UMveli noMfaniseni basehhovisi babukele indlela uBasolile ejatshulelwe ngayo yizisebenzi kanye nabathengi.
"Nembala luvutha amalangabi. Konje kuthiwa umendo awuthunyelwa gundane. Ukuba uyazi udadewethu ukuthi kukhulu okuhle okumlindile." Besahleka kumnandi kungene uBasolile ebalethele itiye.
"Mmm, uqinisile," kuphendula uMfaniseni ecabanga. "Kahle-ke kusasa iholide lawoMame. Kunganjani sivale sihambe khona kusasa?
"Shhhungabe usaqhubeka, nami sengafa ukukukhumbula," asho ebamba isithandwa sakhe uBasolile esicindezela kuye.
"Ukhohliwe yini s'thandwa ukuthi nathi sesinamalungelo Uma ngingayifuni ingane ayikho into ongayenza. Sesidlulile lesiya sikhathi lapho umfazi ebeyibhola lendoda, namuhla yithi esishaya isiginci kujayive indoda.?
"Sasibabili nje zwi kwethu. Umama owayesesele yedwa wathutha wayohlala kwamalume lapho ashonela khona emuva kweminyaka emibili."
"Kwenzenjani mntakwethu ninoMfaniseni nabukeka nijabule kangaka?
"Uqinisile Mpho kuzothi emva kwaleyo lunch bese ngicela uMveli ukuthi sivakashele umamami ngeviki elizayo, ngiyazi uyojabula kabi uma ebona uMveli, plus uyamthanda umuntu oziphethe kahle. Yoo! Asilale Mpho, mina ngidiniwe, phela le shopping ebesiyenza namuhla iningi."
"Kulungile s'thandwa, kodwa kufanele uthole izincwadi zokushayela kuqala," kuphendula uMveli.
"Woo, sengiyabona, kusho ukuthi lo mfanyana ebengikhuluma naye ukuthole usaqulekile. Kanti futhi kungenzeka ukuthi noMfaniseni ubebona wena laphaya eHillbrow ngenkathi wehliswa yile nsizwa yomlungu, yena ukufanise nomunye wonoyila, yikho lokhu ethe nifana njengosheleni."
USindi owayezimisele ukuyixoshisa okwenja eceleni kwakhe, wathi angabona amakhulu amahlanu washaywa wuvalo. Ngubani owayengethuke uma ebona imali engaka.
"Ngubani leli khehla eliziqhayisa ngobunsizwa balo" kubuza uNelile?
"Hawu! Ubengakahambi namanje umakoti wakwami Awu! we Mveli, we Mveli ngaze ngafa mina ngentombi kaMaseko.?
"Okunye engikucelayo kuwe ukuthi zonke izimpahla zami kanye nemoto, uzinike umgani wami uMpho. Ngiyabonga s'thandwa somoya wami ukuthi ulalele yonke inkulumo yami. Hamba, ngishiye ngizwa umzimba wami ukhathala."
"Musa bo! Kwake kwalotsholelwa ehhotela" ababaze ahlahle amehlo uMveli?
"Akukho esingakwenza nkosikazi, asilinde sibukele ukuthi iyozala nkomoni." Ahlahle amehlo uMaMkhize uma ezwa lelo.
"Nank'umhlolo! Uthini Uthi uBasolile akalutho Akuwena obungitshela kule nyanga efile ukuthi nakanjani uzimisele ukumlobola Nokuthi lo mntwana eninaye ufuna afunde agogode" Angaphenduli uMveli aqhubeke nokuphumputha zonke izikhwama?
"Kunesimanga engisibonayo kugogo s'thandwa. Selokhu sabuya lapha ekhaya uhlala ejabule inqaba. Ungikhumbuza lesiya sikhathi ngifika kuleli khaya, ubabomncane nomamncane besaphila. Awubheke nje, usethathele lo muntu engimqashele ingadi umsebenzi. Hhayi, ugogo impela ungixakile kula malanga."
"Nelile!" kumemeza uMaMkhize. "Useshonephi lo mntwana Hlala khona lapho emthunzini baba, ngizokulethela isicathulo sakho." Aphinde amemeze. "Nelile!?
"Nami ngedlule kuye ngiyombikela ukuthi uMveli uyeza ngale mpelasonto, wangibonisa incwadi ebivela emnyangweni wezemfundo imazisa ukuthi kufanele ayofundisa esikoleni sasoThandweni," asho esukuma eqoqa izitsha uNelile.
"Shwele wena wakoLabase, ayidle izishiyele baba," kuncenga uMaMkhize, naye eseshaywe wuvalo ngoba emazi umyeni wakhe ukuthi uma ethukuthele kanje alusafakwa lubuya nodaka, nabo isibhaxu singahle sikhale kubo manje.
"Hhayi, ngiyeke mina ngamadoda aseGoli anamanga. Kusho ukuthi nguye lo okufunele intombi."
Wamuthi nhla kanye uyise uMveli washaywa wuvalo ngoba wabe esegqunqe emnyama, amehlo elokoza inhlansi ebomvu. Inkukhu yanquywa umlomo kuMveli.
"Hhayi bo! Angihambe ngiye emsebenzini, umuntu uma engaphika nani nobabili angalibona lisithwa yizintaba esekhaya," asho uLabase esukuma.
"Ayidle izishiyele mntakababa, ngicela wehlise umoya ngane yakwethu."
"Into ukuthi ngibona nomakhelwane sebengibuka benginyonkoloza, kuthi noma ngibabingelela bazithulele nje." Athule uMveli angamphenduli. Athi angabona ukuthi uMveli uzithela ngabandayo, aqhubeke neqhinga lakhe uSindi. "Kanti futhi namuhla emini ayi, asiyiyeke leyo sixoxe ezinye ngoba ngibona sengathi le nkulumo ayikuphathi kahle."
"Yebo ngiyezwa baba."
"S'thandwa ngibona ukuthi kufanele sithole isalukazi esizokusiza lapha endlini," kusho uMveli ebona isimo indlu eyiso.
Sihlale phansi ethunzini isalukazi senabe sithi thwi, sivule ibhuku lezithombe zomndeni wakwaLabase. Sizibuke ngasinye, ngasinye size sifike kwesinye lapho uLabase wayehleli nomkakhe befake uMveli phakathi, sona sihleli phansi ocansini ezinyaweni zabo. Sasibuka lesi sithombe isikhathi eside, sakhumbula langa lithize sizisebenzela nje endlini, uLabase nomkakhe bezixoxela.
Kusemini yasekuseni uSindi noMpho bazivalele ekamelweni bayaxoxa, babophela isalukazi amanqina enyathi.
Wathi angawuthengisa umuzi kayise omncane uMveli wazithengela omunye eLinden okungenye yezindawo ehlala izigwili zabelungu. Ekufikeni kwakhe kulo muzi akazange ahlale kahle neze. Wayehlala njalo eshaywa wuvalo sengathi kukhona okuzomvelela. Kuthi uma elele ebusuku afikelwe ngamaphupho amabi wodwa. Wagcina esetshele noSindi le ndaba naye ongabanga nalo ikhambi layo.
Wathukuthela wagana unwabu ngoba wayibona ukuthi yiyo leya abeyikhakhabisa endlini yabo ezinsukwini ezedlule. Nayo ayizange isamnika thuba lokuthi akhulume, yakhipha imbondela yemali engamaphepha esikhwameni yazincengela.
Nanamuhla bahlezi ekhishini bayaxoxa. USindi ulungisela ukubeka amabhodwe eziko.
"Eyi Mveli, bese ngithi nakanjani na" akayiqedanga leyo nkulumo ngoba wathi uma ebheka uMveli wakhangwa ubuso obudangele. Kwamcacela ukuthi kukhulu okwehlile.
"Wu, kodwa maye ngiyamthanda uMveli! Ngiyaqala empilweni yami ukuthola umuntu ongithanda kangaka. Wena awazi, bengiyindlovukazi namuhla, ngidla engikuthandayo. Ungabona ngedoggy-bag ukuthi bengibusa," asho evula isikhwama asiphethe.
"Angazi kodwa ukube bekuyimi besizohlukana. ""Ngiyamthanda uMveli Nelile, akasuki emoyeni wami. Selokhu saxabana ngimphupha imihla namalanga. Ngamanye amalanga ngimphupha elele esibhedlela egula kabi. ""Hawu, kwakubi lokho!" usho ehlahla amehlo ukwethuka uNelile.
"Uright, sona siyadina. Ngizoya etown namuhla ngikhulume nabo."
Athule uBasolile kuse ngokunye manje kuye ngoba yonke le nto ayizwayo intsha ezinedlebeni zakhe, kanti futhi isizoshabalalisa nephupho lakhe lokuba nomunye umntwana. Kwale aphinde abuze.
"Kwenzenjani ntanga", kubuza uMveli emangazwa ngumsindo. Ngubani owayengaphinde amphendule ngoba uMfaniseni wayesesina eqephuza, esikaza ubala. Wayethi angasibuka isithombe asiphethe ngesandla kube sengathi siyamkhwezela, agiyise okohlanya sincane esenkunzi ithelwe ngezibonkolo. Kwathi angabona uMveli ukuthi uMfaniseni akazimisele ukumphendula wamephuca isithombe?
Nempela wathi angabapha lawo maphilisi emva kwesikhashana baqala ukusombuluka, yize uSindi isibibithwane sasiyilokhu simbelesele njalo. Wathi lapho esebona udokotela ukuthi uvalo selwedlule kubo bobabili, waqhubeka nenkulumo yakhe.
Wabekwa ngesikhulu isizotha uSindi, abantu babengangezihlabathi zolwandle, kusobala ukuthi kubekwa iqhawekazi uqobo.
UBasolile noNelile babengamathe nolimi, yize indaba kaMveli yayiyimbi kodwa ayizange ibaxabanise, babelokhu bevakashelana njalo. Ukubonana kwabo kwakulula ngoba noBasolile wayesefundisa esikoleni sasoThandweni esilapha eduze. UBasolile ubevakashele uNelille useyahamba, bemi esangweni bayaxoxa.
"Mntakwethu, ngale mithi yesilungu kuthiwa owesifazane onalesi sifo useyakwazi ukuthola ingane enganaso lesi sifo. Pho kimi singangena kanjani uma bekwazi ukusivimbela enganeni" Athule angaphenduli uMveli emangaliswe ukuzimisela okungaka komkakhe ukuba nomntwana. Emcabangweni wakhe uMveli wayezitshele ukuthi emva kokumchazela kabanzi ngalesi sifo umkakhe, inkukhu yayizonqunywa umlomo?
"Basolile musa ukungifihlela, ngitshele lithini?
"Mnumzane Labase, sizokwazisa uma sesizitholile lezi zigelekeqe," kusho ophethe ithimba lamaphoyisa ngenkathi sebehamba. Emva kwalokho uMveli waphuthuma esibhedlela sekuxega amadolo.
"Siyabonga mhlengikazi ngokusicebisa kwakho, sizophinde sibuye," kusho uMveli edonsa uSindi ngengalo owayesethe shaqa nenye yalezi zingane, kuhlekwa, kudliswana, ungeke ukhohlwe ubone umntwana nonina.
"Ngifanele Mpho uMveli yindoda yami, ngimthanda ngenhliziyo yami yonke. Ukube bekungesiso lesi salukazi esigadene nami ngabe angiyenzi yonke le nto."
"Ungahlupheki Mpho, nami sengizitshelile ukuthi sengiyawuyeka lo msebenzi wethu, kanti nawe uzoyeka."
"Kulungile asivukele khona kusasa, ke ngiyobona le nsumansumane ongitshela yona." Asukume uMveli alungele ukuya emsebenzini.
"Suka la! Ligwala ndini. UBhiza noJabu bayawazi umsebenzi wabo."
"Netiye lakho selize laphola silibele ukuxoxa," kusho uBasolile bephuma ehhovisi.
"Sondela mfana wami uzophefumulela kulesi sikhwama sabadala." Wenze njalo uMveli. Emva kwalokho wavungazela yedwa uSibiya ekhuluma nabakubo, wathi angaqeda washaya amathambo. Wathula wawabuka isikhathi eside maqede wanikina ikhanda, wakhuluma yedwa. "Pho nithi kwenziweni" Wawabutha wonke futhi, waphinde wawachitha phansi, wabheka uLabase. Weza nendaba. Wayilanda indaba yempilo kaMveli ukusuka nokuhlala, sengathi wayekhona ebhekile ngenkathi konke kwenzeka?
"Ngiyabonga mntanami uma ulibona iphutha lakho," siqhubeke sibhekise kuBasolile isalukazi: "Makoti wami, ungisize uwuphathe kahle lo muzi, ngoba kimi abanikazi bawo babengamakhosi engingeke ngiwakhohlwe nanini. Namuhla bantabami lo muzi wabo ngiwushiya ezandleni zenu."
"Gogo ngicela ukuthi ukhululeke, lo muzi usuyikhaya lakho, ngicela ufele kuwo." Naye uLabase asho esukuma elungela indlela.
"Kahle ntanga yethu yehlisa umoya, akasiye umlungu yize emise okwakhe nebala lisamlungu, bangamaXhosa. Sebasuka eKapa sebakhe khona lapha eMidrand," abheke isikhathi esandleni. "Angiphuthume ntanga, nasi nesikhathi sesidliwe yinja, kanti neCarlton Hotel iqhelile." Baphume bobabili ehhovisi.
"Akujiki mfana wami, ngezami zonke lezo zinkomo ozibonayo," asho ebeka ukhamba lwakhe phansi, esula umlomo.
Yathi ingasho njalo yasukuma yeqa umgwaqo yamhlangabeza. USindi owayemi ebuka izimpahla efasiteleni lesinye sezitolo, wethuka seyimi eceleni kwakhe.
Waba nedumela elikhulu umshado kaMveli noBasolile. Izinsizwa nezintombi zeza ngezinkani zivela ezigodini ezahlukene, ngisho nezivela phansi eMsobotsheni imbala. Zazisina zidedelana wena owabona amafu esibekelana, indlamu ivutha uphondo. Angisakhulumi ngezintombi ezazivunule ziconsa, ziholwa amaqhikiza azo. Kwakuthi uma kuphuma izinsizwa zaleso sigodi enkundleni, kungene izintombi zakhona. Kwakukuhle, kumnandi kangangoba umuntu wayengaze afise ukubugoqa bonke lobo bumnandi ngengubo abenze insakavukela yakhe yedwa. Pho, kwakungenzeka yini lokho ngoba kwehlula ngisho nabathakathi baseSimenye.
"Kanjani gogo Kanti lo mlungu namanje akalishintshile igama lami encwadini yalo muzi?
"Ewu ntanga! Ungayikhulumi leyo ngoba ingishayisa uvalo. Ngathi ngiyamchazela ubunzima esengikubo, nokuthi makazifunele omunye umuntu angaphilisana naye, kwabe ngimethukile, ngawotha ubomvu; sincane esakho noNelile. Kwathi akangiqede, wabuya nami okwesishiphi senkantolo."
Yize babelayezile ekhaya ukuthi abongena elokishini lalapho okuthiwa yiPhumula, abikele uninalume ngomshado wakhe, konke lokho wakubona sekuyize leze, washaya imoto wachitha. Kwaba yinhlanhla ukuthi endleleni angahlangani nabaqaphi bomgwaqo ngoba noma kanjani babeyomgquma ejele ngenxa yejubane ayehamba ngalo. Wafika ekhaya phakathi kwamabili. Noma wayezizwa ediniwe kodwa waqwasha kwaze kwasa. Sathi simnika ukudla isalukazi esinguMaCele wakubonga, naso njengomuntu omdala sayifunda ivaliwe ukuthi kukhulu okuphethe insizwa yaso emoyeni.
"Ngiyabonga s'thandwa." Athi eqeda ukusho njalo ahlahle amehlo uSindi esekhumbula okunye akukhohliwe. "Yoo! s'thandwa, ungakhohlwa ukungithengela i-i-engagement ring, kuthiwa yini konje ngesiZulu?
Isalukazi esinguMaCele sazithulela nje. Bathi bangaqeda ukukhuluma saphuma sayohlala ngaphandle, ukuze sikwazi ukuyicabangisisa kahle sisodwa le ndaba. Safikelwa usizi uma sikhumbula amazwi ashiwo ngumnikazi wekhaya uLabase nomkakhe enkulumeni yokugcina abayixoxa ngaphambi kokuthi bahambe emahlabeni.
"Cha dokotela, mina noMveli asinazo izimfihlo phakathi kwethu," kusho uSindi ebheka uMveli emehlweni efuna isiqinisekiso kumyeni wakhe owayebukeka ekhathazekile noma ngabe wayezama ukufihla "akunjalo, s'thandwa?
"Usachazani ngoba inkulumo yonke usuyiqedile," usho ebuyela ehlala phansi.
"Ayisukume inkantolo," kusho iphoyisa lenkantolo. Nembala kusukume wonke umuntu. Ingene inkosi yenkantolo, ithi ingahlala phansi bonke abantu bahlale. Iphoyisa lenkantolo libabize bonke abamangalelwa, libafolise ebhokisini lamacala libafungise ngamunye ngamunye. Ngaleso sikhathi uma ubabuka wawungafa yinsini ngoba lobo busuku obubodwa ejele basebubagugise baba izimvithi bonke ngaphandle kukaMfaniseni. Babeqhaqhazela ubala, wawungaphika uhlanze okudle ngayizolo ukuthi yiwo la maqhalaqhala angophumasilwe obuwabona ehhotela ngayizolo. Asukume umshushisi endlalele inkundla icala labo.
"Kunjalo s'thandwa." Esho ebamba isandla somkakhe uMveli.
"Angiphuthume ngimtshele," aphume uMveli ayobikela isalukazi esasihlezi phandle emthunzini siphethwe ngumzwangedwa.
Afe yinsini uBasolile. Wu! Kanti isikhwele ngomfowenu singaka Ivule uyifunde.?
"Thoko lothemba amathunzi ayewukela!" umemeze ngokukhulu ukujabula uNelile eqondise kumfowabo.
"UMfaniseni Ubeyokwenzani eHillbrow s'thandwa?
Uphela sengathi awuzange waba khona. Ubona izithandani seziswacelana, Ziphakamiselana amakhala, zinukelana. Baqinisile abathi ziyokhala, ziyoshela sokela, Kubo soka zinyembezi zodwa.
Kwaya, kwaya zawusola ummbila izinkukhu kudadewabo uNelile. Kusemini yasekuseni uNelile uhlezi noNina bayaxoxa. Njengenhlalayenza uMveli akekho uye kwadokotela edolobheni. ULabase nomelusi wakhe base izinkomo edibhini kwaDelekina.
Uma kukhona into emphethe kabi uLabase wawumbona ngokuvukela emasimini eyohlakula. Wayenenkolelo yokuthi umoya wasekuseni uzobususa engqondweni yakhe ubunzima obumphethe. Nanamuhla njengoba evukele lapha emasimini, isenzo sikaMveli sabe singamlalisanga kahle neze ngayizolo. UMveli njengendlalifa yakhe wayeziqhenya ngaye, futhi ezimisele ukushiya lonke ifa lakhe kuye. Kube nguye obheka ikhaya kanye namasiko wonke afanele ukwenziwa kulo.
"Nanguya usevukile," asho ngokukhulu ukujabula umfana.
"Sithengise lo muzi" ethuke ahlahle amehlo ezwa le nkulumo uMveli. "Cha s'thandwa ngeke. Cha s'thandwa ngeke ngakwenza lokho. Ngiyobe ngizishaya ngemfe iphindiwe kumnikazi waleli khaya.?
"Ngiphupha njalo abantu bangigijimisa, bengishiyisa le ndlu." Ethuke manje uMveli. "Hawu Mpho, usho ukuthi uphupha abantu bekuxosha lapha ekhaya?
"Mhlolo muni lo engiwubonayo, kwake kwaba kuphi ukuthi intombi ingayogadla emzini wakubo kasoka layo ihamba nqunu ngelokwana eliveza amansweba, isisu sonke lesi singaphandle. Songo lani leli elilenga enkabeni Izinwele ezinde kangaka kanye namashiya nezinzipho, ngimfunge uMakhethelele! Akusiye umuntu lo, ngumlungu uqobo lwakhe, nebala lakhe lingufakazi. Konje isibongo ithe ingeyakwabani Ngu-O-op-ope- ungenwe yini kodwa uMveli Uyalubona yini lolu bishi azifaka kulo Uthi bona abanikazi balo muzi bazothini lapho belele khona" sishaye izandla. "Yehheni! Wabhubha ngibhekile mhlaba. Hhayi-bo, nakhu ngizihlupha ngeze, ingani uMveli unaleya ntombi yasemakhaya uyise azimisele ukumlobolela yona. Kusho ukuthi lokhu kwentonjana udlala ngakho nje. Mhh noma kunjalo kufanele ke ngikhulume naye ngimdonse ngendlebe mayelana nokuqonywa njalo. Lolu bhubhane lwesifo samagama amathathu seluqede izwe." Siphinde sishaye izandla simemeze. "Yehheni! Ngakubona ngakubeletha!?
"We dade! Wamkhulumela bo lo mfokazana wakho, ingabe ukuphe malini." Bahleke.
"Ungisize uqaphele baba endleleni, iningi le mali. Eqinisweni ukube kuya ngami, ingabe sithe uMveli akulande."
Laze lafika lelo langa elalibekwe ngudokotela, uMveli noBasolile banikela khona. Bathi uma bengena nje udokotela wabahlangabeza emnyango ekhombisa okukhulu ukujabula uma ebabona.
"Sindi! Lalela la, ungumfazi wami, uma ngikhuluma nawe ungangitsheli ngabangani bakho, sifanele sibe nengane sishadile," kuphendula uMveli ngokufutheka.
"Ngibona sengathi uyasheshisa, usuwazi ngani ukuthi uSindi uzovuma na?
"Ngeke kwenzeke lokho! Uyazi mina nawe Basolile asinayo imfihlo phakathi kwethu. Ngicela ungitshele ukuthi lithini. Ngilalele ngitshele."
"Kusho ukuthi uzobamba amahhashi mntakwethu."
"Nami angithandi ukudlala ngaye Mpho, angazi ukuthi ngenzeni, awubheke nje." Akhiphe imali yamaphepha esifubeni uSindi. Waphonse washayeka phansi wuvalo uMpho. Wasala edonse amehlo, ekhexe umlomo. Nokudlana lokho ayekudla kungasahlafuneki. Kwathi ngelikade iphimbo labuya.
"Awusasho, kanti noMveli wakuxoxela ngaye?
"Ngu-ngu-ngu Sindi baba, wakwa-Opperman." Amhlahlele amehlo uLabase. "Uthi ngowakwabani?
"Ngaqamba amanga ngathi bebengiqhathe nomunye umfana omdala kunami ekwaluseni. Munye umuntu engamtshela iqiniso, nguNelile. Naye waqala ngokungihleka, kwathi muva wangimisa idolo ngelithi angiqhubeke ngokuyeshela le ntombi."
Athule uNelile abuke umfowabo, afikelwe inhliziyo yokumhawukela.
"Jo nna we! Kabolaya Mveli. Yoo! Ketla bamang we! Iyoo! Nkampane kashwa lenna" "Maye babo!
Esamoyizela yedwa uMfaniseni yimicabango emnandi, abone kuma imoto phambi kwakhe ishayelwa yinsizwa yomlungu, kwehle intokazi, angayinaki aqhubeke nemicabango yakhe.
"Kodwa ngehlelwa yini nje nempela Bhadi lini leli elingivelelayo Kusho ukuthi sengizokufa" Athi angasho njalo, zehle nakuye manje izinyembezi. Aguqe phansi akhulume nomkhulu wakhe kanye nabakubo. Wayeqala ngqa ukukwenza lokho yize wayembona njalo uyise ekwenza?
"Ngiphendule Mveli!" amhlahlele amehlo uMfaniseni.
"Yini le embi oyiphuphayo?
"Yebo kunjalo, nansi into engiyicela kuwe Basolile," usho naye wesula izinyembezi. "Ngicela usale usukhulula inhliziyo yakho kimi, uzitholele omunye umuntu oyokupha ikusasa eliqhakazile ngoba nanti elami selifiphele."
"Eyi s'thandwa ngizwa nginovalo, angifuni ungene kulolu bishi engikulo. Kodwa ngoba uzimisele, sizoqala kuye kusasa ngaphambi kokuthi size emsebenzini."
Ethuke uMfaniseni eze esegijima ehhovisi.
"Wo! Usuyangigcona manje, uphinda lawa mazwi engawasho kuwe. Mina intombi yakwaLabase ngiyibonile ngenela. Futhi angesabi ukulisho ligcwale umlomo elithi ayikho efana nayo lapha eGoli. Angikhathali ungalihamba uliqede. Mina Mveli ntanga yethu, nakanjani namuhla ngizobonana nomalume, ngizwe ukuthi angehla nini ukuya eDumbe."
"Ngiyaziqhenya ngawe ngokungizalela umfana ohlakaniphe kangaka. Eqinisweni angazi impilo yami ibizoba yini ngaphandle kwakho. Lona ikusasa bengizolithini ngiyisotsha elizikhuzayo. Ngiyabonga mduduzi womoya wami ukungixolela kwakho. Kusukela namuhla kimi awusenguye uBasolile usunguMduduzi wami." Bahleke. Baqhubeka baxoxa ngekusasa labo bobabili. Kwathi uma seliya ngomtsha wendoda baphuma elawini bebambene ngezandla, uMveli esephelekezela uBasolile emusa ekhaya. Wathi angababona uNelile waphuma waphonseka endlini, wagcwala ibala elilizela.
"Mthumele lesiya lapho umi khona wedwa emshadweni wethu noMveli."
"Bayabheda nje laba mnumzane, mina ngabatshela kadeni ukuthi likhona ithemba lami," asho ebheka uMveli ngamehlo agcwele uthando uBasolile.
"Kunjalo khona bandla, nami uNelile ngimethembe futhi ngimthanda ngomoya wami wonke, kanti njengoba usho noMfaniseni kusobala ukuthi ungumuntu oqotho."
"Uqinisile s'thandwa, yeka ukudla okungaka."
Wacishe washayeka phansi wuvalo uma ezithela phezu kukaBasolile, owayehlezi embhedeni emlindele. Wama wabopheka okomuntu ebona umungcwi. UBasolile ngokubona isimo ayekuso wamphuthuma wamgona.
"Kulungile Mveli ngizokwenza njengokusho kwakho." Akhombise ukujabula uMfaniseni ngoba ingqondo yakhe yayingasekho kule nkulumo yabo.
"Siyolithokozela kakhulu ntombi yami," usho ehlala esiphukwini sakhe uMaMkhize eceleni komyeni wakhe. Bobabili babheke uMveli.
MaLabase! Nina bakaDabula zinomkhala, Bakoshumayeza amadoda, Bakampi yamqoma, Abathwala insimbi ekhanda, bethi amagwala ayobabalekela. Nina benjuqu emnyama edl'amahleza kaJiyeza.
Naye uSindi wayesha amashushu ngohambo lwempelasonto, lwalusematheni kubo bobabili noMpho. Babehlela konke afanele ukukugqoka ngalelo langa, nendlela afanele ukuziphatha ngayo, ukukhuluma ngayo, ngisho nendlela ayefanele ukunyathela ngayo imbala emabaleni akwaLabase.
"Mina ngibona ukuthi kungcono sibafihlele s'thandwa ngoba njengoba usho kungaba yingozi kubo njengabantu abadala. Nami abami abazali ngeke ngibatshele."
"Kahle bo wena! Kanti uqinisile yini?
"Abantu kuleli lizwekazi lakithi lase-Afrika bayafana ntanga, ingani ngezwa omunye ethi ngifana nomunye umuntu waseDalagubha." Besahleka leyo nkulumo, akhumbule okunye uMveli.
"Usho entshweni," asukumele phezulu uMveli, ingani ibhodwe wayeselazi njengoba ezazi. Athi esematasatasa ngomsebenzi wakhe ezwe ehishwa. Athimule, aze akhwehlele. Ethuke uSindi.
Baphendule ngazwi linye: "Asiwavumi nkosi!"
"Nawe khuz' umkakho!" kuphendula uSmith naye engazibekile phansi. Kuthe lapho bethi nabo ababambane kwaqhamuka uweta, olethwa ngumsindo awuzwayo, wabalamula.
"NguMfaniseni wakwaThusi. Kwathi emva kokushona kukababomncane ngamnxusa ukuthi azongisiza ebhizinisini njengomngani wami engangifunda naye."
"Uqinisile, kusho ukuthi nami kufanele ke ngimshayele ucingo uNelile. Ngacishe ngakhohlwa, tshela mina, utheni uBasolile uma umazisa ngomshado wakho?
"Kahle baba, musa ukukhuluma kanjalo. Nami ngivumelana noMfaniseni, uphila saka. Naye udokotela uzovumelana nami namuhla." Athule uMveli angaphenduli. Esikhundleni salokho abeke isandla esihlathini okomuntu osemcabangweni ojulile.
"Angabuye abe kuphi phela ngaphandle kukagogo wakhe" Athi lapho ethi uyaphuma uNelile elamele incwadi ewe etafuleni, ayicoshe?
"Nina bakwa-Opelmane Simidi ngizocela ubuhlobo ngentombi yenu, ngicela nokwazi ukhalo eningibeka kulo."
"Ndodakazi, ngifuna uyoshayela umfowenu uMveli ucingo edolobheni, uzwe ukuthi usaphila yini, nokuthi uyosivakashela nini ngoba sesimkhumbule."
Ayivule uMveli afunde okubhalwe encwadini. Ahlahle amehlo engayikholwa le nto eshiwo yile ncwadi.
"Baba sekuze kuyabanda ukudla kwakho, kudala ngikuphakile. Kwenzenjani namuhla awuphilile yini?
Kwathi ngentathakusa yelanga elilandelayo wakhwela itekisi uMfaniseni elibangise eGoli. Inhliziyo yakhe yayingekho kulolu hambo, yayisemuva eNtombe kwelaseDumbe.
"Get out!" Ayishaye ngesivalo ebusweni insizwa uSindi. "Kgaa! ungijwayela kabi lo." Bafe yinsini.
"Sengiyibulele le nja esiphazamiso. Kufanele senze iplan yethu yokuthus'uMveli," kusho uMpho ethelela uSindi iwayini engilazini eseceleni kwakhe. Namuhla phela kukwamachanca kwampunzi idla emini kuleli khaya."
ULabase uhlezi phansi komthunzi egcekeni lomuzi wakhe, ngenxa yesithukuthezi useze uyozela. Eceleni kwakhe kunesicathulwana sokwehlisa udenda, kwazise nelanga laliphume ngisho nasebukhweni bezinja.
"Ungalisho uliphinde mntakwethu, nami ekhishini yiso sona lesi. Le ntombazana emsizayo ayisenamsebenzi. Ngithi ngimethuka ngimbone esekhwishiza eshanela, ekolobha phansi ngithi ngiyamkhuza ahleke kuvele elomhlathi, asho nokusho ukuthi yena akasiye uvilavoco. Impela mntakwethu ukukhuthala okunje angikaze ngikubone. Uyadela omazi ebuntombini bakhe."
Selokhu afika lapha ekhaya uMveli wayengakaze abonane noBasolile. Yize inhliziyo yakhe yayishisekela ukumbona kodwa wayebuye azikhuze ngoba ecabanga ukuthi naye kufanele ukuthi usethole elinye isoka. Kwakunzima ngisho nokubuza uNelile ngenxa yesenzo asenza kuBasolile. Kodwa ekugcineni wazidela amathambo wabona kufanele ukuthi ayoxolisa kuye, noma eseqome engxenye. Wacupha isikhathi sokuphuma kwesikole wanikela khona. Endleleni uhamba uyazibuza, uyaziphendula.
"Cha mama angikamtsheli, nami iyangihlupha le ndaba ngoba angazi ukuthi ngizoqala ngithini uma ngimtshela. Mama mina ngibona ukuthi kungakuhle uma engayizwa ngawe njengomuntu omdala."
"Cha Mveli awulandwe yimi ntanga yethu, wena sala uwuzama lo ngoba uyawazi, kungenzeka ulunge."
Bathi bangafika nje endlini yabo uSindi wamxoxela konke okumvelele ngalelo langa. Wathwala izandla ekhanda uMpho wuvalo.
"Eqinisweni ubukeka uphile njengenhlanzi emanzini." Balale yinsini bobabili.
"Hawu s'thandwa usuqedile njalo ukubeka amabhodwe eziko?
Basukume bobabili baqonde ekhaya. Kwathi beseza babona imoto kaMveli ingena ekhaya, wayehamba nodadewabo kanye noNqobile owayephethe ibhola eledlula ikhanda lakhe. Umlomo wawugweve ujamu wamakhekhe, izandla ezazilokhu zikhothwe njalo zazibhixe ihenjana nebhulukwana leli ngoshukela wamaswidi ayegcwele izikhwama. Kwakusobala ukuthi kufinya ngendololwane namuhla okunguNqobile. Kwathi kungehla emotweni kwathathela ngejubane kulibangise kugogo nomkhulu wakho ukuyobapha amaswidi.
"Njengoba ngakutshela ukuthi ngazalelwa eMzimkulu, kwathi uma sengineminyaka eyisithupha, ubaba wami owayesebenza kwa-Eskom eThekwini bamshintsha bamusa eGoli. Emva kwezinyangana wasilanda nomama sazohlala naye ngoba base bemnike indlu."
"We! lingawa licoshwe zinkukhu Nelile. Kimi ayikho enye insizwa ngaphandle kukaMveli. Noma engayishada leyo ntombi yakhe yaseGoli, mina ngiyosigcina ngize ngiye egodini leso sethembiso segazi engasenza naye sokuthi siyokufa silahlane."
"Musa ukukhuluma kanjalo nkosikazi. Impilo yawo wonke umuntu olapha emhlabeni inesikhathi sokuguquka. Yikho lokhu siyaye sithi: Amalanga empilweni yomuntu ngamathanda kwenzelwa. Njengamakholwa siyazi ukuthi nasempilweni kaJesu kwafika leso sikhathi sokuthi athwale isiphambano. Umbuzo uthi: Leso siphambano sasiyisiqalekiso na Kumbe kubantu ababemethwesa sona babebona siyisiqalekiso esimfanele. Kodwa sonke siyazi ukuthi ngokufela kwakhe kuso wasindisa umhlaba. Ngalawa mazwi ngizama ukukucacisela ukuthi ushintsho empilweni yawo wonke umuntu luyinto edaliwe, lubi noma luhle kuyafana. Thina esilubukayo singalubona luyisiqalekiso kanti akunjalo. NjengoJesu owaluvuma ushintsho empilweni yakhe ngokuthwala isiphambano, nathi sifanele ukuluvuma ngoba asazi ukuthi lusho ukuthini mayelana nekusasa lethu emhlabeni." Abukisise uSindi udokotela. "Ngiyethemba uyizwa kahle incazelo yami nkosikazi.?
"Iyakhula impela baba, kanti futhi ngizwe uku awu asiyeke izindaba zezingane."
Athule umzuzwana, abukisise isithandwa sakhe uSindi. Abuye aqhubeke ngezwi eliphansi okomuntu ophelelwa ngumoya.
Nembala kwathi ngakusasa wanikela kwabomkhandlu oqaphela izilwane. Wafike wathenga ichalaha likabhova. Isalukazi uMaCele njengomuntu omdala sayijabulela kakhulu le nja, saze sayetha negama likaSiphithiphithi. Ingani naso sase sithole umngani esizohlala naye kule mpilo yaso eyisiphithiphithi kuleli khaya. Kwakuyiso esiphakela le nja siyiphe namanzi nsuku zonke. Naye uSiphithiphithi wayesesithanda kakhulu lesi salukazi, engasuki eceleni kwaso. Kanti noMveli wayethi angamisa imoto esangweni agijime uSiphithiphithi ayombingelela.
"We ma! Ingabe ngubani lo osefuna ukuzenza imbangi yomfowethu?
"Uzolinda isikhashana, uma uthanda ungahamba uphinde ubuye ngoba ngifuna ukulihlolisisa kahle," kusho udokotela ebukisisa ibhodlelana elinegazi.
"Cha mntanami, ngisazoyicabanga le ndaba ngoba ngasengifunge ngagomela ukuthi ngeke ngiphinde ngilubhade edolobheni."
"Ngiyawabonga lawo mazwi akho ntanga yethu, anginika amandla," asho ekhombisa ukukhululeka uMveli.
Izitsha ezaziphethwe nguNelile zaphunyuka kuye ezandleni zaphahlazeka phansi. Inkomishi yamanzi eyayiphethwe nguMaMkhize yawa yaqenqeleka, kwagcwala amanzi phansi. Kanti imfaduko ayethi wesula ngayo izandla uLabase, yaphenduka ibhodlana esandleni. Kwathula kwathi cwaka endlini. Bonke babekhexe imilomo, behlahlele uMveli amehlo, sincane esabantu bebona impaka yomthakathi. Kwathi ngelikade wabuza ngomoya ophansi, ogcwele ukudangala uLabase.
"Ngicabanga ukuthi makube yileli sonto esiya kulo, kufanele ngibazise nalapha ekhaya."
"Angisabuyeli emuva ngingemgqigqo makoti womfowethu, nami sengilandela ezinyaweni zenu, kodwa niboqaphela funa owethu umshado wedlule owenu ngamalengiso ngoba nesiZulu siyasho ukuthi isinamuva liyabukwa." Balale yinsini bobathathu. "Habe! Nakhu ngicishe ngikhohlwa enye indaba enkulu. Amaphoyisa abezongazisa izolo ukuthi esinye saleziya zigelekeqe ezangidubula sibanjiwe."
Uthi ngizomlanda ngokushesha udokotela ucela ukusibona sobabili khona manje.
"Hawu!" kubabaza uLabase. "Kusho ukuthi ususebenze iminyaka eyevile emashumini amane kulo mlungu. Mm sengiyabona, yingakho agqugquzela ukuthi ngikuphathe kahle."
"Yehheni!" ashaye izandla uMaMkhize. "Sakubona sakubeletha. Angakuvuma kanjani lokho uMveli Uthi yena lo mfazana akamdlisile nje umntanami?
"Usho ngani Nelile?
Sithi singabathelela itiye isalukazi sihlale phansi, size nendaba.
"Dadewethu ngizoxolisa, kanti futhi ngikuphathele izindaba ezimnandi." Angene ahlale phansi.
"Kuleli cala uma singalinika uyise womntwana, yomibili le mindeni siyobe sesiyiqhathile. Njengoba ngike ngasho phambilini ukuthi le nkundla ifanele ikhusele imvelaphi yethu, engamasiko ethu, ngokuqaphela ukuthi enziwa ngendlela eqondile. Inkundla iyobe iyalugqilaza futhi iyalunyembenya usiko lwelobolo uma ingavuma kuqhutshekwe ngalo kuleli cala. Kusobala-ke ukuthi kufanele kulandelwe usiko lwesilungu, abashadayo bahambe bayosayina kwaMuhle."
"Indaba enkulu engilethe lapha ekhaya ukuzonibikela ukuthi akasekho umkami uSindi, simngcwabe kuleli viki eliphelile." Bethuke bonke.
"Uthini Uthi ungenwe yisifo?
"Ngicela ugobe amadolo umzuzwana mntakababa, ngoba kunendatshana engifuna siyixoxe sobathathu noMfaniseni." Nembala ahlale phansi uNelile.
Wafika engalindelwe muntu ekhaya uMveli, bonke babesemasimini beyohlakula, kwazise ilanga lalibalele emva komvimbi wesonto lonke, kanti nokudla emasimini kwasekukhahlele ngezinkani. Munye umuntu owayesele ekhaya, kwakunguNqobile owayelibele ukugola izintethe namabhungane egcekeni.
"Uhlushwa yini ngoba bengithi nizihlalele kamnandi noMveli?
Wathula umzuzwana uMfaniseni, wathi esuka wayeqhuma yinsini. Kwabuya wonke umcabango wecala lelobolo likaSindi. Ngoba leso sishiphi samcinanisa ebhokisini labamangalelwa wacishe waquleka. Wasindiswa yinkosi yenkantolo eyathi kuvulwe amafasitela ngokushesha. Bayihleka le ndaba kwehla izinyembezi, kwabuhlungu izisu. Baze balanyulelwa ukungqongqoza kwendoda yeposi emnyango ilethe izincwadi.
"Hawu, pho baba beningangitsheli ngani ukuthi sengihlwelwe" bahleke bonke?
"Kukhona yini osekonakele mntakwethu" "Cha s'thandwa akonakele lutho, into nje ngimangaliswa ukuthi nami bengicabanga zolo lokhu ukuthi sizoke sixoxe ngohambo lwaseGoli ngoba isikhathi sesiside ngawushiya umsebenzi, nangu udokotela esengihambela phambili.?
"Uphi yena Unjani manje" kubuza umuntu ocingweni. Aqalaze uSindi umfana, ambone esevukile ephuthaza esikhwameni?
"Shhh asikhulumele phansi Mveli, funa sizwakale endlini."
"Cha mama ngeke ngikwenze lokho, nami ngizimisele ukubuyela esikoleni."
Wathi engena nje emnyango uMfaniseni wazithela kwelimnandi iphunga lamakha esiqholo sikaSindi owayesanda kubuya ebhavini, eseshintshe nezimpahla abezembethe. Wayesegqoke isikhindi owawungathi esomntwana, nebhantshana lakhona elalivale amabele. Amabhengele ezingalweni ayesagolide, efana nomsinga obophe izincabulela azifake ezinyaweni. Ebusweni yayimhlophe qwa intokazi, isho ngekhala elimi nto. Izinwele ezishaya eqolo zimnyama bhuqe zifana namashiya. Yamuthi laphalazi uMfaniseni ngamehlo amhlophe asho ngezinkophe ezinde, maqede yamoyizela kwavela uhlu lwamazinyo amhlophe anesitsako segolide. Wema wabopheka, wakhamisa uMfaniseni okomuntu ebanjwe ngugesi.
Usehhovisi lakhe uxoxa noMfaniseni.
"Lo mbuzo wakho ubucayi kakhulu dudu wami, ungakhohlwa phela ukuthi eyakho indaba yehlukile ngoba kusenziwa ucwaningo esingeke sibe neqiniso lwalo. Ubokhumbula phela ukuthi kuthiwa ngesiZulu, uzenzile akakhalelwa, kukhalelwa uzumekile. Yebo khona yiqiniso ukuthi lo muthi okuthiwa phecelezi ngesiNgisi yiNevirapine uyakwazi ukulivimba igciwane lalokhu kufa lingangeni enganeni. Kufanele owesifazane ozethwele enalesi sifo anikwe lo muthi ngesikhathi ebeletha, lo muthi uyohlala kuye egazini iviki lonke emva kokuthola ingane. Kantike ingane yona kufanele iwunikwe ingakaqedi izinsuku ezintathu izelwe. Yize abenzi balo muthi befunga begomela ukuthi awunabo ubungozi, kodwa uhulumeni noMnyango wezeMpilo bawuqaphe ngeso lokhozi ngoba bengafuni ukusala nencabhayi."
"Hhayi Nelile, mina angivumelani nawe, futhi ungakhohlwa ukuthi nempilo yakhe ayiseyinhle."
Abuyise izinhlonze uMfaniseni ecabanga impendulo yalo mbuzo. Kuthi ngelikade aphendule. "Ntanga uSindi awuzange umshade, kwabadala usafana nengoduso nje yakho, kanjalo-ke angiboni ukuthi kungabakhona ukuthikamezeka kosiko lwakho ngale ngane."
"Hawu! Kodwa ngiyasola ngamadoda ukuyengana, sengathi kukhona eningifihlela khona." Babukane uBasolile noNelile."Ingabe kukhona yini osekuvelile makoti?
"Madoda! Phela yisimanga lesi," nguMveli uxoxa nomkakhe sebeyongena emotweni. Ethuke uBasolile abukisise umyeni wakhe emehlweni.
"Ntanga uSindi ugula kabi."
"Hlala kunasiya isigqiki eceleni kukayihlo mfana wami, ngisalanda isikhwama sami endlini," asho esukuma uSibiya eya endlini. Ekubuyeni kwakhe nesikhwama wafike wahlala phansi uSibiya wenaba wathi thwishi, wathi esuka wayethi hlwi hlwi ugwayi wamakhala eshungwini lakhe.
"UMveli akafile uyaphila," kuqhuba uLabase. "Ngakhoke kufanele sime naye kukho konke ukuze asehlule lesi sifo. Manje yiso isikhathi lesi sokuthi sibe yimbumba yomfelandawonye ngoba noma kungathiwani, akusilima sindlebende kwabo."
"Kunjengoba ngisho nje ntanga, ngiyothi ngingakhuluma nomalume bese ngibhalela uLabase, ngimazise ukuthi amaThusi akoDlebenkomo Mwelase asendleleni, ukuzocela ubuhlobo obuhle kwaLabase."
"S'thandwa angivumelani neze nenkulumo kadokotela. Angifuni ukukufaka engcupheni yokufa."
"Uthini na Mpho, uthi ngifake amashorts uma ngihleli noMveli sibukana emehlweni sixoxa ezothando?
"Hhiya mntakwethu ngisazimisele, into nje ngifikelwa ngumcabango wephupho lami lobusuku bayizolo. Bekuyiphupho eliyisimanga engingazi ukuthi lisho ukuthini Ngiphuphe nginobabomncane emjahweni wamahhashi, sibhejela ihhashi elizowina. Kuthe lapho esegijima ebhandeni, ngazibona sengiwujoki waleli hhashi eliwinayo. Kusenjalo ngezwa sengathi ubabomncane uyangimemeza uthi: 'Lijahe ungesabi, nakanjani lizowina'. Isimanga leli hhashi lami belingafani namanye, lona beliyiponi elihle kabi. Kuthe uma ngiqeda ukuwina kwahlokoma izihlwele zabantu ebezilapho. Ngaphaphama."
"Kusobala-ke ukuthi nocwaningo lolu ebenifuna ukulungenela alusadingekile. Sengathi uNkulunkulu anganibusisa lifezeke iphupho lenu lokuba nomntwana." Aphinde abaxhawule udokotela. "Seningahamba, uma kukhona enye inkinga enihluphayo nibobuya nizongazisa."
"Hhayi bo! Musa ukungethusa. Lithini lelo phupho?
"Lutho-ke lapho mntanami, mina ngisengumqemane, ingani ngisakwazi nokufaka amaxhumela ami ngishayele phezulu. Bheka! Bheka!" sisho silingisa uma sihamba isalukazi. Balale bonke yinsini.
"Mveli mntakwethu ngizokwazisa ukuthi lapho iliba lakho liyoba khona, nelami liyoba seceleni kwalo." Wathi angalisho lelo uBasolile zehla ezimathonsi. NakuMveli kwaba yiso sona leso. Bakhala bobabili baze bazithulisa.
"Wethuka kangaka ntanga, kwenzenjani Bengithi uyazi ukuthi uma uthando selufikile aludingi kuhlalelwa iminyakanyaka. Ingani nesiZulu siyasho ukuthi ithendele elisuka muva lidliwa yizagila. Angifuni mina ukudliwa yilezo zagila zabafokazana abangaze bangithathele uSindi wami.?
"Ngaphambi kokuthi siqhubeke ngale nkulumo, ngicela ukuthi uhambe uyoyixoxa nomyeni wakho le ndaba, niyicabangisise kahle ngoba ibucayi kakhulu, niyothi ningavumelana nize nobabili nizongazisa ngesinqumo senu." Esebuyela ekhaya uBasolile wayehambela phezulu wukujabula yize enye inhliziyo yayimtshela ukuthi kumbe lo dokotela wayesenga ezimithiyo ezama ukumjabulisa nje ngale nkulumo. "Kodwa ubebukeka eqinisile," ukhuluma yedwa. "Khona angawaqamba kanjani amanga ngendaba ebucayi kangaka. Hhayi ngeke, odokotela bafungiswa ukukhuluma iqiniso. Ngizoke ngizwe ukuthi uNelile uzothini uma ngimxoxela le ndaba. We! Ingabe Mveli wena uzothini?
"Kodwa baqinisile kufanele usiko lwe" akaliqedanga lelo unina omcane kaSindi. Wakhwela wazehlela kuye unina kaSindi.
Ekufikeni kwakhe esitolo akabingelelanga muntu, waqonda ehhovisi lakhe wahlala ocingweni. Lutho ukungena inombolo kaSindi. Kwathi esayiphindaphinda kwangqongqoza uMfaniseni emnyango, wangena. Ukhuluma evala umnyango uMfaniseni.
"Is he mad" kubuza umninihhotela kuMfaniseni?
Bafika udokotela esebalindele. Kwathi bangahlala phansi weza nendaba udokotela.
"Kulungile gogo, sizoshiya wena ubheke ikhaya. Sizohamba kuleli sonto elizayo ngoba ngifuna ukuthi uma sibuya sidlule kumfowethu eDumbe. Siyothi ukuhlala lapho izinsukwana, phela ziningi izindaba okufanele sizixoxe sobabili, ikakhulu le kaMveli nale ntombazana aseyonile ngoba ngezwa ukuthi yathola umfana."
"Kahle ukwethuka ntanga yamashinga, ingani uyazi ukuthi amanzi ayakhiphana, futhi nesinamuva liyabukwa."
Injongo yami ekubhaleni le ncwadi ukuzama ukukhuthaza isizwe sakithi, ikakhulu intsha ukuthanda ulimi lwayo, nokuhlonipha imvelaphi yayo. Ngoba noma singaze sizazi kangakanani izilimi zabamhlophe, lokho ngeke kuguqule ibala lethu nobuntu bethu okuyizinto esiziqhenya ngazo njengesizwe. Noma singathini, iqiniso ukuthi inkululeko yethu igxile ekutheni sizazi, sizihloniphe, sithande ubuntu bethu.
"Yiya ntanga yamashinga, phela namuhla ngizobe nginokudla kwasemini nalesiya siphalaphala sentokazi ebengikuxoxela ngaso ukuthi ngiye ngaba nengxoxo emfushne naso kuthangi," asho maqede amoyizele, kuvele uthotho lwamazinyo amhlophe asho ngesitsako ongathi esokwenziwa.
"Kahle Basolile musa, hlala phansi ngizokuxoxela indaba engize ngayo," nguMveli lowo ezama ukuzithukulula kunoxhaka osumbambile.
"Eyi Basolile, le ndaba yakho noMveli ayingiphethe kahle neze. Ngisho ngoba kuleli sonto elizayo ubaba kufanele ahambe ayolobolela uMveli eGoli. Angazi ukuthi ngingayivimba kanjani yonke le nto."
"Hamba ntombi yami, angisafuni kuzwa lutho lwale ncwadi." Asukume ahambe uNelile, basale bobabili noMaMkhize.
"Gogo, gogo, ngikuphathele izindaba ezimnandi," asho ngokukhulu ukujabula uMveli.
"Uthando lwalaba bobabili oluvela ngaphezulu," kuhleka udokotela ebabuka ngefasitela. Empeleni kwakunjalo ngoba kuwo lowo nyaka iphupho labo lafezeka, babusiswa ngentombazanyane enhle.
"Hello, s'thandwa sami." Nakuye uSindi kwaphinda sona leso ebesenzeka kuMveli, lwathula du ucingo.
"Mnumzane Labase kukhona into engingayiqondi egazini lakho ukuthi isho ukuthini."
"Qhubeka mnumzane," kusho u-Opperman ethimula ubala ukuthukuthela. ULabase obesakhexe umlomo yilesi senzo, akhungatheke angazi ukuthi kufanele aqale athini. Asheshe akubone lokho uMfaniseni asondele kuye amhlebele endlebeni. Athi angakuzwa okushiwo nguMfaniseni akhulume ayifinqe uLabase inkulumo yakhe, esebalekela uthuli lwezicwe olungaphinde luvele uma engelula.
"Wathula gogo, kwangathi nawe awufuni ukuya edolobheni" kubuza uMveli esalukazini?
Aphume emotweni uMveli. "Angidakiwe mnumzane. Ngunkosikazi wami uyagula, ubefuna ukuzijika imoto ihamba." Nalo iphoyisa lathi lingamuthi nhla uSindi owayesemehlo abomvu okwembawula, labona ukuthi leli akudokwe ligayelwe lona. Lamkhomba ngomunwe uMveli. "Hamba, akube ugcinile ukushayela kanje. Uyezwa!"
"Ja mngani uzomamela," kuphendula uMpho. Nempela kwathi ntambama sebeqedile ukudla behleli bodwa bexoxa wayiveza uSindi indaba.
"Wo! usho uMiya Yimi futhi owamyekisa utshwala ngoba wayehlala njalo emnandi. UMaDlamini wayesexakekile ukuthi uzomthini. Phela abanye abantu bathi uma bengenwe yilesi sifo baphonse ithawula, kwasho abelungu.?
Wala wephetha uSindi, kwadingeka aqhubeke nalowo msebenzi yedwa uMveli. Kwakungekho angabuye akwenze ngoba ubuhlungu besicathulo buzwiwa ngumnikazi waso. Wathi angawubethela umuzi wakhe uMveli kwaphela konke obekumkhathaza kuleli khaya, waqala wakhululeka.
"Bheka phela, khona kuthangi bengitshela uyihlo ukuthi nomakoti wakwami uBasolile usebuphasile ubuthishela, useyofundisa ngonyaka ozayo."
"Kahle kancane, kwakuhle ngakhumbula, bengifuna isitolo sicakacwe ngaphandle bese sibhalwa ngokusha sithi: LABASE & SON SUPERMARKET. Angifuni ukuthi ngoba ubabomncane engasekho umsebenzi ubukeke kabi, ufakazele laba abathi umuntu uhamba nezinto zakhe."
"Ngiyabonga mntanami ukuzwa lokho. Hawu, nansi enye indaba enkulu ebengithi ngizokubuza yona. Wamtshela yini umakoti wami ngesifo esiphethe umfowenu?
"Kahle Mveli mntanami ngiqede inkulumo yami. Ngiqonde ukuthi bantabami namuhla lo muzi usungowenu."
Wathi angasho njalo lwathi gozololo uvalo kuMveli ngoba wayesecabanga ukuthi waliwe. Bahleka bobabili bagonana, baqabulana, lwashisa lwavutha amalangabi uthando lwabo. USindi waqala wakhululeka manje, baxoxa ngekusasa labo bobabili.
"Wethuke kakhulu, ingabe yini lena emethuse kangaka" kubuza udokotela?
"Kuleli phupho Nelile ngizibona njalo ngisesibhedlela ngithola ingane yentombazane. Emuva kokuyithola le ngane ngiyaye ngiyigeze, ngiyincelise, bese iyalala. Okungihlupha du ngale ngane wukuthi ifana noMveli inqaba; empeleni kuyaye kube sengathi ngincelisa yena."
"Ngiyajabula uma uwuthanda nawe lo mqondo s'thandwa ngoba lokhu kuyosenza nathi sifake igalelo elikhulu ekulwiseni lesi sifo."
"Yindaba emnandi leyo Mfaniseni, sengathi bangafela ejele," kuphendula uMveli.
"Nakimi kwaba njalo, ngathi ngingamgqema uduma ekhanda uMveli, kwala angizange ngilale kulobo busuku. Ngakhala ngimcabanga, kwaze kwasa ngingazange ngibuthi quthu." Balale yinsini bobabili. Ingani phela njengezintombi ezelusa babekhombisa ubuntombi babo ezeshelini zabo.
"Siyezwa baba," baphendule ngazwi linye.
"Sindi Opperman awunaso isifo egazini lakho, kodwa kufanele uphinde ubuye futhi emva kwezinyanga ezintathu ngizolihlola ukuze ngibe nesiqiniseko esigcwele sokuthi uyaphila." Kwabe akashilo udokotela, babanga omkhulu umsindo, basukuma babambana bakhala ukujabula. Ngubani owayengeke ajabule uma impilo yakhe isiphumile ogibeni lokufa. 'Lala lulaza sizokwengula,' kusho isiZulu.
UMveli naye owayeseshaye ucingo wancama, wayengasazi ukuthi kufanele enzeni ngoba nase-Illovo lapho uSindi ehlala khona, umantshingelane esangweni wamphika. Kanti futhi nekheli lakhe lasemsebenzini wayengenalo. Ubuthongo babungasehli kuMveli ngoba kwakusobala kuye ukuthi uSindi useye kwagoqanyawo, naye esebona kahle ukuthi impilo yakhe iyize emhlabeni. Yeka uthando, uyadlala umuntu ongalwazi.
"Ngeke mina ngife! Ngeke!" umemeza yedwa eqonda ekamelweni elilele uSindi.
"Yebuya baba! Yawuchitha umuthi inkonyane. Kanti ufuna ukungiphelekezela nje ujahe ukuyobona uNelile." Bafe yinsini. Wathi angafika ekhaya uMveli wabikela uMpho ngohambo lwakhe ngakusasa.
"Hhayi! unamandla uNelile ntanga, yintombi yempela. Selokhu kwaba yimi angikaze ngishaywe iK.O. Ngone nje ngokumbamba ngesandla." Bafe yinsini.
"Kahle ukugcona umntanami Nelile, angihambe ngiyomendlalela ukhathele, indlela ayihambile yinde," usho esukuma uMaMkhize.
"S'thandwa ngicabanga ukuthengela uMfaniseni imoto njengesipho somshado wabo noNelile."
"Ngiyazi ukuthi awufanele ukungixolela. Umzimba wami ulethe ukufa kuwe. Umoya wami waba yisiqalekiso kuwe. Impilo yami ibutuka ububi bomhlaba. Zandla ziphi ongangigona ngazo na Thando luphi ongangipha lona na Xolo luni engingaluthola kuwe na Mehlo maphi ongangibuka ngawo na Ngoba sengifana nekhiwane elihle eligcwele izimpethu, othi ungalikha ulijikijele ekudeni, ungafuni nokwazi ngesiphetho salo. Konke lokho kuyangifanela ngoba ukona kwami kuwe kukhulu. Kodwa yinye into engiyicelayo kuwe s'thandwa senhliziyo yami, wukuthi ulwe nalokhu kufa uze ukwehlule. Nami lapho ngiya khona ngiyohlala ngikucelela amandla okuthi uyinqobe le mpi.?
Ikhehla elingumatshingelane wesikole, elalisegcekeni licosha amaphepha leza selikhefuzela lithuswa yisililo. Labalunguza ngefasitela laba bona bobabili bebambene bekhala. Lathula lababuka, kwathi alingene labuye lazikhuza. "Eyomndeni Kayingenwa," likhuluma lodwa. Bakhala bobabili baze bazithulisa. Lapho amehlo abo ayesebomvu tebhu.
"Amathathu s'thandwa, uyeza kusasa. Ngiyajabula ngoba uyongithola senginesibindi sokuyixoxa yonke le ndaba."
"Ucabanga ukuthi mina ngiyini Ungithatha njengani nje nempela" Lapho wayengasathukuthele uBasolile esegane unwabu?
"Bese ngithini uma ngimfica nesoka lakhe Hhayi, ngizothi bengithunywe nguNelile ofuna ukumbona. Angiphakamise izinyawo nazi izingane seziphuma. Nanguya naye ephuma kuleliya gumbi lokufundela elingakwesokudla. Awu, sengathi ulandelwa yindoda nje Nansi icosha enye yezincwadi ayiwisile. Nakanjani yilo isoka lakhe leli, bheka ukuthi umoyizela kanjani. Mamo! Sengathi le ndoda ifuna ukumbhansa ezinqeni. Cha, imile bayaxoxa, kumbe njalo ibone mina. Hhayi, angijike ngibuyele emuva. Angifuni ukuyibona yonke le nto eyenzekayo.?
"Nami mzala wami iyangiphica le ndaba, angikaze ngikuzwe lokhu ngisho nasenganekwaneni," aphendule maqede ashise ipipi lakhe uNdlangamandla, phela uMfaniseni wayesebadonse ngendlebe ukuthi bangalokothi babheme ngaphakathi ehhotela.
"Hawu nkosikazi, usukhohliwe yini ukuthi angisilona ivaka mina Uma impi isifikile alufakwa kimi lubuya nodaka." Bethuke sebehleka bonke. Ingani kuyashiwo ukuthi noma kufiwe kuyahlekwa ngoba insini ingumuthi omkhulu emoyeni womuntu?
"Ungakahambi mntanami, awusho sebehambile yini oNelile?
"Basolile! Basolile!" kumemeza uNelile emnyango ngezwi lokujabula.
UNelile owayesehlengezela izinyembezi wavalelisa wayolala. "Bamhlobo muni Mveli" kubuza uMaMkhize. "BangamaXhosa mama.?
"Uqinisile. Uyazi ukuthini Angisapholisi maseko, kusasa lokhu okusayo ngizoyitshela le ntombi ukuthi ngifuna ibe ngumkami.?
USindi waphuma esibhedlela kubo lobo busuku, kwathi uMaCele waphuma ngakusasa. Kanti uMpho yena kwakwembulwa kwembeswa ngoba izibilini zakhe zazishe kabi yilo shevu awuphuzile. UMfaniseni waphuma ngemuva kwamasonto amabili sebemfake usimende umlenze wonke.
Athule uMveli ngoba wayazi ukuthi lwalungafakwa lwalubuya nodaka kudadewabo. Insizwa edelelayo wayeyishaya olungeqiwa ntwala ngokuphazima kweso. Zazimazi zonke izinsizwa nezintombi zesigodi sakubo ukuthi yishinga.
"Kunjengoba ngikulandisa nje ntanga, nami angizange ngiwakholwe amehlo ami uma ngibona le nto. Hheyi, ntanga! Ubesabe abantu besifazane, abahlakaniphile bahleli. USindi izolo akalalanga uzikhwehlelise kwaze kwasa. Ngivele ngayifunda ivaliwe ukuthi imbuzi igudla iguma, indaba enkulu ukwala kwami ukuthatha leya ngane." Balale bobabili yinsini.
Lihlabe lephukele lelo kuNelile, akhumbule leso sikhathi bekhula bobabili. Eqinisweni naye wayengalele, ingqondo yakhe yayilokhu igaya le ndaba esiphenduke inqabakayitshelwana.
Cha dadewethu akusiye.
"Ngiye ngama phezu kukajantshi wesitimela ntanga yethu kanti siyeza, sangishaya sangithela phansi." Bafe bobabili yinsini.
Ukungabibikho kwabazali babo abazange bakugqize qakala. Kubo bobabili impilo yayiphenduke izulu elincane, umhlaba ungowabo bodwa. Yize kubo uthando lwabo lwalumnandi, lupholile kuhle kwamanzi esiyalu, esalukazini esinguMaCele impilo yaso kuleli khaya yayidungekile, ishisa okwamanzi exhaphozi lendlela. Inzondo phakathi kwaso noSindi yayanda nsuku zonke, kwakubingelelana kodwa lokhu kwase kungumanka. UMpho owayesehlala kuleli khaya naye njengomzala kaSindi wayengumshoshozeli omkhulu wale nzondo. Wayelikhipha ligcwale umlomo elithi lesi salukazi siyathakatha. Kukho konke lokho ababekusho babazi kahle kamhlophe ukuthi uMveli usithanda futhi usikhonzise okukanina omzalayo lesi salukazi.
Athi angahlala phansi, eze nayo yonke indaba yempilo yakhe noSindi uMveli. Wayixoxa washiya akukhohliwe ngoba wayengazimisele ukumfihlela lutho uBasolile. Kwathi angayiphetha indaba yakhe uMveli, zehla ezimathonsi kuBasolile. Bakhala bobabili kungekho othulisa omunye, kwathi ngelikade bathula.
Amoyizele uMveli. "Hhayi ungahlupheki s'thandwa, ngizokhuluma naye ngimtshele esinye isizathu ngoba angifuni nakancane ayazi le ndaba."
"Asigeze ubuso ngamanzi abandayo mntanami, singezukubonakala ukuthi besikhala ngoba uyihlo angasibulala."
"Cha uyisoka Mveli," kuqhuba uZungu. "Awusuki olimini lwale ntokazi, kanti nezinsizwa zesigodi sakithi seziqomise zaze zabeka phansi. Ngihlekiswe ngenye esibhale igama likaBasolile emhlubulweni wetekisi layo." Balale yinsini bobathathu.
ehluleke ukuqhubeka nencwadi uNelile, kwehle izinyembezi uma ezwa okuvelele isesheli sakhe.
"MaMkhize uyazi lo mfana udlala ngegeja kuziliwe. Ucabanga ukuthi umuzi uyinto yokudlala. Akazi ukuthi uyisizinda sabadala Ungenwe yini uMveli?
"Ewu, mntanomuntu, yikho ukulingwa kwasemhlabeni. Asithule nangu eza."
"Hhayi bo! S'thandwa musa," kukhuza uMveli. "Usukhohliwe yini ukuthi akufanele sidle ukudla okudala ngisho namanzi okuphuza imbala. Kungcono sikuphe inja kamakhelwane."
"Ini Iduku! MaMkhize bheka la," asho esukuma wukuthukuthela uLabase. "Anginaso isikhathi sombhedo mina. Le ngane ngifuna ifunde, uyangizwa ukuthi ngithini kuwe Ngifuna uhambe kusasa lokhu okusayo, uyotshela lelo qhikiza elibaphethe ukuthi uNelile akayi lapho. Uyangizwa MaMkhize?
"Zikhona izinto ongazenza ukusiza umzimba wakho uthole amandla uma uzethwele. Njengokudla ukudla okunomsoco. Ukuphumuza umzimba mihla yonke ngendlela efanele, uyeke ukubalisa ngenhliziyo. Umzimba uyakudinga ukuthi uhlale njalo welulwa ukuze uthole amandla, ungakwenza lokho kathathu noma kane ngesonto."
"Nelile, namuhla ngifuna ukuyoxolisa kuMveli. Mina ngafunga ukuthi akekho umuntu engiyomthanda ngaphandle kwakhe," usho ngephimbo eligcwele izinyembezi.
"Ungakahambi mntanami, ngicela ungihluzele isicathulo, uthi ungaqeda usibeke kwagogo kanye nempepho, ngizokwazi ukucela indlela yakusasa kwabadala. Habe! ngacishe ngakhohlwa, nezinkomo engizohamba nazo kudingeka ngizibike."
"Ewu Mfaniseni, usho ukuthi ihle igubhe khona kusasa lokhu okusayo Empeleni khona uqinisile kufanele silihloniphe ilanga lakusasa ngoba likhulu esizweni. Hhayike ntanga mina sengibambe elentulo, ayibophe, sidle phansi kusasa. Eyi! into yinye ezongithikameza. Bengethembise ugogo ukuthi nakanjani ngizombona ngaphambi kokuthi ngiye ekhaya. Wagcizelela emngcwabeni kaSindi ukuthi ngibokuza ngizombona ngoba kunendaba ebalulekile afuna ukungitshela yona. Kodwa akusenani sengiyombona ngibuya. Kambe okunye ntanga wukuthi, ngicela ubheke umuzi wami, ngiyesaba ukushiya uMpho yedwa, yize ngingezukuhamba isikhathi eside, kanti okunye futhi ukuthi kufanele nginxuse omunye kubafundi asale ebheke isikole.?
"Ya mngani," usho esukuma uSindi ebuyisa isicabha, athi angasivala ahlale embhedeni.
Ekufikeni kwakhe eGoli uLabase wafica ukuthi uMveli usewenze wonke amalungiselelo okuthi bahlanganele ehhotela. Njengomuntu owayethanda ukuthi zonke izinto azihambise ngosiko, ikakhulu zona lezi zokuhlanganisa imindeni, yamphatha kabi kakhulu le nto eyenziwe nguMveli. Uxoxa nomzala wakhe uNdlangamandla ngaphandle kwehhotela.
"Mdali wezulu nomhlaba!" akhuze aze asukume wuvalo uMfaniseni. "Mveli uzimisele ukuthatha umlungu?
"NguMveli Ukwenzani" Angamphenduli, esule izinyembezi aqede?
"Kulungile mama." Aphuthume emabhodweni uNelile. Ingani phela uthe angayithi nhla le nsizwa ehamba nomfowabo, wazitshela ukuthi nakanjani kufanele kube yiso isesheli sakhe lesi esinguMfaniseni. Ubesephuthuma endlini ukuyoshintsha abekwembethe, abuye azithi phulaphula ezithweni ngamanzi ukususa izintuli zokhula. Iyiphi intombi engafuna ukuzinyundela eseshelini ngokuqhamuka yembethe izidwedwe zasekhaya, isho ngezitho ezimpunga?
"Cha angikezwa, yiliphi lona lelo phepha?
"Wabukeka ukhathazekile kwenzenjani mntakwethu" ubuza emnikeza inkomishi yetiye. Avuke uMveli emukele itiye kumkakhe, phela ufuzo luyedlulela, naye njengoyise omncane itiye wayelithanda ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke?
"Dokotela usho ukuthi leli phupho lami alisiwo umbhedo, nginga?
"Cha mama angiguli, ikuthi bengi aku..." athule.
"Uqinisile ubaba mama, kufanele sisize uMveli ngazo zonke izindlela ukunqoba lesi sifo," kuphendula uNelile.
Omunye kule mizi eyayigqamile kuleli lokishi laseSoweto kwakungumuzi wakwaLabase. Wawuthi uma uqhamuka ejikeni elisenyakatho lomgwaqo omkhulu okusa esiteshini sikaloliwe saseDube, ukhangwe yiwo ngesitezi sawo esisho ngamafasitela amakhulu acwebezelisa okwesibuko, bese kuthi lapha ngaphambili kube nengadi yotshani obuluhlaza bekhethelo, obugqize ngezimbali ezikhangayo.
"Ngiyezwa mnumzane," asho ebuyela emotweni. Basuke bahambe.
"Nelile ubophathela uyihlo isicathulo sakhe lapho exhibeni."
Zadubula le nsizwa engisebenza nayo edolweni kodwa kwaba ngozi makhaza ngoba isibuyele emsebenzini.
"Hawu! Kanti usunamandla angaka, kule nyanga ezayo nguwe ozongilethela."
"Uyabheda manje wena."
Ingani phela njengomuntu ongazange athole abantwana empilweni yakhe, lo mfana sasesimthatha njengendodana yaso, eyigugu laso emhlabeni. Angasiphenduli athalalise uMveli, abheke isikhathi ewashini lakhe lesandla.
"Bizani i-ambulensi!" kumemeza isalukazi esinguMaCele esangweni. Ngubani owayesasizwa lapha endlini ngoba uSindi noMpho base bembethwe yifu lokufa. Omakhelwane abethuswa ukuqhuma kwesibhamu bashayela amaphoyisa, nawo atheleka ngokukhulu ukushesha esehamba nemoto yeziguli. Ngesikhathi amaphoyisa ebuza bonke ngokwenzekile abemoto yeziguli babematasatasa benika uMfaniseni usizo lokuqala ngoba wayesophe kakhulu futhi kungasasukumeki lapho ekhona. Bamthwala bamfaka emotweni. Kwathi lapho bethi bamphuthumisa esibhedlela bamenyezwa ngamaphoyisa emuva kokwelamela uSindi owayequleke ekhishini. UMpho bamthola ekamelweni esekhihliza amagwebu amhlophe ngomlomo, amehlo esephenduke abamhlophe qwa, kungasakhulumeki. Isalukazi esinguMaCele ekuboneni kwaso sonke lesi sibhicongo, naso savukwa yiphika, kwamnyama emehlweni, saquleka khona lapho yisifo senhliziyo. Babafaka bonke emotweni yeziguli babaphuthumisa esibhedlela. Kwathi lapho amaphoyisa esaphenya ngokwenzekile, wafika uMveli owayeseshayelwe ucingo ngomakhelwane ukumazisa ngalo mhlola osuvele emzini wakhe. Naye amaphoyisa amfaka imibuzo mayelana nalesi sehlakalo.
"Ukube awuyena umfowethu, ngabe ngikhwela kuwe khona manje."
"Kunjalo baba, ngizimisele ukuyilobola kuyo le nyanga esiyiphethe."
"NguMashwempe wakwaKhanyile, nguye ogada isikole," kuphendula uBasolile elokhu ehleke njalo.
"Uqinisile s'thandwa, nami kufanele ngiye ekhishini ngoba ngifuna ilunch yethu iphekwe yimi namuhla nogogo naye ake aphumule."
Kwasa ngakusasa laqulwa icala labo enkantolo.
"Bafuna iR1 000.00. Yini kuwe Ngathi uthukile, akunaniks ezovela, bazomthusa kuphela." Athi angasho njalo uMpho ahoshe usikilidi wakhe ephaketheni awokhele, abheme kanye anikeze uSindi?
"Wo, hhayi-ke mntanami! Besenginovalo lokuthi ungahle uphinde sona leso, ungixabanise noyihlo."
"Ufuna ngithini Ingani ngizama ukukuchazela umehluko phakathi kukaBasolile nale ntokazi, kanti futhi mina akukho okungibopha kangako kuBasolile ngoba ubaba nengane wayihlawula.?
Angabe esakhuluma uMveli, adumele ucingo ashayele ikhaya lezingane. Kuthe umhlengikazi angamtshela ukuthi lengane akhuluma ngayo isekhona wasukumisa okohlanya. "Ntanga sengiyoyilanda le ngane," usho esephuma emnyango. Uthe lapho ethi uyayihlehlisa imoto, wabona uMfaniseni eza kuye egijima.
"Yini lena ongayiboni dokotela Musa ukungifihlela uma ubona isimo sempilo yami sisengozini.?
"Gogo wakhuluma wedwa kwenzenjani" Sethuke isalukazi?
"Mntakwethu ngiyakuzwa, ngicela ungivumele ngenze okufiswa yinhliziyo yami, okuyongivelela kwaziwa nguNkulunkulu nabakithi."
"Sekonakele kwagcina s'thandwa, udokotela ungikhulumele insumansumane engingakwazi nokuyichaza." Ethuke naye uBasolile manje, ahlale embhedeni eceleni komyeni wakhe.
"Wabuya nami okwesishiphi senkantolo," kuphinda uMveli.
"Awusilandise-ke nsizwa yami ngale ntokazi yakho yaseGoli. Phela izolo asibange sisayinambitha lendaba ngenxa yokukathazeka esibe nakho."
"Khuz' umkakho ndoda!" kusho u-Opperman ehlahlela uSmith amehlo.
"Hhayi mntanami, ngibona nanguya uyihlo eza laphaya ngaphesheya komfula Intombe, phuthuma umlungisele umcaba wakhe namasi. Ungisize uwakhamisise umlaza ngoba umbotshozelwa walelo gula mncane. Wu! ngacishe ngakhohlwa ubowenzela okhambeni lwakhe bese uluvala ngembenge."
"E-e-Mveli," anikine ikhanda. "Angikhaliswa ubuhlungu, ngikhaliswa ukujabula nokumangala ngoba nami ngikuthanda ngomoya wami wonke."
"Hheyi, bheka-la, nam ngowam lo mntwana ngimkhulisile!", usho umkhomba ngomunwe.
"Kunjalo Basolile kade sagcinana, empeleni into engilethe lapha esikoleni kuwe wukuthi" Abeke umunwe emlonyeni kaMveli uBasolile.
"Azinaphikani phela ngoba kwathi langa limbe ngisebenza ekhishini lomlungu uJantoni, owayenepulazi khona ngakithi eNtuzuma, ngavelelwa elikhulu ishwa leli."
Ake sikhulume ngelobolo okuyilo elisematheni kule ndaba. Ilobolo liyindlela yokuhlanganisa imindeni yabaphilayo nabangasekho. Ngosiko lwabantu linikwa umnumzane wekhaya, oyobe eselibika kwabakubo ukuthi ulamukele ngokuhlabisa abakhwenyana, abafake ekhaya. Akufanele lehlukaniswe phakathi kwabazali bomntwana.
Ngibonga ngiyanconcoza kumaLabase ngamandla angiphe wona okubhala le ncwadi, ngiphinde ngibonge kakhulu nakubashicileli bayo.
"Awushongo Sibiya ukuthi inkomo yakho ithini" kubuza uLabase?
"Kambe s'thandwa ngibona kufanele ngibabhalele ekhaya ngalokhu okusivelele, kodwa angazi ngiqale ngithini ngoba funa bashaywe wuvalo olubi olungabafakela ukugula nokufa."
"Yebo babesho njalo, ngoba babethukuthela bangithethise, ikakhulu umama owawungamuzwa ethi; "Uyisilima wena Sindi akukho okubonayo, yonke into kuwe ilungile." Babephila ngokuzondana s'thandwa. Ekugcineni ngasiyeka isikole, ngababalekela ngazifunela umsebenzi, ngazihlalela ngedwa.
"Cha mntanami ngeke kwalunga lokho ngoba ngiyobe sengigxambukela ezindabeni zezingane. Mina ngibona ukuthi kufanele sikhulume noMveli namuhla ntambama kube nguye omazisayo."
Ayixoxe ukusuka nokuhlala indaba uMfaniseni nokuthi ubemi kuphi eHillbrow ngenkathi elinde indoda leyo abeyifuna.
"Zikhona s'thandwa izimpawu ongabona ngazo ukuthi unalesi sifo, yize ungeke ube nesiqiniseko esiphelele ngaphandle kokuthi ahlolwe ngudokotela. Ezinye zalezi zimpawu kuyaye kube uhudo olunganqamuki. Ukhwehlekhwehle lwesifuba esingapheli. Ukucinana kwesifuba okumenza aphefumule kanzima. Ulimi lwakhe luhlala lunoqweqwe olumhlophe olungagezeki. Uhlala egula njalo, angabi nayo impilo enhle njengezinye izingane. Kanti futhi nomzimba wakhe uyaye ungavumi ukuthela, uhlala uzacile yize edla ngokwenele. Okunye engithanda ukwazi dudu wami, wukuthi ingane enalesi sifo iphila isikhathi esifushane, enye kube yiminyaka emibili, kanti enye ingafika eminyakeni eyisishiyagalombili qha."
"Wagcina wenzenjani" abuze esehlahle amehlo uMfaniseni wukumangala. Ahleke uMveli. "Kwathi ngelikade ngavuka, ngahamba ngayogeza emfuleni.?
"Kahle Shenge, hlala phansi baba," kuncenga uMaMkhize.
"Mveli kusho ukuthi le ntombi uyithanda ngempela. Usungaze ugqoke uconse ube nje" Adonse isitulo uMfaniseni ahlale phansi?
"Abafana izindukwana ezihlonywa phansi emagumbini omane omuzi ukuvimbela umphezulu ukuthi ungangeni ekhaya uma izulu liduma kabi."
"Ngisho ukuthi s'thandwa, umsebenzi wendoda ekhaya uya uphela. Namuhla sengiyakwazi ukuba nengane ngingazange ngihlangane nomuntu wesilisa. Kanti futhi ngiyakwazi ukuzikhethela ingane engiyifunayo."
"Ngizwe ebala yona lena ephezulu."
"Ini Unyaka! Khohlwa ntanga yethu ngeke ngikwenze lokho." Akabange esanda namaningi uMfaniseni ngoba kwamcacela ukuthi uMveli uyithanda ngempela le ntokazi akazenzisi. Kanti futhi wayeqala ukumbona ejabule kangaka. Babuyele endlini. Nempela ngelanga elilandelayo uMveli wabikela uSindi ukuthi uzimisele ukumthatha abe ngumkakhe. Kwabe akashilo wavele wabihlika washo isililo uSindi. UMveli owayengakulindele konke lokhu washaqeka, wafikelwa ukuzisola, wamphuthuma wamgona?
"Cha ngizwile ntanga yamashinga, uzongifunda angiqonde, ngizombhalela ezishisayo izincwadi lezi uma ngifika eGoli." Balale yinsini.
"Lo muzi sekuyikhaya lakho ngicela ufele kuwo." Sathi singawacabanga lawo mazwi kwehla ezimathonsi, zehla zagobhoza ngoba namuhla sabe sizophenduka undingasithebeni. Sibabaze sodwa isalukazi. "Hawu! ngiyakwesaba ukufa ngokungithathela abakwaLabase. Yimi lo namuhla osezoba ngumtshingo ubethwa ngubani, ngiphenduke uMphe-mphe okwesalukazi somSuthu." Uma sikhuluma la magama kwakungathi siyababona abakwaLabase. Yize umzimba waso wawubuthakathaka nekhanda libuhlungu wukucabanga, kodwa sazitshela ukuthi kukhona esifanele sikwenze mayelana nale ndaba yokuthengiswa kwalo muzi yilo mfana.
"Kanti akusoka lami yini." Bahleke. Abheke naye ngaphesheya komfula uMaMkhize.
"Angizukuhlala ngidinwe kabi, namuhla ilanga beliphumile emasimini. Ngithi ngizokuzwa ukuthi ubungibizelani." Ukhuluma umi ngezinyawo uNelile, kusobala ukuthi akazimisele ukuhlala phansi.
Wathi angayibhala incwadi uSindi, wanikela ematekisini ayezomthwala amuse ekufeni. Nendawo ayozijika kuyo esitimeleni wayeseyicabangisise kahle. Kukhona yini okwehlula uSathane uma uke wamvumela Wazibona esemile kulelo bhuloho elisekuqaleni kwesiteshikazi saseGermiston, elinde ukuthi isitimela siqhamuke kuleyo ngosi yebhuloho bese uyaziphonsa phambi kwaso, singakami esiteshini. Njengoba kwase kuntambama, amatekisi wonke aya eGermiston ayedlula egcwele. Yize kunjalo lokho akuzange kumdikibalise umoya, wazitshela ukuthi uzomane alinde ibhasi. Wahlala lapho esiteshini sebhasi walinda. Ingqondo yakhe yayikhathele, inhliziyo igaya izibozi. Kwafika isithongwana, wozela walala. Waphupha egijinyiswa ngamadoda afuna ukumdlwengula, kusenjalo waphinde wazibona eyela emgodini omnyama ogcwele izinyoka, ezabuye zaphenduka zaba yila madoda abemgijimisa. Khona lapho wezwa sekukhala isitimela siqonde kuye ngqo?
"Usho ukuthi sihle leso?
"Basolile kusho ukuthi leli phupho lakho liyiqiniso," usho ngezwi elinezinyembezi zenjabulo uNelile.
Noma uMveli wayengazimisele ukuyifihlela muntu inkinga yempilo yakhe, kodwa kwathi lapho sekufika isikhathi sokuthi achazele abazali bakhe ngakho konke okumvelele, wafica lokho kusinda kuyitshe.
"Wee-ma! khohlwa yileyo ndaba, ubaba washaya ngenduku phansi, wathi kufanele ngiqhubeke nesikole."
"Awubange usangitshela ukuthi utheni uNelile uma umtshela ngami Mveli?
"Ngeyami makhosi, yi-yizinkomo zami zelobolo," kuphendula uLabase ngelokuzikhalela.
"O! Simakade, wena ongehlulwa lutho. Asingacimi lesi sibane sothando phakathi kwalezi zingane. Ngoba kimi siyinjabulo nethemba lekusasa elihle kulo muzi."
"Thatha nasi isicathulo mfana wami usinike ugogo asigcwalise."
"We! Mntanami, ingabe omakhelwane bayothini lapho usushaye isidwaba sakho nesicholo" kusho isalukazi sizesula izinyembezi zensini?
"Kanti ungahlupheki mfana wami, siyobalobolela abakoKhubonye ngomhlambi ocish'ilanga. Phambilili uyobe uholwa nguBhantomu, inqudulu yami enkone. Kulandele inkabi yami ebomvu emise ngezimpondo. Kube yisithole esimnyama esigqize ngentamo. Kulandele inkunzi yami yenqudulu empevu yagqiza ngamasondo," asukume lapho uLabase, phela usevukelwa wusinga ngesibaya sakhe.
"Sindi uneqiniso ukuthi uMfaniseni ukubonile", ambuze maqede asukume uMpho avule elinye ibhodlela lewayini amthelele, ingani phela namuhla yilanga labo lokujabula?
"Uthini kimi, yona le esiyiphethe Ujaheni kangaka uMveli" esho ngokwethuka uLabase?
"Kumbe ugogo njengomuntu omdala angalichaza, mntakwethu."
"Akukho lutho mntakwethu, ukuthi nje bengicabanga okuningi okufanele sikwenze."
Basuke bayohlala eceleni kwendima. Aphuze idokwe lakhe uLabase, baxoxe.
"Wathula Nelile," usho embukisisa uBasolile. Angaphenduli uNelile athi esuka abe ekhuza umhlola.
"Pho ninaye yini ummeli noma nifuna inkantolo inifunele yena na" kusabuza inkosi yenkantolo. Besabhekana aphendule ummeli wabo?
"NguSmith s'thandwa. Ukuzondana kwabo kwanda kwaze kwafika lapho nami ngingasakhoni ukukumela. Ngoba kwakuthi uma ubaba ngimvakashele afune ngimxoxele ngempilo kamama noSmith. Kanjalo nomama wayefuna ukwazi ngempilo kababa nomamncane uma ngiye kubo. Uma ngingavumi ukukhuluma, kwakungathi kukhona engikufihlayo noma ngiyabamela. Konje kuthiwani ngesiZulu esihle s'thandwa?
"Ngisho ngoba esikhundleni sokuthi asitshele umphumela wegazi lami usafuna sihlale simlinde."
Wamcisha umakhalekhukhwini wakhe uSindi, wamfaka esikhwameni wagibela ebhasini. Okungumfana akubange kusakhwela ebhasini ngoba kwakwesaba ukuthi lo sisi obukeka egula angahle akwenze kabi.
"Yiqiniso izingcweti kwezemithi zimatasatasa ngalolu cwaningo oluyingqophamlando, kodwa ngaphambi kokuthi ngikuthumele lapho lolu cwaningo lwenziwa khona, kufanele ngihlole izinga lalesi sifo egazini lakho," kuchaza udokotela. Nempela udokotela wamfaka kwelinye igumbi lapho athatha khona igazi lakhe.
"Kulungile mkhulu," kuthathe umancishana kugijimele exhibeni kugogo wakho.
"Asambe daddy," kusho unina kaSindi edonsa uSmith ngengalo.
UMveli usehhovisi lakhe uxoxa noMfaniseni. "Ntanga yethu ngicela ukuthi usale ubheke umsebenzi. Ungisize ubheke kakhulu nangasekhaya ngoba impilo kagogo iyatetema selokhu ake walala phansi nje isifo senhliziyo. Ungisize ungamtsheli ukuthi ngiye ekhaya ngoba funa aphatheke kabi uma engazi ukuthi sengiyobabikela ngomshado. Wena ubothi nje ngiye emhlanganweni ePitoli."
"Wabe enalesifo esingumashayabhuqe okuthiwa yingculazi." Athi angasho njalo bathule bonke ngoba nabo base benolwazi ngalesi sifo esesiqede abantu kulo lonke lakwaZulu. Kwathi ngelikade wasisho isililo uNelile.
"Musa ukukhala kangaka ulingise laba abathi betshelwa ukuthi akufanele baphuze utshwala noma babheme ugwayi kodwa bakwenze esithe." Afe yinsini uSindi.
"Ngeke ntanga yethu, ugogo akangeni ndawo lapha. Mina sengiqedile nenhliziyo yami. Kulo leli sonto elizayo kufanele ngehle ngiye eDumbe ngiyokwazisa ubaba nomama."
"Kulungile s'thandwa. Kufanele ngishayele uMpho ngimcele ukuthi azohlala nawe izinsukwana uze ululame."
"Hello, hello, ufuna bani" kubuza izwi angalazi?
"Phumani-ke liphelile icala lenu." Ivale amabhuku ayo inkosi yenkantolo, isukume.
Akaliqedanga lelo, kwachitheka izishebo. Wagxuma uSindi wabamba uMveli wamqabula, okwetafulana kwabheka phezulu, kwaphahlazeka amapuleyiti kwanjeya. Ukudla obekuyilokhu kungakadliwa kwagcwala phansi. Baxolisa kuweta, uMveli wakhokhela wonke umonakalo owawusudalekile.
"Angazi ntanga ngoba yonke lento bengiyithatha samdlalo, kodwa manje sekusobala ukuthi impilo yakhe isengozini. Yikho okungenza ngicabange ukuthi uma ngingamtholela le ngane mhlawumbe uzolulama. Umbuzo omkhulu wukuthi, njengoba kungeyona eyakwaLabase ngizoyifaka kanjani ekhaya?
Umuntu owaphuma kuqala endlini emva kokuqhuma kwesibhamu yisalukazi uMaCele, esafike sambamba uMfaniseni owayesebhuquza phansi samgona. USindi wathi uma ephuma endlini, wathi angathi nhla imoto kaMveli, wathwala izandla ekhanda wasisho esinamathambo. "Mveli! Mveli!" Wawa khona lapho emnyango waquleka. UMpho yena wezwakala ememeza ngesikubo yedwa endlini okohlanya.
"Kulungile ngizomthumela sona leso osishoyo. Kambe ngakhumbula, uzwile yini ukuthi isithombe senu somshado besivele kwelinye lamaphephandaba aseGoli?
"Kulungile mntakwethu ngizokwenza njengokusho kwakho," asho eqabula isithandwa sakhe esiphongweni wukujabula.
"Awangahleka Mveli, yini sengathi aweneme emuva kokusibikela indaba emnandi kangaka" kubuza uLabase?
"Thula wena! Wazini Ngowami lo mntwana engikhuluma ngaye.?
"Kulungile mama, wena noMveli ngiyobe senginenzela itiye."
"Wu! Uke wabona, nginendlu yami nemoto yami, sihlala sobathathu noMveli wami," athi angasho njalo baphinde bagonane bobabili ukujabula.
"Maye Mveli waphonse wangibulala ngensini ngokungikhumbuza leso sehlakalo esabopha yonke inkundla," asho esula izinyembezi uMfaniseni, emukela izincwadi endodeni, ezibeka etafuleni likaMveli.
Asho lapho uMveli asikaze ubala. Afe yinsini uMfaniseni.
Amoyizele uLabase. "Cha musa ukuba netwetwe nkosikazi, ngeke kwenzeka lokho." Engakaligwinyi lelo akhumbule okunye uLabase. "Madoda! Ingabe lesiya salukazi sakwaCele sashonaphi Ngisho ngoba sasilijabulele kabi leliya khaya, sisho nokusho ukuthi umfowethu wathi siyofela kulo, futhi sifunga nokuthi ngeke silubhade edolobheni.?
"Musa ukuzihlupha nkosikazi kuzokwedlula. Ngicabanga ngalolu hambo lwakusasa, umuntu akasejwayele ukuhamba uhambo olude kangaka."
"Mveli mntanami sengathi aweneme namuhla, uyagula yini" kubuza uMaMkhize ongeke aphicwe yisimo somntanakhe?
"Yini ukhalo" kubuza unina kaSindi?
"Ngiyabonga ukukwazi Mnumzane Zungu," kuphendula uMveli bexhawulana.
Hawu! Waze waba isilingo mali Uyadela owaziyo ukuthi wavelaphi Konje bayakusho ukuthi uyimpande yesono nokufa Abantu bafa imihla namalanga, ngenxa yakho Mxabanisi Ukhothanyelwa yizizwe zonke, Mdali wezifo zonke. Umubi mlingo ndini! Ngoba awesutheki. Umuntu okugcwalise izikhwama, Uhamba ejeqeza, ethuswa nayisithunzi sakhe. Uma ungekho akalali, kuze kuse ebalisa Ngeke ulibone izulu! Ngoba elakho lisemhlabeni.
"Sawubona gogo, wakhuluma wedwa kwenzenjani Uphi uMveli" kubuza uMfaniseni engena esangweni. Sethuke isalukazi?
"Hhayi suka lommenyana, sasingekho ebusheni bakhe. Unyazani Lezinkomo zobukhazi aziveli kuye, zivela kuMveli.?
"U-thi nge-ngenze-njani, Nelile" ubhokelwe isibibithwane uBasolile?
Ngicabanga ngaleliya phimbo elimnandi engilizwe kulolo cingo, ziyadela izintaba namagquma ezibona ubuso balo.
Yize kwase kuyizinyanga eziyisikhombisa yavela le nhlekelele, kodwa esalukazini esinguMaCele yonke le ngxoxo nomdeni wakwaLabase kwakungathi ngeyayizolo. Njengoba sihlezi sodwa sibuka lesi sithombe, amehlo aso ayesehlengezela izinyembezi, izandla sezinedumbe ngoba kwakungathi sisephusheni sizobuye sivuke sibabone.
"Kwayiwaphi laph' ekhaya Isisu somhambi asingakanani, singangenso yenyoni, nkosikazi yakoLabase." Aphume uMaMkhize amhlangabeze, kube mnandi bahleke. Amthwalise umthwalo baqonde emthunzini wesihlahla, bafike bahlale?
"Kahle nkosikazi silalele, qhubeka ntombi yami," Aqhubeke uNelile.
"Noma kunjalo s'thandwa, asinaso isiqiniseko sokuthi ngeke wesuleleke yilesi sifo. Engifuna ukwazi Dudu wami wukuthi uma ukhulelwe igazi lakho liyashisa, nomzimba wakho usebenzisa wonke amandla asegazini ukukhulisa umntwana okuyinto engenza lesi sifo singene futhi sande kalula emzimbeni wakho ngenxa yokwesweleka kwamanye amandla okusilwisa emzimbeni. Lokho-ke kungabeka impilo yakho engcupheni enkulu."
"S'thandwa, uNelile ngowakwethu ngiyamazi, isifuba sakhe sakhahlelwa yimbongolo, ngeke ahlale angabatsheli abazali bami. Wena kufanele umtshele ukuthi ngale ngaphetha ukuya nawe kwadokotela."
"Hhayi-bo, nakhu sengicishe ngikhohlwa! Nami nginendaba engimangalisile, engize ngithi ngizokuxoxela yona."
"We-ma! Kanti ukuganwa kuyinto enzima kangaka! Umuntu uvele agoqane ulimi uma ethi uyakhuluma." Bahleke.
"Musa ukumdlinzela kabi umfowenu mntanami, kumbe wenziwa yikho lokhu kugula okumphethe. Ungabowakhohlwa amagama kayihlo athi, kufanele simxhase ndlela zonke ukuze asinqobe lesi sifo esimphethe."
"Mngani uMveli ngowami, sengiyakuyeka konke ebengikwenza, futhi ngifuna ukumusa kumamami eMidrand azombona, ngoba naye kudala efuna ukwazi umuntu wami. ""Hheke! Mkhozi, naye u-u ""UMveli, Mpho," asho esukuma uSindi eshutheka imali ngaphansi komqamelo.
"Ngumqondo omuhle lowo s'thandwa, ngineqiniso lokuthi noMaDlamini uzowujabulela ngoba naye uthwele kanzima laphaya kwaS'jumbana."
"Ngithule nje ngimangaliswe yindlela oyithatha kalula ngayo yonke le nto. Mina ngibona ukuthi kufanele siyicabangisise kahle yonke le ndaba."
Sekuyilanga lesibili efikile, ngokwakhe ubezimisele ukuthi uzobatshela le ndaba ekuseni, kodwa manje nakhu selize lashona. Bahlezi etafuleni badlela ukuyolala.
"Uyangibhuqa yini mfokazi ndini Zishonephi izintombi zakini eGoli.?
"Mntakwethu sengikulungisele konke, mina sengiphuthuma emtholampilo. Ngifuna kube yimi owokuqala ngizosheshe ngibuye ngoba miningi imisebenzi yami lapha ekhaya," usho uvusa umyeni wakhe ngenkomishi yetiye uBasolile.
Uma impilo yekhaya imnandi futhi ithokomele uyaye ubone ngesalukazi sakhona othi uma usibuka usibone sincwaba, singakhombisi nhlupheko emzimbeni nasemoyeni. Naso isalukazi esinguMaCele njengoba sinisela izimbali sasicula sodwa, sikhombisa ukwenama emphefumulweni waso. UMveli noBasolile basibuke ngefasitela baxoxa bodwa.
"Yikho-ke lokhu okwenza umuntu abuyele ekubhemeni usikilidi, ukuhlala ukhamise ungenzi lutho. Ngenze njani Ngihambe Hhayi siyobuye simtholephi umuntu wokusenzela lo msebenzi, kanti noMveli angaphatheka kabi. Mhh, kambe yena ubuya nini nje nempela Nesonto abelishilo seledlule, kusho ukuthi kusindwe ngobethole ekhaya. Kufanele, ngubani ongahlala angajabuli ephakathi komhlane nembeleko. Sengathi ingabe bekuyimi, sengiyabona ngilethelwa yilesiya siphalaphala esingudadewabo itiye embhedeni, singibingelela ngaleliya phimbo engalizwa ocingweni: 'Sawubona Mfaniseni s'thandwa, ngingavele ngiquleke ukujabula." Ahleke yedwa okomuntu ekitazwa yinto, phela lunjalo uthando uma selufikile. "Ewu! Ukube uyazi ukuthi ngimthanda kangakanani, ubani konje U-u-uNelile, ngingalikhohlwa kanjani igama elimnandi kangaka.?
"Nanibangaki kwenu gogo" kubuza uMaZondo ngokukhulu ukudabuka?
"Musa uqale uphakamise amaphaphu MaMkhize. Mina ngibona ukuthi kufanele sithume uNelile edolobheni ayomshayela ucingo ezwe ukuthi uyaphila yini."
"Pho wase wenzenjani uma ufika lapha eGoli njengoba wawungazi muntu" kubuza uMaZondo emva kokukhexa imilomo benowakwakhe yile ndaba?
Yebo s'thandwa, bonke babengithanda kakhulu ngoba kwakuthi uma ngivakashele abanye ngifake iwashi elisha abangalazi, bathukuthele nabo bayongithengela elinye. Nasezimpahleni zokwembatha kwakunjalo. Lokho kwenza ngibe nezimpahla eziningi. Ngangithi uma ngivakashela abanye ngiqiniseke ukuthi ngigqoke izimpahla engazithengelwa yibo ngoba ngingafuni ukubaxabanisa. Ngikhumbula ngelinye ilanga umamncane wayengithengele ilokwe elihle nami ngilithanda. Ngavakashela umama ngilembethe, ngona nje ngokumtshela ukuthi angizithengelanga ngithengelwe ngumamncane. Wathukuthela wafa. 'Lo nyoko omncane Sindi akazi lutho ngezimpahla, angathini ukukuthengela ilokwe elibi kangaka?
"Ngesinjani leso sethembiso segazi" ubuza emi khimilili wukumangala uNelile. Athi lapho ethi ufuna ukusichaza uBasolile, uNelile amenyezwe ngunina endlini?
"Angiyiboni into engakuvimba ngoba ufana nomuntu ozihlalela nentombi yakhe nje."
"Bengimthume lapho. Uyazi s'thandwa ngibonga uma usindile, asiyiyeke le ndaba embi, sixoxe ezimnandi engikuphathele zona."
"S'thandwa ungamangali, ngibona sengathi zihubela sakusha kugogo, kanti nengqondo ayisaphelele kahle."
"Hawu baba! Ukudla okungaka, kanti bebekulindele yini?
"Hawu ntanga, kanti uzimisele ngempela yini Mina bengicabanga ukuthi uyancokola nje.?
Nembala asukume uMveli abeke isandla ebunzi okwephisi lisinga izinyosi, abheke ngaphesheya komfula, ashaywe wuvalo, ababaze umhlolo. Hawu! Hawu! Baba, yiwo wonke loya mhlambi ogcwele lonke leliya thafa elingaphesheya kweNtombe?
"Funda lapha, mntanami!"
"Nami namuhla ngizosiza ugogo ngigeze wonke amafasitela."
"Uzolala ahambe kahle kusasa," kuqhuba uLabase. Ngubani owayengaphinde aliphikise lelo Nembala waba yinkosi kwaLabase uMfaniseni ngalelo langa. Kwaba njengamazwi enkehli, wayihlaba imbuzi uLabase, kwadliwa, kwajatshulwa kwanjeya. Yize kwakusindwe ngobethole kodwa amehlo kaMfaniseni ayengasuki kulesi sibhuklabhukla selamba lidlile, esisho ngedanda elibanzi, sathi ukushiya umhlaba, ngezitho sengathi zazibunjelwe khona lokho. Ubuso bale ntokazi obuthi abukhanye, ngamehlo angamanqumuza, nekhala elihlala limfoma umjuluko, babubanga itwetwe kunoma iyiphi insizwa engazethembile. Ukube kwakungesiye uMveli owamcela udadewabo ukuthi eze ntambama elawini labo bazoxoxa naye, okunguMfaniseni kwasekugcwalelwe ngumfula. Wangena elawini labo bengalindele bezincokolela nje, bethokozele ukuba sekhaya. Wasukuma waphonseka uMveli wamnikeza isitulo, kusobala ukuthi naye uncengela umngani wakhe?
"Kulungile ngizokuya, yize le ndawo ngingayithandisisi kahle," ukhuluma esukuma uMfaniseni.
"Nakho-ke ndoda yamadoda, manje usucabangise okwendoda impela, mina ngiyavuma ngoba nathi besizibuza nonyoko ukuthi kuyoze kube nini."
"Nami angivuke ngigeze. Uqinisile Dudu wami uma uthi ufuna ukuba ngowokuqala ngoba nesilungu siyasho ukuthi inyoni evuka kuqala idla icimbi elimthende," asho maqede amoyizele yedwa uMveli ngoba isenzo somkakhe sokunakekela impilo yakhe sasimhlaba umxhwele. Angafani nalaba abangayinaki impilo yabo, okugcina sekuthiwa kubo: 'Thatha sifuba kade wangena.'
"Hlalani phansi bantabami nginenzele itiye, bese nginixoxela indaba engangifuna ukuyitshela uMveli."
"Cha angidiniwe, ukuthi bengifuna ukunichazela ukuthi akusiye uBasolile engizimisele ukumshada."
Akuthathanga sikhathi esingakanani, bamuzwa esekhuleka esangweni uLabase.
"Indandatho yesethembiso, s'thandwa. Usho entshweni, asihambe siyoyithenga kusasa lokhu okusayo."
Amoyizele abuke indoda yakhe uSindi, ayiqabule ngokujabula ngoba ubuqhawe obunjengalobu wayengakaze abuzwe ngisho nasemilandweni.
Naye uMveli wathi angabona uBasolile egijima eza kuye, washo ngejubane emhlangabeza. Uthishanhloko owayebukele akazange ayikholwe le nto ayibonayo ngoba wayengakaze abone nangelilodwa ilanga uBasolile ehamba nomuntu wesilisa, ukuthi aze aqabulane, agonane naye kwakuyisimanga esikhulu kuye. Beza sebebambene ngezandla kuye, owayelokhu ebambe ongezansi.
"Eqinisweni yimi owenze iphutha ntanga ukuthi ngingakutsheli ukuthi ungalingi umthinte ngesandla. Nakimi kwaba yiso sona lesi ngisaqomisa uBasolile. Wayebuya emfuleni ukuyokukha amanzi, ngathi ngiyambansa ezinqeni, kwabe ngizishayile endukwini ngingengcede, wangithela ngayo yonke imbiza yamanzi. Kwathi lapho ngisethuswe yilokho, ngisaxhoshwe ngamanzi emehlweni, wayithi hlwi! le ndukwana engangiyiphethe, wangishaya olungeqiwa ntwala ekhanda. Kwamnyama kimi emehlweni, ngawa. Wakhala wabaleka."
"S'thandwa uyambona yini lo dokotela ukuthi ungifihlele induku emqubeni" kubuza uMveli kumkakhe?
Aphume emotweni uMveli aqonde ocingweni akhulume nomkakhe aqede.
"Mtakwethu inkulumo kadokotela ngiyibona iyiqiniso ngoba ihambelana nephupho lami engisanda kulichaza."
Yize uSindi noMpho babejabule ngomphumela kadokotela kodwa inkinga kaMfaniseni yayilokhu ibahlupha. Baxoxa ngayo bobabili endlini yabo.
"Uqinisile lapho nsizwa yami, angifuni ngizwe noyedwa ekhala lapha ekhaya. Niyangizwa Nelile nonyoko" abahlahlele amehlo bobabili uLabase?
"Ukusho ngani lokho mntakwethu?
"Ayi Mveli s'thandwa, ukuthi angifuni ukukubona ungajabulanga ngoba kungenzeka le ndaba ikuphathe kabi."
"Hawu! Labase ndoda yamadoda, ngizwa ngezwi ukuthi nguwe, ucishe awangifica. Impela kusho ukuthi nginyathelwe nguwe ngoba ngokuya ngami bengizimisele ukuthi ngiyohamba ngovivi ukuyokumba imithi emahlathini aseKhiphunyawo."
IGoli lingelinye lamadolobha aphambili kulo lonke leli lase- Afrika. Kanti kuyilo futhi eliwedlula wonke ngomcebo, ufakazi walokho ukwakhiwa kwalo, kanye nabantu abanhlobonhlobo abayizihlabathi zolwandle abahlala kulo, bevela kumagumbi amane omhlaba. Yize umcebo waleli dolobhakazi wesabeka, kodwa uhamba welamela ondinga-sithebeni, nomagumangithole emigwaqeni yakhona, bese uyazibuza ukuthi ingabe kubo kwakhala nyonini ngoba nampa abanye abantu baziphilela kamnandi. Ubuye uvumelane nesiZulu esithi: kuyoqhuma nhlamvana, ezinye ziyofeketha.
"Shesha! Zilahle phansi! Awuzwa ngithini" kusho indoda yevolovolo. Abone ukuthi umasiza akasekho, azijike phansi izikhiye uMfaniseni. Isondele enye indoda iqonde ukuzicosha. Yathi lapho ithi iyazicosha, wagxumisa okwembabala uMfaniseni, wayishaya ngonyazi lwesibhakela sokudla enhlafunweni. Yathi ukushiya umhlaba kancane, izinyawo zalenga emoyeni okomuntu ephakanyiswa yinto. Yawa yagenuka, yashaya ugobaluphonjwana. Ngokucwayiza kweso wayesefike qathatha kweyesibhamu. Wathi lapho ethi uyiphinda sona leso, yamdubula, nayo isizama ukuzivikela ngoba isibona ukuthi liyayishonela. Inhlamvu yangena edolweni yaphuma ethangeni, wawa. Indoda yesibhamu ayibange isachitha sikhathi yaphuthuma umngani wayo, owayesehlezi ngezinqe ezama ukusukuma, kusobala ukuthi naye ubala izinkanyezi. Yamdonsa ngengalo, wasukuma, babaleka baqonda emotweni ababeyimise ngezansi nomgwaqo, bangena kuyo bashaya bachitha?
"Wo, usho okaMalinga. Hhiya ndodana, lowo ngumzala- mbumbulu ngoba sahlangana khona lapha eGoli. Kwathi ngoba sibuya ndawonye sase sithathana njengezihlobo. Mina ngafika lapha eGoli ngisemncane, angithi nje ngineminyaka eyishumi nanhlanu ubudala. Kwelakithi kuseNtuzuma esigodini sakwaBiyela. Kwathi kungashona abazali bami nomfowethu engangimelama ngalifulathela elakithi."
"Kuzoba njalo impela gogo, ngoba noma kanjani kufanele ngilithenge kulo mlungu. Sekusobala kimi ukuthi ngenza iphutha elibi ngokulidayisa, kanti nobaba ekhaya wangisola kakhulu ngaleso senzo."
"Kwakuhle lokho." Ahambe uMaMkhize basale bezixoxela abanumzane.
"Nkosikazi ngisho ukuthi wena nomntwana ngeke ningenwe yilesi sifo. Kodwa njengoba ngike ngasho ukuthi kusenziwa ucwaningo kuleyo mindeni ezovuma ukuthi luqhutswe kuyo."
UMveli owayesendleleni eza eGoli wayelokhu ezama ukushayela uSindi ucingo kodwa lungangeni. Wathi uma efika edolobheni laseMlomo, wamisa imoto ngasendlwaneni yocingo eyayiseceleni komgwaqo. Wathi angalushaya lwangena, wahleka yedwa ukujabula, okwabuye kwaphenduka ukudana ngoba lwalungaphendulwa muntu. Kwathi ngelikade naye esengasazi, wezwa luphendulwa ngumuntu mumbe owayezwakala sangane. Wajuluka wamanzi te uma ezwa ukuthi uSindi uyagula. Kwathi khona uma ezwa uSindi enqumela le ngane ugwayi katiki, wabona kahle ukuthi kukhulu okumvelele, ngoba wezwa nezwi lakhe selihoshozisa okwelomthakathi.
"Okungiphatha kabi Nelile wukuthi nomsebenzi wami lapha esikoleni angisakwazi ukuwenza kahle selokhu kwavela le ndaba. ""Usho ukuthi sekunzima nokufundisa ""Yebo impilo yami ishintshile Nelile, angazi ngizothini. "Athule uNelile aqhunsule amehlo okomuntu ojulile emcabangweni?
"Nelile side lesi sikhathi ngiyicabanga futhi ingishisa ngedwa le ndaba. Kusobala ukuthi naye uyangidinga empilweni yakhe."
"Cha baba angifihli lutho, inkulumo nje yezingane, yokuthi zonke izintombi zalesi sigodi sakithi ziyohloma iduku lentombi yakho kwaKhuzwayo eBhadeni."
Walala amalanga amabili phansi uMaCele, kwathi elangeni lesithathu waqala welulama. Kwakusobala kuMveli ukuthi le nkulumo ayikhuluma naye yamphatha kabi kakhulu. Kodwa konke lokho azange akugqize qakala ngoba wabe esezitshelile ukuthi le ntombi uyayishada noma kanjani. Ekufikeni kwakhe uSindi endlini abahlala kuyo wafike waxoxela uMpho lezi zindaba ezimnandi zomshado. Bajabula kangangoba uma ubabuka wawungacishe ubathathe njengezinhlanya, kwakungekho abangakwenzi.
"Nelile uphumaphi, kunini ngikumemeza" kubuza uMaMkhize ngelolaka?
"Kulungile ngizokwenze njalo mama." Abheke ngaphesheya komfula uNelile. "Hawu mama, umbona esaqhamuka ekudeni kangaka. Ubeyephi?
AbakoQhakama bemphethe, BakoLanga libomvu likaMvubelo. AmaMbulazi adl'umuntu emyenga ngendaba. "Athi angabasho, anikine ikhanda, ahleke yedwa enziwa ngubumnandi bokuhasha abakoninalume. "Ewu! nkosikazi, ngihambe kahle kakhulu ngoba nomzala uvumile ukuthi uzongiphelekezela ukuya eGoli. Sizwene ngokuthi siyohlangana esiteshini eDumbe ngalelo langa."
"Sisi, sisi nansi icell yakho, kukhona ofuna ukukhuluma nawe."
"Ntanga, angazi le nto ngoyichaza ngithini kubaba."
We! Nami kanye namakhosikazi esigodi sakithi bayosibona kahle ngelanga lombondo.
"Kwenzenjani ntanga" ubuza uzesula izinyembezi zensini?
"Ngi-ngifu-ngifuna uSindi," kungingiza uMveli exakekile ukuthi ngabe kwenzekani.
"Kuthiwa ukhetha iphela emasini."
"UMfaniseni uzimisele ukuthumela umkhongi ekhaya kuyo le ephezulu s'thandwa," kuchaza uMveli. Abheke uMfaniseni ngobuso obugcwele injabulo uBasolile.
Babhekane uMveli noBasolile bexakekile, bemelwe ngamakhanda ngoba le nkulumo yayinzima kubo ukuthi bangayikholwa.
"Kulungile baba ngizolungisa," athathe ukhamba uMaMkhize.
Ngaphesheya komgwaqo ayehamba kuwo uSindi, kwakunethilomu likanokusho elalivamise njalo ukugcwala abelungu nabantu ngoba lalinemishini yokudlala imidlalo enhlobonhlobo yemali. Kodwa namuhla lalingagcwele, umuntu ongaphakathi wayekwazi ukubona konke okwenzeka endleleni. Nensizwa yomlungu yambona uSindi esaqhamuka ekudeni. Ingani nayo yayiphethwe ngumzwangedwa ngoba kwasekwedlule ihora ilapha, ihlezi yodwa icabanga, netiye ebilithengile selize laphola. Uma usondela eduze uyibuka le nsizwa wawungabona ukuthi nokuya ethunjini sekungamalanga ingakuthi mbibi, ufakazi walokho kungumlomo owawusumhlophe yindlala. Ubunzima benkinga eyayikubo babungabuzwa ngoba wawuyizwa inxapha yodwa, bese kuthi khona lapho ikhiphe ibhodlelana lomuthi ohamba namaphilisi esikhwameni esingaphakathi sebhantshi. Yayithula iyibuke le mithi isikhathi eside iphinde futhi iyibuyisele esikhwameni.
"Wathula mntakwethu awusazimisele yini ukuya kwadokotela?
"Kanjani s'thandwa" awakhiphe wonke amehlo uMveli?
"Kuwo lawo malanga ngilapho, umalume wangicelela elolini lesibhalo elaliza lapha eGoli."
"Kungenzeka kanjani lokho ngoba uMveli unalesi sifo kanti futhi niyazivikela" abukeke edidekile naye manje uNelile?
"Uma kunjalo-ke kulungile. Ingabe ninabo yini abantwana?
"Wo! Nkosi yami, ingabe sekukhona okwehlele uMveli, ngiyazisa ngomntanami."
"Kufanele ngingene ngithi shi ebhizinisini likaMveli, kwazi bani, kumbe kunenye intombi asethandana nayo ebheke ibhizinisi eGoli. Amadoda amanje ngeke umuntu awethembe. Wu! Sengiyabona ngiyifica, ngingayishaya inkambabeyibuza. Konje kungenzeka ngempela abe nenye intombi eGoli Angavinjwa yini Ingani wangishiya washada enye intombi yakhona. Mmm, kumbe ungifihlele induku emqubeni. Hhayi, angiyikhiphe emqondweni le micabango emibi, ngiyazi uMveli wami ngeke esakuphinda lokho, lixhoshwa libhekile, ngubani ongalenzi iphutha" Ahleke yedwa. "We! Ngazilibazisa ngobala, angiqhubeke nomsebenzi wami kuningi okufanele ngikuqoqe.?
"Mnumzane Labase ucwaningo lwegazi lakho lukhombisa ukuthi awunaso isifo sengculazi."
Nembala uSindi waya esikoleni sokushayela, kwathi emva kwezinyanga eziyisithupha wazithola izincwadi zokushayela. UMveli wasifeza isethembiso sakhe wamthengela imoto.
"Kwavelani gogo" Babuze kanye kanye bobabili behlahle amehlo?
"Kahle ngamatshe baba. Uma esefa umntanami uyothini?
"Hhayi-bo! Musa wena bo!" akhuze ahlahle amehlo uMfaniseni. "Ungathini ukukusho lokho uyibona zolo lokhu?
"Uqiniswa kanjani s'thandwa?
"Ngizothatha iviki lonke ngoba kade ngagcina ekhaya. Awubheke nakhu sengicishe ngikhohlwa ukushayela uSindi ngimazise ukuthi ngiyahamba kusasa."
"Nkosi yenkantolo, kusobala ukuthi le mali akusiyo eyokwebiwa ngeyelobolo njengokusho kukamnumzane uLabase emaphoyiseni. Kanti futhi kwabona abamangalelwa asebenguboziyeweni, akubona abantu abangabamba ihhotela inkunzi. Ngakho-ke nkosi yenkantolo, ngicela inkundla ibathole bengenacala," ahlale phansi ummeli.
Bathule bobabili bacabange ngoba ukungabi bikho kwabo bobabili esitolo kungabe zimbiwe yinsele ezisebenzini.
"Ngithe ngisebenza kubammeli eSandton, ngingumabhalane." Baqhume yinsini. Besahleka kungqongqoze umuntu emnyango. Kungene insizwa ende yomlungu.
"Pho baba uthi senze njani Ayikho yini indlela ongamsiza ngayo" abuze ngomoya ophansi uMaMkhize?
"Hhayi nkosikazi, ngikhumbula iphupho engibe nalo ngentathakusa yayizolo." "Ngiphuthume baba lithini Libi yini?
Wathi angasho njalo wathi thalathala, welamela ibhodlela lesihlanzisi sokugeza izingubo, elalingaphansi endaweni yokugeza izitsha. Walivula wasinkankalaza sonke maqede waqonda ekamelweni lakhe wazijika embhedeni ekhala.
Noma kunjalo, kodwa uma ulokhu usondela uyabona ukuthi abantu abahlala kulolu chungechunge lwezindlu ezifanayo kuhle kwamakhowe esigangeni, bayaphila. Lokhu kubonakaliswa ubukhona bezinye izindlu esezilungisiwe, zanwetshwa zaba isilungu esiphelele. Phela selokhu kwathi nhlo, abantu abakaze bavela kanye kanye bengemadlebe embongolo. Kukhona phakathi kwabo abayophumelela kubo lobo bunzima, imizi yabo igqame ikukhange uqhamuka ekudeni.
"Gijima umnike ucingo ngizokhuluma naye."
Kodwa kwathi ingamuthi nhla uSindi esitaladini yamoyizela, yakhuluma yodwa.
"Wenzeni Uthengise umuzi ongaka womfowethu engangitshelile" Asukume uLabase. Ajike manje ebusweni abe mnyama bhuqe, amehlo alokoze inhlansi ebomvu wukuthukuthela. "Mhlola muni lo owenziwa yilo mfana Uma ubefuna ukuyohlala edolobheni ubengazithengeli ngani owakhe umuzi aqashise owomfowethu Uthengisa amandla omfowethu! Ngimfunge uFelani wakwethu, uzoyikhotha imbenge yomile kanye nalo mfazana wakhe wamabhulukwana." Anikine ikhanda, ahlale phansi?
"Ngicela nihlale lapha ningilinde," kusho udokotela ebafaka kwelinye igumbi. Kwathi angaphuma udokotela basala bexoxa bodwa.
"Ungabosho ukuthi ngiyabheda. Uyezwa!" usho esukuma uSmith. Asukume no-Opperman engasadle nkobe, bajamelane okwezinqama. Agxume angene phakathi kwabo uMfaniseni abalamule. Bahlale phansi benxapha bodwa.
"Ungakhulumi ngalowo akahlakaniphile uyamangalisa, kulo nyaka ozayo nakanjani kufanele aye esikoleni," asho ngelokuzigqaja uBasolile.
"Thula nangu udokotela eseza," usho ubamba umkakhe ngesandla ezwa izigi. Wangena udokotela besabambene ngezandla, wathula wababuka wamoyizela yedwa. Wathi angahlala esitulweni sakhe weza nendaba.
"Ngiyethemba uyizwile yonke inkulumo yomshushisi wenkantolo, ngifuna nawe ubeke eyakho inkulumo. Ukhumbule ukuthi angibhekile mina ubuciko benkulumo, ngibheke iqiniso lendaba, usungaqhubeka." Ithi ingasho njalo inkosi yenkatolo maqede ithathe ithamo lamanzi engilazini eseceleni kwayo.
"Ubukeka engumuntu oqotho njengokusho kukaMveli," usho esibukisisa uBasolile.
"Yebo khona kunjalo, liyingozi enkulu ekhaya ngoba lijike libangise indlalifa yalowo muzi," kwenanela uMfaniseni.
"Mama!" Eze esegijima uNelile.
"MaMkhize ngifuna ukuthi uthungele lezi zinkomo esikhwameni esingaphakathi sebhantshi engizolembatha kusasa. Uyezwa nkosikazi?
Ngibona inkantolo ifanele ukuqinisa isandla ekugwebeni izelelesi zalolu hlobo ngoba ziyingozi enkulu emphakathini ongeke uzicabangele lutho olubi njengabantu abadala. Ngiyama lapho nkosi yenkantolo. Ahlale phansi umshushisi.
"Sikhombise ndodana lapho behlezi khona abantu basemzini sizoxoxa nabo."
"Mntakwethu ngizocela uxolo ngesenzo sami kuwe," kusho uBasolile. Athule uMveli angazi ukuthi kufanele athini ngoba yonke le nto eyenzekayo kwakunzima ukuyikholwa.
UMveli kwakungumuntu owayethanda ukuthi uma engena ehhovisi lakhe avale umnyango, enzela ukuthi anga-phazanyiswa lutho uma ecwaninga amabhuku omsebenzi. Kodwa namuhla wayewuvule nge umnyango, efunda iphephandaba lasekuseni. Uma umbuka wawuzibuza ukuthi le nsizwa ize emsebenzini noma emshadweni na Wayeshaye isipani esithi asibe mpunga okwamaphuphu esikhova. Ihhembe liwubisi, ngothayi osamathumbu ethendele ngobumnyama namakhifikhifi amhlophe. Izicathulo zicwebezela zimnyama bhuqe okwehlungu lasebusika. Amasokisi ayemithende yedube?
"Enye into Sindi ngifuna uyeke emsebenzini ngoba sekunengozi yokuthi lezi zinswelaboya zingaphinde zikwenze isilo sengubo."
Wamxoxela konke uNelile akusolayo kuMveli. Wathi angaqeda amehlo aphilizela izinyembezi kuBasolile.
"Konje uthe bafuna malini" abuze ngomoya ogcwele ukungabaza uSindi?
"Sisi! Sisi! Vuka, kunini le cell yakho ikhala." Uthintwa ehlombe okomfanyana okumele ibhasi. Kwafana nokuthela amanzi emhlane wedada ngoba zaziye kakhulu kuSindi. Amadoda ayewabona ephusheni lakhe ayesembambe ngqi, emdikadika.
Ziphinde zehle izinyebezi kuBasolile. Wathi lapho ethi uyambamba uzama ukumthulisa uMveli, wahlangana nempama evuthayo. Yamshaya yamthela phansi.
"Kusho khona ukuthi usuke ediniwe mntanami, phela ubokhumbula ukuthi laphaya kwadokotela umuntu uhlala izinqe zize zibe muncu."
"Kufanele nimyeke aphumule ngoba nenhliziyo yakhe ibuthakathaka, ngiyobuya kusasa ngizohlola ukuthi ulale kanjani."
"Ingane! Mina ingane" kuphendula uSindi ehlahla amehlo. "Angiyifuni mina ingane. Angifuni mina ukuziphendula isalukazi, ngihlale ekhaya ngikhulisane nengane. Bona abangani bami bangathini?
"Mtakwethu ngicela ungixolele mayelana namanga engikutshele wona ngomkhuhlane ongiphethe, eqinisweni bengesaba ukukutshela ngaleli phupho ngoba bengilithatha njengembude nje," nguBasolile lowo eqedela inkulumo yakhe.
Kunokuthi bajabule, uMveli noBasolile bafikelwa usizi nezinyembezi, basikha isililo. Nasesalukazini zehla ezimathonsi. Yilowo wayekhaliswa ngunembeza wakhe. UMveli wayekhaliswa yiphutha elibi alenza ngokuthengisa lo muzi. UBasolile wayekhaliswa wukuzwa amazwi anzima akhulunywa yisalukazi. Isalukazi sasikhaliswa ukubona iphupho laso lifezeka. Iqiniso linye, wukuthi lokhu kwakuwukuvuka komuzi wakwaLabase, kuwukujabula kwabanikazi bawo kanye namaShenge onkana. Ngalo lelo langa uMveli wathutha wabuyela emzini kayisomncane, washiya uMfaniseni ebheke umuzi osedolobheni.
"Baba bengicela uhambe usuphuze itiye, nanka namanzi esebila." Asukume uMaZondo athelele umyeni wakhe itiye amuphe namakhekhe, kwazise phela ukubhaka lokhu wayekukhonzile futhi ekwazi ngempela. Nakuye uLabase kwase kusegazini ukuthi itiye aliphuzwa lodwa, kanti futhi itiye wayelithanda ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke, wena owabona imfezi namasi.
"Ewu! bangidla mkami, ezinkomeni zami ezingamashumi amabili, banginika izinkulungwane eziyishumi nje vo, zamalandi."
"Uqinisile mntakwethu, nami ngizwa ngifikelwa ukujabula uma ngikulo muzi, muhle inqaba ngaphandle nangaphakathi."
"S'thandwa namuhla ngifuna ukukuxoxela ngempilo yami," kusho uSindi ngemva kokuthi uMveli ebeke izimbali eceleni kombhede wakhe.
Qhabo nkosikazi, into nje lowaya muzi uyaphila. Ngithe ngiqhamuka nje ngakhangwa nguMvemve emabaleni, kwangikhanyela ukuthi awusingethe amaNdlovu akoLanga libalele umuzi wawo.
"Akujiki ntanga. Uma ngingaliwa yile ntokazi, ngeke ngiphinde ngimkhulumise umuntu wesifazane."
Kwathi bangazana waqala naye ukukhululeka uMfaniseni baxoxa kwamnandi. Ingxoxo yabo bobathathu yaya ngokufudumala yaze yafika ezingeni lapho uMveli ebaxoxela khona ngempilo yakhe esemncane, nokuza kwakhe lapha eGoli. Yayixoxwa ngubani pho ngoba wayehamba eyihlobisa ngamahlaya bafe yinsini. Kusemnandi kunjalo, asukume uMfaniseni.
"Lapha ekugezeni kufanele ngenze njani" kubuza uMveli?
"Ngangi-ayina amahembe kabasi uJantoni, angibonanga ukuthi le nsimbi seyishisa ngokweqile ngoba kwakuyileziya zinsimbi ezazibaselwa ngamalahle. Ngethuka sengilithe bhadle elinye ihembe entanyeni. Kwabe ngiyinyathele emsileni kuNona, umesisi phela owabelapho eduze. Ngawotha ubomvu. Ngethuka ngenhlanekela phakathi kwamehlo, kwamnyama kimi, amehlo agcwala izinyembezi, kwagxaza amafinyila. Wathi uyangiphinda ngabanda ngetafula. Ngathukuthela ngagana unwabu. Ngamuthi hlwi ngengadlwana, ingani futhi wabe emncanyana ngomzimba. Ngamuthi gqimu phansi, ngci ngedolo." Lapho sase sidonse umlomo, silume ongezansi ngezisini isalukazi. "Ngathatha yona le nsimbi eshisayo ngamhashula ngayo esifubeni, esihlathini nakuzo izandlana lezi ezazizama ukuvika. Wamemezisa okohlanya. Ngathi uma ngimyeka, isibanda nensimbi, nami ngashaywa wuvalo uma ngibona ingozi engasengiyenzile. Kwangikhanyela ukuthi amabhunu azongibulala noma kanjani, ngaphuma ngesamagundane ngashaya ngachitha. Ngabona ukuthi ukuya ekhaya kungaba yingozi, ngaqonda kwamalume enhla noThukela. Kubo lobo busuku amabhunu ehamba namaphoyisa ahlasela umuzi wakithi babopha ubaba nomfowethu ngoba bethi bayangifihla."
Ikhehla elingumantshingelane elalizidlisa satshanyana khona lapho eduze, lizama ukuzwa imbangela yesililo esingaka, lababuka maqede lathimula ubala uma licabanga izinsuku zobunsizwa balo ezedlula. Lazethuka selimemezile.
"Phendula uyihlo Mveli!" kusho uMaMkhize ngokukhulu ukufutheka.
"Amade angisenawo," kusho uLabase naye esukuma. "Amathe asebuyele kwasifuba. Nami sengiyobeka umzimba phansi, okuningi sesiyokuxoxa kusile Mveli."
"Hhiya nkosikazi, eyezithandani ayingenwa, mina nje kufanele ngilungise imali yelobolo. Kuzodingeka ngise amashumi amabili ezinkomo endalini ngoba kuthiwa izintombi zaseGoli ziyadula zidla ilayisi." Bahleke.
"Kambe baba, isigcino sawo lo muzi wona kuyoba yini ngoba asisazimisele ukuhlala kuwo?
"Isiwe ngophondo lapha nkosikazi, ingoma emnandi iyaphindwa, sengathi ungasithelela okhanjaneni oluthe xaxa. Habe! Ngacishe ngakhohlwa, ubolungisa endlini yezihambi ngoba uHlabangane useyohamba kusasa."
"Yebo unenhliziyo enhle kabi, asingene ehhovisi sizoxoxa, kudala ngakugcina dali wami," asho edonsa uMveli ngesandla, bengena ehhovisi. Avale umnyango, avule amafasitela uBasolile.
"Nami dokotela ngifuna ukuba ngomunye waleyo mindeni."
Kwathi besakhombana ngeminwe ngoba base befudumele bekhiphe namabhantshi. Omame laba okungamadukwana abebekuthwele sebekujike phansi kwavela amayephuyephu ezinwele. ULabase nethimba lakhe bengasazi ukuthi bavimba bani, bayeka bani. Zatheleka ezikadalawane, zatheleka kwathula umsindo. Kwasa ngokunye manje kubo bonke.
Alale yinsini uMveli. "Izintombi zasemakhaya azifani nezalapha eGoli, eyasemakhaya ithi noma ikuthanda ithalalise nje, yenzele ukubona ukuthi uyithanda kangakanani."
UNelile wafika isikole singakaphumi, wafike wama esangweni walinda. Akubanga mizuzu mingaki yakhala insimbi yokuphuma kwesikole, zathi chithi-saka izingane nothishela bazo sekuyiwa emakhaya. UBasolile owayelindele uNelile kwelinye igumbi lokufundela wathi angambona esangweni wathuma ingane ukuthi imbize. Wathi angangena kulelo gumbi uNelile, uBasolile wamuthi nhla kanye, wabipha, zahhohloka izinyembezi. Zayima emthumeni kuNelile ukuthi ngabe kwenzenjani. Wambamba wamgona.
"Ungahlupheki mfana wami, ngizokulungisela intelezi engugo-galanti. Ngizokunika isithundu ozothi uma ufika ekhaya usihlanganise nembijana yomswane wembuzi nenyongo yayo. Konke ukufake ebhavini lamanzi abandayo bese ugeza umzimba wakho ngawo. Kanti uyihlo ngizomnikeza intelezi azochela ngayo njalo kuze kuphele izinsuku ezingangesonto, yikhona umuzi uyohlala uhlanzekile. Mameshane! nakhu Labase ngicishe ngikhohlwa indaba enkulu. Uyazi naleziya zikhonkwane ezilapho ekhaya kudingeka ngiziphendule ngoba unyaka usuphelile ngazifaka."
Wayinyathela emsileni kuBasolile ngaleyo nkulumo uMveli. Wasuka izithonto uBasolile, ngokuphazima kweso wayesefike kuye qathatha eqonde ukumkhama. Ethuke naye uMveli, agxume ezama ukuzivikela.
"Four hundred rand mngani!" Asho egxuma egona kuMpho, zehle izinyembezi zenjabulo. Basisho isililo sentokozo bobabili.
"Kanjani" abuze maqede amhleke usulu umkakhe uMveli ngoba yonke le nkulumo wayeyithatha njengembude ewuhubu kabhejane?
"We-ma! Usungaze uthenge nelokwe elisha."
"Isicathulo bese ngisihluzile baba."
"Kunencwadi yakho lapha ntanga," usho umnikeza yona. Ayibuke uMfaniseni amoyizele yedwa, ahlale phansi ayivule. Wathi angabona isithombe esasingaphakathi, akabange esayifunda naleyo ncwadi, wasukuma wagiya yedwa.
"Yisho ntanga, nango phela uSindi, ngathini kuwe?
"Mnumzane asibona thina abakwa-Opperman, singabakwaSmith," kugxambukela enye indoda.
"Ngiphuthume, utheni udokotela" kubuza uNelile ekungeneni kwabo endlini?
Nami sengizohamba kanye nawe. Ewu MaMkhize! Indaba yalo mfana ayingiphethe kahle neze, ngibona sengathi kukhulu ukuhlupheka azilandela khona.
"Angibhedi Mpho, angeke ngisakwazi ukuphila ngaphandle kukaMveli, as for angithembise nokungishada." Amehlo akhe ahlengezele izinyembezi, abuke umakhalekhukhwini oseceleni kwakhe amjikijele kuMpho. "Angisayifuni le cell ngikupha yona." Ayenqake uMpho.
"Madoda ngabe ngisilahlephi lesi sithombe" aphenye izincwadi ezisetafuleni?
"Niyawavuma noma aniwavumi amacala enibekwe wona" kubuza inkosi yenkantolo kubamangalelwa?
Lusuku lumbe behlezi bezixoxela nje, uSindi wacela uMveli ukuthi amthengele imoto, yikhona azokwazi ukuziyela edolobheni, akwazi futhi ukuya kuye esitolo uma eseqede yonke imisebenzi yakhe yasekhaya.
"Kwakuhle lokho bantabami, nami makoti bengizocela kuwe uhala omnyama ngizothi ukubambabamba ibhulukwe likayihlo lasemasimini." Ababuke emehlweni bobabili uMaMkhize.
"Uyazi ukuthini s'thandwa, mina ngibona ukuthi sikhohlwe yilolu cwaningo ngoba kungenzeka ukuthi sizidonsela amanzi ngomsele."
UMfaniseni akazange ayishaye indiva inkulumo kaNelile, waqhubeka wambamba ngesandla, okuyindlela yentsha yesimanje yokweshela intombi. Wahlangana nembibizane yenhlanekela phakathi kwamehlo. Yamshaya yamthela phansi, kwamnyama emehlweni wabona izinkanyezi. Kwachitheka mafinyila, zinyembezi kwanjeya. UMveli owayehleli emotweni wezwa ngomsindo wokuvalwa kwesicabha nguNelile ukuthi kukhulu osekuvelile. Waphuthuma endlini wafica uMfaniseni esukuma othulini, esula izinyembezi, ehlwibila amafinyila. Wathi angamuthi nhla umngani wakhe uMveli, waqhuma yinsini.
"Yebo s'thandwa, ezinye izinyanga zikunika nesihlazi sokugquma nokuphalaza. Ngikhumbula ekhaya enye inyanga yayiphe ubaba abafana."
"Ngena!" usho umvulela umnyango.
"Wena baba umazelaphi lo mlungu" kubuza uMaZondo?
"Sifo sini sona lesi ayenaso", kubuza uLabase?
"Hlala phansi ntanga yethu ngikwazise le ntokazi," kusho uMveli emnikeza isihlalo.
Isigodi saseNtombe kwelaseDumbe sethiwa ngomfula oqhamuka phakathi kwezintaba ezimbili, iSimakade noKhuphane. Lo mfula iNtombe wedlula ngasedolobheni laseDumbe, uhambe njalo uze uyongena oPhongolo, okuyiwo umfula omkhulu. Yize indawo yonke yaseDumbe yayinamadlelo aluhlaza kodwa isigodi saseNtombe sasiwedlula wonke ngenxa yokuba seceleni komfula. Abantu abahlala kule ndawo imfuyo yabo yaye iyinhle kangangoba yaze yadala omkhulu umona kubelungu abahlala edolobheni laseDumbe. Bheka ngoba baze balikhipha ngesihloko elithi le ndawo bazoyithatha noma kanjani. Kanti nabo abantu bashaya ngonyawo phansi bathi ngeke kwenzeke lokho. Le ngxabano yomona wabelungu yaze yalanyulwa yinkantolo yona eyavuna abantu bendawo, labuswa ngabanikazi elikaMsuthu kaSobangwa.
"Ntanga yethu uSindi ugula kabi, angazi ukuthi kufanele ngenzeni ngoba lokhu kugula kwakhe ngibona sengathi kuvela ekwaleni kwami leya ngane."
"Lentombazana ayiganile namanje Kusho ukuthi yayimthanda ngempela uMveli," asho ephakamisa umancishana uLabase?
"Ngikubonile ngahlekela ngaphakathi ngoba nakimi kwaba njalo mzukwana ngiqala ukuyibona le ntokazi. Ngadla mina kababa! Ake ngizincwebe. Uthi yimi lo oshaya intombi enje" asho ezincweba egxumela phezulu ukujabula?
"Cha, Sindi." Avale umnyango uMveli. "Wena uthe awufuni ukuba yisalukazi sengane."
"Yini Uyagula yini Ukuphi ngizokulanda khona manje" Yonke le mibuzo uyibuziswa wukudideka komqondo nokujabula uMveli?
"Uqinisile mama," usho esukuma. "Angibeke amambhodwe masinyane eziko, yikhona ngizolungisela ukuyobona uBasolile."
Wakuthatha isitokwe okungumfana uSindi, waluthi hlwi ucingo kukho.
"Cha sizolethwa ngugogo, phela wena usemncane ungasiwisa."
Sekuhwalele uLabase uhleli nomdeni wakhe kuyadliwa, uMveli obelinde sona lesi sikhathi wethula indaba eze ngayo.
"Kambe leli gugu lentokazi yakho igama layo ngubani" abuze evula umnyango uMfaniseni?
"Unyoko ungitshela ukuthi usujahe ukuyithatha le ntombi."
"Nangu ulele, ngibathe ngiyamvusa akavuki, sengathi uyagula."
"Uyazi yini lapha ubambe iLotto. Bathong! Into enje angikayiboni. Sindi ngiyacela hle, yekela lombereko wethu tu."
'uzithelile msobho etswayini' kuSindi. Waqala manje ukungahlali ekhaya emini. Nendlu yakhombisa manje ngaphakathi ukuthi akekho oyinakile ngoba uSindi owayesengene emikhandlwini ehlukahlukene yomame lalize liyoshona engekho ekhaya. Ngamanye amalanga wayebuya ngesikabhadakazi, uMveli afice indlu imbuza ukuthi: 'Wawungishiye nobani'?
Baphenduka balibuka bafa yinsini.
"Kungenzeka kube yilokho baba," asho esukuma uMaMkhize.
Kodwa ngoba wena thando awehlulwa lutho, noMveli waqunga isibindi wacela uSindi ukuthi avakashele eSoweto ngempelasonto. Kwabe usho entshweni ngoba naye uSindi wavumela phezulu ngokukhulu ukujabula. Kulezo nsuku ubuthongo babungasehli kuMveli wukujabula. Nesalukazi esinguMaCele wasazisa ngesivakashi azoba naso kuleyo mpelasonto.
"Angazi s'thandwa, yikho lokhu ngithi mina asiyeke ilobolo." Bathule babukane, kungekho ophendula omunye.
"Cha s'thandwa, ngeke kulunge, phela ubaba ukholelwa kakhulu emasikweni esintu. Usolani wena ngelobolo ngoba liyinto enhle nje?
"S'thandwa ngibona ukuthi kufanele ngifune inyanga ezoqinisa lo muzi," kusho uMveli exoxa noSindi.
"Ngiyezwa gogo, sekufanele ngihambe nasi nesikhathi sesingishiyile," usho uya emotweni, ubalekela imibuzo eminye engahle ilandele.
"Yebo, phela nina madoda nifana nonwabu ekwenzeni yonke into." Bafe yinsini bobabili, phela selokhu bavelelwa yilesi sigemegeme uthando lwabo lwaluvutha ubuhanguhangu. Baqhubeka baxoxa ngempilo yabo nezinto eziningi asebezifundile kwaS'jumbana.
"Sindi mngani wami, iyekele le nto esiyenzayo uthande le boyfriend. ""Ya mngani uqinisile," uphendula wendlala imali phezu kombhede uyayibala. Ingani phela nale ndlwana abahlala kuyo ilingana imibhede emibili nokwesitudlwana okulaphaya emsamo. Izimpahla zabo zokugqoka zilenga odongeni.
"Kunjalo Shenge, kodwa phela ngangingeke bese ngiyasithukulula ngiyasibala ungashongo."
"Mama ubufuna ngikusize ngani" abuze unina ngephimbo elinezinyembezi uNelile ngoba naye le ndaba kaMveli yayimhleli kabuhlungu?
"Kufanele ukube udiniwe, abalalanga noMfaniseni baxoxe kwaze kwasa hluthu, behleka kuthe mpu! umsindo. Kusobala ukuthi le mpilo yaseGoli kwangqondo-ayiphumuli seyabangena egazini. Nami ngikhumbula ngiseyinsizwa ngisebenza khona eGoli kwaBhubesi-metshisi, ngangithi uma ngivakashele ekhaya ngamaholide, ngilale cishe isonto lonke phansi wukudinwa. Wawungafunga uthi ngiyagula." Amoyizele yedwa uLabase ekhumbula izinsuku ezadlula.
"Kufanele ngisheshe ngihambe ngoba angishiye muntu ekhaya, uMveli noNelile baye edolobheni."
"Hlala phansi ngizokulandisa."
Engakaligwinyi lelo, agxume ashaye uphahla lwemoto ngekhanda wuvalo, amehlo awakhiphe wonke. Mameshane! Se-sengathi nguSindi nje Hhayi, akusiye, ngabe uzofunani lapha, futhi izinwele zale ntokazi zimhlophe. Ko-kodwa maye bayafana. Hhayi bo! Nansi isima, yajika yacishe yawa, iwiswa yini Wo, yenziwa ngamaxhumela ewafakile. Imisa itekisi, ingabe nguye uSindi; kumbe ungibonile Cha angikholwa, ngibona ukuthi le ntokazi kukhona ekukhohliwe kuleya moto yensizwa yomlungu, isijaha yona. Ukube bengingamele lo muntu lapha ngabe nami ngiyalandela, ngibone le ntokazi lapho iyophelela khona. Ewu! Akukufana kwabantu lokhu.?
"Yilobolo enilifunayo ngentombi yenu mkhwekazi", kuphendula uMfaniseni.
"Hlukana nami Mveli!" umemeza evula isicabha ephuma uBasolile.
"Sengiyabona esengixosha, ethi ngizomchithela isikhathi ngombhedo," ucabanga yedwa. "Hhayi, lowaya dokotela ngiyamazi unobubele ngeke akusho lokho. Kusasa ngiphikelela kuye nakanjani."
Umuntu wokuqala abamvakashela ekufikeni kwabo eGoli oMveli kwaba yisalukazi uMaCele. Sajabula isimanga isalukazi ukubona uBasolile okade sasimuzwa ngendaba. Sadidizela sagcwala indlu siswele ukuthi singamhlinzeka ngani ekufikeni kwakhe kulo muzi.
"Ngobani labo bantu?
"Mveli ntanga yethu, mina sengikuthatha njengomfowethu, ayikho imfihlo yethu engingayidalula kubantu."
Kwathi lapho uMveli ebona ilanga liya ngomutsha wendoda bengabuyi oyise noMfaniseni, wanikela ehhotela ukuyobheka ukuthi kuqhubekani. Wahlangana noweta lowo owayebalamula wamchazela konke okwenzekile. Wathi angabona uMveli ukuthi sekuxabene ubendle, waphuthuma kummeli wakhe ukuyomazisa ngale nhlekelele yendaba esivelile.
Aqhamuke esephethe imvilophi emhlophe ngesandla uMaCele ayinike uMveli.
"Nina bazali bakamakoti nginikhomba ngomunwe, mangingaphindi ngizwe nomncane umsindo wokuxabana phakathi kwenu. Wena Ndodayilahlwa Labase ngizokunika imoto yomthetho namaphoyisa amabili, uhambe uyofaka le mali ebhange. Ngizokubhalela nencwadi ezobachazela ukuthi uyoyikhipha edolobheni lakini eDumbe. Ube ugcinile ukuhamba uphethe imali engaka esikhwameni. Namuhla umuntu ufela uR10.00. Uyangizwa ngithini" Imhlahlele amehlo uLabase inkosi yenkantolo?
"Uyazi s'thadwa, sesiqede unyaka sisiza uMaDlamini, kunganjani sivule esethu isikole sokuqwashisa umphakathi ngalesi sifo khona lapha ekhaya" kubuza uMveli kumkakhe?
"Hawu, sekwenzenjani ngoba bengithi uyakujabulela ukuba nami lapha ekhaya?
"Ngixoxele phela ngale ntombi yakho yaseGoli." Baxoxa bobabili kwaze kwaba ngesikabhadakazi kwazise kwase kukudala bagcinana.
ULabase njengenye yamadoda ayelwisana nabelungu mayelana nale ndawo, wayaziwa kulo lonke laseDumbe, kanti futhi bude buduze nomuzi wakhe kwakunomtholampilo wendawo. Kwakuthi nabavela kude uma beze kulo mtholampilo bafike bathi qubasha kuleli khaya uma bomele amanzi. Kanti nabahlwelwe babethi gozololo kuze kube ngakusasa, bathole nokuya ethunjini. Kwakungumuzi wabantu.
"Wena wenzani emva kokubalekela kwamalume wakho" kubuza uLabase?
"Ngixoleleni bakithi, ake ngiyothi mfi-mfi- ugwayi ngaphandle."
"Yiqiniso lelo Mveli, kodwa pho sizomtholaphi umuntu ozokwenza lo msebenzi?
"Ngibona ukuthi kufanele nihlale nikhiye amasango, ngithenge nenja ezoqapha ikhaya."
"Ngifanele Nelile, phela unguyise womntanami, kanti futhi nguye yedwa empilweni yami."
"Hawu Labase, usukhohliwe yini ukuthi mina ngisagaya ngomhlathi omdala, eyami inkomo iza muva sengisehlule isifo." Bahleke. Asukume uSibiya angene endlini abalungisele eminye imithi abazohamba beyiphethe.
"Yimi baba," kuqhamuke uMaMkhize phakathi kwekhaba ephethe ukhamba oluvalwe ngembenge.
"Nangu umama engimemeza angiphuthume, ngizofika kuwe esikoleni kusasa siyixoxe kabanzi le ndaba." Bavalelisane, behlukane. Agijime aye kunina uNelile.
"Kahle ngamawala baba, kumbe njalo konke kuhambe kahle, phela kuthiwa ngesiZulu: Induku enhle igawulwa ezizweni."
"Yebo" kuphendula okomfana nakho kwethukile.
"Kodwa bonke babekuthanda yini" kubuza uMveli engayikholwa le ndaba ayizwayo?
"Baba" asabele uMveli ebukisisa uyise ngoba wayeqala ngqa ukumbona ekhathazeke kangaka?
"Sengiyibizile i-ambulance." kubika okomfana ocingweni.
"Kunjalo baba, nami ngiyaxolisa ukunephula imimoya ngale ndlela bazali bami," usho naye uhlala phansi ngokukhulu ukuzithoba phambi kwabazali bakhe.
Engakaligwinyi lelo kuqhamuke uMfaniseni ezobazisa ukuthi konke sekumi ngomumo, sebelindelwe ngaphakathi ehhotela. Nembala banikela khona. Kwathi lapho befika emnyango, wema uLabase wampongoloza, ezibika kubantu basemzini ukuthi uze ngani. Nezinkomo zakoLabase aziqhubayo wazisho zonke ngemibala yazo. Lapho wayesejuluke emanzi te, esemnyama khwishi, amehlo ebomvu tebhu. Lwalungasafakwa lubuya nodaka, esephenduke isilwane uqobo lwaso. Abelungu nabantu ababegcwele ehhotela bayeka konke abakwenzayo, bahlahla amehlo, bemangaliswe ngumhlolo abawubonayo.
"Hlala phansi ngizokulandisa," usho emnikeza isitulo. Athi angahlala eze nendaba uBasolile. Wamxoxela konke mayelana nengxabano yabo.
"Kunjalo khona baba," kuphendula uMaMkhize. "Wu! Nkulunkulu, ungabe ngenzeni ngomntanami?
"Ngiyethemba ungizwe kahle," esho ehlala phansi, edumela umancishana ukwehlisa iphukuphuku lokuthukuthela. Athi lapho elubeka phansi ukhamba, kukhuleke indoda esangweni.
"Cha mntanami angikubeki cala, ufanele uhlupheke uma ubona impilo yomfowenu ishintsha ngoba" Bezwe kunqonqoza umuntu emnyango.
"Vele ngifanele mina naye sashiyelana ibele," usho eyivula, eyifunda. Yayivela emnyangweni wezemfundo. "Hawu! Usuqokwe ukuthi uzofundisa kuso lesi sikole sakithi sasoThandweni Ngiyofike ngibaxoxele ekhaya," asho ngokukhulu ukujabula uNelile. Bavalelisane?
Enkabeni yaleli dolobha buqamama nesiteshikazi sakhona sikaloliwe okuthiwa iPark Station kunendawo ebizwa ngokuthi iHillbrow. Kule ndawo lapho kuhlala khona wonke amahlwempu, izinswelaboya kanye nonoyila obathola bethe chithi-saka ezitaladini zakhona bedayisa ngemizimba yabo kwabesilisa, ikakhulu abahamba ngezimoto. Kanti futhi kulapho kuhlala khona iningi labantu elivela kwamanye amazwe. Amabhilidi amaningi kule ndawo asaphenduka kwampunzi idla emini ngoba abanikazi bawo sebawadela, ngenxa yeziqashi ezingazimisele ukuwakhokhela inyanga nenyanga, zikhala ngokuntuleka kwemisebenzi. Lesi simo, sesize saphendula le ndawo yaba nguMagidasibhekanemntanami-kuyosa-nini-safa-yindlala. Wonke umuntu ohlala lapha uzama ukuziphilisa noma ngayiphi indlela.
"Ngubani ohamba lapho" ubuza ebukisisa?
"Kulungile mama." Ahlale phansi naye uNelile alalele.
Wathi engena nje emabaleni wazithela phezu kukaNelile owayemlinde ngamehlo abomvu yonke leyo mini yasekuseni.
"Impela yiqiniso ukuthi ukuhamba kuzala induna mzala. Uthi umuntu wayazi ukuthi ukufunda kuyinto enje Yiyo impucuko le esasiyifuna Kumbe yona inkululeko esasiyilwela Ngimfunge uFelani wakwethu, ngeke mina ngiphendulwe isimungulu yizifundiswa ngezinkomo zakoLabase. Inkomo ingamzal' umuntu. Ngeke! Ngizokhulekela kuwo lowo mnyango wehhotelana labo, ngibike izinkomo zamaShenge.?
"Hawu Khabazela, ingani ngasinika wena isilulu engabuya naso, ngathi usithukuse laphaya emshayweni kwagogo."
"Hawu! S'thandwa ucishe wafa, kodwa bengizoba yini ngaphandle kwakho, awusho amaphoyisa uwabikele yini ngalezi zigelekeqe?
"Wahleka waze waveza elomhlathi s'thandwa, intsha yini le nkulumo engiyishilo ezindlebeni zakho?
Agxume uBasolile aqabule umyeni wakhe wukujabula.
"Bheka!" uNelile akhombise uBasolile isithombe. Asibuke uBasolile.
"Wenama kangaka, uthi awuzimisele nje ukuqomisa uMpho?
Kwabe akalishongo lelo uMveli, uMaMkhize wathwala izandla ekhanda washo esidabula uvalo isililo. ULabase wabheka phansi, zehla ezimathonsi ensizweni endala. Kwathi bangakhala bonke babhodla waqhubeka nendaba yakhe uMveli. Wabachazela ngakho konke asekwenzile mayelana nokulwa nalesi sifo, imikhandlu elwa nalesi sifo asengene kuyo, nomuzi wakhe asewuphendule isikole sokuqwashisa umphakathi ngalesi sifo.
"Nkosikazi angisiye mina umuntu okwazi ukuchaza amaphupho, kodwa yinye into engingakutshela yona wukuthi kukhona ucwaningo olwenziwayo ngongoti kwezemithi mayelana nale nkulumo yakho."
"Kodwa ngabe yini lena engenza ngingayijabuleli le ntokazi Ngoba inhle nje icisha ilanga futhi ixoxa kamnandi, okusobala ukuthi yakhuliswa ngabazali abaqotho, pho yini lena engiyisola kuyo Yini ngami Kusho ukuthi sengiyinkunzi yesishimane yini kanti, sona esiphilela ukubeka izintombi amabala nezici. Kumbe njalo ngidliwa umona Hhayi, hhayi, angiwuyeke lo mcabango. UMveli ngumfowethu, kufanele ngijabule naye. Angibheme masinyane ngizobuyela endlini." Uthe lapho eqeda nje ukucisha ugwayi wabona uMveli eqhamuka eza kuye?
"Yebo, wangitshela nendlela owamemukela ngayo mhla niqala ukubonana." Bahleke.
Ntambama bashesha ukuvala esitolo ngoba umsebenzi wokubala izimpahla bazibhale ngononina wabe umkhulu. Kwathi lapho bephakathi nalo msebenzi wafa umshini wokubala abawusebenzisayo. Babathe bayawuzama lutho umshini ukusebenza.
Ngalobo busuku uBasolile walala engalele, ecabanga ukuthi kazi udokotela uzothini.
"Cha mkhwekazi noma kunjalo, thina sifanele ukwenza usiko lokuhlanganisa imindeni yabalele," kuchaza uNdlangamandla.
"Hhayi-ke lapho s'thandwa, mina angisazimisele ukulinda emathonsi abanzi, kusasa lokhu okusayo ngiyobona ummeli wami sibhunge ngencwadi yomabo wefa lethu."
"Awu nkosikazi, usukhohliwe yini Ingani ngakutshela ukuthi uCohen lo akhuluma ngaye ugogo ngumngani wami omdala. Kwathi uma ngimtshela ukuthi sidinga umuntu owethembekile ozokusiza lapha ekhaya wathumela ugogo uMaCele.?
"Hlala naso isigqiki mnumzane wami," kuphendula uLabase. Ithi ingahlala indoda izibike ukuthi ingeyaphi, nokuthi ibize emtholampilo yafica odokotela sebehambile, ngakho-ke ibicela ukufihla ikhanda kuze kube kusasa ngoba ivela kude. Bathi bangavumelana baqhubeke baxoxe ezabo zamadoda, ingani nasi nesicathulo besingakapheli.
"Wayefanele Mveli, uthi intanga kabani ukulala ejele Into eyangihlekisa wukuthi yababiza kwaze kwasa hluthu abakubo insizwa endala, ilokhu ikhuze umhlolo." Bahleke. "Uyazi ukuthini Mveli, uzalwa yiqhawe ngempela, uma ungafuza yena akukho okungakwehlula. ""Yiqiniso lelo ntanga, yikho lokhu ngiphatheka kabi uma ngimbona ethukuthele. ""Asethembe ukuthi lizodamba iphukuphuku lokuthukuthela ensizweni endala. Into engibona ukuthi ungayenza ukumbhalela incwadi uxolise ngakho konke okwenzeka. Mtshele nokuthi usaphila futhi nisahleli kahle nomakoti, phela impilo yomntwana iyinto enkulu kunoma yimuphi umzali. ""Adla ngokuqina lawo mazwi ntanga, bathi ngikuthandelani Ngizoyibhala khona namuhla. Mamo! Ngacishe ngakhohlwa, konje namuhla kufanele sisheshe sivale sizothatha isitokwe sezimpahla zonke zesitolo ngoba umphathi-mabhuku wethu uyeza kusasa. ""Nami besengikhohliwe," asukume uMfaniseni. "Kufanele ngiqedele leya ncwadi yentela, funa sibone sesingenelwa ngofezela." Bahleke. Aphume ehhovisi uMfaniseni ayokwenza umsebenzi wakhe?
"Qhabo mama, le ncwadi iphuma kuBasolile, ucela ukuthi ngizombona namuhla uma isikole sesiphumile."
"Mina nomama siyolilizela kushe amazwi ngalelo langa," asho ebuka unina uNelile. Bahleke.
Nembala ngakusasa banikela emtholampilo ukuyoxoxa nodokotela. Yize abantu babeyizindimbane, kodwa udokotela wabanika ithuba lokuthi baxoxe naye, babonisane ngoba lolu daba ababeze ngalo lwaluyingqophamlando emphakathini wonkana.
"Ngubaba yini! Nansi ingulube inginonela. Kusho ukuthi uSindi ugula ngempela Ingabe le ngane ayifunayo yiso isizathu sokugula kwakhe Ngisho ngoba uthe angayibona kwasa egula. Okusho ukuthi angathola le ngane uyosinda. Mhlola muni lo ongehlelayo Ngingaweqa ngiwuthini umthetho engawutshelwa ngubaba mayelana nevezandlebe ekhaya Ngiyakhumbula ubaba egcizelela ukuthi lo mthetho uwusiko lwakithi. Nangu uSindi akasadli nokudla. Yena lo dokotela usebanjwe yini nemiphumela yegazi" Azethuke esememeza eshaya itafula ngesandla. "Demede! Ngenzeni manje?
Konke kwakubukeka kuhamba kahle kwaLabase ngoba uma uwubuka lo muzi wawungafunga ukuthi uzothi uma usondela kuwo ubone kuvela uMesisi. Kanti lutho, endaweni yalokho ukhangwa isalukazi nje esisaqinile, sehla senyuka, sikhwishiza sishanela, sinisela izimbali. Phela lapha kuseGoli, kuguga othandayo. Sasike sime sinikine ikhanda, sichithe izandla, ubone ungumuntu ukuthi kukhulu okusihlupha emoyeni. Uma usondela usibukisisa usibona sishaya izandla sikhuza umhlolo, ungaze ufunge ukuthi kunomuntu esikhuluma naye.
Amchazele yonke inkulumo kadokotela uMveli.
"Yebo kunjalo kanti nami futhi ngeke ngivume ukuthi singazivikeli ngoba ngingangenwa yilesi sifo."
"Cha dokotela konke lokho akusadingekile, kusobala ukuthi nami singingenile lesi sifo."
"Isiminya ngiqinisile. Kusasa asiye s'thandwa, uyofike ubheme ukholwe."
"Ngingalikhohlwa kanjani lelo cala ntanga elacishe langixabanisa nobaba?
"Angikusize gogo," asho esukuma uBasolile.
"Nakanjani kufanele ngiye emahlathini aseKhiphunyawo namuhla," kuqhuba uSibiya, "yikhona ngizokwazi ukulethela umfana izimbiza zakhe zonke ngomhlomunye. Okunye wukuthi kufanele afakwe isiphandla ukuze abakubo bahlale njalo bembhekile."
Kanjalo noSindi owayesezitshelile ukuthi uyawuyeka lo msebenzi wakhe wokudayisa ngomzimba, kwakuthi uma eyedwa afikelwe isizungu, alangazelele ukuyokuma esitaladini nabangani bakhe, bahehe amadoda, ikakhulu anezimoto. Nanamuhla usele yedwa endlini ngoba uMpho wayeshaye ngonyawo phansi ukuthi ngeke aphinde amvumele ukuqhubeka ngalo msebenzi wabo. Cishe sekungamaviki amabili eyilokhu esala yedwa, noMveli akasamthinti nangocingo, isizungu simbhokele. Uhleli embhedeni uyacabanga, uyazibuza aziphendule yedwa.
"Kulungile Mveli ngizokwenza njengokusho kwakho. Awusho loluya cingo ebengikunikeza lona lwentokazi ekhuluma kamnandi beluvela ekhaya yini?
"Kunjalo baba, alikho iqiniso eledlula lelo," kuphendula uMveli enanela amazwi kayise.
Endleleni uMveli ushayela nje umcabango wakhe ukuSindi. Wayeseqede nenhliziyo yakhe ukuthi kumnyama, kubomvu kufanele igcine imqomile le ntombi. Ukhuluma yedwa: "Kufanele namuhla ngenze konke ngesilungu esiphelele. Okokuqala nje ngizokwehla emotweni ngiyivulele umnyango, iyothi ingangena ngiwuvale. Nangaphakathi ehhotela ngizoyidonsela isitulo ihlale. Mmm kuzodingeka ngiyikitaze ngawo wonke amahlaya amnandi engiwaziyo, yikhona kuyothi uma ingicabanga ihleke yodwa. Nakanjani lokho kuyongenza ngibe yisilomo kuyo. Iyothi uma ixoxa nabangane bayo isho ngelomzwilili: "Maye! Ngiyamthanda uMveli wami" ahleke yedwa. "Nezisebenzi zami namuhla ngibone ziqhwebana zodwa uma ngiphuma esitolo. Ngadla mina kababa!" aphinde ahleke yedwa. "Kambe okunye okumele ngikuqaphele wukuthi kufanele kube nguye uSindi okhetha ukudla esizokudla, mina ngiyovumelana naye kukho konke. Isiphuzo siyokhethwa yimi, ngiyofuna iwayini elidula kunawo wonke abanawo. Noma sekuthiwani, la makhulu ayisithupha amarandi engiwaphethe ngeke siwaqede sobabili, khona ephelile bekunani ngoba nencwadi yami yamasheke asebhange ngiyiphethe. Konje ingabe yini okunye engikukhohlwayo Nakhu sengisondela ehhotela. Mameshane! Ngacishe ngalenza iphutha elibi, angingene lapha esitolo ngithenge isiqholo sekhethelo engizoziqhola ngaso emakhwapheni nginganukisi okwempongo. Ngiyazi naso singelikhulu iwozawoza ezintokazini.?
"Hhayi-ke, mina angisale sengihamba. Ningahlala ehhovisi lami nixoxe uma nifuna. Kodwa ungakhohlwa nkosazana ukungenzela lowo msebenzi wakusasa ekhaya."
"Uyazi ukuthini s'thandwa" kubuza uSindi ekhombisa ukujabula. "Mina ngibona ukuthi sitholele ugogo indawo laphaya ekhaya lezalukazi e-Orlando.?
"Kulungile kodwa hamba ngeyami imoto ngoba amafutha ayo asagcwele. Utshele uSindi akubhekele wona egumbini esidlela kulo phezu kwetafula elingasemnyango. Umtshele nokuthi ngizokwephuza ukubuya namuhla, ababohluthulela amasango. Ewu madoda! Lo muntu owangibulalela uSiphithiphithi wangibulala ngezandla. Kufanele ngifune enye inja ngokushesha, leliya khaya alisaphephile neze."
"Ungalingi ungithinte ngesandla sakho ngizokulimaza kabi mina," usho usondela ngasemnyango uNelile.
"Unjani lo mphumela otholwe nguwe dokotela, mubi noma muhle na?
"Ayangijabulisa lawo mazwi Basolile kodwa mina ngibona ukuthi kufanele uyicabangisise le ndaba."
UBasolile wafica umyeni wakhe ecambalele embhedeni, ebheke phezulu okomuntu ophelelwe yithemba lokuphila.
"Akusiwona amawala, ngibona sibafanele s'thandwa ngoba uMfaniseni ubambe ibhizinisi ngokwethembeka okukhulu, kanti noNelile njengodadewethu kufanele simjabulise."
Emavikini alandelayo wawukhipha ephepheni umuzi ukuthi uyawudayisa uMveli. Akuphelanga malanga mangaki wathengwa ngesinye isigwili somlungu, esasifuna ukuwenza indawo yokuhlala izivakashi ezizobona iSoweto, zivela emazweni ahlukene. Wamcela lo mlungu uMveli ukuthi angayithathi impahla yendlu ngoba wabe ezimisele ukuyikhokhela nayo. Wabuye wacela nesalukazi esinguMacele ukuthi kube yiso esimbhekela lo muzi, simfunele nomuntu ozosebenza engadini ukuze uhlale ucocekile.
"Hhayi-ke nalapho uqinisile, sengiyokuzwa ngawe ukuthi uMveli utheni uma ezwa le ndaba emnandi kangaka." Baqhubeka bayixoxa le ndaba, kwabopha ihlokohloko endlinini behleka kumnandi kunjeya. Kwathi angafika ngaleyo ntambama uMveli, uNelile wamhlinzeka ngayo le ndaba, wamlandisa yona ukusuka nokuhlala.
"Yikho lokho ebengikufunela khona mntanami. Lo muzi awuzange uthengwe yilo mlungu, wathengwa yimi. Lo mlungu enathengiselana naye yilowo engasebenza kuye iminyakanyaka, kanti futhi wayengumngani omkhulu kayihlomncane. Mina naye senza icebo lokuthi sengathi uthengwa nguye ngoba ngangazi ukuthi ngeke uvume ukuthi uthengwe yimi."
"Kulungile, kodwa uqaphele umntwana kulesiya siphithiphithi sezimoto edolobheni."
"I'll pay my revenge, I'll never die alone."
Akubanga njengokusho kwakhe uBasolile, wafica sekunabantu abalindile emabaleni asemtholampilo ngoba kwakungakavulwa. Naye wahlala walinda kanye nabo. Kwathi kungavulwa babizwa ngokulandelana kwabo. Wazizwa eshaywa uvalo. Wafikelwa ngumcabango othi yonke le nto ayizele lapha ingumbhedo. Kwathi lapho ethi ufuna ukusukuma ashiye phansi yonke le nto abuyele ekhaya kwavuleka umnyango oseceleni kwakhe.
Athule uMveli isikhashana ecabanga ngoba le nto ayitshelwa nguSindi yayimethusile, kanti futhi ingakaze ivele phambilini.
"Mveli mntanami, namuhla ungijabulise ngokweqile ngokungilethela umakoti wami ekade ngimkhalela ukuthi kube nguye umnikazi waleli khaya."
Lwaze lwafika olingaliwa, wanyathela emabaleni omuzi wakwaLabase uSindi. Wacishe waquleka wuvalo ngoba ubuhlalu obunjengalobu bomuzi wayengakaze abubone ngisho nasemaphusheni. Kwathi lapho uMveli ethi abangene akakwazanga nokuphendula ngoba kwakome amathe, kuduma ikhanda, edonse amehlo, ekhexe umlomo kuhle komuntu ebona isipoki. Kwathi ngelikade wehla emotweni bangena endlini.
"Mi bhema uzoba nesibindi, ngibona uthukile."
"Nanku umngenandlini ovela emaNdlovini okuthiwe ngikunike wona," asho enika uMaMkhize umthwalo afika nawo. Awuthukulule uMaMkhize akhuze umhlolo.
"Wowu! Makoti noNelile, kwenzenjani namuhla ngoba emihleni uma ninobabili kuyaye kuzalele ihlokohloko" Asheshe aphendule uBasolile?
"Uthini na Mveli, uthi intaka iyobe ibekelwe amazolo kule mpelasonto?
"Nami baba sangitshela lawo mazwi mhla sisemngcwabeni wabo. We! ngiyakwesaba kufa ngokungithathela labo bantu." athi angasho njalo amehlo ahlengezele izinyembezi.
"Mina sengiqedile nenhliziyo yami angiphindeli emuva ngingemgqigqo. Sukuma sihambe ngiyokhuluma nesithandwa sami," usho uya ngasemnyango. NoNelile akabange esanda namaningi wasukuma baphuma baqonda ekhaya kuMveli.
"Ngesintu mfana wami kuthiwa isigwaca esihle ngesishoshayo. Kufanele kusasa sivukele eNtumbane kusempondo zankomo, siyobona loluya khokhovu lwenyanga yakwaSibiya, ngoba inkulu le mpi esibhekene nayo, kufanele siyinqande nhlangothi zonkana."
Lokho siyobuye sikucabange. Okukhulu wukuthi sedlulise le ndaba yelobolo ngoba nasi nesikhathi sesisondele.
Angamphenduli, aphakamise umancishana, ahlekele phansi uLabase, ingani imfuyo yakhe wayeziqhenya ngayo kanti futhi nayo imumile.
"Ngiyakuxolela mntakwethu, kodwa into yinye dali wami engifuna uyazi, wukuthi mina ngiyokuthanda ukuya ekufeni."
Inkulumo yami ngaphambi kokuthi ngikhiphe isinqumo saleli cala izogxila kakhulu emasikweni abantu, ngoba leli cala lidalwe wukulandelwa kwawo. Amasiko awubuntu babantu. Awumongo wempilo, negugu lesizwe. Isizwe esilahle amasiko aso sifana nesizwe esesiphenduke izilwane zasendle. Ngoba asisayilandeli indlela yokuphila, yokucela kanye nokubonga asifundisa yona uMdali waso. Ake ngithi nje kini, umntwana omzele uyaye umfundise indlela yokucela nokubonga ngokuzithoba, ngisho nokuziphatha kwakhe imbala. Uma ngelinye ilanga umbona esekuhlahlela amehlo uma ekucela into noma esekuphendula ngamagama aneziswana, okwengane eyihlongandlebe ngoba ethi usehlakaniphile ufundile, leso senzo sakhe sikuthukuthelisa kabi ngoba ubheke ukuthi noma efunde kangakanani, ahloniphe imithetho owamtshela yona.
"Isimanga lesi, namuhla ngizizwa ngingesabi lutho, ngizizwa nginesibindi esiyinqaba. Ingabe kwenziwa yini lokho Ngoba lesi sifo enginaso siyabulala nje. Abantu esibaphethe ngibabona befa imihla namalanga. Pho lesi sibindi esingaka kimi sivelaphi Wo, sengiyabona! Kumbe kwenziwa wukuthi ngasikhipha engqondweni yami, kimi sesiphenduke ize leze. Kodwa noma kunjalo, kungabe kusathi diki nokuthi diki uvalo kimi Kusale sekuthula du okomuntu ongakaze abe nalesi sifo Madoda! Yini le eyenzeka kimi Kusho ukuthi lesi sifo lapho siyovuka khona siyongithatha isigubhukazana. Mmm, nakanjani kufanele ngiyobona ummeli wami kulo leli viki sibhale incwadi yomabo wefa lami. Lolu cwaningo abalushoyo ngilubona luyimbude nje echitha isikhathi. Lonke ifa lami mina ngifuna ukulishiya kumfanyana wami uNqobile." Amoyizele yedwa. "Angingabazi uyokhula abe yindoda emadodeni. Uyofuza umkhulu wakhe.?
Athule uLabase, aphulule isilevu sakhe ecabanga. Abuke insizwa yakhe. "Mveli."
"Mpho lo muntu ungathi uyidrophile le call, hello!" athi lapho ethi ulubeka phansi ucingo uSindi, ezwe izwi liphendula.
"Cha akekho nkosi, nenkulumo anginayo," aphendule ecwaningisisa ibhuku lakhe. Kwathula kwathi cwaka enkundleni, sekulindelwe isigwebo senkantolo. Ibhale iqede inkosi yenkantolo. Ithi ingaqeda, ikhiphe izibuko zayo, iphinde futhi ithi nqa amanzi engilazini yayo, ibheke abamangalelwa nenkundla.
"Angazi baba, awuthi ngibheke." Asukume uMaMkhize ayohlola. Wahamba ijuba likaNowa. ULabase wezwa ngokwanda komsindo ukuthi noMaMkhize wayesemdibi munye nentombi yakwakhe. Wagcina naye esesukumile eyobuka. Ukube wayengesiye umnikazi womuzi, ungabe naye wazimbandakanya nalowo msindo wukujabula uma ebona insizwa yakhe ivakashelwe intombi yakwaKhubonye emzini wakhe.
"Wangikhumbuza indaba enkulu mntakwethu, sesineviki sifikile lapha eGoli kanti uyokuya nini kulo dokotela wakho ukuyomazisa ngalolu cwaningo esizimisele ukulungenela?
"Iyakhula intombi yakwakho MaMkhize," asho ngokukhulu ukuziqhenya uLabase ebuka indodakazi yakhe.
"Uyabheda lo, qhubeka wena mnumzane," kuphendula enye.
"Wenzani Ngiphuthume, Nelile!" usho ehlahle amehlo uBasolile?
"Wenzani" ahlahle amehlo uMfaniseni efuna ukuqondisisa kahle lesi sisho?
"Pho uzokwenzenjani" abuze esula izinyembezi zehlaya uMfaniseni?
"Yo! Mme we-! ngingajabula ke ngiphile njengabantu nami," usho wanga uSindi esihlathini uMpho.
Ezwe kukhala isivalo semoto, aphakamise amehlo. Ithi ingasuka imoto aqale ayibukisise le ntokazi ngenxa yesimo sayo esihle, phela unkabi wayezifela ngonobuhle. Yeqe umgwaqo, ize ngakuye. Ayibuke akhulume yedwa. "Kusho ukuthi baxabene, nansi ivala imoto ngolaka. Ayifuni mina leyo, cha, noma ingumahosha nje, ngizoyibiza noma kanjani."
"Yicebo elihle lelo," kuphendula uMveli.
"S'thandwa uyazi ukuthini, mina angizimisele ukuyenza yonke le nto oyishoyo. Wena ungazenzela wedwa. Bona omakhelwane bayothi senzani?
"Nakimi kunjalo, kodwa wena wawuthengiselani lo muzi?
"Angazi nami baba ukuthi kubuye kwamshiya kanjani ukuthi angayibonisani nawe kuqala le ndaba engaka. Hawu baba, awusangitsheli ngani ukuthi umkaMveli uyabhulukela" Amoyizele uLabase, lehle nephukuphuku lokuthukuthela ngokubona iphutha alenzile?
"Uqinisile ngoba babodwa emini, futhi kubuye kube ngabantu besifazane. Nami angiphuthume ngizosheshe ngibuye."
"Leyo uyobuye uyichaze muva, uyoba ngumuntu nawe ongazi lutho ngemindeni emibili." Bahleke, ingani isisombululo sale nkinga sesivelile.
"Kahle phela ngiqedele incazelo yami. Okunye okubalulekile engifuna ukwazi wukuthi uma umdlezane efuna ukuncelisa kufanele alubilise kuqala ubisi lwakhe enzele ukubulala amagciwane alesi sifo akulo, uyothi esuka abelupholisa elunika ingane. Okwesibili wukuthi kufanele ancelise ingane izinyanga zize zibe yisithupha ngale ndlela. Akufanele athi esancelisa anike usana amanzi noma ukudla okuthile ngoba lokho kungasona isisu sengane bese leli gciwane lokufa lingena kalula. Kanti nalo ubisi lokuthengwa lwezingane lulungile uma unayo imali yokuluthenga. Olunye ubisi olulungile yilolo olutholwa simahla kwimitholampilo. Habe! nakhu sengicishe ngikhohlwa ukuthi ibhodlelana ancelisa ngalo usana kufanele lihlanzwe ngokulibilisa njalo ngamanzi ahlanzekile ngaphambi kokulisebenzisa. Usungaqhubeka ubuze."
"Kufanele mntakwethu usemdala, kanti futhi uhlala ebalisa yedwa ngenhliziyo."
"Ngadla mina kaBaba, ngadla! Ngadla mina ngudlungudlu, Kheshe lezintombi zaseDambula. Mlung' omnyama waseSayidi ufunani kwezikaMnyamane. "UMveli owayelibele ukufunda ezinye izincwadi wethuka ngomsindo.
"Yebo khona kunjalo, kodwa kunephupho elilokhu lingibelesele engingazi ukuthi lisho ukuthini." Ahlahle amehlo manje uNelile.
"Cha akuyilokho baba nomama, into wukuthi kunendaba engivelele engifuna ukunixoxela yona, engingazi ukuthi kufanele ngiyiqale ngithini ngoba funa ibe nzima kini, kanti mina kimi isilula kakhulu."
Lwaqhubeka uthando phakathi kukaSindi noMveli lwashisa izikhotha. UMveli wabe engasakwazi ukuhlala isonto engazange asibone isithandwa sakhe. Kwakuthi njalo uma behamba bobabili afike amehlise esangweni lamafulethi ase-Illovo ngoba uSindi wayemtshele ukuthi amadoda awavunyelwe ukungena lapho. Kanti futhi bonke abahlali kwakufanele bafike ngesikhathi ngenxa yobugcwelegcwele obudlangile eGoli. Konke lokhu kwalwandisa uthando lukaMveli kuSindi ngoba wazitshela ukuthi uSindi kusobala ukuthi ungenye yezintokazi eziziphethe kahle.
"Mveli, bheka la! Angifuni xolo lwakho mina, futhi angisiyo insangu mina angibhenywa, uma ufuna ukuxolisa hamba kuBasolile, lo omphendule isilima sakho. Uyangizwa Mveli!"
"Umama uhlala eMidrand noSmith, ubaba uhlala eBosmont nomamncane. Umamncane ngizwe ukuthi naye u-u-konje kuthiwani uma umuntu egula kakhulu s'thandwa?
"MaMkhize! MaMkhize!" kumemeza uLabase eqeda ukuminya.
"Ngikhona nkosi yenkantolo."
"Yiziphi ezimnandi ongiphathele zona s'thandwa?
"Uthini uSindi Mveli" ubuza uMfaniseni amaphaphu esephezulu ngoba ebona uMveli engemnandi ebusweni?
"Ngeke ngikhohlwe mnumzane." Amoyizele yedwa uBasolile, ejatshuliswa yisenzo sikathishanhloko sokubavumela ukuhlala ehhovisi lakhe.
"Awu s'thandwa, ungathini ukusho njalo Ingani bengizomusa ecreche ekuseni ngimlande ntambama.?
Aphakamise isandla uBasolile.
"Kunjalo ntanga yethu, ngangikubuka njengesilima ngingazi ukuthi la malangabi ayekuhashula ayoze afike nakimi angishise ubuhanguhangu."
"Uqinisile nkosikazi, indlala ibisiqala ukuzwakala ngoba selokhu ngivuke ngovivi, kodwa bese ngibhensele ukuthi ngikhiphe le ndima kuqala."
"Nxese mama, bengilaphaya esangweni ngixoxa noBasolile."
"Baba nomama nginiphathele izindaba ezimnandi, ngizonibikela ukuthi sengizimisele ukuganwa." Athi angasho njalo ziqhele izihlathi kubo bonke endlini, ingani sekufezeka iphupho okade kwasa beliphupha.
"Maye ngingajabula ukuba noNelile lapha eGoli."
"Kungangithokozisa lokho, Shenge. Kodwa lapha ekhaya bese sishiya bani?
"Uyadela ophila nawe mntanomuntu, okhosela kulowo mthunzi wokwenama. Aphuze kuleso siyalu sokuphila. Alalele umzwilili wephimbo lakho imihla namalanga. Ukube nami konke lokhu bekuyongifanela, bengiyokufa ngidelile nkosazana yakwaLabase."
"Mina mntakwethu ngibona ukuthi asingaqali siphakamise izindlebe ngoba nakhu uyasho ukuthi impilo yakho ayikho engozini."
"Uqinisile s'thandwa uMpho kufanele azi konke, shono konje nivumelene ngokuthi eze amalanga amangaki evikini?
"Ungakusho kanjani lokho ngoba nangu ugogo ukhona."
"Angisifuni isalukazi lapha kwami, into okumele siyenze ngoba nangu uMpho akasahlali nathi ukuthi sibambisane ngomsebenzi wasendlini."
Babukane, uMfaniseni amphendule ngokumkhombisa isithombe.
Ngolunye usuku kusekuseni, uMveli noSindi bayaxoxa ekamelweni.
Lusuku luthile wathi uMaCele evuka ekuseni wafica uSiphithiphithi elele endlini yakhe engakwazi ukuvuka. Wawuhlaba wawulawula wabikela uMveli owamphuthumisa kudokotela wezilwane. Udokotela wafike wamxilonga wathola ukuthi udle ushevu oyingozi osumudle wamqeda ngaphakathi. Kwakungekho angabuye akwenze ngaphandle kokumqedela. Ukufa kwale nja kwasiphatha kabi isalukazi ngoba sasazi ukuthi ubulewe nguSindi noMpho. UMveli yena wacabanga ukuthi ibulewe ngabantu abasophe ububi kuleli khaya. Kusemini isalukazi uMaCele asikho siye emthandazweni, uSindi noMpho babodwa bayaxoxa.
"Yini Mveli kwenzenjani, wajabula kangaka" sibuza sethukile isalukazi ngoba kade sagcina ukumbona ejabule kangaka, empeleni sagcina mhla uyise omncane emthengela imoto ukumbona ethokoze ngalolu hlobo?
"Uyazi s'thandwa, kimi sengathi abazali bami bahlezi nathi njengoba sixoxa nje."
"Madoda! Mveli ntanga yethu, kanti ukhuluma ngoBasolile nje, usho isibhamu esinje" Ahleke uMveli?
"Kodwa Mfaniseni awucabangi ukuthi ke nithi ukuqhuba isikhashana, ukuze nazane kangcono?
"Mmm ukhuluma igama elikhulu nkosikazi, alikho iqiniso eledlula lelo. Cha, nembala kufanele ngehlise umoya, ngenze konke akushoyo lo mfana ukuze izinto zimhambele kahle. Pho uthi uyilobola nini le ntokazi yakhe?
NoMveli wasukuma wavalelisa waqonda elawini lakhe. Wafike wacambalala embhedeni wabheka phezulu, waqamela engalweni wacabanga. Empeleni naye kwakumphethe kabi ukubona abazali bakhe kanye nodadewabo bebuhlungu kangaka. Ukhuluma yedwa okohlanya. Madoda! Kanti uBasolile bamthanda kangaka. Kodwa manje ngizokwenzenjani Sengimthembise uSindi ukuthi ngizomlobola abe ngumkami, kanti noBasolile uyithemba labazali bami. Kodwa yini lena eyenza ngithande uSindi kangaka Ukuziphatha kwakhe isilungu Ingani noBasolile ufundile Kumbe inkinga ikimi, kusho ukuthi impilo esengiyiphila ihambelana nezintombi ezinjengoSindi, eseziziphethe isilungu. Yini sengathi ngiyaphuma nje emasikweni akithi Uma kunjalo ngiyoba muntu muni emhlabeni Kahle ngiwuyeke lo mcabango, awuthi ngivuke, ngiyobona uNelile ekamelweni lakhe ngixolise ngoba uvalelise inhliziyo yakhe ibuhlungu kabi.?
"We, nguNelile!" asho esibukisisa okomuntu oqala ukusibona uBasolile.
"Hawu, pho wamuhle kangaka namuhla ndodana ulibangisephi na" sisho simoyizela simbukisisa isalukazi?
Kwathi lapho uMveli ekhulelisa intombi yakwaMaseko, wajabulela ngaphakathi okwesimaku ngoba wayazi ukuthi umuzi wakwaKhubonye uhloniphekile futhi ugcina amasiko esintu. Nakho-ke manje uMveli useyothatha intombi yaseGoli ezalwa emzini angawazi. "Ngingayivuma kanjani into efana nalena" uvungazela yedwa. "Ngikhiphe izinkomo zamaLabase nge" ethuswe wukuthinteka kwekhaba lommbila?
"Akukho lutho nkosikazi, ngihlekiswa ukujabula uma ngibona lo mzukulu wami ofana noyise ngakho konke."
"Hello, nguSindi okhulumayo, hallo!-hallo!-hallo!" luthule du ucingo. KuMveli owayelalele kwase kugoqene ulimi, wazizwa ephelelwa ngumoya wukujabula nokumangala.
"Wathula kangaka s'thandwa" kubuza uSindi, ngaphakathi enhliziyweni kuthe cosololo ngoba kwakusobala ukuthi isu lakhe lizosebenza?
"Kunjalo baba, ahlanzela abangenamabhodwe. Yeka ukukhuthala kwayo. Ingabe Mveli ndini uzimiseleni Kudela owaziyo." Athule angaphenduli uLabase, abeke ukhamba phansi, esule umlomo maqede abuyise izinhlonze okomuntu ojulile emcabangweni?
"Uphumaphi Kunini ngikumemeza, hawu, waqhamuka usumuhle usugeze nini Lalela-ke, shesha ubeke amabhodwe eziko mntanami.?
"Akusho wena, kuyazisho ntanga yamashinga, ngibona nebala lakho licacise okweletshitshi, kanti nomzimba wakho uthele ngokwenele. Kambe ngilandise phela ukuthi wathini uBasolile ngale nhlekelele eyakuvelela."
"S'thandwa, ngicela le ndaba singayithi vu nakoyedwa lapha ekhaya ngoba ibucayi kakhulu," kusho uMveli esula izinyembezi.
Kwaze kwabanda ukudla kwabo etafuleni, bebhekene emehlweni. USindi exoxela uMveli ngamadoda amabili ambambe ngenkani amfaka emotweni, ashaya achitha eqonde ukuyomdlwengula. Athe lapho ebheke ngaseHillbrow wavula umnyango wazijika ngaphandle imoto ihamba. Watholwa lapho yinsizwa yomlungu eyamthatha yamphuthumisa esibhedlela.
"Ngiyakuzwa nkosi," Aphakamise isandla sokudla ukubonga uLabase.
"Cha angikubhuqi mntanethu, ngiqinisile uma ngithi uyiswidi lokuxolisa umphefumulo ohluphekile, ongenabani njengalona wami."
"Lutho ntanga, eyami inhliziyo isezintabeni ezingumasithela zaseDumbe."
"Akukho lutho mama, siyazixoxela nje."
"Gijima ubize i-ambulance, ungitshele, uma uyitholile," kusho umuntu ocingweni. Kuthi thala-thala okomfana, nakho sekushaywe wuvalo lokubona umuntu efa, kugijimele esitolo esingaphesheya komgwaqo, kufike kuhlabe umkhosi. Nomnini sitolo akazange esachitha sikhathi wathinta isibhedlela.
Athathe izikhiye zemoto kuMveli uMfaniseni aphume ehambela phezulu. Phela ukushayela imoto kaMveli kwakumthokozisa kakhulu unkabi, futhi kuyiphupho lakhe langemihla ukuthi ngelinye ilanga naye uyoba nayo efana nayo. Nendlela eya kwaMveli akayizwanga ngoba wayehamba ecula yedwa, wazethuka esemi esangweni. "Hhayi-bo! akumoto le, ngusukasambe uqobo lwakhe," ukhuza yedwa ehla emotweni eyovula isango. Akazange awanake amadoda amabili ayezihambela ngendlela, ezokwedlula eceleni kwemoto. Wathi lapho ethi uvula isango, wezwa umuntu esemfuna izikhiye zemoto. Wathi uyaphenduka, waphendukela phezu komlenze wenkukhu usumkhombile.
"Aha!" kumemeza uSindi ngelokujabula emva kwesikhashana bethule. "Uyazi ukuthini s'thandwa, yini bangezi bonke lapha ehhotela?
"Kahle-ke ngize nalawa maphepha emotweni sizobonisana," asho ephuma uMveli ezenza umuntu olanda amaphepha emotweni. Asheshe alibone isu likaMveli uMfaniseni naye angabe esapholisa maseko.
"Ufunani Ngilele mina!" uphendula ngokukhulu ukufutheka?
"Zinqunywa amakhanda ziyekwe, asiqhubeke nomsebenzi wethu ntanga," kuphendula uMveli. Bayishiye lapho le ndaba baqhubeka nomsebenzi wabo wesitolo.
"Kusho-kusho ukuthi nawe" simbhokele isibibithwane.
Kwaya, kwaya waze wayejwayela uMveli impilo eyayifunwa nguSindi. Kwakuthi kwesinye isikhathi uma uSindi enabangani bakhe kube nguMveli obenzela ukudla, kanti nasemsebenzini wendlu babeshintshana ngezinsuku, ngisho nasekugezeni izimpahla zokwembatha imbala. Kwakuyimpilo yakwamagida-sibhekane, namuhla yimi, kusasa nguwe mntanethu.
"Ngibona ukuthi siyogcina siwuthengisile. Into yinye engihluphayo yilesi sikole ebesengisisungule lapho. Ngibona ukuthi kufanele ngisifunele indawo edolobheni ngoba ukusiletha ekhaya kungenza nogogo agcine esazi ngesimo sempilo yethu."
"Ntambama ngizotshela uMveli," kusho uSindi kuMpho emva kokulolonga icebo labo.
"Ngiphuthume Nelile, ubonani kuye" abuze ngezwi eligcwele uvalo uMaMkhize?
Ukusa kwaziwa nguye, wavuka wakhwishiza eshanela amabala, enza neminye imisebenzi yakhe yasendlini.
"Hheyi mngani, ngicabange masinyane ngamusa e-Illovo Heights lapho kuhlala khona enye yamaclients ami. Ngehle emotweni ngaqonda ngqo kumantshingelane egeyithini ngazibuzisa something kuye. Ithe ingasithela imoto ngamisa itaxi ngeza la." Balale yinsini.
"Sawubona Nqobile. Ewu! Wangethusa mfana wami, phela bese ngidl'obenyoni." Bahleke bobabili.
"Cha s'thandwa ngihleka leya ndoda yayizolo evele yalijikijela ekudeni ishungu layo logwayi ngemva kokuthi uyichazele ngengozi yokubhema."
Aphenduke uBasolile abuke le nsizwa akhuluma ngayo. Athi angayibona amemeze okohlanya. "Mveli! Mveli!"
"Kunjalo nkosikazi, kodwa ngibone ukuthi ngingamhluphi ngoba naye umatasatasa ulungisela lo mshado wakhe."
"Nami ungimangazile baba, uthe uzoxoxa nawe uma ebuya edolobheni."
Kanjalo naye uSindi wayengazi ukuthi uzokwenza cebo liphi ukuthi uMveli ayobona unina eMidrand ngoba kumbe kuMveli leso senzo singafana nokuthi umholela ophathe ufuna ukuthi amshade ngodli.
Kwaduma amakhanda kuMveli noBasolile, kwaba sengathi bezwa umuntu okhuluma ephusheni. Bathula eside isikhathi, kubo kwakungathi basesithongweni bazobuye bavuke. Bobabili babekhexe imilomo, ukukhuluma kungumanka. Kwathi emuva kwesikhathi waphinde waphinda amazwi akhe udokotela.
"Ngitshele uthe usebenzaphi kuye?
Emva kokushona kukaSindi uMveli kwakungathi uthole amandla amasha. Kwakuvula yena ekuseni esitolo, kuthi ngenhlazane ayofundisa esikoleni sakhe ekhaya. Wayethi angaqeda esikoleni aphindele futhi esitolo ukuze abe noMfaniseni uma sekuvalwa. UMfaniseni wayesezame waze wabeka phansi ukumyekisa le ndlela yokuzikhandla kangaka ngomsebenzi. Njengenhlalayenza uxoxa noMfaniseni ehhovisi lakhe.
"Eyi kodwa Mveli mfowethu, sengathi ubungake uqhube naye unyaka ukuze umazi kahle."
"Mamo! Wabola uboshiwe dadewethu kababa! Usulahla uBasolile ngale ntombi oyithola zolo lokhu" Asukume esezimisele ukuhamba uMfaniseni?
"Kanjani ngoba wangikhokhela yonke imali engangiyifunile ngalo muzi?
"Uthini na s'thandwa, awuzange ungixoxele le ndaba Khona kunjalo abantu bayamangalisa. Kuyaye kuthi umuntu bembona ekhwehlela izikhwehlela ezinegazi, ejuluka ubala, umzimba wakhe uzaca bathi unesidliso, kanti yisifo sofuba. Bangazihluphi ngokumusa esibhedlela noma emtholampilo ngoba selapheka, bhonqu! kulezo zindawo." Esakhuluma ethuke uSindi esemi eceleni kwakhe?
"Kukhona yini ufakazi ofuna ukumbiza, noma inkulumo ofuna ukuyethula ngaphambi kokuthi ngikhiphe isinqumo salelicala" kubuza inkosi yenkantolo kumshushisi?
"Ja s'thandwa sami, phela namuhla kufanele siselebhreyithe."
"Ehhotela! Kwake kwaba kuphi lokho Yena ubaba angathini Kahle Mfaniseni ukungiholela ophathe!?
"Yini Mveli, uyagula yini mntanami Wabheka phansi njalo" kubuza uMaMkhize enikeza uLabase imfaduko yokwesula izandla?
"Hawu, uyazi ntanga uma uthi ubone le ntokazi eHillbrow, ngikhumbula inkulumo kaSindi ethethisa le ngane, ungathi uthe: 'Nina botsotsi baseHillbrow noma Hillton' angizwanga kahle ngoba izwi lakhe belihoshoza kanti futhi ekhulumela ekudeni nocingo." Bayixoxaxoxa le ndaba bayishiya khona lapho, baqhubeka baxoxa ngohambo lukaMveli ekhaya, phela zinqunywa amakhanda ziyekwe.
"Enzeni Uthi asigcabe" ahlahle amehlo manje uSindi wuvalo?
"Nkosi yenkantolo, ecaleni labo lokuqala lokuphazamisa inqubo yehhotela ngokubanga umsindo, ngithanda ukuyazisa inkundla ukuthi lokho kumpongoloza abebekwenza emnyango wehhotela kuwusiko olubalulekile kakhulu ekuganiselaneni kwabantu. Kuwusiko lwabantu ukuthi umkhongi ame esangweni, azibike kubantu basemzini. Ngenhlahla embi leli sango libe umnyango waleli hhotela. Lokho kubangwe ukuswela indawo abangahlanganela kuyo njengemindeni engenakho ukuthelelana amanzi. Ecaleni lesibili, ukuziphatha kabi kwabo akuzange kwenzeke phambi kwabantu abebelapho. Yonke ingxabano yabo yenzeke egumbini labo abebeliqhashile. Munye zwi umuntu obabonile futhi wabezwa nguweta obelapho ngaleso sikhathi. Kwelesithathu nginesiqiniseko esivela kubaphathi bendali yemfuyo eDumbe, engisithole ngocingo-ncwadi abangishayele lona, esifakaza ukuthenga kwabo izinkomo ezingamashumi amabili kumnumzane Ndodayilahlwa Labase ngemali enguR10,000.00." Anikeze inkosi yenkantolo lelo pheshana lobufakazi ummeli. Ifake izibuko zayo ilibukisise maqede ivume ngekhanda. Aqhubeke nenkulumo yakhe ummeli.
Ahlahle amehlo uMveli. "Pho yena wayengenaphi lapho" Athi angabuza lowo mbuzo alibone iphutha lakhe uSindi, ashaye ingwijikhwebu?
Ayivulele uMaMkhize indoda, ingene egcekeni.
"Basolile ngixolele," usho uvuka othulini uMveli. Waphendulwa ngumsindo wokukhala kwesicabha sivaleka. UBasolile owayesedlwathuzelisa okohlanya ukuyophuma esangweni lesikole wayesethukuthele evutha amalangabi.
"Hambani kahle maqhawe ami." Abaxhawule bobabili udokotela. "Nilwe, niyinqobe le mpi." Abavulele umnyango, kuthi lapho bethi bayaphuma, akhumbule okunye angabatshelanga khona. "Ngicishe ngakhohlwa ukunitshela ukuthi manje uhulumeni wethu usevumile ukuthi le mishanguzo yalesi sifo itholakale simahla kuleli lakithi. Kodwa enifanele nikuqaphele wukuthi niyisebenzise le mithi ngendlela eshiwo ngodokotela kini ngoba inobungozi obukhulu esibindini nasegazini uma isetshenziswa budedengu." Bavalelisane baphume bahambe.
"Nelile! Nelile! Ngivulele; yimi."
"Lutho gogo, nami ngimangele ukuthi soneni. Angimphuthume ngenkomishi yetiye ngizokuzwa ukuthi ngabe kwenzenjani." asho esukuma uBasolile elandela umyeni wakhe. Wathi angangena endlini, sasala sisho omncane umkhuleko wosizi isalukazi.
"Yiqiniso lelo. Kuningi nami engifuna ukukuxoxa naye ngoba kade sagcinana. Hhayi bo, s'thandwa! Zinqunywa amakhanda ziyekwe. Nakhu sekugcwele esitolo, asihambe siyobasiza."
"Akumane kube njalo, mina angisethembi lutho s'thandwa ngoba nami kwathi sisangiqala lesi sifuba, uMpho wanuka abantu ukuthi bangidlisile."
"Asihambe s'thandwa siyoyixoxa ekhaya," asho emvulela umnyango wemoto uMveli. Akhwele bahambe. Endleleni akekho owayexoxa nomunye ngoba yilowo wayephethwe ngumzwangedwa ngale ngane. USindi yena engqondweni yakhe wayezitshela ukuthi nakanjani uMveli uzovuma ukuthi bayithathe le ngane. Kanti uMveli yena engqondweni yakhe kwase kumcacele kahle kamhlophe ukuthi noma uSindi engathini ngeke ayivume ingane angayazi emzini wakhe. Ayengakuboni uMveli wukuthi isikhathi aphila kuso ngesezizukulwane zamavezandlebe.
"Ubukeka engumuntu onobubele," kusho uMveli naye ehlatshwe umxhwele yinkulumo kaZungu.
"Ja Mpho, ubekhiphe wonke amehlo, ethukile."
"Kungcono lokho mntakwethu ngoba mina njengomuntu ongawazi amanga angasheshe abone ukuthi ikhohlisana ihlomile." Bahleke.
UMveli noSindi nabo babeya njalo kule ndawo ukuyofunda ngalesi sifo nokuthola izingcebiso ngaso. Ngenxa yokuzimisela nokukhuthala kwabo ekulweni nalesi sifo bagcina sebeyizintandokazi kunsumpa wakhona uMaDlamini, okwathi ekugcineni wabanika umsebenzi wokufundisa bonke abaqalayo. Lokho kwabanika umdlandla nogqozi lokufunda kanzulu ngalesi sifo, kangangoba noMveli wagcina eseya kabili evikini ebhizinisini lakhe. Kwase kuyinjwayezi kubo bobabili ukuthi njalo ngantambama uma behlezi ekhaya baxoxe ngalesi sifo kanye nangokwenzekile esikoleni sabo ngalelo langa.
"Kula malanga kwala noma ngithi ngimxoxela indaba ehlekisayo, uvele abe muncu nje angahleki, okuyinto entsha kimi ngoba ngimazi ewathanda amahlaya. Kuthi lapho ngimbuza ukuthi udokotela utheni, ambandaze abike imbiba abike ibuzi. Impela mama kukhona okunginukela santungwana ngoMveli."
"Usho ukuthini Sindi", abuze okomuntu ophelelwe ngamandla uMveli ngoba ubengayilindele inkulumo enjengalena kumkakhe?
"Usho njalo ntanga?
"Uthi uyovuma s'thandwa?
"Ungakaqali s'thandwa, ngicela ukuthi uma ungixoxela uzame ukukhuluma isiZulu esiphelele ngoba manje usuzoba ngumakoti wakwaLabase." Bahleke. "Kulungile ngizokhuluma isiZulu engasifundiswa esikoleni." Bahleke. Bathi bangaqeda ukuhleka, eze nayo indaba yempilo yakhe eyimpicabadala uSindi.
"Basolile ngitshele phela makoti wakwethu, yisiphi isithombe engingamthumela sona?
"Bese ngiyasiletha mkhulu?
Kwakuyilanga lesibili uMfaniseni eza lapha eHillbrow efuna lo mlisa ozobacakacela abuye abalobele isitolo. Sekuntambama, uhlezi emotweni ayimise maqondana nendlu ehlala lomlisa ngoba wayezitshelile ukuthi ngeke ayishiye yodwa imoto yakhe kule ndawo yezigcwelegcwele. Nephepha abelifunda seliyamcasula ngoba sekuyisikhathi eside elindile. Enye inhliziyo ithi akahambe, ukhuluma yedwa uyazikhuza.
"Kungenzeka kanjani lokho dokotela" abuze ngelihoshozisa okwelomthakathi izwi uMveli?
"Cha akukho lutho ndodana, ngena mntanami bangaphakathi endlini."
Lo mhlambi kazalusile sewenze ubelelesi bube sezingeni eliphezulu kule ndawo. Noma ungathini, kuyiqiniso ukuthi nesiqwanga esihle sommbila siyaye sibe nayo indawo enesihlava, neGoli linjalo.
"Ungahlupheki gogo, ingani wena ukhona, phela wena usufana nomama ongizalayo, futhi kudala usebenza lapha ekhaya, sengethembe wena ezintweni eziningi. Usukhohliwe yini ukuthi nguwe owangifundisa konke ngeGoli ngesikhathi ngiphuma kwantuthu kwelaseDumbe." Bahleke bobabili uma bekhumbula lezo nsuku.
"Kulungile s'thandwa, ngisazoyicabangisisa kahle le ndaba." Amoyizele ngoba engafuni ukuthi uSindi abone ubunzima bale ndaba asanda kumtshela yona.
Kulobo busuku mhla bevela ukuyobona izingane eziyizintandane uSindi azange alale kahle, wakhwehlela kwaze kwasa futhi ejuluka. Kwathi ngakusasa waya kwadokotela. UMveli uhlezi ehhovisi lakhe uxoxela uMfaniseni isimanga asibonile sezingane.
"Basolile kwenzenjani" ubuza udidekile engqondweni?
"Kusho ukuthi ugwayi lo uyinto enkulu ngisho ngoba kuyaye kuthiwe, unya lwabasha luyaphindana, olwezalukazi luphindana ngogwayi," kusho uMveli entela. Bahleke. Wathi angaphumela phandle uMfaniseni wokhela usikilidi wacabanga. Uvungazela yedwa.
Isalukazi esinguMaCele sakhombisa ukumjabulela, yize uma usazi wawungasibona emehlweni ukuthi ikhohlisene ihlomile. Samkhombisa indlu yonke ngaphakathi nangaphandle. Njengoba kwabe sekuyizithuba zamadina uMaCele nomsizi wakhe badeka itafula kwadliwa. Yize kwakusindwe ngobethole kuMveli noSindi bezixoxela behleka kumnandi, esalukazini kwakugcwele ukukhathazeka emoyeni waso. Sikhuluma sodwa, sihlezi ngaphandle emthunzini wesihlahla samanumbela esasisebaleni.
"Njengoba ngike ngasho okwamanje kunzima ukuwuphendula lowo mbuzo ngoba angifuni ukukuphakamisa izibilini ngento engingenaso isiqiniseko sayo. Kodwa inye into engingakutshela yona wukuthi ungesabi impilo yakho inhle kakhulu. Ngicela uphinde ubuye emuva kwezinsuku ezimbili, ubothi mhla uzayo uze nomkakho." Wathi angayiqeda inkulumo yakhe udokotela waphinde wamthatha igazi.
"Ungabofihla makoti uma kukhona okusolayo ngempilo kaMveli. Mina noyihlo impilo yakhe yayingasilalisi, kodwa ukufika kwakho kwasimisa idolo, kwasinika elikhulu ithemba. Siyaziqhenya ngawe makoti wami, ungisize uhlale njalo umbhekile."
"Hawu ngajabula bandla ukumbona, mina nginguZungu uThishanhloko walesi sikole."
"S'thandwa ngibe namawala izolo ngapheka ukudla okuningi, ngibona ukuthi sizokudla nanamuhla," nguSindi lowo ebuyisela amabhodwe esitofini.
"Uzwe ukuthini MaMkhize Musa ukungifihlela.?
"Hawu! Mveli, wathulelani ungasazisi indaba engaka ekuvelele" kubuza uMaMkhize ngokukhulu ukudabuka?
Nembala kwaba njengamazwi enkehli, akuthathanga sikhathi singakanani wasivula isikole sakhe uMveli. Ngosuku lokuvulwa kwaso wabamema bonke abakwaS'jumbana ngisho nabomnyango wezempilo imbala. Kwakungemuntu kwesabeka. Yatheleka inkosazana ephethe umnyango wezempilo, ilandelwa uhide lwezimoto zamaphoyisa ayiqaphile kanye nalabo abayisingethe. Yayivakashele bani pho, ngoba wayamukela ngezandla ezimhlophe umfo kaLabase, wayihlinzeka ngelikhulu idili leli. Amatafula amhlophe ayegcwele ukudla okunhlobonhlobo. Abapheki noweta kungabekhethelo. Wawukhangwa izigqoko zabo ezimhlophe ukuthi nembala sekonakele kwagcina, akuzibilibico kuyafiwa. Izintatheli zamaphepha nomabonakude zazinyathelana zijahe ukuthatha izithombe. Kwakukuhle futhi kumnandi kangangoba wawungafisa ukulibamba lingashoni. Pho, njengoba lehlula nezazi zasempumalanga, lashona elingaliwa.
"Sihle kabi, kuso ngichazwa yindlela omoyizela ngayo, kanti futhi nemoto kaMveli oweyeme kuyo isenza sibe sihle inqaba." Ziqhele izihlathi kuNelile.
Kwasekusele ilanga elilodwa zwi ukuthi uLabase akhwele eze eGoli ukuzolobolela uMveli. Uhleli yedwa esicelwini esisezansi komuzi wakhe ngoba izulu lalingununu, libafazi bedube inyama, linomoya oneziswana ovela ngasenyakatho.
Ahleke uMveli. Awu s'thandwa usho ukuthi awazi Phela kufanele awuchele wonke ngentelezi bese eshisa insizi yokuxosha omoya ababi nezifo. Uyothi angaqeda lokho, abethele izikhonkwane amagumbi wonke omuzi ukuvimbela ububi. Uyogcina ngokusigcaba ukuze nathi sihlale sivikelekile.?
"Funda Nelile mntanami sizwe," kusho uMaMkhize naye esula izinyembezi. Athi angazesula izinyembezi aqhubeke nencwadi uNelile.
"Akukho lutho dokotela, bengixoxa nje naye indaba emnandi."
"Ngiyekeni! Ngiyekeni! Yo! Ngafa," umemeza yedwa. Lapho usejuluke umanzi nte, nesitimela sesifike qatha phezu kwakhe. Kwathi kungabona okungumfana ukuthi akakuzwa, kwavula isikhwama esasinomakhalekhukhwini owayelokhu ekhale njalo, samkhipha samphendula.
"Habe! nansi imihlola bo!" ubabaza yedwa uNelile ethuswa ngumcabango wakhe.
"Mntakwethu kodwa mina bengi" Aphakamise isandla uMveli.
"Pho kunganjani ngikuphekele isijingi sebhece esizokugeza inhliziyo" Akhombise ukukhathazeka uMaMkhize isimo somyeni wakhe?
Amoyizele uMveli. Ngiyabona ukuthi uqonde ukuthini ntanga. Cha bengingakakwenzi lokho, yikhona ngibhalele ubaba ngimazisa ngawo ngimnxusa futhi ukuthi angiphe ilanga engingamlanda ngalo ukuzokwenza lo msebenzi. Ngamanye amazwi usho ukuthi ngingayiletha ekhaya le ngane ntanga?
"Musa ukuzenza uhubhu kabhejane, phela kufanele ngiqale ngixoxele uMveli kuqala ngizwe ukuthi yena uthini."
"Ntanga yethu kuthiwa ngesiZulu ithi ingaba nkulu ingazekeki. Nginenkinga engiphethe ngakho-ke njengendoda engiphila nayo ngibona kufanele ukuthi ngikwazise yona, kodwa ngicela ukuthi le ndaba ibe yisifuba phakathi kwami nawe."
"Wo! Wena s'thandwa awumazi kahle ugogo, konke uthanda ukuziphathela mathupha. Ungabona nendlela lo muzi awuphethe ngayo ukuthi uyiqhathanzipho lokuzalwa." Bafe yinsini bobathathu.
"Qhabo-bo!, ngeke ethi eqala nje ukufika emzini wakwaLabase, abingelele emi ngezinyawo bese eyahamba. kwake kwaba kuphi lokho Bona abanikazi bomuzi bangathini?
"We mame! Yawuchitha umuthi inkonyane. Usuthathekile njalo nguNelile, wafa wena ngubaba, akafuni lutho ngaye." Bahleke bobabili.
"MaMkhize, phuthuma nkosikazi uvulele nansiya indoda esangweni."
"Kulungile mntanami, shesha-ke ubeke amabhodwe eziko."
"Bese ngithini ngale mindeni emibili kaSindi" akhombise ukukhathazeka uMveli?
"Hallo! Hallo!" ngumfana lowo.
Simbuke simoyizele isalukazi. "Kunjengoba ubona ndodana."
"Hhayi! Musa wena bo! Phela kungumthetho ukuthi senze konke sobabili, ukuze le mimoya emibi kanye nezifo kungasali komunye wethu. Omakhelwane babelungu laba ongitshela ngabo anginandaba nabo mina ngoba ngenza into ewusiko lomdabu wethu."
Ngenxa yezulu elase liqala ukukhiza ngaleyo ntambama, uMveli washesha ukubuya ekhaya ngalelo langa. Wathi angayimisa imoto yakhe ebaleni, uNelile owayemlinde ngamehlo abomvu waphumisa okwenhlamvu endlini.
"Bayokwazi ngalelo langa, okuyizalukazana zakhona okunedumbe, siyokuzwisa ubumnandi bamadumbe ezwe lakithi laseDumbe." Bafe bonke yinsini. Baqhubeka baxoxa ngamalungiselelo okuyolobola.
Ethuke uMveli. Hawu! s'thandwa, ugogo noMpho bebekuphi?
"Cha makoti ungakhathazeki ngoba nanka namanzi aseyabila."
"Mahle lawo magama Mfaniseni, angimisa idolo." Eze nayo indaba uMveli, ayichaze yonke njengokuyizwa kwakhe ngoSindi. "Injalo-ke ntanga, ngicela nawe ungivezele ikhambi lokusombulula le nkinga."
"Asihlangane eCarlton Hotel ngemva kwehora s'thandwa," kuphendula uSindi.
"Wamoyizela wedwa, ingabe usuphinde waqoma Nelile Uzokubulala uyihlo ngikutshele.?
"Kodwa pho Basolile yini ungaqomi enye insizwa, yikhona nami umoya wami uzoxola?
"Njengoba ngike ngasho bantabami, lo muzi usungowenu. Yinye into engiyicela kini, ukuthi mhla ngifikelwa ukufa ngiphumele kuwo, ukuze kufezeke isifiso sabanikazi bawo."
Abantu ababedlula ngaseCarlton Hotel ngalelo langa, bama babukela umhlolo owawenziwa nguSindi noMveli. Babangana, bagonane, bakhale ezimathonsi bobabili, uma uthi baqedile baphinde futhi sona leso. Bengasacabangi ukuthi babukwe ngabantu, umhlaba usungowabo bobabili. Kwathi uma beqeda, iviyo labantu elalibukele lashaya izandla, libonga ukubona uthando olungaka, oseluyivelakancane phakathi kwezithandani zentsha yanamuhla. Kwaba yinkathi nabo bethuka ukuthi babukelwe ngabantu abaningi kangaka. Baliphakamisela nabo izandla lelo viyo, bangena ehhotela.
Ngiyaxolisa ukuthatha isikhathi eside kangaka ukunibhalela. Ngempilo mina ngisaphila, engethemba ukuthi nani nisaphila kahle. Angiphinde ngixolise Ndawonde ngephutha elavela mayelana nelobolo. Okubi okungivelele wukuthi ngihlaselwe yizigelekeqe lapha ekhaya za ""Yebuya baba! Wafela eGoli umntanami!" kukhala uMaMkhize ethwala izandla ekhanda.
"Hawu mama, usho ukuthi awuboni ukuthi cishe iviki liphelile elokhu efika ntambama ezishwathika elawini lakhe, ekhala ngokudinwa?
MaShenge! Nina benkayishana encane kaMenzi, Eyafundisa abafana ukwelusa ematholeni.
"Kwakuyini isisusa sokufa kwabo gogo" Kubuza uMaZondo ngokushaqeka okukhulu, esipha itiye namakhekhe. Sibonge maqede sisondeze isitulo etafuleni, selule izinyawo, size nendaba. "Thana azinaphika.?
"Hhayi ungehlule singalwanga ntanga yethu. Kusobala ukuthi uzimisele ukuba ngumkhwenyana wakwaLabase. Kusuka mamuhla kufanele ngifunde ukukubiza ngosibali." Bahleke. Kwale kuMfaniseni aphinde futhi abuke isithombe.
"Kulungile mama." Baphume belandelana uNelile nonina.
"Usho ukuthi lapha emhlabeni sekuzogcwala izingane ezingenabo oyise, ezingawazi namasiko azo" Athi angasho njalo abuyise izinhlonze uMveli ngoba le ndaba ayitshelwa nguSindi yayingamphathi kahle neze, futhi imenza acabange nzulu ngekusasa labo bobabili?
Kusobala kunoma ngubani ukuthi uma singazami ukukhuluma noma ukubhala ngezilimi ezahlukene zakithi, wonke amagugu namasiko esizwe sethu esimpisholo ayogcina eshabalele.
Ukuthi usufikile kwelingafelwa-nkonyane akubuzwa ngoba ubona ngamakhehla nezalukazi zakhona zihlezi eceleni kwezindlu zithamele ilanga okwezibankwa emadwaleni. Bangabuye benzeni ngoba yize yonke impilo yabo bayichitha esilungwini abanalutho Bangamahlwempu, babhuqwa yindlala nezifo. Kodwa okumangalisa du wukuthi izintaba zenhlabathi yegolide ezizungeze impumalanga yaleli lokishikazi zingufakazi oqand' ikhanda ukuthi le ndawo inomcebo ongenakulinganiswa, kanti futhi ziyinkomba engathandabuzeki yokuthi yilapho kwaphelela khona izithukuthuku zabantu baleli lokishi laseSoweto?
"Phela ubulongwe ayibunyi bonke nkosikazi, namanje ngiphahlukiswe wukuthukuthela. Yebo kunjengoba ngishilo futhi uhamba ngekhanda kuloya muzi. Angifunanga ukukutshela ngoba ngabona ukuthi uzophatheka kabi."
"Awusho-ke ntanga, bese thina bakhwenyana sihlatshiswa kanjani ehhotela?
"No! Never! Ngeyami le mali, yimi uyise womntwana, akekho ozoyithola," kusho u-Opperman esukuma esitulweni. Kwasuka esinamathambo lapho, kwathukwana, kukhishwa izimfihlo namagqubu eminyakanyaka. Kwavimbanisa umsindo, sincane esamahlokohloko ebekela. Uweta owayesathuswe ukubona imali engaka, waphuthuma kumninihhotela ukuyomazisa ngale ndaba. Naye wathi angezwa ukuthi kulwelwa isamba semali esiphethwe yileya ndoda ebizenza uhlanya impongoloza emnyango, kwamkhanyela kahle kamhlophe ukuthi ihhotela lakhe lisengozini yokugcwelezwa. Akabange esachitha sikhathi washayela amaphoyisa.
"Wu, sengiyabona ngiyifakile!" asho ebuka iminwe yakhe. Aqabule isoka lakhe esihlathini wukujabula. Baqhubeka baxoxa ezinye zothando lwabo nekusasa labo. Ziyaphela yini pho izindaba zezithandani zibukene emehlweni, ngoba zingaxoxa lize lizoyilahla kunina?
"Ja uMveli uzojabula naye makebona umagogo. Isho, beyinjani njani ilunch yakho noMveli ""Yo! Mpho, muhle uMveli. Ismile sakhe sikushiya ukhathele. Ngithe uma ngimbona ngashaywa uvalo, uthe uma engibamba ngesandla ngezwa ugesi, kwaxega amadolo wami. Sithe singena nje ehhotela ngadlulela endlini yangasese ngoba bese kubad kimi. ""Bathong! Wayenza kanjani ""Eyi awazi mngani, ngibuye ngaqala phansi ngazilungisa. Uyazi mngani ngiyaqala ukuthola iTC enje selokhu kwaba yimi. Kuthe lapho sesizohamba wathipa iwaiter, wathi ngivule ibag yami ngivale amehlo, uthe angaqeda wathi ngibheke phakathi kunani. Ngicishe ngafeyinta uma ngibona yonke le mali.?
"Yiqiniso lelo mama, kodwa mina ngibona sengathi kukhona okudla amantshontsho emsamo, kukhona okumhluphayo emoyeni ngaphandle kwalesi sifo esimphethe."
"Uqinisile ufuna ukupheka s'thandwa?
"Hhayi Basolile, liyindida leli phupho lakho, angazi ukuthi ngithini."
"Hhayi namuhla s'thandwa, namuhla kufanele sisukume sizithathe, silwe nefu elimnyama elisisibekele. Kufanele siwuthwale lo mnqamlezo ukuze sinqobe. Usuwakhohliwe yini amazwi kadokotela?
Kwathi singasho njalo sathula, safikelwa usizi isalukazi, amehlo aso ahlengezela izinyembezi. Kwathula kwathi cwaka endlini ngoba nakuLabase nowakwakhe kwase kumuncu. Kwathi ngelikade saqhubeka nendaba yaso: "Bashaywa ubusuku bonke, amabhunu eshintshana ngabo, esho nokusho ukuthi uma bengawakhombisi lapho ngizifihle khona bazowukhomba umuzi onotshwala. Yize ubaba wayesekhulile kodwa leso senzo samabhunu sayinciphisa kakhulu impilo yakhe ngoba akubanga zinyanga zingaki emva kwalokho washona. Kanti naye umfowethu kwathi ekupheleni kwawo wona lowo nyaka walandela ubaba."
"Uyazi s'thandwa, omunye umuntu okufanele ngimchazele konke okushiwo ngudokotela nguMpho."
Athi angasho njalo uMveli ame khimilili uSindi.
"Hhiya ntanga yethu, mina ngizizwa nginamandla futhi ngingumqemane. Wena ungibona nginjani" asho esukuma ezivoca umzimba, ezizwa amandla uMveli?
"Cha kusobala ukuthi lwalungafakwa ngesikhathi sakhe, baqinisile uma bethi: Guga mzimba sala nhliziyo," kugigitheka uNelile. Bahamba bexoxa kumnandi behleka, wawungafunga ugomele ukuthi yibo labaya abekade bekhala isimayemaye.
"Nami ziningi izindaba engifuna ukukuxoxela zona dali wami," kuphendula uBasolile engazimisele ukumyeka. "Basolile ngiyagula, ngingenwe isifo esibi."
"Look here, I'm no longer interested in the whole thing and never, ever come here again. Please get out!" NguSindi lowo eyidla ngolukhulu ulaka insizwa.
Bathi lacu kanye-kanye bobabili, batholana phezulu, kwaba nguqhude manikiniki mnike isongo lakhe. Aphonseka phakathi kwabo amadoda abo, kwayileyo yabamba umkayo.
"Bafokeng bantsoetse! Uthi ulale nalo mlungu engakayifakanga icondom?
"Angisoli lutho, wukuthi mina s'thandwa nginobaba ababili nomama ababili."
Lowo msebenzi uMveli ayewenza eGoli wokuqwashisa umphakathi ngengozi yesifo sengculazi, wafike wawenza nakwelaKwaZulu. Babehamba bobabili noBasolile owayeseyekile ukufundisa. Babehambela izigodi zawo wonke amakhosi, kanye nezibhedlela nemitholampilo. Base baziwa yiziphathimandla kanye nabahlali bawo wonke amalokishi.
"Ndawonde ngiyabonga ukuthi uyisukumele phezulu le ndaba. Lokho kunginika ithemba lokuthi uzophila umntanami," kusho uMaMkhize owayesephelelwe nasozwaneni.
"Kulungile baba, ngizothi ngingadla ngiqonde khona, kambe ngingahamba yini noNqobile mama?
"Basolile nami ngicela ungixolele ngawo wonke amaphutha engiwenze kuwe," usho esula izinyembezi uMveli.
"Ungisize Mveli uqaphele abangani botshwala mntanami."
"Yingqayizivele lena engiyibonayo," kuqhuba uMfaniseni. "Kukhona umuntu ongathakaselwa ngabantu kangaka beqala- ngqa ukumbona Bheka nje lowa mame amthengiselayo ungafunga ugomele ukuthi bazana iminyaka ngendlela abaxoxa ngayo. Kusobala ukuthi lo msebenzi wethu uzokudla ubhedu noma kanjani." "Ntanga mina ngizizwa nasegazini ukuthi yikhona ngiganwe ngumfazi manje, kanti nasemzimbeni ngizwa ngiphile saka.?
UMveli amchazele konke okwenzekile ngayizolo lapho ebethi uzama ukumthinta ngocingo. "Ngakho-ke angazi noma uyaphila noma akasekho njengamanje," kusho uMveli eqedela inkulumo yakhe.
"Woza nayo ngize nendlebe mngani."
"Cha baba, ngisho phela ngoba naye bandla udinga ukusizwa usekhulile," asho maqede abheke isalukazi uMaZondo.
Kwathi emva kwehora wabizwa ehhovisi likansumpa wesibhedlela, lapho afike wazithela kuMpho owayehamba namaphoyisa. Ngoba kwathi uMpho angathola le ncwadi abeyibhalile waqonda emaphoyiseni esethwele izandla ekhanda ekhala ezimathonsi. Nawo amaphoyisa awachithanga sikhathi awuhlaba awulawula kuzo zonke izibhedlela, izindawo ezigcina abangasekho nazo zonke iziteshi zamaphoyisa. Bamkhulula uSindi esibhedlela ngoba uMpho wayesebachazele konke okwenzekile. Naye uMpho wethuka kakhulu ukubona isimo somngani wakhe sesishintshe kangaka.
"Akukho lutho Mveli mfana wami, into nginovalo lwakho ngoba ngibona sengathi usemncane ukuthi ungabhekana nebhizinisi elingaka."
"Lezi zingane," kuchaza unsumpa, "iningi lazo sizithola zilahlwe ngabazali bazo. Ezinye zilethwa ngabazali abahluleka ukuzondla njengalena ephambi kwenu, uyise ngumSwazi unina ngumlungu. Unina washona engxabanweni yabo noyise. Iyingane enothando olukhulu. Sesiyifundise imidlalo enhlobonhlobo, ihlakaniphe kabi. Thina kuleli khaya sifuna ukuthi ingane ozimisele ukuyikhulisa ibe yintokozo kuwe, yingakho sizifundisa imihla namalanga."
"Cha mama angizwanga lutho, wukuthi kukhona izinto engiziphawulayo kuye. UMveli ngiyamazi ngumfowethu."
"Kulungile mntanami ubokwenze njalo. Nakhu sengikhohlwa, Nelile ngisize mntanami uyogayela uyihlo umcaba wamasi, uselambile lapho ekhona."
"Cha Mveli angikufaki ehlathini, akukho esingabuye sikwenze ngoba nakhu nami angikabi nayo indllu ngisafihle ikhanda eDube ehhostela. Mina ngibona ihhotela lingcono ngoba yindawo kawonkewonke." Athule uMveli acabangisise le mpendulo kaMfaniseni, bese naye kuyamkhanyela ukuthi umasiza akekho ngale kwehhotela.
"Kuthiwa ubangwa nezibi. Awusho-ke, manje sizolisa kuphi ilobolo lakho s'thandwa" ubuza nje uMveli ngoba esedunyelwa yikhanda yilempicabadala yendaba?
"Ngithe ngiyala wangifosta."
"Uyokuchazela imantshi konke lokho kusasa. E Sayitsheni! Babopheni bonke. Uthathe le mali uyigcine esisefeni samaphoyisa."
"Akujiki ntanga yethu, ngadla mina kababa! Ngadla mina Mveli owavela nenhlamvu yelanga. Mthokozisi wamatshitshi namaqhikiza Hhini-hhini nkunz'emidwayidwa yamaLabase, Okade kwasa beyihhininda."
"Bahlalaphi manje abazali bakho" abuze maqede uMveli acele ingilazi yamanzi kuweta ngoba sekome amathe emlonyeni yile ndaba?
"Ufanele ukulikholwa ngoba nodokotela uvumelana nalo. Maye! Ngajabula, kufanele ngazise ubaba nomama ngale ndaba."
"Mina kithi ngingedwa s'thandwa. Ekufikeni kwethu eGoli impilo yabo ayizange isaba mnandi, babehlala njalo bexabana. Yize ngangimncane kwesinye isikhathi ngangize ngikhale uma ngibabona belwa, begijimisana endlini. Ngiyacabanga ukuthi basibona isenzo sabo ukuthi singiphatha kabi ngoba kwathi ngonyaka olandelayo bangithumela esikoleni saseNkamane eFilidi, ukuthi ngiyofunda ngihlale khona. Ngangiza ekhaya kanye ngonyaka. Babezama ukubukeka bejabule njalo uma ngize ekhaya, kodwa ngoba ngase ngihlakaniphile, ngangibona ukuthi impilo yabo bobabili ayiyinhle neze ngoba ubaba wayelala kwelinye ikamelo nomama alale kwelinye. Kwathi ngomunye unyaka ngifika ekhaya ngathola sebehlukene. Ubaba esethathe omunye umama, nomama esehlala kwenye indawo nomunye ubaba. Kwakufanele ngehlukanise amaholide ami phakathi ngokuya kwesivumelwano sabo sencwadi yesehlukaniso. Uma ngizohlala amaviki amane ekhaya, amabili ngangiba nobaba nomamncane kuthi amanye amabili ngibe nomama nobabomncane."
"Modimo waka!" kukhuza uMpho. "Ukudla okungaka! Uyazi yini Sindi, ungadlali ngalo muntu." Ukhuluma nje useyazitika ngezibiliboco, phela uyazifela ngokudla, yisiminzi sokuzalwa.
"Ufuna ukuganwa ngubani Mveli?
"Thula ulalele ngikuxoxele ngempilo yam s'thandwa."
"Kunjani kengiphume ihora elilodwa nje ngishaywe umoya Hhayi, angisawufuni lo msebenzi. Kodwa singibulele isizungu nje. Ngizothatha iwalk ngijikeleze iblock. Okay ngigqoke kanjani Ngizohamba nginje." Azibuke esibukweni. "No! abantu bazothini Yo! Anginandaba nabo, as for ngizihluphe ngabo, mina ngithanda uMveli wami. Ya, kodwa noMveli uyajabula uma ngigqoke nice and sexy, uke wabona Okay ithi ngishintshe ngamaspeed, ngizosheshe ngibuye.?
"Ngiwafunge amaThusi, ukufana kwabantu okunje Mveli angikaze ngikubone."
Bengithi ngifuna ukukukhombisa isithombe sale ntokazi, yikhona ubuzobona ukuthi ngisho ukuthini, ngeshwa sisele ekhaya. Le ntombi engikhuluma ngayo Mfaniseni, inguphuma langa sikothe. Uma ikufulathele inyathela sengathi ihamba emoyeni, idanda leli libhense okubuyayo lathi nkamfu okomnyovu. Ilamba lidlile uqobo. Izitho lezi ungathi zazibunjwa ngumuntu onesineke.
"Uzophila isikhathi eside kabi lo mfana ngoba ngibona nakhu neliba ebelivuliwe, umkhulu wakhe ulivalile. Into enkulu ukuthi kufanele angahlukani nemithi, kube kuhle ukuthi ningibhadame ngingakayi ukuyokumba. Ngizomlungisela izimbiza azozisebenzisa kanye nalezi zesilungu, ukuze sisithene amandla singabhebhetheki lesi sifo esisegazini lakhe."
"Eqinisweni kuyangijabulisa konke lokhu akwenzayo ngoba kusho khona ukuthi ungumqemane. Hawu, kambe uma ngikhuluma ngempilo kagogo ngikhumbula amazwi ashiwo nguMfaniseni kimi, etusa isimo somzimba wami. Kwangathi uyabona ngoba nami ngizizwa ngiphile saka. Kodwa ngiyasola sengathi kukhona okudla amantshontsho emsamo, funa ngithi ngiyaphila kanti isifo sithi lala lulaza ngizokwengula. Ingabe dokotela uzothini namuhla?
"Ngisize Nelile ukhiphe emqondweni wakho lowo mcabango, myeke uMveli enze okufiswa yinhliziyo yakhe, akuqali ngami ukwaliwa yisoka."
Nembala uMfaniseni abase egumbini lapho babelindelwe khona yimindeni emibili kaSindi eyayibukeka yethukile. Ngoba nayo njengezifundiswa yayithathe isenzo sikaLabase njengobuluhlaza obungakaze bubonwe ezweni.
"Uyazi mntakwethu," nguMveli lowo esukuma ezelula, "kufanele ngazise nogogo le ndaba yethu emnandi, naye azokwazi ukuthokoza nathi."
"Uyithathaphi le cell yami tsotsi ndini Konje bayanisho ukuthi ningamakhosi lapha eHillbrow. Ungibheke kahle mina ngizokunyathela khona manje. Uyezwa! Uyezwa!" esho esondela. Amehlo akhe ayesebomvu tebhu, umlomo usuyimbomothi ukhihliza amagwebu amhlophe. Kwambuka kanye okungumfana kwashaywa wuvalo, kwagxuma kwama kude. Kwalanyulelwa ukuqhamuka kwebhasi?
"Mntakwethu ngike ngayithi fahla kuNelile, kodwa ngamyala ukuthi angatsheli muntu. Usho ukuthi ngonile" abuze ngelokudangala ngoba ubesha amashushu efuna nakanjani uNelile asazi isiphetho sale ndaba?
"Yini abafana" aphume wonke amehlo kuSindi. Ahleke uMveli?
"Wathula waswaca baba, sekwenzenjani" abuke umyeni wakhe emehlweni uMaMkhize?
"Hawu ngafa olwembiza mina, ingabe abakwaMaseko ngiyobabhekelwa ngubani Yeka ithemba ebenginalo," asho esukuma uMaMkhize esula amanzi achitheke phansi, ecosha nezingcezu zezitsha?
"Uyabona-ke ukuthi bazifundisa kangakanani s'thandwa," kusho uSindi kowakwakhe owayedonse amehlo inkukhu isinquywe umlomo. UMveli owayesabambe ongezansi, wabona enye indoda yomlungu nomkayo sebegone enye ingane emnyama eyayibajabulele isimanga.
U-uthisha u-uthe ngilethe le ncwadi. Ayithathe uNelile. Ivalelise ingane. Athi angayifunda incwadi uNelile ziqhele izihlathi.
"Ungayibuzi leyo ntanga yethu, buza ekhaya, kwavele kwashuba umoya kwangathi kukhona osegodukile. Hhayi ntanga, bengingazi ukuthi bamthanda kangaka uBasolile, ngikutshela ukuthi namanje ngibashiye bengasombulukile kahle. Kanti uBasolile yena ngivele ngehluleka ukuthi ngizoqala ngithini kuye, nganxusa uNelile ukuthi akabosala emtshela. Eyi! ntanga angiyazi le nto ngoba noBasolile naye ngimbone esethi bhe ngobuhle." Baqhubeka baxoxa baze bangena nakwezomsebenzi wabo. UMfaniseni wamchazela uMveli ngendoda ezopenda isitolo ukuthi iyoqala ngesonto elizayo.
"Mama uthi uyambona nje uMveli ukuthi ushintshile kula malanga" Ethuke uma ezwa lelo uMaMkhize?
"Nginjenginje ngoba ngithakathwa nguwe, mthakathi ndini wenja."
Kusekuseni uyedwa endlini uMveli usanda kuhamba, uhlezi embhedeni ucabanga ngaleli phupho elimbelesele ngoba nanamuhla uvuka unalo. Ukhuluma yedwa.
Kwathi lingakabiphi ibhasi, yaqhamuka i-ambulensi. Umfana owayesemi lapho ethukile, wabachazela ngalo sisi ogulayo okuthiwe ocingweni akambizele i-ambulensi. Ngendlela umfana asichaza ngayo isimo sikaSindi kwabacacela abashayeli be-ambulensi ukuthi angahle abe yingozi enkulu kulabo bantu ababekulelo bhasi. Ababange besachitha sikhathi, bamkhweza umfana balandela ibhasi. Balifica ibhasi balimisa. Kwaba ngumshikashika ukumehlisa uSindi owayezabalaza, ememeza engafuni ukwehla. Lapho wayesephenduke uhlanya, ethimula ubala. Ekufikeni kwakhe esibhedlela bathatha yonke imininingwane ngaye base bemgcina egumbini leziguli ezifanele ukubonwa ngudokotela ngokushesha.
"Mamo! nguNelile," kukhuza uMveli.
Wafika ekhaya eselindelwe ngamehlo abomvu uMveli, okwezulu okade lagcina ukuna. Kwase kwenziwe wonke amalungiselelo okumamukela, nomakhelwane befike ngezinkani. Njengosiko nesibhuzazana sokwendulela lo msebenzi sasesihlatshiwe sadliwa. ULabase wabe esemkhombisile umelusi wakhe inxahi empevu eyayizohlatshwa ukwemukela indodana yakhe, okuyothi ngayo ayibike komkhulu nokhokho bayo. AbangoMhanjane, oNqobokazi, oDabula, oNdawonde, oJiyeza, nakumaShenge onkana.
"Angiboni okubi kulokho mntakwethu, kusho khona ukuthi kukhona okusambambile esifice ekwenza."
"Hawu mntakwethu, isipho esingaka Awucabangi ukuthi kungahle kube ngamawala lawo?
"Hawu! Mfaniseni, ngajabula ukuvakashelwa nguwe namuhla mfana wami," kusho uLabase exhawula uMfaniseni. "Kufanele mfana wami ngihlabe isibhuzazana sokukwamukela emzini wakwaLabase."
"No! Mveli, after kushona uSindi ngiphupha kabi kule ndlu."
"Ewu! Umuntu uzoke adle ukudla okuphucukile. Ubhekeni namaqanda, okuphekwe ngesilungu esiphelele nguDelesi."
"Ntombi yakwaZondo, konje kungabanjani ke sivakashe siye eKapa lodumo siyongcebeleka amasonto amabili ngoba nangu uMveli uwuphethe ngobunono obukhulu umsebenzi" kubuza uLabase kumkakhe?
"Hhayi bo! Basolile, awangakhombisa ukujabula. Yini Sengoneni?
"Mpho uyazi ukuthini, kungcono ukube ngafa that day."
"Yishi mame! Konje bayanisho nina madoda aseGoli ukuthi nidlala ngabantu, mina anginaso isikhathi sokulalela wonke lo mbhedo wakho," asho esukuma. "Akasabuyi ngani yena uMveli" Asukume noMfaniseni asondele ezama ukuzincengela?
Ngoba uthunukwa ubala.
"Okunye wukuthi dudu wami, bengingathanda mina emuva komshado wabo bahlale kuloya muzi wethu osedolobheni okwesikhashana bengakayitholi eyabo indawo. Yize ngingakazizwa izimvo zikaMfaniseni mayelana nalo mbandela, kodwa ngibona kufanele ukuthi siqale sibonisane sobabili ngawo."
"Zalabantu ziy' ebantwini! Ayikho eyaqom' inyamazane!"
"Lokhu kufa khona uzokwazi ukukwehlula yini" kubuza uLabase?
Wathi angayiqeda inkulumo yakhe uSindi, zehla izinyembezi, zehla zagobhoza. Waphendula ikhanda, wabheka eceleni, wacimeza. UMveli naye wafikelwa izinyembezi zosizi, wabamba umkakhe ngesandla wakhalisa okwengane encane, wamemeza ephindaphinda. "Ngiyakuxolela s'thandwa sami! Ngiyakuxolela!" Wakhala uMveli kwaze kwafika umhlengikazi owamphakamisa esitulweni, wavala noSindi ngengubo.
Sekuyilanga lesithathu, uyedwa ekamelweni lakhe uMveli. Kusekuseni, akayile emsebenzini. Selokhu avelelwa yile nkinga kaSindi akusebenzeki. Uyacabanga, ugcina esekhuluma yedwa: "Namuhla ngizoshayela zonke izibhedlela, iziteshi zamaphoyisa kanye nezindawo ezigcina abangasekho. Bheka ubulima engabenza, ngala ethi sivakashele abazali bakhe ngijahe ukuyobabikela ekhaya. Namuhla ngabe ngiyomfuna nakubo. Hhayi, okwami okwezandla." Asukume aqonde ocingweni. "Angiqale ngaso lesi siteshi samaphoyisa esilapha ngakithi." Ashaye. "Mamo! Kwangathi sengishaye inombolo kaSindi nje Kusho ukuthi seyihleli eminweni yami." Kuthi lapho ethi uyayicisha ezwe lungena, kuphendule izwi angalazi, axakeke?
"Demede! Bayongifunda bangiqonde ngalelo langa, angisiye umfokazana mina," ahlale phansi esekhefuzela uLabase.
"Labase! Wena kaDabula zinomkhala. Wena kashumayeza amadoda, kampi yamqoma. Ngiyakhuleka Shenge! Isisu somhambi asingakanani, singangenso yenyoni."
"Bengifuna ukubuza ukuthi kodwa mntakwethu ungangifanisa kanjani nomuntu onalesi sifo?
"Yebo s'thandwa sengiqedile nomoya wami ukuthi sizoyilwa le mpi siyinqobe sobabili, futhi mina ngafunga mhla sishadayo ukuthi siyohlukaniswa ukufa, ebunzimeni noma ebumnandini."
"Sengishilo, musa ukuziphendula isishimane esinguVukuvale, shona kuye." Bahleke.
"Mnumzane lona nguMveli uyise wengane yami engihlale ngikutshela ngaye," asho ngelikhulu igqabho lokujabula uBasolile.
"Yiqiniso lelo Mveli ntanga yethu, kodwa angikujabuleli ukuthi ushayele imoto izwe elikude kangaka wedwa emva kwalokhu okukuvelele, kanti nawe kubalulekile ukuthi impilo yakho uyibhekele. Kunganjani ngikuphelekezele ngibuye ngamatekisi?
"Yebo s'thandwa ngiwabikele, bayafunwa ngikhuluma nawe nje."
"Cha s'thandwa, hlala phansi ngikuxoxele," asho ngokukhulu ukuzithoba uSindi. NoMveli owayengazimisele ukulalela le nkulumo ngoba ecabanga ukuthi ingahle imvusele ukugula, wazibona esehlezi phansi elalele ngoba uSindi wayebukeka ebunile ebusweni.
"Bengithi uyangizwa uma ngithi thina asizenzi lezo zinto, siphila isilungu, yena akathenge iring yomshado, that's all."
"Kufanele njalo uhlale unawo lo muthi esikhwameni sakho, noma ngabe uyaphi," kusho udokotela enika uSindi ibhodlelana lomuthi. Aqhubeke udokotela nenkulumo yakhe. "Ngisho ngoba le nto engizonitshela yona abanye abantu bayibona inzima kakhulu, bashaywe wuvalo, benze zonke izinto ezingafanele. Ake ngithi kini, noma yikuphi ukugula kuyingozi uma umuntu ekuthatha kanjalo. Ukugula kuyimpi umuntu afanele ukuzitshela ukuthi uzoyilwa aze ayinqobe ngokuphuza imithi kanye namaphilisi aqondene naleso sifo, nangokuzimisela ukuphila impilo efana neyawo wonke umuntu. Akufanele ukuthi ngoba unesifo esithile ucabangane naso imihla namalanga. Yimuphi umuntu emhlabeni ongeke angenwe yisifo na Baningi abantu abaphile iminyaka eyevile emashumini amabili engibaziyo benalesi sifo engizonitshela ngaso. Angifuni-ke nakancane ukuthi lesi sifo engizonitshela sona sithikameze uthando lwenu noma nisithathe njengesiqalekiso, ngoba namuhla izigidi ngezigidi zemindeni ziphethwe yiso lesi sifo. Kodwa ziziphilela impilo efana nekanoma ngubani. Sindi imiphumela yokucwaningwa kwegazi lakho ikhombisa ukuthi unesifo sengculazi." Wathi angasho njalo udokotela, uSindi wathwala izandla ekhanda washo esokunikela umoya isililo. UMveli yena wasukumisa okohlanya, esedonse amehlo, ekhamise okomuntu ebindwa ngubhatata. Ngomzuzwana nje wayesejuluke emanzi nte. Udokotela wamphuthuma wambamba wamhlalisa phansi, maqede wamemeza umhlengikazi asebenza naye. "Ngisize simkhumule ibhantshi nezicathulo azothola umoya, wethuke ngokweqile, bese ungilethela amaphilisi aqeda uvalo kanye namaVithamini azobapha amandla bobabili," kusho udokotela?
"Ngiyathanda ukuthi ube nolwazi olunzulu ngengozi obhekene nayo s'thandwa sami, yingakho ngikuchazela yonke imininingwane ebalulekile uma unalesi sifo. Ukhumbule futhi ukuthi asinaso isiqiniseko esiphelele sokuthi ngeke wesuleleke yilesi sifo."
"Kahle mama," kusho uNelile ebanikeza itiye. "Abantu baseGoli abakwazi konke lokhu kudla okubalayo."
"Hhiya musa ukujaha ukuhamba ntanga yethu, hlala kancane ngikuchazele."
"Hhayi yinto nje engasho lutho, wukuthi ngangithe avule isango ngalelo langa khona ungezukuma esangweni. Khohlwa s'thandwa. Mshayele, ngiyazi uzokuza mina naye kudala siphila sobabili."
Asondele ngasebhokisini labamangalelwa ummeli, enekele inkundla indaba.
"Kanjani manje" ahlahle amehlo uMpho?
"Usure ukuthi akakubonanga mngani" kubuza uMpho egigitheka?
"Awu s'thandwa," asho ehleka uSindi. "Wethuka kangaka, ingani kuleliya dili ebesimenywe kulo kuthangi bekudidizela inkuxa yakhona emabhodweni. Ungakhathazeki s'thandwa sami, ngizokufundisa konke kancane, kancane. Ngifuna siphile isilungu esiphelele manje," asho maqede amkitaze ezimbanjeni, ahleke uMveli.
"Usho ukuthini gogo Ingani kukhona lesi salukazi osonta naso esizibiza umzala wakho" kubuza uLabase ngokukhulu ukumangala?
"Kahle ngolaka dadewethu."
"Please Sindi, I've been waiting for some time downstairs for our appointment and so I've decided to come up and find out what's holding you."
"Kahle-ke ngaphambi kokuthi uhambe, ngiphathele ibhuku lezithombe lapho ekamelweni lami ngizochitha isizungu lapha emthunzini, nanti nelanga liphume ekuseni namuhla." Alilethe uMveli ibhuku maqede avalelise.
"Vele, wen' uthini, nezicathulo ozigqokile kumele zikhazimule, uthi uma unyathela kubonakale ukuthi uyintombi evela ekhaya eliphilayo."
Konke kwahamba kahle kakhulu ngoba ekuphumeni kwabo ehhotela wafakazelwa ukubona intokazi isiqamele ehlombe lakhe, igigitheka yodwa. "Amajokes akho Mveli ngeke ngiwakhohlwe," isho imuthi laphalazi ngamehlo agcwele uthando nenjabulo. Wayivulela isicabha semoto, yathi ingangena wavala. Bashaya bachitha baqonda emafulethini awubucwazicwazi ase-Illovo, lapho le ntokazi yathi ihlala khona. Akabange esangena uMveli wayishiya esangweni intokazi maqede waphuthuma emsebenzini ngoba nelanga lase liya ngomutsha wendoda. Isibuyela emuva yayicula yodwa emotweni insizwa kaLabase kusobala ukuthi ihlabene. Yayike imamatheke, inikine ikhanda, ihleke yodwa.
"Kodwa s'thandwa, yini besingazishadeli nje kwaMuhle, siyeke sonke lesi sidala sokulobolana hhe?
"Sawubona ungubani wena Uphi umnikazi walolo cingo?
"Usho uBasolile Khohlwa ntanga, akathathi lutho kule ntokazi. Ngelinye ilanga uyoyibona." Athi angasho njalo aphumputhe esikhwameni sebhantshi?
"Angifuni kwazi Nelile, ngithe hlukana nami!" asho eqonda elawini lakhe.
"We! sengize ngakhohlwa." Athule adle amathambo engqondo uBasolile. "Wo! ngakhumbula. Bengifuna ukwazi ukuthi yiziphi izimpawu ongabona ngazo ukuthi ingane inalesi sifo?
Yize wayehla enyuka nomyeni wakhe uBasolile befundisa abantu, kodwa emoyeni wakhe wayengaxolile neze. Kwakukhona iphupho elalihlala njalo limfikela. Mhla liqala ukufika elangeni lesibili eshade noMveli walithatha njengombhedo, kodwa manje selize lafika kathathu kulezi zinyanga ezimbili beshadile. Kwakunzima ngisho nokulixoxela uMveli ngoba wayebona liyimbude engeke yenzeke, futhi engagcina ibaxabanisile ngenxa yesifo esiphethe umyeni wakhe.
Kwathi emuva kokushona kukayise omncane kanye nowakwakhe, uMveli wafuna umuntu ozomsiza esitolo. Wabe esecabanga uMfaniseni wakwaThusi ababefunda naye esikoleni sebhizinisi futhi bengabangani abakhulu. Nebala lokho kwaba wukuhlakanipha okukhulu ngoba kwenza umsebenzi ufike eqophelweni eliphezulu.
ULabase kwakungomunye wamadoda ayenjinge ngempela kuleli laseSoweto. Wayenobhazabhaza wesitolo laphaya ngasesiteshini saseNhlazane. Isitolo sakhe sasehlukaniswe kabili, kwakudayiswa igilosa kuphinde kudayiswe nezimpahla zabantwana zokugqoka. Kwakuyindoda ekhuthele, ezibambela mathupha emsebenzini wayo. Wawungafunga ukuthi bazalwa mfazi munye nomkakhe uMaZondo ngoba babezwana inqaba, futhi bekhuthele ngokufanayo. Yinye kuphela into eyayibaphethe kabi empilweni yabo, babengabangatholi abantwana. Base bevumelana ukuthi abathathe omunye umntwana kulabo bomfowabo owayehlala eDumbe, enabantwana ababili umfana nentombazana. Bathatha umfana okunguye owayemdadlana, eseqala nje ukungena ebubhungwini. Bamkhulisa, bamfundisa baze bamusa nasesikoleni sokuphatha amabhizinisi. Kwathi emva kweminyaka emithathu waziphothula izifundo zakhe uMveli eWits Business College, wabuya wazophatha ibhizinisi likayise omncane. Ladlondlobala ibhizinisi ngoba uMveli wayesebenzisa izindlela zesimanjemanje ukuheha abathengi. Akuphelanga zinyanga zingaki, uyise omncane ngokubona ikhono lakhe wamthengela unyonyovu lwemoto kanokusho.
Kwase kungamalanga uMveli elokhu evukela yedwa edolobheni abuye sekuhwalele. Lapha ekhaya babazi ukuthi uya kwadokotela. Wayethi uma efika edolobheni amise imoto yakhe phansi kwezihlahla zasepakini, maqede ehle ayohlala ezitulweni zakhona afunde ibhuku aliphethe. Kwakuthi emini uma esezwa ithumbu likhala azithengele ukudla kwashisanyama owayelapho eduze. Ngaleso senzo sokungahlali ekhaya emini wayezama ukuthi bangamboni abakubo ukuthi ukhathazekile emoyeni. Kodwa konke lokho kwakugcina sekuyize leze ngoba kwakuthi angadla esuthe afikelwe isithongwana. Kuleso sithongwana bese ephupha enoBasolile, behlezi bobabili bencokola kumnandi. Emva kwaleli phupho elalifika nsuku zonke, wayekhathazeka kakhulu emoyeni nasengqondweni, kangangoba wayegcina esedwanguza lonke idolobha engazi ukuthi uyaphi. Kwakuthi uma seliya ngomntsha wendoda ingqondo ibuye (okomuntu ovuka ebuthongweni) aqonde emotweni abuyele ekhaya. Uma efika ekhaya wayekhala ngokudinwa imihla namalanga, aqonde elawini lakhe ayolala.
Kunesisho sesiXhosa esithi: Isiqhelo siyayoyisa inqondo. Sichaza ukuthi uma umuntu esengenwe yinto noma isenzo esithile egazini kuyaye kube nzima ukusiyeka, yize noma esebona ubungozi baleso senzo ukuthi singahle simchithele konke anakho ngobubi baso, kumbe size sithathe nempilo yakhe uqobo.
"Nakanjani uzovuma, uphonse waquleka ekuboneni kwakhe lo muzi."
"Ungahlupheki s'thandwa konke lokho kuyobonwa yimi." Bahleke kube mnandi.
"Mntanami lokho akubuzwa, akekho umuntu ongendela ekufeni. Wo yeka okwami ngoMveli!" Athi angasho njalo abheke phansi uMaMkhize, zehle ezimathonsi. NakuNelile kwaba yiso sona leso, kwakungekho othulisa omunye. Kwathi ngelikade bathula.
"Nikhumbule akuvaleliswa," kusho uSibiya ebanikeza imithi yabo, bayithathe bahambe bengavalelisi.
"Nami ngifuna ukuhamba la Mveli," kuphendula uMpho.
"Yebo kungahle kube njalo mnumzane Labase ngoba beningayisebenzisi icondom, kodwa ukuze sibe nesiqiniseko esiphelele kuzodingeka ngikuhlole igazi."
"Isibongo sikamama wakho ngubani manje" ubuza ukhexe umlomo uMveli?
"Hawu, ingabe kwenze njani Ngibona sengathi aweneme namuhla, yini Yiliphi engikone ngalo" ambuze embukisise umngani wakhe uBasolile?
"Mveli s'thandwa, uyazi mina iSoweto ngiyibona iyingozi kithi ngoba singabantu bebhizinisi. Kunganjani sithengise le ndawo siyozithengela enye edolobheni njengabo bonke abantu abazikhonayo" asho emphulula isilevu, emanga esihlathini?
"Ewu! s'thandwa, uma ngingambuza ngaleli phupho ungabe ngizithelile, angangitshela indendende yendaba. Habe! nasi nesikhathi sesihambile, angiphuthume kwadokotela, funa ngithole sekunohide lwabantu."
"Makoti wami kwenzenjani Nixabene yini" nguMaCele esola okunuka santungwana phakathi kwabo?
"Uthini lo mlungu Mad! Angihlanyi mina, mtshele ukuthi ngenza usiko lwami." UMfaniseni amchazele umlungu?
"Mamo! Mveli kwenzenjani Wamuhle kangaka?
"Incazelo engingakunika yona wukuthi leli gciwane lalesi sifo alizange lingene kuwe yize wawuphila nomuntu onalo. Eqinisweni le nto eyenzeke kuwe mnumzane Labase ayiqali ukwenzeka, kodwa iyivelakancane kangangoba singayithatha njengesimanga. Njengomuntu owaziwayo ngenxa yesikole sakho sokuqwashisa umphakathi ngalesi sifo le nto eyenzeke kuwe singayifanisa nomlando."
"Mveli , uSindi uyakufuna ocingweni. Uthi usheshe kunento ebalulekile afuna ukukutshela yona."
Kusasa ngizokuya nawe etown ngiyokuthengela ilokwe elikufanele." Kwaba njengokusho kwakhe ngakusasa saya edolobheni wangithengela elinye ilokwe, yize lalingedluli leli enganginalo ngobuhle, kodwa wayejabule kabi."
Abafaka ozankosi bonke amaphoyisa, abaqhuba abakhweza evenini eyayimise emnyango wehhotela, ahamba nabo ayobagquma ejele. Ngaphambi kokuthi bavalelwe uMfaniseni wazama ukuthinta uMveli ngocingo emva kokucela emaphoyiseni kodwa kwaba nhlanga zimuka nomoya ngoba lwalungangeni.
"Awu s, thandwa, kukhona yini okubi esengikushilo na" Ayibukisise emehlweni indoda yakhe uSindi ngoba ebusweni yayishintshile ibukeka ikhathazekile?
"Yebo kunjalo Nelile, nami sesingingenile lesi sifo."
"Maye! Nami ngiyoke ngijabule ukuhlala nozakwethu uMaMkhize, sincokole sikhumbule ezakudala. Ngakhumbula ngiyobe sengibuya nemvunulo yami angithembisa yona, nami ngivunule njengenkosikazi yomnumzane, ngithi uma ngihamba ngithi gqishi! gqishi! gqishi!,"asho elingisa isalukazi uMaCele sesifake amaxhumela aso. Balale bobathathu yinsini.
Inkinga yelobolo likaSindi yayimphethe kabi uMveli, yize wayengazimisele ukuyitshela muntu le ndaba, kodwa waze wabona ukuthi umasiza akekho ngoba nasi isikhathi silokhu siya sisondela engasitholi isisombululo sale mpicabadala. Wabizela uMfaniseni ehhovisi lakhe ukuthi babhunge ngale ndaba ngoba funa yena abe nesu angalicabanga. Ingani nesiZulu siyavuma ukuthi injobo enhle ithungelwa ebandla.
Athule uSindi kube sengathi uyaphupha uma ezwa le nkulumo. Kuthi ngelikade aphendule ngephimbo elincane, eligcwele ukuzisola.
Kwathi angaphuma esitolo wanikela khona ehhotela, walinda duze nomyango. Akubanga sikhathi esingakanani yaqhamuka intokazi, wayihlangabeza bangena ngaphakathi bebambene ngezandla. Kwakusobala ukuthi igane esokeni kumfo kaLabase ngoba wayemoyizela yedwa.
"Mina mntakwethu ngibona ukuthi uqale uyomazisa ngale ndaba, yikhona azokwazi ukuhlela ilanga esingeza ngalo sobabili."
"Hawu, nansiya leya nsizwa ngemuva kwakho laphaya esangweni isibuyela emuva, bengithi iza lapha kithi esikoleni," kusho uthishanhloko kuBasolile.
"Hawu! gogo, lo muzi yilokhu uwuphethe kahle kangaka" kubabaza uMveli engayikholwa le nto ayibonayo?
"Hawu Mveli, ntanga yethu," asho ngelokumdabukela uMfaniseni. "Kodwa usho ukuthi lokho ngabe kumphathe kabi kangako enhliziyweni?
"Bathong! Sindi, ngathi ivalile nje Uthi uMveli afone njani?
"We, baba, ungayikhulumi ekayise wakhe ongasenandaba nathi. Sekufanele sibeke izinhliziyo kukho lokhu komfana. Kambe, ngizwe ngomlingani wami ukuthi unina wakho lokhu komfana useqedile esikoleni sobuthishela, usezoqala ukusebenza kule nyanga ezayo."
"Cha kulungile, asisale sesihamba nami sengidlile, funa sibathole nabo sebebuyile."
Babhekane uMveli noBasolile, kuhlwe emini ukuthi isalukazi ngabe sifuna ukuthini.
"Mntakwethu asiyeke ukukhuluma ngokufa, impilo yethu sobabili iseyinde futhi iqhakazile. Yena uNqobile angathini uma esibona sichiphiza izinyembezi." Babambane, bagonane, bahleke.
"Yiya nkosikazi akukho lutho, ngizwa umzimba uphansi, nenhliziyo imnyama namuhla," asho ezamula, ezelula.
"Kahleni nina basemzini nginikhombise izinkomo engiziphethe," afake isandla ebhantshini abuye nebukubuku lemali, alendlale etafuleni. Kwathula umsindo, wonke umuntu wabamba umoya. Okwezitshana okwakuphethwe nguweta kwaphunyuka ezandleni, kwawa kwasabalala izincezu zakho phansi. Njengoba base bemile bezimisele ukuhamba, babuyela ngamunye, ngamunye ezihlalweni zabo behamba kancane, kungekho okhulumisa omunye, amehlo eyilokhu ethe njo emalini esetafuleni.
"Awu, s'thandwa sami, ungalibuza kanjani ibhasi libhaliwe Namuhla izingane eziningi zikhuliswa ngonina, kanti nemizi eminingi iphethwe ngomame. Usiko lungenaphi lapho Isikhathi esiphila kuso siyashesha futhi siyimali. Abantu besifazane abaningi baphethe izikhundla eziphezulu futhi ezibalulekile emphakathini, ngeke bakwazi ukuhlala ekhaya bakhulisane nezingane. Indlela elula yikho ukuzitholela ingane abayifunayo. Kuleli lakithi sinezindawo eziningi ezigcina izinsana eziyizintandane, kulezi zindawo izingane zifundiswa izinto eziningi ukwenzela ukuthi zikhule zihlakaniphile futhi zinekusasa eliqhakazile. Uyazi s'thandwa ngoba awungikholwa, ngicela kusasa ke sivakashele ikhaya lezingane uyozibonela.?
"Kulungile dokotela ngizokwenza njengokusho kwakho," kuphendula uMveli. Asukume udokotela abaxhawule, bavalelisane.
"Yebo dokotela ngiyakuzwa," aphendule ngezwi elikhombisa ukuba nethemba uSindi. Wathi angaqeda ukukhuluma nabo udokotela wabanika amaphepha anemininingwane mayelana nalesi sifo.
"Please Sindi, here's R500.00."
Baqhubeka baxoxa ezinye izindaba zabo, ingani newayini lalibatshela okwalo emakhanda.
"Angikawakhohlwa, ngiyavuma s'thandwa. Akube njengokusho kwakho, silwe, sife silahlane." Wathi angawezwa lawo magama amshaya ngaphakathi emoyeni uMveli. Ahlaba ephukela enhliziyweni yakhe uma ecabanga isethembiso angazange asifeze asenza noBasolile.
"Eyi Mveli, angazi kodwa kukhona okungangiphethe kahle ngale ndaba, mina bengithi keniqhube noma izinyanga eziyisithupha noSindi ngaphambi kokuba nishade."
Kanjalo noMvelinqangi onguMdali wesizwe ubheke ukuthi sihloniphe amasiko awafundisa okhokho bethu. Njengomzali naye uyasifulathela isizwe esilahle amasiko aso. Kumbe kungakho namuhla sesibona izinto ezinyantisa umzimba ezenzakalayo esizweni sakithi, ezinjengokudlwengulwa kwabesifazane nezinsana, ukubulalana, ukuzondana ngisho nokwanda kobhubhane lwesifo esingelapheki sengculazi kanye nezinye izifo. Ngiyishiyaphi yona indlala ekhungethe izwe. Yize kukuningi ukuhlupheka okuphethe umuntu kulesi sikhathi esiphila kuso, kodwa kusobala ukuthi labo abayolandela amasiko abo, bawenze ngeqiniso, bayosinda.
"Ngamanye amazwi usho ukuthi nami ngiqhubeke ngokweshela uNelile?
"Ewu! Mveli akuntombi le, nguphuma langa sikothe. Ungibonile, ngingene endlini maqede ngakhamisa okomthakathi ebambekile." Bahleke.
"Ubukeka ediniwe, uvela le eMadabukela kumzala wakhe uNdlangamandla, ubeyomnxusa ukuthi amphelekezele ukuyolobolela uMveli eGoli ngesonto elizayo. Sheshake umlungisele mntanami mina ngisapheka nasi isidudu sotshwala bomphako."
"Ngithanda wazi ukuthi konke engangikwenza kuwe ngangikwenziswa uthando engikuthanda ngalo," kuqhubeka uSindi amehlo ehlengezela izinyembezi. Athi lapho ethi ufuna ukukhuluma uMveli, aphakamise isandla uSindi aqhubeke nenkulumo yakhe.
"MaMkhize! Ngithe niyiyeke leyo nkulumo yokulila," kuphendula uLabase ngokukhulu ukufutheka.
"Kulungile s'thandwa ngizokuxoxela. Namuhla emini kufike abantu ababili bazidlisa satshanyana, benza sengathi badukile. Kuthe lapho ngikumemeza okomuntu okhona osekamelweni, bathuka baphuma bahamba. Ngibabuke ngefasitela ngababona beyongena emotweni abebeyishiye lapha ezansi komgwaqo."
Nembala wathi angavalelisa esalukazini uMveli wangena emotweni waqonda kwadokotela. Wafika kungagcwele kangako, wathi ukulinda isikhashana wase uyangena. Wajabula kabi udokotela ukumbona kwazise kwase kuyisikhathi eside bagcinana. Eqinisweni bagcinana mhla ebazisa ngesifo esasibaphethe noSindi. UMveli wamlandisa nangezigigaba zonke ezamvelela. Wamchazela nendaba ayeze ngayo.
"Yiqiniso lelo s'thandwa, kwakungafanele ngimshiye yedwa kuleli khaya ngenkathi ngilithengisa."
"Musa ukugijima kangaka uzokuwa." Anikine ikhanda ahleke akhulume yedwa. "Eyi lokhu komfana kuhlakaniphe ngempela, kwafuza uyise akwamshiya. Ngiyababonga abakoKhubonye ngokuvuma inhlawulo yami, bangikhululele lo mzukulu wami ngizikhulisele yena. Kusobala ukuthi uyokhula abe yindoda, abheke konke lapha ekhaya, empeleni useyithemba lami," ahleke yedwa yinjabulo.
Emva kwamasonto amathathu uMveli noSindi bashada umshado wesilungu, basayina kwaMuhle. Izimpelesi zabo kwakunguMfaniseni noMpho. Kubazali bakaSindi akekho noyedwa owayekhona, kanti noLabase akazange aphinde azihluphe ngoba wahamba simthukuthelisile isenzo sikaMveli sokubafaka ejele.
"Yikho-ke bengifuna ukuyothola incazelo kadokotela ngoba" bezwe kungqongqoza umuntu emnyango. Kungene uMaMkhize.
"Ungakhathazeki, kukhona ikhaladi elalibhalela ubabomncane, bengithi ikhadi elinekheli lalo ngisenalo", asho ebheka emakhadini asebhukwini etafuleni lakhe. "Nanti, igama lakhe, nguMr Jan Fourie. Uhlala eNo 005 Kotze Street, eHillbrow. Kahle-ke ngimthinte ngoba nansi nenombolo yakhe yocingo." Alushaye lwale ukungena. Aluphindaphinde, lwale luphethe. "Kusho ukuthi alusasebenzi, ngibona ukuthi kufanele uye khona mathupha kuleli sonto elizayo," usho unikeza uMfaniseni ikhadi.
"Nakho-ke! Wayihlaba esikhonkosini ntanga yethu. Yisu elihle kakhulu lelo, nembala kuyiqiniso ukuthi okwehlula amadoda kuyabikwa. Nanso phela inkinga yakho sesiyixazululile." Asukume uMveli axhawule uMfaniseni, bahleke ngoba nakhu isibindi sesithe gidi kubo bobabili.
"Yiqiniso lelo, kodwa nami ngeke ngiphinde ngisikhohlwe lesi saga osishilo namuhla." Asukume uMfaniseni. "Kahle ngisondele nakhu sekuqala ukuphithizela esitolo." Athi lapho ethi uyaphuma ehhovisi uMveli ambize.
Ezinye izithandani zigcina zizibulele ngawe.
"Mameshane! Nakho okukhulu, kanti ubusucabanga ukuyeka yini Musa ntanga, shis' umbango-ke manje. Ukhombise ubunsizwa nobusoka bakho ngoba wenza konke lokhu efuna ukubona khona lokho.?
"NoMveli Kwenzenjani ngoMveli Nelile Ngitshele! Ngitshele Nelile" abuze ngolukhulu uvalo uBasolile?
"Uxolo baba ngingakungeni emlonyeni," kuphendula uMveli. "UMfaniseni uzobuyela emuva khona ntambama ngoba esitolo sivalile ngenxa yokuswela umuntu esingamshiya ebhekile."
"Hlala phansi ngizokulandisa," usho emamatheka ukujabula uBasolile. Wathi angahlala phansi wamlandisa yonke inkulumo kadokotela uBasolile. Wagxuma wagona umakoti womfowabo uNelile ngenxa yokujabula.
"Sibiya, ngilethe nansi indodana yami ukuzohlola ngempilo yayo."
"Ngizothi ngiyamtshela uMveli ngaleli phupho abone sengathi ngihlekisa ngaye ngoba unalesi sifo. Kungenzeka futhi acabange ukuthi ngenza indlela yokumlahla. Ngenzenjani Mmm, kunganjani ngilixoxele udokotela wakulo mtholampilo wakithi. Yena njengodokotela funa akwazi ukungeluleka noma abe nesisombululo sale nkinga yephupho." Amamatheke yedwa. "Yebo ngizokuya kulo dokotela kusasa lokhu okusayo, kuhle futhi ngoba uyangazi. Kufanele ngazise uMveli ukuthi kusasa ngiya emtholampilo. Uma efuna ukwazi ukuthi ngiphethwe yini, ngiyothi ngibona sengathi ngingenwa ngumkhuhlane?
"Ungahlupheki s'thandwa sami, ngiyazi wenziwa ukujabula. Konke sekumi ngomumo ngoba nobaba ngimtshelile ukuthi kufanele eze ezimisele ngakho konke ngoba isikhathi sithothene kanti futhi nezwe likude."
"Ayi-ke nawe baba," kuphendula uMaMkhize. "Phela uyokwenama muva, sekwedlule wonke lo msebenzi, ukuganwa akusiwo umdlalo."
Esizweni sonke sakithi, ikakhulu labo abaphethwe wubhubhane lwesifo sengculazi, le ncwadi ayibe yithemba lekusasa eliqhakazile, ibanike umdlandla wokulwa nalesi sifo basinqobe. Ngibuye ngifisele uhulumeni wethu kanye nemikhandlu ehlukene elwisana nale sisifo impumelelo nezibusiso.
"Kodwa maye uliphethe kahle, ngeke usho ukuthi kuhlala isalukazi, futhi kuyileli khishi ngilithanda ngomoya wami wonke," asho elibukisisa uBasolile.
"Eyi ntanga, ungena nje ngicabanga indaba kababa, indlela ayethukuthele ngayo. Ngangiqala ukumbona ethukuthele kangaka," kusho uMveli kuMfaniseni ongena ehhovisi lakhe.
Nembala athi angavuka aqonde ekamelweni likadadewabo afike angqongqoze emnyango.
"Yebo izinzululwazi ngale ndlela yazo entsha yengane yokwenziwa okuthiwa yi-test tube baby ngesilungu, ziyakwazi ukukunika ingane efunwa nguwe."
"Cha akuyilokho mnumzane wami, impilo yakho inhle kakhulu. Into ngibona kufanele ngiphinde ngithathe igazi lakho, ngilise mina mathupha kochwepheshe ukuqinisekisa lo mphumela engiwuthole kulo."
"Kulula, wena uyomtshela nje ukuthi abazali bakaSindi njengabantu abafundile babone ukuthi kuhlanganelwe ehhotela."
"Cha nembala igane esokeni mfo kaLabase, nami nakanjani ngizokuvakashela kule mpelasonto ngizobona lophuma langa sikothe wentombi." Asukume. "Angihambe umsebenzi wami mningi namuhla."
"Uyazi Mveli ukuthi ngafunga ukuthi akekho omunye umuntu empilweni yami ngaphandle kwakho. Kuyoze kube nini ungizwisa ubuhlungu Okokuqala wangishiya washada eGoli, namuhla ungitshela ukuthi ngizifunele indoda ngoba wena usungenwe ukufa. Kuyoze kube nini Mveli ungizwisa lobu buhlungu Ngitshele Mveli! Ngitshele!?
"Angazi, kodwa ngiyasola ingathi asingithandi, ngibone nendlela ebesingibheka ngayo uma sidla etafuleni."
Nempela ngakusasa bavukela kwadokotela, owafike wamxilongisisa, wathatha igazi ukuyohlolwa, wamjova, wamupha amaphilisi anhlobonhlobo ngoba kwakungenzeka ukuthi usengenwe yisifo esithile. Wathi babuye emva kwezinsuku ezimbili ukuzothola umphumela wegazi lakhe. Lawo malanga amabili aba ngamaviki amabili kuSindi noMpho ababengasakwazi nokulala, nokudla kungasangeni, bethandaza imini nobusuku. Zithe zingadlula lezo zinsuku, kwaba yibo bokuqala kwadokotela. Wawungafunga ukuthi balale khona. Yize udokotela washeshe wafika kodwa isikhathi abasihlala lapho bemlindile sasifana nelanga lonke kubo, kungekho okhulumisa omunye. Uma ubabuka wawungeke ukhohlwe ubone abantu okudala baqedwa yimbamba nezidakamizwa. Amehlo abo ayeseshone phakathi okwesikhophela semfene, imilomo imhlophe qwa. Nodokotela wathi angabona isimo ababekuso akabange esabachithela sikhathi, wakhipha iphepha lemiphumela walibuka, wahleka yedwa. Bambuka, babukana bodwa.
"Awu, kodwa kwaze kwaba seduze Mveli mntanami," kuphendula uMaMkhize.
"Ngiyazi kuphelile kimi noMveli, mina naye sesiyohlangana kwelizayo," athi angasho njalo, ziwohloke izinyembezi.
"Ngithe thula wena s'pokwe ndini esingafi," kusho unina kaSindi ngokukhulu ukufutheka.
"Hhayi s'thandwa ungesabi, ngihishwe yishaladi."
"Kunjalo Mpho ngiqinisile, ngizoba nguMrs My house. UMveli uyotshela abakubo khona kule weekend. Hheyi! Awazi wena Mpho, isalukazi esisebenza khona sivele safa is'thwathwa uma sizwa le ndaba."
"We nkosi yami! UMveli angathini ukukuxoxela indaba engibangela amahloni kangaka Ukube uyazi uMfaniseni ukuthi ngimthanda ngomoya wami wonke," asho eqabula isithombe uNelile?
"Wo, bandla, sengiyakhumbula!" asho esukuma uMaZondo eqoqa izinkomishi etafuleni.
"Angazi-ke s'thandwa, konke sekuyobonwa nguwe, mina ngikutshele konke engikwaziyo ngabazali bami."
"Yiqiniso lelo mntakwethu, into angazi ukuthi ugogo ngizomchazela ngithini yonke lento. Ngoba isenzo sakho sokungambingeleli simshayise uvalo wacabanga ukuthi sixabene."
"Awusho mngani, manje uthi emabhodweni ngingasondeli?
"S'thandwa ngicela ungise kumamami ngoba okwami nawe ngiyazi kuphelile." Wathi angasho njalo wakhala wamemeza, wavula umnyango wemoto eqonde ukuzijika ngaphandle. Wanyathela amabhuleki uMveli wamphuthuma wambamba. Imoto yabo yama yavundla nomgwaqo. Itekisi elalibalandela lathi lizama ukubagwema laphaphalaza lacishe lashayisa umuntu owayehamba eceleni komgwaqo. Walwa nalo umshayeli walo waze wakhona ukulimisa onqenqemeni lomgwaqo. Izimoto ezaziza ngaphambili nazo zama nsi, umsindo wazo sewesabeka. Kwahlwa emini kuMveli wuvalo. Umshayeli wetekisi nabanye bezimoto beza kuMveli bengasandle nkobe zamuntu ingekho inhlamba abangamethuki ngayo. Wasindiswa ukuqhamuka kwephoyisa lomgwaqo elalihamba ngesithuthuthu.
"Njengoba bese ngike ngasho baba, isibongo sabo ngabakwa- Opperman, bangabokudabuka eMzimkulu kodwa manje sebehlala eGoli."
"Yebo mama," asho egijima eya endlini ngoba naye wabe esemkhumbule umfowabo, futhi enezindaba ezinye ezimnandi afuna ukumazisa zona.
"Ja, akukho kini lapho, wen' utshakile. Maar, ungabashayela leya Chicken á la Carte ngelunch yaSunday, banganakani ukuthi awazi kupheka."
"Ngowani lo msindo ongaka obangwa nguNelile" kubuza uLabase kowakwakhe ababezihlalele naye esicelwini esingemuva kwexhiba bengazi lutho ngesivakashi esasisemzini wabo?
"Kuthiwa yibacon & eggs, ephekwe nguMistress, baba," kuphendula uNelile. Balale yinsini.
"We-ma! Kukhona umuntu owake wathanda iphimbo lomuntu angamazi," ahleke. Ingeyakwabani yona le nsizwa?
"Sibiya! Gumede! Qakushe kaGubudela. Mbeng'osinda bose," kukhulekela uLabase esangweni lomuzi wenyanga yakwaSibiya. Kuqhamuke okomfanyana kubavulele isango kubase lapho uSibiya ehlezi khona.
"Wathula mntakwethu" abuke umyeni wakhe emehlweni uBasolile?
"Ngikuphathele uhlelenjwayo, wafa indlala kade kusile, nezinkomo sezibuye inhlazane."
"Woshi mame! Bayajabula oMveli." Bahleke. "Angihambe nasekhaya bazilindile lezi zindaba ezimnandi. Uphi uNqobile sihambe?
Ethuke uMveli uma ezwa lelo.
"Nelile, ngiyaye ngikhohlwe ukukubuza ukuthi, waze walusa yini ucu neduku ensizweni yaseBhadeni?
"Gogo usho uku" Akaligwinyanga lelo uMveli, sahoshula esikhwameni ipheshana lentengiselwano isalukazi, okuthiwa phecelezi yiDeed of Sale samnika lona. Walibuka uMveli, wafica ukuthi yilokhu linjalo njengokulazi kwakhe. Kwakungekho nokuncane okushintshiwe kulo. Balibuka eside isikhathi leli phepha benoBasolile bengazi ukuthi kufanele bathini. Kwaze kwakhuluma isalukazi.
Athule uBasolile angafuni ukulisho ngoba wabe esezitshelile ukuthi umuntu wokuqala afanele ukumazisa lona ngudokotela.
"Bafokeng bantswetse! O bua nnete Sindi" kubuza uMpho ngesikubo ngoba yize isiZulu wayezama ukusikhuluma kodwa uma ejabula kangaka sasingavumi sanhlobo?
"Uyazi ntanga, ngibona kungakuhle uma ungaba mdibi munye nobaba kule ndaba. Kanti futhi okunye engikubonayo wukuthi kufanele ngiqashe elinye lamagumbi amancane kulawo abambela imihlangano khona lapho ehhotela."
"Kambe Mveli awushongo ukuthi uyobuya nini?
"Ngu-nguMveli." Ethuke uma ezwa lelo uNelile.
"Uqinisile, nami angiyifuni ngomoya wami wonke leyo ndawo yezigelekeqe. Kodwa asinayo enye indlela ngoba lo muntu siyamdinga, futhi unekhono lomsebenzi. Nami angisale sengiphuma nawe ngiye ngasekhaya, maningi phela amalungiselelo empelasonto okumele enziwe, kanti futhi bengifuna ukutholela nogogo enye intombazane ezomsiza." Bahleke baphume ehhovisi belandelana.
"Mveli ngibonga iqiniso lakho nobuqhawe bakho ekulweni nalesi sifo ngoba. Ukuba bewungomunye umuntu ubuzongifihlela njengoba kwenza abaningi abanalesi sifo," usho wesula izinyembezi.
"Mveli washaya amatafula, kwenzenjani", ubuza engena evala umnyango?
"S'thandwa sekwenzenjani Ingabe nawe ungenwa yilesi sifuba esingiphethe Kusasa kufanele uye kwadokotela." Ahleke uMveli?
"Usho ngani Naxabana yini?
"Cha, ndodana ungahlupheki. Siyixoxile nonyoko le ndaba, savumelana ngelokuthi: Induku enhle igawulwa ezizweni. Sichazele phela ukuthi izalwaphi nokuthi abazali bayo bangabantu abanjani le ntokazi."
Kwasa ngakusasa banikela ekhaya lezintandane. Umphathi waleli khaya wabemukela ngesikhulu isizotha. Kwathi ngemva kokubhala yonke imininingwane ngabo wabasa egumbini lalezi zinsana ezazihleli emibhejaneni yazo. Kwakungekho nolulodwa usana olukhalayo, wawungafunga ukuthi zitsheliwe ukuthi zibokwenze njalo phambi kwezivakashi. Futhi wawungacishe usho ukuthi lezi zingane ziyazikhethela abazali ezibafunayo. Ngoba wawuthi uma uyibuka uyibone ihleka ijabula ize iphakamise nesandlana sengathi ifuna ukuthi uyithathe.
Angabe esachitha sikhathi uSindi, asukume ashintshe izimpahla abezembethe, agqoke eziveza isimo somzimba wakhe. Ebusweni azigcobe ngesimonyo sakhona kanjalo nasemashiyeni, kuthi ekhanda afake izinwele mbumbulu ezimhlophe. Iphume intokazi yakwabo, iphume isinyanya ubala, isinyathelisa okwentondolo phezu kokhethe. Idanda leli lidlalisa okwamagagasi olwandle. Yazihambela inganake lutho, ihamba ima emafasiteleni ezitolo zezimpahla zentsha.
"Wena owasuka kuqala eMbelebeleni!"
"Ntanga lesi sithombe ngizoqamela kuso ubusuku bonke namuhla." Afe yinsini uMveli.
"Basolile sengoneni" ubuza ezama ukumbamba izandla zombili uMveli?
Kuleyo ntambama ekufikeni kwakhe ekhaya uMveli wafica uSindi elele ebuya kwadokotela. Wamchazela ukuthi udokotela ufike wamthatha igazi wamjova wamnika nemithi. Wathi uthe akabolala aphumule abuye emva kwamalanga amathathu ngoba usazothumela igazi lakhe ukuyohlolwa, yize izimpawu zikhombisa ukuthi ungenwe yisifo sofuba.
"Kahle phela ngiqede inkulumo yami. Elinye iphuzu wukuthi uma kungenzeka lolu cwaningo lungahambi kahle, ubhokelwe yilesi sifo, ngeke usakwazi ukuyikhulisa le ngane kanti futhi kungenzeka usheshe ufe, ushiye le ngane ilusana olubomvu. Usungaqhubeka, ubufuna ukubuzani s'thandwa?
"Mthathe Nelile mntanami uyomgeza, thina sizoke sihlale lapha emthunzini noMveli sixoxe," asho maqede ahlale esigqikini sakhe uLabase, kwazise nokudinwa kwase kuziphe amandla.
"Cha nkosikazi, ngingeze ngasho ukuthi libi noma lihle yini ngoba ngiphuphe uMveli ehamba nomfowethu ngemoto. Umfowethu ubehlezi ngemuva ebukeka engeneme neze, yize uMveli yena ebejabule. Kuthe kusenjalo kwavela iwa elikhulu ngaphaphama!"
"Alisiwo umbhedo nkosikazi, yebo ngalolu cwaningo ungamthola umntwana ngaphandle kokwesuleleka yilesi sifo." Ahlahle amehlo uBasolile. Asukume ame ngezinyawo wukujabula nokumangala. Amhlalise phansi umhlengikazi. Athi angahlala phansi aphinde abuze futhi okomuntu ovuka ebuthongweni.
"Uqinisile Nelile akukho okwedlula ukufunda." Athule uNelile okomuntu okude ngomcabango.
"Mnumzane nonkosikazi Labase namuhla nginiphathele izindaba ezimnandi, ezizokwenza wonke amaphupho ebeninawo ngekusasa lenu afezeke. Kodwa ngaphambi kokunazisa ngifuna niphuze nanka amaphilisi ukuze imizimba yenu ithole amandla okumelana nazo lezo zindaba." Abanike amaphilisi amabili ngamunye udokotela. Kwathi bangawaphuza waqhubeka nenkulumo yakhe.
Ngumqondo omuhle lowo ntanga, kodwa bese sishiya bani esitolo?
"Ngimele impendulo," kusho isalukazi simuthe njo ngamehlo.
Angene uLabase nethimba lakhe bahlale phansi ngokuzithoba, ngoba phela kungumthetho wesintu ukuthi umkhongi akhombise ukuhlonipha okukhulu kubantu basemzini, njengomuntu ozocela ubuhlobo obuhle. Bathi bangahlala phansi wazibika uLabase.
"We buya mame! Uma usuyisihlahla sikashukela nje, uthi ikhona inyosi engaphinde ikwedlule" kubuza ugogo wakhe emukela uswidi. Bahleke bonke?
"Mzala umuntu uyokufa edelile. Wake wakuzwaphi ukuthi umkhongi angasa izinkomo zelobolo afike angakhulekeli esangweni lasemzini, ababikele ukuthi ungowaphi, nodaba eze ngalo?
"Wukuthi mama yonke le nto yavela ngokukhulu ukuzuma, ngoba kwathi eshone njenganamuhla esibhedlela bathi akabekwe ngakusasa ngenxa yesifo esasimphethe."
"Ntanga kufanele ngiphuthume ekhaya ngiyolanda lona omunye ngoba lona usuwale waphetha," kusho uMveli.
"Ngakho-ke, nani ngicela nibe nesibindi namandla okuma nami ukuze ngisinqobe lesi sifo," nguMveli lowo eqedela inkulumo yakhe.
"Ncinci! Nakwethu kuzoke kube mnandi, kufanele ngazise zonke izintombi nezinsizwa zesigodi sakithi eNtombe," asho ebhansa umfowabo emahlombe, egxumagxuma yedwa wukujabula uNelile.
"Yebo ngudadewethu uNelile. Ubethunywe ngubaba ebuza ukuthi ngivakasha nini. Isimanga phela lesi, kwangathi nabo bese bazi ukuthi vele ngisendleleni. Wamoyizela Mfaniseni kwenzenjani?
Kwathi ngelikade unina kaSindi wakhuluma ngezwi eliphansi eliphelelwe ngamandla.
"Mveli! Mveli! Phendula umbuzo wami. Uthini ngoBasolile?
"Madoda! Yinqaba-kayitshelwana le, Mveli." Athi angasho njalo uMfaniseni abheke phansi, adle amathambo engqondo. "Mveli mfowethu mina angiliboni elinye icebo ngaphandle kwalo leli elishiwo nguSindi, lokuthi bahlanganele ehhotela."
"Kodwa s'thandwa bengithanda ukukuchazela konke ngempilo yami."
"Nelile ngixege, angizimisele ukuxoxa ngidinwe kabi namuhla."
"Kahle-ke, kanti nibangaki kini s'thandwa?
"Ntanga yethu, masingayenzi insakavukela umchilo wesidwaba le ndaba, mina sengideqile nomoya wami." Athi angasho njalo uMveli aphakamise ucingo ashayele isithandwa sakhe. Aphume ehhovisi uMfaniseni, phela kwasekumcacele bha okwekati elimhlophe ehlungwini ukuthi akusekho ukuqhubeka nale ngxoxo.
"Kwakuhle lokho nkosikazi, nami angisale sengikulandela." Asukume uLabase aqonde endlini yakwagogo. Athi angangena aguqe phansi endlale imali ebifihlwe ngumkakhe ocansini, libe bomvu icansi yizikhova. Ashise impepho, ashaye izandla acele kwabakubo.
"Oho! Modimo wami!" kumemeza uMpho edangele.
Ashayeke naye manje uNelile yile nkulumo kanina ngoba naye lesi sifo esiphethe umfowabo wayethi uma esicabanga kuphele nasozwaneni.
Kwaya njengokusho kukaSindi, wafika ngakusasa uMpho. Sekuyilanga lesithathu uSindi elele phansi, uMveli uhlezi yedwa ehhovisi lakhe, uzibambe ekhanda uyacabanga, ugcina esekhuluma yedwa.
"Kambe baba, awubange usangitshela ukuthi uhambe kanjani endalini kwaMatatazela kuthangi?
"Oh! Konje angikakutsheli," ahleke. "UMveli uneSupermarket eSoweto, wena uzoba ngumzala wami usebenze khona," bafe yinsini bobabili.
Agijime umfana ayonikeza uSindi ucingo owayesesukumile efuna nangaphansi kwesitulo abehlezi kuso.
Ebugqileni esasikubo into abasibulala ngayo abeLungu, wukuthunaza, ukujivaza nokuzama ukuqeda amasiko ethu, befuna senze awabo. Lokho kwenza amasiko ethu aphenduke inhlekisa nento yokudlala entsheni yethu yanamuhla. Namuhla singasho ukuthi sikhululekile, kodwa lokho wukuzikhohlisa nje uma amasiko ethu sisawagqilaza ngokuwenza ngendlela yesilungu njengoba sibona kuleli cala. Uma le mindeni ibingenayo indawo yokuhlanganela, bekufanele ifune indawo ethe qekelele noma eyihlane, bahlale khona phansi kwesihlahla badingide udaba lwabo. Usiko lwabantu luyavuma ukuthi ungaya esigangeni ukhulume nabakini abalele.
"Kodwa mntakwethu usho ukuthi ayikho enye indlela engenza umzimba wami ube namandla uma ngizethwele?
"Cha bantabami, musani ukuzihlupha ngami, phela kimi imuva alisekho. Inhlazi seyashelwa ngamanzi, sengiphelele njengoba ngilapha."
Waphuma emadolonzima kwadokotela uMveli ngoba kwase kumkhanyela kahle kamhlophe ukuthi kukhulu amfihlela khona udokotela. Nalezo zinsuku ezimbili ayezozihlala wazibona seziphenduke amasonto amabili ngenxa yokuhlupheka okwase kumfikele engqondweni nasemoyeni. Wayezimisele ukuthi uzothi uma esuka kwadokotela aye esitolo, kodwa kunalokho wayishaya imoto wabuyela ekhaya. Ekufikeni kwakhe ekhaya akazange akhulumise muntu, wathi angehla emotweni waqonda ekamelweni. UBasolile nesalukazi esinguMaCele ababehlezi phansi komthunzi ebaleni bephuza itiye, basala bebambe ongezansi, bebukana bodwa yisenzo sakhe sokungababingeleli.
"Yebo kunjalo Mveli. Awusho wona umuzi bese uwubikile yini kwabadala?
"Uthini na Uphethwe yini" ahlahle amehlo manje naye uMfaniseni?
"Kungcono ngife kunokulahlekelwa nguMveli," ukhuluma yedwa. Asukume athi qalaqala endlini okomuntu efuna into, abheke ubonda nophahla lwendlu. "Akusizi nentambo anginayo kanti nalapha kuphezulu. Ngenze njani Ngithenge amaphilisi No!no! azothatha isikhathi eside, kungcono ngiyozilahlela esitimeleni. Ja, kungcono lokho. Ithi ngibhalele uMpho incwadi masinyane engakafiki.?
"Iqiniso lelo baba," kwenanela uMaZondo. Umndeni wakwaLabase wahamba evikini elilandelayo wavakashela eKapa lapho bafika bavelelwa inhlekelele yengozi yemoto. Bashona khona lapho bobabili.
"Xolani bakwethu elami itiye sengiyoliphuzela esitolo, nakhu sengibona sekuphithizela ngempela manje." Athathe itiye lakhe uMfaniseni aphume ehhovisi, basale bodwa uMveli nowakwakhe.
"Hhayi bo! wayiphikelela le ndaba. Kukhona yini okuzwile" Ahlahle amehlo manje uMaMkhize?
"Ntanga asethembe ukuthi uyaphila. Musa ukushaywa uvalo, uzokuthinta noma kanjani ngoba izinombolo zakho zocingo unazo."
"Ngisho ngoba le" akaliqedanga lelo udokotela, kwavuka ukhwehlekhwehle kuSindi, wakhwehlela waze woma. Udokotela wamphuthuma ngomuthi owawulapho eduze, wathi angawuphuza kwadamba.
"Gogo ngizoyilobola le ntokazi, sesizwene nayo ngale" Akaliqedanga lelo, sasukuma sabambelela esitulweni, saphelelwa ngumoya, sajuluka isalukazi. Kwathi lapho sithi siyawa, wagxuma uMveli wasibamba maqede wamemeza intombazana eyayisebenza ekhishini. Basithwala basisa ekamelweni laso. Khona lapho uMveli washayela udokotela ucingo naye wafika ngokukhulu ukushesha. Wafike wasixilonga wasifaka umjovo.
"Siyabonga dokotela," basho ngazwi linye basukume, baphume. Yaphuma ihambela phezulu ukujabula insizwa kaLabase ibambe umkayo ngesandla. Bathi bangasondela emotweni bama, babambana, baqabulana sincane esezithandani zisanda kushada.
Kulo lelo viki uSindi noMaCele abaphume ngalo esibhedlela, uMveli wabatshela ukuthi useyawudayisa umuzi, useyothenga omunye edolobheni. Kwathi noma uSindi owayeselibona iphutha lakhe ezama ukumsusa kulowo mqondo kwaba nhlanga zimuka nomoya ngoba wayengasawufuni ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke lo muzi emva kwalesi sehlakalo. Isalukazi esinguMaCele sona sasingene kwenkulu inkinga ngoba sabe singazimisele ukuphinde siyohlala edolobheni, lapho impilo yobusha baso bonke siyichithe khona.
Amoyizele uMveli. "Leya nsizwa ucingo lwakho olwafikela kuyo, isha amashushu ngawe, ithi ayikaze izwe iphimbo elimnandi kangaka."
"Basolile! Basolile ngixolele!" kumemeza uMveli emlandela, wena owabona ingane ikhalela ibele likanina.
"Baba kunganjani uma sibuya eKapa sikhulule nogogo ake avakashele kubo. Phela selokhu afika lapha ekhaya akakaze aye ndawo ngaphandle kwasesontweni." Engakaligwinyi lelo uMaZondo simnqake isalukazi esinguMaCele.
"Habe! Yiyo indodana yakho le eseGoli esingaka Sondela fana ngixhawule." Asondele uMveli obehleli buqamama ehlonipha oyise, axhawule?
Amngene emlonyeni uMveli: "Dokotela usho ukuthi nami senginalesi sifo" abuze ngeliphansi, eligcwele ubuhlungu nokudangala uMveli. Yize wayeyazi impendulo yalo mbuzo wakhe kodwa wayecabanga ukuthi udokotela uzomtshela enye ezomduduza?
"Angikufihleli Nelile, into bengifuna ukuyolixoxela udokotela laphaya emtholampilo kusasa, ngizwe ukuthi yena uthini."
"Nelile awuyeke umsindo wezitsha mntanami uzobuye uzigeze, ake silalele nansi indaba kamfowenu," kusho uMaMkhize enikeza uNelile isitsha ebesidlela uyise.
"Hawu! Bangaze bahambe bobabili ngalanga linye pho Yena lo mfana ngoba usemncane nje uzowuthini lo muzi ongaka engaganiwe nokuganwa Lona leli bhizinisi uthi uyolimela nje eyedwa Kumbe njalo alibambe ngoba nakhu uyisemncane umfundisile. Mmm, kusho ukuthi nami le mali yami eseposini kanye nale esebhange engayinikwa ngumlungu wami sengiyoyishiya kuye ngoba nampa abantu ebengibathembile, ngibathanda ngenhliziyo yami yonke sebengishiyile. Hhayi, angingaqali ngikwenze lokho, intsha yanamuhla ayethembekile neze, kuhle kengimqaphelisise kuqala lo mfana.?
"Hawu, ngubaba yini! Nakhu sengicishe ngikhohlwa indaba enkulu ebengikubizele yona. Ntanga ngicabanga ukuthi ngelinye lamalanga ke ngithi hulukuqu ngasekhaya, ngiyobazisa ngakho konke osekwenzekile phela nangalesi sifo enginaso, angizange ngibatshele ngoba ngibona ukuthi kungabalimaza imimoya."
"UGogo ubesacambalele, uMpho eye etown. Ngiyacabanga babonile ukuthi ngingedwa."
"Kulungile-ke yenze njalo mntanami," amnikeze isizumbulu semali.
Ebhizinisini lakhe uMveli wafica konke kuhamba kahle kakhulu, uMfaniseni wayeliphethe ngobunono obuyisimanga. Wathi efika wazithela phezu kwedili lokumamukela elalenziwe nguMfaniseni nezisebenzi khona esitolo. UBasolile wayephathiswe okwendlovukazi, ehla enyuka esitolo nezisebenzi zimfundisa umsebenzi. Yize uMveli wayengathandi ukuthi umkakhe asebenze esitolo, kodwa kwagcina sekunhlanga zimuka nomoya lokho ngoba naye uBasolile wawumjabulisa lo msebenzi.
Yafika insizwa kaLabase ngonyonyovu oluluhlaza lwemoto ayithengelwa nguyise omncane. Yafika maqede kwaba luhlaza amagceke akwaLabase. Baphuma uNelile noMaMkhize balilizela kwashisa phansi. Nowedlula ngendlela wabona ukuthi kusindwe ngobethole emaShengeni. Kwabuswa ilanga lonke kwaLabase.
"Angibayazi, baphatha izinduku. Mina ngeke ngihlale la, ma uhamba nami ngiyahamba."
"Yini ndoda, ushayela kanjani Udakiwe" kubuza iphoyisa ngokukhulu ukufutheka?
Lapho uLabase wayengasabukeki ebusweni, esegqunqe emnyama khwishi, amehlo esefana nawendlondlo, kwazise ukuthi kwakuyindoda enolaka. Kwakunguphumasilwe, kwakungachitheka gula linamasi manje kuye.
"Azinaphika," kuphendula uMaZondo.
UMveli wazama ukumncenga uMpho ukuthi ahlale kodwa kwafana nokuthela amanzi emhlane wedada ngoba kwathi ngakusasa uma uMveli ebamba indlela eya ekhaya noMpho waphuma ngesamagundane.
Wo! uze ungikhonzele kumakoti wami, bayadela kulowo muzi ayokwenda kuwo!
"Yeka ukulunga kwabo," sivungazela sodwa. "Kwakunani ukube kwafa mina kuqala ngoba manje sengingumtshingo ubethwa ubani." Kwathi singasho njalo zehla ezimathonsi, zehla zagobhoza.
"Ungenwe sifo sini, Mveli" abuze embukisisa okomuntu aqala ukumbona?
"Into yokuqala kufanele lo mfana agezwe lesi sisila sokushonelwa, lokho kuyonika umkhulu wakhe kanye noyise omncane amandla okuma naye," nguSibiya lowo eqedela inkulumo yakhe.
"Yiqiniso lelo Khabazela, nami ngihlala ngimkhumbula njalo umfowethu. Hawu! wangikhumbuza enye indaba. Izolo ngimphuphe ehleli phambi kwami enikina ikhanda, engithe njo! ngamehlo abomvu okomuntu obekhala, ngabathe ngiyambuza ukuthi kwenzenjani akangiphendula. Ngiyacabanga kukhona okungalungile kumfowethu MaMkhize, kumbe yiloya msebenzi wokumbuyisa ekhaya awukhalelayo ukuthi awenziwanga ngendlela. Ngibona kufanele ngiwuphinde ngokushesha."
"Nginibizele ukuzonazisa ngemiphumela yegazi likaSindi." Alungise izibuko zakhe, avule ibhuku elisetafuleni lakhe. "Ngaphambi kokuba ngiqhubeke ake ngibuze kuwena nkosikazi ukuthi ingabe kulungile yini uma ngidalula imiphumela yokuhlolwa kwegazi lakho umyeni wakho ekhona, noma ubungathanda athi ukusishiya uzobe usuzitshelela yena seninobali" kubuza udokotela ebhekise kuSindi owayebonakala ukuthi uphathekile ngempela?
"Ufunani kimi Mveli" ubuza evula umnyango?
"Kambe nami besengilibele, ingani nalo nyaka ushesha inqaba," kwenanela uLabase.
Kwathi ngelikade waphendula uSindi ngephimbo elinezinyembezi.
"Uyazi Nelile kufanele ngiye edolobheni, ngiyothenga ilokwe engiyoza ngilembethe uma ngizombona, ngiqhine nasekhanda."
"Hawu Mveli ntanga yethu, kwenzenjani" ubuza ehlala phansi?
Akhombise ebusweni ukukhululeka uMveli. "Yiqiniso lelo ntanga yethu, kodwa asingakhohlwa ukuthi ngiyobe sengifake ivezandlebe emzini wakwaLabase."
"Hawu mama, wakhuluma sengathi sebehlukene noMveli?
"Vula ngane yakwethu, uma sengilahlwa nguwe ngiyoba yini ezweni."
"Ayisukume inkundla!" kumemeza iphoyisa. Wonke umuntu asukume. Iphume enkundleni inkosi yenkantolo. Ichitheke inkundla.
"Hhayi! No! asifuni nokwazi ngaleyo nto, uma befuna ukushada abahambe bayosayina kwaMuhle, finish!"
"Mina dokotela ngibona ukuthi kungcono ngife ngoba yimi olethe lokhu kufa endodeni yami," asho ngephimbo eligcwele izinyembezi uSindi.
"Yileya nsizwa eyeza noMveli engangikuxoxela ngayo, ingithumele isithombe sayo, nayo icela esami."
"Cha dokotela, akukho ukungabaza. Ukuhlola igazi kuzomane kungibuyisele lobu hlungu engibuzwe namuhla, kanti-ke angizimisele ukuphinde ngibuzwe." Wathi angasho njalo uMveli zahlengezela izinyembezi.
"O, hhayi gogo ukuthi ngi, kukhona abelungu okufanele ngihlangane nabo namuhla esitolo."
"Uqinisile uyihlo Mveli, besikhuluma ngayo le ndaba kuthangi, sibona lokhu okungumfanyana wakho."
Wathi angalizwa lelo uBasolile wamyeka kancane, kancane ekhefuzela, sincane esikafeleba wekhonde ezingela ofezela phansi kwamatshe, ehlangana nenyoka.
"Singakusiza ngani mfana wami" kubuza uMaMkhize. Kungamphenduli, babukane bodwa. Kuthi kusuka kube kukhipha incwadi esikhwameni sebhulukwana lakho elase liqhaqhekile emphethweni ngoba lalikumpintsha?
Wathi thala-thala uSindi wayithi thasi imali, wayishutheka emabeleni ngokukhulu ukushesha. Nensizwa ayibange isachitha sikhathi, yamkhombisa lapho imoto yayo yayimi khona. Bakhwela bobabili baqonda ehhotela elingaphandle kwedolobha.
Ahlahle amehlo uMveli: Usho ukuthi nami ngime emabhodweni?
"Hhayi-ke, uma usho njalo ngeke ngakuphoqa. Kodwa ngifuna kusuka namuhla nisebenzise icondom uma niya ocansini. Ngizoninika ikheli lomkhandlu obhekane nalesi sifo, okufanele niwuhambele njalo ukuthola amasu, nokuxoxa nabanye abantu abanaso. Ningasesabi, nixoxe ngaso nasebanganini benu ngoba kanjalo niyobe nisithene amandla ezingqondweni zenu, kanti futhi niyobe nifaka igalelo elikhulu ekusilwiseni emphakathini. Abantu abaningi abaphethwe yilesi sifo, abangesabi ukuxoxa ngaso ngiyaye ngibabize amaqhawe esizwe ngoba ngesenzo sabo benza sonke isizwe sazi kangcono ngalesi sifo, futhi sifunde nendlela yokusigwema. Nani ngifuna nibe ngabanye balawo maqhawe."
"Kulungile mama," aphume uNelile ayolungisela uyise ukudla.
"Usile kabi!" kwenanela uMpho.
Kwathi lapho esekhohliwe nokuthi ukuphi ngenxa yemicabango yakhe uMveli, waqhamuka udokotela. Waqhamuka edlwathuzela, ehlahle amehlo okomuntu ethuswe yinunu.
Uma uyibuka bude-buduze le ndawo uyazibuza ukuthi lo dukathole welokishi wakhiwa ngumuntu owayecabanga kanjani. Vundo lini ayenalo kubahlali balo Kumbe akuzange kumfikele ukuthi wakhela abantu abaphilayo njengaye, wazitshela nje ukuthi noma bangaze bahlale baminyane okomuhlwa esidulini akusho lutho ngoba nabo abalutho, bayizigqila zokusebenzela abelungu nokumba igolide emigodini?
Yize kwabe kuyisifiso sakhe ukuthi uSindi avakashele eSoweto ezobona ikhaya ngenye impelasonto, kodwa wayengazi ukuthi uzoyiqala kanjani le ndaba ngoba funa uSindi angavumi. Kanti futhi njengeningi lezintokazi ezingathandi ilokishi ingahle imphathe kabi bese yona uthando lwabo.
ULabase njengomuntu owayengejwayele ukuhamba, lolu hambo lwalungamphethe neze kahle. Kanti futhi nalelo Goli ayeya kulo babengawuvali umlomo ngobugcwelegcwele balo abavela khona. Ufikelwa imicabango eminingi useze uyozela ngoba nalesi sithangami ahleli kuso siyamlolozela. NoMaMkhize akambonanga eseza, umethuka esehlezi eceleni kwakhe.
"Hawu ntanga, usukhohliwe yini ukuthi ngiyisoka lamanyala" Bafe yinsini bobabili?
"Ngeke kwenzeke lokho ngisadla anhlavana mfana wami, wena uyindlalifa yami, uzolotsholelwa yimi. Angintuli lutho, sukuma ubheke naziya izinkomo zami edlelweni elingaphesheya komfula."
"Asibancengi nathi asambe," kusho unina omncane kaSindi naye edonsa u-Opperman ngebhantshi. Athi angabona ukuthi konakele, asukume uLabase.
"Ngiyezwa mama," asho ngelokuzithoba uBasolile.
Yayinethambo le nsizwa, ibukela umhlaba phansi. Umzimba wayo wawuthele ngokulingene, ebusweni ingamunwe. Isafunda iphepha layo kunqonqoze uMfaniseni emnyango. Angene.
"Wu! muhle kanjani s'thandwa," kusho uSindi beyophuma emnyango. "Futhi ubukeka ehlakaniphe kabi. Uma ngingazikhulisela lo mntwana ngingazizwa nami ukuthi ngingumfazi, kanti nomuzi wethu ungaba nesithunzi. Uthini s'thandwa sami, simthathe?
"Ngena sisi," kusho umhlengikazi osebenza nodokotela. Wangena amadolo eseshayana wuvalo. Nembala wamchazela udokotela konke ngephupho lakhe, nempilo abayiphilayo nomyeni wakhe. Kwathi angaqeda wathula udokotela wambuka isikhathi eside ecabanga.
Endaweni yokugxumagxuma ukujabula uMveli wavele waqhunsula amehlo okwesikhova sehlathi, akangazi ukuthi kufanele ajabule noma akhale. Kanti uBasolile yena wayesephenduke inkukhu inethwe yisichotho, esephike ukugwinya ubala. Bathi besuka babe begonana bobabili basisho isililo. Nodokotela wagcina esephilizela izinyembezi ngoba isimo esinjengalesi nakuye sasingabekezeleki. Wabayeka udokotela bakhala benela. Bathi bangathula, waqhubeka nenkulumo yakhe.
"Yiqiniso s'thandwa, phela amaScientists konje kuthiwa yini ngesiZulu?
"Nelile angazi ngithini ngoba uMveli ngiyamthanda." Wathi angayiphetha ngalelo inkulumo yakhe, waphinde wabipha wasisho isililo. NoNelile wehluleka ukuzibamba basisho bobabili.
"Cha akukho lutho mama oluvelile, besixoxa nje." Aphendule akhophozele uBasolile ehlonipha uninazala.
Nkosi yenkantolo, abamangalelwa babekwe amacala amathathu. Elokuqala wukuphazamisa inqubo yehhotela okuyindawo yebhizinisi ngomsindo abawenze lapho. Elesibili ukwehlisa isithunzi sehhotela emphakathini ngokuziphatha kwabo okubi phambi kwabantu bonke abebelapho. Elesithathu elokutholwa nesizumbulu semali esingenalo iqiniso lokuthi ivelaphi.
"Cha dokotela asinabo, sisanda kushada," kuphendula uMveli.
"Angethembi ukuthi leli phupho lisho lokho ngoba mina angikaze ngiwadlale amahhashi empilweni yami. Nalapho ebhejelwa khona angikaze ngilubhade. Kanti futhi nobabomncane wayeyizonde kabi imidlalo yemali efana nawo amahhashi lana. Ngibona sengathi kukhona okunye elikuchazayo."
"Maye Mveli, kodwa ungidinile namuhla! Yisho iziphi izindaba ezimnandi obufuna ukungitshela zona?
"Yiqiniso lelo nkosikazi, iGoli alilapha nalapha, ufanele ukudinwa, kuhle asheshe aphumule. Ngiphuzise amanzi nami ngiyophumula ngetshise le ndaba emnandi kaMveli."
"Mina senginawo amandla mkhulu, bheka," kugoqe ingalo kumkhombise inkoyane esengalweni. Alale yinsini.
"Joo bantu!" sale isiZulu kuMpho esedle amponjwana, "sisinokwenzani manje?
"Mnumzane Labase, ungizwe kahle Ngithe kuwe awunaso isifo sengculazi egazini lakho.?
"Uqinisile baba," amemeze uMaMkhize: "Nelile! Nelile!"
"Mama mina sengiyogeza bese ngilungela ukuhamba."
USindi owayehamba ebheke phansi yinhliziyo ebuhlungu ngenxa yesenzo ayesanda kusenza engazimisele, wathi uphakamisa amehlo welamela imoto kaMfaniseni. Wayithi nhla kanye wabona uMfaniseni phakathi emhlahlele amehlo. Washaywa olukhulu uvalo ngoba kwamcacela ukuthi nakanjani uMfaniseni umbonile ehla kuleya moto yomlungu. Kwaba yinhlanhla ukuvela kwetekisi ukuze akwazi ukubaleka nokulahla umkhondo. Wathi angasithela ekhoneni, wehla waqonda endlini. Wafike wazijika embhedeni wasikhihla isililo. Wabona kahle ukuthi selimshonele, sekuphelile ngaye. Selokhu awenza lo msebenzi wayeqala ngqa ukuzibona ezenyanya. Wafisa ukufa. Zehla izinyembezi zagobhoza okwamanzi omfula.
"Kanjani gogo, usukhohliwe yini ukuthi angikawuthengi?
"Uyazi baba uma kunje, ngiyaye ngikhumbule uyise omncane kaMveli ngoba yena ngabe uselapha ngemoto ezokuthatha."
"Ngisho nezithombe zabazali bami imbala yilokhu zilenga odongeni," usho bayazibukisisa noBasolile. "Sengathi bajabule uma besibona. Nakanjani gogo kufanele ngibuye ngiwuthenge kulo mlungu lo muzi."
Wabuya selibantu bahle edolobheni uNelile ngoba wathi angakwenza abekuthunyiwe, wedlulela kuBasolile ukuyomazisa izindaba ezimnandi zokuthi uMveli wabe ezofika ngempelasonto. Kwaba ukujabula okukhulu kuBasolile ngoba kwase kuyisikhathi eside bagcinana.
Yize uBasolile wayeyijabulele kabi le ndaba yokuya eGoli kodwa kwakuthi uma eyedwa afikelwe wuvalo oluncane. Ukhuluma yedwa.
Aqale manje akhululeke, ahleke uSindi ngoba nakhu icebo labo noMpho lokuxazulula le nkinga lisebenzile.
Awone lutho Nelile, into kukhona okungihluphayo emoyeni.
"Shut up! Sindi, ngicikekile nguwe. Bheka ingozi ocishe wasifaka kuyo," asho ngokukhulu ukufutheka uMveli maqede akhiye iminyango yemoto ngaphakathi, ayishaye aqonde ekhaya. Ekufikeni kwabo ekhaya uSindi waqonda ekamelweni wayolala. UMveli wasala ehlezi yedwa, edunyelwa yikhanda.
"Hhayi-ke usungehlule singalwanga, ngiyavuma Basolile, konke kimi makube njengokusho kwakho. Isifiso sakho sihlale siyisifiso sami. Intokozo yakho uma siphumelele ibe yinjabulo yekusasa lethu." Kwathi angawezwa lawo mazwi uBasolile wagxuma wagona isithandwa sakhe wasiqabula. NoMveli wehluleka ukuzibamba, basisho bobabili baze bazithulisa.
"Uqinisile s'thandwa, uma singabatshela kuyofana nokuthi sibabulele ngezandla zethu, okuyinto engeke isuke emoyeni wethu." Baqhubeka njalo bazixoxela bobabili beluka iqhinga abafanele balenze ukulwa nalesi sifo.
"Ntanga enkulumeni yakhe yokugcina uSindi wathi ngibosebenza, ngilwe ngize ngisehlule lesi sifo. Angiboni ukuthi angajabula ukungibona ngigoqe izandla ngimlilela."
"Nxese ngiyaxolisa ukukwethusa kangaka Basolile, wukuthi le ndaba yenu iyangimangaza ngoba naye uMveli usengiphendukele esiswini njengotshwala kula malanga."
"Hhayi bo! Ngixoxele kwenzekeni emini" Amdonse ngengalo amgone. Athule uSindi okomuntu ongazimisele ukuqhubeka nale ndaba. "Ngitshele s'thandwa sami, musa ukungishayisa uvalo." Athi angasho njalo asikitaze isithandwa sakhe uMveli ezincengela. Bagigitheke bobabili?
Wageqa amagula ngempilo yakhe uSindi, waxolisa nangawo wonke amanga ayevamise ukumtshela wona uMveli.
"Awu baba, kanti nawe usakwazi ukugijima," kusho uMveli ehlangabeza uyise, ehleka.
"S'thandwa, uyangizwa Yimi uMveli.?
"Bengicabanga ukuthi uzoke uphumule namuhla s'thandwa, kusobala ukuthi wena nogogo niyizithupha ziya ogwayini." Balale bobabili yinsini.
"Ubucabanga ukuthi singahamba nini mntakwethu" Akhombise okukhulu ukujabula uBasolile, ingani ukuya eGoli bekungelinye lamaphupho akhe eminyaka?
Singamphenduli uMveli isalukazi, sisukume siqonde ekamelweni laso. Sithi singasithela basale besihleba.
"Hawu, wahleka wedwa baba kwenzenjani" kubuza uMamkhize ebeka isicathulo phambi kwakhe?
"S'thandwa, ngicela ungisize ngokuklabela ikhabishi neshaladi sizokwenza isalad, mina ngizopheka irice nesitshulu."
"Kulungile dokotela ngizohlala ngilinde." Nembala wahlala walinda. Wathi ukufundafunda okwezincwajana okwakusetafuleni elaliphambi kwakhe, kwala wezwa kumhlala enhliziyweni. Wabuka izindonga zale ngosi ahlezi kuyo wafikelwa ngumcabango kaSindi. Wakhumbula indlela uvalo olwamshaya ngayo mhla eqala ukuzwa ukuthi unalesi sifo. Lo mcabango wamenza ukuthi agcine esevungazela yedwa.
"Akujiki ntanga sengihlabene mina kababa," usho uphefumulela phezulu wukujabula uMfaniseni. Ahlale phansi. "Mveli ntanga yethu, angisapholisi maseko, ngizothumela umalume uMbonambi ukuyongilobolela kwaLabase." Avele aqhume yinsini uMveli ezwa lelo. "Wena futhi, nguwe ongasho njalo Ingani mina wangibona ngiwuhlanya uma ngishiseka ngoSindi Ngiyethemba usuyabona manje ukuthi inxeba lendoda alihlekwa.?
"Wo! mntanomuntu, ungayikhulumi leyo. Ukuhamba komfowethu noMaZondo kwangishiya kolukhulu ubishi!" Asukume uLabase aqonde esangweni. Ingani naye wayesebalekela ukuthelwa yizinyembezi azibona emehlweni omkakhe.
"Ngena," kuphendula uNelile. Kungene okomfanyana, kubingelele, bavume.
"Kusasa masiye kudoctor."
Enyakatho nedolobha laseGoli eRandburg kwakunendawo eyayibizwa ngokuthi yiHIV/AIDS Salvage Centre. Kwakuyindawo eyayaziwa kakhulu ngokuqwashisa umphakathi ngesifo sengculazi. Kule ndawo kwakubuye kufundiswe bonke abanalesi sifo indlela yokuziphatha, nempilo okufanele bayiphile. Kanti futhi yayibuye ibe yikhaya kubo ngokubabonela ngokuya ethunjini kanye nemishanguzo yalesi sifo. Le ndawo yosizo oluyivelakancane, abantu base beyethe igama elithi kukwaS'jumbana ngoba ovela khona wawumbona ngosakazana wemphuphu yamabele kanye nezishumpana zemithi.
"S'thandwa sesinonyaka sishadile mina ngibona sekufanele sibe nengane," kusho uMveli.
"Siyeke Mpho lesi salukazi, isikhathi saso siyeza, ngizoyisolva indaba yaso. Sidelela kabi, senza sengathi lowaya muzi ngowaso."
Kulapha-ke lapho kuhlala khona uSindi nomgani wakhe uMpho ongowokudabuka kwelaseLesotho. USindi uxoxela uMpho iqhinga alenzile lokulahla umkhondo.
"Ungesabi s'thandwa, ngeke ingiphathe kabi. Ngixoxele kwenzekeni emini?
"Ngiyasola nami akayedwa nkosikazi, ngoba nakhu usenza izinto ezenziwa ngumuntu ongaphilile ekhanda. Le nto ayenzile yinyovademu, yisitshulu sikamesisi uqobo lwaso." Bathule babhekane wukumangala. Kuthi ngelikade, kwale kuhele kuMaMkhize ngomntanakhe.
"MaLabase nina bakaMdladla kaNonyanda, ngizilahla phansi phambi kwenu. Ngicela ningicelele kuMvelinqangi ongumdali wezulu nomhlaba, ongumninimandla wonke, amandla okusinqoba lesi sifo." Wathi angawuqeda lowo mkhuleko wakhe omfushane, wazizwa efikelwa yisibindi.
"Ntanga angifuni nokwazi ngaleya ngane. Ubaba ngisakhula wangidonsa ngendlebe, wathi ngingalingi ngivumele ivezandlebe ekhaya ngoba usiko lwakithi alukuvumi lokho."
"Sawubona mkhulu," kubingelela okomfanyana. Ethuke acishe awe esigqikini ahleli kuso.
"We Mveli!," asho asondele. "Ucabanga ukuthi kumnandi kimi ngale nto oyenza kuBasolile Konje nina madoda nicabanga ukuthi thina bantu besifazane asinayo imizwa Ngizombhekelwa ngubani mina uBasolile hhe Ngiphendule!?
"Kwenziwani lapha Ekabani le mali engaka" kubuza uNqoko ophethe ithimba lamaphoyisa?
"Cha, wukuthi sathi ukuhixizisana ngamagama emva kokuhlaselwa ekhaya yileziya zigelekeqe."
"Ngibonga ukukufica Sibiya," kuphendula uLabase. Bathi ukuncokola ngezabo kwazise kudala bagcinana. Selokhu bagcinana mhla uSibiya ezobethela kwaLabase emva kokutholwa kwempaka eyayizungeza isibaya, kusobala ukuthi yayibambekile ngoba yaze yabonwa ngumelusi ezokhipha izinkomo inhlazane. Kwathi bangaqeda ukuxoxa ezabo uLabase wangena odabeni eze ngalo.
"Yebo Basolile ngiyagula, leyo ingenye yezindaba ebengizokuxoxela yona."
"Ini! Yini le ositshela yona Mveli" uLabase ubuziswa ukwethuka nokushaqeka?
"Mnumzane Labase, ngibona ukuthi kufanele ukhulume naloya dokotela wakho oseGoli ngoba lolu cwaningo lwenziwa kwesinye sezibhedlela zakhona," kuchaza udokotela ephetha inkulumo yakhe.
"S'thandwa ngeke sife, sizokulwa sisinqobe lesi sifo, futhi nawe sengiyakuxolela ngakho konke okwenzekile.", usho ehlala embhedeni eceleni komkakhe. USindi owayelokhu ekhale njalo, wathi angezwa la magama wathula. Wavuka embhedeni wahlala ngezinqe, wabukisisa indoda yakhe okomuntu oqala ukuyibona. Kwamkhanyela ukuthi iqinisile ngoba lobuya buhlungu ayebubona emehlweni ayo babungasekho.
"Hhayi wena! Why?
Endleleni sebebuyela ekhaya waqala wachiphiza uSindi. Wayethi uma ebuka umyeni wakhe zehle, zigobhoze izinyembezi ngoba wayebona kahle ukuthi isenzo asenze kuye sokumlethela ukufa ngeke asixolele nanini.
Iyime emthumeni kuMveli, amathe abuyele kwasifuba.
"Bangishiye ngoba ngifake lamahhudlu asindayo, ukube bengifake izincabulela zami bebengeke bangibone nalapho ngishone khona." Balale bonke yinsini.
"Ngaba nenhlahla ngoba kwathi lishona ngabe sengiwutholile umsebenzi wasemakhishini, kuye lo mlungu engize ngagugela kuye," sithi singasho njalo simoyizele sodwa isalukazi.
"Ngizonibikela maShenge ukuthi kusasa ngisa lezi zinkomo zenu eGoli, ukuyolobolela umzukulu wenu uMveli. Ngizophelekezelwa ngumzala, uNdlangamandla. Ngiyacela-ke nina bakaNonyanda, bakaNqobokazi omnyama ukuthi nihambe nathi, nisilonde kulolu hambo, ninxuse namaNdlovu abe khona, MaShenge!" Ashaye izandla, aqoqe imali amemeze umkakhe, naye eze ngokushesha okukhulu.
Ikhehla elingumantshingelane wesikole elalimi buqamama nesango lababuka maqede lanikina ikhanda. "Lafa elihle kakhulu, kanti nezifundiswa ziyizishimane" lizibuza lodwa. Bathi bangaphuma emabaleni esikole nalowo wabamba indlela eya kubo?
"Mnumzane Labase uzokhumbula ukuthi igazi lakho ngize ngalithatha izihlandla zaze zaba mbili ngoba ngifuna isiqiniseko somphumela walo. Ngiye ngalisa kochwepheshe abaphethe umnyango wezempilo, nabo bafike bavumelana nombono wami. Konke lokhu bengikwenziswa ngoba kunesimanga engisibona kulo." Athi angasho njalo asukume udokotela amxhawule. Kuhlwe kuMveli ukuthi udokotela uqondeni.
Isenzo sikaMveli samthokozisa kakhulu uLabase kangangoba kwathi emva kwamaviki ambalwa wathumela umkhongi wakhe kwaMaseko ukuyomcelela ubuhlobo obuhle. Waya khona umkhongi eseqhuba ubhisi oshisha phansi. AbakwaMaseko bamemukela ngezandla ezimhlophe. Kwathi ingafezwa yonke imininingwane mayelana nokuganiselana kwanqunywa ilanga lomshado.
"Kade baba behambile, uma ngingaphosisi sebefikile manje edolobheni."
"Sengathi kunemoto engena esangweni laphaya ekhaya," kusho uNelile kubazali bakhe. Baphakamise amehlo bonke babheke ekhaya. "NguMveli!" asho elilahla phansi igeja uNelile, egijima eqonda ekhaya. Nakubazali bakhe kwaba yiso sona leso. Akekho owatshela omunye, asala phansi amakhuba, kwaba nguwashiywa beqonde ekhaya. Yafika muva kunabo bonke insizwa endala, ikhefuzela, ijuluke imanzi nte.
"Kukhulu angifihlela khona s'thandwa, ngisho ngoba naye ngesikhathi engitshela le ndaba ngimbonile ukuthi wethukile."
"Uthini na Mveli, uthi le ngane ibisikhalela ukuhamba noSindi iqala ngqa ukumbona" ubuza nje ucabanga sengathi uMveli usenga ezimithiyo?
"Shesha uze lapha, uyihlo uyakufuna." Eze egijima uNelile, ekhotha iminwe ngoba unina wabe embize esadla.
Kwasekungunyaka wesibili uSindi ephethwe yilesi sifo, simudla ehamba naso. Yize wayelwa naso ndlela zonke, kodwa umzimba wawulokhu uzaca imihla namalanga, nokukhwehlela okwakwenza afikelwe yiphika kunganqamuki. Lokhu kwaze kwabangela ukuthi alale esibhedlela. UMveli wayengapheli esibhedlela eza imihla namalanga ukuzombona.
