[

3/8,
14:
21]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s
[Pr
ologue]
.
.
.
.
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.

Nomal
anga:"MrMbathasai
dIwil
lst
artwor
king
t
oni
ght
,I'
m sur
eyoutwowill
behaveandmakesure
t
haty
oul
ockt
hedoor
".
Theboyslookedateachother
,thei
rmot herhave
beenbeggingthel
ocalt
arvenownerf orajoband
nowthatshehasscoredone,i
twor r
iedthem too
muchthatshehadtowor ktwojobs.
Khul
ani
:"Whatt
imear
eyouknocki
ngof
f?"
.
Nomalanga: "Idon'
tknowmay bewhenev er
yone
star
tstoleaveandI'm sur
eitwil
lbeinthemorni
ng
becauseyouknowdr unkpeopletheyneverwantt
o
stopdri
nking".
Shef
orcedasmi
l
e.
Khulani
:"Soy
oul
eftt
hej
obatmi
ssMt
hembu'
s
house?"
.
Nomalangawasworki
ngforaschool
teacherf
our
daysaweekandthemoneyshewasearningwas
notenoughf
orthet
hreeofthem.
Khul
ani:
"MaybeIshoul
dgoandwor
katthatt
arv
en,
i
tisnotgoodf
oryoutowor
klat
eshi
ft
s".
Nomal
anga:
"Andwhataboutschool
?Verysoony
ou
ar
ewri
tt
ingyourexamsandIdon'
twant
-"
.
Nsi
ka:"Mom nevermi
ndhi
m,wewi
l
lmakesur
ethat
welockt
hedoors".
Khul
ani
:"No-
onel
i
stenst
omei
nthi
shouseany
way
".
Nsi
ka:
"May
bei
t'
sbecausey
oual
way
str
ytost
ress
mom".
Khulani:
"Justshutup,Iwasn'
tevental
ki
ngtoyou,
youlikeinter
fer
ingi
nthi
ngsthatdoesn'
teven
concerny ou"
.
Nomal
anga:"Enough!Khul
ani
stopt
alki
ngandwash
t
hesedi
shes".
Nomal angabuiltat wor oom houseout si
deher
mot hershouse, r
aisi
ngt woboy swast hehar destjob
buttheywer ethef amilyshehad, Khulani wast he
oldesthewasv eryprotecti
veov erhismot herand
alway sspokehi smi nd, Nsi
kawasv eryhumbl eand
onlyspokesense. .Khulani l
ikedthi
ngsandheknew
thatwhenev erhegoti ntotroublewithhi smot her
Nsikawasal way stheret ohelphim ev enthoughhe
woul dshoutathi ml ater..t
heybot hsol dcigarett
es
atschool t
omakeext racash.hef i
nishedt hedishes.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoust
il
lgoi
ngt
oThemba'
sgi
g?"
.
Nsi
ka:"Idon'
tknowman,
auntaskedmet
obabysi
t
f
orhertoni
ght"
.
Khul
ani
:"ButGrandmawil
lbehomeandit
'snotl
ike
shewil
lpayyou,y
oudontowethatwomananyt
hing"
.
Nsi
ka:
"i'
ll
doi
tjustt
oav
oidt
ort
ureandmor
e
dr
ama".
Khulani
:"I
t'
sbecauseyouar etoosoftt
othem,you
knowwhati '
l
lhelpyoubabysitandwhentheki
ds
star
tsfal
li
ngasleepwewill
goout ".
Nsi
ka:"Cool
butwehav
etocomebackbef
oremom
comesbackhome"
.
Theybot hhadeachot hersback, Theydidn'tlike
beingbossedar oundbyt hei
rauntandgr andmabut
theirmotheralwaystol dthem tobepol i
teandnev er
tal
kbackt oelders,evenNomal angahat edtosee
herkidsdoingfavourst oherf amilywhohat edher
butt oavoi
dbeingcallednamesandmor edr ama
sheal l
owstheboy stodowhat everthattheyt ell
them todobutKhul ani wasdif f
erent,healway stel
l
them thewayt ogetof f.Theboy swai tedfort hei
r
mom t oleaveforworkandf i
xedt heiroutfi
t,they
madesur
et oeatbefor
egoi
ngtothei
r
gr
andmother'
shouse,t
heyhat
edherfoodandev
en
water
.
Nsi
ka:
"Knockknock,
Grandma"
.
Khul
ani
rol
l
edhi
sey
esandwal
kedpassher
.
Gr
andma:
"Di
dn'
tThab'
si
let
ell
yout
ocomeat5?
".
Khul
ani
:"Hei
sher
enowi
sn'
the?
".
Grandma:
"Youar
edisr
espect
fulandItoldy
ou
nevert
osety
ourf
ootherei
nthishouse".
Khulani
:"Isthatso?IfI
'm neverset
ti
ngmyf oother
e
i
nthishouset hanmybr otherwil
lal
sonotsethis
here,whowi l
lyouorderaround?Youandyour
daughterareungrat
eful"
.
Gr
andma:
"Khul
ani
I-"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Let
'sgocheckt
heki
ds"
.
Theylefttheirgrandmotheri
nt heki
tchenstil
l
shouti
ng, t
heywal kedpassther oomsandheadedt o
wheretheki dswer e,
theoldestwasthirt
eeny ear
s
old,
shel ovedhercousins,whenshesawt hem
comingi n,shejumpedupandhuggedt hem.
Hlel
o:"Whydi
dn'
tyouguy
stel
lmet
haty
ouar
e
coming?
".
Khul
ani
:"Wewant
edt
osur
pri
sey
ou,
sur
pri
se!
".
Theyal
ll
aughed.
.
Khul
ani:"Yourgr
andmot
hercan'
tst
opmaki
ng
noi
se".
Hlel
o:"Don'
tmi ndher,
youknowthatshe'
sli
kea
radi
othatneverstopst
alki
ng,
andIguessyouar
e
heretobabysitus".

.
.
.
.

Nsi
ka:
"Unt
ily
ouf
all
asl
eep"
.
Hl
elo:
"Andwher
ear
eyougoi
ngaf
ter
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Whosai
dwear
egoi
ngsomewher
e?"
.
Hl
elo:
"Thewayy
ouar
edr
essedsay
sital
l
".
Khulani
:"Thembahasagi
gtoni
ghtbutdon'
ttel
l
yourGrandma".
Hl
elo:
"Iwon'
tbuti
fyoupr
omi
set
ogowi
thme"
.
Nsi
ka:
"It
'st
imef
ory
out
osl
eepnow"
.
Hl
elo:
"Comeon,
IknowThembahewon'
tmi
nd"
.
Khulani
:"KnowingThembadoesn'tmeanheisyour
fr
iend,Hl
eloyouareakid,
kidsdon'
tgooutatni
ght"
.
Hl
elo:
"ButI
'
m ahi
ghschool
student
".
Nsi
ka:"agradeeightstudent
s,y
oucan'
tbechi
l
li
ng
wit
hthegradetwelves"
.
Khulani
:"Anddon'tt
ellmethaty
oustil
lhaveacr
ush
onThembacozi fIeverheart
hatyouguysare
tal
ki
ngi'l
lki
ll
youboth".
Hl
elo:
"Fi
nebuty
ouoweme,
tenbuckseach"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
?".
Nsi
ka:
"I'
l
lbuyy
oul
unchatschool
onMonday
".
Hl
elo:
"NoIneedcashnow"
.
Khulani
:"I
fyoureall
yneedmoney
,youwil
lhel
p
theseki
dsfal
lasleepandwe'
l
lgotothepar
ty"
.
Hl
elo:
"Deal
".
Khulani payedhert went ybucksandt heygotout
usingawi ndow, ThembawasKhul ani'
sf r
iend,he
wasanamat eurDj andwoul dusual l
yhostgi gsf or
school kidsev er
ynowandt han, hisf atherbor rowed
him hisgar ageandt herewasanent rancef ee, they
walkedanotv er
yl ongwal ki
ngdi st ance. .
whent hey
gottot hepar t
yt heypar tedway s.Khul aniwentt o
hisfri
endont heDj standandNsi kat ookacanof
beeront hecool erandsatdown.I twasev erygi rl
's
dream int heirschool todateoneoft hebr other sand
thebrother sknewt hatandal sotookadv antageof
girl
s,t
heynev erranaf t
ergir
ls,girl
sr anaf terthem.I t
wasst il
l earl
yandt heywaitedf ort hecr owdt o
gatheral ongandt heyknewt hathost ingev entsf or
highschool kidst heev entswi l
lalway sstartlate
becausesomeoft hem wi l
lhavet owai tforev eryone
tosleepathomeandsneakout .Khul ani and
Thembacameandsatnextt oNsi ka.
Themba:
"Isy
ourgi
rl
fr
iendcomi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Who?
".
Themba:
"Ay
anda,
thatgi
rli
shot
".
Khul
ani:
"Idon'
tli
kehermaarn,
sheistoof
orward
andshethi
nksshecangetanyboyshewants,
look
atwhatshedi
dwithSthe"
.
Nsika:
"Sheplayedwit
hthatpoorguyshear
tand
ref
usedtosl
eepwi t
hhim,maybey oucanbeatherat
herowngame" .
Khulani:
"Idon'tl
i
keher,
every
thi
ngabouther
i
rri
tatesmeev enthewayshetal
ks"
.
Themba:"Comeondon' tbesuchanass, asNsika
saysbeatheratherowngame, sheplayedwit
hSthe
andpreadrumorsabouthim atschoolsoit
'st
ime
youhelpafel
lowbrothergetrev
enge".
Nsika:"Di
dyoubuymor
econdoms,
Imeanj
usti
n
case".
Khul
ani:
"Thegir
lwant
sbot
hofusNsika,shei
s
conf
usedbutt
heonewhowill
shaghertoni
ghtwi
l
l
getahundr
edbuck"
.
Themba:
"Yesman!That
'
swhatI
'
mtal
ki
ngabout
!"
.
Nsi
ka:"Gameonbutwebothknowt
hatifIgether
f
ir
st,she'
l
lcomebackbeggi
ngf
ormore"
.
Themba:
"May
bey
oushoul
ddoat
hreesome"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wear
enotoutofourmi
nds"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
ecrazy
,ThembaIalwaystel
lyout
o
st
opwatchi
ngTyl
erPerr
ymov i
es,t
hatni
ggaisa
di
sgr
acetoanenti
remalenat
ion"
.
Theyal ll
aughed,Khulanibeli
evedt hatal
lromanti
c
mov iespaintabadpi ctur
etoal l
mal es,t
hat'
swhyhe
preferr
edt owatchact i
onmov iesandsuperher o
mov iesnothingelse.
.thecrowdst artedcoming,
Themba' sdadsol dalcoholi
nsidebuti ncheaper
pri
ces, hewast hecoolestdadev er,thebrot
hers
thought .
Nsi
ka:
"Ther
eshecomeswi
thherbr
ats"
.
HecommentedseeingAyandaandherf
ri
ends
comi
ng,shewasbeautif
ulbutt
heboyshat
edthe
wayshecarr
iedher
self
.
Themba:
"Mywor
kbegi
nsnow,
lat
ergent
s".
Hel
eftt
hem.
.itwasgameonf
ort
hebr
other
s,who
ev
erwi
nswi
l
lgetmoneyf
rom t
heonewhol
ost
.
Ayanda:"It
houghty
ouguy
swer
egonnapassbymy
pl
ace".
Khul
ani
:"Wehadt
oar
ri
veear
lyandhel
pT-
man"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youl
ookgr
eatt
oni
ght
".
Shebl
ushed,
sheal
way
swant
edt
oshowof
f.
Khul
ani:
"ButIt
hinki
t'
sabi
tcol
dfort
hatski
rt
,it
's
tooshor
t".
Nsi
ka:
"Don'
tmi
ndhi
m,y
oul
ookgr
eat
".

.
.
.
.

Khul
anireal
lyhat
edthegir
lbuthehadtopl
aytoget
moneyfrom hi
sbrot
her,t
hepartyst
art
edheat
ingup
andthecrowdwascrazy.
Nsi
ka:"Doyoumi
ndcomi
ngwi
thmet
othe
bat
hroom?"
.
Ay
anda:
"NoI
-"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Comeonbabygi
rl
,pl
ease"
.
Ay
anda:
"Sur
e".
Hewi nkedathi
sbrother
,ther
ewasat oi
letoutsi
de
butNsikadidn'
tneedatoil
et,
theywentoutsi
de
hol
dingeachothershands.
Ayanda:
"Khul
aniwi
l
lbemadatme,
hei
stheone
whoinvi
tedme"
.
Nsi
kadidnothesitat
e,hepushedheragai
nstthe
wal
landstart
edkissingher
,hishandtr
ail
edfreel
y
onherexposedthi
ghs.Ayandakissedhi
m back,i
t
wasthebestkissshehaseverhad.
Ay
anda:
"Aah-don'
tpul
lupmyski
rt
".
Herespectedt
hegir
lswish,
hest
oppedandl
ooked
ather
,hischar
mingfacemadeherhear
tmel
taway.
Nsi
ka:"Canwegoi nsi
det
hehouse,
Themba'
sdad
won'
tmind,pl
ease"
.
Ay
anda:
"Todowhat
,Ican-
".
Nsi
ka:
"Ileftmyfonei
nsi
deandIwantsomeal
one
t
imewithyou".
Heheldherhand,Themba'sdadwasi nt
hedining
room,hetr
ustedhissonandhisf r
iends,
hewast he
mostsupport
ivefat
hereverandtreatedthebrother
s
l
ikehi
sown, t
heywentpasshi m andwentstraightto
Themba'sr
oom.
Nsika:
"Makeyoursel
fcomf
ort
abl
eI'
m comi
ng,
do
youneedmorebeer?"
.
Ay
anda:
"Sur
e".
Hegav
eherasmal
lki
ssandwentt
othedi
ning
r
oom.
Thamba'
sdad:
"Whoi
sthatgi
rl
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Wewi
l
ltal
klat
erman,
Ineedt
oseeKhul
ani
".
Themba'
sdad:
"Youcant
aket
hebeeri
nthef
reezer
".
Nsi
ka:
"I-wel
l
-Ineedcondoms"
.
Themba'
sdad:"Youwalkal
lthewayf
rom y
our
housewi
thoutcondoms?Ar
e- "
.
Nsi
ka:"Ti
mercany
oushoutatmel
ater
,ri
ghtnow
I
'minahurry
".
Themba'
sdad:"Checki
nmybedr
oom,
fir
stdr
awer
onyourl
eft
".
Hetookabeerandwentfort
hecondoms,hemade
sur
ethathehi
dthem,Ayandawasverycomfor
tabl
e,
hegaveherabeer
.
Ayanda:
"Whoisol
derbet
weeny
ouandKhul
ani
or
youaretwi
ns?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
isaf
ewmont
hsol
d".
Ay
anda:
"Ev
ery
onet
hinksy
ouar
etwi
nsand-
".
Heshutherupwi thakiss,Nsi
kawant edt o
completethemi ssionandgobackt ot heparty
,hi
s
l
ipswerejuicyandsof t,t
hegir
lmeltedi nthem.He
tookthezipofherski r
tdown,shewant edhimto
stopbutthefeelingwasunbearable,hemadeher
feekthi
ngsshehasnev erfel
tbefore,helif
tedupher
shir
tandstartedmuf fi
ngherbreasts,shemoaned
brushi
nghishead.
Hest
oppedandl
ookedather
.
Nsi
ka:
"Hav
eyouev
erdonet
hisbef
ore?
".
Ay
anda:
"No"
.
Anxiet
yst art
edr olli
nginhi shead, av i
rgi
n?Shewas
avir
gin?Hewant edt ostopt here,
hisexper i
ence
wit
hav i
rginnev erwentwel l
,hepr efer
redgirlswho
weresexual l
yexper ienced,notagi r
lwhowi llnag
hi
m andr unaf terhimj ustbecausehebr okeher
vi
rgi
nity.Hewasal r
eadyonami ssionandhewas
notreadyt oloseov erhisbr other,hepulledouta
condom andi nv i
tedhi mselfin.Nsikadi dnotenjoy
atal
l,hewasdoi ngi tforthesakeofnotl osingabet.
Hehelpedt hegi rlgetdressed.
Ay
anda:
"I'
m sur
emyf
ri
endsar
elooki
ngf
orme"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Iwi
l
lmeety
ouout
sideIneedt
ocl
eanher
e".
ShewentoutandNsi
kacl
eaned,
thepar
tywasst
il
l
on.
.
Khul
ani
:"Okayl
i
lbr
o.Isal
utey
ou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Mymoney
?".
Themba:
"Howwasi
t?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"She'
sav
irgi
nImeanwas"
.
Hesai
dsi
ppi
ngont
hecanofbeer
.
Khul
ani
:"Noway
s".
Nsika:
"YeswaysandIhavetodoubl
emymoney ,I
needtwohundr
edbucksbecauseIdon'
tdov
irgi
ns"
.
Themba: "If
eelsorr
yf oryouman, shewill
fol
l
ow
youar ound,that
'swhatIhat eaboutbr eaki
ngagi
rl
s
vi
rginit
y,theyalwaysthinkthatsinceyouar et
hei
r
fi
rstthany ouguyswillgetmar r
ied".
Nsi
ka:
"DudeIdon'
tev
enl
i
keher
".
Khulani
:"Iwi
llgetyououtoft
hisbro.Iwil
lfi
ndhera
guywhoi scr
azyaboutheratschoolsothatshewil
l
for
getaboutyou".
Nsi
ka:
"Youbet
ter
".
Themba:
"Yournewgi
rl
fr
iendi
slooki
ngaty
ou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"What
everman"
.

.
.
.
.

Theylaughedathim,t
hepart
yconti
nuedandthe
boysknewt her
ightt
imetogobackhomebef or
e
thei
rmom comesback, t
heyweredeaddrunkbut
theymanagedtogethomebef or
eher.
Nomalanga:
"Wakeup!Can'
tyouseet
het
ime,
wake
up!
".
Khul
ani
:"Butm-
".
Nomalanga:"Shutup,i
t'
sSat
urdayno-onei
sgoing
t
owashy ourschooluni
form,
I'
m goingtoseey
our
Grandma".
Shewentout
.
Nsi
ka:
"Thehangov
eri
ski
l
li
ngme"
.
Khulani
:"I
'
m wor
se,
let
'
sgetupbef
oremom comes
back".
Nsi
ka:
"Iswearnexty
earIdon'
twantt
odot
his,
i'
ll
bei
nuniv
ersi
ty"
.
Khulani
:"Youcan'trunawayf
rom yourownlaundr
y,
getupandf i
xthebedanddon'tfor
gettogetyour
sti
ckyunderwearoffmyschoolbag".
Hegroanedtheydidthei
rwashi
ngandcl
eanedthe
house,
theirmom camebackandstar
edatthem,her
l
ooksaiditall
,shewasangry
.
Nomal
anga:
"Wher
ewer
eyoul
astni
ght
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Wewer
e-"
.
Nomalanga:"Don'
teventryandli
etome, Hl
elot
old
meeverythi
ng,ar
eyoust i
l
lfr
iendswit
hthatboy
Themba?Itoldyoutostayawayfrom hi
m andhi
s
fat
her
,thatmaniscruel
".
Khul
ani
:"Butmama-
".
Nomal anga:
"Don'
tevert
ryandt
alkbackatme!
From nowony ouwi
ll
stayatmymothershouseand
babysit"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwon'
tdot
hat
,I'
m notcr
azy
".
Nomalanga:"Soyouareamannow?Yout al
kback
atme?Ifyouthi
nky ouareaman,
gooutandlook
foraj
ob,Ican'
tstaywit
hamanwhoordersme
ar
oundi
nmyownhouse"
.
Khulani
: "Grandmahatesus, Iwi
ll
neverbabysit
thosekidsordoany thi
ngforherandaunt,l
ookatus,
wear estuckedinthist
wor oom housewhil
et hey
arestayi
ngint hebighouse,Ihat
ethem!".
Nsi ka:
"JustkeepquietKhulani
,youarehur ti
ng
Mom, Mawehadast udygrouplastnightandIcan
showy ouourbooks,youknowt hatwear eboth
goodi nmat hssothekidsatourschool askedust
o
preparefortheexamswi tht
hem, that'
swhywe
didn'tt
ellyoubecausewenev erthoughtyouwould
mi ndifit
'sschoolwork"
.
Nomalanga:"Tell
yourbr
othert
oneverspeakt
ome
agai
n,Idon'
targuewit
hunemployedgrownass
man".
Nsi
ka:
"Butmama-
".
Shegoti
nsi
det
hehouse.
Nsi
ka:"Ial
waystel
lyouthattal
ki
ngbackatmom
wil
lnev
erhelp,
youarehurti
ngher"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwon'
tst
opt
alki
ngunt
ilsher
eal
i
zest
hat
thesepeoplear
ej ustusi
ngherbecausesheiski
nd,
doy outhi
nkIli
kei twhenauntandgrandmacallher
namesandmakeusdot heirwashi
ng,cookand
babysit
?Ihatethem! "
.
Nsikaunderst
oodal l
thepoi
ntsbuthealsobeli
eved
thatar
guingwiththei
rmotherwil
lneverhel
p,atthe
endofthedayt heyhadtodowhattheyhadt odo.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
.
.
Admi
nsnot
e:
-HeyDar
li
ngs,
her
e'st
hef
ir
sti
nser
tandpl
easet
ell
mewhaty
out
hinkabouti
t,t
hanky
ou
[
3/8,
14:
28]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[1]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thetensionwasallov
erthehouse,Khul
ani'
smom
wasstil
langryathi
m anddidnotevensayawordto
hi
m hewashur tbuthesti
ll
didnotunderst
andwhy
woul
dhi smom getangryathi
m wheneverhetol
d
hert
het r
uth.
Nsi
ka:
"Youshoul
dapol
ogi
zet
omom"
.
Khulani:"Iwi
ll
apol
ogi
zebutIdon'
towehert
hat
,
whatar ewegoingt
odonextyear?Wecan'
tl
eav
e
heralonehere".
Nsika:"Wedon'
thaveachoi
cebutIsti
ll
thi
nkwe
shouldhav
ealsoappli
edher
einDurbanuni
ver
sit
ies
orevenCapetown".
Khulani
:"IknowwhyIsaidweshoul
dapplyin
Johannesburguni
ver
sit
iesandwe'
vebeenwoking
ver
yhardatschoolsowewi l
lbeadmi
tted"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ij
usthat
ely
ingt
omom"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ifyoual
waysl
ist
entowhatmom i
ssay
ing,
youwil
lnevergoany
wherei
nli
fe"
.
Hekeptqui
et,
Khul
ani
'
spl
anwasnotgoi
ngt
owor
k,
hisbrotherthought.Whent heyf oundoutt hatt
heir
mom oncewor kedi nJohannesbur g,Khul aniwas
conv i
ncedthatt hei
rfat
herwast here..her egi
ster
ed
i
nJohannesbur guniversit
iessot hathewi l
lget
closerandmay beli
veabet terli
feaf t
erfindingtheir
father.Li
feathomewasv er yhar d,t
heyjustnev er
spokeabouti tandt heyalway shadasmi leont hei
r
face.Khulaniwentinsidet hehousef indi
nghi s
mamasewi ngapai roft heirjeans.
Khul
ani
:"MamaI'
m sor
ry,
Ishoul
dn'
thav
espoket
o
yout
hewayIdi
d".
Shel
ookedathi
m andcont
inueddoi
ngwhatshe
wasdoi
ng.
Khulani:"Maybei
fweknewwhoourf at
herwas,
non
ofthiswouldhavehappened,doyouknowhowhard
i
tisgr owingupwit
houtafather
?".
Nomal
anga:
"Iknow"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youknowbecausey
our
sdi
ed,
yourmot
her
di
dnothidehi
mf r
om y
ou".
Nomalanga:"Igaveyoushel
ter
,food,
clot
hesand
educat
ionandthisi
showy outhankme?Somekids
don'
tev
enknowt
hei
rmot
hersobegr
atef
ul"
.
Khulani:
"Tellusabouthi
m, wear
eoldnowandwe
canunder st
andanythi
ng.Doyouli
keitwhen
Grandmaswear satusaboutnotknowingourf
ather
,
everyonehereknowsthat-
".
Nomalanga:"Maybey oucangot ellt
hatevery
onet o
f
eedy ouandgiveyouapl acetostay,Iam t
ir
edof
youKhulani
!Youareemot ional
l
ydr ai
ningme,doy ou
l
ikeseeingmeli
kethis?Ifyouaremanenought o
makey ourowndecisi
ons,thatdoorisopened,Go!".
Khul
ani
:"Butmama-
".
Nomal
anga:
"Isai
dleav
emyhouse"
.
Khul
ani
:"May
bei
fdadwas-
".
Shedidnotgi
vehi
m achancet
ofi
nisht
hesent
ence,
shestoodupandsl
appedhim,
sherant
othedoor
andlockedi
t.
Nomal
anga:
"Youar
eamannow,
beatme!
".
Khul
ani
:"Mapl
easedon'
tdot
his"
.
Shet
ookabeltandst
art
edbeat
inghi
m, shest
opped
andl
ookedathi
m..hewasangr
ybutdidnotfi
ght
back,
hewentout
.
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
wai
t-
".
Khul
ani
:"Leav
emeal
one!
".
Hewentoff
,Nsi
kaf
eltcaughti
nthemi
ddl
eand
wenti
nsi
detohi
smotherwhowascryi
ng.
Nomal
anga:
"Ar
eyoual
soher
etodi
srespectme?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Wasi
tnecessar
ytobeathi
m?"
.
Nomalanga:"Heismychil
d,Icanbeathi
m
wheneverIwant
,incl
udi
ngyou".
Nsi
ka:
"Hei
sangr
y".
Nomal
anga:
"Don'
twor
ryhewi
l
lcomeback"
.
Shewasst r
essedandregr
ett
edwhatshedid,she
all
owedheremotionst
ocontrol
herbutsheknew
thatt
hisdaywouldonedaycomewhereherkidsask
aboutthei
rfat
her.
Shewentt oworkatnight
,thi
swasherlastdayshe
onl
ywor kedatatarv
encleaningt
abl
esand
col
lect
ingbott
lestwodaysaweek, f
ri
daysand
Sat
urdays.Nsikawasaloneathomewor r
iedsick
aboutKhulani,
hecouldn'tevencal
lhi
m becausehe
l
efthisf
one, hetri
edlookingforhi
mtothei
rclose
fr
iendsbuthedi dnotfi
ndhi m.Hewentbackhome
anddidbothoft hei
rhomewor ks.
Nomal
anga:
"Wher
eisy
ourbr
other
?".
Nsi
kawokeup,
itwasar
oundf
ouri
nthemor
ning.
Nsika:
"Hedi
dnotcomeback,
Itr
iedl
ooki
ngf
orhi
m
butIdi
dnotf
indhi
m".
Nomal
anga:
"Hi
sfr
iendThemba?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Hei
sal
sonott
her
e".
Nomalanga:
"Nsi
kahowcanyousl
eepnotknowi
ng
wher
emysoni s,
I'
m goi
ngt
olookf
orhi
m".
.
.
.
.

Nsi
ka:
"Mom l
et'
swai
tabi
t,i
t'
sst
il
lear
lyev
ery
onei
s
st
il
lsl
eepi
ng"
.
Hermindwasr unni
ngwi l
d,shewasblami
nghersel
f.
Theyheardaknockv er
yearlyi
nthemorni
ng,
NomalangarantothedoorandhuggedKhulani
,his
ri
ghteyewaspur pl
eandswol l
en.Hecamestr
aight
tohi
sbags.
Nomal anga:"Wheredi
dyousl
eepl
astni
ght?Don'
t
everdot hatagai
n,Nsi
kacomewi
thwarm wat
erand
spir
it
".
Khul
ani
:"Don'
ttouchme!
".
Nomal anga:"Iam ver
ysorr
ymyboy ,Iwasangry
andtooki tal
loutonyou.Iam tr
yingsohardtogiv
e
youtwoabet t
erli
febutwhenyoustartaski
ngabout
yourfatheryoumakemef eell
i
keaf ail
ure".
Khul
ani
:"HowcanIgot
oschool
looki
ngl
i
ket
his?
".
Nomalanga:"Iwi
l
lgospeakt
oyourt
eachersandtel
l
them t
hatyouwon'
tcomeunt
ily
ougetbett
er,Iam
sorr
y".
Nsika:"Youwill
befi
ne,i
t'
snott
hatbad,
wher
edi
d
yousleeplastni
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"Out
sidet
hecl
i
nic,
Ineededt
imeal
one"
.
Theysawt
ear
srol
l
ingdownt
hei
rmot
her
sface.
.
Nomalanga:"Iam sor
ryIpr
omisethatIwi
l
lnev
erdo
any
thi
nglikethi
sagain,l
ookatyouohmybaby,Iam
sor
ry"
.
Nsi
ka:
"I'
l
lmakey
ousomet
hingt
oeat
".
Khul
ani
:"Myeyei
shurtnotmyhandsandbesi
desI
cameheret
ogetmybags".
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Wher
emyhear
tleadsme"
.
Nomalanga:
"Don'
tfor
gett
hej
acket
sit
'sal
i
ttl
ecol
d
out
side"
.
Khul
ani
lookedatheri
nsur
pri
se.
.
Khul
ani
:"Youarenotwor
ri
edt
hatI
'
mleav
ing?You
ar
enotgoingt
ostopme?".
Nomalanga:"No,myboyi
sgr
owi
ngup,
doy
oual
so
needt
hisjean?"
.
Khul
aniwasver
yfrust
rat
ed,Nomal
angadidnotwant
tofi
ghtwi
thhi
m anymoreandsheknewthatby
helpi
nghim packhi
sbags,hewon'
tev
erleav
e.She
wenttothecupboardsandmadeaspeci
albreakf
ast
forhi
m.
Nomal
anga:
"Youneedtoeatbef
orey
oul
eav
e,I
hav
etogetr
eadyf
orchurch"
.
Nsi
ka:"Shei
sregr
ett
ingal
lthi
s,puty
ourbags
down"
.
Khul
ani
:"ButI
'
m st
il
langr
y".
Nsi
ka:
"Yeahr
ight
,weal
lknowt
hat
".
Khul
anidi
dnotleav
ethehouse,
hismom t
reat
edhi
s
woundedeye.
Theirfi
nal
examswer enear
, t
heyweredonewitht
he
syl
labusandonl
yattendedschoolf
oronlyext
ra
l
essonsandfortheexam prepar
ati
ons.
Themba:"Ican'
twaittofi
nisht
heexamsandwor
ry
aboutt
hemat r
icdance".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sur
eyouwi
l
llookt
hepar
t"
.
Themba:
"Youar
enotgoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
twi
l
lbewast
eofmoneyt
hatwedon'
t
have,
wearesavi
ngforourregi
str
ati
on,
transpor
t
andaccommodati
onfees"
.
Themba:
"Buty
ourmom canmakeapl
an"
.
Khulani
:"Wedon'twantt
ostressher
,wehav
e
savedenoughal
readyorevenmore".
Themba:"I
fyouguysarenotat
tendi
ngt
hef
arewel
l
well
I'
m al
sonotcoming"
.
Khulani
:"Don'
tbest
upi
d,y
oudon'thavet
odothat
and-ohshit
,Nsi
ka'
snewgir
lf
ri
endiscomingt
his
way".
Themba:
"Andhehasbeenav
oidi
ngher
".
Ay
andacamest
rai
ghtt
othem.
.
Ay
anda:
"Hey
,hav
eyouguy
sseenNsi
ka?
".
Khul
ani
:"No"
.
Themba:
"I'
m sur
ehel
eft
".
Ay
anda:
"Hepr
omi
sedt
owai
tforme"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyout
wodat
ing?
".
Ay
anda:
"it
'snonofy
ourbusi
ness,
pleaset
ell
him
t
hatIwasl
ooki
ngf
orhi
m".
Shel
eftandt
heboy
slaughed.
Khul
ani:
"Thegir
lisi
nlove,
IswearIdon'
tneeda
gi
rl
fr
iendli
ket
hisinmyli
fe"
.
Theywentsepar
ateway
sasKhul
ani
wentback
home.
Khul
ani
:"Idi
dn'
tseey
ouatschool
,youl
eftear
ly?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Yeah,
Ihadt
otaket
heseki
dst
othecl
i
nic"
.
Khul
ani
:"t
heysenty
out
othecl
i
nicandy
ouagr
eed?
Nsi
ka:"Youknowhowauntandgr andmaar
eand
I
'm al
sobabysi
tt
ingonweekend"
.
Khul
ani
:"Noy
ouar
enot
".
Nsi
ka:"di
dyouknowthatmom bor
rowedmoneyt
o
t
hem andshehi
dthatf
rom us?
".
Khul
ani
:"Whendi
dthathappen?
".
Nsika:"Themoneyt hatweusedforourschooltr
ip,
don'tt
ellherthatyouknowsoIhavetobabysitsi
nce
mom can' tpaythem".
Khul
ani
:"Howmuch?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Onet
housandf
ivehundr
ed"
.
Thatwasal
otofmoney
,Khul
ani
keptqui
et.
Khul
ani
:"Yourgi
rlf
ri
endsai
dIshoul
dtel
lyout
hat
shewaslooki
ngforyou"
.

.
.
.
.

Nsika:
"Thatgi
rli
sannoy
ingbutIwi
l
lgi
veherwhat
shewants"
.
Khulanihalfl
aughed,hewaswor
ri
edaboutwhat
Nsikatoldhim,hefel
tli
kehi
smotherandbrot
her
weremaki ngsacri
fi
cesbuthewasnotdoi
ng
anythi
ng.
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lber
ightback"
.
Hismotherwasnotgonnabeabl etopaythatki
nd
ofmoneyandt heywerenotgoingt ot
akeanyoft he
moneyt hattheysaved,hewentt owherehismother
waswor king,heneededtoaskf oratl
easta
gardeni
ngj obbecauseMr sMbat hawasthemost
ki
ndpersont othem, hethoughthewouldfindhi
s
mom.
Khul
ani
:"Knock,
HiMrMbat
ha,
ismymom her
e?"
.
MrMbatha:
"No,
shej
ustl
eft
,youhav
egr
ownup
youngman"
.
Khulani
:"Yeah,
MrMbathaI'
m heretoaskfora
fav
orandsincemymom hasleftalr
eadyIwoul
d
appreci
atei
fthi
sst
aysbet
weenus" .
MrMbatha:"Sur
ebutenoughwitht
heformal
it
ies,
youcancal
lmeBongani,whati
sitt
hatyouwant?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ineedajob,Iwi
l
ldoany
thi
ngbutf
ir
stIwi
l
l
needanadvancepayment
".
Bongani
:"Howmuchar
ewet
alki
ngabout
?".
Khul
ani
:"Onet
housandf
ivehundr
ed"
.
Bongani
:"That
'
sal
otofmoney
,ar
eyouondr
ugs?
".
Khul
ani
:"No!Mymom owessomeoneandthat
per
sonismaki
ngmybrot
hersl
if
everydi
ff
icul
t"
.
Bongani waswor ki
ngatthebankandhiswi
fewasa
teacher
,theyliv
edav er
ypriv
il
egedli
feandt
hey
werenott hatold,t
heywerebothi
nthei
rear
ly
thi
rti
es,helookedathim.
Bongani
:"Icankeepsecr
etswel
lIcangi
veyou
moreofwhatyouwantbutononecondit
ion"
.
Khul
ani
:"sur
e".
Bongani
:"Al
sokeepmysecr
et,
Iwanty
out
ospend
sometimewit
hmeand-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Woahman-whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Bongani
:"Iwi
ll
givey
ouf
ourt
housandr
andsf
ory
ou
tosl
eepwithme".
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoui
nsane?Youar
emar
ri
ed!
".
Bongani:"AndifIwasn'
t?OkayIwi
l
lgi
vey
oumor
e,
fi
vethousandincash".
Khul
ani
:"Iam notgayandIwillneversl
eepwi
th
anot
herman!Youaredisgust
ing!"
.
Heslammedt hedoorandranhome, hewasangr
y,
ver
yangry.Whatdidthatmantakehimfor?Hi
s
motherwasalreadyhomecooking.
Nomal
anga:
"Wer
eyour
unni
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Ineededsomef
reshai
r"
.
Hesatnextt
ohi
sbr
otheront
hecouch.
Nsi
ka:
"Don'
taskheraboutt
hemoney
".
Khulani
:"Iwon'
t,
youar edoingeveryt
hingt
orepay
thatmoney,t
aki
ngt hekidstothecl
ini
cand
babysit
ti
ngbutI
'm notdoinganythi
ng".
Nsika:"Weal
lknowt
haty
ouhat
egr
andmot
herand
aunt".
Khul
ani
:"Soi
fwepayt
hatmoney
,theywon'
tabuse
youany
more?
".
Nsika:"Wherewi
llwegetthatmoney
?I'
mfinewit
h
everyt
hingandI
'm usedt
oitevenbef
oremom t
ook
thatmoney".
Khul
ani:"Youandmom ar
edoingever
ythi
ngto
pr
otectusbutwhatIdoi
salwaysst
artf
ight
s,Iwi
l
l
beri
ghtback".
Nsi
ka:
"Buty
ouj
ustcamebackhome"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mom,
I'
m goi
ngoutf
orar
un"
.
Nomal
anga:
"Att
hist
ime?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
llbebacknow"
.
Hestart
edrunni
ngagain,heknockedatthe
Mbatha'
shopingtogettheoff
eragain,
Bongani
openedadoor.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
eisy
ourwi
fe?
".
Bongani:
"Wehadaf
ightandshewentt
oher
mothershouse"
.
Khul
ani
:"Doest
heoff
ersti
ll
stands?Anddon'
ttel
l
methatyouwi
ll
gotothebanktomorrow"
.
Bongani
:"Ihavehal
fhereandy
ouwil
lgettherest
tomorr
ow,Idon'
tkeeplot
sofmoneyi
nthishouse,
comein".
Hesl
owl
ywal
kedi
n.
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
emycondi
ti
onsf
ir
st"
.
Bongani
:"Iwasgonnabeshockedi
fyoudi
dn'
thav
e
any"
.
Khul
ani
:"Not
ouchi
ngandki
ssi
ng"
.
Bongani
:"Okaybutyoul
ookver
yhot
,ki
dsgrowup
sofastt
hesedays,y
ouareei
ght
eenr
ight
?".
Henodded.
Khul
ani
:"Wemustal
sousepr
otect
ion"
.
Bongani
:"Okay
,shal
lwe?
".
Khul
ani
:"Doy
ouhav
eabeerorany
thi
ngt
odr
ink?
".
Bongani
:"Ihav
ewhi
skey
,youwantone?
".

.
.
.

Henodded, Khul
anineededtobeti
spyt ohav e
bravery,hewassurethathewasn'tgoingt obe
turnedon.Hesatont hecouch,Bongani camewit
h
twogl assesandtheystart
eddri
nking.Bongani
startedbrushi
nghim, heshi
ft
edatf i
rst
,Bongani
st
oodupandundressed,seei
nghim nakedmade
Khul
ani
sick.
.heknel
tdownandgav eKhul
ani
a
mouthj
ob,hegavehim alubr
icantt
ube.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
sthi
s?"
.
Bongani
:"Rubi
tar
oundt
hecondom"
.
Itt
ookawhi l
eforKhulanit
obet ur
nedon, Bongani
l
ift
edhishandstobrushhisstomachbutKhul ani
roughl
ythrewhishandsdown..hehadsexwi thhim
eyesclosedandnotenjoy
ing,
hef i
nishedandquickl
y
gotdressed.
Bongani
:"WasIt
hatgoodt
haty
ouev
encr
ied?
".
Khul
ani
:"Justgi
vememymoneyman"
.
Bongani
camebackwi
thi
t.
Khulani
:"Yousai
dyouhav
ehal
fof5knott
wo
thousand!
".
Bongani
:"Youwil
lgett
her
estt
omor
row,
Idon'
tl
ike
owingpeopl
e".
Heclickedhi
stongueandwentout
,hewassi
ck
i
nsideandout,hefel
tver
ydi
rty
.Hewenttohi
s
Grandmother
'shouse.
Gr
andma:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Thabsi
l
e:"Youhav
ethener
vesofcomi
ngher
e,what
doyouwant?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mymom owesy
ouhowmuch?
".
Thabsi
l
e:"Onet
housandf
ivehundr
edandIst
il
l
wantmymoneyback".
Khul
ani
:"Okayhereisyourmoney
,st
ayawayfr
om
myfamilyandIdon'
twantmybrot
hertoev
erbaby
si
tfory
ouagain".
Grandma:"Doyouthi
nky
oucancomet
omyhouse
anddisr
espectme?
".
Khulani
:"Weowey ounothi
ngnowandy oudon'
t
deservethi
smoney ,youhavebeenabusingusever
aincewewer eyoungandifIeverheart
hatyou
call
edmybr otherher
eIwillcal
lthepol
i
ceandl i
eto
them sothatyouwill
belockedup".
Thabsi
l
e:"Youar
e-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Shutup!Weal
lknowthatI
'
m capabl
eof
doi
ngthatandIwil
ldoi
t,st
ayawayf
rom myfami
l
y".
Hebangedt
hedoorandl
eft
,hi
smom wasdi
shi
ng
upf ort hem whenhecamei n,
hetookcol
dwater
andcl osedt hecurt
ainsthatdevi
dedther
oomsand
bath.Hehat edhimselfbuthewasalsohappyt
hat
hepay edthemoney .Foramomenthesatdownand
fel
tt earscomi ngout.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
[
3/8,
14:
28]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[2]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Somesi tuat
ionsaremeantt oteachusl essonsand
wecan'tholdt hem agai
nstus,it'
seitherwel ear
n
fr
om them orwemov eon.Khulaniregretted
ever
ythi
ngbuthewasgl adthathepay edhi s
mothersdebt s.Hewaswal kingfrom school wit
h
Thembawhenacarpar kednextt othem, when
Khul
ani sawaf ami
liarf
acehemov edt othecar.
Bongani
:"School
uni
for
mlookssogoodony
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
eismymoney
?".
Bongani
:"Don'
trushme,
Iwast
hinki
ngmay
b-"
.
Khul
ani
:"For
geti
tandl
owery
ouv
oice"
.
Bongani
tookoutawhi
teenv
elopeandgav
eithi
m.
Bongani
:"Youcancounti
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
llcounti
tathome"
.
Bongani
:"CoolIenj
oyeddoi
ngbusi
nesswi
thy
ou,
youcancomet omyhouseatanyti
me,doy
ouneed
ari
dehome? "
.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
eoutofy
ourmi
nd"
.
Hewentt
oThemba.
Themba:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ghtman?
".
Khul
ani
:"Yeaht
hat
'smymom'
sboss"
.
Themba:"Iknewt hathi
sfaceisf
amili
ar,
lookt
he
gi
rl
sarecomi ngtomyhouset oni
ghtandyouknow
whathappens..comeover"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mymom i
snotf
eel
i
ngwel
lbuti
'
llt
ell
Nsi
ka"
.
Themba:
"Sur
e".
Hewassodown, hehi
dt hemoneybetweenhis
school
books,hehadplansforitt
oputitonthei
r
savi
ngsaccounteventhoughtheyhadsaved.He
wenthomeandt hrewhimselfi
nbed.
Nsika:"What
'supwithyou,
ifIdi
dn'
tknowbet
teri
'
d
sayy ouar
epregnant
".
Khul
ani
:"Getoutofmyf
ace!
".
Nsi
ka:
"Gr
andmasai
dyout
hreat
enedher
".
Khul
ani
:"Whatwer
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngi
nthathouse?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Remembert
hatI
'
m baby
-".
Khulani
:"IfIeverheart
hatwordagainIwil
lpunch
yourface,
Igav ethem t
heirmoneysowedon'towe
them anyt
hing.Stopgoingtot
hatplace"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Okaywhat'
swrongwi
thy
ou?Wai
t-wher
e
di
dyougetmoney
?".
Khul
ani:
"Itdoesn'
tmat
terwher
eIgott
hemoney
j
ustdon'
tsayanythi
ngt
omom" .
Nsika:
"You'
vebeenact
ingv
eryst
rangel
atel
y,t
alk
dude".
Khulani
:"Itwaski
ll
i
ngmet oseegrandmot herand
auntbossingyouar
ound, Ididsomet hingthatwil
l
hauntmeeachandev eryday ,somethingthatInever
thoughtIwoulddotogett hatmoney ".
Nsi
ka:
"Youst
olei
t?"
.
Khulani:"Idi
dn'
tst
ealorhur
tanyone,
rel
axhey,
anywayThembasai dheinvi
tedsomegir
lsoverhi
s
pl
ace, hewantsyoutocome".
Nsi
ka:
"Let
'sgobef
oremom comesback"
.
Khulani
:"NahI
'm notf
eel
ingwel
l
,youcangoi
'
ll
coveryouupfr
om mom" .
Nsi
ka:
"Sur
e,j
ustdon'
tki
l
lyour
sel
fyoul
ookt
err
ibl
e".
Hel aughedandpushedhi
m, Khulani
fel
lasl
eepunt
il
l
hismamacamebackhome, Nomaknewherkids
verywellandwouldtel
li
ftheyarenotokay.
Nomal
anga:
"Khul
ani
".
Hesl
owl
yli
ft
eduphi
shead.
Nomal
anga:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"YeahI
'
mfi
ne"
.
Nomalanga:"Youdon'
tl
ookf
inet
ome,
wher
eis
yourbr
other
?".
Khul
ani
:"Hewentt
othest
udygr
oup"
.
Nomalanga:"Andyoudi
dn'
tgo?Why
?di
dyour
gi
rl
fr
iendbreakupwit
hyou?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mom no!Idon'
tev
enhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend"
.
Nomalanga:"Andt
hegirl
swhoar
eal
way
sher
e
l
ooki
ngf ory
ouandNsika?".
Khul
ani
:"Theyar
ejustgi
rl
sfr
om school
,canIsl
eep
now?"
.
Nomalanga:
"Youdon'tsl
eepear
ly,
ist
hisabout
knowi
ngaboutyourf
ather
?".
Hequi
ckl
ylookedathi
smom.
Nomalanga:"IwasyoungwhenIhady outwo,Ilef
t
schooli
nthemiddleofthey
earsothatIcoul
dt ake
careofmother"
.
Khul
ani
:"AndauntThabsi
l
e?"
.
Nomalanga:"Shelef
tforcol
l
egeandnev
ercame
back,
yourfather
-"
.
Shest
art
edcr
ying.

.
.
.
.

Nomal anga: "Hewasav erypromi nentbusi ness

man, hewast heonl ypersoninhi sfami lywhowas
ri
ch,af ri
endofmi negotmeaj ob, Iwaswor kingfor
yourfather,hewasy oungandsuccessf ul.Hisf ami l
y
hatedmebecauseIwasj ustadomest icwor kerbut
wehadpl ans, heplannedont aki ngmebackt o
school butItol dhimtowai tuntil hisfami l
yaccept ed
meofwhi chi tdidnothappen. .Idi dn'twantt obe
seenast hegi rl whowast heref orhi smoney .Hi s
famil
yf ail
edt oaccepty ouandNsi kat hatiswhyI
l
eftyoubot hher ewithmymot her ,hel ovedy out wo
buthel
ovedhi
sfami
l
ymor
e".
Khul
ani
:"hechosehi
sfami
l
yov
erusr
ight
?".
Nomalanga:"Buthesti
lll
ovedy
ou,whenIcame
backhereIgotacallf
rom hi
sol
derbrothertel
l
ing
methatyourfat
hergotint
oacaraccident,hedidn'
t
makeitandhisfamil
ydidnotwantmeathi sfuneral
andevenifIwantedustogoIdidn'
thavemoney "
.
Khulani
:"Grandmasai
dyouwereaprost
it
utei
n
Johannesburgthat
'
swhyyoudon'
tknowwhoour
fat
heris"
.
Nomal anga:"Shecalledmesomanynames, yesI
regretfal
l
inginlovewi t
hthepersonIwasworking
forbutIdon'tregr
etyout wo,y
ouar et
hebestthing
thatcameoutofi t,t
hat'swhyIwantyoutostudy
hardandbesomebody ".
Khul
ani
:"Iam sor
ryt
haty
ouwentt
hroughal
lthi
s".
Nomalanga:"Don'
tbe,myli
fehasalwaysbeena
mess,isuf
feredal
otbutIdon'
twantthatforyoutwo
anddon'tl
i
stentowhatmom andy ourauntsays"
.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
out
hinkf
ather
'sf
ami
l
yisst
il
lal
i
ve?
".
Nomalanga: "Idon'
tknowbutIsti
ll
rememberthe
addr
ess,sincey ouregi
ster
edi
nJohannesburg
uni
versi
ti
esI '
m sureyoucancheckthem out
".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kat
oldy
out
hat
?".
Nomalanga:"No, t
wouniver
sit
iesacceptedyou,
I
mayhav enotfi
nishedmatri
cbutIknowhowt or
ead,
Ireadyourl
ett
ers,congr
atul
ati
ons,I
'm soproudof
youtwo".
Khulani
:"Don'tgi
veust
hataddr
essIt
hinkIknow
enough,thosepeopl
edi
dn'
twantusandtheyhat
ed
you"
.
Nomalanga:
"Theyhurtmebuty
ouwer
eyoung,
don'
tcarr
yanyhat
e".
Khul
ani:"Icar
ryl
otsofhatetopeopl
ewhohur
tyou,
l
ikeauntandgrandma,Ihatethem"
.
Nomalanga:
"Hateisaver
ystrongworddon'
tev
er
sayi
t,nowgetupandgotothatstudygr
oup"
.
Khul
anihal
fsmiled,
hehadnev erhadaheartt
o
hear
ttal
kwithhi
smot herandnowheunder st
ood
whysheneverspokeaboutthei
rfather
.Thi
satleast
l
if
teduphismoodandl
ookedathi
smamal
i
kea
st
rongestwomanev
er.
Nomal
anga:
"Youwi
l
leatwheny
oucomeback?
".
Khul
ani
:"Yeah,
i'
ll
seey
oul
ater
".
Hetoldhimsel
fthathewon'tt
hinkaboutwhathe
haddone,hewenttoThemba'shouse, every
onewas
chi
ll
i
ng,thiswasthei
rlastt
imechil
lingtogether
bef
oretheexamswhi chwerestart
ingthefollowi
ng
week.
Khul
ani
:"Yousmokenow?
".
Heaskedhi
sfr
iendThemba.
Nsi
ka:"I
'
m shockedasy
ouar
e,Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
d
come"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ichangedmymi
nd,
passmeabeer
".
Nsi
ka:
"I'
m gl
adt
hatAy
andadeci
dednott
ocome"
.
Khulani:"Ther
ear
epl
entyofgi
rl
sher ebro.Whoi
s
thatgir
l?HeyT-mani
sshefrom ourschool?
".
Themba:
"Nope,
Idon'
tknowher
".
Khul
ani
:"Imi
ghtgett
hej
ackpot
,she'
sthet
ypeof
gi
rlIwant
".
Theylaughedashestoodupheadi
ngtothegi
rl
.
Khul
ani wasver
ytakenbackbyagi
rlwhowas
seat
ingacrosstheboys,
hewentst
rai
ghttoher
.
Khul
ani
:"Ma'
gent
s,canIsi
ther
e?"
.
Theboysnoddedastheyfreedt
hespacef orhim,i
t
wasnothisthi
ngtoapproachagirl
,itwaseasyfor
hi
mt ogetagir
lbecausetheywerealwaysaround
hi
m,laughi
ngateveryt
hinghesays,stupi
dri
ght?
Khul
ani
:"Hi
-"
.
Thegi
rlst
oodup,
Khul
ani
sighedi
nfr
ust
rat
ionand
fol
l
owedher.
Khul
ani
:"Isai
dhi
whyar
eyoui
gnor
ingme?
".
Her
:"Whyar
eyouf
ight
ing?
".
Khulani
:"I
'
m notusedt
o-nevermi
ndI
'
m sor
ryf
or
shouti
ngatyou,
yougood?"
.
Her
:"YeahI
'
m good"
.
Shestaredathi
m wait
ingf
orhi
mtosaysomet
hing,
hebrushedhishead.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m Khul
ani
andy
ouar
e-"
.
.
.
.
.

Her
:"By
e,Ihav
etogobackhome"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lwal
kyouhome"
.
Her
:"What
?No!
".
Khul
ani
:"Atl
eastt
ell
mey
ournamebabygi
rl
".
Shesmi
l
edandwal
kedof
f,Khul
ani
wasf
rust
rat
ed.
Nsi
ka:
"Shesai
dno?
".
Khul
ani
:"Shedi
dn'
tev
engi
vemeachancet
otal
k".
Nsi
ka:
"Khulani
Zondo,
tur
neddownbyagi
rl
,l
et'
sgo
homebro.
".
I
twasal
readyget
ti
ngl
ate.
..
Theysai
dthei
rgoodby
est
othei
rfr
iends.
Khul
ani
:"Mom t
oldmeaboutdad"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Isheal
i
ve?
".
Khul
ani
:"Nope,
hisfamil
yneverl
i
kedherevenaft
er
hi
sdeat
hshewast oldnott
ocometohisfuner
al"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Theyhat
edher
?".
Khulani
:"Yeahandmom wantedtogiv
emethe
addressbutwedon'
tneedhisfami
ly
,wehav
eeach
otherandmom theonl
ythi
ngIwantedwast
oknow
abouthim".
Nsi
ka:
"Sowear
est
il
lmov
ingt
oJohannesbur
g?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Weonl
yappl
i
edt
her
e".
Nsika:
"Iwonderwhaty
oudi
dforhert
otel
lyou
aboutdad"
.
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tknowman"
.
Acardrov
esl
owl
ynextt
othem,assoonasKhul
ani
r
eal
izedwhoi
twas,
hegotver
yangry.
Bongani
:"CanIgi
vey
oual
i
ft?
".
Nsi
ka:
"MrMbat
h-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nowegood"
.
Bongani
:"Buty
ourbr
other
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Isai
dwear
egood"
.
Nsi
ka:
"What
'swr
ongwi
thy
ou?Hei
smom'
sboss"
.
Khul
ani
couldn'
ttel
lhi
sbr
othert
het
rut
h,hef
oll
owed
hi
minsi
dethecar.
Bongani
:"Youcansi
tint
hef
ront
".
Hei gnoredhim andtookthebacksit
,hewasv
ery
uncomf ort
able,Bonganidroppedt
hem of
fbyt
hei
r
gate.HecalledKhulaniagain.
Khulani:
"Dudelook,
wear
enotf
ri
endspl
easest
op
fol
l
owi ngme!"
.
Bongani
:"Ihadf
uny
ouwer
egood,
Iwi
l
ldoubl
ethe
moneythi
stime"
.
Khul
ani:"Iam notpr
ost
it
uti
ngmy
sel
ftoy
ou,
goorI
wil
ltel
lyourwi
f e"
.
Bongani:"Andt
ellhert
hatyouenj
oyedfucki
ngher
husband?Lookhere,i
fyourmom st
il
lneedsherj
ob
youwilldowhatIwantorshoul
dIgotoy our
br
other
?".
Khulaniwasver
yf r
ustr
ated,hel
efthi
mt her
e,hi
s
eyeswereredinanger.Hedidnotwanthismother
toloseherj
obnordi dhewanthisbrot
hertobe
aff
ectedbyallt
his.Hesatinbed.
Nsi
ka:"Whydoy
ouhat
eMrMbat
ha?I
fmom f
inds
out
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kashutup!
".
Nsi
ka:
"Herewegoagai
n,i
fyouar
enotshout
ingat
mom you-
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
mleav
ing"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tknow,Ineedtogetoutofher
eand
l
ookforajobtoprov
ideforyouandmom" .
Nsi
ka:"Andwhowi l
lempl
oyanuneducat
ed
ei
ght
eeny earol
d?"
.
Khulani:
"Mom l
eftschool
andshefoundajob,
Iam
thefir
stbor
nchi
ldsoit'
smydutytotakecar
eofthe
house".
Nsika:"Wearefewmot hsapartnotyears,so
basical
lywearethesameage, st
opallthisweare
start
ingourexamsnextweek..wait
-youwer efi
ne
al
l t
hiswayuntil
MrMbat hacame, whatisgoing
on?".
Khul
ani
:"Not
hingi
sgoi
ngon,
Ihav
etol
eav
e".
Nsi
ka:
"St
opl
yi
ngt
ome!
".
Khul
ani
:"Thatbust
ardwant
s-"
.
Nsi
kastoodinf
rontofhi
m,i
twasnoteasyt
oli
eto
hi
sbrot
her.
Khul
ani:"Iwentt
ohishouseaskingf
orapiecej
ob
topayauntandgrandma,Iwasdesper
ate,
Iended
updoingsomethi
ngv er
yter
ri
ble"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youst
olemoneyf
rom t
hem?
".
Khul
ani
:"He-Isl
eptwi
thhi
m".
Nsikakeptqui
etforamoment,hewantedtol
augh
butseei
ngtearsbuil
dingupi
nKhul
ani'
seyesmade
hi
m stop.
Nsi
ka:
"How?Ar
eyougay
?Wai
t-Di
dher
apey
ou?
".
Khul
ani:
"Iwasdesper at
eIwast ir
edofseeingyou
andmom beingblackmail
edf ort
hemoneyshe
owed,heof
feredtogivemel otsofmoney,Icl
osed
myeyesandsleptwithhim,hegav emeprotect
ion"
.
Nsi
ka:"I'
m gladi
twasn'
ttheotherwayaround,why
di
dn'tyout
ellme?Wewoul dhavecameupwi t
ha
pl
an,yousleptwi
thaman!Ifmom findsoutitwil
lki
l
l
her
".
Khulani:"Mom can'tfi
ndout,I
'
mt ell
i
ngyouthi
s
becauseIt r
ustyou,Iregr
etthi
seachandevery
day
,I
can'tevensleepatnight.
.andthatmani
sbusy
fol
lowingmenow" .
Nsi
ka:
"Whatdoeshewantnow?
".
Khul
ani
:"Hewantsmetosleepwi
thhi
m agai
nor
el
sehewil
lfi
remom orcomefory
ou".
Nsika:"Youar
enott
hinki
ngofdoi
ngi
tagai
nar
e
you?".

.
.
.
.

Khulani:
"Hel l
not!Itev
entookmet i
metogetan
erecti
on,Ican'tsl
eepwithanotherman,
heis
blackmail
ingmeandheknowst hatmot
herneeds
thatjobmor ethananythi
ng".
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
eist
her
estoft
hemoney
?".
Khul
ani
:"Iputi
tonoursav
ingsaccount
".
Nsika:"Let'
sj ustpayhim back,wewi l
lfi
gureaway
ofrepl
acingt hemoneyf oroureducat i
onnextyear,
youcan'tleave,wehav eplansbr o.Rememberthat
aft
erthreeorf ouryearswewi l
lbedoneandgeta
goodjobf ormom, wearei nthistoget
herandift
hat
mandoesn' twantt otakehismoneyback, hewil
l
knowwhat '
scomi ngforhim".
Khul
ani
:"Hehasmoneyandwehav
enot
hing,
what
i
fhedoestheunt
hinkabl
e?"
.
Nsika:"Thi
smanist
aki
ngadvantageofyou
becauseheknowswearepoor
,youcan'tsl
eepwi
th
hi
mformoney
,I'
m ev
endi
sgust
edbyt
het
houghtof
i
t"
.
Khulani:"Ishoul
dn'
thav
etakenhi
sof
ferf
rom t
he
fi
rstplace".
Nsika:
"Iunder
standwhyy ouweredown,I
'
m sor
ry
youhadtogothroughthi
s,Idon'
tknowifi
twas
whatiwouldhavedone".
Khul
ani
:"Iwoul
dn'
thav
elety
ou,
youar
emyl
i
ttl
e
br
other
".
Nsi
ka:
"Shutup!
".
Nomal
anga:
"Ar
eyout
wof
ight
ing?
".
Nsi
ka:
"No"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mom wher
ewer
eyou?
".
Nomal
anga:
"IwasoutKhul
ani
".
Shesaidl
aughi
ngathowov
erpr
otect
iveherki
ds
were.
Nomal
anga:
"Mot
hersai
dyout
hreat
enedher
".
Khulani
:"Thedayy
ouandNsikast
opsgoi
ngtothat
house,i
sthedaywewi
lll
i
veinpeacei
nthi
shouse".
Nomal
anga:
"Khul
ani
I-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nomom,
justst
opgoi
ngt
her
e!"
.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
[
3/8,
14:
28]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[3]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Nsi
ka:
"Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odonow?
".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tknowbutIcan'
tal
l
owt
hatmant
o
pl
aywit
hme" .
Theywenttothebankandweretol
dtoputi
nat hi
rt
y
daysnot
ice,
that'
swhentheywil
lbeabl
etowithdr
aw
themoneyaftert
hir
tyday
s.Theyhadnoopt
ionsleft
.
Nsi
ka:"Justi
gnorehim,i
fhefi
resmom i
t'
sfi
ne,
we
wouldr
atherst
arv
et hant
oall
owhimtake
adv
antageofyou"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
seasyt
osay
".
Theywer eonthei
rwayfrom wri
ti
ngthei
rfi
rstpaper
,
everyt
hingwentwellastheyst
udiedandcr
ossed
ni
ghtfortheexams.Whent heygothomeNomawas
st
ill
atwor k,
theyheardaknock.
Khul
ani
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Ay
anda:
"Chi
l
l,I
'
m her
etoseeNsi
kanoty
ou"
.
Shepushedhim assheinvi
tedhersel
fin,
shesat
downont het
wosi t
tercouch,Nsi
kacamef r
om t
he
otherr
oom.
Ayanda:"Whyareyouignor
ingme?Ievensent
Khulani
totel
lyouthatIwaslooki
ngf
oryoubutyou
di
dn'tevenbot
hercomingtome" .
Nsi
kascrat
chedhi
sheardandgaveKhul
ani
a"sav
e
melook"
..
.Khul
ani
justl
aughedathi
m.
Ay
anda:
"Sonowy
oucan'
ttal
k?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Excuseme-
".
Het
ookhi
sphoneandwentout
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Dudey
ougotsomer
eal
rel
ati
onshi
p
i
ssues,
i'
ll
giv
eyout
wosomespace"
.
Hesai dlaughi
ng,
Nsi
kahasnev erfoundhi
mselfi
n
thi
ssituati
onandhethoughtKhulaniwasgonnaget
him outofit.
Ay
anda:
"Ishoul
dhav
eknownt
haty
ouj
ustl
i
keal
l
-".
Heki
ssedher
,shepushedhi
m.
Ay
anda:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Nsika:
"LookI'
vebeenbusywi
thprepari
ngfort
he
exams,weareall
busyIwasn'
ti
gnoringyou"
.
Ayanda:"Buty
oushoul
d'
veatl
eastcal
l
ed-wai
t-do
youevenhavemynumbers?
".
Nsi
ka:"Bei
ngt
hisangr
yisnotgoodf
ory
oubabe,
l
ookhowbeaut
iful
youare-
".
Ay
anda:
"Don'
ttr
yto-
".
Nsi
ka:
"Comeongi
vemet
hatcut
esmi
l
e".
Ay
anda:
"Ar
eyoubei
ngser
iousr
ightnow?
".
Nsika:
"I'
m deadser
ious,
comeher
e,don'
tbeangr
y
youarehurt
ingme".
Hesl owl
ykissedher,t
herewasnowayoutoft hi
s
forhim,hegaveherapassionateki
ss,Ayanda
meltedinhi
sar ms,shewasstil
lweari
ngaunifor
m
heslowlybrushedherthi
ghsmov i
nghishandupto
herunderwear.
Ay
anda:
"Nsi
ka-
".Shesai
dinbet
weent
hemoan.
.
Hedi dnotgi v
eherachancet otalk,hepul ledupher
shi
rtandst opped, Ayandacov eredherf acewi thher
hands..therewasonet hi
ngt hatt heydidnotf orget ,
usi
ngpr ot
ecti
on.Hewentt ot hei
rchestofdr awer s
andcamebackwi thtwopocket sofcondoms.
Ayandawasst il
lshy,Nsi kasl owl ypiercedhi sl i
ps
wit
hher s,histonguet wi r
li
ngar oundhermout h, he
unbuttonedhershi rt
,itwashar df orAy andat ost op
hi
m, hedi deverythi
ngt her ightway ,Nsi kasmi led
whenhef el
therhandsonhi sbel thelpinghi mt o
unfastenit.
.hepul l
eddownhi sschool trouserand
pul
ledacondom i n,Ay andahadal r
eadypul ledup
herskirtandtookof ftheunder wear ,hegoti n
betweenherl egsandst artedent hrusti
ng, Ay anda
moanedv eryloud,heki ssedherst oppingherf rom
makingnoi se,heslowl yent rustedandt hepacegr ew
ashisorganism star
tedheatingup, hegr
oaned
whenhecame.Hest i
llwantedmor e,hepull
edout
thecondom andt ookanother,Ayandahasnev erfel
t
l
ikethatbefore,af
terthesecondroundNsi katri
edto
catchhisbreathandremember edt hatAyandahad
togo,hestoodupandchangedhi sclot
heswhile
Ayandawasf i
xi
nghercl ot
hes.
Ay
anda:
"Ar
eyougonnawal
kmeout
?".
Nsi
ka:
"What
?Imean-y
eah"
.
Hequickl
ywal
kedherout
,Khulaniwasout
side
pl
ayi
ngwi t
hhi
sphone.
.Nsikalef
tAyandahalfway
andr
ushedbackhometoclean.
Khul
ani
:"Youreal
lyf
ini
shedt
hatgi
rl
,thewayshe
wasscr
eaming".
Nsi
ka:
"Youwer
eli
steni
ng?Youar
esuchaper
ver
t"
.
Khulani
:"Youarefor
get
ti
ngthatt
hisisatworoom
house,cl
eanthecouchIwi
ll
notsitt
hereanymore"
.
Nsi
ka:"Thegi
rlcat
chedfeel
i
ngs,
I'
mtr
yingt
obe
ni
cebutIdon'
tl
ikeher"
.
Khul
ani
:"t
ryi
ngt
obeni
cebysl
eepi
ngwi
thher
?".
Nsi
ka:"YesIj
ustenj
oyi
nghav
ingsexwi
thher
not
hingmore"
.
.
.
.
.

Khul
ani:"I
fsheissmar
tshewasgonnafi
gurethat
outandI'
m suret
hatsi
nceyoubr
okeherv
irgi
nit
y
youarenottheonl
yonesheissl
eepi
ngwi
th".
Khul
ani
real
l
yhat
edher
.
Nsi
ka: "Buti
t'
snotabadt
hingt
ohav
esomeonet
o
cal
lforabootycal
l"
.
Khul
ani
:"Butnoti
nmama'
shouse"
.
Nsika:
"Relaxi
tonl
yhappenedonce,
I'
mregr
ett
ing
al
ready".
Khulani:
"Ishouldhavetakenav
ideo,thatgi
rl
deservesitaf
terseduci
ngmeandt hanendingup
ri
dingyou".
Theybot
hlaughed.
Nsi
ka:
"Wai
t,someonedeser
vest
hat
,MrMbat
ha"
.
Khulani
:"Youar
ecrazyI
'
m notl
ett
ingt
hatman
touchmeoranyotherman"
.
Nsi
ka:"Comeonyouwon'
tsleepwi
thhi
m orki
ss
hi
m,havecont
rol
overt
hesi
tuati
onandt
akeavideo"
.
Khulani
:"Youar
ecrazy
,Iam strai
ght
,I'
m not
al
lowingmypenist
ogetint
ot hatman'sasshol
e
everagai
n!"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Gethi
m dr
unkorbuydr
ugs"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ial
wayst
ell
Thembatostopwatchi
ng
Tyl
erPer
rymovi
esbutIf
orgott
otel
lyou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Themba'
sdadcangetussor
ted"
.
Khul
ani
:"Soi
t'
str
uet
hathesel
l
sdr
ugs?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Isawthem whenIaskedhi
mf orcondoms,
t
hatmanisnotwor
kingbutheisri
ch"
.
Khul
ani:
"Butsti
l
lI'
m nott
ouchi
ngt
hatmanagai
n,
washthecouch!
".
Nsi
kawast
ryi
ngt
ohel
phi
sbr
otheroutoft
he
situat
ion,thei
rmothercamebackfrom workf
inding
them alreadycooki
ng,Nomataughtthem wel
l
, t
hey
cleaned,washandcook.
"Mama!
".
Someoneshoutedfrom out
side,
theonl
yper
son
besi
desKhul
ani andNsikawhocall
edNomamama
wasHlel
o,t
heircousin,
shegotinsi
de.
Nomal
anga:
"Hl
elowhat
'
swr
ong?
".
Hl
elo:
"Not
hing,
Ijustmi
ssy
ou"
.
Shesatdown,outofal
lthei
raunt
'ski
ds,
Hlel
owas
thei
rfav
ori
te.
Khul
ani
:"Youhungr
y?"
.
Hl
elo:
"No"
.
Shekeptqui
et.
Nomalanga:
"Doesy
ourmot
herknowt
haty
ouar
e
her
e?"
.
Hl
elo:
"No"
.
Theyst
ayedwit
hherunti
ll
ate.
.theexamswer
e
goi
ngverysmoothandBonganiwassti
ll
on
Khul
ani
'sneck,
itwast
hesecondweekaf
tert
hei
r
exams.
Nsika:"I
fyoucanjustl
i
stent
omeallt
hiswil
lbe
over,l
ookKhul
ani,
takeyourf
onewi
thyouandtake
avideo".
Khul
ani
:"Butnodr
ugs,
Iwi
l
ljustgethi
m dr
unkat
l
east
".
Nsi
ka:
"Iwi
l
lcomewi
thy
ouj
ustf
ory
oursaf
ety
".
Khulani
:"He'
l
lal
sowantt
osl
eepwi
thy
ou,
youar
e
notcoming!
".
Nsi
ka:"Fi
nei'
l
lwaitbyt
hecor
nerandifhet
ri
est
o
dosomethi
ngstupi
dsendacal
lback"
.
Khul
ani
:"Cool
wewi
l
lgoonweekend"
.
Accor
dingt
othem thei
rpl
anwasgoi
ngt
owor
k,t
hey
hadeachot
hersbackonthis.
Khul
ani
:"Doyouknowthegir
lIwast
alki
ngt
othe
ot
herdayatThemba'
shouse?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"No,
buti
twasn'
tmyf
ir
stt
imeseei
ngher
".
Khul
ani
:"Sher
efusedt
ogi
vemehername,
Iwant
hert
hat
'sy
ourf
utur
esi
steri
nlawson"
.
Nsi
kal
aughedsohar
dathi
m.
Nsi
ka:"Canyoukeepagirl
fort
hatl
ongt
obea
'
si
steri
nlaw'
.
.stopplay
inggames"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iam r
eadyforaseri
ousrel
ati
onshi
p,y
ou
ar
ealsoi
nar el
ati
onshi
pain'
tyou?
".
Nsika:"Idon'
tl
ikeherandbesi desI
'm notr
eadyfor
anyheadache,Ayandaisstressingmeoutjust
i
magi neifweweredating.
.girl
shavelot'
sofdrama,
Ist
illval
uemysanityIdon'
twannal osemymi nd
yet
".
Khulani
:"Okayconti
nuebr
eaki
ngpeopl
e'
shear
t,I
'
m
done,Ineedthatgi
rl
".
Nsi
ka:
"Whati
fshedoesn'
tneedy
ou?
".
Khul
ani:
"Mymom di
dn'
tgi
vemeherl
ooksf
or
not
hing"
.
Nomalangacamebackhome,wit
htakeaway
s,
snacksandcol
ddr
inks,
theboysl
ookedateach
other
.
Noma:
"Whyar
eyout
wol
ooki
ngatmel
i
ket
hat
,
can'
tamot
herspoi
lherki
ds?
".
Nsi
ka:
"No-wear
ejust
-"
.
Khul
ani:
"Happy
,whatdoy
ouhav
ether
e?I
'
m
st
arv
ing".
Theyhel
pedt
hemsel
ves.
.
Noma:"Iam pr
oudofyout
wo,outofthetwo
uni
ver
sit
ieswhi
chonearey
ouchoosing?"
.
Khul
ani
:"West
il
lhav
enotdeci
ded"
.
Nsi
ka:
"It
'sWi
tsandVaal
right
?It
hinkWi
tsi
sbet
ter
".
Khul
ani
:"Howdoy
ouknow?
".
Nsi
ka:"I
'mtheonewhodi
dar
esear
chunl
i
kesome
ot
herpeopl
e".
Khul
ani
:"Thatdoesn'
tmakey
ouanybet
ter
".

.
.
.
.
Noma: "Don'
tst
artar
gui
ng,Iwast
hinki
ngy
ou
shoul
dapplyatDutorUni
Zulu"
.
Nsi
ka:"Wehav
eal
readyr
egi
ster
edandIt
hinki
t'
s
t
oolat
e".
Noma:"Regist
rat
ionsarealsoopeninJanuary
, I
don'
twantyoutoleavehere,Johannesbur
gistoo
far
".
Khul
ani
:"Wear
eaccept
edt
her
eisnot
hingwecan
do"
.
Noma:"Wellyouarenotgoi
ngther
eandthi
sisnot
upf
ordiscussi
on,Idon'
twanty
outogother
e!"
.
Khulani
:"Butmot
hernotl
ongagoy
ouwer
ehappy
forus".
Noma:"ButIdi
dnotsayy
oucango,
no-
onewi
l
lgo
t
here!
".
Theyl
ookedateachot
her
,Nomawasdeadser i
ous
andwhenshelookedl
i
kethat
,theydi
dn'
tdar
e
quest
ionher
.
Noma:
"Eat
!"
.
Theykeptqui
etandcont
inuedeat
ing.
.Hl
elocamei
n
agai
nactingwei
rd.
.
Noma:
"Comesi
tdownandeat
".
Shesl
owl
ysatdown.
.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Hl
elo:
"Yah"
.
Shet
ookasi
pofcol
ddr
inkandt
ear
srol
l
eddown.
Nomal
a:"Hl
elodi
dyourmom beaty
ou?
".
Sheshookherhead.
Hl
elo:
"Iam sor
rymamaIhav
etogo"
.
Khulani
:"Hlelosi
tdown,doyouhaveaboy
friend
nowbecauseIsweari fheisthewhoi
smakingyou
cryIwil
lki
ll
t hebothofyou"
.
Hlel
o:"No!Idon'
thaveaboy
fri
end,
mom sentme
hereandIcan'
tdoit"
.
Noma:
"Youcan'
tdowhat
?".
Hl
elo:
"Mom sentmeher
eto-shewantsmetotake
of
fmyclot
hesandscr
eam,whentheyhearmy
screamstheywi
ll
comeandatt
ackKhul
ani
,MamaI
can'tdoi
tKhul
anii
smybrot
her
".
Khul
ani
:"Whatf
or?
".
Hl
elo:"Mymom'snewboy f
ri
endforcedhi
mselfon
me,thi
shasbeenhappeni
ngalmostevery
dayand
mymom iskeepi
ngitfr
om grandmaandshewants
metoaccuseyouofit
".
Noma:
"Ohmybabywhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me?
".
Hl
elo:"Heistheonewhobuysgr
ocer
iessi
ncemom
l
ostherjob,
theythr
eat
enedme".
Khul
ani
:"Isweary
ourmo-
".
Noma:
"Khul
ani
sitdown"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mom t
heywanttoaccusemeofr
api
ng
Hlel
oandyouwantmetositdown?"
.
Noma: "Vi
olencewi
ll
notsolveanythi
ng,let
'sgot
o
thepol
icenowandHlelo,Iwantyoutotellt
hem
whatyoujusttol
dus,no-
onewill
touchy ounow
okay?"
.
Shenodded,
Khulani
wassti
llf
uri
ous,
heknewt
hat
hecandoanythi
ngbutnott
oforcehi
msel
fonagi
rl
nottomentionachil
d,aft
err
eporti
ngtothepol i
ce
Hlel
owast akenfort
hemedicalexaminat
ion,the
poli
ceandNomawi t
hkidswenttothei
rmot hers
houselat
erthatday.
NsikaandKhulani
coul
dn'
thol
dthemsel
ves,
they
at
tackedthei
raunt.
Thab'
si
le:
"Whatar
ey oudoing?Nomadoyousee
whatIwastal
ki
ngabout?Theseki
dsar
erude"
.
Whenshesawt
hepol
i
ceshekeptqui
et.
Grandma: "Whatarethepoli
cedoingher
e?
Nomal angayouarebringi
ngpoli
ceinmyhouse?Is
thishowy ourepaymef orr
aisi
ngyouandtheser
ude
kidsofyours?Getoutofmyhouse! "
.
Pol
iceof
ficer
:"Ma'
m wear
enother
efory
ou,
wear
e
l
ookingf
orMrSibiy
aandMsZondo"
.
Khul
ani
:"That
'sher
".
Policeof f
icer:"MsZondoy ouareunderarr
estedfor
tr
yingt opr ot
ectacriminalwhorapedyourdaught
er
andf orat
tempt i
ngtofalsel
yaccusetheyoungman
Khul aniZondoofr ape..
anythi
ngyousayordowi l
l
beusedagai
nstyouinthecourtofl
awandy ouar
e
al
lowedtocont
actyourlawyerbuti
fyoudon'
thave
onethest
atewil
lpr
ovidey ouone"
.
Thab'
si
le:
"Theyar
ely
ing,
Hlel
otel
lthem"
.
Hl
elost
art
edcr
ying.
Grandma:
"Youcan'tt
akemychi
l
d,t
hisi
sal
lyour
faul
tNomalanga"
.
Khulani:
"ShutupGrandma,yourgr
andchil
dwas
rapedandallyoudoispoi
nti
ngaf i
ngeratmy
mom? "
.
Shel
ookedatHl
elo.
Gr
andma:
"Isi
ttr
ue,
comeher
emychi
l
d".
Khul
ani
:"Don'
tgot
oher
,youar
ecomi
nghomewi
th
us"
.
Noma:"Whatwi
l
lhappent
othemanwhor
aped
her
?".
Pol
iceof
fi
cer
:"Wewil
lnotr
estunti
lwef
indhi
m and
whenwedo,wewil
ll
etyouknow".
Noma:
"Thanky
ou,
let
'
sgo"
.
Gr
andma:
"Don'
tgo,
Hlel
oIneed-
".
Noma: "Ohshutupmother
!Thi
shappenedri
ght
underyournosebuty
oudidnotseeany
thi
ng?How
surpr
isi
ng".
Nsi
ka:
"Let
'sgo"
.
.
.
.
Admi
nsnot
e:
Thi
spostwastor ai
seawarenessofwomenand
chi
ldr
enabuse!
!!Ican'
tbenext,shecan'
tbenext
,
youcan'
tbenext.
.iti
sEnough!Stoptheabuse!
!!
Theabuserar eri
ghtunderournose,ouruncl
es,
fat
hers,brot
hers,nei
ghbors,
teacher
sand
boyfr
iends..
.StoptheAbuse!!
!!
[
3/8,
14:
29]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[4]
.
.
.
.
Unedi
ted
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Nsi
ka:
"Ican'
tbel
i
evet
hatauntgotbai
l
".
Noma:
"Atl
eastt
heboy
fri
enddi
dnot
".
Thab'
si
legotbai
landherboy
fri
endwasf
oundand
deni
edbail
.
Khul
ani
:"Let
'snott
alkaboutt
hisbecausei
tmakes
meangryandHlel
oishere"
.
Hl
elo:"Thenur
seatt
hecl
i
nicsai
difIt
alkabouti
tI
wi
llheal
".
Theyal
ll
ookedateachot
her
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m goi
ngout
".
Hl
elo:
"CanIcomewi
th?
".
Khul
ani
:"Sur
e".
Nsi
ka:
"Wai
tforme"
.
Theyal
l wal
kedout,
Hlelowasst ayingwit
hthem she
wasafraidt
ogobackt ohergrandmot her
'shouse
andbesidessheenj
oyedbeingar oundhercousins.
Nsi
ka:
"Ohshucks,
her
e'sy
ourcr
ush"
.
Khul
ani
:"DoIl
ookokay
?".
Nsi
kal
aughedathi
m..
.
Nsi
ka:
"Yousoundl
i
keagi
rl
".
Hl
elo:
"Don'
tmi
ndhi
m,y
oual
way
slookgood"
.
Theyst
oodbyt
hegat
e,Khul
ani
wentt
oher
.
Khul
ani
:"Hi,whydidn'
tyout
ell
met
haty
ouar
e
st
ayi
ngaroundhere?".
Her:
"Becausey
ounev
eraskedbutI
'
m notst
ayi
ng
ar
oundhere"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
".
Her
:"Bsect
ion"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youst
il
lhav
en'
ttol
dmey
ourname"
.
Shebl
ushed.
Khul
ani
:"ButIcangiv
eyouaname,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou
hmm-Ndalo-
enhle"
.
Her
:"Suchawei
rdname"
.
Khulani:
"Butitsuit
sy ou,
youarer
eall
yabeaut
iful
creati
onwellthat
'swhatthatnamemeans,Damn
l
ookatt hatbeauti
fulsmil
enowpleasetel
lmeyour
name" .
Her
eal
l
ygotherwher
ehewant
ed.
.
Her
:"Nandi
".
Khul
ani
:"Youhav
eabeaut
if
ulname"
.
Nandi
:"Iwasnamedaft
ermygr
andmot
her
,Ihav
e
t
ogetgoingnowbye"
.
Khul
ani
:"Atl
eastgi
vemey
ournumber
,pl
ease"
.
Nandi
:"Idon'
thav
eaphone"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
?Imean-Iwantt
oseey
oul
atert
oday
howcanIseey
ou?"
.
Nandi
:"Idon'
tknow"
.Shesai
dsmi
l
ing.
.
Khul
ani
:"Takemyphone,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
".
Nandi
:"Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
".
Khulani
:"Maybeal
i
ttl
e,pl
easeNandi
Ireal
l
ywanna
tal
ktoyou".
Nandi
:"Okayt
alk"
.
Khul
ani
:"Now?
-CanIseey
oul
ater
?".
Nandi
:"Youar
ecr
azyman"
.
Khulani
:"Becauseyoumakemecrazy
,heretakemy
phoneIwillcal
landyouwi
ll
dir
ectmetoyourplace"
.
Shet
ookt
hephoneandshookherheadsmi
l
ing.
.
Nandi
:"WhatifIdi
sappearwi
thy
ourphoney
ou
don'
tevenknowwhereIstay"
.
Khul
ani:
"Atl eastmyphonewi
l
lbewi
thy
ouev
eni
fI
don'
tgetitback".
Shewalkedaway,Khul
ani
lookedv
erypr
oud,
he
wentbacktothegate.
.
Nsi
ka:
"And?
".
Khulani
:"Iwill
gether,y
oushould'
veseent
heway
shewasbl ushi
ng,lat
eryouwi
llbor
rowmey our
phonesot hati
'l
lcall
her"
.
Hl
elo:
"Isawy
ougi
vi
nghery
ourphone"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Hedid?Bro.Youneedser
iouspr
ayer
s,y
ou
gav
eagir
lyourphone?"
.
Khul
ani
:"That
'st
heonlywayofmaki
ngheragr
eet
o
seemeanditworked,
didn'
ti
t?"
.
Nsi
kashookhi
shead,hewastot
all
yagainsti
tbut
hi
sbrot
herdi
dnotseeanyt
hingwrong.
.
ToKhul
ani
itmeantnot
hinggi
vi
nghi
sphonet
oagi
rl
hel
i
ked,
hewant
edhermor
ethanany
thi
ng.
Khulani
:"Atl
eastshet
oldmehernameandwe
tal
kedabit"
.
Hl
elo:
"Shei
scut
e".
Nsikashookhishead, theirpl
anwasst i
l
linmotion,
Bongani'swif
ewasst i
l
l nothome,theirmom was
workingforhim now..SinceKhulanidecidedtohave
ot
herr eser
vati
onstheyhadt oactsoonert oget
Bongani of
fKhulani'
sback.
Nsika:"Youknowt
hatwehav
etogosomewher
e
r
ight?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Shi
t!If
orgot
".
Nsi
ka:
"Youar
enotser
iousl
y".
Khul
ani
:"Wewi
l
lgoaf
terseei
ngNandi
".
Nsikawavedhishand,t
hatgirl
real
l
yhadKhul ani
wrappedaroundherfi
nger,t
heychi
ll
edabitoutsi
de,
Theywentbackinwhent heysawthei
rauntcoming
thei
rway.
.
Noma:
"Ar
eyour
unni
ngf
rom somet
hing?
".
Hl
elo:
"No"
.
Khul
ani
:"She'
sly
ingwesawhermot
her
".
Noma:"Hlel
oonedayyouwill
hav
etolear
nto
f
orgi
veyourmother
,af
teral
l
,shei
syourmother
".
Khul
ani:
"Her ewegoagai
n,Hl
eloyourl
i
fei
sfi
ne
wit
houtthatsi
ckwomaninyourl
if
e".
Noma:
"Khul
ani
stopi
t!
".
Heroll
edhiseyes,hehatedseei
nghismot
herthi
s
soft
,Khul
aniholdedalotofgr
udges,
henever
for
gaveveryeasil
y,t
imewenton..
Khul
ani
:"Let
'sgo"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wewil
lgot
omor
row,
goseet
hegi
rlwhoi
s
usi
ngyou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Bei
ngjeal
ousdoesn'
tl
ookgoodony
oubr
o.
Borr
owmey ourphone"
.
Nsi
ka:"I
t'
sint
hechar
gerj
ustdon'
tfi
nishmy
ai
rt
ime".
Het
ookt
hephoneandcal
l
edNandi
..
Khul
ani
:"Heyi
t'
sme,
canwest
il
lmeet
?".
Nandi
:"Yeahsur
e,neart
hebusst
ati
on"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lseey
ouj
ustnow"
.
Hel
ookedv
eryexci
ted.
.
Noma:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Khulani
:"Letmesay
,I'
m goi
ngt
oseey
ourf
utur
e
daughteri
nlaw"
.
Nsi
ka:"Mom youshoul
dseeher
,shei
sugl
y
def
ini
tel
ynothi
stype"
.
Hl
elo:
"Shei
sbeaut
if
ul"
.
Nsika:"Sheisjustanav
eragegi
rl
,ther
eisnot
hing
specialabouther"
.
Khulani
:"Nandi
isanat
uralbeaut
yandshedoesn'
t
havetobebeauti
ful
toyoubecauseshei
snotyour
s".
Nomal
angawasl
aughi
ngatt
hem.
.
Noma:
"Tel
lhert
ocomev
isi
tme"
.
Nsi
ka:"Shedoesn'
tl
ikehi
m mom,
yoursoni
s
f
orci
ngthings"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
ever
,Iwi
l
ltel
lhermom"
.
Her anof f,hecoul dn'twai ttoseeherbutt r
uthful
ly
Nandi wasnott hatbeaut ifulshewasj ustan
averagegi rl
,t herewer eot hergirlsint hei rtownship
whower ewaybeaut iful t
hanher .ButKhul ani l
oved
her,het houghtshewasdi fferentfrom t heot hergir
ls
andshehadt hewor ldsmostbeaut i
ful smi l
e.Hegot
tothebusst opandcal ledheragai n,shet oldhimt o
waitaf ewmor emi nutesandwai ti
ngwasn' tthe
problem forhi m,hewoul dwai tallhisl ifeforher .
.he
sawt heshotdar kskingi rlwalkingt ot hebusst op
hishear tstartedbeat ingf ast,tohim shewast he
mostbeaut iful gi
rlhehadev ermet ,nev er mindwhat
hisbrothert houghtofher ,yesAy andawasv ery
beautif
ul thanherbutst il
lhedi dn'tcar e, hewant ed
hernotherbeaut y,hewant edt owi nherhear tand
l
iveahappyman. .shesmi l
edwhensheappr oached
him, t
hatwasasmi l
et hatdr ovehimi nsane. .hesaw
himselfsmi l
ingandhuggedher .
Khul
ani
:"Inev
ert
houghty
ouwoul
dcome"
.
Nandi
:"Yourphonei
swi
thmer
emember
?".
Khul
ani
:"Ohy
eahIf
orgot
".
Nandi:"Youar
eastr
angeper
son,youforgott
hat
yourphoneiswit
hme?"
.Sheaskedlaughi
ngatme.
Khulani:"Comeon,y
oucan'
tbl
ameme.
.Ihav
elot
s
ofthingsinmymind".
Nandi
:"Youwi
l
lendupl
osi
ngy
ourmi
ndbecar
eful
".
Khulani
:"Asl
ongasyouaretheonl
ypersonthat'
s
keepingmymindbusywel
lIdon'
tmindgoingcrazy"
.
Nandi
:"Youal
way
shav
eananswerdon'
tyou?
".
Khul
ani
:"Onl
yfory
ou,
wher
edoy
ougot
oschool
?".
Nandi
:"Phoeni
x,Ij
ustmov
edher
eaf
terbur
ryi
ngmy
par
ent
slastmonth".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sor
ry"
.
Nandi
:"Theygoti
nvol
vedi
nthecarhi
j
acki
ngbut
t
heydidn'
tmakeit
".
Khulani
:"i
tmustbehardfory
ou,I
'm sor
rybuthey
youhav emenowri
ght?Yourpar
entswouldbevery
proud".
Shel
aughed.
.
Nandi
:"I
'
m sur
enot
".
Khulani
:"Ev
erypar
entImeetl
ikesme,
let
'ssayI
haveacoolwayofcharmi
ngparent
sandIwould
havedonethesametoyour
s".
Nandi
:"Youar
ecr
azy
".
Khul
ani
:"ButNandi,
Ireal
l
yli
keyouhey,Idon'
tev
en
rememberf
eeli
ngthi
swayaboutagirl
".
Nandi
:"Whataboutt
heot
hergi
rl
s?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ther
ear
enoot
hergi
rl
s".
Nandi:
"Ihear
dal otaboutyouandyourbr
other,
they
sayyouguysdateev er
ygir
lyoumeet,
wellIdont
wanttobein'
every'gir
lsl
i
st".

.
.
.
.

Khul
ani
:"Don'
tl
ist
ent
oev
ery
thi
ngy
ouhear
,ifIhav
e
agir
lf
ri
endI'
m sureIwoul dn'tbestandi
ngwi
thyou
i
nthebusstop..Nandipleasegiv emeachanceof
bei
ngyourboyfri
end,Il
ikey ou,youdri
vemecrazy
pl
ease".
Nandi
:"ButIdon'
t-
".
Khul
ani:"Ifyouar
enotr eadytobeinar el
ationshi
p
i
t'
sfineIunderst
andbutgi vemeachanceatl east
l
et'
snotr ushanyt
hing,wewi l
ltakebabysteps..
.wait
-youhaveaboy fr
iend?
".
Nandi
:"Godno,Iwantedt
osayIdon'
twannabe
beat
enupbygir
lsbecauseofy
ou".
Khul
ani
:Thatwi
l
lnev
erhappen,
pleasebemygi
rl
,
pl
ease"
.
Nandi
:"Okaybutbabyst
epsr
ight
?".
Khul
ani
:"Yesbabyst
eps"
.
Nandi
:"Here'
syourphone,
Ial
readysav
edmy
numbers"
.
Khul
ani
:"Buty
ousai
dyoudon'
thav
eaphone"
.
Nandi
:"Iwasl
yi
ng"
.
Hehalfsmil
edather
,thatwasal
lhewant
ed,
tohav
e
herashisgi
rl
..
Nandi
:"I
t'
sgett
ingdarknow,
I'
m sur
emy
gr
andpar
entsar
ewor r
ied"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lcomeseey
out
omor
rowI
'
m not
wri
ti
ng"
.
Nandi
:"Whatt
ime?
".
Khul
ani
:"Whatt
imedoy
ouwantmet
ocome?
".
Nandi
:"Whydon'ty
oucomeonFr i
dayaft
erwri
tti
ng,
mygrandpar
entsar
egoingoutoftownwi
ththe
chur
chsoIwill
bealoneathome".
Khul
ani
:"Nopr
obl
em"
.
Hebenthi
sheadandkissedherfor
ehead,
hesl
owl
y
bentov
ert
okissherl
i
psandst opped.
Khul
ani
:"Iwil
lseeyouonFr
idaybutIwi
l
lcal
lyou
whenIgethome".
Theybothsaidtheirgoodbyesandwentsepar
ate
ways,Hecouldn'twaittogethomeandbragabout
hisnewl
yfoundgi r
lfr
iend.
.whenhearri
vedhome
theywer
ealreadyhav ingsupper
.
Khul
ani
:"Sheagr
eedt
obemygi
rl
fr
iend"
.
Noma:"That'
sgoodbutIdon'
twantt
hist
odest
ruct
youf
rom yourexams"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m anat
ural
bor
ngeni
usmom"
.
Nsika:"Let
'shopey
ouwon'
tbr
eakt
hepoorgi
rl
s
heart"
.
-
-
Nsi
ka
Hest
oodupandwentt
obed.
Noma:
"Youar
enotf
ini
shi
ngy
ourf
ood?
".
Nsi
ka:
"I'
mful
l
,Iwi
l
leatt
omor
row"
.
Khul
ani
:"That
'swhatj
eal
ousydoest
opeopl
e".
Hel
aughedatNsi
ka.
.
Nsi
ka:
"I'
mreal
l
ynotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
".
Noma:
"Whati
sit
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Ihav
eaheadache"
.
Hewenttobed,hef
eltver
ytir
edandsick,
theyal
l
f
ini
shedup,Nomasleptwit
hHlel
ointhekit
chen,
the
boyssl
eptint heot
herroom. .i
nt hemi ddleofthe
ni
ghtNsikav omit
edalloverthebl ankets,Khul
ani
wokehismot herup.
.shecleanedandgav ethem
newblankets,Nsi
kawassi ck,theyt houghtmay be
hehadbile.
Hewentbackt osleep..itwasunusual forNsikato
fallsick,hisbodywassweat i
ng,hehadadr eam that
feltsor eal.Hewaswal ki
nginthemi ddleofthe
woodswi thKhulaniwhenanol dmancame, he
staredatbot hofthem andst artedwal ki
ng,they
foll
owedhi m andcal l
edoutonhi m buthekepton
wal kingtot hedarkhol e,Khul
ani fol
lowedhimt othe
dar kholeandNsi katri
edt ostophi m buthet ol
dhim
thathewant edtoseewhot hatol dmanwas, Khul
ani
fellinthatdar kholeandNsi kaal sofoll
owedhi s
brot herinsidethathole.
Itwasv
erydar
kbuthecoul
dst
il
lseet
heol
dman,
he
cametothem.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
pus,
pleasehel
pus"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Hel
puspl
ease"
.
Theol
dmanl
ookedatt
hem.
Hi
m:"Ican'
t"
.
Hesai
dthatanddi
sappear
edi
ntot
hatdar
kness.
Nsi
kawokeup,t
hedream f
eltsor
eal
..t
heywer
enot
wri
tt
ingt
hef
oll
owingday.
Noma:"MaybeIshoul
dcal
lMrMbat
haandt
ell
him
t
hatyouar
enotfeel
ingwel
l
".
Nsi
ka:
"I'
mfi
nenow,
don'
twor
rymom got
owor
k".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
llcal
lyoumom i
fany
thi
nghappenst
o
hi
m buthel
ooksfinetome"
.
Noma:"Okaymakesur
ethaty
ouf
ini
sht
hat
por
ri
dge"
.
HenoddedandNomal
angawentt
owor
k.
Khulani
:"Befor
eyout
hinkofdy
ingatl
eastgi
veusa
warningbro"
.
Hl
elol
aughed.
Nsi
ka:"I
'
m notdyi
nganyt
imesoon, Idon'
tknow
whatwashappeni
ngl
astnightbecauseIfeel
fine
now".
Khul
ani
:"Youdr
inkt
oomuchbeerandnev
ercl
ean
y
ourt
ummy
,youhadbi
l
e".
Nsika:"Youknowafterthedream Ihadmyheartis
sti
l
l beati
ngi
nnervousness,t
hatdream f
eltsoreal
andi twasmyfir
stti
mehav i
ngadr eam l
ikethat
one".

Hl
elo:
"Grandmaalway
ssaywheny
ouhavetoo
muchbil
eyoust
arthavi
ngni
ght
mar
esatni
ght"
.
Khul
ani:"ThankyouHl
elo,
nowt
ell
yourbr
othert
o
dr
inkcastoroil
".
Hl
eloandKhul aniwerelaughingbutNsikawassti
ll
worri
ed, somethingworriedhim buthedidn'
tknow
whatitwas. .WhenNomal angacamebackf rom
work,theyleftthehouse.
Khul
ani
:"WhatdoIdo?
".
Nsika:"Gotohi
m andaskf oradri
nk,don'tbet
oo
tense,
relaxy
oursel
fandmakehi mfeelcomf or
tabl
e
whenhe'sdrunktakehi
sclothesof
fandt akeav i
deo
orpict
uresofhi
m naked"
.
Khul
ani
:"Yourpl
andoesn'
tmakesense,
fort
hepl
an
t
oworkIhavet
ofuckhi
m whi
chi
ssomet
hingIdon'
t
wantt
odo".
Nsika:"Takeoffy ourcl
othestooandtakeyourdick
tohismout handt akeavideo,makesurethatyou
don'tshowy ourfacebutdon'tworr
ywewi ll
edi
tthe
vi
deobef oreuploadingi
t".
Khul
ani
:"If
eel
badaboutt
his"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youwi
l
lbef
ine,
Iwi
l
lwai
ther
eint
hecor
ner
".
Khulanihat
edit,hewenttothebeauti
ful
houseand
knocked,Bonganiopenedthedoor.
Bongani
:"Youchangedy
ourmi
nd?Comei
n".
Khulani
didnotsayany
thi
ng,
hecamei
nandsaton
thecouch.
Khul
ani
:"Yourwi
fei
sst
il
lnothome?
".
Bongani
:"Youar
eher
eformeormywi
fe?
".
Khul
ani
:"Ineedadr
ink"
.
Bongani
:"That
'
swhatI
'
mtal
ki
ngabout
".
Bongani
wentt
otheki
tchenandcamebackwi
tht
wo
gl
assesandawhi
skey
..
Khul
ani
:"Whyain'
tyoudr
inki
ng?Comeondon'
tbea
par
typooper
".
Khul
ani
neededhi
m dr
unkf
ort
hepl
ant
owor
k.
Bongani
:"Il
i
ket hi
sver
sionofy
ou,
youar
emor
e
rel
axedt
oday".
Heswitchedont hemusicandrefi
l
ledt
heglasses,
buthewasn'tdri
nkingasmuchasKhulaniwanted
hi
mt odrink.
.theplanwasfail
i
ng,Khul
ani
took
Bongani'
sglassandf i
l
ledi
tful
l.
Bongani
:"YouarepretendingKhul
ani,
Icansee
whensomeoneispretending,youar
etryi
ngtogetus
dr
unkfir
sthuh?
".
Khulani
:"I'
m notusedtot
his,
Ineedt
ogetdrunk
fi
rst,
Ihaveneverbeenwit
hamanbef or
e,Imean
beforeyouofcourse"
.
Bongani
:"Letmeteachhowt
obewi
thaman,
put
yourgl
assdown"
.
Khulanif
eltl
ikerunningoutoft
hehouse,Bongani
tookhisclot
hesof fandstoodi
nfr
ontofKhulani
ful
lynaked,hethangotclosert
ohim andsl
owly
br
ushedhi
spr
ivat
epar
t.
Khul
ani
:"Wai
t,mov
eabi
t"
.
Bongani
:"Comeondon'tt
ellmethaty
ouhat
eit,
I
canseeiti
nyourey
esthatyouar
eenjoyi
ngi
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"Isai
dSt
op"
.
Bongani
:"Khul
ani
Iwanty
ou,Ican'
tl
ety
oul
eav
emy
housewit
houtt
ouchi
ngme".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
twantt
otouchy
ouman,
Stopi
t"
.
Khulani
wasv er
yangr
y,hepushedhi
m har
dandhe
fel
lonthef
loor.
.
Khulani
:"I
fyoudarecomenearmeagai
nIwi
l
l
punchyourface"
.
Hest
oppedwhenhesawhi
m nott
alki
ng,
.
.
Khul
ani
:"Bongani
,MrMbat
ha"
.
Hekneltdownandsawbl oodont hefl
oor,Khul
ani
pushedBonganit
othecor nerofthecof
feetabl
e
thathowhegothurt
..Khulanisl
owlygotup,hetook
hisphoneout
.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kacomeher
e,hur
rynow!
".
Hetri
edt
owakeBonganibuthewasn'
tev
enmov ing,
Nsi
kacameinandst
oppedwhenhesawhi sbr
other
t
ryi
ngtowakeMrMbatha.
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
whathav
eyoudone?
".
.
.
.
.
Darl
ingsIam sor
ryf
ort
hedel
ay,
IhopeIam
for
given
Lot
sofLov
e
[
3/8,
14:
29]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[5]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Khul
ani
slowl
ysatont
hef
loor
,tear
srol
l
ingdown.
.
Khul
ani:"i
twasami
stake,
Itol
dhi
mtost
opbuthe
di
dn'
t".
NsikakneltdownandshookBongani
'
sli
fel
essbody
butitwasn'tmovi
ng.
Khulani:
"Iwi
l
lcal
lthepol
i
ce,
gohome,
Idon'
twant
them tofi
ndyouhere"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ican'
tl
eav
eyouher
e".
Hestoodupandcheckedt
hekitchendr
awer
s,
Khul
aniwasonthefl
oorcr
ying.
Nsi
ka:
"Getup!Wecan'
tgotojai
landnoonei
s
goi
ngtobel
i
eveusi
fwetell
them whatt
hismandi
d
toy
ou".
Hesaidgoi
ngoutsi
de,Khul
ani
wasshaki
ng,het
ri
ed
agai
nwakingBongani
buthedidnotmov
e..
Khul
ani
:"Dudet
hisi
snotf
unnyany
mor
ewakeup!
".
Hedi
dnotmov
e,Nsi
kacamebackwi
thabowl
.
Nsi
ka:
"Hol
dthi
smat
ches"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Nsi
ka:"Wecan'
tgot
ojai
l
,Iwentt
opumppet
rol
f
rom hi
scar
".
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?Wecan'
tbur
n
hi
m".
Nsika:"Whatareot
herchoi
cedowehave?Thisi
sa
veryseri
ouscri
me,wecanspendt
herestofour
l
ivesinjai
l,doy
ouwantthat
?Andwhatwil
lhappen
t
omom? "
.
Khul
ani
:"I
twi
l
lki
l
lher
".
Nsikapouredpet rolonthecurt
ainsandlitthe
mat ches,
theybot hranoutofthehouse..thenicest
thi
ngabouti tist hatthehousewasi nav er
yquiet
area..t
heywat chedt hehousebur ni
ngfrom afarand
ranhomewhent heystart
edseeingpeoplecomi ng.
Noonewast alki
ngunt il
theygottothei
rhouse, they
bothav oi
dedt alkingtoeachother.I
twasaFr i
day ,
Nomawasst arti
ngherweekendshi ftatalocal
tavern.
Khul
ani
:"MaI
'
m goi
ngoutt
oni
ght
".
Noma:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Outwi
thf
ri
ends,
Iwi
l
lbebackt
omor
row
morni
ng"
.
Noma:"Idon'
tli
keyougoingoutl
ateatni
ght
,just
pr
omisemet hatyouwi
ll
besafe".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lbe"
.
Hewasemotional
l
ydr ai
ned,goingoutwasgoingt
o
hel
pandmostespeciall
yseeingNandi.Heavoi
ded
hi
sbrot
her
..Nandiconfi
rmedt hathergr
andpar
ent
s
wer
ealr
eadygone,
Khul
aniwait
edforhi
smom t
o
l
eavef
orworkandhefr
eshenedup.
Nsi
ka:
"Youar
esl
eepi
ngov
eratherpl
ace?
".
Khul
ani
:"Yeah"
.
Nsi
ka:
"It
hinkwe-
".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
twannat
alkNsi
ka!
".
Nsi
ka:"Ial
sof
eel
bady
ouknowbutwecan'
tgot
o
j
ail
".
Khul
ani
:"ThanshutupNsi
ka,
shutup!
".
Hl
elo:
"Whyar
eyoushout
ing?
".
Sheaski
ngcomi
ngi
nsi
de.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m goi
ng"
.
Hl
elo:
"am Imi
ssi
ngsomet
hing?
".
Nsi
ka:"No,hei
smeet
ingNandi
may
bet
hat
'swhyhe
i
sacti
ngli
kethi
s".
Nsi
kawasasgui
l
tyashi
sbr ot
herbuthehadt
odo
whathehadt
odotopr
otecthi
m andthei
rmother
.
Khul
ani
wasdr
ained,
hismi
ndkeptonr
epeat
ingt
he
event
sthatoccur
redear
li
er,
Nandidi
rect
edhimto
herpl
ace,i
twasav er
ybeauti
ful
warm house.
Khulani
:"ar
eyousurethaty
ourgr
andpar
ent
sdi
dn'
t
changethei
rminds?
".
Nandi
:"Comeoni
nI'
m al
one"
.
Hecamei nandsatcomfor
tabl
yonthecouch,
Khulaniwant
edapeaceofmindbuthewassti
ll
di
sturbed.
"Doy
oueatpapandspi
nach?
".Nandi
asked,she
wast
ryi
ngver
yhardt
obeaccommodat i
ng.
"Ieatever
ythi
ngbutI '
m st
il
lfi
nefornow".Hewasn'
t
ther
eforfood,hewast her
etofindcomfortand
maybefeelbetterabouthi
mself.
"Comesithere"
.Hesai
dtappi
ngt
hecouch,
hewas
st
il
lst
ressed.
"Arey oual
ri
ght ?
".Nandiaskedwhenshesaw
Khulani'
schangeofmood.Hedi dnotrespond,
he
tur
nedt oher,shewast ooinnocentandhewas
damaged.
"I
'
m sor
rybutIcan'
tst
ay"
.Hesai
dst
andi
ngup
t
aki
nghi
sphone,
Nandi
wasv
eryconf
used.
"Butyou-di
dIdosomet
hingwr
ong?
".Sheaskedi
n
conf
usion.
"Noyoudi
dnotbutmymot
herneedsmeback
home"
.
"Isee".Sheopenedthedoorforhim,Khul ani
t ooka
l
astlookatherandtookoff,hetri
edv eryhardbut
thatwasit,hehadtogobackhome.Her anfrom
Nandi'
splacetohis,r
unni
ngf el
tverytherapeutic.He
knocked,Hlel
oopenedforhi
m.Hedi dnott al
kt o
anyoneandt hr
ewhimselfi
nbed, hi
sbr otherwas
alsoi
nbed.
Khul
ani
:"Nandi
hat
esme,
Icoul
dn'
tev
enl
ookather
".
Nsika:
"Iwasal
ri
ghtear
li
erbutr
eal
i
tyi
ski
cki
ngi
n
r
ightnow"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
ewebadpeopl
e?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"TheysayGodhel
psthosewhohel
p
t
hemselv
es,
let
'spr
ayt
hatnoonesawus".
Khul
ani
:"That
'saver
yqui
etnei
ghbor
hood,
Idoubt
butwedon'
tknow"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Mom doesn'
thav
eaj
obany
mor
e".
Khul
ani
:"Let
'snott
alkaboutt
his"
.
Theyfel
lasl
eep,t
heywer
ewokenupbythei
rmot
her
duri
ngtheearl
yhour
softhemor
ning.
Noma:"Di
dyouheart
hatMbat
ha'
shomebur
nt
down?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Whathappened?
".
Noma: "Nooneknows,
Ifeelbadf orthatpoorf
amily
,
theyar
esuchgoodpeoplebutr i
chpeopl ehave
i
nsurancesI'
m sur
ehal
foftheirthingswill
bepaid
up".
Khul
ani
:"Di
dany
onegothur
t?"
.
Noma:"Idi
dn'
task,
ever
yoneatt
het
aver
nwas
t
alki
ngabouti
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"Soy
oul
osty
ourj
ob?
".
Noma:
"YesbutIr
eal
l
yfeel
badaboutt
hatf
ami
l
y".
.
.
.
.
Theboyslookedateachot herandwentbacktobed,
fr
om ther
etheydidnotsleepany mor
e.Khulani
went
toNandi'
splaceaf
terfr
esheningup,heowedheran
apol
ogy.Heknockedatherdoor .
Nandi
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Hi-I
'
m sor
ryaboutl
astni
ght
,Ij
ust
-Iwas
notmysel
f"
.
Nandi
:"Okayby
e".
Hei
nhal
eddeepl
y.
Khulani
:"Youareav er
ygoodper sonNandi,y
ou
don'
tdeservesomeonel ikeme,Il
oveyousomuch
butIam notagoodper sonespecial
l
yforyou.
..
Ihav
e
badluckthatkeepsonf oll
owi
ngmeandI -
".
Nandi
:"Thereisnosuchthi
ngcal
ledbadluck,we
cr
eatebadluckforour
sel
vesbysayi
ngitwithour
ownmouth,doy ouwannatal
kabouti
t?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nott
oday
,canIcomei
n".
Nandi
:"Yeahsur
e".
Hecamei nandclosedt hedoorandhuggedNandi
from behind,
hefeltverywarm aroundherbody
.She
turnedaroundandhisl i
psweresuddenlyonhers,
theywer ewarm andv er
ysoftbothlipsmovedi
n
perfectsync.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sor
ry"
.
Nandi
:"I
t'
salr
ight
,Iwasaboutt
omakebr
eakf
ast
,
doyouwantsome?".
Helookedather,hewantedherinhi
sarmsbutitf
elt
toosoonbecausehelovedher.Nandiwasnotl
i
ke
anyothergi
rlhehasmetbefore.
.
Nandi
:"What
?".
Khul
ani
:"Br
eakf
asti
scool
butdon'
tfi
nishy
our
gr
andpar
ent
sfood"
.
Nandi
:"Don'
twor
ryIwon'
t,
sohow'
syourt
win
br
other
?".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
thav
eatwin,
he'
smyl
i
ttl
ebr
other
,
wearef
ewmont hsapar
t"
.
Nandi
:"Buty
ouguy
slookal
i
ke,
Ithoughty
ouar
e
t
wins"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
?I'
m mor
ehandsomet
hanhi
m".
Nandi
:"Youaref
ull
ofyour
sel
f,whot
oldy
out
hat
youar
ehandsome?".
Shesai
dlaughi
ng.
.
Khul
ani
:"Buty
ouar
est
il
lbl
ushi
ng"
.
Nandi
satdownwi
tht
wopl
atesofbr
eadandt
ea.
Nandi
:"Iwannaknowy
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"knowme?
".
Nandi:"Comeony oualreadyknowtoomuchabout
me,mypar ent
s,grandparent
sbutIdon'
tknow
anyt
hingaboutyou".
Khul
ani
:"Ther
eisnot
hingt
oknowaboutme,I
'
m
st
ayi
ngwithmymom andbrot
hersot
herei
snothi
ng
moreaboutme".
Nandi
:"WoahIdon'
twannaknowabouty
our
per
sonal
li
fe,
doyouhavefr
iends?
".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'tbl
amey
oumyper
sonal
li
fei
sbor
ing,
Idohav
efriends".
Nandi
:"Gi
rl
fr
iends?
".
Khulani:
"YesIdohaveagirl
fr
iend,
she'
sjust
annoyingmenowwi t
hthousandsofquesti
ons"
.
Nandi
:"What
?".
Shet
hrewaspoonathi
mlaughi
ng.
Nandi
:"Whatdoy
oul
ovet
odo?
".
Khulani
:"Nothi
ng,Idon'
tpar
ti
ci
patei
nanyspor
t
becauseI'
m badatit,
soIhangoutwi
thmyboysfor
fun"
.
Nandi
:"Youarebori
ng,
wel
lIsi
ng,
peopl
esayIhav
e
abeaut
if
ulvoi
ce".
Khul
ani
:"Mybabycansi
ngwel
lthat
'sabonus,
pl
easesi
ngforme"
.
Nandi
:"What
?No,
Imeannotnow"
.
Khul
ani
:"Okayf
ine,
soanymor
equest
ions?
".
Nandi:"Besi
deschi
l
li
ngwi
thy
ourf
ri
endswhatdo
youli
kedoing?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Il
i
kesexbutIhav
en'
thadi
tinawhi
l
e".
Nandi
:"Yew,
noImeant
-"
.
Hepushedacupofteaasi
deandl
ookedather
st
rai
ghti
ntheeyes.
Khulani:
"Youmeantwhat ?Whydoyougir
lsalways
avoi
dt al
kingaboutsexandal
wayspr
etendthatyou
don'
tlikeitbuti
nreal
it
yyougi
rlsl
i
kesexmor ethan
us".
Nandi
:"It
'suncomf
ort
abl
etot
alkabouti
t,wenev
er
t
alkaboutit
".
Khulani
:Okayl
et'
stal
kabouti
t,y
ouwanttoknow
aboutmer i
ght
?Ili
kesex,
sexisther
apeut
ic"
.
Nandi
lookedveryshybutKhul
anidi
dnotcare,
he
wasbeinghonestandhedidnotseeany
thi
ngwr ong
wit
hit
,shewasnowhi sgir
lf
ri
end.
Khul
ani
:"What
?Ar
eyouav
irgi
n?"
.
Nandi
:"I
'
m not,soi
fyouli
kesexyouj
ustsl
eep
ar
oundwithev
erygi
rlyoumeet?
".
Khulani
:"Notever
ygir
lImeetbutIusedt
osleep
wit
hev er
ygir
lIwantedtosl
eepwithbutt
hat
happenedbefor
eImety ou"
.
Nandi
:"Andy
out
hinkIwi
l
ltr
usty
ouaf
tert
ell
i
ngme
t
his?"
.
Khul
ani:
"I'
mt el
l
ingyouthi
sbecauseIwantyouto
knowthereal
me, sowhenarewehavingsex?"
.
Nandi
:"What
?".
Hel
aughedv
eryl
oudather
.
Khul
ani
:"Geezyoushouldhaveseenyourf
ace,
I'
m
ki
ddi
nghey,yourquest
ionsar
eboringmenow".
Nandi:
"Wai
t,y
ouwer
ejoki
ngwheny
ousai
dyoul
i
ke
sex?
".
Khul
ani:
"No!Ilovesex.
..
Iwasj oki
ngaboutaski
ng
youtohavesexwithme..
.justbecauseyouarenota
vi
rgi
nthatdoesn'
tmeany oushouldsleepwi
thme, I
l
oveyousoIwi l
lwait
".
Nandi
:"Yourj
okesarebori
ng,wel
l
,I'
m notav
irgi
n
andif
ellpr
egnantl
astyear
".
Khul
ani
lookedatheri
nshock,hel
ovedherver
y
muchbuthewasnotreadytobeastepfat
her.
Khul
ani
:"Youhav
eaki
d?"
.
Nandi
:"TheguyIwasdati
ngdidn'
twanttobepart
oft
hepregnancysoIwasfor
cedtoabortbecause
myparent
swer egoi
ngtoki
ll
me" .
Thatwasj
ustt
oomuchi
nfor
mat
ion.
Khul
ani
:"Buty
ougoodnow?
".
Nandi
:"YeahbutIdor
egr
etsomet
imes"
.
Khulani:
"WellIhaveneverimpregnatedanygirl
,
deniedapregnancyorforcedanygirltoabort
,I
alwaysstayprot
ectedbecauseI'm notreadyt
obea
father
".
Nandi
:"I
fIhadaki
dwer
eyougonnabr
eakupwi
th
me?".
Khul
ani
:"Kidsar
ecut
ebutpl
ayi
ngaf
atherr
olei
sa
hugenoforme".
Nandi
:"Buty
ouar
ereal
l
yani
ceper
son"
.
Khul
ani
:"Andhandsomet
oo"
.
Nandi
:"Idi
dn'tsaythat
,youar
esof
ull
ofy
our
sel
f
Khul
aniZondoaiy"
.
Hel
aughedi
tof
f.
.
.
.
.
-NSI
KA

Nsi
ka:
"May
beweshoul
dlookf
oraj
obnexty
ear
mom".
Noma: "No,youandyourbrotherwi
ll
got oschool
,I
askedaroundandIwastoldthatyoucanstil
l
regi
steri
notheruni
ver
sit
iesinJanuary"
.
Nsika:
"Twouniv
ersi
ti
esaccept
edust
her
e'sno
needfort
hat
".
Noma: "Youarenotgoingther
e,and,
ify
ougot o
schoolnexty
earIwon'tneedtoworktwojobs,
itwi
l
l
onlybemeandHl el
oher e"
.
Nsi
kashookhishead,healwaysavoi
dedargui
ng
wit
hhismother,
hegotoutofthehouse.Heknew
t
hatitwasnotpossi
bletogetspaceatany
univ
ersi
ti
esinJanuar
yandhelookedforwardto
l
eavehisprovi
nceandgetanewstart
,hewal kedt
o
Themba'shouseandknocked,
noonerespondedbut
thedoorwasopened.
Nsi
ka:
"T-man!Themba"
.
Heshout
edandhecameout
.
Themba:
"Br
o.Comei
n".
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
e'st
heol
dman?
".
Themba:
"Hewentout
,wher
eisKhul
ani
?".
Nsi
ka:
"hewentt
ohi
sgi
rl
fr
iend"
.
Themba:"Idon'
tknowwhatheseesi
nthatgi
rl
,di
d
youhearaboutMrMbat
ha?It'
sashameman".
Nsi
ka:
"Ihear
daboutt
hef
ir
e".
Themba: "Onebodywasf
ound,
peoplebel
i
evet
hat
i
tshim becausehi
swif
emovedout"
.
Nsi
kaf
eltv
eryner
vous,
hest
art
edshaki
ngabi
t.
Nsi
ka:
"Whatexact
lycausedt
hef
ir
e?"
.
Themba:
"May
bet
hatmancommi
tt
edsui
ci
det
o
hur
thi
swi
fe,
doy
ouneedabeer
?".
Nsi
ka:
"NomanI
'
m good"
.
Hefel
tver
ynauseousandr
ant
othebat
hroom t
o
vomit
,hewasdi
zzy.
Themba:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Nsi
ka:
"YeahI'
m good,
Ihav
en'
tcl
eanedmyt
ummy
i
nawhilenow"
.
Thatwasal ie,hewasnauseousbecausehewas
scared,t
henewsaboutBongani scaredhi
m andhe
wasn'tsurei
fhewasabl etotakeitanymor
e.He
thoughtKhulaniwasbeingsensi
ti
veaboutthi
s
wholesituat
ionbutitwasnowget t
ingtohi
m.
Nsi
ka:
"Youknowwhat
-Iwi
l
lcomebackl
atersav
e
somebeer
sforme"
.
Themba:
"Don'
tfor
gett
ocl
eany
ourt
ummyf
ir
st"
.
Helaughed.Hethoughtgoingoutwasgoingt
ohelp
buthewasemot ional
l
ydamaged.Hef oundKhul
ani
si
tti
ngontherockbyt hegate.
Nsi
ka:
"Ican'
tthi
nkst
rai
ght
".
Khulani
:"Ever
yti
mewhenIclosemyey
esIseehi
m,I
thoughtgoi
ngtoNandi
'
splacewasgoi
ngt
ohelp"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Thi
sthi
ngi
sdr
ivi
ngmei
nsane"
.
Khul
ani
:"Weneedprayersorcl
eansi
ngmay
bewe
wil
lbeabl
etosl
eepatnight"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Doy
out
hinkt
hatwi
l
lhel
p?"
.
Khulani
:"Whatchoi
cedowehav
e?Thi
sishaunt
ing
us,Ihave70bucksher
ehowmuchdoyouhave?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
tknowIwi
l
lcheck"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wehavetogonowbecausei
fwedon'
tI
wil
ll
osemymind"
.
Nsi
karaninsi
detocheckt
hemoneyhemadei
n
sel
l
ingci
garet
tes,
hefoundhundr
edandaf
ewrands.
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
edowego?
".
Khul
ani:
"Idon'tknowanypr
ophet
sar
oundbutwe
wil
laskaround"
.
Theywenttoanothersect
ionandasked,
the
brot
hersweredesperat
e,Bongani
'
sdeathwas
haunti
ngthem.Theyaskedanoldwoman.
Nsi
ka:"Sorr
yMa,
wear
elooki
ngf
oranypr
ophet
s
ar
oundhere".
Her
:"I
'm notsurebuti
nthatbl
uehouset
hereisa
Zi
onchurch,Ihear
dthatt
hepastori
saprophet
".
Khul
ani
:"Hest
aysi
nthathouse?
".
Her
:"Yeshedoes"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Thanky
ouMa"
.
Theyheadedtothehouse,
theystoppedforwhi
le
scar
edtogetinsi
dethegate,
itwastheirf
ir
stti
me
vi
sit
ingaprophet
shouse.
Theyopenedthegat
eandhear
dav
oiceshout
ing
fr
om i
nside.
.
.
.
.
"St
opr
ightt
her
e!"
.
Theyl
ookedateachot
herandst
opped,
anol
dman
cameout
.
Hi
m:"Yout
woar
edi
rt
ygetoutofmyhouse!
".
Nsi
ka:
"Wear
e-"
.
Hi
m: "Ify
ousetyourf
ooti
nsi
demyhousemyhouse
wi
llneedlot
sofcl
eansi
ng"
.
Hewentinsideandcameoutwit
hatwentyf
ivel
i
tre
bucket
,hefil
ledi
twit
htapwat
erandthr
ewthe
wholewateronthem.
Him:"Youar
efi
l
thydi
rt
y,Ican'
thel
pyou,
noonewi
l
l
hel
pyou".
Khul
ani
:"Pleasewer
eal
l
yneedy
ourhel
p,y
ouar
e
ouronl
yhope".
Him:"Youcanpayever
ypr
ophetsar
oundt
heworl
d
butnooneisgoi
ngt
ohelpyou,
onlyy
oucanhel
p
your
selves"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Atl
eastt
ell
usapr
ophecyaboutourl
i
ves"
.
Hepour
edanot
herwat
eri
nthebucketandt
hrewi
t
att
hem.
Hi
m:"Youcancomei
nnow"
.
Theyweresoaki
ngwet,theycameinandsatont
he
fl
oor,
themandidthei
rreadingusi
ngbot
tl
esof
water
.
Him:"Youki
l
ledaman,
hisshadowi
sfol
l
owi
ngbot
h
ofyou"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
twasami
stake"
.
Him:"Iknowandlot
sofmist
akesaresti
llgoi
ngt
o
happen,yourl
i
vesar
efi
l
ledwit
hdarkclouds".
Nsi
ka:
"Justgetst
rai
ghtt
othepoi
ntman!
".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kashutt
hehel
lup!
".
Hi
m: "Thi
sisthehouseofthel
ord,
mindy
our
l
anguageorgetoutofher
e".
Theykeptqui
et.
Him: "Yourf
ather
'sf
amilyisafamil
yoftr
adi
ti
onal
healers,y
oucannotbehelpedanywher
eexceptby
them" .
Khul
ani
:"Wedon'
tknowt
hem"
.
Him:"AsIsaidyourfat
her'
sfamil
yisafami
lyof
t
radi
ti
onalhealer
s,youcanonlybehel
pedbythem
nooneel
se"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
ecanwef
indt
hem?
".
Him:"Theyar epower f
ul t
radit
ional
healer
sIcan'
t
connecttot heirancestorsbecausetheyare
prot
ected,findy ourfamilyandy ouwil
lfi
ndyour
peace.
.i
fy oudon' tfi
ndy ourfamilyl
otofdarkcl
ouds
aresti
llgoingtof ol
lowy ou".
Khulani
:"Let'
sgetoutofhere,thi
smanist
ell
i
ngus
aboutpeoplethatwedon'
tev enknow,
howarewe
goi
ngt ofi
ndthem?Her e'
syourmoney!"
.
Him: "Idon'tneedyourmoney,i
fIhel
pedyouIwas
goingtot akeyourmoney,butonl
yyoucanhel
p
yourselves".
Theywer eangr
yandwal kedbackhome, ever
yone
wasst ari
ngatt
hem ont heirwaybackhomebut
theydidn'
torei
therspoketoeachot her.They
arri
vedhomeandchanget heircl
othes.
Noma:"Whathappenedt
oyou?Wer
eyoupl
ayi
ng
wi
thwater
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Pl
ayi
ng?I
sthatwhyy
oudon'
twantt
otel
lus
aboutourfat
her
'sf
ami
l
ybecausey
out
hinkwear
e
ki
dswepl ay?
".
Khul
aniwastakenbackbythat
,itwashi
sfi
rstt
ime
seei
ngNsikatal
ki
ngatthei
rmotherli
ket
hat.
Noma:
"Wher
edoest
hatcomef
rom?
".
Nsika:"Ourli
vesareruinedbecauseofy ou,weare
l
ikethisbecauseofyou!Whyar eyouinv
olvingusi
n
yourproblemsbecausewewer enott
herewhen
whateverhappenedbetweeny ouandfather
happened..IknowthatI'm supposedtol
ov eand
respectyouasmymot herbutf oramomentI '
m
start
ingtohateyou".
Noma:"Don'
tev
ert
alkt
omel i
ket
hatinmyhouse!I
r
aisedy
ouandfedy
ou,i
sthi
showy outhankme?
".
Nsika:"Youdidal
lthatbecauseitisyourdutyt
odo
so,idon'toweyouanythi
ngforraisi
ngme. .
Iam si
ck
ofhearingyouemotional
lybl
ackmai l
i
ngus".
Noma:
"Youar
eamannowhuh?Leav
emyhouse"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wi
thal
lpl
easur
e".
Hewentt
ohi
scl
othes.
.
Noma:
"Iboughtt
hosecl
otheswi
thmymoneyl
e-"
.
Nsi
ka:"I
'mtaki
ngmybooks, i
t'
sgov
ernmentbooks
af
teral
landI'
m happyt
hatIonl
yhavetwotestl
eft
".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
ka!
".
Hewascalm andalsohurt
,Nsikai
gnor
edhi
m and
cont
inuedpacki
nghisschool
books.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kay
omuzi
li
stenher
e,y
ouar
enot
l
eavi
ng!
".
Nsika:"Ihav
ebeenquit
eforal
ongti
menow,
we
deserv
et oknowaboutourf
ami
ly"
.
Noma:
"Khul
ani
lethi
mleav
e".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kai
smybr
other
,ican'
tl
ethi
mleav
e".
Noma: "AndIam y ourmother
,IdidwhatIdi dto
prot
ectyou,yourfatheri
sdeadandhi sfamily
doesn'
twanty ou,Itr
iedal
lmylif
et oprotectyou
fr
om thatfamil
y".
Nsika:"Howaboutweprot
ectour
sel
vesfora
change?Wewantt oknowthem,y
ouhavenoidea-
".
Khul
ani
:"Let
'sgoout
sidey
ouneedt
ocool
down,
l
eav
ethebagy
ouar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e".
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
wedon'
tdeser
vet
his!
".
Khul
ani
:"Iknowbutcome"
.
Theyfoll
owedeachot
heroutsi
de,Nomatr
iedv
ery
hardt
okeepherkidshappybutsheknewt
hatthi
s
daywill
onedaycome.
Khul
ani:
"Justi
gnor
emom,
ver
ysoonwewi
l
lbeout
ofher
e".
Nsi
ka:
"Hassheev
ert
oldy
ouourf
ather
'ssur
name?
".
Khul
ani
:"No,sheonlyt
oldmet
hathi
sfami
l
yhat
es
usandfat
herdied"
.
Nsika:"Badthi
ngsar
ehappeningtousbecausewe
needtoknowaboutourfamil
yy ouhear
dwhatthat
pastorsai
d".
Khulani
:"Let'
signor
emom, wewi l
ll
ookforthem
oursel
ves,for
getaboutaskingmom aboutitandyou
arenotgoinganywherewehav ef
ewmorepaper s
l
eftunti
lourexamsf i
nishes".
Nsika:
"Surebutdon'
texpectmetobenicetomom,
Bonganiwoul
dstil
lbeali
veifweknewourfami
ly
".
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove

.
.
Dar
li
ngsI'
m st
il
lhere.
.I'
mj usthurtaboutt
hebookI
wasbusywit
h,I'
m evendiscouragedtostar
tagai
n..
.
[
3/8,
14:
29]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[6]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Khul
ani
:"Thi
slastmat
hspapermakesmener
vous"
.
Nsi
ka:"Relax,
youar
eamat
hsgeni
usi
mtheone
whoshouldbeworri
ed"
.
Theywerenev
erquesti
onedaboutMrMbatha,
but
thatdi
dnotmakethem f
eelanybet
ter
.Theywere
prepar
ingf
ort
hei
rmor ni
ngtest
.
Khul
ani
:"Youshoul
dst
opav
oidi
ngmom"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Pl
easedon'
tgeti
nvol
ved"
.
Heinhal
edandkept,
theywenttoschool,
theirpaper
wentwellasal
ways.
.theywai
tedforeachother
Themba:"DudeIhear
dthaty
oumov
edi
naty
our
gi
rl
fr
iend'
shouse"
.
Hesai
dbr
ushi
nghi
sheadandl
aughed.
.
Khulani
:"I
t'
snotfunny,youguy
sarejustjeal
ous
becauseIhaveagirl
fr
iendandyoudon't
".
Nsi
ka:
"Yousoundl
i
keagi
rl
".
Khulani:"WellIl
i
keherbutshet
oldmesomet
hing
thatdidn'tsi
twel
lwi
thme".
Themba:
"She'
smar
ri
ed?
".
Khul
ani
:"No,
shewaspr
egnantandsheabor
ted"
.
Nsi
ka:"Ial
waysknewther
ewassomethi
ngwr
ong
wit
hher,sowhatar
eyougonnado?
".
Themba:"Youaresti
llyoungforal
lthatshi
t,y
ousti
l
l
gonnameetlotsofbeauti
fulgi
rl
swhohav enever
doneanyofthatshi
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"Il
oveherdude"
.
Nsika:
"Youli
keher
,ther
e'sadi
ff
erencebet
ween
l
ikeandlov
e".
Themba:"aft
ersleepi
ngwi
thheral
lthesecr
azy
feel
i
ngswill
disappear
".
Hekeptquiet
,theydi
dnotunderstandhowhewas
feel
i
ng,yeshewasabi tstr
essedaboutNandi
'
s
abort
ionbuthebeli
evedthathel
ov edher
.
.
.
.
.
Herushedhometochangehi
sschool
uni
for
m,he
neededtoseeNandi
..
Nandi
:"Youwer
eignor
ingmycal
l
s".
Khul
ani
:"IknowbabesI
'
m sor
ry"
.
Hepassi
onat
elyki
ssedher
.
Khul
ani
:"Howwasschool
?".
Nandi
:"Whywer
eyoui
gnor
ingme?
".
Khulani
:"Iwasbusypr
epar
ingf
ort
oday
'spaperbut
I
'm herenow".
Nandi
:"Ithoughty
oubrokeupwi
thmeaf
terIt
old
youaboutmyaborti
on"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m notper
fectei
ther
,Il
ovey
ouf
ory
ou
okay
".
Nandi
:"Ihearyou,
Iwasworr
iedIthoughtmay
be
youhavechangedyourmi
ndaboutme" .
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lneverdot
hat,onFr
idaywear
e
pl
anni
ngapensdownpartydoyouwannacome?
".
Nandi
:"I
'
mfi
nishi
ngmyl
astpapert
omor
row,
why
not
?".
Khulani
:"Iwil
lcomefet
chyouonFri
daybecauseI
can'
tseey out
omorrowIhavet
ostudyformylast
paper".
Theyhangedoutf
orquit
eawhileandpar
tedways,
hereal
lyl
ovedher
,hi
sheartgav
ehim al
lthesi
gns
heneeded.Hewentbackhomeandthetensi
onwas
toomuch.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Nsi
ka:
"nowher
eI'
mjustcl
eani
ngt
hewar
drobe"
.
Khul
ani
:"Buty
ouhavepackedt
hesui
tcase,
Mom
howcanyoukeepqui
et?
".
Noma:"Ionl
ytal
ksenset
ochildr
ennotgrownman
whothi
nksit
'sal
ri
ghtt
oordermearound"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thi
smakesmesi
ck!
".
Nsika:"Inowunder
standwhyy
ourownf
ami
l
yhat
es
you,youaresel
fi
sh"
.
Nomasl
appedhi
mver
yhar
d.
Nsika:"Whyareyoustoppi
ng?I
fbeat
ingmemakes
youfeelbet
terdoit
!"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
ka!
".
Nsi
ka:
"What
everman"
.
Noma:"Yourf
atherchosehi
sfamil
yov
eryou,
he
di
ed,
heisdead!Whatdoy ouwantmetodo?Wake
hi
m?".
Nsi
ka:"Iwanty
out
ost
opbei
ngsel
fi
sh,
youar
ethe
most-
".
Khul
ani
:"St
opi
tNsi
ka"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Hl
elopl
easegobuysomechi
ps"
.
Hemadesur
eshel
eav
est
hehouse.
Nsi
ka:
"Whatabouthi
sfami
l
y?"
.
Noma:
"Theyhat
eyou!
".
Nsika:
"Maybeyouaret
heonewhohat
esthem,
do
youknowwhatwedid?Wehaveadar
kcloud
f
oll
owingus"
.
Noma:"Therei
snosucht
hingasadar
kcl
oud,
you
ar
edisr
espectf
ul!
".
Nsika:"Khul
aniwasfor
cedt
osleepwit
haman
becauseofthechoi
cesyoumadeforus-
".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kashutt
hef
uckup!
".
Nsi
ka:"Sheneedstohearthis,t
hesamemant r
ied
t
orapehim,wehav ebloodinourhandsandy
ouar e
t
ell
i
ngmet hatI'
m di
srespectf
ul?"
.
Noma:
"Isi
ttr
ue?Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me?Youar
e-"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Don'
tevert
alkt
ome,
youhav
elostme,
you
ar
enotmymother"
.
Khul
ani
:"Di
dyour
eal
l
yhav
etot
ell
hert
hat
?".

Heclickedhistongueandwentt ositont
heirbed,he
wastiredofthedr amabuthealsodidn'
twantto
l
osehi sbrot
herormot her.Youknowwheny ouare
caughtinasituati
onwherey ouhavetochoose
betweentwopeopl et
hatyoulovethemost,Khul
ani
wastrappedint hatsi
tuat
ion.
Nsikafi
nishedhislastpaperthefoll
owingday
,on
Fri
dayitwasKhul ani'
slastpaper,t
heyall
met
outsi
detheschool gateandwr otemessagesineach
other
'sschoolshirt
sandt rouser
s.
.
.
.
.
Themba:
"Fi
nal
l
y!!
".
Heshout
edj
umpi
ngupanddown,
theyal
ll
aughedat
hi
m.
Themba:"Ladi
esandgent
lemenDJT-
mani
s
host
ing"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sasi
xtosi
xmyboy
".
Theywereal
lhavingfunsay i
ngthei
rgoodby
esto
eachot
hereventhought heyknewthatt
heywil
lsee
someofthem l
ater.Hisphonerang.Hesmil
edwhen
hesawthecall
ername.
Khul
ani
:"Myl
ove"
.
Nandi
:"Howwasy
ourl
astpaper
?".
Khul
ani
:"Notbad,
heyar
eyoust
il
lcomi
ngt
oni
ght
?".
Nandi
:"I
'm st
il
lcoming,I
'l
lcomeearl
ythoughI
'
llbe
bymyfri
endsplaceLihl
edoy ouknowher?"
.
Khul
ani:"YeahIknowheral
ri
ghtmyl
oveIwi
l
lfet
ch
youatherplace"
.
Nandi
:"Iwi
l
lseey
oul
atert
han"
.
Khul
ani
:"Il
ovey
ou"
.
Nandi
:"Il
ovey
out
oo"
.
Hehangedup,
her
anhomet
opr
epar
efort
hepar
ty.
Khul
ani
:"Toni
ghti
sgonnabeepi
c".
Nsi
ka:
"Yeahi
syourgi
rl
fr
iendcomi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Shei
scomi
ng"
.
Nsika:
"Hav eyoutoldherabouty
oumov
ingt
o
Johannesburgforschool
?".
Khul
ani
:"Nahman,t
het
houghtofi
tki
l
lsme,
Iwi
shI
methersooner
".
Nsika:"Maybeshe'salsogoingt
ost
udythere,
you
shouldaskher,
Ijustdon'twanty
outochangeyour
mindbecauseofher "
.
Khulani
:"YouknowthatIwi
l
lnev
erdot
hat
,but
,fi
x
thi
ngswithmom" .
Nsi
ka:
"Ifyourmot
herdidnotl
ieaboutourf
ami
l
y,
wewouldn'
tbemurder
sstopdefendi
ngher"
.
Khul
ani
:"Hasshel
eftf
orwor
k?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Shet
oldHl
eloshei
sdoi
ngadoubl
eshi
ft
".
Khul
ani:"IknowthatIdon'
tusual
lysaythi
sbut
mom istheonlypersonwehave,pleasest
opyour
st
ubbornness".
Nsi
ka:"Youcanhavet
hisbedt
oshagy
ourgi
rl
fr
iend,
Iwi
llt
akeHlel
oout"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
eoutofy
ourmi
nd"
.
Hechangedhi
scl
othesandat
e..hechi
ll
edf
ora
whi
le,
whenheheardaknockhejumped.
Nandi
:"Yourbr
othersai
dyouar
ehome"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
eishe?
".
Nandi
:"He'
sar
ound"
.
Khul
ani
:"IswearI
'
m goi
ngt
oki
l
lhi
m,comei
n".
Shecameandsatonthecouch,Nandicamefrom a
ver
ypri
vil
egedf
amil
ybutshedidnotmi nddat
ing
Khul
aniwhocamefr
om atwor oom house.
Khul
ani
:"Wedon'
thav
eaj
uicebutIcanbuyy
oua
col
ddri
nk"
.
Nandi
:"Don'
tworryI
'mf
inef
ornow,
may
bey
oucan
buymeaciderl
ater"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youdr
ink?
".
Nandi
:"Whodoesn'
t?Hav
eyoupl
annedonwhaty
ou
wantt
odonextyear
?".
Khul
ani
:"Twouniv
ersi
ti
esaccept
edusbutt
heyar
e
i
njobur
g,you?
".
Nandi
:"Iwannapur
suemymusi
ccar
eer
".
Khul
ani:
"Youar
eser
iousaboutt
hismusi
cthi
ng
huh?
'.
Nandi
:"I
t'
snotamusi
cthi
ng"
.
Shepushedhi
m pl
ayf
ull
y,Khul
ani
'sbl
oodheat
edup.
.
hefoundhi
sli
psonher,Nandi
didnott
ryt
ostophi
m,
heledhert
otheot
herroom.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Shenoddedandtheycont inuedkissi
ng,hesl
owl y
l
ift
eduphert-
shirtandkissedbet weenherbreasts
andhel
dthem together
, heex pl
oredherbodyand
fel
tsomuchinti
mat epleasure.Latert
heywentt o
thepar
ty.
Themba:
"Heydude,
wher
e'sNsi
ka?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sur
ehei
scomi
ng"
.
Themba:
"Hi
I'
m Themba"
.
Nandi
:"Nandi
,I
'l
lj
oint
hegi
rl
s,l
ater
".
Khul
ani
smi
l
edandki
ssedher
.
Themba:
"Shei
snott
hatbad"
.
Khul
ani
:"Shei
smygi
rl
,mi
ndy
ourl
anguage"
.
Theyenj
oyedt
hebeer
sandmusi
c,Nsi
kadi
dnot
showup.
Themba:"Youcanst
ayov
ert
oni
ghty
oucan'
twal
k
homealone"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
llt
alkt
oNandi
".
Themba:
"Dudey
ouar
efucked"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
ever
".
Hewentt
owhereNandiwassit
ti
ngwithherfr
iends.
Hehel
dherhandandt
heywalkedoutofthegarage.
Khulani
:"Babedoyoumindi
fwest
ayoverher
e
toni
ght?Butify
ouwantt
ogohomeIwil
l
underst
and".
Nandi
: "Itoldmygrandpar
entsthatI
'
m st
ayi
ngov
er
atLi
hle'splacesoIdon'
tmind".
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
.
Shenoddedandlef
thimthere,
hesmiledal
one, he
wasgoingtohavehert
hewholenight
.Theparty
waseveryt
hingt
heywantedandspendingt
heni ght
wit
hNandi wasver
yspecial
tohim.Nandil
eftearl
y
andhewalkedhome.
.
.
.
.
Thedoorwashal
fopened,
hismom wasont
hef
loor
cr
ying.
Khul
ani
:"Mom?
".
Noma:"Ithoughtmylov
ef oryouandyourbr
other
wasenough,Igavey
ouev eryt
hingandsuf
fer
edalot
t
ogiveyouabet t
erl
i
fe".
Khul
ani
:"Whati
sgoi
ngon?
".
Shegav
ehi
m al
ett
er.
.

Br
o.Iknowt
haty
ouwi
l
lbeangr
yatmebutIhope
thatyouwi l
lforgiveandunder stand.Ourli
vesarea
messandi twillconti
nuet obelikethi
sifwe
conti
nuet oli
st entomom' semot i
onalbl
ackmailing,
I
am goingdon' twor r
yIdidnott akeoursavings
money .Iwill
cal lyou,don'
tbeangr yIloveyou,you
arethebestbr otherev er
..
-Nsi
kay
omuzi
Remembert
hatIam doi
ngt
hisf
orus.

Khul
ani
thr
ewt
hepaperont
hef
loor
.
Khul
ani
:"Doyoureali
zewhaty
ouhav
edone?Ihav
e
l
ostabrot
herbecauseofy
ou".
Herantothewar
drobeal
lhi
scl
otheswer
egone,
his
br
otherl
efthi
m.
Noma:
"Idi
dn'
tknowt
hat
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"St
opit!Ihav
eheardenoughofy
ou,
what
ki
ndofamotherareyou?
".
Hl
elo:
"Khul
ani
he-
".
Khul
ani
:"ShutupHl
elo,
yourmom andy
our
gr
andmotherarealsopartofthis!Ihat
eallofyou,
wearecursed,
ourf at
herfai
l
edt oloveus,ourown
gr
andmotherhatesusIdon'tblameNsi kafor
l
eavi
ng,Iblamehimf orl
eavi
ngmebehi nd"
.
Noma:"Nsi
kai
scomi
ngback,
hewi
l
lnotsur
viv
eout
t
hereal
one"
.
Khulani:
"Don'
tst
art
,Ihav
ehear
denoughofy
ou!I
am sick!
".
Noma:"Khul
anino,
don'
tleav
e,yourf
atherdi
edI
t
oldy
out het
rut
h.Pl
ease,
don'tl
eavemyson".
Khulanipushedherandwentout,hewasintear
s,he
tookouthisphoneanddi al
edNsi
ka'snumberbutit
tookhim str
aightt
ovoicemail
.Helef
tamessage.
Khulani
:"Howcanyoudothist
omebr o.Wehave
somanypl anscomebackhome,wehaveschool
nextyearr
emember?"
.
Hedi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osaynext
.
Heputt
hephonedownandsatagai
nstt
hewal
l
.
[
3/8,
14:
29]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[7]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
ABr
other
..
Seesy
ouaty
ourwor
st
Seesy
ouaty
ourbest
Seesy
oucomel
ast
,
Seesy
oucomef
ir
st
Seesy
ourl
aws
Seesy
ourhi
ghs.
Butt
hroughal
lthi
s,hest
andsbyy
ou.
Khulaniwasdrai
nedheneverfel
tthi
sempty
,he
neverthoughtNsi
ka'
sabsencewil
l l
eav
esomuch
pai
n.
Nandi
:"Youar
estar
ti
ngt
obor
emenow,
your
br
otherwi
ll
cal
l"
.
Khulani
:"It
'sbeent
wodaysnow, hi
sphonei
sst
il
l
offwhatifsomethi
ngbadhappenedtohi
m?"
.
Nandi
:"St
opsay
ingt
hat
".
Khulani:"I
fyouknewhowfuckedupmyl i
fei
s,I
'
m
surey ouwil
lleavemeandi
t'
sworsebecausemy
brotherisgone".
Nandi:
"Iwil
lnev
erl
eav
eyou,
Howi
syourmom
hol
dingup?
".
Hekeptqui
etf
orawhi
l
e,hehasnev
ert
oldhi
s
gi
rl
fr
iendabouthi
sfami
l
ysi
tuat
ion.
.
Khul
ani
:"Shei
snothandl
i
ngi
twel
l
".
Thatwashi
sonl
yanswer
.
.
.

-Nsi
ka

Nsi
ka:"Pl
easeIcandoany
thi
ngev
enwashi
ngt
he
di
shes"
.
Hewastalki
ngtot
hemanageroft
her
estaur
ant
,as
hewaspleadi
ngawhi
temancamebehindhi
m.
Him:"Pet
ery
ouneedt
ocl
eart
heset
abl
es,
wear
e
openi
nginaf
ew"
.
Nsi
kat
ookouthi
spaper
s..
Nsika:"Hisi
r,myisNsi
kayomuzi ZondoIj
ust
fi
nishedwrit
ingmymatri
cfinalexams,her
eismy
CVandt helett
erf
rom myteacherthatpr
ovest
hatI
wasdoi
ngmatri
c,Icancl
ean,
wast
hedi
shesordo
any
thi
ngpl
ease"
.
Hi
m:"Wear
e-"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Pl
ease,Ir
eal
l
yneedajobIdon'
tev
enhavea
pl
acet
osl
eep,Icamethr
eedaysagofr
om KZN"
.
Helookedatt
hey
oungboywhowaspl
eadi
ngf
orhi
s
l
if
e.
Hi
m: "Okay
,youwil
lcl
eanthet
ablesandwasht
he
di
shes,got
othatdoorPet
erwi
llgi
veyouanapr
on"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Thanky
ousomuchsi
r,Ipr
omi
sey
ouIwi
l
l
domybest
".
Hi
m:"Goon,
wear
eopeni
ngnow"
.
Heunbel i
evablywentt othedoorhewasshown, he
spoket othemanagerandwasgi venanapron, he
neededt oexcel athi
swor kandimpr essthebosses,
hesleptatabnbt hatcater
saper sonf r
om 6pm to
10am, hepaysi xtybuckspernightbuthewas
worri
edt hathi
ssav i
ngswerenotgoi ngtocov erhi
m
fort
hewhol emont hplushealsohadt oeat.Hedi d
notknowt henewci t
y,whichwasabi gchal
lengeto
hi
m.Heclearedthet
abl
esaf
terthecust
omersand
madesur
et hatnodi
shwasi
nt hesi
nkunwashed.
Pet
er:
"Nsi
kaar
eyounotgoi
ngoutf
orl
unch?
".
Nsi
kashookhishead,
hedidnothav
eenough
moneytobuyhimsel
ffood,
hehadtosav
e.
Hecont i
nuedwor ki
nganddr i
nki ngmor ewat erbut
wat ermadehi m mor ehungr y,atthreehi sshiftwas
overbuthet oldthem hedidn'tmi ndwor ki
ngt i
lll
ate,
thiswentonf oracoupleofday s,Nsi kawor ked
doubl eshift
s,henev ertooklunchbuthewasal so
scar edtoeatt hecustomer sl
ef t
ov ers,hedidnot
wantt ori
sklosinghisjob.Hehadhundr edand
twent yrandsthatwasgoi ngt olasthi mf ortwo
night satthebnb.Thef ir
stthinghedi dwhenhegot
towor khewentt otheof f
ice.
.
.
.
Nsi
ka:"Mor
ningsi
r,mayIpleaseuset
hephone,
I
wantt
omakeav er
yimportantcal
l"
.
MrCl
i
ve:
"Goahead"
.
Hedial
edhi
sbr
other
snumber
,af
teraf
ewr
ingshe
answer
edhi
sphone.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
o".
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
?Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
ka?Whosephonei
sthi
s?"
.
Nsika:"That'
snotimpor
tant
,Iwaswor
ri
edabout
you,howar eyou?
".
Khulani
:"Howam I?Youl
eft!
,youfucki
n'l
eftand
yourphoneisof
f,howam Isupposedtobe?".
Nsika:"Ihadt osellmyphonet omakeextr
acash,
butI'
mf ine, If
oundaj obandonceIgetpaidIwil
l
getusapl acet ostay,
Iwil
lalsosendyoucometo
comeher e,Idon'twantyoutouseoursavi
ngs"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ihat
eyou,
Iwaswor
ri
edsi
ckabouty
ou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Il
ovey
out
oo"
.
Khul
ani
:"Geezy
ousoundsogay
".
Theybot
hlaughed.
Nsi
ka:
"Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
aterokay
?".
Khul
ani
:"Mom i
sal
sof
ine"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Iwi
l
ltr
ytocal
lyoul
ater
".
Hehangedup,hewaswor
ri
edaboutKhul
ani
,hehad
nev
erbeenfarfr
om hi
m.
MrCl
i
ve:
"Isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?".
Nsi
ka:
"I-y
e-s,
thanky
ousi
r"
.
MrClive:
"Theshopisbusynowsi nceiti
sthi
stime
oftheyear,
Iwi
llt
ell
Trustourbestbarmantoteach
you".
Nsi
ka:
"Tot
eachmewhat
?".
MrCl
i
ve:
"Youar
eournewt
rai
neebar
man"
.
Helookedathi
mindi
sbel
i
ef,
hewast
otal
l
y
speechl
ess.
MrCl
i
ve:
"Wehav
ewor
ktodo,
got
othebar
".
Hewal kedoutoftheoffi
ce,hewashappyev
en
thoughhedidnotknowhowmuchbar mansearned,
hewasgi ventheT-shi
rtwri
ttenTheCl
i
veRestaur
ant
&Bar .
Trustl
ookedv
eryy
oung,
hewasav
erycool
human
being.
Trust
: "Putt hispaperher esoy ouwon' tforgetthe
cocktailmenusandal lthepr i
ces,themost
i
mpor tantt hi
ngher ealway sputthecust omer sf i
rst
,
wedeal withdifferentpeopl e,somewi l
lcomeand
openupt heirproblemst oyou, whent heytellyou
thei
rpr oblemsal way slistenbutnev ergiveadv ices.
.
onelastt hingify ouseet hatthecust omerhashad
enought odr ink,itisnoty ourjobtotel l
them they
havehadenought odrink".
Nsi
ka:
"That
'sdi
ff
icul
t"
.
Trust
:"I
t'
seasy,
justf
ocusony
ourj
obbef
ri
endl
y
andyouwil
lgetl
otsofti
ps"
.
Nsi
ka:"Ti
ps?Thatwi
l
lbeabonus,
Ineedapl
acet
o
st
ay"
.
Trust
:"YohZul
uboywher
earey
oust
ayi
ngnow?Di
d
yourpar
entski
cky
ouout?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
thav
epar
ent
sbutIdohav
eabr
other
hei
smyage".
Tr
ust:
"I'
m sor
ryman,youcancomecr
ushbymy
pl
acebutwhenyougetmoney,mov
eout"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Thanky
ou,
thanky
ousomuch"
.
Tr
ust:"I
t'
snot
hingmuchman,
Let
'scl
eant
hese
gl
asses"
.
Hetookt
het
ablecl
othandsmi
l
ed,
ever
ythi
ngwas
f
all
i
ngint
opl
ace.
.
.
.

-Khul
ani

Noma:
"Wast
haty
ourbr
other
?".
Khul
ani
:"Hei
sfi
ne"
.
Noma: "Ohthanky
oulord,
Iknewt
hatGodwi
l
l
pr
otecthim ohmyson"
.
Khul
ani
fol
dedhi
shandsandst
aredather
.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
smyr
eal
sur
name?
".
Shel
ookedupathi
m.
Khulani:
"Weareadul
tsnow,Nsi
kal
eftbecausehe
feel
slikeyouar
ely
ingtous,
tel
lmet
het r
uth".
Noma:
"Youwantt
oleav
e?Justl
i
key
ourbr
other
?".
Khul
ani
:"Iwantt
het
rut
h".
Noma:"Mothupi
,yourfatherwasKgosiMothupi
,he
wastswana,
tohi
sf amilyIwasjustanuneducat
ed
Zul
ugirl
whowasj ustamai d"
.
Khulani
:"Ist
il
ldon'
tunder
standwhyy
ouhadt
ohi
de
al
lthisf
rom us"
Noma: "Isuf
fer
edalotaft
ergi
vi
ngbi r
thtoNsika,
yourfat
her'
sfamil
ycall
edmenames, t
heyhatedus
Khulani
,Iam br
oken,myli
fewil
l nevereverbethe
samebecauseoft hewayyourfathersfamil
ytreat
ed
me".

Khul
ani
:"Iam sor
ryt
haty
ouhadt
ogot
hrought
his"
.
Noma:
"Don'
tl
ookf
ort
hatf
ami
l
y,t
heyar
eev
il
".
Khul
ani
:"Iwon'
tandIwi
l
ltel
lNsi
kanott
o".
Hefeltmor ecl
osert
ohismom butheknewdeep
downt hathehadtolookforhi
sfami
l
ybecausehe
neededcleansi
ng,hekil
l
edaman.
Noma:
"Youwi
l
lleav
ejustl
i
key
ourbr
other
?".
Khulani
:"Wehavef
ini
shedschool
now,
youcan'
t
haveusforev
er,
Nsi
kaisjustmadhewi
l
lcome
around"
.
Ther
ewasnowayt hatal
lherki
dsweregoingto
l
eave,sheneededt
oprev
entKhulani
from f
oll
owing
hi
sbrother
.
Noma:"I
fyoudon'
tcal
lyourbrotherandt
ellhi
m
whatIwi
l
lsay,
youwill
regr
etthisforther
estofyour
l
if
e".
Khul
ani
:"Mom don'
tst
art
".

-Nsi
ka

"Heydude,
thebossi
scal
l
ingy
ou"
.Hi
scol
l
eague
sai
dtohi
m.
Nsi
kastar
tedshaki
ng,t
hiswashisf i
rstdayatt
he
bar
,washedoingsomethingwrongalready?Hi
s
moodchanged,hewenttotheoff
ice.

Nsi
ka:
"Sur
eboss"
.
MrCl
ive:
"Yourbr
othersay
syoumustcal
lhi
m back,
i
t'
sur
gent".
Het
ookt
heof
fi
ceanddi
aledKhul
ani
'
snumber
s.
Nsi
ka:
"Heyi
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
smom"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whatabouther
?".
Khul
ani
:"Youneedt
ocomebackhomeshewant
s
toki
l
lher
self
".
Nsi
ka:"Ialwayst
ell
yout
hatshei
semot
ional
l
y
bl
ackmail
ing-
".
Khul
ani
:"Iam ser
ious,
shewant
stoki
l
lher
sel
f
pl
easecomebackhome" .
Nsi
ka:"Ican'
tbel
i
evet
haty
ouar
efal
l
ingf
orher
t
ri
cks.
Khulani
:"PleaseNsikacomebackhome,
she
boughtratpoison"
.
.

.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
30]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[8]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Nsi
ka:
"Youar
erent
ingal
lthi
spl
ace?
".
Tr
ust
:"Nahmanmysist
erownst
hispl
ace,
luckyf
or
meIdon'
tpayr
ent
".
Nsikawasimpressed,
Trustwasstay
ingi
naone
bedroom f
latwi
thanopenlounge.
Tr
ust
:"Doy
oudr
ink?
".
Heaskedt aki
ngoutabuyinhisf
ri
dge,
Nsikat
ook
onealso.Hewaswor r
iedbuthedi
dnotwantt
otel
l
Trustabouthi
sprobl
ems.
Nsika:
"DudeIknowImaybeaski
ngtoomuchf
rom
youandwejustmet,
Ineedahugefav
or"
.
Tr
ust
:"What
'sup?
'.
Nsika:"Ihaveabrot
herandIwanthi mtocomehere,
IpromisetopayrentandinJanuarywewi l
lmove
outbecauseweappl i
edforthestudentr
esi
dency
program andwewer eaccepted.
.pl
ease"
.
Tr
ust
:"That
'
stoomuch,
howol
dishe?
".
Nsi
ka:"Heisafewmont
hsol
dert
hanme,
he'
sa
ver
ycoolguy"
.
Trust
:"Asl ongashewon'tbeaprobl
em andify
ou
promisethatyouandyourbrot
herwon'
tcauseany
tr
oublehere".
Nsika:"Ipr
omise,Pet
ersai
dIwi ll
bepaidt
hemoney
Imadebef or
ebeingemployedasabar mansoIwil
l
sendittomybrotherandatleastbuyf
oodhere"
.
Trust
:"Aslongasy ouory
ourbr
otherar
egonna
cook,Idon'
tcook,
Imakeenoughti
pstobuytake
outs"
.
.
.
.
.

-Khul
ani

Hewasont
hephonewi
thNsi
ka.

Nsika:
"Bri
ngyourI
Dalong,Ican'
tbookyourbus
t
icketfr
om her
e,myshi
ftst
artsearl
y".
Khul
ani:"Yousoundl
ikeatruewor
kingman,
Itol
d
mom thatyouarecomingbackhome".
Nsi
ka:
"Doy
ouwannacomeher
eornot
?".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m comi
ng,
let
'
stal
klat
erNandi
isher
e".
Nsi
ka:
"Okayl
ater
".
Hel i
edt ohismotheraboutNsi
kaevent
houghshe
threat
enedt otakeherl
if
e,Khul
aniwasal
soti
redof
hismot hersmanipul
ati
veways.
Nandi:"Hi
,Ithoughtsomet
hingbadhappened,
you
soundeddif
ferent"
.
Shesai
dhuggi
nghi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Comein,
it'
snot
hingt
hatser
ious,
Iam
l
eavi
ngtomorr
ow".
Nandi
:"Leav
ing?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'm goi
ngtostaywithNsi
kawewi
l
lcome
backi
nJanuaryforourr
esul
ts".
Nandi
:"Youar eonl
ytel
l
ingmethisnow?Am Ieven
i
mportantt
oy ouorI'
mjustoneofthosegi
rl
sthat
youonlysl
eepwith?
".
Khulani
:"Ihav
eprobl
ems,real
problemst hatIcan'
t
evensharewit
hyouyet,
iti
sbestifIleav
eand- "
.
Nandi
:"Weallhaveprobl
ems,Ican'
tbel
i
evehow
sel
fi
shyouar
e, whataboutme?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Babecal
m down,wewil
ltal
kev
ery
dayand
i
fIgetmoneyyouwil
lvi
sitme"
.
Nandi
:"Vi
sity
ou?Ican'
tdot
hisany
mor
e,i
t'
sov
er"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
ebei
ngdr
amat
icr
ightnow,
youar
e
notgonnabr
eakupwi
thme"
.
Nandi
:"Whynot
?".
Khul
ani
:"Il
oveyou,Il
ovey
ouokayandIhav
eno
choi
cebutt
oleave"
.
Nandi:
"Ialsodon'thaveachoicebutt
oleave,who
thehel
ldolongdistancer
elat
ionshi
psthesedays
anyway".
Shewalkedoutl eavi
nghim dr ained, Nandidi
dnot
knowhowmuchKhul anilovedher ,hewashur tbut
hehadt oleave,hepackedhi scl othesandhidt he
bagsinsidethewardrobe.Hi smom cameback, she
waswor kingmor edaysnowatt het av
ernevenmor e
bett
erdur i
ngtheday,shest artedcooki ng.Khulani
wantedtot el
lheraboutleavingbuthedi dnotwant
tocauseanymor edrama, hewat chedTVwi thHl el
o.
Noma:
"Yourbr
otheri
sst
il
lcomi
ngbackhome?
".
Khul
ani
:"That
'swhathesai
d".
Hel
i
ed.
Noma:
"Good"
.
Thatwasal
lshesai
d,Khul
ani
tri
edsev
eral
timest
o
callNandibutshedidnotpickup,sheal sobl ocked
hi
m onWhat sApp.Hewentt obedear l
y.Hewast he
fi
rstpersontowakeupi nthemor ning,
Johannesburgwasv er
yf ar'
sohehear d'af t
er
bathinghedidnoteatbecauseoft hener ves,his
mot herwassleepi
ngheputhi sbagsont opoft he
couchandwokeNoma.
.
.
.
.
Noma:
"Whati
sit
?".
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatwhenNomal
i
ftedupherhead.
Noma:"Whyar
eyoudr
essedl
i
ket
his?Wher
ear
e
yougoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"MaI
'
mleav
ing"
.
Noma:
"Leav
ing?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
mfol
l
owi
ngNsi
ka"
.
Noma:
"Youbr
otherbr
ainwashedy
out
oo,
howdo
youthi
nkyougoingtosur
viv
eint
hecityt
hatyou
don'
tknowalone?Don'
tdri
vemecrazygobackto
bed"
.
Heshookhi
shead.
Khulani
:"I
'
m doingyouafavorbytel
l
ingyou,
i
shouldhav
ejustlef
twit
houttel
l
ingyou"
.
Shet
ookashoeandt
hrewi
tathi
m.
Noma:
"Isai
dyouar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e,si
tdown!
".
Khul
ani
:"Hl
elopl
easet
akecar
eofmom"
.
Hetookhisbagleavi
ngNomashockedofhi
s
behav
ior
,Nsikasenthim moneyashepr
omi
sed.
Tr
ustfet
chedhim ataparkstati
onitwasalll
i
kea
dr
eam toKhul
ani,
henev erbel
ievedthathewoul
d
l
eavehome.
Trust
:"Youcanputy
ourbagst here,yourbr
otheri
s
knocki
ngoffl
ate,
heisst
il
ltr
aining".
Khul
ani
:"Youhav
eav
erycool
apar
tment
".
Trust
:"Thankstomysi
ster,
letsgot
omywor
kpl
ace
sothatyouwil
lseey
ourbrother"
.
Theytalkedgetti
ngtoknoweach,Khulanir
eali
zed
howcool Trustwas,headmir
edhim andhis
dressi
ngstyle.Theyar
ri
vedattherest
aurantbar.
Nsi
ka:
"Youmadei
t!
".
Khul
ani
:"YeahI
'
mjustt
ir
ed,
howi
swor
k?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Busyasy
oucansee"
.
Tr
ust
:"Yousai
dyournamei
s?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Khul
ani
".
Tr
ust:
"That'
sacompl
i
cat
edname,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyouKay
,
l
et'
ssi
tovert
her
e".
Theysatont hecouches,Tr
ustorder
eddri
nksfor
them.Khulanisawpeopleinexpensi
vesui
tsand
dressescomingin.
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sav
eryexpensi
vepl
acehuh?
".
Tr
ust:"Youcanal
socomeher
easl
ongasy
oubat
h
wel
l"
.
Theybot
hlaughed.
Awomancameandsatatt
hei
rtabl
e.
Her
:"Ij
usthadal
ongday
,whatdoy
ouguy
sdr
ink?
".
Sheaskedcallingawai ter,Tr
ustandKhul
anil
ooked
ateachother,
t heybothdi dnotknowher,
theywere
stuntatherbr
av eryoftalki
ngt ot
hem asi
fsheknew
them.Khulanichokedonhi sbeer
.
Her
:"Thatbeeri
scheap,canIhavetwobott
lesof
t
hemostexpensivewhi
skeyinthehouse"
.
Thewai
ternodded.
Khul
ani
:"Wear
eonourwayout
".
Her
:"Comeondon'
tspoi
lthef
un"
.
Tr
ust
:"Kayi
stel
l
ingt
het
rut
hwewer
eon-
".
Her:"Kay?Hmm suchani
cename, whydon'tyou
guysdrinkwi
thmeIhadater
ri
bledayandIneed
somecompany ,
youworkher
eright
?".Sheasked
poi
ntingatTr
ust
.
Tr
ust
:"YeahbutIknockedof
fear
ly"
.
Her
:"I'
m acust
omerher
enotaf
reak,
Iwi
l
lpayy
ou
f
oryourti
me".
Theysatdown,
thebot
tl
escameandt
hel
adyl
ooked
ver
ystressed,
shekeptongoingonandonabouther
ter
ri
bledayatwork,
whateverhappenedr
eal
l
y
annoyedher.
.
.
.
.
Her
:"Don'tmindmedr i
nkup,
youknowpeopl
ereall
y
t
akeadvantagesbutheywhoam It
oevencompl
ain".
Theyj
ustl
i
stenedt
oherwi
thoutsay
ingawor
d.
Tr
ust
:"Ineedabat
hroom"
.
Theynodded.
Her
:"Yousai
dyournamei
sKayr
ight
?".
Khul
ani
nodded.
Her:
"Youareaveryhandsomey
oungman,
doy
ou
mindifwef
ini
shthi
satmyhouse?"
.
Khul
ani:
"Idon'
tthi
nkthat
'
sagoodi
dea,
youhav
e
hadenoughtodr
ink"
.
Shel
aughedwi
pingherf
ace.
Her
:"Howmuchdoy
ouwant
?".
Khul
ani
:"Excuseme?
".
Her:"Howmuchdoyouwantmet
opayy
oui
fyou
spendtheni
ghtwi
thme?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iam notapr
ost
it
ute"
.Hewasannoy
ed.
Her
:"Idon'
tl
ikepr
ost
it
utesei
ther
".
Shet
ookoutherbusi
nesscar
dandgav
eitt
ohi
m.
Her
:"Herecal
lmeifyouchangey
ourmi
nd,
buy
morebeer
switht
his"
.
Shel eftast
ackofmoneyont
hetable,Khulani
quicklyshovedt
hemoneyonhispocketsbefore
Trustcameback.Hewenttot
hebarcount er.
Khul
ani
:"Youl
ookbusy
".
Nsika:"Myfeet
sareki
ll
i
ngmebutIcan'
tknockof
f
becauseIhavetopayTr
ustf
orl
ett
ingusst
ayathi
s
pl
ace".
Khul
ani
:"Yeahnot
hingi
sforf
ree"
.
Nsi
ka:
"May
beIshoul
dtal
ktomybossf
ory
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
?Youwantmet
owor
kher
e?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Yeahy
oucan'
tst
ayatt
hef
latt
hewhol
eday
".
Khulanikeptquiet
,hedi
dnotli
kewor
kingatabaror
arestaurant
,itwasnotwhathewant
ed.
Khul
ani
:"Soweneedt
ofi
ndourpl
acet
ost
ay?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Yeahandt
her
enti
stoomuchher
e".
Hewai tedforhi sbr othertof i
nishandt heywent
backhome, TrustandNsi kat oldhim aboutt heir
workandt heircust omer s,itsoundedf untalking
aboutitbutnotf orKhul ani,henev erimagined
himselfworkingl ikehi sbrot her.het r
iedcalling
Nandi onemor et imebutshei gnoredhi m.Int he
morningtheyal lwokeupf orwor kandKhul ani was
l
eftalone,hetookabusi nesscar dandl ookedati t
,
thel
adygav ehi m at housandr ands, heneededmor e
moneybutwor ki
ngatar est aurantbarwasnotwhat
hewant ed.Hedi aledt henumber .Thel adyanswer ed.
Her
:"Mapul
ehel
l
o?"
.
Hebr
eat
hedi
nandout
.
Khul
ani
:"Hi
,i
t'
sKay
,wemety
est
erdayat
-"
.
Mapul
e:"OhIr
emembery
ou,
didy
ouchangey
our
mi
nd?".
Khul
ani
:"Al
i
ttl
efunwi
l
lnothur
t"
.
Mapule:"Il
i
kethesoundoft
hat,sendmeyour
addressi
nthisnumber
,mydri
verwill
comepicky
ou
up".
Khul
ani
:"Sur
e"
Hewentt othesecur i
tyguardsdownstai
rstoaskfor
theaddress,af
tersendingithewenttofreshenup
andwor ehisbestclothes.Thedri
vercal
l
ed, onhi
s
wayt owherehewasgoi ngtomeetMapul ehewasa
bitskept
ical
,hi
shear twasbeatingveryf
ast.The
driv
erpull
edov eri
nt hemansionhouse.
Dr
iver
:"Pl
easemakey
our
sel
fcomf
ort
abl
e'
.
Hesatont hecouch,thehousewasver
yhugeand
beaut
if
ullydesigned,
itwasnothi
ngt
hatKhulani
had
seenbefore,heonlysawtheseki
ndofhouseson
magazines.
Mapul
e:"Doy
ouneedadr
ink?
".
Hej
umped
Mapul
e:"Idi
dn'
tmeantoscar
eyou,
yout
ookmeby
sur
pri
sewhenyoucal
l
ed".
Khul
ani
:"Whyam Iher
e?"
.
Mapule:
"Youdon'
tknowr
eal
l
y?Don'
tactdumbwi
th
me".
Khul
ani
:"Howmuchar
eyougoi
ngt
ogi
veme?
".
Mapule:"Thatwil
ldependonhowmucharey ou
goingtomakemehappy ,
moneyisnotaprobl
em.I
f
thehappinessyougi
vemeexceedt omy
expect
ationsIwil
lgi
veyouanyt
hingyouwant"
.
Thesoundoft
hatmadeKhul
ani
chi
l
labi
t,hest
ood
uptopouragl
assofwhi
skey
.
Khul
ani
:"Deal
".
Mapul
e:"Deal
,I
'm awomanofmywor
dKay
".
Hesmir
kedanddrankt
hewhol
eglassofal
cohol,
he
gat
her
edhisst
rengt
handremi
ndedhimsel
fthatt
his
wasbet
tert
hanworki
ngasabarman.
Mapul
ewasst
unnedbyhowhandsomeKhul
ani
was
andyoungt oo,shesmi l
edathersel
flooki
ngather
toyboy .Khulanisatontopofherandst ar
tedkissing
herslowly,thiswasaj ob,hehadtobecompet entat
i
t.Hepl ayfull
ybitherlowerli
pandteasedbothl i
ps,
hisri
ghthandbr ushedhernippl
e,Mapule'
sbreath
washi gh,Khulanitouchedherwheresheneededt o
betouched.Hepul ledupherdressandstopped.
Khul
ani
:"Ineedacondom"
.
Mapul estooduphol di
nghi shandandl edhimt ot
he
bedroom, sheopenedt hedr awer ,herhandcameout
withast ackofcondoms.Khul aniundr essed,Mapul e
hadav erybeaut ifulbody .Khulani openedherl egs
andsuckedbet weent hem, hepul ledouther
under wearandt easedhercl it
or i
eswi t
hhi shand, he
bentov erandsuckedher ,shescr eamedi npleasure
touchinghi shead, hewentuponherbel l
ybuttonand
suckedoni t
..hi
shandsopeni ngacondom.He
sli
ppedi tinandgoti nsideher, heclosedhi sey es
feel
ingt heheat .Heent rustedf oracoupl eoft imes
andf elthercomi ng, hestrokedoncemor eandhe
groaned.Hef el
lont opofherchest ,hewasnot
regretti
ng, hehadsl eptwi t
hgi rl
shehasnev erdated
befor
ethati
swhyitwasnotabi
gdeal
forhi
m.He
stoodupandgotdr
essed.
Mapul
e:"Thatwasamazi
ng,
howmuchdoy
ou
want
?".
Khul
ani
:"Twot
housand"
.
Shel
aughedathi
m.
Mapul
e:"Ar
eyouwor
tht
hatmuchaf
tert
hat
per
for
mance?"
.
Hel
ookedather
.
Khul
ani
:"Yousai
dyouwi
l
lgi
vemeany
thi
ngIwant
ri
ght
?".
Mapule:
"Ify
oukeepmehappyohandanot
hert
hing,
Idon'
tdobankaccount
s".
Shet
ookasmal
lbookandwr
otesomet
hing.
Mapul
e:"Her
e'sy
ourmoney
".
Khul
ani
:"Ineedar
eal
moneynotapi
eceofpaper
".
Mapule:
"Idon'
tkeepanycashhere,gochangethat
chequemydri
verwil
ldr
iveanywhereyouwanttogo".
Hewasnotsat i
sfied,heangr i
l
yt ookthepaperand
walkedout,
thedr i
verdroppedhi m athi
splace,t
he
chequewaswr i
ttenninethousandr ands,hetookhis
IDathomeandaskedf ordirecti
onst ot
hebankt o
openabankaccountandchanget hecheque.He
wasninethousandr andsri
cher ,
hedi dnotneeda
j
ob.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
30]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[9]
Bonus
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Khul
aniwasMapule'
stoyboy,shewouldcallhi
m
ever
yti
mesheneededhisserv
icesbutthatdi
dnot
st
ophimfrom t
hinki
ngaboutNandi.Hehadmor e
moneyonhisbankaccount
,moneyt hathenever
thoughthewoul
dhav
einj
ustacoupl
eofday
s.Hi
s
phonerang.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
o".
Mapul
e:"Hi
Kay
,Ineedy
out
oni
ght
".
Khul
ani
:"Aty
ourhouse?
".
Mapul
e:"Mydr
iverwi
l
lpi
cky
ouupatei
ght
".
Khul
ani
:Okaycool
".
Her eal
i
zedthatheneededafewmorecl
otheshe
walkedtotheshopsdownthestr
eet
.Ahomeless
guypushedhim.
Khul
ani
:"Wat
chwher
eyouar
egoi
ng!
".
Hefel
lont
hegroundKhul
ani
lookedathi
m,hi
swas
bl
eedi
ngfr
om hi
smouth.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
p!"
.
Astreetsecuri
tyoff
icerr
ushedtohim andhel
phi
m
cal
l
edanambul ance,hefel
tarel
iefwhenthe
par
amedi cstol
dhimt hemanwi l
lbefi
ne.
Khul
anigoti
nsi
detheshoptobuyhisoutf
it
,hegot
ever
ythi
ngheneededandwentbacktothefl
at.
Nsika:"Don'
ttel
lmey
ouusedoursav
ingsmoneyt
o
buythese".
Khul
ani
:"Iusedmymoney
".
Nsi
ka:
"Whatmoney
?".
Khulani
:"Iwant
edtotel
lyoubutInevergott
ime,
I
foundajobandit
'spayi
ngmewel l
".
Nsi
ka:
"Youar
eal
way
sher
ewhenar
eyouwor
king?
".
Khul
ani
:"Thi
sonei
sdif
fer
ent
,If
oundav er
yri
ch
womanshepaysmeformaki
ngherhappy"
.
Nsika:
"Youarepr
ost
it
uti
ngy
our
sel
f?Ar
eyououtof
yourmind?
".
Khul
ani
:"Ienj
oysl
eepi
ngwithheri
t'
snotl
i
keI
'
m
doi
ngsomethi
ngIdon'
twanttodo"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Peopl
ecal
lyouKayandnowt
his?Ar
eyou-
".
Khul
ani
:"Lookwel ef
tmom athomest oplecturi
ng
me!Youcanalsodothesameify ouwantto,I'
ma
gr
ownassman, excusemeI'
mv isit
inghertonight
".
Helefthi
sbr
otherhangingt
oprepar
efort
henight
,
hedidnotwantanylect
urer
s.Lat
ert
hedri
vercame.
Mapul
e:"Youl
ookmor
ehandsomet
oni
ght
".
Khul
ani
:"Youdon'
tl
ookbady
our
sel
f"
.
Hecamei
n,t
hist
imeitwasdi
ff
erent
,Mapul
e
pr
epar
edf
oodforthem.
Khul
ani
:"What
'
stheoccasi
on?
".
Mapul
e:"Ifeltl
onel
ysoIkeptmy
sel
fbusywi
th
pr
epar
ingthis".
Khul
ani
:"Ihopet
hisi
snotadat
e".
Mapul
e:"Wit
hy ou?Nev
er-mysoni
sasameageas
yousoIdon'
tdateki
ds"
.
Khul
ani
:"Buty
ouf
uckki
ds"
.
Mapul
e:"Theyar
efunt
ofuck,
passmet
hatpl
ate"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m nothungr
ybutadr
inkwoul
dbeni
ce"
.
Mapul
e:"Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou"
.
Khulani
:"Speaki
ngofany
thi
ngf
orme,
Ineeda
fav
our "
.
Mapul
e:"Whati
sit
".
Khul
ani
:"Meandmybr
otherweneedapl
acet
ost
ay
butwecan'
taf
for
drentatt
hemoment
-"
.
Mapule:"ThemoneyIgaveyouiscloset
othir
ty
thousandnow,don'
ttel
lmethati
t'
snotenough
unlessyouwanttobuyahouse".
Khulani
:"Thatmoneyhasot
herneeds,
youar
emy
sugarmommyr ight
?".
Hesai
dsi
ppi
ngonhi
sgl
ass.
Mapul
e:"Soy
ouexpectmet
opayy
our
ent
?".
Khul
ani
:"Moneyi
snotapr
obl
em t
oyou"
.
Mapul
e:"Iowntownhouses,Iwi
ll
checkt
heempt
y
onet
omorrowandgetbackto".
Khul
ani
:"AndhowmuchdoIgetf
ort
oni
ght
?It
'st
he
whol
enightr
emember
?".
Khul
ani:"Youwanttol
eav
emybankaccount
s
empty,
don'tyou?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'm notagol
ddi
gger
,I'
mjustaki
dwho
makesyouhappy".
Mapul
elaughedathi
m,shel
i
kedhi
sconf
idence,
he
wasnotsoft
.
Mapul
e:"Lookmakey oursel
fcomf
ort
abl
e,Ihav
et o
bat
handafterbat
hingIhaveafewcal
lst
omake" .
Khul
ani
:"Sur
e".
.
.
.
.
AssoonasMapul elef thestoodup, itwasavery
enormoushouse, helookedar oundatt heart
creati
onsthatwasdi splayedont hewal l
.Hecame
acrossabeaut i
fulpai nti
ngthatcoughthi sat
tent
ion,
i
twasamanpoi ntingatt hehuger i
ver,t
hepai
nti
ng
wasbeaut i
ful
lydesi gned.Hel ookedar oundbuthe
didnotsneakint her ooms.Theni ghtwas
successful
,hemanagedt omakeMapul ever
yhappy
andwentbackhome.
Nsi
ka:
"Howmuchdi
dyoumake?
".
Khul
ani:"Thi
rt
eenthousandpl
usat
ownhouset
hat
wewill
bot hbest
ayingat"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youar
ereal
l
ysel
l
ingy
our
sel
f?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iusedtosleepwit
hgirl
sIdidn'
tevenl
i
ke
forf
unandnowt hatI'
m doi
ngitbutinr
etur
nfor
moneyyouarecall
ingmeapr osti
tut
e?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Iam wor
ri
edabouty
ou,
youhav
echanged"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iam hust
li
ngforus,Nandibrokeupwi t
h
me,shei
stheonlygir
lthatIr
eal
lylovedsopleaseI
wannahavef
unnow" .
Nsi
ka:
"Isshemar
ri
ed?
".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tevenwantt
oknow,
soy
ouwi
l
l
moveinwit
hme? "
.
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
tknowman"
.
Khul
ani:
"Pl
ease,weneedt
hisl
i
fe,wehav
ebeen
suf
fer
ingev
ersincewewer
eborn"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youwantmet
odowhaty
ouar
edoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Cont
inuewi
thy
ourj
obandIwi
l
lcont
inue
wit
hwhatIdo"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Yoursugarmamai
sgonnapayr
ent
?".
Khul
ani
:"Shesai
dsheownst
het
ownhouses"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Okayt
ell
hert
odr
afty
ouacont
ractsot
hat
shewon'
tki
ckusoutwhenev
ershewant
s".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
ltel
lher
,thatmeansy
ouar
emov
ingi
n
wit
hme?".
Nsi
ka:"YesbutIst
il
lhat
ewhaty
ouar
edoi
ng,
let
's
gobuytakeout
s".
Khulanismil
edabit
,hedidnotseeanyt
hingwrong,
whowoul dn'
tenj
oysexandgetti
ngpai
df ori
tin
ret
urn?Theywenttothestor
ethatsol
dfood
downstair
s.
Khul
ani
:"Wai
ther
e".
Nsi
kasawhi
m cr
ossi
ngthestr
eetandwonder
ed
wher
ehewasgoi
ng.Khul
anist
opped.
Khul
ani
:"Heymanar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Themannodded.
Khul
ani
:"Whathappenedy
est
erdayy
our
eal
l
y
scar
edme".
Hi
m: "Iam f
inethankyou,
cany
oubuymeR5br
ead
pl
easeI'
mv eryhungry
".
Khul
ani
tookoutt
went
ybucksandgav
eitt
ohi
m but
heshookhi
shead.
Hi
m:"Ineedf
oodnotmoney
".
Khul
ani
wentwi
thhi
mtowher
eNsi
kawas.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
oumi
ndi
fwebuyhi
mfood?
".
Nsi
ka:"Ihav
eal
readyor
der
edf
orus,
pleasesi
t
downsir
".
Hewasver
ydi
rt
y,hel
ookedatbot
hoft
hem andsat
down.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m Khul
ani
andt
hisi
smybr
otherNsi
ka"
.
Henoddedbuthedi
dnotint
roducehi
mselfback,
t
heysatther
eawkwardl
y.Hetookhi
sfoodand
t
hankedthem,heev
enwentdownonhi sknees.
Nsi
ka:
"It
'sashameman"
.
Khul
ani
:"Hei
snotev
ent
hatol
d".
Mapul
ecal
l
edandt
oldhi
m whent
heycanmov
ein.
Khulani
:"Wecanmoveinatanyt
ime,
youneedt
o
speaktoyourf
ri
endTr
ust"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Atl
eastwedon'
thav
elot
sofst
affi
t'
sonl
y
outbags"
.
Khul
ani
:"YeahbutTr
ustr
eal
l
yhel
pedust
hough"
.
Theyfinishedeat ingandwaitedforTrustt
oreturn
home, theyt ol
dhi m andhewasv eryhappyforthem,
l
aterthatni ghttheymov edthei
rbagsandbor rowed
afewbl anket sfrom Trust
,Khul
aniwasgonnashop
thefol
lowi ngday .
Nsi
ka:"Yourdi
ckmustbegoodbr
o.Wear
eli
vi
ngi
n
t
hesuburbs"
.
Theybot
hlaughed.
Khul
ani:
"Atleastt
heki
tcheni
sful
lyf
urni
shedwe
onl
yneedaf ewthi
ngsandtwobedsf
oryourroom
andmine".
Theysl
eptont
hef
loor
,int
hemor
ningNsi
kal
eftf
or
work.
Khulani
hadalottodo,hewokeupaft
erhisbrother
andwenttot
hef ur
nit
urest
oretogetwhatthey
needed.
Khulani
:"St
opcal
l
ingmeIdon'
twanty
out
ocat
ch
feel
i
ngs".
Mapul
elaughed.
Mapul
e:"Howdoy
oul
i
key
ournewpl
ace?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
scool
I'
m att
hef
urni
tur
est
orenow"
.
Mapule:
"Goodmydri
verwil
lpi
cky ouuptomorrow
i
nthemor ni
ng,
youwi
l
lalsogetyourcont
ractwhen
youcomehere"
.
Khul
ani
:"Cool
".
Heconti
nuedshoppi
ng,whenhegothomeheput
ever
ythi
ngwherei
tneededtobeandwentout
sidet
o
expl
orethepl
ace,
itwasbeaut
if
ul.
Thef
oll
owi
ngdayhewentt
oMapul
e'
shouseand
di
dhi
sjob.
Mapul
e:"Youar
eal
way
sfunt
obear
ound"
.
Khul
ani
:"ThatmeansImakey
ouhappy
".
Mapul
e:"Al
otnowgetupy
ouneedt
ogo"
.
Hegotdressedandpour
edaglassofwat
er,hef
elt
nauseousandrant
othebat
hroom t
ovomit.
Mapul
e:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?'
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m good"
.
Heli
ed,
hewasnotgood,hef
eltdi
zzy.Thedri
ver
dr
ovehi
m home.Assoonashearri
vedheslept.
Nsi
ka:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
wasshaki
ngi
nbedwhi
chwor
ri
edNsi
ka.
Heboughthi
m medi
cat
ionandt
hat
'swhenhef
ell
asl
eep.
.
.
.
.
Hewaspr
epar
ingt
ov i
sitMapul
easusualwhenhe
sawanol
dmanstandi
nginthekit
chen.
Hi
m:"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Whoar
eyou?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Hi
m:"Youaredisgust
ing,y
ouareadisgr
aceinour
f
amil
y,weexpectalotfr
om younott
hisnonsense"
.
het
ookoutabel
tandst
art
edbeat
inghi
m wi
thi
t,
Khulanit
ri
edtor
unbuthef
eltstucked,
hisl
egs
couldnotmove,
hecoul
dnotrun.Hescreamed
cry
ingbutthemandi
dnotst
op.
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
wakeup!Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
".
Hewokeup,
itwasal
ladr
eam butt
het
ear
swer
e
r
eal
.
Khul
ani
:"Ihadat
err
ibl
edr
eam"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Yourey
esar
ered"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thedr
eam f
eltsor
eal
,Iwi
l
lbef
inego
backt
obed".
Khul
anicoul
dnotsleepanymore,t
hefol
l
owingday
hewokeupandwentt ot
hebathr
oom whenhe
l
ookedathimsel
font hemir
rorhi
sbodywaspurpl
e.
Herant
ot heki
tchennaked.
Nsi
ka:
"Di
dyoursugamamabeaty
ouup?
".
Hel
ookedathi
msel
f.
Khulani
:"Doy
ourememberl
astnightwhenIwas
cry
ing?Amanwasstandi
ngri
ghtherebeati
ngt
he
hel
loutofmeandIwokeupl
ikethis"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ifi
twasadr
eam-Idon'
tunder
stand"
.
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tunder
standt
oo,
lookatme!
".
Theykeptqui
et.
Nsi
ka:
"Whatexact
lyhappenedi
nthatdr
eam?
".
Khulani
:"HesaidI'
m adi
sgr
aceandt heyexpectal
ot
from meli
keIcan'tr
ememberbro.Thatdream f
elt
real
,hewasbeatingandnowlookatme" .
Nsi
kawasspeechl
ess,
hedi
dnotknowwhatt
odo
orwhatt
osay.
Khul
ani:"I
fIam cr
azyt
hanwhataboutt
hese
marks?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Ihav
etogot owork,wewi
l
ltal
klat
erbutcal
l
mewhenyoudon'
tfeel
right
".
Hesatont hef l
oorhi
smi ndr unni
ngwi l
d,hethought
aboutcalli
nghismotherbutnohewasnotgonnado
that.Aft
erbathi
nghet houghtmay bet
hemar ks
woul ddi
sappearbuttheydidnot ,heworethelong
sleevedt-
shir
ttohidethem andwentt ohis
appointment,heneededmoneysi nceheusedallhe
hadt obuyfurni
tur
e.Hesl eptwithMapuleandshe
pai
dhi
m.
Mapule:
"Don'tl
eav
enow,
Iwi
l
lpayy
oudoubl
efor
anot
herround"
.
Khul
ani
:"Sur
e".
Mapul
e:"Gototheki
tchenandmakeyour
sel
f
somet
hingt
oeatIwil
l cometoyouwhenI
'
m done
wit
harr
angi
ngthemeet i
ngs".
Hest oodupandwal keddownt hepassage,he
stoppedagai nonthepicturesandpaint
ingsand
tookal ook,themanpoi nti
ngattheri
verlooked
famili
ar.Whenhel ookedcloselyi
twast hemanwho
beatenhi m up,hi
sheartracedashemov edback.He
fel
tasi fthemanwasst ari
ngathim.Hewentdown
thestairsandsatdownaski nghi
mselfsomany
questions.
"Whoi
sthi
sman"
Hedrankwater,whenMapulecamedownt hest
air
s
hewantedtoaskheraboutthepainti
ngbuthe
rememberedthatmostpeoplebuypaint
ingswit
hout
evenknowingthemeaningbehi
ndt hem butj
ust
becauset
heylikethem.
Khul
ani
:"Ican'
tdot
hesecondr
ound,
Ihav
etogo"
.
Mapul
e:"I
ssomet
hingwr
ong?
".
Khulani
:"Somet
hingcameup,
wri
temychequeI
havetogo".
Shewast akenbackbythat
,shegavehi
m his
chequeandhewentt otowntochangei
t,hesawthe
homelessmanagai n,
heneededtocooloff
,hewas
str
essed.
Khul
ani
:"Hey
,let
'
sgogetsomet
hingt
oeat
".
Hestoodupandf oll
owedhim,Khulanif
eltsor
ryfor
hi
m whenhel ookedathi
m, ev
eryoneinthestor
e
l
ookedathim whenhecamei nwithadirty
homelessmanbuthedi dnotcar
e,theysatdown
andorderedf
ood.
Khul
ani
:"Youknowmaybet
alkingtoast
rangerwi
l
l
hel
p,If
eell
i
keI'
mlosi
ngmymi nd".
Hi
m: "Youar
ever
yyoungt
olosey
ourmi
nd,
isi
ta
gi
rl
?".
Khul
ani
laughedal
i
ttl
ewhenhehear
dhi
mtal
k.
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sper
sonal
staf
f,st
afft
hatIdon'
tev
en
under
stand,
youknowsi
r-What
'sy
ourname?
".
Hi
m:"Mynamei
snoti
mpor
tant
,Iam noone"
.
Khul
ani
:"ButI
'
m sur
eyourpar
ent
sgav
eyoua
name".
Hi
m:"Theper
sont
heygav
eanamei
slongdead"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
sthatwhyy
ouar
eont
hest
reet
s?"
.
Hi
m:"Thest
reeti
sthesaf
estpl
ace"
.
Khul
ani
nodded.
Khul
ani:"Whydon'tyoucomewi
thmet
omyplace
wewillgety
oucleanedupandbuyy
ounewcl
othes,
youneedshoestoo".
Him:"Therei
snoneed,Iwi
l
lsel
lthosecl
otheswhen
Igethungr
ytomor
row".
Khul
ani:
"Wait
-youarenotmental
lyi
ll
orondrugs,
whyareyouonthest
reet
smay beIcanhel
p".
Hel
aughedatKhul
ani
.
Him: "Noonecanhel
pme,
myancest
orsev
en
cursedme".
Khul
ani
:"Don'
tbel
i
evet
oomuchi
nancest
ors"
.
Him:"TheMothupiancest
orsar
eli
ket
heGods,
you
can'
trunawayf
rom them".
Khul
ani:
"It'
sal
linyourhear
d,Iknowthatt
he
Mothupisur
namemi ghtbebigbutdoyouknow
KgosiMothupi
?".
Hi
m:"Fr
om wher
e?I
'
m sur
ether
ear
emanyoft
hem"
.
Khul
ani
:"Hei
sTswanat
hat
'
swhatmymom t
old
me".
Hi
m:"Whoi
syourmot
her
?".
Khul
ani
:"Nomal
angaZondo,shewor
kedher
ein
j
oburgni
net
eenyear
sago".
Hi
m:"Nomal
angaf
rom Kzn?
".
Khul
ani
:"Yeah"
.
Hi
m:"Doesshehav
eanyot
herchi
l
dren?
".
Khul
ani:
"It
'sjustmeandmybr
otherwhoi
saf
ew
monthsyoungerthanme"
.
Hi
m:"Thi
scan'
tbe,
thesonoft
her
ain,
Pul
a".
Khul
ani
:"Excuseme"
.
Him: "Thef
ir
stMothupigr
andchi
l
drenPul
aand
Pulane,weneedt
ogo" .
Khul
ani
:"Iknowt
hatl
i
fei
shar
dont
hest
reet
sman
but
-"
.
Him: "Kgosiwasmycousi n,hedisappearedlong
ago,hewast heonl yMothupi son,thesonoft herai
n,
theleaderoft heMot hupiclanandv i
l
lage.Si
nceyour
fat
herisbeli
ev edtobedead, hisfir
stsoni stheson
oftherainPul a,youandy ourbr ot
herwer enamed
PulaandPul ane" .
Khul
ani
:"Thi
sisnotaj
oke!
".
Hi
m:"Nomalangawasal i
tt
legi
rlwhenshecame
wor
kingf
orKgosishe-
".
Khul
ani
:"Youar
enotpl
ayi
ngwi
thmeai
n'
tyou?
".
Hi
m: "IswearundertheMot
hupiancestors,t
he
l
ordsoftherai
n,Iknowwhoyourfatheris"
.
Hebentdownonhi
skneei
nfr
ontofhi
m.
Khulani
:"Peopl
ear
ewat chi
ng,
standup,
let
'sgetour
foodandgot omybrot
her".
Hi
m:"Pul
a,sonoftherai
n,leaderoft
heMot hupi
cl
anandt
heKgosigal
ev i
l
lage,Sonofthe-
".
Khul
ani
:"That
'senoughnow!
".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
30]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[10]
.
.
.
Unedi
ted
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Nsi
ka:"Howdoweknowt
haty
ouar
enotl
yi
ngt
o
us?
".
Hi
m:"Ihav
enor
easonst
o".
Khulani
tookhi
mt ohisbrother
,themansti
ll
didnot
changehisst
atementbutitwashardfort
hem to
j
ustbeli
eveahomelessman.
Khul
ani
:"SoKgosi
isdead?
".
Hi
m:"Heisbel
ievedtobedeadbutIdon'
tbel
i
evei
t,
hi
sbodywasburntwhenitwasf
ound".
Nsi
ka:
"What
'sy
ourname?
".
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatandl
ookeddown.
Him:"Mpho, Ithi
nkyoutwoar eoldenoughtot
ake
whatbelongst oyou,
every
thingthatbel
ongedt
o
Kgosinowbel ongstoyou,hi
sfathermadehimthe
hei
rofhisempi reandnow-".
Nsi
ka:
"Wai
t-t
heyar
eri
ch?
".
Mpho:"Gooutsi
deandaskaboutt
heMot
hupi
f
amil
y,theyar
everywel
lknown"
.
Khulani
:"Whatyouaresayi
ngisalotandBesi des
whoar ewetotaket
heempi r
ethatyouaretalking
about,wej
ustwanttomeetthefamilybecausewe
al
sohav et
ofixourl
ives"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Doeshehav
eot
herf
ami
l
ymember
s?"
.
Mpho: "Kgosiwast heonl
ybiologi
calsonoftherai
n,
hestil
lhavehisparentsbutKgosi'
sdeathorshouldI
saydisappearanceisver
yconfusing,
hesignedall
hisshares,housesandeveryt
hingovertohi
s
youngerbrother-
".
Khul
ani
:"I
fhewast
heonl
yson,
whydoeshehav
ea
br
other
?".
Mpho:"Kgosi'smotherdi
edwhenhewasy oung
thenhi
sf at
hergotmarri
edagain,t
hewomanhe
marri
edtoalreadyhadachildbutMot
hupi
treat
ed
Barut
ili
kehisown,hestil
ldoes"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
fyout
akeust
her
ewi
l
ltheyhel
pus?
".
Mpho:
"Wecangoev
ent
omor
row"
.
Nsi
ka: "Whati
ftheydon'tacceptus?Howaboutyou
goaloneandtellt
hem aboutusf i
rstwej
ustdon'
t
wanttocomplicat
ethi
ngs" .
Mpho:
"No,youbot
hneedt
ocomewi
thme,
iti
sver
y
i
mport
antt
hatyou-
".
Khulani
:"Nsi
kaisri
ght,
goman,wewil
lbuyy
ounew
cl
othesandgiveyoutr
anspor
tmoney
".
Themanwasv eryexcit
edtoseet hem, hewant edto
gowi ththem.Lookingatbot hofthem herealized
thathisancestorsbroughthiminthecityfora
reason,hehasf oundwhatbr okehim,Kgosi was
mor ethanjustacousintohim.Heagr eedt otheir
offerandtheydidast heypromised,t
heycl eaned
him upandboughtnewcl
othes,
thef
oll
owi
ngdayi
n
theafter
noonhelef
t.
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
ttr
usthi
m".
Nsi
ka:
"Butt
hewayhedescr
ibedmom,
heknewher
".
Khul
ani:
"Whatdoy
out
hinkaboutt
heempi
rehet
old
usabout"
.
Nsika:"Wecan'tf
ightbat
tl
eswedon'tknow,wejust
needt hem t
operf
orm acl
eansi
ngr
itualforusand
that'
sit".
Khulani
:"Iheary
ou,
Ihopetheywill
agreet
oit
becausemom saidt
heynev
erlikedus"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ihopesot
oo"
.
.
.
.

Themanknewt hei
rmotherbuttheyst
il
ldi
dnotful
l
y
trusthi
m,theonlyt
hingt
heywant edwastofi
nd
theirf
amil
yanddot hecl
eansingnothi
ngmore.
Nsi
ka:
"Don'
tyout
hinkofl
ooki
ngf
oraj
ob?
".
Khulani
:"Iwil
lnev
erwor
kasabar
manorawai
ter
,
thankyou".
Nsi
ka:
"Buti
t'
sbet
tert
hannot
hing"
.
Khul
ani:
"Iwi
ll
conti
nuewit
hwhatIdo,I
'
m maki
ng
l
otsofmoney
,justi
magi
neget
ti
ngpaidfory
ourdi
ck
man".
Nsi
ka:"Ther
e'snot
hingi
nter
est
ingaboutbei
nga
pr
osti
tut
e".
Khul
ani
:"What
everyoumaycal
li
tbutI
'
m hav
ingf
un
andget
ti
ngmoney".
Nsi
kashookhi
shead,
hisbr
otherwasenjoy
ingt
his
soconvi
nci
nghi
mtofindar
ealjobwasjust
poi
ntl
ess.
Nsi
ka:
"Ihav
etogonow"
.
Khulani
:"YouseewhatI'
mtalki
ngabout?Youcan'
t
evenresti
npeacebecauseyouworklat
e".
Nsi
ka:
"What
everman"
.
Hecl
i
ckedhi
stongueandt
ookof
f,Khul
ani
didnot
seeasingleproblem wi
thwhathewasdoi ng,
Mapuledidnotcal l
fort
woday swhichgaveKhulani
enoughti
met or est,
earl
yinthemorni
ngher ecei
ved
acallf
rom her,t
wohour slat
erherdri
verwas
outsi
depicki
nghi m up.
Hewentatherhouse.
Mapul
e:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khulani
:"I
'
m cool
,whydi
dn'
tyoucal
lthesepastf
ew
days?".
Mapule:
"Youarenotmyboyfri
endremember?Ical
l
youwhenev
erIneedyourser
vicesandi
fIdon'
t,I
don'
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"Fai
renough"
.
Shel
ookedathi
m.
Mapul
e:"Ar
eyoucat
chi
ngf
eel
i
ngs"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iknowmyt
ypeMapul
e".
Mapul
e:"AndI
'
m not
?".
Khul
ani
:"Youar
eol
d".
Mapul
e:"Andi
tIwasn'
t?
".
Khul
ani
:"Youar
est
il
lnotmyt
ype"
Shehal
flaughed.
.
Mapul
e:"Therei
ssomet
hingabouty
ou,
Ijustdon'
t
knowwhatiti
s".
Khulani
:"Ev
erygir
lIusedt
osl
eepwithendedup
fal
l
ingforme,youarenott
hef
ir
stone".
Shelaughed,shewasr eal
l
yamazedbyt hisyoung
man..hehalflaughedtoherl
ips.
.hetaughtherso
manyt hi
ngssexually
,hist
ouch,thewayheki ssed
herwasjustmagi cal
.Shefel
thim andsheneeded
moreofhim.
Khulani pull
edupherdr essashishandt r
ailedall
overherbody ,Mapule'sbeautif
ulbodymadeKhul ani
forgetthatshewasol d,assoonasherbodyst ar
ted
tojerkandshuddert ohercl i
max, hefoundhi mself
astonishinglymoved-l ikethemusi cthatsur pri
ses
you,heki ssedandpl ayedwi thhertongue.Hepul l
ed
downherunder wear, shehelpedhi m ashe
undressedhi mself.Hebegant okisshergent l
y
rubbingherni ppl
eswi thhislefthand...hest r
oked
herandki ssedbetweenherl egsrubbi ng,pokingon
herpr i
vatepart
..heinvit
edhi msel
finandst
arted
entrusti
ng,minuteslatertheywereholdi
ngeach
othertryi
ngtocat chtheirbreat
h.
Mapul
e:"Thi
siswhatIal
way
swant
ed"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
?".
Mapul
e:"Tohav
esext
hatIact
ual
l
yenj
oy"
.
Khulaniwantedtoaskhersomanyquest
ionsabout
herloveli
febuthekeptqui
et,
herl
i
fewasnonofhi s
concern.Aphonerang.
Mapul
e:"Hel
l
o".
Shekeptqui
etl
i
steni
ngt
otheper
sonont
hephone.
Mapul
e:"What
?NoI
'
m comi
ng"
.
Shestoodupsear
chi
ngforhercl
othes,
Asconf used
asKhulani
was,heal
sostooduptogetdressed.
Khul
ani
:"I
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?".
Mapul
e:"Ihav
etogo,
thedr
iverwi
l
ltakey
ouhome"
.
Shehur
ri
edl
ytookherchequepadandwr
otedown
Khul
ani
'
spayment.
Khul
ani
:"Youmadeami
staket
hisi
s230k"
.
Mapul
e:"Letmesee"
.
Shecheckedi
t.
Mapule:
"Don'
tyouthi
nkyouthi
nkthaty
oudeser
ve
i
t?Godisonyoursi
deIhavenevermadeany
mist
akewit
hmoney".
Khul
ani
:"Youar
eri
ch,
Ideser
vei
tinsomanyway
s".
Hesai
dchuckl
i
ng.
Mapul
e:"Good,
youcangonow"
.
Shewasinahurry,
Khul
ani
wenthomef
indi
nghi
s
brot
hercooki
ng.
Khul
ani
:"Whyar
eyoucooki
ngwheny
ourbr
otheri
s
ri
ch?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Mov
epl
ease"
.
Khul
ani
:"Jeal
ousydoesn'
tsui
tyou,
look"
.
Het
ookouthi
scheque.
Nsi
ka:
"Yoursugarmamagav
eyout
his?Why
?".
Khul
ani
:"Isat
isf
yhert
hat
'
swhy
,Iwasshockedbut
heythel
adydi
dn'
tmi
ndatal
l
,wewi
l
lchangei
tfi
rst
thi
ngint
hemorni
ng"
.
Nsika:
"Idon'
ttr
ustthi
swoman,
evenar
ichper
son
cannotgi
veyouthi
smuchmoney".
Khulani
:"Shei
shappywit
hmyservices,
shutupand
l
etusenjoythi
smoney,i
t'
sChr
ist
masnextweekI
thi
nkweshouldsendmom money".
Nsika:
"That
'sagoodi
dea,
Itr
iedcal
l
ingt
hatguyof
yoursMphobuthi
sphonei
soff"
.
Khul
ani
:"Letmet
ryhi
m".
Hetookouthi
sphoneanddi
all
edhi
snumber
s,t
he
phonewasoff
.
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sof
f".
Nsi
ka: "Thatguyi
sascam,heranoffwi
thour
cl
othes,phoneandmoney,
Ican'tbel
i
evewetr
ust
ed
astranger"
.
Khul
ani
:"Every
thi
nghesai
dfeltsotrue,
Ifeelso
st
upi
drightnow.Andi
easi
lyfel
lforhistr
icks"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Thej
okei
sonhi
mfordoi
ngt
hist
ous"
.
.
.
.
.
Theycal l
edNoma, shewasst il
langrybuthear ing
thei
rvoiceswasal lsheev erwant ed.Thef ol
lowi ng
weekt heysentherl otsofmoneyev enthoughshe
pret
endednott owanti t
,theyknewt hatdeepdown
sheneededi t
.Dayspassed, Mapul enevercal led
Khulani,t
heywer ebot hacceptedatWi tsuniv ersit
y
andNsi kadidnotqui thi
sj obattheRest aurantBar ,
hestil
lwor kedparttime.
Khul
ani
:"Hi
sphonei
sst
il
lof
f".
Nsi
ka:
"Whosephone?
".
Khul
ani
:"Thatguy
sphone,
Mpho"
.
Nsika:"I
t'
sFebruar
y,don'
ttel
lmet
haty
ouar
est
il
l
t
hinkingaboutt
hatscam bag".
Khul
ani
:"Ihadhi
ghHope'
sthat
'swhy
".
Nsi
ka:
"For
getabouthi
m".
Hewashappythatatl
asthehadfoundhi
sfami
l
y
butal
lhi
sHopeswereturneddown.
Nsi
ka'
sphoner
ang.
Nsi
ka:
"Sur
e".
Tr
ust:
"Dudecanyouandy
ourbr
othercomet
omy
pl
ace,i
t'
sur
gent
".
Nsi
ka:
"Now?Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Tr
ust
:"pl
easecomenow"
.
Hehangedup.
Nsi
ka:
"Tr
ustwant
stoseeusnow"
.
Khul
ani
:"Why
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Hesai
dit
'
sur
gent
".
Theygott hemselvesanuberwhi
chdr
oppedthem at
Trust'
splace,whenheopenedadoorthr
eeman
wereseatedont hecouch,t
heoneweari
ngl
ikea
businessmanst oodup.
Nsi
ka:
"Whati
sgoi
ngon?
".
Man1:
"Zul
u'
s".
Heshookhisheadcl
icki
nghi
stongue,
theboy
s
l
ookedateachother
.
Man1:
"You,
leav
e!"
.
Hedi
rect
edt
oTr
ust
,Tr
ustl
eftt
her
oom.
Man1:"List
enhereyoutwo,Iwanty
out
oleav
ethi
s
ci
tyandnevercomeback".
Khul
ani
:"Whoar
eyout
otel
lust
hat
?".
Man1:"Youdon'twantt
oknow,
gobackt
o
wher
everyoucamefrom".
Nsika:
"Ify
oudon'
tst
opt
hreat
eni
ngus,
Iwi
l
lrepor
t
youtothepol
i
ce"
.
Themanl
aughedatt
hem.
Man1:"Don'
twast
eyourener
gy,
getoutoft
hisci
ty
i
fyoust
il
lwantt
oli
ve"
.
Hesaidt
hatandtheywal
kedoutl
eav
ingt
heboy
s
scar
edandconfused.
Nsi
ka:
"Whoar
ethesemen?
".
Tr
ust
:"Idon'
tknowt
hem,
theyt
hreat
enedme"
.
Khul
ani
:"St
opl
yi
ngmaar
n!"
.
Trust:"Whywoul
dIsendpeopletoyouyou?Pl
ease
don'taccusemeoft
hingsIdon'
tknow,Iknewt
hat
helpi
ngy ouwoul
dbe-
".
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
let
'sgo"
.
Theywentbacktothei
rpl
ace,
assoonast
hey
arr
ived,
theyhear
daknock.
Mpho:
"Itwashar
dtoconv
incet
hesecur
it
yguy
sto
l
etmein"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Nsi
ka:
"Youhav
ethener
ves-I
-"
.
Mpho:
"Noonebel
ievedmewhenItol
dthem about
t
hetwoofyou,
Iam heret
otakey
oubothhome" .
Nsi
ka:
"Wear
enotgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou"
.
Mpho: "I
fyoubothdon'
tmakei tthi
sweekend,going
tothathousewil
lbepoi
ntless,yourgrandf
atherhas
cal
ledapower f
ultr
adi
ti
onal healert
omakey our
uncletheheadoftheMothupi cl
an".
Khul
ani
:"Wedon'
tcar
e!"
.
Mpho:
"Pleasedoi
tforKgosi,y
ouar
etheheadof
t
heMothupicl
annooneelse"
.
Nsika:"Wedon'twantany
thingbutcl
eansi
ng,they
cantakeever
ythingwedon'tcar
ebecauseiti
snot
ours".
Mpho:
"Fineyouwill
getwhatyouwantbutpl
ease
comewit
hme, wecanleaveearl
yint
hemorni
ngthe
cer
emonywil
lstar
taroundnoon"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nowear
enotgoi
ng"
.
Mpho:
"Youwi
lldoy
ourcl
eansi
ngbutonl
yify
ou
comewit
hme"
.
Khulani
:"Sor
ryman,
wedon' tt
rustany
onenow,
special
l
yamanwhodi sappear
edfortwomonths"
.
Mpho:"OkayIunderst
and,canIst
ayheref
ort
he
ni
ght
?Iwilll
eavefi
rstt
hinginthemor
ning"
.
Theyl
ookedateachot
her
.
Nsi
ka:
"Justf
ort
oni
ght
".
Hethankedt
hem andsatdown, t
heboysboughta
coupl
eofbeersanddrankthei
rstr
essaway,Mpho
di
dnottouchhisdr
ink,hepour
edsomethingthat
wasinthebot
tl
eintheirdr
inkswi
thoutt
hem
not
ici
ng.Theboysdrankandfel
lasl
eep.
Mpho:"Iknewthi
swoul
dhappen,
that
'swhyI
br
oughtthi
s".
Hewait
edunt
ili
twasdar
kout
sideandwentt
othe
guar
ds.
Mpho:"Di
dyoumakesur
ethatt
heCamer
a'sar
e
of
f?"
.
Mphohadal lthispl
anned,heknewt hattheboy swil
l
nottrusthim oragreetocomewi thhim, he
organizedtransportandspoketotheguar dsincase
convincingtheboy swil
lnotwork.Theyhelpedhi m
putti
ngt heboy sinthet
ruck,t
hemanhehi red
star
teddr i
ving.Aroundtwointhemor ningtheywer e
atNor ther
nCape.
Mpho:
"Mama,
Ma!
".
Heknockedsev
eral
timesandhi
smot
heropened.
Her
:"Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom att
hishour
?".
Mpho:
"Pl
easecomeandhel
pmeMa"
.
Hi
smot
herandt
hedr
iverhel
pedhi
m gett
heboy
sto
bed.
Her
:"Whoar
ethey
?".
Mpho:"Whatt heyaregoingt odotomorrowwill
bri
ngbadl uckinthi
sv i
l
lage,theycan'
tbl
indt
he
ancest
ors,Baruti
cannotbet hechiefoft
hisv
il
lage,
heisnottheMot hupison".
Her:"Wehavetomovefr
om here,Barut
iwil
lal
so
makeourli
vesali
vi
nghel
l,Ican'
tstayunderhi
s
rul
i
nginthi
svil
l
ageohpoorKgosi Iwonderwhat
happenedt
ohim".
Mpho:
"Kgosi mightbenotherebuthi
sbl
oodi
s,I
f
oundhissons,PulaandPulane"
.
Her
:"Thesear
eKgosi
'
ssons?
".
Mpho:"Icouldn'
tbel
iev
eitatf
ir
stbutev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
l
ber
evealedtomorrow".
Her
:"Baruti
wil
lki
ll
you,gett
hem outofmyhouse!I
f
heeverf
indoutt
hattheysl
epther
e-"
.
Mpho:"Noonewil
lfi
ndout,Kgosiwasli
keabrother
t
ome, Iowethi
stohim andtothepeopleoft
his
vi
l
lage,t
hei
rri
ghtf
ulper
sonhast obecrowned
t
omor
rownotabast
ardchi
l
d".
Her
:"Whati
ftheyar
enot
?".
Mpho:
"Ibel
i
evet
hatt
heyar
e".
Hi
smot
herwentcl
osert
othem andl
ookedatt
hem.
Her
:"Ican'
tbebanishedfrom t
hisv
il
lagebecause
ofy
ou,Iwantthem out!
".
.
.
-Mot
hupi
Fami
l
y

"No,Isai
dt heblackcowwill
besl
aughter
ednow
bef
oredawnandt hewhit
eonewil
lbeslaught
ered
bytheChiefhimself
".Anoldmanspoke,t
headviser
oft
heMot hupi f
amily.
"Wecan'tf
indt
hecows"
.Av
il
lageboyt
oldt
he
adv
iser
.
"Whatdoyoumeanyoucan'
tfi
ndthecows?We
needtosl
aught
ert
wocowsbeforethesuncomes
out"
.Hesai
drunni
ngt
othekraal
,i
twasempt y
,ther
e
wasnosi
gnofanycows.
"Findi
t!Getallt
heboysoft hi
sv i
ll
age,t
hechief
cannotfindoutaboutt
his"
.Hewasf uming,
thecows
cannotjustdi
sappearl
ikethat
,ithasnever
happenedbefore.
"Thisi
sasignofbadluck,
theancest
orsareangry
".
Aft
ersayi
ngthosel
astwords,hewentinsi
dethe
house.

.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
.
AdminNote: Darl
ingsI'
m sorr
yfordisappeari
ngand
notsayi
ngawor d,Iam busyl
ikecrazy,Idon'
tknow
howlongittookmet ofi
nishthi
sinsert
.Iam very
busybutIhav enotabandonedy ouguys,thankyou
f
ory
ourpat
ience.
[
3/8,
14:
30]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[11]
.
.
{
Unedi
ted}
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Thesunwasshi ni
ngbright,
itwaswhatpeople
wouldcal
laper fectweatherbutf
ortheMothupi'
sit
wasnotaper fectweather,t
heyexpectedaheavy
rai
northundershower stoshowt hatt
heancestor
s
arehappywiththeceremonybuti twastheopposit
e.
Mphowasst
il
lathi
smot
her
shouse.
Mpho:
"Theyhav
etobeupbynow"
.
Hi
smot herwasmakingbr
eakfastforthei
rvi
sit
ors
t
hatshedidnotapprov
eof.Mphot ookthetr
ayto
t
heoutsideroom t
heywer
esleepingat.
Mpho:
"Heywakeup!Khul
ani
!"
.
Theybot
hmov
ed.
Mpho:
"Wakeup!
".
Khul
ani
li
ft
eduphi
shead,
itwasheav
y.
Khul
ani
:"Whatar
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
e?"
.
Hestoodupandl
ookedar
ound,
thi
swasnott
hei
r
pl
ace.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kawakeup!
".
Nsi
ka:
"What
?".
Mpho:"Mymom madebl ackt
eaI
'
m sur
eitwi
l
lhel
p
wi
ththeheadacheand-
".
Khul
ani
:"Yourwhat
?Wher
ear
ewe?
".
Nsikast
oodupandcheckedout
side,
hedi
dnot
knowthepl
ace.
Nsi
ka:
"Whatt
hehel
ldi
dyoudot
ous?
".
Theyt
ri
edfi
ghti
nghim butMphoj
ustkepthi
scal
m
anddi
dnotfi
ghtback.
Mpho:"WhatIdidi
swrongbuti
tisfort
hebest
,thi
s
i
syourchancetofi
ndy
ourfat
hersfamil
y".
Khul
ani
:"Weshoul
dbecal
l
ing-
".
Mpho:"St
opact
ingl
ikeachil
d,Iwon'
teaty
ou,
eat
,I
wi
llpr
epar
eyouhotwater
".
Hel
eftt
hem speechl
ess,
theywer
eangr
yathi
m.
Khul
ani:
"Ihav
eaf
eel
i
ngt
hatt
hisi
snotev
enour
fami
ly
".
Nsika:"Youar et
heonewhobr oughtt
hismani
nto
ourli
ves,thi
sisally
ourfaul
t,y
oualwaysthi
nky
ou
knowev eryt
hingandyouarethemasterof
everyt
hing".
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyouser
iousl
ybl
ami
ngme?
".
Nsika:"Whoel
setobl
ame?Getusoutofher
e
becauseyesI
'm bl
ami
ngyou".
Khulanidi
dnotwanttoarguewi
thhisbr
other,
he
threwthecupful
loft
eaont hef
loor
.Hewor ehis
shoesandwentoutsi
de,hedidnotr
ecogni
zet he
place.
Mpho:
"Youandyourbr
otherwi
lll
eav
esoon,ifyou
ar
enotaMothupi
eventoni
ghty
ouhav el
eav
e" .
Khul
ani
:"Wedi
dnotasky
out
obr
ingusher
e".
HepunchedMphosev eral
times,Mpho'smother
cameoutsi
derunni
ngandscr eaming.Khul
ani
want
edtofini
shhim off
,hewasf uri
ous.
Mpho:
"Mom l
eav
ehi
m,Iexpect
edt
his"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wewantt
ogobackhome!
".
Mpho:
"Youar
ehome,
wehav
etogobef
oret
he
cer
emony
".
Khul
ani
:"Wear
enotgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou!
".
Mpho: "Yousaidyoualsoneedy
ourf
athersfamil
y
sothi
si stheperf
ectti
metoknowift
heyarey our
famil
yornot ,wehavetogonowyouspentenough
ti
mesleepi ng"
.
Hekeptquiet
,hewasstil
lannoyedbutMphowas
st
ubborn,
hedi dnotev
enraisehisvoi
ceathi
m.
.
.
-Mot
hupi
Fami
l
y

Thesunwasoutandt hehy pewasv eryhigh,

everyonewaswher etheyneededt obe,thevil
lage
womenpeel i
ngandpr eparingsorghum beer,except
fortheboyswhower esupposedt olookaf t
erthe
cows, t
hefi
rstceremonywhi chwassupposedt obe
heldinthemiddleofthenightdidnothappen
becauset
hecowsescaped.
"Don'
tworry
,IhavesentThut
otobuythecowsthat
weneed,hemustbeonhi swayback"
.Thevi
ll
age
advi
soremphasi
zed.
Hewasintheancest
ralr
oom withBar
uti
,hi
smot
her
MmeMot hupiandKgosi
galeMothupi
whowas
namesaf
terthei
rsmallv
il
lage.
Kgosigal
e:"Ihaveneverhear
doft
hisevenwhenmy
fat
herwasst i
ll
ali
ve,t
hecowscannotj
ustdi
sappear
,
theancestor
sareangry".
MmeMot hupi
:"Ther
eisnosucht
hing,
cowsalway
s
di
sappear
s,mysonsceremonywi
l
lconti
nue"
.
Barut
i:"Mme,maybeweshoul
dcal
lMmeMmol
oki
shewillt
ell
uswhatneedst
obedone"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Hur
ry,
goandcal
lher
".
Hehur
ri
edl
ylef
tther
oom.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ihav
eabadf eel
ingaboutt
his,
may be
weshoul
dpostponet
hisceremony,weneed-"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Never!Doyouwantustobet he
l
aughi
ngstockofthi
sv i
ll
age?Whowil
lrespectus
whenwepostponeitnow?Youarenotseri
ous,my
soni
stheri
ghtf
ulchiefoft
hisv
il
lage,
heistheonl
y
sonyouhav
eleftwit
h".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Peoplewi
llal
wayshav
esomet
hingto
say,
Cowsdisappear
anceisasi
gnofbadl
uck"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Ther
eisnosucht
hingasbadl
uck,
shhhhh,
theyarecoming"
.
Hi
swif
eisnoteasi
lyconv
inced,
hekeptqui
et
wat
chi
ngBarut
iseati
ngdown.
Mmol
oki
:"I
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?".
Kgosi
gale:"Cowsdi
sappear
edl
astni
ght
,isi
tasi
gn
ofbadluck?"
.
Mmoloki:"Someonest
olethecows,
myancestor
s
weregoingtoshowmeiftherei
ssomet
hingbad,
t
hisceremonywill
beasuccess".
MmeMot hupi
:"Yousee,Itoldyou,thankyouMme
Mmol oki
,Iwanttocheckifever
y t
hingisgoing
accor
dinglyout
side,
lot
sofi mportantpeopl
ear e
i
nvit
ed".
Bar
uti
:"Ihav
etocheckonmysui
t"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"St
aybehi
ndBar
uti
".
Henoddedhisheadandwai
tedf
orhi
smot
herand
Mmolokit
oleavether
oom.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ar
eyour
eady
?".
Bar
uti
:"YesIam f
ather
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Good,
howi
sthecompanydoi
ng?
".
Bar
uti
:"Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sgood,
wegotanot
herdeal
in
I
ndi
a".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Howdi
dyoul
oset
heSwazi
l
and
cont
ract
".
Barut
i:"Theydon'
twantt
opayfat
her
,wegivethem
thebestproducti
nthewor
ldandt
heyexpect
-"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Youdon' tj
ustcancel
thecont
ractBar
uti
,
younegotiate,WelostsomuchandKgosi hel
pedus
andmadet hiscompanythewayitisnow,i
fIhear
thaty
oulostanot hercont
ractwewill
haveaseri
ous
probl
em".
Bar
uti
:"I
twi
l
lnothappenagai
n".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Good,
thi
scer
emonywi
l
lbeasuccess,
y
ouhaveall
myblessi
ngbutwehav et
owor
ryabout
t
hebi
gceremony
,theoff
ici
alone"
.
Bar
uti
:"Thedat
ewi
l
lbeannouncedt
oday
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Yes,
wedon'
twantt
owast
emor
eti
me"
.
Theadv
isorBabol
oki
camei
n.
Babol
oki
:"YourGr
ace,
thecowshav
ear
ri
ved"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Thati
sgoodnews,
Comeson"
.
Theyfoll
owedeachot
herout
side,
Fourcowswer
e
st
il
linthebakki
e.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Weneedt hesetwoti
ed,wewil
l now
per
for
mt heceremonyt hatweweresupposedtodo
i
nthemiddleoft heni
ght,Babol
okigett
heinsence
andacupofsor ghum beer"
.
Babol
i
ki:
"YourGr
ace"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Barut
itellt
heseboyst
otakethesecows
i
nsidethekral
landtiethesetwowit
harope,Ihave
tochangetheseclothes".
Bar
uti
inst
ruct
edtheboysandfoll
owedhisfather
i
nsi
dethemainhousetoalsochangehi
sclothes,he
wasveryhappyt
hatev
ery
thi
ngwasf
all
i
ngt
oget
her
,
hechangedtohi
str
ackpant
s.
MmeMot
hupi
:"CanIcomei
n?"
.
Bar
uti
:"Comei
n".
MmeMot hupi
:"Youlookhappy
,I'
m gl
adt
hat
ev
ery
thi
ngisfall
i
ngintopl
acenow".
Barut
i:"I
'
m happytoomot
her
,Ican'
tbel
i
evet
hat
thi
sdayisfi
nall
yhere"
.
MmeMot hupi:
"Youar
etheri
ght
ful
personf
orthi
s
t
hrone,l
ookathowyouar
erunni
ngthecompany,
whenisever
yonear
ri
vi
ng?"
.
Barut
i:"I
'
m sur
ebefor
ethecer
emonystar
ts,
Ihav
e
tocheckonfat
her
,hemustbewai
ti
ng".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Al
ri
ghtgoon"
.
Shewasaver
yproudmother
, shesmil
edseei
nghi
s
sonwal
ki
ngtoperf
orm hi
sfi
rstceremony
.
Bar
uti
:"Babol
oki
wher
eisf
ather
?".
Babol
oki
:"Hei
sst
il
li
nhi
sroom"
.
Bar
uti
wai
tedf
orhi
m,hewasi
mpat
ient
,her
ant
ohi
s
f
ather
sroom andcal
l
edf
rom out
side.
Bar
uti
:"Fat
herwear
ewai
ti
ngf
ory
ou"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iwi
l
lbewi
thy
ouj
ustnow"
.
Bar
uti
:"Okayf
ather
".
Kgosigalewasdonechanginghi scl
othesbut
somet hi
ngwaswr ong,hemov edfrom thecl
osetto
thedoorandf el
lonthefl
oor,t
hishadnev er
happenedbefore,hehadnodiseaset hatheknew
off,
hewasonhi searl
yfi
ft
iesandheal t
hy,heeven
l
ookedy oungerthanthat
.Hetriedgetti
ngupbuthis
l
egsf ail
edhi
m, hedidnotfeel
anypai nbuthedid
notmov e.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Thegr
eatMot
hupi
,whati
shappeni
ngt
o
me?".
Het ri
edmov ingbuthecoul dnot,hecouldnotwal k
atall,
hescr eamedi nfrust
rat
ionbutnoonecoul d
hearhimi nt hatthir
tyroom doublestoryhouse.
Theywer et herichestpeopleinthevil
lagebutthey
tr
iedwi t
hingt heirbesttomakeev ery
onei nthei
r
vi
llageli
veabet terl
ife,
noonewaspoorbutt hey
wer etherichest.
Kgosit
ookhisfat
hersbusi
nessfr
om thegroundata
ver
yyoungageandmadei twhatiti
stoday
, hi
s
deat
hhauntedhisfat
hereachandevery
day.
Mmemot
hupi
:"Bar
uti
needsy
ouout
side-
".
Sheopenedthedoorf
indi
nghi
shusbandi
ntear
s,
shehadneverseenhi
m cr
y.
Mmemot hupi
:"Thecowscol
l
apsedoutsi
de,
the
cowsar
edeadwehav etodosomethi
ng".
Helookedather
,hef
eltl
i
kepunchi
ngherf
ace,
he
f
eltannoyed.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ican'
twal
k".
MmeMothupi
:"Whatdoy oumeany oucan'twalk?I
t
i
smyson'
sceremonytoday,GetupKgosigale!
".
Tear
srol
l
eddown,
hef
eltsol
i
ttl
e.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Pl
easehel
pmeup,
Ineedt
ogett
obed"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Mysoniswor
ri
edsickaboutt
his
cer
emonyandy ouwantt
osl
eep?Ial
waysknewt hat
youhat
ehim-"
.
Shest
oppedwhenshenot
icedbl
ood,
Kgosi
gal
ewas
cr
yingbl
ood.
MmeMot hupi:
"Whatishappeningt
oyou?Bar
uti
!
Babol
oki
,hel
p!Pleasedon'
tdothist
ome,don'
t
cl
oseyoureyesonme".
Kgosi
gal
estaredather
,hi
sey
escryi
ngbl
ood,he
wasnotmovingandMmeMot hupi
wascry
ingher
l
ungsout.
.
.
.
.
.

Khul
ani
:"Hesay
s-"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
tcar
ewhathesay
s,Iam goi
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Weneedhi
shelp,
wehavenomoneyand
wedon'
tevenknowwher
eweare"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Iam supposedt
obeatwor
knowandi
fI
l
oset
hisj
oby
ouwi
l
lknowwhoIam"
.
Khulani
:"St
optreat
ingmel
i
keI
'
mtheonewhot
old
thi
sguytokidnapus".
Nsika:"Youaretheonewhobroughthi
mtoourl
i
ves,
Idon'tevenknowwhattoexpectf
rom y
ouany
more".
Khul
ani
:"What
?".
Nsika:"Youareaprost
it
ute,
yousl eepwithwoman
formoney !WhatmorecanIexpectfrom you?You
arenott hesameKhul
aniIgr
ewupwi t
h,youar
enot
mybr other,
maybeyouwereenjoyingsleepi
ngwith
MrMbat haandyoumademeaf ool,Inowhave
bloodinmyhandsbecauseofy ou!Wear ealwaysin
troubl
ebecauseofyou!
".
Khulanil
ookedathimindisbel
ief
,hedidnotf i
ght
hi
m, hewashur tt
hathisbrot
herthoughttheworst
ofhim.Hewentt owhereMphoandhi smotherwere,
hepulleduptheknif
ethathetookont hekit
chen
counterandpoint
editatMpho.
Khul
ani
:"Wewantt
ogonow!
".
Mpho:
"I-
".
Khul
ani
:"I
fyoudon'
tdoi
t-
".
Mpho'
smot her
:"Pl
easedon'thurtmyson,
Iwi
l
lgi
ve
youal
lthemoneythatIhav
e,please"
.
Khul
ani
:"Gi
vemeal
lofi
tot
her
wise-
".
Hismotherr
antot
hebedr
oom andcameoutwitha
coupl
eofhundr
edsofr
ands,
hecaref
ull
ytookt
he
money.
Khul
ani
:"I
fyoudar
efol
l
owme,
Iwi
l
lki
l
lyou"
.
Theybot
hkeptqui
et,
her
ant
otheot
herr
oom.
Khul
ani:
"Let
'sgo,
wewi
l
laskf
ordi
rect
ionsont
he
st
reet
s".
Nsi
kaf
oll
owedhi
m.
Mpho:"Pl
easedon'
tdot
his,
thati
smymom'
slast
money
".
Theyi
gnor
edhi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Heret
aket
hismoney
,wewi
l
lmeetatt
he
pent
house"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youst
ayi
ngbehi
nd?
".
Khulani
:"I
'
m sureyoudon'twanttobei nthesame
taxi
wi t
hapersonwhosleepswi t
hwomanf or
moneyandIcan'tevenbeli
evethatyou,myown
brot
hertol
dmet hatIenj
oyedsleepi
ngwi ththatman,
doyouknowwhathur tst
hemost ?Itrustedyou".
Nsi
ka:
"St
opact
ingl
i
keababy
".
Khul
ani
:"Excuseme?
".
Hewasf
rustr
ated,
hesawhi
msel
fthr
owi
ngpunch
onhi
sbr
other.
Nsi
ka:"Whatthehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?Iam sor
ryokay
!
Iwasangr
y".
Khulani
:"Yoursecr
etsarealwayssafewit
hme,I
haveneverusedthem agai
nstyou,notev
enonce!
Youdisgustme,Ihateyou!
".
Nsi
ka:
"Isai
dI'
m sor
ry,
itcameoutwr
ong"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whenwegett
ojo'
burgI
'
m mov
ingoutand
Inev
erwantt
oseeyouagai
n".
Nsi
kakeptqui
et,
hedidnotmeantosaywhathe
sai
dtohi
m, hewassorr
y,her
egret
tedever
ysingl
e
wordhesai
d.Khul
aniwaswalki
ngfarf
rom hi
m.No
carscameorpeopl
ebutt
heykeptwal
ki
ngnot
knowingwher
etheywer
egoing.
.
.
-
Mot
hupi
fami
l
y

Kgosi
galewasunconci
ous,hewassick,
theydi
dnot
knowwhatmadehim sicksosuddenl
y.Hiswi
fe,
Barut
iandMmolokiwerebyhissi
de.
MmeMot hupi
:"Weshoul
dtakehi
mtot
hehospi
tal
,I
can'
twat
chhim di
e".
Mmol
oki
:"Hewi
l
lnotdi
e,Iwi
l
lgi
vehi
m-"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Donotgi
vemyhusbandanythi
ng,
youshoul
dhaveseent
hisbef
orei
tevenhappened"
.
Barut
i:"Mom cal
m down,
wedon'
twantpeopl
eto
fi
ndoutaboutthi
s".
MmeMot hupi
:"Theywil
lfi
ndoutbecauseweneed
t
ocal
lthehospit
alBar
uti
".
Bar
uti
:"MmeMmol
oki
canwet
alkf
oramoment
".
Shenodded,
Bar
uti
ledhert
ohi
sfat
her
ssmal
ldi
ning
area.
Bar
uti
:"Whati
shappeni
ngt
ofat
her
?".
Mmol
oki:"Theancest
orsdi
dnotshowmeany
thi
ng,
hewi
l
lrecover
".
Barut
i:"Hi
ssuddenil
lnessi
sdelay
ingmyceremony,
theceremonyneedstostar
tbef
oreever
yoneeven
mycousinsstar
tsarr
ivi
ng".
Mmol
oki
:"Iwi
l
ldoev
ery
thi
ngt
omakehi
mrecov
er"
.
Barut
i:"Hewil
lnotrecov
ernowortoday
,iffat
her
doesn'
tmakeit,whatwil
lhappent
othi
svil
lage
becauseheissti
ll
achief?"
.
Mmol
oki:"Youwi
l
lhav
etot
aket
het
hrone
i
mmediat
ely"
.
Baruti
:"Andtakef
ull
owner
shi
pofMot
hupi
Gol
d,
i
nterest
ing"
.
Het
houghtt
ohi
msel
f.
..

Mmol
oki
:"Butl
et'
snott
hinkabout
-"
.
Baruti
:"Iknowal lyoursecrets,
all
thedir
tyworky
ou
havedonef ormymot her,
ifyoucan'tdowhatIwi
ll
tel
lyoutodo, yourhousewi ll
godownt oasheswit
h
youandy ourfamilyinsi
de".
Mmol
oki
:"Whathav
eIdonenow?
".
Barut
i:"Let'
schangethatto,whatar
eyougoingto
donow?Li stencar
eful
ly,i
fanyonefi
ndsoutabout
thi
s,yourhousewill
sti
llburn"
.
Mmol
oki
:"Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou"
.
Bar
uti
:"Formewho?
".
Mmol
oki
:"MrBar
uti
".
Bar
uti
:"Wr
ong"
.
Mmoloki
:"You-y
ouwantt
o-(
shestoppedand
apol
ogi
zed)myapol
ogi
esChi
efBar
uti"
.
Bar
uti
:"Thatti
tlechangednow, ther
ewill
beno
Chi
efi
nt hi
svil
lageany more,cal
lmeKingBarut
i,I
wantt
obur ymyf athernextweekSunday,gi
vehi
m
somet
hingthatwi l
leathim sl
owlytodeat
h".
Mmol
oki
:"But
-"
.
Bar
uti
:"Iwanti
tdonef
rom t
oday
".

.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
.
.
HeydarlingsasIsai
dbef
ore,
Iam very,
verybusybut
Iam tr
yingmybesttokeepupwit
ht hepage.thank
youforthesupport
[
3/8,
14:
31]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[12]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Somet imeswel oseour selvesinthepr

ocessof
tr
yingt ofi
ndour sel
ves,thebr ot
herswereintherural
area,itwashardt ofi
ndaper sonwhoisjustwalking
downt hest
reet.Khulani waswalkingf
arfrom hi
s
brother,hewascer t
aint hathewasdonewi t
hhim.
Nsikar antr
yingtocat chupwi thhisbr
other.
Nsi
ka:
"Hey,i
fwewannamakei
toutofher
ewe
hav
etost
ickt
oget
her
".
Khul
ani
ignor
edhi
m.
Nsika:"Youcan'
tignor
emeforev
er,
wehavebeen
walkingfort
oolongnow,maybewearegoi
ngt
he
wrongway ".
Khulanicont
inuedwalki
ng,deepdownheknewt hat
hisbrot
herwasmaki ngsensebuthewasst ubbor
n.
Theysawacarcomi ngfr
om theothersi
de,
they
bothranshoutingandcall
i
ngwhoev erwasi
nt hecar
tohelpthem,thecarrev
ersed.
Khul
ani:
"Hi
,Wear
elost
,weneeddi
rect
ionst
o
Jo'
burg"
.
Dri
ver:"Att
hist
ime?Youonl
yfi
ndtaxi
stoJobur
g
earl
yinthemorni
ngnotnowbutyoucanf
indonein
town".
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
ecanwef
indt
axi
stot
own?
".
Dri
ver
:"Youaref
arf
rom thet
axi
rankandyouare
goi
ngthewrongway
,ify
ouarenotinahur
ryIcan
gi
veyouali
ft"
.
Khul
ani
:"No,
wear
enoti
nahur
ry"
.
Dr
iver
:"Iam l
eav
ingf
orj
obur
glat
e,geti
nsi
de"
.
Heopenedthedoor
s,t
hatwasarel
ieff
orthem,t
he
dr
iverwasaver
ycoolper
son,
thecardrov
eoff.
.
-Mot
hupi
fami
l
y

MmeMot hupi
:"Mmol
oki,
yourmedi
ci
newi
l
lnothel
p
hi
m,heneedsadoct
or"
.
Mmol
oki
:"Thi
sist
hebestmedi
ci
ne,
itwi
l
lhel
phi
m".
MmeMot hupi
:"TheGuestsar
est
art
ingt
oar
ri
ve,
I
don'
tknowwhattotel
lthem"
.
Baruti
:"Iwi
ll
welcometheguest
s,don'
twor
ryj
ust
focusontaki
ngcareofdad"
.
Mmoloki
:"Youal
soneedtogetready
,whatwil
l
peopl
esaywhentheydon'
tseet
hebothofyou?"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Ican'
tl
eav
emyhusband"
.
Mmol
oki
:"Hei
singoodhands,
justgetr
eadyand
goout
side"
.
Shenodded,
Mmol
oki
hadenought
imet
ost
arther
work.
.
.
.
.
Dr
iver
:"YouspeakZul
u,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Khul
ani
:"We-
".
Nsi
ka:"I
twasanightoutwi
thouruni
ver
sit
yfr
iends,
weendedupher
e".
Dri
ver
:"Al
waysberesponsi
blewhengoingout,
what
i
fsomethi
ngbadhappenstothebothofyou"
.
Nsi
ka:"Wewer
eir
responsi
blel
ast
,ar
eyouf
rom
her
e?"
.
Driv
er:
"Notreal
l
ybutIcomehereoften,
afamil
y
fr
iendhasapart
ytoday
,that
'swher
ewear egoi
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wecan'
tgot
oapar
ty,
lookatus"
.
Dri
ver
:"Iwon'
tstaylong,
youwil
lbothstayinthecar
i
fyouwantto,Iwil
ldropapr
esentandleave..Idon'
t
l
ikecr
owds".
Theynodded,theycont
inuedtal
ki
nganddr
ewaway
fr
om theconversat
ionwhentheysawanenor
mous
doubl
estoryhouse.
Khul
ani
:"Peopl
eli
veher
e?"
.
Dri
ver
:"I
t'
sver
ybeauti
ful
,Ispentmostofmyt
ime
her
ewhenIwassti
lli
ncoll
ege".
Nsi
ka:
"It
'shuge"
.
Dri
ver:
"Yep,y
oucanst
ayinthecarifyouwantto,
buti
fyoudeci
detogoout
sidethecar,
Iwon'tl
eave
you"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Doy
ouknowwher
ethebat
hroomsar
e?"
.
Dr
iver
:"I
'm sur
ether
ear
eguestbat
hrooms,
ask
ar
ound".
HeleftKhul
ani i
nsi
dethecarwhowasst il
langryat
hi
m, ther
ewer emanypeople,hekeptonwalking
l
ookingfortheoutsi
detoi
let
sbuttheplacewasbi g,
oneladydir
ectedhiminsi
dethehouse.
Nsi
ka:
"Seconddooraf
tert
urni
ng-
".
Heconfir
medt hedir
ecti
onsbuthekeptquietwhen
hesawhowbeaut if
ulthehousewasinside,he
clear
lyf
orgotwherethetoi
l
etwas,ever
y onewas
busyrunni
ngupanddown.Nsi kawasv erytempt
ed
tocheckthehouseout.
"Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Henear
lyf
ell
ont
hegr
ound,
thev
oicescar
edhi
m.
Nsi
ka:
"GeezKhul
ani
I'
mlooki
ngf
orabat
hroom"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thatguyi
sst
il
lbusyandI
'
m sur
eitwon'
t
hur
texpl
ori
ngthebi
gcast
le"
.
Hesai
dgoi
ngupst
air
sasi
fheknewwher
ehewas
goi
ng,
Nsi
kafol
l
owedhim.
Nsi
ka:
"Lookatt
his,
thesepeopl
ear
eri
ch"
.
Theysawawomanburni
ngtheinsencewal
ki
ng
aroundt
her
oom t
alki
ng,
theyhi
d.
Nsi
ka:
"Let
'sgobackbef
oresomeoneseesus"
.
Khulani
didnotrespond,
hest
oodt
her
est
ari
ngat
thesamedirect
ion.
Khul
ani:
"Thi
spi
ctur
e,Isawi
tout
sidet
hat
'swhyI
camein".
Nsi
ka:
"Whi
chone?
".
Khul
ani:
"Thatpi
ctur
e,t
hisi
sthemanwhocamei n
mydreams,doyourememberwhenIwokeup-
".
Nsi
ka:
"Beat
eny eah,
maybeitwasj
ustadr
eam,
I
meanj
ustastr
angedream,l
et'
sgo"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wai
tthewomani
scomi
ng"
.
Theyhidbehi ndthethefi
neartst
atuethatwasther
e
fordecorati
on,theladywentdownthestair
sand
theycontinuedsearchi
ngforthet
oil
ets.Theywere
sti
llamazedbyt hebeautyofthehouse.
Nsi
ka:
"Iwi
l
lbeout
side"
.
HeExcusedhisbrothertousethebat
hroom,Nsi
ka
heardsomeonegroaninginpai
n,heconti
nued
walki
ngbuthisconsciencest
oppedhim.
Khulani:
"Doyouwannagetarr
est
ed?Whyar
eyou
snoopingar
oundi
npeople'
srooms?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"It
hinkIhear
d-di
dyouheart
hat
?".
Khul
ani
:"May
bet
heyar
ehav
ingsex"
.
Nsi
ka:
"No,
thi
sper
soni
scr
ying"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thati
snoty
ourpr
obl
em,
let
'sgo"
.
Nsi
kasl
owl
yopenedt
hedoor,
hegotashockofhi
s
l
if
ewhenhesawamancryi
ngblood.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
ka!
".
HewentcloserandsawwhatNsikawasl
ooki
ngat,
themanneededhelp.Theywenti
nsi
decl
osi
ngthe
doorbehi
ndthem.
Nsi
ka:
"Wehav
etocal
lforhel
p,t
hismani
sdy
ing"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wecan'
t,
wehav
etogo!Ther
ear
epeopl
e
comi
ng".
Theylookedar oundbutthebedwast oodownt o
hi
deunderi t,
theyopenedahugecl osetandhid
i
nsideit
.Khulani wasver
yangryathisbrother
,they
endedupi nsi
det hecl
osetbecauseofhim.The
peopl
est art
edt al
ki
ng.
Bar
uti
:"Howi
sitgoi
ng?
".
Mmol
oki
:"Iam t
ryi
ngt
o-"
.
Barut
i:"Tryhar
der!Iwanthim dead,
thi
sthronewi
l
l
notwaitformeforever.Gotoyourhousenowand
makepoi sonoranythi
ng!"
.
Mmol oki
:"Yourmot
hercannotseemel
eav
ehi
m
unsuperv
ised"
.
Bar
uti
:"Don'
twor
ryaboutmot
her
,gonow!
".
Theyheardfootstepsl
eavi
ngtheroom,minuteslater
adoorclosed.Slowlyt
heyopenedthecl
osetmaki ng
suret
hatnoonewasst i
ll
insi
detheroom exceptfor
thesi
ckman.
Nsi
ka:
"Sowegonnal
eav
ehi
m her
e?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
edoy
ouwantust
akehi
m?"
.
Nsi
ka:"Idon'
tknow,l
et'
stal
ktotheguywhohel
ped
usmaybehewi l
ldosomethi
ng,gofi
ndhi
m whil
eI
wai
there".
Khul
ani:
"Ist
il
lthi
nkweshoul
dleav
ehi
m,hei
snot
ourpr
oblem!
".
Nsi
ka:
"Geezmanj
ustgo,
thepoormani
sdy
ing"
.
Herol
ledhi
seyesandr
andownthestai
rs,
thecar
guywasnowheret
obeseenKhul
aniwentinsi
det
he
venueful
lofpeopl
ewear
ingf
ancycl
othesand
spott
edhimtalki
ngwi
thacoupl
eofguys.Hewent
tohim.
Khul
ani
:"Hi
".
Dr
iver
:"Ohhey
".
Khul
ani
:"I
-we-pl
easecomewi
thmei
t'
sbet
ween
l
if
eanddeath"
.
Dr
iver
:"Whathappened?
".
Khul
ani
:"Pl
easecomewi
thme"
.
Hedr
aggedhi
shand,
themanf
oll
owedhi
m.
Dri
ver
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nsi
det
hishouse?Do
youknowwhoownsit
?".
Khul
ani
:"Wewi
l
lex
plai
nitt
oyoul
ater
".
Theguywasshockedseei
ngChi
efKgosi
gal
e
fi
ght
ingf
orhi
slif
einhisbed.
Dr
iver
:"Weneedt
ocal
l
-".
Khul
ani
:"Wear enotcall
inganyone,weheardaman
andawomant alki
nghere,theywanthi
m dead,a
womanissenttobringpoison".
Nsi
ka:
"Wehav
etohel
phi
m".
Dri
ver
:"No,
thi
sisaver
ywel
lrespect
edmanher
e,
noonewoul
devert
ryt
ohur
thim,wehavet
ocall
-"
.
Khulani
:"No,wehavetotakehimt ot
hehospi
tal
,
thi
smanwi l
ldie,
theywanthim deadnott
otakehi
m
tothehospi
tal
".
Dr
iver
:"Ican'
thel
p,Iwi
l
lcal
lhi
sson"
.
Nsi
ka:"Thesamesonwhosai dthet
hronewil
lnot
wai
tforhi
mf orever?I'
m notsuremaybeitwashim
whosaidthatbutthismanisnotsafeandwedon't
hav
etime".
Dr
iver
:"Howdowegethi
m out
?".
Khulani
:"Yousaidyouusedtospendmostofy
our
col
legedayshere,dosomethi
ngman".
Dri
v er
:"Theremustbeabalconysomewher ehere,
I
'm notsure,
thatbal
conyhasstai
rsthattakesyouto
theprivat
egarden,
hispr
ivat
egarden.Searchforthe
balcony,Iwi
l
l t
akemycar".
Theynodded,t
hebedroom hadthr
eedoors,t
he
otherdoort
ookyoutothebathr
oom,theothert
ook
youtothesmall di
ningareawhi chhasabal cony
.
Theysawt hestair
st hattheDri
verwast alki
ngabout
.
Theyhelpedeachot hertakinghim out
side,i
twas
noteasybuttheymanaged.
Khul
ani
:"Weneedhi
scl
othes"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Noweneedt
ogo!
".
Khul
ani
:"Taket
hecarout
,Iwi
l
lfol
l
owy
ou"
.
Dr
iver
:"Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
".
Khulani
rantothestai
rsasthecarst
art
eddriv
ingof
f,
hetookagy m bagandloadedMalecl
otheshecoul
d
fi
ndont hecl
oset.
"CanIhel
pyou?
".
Hi
shear
tnear
lydr
opped,
hesl
owl
ytur
nedar
ound.
Khul
ani
:"Hi
,Iwassentt
otakethi
sbagher
ebya
guywit
hawhit
ecarIdon'
tknowhisname"
.
"Thi
sismygrandf
ather
'sr
oom,
theguestr
oomsar
e
downst
air
s".
Khul
ani
:"Oh,
myapol
ogi
es,
Iwi
l
lpi
ckt
heseont
he
fl
oor
".
"Cool
,getoutoft
hisr
oom bef
oremygr
andf
ather
seesy
ou".
Khulani
slowl
ynodded,
theguywalkedout
.Khulani
cat
chedhisbreat
handranout
,itwasbusynoone
not
icedhim.Hefoundt
hecaroutsi
de.
.
.
.
.
Khul
ani
:"Let
'sgo"
.
Dr
iver
:"Tel
lmeexact
lywhathappened?
".
Khul
ani
:"Man-what
'
syourname?
".
Dr
iver
:"Aubr
ey"
.
Khulani:"OkayI'm Khul
ani,thi
sismybrotherNsi
ka.
Wewer elookingforabathroom whenheheard
someonecr yi
nginpain,wewenti nsi
deandwe
foundhim. .
.whenwehear dpeopletal
ki
ngwehi d
i
nsidethecl osetandtheguyspokeaboutwant i
ng
him dead".
Aubr
ey:
"Wear
etaki
nghi
mtoj
obur
g".
Heonl
ysai
dt hat
,thedri
vewasverylong.Aubrey
par
kedout
sidethehospit
alandKgosigal
egrabbed
Nsi
kawhowassi t
tingnextt
ohim byhiscl
othes.
Nsi
ka:
"Whati
shedoi
ng?
".
Aubr
ey:"Si
r,Iwi
l
lfet
cht
hewheel
chai
r,t
heywi
l
lhel
p
youher
e".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Don'
t-don'
tl
ethi
mtakemeher
e".
Khul
ani
:"Youneedhel
p".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Nother
e".
Khulani
shout
edatAubr
eycal
l
ingonhi
m,hecame
back.
Khul
ani
:"Hedoesn'
twantt
ogoi
nsi
de"
.
Aubrey
:"Hei
ssi
ck,
hedoesn'
tknowwhathei
s
sayi
ng".
Nsi
ka:"Ther
ei sar easonwhyhewasnottakento
t
hehospit
alandt hereisareasonwhyhedoesn'
t
wannagothere".
Aubr
ey:
"Sowhatdowedo?Iam l
eav
ingt
omor
row,
I
'
m goi
ngt
oNami
bia,
Ican'
ttakehi
mtomypl
ace"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wewi
l
ltakehi
mtoour
s".
Khulani
:"Youar
elosingy
ourmi
ndnow!Wecan'
t
takeadyingmanwithus"
.
Nsi
ka:"Wehaveto,i
fheget
swor
seatni
ghtwewi
l
l
cal
ltheambul
ance"
.
Aubr
ey:
"Hehasapoi
nt,
wher
edoy
ouguy
sst
ay?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Mi
drand"
.
Aubrey:"Ican'
tgothere, Iwil
lgi
vey
outhi
scashand
requestanuberforyou, here'
smybusi
nesscar
d,
callmeifyouneedany thing".
Herequestedtr
ansport
ati
onf ort
hem andgav
ethem
money,theywenttothei
rplace.Aft
erput
ti
nghimto
bedtheysatdownthepassage.
Khul
ani
:"If
eell
i
keweareinalotoft
roubl
e,what
ar
ewegoingtodowi
thhim?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
tknow"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatdoyoumeanyoudon'tknow?You
ar
etheonewhoinsi
stedonbr
ingi
nghim her
e,do
y
ouknowwhatwi
l
lhappeni
fhedi
e?"
.
Nsi
ka:"Idon'
tknowokay
,st
opshout
ingatme!
Maybeheishungry
".
KhulaniwatchedNsikafeedKgosigal
e,Hesaw
bl
oodcomi ngoutfr
om hiseyesandtookaclotht
o
wipehisclotheswhil
eNsikafedhim.Theyfel
ta
needtohelphi m,t
heydidnotknowwher ethe
goodnessoft hei
rheart
scamef r
om.
Kgosi
gal
efel
lasl
eepi
nNsi
ka'
sroom.
Nsi
ka:
"Ihav
etogot
owor
k,wi
l
lyoumanage?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lbef
ine,
asl
ongashewon'
tshi
ton
hi
mself
".
Nsi
ka:
"Don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
,thatpoormani
sser
iousl
y
i
ll
".
Khulani
:"Iwil
ll
ookafterhi
m butIwi
l
lst
il
lmov
eout
,
I
'm sti
ll
angryatyou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youwon'
tl
eav
eme,
that
'showmuchy
ou
l
oveme".
Khul
ani
:"Asshol
e!"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youknowt
haty
oul
oveme"
.
Hel aughedashewalkedout
,Khulani
halfsmi
ledt
o
himself,r
eal
izi
ngthatnomatt
erhowmuchhecan
fi
ghtwi t
hhisbrot
her,i
twashardt
ost aymadathi
m
forever.
Hecookednotbecausehewantedt
obutbecause
het
houghtthesi
ckstrangemanneededf
ood.
Khul
ani
:"Ther
eyougo"
.
Hef edhi
m andcheckeduponhim ev
erynowand
thantocl
eanbloodinhisey
es,
whenNsi kacame
backfrom wor
k,theyt
ri
edtogi
vehim abath.
Khulani
:"Al
ri
ghtIcan'
tdot
hisf
orev
er,
heneedst
he
hospit
al"
.
Nsi
ka: "Thati
strue,
wecan'
ttakecar
eofhim
f
orever,wewill
callt
heambul
ancefir
stt
hingi
nthe
morning".
Theywenttobed,
fir
stt
hingi
nthemorni
ngt
hey
checkedoutonhi
m.Helookedbet
ter
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Thanky
ou"
.
Theyl
ookedateachot
her
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatf
or?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Forev
ery
thi
ng"
.
Het
ri
edst
andi
ngup.
Nsi
ka:
"Whoah,
becar
eful
".
Khul
ani
:"Letmehel
pyouup"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Thanky
ou"
.
Heslowlywalkedtothesi
tt
ingar
ea,
theylookedat
eachother
,surpr
isedathi
ssuddenr
ecovery.
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sgoodt
oseey
oul
ooki
ng-Imeanbet
ter
".
Nsi
ka:
"I'
m Nsi
ka,
thi
sismybr
otherKhul
ani
".
Kgosigal
e:"Il
ovet
hebondt
haty
out
wohav
e,t
hank
youforhelpi
ngme".
Khul
ani
:"Whydoesy
ourf
ami
l
ywant
syoudead?
".
Nsi
ka:
Khul
ani
!
".
Khul
ani
:"What
?Wehel
pedhi
m sowedeser
ve
answer
s".
Nsi
ka:"Don'
tmindhim,Ial
sodon'
tknowhowIkeep
upwit
hhim ever
yday
".
Khul
ani
:"Dudewe-
".
Hestoppedt
alki
ngwhenhehear
dKgosi
gal
e'
s
l
aughter
.
Nsi
ka:
"Isany
onehungr
y?"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ver
yhungr
y".
Khul
ani:"Ihav
eacl
assatt
en,
hur
rywi
thy
our
br
eakfast"
.
Theyhadbr eakfastandl ef
tKgosi galeathomewhen
theywenttoschool ,Classeswer enott hatbad,
beingafir
styearst udentwasnotwhatt heythought
i
twouldbe, everythi
ngwasgoi ngsmoot hlyorwasit
becauseitwasst il
lthebegi nni
ngoft hey ear?But
theydi
dnothav eanypr oblemsy et,Khulanifound
Nsikawaiti
ngf orhimi nthesecur i
tyroom wher e
theystay
.
Nsi
ka:"Wher
ewer
eyou?I
'
vebeenwai
ti
ngher
e
f
orever
".
Khul
ani
:"Whywoul
dyouwai
tforme?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Checkher
e".
Het
ookNsi
ka'
sphone,
thet
rendi
ngt
opi
consoci
al
medi
awas:

'
Chi
efKgosi
gal
eMot
hupi
disappear
ed'

'
Didher
unawayf
rom hi
sthr
one'

'
Isthesamehi
stor
yofhi
ssonsdeat
hrepeat
ing
i
tsel
fwit
hhi
m?'

'
TheMot
hupi
famil
yisgi
vi
ngtenmi
l
li
onr
andr
ewar
d
t
oany
onewhofi
ndstheChi
ef'
.

Nsi
ka:
"Ar
eyout
hinki
ngwhatI
'
mthi
nki
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Weneedanswer
s".
Theyrantot
hepent
house,ChiefKgosi
gal
ewas
st
retchi
nghi
smuscl
es,exerci
singhi
sbody.
Khul
ani
:"Weneedt
otal
know!
".
Hel
ookedatt
hem i
nshockandsatdown.
Nsi
ka:
"Whoar
eyou?
".
Khul
ani
:"Youar
eaMot
hupi
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"YesIam,
Kgosi
gal
eMot
hupi
".
Khul
ani
:"Doy ouknowNomal angaZondo?She
cametoworkhereinJohannesburgataveryy
oung
ageandshehadtwoboy s,Iknowthatt
heMothupi
sur
namemi ghtbebigbutdoy ouknowher?
".
Kgosigal
ekeptqui
etandl
ookedatt
hem i
nshock,
theysawiti
nhisface.
Nsi
ka:
"Youar
eourf
ather
?Kgosi
Mot
hupi
?".
Khul
ani
:"Tal
kdamni
t!
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"IknewNoma, shewasworkingf
ormy
sonKgosi
,mysondisappearedandaf
tersomany
monthsofl
ookingf
orhim wefoundhi
sbodyburnt
".
Ther
ewassi
l
encei
nther
oom.
Khul
ani
:"Youaret
hepersonwhohatedmymom,
youdi
dn'
twantourmot
herathisf
uneral
andhat
ed
us!Wewereki
ds!Whydi
dy ouhat
eussomuch!"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Thati
snotwhathappened"
.
Nsika:"Yourfamil
yislookingf
ory
ou,It
hinkyou
haveov er
stay
edy ourwelcomeher
e,y
oudi dnot
deserv
eourhel p!
".
Khul
ani
:"Go!
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Letmeexpl
ain-
".
Khulani:"DoYouwantt oknowwhatmakesmemad?
Youar erich,youar eGoddamnr i
chbutyoudidnot
tr
ytof i
ndus, notevenonce!Wehavesuffer
edall
ourli
vest hinkingthatmaybeourmotherwaswrong
abouty ou,buti tt
urnsoutshewasri
ght,youst
il
l
hateus" .
Kgosigal
e:"Kgosidi
edcr y
ingaboutyou,yourf
ather
-
Ibel
ievethatweburiedthewrongbody,thatwasnot
hi
m.It ri
edlooki
ngforyoubutIcouldn'
t"
.
Nsika:"YouhavemoneyandI'
m surewi
thl
otsof
connecti
ons,i
fyoucar
ed,youwouldhav
etr
ied
l
ookingforus".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Icannotgobackhome,
theywantme
dead"
.
Nsi
ka:
"May
beweshoul
dhav
elef
tyoubackt
her
eto
di
e".
Kgosigal
e:"Ifai
l
edtolookforyou,If
ail
ed!Buty
ou-
youarenotli
keme, youhaveagoodhear t
,yout
ook
astrangemant oyourhomeandt ookcareofhi
m.
Youar enotl
ikeme,don'tt
hrowmeout ,gi
vemea
chancetoexplai
n".
Khul
ani
:"Yeswearenotl
i
key
ouandwewi
l
lnev
er
beli
keyou,
leav
e!"
.
Kgosi
gale:
"Pleasegi
vemeachancet
oexpl
ain
ever
ythi
ng".
Nsika:"Themor
eIl
ookaty
oui
sthemor
eIget
angry"
.
Tear
sbegant
of al
ldown,
Nsi
kacoul
dnothol
d
hi
mself
,hecr
ied.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
ouseewhaty
ouhav
edone!
".
Hesatont hef l
oorandcri
edalso,i
tbroke
Kgosigale'
shearttoseebothhisgrandsoncry.He
satont hefl
oorwiththem andhuggedthem, t
ears
rol
leddown.Hecoul dnotbeli
evethathehadf ound
hisgrandchil
dren,
Kgosi'
schil
dren,hi
swor l
d,t
he
onl
ytr
uehei
rsoft
heMot
hupi
fami
l
y.
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
fyouknewwhatIwentt
hroughmay
be
youwoul
dunderst
and"
.
.
.
Bar
uti
:"Fat
hercannotjustdisappearmot
her,
he
wasdyi
ng,f
ight
ingforhisli
fe,someonetookhim"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Butwho?
".
Barut
i:"Iwi
llf
indout
,don'
tst
resst
oomuch,
Iwi
l
lbe
ri
ghtback".
Theyhav ebeendoi ngapr essreleaseont helast
coupl eofday s,itwasl ateatnightandKgosi knew
exactlywhot ookhisf atherorwher ehewas.He
want edallthisdone, hebel i
evedt hatMmol okitook
him andhi dhi m atherpl ace,
hepar kedf r
om af ar
from herhouseandwal keddownwi thabot tl
ef ul
lof
petrolandmat ches.Ev eryonewasasl eep,hepour ed
petrolallar
oundMmol oki'
shouseandl itmatches,
thehousest artedburning.
Bar
uti
:"Resti
npeacef
ather
..
..and,
noonedoubl
e
cr
ossesmeMmeMmol
oki
".
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
31]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[13]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Thebondwast her
e,theyf
elti
tint
hei
rbl
oodthat
theyhadoneoft hei
rownnexttothem,t
heywere
sti
llangr
ythough.
Khulani
:"Giv
eusonereason,
justone,
whywe
shouldkeepyouher
e?"
.
Kgosi
gale:
"Youaremyki ds,
mygr andchi
ldr
en..y
ou
canchangefr
iendsbuty
oucan'tchangeyourfamil
y".
Nsi
ka:
"Whydi
dyouhatemom?Wasi
tbecauseshe
di
dnotcomef
rom t
her
ichf
ami
lyl
i
keyou?
".
Kgosigal
e:"Idi
dnotknowaboutyourmot herunt
il
thesecondchil
dwasborn,
Kgosistayedherein
Johannesburgaft
ert
aki
ngMothupiGold,hedidnot
comehomebecausehewasbusyandIdidnot
comeher
ebecauseIhadlotofwor
kbackhome,
bei
ngachi
efi
sal otofwork.
Mywi
fei
nfor
medmeaboutyourmot herbutshe
pr
omi
sedtotakecar
eoft
hesi
tuat
ion-".
Khul
ani
:"Ourmot
herwasasi
tuat
ion?
".
Kgosigal
e:"No,
therewerer
umour st
hatyour
motherhadaboy f
ri
endbackinKwaZuluNatal
,I
di
dn'tknowwhattobeli
evebecauseIdi
dn'
tknow
her
".
Nsika:
"Mymot heri
scer
tai
nthatKgosiwasour
f
ather,shewarnedusaboutyourf
amily
,shesai
d
youhateherandus".
Kgosigal
e: "Iwaskeptawayf rom you, Inevermet
youandmysonpr omisedtobr ingy ourmot herand
bothofy ouhome, hewant edt oclearther umours
butthesameweekwheny ourmom wentt ofetch
youinKznhedi sappeared,Ineverhear dfrom him
again,t
hat '
swhenhewasf oundbur nt.Kgosimyson,
bel
ievedt hatyouarehis".
Nsi
ka:
"Whatabouty
ou?
".
Kgosi
gale:"Ibel
i
evethaty
ouar emyblood,
ot
herwiseIwouldnotbehere,
youlookexact
lyl
i
ke
Kgosi
,Ihavenodoubt".
Nsi
ka:
"whosawuswhenwewer
eyoung?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Mywi
fe"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
stheguywhowant
edy
oudeady
our
son?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Hei
smystepsonbutIr
aisedhi
m asmy
own,hegr
ewuptoget
herwi
thKgosi
".
Khul
ani
:"Andt
hati
shi
smot
her
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Shei
s,mywi
fe,
yourgr
andmot
herdi
ed
whenKgosiwasafewmont
hsold"
.
Khul
ani:
"Isee,nowhereiswhatwewant,wedon'
t
car
eaboutyourfami
lydramaandwhohateusor
whodoesn'
t,wewantyout odoacl
eansi
ng
cer
emonyforusandthanwewi l
lgooursepar
ate
ways"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Buty
oucanst
il
lst
ayher
eify
ouwantt
o".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ican'
tl
osey
ounowandifyouwanta
cl
eansi
ngceremonywewil
lhav
etogohomeanddo
i
tther
e".
Nsika:"Nowedon'thav
eto,
wewillf
indat
radi
ti
onal
healeroraSangomaanddoitt
her
e".
Kgosi
gale:"YouareaMot hupi,noSangomaora
tr
adi
tional
healercandoany t
hingforyouthat
i
nvolv
esourancest or
s".
Khul
ani
:"Theycant
ry"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Theycan'
t,
youar
eroy
alt
y,sonsoft
he
rai
n".
Nsika:
"Thati
swhatt
hatpast
orsai
dKhul
ani
,no
Sangomacanhel
pus".
Khul
ani:
"TherehastobeotherwayNsi
ka,Idon'
t
wanttoinv
olv
emy sel
fwit
hhim andhi
sfamily
".
Therewassil
enceint
heroom,
whywouldli
febeso
di
ffi
cult
?Whattheywant
edwasaneasyanda
si
mpl ethi
ng.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youhav
etohel
pme,
Ihav
etogetBar
uti
ar
rest
ed-
".
Nsi
ka:"Ar
rest
ed?Whichcount
ryar
ey ouf
rom?He
wil
lfi
ndhi
swayout,
youarenotsafe,
hewantsyou
dead"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lhel
pyou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Excusey
ou?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
ll
helphi
minthatwayhewil
lgi
veus
whatwewantandwewil
lgooursepar
ateways"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youar
emy
-".
Khul
ani
:"Pl
easedon'
t"
.
.
.
.
.
Hekeptquiet
,hedidnotwanttoarguewit
hthem,he
hadj
ustfoundthem,heneededtoearnthei
rlov
e
andtr
ust.Theyal
lowedhimtostayunti
lhedeci
des
topr
esschargesagainstBar
uti
.
Theboy
scamebackf
rom school
..
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
tlooksl
i
kemypl
anhast
ochange"
.
Khul
ani
:"Why
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
tismyf
uner
alt
omor
row"
.
Nsi
ka:
"What
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iwaswatchingtodaysnews,
youcan
al
socheckonyourcel
lphones".
Theycheckedt
hei
rphones.
Kgosigal
e:"It'
ssurpri
singbecausetheMothupi
Chiefnevergetsburi
edsosoonorev endur
ingt
he
weekandwedon' tgetthefuner
althatnor
mal
peopleget".
Nsika:"Youarefamous,ev
ent
hemi
nist
ersar
e
pouringthei
rhear
tsout"
.
Khulani
:"Yoursonreall
ywantsyoudeadbuty ou
havetostayindoor
s,don'tgooutbecauseyouare
thetal
kofthecountrysomeonemi ghtnoti
ceyou"
.
Kgosigal
e:"I
tishar
dt obel
iev
ethatmyownson
thatIrai
sedi
sdoingthist
ome" .
Khulani
:"Doyouknowwhatwecal l
it?It'
scall
ed
Karma,thi
siswhathappenswhenyour ai
seot her
people'
ski
dsanddesertyourowngrandchil
dren".
Thatdi
dsi
nki
ntot
hei
rgr
andf
ather
.
Nsi
ka:
"Mom i
scal
l
ing"
.
Khul
ani
:"Answeri
t"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Hel
l
oMa"
.
Noma:
"Wher
eisKhul
ani
,putt
hephoneonspeaker
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m her
e".
Noma:
"Ar
eyoubot
hokay
?Iam wor
ri
edabouty
ou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wear
efi
ne,
whati
swr
ong?
".
Noma:
"justst
aywher
eyouar
eandpl
easedon'
ttal
k
t
oanystr
angers"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mom whati
sgoi
ngon?Youcant
alkt
ous"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youar
escar
ingus,
whati
sgoi
ngon?
".
Noma: "DoyourememberwhenIsai
dIdon'
twant
younearyourf
ather
sfamil
y?Iwasdoi
ngall
thatt
o
prot
ectyou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whathappened?
".
Noma:
"Whoi
stheguyt
haty
ouwer
est
ayi
ngwi
th?
".
Khul
ani
:"Tr
ust
?".
Noma:
"Don'
tcal
lhi
m,t
heywentt
othatf
latbutt
hey
di
dnotfindyou,staywher
eyouar
e,t
hreemanwer
e
her
elookingforyou".
Nsi
ka:
"Mom t
heydi
dn'
thur
tyou,
didn'
tthey
?".
Noma: "Nomyson,Iwaswrongtothi
nkthatIwi
l
l
hi
dey ouforev
erf
rom t
hatwi
ckedfamil
y,pl
easef
ind
asafeplace.I
tki
l
lsmetoknowthatIcan'
tkeepy
ou
saf
e".
Khul
ani
:"ButMom ar
eyousaf
e?"
.
Noma:"Don'
twor
ryaboutme,t
heywanty
out
woI
don'
tknowhowIcankeepyousaf
e".
Theyl
ookedateachot
her
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wewi
l
lbesaf
e,wewi
l
lcal
lyouMa"
.
Noma:
"Okay
".
Theyhangedup.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Bar
utiknowsabouty
ou,wehav
etocal
l
mywife,
sheistheonlyonewhocanst
ophi
m".
Khul
ani:
"Yourwi
feobv
iousl
yknowsabouthi
sson
andIsweari
fany
thi
nghappenstomymotheryou
wil
lknowme".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Not
hingwi
l
lhappent
oher
,Iam her
e
now".
Nsi
kashookhi
shead.
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whywoul
dBar
uti
lookf
orus?
".
Kgosi
gale:
"Youar
etheonl
yhei
rsoft
heMot
hupi
wealt
h".
Khul
ani
:"Nowear
enot
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ther
eisal
otIcan'
ttel
lyour
ightnow"
.
Khul
ani:
"Ij
ustwantawayf
rom t
hisdr
ama,
I'
m
goi
ng".
Nsi
ka:
"Youcan'
tl
eav
e".
Khul
ani
:"IcanandI
'
mleav
ing"
.
Itwasall t
oomuchf orhi
m,atleasthegotacal
l
earl
ierfrom Mapul
e.Thedri
verdrovehi
mt othe
mansi onhouse.
Mapul
e:"Youl
ookdul
l
".
Khul
ani:"Ihadal
ongday,
longti
meIt
houghty
ou
don'
tneedmyservi
cesanymore"
.
Mapul
e:"Iwasbusy
".
Herphoner
ang.
Mapul
e:"Ugh!Excuseme"
.
Khul
ani shi
ft
ed,hewasnotinter
est
edi
nsleepi
ng
wit
hher ,i
twasfunatfi
rstbutnowhehadthi
ngsto
worryabout,hehadpr
oblemsbuthesti
ll
needed
money .
Mapul
e:"I
'
m sor
ryIhav
etol
eav
enow"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wait-Ihadt
hingst
odo,
Ican'
twast
emy
ti
mebyjustcominghere"
.
Shel
ookedathi
m amazed.
Mapul
e:"Fi
neIwi
l
lpayy
ou,
howmuchdoy
ou
want
?".
Khul
ani
:"Howmuchwer
eyougoi
ngt
opayme?
".
Shecheckedforherchequebookbutitwas
nowheretobeseen,sheopenedherlapt
op.
Mapule:"Yourbanki
ngdet
ail
s?Ican'
tfi
ndmy
chequebook".
Khul
ani
tookouthi
sphoneandhandedi
ttoher
,she
wasi
nahur
ry.
Mapule:"Mydri
veri
staki
ngmet
otheai
rpor
t,cal
lan
uberorsomethi
ng".
Khul
ani
:"Youcan'
tl
eav
emeher
e".
Sheranout ,Khulani t
ookhisphonet orequestthe
tr
anspor tbuthetookhi scel
lphonebackandpour ed
aglassofwhi skey .Hespottedastati
oni ndoorbar,
hewant edt ogohav emor edrinks,
hewasst r
essed
buthest oppedhimsel fwhensomet hingcaughthis
eyes,themani nt hepict
urewasexact lythesame
mant heyhav ebeenr eadi
ngaboutonsoci almedia,
sonoft heChief.
Khul
ani
:"Mapul
eismar
ri
ed?
".
Hel ookedatthepictures,sheismarri
edtoBarut
iat
thediscoveryofthat,hi
sbodyheat edup.He
requestedthetransportveryfastandwentbackto
hisplace.
Nsi
ka:
"Thatwasf
ast
".
Khul
ani
:"Youar
enotmymot
herNsi
ka"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Di
dyoursugarmamacancel
?".
Khul
ani
:"Whydoesmyl
i
fei
nter
esty
ousomuch,
do
youwanther
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Notev
eni
nmydr
eams"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Doy
out
woal
way
sfi
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kai
sjustannoy
ingsomet
imes"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wedon'tf
ight
,I'
mjustagai
nstwi
thsomeof
t
hethi
ngst
hathedoes".
Khul
ani
:"Whati
sawayf
orwar
d?"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Idon'tknow,Ican'
topenacase
becauseI'
m declareddead".
Khul
ani
:"WhoownsMot
hupi
Gol
d?"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ido"
.
Khulani
:"Si
ncey
ouar
edead,
ever
ythi
ngwi
l
lgot
o
Baruti
?".
Kgosigal
e:"Idon'
tknow,af
tery
ourfather
-Imean
Kgosi'
sdeathIneverbot
heredt
owr i
teawi l
lor
checkanythi
ngbutbefor
ehisdeathevery
thing
bel
ongedt ohim,hewasthehei
r".
Nsi
ka:
"Ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lgot
oyourwi
fe"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Butwear
emar
ri
edonl
ytr
adi
ti
onal
l
y".
Khul
ani
:"Maybet
her
eisawayoft
aki
ngev
ery
thi
ng
fr
om t
hem".
Nsi
ka:
"How?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
ltr
ybutI
'
m notpr
omi
si
ngany
thi
ng"
.
Helef
tthem conf
used,Khulanirequest
edt
ranspor
t
agai
nbacktoMapule'splace,heknewhowt ogeti
n.
.
.
.
.
Mapul
e:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
HethoughtMapul
eleft
,thel
aptopt
hathecamefor
wasinMapule'
shands.Hispl
answererui
ned.
Mapul
e:"Iaskedy
ouaquest
ion!
".
Hedidnotknowwhatt
osay
,hewentcl
osert
oher
andki
ssedherli
ps.
Mapul
e:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Shepushedhi
m.
Khul
ani
:"I
-Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
oubuty
oul
eft
".
Mapul
e:"Idon'
thav
eti
me,
I'
minahur
ry"
.
Khulani
:"Justhearmeoutokay,Iknowit'
swr ong
andthisi
snotwhatweagr eedon.Mapuley ouare
beauti
fulandsmart,
youdri
vemecr azy-
".
Mapul
e:"Wher
eist
hisgoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Ican'
tkeepthi
stomy
sel
fany
mor
e,Iam
madl
yinlovewit
hy ou"
.
Mapule:
"Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?Youar
eaki
d!I
am ol
d".
Khul
ani:"Cany
oublameme?Ageisnotapr
obl
em,
youcannotmeasur
elov
ebyage,
Iwanttobewi
th
you"
.
Mapul
e:"Youar
e-"
.
Heknewwher et
ogether,
hekissedher
..shet
ri
edto
pushedhim buthet
ouchedherwheresheneededt
o
betouched,shemoanedandspokebetweenthe
ki
sses.
Mapul
e:"Ihav
etogo"
.
Hedidnotl i
sten,Khulanipushedhertothecouch
andlift
edherdr essup,shegav eupandhel ped
taki
ngof fhi
sJeans.Het ookoutherunder wearand
foundhismout hbet weenherlegs,shealway s
smelledsogood.Heal waysforget
st oaskherwhat
kindofabodyl otionsheuses,hisl
ipsplayed
betweenherl egs,hewentont opandashei nvi
ted
himselfinsi
deher .Heentrust
edforacoupl eoftime
andcameout .
Mapul
e:"Iam r
eal
l
yinahur
ry"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iam sor
ryf
orcomi
ngaty
oul
i
ket
hat
".
Mapul
e:"Idon'
tbl
amey
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoumar
ri
ed?
".
Heaskedev
ent
houghhesawherweddi
ngpi
ctur
es.
Mapul
e:"I
-I'
m-"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sokay
".
Helookedatthel
aptopbag,af
teral
lthehar
dwor
k
hedidnotgetwhathewanted.
Mapul
e:"Wewi
l
ltal
kwhenIgetback,
I'
minahur
ry"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m al
soonmywayout
".
Mapul
e:"Not
akey
ourt
ime,
theywi
l
llockup"
.
Hewat chedherasshewalkedout,hecur
sedalone,
thelapt
opwasgone.Hegotdr essedandtooka
dri
nk,hepickedupanenvelopeonthefl
oorandput
i
tont hedressi
ngtabl
e.
Somethi
ngt ol
dhimtoopenit,hecoul
dn'tbel
i
evehi
s
eyes.
.herequest
edt
ransportandrushedhome.
Whenhegothomet heexcit
ementwasgone
Hewasnothi
msel
f,hewentst
rai
ghtt
obed.
Itwasalongdayforhi
m,hewokeupver
ylat
e
becauseofhunger
.Nsi
kaandKgosi
gal
ewerest
il
l
awaketalki
ng.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"I
-"
.
Hestoppedhimself
,healmostt ol
dthem about
Mapulebuthestoppedhimself,hefel
tsicki
nsi
de
f
orconfessi
ngunexisti
ngl ov
et oMapule.The
momenthesawherweddi ngpictur
eswaswhenhe
star
tedtohat
eever
ythi
ngaboutherbuthehadtoli
e
becausehewascaughti
nherhouse.Hewantedthe
l
aptop.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
mfi
ne-ohIal
mostf
orgot
".
Hewenttohi
sbedr
oom andcamebackwi
tht
he
env
elope.
Khul
ani
:"Readt
his"
.
Theyopenedi
t.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Wher
edi
dyougett
his?
".
Khul
ani
:"Isol
dmysoul
tot
hedev
ilt
ogett
hat
".
Nsi
ka:
"Isy
oursugarmama-
?.
Khul
ani
:"No!
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whati
sgoi
ngon?
".
Khulani
:"Howam Igoingt
osayt
his?-okay
-your
daughteri
nlawi
spayingmetosl
eepwithher,
that
's
howIgotthesepaper
s".
Nsi
ka:
"What
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youar
esl
eepi
ngwi
thMapul
e?"
.
Khulani
:"Idi
dn'
tknow,Ionlyj
ustf
oundouttoday
andpleasedon'
tmakemef eelworset
hanI'
m
feel
i
ngr i
ghtnow.Ihat
emy sel
f"
.
Kgosi
gale:
"Ial waysknewtherewassomet hingup
witht
hatgir
l,hersonisexact
lyyourage!Thisis
exact
lyassleepingwit
hyourmot her
,whatwer eyou
thi
nki
ngKhul ani
?".
Khul
ani
:"Ineededmoneyokay ,
shegavememoney
Ihav
enevertouchedwit
hmyownhands, besi
desi
j
ustenj
oyedbeingpayedforhavi
ngsex"
.
Nsi
ka:"Well
I'
m sur
eyouar
ehappyt
omeety
our
gr
andson"
.
Kgosigale:"Youdi
dal lt
hatformoney?Not hingin
thi
swor l
dcomeswr appedinasilv
erplate,
y ouhave
towor khardforev
erythi
ng..youcan'
tsleepar ound
becausey ouwantmoney ".
Khul
ani
:"Butatl
eastIgoty
out
his"
.
Kgosigale:"Youar ejuststubbor
nfornot
hing,
you
can'
ttreatyourselfli
keamanwhohasnomanner s!I
am verydisappointediny ou".
Hekeptqui
et.
Nsika:
"Butt
hanksdudefort
hesepaper
s,youhav
e
notseent
hesebefor
e?"
.Heaskedhisgr
andfat
her
Kgosigale:
"Af t
erKgosi'
sdeathIdidnotwantt
o
changeany thi
ng,Ihavenotfoundclosur
ebutI
'
m
gladthatBarutiwil
lnotgetanyt
hing".
Khulani
:"ButMphosai
dev
ery
thi
ngwassi
gnedt
o
Baruti
?".
Kgosi
gale:"Don'tbel
ieveevery
t hingyouhear,
I'
m
sureMapulewasgoi ngtodof raudwi tht
hese
paper
s..Iam happythatKgosisi gnedevery
thi
ngto
youtwothatiswhyBar utii
slooki ngf
oryou".
Khul
anifoundthepapersthatst
atedthatall
the
pr
opert
iesandt hecompanywassi gnedoverto
Kgosi
'
schi l
dren,Khul
aniandNsikayomuziZondo.
Nsi
ka:
"Soourf
athercar
edaboutus"
.
Kgosigale:"Iam pr
oudofKgosi
fordoi
ngthi
s,Iam
sorr
yf ornotlooki
ngfory
oubutthi
smakesme
happy".
Khul
ani
:"SoBar
uti
isbr
oke?Hehast
oknowt
hatwe
hav
ethesepaper
s".
Kgosigal
e:"Notnow, Iranthi
scompanyf oryears
andIhandeditov ert
oKgosi whenheturnedt wenty
one.Iwasv er
yproud, hemadeitwhatiti
st oday,I
can'
tbeaCEOagai n,Ihavetotr
ainyoutwof i
rstand
thanwewi l
lhitBarut
iwithasurpri
se"
.
Khul
ani
:"Trai
n?Comeonyouwil
lbeher
ewi
thus,
youwil
lshowushowtor
unit"
.
Kgosi
gale:"Khulaniyouli
keeasyt hings,Iam st
il
l
al
iveandstil
lholdthemaj ori
tysharesinthat
company,Ican'tgi
veittoy ou.Iwanty oubothto
showmehowhar ddoy ouwantt orunt hi
s
company".
Khul
ani
:"Wedon'twantt
hiscompany
,wej
ust
want
edthecl
eansingonl
y".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Soy
ouar
egoi
ngt
ogi
veBar
uti
your
wealt
h?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ifwel
eav
ehi
m hest
il
lwant
susdead"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Nsi
kawil
lrunt
hiscompanyandt
akemy
posi
ti
onastheChi
ef"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
mtheol
derson,
weshoul
dget50/
50at
l
east
".
Kgosi
gale:
"Bei ngaChiefandthi
scompanymeans
al
ottome, Ican'tj
ustgi
veitt
osomeonewhothinks
i
tiseasytogett hi
ngsinl
if
e".
Khul
ani
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
".
Kgosigal
e:"Itmeansy ouhavetostopsleepingy
our
wayoutoft hi
ngs,t
hisisyourtest
,prov
ei tt
ome
thaty
ouar eahardwor ker
,Iwanttoseey ouworking
hardtobethemany ourmotherwouldbepr oudof,i
f
youcan't
,Nsikawil
ltakeallt
hatisyour
s".
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
31]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[14]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Kgosigal
e:"Itmeansy ouhavetostopsleepingy
our
wayoutoft hi
ngs,t
hisisyourtest
,prov
ei tt
ome
thaty
ouar eahardwor ker
,Iwanttoseey ouworking
hardtobethemany ourmotherwouldbepr oudof,i
f
youcan't
,Nsikawil
ltakeallt
hatisyour
s".

Khul
ani
keptqui
et,
washet
hatbad?Hedi
dnotsee
anythi
ngwrongwi t
hwhathewasdoi ngbutpeople
aroundhim madeitlookbad,
hethoughtaboutwhat
hehaddone, t
ogetthepapersheli
edtoMapul eby
confessi
nghislov
ef orher
.Hewasdoomed.
Khul
ani
:"Fi
neWhat
ever
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whati
sthat
?".
Khul
ani
:"Imean,
nopr
obl
em"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youhav
etof
ir
stchangey
ourat
ti
tude"
.
Hekeptqui
et,
hedecidedthati
twasbestt
obur
y
hi
mselfwit
hbooks,ever
ythi
nghedi
dwasnotwhat
ev
eryonewanted.
Thefol
lowi
ngday,hehadfewclassesaf
terhi
s
cl
asseshewentathisbr
other
'sworkpl
ace.
Nsika:
"YouknowTr usthasn'tbeenher
eandhis
phoneisof
f,Iam worr
iedafterwhatmom tol
dus".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sur
ehei
sfi
ne"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Doy
ouneedabeer
?It
'si
nhouse"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wat
erwi
l
lbef
ine"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wat
er?Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"YahIam,
Nsi
kadoy
out
hinkI
'
m abad
per
son?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Youarenotabadper
son,
somet
imesy
ou
j
ustmakebaddeci
sions"
.
Khulani
:"Howarey
oufeel
i
ngaboutal
lthi
s?Imean
thesit
uati
ont
hatwear
einnow"
.
Nsi
ka:"Idon'
tknowhowIf eel
butwhatIknowis,i
f
wedecidetoletthi
sgoandconti
nuewi
thourli
ves,
Bar
uti
wi l
lst
il
l beaft
erus"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ihavedonebadthi
ngformoneybutnowi
t
i
sherei
nfrontme,Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
mr eadyfori
t"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Sowhatdoy
ouwantust
odo?
".
Khul
ani:"Eversi
ncewest ar
tedlooki
ngfort
his
fami
lyIthi
nkbadt hi
ngsarefol
lowingus,Mom was
ri
ght
,Ishouldhaveli
stenedtoher".
Nsi
ka:"If
eelgui
l
ty,
Ial
mosthat
edherf
orkeepi
ng
t
hem awayfr
om us"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwantt
ogohomet
hisweekend,
Iowe
mom abigapol
ogy"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Itwon'
tbesaf
efory
out
ogo,
wehav
eto
st
ayl
owf
ornow"
.
Khulani
:"Thesepeopl
ebel
i
evet
hatwear
eher
ein
Johannesburg"
.
Nsi
ka:"I
'
m workingthi
sweekend,
sinceTr
usti
snot
her
eIcan'
ttakedaysoff"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
scool
".
Nsikawasabitworr
iedabouthisbr
other
,hewas
acti
ngstr
angebuthebeliev
edthati
twasagood
thi
ng.Kgosi
gal
ewasr eadytomentorhi
sboys.
Kgosigal
e:"Whatmakesagoodbusi
nessmanand
aChiefisatt
it
udeanddi
sci
pli
ne-
".
Khul
ani:
"Canweski
pthat
,teachushowt
oread
cont
ract
s,howt
ohandl
emeet i
ngs"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"At
ti
tudeKhul
ani
!At
ti
tude-
".
Thiswasreal
lybori
ngbuttheyhadtol
ist
en,hewas
averygoodpersonbuttheboyssti
l
ldi
dnotf ul
l
y
tr
usthi
m, howcouldtheytr
ustsomeonetheybarel
y
knew?
Nsi
ka:
"Canwet
akeabr
eak?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Nopr
obl
em"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyouokaybr
o?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ihav
eaheadache"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youwor
ktoomuchpl
usschool
,gor
est
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m goi
ngt
ovi
sitmymot
hert
hisweekend"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Nopr
obl
em"
.
Khul
ani:
"ButIwill
nottel
lheryetabouty
ouandy
our
fami
lybecauseshewil
lnotli
keit
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Takeyourti
meandIwi
l
lnotbl
ameheri
f
shedoesnotacceptus"
.
Nsi
kawasnothimsel
f,het
ri
edtoatt
endcl
assesbut
i
twasdi
ffi
cul
ttowork.OnFri
dayni
ghthegotwor
se
t
hanbef
ore.
Khul
ani
:"Dudet
ryt
oeat
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Don'
tfor
cehi
m".
Khul
ani
:"Hehastoeat
,hei
swor
sewehav
etot
ake
hi
mt ot
hehospi
tal
".
Nsi
ka:
"No-
".
Khul
ani
:"Wher
edoesi
thur
t?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
tknow"
.
Kgosi
gale:
"Tr
ytodri
nkthi
sporr
idge,i
fitget
swor
se
wewil
ltakehi
mtothehospi
tal
atnight"
.
Het
ri
edt
oeatandKhul
ani
hadt
ocancel
hist
ri
p..
.
Khul
ani:"Heishav
ingasei
zur
e,cal
lthe
ambulance!
".
Whit
efoam wascomingoutf
rom hi
smout
h,hewas
dy
inginfr
ontoft
hei
reyes.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kapl
easedon'
tdot
hist
ome,
getup
man!Getup!
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Theyar
eont
hei
rwayway
".
Khulanisatont hefl
oorcryi
nghi sl
ungsout ,
Kgosigaledidnotknowwhatt odo, hewasshutter
ed.
Thesecur i
tyguardscameupwi ththeparamedi
cs,
Kgosigalehidintheotherbedroom, Khul
anibel
i
eved
thathisbrotherwasnotbreathinganymor e.
Par
amedi
c:"Hei
sst
il
lbr
eat
hing,
takehi
m out
".
Khul
ani
openedhi
sey
esandr
ant
ohi
sbedr
oom.
Khulani
:"Iwil
lgowit
hhi
m,st
ayher
ewedon'
twant
peopletoseeyou"
.
I
tkill
edKgosi gal
ethathecouldnotgowi thhisboys,
Khulani
wai t
edatt hehospital
waiti
ngarea,he
wantedtocal lhi
smot herbuthestopped,st
ressi
ng
herwast helastthi
ngonhi smind.Twohour slat
er,
theycal
ledhimi nside.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
swr
ongwi
thhi
m?"
.
Doctor
:"Wedi
dal
lthet
est
sbuttherei
snothi
ng
wrongwit
hhi
m,wecan'
tfi
ndany
thing,
heisheal
thy
".
Khul
ani:
"Mybothernearl
ydiedinf
rontofmeand
youaretel
l
ingmethatnothi
ngiswrongwit
hhi
m?
You-
".
Doctor :
"Shhhgetinsi
de,hekeepscalli
nghismom,
may bey ourbr
otheri
sstressedabouthismother
thatiswhyhei sbehavi
ngl i
kethi
s.Isuggestt
hat
yout akeyourbrot
herhome, wehavetoopent he
bedf ortheseri
ousl
ysickpeople"
.
Khulani
:"Mybr ot
herissi
ck,l
ookathim!Iwill
report
you!Yougovernmentpeopleareusel
ess,Iswearif
anythi
nghappenst ohi
m Iwil
lsueyou".
Nsi
kakeptoncal
li
nghi
smot
her
,Khul
ani
cal
l
ed
t
ranspor
tfort
hem.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whyar
eyouback?
".
Khulani
:"Thesest
upi
ddoctor
ssai
dther
eisnot
hing
wrongwithhim,l
ookathi
m!".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whyi
shecal
l
ingy
ourmot
her
sname?
".
Khulani
:"HowdoyouthinkIknow?Idon'
tknow!I
'
m
taki
nghimtothepr
ivat
edoctorint
hemor ni
ng"
.
Theywerestressed,Nsi
kahadonemoresei
zerand
keptqui
et.Khulaniwentcr
azy
,heshookhi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Dudewakeup!WakeupNsi
ka"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Son,
don'
tdot
hist
ous"
.
Kgosi
gal
ecamewi
thaj
agf
ull
ofwat
erandt
hrewi
t
athi
m.
Nsi
ka:
"Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
ka?Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Ineedf
ood,
whathappened?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youdon'
tknowwhathappened?Whose
cel
l
phonei
sri
ngi
ng?
".
Nsi
ka:
"It
'smi
ne"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whoi
scal
l
ingatt
hist
ime?
".
Het
ookNsi
ka'
sphone.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
o".
Thephonef
ell
onhi
shand,
hel
ookedathi
sbr
other
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whowasi
t?"
.
Khulani
:"I
t'
smom,t
hey
-Gr
andmasay
smom
hangedhersel
f"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Shewhat
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Nsi
kaf
elty
ourmot
her
sdeat
h".
Khul
ani
:"Mot
herwi
l
lnev
erki
l
lher
sel
f"
.
Nsi
ka:
"It
'sal
i
e,Mot
herwi
l
lnev
erdot
hat
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
tisbesti
fyoul
eav
efi
rstt
hingi
nthe
morni
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Theyhatemymom,myauntand
gr
andmotherhat
emymom, I
'
m sur
etheymadet
his
al
lup"
.
Theyal
ldi
dnotnotsleep,
Nsikayomuzisti
ll
fel
tti
red
buthewasbett
er.Khul
anipackedbot
ht hei
rcl
othes
fort
heweekend.I
nthemor ni
ngtheypr
eparedtogo
home.
Khul
ani
:"Cany
ouwal
k?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Iwi
l
ltr
y,I
'
m st
il
lti
red,
mybodyi
sfai
l
ingme"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"It
hinkIshoul
dcomewi
thy
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Knowingthatyousuppor
tusmeansal
ot,
youwil
lbei
ntroubl
eifyoucomewi t
hus"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
tki
l
lsme,
Ishoul
dbehel
pingy
ou"
.
Hegavet hem av erywarm hug,thebusri
detohome
waslong,Nsi kawasst i
ll
nothimselfandhesti
lldi
d
notr
ememberwhathappenedt ohimtheprevi
ous
ni
ght,l
aterint heaft
ernoontheyarri
vedhome,ther
e
wasnoone, theywentt othei
rgrandmother
'shouse
fi
ndi
ngthenei ghbor
sandev ery
onemour ni
ng.
.
.
.
.
Khul
ani
:"Whathappenedt
omom?
".
Gr
andma:
"Hl
elof
oundherhangi
ngi
nther
oof
".
Khul
ani
:"Mymotherwi
l
lnev
erdot
hat
,wher
edi
d
yout
akeher
?".
Grandma:"Wear
emour
ning,
hav
esomer
espect
Khulani
".
Khul
ani
:"Thi
sismymot
hery
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
".
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
eisshe?
".
Gr
andma:
"Shei
satt
hemor
tuar
y".
Theydemandedt obeshownt hei
rmother ,when
theyar
ri
vedwher eshewas,theyshowedt hem her
faceonthecamer a,t
heysai
dtheyweret ooy oungto
seethedeadbody .Theywentbacktotheirmot her
s
housetoclean.
Khul
ani
:"Mot
herwi
l
lnev
erki
l
lher
sel
f,someonehas
ahandi
nthi
s".
Nsika:"Whatarewegoi
ngtodowithouther
?
Khulaniwearenothi
ngwi
thoutmom,sheistheonl
y
per
sonweknow"
.
Khul
ani:
"Thefi
rstt
hingweneedt
odoi
stobur
y
mom tomorr
ow,Ihavemoney"
.
Nsi
ka:
"ButGr
andmot
her
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Theydon'
tcareaboutus,
theyhat
edus
andmom!Wewi ll
buryourownmot her
".
Nsi
ka:
"I'
m notf
eel
i
ngwel
l
".
Khul
ani
:"Sl
eep,
getenoughr
est
".
Nsi
ka:
"Don'
tfi
ghtauntandgr
andmot
her
,doi
tfor
mom".
Hel
ookedatNsi
ka.
Khul
ani
:"Rest
,wehadal
ongday
".
Hebel
ievedthathi
smotherwouldnev
erki
l
lher
sel
f,
t
hethoughtofhermadehim cr
yinpai
n.
Khul
ani
:"I
thurt
s,i
thur
tssobad,
mom why
?Whydi
d
youl
eaveus?
".
Nsi
ka:
"I-needwat
er"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Hegav ehi
m wat
er,Nsi
ka'
ssicknessst
art
edagai
n,i
t
st
ressedKhul
aniev
enmor e.
Khul
ani
:"Br
o.Dr
inkt
hesepi
l
lsandr
est
".
Heforcedhimt odr
inkpi
lls,
helef
thi
sbr
otherand
wentathisgrandmother
'shouse.
Grandma:
"Yourmot
herandIhaddif
fer
encesbut
shewasmydaught
er,Il
ovedher
".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tcar
e".
Grandma: "Hersoci
etypai
d,Idon'
twantt
orushbut
Ithi
nkitisbett
ertoburyheronMonday,f
orhert
o
restwell
".
Khulani
didnotsayanyt
hing,
het
ri
edt
obest
rong
buthefail
ed.Hecri
ed.
Gr
andma:
"Khul
ani
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Don'
ttouchme!
".
I
twasl at
eatnight,hewasnotr
eadyfort
hefuner
al,
hestil
ldi
dnotbelieveev
ery
thi
ngevenaft
erseei
ng
thati
tisr
eall
ytrue.HewenttoNsi
kawhowas
getti
ngworse.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
esweat
ing-
".
Heweakl
ysmi
l
ed,
hisl
i
pswer
edr
y.
Khul
ani:
"Yourgrandmothersay
sthefuner
alison
Monday,youneedtogetbett
er,
Idon'
twantthem t
o
seeyouli
kethi
s".
Nsi
ka:
"Iwi
l
lbef
ine"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
thurt
stoseey oul
ikethi
s,i
fIknewhow
topr
ay,
Iwouldprayr
ightnow".
Nsi
ka:
"Mom-
".
Khulani
:"Don'
tst
resstoomuch,
Iknowi
thur
tsbut
focusongetti
ngbett
er"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ihearmom cr
y,shei
scr
ying"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Shei
scr
ying-
".
Khul
aniwasl
ost
,hedi
dnotknowwhatt
odowi
thhi
s
br
other
.
Khul
ani
:"Dri
nkwaterNsi
kaandsleep,Imeandon'
t
cl
oseyourey
esthough,y
ouarescari
ngme" .
Nsi
ka:
"I-
".
Khul
ani
:"Shutup!Shutupokayandf
ocusonget
ti
ng
bet
tery
ouarestressi
ngme".
Hel
ookedatNsi
kaoncemor
e.
Khul
ani:"Idon'
tknowwhattodoanymor
e,y
ouar
e
st
ressi
ngme, I'
m sor
ryf
orshout
ing"
.
Theywerenotreadyforthefuneral,Khulani hadto
l
ietohisfami
lyaboutNsi ka'
shealth,het oldthem he
hadastomachbug.Hewant edthei rproblemst obe
thei
rsnotany
bodyelse's.Thefuner alwasasuccess,
theyl
eftt
hesamedaywi ththeafternoonbus.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Hel
ookswor
se"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ij
ustl
ostmom andnowmybr
otheri
s
si
ck"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Howwast
hef
uner
al?
".
Khul
ani
:"Icoul
dn'
tbeli
eveitatfi
rstbutwhenwe
sawherfacei
nthatmortuaryscr
eencamer ai
twas
har
dandnowmybr ot
herissick"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ican'
tbri
ngyourmot
herbackort
ake
herpl
acebutI'
m her
eforyou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iwi
l
llookaf
tery
ourbr
other
,got
osl
eep"
.
Khul
ani
:"No,
Iwi
l
lsl
eepher
ewi
thhi
m".
Kgosi
gal
e:"It
hinky
ouneed-
".
Khulani:"Ineedtosl
eepher
ewit
hmybr ot
her,
that
i
sall Ineed,Idon'
tmeantober
udebutIneedsome
space".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youar
emyki
ds,
Iwi
l
lsl
eepher
ewi
th
you"
.
Khulanididnotar
guewit
hhi m,hewasemoti
onal
l
y
hurt.Theyfel
lasl
eep,
Khulaniwaswokenupbyhi
s
grandfather
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Wher
eisNsi
ka?Hei
snoti
nthe
bat
hroom".
Khul
ani
:"May
behewentoutbutatt
hist
ime?
".
Theysearchedthehouseandtheenti
recompl
ex,t
he
securi
tyguardsdi
dnotseehim.Khulani
demanded
toseethesecuri
tyfoot
agebutther
ewasnosignof
Nsika.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Weneedt
orepor
ttot
hepol
i
ce"
.
Khul
ani
:"No,
Iknowexact
lywhatIneedt
odo"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youc-
".
Khul
ani
:"Youneedt
oleav
e".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iknowt
haty
ouar
eangr
ybutwear
e
fami
ly
".
Khulani
:"Takeyourpapersandl
eave,wedon'tneed
yourmoney,yourcompanyoranythi
ngfr
om y ou!
Motherwasr i
ghtaboutyou,l
eav
e!.
.andtel
lyourson
tostayawayfrom us"
.
Kgosi
gale:
"Iwil
ll
eav
ewhenwehav efoundNsi
ka,
I
knowthatyouar
eangrybutt
hisi
snotati
meto
fi
ght"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kai
smybr
other
,hei
snot
hingt
oyou!
Leav
e!"
.
Kgosi
gale:
"Iwi
llnotr
estunt
ilIf
indhim andiam
notgoi
nganywhereunt
ilmygrandsonisbackhome"
.
Het
ookNsi
ka'
scel
l
phoneandwentt
othebedr
oom.
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
fBar
uti
ist
heonewhot
ooky
our
br
otherhewasnotgoi
ngt
oleav
eusal
i
ve"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thanwher
edi
dNsi
kagoatt
hist
ime?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Idon'
tknow,
let
'swai
tforhi
m,may
behe
wil
lcomeback".
Khul
ani
:"Iam sor
ryf
orshout
ingaty
ou"
.
Kgosigale:
"Thingsarenotgoi
ngwel
l
,somet
hingi
s
wrong,theancestor
sareangry
".
Khul
ani
:"Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Idon'
tknow"
.
.
.
-Mot
hupi
fami
l
y

I
twasaweekaf t
erlayi
ngt
heChi eftorest
,
prepar
ati
onsforthenewChief
's(King)cor
onati
on
wereongoing.I
tisgoingt
obet hebiggestev
entof
theyear.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Bar
uti
wehav
etomaket
hisa
success,
yourf
athershoul
dbepr
oud"
.
Bar
uti
:"Ev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
lbeasuccess,
don'
twor
ry
Mme".
Mapule:
"Ev
erythi
ngisgoi
ngaccor
dingl
y,don'
t
worr
ymom, f
atherwoul
dhavebeenproudifhewas
her
e".
Bar
uti
:"Mapul
elet
'
stal
kforamoment
".
Shesmi
l
edandf
oll
owedhi
m.

Bar
uti
:"Di
dyousendev
ery
thi
ngt
oGar
eth?
".
Mapul
e:"Yesbuti
fIwereyouIwouldn'
tworryt
oo
much,
theseboysar
ekidsandtheyarestupi
dZulu
boy
swhodon'tknowanythi
ngorevenyou".
Bar
uti
:"Thati
str
uebutwehav
etobesaf
e".
Mapule:"Don'tworr
y,yourf
atherandKgosiar
e
gonethereisnothi
ngtheycandoev eni
fthey
wantedto".
Bar
uti
:"Imi
ssedy
ou,
Ihav
ebeenbusyal
ot"
.
Mapul
e:"Youal
way
sfor
getaboutmebutIst
il
ll
ove
y
out
hough"
.
Bar
uti
:"Ar
eyoupr
oudofme?
".
Mapul
e:"Ver
ypr
oud"
.
.
.
.
.

Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kahasnof
ri
endsher
e,y
ourpol
i
cear
e
notdoi
ngany
thi
ng"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Idon'
tcar
eifsomeoneseesme, wear
e
goi
nghome,Barut
iwil
ltel
luswher
emygr andsoni
s".
Khul
anikeptqui
et,
helastatethedayNsi
ka
di
sappeared,
hecouldnoteatatal
l.
Khul
ani
:"Ther
eissomeone,Mpho,hei
stheone
whotookustoyourv
il
lagemaybehecanhel
pus".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Mpho?HewasKgosi
'
sfr
iend,
hei
smy
uncl
esson"
.
Khul
ani:
"Hesai
dhewasKgosi'
scousi
n,Idi
d
somethi
ngwr
ongtohi
m butI
'
m surehewill
hel
pus"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Doy
ouhav
eenoughmoney
?".
Khul
ani:
"Ihavemorethanenough,
wecanhi
reacar
,
youcan'
ttakepubl
i
ctr
ansport
".
Theyhir
edamaxi taxiwhichdrovethem i
nthe
middl
eofthenightbacktot heKgosigal
evil
l
age.
Sevenhoursl
atertheywereoutsideMpho'shouse,i
t
wasearlyi
nthemor ning,
v er
yearly
.Theyknocked
butnooneanswered,ther
ewasnoonehome.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Let
'sgohome,
Idon'
tcar
eifany
one
seesme"
.
Khulani
agreed,theywalked,
itwassti
l
ldar
kout,
theysawalargegr oupofpeopl
egoingdownt
he
roadtotheforest.
Khul
ani
:"Whoar
ethesepeopl
e?"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Somethi
ngisgoi
ngonher
e,I
'm sure
theyaregoi
ngtotheriv
er,
thi
sist
heonl
ywayt hat
takesyoutother
iver
".
Khul
ani
:"Whywoul
dtheygot
other
iveratt
his
t
ime?
".
Kgosi
gale:
"Ithi
nktherei
saceremonyt hati
sgoing
on,maybetheyarecr
owningBarut
i,l
et'
sfoll
owthem,
comethisway".
Theyf
oll
owedt
hewayt
other
iver
.
.
.
-Mot
hupi
Fami
l
y

MmeMot hupi
:"Cov
eryoursel
fwi
tht
hisbl
anket
,
don'
twearany
thi
ngunderneat
hit
.
Bar
uti
:"I
t'
scol
dout
side"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Youhav
etogot
other
iver
,it
's
t
radi
ti
on"
.
Bar
uti
:"Whati
fIdon'
tcomeback"
.
MmeMothupi
:"Youar
etheonl
yhei
r,y
ouwi
l
lcome
back"
.
Theygat
her
edagr
oupofv
il
lagemenandwoment
o
gowi t
nessthecl
eansi
ngoft heirnewChiefwho
prefer
redt
obecalledKing.Theyallwentdownthe
ri
verbefor
ethesuncameout ,
MmeMot hupidi
dnot
takeanySangomawi t
ht hem,shewantedt ocl
eanse
hersonthewayshewant edt
o.
KhulaniandKgosi
galestoodbehi
ndthegroupof
peopleonthesideoftheri
ver
,Kgosi
galeworea
hoodietocoverhi
mself,i
twasalsost
il
ldark.
Bar
uti
:"Mom t
hiswat
eri
smov
ing"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"YouseeItol
dyout
hatt
he
ancest
orswill
acceptyou"
.
Bar
uti
:"Nol
ook"
.
Waterwasmov i
ngasifsomet hi
ngwascomingout
,
theri
verwashuge, t
hewat erwasboil
i
ngand
every
onemov edinfearbuttheysti
l
lwannaseewhat
washappening.Anakedper soncameout,wi
tha
hugesnakewr appedaroundhisbody,i
twasNsi
ka,a
nakedNsikawithahugesnake.
Bar
uti
:"Whoarey
ou?Cal
lthepol
i
ce!Onl
ymyf
ami
l
y
i
sall
owedtocomeher
e".
Kgosigale:"Pula!Thechosenone,hei
sthechosen
one,thishasnev erhappenedsi
ncethefi
rstper
son
whowascr ownedKi nginthi
svi
ll
agemygr eat
grandfather-
".
Hesaidcomi
ngouti
nthecr
ownt
aki
ngof
fhi
s
hoodi
e.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Mo-Mot
hupi
".
Everyonewasshocked,
theybur
iedhi
m,t
hey
thoughthewasdead.
Kgosigal
e:"Myancestorsarepr otectingme,Iwill
notdieanytimesoon,everyone!Thi sisthechosen
one,Kgosi'
sson,t
heonewhowi ll
gi veusrai
n,the
onewhowi llst
opthestormsandf loodingofthe
greatseas,
Bowbef or
ey ourKing".
Bar
uti
:"Iam t
heki
ng,
thi
sisat
ri
ck-
".
Kgosigale:
"Mypeopl
egotellever
yoneint
hisv
il
lage
thatMmusi yaMot
hupii
sreborn,weneedto
celebr
ate".
Khul
anist
il
lcoul
dnotbeli
eve,worseofal
lhewas
scar
edofsnakes,hehadneverbeenthi
scloset
oa
hugesnake.
Khulani
:"Dude!Youdi
sappear
edtogostaywit
ha
snakeinsi
dethi
shugeriv
er?Li
keser
iousl
y?"
.
Heaskedthatwit
hasmalll
augh,hewasmocki
ng
hi
sbrother
.Barut
iandhi
smotherweref
umingi
n
anger
.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
32]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[15]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Theywal kedt otheMot hupi household,thevil

l
agers
werehappyseei ngKgosi gal
eMot hupi,
hewasa
greatleaderandev er
ythi
ngt othem, hewassel fl
ess.
Manypeopl est artedbeli
ev i
ngthathewasi nthe
ri
vertoget herwi thhisgrandson.Peopl ecelebrat
ed.
Mot hupiledt hewayi nwel comi ngNsikai n,
Nsika
walkedst raighttot hekraalandkneel edatthegate.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Hur
rywi
thabl
anketorat
owel
!"
.
Everyonewant edtoseewhatwasgoi ngtohappen,
Nsikawenti nsidet
hekraal,
thesnakeslowl
ywent
downf rom hisbody,al
lthecowsranexceptforone,
thewhitecow.
Thesnakedisappearedi
nfrontofthei
rey
esandthe
cowraninfullspeedtot
heriver
.Peopler
ejoi
cedand
sangsongs.Acowwassl aughtered.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Comet
hisway
".
Het
ookhi
mtot
heancest
ral
room.
Kgosigal
e:"It
houghtsomethi
ngbadhappenedt
o
you,howdidyougethere?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
tknowhowIgother
e".
Kgosigal
e:"Iam happyt
haty
ouar
efi
neandt
hatt
he
ancestor
schosey ou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Kgosigale:
"Wehav
eal
ott
otal
kabout
,Iwi
l
ltake
youinside"
.
Hewaspr oudofhisgr
andson,
hegav ehi
ma
bedroom andshowedhimthebathr
oom.Nsi
kadi
d
nothaveclot
hesbuthewasborrowedafew.
Everyonest art
edar r
ivi
ng, t
hemedi a,busi
ness
partners,beforeeveryt
hingKgosi gal
ehadt omake
everythingclear,
het ol
dt hemedi athathewasbusy
preparingtheancest or
swor k.Hedi dnotsayalotof
thi
ngs, everyoneexpectedBar utitobecrownChief
butthosewhoknewKgosi wer ehappytomeethis
sons.
.
.
.
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Khul
ani
arey
oual
ri
ght
?".
Khulani
:"I'
m hungr
y,I
'
mti
redofsmi
l
ingt
oal
lthese
peopleIneedfood"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youneedt
omeetandknowpeopl
e,y
ou
ar
eaMot hupi
".
Khul
ani
:"Butwedi
dn'
tsl
eeporeat
,I'
m hungr
y".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Comehere,
youhavet
omeetMr
Moroka,
heismychi
ldhoodf
ri
end"
.
Khul
aniwastir
ed,sl
eepyandhungr
ybuthedi
dwhat
hi
sgrandf
athertol
dhimtodo.
MrMokoka:
"Chi
ef,
howar
eyoumyman"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Longt
ime,
meetmygr
andsonKgosi
'
s
son"
.
MrMoroka:"Helooksexact
lyl
i
kehi
sfat
herI
'
m sur
e
gi
rl
sar
eal r
eadyaft
erhim".
Kgosigal
e:"Hedoesn'
thav
etimeforgir
ls,
ther
eis
schoolpl
usther
eisalothehast
ol ear
nabout
busi
ness".
MrMoroka:"Youareteachi
nghi
m wel
lbutweneed
t
odiscussbusi
ness"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Any
time"
.
MrMor
oka:
"Sonpl
easeexcuseus"
.
Thatwasareli
eft
oKhul
ani
,hewentt
ohi
sbr
other
whowassit
tingcomf
ort
abl
yeati
ng.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sohungr
y".
Het
ookapl
ateanddi
shedup.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyouokay
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Iam good,
passmet
hatgl
ass"
.
Khulani
:"Dowehavet
obei
ntr
oducedt
oal
lthese
people?I
'mti
red"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Yourgrandf
atherl
ookshappy,
hedeser
ves
t
obehappyjustdowhateverhewant
sy out
odo".
Khulani
:"Iknowt hatt
hiswasnotwhatwewanted
butIthi
nky ouwillmakeagreatChi
ef,
I'
m gl
adt
hat
theancestorschoseyou".
Nsi
ka:
"Soy
ouar
enotmad?
".
Khul
ani:
"I'
m mad,
verymadt
haty
oudi
sappear
ed
wit
houtsay
ingaword"
.
Theybot
hlaughed.
Nsi
ka:"Youmaydoall
thesecr
azyst
uffbutyou
nev
erchangewhoyouare,
youareaver
yself
less
per
son".
Khul
ani
:"Atl
eastf
oroncey
ouar
ecompl
i
ment
ing
menotannoy
ingme".
Nsi
ka:"Youar
ethemostannoy
ingone,It
hink
Kgosi
gal
eisnotabadper
sonaft
eral
l"
.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
ouknowwhatIt
hink?
".
Nsi
ka:
"What
?".
Khul
ani:"It
hinkweneedalongbat
handt
hanwe
wil
lcel
ebrat
eournewchief
".
Nsikal
aughed,
theyst
oodupandheadedt
othebi
g
house.
Nsi
ka:
"WellIwasgi
venabedr
oom butI
'
m notsur
e
whi
chwayIshoul
dgo".
Khul
ani
:"Thi
shousei
sconf
usi
ng"
.
Nsi
ka:
"It
hinkt
her
eisonet
hingy
oushoul
ddo"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
sit
?".
Nsika:"Mphoandhi
smot
herar
ewai
ti
ngf
ory
our
apology"
.
Hesai dl
eavi
nghiminthefoy
er,Khul
anil
ooked
aroundMphowasnowher etobeseen,hewentout
i
nt hecrowd.Hespott
edhi
smot hert
alki
ngwit
hthe
vil
lageoldwoman,hewasscaredandashamedto
faceherbuthehadto.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
oMa"
.
Mpho'
smom l
i
ftedupherey
ebr
ows.
Khul
ani
:"Canwet
alkImeanIhav
e-"
.
Mpho'smom: "Idon'tunder
standwhaty
ouar
e
say
ing,speakSetswana".
Hedidnotknowt
hatl
anguageort
oev
engr
eeti
n
Set
wana.
Khul
ani
:"Iam sor
ryforhowIbehav
edt
heot
herday
,
pl
easef
orgiv
eme" .
Sheignoredhim andconti
nuedtal
kingwit
hthe
womanshewast al
ki
ngwith.Hewentdownonhi s
knees,Khulani
maybeal otofthi
ngsbuthehada
goodhear t
,hewasselfl
essandhadal otofr
espect
forel
ders.
Khul
ani:
"Idon'thav
emoneynowi nmypocketsto
payyoubutIhopethatonedayy
ouwil
lfor
give,Iam
sor
ry"
.
Hestoodupandwalkedaway,i
twascleart
hat
Mpho'smotherdi
dnotfor
giv
ehim,i
thurthi
m deepl
y.
Hewentinsi
dethehouse,
hedidnotknowwhich
r
oom togoto.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Khul
ani:
"Ineedt
ofr
eshenupbutIdon'
tknowwhi
ch
doort
ogoto".
Kgosigal
e:"IsentMphot
obuyy
ouandy
ourbr
other
cl
othes,f
oll
owme" .
Hef
oll
owed.
Kgosi
gale:"Lookcaref
ull
y,af
tert
hesestepsyou
tur
nlef
t,thi
sisyourbrot
hersroom andt
hisisyour
s".
Khul
ani
:"Cool
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Language"
.
Hel
ookedathi
m conf
used.
Khul
ani
:"Cool
,ImeanCool
meansCool
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Geti
nsi
debef
orey
ouupsetme"
.
Hedi dnotknowthe" respecti
ve"ver
sionofcool,
cool wascooltohi
m andhedi dnotseeany thi
ng
wr ongwithi
t.Hewenti nsidethebedroom, i
twas
thesamesi zeastheirhousebacki nKznorev en
bigger,i
thadabathroom insideandev ery
thi
ng.He
tookal ongshowerandst ayedwithat owelwrapped
ar
oundhi
sbodywai
ti
ngfort
hecl
othes.Acoupl
eof
minut
est
her
ewasaknockathi
sdoor,itwasMpho.
Mpho:
"Uncl
esai
dIshoul
dgi
vey
out
hese"
.
Khul
ani
:"Cool
,Imeant
hanky
ou"
.
Mpho:
"Sur
e".
Khulani:
"Hey ,
Iowey ouanapol ogyman,I
'
m sorry
forwhatIdidtheotherday,i
triedapol
ogi
zingto
yourmom butshedi dnotunder st
andwhatiwas
sayi
ng..I'
m notsay
ingapologizetoheronmybehalf
Iwil
l pr
obablyfi
ndanotherwayt oapol
ogi
ze,Iam
real
lysorry
".
Mpho: "Nopr oblem,I'
m sur eyouwereunder
pressurefordoingthat,Iknowwhatki ndofaper
son
youare,youtookast rangerandgav ehimfoodand
clot
hes,youar eagoodper son..wecool
".
Khul
ani
:"Forr
eal
?Thanky
ou"
.
Mpho:
"Hurr
y,Uncl
eiswaiti
ngout
sideandy
ouhav
e
t
omeetyournewguards"
.
Khul
ani
:"Newguar
ds?
".
Mpho:
"Yeah,
Uncl
eor
gani
zedt
hem f
ory
ouandy
our
br
other
".
Henoddedandt
ookt
hecl
othes.
Khulani
:"Fuck!Whowoul
dweart
hese?Ar
ethese
evenclot
hes?".
I
twasnothisstyl
eofcl
othes,
itwasj
ustcl
othesbut
hehadnochoicebutt
owearthem.
.
.
.
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whot
hehel
lboughtt
hesecl
othes?
".
Khul
ani
:"Whoel
se?I
t'
sMpho,
Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his
guy"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ineedmycl
othesnott
his"
.
Mapul
e:"Hel
l
o".
Khul
ani
fel
tsi
cki
nsi
de.
Nsi
ka:
"Hi
".
Mapul
e:"Ihonest
lydi
dnotknowt
hatwear
erel
ated,
whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me?
".
Khul
ani
:"Wear
erel
ated?
".
Heact
edconf
used.
Khul
ani:"Iwasaboutt
oask,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?".
Mapul
e:"Thi
sismyhome,
I'
m mar
ri
edt
oyouruncl
e".
Khul
ani
:"Younev
ert
oldmet
haty
ouar
emar
ri
ed"
.
Mapule:
"Idon'
tdi
scussmyper
sonal
li
fewi
th
peopl
e".
Khul
ani
didnotknowwhatt
osay
,hekeptqui
et.
Mapul
e:"Iwi
l
lseey
ouar
ound"
.
Shel
eft
,leav
ingKhul
ani
sweat
ing.
Nsi
ka:
"Thati
syourSugarmama?
".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouti
t"
.
Mpho:"Ohy oudone,comethisside,Uncl
esaysyou
sti
l
lgetlosti
nthishousebutIdon'tbl
amey out
his
houseishuge".
Nsi
ka:
"It
'senor
mous"
.
Mpho:"Thesit
ti
ngr
oom i
sthatsi
de,
theyar
e
wai
ti
ngforyou".
Theywentt
othesit
ti
ngroom,t
heycameinand
fol
l
owedeachothert
othetwoemptychai
rs.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ever
yonet
hesear
emygr
andsons,
Kgosi
'
ssons".
MmeMothupi
:"Howdoy ouknowt
hatt
heyar
e
Kgosi
'
ski
ds?Youar
etake-"
.
Kgosigale:"Nooneneedstot
ellmeaboutmyown
bl
ood, IknowoneofmyownwhenIseeone, t
he
ancestorsalr
eadywelcomedthem.Ar
ey out
hat
bl
ind?".
MmeMothupi
:"Theywer
erai
seddi
ff
erent
,notl
i
kea
Mot
hupi
".
Barut
i:"Fat
her
,youmadeusbel
i
evet
haty
ouwer
e
dead"
.
Kgosigal
e:"I
fitwasn'tf
orthem Iwouldbedead,
I
havemademydeci sion,Iwantyou,y
ourmother,
yoursonandyourwifeoutofthishouse".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Iam y
ourwi
fe!Youcan'
tdot
hat
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Pl
easel
eav
e".
Kgosi
gal
etol
dtheguy
shehiredast
heguar
dst
o
thr
owthenout
.Nsi
kaspoke.
Nsika:
"Ther
eisnoneedt othr
owthem out,
the
ancest
orswi
llnotforgi
veyou.Youcanstayforas
l
ongasy ouwantthisisyourhomeaft
erall
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Nsi
kawhatdoy
out
hinky
ouar
edoi
ng"
.
Nsika:
"Noonequesti
onstheChi
efgrandf
ather
,I
needthreebucket
sofwat
er,t
apwater"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Mphogett
hebucket
sofwat
er"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Pl
easef
oll
owme"
.
HetoldBar
utihi
smot herandMapul
e,t
heywent
out
sideinf
rontofpeople.Het
hrewwateront
hem.
Bar
uti
:"Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?Iwi
l
lki
l
lyou"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Howcanyoual
l
owt
hischi
l
dto
di
srespectusli
kethi
s?"
.
Nsi
ka:"Youcannowl
i
vei
nthi
shouse,
youar
e
cl
eansed"
.
Hel
eftt
hem t
her
e,hedi
dnotcar
ewhowas
watchi
ngandwhowasnot .Hewentinsi
dethe
house.Thecel
ebr
ati
onconti
nued..
.Kgosi
gale
wantedtotal
ktohi
sgrandsonsal
onebeforethe
cer
emonyends.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Theancest or
shav emadethi
seasyfor
me,Khul
aniyouwi l
ltakeoverthecompanybuty
ou
needl
otsoftrai
ningandment ori
ng".
Khul
ani
:"Ohi
m-t
hanky
ou"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Youwi
l
lhaveful
lcontr
oloftheshares
andthecompanybutIwi
ll
bewi thyouinever
ything
thaty
oudo" .

Khulani
:"Youarehandingyoursharestome?Idon'
t
thi
nkiti
sagoodi dea,i
fyouwantt ogiv
emet he
companyatleastgiv
eusf i
ft
yfif
tysharesoft
he
company "
.
Kgosigal
e:"Yourbrotheri
saChi
ef,
hewi
llmakelot
s
ofmoneyoutofi t
,therear
emanysmal
lbusi
nesses
thatneedshi
sattenti
on".
Khul
ani
:"Butt
hisi
sthebi
gbusi
nessoft
hem al
l
,
besidesKgosigavebot
hofusshar
es,youj ustneed
tosignthepapersonl
y,i
fNsi
kai
snotgettingwhat
I
'm gett
ingthanIdon'
twantt
obepartofthis".
Nsi
ka:"ButKhulaniIdon'
tmindgiv
ingy
ouwhati
s
wri
tt
entobemi ne,Ihavelot
softhi
ngsher
e".
Khulani:"I
fthesesmal lbusinessesdon'
tworkout
anymor ewhatwi llhappentoy ou?Wehavet othi
nk
ahead, Mymom al way smadesur ethatwegetequal
thi
ngswhenev ershegav eussomet hi
ngsincewe
werey oung,eventheappl e,
shewoul dcutiti
nsame
anglesforustohav eequalshareofit
.Wewer e
rai
sedl i
kethat,evenifthosesharesare2%Iwant
them divi
ded".
Kgosigalel
ookedathim, hewasdeadserious,
he
understoodwhereKhulaniwascomingfrom,
somet i
meshel i
kedactingli
keabi
gbrotherandtake
careofNsika.
Kgosigal
e:"Okayi
fthati
swhatyouwantsobei
t,
butIwill
sti
ll
mentoryoutobet
heCEOandhowt o
tunthecompany".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tmi
ndbei
ngt
heCEO"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iwil
lspeaktomyat
tor
neyy
ouwi
l
lget
equal
sharesofever
ythi
ng"
.
Amanwhom Kgosigalespentmostofhi
stimewi
th
ear
li
ercamei
nescortedbyhissecondhandmen.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Mor
oka,
pleaset
akeasi
t"
.
MrMoroka:"Iwon'
tbel
ong,Icametosaymy
goodby
e,i
twasgoodseeingyouol
dfri
end"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Li
kewi
se,
IhopeIwi
l
lseey
ouagai
n
soon"
.
MrMor oka:"Youwil
lseemesoon,
nowthaty
our
grandsonhastakenoverast
heChi
efwhatwi
l
l
becomeofy ou?"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Iwi
llbethei
rmentor
,mor
eespeci
all
yI
wil
lfocusonteachi
ngKhulani
howtorunMothupi
Gold".
MrMor
oka:
"Bar
uti
isst
eppi
ngdown?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Noty
etbutKgosi
lef
tal
lhi
sri
chest
o
them"
.
MrMoroka:
"MothupiGoldisnott
hesameasitwas
whenKgosiwasst
il
lal
iv
e, wel
l,
Iwant
edtot
ell
y ou
whent het
imeisrightbutsi
ncewedecidedtotalk
aboutbusi
ness.Iam taki
ngmybusinesselsewhere,
Iwon'tbeworki
ngwi thMothupi
Gol
dany mor e"
.
Kgosi
gale:
"Youcan'tdothat,
ourbusi
nessis
st
andingbecauseofyourbusi
ness,
wewi l
ll
osel
ots
ofcontr
act
sifyoupullout
".
MrMoroka:"IneedmoneyandMot hupi
Goldi
snot
gi
vi
ngmet hatanymor
e,Ican'
ttr
ustyourcompany
anymor
e".
Kgosigal
e:"Mothupi
Gol
disal
readytr
embli
ngdown,
i
fwel oseyouthanwewi
lll
oseever
ythi
ng,
please
reconsi
derthi
s".
MrMor
oka:
"I'
m notsur
e,but
,may
bet
her
eisaway
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Any
thi
ng"
.
MrMoroka:"I
'm al
soment ori
ngmygr anddaughter
t
obecomeoneoft hebestbusinesswomeni nthe
worl
d,i
fyouarealsoment or
ingy ourgrandsonwell
t
hatisper
fect
,wecanment orthem togetherand
j
oinfor
ceswit
hbot hourcompani es".
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
'
m notf
oll
owi
ng"
.
MrMor oka:"Wecanmakeourcompani esonebig
companyMor okaandMot hupiGoldorMothupiand
MorokaGoldbutourgrandchil
drenwil
lhaveful
l
cont
rolofthecompanyandshar eswewon'tbe
i
nvolv
ed, wewil
lj
ustbetheretoguidethem".
Kgosi
gale:
"Thatsoundsl
i
keagoodi
deabutIwi
l
l
thi
nkaboutit
".
MrMor oka:"I
twasj ustanideaifyoudon'tli
keiti
t'
s
fi
newewon' tdoitbecauset her
ear emany
conditi
onsthatwi l
lcomewi thit
,sinceitwil
lbehard
totrusteach,theonlywayt ogainfullt
rustofeach
otheristomar ryourgrandchil
dren".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ihav
etwogr
andchi
l
dren"
.
MrMor
oka:
"Theonewhowil
lrunt
hecompanywi
l
l
mar
rymygr
anddaught
er"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thi
sisbul
l
shi
t"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"LanguageKhul
ani
!"
.
Khul
ani
:"Howol
disy
ourdaught
erMrMor
oka?
".
MrMor
oka:
"Shef
ini
shedschool
lasty
ear
".
Khul
ani
:"Andal
readyy
ouwantt
osel
lher
?What
ki
ndofagr
andf
atherar
eyou?
".
Kgosigal
e:"Cal
m downson, MrMorokamysons
happi
nesscomesf i
rst
,ifhedoesn'
twantt
omarry
yourdaughtert
hanI'
m afr
aidwehavenobusi
ness
toget
her"
.
MrMor oka:
"Thinkaboutt hi
s,yourbusinesswi l
lbe
shutdowninlessthan5y earsandatl eastifmy
daughtermarr
iesi
nt hi
sfamilyIwillknowt hatshei
s
happyandIknowt hatIcantrustyou".
Khul
ani:
"Wehavenobusi
ness,
I'
m notget
ti
ng
marr
iedtoany
one"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ngher
etoday
".
MrMoroka:"Youareafri
end,remembert
hatmy
doori
salwaysopen,Boy
sf ar
ewell
".
Hel
eft
.
Khulani
:"Beforey
ouevent
hinkaboutit
,I'
m not
doingit
,youcankeepy
ourbusinessandyourmoney
Idon'twanti
t!"
.

.
.
.
.

Li
keShar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
32]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[16]
[
Unedi
ted,
Iwr
otet
hisi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
heni
ght
]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Khulani
andNsi ka'
sli
v eswer echangedf
orever
wit
hinablinkofaney e,theywentbackto
Johannesburgforschool butthi
ngsweredif
fer
ent
.
Nsi
ka:
"Imi
ssmyj
ob"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youarecr
azyman,thatt
hingwasnota
j
obitwashel
l,
youwereoverworki
ngy our
sel
f"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whatdoy
ouknowaboutwor
king?
".
Khul
ani
shookhi
sheadathi
sbrot
her,her
eal
l
ydi
d
notl
i
keworki
ngatabar
,hi
sphonerang.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
o".
Hepoppedhi
sey
esst
ari
ngatNsi
ka.
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whoi
sit
?".
Hemouthed'Nandi
'
,heclear
edhi
sthr
oatand
st
art
edspeaki
ngagain.
Khul
ani
:"Sur
e,y
ougood?
".
Nandi:"YeahI
'
m good,Iheardaboutwhathappened
t
oy ourmom I'
m sor
ryhey".
Khul
ani
:"Oht
hanky
ou"
.
Nandi:
"AreyouandNsi
kaokaythough?Imeanhow
ar
ey oudeal
i
ngwitht
helossofy
ourmom? ".
Khul
ani
:"Wearej
ustt
aki
ngi
tonedayatat
imebut
wearegood"
.
Nandi:
"I'
m gl
adt
hatyouarecopy
ing,
Iwasj
ust
checki
nguponyou,
bye".
Khul
ani
:"Nandi
,wai
t-
".
Nsi
ka:
"Andt
hen?
".
Khul
ani
:"Shewasj
ustchecki
nguponus"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Andy
oust
il
lwant
edt
otal
ktoher
?".
Khul
ani:"Obv
iousl
y,youknowhowIf
eel
abouther
,I
wil
lsav
ehernumber s".
Nsi
ka:
"Cal
lhernow,
youhav
enot
hingt
olose"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
fshedoesn'
twantt
otal
ktome?
".
Nsi
ka:"Areyout
hatdumb?Shecal
l
edy
ouf
ir
stso
cal
lherback"
.
Khul
anilookedathernumber
s,hegotv
eryner
vous,
hecal
led.
Nandi
:"Hel
l
o".
Khul
ani
:"Hey
,thanky
ouf
orchecki
nguponus"
.
Nandi
:"I
'm notabadper
sonKhul
ani
andy
ououtof
al
lpeopl
eknowsthat"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
ear
eyou?
".
Nandi:"Durban,howi
sschool
?Hl
elot
oldmey
ou
gotaccepted".
Khul
ani
:"Yeah,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
hisy
ear
?".
Nandi
:"I
'm busywit
hsomeimmaturet
heat
erbut
nexty
earI
'm goingt
ostudydr
ama".
Khulani
:"Iwantt
oseey
ou,
sobad,
Nandi
I'
m sor
ry,
forever
ythi
ng"
.
Shekeptqui
etf
oramoment
.
Nandi
:"Cool
,Idon'
thol
dgr
udgessoIf
orgav
eyou
l
ongti
meago".
Khul
ani
:"Doy oumindv
isi
ti
ngmeher
ebutIcanal
so
cometoDurban".
Nandi
:"Khul
ani
youcan'
t"
.
Khul
ani:
"CanItryt
oatl
eastchangey
ourmi
nd,
I
missyouli
kecr
azy"
.
Nandi:
"Imissy
out oobutIam happywher
eIam
now,Ihav
emov edon".
Khul
ani
:"Youhav
eaboy
fri
end?
".
Nandi
:"YesIhav
eaboy
fri
end"
.
Khul
ani:"Wel
l-I
'
m-Iwon'
tl
ieandsayI
'
m happyf
or
youbutIhopehetr
eat
syoubett
ert
hanIdi
d".
Nandi
sighed.
Khulani
:"I
tisni
cehear
ingy
ourv
oiceagai
nbutI
havetogo".
Nandi
:"Okayby
e,sayhi
toNsi
ka"
.
Shehangedup,allt
heheartbr
eakthathewas
l
earningtoli
vewit
hstart
edagain,
hehadnoi dea
howsomeonewoul dholdahugepar tofhi
sli
fe,
he
thoughthehadfor
gottenbuthear
inghervoi
cemade
him missherev
enmor e.
Khul
ani:
"Shehasmovedon,Idon'
tunder
standwhat
Idi
dtoher,
Idi
dnotcheatorabuseherwhatdogi
rl
s
want?
".
Nsi
ka:
"It
hinkweneedabeer
".
Khul
ani
:"Abeer?Ser
iousl
y?I
'm pouri
ngmyheartt
o
youasmybrot
herandy ouar
egivingmeabeer?
".
Nsika:"If
eelyourpai
nbutIdon'
tknowhowto
adviceyouGeezmanI '
m notOpr
ah,dr
inkabeerand
getoverit
".
Khulani
:"Passmeone, al
lIdi
dwastotell
hert
hat
I
'm mov i
ngtojoburgandshegotangryontopof
thatshemov edon.Ithoughtshewasagoodperson
butIwaswr ong,shei
sl i
keallt
hesegi
rl
s".
Nsika:"That'
swhyIneverdatedt
hesegi
rl
sback
home, theyar
eallt
hesame, t
hesegi
rl
sarenott
he
rel
ati
onshiptypeofgi
rl
s".
Khul
ani
:"Ri
ght
".
Hewasdeepl yhurt,abeerdi
dnothel
pbutatleasti
t
hothi
m abittipsy.OnaSaturdayt
hei
rgr
andfather
cametotheirplaceunexpect
ed.
.
.
.
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Thi
spl
acei
sver
ycl
ean"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mot
hert
aughtuswel
l
".
Hesai
dtaki
ngabeer
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Gi
vemet
hat
".
Khul
ani
:"Mybeer
?No"
.
Het
ooki
tfr
om hi
m.
Kgosi
gale:
"Youneedtost
artexer
cisi
ngand
dr
inki
ngmor ewat
er,
youwil
lbetheCEOofMothupi
Goldnotatarv
enowner
".
Khul
ani
:"Abeeri
snothar
mful
".
Kgosigal
e:"Youwi
l
ldoasIsayKhul
ani
,wher
eis
yourBrot
her?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"I'
m her
e".
Kgosi
gale:"Good,
whatt
imear
eyoucomi
ngback
fr
om schoolonMonday?
".
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
etwocl
asses,
Iwi
l
lbedonebef
ore
12"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ionl
yhav
ea7am cl
ass"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Per
fect
,wehav
eaboar
dmeet
ingat12"
.
Khul
ani
:"Aboar
dmeet
ing?
".
Kgosi
gale:"Youhear
dmecor rectl
y,Khul
ani st
udy
al
lthepapersIgaveyou,t
heywillbeusefulonthi
s
meeti
ngohandChi efnextweekendy ouareneeded
home".
Nsi
ka:
"I'
mr eadyaslongasther
ewi
l
lbel
otsofgi
rl
s
att
heeventthatIam i
nvi
tedt
o".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sur
eal
ltheseTswanagi
rl
sar
eal
ready
dr
oo-"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Gi
rl
s?Whatgi
rl
s?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Iwasj
ustsay
ing"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youar
eaChi
efdon'tal
lowanygi
rlt
o
thr
owthemselv
esaty
ou,
haverespect"
.
Khul
ani
:"RespectChi
ef"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Shutup"
.
Khul anil
aughed,hewashappyf
ornotbeingaChief,
beingaChi efcamewithsomanyresponsibi
l
iti
esbut
theirgrandf
atherwasdoi
ngmostofthejob.
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
etot
akeaqui
ckshower
".
Hel
eftf
orashower
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Howareyoucopyingwit
hev
ery
thi
ngI
meanbei
ngaChiefisalotofwork"
.
Nsi
ka:"Youar
edoi
ngmostoft
hej
ob,
I'
m happyf
or
t
hat"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youar
elucky
".
Theybot
hlaughedbutNsi
kasuddenl
yst
oppedand
st
aredathi
m.
Nsi
ka:
"Whyar
eyouhi
dingy
ourpai
n?"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?".
Nsika:"I
tstr
essesyouthatt
hecompanyi
sfal
l
ing
apartbutyoucan'
ttal
kaboutit
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Busi
nessi
sli
ket
hat
,it
'snotal
way
s
ri
ght
".
Nsi
ka: "Youknowt
hatKhul
ani
istheonewhohasto
sav
et hecompanyt
henwhyareyounotconv
inci
ng
hi
mt o?".
Kgosi
gale:
"Hei
sachi
l
dwi t
hal otaheadofhim,I
can'
tfor
cehimt
omakeli
fechangingdeci
sions"
.
Nsi
ka:"I
t'
suptoyoubutt
heancest
orsal
way
sknow
whatt
heyaredoi
ng"
.
Kgosi
gale:"Youspeakl
i
keanol
dman,
your
emi
nd
meofy ourfat
her
".
Nsi
ka:"Youwil
lendupi
nhospi
tal
becauseoft
his
companystr
ess"
.
I
twascleart
oKgosi gal
ethatNsi
kaseest
hingsbut
hewasnotsurpr
ised.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Tel
lyourbr
othert
hatIwi
l
lseey
out
wo
onMonday".
Nsikanoddedandsai dhisgoodby estohis
grandfat
her,theweekendpassedandt hebrothers
didnotknowwhatt oexpectont hemeet i
ngmay be
i
twasj ustani ntroductionmeeting.Acarpi cked
them upafterschool ,theyneverthoughtthe
companywast hatbig,every
onest aredatthem as
theywalkedpasst heempl oyees.Kgosigalewas
alr
eadywaitingf orthem outsidetheofficedoor.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youar
elat
e,ev
ery
onei
sher
eal
ready
".
Theylookedateachandf ol
lowedhi minside,
more
thaneightpeoplewereseat
edi nthelonground
tabl
es,theyalll
ookedli
keprominentbusinessmen
andwomennot hingt
hatKhulaniandNsikahadseen
befor
ei nreall
i
fe,Bar
utiwasalsot her
e.
Theysatnextt
othei
rgr
andf
ather
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iwouldl
iket
oapologi
zef
ornotkeepi
ng
mytimeandthankyoual
lforcomi
ngher
e".
Kgosigal
e:"Iwil
ljusttakeitfrom thetop,Ihave
reci
evedandreadt hisfi
nancialyear'
sstatementand
thecostshavedroppeddi smal l
ybutwewi l
lhav
e
anothermeeti
ngst ri
ctl
yforthat,Wescor ed
cont
ractsfr
om twodi f
ferentcount
ri
esbutwecan'
t
cel
ebratebecausewear eabouttolosemajor
cont
racts,I
'
m afrai
dthatmor ethantwohundr
ed
employeeswilll
osetheirj
obs".
Theshar
ehol
der
sst
art
edmumbl
i
ngwor
ds.
Kgosigal
e:"Therei
snot
hingIcandobutf
rom t
oday
Iam back,Iam t
aki
ngoverastheCEOoft
his
company "
.
Bar
uti
:"Dad-
".
Kgosigal
e:"I
'm notdone,myassi
stantismy
grandsonher
e,oh,pleasemeetmygr andsonsand
I
'm sureyouhavealreadyr
eadaboutthem inthe
newspapers"
.
Hesai
dwi
thasmal
ll
augh.
Kgosigal
e:"Khul
anii
sthenewassi
stantCEOi
n
tr
aini
ng,youwil
lnotseehi
m mostoftheti
mes
becauseheissti
ll
atschool
".
Bar
uti
:"Youcan'
tdot
hat
!Iam t
heCEOoft
his
company"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Andt
heseboy
sar
etheowner
soft
his
company
,theyhol
dthemajor
it
yshares,
Kgosi
si
gnedal
lhisshar
esovert
othem".
Kgosi
gale:
"Iwi
ll
giveyouanotherposi
ti
onbecauseI
st
il
lhaveagoodheart
,thatwasallf
ort
oday"
.
Peopl
est
art
edl
eav
ing.
Barut
i:"Pl
easethi
nkaboutt
his,
youar
emakingthe
bi
ggestmistakeofyourl
i
fe,
whatdoesheknow
aboutpeopl
e?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iwi
l
lteachhi
m".
Barut
i:"Canty
ouseewhatt heyaredoi
ng?They
wanttotakeever
y t
hingthatbelongst
oyou,youcant
tr
ustthem.Iam yourson".
Kgosi
gale:"Pl
easemov eyourt
hingsf
rom myof
fi
ce,
I
'm st
art
ingtoworkfi
rstthi
nginthemorni
ng"
.
Bar
uti
:"Iwi
l
lnotdot
hat
!"
.
Kgosi
gale:
"Stopbei
ngungr
ateful
,Ishouldbef
ir
ing
youbutIam st
il
lgi
vi
ngyouajob,mov e"
.
Theboysdi
dnotsayanyt
hing,t
heyfol
l
owedbehi
nd
thei
rgr
andf
ather
.Hetookthem t
othesmal
lcof
fee
shop.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Thatboyi
sungr
atef
ul"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whyar
eyoust
il
lkeepi
nghi
m ar
ound?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Idon'
tknow"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Helookedveryangr
y,i
fIwer
eyou,
Iwoul
dn'
t
st
eponhi
stoesagain".
Kgosigal
e:"I'
m notworr
iedabouthim,I
tishar dto
beli
evethatIwil
ll
osemybestempl oyees,these
peoplehavefamil
iest
of eedbutIhavetoretrench
them".
Khul
ani
:"I
sthesi
tuat
iont
hatbad?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
tisv
erybad,
itwi
l
ltakey
ear
stof
ixt
his"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ifyourgr
andsonhel
psy
ouwel
lyoudon'
t
hav
etoret
renchpeopl
e".
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
-"
.
Nsi
ka:"Khulani
ist
heonewhowi
l
lsav
ethi
s
company,nooneel
se"
.
Khul
ani
:"Si
ncewhendoIhav
emagi
cpower
s?"
.
Nsi
ka:"Ihav
eseeni
tinmydreams,i
fKhul
ani
marr
iestheMor
okagi
rl,
ever
ythi
ngwi
llgobackt
o
nor
mal
".
Khul
ani:"Yourdreams?Whatdr
eams?Stopbei
ng
cr
azy,Iam notgetti
ngmar
ri
edtoanyone"
.
Nsika:
"Youwill
,st
opbei
ngstubbor
nman,the
ancest
orsshowedmethati
tistheonl
ywaytosav
e
thecompany".
Khulani
:"Ancest
ors?Tell
yourancest
orsthatI
'm not
crazy,t
heyshoul
dmar r
yherthemselv
es,Iam not
getti
ngmarri
ed".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Cal
m downmay
bewewi
l
lfi
ndaway
-".
Nsi
ka:
"Ther
eisnoot
herway
".
Khulani:
"Justbecausey
ouareaChi
efnowyou
thi
nky oucantel
lmewhattodo?Youar
estar
ti
ngt
o
annoyme" .
Nsi
ka:
"Youar
e-"
.
Khul
ani:
"Shutthef
uckup!Whot
hehel
lget
s
marr
iedatt
hisage?
".
Nsi
ka:
"St
opy
ell
i
ngatme"
.
Khul
ani
:"Orwhat
?Her
e'sat
hingabouty
ou,
you
t
hinky
ouknowt
oomuch"
.
Nsika:
"WhatkindofaCEOar eyou?Whycantyou
makesacri
ficesf
oryourcompany,yourempl
oyees,
youwon'tj
ustbeanacti
ngCEObutt heownerofthe
company".
Khul
ani
:"Youar
ealsotheowneroft
hecompany
whydon'
tyoumakesacri
fi
cest
oo".
Kgosi
gal
e:"St
opi
t!Justst
opi
t,wewi
l
lfi
ndanot
her
way".
Khul
ani:"Countmeout,Nsi
kawantstorun
ever
ythi
ng,thevi
l
lage,t
hecompanywellsi
nceyou
ar
eal eaderwhydon'ty
outakei
tal
l,Br
other
!"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
twantt
obeaCEO"
.
Khul
ani
:"Butyoual
readytalkli
keone,Iwil
ll
eave
yout
wot odi
scussbusiness,don'
ti
nvolv
eme" .
Kgosi
gal
e:"Khul
ani
sitdown"
.
Khulani:"Ohwow!Fr om t
hef i
rstdayyouhada
problem wit
hthewayIt al
k,thewayi dressandthe
wayIl i
vemyl i
fe.Therei
snev erasingl
edayy ou
havecompl ai
nedaboutNsi kabutme" .
Kgosigal
e:"Iwast
eachingy
out obeagreatl
eader
,I
wantedyoutomakethingsr
ightaft
ery
ouhaveslept
wit
-"
.
Hest
opped.
Khul ani:"Sayi t
!Aft
erIhadsl eptwi
thMapul eright?
Soy out woar ehappyt odefi
nemebyt hismi stake
forther estofmyl i
fe.YesIsleptwit
hhercount less
ti
mesbuty oual sowantmet omarryagirlIdon't
ev enknowf ormoney ,ust hr
eeherearenotdi f
ferent
!
Youar esellingmef ormoney .Sowhydon' tI
cont i
nuet osl eepwithwomenIwantt osleepwi th
formoneyt hantobef orcedbymyownbr otherthatI
trustmor ethanany t
hinginthisworl
dtomar r
yagi rl
formoney ?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
youcantchangewhat
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwantust oset
tl
ethisnow,keepyour
companyandy ourhi
ghposit
ionsIdon'
twantit
,Iwil
l
l
ivemyli
fethewayIusedt ol
iveitandbrot
herIhope
youmakeagr eatChi
ef"
.
.
.
.

Hel eftthem,itwascl eartohimt hatnothingwas

goodf orpeoplearoundhi m,hewassi ckofit.He
rushedhomet opackhi sclot
hesandt ookhisbank
cards, heneededt obeawayf rom everythi
ngand
ever y
one.Andt herewast heonlyplacewher ehefel
t
atpeace.Thebusseswer enotfull
,hemanagedt o
getone, hearr
ivedinthemi ddleoftheni ghtin
Dur banandgothi msel famaxi t
axithattookhi m
home.Thei rt
wor oom housewasempt yandt he
door swer enotlocked, atl
eastthelightswer esti
ll
wor king,hewentinsideandcl osedt hedoor s.He
threwhi sbagont hef loorandsatdown.
Khulani
:"MamaImi ssyou,youusedtosayiwasa
stubbor
nchil
dbutyounev erj
udgedme,you
conti
nuedtolov
eme.Iwanty oubackMa,l
if
eis
hard,i
t'
sver
yhardwithoutyou".
Hebr
okedownint
otear
s,hecr
iedl
ikeasmal
lchi
l
d
andf
ell
asl
eepwit
htear
sinhi
seyes.
Hedi
dnotknowhowhef
ell
asl
eep,
whenhewoke
upthesunwasout.Hecl eanedhimselfandwentat
hi
sgrandmother
'shouse,hehear dnoi
seandstood
bythedoor
,hehassomuchgoi ngoni nhisl
i
fe,he
di
dnotwanttobepar toftheirf
amilydrama.
Grandma:"Wedi
dever
ythi
nghetol
dustodonow
hedoesn'
twantt
opayus?Thatmanthi
nkswear
e
cr
azy".
Thabsi
l
e:"Ir
egr
etev
ery
thi
ng,
Noma-
".
Heari
ngthement
ionofhi
smot
her
snamehewent
i
nside.
Khul
ani
:"Whatdi
dyoudot
omymot
her
?".
Grandma:
"Khul
ani
?Howdi
dyou-Imeanwhendi
d
youcomeback?
".
Khul
ani
:"Whathappenedtomymother
?Ineed
answer
snow!Iheardever
ythi
ngnowIwantt
osee
yousay
ingr
ightt
omyf ace".
Hel
i
ed.
Thabsi
l
e:"Khul
ani
cal
m down"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ir
ecor
dedi
t,st
artspeaki
ng"
.
Gr
andma:
"OhLor
dJesus-
".
Shebegantocry,
Khul
ani
wasangr
y,heev
ent
ook
outhi
scell
phone.
Thabsi
le:
"Pleasedon'
tgi
vet
hatt
othepol
i
ce,
I-Iwi
l
l
tel
lyouever
ythi
ng"
.
Khul
anipr
essedt
her
ecor
dbut
tont
orecor
dthe
conv
ersat
ion.
Thabsi
le:
"Amancameher e,het
ooky ourmother
andpayedustoburyt
hewrongperson,hepai
dus
hal
fandtoldt
hathewil
lpayt
herestwhenthejobis
done".
Khul
ani
fel
tweakbuthedi
dnotwantt
oshowt
hem
hi
sweaknesses.
Khul
ani
:"Whatdi
dhedot
oher
?Iwantev
erydet
ail
s".
Gr
andma:
"Khul
ani
mychi
l
dpl
easedon'
tdot
his"
.
Khul
anicouldn'
tev
ent al
kback,t
earswerer
oll
ing
down,hetookaknifeandpoint
editatt
hem,they
scr
eamed.
Khul
ani
:"Tal
k!"
.
Thabsi
le:"Idon'
tknowwhathedidtoNoma, Idon'
t
knowifshewasdeadorasleepwhenhet ookherto
thecarbuthetookherandarr
angedfort
hewoman
thatweburiedtobebur
ied,
every
thi
ngwas
organi
zedbyhim".
Khul
ani
:"Hi
sname?
".
Gr
andma:
"Hedi
dnott
ell
ushi
sname"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatdi
dhel
ookl
i
ke?
".
Thabsil
e:"Tal
l
,abitl
i
ghtincompl
exi
on,
hehasa
smalldarkmarkonhi
sface".
Khul
ani
:"Bar
uti
,Ijustrecordedeveryt
hingnow,Ili
ed
whenIsai
dIheardev er
ything,whatyoudidi
sav ery
bi
gcri
me,youwil
lspendy earsandyearsinj
ail
".
Gr
andma:
"For
giv
euspl
ease,
youar
e-"
.
Khulani:
"Youal way
shat edmymom andnowshe
deservesjust
iceandrevenge,Iam taki
ngyoutothe
poli
ceandIwi ll
makesur ethatyoubothspendthe
restofyourli
vesinj
ail
".
Thabsi
le:
"Whataboutmyki
ds?Theyhavenoone,
Hlel
o,y
oul ov
eHl
eloshei
syoursi
ster
".
Khulani
:"WhataboutmeandNsika?Don'
twe
deservetohaveamother
?Yourkidswi
lll
oset
hei
r
motherjustl
ikewehavel
ostour
s".
Khulani wentt ot hepol icestat
iont or eport
everything,hegav et hem therecor ding.Hismother
deserv esjust i
ce, t
hati swhathet ol dhimselfandto
getthatheneededal otofmoney .Whenhi sauntand
grandmot herwer etakenbyt hepol icehet ookhis
bagimmedi atelyandt ookabust oJohannesbur g.
Laterthatev eninghear ri
vedatthei rplace,Nsi
ka
andhi sgr andf atherwer egoingcr azy ,t
heywere
worriedsi ckabouthi m.
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
ethehel
lwer
eyou?
".
Hehuggedhi
m.
Nsi
ka:
"Wher
ewer
eyou,
Dudey
ouscar
edme"
.
Hewantedtotel
lhi
sbrotheraboutthei
r
grandmot
herandauntbuthedecidedtokeepqui
et,
thi
swashisfi
ghtal
one.
Kgosigal
e:"I
fyouarenotr
eadyt
orunt
hecompany
i
t'
sfinetakeyourt
ime"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Saysomet
hing"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Inev
erev
enl
i
kedt
hei
deaofy
ouget
ti
ng
marri
ed-
".
Khul
ani
:"Ineedmoney
,lot
sofi
t"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Why
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowi
thi
t?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iam readytobeanacti
ngCEO,
teachme
howtorunthecompany ,cal
lMrMor
okat
omor r
owI
wil
lmar
ryhisdaughter"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whyt
hesuddenchange?
".
Khulani:"BecauseIwantt o,Ithi
nkweshouldstar
t
thelessonst oni
ght,y
ousai dthefir
stoneis
disci
pli
ner ight
?AndIwi l
ljointhegymt omorr
owand
stopdrinkingalcoholunt
ilI
'mf i
ttobetheCEO".
Kgosigal
e:"Khul
ani
thi
sisabi
gdeci
si
on,
thi
nk
aboutthi
s".
Khul
ani
:"It
houghtaboutev
ery
thi
ng,
Iam r
eady
".
Hehaschangednotbecausei
twassomet hi
nghe
neededt
odobutbecauseheneededjust
iceforhi
s
mother.Heneededt
ofindifhismotheri
sdeador
notandifshei
s,hehadital
lplannedtof
indher
remainsanddealwi
thBaruti
inhisownway .
.
.
.
.
Li
keShar
e
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
33]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[17]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Nsika:"Gr
anddadisgone,t
ell
mewhyy ousuddenl
y
changedyourmind,f
ir
styoudisappear
ed".
Khulani:
"Youwant
edmetogetmar
ri
edandnow
thatI'
m doi
ngi
tyouhav
eaprobl
em?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Noi
-"
.
Khulani:"Look,youmadei tcl
earthaty oudon't
standbymeany more,youchosesi des.Youf orgot
thepersony ouwer ewithy ourwholelif
eand
decidedt odefendpeopley ouhavej ustmet .Nsika
atleastIhavenev erhi
dwhoIam, Ihav ealways
beenhonestwi t
hwhoIam notl i
key ou, y
ouhav e
proventhatthispositi
ony ouareinnowandmoney
changedyou.Youwerebusyj
udgingmebuti
nthe
processy
ouf or
gott
ocheckyoursel
f"
.
Nsi
ka:"Khul
aniyouhavei
tall
wrong,Iwi
l
lnev
ert
urn
mybackagainstyou,
youknowthat
".
Khul
ani
:"What
every
ousaybr
other
".
Nsi
ka:"Youcan'
tbehav
eli
ket
hisandexpectust
o
t
rustorbel
i
eve-
".
Khulani:"Whatdi dy ousay ?Soy ouar et
elli
ngme
howt obehav e?Remembert haty ouoncesai dtome
IsleptwiththatmanandIenj oyedi t
,youalsomade
meabadper sonforsl eepingwi thMapul e.AndIdi d
what ?Ikeptquiet,myt rustf ory ouendedt hatday,I
cannottellyouasi nglet hingbecauseIknowt hat
onedayy ouwillusei tagai nstme, okayyouar e
perfect,
fine!Butremembert hatImayactl ikeIdon'
t
carewheny ouandy ourgr andf athersaythingst o
mebutdeepdowni thurt s.From nowon, l
iveyour
l
ifeandIwi l
ldothesame" .
Nsikadi
dnotknowwhattosay,Khulani
'stonehad
somethi
nginit
,hur
t,Hewasdeeplyhurtthewayhe
spokesai
dital
l.Hehadnev
erheardhim pourhis
heartout.Khulaniwasalwaysthety
peofguyy ou
wouldsaysomet hingpai
nful
tohim buthewould
sti
l
lsmi l
elikenothingwassaidbutthi
st i
mehe
soundeddi ff
erent.Hewasnotevenshout i
ngathi
m,
hesaidallthisinawellmanneredway .
Fewday slaterKhulanidi
dnotmi ssevenasingle
dayofhi straini
ng,hepaidfull
attenti
ontowhat
Kgosi galewasdoing, heevenfi
nishedsomeofhi s
assignment sattheof fi
ceandwenthomel at
eat
night.Hewasnott hesameKhul aniwhowoul d
throwj okeshereandt herehewasqui te,
andv er
y
focusedonhi sworkandschool work.
Kgosi
gale:
"Youdon'
thavetospendal
lyourt
ime
her
e,youalsohav
eschool
".
Khul
ani
:"Iam notaf
ull
timest
udentany
mor
e".
Kgosi
gale:
"Why
?Youwi
l
lfai
lyourmodul
es,
you
need-
".
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
eneverf
ail
edandIwon'
tst
artnow,
ohandIneedapl
acetostay
".
Hisgrandfat
herst
aredathi
m bef
orehest
art
ed
speaking.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whathappenedt
oyourol
dpl
ace?
".
Khul
ani:
"Nothi
ng,IneedspaceandsinceI
'
m get
ti
ng
marr
iedIwon'
tstaywithNsi
kaforev
er".
Kgosigal
e:"Ihearyou,It
hinkIshouldgi
vey
ou
enoughtimetothinkaboutallt
his"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
ethoughtabouti
t,sowhenam I
get
ti
nganewhouse?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iwi
l
lfi
ndy
ouanagent
".
Khul
ani
:"Good,
Imeant
hanky
ou"
.
Hisgrandf
atherwast akenbackbythatbutheshook
hi
sheadandf ocusedonhispaperwork,hewas
proudofKhulani,r
unningamultimil
li
onrands
companyrequi r
edhungerforsuccessandthati
s
whathesawi nKhul ani
.
Hisgrandfathermanagedt
ogethim anagent
.
Khulaniopenedanoffi
cedoorf
indi
nganAgent
al
readywai t
ingforhi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Hi
".
Agent
:"Hel
l
o,Ry
anbutt
heycal
lmeRay
".
Heshookhi
shand.
Ryan:"Okaydarl
ing,MrMot hupisaidyouwanta
house,soherearethepictur
esoft hehouses
avai
labl
e.Youlookv er
yyoungsoIt hi
nkthi
swil
lbe
perf
ectforyou,i
thasani ndoorpool,an-
".
Khul
ani
:"Iknowt
hehouset
hatIwant
".
Ryan:
"Perf
ect,
youar
emaki
ngmyj
obeasi
er,
you
knowdar
li
ng-"
.
Khulani
:"Idon'
tli
kegays, st
opcalli
ngmedar l
ing
becauseyouaremakingi tworse,here'
stheaddr
ess
ofthehousethatIwant
, doy ourr
esearchandIwant
feedbacktomorr
ow".
Ry
an:
"I'
m-Sur
e-ImeanI
'
m oni
tMrMot
hupi
".
Khulani
stooduptol eav
etheoff
iceandwenthome,
hewassur pr
isedt
oseeAubr ey
,theguywhohelped
them whentheyfi
rstmetKgosi
gale.
.
.
.
.
Khul
ani:"Myman,
Inev
ert
houghtIwi
l
lev
erseey
ou
agai
n".
Aubrey:"MrCEOhimself
, howarey
ou?Welldon'
tbe
sur
prisedyourbr
otheral
readyt
oldmeever
ythi
ng,
howar eyou?"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m pushi
ngman,
wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
".
Aubr ey
:"Outofthecount
rybutI
'
m backnow,
I
thoughtIshoul
dpassbyandseey ouguy
swelly
our
brothercal
ledme".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sgoodt
oseey
ou"
.
Theychatt
edf
orawhi
l
eunt
ilAubr
eydeci
dedt
ocal
l
i
tanight.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
mlooki
ngf
oranewpl
acet
ost
ay"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Youar
emov
ingout
?".
Khul
ani
:"It
hinkit
'sbett
ertoliv
ef arfr
om peopl
e
whothi
nksthei
rli
vesarebetterthanmi ne,
peopl
e
whofor
getthatI
'm notper
fectI'
mj usthuman".
Nsi
kal
ookedathi
sbr
otherashel
eftt
othebedr
oom,
hedi
dnotknowwhattosaynextbuthewas
bl
aminghi
mselff
ort
hewayKhul ani
wasact
ing.
Hecal
l
edhisgr
andfat
hertomeetwit
hhim att
he
r
est
aurantt
hef
oll
owingdayt
otalkaboutKhul
ani
.
Kgosi
gale:"Howdidyoufi
ndt
hispl
ace?I
tlooks
good,
Ithinkit
'sgoi
ngtobemynewhidi
ngspot"
.
Nsi
ka:
'IGoogl
edit,
Idi
dn'
twantust
ogot
othe
pl
acewher
eKhulaniwi
l
lseeus"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Andwhyi
sthat
?".
Nsika:
"Iwantust
otalkabouthi
m,Hei
sact
ing
st
rangeImeandif
fer
ent"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ihav
enoti
ced,
hei
snowact
ingl
i
kea
tr
uebusi
nessman".
Nsi
ka:
"Yesbutonl
ybecausehewasf or
cedi
ntot
his,
di
dhetel
lyout
hathei
smov ingout
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Hei
sbuy i
nganewhousewel
lhesai
d
hewantsanewplacesincehei
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Andy
oubel
i
evehi
m?"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Yourbr
otherhasapoi
nt,
youar
ebot
h
gr
owi
ngup,
youcan'
tfol
l
oweachot
herf
orev
er"
.
Nsika:"IknowbuttheKhulanithatIknowwoul d
wanttobuyahouset hatwebothwoul dl
ivein,
we
grewupl i
kethat,
weal waysdot hi
ngstogether
.I
havehurtmybr ot
herandIfeellikeI
'mresponsibl
e
forthewayhei sbehavingl
atel
y".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Howi
shebehav
ing?
".
Nsika:"Youtoldhi
mt ost opdoingt
hingsheusedto
dolikethewayhedr esses,thewayhetalks.
.don'
t
yout hi
nkthatwastoomucht oaskfr
om him? "
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Butthati
swhatat
ruebusi
nessman
shoul
dbe,heshouldbel
i
keKgosi
,yourf
ather
".
Nsika:"Ijudgedhim andf orgotthatKhul anii
s
Khulani,
hemaydoal lsortsoft hi
ngsbuthewoul d
neverhurtasinglefl
y,Ithinkthisbusi nessshouldbe
ranthewayKhul aniwant sittobe, I'
m notblaming
youbecauseIam al soresponsi ble,Iblamedhi mfor
whohei sandusedhi smistakesagai nsthi m whi
leI
shouldbehi snumberonesuppor ter
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Igetwhaty
ouaresayi
ngbutpl
ease
speakwi
thyourbrot
her
,ishebl
amingy
ou?"
.
Nsika: "Weareobv iouslytoblame, Ifeell
ikeI'
m
l
osingmybr otherandi t
'smyf aultbecauseIpushed
him, IsaywhateverIwantt osayt ohim becauseI
knowt hathedoesn'ttakeany t
hingt oheart,no
mat t
erhowmuchy ouof fendKhul anihewi l
lst
il
l
l
aughandmakej okesbutIdi dn'treali
zethatbehind
hisjokesandsmi l
ehest il
lhavef eeli
ngs".
Kgosi
gale:"Youwi
ll
notlosebrot
her,al
lthesi
bli
ngs
fi
ghtbutyoutwohavet
hest r
ongestbothever
".
Nsi
kasi
ghed.
.
.
.
.
Khulaniwasi
mpat ientattheoffi
cewaiti
ngf
oran
agent,hewastakingtool ong,
didheknowthatyou
don'
tkeepaclientwai t
ing?Aclientcomesf
ir
stor
el
sehecanf i
ndanot heragent.Aknockdist
urbed
hi
sthoughts.
Khul
ani
:"Comei
n".
Ry
an:
"Iam sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ouwai
ti
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Takeasi
t,whatdoy
ouhav
eforme"
.
Ryan:"Hm wel
l
-thehouset
haty
ouwanti
snotf
or
sal
e".
Khul
ani
:"Iknow"
.
Ry
an:
"Thenwhydoy
ouwanti
tsobad?
".
Khulani
:"Thathousei
sperfectf
ormeandIwant
therenovati
onstobedonesoon,Ial
readyhav
ethe
paperwor kdone"
.
Ry
an:
"Whatpaperwor
k?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youasmyagentwi
l
ldot
har
est
".
Kgosi
gal
eknockedont
hedoor
.
Khul
ani
:"Comei
n".
Kgosi
gal
e:"OhRy
anhowar
eyou?
".
Heaskedshaki
nghi
shand.
Ry
an:
"Iam goodsi
r,i
tisgoodt
ohav
eyouback"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"It
'sgoodtobeback,
cany
ougi
vemea
momentwithmygr andson?
".
Khul
ani
:"Wel
lI'
m af
rai
dnot,RyanandIhavet
ogo
somewher
ebutwewi l
lbebackjustnow"
.
Kgosigaleshookhisheadandt ookasit,Khulani
saidthatandlef
t,hewasst i
lll
earni
ngtodr i
vebut
notwor t
hytobedr i
v i
ngunsupervi
sed,hetookone
ofthecompanydr iverswhodrovehimt othehouse
hewant ed.I
twasabeaut if
ulmansionhousewi t
h
every
thinghewant ed.Theguardsatthegatesawa
famil
iarcompanycarandopenedagat e.
Hewel
comedhi
msel
finsi
det
hehouse.
Bar
uti
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Di
sgustf
il
ledKhul
ani
'
sheart
,hefel
tli
kest
rangl
i
ng
hi
mtheretoget
herwi
thhi
swife.
Khul
ani
:"Mr
-uhwhat
'
syoursur
nameagai
n?"
.
Bar
uti
:"Ry
anwhati
shedoi
ngher
e?"
.
Ry
an:
"MrMot
hupi
hei
s-"
.
Khulani
:"Don'tcal
lhim MrMothupi,
heisnota
Mothupi,her
ear eyourpaper
spleasetaket
imeto
readthem".
Bar
uti
openedt
hepaper
s,t
hef
ir
stpagewaswr
it
ten
i
nbi
glet
ter
s:Ev
ict
ionNot
ice
Bar
uti
:"Youar
eoutofy
ourmi
nd?
".
Hesai
dlaughi
ngabi
t.
Khul
ani
:"Iwanty
ououtbyt
heendoft
hisweek"
.
Barut
i:"Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
eandy
ouar
epl
ayi
ng
wit
hfire!Thi
sismyhouse!
".
Khulani
:"Thishousebel
ongstomycompany,
letme
remindyou,IownhalfofMothupi
Gol
dwhichmakes
thi
shousemi ne".
Bar
uti
:"Iwi
l
l-
".
HepunchedKhul
ani
'
sfacebutKhul
ani
stopped
hi
mselfwhenhewasaboutt
opunchhim back.
Khulani
:"Iwasbeingnicef
orgi
vi
ngy outhese
coupleofdays,
Baruti
Iwantyououtofthishouseby
theendoftoday".
Barut
i:"Youarest
arti
ngawarwi
thawr
ongper
son,
youwon'tfi
nishi
t!
".
Khul
ani:"Youst
art
edawarandIam her
etof
ini
shi
t,
Getoutofthi
shouse"
.
Hesai
dleav
ingt
hehouse.
Ry
an:
"Khul
-Si
rInev
er-
".
Khul
ani
:"Mygr andfat
herpai
dy out
odoy ourj
obbut
youf
ail
ed,sonowgett hepoli
ceoranyonewhowi l
l
makesurethatthesepeopl
eleavet
hishousetoday"
.
Ry
an:
"Y-
yes,
yessi
r"
.
Thecardrovethem backtothecompany ,Khulani
rantotheoffi
cetocleanhi
sf ace,hi
srightey ewas
real
l
yhurt.Hecall
edhi sgr
andfather'
spersonal
assi
stant
,Claudi
a,shewasami ddleagedl ady.
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng"
.
Cl
audi
a:"Whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?
".
Khulani
:"Not
hing,
Iwantyoutodomeafavorby
sendingsomeonetot
heformerCEO'
shousetot
ake
thecarsandl
eavemaybeone".
Cl
audi
a:"MrBar
uti
'
scar
sbut
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Now!Pl
easei
t'
sur
gent
".
Claudi
a:"Nopr
obl
em,
Iwi
l
lal
sobr
ingy
oui
cef
or
youreye"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Whenshelef
ttheoff
ice,Khul
ani
tookhi
smot
her
s
pi
ctur
eandlookedatit
.
Khul
ani
:"Imi
ssy
ousomuchMa"
.
Hewipedt
hetearsreal
qui
ckl
yandhi
dthepi
ctur
e
whenadooropened.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whati
sthi
smadnessthatI
'
m hear
ing?
Whyareyouthr
owi
ngBarut
ioutofhi
shouse"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m al
sor
epossessi
nghi
scar
s".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Areyououtofyourmi
nd?Wearei
nthe
middl
eofthefi
nanci
alcr
ises,
wedon'
tneedmore
dr
amahere".
Khulani
:"Barutiownsmor ethanfivecars,
Itook
thosecarst
osel lthem sothatpeoplecangetpaid
mont hendatleastIwil
l l
eavehim withonecar"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Andt
hehouse?
".
Khulani
:"Il
i
ket
hathousesoIwi
l
lowni
tand
renovat
eitt
omyli
ki
ngs".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Khul
ani
youshoul
dhav
edi
scussedt
his
wi
thmef
ir
st,
thi
sisnothowwedot
hingsher
e".
Khulani:
"Iownhal fofthi
scompany ,thathouse
belongstoMot hupiGold,
thecarsbelongst o
Mot hupiGol
dsoi notherwordsgrandfatherthose
aremyasset s.Barut
iisnottheowneroft his
companyhemustl earntoworkandbuyhi sown
carsandhousewi thhishardearnedmoneynott he
company 'smoney".
Kgosi
gal
e: "Son,Bar
uti
wil
ltr
ytogetr
evenge,
giv
e
hi
m ever
ythingback"
.
Khulani:
"Hewon' tgetany
thi
ngback,heneedsto
worklikeal
ltheempl oy
eeshere,
ifhewantsrev
enge
I
'm herewait
ingforhim".
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
33]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[18]
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ry
an:
"It
'sal
ldone,
thehousei
syour
s".
Khul
ani
:"Iknowt
hat
,hav
etheymov
edout
?".
Ry
an:
"Isentpeopl
etodot
hat
".
Khul
ani
:"Good,
Ineedt
her
enov
ati
onst
obedone
ver
ysoon"
.
Ryan:"Iwil
lgety
ouagoodcompanydon'
twor
ry
aboutitsi
r"
.
Khulani nodded.Hemanagedt orepossessed
Baruti'
scar snotbecausehedi ditforthesakeofthe
company 'sfi
nanci
al si
tuat
ionbutbecausehe
want edt ospit
eBar uti
.Hewasl earni
ngtolivehi
slif
e
awayf r
om hisbrother,hewouldleaveearlyi
nthe
mor ningandcomebackatni ght.
Nsi
ka:
"Hey
,ar
eyour
eadyt
omeety
ournewwi
fe?
".
Yesthedaywasfinal
lynear
,thenegoti
ationswer
e
happeningt
henextdayandKhulanididnot
underst
andwhyLobolahadtobepai d,hewas
expecti
ngacont
racttobesigned,acontractt
hat
j
oinedtwofamil
i
es.
Khul
ani
:"Yeah"
.
Hejustagr
eedbutdeepdownhewasnotr eadybut
hecouldnott
ell
hisbrot
herbecausehewasgoingt
o
j
udgehim.
Nsi
ka:"Iam sorr
yformakingyoufeell
ikeI'
m
per
fectt
hany ouoranyt
hingli
kethat
,pleaseforgi
ve
me,thi
splaceisbor
ingwheny ouarel
ikethis"
.
Khul
anir
eali
zedt
hathewasnotmadatNsi
ka,
he
coul
dn'
tstaymadathi
m hewasj
ustf
eedi
nghisego.
Nsi
ka:"Dudecomeon,
stopact
ingl
i
keagi
rl
,Isai
d
I
'm sor
ry"
.
Khul
ani
smi
l
ed.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
ejustannoy
ingsomet
imes"
.
Nsi
ka:
"That
'swhyy
ouar
eal
way
sar
oundme,
you
enj
oyi
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wai
t,i
sthatawayofaski
ngt
omov
ein
wit
hme?Cozit
'saNo".
Nsi
ka:"WellIcan'
tst
ayi
nthi
stownhousef
orev
er,
I
'm aChi
ef"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wel
lthenGety
our
sel
fahouseChi
ef"
.
Nsika:
"Iwi
l
lsee.
.may
bey
oucanhel
pmegeta
house".
Khul
ani
:"Idi
dnotsayIf
orgi
vey
ou"
.
Nsi
ka:"Youl
ovey
ourbr
othert
oomuchnott
o
f
orgi
vehim".
Khul
ani
:"Ist
il
lhat
eyou"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Il
ovey
out
oobr
o."
.
Khul
ani
rol
l
edhi
sey
es.
Khul
ani
:"Okayf
inethathousei
sbig,youwi
l
lmov
e
i
nwithmewhenev er
ythi
ngisdone".
Nsi
ka:
"Andy
ournewwi
fe?
".
Khul
ani:
"Youaremybrotherifshewi
llhav
ea
pr
oblem wi
thy
ouwellIdon'twanther
".
Nsi
ka:"Butdudear
eyousur
ethaty
ouwantt
oget
marr
ied?"
.
Khulani
didnotknowwheretobegin,
itkil
ledhi
mt o
keepsecret
sfrom hi
sbr
otherbutheknewhow
Nsikawouldact,
Nsikal
i
kedtotakeactionsandthat
wasgoingtorui
nhi
spl
anoftaki
ngr
evenge.Nsi
ka
l
ikedt
akingthi
ngst
ohear
t.
Khul
ani:"Thet
rut
his,
Idon'
twantt
omarryher
,I
don'
tknowherandIdon'
tevenwi
shto"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Thenwhyar
eyoudoi
ngi
t?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mar
ryi
ngherwi
l
lsav
ethecompany
".
Nsi
ka:"Ican'
tal
lowy
out
odot
his,
youar
enot
get
ti
ngmar ri
ed"
.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
our
eal
l
ybel
i
evet
hatmot
heri
sdead?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Whyar
eyouaski
ngt
hat
?".
Khulani
:"Thewayt
hingshappened,
ital
lhappened
sofastandwedidnotseeherbody"
.
Hei
nhal
edandcont
inued.
Khul
ani
:"Iam doi
ngallthi
sforus,
evenifIhaveto
sel
lmysoult
ot hedev
ilIwil
ldowhatisbestforus"
Nsi
ka:
"Sowhathappensnext
?".
Khulani
:"Idon'twantBar
uti
toseewhatiscoming
forhim,Iwanttomakehim suf
ferunt
ilhet
ell
sus
wherehebur i
edourmom" .
Nsi
ka:
"Buthowi
shei
i
nvol
vedi
nal
loft
his?
".
Khulani
:"Hei
sinvol
ved,
doy ourememberthatmom
cal
ledussayi
ngther
earepeoplelooki
ngforus?
Aft
erthatmom di
ed,i
sthatacoinci
dence?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Iheary
ou,
may
behemi
ghtbei
nvol
ved"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wecan'tl
ethi
m getawaywithal
lhi
s
cr
imes,
ifwedo,hewil
lcomeafterus"
.

Nsi
ka:"Wewill
doi
ttoget
her
,youcan'
tputy
ourl
i
fe
atr
iskal
one"
.
Khulaninodded,Hedidnott
ell
Nsikaabouthis
grandmom andauntbecauseheknewhowt hatwi
l
l
hurthisbrother
,Nsi
kahadasoftspotfort
hem,
unli
keKhul ani
.
.
.
.
.
Khul
ani
:"DoIhav
etogo?
".
Kgosi
gale:
"Don'
tyouwannameety
ourbr
idef
ort
he
fi
rstt
ime?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nott
oday
".
Nsi
ka:"atl
eastthebi
gweddi
ngwontbehappeni
ng
any
timesoon".
Yep,MrMor okaagreedtotakehisdaughterwi
th
Khulanitothemar i
talcourt
,theywouldgetmarr
ied
i
ncour tandgi v
eeachot hertimetoknoweachot her
beforethebigweddi ng.Kgosigal
e'
sLobola
negotiat
ionswer easuccess.
.
.
.
.
-Bar
uti

Bar
uti
:"Mapul
ejustshutupokay
,Ihav
ehadenough
ofy
ou".
Mapul
e:"Fi
ne,
it'
sjustf
inebutIcan'
tbel
i
evet
hat
y
oual
l
owedt
hosebr
atst
otakeourhouseBar
uti
".
Barut
i gaveheracoldl
ook,assoonasKhul
ani
thr
ew
them outofthehousetheywentbackt
othe
Kgosigalevi
ll
age.
MmeMot hupi
:"Youst
il
lhav
eaj
obMapul
e,st
op
bot
her
ingmyson".
Mapul
elookedatherupanddownandl
eftt
her
oom.
Barut
i:"Ihavelostev
eryt
hingmother
,howdoIf
ix
thi
s?Kgosi si
gnedevery
thingov
ertothem"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Whenyoucal
l
edmeIor
gani
zed
ev
ery
thi
ng,wehavetogonow".
Bar
uti
:"Mmewher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
".
MmeMot hupi
: "Mphowil
ldr
iveus,shhhhh,
don'
t
askanyquest
ionsIdon'
twantthesewall
stohear
us"
.
Baruti
trust
edhismother
,hekeptqui
etast
hecar
drovethem t
othedeeprural
area.
Bar
uti
:"Mom,
whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Mpho,
wai
tforusher
e".
Henodded.
Therewerepeopl
est
andi
ngi
nthel
i
ne,
itwasf
ull
,
theytookasi
t.
MmeMot hupi
:"Youwi
l
lfi
ndhel
pher
e,wewi
l
lget
backwhati
sours"
.
Bar
uti
:"Wecan'
tst
ayher
ethewhol
eday
".
MmeMothupi
:"Ibookedyester
day
,hewi
l
lknow
t
hatwear
ehereandcallus"
.
Bar
uti
nodded.
Avoicecall
edthem fr
om insi
de,t
heystoodup,
Bar
ut iwasamazedathowt hi
spersonknewhis
namebutmay behismom t ol
dhim,theywere
i
nstructedt
otakeoffthei
rshoesbeforeget
ti
ng
i
nside.
MmeMot hupi
:"Fat
herMoeket
si,
Ibr
oughtmyson
her
eto-
".
MrMoeket
si:
"Iwoul
dli
ketospeaktoyourson
al
one,
Idon'
thel
ptwopeopl
eatonce".
Sher
espect
edhi
m andst
eppedout
side.
MrMoeket
si:
"Whatdoy
ouwantmet
ohel
pyou
wi
th?
".
Bar
uti
:"Mymom sa-
".
MrMoeketsi
:"St
opwasti
ngmyti
me,I'
mt al
kingt
o
younotwi
thyourmom,whyar
eyouhere?
" .
Barut
i:"Il
ostever
ything,
mypositi
oninthecompany
,
myhouseandcar s,iwantpeopl
eresponsi
blef
or
thatt
osufferandbringbackwhatbel
ongstome".
MrMoeketsi
:"Ar
eyousur
ethatt
hisi
swhaty ou
want
,whatyouar
easki
ngfori
sverydanger
ous".
Bar
uti
:"Iam cer
tai
n".
MrMoeket
si:
"Letmet
alkt
omyel
der
s".
Hetookasmallbagcont
aini
nghi
sbonesand
of
feredtoBar
utit
oblowinsi
dei
t,hest
art
edcal
li
ng
hi
sclannames,aski
nghi
sancest
orstopavet
he
wayforhim.
MrMoeketsi:"Hm hm, Ican'
thelpyou,t
he
ancest
orsofyourenemi esareprot
ecti
ngthem,I
can'
tseeasinglethingbuttherei
ssomeoneI '
m
seei
nghere,t
hef i
rstChiefofthi
svil
l
age'sspi
ri
tli
ves
i
nsi
dehi
m,Ineedhi
m her
e".
Bar
uti
:"Whoi
sthat
?".
MrMoeketsi
:"It
'st
heboywhoi
nit
iat
edi
ntheri
ver
,if
wegethi
m allt
heyhav
ewill
gotothegr
oundand-
".
Bar
uti
:"HowdoIgethi
m her
e?"
.
MrMoeketsi
:"Iwi
l
l gi
veyousomet hi
ng,hisbl
ood
wi
llmakeyouther
ichestmanthathasev erl
iv
edbut
i
norderf
orthi
stowork,wewil
l needyourownblood
f
ir
st"
.
Bar
uti
:"Mybl
ood?How?
".
MrMoeket si
:"Youarenotr
elat
edtot
heMot hupi
familyt
hatiswhythi
scannotworkwi
thouty
our
blood,weneedyoursonsbl
ood".
Bar
uti
:"Myson?Hei
stheonl
ychi
l
dIhav
e,wecan'
t
hur
tmyson".
MrMoeket si:
"IfyouwantthenewChi ef
sblood,y
ou
havetostartwit
hy ourownfir
st,
theChiefcar
ri
es
greatweal
th,heinit
iat
edinthebigri
ver,
hisbl
oodis
preci
ousbutweneedy oursonsfi
rst
".
Bar
uti
:"Ican'
t,
hei
smyson,
myonl
yson"
.
MrMoeket si
:"Taket
hiskni
fe,
iti
sfi
l
ledwi
th
t
radit
ional
herbs(Muthi
)whenyoudeci
det
ochange
yourmind,useit
".
Bar
uti
:"Ican'
tki
l
lmyson"
.
MrMoeket
si:
"Gohomeandt
hinkabouti
t"
.
Bar
utiwasshaki
ng,
het ookt
hepl
ast
icandwent
out
sidet
ohismother.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whathappened?Whatdi
dhesay
?".
Bar
utiwasshat
ter
ed,
hedi
dnotknowwher
etoev
en
st
art
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Bar
uti
tal
ktome"
.
Bar
uti
:"Not
hing,
hedi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng"
.
.
.
.
.
Khulani
andNsikawereexci
tedtomovet
othenew
house,t
herenovat
ionsdi
dnotlastf
oral
ongt
ime.
Theyonlymov edt
hei
rcl
othest
othehouseasi
twas
ful
l
yfurnished.
Khul
ani:"Ij
ustf
oundoutthatt
hecompanyhasa
pr
opertycompanyonthesidewhi
chwasranby
Mapule".
Nsi
ka:
"How?
".
Khul
ani:"Idon'
tknowbutit
'scall
edMothupi
pr
operti
es,Iwil
ldomoreresearchandf
indifi
t'
s
l
egalornot".
Nsi
ka:
"Andi
fiti
snot
?".
Khul
ani
:"Wewi
l
ltakewhatbel
ongst
ous"
.
Nsi
ka:"Good,
giv
emeashoutwheny
ouneedmy
hel
p".
Theywer
esett
li
ngi
nwhenMrMor
okaand
Kgosi
gal
ecamein.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youdi
dav
erygoodj
obher
e?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
oul
i
kei
t?"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
tsnotmyst
ylebuti
t'
sbeaut
if
ul"
.
Theyal
ll
aughed.
MrMoroka:"Yourgr
andf
atheri
sri
ght
,youdi
da
goodj
ob".
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
MrMoroka:"I'
m notheretost
ay,
Iam her
etobr
ing
mydaughterpersonal
l
y".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Wher
eisy
ourr
ing?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m-uhm-
".
Nsika:
"Itgotmixedupwiththet
hingsbutwewill
fi
ndit,
mybr ot
herisnotusedtoweararing,
you
knowhowhei s".
Khul
anisignedthemar
ri
agepapers,
therewereno
vowssaidandhehasnotmethiswife,t
heylef
t
ever
ythi
ngf ort
hebi
gweddingbuthewaslegall
y
marri
ed.
MrMor
oka:"Ihopey
ouf
indi
tsoon,
Amogel
ang
comei
n".
Amo,Amogelang,
av erybeaut
if
ulwel
lmanneredgir
l
cameinandgreet
edt hem,Khul
anidi
dnotevenlook
ather
,hedi
dnotcare.
Thei
rgr
andf
ather
'ssai
dthei
rgoodby
es.
Nsika:"Hi
,wel
lI'
mthebr
otherNsi
kaandt
hisi
syour
husband".
Amo:
"Ar
eyouguy
stwi
ns?
".
Nsika:"I
'
m sur
ehewi
shestobemyt
win,
butIdon'
t
wish,l
ookhowugl
yhei
s".
Amolaughedl
ooki
ngatKhul
ani
whowasbusyon
hi
slapt
op.
Khul
ani
:"Ourhel
perwill
arr
ivefi
rstt
hinginthe
morni
ngbutyoucanleaveyourbagshere".
Amo:
"No,
Idon'
tmi
ndt
aki
ngt
hem up"
.
Khul
ani
:"Yourr
oom i
satt
heendoft
hepassage"
.
Stil
lhedidnotl
ookather,
hewasv er
ybusywi
tht
he
reportt
hathewaslear
ningtodo.
Nsi
ka:
"Letmehel
pyou"
.
Amo:
"NoIdon'
tmi
nd"
.
.
Shet
ookt
hebagsupst
air
s.
Nsi
ka:
"Ar
eyounotev
engoi
ngt
olookather
?".
Khul
ani
:"Dudepl
ease,
Iam busy
,ify
oucar
eabout
herthatmucht
hengounpackherbagsorbuyher
Roses".
Nsi
ka:
"Atl
eastt
ryhey
,si
steri
nlawi
spr
ett
y".
Khul
ani
:"Getout
".
Nsi
ka:
"Why
?Youar
etooser
ious"
.
Khulani
hat edt
hefactthatt
hegir
lwasbroughti
nto
thei
rwithouthi
m knowinghousebuthi
sbrother
alwaysmadehi mfeelbett
er.
Khulani:
"LookI'
m noti
nter
estedinanygirl
,mymai n
focusnowi st
hisbusi
nessandmom, and,t
his
mar r
iageisj
ustabusi
nessproposali
t'snotreal
".
Nsi
ka:"Wel
lonl
yti
mewi
l
ltel
l
,onl
yti
mewi
l
ltel
l
br
other
".
Khulani
:"Geezyouareannoyi
ng,Idon'
twantthat
gi
rl,
Idon'tl
i
keher,Idon'
tevenwanttopassacross
herinthi
shouse".
.
.
.
-Bar
uti

Bar
uti
:"Thatmanaskedmet
odot
hei
mpossi
ble"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whatdi
dhesay
?".
Barut
i:"Don'
twor
ryabouti
tmot
her
,Ihav
etogot
o
bed".
Hewasemot i
onall
yti
red,howcant hatmanaskhim
toki
ll hisownson?I twasi mpossibl
e.Heusedt he
'
Mut hi'thathewasgi ventobathbeforebed.He
real
l
ywant edhi spowerback,hewant edhishouse
andt hecar sbacknott omenti
ont herespecthehad.
Mothupi Goldgavehim somuchr espect,hewasthe
promi nentCEOoft hemul timi
ll
ionrandscompany .
Hewentt obed.

'Hewokeupi nthemiddl
eofthenighttopee,he
sawtheplast
icthathegotf
rom MrMoeket si
,he
openedit
,abigknif
ewasstarri
ngathim.Hewal ked
slowl
ytohissonsroom,helookedathi
m.Asi ngle
tearr
oll
eddown.Hissonwasonhi sfi
rstyearat
Uni
versi
ty,
hewast hesameageasNsi kaand
Khul
ani,
howwoul dhiswi
fefeelwhenshef i
ndsher
sondead?Mapulewouldtot
all
yloseit
.Helift
edup
hi
shandsandstabbedhissonont hechestand
wentbacktobed'
.

Bar
utiwaswokenupbyamanstandi
nginf
rontof
hi
m,itwastheear
lyhour
soft
hemorni
ng.
MrMoeket
si:
"Youdi
dwel
l
".
Bar
uti
:"What
-howdi
dyougether
e?"
.
MrMoeketsi
:"That'
snoti
mportant
,comewithme,
yourcl
eansi
ngshoul
dbeginbef
orethesunr
ises"
.
Barut
i:"Ihadthemostst
rangestdr
eam andnow
youarehere?"
.
MrMoeket
siwasburni
ngsomethi
ng,hepul
ledi
t
cl
osert
oBarut
itoi
nhal
e,Bar
uti
passedout.
Barut
iwokeupinthef
orest
,menwer
ebeat
ing
drumsandsingi
ng.
MrMoeket
si:
"Ohj
usti
nti
me"
.
Helookedathi
mself,hewasnaked,somethingwas
appl
iedonhisbody,
itwasblood.MrMoeket sibur
nt
somethi
ngandoffer
edt ohi
mt oinhal
eagain.
Bar
uti
:"Whatdi
dyoudot
ome?
".
MrMoeket
si:
"Shhh,t
hemanIpr
aisewi
l
lbeher
e
anyt
imefr
om now,y
oudi
dverywell
myson"
.
Barut
i:"Myson,
itwasnotadr
eam wasi
t?You
ki
ll
edhim!Youkil
ledmyonl
ychi
ld"
.
MrMoeketsi
:"Youkil
l
edhim,i
fyoudidnotwantal
l
thi
syoushoul
dnothaveusedmy'Muthi'
bef
ore
goi
ngtobed,keepqui
et!Hei
scoming".
Bar
uticr
iedpai
nful
l
y,hewashur
t,whathadhedone?
Hejumpedseei
ngahugesnakecomingstrai
ghtat
hi
m.
MrMoeket
si:
"St
andst
il
l"
.
Baruti
wasshaki ng,hepeedonhi mselfseveral
ti
mes, thesnakelookedstr
aighti
ntohi sey
esand
star
tedl eaki
ngthebloodi
nhi sbody,hewasshaki ng
i
nner vousness.Thedrumswer ebeatingveryloud.
MrMoeket
si:
"Wewel
comey
ouson,
youhav
eto
obeytherul
esnoworelsey
ouwi l
lpaywi
thyourown
bl
ood.Every
thi
ngyouwishfory
oushallr
ecei
veit
,go
backhomeanddon'thavel
ookback".

.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
33]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[19]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Kgosigale:"Weshouldcal
laboardmeeti
ngon
Wednesday ,ever
ythi
ngwil
lberecover
edsoonbut
foratleasttwomonthsIwil
lhavetocutt
heirpay
".
Khul
ani
:"Howmuchar
ewet
alki
ngabout
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Twent
yfi
veper
cent
".
Khulani:
"That
'sal
otofmoney
,may
bewecandoi
t
di
fferent
ly"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Noson, soIneedyoutodraftarepor
t,
checkourfinanci
alstatement
sanddraftever
ythi
ng
downwewi l
luseiti
nt hemeeti
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m st
il
lst
ruggl
i
ngt
odr
aftr
epor
ts"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Youstil
lhaveacoupl
eofdaystoteach
yoursel
fthat
,remembertomakeev er
ythi
ngcl
earso
thatever
yonewill
understand"
.
Khul
ani
:"Okay
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Howi
syourwi
fe"
.
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatt
ryi
ngt
oav
oidt
hequest
ion.
Khul
ani
:"Shei
sgood"
.
Heli
ed,hedi
dnotnowhowi
sshedoi
ng,
henev
er
bot
heredhi
msel
f.
Kgosigal
e:"Goodi
wil
lcomehav
eteawi
thmy
daughteri
nlaw"
.
Khul
ani
:"Popspl
easenotnow,
canwet
alk?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
ssheal
readypr
egnant
?".
Khul
ani:"Godno!Canwehaveanormal
conv
ersati
onwithouty
oumenti
oni
ngher
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Okayokayf
ine"
.Hesai
dli
ft
inguphi
s
handupi
nsurrender
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatexact
lyhappenedt
oKgo-i
mean
dad?
".
Hisgrandfat
herstar
edathi
m, Khul
aniwasst
art
inga
conversat
ionthathenev
ert
alkedabout.
Kgosigale:
"Idon'
tknowhowhedi ed,
all
iheardwas
thathegotinvol
vedinanacci
dentandburntt
o
death,thehar
destthi
ngwastoseemyson, myonly
son-".
Hesobbed.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
edi
dthathappen?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Her
einJohannesbur
g".
Khul
ani
:"Okay
,doyourememberwhenwefi
rstmet
?
Whenever
yonebel
i
evedthaty
ouweredead?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"YesIdo"
.
Khulani:
"Theyal l
thoughtyouburnttodeat hi
nthat
housef i
re,
don'tyoufi
nditstrangethatBaruti
wantedt oki
ll
youandaf terthatfi
reinthathouse
eruptedyouwer eamongstthepeopl ethatwere
l
abel
eddead?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Ist
il
lthi
nkther
eissomet
hingv
ery
st
rangeaboutt
hatfi
re"
.
Khul
ani
: "It
hinki
t'
sstr
angethatpeopl
ethoughtyou
di
edinthehousefir
eandyoursonwasal soburntt
o
deat
h".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whatar
ey ousay
ing?Doy
out
hink
someoneisbehi
ndt
his?"
.
Khul
ani
:"No,
noIdon'
t,
Iwi
l
lseey
oul
aterpops"
.
I
twasal
lcl
eart
oKhul
ani
,hegothi
sanswer
s.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Iwi
l
lst
il
lcomef
ort
hatt
ea"
.
Khul
ani
rol
l
edhi
sey
es.
WhenhewenthomeAmogel angwasattheki tchen,
hej ustwentst rai
ghttohisroom.Amoexpect edt hat
kindoft r
eat mentbutitwaswor se,Hergrandfather
assur edhert hattheywil
ltr
eatherwellbutKhul ani
hatedher .Shef oughtandhadmanysl eepless
nightscryingandbeggi nghisgrandfat
hernott o
forceheri ntothismarri
agebutnoonel i
stenedt oher.
Shewasal waystold'Heisav erygoodboy '
.
.she
shookherheadwhenshet
houghtaboutt
hat
.
Nsi
ka:
"Heyar
eyoucooki
ng?
".
Amo:
"No,
I'
mjustmaki
ngmy
sel
fsnacks"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Iwassur
pri
sedt
oo"
.
Hesai
dgoi
ngt
ohi
sroom butshest
oppedhi
m.
Amo:"Isy
ourbr
otheral
way
sli
ket
hisori
tismet
hat
hehat
es?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whatdi
dhedo?
".
Amo:"Nothi
ngbuthedoesn'
tev
engr
eetbuthe
tal
kswhenheiswit
hyou".
Nsi
ka:
"Heisalway
sbusydon'
tmindhi
m, herunsa
bi
gcompanyandal
sohasschool
todealwit
h".
Amo:
"Oh,
alr
ightt
hen"
.
Nsi
ka:
"It
hinkt
her
e'ssomeoneout
side"
.
Heopenedt
hedoor
,agi
rlcamei
n.
Nsi
ka:
"Hi
,canIhel
p?"
.
Her
:"Icamet
oseeKhul
ani
".
Nsi
kal
ookedatAmogel
ang.
Nsi
ka:
"Hei
s-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iam her
e,heyy
oumadei
t,come"
Shefol
lowedhim upst
airs,Nsi
kahadt
ocoverforhi
s
brot
heronceagai
nbutt histi
mehehadnocluewhat
tosay.
.
.
.
.
-Bar
uti
.

Mapul
e:"Wher
eisJuni
or?
".
MmeMot hupi
:"Thatboyi
sspoi
l
thecan'
tst
il
lbe
sl
eepi
ng"
.
Mapul
e:"Hei
sachi
l
dbutwehav
etogohome"
.
Shewentt
ohi
sbedr
oom t
owakehi
m up.
.
Mapul
e:"Mme!Bar
uti
!Juni
orwake-OhGodwhat
happenedt
oyou?
".
Shescreamedkicki
ngandcry
ing,Hi
sgrandmother
al
socriedinpai
n,whowouldhavedonethatt
othe
poorchil
d?Juni
orwastakentothemort
uary.
Mapul
e:"Ineedyout
ofi
ndthepeopl
ewhodidthi
s
t
omychild,hewasst
abbedandobvi
ousl
ysomeone-
"
.
Barut
i:"Iwi
l
lnotrestunt
ilIfi
ndt
hatper
son,
wear
e
notsafeher
e,i
tisnotsafe".
MmeMothupi
:"Ical
l
edy
ourf
ather
,Iwonderi
fhe
wi
l
lcome"
.
Bar
uti
:"Hehast
ocome,
Juni
orl
ovedhi
m".
Mapul
e:"Whati
fyourf
atheri
stheonewhoki
l
led
myson?"
.
Bar
uti
:"Hewoul
dnev
erdot
hat
".
Mapule:"Howdoy ouknow?Howy ouknowhuh?
Thatmant ookever
ythi
ngfr
om usandyouar
esti
ll
defendi
nghim?".
Bar
uti
:"Mapul
e-"
.
Mapul
e:"Justst
opi
t!
".
Shewasfuri
ousandangr
y.Shel
eftt
hem because
obvi
ousl
ytal
kingt
othem madenopoint
.
Bar
uti
:"Thi
sisamess"
.
MmeMothupi
:"WhathappenedBar
uti
,don'
tl
iet
o
meIam y
ourmother
".
Barut
i:"Idon'
tknowwhathappened,mom Idon'
t
knowany thi
ngaboutJuni
orsdeat
h".
Hewashurt,Juni
orwashisonl
ychil
dbutt
her
ewas
not
hinghecoulddotochanget
hings.
Bar
uti
:"Mot
her
,Ineedy
ourbl
essi
ngs"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whatbl
essi
ngs?
".
Barut
i:"Iam aboutt odosomet hi
ngt
hatwil
lchange
ourli
vesforever,Ihavesentpeopl
etobri
ngthechief
ofthi
sv i
ll
agetome, MrMoeketsisai
dhi
sbloodwi l
l
makemet herichestmanalive"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"What
?NoBar
uti
,youcannotdo
t
hat
".
Bar
uti
:"Whatchoi
cedoIhav
e?Mot
herIneedy
ou
nowmor
ethanev
er"
.
MmeMot hupi:
"Thi
siswr
ong,
youcan'
tki
l
lan
i
nnocentchi
l
d".
Barut
i:"Hei
snotinnocent
!Theytookever
ythi
ng
fr
om meandy oucallt
hem i
nnocent?
".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Bar
uti
I-"
.
Bar
uti
:"Mot
her
-Pl
ease"
.
Shel
ookedathi
m andnodded.
.
.
.
.
Nsi
ka:
"Withsomanyguar
dshowdi
dsomeone
br
eaki
n?"
.
Kgosi
gale:"Idon'tknow,butJuni
or-i
tishar
dto
bel
iev
e,Iraisedthatboy"
.
Khulani
:"MaybeBar
uti
kil
l
edhi
m,t
hatmani
s
capableofany
thi
ng"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Butnotki
l
li
nghi
sownson"
.
Khul
ani:"Youtwoforgeteasi
l
y ,
thatmanwanted
youdead,hewantedhisownf atherdeadwhyar
e
youacti
ngsurpri
sed"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Wehav
etogohome"
.
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tknowJuni
orandBar
uti
ist
hel
ast
per
sonIwouldsuppor
t"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Soast
heChi
efIhav
etogo?
".
Kgosigale:
"ItisyourdutyandKhul
ani
youhaveto
supportme, Idon'
ttrustt
hem,yout
woaretheonl
y
peopl
et hatItrust
".
Khul
ani
:"Butst
il
l-Okayf
ine"
.
Kgosi
gale:"I
twil
lonl
ybeoneday,
wewil
ll
eavein
themorningandcomebackaf
tert
hef
uneral
".
Khul
ani
:"Bet
ter
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Wher
eismydaught
eri
n-l
aw?
".
Khul
ani
shookhi
shead.
Nsi
ka:
"Askherhusband"
.
Nsi
kadi
dnotevenswall
owt
hosewor
ds,
Amogel
ang
wal
keddownthest
air
s.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Amogel
ang,
howar
eyoumychi
l
d?"
.
Amo:
"Iam good,
it'
sgoodt
oseey
ouagai
n".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Howar
etheseboy
str
eat
ingy
ou?
".
Amo:
"Notbad,
theyar
ecool
-Imeangood"
.
Shel
i
ed.
Kgosigal
e:"That'
sgood,
theyarever
ygoodboysoh
well
Iwoul dlov
etostayabitl
ongerbutIhav
ea
l
unchmeet ing"
.
Hesai
dhi
sgoodby
es.
Amo:
"Doy
ouguy
sneedsomet
hingt
oeat
?".
Khul
ani
:"That
'sRoby
sjobnoty
our
s".
Amo: "IknowbutIwasof
feri
ng,i
sitmeoriti
sin
yournaturenott
oappr
eci
atenicepeopl
e?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Idoappr
eci
atenicepeoplebutpeopl
ewho
tr
ytoohar
dtogetmyattenti
ondisgustme".
Amo:
"Whati
sspeci
alabouty
ou?And-
".
Khulani
:"Look,t
hereisapartthatiforgottosay
wheny oufi
rstar
ri
vedhere,Iam noty ourfr
iendandI
wil
lneverbe.Thi
sarrangementisjustabusi ness
arr
angement ,
Idon'
tli
key ouhonestl
ysost opt r
ying
togetmyat t
enti
on".
Amobl i
nkedthetearsaway,shewasnott r
yingt
o
gethi
sattent
ion,shewasjustoff
eringtomakef ood
forev
eryonesinceshewast heonl
ygi rl
inthehouse.
Sherantoherroom andlockedherselfinsi
de.
Nsi
ka:
"Wast
hatnecessar
ythough?
".
Khul
ani:
"Ihat
epretendi
ng,Idon'
twantt
his
marri
ageandyououtofall
peopleknowswhyI
agr
eedtoit
".
Nsi
ka:
"Butt
her
eisnoneedt
ober
udet
oher
".
Khul
ani:
"Iwasnotr
ude,l
ookIthi
nkwewill
get
somethi
ngsi
ncewearegoinghomefort
hefuner
al"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Somet
hingl
i
ke?
".
Khul
ani
:"Li
kemomswher
eabout
".
Nsi
ka:
"Yourobsessi
oni
swor
ryi
ngme"
.
Khul
ani
:"Obsessi
on?
".
Nsika:
"Ithi
nkyouaret oofocusedi
nfi
ndi
ngwhat
mightnotexi
standforgett
ingwhati
sri
ghti
nf r
ont
ofyoubutwhateveryoudecideyouhav
emyf ul
l
support
".
Khul
ani
:"Pl
easenotnow"
.
Hestoodupandwentt obed,Nsi
kat ri
edstanding
upbuthisbodywasheav y,hefel
tsickandt i
red.He
tookaglassofwaterthatwasinfrontofhim and
drankf
rom it
.Hefeltbett
eraft
erdrinki
ngitandwent
tobed.
.
.
-Bar
uti

Hewasr eadyforhi
smeet i
ng,themeeti
ngthatwas
goingtochangehiswholel
ife,
thiswasbef
orehis
sonsfuneral
,i
tneededtobedonebef or
eJuniorwas
l
aidtorest.
MrMoeket
si:
"Youar
eher
e-t
akeof
fyourshoes"
.
TheysangasBar
uti
waspour
edwi
thwat
ermi
xed
wi
thher
bs.
MrMoeket
si:
"Wehav
eyourgi
ft
,youdi
dwel
l
,Br
ing
hi
m!"
.
Heinst
ruct
ed,t
hemencamewi
thsomeonecov
ered
wi
thablanket
.
Bar
uti
:"Whatwi
l
lhappennow?
".
MrMoeketsi
:"Thegr
eatonewi
l
lopent
hisgi
ftand
cl
eansehi
mf i
rst
".
Theywait
edforthesnaketocomeoutbutitdi
dnot
,
nomatterhowloudtheysangandbeatdr
ums.
MrMoeket
si:
"Somet
hingi
snotr
ight
,openhi
m".
Bar
uti
:"Thi
sisnothi
m!Thati
snothi
m!"
.
MrMoeket
si:
"Whoi
sthi
s?"
.
Bar
uti
:"How?Howdidt
hishappen?Youar
edead!
Youar
esupposedt
obedead".
MrMoeket
si:
"Wedon'
thav
eti
met
opl
ay,
whoi
s
t
hisman?"
.
Bar
uti
:"Kgosi
,i
t'
smybr
otherKgosi
,how?
".
Kgosi:"Ihav
ebeenwat chi
ngyoual
ltheseyear
s,
youthoughtIwasNsikayomuzi
?YouthoughtIwil
l
l
etyouki l
lmyki
ds?"
.
Bar
uti
:"Hei
sdead!Thi
smani
sdead!
".
Every
onelookedathi
mt hi
nkinghewascr azy,heran
naked.Kgosist
oodupanddi sappear
edinthe
woods.Barut
i r
ani
nthestreetsofKgosi
galeVill
age
nakedgoingbackhome.Luckilyi
twaslateforhi
m
tobeseenbypeople.
Mpho:"Si
rwhati
sgoi
ngon?Whathappenedt
o
you?
".
Barut
i:"Getal
ltheguar
dstowatchever
ycornerof
thi
shouse,noone,Imeannoonemustgeti
nher e"
.
Hewasshaki ngandwentinsidethehouse,
his
mot herwaswait
ingforhi
m, assoonasshesawhi m
nakedshetookat owelonthecouchandwr appedi
t
aroundhim.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whathappened?
".
Bar
uti
:"Kgosi
,IsawKgosi
mot
her
".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Kgosi
isdead"
.
Bar
uti:
"Idon' tknowifheisaghostorwhatbutI
sawhim, heis-hewasst andi
ngri
ghti
nfrontofme,
mothertell
met hatwhatIsawisaghost
".
MmeMot hupi
:"Youareseeingthi
ngs,t
heMuthi
thatMrMoeket si
isgiv
ingy
oui sdri
vi
ngyoucr
azy,
don'tgobackthereanymor
e..Kgosidi
ed".
.
.
.
Iam sor
ryf
ort
aki
ngl
ong.
..
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
34]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[20]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Thebr ot
her
sandKgosi gal
edidnotst
aylongatt
he
funer
al,t
heyarri
vedli
keev ery
oneelsewhowasn't
famil
yandleftwhent heceremonywasov er
.
Kgosigal
eavoidedtakingtohiswif
eandson.
Nsi
ka:"Wasi
tnecessar
ytoj
ustcomeandl
eav
eli
ke
t
hat?
".
Kgosi
gale:
"Ever
yoneknowst
hatI
'
m backi
n
busi
nesssoI'
m busy
".
Nsi
ka:"Butmybusinessi
sthere,
iti
smydut
yto
makesurethatev
eryonei
nthatvi
ll
agei
swel
l"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youwil
lcomebackf
orbusi
nessbut
nowiti
snotther
ightt
ime"
.
Nsikafel
tli
kehewasfai
l
ingt
oful
fi
llhi
sduti
esas
theChief
,heneededt
obeatthev
il
lagewherehi
s
peopleneededhi
m.
TheywerebackhomeinJohannesburgandt
hey
werebacktothei
rnor
malworkrouti
neandschool
.
Nsika:"Iswearnoonest
udi
esl
i
key
oudo,
doy
ou
eventakeabr eak?
".
Amo: "Well
I'
m wr
iti
ngmyfinal
exam t
omorrow,
Iwil
l
hav
eal lt
hetimet
otestsi
nceweareheadi
ngtothe
hol
idays"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ar
eyouv
isi
ti
ngy
ourf
ami
l
y?"
.
Amo: "Welluhm-Iwishbutmygrandf
athermadei
t
cl
earthatIhavetogettoknowyourbrot
herbef
ore
vi
sit
ingthem whi
chisthehardt
hingtodo".
Nsi
ka:
"Whydoy
ousayso?
".
Amo:
"Yourbr
otherhat
esmebutIdon'
texpecthi
m
t
obefri
endlywi
thmebecauseIal
sodon'
twantt
his
mar
ri
age".
Nsika:"IhearyoubutIhopeyoubot
hchangeyour
mindabouteachot her,i
tsosi
ckbei
ngcaughtupi
n
t
hemi ddle..
.I'
mv i
sit
ingpops,
doyouwannacome
wit
h? "
.
Amo:
"No,
Ihav
etost
udy
..nextt
imet
hough"
.
Nsikadi dnotwantt ogettooi
nvolv
edinhi sBrother
s
mar i
talmat t
erstoomuchbecauseheknewt hat
Khulani al
wayshadawayofdoi nghisthings.
Khulani di
dnotseeany thi
ngwrongwi t
ht hewayhe
wast reati
ngAmogel ang,hekeptontell
inghimself
that"it'
sjustbusiness"
.
Hemadeaf ewcal l
searl
i
erwitht
hehel
pofhis
per
sonalassi
stanttot
hepersonwhom het
hought
wouldhel
phim.
Khul
ani:
"Goodaf
ter
noon,
thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng,
Mrs
Wyatt
?".
Mr
sWy
att
:"Pl
easur
etomeety
ou,
howcanIhel
p?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thi
sist
hepi
ctur
e,Iwanty
out
ohel
pme
f
indher
".
MrsWyat
t:"Igottheemai
lthaty
ousentandIwi
l
l
t
rymybesttohelpyou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ousomuch"
.
Themeet i
ngwasv eryshor
t,hehi
redapri
vat
e
i
nv est
igat
ort
otrackdownhi smother
,hebel
iev
ed
thathewassomewher eoutther
ealiv
e,whenhegot
homehewast i
red.
.
.
.
.
.
Nsi
ka:
"Mor
ning"
.
Khulani
:"Mor
ning,
Idon'
tfeel
li
kegoi
ngt
owor
k,I
'
m
dr
ained".
Nsi
ka:
"Youwor
ktoomucht
hat
'swhy
".
Khul
ani
:"St
udy
ingal
sodr
ainedmebutatl
eastI
'
m
donewi
thmyexams"
.
Amogel
ang:"Morningthere'
salet
tert
hatcamefor
you,
Isi
gneditbecauseIthoughty
ouwerebothsti
l
l
i
nbed".
Khul
ani
noddedandt
ooki
t.
.
Khul
ani:
"Ihavet
oleav
e..
.popshasameet
ingi
n
fewminutes"
.
Heputt
hecupofcof
feedownandl
eftf
orwor
k..
Ry
an:
"Goodmor
ningKay
,ImeanMrMot
hupi
".
Khul
ani
justl
ookeddownandl
aughedabi
t.
Ryan:
"Ihavesomethi
ngforyou,
thi
swasdel
iver
ed
l
astni
ghtaft
eryouhavel
eftandthi
swasdel
i
vered
thi
smorni
ng".
Khul
ani:
"Thanks,
puti
ther
e,i
sMrMot
hupi
her
e
yet
?".
Ry
an:
"Not
..doy
ouneedcof
feeor
-"
.
Khulani
:"Yesmakei
tbl
ackwi
thonet
easpoonof
sugar".
Ry
an:
"Comi
ngr
ightup"
.
Af
terdr
inki
nghi
scof
feeheat
tendedt
hemeet
ing
andwenthome, hewast i
redandneededt orest .
.at
l
eastnoonewashomewhenhear ri
v ed,hewent
straighttobed.Hewokeupi nt heaf ternoon
becauseofhunger .
.heheardadoorbel lr
ingand
rushedt oit
,itwasahandmai ldelivery.Hesi gned
andt hankedt hedeli
ver
yguy .Hel ookedatt he
env elopeandi tl
ookedexactl
yl iketheot hert hreehe
got .Heopenedi t,i
thadnosi gnat ureorany thing.
Hisnamewaswr i
tt
enincapital lett
ers.

KHULANI

Ifyoucar
eaboutyourf
amilyy
ouwi
l
ldoexact
lywhat
Itoldy
ouint
hefir
stlet
ter
.
.

Thatwast heend.Khul
aniwasconf usedfora
momentandt ookhiscarkeyswhenher emembered
thathelef
tthelet
ter
sinhisoff
ice.
..everyonewas
goinghomewhenhewenti n,
hesatonhi sdeskand
openedthelet
ter
s,hedi
dnotknowwhi chonewas
thefi
rstl
ett
erbecauset
heywerepackagedthe
same.
Thef
ir
stonet
hatheopenedwaswr
it
ten.

-
KHULANI

Yourbr otherandy ourgrandf

atherareattheRocket
Restaurant,yourbrotherhasagr eatchoi
ceImust
say,heor deredjustmyf avor
it
eT- bonesteakand
veggies..mypointi s,
Iknowal ly
ourmov es.
.
Hehurr
iedl
yopenedt
hesecondone,
whi
chwas
wr
it
ten:

KHULANI

Theassi
stantCEO..t
imefl
i
es.
.Iam gi
vi
ngy out
wo
weekstol
eav eev
erythi
ngt
hatyouhav
e..y
ourfami
l
y,
houseandthecompany
.Ify
ouf
ail
todoso,
youwi
l
l
att
endafuneral
ever
yweek.
.
Heshookhi
sheadopeni
ngt
hel
astone.

KHULANI

Amogelangi sbeaut
iful
Idon'
tknowwhyy
oudon'
t
l
ikeher
...Iknowallyourmoves.
Youhav
ethi
rt
eenday
snow!

.
.
Khulaniknewthati
twasBarut
i,Bar
utiwastheonly
enemyt heyhad.
.hegotangr
yandlefttheoff
ice.
.
arr
ivi
ngathomehef oundAmoandNsi kaeatingand
chatti
ng.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kawer
eyouatRocketRest
aur
ant
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Twoday
sagowi
thpops"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatdi
dyouor
der
?".
Nsi
ka:
"Myusual
l
y,st
eakandv
eggi
es.
.whati
sit
?".
Khul
ani
:"Youarebothdonewi
thy
ourexamsr
ight
?
Pl
easestayr
ighther
eathome,
don'
tl
eave"
.
Theylookedateachot
her
,Nsi
kaf
oll
owedhi
m
upst
airs.
Nsi
ka:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khulani:
"Someonei
sthr
eat
eni
ngmeandIknow
thatit
sBarut
i"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Bar ut
iknowsexact
lywhatwi
l
lcomet
ohi
m
i
fhecrossestheli
ne"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iknowi
tshi
m,Ihav
etomakeacal
l
".
Hewenti
nsi
dehi
sbedr
oom.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
o,Mr
sWy
att
".
Mr
sWy
att
:"Khul
ani
,Iwas-
".
Khul
ani:"Ihav
eanot hercasewhichisver
y
i
mportant,Iwi
llsendyouapi ct
ureandIwanty
out
o
tr
ackthatper
son'sev
erymoveandgetbacktome.
Tell
mewhot heyaretal
ki
ngto,whatt
heyareeat
ing,
Ineedallt
heinf
ormati
onIcanget"
.
Mr
sWy
att
:"Okay
..sendt
hepi
ctur
e".
Hewentonhisl
apt
opandemai
l
edBar
uti
'
spi
ctur
es,
hewasangr
y.
Thatweekendhewasplanningonresti
ngunt
il
Monday.Hewokeupthef oll
owi
ngdayt ot
hegym
andthenwentdownst
air
sf orbr
eakfast
.
Amo:
"Sowear
est
il
lnotal
l
owedt
ogoout
?".
Heaskedlooki
ngatNsika,shedi
dnotwantt
otal
k
di
rect
lyt
oKhulaniknowinghismoodswi
ngs.
Khul
ani:
"Justhav
esomeonet
odr
ivey
ouwher
eyou
wanttogo"
.
Amonoddedandt ookherbag, i
twast hefirst
weekendsinceshemov edintoseeKhul anihome.
Thatiswhysheavoidedtostaythewhol edayandin
thesamehousewi thhi
m, shecannottol
er atehi
m.
Sheaskedoneoft hecompanydr i
ver
st odr i
vehert
o
herfr
iendshouse.
Nsi
ka:
"It
hinkwehav
etoconf
rontBar
uti
".
Khulani
:"No,thatmaniscr
azytohethinkshewi
l
l
takeever
ythi
ngawayfrom usj
ustli
kethat"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Hei
sbr
oke,
sohi
sthr
eat
sar
eempt
y".
Whent heyhadabellri
ng,
theybothrushedtothe
door..t
hist
ime,ther
ewasonlyalett
eront hedoor
steps,nomailguy.
Nsi
kat
ookt
hel
ett
erandr
eadi
tloud.
.
.
.
.

KHULANI

WhoisBaruti
?Hesoundsl i
keaveryint
eresti
ng
per
sonmay beIshoul
dmeethi m,no,Iwon'tmeet
hi
m becausemymai nfocusisonyou.Youhav e
Ni
neDay
smyday
sar
eaf
tert
hany
our
s.
.
.
Nsi
ka:
"Whoi
sthi
sper
son?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sBar
uti
het
hinkswear
est
upi
d".
Nsika:"Idon'
tthi
nkweshoul
dtel
lpops,
thi
swi
l
l
destroyhi
m" .
Khulani
:"Nowewon'
t,cal
lAmogel
angandt
ell
her
tocomebackhome".
Nsi
ka:
"Whyshoul
dIcal
lher
?Shei
snotmywi
fe"
.
Khul
ani
:"Don'
tactli
kethatpl
easecal
lher
,it
'snot
saf
eforhert
obe-justcal
lher
".
Nsi
ka:
"Youcar
ewel
lthat
'
sthef
ir
st"
.
Nsikacalledandt ol
dhertocomebackhome,
Khulaniwasnotgoi ngtocallher,
eventhoughhe
knewt hatBarutiwasthepersonbehindthese
thr
eats,hewasscar ed..heatehisdi
nnerandsaton
thecouchi nthedarknessdri
nkinghiswhiskey
..i
t
wasnowmi dni
ght.Hejumpedwhensomeone
scr
eamed.
Amo:
"I'
m sor
ryy
ouscar
edme"
.
Shesai
dthatandqui
ckl
yrantot
hekit
chent
ogeta
bot
tl
eofwater.
.Khul
ani
foll
owedher
.
Khul
ani
:"Wer
eyousaf
etoday
?".
Amol
ookedathi
minshock.
.
Khul
ani
:"Imeanwasn'
tther
eanycarf
oll
owi
ngy
ou"
.
Amo:
"No,
asy
oucanseeI
'
m her
eandki
cki
ng"
.
Henodded,Amowastr
eat
inghi
mthesamewayhe
wastr
eati
ngher
,asshecl
i
mbedupthest
air
s..he
cal
l
ed.
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
ang"
.
Shest
opped.
Khulani
:"Schoolsareclosedsopleasestayhereat
homeandi fyouneedsomet hi
ngpleasedownload
theappsandor deronl
ine".
Amo:
"I'
m-uhm-Cool
".
Khul
ani
:"Youwon'
taskany
thi
ng?
".
Amo: "Eveni fIwantto,
Iwon' t
..I
'm averygood
l
ist
enerKhul ani,whenIfi
rstarr
ivedherey out
oldme
topretendthatyoudon'texistwellyourwords
meantt hat
".
Shewentt otheroom,Khul
anidrankthelastgl
ass
andwentt obed.OnaSundaymor ninghewast he
fi
rstpersontowakeup.Hewentdownst airsfi
ndi
ng
thelet
teragain,
thi
swasstart
ingtoannoyhi m.
Heopenedi
t.

KHULANI

i
twasv er
ythought
fulofyoutot el
lyourwif
etogo
backhome.Youhav eeightday sandsinceyouare
notdoinganythi
ngaboutit,It
hinkyouneedabi tofa
motiv
at i
on.Call
yourpersonalassi
stant,
every
one's
bl
oodwi l
lbeonyourhands.
Remembert
imei
srunni
ng.
.Ti
kTok.

.
Hetookouthi
sphoneandcal
l
edRy
an'
snumber
.A
womanansweredi
t.
Her
:"Ry
an'
scel
l
phonehel
l
o".
Khulani
:"Hi
,thi
sisKhul
ani
Mot
hupi
speaki
ng,
mayI
speaktoRyan".
Her
: "Ohyouarehisboss,
I'
m sor
ryyoucantspeak
t
ohim, hewasinvol
vedinadeadl
ycaracci
dentthi
s
morning.
.hei
sinacoma" .
Khul
ani
brushedhi
shead.
Khul
ani
:"I
shegonnabef
ine?
".
Her
:"Idoubtbutwear
epr
ayi
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Buthi
sphone?
".
Her
:"Ohhel
efthi
sphoneathome, hewasonhis
waytot
hegy
m whent hi
sacci
denthappened.
.we
bel
i
evei
twasahitandrun"
.
Khul
ani:"I
fyouneedanyt
hingpl
easet
ell
me,
Ihope
andprayforhi
sspeedyr
ecovery
".
Her:"Thanky
ou,
Iwill
keephisphoneon,
I'
m hi
s
si
sterEmma,Iwi
lll
etyouknowifweneedanyt
hing"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Khul
aniwasdr
ained,heputthephonedownanddid
notwantt
otel
lNsikabecausehewasgoingtoscar
e
hi
m...het
ookouthisphoneandcall
edthePI
.
Khul
ani
:"WhydoIhav
etobet
heonecal
l
ingy
ou?
".
MrsWy at
t:"Iam sorr
ysir
,Iwasgoi
ngtocal
lyou
l
atert
oday..westil
lhavenotr
aceofthewomanand
t
hemant hatyouwanti sBar
utiMot
hupiwhoi
s-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iknowwhohei
s,t
ell
mewher
ehei
sand
whoishetal
kingt
o".
MrsWy att
:"Welearnedthatherecentl
ylosthi
sson
andheisathomewai t
ingfort
hecleansing
ceremonywhichwil
l happennextweek.Theperson
hehasspokentoisMrMor enathemay or,
theywer
e
tal
kingaboutt
herecenttenderbutI
'm sti
ll
onhim
sir
".
Khul
ani
:"Bar
uti
isnoti
nJohannesbur
g?"
.
Mr
sWy
att
:"I
'
m af
rai
dnotsi
r"
.
Khulani
:"Dammit!I
fhei
snother
ethensomeonei
s
workingforhi
m..
.di
gdeeperMr
sWy at
t"
.
Mr
sWy
att
:"I
'
m oni
tsi
r"
.
.
.
.
.
Heydar
li
ng

I
'
m sorryIneededtor estt
hisfesti
vebutIsti
ll
had
l
otsofthingstodo..
..hopeyouwi l
lenj
oythisandif
y
ouar efindi
ngithar
dt oadjusttothi
spleaseread
t
helastinsert
..
.
[
3/8,
14:
34]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[21]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
Khulani
:"Okay
..
.cont
inuef
indi
ngi
nfor
mat
ionabout
thatwoman".
Hesaidput t
ingthecell
phonedownaf t
ert
alki
ngto
hi
sPI ,
therewasnot hi
ngonBar ut
ibuthesti
ll
wantedtokeepaney eonhim.Whowast hi
snew
enemy ?I
tkil
ledhim notknowingandhewantedto
prot
ecthisfamilybynottel
li
ngthem,hedidnot
wanttostressthem.
Nsika:
"SoonI '
m goi
ngtotheVi
l
lagesoI
'
m sur
e
yourstal
kerhasbackedof
f".
Khul
ani
keptqui
et.
Nsi
ka:
"It
hinki
t'
ssomeonehar
mlesswhoi
sjust
obsessedwi
thy
ou"
.
Khulani
:"Idon'
tknowr
eal
l
y,may
bey
oucangoaf
ter
al
lthis.
.pl
ease"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Comeon, nothingwil
lhappent
ome. .t
here
i
sanewpr ojectofbuil
dinganewschoolsowhen
t
hemay orputthatproj
ecttoworkIhavetobether
e".
Khul
ani
:"Oht
het
endert
hatBar
uti
isbusywi
th?
".
Nsika:"What ?NoIdoubt.
..t
hatschool
will
bebuil
t
andBar uti
willbet
helastpersont
ogethishandson
thattender"
.
Khul
ani
:"Makesur
ehedoesn'
t"
.
Khulaniwaswor ki
ngfrom home,hewentt ot
he
ki
tchenf oracupofcoffee,t
oomuchcof feei
snot
goodf oroneshealt
handheknewexact lybutwi
th
hi
st endencyofdri
nkingcoffeewhenev
erhewas
str
essed, hecoul
dnothelpit.
Amocameandwai tedforhimtomov enexttot
he
fr
idgeandKhul
anistoodther
eabitlongeron
purpose,
hewantedtohearherspeak.
Shekeptqui
etpat
ient
lywai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtomov
enext
t
othef
ri
dge,
but
,Khul
ani
didnotmov
e.
Amo:
"CanIhav
eabot
tl
eofwat
er"
.
Helookedather,fort
hefir
stti
mehel ookedather.
Shewast hemostbeautif
ulgir
lwi t
hsmalley
esand
abeauti
fulfacestr
uct
ure,hestaredather
,studyi
ng
her
..notevenoncehasheev erlookedather
, she
wasv er
ybeautif
ul.
Amo:
"What
'swr
ong?
".
Khul
ani
bli
nked.
Khul
ani
:"Uh-sor
ry-mymi
ndi
sal
lov
ert
hepl
ace"
.
Amo:
"Ineedwat
er"
.
Hemov
edf
rom t
hef
ri
dge.
.
Khulani
:"Youknowthere'
sal
sopl
ent
yofwat
eri
n
thedini
ngroom f
ri
dge".
Amo:
"It
houghtt
hatwasy
ourwat
erbutt
hanks"
.
Helif
teduphi scupst
arri
ngatherbeaut
iful
small
bodyasshewal kedout.Hewentbacktowor kand
star
tedwiththepaperwork,hi
smindwasonAmo,
howst upi
dishenottonoticethemostbeauti
fulgi
rl
j
ustri
ghtinf
rontofhim.Heshookhishead
remi
ndinghi
mselfthathedoesn'
tl
ikeher
,it
'sj
ust
busi
ness.
Hebur
iedhi
msel
fwi
thwor
kunt
ill
ate.
Herecei
vedanemai
lonhi
sper
sonal
comput
er.I
t
r
ead:

KHULANI

Ifi
nal
lyfoundtheri
ghtwaytocommuni cate,
Let
ter
s
areol
dschool don'
tyouthi
nk?Yourpersonal
assi
stantisr
ecoveri
ngwellbutIwon'
thavemercy
onthenextvict
im.SixdaysnowZondoorshouldI
sayMot hupi
.
.
Theemai
lchangedhi
swhol
emood,
her
epl
i
ed.

-Whoar
eyou?Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
".
.
Af
ewmi
nut
esl
ater
,hegotar
epl
y.

KHULANI

Soonyouwi l
lknowwhoIam, Idon'twanty
our
money,Iwantyou,gi
veupev
er yt
hingthatyouhave
andwheny oudoIwill
knowtheni wil
lcomet oyou.
.
Aft
erreadingt
heemai
lhegotv
eryconf
used,i
fthi
s
per
sondidnotwanthi
smoneyorthecompany,who
i
sthisperson.
..

Hewr
otebackt
heemai
l
:

-Youar
eoutofy
ourmi
nd!Iwi
l
lgot
othepol
i
ce!
.
I
twasn'
tl
ongwhenhegott
hemessageback:
-YourGr
andf
atheri
snext
!
.
Khul
ani
pushedt
hel
apt
op.
.
.
.
.
.
Amo:"I'
m sor
rytodi
stur
bbuty
ourgr
andf
atheri
s
her
e,hesays-
".
Shest
oppednot
ici
nghi
sredey
es.
Amo:
"I'
m sor
ryt
odi
stur
b".
Shesaidwalki
ngout ,
Khulani
real
i
zedthatAmowas
tr
eati
nghim di
ffer
entl
ybutthatdi
dnotsurpri
sehim
becauset
hatiswhatheaskedf or
.Hefixedhimsel
f
andwenttothesitt
ingroom.
Hewant edt obr
eakthenewsbutseeinghowhappy
theywere,hedidnotwanttohurtt
hem.Thatwas
theproblem wit
hKhulani
,hel
ikedprot
ecti
ngthe
oneshel ovedevenwhenitmeanthurti
nghimsel
fin
t
hepr
ocess.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Youl
ookt
err
ibl
e".
Khulani
:"Iknow,
Ihav
ebeenbur
yingmy
sel
fwi
th
work".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Don'
tov
erwor
kyour
sel
f"
.
Nsika:"He'
sawor
kahol
i
cmay
behewi
l
lli
stent
o
you".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Doy
ouev
enhav
eti
mef
ory
ourwi
fe?
".
Nsi
kal
aughed,
Khul
ani
didnotexpectt
hatquest
ion.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Amoi
shegi
vi
ngy
ouhi
sti
me?
".
Thatquest
ionf
eltabi
tawkwar
d.
Amo:
"Wear
egood"
.
Shel
ied,Kgosi
gal
estayedabitwit
hhi
sgrandki
ds
andl
aterwenthome.ItwasonlyAmoandKhulani
l
efti
ntheroom.
Khul
ani
:"Whydi
dyoul
i
etopops?
".
Amo:
"Aboutwhat
?".
Sheaskedwi
thasar
cast
icsmi
l
e,Khul
ani
didnotsee
asar
casti
csmi
l
e,hesawabeaut
if
ulsmi
l
ewi
thpur
e
whi
teteet
h.
Amo:"Wear ehusbandandwif
eri
ght
?Soyour
gr
andfat
hershouldn'
tknowwhati
sgoi
ngonher
e".
Khul
ani
waspuzzl
edbyt
hat
,Amost
oodup.
Khulani
:"I
fwear
ehusbandandwifeasyousay
thenwhyarey
ougoi
ngleavi
ngyourhusband
behind?
".
Amol ookedathi
m,wast
hisguyev
enser
ious?She
askedhersel
f.
Amo:"Look,weareonl
yhusbandandwi
fewhenour
gr
andfat
her'
sareher
e".
Khul
ani
:"Ohf
airenough"
.
Amodi
dnotunder
standhi
m atal
l
...
Amo:
"Whatexact
lyi
syourpr
obl
em"
.
Khul
ani:"It
hinki
t'
sti
mey
ouf
ulf
il
lyourdut
iesasa
wif
e,don'ty
outhi
nk?"
.
Amo:
"Excuseme?
".
Khul
ani
wast
ryi
ngt
obeni
cebuthecoul
dn'
t,
aft
er
hisgi
rl
fr
iendNandi
brokehi
shear
t,hehadnot
ime
forgi
rl
s.
Khul
ani
:"Goodni
ghtAmogel
ang"
.
Hel ef
therconf
used,Khul
aniwasstressed,hetook
alongshowerbeforebedandwascer tai
nthatthe
fol
lowingdayheneededtorest
,hewasemot i
onall
y
andphy si
cal
lyt
ir
ed.Hewokeupl at
et hefol
lowi
ng
day.
Nsi
ka:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"Yeahwhy
?".
Nsika:"Ithi
nkther
eissomethi
ngwrongwi
thme,I
don'tgetdreamsanymoreandsomethi
ngf
eel
sver
y
str
ange".
Khul
ani
:"Welli
fyoudon'
tdream any
mor
ethat
meansever
ythi
ngisf
ineri
ght?"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Butsomet
hingdoesn'
tfeel
right
,Icanf
eel
it"
.
Khul
ani
:"Somet
hingl
i
ke?
".
Nsi
ka:"YouknowI'
m att
hepointwher
eIdon'
twant
nodramainmyli
fe,
I'
m atpeacebutt
hisi
seat
ing
mypeace".
Khulani
:"Nsika,
let
'ssayyoufi
ndyoursel
fina
sit
uati
onwher eyouhavetosacr
if
iceyour
selfi
n
ordertosav
et heonesthatyoul
ove.
.whatwould
youdo? "
.
Nsi
ka:
"Fory
oumanIwi
l
lsel
lmysoul
tot
hedev
il
".
Hesai
dlaughi
ng,Khulani
knewt
hathi
sbr
other
woul
ddoev er
ythi
ngforhim.
Nsi
ka:
"What
?Ar
eyoust
il
lrecei
vi
ngl
ett
ers?
".
Khul
ani
:"No,
notatal
l
..Iwasj
ustaski
ng"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Goodt
hen"
.
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
angi
sbeaut
if
ul"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Excusey
ou?
".
Khul
ani:"Noli
keImean,Ihav
enev
erl
ookedather
unt
ilt
hispastweekend"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Wow"
.
Nsi
kal
aughedsohar
d..
Nsika:
"She'sindeedbeaut
if
ul,
youar
est
art
ingt
o
l
ikeher,r
ight
?".
Khul
ani
:"No,
Idon'
tl
ikeherImeannoti
nthatway
".
Nsi
ka:
"What
every
ousaybr
other
".
Khulanikeptonchecki
nghisemail
sbutt her
ewasn'
t
anyf r
om the"anonymous"per
son,i
twasal lj
ust
businessmessages.RyanwasoutofI CUand
recoveri
ngwellwhichmadeKhulaniveryhappy.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
,Nsi
kai
ssi
ck"
.
Khulaniwasstar
ti
ngtof al
lasl
eepinhisof
ficewhen
Amowal kedin.Herushedtotheloungefi
ndinghi
s
brot
herdoingthemostst r
angestthi
ngshehas
neverseen.
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kawhat
'
swr
ong?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
tknow"
.
Kgosi
gal
ewhowasonhiswaywasal
readycal
l
ed,
Nsi
kalookedsi
ck,
ver
ysi
ck.
Kgosigal
e:"Weshoul
dtakehi
m home,
I'
m sur
ethe
ancestor
sareangr
y".
Khul
ani
:"Angr
yaboutwhat
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Nsi
kai
stheChi
efandshoul
dst
ayi
nthe
vi
ll
aget oservehispeopl
e,wedidnott
ell
the
ancestorsthatheiscomingher
e,weweresupposed
toreportfi
rst"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
etaki
nghi
m backt
other
iver
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"No,
hehast
ogobackhome"
.
Nsi
ka:
"No,
theancest
orsar
enotangr
y".
Khul
ani
:"Thenwhati
shappeni
ng?
".
Nsika:"Theancestorshavet
urnedt
hei
rbackson
you,theydon'
trecognizey
ou".
Hesai
dthatt
oKhul
ani
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatdoy
oumean?
".
Nsika:"ThesedaysIseeyouwalki
ngnakedint
he
darknessalone.
.nooneisprot
ecti
ngyou,t
he
ancestorstur
nedthei
rbacksonyou".
Khul
ani
:"Butwhy
?Whatdi
dIdowr
ong?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"I
'
m sur
ewecanf
ixt
his"
.
Khul
ani
:"Fi
xwhat
?WhatdidIdowr ong?Youtol
d
metochanget
hewayIam, t
otakeoverthe
companyandt
ogetmarr
ied.
..
.Idi
dallthatwi
thno
quest
ionsasked,whatmoredot
heywantf
rom me?
Haven'
ttheytakenenough?
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Calm downson,I
'
m surether
eis
somethi
ngthatwearedoingwrong"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iam t
ir
ed,
thi
smakesmesi
ck"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Khul
ani
cal
m down"
.
.
.
.
.
Hegotangr
y..
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Nsi
kawhatar
etheancest
orst
ell
i
ng
you?"
.
Nsika:"Theyhaveturnedthei
rbackonKhulani
,I
tr
iedtogetaclearpictur
ebutI'
m notget
ti
ng
anythi
ng".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Buthowi
sthatpossi
ble?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Idon'
tknow,
Khul
ani
isat
rueMot
hupi
butI
don'
tunder
standwhyt
heancest
orsar
edoi
ngt
hist
o
hi
m".
Kgosigale:"I
t'
smyf ault
,Ihaveneveri
ntr
oducedyou
twotot heancestor
sbutbecausey ouhaveacall
i
ng
i
tsdifferent
,Ihav
et oint
roduceyoutwotothe
ancestors"

Amoexcusedher sel
flongbef
oret
heconversat
ion
star
ted..Khul
ani
didnotcommentanylongeronthi
s
conversati
onhestoodupandwenttoAmo's
bedroom.
Khul
ani
:"Sor
ryIt
houghti
twasl
ocked"
.
Amo:
"Oh,
Okay
".
Thatwasawkwar
dtobot
hoft
hem.
Khul
ani
:"Canwet
alk?
".
Amo:
"Sur
e".
Khul
ani
:"Didy
ouhav
eaboyf
riendbef
oret
his-I
meanbefor
ewegotmar
ri
ed"
.
Amo:
"No,
you?
".
Khul
ani:"No,butIhadagir
lf
riendt
hatIr
eal
l
yli
ked
butt
hingsdidn'
tgoasplanned".
Amo:
"Sor
ry"
.
Khul
ani:
"Look,IknowthatI'
mt hel
astper
sonwho
canaskthi
sfr
om y oubutIneedafavour
".
Amo:
"Any
thi
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
ealotgoi
ngonandi
-okayIneeda
di
vor
cebutIwanti
ttost
aybet
weenus".
Amo:
"Adi
vor
ce?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iknowit
'salotbutdoyour
emembert
he
l
ett
erst
hatIhavebeengetti
ng?"
.
Amonodded.
Khul ani:"Thatper sonwant smeImeanhewantme
togi veupev er
ythingt hatIhave,Iwi
llt
alktothe
company '
slawyert omor rowandt el
lhi
mt odrafta
divorceset tl
ementbutIneedi ttobedonei ntwo
day s..Iknowt hatit'salotthatI'
m aski
ngfrom you
butpl easekeept hisbetweenus, iwil
ltr
ansfer
ever ythi
ngi havet oy ourname" .
Amo:
"Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?Idon'
tneed
any
thi
ng"
.
Khulani:
"OkayIwi
l
ldonat
eev
ery
thi
ngt
ochar
it
y
then".
Amo:
"Whati
sreal
l
ygoi
ngon?
".
Khul
ani
:"You,
Nsi
kaandmygrandfat
herwil
lbehur
t
i
fidon'
tgi
veupev
ery
thi
ngokay,y
ouguy swil
lbe
hur
t"
.
Amo: "Tal
ktoyourgr
andf
atherandmygr
andf
ather
,
theywil
lhel
pyou".
Khulani:
"No, i
t'
sfi
nemyPAi sal
readyhur
tsoIdon'
t
wantthattohappentoanyoneel
seandbesidesmy
ancestorsdon'
tevensuppor
tme...myli
feisj
usta
mess".
Amo:"OkayIwi
l
lhel
pyou.
..doy
our
eal
l
yneeda
di
vor
ce?"
.
Khul
ani:"No.
.Di
vorcewasthelastthi
ngonmymi nd,
Ij
ustneedapaperworkthatwil
lprovethatIhave
l
eftyou,t
hecompanyandev er
ythi
ng..
.actual
ly
anyt
hingtopr
ovethatI
'
m brokeandpooragai n"
.
Amo:
"Iwon'
tquest
iony
ourdeci
si
ons"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Amodi dnotunder
standanythi
ngbutsheagreedto
whatKhulaniwasaski
ng,hemanagedt ogeta
l
awyerwhogothi m af
fi
davi
tproof
edletter
sthat
showedhesignedthedivor
cepapersandhanded
ever
ythi
ngtoAmo.
Khul
ani
:"Pl
easepr
omi
set
hatt
hiswi
l
lst
aybet
ween
us"
.
Amo:
"Notev
eny
ourbr
other
?".
Khul
ani:
"Notevenmybr
otherandt
odayI'
m
meeti
ngtheper
sonwhohasbeensendi
ngme
l
ett
ers"
.
Amo:
"Whati
fhedoessomet
hingt
err
ibl
etoy
ou?
".
Khul
ani
:"Atl
easthewon'
thar
myouguy
sorand
anot
herf
avorpl
ease"
.
Hestoodupandcheckedt
henumber
sonhi
sphone
andwrotet
hem down.
Khulani
:"Thisi
sMrsWy att
,she'
sanPIthatIhi
red
tolookformymother
,pleasekeepint
ouchwi t
hher,
Ibeli
evethatmymom issti
llal
iv
e".
Amo:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"
.
Khul
ani
:"YeahI
'
m sur
e".
Hewentt
ohi
semai
l
sandwr
ote:

-Ihav
egi
venupev
ery
thi
ng,
gotpr
oofal
so.
.
Wi
thi
naf
ewsecondsher
ecei
vedanemai
lback:

KHULANI

-ThatIalr
eadyknow,
meetupout
sidey
ourcompany
,
i
fyoubringpoli
ceIwi
llknow.
7pm
.
Amosawt
heemai
l
.
Amo:"Iwi
llnotl
iv
ewithmysel
fifany
thi
nghappens
toy
ou,pl
easestopthi
s".
Khul
ani:"Youwantt
odie?Thi
spersonknows
ever
ythi
ng,hei
swatchi
ngussopleasedon'
t"
.
Amo:
"Whatwi
l
lIt
ell
Nsi
ka?
".
Khulani:
"Tellhi
mtokeepser
vinghi
sstupid
ancestors,
Amogelangt
hanksforev
ery
thing.
.butI
havetogo" .
Shet r
iedtotal
kbutKhulanij
ustl
eft,
herequestedan
ubertothecompanyev enthoughitwasearl
y.He
seatedont heentr
ancewatchi
ngpeoplepassingby,
atexactly7pm herecei
vedaphonecall
.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
o".
Voi
ce:
"Comet
othepar
kingl
ot"
.
Hei nhaledandexhaleddeeplyashewalkedtothe
parkingl ot
,notmanycarsweretherebuthesawa
sil
vergr eycarthatwasparkedfr
om afarandwalked
toit,theguyopenedt hedoorwelcomi
nghi m.
Hi
m:"Dontaskmeany
thi
ng,
geti
n!"
.
Hefol
lowedtheor
ders,t
hedri
vewaslesst
henan
hour
,theyar
ri
vedatafourr
oom house.
"Zondo,
Inev
ert
houghty
ouwi
l
lmakei
tjusti
nti
me"
.
Helookedbackwant i
ngt oseet heper sonwhowas
speaki
ng.Henear l
yfaint
edseeingt heguystanding
i
nf r
ontofhim, t
heykil
ledhim andbur ntt
hehouse,
howcomei sheali
ve?Khulanihadsomany
questi
onsbuthewasnotdr eami ng,theguyinfront
ofhim-,BonganiMbathawasi nf rontofhim.
[
3/8,
14:
35]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[22]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Hewasshockedbutwhenhelookedcl
osel
y,t
his
per
sonwastall
erandmoresli
mmerthanBongani
.
Butt
hei
rfaci
alfeat
ureswer
ethesame.Hemov ed
cl
osert
ohim.
Him:"Ithoughti
t'
sonlyJesuswhowokef
rom t
he
dead,whydoy oulookshocked?
".
Khul
ani
:"Whoar
eyou?Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
".
Him:"Youki
ll
edmybr ot
her,
may beIshoul
dal
soki
l
l
your
s,aneyeforaney
eright
?".
Khul
ani
studi
edhi
m.
Him: "Ialwaysknewitwasnotanaccident,Idi
dmy
owni nvesti
gati
on,hi
sneighborsawyouandy our
brotherwalki
nginbefor
et hefi
reer
upted.
..withmy
furt
herinvesti
gati
onIfi
nall
ygotthetr
uth"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wedi
dnotki
l
lyourbr
other
".
Hi
m:"Yourl
i
ttl
ecousi
ntol
dmewhatshehear
d
bet
weeny
ouandy
ourbr
other
".
Khul
ani
:"Mycousi
nwho?Hl
elo?
".
Him:
"Idon'tknowhernamebutwheni putt
woand
twot
ogether,
Ifoundt
heper sonwhoki
l
ledBongani
..
ohwher
ear emymanner s,
I'
m Nathi
Mbatha"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatdoy
ouwant
?Money
?".
Nat
hi:
"Iwantmybr
other
".
Khul
ani
keptqui
et.
Nathi
:"Hi
swi f
ei sawidow,hiskidsdoesn'
thavea
fat
herandIdon'thaveabrotheranymore..
.Ihav
e
enoughprooft
ot hrowyoutojail
".
Khulani
:"I
'm sor
ryokay,
itwasamist
ake,
hewant
ed
-yourbrot
herwasnotinnocent
".
Nat
hi:
"Whatdi
dhedo?
".
Khul
ani
:"Het
ri
edt
ofor
cemet
osl
eepwi
thhi
m".
Nat
hil
aughedv
eryhar
d.
Nat
hi:
"Youar
egay
?".
Khul
ani
:"Iam notGay
!Buty
ourbr
otherwas"
.
Nat
hi:
"Youki
l
ledhi
m becausehewasGay
?".
Khul
ani
:"Nohe-
".
Nat
hi:"Youburnthi
sbody,
doy ouknowhowpai
nful
bur
ningis?Youwill
payf
orthi
s".
.
.
.
.
Amowai t
edthewhol
eni
ghtf
orKhul
ani
buthenev
er
ret
urnedhome.
Amo:
"Di
dKhul
ani
cal
lyou?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Nohedi
dnot
,why
?".
Amo:
"Not
hingi
-hepr
omi
sedmesomet
hing"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Ohr
eal
l
y?"
.
Amoav oidedbei
ngaskedmorequesti
ons,
shetook
outhercell
phonepr
etendi
ngt
ocallsomeone.
Nsi
ka:
"Look,
Ihav
etoleav
etomorr
owf i
rstt
hingin
t
hemorni
ng,t
hemeet
ingIwil
lbeat
tendi
ngstart
s
ar
oundnoonsobymi
dni
ghtIwi
l
lbebackhome,
tel
l
Khul
ani
".
Amo:
"Okay
,Iwi
l
ltel
lhi
m".
Shewantedtotel
lhi
m sobadbutthenremembered
thepromi
seshemadet oKhul
ani
..Nsikal
efti
nthe
earl
yhoursoft
hemor ni
ng.

.
.
-Bar
uti

MmeMot
hupi
:"Wheni
syourchi
efcomi
ng?
".
Barut
i:"I
'm surebefor
ethemeet
ingst
art
sbutwhatI
knowis,hewi l
lbetheonest
andi
nginmywaytoget
thatt
ender"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Youhaveal
lthesepol
i
tici
ansby
yoursi
de,
nothi
ngwil
lgowrong".
Bar
uti:
"Ithi
nkhavingNsi
katocomeher
eisagr
eat
i
dea,Iwil
lgetwhatIwant
".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Youar
est
il
lgoi
ngaheadwi
tht
his?
".
Barut
i:"Iwi
ll
notbackdown,
Ineedwhatbel
ongst
o
meback, Mapul
elef
tmebecauseIhav
enothi
ng
now".
MmeMot hupi
:"Itpr
ovesthatsheneverlov
edyou,
shel
ovedwhoy ouwereandnowt hatit
'sal
lgone,
shev
anished"
.
Barut
i:"Let
'sf
orgetabouthermot
her
,isev
ery
thi
ng
setupinthemeetingroom?".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Yesi
tis,
letmegodoubl
echeck"
.
Baruti
pr eparedevery t
hing,hedidnotwantt hi
ngst o
gothewayt heydidlastt i
me, thi
swashi sonly
chancet ogetbackont op.Ev ery
onest artedarr
ivi
ng
i
ncludingt hechief,t
hemeet i
ngwasasuccesst o
every
oneexceptf orBar uti
.Nsikamadesur ethatthe
school t
enderf el
linther i
ghthandssot hatevery
vi
ll
agerwoul dbenefitfr
om it,Heknewt hatBaruti
hadhisowni ntenti
ons, andhisintent
ionsdi dnot
i
ncludet hecommuni ty.
MmeMothupi
:"It
houghty
ourgr
andf
atherwi
l
lal
so
come"
.
I
twast
hef
ir
stt
imeshespokedi
rect
lyt
oNsi
ka.
Nsi
ka:
"Hei
sbusy
".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Howi
she?
".
Nsi
ka:
"Hei
sgood"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Okayhav
easaf
etr
ip"
.
Thatwasabitawkward,Nsi
kagotintothecar
,the
dri
verhehadwasacompanydr i
ver
,heknewhis
waysinandaroundt
hev i
ll
age,heworkedfor
MothupiGol
dformorethanfif
teenyear
s.
Nsi
ka:
"Ist
hist
hecor
rectway
?".
Dr
iver
:"Yesi
tist
heshor
tcutt
otown"
.
Nsikarelaxedhi sbodyandgotreadyforthenap,t
he
meetingwasv eryti
ri
ng,hedidnotevenremember
someoft hethingsthatweresaid,
heonlypaid
att
entiont ot
heoneshet houghtwerei
mpor t
ant.
Hi
spowerful
napwasdi
stur
bedwhent
hecar
st
opped.
Nsi
ka:"Whyar
eyoust
oppi
ngi
nthemi
ddl
eof
nowher
e?"
.
Thedri
verkeptquietandgotoutoft hecar
,twomen
cameandf or
cedNsi kaoutofthecar ,
hetr
iedto
fi
ghtt
hem butt heywerest
rong.Nsikawast akento
thepl
acethatlookedli
keacav e,
tiedupwithar ope,
hecri
edforhelpbutnoonecame.
.
Bar
uti
wentt
oseeMrMoeket
si.
MrMoeket
si:
"Whati
sthi
smandoi
ngher
e?"
.
Barut
i:"Pl
easehearmeout
,Ihav
ehi
m,Ihav
ewhat
youaskedfor"
.
Hest
oppedandl
ookedathi
m.
MrMoeket
si:
"Youhav
etheChi
ef?
".
Bar
uti
:"YesIhav
ehi
m andI
'
m sur
ethi
sti
me,
iti
s
hi
m".
MrMoeket
si:
"Ineeddr
ums,
acow,
You.
.br
ingmy
bag"
.
Theatmospherechanged,Theyall
rushedt othe
forest
,MrMoeketsicoul
dnotbeli
ev eit
,theChief
's
bloodwasnotonlygoingtochangeBar uti
'
slif
e,i
t
wasal sogoi
ngtomakeMrMoeket sipowerful
.
MrMoeket
si:
"Wher
eishe?
".
Bar
uti
lookedatt
hemenhecamewi
th.
Bar
uti
:"Br
inghi
m!"
.
Nsi
kal
ookedweak,
ver
yweak.
.theydr
aggedhi
m out
oft
hecav
e.
MrMoeket
si:
"It
'shi
m,i
t'
sreal
l
yhi
m!"
.
I
twasunbeli
evablet
oseetheChi
efinfrontofhim,
notj
ustaChiefbutt
hechi
efwhoini
ti
atedinsidethe
hugeKgosi
galeri
ver
.
MrMoeket
si:
"Undr
esshi
m!"
.
Hesai
dwal
ki
ngar
oundt
hef
ir
e.
MrMoeketsi:
"TodayIhavedonewell
,youwil
lbe
proudofme,thegreatonewhodr
inksinthegr
eat
ri
versoft
hisvil
l
age,youwil
lbepr
oudofme" .
Hegather
edt
hei
nsenceandot
herher
bst
oget
hert
o
bur
nthem.
MrMoeket
si:
"Takeof
fyourcl
othes"
.
Hedi
rect
edatBar
uti
,hedi
dashewast
old.
MrMoeket si
:"Therainmustpourt
ot hegr
eatri
ver
s,
t
heeldersarethi
rsty
,themustpourtothegreat
r
iver
s..
(Singi
ng)".
Hetookar azorandcutNsi ka,
Nsi
kagroanedinpai
n,
Moeketsimadesur ethathegotal
lthebloodhe
neededfrom Nsika'
swound.Hemi xeditwit
hherbs
andinst
ructedBarutit
odrink.
MrMoeketsi
:"Drink!Dr
ink!Yourl
if
edependsonthi
s,
yourweal
thdependsont hi
s,Dri
nkChi
ld,Dr
ink!
".
Aft
erdr
inki
ng,MrMoeket
sicutBar
utiwi
tharazor
andcl
osedthewoundcut
swi t
hherbs(Mut
i)
.
MrMoeketsi
:"Getdr
essedandgohome,
don'
tev
er
l
ookback"
.
Barut
i:"Whatabouthi
m?Fi
nishhi
m of
fIdon'
twant
anytr
oubles"
.
MrMoeket
si:
"Leav
ehi
mtome,
Go!
".
Henoddedandqui
ckl
ygotdressed,
het
hrewt
he
l
astgl
anceatNsi
kaandranoff.
MrMoeket
si:
"Br
inghi
m her
e!"
.
Hest
art
edsi
ngi
ngandt
aki
ngNsi
kat
othecav
e
wher
ethesnake(
hisGod)was.
MrMoeket
si:
"Thi
sisy
ourGi
ftmyGod"
.
.
.
.
.

Nathi
:"Let
'st
hinkofhowy
ougonnapayf
orwhat
youdidtomybrother
".
Khul
ani
:"Ki
l
lmeonce-
".
Nat
hi:
"Ki
l
lyou?Wel
lthat
'
sani
dea"
.
Nathistoodupandlef
t,Khulaniknewthathewas
notgoingtowalkoutal
ive.Hewaspr eparedfor
anythi
ngbutitmadehim wor r
yabouthisbrother
,he
thoughtmaybeNsikawaswor r
iedabouthim where
hewas.Hest ayedi
nther oom handcuf
fed.Hewas
ti
redandhishandshurtmor ethananythi
ng.
Mi
nut
esl
ateraguycameback.
Hi
m:"I
fyout
ryt
orunaway
,Iwi
l
lshooty
ou"
.
Heunl
ockedthehandcuffsanddraggedhimtot
he
r
oom whereNathi
was, Bongani
'
swi feandki
dswer
e
t
her
e.
Nathi:
"Youseewhatyoudid?Hi
swifel
ostherj
ob
becausethet
raumawast oomuchandt
hehouse
couldnotber
ecover
ed".
Khulani
lookedatthewifewhodidnotevenwanted
tol
ookathi m,Khul
anishookhisheadl
ookingat
Bongani'
sfamil
ywhot houghthewasall
innocent
buthecouldnotsayanythi
ng.
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lgi
vey
oumoney
".
Nathi
:"Ri
chpeople!Whataboutmybr
other
?You
wil
lbr
inghi
m back?".
Khul
ani
:"Nobut
-"
.
Nat
hi:
"Whataboutj
ail
?".
Khul
ani
:"Fi
ne,
hav
emear
rest
edt
hen"
.
Theyl
ookedathi
m.
Nat
hi:
"Youwi
l
lgot
ojai
lbutf
ornowt
her
eis
somet
hingy
ouwill
doforus,tomor
rowy
ouar
e
goi
ngtoKwa-Maphumul
o-".
Aguycuthi
m of
f.
.
Him:"Idon'
tthi
nkhei
sarightpersonfort
hisjob,
areyouavir
gin?Weneedaninnocentboy,
thisboy
haskil
l
edbefore"
.
Nathi
:"Butheowesushi slif
e,hewil
ldoit
.Khul
ani
t
hisisMbatha,SenzangakhonaMbatha,t
hisi
syour
j
ob,makeitlookli
keanaccidentorburnhi
shouse
l
ikeyoudidtomybr other
".
Khul
ani:
"Iam notakil
l
er,whathappenedt
oyour
br
otherwasami st
akebecausehe-"
.
Nathi
:"Thi
swil
lalsobeanaccident
,youhavethr
ee
days,
theseguy
swi l
ltr
anspor
tyouaround.Theonl
y
cal
lIneedfr
om youiswhenthejobisdone".
Hesaidthatandlef
twi
tht
hewi
fe,
theki
dswer
e
out
sideplayi
ng.
Khulanisatont
hef l
oor,
hewasdrained..healways
heardthatthet
hingsyoudowil
lcomebackand
hauntyouinthefutur
ebutheneverthoughtitwil
lbe
l
i
kethis.Hewaslef
twi
tht
woguy
s,butt
heot
herone
l
eftt
obuyf ood.
Khul
ani
wasf
aci
ngdownwhent
heguyspoke.
Hi
m:"Ar
eyoucr
ying?
".
Khulani
thoughthewasstr
ongbutnowhis
weaknesseswaswrit
tenal
loverhi
sface,
hewas
cr
ying
Hi
m:"Justbeaman"
.
Khul
ani:
"Iam notakill
er,
whathappenedt
o
Bonganiwasamistake,Iwasdef
endingmysel
f
whenhet r
iedt
ofor
cehi msel
fonme" .
Hi
m:"Wel
lthi
sisKar
maf
ory
ouboy
".
Khul
ani:
"WhydoIhav
etoki
l
lanol
dman?Ihav
enot
nogutstodoi
t"
.
Hi
m:"Lear
n!"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whoi
sthi
sman?
".
Hi
m:"Nat
hiandBongani
'
sfat
her
".
Khul
ani
:"What
?".
Him:"I'
m alsoagai
nstitbutNathii
smyf ri
end,
I
can'
tquesti
onhisdecisi
ons,Hisfatheri
sri
chandi
f
hediesall
hiswealt
hwi ll
gotoNat hi"
.
Khul
ani
:"Hei
sani
nnocentman!
".
Hi
m:"Bongani
wasal
soi
nnocent
".
Khulani
didnotunderst
andwhywouldasonwant
hi
sfatherdead,
justbecausehei
sri
ch?Khul
ani
was
dr
ained,ther
ewasnowayoutt othi
s.Wor
sehe
di
dn'tevenknowhowt ooldagun.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
35]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[23]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

I
twastheear
lyhour
softhemorni
ngwhen
Kgosi
gal
ecameatKhul
aniandNsika'
shouse.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Goodmor
ning"
.
Amo:
"Mor
ningGr
andf
ather
,woul
dyoul
i
ket
ea?
".
Kgosigal
e:"No,cal
ltheboy
sforme,
thei
r
cel
lphonesareoff"
.
Amo:"Uhm-Nsikai
snotbackhomey etandKhul
ani
wel
l
-Ihavenotseenhi
minawhi l
e".
Kgosi
gale:
"Whati
sgoi
ngonher
e?Wher
edi
d
Khul
anigo?".
Amo:
"Idon'
tknow"
.
Kgosigal
e:"Whatdoy oumeanyoudon'tknow
wheremygr andsonsare?Thedr
iverwhodrove
Nsikatothevil
l
ageisalsonowher
et obefound!Tr
y
tocallt
hem".
Amo:
"Iwi
l
l-"
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Don'
ttel
lmet
haty
ouwi
l
l!Doi
tno-
".
Hest
oppedt
alki
ngandsatdown.
Amo:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Sherushedforwaterandtr
iedhelpi
nghimtodri
nk
buthepushedt hegl
assandstooduptoleave.
Befor
ereachingthedoorhecoll
apsed.
Amo:
"MrMot
hupi
!Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?Hel
p!Hel
p!"
.
Thehousehelperr
ushedtohel
p,hewastakentot
he
hospit
al.Amowentwithhi
m,shewasscaredand
cry
ing.
Doct
or:
"Hewi
l
lbef
ine,
don'
tcr
y".
Amonodded.
Amo:
"Whati
swr
ongwi
thhi
m?"
.
Doctor
:"Hi
sbloodpr
essur
ei sveryhi
ghwewi
l
lneed
tokeephi
m heref
ormoretests"
.
Amo:"Aslongashewil
lbef
ine,
Ihav
etogo,
Iwi
l
l
comebacktomorr
ow".
Amowasst r
essed,shewenthomeandt houghtof
call
i
nghergr andfat
herbutsheputt hephonedown
whensher emember edthatMot hupiproblemswere
nothergrandfather
'spr
oblems.Shewentt o
Khulani
'
smi nihouseoffi
ceandwentt hroughhis
staf
f,hefoundRy anthepersonalassistantsnumber
anddial
edit.
Ry
an:
"Ry
anhel
l
o".
Amo:
"Heyuhm-Hel
l
othi
sisAmogel
ang,
arey
ou
Khul
ani
'
sPA?
".
Ry
an:
"Whyar
eyouaski
ngmeaboutmyboss?
".
Amo:"I'
m aski
ngbecauseI
'
m-Amo,
hiswi
feandI
needt
oseey ou".
Ryan:"OhI '
m sorryIdidn'
tknowwhoyouare,wel
l,
I
gotdischargedfrom thehospit
alt
wodaysbackand
Icantdriv
ebut -
".
Amo: "I'
m sor
ryIdidn'tknowbutIneedy ourhel
p,
youdon'thavetodriveanywhere,Ineedyouto
contacttheMothupiGol dITper
son,Ineedthat
personasinli
key est
er day
".
Ry
an:
"Iwi
l
lsendy
ouhernumber
s".
Amo:"Call
them andtel
lthem t
ocomeseemenow
asi
tcannotwai
t..pl
ease"
.
Ry
an:
"Iwi
l
ldot
hat
".
Amo:
"Thanky
ou,
getwel
lsoon"
.
Ry
an:
"Thanky
ou,
sayhi
tobo-
".
Befor
ehecouldevenfi
nish.
.shehangedup,Amo
keptsear
chi
ngthepapersandtry
ingNsika'
s
numbershopinghewoul danswerbuthiscel
l
phone
wasstil
lonvoicemail
andshedidnotf i
ndanythi
ng
i
nKhulani'
soffi
ce..
.aft
erthr
eehourstherewasa
knockonthedoor,sherusheddownstai
rstoanswer
thedoor.
Amo:
"Hi
".
Al
adywasst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofher
.
Her
:"Hi
I'
m That
o,oneoft
heI
T-"
.
Amo:
"Comei
n".
Shewasanxi
ous.
.
Amo:"I'
m Amo,I'
m marr
iedt
oKhul
ani
,Iknowi
t'
s
l
atebutIneedy
ourhelp"
.
SherushedtoKhul
ani
'
soff
iceandcamebackwi
th
hi
slaptop.TheI
Twasconf
usedatwhatwasgoi
ng
on.
Amo: "Her
earet
heemail
sthatIwantyout
otr
ack,
givemedetai
l
sorany
thi
ng,Iwanttoknowwhosent
them".
That
o:"OkayIwill
takeithomewit
hmeandIwi
l
l
gi
veyouthefeedbackintwoday
s".
Amo: "Twodays?Areyouseri
oust
woday s?Thi
s
companyisnotpayi
ngy out
otakeyourt
ime
fi
nishi
ngyourwork!
".
That
o:"Thi
sisnotpar
tofmyj
ob"
.
Amo:"Ohreal
l
y?Myf amil
yist
heonepayi
ngy ou
andi
fyoudon'
twantthi
sjobanymor
e,l
eave!Iwil
l
fi
ndsomeoneelse"
.
That
o:"Looki
-"
.
Amo:"Wewi l
lst
ayt
hewhol
eni
ghtunt
ily
ouf
ini
sh
whatIwant
".
That
o:"YesIwi
l
l,I
'
m sor
ry,
Ijustdon'
twantt
olose
myjob"
.
Amo:
"Good,
Tea?
".
Sheaskedgoi
ngtotheki
tchen,
Amowasst
ressed
fr
om thet
ipofhert
oes.
.
Theycamebackwi t
hfoodandsharedi
twithKhul
ani
,
heatebecauseofhungerbuthewasst
ressed.
Whathappenedt
oBongani
wasami
stake,
abi
t
mistakeandhedidn'
tthinkthatdef
inedhi
m asa
kil
l
er.Hethoughtofescapingandhandhimselft
o
thepoli
cebutther
ewasnowayout .
.
Itwasmi dnightandtheITgi
rlwasst
ill
worki
ngon
theemail address,
Amocouldnoteveneatnor
sleep.
.herey eswerewideopenwait
ingfort
henews.
Amo:
"atl
eastt
ell
mey
ouar
eget
ti
ngsomet
hing"
.
That
o:"I
'
m worki
ngonthisI
Paddresst
ogetnames
andnumber
s,t
heonlyt
hingIgoti
sthel
ocat
ionbut
-"
.
Amo:
"Al
ocat
ion?Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me?Showme"
.
That
o:"I
t'
sont
he-
".
Amoshookherhear
dandtookthel
aptopf
rom her
,
sher
eadtheaddr
essandwrot
eitdown.
Amo: "Fi
ndar oom t
osleepbutdon'
ttouchany
thing,
ther
ewi l
lbealadyinthemorni
ngtomakey oufood
i
ncaseI'm notbackyet"
.
That
o:"CanIl
eav
eint
hemor
ning"
.
Amo:
"Yesanddon'
tsayawor
dtoany
oneabout
t
hisnott
oev
eny
ourbest
fri
end"
.
Amowasnotgoi ngtotakeanycompanydr i
vers,she
tookacarandr egi
ster
edt headdr essontheGPS
device.Shewasshaki ng, sweat yandwor r
ied, she
didnotknowwhatwasshegoi ngt ofi
nd.Itwas
around2am i nthemor ningandt heli
ghtswer eof fin
allt
hehouses, shereadt hehousenumber sunt il
she
foundt heoneshewasl ookingf or,shewait ed
outsideandther ewasnomov ement .Sher eali
zed
thatherplanwasnotcompl et
eandr etur
nedback
homet or est
.
.
"
Wakeup!
".
Khul
ani
wokeupwi
pinghi
sey
es.Theguyspoke.
Him:"Yourtargeti
scomingheret
omorr
owsoy
ou
haveunti
lnextweekTuesdaytodothej
ob"
.
Khul
ani
:"ThatmeansI
'
mfr
eet
ogo?
".
Him:"No,
youwillst
ayher
eunt
ilNat
hipress
char
gesagai
nstyouandyouar
enotgoingtoKwa-
Maphumuloanymore".
Khulanidi
dnotquest
ionthat
,heknewthatitwas
overforhi
m.Afewmi nut
eslatert
heyheardaknock,
theguyopenedthedoor.
Hi
m:"Whoar
eyou?
".
Voi
ce:"I
'm-I
'm sor
ryther
ewasaguychasi
ngme
andIsawthegateopenthat
'
swheni-
".
Shestoppedabit,
shewassweat
y,y
oucouldtel
lshe
wasrunning.No,
thatwasav
eryf
amili
arv
oiceto
Khul
ani.
Voi
ce:
"Uhm-
canIhav
ewat
er,
please"
.
Theguyl
ookedatherf
rom headt
otoe.
Him:"Comein,si
ther
e,Iwil
ll
ookforabottl
e,we
don'
thavegl
asses.
.werecentl
yboughtt
hishouse"
.
Shecamei nandsawKhul ani butshehadt opret
end
l
ikeshedoesn'tknowhim, shewaswear i
ngaweav e
thatcover
edmostofherf acialfeat
uresjusti
ncase
theguysknewher .Ther
ewasanot herguybusyon
hisphone.
AmoandKhul
ani
secr
etl
ykeptst
ari
ngateachot
her
.
Themancamewit
hwater
,shedr
ankal
lofit.
Amo: "Thankyou,theseguyswerechasi
ngaf
terme,
I
'm sorr
ytojustbudgeinli
kethi
s".
Him:"Noprobl
em,
wear
eonourwayoutdoy
ou
needali
ft
?".
Amo: "Ohy
eahthanky ou,
Iwasonmytot
hecl
i
nic
togetmygrandf
ather
'smedicat
ion"
.
Khulaniwasshockedatherli
es,hedidnotknow
thatshewascapableofdoingthatandhewas
i
mpr essedbutangryatt
hesamet ime,herl
if
ecoul
d
beindanger.
Hi
m:"Iwi
l
lgi
vey
oual
i
ft"
.
Amo:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Theguydr oppedherof fneart hecli
nicandshedi d
notknowt hepl acebutsheknewwher ehercarwas.
Atthi
spoi ntshedi dnotknowwhatt odo, whetherto
cal
lthepol i
ceornot .Thedistancet othecli
nic
wasn'tthatlongandshemanagedt owalktohercar,
shedidnotwantt oleave.Shet houghtofbuying
sconesandpackt hem neatlyont heTupperware
andgobackt ot hehousetot hanktheguyf ordri
ving
hertotheclinic.
Amo:
"Thati
sri
sky
".
Shestoppedhersel
f,shedr
ovehomeandmadesur
e
tocomebackv eryearl
yint
hemorni
ngandpar
kthe
caraf
arfrom t
hehouse.
.
.
.
-Khul
ani

'
HowcanAmogel angbesost
upid?Whati
f
somethi
ngbadhappenedt
oher?Hewasangr
ybut
i
mpressedatt
hev er
ysameti
me.
Todaywast hedaywherehewasgoi ngtomeethi s
tar
getandknowwher ehestays,onethi
nghedi dnot
under st
and,ist
hatwhywoul dasonwantt okil
lhis
ownf ather.Hegoti
ntothecarandtheguyst art
ed
dri
ving,hewasv er
yanxious.Thedri
vewasv ery
quiet.Aftert
hecoupl
eofdr i
ves,
theyparkedinsi
de
thebighouse.
Nat
hi:
"Ohy
ouguy
scame,
Comemeetmyf
ather
".
Fat
her
?Khul
aniwasbey ongconf
used,Nathigot
al
ongwit
hhi
sfatherbuthewantedhim dead.
Khulanidi
dnotquest
ionany
thing,
hefol
lowedt
hem
i
nside.Buthi
sfat
herwasont hephone.
Nat
hi:
"Iguesshei
sbusy
,si
ther
e".
Khul
ani
didnotunder
standwhatwasgoi
ngon.
Khul
ani
:"ButI
-"
.
Nat
hi:
"Youshoul
dbegladthatyouar
enotgoi
ngt
o
Kwa-Maphumul
o,yourj
obwil
lendhere"
.
MrMbathaputthephonedownandnot
icedNat
hi
andKhul
anii
ntheroom.
MrMbat
ha:
"AhhNkosi
nat
hiy
ouar
eher
e?"
.
Nat
hi:"Yesdad,
doy
ouknowt
heMot
hupi
fami
l
y?
Wel
lthefamousMot
hupi
fami
l
y?"
.
MrMbat
ha:
"Yes?
".
Nathi:"Wellsi
nceyoupushedmet onotbelike
Bongani andbemor eli
keyou,Ihaveaskedthe
Mothupi sontocomet eachmehowt orun
businesseseventhoughthei
rbusinessisdif
fer
ent
f
rom our
s".
MrMbatha:"Helooksy oung,v
eryy
oung,
whatdo
youknowaboutbusiness?".
Khulani
:"Uhm-I'
m anassi
stantCEOatMot
hupi
GoldwhichisnotM&M Gold".
MrMbat ha:
"Yourparentsshoul
dbev erypr
oudof
you,I
'
m surey ouwi
l
lteachmysonwhoi swayolder
thanyouathingort
woaboutbusi ness,
I'
m happyhe
choseyou".
Khul
ani
nodded.
MrMbatha:"Youwastedtoomuchtimeonalcohol
andeati
ngmymoney .
..t
hisboywil
lteachy
oubutI
thi
nkyouar
ealreadyt
oooldfort
hat".
Nathigotangr
yandKhulani
underst
oodabi
twhyhe
wantedhisfat
herdead.MrMbathal
eftt
her
oom.
Nathi
:"Makesurethaty
oudoy
ourj
obbef
oret
he
endofnextweek"
.
Khul
ani
stoodup.
Nat
hi:
"Wher
edoy
out
hinky
ouar
egoi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lnotescape,
Ineedt
imet
othi
nk!
".
Nat
hi:
"Youbet
ternot
".
Khulaniwassweat y,hesteppedout sideandlooked
ar
oundt ryingtogethismindt ogether,t
herewere
al
sobi gtrucksintheyard,MrMbat haalsohada
l
ogisticcompany .Heheardaf ail
edwhi stl
eand
l
ookedar ound,behindthetruckitwasawoman
wearingshadesandasunhat .
Khul
ani
:"I
-"
.
Shehuggedhi
mti
ght
lyandt
ookof
ftheshakes.
Khul
ani
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Amo: "Iwasworri
edaboutyouandIhadtofi
ndyou,
Ifol
lowedthecarher
eand-howareyou?Didthey
hurtyou?Whatdotheywantwit
hyou?".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
salongst
ory
,gobackhome
Amogel
ang!
".
Amo:"Ican'
t,
Yourgrandf
atherishospi
tal
izedwell
hehadaheartat
tackwhenhef oundoutthatyou
andNsi
kaaremissing"
.
Khul
ani
:"What
?Wher
eisNsi
ka?
".
Amo:"Eversincehel
eftf
orthemeetinghenever
cameback,Iam worr
iedandhisphoneisof
f".
Khul
ani
:"Shit
!Dammit
!Youneedtogobefor
e
someoneseesyou,
Ihavet
ogetthi
sjobdoneand
fi
ndawaytocomebackhome".
Amo:
"Whatj
ob?
".
Khul
ani
:"Icantt
ell
youbutpl
easegohome"
.
Amo: "Her
e,thi
sphonewi l
lfi
tinyourunder
wearor
anywhere,
it'
snotregi
steredanditonlyhasmy
numbersandenoughai rt
imet ocallme,pl
ease
comebacksoon" .
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
l,gonow"
.
Amoleft
,Khul
aniqui
ckl
yhidthephoneunderhi
s
under
wearandsatontheground.
.
.
Twodayslat
erAmost i
llwai
tedforKhul
ani
'
scall
,
shewastemptedtocall
him butsheal
sodidnot
wanttor
iskhi
sli
fe,Ther
ewasaknockont hedoor
andshewenttocheckwhoitwas.
Amo:
"Hi
,canIhel
pyou?
".
AGentl
emen:"Thi
spl
acel
ooksdi
ff
erent
,Ohhi
,I
'm
Bar
uti
Mothupi"
.
Thename,
Amosur
elyoncehear
doft
hatname.
Amo:
"CanIhel
pyou?
".
Bar
uti
:"Yes,
YouareKhulani'
swife?Orshoul
dIsay
exwif
e?Theseki
dsarefullofgames".
Amo:
"HowcanIhel
pyouSi
r?"
.
Baruti
:"Youcanhel pmebyt aki
ngally
our
belongingsandleave!Thishousewasspecial
l
ybuil
t
forme, Leavethehouse-ohwai t,Khul
ani
disappearedjustl
ikehisbrother
?Iknewthatt
hese
Zuluboy saregoodf ornothi
ng".
Amo:
"Thi
sismyhouse!
".
Bar
uti:"Was,youandKhulaniaredi
vor
ced!Goback
wherey oucamefrom l
i
ttl
egir
l,gopl
aywithdol
l
sor
any
thingliket
hat.
.Leavenow!
" .
Amot
ookhercel
l
phoneandl
eftt
hehouse.
Bar
uti
smi
l
edathi
msel
f.
Barut
i:"AhhhSuccessneverfel
tthi
sgood,Who
wouldhav et
houghtthatIwi
ll
bebackast heCEO
andast heChief
".
.
.
.

.
-Iam sorr
yforkeepi
ngyouwait
ing,
Iam NOT
cl
osingthepage,Iam j
ustsl
owinpost
ing.
.Iam
sorr
y.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
-ZamaNdl
ovu
[
3/8,
14:
35]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[24]
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Thi
swast
oomuchf
orAmo,
shedi
dnotknowwher
e
shewasdr
ivi
ngt
o.Shest
oppedatt
heCof
feeShop.
Herphoner
angasexpect
ed.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
!
".
Khul
ani
:"Hey
,howar
eyou?Howi
sGr
andf
ather
?".
Amo:
"Heisgoodbutst
il
latthehospi
tal
,ther
e'sa
manwhoj
ustcameandthrewmeoutoft hehouse".
Khul
ani
:"Who?I
sitBar
uti
?".
Amo:"Hesaidso,Khul
ani
I'
mti
redofthi
s,it
ri
edto
hel
pbutthi
sisabovemenow,t
rytoescapeand
comeback".
Khulani
:"Iknow,Bar
uti
hadnor
ightt
othr
owy
ouout
,
thatisy
ourhouse".
Amo:
"Iknow,
Idi
dn'
ttakeany
thi
ngIj
ustl
eft
".
Khul
ani
:"OkayenoughwithSecr
ets,
Thi
sguyher
e
want
smet okil
lhi
sfather
,heisbl
ackmai
li
ngme"
.
Amo:
"What
?Why
?".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
ll
tel
lyoubutIcantki
l
laninnocentol
d
manandIdon'
tevenknowhowt okil
l
".
Amo:
"Whoi
sthatman?
".
Khulani
:"MrMbatha,heisabi
gbusi
nessman,
I
cantkil
lhi
m Amogelang"
.
Amo:
"Whyi
sthi
shappeni
ng?
".
Khul
ani:"Amoi fyouwanttogobackt oyour
gr
andfather'
shouseIunderstandbutpl
easedon't
al
lowBar ut
itotakewhatbelongstoyou,Isi
gned
ever
ythi
ngt oyouevenmycompanyshar es".
Amo:
"Iheary
ou,
thi
sisj
ustt
oomuchf
orme"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sor
ry,
Iwi
sht
hingscanbedi
ff
erentbut
-
".
Amo:
"Ihav
etogoKhul
ani
".
Shehangedup, Shewant edtol eav eev erythingand
gobackhomebutherf ami l
ytrust edhert okeept his
busi
nessdeal andr elat
ionshiptowor k.Shedr oveto
herfamily'
shouse, herparentsst ay edi nEgl andand
herGrandfatherplayedav eryhuger oleinr aisi
ngher ,
herparentsnevercar edaboutherbutshef orgav e
them becausehergr andfathergav eherev ery t
hing
shewant ed,andLov edher.
Shemissedever
y t
hingespeciall
ythegar
den,she
woul
dhelpUnclePet ertheGardenmantocleanit.
..
wel
litwastherapeutic.
Amo:
"Hel
l
oMme"
.
Shesaidgreet
ingthei
rHouseKeeper
,Makhumal
o,
shewasav eryfr
iendl
yZi
mbabweanladywho
watchedhergrow.
MaKhumal
o:"It
houghty
ouhav
efor
got
tenus"
.
Shehuggedher
.
Amo:"Iwi
llcomev
isi
tbutIneedt
oseegr
andpa,
is
hehome?"
.
MaKhumal
o:"Checkhi
minhi
sof
fi
ce"
.
Sherushedtotheoff
ice,
seei
nghergr
andf
athershe
fel
ttear
sbuil
dingupinherey
esbutshebl
i
nked
them awayandhuggedhim.
MrMor
oka:
"Howar
eyouPr
incess?
".
Amo:
"I'
m goodIj
ustmi
ssedy
ou"
.
MrMoroka:"Youdon'
tl
ookgoodt ome, i
sthat
f
amil
ytreat
ingyouwel
l,Isweari
ftheydon'
tIwil
l-
".
Amo:
"No,
I'
mfi
ne,
howar
eyou?
".
MrMor oka:"I
'
m wellj
uststr
essedaboutwork,
I
wenttovisi
tMothupiatthehospi
tal
yest
erday,
is
yourhusbandhandl
ingthecompanywell?
".
Amo:
"Uhm-hei
sawaywi
thbusi
nessst
uff
".
MrMor oka:
"Sothecompanyi
swi
thoutaCEO?That
cannotbepossi
ble"
.
Amo:"Iknowbutt
hati
snotwhyI
'
m her
e,doy
ou
knowMrMbatha?"
.
MrMor
oka:
"MrMbat
hawho?
".
Amo:"Hei sabusinessmanI'm sur
efr
om Kzn,he
hasTrucks!Yest
rucks,Idon'
tknowwhatother
busi
nesseshehas".
MrMoroka:
"It
hinkIknowal
ogi
sti
cty
coon,
Iknow
hi
m,whaydoyouask?".
Amo:"Ineedyourhel
p,Iwantt
oexpandthe
company,M&M Gold,
Iwantustopar
tnerwi
thhi
s
l
ogist
icbusi
nessand-
".
MrMor
oka:
"It
'
snoteasyt
obui
l
dapar
tner
shi
p".
Amo:"Hehasal ogi
sti
ccompany ,wehav eGold,we
needtranspor
tat
iontotransportourjewell
eryor
evenGold,werenttr
ucksatt hemomentbutwi thhi
s
l
ogist
iccompanywecanbui ldapar t
nershipwithhi
s
company "
.
MrMoroka:"That
'saver
ygoodi
dea,
Iam pr
oudof
you,
Iwil
lthi
nkabouti
t"
.
Amo: "Ihavealr
eadythoughtaboutit
,andIneed
thi
stobedone, thi
sismyf i
rstdeal
toimprovethe
company ,Iwantyoutobeproudofmesopl ease
daddyproposethisdealt
ohi m".
MrMor
oka:
"Pr
incessIhav
elot
sofwor
kher
eand-
".
Amo:"Okayj
usttr
ytosetupameetingwit
hhim,I
wil
lpr
oposet
hisdeal
tohim butI
'
m aski
ngyouto
comewithme"
.
MrMor oka:"Ihav
enev
erseenyouthi
skeenabout
busi
ness,Iwill
makeafewcal
lstoday
".
Amo:
"Thankyou,Iwil
lst
ayheret
oni
ghtt
hehouse
i
semptysi
ncetheBrot
hersar
enothome"
.
MrMor
oka:
"Youdon'
tev
enhav
etoexpl
ainy
our
sel
f,
t
hisi
syourhome"
.
Shenoddedandheadedtoherbedr
oom andfel
l
asl
eep,i
thasbeenlongsi
nceshehadapropersl
eep,
herphonewokeherup.
Amo:
"Hel
l
o".
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
ang,
arey
oual
ri
ght
?".
Amo:
"I'
mfi
ne"
.
Khul
ani:"LookIthoughtaboutit
,youcanleav
e
ever
ythi
ngandgohomebuti fithappenst
hatImake
i
touthereIwill
giveyouwhatbel ongstoy
ouokay?"
.
Amo:
"Whatabouty
ourbr
other
?".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tknow"
.
Amo:"IspoketothePIl
astweekandst
il
lther
eis
nott
raceofyourmother
".
Hekeptqui
et.
Amo:"Youhav
et oomanypr
oblemsandIdon'tt
hink
Iwi
l
lsolvet
hem all
fory
oubutIwil
ltr
yand-
".
Khul
ani
:"Someonei
scomi
ng"
.
Hehangedup.
Amo:
"Ohwel
l
".
Shet
hrewt
hephonei
nbedandcont
inuedt
osl
eep.
.
.
Baruti
:"Mom Igotmyhouseback,I
'mjustwai
ti
ng
forthatgi
rlt
ocometakethei
rcl
othes"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Buthowar
eyougoi
ngt
ogett
he
shar
es?
".
Baruti
:"Thecompanydoesn'thavetheCEOatt he
momentandIj ustsetupthemeetingwiththeboard
member s,wewil
lvotethatboyout,hecantjust
neglectt
hecompany "
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Okaymyboy
".
Bar
uti
:"Wewi
l
ltal
klat
er"
.
Barutiwashappy ,v
eryhappythathewasfi
nal
ly
gett
ingwhathewant ed.Hesetupthemeet
ingon
thelastminute,
luckil
ytheboardmemberwereon
board..
.theyagreedtomeetthefoll
owi
ngdayat
fouri
nt heaf
ternoon.Heworehisbestsui
tand
greet
edev er
yonewi t
hahugesmi lei
nthecompany
wellmostpeoplewer egossi
pingandsomewer e
surpr
isedtoseehim.Theboar dmembersarri
ved
i
ncludingMrMor okawhoownedhal fofM&M Gold.
Baruti
:"Thanky oual l
forcominginsuchashort
noti
ce,itshowst hatweallwantthesamet hi
ng,a
bri
ghtfutureforthiscompany.WellFatheri
satthe
hospit
al andanassi st
antCEOisnowher etobe
found,Ihavedecidedt ocomebackast heCEOof
thi
scompany "
.
MrMor
oka:
"It
hinkt
heboar
dshoul
dvot
efort
hat
".
Amocamer
unni
ng,
shewasl
ate.
Amo: "Iam sor
ryf
orbei
ngl
ate,
whatar
ewev
oti
ng
for
?".
Bar
uti
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Amo: "Iam sorryever
yone,Iam AmogelangMoroka
whoisnowaMot hupi
,myhusbandKhulaniMothupi
whoownshal fofthi
scompanyleftmeasanact i
ng
assi
stantCEOsi nceheisawayonbusiness,nowI
don'
tunderstandwhywoul danyonecall
ameet i
ng
wi
thouti
nfor
mingme"
.
Bar
uti
:"St
opbul
l
shi
tt
ingus,
youhav
enor
ightt
obe
her
e".
Amo: "Ihav eev eryrighttobeher e,
Nsi kayomuzi
Mot hupi gav eallhisshar est ohisbrotherwhi ch
makehi m Imeanus, halfowner soft hiscompany ,
wehav et hemaj orityshar esandy ousi rhaveno
ri
ghtt obeher e.Butt hatisnotwhyI '
m her e,the
reasont hatI '
m her eistot ellyouallthatgoodnews,
thatinthepastt hreemont hssinceMot hupiGold
partneredwi t
hMor okaJewel ler
yandsi nceMy
husbandbecameanassi stantCEOouri ncomehas
i
ncr easedby15%whi chladiesandGent lemen
makesuscl oserinr eachingour20%goal whichwill
placeust othet opandbei ngtheLeadi ngMi ning
andJewel l
erycompany ,
thatwi l
lbeal l
".
Theyclappedhands, Amodi dnotsl
eepatnight
readi
nghergr andfat
her'spaper
sthatgav
eherallt
he
i
nformationt
hatsheshar edwit
htheboardmembers
andshedi dverywell.Themeetingwasadjour
ned
l
eav i
ngBarutilooki
nglikeafool.
MrMoroka:
"Iseewhyy
ouhadasl
eepl
essni
ghti
n
myof
fi
ce".
Amo: "Ilearnedfr
om t
hebestbutGrandpa,Ihav
e
neverranacompanybef or
ei don'
tevenknowwhat
todopl easehelpmeunti
lKhulani
getsback".
MrMor
oka:
"Iwi
l
lbewi
thy
oui
nthi
sof
fi
ce"
.
Amo:"Thankyou,
ohdi
dyoumanaget
osetupa
meet
ingwithMrMbat
ha".
MrMoroka:
"Yes,hewi l
lbehereint
heboardroom at
10am t
omorr
ow,don'tdisappoi
ntme,i
ttookalotof
ener
gytomakehim agreetomeetwithus".
Amo:
"Iwon'
t"
.
MrMor
oka:
"Good"
.
.
.
.
Bar
uti
wasangr
yveryangry
,hewentt
othehouse
ver
yangr
yandt
hrewallt
heworker
sout.
Hewentt
ohi
sbagst
hatwer
est
il
lunpackedand
tookhisHerbst hathegotf r
om MrMoeket si
.He
forgott
heinstructionsanddecidedt
ocal lhi
mfor
theconfi
rmati
on. ..
.hestoppedwhenhe
rememberedt hatMrMoeket si
isaverybusy
tradi
ti
onal
ist
,hur r
iedly,
heheatedupwat ertost
eam
hisbodyandpour edMut i
allar
oundthehouse..
Bar
uti
:"UhhhIam back!Andal
lthi
swi
l
lret
urnback
tome".
.
.
Amospentt hewhol edayathergrandf ather'shome
study i
ng,shehadbeenbeent oameet ingbef or
e
wel lshehadbeenwhenshewasy ounger, her
grandf at
hertookhert omostofthemeet ingshe
attendedbutshenev erl
i
stenedorpay edat t
entionto
whatt heywer etal
ki
ngabout .Thi
swasherf irst
meet i
ng.Shesleptveryl
ateatnight,i
nt hemor ning
shewast hefir
stonet owakeup.
Amo:
"Daddy
,ar
eyoust
il
lcomi
ng?
".
MrMor
oka:
"Yesy
ouneedhel
patt
heof
fi
ce"
.
Amo:
"Okay
,Iam l
eav
ingnow"
.
Shelef
t.Att
hepar
kingl
otshej
umpedseei
ngaman
behi
ndher.
Amo:
"CanIhel
pyou"
.
Hi
m:"Hi
".
Hesmi l
edandhiseyeswer
ef ul
loft
ear
sbuthe
pushedthem away
.Amonoticed.
Him:"Iam sor
ryf
orcomingatyouli
kethat,
Itwon't
benecessaryt
ohavepar
tner
shi
pwi t
hMrMbat ha,
theonl
ypersonwhoneedstobestoppedishisson".
Amo:
"Whoar
eyou?
".
Hi
m:"Thati
snoti
mpor
tantnow,
Ineedy
out
ocome
wi
thme".
Amo:"Iwil
laskagai
n,whoar
eyou?Answerme
bef
oreical
lsecur
it
y".
Hi
m: "YoucalledMrMbat hahereforameeti
ngand
hi
ssonhasi tallpl
annedthatKhul
aniwil
lhavetoki
ll
hi
mt oday,i
fthathappens,Khul
aniwil
lgostr
aightt
o
j
ail
.Ifyoucareabouthimy ouwil
ltr
ustme".
Amodidnothesi
tat
e,t
hegentl
emangoti
nthecar
wi
thherandheknewthedi
rect
ions.
Amo:"Iswearify
out
rysomethi
ngf
unnywi
thmeI
wi
ll
kil
lyouwithmyownhands".
Thegentl
emansmi l
edabit
.Amotr
iedt
ogethi
mto
tel
lherhi
sident
it
ybuthedi
dnot
.
Hi
m:"Her
e,t
aket
hisbagandputi
tint
hatcar
".
Amo:
"What
?No!
".
Hegotoutanddi
dthej
obhi
msel
fwi
thnoquest
ions
asked.
Hi
m:"Nowl
et'
swai
tfort
hemov
ie"
.
Amo:"Wai
tforwhat
?IfKhul
ani
get
sint
roubl
eyou
ar
etheonet
oblame".
Afterafewmi nutessecurit
ypat r
olcarscameand
wenttot hecartosearchit,Amoandt hegentleman
wer ewatchi
ngfrom afar,minuteslaterthepoli
ce
foll
owed.Nathiandhiscr ewwer eescor tedoutof
theMbat hahousehold,Amodi dnotevenspeak, she
rushedtothescenet olookf orKhulani,
shesawhi m.
Khul
ani
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Amo:
"Shhh,
fol
l
owme!
".
I
twaschaoti
cnoonewouldhavenot
icedt
hem,when
t
heywenttothecart
hegent
lemanwasgone.
Amodr
oveaway
.
Khul
ani
:"It
hinkt
hat
'
sabi
gdr
ugbust
".
Amo:
"Atl
easty
ouar
esaf
e".
Shewasst illconfusedandaski ngher
selfaboutt
he
gentl
eman, wheredidhedi sappear
edto?Amocal l
ed
hergrandfatherandt oldhershewasnotcomi ngto
themeetingany mor e,hewasangr ybutheforgav
e
hisl
it
tleprincess.
Shedr
ovet
othenear
estbnbt
obookar
oom.
Amo:
"Youneedcl
othes,
whatsi
zesdoy
ouwear
?".
Khul
ani
:"I
-"
.
Amo:
"Cool
Iwi
l
lber
ightback"
.
Thatsurpri
sedKhul ani
,whywasAmounset t
led?she
avoi
dedt al
kingt ohi
mi nt
hecarandnowshewas
acti
ngli
ket his.Onherwaytothenear
estshopsshe
reci
evedacal l.
Amo:
"Hel
l
o".
Voi
ce:"Amogelang,y
ouleftyourphonei
nthecar
whenyouwenttolookforKhulaniandIt
ookyour
number,
sor
ryfortaki
ngoffli
kethat".
Amo: "Youarest
upi
ddoyouknowt hat
?Whati f
someonesawus?Whatiftheyt
hinkKhulani
planted
thosedrugs?
".
Him:"It
ookcareofevery
thi
ng,youhavenothi
ngto
worr
yabout,
justdon'
ttel
lKhul
anithatsomeone
hel
pedyou"
..
Amo:
"Iwi
l
lnotl
i
etoKhul
ani
".
Hi
m:"Lookaf
tery
our
sel
fandKhul
ani
".
Hehangedup,shegotfr
ustr
ated,par
tofhert
rusted
thest
ranger
,shewentbacktothebnbwithcl
othes
andfood.
Khul
ani
:"Yousav
edme,
howdi
dyouknowwher
eto
getme"
.
Amo:"BecauseIr
iskedmyl
i
fet
ogety
ouout
,be
happy
".
Khul
ani
:"i
knowbutNat
hii
sal
soadr
ugsmuggl
er?
Lookatt
henews,
that
'
sbi
l
li
onsofr
andswor
thof
cocai
ne?
".
Amo: "Ir
iskedmyl
i
fe,
wef
ramedt
hisst
upi
dguyf
or
you"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youdidthatforme?Amogelangwhatif
youwer
ecaughtwiththosedrugs?Wheredi
dyou
gett
hem?Don'tev
err i
skyourli
fel
iket
hatagai
n!"
.
Amo:
"Ar
eyougonnat
hankmeornot
?".
Khul
ani
:"Okayt
hanky
oubut
-"
.
Amo:
"Youneedt
obat
h".
Thegi r
lwasr i
ght,i
tbeenlongsinceKhul anihada
properbath,Amost eppedoutsideforamomentt o
giveKhulanipri
vacy,shewasst i
llst
ressed,she
call
edthegent l
eman'snumberbutt hev oicemail
saidthenumberdoesnotexi st.Whoi she?She
askedher sel
f.
Khul
ani
:"Youcancomei
n".
Amocamei
n.
Amo:"YoulookcutemaybeIshoul
dbet
heone
doi
ngyourshoppi
ngfrom nowon".
Khul
ani
:"I
sthatyourwayoft
ell
i
ngmet
haty
ouar
e
char
medbymyl ooks?
".
Amo:
"Youwi
sh,
youhav
etof
indNsi
ka"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iknow,
wher
eisBar
uti
?".
Amo: "Hewasreadytotakeov
erast
heCEObutI
stoppedhi
m,Ihadtoli
eandsayyouputmei
n
chargewhenyoulef
t"
.
Khulani:"Thankyou,Imeanf
orl
yi
ngandfor
everyt
hing,Idon'
tevenknowwher
etost
artl
ooki
ng
forNsika".
Amo:"Gotot hev
il
lage,
thati
swher
ehewasl
ast
seen,
repor
tittot
hepoli
cealso"
.
Khul
ani
:"Bar
utii
sthepr
obl
em,averybi
gprobl
em
whati
fheisi
nvol
vedinNsi
ka'
sdi
sappear
ance?
".
Amo:
"Ial
sodon'
ttr
ustt
hatman"
.
.
.
.
-Bar
uti
Hewenttothehospi
tal
toseehi
sfat
her
,Kgosi
gal
e
wasnotpl
easedtoseehim.
Bar
uti
:"Fat
her
".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Wher
ear
emy
gr
andsons?"
.
Barut
i:"Youalwayst
hinkt
hewor
stofme,nur
secan
youpleaseexcuseusandcl
oset
hedooronyour
wayout "
.
Thenur
senodded.
Bar
uti
:"I
'
mtaki
ngy
ouhomet
oday
,ai
n'
tyouhappy
?".
Kgosi
gal
e:"Leav
eBar
uti
!"
.
Bar
utit
ookthecl
othandcover
edKgosi
gal
e'
smout
h,
Hetr
iedtof
ighti
tbuthehadnopower.
Barut
i:"Youseef ather
,Ihavebeengoodt oyou, I
wenttoschool anddidv er
ywelltoi
mpr essyoubut
youchoseKgosi ,whenKgosi di
ed,youtri
edtolove
mebutwhent heseboy scame, y
outurnedagainst
meagai n.ThewayIl oveyou,Idon'
twanttolosey ou,
youwillbemine,standbymysi deanddoev erythi
ng
Iwant
".
Hetookouthi sMut iandar azor,
hemadesmal lcut
s
i
nKgosi '
sbodyandr ubbedMut ii
nt hewounds.
Kgosigal
ewasdi schar
gedt hatmor ni
ngandBar uti
tookhim home.Hehel pedhim sl
eepi nhisbedand
star
tedhissmal lceremony,hebat hedhim with
Muthiandf orcedhimt odri
nksome. .
..hesti
l
l
conti
nuedtoappl ymor eMut hii
nthecut sthathe
made...
Het hentookascr ewf i
ll
edwi thMuti.
..
Bar
uti
:"Todayf
athert
her
eisnot
urni
ngback"
.
Hewashol dingahammerwi t
hhisrighthandand
piercedthecr ewinKgosi
gal
e'
shead, hegroanedin
pain,lotsofbloodwascomingout.
.Baruticonti
nued
toper for
m hisceremony.Hewant
edKgosi gal
etobe
hislivi
ngTokol oshe(
Zombie)
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
35]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[25]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Amo:
"It
hinkwehav
etogohome"
.
Khul
ani
:"Notunt
ilBar
uti
isout
".
Amo:"Imeantmygr andfat
her
'shouse,
it'
smor
e
homel
yther
e,thenhere".
Khulani
:"Okaybutpleasedon'tt
ellyourgrandfat
her
aboutallt
his,
Idon'
twanthi mtothinkofusl i
kethat
andtopulloutint
hisbusinesspart
nership".
Amo:"I
fIwant
edt
otel
lhi
m Iwoul
dhav
edoneso
l
ongago".
Khulani
:"Okayt
hanks,befor
ewego,
arey
ousur
e
thatyourpl
anwi
llnotbackfi
re?
".
Amo:
"Whatpl
an?
".
Khul
ani
:"Thi
swhol
edr
ugt
hing?
:.
Amo:"Noitwon'tot
her
wiset
heywoul
dhav
eal
ready
st
art
edlooki
ngforusorme".
Amot rustedthestrangerbutshest
il
lwasnotsurei
f
shecanf ull
ytrusthim.TheywenttotheMoroka
household.
Amo:
"Gr
andpai
snotbacky
et,
youwi
l
lsl
eepi
nthi
s
r
oom"
.
Khul
ani
:"ButI
'
m hungr
y".
Amo:
"Theki
tcheni
sdownst
air
sony
ourl
eft
".
Khulani
:"Youarenotsowelcomingi
nyourhome,
is
thi
showy outr
eatyourguests"
.
Amor
oll
edherey
es.
Amo:
"May
beIl
ear
nti
tfr
om t
hebest
".
Khulaniwasr eall
yhungr yifi twasf orhi m hewas
goingtoor dersomet hingbuthedi dnothav ea
phoneormoney ,hewasbr oke.Looki ngatt hehouse
i
twasv erybeaut iful,i
thadmoder ndesi gnsher eand
therebutitwasbeaut i
ful.Hewentt ot heki tchenand
therewasev erythingt here, hewoul dmakea
sandwichi fhewant edt obuthecr avedf orahome
cookedmeal .Hel ookedar oundnot icingt hatnoone
wasar ound, heopenedal l
t hecupboar dsandgot
whatheneeded.Onet hingt hei rmot hert aughtthem
wast obeabl etodot hingsf ort hemsel ves, Khulani
andNsi kayomuzi cleaned, washedl aundr yand
cooked, t
heirmot hert aughtt hem ev ery t
hingast hey
weretheonl yki dsbackhome.Khul ani hav enever
cookedanythingfancybutwit
htheingredientsi
n
fr
ontofhim hewoul dtryt
omakesomet hingoutof
nothi
ng.Hecookedr iceandbeefstew,whi l
ehewas
busywithpots,someoneclearedthei
rthroat,he
j
umped.
MrMor
oka:
"Mot
hupi
".
Khulani
:"AhhI'
m sor
ryforusi
ngyourki
tchensi
r,I
was-ImeanIam hungryandIwantedahome
cookedmeal,Iwil
lcl
eanallt
hisupand-
".
MrMoroka:
"Amogel
angdi
dnotment
iont
haty
ou
ar
ecomingher
e".
Khul
ani
:"Ial
sodi
dnotknowt
hatIwascomi
ngt
her
e
si
r"
.
Khul
ani
wasner
vous,
hishandswer
esweat
y.
MrMoroka:"Cal
lmewheny
oudonecooki
ng,
Iam
ver
yst
arvi
ng".
Thatwasarel
i
ef,buthewasnotsur
ehowhisfood
tast
esl
ike,
hefi
nishedupandwentatAmo'
sroom.
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
ang"
.
Amo:
"Doy
ouneedsomet
hing?
".
Khul
ani:
"Yourgr
andfat
hersaidIshoul
dcal
lhi
m
whenthefoodi
sreadybutIdon'
tknowhisr
oom".
Amo:
"Iwi
l
lcal
lhi
m,wai
t,y
oucooked?
".
Khul
ani
nodded.
Amo: "ncncncIdef
ini
tel
ywanttotast
ethat
,butI
needtoprepar
emymedsf ir
stbef
oreeati
ngyour
food"
.
Khul
ani
justshookhi
shead,
Amodi
shedupf
ort
hem.
Amo:"Ar
eyousur
ethaty
ouar
etheonewhocooked
thi
s?"
.
MrMor
oka:
"Isawhi
m wi
thmyowney
es"
.
Khul
ani:
"Mymot hertaughtusever
ythi
ngwewere
pr
acti
call
yraiseddif
ferent
lyfr
om ot
herboyki
ds,
we
cl
eaned,cookedanddi dallt
hehousechor
es"
.
MrMoroka:
"Yourmotherr
aisedyouwel
l
,
Amogel
angdoesn'
tknowanythi
ng".
Amo:
"Daddy
!Icanmakebr
eakf
astandt
ea"
.
Theyl
aughedather
.
MrMor
oka:
"Iam goi
ngt
obed,
I'
m goi
ngaway
t
omor
rowAmogel
angbutIwi
l
lcal
lyou"
.
Amo:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
".
MrMoroka:
"Ther
e'sabusi
nessconf
erenceI
'
m
i
nvi
tedt
o".
Amo:
"Okay
".
Hef
ini
shedeat
ingandheadedt
obed.
Amo:
"Whenar
eyouv
isi
ti
ngy
ourgr
andf
ather
?".
Khulani
:"Tomor
rowandI
'
mthi
nki
ngofgoi
ngt
othe
vi
ll
age".
Amo:
"Iwi
l
lbookanaccommodat
ionf
ory
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thatwon'
tbenecessary
,ther
ewi l
lbea
pl
acetosl
eep,Ij
ustneedcl
othesandtoil
etr
ies"
.
Amo: "Ncaaaawi
sthatyourwayofaski
ngmet
odo
yourshoppi
ngagai
n?".
Khul
ani:
"No!Butmay
bey
oucandoi
twhi
l
eIgov
isi
t
Kgosi
gale"
.
Amo:
"Okayaskme"
.
Khul
ani
:"Asky
ouwhat
?".
Amo: "l
etmequotei
tfory
ou'Amocany
ouplease
domyshoppi ngt
omorr
owbecausey
ouhav
egr eat
tast
einclot
hes'"
.
Khul
ani
star
edather
.
Amo:
"I'
m wai
ti
ng"
.
Khulani
:"Amogelangcanyoudomyshopping
tomorrowbecauseyouknowwhereal
lthecheap
clot
hesaresoldat"
.
Amo:
"Atl
easty
ouasked,
Iwi
l
lgl
adl
ydoso"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
sitmeory
ouar
eal
way
sthi
sannoy
ing?
".
Amo:"Don'
tmakey
ourpr
obl
emsmi
ne,
cleant
his
up"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m notcrazy,y
oucleanthisup,
Imadey
ou
afav
orandcooked,cl
eanthedishes".
Amo:
"Idi
dnotasky
out
o".
Khul
ani
:"Cl
ean!
".
.
.
.
.
Khulaniwaitedf orAmot oretur
nwi t
ht heclothes
beforegoingt othehospital
,hewor etheclothesbut
wasabi tskept i
cal t
owalkoutandbeseenbyAmo
i
nt heclothesthatshebought ,heknewt hathewas
notgoingt oheart heendofit.Onethingher eali
zed
aboutheri nthisshortperi
odoft i
mei sthatsheliked
taki
ngcr editbutinagoodwayt hough.

Amo:
"Facet
hissi
de"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ohf
ucks,
yesIl
ookgoodt
hanky
ou"
.
Amo:"It
oldyouthatIhavegr
eatt
ast
eincl
othes,
youar
ejustnotgr
ateful
".
Khul
ani
sighedandr
oll
edhi
sey
es.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m goi
ngnow"
.
Herequest
edtr
ansportt
othehospi
tal
andwent
st
rai
ghttother
ecept
ionwhenhegotther
e.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
o,I
'
m her
etoseeKgosi
gal
eMot
hupi
".
Recept
ioni
st:
"Whatr
oom i
shei
n?"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m notsur
e".
Recept
ioni
st:
"Yousai
dhi
snamei
s?Spel
li
tforme
pl
ease"
.
Hedi
d.
Recept
ioni
st:
"Hewasdi
schar
gedt
hreedayback"
.
Khul
ani
:"Di
schar
ged?How?
".
Recept
ioni
st:
"Itsay
shere,hi
ssonBarut
iMot
hupi
is
theonewhosignedthedi
schargedf
orm".
Khul
ani
:"Howcany
oual
l
owast
rangert
otake
hi
m?".
Hesai dt
aki
ngoff,
herequestedtransportt
ohis
house.Theguar
dsref
usedt olethimin,hewas
angry.Hehadnochoi
cebutt ogobackt othe
Morokahousehol
d.
Khul
ani
:"Het
ookhi
m".
Amo:
"Whot
ookwho?
".
Khul
ani
:"Bar
uti
tookpops,
het
ookhi
m".
Amo:
"Let
'scal
lthepol
i
ce"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wecan'
tcallt
hepol i
ce,
Barut
iishi
sson,
al
lhedi
disl
egalwejust-Ineedtogotothevi
ll
age"
.
Amo:
"I'
m comi
ngwi
thy
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"No,
youhav
edonet
oomuchal
ready
,Iwi
l
l
go"
.
Amo:"Youcan'
tl
eavemehereal
one,
Grandpai
snot
her
eandIcantbel
efther
eal
one"
.
Khul
ani
:"Fi
ne"
.
Amo:
"Iwi
l
lpackup,
wedr
ive?
".
Khul
ani
:"Wewi
l
ltaket
hebus"
.
I
twasamess, Khulanihadnocontr
olov
erthi
s,t
hey
bookedabuslucki
l
yt heyfoundt
heonethatwas
depart
ingi
ntwohour s.
Khul
ani
:"AmogelangI'
mtired,
I'
m emot
ional
l
y,
mental
l
yandphysical
l
ytir
ed".
Amo:"Iunder
stand,
youhav
en'
tgott
imet
orest
si
nceyoucameback".
Khul
ani
:"No,
it'
snott
hat
,Iwashappy
,ver
yhappyt
o
fi
ndmyf amil
ybutitkeepsbringi
ngpr
oblemsaft
er
probl
emsIam tir
ed,Ijustwannali
veanormall
i
fe
l
ikenormalpeopl
edo" .
Amo:
"Wher
eisy
ourf
ather
?".
Khulani
:"Dead,
Idon'tevenknowhim,i
fNsi
kais
hereIwouldhavel
eftall
thisbuthei
smybrotherI
can'
tjustl
eavewit
houtknowingwherehei
s".
Amo:"Butall
thi
swil
lpass,j
ustf
ocusonfindi
ng
Nsi
kaandI'
m sureBar
utiwon'
tdoanyt
hingtoyour
gr
andfat
her"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Yeah,
her
aisedhi
m af
teral
l
".
I
nsixhourst
heywereinapriv
atetr
anspor
tati
on
goi
ngtothevi
ll
age.Theyar
ri
vedveryl
ateatni
ght.
Khul
ani
:"Ihat
ethi
spl
ace"
.
MphorecognizedKhulani,aft
eral
lhewast hefir
st
per
sonwhof oundhi m andhisbrot
her,t
hef i
rst
per
sontotel
lt hem aboutthei
rtr
ueidenti
ty.
Mpho:
"Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
haty
ouar
ecomi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
twasnotpl
anned"
.
Mphogr
eet
edAmo.
Khul
ani
:"I
sthatol
dwomanher
e?"
.
Mpho:
"Yepshei
s".
Khul
ani
ledAmoi
nsi
det
hehouse.
Amo:
"Wowt
hisi
sahugehouse"
.
Khul
ani:
"LookIdon'
tknowwhichr
oom y
ouwill
sl
eepinorwecanshareoner
oom andwe'
ll
deci
de
i
nthemor ni
ng"
.
Amo:"Nothanks,
Iwill
rathersl
eepinthepassage,
gi
vemethisroom andyouwillf
indaroom youwill
sl
eepi
n".
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
angt
hat
'
snot
-"
.
Amo:
"By
e".
Khul
ani
:"Iwon'
tev
enl
ookaty
oui
wil
lsl
eepont
he
fl
oor
".
Amo:
"Not
hanky
ou"
.
Khul
ani wassi
ncere,hewasnotgoingt
otr
y
anyt
hingfunnywit
hher ,
hehadtoomanyprobl
ems
toworryaboutandtouchingagi
rlwast
hel
astthi
s
onhi
smind.Hef oundaroom buthehardl
yslept
,he
di
dnott
rustthehouseoranyonewhol i
vedinit
.
Whenhewokeuphef oundAmoandMmeMot hupi
maki
ngbreakfast
..
Khul
ani
:"Goodmor
ning,
weneedt
otal
k".
MmeMot hupi:
"Isev er
ythingalr
ight
?Iwasj ust
tel
li
ngthi
sbeautiful
gir
lthatyoushouldhavecalled
andtel
lmethaty ouarecomi ng,Iwasgoingto
prepar
esomethingspecialforbothofyou".
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
angnow!
".
Hedr
aggedhert
othear
eal
ounge.
Khul
ani
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Amo:
"Wher
e?"
.
Khulani
:"Whatar
eyoudoingmakingfoodwit
hthat
woman?Therearemorethanfi
vehousekeepersi
n
thi
shousewhyisshemakingbreakf
ast?"
.
Amo:"Shef
oundmemaki
ngf
oodandt
henshe
of
fer
edtohel
p".
Khul
ani
:"Sincewhendi
dyoul
ear
nhowt
ocook?Di
d
youeat
?".
Amo:
"No!Whati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
".
Khul
ani:
"Good,youwi
llnoteat,
wecannottr
ustt
his
womanGodIcan'tbel
i
ev ethaty
ougoaround
tr
ust
ingstr
anger
s".
Amo:
"Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou,
you-
".
Khulani
:"Wearegoi
ngoutf
orbr
eakf
ast
,youar
e
hungryri
ght
?Let'
sgo"
.
Amowentupstair
sforabagandcameback,
ever
ythi
ngwaspaidforbyAmo,Khulani
didnotask
anyofhismoneyback,i
twasabitembarrassi
ngfor
hernott
oeatthefoodshemadewi t
hMmeMot hupi
.
Amo:"Thatwasawkwar
d,i
sn'
tshey
our
gr
andmother
?".
Khul
ani
:"No"
.
Mphowasdr
ivi
ngt
hem t
otown.
Khul
ani
:"Mphohav
eyouseenKgosi
gal
eher
e?"
.
Mpho:
"Youmeany
ourgr
andf
ather
,noIhav
enot
".
Khul
ani
:"AndNsi
ka?
".
Mpho:
"No,
why
?".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
kai
smi
ssi
ng"
.
Mpho:
"Howi
shemi
ssi
ng?Di
dyour
epor
titt
othe
pol
i
ce?"
.
Khulani
:"NobutIwi
l
ltoday
,Ihav
etopr
intouthi
s
pi
cturesfi
rst
".
Mpho:
"TheChiefcannotdi
sappearj
ustl
i
ket
hat
,I'
m
sur
eheisonholi
dayorinKzn"
.
Amo:"Eversi
ncehecameher
efort
hemeet
inghe
nev
erret
urnedhome"
.
Mpho:"Thati
sst
range,Iwil
lbearound,
Ineedt
oget
mom afewthi
ngsIwill
findyouhere"
.
Hedr
oppedt
hem of
fatasmal
lcof
feeshop.
Khulani
:"Lookyoucannottrustt
hatwomanor
anyoneinthathouse,
trustme".
Amo:
"Andt
heguywhodr
oveusher
e?"
.
Khul
ani:
"Ev enhim,hewor
ksforthem soy
oucant
tr
usthi
m, Barut
iandhismom ar
enotourfami
lythey
arej
ustevil
".
Amo:
"Oh"
.
Shedidnotaskanymor
equest
ions,
Amowasnot
thenoseyt
ype.
Amo: "Thi
sisthel
astpict
uret
hatNsi
kapost
edon
Facebook,
it'
smoreclear"
.
Khul
ani
:"Okaywewi
l
lusei
t"
.
.
.
.
.
Theyf
ini
shedeat
ingandwentt
othenear
estpr
int
ing
shopt
oprintt
hepict
ures.
Amo:
"Hey
!Hey
!Wai
t!
".
Khul
anisawherr
unni
ng,
shewassur
elyf
oll
owi
ng
someone.
Khul
ani
:"I
sthi
sgi
rloutofhermi
nd?
".
Her
anaf
terher
.
Amo:"You!y
ouar
eyou?
..Imeanwhatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?"
.
Themanwasembar
rassed,
hedi
dnotwantAmot
o
not
icehi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
angar
eyoucr
azy
?".
Amo:
"Meett
hemanwho-
".
Hi
m:"Sor
ryIhav
etogo"
.
Amost
oppedhi
m.
Amo: "Thisi
sthemanwhohel
pedmegety
ououtof
thathouse,t
hatwashi
spl
an"
.
Heli
ft
eduphisheadandKhul
ani
not
icedhi
m,he
hadseenhi
m butwher
e?
Khul
ani
:"Youl
ookf
ami
l
iar
".
Hef
roze,
Amol
ookedathi
m andt
henatKhul
ani
.
Amo:
"Youknowhi
m?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whydi
dyouhel
pme?
".
Amo:
"Khul
ani
beni
ce"
.
Hi
m:"I
'
minahur
ry,
Ihav
etogo"
.
Hel
eftt
hem t
her
e.
Amo:
"Youscar
edhi
m wi
thy
ourst
inkyat
ti
tude,
bei
ngni
cedoesn'
tcostat
hingKhul
ani
Mot
hupi
".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sZondo,
Khul
ani
Zondo"
.
Amowast akenbackbyhischangeofatt
it
ude,when
Mphocamebackt heypr
intedthepi
ctur
esandwent
tot
hepoli
cestati
on,t
hecaseofami ssi
ngperson
wasrepor
ted.
Khul
ani:
"IfIwer
etost
artl
ooki
ngIdon'
tknowwher
e
Iwil
lgo"
.
Mpho:"Thepoli
cewill
help,
wearenottal
ki
ngabout
t
heordinar
ypersonhere,
thi
sist
hechiefwear
e
t
alki
ngabout"
.
Khul
ani
:"Andi
t'
smybr
other
,wher
eisAmogel
ang?
".
Mpho:
"I'
m sur
eshe'
sinsi
det
hehouse"
.
Khulaniwenti
n,hest
oppedseei
ngMmeMot
hupi
watchingtv
.
Khul
ani
:"Howdoesi
tfeel
?".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Khul
ani
,youcansi
ther
e".
Khul
ani:
"Howdoesi
tfeel
knowi
ngt
haty
ouhav
ean
evi
lson?"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?'
.
Khul
ani:
"IfIdon'
tfi
ndmybr otherIswearthatI
'
m
pr
eparedtogotojai
lforhi
m, j
usttell
yoursonto
br
ingbackmybr ot
her"
.
Khul
anist
oppedwhenhesawt
hef
ami
l
ypi
ctur
eson
thewal
l
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Idon'tknowwhatyouaretalki
ng
aboutbutKgosiwouldbepr oudtohaveasonlike
you,mayhissoulrestinpeace,y
oulookexactl
yli
ke
him".
Shelefthim,Kgosi
,themanwasf amili
ar,Khul
ani
hadseenhi minpict
uresbuthelookedgrownin
person.I
twashi m,i
twasKgosi.Khulaniwent
upstai
rslooki
ngforAmo.
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
ang!Howdidthatmanhel
pyou?
HowdidheknowwhereIwas?"
.
Amo: "Hecameoutofnowhereandtol
dmethat
youwereintroubl
e,heknewev
ery
thi
ngandhad
ever
ythi
ngplanned".
Khul
ani
:"Sohei
sfol
l
owi
ngme"
.
Amo:
"Iwant
edt
oaskhi
m buthev
ani
shedand-
".
Khul
ani
:"Noi
t'
sfi
ne,
youdon'
tneedt
oexpl
ain
your
sel
f"
.
Amo:
"Isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
".
Khul
anibr
okedowni
ntot
ear
s,hecoul
dnotcont
rol
hi
mself
.
Khulani:"Ispentalmostmywhol el i
fewant ingto
knowwhomyf at
heris,Nsikafoughtwi t
hmom and
l
efthomebecausehewant edtof i
ndhi m, wef ound
thi
sf amilybutthat'
swhenourpr oblemsst ar t
ed,al
l
weev erwantedwast oknowourf ami lyandbe
welcomed.Amogel angIdon'twantt hatany mor e,I
don'twantal lt
hiswealthandexpensi vecar s,Ijust
wantt oliveanormal li
fewithmymot herandmy
brothernot hi
ngelse,Ij
ustwantt hingst ogobackt o
thewayt heywer e,Idon'twantthisfami ly"
.
Amodidnotknowwhatt
osay
,shehadnev
erseen
thi
ssi
deofKhulani
.
Khulani
:"Themanwhohel pedyoui
sKgosi
,heismy
fat
herbuthedecidedt
ostayawayfr
om us,
Idon't
evenwanthim anymor
e,Ij
ustneedmybrot
herand
mymom only,iwannagobackhome, wehadno
money,
noexpensivecl
othesandnobighousebut
wewerehappy.Unli
kehere,
wehaveallt
hemoneyin
t
heworldbutsti
ll
wearenothappy.Ihat
ethi
s,Ihat
e
i
ther
e".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
[
3/8,
14:
36]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[26]
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Amocouldnotcomf or
tKhulani
,shehadnev erbeen
i
nasi t
uat
ionwher esomeonewoul dtell
hertheirr
eal
probl
ems,theonlyproblemsshehashear dfrom
peopl
eareboyfri
endpr obl
emsandwhatt owear
probl
ems,notproblemsasbi gasKhulani'
sbutshe
al
sodidnotwantt omakehi mfeelal
one.
Amo: "Cr
yingdoesn'
tl
ookgoodony
oudoy
ouknow
that
?".
Hekeptqui
et.
Amo:"Ithi
nkImi
sstheoldKhul
aniwi
ththesti
nky
at
ti
tudeandmoodswings,y
ouwereacti
ngli
kea
pr
egnantwomanwhenIfir
stcameatyourhouse"
.
Khul
ani
:"Apregnantwoman?Li
ker
eal
l
y
Amogel
ang?"
.
Amo:
"Buty
ouwer
ewor
se"
.
Khul
ani
:"No,
Ihadl
otsofpr
obl
emsbackt
hen"
.
Amo: "Iwasy ourpr
obl
em don'
tdenyi
t,butatl
east
nowy ouli
kemeenought owearthecl
othesthatI
boughtforyou".
Khulani
:"What?Iweart
hesecl
othesbecauseIdon'
t
haveachoice"
.
Amo:
"Yousee,
That
'showmuchy
oucar
e".
Khul
ani
:"Youl
i
keat
tent
iondoy
ouknowt
hat
?".
Amo:
"Andy
oul
i
kemysenseofst
yle"
.
Khulanil
ookedatherandshookhisheard,
heended
uplaughi
ngabit,Amowaspr oudofhersel
f,atl
east
shewasnowseei ngthosebeaut
if
ulwhiteteet
hof
hi
s.
Amo:"Okayti
ger
,let
'
swai
tfort
hepol
i
ce,
wewi
l
l
fi
ndNsi
ka".
Khul
ani
:"Yeahwewil
lfi
ndhi
m,Iknowt
hatBar
uti
di
dsomethingt
ohi
m".
Amo:"Ial
sodon'
ttr
ustt
hatguy
,whatexact
lydoes
hewant?"
.
Khul
ani:"Hewantsthecompanyandt
obet heChief
,
youknowwhatI'mthinki
ngofgi
vi
ngal
lthattohi
m
i
nretur
nf ormybrot
her".
Amo:
"Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
tist
heonl
yway
".
Amo:"Youar
egivi
nghi
m exact
lywhathewant
s,
whatar
eyougoi
ngtodonext?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wegobackt
oKznandst
artov
er"
.
Amo: "Youdidnottakeanythi
ngfrom anyone,y
ou
havewhaty ouhavenowbecausei tbel
ongst oyou,
besi
desy ouhavenothingnow,yousigned
ever
ythingovert
omer i
ght?AndI'
m notgivi
ngit
backifyouaregivi
ngittothatcr
azyguy".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m doi
ngi
tforNsi
ka,
iti
stheonl
ywayof
get
ti
nghi
m back"
.
Amo: "Idon'
tthi
nki t
'
sagoodi deat ogi
veBarut
i
ever
ythingonasilverplat
e,Grandf at
herwi
ll
pushthe
companywhi l
ewear ehereandy ouneedtodo
somethingaboutthesituati
onher e".
Khul
ani
:"What
?".
Amo:
"TakeNsi
ka'
spl
aceast
heChi
ef-
".
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
".
Amo:
"Int
hatwayy
ouwi
l
ldr
iveBar
uti
crazy
".
Khul
ani
:"Andhewill
kil
lNsi
ka,doy
ouwantt
hat
?I
wasthi
nki
ngofthr
eateni
nghi
smother
".
Amo: "KhulaniGodbr oughtyouher eforareason,
youhaveal lt
hiswealthforar eason,i
tiswhaty our
famil
ygav etoy ou,
itbelongst oyou.
.Iknowt hat
thi
sistoomuchf oryoubuty oucan'tgobackt o
povert
y.Justfightforwhatisy oursandyour
brot
her".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
twanti
tany
mor
e,Ij
ustneedt
osee
mybrot
her"
.
Amo:
"Cool
,thenbeaChi
ef,
aChi
efhasal
lthe
ri
ght
s,y
ouwil
lhav
etheri
ght
stof
orceBar
uti
to
showuswher
eNsikai
s".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m br
oke,
yousai
dity
our
sel
f"
.
Amo:
"ButI
'
m not
,tel
lmewhatweneedt
odo"
.
Khul
ani:
"Idon'tknow,
wehavet
oaskt
hatwoman
andIhatespeaki
ngtoher
".
Amo:
"Let
'sgospeakt
oher
".
Khul
ani
:"Ihat
eher
".
Amo:
"Iknow"
.
Theyf
oll
owedeachothert
othedini
ngroom,she
wasnotther
e,t
heyf
oundheratthebal
cony.
Amo:"It'
sver
ychi
l
ledi
nher
e,ohGodt
hisgar
deni
s
beaut
if
ul"
.
MmeMothupi
:"Iti
stheonlyplacei
nthi
shouse
wher
eIf
indpeace,
sitdown".
Amof
orcedKhul
ani
tosi
t.
Amo:
"Itl
ooksv
erypeacef
ulandbeaut
if
ult
oo"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ver
ybeaut
if
ul,
whent
heChi
efwant
sto
addr
esspeopl
eher
ewhatdot
heydo?
".
MmeMot hupi
:"WhentheChiefspeaks,
ever
yone
l
ist
ensandthelocal
newspapers"
.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
ouhav
eanev
entpl
annerher
e?"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Yesbutt
hehousekeeper
sdoes
mostoft
hewor k"
.
Khul
ani
:"Good,
Ineedt
oseet
hem"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"I
sev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani:
"Ever
ythi
ngi
sgood,Ineedt
hev
il
lager
sand
thel
ocalmedi
atobeher
e".
Amo: "Act
ual
lywedon'twantitt
obeabigt
hing,
I
al
readyhaveplansandI'
m soexci
ted"
.
Khulanist
oodupandgather
edal
lthehousekeeper
s
andtoldthem t
ost
artpr
epari
ngf
oodandt hevenue
forWednesday.
.
.
Amo:"HeyIthi
nkIhavemanagedtosendemai
l
sto
themedi
a,doyouthi
nktheywi
llr
espond?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sur
etheywi
l
l".
Amo:
"Fi
nger
scr
ossed"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ist
il
lthi
nkt
hisi
sabadi
dea"
.
Amo:"It'
sagoodi dea,
y ouwil
lhavemorecont
rol
overt
hissit
uati
onandI'm sureyouwi
llbeabl
eto
for
ceBarutit
otell
thetruthaboutNsi
ka".
Khul
ani
:"Ri
ght
".
Hewasst
il
labi
tskepti
calaboutbei
ngaChief
,he
hat
edi
twit
hall
hisheartbuthehadnochoi
ce.
Amo:
"Iwi
l
lgohel
pout
".
ThiswasanemergencyandAmowasv er
ymuch
handson,byt
hefol
lowingdayt
henewswereal
l
overt
helocal
newspapers.
Butpeoplewant
edt
oknowwhywastheChi
ef'
s
brot
herrepl
aci
nghi
m?Amodidev
ery
thi
ngshecoul
d
tohel
pout .
Amo:
"Mpho,
theset
abl
esshoul
dbet
her
enother
e".
Mpho:
"Theseguy
snev
erl
i
sten,
don'
twor
ryIwi
l
lfi
x
i
t"
.
Amo:"Cool
,thi
sgar
denl
ooksev
enmor
ebeaut
if
ul
now"
.
Shewasimpressedwithherwork,sher
ushedi
nsi
de
thehouset
otellKhul
aniabouti
t.
Amo:
"Ihav
ereal
l
youtdonemy
sel
f,comeandsee"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lcome,
I'
m abi
tbusy
?".
Amo: "Youdon'
thav
etogoout
side,
justwat
chf
rom
thebalcony
".
Khul
ani
fol
l
owedher
.
Amo:
"It
'sbeaut
if
uli
sn'
ti
t?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wow,
it'
sver
ybeaut
if
ul"
.
Amo:"It
hinkwedi
dev
ery
thi
ngbutwef
orgoty
our
out
fi
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tneedt
owearany
thi
ngf
ancy
".
Amo:"Butasui
twi
l
ldo,
youar
eaChi
efsoy
ouneed
tol
ookthepar
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"Andwhatar
eyougoi
ngt
owear
?".
Amo:
"Me?Noi
tisy
ourdaynotmi
ne,
youar
ethe
onewhoshoul
dlookgood"
.
Khul
ani
hal
fsmi
l
edandshookhi
shear
d.
Thebot
hfel
tsomeone'
spr
esenceandl
ookedback.
Amo:
"I-
".
Khul
ani
:"CanIhel
pyou?
".
I
twasKgosi
.
Kgosi
:"Canwetal
ksomewher
e,Imeansomewher
e
morepri
vat
e".
Khul
ani
wantedt
oresi
stbuthefol
l
owedKgosi
tot
he
bedr
oom.Amodidnotf
oll
owthem.
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani-y
ouhav
egr
own,
thel
astt
imeIsaw
you,y
ouwere-"
.
Khulani
:"Ohy
oudi
dseeme?Andwhatdi
dyoudo
aboutit
?".
Kgosi
:"Iam sor
ry,
Iowey
ouandy
ourbr
othermy
l
if
e".
Khul
ani
:"Whatdoy
ouwant
?".
Kgosi
:"WhenIf
oundoutt
haty
ouar
eint
roubl
eI
rushedtoJohannesburgt
okeepaneyeonyou,
I
couldn'
tsav
ey ourbrot
her
,It
ri
edthef
ir
stti
mebutI
fai
ledthi
sti
me" .
Khulani
:"Whyarey
out el
l
ingmethis?Youwant
credi
tforwhaty
oudid?Becauser
eall
y,Idi
dnotask
youtohelpme".
Khul
ani
:"Khul
ani
youar
emysoni
hav
-".
Khul
ani
:"Youar
eanabsentf
ather
!Abust
ard!
".
Kgosi
:"Youcancallmebyanynamesandy
esI
deser
veitbutIhadnochoi
ce,
Iwasfor
cedt
-"
.
Khul
ani:
"Idon'
tcarewhathappenedt
oyou,
my
br
otheri
sallt
hatIcar
eaboutnow".
Kgosi
:"Wewi
l
lfi
ndhi
m".
Khul
ani
:"Youandwho?
".
Kgosi
:"Bar
uti
isdanger
ous,
youcan'
ttakehi
m
al
one"
.
Khulani:
"Isi
t?Nowl etmeremindy ou,Idi
dnotf ake
mydeat handlef
tay ounggi
rlwit
ht wolit
tl
ekidst o
rai
sealoneandsufferwhenBarutiatt
acked!Ifaced
him,Itookawayeverythi
ngt
hatbelongedt ohi
m,
Baruti
hasnot hingnowbecauseIchosenott obea
cowardandnowI '
m heret
odowhaty ouandy our
fat
herfail
edtodol ongago.Barutit
ookmybr other
becauseItookev erythi
ngfrom hi
m.Sodon'ttellme
whatIwillorwillnotdoalone,Ihavebeenwith
Nsikayomuzifrom dayone, heistheonl
yperson
whocant ellmet hat".
Kgosi:"Iwantt
ohel
p,wehav
etowor
ktoget
heri
n
thi
s".
Khul
ani
:"Okay
".
Kgosi
:"Okay
?".
Khul
ani:"Got othepoli
ceandr epor
tyoursel
f,y
ou
areacri
mi nal
!Acoldbloodedcr i
minalwhoranaway
fr
om hisresponsibi
l
iti
es!Youfakedyourdeathso
youdeservetorotinjai
l.Iwi
ll
dot hi
ngsmyownway ,
youarenotneeded".
Kgosi
:"Iunder
standy
ourangerand-
".
Khulani:
"Idon'thav
eanger,Ihav
ehat e.
..ihatey
ou,
ihateeveryt
hingabouty
ou.Ifyoufacedy our
problemslongagomybr ot
herwouldbeher e"
.
Kgosicoul
dnotcont
rol
hist
ear
s,hel
eftt
her
oom.
Khul
anisatdownandcri
edt
oo.
Khulani
:"Nsi
kawher
ear
eyou?Ineedy
ounowmor
e
thanever"
.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
I-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Getout
!"
.
Shedidnotwai
ttoheari
tfort
hesecondt
ime,
she
wentout.
.
.
.
Amomanagedt ogetmostoft
hethingst
hatwere
neededincl
udi
ngthesui
t,shei
gnoredKhul
aniand
underst
oodthathewasgoingt
hrougharoughti
me.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
sthi
s?"
.
Amo:"Yoursuit
,Iknowit
'snotf
ancybuti
tlooks
ver
ygood,Il
ikethesedet
ail
san-
".
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
ang"
.
Amo:
"YesIknowy
ouwi
l
lli
kei
t"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whatki
ndofaper
sonar
eyou?
".
Amo:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iscol
dedyouyester
daybutyouar
est
il
l
her
epret
endingl
ikenot
hinghappened"
.
Amo:"Youwerehavi
ngoneofthoseday
sI
under
standweal
lhaveoneoft
hosedaysyouknow"
.
Khulani
: "Youarestr
angebutthanky oufor
everyt
hingthatyouaredoi
ng,Idon'tknowhowt
o
repayyouandI '
m sorr
yforshouti
ngaty ou
yester
day "
.
Amo: "Don'tworr
yI'
m ov
eri
tandyoudon'
thav
et o
thankmey et,t
hankmewhenthecer
emonyisover
wellfi
tthi
ssuit"
.
Khul
ani
:"Your
eal
l
yar
eagr
eatf
ri
endhey
,thanks"
.
Amo:"Agreatf
ri
endYeah,
nowcal
lmewheny
ou
donef
it
ti
ng".
Khul
ani
:"Cool
".
AmoWenttoherbedroom,shesti
l
ldidnotknow
whatt
owear,shedidnotbr
inganyt
hingspeci
alwi
th
her
.Someonewalkedinandqui
ckl
ycl osedt
hedoor
.
Amo:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Kgosi
:"I
'
m sor
ryIhadt
ocomei
nbef
oresomeone
seesme".
Amo:
"Ar
eyour
eal
l
ythei
rfat
her
?".
Henodded.
Kgosi
:"Al
othappenedbutr
ightnowIneedt
ofi
nd
Nsi
ka".
Amo:
"Khul
ani
doesn'
twantt
oseey
ou"
.
Kgosi
:"IknowandIdon'
tbl
amehi
m".
Amo: "Whyar ey
ouhiding?Youarescar
edt haty
ou
wil
lgetarrest
edbecauseyoufakedyourdeath?Wel
l
Ihear
dy ourconver
sati
on".
Kgosi
:"No, Iwil
lnotgetarrest
edIhavesomeone
whotookcar eofthat
,Ijustdon'
twantatt
enti
onr
ight
now,ourfamilyi
sinthepubl i
ceyeandpubli
ci
tyi
s
thel
astthingIneed".
Amo:
"Soy
ouwi
l
lhi
def
ort
her
estofy
ourl
i
fe?
".
Kgosi:
"No, Ineedyout
otalktoKhul
ani
,heli
stens
toyou,tel
lhimthatwehav
et oworkt
ogethert
of i
nd
Nsi
ka".
Amo:
"I'
m-"
.
Kgosi:
"Please,
ther
earethi
ngsIneedt
otakecar
e
ofri
ghtnow,tal
ktohim"
.
Amodidnotl
ikegett
ingt
ooi
nvolv
edinKhul
ani'
s
per
sonal
li
fe,
special
l
ywheni
tincl
udeshi
sfather
.
Thefoll
owingdaywast heceremony,Khulaniand
Amowant edev er
yonetoknowt hatKhul
ani i
staki
ng
overunti
lhisbrot
herr
eturnshome.Ev er
yonehad
l
unchandl eft
.
Amo:"I
twasasuccess,
wher
eisy
our
gr
andmother
?".
Khul
ani
:"Don'
tcal
lhert
hat
,Idon'
tknowwher
eshe
i
s".
Amo:
"Ibar
elysawheri
nthel
astcoupl
eofday
s".
Khulani
:"Thati
sgoodnews,Mphopl
easet
ell
all
the
workerstocomehere,
now".
Amo:
"Whyar
eyoucal
l
ingt
hem?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m doi
ngmyj
obast
henewChi
ef"
.
Amo:
"Wel
lcongr
atul
ati
onsChi
ef"
.
Mphocamebackwi
thal
lthewor
ker
s..t
heywer
e
many.
Khulani: "Thanky ouallforcomi ngher esof ast ,
Iwill
notwast et i
me, letmegetst r
aighttot hepoi nt .As
youal lknowt hatIam t henewChi ef,ev eryoneof
youwi llfollowmyor ders, Ineedt owor kwi thpeopl e
whoIcant rust,begoodt omeandIwi l
l returnt he
fav
or .Idon' tli
keunt rustwor thypeopl e, i
fIf indany
mistakesofbei ngunt r
ust wor t
hyIwi llfirey ou.I nthi
s
housey ouwi l
lonlytakeor dersfrom mebecauseI
am theonewhowi l
lpayy oursalaries, f
or getabout
Barutiandhi smot her,focusonf indingt hemi ssing
chi
efandt akingcareoft hishome, af ail
ur et odoso,
youar eout !Youcanal l gobackt owor k".
Ev
ery
onel
eft
.
Mpho:
"Whatwast
hat
?".
Khul
ani
:"Whatwaswhat
?Ar
eyouquest
ioni
ngme
Mpho?
".
Mpho:
"NoIwas-
".
Khul
ani
:"Youwaswhat
?Ineedt
oknowwhi
chsi
de
ar
eyouon?
Mpho:
"Ofcour
seIam ony
oursi
de"
.
Khul
ani:
"Good,fi
ndmybr ot
herbecauseIcannot
tr
ustanyonewhoIfoundher
ewor ki
ngforBarut
i"
.
Mphonoddedandl
eft
.
Amo:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khulani
:"Iseewhaty
ouweretal
ki
ngabout
,taki
ng
overisnotact
ual
lyabadt
hing"
.
Amo:
"It
oldy
ou"
.
Shewasproud,
shewentclosert
ohim andhugged
hi
mtight
ly,
shefoundherl
i
psonhi sbutKhul
ani
j
umpedback,well
,i
twasawkward.
Khul
ani
:"I
-"
.
Amo:"I
'
m sorr
y,Ishoul
dn'
thav
edonet
hat
,Idon'
t
knowwhatcameov erme"
.
Khulanikeptquiet
,Amowalkedoutoft
heroom.I
t
didnottakelongforMphotoret
urnback,
hewanted
toprovehisloyalt
ytoKhul
ani
.
Mpho:
"Chi
ef,
thepol
i
cehav
est
art
edt
hesear
ch"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thanksf
orl
ett
ingmeknow"
.
Mphowal
kedout
.
Khulani
:"Mpho,Ineedy outodoonemor ethi
ngfor
me,SummonBar ut
i,t
ellhi
mt heChiefneedshim
andit'
surgent
,heshouldbeher ebytomor r
ow,ifhe
fai
l
st odosoactionwill
bet akenagainsthi
m".
Mpho:
"YesI
'
m oni
t"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whathasmysondone?
".
Sheaskedsi
tt
ingdown,
thehousekeepercamewi
th
atr
ayoftea.
Khul
ani
:"Whoset
eai
sthat
?".
Housekeeper
:"I
t'
sforMr
sMot
hupi
".
Khul
ani
:"Mr
sMot
hupi
isupst
air
s,mywi
fe"
.
He,hi
msel
fwastakenbackbywhathejustsai
d,he
sawAmoacrosstheroom l
ooki
ngver
yshocked.
MmeMot
hupi
:"I
t'
smi
ne"
.
Khulani
:"If
orgottomakethi
scl
ear,Iwil
lnotpay
thesepeopl
et oworkf
oryou,
tel
lyoursontohireyou,
yourownwor ker
s".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whatdoy
oumean?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
seit
heryouworkl
i
keev
ery
oneelseor
youl
eavet
hishouse,y
ou,
gobackt
owhatev
erthat
youwer
edoing"
.
Thehousekeeperwal
kedaway
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Iam Kgosi
gal
e'
swi
fe,
thi
sismy
house"
.
Khulani
:"Youl ostthatri
ghttocal
lhimyourhusband
thedayy ouallowedy oursonandthatwomant otry
kil
lhim,thisisnotyourhouse,t
hishousebelongsto
menow, ifyousti
ll
wantt oli
veherework!Ohand
pleasecallyourson,tell
himthatheisneededhere,
urgentl
y".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m notdoi
nganythi
ng,
youaretheone
whofai
l
edtorai
seyourson,y
ourai
sedanevil
cr
eatur
e.I
fIdon'
tfi
ndmybrot
herbyt
heendoft
his
week,y
ouwil
lsuff
ermor
e".
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
36]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[27]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

ItwasKhulani
'sseconddayast henewChi ef
,one
vil
l
agercamet oreportt
heil
legaloccupant si
nhis
farm,Khul
animadeadeci si
ont hatpl
easedev ery
one
andgav ei
l
legaloccupantst
heirlandinsteadof
banishi
ngthem oropeningacaseagai nstthem.

Amo:
"Heyar
eyoubusy
?".
Khul
ani
:"Nocomei
n".
Shecamei
nandsatdown.
Amo:
"HasBar
uti
responded?
".
Khul
ani
:"Noandheshoul
dbeher
ebynow"
.
Amo:"Bar
utisoundsl
i
keaverydangerousman,I
thi
nki
twil
lbeagoodideai
fyouinvol
vedy our
fat
her
".
Khul
ani:
"HisnameisKgosi
,Isur
vivedal
lmylif
e
wit
houthim andIwi
l
lfi
ndmybrotherwit
houthi
m".
Amo: "Iunder
standy ourfr
ustrat
ionsbutthi
sisnot
aboutyounow, it
'saboutNsika,atleastwor
kwith
him nowandt hanafterfi
ndi
ngNsi kay ouwi
llgo
yourseparat
eway s".
Khul
ani
:"Heaskedy
out
otal
ktome?
".
Amo: "Thatisnotimportantbutyouneedhi
m,your
grandfathershoul
dbeher ebutheisnot,
whati
f
somet hi
ngbadal sohappenedtohim?Youneed
yourfather"
.
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
twantt
owor
kwi
thhi
m".
Amo: "Youhavet
o,doi
tfory
ourbr
other
,puty
our
angerandhatr
edasi
de"
.
Khul
ani
:"Fi
ne"
.
Amo:"Fi
ne?Youmeanf
ineasi
nli
key
ouwi
l
lwor
k
wi
thhim?"
.
Khulani
:"YesIwi
l
lbutdon'
texpectmet
opl
ayt
he
fat
herandsonrol
ewithhi
m".
Amo:
"Nopr
obl
em,
youdi
dver
ygoodt
oday
".
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Amosmiled,
shewait
edforKgosi
tor
etur
nbackand
tel
lhi
mthegoodnews.
MmeMothupi
:"Doy
out
hinkwhatKhul
ani
isdoi
ng
i
sri
ght
?".
Amo:
"Whatdi
dhedo?
".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Thr
owi
ngmeoutoft
hishouse"
.
Amo:"Idon'
tknow,Idon'
twantt
ogeti
nvol
vedi
n
yourf
amil
ydrama".
MmeMot hupi:
"Fami
lydrama?Ihavebeenher
e
l
ongenough,Ihav
esurv
ivedmanythingsandt
hat
boythi
nkshehasari
ghttothr
owmeoutoft hi
s
house"
.
Amo:
"Idon'
t-
".
MmeMot hupi
:"Yout
wowil
lgetwhaty
ouwant,
don'
tthi
nkIwi
llal
l
owyout
othrowmeouther
e
wi
thoutaf
ight
".
Amo: "ButKhul
ani
isdoi
ngwhati
sbestf
ort
his
vi
l
lage".
MmeMot hupi
:"Soyouknowwhatisbestf
ort
his
vi
l
lage?Don'
tdi
sgustmeyounggi
rl
".
Amoswallowedhard,shehadnev
erreci
evedany
thr
eat
sbefore.Shewaitedbyt
hegar
denforKgosi
buthedi
dnotshowup.
Kgosi
:"Wai
t-Amo"
.
Amo:"Hi,
Iwasaboutt
oleave,I
'
m hungr
y,i
wai
ted
al
mostthewhol
edayforyou"
.
Kgosi
:"I
'
m sor
ry,
didy
out
alkt
ohi
m".
Amo:
"Yesandheagr
eed"
.
Kgosi
:"Thankgoodness"
.
Amo: "It
hinkit
'
stimeyoucomebackhome,Khul
ani
sentamessaget oBar
utit
ocomehereandhi
s
motherthr
eatenedme,Idon'
tthi
nkwear
esafe"
.
Kgosi
:"Iwi
l
lgetmyst
affandcomeback"
.
Amo:
"Nopr
obl
em"
.
Amodi dnotknowhowt obr
eakthenewstoKhul
ani
,
aski
ngKgosi t
omov einwasgoi
ngtobetoomuch
forKhul
anibutitwasgoi
ngtohel
phim,shewent
backtothehouse.
Amo:
"It
oldhi
mthaty
ouagr
eedt
owor
kwi
thhi
m".
Khul
ani
lookedather
.
Amo:"AndIkindofl
i
keaskedhi
mt omovei
n,i
ta
pr
ett
ybighouseyouwon'
tevenseehi
m".
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
ang-
".
Amo: "Justputyourangerasideandr
ememberthat
wearedoi ngthi
stofindNsika,youwi
l
ldeal
wit
h
yourpersonalpr
oblemslater"
.
Khulani
:"It
hinkit
'sti
meyougobackhome,
I'
m sur
e
yourgrandf
atherneedsy
ou"
.
Amo:
"Why
?".
Khul
ani:"Youhavehel
pedmeandIr
eall
yappr
eci
ate
i
t,Ij
ustdon'twanty
outost
ayher
eevenwhenyou
don'
twantto".
Amo:"NoI '
m cool
,Ij
ustdon'
twantgr
andf
athert
o
askquest
ions".
Khul
ani
:"Asl
ongasy
ouar
efi
neher
e".
Amo:"Iam but
,Bar
uti
'
smot
herki
ndofl
i
kesai
d
thi
ngst
ome" .
Khul
ani
:"Whatdi
dheshesay
?".
Amo:"Shethr
eat
enedmebutIdon'
tthi
nki
t'
s
somet
hingweshoul
dworr
yabout"
.
Khul
ani
:"Shehast
hener
ves-
".
Amo:
"Shei
sjustangr
y,l
et'
snotwor
ryabouther
".
Khul
ani:
"Youarever
ycalm wit
hallt
hiswhi
chi
s
somethi
ngInev
erexpect
edfrom y
ou".
Amo:
"Whatdi
dyouexpectf
rom me?
".
Khul
ani
:"Wel
lthat
'
saquest
ionf
oranot
herday
".
Amowant
edt
oaskwhy
?Butshedi
dnotwantt
o
bor
ehi
m.
.
.
.
-Bar
uti
Bar
uti
:"Mom t
hiski
dwi
l
lnotgetawaywi
tht
his"
.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whathappenedt
ohi
sbr
other
?".
Bar
uti
:"Pr
obabl
ydead,
arey
oual
ri
ghtt
hough?
".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Youneedt
ocomebackhome"
.
Barut
i:"Thatboyisexpect
ingmetocomebutIwil
l
notcomewhenhei sexpecti
ngi
t,t
her
eissomet
hing
thatI
'
m busywi t
hhere".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Hav
eyouseey
ourf
ather
?".
Bar
uti
:"Mme,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Bar
uti
,Ba-
".
Hehangedup.
.
.
.
Kgosi
:"Thi
sdoesnotf
eel
li
kehomeatal
l
".
Khul
ani
shookhi
shead,
Kgosi
wasbackhome.
Khul
ani
:"Don'
tyouwantt
ogr
eety
ourmot
her
?".
Kgosi
:"No,
anyf
eedbackf
rom t
hepol
i
ce?
".
Khul
ani
:"Noty
et"
.
Kgosi:
"Iam sur
ethatBaruti
isbehi
ndallt
his,
he
oncetri
estoki
dnapNsikayomuzibutIdi
dnotleti
t
happen".
Khul
ani:"Andwhydidyoufai
ltopr
eventi
tagai
n
fr
om happeni
ngthi
stime?"
.
Kgosi
:"Iwasf
ocusi
ngony
ou,
whenIf
oundoutt
hat
-
".
Khul
ani
:"Oht
hat
,buti
tshoul
dn'
tbey
ourexcuse"
.
Kgosi
:"Wewi
l
lfi
ndNsi
ka"
.
Khulani
:"Wear
einthisbecauseyoucoul
dn'
tface
yourprobl
emsf
rom thestar
t,your
anawaynowl ook
atus".
Kgosi
:"IhadmyreasonsandIl
efteveryt
hingi
nyou
andyourbrot
her
sname,Ihadmyr easons".
Khul
ani
:"Mater
ial
thi
ngsdon'
tmeanat
hing,
onceI
fi
ndmybrot
herwewilll
eav
e".
Kgosi
:"Let
'sf
ocusonf
indi
ngy
ourbr
other
".
MmeMot
hupi
wal
kedi
n,shef
rozeseei
ngKgosi
.
MmeMothupi:
"Kgosi
?Noy
ouar
e-whatar
eyou
doi
ngher
e?"
.
Kgosi
:"Idon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
his"
.
Hewentoutoft
heroom,
Khul
ani
wasi
mpr
essed,
he
smi
ledt
ohimself
.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
eisy
ourson?
".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Kgosi
isal
i
ve?
".
Khul
ani:
"ForgetaboutKgosi
,tel
lyoursont
hatI
'
m
wait
ingforhi
m".
MmeMothupi
coul
dnotbel
iev
ehereyes,
aft
erso
manyy
ear
sKgosir
etur
nedhome,how?
.
.
Amo:
"Ar
eyouset
tl
ingwel
l
?".
Kgosi:
"Iam butit
'
sbeenagessinceI
-nev
ermi
nd,
thankyouf
ortalki
ngt
oKhulani
".
Amo:"Noprobl
em andsi
ncey
ouar
eher
ewel
lI
thi
nki
t'
sti
meIgobackhome".
Kgosi
:"Why
?".
Amo:
"Iwasher
ebecauseKhul
ani
wasal
one"
.
Kgosi
:"Youar
ehi
swi
feai
n'
tyou?
".
Amo:"WellKhul
anisignedt
hedi
vor
cepaper
sand
al
sosignedever
ythi
ngt ome"
.
Kgosi
:"OhIdi
dn'
tknow"
.
Amo:"ButIdidnott
aket hepaperstothelawy
er,
Khul
anii
sstil
lthemajorshar
eholderofthecompany
andever
ythi
ngissti
l
lhis".
Kgosi
:"Andy
ouar
est
il
lhi
swi
fe?
".
Amo:"YesIam buthedoesn'tknow, sowhenIget
homeIwillt
akethedivor
cepaperst othel
awy er
,
Khul
anigotthef
alsepapersbecauseev er
ythi
ngwas
i
nahurrywhenhesi gnedthepapers".
Kgosi
:"Soy
ouar
edi
vor
cinghi
m?I
sthatwhaty
ou
want?
".
Amo:
"Wel
lwewer
ebot
hfor
cedont
hismar
ri
age
becauseofbusi
nessandnowthebusinessisdoi
ng
wellIt
hinkev
eryt
hingi
sfi
nebesi
des,Khulanionl
y
seesmeasaf ri
endnothi
ngmore"
.
Kgosi:
"Wellyouar
eav
erygoodgi
rl
,IhopeKhul
ani
not
icesthat
".
Amo:
"I'
mleav
ingt
omor
row"
.
Kgosi
:"It
hinky
oushoul
dtel
lhi
m".
Amo:
"YeahIwi
l
ltel
lhi
mtoni
ght
".
Amof i
nal
lymadeadeci sion,shefel
tlikeshewasi n
Khul ani'
sway .Shewentt oherbedr oom topackher
clothes.Lat ershewentt oknockatKhul ani'
sroom
andhewasnott her e,thehousewast oobigf orher
tosear chr oom t oroom becausesheknewt hat
Khul aninev erwat chedt votherwiseshewasgoi ng
tof indhimi nt hesitti
ngr oom.Onehousekeeper
camet ocal lher,Amof oll
owedt hehousekeeper .
Shewascal ledtoar oom shehadnev erbeeni n
bef ore,i
tlookedl ikeami nibar,wit
hat ableinthe
mi ddlewhi chwaswel ldecorated.
Khul
ani
:"Hey
".
Amo:
"H-
i,
whati
sthi
s?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iknowi
t'
snot
hingmuchbutIt
ri
ed,
takea
si
t"
.
Hepull
edoutachai
rforher
,shewasi
nshock.
Khul
aniwasweari
nganapron.
Khul
ani
:"Wel
lIdon'
tknowwi
nest
hatmuchbut
-"
.
Amo:
"Ambr
osi
aredwi
nei
sfi
ne"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whi
ch-
".
Amo:
"Thi
sone"
.
Shest
ooduptot
aket
hebott
leofwinebutKhul
ani
st
oppedher
,het
ooki
tandpour
editforher
.
Khul
ani
:"It
hinksomet
hingi
sbur
ning"
.
Herushedout
.Amowassti
llinshock,
shet
ooka
smallsi
pofwine.Mi
nut
esl
aterhecamebackwi
th
smallsi
depl
ates.
Khul
ani:
"Wellt
hisi
sourstart
ershri
mpbaconwr ap
andshri
mpsoup,I'
m notgoodincooki
ngfancyfood,
I'
mthatpap,
meatandgr avyt
ypeofguybutIti
red".
Amo:
"Wel
ll
etmet
ast
eitf
ir
st"
.
Khul
ani
wai
tedi
mpat
ient
lyf
orherr
esponse.
Khul
ani
:"I
fitdoesn'
ttast
egoodi
-"
.
Amo:
"Itt
ast
esdel
i
cious"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
.
Amo:
"Si
tdownandt
ast
eity
our
sel
f"
.
Hedi
djustt
hat
.
Khulani
:"Wel
li
t'
stast
esgoodbutst
il
l,
it'
snotmy
thi
ng".
Amo:
"Thenwhydi
dyoucooki
t?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Icookeditforyounotmewel lt
hei
nternet
hel
pedal
otwiththeingredi
ents,al
lIdi
dwastoread
andmixever
ythi
ng,Iwillgocheckonthemai
n
cour
se"
.
Hecl
eanedthet
abl
es,
Amowasi mpr
essed.He
camebackagai
nwi
thtwopl
ates.
Khul
ani
:"Thi
sI'
m sur
ewi
th"
.
Amo:
"Itsmel
l
sgood"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wai
tti
l
lyout
ast
eit
".
Amo:"Youdi
dgood,
youknowIwasl
ooki
ngf
ory
ou
bef
ore-
".
Khul
ani:
"Ishouldgocheckonthedeser
t,Idon'
t
wanttooverf
reezethecr
eam".
Amo:"Butwehavebar
elyatet
hemai
ncour
se,
look
Khul
aniIhav
edeci
dedthat
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ial
sodon'
twantt
omessupt
hecr
eam"
.
Amocoul dnotbel
iev
et hathewasignor
ingher
,Amo
conti
nuedeati
ng.Khulanicamebackwit
hdesert,
the
present
ati
onwasoutoft hiswor
ld.
Amo:
"Wow"
.
Khul
ani:
"Well
Icheckedontheint
ernetagai
nand
canyoubel
i
evethatfoodhasi
tmeaning?".
Amol
i
ftedupherhead.
Khulani:
"Ther e'
sadif
ferencebetweenwhit
eand
darkchocolate,whi
techocolatei
snotcal
ledwhi
te
chocolatebecauseofitcolouri
tis-
".
Amo:"Looki appreciat
ey oudoi
ngthi
sbutcanwe
for
getaboutfood,thereissomethi
ngreal
l
y
i
mportantthatIneedt otel
lyou"
.
Khulani
: "OkayIwil
lfor
getaboutchocolat
es,
but,
thereasonbehindmydeser twasnotjusttof
ini
sh
offmyt hreecour
semeal ,
Ichosethis-
".
Amo:
"Khul
ani
arey
our
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
oignor
eme?
".
Khulani
: "Ichoset hev ulnerablepuddi ngwithf resh
strawberri
esbecauset hisr ecipesay salotaboutme,
youseedar kandwhi techocol atewithcustar d
cream doesnotmakeanysensei nonepl ate,but
withstrawberri
esont het opi tmakesi tbeaut i
ful.I
don'tmakeanysenseal onewi thallmydar kpast
andmyunknownf utur ebutwi thyouonmysi de
everyt
hingmakessense, ast hesestrawberries
makest hisdishl ookbeaut i
fulthatisexactlywhat
youdoi nmyl ife.Ever ythingel semaynotmake
senseinmyl i
febuty ouar etheonl ythingthat
makessense. ..Amogel angImaybeanasshol e
somet i
mesbutt helastt hingIwi ll
ev erdoist ohur t
youbecauseIam madl yanddeepl yinlovewi thy ou"
.
Hetookalongbreat
h,hewasholdinghisbreath
whi
lesay
ingallt
his,
helookedstrai
ghtather.She
di
dnotknowwhatt osay,henot
icedit
.
Khul
ani
:"Iam sor
ryfortal
ki
ngov
ery
ou,
whatdi
d
youwantt
otalkabout?"
.
Amo:
"I'
m-I
-buty
ousai
dI'
myourf
ri
end"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
eev
ery
thi
ngandmor
etome
Amogel
ang".
Amo: "Iwantedto-Khul
aniIl
i
edt oyou,Idi
dnotsign
thedivor
cepapersandIdidnottell
thelawyerto
transf
erall
yourassetst
ome, ev
er y
thi
ngisstil
li
n
yourname".
Khul
ani:
"Well
that
'
sagoodthi
ngbecauseweare
marr
iedwhi
chmeanswhat
'sminei
sstil
lyour
s".
Amo:
"Youar
enotangr
y?"
.
Khulani
:"Iam angrybutnotatyou,Iam angryat
myselffornotreal
i
zingmyf ut
ureri
ghtinfrontofme,
pl
easegi v
eusachanceAmogel ang,i
tkil
lsmet o
pr
etendasi fIdon'
tloveyouwhil
eI'mtheonedy ing
i
nside".
Amo:
"I-Il
ovey
out
oo"
.
Khul
ani
:"NoAmogel
ang,
lookatme"
.
Amo:
"Il
ovey
ou,
Ilov
eyout
oo"
.
Khul
anistoodupandhuggedhert
ight
ly,
heki
ssed
herf
orehead.
Amo:
"Iwant
edt
otel
lyout
hatI
'
mleav
ingt
omor
row
"
.
Hehuggedherev
enmor
eti
ght
ly.
Khul
ani:
"Youarenotgoi
ngany
wher
eSt
handwa
Sam'(mylov
e)"
.
.
.
.
-Bar
uti

Hedecidedtotravelt
othev i
llagebuthisaim wasto
vi
sitMrMoeketsi f
ir
stbeforegoinghome.Bar uti
fi
redthehousekeeper,hedidnotwantany oneto
seehim per
forminghisri
tuals.Si
ncehel ocked
Kgosigal
einthebedroom, hewentt othatroom.
Bar
uti
:"I
'
m sur
eyouhav
eheal
ednow,
getup!
".
Ther
ewassi
l
ence.
Baruti
:"Isai
dgetup!Youar etheonewhowill
tell
thatboytoleave,Iwantyoutotel
lhi
mt ogi
veme
backwhat '
smi ne,Iki
l
ledKgosiandiwon'
tl
etthat
boyruinmyl i
fe".
Henoti
cedt
hatKgosi
gal
ewasnotmov
ing,
hewent
cl
osert
oshakehi
m.
Bar
uti
:"Getup!
".
Hewascoldbutthewoundonhisheadwasst
il
l
bl
eedi
ng,
Kgosigalewasnotbr
eathi
ng.
Bar
uti
:"Iam notpl
ayi
ng,
wakeup!
".
Hewentt of
etchwat erandpour
editonhim,
Kgosigal
ewaslif
eless,hewasnotbreat
hingnor
moving.
Bar
uti
:"Youcantj
ustdi
e!Youcantdi
e!Youoweme!
Wakeup!"
.
Heshookhi
sbody
.
I
twascleart
oBaruti
thathi
sfat
herwasdead,
hesat
downandscreamed.
Bar
uti
:"Wakeup!
".
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
36]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[28]
.
[
Unedi
ted]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Barut
ifel
tli
kehewaslosi
nghi
smind,hel
ockedt
he
doorandwenttohi
sbedroom t
opackafewofhi
s
thi
ngs,hehadtodr
ivehome.
Befor
ewalkingouthewenttocheckuponhisfat
her
,
hewassti
llnotmov i
ng,asi
ngl
etearfel
ldownhis
face,
hequickl
ywipeditandwentout
.
.
.
Kgosi:"Idon'
tknowwhathewasgoi ngtodobutI
wastakent othefor
est,t
herewer
ealsopeopl
ether
e,
i
tlookedliket
heywer egoingt
operf
orm someki
nd
ofarit
ual".
Khul
ani
:"Bar
uti
isawi
tch?
".
Kgosi
:"Powerwi
l
lmakey
oudoal
otoft
hings"
.
Khul
ani
:"But
-thi
sst
il
ldoesnotmakesense"
.
Kgosi
:"Di
dfat
hergi
veNsi
kat
hechi
efi
ency
br
acel
et?"
.
Khulani
:"Nsi
kahadnobr
acel
et,
hei
nit
iat
edi
nthe
ri
veronl
y".
Kgosi
:"I
fhehadthebr
acel
ett
heancest
orswer
e
goi
ngtoprot
ecthi
m".
Khulani:
"Don' ttellmeaboutt heancestor
s,Idon'
t
wanttohearany thing,Nsikatol
dmet hatthe
ancestorsturnedt heirbacksonmesoIal sodon't
wantany thi
ngt odowi ththem".
Kgosi
:"Theycan'
tjusttur
nt hei
rbacksonyou,wait
-
di
dfatheri
ntr
oducey outotheancestor
sbecause
wit
hNsikait
'sdi
ffer
entsinceheinit
iat
edintheri
ver
".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tremember
".
Kgosi
:"Fol
l
owme"
.
Kgosi
ledKhul
ani
tot
heancest
ral
room.
Kgosi
:"Ihav
ebeengonef
ort
ool
ongIdon'
tthi
nkI
shoul
dbedoi ngthis,thi
sismyf ather
'sj
ob,iwon'
t
burnanyincensejusttakethisandweari taround
yourneck,t
hisshouldkeept heChi efsaf
ef r
om al
l
thebadspiri
tsandwi tchcr
aft,Nsikawassupposed
togetthi
s.Ifhehadt hisnecklacehewoul dbehere.
Khul
ani
:"Buti
sn'
tthi
ssupposedt
obehi
s?"
.
Kgosi
:"Youarether
eigni
ngchi
eff
ornow,
sot
his
bel
ongstoyou".
Henodded.
.
.
Khul
ani:
"Kgosigav
emet hi
sbuti
tdoesn'tf
eel
right
,
If
eell
ikeI'
mtaki
ngwhatbel
ongstoNsika".
Amo: "Buty
ouwil
lgi
vei
tbackt
ohi
m whenhe
ret
urnshome".
Khul
ani
:"Ij
ustpr
ayt
hatwef
indhi
m al
i
veandwel
l
".
Amo:"Ispoketogranddad,hesaidthesharehol
ders
ar
estart
ingtoquesti
onhim aboutyouandy our
gr
andfat
herbutItol
dhim aboutNsikaandhesai d
hewil
laddresst
hem noonet houghtt
hingsarethi
s
ser
ious"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Amo:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
eaheadachebuti
t'
snot
hingser
ious"
.
Amo:
"Iwi
l
lgety
ouwat
er"
.
Khulani
:"I
t'
snot
hingser
iousr
eal
l
y,Ij
ustneedt
o
rest
".
Amonev ersawKhul ani
tir
ed,itpr ovedthathewas
real
lyst
ressedabouthisbrother..shelefthimtor
est
,
Khulani
wast ir
ed,hefel
tveryweak.Amocameback
withwatereventhoughhesai ditwasnot hi
ng
seri
ous.
Amo:
"Her
e".
Shesatnextt
ohi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Iam f
inebutt
hanky
ou"
.
Amo:"Dri
nkall
ofit,mygr
andfat
hersay
syour
gr
andfat
heri
sstil
lunav
ail
abl
e".
Khul
ani:
"Thatworr
iesmealot,
Ishoul
dthankyour
gr
andfat
herforr
unningt
hecompanyonourbehalf
".
Amo:
"Andwehav
emi
ssedal
otatschool
".
Khulani
:"Idon'
tthinkwewil
l cat
chup,maybewe
shouldj
ustleav
ei tandcont
inuenexty
ear,
Ihope
yourparent
swon'tf i
ghty
ou".
Shehal
fsmi
l
ed.
Khul
ani:
"Inev
erhear
dyout
alki
ngabouty
our
par
ents"
.
Amo:
"it
'sbecausewenev
ert
alkKhul
ani
".
Khul
ani
:"Okayl
et'
stal
know,
wher
ear
ethey
?".
Amo: "Ov
erseasli
vi
ngt
heirbestli
fe,mygrandf
ather
rai
sedme,heistheonl
yparentthatIknow".
Khul
ani
:"Butt
heydov
isi
t?"
.
Amo: "Theydon'
t,t
heyj ustsendgif
tsonmy
bi
rthdaywellatl
easttheystil
lrememberi
tbutIam
fi
nenowandhav eacceptedthatmygrandf
atheri
s
mydadwel landsortofamot her
".
Khul
ani
:"Wel
lhei
sluckyt
ohav
esuchabeaut
if
ul
gi
rl
".
Amo:
"Youknowhej
oinedt
hecompani
esandgot
memarr
iedtoyoubecausehedoesn'
twantt
oleave
meal
oneincasehedi
eswellt
hesearehi
swords".
Khul
ani:
"Wellyouhav
emenow, youknowI'
m al
so
worr
iedaboutmymom, Ist
il
lbel
i
eveshei
sali
ve"
.
Amo:
"Ifshei
s,wewi
l
lfi
ndher
".
Khulani
:"Youmakeev er
ythi
ngsoundsoeasy,Ihav
e
neveropenedupwit
hany bodyelseexceptmy
brot
her,youmustbetheluckyperson"
.
Amo:
"May
bet
hat
'swhywear
emar
ri
ed"
.
Khulaniwantedtokisshersobadbuthest opped
hi
msel f
,ther
ewast hisinnocentv
ulnerabi
li
tyi
nher
eyesthatmadehi m notwanttodot hi
ngstoher,
it
madehi m wantstowaitfortheperf
ecttime.
Everyt
hingwithher,
hewant edittobespecial
.
Amobel i
evedKhul ani
'
swor dsbutshedi
dnottr
ust
hi
m, shestil
lbel
ievedthatshewast r
eat
edl
ikea
"f
ri
end".
..shesighedandl ef
ttheroom.
Khulaniwant
edtol
ookfi
nei
nfrontofherbuthewas
def
initel
ynot
,hi
sbodywasf
ail
i
nghim.Hewas
sweating.
.
.
.
Kgosi
:"Wher
eisKhul
ani
?".
Amo:
"Inhi
sbedr
oom"
.
Kgosi
:"Ohweshoul
dbegoi
ngbynow"
.
Amo:
"Youar
egoi
ngsomewher
e?"
.
Kgosi
:"Yest
othepol
i
cest
ati
on"
.
Hesai
dgoingtohisbedr
oom,Khul
aniwasmov
ing
i
nhisbeduncont
roll
abl
yandshaki
ng.
Kgosi
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
mjust
-I'
mfeel
i
nghot
".
Kgosi
:"Her
edr
inkwat
er"
.
Hehel
pedhi
mtodr
inkwat
er,
Khul
ani
wasget
ti
ng
wor
se.
Kgosi:"Youar
enoty
our
sel
f,shoul
dIcal
lfor
medicalhel
p".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
mfi
ne"
.
Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoor
,ItwasMpho.
Mpho:
"Kgosi
?".
Kgosi
:"Mpho,
youar
est
il
lher
e?"
.
Hehuggedhi
mti
ght
ly.
Mpho:"Iheardthaty
ouareherebutIthoughti
t'
s
j
ustrumours,wherewer
eyouallthi
stime?Doy ou
hav
eanyideawhaty ouputyourf
atherthr
ough?
DamnKgosi !
".
Kgosi
:"Alothashappenedbutweneedt
ohel
pmy
son,l
ookathi
m".
Mpho:"Icamet
otel
lhi
mthatt
heancest
ral
room i
s
bur
ning"
.
Kgosi
:"I
t'
sbur
ning?How?Whost
art
edt
hef
ir
e?"
.
Mpho:
"Thef
ir
ejuster
upt
ed,
noonest
art
edi
t"
.
Kgosi
:"cal
lAmo,
I'
m comi
ng"
.
Herushedoutsi
de,t
heancest
ral
room wasbur
ning,
theworker
str
iedtostopt
hefi
rebypouri
ngwater
buti
tdidnotwork.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Thi
sisy
ourf
aul
tKgosi
,the
ancestor
sareangry
,yourki
dscameher
eand
changedever
ythi
ng".
Kgosi
:"Di
dyoust
artt
hisf
ir
e?Di
dyou?
".
Hepushedheragai
nstt
hewal
lbuthemanagedt
o
st
ophimsel
f.
.
.
Mpho:"Iwil
lgohel
poutout
side,
lookaf
terhi
m,gi
ve
hi
m waterorany
thi
ng"
.
Amonodded.
Amo:"Khul
ani
!Khul
ani
!Whati
swr
ong?Youwer
e
fi
neandnow?"
.
Kgosi
camei
nandsatdown.
Amo:
"Weneedt
otakehi
mtot
hehospi
tal
".
Kgosi
wasqui
et.
.
Khul
ani
:"Pops-
".
Kgosi
stoodup.
Khul
ani
:"Popswhodi
dthi
stoy
ou?
".
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
!"
.
Khul
ani
:"Tal
ktomepops,
Whodi
dthi
stoy
ou?
".
Amo: "Heisseei
ngt
hings,
weneedt
otakehi
mto
thehospi
tal
".
Kgosi
:"Whoi
spops?
".
Amo:"Theyusual
lycal
lthei
rgrandf
atherpops,
your
fat
her
..heneedst
obet akentothehospit
al"
.
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
!Whathappenedt
ofat
her
?".
Hestoppedtal
ki
ng, Amomanagedt ocallan
ambulanceanditcame.Khulaniwastakentothe
hospit
al,
whenhegott her
e,hewashi mself
,hefel
t
bett
erassoonasheent er
edt hehospi
talgate.
Khul
ani
:"Ishoul
dn'
tbeher
e".
Kgosi
:"Youar
esi
ckKhul
ani
,youneedmedi
cal
at
tent
ion"
.
Khulani
:"j
ustt
wominutesinmyl
i
feandnowy
ou
thi
nkIknowwhatIneed?"
.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
!
".
Khul
ani
:"Isai
dI'
mfi
ne"
.
Hej
umpedoutoft
hewheel
chai
r.
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
angcal
lMpho,
wehav
etogoback
home".
Amo: "Justst
opbei
ngstubbor
n!Youweredyi
ngi
n
yourbedKhulani
youneedtoseeadoct
or".
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
tfeel
sick"
.
Amo:"Youweret
alki
ng,say
ingthi
ngst
hatdoesn'
t
makesense,
youareseei
ngthi
ngsKhul
ani!
".
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Theonl
ythi
ngIneedi
smybr
otherr
ight
now"
.
Theycouldnotarguewit
ht hat
.Hesatont hefl
oor
,
Khulaniwastr
oubledbuthedidnotwantt otal
k
aboutit
.Mphocameanddr ovethem backhome,
Khulanidi
dnotsayasinglewordont hei
rwayhome.
Whent heygothomeher ushedtohisbedroom.
Amo:
"Iwi
l
lgot
alkt
ohi
m".
Shef
oll
owedhi
m.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
wear
ewor
ri
edabouty
ou,
weknow
t
hatyouwantt
ofi
ndyourbr
otherandwewantto
f
indhi
mtoobutst
opdoingt
his,wewantt
ohelp"
.
Khul
ani
keptqui
et.
Amo:
"Tal
ktomepl
ease"
.
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
angIknowy
oumeanwel
l
-".
Amo: "Idi
dnott
rustyouwheny
ousai
dy oul
oveand
youjustpr
ovedmer i
ght
,ify
our
eal
l
ylovemey ou
wil
ltal
ktome".
Khulani
:"AmogelangIknowy oumeanwel land
tr
ustmewhenIsai dIlovey ou,Ididn'tl
oveatfirst
butIhavegrowntolovey ou,Ilovey ousomuchbut
Nsikaistheonl
ypersonIknow, I
'
veknownhi m all
myl i
feandther
earethingsIcan' ttalkaboutt
o
anyoneelsebuttohi
m.Ij ustneedt of i
ndhim,itki
ll
s
hi
m notknowingwher ehei s.Ijustneedmybr other"
.
Amocouldnotarguewi
tht
hat,sheknewthebond
thatt
heyhad.Shedi
dnotr
espondtothat
,shestood
upandlef
t.
Kgosi
:"Amohowi
smyson?
".
Amo:
"Hewon'
ttal
ktome,
Nsi
ka'
sdi
sappear
ancei
s
messi
ngwi
thhi
m,heist
alki
ngabouthi
m andIt
hink
i
fwedon'
tfi
ndNsi
kahewill
losehi
smind"
.
Kgosi
:"Thi
sismyf
aul
t"
.
Her
ushedt
oMmeMot
hupi
.
Khosi
:"Weneedt
otal
k".
MmeMot
hupi
:"I
'
m bat
hingKgosi
".
Hepushedt
hedoorandf
orcedhi
msel
finsi
de.
Kgosi
:"Wher
eisBar
uti
?".
MmeMothupi
:"Mysoni
samannotacowar
dli
ke
you,
hewi
ll
come".
Kgosi
:"Bar
utir
uinedmyli
fe,thi
sti
mei wontspare
hi
m, mysonisl
osinghi
smi ndbecauseofhi
m" .
MmeMot
hupi
:"Youdeser
vei
tdon'
tyout
hink?
".
Kgosiwentcl
osert
oher
..
.hepunchedherf
aceoutof
anger
.
MmeMothupi
:"Whatdoyout
hinky
ouar
edoi
nghuh?
Iwi
l
lhav
eyouarr
ested"
.
Kgosi
:"Takey
ourphoneandcomewi
thme"
.
Kgosi
grewupint
hehouse,
heknewev
eryr
oom as
bi
gasitwas.
Kgosi
:"Doyour ememberthisroom?Thisiswhere
youusedtol
ockmei nsothatnoonecanhearme
crywhenyoupunishedmef orBaruti
'smi
stakes.
Thiswil
lbeyourroom unt
ily
oucal l
yoursontobring
backmychil
d".
MmeMot
hupi
:"Youcan'
tdot
hisKgosi
,Yourf
ather
-"
.
Kgosi
:"Shutup!
".
Helockedhertothesmal
lbasement,shecri
edand
beggedhim nott
odoitbuthelockedheri
n.
.
.
Khulaniknewtherewassomet hingwrongwithhi
m
buthebel i
evedthatwhatwashappeningwasgoi ng
tol
eadhi mi nfi
ndinghi
sbrother.Thest
rangethi
ng
wast hatsi
ncehewor etheChiefancestr
alneckl
ace
hewasseei nghisgrandf
ather,Kgosi
gal
ewounded
andcr yi
ngforhelp.
Khul
ani
:"Kgosi
gal
ewhodi
dthi
syou?
".
Hesawhimlosi
nghi
sli
fe.Khul
anicoul
dnotdo
any
thi
ng.HesawKgosi
galeopeni
nghismouth.
Amocamet ocheckuponKhulani,shef
oundhim
hel
pless,hewassweatingandshakingi
nbed.He
wasst i
l
lspeaki
ngalone.
Amodi
dnotdi
stur
bhi
m,shewat
ched.
Khul
ani
:"Popst
alkt
ome"
.
Kgosi
gal
epoi
ntedout
.
Kgosi
gal
e:"Becar
eful
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nowakeup!
".
Khul
anif
elti
t,hef
eltt
hathi
sgr
andf
atherwasno
more.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
o?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Hecan'
tdi
e,nohecan'
t-
".
Hest oppedtal
ki
ngandclosedhi
seyes,Amo
panicked,shet
houghtKhul
aniwasdyi
ng,shecal
l
ed
forhelp.
Kgosi
:"Whati
sit
?".
Amo: "Hewastal
ki
ngaloneandthenhestopped
and-don'
ttel
lmeheisdead,
pleasedon'
t"
.
Kgosi:
"Heisnot
,hel
ooksdr
ained,
mixwat
erwi
th
sugarandbr
ingi
ther
e".
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
lookatmeson,
whati
shappeni
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Isawhi
m".
Kgosi
:"Yousawwho?
".
Khul
ani
:"Pops,
hei
sdead,
hecan'
tdi
e,nohecan'
t"
.
Kgosi:
"Howdoyouknow?Khul
ani
whati
s
happening?
".
Khulani
:"Idon'tknowwhati shappening,thi
s-It
hink
theancestorsareshowingmesomet hing,Idi
dnot
beli
eveinthem atfi
rstbutnowIdo..Gr andfat
heri
s
goneIsawhi m andIcanf eeli
t"
.
Kgosi
:"No,
maybeyouar
emist
aken,
fat
hercannot
di
e,Ihav
etomeethi
m,hehast
oknowthatI
'm back
homeandwhyIl
eft"
.
Mpho:"Sorr
ytodi
stur
b..
Thewor
ker
sar
eback,
they
st
il
ldon'
tfi
ndhim"
.
Kgosi
:"Tel
lthem t
osear
chhar
der
!!
".
Mpho:"Kgosither
eisabigst
orm coming,
it'
sdark
out
sidesoit
'snotsaf
eforanyonetobeoutther
e".
Kgosi
:"Andi
t'
ssaf
eformysont
obeoutt
her
eal
l
al
one?"
.
Kgosist
oodupandcheckedthroughthewindow,
theweatherwasv
erybad.HelookedatKhulani
and
shookhi
sheard.
Kgosi
:"Mphol
eav
eus"
.
Hedi
d,Kgosi
touchedKhul
ani
'
shand,
Kgosi
:"Thi
sst
orm-f
atheri
sgone"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wehav
etof
indNsi
ka"
.
Kgosi:
"Barut
itookmyfatherandIwil
lal
sot
akeone
thi
ngthathei
sleftwi
thnow, j
ustr
estwewil
lfi
nd
Nsikay
omuzi"
.
Kgosiwashappytobehome, heneededtofi
ndhis
sonandthenvisi
thisfather
,hehadsomucht otel
l
hi
m butthedarkstorm wasthesignthatt
heChi
ef
whowasnamedaf tert
hev i
ll
agediedandthe
ancest
orswerenothappy .
Hewentt
othebasement
.
Kgosi
:"Igav
eKhul
ani
theancest
ral
neckl
ace"
.
MmeMot hupi
:"Howcouldy oudot hat
?That
necklacebelongedtotheKing,yourfat
herrefusedto
weari tandchangedallt
herules,yourf
atherwant ed
tobet heChiefhedidnotwantt otakethebigger
ti
tl
eandher espect
edhisancestorsbynotwear ing
thatnecklace"
.
Kgosi
:"Igaveitt
ohim,Khulani
ismyson,atr
ue
Mothupihedeser
vesthatneckl
acef
orprot
ect
ion
fr
om yourwit
chson".
MmeMot
hupi
:"You-
".
Kgosi:"Shhh-fat
heri
sdead,
Khul
ani
sawhi
sdeat
h,
theancestorsshowedhi
m".
MmeMot hupi
:"Yourf
atheri
sal
i
ve,
youcantbel
i
eve
t
hatnui
sanceofachil
d".
Kgosi
:"Thatnui
sanceofachi
l
dismyson"
.
Hest
oodupandt
iedar
opeont
hecei
l
ingpl
anks.
MmeMot
hupi
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Hei gnoredher,
hef i
nishedandl ookedatthewoman
whor aisedhim,shewasnotper fectbutshewast he
onlymot herheeverhad.Hewant edtostopbuthe
thoughtabouthisfami l
y,het ookacr owbaront he
fl
oorandhi therwit
hit ,
het hent ri
edt ohangher,she
wascr yingi
npain.Shewasheav ybuthemanaged
tohangher ,hewatchedassheshookandv ibr
ated
herbodyt odeath.Hecl osedt hebasementdoorand
walkedout .
Mpho:
"Ij
us-
".
Kgosi
:"NotnowMpho"
.
.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
37]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[28Bonus]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
[ 18S]
.
.

Kgosi
hadnev
erdoneany
thi
ngl
i
ket
hatbef
ore,
he
washur
tandher
egr
ett
edev
ery
thi
ng.
Mpho:
"Kgosi
-"
.
Kgosi
:"Di
dyouf
indmyson?
".
Mpho:"Nobutwewi l
lfi
ndhi
m,wearej
ustwai
ti
ng
f
orthethunder
stor
mtocooldown"
.
Kgosi
:"Fi
ndhi
m".
Het
ookabot
tl
eofwat
eranddr
ankal
lofi
t.
.
.
.
Khul
ani
:"Cany
oupl
easehel
pmeher
e".
Amohel
pedhi
mtaki
ngoutt
heneckl
ace.
Amo: "Didn'
tyourfat
her
-ImeanUncl
eKgosi
tel
lyou
thatasthechiefyouhav
etoweari
t?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Hedi
dbutit'
smaki
ngmesick,
you
woul
dn'
tunder
stand,
I'
mfi
netoday
".
Amo:
"Icansee,
doy
ouneedany
thi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"No,
Ijustneedal
ongbat
handt
hanksf
or
aski
ng"
.
Amo:
"Cool
Iwi
l
lExcusey
out
hen"
.
Theywer eof fi
ciall
ydatingbuttoAmoi tdidnotfeel
l
ikeit,shefeltunlovedandbei ngleftout.She
Excusedher self.Afterbathi
ngKhulaniwant edto
knowwhatwasgoi ngonwi ththesearchforNsika
butlookingatt hebadweat herout
sideheknewt hat
peoplewer eint hei
rhomes.
Khul
ani
:"Youl
ookst
ressed"
.
Kgosi
:"Thanky
ouf
ort
hecompl
i
ment
,youl
ook
bet
ter
".
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyout
hinki
ngofdi
sappear
ingagai
n?"
.
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"NoImeant
hat
'
syourt
endency
".
Kgosi:
"Yourmot her-IdidwhatIdidtoprotectyou,
I
wasattackedandmycarwasbur nttoashes,I
i
gnoredthethreat
st hatIreci
eved,ihadnochoice
buttofi
ndasaf eplace".
Khul
ani
:"Kgosimymotherwasdi
sownedbyher
ownfamil
y,wegrewupinthet
woroomedhouse,
mothersuf
fer
edalotandyoudeci
dedtor
un.What
hurt
smemosti st
hatyouhadevery
thi
ngbuty
ou
al
lowedustogrowupinpover
ty"
.
Kgosi
:"Iam sorr
y,i
fIcameback,
theywer
egoi
ngt
o
hur
tyouandy ourmother
".
Khulani:
"Theydidhur tmymom andont opofthat
theyhurtthemanwhowel comedust ot
hishome
withopenar ms,t
heyhur tt
hepeoplewhomeantt he
worldtome, Iam t
ryingtogetusedtoyoubutIdon'
t
knowy ou.Iam notaskingalotfr
om youbutj
ust
onething,hel
pmef indNsikayomuzi"
.
Kgosi
:"Iwil
ldoev er
ythi
ngi nmypowert ofi
ndhim,
Khul
aniIwasacowar d,IthoughtIwasprotect
ing
youandeveryt
hingthatIbuiltbutIwaswrong,
Iam
aski
ngyoutoforgiveme, youdon'thavet
oaccept
measy ourf
atherbutpleasef orgi
veme".
Khulani:
"Youwerewrong,
weneededyou,Iam
angryman,butdeepdownIam happyt
hatyouar
e
here".
Kgosi
:"Iam happyt
obeher
e,pl
easef
orgi
veme"
.
Khul
ani
hesi
tat
edf
oramomentbuthel
oosenedup
andhuggedhi
m.
Kgosi
:"Wewi
l
lfi
ndNsi
ka"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wewi
l
l".
Khulani
noti
cedthatAmowasabi tdi
stantwhich
wasabi tst
ranget
ohim.Shelockedhersel
finher
bedroom al
mostanenti
reday
.Khulaniwentto
knockatherroom.
Khul
ani
:"Thi
srai
nisr
uini
ngt
hisbeaut
if
ulgar
den"
.
Amo:"I'
m sur
eever
ythi
ngwi
l
lgobackt
onor
mal
whenthesunri
ses"
.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
oumi
ssy
ourgr
andf
ather
?".
Amo:
"Imi
sshi
m".
Khulani
:"Ij
ustfeel
sogui
ltyf
orrobbingyouyourf
un,
youshouldbeoutther
eli
vi
ngy ourbestl
i
febutyou
arehereand-
".
Amo:
"Noonef
orcedmet
obeher
e".
Khul
anihalfsmil
edatherat
ti
tude,
shewasgi
vi
ng
hi
m atti
tudeandheknewwhy ?Amowantedmor
eof
hi
sattenti
on.I
fAmodidnotcomeatsuchabad
ti
meKhul ani wouldhav edoneeverythinghewant ed
todotoher ,hewasnotgoi ngtoresisther.Backin
highschool Khulani andNsikawereev erygi
rl
's
dream,theyt ookt hatasanadvantaget ogetanygi r
l
theywant ed.Hel ookedatAmosmi l
ingabi tthi
nking
"shedoesn' tknowwhatIcandot oher ".Andatthat
ti
mehef elthi sbodyheat i
ngup..
Khul
ani
stoodupt
olockt
hedoor
.
Amo:
"Whyar
eyoul
ocki
ngt
hedoor
?".
Khul
ani
:"Ineedsomeal
onet
imewi
thmywi
fe"
.
Amo:
"Buty
oushoul
dha-
".
Shel ookedner v
ous, Khul
ani knewt hatsomegi rl
s
actedst upiddel i
beratel
ybutwi thAmoshewas
rai
sedbyanol dmanandwentt otheallgir
lsfancy
school,shenev erhadf unwithboy sbutmay bewith
girl
sandKhul ani wantedtotaket hatasan
advantage, heenj oyedseeingshi f
tingherbodyand
acti
ngal lshy .Hel ookedatherst r
aightintheey es
butshequi cklylookedaway .Khulani st
il
lwantedto
teaseher ,heenj oyedit.
Khul
ani
:"Hav
eyouev
erhadsex
?".
Amo:
"Wh-what
?".
Thatquest
ionshookher
.
Khul
ani
:"Hav
eyouev
erhadsex
?".
Amo:
"N-whywoul
dyouaskmet
hat
?".
Khul
ani
:"answermey
esorno"
.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
youar
eoutofy
ourmi
nd"
.
Hehal
flaughedr
eal
i
zinghowembar
rassedshewas
byt
hatquesti
on.
Khul
ani
:"Okaysi
nceyouhavehadsexbef
oreIwil
l
comebackuhm-aroundel
evenandwewil
lhave
sex"
.
Amo:"NoIhav
enev
er-Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
Getout
!"
.
Helaughedandwentout ,hewasnotgoi ngt
ocome
back,hewasjustplayi
ngwithher.Int
hemor ni
ngit
wasst i
l
lheavi
l
yrainingandhedidnotfindAmoi n
theki
tchenasusual buthefoundthehousekeepers
makingbreakf
ast.
Kgosi
:"Goodmor
ning"
.
Khul
ani
:"Hav
eyouseenAmo?
".
Kgosi
:"Maybeshe'
ssti
ll
asl
eep,
youl
ookf
ine,
wai
t-
wherei
stheneckl
ace?
".
Khul
ani
:"Thatneckl
acei
smeantf
orNsi
ka,
it'
s
dr
ivi
ngmecrazy".
Hetookatrayofbr
eakf
astandtooki
tupatAmo's
bedr
oom,thedoorwaslocked,
Khul
anishookhi
s
headandknocked.
Khul
ani
:"Br
eakf
asti
sser
ved"
.
Amo:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Hei
nvi
tedhi
msel
fin.
Khul
ani
:"Whywasy
ourdoorl
ocked,
don'
tyouf
eel
saf
ehere"
.
HeknewwhyAmol ockedt
hedoorbuthel
i
ked
seei
ngherl
ooki
ngshyinfr
ontofhi
m.
Amo: "Ohi
twas?Ididn'
tthi
nk-ImeanInev
er
real
i
zeditwasl
ocked".
Khul
ani
:"Cool
,Ihav
etogoeat
".
Shenodded.Khul
ani
joi
nedhi
sfat
heront
het
abl
e.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
eisy
ourmot
her
?".
Kgosi
:"Idon'
tknow"
.
Theyf
ini
shedeat
ing.
Kgosi
:"Ineedt
omakeacal
l
".
Amocamedownst
air
shol
dingat
ray
.
Khul
ani
:"Youl
ookgoodi
nthatdr
ess"
.
Amo:
"Li
ker
eal
l
yKhul
ani
?".
Khul
ani
:"Yesl
i
ker
eal
l
ySt
handwaSam'
"
.
Shebl
ushed,hesawKgosiint
hecor
nerofther
oom
l
ooki
ngatthem andshaki
nghi
sheadlaughi
ng.
Khulani
justenjoyedplay
ingwithAmo.Af t
ereat
ing
hewentf orabath,af
terbathi
nghewr appedatowel
aroundhiswaistandwal kedt
oAmo' sbedroom but
shewasnott here,hi
splanoftri
cki
ngherf ai
l
ed.
.
.
Khul
aniwasti
redofal
lthi
s,heknewitwasnotgoi
ng
tobeeasyget
tingAmobuthealsoknewthatshe
al
sowant edwhathewant ed.Thebor i
ngpartabout
al
lthi
swast hatAmowast hevi
rgi
n, backatschool
hehatedsleepingwit
hav i
rgi
nbutthi sti
meitwas
di
ff
erent,
Amowasnotj ustanygir
l,shewashi swif
e,
wel
l t
hatsti
llsoundedweir
d.
Hefel
titt
hatheneededher
,justt
het
houghtofher
madehisbodycr
inge.
Hewai
tedunt
ill
ateatni
ghtt
ogot
oherr
oom.
Amo:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Hepushedt
hedoort
ogeti
nandcl
osedi
t.
Khul
ani
:"Icamet
oseey
ou"
.
Hemov edclosertoberbutshemov edback, he
grabbedherwai standl ookedatherst raightinthe
eyes,sheblushed.Het ouchedherl ipswi thhis,they
werewar m andshewasbr eathi
ngheav ily.Hebi ther
l
owerl i
pandt wirl
edhi stongueinsidehermout h,
thei
rli
psbot hmov edper fectl
yli
keasl owr omant i
c
rnbsongonaSundayaf t
ernoon.Shewant edtostop
andtakeherbr eathbutKhul anihar
denedt hekiss,
hekissedherpassi onately.Hewant edt hisforav ery
l
ongt i
me.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
Ithi
nky
ouhav
etogo"
.
Hepeakedherupandpl acedheronherbed,he
sl
owlygotontopnotbreakingtheey
econtact.She
wassti
ffbutKhul
anigotinbetweenherl
egs.
Hebentoverandstart
edtwist
ingherl
ipst
ogether
wi
thhis,
herli
pstastedgood,hewantedhersobad.
Khulanimovedhislipstoherneck,shejumpedabi t
andKhulanifoundherweakestpoint,herneck!
.He
suckedonitasshemoaneduncont roll
abl
y,shetr
ied
topushhim butKhul ani
'
shandgrabbedherpajama
topandpull
edi tup.Herbreast
swer eout,t
heywer e
beauti
ful
.
Khul
ani
:"Fuck"
.
Heki
ssedt
hebr
east
spay
ingat
tent
iont
othebot
hof
t
hem.
Hegrabbedherpaj
amabot
tomsbutshehel
dhi
s
handstost
ophim.
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Amo:
"Pl
easenott
oday
".
Khul
ani
:"Thi
sist
heper
fectt
imebaby
,Iwon'
tst
op"
.
Amof eltt
hepleasur
eofhi
stouch,aft
erundr
essi
ng
her,herbodywasexposed.Khulanir
eali
zedt
hathe
thoughtheknewbeaut i
ful
gir
ls,
butAmowas
beautifuli
nsi
deandout.
Khul
ani
:"Youhav
eanamazi
ngbody
".
Thosewor dsboostedherconf idence,heundressed.
Heopenedherl egswideandwenti nwithhi
shead,
heplayedwithhistonguear oundt hecli
t.
.Amo
moanedt r
y i
ngtopushhi shead.Hewentupt oki ss
herl
ipsoncemor e.Hedi str
actedherwi thadeep
ki
ssandr ubbingherbreastswi thhisl
efthand.
Fi
nall
yhei nvi
tedhimselfin,Amoj umped.
Amo:
"NoKhul
ani
stopi
thur
ts,
ithur
ts"
.
Heignoredher,i
t'
sbeenlongsincehehadsexand
besi
des,helongedforherforacoupleofday
sthere
wasnowayhewasgoi ngtost opnow.Hewentin
deeper,
Amogr abbedhim withhernai
ls,
hestar
ted
mov i
ngslowly
.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
-ohpl
ease-i
thur
ts"
.
Khulaniwasfeeli
ngthepleasure,hemov edf
ast
,
poundingver
yf ast
,unt
ilhereleased.Tr
yingt
ocatch
hi
sbr
eat
hhel
ookedatherandasked:
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Shenodded.
It
'sbeenl ongsincehehadsext hat
'swhyhecame
fastandhebel ievedthatAmodi dnotfeelany
pleasurewi t
hallthepainshewasf eeli
ng.Heki ssed
heroncemor e,hewentont opofherandsl i
desi n,
hewaspoundi ngv eryslowget t
ingallt
hepleasur e
Amocoul dnotstopmoani ng,nowomen
under st
andshowt heirmoanboost saman' s
conf i
dence.Hemov edf asterandnoi segotlouder
buthedi dnotcar e,hetwi stedherlegsandst i
llwent
i
nv er
yhar dforacoupl eofmor emi nut
esunt i
lhe
released.
Khul
ani
:"Ohshi
t,Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Amo:
"Yeah,
whydi
dn'
tyougetacondom?
".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
snotl
ikeIwassl
eepi
ngwi
thagi
rl
fr
iend,
youar
ethewif
eremember?"
.
Amo:
"Butst
il
l,
I-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ial
way
susedacondom wher
eIhadt
obut
notwi
thy
ouandf
orgetabouti
t"
.
Amo:
"Whati
fIgetpr
egnant
?".
Khulani
:"Pregnant
?Usepil
lsorani
nject
ion,
lookI
tol
dmy sel
fthatIwil
lhi
titr
awwithy
ousoj ustget
usedtoit"
.
Amo:
"Doy
ouknowt
hat
-"
.
Hest
oppedherwi
thaki
ss.
Khul
ani
:"Goodni
ght
".
Amo:
"What
everman"
.
Khul
ani
:"Il
ovey
out
oo"
.
Amo: "Di
dyouseet
heweat
herout
side,
Iwon'
tgot
o
theshopand-
".
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
angpl
easenotnow"
.
Amo:
"Ifnotnowt
henwhen?Ir
eadt
hat
-"
.
Khulani
:"St
opr
eadi
ngtoomuchandI nst
eadof
shouti
ngatmeyoushoul
dbesl eepi
ngandgetsome
rest
,wehaveal
ongnightahead".
Amo:
"Youar
e-"
.
Khulani
:"Somecoupl
esarepeacef
ull
ysl
eepi
ngbut
i
nsteadofgett
ingapeacef
ulmybabyisbusy
shouti
ngatme" .
Amo:
"Youar
eunbel
i
evabl
e-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iknowbabynowsl
eep"
.
Khul
ani
wasnott
aki
ngherser
ious.
.
.
.
Khulaniwasnoti
nbedwhenshewokeup, shefel
t
di
fferent,
Amostoodupandlookedather
selfi
nthe
mirror,
shesmil
edabitandwentforabat
h.
.
Kgosi
:"Thi
srai
nwi
l
lnotst
opnowi
t'
sheav
y".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sjustt
oomuch"
.
Kgosi:"Imadeaf ewcall
sandsentoutpeopl
etogo
l
ookf orfat
her,i
ftheweatheri
sli
ket
his,t
he
ancestorsarenothappy
".
Khulani:
"Ifeel
li
kewearestuckher
ewit
hnoway
for
war d,t
hisweat
hershoul
dstopnow"
.
Kgosi
:"I
tshoul
d".
Khul
ani
wentt
ocheckonAmo,
hedi
dnotknock.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
getout
!"
.
Shewasi
nthemi
ddl
eget
ti
ngdr
essed.
Khul
ani
:"Why?Ohwait-arey
ouaf
rai
dofget
ti
ng
dr
essedi
nfrontofme?
" .
Hel
aughed.
Amo:
"It
'snotf
unny
".
Khulani:
"YouarefunnyokayIwi
l
l cl
osemyeyesbut
fi
rstletmeremovethist
hingonyourhead"
.
Hecamecloserandremovedwhatev
eri
twasinher
hai
r.Hesl
owlyputpeckofki
ssesonherneck.
Amo:
"Ine-
".
Hisli
pswereonher s,
shefel
therbloodheati
ngup,
shecouldnotr
esisthist
ouch.Theyfoundeach
otheri
nbedagainnakedandsweat i
ng.
Khul
ani
:"Youshoul
dgetusedtot
his,
ifIwasy
ouI
wasnotgoi
ngtogetdr
essed"
.
Hesawafl
ushofconf
usi
onandshy
nessi
nherf
ace,
hewasj
oki
ngbutabit
.
Amo:
"Youar
enotf
unny
".
Hel
aughed.
Amo:
"Youwi
l
lmakemebr
eakf
ast
".
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
l?"
.
Amo:
"Yesy
ouwi
l
lI'
m hungr
y".
Khul
ani
:"Thenaskme"
.
Amo:
"Excusey
ou?
".
Khul
ani
:"Asky
ourhusbandt
omakey
oubr
eakf
ast
".
Amodi dnothav
ethatconf
idenceort
otel
lhi
mfi
rst
thatshel
oveshi
m.
Amo:
"Iuhm-I
'
m hungr
y".
Khul
ani
shookhi
sheadandgr
abbedhert
highs.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
stopi
tI'
mreal
l
yhungr
y".
Hei
gnor
edandki
ssedherl
i
pst
hent
oherneck.
Khul
ani
:"Youshoul
dst
artusi
ngwor
dsl
i
kel
ove,
baby
,babemoreoft
eni
t'
snice"
.
Amo:"OhI'
m sor
ry-Ij
ust
-Iam j
ustget
ti
ngusedt
o
bel
iket
hiswit
hyou".
Khul
ani
:"Whatdoy
oumean?
".
Amo:"Idi
dn'
tnott
rusty
ouwheny
ousai
dyoul
ove
me"
.
Khul
ani
:"Why
?".
Amo:
"Becausey
oust
il
ltr
eat
edmel
i
ke-af
ri
end"
.
Khul
ani
:"Andnowy
out
rustme?
".
Amo:
"Yeswehadsex"
.
Khul
ani
:"Yout
rustthatIl
oveyoubecauseIhadsex
wit
hyou?AmogelangIhadsexwit
hgirl
sandt hat
di
dnotmeanIlovethem,sexmeansnothing"
.
Amo:"SoIwasr
ight,
youdon'
tl
oveme?Youj
ust
want
edtosl
eepwithme?"
.
Khulani
:"Iwantedt
osleepwi
thyouandIsti
lldobut
theonlydi
ff
erencebet
weenusandotherpeoplei
s
thatwedidnothavesex,wemadel
ove,Il
ovey ou
okaysopl
easeputy
ouri
nsecur
it
iesasi
deandt
rust
me.Nowaskmet omakeyoubreakf
ast
".
Amo:
"BabyI
'
m hungr
y".
Khul
ani
:"Br
eakf
asti
scomi
ngr
ightup"
.
Heki
ssedherf
orehead.
Khul
ani:
"Youcandomanyt hi
ngsbutnev
erdoubt
mylovefory
ou,Inev
ersaysomethi
ngIdon'
tmean".

.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
37]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s[29]
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Theyst
ayedonthel
owforacoupl
eofdayswai
ti
ng
fort
herai
ntost
opbutt
herewasnodif
fer
ence,
the
r
ainwasn'
tstopping.I
tfel
tli
kef
orev
erwai
ti
ngl
i
ke
t
hisf
ortheraintostop.

Kgosi
:"I
t'
snotrai
ningi
nJohannesbur
gandnoone
i
shelpi
ng,Iwi
l
lgolookforf
ather
".
Khul
ani
:"Iam comi
ngwi
thy
ou"
.
Kgosi
:"AndAmo?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iwon'
tl
eav
eherher
e".
Kgosi
:"Goodgetr
eady
".
Khulani
rushedtotel
lAmot opackupherbags,
they
bookedahot el
inJohannesbur
g.
Khul
ani
:"Int
hemor
ningIwi
l
lgocheckt
he
company"
.
Amo:"Mygr andf
atherhasital
lhandl
ed,
Ithi
nky
ou
shoul
dfocusonfindi
ngy ourgr
andfat
her
".
Kgosi
:"Sheisri
ght
,tomor
rowwear
egoi
ngt
o
Barut
i'
shouse"
.
Khul
ani
:"That
'smyhouseandt
heguar
dswi
l
lnotl
et
youi
n".
Kgosi
:"Thati
swhyIcal
l
edt
hepol
i
cef
ir
st,
theywi
l
l
gowit
hus".
Khul
ani
:"Okayt
hat
'
sagr
eati
dea"
.
Amo:
"Isi
tokayifIgohome,
ImeanIwantt
osee
mygr
andf
ather
?".
Kgosi
:"Welly
oucangounl
essKhul
ani
hasa
pr
oblem wi
thit
".
Khul
ani
:"Nodoy
ouwantmet
ocomewi
th?
".
Amo:
"No,
youhav
eal
otgoi
ngonal
ready
".
Khul
ani
:"Okay
".
Sherequest
edt
ranspor
tandKhul
ani
wal
kedher
out
side.
Amo:"Ihopey
ouf
indatl
easty
ourgr
andf
ather
tomor
row".
Khulani
:"Wewi
l
lfi
ndhi
mjustcal
lmewheny
ouget
ther
eokay".
Amo:
"OkayIl
ovey
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Il
ovey
ouby
e,sayhi
toMor
oka"
.
Amol
aughed.
ShedidnotwanttoleaveKhul
anibutshemissedher
grandf
ather
,anuberdroppedherof
father
grandf
ather
'shouse.
Amo:
"Daddy
?".
MrMoroka:
"Whatasur
pri
se?Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me
t
haty
oucomi ng?
".
Amo:
"Iwant
edt
osur
pri
sey
ou,
howwasy
ourt
ri
p?"
.
MrMoroka:
"Itwasasuccess,
howi
syournew
f
amil
y?"
.
Amo:
"Good"
.
MrMor
oka:
"Ar
eyouhungr
y?"
.
Amo:"I'
m st
il
lfi
ne,
wear ej
ustwor
ri
edaboutt
he
di
sappear
anceofNsikaandMrMothupi
it'
sworr
ying
us"
.
MrMoroka:"Thatf
amilyi
sgoi
ngt
hroughal
ot,
are
yousur
ethatyouaref
ine?"
.
Amo:"Iam f
ine,Khul
ani
istr
eat
ingmewell
.
Tomorr
owIwi l
lgowithyout
othecompany
".
MrMoroka:
"M&M i
sfi
ne,
lookt
her
ear
epaper
sthat
Ineedy
outosi
gn"
.
Theycat
chedup,foroncei
nalongtimeev
ery
thi
ng
fel
tnor
malforonce,shewasatpeace.
Amo:
"Canwedoi
ttomor
row?
".
MrMoroka:
"Ihav
etosubmi
tthem f
ir
stt
hingi
nthe
mor
ning"
.
Amo:
"Buti
fIdi
dn'
tcome?
".
MrMoroka:"Idi
dn'
tthi
nkoft
hatbutsi
ncey
ouar
e
her
ejustsi
gn".
Hergr
andf
atherf
etchedt
hepaper
s.
MrMor
oka:
"Justsi
gnher
eandt
her
e".
Amo:
"Whatar
ethesepaper
sfor
?".
Herat
tenti
onwasont
heheadi
ng."M&M Gol
d
t
ransf
erforms"
.
Amo:
"Whatar
eyout
ransf
eri
ng?
".
MrMoroka:
"Thosear
eJewel
l
eryfor
ms,
wehav
e
cameupwitht
henewshi
pment-
".
Amo:"ButDaddythesepaper saresupposedtobe
si
gnedbyyourpar
tners,
Khul anihastosignthese
paper
s,heownsfi
ftypercentofM&M Gol d".
MrMor
oka:
"Weal
soownt
heot
herpar
tofi
t"
.
Amo:"Butthemajori
tyshar
esarest
il
lwi
tht
he
Mot
hupi'
s,Icantsi
gnthesepaper
s".
MrMoroka:"Igav
ey ou7%ofmyshar essoy
ou
hav
etherightt
osignthesepaper
s".
Amo:"Setupt
hemeet
ingwi
thKhul
ani
andt
henwe
wi
ll
sign"
.
MrMor oka:"Thi
shasnot hi
ngtodowi t
hthe
Mothupi'
s,Amogelang,Iam doingthi
sforus,f
or
yourf
uture,t
heMot hupifamil
yisfall
i
ngapart,
look
atwhatishappening"
.
Amo:
"Whatar
eyoui
nsi
nuat
ingexact
ly?
".
MrMoroka:
"Iwasgoingt
ocallyout
oni
ghtandt
ell
yout
otakethef
ir
stf
li
ghtbackhome,wearel
eav
ing
i
ntwodays"
.
Amo:
"Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
".
MrMor
oka:
"Ov
erseas,
ourf
ami
l
yisov
erseaswe
hav
enot
hingher
e".
Amo:
"But
-"
.
MrMor oka:
"Thati
swhyy
ouneedt
osi
gnt
hese
paper
s".
Amo:
"Ican'
tl
eav
e,i
hav
eanewl
i
fenow,
Ihav
e-"
.
MrMoroka:"thatfamil
yhaspr obl
ems,ever
yoneis
di
sappeari
nginthatfamil
y,areyousuret
hatyou
won'
tbenext?Amogel ang,Iam doi
ngthi
sforyou,
pl
easesignthesepapersandwewi llmov
e".
Amo:"Ineedt
imet
othi
nkaboutt
his,
I'
m goi
ngt
o
bed"
.
Shedidnotexpectthatatal
l
,sheexpectedawarm
welcomenotsomel if
echangingchoi
ces,shedi
d
notseehersel
fleav
ingthecountr
yorleavi
ngKhulani
.
Shecall
edhim.
Khul
ani
:"Amogel
ang"
.
Amo:
"Hey
,ar
eyouguy
sal
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"Yesbabyweare,howar
eyou?Whenar
e
youcomi
ngback?Imissyou".
Amo:"Comeonithasn'
tbeenev
ent
wohour
ssi
nce
Il
eftt
hehot
el"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wel
li
tfeel
sli
kef
orev
ert
ome"
.
Amo:"Imi
ssy
oumor
ebutI
'
m comi
ngback
tomor
row"
.
Khulani
:"Okaybutinthemorni
ngwear
egoi
ngt
o
thepoli
cethentothehouse"
.
Amo: "Don'
tworr
yIwil
lbether
ewhenyougotothe
poli
cestat
ion,
Ihavet
osleepnowgoodni
ght
,Ilove
you".
Khul
ani
:"Okaygoodni
ght
,Il
ovey
ouback"
.
Amowasst i
l
lworri
edaboutwhathergr
andfather
sai
dbutshealsodi
dnotthi
nkitwassomething
ser
ious.
.
.
.
.
Amo:
"Goodmor
ning"
.
Khul
ani
:"Don'
topent
hecur
tai
ns,
whatt
imei
sit
now?"
.
Amo:
"It
ssi
xfi
ft
een"
.
Khul
ani
:"Geezgi
rldi
dyouev
ensl
eep?
".
Shelaughed,Amowokeupv eryear
lyandrushedt
o
thehotelbef
orehergr
andf
atherwokeup,she
wantedtoavoidhim.
Amo:
"Iwant
edt
obeher
ewheny
oul
eav
e".
Khul
ani:"Thanky
oubutwewil
lseet
hepoli
ceathal
f
ei
ghtthat'
swhatweagr
eedon,comesi
ther
e".
Shet
ookof
fhershoesandgoti
nsi
det
hebl
anket
s.
Amo:"Khul
aniifmaybeyouhadt
omov et
oanot
her
count
ry,
wil
lyou?Andleavemebehi
nd?
".
Khul
ani:"Youwil
ldef
ini
telycomewithme,Ihav
e
beenthroughal
otandthere'
sneverasi
ngl
edayI
hear
dy oucomplai
northreatent
oleaveme".
Amo:
"Youhav
echangeddoy
ouknowt
hat
?".
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
e?"
.
Amo:
"Youar
enott
hesameguyIsawwhenwef
ir
st
met
".
Khul
ani
:"Al
othaschangedme,
comeher
e".
Hekissedher,oncehetouchedherheneverwant
ed
t
olethergo,Amomel t
edinhisar
ms, t
heymade
l
ove.Khulani
gotupt otakeashower.
Khul
ani
:"Iwi
l
lgetmycr
edi
tcar
dst
oday
".
Amo:"That
'sagoodt
hingbutIt
houghty
ouenj
oyed
usi
ngmine"
.
Khul
ani
:"Justal
i
ttl
e".
Af
terdr
essi
nguphebentov
ert
oki
ssher
.
Khulani
:"Iwil
lseeyouwhenwegetback,
how'
s
yourgrandf
atherIf
orgott
oask"
.
Amo:
"Hei
sgood"
.
Khul
ani
:"OkayIwi
l
lseey
oul
ater
".
Hel
eftwi
thKgosi
tot
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
Khul
ani
:"Iam soner
vous"
.
Kgosi
:"Wewi
l
lfi
ndf
ather
".
Theygott
othepol
i
cest
ati
on,
thepol
i
ceal
sohadt
he
sear
chwar
rant
.Theywentt
othehouse.
Khul
ani:
"Whil
eyousear
cht
hehouseIneedt
oget
mycredi
tcar
ds".
Poli
ceoffi
cer:"Noy ouwi
ll
takethem whenweare
donesearchi
ng,justsi
ther
e,any
thingwefindwe
wil
ltel
lyou".
Theynodded.
Khul
ani
:"Idon'
twantt
oli
eImi
sst
hispl
ace"
.
Kgosi
:"It
'sabeaut
if
ulhouse,
Iwonderwher
eis
Barut
i"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
fIseehi
m Iswear
-"
.
Pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
:"Wef
oundsomet
hing"
.
Kgosi
:"Whatdi
dyouf
ind?
".
Pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
:"Ij
ustneedy
ou-
".
Khulani
rushedupst
air
swher
ethepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
s
were.
Khul
ani
:"I
sthatPops?
".
Kgosi
justst
oodt
her
ewi
thhandsonhi
shead,
hedi
d
notmove,foramomenthi smindstoppedworki
ng.
Khul
aniaskedthatquest
ionandkeptquiet
.The
smell
intheroom wasjusttoomucht ohandl
e,
Kgosi
gale'
sbodystayedtheref
ortoolong.
Pol
iceoff
icer
:"Theyr
ecogni
zehi
m,t
aket
hem t
othe
l
ounge".
Theywer
etakent
othel
ounge,
thepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
came.
Pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
:"Wher
eist
heowneroft
hishouse?
".
Khul
ani
:"Iam"
.
Pol
iceof
fi
cer:
"Youwi
l
lhav
etocomewi
thmet
othe
pol
i
cestati
on"
.
Khulani
:"Ihaven'
tbeenint
hishousef
oral
ongti
me,
Barutii
sstayi
nghere,wedon'
tknowwher
eheis"
.
Poli
ceoff
icer
:"ButIst
il
lneedy
out
ocomewi
thme,
Ineedyourst
atement"
.
Kgosi
:"Leavemysonandf
indaper
sonwhoki
l
led
myfather
".
Poli
ceoff
icer
:"Wecannotgoagai
nstt
hel
aw,
he
needstocomewit
hme" .
Khul
ani
:"ButIneedt
ogetmycr
edi
tcar
ds"
.
Pol
iceoff
icer:
"Youar enotal
l
owedtotouch
any
thinghere,t
hishouseisacri
mescenenow,
let
's
gotothecar".
Khulaniwastakentothepoli
cestati
onandheldin
aninter
rogat
ionroom, t
hiswasjustri
dicul
oust
ohim,
thepoli
ceoffi
cerhandli
ngthecasecame.
Poli
ceoffi
cer:
"Howar
eyour
elat
edt
othe
deceased?"
.
Khulani
:"Heismygr andfat
her,hedisappear
edokay
,
hewashospital
izedbeforehedisappearedand
whenIwentt ovisi
thi
m atthehospital,
Iwastol
d
thatBar
utisi
gnedhisdischargedpapers".
Poli
ceoffi
cer:
"Butdoy
ouknowt
haty
ouar
eal
soa
suspecther
e?".
Khul
ani:"Areyoukiddingme?Theper sonwhokill
ed
himisoutther
epr obablycommitt
inganothercr
ime,
youarej
ustuseless!Ineedjust
iceforpops".
Thepol
i
ceof
fi
cerwascal
l
edout
side,
hecameback
aft
eraf
ewminut
es.
Pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
:"Youar
efr
eet
ogo"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
ejustusel
ess"
.
Hecl
ickedhistongueandwentout
,hi
sfat
herwas
wai
ti
ngf orhi
m.
Kgosi
:"Theydi
dn'
thur
tyou?
".
Khul
ani:
"No,i
fpopsi
sdeadwel
lIhav
elosthope,
I
don'
tthi
nkNsi
kaisal
i
ve"
.
Kgosi
:"Wewi ll
findhim,t
heoffi
cerj
ustsai
dthey
havecal
ledthepoli
cestat
ionbackinthevi
l
laget
o
watchoutforBaruti
".
Khul
ani
nodded.
Theywentbacktothehotel
.Amojustsawt
hel
ook
onthei
rfacet
hatitwasn'
tgoodnews.
Amo:
"Youf
oundhi
m?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wecoul
dn'
tev
enr
ecogni
zehi
sface,
he
st
ayedi
nthatr
oom f
ort
ool
ong"
.
Het
ri
edt
obest
rongbuti
twasj
ustt
oomuch.
Amo:
"I'
m-i
".
Shewasl
ostf
orwor
ds.
Khulani:
"Canyoupleasespendt henightaty
our
gr
andf at
her'
shouse,Iam notpushingyouawayIam
j
ust-Ih-".
Amo:"NoIunder
stand,
Iwi
l
lcomebackf
ir
stt
hingi
n
themor
ning"
.
Hehuggedhert
ight
ly.
Amounder st
oodhowhewasfeel
ing,shewasalso
hurtbutshealsoneededt
ogivet
hem spaceto
gri
ev e.Shewentt
oherhouse,
hergrandf
atherwas
there.
Amo:
"Daddy
,MrMot
hupi
didn'
tmakei
t"
.
MrMor
oka:
"Kgosi
gal
e?"
.
Shenodded,
shecr
ied.
Amo:"Hewasaver
ykindmanandhewelcomedme
wi
thopenar
ms,hedoesn'
tdeser
vet
odi
e".
MrMor oka:"Iam sorry,
hewasav erygoodman.
Amogelangt hi
sistoomuchf oryoumychild,
ify
ou
don'
twanttol eav
et hecountryIunderst
andbutcan
weatleastgoonhol iday,Ineedit
".
Amo:
"Daddyican'
t,Khul
anineedsme,hej
ustl
ost
hi
sgr
andf
atherandhisbr
otherismi
ssi
ng".
MrMoroka:"Ifhelov
esy ouhewill
under
stand,
I
haveal
readybookedusev ery
thi
ngatl
eastyouwil
l
comebackbef or
ethefuneral
".
Amo:
"No!Ican'
tgo"
.
MrMor oka:"Iwillt
alktoKhulani
,thet
rut
hismy
chi
ld,
Ihav ejustfoundoutthatI'
m si
ckIdi
dn'twant
tot
ellyoubutt heoperati
onisschedul
edfornext
week,Ineedy outobebymysi de"
.
Amo: "Youfi
rstsaidwemovi
ngtoov
erseasbut
changedyourstatementt
ogoi
ngonhol
idayand
nowy ouaresick?
."
MrMor oka:
"It
'sl
ungcancerbutthedoct
ors
assur
edmet hataf
tert
heoperati
onIwill
befine"
.
Amo:"But-i
fIdi
dnotcomeher
ewhenwer
eyou
goi
ngtotell
me?".
MrMor oka:"Iwasgoi
ngtotel
lyou,
it'
sjustt
hat
ever
ythi
nghappenedsofastandIam alsoscar
ed
andconfused".
Amo:
"Iwi
l
lcal
lKhul
ani
I'
m sur
ehewi
l
lunder
stand"
.
MrMor oka:"Don'
twor
ryIwillt
alkt
ohim,youwi
l
l
hurthi
m now, hei
sst
il
lshockedabouthi
s
grandf
ather
".
Amo: "Youar
eri
ghtbutIwi
l
lcomebackbef
oret
he
funer
al"
.
MrMor
oka:
"Nopr
obl
em mychi
l
d".
.
.
.
I
nt hemiddl
eoft henightKhul
ani
r ecei
vedacall
fr
om thehotel
recepti
on, hewastoldthathewas
neededattherecepti
on.
Hedidnotfeelsaf
eatal
landcal
l
edhi
sfat
hert
o
accompanyhim.
Kgosi:"Di
dtheyt
ell
youwhyt
heyneedy
ouatt
he
recept
ion?
".
Khul
ani
:"Theydi
dnotandIal
sof
orgott
oask"
.
Theywal
kedt
other
ecept
ion.
Recept
ioni
st:
"MrZondor
ight
?".
Henodded.
Kgosi
:"Whatdoy
ouwantwi
thhi
m?"
.
Recept
ioni
st:"Thatgentl
emanoverther
ehasbeen
heresi
ncearoundsev en,
hedidn'
twanttol
eave
unl
esswecal lyou,
hesay sy
ouarehisbossbutI
tol
dhim-".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
sfi
neIknowhi
m".
I
twasRy
an,
hisper
sonal
assi
stant
.
Khul
ani
:"Ryan?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Whot
old
yout
hatI'
m her
e?"
.
Ryan:
"Canwepl
easet
alksomewher
emor
epr
ivat
e,
i
t'
sUrgent
".
Theyl
edhi
mtot
hehot
elr
ooms.
Ryan: "Ihavebeenlooki
ngforyouandwhenIhear
d
thatyouar eIwantedtoseeyousobad,Ihear
dMr
Mor okatalki
ngont hephone"
.
Khul
ani
:"Oh,
thisi
smyper
sonal
assi
stantandt
his
i
sKgosi
,myfather
".
Theysatdown.
Khulani
:"Coul
dn'
ti
twai
tunt
ilmor
ning,
it'
smi
dni
ght
Ryan".
Ryan:"Noi tcan't
, sincey ouwer egoneMrMor oka
hasbeenr unningt hecompanywel lastheper sonI
meany ourper sonassi stantandIwasassi sti
ngMr
Mothupi befor
ey ou. .
.Iknowev eryt
hingaboutt he
companyev enthingsIshoul dn'tknow, wellIsaw
somethingpaper s, butsincethepaper shady our
si
gnatureIthoughty ouknewaboutev ery
thing".
Khul
ani
:"Whati
sgoi
ngon?
".
Ry
an:"Yousignedy
ourshar
esandal
lthemoneyt
o
MrMoroka"
.
Khul
ani
:"NoIdi
dnot
".
Ryan: "Iknowthatnow, MrMor okaissell
i
ngt he
companyandi thi
nkhehasf oundthebuyer,i
thoughty ouknewabouti tunti
lIheardhi
mt al
king
onthephoneabouti t,heisleavingthecountr
ywith
allyourassetsandIthinkhei sworkingwi
th
someonebecausei heardhim sayhewi l
ltr
ansfer
hisshar ewhenheisov erseas".
Kgosi
:"DamnMor
oka!Howcanhedot
hatt
ous?
".
Khul
ani
:"Ry
anwhatel
sedi
dyouhear
?Hecan'
ttake
-hehast
obest
opped"
.
Ryan:"Imadecopiesofhispapersandalso
comparedthesignat
ures,
heforgedy oursi
gnat
ure
butwhenyoulookatthesepapersprettycl
osel
y
thesesi
gnatur
esarenotthesame" .
Kgosi
:"Letmesee"
.
Ry
an:
"Thesepaper
swi
l
lhel
pyou"
.
Kgosi:
"Hesol
dthecompany,andev
ery
one'
sshar
es,
thi
sispur
ecri
me,t
hisi
sfraud"
.
Khulani
:"Amogel
ang,
doessheknowaboutt
his
Ryan?".
Ry
an:
"Amogel
ang?Hi
sdaught
er"
.
Khul
ani
:"Yesgr
anddaught
er"
.
Ry
an:
"Idon'
tknow"
.
Khul
ani
:
:"Ihav
etocal
lher
".
Kgosi:
"Sheiswit
hhim now,
don'
tcal
lher
,let
'sgot
o
thepoli
cenow,heshoul
dnotl
eav
etheair
port".
Noonespoket
heyf
oll
owedeachot
herout
side.
Ryanof fer edt odrivethem wi t
hhi scar,they
reportedt hef raudcaseandt oldt hepoli
cet hatt he
cri
mi nal wasl eav i
ngthecount ryinaf ewhour s, t
heir
casewast akenser iousbecauseM&M Gol dwasa
verybigknowncompany .Theysl eptatthepol ice
stati
onsi ncet heywant edt omakesur ethatthe
poli
cedot heirjob,thi
swast hebigf r
audcaset hat
thepol i
cest ati
onhasev erhad, coveri
ngKgosi gale's
deathandbust i
ngthef raudcasewasgoi ngtogi v e
thepol i
cest ati
onagoodr eput ati
onandpubl i
cit y
.
Thepol icest at i
onmadesur ethatt hemedi awas
thereev ent houghKhul ani andhi sfatherdidnot
wantt hat .Inthev eryear l
yhour softhemor ni
ngt hey
wereatt heai rport
.
Kgosi
:"Ther
ehecomeswi
thAmo"
.
Khulani
:"Ther
emustbeamistake,
Amogel
angwi
l
l
neverdosomethi
ngl
iket
hist
ome" .
Kgosididnotwanttocommentont
hat
.Thepol
i
ce
off
icer
swor epr
ivat
eclot
hes.
Thedet
ect
ivemadesur
ethatMrMor
okawas
bust
ed.
Detect i
v e: "MrMor okayouar eunderar restf or
forgingMrZondo' ssignature,
MrThabel a'ssignat ur
e,
Mr sBer nadi ne'
ssignature,MrMot hupi'ssi gnature
shoul dIgoon?Youar eunderar r
estforf orgingt he
sharehol der sofM&M Gol dssignatur
esandf or
sell
ingt hecompanyt hatdoesnotbel ongt oy ou,thi
s
i
sav er ybi gfr
audcase.Youhav ear ightt oremai n
sil
ent ,Ev eryt
hingyoudoorsaywi l
lbeusedagai nst
youi nt hecour toflaw.Itiswithinyourrightt ocal l
yourat tor ney,i
fyoudon' thaveone, t
hest at ewi l
l
providey ouone" .
MrMor
oka:
"Don'
ttouchme!Idi
dnotdoany
thi
ng!
".
Amo:"Maybet
her
e'sami
stake,
hedi
dn'
tdo
any
thi
ng"
.
Det
ect
ive:
"Takehi
m!"
.
Khul
ani
:"Amogelang,
youknewaboutt
his?Andy
ou
werel
eavi
ngwit
hhi m?"
.
Amo: "Whatyouaredoingiswrong,Khul
aniy
ou
knowt hathei
snotcapableofdoingthat
,hewil
l
neverdosomethi
nglikethi
s".
Khul
ani
:"Youwerel
eavi
ng?Thatmeansy
ouknew,
I
tr
ust
edyou-Amogel
angIcan-
".
Det
ect
ive:
"Doy
ouneedar
idehome?
".
Kgosi
:"No,
Iwantt
ofacet
hatmanwhor
obbedmy
fami
ly
".
Det
ect
ive:
"Thatisagai
nstt
hel
aw,
hei
sundert
he
pol
i
cecustodynow-"
.
Kgosi
:"Pl
easeIam beggi
ngy
ou"
.
Amof el
thel
plessandconfused,
thepol
i
ceagr
eedt
o
taket
hem tothepoli
cestat
ion.
Kgosiwasangr
y,hi
m andKhulani
wentt
othecel
l
s
whereMrMorokawastakento.
Kgosi
:"Whydi
dyoudowhat
".
MrMor
oka:
"Youwokeupf
rom t
hedead?
".
Khul
aniwashurtandmostlythi
nki
ngabout
Amogelang,hetr
ustedher
,hewasv er
ydi
sappoi
nted.
Hejustkeptqui
et.
Kgosi
:"Ar
eyouwor
kingf
orsomeone?
".
MrMor
oka:
"Bar
uti
ment
ionedt
hatsomet
hingl
i
ke
t
hismi
ghthappen-
".
Khulani
: "Youarewor ki
ngforBaruti
,al
lalongthi
s
waspar tofyourplan?Gett
ingmemar ri
edt oy
our
granddaughtersowecanear ny ourtr
ust,youand
Amogel angplayedus!Youarewor ki
ngf orBar
uti
..
.I
shouldhav eknown!".
MrMor oka:"I
'm wor
kingformysel
f,Bar
uti
gaveme
t
hisplanbuthewantedt hecompanyandIwanted
f
ortune,Dropal
lthecharges"
.
Kgosi
:"Youar
eoutofy
ourmi
nd,
youwi
l
lrother
ein
j
ail
".
MrMor oka:"Ifyouwantt
oseethemotherofyour
chi
ldr
enagai n,dropt
hechar
gesandl
etmel eave
thi
scountryinpeace".
Khul
ani
:"Youhav
emom?Wher
eisshe?
".
MrMor
oka:
"Dr
opt
hechar
ges"
.
Kgosi
:"Iwi
l
lki
l
lyou!
".
Hepunchedhi
m,t
hepol
i
cecamet
ost
ophi
m.
Pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
:"Leav
ether
oom si
r"
.
Kgosi
:"Iwi
l
lki
l
lhi
m!"
.
Khul
aniwasshut
ter
edastheylef
thesaw
Amogel
angatthepoli
cest
ati
onbuthedidnotev
en
l
ookather.
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ouRy
an"
.
Ry
an:
"Isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ght
?".
Kgosi:
"Heplannedall
thiswit
hBarut
ibuthe
betr
ayedhi
m bysell
i
ngt hecompanyandtry
ingt
o
runwit
hall
themoney "
.
Ry
an:
"OhdearLor
d,Iam sor
ry"
.
Kgosi
:"Thanky
ouf
orev
ery
thi
ng"
.
Ryan:
"Ihav
etogohomeIneedmybeaut
ysl
eepbut
i
fyouneedany
thi
ngj
ustl
etmeknow"
.
Khul
ani
:"I'
m sur
eall
thewor
ker
swi
llr
eadaboutt
his
onthenews,l
eavey
ournumber
sRy
an".
Ry
an:
"Sur
e".
Hewr
otehi
snumber
sdownandl
eft
.
Kgosi
:"Iam sor
ryson,
Iam sor
ryaboutal
lthi
s".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
snoty
ourf
aul
t"
.
Khul
ani
washur
tbey
ondwor
ds.
..

.
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,14:
37]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
sEpi
l
ogue
[
Part1]
.
.

ReadI
nser
t29FI
RST
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Kgosi
:"Ireal
l
ydon'
tknowwhatweshoul
ddowith
thecr
isesher
eandmyf at
her
sdeat
h,heneedst
obe
l
aidtorest
".
Khul
ani:"Canwestopabitwit
ht hebur
ial
,maybe
wecanhav ehi
mtransfer
redt
ot hemortuar
ynear
thev
il
lagewhil
ewef i
xthi
s,Popsneedsast at
e
di
gni
fi
edf
uner
al"
.
Kgosi
:"AndNsi
kaneedst
obet
her
eforhi
sfuner
al"
.
Khul
ani
:"Yeshedoes"
.
Kgosi
:"Iwi
l
lmakeadeal
wit
hMor
oka"
.
Khul
ani
:"Youar
egi
vi
nghi
m ev
ery
thi
ng?
".
Kgosi
:"Iwor kedhar
dfort
hiscompany,
Ididitf
or
youandy ourbrot
her
,Iwon'
tletany
onerobyouyour
i
nheri
tance".
Khul
ani
keptqui
et.
Kgosi
:"Ij
ustneedy
out
otr
ustme"
.
Khul
ani
:"It
rusty
ou"
.
Henodded.
Kgosi
:"Ihav
etogopl
easest
ayher
e,j
ustbesaf
e".
Khul
ani
:"I
t'
ssaf
eher
e".
Kgosiwaswor
ri
edabouthi
m,hewentt
othepol
i
ce
st
ati
on.
Det
ect
ive:
"MrMot
hupi
,ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Kgosi
:"Whenwi
l
lIgetmyf
ather
sbody
?".
Detecti
ve:"Westil
lneedt okeephisbody
,weare
busywiththepostmortem examinati
onbutwhen
everyt
hingisdoneIwillcal
lyou"
.
Kgosi
:"Okay
,Det
ect
iveIneedt
oseeMrMor
oka"
.
Detect
ive:"No,noyoucan'
tandspeci
all
yaf
terwhat
youdidy est
erday
".
Kgosi
:"Iwi
l
lnotdoany
thi
ng,
pleasedet
ect
ive"
.
Detecti
ve:"Thi
sisourwor
k,y
oushoul
dletus
handleit
".
Kgosi
:"Pl
ease,
Iam desper
ateher
e".
Hel
ookedathi
m.
Detecti
ve:"Fi
nebutdon'
tpul
lanyst
unt
sot
her
wiseI
wil
llockyouupmy sel
f"
.
Kgosi
:"Iwon'
t"
.
Heledhi
mtothecel
ls,
Kgosi
wai
tedf
orMor
oka.He
cameandsatdown.
MrMor
oka:
"Tel
lmewehav
eadeal
".
Kgosi
:"Mor
okaIgrewupinfr
ontofyou,Iknowy
ou,
youar
enotevencapabl
eofdoi
ngthi
s".
MrMor
oka:
"Mot
hupi
dowehav
eadeal
ornot
?".
Kgosi:
"Yes,
youhavethemot herofmyki
ds,
Ihadn'
t
seenheri
nninet
eenyear
s,Icarealot
,myboy
sneed
her?
".
MrMor
oka:
"Taket
hedeal
then"
.
Kgosi:
"No, buthere'
st hethi
ng,Iknowwher ey our
daughterandherhusbandar e,yourgranddaughter
i
sstrandedont hestreetsaswespeak, youar ehere
andyoul ostever
ythi
ng. .
.al
ltheassetsthatyouhave
i
stakenbyt hehawkssowhati sitthatyouhav e
agai
nstme? "
.
MrMor
oka:
"Ify
oudar
etouchmyf
ami
l
y".
Kgosi:
"Iwi l
ltouchyourf
amil
y,f
ir
stl
yIwil
lstar
twi
th
yourgranddaughter
,wherei
sNomalanga?"
.
MrMor oka:
"IfItel
lyouhowwi
l
lIknowt
haty
ou
won'
ttouchmyf amily"
.
Kgosi
:"Ij
ustwantwhat
'
smi
net
hat
'sal
l
".
MrMor
oka:
"She'
satmyhouse"
.
Kgosi
:"Yourhouse?
".
MrMor oka:"Inmybedroom t
here'
sacloset
,go
i
nsidethatcloset
,st
rai
ghtwheremyshirt
sare
hangedthere'sadoorbehi
ndthoseshi
rt
s".
Kgosi
:"I
fIdon'
tfi
ndher
,yourgr
anddaught
erwi
l
l
di
e".
MrMor oka:"Iwasbr ai
nwashedbyBar ut
i,butwhenI
sawhowmucht hecompanyiswor t
hIdeci dedto
sel
lit
,pleasedon'tt
ouchmygr anddaughter,shehas
not
hingt odowiththis,
Ili
edtoher,shedidn'twant
tol
eave...It
oldherthatIwassickandIneededt o
goforanoper at
ion"
.
Kgosi
stoodupandl
eft
,hecal
l
edKhul
ani
.
Khul
ani
:"Hel
l
o".
Kgosi
:"Doy
ouknowMor
oka'
saddr
ess?
".
Khul
ani
:"YeahbutI
'm notsur
eaboutthehouse
numberbutIwi
l
lsendittoyounow".
Kgosi
:"Okay
".
Hehangedup,hewasst
il
ltr
avel
i
ngwi
tht
hehot
el
cart
hathehi
red.
Hewentt
otheest
ateshewasn'
tsur
ewhi
chhouse
wasitbetweenthenumber sthatKhul
anisentt
ohim.
Hestoppedoutsidethehousewhenhesawpol ice
comingoutwithboxes,t
hatmeanst heyweresti
ll
notdonewiththeinv
esti
gation.
Aft
ertheyhav
elef
t,hewenti
n.HefoundAmowi
th
anunknownwoman( ahousehel
per)
Amo:
"Uncl
eKgo-
".
Kgosi
:"Showmey
ourgr
andf
ather
'sbedr
oom"
.
Thehel
per
:"Whoar
eyout
oju-
".
Amo:
"Noi
t'
sfi
neIwi
l
lshowhi
m".
Shel edhi mtohi sbedroom, Amowat chedashe
l
ookedi nsi
det hecloset.Shedi dnotquestionhim.
Kgosi foundthedoorhandl e,Heopenedi tandt he
l
ightwason, itwasasmal ldustyroom withl i
ghts
andasi ngl
ebed, therewer eplatesandTupper war es
ont hefloor.Hesawher ,shelookedathi mt earsjust
rol
leddownt heirfaces,Nomal angawasweak, very
weakshecoul dn'tevent al
kandshewasv erythin.
Amo: "How-OhmyGod,MaKhumal
o!Cal
lforhel
p,
cal
ltheambulance!
".
Kgosi
pickedherup.
Amo:
"Shoul
dIbr
ingwat
er?
".
Kgosii
gnor
eher,hecoul
dnotbel
ievehowevi
l
peopl
ecanbe,j
ustformoneyandtoberi
ch,
they
ki
dnappedher
?
Anambulancewasv er
yf astandi
tcame
accompaniedbythepol
ice,thi
swasthemost
contr
over
sialst
ory.
Shewast akentoanemer gencyroom.Amodi dnot
st
aybehind,sheknewtheyhat edherbutshe
sympat
hizedwiththem andwashur talot
.
Anur
secamet
oinf
ormt
hem.
Nur
se:
"Shei
sjustdehy
drat
edbutshewi
l
lbef
ine"
.
Kgosi
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Het
ookhi
sphoneandcal
l
edKhul
ani
.
Kgosi
:"Sonpleasehur
rytothehospi
tal
,uhm-
Midr
andnetcarehospi
tal
".
Khul
ani
:"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Kgosi
:"Pl
easehur
ry"
.
Amo: "UncleKgosiImeanMrMot hupiIknowthat
youhatemebutIhadnoi deawhatwasgoi ngon,
Daddytoldmet hatwehadt oleavebecausehehas
anurgentlungcanceroperat
ion,hesai dhewil
lcal
l
Khulaniandiwil
lbebackbef or
et hefuneralpl
ease
beli
eveme, Iwi
llneverbet
rayKhul anioryourf
amil
y,
Ilov
ehim" .
Kgosi
didnotsayanyt
hing,
hewasover
whel
med
wit
hemotions.I
tdi
dnottaket
imef
orKhul
anit
o
ar
ri
ve.
Khul
ani
:"Whathappened?
".
Kgosi
:"Let
'swai
t"
.
Khul
ani:
"Whatisshedoi
nghere?Hav
en'
tyouand
gr
andfat
herdonetoomuchdamage?"
.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Don'
tev
ersaymyname"
.
Amowashurt
,shecr
iedandsl
owl
ywal
kout
.Kgosi
l
edKhul
ani
tothewardroom.
Heopenedt
hedoor
,Khulanil
ookedathi
smother
andt
henbackt
ohisfat
her.Heranandhuggedher
t
ight
ly.
Kgosi
:"Notsot
ight
,shei
snotwel
l
".
Khul
ani
:"Ma,Iknewit,
Ididnotbel
i
eveitwhent
hey
sai
dyouaredead,howdidyoufi
ndher?
".
Kgosi:"I
'
mj usthappythatsheisal
ive,
thenur
se
sai
dshei salr
ightbutj
ustdehydrat
edthatmeanswe
wil
ltakeherwithussoon".
Khulani
:"Iam sor
ryMa,t
hishappenedbecauseof
us,i
fwedi dnotcomeher
enonoft hiswoul
dhave
happened".
Noma: "IthappenedbecauseGodall
owedi
tto
happen,don'tbl
amey our
self
,wher
eis
Nsikay
omuzi ?".
Kgosi
:"Youwi
l
lseehi
m soonj
ustf
ocusonget
ti
ng
bet
ter
".
.
.
.
.
Thr
eedaysl
atert
heywer
ebackatt
hehot
elwi
th
Nomal
anga.
Khul
ani
:"Thepoli
cearekeepi
ngtheasset
sunti
lthe
casei
soverwell
theysti
l
lhavepopsbody,t
heyare
busyr
unni
ngtests"
.
Theytol
dNomalangaevery
thi
ng,shewasworri
ed
aboutNsi
kaandshecouldnotbeli
evet
hatherboy
s
wentthr
oughal
lthat
.
Noma:
"Bar
uti
isev
il
,hei
stheonewhot
ookme"
.
Kgosi
:"Hewil
lpayf
orall
this,
wehav
etogotot
he
vi
ll
ageandwai
tforf
ather
sbodyandi
nthemean
ti
mewehavetoconti
nuelooki
ngf
orNsi
ka"
.
Noma:"Ihopemysoni
ssaf
e,Iwonderi
ftheydo
gi
vehi
mf ood-
".
Khul
ani
:"Mom wewi
l
lfi
ndhi
m".
Noma:
"Youaretal
lerKhul
ani
andbol
der
,youhav
e
gr
owncomehere".
Shehuggedhi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Ihav
etogot
omyr
oom"
.
Shenoddedwi
tht
ear
sinherey
es,
Khul
ani
lef
tthe
room.
Kgosi
:"Iwi
ll
bookanot
herr
oom,
justr
estanddon'
t
st
resstoomuch"
.
Noma:"Iam nott
heyounggir
lthaty
ouimpregnat
ed
any
more,Iam amotheroft
wogr ownbeaut
if
ulboys
donott
ellmewhattodo".
Kgosi
:"NomaI
-"
.
Noma:"Idonotwanttohearasingl
ewor
dcomi
ng
outoft
hatmouthofyour
s,getout!
".
Hel
i
fteduphi
shandsi
nsur
renderandl
eftt
her
oom.
.
.
Khul
ani
hear
daknockandr
espondedt
oit
.
Khul
ani
:"Getoutbef
oreIcal
lsecur
it
y".
Amo:
"Icamet
ogetmycl
othes"
.
Hekeptqui
et,
Amowal
kedi
n.
Sheopenedt
hehot
elwar
drobeandst
art
edpacki
ng.
Amo: "Youhat
emeandIdon'
tbl
ameyou,
ifIwasi
n
yourshoesIwoul
dhav
ealsor
eact
edt
hesameway-".
Khul
ani
:"Packy
ourcl
othesandgetout
!"
.
Amo: "Ididn'
tknowaboutal lthi
s,hesaidhehas
l
ungcancerandhehasasur geryinaweek, Ididn'
t
knowwhathewasupt o,IsaidIwill
telly
oubuthe
i
nsistedandsaidhewi ll
callyoubecausey ouunder
al
otofst r
ess,al
lthesignswer etherebutIdidn't
pickupasi ngl
ething,
Iwi l
lneverbetrayyouKhulani,
Il
ov eyou".
Khul
ani
:"Youhav
eov
erst
ayedy
ourwel
come"
.
Amo:
"Ihav
esi
gnedt
hedi
vor
cepaper
s,her
e".
Shel
eft
,Kgosi
wasatt
hedoor
.
Kgosi
:"Shewasher
eforhercl
othes?
".
Khul
ani
:"Shehast
hener
vesofcomi
ngher
e".
Kgosi
:"Ibel
i
eveher
".
Khul
ani
:"What
?".
Kgosi
:"I
fshewasworki
ngwit
hMor okadoyouthi
nk
shewasgonnagot
hroughwhatshewentthr
ough
wit
hyou,
thi
syounggi
rlr
iskedherl
i
fet
oseey
ou
saf
e".
Khul
ani
:"Al
lcr
imi
nal
sar
esmar
t"
.
Kgosi
:"Shei
sjustl
i
keus,
shei
sal
soav
ict
im"
.
Khul
ani
:"Butst
il
lwecan'
ttr
usther
".
Kgosi
:"Thisi
snotaboutus,
it'
sabouty
ou,
Ibel
i
eve
her
.It
'saboutyou"
.
Thosewor dslefthim evenmoreconf used,putt
ing
twoandt wot ogetherhebeli
evedthatAmoknew
abouthergrandfather'
scrimes.Hedi dnotsleep
thi
nki
ngaboutev eryt
hing,i
nthemor ninghewokeup
andwentatherhouse, thehousewascov er
edin
yel
lowtapes,therewasnoonei nsi
de, itwasacr ime
scenejustli
kehishouse.
Hestart
edgett
ingwor r
iedbutf
orwhathedi dn'
t
know,hewentbacktot hehot
el.TheDetect
ive
handl
ingtheMothupicaseswast her
etaki
ng
Nomalanga'
sstatement.
Khul
ani
:"OhI
'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tknowy
oubusy
".
Det
ect
ive:
"NoI
'
m done"
.
Khul
ani
:"OkayMom ar
eyouf
ine?
".
Nomal
anga:
"I'
mfi
ne"
.
Khul
ani
:"Detecti
vear
eyoudonet
aki
ngher
st
atementbecausewewantt
ogobackhome"
.
Detecti
ve:"Fornowev ery
thingisdonebuti
fwe
needany t
hingwewi l
lcallyouOhandaboutt he
courtcase.ButIdoubtthatwewi l
lgoontri
al si
nce
ther
ear esomanychar geswi t
hconcret
eevidence,
hewi l
lbesentencedsoon".
Kgosi
:"Thati
sgoodnews"
.
Det
ecti
ve:"Sony ouaremar
ri
edt
ohi
s
gr
anddaughterr
ight?
".
Henodded.
Detect
ive:
"Shecamel
astni
ght
,shewant
edust
o
ar
resther"
.
Khul
ani
:"Forwhat
?".
Detecti
ve:"Sheblamesherselffornotknowing
aboutMor oka'
scrimesandsincet hebankaccount
s
arefrozenandthehouseisunderf urt
her
i
nv esti
gat
ionI'
m sureshei
sst ressed,Ihav
etoleav
e
now"
.
Kgosi
:"Wewi
l
ltal
k".
Noma:
"Khul
ani
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mom pl
easenotnow"
.
Kgosi
: "Hergr
andfat
hert
oldmet hatshedidn'
twant
tol
eavebuthef or
cedher
,thatgi
rldoesn'
tknow
anyt
hingabout-
".
Khulani
didnotevenlethi
mf i
nish,heleft
,hehired
thecaragainandwentoutlookingforher.Evenif
shebetray
edhim hedidnotcare,hewaswi l
l
ingto
for
giveherbecausehelovedher.
Hedidn'tknowwher etolookforher,
hethought
aboutthepoli
cestation,hewentther
eandsawher
withherbagssit
ti
ngal oneacrossthest
reet
s.He
blamedhimselff
ort hat.Hecameandsatdownnext
toher.Shewascrying.
Amo:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
Khul
ani
:"Let
'sgot
othehot
el,
lat
ert
odaywear
e
goi
ngbackhome".
Amo:
"Mygr
andf
atherst
olef
rom y
ou,
Ican'
t-
".
Khul
ani
:"Hestolef
rom us,rememberItol
dyout
hat
what
'sminei
sy our
s,Iam sorr
y,Iwasangr
y".
Amo:"NoKhul
ani
,howam Igoingtolookatyour
fami
l
yaft
erwhatmydaddydid?Justgowithoutme"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ibel
i
evey
ounowpl
easecomewi
thme"
.
Amo:
"No"
.
Khul
ani
:"Sonotonl
ydidMor okast
ealf
rom me,
he
al
sotol
dmywi f
enottorespectme".
Amo:
"What
?".
Khul
ani
:"BabyIam sor
ryf
ornotbel
i
evi
ngy
ou,
pl
easemylovelet
sgohome".
Amo:
"Khul
ani
I-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Yesmyl
ove"
.
Shewasspeechl
ess.
Khul
ani
:"Iam sor
ry,
wewi
l
ltal
kwhenwegethome"
.
Hetookthebagst
othecarandAmohadnochoice
butt
ofol
lowhim.Theyar
ri
vedatt
hehot
elj
ustri
ght
i
ntime.
Khul
ani
:"Wewi
l
lgoi
nasepar
atecar
".
Amo:
"Yousai
dwi
l
ltal
kwhenwegethome"
.
Khulani
:"Yesbabyhomenoti
nthehot
el,
letme
takemybags".
Hetookhi
sbagsandAmost
oodi
nthehot
elr
oom
wi
thherar
msf ol
ded.
Amo:
"Iam notl
eav
ing"
.
Khulani
:"Iwoul
dalsolov
etostayandthewayI'
m
hornyri
ghtnowseeingmywif
elookingsobeaut
if
ul
i
nfrontofmemakesme- ".
Amo:
"Youar
ear
eper
ver
t"
.
Hel
aughed,
wel
lhi
spl
anwor
ked,
hel
ovedher
.
.
.
.
I
nafewhourstheywereatthev
il
lagebutitwaslat
e,
Khul
ani
boughtfoodonthei
rwayhomef orhim and
Amo.
Theyar
ri
vedandtheyweret
ir
ed,Amowenttothe
bedr
oom t
ofreshenupandKhul
anif
oll
owedher.
Amo:"Khul
ani
Ithi
nki
t'
sbesti
fyougot
oyour
room"
.
Khul
ani
:"Thi
sisal
somyr
oom"
.
Hesaidundr
essi
ngi
nfrontofherandget
ti
ngi
nthe
shower,
hecameoutandate.
Amo:"Ar
ey ousurethatyouar
enotangr
yatmef
or
whatmygrandf
atherdid?
".
Khul
ani
:"IwasbutIreal
i
zedthatI
'
mjustpuni
shi
ng
mysel
fforget
ti
ngangryaty
ou,youst
il
ll
oveme?".
Shebl
ushed.
Amo:
"Ist
il
ll
ovey
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Okayl
et'
ssl
eep"
.
Amo:
"Butdon'
ttouchme"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwon'
tpr
omi
sey
out
hat
".
.
.
.
I
nthemorningKhul
anif
ormal
lyint
roducedAmot
o
hi
smotheratthebr
eakf
astt
able.
Nomal
anga:
"Youar
ebeaut
if
ulAmo"
.
Amo:
"Thanky
ou"
.
Nomal
anga:"Atl
eastnowIhaveadaught
er,
Iam
t
ir
edofhavi
ngonlyboysar
ound".
Ther
ewasst i
l
ltensi
onbet
weenKhulani
'
sparents
andhenot
icedbuthedidnotwantt
ogetinv
olved.
Aguar
dcamei
nwi
thav
isi
tor
.
Khul
ani
chockedonhi
sbr
eakf
astwhenhesawwho
i
twas.
Kgosi
:"Mapul
e?"
.
Mapul
e:"OhGoodnessKgosi
youar
eal
i
ve?
".
Shehuggedhi
m,shewasj
ustov
err
eact
ing,
Khul
ani
thought
.
Kgosi
:"Whatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?"
.
Mapul
e:"Iwant
edt
ocomef
orav
eryl
ongt
imebutI
wasembar r
assedtocome,whenIreadinthepaper s
t
het r
agedythathappenedt
odad,Ithoughtitwas
wrongformysonnott ocomeathisgrandfather
's
f
uneral"
.
Kgosi
:"OhbutIt
houghtJuni
ordi
ed"
.
Mapule:"YeshediedbutwehaveanewJuni ornow,
heisfourmonths,
Ilef
thiminthecarbecauseI
wantedtotal
ktoyouKhulanif
ir
st"
.
Khul
ani
:"Tal
ktomeaboutwhat
?".
Mapul
e:"Aboutourson"
.

.
.

.
.

Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofl
ove
[
3/8,
14:
38]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
sEpi
l
ogue
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ther
ewassi
l
encef
oramoment
.
Noma:
"Ason?
".
Sheaskedl
ooki
ngatKhul
ani
.
Khul
ani
:"Mapul
edi
dBar
uti
senty
out
odot
his?
".
Mapule:"Whywouldhe?Mysoni
shereforthe
f
uneralandIwant
edhimtomeethi
sfather
,why
woul
di li
eaboutt
his?
".
Khul
ani
:"Youandy
ourhusbandar
ecapabl
eof
doi
nganyt
hing"
.
Noma:
"Iwoul
dli
ket
oseehi
m".
Khulani
: "Mom ar
efal
l
ingf
orhertr
icks?Bar
uti
lost
ever
y t
hingandnowhesenthert
omi lkmoneyfr
om
us".
Kgosi
:"Wer
eyout
wodat
ing?
".
Khul
ani
lookeddown,
hedi
dnotknowwhatt
osay
.
Khulani
:"No,i
t'
ssomethi
ngt
hathappenedbeforeI
foundoutsheismarr
ied,
ImetherwhenIfi
rstcame
toJohannesbur
g".
Noma:
"Pl
easebr
ingt
hechi
l
d".
Mapul
ewentout
,Khul
ani
wasunset
tl
ed,
hewas
f
uri
ous.
Khul
ani
:"Thi
swomani
swor
kingwi
thBar
uti
".
Theyi
gnoredhi
m,Mapul
ecamebackhol
dinga
beaut
if
ulbabyboy
.
Noma:
"Br
inghi
m her
e".
Mapul
e:"Her
eyougo"
.
Shesai
dsmi
l
ingatt
hebaby
,Nomal
ookedatKgosi
.
Noma:
"Howol
dishe?
".
Mapul
e:"Fourmont hs,
lookIdon'
twantanyfi
ght
s
ory
ourmoney ,
Ijustwantedtodotheri
ghtthi
ng"
.
Khulani:
"Yourtr
icksar
emaki
ngmesick,wher
e
werey oual
lthi
stime?May
bethi
sisnoteveny
our
chi
ld".
Mapule:"Khulanir
emembert hatItol
dy out hatyou
aremyson'sageJuni or
,whywoul dItr
icky ou,when
Il
efthereIwasalreadypregnantbutIdecidedt o
keepitasecretbecauseyouareachild!Whatwedi d
waswr
ong"
.
Noma:
"Thi
schi
l
dlooksl
i
keKgosi
andKhul
ani
".
Khul
anil
ookedexact
lyl
i
kehi
sfat
herKgosi
.Khul
ani
coul
dnotbeli
evei
t.
Khul
ani
:"Thati
snotmychi
l
d!"
.
Noma:
"Lowery
ourv
oicey
ouwi
l
lwakehi
m".
Kgosi
:"Theonl
ysol
uti
oni
sdoaDNAt
est
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m notdoi
ngthatshi
t,y
oumakemesi
ck,
cal
lmewhenyouareal
ldoneacti
ngst
upi
d".
Noma:
"Khul
ani
sitdown"
.
Khul
ani
:"ButMaI
-"
.
Noma:
"Si
tdownbef
oreIsl
apy
ou"
.
Hedi
dashewast
old.
Noma:
"Thi
schi
l
dlooksl
i
key
ou,
lookathi
m!"
.
Khul
ani
:"Iwon'
tl
ist
ent
othi
s!"
.
Hest
eppedoutoftheroom,
hedi
dnotev
enl
ookat
t
hechi
ld.Mapul
efoll
owedhi
m.
Mapul
e:"Idon'
texpecty
out
obei
nhi
sli
febutat
l
eastaccepthi
m".
Khul
ani
:"Wealwaysusedpr
otect
ionsodon'
tcome
her
eandclai
mthatIhaveachi
ld"
.
Mapule:
"Yesweusedi
tbutt
her
ewasat
imewher
e
wedidnot"
.
Khulani
:"Foragrownwomanlikeyou,youshoul
d
haveusedmor ni
ngaft
erpi
l
ls,
thatchil
disnotmine"
.
Kgosi
:"DoaDNAt est
,ift
hechi
l
disnoty
our
swe
wil
lki
ckherout
".
Mapule:"DNAtest
sr esult
scomeaf
tert
woweeksI
can'
tstayher
eforthatlong".
Kgosi
:"Wewil
lpayfori
t,wewil
luseapri
vat
e
companysot
hatitcomesbacksooner
".
Khul
ani
:"Fi
neIwi
l
ldoi
t"
.
Hewal
kedout
.
Amowasshocked,shesatt
hereli
steni
ngtothem
tal
ki
ng.Mapul
ewasgivenaroom andthefol
lowi
ng
daytheDNAtest
ingwentonbuteventhough
Khulani
wasagai
nsti
t.
Khul
ani
:"Youi
gnor
edmey
est
erday
".
Amoi
gnor
edhi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Babyt
hatchi
l
disnotmi
ne"
.
Amo:
"Whati
fther
esul
tscomesbackposi
ti
ve?
".
Khul
ani
:"Thatwon'
thappen"
.
Amo: "Youtol
dmet hatyoual
waysusedacondom
butnowwi t
hallt
heseclai
ms,howcanItr
ustyou?
".
Khul
ani
:"Ithappenedonce,Iam sor
rybutplease
don'
tbel
ikethem, Ineedy
ounowmor ethanev er
".
Amo: "Youneedt omanupandaccepty
our
responsi
bil
i
ties"
.
.
.
Noma:
"Whatar
ethepol
i
cesay
ing?
"
Kgosi:
"Sti
llsear
chi
ngbutt
heyar
eal
sosear
chi
ng
forBar
uti
".
Noma:
"Youl
ookr
elaxed"
.
Kgosi
:"Howam Ir
elaxed?Iam al
sost
ressedabout
Nsi
kay
omuzi
".
Noma: "Whyareyoust
ressed?Youabandoned
theseki
ds,t
heydon'
tevenknowy ou,
yourfami
ly
hatedmebecauseIhadnothingcompar
edt oy
ou".
Kgosi
:"Canwejustf
orgetaboutt
hepastandf
ocus
onfi
ndourson"
.
Noma:
"Whenwegetourson,
I'
mtaki
ngt
hem back
t
oKzn"
.
Kgosi
:"Nomal
angay
oucan'
tdot
hat
-"
.
Noma:
"Theyar
emyki
ds"
.
Thestorm wassti
l
lhol
dingt
hem down,Kgosi
did
notquesti
onher,
hekeptqui
et,
afteral
l
,Nomar ai
sed
hi
skids,hewasnotther
e.Mphocamei n.
Mpho:
"Ther
eissomeoneher
etoseey
ou"
.
Kgosi
:"Who?
".
Mpho:
"It
'sBar
uti
".
Theyl
ookedateachot
her
,Kgosi
cal
l
edKhul
ani
ver
y
qui
ck.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
swr
ong?
".
Kgosi
:"Bar
uti
isher
e".
Mpho:
"Shoul
dIcal
lthepol
i
ce?
".
Noma:
"Yes"
.
Kgosi
:"No,
don'
tcal
lthepol
i
ce"
.
Mpho:
"Kgosi
arey
ousur
e?"
.
Kgosi
:"I
nvi
tehi
min,
Amo,
Nomapl
easel
eav
ethe
room"
.
Noma:
"NoIcan'
t,
thatman-
".
Kgosi
:"Nomal
angapl
easenotnow"
.
Khul
ani
:"Mom pl
ease"
.
Theystoodup,
Khul
ani
andKgosi
didnotexpectt
his
tohappen.
Kgosi
:"Br
inghi
min"
.
Mphonodded, therewassi lencei
ntheroom,
thei
r
heart
swer ebeatingveryfast.Kgosi
hadnot
confr
ontedBarut ii
nyears,hehadseenhimfr
om
onlyafar
.Barut
i cameinaccompani edbyMpho.
Kgosi
:"Thanky
ouMpho"
.
Barut
i:"Mot
herdi
dment
iont
haty
our
osef
rom t
he
dead"
.
Kgosi
:"It
'saboutt
imey
oucame,
wher
eismyson
Barut
i"
.
Bar
uti
:"Youar
enotev
engoi
ngt
oof
fermeadr
ink?
".
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
pourhi
m adr
ink"
.
Khul
ani
:"Nohec-
".
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
!"
.
Hest
oodupandpour
edhi
m whi
skey
.
Bar
uti
:"Thankyou,
youlookexact
lyl
i
ketheman
whoabandonedyouandyourbrot
her
".
Hesai
dtoKhul
ani
.
Kgosi
:"Wher
eismyson?
".
Baruti
:"Yourson?Oht hemissi
ngone,wel
lIr
eadon
thenewst hatheismissi
ng,poorchi
l
dmaybehe
disappear
edl i
kehisf
ather
".
Khul
ani
:"Isweari
fyoudon'
t-
".
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
don'
t-t
hepol
i
cear
elooki
ngf
ory
ou,
gi
vememysonandIwi
l
ldr
opal
lthechar
ges
agai
nsty
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"No,
youki
l
ledpops,
nochar
geswi
l
lbe
dr
opped"
.
Bar
uti
:"Whydi
dyoucal
lmeher
e?"
.
Kgosi
:"Fol
l
owme"
.
Barutist
oodupwi
thconf
idence,
Khul
ani
fol
l
owed
behind.
Kgosi
:"Iam notangrythatyouki
l
ledmyf at
her
,I'
m
j
ustsadthatyoukil
ledyourownfather
,themanwho
l
ovedandraisedyou".
Bar
uti
:"Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
".
Kgosi
:"Don'
tworr
y,Iwi
l
lnotdoany
thi
ng,
ther
eis
somethi
ngIneedt
oshowy ou"
.
Bar
uti
:"I
nthebasement
?".
Khul
ani
:"Kgosi
let
'sj
ustcal
lthepol
i
ce,
wher
eismy
br
other
?".
Hesai
dpushi
ngBar
uti
tot
hewal
l
,Bar
uti
laughed.
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
stopi
t!
".
Heopenedt
hebasementl
aundr
yroom andpushed
Kgosi
in.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
sthi
s?"
.
Bar
uti
:"Whatdi
dyoudot
odo?
".
Het
riedt
of i
ghtKgosibuttheybot
hst
oppedhi
m,
t
heroom hadaveryterr
ibl
esmell.
Kgosi
:"Youkil
l
edmyf at
herandIr
etur
nedaf
avor
,
aneyeforaneyer
ight
?".
Bar
uti:
"Howcoul dyouki
ll
mymot
her
,thi
sisour
mother,sher
aisedy
ou!"
.
Kgosi
:"Mydadal
sorai
sedyou,
let
'sl
eav
emy
chi
ldr
enal
one,
thi
sisbet
weenusnow,brot
her
".
Bar
uti
:"Youwi
l
lregr
ett
his"
.
Kgosi
:"Call
mewheny ouarereadytot
ellmewher
e
mysonis,Iwil
lhearyou,f
ornowy ouneeda
bondi
ngsessionwithyourmother"
.
Helockedt
hedoor,Khul
anidi
dnotknowthathis
fat
herwascapabl
eofdoingthat
,tohi
m hewasjust
acowardguybutthi
schangedthewayhelookedat
him.
Kgosi
:"Youar
enotgoi
ngt
oaskmeany
thi
ng?
".
Khul
ani
:"No-Iuhm-I
-"
.
Kgosi
:"Good,
ineedal
ongshower
".
ItwascoldbutKhulanineededacolddrinkto
processwhatjusthappened,ahousekeepergav e
Khulanial
ett
er,tohimitwasclearthattheresult
s
wereback,hesatdownandopenedt helett
er,the
resul
tswere99.9%itwashi schi
ld.Hetorethelett
er
andthrewthepiecesaway .
Heneededsomeonetot
alkt
oandthatpersonwas
hi
smother,
hewenttoher
,shewasholdi
ngt hechi
l
d.

Khul
ani
:"I
-Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ouar
ebusy
".
Noma: "Don'
tbesi
l
ly,
I'
mjustl
ooki
ngatt
his
beaut
if
ul f
ace"
.
Khul
anisatdownandl
ookedatthebaby,t
hiswasal
l
cr
azytohim,hewasnotr
eadytobeaf at
her.
Khul
ani
:"Whati
shi
sname?
".
Noma:
"Hi
smot
hersai
dit
'
sDest
inyNt
ando"
.
Khul
ani:
"Oh-Mom, I
'm suchahor
ri
bleper
son,
look
athi
s,helookssoi
nnocent"
.
Noma:
"Ar
ether
esul
tsback?
".
Henodded,
Nomasmi
l
edandgav
ehi
m acomf
ort
ing
hug.
Noma:
"Doy
ouwantt
ohol
dhi
m?"
.
Khul
ani
:"No!Imeannotnow,
Ijustneedt
imet
o
pr
ocessal
lthi
s"
Noma:
"Not
akey
ourt
ime"
.
HesawAmoanddidn'tknowhowtotel
lher
,itwas
probabl
ygoi
ngt
obetoomucht oher
.Hewentt o
bedearl
yandAmoj
oinedher.
Amo:
"Ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?".
Khul
ani
:"Hei smine,
well
,Iknewf
rom t
hemi
nut
eI
sawhim butIwasindeni
al"
.
Amo:
"Wel
lhel
ooksexact
lyl
i
key
ou"
.
Khul
ani
:"Doy
ouhav
eapr
obl
em t
hatIhav
eachi
l
d?"
.
Amo:
"Idon'
twantt
oli
eit
'
stoomuchf
orme"
.
Khul
ani:
"IknowandIunder
stand,hav
ingachi
l
d
doesnotmeanIwil
ll
oveyouanyless"
.
Amo:
"Goodni
ght
".
Sheignoredhim andturnedof ft
heli
ght,Khulani
knewitwast oomuchf orher .Amodidnotsleep,
shekeptont ossi
ngandt urningunti
lsheheard
peoplespeakingoutsi
deoft heroom.Shest oodup
butcouldnothearclear
lywhatt heyweresay i
ng.
Amo:
"Khul
ani
,Khul
ani
".
Shewhi
sper
edt
ohi
m.
Khul
ani
:"Whyar
eyounotsl
eepi
ng?
".
Amo:
"Ther
ear
epeopl
etal
ki
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Peopl
e?May
bei
t'
sthewor
ker
s".
Amofeltnerv
ousandlockedthebedr
oom door
.
Af
teranhourtheyheardsomeonescr
eaming,t
hey
wokeup,itwasMapule.
Kgosi
:"Whati
sgoi
ngon?
".
Khul
ani
:"It
oldy
out
ocal
lthepol
i
ce,
Guar
ds!
!"
.
Bar
uti
:"I
fany
onet
ri
est
ocomenearmeIwi
l
ldr
op
t
hischi
l
dont
hesest
ares"
.
Kgosi
:"Bar
uti
putt
hechi
l
ddown"
.
Baruti
:"Iki
l
ledmyownchi l
danddoy out
hinkIwil
l
sparethi
sone?Mywi t
chdoctort
oldmethatther
eis
anewbor ninthi
sfamil
y,doyout
hinkIwasgonna
comeher ei
fther
ewasnochi l
d?"
.
Kgosi
:"Whatar
eyou?Ar
eyouawi
tchnow?Putt
he
chi
lddown"
.
Noma:
"Mapul
e!"
.
Shewasont hefl
oorbl
eedi
ng.BabyNt
andowas
cr
yinguncontr
oll
abl
y.
Bar
uti
tookoutapi
eceofpaperwi
thhi
slef
thand.
Bar
uti
:"Her
e'sy
ourgi
ft
".
Hethrewsomepowderonthem,Khulani
qui
ckly
cover
edhimsel
fandAmo,hismotherwasonthe
fl
oortry
ingt
ohelpMapul
e.
Theydon'
tknowhowBar
uti
ranout
.
Khul
ani
:"Howi
sshe?
".
Noma:
"Idon'
tknow,
cal
lanAmbul
ance!
".
Amo:
"Khul
ani
!Yourf
ather
".
Kgosi
wasf
ight
ingt
hepowdert
hathei
nhal
ed.
Khul
ani
:"Pl
easedon'
tcl
osey
ourey
es,
please"
.
HebeggedKgosi
.Theguar
dscameandMpho.
Khulani
:"Mphopleasetaket
hiswomant
othe
hospit
alpl
easehurr
y".
Mpho:
"AndKgosi
?".
Khul
ani
:"Not
ell
theguar
dst
otakehi
mtohi
s
bedr
oom".
Noma:
"Yourf
atherneedst
ogot
othehospi
tal
".
Khul
ani
:"Mom can'ty
ouseethi
s,t
hisispure
wit
chcr
aft
,thatmankil
ledmygr
andfat
her,hi
sown
sonandNsika,nowhetookmychi
ld"
.
Noma:
"Cal
lthepol
i
ce"
.
Khul
ani
:"No"
.
Herantohisbedroom andcamebackwi t
ha
Chi
eft
aincyneckl
ace,hebeli
evedthatitwasgoing
hel
phimt hesamewayasi thelpedhim wit
h
Kgosi
gale.Hewenttohisfat
hersbedroom, Kgosi
wasbat
tl
ingwhat
evert
hathei
nhal
ed.
Noma:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
".
Amo:
"OhGodNo"
.
Noma:
"Whati
shedoi
ng?
".
Amodi dnotev ensay,Khulanil
ayeddownandwor e
thenecklace.Thisti
mehef ocused.Allhecouldhear
wast hebabycr y
ing,t
herewasnosi gnofNsikaand
thenecklacewasdr ai
ninghim,itwaspower f
ul.He
focusedandf ol
lowedthebaby '
svoice,al
lhecould
seewast hef or
est.Hewokeupandqui ckl
ytookoff
thenecklace,hewasbr eat
hingheavil
y.
Hel
ookedathi
sfat
herandgav
ehi
mtheneckl
ace.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sur
ethi
swi
l
lhel
phi
m".
Hewenttochangehiscl
othes,heworecomfor
tabl
e
cl
othesandtakki
es,
itwasrai
ningheavi
l
youtsi
de
anditwasthemiddl
eofthenight
.Amof ol
l
owedhim.
Amo:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngatt
hist
ime?
".
Khul
ani
:"Bar
uti
can'
tgetawaywi
thal
lthi
s,how
manypeopl
ehavetodi
eforhi
mtostop?"
.
Amo:"Hewi
l
lki
l
lyou,
Cal
lthepol
i
ce,
Iwi
l
lcal
lthe
pol
i
ce".
Khulani
:"Thepoli
cefai
l
edlongago,
just
-justmake
surethatKgosi
getsbet
terj
usti
ncaseIdon'tcome
back".
Amo:
"Pl
ease,
pleasedon'
tgo"
.
Heopenedt hedoor,het
ooktherai
ncoatt
hatwas
hangedbehindthedoor,
hedidnotknowwherehe
wasgoi ngbutheknowsthefor
est,
itwasnextt
othe
ri
verthatNsikai
nit
iat
edat.
.
.
.
Itwashar dtowalkintherainandKhul aniwas
askinghimselft
hathowdi dBar ut
ibrokeint othat
basementdoorbuther emember edthatitwasj usta
door,therewasnothingspecialaboutit,t
hewal k
wasv erylongandtherainwasst il
lhard.Hewal ked
tothef or
estanditwasdar kandscar y,helooked
backandsawahouseonhi sf arl
eft,
andi tlooked
l
ikepeoplewer
ebusyr
unni
ngupanddownint
he
heavyrai
nandint
hemiddl
eoft
henight
.Hi
shear
t
l
edhimt her
e.
Itl
ookedl iket heywer epr epari
ngfort heweddi ng,
Khul aniwant edtoaski ft heysawamanwal ki
ng
aroundwi t
ht hechi l
dori ftheydidsawacardr i
ving
tot heforest.Hewenti nsidethehousewher ea
groupofmenwer e,eatingmeat .Heaskedbut
ever yonesaidno, hewor eahoodi ebecausehedi d
notwantpeopl etonoticehi m.Hedeci dedtowal k
straighttothef orestbuti twasdar k,verydark.He
sawat orchlightcomi nghi swayandst opped,he
gotv erynervousandhi dbehi ndahuget r
ee.He
hear dfamili
arv oicesbuthewasst il
labi tskepti
cal
tocomeout ,thev oi
ceswer enearhim, i
twasKgosi
andMpho.
Khul
ani
:"Youscar
edme,
yougoodnow?
".
Kgosi
:"If
eel
bet
ter
".
Khul
ani
:"Howi
sMapul
e?"
.
Mpho:"Theyt
ookhert
othehospi
tal
,Bar
uti
stabbed
her
".
Kgosi
:"Iknowwher
ewear
egoi
ng,
fol
l
owme"
.
Kgosit
ookt
hem towherehewast
akent
olastt
ime,
ther
ewasnothi
ngther
e.
Mpho:
"Whati
sthi
sCav
efor
?".
Khul
ani
:"Theytooky
ouher
elastt
imet
hinki
ngt
hat
youar
eNsika,I
'
m goi
ngi
n".
Kgosi
:"Ther
eisnot
hingher
e,don'
tgoi
n".
Khul
ani
:"Wehav
etosear
ch,
Nsi
ka!Nsi
ka"
.
Hetookt
hetor
chlighti
nMpho'shandandgotinsi
de
t
hecave,
Kgosicouldnotl
ethi
m goalone,
they
f
oll
owedhim.
Kgosi
:"St
op!
".
Ther
ewasahugesnakei
nsi
dethecav
e,t
hey
coul
dn'
tmov
ebecauseoff
ear.
Theyal
lranaway
.
Mpho:"Youhavesomanyprobl
emsnow, don'
tyou
t
hinky
oushouldconsul
twi
thatradi
ti
onal
person".
Kgosi
:"Our
sdi
ed,
wecan'
ttr
ustanout
sider
".
Mpho:"Butnowanout
sideri
swhatyouneed,al
low
metotakeyoutot
hetr
aditi
onal
per
son,t
hisisnot
r
ight
".
Kgosi:
"No,thatper
sonhastobeappointedbyour
ancest
ors,
wehav etoi
ntr
oducethatpersonto
them".
Khul
ani
:"Butnowwedon'
thavet
imefort
hat
,achi
l
d
i
sindangerandwehav
etofi
ndNsika"
.
Kgosiwasagai
nstitbutfrom t
heforestt
heywalked
tothet
radi
ti
onalhealer
shouse,theyweresoaki
ng
wetanditwassti
lldarkoutsi
de,t
heywokeherup.
Mpho:"Mme,
myf
ri
endsher
eneedy
ourhel
p,ur
gent
hel
p".
Shel
ookedatt
hem.
Mpho:
"Thi
sisMmeMot
lat
si"
.
MmeMot
lat
si:
"Ist
hisKgosi
?".
Theyl
ookedateachot
herandgenodded.
Hewel
comedt
hem t
oherancest
ral
house.
MmeMot
lat
si:
"Taket
hist
owel
".
Shetookherpackofbonesandstar
tedspeaki
ngto
herancest
ors,
shethenaskedKgositobl
owinside
thebag.
MmeMotlat
si:
"Yoursonandy
ourgr
andsonar
e
mi
ssi
ng"
.
Theynodded.
NmeMot l
atsi
:"Someonedidaverybadthi
ngt
o
yourgr
andf
athersgr
aveKgosi
,youruncl
e-"
.
Kgosi
:"Idon'
thav
eanuncl
e,myf
atherwasanonl
y
chi
ld"
.
MmeMot latsi:"Lies,youhav eanuncl ewhoi solder
thanKgosi gale, wheny ourgr andf atherdied,your
fatherrefusedt ocont i
nuet her oy allegacy,he
want edtobet heChi efinsteadandr efusedtowear
theroyal protectionnecklacebecauseheknewt hat
hewasnott her i
ghtfulheirtot het hrone,your
grandfatherandKgosi galedeci dedt okeepi ta
secretandnev ert al
kabouty ouruncl ebecausehe
wasaccusedoft hemostt erriblet hi
ng, youruncl
ei s
therootofy ourpr obl
ems" .
Khul
ani
:"ButBar
uti
ist
heonecausi
ngal
lthi
s".
MmeMot l
atsi
:"Barut
iisthemessenger,Bar
utii
s
nothi
mself
,heiscont
roll
edbywhaty ouruncl
eis
doi
ngtohim,t
hatmani sjustawal
kingdead,Barut
i
di
edlongago"
.
Kgosi
:"Idon'
tknowmyuncl
e,wher
ecanIf
indhi
m?"
.
MmeMot l
atsi
:"Thetr
uthi
s,t
hatmanismor
ethan
j
ustanuncl
etoyou,goyouwil
lfi
ndhi
m".
Khul
ani:
"Ifwef
indhi
m, t
hatmeanswehav
etogi
ve
hi
m backwhati
shis?
".
MmeMot latsi
:"No,yourancestor
schoset her
ight
personf
orthet hr
oneandtherightpersonto
conti
nuethelegacyt
hatKgosigalebroke"
.
Khul
ani
:"Whoi
sthatper
son?
".
MmeMot
lat
si:
"Yourbr
other
".
Khul
ani
:"Nsi
ka?
".
Kgosi
:"Nsi
kai
sal
i
ve?
".
MmeMot lat
si:"Goandmakepeacewi t
hyouruncl
e,
yourancestorsarever
ystrong,Ican'
tgi
veyou
anythi
ng,onlythem wi
llpr
otectyou".
Khul
ani
:"ButNsi
ka,
wher
eishepl
easet
ell
me"
.
MmeMot
lat
si:
"Hei
swi
thhi
sel
der
s,saf
e".
Theylef
tthepl
acebutt
heyfeltt
heydidnotgethel
p
becauseshedi
dnottel
lthem whotheuncl
eis.
Kgosi
:"Mpho,yourmot
herwaspr esentwhenIwas
bor
n,mymot herdi
edi
nfrontofher".
Mpho:"Yesshesay
ssowhat
'sup?Whatdi
dMme
Motl
atsi
say?"
.
Kgosi
:"Ineedt
oseey
ourmot
hernow,
Iknowi
t'
s
l
atebut-
".
Mpho:
"I'
m sur
eshewon'
tmi
ndi
fwewakeherup"
.
Theywal
kedt
oMpho'
shouse,
hismot
heropened
fort
hem.
Mpho:
"Iwi
l
lgot
aket
hecar
,I'
mti
redofwal
ki
ng"
.
Kgosi
:"Okay
..
.Hel
l
oMmeIam sor
ryt
owakey
ou
up"
.
Mpho'
sMother
:"Youdon'
tknowhowhappyi
was
whenMphosai
dyouareback".
Kgosi
:"Iam al
sohappyt
obeback,
MmeIhav
e
questi
onsandwedon'thaveti
me.Youwer et
her
eat
homeal mostal
lyourl
i
fe,doesf
atherhav
ea
brot
her?".
Mpho'
sMot
her
:"Doy
ouneedt
ea?
".
Kgosi
:"Nopl
ease-
".
Khul
ani
:"Yespl
ease"
.
.
.
.
.

Mpho'sMot
her:"Ther
ey ougo,
youwi
l
lhel
p
your
selv
eswit
hsugar".
Khul
ani
:"Thanky
ou"
.
Kgosi
alsot
ookhi
s.
Mpho'sMot her
:"Thenewsareall
overthev i
ll
age
thatyourf
atherdi
edandMphot el
lsmet hatnota
singl
epersonhascomet opayt
heirr
espect".
Kgosi
:"May
bei
t'
sbecausei
tisr
aini
ng"
.
Mpho' sMot her
: "Everyonelovedandrespected
Kgosigalebutwhent hef i
reeruptedi
nt he
chieft
aincyancest r
alroom ev er
yonestart
edasking
questions,youknowKgosi Iwasworkingforyour
grandfatherbeforehedi ed,Iknewmostofhi s
secrets".
Kgosi
:"Pleasetel
lmeaboutmyuncl
e,i
tisv
ery
i
mportantthatIfi
ndhi
m".
Mpho'sMother
:"Hewasbani
shedandt
akenaway
f
rom ever
yone"
.
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m sor
ryt
oint
err
upty
oubutwhatdi
dhe
do?"
.
Mpho'sMot her:"Hei ni
tiatedinther i
veratav er
y
youngagel i
key ourbrotherNsi ka,hewast he
chosenonebyt heancest ors,yourgrandfat
herhad
tostepdownsi ncet herewasachosenone, your
uncl
ef oughthi
sf athertost epdownandchaos
star
tedintheroy alhousehol d.EveryonesaidYour
uncl
ewasdi srespect f
ul.Hedeci dedt oleav
ebut
yearsl
aterhecamebackbecauset heancestors
wantedhi m backhome, hecamebackwi tha
gir
lf
riendwhowaspr egnant
,onthenightwhenhe
camebackt heancestorswell
Ibel
ievethati
twas
theancestorswhopuni shedhim.Hehadaf ightwi
th
hisfatherandmi st
akenlyst
abbedhispregnant
gir
lf
riend".
Kgosi
:"Di
dshemakei
t?"
.
Mpho'
sMot
her
:"No,
butt
hechi
l
dli
ved"
.
Kgosi
:"Hewasbani
shedwi
thhi
schi
l
d?"
.
Mpho'sMot
her
:"No,
hischi
l
dissi
tt
ingr
ighther
ein
f
rontofme"
.
Kgosi
:"What
?".
Mpho'sMot her:"Kgosi,Kgosigalei
snotyourfat
her
,
theybanishedy ourfatherandt ookyouawayfrom
him.Yourf atherisMmusi Mothupiwhonowcal l
s
himselfMoeket si,t
heheal eracrosst
heforest
".

TOBECONTI
NUED
.
.
.
Li
ke
Shar
ethepage
Lot
sofLov
e
[
3/8,
14:
38]Ly
nne:
TheZondoBr
other
s
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inuat
ionofanEpi
l
ogue

ReadTheZondoBr
other
sEpi
l
ogueFI
RST
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Kgosi
:"Myf
atheri
sKgosi
gal
e!"
.
Mpho'sMother
:"Kgosi galelov
edandrai
sedyoubut
heisnoty
ourfather!YoursonNsikaini
ti
atedatt
he
ri
verj
ustl
ikehi
sgr andfatherMmusi"
.
Khul
ani
:"Ifhei
shisf
atherthenwhywoul
dhehar
m
hi
sfamil
y?Hisonl
yson?".
Mpho'
sMot
her
:"Idon'
tknowbutKgosi
hei
syour
f
ather
".
Kgosif
eltl
ikehi
swhol
eli
fewasscr
ambl
i
ngr
ighti
n
fr
ontofhim.
Kgosi
:"Myf
atheri
sKgosi
gal
e!"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wher
ecanwef
indhi
m?"
.
Kgosi
:"Iam notf
all
i
ngf
ort
hesel
i
es"
.
Mpho'
sMot her:
"Mphowillshowy
ou,
hel
i
vesi
nthe
f
armsjustaft
erthef
orest
".
Khul
ani
:"I
'
m goi
ngt
her
ewi
thorwi
thouty
ouKgosi
".
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
No!
".
Mpho'sMot
her
:"Wai
tforMphot
ogi
vey
ouwar
m
cl
othes"
.
Mphocameandgav ethem clothes,
Kgosifi
nal
ly
agreedtocomewiththem, atleastMphofet
cheda
car.Kgosi
wasveryanxious,hisanxiet
ywasallover
.
Itwasthemorni
ng,verycleartosee.
Khul
ani
:"Iseet
hehouse"
.
Mpho:
"That
'
swher
ewear
egoi
ng"
.
Khul
ani
:"Wowi
t'
sav
eryexcl
udedpl
ace"
.
Kgosi
:"Justdr
iveMpho"
.
Theydr
ovet
oMrMoeket
si'
shouse,
hepar
kedi
nsi
de
theyard,
andMrMoeket
sisawt
hem andwai
ted
outsi
de.
MrMoeket
si:
"Mot
hupi
-"
.
Khul
ani
:"Maywecomei
n,pl
ease"
.
MrMoeketsinodded,hewasal sosur
pri
sedtosee
them,hewonderedwhyhi sancest
orsdi
dnotshow
himthatt
heywer ecoming.Hewelcomedthem i
n.
Theysatdown.
MrMoeket
si:
"WhatcanIhel
pyouwi
th?
".
Kgosi
:"Whydi
dyounotev
ent
ryt
ogethol
dofme?
".
MrMoeket
si:
"Excuseme?
".
Kgosi:
"Igrewupherebuty
oukeptyourdi
stance,i
f
youarereal
lymyfat
herwhydi
dn'
tyoueventryto
reachouttome?"
.
MrMoeket
si:
"Whot
oldy
out
hat
?".
Kgosi
:"Ar
eyoumyf
ather
?".
MrMoeket
si:
"Theybani
shedmeandt
ooky
ouaway
f
rom me"
.
Kgosi
:"That
'swhyy
ousentBarut
itodest
royusand
takemysonandmygrandchi
l
d?".
MrMoeket
si:
"Kgosi
gal
eand-
".
Kgosi
:"Wher
eismyson?
".
MrMoeket si
:"Iwi
llneverhar
my ouKgosi
,Your
grandf
atherandKgosigal
ebanishedme!
!Iam nota
badperson!"
.
Kgosi
:"Thenwhyarey oudoi
ngt
his?Youki
l
ledmy
fat
her
-Kgosigal
e!Ofcoursey
ouareabadperson"
.
Kgosi
wasangr
y,hur
tandf
eltbet
ray
ed.
Khul
ani:
"Pleaset
ell
uswher
eBar
uti
is,
hehasan
i
nnocentchi
ld"
.
MrMoeketsi
:"Ihat
edmyFat herandnotKgosi
gal
e,
herai
sedyouandgaveyouthelovethatmaybeI
wasn'
tgonnabeablet
ogiveittoyou".
Kgosi
:"Thenwhydi
dyouki
l
lhi
m?"
.
MrMoeketsi
:"Ididnot
,Bar
uticameherel
ooki
ngf
or
hel
p,hewantedtodest
royal
lofyou-
".
Kgosi
:"Andy
ousenthi
mtoki
l
lmyson?
".
MrMoeket si:"Iprotectedy ourson, ImadeBaruti
beli
evethathei sdead, Itooky oursontotheplace
whereIknowt hathewi l
lbesaf e.Heisanheirtothe
thr
one,nothingwi l
lhur thim andf orasl
ongasIam
ali
ve,KgosiIam noty ourenemy ,t
heancest
orsare
doingallt
his,theyev enbur nttheancestr
alhouse".
Khul
ani
:"ButBar
uti
iswor
kingf
ory
ou"
.
MrMoeket si: "IgaveBarutiwhatwil
lhel
phim buthe
decidedt ousei tother
wise,hecamehereandt ol
d
met hatmyt hi ngsdonotwor konhim andthatI'
m
fake-wai t
-ifBar utiworksforme,hewouldhav e
takenev erythingf r
om you,Igavehi
m wrong
medi ci
ne.Tel l mewhydi dmyher bsdidnotworkon
himi fhewor ksf orme?".
Kgosi
:"Becausey
ouar
eawi
tchj
ustl
i
kehi
m".

MrMoeketsi:
"Iprot
ect
edy
ouKgosiagainstt
hat
man,Iam t
heonewhomadesurethatyoudonot
bur
ninthatcar"
.
Kgosi
:"Dont
!"
.
Khul
ani
:"Showmewher
emybr
otheri
s".
MrMoeket
si:
"Fol
l
owme"
.
Hewal
kedwi
tht
hem t
othef
orestandt
othecav
e.
MrMoeket
si:
"Hei
sher
e".
Khul
ani
:"But
,ther
e'sahugesnakeher
e".
Kgosi
:"Donotpl
aygameswi
thus"
.
TheysawBar
uti
comi
ngwi
thachi
l
d.
Kgosi
:"Br
ingt
hechi
l
dher
e".
MrMoeket
si:
"Gi
vehi
mtome"
.
Bar
uti
gav
ethechi
l
dtoMrMoeket
si.
MrMoeket
si:
"Kgosi
thi
sisourt
imenow,
comewi
th
me,
comestaywit
hme".
Kgosi
:"What
?".
MrMoeketsi
:"Ihavebeentryi
ngallmyl
if
etoget
you,
towinyourheart
,takeyourki
dsandcomewit
h
me.Youaretheonlyfamil
yIhave"
.
Khul
ani
:"Gi
vememychi
l
d!"
.
MrMoeket
si:
"Hei
sinnocent
,Iki
l
ledmyownf
ather
outangerandhisshadowf ol
l
owsmeeverywher
eI
go,thischi
ldi
sinnocentandpur
e,hewi
l
lendall
my
problems".
Khul
ani
:"No,
pleasedon'
t"
.
Kgosi
:"Gi
veust
hechi
l
d!"
.
Mpho:
"Nsi
ka!Nsi
ka!
".
Hekeptrunni
ngaroundcal
l
ingNsi
ka'
sname,
hopi
ng
hemighthearhi
m.
Khul
ani
:"pl
easest
ophi
m!"
.
Kgosi
:"Iwil
ldoit
,Iwi
l
ldowhatyouwantmetodo
butpl
easeleav
emykids,
letmychi
ldr
engohome,
takeme,haveme".
.
.
.
.
MrMoeketsi
:"Youaremyson, Iwil
lnev
erhurty
ou
andyourchi
l
drenbutIam desper
atehere,
Ineed
thi
schi
ld"
.
Khul
ani
:"Pl
ease,
pleasedon'
tdot
his"
.
MrMoeket
si:
"It
ri
edwi
thy
oursonbuthei
stoo
st
rong"
.
BabyNt
andowascr yi
ng,
poorbaby,
hedidnoteven
knowwhatwasgoingon,Khul
anidi
dnotknowthat
hewoul
devercar
et hi
smuchforahumanbeing,hi
s
hear
twasachi
ngforBabyNtando.
Khul
ani
:"Kgosi
dosomet
hing,
please,
hewi
l
lhur
t
mychil
d".
Bar
uti
:"Youdeser
vet
hisKgosi
,Inev
erl
i
kedy
ou-
".
MrMoeket
si:
"Stopi
t!KgosiIam sor
ry,
Ilov
eyou,
youar
emychild,
myonlyfamily
".
Thet
ear
swer
erol
l
ingdown.
MrMoeketsi
:"Ihavetof
reemy
sel
f,i
fIdot
hisy
our
sonwi
l
lalsobef r
ee".
Hewenti
nsidet
hecav
ewiththebaby
,Khul
ani
f
oll
owedandtri
edt
ostophi
m, t
heybothwentback
whenapyt
honcameout.
MrMoeket
si:
"Ihavet ofr
eemyselffr
om him,
Itri
ed
t
ogiv
ehim Nsikabecausehei
nit
iatedonther
iver
j
ustli
kemebuther efusedhim becauseyoursoni
s
t
oostrong.Ihavehadthissnakeforyear
sbutnowI
wanttofr
eemy sel
ffrom it
,for
givemeson".
Noonemov ed,t
hepy thonwasr i
ghttherei
nf r
ontof
them.Moeketsiwentinsidethecaveandcameback
withNsi
ka,hewasaliv ebuthelookedverythi
n.
Theywantedtogoandhughi m buttheygotnervous
ofthepyt
hon.MrMoeket sit
ookthebabyt othecave,
NoonesawhowKhul anirantohim,hesnatchedthe
chil
dfr
om hishands.
Khul
ani
:"Mphotakethechi
l
dbackhome,
pleaser
un
anddon'
tl
ookback"
.
MrMoeketsi:
"Whatareyoudoing?Doyouknow
whatyouhavedone?Yourbrot
herwil
lhav
etoli
ve
wi
thitfort
herestofhi
sli
fe"
.
Hel
ookedatNsi
ka.
Kgosi
:"Nsi
ka-
".
Nsi
ka:
"Iam l
i
kehim,Ihav
etol
i
vewi
thi
t,goback
homeiwi
ll
befine"
.
Kgosi
:"Wehav
etoki
l
lit
".
Moeket
si:
"Thi
sneedsf
leshf
ori
ttodi
sappear
".
Nsi
ka:
"Don'
twor
ry,
justgobackhome,
Iwi
l
lbef
ine"
.
Khulanil
ookedathi
sbrotherandhecouldnot
control
himsel
f,hecr
iedandslowlymovedtothe
cave.
Nsi
ka:"Khul
ani
whatareyoudoi
ng?Youar
enotl
i
ke
me,t
histhi
ngwil
lki
l
lyou"
.
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
stopi
t!Comebackher
e,pl
easet
ake
myhand".
Heshookhi
shead.
Khul
ani:
"Ican'
tst
andt
oseemybr
othersuf
fer
,Iam
sor
ry,
Iam fr
eei
ngyout
oday
".
Kgosi
:"Khul
ani
No!
".
Hewenti
nsidethecaveandthepy
thonfol
l
owed.
Thel
astt
hingtheyheardwer
eKhulani
'
sscreams.
MrMoeket
si:
"It
'sov
er,
wear
ebot
hfr
ee,
comewi
th
meKgosi
".
Kgosi
:"Youar
eoutofy
ourmi
nd!
".
Hej
umpedont
ohi
m andpunchedhi
m sev
eral
times,
Moeket
sidi
dnotfi
ghtback,
Kgosiwasfur
ious,
he
t
ookastoneandstampedhim wi
thi
t.
Nsi
ka:
"St
op!St
opi
t!
".
Kgosi
mov
edback,
Moeket
siwasnotmov
ing.
Bar
uti
:"Whatdi
dyoudot
hatf
or?
".
Kgosi
tookasmallwoodont
hegr
oundandst
abbed
hi
m onhist
hroat
.
Kgosi
:"Gohome"
.
Theyheardthepolicecoming.Nsi
kasatdownwit
h
Kgosi.Theywonder edwhocall
edthepol
ice,
when
thepoli
cecamet heywerewi t
hNoma, Amoand
Mpho'smot her
.
Noma:
"Nsi
ka,
Mybaby
".
Pol
iceoff
icer
:"OhLor
d,Mot
hupi
whathappened
her
e?".
Nsi
ka:
"Mybr
otheri
sinher
epl
easef
indhi
m".
Whent
hepol
i
cewenti
nNsi
kast
oppedt
hem.
Nsi
ka:
"Ther
eisahugesnakei
nher
e".
Noma:"Whati
sKhul
ani
doi
ngwi
tht
hesnakes?
Wher
eismyson?"
.
Pol
i
ceoffi
cer
:"Cal
lthesnakescat
cherandan
ambul
ance"
.
Hedi
rect
edt
oot
herpol
i
ceof
fi
cer
s.
Pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
:"Whoki
l
ledt
hem?
".
Kgosi
:"Idi
d".
Pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
:"Mot
hupi
thi
sisav
eryser
iouscr
ime"
.
Kgosi:"mysonwasmi ssi
ngformonthsandyoudi
d
notfi
ndhi m andnowthatIhavefoundhi
m and
foughthiski
dnappersyouaretel
li
ngmethatthi
sis
aseriouscri
me?Ar r
estmet hen"
.
Theof
fi
cershookhi
shead.
Aft
ersomet i
meanambulancecameandt he
paramedi
cstookcar
eofNsika,
thesnakecatchers
gotbusysear
chi
ngfort
hesnakeinsi
dethecav e.
Themancameout .
Him:"Therei
sar i
verdeepi
nsi
dehere,wewil
l
conti
nuesearchi
ngunti
lwefi
ndthesnakeandthe
missi
ngperson".
NomaandAmower ecr y
ing,Kgosi
toldt
heoffi
cer
aboutthebodyint
heirhouse,MmeMot hupi
'sbody
.
Kgosiwastakenbythepoliceandthebodi
eswere
takenbythepeopl
efrom themorgue.
Noma:"WhenKhul
ani
get
sback,
wear
egoi
ngback
home"
.
Nsi
ka:
"I'
m notgoi
ng,
myl
i
fei
sher
enow"
.
Mphocameaf
tert
hem.
Mpho:
"I-Khul
ani
-"
.
Noma:
"Br
inghi
m her
e".
Amo:
"I'
m sur
ehei
shungr
y".
Nsi
ka:
"Whoi
sthechi
l
d?"
.
Noma:
"Ity
ourBr
other
schi
l
d".
Nsi
ka:
"Khul
ani
hasachi
l
d?"
.
Noma:
"Yeswi
thMapul
e".
Nsi
ka:
"Br
inghi
m her
e".
Hetookhim andl
ookedathi
m,hesmi
l
edand
whi
spered.
Nsi
ka:
"Thef
utur
elooksbr
ighti
nyourey
es"
.
Nsi
kast
oodup.
Nsi
ka:"Mphopleasegetev
ery
oneandst
artbui
l
ding
t
heancest
ralhouse"
.
Mpho:
"Ther
ainhasst
opped,
Iam oni
t"
.
Nsi
ka:"Iwanti
ttobebuil
tevenatni
ght
,Iwanti
tto
bedonebytomorrowaf
ternoon"
.
Noma:
"Nsi
ka-
".
Nsi
ka:
"Mom Iam t
aki
ngbackt
het
hrone"
.
Noma:
"Ast
hechi
ef?
".
Nsi
ka:
"No,
theKi
ng"
.
Noma: "That
'
saverybi
gti
tl
e,y
ourf
atheri
sinj
ail
,
youneedtowaitf
orhi
m".
Nsika:
"Theancest
orsar
ewi
thhi
m,hei
scomi
ng
backhometoni
ght"
.
.
.
.
AsNsi
kapr
edi
cted,
Kgosi
camebackhome.
Kgosi:"Idon'tknowhowithappenedbutthepol
i
ce
off
icerdecidednottopr
esschargesagainstme"
.
Nsika:"It
'st
heancest
ors,IhaveaskedMphoto
gatherthebui
lder
sandstartbui
ldi
ngtheancest
ral
house".
Kgosi
:"Okay,
fat
her
sbodyi
scomi
ngt
hissi
de
tomor
row".
Noma:
"AndKhul
ani
?".
Kgosi
:"Theyar
est
il
li
nthatcav
e,oht
hat
'smy
phoneri
ngi
ng".
Hewentoutt
oanswerhi
sphone,
hecamebackwi
th
adr
awnface.
Kgosi
:"Mapul
edi
dnotmakei
t"
.
Amo:
"OhmyGod"
.
Noma:
"Thr
eepeopl
ehav
edi
edi
nthi
sfami
l
y".
Kgosi:"i
t'
sfour
,wehavet
opr
epar
eafuner
alf
or
fourpeopl
e,Moeket
sii
saMot
hupi
".
Nsi
ka:
"Theancest
ral
housewi
l
lbedoneby
t
omor
rowni
ght
".
Kgosi:"Ihavetov
isi
tthel
ocal
r adi
ostat
iont
hey
havebeencal l
i
ngme,thef
uneralwil
lbeon
Thursday".
Amo:
"ButKhul
ani
isnother
e".
Kgosi
:"Hewi
l
lcomebackhome"
.
Themunicipal
it
yof f
eredtohelpt
heMothupiwith
thef
uneral
, Mapule'
sfamil
yalsocame,i
twasav ery
sadfuner
al wi
thlotsofpeopl
eandjour
nali
sts.
Kgosi
:"I
t'
sal
ldone"
.
Nsi
ka:
"Br
ingt
hebabyher
e".
Hetookasmallbr
acel
etandputi
tar
oundbaby
Nt
ando'shand.
Kgosi
:"Whati
sthi
s?"
.
Nsi
ka:"Heistheonewhowil
lcar
ryt
heMot
hupi
l
egacyforaveryl
ongt
ime"
.
Kgosi
smi
l
ed.
Kgosi
:"Nsi
kaIam sur
eyouhav
eseeni
t,wi
l
lwef
ind
Khul
ani?
".
Nsi
ka:"Idon'
tthi
nkt
hatIwi
l
lbeabl
etol
i
vewi
thout
hi
m".
Kgosi
:"Whatdoest
hatmean?
".
Nsi
ka:"I
tmeans,t
akecareoft
hatbaby
,thef
utur
e
l
ooksbri
ghti
nhiseyes"
.
Kgosi
:"ButNsi
kay
ouar
enotanswer
ingmy
quest
ion"
.
Nsika:"Thatsnake..
.whenMoeket sii
nit
iat
edinthe
ri
verthatwast hesnakehecameoutwi t
h,itwashis
guardianbutwhenhef ai
ledtodohisduti
es,i
t
turnedagainsthi
m.ThatsnakeneededaMot hupi
fl
eshandbl oodtof r
eei t
selff
rom t
hatcaveandfor
Moeket si
tobef reefrom it
.Ihavemyownguar di
an
that'
swhyi tdi
dnott ouchme" .
Hest
oodupandl
efthi
m.
Noma:
"Thepol
i
cear
eher
e".
Kgosi
:"Amot
aket
hechi
l
d".
Shet
ookhi
m upst
air
s.
Noma:
"Of
fi
cert
ell
mey
ouf
oundmyson"
.
Het
ookof
fhi
shatandsatdown.
Pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
:"Hewasf
ound"
.
Kgosi
:"Wher
eishe?
".
Nsi
kawasst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
,heknewwhatwas
goi
ngon.
Pol
iceof
fi
cer
:"Iam sor
rybuty
oursondi
dnotmake
i
t"
.
Foramomentt her
ewassil
enceintheroom.The
Si
lencewasbrokeoutbyNomalanga'
sscreams,she
cri
edver
yloud.Amocamer unni
ngdownst ai
rs.
Amo:
"Wher
eisKhul
ani
?".
Nooneresponded,t
heirsi
lencesai
dital
l
,shebr
oke
downintears.Nsi
kajustwentout.
Pol
iceof
fi
cer:
"Mothupiyoucancomewi
thusj
ust
tomakesurei
fit
'
sreal
lyhim".
Kgosi coul
dnotevenstandupbuthet r
ied,hehadt
o
best r
ongforAmogelangandKhulani'
smot her.
Laterhecameback, i
twashim.Khulaniwasno
mor e.Themostsaddestthi
ngwast hattheyhada
funeraloff
ourpeopl
eandnowt heywi l
lhave
anotherf
uneral
.Itwasver
ysouri
nthehouse,
Amo
l
ockedhersel
finherroom,Nomadidnotwantto
tal
ktoanyone.
Mpho'
sMot
her
:"Af
tert
hef
uner
alt
heywi
l
lfeel
bet
ter
".
Kgosi:
"Ihavesuff
eredenough,Imi
sshim al
ready
,
hewast hemostarr
ogantpersonev
erbutImiss
that
".
Theyarrangedthefuneral
veryfast,people
sympathizedwiththeMothupi f
amily,Khulani
'
s
funer
alwasv erysad,i
tbecameev enmor esadwhen
peoplewer eshownbabyNt ando.Khulani'
sbeauti
ful
pict
urewasmadei nahugef rame,hewasav ery
handsomeboy .
Pastor:"Befor
eweproceed,
thi
syoungladywi
llr
ead
theselett
ersfr
om Khul
ani
'swif
eandtheonefr
om
hisbrother
".
"Khul
ani
,MyKhulani
,wemetatawr ongtime, i
ttook
youti
metogettoknowmeandInev erwantedt o
knowyoubecauseofyourar
rogance.Iknewt hat
deepdownyouareagoodper son,
Icanwr it
eabook
abouty ou.Ev er
yonecal l
smeAmobuty ouar ethe
onlyoneexceptf ormygr andfatherwhocal ledme
Amogel ang, nomat terhowangr yy ouwer eatmebut
Iwasst il
l yourAmogel ang.Wegotmar riedatav ery
youngageandy ougav emel ovet hatIdon' tthi
nkI
willevergetf r
om any oneelse,Imi ssy ou,whydi d
youl eav emesosoon?Idon' twantt ocrybecauseI
knowt haty ouhat edittoseemehur tbutIcan'thelp
i
t.WhenBabyNt andof ir
stcameher ey out oldme
thathav i
ngababydoesnotmeany ouwi lll
oveme
anyl ess, Ipromisetol ovehim andt akecar eofhim
forasl ongasIl i
ve.IloveyousomuchKhul ani
.
Sl
eepwel
lmyLov
e,YourAmogel
ang"
.
.
.
Therewassil
enceinthechur
ch,
theyt
ookNsi
ka'
s
l
etterbutNsi
kastoodup.
Nsi
ka:
"No,
Idon'
tneedal
ett
er"
.
Hewentandst
oodnextt
oKhul
ani
'
scasket
.
Nsi
ka:
"Br
other
,Ev
ery
oneusedt
osaywear
etwi
ns
butyouwoul
dtel
lthem thaty
ouar
enotmytwi
n
becausey
ouaremor ehandsomet
hanme"
.
Hel
aughedal
i
ttl
eandpeopl
elaughed.
Nsika:"Wegr ewupt ogetheranddideveryt
hing
togetherev
ent houghsomet imesyouwoul dmake
mewashdi sheswheni twasy ourt
urn,
y oualways
hady ourwaysofblackmai l
ingme".
Peopl
elaughedagai
n.
Nsi ka: "Ican'
tbelievet hatI '
m st andingheretoday,
wehadpl ansanddr eams, wewentt hroughal otand
ther ewasnev erasi ngl et imewher ewet urnedour
backsoneachot her,y eswehadourdi f
ferencesas
siblingsbutt hosedi ffer encesdi dnotdivideus.In
youIhadabi gbr otherbutmost l
yIhadaf at
her.You
wer et hemostcar i
ngandl ov i
ngper sonev ertome,
somet imesy ouwoul ddot hingsbehi ndmyback
thinkingt hatyouar epr ot ecti
ngmeandIhadt o
pret endl i
keIdon'tseei t .Icangoont hewhol eday
abouty ou.IfIli
stenedt oy oumay bey ouwoul dsti
ll
beher e,youwant edt ol eav eev eryt
hingandgoback
home, lookingforourf at hert ooky ouawayf r
om me.
Ourf atherisherebutnowy ouaregone, shoul
dthat
makemehappy ?Youdiedtry
ingtopr otectmel i
ke
youal way sdid,
IloveyousomuchandIdon' tthi
nkI
willbeabl etoli
vewi t
houty
ou, y
ouhav eleftwit
hthe
otherpar tofme, youweremyl i
fe,Ifeelempt y
,I
don'tknowhowam Igoi ngtodot his,Khulaniwhy?-
why -"
.
Hebr okedownintotear
s,Kgosi
rushedtohi
m and
huggedhim.Thecer emonywasasuccesswithl
ots
oftearsandthecelebr
ati
onofKhulani
Zondo'
sLif
e.
RestI
nPeaceKhul
ani
Pul
aZondoMot
hupi
.

TheZondoBr
other
s.

.
.
.
.
.
Thr
oughoutt
heZondoBrot
her
sjour
neyyouguy s
hav
ebeensoamazing,
Thanky
ouforyoursupport
dar
li
ngs