Thunder at the funeral

Characters are:

 Rorisang- Tlhlale/ Deceased sister

 Amogelang- Pastor John
 Unathi- Lisakhanya/ Innocent/ Killer sister
 Ayamkela- Palesa/ Jealous/ Accused sister.
 Lubanzi- Zinhle/ Older sister
 Benita- Rakgadi Lekhetho/ Fathers sis
Scene 1

The Mokoena’s

*Entering Stage*
The family is eating lunch around the table. They are enjoying themselves until ...

Khanya: I’m so glad we get to sit around the table together as a family.

Other sisters: Us too

Tlhlale: We’ve only got each other.

Zinhle: Yeah, we must make the most of it.

Palesa: Exactly

Khanya: Sorry guys, may you please excuse me? Tlhlale, I need to speak to you can we go
upstairs?

Tlhlale: Oh, okay sure

Palesa: I need the bathroom upstairs, but don’t mind me.

*The other sisters go and Tlhlale and Khanya remain on stage. *

Khanya is fighting with Tlhlale about her used to be the favorite child and the unexpected
happens.
Tlhlale: What was it you needed to speak to me Abou-

Khanya: You know I’ve always been there for you Tlhale, but you never did the same for
me.

Tlhlale: I’m sorry what do you mean?

Khanya: When mom and dad died you got everything because you were their perfect little
princess.

Tlhlale: what? Is this a joke?

Khanya: Is that what you take me for, a joke?

Tlhlale: No, I just don’t understand what’s going on.

Khanya: You never did. And you never will. (Walking closer to the stairs)

Tlhlale: Haibo What’s going on...? (Walking backward closer to the stage)

Khanya: I think maybe it’s time you paid Mom and Dad a visit. (Push off the stairs)

Tlhlale: AHH- she falls off the stairs and hits her head hard.

*Khanya runs downstairs to pretend she didn’t see her sister fall*

Palesa: HAIBO! TLHLALE HELP GUYS!

Other sisters: WHAT’S GOING ON?

Palesa: I don’t know what happened guys…

Khanya: (fake crying) We were just-(crying) How did she- (crying) Palesa what did you
do- (crying more)

Zinhle: Call the ambulance!!! Tlhlale is dying (panicking.)

Khanya: PALESA WHAT DID YOU DO?

Palesa: I didn’t do anything… I swear…

Zinhle: Guys I’m getting on the phone with the ambulance just SHUT UP! on the phone
with ambulance (the sisters keep quiet)

Zinhle: Hello ambulance— my sister is unconscious on the floor, and we need help (sad voice)

Scene 2

The ambulance came but it was an hour late, the sisters feared losing another family
member.

Khanya: Oh, my goodness, finally they are here.

Zinhle: You can come in. (The paramedics go in)

Palesa: Is she okay?

Zinhle: I don’t know.

The paramedics took Tlhlale away to the hospital to get checked. The sisters are panicking.

*Zinhle’s phone rings*

Zinhle: Hello Zinhle Mokoena speaking, who is this?

Zinhle: Oh, guys it’s the hospital (Speaking to her sisters)

Zinhle: Is everything okay? Oh, okay bye (Starts crying)

Palesa: Zinhle what’s wrong talk to us.

Zinhle: So, the doctor called me from the hospital, and she said Tlhlale passed away.

Palesa: Noooo, you are lying (crying)

The sisters are finding a way to tell Rakgadi Lekhetho but eventually, they told her.

Zinhle: Let’s call Rakgadi Lekhetho and tell her.

Palesa: Hello Rakgadi Lekhetho, unfortunately, I have bad news for you. (Talking to
Rakgadi on the phone)

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Yes, what’s wrong my child

Palesa: (she starts crying) Unfortunately Tlhlale has died.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: What happened.

Palesa: She fell down the stairs and hit her head very hard.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Kodwa nkosi yami, it’s not even 3 months since my brother died now it’s
Tlhlale.

Zinhle: So, we would love for you to come here and help us plan the funeral.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: I will take the first taxi to come there.

Both sisters: Bye

Rakgadi Lekhetho arrives at the Mokoena, and they start planning the funeral.

Scene 3
*Dining room setting*
The family tries to find out if Tlhlale had a funeral cover because they don’t have enough
money to plan a special funeral.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Does Botlhlale have a funeral cover?

Palesa: I’m calling to find out (rings) Hello you speaking to Palesa Mokoena, Tlhlale
Mokoena’s sister, she recently passed on, and we just need to find out if she has a
funeral cover.

Caller: Well unfortunately she canceled her funeral cover with us in the early 2022
Palesa: Oh, okay Thank you (drops call) ba its ha na funeral mme o e hlakotse
mathosomg 2022.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Mara chelate itlo tsena Kai?

Palesa: Retla tlamega ho kenya chelate.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: I will call the family to ask if they can contribute some money toward
the funeral as we are struggling to do so.

Palesa: Okay I will see what I have.

Zinhle: Nami ngizobeka.

Scene 4

The police are still investigating the death of Tlhlale. Some people are busy acting
suspiciously in this investigation. Then something expected happened but this time it was
shocking.

Khaya: I need to act fast before they realize it’s me behind Tlhlale’s murder. (Speaking to
herself)

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Today, is so sad because it’s Tlhlale’s funeral.

Palesa: Who would have known my sister would end up in the grave so early?

Rakgadi Lekhetho: You shouldn’t be talking; you were the one who killed her (Tearing up)

Palesa: I didn’t, I swear.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: (Pushes Palesa aside) This disgraceful child this is why your father
never. left you any money.
Palesa: At least I have a father.

Khanya: Please stop fighting, please.

Palesa: Ngenaphi?

Pastor John: Just, stop.

Set 2
Rakgadi Lekhetho: Has the food been done?

Khanya: Yes, stop stressing so much.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: How can I not?

Palesa: The guests are here!

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Shut up wena.

Khanya: Let us not be mean to each other.

Pastor John: May the funeral begin.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Yes.

Pastor John: May we all rise onto our feet.

(Everyone rises on their feet.)

Pastor John: Can Rakgadi Lekhetho lead us in prayer?

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Ok, may we all bow in prayer.

“Sengathi uNkulunkulu angakupha wena nabo bonke enibathandayo induduzo
nokuthula kwakhe, ukukhanya kwakhe nenjabulo yakhe, kulo mhlaba
nakwelizayo; isibusiso sikaNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke, uYise, neNdodana,
noMoya oNgcwele, masibe phezu kwenu, sihlale nani namuhla naphakade.
Amen.”

Pastor John: Thank you for praying, we can all be seated. Today we are here to mourn the
death of Tlhlale, she was a very good daughter to the Mokoena family.

(Thunder sound)
Palesa: Usephapheme akashonile, bheka ibhokisi.

Tlhlale: U-Khanya ungiphushile ezitebhisini! (With an angry voice)

Rakgadi Lekhetho: What!!

Scene 5
*Sitting room setting*

Khanya ran away and the police tried to find her. The Mokoena family lives happily but
they are still scared of Khanya.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Where is Khanya? (Phone ringing)

Palesa: I think balefire ngoba is scared she will get arrested.

Zinhle: Are you okay Tlhlale (Giving her some water)

The family is still in shock, and they don’t know whether they should press charges against
Khanya or just leave her as she is.

Rakgadi Lekhetho: What happened to Tlhlale on that day even today I’m still.
confused.

Tlhlale: So Rakgadi do you want to know?

Zinhle: Kodwa Rakgadi why are you asking that now she is still healing nje?

Tlhlale: No, it’s okay dade I will tell her. (Putting down the glass of water)

Tlhlale: So, we were having a family dinner and Khanya pulled me aside and she started
to accuse me of something, but I was so confused about what is she talking about
after a second she said “I think maybe it’s time to pay mom and dad a visit” I
thought for a second after that I don’t remember anything.

Palesa: Yingoba she pushed you down the stairs and you hit your head very hard,
washona but we thought you were.

Zinhle: Yoh idrama kulomndeni (Clapping once!)

Rakgadi Lekhetho: Palesa go check the door, someone is knocking.

Palesa: Oh ok (Standing up to get the door)

Palesa opens the door when they think it’s Khanya only to find out that it’s someone else.
Palesa: Sawubana mfundisi uJohn

Pastor John: Hello my child, how are you? Im here to see Tlhlale, Is she here?

Palesa: Yes, she is, you can come to Babmfundisi.

Pastor John: Sanibona, how are you?

Rakgadi Lekhetho: We are okay pastor we can ask from you. (Pastor John laughing)

Palesa: Why is Pastor John here? Kodwa yini (Whispering at Rakgadi)

Tlhlale: Pastor John what brings you here?

Pastor John: Im here to check up on you and my wife baked these delicious muffins for
you. (Handing the muffins to Tlhlale)

Tlhlale: Thank you so much, Pastor John. (Taking the muffins)

Pastor John: You are welcome and let me get going I have a very important meeting with the
Board.
Palesa: Let me walk you out and please tell Ona that she can come tomorrow so I can
tutor her in math.

Pastor John: Okay I will tell her and thank you so much.

Rakgadi is taking her bags to take care of Granma back home. Everyone is accompanying her to
the taxi rank and all of them are saying their goodbyes and apologizing to Palesa.
Rakgadi Lekhetho: Im so sorry Palesa my child for accusing you of killing Tlhlale Hope.
you find it in your heart to forgive me.

Zinhle: Nami ngiyaxolisa dade for not believing you.

Palesa: I forgive everyone who thought I did it but why would you blame me?
them for accusing me? (Everyone laughing)

Tlhlale: At least everything is cleared, and people are relieved.

The family is relieved that Tlhale woke up, but they are shocked that how she woke up
because the doctors confirmed her death even the biggest doctor at that hospital. Khanya is
still out there, and the police are trying to find where she has gone.

*Bow and leave the stage*

To be continued…