Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MATHONGA
MATHONGA
-----
THE KHANYILES
------
“Where is my son?”
Dalisile has been brought to her chambers, the
first person to cross her mind when she regains
consciousness is Vukuzakhe. Vumile snorts at
the sudden tears rolling down her face.
“You’re impossible, you know that?” He never
thought he’d be disgusted by his own wife.
“What did I do?” She asks, Vumile moves from
the edge of the bed to stand over her.
“What’s happening Dalisile? Why are you so
dramatic? Your children need you, but you don’t
care. You’re so obsessed with Vukuzakhe that
you’ve forgotten you have other children.”
“How is Vukuzakhe?” She asks, Vumile frowns.
He can’t grasp how his wife can be so cold
hearted. “How is my son?”
“I have had it with you Dalisile, continue with
this behaviour and I will throw you out of these
premises.” The threat alone brings her to her
feet, she’s frowning at her husband.
“What did I do?” Feeling defensive, she yells.
“You continue to embarrass me in front of my
brothers. You think I don’t know what you did
Dalisile?”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t do
anything, there is nothing wrong with me
worrying about my son?”
“You started the fire.” The accusation comes
out firm and certain. Wild eyes stare back at
Vumile, his wife blinks and starts biting her
cuticles, an annoying trait her husband is not
fond of.
MATHONGA-
VUMILE-
Roommates is what they have become, it
doesn’t feel like marriage anymore, it’s been like
that since Mathonga was born. He thought
they’d get over it, whatever they are fighting
about, mend their differences for the sake of
the children.
But she’s hardly around and that frustrates him
to infinity.
Sometimes he forgets how she looks, her scent
that once felt like home, the smile that once
brightened his life even on rainy days. He’s half
past to forgetting her name, as crazy as it
sounds.
AMANDLA-
MATHONGA-
“Hlabela?”
MATHONGA-
--------
FUNOKUHLE-
VUKUZAKHE-
MATHONGA-
My brother wanting to tag along makes things
uncomfortable for me, the initial plan was to
pacify Amandla. She’s been grumpy since we
left for church this morning. Honestly, I’d rather
be doing something different like lying in bed.
I know I said I wanted my birthday to be
different this year, I should’ve been specific, it
was terrible. Except the club scene.
My father was more focused on his new fling,
Ndlela’s hot head pulled him away from home,
from me. Vukuzakhe was gone the entire day,
just like Ntabezikude. I won’t stress on pastor
Hlabela, you’d think Jesus is camping at church
with how he’s so obsessed with it.
-------
MATHONGA-
“I won’t be long.”
“Yes.”
She grabs his arm and pulls him out of the car,
he lets her and stands against it. Gently he
retrieves his phone back, and starts his journey
back to the rondavel.
VUKUZAKHE
*Where’s Mathonga?*
He’s the one Vukuzakhe is mostly worried
about, last night he found Mathonga’s room
locked. He had no choice but to go back to the
rondavel he shares with his wife.
MATHONGA-
Breakfast is almost over when loud singing
occupies the space, and pulls a frown to my
father’s face, there’s only one person
responsible for him cringing in frustration.
VUKUZAKHE
“Well?”
“It happened at work.” Funo thinks he owes him
no explanation.
“What, you got in a fight with one of the cows?”
Vukuzakhe. Funokuhle would laugh, in fact the
query is ticklish, but he doesn't humor his boss'
son.
“Something like that, what about you? Those
scratch marks look pretty bad.”
Funokuhle is looking up his neck. Something
flashes in Khanyile’s eyes resembling a power
stain, and vanishes just as quick. He’s fixing the
collar of his shirt, wondering how the hell the
scratch mark got there. It wasn’t there in the
morning.
“Mosquito.” He’s capping.
AMANDLA-
THE KHANYILES-
THE KHANYILES-
FUNOKUHLE-
“Who is he?”
My face pales. The tone of his voice sends an
icy feeling down my spine, he’s mad… livid.
“What?” My nails scrap against the red velvety
couch, in search of a grip where none could be
found.
“The man you were with, who is he?” I know
who he’s talking about.
“I—I told you… he’s my boss. We had gone to
buy…”
“If I were you, I would think before I answer. You
know how much I hate it when you lie to me.” I
wince at his reply.
VUKUZAKHE-
It’s impossible that he’s disappeared without a
trace, Izingolweni is not that big a place for a
person to go missing without anyone taking
notice, a grown man for that matter.
Vukuzakhe wanted to keep it in the family but
that was not Vumile’s plan. The entire town has
been notified of the little prince’s disappearance.
Those who wanted to help have gone out of
their comfort zones.
NALA-
FUNOKUHLE-
Pain.
MATHONGA-
Eleven
MATHONGA-
VUKUZAKHE-
VUMILE-
-------
Our boy!
Vumile loves to hear that, this woman is golden.
A smile reaches his ears, and pumps his heart
until it starts dancing to the echoing sound of
Nandi’s sweet words.
“You are special Mashamase, have I ever told
you that?” A smile is brought to her face.
Look at them making each other smile.
Vumile frowns.
She loves him, and he knows that, but he’s
looking at her as if her mission in life is to hurt
him.
“Soon?” Nandi.
An incredulous chuckle from Nandi stops him,
he turns to find tears in her eyes. Yeah! They
are always on standby.
VUKUZAKHE-
MATHONGA-
VUKUZAKHE-
“Ndodana.”
VUKUZAKHE-
“You’re beautiful.”
--------
MATHONGA-
NALA-
VUKUZAKHE-
“Bhuti?”
“Ndodana wait.”
What does this old man want now?
“Baba?”
“Uyaphi?” (Where ae you going?)
“Egoli.”
“Why?”
“I need to attend to something very important.”
“What about the company? You can’t just up
and leave, and your wife is pregnant. When will
you come back?”
Must everything be about Bongiwe? As a riled
sigh parades from his mouth, he backs up
against the white SUV, ignoring the throbbing
pain on his shoulder.
“I don’t know. Hlabela and Ndlela are here, they
will take care of the business while I’m away,
and Bongiwe is not alone, the house is full of
people, baba.”
------
MATHONGA-
“Ngwane KaNgwadi.”
FUNOKUHLE-
“After robot.”
Haibo, wenja!
“Hey kid.”
“Funokuhle!”
VUKUZAKHE-
MATHONGA-
“What’s going on with you?”
“Baba?”
“Vukuzakhe told me you’re going through
something.”
This is what he called me for? It’s hours later,
he dragged me with him the entire day showing
me his land and livestock. I’m not sure this
father understands how boring old people are,
I’d rather be talking with Nala, thank you. We’re
standing outside the Kraal, looking over at the
cows grazing about.
“I’m not sure you’re going to approve baba.” I
know he won’t. Look at him frowning at me like
I’m speaking Pedi.
“Approve what?” He asks.
Three goes nothing.
“I think I have a calling, the ancestors come to
me in dreams.”
His frown deepens. What will I do with this old
man of mine.
“Mathonga…”
“I know we’re church goers now, but that’s no
excuse to turn our backs on them. They exist
baba, I just think it’s time we acknowledge
them.” Should I tell him what the old woman
said? Maybe, it will shake that old Shembe hair
of his, it’s suffocating his brain that he can’t
even think straight.
FUNOKUHLE-
BONGIWE-
Nala-
VUKUZAKHE-
VUMILE-
He hardly caught any sleep last night, spent
most of the time thinking about Mathonga and
this thing he wants the family to venture in, this
thing he’s been running away from for years.
It’s made him grumpy and very unapproachable,
his sons know when to stay away.
Ndlela has been giving him unwavering stares,
in his mind he’s convinced that his father is
stressed because of the woman he’s seeing
outside his marriage. It’s not that he’s a fan of
his parents, he just hates everything that’s
happening around him.
MATHONGA
*I’m coming.*
The petrol station is not far from where I am, in
less than three minutes I park outside and there
she is, standing by the door. Head dipped on
her phone. I don’t know how many times I have
to warn her about this trait of hers.
Amandla would stare at her phone longer than
she should, forgetting her surroundings.
She doesn’t see me when I step out of the car
and amble her way.
“Wesisi.”
Her head flips up, eyes wide with fright.
“Mathonga, you scared me.” Her voice shudders
out of her mouth.
“That’s because you were so engrossed on that
thing. You know it’s not safe to get lost in your
phone in public? Anything can happen,
Amandla.”
“Calm down, nothing will happen to me. My
boyfriend is a seer, he’ll see it coming.” She
smiles, widely.
I don’t know which boyfriend she’s talking about,
I’m not a seer.
NALA-
MATHONGA-
“Thonga!”
Hlabela’s voice calls to me, he’s standing
outside his rondavel with the bible under his
armpit, obviously ready for church. My brother
takes this suit thing too serious, a whole three
piece. Maroon compliments his cinnamon skin
tone, I’ll give him that.
“Bhuti.” I send my greetings, wincing at how I’d
have to explain why I’m not ready for church.
He strides to me, one hand in his pocket and
face hard. For a second I’m taken by how
powerful he looks in that suit, way different
from businessman Hlabela.
VUKUZAKHE-
“Funokuhle!”
His stomach does a backflip the second he
wraps his arms around the young man. It’s
ridiculous, he’s not a teenager. Zakhe curses it
silently, willing it to stay in place, to stay out of
his way. He pulls back when he feels how tense
his minion is.
“What happened? Where did you go? You had
me worried sick.”
It’s the sad look on Funo’s face that has him
asking these questions.
Funokuhle walks in, shoulders slumped and
head dropped. His gnawed demeanour
ascertains that something is seriously wrong.
Zakhe follows him, a million questions running
around his head in muddled circles.
They are standing in the middle of the lounge,
there’s tension standing in-between them.
“My father is here… he… he came to get me.” He
keeps his eyes away from Zakhe who is
frowning at him. The big man is trying to wrap
his head around what he just heard. He
scratches the base of his neck, tilts his head as
his brows go for a deeper pucker.
“Your father?” Funokuhle nods. “How did he find
you? I don’t understand.”
“Pule brought him here, I don’t know how they
found me.” Funo’s voice sounds a bit off, he’s
still struggling to look Zakhe in the eye.
“That bastard,” Zakhe hisses in anger. “Was he
here, in my house?”
He doesn’t mean to sound rude.
BONGIWE-
NTABEZIKUDE-
NTABEZIKUDE-
He abandoned his brother somewhere along
the way back home, with an alleged reason of a
meeting. Mathonga was told not to go home,
but wander around. Plans of meeting his sister
still put on hold.
It’s a Saturday, the church goers are not back
yet and the workers are in their rooms probably
dancing to ‘Akekho uDalisile.’
NTABEZIKUDE -
NALA-
KHETHIWE-
It’s bad enough that the Khanyiles think I’m this
reticent girl who trembles at the sight of their
unruly son. Romeo with a black rose and a
scythe in his hand. That’s my Ntabezikude.
Lord knows how that man makes my insides
tremble. In any case, I can’t let Nala fall under
the same classification, she’s too shy it makes
me look bad. I need to teach her a thing or two
about being confident.
THE KHANYILES-
“Excuse me.”
NTABEZIKUDE-
*
*
HLABELA-
MATHONGA-
FUNOKUHLE-
MATHONGA-
MATHONGA-
VUMILE-
MATHONGA-
Thirty-one
NDLELENI-
HLABELA-
FUNOKUHLE-
THE KHANYILES-
NALA-
KHETHIWE-
MATHONGA-
NTABEZIKUDE-
FUNOKUHLE-
Birds should be banned from the world, how are
they allowed to make noise so early in the
morning. Not everyone is a morning person, if
only I had stone.
A sigh leaps past my lips as I sit up from the
bed, the morning light is bursting through the
open curtains. It’s only now I notice the
windows are open as well.
Someone was in here. My mind wavers a little,
and I find myself drifting into a world of worry. It
doesn’t last long because I snap myself back to
reality, it’s the next day and I’m still alive.
VUKUZAKHE-
MATHONGA-
THE KHANYILES-
FUNOKUHLE-
THE KHANYILES-
FUNOKUHLE-
DALISILE-
MATHONGA-
NALA-
RUN!!!
I want to scream, but fear presses down my
chest, suffocating me.
Petros quickly grabs Thabani by the shoulders
and throws his little body against the brick wall.
All I hear is a sickening thud and something
akin to the sound of bones cracking. Another
stomach-turning sound echoes as my little
brother’s naked body lands on the floor, then
there’s blood leaking from his head.
MATHONGA-
Thirty-nine
AMANDLA-
VUKUZAKHE-
NTABEZIKUDE-
He hates it when things don’t go according to
plan, today was meant to be a success. Do the
damn ceremony and ship Mathonga off to
Namibia.
He’s on the phone with Alfred when Mathonga
enters his room, Khothama flips a blanket over
a load of guns spread on the bed. Too late,
Mathonga saw them, it’s the first time seeing
so many guns. There’s an urge to ask, but he
has a brother who smacks you when you start
to get annoying.
“Mathonga.” Ndleleni is here too, he stands
from Ntaba’s bed, an apologetic guise on his
hard features and hugs him. “I’m sorry... you
know that I…”
“We are brothers, we don’t say sorry.” Mathonga
articulates.
Ndleleni understands, they understand each
other. It is how their relationship is and has
always been. Ndleleni reclaims his position on
the bed.
NALA-
FUNOKUHLE-
AMANDLA-
MATHONGA-
KHETHIWE-
KHETHIWE-
AMANDLA-
THE KHANYILES-
“I saw that.” Thethela says as Ntaba
approaches, her arms are folded across her
chest, looking like a wife who just caught her
husband fornicating.
A frown crosses Ntaba’s hard face, he chooses
to pretend that she’s not even standing in front
of him and manoeuvres past her. Thethelela
grabs his arm and pushes him back outside.
“What you’re doing is wrong Ntaba, you’re
sleeping with the house help.”
“What do you want from me, Thethelela?” He
questions, glaring sharp knives at her.
“I…” she struggles to answer him, Ntaba clicks
his tongue and decides again to move past her.
But Thethelela is not letting him, she takes his
arm again and pulls him back.
“That girl thinks you love her, I see how she
looks at you.”
Bopha has to come home and put his wife on a
leash. She’s barking at gates where she’s not
allowed access.
“You don’t know me, stay out of my business.”
He says politely and continues to walk past her.
This time, she is not the one to stop him.
He’s looking at her, eyes poring over her body.
“Your presence is not welcomed here anymore.
Get your things and go back to your house, your
husband will find you there.” And with that, he
walks back into the house.
DALISILE-
She bumps into a tall man as she steps out of
Zakhe’s hospital room, her tongue goes for a
loud click. Sometimes she forgets there are
men keeping watch of this room, she finds it
totally unnecessary.
It’s been a long day, the plan is to go home,
clean up and go to bed. 10pm is on standby,
waiting for its shift.
The cold evening air hugs her as she walks out
of the hospital, it’s too empty and too quiet out
here. She’s not afraid though, it’s not the first
time leaving the hospital this late.
Approaching her BMW 4 series, she notices two
men taking pictures of it. It’s obvious they are
admiring the expensive vehicle. Like the snob
she is, Dalisile hurries to tell them to scoot and
go pick in dustbins or something.
“Excuse me! Hey, hey! What are you doing?”
She’s shouting, loudly clapping her hands and
conceited as ever, otherwise she wouldn’t be
Dalisile.
The men don’t look startled, or afraid. Neither
do they move muscles.
“This is my car, and what you are doing is illegal.
I can get you locked up for this.” This one thinks
she’s in the village.
One of them finds a joke in her statement.
Antipathy claws beneath her skin, this is not
how she is treated back in the village. Lowlifes
like them kiss the ground she walks on.
Besides, these men look dodgy, she knows she
will get into trouble if she doesn’t jump into her
car and leave. She hurries to the driver’s side,
pulls her keys out from her designer bag. Her
hands are trembling, it’s the negative energy
she’s getting from the men who have not
bothered to move, or say a word.
“I’ll take that, thank you.” Comes a disrespectful,
shallow tone.
The key is snatched from her. She was busy
fiddling with the door to notice them moving in
on her.
“If you scream, I will shoot you.” The other says,
pointing a gun at her from the other side of the
car.
“Keep the bag, magriza.” He adds, laughing
mockingly.
Why do hospital parking lots have to be empty?
The men don’t spare a second glance, they
climb into her car and drive away without giving
anything off.
You’ve got to love Johannesburg.
KHETHIWE-
AMANDLA-
VUKUZAKHE-
NTABEZIKUDE-
MATHONGA-
NTABEZIKUDE-
THE KHANYILES-
KHETHIWE-
THE KHANYILES-
*
*
Please share, like and comment. We have a
date tomorrow, let’s make it happen.
MATHONGA-
Fifty
KHETHIWE-
“KaMandonsela.”
MATHONGA-
Fifty-one
NALA-
NTABEZIKUDE-
KHETHIWE-
FUNOKUHLE-
DALISILE-
*CHIEF’S BROTHER DIES FROM MYSTERIOUS
DEATH!*
KHETHIWE-
NTABEZIKUDE-
The plan was that she finds him waiting for her
and not that big head she calls a friend and here
she is, standing before him with big eyes and a
dropped jaw.
“Sit down Khethi,” he orders as he holds a grin
on his face, showing off his pearly white teeth.
“What are you doing here?” Not in her craziest
imagination did she think she would find him
here. His mouth opens, ready to give an
explanation when a chubby man with a shiny
head, and wet armpits runs into the eatery,
wheezing like a police siren. His eyes search
the place, meeting every judgemental eyes
staring back at him. He sighs in relief when they
land on Khethiwe and a familiar face he must
have seen a while back.
“Khethiwe!” Bahle shouts, whiffing his way to
the table.
“What happened to you?” Khethiwe.
“This man stopped my car on the highway and
slashed my tyres.” Bahle snitches, pointing an
accusatory finger at Ntaba.
“What? No you must be mistaken, Ntaba
wouldn’t do that.”
“Well he did,” Bahle is losing his grip. “Ask him if
you don’t believe me.”
Curious eyes turn to Ntaba, he looks bored as
fuck. He raises a hand to signal for a waiter, in
the meanwhile, Khethiwe is sporting a frown.
“Do you have mageu? Banana flavour please.”
His eyes don’t leave Khethiwe’s figure and so he
misses the waiter’s confused expression.
“We don’t have mageu sir, but you can order
from our wide range of milkshakes.” What
language is this one speaking? There’s a look in
Ntaba’s eyes, boredom.
“What’s going on Ntaba? What did you do?” The
light bulb flicks on in her head, it explains why
she found him here and not
Bahlephambikwethu.
Seeing no one is paying him any attention, the
waiter decides to give them time, it looks like
there’s about to be a crime scene in this place.
VUMILE-
He never saw this day coming, where his
children would be scattered everywhere like a
drunkard’s vomit. It’s the loneliest he’s ever
been, yes Nandi and Zamangwane are there but
his sons are not. It’s out of his control, this
morning, at the breakfast table; it was the two
of them. Him and Nandi, Zamangwane is
forever sleeping at a friend’s house much to
Vumile’s annoyance.
Her friend, Cebolakhe can be very convincing
with her bambi eyes and a natural smile that’s
accompanied by dimples. She is a family-friend,
they’ve known her since the girls were in
primary school and so they trust her like a blind
man trusts his loyal dog.
HLABELA-
*Ring-a-ring-a-rosies
A pocket full of poises
A tissue, a tissue…
We all fall down*
THE KHANYILES-
VUKUZAKHE-
A call comes in from his wife, days of ignoring
her are long gone. That smash he received on
the head has changed him, he’s grateful for life
and the things he has. He’s grateful for Bongiwe
and he’s grateful for Funokuhle. They both
mean something to him, he wouldn’t trade them
for anything.
“Mabuza.” He’d smile if his heart was not heavy.
“When are you coming home? You said we’ll do
the cleansing ceremony this weekend.”
He hasn’t forgotten about that. How can he
forget about his first child? He didn’t want
children, and nothing will ever change that. It’s
how it has always been, but that doesn’t change
the fact that he made a baby with Bongiwe.
They did make a baby, that’s growing in the
spiritual world. They owe it a peaceful sleep.
“Mathonga still needs me, but I will make time.”
His eyes chase the young petite man sleeping
on his bed, he came here with a mission to take
him back home so he can visit his father’s
grave.
The prolonged silence creates an awkward
ambiance between him and his wife, she’s
upset, he can easily tell.
“I need you too, our baby needs you. You’ve
been away for a week, you left me alone to deal
with your father’s girlfriend. I can’t stand her,
she controls everything around here. I feel like I
have lost my place in this house…”
The complaining is one of the reasons he stays
away for too long. Zakhe has met Nandi and
Zamangwane, he hasn’t had time to sit and talk
to them. That placed aside, he has no problem
with his father taking a second wife. Like he had
no problem with Nandi the first time they found
her at the homestead, perhaps having Nandi
around will soften Vumile’s heart. It will give
Zakhe a chance to introduce Funokuhle and let
his family know that he has fallen in love with
the boy and wants him to be part of his life.
THE KHANYILES-
KHETHIWE-
NDLELENI-
AMANDLA-
NTABEZIKUDE-
*
*
A/N: Please like, comment and share.
MATHONGA-
Fifty-nine
Sponsored by Charmaigne Kotoyi…
.
.
NALA-
KHETHIWE-
THE KHANYILES-
KHETHIWE-
NALA-
NTABEZIKUDE-
VUKUZAKHE-
THE KHANYILES-
Vumile is startled awake by the noise tearing
through the closed door, he flinches, eyes going
wide as he realises with a sort of confusing
fright that something is happening outside.
“Did you hear that?” Not really understanding
what is going on, and his mind going blanker
than a sheet of paper, Vumile manages to hear
his side-chick’s voice beside him. Yes, they are
sharing a bed once again… Nandi’s bed.
“What is going on?” Vumile questions upon
hearing people talking, and then among the
voices, Zamangwane’s cries of sorrow echoing
very close.
“Shut up wena.” His son’s voice is next in line,
Nandi jolts out of bed, she throws on a morning
gown and a pair of push-ins.
Vumile stands there, frozen for a good ten
seconds, his head fuzzy but clear at the same
time.
“Aren’t you coming?” This is no time to be
freaking out, he blinks as Nandi’s question hits
his ears and tells Nandi to stay behind while he
checks what’s going on.
Being a mother and hearing her child’s
uncontrollable cries outside, Nandi ignores
Vumile and flies out the door, eyes wild and
scanning every inch of her surroundings.
MATHONGA-
DALISILE-
THE KHANYILES-
The guards were gone this morning, no one
knows what that means. They were Ntaba’s
people, he appointed them. Ntaba is big on
family matters, keeping them safe at all costs.
So this move is questioning. He hasn’t shown
his face, no one has heard from him.
Zamangwane is locked in her room, thanks to
Nandi. She might as well be a woman scorned,
her daughter is surely testing her patience.
She’s been screaming and crying, pleading and
groveling and Nandi… well her conscious is as
dirty as Mfundo’s finger nails.
Mfundo was sent back home this morning,
without his precious wife or an explanation.
When the Chief speaks, people listen.
Vumile has so much on his plate, his sons are
not home, and his daughter is a rebel. If old age
doesn’t take him out, stress will.
He’s slouched on his bed entertaining thoughts
of his daughter when he hears screaming
outside… Darn it!
“What is it now?” He curses under his breath.
Khahlamba is definitely living up to his
promises to destroy. He’s out the door in a
flash, eyes widely searching the grounds.
“Dalisile!” Yep! The rightful queen is home and
so is his first born son.
“Are you trying to kill me, Vukuzakhe?” He hears
his wife shout when he’s within earshot. By the
looks of it, Vukuzakhe has done something to
heavily annoy this woman and where the hell
has she been? He’d ask, but there’s an issue at
hand that needs to be dealt with. Dalisile can’t
be shouting like a crazy woman for no reason.
“Keep your voice down mother.” He’d throw in
“please” if Dalisile was not attacking him like
this. Funokuhle is inside, shaking under his skin
and afraid to bat an eye lest he meets Dalisile’s
fiery gaze.
HLABELA-
VUKUZAKHE-
KHETHIWE-
AMANDLA-
*
Please like, comment and share.
MATHONGA-
Sixty-seven
Sponsored by Ntombikayise Gqokoma
.
.
.
NDLELENI-
THE KHANYILES-
“Why do you kids do things without telling me?”
Vumile’s chilly voice stings Vukuzakhe and
Mathonga’s ears, the reason behind his anger is
that Phumlani is on his way here without him
consenting to it.
“That’s the thing baba, we are not kids.” Zakhe
disputes. “If you don’t take action then we will.”
Vumile springs from the seat, he can’t have a
moment’s peace in this place.
“Spare me please, I don’t want my brother
anywhere near my son.” The warning in his
voice is loud and clear, but this is getting old.
Zakhe and Mathonga engage in a conversation
with just simply looks, if they don’t stand up to
this man, he will forever have his way and his
way is indirect.
“If you don’t want to see him, then keep your
distance. Phumlani is coming and it’s not up for
discussion.
That’s it, these boys should prepare his place of
rest, buy him a coffin and choose the suit he
will be buried in. His time is near.
Vumile sits back on the sofa, he leans over,
elbows on his knees and head bowed. He’s
thinking, it’s all he’s been doing lately. His brain
is tired and overused.
THE KHANYILES-
KHETHIWE-
THE KHANYILES-
KHETHIWE-
MATHONGA-
Seventy-one
Sponsored by Rethabile Mofokeng
.
.
VUKUZAKHE-
NTABEZIKUDE-
KHETHIWE-
NTABEZIKUDE-
FUNOKUHLE-
NTABEZIKUDE-
The gate slides open making way for his car, he
spots a few servants bustling around the
grounds. Among them is Zamangwane, he
doesn’t fight the urge to click his tongue when
he sees her talking to one of the herd boys,
she’s too close for comfort and it appears the
two are engaged in a lover’s quarrel. The car
screeches, coming to a stop in front of them.
“Bhekile, wena Bhekile?” The relentless man-
killer roars as he sprints out of the car, leaving
the door wide open. The man in question is
staggering back, eyes wide and lips quavering
as he fights with syllables that refuse to leave
his mouth.
“Mhlo… mhlonishwa…” (Boss.)
Shu! That was close, his voice is still there.
“What are you doing with my sister?” Anger
takes over, he clutches his hand around
Bhekile’s neck.
“Bhuti let him go,” Zamangwane tries to pull
Ntaba back to no avail, he is a brick.
“I… didn’t do anything.” Bhekile grumbles, fear
has gone away, making space for anger. No
man likes being manhandled by another man,
there are days when Ntaba lacks respect for
people.
“Don’t tell me nonsense, I know what I saw.”
There is a good reason he is so defensive and
overprotective, I mean his sister got married
stealthily.
“Bhuti stop, I just needed his help that’s all.”
Zamangwane allows tears to rain down her face,
her brother is now grimacing at her, his curious
scrutiny meeting her bloodshot eyes. Her t-shirt
is worn inside-out, she appears run down and a
bit out of touch with what’s around her.
Observing her every whimpering move, his
brows crumple at how she’s trembling.
“Help with what?” Ntaba pulls his hand back, his
gaze lingers on Zamangwane. She lowers her
head as she starts biting her nails.
This is a chance for Bhekile to keep a safe
distance between him and his boss.
Because he can’t trust her anymore, Ntaba
turns to the herd boy and says, “I’m listening.”
Bhekile grits his teeth, “I was passing by when
she called me. She wanted me to call one of the
Sangweni boys.”
They are men actually…
This is not good news to Ntaba, it’s his turn to
grit his teeth.
“You don’t learn do you?” He is disappointed in
her, it’s written all over his face.
Zamangwane is hurt but there is nothing she
can do to erase the disappointment on her
brother’s face. The need inside her is deep.
“What do you want from him?”
Hello, they are married.
Zamangwane’s eyes glow with inquisitiveness,
a smile twitches on her features but doesn’t
fully grow.
“You’ll call him for me?” The girl wants to know
but her query angers Ntaba, Vumile just had to
let her out of her room. Maybe keeping her
locked up is not such a bad thing.
“No,” he has more to say but the unshed tears
in her eyes stop him.
“I’m thirsty bhuti,” she confesses under a
quavering breath. The girl is scratching her
body as if her skin is tormented by ants.
MATHONGA-
MATHONGA-
ZAMANGWANE-
SABUSISWA-
MATHONGA-
Nandi was found unconscious in
Zamangwane’s room, she’s nowhere to be
found. I had an unsettling dream about
Zamangwane, it’s only now that it has come to
me.
We were at a mall with Nandi, Zamo had just
bought a shiny car, gold in colour. It looked like
a Limo and had no seats at the back. A man in a
black suit got in her car, I remember telling him
to get out of my sister’s car and he wouldn’t.
When I told Zamo about him, she said, “I’m
leaving now, bhuti. You will be okay without me,
please take mom home and take care of her.”
I tried stopping her, to get her to wait for us but
she got into the car and they drove away.
.
.
Zakhe parks his car outside the Sangweni
premises, outside are three men. I’m not
familiar with the two, but Mfundo. The bastard
who preyed on my little sister. We had no
choice but to come and look for her here.
All three of them meet us at the gate, unfriendly
faces, pot bellies and Shembe hair. I’m not
intimidated by the likes of them, they think they
are daunting yet they are far from it.
“Madoda, to what do we owe this unpleasant
visit?” Mfundo has the nerve, after what he did
to Zamangwane.
“They are here to finish us off bafo, killing our
father was not enough for them.” I don’t know
which brother is this one, but he’s earned
himself a spot on my ‘people that annoy me’ list.
“We’re not here to fight,” Zakhe says.
Sometimes he reminds me of baba with how
respectful he tends to be, shouldn’t he be trying
to climb over the fence to get to these men? I’m
not promoting violence but if it’s the only way
we can get Zamangwane then why not?
Nomkhubulwane will have to shut her eyes on
this one.
“The last time one of your people was in our
premises, he killed our father.” That annoying
brother again, he looks the oldest.
“The problem started when you people started
believing that this is your land, show respect
wenja, you’re standing on Khanyile grounds in
the presence of royalty.”
Ndleleni just had to, I like it though… and I can’t
believe I’m actually saying this.
“What did I say bafo? The other one, who’s been
quiet says. He sounds the most arrogant.
“These people will never show us respect.”
“I don’t see a point to any of this, just give us
our sister and we will be on our way.” I have to
step in, seeing they are starting to scratch all
the wrong places in me. Mfundo cracks into
laughter, he’s followed by his brothers. I don’t
know if the two men emerging from behind one
of the houses are looking to fight as well, they
are just as big and menacing.
“She’s my wife, she belongs here with me.”
Mfundo is brave, I give him that.
“You boys are brave, you’re still standing yet you
are outnumbered.” The annoying one says,
turning to the others for support. They all nod
while their eyes spark with danger.
I take a moment to calm my breathing, I usually
don’t react with anger. But these people have
completely turned me into a raging bull.
“That’s because we know who we belong to,” I
have confidence we are protected.
These men think I’m joking, they are laughing.
“My wife is not here, I don’t know where she is.
Now get the hell out of here before we start
serving your royal asses with bullets.” Mfundo
barks arrogantly.
The men with him pull out guns, their
confidence confuses me. It’s as if they are
certain nothing will be done to them.
“Uyakhonkotha mgodoyi? Do you know who
you’re talking to?” (You’re shouting?)
When did Ndleleni pull out that gun? He has it
aimed at them, Zakhe has a gun too. Why didn’t
I get the memo? These people want me to fight
guns with fists? The Sangwenis are not fazed
by the guns aimed at them, it’s five against two
gunned men and a defenceless me.
NTABEZIKUDE-
THE KHANYILES-
NTABEZIKUDE-
MATHONGA-
MATHONGA-
Eighty-one
NALA-
VUKUZAKHE-
NDLELENI-
NALA-
DALISILE-
MATHONGA-
MATHONGA-
VUKUZAKHE-
.
.
The house he purchased in Umhlanga is
everything a family home should be, it speaks
highly of who he is and what lies in his bank
account. The grey walls are plastered with
pictures of his family, Vimbela and Sakhile
included.
It’s not that Funokuhle or Bongiwe were in his
mind when he went house haunting. Perhaps
fate paid a huge role in it, men do not control
their own destiny.
Days have passed and Funokuhle’s heart has
not healed.
An argument broke out when Zakhe flew Black
to Durban to keep an eye on him, after the stunt
Funokuhle pulled, he cannot trust him with his
life. The young man didn’t go down without a
fight, he argued that he is not a child to be
babysat but Zakhe had to because he can’t stay
away from work and there has to be someone
keeping a close eye on his treasure.
Funokuhle needs to get it through his head that
he’s more important than anything, that there
are people who love him.
Connections and all, the younger man wanted
to start from scratch. He works at the call
centre department as a temp. Three days a
week, that was the only available spot.
MATHONGA-
DALISILE-
BONGIWE-
AMANDLA-
NTABEZIKUDE-
NDLELENI-
.
.
VUMILE-
.
.
KHETHIWE-
Mathonga said Ntaba will be out soon, or was it
his ancestor? These things confuse me, I know
nothing about African spirituality.
I can only hope Ntaba won’t expect me to chase
chickens and slit their throats once we’re
married, I grew up in the village yes but with two
brothers who did everything.
It’s been raining cats and dogs for the past
seven days, since Mathonga’s arrival. He came
like a miracle, you can actually taste and smell
the difference in this place. There’s more, light
than there was before.
Today is day eight, we woke up to clear blue
skies. We kind of knew yesterday was the last
day, a rainbow appeared in the sky before the
sun set.
The house is full, and I mean both his girlfriends
are here full. Nala made it clear that she is
visiting, and will go back to Johannesburg as
soon as she can.
Mathonga’s welcome home ceremony is what
brought her here, I can’t say the same about
Amandla. She is like a belt, goes where he goes.
She doesn’t miss a chance to land a helping
hand whenever he is concerned.
They are not dating but Amandla wants him, I
see it in everything she does for him.
*Khethiwe- Job*
*Khethiwe- love life*
*Khethiwe- Brain*
NALA-
NALA-
MATHONGA-
Ninety-
Sponsored by Rethabile Mofokeng.
.
.
MATHONGA-
FUNOKUHLE-
NALA-
THE KHANYILES-
His eyes are lustful and all over her body. Nala
is growing impatient, she sighs and regards him
with a frown.
Her breath catches in her throat when
Mathonga runs his hands up her thighs, gliding
them under her dress and peels her underwear
down to her ankles.
His eyes are on her as he pulls the dress off her
body, she is left naked.
He kisses her breasts, nibbles and sucks before
finding her lips. As he kisses her senseless, he
guides his fingers to her clit and circles it slowly.
He moves his lips to bite at her earlobe. The
sensation is too much that Nala cries out and
glides her feet on the bedsheets.
Mathonga slides his finger along her slit, not
deep enough to enter her, just enough to make
her clench.
“You’re so wet,” he chuckles in delight and
snacks on her breasts.
“Baby,” she finds her voice, desperate and
rugged. She almost grunts in frustration when
he stands back to strip off what’s left on his
body.
NTABEZIKUDE-
.
.
That Alfred guy is annoyingly stubborn, I had to
threaten him to get him to back off. Amandla
has agreed to come with me, it didn’t take much
convincing. It’s not like I have any other choice,
the ancestors brought me here for her, or they
would have killed me. I can already hear people
discussing my cause of death.
NTABEZIKUDE-
Pain!
A splitting headache is what welcomes him, he
can barely flap his eyes open. The next thing
he’s introduced to is the surface he’s lying on,
his brain tells him it’s a bed, he is immediately
aware that it’s not his. His bed feels softer, and
his bedsheets smell like Khethiwe.
Khethiwe!
She should be back from the vacation, he opens
his mouth to speak but there’s something stuck
down his throat. He gags and his brain sends a
message to his hand to pull whatever it is out.
Why can’t he move?
Panic!
He thinks he’s dreaming because there is no
way he can’t move. He loses track of his
breathing, as he tries to get his muscles to toe
the line- follow his instructions.
“Ntaba?” The voice of the one to cross his mind
first, calls out. She’s here—with him. “You came
back to us, I told them you would but no one
wanted to believe me.”
That’s probably not what happened.
Her arms are warm around him, they should be
calming him down. But confusion won’t
abandon him, his brain won’t stop reminding
him that his muscles feel dead.
“Your brothers are outside, I’m going to get
them and the doctor.” She says.
Doctor? That could mean he’s in the hospital?
It feels like Khethiwe has been gone for a
century, his eyes are heavy, dragging him back
into a deep slumber. Like the fighter he is, he
keeps them open and on the door where his
Peaches disappeared.
The sound of many footsteps trampling on the
ground are too loud in his ears and bring a deep
frown to his face. His hospital room is crowded
before he knows it, the faces are familiar except
one of a potbellied, medium-height man in blue
scrubs.
NALA-
KHETHIWE-
The End*
.
.
.