Waphumela ngaphandle uPamela ukuze ashaywe ngumoya. Wazilula, wazamula, engalibele wukubhekisisa esangweni uma kukhona ongenayo. Nokho wayeqaphela ukuthi akabonakali ukuthi ungubani. Wabuyela emotweni esegijima njengoba kwase kukhala iselula yakhe. Wangena wayigxavula engasabhekanga ukuthi ngubani ofonayo.
Wayesazama ukubhekisisa ukuthi ngubani lona ongena engasangqongqozanga endlini yakhe.
"Mama, yiqiniso leli elibhalwe nguZonke kule ncwadi Ziphi izingane zami Uke wafika uZonke lapha ekhaya" umbuza nje usemhlahlele amehlo?
"Usabani ngoba mina ngisiza wena?
Zangena izintombi ezihlalweni ezingemumva, zibonakala nje ukuthi zithukile.
"Seng'khona, ngasho ngathi iyohlangana inkawu nesikhwebu," washo njalo wayelitheza phezulu kuZongile ngomlenze wetafula.
Umbono wakhe uNkomo wawukhulumela phansi sakuhlebeza njengoba noZimu waze wasondeza indlebe. Loyo mbono wawutusa kakhulu uZimu ezibonela nje naye ukuthi ukuhamba kwale ngane akuntando kayise wayo. Wawuseka ngokugcwele umbono uZimu ethasisela ngokuthi kwaba yiphutha kwasekuqaleni ukuthi umakoti wakwakhe aye kofunda eseceliwe. Pho kwakungekho okwakungenziwa ngoba kwakuncengwa ingane ukuthi igcine ivumile ukujutshwa nguyise. Empeleni yena wayebonga nakho nje ukuthi ihambe yabuya le ezintabeni zakoDlangezwa.
"Kade ngifonele uThula. Uthi wena awumtshelanga lutho ngokulandwa kwami," ubuza nje umincile ulinde noma yini.
"Yebo bab-, yimina uZongile. Ngicela ukukubona ngokushesha kuyaphuthuma."
"Udadewethu wakhe le eKranskop," washo waze walahla ingalo ekhomba lapho naye engazi khona nokuthi kungakuphi.
"Hhayi unemigilingwane nalo Nyoka wakhona," washaya izandla umama wabantu waqhubeka nomsebenzi, esejatshuliswa nangukuthi umsebenzi awusazukumphelela ngendlela abecabanga ngayo.
"Eyi mntanami, kusinda kwehlela," washo ngelinosizi iphimbo uMaNgwenya. Waqhubeka nokuchazela umntanakhe uZongile ukuthi uyise akezwa mshini ngokukhipha imali yokugwazela umsebenzi eMgungundlovu.
Wayilanda yonke inkulumo uGiyani elokhu ememeza esekhohlwe nawukuthi kumele umama uNtulo angayizwa ingxoxo. Wathasisela nangokuchaza ayengakubuziwe, etshela uZonke ukuthi yilokhu ahamba ayikho intombi eyake yafika noNyoka.
"Uyabona-ke nje uThula mukhiphe ngoba ungumuntu ozithulelayo njengegama lakhe futhi ongajwayelene namuntu ngaphandle kwami. Nguye uPhumla lona, kusobala ukuthi watshela uPamela ukuthi wena walandwa yisithuthuthu yena wasala. Lokhu okunguPamela kwavele kwayifunda ivaliwe. Into engcono kumele nihlangane edolobheni ninoThula. Awunazo izimpahla eziningi angithi?
Wafaka imoto egalaji wadlulela endlini, wadlula waya ekameleni wazivalela khona. Wazizwa emkhumbule kakhulu umkakhe. Wathatha i-album enezithombe zabo zomshado. Wayivula elokhu eyibukisisa ngesikhulu isineke. Wake wama ekhasini lapho wayanga khona umkakhe. Wayekhumbula kahle ukuthi yingesikhathi umfundisi ebanika igunya lokuqabulana phambi kwezihlwele. Waphenya waze wavula lapho babefunzana khona ikhekhe lomshado.
"Phela ngingaba yinhlekisa le ngasekhaya nakubazali bami uma bengangibona sengibuya ngingasaqashwanga kulo msebenzi ebengiwuthwele ngeqoma. Manje-ke angazi-ke ukuthi yinto yanini indaba yendawo ngoba laphaya kwaDube banginike usuku lwanamuhla nakusa kuphela ukuqoqa ngihambe khona. Bathe nje elakusasa lingangishoneli emagcekeni akhona," waze wahlahla amehlo uZongile kucaca nje ukuthi uma lingamshonela elakusasa kuzombhedela.
"Akangitshelanga lutho uNyoka ngendaba yakho."
"Okay ladies, good luck and good night. Ningalenzi iphutha kusasa, nihambe kahle," walayitha ugwayi omusha engasayingeni eyesinqamu.
UPamela wayesezame wahluleka ukuphaphamisa uZongile ayesemchele nangamanzi ebusweni kodwa enganyakazi kwakunyakaza. Kwahlaluka kuyena engengane ukuthi uZongile useyolusa amadada. Esekubonile wakukholwa lokho, uPamela wathuka waze waphaphatheka ngoba okwase kwenzekile kwakungenhloso yakhe. Wayaluza nendlu yonke esesaba nokuphuma ebona ukuthi hleze bakhona abazwile ngesikhathi kuliwa, azothi uma evula babone lomhlola owase wehlile. Nokho wazitshela ukuthi cishe kabezwanga ngenxa yomsakazo naye awufice uklabalasa.
"Indaba yenu," wanikina ikhanda uPamela. "Ngiyanidinga nobabili; kunodaba okumele siluxoxe.'' Washo uPamela wababuka bobabili emehlweni kuhle kwephoyisa lihlola izigebengu ukuthi yiqiniso lodwa yini ezilikhulumayo.
"Ngiyasaba baba ukulala lapha ekhaya ngingesihlobo futhi singathandani nawe. Nalokhu okwenzeka nje yingoba ngangihluphekile, namanje unembeza usangidla ngaleso senzo sami. Nginovalo nje ukuthi uma kungavela ukuthi angisagcwele, ngiyothini kubazali bami," wadabukisa uZongile esecwebe nezinyembezi.
"NguNyoka, sawubona" wayekhuluma sakuhlebeza. "Yebo Zola, yimina. Ngisedolobheni ngicela ukukubona ngaphambi kokubonana noThula," wayeshaya ngezimfuphi ukuze kongeke imali.
"Uze ungalinge nje mama usho ukuthi ifike nami le ntombazane, ngiyakucela impela," wakhipha imali eyiphepha uNyoka wayifumbathisa umama owayamukela wabonga wayishutheka emabeleni.
Wathula nya uZongile wangaba nampendulo, sekumcacela ukuthi kwaloyo msebenzi athenjiswe wona kungenzeka angabe esawuthola. Ukuthula okwase kukhona kwaphazanyiswa yiselula kaNyoka eyasho ngomnandi umlozi lona. Wayidumela, wayiphendula engasabhekanga nokuthi kuvele inombolo kabani.
Ngesikhathi abangani bekhuluma ngokufonela umzala kaPhumla, uPamela Mvubu, kwaphazamisa ukukhala kweselula kaPhumla. Wayithi nhla kanye inombolo yofonayo washo sakuhlebeza wathi 'nguyena'.
"Uyazi impela indaba yakho" wangena endlini uNyoka. Wakhuphukela ekhishini wafica umama uNtulo esephaka ukudla kwakusihlwa.
"Kukangaki nje ucela uxolo, ngikuxolele njengomyeni wami, uphinde futhi wenze okufanayo Kukungaki nje Zola Awusho ngani uma ungasangifuni, ngikushiye ngokuthula emzini wakho Ungizwiselani ubuhlungu obungaka Zola Ngenzeni ngempela kuwena" wabihlika wakhala?
"Mina baba ngifisa okungathi ungabuya ukuze ngingaze ngiboshelwe ubala," uMaNgwenya wayekhala esakhe, ezizwa eshaywa nguvalo uma ecabanga ngolaka lwephoyisa.
"Phela besengithi uyangilaxaza. Phela umuntu kuthiwa ngumalal' ephenduka," esho ngezwi eligcwele intokozo engaphelele.
"Into engcono ngukuthi wena ugibele kusasa lokhu okusayo uze lapha eMaritzburg. Mhlawumbe kwayena u-Director uzoyizwa kangcono indaba yakho esekubona ngamehlo uphambi kwakhe. Uyakubona lokho Zo?
"Ngiyazazi izithembiso Zonke. Awusho kahle mkami, ngubani lona okutshela zonke lezi zindaba ezisixabanisayo Ngubani ngempela lona omvumelayo ukuthi angene agamanxe emshadweni wethu" wayezama ukuziba eyezifungo nezithembiso ayazi kahle ukuthi usakuphula wakuphoqoza?
Ngicela umfonele bandla Thula, mina sengishaywa yimali," yasho yakhononda imfonomfono isifuna ukudizelwa ngesiwohlo sohlweza. Wabakaza uZongile. "Njengamanje usemhlanganweni," esho ngokushesha uThula.
Yathi cosololo inhliziyo kumama uNtulo esebona uZonke ebuya kungazange kuzwakale ubumayemaye. Engqondweni kwamkhanyela ukuthi ubeqinisile uZongile uma ethi abathandani noNyoka. Wazibuza wangathola mpendulo ngokuyikho okulethe lo mntwana kwaNyoka. Wayesebuyekeza amazwi kaNyoka ngayizolo ethula lengane kuye njengesisebenzi senkampani yakhe, gwiqiqi waguquka esemcela ukuthi uZongile kuthiwe yingane kadadewabo. Wayesakukhumbula kahle ukushaywa kukaPamela naye okwathiwa uyisisebenzi kanti kudlalwa umlabalaba.
"Usuzama ukungiphika yini Nyoka?
"Shut up! Uma uqhubeka nokungenza isilima ngizokwenza isilo sengubo manje, hhayi kusasa. Uma uthi awuqomene noNyoka pho naniyokwenzani naye e-Ascott Bush Lodge" Nya impendulo kuZongile, kwacweba izinyembezi nje kuphela?
Bathe besabukana emehlweni kanjalo, saxaxama isithuthuthu, unyawo olulodwa lukaThula seluhuhuluza phansi, olunye seluphezulu.
"Uyabona kodwa ukuthi sizogcina ngokuphelelwa ngumsebenzi UNyoka ndini lo uzogcina eseswele nemali yokusiholela njengoba engasasebenzi nje. Uyayibona le ndaba?
Lokho nje kukodwa kwamenza wajabula uZonke nakhu phela wayethenjiswa nguMqondisi uqobo. Wawagcwalisa amafomu esicelo somsebenzi i-Z83, wawanika yena uNyoka. Emva kwamasonto amabili wamtshela uNyoka ukuthi uhlungelwe kwinhlolokhono. Wamazisa ngokuthi kumele 'ahleke' ukuze izinto zakhe zisheshe zimlungele. Enokudideka uZonke ukuthi ukhuluma ngani uNyoka, wahluba udlubu ekhasini emtshela ngezinkulungwane zamarandi okumele agwaze ngazo. Yashona phansi inhliziyo kaZonke ngenxa yokwazi ukuthi angeke nhlobo abe nayo leyo mali engaka. Wakhumbula umngani wakhe uSolwazi u-Eagle ukuthi nguyena obengamboleka. Naye kwase kunesikhathi ecela uZonke ukuba amvakashele phesheya kwezilwandle.
"Ngiphathwa kabi ngukuthi ngubani lo nogada wakho okutshela izindaba ezixova umuzi wethu" wabuza uNyoka waze wajamela umkakhe ngamehlo anolakana olungathi shu?
Wathi angangena lapho kwamukelwa khona izivakashi, wacisha iso wadlula. Wakhuphuka ngekheshi laye lamuthi qithi esitezi sesine. Wayengafuni ukwehla ngqo lapho aya khona enovalo lokuthi mhlawumbe lizothi lifika ikheshi kanti nangu uZongile naye ulinde lona, eseqede nakugeza lokho. Wanyuka ngokushesha ezitebhisini esekhumbula nosuku mhla ehla kuzona endiza ngejubane ebalekiswa amanxeba. Kwaba ngukufika nje esitezi sesihlanu, wathi lungu ephasiji, wangabona lutho olusolisayo, waqonda ngqo esicabheni esibhalwe unombolo- 03.
"Uma echaza uthi wena wamqambela amanga kuNyoka. Uthi wathi yena wayezokuhlasela ekhaya, ephethe isibhamu esikhulu nesincane, wathi nje uma wena ungahambi ekhaya, kuzophuma isidumbu. Kodwa wena Zo wawusuyikhulumelani into engekho" wamgqolozela?
Umdudla onguZonke owawusushiye nezicathulo, usuthacazela ngezinyawo, washayisana ngesifuba nomama owayedondolozela ethushuka ekhoneni. Balahleka phansi bobabili, uZonke wawela phezu kwetafula lezithelo, zachitheka zagcwala isitaladi, wawela kobhanana bapitshika patsha.
Waphuma ekameleni esephethe i-DVD yomshado wabo. Wayesedelile wukubukana nezithombe ezingakhulumi, esefuna ukubuka izithombe ezinyakazayo. Waqhamukela kuthelevishini wathola itshe lome inhlama zingekho izingane zakhe eziyithanda kabi ithelevishini. Engabe kwenzenjani namuhla onkabimalanga bengekho phambi kwethelevishini Ngesikhathi esezokwehla ezitebhisini, kwaqhamuka umama uNtulo ephethe ipheshana. Wama khimilili uNyoka, amehlo ethe ne kokuphethwe ngumama uNtulo?
"Kahle Zola ngalezo, siyobuye sizixoxe uma sekufike isikhathi sazo. Okwamanje asilwe nale nkinga yokuthi ngizophuma ngishone kuphi kusasa uma sengihamba kwaDube." Wamgqolozela ngamehlo athambile, ingasekho yonke leya nkani yokubhoka uma uNyoka ekhuluma ezothando.
"Kubalulekile ngoba ukube ayikutsheli leyo mpimpi yakho kungabe asixabani kanjena lapha ekhaya. Ngitshele ukuthi ngubani lona ofuna ukusihlukanisa." Wazenza odinwayo.
Babakaza abahlali bonke bebukana emehlweni.
"Ngizimisele Zonke wami. Ngicela ungikholwe Mpongo yami," wayeseze watshekisa nekhanda.
UZongile wayesekuqaphelile ukuthi iningi labaqwayizi kwakuyizitshudeni zasenyuvesi. Lokho wayekubona ngokuthi zaziveza amakhadi azo kuThula ukuze azinike isaphulelo. Izindawo okwakulalwa kuzona zazingamagumbi ayisithupha. Njengoba amakamelo okulala ayemabili nje, elinye lalilala uZongile, elinye selidatshulwe kahle ngomasonathi laba ngamagunjana amane. Indlu yokuphumula neyayinkulu nayo yayihlukaniswe amagumbi amane, amathathu amancanyana kanye nelikhudlwana okwakuyihhovisi likaThula, abuye alale kulo kanti kwakulindelwa nakulo uma kusagcwele emagumbini.
UZonke wayesevele ezazi izinto eziningi ngempilo yomqashi wakhe. Wayengumapheka ethulula, isoka lamanyala. WayenguMqondisi-jikelele emnyangweni kahulumeni. Lokho wayekuthole emaphephandabeni ayeke aphume kuwona ekhuluma ngomsebenzi wakhe. Nakho nje ukufika kwezikhulu ezahlukene kuhlanganisa noNgqongqoshe woMnyango kwenza konke kube sobala ukuthi usebenzela isikhulu sikahulumeni. Yikho lokho okwenza ukuthi ngelinye ilanga amqonde ngqo ngokuthi amzame ngomsebenzi ofanelwe yimfundo yakhe. Wayesanda kubona ephepheni kuphume inqwaba yezikhala zomsebenzi eMnyangweni wakhe, ebone kahle ukuthi uma ezithela ngabandayo uzodla udaka.
Lase liphelile ishumi leminyaka enguMqondidi-jikelele eMnyangweni kahulumeni. UNgqongqoshe woMnyango loyo kwakungumngani wakhe omkhulu njengoba babefunda ndawonye ngeminyaka yama-80 esikoleni i-Georgetown High eYideni. Ngaleyo minyaka yibo ababeba ngongqaphambili ekuhleleni nasekugqugquzeleni iziteleka zesikole. Wathi eboshwa umngani wakhe e-Robben Island, ngamacala okuvukela umbuso, yena wayeqhubeka nemfundo yakhe ephakeme esifundazweni saseFree State.
"Ngomunye umuntu lona," wanikina ikhanda uZongile. Wacabanga wazika ngokuthi lo muntu othula kanjena engabe umeshele nhloboni uPhumla oyiqhalaqhala kanjena.
Waphuma umama u-Eagle endlini, wandizela phesheya kwezilwandlwe nezingane zakhe. Yangena impohlo enguNyoka esithabathabeni somuzi kanokusho. Kwaya njengamagama enkehli, waqhubeka nokusebenza uZonke kwaze kwaba uphothula izifundo zakhe enyuvesi.
"Uyabona ukuthi ungilimaze kanjani wena doti Kuthi angikuphinde, khona uzophaphama," wayesho esondela kancane ngakuyena kungathi usola okuthile. "Vuka, musa ukuzifisa ngoba ngizokubulala ngempela mina uma uzenzisa," wayezama ukumthusa ukuze avuke?
"Nguwena umuntu O," washo ngomoya ophansi.
Wathatha ngomoya ophansi wathi: Uyabona Zongile ngicela ungisize ungangibhidlizeli umuzi wami. Umkami unolaka olubi kabi, uma nje engezwa ukuthi kanti sithandana ngempela, bungachitheka bugayiwe. Angisayiphathi-ke eyokuthi usuze wakhulelwa, engakudla luhlaza. Ngakho le nto yakho ngicela sivele siyiqede, iphelele la kuthina sobabili, ingadluleli nje komunye umuntu. Siyezwana Zongile?
Wawahlahla kakhulu uNyoka amehlo, wabuza ngokushesha wathi: Wenzenjani, usibhalile isitatimende?
Ngaphakathi bafica insizwa eyayisiqinile ihleli kusofa. Yayibukeka iseminyakeni angamashumi amane nengxenye. Kwakuwuswahla lwensizwa eyilambalidlile, igqoke amaphijama endwangu kasilika. Lo mlisa wayehleli kusofa efuquza ugwayi omude, ozacile. Sezingenile izintombi wawucisha, wayalela uThula ukuba avule amawindi. Wenze njalo uThula wabe esephuma ngaphandle kokuvalelisa.
Wabamba umlomo uPhumla egcizelela ukuthi ubengaboni nhlobo ukuthi nguThula lona. UPhumla waqhweba uZongile owathi efika wabe esewugqokile umakalabha wakhe uThula. Wamangala noZongile uma esetshelwa ukuthi nguThula lona abebemlindele ukuthi uzoqhamuka ngemoto. Wayikhiphake uPhumla inyavunyavu yemali esikhwameni sakhe leso esincane. Wayigagula ukuthi iyizinkulungwane ezingaki. Uthe esethi uyayibala wamhebeza uThula emtshela ukuthi makayilethe injalo uzoyibala phambili.
Wayeshaywa nguvalo nje umama uNtulo, wayemazi kahle uZonke ukuthi alufakwa lubuya nodaka kuyena. Wayenesibhaxu esibi ezintombini zikaNyoka ayezifica kwakhe. Wayeziqoba ngesiqwayi esiyigqigqi kuze kulamule yena esebona ukuthi kuyoze kuphume isidumbu uma ewuhlaba inhlali. Okwakudida ngukuthi ngubani lona owayemluma indlebe ngokuthi kukhona intombi ekhona ngalelo langa. Kwakuba ngukufika kwentombi nje, afike ngisho naphakathi kwamabili uZonke. Kuthi ekuseni noma ngaso kwesikabhadakazi kusuke lokho kube wubumayemaye sekuqhuma isiqwayi.
Wayesezichazile uZonke ukuthi usebenzela Olundi, wazisho noZongile ukuthi yena ubefunda eNyuvesi yasOngoye futhi engumuntu ohambela umkhosi woMhlanga. Kwacaca kuZonke ukuthi wayembona emkhosini naye awuhambela minyaka yonke eyobuka ubuhle bendalo ezintombini zesizwe. Wavalelisa uZonke ebika indlela anayo. Wathembisa ukuthi kungenzeka uZongile amdinge ezinhlelweni zomnyango. Wamazisa ukuthi useyoxhumana nomama uNtulo abaxhumanise.
Washoshela uPamela kuZongile owayesehlehle waze wavinjwa ngamakhabethe. Wahlala wawodwa vo umvimbo wemvubu kuZongile, eyavundla emabeleni yaye yakopela ehlombe. Wadonsa indishi eyayinamanzi ayenamazambane ayesecwecwiwe eyimisweswe, wayijikijela kuPamela. Uthe esasula amanzi ayesavuza ebusweni uPamela, esusa namazambane ayegaxele esiphikeni sejazi, wayeseliphethe ngesandla ibhodwe lelayisi uZongile. Wathi gaga uPamela esikaza ukusondela, waliphonsa uZongile. UPamela wasindiswa ngukuthi amanzi ayesebhodweni ayengakabili kodwa eseshisa bhe.
Sesishayile sadlula isikhathi asitshelwe nguThula okuvame ukubuya ngaso uZongile. Kungenzeka yini ukuthi konje uThula ubedlala ngami phezu kokumkhokhela imali engaka yokukhipha lo layini Yathi ingamxaka imibuzo ayezibuza yona uPamela, wahosha iselula yakhe wafona, sekuthe xhifi enhliziyweni?
"Ngizoke ngibheke ukhiye ukuthi ngisenawo yini," washo wawuphuthaza emakhukhwini ezingubo azigqokile.
"Nx! Uyazi wena ukhohlakele kabi. Ulala emzini wami izolo, ngixoxa nawe nje ekuseni ungibuka ubuwula. Ubolibongisisa idlozi lakho ngoba ukube bese ngazi ngawe bengizokuqoba ngesiqwayi ngiqede lubuqili onabo. Njengoba uqomene noNyoka uyamazi ukuthi ushadile?
"Eyi ngiyezwa," esho ngephimbo elikhathazekile uNyoka. "Wena kukhona yini kanti owakutshela uPhumla ngemfihlo yethu?
"Ngizohlala Olundi, endlini kahulumeni, ngiyoze ngize lapha uma usushintshile. Ngicela ungisize bandla ungangifoneli futhi ungavakashi. Ngicela isicelo sami usihloniphe," waphuma uZonke washiya uNyoka ebambelele esiphongweni okomuntu osekele ikhanda alizwa lizimuka selibukeka limsinda.
"Yini ubefunani" usehlahle amehlo?
"Imali, imali yani Ungubani wena ongifuna imali Ungazela kuphi" embuza ngokunyipha?
Wamoyizela kancane uZongile. "Ngiya ekhaya, eKranskop."
UPhumla wabheka umngani wakhe ngokumxwaya, ezwa indaba yokuthandana kukaZongile noNyoka ivuthwa. Washalaza uZongile amehlo akhe wawahloma phansi, esesaba ukubabheka bobabili ayenabo endlini.
"Mina angiyazi le ndaba yenu nomzala," anikine ikhanda njengomuntu ozama ukukhumbula okuthile. "Ubekufuna ngabomvu amehlo lawa, futhi nje ukube ukutholile bekuzokwenzeka amanyala," elokhu elinikine njalo ikhanda uPhumla.
"Awuhlukane nami phansi, mina ngifuna ukuya ekhaya!" washo ngesankahlu uZongile, isandla leso esesintshinge le kude.
"Bazosiphazamisa laba, kungcono siyoziphumulela evulandi," wasukuma uNyoka waphenya ikhethenisi elikhulukazi, kwavela isicabha samagilasi, wasivula baphumela evulandi, ebonakala kodwa nokho uZongile ukuthi akakaswabuluki kahle hle.
"Awu! Wena futhi usufuna ukubona mina Sekwenzenjani" esho ngendelelo?
Wazisola ngokumletha endaweni enje ekubeni ekhona amahhotela aphambili, asezingeni lo-five star. Pho ukungazi kufana nokungaboni, naye wayengazi. Wazibona ephaphalazile ngokugibelisa intombi esezingeni eliphakeme kanjena esithuthuthwini. Wazizwa enothando olujulile ngoZongile nakuba wayengenanhloso yokuthandana naye. Wambona engcono kakhulu kunomkakhe abatholana naye evele engasagcwele. Yamxina yangamdedela imicabango eyayikladuluka naye kuzo zonke izinkalo zengqondo. Leyo micabango yaphazanyiswa ngukuchiphiza kukaZongile, owayesezizwa engcolile futhi enecala elikhulu kubazali, emadlozini kanye nakuMvelinqangi ngosekwenzekile.
"Ukwenza isilima ngokukumema. Mina angiyiboni nento ongayiyela kwaZimu ngoba nansi inyama ofike nayo izolo," wakhomba usinyaka netwani okwakuyingqumbi phezu kwepuleti likathayela. "Utshwala nampu, intundabebhekene, buyaphihlika yingwebu, ngikugayele, manje ngempela yini nje ongathi uyoyifuna kwaZimu kusasa?
Wagaklaza isicabha waphuma uNyoka owayesetatazela kuhle kwexhegu liganiwe.
Wayizeka yonke indaba yakhe uZongile eyamvimbela ukungezi kwinhlolokhono. Wathi angaqeda nje noPhumla wayemzekela ngodaba lukaPamela. Waphika walala ngomhlane kuzo zonke izinsolo ayezibuzwa ngumngani wakhe. Wahlanza okwangayizolo ngokuthi ngayizolo ubehamba noNyoka. Wayeseyifunde ivaliwe uZongile ukuthi uma eke wavuma, angaphelelwa nayindawo yokuhlala kwaDube.
"Ngiyaxolisa Zonke, ngiyazazi ukuthi ngonile ngicela uxolo," uxolisa nje ngoba ugwema ukuthi kubuyelwe kweyezithembiso nezifungo.
Kwakunesiminyaminya sesinyokotho emgwaqeni omkhulu uSelby Msimang ophuma edolobheni uMgungundlovu. KwakunguLwesihlanu sekuyizo izikhathi zantambama, zokuphuma kwezisebenzi ezinhlobonhlobo. Zonke izimoto ezazishaye ujenga zazinwabuluka okonwabu. Kwakukhona wena tekisi, bhasi, loli, veni, sithuthuthu nezimoto ezincane ezinhlobonhlobo, zihluke ngobuhle bazo. Kulezo zimoto ezazilapho kwakukhona nohuntshu olumnyama suce, lunezinhlamvu ezithi SNAKE 2-ZN. Amehlo amaningi ayenamathele kulona njengoba lalihamba abantu ababili, bebukeka besebancane, imoto ibukeka ingaphezu kwabo ngezinga.
UPhumla owayesembonile ukuthi uZonke uyayithanda into eshayiwe, wakhetha ukuthula ebona nje ukuthi kukhona okungagcina kumthusile. Wayesachiphiza kanjalo uZongile ngezikhathi uZonke eqhuba inkulumo yakhe eyayidle ngokunqamulela.
Wayelokhu enqekuzisa ikhanda uNkomo owayezithanda izinkomo njengesibongo sakhe. UZimu owayeseneme wayesethumele izingane ukuyothenga isimehlana sikagologo omhlophe nobhiya abambalwa, esebusisa umlingani wakhe owayesemnanjana.
"Bengibona ukuthi uke uthi qu ngasekhaya kini ukuze uzwe nangecala owahamba ulivulile. Lokho kuzokhulula nabazali bakho, engicabanga ukuthi abusehli ubuthongo kubona njengoba bengakwazi ukuthi ukuphi, uphila mpiloni," ukhuluma nje ubambelele ngezandla ezihlathini, iphimbo liyandonda.
"Uzolala kulo mjondolo-ke ngoba phela ugcine unqabile ukuyolala nami. Angithandi-ke ukhulume izinto eziningi kulo mama ozolala naye lapha. Uma elokhu ekubuza izinto eziningi umkhombe kimina. Okunye-ke uma kukhona omunye nje okubuzayo ukuthi wazi bani lapha ekhaya, umtshele ukuthi uhlobene nomama uNtulo, ungu-anti wakho. Ngithemba ukuthi siyezwana-ke lapho" Wavuma uZongile?
Lokho kwaba ngukudlula kukaZongile emhlabeni ngendlela enyantisa igazi. Izifiso ezinhle ayezifikele eMaritzburg zase zishabalele okobumnyama bubona inhlamvu yelanga. Ikusasa lakhe eliqhakazile labuna okwembali ibhujiswe yisikhonyane.
Wathi eluvala uZongile wayeluthumela kuThula. Wamthola kodwa waxolisa ngokuthi akatholakali kuze kube ngemumva kwedina. Wadinwa uZongile kodwa bavumelana ngokuthi bazobonana kuphi. Wafunda kwezakhe uZongile ukuthi akatholakali ngoba kwenzenjani. Kwathi xhifi enhliziyweni uma ecabanga ukuthi kusamele alinde elinye ihora. Akusenani kodwa ngoba sengiyazi ukuthi ngizogcina ngokulandwa. Waphuma lapho wabuyela khona epaki, kungekho nokuzulazula nansi imifuqulu imjamele.
"Niyangibhedela angiyi lapho mina!" washo ngenkulu indelelo uZongile enyipha enyonkoloza izithunywa ezase zimkakile.
"Sawubona ndodakazi yami," uZimu ebhekise kuZongile okwase kumhlulile ukushalaza.
Wasivula kancane ucezu isicabha esaba ukuthi uma esithi gengelezi kungabona abaningi umonakalo namanyala ayesenzeke ngaphakathi endlini.
"Yini, kuthiwa sengenzeni-ke manje mkami Sebengiqambele amanga bathini?
"Hamba Zo, uzokushiya lo muntu. Ngizokubona usubuya."
UPamela wayezibinya, ezibhonqa kubonakala nje ukuthi usezinhlungwini ezesabekayo. UZongile wayemi eduze kweketela lamanzi ayesebila ephuma nomphusho. Kwakungekho nokulicisha njengoba wayebheke uPamela ngamehlo okhozi, engamthembi neze neze, esola ukuthi angamzuma amenze kabi.
"Mina bengazi ukuthi wena ungumzala wami, igazi lami, kodwa bengingazi ukuthi awungifuni kanjena. Ngakuzama ngomsebenzi ubhuquza. Ngancengwa nguwe wathi mangizamele nomngani wakho, ngavuma ngoba ngenziwa wukukukhonza njengomzala wami, ngijabulisa nomalume. Namuhla wena nalo mngani wakho senihlangene ngami, mina angiselutho kuwena sengiyisilima nje."
"Ngiyacela bandla baba, okwanamhlanje kuphela. Ngiyacela bandla," zacweba izinyembezi nephimbo selithanda ukugedezela kuZongile.
"Ayikho into oyixolisayo Zola, kuphela nje usaqhubeka nokungenza isilima. Ngikwazi kahle mina sengihlale nawe iminyaka. Uma uzimisele ngokushintsha angeke ushintshe manje noma kusasa. Yingakho-ke nje ngifuna ukushaywa ngumoya ukuze nawe uthole ithuba elanele lokuzincenga ukuze ushintshe, uma usazimisele ngami."
Akufani noZongile lokho mzala.
"Uzosinda, nasemsebenzini sebekukhumbule kabi," uNyoka ukhuluma nje yilokhu ebuka ubuhle benxanxathela yezitolo zase-Scottsville Plaza.
UThula wazithatha izintombi waye wazithi qithi eMbali. Ngesikhathi zingena endlini kwakusele amanenjana ligamanxe ihora leshumi nomuvo kusihlwa. Zathi zingaqeda ukudla, zaya kolala kwazise ukuthi zazingakalitholi ithuba lokukhuluma ezazo zobusha. Zaqala ngokujabulelana ngokuthi sezizosebenza emva kwesikhathi eside zibhuquza. Zavumelana ngokuthi kusasa zizophelezelana uma uZongile eseyobonana noNyoka. Nguyena uZongile owacela ukuphelezelwa ngumngani wakhe, ekhala ngokuthi idolobha leli akakalejwayeli kahle.
Loyo kwakunguThula, eduze kwakhe kuhleli uPhumla owayehleli ngokunethezeka ezihlalweni zesikhumba zaloluhuntshu. Wayeyibambe ngesinono umfokaNyathi, ngesikhathi imoto eyayimlandela imushayela amalambu imumisa. Kwakusenesikhathi eyicingisisa nokho wagcina ebonile ukuthi akayazi. Amawindi ayo ayedimile yiwona lawa ayenza kube nzima kakhulu nokubona umshayeli wayo. Imoto yathi isizofika e-Hullet Aluminium, wayichezulela egalaji uThula wathi qala esibukweni wayibona nayo imoto leyo imlandela. Wakhipha imali ngewindi uThula esho nokuthi ufuna uphethiloli wamalini. Egalaji yama nse imoto eceleni kwakhe, kwehla intokazi. Yaqonda ngqo emotweni yakhe.
UZimu naye wayecelile emsebenzini ekhona kwakhe, ememe bonke abangani bakhe ukuba bazombungaza. Wayengalikhethanga iphela emasini, wayememe ngisho noNkomo imbala ukuba naye azozibonela ubuhle bomcimbi wendodana yakhe.
"Nikhuluma ngami la endlini, hhi" Kwathi nya yangaphuma impendulo. "Wena Zongile angizophathwa nguwena kulo muzi kababa. Ngisho ungafunda ube namajazi angagcwala iwadilophu kodwa kukwami lapha, kukhala esami isicathulo. Ngakho ngithi akukho mali yokudizela umsebezi engizoyikhipha la. Wena uganile manje kwaZimu, ngakho kumele uzinze kule ndawo ukhohlwe yindaba yokuyosebenza. Uzwa kahle?
"Usenayo inkani" embona enyakaza. Ngenxa yovalo wahlehla wamela kude uPamela esaba ukuthi uma nje engavuka uZongile uzomenza kabi njengoba wayesemzwise izinhlungu zokumncisha umoya?
"Zo, ukhuluma nami nje ukhulelwe" esho emthinta isisu esasingakabonakali, saziwa ngumniniso kuphela ukuthi sikhona futhi kukhona okungaphakathi kuso?
Nebala kwakunguye ngempela uZongile ehambisana nentokazi yeNdiya ilengise oplastiki. Yangena kwelinye lamagumbi yaze yakhiya. UPamela owayefulathele ngalapho kukhulunywa ngakhona, waba nokujabula okuncane esezwa ukuthi kuyavaleliswana. Wasizwa isicabha sekamelo likaZongile sivuleka sivaleka. Wasuka inhlamvu ebheke kusona ephuthuma ukuthi uZongile angaze akhiye.
Babevulele ngaphansi kwekhala, bexoxa indaba kaZonke owake wabaqhubisa okweziboshwa eyobavulisa icala emaphoyiseni. Babehleka baze badudulane ngesikhathi bekhumbuzana ukuthi bakhipha amajubane anjani ngesikhathi sebemhlamuka, bembalekela. Babesahleka sebekhala nezinyembezi zenjabulo bekhuluma ngendlela uZonke awela ngayo phezu kwetafula lomdayisi elalinyinyitheka yizithelo namaveji, wangena uPamela ekhishini engasadle nkobe zamuntu.
Amehlo kaZongile ahlangana nawaThula owayebakaza, egwajaza, entshalantshala. UZongile owayesebovu ikhanda, wazibona engodayiswe nguThula owayengamvikela ukuba wayezimisele. Zashisa amehlo izinyembezi wathi uyazibamba wahluleka, zaphuma zishisa ziyimichilo emibili emehlweni. Wazihudula waze wangena ekameleni lakhe, waziphonsa phezu kombhede wakhala, wakhala njengentandane.
"Ngiyesaba mina Zola ukwenza leyo nto, kungcono sisale sesiyeka," washo ngelincengayo bandla uZongile esezizwa emesaba uNyoka owayekhuluma izinto ezisabisayo.
Wapaquza uZongile engasenawo nhlobo amandla okuziphephisa, uPamela emncisha umoya emkhama ngedolo. Kwalandela ukuthi ashobinge, waphunyuka wazishiya, kwanuka phuhlu endlini. Waklikliza bandla, esekweqe nehlo ezama ukukhuluma kungakhulumeki njengoba wayencishwe umoya.
"Nx! Unesikhathi sokudlala wena," wasukuma waya ewindini. "Ungangenzi ingane mina njengawe, kudala ngaba khona lapha emhlabeni. Mina angikaze ngikhulume nawe ngokuthi ngifuna ingane. Wawungahleli ngani umndeni Okokuqala lokho," wabala ngocikicane. "Okwesibili wena wathwalwa yisoka lakho emakhaya lakugoyisa isonto lonke. Manje usufuna ukungigqokisa ijazi lalo" waphakamisa umunwe wendandatho. "Okwesithathu ubuthuleleni sonke lesi sikhathi ungasho Ukube angishongo ukuthi vakasha kini, ubuyongitshela nini" wabala ngomudekazi ukutshengisa ukuthi umbuzo ungowesithathu?
Laliyithela imvula ngaleyo mini. Imigwaqo yayimanzi te, kugcwele amathantala amanzi, izimoto zinyonyoba zishaya ngolonwabu. Umsakazo Igagasi FM emotweni kaPamela wawubelesele, unxusa abashayeli ukuba bashayele ngokukhulu ukucophelela maphakathi nesifundazwe saKwaZulu-Natali, ngoba liyayidliva. Leyo mvula yayihambisana nomoyana othanda ukushubisa umkantsha.
"Uthe uyaphi" ngokukhulu ukufutheka lokhu?
"Mina mama angathandani nhlobo nobaba uNyoka. Bengimncenga emini ukuthi angihambise eMbali kepha wanqaba. Manje mina sengiyasaba-ke ukuqhubeka nokulala lapha ngoba kusho ukuthi angiphephile," wayesephaphathekile uZongile wuvalo.
Wakhala kakhulu uMaNgwenya ecela iphoyisa ukuthi lize lizozibhekela lona endlini.
"Elami-ke mlingani lithi uma nje ebuya, yinina okumele nizibonele ukuthi nenzani ngomakoti wenu. Kumele nizigadele into yenu," washo wokhela imboza yakhe uNkomo njengoba wayethi usikilidi akasawuzwa, etusa yona imboza ethi uba ukuyibhema nje akholwe.
"Ngeke ukwazi ukuya kini ngoba kwenzenjani" wanyipha kakhulu uNyoka?
Wayesekhuluma yedwa okohlanya uNyoka. Wanikina ikhanda waphuma waya ekhishini esefuna ukubuzisisa kahle kumama uNtulo ukuthi ufike nini, ehamba nobani umkakhe. Wayesedlwathuzela sekuphele nya ukuqhwaqhwaza nokuqhobonyeka abekwenza eflethini.
Wasukuma uThula wavula ifriji gengelezi, kwavela isigubhu esinamanzi sizigenqezela sodwa. Wasidumela uThula wasixhuma emlonyeni waphuza ebheke phezulu. Okhiye bemoto wayesabaphethe ngesandla, ebacoshe phezu kwetafulana elalisajikoza njengoba lacishe lavuma phansi, ngokucoshwa kokhiye nje vo.
"Ngingumuntu wesifazane, nani niyibo kepha nivumela ukuba siqhathwe ngabantu besilisa. Wena Zongile uvuma ukuba yithuluzi lokuhlukumeza mina. Kuyoze kube nini ngempela sivuma ukwenziwa amabhola ngabantu besilisa, kuyoze kube nini?
"Ngangizohlela muphi umndeni njengoba wena wangithola ngingamazi umuntu wesilisa Ngakutshela kahle ekuqaleni ukuthi uMaqhinga akangenzanga lutho. Angazi-ke ukuthi ubufuna ngikutshele nini ukuthi ngikhulelwe njengoba nami ngisanda kuzibona" wazama ukuyiphendula yonke imibuzo wabe esebheka uNyoka owayencike ngewindi esonge izingalo?
Cha mngani wami akukho okuvelile. Bengibona ukuthi ake ngiyobalunguza njengoba namatoho esanqabile nje. Kanti futhi ngijahe nokuzwa ukuthi yagcina kanjani indaba yami noMaqhinga. Phela ngahamba lena ngimvulele icala.
"Uyakushela yini O" ngezwi eliphakeme?
"Mama uNtulo, ngisize mama wami ungiqubisele le ntombazane engifike nayo. Nakhu sengizunywa ngumama walapha ekhaya, uthi usendleleni eza lapha," wathalaza uNyoka elokhu ebuka ukudla okuphezu kwetafula kunephunga eliconsisa amathe, sekuthi akasine azibethele. Umama ayekhuluma naye wayemhlonipha kakhulu uNyoka njengomqashi wakhe. Wakhophoza engezwisisi kahle ukuthi uthini uNyoka owayebukeka ethukile. Washo amazwi ambalwa kakhulu wathi: "O, yebo ngiyezwa."
Esathalaza kanjalo, yakhala iselula kaZongile, wasondela kuyo esejahe ukubona ukuthi ngubani lona ofonayo. Lwamshaya lwameqa uvalo esebona ukuthi nguPhumla ofonayo. Yalila yaze yazithulela njengoba wayibuka nje wangayiphendula. Esaxakwe yilokho, kwezwakala ukungqongqoza nokwamenza wacishe wazishiya ngenxa yovalo. Wasondela kancane esaba nokubuza ukuthi ngubani loyo, wabuzela phansi.
Bathe nje beqeda ukuphuza iziphuzo zabo, kwangena izinganyana zabafana ezingamawele. Ngaphandle kokubingelela, zavula ithelevishini zingazange zithole imvume kubantu abadala abalapho. Wazibuka uNyoka wabe esebuka uZongile owayesamangazwe yisenzo sezingane ezase zibanga umsindo zigida kosofa. Wazibuza uZongile ukuthi engabe iphi le nhlonipho ezinganeni zikaNyoka abekhala ngayo kuyena emahoreni ambalwa.
Ugwayi katiki owawunqunywe yiphoyisa nawo wawushoshela. UMaNgwenya wayethatha ebeka, esefana nophanjanelwe yingqondo ngenxa yokuxinwa yisinxe semicabango. Wayengazi ukuthi uzothi uphi uZongile mhla selibuya iphoyisa elinolaka.
"Mina ufuna ngikubize ngegama kodwa uPhumla noThula bakubiza ngobaba. Ngicela ungichazele leli gunya enginalo lokukubiza ngegama lakho bona abangenalo."
Emagcekeni aseParadise Mansion kwakukhona izimoto zabahlali nezezivakashi. Phakathi kwalezo zimoto, kwakukhona nekaPamela. Lase liphelile ihora elinde emotweni yakhe, amehlo elokhu ewahlome ngasesangweni lezinyawo. Ithemba lase liqala ukumphelela ngokuthi useza lo muntu amlindile. Wayelokhu elithi jeqe iwashi lakhe elishibhile elase liphucukile umbala walo osagolide. Kwakuba ngukuqhamuka kothile engena esangweni, amgqolozele emawindini emoto emnyama bhuqe. Kwakuba ngukubona ukuthi akuyena lona amfunayo, anxaphe anikine ikhanda.
"Inyaniso mntanami, angimazi ngempela ukuthi ukuphi lo mntwana. Ngikholwe, angeke ngiqambe amanga ngimdala ngingaka. Ngiqinisile uma ngithi angimazi lapho ekhona," wahlala phansi okumuntu osephelelwa ngamandla.
Wayamukela uNyoka ngokuxwaya, ngesandla sobunxele njengoba esinye siphethe i-DVD. Kwamumangaza ukuthi uqale nini manje uZonke ukumbhalela izincwadi. Wayivula incwadi uNyoka, wathola kubhalwe imigqa emibalwa.
"Ungifihlelelani ukuthi ukuphi uZongile Umfihlelani nje ngampela?
Bangena e-dining hall nalapho bazitika ngezibiliboco ezicikanayo, zehla esiphundu. Wazizwa ehloniphekile uZongile ngokuhlala etafuleni linye nesikhulu soMnyango kahulumeni nokwenza esihlonishwa kangaka. Sebeqedile ukudla wabuza uNyoka ukuthi bekunjani ukudla, bobabili batusa ukwehla kwakho esiphundu.
UZonke wayeqale ukuza kulo muzi ngokuvakasha, kepha emva kwesikhathi wagcina esengumsizi wasendlini. Ekhaya kwabo, eXobho elimantente, kwakudliwa imbuya ngothi, benganawo amandla okubhekana nazo zonke izidingo zakhe zasenyuvesi. Yingakho nje wagcina esezicelela itoho lokusiza kumama u-Eagle, owayenomzwangedwa emva kokushona komyeni wakhe ngokudutshulwa ngesikhathi edunwa imoto. UZonke wayenethemba elikhulu lokuthi akekho noyedwa kubangani bakhe owayezokwazi ukuthi usengumsizi wakwa-Eagle. Wagcina esehlala khona, enqaba uma abangani bakhe bethi bafuna ukumvakashela, abavimbe ngokuthi uSolwazi akabafuni abantu abaningi.
Iveni yamaphoyisa yaphuma esiteshini naye uZongile isibheke eMakhabeleni. Iphoyisa lalilokhu lincincize njalo lizwa uZongile elizekela ngokuhlukumezeka kwakhe nangokuphunyukwa yithuba lomsebenzi wakwahulumeni. Iphoyisa labalula ukuthi sekuthanda ukuba wumchilo wesidwaba ukuhlukunyezwa kwabesifazane eMakhabeleni kanti bekuvame izimpi zombango. Yashosholoza iveni yaze yafika eMakhabeleni, uZongile wasala kwabo esetshengise iphoyisa kwaZimu, lapho lalizofica uMaqhinga owayeqhaqhazela lapho ekhona eqhuqhiswa wukuqhelelana naloyo ayesembona njengethemba lakhe, ezofudumeza umuzi wakwabo owawubanda qa.
Watatazela uPamela wathatha iduvethi eyayimboze umbhede, wamboza ngayo isidumbu. Wamhudula ngemilenze ehlose ukumfihla ngaphansi kombhede eselibele ukuthi konje le mibhede emikhulu inesikhala esincane ngaphansi kwayo. Wama khimilili engazi ngampela okumele akwenze, nokumele angakwenzi.
"Mina ngikhuluma ngochwepheshe abenza lo msebenzi. Kwakusasa lokhu okusayo ngingakuthumela e-Marie Stopes Clinic. Uyavuma angithi?
"Sisemsebenzini mnumzane wami, singamaphoyisa. Singamthola umnumzane uNyoka" wayebuza elokhu ethi klabe edokodweni ayeliphethe uMamba, owayenamehlo ahlabayo?
UNyoka wayezishaya indiva zonke izaba ezazibekwa nguZonke. Yena wayezibonela uZonke okwazi ukumnakekela ngazo zonke izindlela. Wayesembone kahle ukuthi angaba ngunkosikazi wakhe oqotho. Wayeyazi yonke imisebenzi yasendlini, eyisifundiswa futhi engumntwana kaNkulunkulu. Ekugcineni wavuma uZonke ngaphansi kwemibandela ethile. UNyoka wayesethembise ukuhlukana nohide lwezintombi zakhe, abhekane ngqo noZonke. Wayengeke futhi aphinde agwazise abesifazane ngokubalala ngoba bengenamali yokumgwazela. Indaba yokulala kwabo bona ngoba begwazelana yayizoba yimfihlo yabo bobabili. Yizo kanyeke lezi izethembiso nezifungo uZonke ayebelesele ngazo umkakhe.
"Ukhona umngani wakho uZo" Wavuma futhi uPhumla ngaphandle kokunanaza. "UMnumzane uNyoka uthe ngizonilanda mayelana nezicelo zenu zomsebenzi enazifaka. Ngicela ungibizele uZo ukuze siphuthume kuMnumzane uNyoka masinyane," waqhuba uNtombi ngokuthi useduke kakhulu kwazise naMbali akayejwayele kahle?
Yimina unina wezingane zakho.
UNyoka wezimanga wayengayizwa indlela ebheke kwakhe ngenxa yemicabango eyayingamnike nelincane ithuba leli. Indaba ayeyitshelwe nguZongile wayibona izokona zonke izinhlelo ayesephezu kwazo. Wayesezimisele ngokuhlukana nemikhuba yakhe ukuze acele uxolo kumkakhe babuyisane.
Kwaba ngukucisha nje ugesi, wayiqala indaba ayeseyivalele esifubeni kanti iyamshisa umuntu omdala. Indaba uyiqala ngobumnyama nje ngoba umazi kahle uNyoka ukuthi unomkhutshana wokunconda uma esola ukuthi kungenzeka kukhulunywe ngaye. Umama uNtulo wayeke ambone kahle uma umkakhe evakashelwe ngabangani, wayenconda uNyoka athi ne ngobonda efuna ukuzizwa zonke engenandaba ukuthi ubonwa ngumama uNtulo. Yingakho-ke naye umama uNtulo wayenqume ukuba bazikhinininde ngobumnyama ukuze uNyoka azitshele ukuthi bacisha ngoba sebelala kanti lutho.
"Nakho-ke engikufunayo, sesizozwana-ke manje uma usuyeke ukubhayiza. Usuyazi ukuthi kumele ungibize kanjani. Khuluma ukhululeke Zo, tshela uZola zonke izinkinga zakho," washo waze wamphulula emahlombe.
"Wena Zola uyahlupha ngoba ubuye ukhonze ukuncokola noma isimo sisibi," washo ngokuzidiniswa uZongile, kubonakala nje kudinwa umuntu okungamfanele.
"Engathi ungaba nenhlanhla-ke mntanami umthole umuntu ozokuboleka le mali, uke usebenze nje nawe mntanami ngizizwele nami ukuthi ukuzala kungukuzelula amathambo ngempela."
"Kusobala ukuthi angiphephile uma kunjena," wagqolozela phansi uZongile kubonakala nje ukuthi uzikile ngemicabango. "Awuphephile ngempela mngani wami, angifuni nje ukukufihlela. Uma nje engazi uPamela ukuthi uhlala lapha, eyi" wanikina ikhanda uPhumla. "Ngiyayisaba into engenzeka, uyokwenza isilo sengubo, ngiyamazi unetshe lenhliziyo, ungumzala wami. Ukuba nje kuya ngami kungabe uphuma uphele la eMaritzburg, uye kini eKranskop," wayelokhu elinikine njalo ikhanda elilukwe kahle uPhumla.
"Habe, nansi imihlola yami bo! Nguwena ongifonelile kade ufika la edolobheni. Ngicabanga ukuthi ukwenze lokho ngoba ngingumuntu obalulekile kuwe. Akunjalo?
"Bekukhona undodakazi ekuseni, washiya le ncwadi athe ngikunike yona." Wayidlulisela kuyena umama uNtulo ngezandla zombili.
Bobabili babehlangane eminyakeni eyisithupha edlule, kuwona lo muzi osuphenduke isigcawu senkantolo. Ngaleyo minyaka uZonke wayeseyisitshudeni khona kwamakhelwane enyuvesi yaKwaZulu-Natali. UNyoka nguyena owayesezoba ngumnikazi omusha womuzi njengoba wawusufakwe endalini ngumnikazi wawo. Umnikazi wawo nezingane base befudukela eBrithani. Umama womuzi wayenguSolwazi khona enyuvesi futhi enguthisha kaZonke khona. UZonke nomama u-Eagle babengamathe nolimi.
"Yizingane zami-ke lezi, uSizwe noSazi. Siye sibateketise ngokuthi nguMashu noMlazi njengoba noyise enguZola," wamoyizela uNyoka wathuma izingane ukuthi zihambise izitsha.
Thula, ngizokwenzela noma yini oyifunayo, ngisho nemali oyifunayo ngizokukhokhela yonke, wayesesondele eduze kwakhe sekusele kancane nje ukuthi amwole ngezandla ukuze athambe boto uThula.
Waphenduka uZonke wamjamela okungathi uzothi kusele kuphi.
"Ngigcine ngibuze ukuthi awazi yini ukuthi ushadile uNyoka, unomkakhe nezingane" wamjamela ngamehlo ayesevuleke kakhulu njengoba nezinhlonzi zilokhu zifingqene?
"Ngiyakuzwa ukuthi uthini Zongile kepha ngebhadi okushoyo akulula neze. Mina ngibona kungaba lukhuni ukuthi ngiyohlawula kini ekubeni singathandani njengoba nawe usho nje. Kunokuthi ngiyohlawula ngibona kungancono ukuthi ngivele ngiyocela ubuhlobo obuhle kwaNkomo. Nakho lokho futhi ngeke ngikwenze singathandani, yingakho nje mina bengibona ukuthi usale usuvuma ukuthi sithandane, njengokukona kwami," wayesho sakuhlebeza uNyoka okomuntu ongafuni ngisho noyedwa umuntu ongezwa ngaphandle kwalo owayephambi kwakhe.
"Angizele ukuzoqophisana nawe lana. Njengamanje qoqa wonke amasakana akho, uphume uphele lapha, angisakudingi. Ngale kwalokho uma ulokhu udaza inkani uyoze uficwe ngamathonsi abanzi! Ngizobiza Izinyoka zikukhiphe ngesidlozana njengamanje!" washo njalo uNyoka waya ngalapho kuyihhovisi likaThula okomuntu osezibiza manje nje Izinyoka zakhe.
Xephu, sasuka isicubu esihlathini. Lopha igazi ebusweni bukaPamela. Wakhala mi naye uPamela esebona isicubu sakhe sikhwifwa phansi nguZongile. Wathi uzama ukubaleka uZongile, watholana nembibizane yokuthi kukhiyiwe esicabheni. Wafika qathatha uPamela, wagalela ephindelela kuZongile ngesiqwayi, waye wawa phansi, ewela phezu kwezingcezu zamabhodlela ezigcobo.
UZongile wavele wanyukunyuku, wayisivuvu, engaqondakali ukuthi ziyamjabulisa azitshelwa ngumngani wakhe noma ziyamjabhisa. Ekugcineni wabhoboka ngokwakumenza abe yisivuvu.
Lokho kwaba ngukusuka kwemoto isiphikelele edolobheni. Yangena edolobheni ngomgwaqo uLangalibalele yaye yathatha umgwaqo u-Old Makert, idabula phakathi kwerenki nomtapo wolwazi. Yeqa umgwaqo u-Church yajoyina u-Otto yase ikhuphuka ngomgwaqo u-King Edward, yaze yama nse phambi kwe-Lingitta Inn Lodge, eduze namahhovisi abameli basemajajini.
"Hawu! Angayenza kanjani into enjalo Benginaye izolo, kusobala ukuthi ukhohliwe ukukutshela," ezwakala ukuthi usenokuthuka?
Wayezamile ukuncenga uNgqongqoshe ukuthi ayinyathele ngezinyawo le ndaba njengenhlalayenza. Wakubeka kwacaca uNgqongqoshe ukuthi angeke isagxobeka ngoba isize yafika ezindlebeni zikaNdunankulu wesifundazwe. Okubuhlungu ngukuthi yayisimunyungwe nasephalamende lesifundazwe nalapho amaqembu aphikisayo abevutha bhe ngale nkohlakalo.
"Uma ufuna ukuyobhadla ejele ngikhiphe ngenkani leyo sibone. Uma ulokhu ungifundekela ngokuthi kumele ngihambe la, ngizokubophisa mina uma kungabe awungazi kahle." Washo ngenkulu indelelo lena.
Kwaba ngukuvalelisana kwezithandani, uNyoka wama thwi okomungcwi. Kwakuhlaluka ukuthi ijulile indoda ngemicabango. Yalithi jeqe iwashi lesandla yabe isibuka owayesazimbozile okomuntu ofelwe yizwe.
Lwamuthi heqe uvalo uNyoka ngesikhathi efika kwakhe ntambama. Wayethuswa ngukuba khona komkakhe owayengashongo ukuthi uzofika. Phela indoda yayisizazela ukuthi uZonke akasukeli amahhala Olundi. Nakanjani kukhona into ebalulekile ayizele eMaritzburg, wacabanga kanjalo ngesikhathi efaka imoto egalaji.
Ngifuna wazi-ke ukuthi sengihlukene noNyoka ngenxa yomngani wakho omgodle ekhwapheni. Sengiphelelwe nangumsebenzi ngenxa kaZongile. Wena uyaqhubeka nokusebenza mina angisasebenzi.
Ukuqhubeka kwesikhathi eside engatholakali ummangali, kwenza ukuba lihoxiswe icala koMaqhinga nabangani bakhe. Yagcagcela esokeni kuMaqhinga owayesephezu kwamanye amaqhinga okuganwa kabusha.
"Bayaphila abashana Banjani ukumkhumbula uyise?
"Ngena emotweni phela kuxoxwe." UThula ebuka uPamela phezulu.
Wathi ethi memfu endlini okwamukelwa kuyo izivakashi, wazithela konogada abathathu. Ababili kwakuseyizinsizwa ngeminyaka yobudala, oyedwa esengumnumzane oqinile. Amehlo akhe ambuka amejwayela lo mnumzane owayedlubhe ezimnyama suce, ezimendleni kubhalwe kwagqama ukuthi IZINYOKA. Ngokuphazima kweso yakhumbula ingqondo ukuthi lona nguZimu, uyise kaMaqhinga. Kungabe ubekwa yini lapha, ebusuku kanjena Hho, konje uvele usebenza lapha eMgungundlovu enjalo nje ungunogada. Wahambela phezulu uZongile ikhanda eselibhekise phansi engafuni nangengozi ambone uZimu ezithwele enje. Wathi esephambi kwekheshi ayeliciphizile lingakafiki, wasukuma uZimu lapho ayehleli khona waqonda ngqo kuZongile owayemi nabanye abahlali abathathu bonke belinde ikheshi?
"Wubheke kahle ungatatazeli. Uma ungawutholi kuzokuphoqa-ke ukuthi uze la e-Ashdown ukuze ngikunike omunye. Khululeka uZimu sengimtshelile ngawe, nguyena ozotshela abanye onogada ngawe." Bavalelisana.
Wabonga uZongile kepha uNyoka wabona ukuthi kusekhona okungamphethe neze kahle. Lokho kwakutshengiswa ngukukhushuza kwakhe okomuntu olunywa ngamazenze. Wacabanga ngokushesha ukuthi ukumbuza cishe kuzomnikeza izimpendulo ezizomphula umoya, wathalalisa wabe esethasisela enkulumeni ayeseyiqalile.
"Ungabona amehlo esibungu. Angiyi ndawo!"
"Awukaze wena ungitshele ukuthi awusangidingi lapha." Washo ngopholile umoya uZongile.
"Kulungile Phumla, qhubeka nokungenza inhlekisa. Ngizwile mina ukuthi uZongile ubonakale ehamba noNyoka izolo, kepha wena uyamphika. Kulungile umfihle njalo, sengihambile."
"Yimaphi-ke lawo mathonsi abanzi okhuluma ngawo?
Yakhula nemicabango yokuthi uma nje esefike eMaritzburg kuzomele atshele uNyoka azohlawula akhokhe inkomo kanina aseyebile. Lamkhulula inhliziyo lelo ngoba wathola nesihlwashana.
UNyoka wayezulazula ngaphansi komthunzi wezihlahla zezanqawe nemikhamba e-Ascott Bush Lodge, bude buduze nomgwaqo onguthelawayeka u-N3. Wayesabuka ubuhle bemvelo ngesikhathi singena isithuthuthu noZongile. Wayephafuza ugwayi wakhe omncanyana eswenke econsa. Wayedlubhe isudi emhlophe qwa, ihembe elibovu, uthayi omhlophe, izicathulo ezimhlophe kanye nezibuko zelanga ezimnyama bhuqe. Wayedelisa amehlo ngobuhle bale ndawo ezenza sahhotela kepha ibe yakhiwe ngezindlu zesintu, iningi lazo zifulelwe ngohlobo lotshani loqunga nengongoni. Laphaya ezansi wayebuka amanzi ayetshuza ebheka phezulu abuye achithekele edanyini elincanyana lilihle.
Wathi ephuma emotweni uNyoka kwakudlala ibhulukwe.
Ubuhlobo obuhle kwabakaNkomo nakwaZimu, babuqale emva kokushona kukankosikazi kaZimu. Umuzi wakwaZimu wawusuphenduke umphandu wezimpohlo, engasekho unkosikazi okunguye owenza umuzi uvuthwe ufudumale. Ekubona lokho uZimu owayezihlalela eThawini isikhathi esiningi, wenza isu elalizophula umuzi wakhe osizini. UNkomo lo kwakuvele kungumngani wakhe njengoba bobabili babeyiminsinsi eMakhabeleni. UZimu wayesemuzwe kaningana umngani wakhe ebalisa ngokuba nesibaya esingenamquba. UNkomo wayebalisa nangokuthi uma ungafuyile, alikho izwi olibeka lizwakale uma kuhlangene ibandla.
UNyoka owayemthatha kancane uZongile wazizwa efikelwa ngukumhlonipha okuyisimangaliso.
"Sanibonani-ke makhosazane amahle," wasukuma umlisa waxhawula ngamunye esho nokuthi uyabamukela. "Ngizonazisa igama uma nani seningazisile awenu. Ladies first, kunjalo angithi?
"YiNgculazi amathonsi abanzi." Wamjamela okomuntu okungathi uzothi usunayo vele. "Kwazi bani, mhlawumbe uvele usunayo ngoba sekucacile ukuthi wena awusebenzisi jazi uma ugila le mikhuba yakho. Uyazilulaza Zola, nami futhi uyangilulaza ngokuhamba ubhabhabala nje. Ukuziphatha kwakho kanjena kulesi sikhathi sanamuhla kutshengisa ngokusobala ukuthi awunendaba nomndeni wakho. Ngiyakubonga, sekwenele angisakufuni okungaphezu kwalokhu ngoba okulandelayo ngukufa."
UNyoka owayengumakadebona lolu daba wayeluthathe njengefu elizodlula. Okwakumjabulisa ngukuthi nakuba wayemisiwe emsebenzini kodwa wayezoqhubeka nokuhola. Lokho kwamnika nethuba lokugxila emabhizinisini akhe amabili ayengakaze abe nasikhathi esanele sawo kwasekuqaleni.
"Ngikhulelwe mngani wami," wamtshela ukuthi zingaki izinyanga, wasulisisa izinyembezi.
Wayeyihlabe esikhonkosini, kwakugcwele bona bodwa endlini yokuphumula. Wadlula lapho esenyukubele, engafuni ngisho nokubabheka ababelapho ngoba babevame ukwenza imikhuba emnyanyisayo.
Isimo sezulu ngalolo suku sasibafazi bedube inyama, lehlisa amathe ezimpukane. Umoya obandayo owawuheleza yiwo owawuphoqe abaningi ukuthi badlubhe izinjiva zabo. Kulabo ababelinde isidumbu entabeni ukuba basiqiqinge ngohlaka, njengoba umgwaqo wawungamagebedu, kwakukhona noMqedeni noChopho. Babebhalwe ebusweni ukuthi baphuke imimoya ngokwase kwehlele umndeni wakwaNkomo.
"Yeyi wena, namanje uselapha Kunini ngikutshela ukuthi angisakudingi lapha?
"Hawu Zongile, kanti ubeqinisile umzala ngokuthi ubulele la eMaritzburg izolo Mngani wami, kanti kwenzekani ngempela ngawe" ukumangala kubhalwe emehlweni kaPhumla?
Kwakungekho nomncane umusa kuNyoka. Wayekhuluma ngesankahlu okwephoyisa likhuluma nenswelaboya. Wayefuna kwenzeke intando yakhe kuphela. Wayesebone kahle ukuthi ulaka yilona kuphela angaphunyuka ngalo. Ngale kwalokho wayezongena shi ezinkingeni ezingenasidingo, achithekelwe ngumuzi wakhe. Uyophinde amtholephi nje umfazi onjengoZonke; onesizotha, inhlonipho, uthando kanye nemfundo esezingeni eliphezulu Ngokwakhe wayeseqede nya ngoPamela. Nguye uZongile lona owayethanda ukumnika inkinga. Wayezoyithini manje le ndaba engaka yokuthi kanti ukhulelwe amawele futhi Uthi pho lizolunga isu lami uma izinto zinjena Wayedliwa yimicabango uNyoka elokhu ebheke phansi?
"Nawe uzolutheza olunenkume, ngiyabona awukakangazi kahle ukuthi ngingubani. Mina angenziwa nje njalo, angiyona inyoni futhi angisoze ngaba yiyo. Ngifuna ukunitshengisa ukuthi ngisho ninganamajazi kodwa anilutho lapha kimina," wazidokloza isifuba.
UZongile ukhiye wayesawubambe ngesandla elungiselela ukukhiya. Wayephazanyiswe yiselula angena endlini ikhala isize yanesilokozane, wayeka ukukhiya waphuthuma yona. Wathi uyayiphendula kanti usesindwe yizinyawo, wayifica isithule. Wayesayicofoza ebheka ukuthi ngubani obefonile. Wangena nezicabha egulukudela uPamela. Wathi engena nje wayephendula ukhiye owawuvele usesicabheni, wahluthulela, wawukhipha. Wakhipha isiqwayi sakhe waqonda ngqo kuZongile owayesamangele kuhle komuntu oleleswe ngumphezulu.
Ukuboshwa kwakhe kwase kumbangele amehlo abantu. Wayeseke wavela enkantolo nalapho amantombazane amabili ayefakazile ukuthi amkhokhela uNyoka imali yokugwaza eLingitta-Inn Lodge. UPamela noPhumla nabo babesohlwini labantu abazofakaza nakuba lokho kwakuyimfihlo.
Balumunyunga udaba bobabili betshengisa okukhulu ukukhathazeka ngesenzo sale ngane uyise wayo ayeseyibiza ngehlongandlebe. UZimu waveza umbono wokuthi kuhle udaba luke luyobikwa emaphoyiseni ukuze nawo ake enze imizamo yokumthungatha. UNkomo akayizwisisanga eyamaphoyisa, nakhu phela wayenethemba lokuthi uZongile usazobuya. Wayesezwile ngonina wakhe ukuthi wahamba ephethe isikhwama esincane. Wayekholelwa ngukuthi uma ngempela esezimisele ngokujubalala uzobuya ezolanda zonke izimpahla zakhe ayezishiyile.
Wathi engena nje uThula kwakuhluthulelwa. Wazithela phezu kwamathantala egazi nomfunzana wesidumbu sivele ngezinyawo. Wathi uyababaza umfokaNyathi, wancengwa ehebezwa ukuthi akhulumele phansi angabe esababaza, indoda ayibabazi.
Kwaba nje ngukungena kwezinsizwa endlini, layidedelela imvula okwase kubonakele ukuthi liyimumethe. Kwakuyisibhidli semvula emathonsi abanzi. Yayishubisa umnkantsha, kubonakala nje ukuthi bufike ngezinkani ubusika. Lokho kwakufakazelwa yizitshalo ezase zibunile, usungaphika ukuthi zake zabanhle, zaluhlaza, zaqhakaza, zakhephuzela zabukwa yizwe lonke, libabaza ubuhle bendalo. Kwakunethemba elikhulu ngesivuno kanti lutho zizobuna zingakaqhakazi.
Wabona uZongile ukuthi uma engaxukuzi ugebhezi uzofela endlini wumphangazana. Waphuma nesisu sakhe wayofuna okungamatohwana enxanxatheleni yezitolo e-Scottsville Plaza. Wayesezame wahluleka ukuthola itoho ezitolo ngisho nje elokupakisha izimpahla. Wagcina esezijuba ngokushaya indesheni kulabo abasebenza ukugada izimoto zabathengi. Kwaba yinhlanhla ngoba ucilo wazishaya endukwini, bamamukela nakuba babembalisela ngokuthi imali ayikho kulo msebenzi wabo. Bamtshela ukuthi imali bayithola kuphela uma benikezwe ngabanikazi bezimoto. Wadla imihlathi uZongile wavuma ingekho iyenzenjani ngoba wayazi usizi lwakhe.
NgoMsombuluko ekuseni, uNkomo wahamba kusempondozankomo esephikelele emsebenzini eJacobs, eThekwini. Wathi engena emasangweni asemsebenzini ngehora lesishiyagalombili, wayephuma uZongile kwabo ephikelele eMaritzburg. Unina wayemkhuze wancama, waze wagcina ngakho ukumfisela inhlanhla lapho eya khona.
Wadluthula uNkomo umqhewu webhantshi wadabuka waze wafika ngasemahlombe.
UGiyani wayejabulela ukuzwa ukuthi uzophathelwa ugologo waphesheya kwezilwandlwe. Lelo kwakuba yiholo lakhe ayelinikwa nguZonke uma emutshele izindaba ezenziwa nguNyoka. Kwase kuphele iminyaka uGiyani eyimpimpi kaZonke. Wayengalali nendaba. Wayethi ukubona uNyoka efika nentombi angabe esapholisa maseko, athinte uZonke ngogodo olwaluhlala luchichima imali yokufona, eyayifakwa nguye uZonke.
"Wazithela msobho etswayini, phezu kwakhe zinsizwa," kwasho uMqedeni ongumngani omkhulu kaMaqhinga.
Wathi uzama ukubalekekela ekameleni uZongile bamthelekela ontanga waze wawa vu phansi. Bamdova naye isisu sakhe, kukhona nje umdudla wesidudla sesidudula owawumhleli ngedolo esiswini umuxhifa ngesibhakela, ulokhu ukhulumela phansi uthi: "Uqamba amanga uthi ngubaba wakho kanti wenziwa ngumona. Bamba la, awungizwe." UZongile bandla wayezama ukuvikela ubuso obase bufutha ngenxa yezibhakela ezase zikhale ekhaleni, nasemlonyeni waziluma ulimi.
Wathi efika uPhumla evela emsebenzini, wayeseqoqe waqeda uZongile izimpahla zakhe. UPhumla wathi engena nje wayetshela umngani wakhe ukuthi kunendaba emnandi azomxoxela yona. UZongile naye wabika ukuthi uneyakhe kodwa engemnandi. Wahwaqabala uPhumla esezwa eyendaba engeyinhle eshiwo ngumngani wakhe. Wayezitshela ukuthi cishe kukhona osemphoxile emalungeni omndeni wakubo. Walandula uZongile esho ukuthi yindaba engelutho kodwa engemnandi.
"Sengiyazi yonke indaba yokugwazelana kwenu noNyoka ngoba nifuna umsebenzi, anginandaba-ke nalokho. Into engicasula du nokuyiyona engenze nganilanda, nguwena ogcine usuqomana noNyoka," esho ekhomba uZongile ngamehlo ngenhla kwawo kubophene imivingqi.
Ngaphambi kokuphela kwesonto, badedelwa ngebheyili oMaqhinga nezinsizwa zendawo. UZimu wayesedayise izinkomo ezimbili ekhokha ibheyili yabo bonke.
"Awu mngani, waze wangitshela into ebuhlungu namhlanje," washo ngomoya okhathezekile uPhumla, wabambelela ngezandla zombili ezihlathini, izindololwane zagwaza amathanga. "Awu ngizwelana nawe Zongile. Le nyoka enguNyoka inguSathane. Ikwazi ukwenza into enjena Idicilele ikusasa lakho phansi kanjena Hhayi, kulukhuni emhlabeni!" wanikina ikhanda uPhumla umoya wakhe usuzwakala nje ukuthi uphuke waphoqoka waphela?
Wavumela phezulu uZongile ethembisa ukuthi ngomuso uzoza nakanjani kwaNdongazibomvu.
Ngakusasa emini abangani base bemi ngomumo, bezipholele evulandi sebelinde ukufika kukaThula. Kwakuba ngukuqhamuka kwemoto emhlophe nje, bahlahle amehlo. Lathi lishaya ihora leshumi nambili, sabe sithi nse isithuthuthu esangweni kwaDube. UPhumla akasinakanga njengoba wayezitshela ukuthi yindoda elethe iposi njengenjwayelo. Waze waqala ukusinakisisa uma esebona umshayeli waso engafaki lutho ebhokisini leposi, kodwa elokhu ezulazula eduze kwesithuthuthu, elokhu ejeqeza kwaDube.
Kwayena uMaqhinga umfokaZimu owayethumele abakhongi, wayeyinqotshelwe nguyise owayengumfelwa. Uyise wayefakane imilomo noNkomo ebalisa ngosizi lakwakhe, wamncenga ukuba baganiselane. Kwabe sekwenziwa isivumelwano sokuthi uma uZongile evuma ukugana uMaqhinga, uzovunyelwa ukuyofunda enyuvesi njengoba uyise wayeseqale ngokumnqabela. Wavuma kanjalo-ke uZongile ukugana uMaqhinga ngoba encenge ukuqhuba imfundo yakhe.
Wazidonsa ngezindlebe izintombi ngokuthi zize zingathi vu ngokuhlangana kwazo naye nangokuzitshengisa imibuzo. Wazixwayisa ngokuthi uma zinemilomo emanzi kuyobe zizimbela amaliba ziphila. Waphetha ngokuthi lokhu ukwenza ngoba esiza isizwe esiNsundu, ikakhulukazi isifazane esisacindezelwe ngokomsebenzi kuleli zwe. Wakubalula ukuthi ezinye izinhlanga ziyasizana nazo kodwa akekho owaziyo ngoba zona azikhahlelwanga ngamahhashi ezifubeni. Wazazisa nokuthi nguye kuphela othatha isinqumo ngokuthi ngubani okumele aqashwe, ngakho kumnyama kubovu uzobaqasha ngoba uqonde ukubasiza.
Wavuma ngomlomo nangekhanda uZongile.
UFezela wayelokhu esemva kwakhe emlandela kungathi umgadile ukuthi angebi lutho kubo. Base bejwayelene bandla, bejwayele ukuzihlalela naye imini yonke, kunguye futhi nomphakelayo. Waqukula izikhwama, wangena indlela ebheke esangweni, elokhu esemva kwakhe uFezela. Waphuma esangweni, uFezela wasala ngaphakathi. Wayezazela ukuthi angakwenza konke kodwa hhayi ukuphumela ngaphandle kwesango, ngoba angathethiswa aze ashaywe ancishwe nokudla. Wathi efulathela uZongile, wayefulathela isango noFezela, engasavalelisanga ngokushaya umsila. Wayebukeka kungathi ngenhliziyo uthi: "phum'uphele kulo muzi ungaphinde ubuye.".
"Mqedeni, Chopho, nayi inyamazane ibaleka, phumani bo niyibambe," wayetabalasa ezama ukuvuka izandla sezimanaphanapha ubulongwe.
Izinsizwa zazihamba ngokushesha njengoba lalikhiza. Kwaba ngukungena nje egcekeni nebhokisi, saqhuma isililo sikaNandi kwaNkomo. Zadla imihlathi izinsizwa zaye zangena nebhokisi endlini. Kwezwakala omunye ethi: "Mphuthumeni bo, nangu ewa!" Loyo owayephuthunywa kwakunguPhumla owaquleka washayeka phansi. Wathelwa ngamanzi, wavuka ngesikade esebhocobele, nezichitshana zezinyembezi zisamfimfa emehlweni.
Wavuka umama owayesebomvu amadolo ngenxa yokuhuzuka, wagalela ngobhoko lwakhe kuZonke, owayethi uzama ukuvuka izithelo zigingqike naye. Umnikazi wetafula owayematasa egeza izithelo, wathukuthela wathelwa ngamanzi. Amanzi ayesendishini wawaqulela wonke kuZonke, wamanzi te ngesikhashana. "Uzoyikhokha yonke imali yami yezithelo osuzichithile," wabambelela edanda ebuka amawolintshi egingqika ehla njalo ngesitaladi.
"Ngisize Thula simlahle lo muntu kungaze kufike amaphoyisa. Mhlawumbe kukhona ozwile ngenkathi silwa naye."
UNkomo wezwa kuzimuka ikhanda ebona ukuhlazeka nokwehlelwa yisithunzi endaweni esephucwe izinkomo. Wazizwa emzonda kakhulu umntanakhe ngokumbukanisa nabantu baseMakhabeleni. Empeleni umthetho wesintu awukuvumeli ukubuyiswa kwezinkomo uma isimo sifana nesasesehlile. Kuke kulindwe intombi ukuthi ize ilotsholwe yisoka lesibili, lawo mabheka kube yiwo ayiswa kumkhwenyana wokuqala, wayecabanga buthule uNkomo. Kodwa ngoba wayengafuni kusuke umsindo kuze kugcinwe ezigcawini, wavuma ukuthi bangazilanda izinkomo. Isenzo ayesigilwa ngamathumbu akhe samenza wafisa nokusuka endaweni, aye kokwakha lapho engaziwa khona. Wayesezibona ezoba ngumnumzane ongenasithunzi, inhlekisa nje.
"Lokho kuyoziveza kona mhla sabonana. Ngiyokutshela uma sewukwenzile, uma ungakwenzanga angazi noma ngiyobe ngisenalo yini ithuba lokukutshela ukuthi awukwenzanga. Yilokho-ke Zola ebengikubizele kona," wasukuma uZonke wasulisisa izichitshana zezinyembezi, wazibuka esibukweni se-dressing table.
UZongile wayazi ukuthi akanahaba uPhumla kwakushoyo, konke kuyiqiniso. Lwamshaya lwameqa uvalo. Wayemazela uPamela ngokuba nguphumasilwe uyisiqhwaga. Wayezifikela mathupha ngaso sonke isikhali uma sekuthiwa ubhekene nesitha. Wayeyingwazi edumile eSobantu, kungabhedelwa nje kuyena. Isibhamu wayedubula ngaso njengephoyisa nakuba wayengasikhonzile kangako. Uma uza emankomaneni kwakuba ufike ekhaya, wayengqimuza ngawo umuntu alale phansi engandlalelwe. Ubunjalo bukaPamela wayebuzwe ngaye uPhumla naye owayekugwema ukuxabana naye, ngoba emazi ukuthi unesandla esilula, impama uyidedela manje eyayibuye iphelezelwe yinqindi eqhwiza umentshisi uma loyo athusana naye enenkani.
"Yimisebenzi yakho Zola," wambuka ngokunengwa. "Ngempela kuyoze kube nini ungihlupha kanjena" wabuza nangamahlombe anyakaza womabili?
"Habe! Uxhuma ngokuthi nguwena uyise womntwana," wavuka indlobane noZongile.
Wangena wakhokha, wacofoza izinombolo zikaNyoka.
"Unenkinga yini ukulala lapha ekhaya" ebuza ngokucasuka kepha ezama ukukufihla?
Babethembisene ukubonana ubuso nobuso abalingani ukuze baxoxe umlomo nomlomo.
Loyo mseshi kwakunguMebra Mamba, odume uMgungundlovu wonke ngokubopha izigebengu ezisatshwayo kanye nezikhulu ezisemazingeni ahlukene ngezikhundla ezinenkohlakalo. Udumo wayezakhele mzukwana ebopha uTiger, iNdiya lodumo eMgungundlovu elalinesithabathaba somuzi eMountain Rise, lingumholi weqembu lemigulukudu eshushumbisa izidakamizwa. Udaba lokuboshwa kukaTiger owayesatshwa ngamaphoyisa ngenxa yokuwamuhluza kanye nokubeka phansi ngenhlamvu, abuye abe ngumngani wawo, enjalo nje abuye angalali esitokisini ngenxa yokuwagwazela uma sezimkhalela, lwaluphume ephepheni i-The Witness, ekhasini lokuqala.
UZongile wazithola esephunyuka emoyizela ngokubona uNyoka ethuke ngale ndlela. Walandula uZongile, ebika ukuthi wenqabile ngoba eqhuba ubuntu uNyoka lobu obumehlulayo. Waphetha ngokuthi nokho unxuse kuMamba ukuthi amvikele kwabamhlukumeza njengoNyoka futhi nokuthi uma nje etholakala efile, umsolwa wokuqala kuyomele kube nguNyoka.
"Awu madoda! Kanti la maqaba akushaye kanjena MaNkomo wami Nxese dululu wami, yobe Nkomo wami omuhle. Awuthibe umphangazana nasi isivuno esisha," walishunduzela eduze kukaZongile ithileyi, elokhu ethi shalamuzi imivimbo ezingalweni?
UZongile wazibona efulathelwe yidlozi kukho konke okwakumehlela. Wayemncenge wahluleka uMaqhinga emcela ukuba amdedele aye kolanda izingubo zokushintsha kwabo ebese eyabuya. Wanqaba uMaqhinga wathumela izingane ezahamba zabuya nazo zigxishwe esikhwameni esincanyana. Ilanga langoMsombuluko laphuma laze lashona uMaqhinga eyiqaphe ngolokhozi ingodusi yakhe ukuthi inganyenyi.
Njengenhlalayenza wayethi angashayisa emsebenzini ebusuku uZongile, athi hulukuqu ezitolo ayocoshacosha ama-aphula nezinto ezincane ayezolala ezidlile. Kusihlwa kwakuvame ukugcwala kakhulu ngoba leso kwakuyisikhathi okuthenga ngaso izitshudeni. Nangalelo langa wathi angaqeda ukuthenga noZongile walengisa uplastiki wangena indlela eya endlini.
Wasala endwazile uZongile engakukholwa okwakwenziwa nguNyoka, zolo lokhu obemtotosa embiza ngawo wonke amagama amnandi ezithandani. Konje kumele ngenze njani uma izinto sezingimele kanjena Ngikhulelwe, uNyoka uma ngimazisa uyahlehla. Nangu noPamela kuthiwa uyangizingela. Kusobala ukuthi angiphephile neze uma ngiqhubeka nokuhlala lapha. Kona uma ngisuka lapha ngizoya kuphi Awu langilahla elakithi. Yonke le mibuzo engenazimpendulo yalandelwa wuzamcolo wezinyembezi?
"Musa ukungiluma" usho nje uPamela usehline, akusazwakali kahle nakushoyo.
"Hhayi bo Phumla, ngiyakukhuza! Musa ukumgodla ekhwapheni kangaka lo mngani wakho ngoba uyozisola ekugcineni. Ngiyazi mina ukuthi ukhona lapha ekhaya uZongile kodwa uyamfihla," washo esevuse imivingqi yezinhlonzi okwakuyilokhu efikile umi ngezinyawo.
Wangena egulukudela uThula endlini njengoba wayesefonelwe nguPhumla, owasebaleke wayozikhiyela ekameleni likaZongile. Wangena ekhishini uThula sekunuka usi lwenyama eyosiwe. Isidlakela sakwabo sabahlukanisa ngokukhulu ukushesha. Wathi ehlehla esitofini uPamela kwathi xathu, kusala enye yenyama yakhe emapuletini eyayisahlihla.
Waze wangiphoxa-ke mzala.
UNtombizonke watshela abangani ukuthi makwehliwe. Zehla izintokazi, omunye esese omunye esaba. Kwagitshelwa ikheshi lanyuka nabo baze behla esitezi sesihlanu. Wavula umdudla onguMaNdlovu kwangenwa ehhovisi elalinayo yonke imishini yehhovisi yesimanjemanje. Wadlula itafula uZonke wahlala kwesinamasondo ngale kwalo, wayalela izintokazi ukuthi zihlale. Wahlala waqhiyama uZonke ikhanda lacamela esihlalweni wababuka ngokubeya. Inkulumo yakhe wayandulela ngokuthi azithule ngokuzibiza ngomkaNyoka, washo waze waveza izindandatho zedayimani ezazigcwele ilunga lomunwe womshado.
Ithubeleza nje imoto uZongile naye wayentantathekiswa yimicabango. Wayesho buthule naye ukuthi nakhu ezozalelwa yinja endlini isibili. Wayebona kahle nje ukuthi lokhu kuphoqwa kwakhe ukuyovula icala kwayena kuzomfaka kwezinkulu izinxushunxusu. Wabona kahle nje ukuthi indaba yakhe noNyoka oyisikhulu esingaka sikahulumeni izogcwala izwe lonke. Nakuba isenzo sikaNyoka sasimphule umoya kodwa wayengafisi neze le ndaba yaziwe nguwonke wonke. Ithemba lokuthi usazoqashwa lase lithanda ukufiphala njengoba wayesebona nje ukuthi indaba yakhe noNyoka iyanwebeka. Wazizwa enokuzisola okuncane ngokuhamba kwabo ngaphandle kwemvume yabazali. Wakhumbula amazwi kanina mhla ethi: "izinto ziyokuphendukela."
"Awu, ningixolele ngokuniphazamisa. Sanibonani," ubingelela nje izandla zithe ntshi emaphaketheni.
"Akashongo mntanami ngoba angimbuzanga." Wawalahla phansi amehlo umuntu omdala.
"Yebo-ke mzala," wayezama ukuqeda ukuthula akufica kulapho uPhumla. Wathi uvula ithelevishini, wamhebeza uPamela ethi izobanga umsindo. Wayifunda ivaliwe uPhumla ukuthi lukhulu luyeza luyanyelela nomzala wakhe.
"Njengoba wangona nje bekumele uye ekhaya uyokhokha inkomo kamama," wachiphiza wakhala, izinyembezi wazishiphiliza ngenhlanakela.
"Ngixole-le sisi Pa-mela, sale usucabangela, aba-ntabami, abangena-cala" usho ngephimbo eliphelelwa ngamandla. Ikhanda selibovu tebhu yizingozi, umata lona sekungathi ubovu ngombala ngenxa yegazi lakhe nelikaPamela.
Nakuba uPamela wayemuhle ngezikhathi zakhe, kepha lobo buhle base bushatshalaliswe yizibazi ebusweni.
Wathi efakwa emotweni, esihlalweni esingemuva uNyoka, wabe esethathwe izithombe eziningana yizintatheli ezase ziphithizela egcekeni. Lahlehla igalofu, langena emgwaqeni lashaya lachitha. Zalandela izintatheli ngezazo izimoto, zawujenga zaze zayosithela.
Impendulo ayiqhamukanga kuZongile, kepha wavele wandwaza nje. Nakho-ke okukhulu madoda! UNyoka useyangixosha manje Usenele wafeza izinhloso zakhe ngomzimba wami usefuna ukungilaxaza. Ngingaya kanjani ekhaya ngikulesi simo Angeke kuze kwenzeke lokho, angiyi ndawo. Ngenze njani, ngimtshele ukuthi sengizithwele Uma ngimyeka manje ngiyobuye ngimazise nini Yilo lona leli ithuba. Yamxina yamxaka imicabango uZongile?
Njengoba kwakuqala impelasonto nje, kwakuzofika izintombi zakwaNjomane zilethe umbondo kwaZimu. Kwakuphithizela kwaZimu, kusindwe ngobethole. Kwakubonakala nje ukuthi hhiya, intaka izobe ibekelwe amazolo sezibulalana ngengoma. Impela kwakuzodela uMakhasana yena owayezozibona sezihlephulana ngengoma ezintombini nasezinsizweni.
"Musa nje ukudlala ngami Zola. Ngingakuthola kanjani ukuphumula kwengqondo sengibulale imiphefumulo emibili emsulwa. Angeke kusasiza ukulokhu ungitshela ukuthi ushadile. Owakwenza wakwenza uzazi kahle ukuthi ushadile, ngakho-ke bhekana nomphumela wakho manje." Washo ngesikhulu isibindi neqholo uZongile.
"Uyabona mama ngizokuyeka okwanamuhla. Ngifuna ukuthi ingane yakho uyifune uze uyithole ebese uyiletha esiteshini, lingakapheli leli sonto. Uma nje like laphela nango mina nango wena," laphenduka lashingila iphoyisa lahamba.
Wasukuma wamlunguza uPhumla. Nanguya edlwathuzela eqonde esangweni. UFezela yilokhu esemva kwakhe etshikizisa umsila emkhapha. UPamela walivula ngoshova isango, langqimuza uFezela waklewula ngosizi. Ngisho nokuthi anake uPamela, waphuma, isango nalo walidonsa ngoshova, lagaklazeka kabuhlungu. Wangena emotweni, yasuka ngesivinini, kwakhala ithayi. Yathi iyodlula ekhoneni, equlwini labafana, yayisidla amagalani, kwakhala amakhwela.
"Awu! Akukho angingakwenza yikho nje ukuthi ngingalilela umzimba wami engawusebenzisela ize leze."
Kwaba ngubuhefuhefu kuzo zombili izintokazi kungekho ofuna ukuya phansi engandlalelwe. Zadudulana zaze zafika esitofini esasibovu amapuleti amabili angaphambili. UPamela nguyena owayesehlehla nyova edudulwa nguZongile eqonde kuso ngqo isitofu waze wancika ngaso. Wamcindezela khona uZongile. Lahlihla ijazi, kwashunqa intuthu, labhoboka kwaze kwavela udangala. Washa uPamela ngenhla kwesinqe, wathi uzama ukuziphephisa kwasho ukuthi imcindezele intombi kaNkomo eyakhula ngophuthu nezinkobe eKranskop, idla nezindoni nomvuthwamini endle.
"Uma unqaba-ke nothando lwakho kusho ukuthi akukho nhlawulo ngayikhokha kini. Angeke nje ngikhokhele amahhala, never," washo waze washintsha ebusweni isinqamu sikagwayi wasiciphizela esitsheni somlotha.
Njengenhlalayenza uma ekwabo, uZongile wavuka ekuseni ngovivi ephuthuma emthonjeni ukuyokha amanzi okwenza itiye. Wayegwema ukufica amanzi esedungwe yizinkomo.
"Njengoba ngilapha-ke nje ngizovalelisa."
"Habe! Engani wena unqabile ukulala lapha ekhaya. Awusasabi futhi manje?
Miningi imihlola ayeseyibonile uZongile kule ndawo. Wayebona izingane ezincane ziphulula imizimba yabathengi abaseminyakeni yobudala yokuba ngoyise nobabamkhulu imbala. Kwakufika abathengi bazo zonke izinhlanga, wena Mlungu, Ndiya, Khaladi nayo-ke indlu eMnyama eyayiba yizinkumbi.
Wavuma bandla uZongile owayesethuswe nayindlela uNyoka ayesemncike ngayo. Babevalelene egujini lokulala, okwaba ngukungena nje uNyoka walihluthulela. UNyoka wasenga ezimithiyo wathi akaganiwe. Watshela uZongile ukuthi angeke ayithathe imali yakhe kodwa usenqume ukuthi bathandane. Wahlahla amehlo uZongile ezwa akweshwamayo kumuntu amethembayo futhi amhloniphayo.
"Awu akubuzwa phela lokho, ngijabule kabi," ejeqeza uZongile owayesezimboze phezu kwetafula ngobuso.
Waphuma uNyoka ekhishini wabiza uZongile ngoshova oyinkuxa. Wamtshela ukuthi akeze ukuze akhiphe izikhwama zakhe emotweni. Wanyuka izitebhisi uZongile ephaphatheka, waphuma waqonda emotweni. Wazikhipha izimpahla ebhuthini, uNyoka wamkhomba endlini engaphandle elala umama uNtulo. Wavula wangena uZongile endlini eyayincanyana kepha ihlanzekile inuka kamnandi. Wamlandela noNyoka owayesenesikhathi eside agcina ukungena kule ndlu. UZongile izikhwama wazibeka phansi kukhaphethi, wathi uyaphenduka amehlo akhe ahlangana nawaNyoka owayesenolaka olubi ngesikhashana nje.
Wathi evula isango uPhumla engena, wayeshaya ihuthi esusa imoto ehamba uThula. Njengenhlayenza uFezela wayetshikizisa umsila ngentokozo. Wangena endlini yokuphumula wafica umzala wakhe ehleli ephambanise imilenze kusofa. Isandla sakhe sasisekele isihlathi njengoba ikhanda wayelitshekisile. UPhumla wahlala kusofa obhekene nomzala wakhe.
UNyoka onamacala amaningi wadideka ukuthi umkakhe uze ngaliphi. Ukwenza komkakhe kwakuxakile. Wayengakaze nangelilodwa ilanga ambuze lutho ngalokhu kuqonywa kwakhe kangaka. Kuphela nje wayevulela isibhaxu ezintombini zakhe. Engabe iyiphi-ke ezotalajwa kule gemu Wayecabanga ngesikhathi engena endlini. Wamfica umkakhe eneme, efundela izingane incwadi. Kwakubuye kuzwakale uhleko luqhuma phezulu. Wabingelela wadlula uNyoka engathandi ukuphazamisa leso sifundo?
UMqedeni noChopho yibo ababebe nesandla esikhulu ekuhluleni uZokwenzani Njomane, ngothando, bemhlulela umfokaZimu. Leli kwakuyiqhikiza elase ligane uMaqhinga. Lalisukile egadeni, lisho ngobuso obuyindilinga nezimpempe zamakhala wena owabona awehhashi. Imilenze yakhona yayimide, isho ngemicondo ecasulayo. Yiyo lemilenze eyayihlaba ingoma emaceceni kuncanywe izinsizwa, isingqabashiya intombi yendawo.
"Eyi! Uyazi mlingani, le ngane ingifaka kokukhulu ukukhuluma," waneka izandla uNkomo wakhamisa nomlomo lona okukhulunywa ngawo okukhulu. "Mina angazi mlingani ukuthi ngingathini uma sekunjena.
UThula kwaba ngukutshela uPamela ukuthi ingafika noma nini i-ambulensi, kwawubutatata. Basididinga isidumbu, basishunduza baze basisondeza eduze kwewindi elikhulu elitshengisa ubuhle be-Scottsville Plaza eyayisiqhakaze iyinhle yesabeka. Basiqukula kanzima bobabili, sebemanaphanapha yigazi baze basikhweza phezu kwetafula, emva komshikashika onzima. Yibo labaya benontela phezu kwetafula, newindi selivuleke nge. Basididinga, uThula wabala kathathu, basiphonsa sinqunu sinjalo, saye sathanqazeka phansi etiyeleni, sisuka esitezi sesihlanu. Kwaba yisibhicongo sengozi yenhlekelele.
"Sengiboshiwe Ngiboshwa nje ngenzeni" Wazizwa ephelelwa ngamandla uNyoka sekuthi akahlabe ngejubane abaleke?
"Nakho-ke okukhulu. Usutshele noPhumla futhi le ndaba Kodwa waba njani ngokungabi nasifuba Eyi madoda!?
UNyoka waze wazumeka engazazi ukuthi kumele athathe siphi isinqumo uma kunjena. Kwakungelula kuyena ukuthi ayeke uZongile okwase kunesikhathi emconsela amathe. Wayezikhohlisa ngokuthi le ngane yayizongele yena yonke le minyaka. Wakubona kungcono ukuhlala noZongile kancane, ake nje azidelise ngaye emva kwalokho ebese ebuyisana nomkakhe. Ngeke nje yena aphile ngaphandle kukaZonke. Wayeseyiphupha injengoba ingxoxo abeyixoxa nomkakhe. Wathuka waphaphama sekungena umkakhe engubeni. Yilapho akhumbula khona ukuthi konje isisombululo senkinga akakasitholi.
Yaba buhlungu inhliziyo kaZongile esezibona ukuthi useyaphuma ngempela kwaDube. Kwakungekho muntu, izingane zisesikoleni, abadala besemsebenzini. Nguyena noFezela kuphela ababekhona. Wayesewukhiyile umuzi, ukhiye wawufaka ngaphansi kukamata wokusula izinyawo.
"Kufana nokuthi awuzwa" embuka kabi uNyoka. "Ngithi kuwe kumele uvakashele kini le emakhaya eKranskop. Usuyangizwa manje?
"Baba uNyoka ngicela bandla siqede indaba yami okuyiyona eyenze ngikufonele. Ngifisa ukwazi ukuthi kusuka manje kuzokwenzekani ngami njengoba sengeqiwe yi-interview Yilokho nje bandla engijahe ukukuzwa.?
"Usuke wonelani pho uma kukhona okukuphatha kabi kulokhu osuke ukwenza?
"Sawubona Giyani, yimina umama wowele," ukhuluma nje uyezwakala ukuthi ubambe insini.
"Uhamba nami Uyaphi nami" ethuka elibuka phezulu?
Izingane ngizohamba nazo. Ungangibheki emsebenzini, angikho ngiyophumuza ingqondo. Ngivakashele umngani wami u-Professor Eagle emzini wakhe. Ngithemba ukuthi ngiyobuya usushintshile.
"Uzogibela kuphi wena ngoba uyabona ukuthi kugibela abantu ababili lapha" ekhomba isithuthuthu ngamehlo?
UMaNgwenya owayesefile yitwetwe, wathi uyasukuma wahluleka. Waze waguqa ngamadolo, wabambelela nangezandla, kwawumzukuzuku equlusile waze wasukuma. Izihlathi lezi sezimanzi te, nasemlonyeni akathule uyabalisa. Ukhala ngokuthi useyoze alale emajele ngenxa kaZongile ayemkhuza belu ngokuthi angahambi. Watotoba eseqhuga, ngenxa yamadolo amhluphayo. Lambuka iphoyisa lilokhu limkonkozela, eshiphiliza izinyembezi ngephinifa eliyingxathu wukuxathuka kokungcola, nakhu wayephuma ensimini ukuyohlakulela ubhontshisi.
"Sengifikile, ngizolanda imali."
"Hhayi kho lento yonakele mama. Hamba pheka wena, thina hamba nalo ndoda kuphela." Yiphoyisa lomlungu lelo elalifake amateku axathukayo, eyingxathu wukungcola.
"Ukube bengingumuntu ononya bengingeke ngikucabangele sengizwe ukuthi awunamali futhi yokuhleka, ungulamba nje, ubhalakaxana. Nalapho ngizame izaba zokuthi kube khona engikwenzayo ukuze nawe ugcine ungasalanga ngaphandle. Uma ngibheka nje, wena usufuna ukungithwesa icala lakho lokuthi awukwazanga ukuza ku-interview. Akaxhumi akaxhasi uZola lapho. Okungicika kakhulu wukuthi awunanhlonipho unjalo nje, nakuba mina ngakutshengisa engaka ngikuzamela ikusasa eliqhakazile," wadonsa okokugcina wabe esewutshinga ugwayi nakuba wawungakapheli. Waphinda sona leso sokuphephethela intuthu kuZongile, owaphebeza ngezandlana ezinhle kungathi ezengane.
"Cha-cha-cha, angifuni ukuniphazamisa. Wena Phumla ngizokhuluma nawe kini, vele ngiya khona. Wena Thula ngiphe inombolo yakho, ngizokufonela sihlele ukuthi sizobonana kuphi kanjani." UPamela wakhipha iselula yakhe entsha esho nokuthi endala yalahleka nezinombolo ezibalulekile zabantu asondelene nabo.
Lathi liphothulwa isonto lezigigaba zikaZongile noPamela, ayephola amanxeba kubo bobabili. Izinkinga zikaZongile zaziqhubekela phambili kunokuba zinciphe. Wayesehleli impilo emuncu eflethini. Ubudlelwano bakhe noThula base bububi, engasamthembi nhlobo. Kwakungasekho obingelela omunye phakathi kwabo. Lokho kwabuye kwabhebhezelwa ngukuthi uThula wayesetshele uZongile kwezikabhoqo ukuthi akasafuneki eflethini. Baxabana baze bagcina ngokuthukana ngezisabekayo izinhlamba lezi.
"Thula, ngisize bandla uyobheka uZongile eflethini. Kade ngimfonela, ifoni iyakhala akayiphenduli. Mhlawumbe unenkinga yokusikwa umngani wami." UPhumla ezwakala ukuthi uthukile futhi unexhala.
"Eyi wena seqa mgwaqo, ngithi hlukana nami mani!"
"Khuluma ngizwe, ukube kuya ngawe ngabe kunjani" wambheka ngqo ezinhlamvini zamehlo?
"Ngizokufaka ngenkani! Uzokwenzani emva kwalokho" wamjamela ngamehlo ekati lijamele igundane. "Uze umtshele-ke umngani wakho loyo ukuthi yizintaba kuphela ezingahlangani kodwa abantu bayahlangana," wasukuma wama ngezinyawo?
Okwakumjabulisa ngukuthi unengoduso eyisifundiswa, kodwa kwakungamkhathazi nhlobo ukunqatshelwa kwakhe ukuvakashela ekhweni lakhe. Eqinisweni elimsulwa wayengakaze alubhade nokulubhada ngembadada kaNkomo eminyakeni emine edlule ethumele abakhongi. Kwakona nje ukwanga ingoduso yakhe kwakuyinto engamaqabuqabu. Yena wayebuswa ngukuthi unengoduso enhle, emi kahle, enesimilo futhi eyisifundiswa eMakhabeleni, efiswa yizinsizwa zendawo zonke.
"Asazi-ke Zo ukuthi ngubani onamanga phakathi kwenu. Kodwa nje kukodwa okumele ukwazi, lapho ekhona uPamela udinwe uyabila futhi ukufuna kabi," washo okomuntu osethanda ukucikeka yile ndaba.
Lwamshaya lwameqa uvalo uZongile ezwa ukuthi kanti uNyoka ushandile, waze wavuka wahlala ngezinqe embhedeni. Wavele wazibona esengofile njengoba lo mama wayekhuluma kanjena. Wahefuzela okomuntu oqeda kuqwala igquma. Engqondweni kwamkhanyela ukuthi lukhulu oselwake lwenziwa ngumkaNyoka, okwamthusa kakhulu ngukuthi kanti usefikile.
UNyoka owayekhathazekile wazizwa ephelelwa ngamandla, wavula ingubo walala engagezile enjalo. Ngaphakathi enhliziyweni wayezazi kahle ukuthi wonile. Wayemhlonipha kakhulu umkakhe ngoba wayemazi ukuthi akazwani nento engasile. Kubo bonke abantu besifazane ayeseke wathandana nabo wayengekho noyedwa onjengoZonke. Unobubele, impatho, inhlonipho, isizotha kanye nothando olujulile. Konke lokho yikho aluthathela kona lolu ngqwazi lakwaNdlovu, nokulwenza luhluke esifazaneni esiningi asadlula kuso. Uma usuke wamsukela uyayidela inkani. Izintombi eziningi zikaNyoka zazisazi kahle-hle isibhaxu sakhe. Nakhona lapho wayezibhonya uma esezifice kwakhe, hhayi emgwaqeni. Wayenokuzihlonipha uqobo lwakhe engayifuni nje into ezomhleba, imehlise isithunzi.
Sashaya isikhathi, yaphuma indoda ehhovisi isixhamazela kubonakala nje ukuthi lukhulu oluphuthunywayo. Yathi nje ithi thushu imoto ekhoneni lomgwaqo u-Chief Albert Luthuli noLangalibalele, wambona uZongile emi eduze nebhilidi i- Publicity House. Washaya ihuthi kwaba kanye, yeza intokazi, yavula isicabha yangena emotweni ewuhuntshu. Kwaba ngukusuka kwayo njalo imoto, yachusheza edolobheni yaye yalifulathela isiqonde eScottsville. Yathi ifika lapho yangena eGolden Horse Casino. Wayelokhu ejeqezile uZongile ebuka ubuhle besakhiwo esisho ngehhashikazi namaponi okunombala osagolide, nokuyiwo enza lesi sakhiwo sibe ngundabuzekwayo KwaZulu-Natali. UmfokaNyoka wayimisa phansi kwezihlahla imoto, wahlala waqhiyama esihlalweni sesikhumba, indololwane izimelele esitelingini esincanyana, esiyenza ibukeke kahle imoto.
UZongile noPhumla ababemiqondo idungwe yinkulumo kaZonke bandwaza nje bahlala, nakuba kwase kufanele kuhanjwe. Yiloyo naloyo wayetshisa inkulumo eyayizoba nemiphumela engajabulisi.
UMaqhinga eyayimkhathaze ngempela le ndaba yengoduso yakhe yokuntula imali, wayesezame amakhulu amathathu amarandi nengxenye. Leso senzo sakhe sabongwa ngokuthi aqatshuliswe esihlathini. Wajabula kwathi akandize umfokaZimu ezwa ubunofonofo besihlathi esisulekile.
Ekugcineni uZonke kwadingeka ukuthi akhethe phakathi kwezinto ezintathu uma nje ezimisele ngokuthola umsebenzi: ukugwaza, ukulala nomqashi wakhe okukanye aphunyukwe ngumsebenzi. Okokuqala kwase kuvele kumhlulile. Ithuba elinjena uma limlahlekela uyophinda alithathephi Wayecabanga buthule. Lokhu kwesibili kwakunzima kakhulu ngoba kuthinta umzimba wakhe oyithempeli likaJehova. Wayesanda kusindiswa enkonzweni yabazelwe kabusha, khona enyuvesi. Pho wayengabuyela kanjani esonweni emva kokuhlanzwa kwezono zakhe ezazibomvu okwegazi Wayezinikele kuleli bandla emva kokuphulwa kwakhe ezonweni ezinhlobonhlobo, ayecwile wagamanxa kuzo. Wayengalokotha kanjani azifanise nengulube exova udaka ngisho isigezwe yacwebezela Sibindi uyabulala sibindi uyaphilisa, wagwinya itshe wavala amehlo waziphonsa enyokeni eyayisiconsa amathe olimini olumbaxambili?
"Namanje ngisasaba kodwa ayikho into engingayenza ngoba ngeke ngikwazi ukufika kwaDube kwesikabhadakazi."
"Uphi pho umntakadadewenu Sengiyoze ngihambe ngingambonanga ngimbingelele" wabuza ngomoya omuhle uZonke owayenguntombizonke ngampela, engumdidimbela wentombi edishizelayo nedanda elingaka?
"Lezo zinsizwa zithe zimusa kuphi Bezingaki?
Wangena uMaqhinga esegxawuzela ngezingxabulela zakhe ephethe ithileyi. Kwakunezindishi ezintathu ethileyini: eyodwa imbondelene amadumbe, enye inyinyitheka ubhatata eyesithathu ichichima ifutho. Konke lokhu kudla wakuthi qithi phambi kukaZongile owayenesibibithwane ethukuthele ethelwe ngamanzi. UMaqhinga wacela izinsizwa ukuthi zike zimshiye kancane nengodusi yakhe. Zathi lacu izinsizwa zaye zathi tshobe endlini enkulu. Kwathula nya endlini uMaqhinga engazi nokuthi uzoyiqala kanjani inkulumo nomuntu obibithekayo, omfimfa nezinyembezi emehlweni.
Wazizwa enengwa uZongile ezwa uPhumla elokhu eqhosha nge-Golden Horse. Wayembuka ubulima njengoba wayengazi ukuthi naye usake wakhishelwa lapho. Wakubona kuzoba wukungabi nasifuba ukusho ukuthi naye wake waya lapho. Wawuhlaba inhlali, ingqondo yasabalala ngokuthi engabe lokhu kusondelana kukaThula noPhumla akuzukuba yini yinkinga ezinhlelweni zabo noNyoka.
UZonke waphendula ngokuthi izingane angeke zinake ngoba zibuka ifilimu eyintandokazi yazo.
Nangalelo langa umfokaNyoka wayeselungele indlela, imoto isiduma egalaji eyifudumeza. Nsuku zonke isango lalivulwa nguGiyani. Wayesahleli emotweni yakhe uNyoka ngesikhathi kuthi nse egcekeni imoto yohlobo luka-VW, igalofu elimhlophe. Wayithi nhla inombolo-puleti, lwamshaya uvalo ngesikhathi ebona ukuthi ngeyamaphoyisa igcina ngohlamvu u-B. Kwehla kuyona imidondoshiya emibili yezinsizwa, uMlungu kanye nogalagala lomseshi oNsundu.
Wangena uThula zasukuma izintombi njengoba zase zitsheliwe ukuthi zizohamba naye.
Wamdabulela ithishu umngani wakhe, nayo yamanta ngokushesha kuleya mvula eyayiphuma emehlweni, okwamanzi edilika empophomeni yaseMpophomeni.
"Asizame bandla Thula," wafola eduze kwakhe wamqukula izinyawo, "sizomkhipha ngewindi abe ngumuntu ozibulele." Waziphakamisa kakhulu izinyawo eselinde uThula ukuthi abambe kwesingenhla, antshingwe uZongile ngokushesha.
Zombili lezi zintombi nto ezazihlolwa nangasemakubo naphezu kokushaywa komthetho okunqabelayo lokhu, zase zithathe izifungo ngezimpilo zazo. Zazivumelene ngokuthi ziyoze ziphothule iziqu zazo zingazihlanganisile nezindaba zothando kanye nocansi. Nebala zakwenza lokho, zazichibiyela izifungo ngokuthi seziyoze zigcagce kuyima zizihlanganisa nocansi. Nalapho zazivusana ngokuthi lokho kuyomele kwenzeke uma sekuhlolwe igazi njengoba igciwane leNgculazi ligcogcoma kanjena nje.
"Yiphoyisa lakho elikutshele ukuthi sengineNgculazi Lishaye phansi-ke kwashunqa uthuli, mina ngiphila saka, ngiwumqemane ongenalutho," washo sakuqholosha?
"Kusebusuku kabi manje s'thandwa sami, futhi sengilele. Ngaphezu kwalokho anginamoto. UNyoka uyilandile imoto wathi ufuna ukuyisebenzisa" ezenza umuntu ovuka ebuthongweni.
"Kahle ukutatazela Pamela, umoya phansi. Ngimthumileke uZimu ukuthi ayobheka ukuthi ikhona yini inyamazane endlini. Uthe ikhona kodwa okwamanje iyageza, ngakho phuthuma wena uyongena endlini yayo, ngaloyo khiye engakunika wona. Kufanele ithi isiphuma ukuyogeza ikufice wena usungaphakathi," ukhuluma nje iphimbo lindonda sakuhlebeza.
"Ngiyezwa mntanami, bonke asebalinyazwa yilo mfazi babephika njengawe. Uma kodwa kungukuthi uqinisile kokushoyo, kuzobonakala ukuthi kusasa angakwenzi lutho. Izimpimpi zakhe azivamile ukushaya eceleni. Ake sithandaze mntanami ukuze neNkosi ikuphephise olakeni luka MaNdlovu," washo wathandaza ngampela umama eqalisa ngamagama amathathu: elikaYise, eleNdodana nelikaMoya oyiNgcwele.
"Akuqale wena ngendaba yakho emnandi kugcine mina ngezingezinhle." Kwasuka impikiswano naloyo ethi makuqale omunye nomunye ezihlangula.
UPhumla ngisola engathi nguyena lona oyimpimpi. Nguyena impela otshele uPamela indaba yethu. Kungenzeka aphinde atshele uPamela uma uThula ekulanda eMbali, wabonakala ngokudla ucikicane ukuthi lukhulu alucabangayo.
Yilapho-ke uZongile abona khona ukuthi akudlalwa. Wathi uyazabalaza zamdudula izinsizwa zamkhomba indlela. Wabona ukuthi zemuka naye ngampela, wahlala phansi dekle, wabambelela ngezidindi. Yaqhuma imvubu emhlane nasemathangeni, wasukuma engqasha sekumkhanyela ukuthi uzobola yimvubu uma engahambi. Wangena indlela ezibinya nokukhala kuthi ngila. Zamuka naye izinsizwa zaze zafika naye kwaZimu. Zamfaka elawini likaMaqhinga abalifica livulwe gengelezi kukhala ibhungane engabonwa umnikazi walo. Kwahlalwa endlini, kujanyelwene, izinsizwa zesula izithukuthuku ngesikhathi uZongile ebibitheka esula izinyembezi ezazinyelela emehlweni.
Baphuma ngesango beshiya uNkomo emile ebambelele edanda okwentombi iphuma emfuleni ilambatha, isiphihlikelwe yimbiza enamanzi. Wadla imihlathi ebuka izinkomo ziphuma engenamandla okuzivimba. Umkakhe, uMaNgwenya, wayelunguza ngewindi esaba ngisho nokuphuma endlini. Omakhelwane babeziyaluzisa emagcekeni befuna ukuzibonela ngawabo, bangezwa ngenzwabethi. Wabuyela endlini uNkomo ezibona engelutho, eyinhlekisa, inhliziyo igayisisa izibozi.
"Kulungile akusenani-ke noma usumtshelile uPhumla. Uma ekubuza uzomtshela ukuthi sichithekile isisu. Zihlale zichitheka kubo bonke abantu, angeke asole lutho nakuwena," washo ngokuzethemba uNyoka sekuhlaluka ukuthi ukubheka kwakhe phansi sekuthele izithelo zokuqhamuka namaqhinga.
"Unenhlanhla umngani wakho, uyazi Imoto izofika ngo8 kusihlwa, naye angabe esasala. Ngimtshelile u-Director ngenkinga yakhe. Nigcine isikhathi Phumla please.?
"Angiyizwa kahle mina le ndaba yakho. Waze nini ukuthi kumele uhambe Mina nawe sasivumelene ngokuthi ngizovakasha kini ukuphela kwenyanga sengiholile. Usuyangibalekela njalo" Waneka izandla uPhumla. "Ungakhathazeki Phumla, angikubalekeli, ngizobuya. Sisuka kude kabi nawe ngakho angisoze ngakubalekela. Ngizothi qu nje ekhaya ngihlole isimo ebese ngiphenduka ngokushesha. Siyohlela, ngikuhlangabeze edolobheni uvakashe nawe ekhaya, ayikho nencane inkinga lapho.?
UZongile wayesethubeleze waze wathumela izingane ukuba zimbizele uMaqhinga. Wayesukumele phezulu umfokaZimu, ejabuliswa ngukubizwa yingoduso yakhe. Akapholisanga maseko uZongile wabe eseyicelile imali eyizinkulungwane zamarandi. Wasenga ezimithiyo ethi ufuna ukuyofundela ukushayela imoto. Esezwile uMaqhinga owayeyisabisa okwezulu ingoduso yakhe, walandula ngephimbo elinokukhulu ukukhathazeka lokhu.
"Angizwanga Zola, uthini Ngikhiphe isisu Ngibulale imiphefumulo emibili engenacala Uthi uyazizwa ukuthi uthini Zola" wanyipha ngokunyanya uZongile ezwa udoti ngezindlebe zakhe?
Kwaba ngukuphuma kukaPhumla nje, wasuka ewindini uNyoka owayengenawo umusa omningi ngalelo langa. Wahlala embhedeni eduze kukaZongile owayezibona ezungezwe ngumzangedwa wemiphumela yemisebenzi yangayizolo.
"Ngitshelwe nguye kodwa yena uthe uthunywe ngabazali bakhe. Uma ubeqinisile-ke yena akanacala ngoba ubeyisithunywa. Eyi, zingikhungethe izinkinga, ngangingazi" naye walinikina ikhanda elokhu ebheke phansi.
Wawuke wamfikela umcabango wokuthi uZongile amqhathe nohlanya olunguPamela. Kwakumkhanyele ukuthi angeke kusalunga njengoba yena wayengasabhekani noPamela, sebefana nenja nekati. Iqhinga ayesenamathele kulo kwakungelokumxosha ngenkani uZongile eflethini. Wayesehlele waqeda ukuthi uzosebenzisa uThula noZimu ukuthi kube yibona abamkhipha ngesidlozana bantshinge izimpahlana zakhe phandle. Wayengafuni nangengozi ukuthi uZonke aze abuye phesheya uZongile esanabalele eflethini. Leyo wayesebone kuyiyona ndlela engamphula olakeni lukaZonke.
"Pho usithathaphi isibindi sokuthandana nomuntu oshadile, omdala kangaka kuwe, ocishe alingane noyihlo Uyenzelani into embi kangaka?
"Angiphiki ukuthi ngike ngone kodwa kunento engiphethe kabi kukho konke ukwenza kwami okubi," wazama ukushintsha isihloko uNyoka.
"Phumla, ngize lapha nje kuwena, inhliziyo yami ibuhlungu iyaqaqamba. Nginokhulu ukuzisola ngengakwenza mzukwane ngithi ngiyakusiza ngikufunela umsebenzi. Ngangingazi ukuthi ngizigwaza ngowami, ukube ngangazi" zabophana izinhlonzi esiphongweni.
"Uqonde ukuthi kumele sithandane kuqala ukuze ungesabi ukulala kwami Ayikho phela inkinga lapho, nawe wazi kahle ukuthi ngikuthanda kangakanani. Kungakuhle impela sithandane ukuze nawe ungadliwa ngunembeza," washo wanaba uNyoka, wokhela ugwayi intuthu wayikhipha yabheka phezulu?
Esitakini samaphepha ayephezu kwetafula, uNyoka wahosha amabili wawadlulisela ezintombini. Wazitshela ukuthi yiyona-ke imibuzo ezobuzwa kwinhlolokhono yomsebenzi. Wachaza ukuthi angeke akwazi ukuzinika imibuzo zihambe nayo kodwa kumele ziyibukisise ukuze ziyazi ngekhanda. Wabe esezinika izimpendulo zemibuzo ezishaya emhloleni. Seziqedile ukubuka imibuzo, wabe esezivivinya, ebuza ngamunye njengoba kuyokwenziwa kwinhlolokhono. Zaphendula kahle kakhulu izintokazi, wazincoma uNyoka ezithembisa ukuthi ziyoqashwa nakanjani uma ziyokwenza kanjena nakwinhlolokhono.
Lazimuka ikhanda kuyena, esebubona kahle ubuqili bukaNyoka. Konje uNyoka wayengalokotha yini ambambise utalagu Nemali ayesenayo ayiseningi, kumele ayonge, nakhu eningi ukhithize ngayo oncamunce abazibusise ngabo noPhumla. "Uyazi, impela nezinto seziyabiza ezitolo! Izolo ngithenge izimpahla zoplastiki ababili kodwa ngikhokhe imali enkulu kabi. Ukube bengazi nje ukuthi imali ngizobuye ngiyidinge kanjena, bengingeke ngithenge lutho. Imali ekhona manje angeke nje yangifikisa ndawo, ngisho nasekhaya eKranskop angeke ngifike. Kungcono ngithi ukuqhuba isikhathi ngibuye ngifone, cishe nomhlangano uzobe usuphumile. Konje kumele ngifonele bani ngale mali yokugcina UNyoka noma uThula Kungcono ngifonele uNyoka ngimtshele ngomoya omuhle ukuthi sengikhulume noThula, walandula. Kuzomele ngizehlise impela ukuze singaxabani nje noNyoka. Ngimdinga kabi nje," ucabanga nje ufuna indawo azogoba kuyo amadlangala?
"Kungcono uma usubona ukuthi ngithembekile ngiyakunakekela, nakuwena ngilindele okufanayo," landonda iphimbo endodeni.
"Yini kangaka Baze bakunqumele ugwayi katiki nje kwenzenjani?
Kwakuthi njalo kusihlwa uma esebhavile uGiyani, eze endlini kamama uNtulo azobuka ithelevishini. Wathi engena ngalokho kuhlwa wazithela entombini enhle eyayihleli ithe khovololo. Wabingelela uGiyani esaba nokubuza ukuthi ingubani. Wavula ithelevishini eyayifithiza babuka kwaze kwafika umama uNtulo esephethe ukudla kwakhe noZongile. Kwaba ngukuphela kwefilimu eyayibukwa, wavalelisa uGiyani sasala sodwa isifazane.
Ngisho nokuthi athi vu uZongile, kunalokho wachiphiza kakhulu.
"Sihlangene ngawe uma kwenzenjani mzala" indumalo yaphenduka intukuthelo?
Yahlala yambalwa imivimbo kuPhumla, wabhena, wabona ukuthi ayingangaye, waphulukundlela, wacela empunzini. Wathi efulathela nomhlane wakhe uPhumla, wathola ibhansela yomvimbo ayengasawulindele, wahlaba kakhulu ngejubane, wakhala kakhulu: "Wuu!"
Kodwa Zonke mkami, noma sengixolisa awusangizweli, mkami esebona ukuthi iyanona ingulube?
"Angimboni kodwa uPhumla enza into enjalo. Ungumuntu ongathandi ukukhuluma izindaba zabantu. Mina namanje angazi ngampela ukuthi le ndaba yaputshuka kanjani, ngoba phela sasibabili, owesithathu kunguThula" wamphula ulimi.
"Sawubona Thula. Nisaphila nje lapho ekhaya Zithini ezintsha ngoNyoka" uZonke owayesho ngengila kuzwakala ukuthi usemotweni ehambayo. Wathuka uThula, wathi qala ebuka uPhumla owayesehamba ephakamisa isandla ethathaza?
"Kusobala ukuthi ubaba akangifiseli impumelelo nakuba sengifunde kangaka. Uyazi, impela okwami okwezandla," wabalisa uZongile esebona nje ukuthi nanka eshabala amaphupho akhe okuthola umsebenzi emva kokuphumelela izifundo zakhe ngamalengiso.
"Hho, uyamphikela, usaqhubeka impela nokungenza isilima. Mina kusho ukuthi nginamanga uma ngithi lo mngani wakho ulale noNyoka izolo Hhi?
UNyoka wayengasabonwa nangokhalo eflethini kusukela mhla uZongile enqaba ukuyohushula isisu. Lokho kwaholela ekutheni angabe esamnika nemali yokuthenga ukudla nokuzigada. Ukuvakashela enxanxatheleni yezitolo okwase kuyinsakavukela kuZongile, kwase kushabalele. Okungaphezu kwakho konke yabhoka inkemane endlini njengoba ikati lase lilele eziko. Lwanda lwadlondlobala usizi kuZongile owayengasenamali yokuthenga nezithelo ayethandiswa zona.
"Ziyangisukela Zimu mfowethu, kangazi ukuthi zingizwani. Kwale kancane zangibulala lezi ngane. Kanti kunje eThawini" wayekhulumela phansi ngomoya onqamukayo uNkomo, esembulele amahloni nengebhe, nezinhlungu zingamnike thuba?
"Ngakubuza kahle ukuthi uNyoka uyathandana yini noZongile, waphika. Waqhubeka lo mngani wakho wangiqambela amanga wathi bengimhlasele, konke lokho kwakuhle kuwena. Umthetho wakho wena Phumla uyinhloboni yomuntu Ukhetha ukuvikela abantu bangaphandle udayise ngami ngiyigazi lakho" wambheka ngasabekayo amehlo lawa?
"Ngicela ungisize-ke bandla Zola uze ungambuzi uPhumla le ndaba. Mina angixabene noPhumla ngakho uma engezwa ukuthi sengikutshele le ndaba akazuthokoza."
Wabihlika wakhala uZongile ezwa ebhecwa ngobende inyama engayidlanga ngokuthanda. Wayegqokiswa ibhantshi elazi nelavele lamlingana lamfanela. Nakuba wayemgcwelezile uNyoka kepha iqiniso lalithi babengathandani. Wakuthola kunzima ukuvuma ukuthi balalile noNyoka ekubeni bengathandani. Lokho wakubona kuzombangela amazinyo abushelelezi abukeke njengomuntu ongenasimilo. Ukuphika kwakhe kwambangela isigcwagcwa kuZonke owayesenolwazi lonke ngokwenzekile. Ukuvuma kwakhe kwakuzombangela isidina kuPhumla owayemthemba emazi njengomuntu oqotho. Icala elase limbule ingubo langena waliphika ngeqholo lokuthi vele lingumphikwa.
"Noma kunguwena owangona kepha lokho akusona isizathu esingangiphoqelela ekutheni ngithandane nawe. Owakwenza kimi wakwenza ngoba ngingenamali, ukube nganginayo wawungeke ukwenze. Kungabe senza iphutha sobabili-ke uma singazikhohlisa ngokuthi sesinegunya lokuthandana ekubeni wena wawungenanhloso yokuthandana nami. Ngicela nje ungixolele baba uNyoka ngeke nje nhlobo ngakwazi ukuthandana nawe," washo wayesulisisa izinyembezi.
"Ukhethe yiphi indawo mngani wami" usenomona novalo lokuthi cishe ziphazamiseke izinhlelo zangomuso?
UThula akazange amphendule kodwa waphendula uPhumla, embingelela ngegama lezithandani lokumteketisa.
Lathi liphakama ilanga uZongile wayesephakathi kwaNdongazibovu. Wayifulathela indawo yakubo engazi nokuthi uyobuya nini, esekuliphi izinga lempilo.
"Imali engaka yokugwaza efunekayo mntanami, pho uzoyithathaphi?
Wamukelwa ngemfudumalo uZongile kwaDube ezibonela nje naye ukuthi hhiya idla umunyu impucuko kuleli khaya. Izicathulo zazisala evulandi kanti lonke iphansi lalinamatiles amhlophe qwa. Wazizwa enokunyela uZongile uma ecabanga ngekwabo elalingolawondi abane, ingabonwa indlu kathayela. Nokho wayesezitshele ukuthi nguyena oseyokwakha umuzi wakubo uma nje eseqashiwe kulo msebenzi awubabele eMgungundlovu.
"Uyasaba, usabani Khuluma ngizwe.?
"Njengamanje thina sobathathu siya emaphoyiseni. Wena Zongile uzofika uvule icala lokuthi wadlwengulwa nguNyoka ngoba nakhu phela uthi anithandani. Mina ngazi ukuthi ukulala kwabantu bengathandani ingekho imvume komunye, wukudlwengulwa. Wena Phumla uzoba ngufakazi kukho konke okuzobhalwa nguZongile esitatimendeni. Ngifuna aboshwe uNyoka ngalo mkhuba wakhe ongcolile, sekwenele," wasukuma uZonke wama ngezinyawo ebonakala nje ukuthi imcikile le nto ayikhulumayo.
"Mntanami, ngimdala uma ngingaka ngakho ngithi nje angikululeke ngodaba lwakho noNyoka. Sengibonile vele ukuthi niyathandana kodwa ngifisa ukukuxwayisa ngokuthi uze ungaphinde uze naye lapha kwakhe ngoba umkakhe unesikhwele esibi. Uma nje angase ezwe ukuthi niyathandana, wena ungaphuma ufile lapha kwakhe. Kungcono mntanami uma ufisa ukuthi nibe ndawonye, nizivakashele emahhotela. Siza mina-ke mntanami sengikhathele ngukubukisa la mehlo ami amanyala. Sengikhathele wukuba ngufakazi sekufika amaphoyisa engibuza ukuthi ngiboneni. Ngisize mntanami ungaphinde ulubhade lapha," washo ngomoya ophansi lo mame ngephimbo elihlebeza linomunyu.
"Kahle phela ukungithusa Phumla," esho uZongile selimbulele nya itwetwe.
"Pamela, kanti ungibiza nje ungibizela amacala Usubulele umuntu. Usungaze umbulale pho, nokwenza ekhulelwe" ethukile uThula ebukisisa nenxeba esihlathini sikaPamela?
UPhumla akabange esathi vu kodwa wavele wasukuma, wazilula wabe esevalelisa. Wafulathela waphuma wahamba eshiya labo ababezibiza ngabathandanayo bengayithandi indaba yothando lwabo olwaluthandelene izinkinga.
Umama uNtulo wathi efika endlini yakhe wathola uZongile ehleli noGiyani nokunguye owayesebenza ingadi kwaNyoka. UGiyani kwakungowaseBulwer naye engafikanga kude kakhulu nemfundo. Wayethole lo msebenzi ngokukhulunyelwa nguyise owayengunogada enkampanini izInyoka. Uyise wayekhulume nomqashi wakhe ecelela umfana wakhe itoho lokusebenza ingadi.
"Kodwa ngingenzenjani nje Nkosi yami njengoba kuyimina engimisa nesaka lempuphu ekhaya Ingenzeki nje leyo nto mama, ngingaba yini nje, ngisho nokulobola ngingakuqedela ngani" Washintsha ebusweni uGiyani wamubi kakhulu, kubonakala nje ukuthi kumphula umoya ukuxoxwa kwendaba yokuthi kungenzeka baphelelwe ngumsebenzi?
"Uhamba uyaphi Zo" ngokumangala sekuphele nokujabulela ukuya e-Golden Horse?
"Wena yingoba vele usuzimisele ngokubuyela kini noma yingoba ungasenandawo yokuhlala la eMphithi?
Izakhamizi eziningi eMakhabeleni zazizwe ezibuhlungu kwazwela, nakuba babekhona ababethi liphume nobovu. Babebaningi abantu ababephithizela kwaNkomo bezimazisile, sebelinde nokufika kwesidumbu. Iningi labo lalinyukubele bengenalo ithemba ngisho ubabheka emehlweni. Abazali abaningi babekhala ngokudlula kwesifundiswa sendawo ebesiyisibonelo esihle ezinganeni zabo. Yibo futhi ababeduduza umndeni wakwaNkomo.
Lwamuthi heqe uvalo uZongile uma ezwa umngani wakhe ethi kuzomele abonane noPamela. Phela inhliziyo enecala ayikutholi ukuphumula, uZongile wayezazi kahle ukuthi yena ufike ngayizolo eMaritzburg, ngakho uPamela wayekhuluma iqiniso elimsulwa. Wasukuma uPhumla ngenhloso yokuyolungiselela umngani wakhe okuphuzwayo. Wathatha amagxathu amathathu, wezwa umsindo wehuthi yemoto esangweni. Wama khimilili, walunguza ngewindi kepha kwangabonakala lutho ngenxa yokuthi yayingamile maqondana nesango, kusithe ugange.
Ngisize Thula bandla kube khona esikwenzayo ngokushesha ngalo muntu, kungaze kubone abaningi.
"Manje baba njengoba ngicele ukuhlangana nawe yingoba ngifisa ukuzwa ukuthi ngimi kuphi njengoba ngingakwazanga ukuza ku-interview" ngephimbo elinokudangala?
"Kahle bo! Ngempela?
Zasukuma zenza kanjalo, zakhuphuka izitebhisi.
"Usaqhubeka nokungenza isilima Phumla" "Angisazi-ke ukuthi ngizothini-ke manje ngoba konke engikushoyo awukukholwa," esho ebheka phansi uPhumla ezenza odubayo?
"Nakho-ke okukhulu! Uthi ukhulelwe Pho mina kungithinta ngaphi lokho?
Wathi esamangazwe yilokho uZongile, samdumela isidlakela esinguMqedeni, simtshela ukuthi bathunywe nguMaqhinga ukuba babuye naye.
Kuwo loyo mzuzu wokuzitika, kwezwakala ukungqongqoza. Hawu! Waze washesha bo ukufika uNyoka. UZongile wathi jeqe iwashi, wathi makangene loyo. Vulekiyane isicabha, qhamukiyane ubuso bukaPhumla. Nkosi yami, kanti uNyoka ubuye wenzenjani ngokuhlakaza isidleke sikaPhumla noThula Ubekwa yini nje uPhumla la ngoba wazi ukuthi ngiseKranskop Yonke le micabango yathi nyazi engqondweni kaZongile ngokushesha, okombani wezulu ehlobo. Wavuka wahlala ngezinqe esenamahloni, ebanjwe oqotsheni ukuthi wayehubhuza uhubhu kabhejane mzukwane ethi uya eKranskop?
Wathi nhla kanye uZongile wayibona intuba, wacela empunzini naye. UZonke wezwa nje ngomsindo wezicathulo esitaladini, wathi nhla wambona ehla njalo uZongile. Kwathi xhifi kuyena esebona kahle nje ukuthi lezi zingane seziyamgugisa, walandela naye emva kukaZongile ngejubane. Ebona uZongile ukuthi nangu emva kwakhe, walala ngekhona eduze kwetafula elaligcwele izithelo ezinhlobonhlobo zidayisa.
Emva kwesidlo sakusihlwa lwabuya lolo valo, lwamuthi nta kwamancane. Phela umkakhe wayesembizele ekameleni ethi ufuna bafakane imilomo. Wambiza ngalesi sikhathi ifilimu eyayidlala ku-DVD isingena kuvuthondaba. Wangena esenyobozela uNyoka, wacupha echopheni lombhede. Umkakhe wayehleli esihlalweni se-dressing table. Lokho kunama komkakhe ayekubone efika kwase kushabalele okobumnyama bubona ilanga. Yikho kanye lokho okwenza uNyoka lumphinde kakhudlwana uvalo.
Yathi ithi nse imoto edolobheni kuleyo ndawo akwakulinde kuyo uZongile, yaqhamuka madoda intombi kaNkomo isicothoza. Wayizwa igubhazela inhliziyo yakhe uNyoka ezwa lolo vadlwana oluncane oluhlangene nothando olujulile. Wayeseneminyaka agcina ukuzizwa ekulesi simo uma ebona umuntu wesifazane. Empeleni lokho kwakugcine ukumenza eseyibhungu, esasaba ukutshela umuntu wesifazane ukuthi uyamthanda.
"Awungitshele kahle-ke manje Zo, ubekwa yini lapha Kanti kuyiqiniso ngampela ukuthi uqomene nobaba uNyoka" wambuka phezulu waze waphuma naye phansi ngokushesha njengoba wayehleli dekle uZongile embhedeni owawundlalwe amaduvethi amadadlana esethanda ukuphupha?
Lwamuthi heqe uvalo uNyoka. Kungabe umkakhe usefuna ukuzibulala ngenxa nje yakhe Wazibuza buthule ethule okomuntu ongazi ukuthi uzothini. Wathula wadla imihlathi efuna ukuzwa ingonyuluka yaloku kuvalelisa?
Umsebenzi kaZongile wawunezikhathi zokungena ezehlukene. Kwakhukhona abangena ekuseni ngehora lesithupha, baphume ngehora lokuqala emini. Iqembu lesibili lalingena ngehora lokuqala liphume ngehora lesishiyagalombili kusihlwa. UZongile wayengena emini aphume ebusuku nakhu wayehlala eduze nomsebenzi, ehamba ngezinyawo uma eseya endlini. Ngezinsuku zokuqala kwakunzima njengoba wayelala ekhathele eyimvithi nokwenza umuntu ezithwele. Kwakungemdlalo ukuma ngezinyawo amahora ayisikhombisa elangeni elikhipha umkhovu etsheni, emakhazeni ashubisa umkantsha nasemvuleni emathonsi abanzi.
Wayimisa imoto, waphuma wagaklaza isicabha, wadlwathuzela efulathela imoto ibaniza njengoba wayecupha i-alamu. Waphonseka ekheshini elase livele livaleka isicabha. Wehla phezulu esehalazela waye wangena endlini eyayivele ivulekile. Ekungeneni kwakhe wazithela kuZongile owayesekhishini epheka. Wama uNyoka wambuka ngasabekayo amehlo lawa.
"Ngicela ungilande ekuseni kubo kaPhumla bandla, baba uNyoka," wayesebona nje ukuthi nakho-ke kuzomphinda okwamehlela.
"Kanti yindaba yini lena oyishoyo Zo Awungitshele phela mngani wami.?
Yathi iphuma imoto kaNyoka inyonyoba iya emsebenzini, wayevuka nomkakhe owayelungiselela indlela ayenayo. Wathi efika ekhishini wathola umama uNtulo eseyaluza njengenhlalayenza, elungisela izingane nesivakashi iphalishi. Babingelelana ngentokozo eveza ukuthi uzwe ngoNyoka ukuthi kukhona ingane kadadewabo.
Umkhuba wakhe lo wokugwazisa wayewuqale emva kweminyaka emibili eqashwe esikhundleni sakhe. Wayeqashwe kulesi sikhundla sakhe ngeziqu ze-BA Honours (Public Administration and Communication) ayezenze e-University of Qwaqwa. Ezinye iziqu ayenazo kwakungezomgunyathi njengoba wayenobugebengu obujulile bokuthenga iziqu. Wayenobudlelwano nezikhungo zemfundo ephakeme futhi engamathe nolimi nezifundiswa ezihlonishwayo, ezingoSolwazi kwelaseNingizimu Afrika, kakhulukazi KwaZulu-Natali naseFree State.
Wayengakafiki ngisho esangweni uNkomo ngesikhathi uZongile eyivusa le ndaba ayeseyivalile uyise owayefunde wagcina ebangeni lesithathu. Nokho uNkomo wayebe nenhlanhla yokuthola umsebenzi wokushayela imihuqa yamaloli aphuma izintaba ajubalale.
Isigangi esinguNyoka samuwola uZongile simduduza, simthoba namanxeba. Empeleni kwayena uNyoka wayesenokumangala ukuthi kusekhona izintombi nto ezisakwazi ukugcinisisa ubuntombi bazo kulezi zinsuku zanamuhla ezinzima kanjena. Enhliziyweni yakhe wazizwa esenomona ngoZongile. Wayesembona engaphephile neze emankentshaneni abafana ayenenkolelo yokuthi bazomhlwitha okokhozi luhlwitha itshwele. Walangazelela ukuthi le ntombi ihlale iphambi kwamehlo akhe ukuze okungontanga yayo bangayinuki nangempumulo. Waqala ngaleso sikhathi uNyoka ukwenza amaqhinga ayezogcina uZongile eseduzane naye.
"Awu Nkosi yami Thula, ngicela ukhulume naye bandla. Umtshele ukuthi ubukhuluma nami ngendaba yokuthi ungilande," elokhu ebuka imali eyayincipha kancane efonini.
"Cha mntanami, angiwabikelanga."
Waphefumulela phezulu uPhumla okomuntu ophumulayo emva komsebenzi onzima. Ngenze njani uma kunjena Nangu umzala engishwabulela, uthi ngiyamdayisa. Nkosi yami noZongile ungincenge kahle ukuthi ngize ngingasho kuPamela ukuthi ukuphi. Ngimtshele umzala, ngiphike Ngizomtshela, asuke aye khona eflethini afike amudle luhlaza uZongile. Ngizophika kanti uThula uzomtshela nakhu uthe ufuna ukumbona naye. Ingqondo yacabanga ngesikhulu isivinini, lingekho nethuba eliningi njengoba uPamela elindele impendulo ngabomvu?
"Mina mlingani bengibona ukuthi kuhle ungibuyisele izinkomo zami ngoba nampu ubuhlobo ebesibuphemba buyalotha. Lowo ngumbono engibona ukuthi uzokwenza singaxabani kepha sihlale sizwana," wabheka phesheya kwemfunda eqeleni wazibuka ezinye zezinkomo zakhe zithe nikilili, amankonyane etshakadula.
Wabheka phansi, wabambelela ekhanda ayelokhu elinikina uNyoka.
Akabonaze aphendule uZongile, kunalokho wayenyakazisa izindebe zomlomo okomuntu oyalelayo. Wasala ekhamisile, eqhunsule iso elilodwa elinye lilenga lingaqondakali ukuthi liqhumile yini uma linje. Wahlehla nyova uPamela, elokhu eqaphe isitha sakhe, amehlo ahlangana nesibuko se dressing table, nalapho abona khona ubukhulu bomonakalo esihlathini sakhe, igazi selizigxazela nje, ligeleza ejakhethini yesikhumba.
Wayilanda ukusuka nokuhlala indaba waze wayiphetha uZongile. Wayebonakala nje ukuthi uthathekile uZonke owayeseyintokazi eqinile ngokweminyaka. Wayebabaza isibindi nobuqhawekazi bukaZongile osukume walwela amalungelo akhe njengomuntu wesifazane.
Wahleka izihada uZimu kanti ufuna ukuthi uNkomo kube nguyena ozisholo ngowakhe ukuthi ufuna yenziweni ingane. Wayesevele efunde kwezakhe ukuthi uNkomo ucabanga lokhu akufisayo. Waqhubeka-ke uNkomo wageqa amagula njengoba wayesazinqume amakhanda waziyeka.
UZongile wanhlanhlatha emaqeleni waye waphumela emgwaqeni omkhulu. Esamile kanjalo kwaqhamuka enye yezimoto ezithutha umphakathi oya edolobheni eKranskop. Washo phakathi uZongile nenhliziyo isithe cosololo njengoba iveni yayishayelwa nguSteshi ababefunda naye beseyizingane futhi kungumfana wendawo.
"Nami ngifana nawe mama, angazi ukuthi kwenzenjani," washo watebhisa udebe lomlomo uGiyani okomuntu ozobihlika akhale.
Uvulandi wawusendaweni ephakeme, laphaya ezansi kunedamu elihle lokubhukuda eduze kwezihlahla ezifana nezasebhishi. Lonke idamu lalizungezwe yisihlabathi esimhlophe, izambulela namabhentshi nokwakwenza kubukeke engathi kusebhishi elithile. Le ezansi kwakusebenza insizwa eyayijuluke imanzi te yizithukuthuku, isiphula ukhula oluqaqele uthango.
Zehla izintokazi nezikhwama ezincane ezithe ne ngaphansi kwekhwapha. Yilapho-ke ezabona khona kahle uThula. Wayebukeka eyintanga yabo oPhumla, nakuba wayeyisidlakela sensizwa, esihamba sigxamalaze sishwibe izingalo lena nalena. Wayebukeka njengomuntu oqukula izinsimbi, esho ngezingalo ezingaka, isifuba singaka, ecishe alingane nenyathi uqobo.
Wayibona iningi imali ayinikwe nguNyoka, wacabanga ukungena esitolo athi ukucoshacosha okuncane azojabulisa ngakho umngani wakhe. Wayemkhonze kabi uPhumla, emvikela ngisho esefuna ukumudla luhlaza uPamela. Nakho nje ukuthi ayikholwe into ayemtshela yona ngezinsolo zokuthandana noNyoka, kwamenza waba nogazi. Base besondelene kakhulu futhi bethembana kungekho ongazazi izimfihlo zomunye. Kepha ukukhubeka kukaZongile kwakujule kakhulu kungelula ukuthi angakutshela uPhumla ngoba lokho kwakungambangela isigcwagcwa. Yikona kanye lokho okwenza uZongile afele ngaphakathi okwebutho likaZulu.
"Ngeke kwenzeke, ngisemhlanganweni njengamanje."
"Lalela Zonke, angikukhohlisi. Angiphiki ukuthi ngake ngathandana nalo mntwana kodwa hhayi ukuthi yimina engimkhulelisile. Ngicela ukukholwe lokho please," yancenga indoda.
"Ungazongenza isilima wena! Ngathuma uThula ukuthi akutshele, wagoloza. Ngaphinda ngathuma uZimu, naye wamtshela umathanda wakho. Umthetho wakho ufuna ukuphuma lapha usukhala?
UMaqhinga owayewolwe kanye nabangani bakhe bavalelwa esitokisini, bethweswe amacala afanayo bonke ngaphandle kukaMaqhinga yena owayethweswe nelokudlwengula.
"Mina sisi angazani nalutho, konke okushoyo ngiyakweshwama." Wabhekisa kuZongile, " Uma ngempela kuyiqiniso Zongile lokhu okushiwoyo, vuma mngani wami, uxolise ukuze le ndaba idlule," washo ngelincengayo uPhumla nakuyena sekuhlangene uvalo lokusaba ukwenziwa isilo sengubo, nentukuthelo yehlazo elalihlonywa kumngani wakhe.
"Ngiyasaba ukusho, mhlawumbe kuzokucasula engizokusho," waphinda wakhophoza kwaqathaka unyembezi olulodwa esweni.
UNyoka wayeseke wavela ekomitini eliqondisa izigwegwe eMnyangweni, lahlehla icala. Wayeke ahlale yedwa vo ajule ngemicabango. Ngaphakathi kuyena wayezisola kakhulu ngezehlo ezase zehlakele. Izinkinga zakhe zaziqale mzukwane kuhamba umkakhe, nokwalandelwa ngukukhulelwa kukaZongile. Wathi esamangazwe yilokho wamiswa emsebenzini. Zonke lezi zigigaba zazimenza azisole kakhulu, abone nokho ukuthi nguyena owazenza ngakho kumele azinwayele utwayi lwakhe.
"Phumla ngenze njani Ngihambe wena usale, noma sisale sobabili" Wayedideke ngampela uZongile ngokwakumele akwenze?
Wayesemhlehlelile uPamela. Wayemthwese icala lokumhlambalaza kwaDube ngokuya kwakhe ehlome eyizingovolo. Wayesemtshele emehlweni ukuthi bake bame ukuthandana ngoba uPamela usephula isivumelwano sabo sokuthi bazothandana ngokufihlana ngoba yena ushadile. UNyoka wayekhala ngokuthi uPamela usefuna ukushaya ufayifi kanti yena uzishadele futhi nesikhundla sakhe sibucayi, singamdonsela amehlo ezintatheli ezingondaba kulezi zinsuku.
"Khohlwa-ke nje ngokuthi ngizoke ngikutshele. Into okumele uyazi ukuthi ngoba nakhu awuzimisele ngokushintsha ngisazophinda ngihambe, kungenzeka ukuthi ngihambe ngingabe ngisabuya. Ngikunikile ithuba lokushintsha kodwa wahluleka. Kungcono ngihambe ngikushiye ngoxolo kunokulinda amathonsi abanzi." Wasukuma uZonke okomuntu osehamba manje nje.
"Ngikudayise ngokwenzani kwami?
"Kahle kakhulu. Yiwo nje amakhaza angajwayeleki kuleli zwe, kuhlala ngokukhithika nje."
Kwaba usegadlile uZongile kumayengandoda ayegcwele lapho. Avungama wonke, omunye esongela uZongile ngokuthi uzoyikhokha imali aseyilahlekisele umngani wabo uNcane. Iningi labo laphika ukuthi badayisa ngomzimba, bethi uZongile uyabahlambalaza. Uyedwa owayemkhwelele ngenhlamba embiza ngaphansi kweziketi zikanina.
"Zongile okuzokwenzeka phakathi kwethu ngicela kugcine phakathi kwethu sobabili," uNyoka wasekhulumela phansi esekhumule nothayi. "Ngisho uThula lo angeke aze azi lutho ngokuzokwenzeka phakathi kwethu, ngakho nawe ungathi vu. Ngenze iqhinga lokuthi ulandwe yisithuthuthu ukuze uPhumla asale, naye angazi lutho, ngakho naye usize uze ungamtsheli lutho. Siyezwana lapho Zongile?
Wasondela ngasekhanda ngokusaba wamuthi cobho ngonyawo ngokusaba ebusweni. Wayezitshela ukuthi uzophaphama nasekuqulekeni kwakhe engabe wayequlekile. Embona ethule engathi nyaka, esebukeka njengongasaphefumuli, wakhothama eduze kwakhe. Wathi ukumhlokoloza ngomunwe esweni, alizange licwayize. Wathuka manje wabeka isandla sakhe ovalweni lwesidumbu esidindilizile sigqoke isudi yesele, ithawula seliqaqeke lonke. Wathola ukuthi inhliziyo ayisashayi.
"Ngiqinisile mzala, mina angazi lutho ngempela. Nangesikhathi eya lapho mina ngasala njengoba wayelandwe yisithuthuthu. Angazi lutho ngempela mzala, ngicela ungikholwe," wayesho ngelincengayo bandla uPhumla embona nje ukuthi ubhodla umlilo umzala wakhe.
Lathi lithi mukuthu ihora okwakuvunyelwene ngalo, yabe isimi esangweni imoto yohlobo lwe-BMW, inombala wenyoni kayiphumuli. Umshayeli wayo wayishaya kwaba kanye ihuthi, zaphuma izintokazi sezicothoza. Inamba-puleti yemoto eyayikhanyiswa yizibani zomgwaqo yayibhalwe ukuthi SNAKE 1 - ZN. Ukumenyezela kwemoto ikhanyiswa yizibani kwaba sengathi okwenyoka nokuyikho okuyenza isabeke kanjena. Zama ngaphandle kwemoto izintokazi, zisaba ukungena emotweni eyayimnyama bhuqe emawindini.
Ngokujwayelekile usuku lukaNyoka lwaluqala ekuseni ngokuthi abhukude edamini lakwakhe. Kwakuthi uma kumakhaza afake isikhindi sakhe namateku angene umgwaqo, agijime. Wayeqeda lapho abhave, adle angene indlela esenikela ehhovisi leZinyoka.
"Mina nginguThula Nyathi. Ngithunywe ukuzolanda uPhumla Dube noZongile Nkomo. Kungabe yinina labo?
"Awu! Kanti unjani nje uPhumla ngimthembile Ukuxosha nje yini bese kwenzenjani" elokhu enikina ikhanda uNyoka?
"Yilezi zikhwama ozaziyo nje nawe engafika ngiziphethe. Uzobe engekho futhi uPhumla esemsebenzini," washo esethanda ukuswabuluka uZongile, sekubonakala ukuthi usenokumethemba okuncane uNyoka.
"Pho yena uNyoka usumtshelile ngemisebenzi yakhe" ebuza ngokukhulu ukumangala uPhumla?
"Imali yami isizophela, ngicela sixoxe uma sesibonana," wachaza ngokushesha uZongile ukuthi yikuphi nedolobha nalapho babezohlangana khona.
Wabakaza uNyoka okwenyoka iswele umgodi wokucasha eselapha uchakide. Washesha ukubona uZongile ukuthi kuyamsiza ukusenga ezimithiyo. Wasebenzisa lelo thuba ukufeza izinhloso zakhe. Watshela uNyoka owayedidekile ukuthi kumele amnikeze imali yokuthenga izimpahla zezingane angaze ashintshe umqondo wakhe.
Bonke abantu babeshaqekile endaweni ngesenzo sikaZongile. Iminwe eminingi yayikhomba unina ngokuthi nguyena osefake le ngane umoya wezikhova. Le ndaba yaze yangenelwa nayinkosi yesizwe ihlohlwa yizinduna ezazicheme noZimu, ngokuthi uZongile uvukela amasiko esiNtu.
"Kulungile sisi ulale kahle nawe" lelo kwakuyiphimbo likaZongile, esho ngesilungu.
"Hawu, kanti usuka kuleyo ndawo Ake ngiyoxoxa naye, kunodaba engiluzwile olwenzeke kuleyo ndawo," wadishazela waya endlini kamama uNtulo?
Isimo sezulu ngalokho kuhlwa sasimathumbu entaka, kunamakhaza ashubisa umnkantsha. Kwakunomnyama ongenafu, izinkanyezi zithe bha phezulu. Zaziqhakaze eduze kwenyanga eyayiyibhamuza elihle kungathi ungalokhu uyibuke njalo. Abantu babehamba beshesha kungathi babalekela amakhaza ayenomoya ohelezayo.
"Kube yiphutha Thula bengingaqonde kumbulala mina, noNkulunkulu uyakwazi lokho." Wayesefana nokhalayo uPamela nakuba iphimbo lalingaphumi kodwa izinyembezi zazigingqikela ezihlathini, zifike zime esigombocini senxeba okwakuba ngukungena kusona kunsonsothe kuPamela kube sengathi inxeba lifakwe usawoti.
UPhumla wake wathi ukuzindela ukwehla emotweni. Bobabili noThula babebona bengezingane ukuthi umfula ugcwele la kuPamela. Bagcina ngokubuzana kodwa zangavela izimpendulo ngokwakumcikile. Zangunduza zodwa izithandani zagcina ngokwangana. UPhumla wabheka iwashi lakhe lesandla, waphefumulela phezulu wathi: "Sengiyahamba Thula, usezofika umama." Wandwaza nje uThula, zangana izithandani . Kwaphazamisa iselula kaThula eyakhala iphindelela. Wayiphendula ngesikade uThula elokhu elibele wukukhotha izindebe.
UNkomo owayefike ngoLwesihlanu kusihlwa, kwathi kusa ngomuso sezibuya inhlazane, wanikela kumlingani wakhe. Wamfica uZimu ehleli emthunzini phezu komthangala eshaya isicathulwana ayesithunyelelwe ngudadewabo owakhe khona endaweni. Waphungulela uNkomo, waphuza wagwinsiza negilo ligintshoza.
"Ngeke mama, sengikhathele ngubaba njalo nje ufuna ngenze intando yakhe. Nasekuqaleni wangiphoqa ukuba ngigane ukuze athole izinkomo. Namanje usefuna ngingasebenzi ngibhuquze nje la eMakhabeleni ngibe yinhlekisa. Yikusasa lami leli ngakho angeke nje angitshele lutho ngalo," esho ngelichichima inkani.
"Ngibona ukuthi kuzomele ulale lapha ekhaya ukuze ekuseni sivuke siphuthume ehhovisi. Kuzomele ngikuthule ezisebenzini zami, ngaphambi kokuthi ngiye emsebenzini. Uzobambisana noPamela okunguye ophethe njengamanje," washo ngokunganaki uNyoka wabheka lena.
"Cha-cha mntanami, mina ngifuna wena. Ngibonga kona nje ukuthi ekugcineni sengize ngakuthola. Sengikuthungathe kakhulu kabi." Wayezama ukuphunyuka entombazaneni engaphansi ngisho kukaZongile ngeminyaka, imnkonkoshele, izama nokumanga.
"Ungizwile. Ngithi angiyi ndawo."
"Ya Zola, ngisendleleni eza lapho. Ungilinde phela sithandwa sami, ungalali ngingakafiki, please bandla," umkakhe washo njalo kuzwakala ukuthi usemotweni ehambayo.
Wathenga inyama yenkukhu ethosiwe, i-Nandos, amasnacks ahlangene namakinati, ikhekhe elikhulu elinsundu linesithako se-ginger, ayelithanda kakhulu uPhumla kanye nejusi enkulu yezithelo. Wayefuna kube ngumcimbi omncanyana ozokhumbuza uPhumla enyuvesi. Wayefuna ukuthi loyo kube ngumcimbi wokuvalelisa kwakhe ukuze umngani wakhe ahlale emkhumbula. Lokho kwakuyokwenza ukuthi akwazi nokuvakasha ngelinye ilanga kwaDube uma izinto sezimhambela kahle empilweni.
"Ngiyabonga Zongile ukuba nesifuba. Ngibonga zonke izenzo zakho zokungivikela ngisho nakuZonke owayefuna ngiboshwe. Konke okwenzayo kutshengisa ukuthi uyanginakekela. Kodwa wena uyangincisha ithuba lokuthi ngibe seduze kwakho ukuze ngikunakekele. Ukwenzelani lokho" wayezama ukushintsha isihloko uNyoka ngobunyoninco, kepha wayiziba leyo uZongile naye ejahe ukuthi kuphumelele izifiso zakhe?
"Lalela-ke, mina angizele indaba yamacala lapha. Ngizele ukuzokubonisa ngokuthi uye kini uyeke ukubhungukela eThawini. Wena uma ufisa ukuthi sixoxe ngalo mbhedo wakho, uyobuye ulithole ithuba, hhayi namuhla." Waqhwaqhwaza uNyoka ngesineke ehamba ekhuluma, waye wavula isicabha, wasigaklaza washaya wachitha.
"Zola akulula njengoba ucabanga ukwenza lokhu okushoyo. Okokuqala nje ukukhipha isisu kuyingozi kabi, kwamina ngingafa nokufa" Waphulwa ulimi.
Wahleka wagqwegqwetheka uThula ezwa ukuthi kusekuseni eBrithani ngengoba eNingizimu Afrika kwase kunqundeka amehlo, liyoshona. Bavalelisana nje kuzwakala kahle ukuthi kukhuluma abangani abadala.
"Bengilokhu ngisaba O. Kodwa namhlanje besenginqume ukumazisa ngimuzwe ukuthi uzothini," esho ngamahlonyana bandla uZongile, eselokhu ehubuluza emakhaleni.
Kwase kuhlalukile kuNyoka ukuthi ayikho impunga yehlathi. Icala ayethweswe lona emsebenzini lase limgojelile, ibhantshi lwagcwala umoya endodeni.
"Manje pho wawucabanga ukuthi uzowuthola kanjani engenamali Musani ukungenza isilima ngoba lokho kuzobangela ukuthi sixatshaniswe wubala kanti mina ngifuna ukuthi siyivimbe le nto ingaphinde yenzeke nakwabanye besifazane." Wathula wababuka okomuntu okwakungathi uzosukumela kubona ngenqindi?
"Ngiyobe ngimbona kuphi umuntu olena koKranskop" Wabuza ngomoya ophansi uPhumla. Izandla zase zisondele ebusweni ukuze avike uma uPamela ephonsa impama?
Izindaba zokushona kukaZongile zase ziheleke izwe lonke okomlilo wequbula usha ubuhanguhangu. Le ndaba yayiphume nasemaphephandabeni amaningi. Iphephandaba Isolezwe, lase liwele umfula ugcwele ngesihloko esikhulukazi sithi: 'OBEKHULELWE UZIPHONSE NGEWINDI WAFA UJUQU'. Amalungiselelo omgcwabo wakhe ayesephothuliwe sekulindwe yena umufi ukuba afinyelele endaweni azalelwa kuyo.
"Mina sengithanda ukuhluleka wukubekezela kulo mshado oyisihogo kanje. Kanti ngempela kuyoze kube nini Usazikhumbula izifungo nezithembiso esazenza mhla ufuna ukushada nami" wambuka ngamehlo amenyezela izinyembezi?
"Yebo ngiyile," waphendula ngokusaba uZongile.
Zabukana emehlweni ngokumangala izintokazi kungathi ziyabuzana ukuthi sizogibela kuphi lapha ngoba thina sihamba sobabili?
Wo! Konke okwase kwenzekile kwase kungumlando. Wayesenikele ngalo ithempeli likaJehova asina wazibethela kulo uNyoka. Pho, ithi ingadla amathambo yejwayele! NakuNyoka kwaba yiso leso esefuna impinda. Wanqaba uZonke engasaziboni enza ihlazo ayelingeke kulo. Yanyonyoba inyoka enguNyoka yamyenga. Wayesekhuluma ulimi oluhlukile, lothando, hhayi indaba kamasizana. Wayengayihhoyi leyo uZonke ebuza ukuthi bangathandana kanjani ekubeni uNyoka esazi ubuthakathaka bakhe Phela kusaqala uNyoka wayemazi njengomntwana kaNkulunkulu, kepha wagcina esewile ngenxa yokuyengwa nguNyoka. Uthando lwabo lwalungeke lube nasisekelo sokwethembana ngenxa yezigigaba abase bedlule kuzona, ngokombono kaZonke?
"Ngiyabonga Phumla. Sesingahamba-ke Zongile," wagibela esithuthuthwini uThula sathi vosho ngenxa yesisindo sakhe.
Eseyibuzile impilo uPamela waqalisa inkulumo yakhe ngokuthi: Ngikwazisa ukuthi namuhla kusihlwa kuzomele ubonane no-Director. Ngibona engathi uzosala ngaphandle umngani wakho wasemakhaya owake wakhuluma ngaye. Uzofika nini yena?
"Ungazami ukungisabisa wena. Uyoze ungibophise nje ngenzeni?
Wanikina ikhanda uNyoka wamoyizela kancane esenamahloni okubheka le ngane enesibindi sokusho lokhu ekholelwa kukho, ngaphandle kokusaba. Ngesizotha, uNyoka wabe esecela uZongile ukuthi bangene ngaphakathi ukuze bathibe iphango. Ngaphandle kokuthandabuza wavuma uZongile, bangena ngaphakathi bazitika ngeziteki nezibiliboco ezicikanayo.
"Yeyi wena, awungiyeke mani ngikhulume nendodakazi yami ekade ngayigcina," uNkomo wayechiliza uNcane owayemdonsa ngebhantshi ezama ukusondela kuZongile.
UZongile wayesebone kahle ukuthi umshayeli wemoto ngunkosikazi kaNyoka lona abekhuluma naye ekuseni kwakhe. Sagubhazela isifuba kuyena esebona nje ukuthi izovela indaba ayibuzwe nguPhumla wayiphika. Wayesentshalantsha engazazi ukuthi kumele enzeni uma izinto sezimumele ngalolu hlobo. Wazizwa esenokuzisola ngokufihlela umngani wakhe iqiniso. Kwamkhanyela ukuthi isenzo sakhe sizokwenza ukuba uPhumla angaphinde amthembe. Indaba yokuthi uthandana noNyoka nayo wayesezoyikholwa uma sekuvela ukuthi uphike ukuthi ubonakale noNyoka kanti kunjalo ngempela. Imoto yathubeleza yaze yama phambi kwamahhovisi kahulumeni edolobheni, imicabango yayikladuluka engqondweni kaZongile.
Umama uNtulo wasala emile phuhle okomungcwi useliwe ekuseni. Wanikina ikhanda nalapho abona khona uGiyani, owayencike ngodonga, egqoke amanikiniki e-ovaloli kanye namadadla. Ephaketheni kwakuqumbe iselula eyisibhadlalazi, ingumhlobo omdala. Wayeyiphiwe nguZonke owayehlala ngokumfonela ambuze ngezazenzeka kwakhe.
"Awu yebo mesisi, yebo mlungu wami. Siyaphila nathi lapha ekhaya kodwa asiphili neze kahle." Wayempongoloza uGiyani, iselula ithe ne egwagweni elikhulukazi lendlebe.
Wamgqolozela ngqo uNyoka emehlweni, waze wazibuza ngenhliziyo ukuthi le ngane isisithathephi isibindi sokumbheka ezinhlamvini zamehlo.
Lase ligamengxe lelo sonto ngesikhathi ucilo ethuka ezishaya endukwini. UZongile wayethi uma eya emthonjeni ahambe nezingane ezizomgada. Nangalelo langa wavuka nazo izingane ekuseni ngovivi baya emfuleni bayokhuculula amadixa ezingubo zokulala. Bathi bangafika emfuleni uZongile wathi shelele njengoyolahla itshe lentaba. Izingane zasala ziqhubeka nokugeza izingubo emadwaleni, zijatshuliswa nangukudlala emanzini, engasekho nozozikhuza.
Ngaphambi kokuthi bahlukane, uNyoka wakhipha amaheheba emali engamaphepha, wayinika uZongile wathi eyokugibela. UNyoka wagcizelela ukuthi ngisho engekho uPhumla kodwa omakhelwane yibo abazoba ngondaba, basho ukuthi uZongile walandwa yimoto enjani. Wabe esemnika inombolo yeselula kaThula okuyiyo okumele amthinte kuyona bavumelane ngokuthi bazohlangana kuphi ngasikhathi sini. Waxolisa uNyoka ngokuthi angeke esakwazi ukuyikhapha intokazi ngenxa yesikhathi esesidliwe yingcanga.
Bahlukana lapho bobabili bethakasile ezinhliziyweni nasemiphefumulweni yabo. UNyoka kwase kumkhanyela ukuthi noma yikanjani ucu luzohlangana kungakapholi maseko. Wazizwa eyindoda isibili ngokuthi usezothandana noZongile, abe ngowakhe, hhayi indaba kamacelana. Wacabangisisa kahle ukuthi kuzomele adonse uPamela ngezindlebe zombili, ahlukane phansi noZongile wakhe. Uma wayeba nenkani, wayezomxosha emsebenzini, isikhala sakhe asivale ngoZongile. Izintombi zakhe angeke zihlushwe ngumkakhe naye. "Cha angeke ngikuvume lokho," waze waphimisela uNyoka eshaya nesitelingi ngentende yesandla. Yangena imoto esangweni lasemsebenzini, washayela unogada ihuthi, waphakamisa isandla wadlula.
UMaqhinga nabangani bakhe babingelela inkantolo, lahlehla icala. Umphenyi wecala wayesafuna ithuba elanele lokuhlanganisa ubufakazi. Wanikela kwaNkomo ngenhloso yokufaka uZongile imibuzo ethile. Wakhuluma noMaNgwenya owamlandula umntanakhe esho nokuthi wanyamalala ngalo ilanga avula ngalo icala. Uhlanya lwephoyisa eliyisiququvela, esinamehlo abomvu savuka inja ebomvu.
"Impela mngani wami, besengimangele nje ukuthi engabe senishelane naqomana nini ninoNyoka. Kudela owaziyo ukuthi engabe ngubani lona onguhubhu kabhejane ofuna ukusiqhatha noPamela Kuzomele ngimfonele uPamela ukuze nginihlanganise, umkhulule ngokumtshela ukuthi ayikho yonke le nto ayizwile," wabonakala ngisho ebusweni uPhumla ukuthi useswabulekile?
"Wathula wathini pho wena mama umntanakho enyamalala Yiziphi izinyathelo owazithatha" lasonga izingalo phezu kwentaba yomkhaba, iphoyisa lansondo?
"Shwele Nkosi yokulunga! Kwasuka lokho. Waze wangilaya uNyoka ngokungiqambisa amanga. Uzongixosha lo mfazi, izingane zami zibulawe yinkemane," washo ehhema yedwa umama uNtulo. Wamboza ubuso phezu kwekhabethe, washaya umkhuleko omncane, ecelela uZongile ukuthi ngisho eshaywa kodwa angakhishwa umphefumulo.
"Sebamkhumbula baze bakhohlwa nguye. Ungithinte-ke Thula ngingakayi esontweni."
UZonke wagcina esethelekelwa ngabanye abadayisi abangomakhelwane, bamshaya ngezimfaduko nangamakhadibhodi. Kwasiza ukusondela kwamaphoyisa afika alamula, ebamba insini ebona usisi ohloniphekile etitinywa ngabadayisi. Lambuza elinye iphoyisa ukuthi yini kwenzenjani. Lutho impendulo kuZonke owayethukuthele eqhuma engcole ewudaka. Wathi uyashingila uyahamba lamdonsa ngengalo iphoyisa lithi makuxoxwe. Wabhoka nomnikazi wetafula ethi uyifuna la imali yezithelo ezase zigcwele ezansi, bezicoshela abantu bedla, abanye beshutheka koplastiki babo.
Lahlaba laphukela lelo kuNyoka, owakhushuza into engapheli. UZola wayesemtshelile uZongile ukuthi ukumsebenzisa noPamela kungaba yingozi enkulu. UPamela wayaziwa ngakubo eSobantu, ngokuba nguphuma silwe. Ukusebenza kwakhe ngezikhali nabantu besilisa kwase kumenza naye azibone njenge ndoda uqobo. Onogada ayesebenza nabo abayizithithibala, babeyazi kahle impama yakhe eyayibuye iphelezelwe yibhuzu ezinqeni uma kumsukile. UNyoka wayesemazi kahle hle uPamela, ngakho wayengafuni ukusebenzisa uZongile nohlanya.
Samshaya isiqwayi uZongile wathi diya diya, washaya uzamthilili eqalaza isikhali angagadla ngaso. Wawola izigcobo ezaziphezu kwetafulakazi ngezandla zombili, waziwolokohlela kuPamela, kwawubuphihliphihli nakhu kwakukhona nezigcobo ezisemabhodleleni. Wathi esaphunga izigcobo uPamela, uZongile wayephonsa izingubo ezaziphezu kombhede, zagaxela ekhanda nasemagxalabeni kuPamela. Wasitheka emehlweni uPamela nakhu phela ipitikoti lalingavumi ukusuka ebusweni. UZongile owayesekhala mi izinyembezi, wazilahla amathambo kuPamela, kwabanjwana ngqi kushudulwisana kubangwa isiqwayi.
"Uxolo baba uNyoka uma emehlweni akho ngibukeka ngingenanhlonipho. Mina bengibuza nje ukuthi ayikho yini imizamo ongangenzela yona njengoba sengisale ngaphandle kwi-interview Yilokho nje kuphela, angiqonde kona ukuziveza njengomuntu ongenanhlonipho," wabambelela esihlathini waphinda wabuka uNyoka owayesemunyunga uswidi, ezimelele ngendololwane esitelingini ecamele esihlathini?
Wabamba umlomo uZongile esezwa ukuthi indaba yakhe isiphume emsakazweni wangakubo womphakathi iKhwezi. Lokho kuthuka kwaxosha uvalo lokusaba isibhaxu salo sisi ayesetshelwe kabanzi ngaye. "Leyo nto yenzeke kimina. Bengingazi ukuthi isiphume emsakazweni," washo elokhu ebuka uZonke owayesembone kahle ukuthi ungumuntu oziqaphelisisayo izinto.
Yathi ingafika edolobheni imoto, uZongile wabika inkinga yakhe yokungabi namali kuSteshi. Wathalalisa uSteshi esezwa ukuthi uzoyithola ngentambama yangalelo langa emakhaya. Wathi esuka lapho uZongile wayeqonda ngqo esiteshini samaphoyisa. Ngaphandle kokunanaza wafika wavula icala lokushaywa, elokuthunjwa kanye nelokudlwengulwa nguMaqhinga. Iphoyisa elibudedengu lamvulela icala ngaphandle kokulandela imigomo efanele uma uvula icala lokudlwengulwa. Emva kokumphenya ngemibuzo, iphoyisa lelo labona kungenasidingo ukuhambisa uZongile kudokotela nakhu wayeseshilo ukuthi kudala yenzeka le nto kuye. Kunalokho lamnikeza amafomu abhalwe u-J88 lamtshela ukuthi kumele awamukise kudokotela emtholampilo awagcwalise ebese ewabuyisa.
Wahosha iselula yakhe wafonela uThula emnxusa ukuba athi gqi eflethini ngokushesha. Wathi uyanqaba uThula ebika ukuthi uselele nokulala, wancenga waze walalisa ulimi uPamela. Wagcina ngokuvuma uThula wathi usesendleleni. Walinda uPamela elokhu egqolozele uZongile, ezikhohlisa ngokuthi mhlawumbe kungenzeka umlingo avuke kwabafileyo ngoba noSomandla uyabona ukuthi ubengaqonde kumbulala. Ngenhliziyo wayethandazela ukuthi kungabi bikho umuntu ozongqongqoza afune uZongile.
Wayicisha imoto uNyoka, naye wahlala wabheka ngakuZongile. Lokho kwenza ukuthi bobabili babhekane ngqo ezinhlamvini zamehlo. Uzibuthe owasuka esweni lomunye nomunye wenza izinhliziyo zabo zigubhazele bobabili, kodwa kungekho ongatshela omunye ngokwenzeka kuyena ngaphakathi. Ubuso babo bobabili bamoyizela kepha kungekho ongachaza ukuthi bakitazwa yini.
Umshayeli wayo wehlisa iwindi wabeka wathi: "Ngenani, sihambeni bo!"
Wathukuthela wafa uZongile wadonsa iketela elinamanzi agxabhayo liseduze kwakhe, walijikijela esiphundu sikaPamela owayesezama ukubaleka. Wabaleka namanxeba okusha, eshiya amazinyo newigi yakhe phansi, wehla njalo ngezitebhisi engasayingeni eyekheshi. Wathi uyamlandela uZongile nemvubu wabona ukuthi angeke esamthola usekude kakhulu, wamyeka. Emva kwakhe kwakukhona uPhumla owayesefile wukuthuka, encenga umngani wakhe ukuthi abuye ukuze amgeze ingozi engeqiwa ntwala.
UPhumla wakhala ngokukhishwa inyumbazane nokubukelwa phansi ngezinye izisebenzi.
"Lalela-ke, angizwani-ke nje mina nomuntu obhayizayo. YiseMaritzburg lapha akukhona eKranskop, ngakho kumele wenze okwenziwa lapha ukhohlwe indaba yalena konjayiphume. YiseMphithi lapha, phaphama kusemanje ngoba kungenjalo uzoba yifa lezihlakaniphi. Siyezwana" esho eswaca ebusweni?
"Angiyona-ke leyo nhlobo etetemayo mina. Angiyiboni nje into engangenza ngikhale" waphulwa ulimi uZongile.
Kulokho kuthula okungaka okwakulapho, ngaphandle kwamankonyane ayeklabalasa emaqeleni, kwezwakala ukukhala kweselula. Bonke abantu baqalaza, bambona uZimu ekhipha ugodo lweselula engumhlobo omdala. Abanye bafikelwa yinsini ukubona iselula enjeyana eyayisiqanjwe amagama amaningi ngenxa yobukhulu bayo.
Kwathi gidi kuZongile, wakwazi nokuthasisela imali yokufona esebona ukuthi yonke into ihlangene.
"Ngikhuluma nje nangu eduze kwami, ufike namuhlanje."
"Ngikude kabi kunaye."
Walala uZongile ithe kla inhliziyo yakhe nakuba unembeza wawulokhu umhlupha ngokwakwenzeke phakathi kwakhe noNyoka. UZongile owayesezongile wayezungezwe ngumzwangedwa ngokwakumzumile. Wayeshaywa nguvalo lokuthi uyokwenzenjani mzukwane sekufika isikhathi sokuthi ayohlolwa esigodlweni senkosi yendawo. Wezwakala ngokunxapha nje ukuthi uselitholile isu ayophunyuka ngalo. "Kuyothi kufika leso sikhathi ngiyobe sengingowase Maritzburg. Kusasa nje lokhu okusayo ngiyawafulathela la maphandle."
Wayesehambe waze wahlala epaki, i-Garden of Peace, ngemuva kwehholo ledolobha. Ukukhala kwensimbi yehholo, kwamthusa kwamphazamisa nasemicabangweni yakhe. Sekuyihora lokuqala njalo Mhlawumbe ngizolokhu ngilindile kanti sengilinde amathonsi abanzi. Kungcono ngiphinde ngimfonele uNyoka ukuze uma kungibhedela ngisheshe ngibone ukuthi ngifika kanjani le eKranskop. Imicabango yayinqakisana ngaye imusa le nalena?
"Ngingabonga kakhulu, baba uNyoka, lokho kuyobe kusho ukufezeka kwephupho lami. Nasekhaya kithi bangajabula kabi uma ngingase ngisebenze emva kokungifundisa kwabo kanzima kanjena," ubuso bakhe bathi ukuchachamba esezwa ezimnanjana ayengazi ukuthi zona zizoba namiphi imibandela.
"Khululeka nje ngalapho mngani wami. Yilokhu ngafika lapha ekhaya ngihleli kahle kakhulu. Kungabe ngiyanyaza uma ngingathi kukhona okungihluphayo. Yisekhaya lapha," waqhubeka nokucosha ama-snacks, waqhabula nasesiphuzweni.
Injabulo ayeseyizwa enhliziyweni yaphazanyiswa wumcabango owathi shazi engqondweni. Konje uZongile uthe ukhulelwe Ngizoyenzenjani le ndaba Wandwaza uNyoka i-album elokhu eyibeke emathangeni. Wakhipha usikilidi, wawokhela wabhema. Kusobala ukuthi le ndaba kaZongile izophazamisa ukubuyisana kwakhe nomkakhe. Kumele nakanjani ngithole isu elisheshayo azoxazulula ngalo le nkinga kaZongile. Kuyoze kube nini nje ngihlala ngedwa ngaphandle kukanina wezingane zami engizithandayo Wayikhipha ngamakhala intuthu uNyoka imcindezele imicabango?
Kubantu abaningi ayesebafake emsebenzini ngokubagwazisa kwakukhona noZonke Ndlovu, owayesengumkakhe, beshade eminyakeni emihlanu edlule. UZonke naye wayenguMqondisi eMnyangweni kahulumeni, esebenzela emahhovisi asOlundi. Wayevame ukuza kwakhe ngezimpelasonto. UPamela owayeyisinqandamathe sikaNyoka naye wayengene emsebenzini ngakho ukugwazela uNyoka. UPamela wayenesikhundla esiphakeme enkampanini kaNyoka Izinyoka.
"Awu Nkosi yami, kungco" lwanqamuka ucingo. Walugaklaza phansi uZongile.
"Ungixolele bandla baba uNyoka ekhaya kithi ngafundiswa ukungambizi umuntu omdala njengawe ngegama. Ngicela ungaphatheki kabi, ngizokubiza ngobaba ngoba ucishe ube nguntanga kababa wami. Anginaso nje isibindi sokukugagula ngegama, umdala kanjena," washo washalaza uZongile.
Kumele ngazi ukuthi loyo moya wakho uzokushayela kuphi nobani?
Wathi ejokola uZongile ebheke kwabo, wayeqholosha noMaqhinga eqonde eqeleni eyoqoqa umhlambi wezinkomo zakwabo ezazibulala inyoka. UmfokaZimu wayeyisiguqa esimnyama bhuqe kungathi sikhuza izulu. Wayesho ngesihluthu esingaka, izingalo ezingaka, amagqikolo ezandla nezinyawokazi ezinamansense ezihlala zisembadadeni. Wayengaqhubekanga kakhulu nemfundo njengoba wayefeyila njalo. Wayegcine ngokusiyeka isikole njengoba wayesemdadlana ngaphezu kwalaba ayefunda nabo ekilasini. Umusa omningi nokulunga okungajwayelekile kwakumenza kube sengathi unengqondo engaphelele kanti lutho, uphile saka umuntu.
"Mhlawumbe nguyena nje uPhumla ake ngiphume ngiyobheka," waphuma eshiya uZongile limbulele itwetwe. Wasondela eduzane nesango uPhumla lapho kwakumi khona imoto ephuzi, ewuhlobo lwe-4X4. Eseseduzane wabona ukuthi imoto ishayelwa ngusisi omuhle. Wabingelela ebambelele ngogange uPhumla, yavuma intokazi eyayiphethe ipheshana ihleli emotweni.
"Khuluma iqiniso Phumla, musa ukungenza isilima!" uPamela wayejamele umzala wakhe kungathi uzomudla luhlaza.
"Ayikho-ke into engingakusiza ngayo," eshaya ngezimfuphi uThula.
Isidumbu sikaZongile sathi sifika emgwaqeni, sasigaywa yibhasi i-City to City, eyayiphuma eThekwini, izodlula eMgungundlovu icoshe abagibeli ebese ibabela eGoli, kwaNdongaziyaduma. Umshayeli webhasi wathi ewabamba amabhuleki ngqi, wabe esevele emgayile uZongile. Iloli elalilandela ibhasi langena emva kwebhasi kwenzeka isiphihli senhlekelele eMgungundlovu oNdongazibomvu, kwakhala ubumayemaye.
Wakuqinisekisa lokho uPhumla kubonakala nje ukuthi iyamkitaza le ndaba ayixoxayo. Waqhubeka ebeka ukuthi ekuseni ufonelwe nguThula emcela ukuba bayophuza itiye ndawonye. Nebala kuthe kushaya isikhathi setiye wamthatha ngemoto baliphuza e-African Coffee Bar, edolobheni.
Esihlalweni esingemuva kwakukhona isambulela, imvubu eneqhubu ngaphambili kanye nomlenze wetafula omncanyana, owawusuwenziwe isikhali. UPamela wayezimisele ngokutaxa uZongile abe yindaxa ngemvubu, engaqonde kumbulala. Isiqwayi wayegade ngaso ukuthi uma egoloza noma elwa, amunqobe ngaso. Wazithatha izikhali zakhe uPamela, wazithukusa ejazini elide. Wathatha nesambulela, waphuma emotweni wahamba.
Ilanga lase libantu bahle, phesheya komhosha emfundeni, kwabonakala indoda eyayiqhuba umhlambi wezinkomo isiyovalela. Loyo kwakunguMaqhinga owayegqwegqwa, eqhelelana nequlu elaliqubele amakhaza. Wahamba waze wangena kwabo nomhlambi wezinkomo, wazivalela, ehlukanisa amankonyane ezinkomazini. Wathi eseqedile wathi tshobe exhibeni elishunqa intuthu yezanqawe.
Wanikina ikhanda uPhumla ebonakala nje ukuthi impendulo yomngani wakhe ayimenelisi neze. Waphefumulela phezulu, okomuntu ojule kakhulu ngemicabango.
"Musa ukungishisa, ngiyeke sishayane," wayesho ngoba ezwa iminjunju.
"Awu Phumla O! Nguwena kanti lona ongicobe kanjena" esho ngephimbo elinqanyukelwa ngumoya?
"Bengingaboni ukuthi nguwena. Angiyazi phela le moto ohamba ngayo."
Uyise wayemsongela kabi esho nokuthi kuyabangcono angabe esabuya ngoba uma ebuya uyomphihliza ngewisa kuphele ngaye. "Yilokhu ngazalwa angikaze ngihlale ezigcawini, namhlanje sengibuya khona ngenxa yalo lwabishi wale ngane." Wayesho ngolaka uNkomo ekhalela imali yakhe amfundisa ngayo. "Kungabe kungcono ukuba ngavele ngazithengela izinkomo zagcwala isibaya, kunokufundisa lento."
Manje nginovalo lokuthi cishe amaphoyisa azongidinga njengommangali kutholakale ukuthi angikho. Uyayibona leyo nto mngani wami?
Ngithemba ukuthi wazi kahle ukuthi kwamina angihambisani nalokhu kunyamala kwale ngane. Le ngane izenzela intando yayo, angizange ngiyithume. Ngakho mina ngingezwa ngawe mlingani ukuthi ufisa kwenzeke njani uma sekunjena, wanikina ikhanda uNkomo wakhipha imboza yakhe wayicobolonda wayisonga engasazikhiphanga izingodo zayo.
Walutatulula ugodo lweselula yakhe uGiyani lwaze lwaphuma. "Ya, ngubani loyo" wabingelela njengenhlalayenza, waqhela eduze kuka mama uNtulo?
"Ngiyabonga-ke Giyani. Ngiyabuya ngesonto elizayo, ngizokuphathela impahla yakho. Ngifuna uke uzwe uhlobo lwaseBrithani."
Wabe esejeqeza iwashi lakhe uNyoka, wahosha iselula yohlobo oluphambili. Wayingcofoza, wayibeka endlebeni wabe esethi: "Khuphuka sesiqedile." Wayivala.
Zamoyizela izintokazi zilokhu zibukana ezinhlamvini zamehlo. Nebala zazisho ngamunye ukuthi zingobani.
Wayilanda ngesikhulu isineke indaba uZongile. Wathi izolo kusihlwa kutheleke uPamela ehlome eyizingovolo. Ubephethe ivolovolo nenhlokohlela yomjojantaba. Ukhulume nomalumekazi wakhe emtshela ukuthi uma bengafuni kuphume isidumbu, mabaxoshe yena. Wathi uyabuza unina kaPhumla ukuthi yini kwenzenjani, wayibhadlaza indaba uPamela obengagayelwe mphako. Kuthuke wonke umuntu obesendlini ukuthi kanti uyinhloboni yomuntu uZongile. Okulandele lapho-ke kube ngukusho kukaPhumla ukuthi unina uthe kungcono ahambe kungaze kuvele amatwayitwayi.
UZongile wangena emotweni ngaphandle kokuthithiza njengemihla. Wabingelela ngesizotha, amehlo akhe wawanamathelisa kuNyoka, lwamphinda kakhudlwana lolo vadlwana. Wayesemuhle ngampela uZongile, esulekile esebuyele ebaleni lakhe lendalo, kungasekho ukufuswa yintuthu, nokushiswa yilanga uma eyotheza noma eyokha amanzi emthonjeni le emakhaya. Kwabonakala ngokusobala ukuthi ukugeza ngamanzi ahloliwe kanye nokukhanyiswa ngugesi kumthandile selokhu efike eMbali.
"Nkosi yami uze ube nami. Angazi ukuthi ngingayikhokha ngani imali yezinyanga ezilapha umzukulu wami obangwa nezibi. Kusobala ukuthi uyobolela endlini aze afe, shwele Simakade," wabalisa kanjalo umama uNtulo ngesikhathi kukhala ugodo lweselula kaGiyani.
UNyoka owayenokumbukela phansi uZonke futhi esemlibele ukuthi konje unemfundo yasenyuvesi, wamamatheka kancane. Wachaza uZonke ukuthi ubenza i-Degree ye- Sociology, njengoba wayesebuzwe ngeziqu zakhe. Wavuma ngekhanda uNyoka, waphendula ngamagama ambalwa: "Ngizobona, uzozwa ngami."
"Pamela mzala wami, angimphikeli mina uZongile ukuthi ukwenzile lokho. Kuphela nje bengikutshela ngomlando wakhe ngesikhathi sifunda ndawonye Ongoye. Uma nje kwenzeka efika ngizombuza le ndaba, uma futhi evuma ngizokutshela ukuthi uvumile. Khululeka nje mzala, asithembane singaxatshaniswa wubala," wayesho ngelizothile nakuba umzala wakhe wayevutha engabaselwe.
UNkomo nomkakhe abase beyizintandanyana eMakhabeleni, beyizinkomo ezidla zodwa, babehlaziya isimemo sakwaZimu.
"Thambisa inhliziyo yakho MaNgwenya. UZimu akanankinga nathi, lokho akwenza kwakumfanele ngoba ingane yethu yayisinyamalele. Ukusimema kwakhe kutshengisa ngokusobala ukuthi akanagqubu nathi. Mina ngiya khona kusasa ngiyozidlela inyama ngiziphuzele notshwala." Wasicisha isinqamu sakhe semboza, wasibeka phezu kwebhokisi likamentshisi.
Sukanini madoda! Lwaphuma kuqala ucwephe olunguChopho. Wasuka uChopho ngejubane elisabekayo wahlala ezithendeni zikaZongile. Wamjaha waze wamfica. Wambamba ngqi wamuthi xhakathisi. Bafika nabanye bamthwala babuyela naye emumva sebemnike nezimpama ezimbalwa. Yilapho-ke agadisiswa khona uZongile kuhle kwesiboshwa esingumgulukudu.
Yajika imoto wayifaka ngaphakathi esakhiweni uThula owayethule njengegama lakhe. Kwadidingwa izikhwama elokhu eqalaza ngapha nangapha uZongile ethathekile ubuhle bebhilidi. Isivande sezimbali sasilungiswe ngesinono, nongwengwe lusikwe kahle kukuhle. Bangena endlini eyamukela izivakashi, kuyamenyezela phansi kubhoniwe. Bathi bengena isicabha sekheshi sasivuleke nge. Basho phakathi befica ababili ababebukeka njengezithandani. Lanyuka nabo laye labashiya bonke esitezi sesihlanu. Behla bahlukana ngezindlu, njengoba uThula wavula endlini engunombolo- 03.
"Awu ngadla mina kababa. Ngadla ngingasaqali, ngizoke ngiphuze utshwala obuphuzwa ngabelungu abamhlophe baphesheya. Wadla Giyani, wadla magiya ngesikhuni sivutha ubulangulangu, kungabi ndaba zalutho" Weqa amangqamungqeshe uGiyani engqabashiya egiya, ugodo lwakhe lweselula lungasekho endlebeni eselufumbethe okomshiza.
Kulezo zinsuku uNyoka wayeyindoda elusizi. Umkakhe owayesebuyile eBrithani nezingane, wayesekwazi konke okwakusale kwenzeka engekho. Wayembuzile uNyoka nangokukhulelwa kukaZongile, waphika walala ngomhlane esho nokuthi ubhecwa ngobende inyama engayithanga mbibi. Isenzo sakhe samcasula kakhulu uZonke owayesembekezelele kakhulu umyeni wakhe.
"Kulungile ake ngifonele uZimu kengizwe ngaye ukuthi kanti ukuphi lo." Waluvala uThula.
Ikhumbi eya eMaritzburg yasuka edolobheni laseKranskop ligamenxe ihora leshumi nomuvo emini. Yashosholoza yaze yangena eMaritzburg. Akuthathanga sikhathi esingakanani bahlangana abangani abadala. UPhumla wayebeshezela ejinini empintshayo ayeyigqokile. Zagonana izintokazi kuyilokhu zagcinana mzukwane zithweswa iziqu ehholo laseBhekuzulu. Zathi ukuzulazula edolobheni, uPhumla wacoshacosha okuncane ayekuphathiswe ngunina.
Waqala manje ukuchiphiza uMaNgwenya, ebalisa ngengane esimfaka ezinxushunxushwini. Wathi uyalincenga iphoyisa ngokuthi uhlala yedwa lapha ekhaya akuzosala muntu, kungcono limnike ithuba ake amqalaze lo mntwana. Lanyuka ngengalo iphoyisa, lisho lishoshela kuyena.
"Angizwa uthini" wayesesondeze nekhanda?
"Wazi kahle ukuthi izintatheli zihlale zisiluse kanjani, kodwa wena unesibindi sokuhudulela igama lami odakeni. Ngeke, ake sithi ukuhlaba ikhefu ukuze nawe uzame ukuzincenga ushintshe kulobu bulwane osuyibo," yiyo le nkulumo ayehlehle ngayo kuPamela.
UNkomo wayeseke waya nakonkosi eyoshushiswa kabanzi ngesenzo sendodakazi yakhe. Wayezihlangulile uNkomo naye ezwakalisa ukushaqeka ngesenzo somntanakhe owayesemvukele esiswini njengotshwala. Ibandla lamsola ngokuthi inkonyane yawuchitha umuthi mzukwane efundisa intombazane komanyuvesi. Inkosi eyayingalubhadanga esikoleni, yadonsa uNkomo ngezindlebe ngokuthi uma nje ibuya ingane yakhe kumele ayiqhube ayilethe ebukhosini, ukuze izochaza kahle ngalokhu kuxova kwayo isizwe.
"Nginifisela inhlanhla-ke makhosazane ami. MaDube, kusasa uzonika uThula imali, uzofika ngo-12 emini kini. Wena MaNkomo ngaso leso sikhathi uzobuya naye uThula ukuze siphothule udaba lwakho engilutshelwe nguPamela. Ungakhathazeki ngokuthi imali awunayo, lokho akusho ukuthi ngeke ngikuqashe." Waqhubeka uNyoka esho nokuthi kuzodingeka kusasa basayine isivumelwano noZongile esizombophezela ukuthi amkhokhele imali yakhe uma esesebenza. Waswabuluka uZongile esezwa ukuthi naye angeke esasala ngaphandle. Lokho kwezwakala ngokubonga kwakhe into engapheli.
Laba linye vo, uZimu wazisa umngani wakhe ukuthi kunezinkomo ezinhlanu azidayisayo. Nebala uNkomo owayefike kusempondo zankomo wayefuna kube nguyena owokuqala ozokhetha ezinkomeni. Wamtshengisa uZimu zonhlanu ebonakala nje uNkomo ukuthi uthathekile: "Ziyangenelisa mfowethu ngobuhle bazo, zinjalo nje zinonophele ziyacwazimula." Wathi angabuza imali uNkomo, kwayilapho-ke uZimu afaka khona udaba lokuthi kuganiselwane. Wabalisa ngosizi olukwakhe selokhu ashiywa ngumkakhe. UNkomo owayethathwe ngubuhle bezinkomo, okwakungaba ngezakhe ngaphandle kwesenti, uma nje kuganiselwana, wavumela phezulu engasabonisananga nomkakhe uMaNgwenya. Wayifaka indaba kuMaNgwenya owathandabuza kepha wagcina enqobekile, zangena izinkomo kwaNkomo.
"Cha angikuzwa mina ukuthi uthini. Usho ukuthini uma uthi le nto yami asiyiqede?
UPhumla wabalisa ngokuthi isikhathi leso sisebusuku kakhulu, kungenzeka uyise abanqabele. UPamela wamtshela ukuthi nguyena ozokhuluma nomalume wakhe. Waphetha ngokumazisa ukuthi kuzobe kuyinhloboni yemoto ezobalanda.
"Akasekho ubasi uNyoka" washo waze wavula intende yesandla uGiyani.
Wangena wathithiza uZongile, engazi ukuthi kumele ashone ngakuphi. Wagcina ngokulandela uThula, owayesehleli kusofa omude isikhwama esesibeke eceleni kwakhe. Wavula ithelevishini, wahlala waqhiyama. Kuleyo ndlu yokuphumula kwakukhona amagxatshana osofa abane, itafulana elixegelwa ngumlenze, njengoba lasikaza ukuwa ngesikhathi uZongile eligudluza efuna ukuhlala komunye usofa. Ifriji elidala eseligqwalile, laliduma kakhulu ngokungajwayelekile, phezu kwalo kuhleli ithelevishini enkulu kepha ikhanya ngokufithizayo.
Wezwa iphimbo lomkakhe uNyoka wagxuma wama ngezinyawo.
"Hawu yini kwenzenjani, wabuya phakathi nesonto?
"Kanti ikuphi kubo lapho kusenezinto zokuhamba ezihluphayo?
Weza emagange uPamela ngenhloso yokuzocindezela, acoboshise, acangcathe isitha sakhe esamshisa. UZongile wayeselele ja ezibinya, nezingcezu zimsika zimqedela njengoba nethawula ayelibhincile lase liqaqekile esenqunu. Uthe uPamela uzama ukuhlala phezu kuka Zongile, wambhakela ngezinyawo waye wabhaklazeka le. Wathi ebuya lapho, wayesethukuthele egane unwabu. Wamqala ngokumjikijela ngesiqwayi esashaya ngechopho esweni lapetuka. Ngokuphazima kweso wayesephezu kwakhe, wamqhoqhobala ngoqhoqhoqho, wamcindezela nangedolo esiswini esasingumthwalo ongaka kuhle kwetshe likaNtunjambili.
Ngesikhathi imoto iphuma nje emasangweni ase-casino, uNyoka waphakamisa ukuthi udaba lokuphunyukwa yithuba lomsebenzi kukaZongile, luyophethelwa emzini wakhe. Wavuma bandla uZongile nakuba wayenovalo lokuthi uNyoka uzophinda amugile imigilingwane ayigila e-Ascott Bush Lodge. Nokho engqondweni yakhe uZongile wayengasazimisele neze neze ukuphinda anikele ngomzimba ukuze athole isiliva negolide. Uma uNyoka wayezimisele ukwenza njengenja edla amathambo yejwayele, wayezohlangana nezimbila zithutha ziholwa ngemhlophe phambili. Waqina loyo mcabango kuyena.
"NginguThula Nyathi. Usuyangibona-ke manje, angithi?
"Kungcono unginike ithuba lokucabangisia," watshekisa ikhanda uZongile.
Wathukuthela wafa uNcane owayesebizwe ngalokho ayikho. Wasondela kuNkomo wamngenela ngamankomane, wamdovadova umkhaba okomuntu oxova inhlama kajeqe. Sasuka esinamathambo amthelekela wonke amayengandoda. Wathi uzama ukulamula uZongile zamnetha naye njengoba wayesevele ezifakele isigcwagcwa. UNcane owayemfishanyana, wanamathela emzini kaNkomo ayengasawutholanga, wawushuka. Wakhalisa okwengane uNkomo ezwa izinhlungu ayegcine ukuzizwa esengumfana uma eqhathiwe. Kwakhala ubumayemaye, sekungubuwelewele, nokungenadosi sekutinyela kuNkomo nendodakazi yakhe.
Wayetshengisa ukumangala nje uPhumla wayengazenzi. Kwase kuphele iminyaka bengabangani noZongile. Bobabili babethanda izinto ezifanayo, njengoba nemfundo yabo yayifana. Ukufika kukaZongile kwaDube kwakube ngenkulu injabulo kuPhumla. Umndeni wonke wakwaDube wawumkhonzile uZongile. Lokho kwakufakazelwa ngukugezeka nokunonophala komzimba, nokuyikho okwakuhehe uNyoka esembona okokugcina. Nakuba wayengasebenzi kodwa uPhumla esebenza, babengenayo inkinga abaninimuzi. Ukusebenza kukaPhumla yikona okwase kulekelela abazali bakhe ezidingweni zokondla. UZongile nguyena kuphela owayazi ukuthi yini eyayimenza ahambe kwaDube.
"Ngifuna ukunixwayisa-ke ukuthi uma nizama ukuvikela isigangi esinguNyoka, yinina enizokhalelwa ngamasongo kaSigonyela. Sukumani-ke sihambeni," wabagquba phambili.
"Awu zikhulu zami," ephakamisa izandla, "ngavakashelwa yinina ekuseni ngovivi sekonakelephi" Wayegwajaza uNyoka ejamelene noMamba wena owabona kujamelene ingwe nengonyama sekuswelakala okuzogadla kuqala?
"Ehhene uthe ngikhulelwe amawele," washo ngephimbo eliphukile.
Iqulu labafanyana ababesekhoneni bashaya amakhwela ngesikhathi sidlula kubo sibhadla, abagibeli baso kungathi bathinta ngamadolo etiyeleni ngesikhathi sijika ikhona. UPhumla wasibuka saze sayosithela nokuyilapho afikelwa khona yinsini. Wavula isango lakwabo wangena esephoxwe ngukungahambi kwakhe. Wahambisana noFezela owayelokhu etshikizisa umsila.
Yathi imihlanu imizuzu lishayile ihora lesibili, yayima nse imoto kaNyoka i-SNAKE 1. Waziqukula izikhwama zakhe uZongile, wamfica esemvulele ngemumva uThula wazifaka khona. Kwaba ngukusuka kwayo njalo imoto isilibangise lapho ayengazi khona uZongile. Yangena umgwaqo u- Chief Albert Luthuli, yaye yathatha u-Alan Paton Avenue. Wawubona kancane lo mgwaqo uZongile, esekhumbula ukuthi bahamba lapha noNyoka beya e-Golden Horse kanti noma uya kwakhe uhamba ngawo.
Bangena endlini belandelana nalapho bafica khona umama owayeseqinile, nokunguye olekelela ngokuhlanza umuzi. Wayedasida ikhabethe lasendlini yokudlela. Wabingelela uNyoka ethula uZongile embiza ngomunye wabaQondisi enkampanini Izinyoka.
"Ukhetha ukuboshwa impela kunokukhipha ingane yakho oyifihle ngaphansi kombhede?
Wake wathula uPamela ehlaziya ngokushintsha kozungu lwakhe ayehlele ukugadla ngalo. Yena wayefisa ukuvimbezela uZongile ngesiqwayi khona nje egcekeni. Wayekubone kuzoba lula lokho ngoba wayezothi angamgqema izingozi ebese engena emotweni ashaye achithe. Manje ukungena endlini kuzoba nzinyana ngoba kungenzeka atholane nezimbila zithutha njengakuqala. Nokho wazizwa enesibindi uma ekhumbula iminjunju ayizwa mhla eshiswa esitofini nangamanzi abilayo. "Angishone khona, ayikho iyenzenjani." Waphimisela esekhumbula nokuthi konje kuthiwe lo muntu uyageza angaqeda noma yinini.
Waphuma esangweni wehla njalo ebhula amazolo angayizolo. Imvunge yabesilisa ayizwa wayithalalisa ezitshela ukuthi yizesheli ezizobeka amabili amathathu ezintombini zendawo. Wathi memfu emfuleni wazithela ezinsizweni ezine ziphethe imishiza nezimvubu. Wathi gaga, wakhululeka esebona ukuthi kanti yizinsizwa zendawo, ezingomakhelwane.
"Awu! Ngubala-ke lolo mama, yizinto ezincane. Icebo lizozakha, kanti futhi baningi abantu abangangiboleka imali, nginele ngisebenze ngibabuyisele. Ubaba unenhliziyo elukhuni nje, ngoba kwayena bengizombuyisela imadlana yakhe uma sengisebenza."
"Khona namuhla benginaye, ngilethwe nguye nje manje."
UNcane wayelokhu enamathele ebuntwini bukaNkomo ebushukisisa. Naye wayevulele ngaphansi kwempumulo. "Ungenza isilima uthi uzokhokha, usubona abanye uma sengikulethe la. Khipha leyo mali, uma ufuna ngikuyeke yikhiphe" esho emshukisisa umuzi wakhe.
UNyoka wayengananazanga njengoba wazisa uyise womfana ukuthi kulungile angeza. Umfana owayesebenza ingadi ibhantshi lalisanda kugcwala umoya kuye ngenxa yokuhlulwa yizimbiza zikaFaro ayefika emsebenzini esuthi zona. Lathi liphela isonto efikile uGiyani owayesebenza ingadi isonto lonke ngenxa yobubanzi bayo, kwakuhle kwaqhakaza kwaNyoka. Wayengaconsi phansi kubantu balapha ekhaya ngenxa yenhlonipho nokuzithoba ayenakho, ikakhulukazi kuZonke ababengamathe nolimi naye.
"Eyi, eyi wena! Uzama ukwenzani Yima ubalekelani" wazama ukumlandela uZonke ebona ayengakulindele?
Baqhubeka abangani betshelana ngokuthi yini abazoyenza uma sebesebenza. UPhumla yena waveza ukuthi uzokwenza i-21st Birthday Party azoyihlanganisa ne-braai yokubonga umsebenzi, emva kwalokho aye kozihlalela eflethini edolobheni. UZongile yena wathi uzothi angayikhokha imali kaNyoka ebese ekhokhela uMaqhinga konke akuletha kwabo ukuze angabalisi uma esemlaxaza. Waqhuba ngokuthi emva kwalokho uyohlaba imbuzi yokubonga umsebenzi emadlozini. Abangani bazigcina bekhuluma kanjalo kwaze kwaba bazunywa yiqhawe elingubuthongo.
"Yini kwenzenjani Zonke, wangibizela ekameleni" embuka ngokumeba?
" Kakhulu Zola."
Ngisho nokuthi aphendule uZongile, wahamba waze wasithela.
Iqulu elalilapho lathuswa ngukuqhamuka kohuntshu olumnyama, lushayelwa yinsizwa yeNdiya emnyama bhuqe. Leyo kwakuyimoto eyayithwele uZongile, eyafika yama lapho kuphela khona umgwaqo. Zasondela izinsizwa nohlaka, zavuleka izicabha kwaphuma uNkomo, uZimu nomlisa weNdiya edlubhe ezimnyama njengaye. Kwakhishwa uthwishi lwebhokisi, labekwa ohlakeni. Wayihola indlela uNkomo nehlamvu lomlahlankosi, ethemeleza etshela ingane yakhe ukuthi sekuyiwa ekhaya manje.
"Ngizobuye ngikuthinte sisi. Uhleli kanjani lapho emazweni?
Nakuba yonke leyo nkulumo yayimnandi kuZongile kodwa yena wayelindele ukuthi uNyoka nguyena ozomlanda njengoba esedineni nje. "Kodwa akusenani, manganeliswe yisandla ngingafuni ingalo yonke," wacabanga ngokushesha ngaphambi kokuphendula athi: "Ngiyabonga Zola ngokuthembeka kwakho," washo ngephimbo eligcwele uthando.
Wathukuthela wathelwa ngamanzi ayesethelwe ngawo. Wathi esasula ubuso obase bushunqa uPamela, wazilahla amathambo uZongile, wahlala izithonto kuyena. Wathi efika nje kuyena wayembingelela ngamankomane emlonyeni, akhumuka amazinyo okufakelwa. Kwabanjwana lapho ngamandla kwathula umoya. UPamela wayesezama ukukutakuta isiqwayi ephaketheni njengoba imvubu yayisihlwithwe nguZongile wayintshinga le kude. Zashudulisana izintokazi kwaze kwakhumuka iwigi kuPamela, owayesemfimfa igazi ezinsinini. Zibambene nje izintokazi uZongile uzama ukuthola intuba yokuphulukundlela abaleke.
Lutho-ke mzala, angikaze ngilubhade.
UZongile owayeshayelwe umhlangano, wayepepenyeka ngohuntshu olumnyama lusuka eMaritzburg lubheke eKranskop. UNyoka owayesengumlawuli kaZongile, wayeveze umbono wokuthi uZongile ayolanda zonke izimpahla zakhe. Inhlolokhono njengoba yayizoba ngoMsombuluko ozosombuluka nje, uNyoka wayezobuya ngakusasa ngeSonto esezolanda uZongile nezimpahla zakhe edolobheni eKranskop lapho babezohlangana khona. Wayengasafuni nokuthi agibele namatekisi, ebona ukuthi abashayeli bawo bangase bamphuce iqatha emlonyeni njengoba bengadlulwa siketi. Ngokwakhe wayefuna ukuhambisa uZongile aze amshiye esitobhini sangakubo. Wanqaba uZongile ebika emagebedu emigwaqo yangakubo, esenziwa ngukusaba amehlo omphakathi eselethwa yimoto engaziwa endaweni. Ngenxa yalokho uhuntshu lwamshiya emavenini eKranskop ayezomthatha amlahle khona eMakhabeleni.
Kwaba ngukuzwa nje ukuthi yiphimbo lomuntu amthandayo lelo, yathi kla inhliziyo kuNyoka. Kwase kusele imizuzu embalwa ukuthi aphume emsebenzini. Wathi eluvala ucingo babe sebevumelene ngokuthi bazohlangana kuphi. Wayezimisele ngokukhipha unyawo ngalelo langa uNyoka ukuze nentokazi izibonele ukuthi ithandwa ngempela akudlalwa ngayo.
UPhumla owayefisa ukuthi isheshe idlule le nto engqondweni yakhe, wazama ukuxoxa ezinye izindaba. Wazekela umngani wakhe ukuthi sebeyathandana noThula. Wamtshela nokuthi njengoba efika nje ufika naye, nakhu ubengayile emsebenzini ngenxa yokuhlatshwa ngumkhuhlane. Wayiqhuba indaba ngokuthi akaphathekile neze kahle emsebenzini.
Waqhubeka uZongile: "Mina angithandi ukwenza into abangayenzi ontanga yami" wamphula ulimi emnyonkoloza kabi.
Wasondela eduze uMaqhinga ngenhloso yokummbambatha, amduduze. "Sale usuxola Zongile wami. Laba bafana ngibathuma ukuthi bayongibizela wena, bona bakubeka isandla. Uyazi impela amaqaba aweve eyitifiza," wazama ukugaxa ingalo ehlombe.
Engabe yena uNyoka uzolwamukela kanjani lolu daba Kodwa yena ubukeka engumuntu ozithandayo izingane, uhlale ekhuluma ngoMashu noMlazi. Engabe eyami izoteketiswa ngokuthi ingubani, cishe kuzoba nguMbali uma kuyintombazane, uma kungumfana kuzoba ngu- Ashdown. Yayimgabhe ingamnike thuba imicabango uZongile owayelele ngomhlane embhedeni edla amaaphula aluhlaza ayewathandiswa. Eduzane kwakumi ikhathoni lejusi i-Clear Apple. Isixwexwe sesixebeledu sikashokholedi, i-Mix Fruit naso sasibhalakaxwe phezu kwetafula elikhulu?
"Kahle bo! Nguwena loyo Phela abalishongo igama lommangali ngoba ziyavikelwa izisulu. Wangihlula-ke ukuthi lo muntu onesibindi kangaka ngihleli naye kwami. Kwenzakaleni ngempela, awuyilande-ke ngizizwele kahle ngezami izindlebe.?
Miningi imicabango ayeseke wayicabanga uNyoka eyayizoqhelisa uZongile eduze kwakhe. Ukunqaba kwakhe ukukhipha isisu yikho okwakumdlisa ngamapayipi. Wayesewugudluzile umbono wokuthi uZongile abulawe, wayebe nozwelo naye angalwazanga ukuthi luqhamuka kuphi. Wayecabangile ukuthi nguyena ongaba wumsolwa wokuqala uma sekuphenywa ngokufa kwakhe. Ngaphezu kwakho konke wayecabangela nezingane ezazizofa ngokufa kukanina. Wakuzwa kumsinda ukuyalela ukuba kukhishwe imiphefulumo emithathu.
Wabuyela emuva ngokushesha uPhumla eseyolanda umngani wakhe. UPhumla owayesevele egezile emuhle, watshela umngani wakhe ezimtoti naye engakakukhumuli ayefike ekugqokile, baphuma bahamba. Zombili izintokazi zangena zahlala esihlalweni esingemumva, yasuka imoto. UNtombi wayelokhu ebajeqeza esibukweni semoto esingaphakathi kodwa egxile kakhulu kuZongile, wabonakala ehwaqabala ebusweni kodwa wathula du.
"Awe Nkosi yami! Manje baba uNyoka lokho kusho ukuthi sekuphelile ngekusasa lami" esho ezithinta isifuba ngosizi nangokuphoxeka?
"Akulula baba uNyoka njengoba ucabanga. Lena ekhaya kithi kusadliwa ngoludala nabazali bami basawazisa kakhulu amasiko nemikhuba yesiNtu. Ukuba kuya ngami nje ngabe" wabindwa yisidwa uZongile, wakhophoza wabheka phansi.
Isigwebedla sendoda sakhumula umakalabha.
UZonke owayesagqoke ezokulala zingenhla kwamadolo, wathi angafika phambi komnyango wangqongqoza, kwathi nya. Waphinda, lasholo phansi iphimbo lathi makangene. Wangena wabingelela ngesizotha, ebonakala nje ukuthi akasiyo neze impi. Esezichazile, wabe esengena odabeni ayelubabele.
"Mina nginguNtombi Ndlovu. Ngicela ukubuza ukuthi yikhona yini lapha kwaDube" usisi lona wayelokhu ethi nhla ephepheni elalibhalwe okuthile. Wavuma uPhumla. "Ngithunywe nguMnumzane uNyoka, engisebenza ehhovisi lakhe. Ngingamthola uPhumla" Wavuma uPhumla esegcwele ithemba lokuthi usezotshelwa ukuthi uqashiwe?
UThula nguyena owayebe nenhlanhla yokungagwazi. Mhlawumbe yingakho nje yena wayengaqashwe ndawo, kepha eyithuluzi likaNyoka, enza noma yini asemthumele yona. Noma kunjalo kodwa naye uThula wayekuholelwa ukwehla enyuka ngezimoto zikaNyoka zikanokusho. Wayehamba yonke indawo, njengoba nasenkampanini Izinyoka wayebuye abe khona. Isithuthuthu nje ayelande ngaso uZongile kwakungesenkampani Izinyoka. UNyoka wayesanda ukumluma indlebe ngokuthi kunebhizinisi azolivula eduze kweNyuvesi yaKwaZulu-Natali eScottsville, elizokwenganyelwa nguyena uThula.
Impilo yayisimnandi kuZongile, esejwayele ukuhlala eflethini. Imini wayeyichitha ngokuzivakashela enxanxatheleni yezitolo ezahlukene zaseMgungundlovu, kanye nemitapo yolwazi. Wayeqale ngokuvakashela izitolo zakwamakhelwane iScottsvile Plaza, Hayfield Complex, Northway Mall, Liberty Mall, Cascades Shopping Centre, Southgate Stores kanye nase-Raisethorpe Stores.
"Uhamba manje nje. Uhambe nezinye izinsizwa ezizibize ngamaphoyisa. Sisele sodwa nje lapha nomama uNtulo."
"Mlingani wami, ngoba nakhu ingane yakho, engumakoti walapha ekhaya, siyahluleka sonke ukuyithola, bes ngifisa ukuthi sike sibonisane ngamabheka." Wathinta isikhwehlela uZimu wathi klabe kuNkomo amthola egqolozele ebheke iphansi. "Ngifisa ukuzwa uvo lwakho ukuthi konje kuke kwenziwe njani ngamabheka uma umalokazana esebaleke wadliwa yizintaba."
Bathi bephuma lapho babe sebesule imilomo. UNyoka wayelokhu ezame njalo ukuqhulula amahlaya kepha uZongile owayesadungeke ingqondo avele anyewuke nje. Baqonda ngaphansi kwezihlahla baze bama eduze kwemoto enenamba-puleti ethi SNAKE 2-ZN. Kwakunguhuntshu olumnyama lohlobo lwe-Mercedise Benz C200. Kuyona bafica uThula owayedlala umculo opholile. UNyoka owayesekhala ngokuthi useshiywe yisikhathi, wayalela uThula ukuthi ahambise uZongile ngemoto eMbali. Yena waqhoqhobala isithuthuthu aphuma ngaso emasangweni ngelikhulu ijubane, sabhadla saze sayosithela.
"Ngoba nakhu ngiyakubona ukuthi unexhala ngale ndaba, ngizosale sengikutshela ukuze nawe ukhululeke." Wamamatheka uNyoka wabheka uZongile naye owayevele embhekile, washo ngelizothile iphimbo: "Ngizokuqashela ifulethi edolobheni, ozohlala kulona ngokukhululeka."
"Uzowuthola umsebenzi Zongile, ungajahi. Nami ngibona kungakuhle ukuthi ungasheshi ubuyele lena emakhaya uyoba yimbuqu. Mina ngizimisele ngokukutholela indawo ephephile ozohlala kuyona. Ayikho into oyoyiswela la emhlabeni uma nje usazwana nami," washendela uNyoka eduze kwegiya bagcina sebethintene ngamadolo.
"Kwaze kwakubi-ke lokho mngani wami. Empeleni nami angazi ukuthi kuzolunga yini uma ungenayo imali. Umzala ngimuzwe etusa ukuthi u-Director ndini loyo uyithanda kabi imali."
Yingakho nje wayehlala eziphophothe ngophawuda owawuzifihla zingabonakali. Indaba yayivela ekuseni esegeza, engakawugcobi uphawuda. Ikhanda leli lalinezibazi zezingozi ezingeqiwa ntwala. Zona-ke wayesezitholele isu lokuzifihla ngamawigi ayewashintsha okwamasokisi. Amazinyo angaphambili nawo ayesakhumuka wonke mzukwane eshaywa yizidlakela zase-Jokers night club, eseqala ukubheda. Wayesizwa ngamazinyo okufakelwa, ayemenza abe yintokazi enothotho lwamazinyo amhlophe qwa.
UZola Nyoka wayezalelwe elokishini laseZola South. Ngenxa yezibhelu zaseSoweto ngo-1976, umndeni wakubo wathuthela ezihlotsheni KwaZulu-Natali. Wayeneminyaka eyishumi nesikhombisa ngesikhathi abakubo beqala ukuhlala elokishini lase-Ashdown khona eMaritzburg. Wayesehambe ibanga elide, hhayi ngokwendawo kodwa ngokwezinga lempilo, esuka ekudleni imbuya ngothi esedla izambane likapondo. Wayenomuzi eziqumameni e-Scottsville, emgwaqeni u-Isabelle Beardmore kwanombolo- 22.
Ngakusasa ekuseni kwathi kuntwela enzansi, uMaqhinga, uMqedeni noChopho babe sebegcwele amagceke kwaNkomo. KuMaqhinga kwase kuphele nokuhlonipha, egqoke isikhindi kuvele izigaxa zezihluzu. Phansi onyaweni wayebhadazela ngembadada eyayisimise okwezinyawo zakhe. Esevukile uNkomo, bangena esibayeni bazikhipha zonke izinkomo, beshiya kukhala amabhungane ayebhuza emqubeni nasebulongweni.
"Ngizothi sesishonephi-ke isisu kuPhumla njengoba esengazi ukuthi nginjena" wasikhomba isisu sakhe uZongile?
"Uzalwa yimi, wavundla la," elinganisa ngesandla ukuthi wayevundle kanjani, kuphi khona.
"Hawu! Awusasebenzi mzala Yinto yanini leyo" ejamela uPamela ngokumangala?
"Angisho mntanami ukuthi ungathandani noNyoka, uma ufuna ukuphepha gwema ukuza lapha. Enjalo nje lo mfazi wakhe unezimpimpi, mhlawumbe ufika nje kukhona osemlume indlebe ngokuthi kukhona intombi kaNyoka enguwe. Ngisho kanjena nje ngoba akafiki phakathi nesonto ngaphandle-ke uma esezosusa izidumo adume ngazo," washo njalo lo mama wathi ake bathandaze.
"Ngeke baba, uzoba yinhlekisa laphaya. Hlala phansi Nkomo, angeke nje ube nalutho ngokungayi kwakho kwaZimu kusasa," wayesho ngelincengayo uMaNgwenya elokhu ethi choko esitambini esimhlophe wu, singenakhari, ayesidla esigone emathangeni.
Yilapho-ke uPhumla abona khona ukuthi ishubile le ndaba ekhulunywa nguPamela. Wazama ukumlandela emncenga ethi makame baxoxisane. Washikizela uPamela waphuma ngesango waye wangena emotweni yakhe enhle, encanyana, zaya kakhulu. Wasala emangele uPhumla emi evulandi esebona manje ukuthi ukuhleka kwakhe yikona okwenza umzala wakhe agane unwabu. Wabuyela endlini esephoxekile ehamba kancane njengentwala.
"Hawu mngani, wami kanjalo nje Yini okungathi uthathela phezulu Kukhona okubi okuvelile yini ekhaya" babuna ubuso eseyeke nokuzitika ngoncamunce?
"Uyashesha bo ukukhohlwa Nkomo! Usukhohliwe ukuthi wabukisa ngathi kanjani uZimu mhla esiphuca izinkomo Uyakhumbula ukuthi saba yinhlekisa kanjani kule ndawo yaseMakhabeleni Kwakukhulunywa ngathi emifuleni nasemahlathini. Kahle nje Nkomo ukufuna uphinde uzenze inhlekisa ngokufuna ukuba yincelebane nesicathalala sikaZimu." Wafaka izinkezo ezimbili zagcwala umlomo, waqumba ngapha nangapha?
Kwasiza ukufika kukaZimu kanye nonogada ababili abangena nezicabha. Bakhuza kabili kathathu kwanhlanga zimuka nomoya. Bagadla ngeziqwayi zabo ezidume ngama donkipiri, wahlakazeka umhlangano. UNkomo wathola nokudonsa umoya, elokhu enyiphile ebusweni, ebonakala nje ukuthi uzwa izinhlungu eziyisimanga. UZongile wayesephuma igazi ngamakhala, libhibhidla uma ephefumula.
Wahleka olombhuqo uZongile kuhle kwentombi yasehlanzeni, iphuma ehlathini kotheza ihleka isesheli usulu. Indaba wayiqala ngokuthi kwenela ngokuthi uNyoka adlale ngaye ngokumqola ubuntombi bakhe. Wamtshela kwezikabhoqo ukuthi leso senzo sifana nse nokuthi wamdlwengula. Wamsabisa ngokuthi kwamanje anganikela emaphoyiseni ayomvulela icala uma ethanda. Waphetha ngokumazisa ukuthi bekufike umseshi uMamba ezomcela ukuthi abhale isitatimende ngecala lokugwazisa.
"UZonke kungabe useye phesheya ngaphandle kwemvume yami Ayikho enye indawo angaya kuyo, uProfessor Eagle uhlala phesheya, eBhrithani. Konje uZonke angayeza yini into enjalo?
"Kuyafana nokuthi ulahlekile ngoba vele awumazi ukuthi ukuphi. Wawabikela amaphoyisa ngalokhu kuhamba kwalo mntwana?
"Pho uma uzazi izithembiso kungani ungiphethe ngesihluku esingaka Yiyona ndlela ongitshengisa ngayo ukuthi uyangithanda lena Zola" wamnyonkoloza kabana?
"Njengoba ngisho nje. Kade ngihleli lapha kodwa do lo muntu."
"Kahle mntanami, ngiyakukhuza ungaleqi izwi eselikhishwe ngubaba wakho. Izinto ziyokuphendukela," wayesho ngelincengayo unina.
"Udlala ngami Zola, ungenza isilima. Ngakutshela kodwa ngesikhathi ufuna sithandane. Ngasho ngathi kufanele uthole omunye umuntu ngoba mina usungazi bonke ubuthakathaka bami. Ngale nkani yakho, wenqaba ungikhohlisa ngokuthi uyangithanda kanti udlala ngami. Ngakubuza kahle ukuthi uzokwazi yini ukuhlukana nalo mkhuba wakho, wangikhohlisa wavuma. Kunjani-ke namhlanje uma kunjena Yimina isilima," wasiqala phansi isililo okwase kungathi usesiyekile kanti usefana nenqama ehlehla ngoba ithatha amandla hhayi ngoba ibaleka?
Isinyathelo esasizolandela lapho kwakuzoba ngukumxosha uPamela emsebenzini. Lokho kwakuzosho ukuhlukana kwangempela kwabo. Wanikina ikhanda uNyoka uma ekhumbula ukuthi batholana kanjani noPamela.
Wasukuma lapho uNyoka wavula iwadilophu, wathola itshe lome inhlama, izingubo zezingane nomkakhe zingekho. Kwakusele lezo ezingasagqokwa njalo. Laduma ikhanda endodeni, yazungeza indoda okweqhude lizungeza isikhukukazi.
Lwangena madoda ungqwazi lentokazi kaNdlovu, lwama phezulu lwabingelela, lwase lufulathela luyobeka umngenandlini ekhishini. Pho akukho soka lingenasici, nakuba wayemuhle uZonke kepha wayenesishwapha esindlalekile sithusa, wena owabona indlovu iyosithela.
"Eyi indaba yakho ngayilwa kakhulu nesigungu esasihlola abazoqashwa. Ngangilwela ukuthi okungenani uthole elinye ithuba lokuthi mzukwane ubuya uhlolwe usuwedwa ngokuyisipesheni. Bangichitha, ngahlulwa ngoba kwamina ngangingaphethe lutho oluchaza ukuthi njengoba ungekho ukuphi. Ngakho isigungu sanginqoba ngokuthi ongekho akekho," ethasisela nangokuthi ngeSonto waqhomoloza eKranskop kwaze kwahwalala njengoba wayeyohlangabeza yena uZongile.
"Sawubona mzala, awuphathwa," esho ngentokozo uPhumla.
"We Zongile asidlali, le, nansi ndlela," ucwephe olunguChopho Cilo lwasho njalo lwalumvuthela ngomvimbo ovutha bhe wemvubu.
"Kahle ukuzenza ingane mlingani."
"Mina bengifisa ukuthi uthi usahleli ulinde leso sikhangiso, kube khona okwenzayo kunokuthi ubhuquze nje. Ungathanda ukwenza omunye umsebenzi okwesikhashana?
"Yini-ke manje into ozoyicabangisisa Kusasa wena kumele uvukele e-Marie Stopes Clinic, ungaze uficwe ngamathonsi abanzi. Ukhumbule ukuthi nakhona angeke besakusiza uma isisu sesikhule kakhulu. Kusasa-ke shona khona, ungabe usapholisa maseko." Wakhipha imfumba yemali wayibala, wanika uZongile amakhulu amarandi?
"Kunjalo mntanami," esho eqhaqhazela umlomo. Wayazi kahle ukuthi uma nje eke wabanjwa ukuthi ukhuluma amanga, lokho kungasho ukuphelelwa kwakhe ngumsebenzi.
"Awu mntanami, ngangizokwenzani umuntu ezihambele yena kungasho ukuthi ulahlekile" esho ngelinosizi uMaNgwenya, eqeda egqolozela inhlabathi?
"Ngimshiye esevukile ngoba uthe ufuna ukushesha ahambe, kwazise ukuthi izimoto zangakubo ziyahlupha," esho elokhu egoqoza iphalishi ezenza onganakile kanti selumbulele uvalo.
"Ngiyazi kodwa" waphulwa ulimi ngomkhulu ushova lona ekhonjwe nangomunwe.
"Zo, musa nje ukuzikhathaza ngento engelutho. Ngike ngasho ukuthi angeke weswele lutho la emhlabeni uma usondelene noZola Nyoka. Mina nginguNyoka onemali eningi, uyazi nawe ukuthi ayikho neyodwa into engenzeki uma unemali yonke. Angithi?
Wanikina ikhanda uNyoka, wabheka phansi.
"Nawe nje Phumla ungenza isilima uma uthi awazi lutho. Wawazi kahle ukuthi lo akanayo imali yokugwazela umsebenzi, angithi?
"Ngizwe ngo-anti wakho ukuthi ekhaya kuseKranskop" wavuma uZongile esefile nguvalo eselindele noma yini engamehlela. "Ngizwe emsakazweni wangakini ukuthi kunentombi ethwalwe yizinsizwa, yeqa lapho yaya kovula icala emaphoyiseni. Ubusuzwile ngaleso sehlakalo?
"Akuhlangene nawe lokho ukuthi yinto yanini. Uzokwenzani uma sewazi Ngizokuqeda konke lokhu kwazi enizitshela ukuthi ninakho. Ngifuna ukunifundisa isifundo ukuze nazi ukuthi kunjani lapha emhlabeni," wacosha okhiye bemoto phezu kwetafula?
Nakuba wayesethathe isinqumo sokuthi uyahamba, pho wayeqambelani amanga ngokuthi uxoshiwe Okwesibili wayemfihlelelani uPhumla ukuthi akayi kubo eKranskop kepha usazohlala khona lapha eMaritzburg Kungabe ngaleso senzo sakhe wayeseqonde ukuthandana ngokugcwele noNyoka Kungenzeka ukuthi uPhumla wayesembona njengozoba yisiphazamiso othandweni lwabo noNyoka nakhu phela wayezalana noPamela Kwakuzobonakala sekuqoqwa ngalobu bungani obase bunezimpande eziqinile obabuzulelwa ngamanqe?
Yathi ingafika imoto endaweni yokupaka izivakashi, wayimisa uPamela. Wayezizwa ejabule ngaphakathi enhliziyweni njengoba wayezoziphindisela esitheni sakhe. Kwakona ukuthola lelo thuba wayesizwe nguThula owagcina ngokuvuma ukumtshela ukuthi ukuphi uZongile ngoba esemfumbathise imali. Wake wathi ukuhlala emotweni ezitshela ukuthi imvula izoke ithi ukuthamba. Kunokuba ithambe yathi ukuqinisa, yashaya amathonsi abanzi.
"Utheni ""Uthe ngikhulelwe" wathi ukuthula kancane, "amawele. ""Ini Amawele" wathuka waze waphaphatheka uNyoka?
"Uma ngithi ayikho eminye imizamo uzothini?
"Okuningi uzokuzwa phambili mnumzane wami." Wakhipha izinsimbi uMamba, wazifaka uNyoka owayesedungeke ingqondo ngale ndlela yokuthi waletha izandla zombili. Wayishaya inkositini uNyoka okokuqala ngqa empilweni yakhe.
"Ngiyakubona awukhululekile selokhu ngikutshele ukuthi isigungu sathi ongekho ongekho. Kanti ungakhathazeki, uma nje usasondelene nami zonke izinto zakho zizoqonda njengothi lomkhonto. Ngangicabanga nje ukuthi kube khona isu engizolenza ukuze kukhangiswe esinye isikhala somsebenzi kusashisa nje. Lokho ngifuna kukucacele bha ukuthi ngizokwenza ngoba ngisiza wena. Siyezwana?
"Imoto uyishiyile namuhla" wayesebuza ibhasi ibhaliwe uPhumla?
Kwaze kwashaya isikhathi sokuthi balale umama uNtulo elokhu eyiziba eyokwazana kukaZongile noNyoka. Wandlala phansi wadedela uZongile ukuthi alale embhedeni owawumncanyana, unesigodi uzenza isikebhe sabadobi.
"Angikusongeli ngikutshela ngento ezokwenzeka. Sengihambile." Waphuma wahamba egaklaza isicabha.
"Akubalulekile lokho Zola."
"Ngiyezwa Zongile. Kuyobakuhle-ke uma uhanjiswa yilokho kuphela, hhayi ngoba mhlawumbe ungasahleli kahle lapha ekhaya," kwangathi uyabhodla uma esho njalo.
"Ngiyasola ufuna kona, kodwa akashongo lutho. Kuthe sengizophuma emsebenzini, wafona futhi wathi ucela ukungiletha la ekhaya. Kusasa ucele ukuthi sidle naye idina, cabanga-ke nje ngoba uthe angisho indawo ethandwa yimina," washo waze wafifiyela uPhumla kubonakala nje ukuthi imthinta kwamancane le ndaba.
"Ngisathanda ukuhlala la ngoba yisedolobheni. Kwazi bani mhlawumbe ukuhlala kwami la kuyogcina kungisizile, nami ngiwuthole umsebenzi njengoPhumla?
Wafuthelana uZongile ebona iqili lenyoka enguNyoka limqila.
Ekhishini kwakukhona uPhumla noZongile. Babesanda kubeka ibhodwe elalinamanzi okupheka ilayisi esitofini. Elinye ipuleti lesitofu nalo lalibomvu nakuba lalingabekwe lutho, belenza sahitha ukuze baxoshe amakhaza. Iketela elalinamanzi okwenza itiye nalo lalixhunyiwe, amanzi esentukuntuku. Babecwecwa amazambane ababezokwenza ngawo amachips njengoba uZongile wayekhale ngokuthi uwakhumbule ngalelo langa.
"Yebo!" Wasuka uZongile waqonda ezitebhisini eshiya uZimu ekhexile.
Akabange esaphendula uNyoka, waphindela emumva ekameleni esedlwathuzela. Wahlala phezu kombhede wakhipha iselula yakhe, wayicofoza. Wathi eyibeka nje endlebeni walizwa iphimbo likaZonke lithi: 'UZonke lo, angeke atholakale kuyo yonke le nyanga. Ungashiya umyalezo nenombolo yakho, ngiyabonga.' Lelo phimbo laliqoshwe ngesiNgisi.
Wanikina ikhanda uPhumla ezibonela ukuthi ugane unwabu ngempela umzala wakhe.
"Sengiyakwazi Zola, wena uphika yonke into engikubuza yona. Yikuphi nje owake wakuvuma?
Wathi nje engena esangweni lakwabo uZongile, wangenisana noyise owayenswanswa eqhuba imbuzi. Lwamuthi heqe uvalo uZongile ebona uyise ayemazi kahle ukuthi ubuya ekhaya uma kuphele inyanga. Nokho kwabuya isibindi esezwa indlela emnandi uyise ambingelela ngayo, kanti umfihlele induku emqubeni. Wafikelwa ngumcabango wokuthi cishe unina akamutshelanga uyise ukuthi weqa. Bangena endlini belandelana uyise esemphathise noplastiki owawunomngenandlini.
"Kahle bo mntanami, wahamba ngisakhuluma kwenzenjani?
Wasala elubambile ucingo uZongile, engasekho uNyoka ocingweni. Walugaklaza phansi, elokhu ehlaziya isenzo sikaNyoka. Kusobala ukuthi ubambekile ngempela, wayecabanga. Wacofoza izinombolo zikaThula, lwangena. Babingelelana, walubika udaba lwakhe.
"Lo mshado wethu empeleni ubhekephi Zola Kuyoze kube yinini siphila le mpilo yokukhohlisana" wayebuza ngophansi umoya lona uZonke?
"Mngani wami, yiyona ndlela engivalelisa ngayo le, kusasa ngiyahamba," washo ngokunganaki uZongile, wabe esemuthi klabe umngani wakhe amthola enokukhulu ukumangala.
"Uxole bandla Phumla anginamzamo engingawuzama," walandula waze wazamula okomuntu ovuka ebuthongweni uThula.
Sebeqedile banikela erenki baze bangena ekhumbini eyayinomfana owayeklabalasa ethi makungene abaya eMbali e-stage-3 nase-J. Yamuka nabo itekisi yaye yabathi qithi eMbali emgwaqeni uNdaba. Baqhubeka ngezinyawo baze bangena kwanombolo-1777. Bathi bengena nje esangweni babehlangatshezwa yinja yakhona eyayikhuluphele icwebezela. Kwakungumuzi omuhle umkhulu wakhiwe ngesitini esiphambili. Wawubiywe ngogange lwezitini ezifana neziwakhile. Phezulu ifulelwe ngama-tiles, isho ngamagalaji amabili. Nokho ubuhle bawo babungababazeki, kwazise ukuthi iningi lezindlu kulo mgwaqo zinhle nazo.
Wawulokhu umbusa loyo mcabango uZongile nangesikhathi imoto ima nse phambi kwesango elibhalwe unombolo522 Isabelle Beardmore. Walikhomba nge-remote uNyoka lanyelela kancane livuleka, yanyonyoba nemoto ingena ngaphakathi. Nasegalaji kwaba yiso sona leso kunyelela isicabha salo, yasho ngaphakathi imoto.
"Impela ukuwa kwenye indlu kungukuvuka kwenye. Sekungcono kabi njengoba uThula engazange axoxe noNyoka ngokulandwa kwami. Ukube bekunjalo, ubezothi esehlangene noPhumla uThula asho ukuthi ubenami. Kungenzeka indaba yami bagcine bengayixoxanga uma sebeyodla idina. Engathi kungenzeka njalo Nkosi yami ukuze uPhumla angazi ukuthi ngisazoba lapha eThawini."
"Siphuma esiteshini e-Alexander." Baveza izigqebhezana zabo. "Mnumzane wami, usuboshiwe, sizolanda wena ngodaba oluthile okumele siyoludingida esiteshini." UMamba wanika umlungu ahamba naye idokodo, yena wasondela kuNyoka okwemamba isizogadla esitheni. Waqhubeka nokutshela uNyoka ngamalungelo anawo emthethweni njengomsolwa ecaleni ayebhekene nalo lokugwazisa njengoba wayesetsheliwe ngaphandle kokunananaza.
" Kunomhlangano okumele ngiwubambe kusasa eThekwini, nginqena ukundiza ngebhanoyi ekuseni. Awusho, unjani nje ukujabula usuzongibona njengoba bengingekho nangempelasonto?
"Yiqiniso leli olishoyo Zongile noma uzama ukungithusa" ebuza ngokukhexa?
"Wayefuna mina, engifuna nani" wabuza waze wanyipha uZongile nokho kubonakala ukuthi nengebhe isiyazenzela nje?
Ezwa uZongile ukuthi akulungi, wehlela ngezansi wagcina esecela amakhulu amarandi ambalwa. UMaqhinga wamthembisa ukuthi uzoke aye koqoqa izikweletu zamadumbe nobhatata komakhelwane, nakhu phela kwakunodedangendlale wamasimu kwaZimu, elinywa yizinkabi ezituluzelayo. Zahlukana izithandani, uMaqhinga esencishwe nokhisi njengoba uZongile wamkhohlisa ngokuthi uphethwe ngamalonda namazinyo.
"Kodwa Thula, yenza imizamo phela bandla. Nakanjani unenkinga uZongile, akakaze angayiphenduli ifoni isikhathi eside kanjena uma ngimfonela."
UZongile wakhuphukela esitezi sokuqala walinda ikheshi. Wafika khona esezihudula esehefuzela. Ngesikade lafika ikheshi lamthatha laye lamuthi qithi esitezi sesihlanu. Wathi engena nje wayesezwile ukuthi kunemvunge yalabo ayezitshela ukuthi ngamayengandoda nabathengi bawo.
" Khululeka-ke ngalapho Zo. Ungazi kudala ukuthi angizihlanganisi nje nezindaba zabantu," washo waze watshengisa nangesandla.
"Zongile mngani wami, nguwe ngempela lona Ubekwa yini la Wena wangitshela ukuthi uya eKranskop. Wawudlala ngami kanti" wambuka umngani wakhe ebakaza eswele umgodi wokucasha, ne-aphula abelidla lingasadleki?
Wathi ukusidonsisisa isigqoko sewuli sasondela emehlweni. Emnyango wangenisana namantombazanyana amabili ayefake iziketi ezimfushane kusele kancane ukuthi kubonakale okwangaphansi ezikugqokile, nakuba amakhaza ayeshubisa umnkantsha. Ambingelela ngokumeya, embuka phansi eyomkhipha phezulu, mhlawumbe ayesola ukuthi uzowathathela abathengi bomzimba. Kwalandelwana lapho izintokazi ezisencane zaye zangena emakameleni amabili ngokuhlukana.
"Yilokhu ngazalwa angikaze ngiqambe amanga kumuntu omdala njengawe nje. Kumele wazi ukuthi ngiyeke ngamabomu ukutshela uMamba ukuthi manyala mani enzeka kuleli flethi. Konke lokho bengikwenza ngakho belu ukuvikela uyise wezingane zami," waphulula isisukazi sakhe.
"Lalela la, mina ngizama ukusiza wena. Ungakhohlwa futhi ukuthi thina asithandani. Ngakho asingazami ukuphoqelela uthando ngoba nakhu usukhulelwe. Okwesibili, cabangela abazali bakho ukuthi bangathini nje sebezwa ukuthi ukhuleliswe ngumuntu omdala njengami futhi oshadile. Ngakho angeke kukusize ngalutho ukungizalela izingane engingazidingi. Uma ufuna ukuthola ukuphumula kwengqondo, yenza njengoba ngikululeka," wakhulumela phansi uNyoka wansondo eqikelela ukuthi akushoyo uyakugcizelela.
"Kanti unjani nje Phumla Usuhlangene nomngani wakho ningenza isilima. Kuyiqiniso ngempela kanti ukuthi umlungisi uzithela isisila Mina bengithi ngisiza wena, kwanguwena futhi okhulumela umngani wakho, lona osengithathela uZola," wamhlahlela amehlo?
Walithi jeqe iwashi uZongile okomuntu okhonondiswa wukusebenza komuntu sekuqala ukunqundeka amehlo. Nakhona evulandi zazikhona izihlalo netafula okufanele wona uvulandi. Phezu kwetafula kwakukhona isitsha somlotha kagwayi, phakathi kuso kukhona umlotha, inqwaba yezinqamu kanye nezinhlamvu zomthunzi wezinkukhu. UNyoka waba ngukubona ukuthi uZongile ubuka isitsha leso, wasithi hlwi okuphakathi wakuqulela ongwengweni. Wabuya lapho wahlala esihlalweni esasibhekene nesasihleli uZongile.
Ayibange isaba yinde ingxoxo phakathi kwendodakazi nonina wayo. UZongile watshela unina ukuthi usathi shelele. Umdudla wesidudula sentombi nto yakwaNkomo yayingundaba mlonyeni eMakhabeleni namaphethelo. Ubuhle, ukuma komzimba kanye nesimilo sayo kwenza ukuba izinsizwa zishayisane ngamakhanda ngothando ezazinalo ngayo. Ukufunda kwayo enyuvesi kwayifakela isithunzi ezinsizweni ezazinamanzi emadolweni, zahambela kude okwelanga lasebusika, sezisaba ukuyozibika ngosizi lwazo.
"Izinto ziyangibhedela, ngixoshiwe kubo kaPhumla. Manje angisenandawo yokuhlala. Sengifanelwe wukubuyela kithi ngoba kubukeka sengathi akekho noyedwa ongikhathalele eThawini. Sengijikelwe nangumngani wami uPhumla," wabheka phansi uZongile kungasaqondakali noma useyachiphiza yini.
"Usuyangisongela Pamela Ngibe ngenzeni kodwa kuwena?
"Manje Thula sicela ukuhamba sobabili noZongile."
Wayamukela uZongile nokho kubonakala nje ukuthi akahambisani nale nto atshelwa yona.
"Awu, nguwena Zo Eyi uxole, umuntu umatasatasa. Yimihlangano, yimibiko yonke into ndawonye.?
"Wakhuluma kabuhlungu kanjena mzala, yini sengenzeni kuwena" uPhumla naye esebambelele esihlathini, indololwane igwaze isibambo sikasofa?
Yakhala iselula kaThula, ngomnandi onesizotha umculo. Ukukhala kwayo kwamthusa uPamela walahla phansi izinyawo, wabakaza ejamele uThula owayekhipha iselula eyibukisisa.
"Akasekho uyephi uNyoka Giyani, ngiphuthume," wabuza ngokukhulu ukushesha uZonke.
"Ngiyakucela bandla Thula omuhle, ungamtsheli umzala ngale nto eseyenzekile," wasikaza nokuhlwitha iselula, engasathembi kwaThula. "Ngithembise phela Thula ukuthi angeke umtshele."
"Ngixo-le-le, ngiya-xoli-sa" eklikliza okwenkukhu inqunywa.
UZongile wathi nje efika edolobheni wayefonela uNyoka.
"Makhelwane kanti nguwe lona odlala izingane Uzenzeni izingane zize zikwenze nje" uZimu kwakuthi makaqhume yinsini ayezama ukuyibamba?
UPamela wayewezwa ngendaba amakhaza ngalobo busuku. Wayeqgoke isigqoko sewuli esifudumalayo, simboze nezindlebe. Umqala wayewumboze ngesikhafu esinombala ofanayo nowesigqoko. Ijakhethi yesikhumba esibubende wayeyigqoke nejezi elingupholonekha. Udangala ayewugqokile kwakungowendwangu eqinile umnamathela emathangeni nasezinqeni ezincane okomphako wamasotsha. Ezinyaweni wayeziphihle ngamateki angamabhuzi kuhle kwawabashayi besibhakela. Esihlalweni esingemumva kwakubekwe wona loyo mlenze wetafula, ingasabonwa imvubu. Kwakufudumele emotweni njengoba kwakubaswe ihitha, noPamela eseqala nokungquphazela.
"Iyiphi-ke leyo nto?
Yilokhu ahamba lokho lokho eya kubo eyolanda izimpahla, akaphindanga wabuya.
Wathi eqeda nje ukuphendula ukhiye embobeni yawo, wathuka koma nasozwaneni ngesikhathi ezwa iphimbo lithi: Awu Zongile mntanami! Nguwe ngempela lona ndodakazi yami?
Kwaba nguye phansi phezulu uZonke esefaka izicelo zomsebenzi, ayezithola enqwabeni yamaphephandaba ayefundwa ngumqashi wakhe. Zawuma emthumeni kulandulwa, engaphendulwa nhlobo kwezinye izindawo. Wangaphela amandla elokhu enethemba lokuthi ngelinye ilanga uyowuthola umsebenzi ofanele imfundo yakhe, naye ayeke ukuba ngumsizi kodwa abe nomsizi.
UMaNgwenya owayemsabisa okwenyoka umyeni wakhe wayesemshayele ucingo embikela ngokweqa kukaZongile ekhaya. Wayethukuthele wathelwa ngamanzi uNkomo. Indaba wayithatha wayiphonsa kuZimu umlingani wakhe, embikela ngokunyamala kukamakoti wakwakhe. UZimu owayengunogada eMaritzburg wazizwa enengwa kakhulu.
"Ngisafuna ukushaywa ngumoya. Ngithe angikwazise ukuze ungayi emaphoyiseni uthi ngidukile," washo ngelinosizi.
"Ngiqinisile mntanami, angimazi ngempela ukuthi waphuma wabheka kuziphi izinkalo," ebambelele emadolweni, enqena ukukhuluma nomuntu wesilisa, nokwenza iphoyisa, emi phuhle.
Ihhembe elaligqokwe nguZongile lase ligqashukelwe yizinkinobho, sekuvele iqhutshana lesisu esase sibonakala ukuthi sinomkhuba phakathi. Wayesalidonsa ihembe lakhe uZongile enganakile ngesikhathi ezwa kuqhuma isiqwayi ekhanda. Wake wazoloza ebuka uPamela owayesemshaye kanye wagxuma wama buqamama, engasakufisi ukubambana noZongile. Lopha pho, pho kuZongile, owathinta ingozi ekhanda sakuyihlola, isandla sabuya sesibomvu tebhu yigazi. UThula wayezithulele ewuhlabe inhlali, ngesikhathi kwenzeka konke lokhu.
Yekanini ukulutheka nokuyengeka kwengane eyayithukile, ididekile, ingenamali yokugwaza, injalo nje iwudinga umsebenzi, ilifuna futhi nekusasa eliqhakazile emva kokuthola iziqu zayo. Konke okwenzeka lapho kwaba ngukuphazima kweso. Lokho kwaba ngukwebiwa kwenkomo kaMaNgwenya.
"Okay usebenze kahle, ufike phela ntambama ungalenzi iphutha," esho ngalo elizothile uZongile.
"Yini bantami kwenzenjani" kwakungumama uNtulo owayebuza ngokusaba emi kude le phambi komnyango nezingubo zakhe eziphinki zomsebenzi, ezidlubhe ukusuka ekhanda kuya phansi onyaweni?
"Musa-ke nje ukungenza isilima Phumla, ngoba kunje, nje, nje kungenxa yakho" usemkhomba ngomunwe eduze.
"Awuwabikelanga ngoba umazi ukuthi ukuphi, hhi?
Emasontweni amabili edlule wayesanda kuphihliza uPamela. Kwala ngisho uNyoka esechaza ukuthi ungomunye wezisebenzi sezInyoka kwanhlanga zimuka nomoya. Wamshaya ngesiqwayi waze wamgqema engeqiwa ntwala. Yilokho okwakwenza ukuthi uPamela angahlukani nokugqoka amawigi, ayenezinhlobo eziningi zawo, namuhla agqoke le kusasa agqoke leyana.
"Yini eyenza ningaphili kahle Giyani Kwenzenjani?
Kwamthusa kakhulu ukukhala komkakhe ayemazi njengomuntu onesibindi. Kusobala ukuthi isimcike ngempela uZonke le ndaba yokuqonywa kwakhe. Kumbalwa ebona uZonke ekhala kanje, empeleni okwesibili. Okokuqala yingesikhathi ezwa izindaba zokushona kukanina. Okusobala ukuthi sekonakele kakhulu uma sekukhala uZonke umuntu onesibindi futhi okwazi ukubekezela. Akazame ukuncenga, konke konakala ngomlomo kulungiswe yiwo futhi, wayecabanga buthule.
"Ngingakusiza ngani mina umuntu evele esefile" uThula wayelokhu ebambelele edandakazi lakhe, encinciza elokhu ebuka umfuqulu onguZongile naye ayesezenelisile ukuthi umoya wakhe usuphume wonke, useyabanda qa?
UZimu yena wayezosebenza ebusuku kuphela. Wayelindeke ukuba avikele amakhasimende abhukhile uma sekukhona ongafuni ukuwakhokhela. Konke kwakuzoqala engxoxweni kodwa uma kungavunyelwana kuphethe ngesibhaxu. Umsebenzi wakhe wawuzoba lula njengoba wayehlomile futhi ezothi uma ebona isimo singaphezu kwakhe abize emoyeni ezinye Izinyoka, zizomlekelela. Konke kwakuzomele kwenzeke ngokushesha ukuze indawo ihlonipheke futhi ibe nesithunzi kulabo ababengadlala ngamayengandoda.
Wayilanda ekuqaleni waze wayiphetha eyokuhlushwa kwakhe nguNyoka uZonke. Wayebalisa ngokuthi uNyoka akamhloniphi neze umehlisa isithunzi ngokuqonywa kwakhe. Wabala zonke izintombi zomyeni wakhe, weza nazo waze wafika kuPamela. Uthe esahlahle amehlo uNyoka, wabala uZongile ambiza ngengane engalingana nengane kaNyoka. Wakhononda ngokuthi esontweni nasemsebenzini uyinhlekisa ngokuthi ushade nesoka lamanyala. Wabakaza uNyoka elokhu ebheke phansi okomuntu osukelwayo. Engqondweni wayehlanganisa izimpendulo ezinembayo ayezopholisa ngazo umkakhe owayevutha engabaselwe. Wayefisa okungathi angathi ukuqhubeka nenkulumo yakhe ukuze aqhwebe amaqhinga azoziqhelelanisa ngawo ezingqinambeni ayeqeqebuka nazo uZonke.
Wafika lapho kwamukelwa khona izivakashi, wabhalisa iminingwane engamanga wadlulela phambili. Lamdiliza ikheshi phezulu, waqala ukubheka izinombolo ezazibhalwe ezicabheni. Wasibona isicabha esibhalwe unombolo 03. Wathi qala qala ephasiji, wangabona muntu, wavula wangena ngaphandle kokungqongqoza. Imvubu wayeyibambe ngesandla ngaphakathi ekhukhwini elide lejazi.
UPamela wayehlezi phezu kukaZongile okukajokhi eqhoqhobele injomane. Igazi lakhe elaliconsa phezu kwesifuba sikaZongile, liphuma enxebeni elisesihlathini, lenza ukuthi inhliziyo yakhe igaye izibozi. Lokho kwabangela ukuthi agcine eseklinya uZongile ngesandla esisodwa, wena owabona ujokhi ebambe amatomu ngesandla esisodwa ngesinye etitinya ihhashi. Wakhipha okuthile ekhukhwini lejakhethi ngesinye isandla. Kwaphuma i-okapi, wayivula ngamazinyo, wawufaka wonke ngaphansi kwebele lesobunxele. Wasukuma lapho sakugxuma ededa kuyena, okomuntu osethuswe ngokuthile.
UZongile wayesefana noboshiweyo ngenxa yokudingwa kwakhe ngamaphoyisa nenkosi. Abazali bakhe bashayana ngamakhanda bengazi nokuthi bazophuma babheke ngaphi uma bemfuna.
Kulezo zinsuku inhliziyo yakhe yayijatshuliswe ngukwazi ukuthi ngesonto elizayo uyabuya umkakhe. Wagcina etholile ukuthi umkakhe wayengavakashile phesheya ngokuthanda kwakhe kodwa wayejutshwe nguMnyango awusebenzelayo. Wayeseziphothulile izifundo ayeyozenza eBrithani. Leyo nhliziyo yayibuye idunyazwe ngamahlazo ayenovalo lokuthi uyothi angafika nje umkakhe awezwe.
"Pho ngizokwenzenjani" emhlala emadevini?
"Kudala uThula engitshela ukuthi uhlala nawe ebhilidini, ngimphikise ngoba ngazi ukuthi wena ulena koKranskop. Kanti wayeqinisile" weza kancane uPhumla elokhu ebukisisa ukugwajaza komngani wakhe?
"Zongile usilindile uNyoka, gibela sihambe," wasidumisa isithuthuthu sabhadla sakhipha ifu lentuthu.
"Uphi yena uZongile ndini?
"Ngithi ngisemhlanganweni! Ngizokubona ntambama sengiphume emsebenzini." Wayivala.
Impilo yasedolobheni wayeseyibone kahle ukuthi imnandi kuneyasemakhaya. Kwakunele kufike ukuhlwa azivalele ekameleni lakhe ngenxa yokucasulwa yimikhuba eyayenziwa kuleli flethi. Kusaqala akanakanga, kodwa ngokuhamba kwesikhathi kwamcacela bha ukuthi kudayiswa ngomzimba lapha. Ebusuku kwakuba ngubuxokoxoko aze azumeke, aphaphame kwamabili sekuthule cwaka. Wayevelelwa uma kuphele inyanga ngoba kwakuphithizela kuxokozele kuze kuse emnyango. Naye kwamdida ukuthi yini lena eyayenza le ndawo ibe nogazi kanjena kumayengandoda, ayevamise ukufika nabashayeli bamaloli, abantu abazogembula e-Golden Horse kanye nezikhulu ezize emihlanganweni, ziphuma emazweni ngamazwe nasezifundazweni ezahlukene zakuleli, zizolala ehhotela lase-Golden Horse.
Nakuba amanxeba okusha ayesaphola kudala kuPamela kodwa inhliziyo yakhe yayilokhu yagaya izibozi nguZongile. Emlandweni wakhe wokulwa wayengakaze ahlulwe, nguyena owayenqoba izimpi. Nokho wayeselibonile iphutha alenza ngokubukela phansi nokumthatha kancane uZongile okuyikho kanye okwakumenze waba yisisulu sesibhaxu. Ngakho kwakumele azibambe ziqine ngqi ngokuziphindiselela ngempumelelo kuZongile njengoba wayesembophele itulo elinzima lokumhlasela.
"Eyi, ungixolele Zo. Izolo ngilale ngikhathele kabi ngenxa yokuthi ngihambe kakhulu ngikufunela indawo ozohlala kuyo, esezingeni lakho. Ngikhohlwe ngqi ukwazisa uThula ukuthi kumele akulande, ungixolele bandla."
Kwala ngisho esemncenga ngezindlela eziningi ukuthi amfake uyomkhokhela esesebenza, kwanhlanga zimuka nomoya. UZonke wayenganaye ngisho nomuntu angaboleka kuye imali ukuze angene emsebenzini.
UZongile naye owayelaphekile emoyeni wakhe, wahamba watanasa edolobheni ebona zonke izinto zimumele kahle. Wayebona emsebenzele amaqhinga akhe angene ngawo uNyoka. Wayesemazi kahle uNyoka ukuthi ungumuntu ofuna kwenziwe intando yakhe. Yingakho nje wayesebonile ukuthi angeke athole lusizo kuyena uma engezomthobela.
"Kulungile-ke phela uma ungumqemane, kodwa lokho akwenzi mahluko kimina. Esengikunqumile angeke kusashintsha." Wafulathela uZonke okomuntu ongasafuni nokubhekana noNyoka.
Wanyobozela uNyoka ephuma ngomnyango ethembisa ukuthi usayoyikhipha emshinini. UZongile owayengasamethembi uNyoka, wakhetha ukumphelezela. Enhliziyweni yakhe wayejabule efile ngoba wayesezokwazi ukucosha ikati eziko, kwazise ukuthi namandla okuyogada izimoto ayesemphelele njengoba kwase kusele amasonto ambalwa akhululeke.
Wathi jeqe jeqe uPamela wangabona muntu, wawufaka ukhiye embotsheni yesicabha, njengoba wayesevele ebaphethe ngesandla. Umsindo womsakazo wawukhalela phezulu ngaphakathi. Wathi uyawuphendula ukhiye wanqaba. Wanxapha wawubuyisela kwesinye isandla, wafaka omunye embobeni nakuwo kwayiso leso, wanqaba ukuvula. Wathi enxapha, ephefumulela phezulu, wayezwa imvunge yabantu besifazane abakhulumayo beza nganeno. Akabange esazihlupha ngokuqalaza, wavele waqhubekela ngalapho kulindelwa khona abathengi nabaqashi uma kusagcwele emagumbini.
"Uyadelela wena, yisha impela ukuze kuphele yonke lenkanyana yakho." Wayezabalaza ngekhabethe uZongile egwema ukusheleleliswa ngamanzi ayesegcwele phansi.
Wanikina ikhanda uNyoka esebona into ayengakaze ayinake kuZonke. Wayebukisisa izihlathi ezazifacakile, kuvele uthotho lwamazinyo. Umlonyana wawugcotshwe ukwakuwucwebezelisa, nokwamehlisa waconsa amathe, waze wakhotha izindebe zomlomo wakhe. Waze wasanga leso sithombe uNyoka, esezizwa emthanda kakhulu uZonke. "Ngeke nje ngilahlekelwe wunina wezingane zami ngenxa yezeqamgwaqo," ekhuluma yedwa okohlanya.
Nebala washo phezulu uZongile esithuthuthwini okokuqala ngqa selokhu azalwa. UThula wamnika omunye umakalabha aqala wangabaza ukuwufaka uZongile esabela i-hair style yakhe. Wagcina ngokuwufaka, yahliphizeka i-hair style yakhe ayeyenziwe nguPhumla ekuseni ngalelo langa. UZongile watshengiswa izibambo okumele abambelele kuzo. Kwaba ngukusuka kwaso lokho isithuthuthu esathi sehla ngejubane sibhadla, wakhipha amehlo uPhumla ezitshela ukuthi siyabagingqa kanti phinde.
"Akube kugcine ngci kulo muzi ukuthi ngiphinde ngizwe kukhulunywa ngemali yokugwazela umsebenzi. Ngale kwalokho ngizolimaza umuntu kabi," waqhubekela phambili wabuya esephethe isikhwama semboza yakhe. Waphuma wagaklaza isicabha.
"Ngicela usukume-ke ngikuhambise eMbali njengentando yakho," washo sakumshusha esefisa ukuthi konke kwenzeke ngokushesha kungaze kufike umkakhe.
"Ngiyaxolisa bandla, ngicela usale usungipha indlebe kulokhu engifisa ukukuxoxa nawe ngoba nakhu sesize sabonana," washo uZongile wahlala washenxa ngomzimba, wabhekana ngqo noNyoka.
Uthe engakaphenduli unina, wangena nezicabha uNkomo ababezitshela ukuthi usehambile, kanti lutho ujike esangweni nakhu ubelibele ugwayi wakhe.
UNyoka wayesenomcabango wokuthi uZongile kumele angamphathisi okwe-lady ngoba naye akamphathisi okwe-gentleman. Wawudonsa ngamawala ugwayi elokhu ethule lokho, engakawuphenduli umbuzo kaZongile. Wathi eyikhipha intuthu ngomlomo nangamakhala, eningi wayiphephethela ngakuZongile owavula iwindi ngokushesha exinwe nangukukhwehlela. Waphinda wawumonqoloza ugwayi wakhe uNyoka esezikhuze sekuthi makatshele uZongile avale iwindi lemoto yakhe, ukuze aphaphame ayeke wukucinaniswa yintuthu yakubo kontuthu.
Wasukuma lacu uZongile waya ekhishini, wabuya esenyinyitheka yizibiliboco. Wathuka woma uPhumla ebona ayengakulindele njengoba wayengazi nokuthi uZongile uke waya edolobheni. Nokho kwamjabulisa waze washo nokusho ukuthi izidlo ezinjena zimkhumbuza enyuvesi lapho kwakuqhoshelwana ngazo. Bazitika, bencinda neminwe, sebekhumbuzana ezasOngoye. Wayezithandela oncamunce uPhumla, cishe yikho lokho okwamenza walibala nendaba engeyinhle eyayihlokozwe nguZongile.
UNyoka wayesezanelisile ngokuthi konke okubalulekile usezitshelile izisebenzi zakhe. Wayelapha nje kwakuyisikhathi sakhe sedina sekumele abuyele emsebenzini. Njengoba uThula noZimu base bezosala balungise izinto ezincane nje, wafaka isandla ephaketheni wakhipha imfumba yemali engamaphepha. Kwaphazamisa iselula yakhe engakasho nokuthi eyani imali engaka. Wayihosha iselula wayithi nhla, wangcofoza wayiphendula.
Ayikho yonke leyo nto Phumla, bayangiqambela. Angiyazi nje mina leyo nto, washalaza uZongile amehlo akhe sekunzima nokuthi ahlangane nakaPhumla.
"Angiyona leyo nhlobo. Engikushoyo engikwenzayo. Sesikhulumile noThula, njengamanje ulindele ucingo lwakho ukuze akulande akuse endlini esezingeni eliphezulu njengawe, hhayi indaba yaseMbali."
Ehhene wayeqinisile. Pho wena uhlushwa yini Ukuba wayenawo amandla nesibindi wayengambuza kanjalo. Ngakho wagcina ngokuzibuza buthule?
Ukumiswa kukaNyoka kwakuyimiphumela yokugadla kukaPamela. Wayeke waxwayisa ngokuthi uzoziphindisela ngokuxoshwa kwakhe emsebenzini nangokwaliwa. Wayelokhu esongile futhi ngokuthi iyoze ihlangane inkawu nesikhwebu phakathi kwakhe noPhumla nomngani wakhe, baze balibambe lingashoni.
"Uyabona nkosazane, kunento okumele uyazisise kahle hle," washo ngelizothile iphimbo elenza noZongile lumuthi nta uvalo. "Akulona iphutha likaZola ukuthi ungezi kwiinterview ngoMsombuluko. Okwesibili mina bengingakwazi, ngikwaze ngoPhumla nokunguye empeleni ebengifuna ukumqasha, hhayi wena. Ngenxa yozwelo, isihe nenhlonipho enginayo kubantu besifazane, uthe uma ekukhulumela ngokuthi ngikuqashe noma ungenamali njengomngani wakhe, ngavuma," wadonsa futhi kugwayi uNyoka, elokhu ethi nyonko kuZongile owayesethule nya okomuntu olalele intshumayelo ethile.
"Angizwani mina nomuntu ozitshela ukuthi uyazi ekubeni engazi lutho. Uzothini uma ngithi angisenayo indawo yokukuqubisa Khona uma ngithi phuma uphele emzini wami uzophuma ubheke ngaphi Hhi" usekhomba nangezandla uNyoka owayesenolaka olubi?
"Akekho noyedwa engayithi vu kuyena le ndaba. Kwayena uPhumla umngani wami angikaze nhlobo ngimtshele. Kwala ngisho esengincenga uPhumla, emva kokuba umkakho efuna ngiyovula icala, ngaphika ngalala ngomhlane. Ngangingasho kanjani ngoba wena wathi ngingatsheli noyedwa," kwabonakala ngisho emehlweni ukuthi akashongo lutho ngempela.
Wavuma uZongile kepha uvalo lulapha ngokwakuzomele akwenze ukuze anikwe lelo thuba. Inhliziyo yakhe yayilokhu ithi umzimba wakho uligugu, uze ungavumi ngawo.
"Ngizokubulala wena njandini! Ubani lona omluma kanjena" Wambuza elokhu ebuka inxeba likaZongile ayesephefumula ngalo, ebhakela ngonyawo olulodwa okwenkomo isiphuma umoya okokugcina, ibandla selijahe ukuyihlinza isashisa nje, ukuze lithole izoso namantshontsho. Ummese wayesawuphethe ngesandla, uconsa igazana elincane elinye selingamahluli?
UZongile akapholisanga maseko, izimfonomfono wazikhomba kumngani wakhe embikela ngengqinamba eyayimnqindile yokuntula imali.
UNyoka wayesefuna ukuxosha uZongile aye kubo. Wayezothi esebuya emakhaya ibe ingasekho indawo yakhe. Ikamela ayelala kulo wayesefuna ukulidabula libe ngamagumbi amane okulala izivakashi zakhe. Wayesebone kahle ukuthi yiningi imali esazomlahlekela uma elokhu eqhubeka nokufuya uZongile ayesembiza ngefenisha uma ekhuluma noThula.
"Sawubona ""Yebo baba uZimu, yimina umkaNyoka. ""Awu yebo ndodakazi, ngiphuthume lihambe kanjani icala ""Kumbhedelile baba, limlahlile icala uNyoka. Isigwebo sizophu..." Yanqamuka ingxoxo ngenxa yokuphela kwebhethri yeselula. Wanxapha kakhulu uZimu, kungasaqondakali okumnxaphisayo phakathi kokulahlwa yicala kukaNyoka nokuphela kwebhethri ogodweni lwakhe?
"Ngizizwa ngingcono njengoba sengibone nodokotela," ephendula ngokunganaki.
"Awuzame phela Phumla ungincengele kumzala wakho ukuthi angikhulumele no-Director. Imali ngiyomkhokhela uma sengiqashiwe sengisebenza, please my friend," ngokukhulu ukuncenga lokhu.
UZongile wayengayikhohlwa insambatheka mzukwane ebhadama amantombazanyana amabili, ephulula ikhehla lomlungu. Enye yayikhwelele ingengelezi yempandla, iyiphulula sakuyibhona ize iyiqabule, eyesibili imelele izinyawo, iziphathaphathe, lihleke lize liqethuke ixhegu nokho elalibukeka kungathi leqiwe ngamanzi amponjwana.
Wapequlula emotweni, ephenya amaphepha ayizitaki. Wathola okhiye ababili, wabafaka ekhukhwini, engasakhumbuli ukuthi konje yimuphi okuyiwona awunikwa nguThula. Wathukusa isiqwayi sakhe, waphuma wahluthulela imoto, zaya.
Ngaleyo ntambama uZongile wayejabula edelile njengoba kwakuzofika uNyoka. Wayengazogcina ngokufika kodwa wayezolala ubusuku bonke okokuqala ngqa. Nakuba kwakukhona ukujabula kodwa zimbili izinto ezazimshayisa ngovalo. Okokuqala, uNyoka wayethe kunodaba afisa ukuludingida naye. Kungabe yini nje leyo eyayingenza uNyoka abikezele ngodaba azoludingida "Ungathuki, akulona udaba olubi." Leyo kwakube yimpendulo yakhe ngesikhathi embuza ukuthi ludaba luni eza nalo?
"Kahle phela Zonke ngamawala, asiyilungise kahle le ndaba. Zona zizothini izingane uma zikubona ukhala?
Waphikelela umfo kaZimu nesandlakazi sakhe, washoshela kakhudlwana-ke manje. UZongile wamuqhumisa ngesiswebhu sempama esahlala esihlathini wahlakazeka yizinhlansi. Wasukuma uMaqhinga wajika phambi komnyango okomuntu ofuna ukubiza oMqedeni bazophinda bavuthele uZongile ngezimvubu. Isandla sasisalokhu sisebusweni ngesikhathi uZongile ephulukundlela elawini ethathela ngejubane. Walandela uMaqhinga ngemva kwakhe elokhu embuza ukuthi uyaphi, akame baxoxe. Wayeseyophuma ngesango uZongile ngesikhathi uMaqhinga egijima enzansi kwesibaya emjaha. Wathi ujomba idede lobulongwe lapho, yashelela imbadada, wawa bhalakaxa phezu kwabo ubulongwe. Wayibona ingodusi yakhe icela empunzini, wahlaba umkhosi ezinsizweni.
Wabuya uNyoka esethinte izindlebe zakhe zombili okomuntu okungathi kukhona angakuzwisanga kahle hle. Wasondela ngakuZongile owayebonda uphuthu engazi nokuthi lidumephi.
"Uzophuma ngenkani Zongile. Uyezwa?
"Ngiyabonga mama. Okunye-ke ngicela uma ekubuza uZonke ngayo le ntombazane, uvele umtshele ukuthi iyisihlobo sakho noma ngekadadewenu owakhe le eKranskop. Umtshele ukuthi ibizokulunguza nje kusasa iyahamba," wathi baka baka uNyoka waqhubeka ekhuluma esheshisa.
"Khululeka, ukhululwa yimina, khuluma ungesabi lutho."
UZongile owayengasenamandla amaningi ngenxa yokuba nzima, wayesehefuzela. Isiqwayi sagcina sibuyele ngakuPamela, wangapholisa maseko, wagalela futhi ekhanda eduze kwephuphusi esiphongweni. Lazula ikhanda kuZongile, wawezwa amandla ukuthi ayamphelela, wahlala ngezinyo esihlathini sikaPamela. Wathi uzama ukuphunyuka uPamela, yathula nje intombi kaNkomo esihlathini yaze yanephuza okwenja yamaphoyisa isiyalelwe ukunephuza umgulukudu.
UPhumla wayetshele umngani wakhe ukuthi kunezikhala zomsebenzi enhloko-hhovisi yoMnyango kahulumeni khona eMaritzburg. UPhumla yena wayelunywe indlebe ngumzala wakhe owayesondelene noMqondisi-jikelele womnyango. UMqondisi loyo nguyena-ke owayefuna imali yokugwazelwa ukuze aqashe labo abadingekayo. UPhumla wayesemtshelile uZongile ukuthi uyise usemnikile imali yokugwaza ngakho naye makayizame. Nango-ke uZongile engasayitholi imali yokugwaza, nokwakusho ukuthi kungenzeka aphunyukwe iqatha emlonyeni ngomsebenzi ayesewuhluphekele kangaka selokhu aphothula iziqu zakhe.
Akuphelanga mahora amangaki wafika uZonke ngemoto kahulumeni ephuzi ngombala, Isuzu KB 4X4, double cab, ezicabheni ibhalwe igama loMnyango kahulumeni awusebenzelayo. Wafica uNyoka esesele yedwa endlini yokuphumula, umama uNtulo eseye kweyakhe emva kokugeza izitsha. Kosofa kwakulele amawele ayezigcine ebuka ithelevishini, kwaze kwaba anqotshwa ngubuthongo. UNyoka wayelokhu ehlale lokho ngesikhathi ebuka ifilimu eyayisanda kuphela, izingane zingasasibonanga isiphetho sayo.
Wavula elokudlwengulwa ngenxa yokudinwa efuna ukuziphindiselela kuMaqhinga. Iqiniso elimsulwa lalithi wayengamenzanga lutho uMaqhinga. Wayethi uyapaquza ebusuku uMaqhinga, ancishwe, asatshiswe nangokuvulelwa icala uma ethatha ngenkani. Wayetwetwa umfo kaZimu, afulathele abheke le, azumeke zwi kuze kuse golokoqo ehudula izikhumba.
"Ngiyambona ubaba uzama ukucindezela amalungelo ami. Ngeke nje ngiyivume leyo nto mina, sesadlula leso sikhathi sokwenza lokho kubantu besifazane. Kumnyama kubomvu ngizoya kosebenza, angeke ngibhuquze ne-degree yami lapha eKranskop. never!" wathi jeqe odongeni lapho kulenga khona isithombe sakhe mhla ethweswa iziqu ze-BA enyuvesi yasOngoye.
Wayesemluleke waqeda uThula ukuthi kuzoba yimalini isikhathi sokuphumula kusukela ehoreni, imini yonke, ubusuku bonke okukanye kokubili. Amakhasimende ayelindelwe kakhulu yizo izitshudeni ikakhulukazi zesifazane njengoba ezinye zazidayisa imizimba. Imvamisa yalezo kwakuba yilezo ezintulayo emakubo nazo zizizamela imali yokukhokhela izindleko zempilo yasenyuvesi. Kwakuzothi uma ziveza amakhadi azo zithole isaphulelo emalini ezizobhukha ngayo UThula wayezokwenza isiqiniseko sokuthi isikhathi esikhokhelwe siyagcinwa. Uma nje sesiphelile kwakuzomele azikhiphe izivakashi uma zigoloza abize unogada owayezosebenzela kulona leli flethi. Loyo kwakunguZimu owayeseneminyaka esebenzela inkampani Izinyoka.
Ngesikhathi uNyoka efika okokuqala kulo muzi, bezowubuka, bafica yena umama wakhona owayelunge eyimvu. Ngenxa yokwazi usizi lukaZonke wancenga uNyoka ukuthi uma yena esehambile aze asize angamxoshi uZonke. Eseluzwe lonke usizi lukaZonke nokuthi uyisitshudeni esihluphekayo, ngakwezezimali, wavuma ukuthi angeke amxoshe, uzoqhubeka nokuba ngumsizi wakwakhe wasendlini.
UNyoka wayesephelelwe ngamazwi okubabaza ezehlakalweni ezazehlele uZongile ezizeka ngokulandelana kwazo. Kwase kubonakala ngekhanda nje elalinqekuza libuye linikinwe, umlozi omncane, konke kubika ukushuba kwezehlo ezazizekwa ngesineke. Kukho konke ayesekuzwile, uNyoka wayebelesele ukuthi umthetho kumele uthathe indawo yawo. Wathi angayiqeda indaba yakhe uZongile, uNyoka walungiselela ukuvula isicabha ukuze behle bangene ngaphakathi ecasino. UZongile wathula wathi nya kubonakala nje ukuthi engathi akayingeni eyokwehla, kubonakala ukuthi ufisa ukuphefumula ngokuthize.
Wayesemshadweni womngani wakhe eSobantu, ehamba yedwa njengoba uZonke wayesengqungqutheleni yenkonzo. UPamela owayeziphophothe ngophawuda nguyena owayengu-Matron of Honour kulowo mshado. UPamela wayesetsheliwe ukuthi uNyoka uyisikhulu sikahulumeni, kwaba ngukuzwana kwabo njalo lokho ngaphandle kokushelana. Ebusuku kwi-reception, yajiya ingxoxo kwaze kwayiwa e-Ascott Bush Lodge nalapho kwabhukhwa khona indawo yokulala. Okwalandela lapho sekungumlando njengoba uPamela wagcina eseqashwa enkampanini Izinyoka, ngenxa yokuthi wayethobele yonke intando kaNyoka ngalobo busuku.
Wazizwa efuthelana yintukuthelo okwexoxo likhishwa endlini ngokukhahlelwa. Wathi uma ecabanga izinkinga ayesengene kuzona ngenxa nje kaZongile, wacinana kakhulu. Wangena emotweni, yaphuma esangweni ngesivinini esesabekayo, esekhohlwe nawukuthi uzohlangana noThula ngalelo langa. "Ngikhathele wukudlala le ntombazane yasemakhaya. Ngizoyikhipha mina uqobo lwami eflethini ngoba uThula noZimu bayehluleka." Wayebhodla umlilo ngesikhathi eselibona ibhilidi ababele kulo.
"Alisebenzi leli kheshi, ngicela ningene kuleli noma ninyuke ngezitebhisi," uZimu wayekhomba ikheshi elingasebenzi nelisebenzayo.
Ipulani yendlu kaNyoka yayiyinhle izishaya sasitezi uma usungaphakathi. Njengoba babesegumbini lokudlela nje, laphaya phansi ezansi kwakuyigumbi lokuphumula kunezitebhisi eziya khona. UNyoka wahola uZongile emtshela ukuthi kuhle bayohlala khona ukuze bangaphazanyiswa ngumuntu. Bathi besanda kuhlala nje wayelandela umama uNtulo nejusi eyayifakwe amaqhwa iphelezelwa ngamabhisikidi. Wathela uNyoka kuzo zombili izingilazi baqhofoza amakhekhe, baqhabula nejusi.
"Ngivumile nje ukubonana nawe, angive ngijahile, sengibuyela emsebenzini."
UZongile wayezizwa ephithene ikhanda ngendaba kaThula noPhumla. Ukusondelana kwabo kwakubukeka kuzoxova izinhlelo zabo benoNyoka. Wazizwa kungathi angashesha ukulala ukuze athole ithuba lokuhlaziya ukuthi konje lesidleke sikaThula noPhumla angasihlakaza kanjani. Wabona kahle ukuthi uma budlondlobala lobu buhlobo babo, ngeke kusaba yimfihlo ukuba khona kwakhe eThawini. Ithemba lakhe walibeka kuNyoka nokunguye owayengaba namandla okubahlakaza. Wahlela waqeda ukuthi kusasa uzoqala ngokufonela uNyoka ngaphambi kokufonela uThula ukuze amazise ngalolu daba okumele alusebenze.
Umama uNtulo owayengazi nokuthi kubhalweni encwadini wangingiza. Wayengazi ukuthi kumele aphendule muphi umbuzo kulolu xhaxha lwayo. Wathi weba uNyoka ngeso wamthola emjamele, wathuka wamphendula ngokushesha.
"Ngithi mina ngixhumaphi ngokukhulelwa kwakho Phendula umbuzo," usevuse imivingqi yezinhlonzi ukuze amsabise?
"Kwenzenjani Giyani Wenzeni uNyoka" ebuza ngokumangala umama uNtulo?
Kwakungakapheli ngisho ihora ehambile uPamela ngesikhathi kukhona ongqongqozayo. Wasukumela phezulu uPhumla enethemba lokuthi cishe nguPamela, usebuyela ukuthi bazoluxoxa kahle lolu daba lukaZongile. Wathi uma evula isicabha wakhangwa ngubuso bukaZongile, owayenyinyitheka yizikhwama. Wajabula uPhumla njengoba wayesezokwazi ukubuza umngani wakhe ngezinsolo zikaPamela. Wambambisa izikhwama bangena endlini, baye bazibeka ekameleni. Babuyela endlini yokuphumula njengoba kwakungekho muntu kulo muzi, amalunga omndeni eye ezikoleni nasemsebenzini.
"Asikaqedi phela Zonke."
"Angazi ukuthi ngingakubonga ngani Zola."
"Yebo ndodana uke wafika uZonke, washiya le ncwadi. Ungitshele ukuthi uhamba nazo izingane," washo ngenhlonipho nesizotha umama uNtulo elokhu ekhophoza.
Wamnyonkoloza kabi uNyoka wadonsa ugwayi wabheka phezulu kanyekanye nentuthu nayo eyathaphuka yabheka emkhathini. Kwake kwathula kwababebabili bebukana ngokwebana. Wadonsa umoya kakhulu uNyoka wabe eseyikhipha kancane intunthu sakuyinyenyisa.
"Phumla mngani wami." Wasabela owayemenyezwa. "Ngicela uze ungisize mngani wami ungamtsheli lutho uPamela ngendaba yami noNyoka. Ngiyazi ukuthi uma nje angake ezwe, uyongibulala nokungibulala. Ngiyakucela, ngiyakuncenga bandla mngani wami, ungangenzeli phansi," wacela waze watshekisa ikhanda kubonakala ukuthi isicelo sakhe sisuka ekujuleni kwenhliziyo.
Wamnikeza uThula wayifaka kweyakhe iselula. Waphindela emotweni uPamela, nokho wayebonakala ukuthi akaswabukile neze. Zalandelana izimoto zaze zafika eMbali. Wehla kuqala uPamela, wangena esangweni wahlangatshezwa nguFezela owayengaxwayi muntu. Wahalazela waze wangena endlini kubonakala nje ukuthi ayinaso nesinci isikhathi intokazi.
"Yimina mngani wami. Kanti wena ubulindele bani" esho ngokumoyizela uPhumla. Wasivala isicabha ngokumangala, wama phuhle wancika ngaso?
"Vula bo Pamela yimina."
Lwagcina ngokugoba uphondo kuPhumla, waqala indaba yakhe ngombuzo. Wabuza umngani wakhe ukuthi usamkhumbula yini uThula. Wavuma ngokuthuka uZongile eselinde ukuzwa okubi okumvelele, ecabanga nokuthi konje kumele bahlangane naye ngomuso.
Lalingafakwa libuya nodaka kuZokwenzani, ezifikela mathupha ensizweni. Induku wayeyishaya alitheze phezulu lophe pho pho uma insizwa ingquphazela. Induku wayeyifunde ekwaluseni njengoba kwakungekho mfana kwabo, kungezinkomo zibulala inyoka. Enjalo nje wayengenakhanda, edelela eqhuba intwala ngewisa. Izesheli zakhe eziningi wayeseke wazibhunyela ngomgqomo wamanzi kwangaba ndaba zalutho. Kwakungaziwa mbhantshi nakujiya njengoba noMaqhinga wayeyinsizwa evikayo. Nasemaphashini wayeseze wakhishwa ngoba ontanga yakhe sebemenqena ngenduku, engasawutholi kumuntu udedi.
"Kulungile-ke ngiyeke ngeke ngisalwa, ngiyashaeshu, eshu..." Wayesemanzi te ebusweni uPamela, kuhlangene amanzi nomjuluko wokujulukiswa yiminjunju.
"Mina nginguZola Nyoka," waqhubeka esho nesikhundla sakhe kanye nomnyango awusebenzelayo.
Kwayena uZongile wayesehlanze ngedela eselibona lingelifiphele ikusasa lakhe njengoba wayesephunyukwe yinhlolokhono yomsebenzi. Wambhaxabula wamsheshisa unembeza ngokunikela ngomzimba wakhe oyigugu engasezokuzuza nakuthenjisiwe ngawo. Usuku nosuku ikusasa lakhe wayelibona lifiphala kuhle kobhaqa luphelelwa ngamafutha. Wehlisa umoya wakhe ukuze uMaqhinga ehlise nezinga lokumgada.
"Wathula nje Zongile ngikhuluma nawe Uyangizwa ukuthi ngithini kuwena?
"Uyazi khona lapho kubo" ngokufutheka?
"Yingane yakho ngempela lena noma nje" limbukisisa kungathi kukhona elikusolayo?
Wabuya wehlela kuNyoka babingelelana ngendlela yabo yokwangana bagomoshelane. Wachaza noZonke ukuthi kunomhlangano omkhulu eThekwini ohlelwe nguMnyango. Wabeka ngokuthi ingqikithi yawo kuzobe kuyiqhaza elingabanjwa nguhulumeni ekulwiseni ukuhlukunyezwa kwabesifazane nezingane. Waphetha ngokuthi bazobe behlangene nezinhlangano ezingekho ngaphansi kukahulumeni nabo bonke ababambe iqhaza.
Wayelapha nje naye wayesanda kufika njengoba wayesedineni, ezobuyela emsebenzini emva kwehora. Saba ngokupaka nje isithuthuthu waqonda kusona, wathi ehla uZongile wayemgona engakakhumuli ngisho nomakalabha. Wathi angawukhumula wabe esembhulasha izinwele ezilungisa kahle. Wabamukela wabatshela ukuthi makungenwe ngaphakathi, esho ekhomba indlu okuzongenwa kuyo ifulelwe ngotshani.
Wancinciza uZimu ezwa ezibuhlungu ngomqashi wakhe. Yacabanga yajula ingqondo yakhe ezibuza ukuthi engabe awuzomphelela nje umsebenzi uma izinto sezimi kanjena. "Eyi izindaba zaseThawini." Waphimisela njengoba wayesecabanga ukuthi konje uThula noPamela baboshelwe icala lokufa kukaZongile. Wafasa uziphu webhulukwe, nakhu wayesala ezenza umuntu oshobingayo kanti lutho ufuna ukukhuluma nocingo ngokukhululeka. Yilapho-ke akhumbula khona ukuthi konje uhamba nesidumbu. Washesha walandela umshungu owawuholwa nguNkomo elokhu ethemeleza etshela ingane yakhe ukuthi sebesesangweni manje.
Imoto emhlophe kaThula eyayilindiwe ayibonakalanga nangokhalo. Ngokuqhubeka kwemizuzu umshayeli wesithuthuthu wagcina eseqhweba uPhumla. Wathi uma esondela uPhumla esangweni, wasondela nomshayeli nomakalabha ekhanda owawumenza angabonakali ukuthi ungubani. Kwakuyisishuqula sendoda eseza sikhushuzela.
"Yini kwenzenjani ngampela" Wabuza ngokumangala uThula ebabuka bobabili abalwayo, behefuzela bejamelene okwamaqhude kade elwa esekhathele ewudaka?
"Ngeke ngikwazi ukuya ekhaya," wanyukubala ebusweni.
"Uyangidida-ke mlingani uma uthi sizibonele futhi sizigadele into yethu," washo wabakaza uZimu ngalawo mehlo akhe ayaluzayo.
"Masehleni." UThula wayekhuluma okokuqala kuyilokhu egcine imoto iseseMbali.
Yaqaqamba kakhulu inhliziyo kaNyoka uma ebuyekeza leyo nkulumo ayeyikhulume nomkakhe esikhathini esidlule. Yiyo kanye leyo nkulumo eyayimenze wahlala ngokuhlukana nomkakhe isikhathi esingaziwa. Wayeseke wazama ukumvakashela uZonke nezingane Olundi kepha wanqatshelwa. Okwalandela lapho kwaba ngukuthola kwakhe incwadi yenkantolo I-Protection Order emvimbelayo ukuthi alubhade lapho kuhlala khona umkakhe. Wayezothi uma ekhumbule izingane aqale afake isicelo, uma sivunywa alethelwe.
"Unjani umkhuhlane Phumla?
Wama bandla khimilili uMaNgwenya owayesecele ukuyoshintsha iphinifa eliyingxathu.
Yathi iqala ukusola intombazanyana eyijongosi ukuthi wangabe esabuya manje umakoti, uZongile wayesethubeleze wacasha ngamahlozi washaya wachitha. Izingane zamumemeza, zamfuna nasemahlozini kodwa zathola itshe lome inhlama. Zashiya izingubo lezo seziyotshela umzala wazo ukuthi umakoti akasabonwa nangokhalo. Wathwala izandla ekhanda okwenina uMaqhinga enziwa ngukuthuka.
"Uyabona, ayikho into engiyizondisa okwengane eyihlongandlebe nomuntu ongafuni ukuzwa iziyalo zabantu abadala. Ngimdala ngiyakululeka awuzwa, unenkani. Ngiyalibeka uyalibeka. Kukuwena-ke ukuzikhethela ukuthi wenza njengoba ngisho noma kuyaphela okwami nawe njengamanje nje."
Angidlali ngalokho, kusasa lokhu okusayo wena uzolala eflethini. Manje kumele sihlele ukuthi uzoya kanjani kulona ngoba awulazi. Nginovalo lokuthi kube nguThula okulanda eMbali.
"Baba uNyoka ngizoya kanjani eMbali njengoba sekusebusuku kanjena Ngizothi ngiphuma kuphi nje kodwa emzini womuntu ngalesi sikhathi Bekuzoba ngcono ukube ungihambise ngalesiya sikhathi. Ngicela usale usungiqubisa, ngizovuka ngihambe ekuseni," washo ngelincengayo naye esejeqeze elakhe iwashi?
Ngokuphazima kweso yathi nse igqomoza yemoto kahulumeni phambi kwamaphoyisa asenkabeni yedolobha emgwaqeni u-Jabu Ndlovu. Wehla kuqala uZonke walinda izintombi ezehla ngokunwabuluka, zidideke imiqondo. Waphinda sona leso sokuzigquba phambili. Kwakusele amanyathelo ambalwa kungenwe ngaphakathi esiteshini, wathathela ngejubane uPhumla owayegqoke amateki nejini.
"Yimina Phumla, ngisaqube lana mngani wami okwesikhashana," esho ezama ukuphoqa ukuhleka kepha kwenqaba, ngenxa yokucasulwa ngukuthi ufunani ngempela uPhumla la azoze ambuze ipasi nesipesheli.
"I-Golden Horse, bengingabuye ngithini nje Akekho umuntu onganqaba inhlanhla enjena. Kusasa lokhu okusayo ngizobe ngidla i-lunch e-Golden Horse Casino kanye noThula Nyathi." Wafifiyela futhi kubonakala nje ukuthi ngenhliziyo usethi kuyosa nini?
Wayifunda ivaliwe uPhumla kodwa wangathanda ukwanda ngamazwi.
UNyoka wazizwa engasenakho neze ukuzethemba uma eselawulwa yintombazane encane kanjena futhi ingukhayeni. Kwayena wayesedidekile ezibona engasenasithunzi esimfanele njengomuntu oqhoqhobele isikhundla esingaka. Kwashesha kwamfikela ukuthi le ngane imuthatha kancane, imujwayela kabi, ayimazi ukuthi yena ungubani. Kwathi fithi engqondweni wukucasuka. Wamonyula usikilidi wakhe ongajwayelekile, wenza okungajwayelekile. Wawokhela phambi kukaZongile okuyinto angayenzi nhlobo ukubhema phambi komuntu, nokwenza wesifazane.
Kwathula nya endlini, sekuzwakala umsindo wezimoto ezazishwibeka phansi emgwaqeni njengoba iwindi lalivuliwe. UZongile wazibona engofelwe yizwe. Kanti kunjani emhlabeni NguNyoka lona osekhuluma kanjena ngoba nakhu sengikhulelwe Impilo yami yonke umuntu wesilisa bengingamazi. Kubo bonke abesilisa ababengithanda befuna nokungishada nganqaba nothando lwami kubo. NguNyoka kuphela owazi umzimba wami. Namhlanje ngikhuleliswe nguye lo muntu owaqeda ubuntombi bami. Konje njengoba ethi mangikhiphe isisu ngizosizakala kuphi Konje lake lalunga iphutha uma lilungiswa ngelinye Yamgabha ngamandla imicabango uZongile, engasafisi nje nokucabanga ukuthi konje abazali bakhe bangaphatheka kanjani ukuzwa izindaba ezinjena, emva kokumfundisa kanzima kanjena. Lazula ikhanda waze wazulelwa nayingqondo eyayisintantatheka naye?
Wayengakaphenduli uPhumla ngesikhathi kuvuleka isicabha bengalindele. Kwangena uNyoka owayeswenke econsa co, esho ngesudi ephuzi, ihhembe elimnyama bhuqe, uthayi ophuzi kanye nemihwebesha yezicathulo ezicijile ezisesitayeleni, zimenyezela kungathi zibhixwe ngovaselina. Ekhanda wayemenyezela yimbungculu, kuhleli izibuko ezimnyama. Kwaba ngukungena kwakhe, washintsha umoya endlini, kwanuka amakha amnandi.
Ngokuqhubeka kwesikhathi bedingida ezomuzi wabo, uNyoka wathola nethuba lokusho ukuthi kunesivakashi naye asifice sikhona esephuma emsebenzini. Leyo kwaba yindaba angayinakanga uZonke owayengenankinga ngabantu abavakasha kwakhe, ebakhonze kakhulu njengoba nasemsebenzini wayengumuntu wabantu. Ngokuqhubeka kwewashi zaze zaya kolala izithandani, kuyiloyo esequkule ingane baye bazilalisa ekameleni.
"Eyi Nkosi yami, ngaze ngahlupheka! Ake ngizame ukuthinta i-ambulensi ukuze iyombheka." Wayivala iselula uPhumla eshiya uThula egqolozele uPamela naye owayemgqolozele.
"Sizomlahla nhloboni umuntu ongaka, nokwenza ezithwele Uyamazi ukuthi usinda kanjani umuntu esefile Uyambona ukuthi ungakanani lo muntu Okokuqala nje sizophuma kanjani naye lapha, njengoba kuhlale kuphithizela nje" Wayeka ukujamela isidumbu wajamela uPamela?
"Ukuzwa kwami kufana nokuthi angizwa."
Okwesibili, leli yilo kanye ilanga ayesehlele ukuthi azise ngalo uNyoka ngokukhulelwa kwakhe, nokuyikho okwamenza wabaleka kwaDube. Kungabe kuzoba yilanga elikahle pho ukusho indaba engaka Kungcono kuzwakale udaba lukaNyoka kuqala ukuthi luluhlobo luni. Uma kungudaba olungelubi njengokusho kukaNyoka, kuzomele alubhadlaze naye olwakhe, angaze azibonele uNyoka, agcine esethi wayethuleleni sonke lesi sikhathi. UZongile yamjulisa le ndaba eyayisimudle isikhathi eside engayithi vu nakumngani wakhe?
"Mina mzala engikwaziyo ngukuthi uZongile waya kubo eKranskop. Yilokho angitshela kona mzukwana ehamba lapha ekhaya," esho esesaba nokubheka uPamela.
Wabakaza kakhulu-ke manje uZongile esedidwa nayimibuzo evela ngapha nangapha.
"NguPhumla," esho sakuhlebeza.
Ngokumangala bavuma kanyekanye. Waqhwaqhwaza uNyoka ebafulathela waze wayoma eduze kwewindikazi elikhulu, elalivuliwe. Walunguza kulo ebuka izimoto, amatekisi, amabhasi amaloli okwakushwibeka phansi emgwaqeni u-Alan Paton.
"Mina angiyiboni kodwa nkosikazi inkinga uma ngiya kwaZimu ngomuso," wayelokhu ephafuza imboza yakhe uNkomo.
UZimu owayecelile emsebenzini wayesethumele isigijimi efuna ukuxoxa nomlingani wakhe uNkomo. Wanikela khona uNkomo ezihudula engazi nokuthi ubizelwani. Wazibonela efika nje ukuthi umfula udla izindwani kuZimu. Babingelelana, baxhawulana wabe esehlala phezu kodaba uZimu.
"Phendula imibuzo yami, ungazami ukwenza le nto ibe lula," wahlahla amehlo uNyoka okomuntu ofuna ukuthusa nokusabisa ingane ayeyibona ifuna ukumnameka.
"Nanti ikamela ozolisebenzisa," uThula ekhomba ngamehlo umnyango owawungemuva kukaZongile. "Ungathatha nezikhwama zakho uzifake khona, ngisahamba," wadishazela waphuma eshiya isicabha singavaliwe.
UPhumla yena wayezibona efakwa ngekhanda kuyo yonke le nto ayezibona engahlangene nayo. Wacabanga wajula ngemiphumela eyayizoba khona ngokuvulelwa kukaNyoka icala. Wacabanga uPamela owayengeke neze ayithakasele leyo ndaba. Kwamkhanyela bha ukuthi le ndaba yokuboshwa kukaNyoka izofaka abaningi ekukhulumeni. Wabalisa buthule uPhumla ngemali engaka yabazali bakhe eyayibukeka isimuka nomfula. Wakuthola kunzima ngisho ukubuyekeza le ndaba noZongile njengoba uZonke wayebaqaphise okweziboshwa kwaze kwangenwa emotweni, yamuka nabo yaya emaphoyiseni.
UNyoka wayemiswe emsebenzini kanye nabo bonke ababesolwa ngokuthi wabaqasha ngokubagwazisa. Omunye wabo kwakunguPhumla naye owayesebhuquza ekhaya, esekhalela imali yabazali bakhe ayegwaze ngayo. Wayesevamise ukuvakashela umngani wakhe, naye owayenenkulu inkinga njengoba uNyoka wayesemxoshile eflethini, esezihlalele ngenkani yakhe. Babehlala lapho baduduzane banikane amathemba ngempilo eyayibukeka ibaphathele ikusasa elifiphele.
Inkulumo kaNyoka yayihambisana nesandla esasilokhu simphulula ezindaweni ezibucayana nokho. UNyoka wathembisa uZongile yonke inishinishi namawongowongo, esho nokuthi uzothumela abakhongi kwaNkomo ngaphezu kwalokho uzomqasha esikhundleni esiphezulu inqobo nje uma evuma ukuthi ucu luhlangane.
"Ngiyasaba baba futhi anginalo ilungelo lokulala lapha ngoba ekhaya bazi ukuthi ngivakashele kwaDube eMbali. Ngiyakucela bandla baba, ngicela ungizwele ungihambise," useyahefuzela ngenxa nje yovalo.
Wabahola baze bangena ngaphakathi kwi-Lodge, wathi mabahlale bamlinde lapho kwamukelwa khona izivakashi. UThula wadlula wayogibela ikheshi elamthatha zasala zibakaza izintombi. Emva kwesikhashana lavuleka ikheshi, waphuma uThula esehamba nezintokazi ezintathu. Wazikhomba emotweni, watshela oPhumla ukuthi makuhanjwe. Kwangenwa ekheshini walicofoza ngesiqopholozi somunwe uThula. Baphuma kulona esitezi sokuqala, bangena endlini engunombolo 101.
"Ngiyezwa Zo, into nje ukuthi nama-interview asesemnyango ngokusho kukamzala. Manje kuzobe kuxoxwe nini Uma kulunga wena uyobe uze nini la eThawini?
"Awu uxole dululu wami, usuku oyidinga ngalo le mali luseduze kakhulu. Ngisho ngingadayisa inkomo sengingaswela umuntu ongayithenga ngokushesha. Nemadlana ebikhona siyiqongqothe njengoba besenzele umama umsebenzi wokumbuyisa," yasho imambane izimelele ngesikhwili esiwumbazo, sibonakala nje ukuthi sisesisha ngakho siyigugu kumniniso.
"Nginenkinga Zola, ngidinga usizo lwakho," washo ngelimtoti iphimbo uZongile, elaba mtoti nasezindlebeni zikaNyoka.
"Benza konke lokhu ngoba kuthiwa ngaqashwa ngoba ngilale noNyoka. Anginasithunzi nje laphaya emsebenzini, ngifana nesidwedwe." Waphetha ngokuthi ukuhlatshwa kwakhe ngumkhuhlane yingenxa yokuhlala kwakhe ekhathazekile.
"Singakhuluma kuze kuse uma ngingaphika nawe. Mina ngiyindoda, ngihlala nebandla sixoxe izindaba zezwe. Manje uma uthi ngingayi kwaZimu kusasa uthi mangibe wuNkomo oyinkomo edla yodwa Cha ngeke ngikwenze lokho, ngeke nje." Wanikina ikhanda uNkomo, wathatha isinqamu sakhe nomentshisi waphuma endlini elokhu ekhononde njalo ngenkulumo yomkakhe?
Yebo, uNyoka oyinyoka wayesenyonyobe wanyamalalisa inkomo kamama uNkomo. Okwase kwenzekile kwase kufana nobisi oluchithekile lungasenakubuthwa. Unembeza wamudla uZongile kungakapheli namizuzu emingaki elingekile. Ubuntombi bakhe ayesebugcine iminyaka eyevile emashumini amabili eminyaka nengxenye babungasabonwa futhi engasophinde abe yintombi nto imihla yonke yokuphila kwakhe.
UZimu owayehlonishwa eMakhabeleni ngenxa yomhlambi wezinkomo zakhe ezikhuluphele, wathembisa ukuthi uzothumela abakhongi ukuze bakhiphe izinkomo zokuthi uZongile apheke kwaZimu. Nokho wacacisa ukuthi uzoke alinde abone ukuthi uyabuya yini umntwana noma cha. Wayelokhu eqhakambisa ukuthi uZongile akasoze aludle olubabayo kwakhe. Wayezigqaja ngokuthi yena ufuye wena nkomo, mbuzi, siklabhu, zinkukhu kanti futhi unodedangendlale wamasimu awalima ngezinkabi ezituluzelayo. Wayikhahlelisisa eyokuthi umakoti wakwakhe ajahe ukuyosebenza, ayeke ifa elingaka lakoZimu.
"Thula, kade ngifikile lapha, lutho ukuqhamuka inyamazane" wayesho ngokucikeka uPamela.
"Hho, yimina loyo. Kungabe sengiphaphalaze kuphi zikhulu zami" Lumshaya lumeqa uvalo kodwa eziqinisa esesonge izingalo phezu kukathayi oyisixwembe?
"Ningibalekelelani umthetho wenu Kade nginimisa," uPamela wayehlahlele uThula amehlo ahlabayo?
"Uyazi wena ubuye ungixake. Ngakutshela ukuthi igama lami nginguZola, ngakho ngicela ungibize ngalo."
"Imibuzo yakho angeke isakusiza ngalutho. Thina kumele sibhekane nale nkinga esivelile kwaphela nje."
"Uthi pho ngeke umtshele umzala wakho ukuthi ngihlala la mngani wami?
Izinto zazimumele lukeke uNyoka. Yayisiphele golokoqo inyanga engasebenzi njengoba wayemisiwe emsebenzini. Indaba yaqala mzukwane enikwa incwadi yokumumisa eyayisayinwe nguNgqongqoshe woMnyango uqobo. Incwadi yayibeka izizathu zokuthi ungumsolwa ngokuqasha ngokugwazisa. Yayicacisa ngokuthi kumele angalubhadi emsebenzini kuze kuphothulwe uphenyo lwangaphakathi.
"Yebo ngiyezwa," ngephimbo eligedezayo.
Kwathi cosololo kuNyoka waze waphulula isandla sikaZongile.
"Ngiyakubopha manje. Engani awufuni ukukhipha indodakazi yakho Sukuma!?
"Ngiyabona wena mama ucabanga ukuthi ngisinisa amahleza. Uyabona-ke ukuze ubone kahle ukuthi ngiyasebenza, ngihamba nawe njengamanje. Ngiyokudedela mhla washo ukuthi ikuphi ingane yakho," lanyukunya ozankosi iphoyisa enqulwini.
Asisiningi neze isikhathi esachithwa nguZongile kwabo. Wathi angafika nje wayexhamazela egeza, waqoqa zonke izimpahla zakhe ezingayanga kwaZimu. Wathi uyabuza unina ukuthi ubekwa yini lapha, wayegqigqizela equkula imifuqulu, wangena indlela eya esitobhini. Wasala ekhexile unina ebona ingane yakhe izenzela umathanda iya kwamathandanhliziyo ngaphandle kokumazisa engunina wayo.
"Sengikhona, ngasho ngathi iyoze ihlangane," wayimonyula imvubu ejazini uPamela, wayithela emhlane kuPhumla owayengasemnyango. "Uyakwazi lokhu Ba-mba la, tha-tha la," wayenanela umvimbo nomvimbo ayewuvuthela kumzala wakhe ngemvubu?
"Kanti kunjani eThawini madoda Izingane zethu zishalaza kanjena ngoba nakhu sezizithwele Kodwa ngiyoya nini ekhaya ke ngibazekele le nsumansumane" Washaya izandla uZimu okwenina, wabheka laba ababesalinde ikheshi?
UZongile wayesha amashushu ngemali yokugwazela umsebenzi, indaba yonke wayeyizwe ngomngani wakhe omkhulu, uPhumla Dube waseMbali eMgungundlovu. Ubungani babo babuqale ngesikhathi bazana okokuqala mzukwane behlangana eNyuvesi yasOngoye. Babenza iziqu ezifanayo ze-BA (Communication Science) futhi behlala endlini eyodwa ngonyaka wokuqala. Ubungani babo baqiniswa kakhulu nawuthando lokuhambela umkhosi woMhlanga esigodlweni seSilo eNyokeni, kanti benjalo nje babengontanga ngokweminyaka yobudala.
"We mama, unamanga! Uzomkhipha uZongile umbeke la," limhlahlela amehlo abomvu.
"Eyi, yindaba ende mngani wami," wabheka phansi manje uZongile, zacweba izinyembezi. Indaba wayilanda yonke kusukela elandwa yisithuthuthu kuze kuba usezibona ukuthi unzima. Wathi eyiqeda nje zabe sezizigelezela izinyembezi, ezishiphiliza ngenhlanakelo esengodabukisayo.
Walizwa walazi lelo phimbo. Waphendula ikhanda eqalaza ukuthi umninilo yiloyo ayemcabanga yini. Nakho-ke okukhulu! Ubaba ubekwa yini manje lapha nokwenza kusebusuku Nkosi yami! Baba, ufunani endaweni enjena Nawe baba usuthenga umzimba?
Kwase kusele kancane kuphele ihora uNyoka ehlangene nezisebenzi zakhe ezimbili eflethini elisha ayesanda kulithenga. Wayelithenge eScottville, ku-Alan Paton Avenue, ebhilidini i-Paradise Mansion. Lalinamakamelo amabili okulala, indlu yokuphumula ikhishi kanye nendlu yokugeza ihlangene neyangasese.
"Awuboni ngani mkami ukuthi uzophoxeka uZimu uma ngingayi ekubeni engimeme kahle kanjena Kusobala ukuthi akanankinga ngokwenziwa nguZongile. Pho mina ngizoze ngibe nenkinga naye ngoba kwenzenjani." Wayikhipha ngamakhala yawumphusho wasebhekawozi intuthu?
UZongile wayibhadlaza indaba kuhle kwendizamshini yempi iqathaza ibhomu eliqhuma lisakazeke libhubhise izitha.
"Nginenkampani yonogada, ngakho ngizokunika isikhundla esithile ehhovisi lezokuphatha. Ngizokunika imali enhle njalo ukuphela kwenyanga, kuze kuba uthola umsebenzi osezingeni lakho."
"Zongile, sukuma-ke siye kolungisa izinto zakho ukuze nami ngingashiywa yisikhathi somsebenzi." Balandelana baye basithela kwelinye iphasiji. UThula wasala yedwa evungula, elokhu ethi qhabu ejusini ebanda qa.
"Kahle ukuzenza ingane Zongile," wathi ukuthula uNyoka, wathi baka baka ngamahlonyana.
Wanxapha uNyoka, wayivala iselula wayibuyisela ephaketheni. Wadlulisela imali ezisebenzini zakhe waziyalela ukuba zithenge inyama ukuze ntambama kwenziwe umcimbi wokuvula ibhizinisi. Akabange esalibala, wavalelisa wangena ekheshini elamthatha lamuthi qithi phansi. Akuqondakali into eyamenza wavuthela imoto ngesivinini esingaka. Mhlwawumbe wayedinwe ngukufonelwa nguZongile owayegcine ngokunqaba ukuthandana naye, okukanye wayeseshiywe yisikhathi sokubuyela emsebenzini.
Wanele wezwa elokuthi umfihlile, waphunyuka wahleka uPhumla ezwa umzala wakhe ekhuluma into engekho. "Ngingaze ngimfihle nje ngoba kwenzenjani mzala UZongile akekho ule kubo eKranskop, uma esefikile lapha ekhaya ngiyokwazisa," wayezama ukubamba insini nokho eyayiphunyuka?
Wambamba wamqinisa uNcane laze ladabuka ibhantshi likaNkomo elase lilidadlana ngaphansi kwalo efake uvinekha wejezi eliyinkwamba.
"Sikhathele abantu abavula amacala emva kwalokho bancengwe, bathengwe ebese beyacasha njengale ngane yakho. Anginaso neze isikhathi sokudlala. Sukuma sihambe ngingaze ngishonelwe yilanga," lisho nje izinsimbi seliziphethe ngesandla.
"Kahle bo mzala! Mina ngenzeni ngempela kuwena" uselotshwe indumalo ebusweni uPhumla?
"Manje wena Phumla ubona ukuthi kemele ngenzenjani uma kunjena?
"Owakwenza nginethemba lokuthi kuzoba yisifundo nesibonelo kwabanye abantu besifazane abangofela ngaphakathi uma behlukunyezwa. Ngikuthulela isigqoko ntombazane ngesibindi sakho. Amehlo ami kungathi awaqali ukukubona nakuba ngingazi ukuthi ngangikubona kuphi."
"Xola phela Ngonyama yami, kungukuqhuzuka nje lokhu okwenzekile. Ngizimisele ngokuhlukana nakho nonke," wayelokhu embambatha emahlombe.
