Nomv

elo
PROLOGUE
Theai rwassuf focat
ingev ent houghev eryone
i
nt her oom hadt hesamepr oblem asme.If el
t
l
ikemycl othesdidn'
thidemynakedness
enough, apar tofmybr ai
nconv incedmet hat
theycoul dseemyshameunder neathwhatI
waswear ing.Whenmyt urnf i
nallycame, all
eyeswer eonmeHel ldare!Idon' tevenknow
whyt heyhol dthesemeet ingsIf indthem
uselesst heyhelpnoone.
Ididn'twantt ostandupbutIwasf orcedt oo
afterallit
'stradi
ti
on,whent henextper sonis
donet alki
ngt henextper sonhast ost andup
andsaysomet hi
ngt oo.Theweaknessi nmy
soul draggeddownmyphy sicalbei
ngf rom
standingupbutIhadt oo,Ihadt ofi
ndt he
strengthtof aceallt
hesepeopl eandshar emy
shame.Atl easttheydon'tknowmeorel sethi
s
could'vebeenmor ediffi
cult.Itwasver yquiet
onlyt
hei
reyesr ai
sedalotofquesti
onswit
hout
thei
rmouthsevenutteri
ngawor d,
Ialsof
eltl
i
ke
Iwasbei
ngj udgedbeforeIev
engotachance
totel
lmystory.
.
Me:
Mynamei
s..Mynamei
sNomv
elo
Af
ewmi
nut
espassedandt
heysai
dnot
hing.
Iwould'v
ebeenmor ecomfort
abl
ewithabi
tof
encouragementsomethi
ngli
ke"Hel
loMvel
o"
i
sn'tt
hatwhattheysupposedtosay
?Orthe
mov i
esexaggerat
edasalways?
Me:
Iam.
.
Ilookedatmyhandst
rembl
i
ng,
thi
swashar
d
forme..
Senzeni
:Takey
ourt
imeSi
si
Sheistheonewhor unsthesemeeti
ngs.From
herFacebookpageherfoll
owersseemedt obe
happywithher
,shewasl i
keMosesl eadi
ng
them t
othepromisedlandorMotherTheresa
gi
v i
ngthem innerpeace.Itookadeepbr eath
andmyey eswonderedar ound,Isawhim
standi
ngatt hedoor.Hehadhi sar msfolded
andwasl eaningagainstthedoorframelooking
atme.Howdi dheknowIwasher e?Whyi she
here?Isheher et
omakemef eelmor e
ashamed?I sheheret ojudgeme?Iam al ready
downIdon' tneedhim putti
ngmemor eand
mor edown
Senzeni:
Takeanot
herdeepbreat
handrel
axwe
areherefory
ou,we'
renotgoi
nganywhere
Shecoul
d'
vemadeagoodpsy
chol
ogi
st.
.
IdidasIwastol
d,It
ookanotherdeepbreat
h
butitdi
dn'
tmakethesi
tuat
ionanybett
er.
Inst
ead,i
tmadememor eparanoid.
.
Me:
Mynamei
s..Iam.
.I.
.Am Nomv
..
Didn'
tIsayt
hatalr
eady?Idon'tt
hinkIwannabe
hereanymorei
fIsayanotherwordI'm goi
ngto
dropdeadanddieri
ghthereinfr
ontofev er
yone.
It
'sgoingt obetheendofme. .Alotwasgoing
throughmymi ndbutthebestthi
ngtodor i
ght
nowwast owalkout,
walkawayf r
om thi
s
suffocati
ngsituati
onandsavemy sel
fthe
embar rassment..
Ididn'tev
enapol ogi
zenorl ookedatanyoneI
walkedoutoft herefastert
hanIcoul dl
etmy
breathout.Final
ly!Abreathoffreshair
,Icoul
d
feelthebreezeagainstmyski nthat'
sallt
hatI
neededabr eathoff r
eshair..
Hi
m:Nomv
elo!
Istopped,hisvoicecar ri
edsoomuchaut hori
ty.
Iwasst ruggl
ingtobr eath,hi
spr esencehas
alwaysbeenunset tl
ing.It ur
nedar oundand
l
ookedathi m, hemadehi swayt ome.St op
ri
ghtthere!Don'tgettoocl ose,it
'salmostasi f
l
ikehehear dme.Hest oppedabi tfarfrom me
withhishandsbur i
eddeepi nsidehi spocketsa
habitofhis,Helookeddi ffer
entwi thouthis
cler
icalcoll
ar.Ihadal otburiedinside,ther
e'sa
l
otIwannasaybutbest
eadyVel
oaf
teral
lhei
s
t
hesancti
fi
edone.
.
Hedidn'
tsayany
thi
nghi
slookdi
dmor
eoft
he
t
alki
ngthanhisl
i
ps.
.
Me:
It'
sver
yhar
d..I
thasbeenhar
d
Hewast orturingmewi thhi
ssi l
ence, atleast
saysomet hingdammi t!Tel
lmet hatmypai nis
anexcusef ormyunhol ydeeds.Hei spr obably
waiti
ngtot ellmet hatI
'm goingtohel lain'tthat
whattheyt el lpeopleatchurch?Ain'tthatwhat
theypreach?Ai n'
tthatwhatt heytel
l sinner s
andthebr oken, i
nsteadofcomf orti
ngt hem?
Theytellthem t hatthelakeoff i
reisawai ti
ng
them weret heygoingtospendal leter nity.
.
Me:
Iknowt
hatI
'
m goi
ngt
ohel
l
Ishr
uggedmyshoul
der
sindef
eat
..
Me:IknowthatI
'm notwor
thyt
obei
nyour
pr
esenceri
ghtnow
Hemighthav
eal ottosaybutt
hehumaninhim
pr
obabl
ydoesn'tall
owhimtoo,sohedoeshav
e
ahumanheartafteral
l
?
Me:
Youknowwhat
?Justst
ayawayf
rom me
Itur
nedandwalkedawaywhil
eunzippingmy
bag,Ibur
iedmyhanddeepi
nsidetryi
ngt ofind
mycarkey si
nthatpi
l
eofunnecessarythings.
Hi
m:I
'
m humant
oo
Didhehavetospeak?Coul
dn'
thekeepquiet
andletmeleavei
npeace?Idi
dn'twannafeel
thegroundtr
embli
ngundermyfeetatthe
soundofhisvoi
ce.
.
Hi
m:Younottheonlyonewhol osthi
m,Ilost
hi
mtoo.Hav
ey outhoughtabouthowIfeel?
Iwant edtotrusthi
sstatementbutitwas
diff
icult
,Imeanhenev ershedatearnor
showedanyemot i
onallhedidwast oprayand
readhi sbi
ble.Myey esstart
edburning,
my
l
owerl iptr
embl edandmyv i
sionbecameblurr
y..
Me:
Thent
ell
him.
.
Icl
ear
edmythroatsot
hathecoul
dhearme
l
oudandcl
ear.
.
Me:
Yout
ell
yourGodt
obr
inghi
m back
Hi
m:Vel
o..
Me:Unti
lthen.
.Stayawayfrom me!Youcoul
d
heal
anyonebuty oufai
l
edtohealhim!.
.St
ay
awayfr
om me, befor
eItakeyoutohell
withme!
Iwi
pedmyt
ear
sasIwal
kedawayf
rom hi
m.
.
.
MYNAMEI
SNOMVELOANDTHI
SISOUR
STORY
01
NOMVELO
AFEW YEARSEARLI
ER
Nomsa:
Howaboutt
hisone?
Il
ookedatt
hepai
rofski
nnyj
eanst
hatshewas
hol
dingandtheyweretoobasi
cforme,total
ly
notmystyl
e.Notsomet hi
ngIwouldweareven
onanormalboringdayathome..
Me:
No
Shewentf
oranot
herone.
.
Nomsa:
Wel
l
..Whataboutt
hisone?
Iroll
edmyeyesbecauseshewasst
art
ingt
o
i
rrit
atemenow,Idon'
tevenknowwhyshewas
here.
Nomsa:
Theyni
cecl
othesj
ustabi
tpr
icy
Me:It'
snotli
key outheonepayi
ngforthe
cl
othesthatI
'm goingtogetsoIdon'
tknow
whyy oucomplaini
ng
Shel
etgooft
hej
eans.
.
Nomsa: Yazi
Vel
oI'
mr eal
lyt
ryi
ngher
e,thi
swas
supposedtobeourqual
it
yti
mespenttogether
Me:Itwoul
dbeaqual
it
yti
meifyouwer
e
act
uall
ymyMother
!Younothi
ngtomeother
t
hanmyUncl
esWi
fe!
Therewasalongpausebet
weent
hebot
hofus
aft
ermystat
ement..
Nomsa:Ithi
nkIshoul
dgoandwai
tint
hecar
,
Youwil
lcomewheny oudone.
.
Me:
Final
l
yshegi
vesmeabr
eat
her
!!
!!
(
Sil
ence)
Nomsa:
YouknowVel
ooneda.
..
Me:
Ithoughtt
haty
ouwer
eleav
ing
Astat
eofdisappoint
mentov
erwhel
medher,
shewalkedawayleavi
ngmetocont
inuewi
th
myshoppingpeaceful
ly
..
Readi
ngthatporti
onofmyst or
ymi ghtalready
gi
veyouasl i
ghtpict
ureofthepersont hatIam,
Youwouldbeexact l
ythatpersontooi fyou
werei
nmyshoes.Bei ngt r
eatedasi fl
ikethe
worl
drevolv
esaroundy ou,youtendt ohav e
l
essregardofthepeoplearoundy outhosewho
arebel
owy ourstandar
ds.Letmet
ell
youabi
t
aboutmyselfandmyf amil
y..
Idon' treallyhav eacl earmemor yofmypar ents,
Ionl yknowwhatmyMat ernal Uncleand
Gr andmot hert oldme.Iwast ol dthatIcame
from av erywar m homeandIwasbor nto
l
ov i
ngPar ents, untilanunf or tunateev entfel
lon
uswhenIwasj ust4y earsol d.MyPar ents
wer en'trichbutt heywer econt entwi thwhat
theyhad, Mom wasamanageratAcker mans
andDadwasagr oundsmanwor ki
ngatour
l
ocal hospi tal.Theyoccupi eda4r oom house
thatmyFat herinher itedfrom hi sPar entsast he
onl ychildwhent heydi ed,MyMot herbecame
thewomanoft hehouseaf termyf atherhad
pai dLobol af orher .Lifewasn' tperfectbutit
wasbeaut iful soIhear d,untilmyFat herstart
ed
gambl i
ngf orwhat everr eason.Thel itt
lethathe
wonencour agedhi mt ogobackmor eandmor e
unt i
lhebecameaddi cted..
Hiswhol epaywoul dgot ogambl i
ngandata
certainpointhel ostev er ythingt here, t
hathe
startedselli
ngourf urnitureandwentasf aras
abusi ngmyMot herf i
nanci allyast ogetdi met o
feedof fhisaddi ction.MyMot herst ay edf ora
whi l
ehopi ngthathewoul dchangebuthej ust
sankdeeperanddeeperunt il hebecamev ery
stressedt hathebecameanal coholic, t
hen
that'
swhenev erythingwentl ef t
.Whenmy
Mot hert hr
eatenedt ol eav ebecauseshehad. .
hadenoughmyFat herdi dt heunt hinkabl e.That
nightwhenwewer esupposedt ol eav ehe
butcher edhert odeat hwi thanAxeandt hen
fl
edt hescene, l
eav inghert her eont hef loor
l
y i
ngi nherpool ofbl ood.MyUncl et oldmet hat
noonesuspect edanyf oul behav i
orseei ngt hat
wewer eanal mostper fectf ami lyunt ilday s
passedandnei ghbour sdi dn' tseeanyact ivi
ty
from ourhouset hent heydeci dedt oinv est i
gate
whatwashappeni ng.Whent heycamet ocheck
theyf oundmesi ttingnextt omyMot her's
l
ifelessbody ,
theysaidIwasseverel
y
tr
aumat i
zedthatIneededpsychi
atri
c
i
nt ervent
ion.Thestat
ethatmyMom wasi
n
cannotev enbeputt owords.
.
Afteraf ewmont hsofwhathappenedmyuncl e
adopt edmesi ncehecoul dn'thav echil
dr enof
hisown, heof t
ensai dt hathehadpr oblems
withhi sr epr oduct ivesy stem andonl yleaves
themat tert her ewi thoutexpl ainingfurtheron
whatcausedi t
.MyGr andmot herwoul dof t
en
sayt hatIbecamehi sl uckychar m because
afterhehadadopt edmesuccessr emember ed
him.Todayheownsmor et han30t axis,hehas
twobut cher ies, sharesatsomecompanyand
sti
llvent uringi nexpandi nghi sbusinesses.He
i
sav erysuccessf ulindi vi
dual.Ithoughtt hatas
ti
mewentonhewoul dadoptbuthedi dn't,
he
oncehi nt edt hathewoul df ai
l t
ol oveachi l
d
thathol dsnor elationt ohi m what soever
thereforeIr emai ntheonl ychild.MyUncl ewas
marri
edbeforebutdivorcedwhenhi sfi
rstwif
e
andIweren'
tseeingeyet oeye,t
henwhenIwas
16hemar ri
edagain,hemar ri
edawoman
namedNomsa.Theydon' thavekidsoftheir
ownbutNomsahasaSonandaDaught erfr
om
herprevi
ousrel
ati
onship,theyst
ay i
ngwi t
hher
MotherasmyUncl ewant snothi
ngt odowi t
h
them si
ncetheynothiskids..
_
SBONI
SO
Myphoner
angandi
twasmyMom.
.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
Her
:Ni
so
Me:
Ya?
Her
:Sowukuphi
manj
e?(
Wher
ear
eyounow)
Me:Iam wai
ti
ngatt
hegate,Onl
y5minleftunt
il
t
heyletusi
n.Wenaukuphi
?(Wherear
ey ou)
Her
:Ei
sh.
.Ist
il
lhav
etoat
tendameet
ingy
ama
homecel
l,chur
chcameoutear
lymar
anj
eyi
l
e
meeti
ngezongi
bambezel
a(t
hemeeti
ngi
s
goi
ngtodelayme)
Me:
That
'sbad
Her
:IfIdon'
tmakei
t.
.Sendmyl
ovet
oMa
Me:
Iwi
l
l
Her
:By
e
Me:
Bye
Mynamei sSbonisoKhuzway o,Iam 24y ear
s
ol
d.Icurrentl
yli
vewi thmyMot herandmy
Grandmot her
.Ihaveanol derBr otherSnazo
whoisnev erhome, hechoset heeasywayout
ofli
fethatalwayslandshi mi ntot roublemaking
hi
m notkeenonst ayi
ngi nonepl acef oralong
ti
me.Wenotav eryr i
chfami l
ymyMot herwasa
l
iveinmai dbutshewasf orcedt oqui therjob
whenmyGr andmot her'
sment al i
ll
nessst art
ed,
si
ncetherewasnooneel setocar ef orher.We
havenoot heri
ncomeot herthanmy
Gr andmot her'smont hlypensi onmoney ,we
sur vi
vingont hatsi nceI 'm notwor ki ngitcov er
s
ourgr ocer ymostandel ectr
icity.I'm cur rent ly
doi ngmyl asty eari nt heeducat ionf iel
d,I'm
compl etingmyDi plomai nGr adeRt eaching, at
Ly ceum Col l
ege.Iam usi ngNsf asandIt r avel
ev erydaybyt rain.Isel l weed, cigar ettesanddo
otherf or m oft hingst ogetmoneyf or
transpor t
at ionandot hernecessi ties.Doi ng
teachi ngwasnotmyhi ghestcal lingbutt hen
agai nIneededacar eerf i
eldthatcanpr ov ide
mewi t
haJobaf tergr aduat ion, Ican' taffor dto
stayathomewi thaqual i
fi
cationespeci ally
consi der i
ngt hest at et hatwei n.Unempl oy ment
i
snotr eallyanopt ion.MyBr otherSnazoused
tohel par oundal otbutwehav en' tseennor
hear df rom hi mf oral most5y ear snow.At
homet heydon' tknowt hatIsel lweed, Icome
from aser iousr eligiousbackgr oundmyMom
andGr andmot hert heyl ivefort heLor dand
not hi
ngmor ehear ingt hatIsel lweedwoul dbe
anabomi
nat
ion.
.
Theyf i
nallyopenedt hegat eandl etusi nI
mademywayt ot hepsy chiatr
icwar d.My
Grandmot hercl ai
mst oseet hings, t
hings
beyondhumanunder standingandt hingst hat
aren'
tphy sical.Thel ast" vi
sion"thatshehad
endedupi nasei zureandt hat
'showshewas
admitted.Shecoul d'vest ayedi nanor mal ward
butthingst hatshet al ksaboutar et her eason
whyt heHospi talhasf oundherment al unstabl
e
withpsy choticepi sodes, total
lyunnecessar y.I
knowmyGr andmot herandt houghshel oses
touchwi threalitymor eoftenthananor mal
personwoul d,shei snotament al case..
Ilookedforherev erywhereunt
ilt
heytoldme
thatshe'soutside,baski
ngatthesunwi t
ha
fri
end.IndeedIf oundhersit
ti
ngoutsideoft
he
war dwithafriend,buttheywerekeptunder
stri
ctsupervi
sion..
Me:
Ma.
.
Wecallher"
Ma"becausesherai
sedmeand
Snazowhil
emyMot herwasworki
ngabi
tfar
fr
om home,whenshewasstil
lali
vei
nMaid.
.
Her
:Ni
somyboy
Igreetedthefri
endt oo.Ibroughthernot
hing
butfruit
sandaj uice,businesshasn'
tbeen
boomi nglat
elythat'
sal l
Icouldaffor
dfornow.
Shelookedatherf r
iend.
Her
:Umzukul
uwam'
(Thi
sismyGr
andson)
Fr
iend:
Kunj
ani
mzukul
u?(
howar
eyou
Gr
andson)
Me:
Ngi
yaphi
l
a(Iam wel
l
)
Thef
ri
endgotup.
.
Her
:Letmegoinsi
de.
.Mhl
ambenami
Imi
ght
hav
eav i
sit
or
Shewal
kedi
nsi
deandl
eftust
her
e..
Her
:Kunj
ani
?(Howar
eyou)
Me:
Ishoul
dbeaski
ngy
out
hat
Her:
Byt hegr
aceofGodIam wel
l
..Iam
sur
vivi
ng
Ilookeddown.Iam notr
eli
gious,especial
l
y
afterI'
veseenhowrel
igi
onhasensl avedmy
familytur
ningmyGrandmotherinsane..
Her
:Uphi
uGugu?(
Wher
eisGugu)
Me:Sheissti
l
latChurch,shement
ionedt
hat
t
heydelayedt
hem becauseofahomecell
meeti
ng
Her
:Iunder
stand.
.Shewi
l
lComeTomor
row
Me:
Ibr
oughty
out
hese
Ihandedt
hem t
oher
..
Her
:Thanky
ou.
.Godbl
essy
ou
Shet
ookt
hem.
.
(
Sil
ence)
Her
:Snazohasn'
tmadecont
act
?
Me:It
'sbeenal
most5y
ear
snowMa,
Snazowi
l
l
notmakecontact
Her
:Ungabi
njal
o(don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
)
Me:
Whaty
ouexpectmet
osay
?
Isti
l
ldon'
tunder
standherundyi
nglovef
ormy
Brot
her,
shehasalwaysprayedforhi
m,f
ast
ed
andwhatnotbutSnazokeptongetti
ngwor
se
andworse.
Her:YouknowwhatIhav e?Ihavefait
hand
fai
thisallIneedt obel
ievethatSnazowil
l
changehi sway soneday .
.TheGodIser v
ehas
neverdisappointedme, Iserv
ethesameGod
whowaswi thJosepht hroughoutevenaf
terhis
Brother
shadsol dhim.ThesameGodwho
madehi m Gov ernoraf
terhehadbeenf al
sely
accusedof .
.
Me:Mapl ease.
.Thesethingsyoutal
kaboutar
e
thesamet hi
ngsthatendedy ouupherei
fyou
keepthi
supy ounevercomi nghome!!
Shesmi
l
edandgl
anceddownatt
hef
rui
ts.
.
Her
:Howi
sthepai
nony
ourchest
?
Me:
Howdi
dyouknow?
Her:IcanseetheswordofAngerpl
ungedi
n
yourchest,
youbleedi
ngi
nter
nall
ythat
'
swhyat
nightyoual
wayswokenupbyt hesamepai
nin
yourchest
Il
ookedather
..
Me:
Gugut
oldy
ouaboutt
hatr
ight
?
Her
:Noonet
oldmeNi
soIcansee.
.
Me:
May
beIshoul
dgo
Her:
Youhavealwaysbeenst
ubbor
nIguess
youtaket
hatf
rom y
ourMother
MyMot herhasneverbeenopenaboutmy
Father
,whenIaskhershelosesit!Judgi
ng
fr
om howSnazoandIl ook"Mixedrace"t
here'
s
adeepertrut
hthatmyMot herandmy
Grandmotherar
en'tt
ell
ingus.
.
Ist
oodup.
.
Me:
ByeMa
Her:
Gowel
lSon,mayyoualway
sbeunder
God'
sgr
aceandprot
ect
ion
Ishookmyheadandwal
kedout
..
.
Tobecont
inued
02
NOMVELO
Fashi onhasal waysbeenadi verseandpopul ar
style.Ittr
endsi ntheli
nesofcl othing,f
oot wear,
l
ifesty l
e,accessories,
makeup, andhairstyles
j
ustt onameaf ew.Ihav ealway stakenan
i
nt erestinthedesignpar tofit
, cl
othest hatI
wearmostoft hem Ihav edesignedmy selfand
mymai ngoal i
stobeav erywel lr
ecogni zed
fashiondesi gnerforhighprofi
leandr i
ch
i
ndi vidualsglobal
ly.Iwishnott obebased
overseasIwannaat tai
nmysuccesssol elyin
Afri
ca, Ithinkt hest atesal readyhav e
successf ul Fashi ondesi gner sal r
eady .Thel i
kes
ofMi chael Kor s, Huber tdeGi venchy ,Alexander
McQueen, Ral phLaur enandawhol elotmor e.I
am cur rentlydoi ngmyf i
rsty earinFashi on
designatOakf ieldsCol lege, Iam st udyingat
theCampusi nPr etoriasincewenowr esideat
Pret
or i
awest .Weusedt oliveatJohannesbur g
butmov edf orsaf etyreasons, therewasoncea
taxigunv i
olenceandmyUncl ebei ngt hemost
domi natingt axi ownerourl iveswer eindanger ,
sowehadt omov e.ReasonwhyIwasdel ayed,I
wassupposedt ohav est artedt ert
iarywhenI
was19y earsol dnowI '
m 21. .
IchoseOakf i
eldscol l
egebecauseatt heendof
eachyearasaf ashionstudent
, youwi ll
showcasey ourgar mentsinaf ashionshow
heldi
nthepr esenceofi ndustr
ypr ofessional
s
andpeers.Youwi l
ldesignandmakev ari
ous
garment sincludingskirt
s, dr
esses, shi rt
s, pants,
eveningwearandweddi ngdr esses.Pr ovidedi f
yourfinal r
esultsandsket chesar eimpr essive.
MyUncl ehasl itt
lehopeonmychoi ceofcar eer,
tohim Ishoul d'vebeenaDr ,Nur se,youknow
thosepr ofessions.Iwantt opr ov etohi mt hatI
am act uall
ydoi ngsomet hingthathashopeand
success.Iwantt oshowhi mt hathismoney
won'tgoi nv ai
n.Thecour seisonl yf ortwo
yearsandI 'm comf ort
ablewi tht hat,assoonas
Igetmycer ti
ficateIwannawor katabout ique
gainmor eexper i
enceandexposur ebef ore
start
ingmyowncompany ..
Thismor ni
ngIwasl ate,
Iwas30minlateformy
mor ni
ngclass.Iwil
lhavetoski
pit
,becauseby
thetimeIgettheretheywil
lbeout
.Ithrewmy
bagont hechair,
Nomsawasst andingatthe
stovecookingoats.Shetur
nedandlookedat
Me..
Her
:Goodmor
ning
Me:
Mor
ning
Her
:Kunj
ani
?(howar
eyou)
Me:
I'
m wel
lbutv
eryl
ate
Her
:Yay
ouv
eryl
atebyt
hist
imey
oual
ready
ou.
.
Me:
Tel
lmesomet
hingIdon'
tknowNomsa
Her:Vel
oy ou21y ear
sold,
whendoy outhi
nk
youwill
everletgoofthi
sdisr
espectt
hatyou
haveforyourelder
s?
Irol
l
edmyey esasthekit
chendooropened,my
Uncleandhi
slapdogDangerwalkedin.Danger
hasbeenmyUncle'
srighthandmanforaslong
asIcanremember,heisnotamanofmany
wordstoo.
.
Uncl
e:Mor
ning.
.Mor
ning
Theycal
lmyUncl
eJ.
J,hi
sful
lnamei
s
Jameson.
.
Nomsa:
Mor
ning
Me:
Mor
ningIhav
etobeonmyway
..I
'
mlat
e
It
ookmybag.
.
Iwalkedt
othedoorki
ssi
ngmyUncl
eont
he
cheekbef
orewal
kingout
..
Hi
m:Enj
oyy
ourdayDodo.
.
Me:
Yout
oo
Imademywayouttomycar
,Idr
iveaChevr
olet
spar
k.Myuncl
eboughtmet
hecarlasty
ear
..
_
SNAZO
Itwasr efr
eshingtobreathfreshair
,tohav ethe
sunf ull
yshineri
ghtonmyf ace.Hearthesound
ofcar sthoughtheywereabi tfaraway, hear
ing
thegat esclosebehindmeknowi ngthatt hey
notclosingmei nsi
de.Ilookedupandt hen
closedmyey estr
yingtofeel t
hebeautyofmy
freedom. .
"
Angi
bey
imanoft
hemat
chandhol
dthebi
gger
cheque,
phand'i
vi
kaS'
krapesi
l
'faseZ'
hl
ala
zi
shaEntlek"
Ilookedathi
m, hewasleaningagainsttheCi
ti
golf,pl
ayi
ngthesongabitloud.Imademyway
tohim andweexchangedgr eet
ingsthroughour
Gangsterhandshake.
.
Him:Bebathi
niNj
ay am'?Bebacabangaukut
hi
angekeuphume,ubalay
ilemzawam' (What
weretheysayi
ng?Theythoughtyouwouldn'
t
getout)
Me: "
Bebang'robhamangithing'
checkai
Score
l
ine(theyframedme)Bang' sabot
ager
batheng'
urefereebuti
t'
salri
ght(t
heysabot
aged
mycasebybuy i
ngajudge)"
Hej
oinedi
n..
Him: Kanti
abaziukuthisi
namal i
nes(t
heydi
dn'
t
knowwehadal l
iances)ak'
phakam'i
fl
agba
off
side(let
'sr
aisetheflagtheynowoffsi
de)
West
art
eddanci
ng.
..
Him:"Khul
ulekai
T.Sishay
'eny
eiSubsti
tut
e,
i
fakelent
wanaedlalangamaaneatti
tude"
Me:"Idl
'i
ngomangesli
dingt
acklebesekhal
a
abo-ahhchuu,
Baphumangestretchegame-
ini
masekukhalai
bhat
hu"
Wel aughedanddi dthehandshakeagai nthen
wegoti nthecar .Af ewy earsagowewer e
deali
ngwi thgold, wehadsomeonewhohel da
highposit
ionatt hemi newhohel pedust oget
accesstot hegold.Wasn' teasysi ncesecur i
ty
wast i
ghtbutweal waysmadeawayunt ilthe
bastardwascaughtandhef ramedme, Iwas
meantt odomor et han5y earsbutsomehowI
got5y ears.Servingmysent encewast he
hardestontopoft hatIcouldn'tl
i
vewi t
ht hef act
thatIhaddi sappointedmyf amil
y..
Me:
umt
hol
i
le?(
didy
ouf
indhi
m)
Heshookhi
shead.
.
Shi
nehasal
way
sbeenmyboy
,hehasbeen
tr
uetomei
nev
erypossi
blewaysi
ncef
rom day
one.
.
Hi
m:Si
zoythol
alebhariungaphel
iumoy
abozza
(
wewil
lgetthatf
ool,don'tgi
veupnow)
Noonechoosest owakeupandbeat hug,
beingaper sonwhonev ercompl etedhigh
school andcomingfrom af i
nancial
disadvantagedbackgroundIhadt odowhat
wasnecessar ytoprovidef ormyf amily.Though
myGr andmot herneveraccept edmymoney
sayingit'
snotcleanbutmyMot herandMy
Brotherwer ef
orcedtoo. .
Me:
Inj
ani
iNt
wanay
am'
?(howi
smyBr
other
)
Shine:
Ley aki
niuyay
aziJoe,uncwadi
l
e(y
ou
knowy ourBrot
herheisverysmart
)
Me:
Sohemadedi
ff
erentchoi
cest
hanIdi
d?
Shine:
Uyenzal
ezi
ntozakhonazamadi
ploma
(heisdoi
ngadipl
oma)
Me:
That
'smyboy
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
..
Hi
m:Mar
a..(
but
)
Me:
Ismoko?(
what
'st
hepr
obl
em)
Hi
m:uphushai
Smokol
o(hei
ssel
l
ingweed)
Il
ookedathi
m..
Me:
Awuy
ikhi
phel
eesi
dini
(pul
lov
er)
Hi
m:Sur
e
Hepul
l
edov
er.
.
Igotoutandmademywayt ohisside,
Iopened
thedoorandpulledhi
m out
.Ipunchedhim
twiceandthenhepushedme..Hespatblood
ont hegr
ound..
Hi
m:andt
hennou?
Me: I
ntwanayam'izei
phushei
Smokol
owena
bowukuphi?(wherewereyout
hatmyBrot
her
resul
tedint
osell
ingweed)
Iki
ckedhi
m onhi
scr
otch.
.
Hi
m:Ahhhhhhhhhh(
Scr
eami
ng)
Ispatont
hegr
oundandputmyhoodyhatov
er
mycap..
Me:
Nx!
!Ngi
zoy
'r
eva!(
I'
ll
dri
ve)
Ipushedhi
m andt
hengoti
nthedr
iver
'sseat
..
_
SBONI
SO
Me:
Ta(
thanks)
Ther e'saf ewstudent sandotherguy swhobuy
myweedear l
yinthemor ningatthet r
ai n
stat i
on.Thet rai
nisusual l
yhereat06: 45,Today
i
tdel ayeditwas07: 00am alr
eady.Iam f rom a
ver ypopul art
ownshi pcall
edTsakane, Itr
avel
ev erydayt oschoolbyt r
ain.Mycollegei sat
Pr etoria(Lecyum coll
ege).Iusual
lytaket he
traini nthemor ni
ngt henIcomebackwi tha
taxi..
Ihavealr
eadymadeR150t hismor ning,atleast
I'
l
lbeabletogettoschool andcomeback, I'
l
l
evenhavechanget obuymy selfl
unch.Thet rai
n
fi
nall
yarri
vedandwemadeourwayi n,IhadMy
Nikeybackpack,itwasfakei fyouwonder ing.
Aswet ookoffthecopsinvadedt het r
ainmy
heartst
opped,Ihavealotofweedi nmyback
packthatcangetmei nt
oser i
oustrouble,Ikept
mycomposur eandoneoft hem stoodr i
ght
i
nfrontofme.Ilookedupathi m..
Hi
m:Uy
aemsebenzi
ni?(
arey
ougoi
ngt
owor
k)
Ishookmyheadno.
.
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
oschool
Helookedatmef
orawhi
l
eandt
henwal
ked
away.
.
Iwasabl
etobr
eat
haf
tert
hat
,thatwasv
ery
cl
ose.
.
.
Tobecont
inued
RI
PLI
NDA"
PROKI
D"MKHI
ZE
03
NOMVELO
Ithi
nkt hewor d"Late"shoul dbemymi ddle
name, Ihadmi ssedmyf irstclassandnowI
was10mi nlateformysecondone.Idi dn't
expecttocomeacr osst raffic,i
treal
lyat eout
theli
ttl
et i
meIhad.Iam notamor ni
ngPer son
andIgetwor sewhenIhaddr anktheni ght
before,lastnightIhadani ghtoutwithmygi r
ls
hadaf ewcockt ail
sandcamebackhomepr etty
muchl at e.Thet hi
ngsisIdon' tgettoseemy
highschool gir
lsthatmuchsi nceImov edfrom
Johannesbur gsowhenev erwepl antomeetup
Ihavetot agalongbecauseonl yheav enknows
whenwegonnaseeeachot heragain.Iwal ked
i
nandev eryonewaswal kingar ound,itwas
mor eli
keanantmodegoi ngon.Idon' tblame
them seeingthatit'
sgoingtobethebi ggest
weekf orus,wehav eahuget askawai ti
ngus.
Thisistheturningpointofourcourse,thi
sis
whatwecameher efor.3monthsoft heoryand
nowi t'
sjustsketchesanddesign,sketchesand
design..
MsWr i
ght:
Wel
l
..Wel
l
..Lookwhatt
hecat
dr
aggedin?
Shemadeherwaytome, i
nthosedeni
m shor
ts
andkneehi
ghheelboot
s.Shefol
dedherarms
andl
ookedatme..
Me:
I'
m sor
ryMsWr
ight
Her:
Younothol
dingmebackI'
m unaf
fect
ed,
youhol
dingy
oubackandyourt
eam back!
Il
ookedar
oundagai
n..
Her
:Theyonst
ati
on8
Imademywayt
othem.
.
Me:
Guy
sI'
mreal
l
ysor
ry
ToriandAmandl ahav ebeenmycl i
quesince
fr
om dayone, theycurrent
lytheonlyfri
endsI
havear oundhereandImeant hatnotonlyat
schoolbutingeneral.Tori
isourwhi tegay
fr
iend,heisveryjol
ly
, f
un,freespiri
tedbuthe
canstingifyourubhim offthewr ongway .
Power
:Yourapol
ogywon'
thel
pusmuch
Amandl
a'
snicknameis"
Power
"don'
tknowhow
i
tcameaboutbutIl
i
keit
..
Tor
i:Wit
hthesebum asscoloursImightaswell
cl
eantoi
let
satafastfoodrestaur
antforali
vi
ng
Me:
Whatdowehav
e?
Power
:Lookf
ory
our
sel
f
Me:
Brown.
.Bl
ack.
.Tur
quoi
seBl
ue
MsW: li
stenupDesi gner
s!!Younowhav eyour
mater
ialstar
tsketching,
startshar
ingideas.
Remembery oucreatinganout f
itf
orsummer ,
makeallthosecol
our spop!Quiteeasyright
?
MsWr ighti
sBri
ti
sh,shewasmar r
iedtoav er
y
ri
chSouthAfri
canguybuttheydi
vorcedlast
yearandshepocket
edal otf
rom t
hedivorce
becauseshehasaclothi
ngstor
e..
Power
:Thi
sdoesnotspel
lout"
Summer
"
Tor
i:Bi
atchwemi ghtaswel
ldesi
gnacut
e
out
fi
tforafuner
al
Me:Bi
atchescomeon!Wecandot
hishey
!We
canmakethiswor
k
Tor
i:Bl
acki
nsummerismadhot
,wenot
pl
ani
ngaheatst
rokedeat
hnowarewe?
Power
:Nextt
imeIam goi
ngwi
thadi
ff
erent
cr
ewyall
aret
rippi
ng!
Tor
i:Shei
stri
ppi
ng!
!Don'
tputmeint
hesame
cat
egorywi
thfai
l
ureandbei
nglat
e
Iknowt hatTor
iandPoweraremadeatmebut
wewi llhav
etomakethi
swor k,t
houghwewere
thelasttogett
hemateri
albecauseIwasl
ate
butwewi
l
lhav
etomaket
hiswor
k..
_
SNAZO
Afterdr oppi ngof fShi neathi scribIdrov etomy
place, hedoesn' tlivef arfrom me.Hel ives4
street sawayf r
om mi ne.Ipar kedt hecarnextt o
myhouseandr emai nedi nsidef orawhi l
e,Iam
notaPer sonwhot akesi nt oomuchwheni t
comest oemot ionsbuther eIwasf i
nding
my sel fveryner vous.Ihav edisappointedmy
Fami l
ymor ethanonce, t
het earsmyMot her
criedt heendl esspr ay ersthatmyGr andmot her
saidf ormeandatt heendIsur pri
sedthem wi th
mor eandmor edi sappoi ntment s.Iletoutasi gh
andt hengotoutoft hecar ,notmuchhas
changed.Ev erythingi sst i
llashowIr emember
i
texceptf oraf ewhousesbei ngr enovated.I
mademywayi nandwentt ot heback,my
out sideroom wasl ocked.Isawabi tofdustat
thedoor step.Iwentt otheki tchendoorand
tookadeepbr
eathasmyhandhel
dthedoor
handl
e,f
earki
ckedi
n..
It
urnedthedoorhandl
eandopenedthedoor,
I
waswelcomedbysomeonehummi ng.Itwas
Gugu..
Icl
osedt
hedoorandst
oodt
her
e..
Her
:Youhomeear
lyt
odayNi
so
Idi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.
.
Sheturnedaroundwi t
hamugi nherhandandi t
sli
ppedassoonasshesawme.Webot hstood
ther
elookingateachot hernotsay
ingany t
hing,
againwhatdoy ousayt osomeonet hatyou
haven'
tseenfor5y ears?
Her
:Sn.
.Snaz
o?
Me:
Yeahi
t'
sMe
Afewsecondspassedwi
thoutany
onesay
inga
word.
.
Her
:Wha.
.Whe.
.It
houghtt
hat
..
Me:
I'
m..I
'
m goodng'
grand
Her:
ubukuphi
sonkel
es'
khat
hi?(
Wher
ewer
e
you)
Me:
Iwas.
.Beng'
seDany
any
a(Iwasi
njai
l
)
Her
:Snazowhyy
ounev
ercal
l
ed?
Me:
Idi
dn'
twantt
owor
ryy
ouguy
s
Her:Youdidn'twantt
oworryus?So
di
sappeari
ngf or5yearswasn'
twor
ri
some?The
sl
eeplessnightswehad?Notknowi
ngukut
hi
kwenzakal
ani ngawe
Me:
HadekeGugu(
Sor
ry)
(
Sil
ence)
Her:Unj
anikodwa?(Howareyouthough)we
hearalotofhor
rorst
ori
esaboutj
ail
Me:
Ngi
shar
p,Imadei
touti
noncepi
ece
Her:
Uzohambaf
uthi
?(Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oleav
e
agai
n)
Me:NoI'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
ethi
sti
me.
.I
pr
omise
Her:Iwasmaki
ngt
eaandbr
ead.
.Woul
dyou
l
ikesome?
Me:
Yabutf
ir
stIwannaseemyr
oom
Her
:I'
l
lgett
hekey
Shemadeherwayt
othebedr
oom.
.
Her
:Wel
comehomeSnazo
_
SBONI
SO
Istoodatthedoorandl ookedather,she
seemedv eryoccupi
edt oday.Shewasf ul
ly
concentr
atingonthatpaperinfrontofher,she
hadcompl etel
yshutoutthewor l
d.Iwalkedin
andclosedt hedoor
,that'
swhenshel ookedup
andsawme.Imademywayt oherdesk..
Me:
Eyy
Her
:Hey
Iwentall
aroundtoherandplacedmyhandson
hershoul
ders,Il
eanedoverandki
ssedheron
herneck.
.
Me:
Howar
eyou?
Her
:I'
m okay
Iki
ssedheragai
nandsuckedherabi
tthi
s
ti
me..
Me:
Youj
ustokay
?
Shenodded.
.
Myot herhandsankl
owertohercl
eavage,I
squeezedherri
ghtbr
eastwhil
esti
l
lsuckingher
onherneck..
Me:
Wannat
akeabr
eak?
Her
:NoIhav
etof
ini
shupher
e
Me:
Youhav
enev
ersai
dNot
ome?
Shekeptqui
et.Ist
oodupst
rai
ghtandt
urned
t
hechai
rsot
hatshecoul
dfaceme.
.
Me:
What
'swr
ong?
Shekeptqui
etbutmyst
arepi
ercedt
hroughher
ski
n..
Her:
Youweresupposedt
ocometomyplace
t
hisweekendandyoudi
dn'
t,
youdi
dn'
tev
encall
Isi
ghed.
.
Me:
Aboutt
hatIwashel
dupwi
thsomet
hing
Her
:Orhel
dupbysomeone?
Conni eisal ecturerforfir
styearstudents,she
wasmyl ecturertoowhenIwasdoi ngmyf i
rst
year.Shei smar ri
edt oasoldierwhoi shardly
aroundandoutofl oneli
nessourrelati
onship
start
ed.Atf i
rstitwasj ustahar mlessstudent
andl ecturerrelati
onship,shewoul dhintona
dail
ybasi st hatI'mv eryhandsomeandf li
rtwit
h
meunt i
l wegav eitatry.I
twassupposedt obe
anost r
ingsat tachedt ypeofthingbutlately
shehasbeencat chingf eel
i
ngs.Icansayi
t'
sa
benefi
cialr
elat
ionship,Shehelpsmeout
fi
nanci
allyandIsatisfyherneedsandtakeher
l
oneli
nessaway ..
Her
:I'
m sor
ryIknowt
hatI
'
m notsupposedt
o
becl
ingy
Me:I
t'
scool
..Ipr
omisedt
hatIwasgoi
ngt
o
comeandIstoodyouup,
I'
m sor
ry
Il
eanedov
erandki
ssedheral
lov
erherf
ace.
.
Me:
I'
mter
ri
blysor
ry
Her
:St
opi
t(Laughi
ng)
Me:
Imeani
t
Shepushedmebackabi
t.
.
Her
:Well
thenmyhusbandwi
l
lbeher
einno
t
imetobri
ngmelunchso.
.
Me:
Iunder
stand
Her
:Hecamebackt
hismor
ning
Me:Dammit!Coul
dn'
thestayi
nwhat
evershi
t
hel
lbusht
heysenthi
mt oo?
Shel
aughed.
.
Her
:Don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
Me:
Standup
Her
:Why
?
Me:
Justst
andup
Shest
oodupandIpushedt
hechai
raway
.
Ipi
ckedherupandpl
acedheront
het
abl
e..
Her
:Babewecan'
t
Ipar
tedherl
egsandgoti
nbet
weent
hem,
I
ki
ssedher.
.
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
obequi
ck
Iki
ssedheragai
nandt
ookof
fherunder
wear
,I
puti
tinmypocket.
.
Me:Washether
ewhenyouwer
eget
ti
ng
dr
essedt
hismorni
ng?
Her
:Hewas
Iunbut
tonedherblouseanduncl
i
pedherbr
a.I
ki
ssedheronelastti
me..
Me:Letmeseehowy ougoingtoexpl
aint
ohi
m
wer
ey ourBr
aandyourunderweari
s
Her
:What
?
Ist
eppedback,
assheputonherbl
ouse.
Her
:Ni
sonopl
ease.
.
Imademywayoutofherof
fi
ce.
.
Her
:Ni
so!
!.
.Ser
iousl
y?
Iputt
hebr
ainmypocket
,theonef
rom my
j
acket
.
.
Tobecont
inued
04
SNAZO
Iwasnowhel pi
ngGuguwi ththedishes,she
waswashi ngIwaswi pi
ngandput tingthem i
n
theirrespect i
veplaces.Itwasgoodt obeback
homeandI '
m gl
adt hatmyMot herwelcomed
mebackwi t
hopenar msnotev eryonecanbe
affordedt hesamecour tesyaf t
ertheyhadbeen
j
ailedf or5y ears,somef ami l
iesfi
ndsuchas
shami ngt hem inthecommuni t
y.Myf amil
yhas
nev erbeenonet ocaremuchaboutwhat
"society"thinksorsayaboutus, Peoplewill
alway sfindsomet hi
ngtot alkabout.I
t'sal
ways
l
iket hat.
.
Gugu:YourBr
otheri
sveryst
ubbor
nakaf
uni
uk'
tshel
wanex(hedoesn'
twannabet
old
anythi
ng)
Me: Seng'
khonamanj
eal
lthati
sgoi
ngt
o
change
Gugu:cuthi
m somesl
ackt
houghhei
sreal
l
y
makingusproud
Me:
Hear
dhe'
sincol
l
ege
Gugu:
Yesi
t'
shi
slasty
ear
..Hei
sdoi
ng
t
eachi
ng
Me:
Ithoughthewant
edt
odoengi
neer
ing
Gugu:Hewant
edt
odosomet
hingt
hatwoul
d
gethi
m aj
ob
Inodded.
.
Gugu:
Arey
ougoi
ngwi
thmet
oseeMa?
Me:
Iwoul
drat
hernot
Gugu:
Youar
eal
lthatshet
alksaboutSnazo
Me:GuguIdon'
twannagiv
eherahear
tat
tack,
whenisshecominghome?
Gugu:
Ithi
nki
nthenext3day
sorso
Me:
Iwi
l
lseehert
hen
Shel
ookedatme.
..
Me:
Yini
?(What
)
Her
:Not
hing
Shedr
ainedthewat erandst
oodatt
hesi
nk
wit
hhereyesclosed..
Me:
uShar
p?
Her:
No.
.Yazi
Ial
way
sgetacr
amponmyl
eft
ankl
e
Ipul
l
edachai
rforher
..
Me:
Sitdownl
etmesee
Shesatdown.
..
Icr
ouchedandr
emov
edhersl
i
pper
..I
twas
swoll
en
Me:
Hav
eyouseenaDrbef
ore?
Her
:Ngay
iphi
imal
i
?(Wi
thwhatmoney
)
Imassagedherabi
tandsomet
hingsnapped.
.
Her
:Awww!
!
Me:
Sor
ry
Il
ethergo.
.
Me:
Aski
es.
.Ur
ight
?
Sheputi
tdown.
.
Her
:That
'sst
rangeIdon'
tfeel
pai
nany
mor
e
Me:
Ser
ious?
Her
:I'
m deadser
ious.
.WowSnazo
Il
it
eral
l
ysawasmalll
i
zardcomingof
ffrom her
ankl
e,i
tcameof
ffr
om thatswol
l
enarea.I
cl
osedmyeyes.
.
Her:
SeriousInolongerf
eelpai
n,youhavea
magictouch,anditl
ooksl
ike.
.Itl
ooksl
iket
he
swel
li
ngi sgoingdown
Theli
zardrushedthr
ought
heki
tchenf
loorand
wentunderthefri
dge.
.
Gugu:
Snazo
Il
ookedather
..
Gugu:
Arey
ouokay
?
Me:
YaI
'
mfi
ne
Igotup.Thi si snott hef ir
stti
me, I
t'ssomething
thatstart
edl asty earinj ail
afterIhadat tended
afewchur chser vices.Iwoul dr andoml ysee
thi
ngst hatot herscan' tseeandt hingsthatI
can'texplain.Ihav en'ttoldany oneabouti t,
I
don'twantany onet hinkingthatI '
m crazy..
Me:
Athingi
shay
eiji
kalaphaeMal
l(l
etmegot
o
t
hemall
)Ineedafewthings
Her
:OkayIwi
l
lseey
ouj
umpas
Me:
Jumpas?Whoar
eyou?
Shel
aughed.
.
Her:
I'
mtryi
ngtolearnyourl
anguagephel
aI
don'
twannabeleftbehi
nd
Me:Car
eful
..Youmightl
ear
ncer
tai
nwor
dst
hat
ar
en'
tmeantforyou
Il
ookedatt
hef
ri
dgethi
nki
ngthatt
hel
i
zar
d
woul
dcomeoutbuti
tdi
dn'
t..
Me:
Sendmyl
ovet
oMa
Her
:Iwi
l
l
Me:
Doy
ouhav
etaxi
far
emoney
?
Her
:Ar
en'
tyousweet
..YesIdohav
e
Me:
Seey
oul
atert
hen
Iki
ssedheronhercheek.
.
Her:
Okaybabybesaf eandst
ayoutoft
roubl
e
youjustgotr
eleased
Me:
YeahIknow
_
NOMVELO
MyDaywasamess, MsWr i
ghtgaveus8/20
foroursket
ch.Wehaddeci dedtogowithblack
short
s,aturquoisebl
uecropt eeandwedidn't
knowwer etofittheBrown.Itwasvery
embarrassi
ngbecausewet heonlyoneswho
gotthelowestmar k,
ToriandPowerwer every
madatmet hattheyav oidedmei nclassuntil
break.Iwassodownt hatIdi
dn'tevenstayfor
myl astclass,atlunchtimeIdrov estr
aightt
o
myboy f
ri
end' splace.Iam dati
ngaguynamed
Jacione,hei sasoccerpl ayerandhe's27y ears
old.Wehav ebeent ogethernowf or6mont hs,
wehadmett hroughamut ualfr
iendatsome
restaur
ant .
Mypr evi
ousr elat i
onshi pdidn'tworkout
becausemyUncl ewasn' thappywi ththeguy
thatIwasdat ing, hedi dn'thaveani mpressive
j
obandmyUncl et oldmet hatifaguycannot
affordmehal foft hethingst hathebuy sme,
thenhei snotwor thmyLov e.Hehasn'tmet
JacioneandI '
m hopi ngt hatwhent het i
me
comes, hewilllikehi m.Hei sorigi
nall
yfrom
Keny abuthisf ami lymov eddownher ewhen
Jacionewasv er yy oung,hecompl etedhi s
pri
mar yandsecondar yeducat ionhere.He
enroll
edatUni v ersitybutdr oppedoutt ofoll
ow
hi
spassi
on,
hel
ovessoccermor
ethanany
thi
ng
Iwasgladtofi
ndhim around,heishar
dlyat
home.Lastweekendhewaspl ay
ingsoIdidn'
t
seehim.Hepickedmeup, Iwrappedmyl egs
aroundhi
swaistandhiswer eundermybut t
makingsuret
hatIdon'tfal
l.
.
Me:
Imi
ssedy
ousomuch
Hi
m:Imi
ssedy
out
oo
Heki
ssedmeandt
henputmedown.
.
Hi
m:It
houghty
ouwoul
dbeatschool
Me:
Youdon'
twannaknow
Hi
spuppi
esr
ant
ohi
mfr
om t
hel
ounge.
..
Me:
Yougotnewpuppi
es?
Hi
m:YaIgott
hem 2weeksback
Me:Theysocut
e..Whol
ooksaf
tert
hem when
younotar
ound?
Hi
m:Mymom does
Me:
Theyv
erycut
e
Hi
m:Atwhatt
imear
eyoul
eav
ing?
Me:
Idon'
tknowmay
beat18:
00
Hi
m:Thenwehav
eti
metocatchupon
ev
ery
thi
ngt
hatwemi
ssedl
astweekend
Hemadehi
swayt
ome.
.
Hi
m:Iguesswedo
Heki
ssedmeandsqueezedmybut
t.
.
_
SBONI
SO
Beforegoi
nghomeImademywayt oConni
e's
off
icetocheckuponher.Unf
ort
unatel
yshe
di
dn'tfi
ndtheunder
wearandbrajokefunny
.
Her:
Thatwasn'tsweet
..Ihadt
omakeupa
st
oryforhi
m nottocome
Isqueezedhercheekal
i
ttl
e..
Me:
Disadv
ant
agesofcheat
ing
Her
:Justgi
vemebackmyt
hings
Shet
ri
edr
eachi
ngf
ormybagbutIst
oppedher
.
Me:
Notsof ast
..What
'
sini
tformeI
fIgi
ve
t
hem back?
Her
:St
oppl
ayi
ng
Me: I
'
m notpl
aying,Ineedcompensat
ionfor
keepi
ngthem doy ouknowhowembar rassi
ngi
t
would'
vebeenifsomeonef oundt
hem inmy
bag?
Shel
aughed.
.
Me:
Don'
tl
aughi
t'
snotf
unny
Her
:Idi
dn'
tsayt
aket
hem
Il
eanedov
erf
oraki
ssandshepushedme
back.
Her
:Notatwor
kit
'st
oor
isky
Me:
That
'swhatmakesi
tfun
Her
:Your
eal
l
youtt
orui
nmyl
i
fear
en'
tyou?
Me: We'l
lbequi
ckthenaf
terI
'
llgi
veyouback
yourthi
ngsandyoucangohomet ohubby
dearesthow'
sthat
?
Her
:Idon'
tknow
Ipul l
edhercl oserandki ssedher ,shedi dn't
resistshef ollowedt hrough.Idr oppedmybag
ont hef loorthenpi ckedherupandpl acedher
ont opofherdeskwhi lestil
l ki
ssi ngher .She
helpedmet or emov eherbl ousemaki ngsur e
thatnobut tonf all
sont hef l
oor .Conni ehasa
goodbodynott oosl i
m andnott hickeither,
thoughshewasgi ftedwheni tcomest oher
breast s.Ikissedherneckandt henwentdown
toherst omach, Iranmyt onguear oundher
bellybut tonandt henIl i
ftedherl egsupt othe
table,sot hatIcoul dgetabet terv iewofher
shav edcooki e.Shewaswear ingaski rt
,andI
l
iftedi tuptoherst omach.Myt onguecamei n
cont actwi t
hherbeanwhi lemyt humbpr essed
agai nstheral readywethol e.Shehadherhand
atthebackofmyheadandwasmoani ngsoftl
y,
shecouldn'
tkeepsti
ll
.Icont
inuedwiththatunti
l
Inoti
cedthatshewasclosetocomi ng,j
udging
fr
om herreact
ion.Iwentupandkissedher..
Me:
Youl
i
kedt
hat
?
Her
:YesIdi
d
Weconti
nuedki
ssi
ngwhil
eshewasgr
abbi
ng
mycr
otchandsqueezi
ngmeabit
..
Her
:Doy
ouhav
econdoms?
Me:
Ido
Ialway smakesurethatIgotcondomswi thme.
Iwentandgotonef r
om mybagandt henshe
helpedmet or
olli
tdown.Wewer en't
compl etel
ynaked,wel
lIwasn'taf
teralli
t'
s
stolensex..
Ipart
edherlegsandthenmademywayi nshe
gaspedwit
hherhandsonmyshoul der
s,I
ki
ssedhertopreventherf
rom maki
ngnoi
seas
Imadet
her
estofmei
nsi
deofher
..
Thisi
sbasical
lyourr
elat
ionshi
psummedup,
a
benef
ici
alaff
air
..
.
Tobecont
inued
05
NOMVELO
JacioneandIhavel i
tt
leti
mef oreachot herwith
ourbusyschedules,especial
lyonhisside.
Whenev erwehavet ospendt i
met oget
heri t
's
ei
therhehasamat ch,aninterv
ieworhas
tr
ainingforhi
supcomi ngmat ches.I
t'
sreally
drai
ningweekscanpasswi thoutusseeing
eachot her
.Iwasmeantt ogohomeat18: 00,
butIendedupgoi ngat15:00becausehewas
call
edHome.Mama' sboy sareaheadacheat
ti
mes. .
Igothomeandal
lIwant
edt
odowast
orel
axor
wat chmyf av our i
temov i
e" Thedevilwears
Prada"sot hatIcoul dupli
ftmyspiritonwhat
happenedt odayatschool ,butunfortunatel
ymy
planswer eshor tli
vedwhenIst umbl edupon
NomsaandherDaught erMpi l
ointhelounge
wat chingTv .Theyseemedt obehav i
ngagood
ti
me, eat
ing, t
alkingandlaughing.Itwasa
seriousMot herandDaught ermoment ..
Nomsa:
HeyVel
ocomeandj
oinus
Ididn'
tsayanythi
ngIjustr
anmyeyesaroundat
thesnacksthatwereontopoft
het
able.
.
Nomsa:Mpi
l
ocamet
ovi
sit
,shewi
l
lbeher
efor
aweek
Mpil
ostudiesatTUT, sheisapr i
vat
epaying
st
udentIknowv erywellthatit
'smyUncle'
s
moneythat'
sputtingherthroughschool
.Her
Mom isabr okeasshousewi f
e..
Me:Howsweet
?IsyourSonher
etoo,t
o
compl
etet
heperf
ectf
amilymoment?
Mpi
l
o:Aski
es?Ar
eyout
alki
ngt
omyMot
herl
i
ke
t
hat
?
Nomsa:Myekempil
o(l
eav
eher
)don'
tl
eta
Dog'
sbarkscar
eyou
Me:Ar
eyoucal
li
ngmeadog?Iam sogoi
ngt
o
getmyUncl
eonyou
Shechuckl
ed.
.
Nomsa:Icannotwaitf
orthedayt
hatli
fewil
l
humbleyou,anddon'
tfor
getUncl
eJ.Jisnot
God.Heismor t
al,
hecandieanyt
ime
Ir
emai
nedqui
et.
.
Nomsa:
Letusnotkeepy
ouf
rom y
ourmaj
est
ic
l
if
e
Shet
urnedt
oMpi
l
o..
Nomsa:
Whatmov
iewer
ewesupposedt
o
wat
chagai
n?
Mpil
o:Thi
sone.
.Monst
eri
nlaw,
oneofmy
f
avori
tes
Iwal
kedawayandst
oodatt
hedoor
wayl
ooki
ng
att
hem..
Nomsa:
Ihav
enev
erwat
chedi
tbef
ore
Mpi
l
o:AhhhMamay
ouj
oki
ngr
ight
?(Laughi
ng)
Nomsa:Hauyi
niehl
eki
say
olapho?(
what
'
s
f
unnyaboutt
hat)
Theybot hl
aughed.I twasdi ff
icultobser v
ing
thatmomentconsi deringthef actt hatmy
Mot herwast akenawayf r
om mewhenIwas
j
ust4y earsold.Idon'tev enhav eanymemor y
ofhernorr ememberhowshel ookedl i
keot her
thanint hepictures.Ihadt ogot hroughcer tain
thingsalone,li
kehav i
ngmyf i
rstper i
od,my
bodychangi ngandaf ewot hert hings.MyUncl e
i
sal way sthereformebutt here'sthingst hatI
can'ttalktohim aboutandmyGr andmot heris
old,she'sli
vedi ntheanci enttimesshedoesn' t
understandmoder nl i
fe.Iwentout sideto
breathbecauseIf eltl
ikebei ngar oundt hem
wassuffocat
ing,
Ihel
dmytearsback.Ispot
ted
DangerwashingoneofmyUncle'
scarsImade
mywayt ohim..
Danger:Kaz'uk'
hluphekakwavel
aphi,
sekungathingakuthenga.
.Ngamali
ni,
sengaze
ngihl
uphekenje(Singing)
Me:
Uhm Danger
Hedr
oppedt
hespongei
nthewat
er.
.
Hi
m:Nkosazana
Icoul
dseet
hatIwasmaki
nghi
m ner
vous.
.
Me:
Wher
eismyUncl
e?
Hi
m:Usaphumi
l
e(Hei
sout
)
Il
eanedagai
nstt
hecar
..
Hi
m:Bonai
mot
oley
oimanzi
(thecari
swent
)
Me:
Itdoesn'
tmat
ter
Him:ngat
hiawuphat
heki
l
ekahl
e?(
Youdon'
t
seem wel
l)
Me:
I'
mfi
ne
(
Sil
ence)
Him:WazewafananoMawakho,i
ndoni
yamanzi
(Youl
ookjustl
i
keyourMot
her,shewasareal
beaut
)
Me:
YouknewmyMot
her
?
Hepausedf
orawhi
l
eandt
hennodded.
.
Hi
m: Ihav
eknowny
ourUncl
eandhi
sfami
l
yfor
aver
ylongti
me
Me:
ubekadeenj
ani
?(howwasshe)
Him:Shehadabeaut
if
ulsmil
e,agoodheart
..
Shewasfri
endl
ywit
hevery
oneandwasal ways
ther
ewhenoneneededhel
p
Me:
Iwi
shIhadknownher
Hi
m:Wer
eyouev
ert
oldwhathappened?
Me:Appar
ent
lymyFat
herbut
cher
edhert
o
deat
h
Hi
m:I
'
mver
ysor
ryNkosaz
ana
Me:Youshoul
dn'
tbe.
.It
'snoty
ourf
aul
t.I
'
m
gl
adheisrot
ti
nginj
ail
Thegat
eopenedandmyUncl
e'
scardr
ovei
n..
Me:Fi
nal
ly
!!
!.
.Wheny
oudoneDangercany
ou
al
sopl
easewashmycar
?
Igav
ehi
mthekey
s..
Hi
m:YeboNkosaz
ana(
Yespr
incess)
Hepar
kedr
ightnextt
ousandgotout
..
Uncl
e:Akumelangangabeusesi
kol
weni
?(ar
en'
t
yousupposedtobeatschool
)
Me:
Cameoutear
ly
Theot
herdooropenedandmyGr
andmot
her
cameout
..
Me:
Duchess!
!!
Ir
anupt
oherandhuggedher
..
Her
:Vel
o
Me:
Idi
dn'
tknowt
haty
ouwer
ecomi
ng
Her
:Ai
ch.
.Indabazamal
astmi
nut
e
Uncle:
Ngi
zol
ethei
zi
khwama(
Iwi
l
lbr
ingi
nthe
bags)
Atl
eastmymoodhaschangednow.
.
_
GUGU
TodayIdecidedtopassbyatt hemal
landbuy
myMom st reet
wi setwoanda100%f r
uitjui
ce
wit
hgrapesandpear s,i
twasabeaut
if
ul day
andIwasv erygrateful
thatmySonwasbackat
homestil
li
nonepi ece.
.
Ma:Uyi
thathephi
imal
i
?(wher
edi
dyougett
he
moneyfrom)
Me:
Bonganj
ekphel
aMa(
Justsayt
hanky
ou)
Shesmi
l
ed.
.
Ma:
Thanky
ou
Me:
Howar
eyouhol
dingup?
Ma:Iam hol
dingupv
erywel
l
,byt
hegr
aceof
God
Me:
That
'sgood
Ma:
Nisoi
snotcomi
ngToday
?
Me:
Hei
sst
il
latschool
Ma:
May
beuz
ozal
ate(
May
behewi
l
lcomel
ater
)
Me:
May
be
Ma:Hau.
.Wheny
ouwal
kedi
nIdi
dn'
tseey
ou
l
impi
ng
Me:Uhm..Ma.
.Ihavet
otel
lyousomet
hingbut
pl
easedon'
tfr
eakout
Ma:
Yini
?(whati
sit
)
Me:
uSnazo.
.
Ma:
Whatabouthi
m?
Me:Don'
twor
rynot
hinghappenedt
ohi
m..Hei
s
back
Ma:
cishewang'
thusa(
youal
mostscar
edme)
Me:
Hecamebackt
hismor
ning
Ma:
Godhear
dmycr
iesandmypr
ayer
s
Me: Matt
eroffactI
'
m notl
i
mpi
ngany
mor
e
becauseofhim
Ma:
Wenzeni
?(Whatdi
dhedo)
Me:Hetouchedmyankleandashewasbusy
massagi
ngme, somet
hingsnappedt
henIwas
okay
Ma:
Ser
ious?
Me:Yait
'sst
il
lsur
pri
singbuthei
sgoodwi
thhi
s
hands
Ma:
Hashe.
.Hashesai
dany
thi
ng
Me:
Huh?
Ma:
Any
thi
ngt
hat
'
soutoft
heor
dinar
y?
Me:
Likewhat
?
Ma:
Thi
ngsl
i
ke.
.Seei
ngt
hings
Me:Mawhatareyoutalki
ngabout?Hav eyou
beent
aki
ngthemedst hattheDrprescr
ibed?
Doyoudr
inkwhentheNur sesgi
vey ou?
Her
:Ofcour
seIdo.
.For
getIsai
dany
thi
ng
Me:
Youhav
etodr
inkt
hemeds
Her
:IknowandIam dr
inki
ngt
heMeds
Me:
That
'sgood
IhopemyMotherpul
lsthr
ough,
Shedoesn'
t
seem t
obeget
tingbet
ter.
.
_
UNCLEJ.
J
Me:
Whatwer
eyout
alki
ngt
oherabout
?
Danger:
Not
hing.
.Ubecasuki
l
enj
e(shewas
upset
)
Me:
Goodnowf
ini
shup
Ist
art
edwal
ki
ngaway
..
Danger
:UbebuzangoMawakhe(
Shewas
aski
ngaboutherMot
her
)
Ist
oppedandt
urnedar
ound.
.
Me:
Whatdi
dyousay
?
Heshruggedhi
sshoul
der
s,Imademywayt o
hi
m andputmyhandonhisneck.Ipi
nnedhi
m
agai
nstthecar
..
Me:
Utheni
kuy
e!!(
whatdi
dyousayt
oher
)
Hi
m:Nex
..(
not
hing)
Il
ethi
m go.
.
Me:
Itol
dyout
hatIdon'
twanty
out
alki
ngt
oher
!
Him:I
qini
solizophumangel
i
nyeil
anga
Jameson,l
izophumanobakusenkungwi
ni(The
tr
uthwil
lcomeoutoneJameson, nomatt
er
howmistyitcanbe)
Me:
Stayawayf
rom myDaught
er
Hi
m:YoumeanmyDaught
er?
Me:
Arey
out
ryi
ngt
otestme?
Him:Yout hinkIdon'tknowwhyy ouadopted
her?Whyy out reat
ingherli
kethi
s?It'
sbecause
youhidingof fy
ourguilt
,youcl
eansingyour
consciencewi t
hherbutnoamountofmoney
wil
levercleany ourconsci
enceJameson
Me:DangerIam warni
ngyou,whatgoodli
fe
wasVelogoingt
ohav e?MySist
erusedtocry
ever
ydayyouwereanalcohol
i
candv erymuch
addi
ctedt
ogambl i
ng,youweredrowni
ngin
debt
s!
Danger
:Soy outhoughtki l
l
ingherandl et
ti
ng
metakethefallfori
twast hebestt hi
ng?
Moneyandpowermat teredt hatmuchtoy ou?
Youmurderedy ourownSi sterIspentyear
si n
j
ailf
orsomet hi
ngIdidn'tdo!Yout ookmywi fe
fr
om me!
Me:
Enough!
!!
!!
..
Hekeptqui
et.
.
Me:
Wewi
l
lnev
erhav
ethi
sconv
ersat
ionagai
n!!
!
Youshoul
dknowy ourplace!
!!
..Nowgetbackt
o
workandstayawayfrom Nomv el
o,she'
smy
Daught
ernowIlegal
lyadoptedher!
Ist
art
edwal
ki
ngaway
..
Me: Ohhand. .Iwonderwhoshei sgoingto
believebet weeny ouandmebecauseaccor ding
tohery our otti
nginjail
,leti
tstayli
kethat!What
goodl if
ecany ouaf f
ordher?None!Thi sisf
or
thebest .Ifyoutrulylov
ey ourDaughterdon'tl
et
thoseskel etonsoutoft heclosetshehasbeen
throughenough!Shehasav erygoodlif
eand
l
eti tbelikethat
.
Tobecont
inued

06
Ni
so
MyMom andIhadj ustfi
nishedeati
ngdi nner
,
shewaswashingthedishesandIwas
supposedt
odr yt
hem.Wedon' tleavedishesin
thesi
nkoverni
ght
,wet r
yingtoavoidroaches
andwhatnot..
Gugu:
Bekunj
ani
eskol
weni
?(Howwasschool
)
Me:
Wasasusual
Afewsecondspassedwi
thoutussay
inga
wordt
oeachother.
.
Gugu:
Whatar
eyoubusywi
thony
ourphone?
Me:Nothi
ngmuchj
ustchecki
ngaf
ewt
hings
onFacebook
InactualfactIwasst arringatConni e'
s
Facebookpr ofi
lepicture.Itwasherandher
husband.Conni ei
s35y earsold,Yesthiswas
supposedt obeanost ringsat tachedtypeof
rel
ationshi
pbutIlikehermat uri
tyandher
personali
ty.She'
snotanui sance,wesor tout
ourissueslikeadultsthinkingofgoi ngformy
agegr
oupi
sanot
herst
ory
.
Thedooropenedandtomysur
pri
seNazo
walkedi
n,thel
astt
imeIsawhi
sAssIwas19
yearsol
d..
Nazo:
Sani
bonani
(Gr
eet
ings)
Gugu:
Nazo.
.Youj
ustmi
sseddi
nnerbuty
our
pl
atei
sint
hemicr
owave
Nazo:
Thanky
ou.
.
Hel
ookedatme.
.
Hi
m:Ni
so
Me:
Goodni
ghtGugu
Gugu:Hauar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
odr
ythedi
shes
anymore?
Me:
Theywi
l
ldr
yont
hei
rown
Nazo:
Eyy
Ist
opped.
.
Nazo:
Dryt
hedi
shes
Gugu:
MyekeNazoi
t'
sokay
Nazo:
Ng'bekaiStor
ykayione(Ionl
ysay
somethi
ngonce)ifngi
yaz'
phindauzoswaba
bl
ind(
ifIrepeatmysel
fyouwi l
lbesorr
y)
(
Sil
ence)
Iputmyphoneont
hetabl
eandstar
teddr
ying
thedi
shes,
Gugusmil
edali
tt
le.
.
Gugu:
Int
hatcaseGoodni
ghtt
henboy
s
Ourhousei sa4r oom house,
MyMom andmy
Grandmot hertheyshareabedr oom andt he
otherbedroom ismi ne.Nazohasit'
sownr oom
outsi
det heotherr oom weusedittost or
e
thi
ngs,thoughIr eall
ywanteditformy sel
fbut.
.I
j
ustcan'twaittomov eoutandhav emyown
space.
Nazost
art
edmovingthefr
idge,
Iwonderwer
e
hewasthewhol
e5y ear
s..
Hi
m:Whysomanyt
ats?
Me:Theynotmanyandt
heyi
nonear
m,t
att
oos
ar
emyt her
apy
Heputt
hef
ri
dgebacki
nit
'
sposi
ti
on.
.
Hetookanot
hercl
othandhel
pedmewi
tht
he
di
shes.
.
Hi
m:Howi
sschool
?
Me:
School
isf
ine
(
Sil
ence)
Him:CavaIknowt
hatIhaven'
tbeenar
oundbut
nowI'
m backandt
hingsar
egoingtochange,
I
promi
se
Hesay
sthatal
lthet
imebutnot
hingchanges.
.
Hi
m:Tel
lmesomet
hinghowi
sNkul
i
?
Ichuckled..Nkulii
sNazo'
sgirlfr
iendorshouldI
sayexgi rl
fri
end.Shewasav erysweetgi r
l,wel
l
behavedandv erymuchofani ntrov
ertunti
lshe
star
tedv arsi
ty,shewasenr
olledatUJand
everyt
hingchanged.Asweknowhowf astli
fe
canbeinJohannesburgshemetaf
ewgirl
s
whowereslayqueensandjustl
i
ket
hatour
sweetNkul
ichanged..
Me:
Youhav
etof
orgetaboutt
hatone
Hi
m:Why
?
Me:I'
l
lshowyouherInst
agr
am andTwit
ter
she'
saslayqueennowandyoubelowhercl
ass
Hi
m:Whatt
hef
ucki
sasl
ayqueen?
It
ookmyphoneandshowedhi
m herpi
ctur
es
onInst
agr
am.
.
Me:
HadeBr
o(sor
ryBr
other
)
_
NOMVELO
IwasmassagingmyGrandmotheryouknow
howoldpeopleare,
whenoldagecatchesup
witht
hem t
heirbodi
esstar
ttogi
vethem
probl
ems.
.Shehasapr obl
em wi
thherknees,
shoul
der
s,armsandwhatnot.Shewas
supposedtogoforakneesur
ger
ybutshehas
beenprocr
asti
nati
ng
Grams:
Thanky
ouDodoy
azi
Ist
ruggl
eal
otat
home
Shewasl ivi
ngwi thmycousi nNkul i,t
heyf rom a
townshi pcalledTsakane.Shenowl i
vesal one
sinceNkul iisnol ongerli
vingathome.My
Grandmot herhad3ki ds, myUncl ebei ngt he
fi
rstbor n.MyMot herwast hesecondbor nand
Nkul i
'
sMot heristhelastbor n.HerMot hergot
mar ri
edt osomeguywhenNkul iwasy oungand
shecoul dn'ttakeNkul iwith.Herr easonsmade
sense, shemar r
iedamanwhol i
keswomenso
shewasscar edthathemi ghtturnandsexual l
y
abuseNkul i
.Nkul i
'sli
feisal i
feofgl amour ,her
apar t
menti st odiefor,shewear sdesigner
clothes,shehasacaral lt
hatcomi ngfr om r i
ch
Politi
ciansthatsheent er
tainsandsl eepwi thon
adai l
ybasi s.Shechangedheri mage, shewent
forbreasti mplantsandbut tl
if
tingshef ixedher
noseshei
swayt
oodi
ff
erentnow.
.
Grams:Di
dyourUncletel
lyouthatthi
s
weekendwegoingtodoat radi
ti
onalcer
emony
?
Tohonorandacknowledgeourancestor
s?
MyUncleiscult
uralgr
ounded,
youcan'
ttel
lhi
m
anyt
hingaboutancest
orsandtr
adi
ti
onal
cer
emonies..
Me:
Agai
n?
Her
:Dodoit
'spar
tofwhowear e.
.Pluswe
goi
ngtovi
sity
ourMother
'sgr
ave.It
'sbeena
whi
le
Me:
OkayI
'
llcome
Her
:It
hingi
l
ale
Me:
Goodni
ght
Her
:Ni
ghtDodo
_
SNAZO
Fort hepastfewmont hseveryni
ghtwhenI
sleepatar ound2am orsomet imes3am, Ihear
af ai
ntvoicewhi speri
nginmyearsay i
ng
"Beloved"itneverstopsuntil
Iwakeup.Wei rd
thingshavebeenhappeni ngtome,thi
ngst hatI
cannotexpl ai
n.Idon'tknowifit
'swit
chcraftor
whatbutal lIknowi sthatthi
sisnotnormal..
"
Bel
oved"
Iopenedmyey esandlookedaroundbutIwas
al
oneinthelounge,Ihadpassedoutonthe
couch.TheTvwasonmut e.
.
Isatupstr
aightandr ubbedmyeyes,whatI
heardandwhatIsawaboutNkul iearl
iergott
o
me.Ilovethatgir
l,al
way shav
elovedherandI
thoughtwewer egoingsomewhere..
Nisowalkedoutofhisbedroom,ashemadehis
waytothecouchIsawabi gbl
oodstai
nonhis
chest
.Judgingfrom hi
sfaceIcoul
dseethathe
wasinal otofpain.
.
Hesatdown.
.
Me:
uGr
and?
Hi
m:Ja
Il
ookedathi
m..
Hi
m:Idon'
tknow..Ial
way
shav
ethissharppai
n
onmychest
,itwakesmeupev
erynight
Me:
Whendi
ditst
art
?
Hi
m:I
t'
sbeenawhi
l
enow,
eversi
ncey
oul
eft
Idon'tknowifIwasseei
ngthebloodstai
n
al
one, buti
fhewasalsoseei
ngitthenhewas
goingtoasktogotothehospit
al.I
t'
salli
nmy
mind..
Me:
Youshoul
dconsul
t
Hi
m:I
'
vel
i
vedwi
thi
tfory
ear
s!Ngi
zobashar
p
Me:
Niso
Hi
m: Nazodon'tst
art
!!Youhav
ebeengonef
or
5yearsdon'
tcomebacknowandpl ayt
hebi
g
Br
othercar
d
Whenhesai
dthatIsawashar
pswor
dpr
essi
ng
i
n..
Hi
m:Ahhhh!
!
Ibl
i
nkedaf
ewt
imes.
.
I
twasadi
stur
bingt
hingt
osee.
.
Ist
oodupandwenttohi
m,Itr
iedt
otouchhi
m
butt
hevoi
cedi
stur
bedme..
Voice:
"Don'
tBel
oved.
.Thewoundistoodeepi
t
hastohealf
ir
st,
befor
etheswordcanbe
removed"
Ibackedupandcl
osedmyey
es.
.
Me:
Gugu!
!!
Hewasr
eal
l
yhur
ti
ng.
.
Me:
Gugu!
!
Shecameoutaf
teraf
ewseconds.
.
Her
:Yi
niebusukuso?(
whati
sitsol
ate)
Shesawhi
m..
Gugu:Snazogetthosepil
lsi
nthecupboar
dand
aglassofwaterquickl
y!
Iwentt
ogett
hepi
l
lsandagl
assofwat
er.
Shemadehi
m dr
inkt
wooft
hosepi
l
ls.
.
Gugu:
Hewi
l
lbef
ineassoonast
hepi
l
lski
cki
n
Iwouldn'
tsayt
hesamet houghespeci
all
ywi
th
thatswor
dinhischest
..
.
Tobecont
inued
07
SNAZO
AFEW DAYSLATER
MyGr andmotherwasget t
ingdi
schargedtoday
andIhadnochoi cebuttogoandf etchher
si
nceIhav eacar,inherst
ateofmi ndGugu
doesn'twanthertotakeataxi
.Theyjustcaught
meof fguardonaFr idayaf t
ernoonwhenIhad
plansofmyown.Iam notaf anofhospi tal
s,
anotherreasonwhyIhav en'
tbeent heretosee
herbutmostofal lIwasn' tl
ookingforwardt o
usmeet ing,especial
lysinceIhav edisappointed
heralotoft i
mes.Asf arasmyl i
fegoesIst i
ll
seethingsthatl ogi
ccannotexpl ain,Idon't
knowwhat '
shappeni ngandIdon' tknowhowt o
solvethi
spr oblem ofmi ne..
.
WhenIwalkedin,t
heatmospherewasn'tv er
y
welcomi
ng.If
eltnegat
iveenergyall
around,
anditwasweighi
ngdownonmev er
yhar dthat
Ifel
tabitl
i
ghtheaded.Ispot
tedhersitt
ingon
thebedandImademywayt oher..
Me:
Ma.
..
Shesl
owl
ytur
nedandl
ookedatme.
.
Her
:Nazo?
Shegotdownf
rom t
hebedandmadeherway
tome..
Her
:Gugut
oldmet
haty
ouwer
ebackand.
.
Sheputherhandonmycheek.
.
Her
:Iam sohappyt
oseey
ou
Me:
It'
sgoodt
oseey
out
oo
Icouldn'
thol dmycomposur et hingswer ejust
notgoodi nthiswar d,therewer edar kshadows
everywhereandIkeptonhear i
ngv oicest al
king
alanguaget hatIdidn'tunder stand.Thev oi
ces
weremanyi twasn'tjustonev oiceand
defi
nitel
ynott heoneIhearmostoft hetime.
TheoneIhearmostoft het i
mei t'
sv erycalm,
i
t'
sv erysoftanditcomeswi t
hpeace.If eela
wav eofpeaceeacht imewhenIheari t,t
hese
onesIwashear i
ngwer en'tforpeaceatal l.
LookingaroundIcoul dseedar kshowsmov ing
aroundther oom fastidiously.Every thingthat
washappeni ngwaswei ghingdownonme, i
t
wasdr ai
ningmeofmyener gyandi tbr ought
aboutunexpl ai
nablefearbecauseIf eltli
keI
wasl
osi
ngmymi
nd.
.
Ma:
Nazo
Il
ookedather
..
Her
:Ar
eyouokay
?
Me:Ya.
.I'
m okay
.Gugugav
emecleancl
othes
youcanchangeandt
henwecango
Shetookt
heplasti
c.Icouldgoandwaitf
orher
i
nmycarbutIdon' tthi
nkshecanmakeiton
herowntomycar ,andGuguwouldki
ll
mei fmy
Grandmot
herdisappeared.
.
Me:I
'l
lbesi
tt
ingt
her
eont
hebenchi
nthe
wai
ti
ngarea
Her
:Okay
Iwal
kedoutoft
hewar
d..
_
NOMVELO
Iwasnoti
nagoodmood,
lastni
ghtIcal
l
ed
JacioneandIhear dafemal evoiceinthe
background.Hecl ai
medt hathewasoutwi t
h
fr
iendsandobv iousl
yintheclubt here'
sbot h
gir
lsandguy sbutIwasn'tbuy i
nganyoft hat.I
should'
veknownt hatJacionecomeswi thal ot
ofheadache,Imeanhei sasoccerpl ayerand
obviousl
ygirl
swoul dal
way sthrowt hemsel ves
athim.Ireal
lythoughtthathewasdi ff
erentbut
IguessIwaswr ong.
Imissedschool todaybecausewehadt odriv
e
tomyGr andmot her '
splaceforthetradi
ti
onal
ceremonyt omorrow, Nkulisaidshewasgoi ng
toarri
velateIwasal r
eadyget t
ingbored.I
twas
Me, myGr andmot her,andNomsaar oundthe
house.MyUncl ehadgonewi thDangertobuya
sheepandchi ckens, Idi
dn'tknowitwasgoi ng
tobesomet hi
ngbi g.
.
Gr
ams:
Vel
o
Il
ookedather
..
Her:
Accompanymesomewher
ebecauseIcan
seethaty
oubor
ed
Me:
Okay
Igotupandt henwewent .Idon'tcomeher e
veryoften,t
hel astti
meIwasher eIcan'
teven
remember .Ther ehoodiswaydi ff
erent
,it
's
noisy
,andonweekendsy ouhearal otofdrunk
peoplemaki ngnoi sei
nthestreet.Youhear
gunshot sandal otoffi
ghti
ng,it
'snotreal
lya
safeplace..
Me:
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
Her:Iam goi
ngt
omyf r
iend'
splace,
toseei
f
sheishomeandinv
itehertocometoourpl
ace
tomorrow
Me:
Ohw
Her:Youusedt
oli
keither
ewheny ouwer
e
young,y
ouwouldpl
ayinthest
reetwit
hot
her
ki
ds
Me:
Idon'
tremember
Wemadeourwayi natsomehouse,
they
ard
wasver
yclean.Wewenttot
hebackandshe
st
art
edknocking.
.
Gr
ams:
MaBut
hel
ezi
!
!
Sheknockedagai
n..
Gr
ams:
Vul
abo!
!(open)
Icannotwaitf
orthi
str
adit
ional
ceremonyt
obe
oversothatIcangobackhome..
Sheknockedagai
nunt
ilsomeoneopenedt
he
door
,itwassomeguy.
.
Gr
ams:
Nisokunj
ani
?(howar
eyou)
Hewast heexactdef ini
ti
onof" Handsome".
.
Beaut
if
ul ey
es, pinki
shli
ps, j
ustwaytooli
ght
buti
nav eryattracti
vewayt hough.Helooked
moremixedr acet hanblack.
..
Heletusi
n.Ineverknewthatsuchguy
sexi
sted
i
nthehood,Il
ikedhistat
toos.
..
MyGr
andmot
hersatdown.
.
Gr
ams:UkhonauMaBut
hel
ezi
?(I
sMaBut
hel
ezi
ar
ound)
Hi
m: cha!uSnazousay
oml
anda(
Snazowentt
o
f
etchher)
Gr
ams:
hau!uSnazoukhona?(
Snazoi
sar
ound)
HisvoiceIdon'
tknowhowt odescr i
beit
,itwas
abitscrat
chyasiflikehewascomi ngdown
wit
hf l
u.Nevert
helessitwasn'tir
ri
tati
ngjust
veryf
ascinat
ingtohearhimt alk.
..
Somewomanwal
kedi
n..
Her:
Yazingi
yezwaukut
hikunabant
ula
ekhi
shi
ni(Ihear
dvoi
ces)
Gr
ams:
Kunj
ani
kodwaGugu?(
Howar
eyou)
Gugu:Ngi
yaphi
l
aunjani
wenaMaNgcobo?(
Iam
well
andhowareyou)
Gr
ams:
Ngi
yaphi
l
a(Iam wel
l
)
(
Sil
ence)
Gugu:
HaiboakusuwuNomv
elol
o?(
ist
hat
Nomvelo)
Immediat
elyal
lat
tenti
onwasonme, It
ri
edmy
outmostbestt
oavoideyecontactwit
hhim.
Suchguysyoucaneasil
ylooseyoursel
fint
hei
r
charm.
.
Gr
ams:
Yesi
tis
Shecamet
omeandshookmyhand.
.
Gugu:
Kunj
ani
sisi
?(howar
eyou)
Me:
Iam wel
l
Gugu:Yazi
ngak'
gci
naumncanekanj
ani?(
the
l
astti
meIsawy ou,
youwerever
yyoung)
Gr
ams:
It'
sbeenawhi
l
esi
nceshewasl
asther
e
Shel
ookedathi
m..
Gugu:
Umzal
akaNkul
i(shei
sNkul
i
'scousi
n)
Hi
m:Ser
ious?
Hi
slookmademykneesweak.
.
Gugu:
Yakodwauhl
alanoJ.
J
Hi
m:Isee
Fr
om t
her
eonhi
sey
esnev
erl
eftme.
.
Gugu:awusemuhleuf
ananoMamakho(
Youar
e
sobeauti
fulj
ustl
i
keyourMother
)
Me:
Thanky
ou
Gr
ams:
uSnazoubuy
il
e?(
Snazoi
sback)
Gugu:
ubuy
il
e(hei
sback)
Gr
ams:
Siy
abongay
azi
(wear
egr
atef
ul)
Gugu:wuy
eol
andauMaesbhedl
ela(
heist
he
onefet
chi
ngmyMotheratt
hehospi
tal
)
Grams:Speaki
ngofthatIwant
edtoinv
itey
ou
guystomorr
owwehav eat r
adi
ti
onal
ceremony
nyanauyamaziuJ.
J
Gugu:
Ohwakunanki
ngasi
zoza(
wewi
l
lcome)
Gr
ams:
Int
hatcaseVel
olet
'sgo,
west
il
lhav
ea
l
ott
odo
Gugu:
Siy
abongaMaNgcobo.
..Vel
osi
sii
twas
ni
ceseei
ngyou
Inodded.MyGrandmot
herst
oodupandt
hen
wewal kedout
..
Me:
Duchesswhoar
ethesepeopl
e?
Her:Thesepeoplear
egoodfamil
yfr
iendsof
ours.ThatwasGuguandherSonNiso.Shehas
anotheronebythenameofSnazo
Me:
ThatwasherSon?
Her
:Yes
Me:Howpossi
ble?Theydon'
tl
ookal
i
kehe
l
ooksmixedr
ace
Her:Maybetheyl
ookli
ket
hei
rFat
her
,
abantwanabakhebahl
eev
enSnazo(
herki
ds
arehandsome)
Me:
Icanseet
hat
_
SNAZO
Wef i
nal
lyarr
ivedathome,t
her i
dehomewasn't
ver
ypleasant
.MyGr andmothertal
ksal
otand
mostofwhatshet al
ksaboutmakesnosense.
.
Iopenedt
hedoorandwewal
kedi
n..
Me:
Wel
comehome
Icl
osedt
hedoor
..
Thepot
swereboil
i
ngonthestov
emeani ng
Guguwascooki
ng,wef
oundthem si
tt
inginthe
l
ounge.
.
Ma:
Sani
bonani
phel
a(gr
eet
ings)
Gugu:
Mai
t'
sgoodt
oseey
ou
Isatdown,
Ihadaheadache.
.
Gugu:Si
yabongaukut
hiubuy
il
e(wegl
adt
hat
youback)
Ma:
Nisokunj
ani
?(howar
eyou)
Ni
so:
I'
m wel
lMa.
.
(
Sil
ence)
Ma:
Nazoar
eyoual
ri
ght
?
Me:
Yaj
ustaheadache
Ma:I
'm gl
adthatweareal
lher
ebecauseIhav
e
somet
hingtotal
ktoyouguysabout
Gugu:
Whati
sit
?
Ma:
It'
sti
meIt
ell
yout
het
rut
haboutourf
ami
l
y
Ni
so:
Whatt
rut
h?
Ma:Ourfamil
yi snotj
ustanotheror
dinar
y
fami
ly.
.Wegiftedandthi
sgifthasbeenpassed
onfr
om generationt
ogenerati
on
Ni
so:
Nazoke(
Her
ewego)
Ma:Iam notcr
azyNi
soungang'
del
eli
(don'
t
di
srespectme)
Gugu:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutMa?
Ma:
Wehav
ethegi
ftofheal
i
ngwi
thourhands
andalsothroughwor ds,
t hegifthasalways
beenpassedont of emales.Somesi cknesses
arebroughtbywi tchcraf
tandsomear e
demonic,itwasnotGod' swi l
lforhumanst o
suff
erinsickness.Somesi cknessesit'
sjust
generat
ionalcursesandt hoseoneswecl assif
y
them asbeing"her edi
tar
y "
Gugu:
Mawhatexact
lyar
eyousay
ing?
Ma:WhatIam sayi
ngist
hatGuguyouwerea
t
winandyourothert
winpassedonafew
minut
esaft
ershewasborn
Gugu:
Iknowt
hatMa
Ma: Thegiftski
ppedy outhatmeansy ou
weren'tt
hechosenonepr obablyyourtwinwas,
andnowoneofy ourkidshast hegift
..Snazo
hasthegiftofwhi chIdon'tunderstandhow
becausehei ssupposedt ohaveitwhenI '
m no
l
ongeraround, het r
ulyisspecialheist hefi
rst
maleinourf amil
yt ohav ethegift
Me:
What
?
Gugu: Mayouhaven'
tbeenoutoft
hehospi
tal
foreven24hoursandalr
eadyyoubackati
t
again
Ma: Iam notcr azy!Whydoy outhinkNisohasa
sharppaini nhischest?Hehast heswor dof
Angerandr esentmentpiercingthroughhim,the
angerhehasbeenhol di
ngagai nstSnazofor
years.Iti
snosecr ett
hatNi soandNazohav e
alwaysbeencl ose,Nazowasal way shereto
protecthim andt akecareofhi m whenhe
star
teddi sappearingthat
'swhenNi sofel
t
neglectedandhi sAngert owardshi sBrot
her
grewandgr ew
Gugu:
Maj
ustst
opi
t!
!!
Ni
so:
Thi
sismadnessI
'
m goi
ngout
Ma:Snazoy ouknowwhatI'
mtal
ki
ngabout,I
sawy ouatt
hehospit
alandhowyoureact
edto
theenvi
ronment.Al
otofdemonsli
vether
ein
t
hatwar
dpl
ayi
ngwi
thPeopl
e'
sment
..
Gugu:
MaIsai
dst
opi
t!
!
Ist
oodupandwal
kedawaybutst
opped.
Me:
Isi
taGodgi
vengi
ft
?
Shemadeherwayt
ome.
.
Ma:
Yesmyboy
Il
ookedather
..
Me:
Theny
oucr
azyt
hanIt
hought
Gugu:
Snazo!
!
Me: Idon'tevenknowt hedi fferencebet ween
GodandJesus!Al lIknowi sthatreligionwas
enforcedtousbywhi tepeopl et hr
oughsl avery
,
thi
sf i
cti
ousGody oupr oclaim soomuch
doesn'texist!Hei sanimagecr eatedbywhi te
peopletobr ainwashusi ntoforgett i
ngourown
cul
tureandt r adi
tions.Theyhav eensl aveus
hencewhyt heyt ookourl and, t
heybr oughtusa
bookt hatisfullofliesjustsowecanbel i
evein
awhi
teGodorJesuswhat
everhei
sto.
.
Shesl
appedme.
.
Ther
ewassi
l
encef
orawhi
l
eint
her
oom.
Il
ookedatNi
so.
.
Me:
Let
'sgo
Hegotupandwewent
..
Gugu:
May abonaukuthi
wenzeni
manj
e?(
you
seewhaty
ouhav edonenow)
.
Tobecont
inued
08
GUGU
Iam tryi
ngtomakesenseofev eryt
hingthatmy
Mot hersai
dearli
eronandunf ort
unatel
yIcan't
,
Imeanshehasnev ermenti
onedthisgif
tthi
ng
beforeunti
ltoday.Istoodatthedoorofthe
bedroom andlookedatherassher eadher
Bi
ble.
Ma: Whent heyar r
ived,SamuelsawJesse' sson
El
iabandsai dt ohimself,"
Thismanst anding
hereintheLor d'spresenceissurel
ytheonehe
haschosen. "ButtheLor dsaidtohim,"Payno
att
entiontohowt allandhandsomehei s.I
havereject
edhi m, becauseIdonotJudgeas
PeopleJudge.Theyl ookattheoutward
appearance, butIlookattheheart.
"
Iknocked.
.
Me:
Ma.
.
Shekeptqui
etandt
hencl
osedherBi
ble.
Iwalkedinandsatnexttoher ,
Ihadtot
alkto
herbecausetheboyswillbeheresoonandI
don'
twantanyt ensi
oninthehouseanymor e.
Weshoul dbecelebr
ati
ngt hatmyMotheris
backfrom t
hehospital
notf i
ghti
ngamongst
eachother.
.
Me:
Unj
ani
?(Howar
eyou)
Shekeptqui
etf
oralongti
meandhernext
st
atementwasaccompani
edbyt
ears.
..
Ma:Iexpect
edsuchdi
srespectf
rom Ni
sobut
notNazo
Ihel
dherhand.
.
Me:
Aski
esMama
I
twashur
tful
seei
nghert
hathur
t.
.
Me:
Whyy
ounev
ert
oldmeaboutt
his?
Ma: Asi
yekeGugu(
let'
sleav
eit)I'
vebeenhur
t
enoughtoday,
I'
mtiredofpeoplecal
li
ngme
crazy
Shedoesn'tr
eall
ytakeoffensebutIthi
nkit'
s
becauseshelovesNazosomuchandshedi dn'
t
expecthimtoactli
kethattowardsher,Iknow
whereverNazoisheisalsohurt.Heloveshis
Grandmotherandtheyhav eal
way sbeenclose.
.
Ma:
Pl easegi
vemesomespaceIwannar
ead
myBibleandpray
Igotupandwalkedoutthenclosedthedoor
behi
nd,seei
ngmyMot herthathurt
,somethi
ng
deepinsi
deofmemov ed..
_
MVELO
Lif
egotbet terwhenNkul iarr
ived, Icanf i
nall
y
breat handt alktosomeone.Ihav ebeen
surroundedbyel dersalldaybusysendi ngme
backandf orth,askingmei r
rel
ev antthingsand
tel
lingmet hingsthatdon'tmakesense.She
arri
v edinherMer cedesBenzA45AMG, i
t'
s
whi teincol ourandi tattr
actedal otofat tent
ion.
Nkul i'
slifehaschangeddr asti
cally,onceupona
ti
meshewasj ustordinaryandt odayshe' s
l
ivingi tup.Iam happyf orherbutatt hesame
ti
meIhopet hatshe' spl
ay i
ngitsaf eandt his
doesn' tleadheri ntoanear l
ygrav e.
Wewer ei
nthebedr
oom,Iwaslooki
ngatsome
pi
ctur
esonherphoneofatr
ipshetookt
o
Maur
it
ius.
.
Me:
Youar
ereal
l
yli
vi
ngi
tup
Her:Thelastthi
ngIwantedwastobestuck
hereall
myl i
fe,Ihaveal
waysknownthatIwas
desti
nedforgoodt hi
ngs
Shechangedherheel
sandputonf
latshoesas
myGrandmotherwalkedi
n.
Idon'tt
hinkmyGr andmot
herisal
lfort
hel
if
e
thatNkulihaschosen,
sheevendr
oppedoutof
school.
.
Gr
ams:
Howar
eyouhol
dingup?
Nkul
i
:I'
m good
Shesatont
hebed.
.
Gr
ams: YourMom i
sgoi
ngt
ocomet
omor
row
morni
ng
Nkul
i
:Notsur
pri
sed
Gr
ams:
Yourboy
fri
endi
sback.
.Nazo
Nkul
i
:Kokohe'
snotmyboy
fri
end
Gr
ams:
Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmet
haty
oubr
okeup
Nkul
i:Hedisappear
edandIneverhear
dfr
om
hi
mf oryears,
Nazohasalwayspull
ed
di
sappeari
ngacts
Gr
ams:
Nowhei
sbackf
orgood
Nkuli
:Idon'
tknowwhyy oul
ikeSnazosoo
muchKokohei sathug!Whatgoodli
fecoul
dI
possi
blyhavewit
hhim?
Grams:Soyousay
ingt
hatt
hel
i
fey
oul
i
ving
nowisokay
?
Nkul
i
:I'
m sur
viv
ing
Grams: Bydoingwhat?Sleepingwi
thrichmen
formoney ,expensi
vecl
othes,andexpensiv
e
cars?Youlefthomesayingy ougoi
ngt oschool
andtheny oucomebackl ikethi
s?Wher edi
dI
gowr ongwi t
hy ou?
Nkul
i
:Ishoul
dn'
thav
ecame.
.Ify
oul
i
keSnazo
soomuchwhydon'
tyoudat
ehi
m
Me:
Nkul
ipl
ease.
.
Nkuli
:Iam notseeki
ngy ourapprov
alj
ustl
etme
l
ivemyl i
fehowIseef i
t!Iam notachi
ld
anymore!
(
Sil
ence)
Grams: Fineyouwillneverhearmesaying
anythingfrom her
eonj ustmakesureyouhavea
funeralcover
!Idon'thav emoneytoburyyou!
Funeralsareexpensive
Shestoodupfr
om thebedandmadeherwayt
o
thedoorandwal
ledout
..
Me:
Wow!
_
SNAZO
Wedrovetothemallandwentt oNandosto
havel
unch,beawaynyanafrom thedramaat
home.Ir
egretsay
inghalfofthethi
ngsIsai
dto
myGr andmotherbutwhatshesai
dscaredmea
bi
t,t
hel astt
hingIwanti
stobecrazyl
ikeher
..
Ni
so:Youthi
nktheHospi
tal
madeami
stakeby
r
eal
isi
nghertoosoon?
Me:
Idon'
tknowany
mor
e
Ni
so:
Sheneverusedt
obel
i
ket
hisbackwhen
wewerey
oung
Me:
Shehasal
waysbeenli
kethi
s,y
ouwerej
ust
t
ooyoungt
ounder
standwhatwasgoi
ngon
(
Sil
ence)
Niso:
Tel
lmesomethi
ngdoyouknowNkul
i
's
cousi
n?Hernamei
s..
..Nomv
elo?
Me:Yeahngiy
amcav a(Iknowher
)herMother
waskil
ledbyherf
atherwhenshewasyoung
t
henJ.Jtookheri
n..Why ?
Hi
m:Nothi
ngshecamet oourhousewi
thher
Gr
andmotherear
li
eron
Me:
Thel
astt
imeIsawhershewasv
eryy
oung
Him:Shahasgrownupnowandshe'sabeaut,
haven'
tseensuchabeaut
if
uldar
kski
nnedgir
l
Me:I
fyouthi
nki
ngaboutgoi
ngafterherdon'
t.
.
That
'sJ.
J'
spri
deandjoyhewil
lhangy ou
Him:ngi
yancomanj
e(I
'
mjustcompl
i
ment
ing
her)
Me: Ang'dlali
njalo( I
'
m notplay ing)Icannot
protectyouf rom him heisav erydangerous
man, youcanf uckar oundwithanygi r
lyouwant
j
ustnott hatonepl usang'safuni ukuzwanex
ngalamant ombazanakaBut helezi yi
zi
khekhe
bonke( Idon'twannahearany thingaboutthe
Buthelezigirl
st heyallhoes)
Hechuckl
ed.
.
Him:uNkul
iwasn'tgoi
ngtowai
tfory
ou,
you
havebeengonefortoolong
Me:YeahwhateverJoej
ustf
ini
sheat
ingIhav
e
someerrandst
or un
Ther
ewasn'talotofpeopl
ewhichwasgoodf
or
me,Idon'
tl
ikecrowdedplaces.
.
Aswewer esitti
ngther
eandeat i
ngsome
womanwal kedinwithachildandshewas
fol
lowedbyamanwear ingablackrobe,v
ery
tal
landIcouldn'
tseehisfacebecausetherobe
hadahatandhewor ethehatwhichcovered
hiswholef
ace..
Me:
Niso
Hi
m:Hmmm?
Me:
Youseet
hatwomanatt
hecount
er?
Hi
m:Ya?
Me:
Howmanypeopl
eisshewi
th?
Hi
m:Huh?
Me:
Howmanypeopl
eisshewi
th?
Hi
m:Real
l
ySnazo?
Me:
JustanswermeDammi
t!
Hi
m:Justherandherchi
l
d
Ihear
dthecal
mvoi
ceagai
nwhi
sper
ing.
.
"
Bel
oved.
..
"
Ni
so:
Arey
ouokayBr
o?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne
Thev
oicecont
inued.
..
"
Bel
oved.
."
Somet hingweir
dhappened,Isawtheman
extendinghishandt
oherandt ouchi
ngher
shoulder,t
henshecoll
apsed.TheMan'shand
didn'
tlooknormalorhuman..
"Bel
oved..She'
saboutt obeattackedbyanev il
enti
ty,she'
sgoingtohav eaheartattackand
onlyyoucanhel pher.Onlyyoucanpr eventt
he
enti
tyfrom br
ingingaboutapremat uredeath
andtrappinghersoul i
ndarkness,i
tisnother
ti
mey et"
Ni
soshookmyhand.
.
Hi
m:Nazo
Isnappedoutofi tandl
ookedather,t
heenti
nty
wasst i
l
lattachedtoher
.Shewasal lt
alki
ngto
thecashiersmili
ngandwhatnot,herchil
dwas
nexttoher..
Me:
Thatwomani
saboutt
ohav
eahear
tat
tack
Ni
so:
What
?
Istoodupandmademywayt othecount
eras
theenti
ntyst
ret
chedi
t'
shandt
oher..
Me:Someonecal
lanambulance!Thi
swoman
i
saboutt
ohaveaheartat
tack!!
Ni
so:
Snazowhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
?
Me:
Someonecal
lanAmbul
ancer
ightnow!
!
Peopl
elookedatmeasi
fli
keIwascr
azy
..
Ni
so:Dudeyouact
ingwei
rdandi
t'
s
embar
rassi
ng!
!
Theent
int
ytouchedheronhershoul
derand
shewentdown.
.
Me:
No!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
Irantoherasshewentdown, thewait
ress
screamedandherdaughterwasf r
ight
ened.I
kneltdownandlookedatherIsawherspiri
t
l
eav i
ngherbody.
.
Me:
No!
!!
!!
!
Theenti
tystretchedouti
t'
shandandthe
woman'sspiritwenttohi
m, andt
hent
hey
di
sappeared.Justli
kethat
,shewasgone..
.
Tobecont
inued
Whatwasmeanttobelastni
ght'
sinsert
,
apol
ogi
esIdon'
tfeelwel
lwhenit
'sthatt
imeof
themont
hespeci
allywheni
t'
stoocold.
09
SNAZO
Al i
tt
legi rl
justlostherMot herwi t
houtev en
understandi ngwhat 'shappeni ng.Whatwas
meantt obeasweetdaybet weenMom and
Daught er,turnedint oat ragedy .Thelookonher
faceispr obabl ygoi ngt ohauntmef orav ery
l
ongt ime, Shewasst andingthereallfrozen
whileacl oser elati
v ewasbei ngcontact ed.
Thankgoodnesst heMot her'sphonedi dn'thav
e
apasswor d.Inamat t
erofmi nutesNandos
becameaspect acle, peoplestoodout side
starr
ingi nthrought hewi ndowsandIwas
concernedbyt hePol i
ce.Idon'tknowwhat '
s
happeni ngwi thme, what everishappeni ngain'
t
normal.Nohumanbei ngissupposedt oseea
spiri
tde- att
achingf r om ahumanbody ,some
otherthingswenotmeantt oseewi t
ht he
nakedey e..
Offi
cer
:Wit
nessessayt
hatyouscr
eamed,
sayi
ngthewomanwasgoingtohaveaheart
att
ackafewsecondsbef
oreshewentdown.
Howdi
dyouknow?
Wehav
ebeent
hrought
hisov
erandov
eragai
n..
Me:
Ihadahunch
Ij
ustgotrel
easedfr
om j
ail
,Iam nott
ryi
ngt
ogo
backther
eagain.
.
Hi
m:Youhadahunch?
Me:
IfImayask.
.Am Ibei
ngar
rest
ed?
Him:No.
.Wej ustaskingyouquestionst
o
f
igur
eouthowev er
ythinghappenedandhow
youknewthatitwasgoi ngtohappen
Me:
LikeIsai
dIhadahunch
Hi
m:Di
dyouknowt
hev
ict
im per
sonal
l
y?
Me:No.
.LookIjustcameher
etohavelunch
wit
hmyBrotherandIhadnocont
actwiththe
womanotherthanwhenshewasalr
eadyonthe
f
loor
Henoddedandl
ookedatmyAr
m..
Hi
m:Youanexcon?
Myt
att
sgav
emeaway
..
Niso:What
'st
hatgott
odowi
thwhathappened
here?
Hi
m:SonIwasn'
ttal
ki
ngt
oyou
Me:
CanIgonow?
Hi
m: Yesbutknowt
hatwewi
l
lbekeepi
nga
cl
oseeyeony ou
Igotupandwal
kedoutwi
thNi
sof
oll
owi
ngme.
.
Ni
so:Mindexpl
aini
ngwhathappenedback
t
here?
Me:Whathappenedist
hatyourGr
andmama
hasalotofexpl
ani
ngtodo!Shi
tai
n'tsweet
anymore
MyGrandmotherwi
ll
befor
cedt
oexpl
ain
what
'shappeni
ngtome.
..
_
NOMVELO
NkuliandIwentouttogetabreatherfrom
ever
ythingthat
'shappeni
ngathomeandt he
fi
ghtthatshehadwi t
hourGrandmot her.I
cannotwaittogobackhome, j
ustgetbackt o
mylif
et hehoodisnotmyt y
peofpl ace..
Wewer echi l
l
ingatt hisotherplaceabi tclose
tohome, Idon'treall
yknowwhatt ocal lthe
placebuti t'
ssortofl i
keamobi lecont ainerthat
sellsboozeandt herewer echairsaroundwer e
Peopl ecansi taf
t erbuyi
ngandabi ggazi bo
prov i
dedt henecessar yshade.Itwasn' thot
any more,thesunwasal readyset t
ing.Wewer e
drinki
ngicet ropezandNkul iwastheonewho
bought .
.
Her
:Howar
ethi
ngsbet
weeny
ouandJaci
one?
Me:
Notsogood
Her
:Why
?
Me:
It'
sli
keI
'
mtheonl
yonei
nvest
edi
nthe
rel
ationshi
p,Iam theonl
yonecal
li
ngand
text
inghim.Jacioneisal
waysbusyandhei
s
hardlyaround
Her :
Ihatetobet hishonestwit
hy oubutBabe
youhav einvestedtoomuchofy ourfeel
ings
i
nt othi
srelati
onshipanditseemsasi fl
ike
Jacioneisn'tquit
ecommi tt
ed,heisasoccer
playeraft
erall.Wemi ghtbesit
ti
ngheret al
ki
ng
andhemi ghtbeget t
ingpussysomewher eelse
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhatIwast
hinki
ng
Her:Suchrelat
ionshipsyouj
ustgoinforthe
benefi
ts.Sex,money ,andagoodti
me.Lookat
meIam notcommi ttedatal
ltoanyonebutIam
l
ivi
ngav erygoodl i
fe
Me:WhataboutSnazo?Wasi
tal
soabenef
ici
al
r
elat
ionshi
p?
Sheexhal
ed.
.
Her
:No..ThetruthisIl
ovedSnazo.Idi
dn'
thav
e
muchbutIdidn'tcar
ebecauseIhadhim,i
twas
usagai
nstt
hewor
ld
Me:
Soundsl
i
key
ouwer
eint
oodeep
Her:Iwasbutunfort
unatel
yt herewasnof ut
ure
wit
hhim,Snazoi sathughewoul ddi
sappeara
l
otandmybi ggestfearwast hathewouldbe
l
ockedupforal ongti
meormay behemightbe
gunneddownandt henwhatwasgoi ngto
becomeofme?Whenhedi sappearedthat
's
whenIdecidedtoputmef i
r stIhadtothi
nk
aboutmyfuture
Me:IwishIcouldknowhowi tf
eel
sliketobe
l
oved,Imeantrulyl
oved.NotwhatJacionei
s
doi
ngtome
Her
:Thenwhyar
eyoust
il
lwi
thhi
m?
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
.Ir
eal
l
ydon'
tknow
Herphoner
ang.
.
Her
:Ei
shi
t'
sAuntShei
l
a..
Sheanswer
ed.
.
Her
:Hel
l
o??
..Ya.
.Si
segazi
bo(
we'
reatgazi
bo)
Af
teraf
ewsecondssher
oll
edherey
es.
.
Her
:Okay
..By
e
Sheputherphoneont
het
abl
e..
Her
:Shewant
sust
obuyheri
Cast
lel
i
te
Shel
ookedar
ound.
.
Her
: I
'
m gladImadei toutofher
e,thehoodhas
nofutur
eforgi
rls.I
'
dpr obabl
ybepr egnantby
noworjustsi
tt
ingandwat chi
nglif
epassmeby
Me:
Gramswasput
ti
ngy
out
hroughschool
Her:IwasdependentonNsf asandi
tdidn'
t
evenpayf ormyf i
rstyear,
itwascat
ast
rophic.
Atleastyou,youhav ealwayshadUncl
eJ.Jin
yourli
fe.Youblessed
Me:
Iguessso
ACi
tigol
fpul
l
eduppl
ayi
ngmusi
cver
yloud.
..
"
Yougi
vemet
hel
oveIneed,
Youl
etmebewho
Iwannabe(
ndi
yakut
handa)
Yougi
vemethelov
eIneed,Youl
etmebewhoI
wannabe(
ndi
yakut
handa)
Yi
mit
handazoy
enu,
Nobubel
ebenu.
.
Ohy oucoul
d'
vebeendoi
ngsomethi
ngel
sewi
th
yourli
fe,
Butyouchoset
obeher
ebymyside.
..
"
Thedri
verr
educedt
hev
olume,butwecould
st
il
lheart
hesongonamuchacceptabl
elev
el.
.
"Umntungumnt ungabantunam ndingumntu
ngabantu(yougottoknowt hat
),Umntu
ngumnt ungabantunam ndi
ngumnt ungabant
u
(whatyoudoneknow) .
.Ndiyabul
elabhuti
,
ndiy
abulelasisi
(yougottoknowt hat
)
Ndiyabulel
amama, ndiy
abulel
atata(yougotto
knowt hat)
.."
Nkul
ifr
eakedout
..
Nkul
i
:OMG!
!It
'sSnazo.
.
Me:
What
?
Her
:Wehav
etogor
ightnow!
!
Theygotoutoft
hecar
..
Me:Wait
..WhataboutAuntShei
l
a'sbeer
s?You
knowshegoingtobemakingnoise
Wehur r
iedtogett
hebeers,
Howf r
ight
ened
Nkuli
wasmademeabi tuncomfor
tabl
e.They
gaveust het
wocastl
eli
tebeer
sandwhenwe
tur
ned,Sazit
hel
aphezukwabo(Webumped
i
ntothem)
Nkul
ial
mostdr
oppedt
hebeer
s..
Theycamef acetofacewitheachotherandthe
ser
iouslookonSnazo'sfaceterr
iedme.Snazo
j
ustli
kehisBrotherheisveryhandsomebuthe
i
sv er
yinti
midati
ngtoo.Thatscarunderhiseye
madehi m moreinti
midati
ng.Hehadhi shands
buri
eddeepinhispocketsandhewasl ooking
atNkulif
rom headtotoewhi l
esnif
fi
ng,Nkuli
wasev enshaki
ng.
Ni
sohadthi
ssmi
rkonhi
sfacet
hatIcoul
djust
wi
peoffwit
hacl
ap.
.
Snazoclearedhisthr
oatandthenbumpedint
o
Nkulionpurpose,makingthet
wocastlel
i
te
bott
lesthatshewashol di
ngtofal
landbr
eak.
.
Ni
so:Ei
shsi
zot
hini
umuntumakameendleleni
?
(
whatcanwesaywhensomeonei
sstandingin
t
heway)
Nazo:Umunt
uagcwal
eindl
elanj
e(Aper
son
occupyi
ngt
hewhol
espace)
Ididn'
texpectsuchi
mmat
uri
tyf
rom t
hebot
hof
them..
SnazopushedNkul
iabi
twhowascl
oset
o
cr
yingnow..
Snazo:
Eishs'
cel
aukudl
ulapl
ease(
Canwe
pl
easepass)
Ni
sochuckl
ed.
.Icl
i
ckedmyt
ongue.
.
Me:
Suchi
mmat
uri
tyf
rom t
wogr
ownmen
If
eltahandgrabbi
ngmyar minav eryr
ough
way,hetur
nedmear oundsothatIcoul
dface
hi
m.Myhear tski
ppedabit.
.
Snazo:Aski
esuy
akhul
uma?(
Arey
ousay
ing
something)
Ikeptqui
et.
.
Hi
m:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkso
Nisolaughed,l
i
kelit
eral
lylaughedandhi
slaugh
pi
ercedthroughdeepinsideandmadememor e
upset.Nkuli
andIleft
..
Me:
Wai
tunt
ilIgetmyUncl
eont
hem
Itookoutmyphoneandcall
edhi
m,he
answeredont
he3rdring.
.
Hi
m:Dodo
Ibr
okedowni
ntear
s..
Hi
m:What
'swr
ong?
Me:
Someguy
sthey
..They
..
Hi
m:Whatguy
s?Wher
ear
eyou?
Me:
We.
.Iam wi
thNkul
iand.
.
Hi
m:Gi
veNkul
ithephone
Igav
eNkul
ithephoneandshet
alkedt
ohi
m..
_
NI
SO
Nazo:
awus'
shay
enge6packy
eHei
neken
Me:
Wast
hat
snecessar
ymar
a?
Hi
m:What
?
Me:
Dissi
ngt
hosechi
cksl
i
ket
hat
?
Hi
m:Tseknabobay
atef
a(t
heycr
ybabi
es)
Ithi
nkIl
ikeNomveloabit
,Iwouldli
ketoknow
hermorebutwhatSnazodidmightrui
nthi
ngs
forme.
.
.
Tobecont
inued
10
SNAZO
MyHomi eStoki
esjoinedus,StokiesandShi ne
aremysquad.I '
vebeendoingt hi
swi tht hem
andt heyhav
ebeenher esi
ncefrom dayonewe
havebeendoi ngshadydeali
ngst ogetherf oras
l
ongasIcanr emember .Af
terwhathappened
atNandosIr eal
lyneededthis,
crazyt alks,few
beers,andweed.Thisismywayofr elaxing..
Me:St
oki
escav
a,ngi
nesi
tuat
ionl
a(St
oki
esI
hav
eaprobl
em)
Hi
m:Smoko?(
What
'swr
ong)
Me:thi
ngshav ebeenhappeningtome,izinto
nj
ethatIcannotexplai
n.SoIneedsomet hing
i
ntoezogezales'
nyamanamabhadi wasej ele(I
needsomethingthat
'sgoingtocl
eanseme
fr
om al
lthi
sbadl uckthatIgotf
rom j
ail
)
Hi
m: Noungawarint
wanangi
k'
phet
he(
don'
t
wor
ry..Igoty
ou)
Me:
Youst
il
lconsul
ttot
hatwoman?
Hi
m: Yebo!uy
ayenzai
ntoy
akhe(
shedoesher
t
hing)
Me:Sur
entwanassi
zombonaksasa(
Wewi
l
l
seehi
mt omor
row)
Ni
sowasawf
ull
yqui
etwhi
chi
snotatal
ll
ike
hi
m..
Me:
uGr
and?(ar
eyouokay
)
Henoddedwhi
l
ebusyonhi
sphone.
.
Stoki
escl
earedhi
sthr
oatwhi
l
elooki
ngatNi
so,
thenhel
ookedatme..
Him:Bekel
ami na,
manj
eiJob?(
Tel
lmewhat
aboutourdeal
i
ngs)
Me:
Sizoy'
cedaksasa(
Wewi
l
ldi
scussi
t
t
omorrow)
Idi
dn'
twannahavesuchtal
ksinfr
ontofNiso.
Aswewer esi
tt
ingt
herej
usthavi
ngagoodt i
me
andli
steni
ngt
osomemusi c,at
axipul
ledup.
J.
Jgotoutwi
thhi
shool
i
gans,
hewashol
ding
hi
sgun.
..
Ni
so:
Shi
t!
!
Hemadehi
swayt
ous.
.
St
oki
es:
EyyBr
aJ,
k..
J.
J:Voet
sek!
!!
..Voet
sek
Hecl
i
ckedhi
stongueandt
henl
ookedatme.
.
J.J:Ucabangaukut
hiubani
wena?(
Whodoy
ou
thinkyouare)
Ipi
ckedupt
hecananddr
ankf
rom i
t.
.
J.J:Eyywenaswi
ne!
!Ng'
khul
umanawe(
Iam
talki
ngtoyou)
St
oki
es:
K'hambani
BraJ?(
What
'shappeni
ng)
J.
J:Ng'
theVoet
sekwena!
!
Hel
ookedatmeagai
n..
J.
J:Kubek'
dal
angadeal
anawethatt
ime
umoshaumntwanawasendl
i
ni(
Ishoul
d'
vel
ong
deal
twit
hyou,
thatt
imey
oumessedupwi
th
Nkul
i)
Me:
Ent
leki
s'
khal
os'
thi
ni?(
what
'
syourpr
obl
em)
J.
J:Ngiyanyanyamag'busyng'
del
elwaabaf
ana
abancane(Igetir
ri
tat
edwhensmal lboy
s
di
srespectme)
Hel
ookedathi
shool
i
gans.
.
J.
J:Mt
hat
heni
(Takehi
m)
Threeoft
hem madethey
'r
ewayt
omeand
roughl
ygr
abbedMe..
St
oki
es:
AhhBr
aJ.
J
Helookedattheot
hertwoandt
heywent
st
rai
ghttoStoki
esprev
enti
nghi
mfrom
st
andingup.
.
Ni
so:I
fthi
sisaboutNomv el
oandNkul
i
,we
wer
ejustj
oki
ngwiththem
J.J:Wel
ltheydidn'
tfi
ndt
hej
okef
unnybecause
theywer
en'tlaughi
ng
Ni
sost
oodup.
.
Me:
SitdownNi
so
Hesatdown.J.
Jlookedatmeashi
sgoons
hel
dme..
Hegav eoneoft hem hi sgunandst art
ed
punchingmer epeatedlyonmyf ace,Icouldn'
t
real
lydefendmy sel
fsi nceIwasov erpower ed
andStokiescouldn'
thel pmet oo.Af t
erthe
punchest heyl
etmegoandal lt
hreeoft hem
star
tedattacki
ngme, kicki
ngmesensel essasI
wentdown.Ni sotri
edt ocometomyr escuebut
theyheldhim back.
.
Stoki
es:
BraJ.
J,kant
ikwenzakal
ani
?(what
'
s
happeni
ng)
J.
Jlookedatme.
.
Him:ngi
k't
holeuhluphaabantwanabam'fut
hi,
ki
nibazocul
aamagugu( ifyoutroubl
emygirl
s
agai
n,atyourhousetheygoingtosingf
uneral
songs)
Hespatonmeandthenmadehi
swaybackt
o
t
hetaxi
,hi
sgoonsf
oll
owedhi
m.
Ni
so:
Shi
tNazoar
eyougood?
Stoki
es:
Entl
ekuz'
thol
ekanj
ani
sowuqal
a
i
zinki
nganoJ.J?(
Howdidyoufi
ndyour
sel
f
beefi
ngwit
hJ.J)
Theyhel
pedmet
ogetup,
Iwasi
nser
iouspai
n..
_
NOMVELO
Nkuli
waspaci
ngupanddownal
lwor
ri
edand
upset
,wewerei
nthebedr
oom.
.
Me:
Nkul
iyoumaki
ngmedi
zzy
Her:
Didyoureal
lyhav
etocal
luMalume?Me:
YesIhadtoo.
.Thoseguy
swerejer
ks!!
Her
:Doyouhaveanyi
deawhatyouhav
edone?
Whati
fyourUncl
eki
ll
sSnazo?
Me:
Idon'
tcar
e!!
!
Her: Wellyoubett
ercare!
!Thewor l
ddoesn't
revolvearoundyoumi ssuni
v er
se,y
oubetter
startacknowledgingt
hatyourUnclewon'tbe
aroundf orev
erandwhent hathappensIwonder
what '
sgoingt obecomeofy ou!
Me:
Soy
oudef
endi
ngt
hem?
Her:I
'
mj ustt
ryi
ngtomakey ouseet
haty
ou
shoul
dgrowupVel o!Younot16any
morenot
ever
ythi
ngisaboutyou!
Me:
What
everNkul
i
Her
:Taket
hatback
Me:
Orwhat
?
Her
: Iam noty
ourf
ri
endIam yourbi
gsi
stery
ou
bet
tershowmesomer espect
Ichuckl
ed.
.
Me:
It'
snotl
i
key
ouagoodr
olemodel
Her
:Ut
hini
?(whatar
eyousay
ing)
Me:Whatexact
lyar
eyout
eachingmebi
gSi
s?
ThatIshoul
dpr
osti
tut
emysel
f?
Shedi dtheunt hinkable,
inamat terofseconds
shewassl appingmeandt hrowingmeont he
fl
oor.Shewentonf ullat
tackmodeandIdon' t
knowhowt ofight,Ihaveneverf ought
physicall
ybef oreandIwasget tingass
whooped.Al l
Icoul ddowasscr eam.Nkul iwas
veryangr y
.ThedooropenedandNomsa
walkedi n,shelaughedf ir
stbefor eneutr
ali
zing
thesituati
on..
Nkul
i
:Ngi
zokut
rapagi
rl
!(Iwi
l
lbeaty
ouup)
Thatst
atementmadenosensebecauseshe
hadalr
eadywhoopedmyass..
Nomsa:
OkayNkul
ithat
'senough
Nomsagotherof
fme.
..
Nomsa:
Whathappened?(
Laughi
ng)
Nkul
i
:Iy
adel
elal
ent
o(t
hist
hingi
sdi
srespect
ful
)
MyGr
andmot
herwal
kedi
n..
Gr
ams:
What
'sgoi
ngonher
e?
Me:
Nkul
iat
tackedme(
Cry
ing)
Gr
ams:
What
?
Shel
ookedatNkul
i
..
Grams:Usukalausukakhona,
uzoshaya
umntwana?(Youfrom wher
eyoufrom t
ocome
hereandbeatthi
schil
d)
Nkul
i
:Areyouev
ergoi
ngt
obef
airordef
end
me?Nja.
.
Gr
ams:
Yey
!!
!
Nomsa:KodwaGogonoVel
onay
euy
adel
a
(
Veloi
sdisrespect
ful
)
Gr
ams:
uVel
oumnt
wana(
Vel
oisachi
l
d)
Nkul
i
:Letmej
ustgetmyt
hingsandl
eav
e
(
Cryi
ng)
Nomsa:
Nkul
icomeon
Nkul
i:
uGogov
eleuy
ang'
zondami
na(
Grams
hat
eme)
Gr
ams:
Myekeahambe!(
lethergo)
MyGr
andmot
herpul
l
edhercl
osert
ome.
.
Grams:
Akakul
i
mazangakodwa?(
Didshehur
t
you)
Icoul
dn'
tanswerbecauseIwascr
ying.
.
Gr
ams:
Aski
esphel
a
Nkuli
:LaayoshonakhonauMalumeangifuni
nokwazi
,umbabeangashoni(t
heredaythathe
i
sgoingtodie,Idon'
twannasee.Youbetter
prayhedoesn'
tdie)
Grams:Si
siwe!Paki
shauhambe!(
Packyour
t
hingsandgo)youfoundusher
einpeace,
l
eaveusinpeace!
Nomsalookedatmeandshookherheadi
n
di
sappoi
ntment,
nott
hatIcar
ed.Shemeans
not
hingt
ome. .
_
SNAZO
Nisodr
ov eushome, Iwasi
nalotofpai
nto
evendr
ive.MyMot herfl
i
ppedoutwhenshe
sawmei nthatst
ate..
Gugu:
Nkosi y
ami!!Kwenzakal
eni
?(myGod!
!
Whathappened)
Ni
sohel
pedmet
osi
tdown.
.
Gugu:
Papaar
eyouokay
?
Me:
GuguI
'
mfi
ne
Gugu:
Younotf
ine!
!LookatMe
Il
ookedather
..
Gugu:Kushokuthi
njethinasi
yazal
asizal
ela
aboJ.Jukut
hibashayayeabantwanabethu?
(Sonowwegi v
ebirthforJ.Jt
obeatourkids)
If
orgott
hatGugucanov
err
eact
..
Gugu:
umamakheas'
khohl
weksasa!(
HisMom
mustf
orgetust
omor
row)
MyGr
andmot
herwal
kedi
n..
Her
:Umsi
ndowani
?(Whysomuchnoi
se)
Gugu:bonaukut
hiuJ.
Jumenzeni
uNazo(
lookat
whatJ.Jdi
dtoNazo)
Ma:
Bekwenzakal
ani
?(Whathappened)
Shemov
edcl
osert
ome.
.
Ma:
ithi
ngi
bone?(
letmesee)
Shest
ret
chedherhandt
ome.
.
Me:
Pleasedon'
ttouchme
Gugu:
Snazo!
!
Me:
Yini
?(What
)Idon'
twanthert
otouchme
MyGr
andmot
herexhal
ed.
.
Ma:
Goodni
ghtev
ery
one
Shewal
kedoutt
othebedr
oom.
.
Gugu:
What
'swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
Me:
Nx!
!
Istoodupandt
hensl
owl
ywal
kedoutt
omy
room..
Gugu:
Snazo!
!!
!
Iunl
ockedandwal
kedin,Isatont
het
hebed
andthoughtf
orawhi
l
e...
Me:
What
'shappeni
ngt
ome?
IwishIknewwhatwashappeni
ngtome,
Iwi
sh
IknewwhyIwaslosi
ngmymi nd.
AsIwaslostdeepi
nmyt
hought
sIhear
dasof
t
knock.
.
Me:
Gugui
fit
'
syou.
.I'
m noti
nthemood!
!
Theper
sonknockedagai
n..
Ist
oodupandwentt
oopen.
.
Me:
Isweari
f.
.
I
twasNkuli
,shewasstandi
ngther
ewit
hher
bagandt
earswerest
reamingdownhercheeks.
.
Her
:Idi
dn'
tknowwher
eel
set
ogo
Iopenedandshewalkedi
n..Icl
osedt
hedoor
andleanedagai
nsti
t.
.
Me:
Whathappened?
Sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
sand
cont
inuedcr
ying.
.
Me:
Comeher
e
Shedroppedherbagandmadeherwayt ome, I
wrappedmyhandsar oundherasshelai
dher
headonmychestal l
crying.ForamomentI
evenfor
gotthatIwasinj
ur ed.
.
.
Tobecont
inued