2010

Teboho:

“Ma’am, I’m here to collect work for Gwen Seete.” I say as I enter the last classroom that Gwen would have attended today. This has been me all day, going to Gwen’s educators and collecting work for her until her home-schooling program is finalized. It doesn’t really affect me because I do this during my school breaks and after school. 
The teachers have not been nasty, shame. If anything, they’ve been extremely cooperative and going beyond the call of duty. Some have even been giving me videos of the lessons for Gwen to watch and study with. 
Maboko told me that Gwen struggles with physics. When I can, I sit and attend her physics classes. So, like when I have physical education, for example, I attend the grade nine physics class and they let me. I take notes for her and ask questions where I’m confused, then I talk Gwen through the work. It’s a benefit for me because I’m learning grade nine physics already. 

After Miss Chabedi gives me work and the class video, I say thank you and pack everything into my bag. 
“When will Gwen be back?” She asks me. 
“I don’t know, ma’am. You’d need to ask her parents”. I say. 
“I see. So, this thing between you and Maboko must be very serious if you are trusted to be collecting Gwen’s work for her”, she says. 
Clearly the teachers here like to gossip. 
“Ma’am, I’m just trying to do something nice for a fellow schoolmate who is going through a rough time. I don’t understand how that’s considered to be a reflection on my relationship with my boyfriend”. 
“Do your parents know about this relationship?” 
“Do your parents generally know about your relationships?” 
She’s taken aback by my response. 
“Miss Chabedi, why does every educator in this school feel the need to address their concerns about my relationship every time they see me? I do my work. I’m one of the top grade eight students in this school – probably comfortably at number one of the entire grade eight class. If my schoolwork is not affected in any way, I don’t understand how anything outside of my studies is any of your business. I’m one of the top netball players in this school too. I do everything that is asked of me and I do it well – rising above all the students that you should actually be worried about and be having these uncalled-for meetings with. Why won’t you all just leave me alone?”
“Babe, I’ve been looking everywhere for you”, Maboko walks in and says. Miss Chabedi is suddenly tense. So, I get the shit because my parents are not paying their salaries? The Mabokos of the world just walk in and their presence is felt. 
“Mr Seete, school is not over for you”, Miss Chabedi says. 
“Miss Chabedi, I’m on break. I’ve come to check up on my girlfriend. But I see I’ve come at the right time because everyone and their aunt is harassing her. Is there something you’d like to say to me, Miss Chabedi?” 
“No, Mr Seete. There’s nothing that I’d like to say to you.” She says. 
“So, you just want to talk to my girlfriend and not me? Yet the conversation is clearly about me as well.” 
She is silent. 
“Ma’am, I’m getting tired of the constant harassment. In my opinion, this is actually defamation of character and maybe it’s time I started involving legal support in this whole mess.” 
Silence. 
“Babe, are you ready to go?” Maboko then says to me. 
I nod my head, take my bag and we leave the classroom. 
What just happened?! 
With the “voetseks” that my mother throws at students in her classroom, this is a completely foreign concept to me. But hey, welcome to the world of the elite, right? 

“Are you okay, baby?” He asks me as he walks to where the meter taxi will be waiting for me. 
“I’m find. I just don’t understand why all these educators are so concerned about our relationship. It’s really getting frustrating now. Maboko, they’ve sent me to the school’s psychologist.” 
“They what?!”
“Exactly.”
“They were serious about that shit?”
“My first appointment is tomorrow.”
“Why do they think dating me is so bad?” He asks me. 
“I don’t know. But anyway, let me get this work to Gwen. I’ll catch up with you later. I also need to study for a test that I’m writing tomorrow.” 
“Okay, baby. I also wanted to check if the schools have got back to you about Tiisetso?”
“No, we are still waiting.” I say. 
He nods his head. 
“I’ll see you later, babe. I love you”. 
We kiss. 

I get to the Seete home and there is a noise here. I’m not sure if I should walk in or wait outside until Maboko gets home. 
“Joe, this is my child. Refiloe is my child. I don’t understand why she can’t have peace in my house”. 
“In whose house, wena?! Refiloe is not my child and she will not benefit off the life that I’ve created for my children”. 
“It’s for a few days, Joe. She will go back to the UK after a few days. She’s just visiting. She doesn’t even need anything from you. Unlike Gwen-nyana the spoiled brat you call your daughter, she can more than manage herself and can maintain herself. She doesn’t need anything from you.”
“So why isn’t she staying in a hotel? Why is she inconveniencing me in my own house?”

I go back to the gate and start texting Maboko. I’m waiting outside until he gets home. 

“Babe, your parents are fighting. I’m scared of going inside.” 
He replies instantly and says, “I understand. I’ll get you a meter taxi to take you home. I’ll come get Gwen’s work from you when I’m done at school.”
“Okay. Sorry, babe.” 

“Hey”, a very beautiful girl with the most fascinating dimples I’ve ever seen greets me. 
I smile at her and say, “Hi”. 
“I’m Refiloe. I’ve seen your pictures in Maboko’s room. You must be Tebza, the legendary love of Maboko’s life.” 
I blush a bit. 
“Have you come to drop off Gwen’s work?” She asks me. 
“Yeah, but the adults are arguing and I’m a bit scared to just walk in there. Maboko said he will come pick up the work from me at home.” I explain. 
“You can come in, it’s not that deep.” She says. 
Yho! 
“It’s really okay. I’ll come back another day”, I say. I’m not walking in there.
“Come on”, she says, pulling my hand into the house. 

“Refiloe is pulling me into your house“, I text Maboko. 
“LOL!” That’s his response. 

We walk in and Maboko’s parents stop talking. They look at me. 
“Dumelang” I greet them. 
“Hello”. Mrs Seete. 
“I’ve brought Gwen’s work from school for today”, I say.
The dad smiles and says, “Thank you very much. You can go upstairs. She’s expecting you.” 
I practically speed walk out of the kitchen and run up the stairs. 
I knock on Gwen’s door then walk in after no response.
I find her lying on her bed, bleeding from her wrists. 
Bathung!
I scream because I don’t know what to do. In no time, her parents and Refiloe are next to me. They shove me out of the way and attend to Gwen. 
Refiloe looks at me and I look at her as Gwen’s parents fuss over Gwen, the dad carrying her to the car to rush her to the hospital. 
Mrs Seete is left in the bedroom shaking her head in disbelief. 

Maboko

We are in the school office with my attorney, my parents, our headmistress and Tebza. I feel bad for doing this to my parents because Gwen is on suicide watch at a hospital. They really have a lot on their plate and now I’ve dragged them here to come and fight my battles with my teachers who keep on defaming me every chance they get. 
But this is the story of my life. I feel bad for asking my parents to be parents because Gwen thinks about nobody but herself. I shouldn’t feel bad for asking my parents to be my parents, but Gwen thinks this is her world and we are all just breathing in it. 

“Is there a particular reason why your educators have had something defaming to say about my client to this young lady?” The attorney asks my head mistress. 
“We do apologise for that. The teaching staff has just been concerned about Miss Tlou being in a relationship with Mr Seete that seems to be extremely serious. She seems very detached from her peers and we think that she isn’t fully developing herself because of her commitment to Mr Seete.” Head mistress. 
“How does that draw back to my client being labelled as selfish, inconsiderate and a rich boy who has nothing to lose while Miss Tlou has everything to lose in this relationship?” 
“We apologise for that. And Mr Seete, we profusely apologise for that. I will have a word with my educators.” 
“I have one better. Please receive this letter. It’s a legal document that refrains your educators from ever speaking about my client unless it has something to do with his academic performance. Consider this a firm and final warning. My client will take legal action against anyone else who defames his character.” 
The headmistress looks at me as if this is all unnecessary. She accepts the letter from my attorney then we all leave her office. They’ve also agreed to let this therapy shit go. 

The day today flies by. We finish early this week because matrics have test week. We are able to leave early, and Tebza and I are able to drive together. It’s Friday and I don’t feel like going to see Gwen. I’m growing a resentment towards my sister that I don’t like. 

“Are you okay?” Tebza asks me as she climbs into the car. 
“I’m fine, baby. I want to go away for the weekend where I’ll be able to study and not deal with my parents and Gwen.” 
“Where do you want to go?” She asks me.
“Will you come with me?” 
She laughs then says, “Okay”. 
I kiss her then drive off. 

“I like Refiloe. She’s so nice”, she says.
“She is, isn’t she? I like her too. I’d love for her to live with us, but my dad is just so selfish. My mom had her before she met him. It’s not like she cheated on my dad. I don’t understand why he treats Refiloe like this and why he insists that Refiloe being our sister be kept as a secret from Gwen. You know, one day my dad is going to regret this bubble he builds and puts around Gwen. One day that bubble will burst and she will not be able to handle it. No one should ever be that removed from reality. Absolutely no one.” 
Her reaction is rather confusing.
She doesn’t say anything though, she just holds my hand. 
“Maybe Refiloe can come away with us.” She says.
This really makes me happy.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, why not? I’m keen”. She says. 
I smile at her then kiss her. 

…

Present Day

We see cars parking in our yard at our Nelspruit house. Then we see Ona, Khotso and Dise climb out of cars with Mohale in hand. Nothile is also here with them. I’m still confused about Gcina’s whereabouts. 
In the other car, morena and the queen climb out.
We meet them halfway outside and it’s just hugs upon hugs. Tebza just falls apart in Regodise’s arms. She’s really affected by this. I really wish she wasn’t the one who found Gwen. She really hasn’t been okay since we found Gwen hanging from the ceiling of her bedroom as if she is some slaughtered animal that is hanging from something while men drinking beer wait for the blood to stop gushing out of it None of us are okay, but she’s beginning to worry me. 

“I’m so sorry, my man” Ona says to me. 
We just hug each other and for some reason, I fall apart as well. Khotso and Ona just hold me. Then I see their mother just hold me as well. It’s a well-needed motherly hug. 
We head into the house and Refiloe is already making food for everyone. I’m so happy that she’s here. My dad tried to be weird and I told him that this is my property. Refiloe stays. Period. He’s too old to be having issues with a child.

“Fifi, how are you baby girl?” Aunt Kea asks her. 
“Ke shup, mama. How are you?” 
“I’m good. It’s good to see you. I’m glad you are here.” 
“Thank you.”
“Where’s Mason?” 
“He’s taking a nap. But he will be up soon”, Refiloe explains to the queen. 

Tebza is already setting up and getting morena ready to get in front of the camera and address the people of Tholoana Kingdom. 
In no time, he is sitting on a couch with a with a black backdrop behind him. 
He is dressed in his black suit with animal skin trimmings. 
Tebza rolls the camera and he starts, while we all watch him behind the camera.

“My people of Tholoana Kingdom. 
I’m extremely saddened by everything that has been going on in our beautiful kingdom. My understanding is that nothing is considered the truth unless it comes from my office, from the office of my wife or from myself or my wife directly. When did you start taking the word of a journalist who doesn’t even have the decency to reveal who he or she is and set YOUR OWN COUNTRY ON FIRE?! HOW?!“

If his aim is to scare the shit out of people watching him from TV, he is succeeding. 

“You have set businesses and people alight. Is that how we behave? Is that how we negotiate our grievances? Especially when I have given you multiple platforms to access me or team, so that we can ensure that you are taken care of. You want money from us, but you burn down the source of income in which that money comes from? Now that you’ve looted and burned the means of income, where do you think money to pay you will come from?”

Tebza writes something on paper and flashes it at him. She basically wrote LESS BUSINESS MORE HUMANITY. LESS ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES AND MORE HUMAN LIFE AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONSEQUENCES.

He takes a deep breath and continues, “I’m most hurt by those who have taken it upon themselves to end people’s lives… to violate the human rights of people living in our kingdom. Have you no shame? And after that, I must ensure that you still get paid for breathing?”

Tebza gives him a look. Ja no, Tebza has a tough job. She has to control this man’s mouth? I feel for my wife. 

She writes again and flashes a board at him. This one reads ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE FOUND GUILTY AND THE STATE WILL BURY ALL THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THESE RIOTS. 

Morena says this then says, “We ask that the country goes into mourning with immediate effect. No business will run and no car will be identified on the road until the mourning period is over. We will maintain silence as the state honours the lives lost at the hands of ruthless criminals who took the law into their hands before giving the government an opportunity to confirm or deny senseless allegations made by an anonymous journalist. Let it be known, people of Tholoana Kingdom, that I will find the culprits of this mess. I will personally cuff you and deal with you. YOU WILL FEEL MY RAGE AND THAT IS A PROMISE. After everything that the Mohale ancestors did to secure stable lives for you despite international politics that most of you know nothing about! We make sure that you live comfortably in your ignorance and this is how you thank us? Perhaps I should start putting you in front of international leaders and you see for yourselves how your behaviour impacts other countries’ interest with us. If you had money, would you want to do business with hooligans such as yourselves?”

Hai hai hai! Tebza is ready to slap him. She puts up another board that she wrote on and it reads STOP! STICK TO PUNISHMENT AND NEXT STEPS! 

Morena then says, “But I will impose a less harsh sanction on those who turn themselves in at their nearest police station. To all the business owners who have suffered loss due to these riots, the state will ensure that you are adequately compensated. I plead that you forgive our people and that you never grow tired of uplifting our kingdom’s economy.  Please be in touch with my office as well as my wife’s office. We will coordinate this claim process ourselves.” 

…

Gwen’s coffin is loaded on a private aeroplane that morena organised. We get onto another plane together. All of us – the Seetes and the Mohales. 

The aeroplane ride back is silent and tense. We all just feel so cold and sad. Every woman has her head tucked into her partner’s shoulder. The kids are sitting together – Mason, Khabane and Mohale. They are aware of what’s happening, but they are not as affected by it – especially Mohale. 

When we land in Tholoana Kingdom, the army is waiting for us. They are already lined up next to Gwen’s coffin and they’ve put the Tholoana Kingdom flag over the coffin. We all come out of the aeroplane dressed in all black. Refiloe and I are given salutes by the army. Ntate stands next to us and is saluted too. Morena greets the leader here and says something to him. All of this is televised and dignified. A choir starts singing our national anthem then Ona, Khotso, Zithulele, Uncle Shaka, my father and I carry Gwen’s coffin. The ladies walk behind us. The army walks beside us. 

This funeral is beautiful and if I’m being honest, Gwen doesn’t deserve this kind of honour. She really doesn’t. But I’m grateful to my friends. I’m grateful to the Mohale family that they have showed up for my family and I, and they made sure that Gwen is buried with dignity – despite the manner in which she passed away. This is why I’m close with the Mohale twins. They are like brothers to me. They look out for me and they are always there for me. I know that people have experienced them differently – especially Ona because Khotso is more able to read the room than what Ona is – but they are beyond supportive to me and I’ll always be thankful. They’ve respected everything about me from when we were kids – I’ll always have brothers in them for that. 

We get to a mourning street where every elderly woman has a doek on and is sitting on the side of the road. Men have on hats and jackets, standing in respect of the coffins coming in. Children are sitting on the ground. Other coffins come into the road. I even notice one that has Linda’s picture attached to it. It stings me a bit. I do want to mourn for her, but Tebza is already giving me one hell of a look. We were not in a good place and I get that. But she didn’t deserve to die the way that she did. I saw the video and I had to lock myself up in my car, drive a few kilometres away from the house and just cry. I just feel heavy these days. It’s crazy. 

The army take over from all of us holding these coffins. Then they start singing and dancing on these streets with the coffins in their hands. There are over one hundred coffins here. When they see Regodise, they salute. I forget that she was once in the army. The prime minister goes to morena to greet him and the twins. When he gets to Regodise, Regodise is suddenly scared and she changes, hiding herself behind Tebza and Refiloe. I then see Ona pushing the prime minister away from Regodise – violently so. 

When we get to the cemetery, Regodise leads the army choir into song as the coffins go into the ground and the first batch of doves is released. This is beautiful. Then I see Tebza next to me, rubbing my back. Oh, I’m crying. I didn’t even notice. As soon as the coffins are all underground, the second batch of doves is released. Then, each soldier has a spade in hand, and they are closing up the wholes. The singing and dancing while this happens has invited the entire country to the cemetery or to their TV screens. It’s a powerful moment! This is magical. When done, three cages of doves are open and the scene that the doves create as they fly away is everything. 

We are at my mother’s house now for light refreshments. Aunt Kea organised for us to come back to this. Tebza’s mom and Tiisetso are also here. You know, with Aunt Kea around, I never feel like I don’t have a mother. She really has my back without even saying it. 

We eat and chill together while the kids play and their mothers fight them, wanting to shove food down their throats. Ona, Khotso, Zithulele and I are watching this so closely because we do want to see how this will end. The kids are practically laughing at their mothers. Then I hear a violent “VOETSEK” from Tebza’s mom and the entire scene ends. 
“Are you all crazy?!” She continues to shout at them. 
“Each of you, take your plates and eat. When I come back in here, I was those plates clean!” 
They grab their plates from their mothers and eat. The mothers look like they want to tell Tebza’s mom to not talk to their kids like that. Us men just find ourselves bursting into laughter. 
Nothile stands up and a blob of blood stains my couch and carpet. Everyone stares at her. She stares at the blood. She falls to the floor and sits in the blood. She uses her hands to try and bring the blood closer to her while crying. I see Tebza holding her stomach and Regodise going to Nothile and just hugging her. Ona, Khotso, Zithulele and I – numb and traumatized. The kids – traumatized. 

Nothile has been admitted in hospital. Zithulele and Letlali went inside with her. I’m now also getting Tebza checked out because it has been a rough couple of days. We are waiting for the doctor to come in and assist us. 
“I’m so exhausted”, Tebza says. 
She’s lying on some bed while I’m sitting on a chair next to the bed. Khabane is here with us. 
I hold her hand and say, “I know babe. But we need to take it easy for a bit now.” 
She nods her head. 
The doctor walks in and greets us. 
“How are you feeling, Mrs Seete?” The doctor asks us. 
“Exhausted.” She says. 
The doctor nods her head. 
“Any cramps you’ve been experiencing?” She asks Tebza with a concerned face. 
“Just the other day when my sister-in-law passed away.” Tebza says. 
The doctor makes some notes. 
“Anything else? Headaches? Loss of appetite?” 
“I eat well. I haven’t really had headaches, no.” 
The doctor makes notes again. 
“Okay, let’s check this baby out”, the doctor says. 

The doctor runs some object on her stomach. Tebza’s stomach is actually slightly swollen and I hadn’t even notice. The lights are off and the room is silent. 
“Look at that”, the doctor says. I have no idea what I’m looking at, but the smile on the doctor’s face secures me well. 
“Mrs Seete, you are actually four months and a week in. I don’t know if you want to know the gender or?” 
Teboho looks at me then says, “Would you like to know”. 
I nod my head and smile at her. 
“Yes please”, Tebza says. 
“Look at that strong and beautiful baby girl”. 
I could just cry right now.
We hold hands.
“Bane, look at your sister.” Tebza says.
“That’s not my sister. That’s like an alien.” Bane says and we laugh. 
“Come here, Bane”, the doctor calls him. 
Bane climbs off my lap and goes to the doctor. 
“This is her leg”, the doctor shows Bane on the screen. 
“And this is her head.” The doctor. 
“Wow. Why is she in my mommy’s tummy?” 
“God puts all babies in their mommy’s tummy so that mommy can feed the babies well and so that big brothers like you can just rub mommy’s tummy and talk to your sister as and when you want.” The doctor says. 
“Was I also in my mommy’s tummy?” 
“Yes, you were.” 
“But what if my sister falls with blood? I don’t want her to fall.” 
This child knows big things. Too big! 
“Where did you see that, Bane?” The doctor asks. 
“Auntie Nothile.” 
“Well, mommy has to look after herself. You and your dad must make sure that she rests a lot. If mommy can rest and not overwork herself, your sister will be just fine.” 
“I’ll make sure. Show me the present that she ordered for me from Jesus. Does she have it with her in my mommy’s tummy?” 
The doctor laughs and says, “She does, but she’s hiding it. She wants it to be a surprise.” 
This doctor deserves a tip for this. I don’t know how I would have answered these questions. Also, Bane asks way too many questions. 
“So, Mrs Seete, am I admitting you or am I trusting you and Mr Seete to ensure that you are on bed rest for the next two weeks?” 
“Two weeks?!” Tebza asks shocked. 
“I’m definitely admitting you”, the doctor. 
“No! Please, I’ll be on bedrest.” 
“Promise?” 
“Bane and I will make sure of it”, I say. 
The doctor smiles and is satisfied. 

We are all still waiting for Nothile in the waiting room. Mohale is fast asleep on Dise’s lap, resting his head on her chest. Khabane is dozing off on Teboho’s lap – his head is on her lap and his legs are spread across the chairs. Mason is in the same sleeping position as Bane, but his head rests on Refiloe’s lap. Khotso has gone inside, so it’s just Ona and I standing and wondering how long we will still be here. 

Aunt Kea and Aunt Nosi walk in with food. Aunt Nosi is on a wheelchair. I heard she was shot. She can walk, I’ve seen her walk. I’m assuming the wheelchair is there for support her because she probably still gets tired or something. 
Ona and I take it upon ourselves to dish for everyone because all the women have been turned into baby beds.
We are being judged and mocked and I just feel like it’s not necessary because we are trying here. I just see Aunt Kea taking over then tells Ona and I to just serve drinks. I don’t know why I feel so offended by this. I’m sure I can dish up and serve a damn plate. 
Morena and Uncle Shaka walk in with beer. Ona and I want to ask for the beer instead… but Uncle Shaka gives us a twelve pack to share between the four of us (Zithulele and Khotso included). 
We waste no time, plus this beer is cold. 

We sit another thirty minutes then see Nothile come out held by Khotso. Letlali has her bag and clothes. Refiloe brought an extra dress for her and that’s what she is wearing. Zithulele has medication with him. We all look at them. 
Before we can address them, Uncle Q and Aunt Pearl walk in. They all look at each other. Uncle Q greets then asks who we are here to see. Morena seems confused as to why Uncle Q is so nice, but they all talk. Then Aunt Kea asks who they are here to see. 
“Gcina”, Aunt Pearl says. 
“Gcina? What happened to her?” Aunt Kea. 
“She was shot. We got called and told that she was left at the door of the hospital. We brought her here because whoever did this is probably still in South Africa and might want to finish her off.” Uncle Q says. 
“Don’t worry. Let me get guards to guard her room. You should have called a long time ago.” Morena says. 
“Thanks, pope.” Uncle Q. 
Pope? 
“How is Gcina?” Aunt Kea enquires as morena makes arrangements for the bodyguards. 
“She’s fine. She says she didn’t see who shot her. She says it was just busy where she was and she couldn’t see much. When we did some research, we found that the police wanted to use her as bait to get to the church. Then she got shot with the police officers that she was with.” Uncle Q says. 
“Perhaps keep her in Tholoana Kingdom for a while – at least until we get to the bottom of this. She can stay at the royal house”, Aunt Kea says. 
“Thank you, Kea. Seriously, thank you.” Aunt Pearl says. 
Pope? The church? I’m completely lost.
“Well, here’s some food while you visit her”, Aunt Kea offers them. 

For whatever reason, we all went to Khotso’s and Nothile’s love nest and we’ve all decided that we are going to sleep here just to be here for Nothile and Khotso. The ladies are all sleeping in the master bedroom and we have to sleep with the kids in another room. Obviously, the kids take over the bed while we end up on the floor. But we barely sleep because cartoons are on all night. The mothers did not come out of the bedroom to say anything, so hey… but we know they were up all night because we heard them talking, crying and laughing. I respect how Zithulele was comforting Khotso all night too. They really shared the loss of the baby and in a weird way, they seem closer than what they were. Khotso wanted to go to Nothile so many times, but we told him to just let the women be. When we all leave them together, they’ll be there for each other. 
…
…
We ended up staying a week at this house. But I’m happy because Tebza got her bed rest. The ladies made sure of it. Aunt Kea and Aunt Nosi brought food for us every day. Those kids are still not over swimming – I don’t understand how anyone can just swim everyday – and all the ladies have convinced Refiloe to stay in Tholoana Kingdom. She finally agreed.