha. Ngoku besekukho abanye abantu ababini. Kengoku ibingulo sa kuba besisazama ukuqoqosha izinto
sizibeka ngendawo zazo.

Simba: ”Kutheni ungayeki uzogqibezela ngomso?”

Nomtha: ”Kuyafana, zizobe zilinde mna na ngomso. Kungcono ndigqibezele ngoku, ndiyazi ukuba
ngomso ndenza enye into.”

Simba: ”Uyazitrafa kodwa.”

648
Nomtha: ”Njengoba nawe uzitrafa ngomsebenzi.”

Simba: ”Kunyanzelekile ndizitrafe ke mna kuba ndifuna ukuqalisa kuleveki izayo. Wena ayikho into
ozixheshela yona, ukuba nje siyakwazi ukunyakaza kuright. Noba ungagqiba kulonyaka uzayo.”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Ndinombono. Umama wabantu asose afike kugxoko-gxoko kunje.”

Simba: ”Ndimbizele ukuba alungise kakade, so noba ufika kugxoko-gxoko. Khawuziyeke ezizinto. Yizapha
uzohlala nam sibukele itivi.”

Nomtha: ”Sibukele ibhola okanye irugby?”

Simba: ”Ndandike ndakubukelisa ibhola okanye irugby mna?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake!”

Simba: ”Tyhini Nomtha uyaphosisa.”

Nomtha: ”Andiphosisi tu.”

Ndiyeke into bendiyenza ndayongqengqa emathangeni akhe. Ebechophe ngempundu yena etshintsha-
tshintsha ichannels. Ude wafumana imovie sabukela yona.

Simba: ”Yiza ngqengqa apha, ndifuna ukoyama nam.”

Ndisukule kuye ndagqegqa phezulu kwakhe ndibeke intloko yam esifubeni sakhe.

Nomtha: ”Bendicinga.”

Simba: ”Mh?”

Nomtha: ”Phofu akukho nto ndisayicingayo, sendithathe isigqibo. Andizuya kulonyaka esikolweni.
Ndizothatha igap year ndibone kulonyaka uzayo.”

Simba: ”Ukugqibela kwethu ukuthetha ngalento ubungafuni nokuva, ufuna ukuphindela esikolweni.
Kutshintshe ntoni ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Ndicingile wethu ukuba kubhetele xa ndihlala nabo okwangoku kuba nyani njengoba
uMihlayonke enengxaki kungenzeka nantoni na xa ehleli nomnye umntu. Usadinga mna, nam ndidinga
ibreak ezincwadini. Uzobakho lomntu uzondincedisa ngabo kodwa late ndizobuyela kubo, ngapha
zincwandi- I assigments nedealines. Ngapha ndingumfazi. Uzokhawuleza ukuphela. ”

Simba: ”Mh.”

Ndimjonge ebusweni kungathi ukude ngengcinga.

Nomtha: ”Yintoni?”

Simba: ”Yinto bendiyitsho nam. You're putting too much pressure on yourself, uxinzelelo oluzophinde
likulimaze. Ndiyavuya ukuba you are making this sacrifice, ngalondlela sizotsho sikwazi ukusebenza
ngomtshato wethu. Ungumdlezana ngoku ewe, ungumzali. Singabazali. Kodwa ayithi lonto kufuneka
siyeke ukuba ngabatshati. Andifuni sibe zezi couples zibhorayo sezihlalisana nje. I intimacy yethu ingathi

649
ifile. Kwaye nge intimacy anditsho isilalo. Ndiyaqonda ukuba ayikabi loxesha usanda kukhupha umntu
wonke! Kodwa sihlale kanje. Undibambe, undiphuze. Random kisses.”

Nomtha: ”Zizinto zakho ezi!”

Simba: ”Yenye yendlela endiziva ngayo ukuba ndiyathandwa.”

Nomtha: ”Umama ebethe sithandaze nokuthandaza.”

Simba: ”Yintoni le onothi wena ikwenza ungandicaceli.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo baby, ayikuko nokuba andikucacelanga. Qha andiyazi. Ubom bam buthathwe
ngabantwana-

Simba: ”Are you still attracted kum?”

Nomtha: ”Ubuke wazibona? Uyayibona la wine ibakwi cellar. Leya kuthwa it matures-

Simba: ”Hahaha! Ncnc ...”

Nomtha: ”Uya uba ngubros.”

Simba: ”Yintoni yile six pack yam?”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Eyiphi yona? Ndibona inteshe mna apha!”

Simba: ”Kuthwa yi internal six pack!”

Nomtha: ”Uwhoah! Ndiyaqala noyiva. Kodwa ngaphandle kobu bros bakho Simba into endizohlala
ndiyithanda kukukhathala kwakho. Ukuba ngutata kubantwana bakho, awunayo into yokuba abantwana
bahoywa ngumama and kuba ndinga phangeli mandihoye abantwana ndipheke. Ungutata hayi ngegama
qha. Ungumyeni hayi ngegama qha. Uyandikhathalela, uyandithanda. I'm attracted to that.”

Simba: ”Mhhhh.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuthanda nam. Ndiyaxolisa ukuba ngoku andikuthandi ngalendlela ekufuneka

ndikuthande ngayo-

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi baby. Sawuba right. Undothusile ingxaki xa ufuna ukushiyeka ezilalini.”

Ndithule andaphendula. Sibukele imovie saphazanyiswa kukukhala komntana. Ndiyohoya yena, uSimba
waphindela emsebenzini wakhe. Iqhubile iveki, lomama ebezoza weza. Ebezocleana endlini aguqulule.

Akasashiyekanga nabantwana ke kuba ndingulo ebengaphindeli esikolweni. Bendinga funi mntu

wokundi ncedisa. Xa ndiziva ndiyoyisakala bekungona ndizofuna uncedo.

Kukhale iphome yam ndabaleka ukuyithatha.

Nomtha: ”Baby.”

Simba: ”Uyakwazi ukuthetha?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe ndiyakwazi, abantwana bakho baziphethe namhlanje.”

Simba: ”Abakhali?”

650
Nomtha: ”Tu and bahleli.”

Simba: ”ULuleka uyeza apho.”

Nomtha: ”Uyeza uzothini?”

Simba: ”Uzoshiyeka nabantwana. Ndiyakukhupha.”

Nomtha: ”Undisaphi?”

Simba: ”Siyotya out. Mna nawe, ngaphandle kwabantwana. Awudikwanga kukupheka?”

Ndincumile.

Nomtha: ”Ndibudikwa. Andiyazi noba ndizonxiba ntoni ke.”

Simba: ”Njani ungayazi ukuba mawunxibe ntoni iwardrobe ingcwele zimpahla? Khangela noba yintoni
ocomfortable kuyo uzilungise. Ayondawo caba le.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Noba ibingeyo ndawo caba bendiyazi ukuba yindawo ebhadlileyo. Ebengaphoxi kwelocala umnumnzana
uSimba. Ebeqalisile ukuphangela ngoku, kodwa ebuya kungeka rhatyeli kakhulu. Besivumelene nomama
ocleanyo ukuba uzoza kanye kwiveki ezimbini, kuba mna bendicoca ngaphambili kwamehlo. Ndihlambe
inwele zam ndazomisa ndazibopha kakhulu. Bendihle kancinci emzimbeni kodwa ikhona ilokhwe
ibindonela eyibodycon. Ndinxibe yona ndakhupha neheel. Bendifuna ukuchophisa. Andisakhumbuli
nokuba ndagqibela nini, uhlobo bendine mincili ngayo bekukancinci ndixhuma-xhume.

Luleka: ”Umdlezana abenje!”

Nomtha: ”Yhe ntombi ndiziphuthumile! Molo boy? Ngenani wethu.”

Luleka: ”Ndishiye ipresent emotweni ke sana khawungene boy ndiyithathe.”

Uphumile wabiya necar seat kunye nestrawler.

Nomtha: ”ULulu ke!”

Luleka: ”Sava sekusithiwa ungumdlezana.

Nomtha: ”Ye ntombi! Ndasuke ndalunywa ngaphambili kwexesha.”

Luleka: ”Ndiyanivuyela wethu, waqonda uzompha inkwenkwe.”

Nomtha: ”Uqunjiswa kukuba naye ingathi uzofana nam.”

Luleka: ”Utshintsha oko kaloku umntana, kungasa ngomso efana noVenus.”

Nomtha: ”Rhaaaaa!”

Luleka: ”Hahahahaha! Ndonqena nokuyomkroba ndimvuse.”

Nomtha: ”Ungake umvuse, ngokufeketha!”

Luleka: ”Uyatefa?”

651
Nomtha: ”Ndinelishwa mna shame. Kwanjani ukubuya kwenu?”

Luleka: ”Kuright wethu olohlotyana.”

Nomtha: ”Mh.”

Luleka: ”Ebendifounele uZama endijonga ukuba ndiright ngayo yonke na.”

Nomtha: ”Nyani?”

Unqwalile.

Luleka: ”Ndimxelele ukuba andizutyhola yena, kuba yena akatshatanga nam. Ebengandityali nto kodwa
ndisazama ukuqhelana nemeko, nangendlela ezinto ezingayo. Ndizama nokuqhelana nobukho
bomntwana. Ndiyaqonda ukuba uSiyanda uzofuna babe nobudlelwane nonyana wakhe so andizuba
ngumqobo mna.”

Nomtha: ”Into ebalulekileyo yonke into ibengomntana! No funny business!”

Luleka: ”Amen! Andincede mna.”

Nomtha: ”Please. Kuhle ukuba uze ngaphambili ngendlela aze ngayo wathetha nawe.”

Luleka: ”Ja ... so idate.”

Nomtha: ”Kukuzamana nalomtshato. Abantwana bayayiphelisa uromance.”

Luleka: ”Liyadingeka nyani ixesha lenu nobabini. Nike nijongane emehlweni kungabikho nyweee!”

Ndiyihlekile. Ndilandwe nguNorman. Oko ndinemincili indlela yonke ingathi aside sifike nakuSimba. Oko
ndincumeza ndodwa.

Side safika, undixelele igama lendawo kuphela uNorman ndazingenela ndodwa. Ndikhokhelwe kwitafile
yakhe wanditsalela nesitulo.

Nomtha: ”Nditsalelwa nezitulo, mnkru.”

Simba: ”Ungade wothuke ingathi andike ndikuvulele izitulo. Yiza ndiphuze, awusemhle.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela baby, nawe umhle.”

Sitye ithree course meal, ndasela ijuice kuba ndingulo uncancisayo. Besizincokolela ngayo yonke into
ngaphandle kwabantwana. Besivumelene ukuba asizukuncokola ngabantwana. Sihleli nasemveni
kwedesert sizincokolela.

Andiyazi besigqibele nini ukonwaba nokuhleka ngendlela besihleka ngayo.

Siphindele esiqhelweni kwiveki ezayo. Mna ndihleli nabantwana nje. Ebemana ethatha ioff days okanye
asebenzele endlini, njenga namhlanje. Oko ebezivalele eofficini yakhe. Ebene discipline kodwa, xa
esebenza esebenza.

Uthe gqi ndamjonga.

Simba: ”Uyahebhuzela.”

652
Nomtha: ”Akafuni ukulala lo.”

Simba: ”Cambalala kancinci ndizophuma nabo.”

Nomtha: ”Uphuma uyaphi nabantwana?”

Simba: ”Siyoshaya nje iround.”

Nomtha: ”Uzokhona nabantwana ababini?”

Simba: ”Ndizoba right.”

Nomtha: ”Thatha lo ufekethayo bhetele, uZendaya umshiye.”

Simba: ”Ndizoba right nabo bobabini. Ndizobona ukuba ndenza njani.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Ungahlali kakhulu, uzofuna ibele uMihla.”

Simba: ”Andizuhlala.”

Ndiyomphuza emlonyeni.

Nomtha: ”Dankie!”

Ndiyongena ekamireni ndalala.

Ndothuke ezinzulwini zobusuku ndisendodwa. Hayibo! Ndisukumile ndayomkhangela elounge dololo

umntu nabantwana. Ndizame ukumfounela ayaphumela ifone yakhe. Indisa straight kuvoicemai.
Ndifounele uNorman wabe engazani naSimba kodwa wathi uzofounela uMonti aqonde kuye ukuba
akakhange ambone na.

Emveni kwehour bekungekabikho mkhondo. Nalo Norman engasaphenduli.

Akhonto imbi bwndingayicingi kangoku. Sendikhala nokukhala. Ibingu half past 11 ebusuku. USimba
uhambe ivatshula nabantwana bam! Ngekungcono ukuba ebeyihambe yedwa hayi nomntana
osancanca. Bendicaphuka ngaphezulu kokuba ndikhathazekile. Tyhini le ndoda!

Ndifounele kuSiyanda, voicemail. Luleka akaphenduli. Besendicinga ukufounela umama xa ndiva

kuduma imoto ngaphandle. Ndiphume ndibaleka wabe esehlika ngaphambili wagqidisa umntana wavala
imoto. Ndifinge intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Hayibo, kutheni wavalela umntana?”

Simba: ”Akakho umntana.”

Nomtha: ”Uthetha ukuthini ukuba akakho?”

Simba: ”Masingene. Ufuna ukuncanca lo.”

Nomtha: ”Simba uphi uZendaya? Ubuyaphi ngelixesha nabantwana?! Uphi umntanam!”

Caba wothukile uMihla yingxolo wam wakhala. Ndimthathile ndayochopha naye esofeni ndimncancisa,
ndijamele lo unguSimba. Ebengandijongi nase busweni.

Nomtha: ”Simba. Uzondixelela ukuba liphi isana lam?”

653
Ukhuphe umoya.

Simba: ”Ubiwe.”

Nomtha: ”Intoni?”

Simba: ”Bebekhala bobabini ngexesha elinye, kwakho umama o offerisha ukundinceda wabamba
uZendaya. Ndithe ndisathi andisamboni noba utshone ngaphi nomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Simba, khawuyeke udlala torho. Ndicela umntwana wam.”

Simba: ”Akakho umntwana. Ndiye emapoliseni, kutsalwe iCCTV uzobonakala lamama kuba besiphalathi
esh-

Nomtha: ”Ndiphathele isana lam.”

Simba: ”Nom-”

Nomtha: ”Awuzuhlala apha endlini ungandi phathelanga umntwana wam. Yiza nomntwana wam.
Ndiyakucela. Ndifuna umntwana wam.”

Usukumile wandijonga. Wosule ubuso wangathi uyasondela ndanikina intloko yam. Angake!

Nomtha: ”Hamba uyothatha umntwana wam kulendawo omshiye kuyo. Ndifuna umntwana wam.”

Uphumile.

654
EIGHTY-THREE
Ibiqale ebomini bam bonke le yokungehlelwa bubuthongo. Kuse phandle oko ndijame ngayizolo wona
amehlo. Umntwana wam ebeleli cum ecaleni kwam ede equthe nomlomo. Ndisukume ndayohlamba,
ndithathe ixesha elide amanzi ade abanda ceke.

Ndide ndanamandla okuphuma kulabhafu, ndanxiba ndaya ekhitshini. Ndothukile ukubona uSimba elele
esofeni elounge. Wothukile naye wakuva ucango lwekamire luvaleka wandijonga wasukuma wachopha
ngempundu. Ndimgqithile ndayobeka amanzi wekofu.

Simba: ”Ndibuya ngoku kusasa. Oko ndise mapoliseni.”

Cwaka. Bendifuna afike kukendawo andixelela khona ukuba ufumene umntwana wam kwaye umfumene
ephila. Andixelele ukuba ulele kwispare bedroom, qh. Yiyo into bendilindele ukuyiva leyo.

Ebenga khangeleki ebhetele kunam. Bekungathi kwayena akabubhaqanga ubuthongo.

Simba: ”Ndicela uthethe nam.”

Nomtha: ”Ufuna ndithethe ndithini? Ndizokwazi ukutsho lonto.”

Simba: ”Nomtha, ndenze impazamo. Bendinga qondanda ukuba lamama uze ngengqondo zokuxhwila
umntwana wethu. Bendamnkela nje uncedo kuba bebekhala bobabini xa ndisithi 'pha, pha!'
Andisamboni ndawo lamama nomntwana. Akukho apho singa mkhangelanga khona kodwa akabethi.
Kungathi uphele emehlweni.”

Nomtha: ”Ndithe kuwe shiya omnye umntwana, ndithe mshiye uZendaya uthathe uMihla wathi hayi.
Ndakubuza ukuba uzokhona na, wathi Nomtha ndizokhona. Ubuya ungamphethanga umntwana wam
undixelela ngomama wakwa Click. Into endingayivayo. Yintoni le undenza yona na Simba?”

Simba: ”Baby, ibe yimpazamo emsulwa, engenzeka nakubani na. Andisoze ndisuke apha endlini
ndiyophisa okanye ndiyolahla umtwana wam ngesibom. Andisoze ndiyenze lonto. Now, ndiyayiqonda
ukuba unomsindo ngoku kodwa ndifuna uqonde neyokuba ndiva kabuhlungu kwamna. Akumnanda-

Nomtha: ”Ndizifunela umntwana wam qha mna. Abuhlanga nobuthongo izolo, oko ndijamile kwasa
phandle. Ndizolala kajani iuZendaya engekho apha endlini. Engekho ebhedini yakhe.

Andiyazi noba uphi, lomama umthathe wamsaphi. Zininzi nje izinto ezibaleka kulengqondo yam.
Andifuni nokucinga izinto azenziwayo. Abantu-

Simba: ”Ndiyakucela, ungandizobeli lomfanekiso. Andifuni noyicinga into enjalo.”

Nomtha: ”Kufuneka siyicinge ke. Kuba ixesha liyahamba alimanga. Asiyazi noba ngalomzuzu yena
uweliswa iboarder. Asisoze siphinde simbone. Utya ntoni? Ukhathalelwe na? Ubelwe ntoni? Ngubani
umntu othatha umntwana ongakaya kubazali bakhe. Ngexesha esimfumana ngalo uzobe engasandazi
kuba mncinci. Uzondilibala ngoku, Simba andiyazi ndizoqhubeka kanjani nobomi umntwana wam
engekho kowabo. Andiyazi. Ngebendibulele bhetele kunale intlungu yokubelwa usana. Wenza ntoni
wena ukumfuna? Ngaphandle kokuxhomekeka kulamapolisa a useless? Wenzani ukufumana umntwana
wam?”

655
Simba: ”Andixhomekekanga kumapolisa. ONorman noMonti abalelanga nabo basebenza ngolwazi
esinalo.”

Nomtha: ”Nimfumane namhlanje.”

Uzosule ubuso ngesandla. Ndimbone entlimpinika andamhoya ndigalela ikofu yam ndahamba ndaya
ekamireni. Ndincancise uMihla akuvuka ebuthongweni. Ungenile utata wakhe wangqala bathroom.

Uphume emveni kwexesha sebhinqe itowl wayokhangela izinto zokunxiba wanxiba.

Simba: ”Umama uyeza namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Uza phi?”

Simba: ”Apha. Ndithe ndokumxelela ngokuduka kuka Zendaya wafuna ukuza kwayizolo, ndimnqandile
ke kuba bekusezinzulwini zobusuku. Ndizomlanda e airport xa efikile. Uthe uzoza noMiracle azokunceda
ngomntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Andisafuni kwamntu ozondinceda ngabantwana bam.”

Unqwalile endikrwaqula.

Simba: ”Ngendiku mamele.”

Nomtha: ”Unyanisile. Ukuba ubundimamele umntwana wam ngelapha ngoku. Ndithe mshiye uhambe
noMihla wala. Ndakubuza ukuba uzobakhona na? Ubuya ungamphethanga uZendaya.”

Kucacile ukuba ibingeyinto ebelindele ukuyiva yonke le kuba bekungathi ndimhlabe entliziyweni,
uzibambe isifuba. Bendiyazi lonto, intliziyo iqaqambe kubengathi ungayibamba ngezandla zakho.

Simba: ”Ndizomkhangela ndimfumane umntana wam.”

Nomtha: ”Masithembe kuba sawube singekho late ngelixesha.”

Simba: ”Ndicela uyeke ukuba negative torho. Umntwana ndizomfumana kwaye ndizomfumana
engum'qaba-qaba. Ndizomfumana ephila. Ungandibulali ithemba.”

Nomtha: ”Kubhetele wena kuba unalo ithemba. Mna ndinento ethi asisoze siphinde simbone uZendaya.
Lomntu omxhwilileyo angaba naphi ngoku. Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana. Somewhere eEastern Cape.
Ixesha liyemnka and yena ufumana elokubaleka nomntwana wam. Okanye sembulele wamfa-

Simba: ”Baby! Ndiyakuc- ndiyakucela. Ndiyakucela. Ndiyakuce-

Ebechophe kwi occasional chair ibingakwi wardrobe ezigqume indlebe waqubuda. Bezichontsiza
inyembezi, ekhala. Ebenga khaleli nanga phakathi. Ekhala ukukhala.

Simba: ”Ndiyakucela. Umntwana wam usaphila, sizomfumana esaphila. Ungayithethi lonto. Ungayithethi
lonto.”

Ndingqengqe ngecala ndincancisa uMihlayonke. Bendimjonge nje ndicinge usana lwam. Naye belumele
ulapha ecaleni kuka mama wakhe. Bendingazi noba uphi, noba wenziwani. Bendingafuni ukucinga yonke
into embi ekunoba uyayenziwa kodwa bendinga kwazi. Ingcinga zam bezi balekela khona.

656
Nomtha: ”Masithandaze.”

Bendinga jonganga kwalo Simba bendibhekisa kuye. Ndisajonge umntwana wam. Ebesethule ngoku
ndingeva sikhalo kodwa ndingamboni. Ndingazi ukuba sesenzani. Kuthe cwaka nasemveni kokuba
ndithethile. Uthe cwaka yena kuba bendimva evula, evala idrawers ze wardrobe.

Ude wavela emehlweni yam ndamjonga. Ebephalala. Bendibuhlungu ngomyeni wam shame kuba
bekungekho lula nakuye, bekunzima kwaye inoba kunzima kakhulu kuba umntwana ethathwe kuye.
Bendityhola yena. Naye inoba ebezisola. Eno akwaba abaliwala.

Ndisukumile ebhedini ndaguqa ngamadolo kwimat. Ndimbone ethobe naye egaqa ngamadolo wolula
izandla zakhe. Simbambene izandla sathoba intloko, ebeme emqaleni. Ndiwuthinte kaliwaka kodwa
kwafana, bendine sigqukru nje kuthi mandisothule isikhalo. Bendingafuni ukukhala, tu. Bendisoyika
ukuba hleze ndiyamhlolela ngoku mkhalela. Oko ndizibambile ngokuva ngokuduka kwakhe.

Nomtha: ”Bawo ongcwele. Bawo onamandla. Mdali wezulu nomhlamba, mnini ntozonke. Ndoda ndini
yabahlolokazi, yise wenkedama ...

Xa sitshonelwe lilanga Bawo wethu, simemeza igama lakho kumnkani ka kumnkani ... uyatsho wena
mnini ntonzoke elizwini lakho ukuba xa sicela into ngegama lakho uyakusenzela, siyacela Thixo.
Siyakucenga ngweletshetshe, apho akhoyo umntwana wethu. Noba undawoni bawo sicela imbuyise
ekhaya. Sicela ungene kwintliziyo nezazela zabantu abamthathileyo bambuyise ekhaya ephila
engonzakalanga. Wamsiza uMeshack, sisize nathi ... sincede Bawo. Sincede. Siyayazi ukuba singaboni
phambili kobuso bakho, kodwa ungakhupheli ingqumbo yakho kumntwana ongenasono. Uthathe mna
bhetele ... siyakucenga, siyazithoba phambili kobuso bakho. Ayikho into esingeno yenza. Suku sohlwaya
ngoluhlobo-

Andikwazanga ukuqhubeka. Inyembezi bezikufuphi. Bendinga funi ukukhala. Bendinga zukukhala.

Ndisukumile ndaphindela ebhedini. Umntana ebeselele. Uqale phantsi ukukhala uSimba. Ndigqumathele
ndithandaza kwakhona.

Ndithuswe sisikhalo sikaMihlayonke ndaxhuma. Umntwana wam. Andikhange ndimtshintshe

nokumtshintha njengoba bendibiwa bubuthongo nje. Ebemanzi toxo. Ndisose ndimlungiselela amanzi
okuhkamba, ndamhlamba ndamtshintsha wancanca.

Kukhale iphone andayihoya. Andijonganga nokuba bendifounelwa ngubani. Ndingena mdla wokuthetha
nomntu. Ndiyopakisha impahla zika Zendaya akulala uMihla. Ndizikhuphe kwichest yakhe zipakishiwe
ndazipamisha kwakhona. Bendifuna ukuva ivumba lakhe.

Kunqonqozwe kanye kwavuleka ucango. Kungene uSimba wema emnyango endijonga.

Nomtha: ”Ngoku?”

Unikine intloko yakhe. Ndichophe ebhedini kuba bendi noloyiko lokuba ndawugangwa ngalamaplangwe
ebephantsi.

Simba: ”Akabonakali kakuhle nakwiCCTV footage. Kodwa uMonti usadlala ngayo abone ukuba
akavelanga na at some point.”

Nomtha: ”Ngumama ebevela phi lo?”

657
Simba: ”Andimazi. Ndimfumene phaya kodwa. Ebenebasket enezinto ethenga. Ndimfumene phakathi.”

Nomtha: ”Xa umfumene ngaphakathi kutsho ukuba ebengakulandeli?”

Simba: ”Ebengeno yazi ukuba ndizongena kulashop. Ndimfumene phaya.”

Ndiphefumle.

Nomtha: ”Andisayazi ke ngoku. Kuba bendifuna ukuthi ngumntu okwaziyo lo uthumele lomama. Umntu
obefuna ukukuvisa kabuhlungu, xa usithi umfumene phaya andisayazi. Andisayazi nyani.”

Simba: ”Akakho ngalomzuzu umntu endinothi ulutshaba lwam ngalondlela ade axhwile umntwana.
Ndinexesha elide futhi ndiphumile estratweni, kungona ndibuyela ngoku. Andikabashukuxi ngalondlela.
Umntu endingathi ulutshaba kum nguMluleki. Ndiqinisekile ukuba ayinguye.

Nomtha: ”Bendinga mcingi nokumcinga uMluleki. Andiqondi angayenza lonto.”

Simba: ”Ukuba ibinguye ngendibonile. Ngumntu wokuqala endimcingile ndaya nqo kwakhe. Usalulama
from I infection.”

Nomtha: ”Kuthunyelwa nabantu kaloku, ebengeno zizela ngoku kwakhe umntu.”

Simba: ”Ayinguye. Ngendiyazi.”

Ndinqwalile. Bendinga kholwa ukuba nguye kwamna. UMluleki akanoyenza lonto, bendikholwa lonto.
Ebengeno yenza lonto. Kodwa ngubani? Ngumntu nje okanye uthunyelwe? Besingenoyazi. Besingeke
siyazi. Ingqondo yam ibiphixene, bendicinga ukuba kunjalo nakuSimba.

Imile phaya engathi ngumntwana olahlekileyo. Ndimkhwebile wasondela kum ndamanga, hayike
ndivulele umthombo kuba uqale phantsi ukukhala owam umyeni. Ebecela amaxolo, ethembisa ukuba
uzomfumana umntanam. Nakanjani uzomfumana.

Sive ngomntu ethintha umqala emnyango.

Nomtha: ”USimba akatsho ukuba sekulandile.”

Bisola: ”Ndihleli phaya elounge, ebethe uzokulanda ke. Akade aphume.”

Simba: ”Sendilibele nalonto mna. Ndisaphuma, ndizobuya ebusuku. Ningandilindeli.”

Bisola: ”Khawuqale utye. Awuzumfumana lomntwana ukuba uzowiswa yindlala phantsi.”

Simba: ”Yho! Nne, akungeni nokokutya.”

Nomtha: ”Mna bendisele ismoothie. Andisigqibanga ndisifake efrijini ngala jug yeblender.”

Akhange athethe, wanqwala nje waphuma. Ndange umama wabe ekhala naye. Yena nonyana wakhe
bebezondi dinisa ngokufeketha kwabo.

Bisola: ”Masambe siyochopha phantsi. Ohhh abantwana bam! Yintoni na le inehleleyo?”

Ndinyuse amagxa. Bendingazi kwamna. Bendingayazi nyani. Bendingasoze ndibe right ngaphandle
komntwana wam. Besingasoze sibe right. Amathuba okufumana ebeya encipha eleke kusihlwa.
Bendinomsindo. Kuko konke esesigqithe kuko, nenzame zokulungisa umtshato wethu sehlelwa yile!

658
UThixo kanti unjani? Yonke lento ebantwini abanye. Bekungathi usichongile, ukuba singaze sibe
nolonwabo olugqibekekileyo.

Siye elounge. Bekukho noMiracle

Nomtha: ”Caba bekumdaka?”

Ebexakeke ekhitshini. Uyihlekile.

Miracle: ”Hayi kakhulu, andikwazi nokuhlala phantsi mna.”

Bisola: ”Kumaxa ndizotsho ukuba uMiracle akavani nokungenzi nto. Ungatsho uncame ukuba
makaphumle.”

Miracle: ”Anifuni icoffee?”

Bisola: ”Bilisa lamagqabi bendize nawe siphunge wona. Unjani mntanam?”

Ndinyuse amagxa. Bendingafuni nokuyiqala eyokuchaza indlela bendingayo. Bendingekho right tu.
Bendinga soze ndibe right ndide ndibone umntwana wam kwakhona.

Siphungile ndaziva ndisindwa ngamehlo ndahamba ndayolala. Ingathi ebeyazi ukuba izokundozelisa
lento yakhe umama. Angandithakathi ngamayeza aseNigeria lomfazi. Ndilale ndiyovuka uMihla sena
twenty. Kona kona ibingase ndilale ubuthongo obude, ndivuke umntwana wam sebuyile. Ekhuselekile.

Ndothuswe sisijwili. Akundithathanga xesha ukuva ukuba nguSimba lowo.

Bisola: ”Sukukhala okungathi ungumntu lo ophelelwe lithemba Simba. Uzofumaneka uZendaya. UThixo
akasoze anilahle ngolohlobo.”

Simba: ”Andisena kwathemba mna ngoku mama. Ndibanga tshutshusa amapolisa akwenzeki nto,
ndibanga tshutshisa oMonti akuveli nto. Ndizothini kuNomtha? Ndoyika nokubuya apha endlini kuba
ubanethemba lokuba ndizongena ndiphethe umntwana and ndiyamphoxa qho. Ndizothini ngoku?”

Bisola: ”Uzoyeka ukukhala Simba uhambe uyophumla. Ngomso uthathise khona. Ewe niyamfuna
umntwana kodwa kufuneka ube semandleni, uphumle. Ungalahli ithemba. Nimthembe uThixo!
Andizange ndanifundisa nto kanti? Akamlahli owakhe. Akasoze nanini na amlahle. Nawe ngelixesha,
akufunekanga ukuba umqalekise kodwa usondele ngakumbi kuye. Ungawathandabuzi amandla akhe.
Ungawa thandabuzi amandla omthandazo. Unike idolo ukutya kwalo. Nakule ngxingongo uzokuhlangula.
Jula konke kuYe.”

Simba: ”Ey mama. Ndifuna ukulala mna ndizokhangela umntwana wam ngomso.”

Bisola: ”Phunga n-

Simba: ”Andifuni magqabi akho. Andifuni kuphunga.”

Kuthe cwaka, akamphendula uBisola. Kuvuleke ucango lwekamire waphinde wavala. Uyingena
ebathroom kwakhala amanzi waphuma exesheni wagoqomisa iwardrobe wazongena ezingubeni.
Ndibambe umphefumlo wam. Bendingafuni nokuthetha. Bendingafuni ayazi ukuba ndihleli. Ndide
ndabiwa bubuthongo ...

659
EIGHTY-FOUR
”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Mangwabe: ”Awuvuke sisi ushaywe umoya ngaphandle.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani ixesha?”

Mangwabe: ”Ngu ten past four.”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Oko bendilele izolo? Hayini ndiyathathwa!”

Mangwabe: ”Awukhulelwanga?”

Ndiyihlekile. Bendingasoze ndimithe kaloku mna kuba ndayigqibela kwinyanga ezimbini ezigqithileyo.
Phofu sasike salala kanye kwezonyanga zimbini kodwa bendingaqondi ukuba ndingaba ndikhulelwe.
Yayiyinto ekhawu- mandithule phofu kodwa bendingeno khulelwa. Ewe, besekugqithe inyanga ezimbini
zonke singeka wufumani umkhondo womntana wam.

Bendikwesa stage apho ndamnkela khona. Ukuba andisoze ndiphinde ndimbone uJellytots wam. Senza
konke besinokwenza ukumfumana. USimba engalali ekhangela ephanda. Bekucacile nje ukuba
uyotshona kulondawo ebemtshonise kuyo lamntu umbileyo.

USimba ebengapheli themba kufana nam yena kodwa ebeyifihla lonto kum kuba ndathi angaphinde
andixelele nix ngoZendaya mna.

Bendifuna ukwamnkela ukuba akakho kube kanye. Hayi into yokumane ndinikwa ithemba kuphinde
kungabikho mkhondo. Ibikhathaza lanto. Bendithi ndixola ndiphinde ndivuseleleke amanxeba.
Ebengancamanga, esenethemba lokuba uyize amfumane.

Nomtha: ”Andisedinwe!”

Mangwabe: ”Ngeke ungakhathali ulala ilanga lonke.”

Ndizamlile ndasukuma.

Mangwabe: ”Yekela ngizoku ndlulela.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingayintoni ngaphandle kwakho.”

Mangwabe: ”Hehe!”

Nomtha: ”Ulele umntana?”

Mangwabe: ”Uhleli nobab'wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Sebuyile?”

Mangwabe: ”Yebo.”

Nomtha: ”Ohh.”

660
Ndingene ebathroom ndahlamba ndanxiba utight omde nesikipa. Impahla zam bezindibamba ke kuba
bendigaine iweight kwezinyanga zimbini. Istress besiyenza lonto emntwini naso mntakabawo.

Ebeze netools zakhe zonke uMangwabe sezococa apha.

Nomtha: ”Ubuye msinya namhlanje.”

Simba: ”Molo nawe. Uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndingcono namhlanje. Uright wena?”

Simba: ”Ndiright.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuyele ntoni msinya?”

Simba: ”Bendinikhumbula.”

Nomtha: ”Ulambile? Andiyazi noba kuphekiwe na apha.”

Simba: ”Ndithe ame uMangwabe. Bendifuna sitye sobabini.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuyazelaphi ukuba ndizovuka kwangoku? Udla ngokufika ndisasanda kulala kaloku wena
emsebenzini.”

Simba: ”Bendifounele uMangwabe wathi awukavuki.”

Nomtha: ”Zezapilisi zala gqirha ezi sezindilalisa kangaka.”

Simba: ”Intloko yona iyancedakala?”

Nomtha: ”Ivakala kancinci yona. Kodwa ndibhetele kakhulu.”

Simba: ”Four eyes wam.”

Ndiyihleke kancinci.

Nomtha: ”Oko ndiyekile ukuhamba okungathi ndihamba emafini kubhetele, ndiyaziqela.”

Simba: ”Ucute kuzo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. Andiyazi yintloko etheni le caba uzode ubeyimfama.”

Simba: ”Sinjalo istress. Uyakhula lomntu, uyambona?”

Nomtha: ”Uzoba yinkwenkwe endala. Ahambe ayokolusa igusha zikatata wakhe ezimbini.”

Simba: ”Hey! Azikho mbini igusha zam. Mxelele kwenkwe, mxelele ukuba igusha zikatata wakho azikho
ntathu. Sisathetha ngegusha, uziva njani ngokuya ekhayeni ngempela veki?”

Nomtha: ”Simba uyayazi andifuni roadtripa nefamily outings ngoku.”

Simba: ”Baby ndiyayiqonda ukuba kunz-

Nomtha: ”Ndihambe ndiyolala?”

Simba: ”Bendinga zukuthetha ngaye, into endiyitshoyo kuba akufunekanga siyeke ukuphila ngenxa-

661
Nomtha: ”Tata kaMalik.”

Simba: ”Simtyhala zonke ezozinto uMihlayonke. Asina photo naye, asizange sake saphumeni silusapho.
Awuziphi xesha nomntwana wakho. Ukhuliswa nguMangwabe, yonke into nguMangwabe. Wagqibela
nini ukumphatha? Udinga uthando luka mama umntwana Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Uphefumlele ngaphandle.

Simba: ”Uthi 'okay'”

Nomtha: ”Andithi ndiyavuma.”

Simba: ”Andilwi nawe mna. I'm just saying singakhala sikhalele uZendaya kodwa masinga mlibali
uMihlayonke ukuba ulapha naye.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi lonto qha akukho lula kum.”

Simba: ”Yintoni engekho lula?”

Nomtha: ”Yonke lento.”

Simba: ”Bhentsa.”

Nomtha: ”Senditsho andifuni ukusondela kakhulu kuye naye a- andifuni. Kubhetele xa ndimbonela kude,
ndinga mthandi kakhulu. Ndinga mkhathaleli kakhulu. Ukuba uyasweleka apha? Njengoba enesifuba
nje, asweleke. Anduzukwazi kwakhona mna Simba.”

Uphinde waphefumlela phezulu.

Simba: ”Sthandwa sam, awuzuzenza lonto. Umntwana awuzukumenza lonto. Fine ke masithi ingxaki
yakhe yesifuba ayincedakali, abhubhe. Masithi uyabhubha, awuzuku zisola ngokuba ungazamanga
ukusondela kuye. Ukuba awuchithanga xesha naye wabonda naye.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyoyika.”

Simba: ”Nam ndiyoyika. Ndiyoyika game yam. Kodwa umntwana wam ufanelwe kokungcono kunoko.
Ndibeka izoyiko zam bucala ndibe ngumzali kulomntana. Kuba yinto ayidingayo leyo, uthando lwethu.”

Nomtha: ”Kunzima.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi baby, ndiyayazi. Kodwa asizukuphila kanje. Asizukukwazi.”

Mangwabe: ”Ngilungise itafula?”

Simba: ”Ungayophumla Mangwabe soyabulela. Swwukwenza yonke into noNomtha.”

Mangwabe: ”Okay ke. Nizongibiza uma ningifuna.”

Simba: ”Okay ma.”

Uhambile wasishiya esiya ekamireni yakhe. Ebezityela xa egqiba ukupheka ke yena engalindi thina kuba
ukuba besisitya besisitya ngobusuku. Phofu ngeloxesha ndothuke ngalo.

662
Simba: ”Khawumbambe.”

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: Kancinci, okanye uzolungisa itafile?”

Nomtha: ”Mzise.”

Ebecinga ukuba andimbonanga encuma kancinci. Undinikile ndamfunqula ndimbeka esifubeni.

Simba: ”Uyazi bendithetha nabani namhlanje endijonga ukuba ndinjani?”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani?”

Simba: ”Qash-qash.”

Nomtha: ”Ngobhuti bakho?”

Simba: ”NguMluleki.”

Nomtha: ”Ebesithini?”

Simba: ”Ufuna ukunceda ukukhangela umntwana. Uthi eberhanela uNokulunga yena ukuva kwakhe.”

Nomtha: ”And?”

Simba: ”Akhonto ayifumeneyo etshoyo, uzixwebele kula Meadowlands uNokulunga.”

Nomtha: ”Kubhetele kwayena uxwebe kamnandi abantwana bakhe bephelele.”

Simba: ”Yizani. Ndilayite amakhandlela okanye asakunukisela kakubi?”

Nomtha: ”Anescent nala?”

Simba: ”Hayi.”

Nomtha: ”Walayite.”

Simba: ”Yizani kaloku.”

Uzobeka idish zokutya waziphakela.

Nomtha: ”Kengoku uzovuma wena? Ukucedwa ngubhuti wakho?”

Unyuse amagxa.

Simba: ”Ndifuna lonke uncedo endinoku lifumana kodwa ndibuthandabuza ngokufaka uMluleki
empilweni yam kwakhona.”

Nomtha: ”Andisa mthembi kwamna. Kodwa uncedo lona siyaludinga.”

Simba: ”Bendiba awusafuni themba.”

Nomtha: ”Bendingatsho ukuba angasa khangelwa kodwa. Qha mna andifuni ukumane ndiva into yokuba
besiyile asamfumana, besikhangele phi phi phi, akafumaneka. Yho!”

663
Simba: ”Andisoze ndimncame mna. Kubakho amaxesha okuba ndiphelelwe ngamandla, ndicinge
ukuncama kodwa andikwazi. Andizukuxola ndide ndimfumane.”

Nomtha: ”Masityeni.”

Uthinte umqala uSimba.

Simba: ”Akukho nto orhalela ukuyenza?”

Nomtha: ”Into enjani?”

Simba: ”Andiyazi, ukuphuma nje apha endlini.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni kuphuma.”

Simba: ”NoLuleka uyakukhumbula.”

Nomtha: ”Banjani noSiyanda?”

Simba: ”uSiyanda ufuna ukuthatha umntwana wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Uyabona ke lento mna ndingafuni mntu abe nomtana wangaphandle. USiyanda akaphangeli?”

Simba: ”Uthetha ukuthini ukuba awufuni mntu unomntwana wangaphandle? Ngaphandle komtshato?”

Nomtha: ”Umfumane nenkazana undishiya apha endlini? Uhambe wena uyikrexeza wakugqiba ufune
umntana wakho ahlale nawe. Mna ndiphi kulonto? Kuba uzophangela undishiye apha kukendlu,
kufuneke ndibe ngunanny mna? Unanny wabantwana bakho. Nindifake ngoku mna kodwa bekumnandi
ninodwa? Unentlonti uSiyanda.”

Simba: ”Akanangxaki nalonto yena umama womntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake Zama. Uthini utat'uMamnkeli?”

Simba: ”Andiqondi uyafuna nokuzingena.”

Nomtha: ”Izobaxabanisa nale uzujonge.”

Simba: ”Bendiyi khumbula lento.”

Nomtha: ”Intoni?”

Simba: ”Ukuhleba nawe. Bendi kukhumbula.”

Nomtha: ”Andizuba ngula Nomtha kaloku.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayoqonda lonto. Ukundithanda nokundihoya kwakho akutsho ukuba silibele ngomtwana.
Ndagqibela nini ukuphuzwa? Ukubanjwa ebusuku? Imfudumalo ayisekho kulkamire.”

Nomtha: ”Simba, andicingi silalo mna ngoku.”

Simba: ”Kulungile ukuba utsho kanjalo. Nokuba awufuni andizukunyanzela. Bendikuxelela nje ukuba
uhlale usazi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokwenza bhetele.”

664
Simba: ”Yilonto qha endiyicelayo mnkam.”

Iqhubile iveki izinto zibhetelana kum noSimba. Bendimlinda abuye emsebenzini sincokole xa ehlamba,
ndimhlalisa. Nomntwana wam ndike ndimhlambe ngokukwam, ndimtyise. Besendiyonqena ke kodwa
into yokuphuma ngendlu, ngakumbi ndihamba nomntwana. Bwndithi sendicinge ukubethwa ngumoya
nomntwana wam ndiphinde ndizinqande. Ingathi angaxuthwa ezandleni zam, athathwe.

Besincokola noMangwabe. Ukuhamba kuka mama noMiracle ekupheleni kwenyana yokuqala belapha
uSimba ubone ukuba afune umntu ozohoya umntwana, acleane apha endlini.

Bendinga yazi nokuba umfumene njani okanye ngabani, ngelaxesha bendiligeza. Ingase ndinga
thethwiswa mntu. Ndinengcwangu.

Ebengumama womZulu olungileyo. Indlela ebemhlonipha ngayo uSimba bekungathi akamncincanga

kuye. Bendinga vani nomntu ongu gqada mbekweni ke mna. Umntu acinge ukuba kuba emdala yena
uzosilawula emzini wethu. Bendingasijaiveli eso sigingci. Ngethamsanqa ke besifumana abantu abaright.
Abantu abayaziyo indawo yabo.

Mangwabe: ”Mama kaMihla, iphone yakho!”

Nomtha: ”Andiva ndikuxelele yile microwave. Ndiyabulela. Hello.”

Simba: ”Hi baby.”

Nomtha: ”Hello.”

Simba: ”Ndizobuya ebusuku namhlanje. Ungandilindeli.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni ezokubuyisa ebusuku?”

Simba: ”Ndinento ebalulekileyo ekufuneka ndiyenze. Bendingafuni undilindele ndingafiki.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni lento ibalulekileyo na Simb? Kuba xa ingu msebenzi udla ngokutsho ukuba
ngumsebenzi. Le yona caba ayinagama.”

Bendiku lumnkele nokudyolelwa ke kuyo yonke lonto yam. Intonayo bendinga kulungelanga ukwenza
izimanga mna, ebeyawundixolela. Inyanga ezimbini ibingeloxesha lide kakhulu andithi? Okanye
ibikixesha elide kakhulu?

Ndimve ephefumlela phezulu ndabuya kungoku kuba besele ndikude ngengcinga.

Simba: ”Andifuni ke ukukuxelela lento.”

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Bese ndimqinisela ilizwi kengoku kuba ibindikruqula le ebeyenza ngoku. Indlela besendiba anxious ngayo
ibingase umntu angayidlali nam emidlalo yengqondo.

Simba: ”Mamela, andikuniki themba lanto kuba kufunyenwe yena yedwa. Umntwana yena alafumaneki
ndawo-

Nomtha: ”Ndimfumene?!”

665
Simba: ”Amapolisa, ewe. UMonti ebelibele kukuzulisa kuba naye ebesembonile apho ahlala khona qha
elindele ukude ambone ephethe umntwana, amapolisa wona amthathe amvalela. Usetrongweni
ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Uthi uphi umntwana?”

Simba: ”Baby, ndithe kuwe akakho umntwana. At this point kungenzeka nokuba akasaph-

Nomtha: ”Ungake!”

Simba: ”Ndisaya emapoliseni ngoku ndiyosabela izinto ezinjalo. Ufuna ndigqithe ngawe?”

Nomtha: ”Hamba ubuye. Ndizoqale ndive ngawe ukuba ithini into.”

Simba: ”Ukuba ebefunyenwe ndim ngetsarhwa ligazi lakhe ngoku, amazinyo ezinyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Mhlawumbi kubhetele ubanjwe ngamapolisa. Asinozifumana impendulo xa umbulala.”

Simba: ”UThixo andincede Nomtha. Ungafounelwa kuthiwa ndibanjiwe kwamna.”

Nomtha: ”Uhamba nabani?”

Simba: ”Ndikhatshwe nguMonti.”

Nomtha: ”Kubhetele, ndizova ngawe ke. Ndizobiza umama uMangwabe sithandaze.”

Simba: ”Please. Ndizobuya.”

Nomtha: ”Ok.”

Ndibaleke ndayobiza uMangwabe ekamireni yakhe. Ebesethandaza kakade elungiselela ukulala.

Ndimxelele ngokufunyanwa kwalamama, ndimxelela ukuba umntwana yena akakho. Utsho kuqala ke
ukuba sithandaze. Sicule ezingoma zakhe zasententeni. Ibingathi singababantu bakwifilm zamaNigeria
singasathandazi. Besigcwele indlu yonke sithandaza.

Sithandaze into engange hour okanye ngaphaya, saphunga saba semlindweni. Limnkile ixesha engabuyi
uSimba. Ndamcama ndathi kuMangwabe ayolala ndizomlinda ndodwa. Ebehebhuzela bubuthongo
shame umntu omdala qha engafuni kundishiya. Undibuza kaliwaka ukuba ndiqinisekile na wancama
wahamba kuba bendimgxotha isiXhosa ngoku.

Simba: ”Baby.”

Ndothuswe nguSimba esofeni ndasukuma ndimanga. Andiyazi, okanye yonimba okanye yintoni kodwa
umzimba wam ingathi ubusazi ukuba akafumanekanga. Ukukhala kukaSimba bekundiphelisa
ngalentwana yethemba bendinalo.

Ndimngcedisile nam sakhala sobabini.

Nomtha: ”Masimncame.”

Simba: ”Njani? Asikwazi Nomtha asikwazi.”

Nomtha: ”Le yona yokumana siba nethemba lokuba sawumfumana ayisoze ilunge Simba. Iyandibulala
mna yonke lento.”

666
Simba: ”Kodwa andikwazi ukuncama Nomtha. Andikwazi.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni nam.”

Simba: ”Akamazi nalamntu amnike umntwana lamama. Akamazi umntu amnike umntwana wamu!
Wamnkele nje iten thousand ukuba usana for 'usisi wase Sandton amazi ngomlungu wakhe
ongasekhoyo.'

Akazi gama lakhe. Akazi ukuba uhlala phi. Inumber babethetha ngayo iregistered ngumntu ongazi
kwanto ngaye. Ayisaphumeli. Ten thousand qha. A measly, lousy ten thousand! Eseyiphelile ngoku!”

Nomtha: ”Ndisayolala.”

Simba: ”Ndiyaphuma mna.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuzolala.”

Simba: ”Ndifuna ukubethwa ngumoya.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakudinga njena.”

Undijonge ixesha elide engaphenduli. Ebesesukumile ebambe isitsixo semoto. Usigibisele etafileni
saqengqeleka siyowa phantsi wakhulula amaqhosha ehempe ...

667
EIGHTY-FIVE
Simba: ”Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Mh!”

Ebendothusa ebuthongweni ndisaleli kamnandi ke lomntu. Bendinga yazi nento ebendibusela yona.
Ebeqhele ukuzibukela ndibone ngaye sengasa bethu. Hayi le yokuvuswa ngentseni.

Simba: ”Nomtha Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Khawu vuke.”

Tyhini bethuna! Ndizolule, ndizamla ndaphethuka ndingqengqa ngomqolo ndimjonga. Ebesehlambile

efresh enxibe kakuhle. Ebeqhobosha iwatshi yakhe esihlahleni.

Simba: ”Ndizotya ntoni?”

Ndimfingele intshiya.

Simba: ”Bendicela uvuke undenzela ukutya. Andiyazi wasuke wavuka uthatha kade namhlanje kwenzeka
ntoni.”

Nomtha: ”UMangwabe akayenzanga ibreakfast?”

Simba: ”Ndithe alale uMangwabe, unkosikazi wam uzondenzela ibreakfast namhlanje. Amaqanda am
abe sunny side up please.”

Nomtha: ”Huh?”

Simba: ”Nomtha andithethi nasilima apha, andizuphinda into enye kaliwaka. Ndingxamele ukuya
emsebenzini futhi. Ndicela le breakfast.”

Uyophuma ngomnyango. Bendisuke andayazi mntaka bawo. Ndizivengile ndasukuma ndayohlamba

ubuso namazinyo ndaya ekhitshini ndiyoqalisa ukupheka le breakfast ibifunwa yilendoda.

Simba: ”Ufake nebacons nebangers, nemushrooms. Ndifuna into egreasy. Ndiyayidinga phofu.

Simba: ”Ndigqibe ekusebenziseni no Mluleki.”

Ebendizele ngomva kulandawo ebehleli kuyo kodwa bendimfingele intshiya okungathi uyandibona.

Simba: ”Hayi ukusebenzisana phofu. Ndamnkele uncedo lwakhe. Kukhangeleka okungathi oMonti
bayoyisakala kwaye selilide nethuba ngoku. Two months yonke? Kuzode kuphele nonyaka.”

Nomtha: ”Sewumthemba ngoku?”

Simba: ”Ingena phi into yokuthemba?”

Nomtha: ”Njani ukuba ingena phi into yokuthemba? Uzoncedwa kanjani ngumntu ongamthembiyo.
Uboya bam mna abulali tu.”

668
Simba: ”Akathathwanga nguMluleki umntwana. Ndiqinisekile ngalonto. Into kukuba sesiphi ngoku,
ubudlelwane bethu bu- ... bungalendlela buyiyo kodwa sawube siyibekela bucala leyo into kuba
ayibalulekanga ukogqitha ukufumana umntwana wam. Period.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Ja.”

Kubethe ibell wasukuma uSimba esiya emnyango.

Nomtha: ”Ngubani lowo?”

Cwaka. Uyovula ucango wama emnyango engamvuleli lomntu angene ngaphakathi endlini.

Simba: ”Ufuna ntoni kwam?”

”Ndizokubona.”

Simba: ”Undibonile kengoku futsekha!”

Bukhosi: ”Hayibo bhuti!”

Simba: ”Ufuna ntoni kwam?”

Bukhosi: ”Bhuti, ndizonibona noNomtha. Ndikugqibele kudala. Kudala ndafuna ukuza apha, uyayazi
lonto. Kodwa ungulo ebengafuni ndize.”

Simba: ”Umsaphi umtwana lo yena?”

Bukhosi: ”Andina baby sitter.”

Simba: ”Awuzukushiya umntana wakho apha.”

Bukhosi: ”Andingeni namhlanje ndizohlala naye.”

Simba: ”Isikolo sinabani?”

Bukhosi: ”Andiyazi lanto ikwesa sikolo. Kodwa bazophindela ngomsomnye esikolweni. Lamama
ebendishiyekela naye mna naye sibe ne ... kuthwani? Complications.”

Simba: ”Awungqengqanga naye?”

Bukhosi: ”Mhlawumbi ndangqengqa naye wacinga okokuba mhlawumbi sengumama wekhaya.

Wanengxaki xa ndiza nabanye abantu. Kunyanzeleke ukuba ndimkhulule.”

Simba: ”Impahla?”

Bukhosi: ”Eish kanene! Ndimkhulule emsebenzini wakhe. Ndizofuna omnye umntu obukhula.”

Simba: ”Uzawusiwa eCCMA wena, nantso into ezokwenzeka.”

Bukhosi: ”Besicela ukungena.”

Simba: ”Ngenani, Sonwabise.”

669
Sonwabise: ”Molweni Tamkhulu.”

Simba: ”Uxelele utata wakho ukuba akuyiwa kweminye imizi ekuseni. Uzobabala ke Nomtha kulo
breakfast.”

Ndinqwalile. Ayikho nalento ebeyithetha yokuba ndizobabala kuba bendilungiselele yena yedwa.
Bekuzofuneka ndiqalele phantsi kaloku ngoku ukupheka.

Bukhosi: ”Molweni Linokhanyo.”

Nomtha: ”Ewe bhuti, kunjani?”

Bukhosi: ”Kuhle akhonto. Uphile njani wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphila nam.”

Bukhosi: ”Seva ngoZendaya, qha ubhuti ebengafuni nto idibanisa nathi xa sicela ukunixhasa.”

Simba: ”Awuyibuzwanaga mntu ke leyo. Khawuzo hlala phantsi Bukhosi kuzophakwa, akukho sidingo
sokuba ube ulenga lenga ekhitshini.”

Uyihleke kancinci uBukhosi wanikina intloko yakhe.

Bukhosi: ”Uyazi. Ingathi ungomnye umntu endimaziyo.”

Simba: ”Ungakulinge undifanise nalomntu mna!”

Bukhosi: ”Kuhle kuba andikhange ndibize gama mna. Qha uyazibona wena ukuba uya ufana naye
njengoba iminyaka iya ihamba. Nangeqwakazana le. Ufile wavuka kuwe.”

Simba: ”Ndikugxothe ke mna kwam.”

Undijongile enikina intloko wahamba wayohlala esofeni.

Bukhosi: ”Ndifuna ukuncedisa.”

Simba: ”Ndiyabulela kodwa andizuku lindinga uncedo lwakho.”

Bukhosi: ”Udinga wonke amancedo ongawafumana ngoku bhuti.”

Simba: ”Kutsho bani? Bukhosi hoyana nengxaki zakho zokungakwazi ukuvala izip uphume kule kuba
ayifuni mntu ubhatyazayo. Umntwana udinga istability. Uhoyane nomsebenzi wakho lo owawufundela
uhlukane nezinto ezikude kuwe. Uyeke ukungqengqa nabasebenzi bakho kuba uzomangalelwa, andiyazi
yeyiphi leLaw uyifundiswe kula fly by night yesikolo wena.”

Bukhosi: ”Andifundanga kwifly by night.”

Simba: ”Yintoni kanye le benizoyenza apha?”

Bukhosi: ”Oko ndandi ngamnkelekanga kwakudala apha, nanamhlanje andikamnkeleki.”

Simba: ”Andiyazi nifuna ntoni empilweni yam nabanta kwenu.”

Bukhosi: ”Uligazi lethu ekugqibeleni. UZendaya ngumntwana wethu, senza into ekufanele ukuba
siyayenza. Ukuba besingalwiswa nje.”

670
Simba: ”Niyayazi ukuba kutheni ndizigutyule kuni. Kuba ndabona ukuba andinonithemba. Nanisazi
ndibhubhule kodwa zange kuze nomnye wenu azojonga umnkam ukuba unjani! Nomnye.
Nesasinambuzane sineblukhwe ezinkulu singuMkhuseli. Ngoku nizofuna ukunceda?”

Bukhosi: ”Andizuzama nokuzithethelela mna ngaphandle kokuba ndixolise, kuwe nakuLinokhanyo.”

Simba: ”Uyayiqonda kengoku ukuba kutheni ndinibhekelisa? Kuba nibona mna nina, ukuba ndingawa
andinothembela kuni ukuba abantwana bam nonkosikazi wam bazohoywa nini.”

Bukhosi: ”Ndiconga xa uphazamile waze wabubona nawe ubugwenxa bakho, uye ulungise apho
unebatha khona. Mna ndodwa ndifundile, ndazi ngcono.”

Simba: ”Uright wazi ngcono kodwa andidingi ncedo lwakho. Zincede wena.”

Bukhosi: ”Unempoxo khona.”

Nomtha: ”Umntana uyakhala.”

Nditsho ndisosula izandla zam.

Simba: ”Ubusewugqibile ukupheka?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Phaka Bukhosi. Inoba ulambile nomntwana. Awulambanga Sonwabise?”

Sonwabise: ”Ndilambile.”

Simba: ”Nimnke ningatyanga na nina kwenu?”

Bukhosi: ”Indoda ethethela ukutya!”

Simba: ”Andithetheli kutya uyayazi nawe lonto. Kodwa ukuphuma nomntwana endlini ningaqalisanga
ukutya! Makaye kumama lomntwana. Andibuthembi ubuzali bakho.”

Bukhosi: ”Ndizozikhulisela ngoku kwam umntwana wam, enkosi kakhulu. Ndizofuna omnye umntu sibe
grand. Ulambe kangakanani?”

Simba: ”Khawuphake ukutya oku Bukhosi. Uzondimetela ukutya okuthengwe ngamali yam ngoku?
Tyhini!”

Ndincancise umntwana wam ndambekela amanzi okuhlamba kuba inappy ibigcwele iphuphumala.

Bamnke ukumnka kuka Simba ooBukhosi. Bendishiyeke ndodwa nomntwana wam, umam'Mangwabe
ebene appointment eclinic ezobuyela kwakhe ayobakroba kuba bekukufuphi neclinic akuyo, aze abuye
kengoku late.

Bendingasa yiqhelanga nale yokuba ndodwa imini yonke kulandlu. Ibiziziyalo nje. Ndiconge ngendlela
bekuse etshontshe ngayo uSimba. Bendilindele ukuba avuke esanxunguphele kodwa wavuka enguSimba
emdamgqibela kudala. Ndiphazanyiswe yiphone yam ndisacinga ezozinto. Nokutya, oko benditye
ekuseni nakhona ibiyintwanana nje yokutya okushiywe nguBukhosi kula breakfast bendiyenzile for
uSimba.

671
Nomtha: ”Hello.”

Simba: ”Hi baby. Nenzani?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizama ukulalisa unyana wakho.”

Simba: ”Umntwana wam uhleli nje uyalaliswa nguwe, ungamyeki ake adlale nje?”

Nomtha: ”Uyakhala kaloku uyozela.”

Simba: ”Ubuya nini uMangwabe?”

Nomtha: ”Uzobuya late, ebethe uzoyobakroba endlini.”

Simba: ”Upheke ke isophoro. UMluleki uyenza noUlatho.”

Nomtha: ”U-Ulatho ufuna ntoni yena apha?”

Simba: ”Uhamba nomyeni wakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Abantwana ubashiya nabani? Andimfuni la Ulatho.”

Simba: ”Ndithini? Ndithi kuMluleki amshiye unkosikazi wakhe? Sinentlanganiso mna naye, abazukuhlala
for isupper. Sawuqhuba intlanganiso bamnke.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizothini? Ndizonyamezela.”

Simba: ”Nyamezela.”

Nomtha: ”Kuhamba kanjani ngalamama ube umntwana?”

Simba: ”Usame ngestory sakhe nangoku. UMonti uyamphanda. Use Diepsloot njengoba sithetha uncina
abantu ngaye, ngethemba kuzobakho into ebelayo. Bendijonge nestatement sakhe sebank, ikhona
lemali iyiten thousand ndifuna sijonge ukuba isuka phi. Sizode simfumane umntu wethu noba kanjani.
Ndinethemba ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Sewuphinde wanalo ngoku?”

Simba: ”Ukuba andina themba ndinantoni? Lomama uzoyothetha yena inyaniso. Ukuba ukhutshwe
ngebail ndizomfumana. Nokuba akakhutshwanga kodwa ndine insinde men kulatrongo. Bangakwazi
ukundinyengeza ndingene ndithethe naye. Ndiziva okungathi lentsomi yomntu waseSandton blah blah
yilonto kanye. Sis'story abavumelene ngaso nalomntu amthengisele umntwana. Kodwa ke ndikuxelele
princess, emvezile engamvezanga ... lanoqhakancu uzozisola ukuba wayesenzani. Uzobona usathane
emhlabeni.”

Nomtha: ”Ndimfuna oku kwam!”

Simba: ”Kufuneka ndibuyele emsebenzini andiyazi zenzani ezizibhanxa. Eish! Scar! Hayibo! Hayibo!
Hayibo!”

Ndibeke iphone yam ndaqhubeka ndizama ukulalisa umntwana wade walala. Ndiyomlalisa ndaqalisa
ukupheka. Bendigqibele nini kanene ukupheka? Besekulithuba ndingapheki, siphekelwa nguMangwabe.

672
Bekusikoni kukhala umoya endlini, ingekho into ibifuna ukwenziwa. Ndilayite itivi, bekusuke kwathula
kakhulu ingathi ndizophambana. Ndicinge uLulu. Kudala wayesithi uSimba ndimfounele kuba
ebendibuza kuye ukuba ndinjani. Bendimgqibele kudala nomyeni wakhe.

Ikhale ixesha elide ingade ibanjwe. Bendicinga ukuyibeka ingeka ngeni kuvoicemail yacholwa.

”Lulu's phone hello?”

Beluthetha ilizwi lomntu ongusisi endingalaziyo. Ndicinge ukuba inoba ngumntu ohoya umntwana wabo.
Kaloku oko babemthathile umntwana. Bendingayazi nento bebem adoptela yona lamntwana. Xa
ndihleba. ULulu ebenga connecti tu naye. Ukugqibela kwam ukumbona naye ibingekho lanto yokuba
ngumntwana wam. Ebehoywa nguSiyanda naye ekhetha yena.

Ebengenabo ubububele for yena. Okanye ndim? Ibingathi wafuna ukuadopter ukuvala isikhala
sokungabi namntwana.

Nomtha: ”Hi, ndingathetha noLulu?”

”Usaphumile uLulu. Ndingathatha umyalezo?”

Nomtha: ”Ndicela umxelele ukuba bendifounile qha. Uzobona yena ukuba ndingubani andazi.”

Kutsho isikhalwana somntwana kudana. Ndifinge intshiya. Huh?

Luleka: ”Uthetha nabani?”

”Oh ngumntu onguNomtha Matanzima.”

Luleka: ”Sapha lophone! Hello?”

Ebethetha ehamba. Caba uyaphuma kulandawo. Ibinomoya ke le ebekuyo ngoku.

Nomtha: ”Hi unjani sisi?”

Luleka: ”Nomtha. Uyaphila?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyazama. Weva ukuba uZendaya ubiwe?”

Luleka: ”Wandixelela uSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Siyazama ukumfumana kodwa, kufunyenwe lomama wayemthathile.”

Kuthe cwaka.

Nomtha: ”Luleka?”

Luleka: ”Ufunyenwe? Phi?”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi. Kodwa uyancinwa ngamapolisa.”

Luleka: ”Uthini? Uthi umsephi?”

Nomtha: ”Uthunywe ngumntu ambe wamthengisela yena. Andiyazi wethu mna Lulu, nguSimba umntu
osebenzisana kakhulu namapolisa. Kodwa kungcono xa emfumene uzotsho ubekho umkhondo
womntwana. Uyamazi uSimba, uzoyifumana inyani.”

673
Luleka: ”Yho! Xa engekho kuye lomama ningayiyeki nje?”

Lumnka: ”Hayibo njani?!”

Andiqondi ukuba ebeziva kakuhle. Ushwantshwathe into endingayivayo, bekukho nomoya kulendawo
akuyo amazwi akhe engavakali. Kutsho isikhalo kwexhiwu entliziyweni. Inoba ibikukuphambana kwam
lento bendisiva isikhalo somntwana wam. Andiyazi. Uyibekile iphone yabe seyikuvoicemail xa ndiphinde
ndiyizama.

Bendine mesaage engene ngelixesha ndithetha noLumnka, iyinumber endingayaziyo.

'Mna owam uThixo uyandilwela kwezam intshaba, uthi thula. Njengoba abantwana bam bengena tata
ngenxa yakho nje namhlanje wena awuzuba nabantwana. Nalo unaye akangowakho. UThixo uxova
ebhaka. Ezam inyembezi aziweli phantsi.'

Ndiyithumele kuSimba same time. Bendingayazi nokuba ngubani kodwa inuka uNokulunga yonke
lantetho. Ukhawuleze wabuyela kum ngoko nangoko. Andifuni nokuxoka bendishukuxekile. Bendithe
phatsha! Okokuqala ndivana nezikhalo zikaZendaya, okwesibini kungena le message. Bendiphambana
na? Okanye bekungona ndiqalwa yimpambano.

Simba: ”Ndinike inumer yalomntu.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizoyithumela ngoku.”

Simba: ”Ngalomzuzu.”

Ndikhawuleze ndayibeka ndamthumela lanumber. Ndizame uLuleka kwakhona yangena nqo

kuvoicemail.

Ndizame uSiyanda. Ukhawulezile ukuyichola yena.

Siyanda: ”Hi Nomtha, ikhona ingxaki?”

Ebefanele ukubuza lombuzo. Bendingafane ndimfounele mna.

Nomtha: ”Bendicela ukuthetha noLulu, bhut'Siyanda.”

Siyanda: ”Ubumzamile kwiphone yakhe?”

Nomtha: ”Bendithetha naye ngoku, ndicinga ukuba icimile iphone yakhe kuba iqhawuke sisathetha
ngoku seyindiphosa straight kuvoice mail.”

Siyanda: ”Yibattery ke.”

Nomtha: ”Akakho umntu okufuphi kuye endingathetha naye mhlawumbi. Ndimdinga nyani.”

Siyanda: ”Nomtha, andimazi noba uphi ke mna ngalomzuzu. Kuthwa oko ephume kusasa. Ndivuke
ndahamba kemna njengoba ndibuya ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Losisi umncedisa ngomntwana yena uphi?”

Siyanda: ”Ulele uMagcwanini, akanguye nosisi ke ngumama omdala.”

Nomtha: ”Unomntwana omncinci?”

674
Siyanda: ”Nomtha, kwenzeka ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Akhonto bhuti, akhonto. Ndizocela uSimba andizise apho ukubuya kwakhe emsebenzini.
Ndimgqibele kudala ndiyamkhumbula.”

Siyanda: ”Okay ke sisi. Uright wena?”

Nomtha: ”Siyacenga.”

Siyanda: ”Ayikho eyogqitha lonto sisi. Zamani, cengani. UThixo engumncedi uzosinceda.”

Nomtha: ”Nimthanda gqithi uThixo kodwa nizizigebenga.”

Siyanda: ”Hehe! Uyithatha phi kengoku lonto? Thina izigebengu? Hayibo Nomtha.”

Ndiyihlekile ndabeka iphone yam phantsi. Ibingubani lamntu ebebambe iphone kaLulu ukuba umntu
omnceda ngomntwana ebelele endlini. Ingaba uyatshaya uLulu? Nendlela ebethetha ngayo ibingathi
ngumntu omnkekwe zingqondo kukunqaqatheka.

Ufike ehamba yedwa uSimba. Ebengekabuyi uMangwabe. Bendilindele afikisane noMluleki kunye
noUlatho. Undijonge nje ebusweni wandifingela intshiya.

Simba: ”Yintoni?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaphambana. Ndicinga ukuba ndiqalwa yinpambano.”

Simba: ”Yila message? Iregistwe ngoNokulunga lanumber.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba ukuye umntwana?”

Simba: ”Andisayazi. Kodwa uMalik uthe uzondinceda. Uzoya eMeadowlands azame ukujonga
intshukumo yakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Abavani nje.”

Simba: ”Wenzela uZendaya.”

Nomtha: ”Andiyazi noba ndiqalwa yimbambano na kodwa bendifounele uLulu. Ibanjwe ngumntu
ongusisi, kwakhala umntwana kwi bsckground. Ingathi nguZendaya.”

Undiqwalasele ebusweni wafinga intshiya.

Nomtha: ”NoLulu ebestrange ukuthetha nam efounini. Ethetha into engavalakiyo ingathi uyapanikha,
uyandigqagqanisela, ustrange nje.”

Simba: ”Baby, yonke lento istressful kuthi sonke. Nam ngamanye amaxesha ndiva isihleko sakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Xa sigqiba apha ngobhuti Mluleki, siya kwaSiyanda. Besendi thethile naye usilindele.”

Simba: ”Nomtha ziyeke ezongcinga zisaqala mntuwam. Ziyeke. Ndiyakubona ucinga ntoni kodwa aso-

Nomtha: ”Yenzela mna. Ndam ndenzela wena apha, ndizonyamezela uUlatho. Ndiyakucela.”

Uphinde wandiqwalasela ithuba elide wanqwala.

675
Simba: ”Ndisayo thatha ishower ekhawuleziyo. OoMluleki basendleleni. Sizohamba.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”Andiphuzwa?”

Ndimphuzile wahamba eyongena ekamireni ....

676
EIGHTY-SIX
Simba: ”Khawuyeke ukube unestress. Bendithe sizoya kwaSiyanda.”

Nomtha: ”Andina stress.”

Simba: ”Ok.”

Ndiyeke ukutya amazipho am. Bendine stress nyani. Ibingaphaya kwestress into ibindiphethe
ngalamzuzu kodwa bendingalazi igama layo ukuba ibiyimtoni. Intliziyo yam ibibethela ukuma. Ndibile
izandla, ndimana ndizosula kulento bendiyinxibile.

Simba: ”Yeka ukutya amazipho.”

Bendinga qaphelanga nokuba sendiphinde ndawatya kwakhona.

Nomtha: ”Abakazukufika obhuti?”

Simba: ”Ndixelele lento ikutya kangaka?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyasazi mna isikhalo somntwana wam. Noba ndiphi na andisoze ndingasiva.”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Ngumntwana wam lo ndimve ekhala.”

Uphefumlele ngaphandle. Andiyazi noba bendimkruqule okanye ebedikekile kodwa bendingena

msebenzi wakhe mna. Ndive into endiyiveleyo. Bendifuna ukukholwa ukuba uLuleka undibele
umntwana? Hayi. Ibisenza isense into yokuba abe umntwana? Hayi. Kodwa bendive into bendiyivile
mna. Bendive isikhalo somntwana wam. Ukuba bendiphazamile bekuright, kodwa bendifuna
ukuyomjonga emehlweni namhlanje uLuleka.

Simba: ”Baby, ayingo Luleka othathe umntwana-”

Nomtha: ”Kakade ayonguye. Andithi umntwana wathathwa ngula mama ubanjiweyo ngoku? Kodwa
wathunyelwa ngumntu lamama wahlawulwa iten thousand ukuba anikise ngaye. Angangubani na
lommntu. AnganguNokulunga, anganguLuleka-

Simba: ”uNokulunga ewe. ULuleka? Hayibo Nomtha! Uyimamele kakuhle lento uyithethayo? Uyaziva
phofu. Ngenxa yesikhalo ucinga ukuba umntwana uthathwe nguLulu.”

Nomtha: ”Into endiyotshoyo kukuba ndiyamazi umntwana wam mna. Wazalwa ndim lamntwana.
Ndiyamazi. Xa ndisiva isikhalo sakhe ndizosazi. Ukuba ndisiva kuLulu ndisiva kuLulu.”

Simba: ”Sesiphi isizathu esinobangela ukuba uLuleka athathe umntwana wethu?”

Nomtha: ”Andizukuzazi kaloku mna tata kaMalik izizathu zikaLulu. Andisoze ndizazi mna. Kodwa ndiyivile
into endiyibileyo. Nalomntu ebephendula iphone yakhe akanguye lo omgadela umntwana wabo.
Kuthwa umnke kusasa kwakhe.”

Simba: ”Hayi! Hayi! Ndiyamazi mna uLuleka. Ndimazi iminyaka futhi kwaye ndiyayazi ukuba akasoze
ayenze lento.”

677
Nomtha: ”Okay Simba. Ungaphoxeki ke.”

Simba: ”Hayibo! Hayi!”

Nomtha: ”Khawuhoye ucango olu, inoba ngobhuti.”

Usukumile wayovula. IbinguMangwabe.

Mangwabe: ”Sanibonani!”

Simba: ”Ewe Mangwabe.”

Mangwabe: ”Iphi ingane yami?”

Nomtha: ”Nankuya.”

Mangwabe: ”Ulala nini mfana?!”

Nomtha: ”Uzohlupha ke namhlanje. Oko elele imini le yonke yanamhlanje.”

Mangwabe: ”Segezile?”

Nomtha: ”Ebehlambe ekuseni qha. Akakahlambi.”

Mangwabe: ”Othi ngimgeze! Ngiyaxolisa ngokubuya late, ndidlile?”

Simba: ”Sityile Mangwabe and ma, ukusukela namhlanje bendicela ungasazichathi imbiza. Umsebenzi
wakho wena ngumntwana kunye nokucoca indlu qha, ukupheka kuzokwenziwa nguNkosikazi wam.”

Mangwabe: ”Ohhh ... ikhona into engiyenzile ongayithandanga?”

Simba: ”Tu mama. Ubupheka kuba umama kaZendaya ebengekho right, ngapha koko ndikholwa
kukuphekelwa ngunkosikazi wam. Ayinanto enokwenza nawe. Ungazenzela wena ibreakfast, wena
wedwa kuba ke uyavuka wena. Lomntu kufuneka ndide ndimtsale ngemilenze ukuze avuke. Isoporo
uNomtha uzokuphakela xa ephekile. Uzotya lonto siyityayo nathi xa singaphekanga.”

Mangwabe: ”Ohhh ...bendithi kungento ongayothandanga. Okay ke mfana wami, ngiyezwa. Awuthi
ngigeze lomuntu.”

Simba: ”Uhambe kakuhle kugqirha?”

Mangwabe: ”Yebo ngihambe kahle. Ngiyabonga mfana.”

Simba: ”Okay ke.”

Nomtha: ”Ubanikile obhuti ipin?”

Simba: ”Yebo.”

Nomtha: ”Bekunjani emsebenzini?”

Undifingele intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Kutheni uzondifingela intshiya?”

678
Simba: ”Kutheni ubuza?”

Nomtha: ”Just. Ndizama ukukuncokolisa tyhini!”

Simba: ”Why?”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Yehake!”

Simba: ”Undifuna ekhukhweni?”

Nomtha: ”Ngokubuza ukuba bekunjani emsebenzini?”

Simba: ”Undincwasile qha wena.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake mhlola! Izinto zihamba kakuhle?”

Simba: ”Siyacenga. Azombanga zona kodwa andikho apho ndifuna ukubakhona.

Nomtha: ”Bezingasoze zidubule kwangoko kaloku. Kakade zizothatha ixeshana ngaphambili kokuba
zibuyele kundalashe.”

Simba: ”Andinawo kemna umonde walochuu ngcembe. Ndifuna zenzeke kwaye ndifuna zenzeke ngoku,
sukutya amazipho.”

Nomtha: ”Awundigade!”

Simba: ”Andikugadanga ngaphandle kokuba undithukuthezela.”

Nomtha: ”Undimalela ntoni kengoku?”

Simba: ”Ndiyahluza. Ndizama ukucinga lento undixelele yona. Kunzima ukuyamnkela.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayiqonda lonto. Kodwa zininzi izizathu ezinokwenza abe umntwana.”

Simba: ”Kuba engena mntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

Simba: ”Hayi Nomtha. Undixelela ukuba uSiyanda angahlala nomntwana wam angandixeleli? Akasoze
uSiyanda. ”

Nomtha: ”Andiqondi ukuba ikhona into ayaziyo.”

Simba: ”Aze abephi umntwana?”

Nomtha: ”Umfihlile and ugadwa ngulasisi ebebambe iphone.”

Simba: ”Ude uqinisekile. Kube ke kumnceda entweni ukuba abe umntwana wethu, akugqiba ayomfihla
apho kungazi khona mntu? Imnceda entweni lonto? Yenza isense njani?

Ndiyayiqonda ngumntu okhulelweyo walahlekelwa ngumntwana ambe kengoku esibhedlele agoduke

naye emenza owakhe. Okanye atshintshe owakhe athathe owomntu kuba efuna esosini, kodwa
uzemdala lo wam?”

679
Nomtha: ”Andiyazi nam Simba. Andiyazi into ekulangqondo.”

Simba: ”Kodwa uqinisekile ukuba uphaya?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuqiniseka.”

Simba: ”Okay.”

Bade bafika obhuti nonkosikazi wakhe uUlatho. Bangeniswe nguSimba baxhawulana nje nobhuti wakhe
okungathi ngabantu nje, abazalwa ngumama omnye.

Mluleki: ”Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Molweni bhuti.”

Mluleki: ”Ndayeka ukuba ngutata ngoku?”

Ndiyihlekile. Ukhulule isandla sam sakugqiba ukuxhawulana ndaxhawula unkosikazi wakhe uUlatho.
Bendithe nqa engathanga qhutsu isisu..

Ulatho: ”Awusemkhulu Linokhanyo!”

Simba: ”Uyaphila uUlatho? Masihlaleni phantsi.”

Siyichopha phantsi, bendichophe ecaleni komyeni wam.

Ulatho: ”Ndiyaphila akhonto. Sonwabe nje kamnandi, unjani ke wena?”

Simba: ”Kuhle nakuthi. Unjani wena bhuti?”

Mluleki: ”Siyaphila Diba, akhonto. Sonwabile. Zezindaba nje zimbi zalomntwana.”

Simba: ”Ey kunjalo.”

Mluleki: ”Intlungu yokulahlekelwa ngumntwana ...ncncncnc andifuni nokuyicinga. Ninjani kodwa nina?”

Simba: ”Sifane siyacenga. Ayikho enye into esizoyenza. Kunzima khona kakhulu futhi andifuni
nokukuqhatha. Ingathi side simfumane, kuba kunzima. Akhonto intle tu.”

Mluleki: ”Sizomfumana.”

Simba: ”Singaya eofficini yam siyothetha khona. Awufuni nto ephungwayo?”

Mluleki: ”Awunayo ibeer?”

Simba: ”Ikhona.”

Mluleki: ”Ndingonwabela yona.”

Simba: ”Ndizokuthathela. Asizukuba bade ke Nomtha, uhlale ulungile.”

Mluleki: ”Niyaphuma?”

Simba: ”Sisaya kwaSiyanda.”

Mluleki: ”Usengumntu okhoyo uSiyanda! Ndamgqibela nini!”

680
Simba: ”Ukhona, qha unqabile.”

Mluleki: ”Akanqabanga akakho.”

Simba: ”Kukuxakeka!”

Bayitshona eofficini kaSimba babuya nocango, beshiya kuthe cwaka. Ndithinte umqala. Bendingamva tu
uUlatho. Hayi nakancinci. Bendine ngqondo zokumshiya kulasofa ndihambe ndiyolinda uSimba
ekamireni.

Nomtha: ”Ndenze itea okanye ikofu?”

Ulatho: ”Nabo yidrinki iright, istoney ukuba ninaso.”

Bendifuna athi ufuna ikofu okanye itea kemna. Ndizohlala kwelakhitshi ixesha elide. Ndimgalelele
ndamphathela ndayozibekela amanzi wetea. Bendinga bawelanga nokuphunga ke qha ndizinyanzela.

Ndichophe kwenye isofa ekudana kule ebehleli kuyo yena.

Ulatho: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngoZendaya, ndinethemba nam lokuba uzofumaneka.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela. Yiminqweno yam leyo.”

Ulatho: ”Inoba kunzima.”

Nomtha: ”Kakhulu.”

Cwaka.

Nomtha: ”Wabanjani ubhuti? Inxeba lakhe.”

Ulatho: ”Yho limhluphe kakhulu ke elanxeba, wanayo ne infection. Ubhetele kodwa ngoku. Akakho
bhetele phofu, ululamile. Kushota kancinci.”

Nomtha: ”Kungcono.”

Ulatho: ”Indlela ndandicaphuka ngayo. Kodwa ngoku ndiyabona ukuba indaba zabantu bomntu
akufanelanga uzingene kakhulu. Sasizingene zwaba thina.”

Nomtha: ”Akuno kwenzeka nokuba singazingeni. Ngaba yeni bethu aba.”

Ulatho: ”Kodwa ke umama wayenyanisile ngokuthi kufuneka iphele lempi phakathi kwam nawe kuba
ayincedi mntu nganto. Endaweni yoko yenza izinto zibe nzima kubayeni bethu kuba bayanyanzeleka
ukuba bayingene.”

Nomtha: ”Andinampi endiyilwa nawe mna sisi. Impi ibisiliwa nguwe ngenxa yokuba uhlobene
noNokulunga. Ayikho enye into engasivanisiyo.

Ndiyavumelana nomama nam, singabomzi omnye. Asibambelenanga, umntu uze kwindoda yakhe.
Ibingeyo ndawo yakho eyokuba ungene kuchuku lwam noNokulunga. Kulungile ukumthanda,
beniqhelene ngokwenda nade nahlobana kodwa ubungene into engadibenanga nawe.”

Ulatho: ”Ndiyayivuma mna impazamo yam kunye nobuwrongo bam kwaye ndiyaxolisa. Kufuneka nawe
uvume obakho sizokwazi ukuqhubeka phambili.”

681
Nomtha: ”Into endinoyenza mna kukwamnkela uxolo. Andikho wrongo ngandawo mna.
Andizukuxolisela into engekhoyo. Qha ke ndizosenzisana nawe kuba ke nyani abayeni bethu-

Ulatho: ”Awuziva okungathi kufuneka uxolise kuba nawe awukho msulwa? Ndim ndodwa umntu
obewrongo?”

Nomtha: ”Uyandinyanzela kengoku ukuba ndixolise kuba nawe uxolisile. Ayisebenzi kanjalo.”

Ulatho: ”Kucacile ke ukuba uyayithanda lempi. Kwalonto yokuba ungathathi elithuba senze uxolo kube
kanye. Sizokwazi nokuhambelana.”

Nomtha: ”Andinothanda impi endinga khange ndiyiqale. Ngewuxolisa wena ukuba waqala impi nam
ngenxa yobuhlobo bakho no-

Simba: ” ... akazukumamela nawe.”

Mluleki: ”Ndizoke ndimzame kodwa. Ulatho, ingathi ngesingabi sahlala.”

Usukumile waya ecaleni komyeni wakhe.

Mluleki: ”Izophinde ibonane keNomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Okay bhuti. Nihambe kakuhle.”

Mluleki: ”Nisale kamnandi nani. Simba.”

Simba: ”Kulungile!”

Mluleki: ”Sharp!”

Ubakhuphile wabajikisa emnyango ndabe ndibaleka ndiyotshintsha ngokukhawuleza.

Simba: ”And then?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyagqiba ngoku, askies ukulibazisa.”

Simba: ”Andithethi ngalonto, ndithetha ngawe noUlatho. Nisalwa?”

Nomtha: ”Asilwi, ibingathi siyalwa?”

Simba: ”Nomtha mayiphele lento yenu.”

Nomtha: ”Akhonto yethu apha, okay ndigqibile mna.”

Simba: ”Ncncncnc ungomnye nje umntu wena.”

Nomtha: ”Sendenzeni?”

Simba: ”Unentliziyo embi ngamanye amaxesha.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo!”

Simba: ”Unenkqala.”

Siyanda: ”Vela bambhentsele!”

682
Bangene emnyango wabe eyihleka uSimba.

Simba: ”Mngan'am.”

Siyanda: ”Tyhini ingwevu madoda!”

Simba: ”Ndiyiyo mpela ngoku.”

Siyanda: ”Uzezinkulu ntoyakuthi. Nomtha!”

Undangile nam wasingenisa ngaphakathi. Sibuzene impilo saphila sonke. Ndiphathelwe idrinki ngula
mama caba unguMagcwanini. OSimba bona bebesela utywala.

Nomtha: ”ULulu uphi?”

Siyanda: ”Ubuye enentloko wayocambalala.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyazi apha kum ke intloko. Ndingu mehlo mane nje namhlanje yilontloko. Bendicela umvuse
torho mama. Umxelele uSimba ulapha.”

Magcwanini: ”Ndizombiza, ebenga lelanga ubuthongo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela.”

Siyanda: ”Ey ndoda. Kumaxa nindawoni ngokufumana umntwana?”

Simba: ”Kusenzima kodwa ubhut'Mluleki naye uzosebenzisana nam, ugood kakhulu kwezizinto
zokulandela umkhondo. Ukuba sinentwana encinci nje yolwazi ubaleka nayo.”

Siyanda: ”Ngubani esosi khohlalali maan side sikhuphe imali sithenge umntwana womnye umntu? Sithini
ngentlungu yabazali. Uzibone sewungena mntwana!”

Simba: ”Bakhohlakele abantu.”

Siyanda: ”Ayikuko nokukhohlakala oku. Kukungcola nje kuphela ayikho enye into. Mhla wamfumana
ungamsi nasemapoliseni, umsike uqhoqhoqho.”

Simba: ”Ndihleke kanye lonto.”

Siyanda: ”Sthandwa sam.”

Ebedlaka-dlala inwele ingathi kumzi wentaka. Enxibe ipyjama umzantsi wafaka nehoodie kaSiyanda
ewaku waku. Ebehamba ngenyawo. Ndisukumile ndamanga. Ebebalekisa amehlo, kunzima
nokundijonga.

Nomtha: ”Yho hayibo size ngemini ewrongo. Ingathi awukho right njena. Yintoni ingxaki?”

Uxhawule uSimba kuba akakhange azihluphe ngokusukuma yena. Uyohlala ecaleni komyeni wakhe
wamwolela kuye emphuza.

Luleka: ”Ndiphethwe sisiluma. Andikwazi nokuthini xa sindibambile.”

Ebengena ntloko. NoSiyanda ebemrholele amehlo. Ndikrwaqule uSimba wanikina intloko. Unyakazise
indebe zakhe zomlomo. 'Ungaxhamazeli.'

683
Ebendibona ukuba andisenaso nesizindzo. Andihlaliseki. Sendifuna ukumbuza straight ukuba uphi
umntwana wam.

Siyanda: ”Bendiba unentloko njena sthandwa sam.”

Luleka: ”Andina ntloko, ndinepiles.”

Seyizipiles ngoku.

Nomtha: ”Asizukuhlala noSimba, bendifuna ukubona nje. Ndikukhumbule. Andiyazi noba weva ukuba
walahleka uZendaya.”

Luleka: ”Yho! Wandixelela uSiyanda ukuba wabiwa emall. Ubutshilo nawe ngelaxesha ubundifounele
ukuba laKhayakazi obembile umthengise nge10 000.”

Ndiphinde ndajonga uSimba wabeka umnwe emlonyeni.

Luleka: ”Kungcono kuba ninaye nina umntwana, oyindodana futhu. Kha ufane ucinge ukuba ibindim.
Ndingenabo kwa. Kuphinde kubowe lo ndim adoptileyo. Nisezophinde nibenze abanye abantwana.”

Siyanda: ”Baby that is insensive. Umntwana nomntwana unendawo yakhe.

Luleka: ”Ja uright. Kodwa wonke umntu ufanelwe kukuba ngumama.”

Siyanda: ”Awufuni kuphinde ucambalale?

Simba: ”Makaphumle nyani, nathi ngesibaleka ngoku. Losisi ebefuna ukunibona qha.”

Siyanda: ”Siyabulela, ndiyaxolisa.”

Unqwalile uSimba wandibamba isandla endikhokhela emnyango.

684
EIGHTY-SEVEN
Oko kuthulekile emotweni sade sayofika endlini. Bendingenawo nomdla wokwakutya bendikuphekile.

Bendiphambana ngumsindo. Bendiphambana ruuuu.

Simba: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngokuba ndinga kukholwa.”

Ndiyongena ekamireni ndakhulula nditshintshela kwipyjamas.

Nomtha: ”Andimkholwa uLuleka. Andiyazi noba ndinomsindo okanye ndiphoxekile na. Akayotshomi yam
into endiqiniseke ngayo. Akanondenza lento.”

Simba: ”USiyanda akayazi nokuba kubethwa abaphi.”

Nomtha: ”Kakade akayazi. Kukho apho amfihle khona umntwana wam, and apho akhoyo ugadwa ngula
mntu bendisithi ubambe iphone. Nditshilo maan ukuba noba kuthiwani, noba kuthiwani Simba sisikhalo
somntwana wam esiya. Noba kuthiwani. Elagqwirha linguLuleka lizobhadla ejele nalatshomi yakhe.”

Simba: ”Uzibambise ngokuchaza igama lakhe, andikhange tu ndikuxelele igama lalamntu. Ukuba
bendikuxelele ngendisitsho kodwa andikhange ndilichaze.”

Nomtha: ”Andizikhumbuli ndimxelela nange ten thousand le mna. Uyayazi kuba nguye ombhateleyo.
Andiyazi wenze njani, wazi njani ukuba uzoya phi kodwa uyenzile.”

Simba: ”Ngokucacileyo weva ndixelela uSiyanda ukuba ndizoya eClicks. Ndagqitha kwabo ngaphambili
kokuba ndihambe. Ndabuyela kwabo futhi kuba ndandisoyika wena. Ukubuya ndingaphethanga
mntwana. Wayengekho. Wabuya ngobusuku esothuka ukuba ndiphaya. Yonke nje lonto ndandinga
yithatheli ngqondweni. Kodwa ngoku ...”

Nomtha: ”Bendinga mcingi tu. Nakancinci. Bendicinga ubhut'Mluleki. Ndicinga uEfe. Ndicinga
uNokulunga, bendingacingi ukuba nguLulu. Inyanga ezimbini zonke ugcine umntwana wam. Uyeva
ukuba silimele kanjani kuSiyanda undivile efounini kodwa akana sazela. Undijonga emehlweni
akanasazela. Ugcine umntwana wam apho ndingazi khona. Njengoba ingathi uyaphambana nje ngoku
andiyazi noba umntwana wam uphethwe kakuhle!”

Simba: ”Ndicinga uSiyanda mna kuyo yonke lento.”

Nomtha: ”Iphenjelwe nguye yonke lento naye. ULuleka se obsessed ngabantwana bethu yilento yakhe
noZama nalamntwana wabo. Sesibelwa abantwana ngoku.”

Simba: ”Ucinga njalo?”

Nomtha: ”Kakade ndicinga njalo. Indlela wayethetha ngayo apha uMadosini kuLuleka ngendaba
yobunyumbha bakhe. Ngoku uSiyanda uquqa kulamntwana eKapa, uLuleka uinsecure kuba mhle uZama
and unento angenayo yena kuSiyanda. Ngoku kukho intetho zokuba ufuna ukuhlala naye.”

Simba: ”Akakho stable nyani shame uLuleka. Ingathi ngumntu lo otshaya itik, umbonile? Ingqondo
azikho. Uthetha apha, athethe phaya. Uthi senentloko aphinde abene piles-

Nomtha: ”Ibe zicramps.”

685
Simba: ”Ibe zicramps. Yilonto bendifuna ungamjampiseli ukuba simkrobele kuba ukuba uyazile angenza
nje engacinganga. Azibulale nomntwana okanye abaleke naye. Uyibonile le chain ayigangxe entanyeni?”

Nomtha: ”Andiqaphelanga nezozinto mna indlela bendicaphuka ngayo. Yintoni? Itheni?”

Simba: ”InoZ”

Nomtha: ”Njani ukuba inoZ?”

Simba: ”Ngumgaxo oqhelekileyo apha kulendawo iphambili ijinga ialphabet uZ.”

Nomtha: ”Sukuphosisa, andiqaphelanga!”

Simba: ”Ndiyiqaphele mna. I find it odd ukuba abenomgaxo ono Z kodwa akana gama liqala ngalo
alphabet. Hayi nomyeni wakhe. Hayi nomntwana wabo.”

Nomtha: ”Uobsessed ngesala lam!”

Simba: ”Sisizathu esibangela ukuba ndifune singaxhamazeli. Okokuqala akakhangeleki estable,

okwesibini une obsession. Okwesithath-

Nomtha: ”Kukho neyesithathu into?”

Simba: ”Okwesithathu ndiziva okungathi uneresentment ethile ngakuwe. Andiyazi nokuba ndizenza
ipsychologist, ndiyagabadela kwisini na kodwa unendzondo ethile ngakuwe. Ivakala bhetele xa ndisithi
yiresetment.”

Nomtha: ”Angandizondelani mna?!”

Simba: ”Kuba kulula kuwe ukuba nabantwana. Unatwo. Ukuba ungafuna omnye awunoku sokola
ukumfumana.”

Nomtha: ”Okungathi ndimthumile mna ukuba angabina mntwana? Ndiyavelana nemeko yakhe baby
ungandiv- uncumelani?”

Simba: ”Andincumanga.”

Ebexoka ukuxoka. Bekunzima ukuvala umlomo kungoku kuba ebeqhekekile ewaveze onke amazinyo
ngaphandle. Ukuba athi akancumanga kengoku.

Nomtha: ”Simba, ndibona uqhoqhoqho wakho ngoku ndikulendawo. Uzondixelela ukuba awuncumanga.
Nditheni?”

Simba: ”Umhle.”

Ndimfingele intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Random.”

Simba: ”Uthe baby, ugqibele kudala ukundibiza ngobaby.”

Ndincumile nam. Shame maan umntu wam.

Simba: ”Ubusatsho.”

686
Nomtha: ”Bendisathini kanene?”

Simba: ”'Ndiyavelana nemeko yakhe baby'.”

Ndimncumele ndasondela kuye ndimphuza. Undibambe isinqe endisondeza kuye. Besiphuzana nzulu.
Kukho namalwimi, namazinyo phaya naphaya kunye noncumo. Ubeke ibunzi lakhe kwelam
wakuqhawula wavala amehlo encumile. Ndimphuzile kwakhona sathathisa apho besiyeke khona.
Ndibone sendinyuselwa phezulu ndangwutyaniswa newardrobe waphinda wandinyusa. Ebefeja ngoku
singa khululanga mpahla kodwa isitsho kulandawo. Siphefumlela phezulu sobabini. Ingono zam
ziqaqambela ukubanjwa okanye ndilwantswe. Bendishushu yonke indawo. Bendimkhawulela nam xa
ezisondeza kum, kukho ifriction kwiclit. Ibingase ndikhale inyembezi kuba bawo wam

'ngayigcina nini, ngayigcina kdala. Ngayigcina nini, ngayigcina kdala.'

Ngalamzuzu bebungekho ubu gentle. Bekukho indlala nokunxanelwana. Ukuba bekwenzeka ngezikrazula
ezampahla. Undikhulule ngokukhawuleza ezigibisela kwahell wakhulula naye. Benduyazi nje ukuba izoba
rhabaxa. Kwaye nam bendinga funi omaking love bo the Bold and the beautiful kunye noDays of our
lives. Bendinga funi makhandlela nerose petals. Bendifuna ingonyama enguSimba. Bendifuna
ukudlakazwa ndiphelelwe ngumphefumlo. Ndingafuni ukuphathwa okwekomityi ehlala kwiroom divider.
Hayi ngalamzuzu. Belikhona ixesha lalonto kodwa ngalowa umzuzu bendifuna ukophulwa ndiphinde
ndibuyiselwe. Bendimfuna ebunzulwini. Yena wonke. UDiba wonke.

Akabanga ephozisa amaseko naye. Ebeyazi into bendiyidinga. Into besiyidinga. Undingene
ngobundlobongela obusenze sagxwala sobabini. Wazikhupha wonke waphinda wandingena
ngodlwabevu. Endingena nzuku kanye ngalendlela bendifuna ngayo. Ibe yilonto ke, siphefumla umoya
omnye, imizimba yethu idibene. Imiphefumlo yethu idibene. Unyuse isantya kodwa ingxelo isenye.
Bendimncedisa nam ngoku ndikhalayo phofu, kodwa ndifuna more. Kungathi okonelanga. Bendiziva
ndigcwele yena, ndande ngangathi ndiyaphuphumala kodwa bendisamdinga. Ndimkhwaza ukuba
ayifake yona. Ngamandla. Undiphethule wandingena ngemva. Ingxelo isenye. Bekuba intense worse
ngoluhlobo. Ingathi ubunzulu bunzulu kakhulu. Ndizirabhe iclit ndaziva ukuba ndisondele. Kwilizwe lobisi
nobusi. Bendingafuni kuphele kodwa bendifuna ukuwelela ngaphesheya. Bendifuna ukuba semafini.
Ebefuphi naye, bendimva. Ndithe ndingcangcazela ndikhala wabe naye evungama. Uchithele kum
emqolo wagqiba walala ngomqolo ebhedini. Bendiba kemna kugqityuwe, kufeziwe nton nton kodwa
ibingathi kungona siqalayo. Kungathi wenzela nezanyanga bendinga funi kuchathwa.

Uthe ndichophe phezulu kwakhe yandim ophezulu andilastanga kwakhona, ebendincedisa ngoku
engaphatshi. Undiphethule sagqibezela ngemissionary. Sithe sigqiba sabe sibile simanzi nte. Siphefumela
phezulu ingathi sizizinja, kushota zijingisa amalwimi ngaphandle. Undiwolele kuye wandingena
kwakhona. Ebelixhego na okanye ibithini into yakhe?

Siyohlamba ubuncangathi kwishower.

Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”

Ebendisebezela endlebeni ndancuma. Besesilele.

Ndothuke engekho ezingubeni, kusile. Bendinemikhinqi. Umzimba wam ubuhlungu kamnandi.

Ndincume ndodwa. Mna bendiphethe istallion, ihashe lomdyarho.

687
Simba: ”Good bendiba ndizokuvusa.”

Nomtha: ”Undivusa undivuselani kanene?”

Ndibuze ndimfingele intshiya. Bendinga khumbuli kukho apho siyakhona namhlanje. Nguye umntu
ebephangela.

Simba: ”Andityi breakfast?”

Oh kanene! Bendilibele ukuba nguback to reality ngoku. Ebethe umam'uMangwabe angaphinde achathe
imbiza kuba uzophekelwa ndimu. Yhooo ke! Amadoda! Ibingekho kodwa le yomntu ongakwazi
nokupheka amaqanda, la akwa mbala! Uhlwi-hwli nje ibe seyiright into! Uzolitshisa libemnyama tshu!
Ngubani otshisa amaqanda? Hayi sendibuza nje.

Simba: ”Mandiphekelwe kaloku.”

Nomtha: ”Okay ndiyavuka.”

Simba: ”Ngoku Nomtha. Uyabona ndiyosula ngoku? Ndizothambisa ndinxibe usangqengqe apha.
Khawenze kaloku mfazi. Sidinwe sonke.”

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo ndasukuma ndizityhalela le nezongubo. Ndiyokhama amabele am, ndahlamba

ubuso namazinyo. Bendincancisa kaloku. Ebencanca ibhotile ebusuku qha kodwa emini ebencanca ibele.
Bendikuthanda ukuncancisa.

Ebesevukile umam'uMangwabe.

Nomtha: ”Molweni ma.”

Mangwabe: ”Yebo, sawubona.”

Bekukhangeleka ingathi kulithuba evukile kuba bekumenyezela indlu yonke. Noba bekunjalo
ebezokuququzela imini le yonke kukho into ayenzayo.

Mangwabe: ”Aninazo iyimpahla ezifuna ukuayinwa noma ukuwashwa?”

Simba: ”Ezam impahla zizokolulwa nguNomtha. Ungazihlamba qha wena. Uzigibisele kumatshini.”

Yeyeeeni bo! Ngaze ngavelelwa yilendoda!

Nomtha: ”Ndizozikhupha ngoku ezimdaka Mangwabe.”

Mangwabe: ”Okheyi ke. Othi ngibheke lo ukuthi akakavuki na.”

Nomtha: ”Ubungaphangeli na?”

Simba: ”Ndizonxiba ukugqiba kwam ukutya.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhh. So Ithini iplan?”

Simba: ”Iplan yantoni?”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi ukuba ndithetha ngantoni? Umntwana, uLulu. Andifuni siphole kakhulu.”

688
Simba: ”Kodwa akufunekanga sijampise kuyo yonke into esiyenzayo. ULulela akamuncwanga, andithi
wena umunc-

Nomtha: ”Hayike! Ndingenaphi mna?”

Tyhini bawo ngobomvu wona umhlola. Besingekho nesidingo sokuba andifake mna kuba besithetha
ngoLulu hayi mna. 'Andithi wena umcuncu' hayibo ngane!

Uyihlekile. Inoba ebehleka lento ndimjameleyo.

Nomtha: ”Ungandisukeli. Ndiphethe izinto ezibukhali. Ngizok'gwaza manje!”

Simba: ”Awukhulumi kwezintsuku.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikhulunyiswa nguMangwabe, haha!”

Simba: ”Into endiyitshoyo kukuba use stars uLulu.”

Nomtha: ”Kuphi kengoku estars?”

Ujikelezise amehlo okungathi kufuneka ndiyazi mna ukuba kuphi estars. Caba kufuneka ndazi zonke
indawo apha eSouth Africa. Bendiziva ndihlaseleka kuvukwa.

Simba: ”Ayondawo baby, ndithetha ukuba ulapha. Uthe zibane ke. Kudala waba kobubomi kwaye yena
akafani nawe, wazi phantse yonke into kuba indoda yakhe iyamfaka ebugintseni-

Nomtha: ”Ngoku ubuthe awulogintsa?”

Simba: ”Ndisatsho nangoku. Ndifundile mna, andizizo ezazinto ezine gangs ezi weak zase loction. Zifike
zizenza oclever zoyikisa abantu nje abafana nawe noMkhuseli. Abantu ababoyikayo. Mna baby, ndingu
somashishini. Ishit yam ndiyenza ngesikolo neclass. Ndidealer netop dogs zasemntla Africa nakoma
Russia. Ndine dealings neMafia le eNorth america.

Andisosikoli. Andiyo common thief. Amashishini amakhulu enza ibillions of rand zi target zam. Not
izikroxo zakoma Diepsloot netavern nemoto. Andilo gintsa mna. Ndiba offended xa usitsho njalo.
Undifanisa nezintwana ezithetha itsotsi taal apha. Ezinxiba oraw, negold tooth. Eziphatshiswa zizibham.
Mna umntu andimbulali ngesibham qha, ewe ndingu sniper ngenxa yokuba ne aim. Imbumbulo
ndiyibeka apha, ebunzi. Kodwa I get a thrill umntu xa ndimbamba apha kuqhoqhoqho. Ndimkhame
ubomi ndimjonge emehlweni. Ubuso bam bubeyinto yokugqibela ayibonayo, ndimve ethatha
umphefumlo wakhe wokugqibela. Zininzi imethods zam, kuya ngobusathane obukum. Isibham sona ngu
easy way out. Umntu osithela ngaso ligwala. Ligintsa. Ndiyathemba ukuba asizuphinde sibe nalencoko
kwakhona.”

Ebengencume kungathi uqhala impahla zeKrismesi. Sive ngento iqhekeka sabheka kunye. UMangwabe
ebengcangcazela eyijelly mntakabawo kungathi ubone isiporho. Undikrwaqule uSimba.

Simba: ”Mangwabe siyazincokolela nje. Anditsho ukuba ndim, ndilinganisa imovie.”

Ndimkhele amanzi ndayomnika wabe emanzi xhopho.

Usele, amanye echithekela esifubeni kukungcangcazela.

689
Nomtha: ”Ungamhoyi utata kaMalkia, uyathanda ukuqhula.”

Simba: ”Andino kwenzakalisa nempukane mna Mangwabe. Ndiyingelosi, ndizilungele. Ndithanda

uThixo.”

Ndibambe intsini. Unqwalile uMangwabe.

Ebemkholwa uSimba.

Mangwabe: ”Ngiyaxolisa ngeVase.”

Simba: ”Ungakhathazeki. Unkulunkulu uzoletha amanye amavase.”

Thiza wam!

Nomtha: ”Hamb'ongqengqa kwehle ihigh high. Ndizozifaka ngoku kwam impahla kumatshini.”

Unqwalile wabutha ingceba wayongena ekamireni. Ndiphelile yintsini akutshonela.

Nomtha: ”'Unkulunkulu uzoletha amanye amavase' 'Ndithanda uThixo.'”

Simba: ”Hahaha! Ndinceda wena, ulibele kukuhleka apha. Singaphinde simfumane phi omnye umntu
wokugadela umntwana uba angahamba uMangwabe?”

Nomtha: ”Ungacingi ukuba akazuya kwakhe angaphinde abuye. Inoba uvuma nje.”

Simba: ”Akanoyenza lonto.”

Nomtha: ”Hm! Ina ukutya kwakho uhambe ungeka ndonakaliseli.”

Nomtha: ”Iplan ke. Ubusathetha.”

Simba: ”UMonti uzomlandela abone intshukumo yakhe azokwazi ukusikhokhelela apho akhoyo
umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”Anizuku wafaka amapolisa?”

Simba: ”Azokona izinto. Bazobhatyaza bajampise.”

Nomtha: ”Uzobanjwa njani kengoku xa ningafaki mapolisa?”

Simba: ”Ufuna ukumbambisa?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe tyhini! Akasoze andibele umntwana akugqiba aqhubeke nje ngobom kuba ebengumhlobo
wam. Makabanjwe. Izobonwa khona eyokuba akakho stable ahambe asiwe endimangeni. Andizumyeka
nje.”

Simba: ”Yho! USiyan-

Nomtha: ”Uzawuba strongo. Andizumyeka nje uLulu.”

Simba: ”Angase afumane uncedo nje? Simse thina kulomntu wengq-

Nomtha: ”Xa usithi thina utsho wena nabani? Awuzunceda Luleka nganto wena. USiyanda uzozicubhela
abone ukuba uphuma njani. Awuzunceda Lulu akugqiba ukusibela umntwana. Ukufumama kwethu

690
lamntana umthetho uzodlala indima yawo. Singadlala oLuleka eGoli sihambele. Uzozazi indawo
zokuphambanela. Banaye umntwana abam adoptileyo, andiqondi nokuba uhoyiwe lomntwana ngoku
ulibele ngumntwana wam. Hayi makabanjwe.”

Uthe cwaka uSimba watya ukutya kwakhe.

691
EIGHTY- EIGHT
Nomtha: ”Mam'uMangwabe.”

Mangwabe: ”Yebo sisi.”

Nomtha: ”Bendicela uhambe nam noMihla, ndoyika ukuhamba naye ndindodwa.”

Mangwabe: ”Akunankinga. Ngizohamba nani. Siyani kuphi?”

Nomtha: ”Ng'funa ukubona udoctor. Andikho right ncam maan, andiyazi kwenzeka ntoni ngam.”

Mangwabe: ”Hawu?”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna nokuyohlaba futhi, oko ndandibuye ekhayeni ndingumntu ozohlaba. Andikayenzi
lonto.”

Mangwabe: ”Ukujova inaliti?”

Nomtha: ”Eyokucwangcisa.”

Mangwabe: ”Ngoba?!”

Ndimfingele intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Hayibo! Uthetha ukuthini xa usithi 'ngoba'”

Mangwabe: ”Hayibo ngane, awushadanga kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Nditshatile nangoku.”

Mangwabe: ”Manje?”

Nomtha: ”Uthini na Mangwabe? Ithini lento yakho?”

Mangwabe: ”Ngiyabiza ukuthi umjovo owani uma ushadile. Kumele uzale phela.”

Nomtha: ”Heyi noko akuthethwa lento Mangwabe, abantwana bam bancinci futhi abashiyani nakakhulu.
Nangaphandle koko, asisafuni bantwana noSimba. Mdala uSimba.”

Mangwabe: ”Usase umfana nje uSimba. Udlala ngaye.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Ubuke wambona indlela angwevu ngayo? Ngumfana lowa? Elaxhego? Ingathi
uguge worse njengoba kulahleke uZendaya.”

Mangwabe: ”Ufanele phela ngoba unestress.”

Nomtha: ”Mandihlambe ke ndizohamba.”

Mangwabe: ”Mina ngizoshintsha nje sihambeni.”

Nomtha: ”Okay. Tyhini bawo uMangwabe! Uyazi udlala ngam kodwa. Ndisengu mdlezana, usafuna
ndiphinde ndizale. Ngaba ndingu Ulatho kaloku. Omnye emveni komye, omnye emveni komnye. UMihla
akakadibanisi nefour months!”

692
Uyihlekile. Ndiyokuhlamba ndagqiba. UMihla ebesehlanjiwe nguMangwabe eready. Ndifounelwe
nguSimba sesilungiselela ukuphuma, noMangwabe ebesegqibile ukujikeleza kuba sana ebeyingqunga
into!

Nomtha: ”Tata kaMalik.”

Simba: ”Ndingubaby mna igama lam.”

Nomtha: ”Awungotata kaMalik?”

Simba: ”Ndingubaby.”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Hello ke baby.”

Simba: ”Unjani sthandwa sam?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright wena?”

Simba: ”Andikho right, ndiyakucinga.”

Nomtha: ”Undicinga ntoni usandomnka apha?”

Simba: ”Ndicinga ukuba andikho apho endlini, ezingalweni zakho.”

Ndincume ndodwa ndachopha phantsi.

Nomtha: ”Bekumnandi izolo, ndiyabulela.”

Simba: ”Uyabona ukuba uzothetha ngento zayizolo ebusiku baby, uzondenza ndiphume kulomsebenzi
ngalomzuzu ndibuye.”

Nomtha: ”Uzobuya kukhala ibhungane ke kulomsebenzi ukuba uzoleqa mna.”

Simba: ”Niphi nina kwakhala ibhungane?”

Nomtha: ”Siyaphuma.”

Simba: ”Wena nabani?”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo!”

Simba: ”Nomtha Aneni Matanzima, where are you going and with whom?”

Ndiyihlekile.

Simba: ”Uyahleka s'hlangu ubon'iglue?”

Nomtha: ”Ingxaki yakho yintoni xhego?”

Simba: ”Ndinomdla wokwazi nje ukuba uhamba nabani usiyaphi kuba ukugqibela kwam ubune newly
found phobia yokuba ngaphandle kwengcango. Bendifuna nokuqonda ukuba awuzufuna ndikukhaphe
na. Ndingeza ngoku.”

Bethuna! Uyabona mna? KuSimba ndabamba ilotto shame ngaye. Bendingafuni nokuthini, umyeni wam
ebendithanda mna. Angamisa nantoni na for mna. Yindlela bendibaluleke ngayo kuye leyo. Kwale

693
yokuba athi esanda ukuphuma apha endlini- phofu bekulithityana kodwa kunge kudalanga kakhulu
kodwa sendifounela endijonga ukuba ndiright na. Belindithanda elixhego. Kakhulu futhi.

Bendiziva ndibhanxekile nangokucinga ukushiyeka ezilalini kwinyanga ezimbalwa ezidlulileyo.

Nomtha: ”Bendifuna ukuya kugqirha. Andiziva right.”

Simba: ”Uzoba right ukuhamba wedwa?”

Nomtha: ”Ndizophuma noMangwabe nomntana. Azondincedisa ngaye.”

Simba: ”I understand. Akukho nto ingamandla kodwa?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi. Andimnandanga kodwa.”

Simba: ”Ubani? Ngoku umnandi kangaka wena uzothi awumandanga?!”

Nomtha: ”Awumdala! Awumdala!”

Uphelile yintsini.

Nomtha: ”Intanga zakho zise home!”

Uqhubile eyohleka. Ndincame ndayihleka kwamna.

Simba: ”Baby kufuneka sizilolonge often. Uyabona wonwabe kanjani yinto yobusuku obunye nje.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba yiyo ne?”

Simba: ”Ndiqinisekile ukuba yiyo. Sawuphinda futhi ngokuhlwa.”

Nomtha: ”Uyazibona ke izinto zamaxhego? Sesihlela nesilalo ngoku.”

Simba: ”Ayinanto enokwenza nobuxhego bam ke kodwa. Sixakekile, kuninzi esijongene nako and nawe
kuninzi ubujongene nako njengoba sewungu mdlezana nje. So andifuni kukungxamisa nangaxesha nye
andifuni siyilibale. That part of our marriage. Kuba noxa ingeyona nto ibalulekileyo emtshatweni
iyadingeka. Iyaqinisa apho iqinisa khona. Iyasonwabisa and iyasisondeza. Kancinci kancinci esi spark
ubusiva okungathi asisekho siyabuya.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyayazi ukuba andiyitsho ngokwaneleyo lento kodwa ndiyawubulela umonde wakho kum.
Ndiyayazi ukuba bendilukhuni kuwe kakhulu- ngakumbi ngokulahlekelwa ngumntwana wethu, ndaphosa
yonke into kuwe. Imisindo- konke. Ndiyakwazi ukuba ungutata kubantwana bethu ude wogqitha nam,
uyabathanda kufana nam kwaye bekunzima nakuwe and ndiyaxolisa ukuba ndikwenze waziva okungathi
it's your fault ukuba umntwana wethu alahleke. Ibingelotyala kuwe. Ibingenzeka nakum kwaye ukuba
ubunondiphatha ngendlela bendikuphethe ngayo bendinga zukuthanda. You an amazing father and an
equally amazing husband. Andiyazi niba yinto yokuba une experience na okanye ugug-

Simba: ”Bendilindele ukuba uyone. Bendiyilindele nje lonto. Ndiyabulela ngalo mazwi baby wam.
Ndiyindoda kodwa mna so izinto ezinje ndiyakwazi ukuzinyamezela. Zininzi ukufa endizinyamezele nam
so kufanelekile.”

Nomtha: ”Umama uMangwabe umi ngam.”

694
Simba: ”Okay. Undifounele xa uphuma kugqirha.”

Nomtha: ”Ithini into?”

Simba: ”Akakaphumi kwakhe. Kukho abantu endibabekileyo, omnye ngokabhut'Mluleki omnye

ngowamu.”

Nomtha: ”Usenabantu na ubhuti? Bendicinga ukuba waphuma kwibusiness.”

Simba: ”Unabo.”

Nomtha: ”Uzondazisa ke ukuba kukho inkqubela. Andina monde tu.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi lonto. Nowam mncinci kodwa andifuni kubhatyaza. Kubalulekile for ukhuseleko
lentombi yethu ukuba sichule ukunyathela. Singaxhamazeli. Njengoba besele nditshilo kuwe ukuba
uLuleka knows yonke into. Use stars. Asideali nomntu nje obe umntana.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhh Simba.”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi kunzima baby, ndiyayazi lonto. Kodwa umntwana sizomfumana. Ungakhali.”

Nomtha: ”Andimkholwa uLuleka ingxaki. Indlela andingcatshe ngayo, andinoze ndimxolele. Andisoze
ndiphinde. Ndimfuna ebhadla ejele. Alale ebaliwe, avuke echetyiwe. Andithanga angazali mna,
bendiyiqonda imeko yakhe baby. Bendivelana naye kuba ayimnandanga into yokuba ungazali kodwa
sukungxunguphalisa abanye abantu.”

Simba: ”Lemeko akuyo nje i-

Nomtha: ”Uzomthethelela ke wena kuba eyitshomi yakho.”

Simba: ”Kuba ndingakhohlakalanga nje ngawe mna kwaye ndinovelwano. Wena unentliziyo elukhuni
kakhulu ingxaki yakho. Awunalo uvelwano.”

Nomtha: ”Mandihambe baby kuba sizoxabana ngalento ngoku, uphinde uthi ndinentliziyo embi.”

Simba: ”Ndizoku updater.”

Nomtha: ”Okay.”

Simba: ”Uzotsho nini ukuba uyandithanda?”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Yehake, ungatsho nje wena?”

Simba: ”Akukho nto ungayaziyo baby wam. Yonk'into ingawe.”

Nomtha: ”Umuncu!”

Uyihlekile ndabeka iphone yam.

Nomtha: ”Mangwabe!”

Mangwabe: ”Yebo!”

Nomtha: ”Masihambeni!”

695
Mangwabe: ”Besengiqale umsebenzi phela mina manje. Ngibona usakhuluma nephone.”

Nomtha: ”Uyawuze uphumle mhla wabhubha, andiyazi into yomntu ohleli nje uyaququzela ezimini.
Ingathi unguMiracle.”

Sihambile saya kugqirha ke. Bandilinde ngaphandle ke ndayongena ndodwa ngaphakathi. Andiyazi
ndimyaleze kangaphi ukuba angake nangaphantsi kweyiphi na imeko alinge abambise umntu umntana
wam. Nangoku bendiyazi ukuba uthathwe nguLuleka uZendaya bengathembi mntu. Bebekhona abanye
oLuleka apha ngaphandle.

Ndingene ndabika onke amahlaba nayo yomke imikrwelo kugqirha. Ndimxelele nangesi stress
sindikhuluphalisileyo, wandixelela ngediet.

Ndiyochamela kwicup ke kuba bekufuneka nditeste kuqala ngaphambili kokuba ndifumane ipetogen.

Bendinenyanga ezimbini zonke ndayigqibela so bekungeke- mhhhh phofu sasike salala kanye kodwa
bekungeke kwenzeke ukuba-

Doctor: ”It seems congratulations are in order Mrs Matanzima. You are with baby.

Ndifinge intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Chii?! Handina nhumbu!” Intoni?! Andikhulelwanga mna!

Doctor: ”Excuse me.”

Nomtha: ”Wakankisa.” uyaphazama.

Doctor: ”Can we please speak in one of the 11 South African languages?”

Nomtha: ”Ithi ndikhulelwe lento?!”

Unqwalile.

Doctor: ”You are pregnant. We are gonna take your bloods ofcourse for more test-

Ndithathe ibag yam ndaphuma kula office.

Doctor: ”Mrs Matanzima!”

Yhuuu! Bendidunyelwa yintloko. Bekuthi ndife! Yini uSimba ukundenza lento! Yhini elixhego.
Bendizomthini mna omnye umntana? Yena noMluleki bebefana nqwa! Bendifane ndityhola uUlatho
ngokuba nenqwaba yabantwana, besendinguye ngoku. Bendizibambe ngenkophe inyembezi zam
ukuphuma phaya. Ibingathi andifiki emotweni ndiyogxwala, kuba bendizogxwala.

Nomtha: ”Mangwabe masihambeni!”

Ndibashiye belandela emveni kwam ndayongena emotweni. Bendingeka fumani nechance yokugxwala
kwakhala iphone yam. Bendifuna ibe kanti ngulaSimba ndini. Ibingenguye.

Ndizithobe umoya ndayiphendula.

Nomtha: ”Nne!”

696
Bisola: ”Nwa m. How far na, how bodi?” molo mntanam. Unjani?

Nomtha: ”Ndikho right nne.”

Kungene uMangwabe ndisaqala ukukhala.

Bisola: ”Nomtha, wetin dey happen? Kutheni ukhala?” kwenzeke ntoni?

Nomtha: ”NguSimba mama! NguSimba!”

Bisola: ”Kwenzeke ntoni? Wenzeni uSimba!”

Andiphendulanga nokuba wenzeni ndavele ndazikhalela nje.

Bisola: ”Nomtha! Khawuthethe naye Mamkeli.”

Mamkeli: ”Ndithethiswa nabani ndisithini naBisola?!”

Bisola: ”NguLinokhanyo, uyakhala. Andiyazi kwenzekani, akafuni kuthetha. Uthi nguSimba qha.”

Ndiyidrophile iphone ndabuyela ngaphakathi kwakhona ukuyotsho ukuba ndenze impazamo

ngokugqashula. Ngeloxesha bendisakhala ngelaxesha nditsalwa igazi. Ndingene emotweni uMangwabe
ethetha nephone.

Mangwabe: ”Nangu engena baba. Bamba kancane ngimunikeze iphone.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani lowo?”

Mangwabe: ”USimba.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Mangwabe: ”Hello baba, yebo- cha akafuni ukukhuluma nephone. Yebo. Uthi ngiyifakw kuloudspeaker
azokhuluma nawe ke. Yenziwa njani konje lento.

Simba: ”Baby!”

Ndifixizile ndakuva ilizwi lakhe. Bendiyistatile imoto sihamba.

Simba: ”Linokhanyo Matanzima.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni ukuthetha nawe.”

Simba: ”Ndenzeni kaloku baby? Kwenzeka ntoni? Ndifounelwa nangumama endishouta ukuba
ndikwenzeni and andiyazi nento endiyenzileyo kuba ndiziphangelele mna andikho kufuphi kuwe.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiya endlini ndiyothatha impahla yam ndimnke nomntanam.”

Simba: ”Nomtha! Kwenzekani kanti? Hayibo! Sekuthathwa impahla kwenzeka ntoni? Nomtha! Ye
Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Andithethi nawe na kanti?”

697
Cwaka.

Simba: ”Mangwabe!”

Mangwabe: ”Yebo baba.”

Simba: ”Niphi?”

Mangwabe: ”Siyahamba siya endlini.”

Simba: ”Okay fine ndiyeza. Aqhube kakuhle lowo.”

Mangwabe: ”Okay.”

Kuthe cwaka emotweni sade sayofika endlini. Inoba ebethe nqa ukuba kwenzeka ntoni ngam
uMangwabe. Sihlikile ndakungena eyadini saya endlini. Ndiyongena ekamireni ndangena ezingubeni
ndakhala. Bendifuna ukupakisha ke kodwa bendingenawo awokuziphambanisa amandla kuba
bendingazukuya ndawo.

Ndive kuvuleka ucango, ndeva izihlangu zakhe zinyathela zisondela ngakum. Undityhile ingubo
wandijonga efinge intshiya.

Simba: ”Uthi kutheni?-

Kukhale iphone yam wayijonga nje wayicima nje ivolume ingafundekeli.

Simba: ”Ndikwenze ntoni?”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Simba: ”Andikwenzanga nto?”

Ndiphinde ndayinikina.

Simba: ”Awukwazi ukuthetha na ngoku? Ndikwenzeni baby? Kwenzeke ni? Ubungayanga kugqirha?”

Nomtha: ”Bendiyile.”

Simba: ”Ndingena phi kengoku mna kuba bendiphangele? Utheni ugqirha? Khawume ngokhala uthethe.
Baby.”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Sukuthi 'mh'. Ndixelele ukuba kwenzeke ntoni.”

Iphinde yakhala iphone yakhe etasini, wayiphendula.

Simba: ”Nne. There's no wahala. Ndisathetha naye akatsho ukuba kutheni kodwa andimenzanga nto.
Akukho ngxaki mama. I dey fine. Sawuthetha. Mama, abeg! Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Bendiyohlaba kugqirha.”

Simba: ”Ubundixelele. Kwathini kengoku? Wakuhlaba kabuhlungu?”

Nomtha: ”Sukundigcadisa.”

698
Simba: ”Ndizothini kaloku mna?”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi kakuhle ukuba andisafuni bantwana. Uyayazi kakuhle lonto. Ndatsho ukuba
ndizohlaba.”

Simba: ”I'm so lost. Ndiyayazi yonke lonto. Nam ndatsho ukuba ndiright ngaba sinabo abantwana- ndaze
ndatsho ukuba ndizokwenza ivasectonomy.”

Nomtha: ”Wayenza lo vasectonoy?!”

Ufinge intshiya zakhe.

Simba: ”Andikafumani thuba, uyayazi njena.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikhulelwe kemna njengoba ungafumani thuba. Uyayazi ukuba uyamithisa kodwa awenzi
thuba lokuyokwenza ivasectonomy. Ndikhulelwe kengoku mna. Omnye umntana futhi. UMihla
akakabinayo ne four months sendithwele isisu.”

Simba: ”Awukhulelwanga wena, uxelelwe ngubani ukuba ukhulelwe? Awukhulelwanga. Oko sasibuye
ekhayeni zange silale. Ngaphandle kwayizolo.”

Nomtha: ”Sasilele kanye. Ngalamini wawubuya kukhangela umntana ukhala-

Simba: ”Yho! Hayibo sewukhulelwa nawe. Hayibo Nomtha. Andisemdala kengoku ukuphinde ndibe
nomnye umntana futhi! Hayibo!”

Ndifixizile.

Nomtha: ”Andimfuni, nawe awumfuni so kubhetele ukuba simkhuphe.”

Simba: ”Sikhuphe bani?!”

Nomtha: ”Umntana.”

Simba: ”Umntana kabani?”

Nomtha: ”Simba, sawumthini omnye umntana? Ndizofunda nini na mna? Asikafumani noZendaya
njengoba sesisenza abanye abantwana, uMihla usemncinci. Wandenza lento nakuZendaya nangoku
uyandiphinda!”

Simba: ”Ndikwenze ntoni njani ngoku? Wawunga hlabi ngantoni wena?”

Nomtha: ”Zange ndifumane xesha. Uyayazi nawe ukuba sifike sathutha, salahlekelwa nangumntana.
Umcwangciso ubuyinto yokugqibela engqondweni yam.”

Simba: ”Nakum ngokunjalo. Nomtha ndimdala mna. Ndatsho kuqala kuwe ukuba hayi omnye umntana
ndingaka kodwa ke sekhona ngoku and adifuni akutshwe mna umntanam. Ukuba uThixo ufuna ndibe
ngutata kukeminyaka yam zintsikelelo endizozamnkela. Kodwa no more! Ndizokwenza ivasectonomy
ngoku ukhulelweyo, no more! Yhu! Khawusuduke. Ngoku ude undithukise ngomama apha? Ucinga
ukuba ndikubethile.”

Nomtha: ”Akayazi kaloku ukuba wayeka ukubetha.”

699
Simba: ”Ndayeka ukubetha? Nomtha ndakubetha kanye ebomini bam.”

Nomtha: ”Uphosisela ntoni tata kaMalik?”

Simba: ”Sasingeka tshati nokutshata.”

Nomtha: ”Wandibetha kuqala kwiclub, wandi-

Simba: ”Andisabethi ngoku. Ndibetha intanga zam.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake ntanga zam. Yhoo andiyazi ke le indehlelayo. NdinguAlutha ngoku.”

Simba: ”Ufuna ukundibamba ngabantwana wena, icala lakho linye.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikubamba xa usiyaphi? Ehome?”

Uyihlekile.

Simba: ”Yho! Hayi lo bendinga mfuni shame, andifuni nokukuqhatha. Ndiright ngaba ndinabo
abantwana. Amadodana amabini nelittle princess yam.”

Nomtha: ”Wawuthe yibonus ke umntana wam.”

Simba: ”Lo yibhasela.”

Nomtha: ”Wawuthe yibhasela uMihla, ndim lo uyikhumshayo.”

Simba: ”Ngu get one free lo.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni ingxaki nge abortion ukuba sobabini asimfuni?”

Simba: ”Anditshongo ukuba andimfuni.”

Nomtha: ”Usanda kuthini kanti ngoku?”

Simba: ”Ndithi bendinga, ukhona ngoku.”

Ndiphefumlele ngaphandle.

Nomtha: ”Umntwana wam ithini into yakhe?”

Simba: ”Akakaphumi namhlanje uLulu.”

Nomtha: ”Yintoni ayihlaleleyo na kanti engaphumi?!”

Simba: ”Andiyazi nam kaloku mntuwam. Ndiyazifanela nawe.”

Nomtha: ”Khawufounele itshomi yakho uyibuze.”

Simba: ”Yehlisa umoya baby kaloku. Ungafike uLuleka ehleli ngesibom angayi kulamntana. Okanye
ukrokrele kulamncino wethu ukuba simbeke iso so ulalisa uboya. Asifuni apanicke andithi?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi.”

Simba: ”Masilinde ke. Siyayazi ukuba ukubani. Akufani nangokuya besingazi. Sizomfumana umntana
wethu.”

700
Nomtha: ”ULuleka Mahamba ahambe ayokubhadla ejele!”

Simba: ”Kutyiwa ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Andiphekanga.”

Simba: ”Ufike wakhala nje awapheka?! Hayibo ndilambile mna.”

Nomtha: ”Order ukutya kaloku.”

Simba: ”Hayi kodwa baby, ukutya itake away kaninzi evekini ingathi ndiyibachelor nditshatile! Akukho
healthy ke nokutya okuthengwayo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndithini? Ndiyopheka?”

Simba: ”Mxm! Ndizokwenza le order. Urhalele ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Ukutya.”

Simba: ”Unqandwa licingo kanene. Yiza sihambe siyobukela itivi. Yiza ndiphuze kuqala. Ndiyakuthanda.”

Ndimphuzile.

Nomtha: ”Ngalomzuzu andik'thandi. Wawuthe uzowanqanda amajoni akho. Jonga ngoku? Andimfuni
mna umntu ongena nyani.”

Uyihlekile.

Simba: ”Wena!”

Nomtha: ”Nditheni?”

Simba: ”Awenzanga nix. Uyandowabiswa qha, awuzibhadlelanga.”

Siyobukela itivi salinda itake away. Ebethathe nomntana wayombeka akulala. Ndothuke sekunuka
kamnandi kwamna kuba bendizumeke kulasofa. Ndiphakele uMangwabe satya nathi sayolala.
Ndothuswe nguSimba.

Nomtha: ”Yho ungandivuseli isex mna ndilele!”

Simba: ”ULuleka uphumile! Ndiyaphuma, ingathi uya emntaneni.”

Nomtha: ”Unixelele?”

Simba: ”Ndizok'founela.”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani ixesha?”

Simba: ”Zipast six ekuseni.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizothandaza ubuye naye.”

Simba: ”Lala kuqala, uzovuka uthandaze. Bendingafuni wothuke ndingekho.”

Ndinqwalile. Undiphuzile waphuma. Uvalo lwam!

701
EIGHTY-NINE
Simba: ”Baby.”

Nomtha: ”And then?”

Simba: ”Uthetha nam?”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo Simba.”

Simba: ”Hayibo Nomtha! awubulisi nokubulisa ngoku uvele undigibisele ngo'And then?'”

Nomtha: ”Ndineurombo. Mhoro mudiwa wangu.” ndiyaxolisa. Molo sthandwa sam.

Simba: ”Mwanganani baby, wakadini zvaku?” morning, unjani?

Nomtha: ”Ndirirayiti.” ndiright.

Simba: ”Ubusithi?”

Nomtha: ”Ufumanekile umntana?”

Simba: ”Asikamfumani. Senditsho silandela uLulu thina and oko esihambisa ithwebula henge
endingayaziyo, akakasisi kulendawo inomntana.”

Nomtha: ”Andikwazi nokuthini ndikuxelele apha endlini, ndibambe umphefumlo wam.”

Simba: ”Ungawari kakhulu maan, ndizobuya naye umntana ukuba uLuleka uyaya apho amgcine khona
namhlanje kuba sawuhlala emsileni wakhe imini le yonke yanamhlanje. Ndizobuya ngaphandle kwakhe
ukuba akayi apho akhoyo. Ukuba uyandilahla mna bakhona abanye abantu ababini abascoutileyo so
akunokwenzeka ukuba asilahle sobathathu.”

Nomtha: ”Ubungathanga use stars?”

Uyihlekile.

Simba: ”Kuwe kaloku, mna andinodlalwa nguLulela. Ndinomsindo kungoku ukuba bendingayazi ukuba
nguye-

Nomtha: ”Ubumkhanyelela ume ngomlenze omnye kaloku.”

Simba: ”Bendizothini na baby? Andilindelanga ukuba ibenguLuleka kuba uLuleka nguLuleka-

Nomtha: ”Ja, icacisa izinto ezininzi lonto.”

Simba: ”Sekefana nesister yam ngoku. Yena noSiyanda andisabathathi njengabahlobo kuphela ngenxa
yezinto esigqithe kuzo kunye. Bendingafuni ukukholwa ukuba usister wam angenza into enje. Nangoku
ndisatsho ukuba akakho zingqondweni. Akasoze ukuba wenza yonke lento esezingqondweni zakhe
ezipheleleyo. Eqiqile. Hayi maan.”

Nomtha: ”Andinakwa xesha lakhe kemna and obam naye ubuhlobo baphela ngalamini wayethatha
umntwana wam. Ngalamini wayethumela abantu ukuba babe umntana wam. Wakugqiba wandijonga
ebusweni akabina sazela- wandixelela imbhudane yokuba singaba nabanye abantwana. Ingathi
abantwana zitoys ongazi replace. Ukuba ebenabo abakhe ngengat-

702
Simba: ”Hayi baby. Hayi. Sukuthetha ngolohlobo.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyacaphuka maan!”

Simba: ”Ndinozvisisa mudiwa kodwa ke a little compassion goes a long way. Akumnandanga nakum.
Bekunge mnandanga ngakumbi ngoba besihleli nathi sinengxaki zethu kwaye ukulahlekelwa ngumntana
wethu kuya kwachaphazela umtshato wethu, kwaye ithanda. Kodwa siyayazi imeko akuyo uLuleka. Imbi
yona into kodwa udinga uncedo kunye nothando lwethu, izoba nzima nakuSiyanda lento. Munondzvisisa
here?” uyayiqonda?

Nomtha: ”Handisi kunyaso nzwisisa.” andiyiqondi.

Simba: ”Aneni!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva.”

Simba: ”Sifumana uZendaya, sifumana uncedo for uLuleka.”

Nomtha: ”Ungandifaki.”

Simba: ”Mna noSiyanda. Sewutyile?”

Nomtha: ”Kungona ndizotya ngoku. Andikasukumi nasebhedini. Ndivuke nje ndacinga wena.”

Simba: ”House wife.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinguye ngenxa yakho.”

Simba: ”Ngenxa yam njani?”

Nomtha: ”Ngoku undimithisa oko!”

Simba: ”Oh kanene ukhulelwe! Makorokoto!” congratulations!

Nomtha: ”Mxm!”

Simba: ”Ndiku ordele ntoni? Ubawela ukutya ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Wena.”

Utsarhiwe wakhohlela isidala sento ndabe ndiyihleka.

Simba: ”Nawa oh! Abeg, uzondenza ndilose ifocus yam apha. Nomtha, uzoba yingxaki? Lomntana
uzokuhlupha? Senditsho ndizofounelwa emini undixelele ukuba ndize endlini for umjikelo omnye? Kuba
baby zingxaki endizidingayo ebomini bam ezo.”

Ndiphelile yintsini.

Nomtha: ”Mudiwa wangu, ndinokuda nemoya wangu wese.” sthandwa sam, ndikuthanda ngentliziyo
yam yonke.

Simba: ”Naso?” nyani?

Nomtha: ”Ewe.”

703
Simba: ”Ndinokudawo.” nam Ndiyakuthanda.

Nomtha: ”Ubuye nomntana wam ke.”

Simba: ”Utye, ungalambisi umntanam.”

Okungathi ebendibona, ndijikelezise amehlo am. Njengoba ebothukile kungekudalanga ebesevakala

okungathi seyamnkele yonke lento. Senemincili. Mna? Bendisa yinambitha nangoku. Ibinzima kum
kunaye kuba mna bekuzofuneka ndiphinde ndimise omnye unyaka kwakhona ndikhulise abantwana.
Besingazukuba nesitters eziliqela kwaye bendingazuku shiya abantwana abathathu bonke noMangwabe.
Ngabe siyamntlonta. Bendingekabi namincile kemna. Kodwa bekungekho apho aya khona. Thengile,
thengile hayikhona buyisela my friend!

Nomtha: ”Ok.”

Simba: ”Kuphekwe ke.”

Nomtha: ”Uzobuya for ilunch?”

Simba: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Iworse le yokuba ndizopheka isophoro kunye nelunch.”

Simba: ”Yeka kaloku ukuba uyaqonda ndizolamba. Kuright.”

Nomtha: ”Yehake! Ayishwabulisi.”

Simba: ”Andishwabuli nam. Sendisitsho.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizokuphekela ipesto pasta.”

Simba: ”Desert?”

Nomtha: ”Hayike! Ufuna nedeserts?! Uzotya mna kaloku.”

Simba: ”Favourite.”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Mandivuke ke.”

Simba: ”Alright.”

Ndivukile ndondlula ibhedi yam ndahlamba ndanxiba ilokhwe nje ndaya emntaneni wam. Ndimncancise
ibele lakhe.

Mangwabe: ”Unjani namhlanje?”

Bendimbulise nje ukumbona kwam wabe emana endikrwaqula.

Nomtha: ”Ndiright ma, ndiyabulela.”

Unqwalile.

Mangwabe: ”Oh okaye. Uqeda ukuvuka. Ngisazomgeza.”

704
Nomtha: ”Xa ndigqiba apha.”

Ndimncancise wahlutha libele ndahamba ndayozenzela ukutya ndabeka ipasta lomzuzu. Besele
kucocekile ke indlu imenyezela nguMangwabe.

Bendiyibeke ecaleni kwam iphone yam, ndilindele icall evela kuSimba ukuba umntana uyafumaneka
okanye hayi.

Kudume imoto ngaphandle ndaxhuma ndaya emnyango. Undincumele akundibona ndabe ndiphunguza
emveni kwakhe.

Simba: ”Akakabikho.”

Ndivele ndadana.

Simba: ”Uphekile?”

Nomtha: ”Akakayi uLuleka phaya?”

Simba: ”Usendlini noSiyanda. Ubuye ezishops waya kwakhe.”

Nomtha: ”Yho hayibo! Kuzo phinde kuhlwe kwakhona umntwana wam engekho kokwabo?! Kutheni
ezulisa nje uLuleka? Okanye unibonile?! Simba! Sawuthini ukuba unibonile wathetha nalasisi
ngephone?!”

Simba: ”Akasibonanga.”

Nomtha: ”Wazi njani ukuba akanibonanga na Simba?!”

Simba: ”Calm yourself down! Uyeke ukundikhwaza, ndiyatsho ukuba ukwakhe and kukho abantu
abalindele ukuba anyakaze then sawuba swmsileni wakhe kwakhona. Asikho isidingo sayo yonke
lengxolo.”

Nomtha: ”Mxm!”

Simba: ”Ubhekisa kum?!”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Simba: ”Masinga gezelani ke. The same stress and pressure ophantsi kwayo yile nam ndiphantsi kwayo.
Ndilandelene noLulu ejikeleza intseni yonke yanamhlanje ndiwubona umonde wam ukuba uyacuntsuka.
Bendinazo nengqondo zokumlanda ndimbuze umntana wam, ndimxelele andolathise lendawo amgcine
kuyo kodwa kuye kwafuneka ukuba ndizibambe. Nto leyo ibinzima. Kunzima nokubuya apha endlini
kuba ndiyayazi ukuba uzokophuka intliziyo kwakhona. Let's respect each other. Ifustrations zakho unga-
ndingakunceda Mangwabe?”

Mangwabe: ”Bendizo- bendidiya kwelacala.”

Simba: ”Ungabe uphaka, ndifuna ukuhlamba msinya.”

Uyongena ekamireni. Ndishiyeke ndiphefumla. Ndimphakele ndayokubeka etafileni ndikugqumile.

Ugqibile ukuhlamba wayochopha etafileni. Bendikwi lounge area kemna ndihlelli ndibukele itivi.

705
Simba: ”Baby.”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Ubutyile wena?”

Nomtha: ”Andinamdla ngoku.”

Simba: ”Yiza yizotya nam.”

Ndisukumile ndayothatha ifolokhwe ndachopha ecaleni kwakhe. Usondeze isitya kum ndatya naye.
Sityile sagqiba kuthulekile.

Nomtha: ”Ndinga kongezi- Simba! Simba uMangwabe uzothi gqi!”

Simba: ”Ngumzi kabani lo?”

Ebendincamathele ngemva endinkamfule ngaphambili. Ubuso bakhe bebusentanyeni yam.

Nomtha: ”Nkokheki Matanzima.”

Simba: ”NdinguNkokheli kuwe?”

Nomtha: ”Masambe ekamireni.”

Simba: ”NdinguNkokheli kuwe na?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi awunguye! Ungenwe yintoni na?”

Simba: ”Ubani mna? Andingenwanga nto mna, umntu ozongena yinto nguwe. Silungise nesisimilo sakho
sigwenxa.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinesimilo esigwenxa mna?”

Simba: ”Uqale nini ukungayazi ukuba awunasimilo?”

Nomtha: ”Simba hayi maan!”

Simba: ”Awundifuni wena?”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi ndiyakufuna kodwa hayi apha.”

Simba: ”Ndikufuna apha nje mna? Sizothini kengoku ngalonto? Hm? Kuba ndikufuna ngoluhlobo,
undizele ngomva kanje.”

Nomtha: ”Sim-

Andiligqibanga wandifunqula nditswina, kuba bendinga lindelanga.

Simba: ”I want to f*ck.”

Ibe seso siphithi-phithi endikhulula yonke into eyilahlela kwa hell. Ngokuphanyaza kweso besendihamba
ngaze. Ukhulule ngokukwawuleza waphezulu kwam endiphuza kwakhona. Undibambe amabele wafaka
umlomo wakhe ndambona enyakama.

706
Nomtha: ”Yintoni?”

Simba: ”Bisi.”

Ndimhlekile.

Simba: ”Ohealthy lesex. Ndifumana necalcium.”

Ndithe ndisayihleka wabe sewubuyisele umlomo wakhe endiphulula ngaphambili. Indlela bendimanzi
ngayo bendinga funi nokuthetha. Umzimba wam ubusamthanda, bendibona. Ebewazi amaqhosha
emakawacofe. Ufake iminwe endiphulula kamnandi ndaziva ndincwina ndifuna yena ubuqu. Uyabona
kudala ndalala namadoda. Ibingekho efika kuSimba ngokwazi indaba zakhe. Bendifunga ebene PhD
yokonwabisa nokuvisa umntu kamnandi. Ebengezi lamxhokonxo u uncomfortable yena. Ndizive
sendingcangcazela ndawabala mbhakra amehlo am. Ukhuphe iminwe ngoko nangoko akalinda nokuba
ndikhokhe umoya ngaphambili kokuba andingene ngamandla. Bekungekho sidingo sokuba ndithi ayifake
yonke okanye ngamandla kuba ebesenza kanye lonto. Ndimva esibelelweni. Ebetshilo phofu wathi he
wants to f*ck. Ebesenza kanye lonto. Bendingayazi ndithini ngesiqu sam. Ndifike kwiclimax kwakhona
wabe engayekelanga. Ebejdingena ngesantya segeza ndithi sendizixhwitha inwele ndibe nditsala
amashiti ndibe ndimnkrempa umqolo. Zange ndabaswzulwini kodwa bendinombono ukuba kunje
okanye ndiswzulwini. Okanye mhlawumbi bendimana ndikroba xa ndinyukela amaqhina. Inoba
ibiseyikokwesine ngoku ndifika kwaO wam wabe naye sevungama oku kwesilwanyana sasendle ndeva
ubushushu bakhe ngaphakathi kum. Waqhuba eyifaka kancinci okungathi ubuyisela ezi ziphumayo.
Undiphuze umlomo.

Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinokudawo.” nam ndiyakuthanda.

Simba: ”One more ndizohlamba ndihambe.”

Nomtha: ”Kwangoku?”

Simba: ”Ndiyakucela.”

Siphinde saphaya! Undishiye apho ebhedini wayongena ebathroom.

Simba: ”Yizohlamba!”

Nomtha: ”Hay sundixhesha!”

Simba: ”Umntana uzofuna ukuncanca ke yena!”

Eish! Ndisukumike ndantswayiza ukuya ebathroom. Ndikhame amabele ndayohlanjwa. Ndiphume

kuqala kodwa ndayothambisa ndanxiba.

Simba: ”Hey! Umnyama kodwa!”

Nomtha: ”Khawude uhambe kwam!”

Simba: ”Okanye yilento unxibe impahla emnyama?”

Nomtha: ”Ndisiye!” hlukana nam!”

707
Ndimshiye apho eyihleka ndayojonga umntana wam. Ebehleli ke ndamfunqula ndayombeka esofeni
ecaleni kwam ndiqhubeka netivi le bendiyibukele. Uphume semgxamile ekamireni, efaka iwatshi yakhe
esihlahleni.

Simba: ”Later!”

Nomtha: ”Wamgxama? Andiphuzwa nokuphuzwa?”

Uze kum esahamba ngezantya eziphezulu.

Simba: ”Ndifumene icall. Uphumile endlini, uSiyanda uphindele emsebenzini. Kuthiwa uphume ephethe
isuitcase enkulu.”

Nomtha: ”For ntoni?!”

Simba: ”Ndilapha nawe baby.”

Nomtha: ”Ingathi kanti uhlele ukubaleka nomntwana wam uLulu?! Isezizinto zokungabikho
zingqondweni ezi ke?! Ufufutheka uyaphi nesuitcas- khawume ube undiphuza ngomlomo obandayo.”

Undincinele amehlo.

Simba: ”Ubuthe ufuna ukuphuzwa njena. Ndimnkile mna.”

Nomtha: ”Ubuye naye torho tataka Malik.”

Akandi phendulanga waphuma wahamba.

Simba: ”Nomtha! Nomtha! Linokhanyo!”

Ebendikhwaza esiza nganeno.

Simba: ”Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Tata kaZendaya?”

Simba: ”Khawuzobona.”

Nomtha: ”Intoni?”

Simba: ”Khawuzobona!”

Nomtha: ”Mangwabe! Ngwabe's, angawi lona ndiyaphuma!”

Mangwabe: ”Ngiyeza!”

Unditsale ngesandla uSimba endiqhaqhathekisa.

Nomtha: ”Yintoni?!”

Simba: ”Khawujonge!”

Nomtha: ”Hayini! Ngumntana njena lona!”

Ibilusana olubomvu lusongelwe kakuhle ngamabhayi lafakwa kwicar seater.

708
Nomtha: ”Hayini Simba! Ngubani oshiye umntwana apha na! ”

Inoba ebengekagqibi neveki umntwana.

Indlela ebemncinci ngayo.

Nomtha: ”Baby, founela amapolisa! Kona ungene njani umntu apha?”

Simba: ”Ngumntu walapha.”

Nomtha: ”Yhini!”

Ndiyomthatha ndamfunqula. Bekukho inote efakwe phaya.

'Bendicela undijongele yena torho Nomtha. Igama lakhe nguNuri, ndoyika utata. Andiyazi ukuba
ndizomthini mna umntana ongaka. Malik.'

Nomtha: ”Suwafounela amapolisa.”

Nditsho sendityhafile. Undifingele intshiya.

Simba: ”Ngoba? Ithini lo note?”

Nomtha: ”UMalik ebethe uzoza azondibona so ndathi avulelwe ukufika kwakhe. Nguye oshiye lomntana.
Ngumntana wakhe caba. Ina-

Uthathe lenote bendimnika yona wayifunda.

Simba: ”Uphambene uMalik! Ngumntana kabani lo azomshiya apha?!”

Nomtha: ”Kucacile ukuba ngowakhe.”

Simba: ”Yichildrens home kengoku le? Ungunina wena? Engamsi eMeadowland kunina nje umntana?
Uzomfumana emapoliseni ke. Ndizowaxelela ukuba-

Nomtha: ”Hayi Simba, khawume.”

Simba: ”Ndi- huh?, ndime? Ndimele ntoni? Ufuna ndimele ntoni? Uzohlalaphi lomntwana?! Uphambene
na uMalik! Uphi kona unina wakhe njengoba ezomdumpa apha kwam? Ndirunna ihomeless shelter
mna?!”

Ndimgqithile ndayongena naye endlini. Ndimkhuphile kulanto ebefakwe kuyo ndamchiza ingubo.

Nomtha: ”Mangwabe khawuzobona!”

Bebengasekho elounge noMihlayonke.

Nomtha: ”Ye mfazi bendicela undiyele apha emall undithengele idiapers nobisi. Ndingu mdlezana.”

Mangwabe: ”Hayibo! Yingane kabani le!”

Nomtha: ”Unyana kaSimba lo bendithe uzoza umshiye egatini.”

Mangwabe: ”Hawemah! Kodwa nkos'yami! Ingane encane kanje!”

709
Nomtha: ”Yho!”

Simba: ”Akabambi calls zam.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizomfounela ngoku kwam, kakade akazubamba phone yakho.”

Simba: ”Khawumfounele ngoku ndizothetha naye.”

Nomtha: ”Simb-

Simba: ”Nomtha mfounele.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiphathele iphone yam ke.”

Simba: ”Nxa!”

Uhambile wayongena ekamireni wabuya nayo. Ebephinde wanyamalala uMangwabe. Ebemonqena ke

uSimba andiyazi bekutheni.

Iringe kambalwa wabe seyichola.

Malik: ”Hi, Nomtha.”

Simba: ”Uze udrophe le phone nje ndizokufuna ndikufumane, ndikuqhekeze. Ngumntana kabani lo?”

Malik: ”Ngowam tata.”

Simba: ”Ngowakho noLinokhanyo? Umenze noLinokhanyo lomntana?”

Malik: ”Andimenzanga naye?”

Simba: ”Kengoku ufuna ntoni kwam lomntwana?”

Cwaka.

Simba: ”Malik!”

Malik: ”Tata.”

Simba: ”Andikubuzanga umbuzo?”

Malik: ”Undibuzile tata.”

Simba: ”Where the f*ck are you?!”

Malik: ”Ndisemsebenzini.”

Simba: ”Ufuna ndimzise apho kulomsebenzi lomntana?!”

Malik: ”Hayi! Hayi, andifuni umzise apha.”

Nomtha: ”Malik uphi uSiyasanda?”

Malik: ”Ukhona, ayingo mntana wam naye lowo.”

710
Simba: ”Andina msebenzi wokuba ngumntana kabani! Into endiyitshoyo kukuba akukho mfazi wam
ozokugadela mntana apha! Awuzuyenza lonto. Asizuku zalelwa nguwe Malik, we can make our own
babies. ULinokhanyo ngumdleza, uyayazi lonto. Uphi umamakho?!”

Malik: ”UseMeadowlands.”

Simba: ”Kuse Meadowlands apha?”

Malik: ”Akukho seMeadowlands.”

Simba: ”Malik undiphoxile. I'm more disappointed than I am angry. Uyahamba uyokwenza abantwana
ngaphaya wakugqiba uzomlaxaza ehekeni okungathi sistray dog. Uyamtipa umshiya apho. Umntana
wakho, a little girl. Ukuba ebethathwe ngomnye umntu kuleheke?! Ukuba ebetyiwe yinja?! Malik,
uyifundephi lento kuba mna I have always taken care of my children. Uyibone phi lento uyenzileyo?
Uyindoda enjani? What kind of a human being are you? What kind of a man are you? Andizelanga mntu
ozokwenza ngolohlobo mna. Andikhulisanga indoda efulathela umntana wayo imlaxaze nje. Undivisa
kabuhlungu. You hurt me kuba undenza ndizive okungathi undoyisile. Hay mntanam zange wandiphoxa
kodwa namhlanje undiphoxile. Undidanisile. I'm so ashamed to call you my son. Andikwazi wena.
Ndiyaphuma ngoku, ndiyokhangela umntana wam- usisi wakho omncinci. Xa ndibuya ndifuna
ukukufumana apha. Undilinde apha, ndizokukhaba unye. Inoba uzobhadla. Siyevana kwedini?!”

Malik: ”Siyavana tata, tata ndiyax-

Simba: ”Futsekh! Futsekh!”

Uyibeke phantsi iphone evutha ngumsindo. Ndiphefumlile.

Nomtha: ”Baby, ungambethi maan. Wenze impa-

Simba: ”Huh? Impazamo? Impazamo ukushiya umntu egeyithini? Usana olubomvu? Ulifulathele and
strawl uyongena emotweni yakho umshiye. Baby, kungcono ndithetha nomntu ondaziyo. Obaziyo
ubudlelwane bam nonyana wam. Ngethethe nam uMalik. Ngethethile qha. Kodwa ukhethe ukwenza
lento yena esazi ngcono kunoku. Andizumbetha Nomtha ndizomgangatha. He will learn. Ngendikhangela
uZendaya ngoku, kodwa ndilapha ngenxa yoMalik abangavutshwanga. Ndizomgangatha, uyandazi.
Ukuba ufuna ukulwa sawukulwa, singamadoda sobabini mos. Khawuthi ndihambe. Mna!”

Nomtha: ”Shiya icard ndizomqokelelela iz-

Simba: ”Umntanam nankuya! Akukho nto angenayo. Wena mother Theresa uzomthengela ngemali
yakho ukuba awumfouneli umxelele ukuba afake imali yezinto zomntanakhe akugqiba amse nankuya
unina eMeadowlands.”

Nomtha: ”Simba!”

Simba: ”Huh?”

Nomtha: ”Uhambe kakuhle.”

Ndimbone eswabulukisa ubuso wasondela kum wandiphuza emlonyeni.

Simba: ”Ndizobuya naye umntana.”

711
Nomtha: ”Ndiyakucela.”

Simba: ”Ndiyakuthanda uyeva?”

Ndinqwalile.

Utsho waphuma ngomnyango. Bendimoyikisela uMalik kutatakhe. Bendimazi uSimba ngesandla.

Ndimazela apha kum. Ndimxelele uMalik ukuba ndizoyomfunela izinto ezimbalwa wandithumela imali
sahamba noMangwabe. Ndimqokelelele ke sabuyela endlini. Uthe akulala ndaqalisa ukupheka isophoro.
Ndide ndagqiba nokokupheka emgekafouni uSimba. Kudume imoto ngaphandle ndaziva ndibethwa
luvalo.

Kungene ubhut'Mluleki kuqala, ndivele ndatyhafa ukumbona ebusweni. Kulandele uBukhosi emveni
kwakhe naye enobobuso obude. Kugqibele ukungena uSimba. Ndivele ndazigquma umlomo amehlo am
enenyembezi. Besisehla kobakhe ezonyembezi. Zizehlela nje kuba izandla zakhe bezixakekile. Ebephethe
umntu.

Nomtha: ”Umntwanam! Umntwanam, Simba!”

Bendifuna ukuphakama ndiye kuye kodwa bendixakwe kukusukuma. Bendisuke ndamadol'wanzima.

Ndihleli phaya ndibajongile besiza kum. USimba esiza naye kum. Ndiwafumene bakuba phambi kwam
ndasukuma ndabanga bobabini. Undibambile uSimba.

Simba: ”Kulungile baby, kulungile. Simfumene.”

Bendisoyika nokunjonga. Ndoyika ukuba okanye ulimele. Okanye ebehlukunyezwa phaya. Intliziyo yam!

712
NINETY-ONE
Simba: ”Baby!”

Ndothuke ebuthongweni ndamncinela amehlo.

Simba: ”Khawulalise lomntana uze ebhedini.”

Nomtha: ”Yho! Ndibiwe bubuthongo, oko ndimlalisa.”

Ungenile wamthatha kum wamlalisa wandinceda ukusukuma esofeni.

Simba: ”Umama makamthathe lomntana. Ayizulunga kaloku xa izobanje. Awuzuvukela uZendaya,

uvukele uMihla uphinde uvukele uJy!”

Nomtha: ”Hahaha! Awumva umntwana kaMalik. Uyalazi kona igama lakhe?”

Simba: ”Kuthwa ngubani kanene?”

Nomtha: ”Kuthiwa nguNuri.”

Simba: ”Nge weekend siyani eKapa.”

Nomtha: ”Sewuqinisekile ukuba uzovuma?”

Simba: ”Kakade uzovuma. Andithi ngulo ebefuna uZendaya.”

Nomtha: ”UZendaya mdala kodwa yena. Lo lusana olubomvu krwe!”

Simba: ”Ukhona uMiracle uzomhoya. Baby awuzukwazi ukuhoya abantwana abathathu umnye,
ayizukwazeka leyo into. Ubusonganyelwe ngoku ngaba babini. Kubekiselaphi kengoku xa bebathathu?
Ngapha ukhulelwe. Izochaphazela mna yonke lento futhi.”

Nomtha: ”Andithi ubuthe uMalik amfunele umntu.”

Simba: ”Akusazobakho sidingo xa esiya eKapa. Ndizomncedisa nangoku mondla ukuba akakho apha. Into
endingayifuniyo kukuba ube usenziwa ixhegwazana unentsana ezininzi.”

Nomtha: ”Uzothetha ke nomama, kunye noMalik.”

Simba: ”Ndizothetha naye kusasa umama, ndizomcela phofu.”

Nomtha: ”Oh kodwa oMalik! Umama uzipholele kamnandi emzini okufuphi nolwandle nendoda yakhe-

Simba: ”Indoda yakhe? Ngubani indoda yakhe?”

Nomtha: ”NguMamnkeli kaloku.”

Simba: ”Kutheni unolwimi?”

Nomtha: ”Ndinolwimi ngose?”

Simba: ”Uqale nini ukuba yindoda kamama uMamnkeli?”

713
Nomtha: ”Andiyazi uqale nini kaloku kodwa ngumntu wakhe qha. Qho xa ndithetha nomama mna
usoloko embhombha kwi background.”

Simba: ”Ithi lonto bayajola?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe. Unotamnci.”

Simba: ”Ey ungandifaki mna. Nguwe onotamnci kuba yaziwa nguwe eyokuba uMamnkeli unomama.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba bayayenza?”

Simba: ”Intoni?”

Undibuze enyakamile.

Nomtha: ”Izimanga? Inoba bayazenza?”

Simba: ”Mxm!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Plot twist, umama ukhulelwe umntana kaMamnkeli!”

Unyakame ngakumbi.

Simba: ”Ngaba bafanekwe yi electric chair. Abantu abadala abazenzi ezozinto.”

Nomtha: ”Abasoze bangazenzi abaya. Ububabona nje ukuba kukho I spark xa besegumbini elinye. Kuthi
'qha! qha! qha!'”

Unikine intloko yakhe wayophuma ngomnyango. Ndimlandele ndiyihleka. Ebesiya ekhitshini.

Nomtha: ”Sendingxamele ukuya eKapa kengoku ndizobabeka iso. Mna ndiyamvuyela shame umama,
njengoba ndivuyela nawe nje.”

Undifingele intshiya. Ndichophe kwihigh chair phambi khakwe. Ebekhupha izonka nebutter, nefrench.

Nomtha: ”Ndicela undenzele nam.”

Simba: ”Bendikwenzela kakade, ndiyayazi uzobawe esam. Uthi undivuyela entweni kengoku mna?”

Nomtha: ”Ndivuyela lento unomntu- mnwa!-

Ndiyihlekile akundijikelezisela amehlo. Ebekhangeleka ebhoreke kuthi makafe. Bendimdikile shame

ugranpa wabantu.

Nomtha: ”Senditsho unomntu omthandayo naye okuthandayo emveni kokudlalwa nguNokulunga

ekunxibisa uDlamini webhatyi iminyaka le yonke. Wafumana mna ke-

Simba: ”Isela lephone!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Bendixelela uMalik ngoku ukuba nam ndandike ndazifumana izibhaxu zebhanti!”

Simba: ”Beni comparisha izivubeko?”

Nomtha: ”Bendimxelela nje.”

714
Simba: ”Mxm!”

Nomtha: ”So ke bendisatsho, nobabini nomama nenziwe ntem-ntem ngaba bantu. Abantu benokhe
usapho nabo, nabathanda. Abantu benicinga ukuba nawuphila ubom benu bonke nabo- kodwa ke
kuthiwani kanene ngesilungu?

Simba: ”Xa ufuna ukuthini?”

Nomtha: ”Ithini kanene lentetho maan. Silver lining nton nton. Dark clouds in the sky.”

Uphelile yintsini.

Simba: ”Yimalini ukuba muncu?”

Nomtha: ”Kaloku ndino matric qha mna.”

Simba: ”Abantu abano matric bayayazi ukuba kuthiwa 'every dark cloud has a silver lining'.”

Nomtha: ”Jaaa ke mudiwa! Every dark cloud has a silver lining! Imagine kengoku ukuba wayengazange
akunxibise uDlamini uNokulunga? Ngewungena mfazi omhle, okuxhasayo. Okupha kamnandi. Okuzalela
abantwana abahle njengam.”

Simba: ”Ubuyile uNomtha. Bendikukhumbula ke kodwa ngoku ndiyadikwa.”

Nomtha: ”Oh ndiyakudika? Xa ndikuxelela indlela onethamsanqa ngayo ukuba nam ebomini bakho?”

Simba: ”Ndiyayazi lonto. Kodwa nawe xa ubala amathamsanqa akho uqale ngam, kuba ukuba andizange
ndibekho kulaclub ngewuse sisibethi.”

Nomtha: ”Ndandisisibethi mna?”

Simba: ”Wawubalisa ngokwakho ukuba wawuqwenga amadoda xa ugqibile ngawo uwaticele phaya!”

Nomtha: ”Zange nditsho kanjalo.”

Simba: ”Wawuyintombi yabafana ke oksalayo.”

Nomtha: ”Mnkru!”

Simba: ”Ndiyakutyhola?”

Ndinyuse amagxa.

Simba: ”Exactly. Kengoku ke sobabini saba nethamsanqa ngokuba sidibane. Watsho wazinza wena
makhwenkweni. Unoma umane usothuka xa uvuka ecaleni komntu omnye qho!”

Nomtha: ”Hehehe! Hayi andisadlali nawe. Wena?”

Simba: ”Mna ntoni? Mna andiyenzi into yokukrexeza. Zange ndayenza, andisoze ndiyenze. Ngakumbi
ngoku nditshatile.”

Nomtha: ”Nam njena! Ndandinga thandani namntu, ndandi piece jopha. Ndiyifree spirit, ndinga
bophelelekanga mntwini.”

Simba: ”OK free spirit. Inoba sisetrongweni ngoku ispirit sakho.”

715
Nomtha: ”Andisadlali nawe.”

Uyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Kuhamba njani emsebenzini?”

Simba: ”Kugrand.”

Nomtha: ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Mh ntoni? Kusharp, kugrand.”

Nomtha: ”Bendicinga.”

Simba: ”Andinamali Nomtha, andina mali. Kugrand, ewe kodwa andina mali.”

Ndimncinele amehlo.

Simba: ”Ha.a.”

Nomtha: ”Awuyazi noba ndizothini sewungena mali nje.”

Simba: ”Uzothini?”

Nomtha: ”Swabukukisa obobuso kuqala.”

Simba: ”Andifuni. Thetha, ubucinga ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Uyandityhasa kengoku.”

Simba: ”Ngenxa yokuba ifuna imali lento uyicingayo andithi?”

Nomtha: ”Ikhitshi.”

Ufinge intshiya.

Simba: ”Litheni?”

Nomtha: ”Ekhayeni. Ndicinga senze ibuilt in cupboard, ikhitshi lethu lizoba lihle.”

Simba: ”Akukho nto iwrongo ngelakhitshi nezakhabhathi ziphaya.”

Nomtha: ”Ngumhlobo mD Simba lowa.”

Simba: ”Andinamali mna Nomtha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndinayo mna, Ndizokwenza ngemali yam.”

Simba: ”Uyabhuda kengoku.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuphela kwenyanga. Ubuthe siye ekhayeni.”

Simba: ”Bendifuna uyeke ube uzivalele apha endlini. Bendingatsho ukuba kuyokhutshwa ikhabhathi
eziphilileyo mna ngenxa yokuba ucinga uba ngumhlobo mdi.”

Nomtha: ”Sawu budgeta.”

716
Simba: ”Nomtha size right ezakhabhathi. Uyathanda kube kuchithwa imali ingathi imila ngaphantsi
komhlaba. Sinabantwana ekufuneka sibondle nendleko. Yimibutho zi insurance, asihambi ngaze futhi.
Uworse ke wena uthenga impahla every month. Hayibo! Hayibo! Mandicingelwe nam kaloku.”

Nomtha: ”Ndizofuna umsebenzi ke noba kusemakhitshini ndizokwazi ukwenza ezinye izinto uzoyeka
uku-

Simba: ”Andifuni ukulwa nawe mna. Ndizilembele, ndizidinekwe. Ndilambe macala.”

Nomtha: ”Yhooo ha.a andinamdla we sex mna. Caba ndawube ndiphekwa ndisophulwa everyday!
Awutyi ezi viagra zakhona na wena?”

Simba: ”Ufuna utea nesonka sakho?”

Nomtha: ”Uzophunga wena?”

Simba: ”Ndizolumela ngejuice mna.”

Nomtha: ”Nam ndifuna ijuice.”

Simba: ”Skhwenene! Umncinci for ukuba nelow sex drive.”

Nomtha: ”Sise kwisex?”

Simba: ”Nangoku.”

Nomtha: ”Hayi khawume. Sotyela phi? Esof- yho!”

Simba: ”Myeke ndizomhoya.”

Nomtha: ”Khawuleza torho angavusi uNuri. Uze naye apha ndimncancise.”

Simba: ”Kanti kutheni ungamlumli lomntama?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi wethu Simba.”

Ndiyobeka ukutya kwethu phezulu kwe coffee table weza noMihlayonke.

Nomtha: ”Ndizomthanda Monday, ndimthande Tuesday, ndimthande Wednesday. Thursday na Friday.

Mihlayonke, hlala nawe-

Simba: ”Umcaphukisa worse ke njengoba umyilozela umntana.”

Nomtha: ”Udika gqithi! Abe esivusa silele.”

Simba: ”Fane ucinge ke ukuba ubuphindele ezingubeni wayolalan bekuzofuneka uphinde uvuke for
uMihla. Uthi uyalala kukhale uNuri.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyakuva kaloku myenam. Ndikuvile.”

Simba: ”Mhhhh. Uyalithanda ibele lo!”

Nomtha: ”Lisezoncancwa elibele.”

Simba: ”Hayi! Ungaqalisi ukumncancisa ubhasela. Phelela apha kuMihla. Hayibo hayi! Andisathandi.”

717
Nomtha: ”Kuthwa liright ibisi lebele ke emntaneni.”

Simba: ”Hayi. Nanku u7de Laan encanca ibhotile, uright. Ungaphinde uncancise mntu.”

Nomtha: ”Sawubona.”

Simba: ”Ndizokushiya naba bantwana bakho baninzi ndiyoqala ubomi obutsha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndingafunda ngawe ukuthakatha ngalomini. Ungabuya uchwechwa usi'akolpati.”

Simba: ”Uthatha lula nawe. Kwakutheni ungamithi ngokuya wawuse single.”

Nomtha: ”Awuke uqaphele wena ukuba ababantu babubusy abafane bamithe, base- ubuthe uphi
kanene uLulu?”

Simba: ”Use stars.”

Nomtha: ”Ja.”

Simba: ”Msapha ndiyombeka.”

Nomtha: ”Mbhodlise kuqala ndibe ndisitya mna.”

Umthathile wambeka esifubeni sakhe. Ndimjongile ndimncumele.

Simba: ”Uyandithanda ane?”

Nomtha: ”Yehake, uyakuthanda ukuthandwa. Ndiyakubuka nentombi yakho.”

Simba: ”Ndisezokrwitsha abantwana babantu apha.”

Nomtha: ”Thandazi uBhasi angabiyo ntombi.”

Simba: ”Yho makabe yinkwenkwe bhetele! Kuyafana nanku uMalik esiza no7de Laan!”

Nomtha: ”OoJy!”

Simba: ”Ungayomithisa emaqheyeni wena xa ubhadlileyo? Zingena mgubo kangaka eziya.”

Nomtha: ”Sukuquka!”

Simba: ”Hayi suka!”

Siyolala sakugqiba ukutya. Indoda endala ifune ukuncamathela kum okomplastaro. Umntana wam uleli
phambi kwam, wafumana lento ebeyifuna.

Ndithuke sishiyeke sobabini noZendaya ezingubeni. Ebehleki ke.

Nomtha: ”Zendaya.”

Zendaya: ”Mh?”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani umamakho?”

Zendaya: ”Ngumamam.”

718
Nomtha: ”NguNomtha umamakho. NguNomtha. Ndim umamakho andithi?”

Unqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Utatakho nguSimba. Ndiyakuthanda uyeva? Wena uyandithanda?”

Unqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Umama ebekukhumbula wena. Ebekukhumbula kakhulu.”

Kuvuleke ucango kwangena uSimba.

Simba: ”Molo baby, hayi uyahlupha umntanakho namhlanje.”

Ebengasakrasi! Ndimfunqule ndamshushuzela.

Simba: ”Mfake ebeleni. Jellytots!”

Uyihlekile wakubona uSimba wasukuma wayomanga, wamjikelezisa utatakhe.

Nomtha: ”Yho yehake, andivuyelwanga kanje kemna.”

Simba: ”Suba nomona tyhini! Ufuna ntoni? Inugles?”

Zendaya: ”Oats!”

Simba: ”You want oats wena? Uzotya notatakho? Okay masihambe siyokwenza ioats ke mntanam.
Ndikwenzele nawe Nomtha?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi, ndizotya isonka mna. Andiyithandi ioats.”

Simba: ”Ufuna ntoni ke? Uqumbile?”

Nomtha: ”Kancinci. Ndifuna andivuyele njengawe nam.”

Simba: ”Kuba ebefunyenwe ndim kaloku uqhele mna kakhulu kunawe, ayiqumbisi. Awufuni
newheetbix?”

Nomtha: ”Ungandenzela. Umntana kaMalik uphi?”

Simba: ”UkuMangwabe. Vuka ke uzotya, andizukuphathela ebhedini.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyeza.”

Simba: ”Okay baby.”

Nomtha: ”Enkosi mntase.”

Simba: ”Ungayiqheli ke! Njengoba sendingu mntase nje ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Hehe!”

Ndincancise uMihlayonke walala. Ndiyombeka ebhedini.

Nomtha: ”Mangwabe!”

719
Mangwabe: ”Yebo sawubona.”

Nomtha: ”Sivule icreche apha.”

Mangwabe: ”Yiyo ngempela.”

Simba: ”Ndithethile nomama.”

Nomtha: ”And then?”

Simba: ”Uyayazi ukuba indidika kanjani lonto ka 'And then?'”

Nomtha: ”Utheni umama?”

Simba: ”Uvumile. Ndikuxelele ukuba uzovuma. Ndibize lo unguMalik ndizomxelela.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhh. Sizotsho simse ngeweekend. Ndike ndiye elwandle ndikhuphe isikhwakhwalala!”

Simba: ”Sizoqhuba ke kodwa. Abantwana abangaka abazulunga kwiflight.”

Nomtha: ”Masihambeni wethu, andiphangeli nokuphangela mna. Akukho apho ndingxamele khona.
NoMangwabe uzotsho aphumle ezintsuku sizobe singekho.”

Mangwabe: ”Ang'khathelanga mina.”

Nomtha: ”Noba awukhathelanga uzophumla. Umxelele Simba umama ukuba uzolahlwa apha
lomntana?”

Simba: ”Uzosose eyithetha ngok'kwakhe leyo.”

Nomtha: Sizohamba naye?”

Simba: ”Ewe. Umntanakhe uzohoywa ngubani endleleni sihamba noMihla noZendaya?”

Nomtha: ”Ja unyanisile.”

Ndondule, ndosula ubuso bam ndahamba ndayotya.

Nomtha: ”Bendithe ndifuna ukubona uLuleka ke namhlanje. Icase ihamba njani?”

Simba: ”Use kwiholding cells.”

Nomtha: ”Uvela nini kanti ecourt?”

Simba: ”Ansiqondi nokuba uzovela lamntu ecourt baby, akakho right uLuleka.”

Nomtha: ”Simba dropha icharges maan asiwe esibhedlele sabantu abagula ngengqondo.”

Simba: ”Oh seyinguwe lo!”

Nomtha: ”Ndim ntoni? Hayi sendimsikizela mna shame ngoku. Uthini uSiyanda?”

Simba: ”Umthetho mawudlale indima.”

720
Ndimfingele intshiya.

Nomtha: ”Kutsho uSiyanda kanjalo?!”

Simba: ”Ngenxa yokuba etshate naye akutsho ukuba uzomkhusela.”

Nomtha: ”Hayisuka akuthethwa lonto. Uthetha ukuba ukuba ndingaba umntana ngenxa yokuba wena
undenz-

Simba: ”Akayithunywangan nguSiyanda into ayenzileyo uLulu.”

Nomtha: ”Kodwa ngumyeni wakhe. Thina singafuna umthetho udlale indim. Ubulungisa budlale indima,
kodwa yena kulindeleke ukuba amxhase. Acengane nawe ukuba udrophe icharges umfunele uncedo.”

Simba: ”Uzokuyenza lonto. Intonayo usothukile naye yinto ayenzileyo. Xa kuphele umothuko uzotsho
abe novelwano.”

Nomtha: ”Mhhhh!”

Siye kugqirha emveni kwemini ukubuya kukroba emsebezini uSimba. Wenziwe icheck ups ke umntana
yabuya yonke into iright. Bendingaqondi nokuba bendibambe umphefumlo lixhala de safumana
iziphumo. Hayi andiyazi ukuba ngendiphambene ndaleliphi igeza ukuba bekunofunyanwa into ewrongo.
Hayi ngomntana wam. Bendincithwa nalukuba ekhetha utatakhe kunam xa sikho sobabini. Ufike
eyoncamathela kuye. Ebesancanca ubisi ke naye. Ayofunquleka kutata wakhe. Ebezoyileyo kodwa
kulonyaka kuba ebezoba na three yonke, utata wakhe ebekhala ngokubulaleka. Imali, this. Imali, that.
Bendimva shame yena, qha kuba indim ke. Ekugqibeleni ibininzi into ibixhomekeke kuye.

Andikwazanga ukumbona ngalomini uLulu kuba ke ebengabonwa. Ngosuku okulandelayo ibe yibail
hearing yakhe, wayifumana ke ibail kodwa akamkhupha uSiyanda. Ndincame ndacenga uSimba adrophe
icharges mntaka bawo kuba bekubonakala ukuba uzoya eSun City. Ibingubani yona iSun City?!
Bendingakwazi noku attenda kuba bendinga funi ukushiya abantwana noMangwabe. Phofu
bendinobashiya mna, qha uSimba ebengathandi. Kungathi siyamhlukumeza uMangwabe. Besingayanga
nakuloKapa kukuxakeka.

Babuye belandelelana uSimba noSiyanda. Bendimqumbele uSiyanda. Ndiqumbele indlela ebeye

wayiphatha ngayo yonke lento. Yhini ukumenza kanje uLulu ekubeni ene insecurities nengxaki nje
kungenxa yakhe nokungakwazi ukuvala izip le yakhe. Ngoku uLulu ebebana na nabantwana bethu kuba
eziva ephelele ngoske abe nomntana, ndingayazi ukuba bekutheni angahoyi lowa bebem'adoptile.

Siyanda: ”Dumelang!”

Nomtha: ”Yebo.”

Siyanda: ”Ninjani empilweni?”

Nomtha: ”Sikhona.”

Undigxeleshile uSimba ndajikelezisa amehlo.

Siyanda: ”Kuhle nakuthi enkosi.”

Nomtha: ”Unjani uLulu tata kaZendaya?”

721
Simba: ”Ebengafuni ukushiyeka phaya ecinga ukuba uzolinyazwa or something. Ey, kunzima baby.
Bendibgaqondi ukuba inzulu ngolahlobo into kaLuleka. Hay inzulu.”

Nomtha: ”Evezokuba njani kuloSun City?”

Ndibuze ndijonge kuSiyanda.

Siyanda: ”ULulu sephambana nje entloko kungenxa yokuba engafuni ukwamnkela isimo sakhe. Sinaye
mos umntana mna naye, endaweni yokuba ahoye umntana lo wethu ubana noZendaya. Andizisoli
nakancinci kemna ngokuba ndingakhuphi bail-

Simba: ”Yiyeke Siyanda. Izoshiyeka nam lento uyithethayo apha endlini. Uzofumana uncedo aludingayo
uLuleka kula wellness center abuye eright.”

Nomtha: ”Abuye eright nyani kodwa mna ndodwa andisamfuni nje ecaleni kwam nabantwana bam.
Andimthembi tu. Into endiyifunayo kukuba abe right.”

Simba: ”Yinto efunwa sithi sonke leyo.”

Ebebuyile umntana wethu. Enkonzakalanga engalimelanga. ULulu ebengeno lunga etrongweni.

Ebengeke afumane ncedo ebeludinga. Bendingayazi ke ngoSiyanda. Bendingazi ukuba uzothi ephuma
kulandawo ebekuyo abe esatshatile na okanye bazodlala uhappy family noZama. Bendingazi nyani.
Bendinoloyiko kodwa. Kuba ebezothi ephila kwenye abuye aphanjaniswe yenye. Umamakhe, noSiyanda
ngoku- bobabini bebedlale indim ukuze imsebenzele ngokuhlobo into yokungabi namntana kwakhe.
Bendifuna ukumbona kona, ndiqonde izinto ezininzi. Ndifumane impendulo, kodwa bendingafuni ukuya
ndisenalomsindo bendinawo kuba bekungazuba kuhle. Bendimvela kona ngoku kodwa bendisacaphuka.

Ndibashiye apho uSiyanda noSimba ndayohlamba ndalala. Bendingena ncoko naye ngoku.

Ndive nelizwi likabhut'Mluleki. Bebebuyelana noSimba. Bendingazi ukuba bebeyiqonda lonto na bona.
Kodwa kancinci, kancinci bebesondelana. Bebencedwe nguZendaya. Kuba ndiyacinga nangoku ubhuti
uze ngokuba 'ezobona uZendaya'. Ndizilalele ke mna.

722
NINETY
Simba: ”Baby.”

Nomtha : ”Mh?”

Simba: ”Uright?”

Nomtha: ”Ndirirayiti mudiwa.”

Simba: ”Mna nawe siright?”

Nomtha: ”Kakade siright, ngena. Kutheni umi emnyango?”

Simba: ”Bayeke balale abantwana. Yiza ngapha.”

Nomtha: ”Ndicinga ukumthatha ndilale naye ebhedini yethu uZendaya, wagqibela kudala ukulala nam
inoba akasa ndikhumbuli.”

Ungenile wazondanga ngemva.

Simba: ”Uyakukhumbula sthandwa sam. Akusoze ibekanti sekulibele ngoku.”

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: ”Masihambe elounge.”

Nomtha: ”Basekhona oobhuti?”

Unikine intloko yakhe.

Nomtha: ”Ndithe basishiye, bazoza ngenye imini bazobona umntana not namhlanje.”

Nomtha: ”Kufuneka siyeni kugqirha ngomso. Bendifuna kwanamhlanje ke. Ingathi kanti ikhona into
esingayiboniyo. Ndineworry yokuhlukunyezwa ngokwe- a-

Simba: ”Andibonanga nto mna. Nam bendinalo worry. Akanazo nempawu zokuba ebebethwa,
kukhangeleka okungathi ebemphethe kakuhle uLuleka.”

Nomtha: ”Uphi yena lowo?! Nimfumene njani?!”

Simba: ”Uyafundekela uzobothusa.”

Nomtha: ”Nimfumene njani?”

Ndibuze sendithobe ilizwi.

Simba: ”Masiye kwelacala sizothetha kakuhle.”

Nomtha: ”Andifuni kumshiya umntwanam.”

Simba: ”Uzoba right baby, ukhuselekile umntana akukho nto izokwenzeka kuye. Akukho mntu
uzomthatha.”

723
Ndiphefumle ndamjonga kwakhona eleli kamnandi ezolile. IJellytots zam. Ibingathetheki indlela
bendichulumance ngayo ngokubuya komntwana wam. Ndimhlambile, ndamtyisa, ndambeka esifubeni
sam wade walala ubuthongo. Ibingathi ndinga wasusi amehlo am kuye.

Simba: ”Umntana wethu ubuyile, ukhuselekile.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela ngokumfumana.”

Simba: ”Ungandibuleli. Ndoyisakala kukwenza umsebenzi wam wokunikhusela. Bekufanele kakade

ukuba ndimfumane.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyaxolisa ngokuba krwada nangoku qhaqhathekisa.”

Undiphuze intamo nje kuphela, akandiphendula.

Simba: ”Masibashiye balale.”

Nomtha: ”Ok! Kunini ufuna ndiphume apha.”

Simba: ”Kudala nyani, ubusewutyile?”

Besilandelelana siyophuma, akayivalanga vingci lakamire.

Nomtha: ”Ndibawela nje into esweet. Ubuyigqibile icake?”

Simba: ”Kutheni izogqitywa ndim?”

Nomtha: ”Ngubani isigebenga apha endlini?”

Simba: ”Yehake. Ikhona tyhini!”

Nomtha: ”Uyazelaphi ukuba ikhona?”

Simba: ”Andiyinqiki namna ifriji? Okanye andinalungelo? Huh?! Ayithengwanga ngemali yam lefriji?
Cash! Same day delivery?”

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Ungumengce kanene.”

Simba: ”Umengce kabani?”

Nomtha: ”Umengce wam.”

Simba: ”Good unswer. Uthini ngeChiShona xa usithi good unswer?”

Nomtha: ”Uthi: Baba ava ndivo vachabhadhara.”

Undincinele amehlo.

Simba: ”Kukho umbhatalo apho somewhere.”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha!”

Simba: ”Ndiright andithi?”

724
Nomtha: ”Ewe, ndithi lotata uzobhatala.

Simba: ”Ncncncnc. Ndikwenzele nekofu?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe please, kuske kwathini?”

Simba: ”Ngantoni ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi ndibuza lento usuke wakhuthala kangaka.”

Simba: ”Andikhuthelanga, ndiyayazi ndizothunywa vele. 'Simba yenza le', 'Mudiwa wangu, ndicela le.'
Imini yonke xa ndihleli nawe. Into noba ilapha ethuntsu, 'tata kaZendaya ...' uyathuma wena! And
andiyontanga yakho.”

Nomtha: ”Ukuba ndithwele umntwana wakho kwaye ndizomthwala inyanga eziyi nine zonke
ndiqhaqhwe-

Simba: ”Awuzubekela nge operation.”

Nomtha: ”Oksalayo. Xa ndikuthuma uzothumeka. Ndimanufacture umntu wakho apha. Uzobe ungu
proud father of three ngenxa yam.”

Simba: ”Tata ka bhasela!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Ungandenzela itea please myenam. U-

Ndiphazanyiswe ngumnyango ndisazoku mbuza ngalento kaLuleka nokufunyanwa komntwana. Kuba

bendingekayi sabeli kakuhle.

Simba: ”Ngena!”

Ungene sechwechwa uMalik.

Malik: ”Molweni!”

Nomtha: ”Molo Malik, ngena. Wema emnyango! Yizochopha apha phantsi. Uright?”

Malik: ”Ndigrand wena?”

Nomtha: ”Ndiright nam. Utshayisa late ane?”

Malik: ”Bendigqithe phaya kum kuqala.”

Nomtha: ”Ohhhh. Umntana ulele.”

Unqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ndimthengele ubisi ke nezinye izinto azozidinga, ndizokunika islips ngaphambili kokuba
uhambe.”

Malik: ”Hayi akukho ngxaki noko, andizuku zidinga islips.”

Nomtha: ”Oh okay. Mhle umntanakho, umamakhe mhlophe ngebala ane? Okanye kuba esemncinci?”

Uthinte umqala ndabona amehlo akhe ekrwaqula utata wakhe ekhitshini.

725
Malik: ”Uli colored.”

Nomtha: ”Qheya-qheya? 'Vat gaan aan' qheya?”

Malik: ”Ewe.”

Nomtha: ”Yho shame, caba ubulithanda shame?”

Uyihlekile.

Nomtha: ”Nenza njani kengoku ngomntana?”

Uthinte umqala kwakhona, walungisa ukuhlala emana ekrwaqula utata wakhe.

Ebesalinde amanzi atsholozayo eketileni. Ethule okungathi akakho.

Uphefumlele phezulu uMalik.

Malik: ”Uthi bathe kokwabo anikise ngaye for iadoption okanye amse kutata wakhe ukuba usafuna
ukuhlala nabo. Ndandithe enze iabortion kemna.”

Nomtha: ”Bekutheni? Bekunqabe icondoms? Andifuni ukuba ngathi ndizenza umzali wakho kuba
andinguye, and umdala ke nalapha kum kodwa uyayazi kakuhle ukuba xa ungafuni mntana wena Malik
Matanzima uqinisekisa ukuba kukho isikhuseli. Awusoze uxhomekeke emntwini ukuba acwangcise
okanye xa sele ekhulelwe asikhuphe isisu. Ngebhadi ayisebenzi kanjalo, uthanda ungathandi buddy
uzoba ngutata ke. Kucacile ukuba ubungafuni anikise-

Simba: ”Yiva iswekile ukuba iright na apha kuba andiphinde ndisukume mna.”

Utsho endiqhawula kwintetho yam. Mnkru.

Nomtha: ”Iright mntuwam, ndiyabulela. Enkosi va?”

Simba: ”Mxm.”

Nomtha: ”Ndikwenze ntoni?”

Simba: ”Nditsho lento uzode uzimisele ulecturishe indoda endala enezinza nendevu ngento ayazi
kakuhle. Lento umxelela yona ayikho ntsha ezindlebeni zakhe. Uyazi kakuhle nje. Okokuqala unomntu,
awunamntu Malik? Okanye nohlukana noSiyasanda?”

Malik: ”Asohlukenanga.”

Simba: ”Uyolala nabanye abantu ongabazi nokuba bami ndawoni ngestatus sabo, awuzikhuseli. Uyayazi
ukuba ukuba awusebenzisi sikhuseli ungafumani zifo kungenzeka ukhuleliswe. Awubeki bomi bakho
esichengeni kodwa nobomntana wabantu, kuba ndiqinisekile ukuba uyatawuna nakuye. Uyandyolela,
um exposa kwizifo, ukhulelisa amancinzo wakho. Wakugqiba yonke lo tyupdyoshin, ushiya imveku
ngaphandle. Phandle! Udlala ngexesha lakhe uNomtha, wena ufanelwe yitrongo qha. Ngendiyekile
uNomtha ndikubizele amapolisa uke uyocula amadamara phaya, uyoba nguBeyoncè kwamanye
amadoda. Uphululwe amathanga la.”

Ndibambe intsini kulendawo kaBeyoncé ophululwa amathanga. Undijamele kakubi kanjani kona!

726
Simba: ”Umntwanakho nankuya, hamb'omthatha. Uthathe izinto zakhe niyibethe. Kukuwe ke ukuba
uhlala naye okanye umsa kumamakho eMeadowlands kuba akazumpelesela wena umnkam.
Andimzekelanga ukuba azofuxwa ngabantwana bakho mna uLinokhanyo. Andiphathelanga wena
unanny. Unabantwana two abancinci- uMihla akakagqibi nefour months, kufuneka ahoye lo unentsuku
kuba wena uzenza izuma lengingqi. NgamaXhosa, ngamaQheya. Thatha lamntana uhambe. Ndakolusa,
ndakwenzela umgidi. Uyindoda endala. Sisenzela lonto thina, sinengxaki zethu. Mthathe sukuma,
ungabe undiwarmishela iseti, mthathe uhambe.”

Unqwalile wasukuma wayingena ekamireni.

Nomtha: ”Baby khawumyeke maan, hayibo sisono!”

Simba: ”Sesika bani?”

Nomtha: ”Sesakhe.”

Simba: ”Kengoku ndinguYesu mna ndithwala izono zingezo zono zam?”

Ndijikelezise amehlo am. Ebendikruqula wethu mna uSimba.

Ebeyazi ukuba uMalik akasoze amse kuNokulunga umntana kuba oko kwavela into yokuba abantwana
bakokwebo abangoka Simba abazange bavane. Akazange amcacele. Kwaworse kengoku ukuba ave uba
ngabakaTiger. Hayike mntakabawo. Nangaphandle koko ebenomntwana wakhe noSylvester
obesemncinci, kubekho nokaMalkia umntana.

Nomtha: ”Uzothini umntana uMalik?”

Simba: ”Yingxaki yamu na?”

Nomtha: ”Hayi nawe usuke ube bukhali kakhulu, uzenze eliya ixhego.”

Simba: ”Ye Nomtha, ndithume uMalik ayokwenza abantwana mna?”

Andimphendulanga ndaziphungela itea yam. Shame, uphume enyebelezela uMalik efunqule umntana
wakhe, ngapha zibag, ngapha ziseats.

Simba: ”Hayi sutsala inyawo mntanam. Hamba nje kakuhle kuba akukho mntu uzokunqanda. Akukho
day care apha kwam. Umakhulu wakho nankuya eKapa, umamakho ulapha eMeadowlands hayi apha
kwam.”

Uphumile wavala umnyango. Ndisukumile ndayongena ekamireni yethu ndatshintshela kwipyjamas

ndangena ezingubeni. Ndicingile, ndayothatha uZendaya. Undijongile ndakuphuma.

Simba: ”Ndithe yeka lomntana. Le tea ubuthe uyayifuna nale cake?”

Cwaka.

Ndingene ekamireni nomntana wam sazilalela. Caba ndibiwe bubuthongo kuba ndothuswe ngamazwi
athethela phezulu nesibhaxu. Ndixhume ndayophuma ngomnyango.

Nomtha: ”Hayibo! SIMBA! SIMBA!”

Ebengeva kukhwaza uSimba egalela ibhanti emntwini qha. Ndiyoma ngaphambili koMalik wandijamela.

727
Simba: ”Ndizobetha wena!”

Indlela ebenomsindo ngayo bendisoyika ukuba andibethe nyani, kodwa ndimile andasuduka.

Simba: ”Nomtha!”

Nomtha: ”Simba.”

Simba: ”Andithethi nawe?”

Nomtha: ”Nizovusa abantwana ngalengxolo eniyenzayo noMalik. Uphi uNuri?”

Simba: ”Singaphumela ngaphandle. Ufuna isibhaxu uMalik! Uzokwenza lamanyala uwenzileyo

wokuzodumpa umntana kwam! Ndiyak'founela ukuba umzise kuba uNomtha endithwelele umlomo
wena uzondezela icheek xa ndikubuza umbuzo?! Ndikwalusele ukuba ube yindoda kum?! Uyindoda kum
Malik?!”

Malik: ”Hayi tata.”

Simba: ”Ndiyintanga yakho?!”

Malik: ”Awuyiyo.”

Simba: ”Ndiyitshomi yakho?”

Malik: ”Awuyotshomi yam.”

Simba: ”Uthini kum?!”

Malik: ”Ndiyaxolisa tata.”

Simba: ”Honestly! Kuzobe kusithiwa u'Simba u abusive, uSimba u abusive' kodwa uzondixhokonxa
kwam. Uzondicela ukuba ndikukhabe kodwa izoba ndim owrongo kuba ndim o abusive. Ndim itoxic
parent. Ndihambe niyovula icreche le noNomtha not apha kwam. Ndinengxaki zam mna. Sakumthini
thina umntana? Sakumthini? Mawunganqandwa ngoku kuba uyindoda. But you are not man enough
ukuba uthathe iresponsibities. Unamalungelo nje ahamba goqo! Uzokondliwa nguwe ke lomntana.
Kushota ntoni uyithenga ngesantya sika Usain Bolt, siyevana?!”

Malik: ”Ndiyakuva Taima.”

Simba: ”Uzomfunela umntu ozoncedisana noNomtha, uzobhatalwa nguwe lomntu no excuses!”

Unqwalile uMalik. Umgibisele ngebhanti waphethuka wayongena ekamireni.

Nomtha: ”Malikhi!”

Uncumile.

Nomtha: ”Usake uncume ubethiwe?!”

Malik: ”Hayi noko.”

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Nomtha: ”Uflopile ntwana.”

728
Malik: ”Ndiyayazi. Kuzofuneka ndixelele uSiyasanda, andizumfihla umntanam.”

Nomtha: ”Ndicebisa ukuba wohlukane naye mna. Kube kanye. Uyayibona iphele njani into kaSiyanda
onomntana ngaphandle?”

Ufinge intshiya.

Malik: ”Iphele njani?”

Nomtha: ”Awuvanga ukuba nguye obebe uZendaya?”

Malik: ”Usis'Luleka Mahamba kabhut'Siyanda?!”

Nomtha: ”Nqo ngeveg! Biyane umntanam.

Malik: ”Hayibo! Ndiyaqala ukuyiva mna lonto! Utamnci uvele wathi ufumanekile qha, akabhentsa.
Hayibo! Uphi ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”Yile bendiyisabela kaloku, kwasuke kwangena wena-

Simba: ”Linokhanyo!”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyeza baba!”

Simba: ”Malik khawuhambe wena!”

Nomtha: ”Awulali apha?”

Malik: ”Bendizolala ukuba uTaima ebezondinyanzela ukuba ndilale, ngapha koko andinamdla. Uyamazi
utata, angayicinga kakuhle yonke lento ayondivumbulula ngaphantsi kwengubo andibhule ngempama
kengoku. Kubhetele nebhanti.”

Nomtha: ”Ndakuxelela ukuba wandibhula ngebhanti nam?”

Malik: ”Uyakubetha?!”

Nomtha: ”Hayi. Nditsho ngokuya ndandidibana naye, ndambela iphone eclubbini ekubeni wayendiphe
itip eyodlula nomrholo wam. Wandibhula!”

Malik: ”Ingathi ndandike ndaliva elobali. Ndiba ukubetha ngoku.”

Nomtha: ”Unomsindo ngoku, kufuneka nithethe xa uhlile.”

Malik: ”Ja. Kuba andifuni umntanam asokole. Ndiyamthanda lamntana. Andifuni ahlale nomama, asivani
ncam nomama. Uzondinkcuva futhi ukuba ndimshiye nomntwanam. Angandinkcuva worse.”

Nomtha: ”Ayikho le uyenzileyo nawe. Le yokushiya umntana ehekeni. Ukuba ebethathiwa

besizoyithetha nabani? Abonwe ngomnye umhlali walapha asimangalele ubanjwe?! ”

Malik: ”Bendisoyika utata.”

Nomtha: ”Iminyaka emingaka engutata wakho awuyazi ukuba umngene njani? Usamoyika into ebheke
ngaphi? Kuba noxa ebukhali nje yimushmallow uSimba. Akakhohlakalanga lomhlobo. Uyabetha qha, into

729
ekufuneka ayilungise but uyakuthanda utata wakho Malik. Kakhulu futhi. Ukuba nje uthetha naye,
nihlale phantsi uthi tata kunje. Yhu! Hayi mandilale mna.”

Malik: ”Ndiyabulela mntase.”

Nomtha: ”Uvile ukuba uzoba ngubhuti kwakhona?”

Urhole amehlo.

Malik: ”Hayi Nomtha udlala ngotatam ngoku.”

Ndiyihlekile!

Nomtha: ”Ufrustated yilonto. Wayencoma ubhut'Mluleki noUlatho ukuba banentlonti ngokwenza

omnye umntana ngoku nguye.

Malik: ”Hayi! Hayi! Yiyekeni lento! Utatam mdala! Hayibo guys!”

Nomtha: ”Ngowokugqibela lo. Ungavuli umlomo omkhulu ke kuba asikaxeleli mntu. Ungatsho kutata aze
akuxelele yena. Ingathi unentloni ukuba uzoba nomnye umntana kwakhona.”

Malik: ”Uright abe nentloni!”

Nomtha: ”Hahahaha! Uhambe kakuhle ke!”

Malik: ”Okay sisi. Ndiyabulela kakhulu. From the bottom of my heart thank you.”

Ndinqwalile. Uqhwalele waphuma. Ndivale ucango, ndacima izibane ndayongena ekamireni.

Simba: ”Uyaqala uthwala umlomo ngoku kodwa ubuyihleka isiqhazolo kungekudalanga.”

Ndicime isibane ndayongena kwicala lam ebhedini.

Simba: ”Thetha lento ofuna ukuyithetha uyeke ukuba lirhamba ube ufuthela phezulu.”

Nomtha: ”Ndiyabulela ngoku mfounela back uMalik.”

Simba: ”And Nomtha ungandifani ndawo mna. Ukuba kushota ntoni, woyisakala ngabantwana abaninzi,
wagula lamntana ungathi 'Baby, baby' kum. Andingeni ndawo. Ndimzise ngokuba ubuzoyenza into caba
le ube undizela ngomva ungafuni ndikuthinte, uthwala umlomo. Andizunga bamba bambi kemna ngenxa
yo7de Laan.”

Ebe serious kodwa bendingeno ngayohleki.

Simba: ”Uze hleke.”

Nomtha: ”Wenziwa ingcwangu yilento ungutamkhulu? Unomzukulwana omdala kunelast born yakho?”

Simba: ”Andina xesha lalonto.”

Nomtha: ”Wawungathanga uyekile ukubetha?”

Simba: ”Ndikubethe nini ngoku?”

Nomtha: ”UMalik.”

730
Simba: ”Nomtha andizuku qhelwa nguMalik mna kwam. Ndingafikeleleka kukungile kodwa kuzoba
nengxaki xa endiqhela. Qha.”

Nomtha: ”Okay ke. ULulu nimfumene njani?”

Simba: ”Simlandele kaloku, wasikhokhelela apho agcine khona umntwana.”

Nomtha: ”And then?”

Simba: ”And then ntoni?”

Nomtha: ”Iyandidika ke lento uyanzeyo ungabalisi into epheleleyo.”

Simba: ”Ndifounele uSiyanda xa singaphandle-

Nomtha: ”Ngoba?!”

Simba: ”Bendifuna nje ukumxelela Nomtha. Ngumhlobo wam, uyafana nomntakwethu. Bendifuna ayazi
ukuba unkosikazi wakhe nguye obe umntana wethu wamgcina ixesha eli lonke.”

Nomtha: ”Inoba ebothikile.”

Simba: ”Ngokucacileyo. Ebothuke kakhulu, uthe simbizele amapolisa ibengawo amfumanayo

ambambe.”

Nomtha: ”Hayibo! Ngoba? Uyenza njani lonto uSiyanda?”

Simba: ”Ayonto ubuyifuna kanti?”

Nomtha: ”Ewe yiyo. Bendifuna abanjwe, kodwa ayinonto onoyilindela emyenini wakhe leyo. Ekubeni
yonke lento yenziwe nguye.”

Simba: ”USiyanda akathumanga Luleka abe umntanam.”

Nomtha: ”Uyayazi ukuba ndithetha ukuthini. Uphi kengoku uLuleka?”

Simba: ”Eziseleni kaloku.”

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna ukuyombona ngomso.”

Simba: ”Ufuna ukuthetha naye?”

Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: ”Ndifuna andixelele ukuba 'why?'. Nokuba uyenza njani into enje kum. Kuthi. Kuba akhonto
esimenze yona thina. Zange nangemini enye ndamgqemfezela ngokuba nabantwana yena yena
engenabo. Zange. Yena wenza lento!”

Simba: ”Sizobona ukuba uzokwazi na ukumbona ngomso.”

Nomtha: ”Ok.”

Simba: ”Ndidiniwe mna.”

Nomtha: ”Lala kaloku.”

731
Simba: ”Good night baby!”

Nomtha: ”Goodnight.”

732
NINETY-THREE
Mangwabe: Sewuyahamba?

Nomtha: Hayi ngoku. Ndizotya kuqala. Indlela endilambe ngayo.

Mangwabe: That's why usidudla so! Ngikuzwile ukhalisa amabhodo ebusuku.

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: Bendigcana isteak.

Mangwabe: Iyakuhlupha lengane.

Nomtha: Iyandirhalisa.

Mangwabe: Kodwa ke kungcono kunalokuya kuhlanza kwakho.

Nomtha: Ja, kubhetele. Basalele?

Mangwabe: Balele.

Nomtha: Hayibo elixesha!?

Mangwabe: Ubaba wabo ebebavusile phela ekuseni.

Nomtha: Bebevusiwe!?! Akatsho kum ukuba ubavusile. Undixelela ukuba uvalelisile qha.

Mangwabe: Bebevukile- yhini!?

Nomtha: Ndiyalunywa!

Mangwabe: Kakhulu?

Nomtha: Ewe.

Mangwabe: Yisteak siyazilwelwa.

Ndiphelile yintsini.

Nomtha: Hayi maan Mangwabe ukundigqiba ngentsini ndiqaqanjelwa.

Mangwabe: Sizothini?

Nomtha: Inoba uyaguquka umntana.

Mangwabe: Mhlampe. Sekuseduze phambili.

Nomtha: Yhuuu! Ndizoba sengxakini.

Mangwabe: Ungasho uphinde. Ubaba kaZendaya uzoza?

Ndinikine intloko.

Nomtha: Ndizohamba ndodwa. Uye eLimpopo okanye eMpumalanga, andiyazi.

Mangwabe: Angeke abuye?

733
Nomtha: Uzobuya ebusuku sesilele I'm sure. Uthe ndimlinde kodwa sobona.

Mangwabe: Ubusy kakhulu emsebenzini.

Nomtha: Mhhh.

Mangwabe: Ngicabanga ukuthi usebenzaka kakhulu kanje ngoba uyazi ukuthi uzophumula emsebenzini
uma kukho ingane. So ufuna nje kungabi nento ezomphazamisa.

Nomtha: Yaziwa nguye yonke lonto Mangwabe. Kaloku uSimba akathethi nto namntu so andizube
ndiziqhekeza intloko ndiqikelela into engekhoyo. Utye ntoni wena? Andizazi nokuba ndizotya ntoni.

Mangwabe: Ngenze iJungle Oats.

Nomtha: Yhu! Ndiyabulela.

Mangwabe: Ngingakwenzeli amaqanda nebacon?

Nomtha: Ndizozenzela, enkosi.

Mangwabe: Ufuna into enefutha vele.

Nomtha: Uyandazi.

Uyihlekile.

Ndizenzele itoast. Amaqanda ne bacon kunye nemushrooms. Ndenza ikomityi yetea. Bendisamncancisa
nangoku umntanam, ndinga mlumlanga. Bendizo mlumla ukubakho kwalo. Indlela besele ndingxame
ngayo bekungathi andide ndibeleke.

Bendiziva okungathi ndimelwe bubomi. Besele ndiyicinga nakaninzi into yokuhlala nakunyaka ozayo.
Bendithandabuza ukuba ibiyinto bendisafuna ukuyenza. Le yokuhlala endlini ndikhulise abantwana.
Bendibone kwa indlela uSimba ebendibuze ngayo ngelaxesha sasiseKapa. Okungathi ndisiskade somntu.
Ibindibhida eyokuba abenengxaki nokuhlala kwam endlini ekubeni yayinguye umntu
wayendiququzelela ngokuba ndingayi esikolweni ndizokhulisa abantwana. Bendingasayazi.

Mangwabe: Mama kaZendaya!

Nomtha: Yebo?

Mangwabe: Iphone yakho iyakhala.

Nomtha: Yho yehake. Iworse nantsi apha phambili kwam njengoba ndingayiva nje. Hello?

Simba: Baby, wenzani kanti?

Nomtha: Ndiyatya.

Simba: Ulindiwe ngaphandle. Ingathi ngewu-

Nomtha: Eish!

Simba: Yintoni?

Nomtha: Ingathi umntana uyaguquka.

734
Simba: Uguquka kangaphi kanti lomntana?

Nomtha: Ebeguquke nini?

Simba: Umama uMangwabe wayethe wawulunywa, andisakhumbuli nini kodwa apha sometime kuleveki
ephelileyo. Wathi kuguquka umntana.

Nomtha: Yho yehake uMangwabe. Ngoku avumelana nam ngoku ukuba uyaguquka. Ngelaxesha
bendicinga ukuba ndiyalunywa. Hayi andisayazi ke mna.

Simba: Yiya kugqirha.

Nomtha: Kanti?

Simba: Uyakuthanda ukuxabana ke. Ayilwisi.

Nomtha: Hayibo ndithini kemna xa undixelela into endiyaziyo kakade? Kuba bendihleli ndisiya kugairha
qha ndisatya.

Simba: Okay ke baby. Please call me ke.

Nomtha: Ndizokufounela.

Simba: Ndiyakuthanda.

Nomtha: Okay.

Simba: Hayi! Hayi!

Nomtha: Ndiyakuthanda nam Simba. Ubuye.

Simba: Ndandike andabuya nini?

Nomtha: Ubuye early.

Simba: Okay baby.

Nomtha: Okay bye.

Simba: Bye!

Nomtha: Mxm! Mangwabe!

Mangwabe: Yebo!

Nomtha: Ndiyahamba!

Mangwabe: Okay! Sewuqedile ukudla?

Uthe gqi epassagini.

Nomtha: Ndizogqibezelela emotweni andifuni ukuba late kakhulu.

Mangwabe: Okay ke. Uhambe kahle.

Nomtha: Ndizonibona ukubuya kwam. Niberight nabantwana.

735
Mangwabe: Okay sisi. Ungawi!

Nomtha: Yhu bawo! Ndinga sukunyelwa ngubani ukuba ndingawa.

Uyihlekile. Ndiphumele ngaphandle nebags zam, ngapha ziplates. Ndirhole amehlo am ndakubona
umntu ebeqhuba imoto.

Nomtha: Andilindelanga wena!

Uyihlekile wathatha ibag zam wazigibisela ngemva.

Nomtha: Kutheni ungangeni? Ndicinga ukuba ungumntu nje endingamaziyo mna. Andiyazi ukuba
nguwe.

Mluleki: Kuthwe ndilinde ngaphandle. Nam ke ndenza ngoko myalelo.

Usondele kum wandanga.

Mluleki: Andifuni kuchitha ukutya kwakho ke.

Nomtha: Into endingayikhala.

Mluleki: Hahahaha! Ndonqena ezozinto. Ngena.

Nomtha: Apha ngaphambili?

Mluleki: Ewe ngena apha ecaleni kwam. Ndikuncedise ngebhanti?

Nomtha: Ndicela undibambele apha ndilibophe. Enkosi.

Ndilibophile wandinika iplate yam wavala ucango. Ujikele kwelinye icala wangena ngaphakathi wavala
nakwelakhe icala.

Mluleki: Ndikulinde ugqibe ke, andifuni ukuqhuba usitya.

Nomtha: Ndizophanga.

Uyihlekile.

Ndiphange ndagqiba wathatha iplate wayonqonqoza emnyango. Uyithathile uMangwabe wabuya

wazongena emotweni. Ustater imoto sahamba.

Mluleki: Injani impilo?

Nomtha: Siphilile bhuti akukho nto, sonwabe nje kamnando. UThixo usasigcinile. Niphile njani nina?

Mluleki: Siyaphila nathi. Akukabikho zinto, sonwabe nje kakuhle. Ekwahlukaneni.

Nomtha: Kukunqabelana qha.

Mluleki: Ey inqabelene. Bendijikele apha eKapa kuleveki iphelileyo.

Nomtha: Ubusayokroba ugogo. Ubuhambe nosapho?

736
Mluleki: Bendibashiyile. Bendihambe ndodwa. Ndike ndahlala intsukwana noko. Bendiligqibele kudala
elaxhegwazana.

Nomtha: Inoba ebenjani yimincili.

Mluleki: Yhu! Undenze ndazisola ngokunqaba kangaka indlela ebendivuyele ngayo.

Nomtha: Oh maan!

Mluleki: Hayi andiphinde ndimnqabele kakhulu ngoku.

Nomtha: Kungcono. Ndimbona kuthi xa siyombona, angavuyi mntaka bawo. Baphilile notat'uMamkeli?

Undikrwaqule ndayihleka. Unikine intloko yakhe.

Mluleki: Baphile kakuhle enkosi ngokubuza.

Ndiphelile yintsini ndanqandwa yilantlungu ndini.

Mluleki: Uright?

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Nomtha: Ndiyalunywa maan. UMangwabe uthi Inoba uyaguquka.

Mluleki: Oh ibangathi une labour pains ke xa eguquka umntana.

Nomtha: Yhuuu! Kubhetele kuba andiphinde ndibe namntana. Yhu hayibo!

Ingathi ndiya ndisiba worse ngoku, uhhhh!

Mluleki: Nyamezela kaloku. Noko siya kugqirha. Uzotsho yena ukuba kwenzeka ntoni.

Nomtha: Uhh!

Uqhubile ke ukuya kugqiba, intlungu imana ifika iphinde imnke.

Nomtha: Bhuti.

Mluleki: Linokhanyo?

Nomtha: Amanzi agqabhukile.

Mluleki: Amanzi wantoni?

Nomtha: Ndicinga ukuba zilabour pains ezi. Amanzi am angqabhukile.

Bendimbona sekwi panick mode kengoku, enyusa isantya semoto.

Ndifike sendithathwa ngestretcher aendilunywa mpela kengoku. Ubhuti simshiye apho ephithizela into
engekhoyo. Besekuvele nentloko ukulakiswa kwam ebhedini. Andipushanga kakhulu ndabe sendibeleka.
Umntana oyinkwenkwe. Uphume emkhulu ke sengxwala.

737
Bendi emotional. Enye into ibikukuba engekho uSimba xa kuzalwa unyana wakhe. Kude kwasa
engavelanga okucaca ukuba uqhubeke nohambo lwakhe noxa exelelwe ngubhuti ukuba ndiyabeleka.
Bendibuhlungu kodwa ndaziqinisa.

Kutsho iknock epholileyo emnyango. Nangoku angenayo ubhuti andijonganga kuye. Ndijonge ngaphaya
kwakhe. Ndilindele ukuba kungene umyeni wam.

Ibag yona ebeseyinikezele ngenurse.

Mluleki: Molweni.

Nomtha: Molweni bhuti. Akakho uSimba?

Unikine intloko yakhe.

Mluleki: Hayi sisi sukukhala kaloku.

Ebesesondele kum endibambe igxalaba. Bekufanele ukuba ubuye izolo ebusuku. Bekungomso ngoku,
ndikhululwa. Yho uSimba. Ndide ndazicenga ndathula kuba sana ukukhala bekungazuku ndinceda
nganto. Ebengekho ebengekho.

Mluleki: Akazanga kuba ubanjiwe.

Nomtha: Uright.

Mluleki: Ubanjiwe nyani eMpumalanga. Ndiye ndamxelela okokuba ukwi labour wathi uzobuya.
Babanjwe nezibhamu kunye nedrugs. Kodwa uzokuphuma. Yinto esiyilungisayo.

Nomtha: Uright. Ndiyaphuma?

Bendilungele ukuphuma. Yonke into iready. Undibambele umntana nebag ubhuti sahamba saya
emotweni.

Undincedisile sangena wasisa endlini.

Mangwabe: Halala!

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: Yehake Mangwabe. Ingathi ngumgidi.

Mangwabe: Umgidi ini ngijabulile. Sawubona bhuti.

Mluleki: Yebo ma. Linokhanyo, andizukuhlala ke mna sisi.

Nomtha: Okay bhuti, ndiyabulela.

Mluleki: Ndizoza ndizonikroba ngomso.

Nomtha: Okay.

Mluleki: Ubuthe ngubani igama lomntana? Andisabuzanga.

Nomtha: NguSamora Matanzima.

738
Mluleki: Oh umthiye ngotatakho, that is nice. Ebezovuya utatakho. Uzobuya uSimba.

Nomtha: Uhambe kakuhle bhuti. Ndiyabulela kakhulu ngokusilanda.

Mluleki: Ubusewum xelele umama ukuba ubelekile?

Nomtha: Ndizomazisa noba kungomso.

Mluleki: Okay ke sisi. Nisale. Ma.

Mangwabe: Siyabonga baba uhambe kahle.

Mluleki: Ndiyabulela.

Uphumile wasishiya.

Mangwabe: Akave emkhulu!

Nomtha: Mkhulu nyani. Ndicela umsapha siyocambalala.

Mangwabe: Hamba ngizosala ngimubheka.

Nomtha: Ha.a myeke ma.

Mangwabe: Ngikulungisele amanzi uzogeza?

Nomtha: Hayi ngoku, enkosi.

Mangwabe: Ukudla.

Nomtha: Hayi ngoku.

Mangwabe: Okay sisi. Hamba uyocambalala.

Ndivule ingubo sangqengqa nosana lam. Ndothuswe nguye ebuthongweni ndavuka ndamncancisa.

Andilalanga ke ebusuku sisikhalo sa qho. NoMangwabe ebemana ezondikroba andincedise. Ndivuke

ndahlamba ndayokutya indengane ndahlala nabantwana bam ukuvuka kwabo. Ubahlambile
uMangwabe ndakugqiba ukubatyisa.

Mangwabe: Ngikuphathele iphone yakho? Nantsi ikhala ikamereni.

Nomtha: Ndizoyithatha ngoku kwam, ingavusi lomntana.

Mangwabe: Yiyekele ngizoyilanda ntombi. Ungazihluphi ngokusukuma. Mina sengimile vele.

Utsho eyongena ekamireni wabuya nayo. IbinguMalik.

Nomtha: Nkokheli Jnr.

Uyihlekile.

Malik: Kwathiwa alindifanelanga nelogama.

Nomtha: Hahaha! Unjani?

739
Malik: Ndiright wena?

Nomtha: Ndiright nam enkosi. Hayibo congratulations are in order, utatomdala uyandixelela ukuba
ufumene iboy.

Nomtha: Uva etshishwa lulwimi.

Malik: Hahaha! Ebendixelela ngetaima wasose egqithela kwezinye.

Nomtha: Unolwimi gqithi wethu utatomkhulu wakho. Ewe ndinenye iboy apha, nguSamora igama.

Malik: Samora Machel.

Nomtha: Samora Matanzima bhuti.

Malik: Hayi sivuyisana nani. Ndingeza ndizoyibona nini indoda encinci?

Nomtha: Makawise inkaba kuqala.

Malik: Okay ke sisteri.

Nomtha: Hayi njengoba sendingu sisi ostrongo.

Malik: Hahahaha! Ndiyakuhlonipha kaloku.

Nomtha: Ndiyancoma kaloku.

Malik: Yehake. Niright kodwa nina nabantwana?

Nomtha: Siright, bhuti. UMangwabe ukhona uyandincedisa. Ndivuyiswa yinto yokokuba ndiyenza
okokugqibela yonke lento. No more. Kunyaka ozayo ndiphindela esikolweni.

Malik: Ubungave uphindela kulowana na unyaka?

Nomtha: Ubani!?

Malik: Ndithetha wena mna.

Nomtha: Not lo kaSamora umntana aphinde ahlale nje. Into yokuba nguHouse wife iyandigezelisa
wethu. Abantu bacinga fans'ba. Hayi ndiphindela esikolweni kunyaka ozayo. Ukuba andifundi
ndiyaphangela.

Malik: Ngobani abo bantu?

Nomtha: Hayi wethu Mluleki.

Malik: Nogrand netaima?

Nomtha: Ewe siright.

Malik: Usure?

Nomtha: Ndiqinisekile siright.

Malik: Okay. Ndizova ngawe ke ukuba ndize nini.

740
Nomtha: Okay, ndizokuxelela.

Malik: Alright ke.

Nomtha: Sharp.

Imini yam ibingabantwana nje kodwa ebeluncedo kakhulu uMangwabe shame. Kakhulu!

Ndiye ndafounela umama kaSimba emveni kwemini.

Bisola: Linokhanyo!

Nomtha: Mama kunjani?

Bisola: Siyaphila sisi, akukho nto. Unjani ke wena?

Nomtha: Siyaphila nathi, kuhle akukhonto. Hayi ke bendifuna ukukuxelela ukuba ufikile umzukulwana
wakho.

Bisola: Hayibo! Ubelekile?! Ungu mntu oyintoni?

Nomtha: Yenye inkwenkwe.

Bisola: Linokhanyo! Hayini zindaba ezimnandi nje ezi sisi! Uzele kakuhle mamthile. Yinto yanini leyo?

Nomtha: Izolo elinye.

Bisola: Tyhini! Ebehleleleni angandixeleli uSimba ukuba uyobeleka?

Nomtha: Akakho kwalapha ke lowo umntu.

Bisola: Akakho uphi?

Nomtha: Kuthiwa usetrongweni. Ebengumntu oya- andiyazi noba kuseMpumalanga okanye ePolokwane
na. Okanye yiLimpopo? Ebeyitsho lendawo maan. Phofu umnka ngalamini ndilunywa ngayo, umnka nje
undishiya ndisiya kugqirha- bendine appointment. Uzixelele nje ukuba akaqalisi ngalamini kuba udla
ngokundisa andibuyise, andule kengoku ukuhamba ithwebula henge yakhe kuse phandle engekho.

Bisola: Uphoswe nayilo appointment!? Yhini ade angabikho umntana wakhe ezalwa!?

Nomtha: Wayeke wabakho nini na mama uSimba? Kuba wayengekho kuZendaya wade wanenyanga.
Akabikho kuMihlayonke kuba wayedlala ukufa ngaphaya eNigeria, nguSamora ngoku uzalwe engekho.

Phofu ebengena kwaxesha lale ipregnancy. Ndigula, kungangeni kutya. Ndidumba akakho. Ukuba umnke
ngo4am kusasa uzobuya ngomnye u4. Ukuba uearly uzobuya ngo12am, ahlambe alale. Akatyi apha,
akaphili apha. Abantwana andiqondi basayazi ukuba banotata. Into agood kuyo yimali. Uzothi ukhalaze
ngokunqaba kwakhe akuvale umlomo ngemali. Caba uthi yinto oyikhathaleleyo leyo. Ndancama ndayeka
nokokukhala. Andikhalazi andithini. Akasandikrweci nasebusuku, zinyanga inoba zintlanu ndingamazi
umyeni wam.

Bisola: Ungandixeleli njena?

Nomtha: Bendingafuni funi ukukuhlupha mama.

741
Bisola: Kuthini ukundihlupha na Linokhanyo? Kuba xa ninengxaki nomyeni wakho, ubona ukuba
iyakoyisa kufanele uxele kum. Xa ungaxeleli mna uzokhala kubani mntanam? Ngubani lo ozoxela kuye?

Nomtha: Andifuni kube ngathi ndithetha indaba zethu.

Bisola: Uzithetha kubani? Kubani lo uzomxelela ukuba awuzukuxelela mna? Kuba ngekudala ndathetha
naye mna kuba ayiqalisanga ukuba yiyo le ayenzayo into. Tu kwaphela. Ayifani tu naye, njengoba
kusithiwa ayikho into efana nomntu nje ayifani tu naye le yoku negletta abantwana bakhe nawe.

Nomtha: Ubanjiwe kengoku.

Bisola: Hayisuka uzokuphuma ngoku wethu lowo ungabina worry. Inoba usendleleni kungoku.
Ndizomlinda abuye ndizokuthetha naye.

Nomtha: Oko weva ngalomntana uSimba watshintsha. Besinga mfuni sobabini, kodwa wathi yena
masibenaye kuba sekho. Yangathi uyayamnkela. Kucacile ke ukuba ebengatsho nyani. Ebethetha nje
kuba kuthethwa. Sendiqikelela kuba akathethi. Qha sendimana ndisikha kwintetha zakhe. Wayendibuza
nangento endicinga ukuyenza ngobomi bam, ekubeni wayethe ndime ngesikolo ndikhulise abantwana.
Ndenza kanye lonto iyajika iyandibandisa.

Bendisitsho ngoku kuMalik ukuba kunyaka ozayo ndizoya esikolweni. Ukuphola kwam nje ndizofuna
umsebenzi. Kubekho into endiyanzayo. Mhlawumbi kuzoba bhetele.

Bisola: Ungazinyanzeli uphangele kwangoku ngenxa yokuba ufuna ukonwabisa uSimba.

Nomtha: Andonwabisi yena. Nam andisakufuni okukuhlala ndivaleleke apha ndilindele ukuba abuye.

Bisola: Bona kunyaka ozayo kodwa Linokhanyo. Khawuke ume kulona. Unyamezele. Ndizothetha naye
uSimba.

Ndiphefumle.

Nomtha: Ndiyakuva mama.

Bisola: Unjani ke ukufeketha umntana?

Nomtha: Uyakhala yhu!

Bisola: Usekhona lomfazi ukunceda ngabantwana?

Nomtha: Usekhona ma. Ndinga phambana kaloku ndindodwa. Ukhona, undinceda kakhulu.

Bisola: Kuhle ke xa kunjalo. Ungabi wedwa. Ndiworried ukuba inoba uwedwa kuyo yonke lento kaSimba.

Nomtha: Hayi noko ukhona umntu okhoyo. Unjani uNuri?

Bisola: Sweet, sweet somebody. Ulunge yingelosi.

Nomtha: Kungcono xa kunjalo.

Bisola: Yhu usweet umntana kaMalik. Nasebusuku akakhali kakhulu. Ingathi nguZendaya. Zange ahluphe
kakhulu umntana womntanam. Uyakhula umariri. Utatakhe ebedithi uzombona ke ukuphela kwenyanga.

Nomtha: Hayi kubhetele xa kunjalo. Kulungile ke mama.

742
Bisola: Yehake, ufounelwe ngubani naLinokhanyo.

Nomtha: Akufounanga mna kanti?

Bisola: Abeg! Ufounela bani wena? Kuba uthi cwaka nengxaki zakho.

Nomtha: Hayibo mama kufoune mna.

Bisola: Kufoune wena na?

Ndiyihlekile.

Mamkeli: Ngoku ibikhala iphone usithi ndikugqithisele.

Bisola: Hayi ke kuthiwa kufoune wena.

Nomtha: Kufoune mna. Hayi uyaguga.

Bisola: Ndinesi zukulwana Linokhanyo. Nabazukulwana abaliwaka. Abazali abantwana bam halala!

Nomtha: Xa inguSimba nobhuti Mluleki!

Bisola: Baphuma phambili abo!

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: Mama kulungile.

Bisola: Kulungile sisi.

Ndicime iphone ndayokuthatha ilaptop yam ndakhangela imisebenzi. Nezikolo. Ndifake ndade
ndadinwa. Uye wafika ubhuti emini. Ebendiphathele iflowers, nokutya. Bekungathi uwole yonke into
ebeyibone phambili kwakhe. Bendingazuwa kulomgibe ke kuba bendifuna ukuqalisa igymn
ndizokubuyela emzimbeni wam. Akahlelanga xesha lide wahamba. Andimbuzanga ngoSimba naye
akabanga endixelela. Ebebona ukuba andina msebenzi.

Ubone abantwana wahamba.

Ndive ucango lwekamire luvuleka ndaziva ndibambe umphefumlo kuba ndivele ndayazi ukuba ngubani.

Uzoma ecaleni kwam ndeva isandla sakhe esidleleni sam, sindiphulula.

Simba: Baby.

Ndithe cwaka.

Ndive indebe zakhe emlonyeni wam ndeva kuvaleka ucango lwase bathroom. Kwangona ndiphefumlayo.
Kucacile ke ukuba ubuye ndilele kuba andikhange ndimve. Ndothuswe nguSamora ekhala.

Simba: Baby.

Nomtha: Ndiyamva.

Into ngokuba ngumama kukuba ubungalali buthongo buhlayo. Incwina nje encinci bendiyiva kuqala.

743
Ndimfake ibele wabe engalifuni, efuna ukukhale. Ndimfunqule ndimshushuzela.

Simba: Mzise apha-

Nomtha: Myeke uzothula.

Simba: Okay. UMluleki akandixelelanga ukuba uyintoni.

Nomtha: Ngewuzifumanele ukuba ubukhona. Bekungazukubakho sidingo sokuba ude uhambe usiva
ngabanye abantu isini somntana wakho.

Simba: Andifuni kuxabana.

Nomtha: Okay.

Simba: Uyintombi?

Cwaka. Ndincancise umntana wam wade walala, ndimbeke ecaleni kwam ndalala.

Simba: Ndiyaxolisa baby. Bendingazi ukuba uzofika ngalamini. Ndizamile-

Nomtha: Bendicela ukulala.

Simba: Ndizama ukuxolisa.

Nomtha: Ndiyakuxolela.

Simba: Nomth-

Nomtha: Tata kaZendaya torho.

Uphumile ezingubeni wayophuma ngomyengo. Ndiohefumle ndazama ukulala. Ndothuswe nguSamora

kwakhona ekuseni. Ndothukile ukubona noSimba ekhona. Wothuswe nguye naye ebuthongweni.

Umkrwaqule nje wasukuma wayongena ebathroom. Uphume kwamsinya. Ebengekenzi nto ngeloxesha.

Simba: Morning.

Nomtha: Good morning.

Ungenile kwakhona, wangena ixesha elide kweli ityeli. Uphume ehamba ngaze wazokuthambisela apha
kwelicala wanxiba waphelela.

Simba: Bendicela ukubuza.

Ndinyuse ishiya ndimkhulula ukuba abuze lonto ebefuna ukundibuza yona.

Simba: Ngubani igama lakhe? Umntana?

Nomtha: NguSamora.

Uyeke ukuqhobosha ihempe yakhe wandifingela intshiya.

Simba: Uthiye umntanam ngoSamora? Ngotatakho!? Bendiba sathetha nje ngalento yeligama.

Nomtha: Ndiyalithanda mna.

744
Simba: uSamora!? Wenze ngamaboni ne? Kuba bendingekho?

Nomtha: Akukho endiyenze ngamabom. Bendingeno mthiya ngegama endingakithandiyo for wena.
Ndiyamthanda umntana wam, utata wam uyayazi ukuba bendimthanda kanjani. This felt right and
ubungekho nawe ke ukuba wongeze elakho ukuba ubunomdla phofu so nguSamora Matanzima.

Simba: Yinkwenkwe.

Nomtha: Yinkwenkwe.

Unqwalile.

Simba: Ndicela ukumphatha.

Nomtha: Ungamphatha.

Usondele ebhedini wamthatha kum embuka.

Simba: He is perfect. Unyana wam. Ndiyabulela.

Ndimjonge nje. Usondeze ubuso bakhe kobam wandiphuza.

Simba: Kutheni ungandiphuzi?

Nomtha: Ndiyakuphuza.

Uphinde wasondeza ubuso bakhe kobam wandiphuza.

Simba: Ndiyak'thanda.

Nomtha: Ndiyak'thanda nam.

Simba: Ndiyabulela ngonyana wam.

Ndithule andaphendula. Bendizothini.

Simba: Molo Madiba. Nanku utatakho. Uyamazi utatakho? Hm? Uyamazi utata?

Nanku utatakho. Ndiyakthanda uyeva? Utatakho uyakuthanda. Uyanithanda nonke nabanta kwenu.
Yonke imizamo yam yeyenu. Wena, uMalik, uZendaya, uMihlayonke. Nomama wethu. Ndenzela nina.

Undinikile ndambeka phantsi.

Usondele kum wandibamba izandla endijonga ebusweni. Ibingathi uzothetha ke kodwa akadanga
wathetha. Undiphuze nje waphuma ngomnyango. Ndichecke ilaptop ukuba andiphendulwanga na
kwindawo bendibhalise kuzo. Bekungekho nenye. Mmmk

Ubekho iveki qha. Ehamba emveni ngo eight abuye ngo6. Ndithe xa ndimqhela waqala kwakhona. 4am
to 4am. Abuye enuka iperfumes endingazazi. Ngezinye imini abuye enuka imililo. Bendingazi.
Bendibuyele kwigymn ke kodwa ndisathatha kancinci. Nditshintshe idiet yam futhi. Ukuba ibingeyo
gymn nabantwana bam bendikhangela umsebenzi.

Kukhale iphone ndilesa.

Nomtha: Hello.

745
Simba: Baby, wenzani?

Nomtha: Ndifunda ibible.

Simba: Ukhathazwe yintoni?

Nomtha: Nix. Ndiyayifunda qho ibible.

Simba: Oh. Abantwana balele?

Nomtha: Bonke.

Simba: Akahluphi namhlanje uSamora?

Nomtha: Akakahluphi.

Simba: Uzifumene intyatyambo zam?

Nomtha: Bendizifumene, ndiyabulela.

Simba: You were on my mind.

Nomtha: Oh.

Simba: Ndiyakuthanda.

Nomtha: Nam ndiyakuthanda.

Simba: Ungandilindeli.

Nomtha: Uzofika xesha ni?

Simba: Ndizobuya ngomso around 9. Ekuseni. Okanye ngoten, kuzoxhomekeka.

Ndiyive ibethela ezantsi intliziyo yam.

Nomtha: Uphi?

Simba: Warehouse, hayibo baby. Ndihlala ndiphi kanti imihla le?

Nomtha: Udla ngokubuya kaloku. Intsha le yokuba ingabuyi kwam.

Simba: Ishipment ifike late kwaye kufuneka ihambe kusasa so sisebenza ngayo. Ndifuna ukuqinisekisa
ukuba benza yona and ndine meetings namaRussia nge arm dealership. Nomalume eNigeria. Ndiba
productive apha emsebenzini.

Akaphazanyiswa ngabantwana.

Nomtha: Use warehouse?

Simba: Ewe baby. Bendikwazisa nje, ungabuyela kwibhayibhile yakho ke mnkam. Ndiyakthanda uyeva?

Nomtha: Ndiyakuthanda oku kwam.

Simba: Bye baby, mcwaaa!

746
Ndibeke iphone ndayonqonqozela uMangwabe.

Mangwabe: Yebo?

Nomtha: Ndim, ndicela uvele torho.

Mangwabe: Ngiyeza, yini indaba?

Nomtha: Bendicela ukukuhlupha kakhulu.

Mangwabe: Yini indaba?

Nomtha: Kukho ingxakana emsebenzini kaSimba ngoku kufuneka ndibe phaya ngokukhawuleza. Ndicela
ukukushiya-

Mangwabe: Akuna nkinga. Mlethe sisi.

Nomtha: Ndiyaxolisa Mangwabe.

Mangwabe: Akuna nkinga sisi.

Undilandele wamthatha, ndabe ndifaka imake up. Unyuse ishiya kodwa akathetha waphuma. Ndijonge
into yokunxiba ndabe ndithatha iphone ndifouna. Bekukho isecurity entsha, uPeace. Ndifounele yena.

Nomtha: Peace, ndithunywa ngumyeni wam ukuba ukhawuleze uze apha endlini. Awukho kufuphi?

Peace: Ndilapha. Ten minutes.

Nomtha: Khawulezisa please.

Bendiyazi ukuba akasoze afounele uSimba ambuze kuba ebengena mnxeba wakho. Ebefumana imiyalelo
ngabanye abantu kunye nam. Nyani ukhawulezile ukufika. Ndingene ndindodwa emotweni
wandihlahlela amehlo.

Nomtha: Ndise kwimain warehouse.

Peace: Ware? Warehouse?

Nomtha: Ewe.

Peace: Kwathiwa ndingaze ndiye na-

Nomtha: Khawume ndifounele uSimba ndimbuz-

Peace: Kulungile! Kulungile! Ndizokusa.

Nomtha: Ndiyabulela.

Ndikhuphe umoya. Ustater imoto wayindlela ukuya ewarehouse. Bendiqala ngqa ukuya khona.
Bendinovalo. Bendinento ethi akakho phaya. Ukuba ebephaya akenzi into athe uyayenza. Kodwa
besawubona ngoku andithi?

747
NINETY-TWO
Bisola: Umntan'omntanam!

Malik: Makhulu!

Bisola: Yhuuu! Nguye lo!? Akamncinci zinkosi. Uright sana lam?

Bangene nomzukulwana wakhe wamphuza isidlele.

Bisola: Linokhanyo!

Nomtha: Moroyi.

Simba: Andihoywanga mna kodwa ndingoyena ongowakho apha.

Bisola: Hayi suka ukufeketha. Ngenani ngaphakathi wethu, ngenani. Abantu baseRhawutini.

Simba: Nne.

Bisola: My son, how far?

Simba: Ndiyaphila enkosi unjani wena?

Bisola: UThixo mhle mntanam. Umhle! ULinokhanyo unesandla.

Nomtha: Ndim womke lowo.

Uyihlekile.

Bangene nabo baphuzana, sahamba sachopha kwisofa. Njenge siqhelo bekusikoni kumenyezela.

Mamkeli: Awu! Senikho!

Bisola: Bangena ngoku, uwachithile amanzi wakho? Unayo into yokuhlamba wakugqiba uphume nje
okungathi uphuma ehotel.

Uyihleke kancinci utata uMamkeli akamhoya tu. Uzokubulisa thina wasibuza nempilo.

Bisola: Miracle!

Miracle: Mama!?

Bisola: Khawuzosenzela itea sisi.

Miracle: Ndiyeza!

Nomtha: Hayibo tata kaMalik, umntanam ushiywe emotweni na?

Simba: Ulele njena baby.

Nomtha: Khawuyo mthatha torho Malik.

Simba: Bendizomlanda umntana. Njengoba uphume usonge izandla nje wena emotweni ubucinga ukuba
ndizobaphatha njani abantwana bonke ngexesha elinye? Ndinezandla ezimbini qha mna.

748
Nomtha: Hayi ndim owrongo. Ndicela uxolo.

Simba: Yehake. Myeke Malik ndizomthatha umntanam. Ina thatha khawubambe lona.

Mamkeli: Mandinincedise ngempahla.

Baphume belandelelana bobathathu noMalik. Abantwana bebebekwe phantsi ngecar seats. Ndikhuphe
umoya ndajonga umama wabe endiqwalasele ede wancina amehlo. Ndincume kancinci ndayomanga.

Bisola: Ninjani ke Linokhanyo?

Nomtha: Kuhle mama akukho nto. Sonwabe nje kamnandi. Kukudinwa nje kwendlela. Niphile njani nina?

Bisola: Aninongadinwa mntanam. Aninongadinwa. Hayi siyaphila thina. Sonwabe nje kamnandi. Akukho
nto. Wanomntana uMalik!

Nomtha: Wanomntana.

Bisola: Kodwa noko wethu sekhulile umntanam bethunana. Ufundile wagqiba, uyaziphangelela ngoku.
Akazange amhluphe nakakhulu utata wakhe. Oko wayengumntana onendlebe.

Nomtha: Hayi mdala yena noko.

Bisola: Ubenjani utata wakhe ukuqumba?

Nomtha: Ebephambene ngumsindo kaloku. Ndicinga yindlela amzise ngayo kuthi ibimcaphukisa kakhulu.
Hayi ukuba enomntwana-

Mamkeli: Anitsho ukuba niyateleka. Imigodlo engaka!

Simba: Size sonke. Ndimthini lomntana?

Nomtha: Akalelanga?

Simba: Usalele.

Nomtha: Ungamsi ebhedini njena?

Uyokungena naye kwikamire besihleli silala kuyo xa size apha wabuya ngempahla zethu, wazokuchopha
nathi akuzibeka zonke.

Bisola: Uphi umama womntana Malik?

Uqale wathinte umqala wakhe, walungisa ukuhlala. Ebefunqulwe ngumama kaSimba umntana.

Malik: Ukhona, useRhawutini.

Simba: Mxelele ukuba uyomlahlela kuwe kuba engafuni nto enokwenza naye.

Bisola: Hayibo!

Malik: Kokwabo bebengamfuni umntana. Kwathiwa makanikise ngaye okanye aphume aphele kokwabo.

Bisola: Kutsho abazali bakhe?

749
Unqwalile uMalik.

Bisola: Yebethuna!

Simba: Wakugqiba umzukulwana wakho wayokumnyengeza ngaphandle komzi wethu waphuma

wahamba.

Bisola: Hayibo Malik.

Utsho ngelizwi elinokudana.

Malik: Ndandisoyika utata makhulu. Ndamfounela usisi ndamxelela ukuba ndizoza, ndavulela.
Ndandiyazi ukuba uzomfumana.

Simba: Wawuyazi ukuba uzomfumana ntoni? Ukuba wayefunyenwe ngomnye umntu kulagate
besawukuyicacisa sithini thina? Ayikho into oyenzileyo qha.

Bisola: Hayi ube wrongo sana lam. Ewe ubumoyika utatakho kodwa bekungafanelanga ukuba umshiye
kanjalo umntana yhini bethuna.

Malik: Ja ndiyayazi makhulu, ndiyazisola. Andicinganga.

Bisola: Kubhetele xa uzisola sana lam. Akakho umntu ongenazo impazamo zakhe. Kungcono umse
kokwenu. Awumlahlanga sigangeni-

Simba: Hayi kodwa mama akukho bungcono ngandawo apha. Ukuba ebelunywe zizinja lamntana kula
gate?

Bisola: Akasalunywanga. Nimfumene ngethuba. Into endiyitshoyo kukuba kubhetele kuba uyayibona
impazamo yakhe. Nanto into ebaluleke kakhulu. Umthathile umntana akubona exakiwe wamsa kubantu
acinga ukuba bawumnakelela bhetele kunaye.

Unikine intloko uSimba.

Bisola: Uzokhula umntana. Ukhona uMiracle uzomhoya, akukho nto sala nam. Ukuba nje wena uzimisele
emsebenzini, wondle. Angaswelinto umntanakho ukhona. Unhoye, unganqabi apha. Qha. Asizukuthi
mthini unntana sekhona ngoku. Sisipho esivela kuThixo.

Malik: Ndiyabulela makhulu. Hayi ndizokumhoya uzobona. Andisoze ndimlahle umntanam.

Bisola: Nantso ke Mntande. Indoda yenje njalo. Kamnandi utatakho ngumzekelo opholayo. Ubone apha
kuwe ukuba uthando lomzali lubaluleke kanjani. Njengoba engena mama nje uzokudinga ngakumbi.
Beka apha Miracle, ugalele utata.

Mamkeli: Hayi noko. Ndiyabulela Miracle. Bendicinga ukubaleka mna.

Bisola: Na so? Ubaleka uyaphi?

Mamkeli: Ndisayoku kroba kwam. Izobonana ngomso.

Bisola: Bendicinga ukuba uzohamba ngomso njena.

Mamkeli: Ndihamba namhlanje.

750
Bisola: Ngoba kusuke kwathini.

Mamkeli: Bisola.

Unikine intloko yakhe kancinci.

Mamkeli: Izobonana ngomso ke.

Bisola: Uhamba ngoku na?

Uphinde wamnikinela intloko kancinci.

Bisola: Esheeee okay. Khawume ndikukhuphe mntaka bawo. Asizukupana apha ufuna ukuya emzini
wakho. Mhlawumbi ikhona lento uyileqayo esingayaziyo. Amadinga wakho.

Mamkeli: Ncncncnc! Ey! Madiba!

Simba: Kulungile baw'uMamkeli, izobonana ngomso.

Mamkeli: Nisaleni. Makoti.

Nomtha: Kulungile tata.

Bisola: kaloku. Andithi ubuthe uyaphuma.

Uyihleke kancinci baphuma belandelelana.

Nomtha: Benditheni?

Simba: Khawuyeke indaba zabantu Linokhanyo.

Nomtha: Oh, ndingu Linokhanyo xa sikokwenu?

Simba: Ungubani kanti ngezinye imini? Usancanca lowo?

Nomtha: Mhhh uyancanca. Why?

Simba: Bendifuna undilungiselele amanzi ndihlambe. Ndilambe nokulamba mna.

Bisola: Ebephekile ke uMiracle. Ndizothi aniphakele. Ungambeki ebhedini nje umntana njengoba uske
wamnkonya?

Malik: Ndisambuka.

Bisola: Methuna! Umntan'omntanam zinkosi. Ungutata ngoku.

Malik: Bendingeka kulindeli ke kodwa izinto ziyenzeka.

Bisola: Izicwangciso zezethu kodwa izigqibo zezeNkosi. Ingathi ngewumbeka ebhedini kodwa,
ungamqhelisi izandla.

Malik: Ngemini enye aqhele izandla?

Bisola: Ewe tyhini. Awufuni kuphumla wena umnike uMiracle.

751
Simba: Makake ahoye umntanakhe ayeke uMiracle okwangoku kuba uzohamba ngoku. Usezokugcinwa
nguMiracle lomntana.

Malik: Sisayokuphumla.

Bisola: Phumlani sana lam, ukutya kukhona xa ulambileyo uyeva keMntande?

Malik: Okay makhulu, love you.

Uyomphuza isidlele wahamba wayongena ekamireni.

Simba: Ndijanyelelwa ntoni?

Bisola: Akasafuneki umzali ongqwabalala ngalamaxesha Simba. Andiyazi ngoba nathi asizange sabanjalo
kuwe.

Simba: Ubani ke? Wena noVenus? Naningekho ngqwabalala?

Bisola: Sukuthetha ubuxoki wakugqiba ukuba mdala.

Simba: Vuma nje ukuba uyamthanda umzukulwana wakho qha wena.

Bisola: Ndiyamthanda nangoku. Andizuku qumbela ukuba enomntana. Undidanisile ke kodwa ngendlela
enze ngayo kodwa uyazisola. Ayikho into ebaluleke ukogqitha ukuzisola emntwini. Ulungile lomntana,
uyamazi nawe.

Simba: Kodwa undiphoxile. Indlela nje enze ngayo, undidanisile. Usancancisa?

Nomtha: Ndizombhodlisa.

Simba: Msapha undilungiselele ndihlambe.

Ndimnikile ndahamba ndayokumvulela amanzi ndamkhuphela impahla zokunxiba emveni koko.

Ndizolulile ndazibeka ebhedini ndaqabela ebhedini ecaleni kuka Zendaya ndacambalala.

Ndothuswe nguSimba ebeka umntana ecaleni kwam.

Ndiphindele ebuthongweni ndothuka sendindodwa ebhedini. Bekumnyama nokuba mnyama egumbini.

Ndivuke ndayokuhlamba eshower. Ndivulele amanzi ashushu bhe ndanxiba impahla zokulala ukugqiba
kwam, ndathi wambhu igown ngaphezulu.

Kuvuleke ucango ndisathambisa ubuso, kungene uSimba esingethe uZendaya.

Nomtha: Jellytots!

Uncume nje wancamathela kutata wakhe okungathi bendizomthatha.

Simba: Besendizokuvusa.

Nomtha: Undivuselani?

Simba: Bekukunini ulele.

Nomtha: Umntana uyahlupha?

752
Simba: Akahluphi. Uthathwe nguMiracle.

Nomtha: Oh uyavuma owakho athathwe nguMiracle kodwa ubulandula kuNuri.

Simba: UMihlayonke akazukusala apha yena, and umthathe ngoku kwam kum uMiracle. Asizukuhlala
ixesha ke apha. NgeCawa siyaphindela.

Nomtha: Msinya kangaka na sesiphindela?

Simba: Ubusancwase ukuhlala kanti wena?

Nomtha: Bendicinga ukuba sawuhlaleni kancinci.

Simba: Ndiyaphangela kaloku mna, noMalik uyaphangela.

Nomtha: Yho!

Simba: Besingazanga holideyini apha ekugqibeleni. Besizise uJy siphindele emva. Andiyazi kutheni ucinga
ukuba sawuhlala.

Nomtha: Ndiyavuma kaloku. Masihambeni ukuba sizohamba.

Simba: Ndifuna ukwenza nale vasectonomy ukuphindela kwam eKapa. Andisafuni mpazamo ngoku,
andisafuni bantwana mna yho! Ndidikiwe kukumpelesa ezimini.

Nomtha: Umpelesa phi tana?

Simba: Andimpelesi?

Nomtha: Hayibo! Ungade uthi uyadinwa kaloku kodwa ubahoya umzuzwana abantwana. Ixesha elininzi
bahoywa ndim noMangwabe.

Simba: Kodwa ndidikiwe yinto yokuba kuhleli nje kukho isana endlini, yinto endiyitshoyo leyo.

Nomtha: Mhhh. Uright kaloku wenze ivasectonomy.

Simba: Ja. Ucinga ukwenzani wena?

Nomtha: Njani ukuba ndicinga ukwenzani? Ndukhulisa abantwana andithi?

Simba: Ndiyayazi lonto.

Nomtha: Kengoku yintoni lento undibuza yona ukuba ndicinga ukwenzani? Ibingathi ndenzeni kuwe?
Andithi wawundiphushela ukuba ndinga-

Simba: Ndiyayazi Nomtha. Ndiyayazi ukuba ndathini. Qha ndibuza kuba wawungumntu ongafuni
ukuhlala angenzinto. Ndifuna ukuqonda ukuba undawoni ngoku.

Nomtha: Ndizobona ukugqiba kwam ukubeleka.

Ndimjongile wanqwala. Bekukhangeleka kungathi ininzi into ekulangqondo yakhe qha ebezilume ulwimi.
Ndithule ke nam andabe ndimncina. Kuba bendiziva okungathi ukuba kukho into ebefuna ukuyithetha
ebezokuyithetha nqo.

Siyotya salaleni. Silele sobane nabantwana bobabini.

753
Simba: Nomtha.

Nomtha: Mh?

Bendisanda kuncancisa umntana ukundikhwaza kwakhe. Ndingalelanga.

Simba: Awufuni kuwelela ngapha?

Nomtha: Ngoba?

Simba: Ndifuna ukucuddlisha.

Nomtha: Hayibo Simba. Abantwana balale emacaleni kengoku?

Ndibuze ndiphethuka ndalala ngelinye icala, ndibazela ngomva nabantwana.

Ndothuswe sisikhalo sikaMihlayonke ebuthongweni.

Ndiphethukile ndamncancisa. Ibisithi sobabini qha ekamireni. Ndiyokumhlamba ndahlamba nam,

ndondlula ndaya ebantwini. Ndimangele ukubona uZama nomntana wakhe.

Nomtha: Molweni!

Zama: Hi makaZendaya!

Nomtha: Ndakugqibela kudala! Wamkhulu kangaka!

Zama: It's this precious cargo.

Utsho eziphulula isisu.

Nomtha: Congratulations!?

Zama: Ndiyabulela. Andidinwe!

Nomtha: Sezimnkile inyanga lento udiniweyo?

Miracle: Ndikwenzele into yokutya?

Nomtha: Hayi, ndiyabulela Miracle. Ndizokwenza ngoku kwam. Baphi ooSimba?

Bisola: Bayokuloba abo. Nguye nguMamkeli, nguSiyanda kunye noMalik.

Nomtha: NoSiyanda ulapha!?

Zama: Ufika namhlanje. Ebezobona thina.

Nomtha: Wena nabani?

Zama: Nabantwana.

Bendingedideke mntaka bawo!

Nomtha: Oh.

754
Nditsho ngo oh opholileyo. Ibingadingi nokube ibuzwa okanye incinwa. Ibizicacele gca okokuba
ukhulelwe umntana kaSiyanda.

Mh! Ibindimangaza ngaphezulu ibikukuba umama notat'uMamkeli bebeyazi ukuba uSiyanda utshatile
kodwa bebevumela yonke lento yenzeke phambili kwamehlo abo. Yhu hayi ebendidanisile mna
uSiyanda. Ngakumbi kunakuqala.

Zama: Yinkwenkwe mos lowo?

Nomtha: Ewe yinkwenkwe.

Zama: Ndiqinisekile anisafuni kwanto emveni kwalowo.

Nomtha: Besingafuni kwanto, kodwa uThixo ube nezinye izicwangciso- sikhulelwe kwakhona.

Bothuke bobabini nomama.

Bisola: Ukhulelwe!?

Nomtha: Unfortunately. Bendiba wakuxelela uSimba.

Bisola: Tu! Ndiyayizibula. Unfortunately njani kengoku izindaba ezimnandi njena!

Nomtha: Ayizondaba ezimnandi tu mama. Besingasa funi bantwana emveni kuka Mihlayonke. Hayi
kwangoku futhi. Ininzi nje into ibisenzeka kulonyaka. Ukulahleka kukaZendaya iyenye yazo. UMihlayonke
nezigulo zakhe, omnye umntana! Yhu hayi! Sidane sobabini.

Bisola: Akasosibhanxa ke yena uThixo. Uninike ngamabomu lomntana.

Nomtha: Unentlonti ukuba unjalo.

Zama: Kodwa akukho bad, abantwana abathathu.

Bisola: Bane ngoMalik. Baright aba bantwana. Ewe ke ngeminyana kodwa ayinaba sathwani lonto ngoku.
Hayi uright umntanam abe nabantwana. Yilonto umhle kangaka.

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: Ndiyabulela.

Bisola: Ungafike iyintombi.

Nomtha: Andinangxaki noba uyintoni.

Zama: Ndizoqumba mna ukuba akusiyontombi lena. Ndifuna intombi.

Bisola: Caba uzoqumbela bani?

Zama: Lomntu undinike umntana oyinkwenkwekaloku. Ndizoqumbela yena. Andifuni nokuyibona!

Bisola: Njengona unempumlo engaka njena, unenkwenkwe.

Zama: Hayike mama.

755
Uyihlekile umama kaSimba waqethukisa intloko. Bendiqaphela into yokuba basondelene kakhulu.
Bendingazi ukuba ibinento enokwenza nokuba engu'mama omncinci wakhe na' phofu ibinento
enokwenza nalonto kakade.

Bangene beyihleka, bencokola ooSimba notat'uMamkeli.

Bisola: Yehake Nkokheli, awusatsho ukuba ndizoma ngumakhulu kwakhona.

Bebengeka hlali naphantsi ngeloxesha sebakhawulela ngendaba.

Ufinge intshiya uSimba enjonge umamakhe.

Simba: Makhulu kwakhona? Andiva ke?

Bisola: Nditsho ukuba uLinokhanyo ukhulelwe kwakhona. Awuyihlebi nokuyohleba lonto! Indaba
ezimnandi kangaka!

Undikrwaqule uSimba.

Simba: Oh ...

Siyanda: Hayibo! Congratulations guys!

Simba: Ndiyibeke ndawoni lentlanzi?

Bisola: Nibambe ngaphi?

Siyanda: Ziliqela.

Bisola: Zibanjwe ngumntu omnye zonke ezontlanzi. Andiqondi ukuba ikhona eniyaziyo ke nina,
khawuyobiza uMiracle phaya Zama asicocele yona lentlanzi. Uke wolule inyawo.

Siyanda: Hayibo! Ma-oleidy udlala ngathi kodwa. Ngoku sibambe ezingaka!

Bisola: Mxm! Nazi ntoni?

Siyanda: Ingathi lomntu umthembileyo ubuye ephaca nanmhlanje. Uqhele ukwenza kumlungele.

Bisola: Utsho!

Siyanda: Kunjalo kanye.

Bisola: Uthini ngalonto Mamkeli?

Mamkeli: Andifuni nokuthetha mna. Andithethi kakhulu. Uyandazi phofu.

Bisola: Hayi ndiyakwazi. Umsebenzi wakho uyazithethela.

Siyanda: Hahahaha! Hayibo ithini na into!?

Mamkeli: Njengoba ndisitsho nje. Andisathethi kakhulu mna. Sendisaziwa.

Siyanda: Oh hayi ke, mandithule nam. Sis'Linokhanyo unjani?

Nomtha: Kuhle bhuti akukho nto. Ndiyabulela.

756
Siyanda: Kuhle nakuthi, noxa ungabuzanga nje.

Ndivale umlomo wam ndazijongisa umntana wam. USimba uzokuchopha ecaleni kwam wandibamba
isinqe endiphuza isihlele.

Simba: Baby.

Nomtha: Hi.

Simba: Uvuke kakuhle?

Nomtha: Ewe enkosi. Bekumnandi ekulobeni?

Simba: Ja. Baby, asivumelananga ngokuba sawuxelela abantu ngomntwana njena.

Ndimjongile ndifinge ezam intshiya.

Nomtha: Oh?

Simba: Nomtha, ayinoba awuyazi ukuba asibikwa isisu esisephantsi.

Nomtha: Zange yaba yingxaki mos lonto ngaphambili. Bendinga qondi ukuba izoba yiyo ngoku. Kuba
andiqali kukhulelwa ndibikele abantu bakokwenu, kungabikho nto yenzekayo.

Simba: Sisube sivumelene kaloku ngeloxesha. Ngoku asiyithethanga eyokuba sizokwazisa abantu ukuba
sizoba nomntana. Ngewunga thethanga.

Nomtha: Bendingazi ukuba izoba yingxaki kaloku mna ukuxelela umamamkho ukuba sawuba nomntana.

Simba: Ndiyakuxelela ke.

Nomtha: Bendithe senze I abortion ke mna. Ngeyongekho yonke lento.

Simba: Ingenaphi apha kulento ndiyithethayo lonto?

Nomtha: Kuba ingathi ndizimithisile lomntana. Ubundixelela ngendlela odikwe ngayo kukumpelesa
ngoku yile into. Ingathi unomsindo ngakum ngalomntana kodwa ibingathi uright ngaye ukuthetha
kwethu.

Simba: Ndithe andikhoright ngoku? Nomtha, undihlohla amazwi emlonyeni wena. Into yam kukuba uthi
pahaa izinto zethu esidlangalaleni ngaphandle kokuba sithethe kuqala. Ingxaki yam yileyo. Ngoku
sendibuzwa ngumama uyandothusa kuba andiyazi ukuba umxelele wena. Enye nenye andikhange
ndiyithethe.

Nomtha: Esidlangalaleni!? Esi- heh!

Simba: Ewe esidlangalaleni!

Bisola: Simba!

Simba: Mama?

Bisola: Hayi khanimeni kancinci.

Bebejonge kuthi abantu, caba besele sifundekela.

757
Ndisukumile nomntana wam ndayongena ekamireni. Bendingenabo nobuthongo, ndazicofela iphone
yam ndingqengqile. Ndizokunqonqozelwa nguMiracle ukuba kuyatyiwa, ndahamba ke nam ndayokutya.

Bekuncokolwa ke kusityiwa igrilled fish neveg kuselwa iwine abaselayo, abangadeliyo ijuice. USiyanda
noSimba baye bahamba sashiyeka sizipholele ngaphandle nomama noZama kunye nabantwana bam.

Bisola: Linokhanyo uright?

Nomtha: Mama?

Bisola: Ndiyabuza uright mntanam?

Nomtha: Ewe ndiright.

Bisola: Ndibona uthule.

Nomtha: Hayi ndiright. Ndiyacinga nje.

Bisola: Ohhhh. Ungabe ucinga kakhulu wethu uhleli nabantu. Ayilunganga lonto.

Nomtha: Ehhh.

Baphinde bazincokolela noZama ndabe ndizivalele umlomo wam ndizimamele. Ndicingana nozero bam.

Silele bengekabuyi ooSiyanda. Utata uMamkeli uye wahamba, uZama wayokulala kunye nomama
ekamireni yakhe. Mna nabantwana bam. Ndive ngomntu engena emveni kwam.

Nomtha: Nantsiya indawo ngaphaya Simba.

Simba: Ndifuna ukulala apha ecaleni kwakho. Awufuni ndilale ecaleni komntu wam?

Nomtha: Anditshongo.

Simba: Okay. Ndifuna ukulala ecaleni kwakho.

Usondele wathi nca kum, wajikelezisa isandla sakhe endobamba isisu, esiphulula.

Nomtha: Ziyabanda izandla zakho ke.

Simba: Askies.

Akandiyekanga phofu.

Simba: I'm sorry about earlier.

Nomtha: Ndikuxolele.

Simba: Kanjalo nje?

Nomtha: Ewe.

Simba: Ndiyak'thanda uyayazi lonto?

Nomtha: Ndiyayazi. Nam Ndiyak'thanda.

Simba: Nabantwana bethu ndiyabathanda. Nalo ndiyamthanda.

758
Ndinqwalile.

Nomtha: Ndiyayazi Simba.

Simba: Kodwa bandithathela wena aba bantwana. Uyayibona lonto phofu? Okanye obonwa ndim
ndodwa?

Bendiyiqondile ukuba ebebhuqwa sisikhwele.

Simba: Uhoye bona ngaphezulu kwam.

Nomtha: Simb-

Simba: Ndiyayazi baby. No more kids now. Ngowokugqibela lona.

Ndinqwalile.

Simba: Ubuncwase ukushekela apha?

Nomtha: Ngoba?

Simba: Bendive okungathi ukhathazekile ukuba sesihamba kaloku.

Nomtha: Hayi ndodwa. Bendinga ncwasanga ukushiyeka ndodwa. Ukuba uyahamba ndizohamba nam.
Bendicinga ukuba sawuhlaleni kancinci.

Simba: Kufuneka ndiphindele emsebenzini kaloku.

Nomtha: Ndiyayazi lonto baby.

Simba: NoMalik.

Nomtha: Ndiyayazi.

Simba: Ukuba uyafuna ungazoku belekela apha kwelicala.

Nomtha: Kusekude ukuba ndibeleke.

Simba: Noba kunjalo.

Nomtha: Okay. Kodwa ukuba uzobe ulapha nawe. Ndifuna ukuba kufuphi nawe.

Simba: Apho ukho kaloku mntuwam.

Nomtha: Ubusela andithi?

Simba: Ja, besiye kwenye iclub apha etown. Sasela ezimbalwa nje. Andishushwanga.

Nomtha: Ungade uzibike ukuba awushushwanga.

Simba: Because andishushwanga nangoku.

Nomtha: Mh. Ye Simba.

Simba: Baby?

759
Nomtha: Uyayikholwa into yokuba uZama noSiyanda bayametsha?

Simba: Andingeni ndawo ezintweni zabo mna baby.

Nomtha: Sendisitsho nje.

Simba: Andingeni ndawo. Yeyabo bobathathu andifuni nokuhlomla kuba izophinde ibe ngumlwo.

Nomtha: Ayisoze ibe ngumlwo.

Simba: Masingayi chathi nokuyichatha bhetele kuba ayisichaphazeli mna nawe. Iphakathi kwabo.

Nomtha: Mhhh.

Simba: Ungayingeni nawe.

Nomtha: Akukho nto ndiyingenayo kodwa shame ndiyamvela uLulu. Ayikho le.

Undiphuze intamo.

Simba: Phumla. Siyahambeni ngomso.

Sivuke saba yindlela kwakusasa ngengomso sishiya uNuri. UMalik shame ngomntana wakhe,
ebesegwantyisile ukuhamba kwethu. Sifike salala, uSimba wavuka waphangela.

BESELE KUGQITHE INYANGA EZIMBALWA, Bendise khitshini ndihamba ngenyawo ndibile ezimbizeni
ndibeke iphone yam endlebeni. Abantwana kunye nomama uMangwabe bebelele.

Ikhale yangena kwivoicemail ndaphinde ndacofa kwakhona.

Simba: Baby.

Nomtha: Nguhalf past eleven ebusuku.

Simba: Ndiyakwazi ukufunda ixesha.

Nomtha: Awukho sendlini.

Simba: Ndizobuya. Usahleleni wena?

Nomtha: Ndiyapheka.

Simba: Elixesha?

Nomtha: Bendirhalele isteak.

Simba: Uvuke ebuthongweni wayopheka?

Nomtha: Andikalali. Ndilinde wena.

Simba: Ungandilindi baby, ndizobuya ebusuku mna.

Nomtha: Kwakhona?

Ndimve ephefumlela ngaphandle.

760
Simba: Ndiyaphangela. Ndikuxelele ukuba umsebenzi mninzi ngoku.

Nomtha: Ndiyakukhumbula. Umnka kusasa ubuye ezinzulwini zobusuku, ukuba awubuyi ekuzeni kusa.
Zinyanga ziyisix ngoku uqhuba kanje. Ndiyakukhumbula. Siyakukhumbula nabantwana.

Uphinde waphefumlela phezulu.

Simba: Ndiyaphangela baby.

Nomtha: Ndiyayazi.

Simba: Good. Hamba uyolala. Ungandilindeli.

Nomtha: Okay.

Simba: Basalele abantwana?

Nomtha: Ewe.

Simba: Okay. I love you guys.

Nomtha: Siyakuthanda nathi.

Simba: Kufuneka ndihambe.

Nomtha: Alright bye-bye.

Ndiyibeke phantsi ndaqhubeka nesteak sam. Bendinga sena mandla wokube ndikhalaza, ndikhala
kuSimba kuba ibiyinto yesiqhelo ngoku. Bendimbona manqapha nqapha apha endlini. Ebesimnka kusasa
ndingeka vuki, ndizova ngevumba lakhe ukuba ndinomyeni.

Aphinde abuye ngobunye ubumnyama. Ibindim nabantwana kunye noMangwabe. Bekunga ncedi ukuba
lomntana bendimkhulelwe ebendihlupha. Bendigula straight. Yonke lonto yenzeka umyeni wam
engekho ecaleni kwam ukundixhasa. Bendiziva okungathi umsebenzi ebeseyi excuse yokuba angabilapha
endlini nathi. Bekungathi akafuni ukuzibona elapha.

Bekungenani kodwa. Bendinenxaso enguMangwabe ngabantwana. Bendinomzi omhle. Umntana wam

ebekhula kakuhle. Sekukufuphi ukuba ndibeleke. Bendingayazi le kaSimba, ndingayiqondi kakuhle
kodwa ibiyinto eyiyo.

Bendingafuni nokuba ndibe ndifounela umama wakhe ndixela. Mhlawumbi bendibaxa izinto. Ndityile
ndayokungena ezingubeni. Abuhlanga ubuthongo wade wabuya. Ndimvile engena emnyangweni
wekamire, wazondiphuza ibunzi nesisu wayongena ebathroom. Uphumile wangena ezingubeni esondela
kum. Warhona ngoko nangoko ndisajamile mna. Ndivuke kubanda ceke kulandawo ebeleli kuyo.
Bendivuke emini ke kodwa nam kuba bendinga lelanga ebusuku. Ndimfounele, ukhawuleze ukuyibamba.

Simba: Baby. Sewuvukile?

Nomtha: Mh good morning.

Simba: Good morning mnkam. Unjani?

Nomtha: Ndiright enkosi, unjani wena?

761
Simba: Ndiyaphila nam enkosi.

Nomtha: Ndine doctor's appointment.

Simba: Ndiyayazi baby, ndizothumela umntu ozokuhambisa. Uzofika apho ngaphambili kwexesha
akulindele ngaphandle.

Nomtha: Awuzukwazi wena?

Simba: Ndisendleleni eya eMpumalanga. Andizukukwazi sthandwa sam askies.

Nomtha: Ndiyaqala ke ukuhamba ndodwa kwi appointment.

Simba: Ndiyaxolisa. Uzoba right, ndiqinisekile. Undifounele xa ukugqirha ndizova ukuba kuthini.

Nomtha: Okay. Ndizokufounela.

Simba: Ndiyanithanda uyeva?

Nomtha: Ndiyak'thanda nam myenam.

Simba: I love you baby. Kufuneka ndihambe. Ndizokufakela imali kwi account yakho ngoku, ngoku.

Nomtha: Okay. Ubuvalelisile ebantwaneni bakho?

Simba: Ewe. Ndibaphuzile ngaphambili kokuba ndihambe. Ndizobuya ndize straight endlini late,
undilinde.

Nomtha: Okay.

Simba: Ndizolindela icall yakho ke xa ukugqirha.

Nomtha: Ndizokufounela.

Simba: Alright baby.

Uyibekile. Ndivukile nam. Ukuba bendizoqhubeka ndilale, bendizoba late.

762
NINETY-FOUR
Ukufika kwethu kwi warehouse, besekuphele sonke isibindi bendinaso. Bekungekho nto bendingenayo.
Ihigh, high. Isifuba.

Intloko. Isisu. Yonke into. Kodwa njengoba bendiyiqalile nje bendizimisele ukuyigqiba kube kanye.
Bendidike kukuba ndihleli nje ndinemibuzo engenazo impendulo, ndinezikrokro.

Bendifuna ukwazi nyani ukuba ngumsebenzi nyani lo ungcina ngaphandle kwekhaya lakhe, nomfazi
kunye nabantwana bakhe okanye ... God forbid ngomnye umfazi.

Peace: Silapha.

Nomtha: Bendicela undikhokhele. Ndiyaqala ukuza apha.

Peace: Akukho ngxaki? Uqinisekile iboss iyayazi ukuba ulapha? Andifuni ukungena engxakini. Ukuba-

Nomtha: Ndizoqinisekisa ukuba awungeni ngxakini Peace.

Peace: Akayazi ukuba ulapha!?

Ebebuza endirholele amehlo.

Ukuba ibingendim ndiqinisekile ngendibuza endibambe uqhoqhoqho. Into ngoPeace kukuba wathiywa
wrongo.

Andiyazi noba kwakuqhulwa na, okanye bezama ukuhlekisa kodwa ebengenalo tu uxolo lamntu.
Ebenguphuma silwa wendoda. Ebengathi ngomso. Impi ebeyibiza izihleleli. Peace for what.

Nomtha: Uyayazi ukuba ndilapha Peace. Sendisitsho nje kuba ukhangeleka okungathi ukhathazekile.

Peace: Ubomi bam busesichengeni. Ndiyayazi lonto ngokukuzisa apha, andikho semdleni wokucaphukisa
uboss. Hayi ngoku. Kufe three yonke yabantu bebemnyathele ekonsini kwezintsuku nje. Ngekubhetele
ukuba bebed-

Uthinte umqala akundibona ndirhole amehlo. Urhole amehlo ndambona ukuba uyapacnika. Ebecinga
ukuba udize ihlebo mhlawumbi. Bendiyazi intlobo yomntu ayiyo okanye ebeyiyo umyeni wam.
Bendimangele nje ukuba ubuyele wonke kobabomi. Ibindishukuxa kancinci lonto.

Nomtha: Masingene.

Peace: Uqinisekile mos awuvanga wrongo? Uboss uthe ungeza apha.

Nomtha: Peace.

Peace: Ndinomfazi nabantwana. Abantwana bam-

Nomtha: Oh bawo! Ndicela ushiyekele ingabi ngathi uhamba nam.

Peace: Fucken hell! Awaziwa ukuba ulapha andithi? Ayiyazi iboss ukuba ulapha!? Fuck! Ndingofileyo.

Nomtha: Hambela emva Peace.

763
Peace: Abantwana bam! Umfazi wam!

Ndihambele phambili ndamshiya eshiyekela kum. Basuke bathini na aba bantu ukumoyika kangaka
uSimba. Ndiqhwayizele ndaya ngasemnyango. Idrama yeheels neshades ebusuku mntakabawo.
Bendifake ileather pants ezimnyama nehempe emhlophe. Bendi extra wethu ingathi ndingumntu
wasefilimini kodwa bendingcazela ngaphakathi.

Ngaphandle bendimise amagxa nentloko yam. Kungathi ndincekelele icrown ungawi. Film nyani.

Bekukho umntu emnyango. Ulahle icuba walinyathela akundibona. Wabamba isibham esinqeni. Mnkru!

Nomtha: Hello, bendicela ukubona uSimba.

"Simba? Ngubani uSimba?"

Ndijikelezise amehlo am.

Nomtha: Simba Matanzima.

"Uhlala apha uSimba Matanzima? Sorry ma'am kodwa unedilesi ewrongo. Akukho Simba Matanzima
apha. Asimazi nokumazi lomntu. Ungubani kanene? Uze kanjani apha?"

Nomtha: NoSniper naye akakho apha? Bhuti? Ubuthe ungubani kanene igama lakho.

"Bobby. 'Mlume Bobby, mlume.'"

Uyitsho eyicula londawo. Ngesoprano nalapha emiculweni. Ndincume kancinci ndanikina intloko. Mlume
Bobby mlume. Mmmk mk mk. Siphi kanene apha.

Nomtha: Mlume baby mlume, bendicela ukuthetha-

"What the fuck is- huh? Boss lady!? Uhm ufunani apha?"

uMontecasino!

Nomtha: Monti, bendicela undibonise apho akhoyo umyeni wam.

Monti: Akakho apha.

Nomtha: Bendithetha naye ngoku, undixelele ukuba use officini yakhe. So how come uzothi akakho!?

Monti: Nomtha-

Nomtha: Monti ndicela undibonise apho akhoyo umyeni wam okanye ndizongena apha ndimkhangele
ngoku kwam ndide ndimfumane.

Monti: Awuvumelekanga ukungena apha.

Nomtha: Kutsho bani?

Monti: Strict orders from uboss. Akufunekanga nokuba ulapha, ufike kanjani kona apha? Ukwazelaphi
apha?! Wena? Hehe! Ungofileyo Peace. Dead man walking. Usapho lwakho luzocu-

Nomtha: Peace uphangelela bani?

764
Undifingele intshiya.

Peace: Ndiphangelela bani?

Nomtha: Uqashwe nguSimba wathi uthatha imiyalelo kubani?

Peace: KoMonti kunye nawe.

Nomtha: Kunye nam?

Peace: Ewe.

Ebezifinge nzulu intshiya zakhe.

Nomtha: Good. Kengoku xa ndikunika idirect order yokuba undilande undizise kwi warehouse,
awuwulandeli lomyalelo. Hayi lonto qha. Ngaphezulu koko uyafufutheka uza apha, kunyanzeleka ukuba
ndize nge meter taxi? Unyanisile uMonti. Kuzoculwa amagugu kwakho, ndizoqiniseka ngoko.

Monti: UPeace akenzanga nto angayithunywanga. Ngumyalelo osuka kwiboss straight. Xa sinikwe umya-

Nomtha: Bendicela ukuthetha nomyeni wam Monti.

Uphefumle wanikina intloko yakhe.

Monti: Good job, Peace. Ngena ngaphakathi uphangelele.

Peace: Sure skhulu!

Undikrwaqule wancuma kancinci wakhawuleza ukuswabulukisa ubuso wangena.

Monti: Bobby, yiya kuNorman umxelele abize iboss.

Nomtha: Bendiba akakho.

Monti: Ukhona.

Nomtha: Akukho sidingo sokuba ayobiza oMonti uBobby. Ndizozihambela ngoku kwam.

Monti: Ayizukwe-

Argh! Ndingene ngaphakathi ndagqitha kuye ndingena ngaphakathi.

Monti: Keep guard apho Bobby.

Bobby: Sure skhulu sam! Awe!

Monti: Nomtha. Akufanelanga ukuba ubelapha. Kususelwa wena!

Nomtha: Andifuni kukhuselwa.

Monti: Sizoba sekunyeni ukuba sikuvumele ungene- ungangeni! Shit!

Besendivule ucango ndamatsheka emnyango. Okay.

Monti: Wrong room.

765
Utsho endijikelezisela amehlo. Wonke umntu ebejonge kuthi.

Nomtha: Yicoke le?

Monti: Hayi le iselwayo.

Nomtha: Ndiyayibona ukuba ayiyo eselwayo Monti. Kutheni ihanjelwa ze?

Monti: Zizizathi ezininzi and akuhanjwa ze.

Nomtha: Kuyafana ukuba bahamba ngaze ababantu.

Monti: Iboss ayikho apha, njengoba ubona.

Nomtha: Oko wawunje Monti?

Monti: Hahaha! Always.

"Monti! Yi 'bring your hoe at work day namhlanje?!"

Monti: God! NguNomtha lo, Mrs Matanzima.

Ndimbone erhola amehlo kancinci wancuma esiza ngakuthi.

Ibingandiphosanga eyokuba wonke lamntu ebephaya ebejonge kum.

"Mrs Matanzima."

Nomtha: Godfrey. Bendiba useKapa.

Godfrey: Ahhh usandikhumbula. Ndarecruetwa. Ndilapha ngoku. Uzondixelela sixakeke kakhulu

andizukwazi ukuncokola.

Nomtha: Nam bendinga zelanga lonto.

Uyihlekile.

Monti: Singaphuma?

Nomtha: Masiphume. Icoke ayikho right for mna, ndiyancancisa. Sendiqhunywe kungoku.
Kunyanzelekile kuhanjwe ngaze? Bendikubuzile andithi?

Monti: Ubundibuzile, ewe. Ndakuphendula.

Nomtha: Mhhh-

Monti: Akak-

Utsho sekulate kwakhona kodwa ndivule nje ndaphinde ndavala.

Nomtha: Bendiba nideala ngezibham necoke qha!

Monti: Intsha le yedayimani.

Nomtha: Yiyo nantoni entsha?

766
Monti: Kuzofuneka ubuze iboss.

Nomtha: Ndibuza wena.

Monti: I'm not at liberty to-

Nomtha: Ndizifumanele ioffice kaSimba okanye usafuna iqhibe le tour?

Undolathe kwenye ipassage emnyama.

Monti: Uzobona.

Uphethukile wandishiya ndimi ndodwa. Ndiphinde ndajonga apho ebetshoneke khona ndaginya ingwiqi.
Bekubhetele nangoku ebendikhapha. Ndiqwebe isibindi ndaya ngepassage. Besendilapha mos.
Bekumnyama tshu kula pasaage, kukho umnyango estraightini.

Ndicinge ukunqonqoza ndaphanjaniswa kukuva ilizwi lomfazi. Bendivele ndadunyelwa zindlebe. Intliziyo
yam! Ndiphefumle. Ngaphandle, ngaphathi. Ngaphandle kwakhona.

Ndivule ucango ngolona coselelo. Kancinci. Ebevakala bhetelana amazwi kodwa bendingaboni kwanto
kuba bendivule isikhewana. Kungeno kungena nocikicane lo.

"You know Sniper, I like it when you talk dirty to me."

USniper ngumyeni wam mos. NguSimba wam. Ngutata wabantwana bam abathathu bonke. Nguye
uSniper. Okanye bekukho omnye? Ndive intsini. Intsini yakhe. Dirty? Huh?

Simba: Didn't I tell you? Dirty language is my mother tongue. I don't just speak it. I'm fluent.

"Hahaha! You are my type of man. Deeper please."

Dee- ye? Uthe deeper? Deeper?! Ndivule ucango ngoko nangoko. Beberight phaya kwi dirty language,
lonto bebeyitsho kodwa ebunzilwini kengoku. Baphethuke bobabini bandijonga. Ndibone uSimba erhola
amehlo akhe. Kungathi angathwala izandla entloko.

"And who is this? Sniper, I thought you said you were a devoted husband to your wife and that you do
not keep any bitches around. I don't know about you baby but if it looks like a bitch, walk like a bitch-

Simba: That's enough Vero. No need for insolence.

Ndincine amehlo. Inwele bezingwevu kulogogo, ubuso bushwabene.

Ndibone uSimbe endincinela amehlo wancuma kancinci.

Vero: A feisty one even.

Simba: Now calm down a bit Vero, I did say I don't keep any bitches. I didn't say anything about hoes.
Come on in sweety. Wenzan'apha?

Nomtha: Ndilihule kuwe?

Simba: I said come in.

Undiqinisele ilizwi ndamncinela amehlo. Ndivale ucango ndangena.

767
Simba: Aren't you a bit overdressed?

Nomtha: Perhaps I am. But we'll fix that, won't we?

Ndimbone esitsho ngoluka blanket uncumo woyama esitulweni ebeka icigar le ebeyintshaya.

Vero: It's my cue to leave then. My regards to your wi-

Simba: Don't even Vero. Don't speak of my wife! Don't!

Vero: Men, men, men. Typical men. They like to have their cake and eat it too. I'll see myself out. We'll
talk.

Simba: Damn right we will old lady.

Vero: Oh shut up!

Uphumile wabuya nocango ebexhathisa nokuxhathisa. Usukumile kwisihlalo sakhe uSimba, wandigqitha
wayophuma ngomnyango engakhange athethe nam.

Ndive ingxolo kwelacala nefurniture egityiselwayo okanye ebethekayo. Ibingu Simba. Kukhale nesibham.
Ndizibambe isifuba kukothuka. Besinga qheleki esasandi. Sitshilo kwakhona isithonga ndavala indlebe
ndichopha phantsi.

Ungenile wavala ucango watsixa. Uhleli kwesasitulo besichophe uVero woyama endijamele.

Simba: Ndizokubuza umbuzo omnye. Ndilindele impendulo estraight. Uphendula into endikubu-

Nomtha: Ucinga ukuba uthetha nabani?

Uncine amehlo akhe.

Simba: Excuse me?

Nomtha: Uthetha nabani kanjalo na Simba? Ngalo tone?

Simba: Userious ngoku?

Nomtha: Ndiserious.

Simba: Awukho serious. Ungeniswe ngubani apha?

Nomtha: Ndizingenele.

Simba: Ndigqibothini kuwe?

Nomtha: Ndingeniswe ngubani apha?

Simba: Hayi lonto.

Nomtha: Undibuzile ukuba ndiserious na-

Simba: Anditshongo kuwe ukuba ndilindele impendulo estraight?

Nomtha: Ohhh.

768
Simba: Uthi 'ohhh'. Nomtha ufunani apha?

Nomtha: Umyeni wam.

Simba: Anditshongo kuw- eish.

Uthathe iphone wayiphendula. Ebethetha ilanguage bendingayazi ke. Uthethe mhlawumbi ihour yonke.
Bendiqikelela ukuba uthetha nomntu waseRussia kuba uyibizile izihlandlo. Kukhale eyakhe iphone
esathetha, waphuma kwilandline wahoya yona. Enye ihour okanye ezimbini.

Ubeke iphone phantsi akugqiba.

Simba: Uziswe ngubani apha?

Nomtha: Ndizizele.

Simba: Uxokela ntoni? Uzisiwe apha Nomtha, awuzizelanga. Ikhona lempuku ekuzise apha. It's either
uyandixelela ndigqibe ngaye ngoku ngembhumbulu enye ebunzi okanye ndiyazifumanela and then xa
ndizifumanela ndizomgcugcuthekisa lomntu.

Ndizibone sendihleka.

Simba: Usinekani? Iyahlekisa lento?

Ndiswabuluke ngoko. Bendilibele ukuba ndideala nabani. Ndilibele ukuba akanguye lamyeni wam
wasendlini apha. NguSniper apha. Iboss. I arms dealer, nedruglord. Lo Sniper. Bendidealer nonyana
kaVenus. Lo Sniper.

Simba: Ndiyabuza iyahlekisa lento?

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Nomtha: Ndicinga izinto zam askies.

Simba: Bad timining. Ayiloxesha lokucingana nengxaki zakho eli, ndiyabuza ungeniswe ngubani? Kuba
ukuba ndiyazifumanela ndizombulala kabuhlungu lomntu and uzobukela.

Ndirhole amehlo. Ebengasoze! Ebengasoze enze lonto.

Nomtha: Yintoni kanti le uyifihlayo ingaka apha? Ndiyayazi uthengisa idrugs nezibham. Nediamani
ngoku.

Simba: Ndithe andifuni mntu ozokuzisa apha. Andikufuni apha. Andimfuni unkosikazi WAM apha.
Ndayibeka yacaca ukuba umntu owenjenjalo uzofa. Ebulawa ndim, ngezi zam izandla. Akukho nto
ungayaziyo ngebusiness yam fine kodwa andikufuni apha. Kukho abantu abanobungozi endingafuni
ukuba ubazi. Kukho abantu apha abanovuka becinga ukuba bangaba namandla okundiwisa, bandibambe
apho ndimncinci khona. Ukuza kwakho apha akubeki bomi bakho bodwa enciphekweni kodwa
nobabantwana bethu. Nobuka Mangwabe. Andiphambenanga xa ndisithi nangaphantsi kweziphi na
imeko. Ngoku kunyanzeleke ndibulale umntu kuba ndiyayazi ukuba ukuphuma kwakhe uzokwaziwa
zintshaba zam bandifumane ngawe. Bendimbeke iso ndifuna andikhokhele kwaba bantu. Ufile ngoku.
Nomnye nje kuba ebendinika ivibes. Two people. Dead.

769
Ngubani lo ukungenisileyo? Ndikubuza okugqibela.

Nomtha: Ndize nge meter taxi. Ndicele uPeace kodwa walandula.

Simba: Andidlali baby, kujongwa ifootages ngoku, ukuba kuvela ukuba uziswe ngomnye wamadoda am
and wena uyamquma emveni kokuba eziprove ukuba akathembeki. Akalandeli umthetho-
andizukumbulala qha kodwa wena uzobukela. Uzondazi njengoba ungandazi nje. Xa ndisithi andikufuni
endaweni you will know ukuba ayikuko ukuba ndikhusela izinto ezenziwa ndim kodwa ndikhusela wena
kobubomi.

Andinaxesha lesikhwele mna! I don't fucken care for it kuba andizange ndakunika sizathu sokuba ucinga
uba ndinga nenkazana. Zange. Ndakwenza kwacaca ukuba andinoze ndikukrexezele kodwa wenza
ezizinto. Ubucinga ukuba uzofumana ntoni? Huh? Uyagibiseleka apha ingathi ungena kwi jumping castle.
Ukuba bekungengo Vero ebehleli apha? Kuba lam acto besiwenza apha ngewujumpile kubant- who the
fuck is it!?

"Norman!"

Simba: Ngena! Vala elacango. Ufumene ntoni?

Uthinte umqala uNorman.

Norman: CCTV yethu ibinengxaki.

Simba: Askies andivanga? Louder please.

Uthinte umqala kwakhona.

Norman: IC-

Simba: Norman, kutheni sine petty problems zeCCTV. Ngubani o in charge phaya? Umbambe
ngoqhoqhoqho umzise apha? Why do we have camera problems Norman?

Nornam: UPe-

Simba: Andina msebenzi noPeter, ndibuza wena.

Norman: Akuyo-

Simba: Awuthethi Norman. Awuthethi. Goddamnit! Ndithini? Ungathini wena undim?

Norman: Ndingabulala wonke umntu.

Simba: Good answer Norman. Kodwa enyanisweni kutheni sizokuba nengxaki ezinje? Wena, uBobby,
uMonti. Urgent meeting now! NoScarface. Ngalomzuzu. Ukuba anifuni kuphangela apha, ukuba kukho
apho nicinga khona xa nilapha hambani. Hambani! Honestly. Uselapha?

Ukhawuleze waphuma ngomnyango ndashiyeka ndiphefumla. Enkosi bawo! Yhini umntana wabantu.

Simba: Uyayibona into yakho- eish! Yes. Speaking. Alright I'm with you. Good.

Abantwana uthi ubashiye naba- YINTONI!?

"Boss, sesiphelele."

770
Simba: Ndithini?

"Ubuthe ufuna iurgent meetin-

Simba: Bobby ayiloxesha eliright lokuba lizothe eli ndicela uyiqonde lonto.

Bobby: Sorry boss.

Simba: Uhlale apha wena.

Undishiye apho wabuya nocango. Ndishiyeke ndiphefumla. Ndimamele ukuba umsindo okanye isithinga
kodwa andikhange ndive nto. Ubuyile kwakhona.

Simba: Nantsiya isofa, nantsiya ifriji. Uzokhangela ithrow somewhere, wombhathe ukuba uyagodola.
Ukuba ulambile utsho ndizothi ulungiselelwe into yokutya. Kuzofuneka ndisebenzise. Ndizokuhoya.

Cofe ilandline wathetha nephone ihours, ecofa ilaptop yakhe. Ndihleli esitulweni ndaziva ukuba ja
ndonele ngoku, ndayokungqengqa esofeni ndimbukele esebenza. Emveni koko ibe kuSkype. Ezinye
ihours. Ngeloxesha abantu baphuma bengena. Naye aphume ixesha elide abuye senkcunkca ezokuhoya
iphone.

Simba: Baby!

Ndothuke ebuthongweni ndaxhuma.

Simba: Awulambanga?

Ayonyani. Ebendivusela ukundibuza lonto? Kodwa bendilambile kona.

Simba: Ndilambile mna. Ndithe uNorman azokuthatha uyothatha ukutya. Yimash and oxtail imenu
yanamhlanje, I think. Uright. Ngayo?

Nomtha: isharp.

Simba: Ibeer ezimbini zizobaright for mna. Heineken. Uzobona ukuba ufuna ukusela ntoni engena tywala
wena.

Nomtha: Ebengeno kuza nako uNorman?

Simba: Ukhona andithi?

Utsho wanqonqoza uNorman wangena ngaphakathi. Ndisukumile ndazilungisa ndaya ngakuye.

Ebesajonga kuSimba.

Nomtha: Masihambe.

Ebesajonge uSimba uNorman.

Simba: Ningahamba Norman. Kungabikho mntu uncokolisana noNomtha ngaphandle kwakho.

Norman: Yes boss!

Yehake.

771
Ndilandele emveni kwakhe wabe ethe chu uNorman sana. Sigqithe indawo ezinizi singade sifike apho
siya khona.

Norman: Ungaphinde uyenze into oyenzileyo namhlanje. Sisicelo esi.

Nomtha: Andivanga ke?

Norman: Uziswe nguPeace apha. Ibikwi footage, ingena egatini. Ube muncu ngokuvuma ukuqhatheka,
ukuba bendingayazi indlela ubuzoba nesazela ngayo ngendimyekile abulawe. Kodwa iboss ithe
izombulala phambi kwakho kwaye ebezokuyenza lonto. Ukukufundisa isifundo esinzima nokwenza
umzekelo ngoPeace. Ngomntu ophikisana nelizwi lakhe. Mna nawe siyayazi into ngoSylvester.

Siyalazi ibali. Ngoku uboss akaphi mmtu second chance. One mistake out. Ngakumbi ngoku kuba u-
utrigger happy ngoku. Uphantsi koxinzelelo oluninzi kakhulu. Kuthwa uzibonile idayimani. Zize nengxaki
besinga zilindelanga. Nabantu basemntla Africa nabaye apha eMzantsi. Asiphelelanga apho. Nayo leyo
isizisela ingxaki. Sicima imililo kuphembeka enye. Silwela iturf kusempini. Into endizama ukuyitsho ngoku
asifuni uSniper acaphuke.

Nomtha: Norman, ndiyabulela kakhulu.

Norman: Sundibulela. Hlala endlini qha wena.

Nomtha: Got it.

Norman: Bayakhula abantwana?

Nomtha: Bayakhula, ewe. Iboyfriend yakho iright?

Norman: No comment.

Nomtha: Wathini? Wawundixelela yonke into.

Norman: Ndikwi big league ngoku.

Nomtha: Hehe! Kodwa ndiyabulela kakhulu for namhlanje. Yonke into oyithethileyo indivule amehlo.

Norman: Uzotsho uyeke ukukhweleta?

Nomtha: Ngubani ebethe ndiyakhweleta?

Norman: Umntu okweletayo umbona eseza le. Awunasizathu sokuba ukwelete. Ngaphandle kokuba
ukhweletela ishishini uqobo ke. Enye into- ungathi ndithe?

Nomtha: Soze.

Norman: Good. By the way kubulewe abantu ababini namhlanje. Bekulungile komnye kuba ebeyingcuka
kodwa omnye ubulawele ivibes. Inoba ebothukile wabe elaqa laqaza uboss wabona ngenye indlela.
Gudlu.

Nomtha: Undixelele.

Norman: Kufuneka uqonde ukuba umyeni wakho uyindoda eyingozi kakhulu. Kakhulu. Up there
namaRashiya la asebenza wona kunye nenkokheli zasemntla Africa. Irebels. Ama Saudi. Akana sazela

772
nantliziyo apha. NguSniper. Angathamba kuwe kodwa kwabanye abantu yintsimbi. Izinto ozenzayo
zingakuchaphazela kancin-

Nomtha: Ndiyakuva Norman. Ndiyayiqonda futhi into oyithethayo.

Norman: Umyeni wakho uyingozi kakhulu Nomtha. Ngakumbi ngoku. Udada ne sharks ngezozizathu
uyiyo kwayena.

Nomtha: Kwanele ngoku endikuvileyo Norman ndiyabulela.

Norman: Okay.

Sithathe ukutya nedrinks waziphatha ngoku kwakhe. Bendingayazi nokuba bendidiwaphi mna.

Sibuyele eofficini esathetha nephone. Ukubeke etafileni ukutya uNorman waphuma ebuya nocango.

Simba: Ungatya.

Ndityile ke kuba bendizilambele nam. Uqhubeke necall. Ibingo 3 amaxesha.

Simba: Utheni kuwe uNorman?

Ebendiqwalasele ebusweni. Andiqaphelanga nokuba ebegqibile ngecall and bendimjamele. Ukubona

lanto ujonge umntu ulibale. Ucingele kuye? Yilonto ibisenzeke kum leyo.

Simba: Ndiyabuza utheni kuwe uNorman?

Nomtha: Ndikuvile.

Simba: Andiphendulwa ngoba? Kutheni ndajongwa kanjalo? Utheni?

Nomtha: Ndikujonge kanjani kanti?

Simba: Ngalendlela undijonge ngayo okungathi uzothi 'andimazi lomntu' utheni kuwe ngam?

Nomtha: Besingathethi nokuthetha ngawe.

Simba: Uyaxoka.

Nomtha: Nyani.

Simba: Benithetha ngam Nomtha ndiyayazi. Okanye yena ebethetha ngam wena umamele. Ndiyayazi
lento endiyithethayo and uyandibhanxa xa uzothi ayikho ndibe ndiyazi ukuba ikhona. Ungandijongi
ngolohlobo. Yilonto bendinga funi uze apha ngakumbi ngoku.

Nomtha: Kungoba?

Simba: Yizapha.

Nomtha: Ndiyatya.

Simba: Yizapha Nomtha.

Nomtha: Yehake andizuyenza lonto, ndiyatya tyhini! Uncumela ntoni?

773
Simba: Awuva wena. Masike sincokole mnkam. Yintoni le ubuzoyikhangela apha?

Ndinyuse amagxa.

Simba: Don't give me that. Awusoze ushiye abantwana, ushiye uSamora oncanca ibele uzojama apha.

Nomtha: Uchitha ixesha elininzi emsebenzini. Besendikrokra-

Simba: Ndandithe kuwe andinaxesha lamankazana. Kutheni ndizokwenza into endayenziwa

nguNokulunga andayithanda?

Ndinyuse amagxa.

Nomtha: Uyabona kodwa ukuba kutheni ndinocinga ukuba unenkazana?

Simba: Uphanjaniswe ngulo 9 wena.

Nomtha: Kwa u4 lowo awundonwabisanga. Uchitha lonke ixesha lakho apha, njengoba ubungekho nje
kuzalwa uSamora. Ngulomsebenzi ndini. Bendifuna ukubona lento okanye lomntu obaluleke ukogqitha
mna nabantwana bam. Ndibonile kengoku.

Simba: Ubone ntoni?

Nomtha: Ngumsebenzi wakho. Kukuba sisikhulu apha, ukuba namandla. Imali.

Simba: Ayikho ezweni into ebaluleke ukogqitha wena. Hayi ubukhulu. Hayi imali. Ayikho. Kukuba nje-
izinto zitshintshile. Ubomi bam- andiyazi.

Nomtha: Yintoni ongayaziyo?

Simba: Ndithanda ukuba lapha ngaphezulu kokuba ndithanda ukuba sendlini. Ndinesazela sokuba
ndiziva ngolohlobo kuba ndiyayazi uyandidinga. Ndiyakudinga kwamna. Ndikhumbula I intimacy yethu,
kodwa iphazanyiswa ngabantwana. Ngumtyekezo. Ngumncanciso. Yile. Ngabantwana leya! I feel like we
should've terminated kuSamora.

Nomtha: Ndatsho andithi?

Simba: Ndiyayazi.

Nomtha: It's either ungumyeni wam, utata wabantwana bethu okanye awunguye Simba. Khetha.
Awuzukufaka unyawo olunye qha. Andizuba yisingle parent nditshatile mna ngenxa yokuba it's suddenly
too much for wena. Anduzukubasa phi abantwana bam bam. Andizukubaginya ukonwabisa wena.
Andizukuthi bangatyekezi. Abazuku ngabakuleki-

Simba: Andisabalulekanga mna kuwe. Ndibekho kuqala. Kundim nawe, ngoku ngabo. Ngabo. Ngabo. We
don't cuddle. Awundifuni ecaleni kwakho- ever. Ndide ndinyanzele. Uyayazi ndiziva kanjani ngawe.
Uyayazi indlela endikuthanda ngayo and awukho phaya nam. Ayinamsebenzi eyokuba ungandithandi
mhlawumbi ngendlela endikuthanda ngayo mna kodwa kuworse kuwe. Uyandilibala klaar. So ndiyabona
ukuba kungcono ndizingcwabe emsebenzini, well that is not the case kuba nguwo ogcwaba mna. Kodwa
kunje ke.

Nomtha: Ufuna ndithini?

774
Simba: Akukho nto endifuna uyitsho. Andifuni ukhale. Bendithe yizapha, okanye ndize mna?

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo wasukuma wazokundisukumisa wandanga.

Simba: I love you baby.

Nomtha: Nam.

Simba: Masingqengqe kancinci, ndizosebenza sigoduke. Inoba sawuhamba apha ngo12 emini.

Ndiyihleke kancinci. Bendifuna ukuthi 'Inoba ndizokushiya apha mna, andisoze ndishiye abantwana bam
ixesha elingaka' kodwa ndizilume ulwimi.

Simba: I love you.

Nomtha: I love you too. Utsho kangaphi ukuba uyandithanda?

Simba: Ngubani obalayo?

Nomtha: Ayindim.

Simba: Suba nengxaki ukuba nditsho kangaphi.

Nomtha: Mhhh.

775
NINETY-FIVE
Nomtha: Uyixhome nini laphoto?

Simba: Molo nawe.

Nomtha: Usasebenza nangoku?

Ndisukumile ndizolula.

Simba: Ndilinde wena uvuke. Ndizulisa nje ngento.

Nomtha: Ungandivusi nje xa ugqibileyo sizohamba?

Simba: Bendingafuni ukuphazamisa.

Nomtha: Yehake. Ngubani ixesha?

Simba: Nguhalf past 12.

Nomtha: Simba! Umntana! Inoba nelibisi bendim expressele lona liphelile!

Simba: Bendimfounele uMangwabe, ebeseright. Baright abantwana.

Nomtha: Hayi masihambe mfondini hayibo. Ubuhilihili obungaka sishiya uMangwabe nabantwana
abathathu bonke. Inoba bamxake kungoku.

Simba: Five minutes ke. Sizohamba ngoku, ngoku.

Yhu umntanam shame. Bendivuza nobisi ndiyilonto mntaka bawo. Ugqibile ke waqoshelisa izinto zakhe
sagoduka.

Sifike nje endlini ndayoshower ndaya eroomini kaMangwabe. USimba ebekobude ubuthongo ukumshiya
kwam eroomini. Eleli ngempahla phofu, akazihluphanga nangoku khulula izihlangu ezi zakwa mbhala.

Ndixinge emnyango ndawarhola wonke amehlo am.

Nomtha: Nqo! Nqo! Sanibonani Mangwabe.

Mangwabe: Yebo sisi, sawubona.

Nomtha: Ninjani Ma?

Mangwabe: Sikhona ninjani nina?

Nomtha: Siyaphila nathi enkosi. Hayibo! Wapakisha?

Mangwabe: Ey.

Ndilindele ukuba aqhube kaloku, kodwa phi? Uphelele nje apho uMangwabe wavala umlomo wakhe.

Nomtha: Abantwana balele bonke?

Mangwabe: Yebo, akusi kudala belele kodwa. UZendaya nengane.

UMihlayonke yena unesikhathi yena.

776
Nomtha: Oh. Ndicela undiboleke lo ndimncancisa ke Ma.

Ebembelekile wamgxidisa wandinika yena.

Nomtha: Akakuhluphanga kakhulu kodwa?

Mangwabe: Ebefana nje njengezinye izintsuku. Akahluphanga kakhulu.

Nomtha: Oh. Bendi worried ukuba ubisi luphele esithubeni mhlawumbi wakuxaka ubusuku bonke.

Ndiyaxolisa Mangwabe ngokukushiya nabantwana abaninzi kangaka uwedwa. Bendicinga ukuba

ndizokhawuleza ndibuye kodwa uSimba waxakeka kakhulu andakwazi ukubuya.

Mangwabe: Akunalutho into yelanga elilodwa sisi. Abahluphanga nakakhulu labantwana.

Nomtha: Okay ke. Alright.

Ndiphumile ndayongena kweyethu ikamire kwakhona.

Nomtha: Simba! Khawuvuke.

Simba: Mhh-mh.

Ndikhuphe ibele ndancancisa umntana wam.

Nomtha: Simba!

Simba: Yintoni Nomtha? Eish! Mh?

Nomtha: UMangwabe uyapakisha.

Simba: Okay.

Nomtha: Yehake wathi okay nje. Uyapakisha.

Simba: Okay Nomtha kengoku?

Nomtha: Ukhupha impahla zakhe kwi wardrobe, uzipakishela esuitcasini yakhe.

Ufinge intshiya wakhulula izihlangu wanyukela ebhedini.

Simba: Uyapakisha!?

Nomtha: Yinto endiyitshoyo leyo.

Simba: Akathethanga nto kuwe?

Nomtha: Tu.

Simba: Hayibo!

Nomtha: Ndikuxelela ukuba yonke impahla iphezulu kwebhedi. Yonke! Nezinto zokuthambisa
everything.

Simba: Benike nabhidana?

777
Nomtha: Phi?

Simba: Ingaba yinto yokuba umnkile izolo, wamshiya nabantwana? Angamnkiswa yilonto?

Nomtha: Andiyazi ndikuxelele. Ndibhideke kwamna kuba ukuxabana asizange saxabana noMangwabe.
Ngaphandle kokuba ke ikhona into endiyithethileyo okanye endiyenzileyo eye yamkhubekisa,
ndingaqondanga mna. Andikwazanga nokubuza kuba ndothukile. Akenzi kanje kaloku uMangwabe noba
sesiya kwakhe. Uyathetha kuqala. Hayi ukuba apakishe kuqala. He!

Simba: Khawuthethe naye. Msapha umntana ndizombamba, uyothetha naye. Angayenza lonto yokuvele
ahambe ngaphandle kwe notice? Ucinga ukuba abantwana bazothini? Unjani kanti lomama
uMangwabe?

Nomtha: Yhu! Andiyazi. Uyazi andiyazi? Mnkru.

Simba: Sapha umntana.

Nomtha: Usancanca wethu umntanam and uMangwabe uzoza azothetha nam ngaphambili kokuba
ahambe. Akazukuvele amnke nje emzini wabantu.

Simba: Abanye abantwana baphi?

Nomtha: Kuthwa balele. Andikabinayo nechance yokubajonga kuba ndifuna ukuncancisa uSamora
kuqala.

Unikine intloko yakhe.

Nomtha: Khawubajonge ukuba bakhona na nokuba baright.

Simba: Bangangabikho bayephi na abantwana Nomtha?

Nomtha: Andiyazi. Nanku umntu epakisha singekho, ebezokuthini ukugqiba kwakhe ukupakisha?

Simba: Ebengazukuba bantwana uMangwabe.

Nomtha: Uqiniseke kangakanani?

Kutsho iknock emnyango ndingeka fumani mpendulo yam kuSimba.

Simba: Sabela.

Nomtha: Ma?

Mangwabe: Mama kaZendaya, bengisacela ukukhuluma nawe kancane sisi.

Simba: Siyeza Mangwabe.

Mangwabe: Oh! Bengicela umama kaZendaya kuphela baba.

Sijongene noSimba.

Nomtha: Ndiyeza ngoku Mangwabe!

Mangwabe: Okay sisi.

778
Ndijonge uSimba kwakhona.

Nomtha: Uyahamba sana uMangwabe. Ndiyifunda nje ivaliwe.

Simba: Uqinisekile ukuba anixabenanga nganto nalo mama?

Nomtha: Nakancinci.

Simba: Ucinga uzobathini abantwana abathathu uwedwa na uMangwabe? Yenziwa phi into yokuba
umntu asuke amnke kwangoko ngaphandle kwenotice?

Ndinyuse amagxa.

Nomtha: Bamba apha, umbodlise ke umntanam Simba.

Simba: Ndiyayazi, andiqali ukuba nomntana.

Ebehleli esofeni uMangwabe esonge izandla zakhe wathoba intloko. Unyuse amehlo akundiva ndisiza
wandincumela kancinci.

Ndihleli kwisofa ephambi kwakhe.

Nomtha: Ewe Ma?

Uthinte umqala walungisa ukuhlala.

Mangwabe: Ehhh. Bengifuna ukukutshela ukuthi ngiyahamba namhlanje.

Nomtha: Okay?

Mangwabe: Yebo. Sisi, ngiyaxolisa kakhulu ukwenza kanje. Nginishiye nginganitshelanga ngesikhathi
nizothola omunye umuntu ozosala neyingane-

Nomtha: Uyawuyeka umsebenzi okanye uhamba intsukwana ezimbalwa nje uzophunde ubuye
kwakhona?

Mangwabe: Ngiyawuyeka.

Nomtha: Oh?

Mangwabe: Yebo.

Nomtha: Bendicela ukubuza, ikhona into ekukhathazileyo endiyenzileyo ekwenze waziva mhlawumbi
ungasa funi ukuba lapha? Ukuphangela apha? Okanye into endiyithethileyo ekukhubekisileyo.

Mangwabe: Cha sisi awenzanga lutho. Akusi wuwe. Ubungiphethe kahle kakhulu, ungihloniphile futhi.
Ngalokho ngiyabonga.

Nomtha: Ingxaki ngumyeni wam? Ukuba uthi akusi ndim, nguye?

Unqwalile. Ndifinge imtshiya.

Nomtha: Wenzeni uSimba?

779
Mangwabe: Akunalutho akwenzile kimi sisi ukuthi nje kukanje .... njengoba esebenza ebusuku, abuye
ekuseni uma ngivuka noma ngithuswe yingane ngaleso sikhathi-

Nomtha: Ewe?

Mangwabe: Ngimuzwe ekhuluma nephone eyalela ukuthi kudutshulwe umuntu. Ngaphambili kwalokho
ngamuzwa akhuluma ngeyibhamu ayidayisayo. Kudala, angazi noba uzokhumbula yini kodwa ngamuzwa
akhuluma ngobugebengu abenzayo. Manje ke ngihlanganisile ngabona ukuthi uwumumtu osebenza
umsebenzi onjani.

Mina ngingumuntu wesonto. Ngiyakholwa kakhulu kuNkulunkulu. Angihambisani nezinto ezinje, ngeke
futhi ngikhone ukusebenza nomuntu obulala abantu noma osebenza ngezinto ezibulala abantu.

Nomtha: Akango mbulali umyeni wam Mangwabe, ndicinga ukuba awuva-

Mangwabe: Ngizwe kahle nje mntanami, kahle impela! Ngimuzwe kahle nje, uwumbulali. Umsebenzi
wakhe ... angeke mina ngisebenzele umuntu onjalo. Ulungile wena, kakhulu futhi. Futhi ngikukhonzile
neyingane zam kodwa angeke ngikhone. Naye ngabe ngiyamsukela uma ngingathi uke wangenza into.
Ukuthi nje ...

Ndiphefumlele ngaphandle.

Nomtha: Ndibuhlungu kengoku . Ndibuhlungu nyani kodwa andizukunyanzela okokuba uqhubeke

usebenzele umntu owenza izinto ezingahambisani nenkolo yakho-

Mangwabe: Wena uyazeseka lezi zinto azezayo?

Nomtha: Andikuxhasi ukubulawa kwabantu. Andi-

"Babulawa xa kutheni abantu?"

Ndibone uMangwabe ebamba ichain lakhe entanyeni. Elino mnqamlezo. Drama! Ebebonakala ukuba
wothukile and unokoyika okuthile.

Ndijonge kuSimba ezohlala ecaleni kwam. Ebesingathe umntana.

Simba: Mh?

Nomtha: Uyifumene emsileni Madiba. Umama uMangwabe undibize ngokuba engazukukwazi

ukuqhubeka aphangele apha ngezizathu-

Simba: Akwenziwa kanjalo kaloku. Nakowuphi na umsebenzi, you serve your notice. Sizomfumana nini,
phi umntu ozokuhoya aba bantwana ngoku?

Nomtha: Asizukukwazi ukumnyanzela uMangwabe. Andiyazi ndizokwenza njani kodwa icebo lizovela.
Andifuni mna uhlale apho intliziyo yakho engathandi khona Mangwabe. Andingekhe nje ndikwenze
lonto.

Simba: Kutheni ehamba? Uxabene noNomtha Mangwabe?

Mangwabe: Ndi- ndi- u-

Nomtha: UMangwabe uyawazi umsebenzi owenzayo.

780
Simba: Ohhhh. Oh okay ndiyayiqonda kengoku.

Hayi kulungile ukuba uyahamba ngezozizathu kodwa awuzukuhlawulwa ke kulenyanga.

Ndimbone etyhafa. Ndizivalele umlomo wam mna kuba bendicinga lento yokushiyeka nabantwana
abathathu ndindodwa. Ngaphezulu kwezi zikhalazo bezihleli zikhona kuSimba bekuzoba worse kengoku.

Bendingasoze ndikwazi kaloku ukonwabisa abantu bonke. Ndingazukukwazi ukungahoyi abantwana bam
kwaye bendizodinwa. Athi efika ebusuku ndibe ndidinwe ndiyimfe.

Simba: Ukuba ufuna ukundisa eCCMA kulungule Ma lilungelo lakho elo.

Mangwabe: Nalezi ntsuku engizisebenzile?

Simba: Ungayifumana eyezontsuku yona imali. Ngelixesha ubuzokuvuzwa ngalo izongena ebhankini
yakho. Kodwa ma ndizocela into enye, nantoni na oyive apha okanye oyibonileyo ndizocela okokuba
uyigcine kuwe ufe nayo kungenjalo uzokufa ngenxa yayo.

Mangwabe: Ngiyathembisa angeke ngitshele muntu.

Simba: Ndiyakuva. Kodwa ndizoyazi ukuba kwenzeke ukuba uxelele umntu. Ndiyayazi apho uhlala
khona. Ndiyakwazi kokwenu ekhaya, ndiyabazi abantwana bakho. Xa ucinga ukuba nguThekwani intaka
yezuku wenze utswi- tswi- tswi kuzofuneka ucinge kabini. Kuba noThixo wakho lowo akazukulenza
ixesha kum okanye kubanto endisebenzisana nab-

Nomtha: Unayo itransport ma?

Ndibuze ndiqhawula uSimba lo ebesoyika umama wabantu ehleli esoyika kakade. Hayi ngoku
segrogriswa.

Mangwabe: Cha ngizohamba ngetaxi sisi.

Nomtha: Awunomk-

Simba: Andifuni.

Nomtha: Uzoshi-

Simba: Uthe uzohamba ngetaxi uMangwabe, Nomtha. Akukho sidingo sakukhatshwa. Kulungile,
ungakhululeka ma. Siyabulela.

Ndimjamele lo unguSimba ukrwada emntwini omdala. Ibimbi indlela ebesishiya ngayo ewe kodwa
bendiziqonda mna izizathu zakhe. Bendinga msoli futhi.

Usukumile wayokuthatha izinto zakhe ekamireni waphuma nazo.

Ndisukumile ndayokumanga.

Nomtha: Siyabulela kakhulu Ma. Ndiyabulela.

Mangwabe: Kubonga mina sisi. Ngiyabonga kakhulu. Bendingafuni ukunishiya-

Nomtha: Ndiyiqonda.

781
Mangwabe: Nisale kahle.

Nomtha: Ubuvalelisile ebantwaneni?

Mangwabe: Yebo. Bendigivalelisile.

Nomtha: Bazomangala xa bengasakuboni.

Mangwabe: Awu! Bazokhohlwa kodwa. Base bancane labantu.

Nomtha: Mhhh.

Ndimkhuphile ndamkhaphazelela kancinci ndabuyela endlini. Ebwshushuzela umntana uSimba ebeke

iphone endlebeni.

Nomtha: Ufounela bani?

Simba: UMonti andifunele umntu ozondinceda ngabantwana andithi silaxaziwe lelixhegwazana.

Nomtha: Utsho ozokunceda mna kuba uzondishiya ndiperme apha wena. Uzobaright mos umzuzwana?

Simba: Ndizoba right ngantoni?

Nomtha: Ndifuna ukuya egymini ndizobuya ndilungise isophoro.

Undirholele amehlo.

Simba: Sine crisis wena usacingana negymns.

Nomtha: Ndine stress mna mmtaka bawo. Ndifuna ukuyosikhuphela egymini.

Simba: Yehake Mike Tyson.

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: Uzobaright imizuzwana embalwa nabantwana mos. Ndisezoku shiyeka nabo ndindodwa mna.

Simba: Andizukushiya nabantwana abathathu uwedwa, ndizothi ubathini?

Ndinyuse amagxa am.

Nomtha: Ndikwazelaphi.

Simba: Hayibo uyayibaxa.

Ndiyotshintsha ndahamba ndaya egymini mna. Ndithathe ishower endlini ukubuya kwam ndaqalisa
ukupheka.

Simba: Awundivusi ngoba?

Nomtha: Awukhange ulale kaloku wena, ubusuku bonke.

Uzondiphuza wavula ifriji wakhupha ijuice wasela.

Nomtha: Uboke uwasele namanzi.

782
Simba: Ndiyawasela mna amanzi tyhini!

Nomtha: Andikhumbuli ndikubona usela amanzi mna.

Simba: Ingeka khali nakathathu Judas.

Nomtha: Hahaha!

Uchophe phambili kwam wandijonga ndiqoba iveg.

Simba: Usichanile uMangwabe. Ngoku ndixakeke kangana!

Nomtha: Uthi ukuve uthetha ngokubulala abantu, akaziva ekhuselekile ukuhlala nombulali.

Simba: Andingo mbulali mna.

Ndimnyusele ishiya.

Simba: Bendifuna nokuya eQwaqwa futhi andiyazi kengoku.

Nomtha: Kukho ntoni khona?

Simba: Inyanga yam. Ndifuna ukuyohlamba esisimnyama saba bantu, nditsho ndiziqinise futhi.

Nomtha: Ukuba ubungekho krwada kuMangwabe ngesifunele umntu for abantwana.

Simba: Engafuni yena ukuphangela apha afune omnye umntu aphangele? Ebengasoze ayenze lonto.
Besawulinda ukuza kukanxele kulomntu.

Nomtha: Kungcono uZendaya akahluphi. Ingxaki nguMihlayonke noSammy.

Bafeketha bobabini abo bantwana.

Simba: Uyafeketha nyani uMihla. Kodwa ngokufanelekileyo umntanam. Bekufanele ukuba ufumana
yonke I attention kodwa yile enikwa uSamora.

Nomtha: Ndiyazama njena.

Simba: Ndiyayazi lonto. Andigxeki wena apha. Ndiyatsho nje ukuba ebesadinga lanto. NoZendaya
ngokunjalo.

Nomtha: Khawume. Uzondenza ndizive okungathi ndiyoyiswa ngaba bantwana.

Simba: Ikuthi sobabini lonto.

Nomtha: Kuthi sobabini njani uhlala ungekho endlini? Ungekho bezalwa? Ndim umntu ongumzali
opresent kwaba bantwana. Wena ugibisela nje imali kuphelele apho.

Simba: Uqhwaya uchuku kengoku.

Nomtha: Sendisitsho nje. Anyway omnye usisi egymini uthe uzothetha nomntu omncedayo abuze ukuba
abakho abantu abaziyo na. Ndidikwa nayinto yokuba abantwana bazoqhela lo umntu aduke kufike
omnye.

Simba: Ja iyadika nyani lonto. Umxelele ukuba kufuneka ibe ngabantu abathe ukukhula khula?

783
Nomtha: Abantu?

Simba: Ewe. Omnye abe si stay in, omnye amane ehamba.

Nomtha: Ungaqasha abantu ababini?

Simba: Ewe. Ikoma ten thousand okanye ukunyuka kancinci lomali yokubahlawula bobabini.
Ayinondoyisa noko.

Nomtha: Niyapeya Simba.

Simba: Yehake haha! Kuthini ukupeya?

Nomtha: Kukupeya. Bendi applayile ke nam.

Undifingele intshiya.

Simba: U applayele ntoni?

Nomtha: Isikolo, umsebenzi. Noba ndinga phangela kwakulo nyaka njengoba uzondifunela abantu for
abantwana. Otherwise uZendaya ebezokuya kwi day care, lomntu ashiyeke noMihla kunye noSammy.

Simba: Ufuna ukuphangela?

Nomtha: Ewe.

Simba: Udinga imali?

Nomtha: Ndidinga ukwenza something.

Simba: I can understand isikolo, kodwa ukuphangela akunyanzelekanga. Zigymns, yimisebenzi. Hayi.

Nomtha: Yehake! Awuzazi ukuba ufunani wena ebomini.

Simba: Njani ukuba andizazi ndifunani?

Nomtha: Wawunga ndibuzi ngokuba ndicinga ukwenzani ngobomi bam na kanti? Ngaphandle kokuhoya
abantwana. Ngoku ndifuna ukuphangela and ndilungisa umzimba wam kuba andikho confident ngoku.

Simba: Njani? Unomzimba omhle. Ugaine kancinci ngokucacileyo kodwa unomzimba omhle,
ndiyawuthanda.

Nomtha: Ndifuna ukwenhla kancinci. Ndifuna nokuphangela. Kuzosinceda nokuphuma apha endlini.
Kulengxaki yakho.

Ujikelezise amehlo.

Simba: Ndiyakuthanda mna.

Nomtha: Andiyithandabuzi lonto. Kodwa ayingawe le yomzimba wam. Ingam. Andikho confident
ngendlela umzimba wam ongayo and iyasichaphazela thina.

Simba: Umhle Nomtha.

Nomtha: Ndiyayazi.

784
Simba: Ok.

Ndiyihlekile. Ndiphekile ndagqiba ndaphaka satya. Bavukile nabantwana, bazidlalela uZendaya noMihla.

Nomtha: Simba ungene nini kwinto yedayimani?

Besesi sezingubeni. Abantwana bebeleli bonke bodwa namhlanje. Bendingalali buthongo buhlayo kuba
ebeqala ukungalali nathi uSammy oko wazalwa. Bendimamele nencwina encinanana.

Simba: Andingenanga.

Nomtha: Njani ukuba awungenanga kodwa zikhona kwi warehouse yakho?

Simba: Ayizozam. Bendityala umntu ifavour so ndimgcinele zona. Andiyazi kwanto ngazo. Nabantu
abasebenza phaya ngabakhe.

Nomtha: Awuzoyiki mntaka bawo izinto.

Simba: Ndandizothini ndimtyala ifavour?

Nomtha: Andithi ngewutheni. Qha bdikuncoma ukungazoyiki izinto.

Simba: Sekukufuphi ukuba agqibe azophuma phaya.

Nomtha: Mhhh. Uzoyeka wena ukunqaba apha endlini. Undincedise ngabantwana?

Simba: Ja.

Nomtha: Ingathi uvuma nje.

Simba: Ndizohlisa kancinci ihours.

Nomtha: Mhhhh okay.

Simba: Umntana akakho.

Nomtha: Kungona uqaphelayo?

Simba: Ewe! Ndithe nqa. Umlalise noMihla?

Nomtha: Ewe.

Uncumile wandisondeza kuye endiphuza.

Simba: Shame umntu wam.

Nomtha: Mxm.

Uyihlekile. Asenzanga kodwa. Sileli nje endibambe ubusuku bonke sade sothuswa ngabantwana,
ebendinceda ke ngabo. Sitshintshisana.

Sibafumene abantu bokuhoya abantwana. Ibingumama okwi 50's nokwi 40's. Lo umdala ebehlala nathi.
Ebengamfuni ke uSimba umntu omncinci ke for abantwana bethu. Bendingazi ke ukuba ebecinga ukuba
uzohendeka mhlawumbi okanye ebecinga ukuba oright ngulo umdala.

785
Andiwufumenanga umsebenzi kodwa bendi keeper busy ngegymn kunye nomhlobo bendimenzile
khona. Besike siphume for ilunch dates. Bendinga hambi iminxilo ke yasebusuku.

USimba ebesa sebenza kakhulu ke kodwa ingu 9-5 nto. Xa esebenza ihours ezigqithileyo ebesebenzela
eofficini yakhe. Umama wamngxolisa ke wasidibanisa nomfundisi weCawa yakhe ukuba asoluleke.
Ebedwikwa kuthi azibhuqe phantsi uSimba kodwa besinkcekelele kuba besilubona uncedo. Belukhona
utshintsho. Nam njengoba bendihamba igymn besendi confidents ngomzimba wam, sibuyele kwinkonzo
yasekamireni.

Bekumnandi ngakumbi ngoku besazi ukuba asisoze siphinde sibe nabanye abantwana kwakhona.

Besele kungokuhlwa ke, ndigqibezela isophoro. Umama uKhondlo ebesemnkile ke, ndishiyeke
noMamntakweda. Ebenolunya ukufa ke kodwa lomama so ebezihlalela egumbini lakhe xa kungekho nto
ebeyenza apha endlini. Bendingena ngxaki wethu nalonto nam ukuba nje ebewenza umsebenzi wakhe
bekugqityiwe.

Simba: Molweni!

Nomtha: Hi baby!

Simba: Kwathula?

Nomtha: UZendaya nosis wakhe bayamosha phaya ekamireni yethu.

Simba: USammy ulele?

Nomtha: Yep. Mbaaa, awusabandi umlomo wakho.

Simba: Umlomo wendoda kufuneka ubande kaloku.

Nomtha: Hahaha! Mxm!

Simba: Awukazuku gqiba ukupheka?

Nomtha: Sendigqiba, why?

Simba: Bendifuna siye kwa Siyanda.

Ndifinge intshiya zam.

Nomtha: Kukho ntoni?

Simba: uSiyanda noLuleka.

Nomtha: ULuleka ukhona?

Unqwalile.

Simba: Ufika namhlanje. Ebehle nomntanakhe ke ukusuka kwakhe eKapa ngokuya sasiphaya.

Nomtha: Ixesha elide kangaka. Kwakunini ngoko!

Simba: Kwakukudala.

Nomtha: Wenza kanjani kengoku xa ephangela?

786
Simba: Umamakhe ukhona. Andiyazi kengoku ukuba inoba into ithini.

Nomtha: Andikuva kengoku. Ngumama kabani ebekhona?

Simba: Ngumama womnt- wabantwana bakhe, uZama.

Nomtha: Sukuphosisa!

Simba: Ebesithi uSiyanda uzokumngeja.

Nomtha: Huh!?

Simba: Ja.

Nomtha: Awandixelela ngoba?

Simba: Kuba somehow kuzogxekwa mna kuba uSiyanda ingutshomi wam.

Nomtha: Hayi ndikuncamile. Unemfihlo.

Simba: Nantsoke!

Nomtha: Unesifuba mntaka bawo, uxelelwe ngokuthenjwa.

Simba: Akakhange athi ndiyifihle. Qha andiyithethanga nje kuba ndisazi ukuba sawuxabana.

Nomtha: Uthi uZama ulapha?

Simba: Nditsho.

Ndinikine intloko yam.

Nomtha: Isibindi! Bahlala emzini kaLuleka kengoku?

Simba: Ewe.

Nomtha: Yehake uSiyanda. Kwathini na wayemthanda kangaka uLuleka? Ayisoze kaloku noba angenzani
umntu wakho usuke uphume nje kanjalo kuye. Seconds emveni kokuba eye kulandawo waqhubeka nje
noboni?

Simba: Kucacile ukuba ngabantwana ingxaki.

Nomtha: Mhla waqonda ukuba yi issue kuye into yokungazali kuka Lulu ngewayetshilo. Hayi le amenza
yona. Andifuni ukuya apho mna.

Simba: Bendithe siyaya kuSiyanda.

Nomtha: Uzophinde umxelele kaloku ukuba uya wedwa. Hayi andiyi apho mna. Inoba kunjani kona
ngoku?

Simba: Andiyazi. Masihambe maan.

Nomtha: Hayi Simba. Masimyeke uLulu maan, xa efika namhlanje.

Simba: Uthe uSiyanda ndiye.

787
Nomtha: Ha.ana lowo. Makabondane nomqa wakhe, angakulinge.

Simba: Masihambe maan baby.

Nomtha: Iworse andibacacelanga bonke aba bantu ondinyanzela ukuba ndiye kubo. Andibacacelanga tu.

Simba: Wenzela mna.

Nomtha: Noba sekuthiwa ndiyixabisile indod- hayi maan Simba!

Simba: Ndiyakucela mntuwam.

Nomtha: Khawume torho.

Simba: Ndiyakucela. Please, please.

Nomtha: Uzohlamba kuqala?

Uncumile wandiphuza.

Simba: Ndizokhawulezisa. Indlela ebendicenga ngayo uSiyanda usekoneni nyani.

Nomtha: Ufakwe nguwe kaloku kulokona.

Simba: Unentliziyo elukhuni kanene! Ndizogqiba ngoku.

Nomtha: Ndise nda naar.

Uyihlekile wayotshonela ekamireni. Ndiye ekamireni ka mam'Mntakwenda.

Nomtha: MaLeta!

Mamntakwenda: Yho! Ngena.

Ndingenile. Ndimxelele ke ukuba sisaphuma kancinci akabina ngxaki. UZendaya ebengakhali yena
ebusuku. Xa elele ebelala kuse.

Ugqibile ukuhlamba uSimba sayibetha eya kwaSiyanda. Bendidikwe finish kwaluhambo olu mna kuba
bendingafuni. Bekusekutsha ukuba abe namandwendwe kwakhe uLulu esafika. Ebesadinga ixesha
emzinakhe. Sifikile sahlika emotweni sizongena ngaphakathi.

"Hi! Hello there!"

Simba: Ngumntu ebetheni na lo?

"Dumelang!"

Nomtha: Ewe Ma.

Ebengumama obesekhulile ke. Intanga zoSimba so. Ebenxibe igown. Umntu ongutata ebengaphandle
eyadini yalomzi ebesuka kuwo ethetha nephone.

"Oh niyathetha. Ngingu makhelwana, ngihlala la. Yindoda yami leya. Ngiyakwazi wena bhuti, ngijwayele
ukukubona la."

788
Simba: Ewe.

Ebedikwe kwayena.

"Kgotsong. Batla."

Ebesesondele lomyeni, egqibile ngephone.

"Abuti, mina nomyeni wami sizwe isound la so sifounele amaphoyisa ukuthi azobheka."

"Yebo basendleleni."

Simba: Isound enjani?"

"Are sure mara ngathi isibhamu."

Sijongene noSimba. Uvele waya endlini enkcunkca engava nokukukhwazwa. Ndishiyeke ndibambe
ongezantsi. Bendinexhala kengoku ukuba kwenzeke into embi. Okanye njengoba uSiyanda ebetshutshisa
uSimba ukuba eze udubule uLuleka. Umlandele nalotata.

"Abangani benu?"

Bendingekho mdleni wencoko ke lomama. Ndinqwale nje andaphendula. Ndibone ukuba abaphumi
ndaya khona nam endlini. Bendingeka ngeni ukuphuma kuka Simba.

Simba: Batshabile Nomtha.

Nomtha: Ubani?

Simba: Bonke. Lulu, Zama. Bonke. Nomntana. Batshabile. Kukhangeleka okungathi uzibulele wababulala
nabo.

Nomtha: Njani efile?

Simba: Uyayazi ndithetha kanjani. Batshabe bonke.

Nomtha: Hayini!

Ebeqhwanya- qhwanyaza engazazi nokuba abambe phi ayeke phi. Hayi LuLu ntombi!

789
NINETY-SIX
Nomtha: Baby!

Simba: Huh?

Nomtha: Simba!

Simba: Ndiyasabela.

Nomtha: Oh andikuvanga. Bendibuza, kuzofuneka ndimxibe amajerumani?

Simba: Phi?

Nomtha: KwaSiyanda noLulu?

Simba: For ntoni? Nxiba impahla zakho.

Ndimjongile ndasondela kuye ndimbamba isinqe.

Nomtha: Uright?

Uphefumlile.

Simba: Andikafouneli noMamkeli.

Nomtha: Umama kaLulu uyayazi yena?

Simba: Ndimfounele.

Nomtha: Nabazali bakaSiyanda?

Simba: Basendleleni esuka eLubhalasi kungoku.

Nomtha: Shu! Ndinga xeleli umama, mxelele ngoku kwakhe utata uMamkeli?

Simba: Ndizomfounela ngoku.

Undiphuze ibunzi wasuka phambi kwam, wayokhangela impahla zokunxiba kwi wardrobe. Ndimjongile
enxiba wagqiba.

Nomtha: NguLuleka obabuleleyo?

Undijongile, endijonga ithuba elide engaphenduli. Ebebambe inyembezi zakhe ngenkophe. Ibise
bobabusuku bunye. Imizimba yabo bobathathu ithathiwe kunye nestatements ukusuka komeza.

Sibuyele endlini ke thina uSimba wangqala eofficini-eyokutsalela abantu umnxeba. Mna bendihlamba
ngeloxesha. Bendothukile. Bendinga kholwa ukuba babhubhile nje kanjalo. Kodwa bendokholwa, uke
ubone.

Bendiyiqondile eyokuba izohamba kakubi into yokuba babe segumbini elinye noLulu ongekho right
engqondweni. Ebecinga ntoni uSiyanda? Bebecinga ntoni noZama?

Ebeyithatha kakubi yonke lento uSimba, ngoku fanelekileyo. Bobathathu aba bantu bebesondele kuye
mgakumbi uSiyanda. Ebefana nomntakwabo. Bebesuka kude.

790
Uvele waqubudisa intloko yakhe eyinikina.

Uphefumlele phezulu wosula amehlo.

Simba: Nguye. Uqale ngoSiyanda ndiqinisekile. Ebengasoze abulale wonke umntu ukuba uSiyanda
ebephila. Uqale ngaye. Andiyazi kulandele bani kumntana kaZama kunye noZama kodwa uZama
udutyulwe kanizi yena. Ethangeni, esuswini- kabini. Entloko.

Nomtha: Luleka!

Simba: uSiyanda udutyulwe esifubeni yena. Kabini qha. Umntana kanye.

Nomtha: Oh isi aram bawo, wenzeni yena?

Unyuse amagxa akhe.

Simba: Izidumbu ezine zonke.

Nomtha: Shu!

Simba: Andiyazi ucinge ukuba kuzoba right njani ukudibanisa uZama noLuleka egumbini elinye iyilemeko
kaZama emphambanisileyo kwasekuqaleni. Andiyazi ebecinga ukuba kuzokwenzekani. Izoba ngu
Khumbaya babe yi big happy family?

Nomtha: Bendizibuza lonto kwamna. ULuleka ebevaleleke kula wellness center ixesha elide kakhulu.
Efuqwa ipilisi, ephambana. Uzobuyela kwinkazana yomyeni wakhe nomntana wakhe? Ekubeni Siyanda
lowo wamlahla phaya, akazange amxhase njengo myeni.

Simba: Kodwa hayi ngoluhlobo.

Nomtha: Hayi ngoluhlobo njani?

Simba: Ngengaba bulelanga ngoluhlobo. Ngengabukelanga abantu abangena tyala.

Nomtha: Ndivumelana nawe apho. Umntu ebengena tyala phaya mnye ngumntana.

Simba: uZama?

Nomtha: UZama ntoni?

Simba: Hayibo Nomtha. UZama akanatyala.

Nomtha: Akanatyala ntoni ezalele indoda yomntu? Wayiphinda kwakhona eyazi kakuhle ukuba umfazi
wayo ephambana kungenxa yabo. Simba kaloku uvuna okutyalileyo mntuwam. Every action has a
consequence.

Bekumnandi, ndiqinisekile ukuba uzokonyelisa uLuleka emzini wamandla akhe. Rub the whole thing
nobunzima bakhe ebusweni bakhe, kwakhe phofu. Ulala ebhedini yakhe, ulalwa ngumyeni wakhe.
Ebecinga uzofika abaqhwabele izandla uLuleka? Hayibo bethuna! Akayo victim uZama. Ebeyazi kakuhle
into ebeyenza ngokuvuma ukuba ahlale phaya eyazi uLuleka uyabuya. Ndibuhlungu ngommtana mna
qha kuyo yonke lanto.

Simba: Lilonke uthi ilungile into eyenziwe nguLuleka yokubulala abantu?

791
Nomtha: Akazange kwalunga ukuthatha umphefumlo womntu Simba. Uyayazi nawe lonto kodwa yinto
oyenzayo. Ndiqinisekile noLulu ebeyazi lonto, yilonto azibuleleyo naye kugqibeleni. Kuba ebeyszi ukuba
uzobanjwa. Ephuma kwenye intolongo ayokungena kwenye.

Simba: ULulu uwrongo qwaba.

Nomtha: Ndiyaxolisa ngetshomi yakho baby kodwa ibinge msulwanga nayo. NoZama lo. Into ebuhlungu
kengoku kukuba uMamkeli uzoba nesazela, kuba ebeyazi ukuba uSiyanda ungumyeni womntu kwaye
usazimanye ngeqhina lomtshato kodwa uyeke intombi yakhe iqhubeke ngobo budlelwane. Wabuxhasa
futhi kuba bebethandana phambili kwakhe.

Simba: Baby, uSiyanda noZama were both adults.

Nomtha: Ndiyavuma nam. Kodwa kucacile ukuba uMamkeli kunye nomamakho bebeyixhasa lanto yabo.
Beyazi kakuhle ukuba ayilunganga. Uworse umama ke yena umazi personally uLuleka. Mna indim
ngendithe njenga mzali- kulungile Zama, kulungile Siyanda. Ukuba niyaqhubeka ngalento yenu, hayi
kwam. Ndiyamazi uLuleka- I mean uLulu ebefana nosister wakho Simba. Ngalondlela ebengumntana
kumama. Xa ekwakhe engena wonke amagumbi angabuzwa nto.

Simba: Ndisayo founela utata uMamkeli nomama e officini yam.

Nomtha: Ndizokuphathela ikofu.

Simba: Ndingayonwabela, ndiyabulela. Ibe strongo.

Nomtha: Okay. Ndiyakuthanda.

Simba: Ndiyakuthanda nam.

Uphumile. Ndiyoku khangela into bendizokuyinxiba ngomso. Besizokuvuka siyothenga izinto ezimbalwa
siye kwaSiyanda noLuleka. Besizothenga izinto zokuphungisa abantu nje kuphela. Ndizofounela omnye
usisi obhakayo andenzele noba yitwenty litre for abantu abazokuvela.

Ndiyokwenzela uSimba ikofu, nam ndazenzela. Ndizifake kwi tray ndaya e officini yakhe.

Nomtha: Baby! Andikwazi ukuvula.

Ndimlindile wandivulela wathatha itray kum wayoyibeka etafileni. Ndilandele emveni kwakhe, ndavala
ucango ndayochopha kwesinye isitulo. Beku khangeleka okungathi ebekhala.

Simba: Umama noMamkeli bazoku khwela iflight yokuqala ukuza apha ngomso. Kuzofuneka
sibalungiselele.

Nomtha: Akukho ndawo apha kodwa Simba.

Simba: Ndithi bathini?

Nomtha: Mabafikele kwabhuti Mluleki.

Simba: Phofu uMamkeli yena uzofuna hotel okanye ibnb. Akazukufuna ukuhlala nathi. Ngumama qha.

Nomtha: Ndingathands ukuba afikele apha kodwa uyayazi ukuba asinandawo. Sawuku mlalisa phi?

792
Simba: UMeleta akacingi avume ukulala namntu.

Nomtha: No mamakho akanofuna kulala namntu.

Simba: Ndizoxelela ubhuti ke ndixelele nomama.

Nomtha: Ubungeka mbikeli?

Simba: Hayi.

Nomtha: Ebenjani uMamkeli?

Simba: Yho baby!

Nomtha: Oh! Ixhego labantu!

Simba: Ja. Kunzima.

Nomtha: Akululanga kona.

Simba: Kunzima baby, kunzima.

Sileli ngobusuku savuka kusasa kakhulu. Umama noMamkeli bebesele besendleleni eya esikhululweni.
Umama notata bakaLulu bebesele befikile bona kunye nabazali bakaSiyanda.

Simba: Nomtha!

Nomtha: Ndigqibile baby!

Simba: Hayi kaloku khawukezisa.

Ndikhawulezile ndaqosheliza izinto zam zaya straight kwaSiyanda noLuleka kuba bekungeka vulwa
ezishop. USimba ufune sihambe kwakusasa kakhulu.

Nomtha: Inoba bafikele endlini enjani kengoku abazali?

Simba: Besekuthathwe zonke izinto azidingayo amapolisa. Asinika igo ahead ukuba kungacocwa.

Nomtha: Ubuphi kengoku wena?

Simba: Ndinabantu mna. Ndibeke bona ukumnka kwam.

Nomtha: Mhhh.

Simba: Ucinga ntoni?

Nomtha: Ingathi ndiyacinga?

Simba: Ikhona into esengqondweni yakho.

Nomtha: Sewundazi huh?

Simba: Sineminyaka sitshatile Nomtha. Kakade ndiyakwazi. Nangaphandle kokuba sineminyaka sitshatile
mna ndiyakhawuleza ukumfunda umntu.

Nomtha: Oh.

793
Simba: So?

Nomtha: So ntoni?

Simba: Ucinga ntoni?

Nomtha: Ininzi into endiyicingayo. Ngaphezulu nje kwento yonke ndiyizise kum.

Simba: Njengoba uhlala usenza.

Nomtha: Hayi ngolohlobo kodwa mhla wacinga ukuba nabantwana ngaphandle okanye ube nenkazana
uboze undilahle. Kuba andino kuthembi ukuba andino phambana njengo Lulu.

Simba: Ndandike ndadyola mna ngenye imini?

Nomtha: Sendisitsho nje. Uboze uqale uzondilahla kuqala.

Simba: Ndizoqale ndikulahle.

Ndimgxeleshile waphela yintsini.

Simba: Undijamelela ntoni?

Nomtha: Heh!

Simba: Hahahaha!

Sifike samisa imoto ngaphandle sayonqonqoza. Ibingengo Madosini ebevula so ndithathe ukuba
ngumama kaSiyanda. Ebengafani nakancinci naye ke kodwa.

Simba: Molweni ma.

"Simba kunjani? Ngenani ngaphakathi."

Silandelene sangena ke. Bendinga bonanga ukuba bekunjani kodwa bekukhangeleka okungathi
akukhange kwenzeke nto indlela bekucoceke ngayo. Phofu bendingazi nokuba bebedutyulelwe phi,
bendinga funi nokwazi.

Bendi namanwele nja kukungena phaya. Into bendino kuyibhubha ukuba ndingashiywa ndodwa kulamzi!
Ndingatshaba!

Sichophe esofeni, uSimba ecaleni kwam. Bekukho nabanye abantu endlini ke qha bebethethela
ekhitshini singababoni.

"Ninjani?"

Simba: Siyaphila enkosi. Akukho nto intle kona, kodwa siyacenga.

"Yhu akukho nto intle mntanam. Imbi into ayenzileyo uLuleka. Imbi ayithetheleleki."

Simba: Senisuka ukuyombona?

"Siyile. Sizomthatha namhlanje agoduke, ngomso siyahamba."

Simba: Oh senihamba ngomso?

794
"Ewe kaloku ndoda. Uzothathwa yimotuary yethu, ayokugihlelwa ekhaya."

Simba: uLuleka yena akazukufihle-

"Abazali bakhe bafuna afihlelwe kokwabo. Ndibona kungcono ngolohlobo kuba ebengazuku lala kakuhle
uSiyanda eyazi ukuba umbulali wakhe ungcwatyelwe kokwabo. Nam bendinga thandi. Basikhulule."

Simba: Ohhh baselapha abazali bakaLuleka?

"Bamnkile. Bebezokuthatha impahla zomntana wabo. Bazokuphinde baze mhla kwazokuthathwa

umphefumlo. Indlu yona le yamandla omntana wam abasoze bayive njengoba beze ngezinye ingqondo
nje. ULuleka ebenga phangeli, kuphangela uSiyanda. Yonke into elapha ngamandla omntana wam
endamfundisa nzima!"

Simba: Kukho amabango?

"Ayingula mfazi uMadosini? Akanazo nentloni zokuza apha emzini wam angabinalo noxolo lokuba
umntana wakhe ebulele owethu, ewe singabazali asibathumi abantwana bethu kodwa ufikr ngesigezo
apha ndamfokofa kwakusasa."

"Ngubani lowo?"

Kubuze ilizwi lomntu ongutata wabe sesithi gqi. Ebengu Siyanda etshaya.

"Simba!"

Usukumile uSimba.

Simba: Tat'uMahamba.

Mahamba: Ey ndoda yamadoda!

Simba: Sibonana phantsi kwemeko ezimbi xhego.

Mahamba: Kunjalo. Molweni sisi.

Nomtha: Ewe Molweni.

Simba: Ngu nkosikazi wam lo uLinokhanyo.

"Yehake ungatsho nje ukuba uhamba nonkosikazi? Andilibali engumntu nje obesazaa noSiyanda."

Ubuze impilo ke naye, saphila.

Mahamba: Uthi kwenzekeni?

Uthinte umqala uSimba.

Uyibalise yonke ke ukuba baye bafumanisa ukuba uSiyanda unenkazana anomntana nayo, nendlela
emphambanise ngayo lonto uLuleka wade waya esibhedlele sabantu abanga philanga kakuhle.
Ekumnkeni kwakhe uSiyanda waqhubeka nekrexe eli baze bakhulelisana. Ubaxelele nangentlelo zakhe
zokumthatha.

795
Simba: Andiyazi kwenzeke ntoni mna apha ukuphuma kuka Lulu. Andiyazi ukuba kufike kwathini kuba
ebelapha uZama nomntana wakhe. Ngaba badutyulwe babulawa nguLuleka belapha endlini yabo.

Mahamba: Madoda! Hayi ndiyaqala ukuyiva yonke lento mna.

"Bendiyazi mna."

Mahamba: Intoni?

"Ukuba uSiyanda ebenomntana ngaphandle komtshato wakhe, wayendixelele. Kwahlawulwa ke

umntana lowo ke."

Mahamba: Wahlawulwa? Njani kuhlawulwe umntana wenkazana na?

"USiyanda wayefuna ahlawulwe umntanakhe. Nangoku sebekhulelwe lo wesibini umntana ndixelelwe.

Nangokuba uzofuna isohlukaniso atshate uZama bendiyazi futhi ndimxhasa."

Ebeyothuka yonke lanto ibithethwa ngunkosikazi wakhe utata ka Siyanda. Bekukhiangeleka intsha kuye
kwaye imcaphukisa.

Simba: Bendinga thanda ukuncedisa ngamalungiselelo. Qha andifuni kunyathela mna izithende.
USiyanda ebefana nomfo wethu, kengoku ke ndizama ukucengana nentliziyo yam ukuba yamnkele, ixole
ukuba nyani akasekho. Lena yindlela endingamnkela ngayo nendinga xola ngayo.

Mahamba: Hayi kulungile Madiba, kulungile nyana. Hayi siyayazi ukuba inoba kunzima kangakanani
kuwe. Kuba benivana kakhulu noSiyanda. Unganceda wena akukho ngxaki. Akukho mntu uzomnyathela
ikons.

Simba: Hey! Ayikholeleki into yalendoda.

Mahamba: Uyazi ndothuka nezi ndiziva namhlanje kuba zintsha kum. Kodwa ke ndifuna uke
ndizinambithe ndinga khawulezi ukuhlomla hleze ndone.

Simba: Hay yenza njalo bawo. Yenza njalo.

"Bendithe nenzelwe into yokuphunga ke. Khanimeni ndiyoyijonga- oh besendiku landa."

Siphathelwe ikofu ke spahunga. Siyothatha ibiscuits ezi bendizi ordile satyenga nezinto zokuphungisa
abantu. Uthathe ezinkulu uSimba, zizokuya ekhayeni. Intliziyo yam ibingekho kuyo yonke lanto mna
ngenxa yendlela athethe ngayo umama kaSiyanda, nendlela ayivumele ngayo yonke lanto.

Yndikruqule mna, bendinga funi nokuxoka.

Simba: Wathwala umlomo?

Nomtha: Umama akakafiki na? Ndidikiwe mna ukuba lapha.

Simba: Sizoqale siyovelela umama kaLuleka.

Nomtha: Hayi andiyapho mna.

Simba: Hayibo Nomtha!

Nomtha: Oh hayi Simba.

796
Simba: Uzokuyotshintsha endlini okanye ndikuse straight kwaMluleki? Kuba besizoya sobabini sibuyele
endlini ebusuku.

Nomtha: Msihambe ke. Sizogqitha ngabantwana ke kuqala.

Simba: Uzobabona ngenye imini umama abantwana. Andifuni babe behamba esithubeni ngobusuku.

Nomtha: Mhhhh.

Sicele indlela kubazali bakaSiyanda sahamba.

Ebethetha notata kaLuleka ke uSimba ngedirections zala ndawo bebehlala kuyo. Ibingeyiyo ihotel le
bendicinga ukuba bazokuhlala kuyo. Ingumzi oqhelekileyo. Sinqonqozile ke kwavela uMadosini.
Bendinga soze ndimlibale nesigezo sakhe.

Simba: Molweni ma.

Madosini: Ewe.

Simba: Ndingu Simba, besizovela.

Madosini: Nivela, nivela ntoni? Asifuni kuvelelwa thina. Awuyo tshomi kaSiyanda?

Simba: Ndiyiyo ma.

Madosini: Andingo mama wakho mna. Umamakho ufana nam?

Hayibo!

Madodini: Ndisanda kugxotha abanye ngoku nani yenzani njalo. Asikhathalelanga kuvelelwa nini thina
nakugquba ukuphambanisa umntanam kweli Rhawuti. Rhaaa!

Mbhakra ucango ebusweni bethu, seva isijwili emveni koko. Indlela besimatsheke ngayo noSimba
sishiyeke siqhwanya-qhwanyaza.

Simba: Yho!

Nomtha: Bendicela ukukuxelela ukuba andimangelanga tu.

Simba: Wayenje na umama kaLuleka?

Nomtha: Nutcase lomama. Masihambe wethu baby, omama kudala bafika.

Siyongena emotweni sahamba.

Nomtha: Akukho nto. Ubhuqwa sisazela nje lo. Uyayazi kulandawo akuyo ukuba uba wayenga
mnyanzelanga uLulu ukuba ahlale emzini esiva shu ngenxa yokungazali noSiyanda oyithathele phezulu
into yokuba nomntana, ngephila namhlanje. Engafuni nokumbona kwakhe, utata wakhe efuna abuye.
Lamfazi kemna.

Simba: Hayi akukho ngxaki ukuba akafuni sivele, sibaxhase. Asisoze siphume izithuba thina. Sawuxhasa
apho samnkeleke khona. Usiphungulela nengxaki kuba asizukukwazi ukuya kwimifihlo emithathu.

797
Nomtha: Ingase uLulu angabona indlela angaxabisekanga ngayo kuwe njengoba wayephuma izithuba
kwayena for wena ndabe mna ndifuna sibe nobuhlobo, ndidinga andixhase. Wayotshonga eNigeria
waholideya kumnandi.

Simba: Kutheni unesixhiba?

Nomtha: Andina sixhiba kodwa kucacile ukuba umhlobo wakho nguSiyanda-

Simba: Akuyonto intsha mos leyo.

Nomtha: Heh!

Unikine intloko yakhe.

Simba: Akuyonto intsha nyani. Phakathi koLulu noSiyanda ngaphandle kwamathandabuzo nguSiyanda.

Nomtha: Noba umbuzo uthini?

Simba: Andiyazi ke leyo.

Nomtha: Hahahaha! Mxm!

Silande umntana kuqala. Iplan ibikukuba sihamna nabo bonke ke ukuya kwabhuti, watshintsha umntu
ukufika kwethu ekhala ngokugcwalisa umzi wabantu nokuba sawuphazamisa abantwana kuba baqhele
ukulala ngexesha elithile. Batyiswe sithi ke, ndabahlamba sabalinda bade balala ubuthongo. Besele
kurhatyela ngeloxesha. Bekungekho ngxaki phofu kuba mna ndodwa bendinga vukeli ndawo. Ibizoku
phela kungekudalanga kakhulu nalo mana.

Simba: Koti! Koti!

Mluleki: Hayibo Vela bembhentsele!

Simba: Ungandithunuki mkhuluwa.

Mluleki: Heh madoda wenza ntoni uSiyanda!?

Simba: Yho bhuti! Nangoku ingathi kuzothiwa kuyaxokwa. Andikakholwa nangoku. OSiyanda ayizo type
ezifayo maan!

Mluleki: Imbi into ehlileyo. Utata uMamkeli akakho right tu. Uncame wakhatshwa kuba uwrongo!

Simba: Ukhona apha ngoku?

Mluleki: Akafunanga kulala apha. Kodwa usister wakhe ukhona.

Simba: Umagogo uphi yena?

Mluleki: Nabaya elounge nabantwana noUlatho.

Simba: Yho utat'uMamkeli madoda!

Mluleki: Nomama ebewrongo kwayena. Ungcono kodwa ngoku. Molweni Linokhanyo.

Nomtha: Molweni bhuti.

798
Mluleki: Molo kwedini! Khamsapha ndimbambe. Sammy! Msamariya!

Nomtha: Hayi bhuti torho umntanam!

Mluleki: NguMsamariya lo.

Nomtha: Bendinqanda utatakhe ngoku esithi nguMachel, andifuni magama afunny emntaneni wam.

Mluleki: Hahaha! Uyaphila kodwa? Masingeneni.

Nomtha: Ndiyaphila enkosi akukho nto. Sonwabe nje kamnandi. Unjani ke wena?

Mluleki: Kuhle nakum akukho nto. Ngulomphanga nje usothusileyo.

Nomtha: Ukuba ungasithi ungatyhafa worse. Sesisuka kugxothwa ngumama kaLuleka.

Mluleki: Hayibo!

Nomtha: Ndiyakuxelela. Wasifokofa isixhosa lamama.

Bisola: Nathethela ezikoneni na! Khanivele ngapha!

Umntu ngo mama wakhe! Utake kuqala uSimba sayishiyeka emva nobhuti sithe chu ukuya kubo
ndimbalisela ngalento kamama kaLuleka uMadosini. Ndimbalisele nangezinto bezithethwa ngumama
kaSiyanda.

Ebothukile ke umama ukumbalisela into yonke esehleleyo. Esothuka le yenziwe nguLulu. Enyanisweni
izinto ezikumila kunje besizibukela kumabona kude kuphela, okanye sive ngazo kubantu abakude nathi.
Ngoku yehlele abantu besibazi. Yenziwe ngumntu besimthatha njengo mhlobo. Njengaba hlobo kunye
nosapho. Bekunzima maan ukuyizikisa yonke lonto.

Bendimazi ke uLulu ngoku qhawukelwa mna kuba ngulo wayebe umntana wam, kodwa ukubulala. Ade
abulale nomntana. Nomntu okhulelweyo. Ibimasikizi nje. Bendithandaza ngaphezulu kwayo yonke lonto
ukuba ndingafiki apho. Kulandawo ebekuyo apho ukubulala kusisi sombululo. Kuba bendinga zukuba
naso mna isibindi sokuthatha owam umphefumlo. Bendiligwala gqithi kwaye ke bendoyika nento yokuba
kwenzekani kumntu xa ebhubhile.

Bendithandaza uThixo andiphe amandla okuqoqosha amasakana am ndihambe, noba isidima sam
bendisirhuqa phantsi akuna msebenzi. Noba bendizokuhlekwa bendingena msebenzi.

Umntu bendimsizela ngakumbi kuyo yonke lanto ngumntana kaZama. Bobabini abantwana.

UZama hayi kangako. USiyanda, hayi. Umama kaLulela bendithandaza ukuba isazela sakhe simfake
ebhokisini. Simbhuqe ngaphambili koko. Abe ligobho gobho lalomntu anguye. Bendingenaso isizathu
ngaphandle kokuba ndicaphukela ukuba engazange abe ngumama kuLuleka.

Ukungazali kwakhe ukwenze izithuko nenyala. Wakwenza kube sisizathu sokuba azivumele ukuba abe
likhukho, axangxathwa ajulwe phaya kuba esakhe isibeleko singa kwazi ukwenza eyona nto
esiyidalelweyo.

Sihleli sahamba ngobusuku. Bekunzima. Amalungiselelo yonke into. Bekunzima ngakunbi emyenini wam,
so noba bendiyazi into ebeyiyo uSiyanda bendixhasa umyeni wam. Kuba we experience abantu

799
ngendlela eyohlukileyo. Kuye ebengula Siyanda wamisa ubomi bakhe ukuyomxhasa, kum nguSiyanda
odale yonke lanto. Ibinga balulekanga ke lanto ngalamzuzu. Bekubaluleke ukuba umyeni wam
ebendidinga. Ndaba yilonto kuye.

FIVE YEARS LATER

800
NINETY- SEVEN
"Mandingabi ngumqobo kwabo bangqondo zimoya mnye

Ndingabi siso nesaphoselane.

Uthando ayilothando olukrweqa nokuguquka kwemeko,

Alugotywa kwaye lingenoku shenxa naxa linyanzelwa;

Oh hayi! Luphawu lunaphakade

Oluthi lumelane nekqwithela, lingoyiki ngokoyikiswa;

Yinkwenkwezi ekhanyisela zonke izibhadu-bhadu,

Ixabiso layo alaziwa, nangona izinga layo lizicacela.

Uthando ayisosidenge sexesha, Onemibele nezidlele ezibomvu

Alujiki ngeyure neveki,

Kulo majiko-jiko liye lifumane umkhomba ndlela linyamezela phantsi kwemeko ezimaxongo;

Ukuba oku ndikutshoyo ukubona nje ngamampunge,

Andisayi kubhala, kuba akekho oke wathanda.

Sonnet 116 in IsiXhosa. Usandi mamele bhabha?"

Nomtha: Mh?

Undinyumbazile ndayihleka ndimchwakaza isandla.

Nomtha: Ndiyadlala ndimamele! Simba!

Simba: Tyhini! Undenza ixhego lakho wena.

Nomtha: Khawuhambe apha sewuzenza uWillam Shakespeare wase Motherwell.

Simba: Haha! Okay, ndenziwa kanje?

Nomtha: Baby, ndicela uyeke undiphazamisa. Andikhange ndiku phazamise mna ngoku ubucofa-cofwa.

Simba: Senizogqiba sisi? Okanye awu kwishishi?

Ngokungathi ebendibona, ndijikelezise amehlo am. Mh bawo!

Nomtha: Baby.

"We're almost done."

Simba: Because ndinesizungu kaloku ndodwa ngaphaya.

Nomtha: Oh thiza!

Simba: Ndiyaphuma ke, ndiyaphuma. Yiza ndiphuze kuqala. Ndiyakuthanda uyeva?

801
Nomtha: Nam ndiyak'thanda. Hamba!

Uthe cwaka waphuma ngomnyango. Ndishiyeke ndiphefumla ndivala amehlo am ndimamela izandla
zalasisi ebendicofa-cofa umqolo. Bekungathi ingxaki zam zonke zibaleke zayokutshona. Ngalampela veki,
ndiziva ndihlaziyekile ngeyona ndlela.

Ngeloxesha ndizive ndibuya umva. Bendinga buyeli umva kakhulu. Ingqondo yam ibonga ndivumeli
okokuba ndibuyele umva kumhla wokufumana imizimba yabazali bam kunye nomntakwethu. Ibinga
ndivumeli ndibuyele umva kwintsokolo yam ukuqala kwam ukuhlala eJoburg CBD. Ubungozi endagqitha
kubo. Izinto endasinda kuzo. Ubunzima endabu thwalayo ndizama nempilo. Intlupheko, inyembezi
kunye negazi. Amaphupha atshabalala phambi kwamehlo am, naprusuluka ezandleni zam oku
kwesepha. OoAyodeji, ooEfe ... yonke lonto ibimfiliba engqondweni yam.

Ubunzima bonke nengcinga beziqaqambisa intliziyo zam bendizigugxule ndaziphosa kwelokulibala.

Umyeni wam, abantwana bam- ubomi bam buqale ngabo. Bekuqala buphele ngabo.

"Done."

Utshilo usisi endothusa kwezongcinga.

Nomtha: Sigqibile?

"Yebo."

Ndisukumile ke ngentliziyo enzinyana. Bekungathi angandiyeki ngokunokwam. Ndibulele ndamncoma,

sancokola kancinci ndabuyela eroomini yam noSimba. Ndimfumene ehleli ngaphandle efunda incwadi.
Ndiyokuchopha phezulu wabekela loncwadi ebeyifunda bucala.

Nomtha: Hey.

Undincumele kancinci.

Simba: Hi. Umhle, uhlaziyekile.

Nomtha: Ubuso bam bumpuluswa, khawufane uve.

Nditsho ndithatha isandla sakhe ndisisa ebusweni bam.

Simba: Bumpuluswa nyani.

Nomtha: Ndiyabulela ngale weekend getaway. Bendiyidinga, into emnandi kukuba bendinga
yilindelanga.

Wenze kakuhle Madiba.

Simba: Kuncinci oku kondenzela kona wena. Bendifuna ukuku phumza kancinci kuba usebenza nzima,
ngapha ngabantwana kodwa nam uyandinakekela. Andiyazi ndagqibela nini ukutya itake-away.

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: Ndenzela ungabina swekile kaloku utshabe kuba umdala.

Simba: Mxm!

802
Nomtha: Ukuve lantetho yokuthi, 'ingase ndikugalele utyuwa' yindlela endikugalela ngayo ityuwa lena.
Kuba andifuni uphoswe nto. Andifuni siphoswe yinto. Sinabantwana abasidingayo. Sisobabini.

Simba: Uke ubenexhala?

Nomtha: Elantoni ixhala?

Simba: Elokuba ngenye imini andizukubakho.

Nomtha: Andifuni nokuyicinga leyo into. Andina mbono wobomi bethu ngaphandle kwakho.

Simba: For what is worth, nam andibuboni ubomi ngaphandle kwakho. Kodwa ke njengoba singena
lawulo-

Nomtha: Izicwangciso zimile myeni wam. Ndixoliswa yilonto. Kamnandi sasithethile ngayo yonke lento,
yiyo lonto ndingafuni siphinde sithethe ngayo kwakhona. Kuba andifuni kuyicinga.

Simba: Ndiyayazi. Wonwabile?

Nomtha: Kakhulu baby.

Simba: Nditsho nam. Wonwabile ngesigqibo sakho somntu ozawufa naye?

Nomtha: Kungona undibuza ngoku?

Simba: Kubalulekile ndimana ndikubuza ukuba usonwabile na ngesigqibo sakho. Nokuba akakho na
amathandabuzo.

Nomtha: Nakancinane.

Unqwalile.

Simba: Ndiyavuya kakhulu ukuva lonto.

Ndimphuzile. Undibambe intamo endisondeza emlonyeni wakhe kwakhona. Ukhulule igown

bendiyinxibile, wasukuma endibeka phezulu kwetafile. Uyikhulule yonke wabeka etafileni
endiqamelelisa kuyo wathoba intloko yakhe endiphuza ngaphambili.

Besingaphandle ke ngeloxesha kodwa besesisebhedini ngoku. Siphefumlela phezulu, sizama ukukhokha

imimoya. Imizimba ithe saa, unzwane zithe saaa.

Ebephethwe bubuthongo kodwa ebulwisa emana kundipbulula. Ude woyisakala watipa. Ndimshiye apho
ndayokungena kwishower. Bekungathi ndihlambela ngaphandle kulashower. Umntu ebenokuthi gqi
ebenokundibona. Ndigqibile ndanxiba igown yam esilky. Bendi ngumntu obephethe impahla zokulala
ezintle ke. Inighty encinanana neteddy, nezinye ilingery ... kodwa akukhange kubekho kwa xesha lazo.
Bedesihamba ngengomso. Siphindela emzini wethu, ebantwaneni bethu.

Ndiphacaze ngenyawo ndayokuzi galelela isiselo esihlwahlwazelayo kwiglass yakhona echophileyo.

Ndiyigongqozile eyokuqala, eyesibini ndayokuyibeka ecaleni kwam ndahlala esitulweni ndijonge
amahlathi. Ndimamele izilwanyana nontyilo wentaka. Ibiyinzolo emnandi nje.

Simba: Oh! Undishiya ebhedini uzokulala apha.

803
Nomtha: Andilelanga mna.

Simba: Intonayo?

Nomtha: Ndizimamele.

Simba: Uphosisela ni?

Ndiyihlekile kuba nyani bendiburhuqa ubuthongo.

Nomtha: Uvasile?

Simba: Ewe tyhini! Ndizothini ukungavasi?

Nomtha: Simba andilwi, ndiyabuza. Waqala waba defensive awuvasanga.

Simba: Ina nukisa apha

Nomtha: Hayi maan sies! Simba!

Simba: Andithi ndifuna ukubonisa ukuba ndihlambile.

Nomtha: Ndiyadlala tyhini! Andithi undibonise izinto zakho.

Simba: Andikubonisi nto ongazange wayibona. Bendifuna sincokole kancinci.

Ndimjongile ndifinge intshiya. Ebesuke waserious kengoku kodwa besidlala ngoku kungekudala.

Nomtha: Kukho ingxaki?

Simba: Akukho ngxaki. Nakancinane. Ingaba zindaba ezimnandi. Zindaba ezimnandi phofu.

Nomtha: Chopha apha phantsi ke.

Uzokuchopha phambi kwam ukuba sijongane ebusweni.

Simba: Ndi- ndimdala ngoku. Ndikhulile. Ngokwe minyaka, ngokwengqondo. Anditsho ke phofu ukuba
bendinga khulanga iminyaka le, kodwa ndikhule ngakumbi.

Nomtha: Mhhhh.

Simba: Izinto bezindi dlamkisa ngaphambili ... azisena mandla mangako ngoku. Izinto bendicinga ukuba
ndawukohlulwa kukufa nazo ... azisa balulekanga kum.

Into endizama ukuyitsho kukuba umsebenzi wam yinto endiyaziyo. Oko ndazalwa ndaqunyelwa ukwenza
lento ndiyenzayo nangoku.

Ndiyacinga ukuba bekufuneka ndifike ngoku kwam kule ndawo ndikuyo. Ndingakhokhelwa okanye
ndinyanzelwe ngumntu. Ayiyo impilo endiyifunayo lena ngoku. Eyokuthengisa izibham neziyobisi,
eyokubulala abantu-

Nomtha: Uyayiyeka ibusiness yakho?

Simba: Into ilapho, andiwuyeki. Ndayeka.

804
Nomtha: A- huh? Andiqondi.

Simba: Ndinexesha ndinikele intambo kuMonti kunye noNorman.

Nomtha: Huh?

Simba: Ewe.

Nomtha: Nini?

Simba: Ukusukela ekuqaleni kwalonyaka.

Nomtha: Kodwa ubumnka- mhhhh ... kwatsho kwacaca kengoku ukuba kutheni uxhaphake kangaka
endlini. Okay.

Simba: Uziva njani ngalonto?

Nomtha: Ngantoni?

Simba: Le ndikuxelela yona baby. Ukuba ndinga phangeli. Uziva njani ngalonto? Ukuba ndifuna
ukuthatha I early retirement.

Nomtha: Awufuni kuphinda uphangele?

Simba: Into endadalelwa ukuba ndiyenze yile ndiyiyekileyo. Nothing else makes sense kum. Ukuba
andenzi yona kungcono ndihlale phantsi.

Nomtha: Ukuba iyakonwabisa lonto andina ngxaki mna. Ukuba nje wonwabile.

Unqwalile.

Simba: Ndisapeya ngoku kodwa hayi for ixesha elide. Kodwa ndinayo imali endiyibekileyo. Ndisafe.
Abantwana, thina.

Nomtha: Mhh?

Unqwalile kwakhona.

Simba: Indizisa komnye umba. Ubuke wathetha ngokufuna kwakho umsebenzi kwindawo-

Nomtha: Ekhayeni. Bendithe ndinga thanda ukufundisa ekhayeni.

Simba: Ewe. Bendicinga. Siyeni ekhayeni. Ndizokufuya, ndilime. Wena uzotitsha njengoba ubuhleli
ufuna. Nelali zezi ungazichasanga.

Ndiphelile yintsini. Ebendi mangalele ukub ndihleka yintoni.

Nomtha: Wena!? Ulime, ufuye?

Simba: Ewe! Hayibo!

Nomtha: Uqinisekile ukuba yinto oyifunayo leyo?

Unqwalile.

805
Simba: Into emnandi kukuba kufezeka iphupho lakho. Nam andisena nto apha. I mean eGautini.
Abantwana sawubafunela izikolo eziright edolophini.

Nomtha: Mhhhh?

Simba: Andiyazi kengoku ukuba uthetha ukuthini mhlawumbi xa umana usithi mhhh.

Nomtha: Ndikumamele.

Simba: Ucinga ntoni wena?

Nomtha: Uyayazi ukuba kudala ndafuna into enelali phakathi kodwa kuba wena ungengo mntu welali
kakhu-

Simba: Hayi ukuba andingomntu welali. Ingxaki yam ibikukuba ube kwelinye iphondo wena ukwelinye.
Ibingeyonto bendiyifuna for thina leyo. Ndiyagembula ukugembula, kodwa hayi ngomtshato wam.

Nomtha: Ncooo baby.

Unikine intloko yakhe.

Simba: So ja.

Nomtha: Ubaxelele abantwana bakho? Andifuni kuqunjelwa mna ngabantu.

Simba: Ingxaki izoba nguZendaya.

Nomtha: Uzakuku phambanela tata.

Simba: Ja ey! Kodwa wena uright? Wonwabile?

Nomtha: Andiqinisekanga ngomlimo nomguyo lo kodwa ndonwabile mna. Ngethemba ndizowufumana

umsebenz-

Simba: Akusoze ungawufumani. Bazoba nethamsanqa nakweso sikolo ukuba nomfundisi ntsapho
onguwe.

Nomtha: Utsho kuba ungumyeni wam.

Simba: Nditsho kuba ndiyayibona indlela opassionate ngayo ngalento.

Ndijikelezise amehlo.

Nomtha: Imali andiqondi ke ukuba uzawuba nintsi-

Simba: Ungaxhali ngemali. Into endine worry ngayo kukuba okanye wandithanda kuba ndinoba bungozi
ngam. Ngenxa yomsebenzi bendiwenza, namandla bendinawo-

Nomtha: Ndikuthanda kuba unguwe. Ndithanda uSimba. Utata wabantwana bam, umyeni wam. Hayi
uSniper. Ungaxhalabi ngokuba andizuku thanda xa uthena igusha, ungu midwife. Uthetha nemifuno-

Simba: Andikho nqwaku-nqwaku ke!

Nomtha: Utsho nje okwangoku.

806
Asikhange senze nto ingako ngosuku lethu lokugqibela eMpumalanga. Besizipholele nje sincokola.

Simba: Kuzofuneka uxelele uCatrina ukuba uyahamba.

Nomtha: Baby, akango Catrina omnye nguCatherine. Cat.

Simba: Iyinto enye nje leyo?

Nomtha: Simba.

Simba: Noba ngubani ke kuzofuneka umxelele.

Nomtha: Ukrwada wena. Kakade ndizomxelela. Bendihleli ndizomxelela, phuma endabeni zam noCat.
Awunazo netshomi wena.

Simba: Umnqongo nje wetshomi sewucinga fans'ba.

Ndiyihlekile.

Nomtha: Sundidika.

Simba: Tyhini madoda!

Sitye idinara emnandi. Besinxibe kakuhle, sikhuphe unyawo. Silayitelwe namakhandlela. Bekumnandi
nje.

Siphindele eRhawutini ke kodwa ngeCawa. Sifikele kwethu asaya kuyolanda abantwana. Besawubaboba
ngengomso.

Bekukuninzi okwenzekileyo kwiminyaka emihlanu egqithileyo. Okokuqala bendiyi qualified teacher noxa
bendinga phangeli ngoku. Abantwana bam bebefunda bobathathu, kungekho mntu usincedisayo ngabo
kuba bendise khona. Xa bebuya esikolweni bebebuya ndikhona.

Bendi ngayikholwa indlela bebekhule ngayo maan!

Bekulula ke ngelixesha bendifuna kuba bendino ncedo. Abantu bebeqashwe ngumyeni wam, abantu
basemzini wam, umyeni wam. Bebeluncedo kakhulu.

Ukubhubha kukaSiyanda, noZama kunye noLuleka kubasondeze ngendlela bebenga lindelanga ngayo-
uSimba nabanta kwabo bobathathu. Indlela bebemxhase ngayo, bamnceda nangama lungiselelo kunye
naka Zama.

Saphuma kuSiyanda saya koka Zama umfihlo eKapa. Kubuhlungu, kumasikizi kunjalo sabafihla. Utata
uMamkeli waphuma ngoku pheleleyo elokshini bahlala kunye noBisola. Bebethandana abaya, kakhulu
futhi. Kamnandi bebesuka emitshatweni bobabini, bebazi ubumnandi nobunzima bawo bade
bohlukaniswa yinto ebohlukanisileyo nabantu babo. Ukufa kunye nokukrexeza. Bafumanana kwakhona
kuba bekukhangeleka iluthando belihleli lukho yonke iminyaka kodwa beluveza ngenye indlela kuba
benabantu.

Bekungasa dingeki zifungo ngaphambili komfundisi kunye nabantu.

Bebenalanto bebenayo kwaye ibiba sebenzela kakuhle. Bebezoku guga kunye, ngaphandle
kwamathandabuzo kwaye ibiyinto entle maan!

807
Njengoba besibuyele endlini bekuthetha ukuba 'back to reality'

Ndivuke ndenzela umyeni wam ibreakfast ndamsela ebhedini esangqengqe ngomqolo mntaka
bhut'ophakathi, enyolana nomnxeba wakhe.

Uwubekele bucala akundibona.

Simba: Ndiyabulela.

Nomtha: Wamnkelekile.

Simba: Masitye sobabini.

Nomtha: Ndifuna ukucleana mna.

Simba: Awuzukutya?

Nomtha: Ndityile.

Simba: Okay. Utya ngaphandle kwam.

Nomtha: Awusandi feketheli. Uhlambe ukugqiba kwakho sizolanda abantwana.

Simba: I wonder bekutheni sithi bangasiwa esikolweni?

Nomtha: Uyazisola ngoku? Kuba nguwe othe bangayi namhlanje.

Simba: Ndiyazisola.

Ndimhleke nje ndahamba ndayococa indlu. Ndigqibe sele egqibile ukuhlamba uSimba, ondlule
nokondlula. Sahamba sayokulanda abantwana.

Sinqonqoze kabini kwabe sekuvulwa.

Simba: Caba besilindelwe.

Mluleki: Utsho xa ufuna siniqwayite kaloku singavuli. Molo Linokhanyo, mandibulise wena.

Nomtha: Haha! Uyeke lo usafuna ukunqonqoza, molweni bhuti. Bakhona ooUlatho?

Mluleki: Ngenani ngaphakathi. Bekunjani eMpumalanga.

Simba: Besilibele noba sina-

Zendaya: Papa! Mama!

Simba: Sinabantwana. Molo baby!

Zendaya: You're back!

Simba: Ubucinga sawuhlala eMpumalanga?

Zendaya: Mama!

Nomtha: Sana lam. Nam ndifumana ihug? Bendiku khumbula.

808
Simba: Uyaphosisa. Ebelibele nokuba unabantwana umama wenu. Ebede esithi singabuyi.

Nomtha: Hayi maan Simba ukuphosisa. Ulatho!

Ulatho: MakaZendaya. Awumhle sana!

Nomtha: Enkosi!

Ulatho: Yhu! Ingathi nimnke ixesha elide.

Simba: Yilonto ndisitsho wena Ulatho ukuba uyonwaba lomntu xa kungekho bantwana.

Ndimjikelezisele amehlo, wayihleka.

Bayokuhlala elounge nobhuti sashiyeka ekhitshini thina.

Nomtha: Ugqushalaza uyaphi?

Zendaya: I'm going to papa.

Nomtha: Yho yehake! Hamba. Yiza ndincamise kuqala, love you!

Zendaya: Love you too!

Nomtha: Umntanam uyavakala xa ebenomakhulu wakhe.

Ulatho: Kumaxa ndizotsho ukuba sethathe la accent kamakhulu wakhe ngalomzuzwana.

Nomtha: Umnke nini?

Ulatho: Umnke izolo.

Nomtha: Ubhetele?

Ulatho: Kakhulu. Nonyana ebevuyile ukuba ude wavuma ukuzobona ugqirha ongapha sizotsho simonge
kancinci. Indlela ebefeketha ngayo- ndithi kukuba kaloku zange ayifumane kakuhle lanto. Kwavele
kwafika ootata bakaZendaya noMkhuseli!

Nomtha: Hahahaha! Bamthathela indawo.

Ulatho: Bayithatha indawo yakhe. Nabazukulwana aba bayinqwaba ke! Ngoku ithuba alifumanayo
iyalisebenzisa.

Nomtha: Makenze njalo wethu ubhuti. Iminyaka imnkile kumama so kufuneka siziqhelanise nokuchitha
ixesha naye. Ngakumbi abantwana bakhe nabazukulwana bakhe.

Ulatho: Ingathi undivile ndisitsho ukuba kufuneka sihambeni sonke nabantwana ngenye iweekend. Sike
siyogcwala phaya. Noobhuti sonke.

Nomtha: Kungamnandi. Ngaphambili kokuba sigodukeni.

Ulatho: Ibingamnandi nasekhayeni qha umama akasathandi ukugoduka.

Nomtha: Ufuna ukuba secaleni komntu wakhe umama.

809
Ulatho: Abathandani!

Nomtha: Izothe lonto!

Ulatho: Omnye.

Nomtha: Njengawe nobhuti.

Ulatho: Nawe notaka Zendaya.

Nomtha: Ndiyamvuyela mna. Noxa abantwana bakhe beba fustrated ngamanye amaxesha kuba bafuna
kuthandwe bona bodwa kodwa ibizoba buhlungu eyokuba abe lilolo.

Ulatho: Ifunny shame into yothando kuba umama noMamkeli kucacile ukuba kudala bathandana. Kodwa
kuba bebenabantu banyamezela kwemnka iminyaka.

Nomtha: at least bade batshaba wethu.

Ulatho: Hahahahaha! Hayini Linokhanyo!

Nomtha: Tltltltltltl! Abantwana bam baphi?

Ulatho: Bayadlala ngemva.

Nomtha: Khawuyeke ndiyobulisa. Uright phofu?

Ulatho: Ndiright, Linokhanyo. Akukho nto. Sonwabe nje kamnandi. Ninjani nina?

Nomtha: Siphilile nathi enkosi. Akukho nto.

Ulatho: Mhhh ...

Nomtha: Yehake usisi, uyaqala ke!

Ulatho: Hahaha!

Ndiyokujonga abantwana bam emveni kwendlu. Indlela bebemdaka ngayo bawo wam. Bobathathu
nokabhuti umntana. Indlela bebecana ngayo uMihla noSammy inoba bebecinga ukuba bangama wele
abantwana bam. UZendaya ebezenza usisi omdala ke yena.

Simba: Nomtha masihambe!

Nomtha: Sesihamba kwangoku?

Simba: Yiza maan sawuthathe ngendlela shiya abantwana! Masihambe!

Ndimfingele intshiya. Angandishouti kaloku tyhini!

Simba: Nomtha!

Nomtha: Hambani endlini Amila. Mihla, Sammy. Hambani ku mama endlini.

Ndimfumene emotweni uSimba. Ndingene nje wabe seyisusa.

Bekulandela ekabhuti emveni kwethu, kodwa yasigqitha.

810
Nomtha: Kwenzeka ntoni?

Simba: NguMalkia.

Nomtha: Utheni?

Simba: Ubalekiselwe esibhedlele. Othi ubethwe ngumfana wakhe. Ubhuti uyomsorta out thina siya
esibhedlele.

Nomtha: Hayibo!

Simba: Kuthwa akaqali ke. Ufuna ipanel beating kancinci.

Nomtha: Aba bantwana bangenwe leliphi idimoni na?

Unyuse amagxa. Njengoba bekulunga ubudlelwane kuSimba nabantakwabo bebezama nabakhe- well
abakokwabo. Bekunzinyana ke kuba bekukhangelela okungathi balumnkile bonke kodwa bebutotoba
busiya. Bebesondelene kakhulu nobhuti Mluleki kodwa.

Xa kusithiwa indoda yinto enkulu, bekungaxokwa. Ngenxa yokuba besibona ukuba usapho lubalulekile
nokuba oobhuti balungisa ubudlelwane babo siqonde ukuba masilungise obethu noUlatho. Oko
bekungatsho ukuba besinga bahlobo abakhulu, kodwa besilusapho. Sisebenzisana ngezinto zekhaya.
ZamaDlomo. Nabantwana bethu benobudlelwane. Bebevana ukufa kunye noka Bukhosi.

Ebekwazi ukuzobashiya kwam nabam ndikwazi ukubashiya kubo nobhuti.

Ekhayeni sisebenzisana. Bendikithanda okukuthula wethu. Nabayeni bethu bebevuya.

Sike sasokola kancinci ukumfumana uMalkia kodwa sade sakhokhelewa ewardini ebekuyo. Uye wakhala
ukubona ubhuti wakhe, wahamba wayokumanga. Ebenesamente engalweni, eneblack eye.

Ndiyomanga ndaphumela ngaphandle ndibanika igumbi umntu nobhuti wakhe. Bendimsizela lomfana
kubhuti.

Ndifounelwe nguUlatho endibuza ukuba kwenzeka ntoni, ndamxelela ke. Wabe esothuka kodwa esitsho
ukuba umthetho wakhe lamfana, unesandla.

"Hi sisi."

Nomtha: Nura! Uhamba nabani?

Nura: Notata kaNuri, usathetha nephone.

Nomtha: Uphaya uMalkia. Unobhuti wenu.

Nura: Okay. Ndiyebuya sisi.

Nomtha: Akukho ngxaki.

Kuthe gqi uMalik. Esabeke iphone yakhe endlebeni. Undange esathetha nephone, wachopha ecaleni
kwam. Umntana wakhe ebengasahlali eKapa nomama kaSimba. Wamthatha azokuhlala nabo. U'nabo'
ke ibinguye noSiyasanda. Bebehlalisana. OoSiyasanda bebenezibindi kunye nonyamezelo besingenalo

811
thina. Kuworse kuba uMalik ebengu boyfriend qha ukuba anyamezele isishiqi esinje, ndinga thembisi
ukuba bendino kusinyamezela mna ngoku ndinguntshati. Kodwa ke kutshiwo ukuba 'never say never'

Malik: Uright?

Nomtha: Ndiyaphila enkosi wena?

Malik: Kuhle nakum. Unjani uMalkia?

Nomtha: Unesamente engalweni. Neblue eyes.

Malik: Ncncncnc!

Nomtha: Ja.

Malik: Makamyeke lomfana uMalkia, ngaphambili kokuba ambulale.

Nomtha: Uzomyeka.

Malik: Nobuye nini kwibaecation?

Nomtha: Izolo. Njengoba sekukho iingxaki ezinje nje. Ingase ndiphindele.

Malik: Phindelani.

Nomtha: Nizobathatha abantwana bakokwenu noSiyasanda? Kuba andina ngxaki nokubashiya mna,
ndimncinci kakade ukuba nabantwana.

Malik: Hahahaha! Useyimveku!

Nomtha: Ndisaze ngobuso ezweni. Sisahleli kamnandi noSiyasanda?

Malik: Kuhamba kakuhle. Intonayo utata undifakela uxinzelelelo maan! Abe endibuza ngenjongo zam.
Ndingahlali nomntana bantu nje- yho hayi! Ndiselusana mna. Le arrangement yethu isandilungele.
Umtshato yenye into.

Nomtha: Ungazixheshi ungekabikho ready. NoSimba lowo watshata ngokuthanda kwakhe hayi kuba
waye xinzelelwa ngumntu ukuba enze into eright.

Malik: Akafuni nokuva utaima ke. Undimele ngokuqweba.

Nomtha: Hayi! Makangayenzi lonto.

Simba: Malik!

Usukumile uMalik bangana notata wakhe. Babuzene impilo wayongena ngaphakathi esishiya sodwa.

Nomtha: Hey.

Simba: Ja ey!

Nomtha: Unjani?

Simba: Uzoba right. Wothukile qha.

812
Nomtha: Kungcono.

Simba: Uthetha- ufuna ukubuyela endlini. Kwethu.

Nomtha: Oh?

Unqwalile.

Simba: Bendifuna ukubuza ukuba kuright na.

Nomtha: Andina ngxaki mna ukuba yinto ayifunayo. Umsebenzi?

Simba: Uzocela intsukwana.

Nomtha: Okay.

Simba: Ndiyabulela baby.

Ndimncumele nje andaphendula. Bendinga cingi ukuba uyoze agrede uMalkia ke kuba emveni kwento
yokukhululwa wavele waphuma endleleni akakhathalela nto. Kodwa ebegredile, ephangela kakuhle.
Ebengahlali eMeadowlands, enendawo yakhe. Umntanakhe ehlala nomamakhe. Noxa ebengaphangeli
uNokulunga ebekhangeleka esenza kakuhle. Ngokuva ngoMalik phofu. Umntana kaSylvesta, umavetana
ebeyinkwenkwe endala.

Bekusithiwani kanenen ngesilungu? Speak of the devil. Uthe gqi ngesinjani ukuphakama isihlangu.
Ebezimince wayintombi sana. Ebelandelwa lixhego lomlungu emveni kwakhe.

Nokulunga: Where's my child?

Simba: Hello Nokulunga. Siyaphila enkosi akukho nto unjani wena?

Nokulunga: I'm fine. Nomtha.

Nomtha: Nokulunga.

Nokulunga: Where's my child?

Umolathele uSimba. Indoda yakhe ibichophele kude nathi icofa iphone yayo.

Uyongena.

Nomtha: Inoba iyavuka?

Uqale wandifingela intshiya ebhidekile ndambona sesineka.

Simba: Hayi! Hayi! Sundidika!

Nomtha: Hahahaha!

UNokulunga ebequmbile ke ukuba uMalkia efuna ukuphumela kubhuti wakhe kodwa akakhange
athandise yena. Ukhwele kobhuti bakhe ke, bezokuya straight endlini. Thina besizokuqale siyolanda
abantwana.

Nomtha: Niphele Malik!

813
Malik: Sizogqitha ngoSiyasanda. Uzopheka.

Simba: Awunazo nentloni!

Uyihleke nje bangena emotweni.

Nura: Tata!

Simba: Yebo!

Nura: Ndinga founela uJunior aze naye?

Simba: Andingo tamkhulu wenu makwedini. Anizukugcwala kwam.

Nura: Hahaha!

Simba: Tyhini!

Simnkile kubo.

Nomtha: Uzohlala ungutata kuNura.

Simba: Akayiqheli tu into kabhuti. Nam andiyi mindeli into yokuba andibize ngotata. Makenze into a
comfortable kuyo umntana.

Nomtha: Ndivumelana nawe.

Siyolanda abantwana ke kwabhuti. Asihlelanga.

Simba: Baphaya kwam bonke ngoku. ULinokhanyo ebethe bapheke. Kuzolandwa noSiyasanda nooNuri!

Mluleki: Ndinga founeli noMkhuseli noBukhosi nokosikazi wakhe noboy? Siyotyeni idinara sonke
njengoba sesidibene nje?

Simba: Kwam?

Uyihlekile ubhuti.

Mluleki: Seniphayana njena. Sawulandela ngoku noUlatho nabantwana. Andithi sthandwa sam!?

Ulatho: Ewe baby!

Unikine intloko yakhe uSimba.

Simba: Bafounele. Baze nebeer ke!

Mluleki: Sure!

Sifike iyilongxolo endlini, kuhlekwa kuncokolwa kuyilonto. Ndincedise uSiyasanda sapheka. Kufike
uUlatho wasincedisa naye. Kungekudala kwafika uMkhuseli ehamba nomnye ubhuti kwagqibela
ooBukhosi.

Ulatho: Ye Linokhanyo awucingi ukuba ubhuti yimoffie?

Nomtha: Omphi ubhuti?

814
Ulatho: Ucinga omphi wena xa ndithetha ngobu moffie?

Nomtha: Kuba engatshatanga, uMkhuseli.

Ulatho: Ewe!

Nomtha: Ubuziswa kuba ehamba nalamfana?

Ulatho: Nokungalasti kwakhe.

Nomtha: Yilonto kanye. Kukunga lasti, andiqondi yimoffie mna and lamfana utshatile.

Mkhuseli: Andiyo moffie mna.

Yhu! Sibhubhele kulandawo besikuyo noUlatho. Kungathi sithi mhlaba siginye. Yhini bawo. Uyokuhlala
phantsi esishiya sisifa zintloni.

Siyasanda: Andisa kungqinibi sisi!

Nomtha: Yhuuuuuu ninani!

Ulatho: Andisena ntloni. Uzondixela kuMluleki.

Nomtha: Into ozoyiphoxwa!

Ulatho: Yhu!

Sigqibile ukupheka sayohlaleni etafileni sisitya. Abantwana bebehleli bodwa ke kukwenye nje
indimanga. Bekumnandi kulatafile siphelile yintsini. Aba kaloku ngesigqezu. Bebehlinzana qho xa kukho
abantu bokuba mamela.

Senzele umama uSkype engasakhali akusibona sisonke. Bekushota yena nje kuphela. Bekungekho nto
ibimonwabisa njengo kubona abantwana bakhe bevana kwakhona. Bebumbene. Kuba ibiyindlela
ebebakhulise ngayo njengoba bebexabana ngobudala nje. Kuyo yonke lonto ndifunde ukuba umntu
akalahlwa. Awukho umgqomo womntu. Izinto ziyalungiswa. Ukuba uzokuthi xa usoniwa ulahlele phaya,
ungathethi ngezinto uyawuqabuka uwedwa. Kuba singabantu siyona. Yinto esiyenzayo. Siyafunda
kwimpazamo zethu sikhule kuzo.

Abantwana bethu bebefanelwe bobubudlelwane. Bangakhuli bezondana ngenxa yethu kuba lento
igenerational. Impi zethu zithathwa ngabantwana bethu.

My cup was full. Bendonwabile. Nanjengoko ebetshilo uSimba Shakespeare ngokuthi

'Uthando ayilothando olukrweqa nokuguquka kwemeko.'

Besi bubungqina boko. Kuba inkqwithela zibekhona. Imeko zaguquka kodwa uthando lona alukhange
lukrweqe. Emisindweni bekukho ububele.

Ukuncama kungekho ntu. Ingekho ingqondo yokuba 'siyeke' xa sinengxaki.

Simba: Uright baby wathula?

Nomtha: Ndicinga imali zam endazishiyelwa ngutata wam.

815
Simba: Hehehe! Kuzofuneka ndijonge ukuba ikhule kangakanani. Iletter yona wawude wayigqibezela?

Nomtha: Ndayitshisa.

Simba: Hayibo! Ngoba?

Ndinyuse amagxa.

Nomtha: Nje. Ndiright ngaloSamora bendimazi mna. Lo undikhulisileyo endikhulisa ngothando. Ndifuna
inku.bulo zam ngaye ibe zezi ndinazo. Enye into andiyamnkeli.

Simba: Bendinga yivisisi kuqala kodwa ndiyavuya ukuba uthiye uSammy ngotata wakho. It's an
honourable thing to do. USamora wayeyindoda emadodeni. Eyakhulisa unkosikazi wam ngothando
akhulisa ngalo abantwana bakhe nathanda ngalo mna. Ndizohlala ndombulela.

Nomtha: Ndiyakuthanda.

Simba: Kungcono undibonise ngokuhlwa ukuba undithanda kangakanani.

Nomtha: Ngoba andikubonisanga ngokwaneleyo eMpumalanga?

Simba: Ndiyawathanda amathando akho ingxaki. Andoneli.

Nomtha: Xa uyibeka kanjalo. Ndinemincili kengoku ingathi uDecember akabethi sizokuyohlala ekhayeni.
Ndifuna ukumbona loSimba ungumfarma.

Simba: Baby mna ndingu Jack of all trades. Uzobona wena, we'll have a beautiful life.

Nomtha: Andiyithandabuzi lonto. Noba kuphi na xa ndinawe

Simba: That is a nice thing to say baby.

Ndimncumele.

Mluleki: Nitsho kaloku xa nonele sithi. Xa ingathi nizophuzana ngoku nihleli nabantu.

Siyihlekile.

Bukhosi: Abolekelisanga?

Sitsho kunye noSimba. 'Rhaaaaa!'

Bephelile yintsini.

Malik: Kungafuneka bandibulale!

Siyihlekile.

THE END.

816