CHAPTER 16
DZUNISANI MABASA

Maswabi has done a lot of things in the past,
but this one takes the ultimate cup. I stayed
up all night trying to understand how her
brain works, but it all comes back to her
being selfish and making everything about
her. I know she had a tough time growing up,
we all did but we deal with things and move
on. We do not go out of our way to make the
next persons life hard, in her case the person
is her own flesh and blood. Nyeleti did not cut
Maswabi so I don’t understand why she is
bleeding on her. You would think she’d want
to be better than those that gave birth to
her, but she’s being exactly like them, if not
worse.
I will do everything in my power to stop her
from trying to force Nyeleti into a
polygamous marriage. I know the hardships of
that set up, it’s the reason I fled to Chiawelo
in Soweto. My father had five wives, my
mother was the third. I don’t know why my
father decided to have many wives and
children when he couldn’t afford them. Out of
all of them my mother made ends meet and
we lived more comfortably than the other
households. They thought my father was
giving us all the money he made, but the man
gave us nothing and expected things from my
mother.
The other wives started calling my mother a
witch, saying she wants them and their
children to die of hunger so she can be left as
the only wife. Rumors spread like wild fire in
our village, everyone who was facing
hardships started blaming my mother and her
supposed witchcraft. Life was beginning to be
uncomfortable and my father didn’t bother
clearing the rumors started by his other
wives.
I was the oldest of three children so that
meant I had to take on more responsibilities
after my mother. She woke up sick one
morning and couldn’t make it to the market,
so I had to go stand in for her. My siblings
would stay behind and take care of her until I
came back later in the evening.
The entire time I was at the market I felt
uneasy; My spirit kept telling me that
something bad is going to happen, but I
pushed it to the back of my mind and focused
on how great business was that day.
I was packing the little that was left of the
fruits and vegetables and getting ready to go
home when Ahlulani came running. He was
out of breath, scared out of his mind. I
thought people were chasing after him but it
was the other way around, the villagers were
coming my way. Ahlulani told me that I had
to leave the village immediately because they
were coming to kill me. I couldn’t leave my
mother and siblings, I wanted to go back and
get them. My heart broke into a million pieces
when he told me that they burned my home
with my family inside. He said he couldn’t
save them because they were surrounding the
yard, chanting that witches must die.
I died a million deaths but I couldn’t cry in
that moment, a part of me didn’t believe
what he was telling me. We heard loud
singing approaching and his eyes begged me
to snap out of it and save my life. The other
hawkers pleaded with me to run because they
didn’t want to witness me being burned alive
over lies. They all contributed a little
something from their days profits and gave
me the money; One of the other ladies told
me to run to the neighboring village and find
her brother. She gave me directions and it
wasn’t hard for me to grasp it because I had
been there selling with mama before.
She told me to explain my situation to him
and ask that he takes me to Chiawelo with
them the next day.
I got to the village at night and I was right on
time; They were loading their things in the
boot. That’s how village people travel, you
cannot announce your arrival or departure
because they will work magic on you.
Everything must be done in secrecy.
Anyway, I explained to the man and his wife
everything that had happened and who sent
me to them. They were obviously shocked and
skeptical so they asked if I wouldn’t mind
them driving to his sister to verify the story. I
was okay with that so I got in the back of the
car and headed back to our village which was
faster with a car, and fortunately right on our
way to Chiawelo. We didn’t have to detour
and waste their patrol or time.
We got to his sisters place and she verified
my story and thanked them for being open to
helping me out. She asked them to assist me
in finding a little place to rent and show me
where to stock fruits and vegetables to sell so
I can make a living.
I personally asked that they drive past our
house so I can see for myself and they agreed.
Smoke was still coming out of what used to
be my home when we passed there, and it
broke my heart knowing that their remains
were still in there.
I won’t lie, life in Chiawelo wasn’t hard at all.
I had my little backroom and my business was
booming. Even so, my heart was still back
home. I thought of what I had lost everyday;
My mother and siblings, Ahlulani who I was
supposed to get married to. I wondered if the
other wives were now happy that their
rumors finally killed my mother. I wondered if
their husband was now a better provider and
head of their homes.
Maswabi was one of my biggest customers,
she bought things even when she didn’t really
need them. I liked her very much, she inspired
me because she lived life fully dispite her
condition. Somedays she would just stop by to
see how I’m doing and give me clothes and
household essentials. She started coming
around with little Nyeleti, my goodness that
chubby girl stole my heart immediately. She
was 2 years old and very naughty, I loved
seeing her and each time they came around
she would run to me. It was always tears
when they had to leave; Maswabi then offered
me a job to be her nanny and house helper. I
jumped at the opportunity and my life was
never the same again. God had blessed me
with another family and I was grateful, I will
always be.
Nyeleti has been the center of my universe
since the very beginning, I love that girl more
than anything in this world. I want what’s
best for her and Basetsana and I know that
polygamy isn’t it. They deserve better than
what that man is offering them; The fact that
his wife is pushing for it badly so soon after
finding out about them tells me it’s just a
disaster waiting to happen. I’m glad that
Naledi is not shaken by anything, not the
flowers or visits from the wife and sister. I
raised her to know her worth and I’m beyond
proud.

JIMMY KHAMBULE

I just got back from lunch with Thulisile, we
met to discuss which marriage counselor we
are going to use and how our marriage is
going to work from here onwards. She told me
that Naledi will live in the house I bought
when I was still cheating with her, that’s for
peace sake. I agreed but that will be up to
Naledi, If she wants another house I’d gladly
buy it for her.
We also agreed that once Naledi and I are
officially married and she has moved into her
house I’ll share my time equally between
them. I’ll spend two days with Thuli then go
to Naledi for another two days.
She personally asked that I be allowed to
celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other
important milestones with each wife
irrespective of whose day it is. Her last
request was that I don’t take another wife
after Naledi; I promised I wouldn’t, I didn’t
want two wives to begin with.
All that’s left now is to get Bubble on board
and tell my children.
My office phone rings and it’s my PA, she tells
me that minister Moletsane is here to see me.
My heart starts thumping against my chest;
have they reached a decision? I quickly get up
and tidy my desk because it’s always a mess, I
don’t want her judging me wrongly. Naledi
told me that her mother is a perfectionist, I
need to make the right impression on her.
A knock comes through the door, I go open for
her. I want the minister to see that I’m a
gentleman and I will treat her daughter like a
Queen. She gets into my office with her
motorized wheelchair and we exchange
greetings. I remove one of the chairs that’s
across from mine so she can park her
wheelchair. I round the table and settle down
on my leather chair.
“What would you like to drink?” I ask.
“A glass of ice water, please,” she says and I
nod, picking up the receiver from the cradle. I
ask my PA to bring ice water to my office.
“I guess you know why I am here,” I nod
vigorously.
“Yes, I have an idea. I’m just not sure if you’re
here to say what I pray you’ll say,” she
chuckles.
“You and my daughter really made a mess of
things. Your affair affected a lot of people,
myself included,” I swallow hard, causing my
Adam’s apple to bob like a monkey on a stick.
“I am sincerely sorry for that but if you need
to blame anymore, please blame me. Naledi
didn’t know about Thuli,” I can’t bare it when
people blame her for my mistake. Let them
crucify me all they want but she knew
nothing. Her only crime was falling in love
with me.
“I hear you Khambule and I accept your
apology because you want to make things
right,” I lean in, placing both elbows on the
desk.
“Thank you. I really love your daughter and I
would like to make her my wife,” she nods her
understanding.
“I think that’s a good thing. This marriage
night help my daughter grow and be
responsible. You’re a very matured man, you
can deal with her stubbornness and get her on
the right path,” I wouldn’t say Bubble is
stubborn, strong willed is the right word.
“Are you saying you are agreeing to me taking
her as a second wife?” she nods with a wide
smile and my heart is rejoicing. This is the
best news ever.
“Thank you so much. I promise you will not
regret it, I will give Naledi and Basetsana the
best life,” she narrows her eyes.
“You don’t have to worry yourself about
Basetsana. She will visit you and Naledi from
time to time but she’s my responsibility,” I
just nod but knowing Naledi, she will not
agree to leaving her daughter behind.
“Thank you so much, Minister,”
She heaves a sigh, “You’re going to have to
work hard in making sure that Naledi is happy
and gets on board. This whole thing is
happening against her will, she doesn’t want
polygamy. I’m agreeing because I can see that
this is what she needs, what’s best for her.
Your actions will have to prove me right,”
that took a sudden turn.
I don’t want them to force Bubble into
anything, I want her to want to be my wife.