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UNGOWAMI KUMNYAMA
KUBOMVU
Kwake kwamehlela okukhulu uLindani engazelele
lutho, amathemba wonke amulahlekela wabona impilo
yakhe isifana nephelile. Ezibona engofileyo uqobo,
wayengazi nokuthi uyozibheka kanjani esibukweni.
Nokuthi abantu bamubheka kanjani mabehlangana
naye endleleni, wayefisa nokuziqedela ngentambo
ezibulale ngoba vele wayesebulewe isithandwa sakhe
seminyaka ephila.

(Fundisisa lendaba ngezansi, ngikulandise ukuthi

kwenzakalani eminyakeni emithathu eyendlule.)

Insizwa ziphelele madoda, ithi mayihamba

kuphenduke osisi, bakhwehlele bengaqedi. Abanye
bezilungise izinwele ngathi kunezivunguvungu
zomoya, kushintshe nezindlela zokuhlala kwabathize.
Isho imoyizela ingakawuvuli nomlomo ukukhipha
igama lokuqala leli, kusuke sekudikiza izinquza
kwabesifazane. Zibikelwa ngesikhathi bejule
ngomzimba walensizwa yakwa Mbambo ogama layo
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lingu Lindani, iyazinakekela lensizwa ayinaso isikhathi
sokudlalela eduze kwamanzi amponjwana kanti futhi
ayiluqabuli ukhuni oluvuthayo, sengisho usikilidi
phela.

Yangena esaluni izintombi zichithiwe, iyafika

nasendaweni ayaziwa kakhulu. Abanye bezwa
ngamahlebezi ukuthi kukhona insizwa efikile lapha
edolobheni lase Richards Bay. Wangena wakhipha
izibuko zelanga wabingelela kwintokazi esebenzela
ngasemnyango (receptionist). Kwathatha isikhathi
nokho ukuthi iphendule lentokazi ngenxa yokuxakeka
nokudikiza kwenquza lapho ibona insizwa ebukeka
ngaloluhlobo kanti nezwi layo lensizwa alijwayelekile
neze.

"ngibingelele dade wethu, ngisacela ukubuza."

Kusho uLindani ngezwi elizothile ngathi uzovele acule

ingoma yothando. Wathula usisi lona ngathi akazi
ukuthi kumele aphendule athini, kwaphenduka
nezinye izintokazi ebezisebenza ziwasha amakhanda
abantu. Ezinye ziyabeluka abanye odade abazobe
bephelezela umakoti emshadweni wesiqumama
esidumile kulelidolobha. Akekho noyedwa owakhipha
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igama noma owabanga umsinjwana, kwathuleka bama
bashokheka wawungafunga ukuthi izithombe
ezibaziwe. Kwazwakala ngezwi eliqinile elihambisana
nenkulu intukuthelo liduma isaluni yonke.

"Ashuuuuu! Uyangishisa wena sifebe senja!"

Kwathuka wonke umuntu, kwacishe kwavika naye

uLindani uqobo. Waqalaza ngokushesha usisi lona
ebheka ukuthi lelizwi liqhamuka ngaphi, nokulapho
wathuka koma amathe lapho ebona ukuthi ngelinye
lamakhasimende elikhalayo lishiswa ngomunye
wabasebenzi bakhona lapha esaluni ngomshini
wokomisa izinwele. Watatazela ethatha izinto zosizo
lokuqala ekhabetheni elingemuva kwakhe elibomvu
elinokhiye omncanyana. Wagijima eshiya uLindani
emile kanjalo eyolekelela intokazi lena eyayisicishe
yabola ubuso ishiswa ngumuntu obekumele ayigeze
ikhanda ngenxa yokusanganiswa ilensizwa.

Akumuthathanga mizuzu uLindani ukuthi agumule

ijakhethi lakhe owayeligqokile, walibeka phezu
kwetafula lika sisi lona osebenza ngamabhuku esaluni
ngasemnyango (counter). Wagijima wayoguqa khona
phambi kwalentokazi esilele phansi ibheke phezulu,
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ibambe ubuso lapho ishe khona. Isaba nokususa isandla
ngenxa yokuthi ayifuni kubone amanye
amakhasimende ukuthi ilimale kangakanani ngoba
angaze athuke nawo. Wamubamba ngesandla uLindani
wabubheka emehlweni, kwehla igazi ngendlebe
liyoconsela phansi kumathayizi.

"Ngicela ukusiza, ngafundiswa ngosizo lokuqala

esikoleni." kusho uLindani ebamba intokazi elimele
eyiqukula.

Wathi ukushokheka usisi lona osebenzela

ngasemnyango, kanjalo naye lona ongumsebenzi
walapha esaluni oshise ikhasimede woma ngathi
ushawe ugesi.

"Ukhona kodwa ozongisiza! Ngiyafa phela lana mina!"

kumemeza ikhasimende ezandleni zika Lindani likhala.

Yathuka intokazi ephethe okhiye nebhokisi elibomvu

losizo lokuqala yagijima ibheke emnyango
ongaphakathi esaluni.

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"Ngicela ungilandele naye usisi bandla, asingene lana e-
office." kusho intokazi esebenzela emnyango ivula
ngokushesha.

Wangena nalo ikhasimende uLindani ngokushesha

wavala umunyango wakhipha zonke izinto zosizo
lokuqala wagcoba izandla zakhe kuqala ngaphambi
kokuthi afake amagilabuzi, waqede lapho wabamba
izandla zekhasimende leli ezisezihlathini lapho lishe
khona. Akazange kuvume kusisi ukuthi azisuse izandla
zakhe ebusweni ngenxa yokwesaba.

"Igama lami ngingu Lindani Mbambo, ngifundisiwe

ngokusiza abantu abasesimweni esiphuthumayo
njengawe dade wethu. Ngicela ukuthi ukhululeke
ngizokusiza ngesikhulu isineke, siyezwana?" kusho
uLindani emubheke emehlweni usisi lona.

Wavuma ngekhanda ngokukhulu ukushesha usisi

wabantu, wathi ukuzithambisa izandla zakhe.
Waphusha losisi osebenzela ngasemnyango uLindani
emususa eduze enzela ukuthi engathuki uma ebona
isilonda noma ngabe umonakalo awumukhulu kodwa
wayazi ukuthi abantu besifazane laba amaphaphu
ahlezi ephezulu. Waqhela wayoma ngasemnyango
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watatazela wadonsa amansi ayephezu kwetafula
wawashayela ekhanda, wahlala esitulweni
ngokuzilahla. Waphenduka ngaso isitulo efulathela
enzela ukungaboni noma ukuziba umsindo
owawuzokwenzeka uma kubakhona okuzoshoshozela
okuzofakwa uLindani esilondeni salentokazi.

"Ungubani igama lakho ntokazi enhle?" kubuza

uLindani ngesizotha ezehlisa kancane izandla zakhe.

"Igama ngingu Mbali… Mbali Gumede. Kuphendula

ikhasimende leli elilimele.

"Ngiyathokoza ukukwazi Mbali, ngizokugcoba

ngomuthi ozodambisa ukopha nokubhibha kwesilonda
esihlathini sakho. Ngicela uma kubuhlungwana
uqinisele kodwa ngiyaqinisekisa ukuthi ngizokwenza
ngesineke, uyangizwa?" kusho uLindani evula eminye
yemithi ekulelibhokisi.

Wavuma ngekhanda uMbali, wavala amehlo ezama

ukuziba izinhlungu ezazimuhlasela esihlathini lapho
kuheleza umoya obandayo weziphephetho zabelungu.

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Wabona uLindani wase enza into yakhe ngokukhulu
ukuphuthuma nangesineke.

"Mbali! Usenami kodwa?" kubuza uLindani

Ebuka isisu sika Mbali esishile ngathi ingane esencane

eneminyaka eyishumi nanhlanu (15 years) lapho
siphakama kancane siphinde sehle ngathi sizohlangana
neqolo. Wavula amehlo uMbali wamamatheka,
wavuma ngekhanda ngokucophelela.

"Ngiyajabula ukuzwa lokho, ngiyazi ukuthi izinhlungu

ozizwa manje awuzifiseli omunye umuntu ukuthi
azizwe. Kodwa ke ngicela ubekezela nje kancane uzobe
sewuzizwa uncono kakhulu kunakuqala." kusho
uLindani emoyizela.

"Ngempela? Usholo ukuthi angilimele kakhulu

Lindani?" kubuza uMbali evala amehlo akhe.

Wathi ukuthula kancane uLindani, waqhubeka

nokunyakazisa izandla zakhe esihlathini sika Mbali.
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"Ngicela ubambe lana kancane ukuze ngizofaka umuthi
kahle ungachitheki." kusho uLindani emubambisa
isihlathi lesi esilimele ngesandla sakhe uMbali.

Wathatha ibhandishi walisika walilinganisa nendawo

eyayilimele, waqede walifaka ngaphazulu wase
ephakama. Wabamba izandla zika Mbali zombili
wazigaxa kuye emahlombe akhe. Wamuqukula
emehlisa phezu kwetafula lapho wayemusizela khona,
wamuhlalisa esitulweni.

"Yebo Mbali awulimele kakhulu, futhi nje ngalomuthi

engiwufakile kuzophola kungakapheli nezinsuku
eziyisihlanu lezi uzobe usuhamba ngokukhululeka
lapha edolobheni." kusho uLindani emoyizela.

Azibambe isihlathi uMbali, ezwe sekufakwe

nebhandishi kuphelile. Ubengalindele ukuthi
kungathiwa seqedile njalo, ubesalindele ukuzwa
izinhlungu ezizomenza akhale kudume isaluni lonke
leli. Waqalaza ecinga indawo angazibuka kuyo,
wasukuma wayoma phambi kwesibuko
esingasodongweni olubhekene nomnyango.
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"Ayi ngigeza izandla mina, Lindani kwakumele ube
ngudokotela imbala. Ubuqinisile ukuthi lomuthi
uyansonsotha noma ubudlala? Phela mina akaze
ngizwe lutho, ngabe nginamanga ngempela." kusho
uMbali ezibuka esibukweni.

Ephindelela ephenduka njalo engaqedi ngenxa

yokungakholwa akubonayo. Waphenduka usisi
nesitulo sakhe, wabheka uLindani ngokukhulu
ukumangala. Waqalaza ebheka uMbali osemamatheka
esibukweni ngathi akaze kwenzeke lutho kuye.
Waphelelwa amazwi, waphakama esitulweni
wasondela ku Lindani.

"Waze wasisiza bhuti wami, angazi besiyoba yini nje

ngempela ukube bewungekho. Uyindoda eqotho nkosi
yami." washo ebamba uLindani ngesandla.

"Igama lami ngingu Lindani Mbambo, ngingajabula

ukukwazi nami ntokazi." kusho uLindani ngalelizwi
lakhe.

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Lamushaya woma usisi lona kwamuphinda
okwasekuqaleni washokheka ngathi ushawe ugesi,
usasibambile isandla sika Lindani kodwa lutho
ukuphendula noma ukuvula umlomo. Usamoyizela
uLindani ulindele ukuthi akhiphe noma elilodwa nje
igama emlonyeni kodwa intokazi lena iphelelwe iwona
amazwi. Waphenduka uMbali wababheka bobabili,
wamangala naye ngoba wayelindele ukuzwa igama lika
sisi lona, ngokukhulu ukumangala uMbali wazwakala
esethi.

"Ungixolele dade wethu kodwa angilizwanga igama,

uthe ungubani?" ebuza emubuka ebusweni uMbali.

Wathuka wacishe waquleka usisi lona, waphenduka

uLindani wabheka uMbali ngokukhulu ukumangala
wadedela isandla sika sisi lona.

"Le…Lethu… Yah… Ngingu Lethu igama lami. Lethu

Mkhonza." kuphendula intokazi lena yase saluni.

Wabheka phansi uMbali elindele ukuzwa ukuthi

uzothini uLindani, kodwa naye lutho ukukhuluma.
Wayesebhizi eqoqa izinto zosizo lokuqala ezibuyisela
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ebhokisini lakhona ngendlela yazo. Wathela okunye
okungamanzana aluhlazana kuhle kwesibhakabhaka
ezandleni zakhe, wangena endlini encane wawasha
izandla zakhe wazesula waqeda waphuma.
Wamamatheka uMbali wamubamba wamanga,
wamugona isikhashana esithanda ukuba amanishana.
Sekukudala wagcina ukuba nomuntu wesifazane
uLindani, phela ubehlala kude njengoba esebuyele
lapha ngakubo nje ubesebenzela ekapa lodumo. Lapho
owayenza khona umsebenzi wokuba unjiniyela
wemisindo yokucula, nokuwumsebenzi owawumenza
abebhizi kakhulu imini nobusuku cishe isonto lalicishe
liphele engakaze ahlale endlini ngokuphumula.

Ukuhlangana kwakhe nalentokazi engu Mbali

kwamufikisela ngokukhulu ukufudumala kwegazi,
induku yakhe yathi ukunyakaza ikhomba uMbali
phakathi namathanga akhe. Wavula amehlo
ngokwethuka esehlombe lika Lindani, kwayaluza
amehlo akhe eya kwesokunxele nakwesokudla esesaba
ukuthi kungenzeka ukuthi uLethu lona ubagadile
ufuna ukubona ukuthi kuzophelelaphi. Ngoba phela
wayesebonile uMbali ukuthi noma kanjani uLethu
wayezifela ngalensizwa, nakho ephelelwa amthe
emlonyeni makumele akhulume no Lindani.

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"Ngiyabonga kakhulu Lindani, ungenze ngazizwa
ngiphephile futhi ngazibona ngathi angilimele kakhuli.
Umhuzukwana nje omncane ozophola noma kunini,
impela akubuzwa wawufundela ngempela lomsebenzi.
Uyayazi into oyenzayo, noma sengilindele ubuhlungu
obunzima ngangokwedlula konke kodwa wena
wangiphatha ngesineke ngathi akwenzakalanga lutho.
Ubusisiwe Lindani, ngiyafisa uphile kade uze ube
nezinyo esinqeni." kusho uMbali egigitheka.

"esinqeni? Ha..ha…ha suka lapha wena Mbali, udlala

ngami nje. Ngiyabonga kakhulu ukuthi nami
ngikwazile ukukusiza." kusho uLindani naye
egigitheka.

Wamamatheka ngokuzenzisa uLethu lapho ezwa

uLindani no Mbali bencokola bebambene, wavula
umnyango ngamakhulu amawala lawa ngathi ufuna
ukuhamba naso. Waphuma wasivala ngokulwa naso
sacishe samulandela isivalo, bathuka esaluni bezibuza
ukuthi kwenzakalani. Ngoba babengabonakali
uLindani no Mbali, kwathuka amakhasimende
ezitshela ukuthi kungenzeka uLethu lona ucasulwa
ukuthi uMbali ushoni mhlampe. Waphakama waqonda
kuye uSabathile okunguyena oshise uMbali, esethukile
inhliziyo ishaya ngamandla isho ukuphumela
ngaphandle.
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"hhaybo mngani, kwenzakaleni ngentombazane
yabantu?" ebuza zehla ngezihlathi izinyembezi
uSabathile.

Wavele wamubuka wamunyonkoloza uLethu,

kwabangathi ubona indle futhi emunukela kabi.
Waqalaza uSabathile waphenduka wabuyela
esitulweni sakhe wayohlala phansi, inhliziyo ibhadula
idansisa isifuba sakhe. Izinyembezi wawungafunga
ukuthi isiphethu, wabheka phansi kwaphela nothando
lomsebenzi. Wayesecabangela ingane yakhe esencane
esanda kuqala isikole ukuthi izophila ngani uma
exoshwa esaluni ngoba kunamuhla nje iphilisa
komlungu nje, ingoba yena njengomama wayo
uyazikhandla emsebenzini. Ngephutha elilodwa nje
usengaze ekhiphe isidumbu pho,waze wanebhadi
mntanomuntu. Imicabango leyo eyayidlala ekhanda
lakhe.

Wathola ithuba uMbali lokuhlekisa uLindani

ngokubuza indaba ka Lethu olwa nesivalo sase saluni,
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kwathi ukubancono ku Lindani ukuvukelwa. Lehla
ipipi lakhe wazizwa esekhululekile futhi, lwehla uvalo
olwaselumushaye lwameqa ngenxa yokuthi wayengazi
ukuthi uzophendula athini ku Mbali uma engamubuza
ukuthi kwenzakalani ngaphansi kwebhulukwe lakhe.
Engazi ukuthi uma wayengathi uMbali (ungisiza nje
kanti ucabanga kude wena). Wayezophendula ethini
nje ngempela, kwaba inhlanhla leyo ke ukuthi wavele
wangayiphatha leyondaba uMbali. Wathokozela nje
ukuthi usizwe insizwa ebukekayo futhi enenhliziyo
enhle, nokho ke wayengafisi uMbali ukuthi kuphelele
lapho nje. Waphuma ngokushesha efuna ukuyothatha
isikhwama sakhe khona ezothatha inamba ka Lindani,
wamulandela ngemuva naye uLindani ephethe ibhokisi
losizo lokuqala esandleni sakhe. Wafike walibeka
phambi kuka Lethu, wamoyizela.

"Ngicabanga ukuthi ukukhohliwe lokhu Lethu." kusho

uLindani emusukela.

"Ngiyabonga kakhulu, usisizile yazi ngaphandle

kwakho angazi ukuthi ngabe kwenzakaleni."
kuphendula uLethu.

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Ezama ukuzenza umuntu obhekene nomsebenzi
omuningi, mayephakamisa amehlo uSabathine
ubambene no Mbali bayahagana. Akasajabule kanje
uSabathile ukubona ukuthi uMbali uphephile futhi
kuye kubukeka kungekubi kakhulu ngenxa yendlela
isihlathi ezivalwe ngayo, akuthusi neze. Kuyasho
ukuthi usizwe umuntu oyaziyo into abeyenza futhi
onesineke kakhulu.

"Ngibonga uNkulunkulu ngaleligeza elisisizile, ukube

belingekho ngabe konakele. Ngiyaxolisa kakhulu sisi
wami ukukonela usuku lwakho, kodwa ke ngoba
kuyabonakala uzolulama maduzane nje ngicela ukuthi
uze kimi noma kunini mase uncono ngizokwenza
lelikhanda lakho mahhala. Ngizokusiza njalo
ngekhanda lakho mahhala, iyona ndlela engikhombisa
ngayo ukuthi ngizisola kangakanani ngokwenzekile
dade wethu." kusho uSabathile emamatheka.

Ebambe izandla zika Mbali, bebukana emehlweni

ngathi bazovele bagibelane ngomukhulu ukiss lona.
Wamamatheka uMbali eveza amazinyo akhe amahle
ngaphandle, wadonsa uSabathile emdonsela kuye futhi
bahagana okokugcina babambana isikhashana.
Wahleka kancane uLindani ebabukela engasetafuleni
lika Lethu lokusebenzela. Amakhasimende wonke

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emamatheka ngenjabulo, awakaze azizwe ephephile
ngalendlela ayezizwa ngayo ngalowamzuzu.

"Ngiyakuxolela sthandwa, futhi ngiyazi ukuthi

bewungaqondile kodwa kube iphutha nje. Ngiyaxolisa
nangamagama aziswane engiwakhiphe ngesikhathi
ngisha, ngiyaxolisa akulona ulimi lwami loluyana."
kusho uMbali egigitheka.

Badedelana, wagijima wayobamba uLindani uSabathile

wamanga wabonga kakhulu nakuye ukuthi usindise
impilo yekhasimende. Akazange azithwale uLindani
ngalelo langa kodwa wabesecela ukugunda ikhanda
lakhe, wanika uMbali inamba yakhe kanye no Sabathile
wayithatha. Nezinye ke izintokazi nazo ezazisesaluni
zacela inamba ka Lindani wazinika ngokukhulu
ukukhululeka. Waqeda ukugunda ikhanda wasukuma
ngenhloso yokuhamba, wavinjwa ngu Lethu wacela
ukuthi athathe imali owayeyihlanganise ndawonye
eningi eyayikhombisa ukuthi bayabonga ngabenzele
khona. Wanqaba ukuyithatha imali uLindani
wabatshela ukuthi:

"Bengingazile ukuzoniqola lana kodwa bengisiza nje

ngoba kuyinto engiyaziyo futhi ngenzela ukuthi
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kungaze kube kuningi okuvelela nina nesaluni yenu,
khululeka Lethu thatha imali uyothengela abasekhaya
kini ukudla. Mina nawe singabangani kuphela,
abangani bayasizana." waqeda ukusho lawomazwi
uLindani waphuma wahamba.

Zasala zingawuvali umlomo izintokazi esaluni.

Angisaphathi ke wona oka Lethu umlomo wasala
ukhamisile, wayengakulindele lokhu ke yena ngoba
selokho wabakhona emhlabeni ka Jehova akaze
enzelwe into mahhala kungadingeki lutho. Nokwenza
ke ukusindisa impilo yomuntu obezobuzwa ezandleni
zakhe, kwamenza lokho ukuthi azibuze ukuthi
uLindani lona uyinhloboni yendoda. Noma umfundisi
thizeni? Ezibuza eziphendula uLethu.

Lwahamba ngokushesha usuku esaluni baqeda

bashanela bakorobha zahamba izintombi ezisebenza
no Lethu wasala yedwa esazokhiya esaluni ngaphambi
kokuthi ahambe. Waqoqa amaphetha akhe
ngokushesha wathatha isikhwama semali
abayisebenzile ezodlula ebhange ayidiphozithe. Wathi
uyaqalaza wazithela phezu kwe jakhethi ka Lindani,
kwavele kwamucacela ukuthi uyikhohliwe ngenxa
yokuthi yena uLethu bese eyisusile lapho beyibeke
khona uLindani ngesikhathi esiza uMbali. Kwamudla
lokho ngaphakathi, wayithatha wayibamba ngezandla
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zombili wayibuka wamamatheka. Wayisondeza
ebusweni, wayihogela ngathi uphuma ngaphansi
kwesiziba esishonayo kade evalelekile engakwazi
ukudonsa umoya. Waphefumula ngezwi lapho edidwa
iphunga lesiqholo esasizwakala kulo ijakhethi lika
Lindani, wamamatheka walibuka futhi wahleka yedwa
wavala umunyango wase saluni wakhiya ngaphakathi.
Wahlala phansi esitulweni wacabanga kaningi, engazi
noma kumele acinge ukuthi uhlala kuphi uLindani
khona ezomuhambisela ijakhethi lakhe noma aliyeke
kuze kube kusasa bese etshela uSabathile ukuthi
amufonele uLindani.

Watatazela ngathi ubona yena uLindani uqobo lapho

ebheka leli jakhethi lakhe. Kwadikiza inquza yakhe
wavala amathanga wahlala waphambanisa imilenze
ezama ukuziba lomdlalo owawenzeka phakathi
kwamathanga akhe. Wezwa kukitaza kamnandi ngathi
khona into emuhamba esibumbu, wabeka isikhwama
sakhe phansi nesemali. Walibuka wajula ijakhethi lika
Lindani, akubanga isikhathi esingakanani wezwa
iphenti lakhe selimanzi. Wathuka washawa amahloni
waqalaza engakholwa ukuthi uyedwa ngempela
esaluni, wayengakholwa ngendlela owayeseqhanyelwe
ngayo. Wayezwa ngathi uLindani lowo ukhona lapha
ngaphakathi esaluni umubamba izindebe zenquza
yakhe umuthinta umsunu wakhe owawusuqinile
udlikiza ngathi injini yesithuthuthu. Wasukuma
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wabamba ijakhethi walihogela futhi ngathi udonsa
umoya okokugcina emhlabeni, waphefumuna ngezwi.

"ohheee bayadela abanye abantu besifazane lana

ngaphandle, insizwa yangempela lena angingabazi
ukuthi ngingasangana ngikhohlwe ngisho ukuthi
nginabazali mangingabanjwa ileza zandla nkosi yami."
ekhuluma yedwa uLethu.

Wasukuma wayongena ehhovisi wavala umnyango,

wadonsa isitulo sakhe esiphendukayo waphakamisa
ingubo yakhe wakhipha iphenti walifaka esikhwameni.
Ingubo yahlala okhalo, wahlala ngezinqa esitulweni
wavula imilenze ephethe ijakhethi ka Lindani
ngesandla sesinxele. Wafaka isandla phakathi
namathanga waziphulula inquza ngathi uyayisula
ngesandla, esisusa ngasendunu esinyuse size siyothinta
ngeminwe phesu kobhontshisi wakhe abuye
esibuyisele ngasendunu ngesineke futhi asinyuse
sakusidonsa phenzu kwezindebe zenquza yakhe.
Wezwa kushisa umzimba wonke wabeka ijakhethi
phezu kwetafula phambi kwakhe wazibambe ngemuva
kwekhanda ngesandla sakhe sesinxele.

19
Wacimeza kancane lapho ethinta umsunu ngozipho
ngathi uyawuhwaya ngokusaba, waqethuka esitulweni
wabheka phezulu waphefumulela phezulu wabuyisa
isandla sakhe sesinxele wasibeka phezu kwebele
lesinxele elalingaphansi kwengubo ayigqokile.
Walibamba sakulincweba ezidonsa ingono yakhe
ecijile ukuqhanyelwa, akabhodi phela uLethu umzimba
wakhe usahlangene akakabi nayo ingane naye.
Waziphulula ngesandla sesinxele sehla njalo siya
ngasesiswini sakhe esincane, wayobamba ithanga
lesinxele wavula amehlo wabuka ijakhethi kancane
waphinda wacimeza. Wafaka umunwe phakathi
nezindebe zenqguza yakhe wacindezela umsunu
ngaphansi kwawo lapho kunembobo yomchamo khona
uqhofolo.

"HAWU!!! Mhhhh Mmmmh Shiiiiiii!!!" equma

Wasidlalisa kancane isandla ngathi uyawugoqoza

umsunu lapho kuthi akahlanye mayehlangana
noqhofolo, azithuke esememeza kakhulu kodwa futhi
angabi nandaba ngoba uyazi ukuthi isedolobheni lapha
futhi usesaluni akekho omuzwayo.

"Mmm Lindani! Sthandwa sami mmmmh oooh awuuu!"

ememeza
20
Ucimezile ubheke phezulu, abuye awavule amehlo
lapho ezwa igagasi limuhlangabeza lokuchama
kuqhaqhazele izihluzwana zakhe ezithambile.
Lwazinyukela lona olunye unyawo lwakhe lwahlala
phezu kwetafula yasala ihlezi obala inquza ukuze
isandla sakhe sizenzele umathanda. Wazicilonga
esifaka phakathi egolo asikhiphe asigudlise emseleni
wayo inquza abuye ayosigoqoza phezu komsunu
wakhe sesimanzi ucwebezela umsunu wakhe usuqinile
ngathi indlebe uqobo.

"Aaahhh ooohhhh aaaaahhh mmmhhh!" ebubula.

Wazikopa wachama ephindelela emaduzane ngathi

uthole insizwa ekade yagcina ukubhebha. Inquza
yakhe yabamanzi ngathi uchanyelwe indoda uqobo,
ujusi wakhe omhlophe wehla ngezithende zezinqa
wehlela esitulweni owayehlezi kuso wavula imilenze
yakhe. Wathuka lapho esebona isikhathi sihambile
sikhomba ukuthi ihora lesishangalolonye ebusuku,
okwamuthusa kakhulu ukuthi sekuze kwashaya
lesisikhathi engakahambi ukuya ekhaya noma endlini
ka Lindani ukuhambisa ijakhethi leli.

21
Wasukuma wangena endlini encane wazigeza inquza
wayisula kamnandi, waqeda lapho wathatha
isikhwama sakhe wakhipha enye yamathishu
anephunga elimnandi wazisula ngalo inquza yakhe.
Elalisiza ukuthi inquza inganuki futhi ingabi
nezinsumpa ngoba wayeshefa njalo ngereza. Waqeda
lapho wathatha isikhwama sakhe nejakhethi lika
Lindani wakhohlwa isikhwama semali waphuma
egijima. Wafona efonela uLindani emazisa ukuthi
uthole ijakhethi esaluni uzomulethela, kodwa wanqaba
uLindani wathi ucela ukuthi ahambe nalo kubo uLethu
uzolithatha ngempelasonto. Amudumaza lawomazwi
uLethu ngoba wayenesifiso sokumubona uLindani
ngaphambi kokuthi ayolala ekhaya, akakaze ahalele
umfana empilweni yakhe uLethu. Futhi wayengazi
ukuthi lento eyayenzeka izophelelaphi ngoba uLindani
lona wayebukeka engamunakile nje yena nakancane,
into owayeyibona ku Lethu umungani kuphela hhayi
umutnu angaphendulana naye embhedeni.

Kwaba ukufika ebhange waphuthaza isikhwama

semali lutho, wanxapha yedwa waphenduka wagijima
wayogibela amatekisi aya ekhaya kubo eNgwelezane.
Etekisini amehlo akhe ayengasuki kulelijakhethi
aliphethe, emamatheka yedwa ngathi kukhona umuntu
amubonayo.

22
"Eyesoka lakho yini ntombi lejakhethi? Ayi kuyacaca
ukuthi usemathandweni, sengifisa ukumubona lomfana
okusanganisa kangaka."

Wathuka waqalaza uLethu ecinga lomuntu

okhulumayo, engazi noma bekusayimicabango yakhe
leyo na. Uqhanyelwe uyafa lapho kudlala isithombe
enqgondweni yakhe ezibona esembhedeni no Lindani
kujuluke ngisho amawindi. Okwakumenza
amamatheke aze ahleke yedwa, ukuthi wayecabange
nokuthi uyokhala kanjani esezwa umpipi ka Lindani
ugudla izindebe zenquza yakhe lezi esibushelelezi
ngathi ezengane encane. Eqalaza eceleni kwakhe,
wabona umama ongumakhelwane wakhe ehlezi
ngasesandleni sakhe sesinxele.

"Hawu mama, angikuboni. Ngiyaxolisa kakhulu, ukuthi

ngibe nosuku olumnandi namuhla emsebenzini angazi
kwenzakalani alusuki nje enqondweni yami." kusho
uLethu.

Wamubuka lomama kancane wahleka wabubamba

isandla esasiphezu kwejakhethi, wamudonsa kancane.

23
"Khululeka mntanami, nami ngadlula lapho okhona
manje. Yazi ngendlela okumnandi ngayo ukuthanda
umuntu wesilisa uze ufise ngathi kungenzeka ukuthi
nihlukane, kodwa ke awukwazi ukumubamba
ngenkani ngoba naba nengane nje usuke
sewumuxoshile ngane yami. Ugcine ulahlekelwe
ukuzethemba kwakho lapho ushiwa indoda oyithanda
ngenhliziyo yakho yonke, futhi oyibonayo ukuthi ngeke
iwele phansi kodwa izowela ezandleni zenye intokazi
ezohluleka ukuyiphatha ngalendlela wena buyiphethe
ngayo."

Wathula ngathi akekho uLethu ngemuva kokuzwa

lawo magama ephuma kumakhelwane wakhe,
wamamatheka wamubheka kancane yama itekisi
kwehla abantu abaningana basala sebebancane
abasetekisini. Yadlula itekisi baqhubeka nokuzixoxela
nomakhelwane wakhe, kwehla nokuqhanyelwa
wafunda okuningi kumama wakamakhelwane. Waze
wazisola ukuthi ubehlaleleni engakhulumi naye sonke
lesisikhathi ngoba ngabe uyazi njengamanje ukuthi
enze njani ukuze athole uLindani ngoba wayengakwazi
ukuzibamba wayemdinga lomfana futhi engenza noma
yini ukuthi emuthole.

Wafika ekhaya wabingelela kubazali bakhe

wabaxoxela ngokwenzekile emsebenzini nangendoda
24
yezimanga engene yazobasiza, ngaphandle kokufuna
inkokhelo. Wayesechaza nokuthi uzizwa ngathi
ungumuntu omusha manje, bajabula kakhulu abazali
bakhe ukuzwa ukuthi uLethu usezimisele ukukhula
manje abe intokazi noma ke wayenganayo ingane
uLethu kodwa wayengasilona itshitshi futhi. Zahamba
ngokushesha izinsuku emsebenzini kusebenzwa
kamnandi behlala bexoxa ngalesimanga sensizwa.
Wabafihlela abangani bakhe uLethu ukuthi ijakhethi
lasala futhi lisekamelweni lakhe njengoba bekhuluma
nje. Kanti kolunye uhlangothi uSabathile yena
wayemufonela mihla namalanga uLindani ezixoxele
naye emubuza ngohambo lwakhe nangempilo.
Engawuvali umlomo ngenhliziyo ka Lindani enhle
eyayimenza azizwe ekhululekile, ezizwe efisa
ukumutshela konke ngempilo yakhe ebuhlungu kodwa
abuye ezibambe ngoba engathandi ukuthi athwalise
uLindani umthwalo wosizi lwakhe.

Lokho kwakumeza abe nesikhwele uLethu, kodwa

futhi abuye aziduduze ngokuthi abazi ukuthi uzobe
enaye uLindani lowo ngempelasonke kungenzeka
umpipi wakhe ugcwake emathanjini enquza yakhe.
Esacabanga lokho nje wezwa kufika umuzwa othusayo
phakathi kwamathanga akhe sekudlala ubhontshisi,
wahlala phansi esitulweni sakhe wazibhekisa
izincwadi ezama ukususa inqondo yakhe ku Lindani.
Kwamusebenzela ke nokho ngoba wakwazi ukuthi
25
azithole esebona izinto eziningi abengazinakanga
ngesaluni, waphakama wayongena ehhovisi wahlala
esitulweni sakhe esiphendukayo wavula ikhompuyutha
wabheka izimali ezingenile neziphumile. Wakhumbula
ukuthi konje akazange aye ukuyobhenka ngalolusuku
lwezimanga, waqalaza phansi lapho wayebeke khona
izikhwama zakhe ngaphambi kokuthi ehambe
ephuthumisa ijakhethi lika Lindani. Wasibona
sisekhona isikhwama semali akaze sithintwe muntu,
phela uyena yedwa onelungelo lokungela lapha
ehhovisi ngoba usuke enzela izinto ezifana nazo lezi
ukuthi kungalahleka izinto kungaziwa ukuthi
zithathwe ubani. Waphuma endiza ehhovisi
nesikhwama semali ephuthuma ebhange, akazange
abenaso isikhathi sokuchaza kahle ukuthi
kwenzakalani kodwa wacela uLondiwe ukuthi
amubhekele umsebenzi wakhe uphuthuma ebhange.

Kwadlula isikhashana esahambile uLethu, kwangena

uMbali esemamatheka wabingelela izintokazi
ezazilungisa amakhanda esaluni kanye nabasebenzi
bakhona. Wahlala phansi kusofa wokulindela,
wamubona uSabathile wayeka ikhasimende
owayebhizi nalo wayakuye.

"Unjani kodwa Mbali?" kubuza uSabathile evula

izandla.
26
Waphakamisa amehlo uMbali, wamamatheka
wasukuma wavula ezakhe izandla bahagana
noSabathile.

"Ngiyaphila sthandwa sami, unjani wena?" kuphendula

uMbali.

"Ngiphilile nami, ayi ntombi ubusihlelile isikhathi

sakho. Yazi ufika nje, sengiyaqeda ngekhanda
ebengilenza, ngizoba nawe maduzane nje." kusho
uSabathile.

ebambe isandla sika Mbali, wamubuka ebusweni

ngokumangala. Wabona isihlathi sakhe sesipholile
futhi akasalifakile ibhandishi, kusalele umaka kuphela
okhombisa ukuthi ngathi wake walimala kudala.
Nokuyiwona okhombisa ukuthi wayelimale
kangakanani, wavele washintsha ebusweni uSabathile
lapho ekhumbula ukuthi uyena owadala lesibazi.
Wabamba isandla sakhe uMbali wasibeka esihlathini
sakhe.

27
"Khululeka ntombazane, sengikahle manje futhi
ngiyabonga ngodokotela wethu owangiphuthuma."
kusho uMbali egigitheka.

Lokho kwamenza wazizwa encono uSabathile,

waphindela endaweni yakhe wayoqedela ikhanda
lekhasimende abebhekene nalo. Wanele waqeda
wagijima wayodonsa uMbali kusofa ngokukhulu
ukuphapha nenjabulo wayomuhlalisa esitulweni sakhe,
wamubophela indwangu entanyeni evikela ukuncola.
Baqala ke ukuxoxa izindaba bebuzana ngo Lindani,
waze wakhipha nendaba yokuthi kade bekhuluma
zonke lezinsuku uSabathile noLindani bezixoxela nje
okungatheni washo nokusho ukuthi uyindoda elunge
kangakanani. Wamamatheka uMbali lapho ezwa
lawomazwi, waphendula okungatheni naye kodwa
wangafuna ukukhuluma ngobakhe ubudlelwane no
Lindani. Wazikhethela yena isitayela afuna ukusenza
ekhanda lika Mbali, uSabathile. Wakhombisa
ukungabi nankinga uMbali ngoba wayengakasikhethi
isitayela sezinwele owayesifuna, kodwa wayefuna
noma yini ezothi ukufihla isihlathi sakhe kancane
kungabe sekuhlala obala ingozi yakhe. Akazange
ayingene ke leyo uSabathile, kodwa wavele wamenza
ikhanda ngathi ilezintokazi ezidlala komabonakude.
Ngendlela yokuthi wathi lapho esezoqeda nje,
kwangena uLethu ephuma ebhange. Wabamba
umlomo emangazwa ubuhle owayebubona phambi
28
kwakhe, engasamuboni sidalo uMbali ngoba
eselikhiphile ibhandishi.

"hawe mah! Sabathile, akaze ngisibone ke lesitayela

lapha esaluni selokhu wafika. Waze walenza
kamunandi ikhanda lomuntu, ngaze ngafisa ngabe
bewenza mina. Yazi ungenza ngibe nomona ke manje."
kusho uLethu ngokuncokola.

"Kanti kuningi ongakwazi ngami wena Lethu, kulokhu

uzoke ubone izimanga ngimfunge umaNgema
sewazithulela." kusho uSabathile ehleka kancane.

"Usholo ukuthi ngizophenduka ingilozi yasemhlabeni

dade wethu?" kubuza uMbali ngokuncokola.

Bahleke bonke esaluni, baze bapansane.

"Ngaze nganenhlanhla mina ukuthola uSabathile

eseshintshe kakhulu, bheka nje sengizophuma
ngihlangabeze uJesu namuhla ntambama ngimuhle

29
naye ake adideke kancane engasangiboni. He..heee…!!!"
kuqhuba uMbali encokola.

"Aybo awungishaye wengilozi ka JESU!" kumemeza

uSabathile ngemuva kuka Mbali.

Bahleka kakhulu esaluni, kwaze kwahleka no Lethu

umuntu ongajwayele ukubonakala eqhephuka insini.
Wanele waqeda uSabathile waphendula isitulo
kancane esibhekisa esibukweni esikhulu
esisodongweni ngemuva kwakhe, wamamatheka
uSabathile wabuka esibukweni naye elindele igama
lokuqala elizophuma emlonyeni ka Mbali.
Washokheka uMbali lapho ezibona emuhle ngendlela
ehlukile kunalokhu ahlale eba ikhona uma kade enza
ikhanda, wazibuka ephenduphenduka nesitulo. Waze
wasukuma wama ngezinyawo engakholwa ukuthi
nguye ngemepela lona, wazibamba ikhanda
ezithintathinta, wawungafunga ukuthi izinwele zakhe
zesidalo ngendlela owayemuxhume kamnandi ngayo
uSabathile.

"Kodwa nkosi yami bengingalimali ngani sonke

lesikhathi! Awubuke nje sengimuhle kanjani ngenxa
yokulimala kwami okungasho lutho, Sabathile ngeke
30
kube eyamahhala lento ntokazi. Mana kanjalo nje
wena." kusho uMbali.

Egijima eyothatha isikhwama sakhe phezu kukasofa,

wahleka uLethu lapho ebona uSabathile emangele.
Waphenduka nezindodla zamaphepha uMbali wabala
ehlukanisa amapheshana amubalwa wawanika
uSabathile, wasala umlomo wakhe ukhamisile.
Wamubamba wamuhaga uMbali, waqede lapho
wabuyisela imali yakhe esikhwameni. Wabonga
waphuma evalelisa kubo bonke esaluni, wasala
ekhexile uSabathile. Akakwazanga nokuyinqaba imali
lena ngoba wayazi ukuthi akumele ngabe uyayithatha
ngemuva kwesivumelwano abasenza yena no Mbali.
Wamuphuca imali ngokushesha uLethu wayibala,
kwakungamakhulu ayisikhombisa (R700). Noma
kwakungaba kuhle kangakanani akulukile uSabathile
ekhanda lomuntu kodwa akekho owake washiya imali
engaka esaluni ka Lethu ngaphambilini, wathuka
uLethu waphenduka wabheka uSabathile emehlweni.
Kwakufana nokuthi akekho esaluni uSabathile ngenxa
yokuhanjelwa inqondo ecabanga ngalento eyenzeka
kuye namuhla.

"Imali engaka Sabathile, uchathile noma ugqhumile

namuhla ekuseni ngaphambi kokuthi uze lana?"
kubuza uLethu ngokumangala.
31
Waphenduka uSabathile wayohlala esitulweni
samakhasimende akhe, wamamatheka.

"Ayi suka wena, letha imali yami!" kusho uSabathile.

Ehlwitha uLethu imali ezandleni, wayibuka wayibala

phambi kwabo wayifaka emabeleni. Wahleka
wababuka lapho bemuhlahlela amehlo ngathi balindele
ukuthi asho okuthize kodwa lutho uSabathile ukuqaqa
umlomo wakhe. Kwakungekho vele akangakusho
ngaphandle kokuthini nje ? Ube nenhlanhla nje
namuhla? Ubani owayezokholwa leyonto ukube
wayesho yona?

Ukuthula kwakhe kwamusiza ngoba bonke basala

benemibuzo eminingi ezinqondweni, lwaphela
ngokushesha usuku. Baqoqa izinto esaluni bashanela
bakorobha, basula nezitulo bashiya amathawula
ewashiwe lawo ayegcine ukusebenza.

"Mantombazane, okwanamuhla nje ngoba nginemali

eningi kunani nonke ngicela sizikhiphe nje. Sike
32
siyodla inyama ethi ukubiza kunalena esiyijwayele,
ngizokhokha mina." kusho uSabathile.

Bavumela phezulu bonke, kodwa ke

kwakuzokwenziwa njani ngo Lethu ngoba yena
kwakusafanele ukuthi aqale abale imali esaluni, akhiye,
aqede lapho aye ebhange? Babefisa ukuthi behamba
bonke njengezintombi zasesaluni, waphuma
neqhinga uLondiwe lokuthi abalekelele uLethu
ngokuthi basale bemukhiyela esaluni ngesikhathi yena
ephuthuma ebhange bese besho ukuthi bazohlangana
kuphi nendawo. Nangempela benza njalo,
labasebenzela lelosu. Wabafica sebehlezi e-SPUR
uLethu sebelinde yena, nokudla ababezokudla base
bekubizile. Kushaya umoya obandayo, phela
kwakusebusika kuhlwa ngomnyama. Nokho
kwakufanele ukuthi beke bahlale ndawonye nje
bengamantombazane bezijabulise, ngathi uMbali
wayenze umsebenzi omuhle ngokuthi abenzele usuku
olumnandi kungolwesihlanu nokwenza. Ngakusasa
ngesabatha kuba usuku olufushane ngoba basuke
benzela ukuyolungisela imicimbi esuke ikhona
ngezimpela sonto kuphela hhayi wonke
amakhasimende.

Kwafika izintokazi ezisebenza khona e-SPUR

zibalethele ukudla kwabo neziphuzo, kwagcwala
33
itafula bajabula bashuthana izithombe okokuqala
selokhu baqala ukusebenza ndawonye. Kwabamnandi
kuhlekwa kuxoxwa namahlaya asesaluni, baqeda
ukudla bathatha izikhwama zabo bashutha ndawonye
sebeqedile bashiya itafula labo bebheke emnyango
sebehamba. Kwangena ucingo ku Sabathile oluvela ku
Lindani.

Lindani: Simomondiya!

Sabathile: Unjani kodwa muntu wasemazweni?

Lindani: Ngiphilile mina, unjani wena?

Sabathile: Ngiphilile nami, ngabe nginamanga

mangingathi kukhona okungalungile. (ehleka)

Lindani: Ngithi angifonele ukubonga nje ntokazi

kakhulu ukuthi ungakhele isiphalaphala esinjena,
impela sicishe saphambana endleleni ngingasamuboni
lomuntu. (ehleka kancane)

34
Sabathile: Cha, ngididekile ke manje ukuthi ukhuluma
ngani bhut' uLindani (exakekile)

Wezwa lawomazwi uLethu wadonsa izinyawo efuna

ukuzwa inkulumo ka Sabathile no Lindani. Esexwaye
ngathi kuthiwe ugibele isitimel' esirongo.

Lindani: Ngikhuluma ngo Mbali, ayi umusethile

ntombazane. Ungafunga ukuthi ngibhekene
nosaziwayo othize odlala isithombe sasebusuku.
He..he…he! (ehleka kakhulu)

Sabathile: Ngiyabonga bhuti, kodwa bengingazi ukuthi

uzobonana nawe bengenza nje ngoba ngikhombisa
inhliziyo yami emhlophe ngemuva kokwenzeka.
(ngokumangala)

Lindani: Kanti hhayi ungakhathazeki ntokazi,

sihlangene nje ngoba ngifuna ukubona ubuso bakhe
ngaphandle kwebhandishi ukuthi bunjani. Futhi
ngibone nokuthi wasizakala yini. (ezwakala ukuthi
uqinisile)
35
Sabathile: hhoo! Ayi, wamusiza kakhulu bhuti ngoba
nami angibonanga lutho. Uyindoda elungile kodwa
bhut' uLindani, ujehova akubusise nje. Ngiyabonga
kakhulu.

Lindani: Kubonga mina Sabathile, ube nempelasonto

emnandi.

Sabathile: Nawe futhi bhuti, niziphathe kahle lapho.

Ungikhonzele ku Mbali. (ejabula)

Avale ifoni lapho uLethu usediniwe uyafa, phela

ubezitshela ukuthi uyena ozomubona kuqala uLindani
mase efikile futhi ubengazi ukuthi uzobuya khona
namuhla ngokushesha kangaka. Waziqinisa phambi
kwabangani wazenza obenganakile ukuthi uSabathile
ukhuluma uthini efonini. Bahamba bayohlukana
ematekisini lapho uSabathile noLondiwe bethatha
amatekisi aya Esikhawini kanti yena ubheke
Empangeni lapho ezothola khona amatekisi
azomubeka eNgwelezane ekhaya, bese kuthi lezinye
izintombi zithatha amatekisi abheke eMzingazi.
Endleleni inhliziyo yakhe yayingayinhle neze,
36
ngangokuthi waze walala kwakhona etekisini lapho
wayovuka Empangeni. Etekisini ebheke eNgwelezane
wathula engakhulumi waze wayokwehla esangweni
lakwabo, wabingelela ngomuya ophansi kubazali
bakhe nentokazi yakubo encane wadlula wayongena
ekamelweni lakhe wahlala phezu kombhede ecabanga
ukuthi uzomisa kanjani makunjena noma avele
akhohlwe ilo Lindani ngoba kuyacaca ukuthi
akamudingi yena?

Etekisini ebheke eNgwelezane wathula engakhulumi

waze wayokwehla esangweni lakwabo, wabingelela
ngomuya ophansi kubazali bakhe nentokazi yakubo
encane wadlula wayongena ekamelweni lakhe wahlala
phezu kombhede ecabanga ukuthi uzomisa kanjani
makunjena noma avele akhohlwe ilo Lindani ngoba
kuyacaca ukuthi akamudingi yena?

Waze wajumeka walala khona lapho embhedeni

esaqhoke izimpahla zakhe zasemsebenzini, nezicathulo
walala engambethe ngisho ingubo. Edolobheni
kwakungeve kumnandi phakathi kuka Lindani
noMbali lapho behlangana okokuqala bencebeleka nje,
kukhala oshezi ngezingilazi bephuza iziphuzo
eziphambili. Kuvuka amahlaya namancoko, bebukana
emehlweni bemoyizele ngaphandle kokukhuluma.
Kudlala izingoma ezimunandi zothando nezipholile.
37
Kusiza khona ukuthi kuhlangene izifundiswa zodwa,
phela isilungu lesi babebuye besikwitize khona lapho
etafuleni kumangale abantu abahleze emaceleni lapho
bekwitiza baze bahleke bobabili.

Wawungafunga ukuthi izithandani zeminyaka

ezazihlela usuku lomshado kungekudala nje, wanele
wazibona ukuthi ubusisiwe uMbali ngokwazana
noLindani wabona kukuhle ukuthi basuke kulendawo
ababedla kuyo baye noma kuphi lapho kuthuleke
khona ngoba esabela ukuthi kungaze kwehle isigameko
esifana nalesi sase saluni alahlekelwe isikhathi
esimunandi no Lindani. Wayazi ukuthi uLindani
indoda elunge kakhulu, lesisikhathi ababenaso
ndawonye sasingaphela ngokukhulu ukuphazima
kweso uma kwakubakhona okwenzakalayo komunye
umuntu oseceleni. Baphuma bebambene ngezandla
uLindani emuphathele isikhwama sakhe esincane, yena
uMbali eziphathele umakhalekhukhwini nesikhiye
semoto yakhe kuphela ngesandla esisodwa lesesinye
ebambe ngaso isandla sika Lindani.

Bahamba bayohlala ngasemotweni ka Mbali

nokuyilapho wahluleka khona ukuzibamba uMbali.
Wasondela ku Lindani babambana basondelna
38
banamathelana ngemizimba, kwatsheka amakhanda
babhekana ebusweni ezinhlamvini zamehlo.
Kwakuwuswahla lwensizwa uLindani kodwa
akunakekanga ngoba uMbali wayegqoke ahambela
phezulu amaqhokisi lawa. Babambana kamnandi,
izandla zika Lindani zigudla okhalo luka Mbali,
zangena phakathi nefiga yakhe ngathi vele zazidalelwe
khona ukuthi zihlale maphakathi nefika ka Mbali.
Ezakhe uMbali izandla zazingaphezu kwamahlombe
ka Lindani zihlaphambana ngemuva kwentamo, wathi
uvula umlomo uLindani ezama ukukhuluma washo
emuvala ngowakhe umlomo uMbali. Bancelana
isikhashana ngesizotha ngathi bazodedelana noma
kunini, emuva kwesikhashana bama ukuphuzana
babhekana emehlweni. Lapho ke akakwazanga
ukuzibamba uLindani wavele wavukelwa, wazizwa
esegwazeka esibumbu uMbali.

Wazifica naye ukuthi sekuyiyo leyondaba,

sekumnyama phandle kukhanyisa izibani
zasemgwaqeni. Izimoto nazo sezithanda ukuba
zincane ezipakiwe lana kulendawo yokupaka
ababekuyo, wacimeza uMbali wasondeza umlomo
wakhe ucinga izindebe zika Lindani zahlangana
baqabulana futhi ngesikhulu isizotha lesi
nokungatatazeli bephenduka ngamakhanda kuphela
imizimba yabo inamathelene kuhle kwenyosi noju.
Wazizwa ebamanzi ngokuphazima kweso uMbali
39
waqhelelanisa imilenze yakhe eshiya olulodwa unyawo
phakathi nemilenze ka Lindani olunye lwaba
ngaphandle. Wayelindele ukuthi uLindani uzolunqaka
alundizise emoyeni kodwa ke kwasho ukuthi uLindani
akuyona lenhlobo yendoda egangile izinto eziningi
ngocansi akazazi kahle.

Wakhetha ukumuphusha ngesibumbu sakhe uMbali

lapho ebona ukuthi unyawo lwakhe alubamnjwa,
wezwa umpipi ka Lindani umugudla kamunandi phezu
kwesibumbu sakhe wazichamela futhi. Zanyakaza
kancane izandla zika Lindani ngemuva kokhalo lwakhe
zimuthintathinta umhlane, izinqa, nangemuva
kwamahlombe akhe, lokho kwamuphushela kwelinye
igagasi elashiya iphenti lakhe limanzi ngathi angaze
alikhumule. Kwakungahlukile nokuthi uyincwilise
emanzini inquza yakhe ngaleso sikhathi, ngendlela
owayesemanzi ngayo. Wayeqala ukuzizwa emanzi
ngaleyandlela, selokhu waqala ukwenza ucansi noma
ukuqabulana nomuntu wesilisa. Izindebe zika Lindani
zazimusanganisa ngempela, kwakungavumi ukuthi
azidedele. Indlela ababeqabulana ngayo wayezidonsa
ngathi uzozihlephula azihlafune ngamazinyo,
wazithuka esenyakaza kancane ngathi uyafenda
ezimelela ku Lindani ngesibumbu sakhe ehambisana
nokuqabulana kwabo ngokukhulu ukuhleleka.

40
Inquza yakhe emanzi yayisizicelela umpipi ka Lindani,
ngendlela owayesephelelwa amandla ngakhona.
Wavele watoboza ukhiye esandleni sakhe kwavuleka
izicabha zemoto yakhe, wahlukanisa imilomo yabo
enqamula ukhisi wabo wavula isivalo somgibeli
wahlala ngezinqa izinyawo zalengela phansi. Wavula
amathanga ngathi kuyashisa phakathi kwawo,
wadonsa ingubo yakhe wayibeka ngenhla
kwamathanga ukuze uLindani ezolibona iphenti lakhe
elimanzi elimhlophe. Walibona ngempela noma
kwakungabonakali ngokucacile ngoba
kwakungakhanyi ngaleyondlela yase mini noma
endlini, ugesi wasemgwaqeni ukhanya ngokubomvana
awufani nowasendlini. Wezwa izandla zika Mbali
zigijima phezu kozipho webhulukwe lakhe zithinta
umthondo wakhe owawuqinile ngaphansi
kwebhulukwe. Wahlahla amehlo uLindani waqalaza
ukuthi akekho yini umuntu oqhamukayo, ngenhlanhla
wayengekho. Wathi ebuyisa ikhanda lakhe ipipi
laselingaphathe elibuka uMbali ngathi ushokhekile.
Washawa amahloni uLindani ngangokuthi laze lathi
ukulahlekelwa ukuqina ipipi lakhe kancane, wabona
uMbali ukuthi uyalithusa leli pipi.

Waliphosa emlonyeni kuhle kwevosi lingena

emlonyeni womuntu okade walamba, wayesho
ukulihlafuna imbala ipipi lika Lindani walimunca
ngokukhulu ukuphuthuma. Kwakungasadingi nokuthi
41
alikhiphe ngomlomo igama elithi uwulambele lompipi
kodwa kwazicacela khona ukuthi uyalidinga futhi
ulidinga manje. Okwakumuphethe kabi ukuthi
uLindani lona wayekhombisa ukuthi akasiyona
lenhlobo yendoda ayilindele ezovele iqhanyelwe
ingasacabangi lutho enye ngaphendle kwenquza nje
kuphela. Walifala lonke emlonyeni ipipi uMbali laye
layobhajwa emphimbo, wacimeza. Wezwa ngathi
kuduma izulu, nokwamenza wathuka wazichamela
futhi.

"oooooohhhhhhho aaaaaaah!!!"

Kuqhasha izwi emlonyeni ka Lindani, wavula amehlo

uMbali waphakamisa amehlo. Wabona uLindani eseze
wabheka phezulu, wawudonsa kancane umthondo
emlonyeni wakhe ehlehlisa ikhanda, wawudlalisa
ngesandla ewuhlikihla ewushayisa indlwabu wena
owabona umsengi wezinkomo. Kwehla uketshezana
kwikhinqi, noma ngabe wayesechamile uLindani
kodwa wayengakazimiseli ukuyeka leli pipi uMbali.
Wayengamane achamele khona emlonyeni wakhe
okungenani, wathi uyawubuyisela emlonyeni wezwa
amazwi abantu abakhulumayo. Wathuka wasukuma
wafulathela uLindani wancika kuye ngezinqa ongathi
bazibukela ubuhle bobusuku, emufihla ipipi elalilenga
ngaphandle, engasenandaba nokuthi ingubo yakhe
42
ibiza kangakanani njengoba yayizonindwa uketshezi
olwalwehla ngomthondo ka Lindani nje.
Kwakumuqhanyelisa kakhulu ukuwuzwa
umunamathele ezinqeni zakhe lomthondo ka Lindani
uqine kuhle kokhuni, esejahe ukuwubuyisela
emlonyeni noma avele aphakamise ingubo
awuphushele phakathi uLindani khona ngemuva lapho
amudunusele.

Baqhamuka abelungu ababili bayongena emotweni

yabo behamba nezingane ezincane ezimbili,
kwakukhombisa ukuthi bawumndeni nje obuzodla
isidlo sakusihlwa.

Baqhamuka abelungu ababili bayongena emotweni

yabo behamba nezingane ezincane ezimbili,
kwakukhombisa ukuthi bawumndeni nje obuzodla
isidlo sakusihlwa.

Bahleka kancane ngokuchazeka lapho bebona uLindani

no Mbali bebambene kamnandi ngaphandle kwemoto
yabo, okwakukhombisa uthando lweqiniso. Banele
bahamba waphenduka ngokushesha uMbali wabuyela
phezu kwesitulo semoto yakhe wabheka umthondo ka
Lindani owawusamile ubheke phezulu wawubamba
43
wawubuyisela emlonyeni ngaso leso sikhathi.
Wabambelela emathangeni ka Lindani ngezandla
zakhe zombile ngathi uzophutha udonga, isandla
ngasinye ethangeni. Wayengena ephuma ngekhanda
phakathi nezandla zakhe, emunca umthondo ka
Lindani, emufenda ngekhanda.

"Mncwooo Mncwaaaa Mncwoooo Mpocooo

Ohhmuuu!"

Kunanela umsindo wezindebe zakhe nolimi lapho

emunca umthondo ngathi udla asikhilimu okade
wawulambela. Wayengakaze akuzwe ukukhothwa
ipipi uLindani empilweni yakhe, noma kwake
kwenzeka esasenyuvesi edakiwe akukaze kube mnandi
ngalendlela ayeyizwa. Umlomo ka Mbali ngathi
wawuluhlobo oluhamba phambili, olungajwayelekile
futhi olungatholakali kalula.

Waliphusha ngamawala ikhanda lakhe uMbali wavala

amehlo, ahlukana naka Lindani kade emqholozele
emehlweni ngathi ubuka isibhakabhaka. Wancwila
wonke umthondo emlonyeni wakhe, waze
walinyakazisa ikhanda lakhe ngathi uyanqaba, lapho
kwakungathi uyalicela ipipi ukuthi alichame. Wezwa
44
kunyakaza ikhinqi, kwashisa umphimbo wakhe ngathi
ubaselwe umlolo ngaphansi kwesilevu sakhe, wezwa
ngathi kugijima ulwandle emphimbo. Kwaduma
izindlebe ngenxa yomsindo owabangwa ngu Lindani.

"awuuuuuuu! Ooooohhhh aaaaaaaaaahhhhh hooo hooo

hooooh!!!"

Ememeza uLindani ethulula isidoda sakhe sigcwala

umlomo ka Mbali, wakhinceka wakhwehlela uMbali
kwaphuma ngomlomo isidoda sathela ingubo yakhe ka
nokusho, esinye sathela ibhulukwe lika Lindani.
Wakhipha umthondo emlonyeni wakhe ngokushesha
wakhwehlela kodwa lutho ukuwudedela ngesandla
lomthondo saqhubeka isidoda siphuma semuthela
emabeleni angaphansi kwengubo nasekhanda,
nasesitulo semoto yakhe. Wavusa ikhanda lapho
kwehla ukukhinceka, wabona uLindani esebambe
izandla zakhe Mbali waziqinisa ufenda umoya.
Walibuyisela ikhanda lakhe uMbali emthondweni
ewuvalela umlomo wafenda umlomo ka Mbali uLindani
waze waqeda ukuchama, waqhubeka uMbali
nokumukhotha waze wasala ungenalutho umthondo
ka Lindani wasigwinya sonke isidoda. Kwakungathi
uqede lapho uLindani wayowugeza umthondo wakhe,
lapho inquza ka Mbali kwakungathi ifakwe ukhonkolo
ngendlela eyayiluma ngayo.
45
"Ngicela sihambe manje ngiyokubeka endlini yakho."
kusho uMbali.

Eqhaqhazela amadolo, nezwi ngathi liyasha. Wakwazi

ukuphakamisa izinyawo zakhe wazifaka ngaphakathi
emotweni, esitulweni somgibeli lesi behlezi kuso vese,
wavala isicabha waphakamisa isandla wasikhomba
phezu kwewindi langaphambili kwehla uqwembe
olunesibuko wazibuka. Wavula ikhabeshana wakhipha
ibhokisi lamathishu wazisula imlomo wakhe
nezindebe, wadonsa isikwama sakhe esasesibekwe
esitulweni sangemuva ngesikhathi uLindani engena
emotweni kumucacela ukuthi uyena ozoshayela manje.
Wakhipha iruji yakhe wazigcoba umlomo wazilungisa
nobuso ezisulisisa, wakhipha okunye kokugcoba
izandla wakuthela esandleni wahlikihla wagcoba
izandla zakhe. Waqalaza wabuka uLindani,
wamamatheka lapho ebona ukuthi uLindani
akawunakile nalowomgwaqo abahamba kuwo kodwa
ubheke yena emehlweni. Ngokukhulu ukukhombisa
ukuthi akakakholwa ukuthi lento yenzeke ngempela.

Wezwa ngesandla simuthinta izinyawo uLethu

ezibandayo esaphutha kamnandi eno Lindani wakhe
wamaphupho.
46
"hha-ena Lindani!" kusho uLethu

Ekhuluma esebuthongweni, wezwa isandla singayekeli

ukumuthinta waphaphama. Wabona udade wabo
omncane emukhumula izicathulo, waxakeka ukuthi
kwenzakalani. Wahlahla amehlo ewakhipha
ngaphandle, wamangala usisi wakhe ukuthi
kwenzakalani kodwa wasaba ukubuza usisi wakhe
ngoba mudala. Iphupho leli abenalo uLethu akubuzwa
ukuthi ubenesikhathi esimunandi no Lindani wakhe
wamaphupho, kwathatha isikhashana ukuthi
akwamukele ukuthi ubephupha. Ngangokuthi waze
waphuma udade wabo omncane wahamba eyolala
ekamelweni lakhe emushiya esakhungathekile kuduma
amabhanoyi ekhanda lakhe imibuzo izulazula ekhanda.
Kwaba isikhashana ehlezi ngezinqa phezu kombhede,
kwabuye kwamumboza ubuthongo.

"Nginga… Ngingabuza okuthize Mbali?" kubuza

uLindani ebheke emgwaqeni.

47
Waphenduka kancane uMbali wamubuka,
wamamatheka wabheka phansi ezibuza ukuthi ngabe
uzobuza ukuthini uLindani.

"Ungabuza noma yini ofuna ukuyibuza Lindani,

akunankinga." kuphendula uMbali.

Waphendula ikhanda lakhe uLindani lapho emisa

imoto phambi kwerobhothi, wamubheka ngobuso
obubhalwe ukwethuka.

"Ngabe kwenzakalani phakath kwami nawe

njengamanje?" kubuza uLindani.

(kodwa wabhayiziswa yini wena mfana wenkosi

bakithi!) kucabanga uMbali, engazi ukuthi
uzophendula athini kulombuzo ka Lindani, egcwala
nokucasuka.

48
"Angikutholi Lindani, ngabe uqonde ukuthini
ngalombuzo wakho?" kuphendula uMbali ezenza
odidekile.

"Ngifuna ukwazi ukuthi, njengoba sesenze izinto

ezinkulu kangaka nje mina nawe, singakaqomisani.
Ngabe sisakhona isidingo sokuthi siqomisane?" kubuza
uLindani esusa imoto.

Wezwa kuphela ukuqhanyelwa uMbali okwakumudla

indlela yonke selokhu besukile edolobheni, bebheke
lapho engazi khona. Phela wayengazi nokuthi uhlala
kuphi nendawo uLindani lowo, owayekwazi nje
kuphela ukuthi uyafika kulendawo.

"Ngicela sikhulume ngaloludaba mase sifike endlini

yakho bandla singaze sidale izingozi, ngiyakucela."
kuphendula uMbali emamatheka.

Wavuma ngekhanda uLindani waqhubeka

nokushayela, kwaba imizuzwana engemingaki bafika
endlini yakhe wapaka imoto ngaphandle emgwaqeni
wacisha injini waphenduka wabheka uMbali
emehlweni.
49
"Ngicela singene ngaphakathi Lindani, bangaze
bashayise imoto yami lapha emgwaqeni abantu
abathembekile namuhla. Olwesihlanu phela angazi
noma uyakukhohlwa yini lokho, bakhothile abantu
hhayi kancane." kusho uMbali.

Waphenduka ngokushesha uLindani wadumisa imoto

wayipaka ngaphakathi kwegceke lendlu yakhe,
yabhekana negaraji wayicisha injini. Wacela ukuthi
bengene ngaphakathi ngoba kufudumele endlini
kunasemotweni, wavuma ngekhanda uMbali.
Ejabuliswa ukuthi ngeke esadabula uLindani,
nakanjani uzomuvalela phakathi kwamathanga akhe
ngaphambi kokuthi elokhe emuxina ngemibuzo
eminingi ebhedayo engaze elahlekelwe ukuzethemba
kwakhe kuphele nalomswakamo owayewuzwa
ngaphansi kwephenti lakhe. Bangena endlini ehamba
phambili uLindani, walandela ngemuva uMbali eshaya
kancane ebambe ingubo yakhe ngechopho layo ukuze
ingahushi phansi. Bangena kufudumele ngempela
endlini ka Lindani wavala umnyango uMbali ngemuva
kwakhe wadedela ingubo wakhe waphosa isikhwama
sakhe phezu kwetafula wahlikihla isandla.

50
Wayezwela ukubanda kwaphandle, wahlala wazigoqa
ephambanisa imilenze yakhe phezu kwekhawushi.
Ngaphandle kokukhuluma uLindani wathatha irimothi
wavula umabonakude wanganaka nokuthi kudlalani,
wanikeza uMbali irimothi ukuthi azikhethele yena
akakudingayo noma okuzohambisana naye. Ethola
lelothuba uMbali walisebenzisa ngobukhulu
ubuhlakani, wavula isiteshi esidlala izingoma zothando
kuphela. Esagumula ijakhethi lakhe uLindani, wathi
uyaphenduka wabona uMbali edansa kancane
ngekhanda nangamahlombe eseze wacimeza
ehambisana nengoma edlalayo. Ihora leshumi nanye
ebusuku kubheke phakathi kwamabili isikhathi,
kodwa akayiphathi eyokuya ekhaya uMbali noma
ukukhombisa ukuthi uyabona ukuthi isikhathi
sesihambile. Wahamba wayongena endlini yokugeza
uLindani, wavala umnyango wazibuka esibukweni
esisodongweni.

"Hheyi wena silima sendoda, awuziqoqe ubuyise

inqondo yakho. Akulona iphupho leli, umuntu
wesifazane lona ophambi kwakho, akazile ukuzodayisa
izindwangu lana endlini yakho. Udinga ipipi kuphela,
awuzame ukwenza ngathi uyamunika lento ayidingayo
engaze ehambe etshela abantu ukuthi awazi lutho."
ekhuluma yedwa uLindani..

51
Izimpahla zakhe zehla ngokukhulu ukushesha zasala
phansi wasala ngesudu yesele, wangena eshaweni
wavulela amanzi afudumele wageza ngensipho
yakhona enuka kamunandi. Ezwa kukhala amanzi
uMbali endlini yokugezela wezwa kukitaza phakathi
kwamathanga wazizwa eshiselwa kakhulu ubhontshisi
kunakuqala, wezwa iphenti lakhe limuthinta kancane
ngokubandayo, okukhombisa ukuthi belimanzi.
Wabona ukuthi uzoze alone iphenti lakhe kanti
ulithanda kabi uyaye alibize ngokuthi iphenti lakhe
lenhlanhla. Waphakama kwikhawushi wagoma efaka
izandla phakathi namathanga akhe elidonsela
emadolweni, waphakamisa umlenze owodwa
walikhipha. Waligoqa laphenduka inkatha wazisula
ngalo inquza yakhe emanzi, waphakama waqonda
esikhwameni sakhe wayolifaka phakathi. Wzizwa
ekhululekile kakhulu kunakuqala lapho ezwa umoyana
ofudumele ushaya phakathi kwamathanga akhe uye
uyoheleza kamunandi phezu komsunu wakhe
ongaphandle.

"Ngicabanga ukuthi angakusiza amanzi afudumele

emzimbeni wakho ukukhipha amakhaza,
asengisebenzele nami. Woza ngikukhombise indlu
yokugezela." kusho izwi lika Lindani.

52
Waqale wahlala isikhashana uMbali ezitshela ukuthi
kuseyimicabango yakhe nje encolile lena egijima
ekhanda lakhe, waphenduka kancane emuva
komzuzwana, wabona uswahla lwensizwa isifuba
singaphandle, isisu esikhanya amasi singaphandle.
Wacwayiza kaningana engakhulumi, enganyakazi futhi
engazikholwa ukuthi ubona yona ngempela lensizwa
phambi kwakhe. Wayebhince ithawula kuphela
uLindani emile eceleni kwekhawushi elindele
ukuyokhombisa uMbali indlu yokugezela,
wayeseyibona izomubambezela leyondlu yokugezela
uMbali ngendlela umzimba wakhe wawusuqine
ngakhona ngathi engavele amugxhumele ngaso leso
sikhathi uLindani. Wayesecabanga nje ukuthi ngabe
lomthondo obewukhotha epakini unjani manje ngoba
usuhlanzekile nje, khona ke mase ungena phakathi
nezindebe zenquza yakhe uyozwakala kanjani.
Wayesezibano nje emubambile uLindani lesifuba
siphezu kwamabele akhe, izandla zakhe zigijima
emhlane zingaphelelwa amandla okuphulula umhlane
waloluswahla lwensizwa.

"Sesingahamba nkosazane?" kubuza uLindani.

Wathuka uMbali wavuma ngekhanda, wasukuma

kwikhawushi eshaya kancane esondela ku Lindani.
Ngathi uyamesaba amehlo akhe awasuki neze ku
53
Lindani, uyawubukisisa lomzimba wakhe futhi
uphupha ebhekile imbala. Akungabazwa ukuthi
wayesefisa nokuthi kuwe kwalona lelo thawula
elalimusitha okukhulu okungezansi kwalesi sisu
esinamagquma kuhle kwamatshe emfuleni. Balandelana
bebheke khona endlini yokugezela wangena kuqala
uLindani emukhombisa izinto zokugeza, wakhumbula
uMbali ukuthi usekhohlwe ukuthatha isikhwama
sakhe esinezinto zakhe zokuzilungisa.

"Ngicela ungilethele isikhwama sami phezu kwetafula

bandla sengisikhohliwe." kusho uMbali.

Ebuka uLindani emehlweni, waphenduka uLindani

ngokushesha eyothatha isikhwama sika Mbali.
Wabuya naso umnyango usavulekile ungavaliwe, wathi
engena nje emnyango kwakhala amanzi ngaphakathi
endlini yokugezela. Waphakamisa amehlo ewaphosa
kwishawa, lwmushaya uvalo lwameqa wacisha
ukuquleka lapho ebona umzimba ka Mbali umanzi
ucwebezela amanzi egijima ngawo aze ayophuma
ezinyaweni. Amabele angaphandle izinqa umhlane
wakhe omuhle ngathi akaze ashawe esemuncane,
wazithuka eseshokhekile emile uLindani
engasanyakazi kodwa futhi egcwele okukhulu ukusaba
ngaphakathi kwenhliziyo.

54
Waphenduka ngathi ubengalindele lutho uMbali lapho
ezithela ku Lindani emugqolozele, wahleka kancane
eveza amazinyo akhe amahle ahlangene uthotho phela.
Watatazela uLindani wangazi ukuthi athini noma
adlulise isikhwama, emile emnyango wathi uyanyakaz
wazishayisa odongweni wababamba isiphongo
ngokukhulu ukwesaba izandla zakhe ziyaqhaqhazela.

"Ngena Lindani akunankinga, awulimalanga nje

kodwa?" kusho uMbali evala amanzi.

Wakhohlwa kancane ukuthi akagqokile uMbali lapho

ezama ukusiza uLindani, wamubamba ngezandla
zakhe zimanzi wabuphulula isiphondo. Laqumba
ithawula lakhe owayelibhincile ngokushesha ligwazwa
umthondo ngaphansi, wamamatheka uMbali lapho
ebona induku yakhe okade eyilambele ikhombisa
ukujabulela ukusondela kwakhe. (ngiseyintombi
ezintombini ngempela, ngingakenzi lutho nje kodwa
sengiyadingeka.) ecabanga uMbali.

55
"Angilimalanga ukushayiseka nje okungatheni, kodwa
ngathi sengilimala kwenye indawo manje." kusho
uLindani.

Esabambe isiphongo sika Lindani uMbali wahleka

kancane lapho ezwa lawomazwi ephuma emlonyeni ka
Lindani ngoba wayazi ukuthi ukhuluma ngani.

"Ngiyaxolisa kakhulu ukukulimaza sthandwa sami, ithi

ngigeze bese ngizokupholisa ngokushesha." kusho
uMbali.

Waphakama uLindani wadedela uMbali ukuthi ageze ,

isikhwama esishiye phezu kuka sinki ongaphakathi
endlini yokugezela. Wayohlala yedwa uLindani
wabukela umabonakuze, kodwa kwakungathi iwona
umabonakude obhka uLindani ngendlela inqondo
yakhe eyayingekho ngakhona lapho ekhona yena.
Yayisele endlini yokugezela lapho uMbali ekhona egeza
engagqokile, kodwa ke kwakungayona into
ayicabangayo ukuyongena abhebhane no Mbali endlini
yokugezela, wayekubona kuyibhadi uqobo lokho.

56
Wanikina ikhanda sakulixukuza wasukuma wayothela
isiphuzo esibandayo wasishayela ekhanda waphinda
esinye ngokushesha, wahamba naso eyohlala phezu
kwekhawushi lapho ebona ukuthi ngathi uthatha
isikhathi eside uMbali endlini yokugezela. Wathi
engalindele wezwa ngezandla ezifudumele
zimuphulula ngenhla kwamahlombe, ziye ziyonyukela
emqaleni wakhe, zehle njalo ziyolunguza ezibeleni
zakhe. Lapho ezibona zizinhle zishaya ngezinzipho
ezipendiwe futhi zithambe kamunandi ngathi
zingamudlalisa kuze kuse ekuseni, waphakamisa
ezakhe izandla wazibeka phezu kwezika Mbali
wahambisana nazo izikhashana wasukuma
waphenduka ebuka ngemuva kwakhe.

Akagqokile uMbali, futhi akabhincile ngisho ithawula,

ubophe ikhanda kuphela usho ngamazinyo akhe
aluthotho ngaphandle. Ngiqinisile umzimba ka Mbali
ayikho indoda engeke iwusanganele ngendlela omuhle
ngayo, angisaphathi ke ukuma kwakhe intombi
enyathela ngabantwana, isuzel' eDandi, ifiga lona
ngathi wasikwa ebazwa ababazi abasezingeni
eliphezulu. Walidonsa ithawula lakhe waliphosa
eceleni uLindani wasala engagqokile naye, amehlo ka
Mbali abophana phezu komthondo wakhe owawumile
ubheke phezulu. Ubuso bakhe bakhombisa okukhulu
ukuphoxeka lapho esewubona kahle ekukhanyeni
lomthondo, kodwa akabonanga uLindani ukuthi
57
kwenzakalani. Wathi ukuma kancane uMbali amehlo
akhe ebambeke kuwo lomthondo ka Lindani,
ngaphandle kokubuza imibuzo eminingi uLindani
wavele wasondela kuye uMbali wamubamba izandla
zakhe zathandelana okhalo lwakhe. Wamusondeza
eduze kwakhe wamuphosa ulimi emlonyeni, wezwa
umswakamo uqala phansi enquza yakhe uMbali.

Babambana isikhathi eside beqabulana wephenduka

ngamakhanda, kancane kancane kwaze kwakhuphuka
izinga lesipiti. Wazithuka esendiza emoyeni uMbali
kanti usephuthuma naye ekamelweni uLindani,
waphaphama esemubeka phezu kombhede ngomhlane.
Wathi ukudonsa umoya yahlo inhliziyo yakhe
ecabanga, (nakanjani ngiyabhejwa ke manje).
Lwamushaya uvalo oluncane waqhaqhazela amathanga
lapho uLindani engena phakathi nawo engagqokile ,
umthondo wamuthinta ethangeni lakhe uMbali
lesinxele wathuka ezwa ukufudumala kwawo.
Wazichamela ngaso leso sikhathi, bathi ukuqabulana
isikhashana no Lindani bephendulana embhedeni uye
uyomuthinta izindebe zenquza umthondo lapho
ephenduka egibela ngaphezulu kuka Lindani. Lapho
usefisa ngabe uphakathi yena akasenandaba
nokuqabulwa, nokho akuvumi awudedele umlomo ka
Lindani ngendlela izindebe zakhe ezimuchaza ngayo.
Ugcine ebala ukuthi uzochama kangaki kodwa akazi
naye ukuthi ukhohlwe nini ukubala, ngoba
58
wayengasazazi ukuthi usechame kangaki ngaphandle
kokuthi nje usechame kaningi. Wezwa ngesandla
simuthinta ubhontshisi siwudlalisa kamunandi, wezwa
kushisa iqolo kusondela elinye igagasi lokuchama.

"Aawu kodwa Lindani, waze wangithinta kamunandi.

Ngibhebhe manje sthandwa sami." kukhala uMbali.

"Aawu kodwa Lindani, waze wangithinta kamunandi.

Ngibhebhe manje sthandwa sami." kukhala uMbali.

Kwakungathi uthelwe ngezibonkolo ke lapho uLindani

ezwa lawomazwi, wawuhlikihla ngathi ulwa nawo
ubhontshisi ka Mbali kwakuze kunyakaze nomzimba
wakhe wonke. Isandla sakhe sishesha, siye siyolunguza
embhotsheni yegolo, waphefumulele phezulu ngathi
isifuba siyasinda uMbali. Akuphelanga sikhathi
esingakanani waphakama wabamba izandla zika
Lindani zombili esiphezu kobhontshisi wakhe nesinye
esasimudlalisa amabele, wayehlaselwa izivunguvungu
zokuchama. Wamuthandela ngemilenze ngemuva
kweqolo lapho esechama, ngangokuthi waze
wadonseka uLindani ngomzimba wasondela
ngomthondo wagcobhoza ngawo embhobeni yegolo.

59
Wahefuzela ephefumula ngomlomo uMbali, ngathi
uphelelwa amandla lapho umthondo ungena ngekhinqi
egolo lakhe elimanzi. Wavula amehlo wamubuka
emehlweni uLindani ngathi akakholwa ukuthi
uwuzwa phakathi ngempela umthondo ka wakhe.
Wanele wabona ubuso begeza elingu Lindani
wamamatheka wacimeza ngaso leso sikhathi elalela
ukugudla kwawo umthondo kamnandi egolo lakhe,
izandla zakhe zazigijima emhlane ka Lindani
emuphulula ngesikhulu isineke lesi, abuye amudlalise
ngezinzipho zakhe ngathi uyamuhwaya ngazo. Lapho
wayezwa into akangakaze ayizwe empilweni yakhe
uLindani, noma ngabe eke walala nabanye abantu
besifazane ngaphambilini kodwa akaze azizwe
ekhululekile ngaloluhlobo uma efaka umthondo wakhe
efenda egolo. Isikhathi esiningi ubebhekana nenkinga
yokuthi athole umuntu ozothi kubuhlungu noma
ebange umsindi kakhulu ngathi uyabulawa kodwa ku
Mbali konke kwakuhlukile. Nguyena uMbali
owayezimisele ngokuthola umthondo efuna
ukuwubona uncwila uvumbuka esibunjini sakhe, noma
kanjani wayefuna ukuwuncwaba egolo lakhe
umthondo ka Lindani.

Ngenxa yokuthuswa ilesimo angasijwayele uLindani,

wezwa umthondo wakhe ushisa ngathi ungene
60
emalahleni avuthayo lapho elunguza ngekhinqi egolo
lika Mbali eligcwele umswakamo, iphunga lenquza
lalimulola ukuthi ngathi engafenda ngokukhulu
ukushesha ngaso leso sikhathi. Eseze wacimeza elalele
leliphunga elalizwakala kamunandi nokwenza ekade
waligcina. Impela uLindani wayengakaze ayikhothe
inquza empilweni yakhe yonke kodwa ukube wake
wamucela uMbali ukuthi amukhothe inquza
wayezoncwila ngekhanda nangamehlo phakathi
kwamathanga akhe. Wezwa izandla zika Mbali
zimudonsa eqolo, zimuholela phakathi kwamathanga,
umswakamo wenquza uheleza kamnandi
ngasezikhwameni zamasende akhe uLindani. Akabange
esasichitha isikhathi wawudedela umzimba wangena
ngomthondo wakhe egolo lika Mbali, wavula amehlo
ngokushesha uMbali ebheka uLindani emehlweni.
Ngenxa yokuba insizwa enamahloni futhi ehlonipha
kakhulu uLindani wafikelwa ukushalaza lapho amehlo
ka Mbali amhlophe qwa emugqolozele emehlweni.

"Ngiyakuthanda Lindani!" kusho uMbali

Ngabe wayewaqondile lawomazwi noma wayenziwa

ukuqhanyelwa, hleze ubumnandi owayebuzwa
bukhandeka phakathi kwezibindi zenquza yakhe.
Noma ngabe wayenamahloni kangakanani uLindani
kodwa ngaleso sikhathi ezwa lawo mazwi, amehlo
61
akhe wawavula wamubuka ngqo emehlweni uMbali.
Wawungafunga ukuthi ngeke esacwayiza inkosimpela.
Kodwa akaze awuvule owakhe umlomo, kunalokho
waqhubeka nokuwuphusha umthondo wakhe
ewugxhisha egolo lika Mbali. Kwathi lapho ewudonsa
ewukhipha waqhaqhazela uMbali ekhombisa
ukulangazelela okungaphezu kwalokho.
Wawubuyisela uLindani umthondo wakhe efenda
ngesinono, wawushaya phakathi wabhajwa
ngamasende.

"MMMH! OOOOH Nkosi yami, ngaze ngajabula

sthandwa sami!" kumemeza uMBali

Izwi lakhe lalingasalawuleki ekhulumela phezulu wena

owabona amasosha empini, umzimba wakhe ushiselwa
futhi uvevezela wonke. Esinye isandla sakhe
sasingemuva kweqolo lika Lindani simulekelela
ekufendeni, kanti esinye sasibambelele engalweni
yakhe yesokudla. Umzimba ka Mbali wawunyuka
wehla ehlangabezana no Lindani lapho ehla ngeqolo
lakhe ephusha umthondo wakhe ewugxhisha egolo lika
Mbali, naye emuhlangabeza ngalo igolo emoyeni.
Kodwa kwakufana nokuthi usadlala uLindani ku Mbali
ngoba wayesalindele ukuthi usazongena kakhulu
kunalokho umthondo ka Lindani, wehla ngomzimba
ngathi ufuna ukulala phezu kuka Mbali uLindani.
62
Wafenda ngokushesha eseqinise umzimba ngathi
uyasha eqolo, wabona ngokushesha uMbali ukuthi
noma ngabe kuthiwani useyathunda uLindani.
Akapholisanga maseko wazenza umuntu
omulekelelayo ngokumudonsa ngezandla zombili
kabili kathathu emufendisa mawala kodwa lutho
umthondo ukujula egolo lakhe, kwamucacela ukuthi
ungena ngokuphelele iwona omncane sdalo.

Ngokushesha waqhamuka nesu ngoba engafuni ukuthi

kwenzeke iphutha amithe ingane ka Lindani,
wamuphushela phezulu kakhulu ngangokuthi waze
wabhoncuka umthondo egolo wasithulula ngaphandle
isidoda sakhe uLindani sagcwala ngezansi kwenkaba
ka Mbali. Washwaqa ebusweni uMbali ekhombisa
ukumangala nokwethuka kanye kanye, waphakama
uLindani ehefuzela eyothatha ithawula elikhulu endlini
encane wasula uMbali ngokushesha ngobunono. Noma
enganelanga uMbali ngakwezocansi kodwa iqiniso
lithi wayemuthandile uLindani, futhi wayeyindoda
yakhe yamaphupho. Indlela wayemuphatha kahle
ngayo, emuphathisa kwendlovukazi uqobo, lokho
okwakuyinto ayejwayele ukuyizwa abangani bakhe
bekhuluma nje ngayo. Kulokhu uyena
owayezokhuluma ngayo exoxele amantombazane
ukuthi uphatheke kahle kanjani esokeni lakhe elisha.

63
Umusula nje uLindani yena inqondo yakhe ayikho
kulento akenziwa yona, inquza yakhe iyafuquza
ukuqhanyelwa. Ubuka nalomzimba ka Lindani
omangalisayo ngangokuthi umenza aqhanyelwe
kakhulu kunakuqala, akamucasukele nokho ukuthi
akamunelisanga embhedeni kodwa ubona isimangaliso
phambi kwakhe futhi akakholwa ngempela ukuthi
ekugcineni useze wayithola indoda emuchazayo
ngakho konke.

"Ngiyabonga mntakwethu, ungenza ngizizwe

ngibalulekile kakhulu emhlabeni. Unempatho eyehlula
amadoda amaningi emhlabeni, bengingazi ukuthi
ngizojabula kangaka ukuba nawe." kusho uMbali.

Ebamba izinkonyane zika Lindani lapho amehlo akhe

enamathele emehlweni ka Lindani. Wamoyizela
uLindani lapho ezwa amazwi amunandi ephuma
emlonyeni ka Mbali futhi kakhulu kazi edlulisa
izincomo. Wazisula umthondo wakhe naye
owawumanzi ugcwele isidoda sakhe kanye nojusi
begolo lika Mbali, waqede wawela eceleni kuka Mbali
walala wabheka phezulu esacabanga izinto zonke
esezenzekile osukwini kusukela bebonana no Mbali
kuze kuzofika kulesikhathi sebezithola belele
ndawonye embhedeni futhi endlini yakhe uLindani.

64
"Yazi Mbali namanje angikholwa ukuthi
sisendawonye, ngathi imbude nje yephupho. Phela
akaze ngicabange ukuthi ngingathola intokazi egange
njengawe empilweni yami, nginamahloni okuthi wena
ungenza ngizizwe ngivuseleleke ngalendlela kanti mina
angazi lutho nje ngenkonzo yase kamelweni.
Ngiyabona ukuthi kuningi engisazokufunda lapha
kuwe." kusho uLindani

Evula isifuba sakhe uLindani, wamushalazela uMbali

lapho ezwa lawomazwi. Wazibona ukuthi wenze into
elungile ukuthi engamujaji uLindani ngenkonzo
yasekamelweni, ngoba vele kukho konke owayekwenze
kahle wahlulwa into eyodwa futhi eyayingalungiseka
ngezindlela eziningi. Waphendukela ebusweni buka
Lindani uMbali wamuqabula ngaso leso sikhathi,
ngenkulu injabulo. Banamathelana ngemilomo
isikhathi eside wezwa umthondo wakhe uvuka
ngokushesha uLindani, kanti ithanga lika Mbali
liseduze nawo umthondo wakhe wezwa usumugqula
ethangeni uMbali. Wezwa kukitaza inquza yakhe
eqhanyelwe, wezwa ngathi uba manzi kakhulu
kunalokho abeyikho uMbali.

65
Wezwa kukitaza inquza yakhe eqhanyelwe, wezwa
ngathi uba manzi kakhulu kunalokho abeyikho uMbali.

Isandla sakhe sehla kancane sayohlala phezu kwawo

umthondo ka Lindani wawushayisa indlwabu
isikhashana, wadedela umlomo wakhe enqamula ukhisi
wabo. Wagibela ngaphezulu kuka Lindani wahlala
phezu komthondo wakhe, wawuphusha ngezinqa
zakhe wagamanxa phakathi nezihlathi zezinqa zakhe
wanyakaza kancane edansisa izinda. Waphakamisa
izandla ngokushesha uLindani ebamba ukhalo luka
Mbali, wamuphulula kancane kancane enyuka
ngezinhlangothi zakhe waze wayobamba amabele
wawubotoza ngaphansi kwawo. Waphakamisa ezakhe
izandla uMbali wabamba izandla zika Lindani
wazibeka phezu kwezingono zakhe wamubambisa
zona emulawula ngezakhe izandla ukuthi azidlalise
kanjani izingono zakhe.

Wafenda ngokushesha uLindani wayesezidlalisela yena

izingono zika Mbali, wacimeza uMbali lapho ezwa
ubumnandi nokuvukelwa kwenyuka emzimbeni
wakhe kanti nezingono zakhe zaseziqinile ngathi uthi
lomsizi. Wafaka isandla sakhe phakathi namathanga
akhe wabamba umthondo ka Lindani wawufaka egolo
lakhe wahlala phezu kwawo, wangena wonke
wabhajwa ngezikhwama zamasende. Wagoba
66
ngekhanda ezibuka phakathi kwamathanga akhe
ngaphansi kwesibumbu engakholwa ukuthi ungene
wonke umthondo ka Lindani. Wakholwa ngokubona
isinye sika Lindani sihlangene nesakhe, waqala
ukufenda ngokushesha, waphakamisa izandla zika
Lindani wazibuyisela phezu kwezingono zakhe.
Wazidlalisa noLindani ngokushesha lokho
kwamulekelela ukuthi azizwe echama ngaso leso
sikhathi uMbali, wadonsa uLindani ngesandla
ngaphansi kweqolo emukhombisa ukuthi akafende
naye behlangabezane. Wazizwa ewuthola kancono
umthondo ngaleso sikhathi umthondo ewuzwa
uphushwa ngaphansi.

Kwaba ngathi uyamuchomela uLindani lapho echama

ephindelela uMbali, akazange ekholwe ukuthi uyena
lona ochamayo emuva kwesikhathi eside kangaka
eqhanyelwe. Bachama bobabili baqeda balala khona
lapho umthondo uphakathi belala bebambene. Ekuseni
wavuka kuqala uMbali wayogeza walungela ukuhamba
ngoba phela wayejahe ukuthi kungabonakali ukuthi
akalalanga endlini yakhe. Wahamba engasavalelisanga
ku Lindani, wathi evuka umfoka Mbambo wabona
selele yedwa embhedeni wakhe. Wavuka wageza,
wagqoka, walungela ukuhamba eye esaluni
ukuyohlangana no Lethu ukuze ezothatha ijakhethi
lakhe. Waqeda lapho wahlala yedwa endlini yokudlela
ebukela umabonakude elalele nomculo wokholo,
67
kodwa inhliziyo yakhe yayisabhadula ezibuza imibuzo
eminingi. Ikakhulu kazi engakholwa ukuthi yena no
Mbali babhebhene ngempela ngemuva
kokubandawonye okokuqala.

Akujwayelekile impela ku Lindani ukuthi alale

nentokazi ngosuku lokuqala bezikhiphile, futhi yena
ubelindele ukuthi uMbali usazoke amumise njengoba
eyintokazi ezimele nje empilweni. Noma nakho lokho
ekuthole ngalo lelolanga ngenxoxo yabo emunandi
ababenayo endaweni yokudlela (SPUR). Inqondo
yakhe yathi ukulibala imicabango ka Mbali lapho
kungena enye yezingoma azithanda kakhulu unkabi lo,
wasukuma wabeka irimothi phezu kwetafula
lokuphuza ikhofi. Izandla zakhe zandiza emoyeni
lapho ecula kanye nengoma eyayidlala kumabonakude,
enyakaza kancane wawungafunga ukuthi
usenkonzweni impela. Yathi ukulahlekelwa
imicabango ebhedayo inqondo yakhe yabhekana
nomdali, inhliziyo yakhe yayicela uxolo ku Jehova
ngokuncola abakwenzile ngayizolo yena nesithandwa
sakhe. Konje babeyizithandani yini noma
kwakuyizithandani okwangalobo busuku kuphela?
Ayi, naye akaze ayazi leyompendulo uLindani futhi
akazange azihluphe ngokugijima phezu kwaleyo
micabango ngoba wayezama ukulibala yiyo yonke lento
eyenzekile ukuze ezokwazi ukubhekana nezinto
ezibalulekile empilweni yakhe njengomsebenzi wakhe.
68
Kwaba ukushaya kwezikhathi zasemini waphuma
wayongena emotweni yakhe, wayidumisa wayishiya
iduma yodwa isivalo somshayeli sivuliwe. Waphindela
endlini ukuyothatha isikhwama sakhe somsebenzi
ngoba wayefuna ukudlula kwezinye izindawo
aziphungulele umsebenzi wango Msombuluko, maqede
wakhiya endlini wayongena emotweni yakhe. Isandla
sakhe sesinxele safaka igiya eliya emuva, waphendula
ikhanda lakhe ebheka emuva lapho imoto yakhe
izohlehlela khona, wanyathela amafutha yaphuma
imoto egaraji. Wacindezela ibhathini lavaleka igaraji,
waphuma engena emgwaqeni omncane wasezindlini
zabelungu lapho ehlala khona.

"Sibong' umusa wakho baba!"

"Ngoba uyincwele!"

"Uyababazeka!"

Kucula insizwa lena iphenduphendula isitelingi,

ishayela idansa kancane izandla zakhe ziphithizela
ngathi ushaya izinsimbi lezi ezikhala kuleliculo
ayelilalele. Kwakuyimizamo yokukhohlwa kancane
uMbali, futhi yayibukeka imusebenzela leyondlela
69
ngoba wake wakhohlwa okwenzekile waze wayofika
emarobhothini okugcina lapho esezophumela
emgwaqeni omkhulu ozoya komufaka phakathi
edolobheni lase Richards Bay. Kwaba ukuma kwemoto
yakhe nje, wacindezela maphakathi nesiteringi sakhe
ephinda ingoma ekade idlala kusukela ephume endlini
yakhe. Akajwayele ukuqalaza uma ehamba emgwaqeni
ngoba unyanya isicefe salabantu abahlale bedayiselana
izinto emarobhothini, wabona ngentokazi eyayisho
ukugibela phezu kwebhonethi yemoto yakhe
ikhombisa ukudinga usizo. Wathuka waqalaza,
wabuka isipiti sakhe ngoba wayengazi noma lentokazi
uyayishayisa ibizama ukuwela umgwaqo noma
kwenzakalani.

"Hawu kodwa nkosi yami, sekwenzenjani ntokazi!!!"

ememeza ngokwethuka uLindani.

Waphuma ngokukhulu ukucasuka okuhambisana

nokuthuka emotweni yakhe, ingoma isithule
emsakazweni. Exwayile wabuka imoto yakhe, wabuka
intokazi eyayiguqile phambi kwemoto yakhe ngathi
iphelelwa amandla. Waqalaza futhi kodwa akabonanga
muntu, lentokazi yayiphethe isikhwama
samantombazane siqumbile ukukhombisa ukuthi
iphethe izimpahla phakathi. Wazibuza imibuzo
eminingi, wangazi noma afonele amaphoyisa noma
70
ayibuze lentokazi ukuthi kwenzakalani. Uma
ewafonela amaphoyisa wayezothini kuwo, ngoba imoto
yakhe ayikaze ishayise muntu futhi ubemile
ngesikhathi lentokazi izozishayisa kuye.

"Ntokazi! Ngabe ukahle?" kuqunga uLindani ebuza

intokazi.

"Ntokazi! Ngabe ukahle?" kuqunga uLindani ebuza

intokazi."

Yaphakamisa ikhanda kancane lentokazi, yamubuka

ebusweni ngamehlo agcwele usizi. Yavuma ngekhanda,
izama ukusukuma phansi lapho yayiguqe khona kodwa
kukhombisa ukuthi iyahluleka ukuzisukumela. Walula
isandla sakhe uLindani esondela esiza lentokazi ukuthi
ime ngezinyawo.

"Ngabe kukhona okujahayo yini ntokazi, wabukeka

uxwayile nje? Ngifonele amaphoyisa ukuze akusize?"
kubuza uLindani.

71
Kodwa yanikina ikhanda lentokazi inqaba, noma ke
engaqondanga ukuthi ikuphi lentokazi eyayikunqaba
ngoba wayebuze imibuzo emibili eyahlukene. Nokho
akayikhombisanga ukuthi udidekile, wathula eyidedela
ukuthi lentokazi idonse umoya bese imutshela ukuthi
ifuna ayenzeleni uLindani ngoba vele wayezoyisiza
noma ngabe yayidingani kuye.

"Ngi… ngicela…. Ungibeke…. Edo..bheni." kusho

intokazi lena iphelelwa umoya.

Akabange esapholisa maseko uLindani, wayifaka

emotweni yakhe nesikhwama sayo intokazi isigonile.
Wathi lapho ecele ukuyibekela sona kahle esihlalweni
sangemuva kodwa yala yaphetha ngaphandle
kokukhipha igama ngomlomo, yanikina ikhanda
ngamandla okugcina kwaze kwanyakaza nomzimba
wayo wonke lentokazi. Wayidedela uLindani ukuthi
isigone isikhwama sayo, wabuyela ngaphakathi
emotweni yakhe wangena wasusa imoto ngesivinini.
Ngoba wayengazi noma lentokazi kukhona umuntu
owayeyifuna ifile noma khona eyayikwebile ngendlela
yokuthi kunabantu ababeyilandela.

72
"Ntokazi ngicela ukhululeke ukhulume nami,
kwenzenjani ngoba ubukeka ungakhululekile neze."
kusho uLindani.

Engasabuki nasemgwaqeni ebheke ubuso balentokazi.

Kodwa akayitholanga impendulo, yalahlela ikhanda
layo lentokazi ewindini izibukela izimoto nezihlala
eziseceleni komgwaqo. Ngenxa yokwethuka uLindani
washaya imoto wayibhekisa esiteshini samaphoyisa
nokuyilapho yathuka yoma khona lentokazi,
ngesikhathi ibona imoto idlula endleleni okufuze ngabe
ingena kuyo iqhubeka ngathi ibheke olwandle.
Yaphendula ikhanda yabheka ngaku Lindani lapho
ejika erobhothini eliqondene negaraji nendawo
yokudlela (McDonalds). Eceleni kwakuyisiteshi
samaphoyisa, nokuyilapho imoto ka Lindani yangena
khona, wanele wapaka nje endaweni yokupaka.
Yazama ukuvula isicabha lentokazi ifuna ukubaleka
kodwa sasikhiyiwe futhi singavuleki, yaphenduka
lentokazi yabheka uLindani ebusweni.

"Bhuti! Ngiyakucela…. Awuyazi inkinga engibhekene

nayo njengamanje. Angikwazi ukukhuluma
namaphoyisa ngoba azofonela labantu abafuna
ukungibulala, ngicela sihambe siye kwenye indawo
ngizokuxoxela konke odinga ukukwazi.
Ngiyakuthembisa… ngicela ungangiyisi emaphoyiseni,
73
ingane yami izoba yini ngaphandle kuka mama wayo.
Ukungena kwakho lana emaphoyiseni kobe
sekungukufa kwami lokho!" kusho lentokazi
ngokutatazela.

Wakhombisa ukuthi wethukile uLindani

wayebonakala, kodwa ke wayebuthemba ubuso
balentokazi eyayiphambi kwakhe. Esamangele kanjalo,
yavula isikhwama lentokazi yasihlekeza phambi
kwakhe kwalunguza izindodla zemali. Koma amathe
emlonyeni ku Lindani, waqalaza ukuthi akekho yini
obuka imoto yakhe lapho epake khona.

"Uyisigebengu kanti ntombazane ndini! Uyithathaphi

imali engaka? Ubambe inkunzi manje usufuna ukufaka
mina kulo lonke lolutaku lwakho?" kusho uLindani
ehlikihla ikhanda.

Wawungafunga ukuthi liyaluma ikhanda lakhe,

wajuluka wanconsa.

"Uyisigebengu kanti ntombazane ndini! Uyithathaphi

imali engaka? Ubambe inkunzi, manje usufuna ukufaka

74
mina kulo lonke lolutaku lwakho?" kusho uLindani
ehlikihla ikhanda.

Wawungafunga ukuthi liyaluma ikhanda lakhe,

wajuluka wanconsa.

"Ngiyakucela bhuti wami, susa imoto lana siyoma noma

kuphi kodwa hhayi endaweni ephithizela abantu
khona ngizokwazisa konke ngami. Ngaphambi
kwalokho kodwa ngicela ungithengele into edliwayo
lapha ngaphesheya ngilambile ngiyafa, futhi akaze
ngigeze izinsuku ezine. Noma singaya ekhaya kini
ukuze ngithole ukudla namanzi okugeza,
ngizokukhokhela ngalokho ngiyakucela bhuti wami.
Angifuni ukufa." kusho lentokazi kwehla izinyembezi
emehlweni.

Kwafika ukudabuka ku Lindani lapho ezwa elokufa,

wadumisa imoto yakhe wayikhomba emuva ngalapho
beqhamuka khona. Kodwa bathi mabefika erobhothini
lokuqala wajika wangena ngaphakathi emajalidini
ayengumakhelwane wasemajalidini ayehlala kuwo
uLindani. Wadabula phakathi nawo wayophumela
75
ngasemhosheni onebhilinji eliwelela emajalidini abo
oLindani, nokuse duze kakhulu nasendlini yakhe.
Wafika endlini wavula igaraji ngerimothi wafaka imoto
yakhe wavala behla bangena endlini besebenzisa
umnyango ongaphakathi egaraji.

Lentokazi yehla naso iskhwama sayo isigonile,

sikhombisa ukuthi siyasinda futhi iningi lemali
ephakathi kwalesikhwama sayo. Balandelana bobabili
eyokhombisa lentokazi indlu yokugezela, akabange
esafuna ukuyixina ngemubuzo lentokazi.

"Nansi indlu yokugezela, ungasebenzisa zonke izinto

ezikhona nala nasemakhabetheni. Ngizobe
ngikulungisela ukudla mina, ukuze mawuqeda ukugeza
uzodla." kusho uLindani.

Wathi lapho esephenduka ethi uyahamba uyolungisa

ukudla, ukuze athole isikhathi sokucabanga kahle
ukuthi uzozikhipha kanjani kulolutaku asezifake kulo
ngaphandle kokukhonjwa ngesibhamu noma
kokuphoqwa.

76
"Igama lami ngingu Lwazi, kodwa ke ungangibiza ngo
Lwah wena." kusho lentokazi ivele ngekhanda
ngemuva kwesivalo.

Waphenduka ngaso leso sikhathi uLindani wabheka

emuva, wamoyizela.

"Mina ngingu Lindani, ngiyajabula ukukwazi Lwah."

kusho uLindani.

Ngemuva kokuzwa igama lalentokazi, kwaba ngathi

uyakhululeka kancane, wayesezizwa ngathi akekho
engozini nje sdalo. Akabange esasichitha isikhathi
wahamba wayolungisa ukudla, wazenzela naye
okuncane enzela ukuthi akhululeke uLwah engabe
esedla yedwa. Wathi eseqedile wezwa umnyango
wasendlini yokugezela uvuleka, wasukuma esitulweni
sasekhishini wama ngezinyawo elindele uLwah.
Waphathwa uhlamvana lapho ebona uLwah esegezile
wazilungisa esemuhle ngalendlela abengayilindele,
kanti futhi umzimba wakhe onsundu ngebala
uyamuhalisa lapho uvela kancane ethawuleni
ayelibhincile elali ngavaleki kahle ngasemathangeni
akhe ngenxa yezinqa ezinkulu. Wayesebophe
nekhanda ngelinye lamathawula amancanyana,
77
wazizwa ephelelwa amathe emlonyeni uLindani,
ngangokuthi akabange esamubona uLwah esondela
eduze kwakhe waze wahlala esitulweni esiseduze
kwakhe.

"Uzodla noma uzolokhe umile nje?" kubuza uLwah

eseqalile ukudla.

Wezwa izwi seliqhamuka ngemuva kwakhe uLindani

kwayilapho ekhumbula ukuthi ubesedlala imicabango.
Amahloni amubamba ephenduka ngathi ubecabanga
into esile kanti ubecabanga ukungena ngaphansi
kwamathanga ka Lwazi, wamoyizela kancane ezama
ukuvala imibuzo eyayizolandela ngemuva kwalokho.
Isandla sakhe sabamba ingilazi enejusi ngokushesha
lapho esondela etafuleni lokuphekela ekhishini lapho
kuhlezi khona uLwazi. Wahlala ngaphesheya
kwetafula babhekana no Lwazi, yaphakama ingilazi
ephuza ujusi ngokukhulu ukukhombisa ukomiwa.
Ngaleso sikhathi wayengamunakile nakancane uLwazi
ngoba wayenake ukudla, into okukade wayigcina.

Kwakumukhanyela uLindani ukuthi uLwazi lona

wayeqinisile ngokuthi akaze akuthi mbibi ukudla
isikhathi eside, ngesikhathi ebona ekumimilita konke
78
ngokushesha ngathi akaze akuhlafune. Waqeda ipuleti
lakhe uLwazi waphakamisa amehlo akhe ebuka
uLindani owayehlezi ngaphambili kwakhe
ngaphesheya kwetafula lasekhishini, waphendula
ikhanda uLindani ngoba enzela ukuthi angabi
namahloni uLwazi okuthi ubemubuka sonke
lesisikhathi edla. Noma nje wayezitshela ukuthi wenze
ukudla okuningi ngokwanele, kodwa wabona ukuthi
wayezikhohlisa ngesikhathi ipuleti lika Lwazi
lihlanzeka ngokuphazima kweso.

"Ngingakusebenzisela lokhu okusepuletini lakho

Lindelani?" kubuza uLwazi.

Ephambanisa igama lika Lindani, wangakunaka lokho

uLindani kodwa waphusha ipuleti lahle ngesandla
elisondeza ngaku Lwazi. Naye akalindanga ngisho
ukuthi lize lifike eduze kwakhe, walihlangabeza
ngezandla washo ethatha isemishi elalingaphezulu
waqala ukuliluma edla. Wabheka phansi uLindani
ezama ukumunika isikhathi sokuthi adle kahle uLwazi.

"Oh, igama uLindani akusiye uLindelani." kusho

uLindani ebheke phansi.

79
"Ngiyaxolisa kakhulu bengingalizwanga kahle,
ngisabile ukubuza futhi ngoba ngisaba ukuthi uzothi
bengingalalele." kuphendula uLwazi nomthamu
emlonyeni.

"kanti akunankinga Lwazi ngiyaqondisisa." kuqhuba

uLindani ezibuka izandla zakhe.

"Khululeka Lindani. Anginawo amahloni okuthi

ungibuke ngidla. Ngiyathemba uyaqonda ukuthi
senginezinsukwana ngingakutholi ukudla okuphilile
njengalokhu ongenzele khona." kusho uLwazi ebuka
uLindani.

Kwafika ukumoyizela ku Lindani waphakamisa ubuso,

wajula ngobuhle buka Lwazi lapho eqeda ukugwinya
obekusemlonyeni. Izifaca zakhe zimufanela ngendlela
exakile, kanti namazinyo akhe angathi agibelene
awuhlanganisa kamnandi umlomo wakhe onezindebe
ezibomvana. Wayesejula ngokwazi ukuthi ngabe
zithambe kangakanani lezindebe uLindani, ukutholana
kwakhe no Mbali ngayizolo kwakumuphendula
isikhohlakali uqobo usekwazi ukubona izinto eziningi
80
ezigangile ngomuntu wesifazane. Wanciphisa ukudla
ngamawala uLwazi lapho esebona ukuthi uLindani
uyakujabulela ukumubheka edla. Wathatha ithishu
wasula umlomo wakhe, wayibeka eceleni kwepuleti.

"Unesandla esihle ebhodweni Lindani, uNkulunkulu

wakubusisa ngempela. Ngiyathemba nentombi yakho
iyaziqhenya ngawe, uyindoda elungile futhi
enempatho. Bengingazi ukuthi ungangenzela okuningi
kangaka ungangazi kodwa wafaka impilo yakho
encupheni wangisiza. Ngiyabonga Lindani,
ungibonisile ukuthi amadoda awafani emhlabeni."
kusho uLwazi.

Lawomazwi akujabulisa uLindani, esamoyizela kanjalo

elalele amazwi amnandi avela emlonyeni ka Lwazi.
Wasukuma uLwazi ethatha amapuleti eyowafaka
kusinki wokuwashela izitsha, eshiya uLindani
nesikhulu isifudumezi lapho ebona izinqa zakhe
ziqumbe ngaphansi kwethawula futhi kuvela kahle
nokwakhiwa kwakhe kahle amahibusi, ipakile
lentokazi, izinqa ezime kahle wayengangabazi ukuthi
uma engasondela azibambe lezinqa uLindani
wayengakuthokozela ukuzibamba ngendlela
zazimuhalisa ngayo ngaphansi kwethawula. Lanyakaza
kancane ipipi lakhe ngaphansi kwebhulukwe
lwamshaya uvalo lapho ezwa ukuthi useyavukelwa,
81
wasukuma wabheka emnyango kwikhawushi
ukuyovula umabona kude ezama ukususa imicabango
yakhe ku Lwazi.

"Angazi ke noma ubudinga ukuthi sikhulume manje

ngendaba yami noma sikhulume mase unesikhathi,
Lindani ngiyafisa ukuthi ungithembe futhi ungisize
ngoba ngiyabona ukuthi uwena umuntu ongavikela
mina nendodakazi yami." kusho uLwazi esuka ngemuva
kwetafula lokuphekela.

"Angazi ke noma ubudinga ukuthi sikhulume manje

ngendaba yami noma sikhulume mase unesikhathi,
Lindani ngiyafisa ukuthi ungithembe futhi ungisize
ngoba ngiyabona ukuthi uwena umuntu ongavikela
mina nendodakazi yami." kusho uLwazi esuka ngemuva
kwetafula lokuphekela.

Waphuthuma endlini yokugezela wabuya ngokushesha

esephethe lesikhwama sakhe esiqumbile, simusinda
nobukhulu baso wafika wasibeka phambi kuka
Lindani. Wathi uyaphakama lavuleka kancane
ithawula kwavela ingenhla lamathanga akhe kwasala
kancane ukuthi kuvele okuningi okujulile, ngenhlanhla
wayewahlanganisile amathanga akhe. Walibamba
82
ngokushesha ithawula uLwazi walibopha ethukile,
wabheka phansi eshawa amahloni.

"Lindani ngicela ukuthi uyithathe yonke lemali,

kuphela unikeze mina nomntwana wami impilo encono
futhi evikelekile. Ngiyakuthemba usukhombisile kimi
ukuthi ungumuntu engingamethemba, ukungiletha nje
endlini yakho esikhundleni sokuyomisa imoto ehlane
ungidlwengule noma ungibulale uthathe lemali kodwa
uye wangithatha njengomuntu ophilayo wangiletha
endlini yakho nginuka nginjalo." kusho uLwazi kwehla
izinyembezi emehlweni.

Wamubuka uLIndani wafikelwa usizi wangazi ukuthi

aphendule athini, waphakama wamubamba ngezandla
zombili wamusondeza kuye babukana ezinhlamvini
zamehlo. Waphakamisa isandla sakhe uLindani esula
uLwazi izinyembezi emehlweni, waphenduka naso
isandla sika Lindani uMbali lapho sisuka sishiya ubuso
bakhe esho ukusilandela. Wayesafisa ngathi
singaphinde simuthinte futhi lesisandla sika Lindani,
wazizwa efudumele futhi evikelekile uma eseduze
kuka Lindani.

83
"Ngicela ungakhali Lwazi, ngiyakuthembisa ukuthi
ngizokusiza ngakho konke okusemandleni ami
ngizozama ukuthi wena nendodakazi yakho nivikeleke.
Nginesicelo esisodwa kuphela kuwe, ngicela ukuthi
uyigcine wena lemali ngoba angifuni ukuthi ungithenge
noma ngenze into ngoba kukhona okwakho
okungakimi." kusho uLindani.

Wavele wasondela mawala uLwazi ku Lindani

wamubamba wamanga ngathi ukotela kuye, edonsa
umoya ngathi unamafinyila ngenxa yokuzama
ukuzibamba ukuthi engakhali. Kulokhu
kwakungasekhona ukuthi izinyembezi zosizi kodwa
kwasekuyizinyembezi zenjabulo. Babambana
isikhashana, bahlehlelana babukana futhi.

"Ngiyabonga Lindani imikhuleko yami izwakele

ekugcineni, kade ngangikhulekela ukuthona umuntu
ozongisiza njengawe kodwa akaze ngicabange ukuthi
kuzoba umuntu wesilisa." kusho uLwazi ehlala phansi.

Amathanga akhe asala obala lapho ithawula luvuleka

kancane liphushwa izinqa ngesikhathi ehlala phansi,
awabuke uLindani kodwa kungabi nayo inkinga
kakhulu ngoba base bekhuluma izindaba ezisemqoka
84
kakhulu. Wahlala phansi naye uLindani wabamba
uLwazi wamugona emathangeni akhe ngesingenhla
sakhe walala wabheka phezulu ehlanganise amathanga
ezama ukuvalela ithawula phakathi namathanga akhe.
Babukela umabonakude bobabili isikhashana wase
ecela indlela uLindani ukuyohlangana nabantu
owayebadinga, ukubala kubo uLethu no Mbali. Noma
ke uMbali sasingekho isiqiniseko sokuthi uzokwazi
ukumubona ngoba wayengazi noma baxabene yini.
Wahamba eshiya uLwazi endlini yakhe, wafonelana no
Lethu bahlangana khona esaluni ngezikhathi zasemini
sekuvaliwe kodwa wayesasele yedwa uLethu eqedela
ukubala imali elinde noLindani.

Wafika esephuthuma uLindani ezitshela ukuthi

uzomufica esehambile uLethu, ngoba wayesalele emuva
ngehora lonke. Lafika ithemba lapho ebona
singakavalwa isicabha sesibili esingaphakathi, wafika
wama ngaphandle wafona washo ukuthi usefikile
kodwa wathi uLethu akangene avale umnyango.
Ngempela wenza njalo wabona kungekho muntu
ngaphakathi, wamemeza ebiza uLethu owasabela
ngaphakathi ehhovisi.

"Ngingapha office Lindani, ngena!" kumemeza uLethu.

85
Waqonda kuwo umnyango uLindani wavula wangena
ngaphakathi, wathuka lapho ebona ulethu egqoke
ingubo emfushane eme ebhekene nesibuko lesi
wayezibuka kuso uMbali ngosuku lwesehlakalo.
Ingubo ka Lethu yayimukhipha wonke amathanga akhe
acwebezelayo ngathi agcotshwe uvaselina, nesikhumba
sakhe esikhanyayo wayehalisa ngokweqile. Wafika
wama uLindani ebuka uLethu ngaphandle kokukhipha
igama emlonyeni, wasondela kancane uLethu ebuka
uLindani emehlweni. Bahlangana baqabulana lapho
umthondo ka Lindani wawusuvele ubheke phezulu
ngaphansi kwebhulukwe, lwamushaya kancane uvalo
uLethu lapho ewuzwa umkhomba esibumbu
umthondo ka Lindani wanamathela kuye ngomzimba
wakhe.

Izandla zika Lindani zazisokhalo luka Lethu,

zimubambe ngemuva kweqolo lakhe. Wayenganayo
ifiga ebabazisa ngaleyondlela yena kodwa futhi
wayenganawo umkhaba noma otakwethu, izinqa
zazilingana naye nje zingenkulu kakhulu kodwa
zikhombisa ukuthi wakhiwe kahle. Waphosa ulimi
emlonyeni ka Lindani, walulandela uLindani
ngolwakhe badlala ngolimi ngathi kugaxelana
izintambo zezicathulo. Sehla isandla sika Lindani
sabangaphansi kwezinqa zika Lethu wamuphakamisa
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ngazo beqabulana, wayomuhlalisa phezu kwetafula
owayesizela kulo uMbali. Ahlukana amathanga akhe,
wangena phakathi nawo uLindani ibhulukwe
liqumbile ngathi lizodabuka.

"Lethu….." kusho uLindani ezama ukukhuluma.

Wavele wamuvala ngolimi emlonyenu uLethu ngoba

wayazi ukuthi noma ngabe yini afuna ukuyisho
izomosha yonke lento emnandi eyayenzeka phakathi
kwabo ehhovisi. Kwamusebenzela lokho uLethu ngoba
baqhubeka nokuqabulana, inkinga eyayisisele ukuthi
alizwe phakathi enquza yakhe ipipi lika Lindani.
Wanele wabona ukuthi ngathi uthatha kude uLindani
wabamba esisodwa isandla sakhe wasibeka ebeleni
lakhe esinye wasiphushela phakathi namathanga akhe.
Kwakuyisicelo esilula leso sokuthi (ngicela ungikopa
Lindani) kodwa ke uLindani wayedidizela ngalendlela
yokuthi akazanga ukuthi kumele senzeni lesandla
phakathi kwamathanga. Walibala ukuphulula
amathanga ka Lethu, nalesisandla esisebeleni lika
Lethu asiwenzanga kahle umsebenzi ngalendlela
owayelindele ngayo uLethu. Wezwa ngathi uncwilise
inquza yakhe emafutheni, ngendlela owavele wazizwa
endikindiki ngayo kwaphela nothando lwento
ababeyenza.

87
Ngenxa yokuthi wayemuthandile ngempela uLindani,
wazibambela yena evula uziphu webhulukwe
wakhipha umthondo ka Lindani owausuqine ngathi
ugodo lomkhonto. Wadedela umlomo ka Lindani
enqamula ukhisi wabo, walibuka ipipi lapho libheke
phezulu likhombisa ukuthukuthela nokudinga
ingquza. Laselize labomvana emzimbeni walo,
licwebezela ngathi elengane encane kanti imithambo
yalo yayicace ngokuphelele ivele ngaphandle.
Lamuthatha impela uLethu ngobuhle balo ipipi lika
Lindani. Wavele wacimeza wabheka ebusweni buka
Lindani baqabulana lapho ezwa umzimba ushisa
kakhulu kunakuqala eqhanyelwa ngamawala,
wamubamba ngemuva kwezinqa uLindani emusondeza
ngakuye, naye uLethu wasondela kancane
ngasekupheleni kwetafula ingubo yakhe yanyuka
mawala yahlala okhalo. Wabamba umthondo ka
Lindani ngesandla sakhe sokudla wawudlalisa
ezindebeni zenquza yakhe ewugudlisa phakathi nazo
ewuyisa phezulu ngase msunwini wakhe abuye
awehlise uyephansi ngasegolo ucishe uphoseke
phakathi. Waqina ngenye indlela emzimbani lapho
ikhinqi limushisa kamnandi phakathi nezindebe
zenquza yakhe, uLindani yena kwamushayisa ngovalo
oluhamba nenjabulo ukuzwa ukuthi uLethu
ubengaligqokile iphenti sonke lesisikhathi.

88
Wazinwaya ngomthondo ka Lindani uLethu ngathi
uziphathele umthondo wesandla, equma emlonyeni ka
Lindani ngathi uphefumulela phakathi emlonyeni.

"Mmmh MMmmh Mmmmmncwaa mmmmh

mmmmncwaaa mncuuuu!" kunanela imilomo yabo.

Nokuqabulana kwabo kwase kwehlukile kunalokhu

besaqala, wazibamba ibele lakhe lesinxele uLethu
ngesandla sakhe ngathi uzosuka nalo eliqinisa lapho
uLindani usenamathele ku Lethu waze wabambelela
kuye. Impela wayengazi ukuthi kumele enzeni
ngezanda zakhe, wayengasenandaba nalokho uLethu
ngoba wayekwazi ukuzinwaya ngomthondo wakhe
noma ngabe yena akamuthinti ngendlela ayidingayo.

"Ngizohoooooo Mhuuuuuuu ashunaaaaaa aaaah

mncwaaaaaaa!"

Ezama ukukhuluma uLethu kodwa wabuye

wazinqamula ngenxa yobumnandi owayebuzwa
bakheka emzimbeni wakhe nasesibumbu sakhe
esasidabulwa umthondo kamnandi maphakathi
nezindebe zengquza yakhe. Wadedela umlomo ka
89
Lindani babhekana emehlweni ekhamisile uLethu
ngathi ulindele isipunu uzofunzwa ukudla, isandla
sakhe siyanyakaza nomthondo ka Lindani phakathi
namathanga akhe kunyuka nesivinini azinwaya ngaso.
Wagxhuma wabamba uLindani wamuqabula ngathi
ulwa nazo izindebe zakhe.

"Aaaahhhhhaaaa Shiiiiiiiii AWUUUU STHANDWA!!!

Mmmmmh hoooooooooo!!!"

Wachama ngathi akaze achame eminyakeni eyishumi

eyedlule uLethu, waqhaqhazela wabambelela ku
Lindani lapho edonsa umoya ehefuzela. Ephelelwe
ngamandla waqamela esifubeni sika Lindani walalela
ukushaya kwenhliziyo yakhe ngathi kusemjahweni
wamahhashi. Wanamathela kuye emuthandela
ngemilenze yakhe emunamathelisa emathangeni akhe.
Babambana ngathi basinde engozini thize, washelela
umthondo ka Lindani waphoseka egolo lika Lethu
elimanzi. Wavula amehlo uLethu waqethuka
wabambelela ngezandla zakhe ngemuva kwakhe phezu
kwetafula.

"HAWE!!! HAWU!!

90
Kwaqhaqhazela amathanga akhe ezivulekela ezibuka
phakathi namathanga akhe umthondo ka Lindani
uphakathi ngekhanda, wama ngathi ushawe ugesi no
Lindani washokheka bathuka bobabili babukana
amathanga ka Lethu evevezela ngathi uyagodola.
Wezwa uLindani umthondo wakhe uvukuza phakathi
egolo lika Lethu, wakhala kakhulu uLethu ngathi uzwa
ubuhlungu.

"WUUUUUUU! WUUUUUUU! WUUUUUU!

HAAAAAAA!!!"

Wathi ukufenda kabili uLindani wawubhoncula

wawukhomba kuyo ingquza ka Lethu wachama
sikhihlika isidoda sakhe sagcwala phezu kwezindebe
zenquza ka Lethu intokazi yase Ngwelezane. Esinye
isidoda sachithekela phashi sathela nebhulukwe lakhe
ngasedolweni uLindani kodwa akabonanga,
wahefuzela uLethu wakhombisa uLindani umnyango
wasendlini encane. Wanikela khona uLindani
nebhulukwe lisemathangeni, ebambe umthondo wakhe
omanzi ngalesi esinye isandla, wawusula waqede
wadlulisa ithawula ka Lethu naye wazisula inquza
yakhe washawa amahloni uLethu wehla etafuleni
walisula nalo isidoda sasesichithekele kulo.
91
Wakhohlwa ukusula phansi, babukana emehlweni
akekho owakhuluma nomunye wehlisa ingubo yakhe
uLethu. Wathatha izikhwama zakhe wakhipha iphenti
lakhe kwesisodwa isikhwama waligqoka wazilungisa
waphuma kuqala ehhovisi walandela uLindani
bahamba ngokwehlukana uLindani esebheke
emotweni yakhe uLethu esaya ebhange.

Bagcinana lapho ke bephuma emnyango wase saluni,

wacela ukumuhambisa ebhange uLindani kodwa wala
waphetha uLethu ngenxa yamahloni ayemukhungethe.
Wayengazi naye ukuthi uzokhuluma liphi igama ku
Lindani ngemuva kwalento ababeyenzile. Khona
wayemuthanda ngempela uLindani futhi ngabe
unamanga uma engathi akazange acabange ngokuba
nomndeni no Lindani futhi nje wayemubona eyindoda
emulungele yena nekusasa lakhe. Wasusa imoto yakhe
uLindani ngokukhulu ukujabha, wadlula kwesinye
isitolo sezingubo zabantu besifazane. Wafika wacela
omunye wabasebenzi bakhona ukuthi amusize
ngezingubo zokugqoka, walinganisa ngenye intokazi
eyayisesitolo eyikhasimende ukuthi uthengela umuntu
ongakanani emzimbeni. Inqondo yakhe yayisazibuza
ukuthi kwenzakalani ngaye kodwa akazange ayithole
impendulo ngoba vele wayengayazi. Wathola
upulasitiki osulayishiwe wezimpahla nemali
owayefanele ayikhokhe, akazanga ukuthi zimpahla zini
zona lezi ezimubize imalo engaka R3875.95 kodwa
92
wakhokha wathatha wabonga kulentokazi eyamusiza
wayinika uR100.00 yabonga kakhulu wahamba. Uthe
efika endlini kuthulekile ngathi akukho muntu,
wakhuphukela ekamelweni wathola uLwazi ulele
umbathile. Uvele ngekhanda lakhe ngaphansi
kwengubo, wama emnyango uLindani ebuka uLwazi
elele embhedeni yedwa. Wamushaya unembheza
wokuthi kade kwenzeka ezinye izinto edolobheni,
kodwa wabuye waziduduza ngokuthi akamukweleti
lutho uLwazi ngoba nemali yakhe akayithathanga.
Wangena ekamelweni wabeka upulasitiki phezu
kwetafulana waphuma wavala umnyango, waya
kwelinye ikamelo eliseceleni wangena kulo wakhumula
ibhulukwe nesikibha sakhe wangena endlini
yokugezela, washaya amanzi isikhathi eside. Waqeda
ukugeza wazisula wahlala kancane ecabanga waze
wajumeka phezu kombhede ebhince ithawula kuphela.

Wavuka ekuseni esengaphansi kwengubo, nebhulukwe

lakhe abeligqoke ngayizolo lingasekho phezu
kombhede lapho elishiye khona, waqalaza kuvaliwe
emnyango sekusekuseni ilanga langesonto. Wavuka
embhedeni wayongena endlini yokugezela washaya
ishawa efudumele waqeda wazisula. Wayovula
wodilophu wakhipha amaphijamu ezivakashi wagcoka
ibhulukwe lakhona i_anda yakhe abelele ngayo
wayifaka kubhasikidi wezimpahla wagqoka enye
entsha. wavula umnyango efuna ukuphuma
93
ekamelweni, nokuyilapho wadotshwa khona umucu
wengoma yokholo okungenye yezingoma azithandayo.

"Ngizolibonga!"

"Ngizolibonga!"

"Ngizolibonga!"

"Elakho Igama!"

Kwamushayisa ngovalo ukuzwa lowomucu osho

ngezwi elimtoti, mayevela phezulu kwezitebhiso ebuka
phansi umabonakude ucishile kanjalo nomsakazo.
Lomucu uqhamuka ngasekhishini, ikhishi lakhe
lalingabonakali ke mawuphezulu esitezi kwakuphoqa
ukuthi akehle ukuze ezobona ukuthi lolunqambothi
lomucu laluqhamuka ngakuphi. Wathi lapho ephumela
ngasekhishini nje wazithela ku Lwazi efulathele
ebheke ngakusinki ewasha amabhodwe, etafuleni
kugcwele isidlo sasekuseni esishunqa isimoko
sokufudumala. Esathuswe ilokho uLIndani,
waphenduka uLwazi engasemuhle kanjena egqoke
ingubo ecwebezelayo ephinki ngombala,
wamamatheke.

94
"Ngiyaxolisa, ngikuphazamisile yini ngokucula?"
kubuza uLwazi.

"Ya… hhayi ngiyalithanda leloculo, kanti ngimangele

ukuthi ucula kamnandi kangaka bengingalindele."
kusho uLindani esondela ezohlala esitulweni.

"ngiyabonga kodwa ngiyaziculela nje hhayi ukuthi into

engijwayele ukuyenza lena, ukuthi nje ngijabulile
ukubona ukuthi ngathi ngizoqala kabusha impilo yami
lapha eduze kwakho." kusho uLwazi.

"Ngiyathokoza ukuzwa lokho Lwazi nami ngathi

ngizokujabulela ukuhlala nawe." kusho uLindani.

Aphume uLwazi ngemuva kwetafula lokuphekela,

ebheke ngaku Lindani. Kwaba ukuvela kwakhe nje,
uLindani waphelelwa amathe emlonyeni, lengubo
ecwebezelayo yayinamathele emzimbeni ka Lwazi
ngathi akagqokile lutho noma yakhelwe kuye.
Izibhukuza zamathanga ansundu zisele ngaphandle,
wakhamisa uLindani lapho uLwazi ezomubamba
emanga ezithuka enamathela ngekhanda emabeleni ka
Lwazi. Phela umanga nje uhlezi esitulweni kanti yena
95
uLwazi ume ngezinyawo, lokho okwenza ukuthi
ikhanda lika Lindani libe maqondalna namabele akhe
uLwazi.

"Ngiyabonga ngezimpahla, ngiyazithanda zonke.

Uwaze kanjani usayizi engiwugqokayo?" kubuza
uLwazi.

Akaphendulanga uLindani ngenxa yokuphazanyiswa

ubuhle owayebubona phambi kwakhe, waphakamisa
izandla zakhe wabamba ukhalo luka Lwazi lushelela
kamnandi ngaphezu kwalengubo yakhe ayeyigqokile.

"Ngithe nje angiyigqoke le ngubo ngoba ingenye

yezingubo ongithengele zona, ukukhombisa ukuthi
ngizithokozela kangakanani. Yazi ngisho nami akaze
ngizithengele izingubo ezinhle ngaloluhlobo, wena
ngathi sewungaze iminyaka. Ngiyaqala ukugqoka
ngizizwe ngimuhle ngalendlela selokhu ngaba
nomntwana nje. Ngathi ngingashuthwa ngivele
kumabonakude." kusho uLwazi ehleka kancane.

"Lwazi bengingazi ukuthi lengubo izokufanela

kangaka, yazi ngathi ngibukela umabonakude kuvela
96
intokazi yaphesheya kwezilwandle uqobo." kusho
uLindani.

Wakhophozela uLwazi lapho ezwa lawo mazwi

ephuma emlonyeni ka Lindani, izandla zakhe
zisamubambile uLindani ngenhla kwamahlombe.
Waphakamisa ikhanda uLindani athi ukunamathela
amehlo akhe ezingonweni zika Lwazi ezazibonakala
ngaphansi kwengubo zicije kancane, laphakama
ikhanda lika Lindani emuva kwesikhashana.
Kwahlangana amehlo akhe naka Lwazi egobise intamo
ebuka ngasemabeleni akhe lapho kunekhanda khona
lika Lindani. Washawa amahloni kancane uLindani
ebona ukuthi uLwazi kungenzeka ubonile ukuthi
ubejulela izingono zakhe.

Babukana isikhashana wasondela kancane uLwazi,

nekhanda lika Lindani lazisondelela wacimeza uLwazi
no Lindani avaleka amehlo akhe bahlangana ngemilomo
baqabulana. Ulimi lika Lwazi lwagijima phezu
kwezindebe zika Lindani ngesikhathi kuhlangana
izindebe zabo kwangena udebe lwangezansi emlonyeni
ka Lwazi walwamukela waluvalela emlonyeni wakhe
kanjalo no Lindani wavalela udebe luka Lwazi
lwangenhla emlonyeni wakhe. Esalalele ukuthamba
kwezindebe zika Lwazi nokushelela kamnandi kwazo
phela zazigcotshiwe ngovasenina, wezwa kukhona
97
into emuthinta kamnandi odebeni lwakhe
olungaphakathi komlomo ka Lwazi waqhanyelwa wafa
umpipi wabheka phezulu.

"MMMMMMH MMHHH!"

Wafikelwa ukuquma phakathi komlomo ka Lwazi,

wayengasafisi ukuthi imilomo yabo ihlukane ngendlela
owayekuthokozela ngayo ukuqabulana no Lwazi.
Impela wayengasenandaba nokuthi kwenzakalani,
isidlo sasekuseni esasiphezu kwetafula sasingamane
siphole ngoba wayengasasicabangi neze. Kwaphinda
futhi kwagijima ulimi luka Lwazi phezu kodebe
lwakhe owayeluqabula sakulunambitha uLwazi
wezwa kuduma izindlebe kuba manzi i_anda yakhe
ngaso leso sikhathi. Akekho owamutshela ukuthi
akabambe uLwazi amasondeze eduze kwakhe,
wamudonsa ngamawala ngathi uzowa naye
banamathelana baqabulana ngokushesha ngathi kade
bagcina ukuqabula bobabili. Wasukuma uLindani
wama ngezinyawo kodwa lutho imilomo yabo
ukuhlukana, kwakungathi ihlanganiswe ngomuthi
wezicathulo.

98
Kwaba ukuhlangana kwabo ngemizimba wezwa
kushisa isibumbu uLwazi lapho ezwa umthondo ka
Lindani umugudlula ngaphezu kwesibumbu sakhe,
sehla isandla sika Lindani sagamanxa ngaphansi
kwezinqa zika Lwazi. Zanyuka nengubo ka Lwazi
eyabhalansa ukunyuka lapho ifika ezithendeni zezinqa,
yayinamathele lengubo ku Lwazi yayingadingi izandla
ezijahile kodwa yayidinga isineke ukuze izokhuphuka.
Wazama kaningana uLindani kodwa wehluleka wavele
waphakamisa izandla zakhe uLwazi ngathi usesikoleni
ubuzwe umbuzo uthisha, yazeqela yona ingubo yakhe
izinqa yahlala maphakathi nazo. Zazinkulu izinqa zika
Lwazi ngangokuthi zazimuheha uLindani ngathi
wayezobhebha zona uqobo.

Wafikelwa ukujuluka okuncane lapho ezibamba izinqa

zika Lwazi ngemuva ngathi uzovele asuke nazo
azihlephule ahambe nazo, waze wacokama uLwazi
ephakamiswa izandla zika Lindani ezaziqukula izinqa
zakhe. Amehlo abo evalekile ngathi abasahaleli
ukuphinde bewubone umhlaba, wasehlisa isandla
sakhe uLwazi wabamba ingaphambili lika Lindani
wezwa umthondo ukhululekile uqondile ubheke
phezulu. Loluhlobo lwama_anda amasha luyadayisana
vele sdalo, wezwa ngesandla esifudumele sesimuthinta
umthondo wakhe ngaphansi kwebhulukwe lokulala
elilula. Waphefumula ngamawala ngathi kade egijima.

99
Waphuthuma ngesakhe isandla naye ebamba isibumbu
sika Lwazi, kwamumangaza ukuthi akadilozele
uLwazi, wazithela phezu kwesibumbu sika Lwazi
ezwa ukuhlofozela kwezinza zika Lwazi ezincane.
Lapho kwakungathi umthondo wakhe uzovele uqhume
ke ukuqhanyelwa, baphushana bobabili bediyazela
bedakwe ukhisi. Impela babengazi nokuthi bahlehlela
ngakuphi kodwa uLwazi wayesethembe yena uLindani
ngoba azi ukuthi uyayazi indlu yakhe ngeke
amuphushele entweni ezomulimaza. Bahlehla nje
imilomo isahlangene, babuye beshintshane ngezindebe
kodwa abukho ubumnandi owayebuzwa uLindani
obabumuhlanyisa njengalobo obabenziwa ulimi luka
Lwazi phezu kwezindebe zakhe. Noma wayengakwazi
ukuqabula nokuthi kuhlukene kanjani kodwa
wayengangabazi ukuthi uLwazi umpetha
kwezokuqabulana.

Wayezwa ngaye imilingo nezinhlansi ezaziqhasha

ekhanda lakhe lapho eqabulwa ngu Lwazi,
okwakukhombisa ukuthi akayona imfunda makhwela
kulomkhakha uLwazi. Washawa amahloni amancane
lapho ezwa ukuthi inquza ka Lwazi yayisimanzi
ngokweqile, saphuma isandla sika Lindani sijuza ujusi
wenquza ka Lwazi. Wayengazi noma lomthondo
wakhe uzomunelisa yini uLwazi njengoba enomzimba
100
omangalisa ngalendlela nje. Baphosana kwikhawushi
belandelana uLwazi ngaphansi uLindani ngaphezu
kwakhe, wamubamba wamugona wena owabona
isikhukhukazi sifukamele amatshwele aso. Wancwila
uLindani phakathi kwezibhukabhuka zika Lwazi
wezwa kufudumala isifuba sakhe lapho sinamathelana
namabele ka Lwazi. Waphusha ibhulukwe lika Lindani
ngezandla zakhe zombili uLwazi wasala izinqa
zingaphandle uLindani.

Kwaba ngathi uyasangana uLwazi lapho ezwa

lomthondo ka Lindani umuguda kubhontshisi wakhe
wamubamba wamupoqoza uLindani ngathi inhlwathi
iphuma amathambo esilwane ezosimimilita.
Waphefumula ngamandla ngathi isifuba sakhe
siyasinda, kwakudansa naye uLindani engaphezu kuka
Lwazi ehla enyuka kanye nokuphefumula kwakhe.
Wafaka isandla uLwazi wabamba uMthondo ka
Lindani wawuphosa phakathi egolo lakhe,
waphuthuma ngezandla zakhe ngathi ushokhwa ugesi
ebamba ukhalo luka Lindani emulawula ukuthi
engafendi ngamawala. Wamudonsa emuncenga ehla
kancane kancane naye ngezandla zakhe uLwazi,
wawungena ngekhanda kuphela umthondo ka Lindani
nakhona lingena kanzima.

101
Wawungafunga ukuthi inquza yetshitshi elilahlekelwe
ubuntombi balo ngayizolo, akakungabazanga uLindani
ukuthi uLwazi kudala wagcina ukubhejwa noma
ukufakwa ngisho umunwe enquza. Wezwa ngathi
ikhinqi lakhe liyasha lapho kuqhuma izinyama zenquza
ka Lwazi zimuvulela ukuthi angene, wacimeza uLwazi
wabamba uLindani ngesandla sakhe sagamanxa
ngemuva kwentamo.

"Mmmhh MMHhhhh Mmmh! Shuuuuuuu! Mhhhhh

Awuuuu!"

Kuquma uLwazi ngaphansi kuka Lindani, impela

wayezwela ubuhlungwana kodwa futhi wayengazisoli
ngokuthi abuzwiswe ngu Lindani lobo buhlungu
owayesedlule kubo eminyakeni eyedlule ngesikhathi
owakhulelwa ngaso undodakazi wakhe. Nokho
uLindani wayeyindoda enesineke futhi eyayizwela
mayibona omunye umuntu esezinhlungwini.

"Mmmhh MMHhhhh Mmmh! Shuuuuuuu! Mhhhhh

Awuuuu!"

102
Kuquma uLwazi ngaphansi kuka Lindani, impela
wayezwela ubuhlungwana kodwa futhi wayengazisoli
ngokuthi abuzwiswe ngu Lindani lobo buhlungu
owayesedlule kubo eminyakeni eyedlule ngesikhathi
owakhulelwa ngaso undodakazi wakhe. Nokho
uLindani wayeyindoda enesineke futhi eyayizwela
mayibona omunye umuntu esezinhlungwini.

Okwakumududuza kakhulu ukuthi uLindani lona

wayesekhombisile ukuthembeka kuye uLwazi futhi
nokuthi akafisi ukubona okubi kumehlela
kwakusekhanda lakhe. Wayemethemba uLindani
ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke noma nje babesanda
kubonana kodwa kuningi okwasekubakhombisile
ukuthi bona bobabili babezozwana futhi kakhulu.

Saphakama isandla sika Lwazi sayohlala ngenhla

kokhalo lalomlisa osanda kusindisa impilo yakhe,
waqala ukumubaba ngendlela ekhombisa uthando
waqinisela wakhohlwa izinhlungu wezwa ngathi
ziyashabalala lapho uLindani ewuphusha wonke
umthondo wakhe ewugcwalisa igolo lika Lwazi.
Amehlo akhe azivalekela kanjalo nawahle uLindani
avaleka bahlangana ngezifuba banamathelana,
kwasekuphakama zona izinqa zika Lindani zibuye
zehle mayefenda. Wezwa iqolo lakhe uLwazi lishisa
ngathi uthelwe ngamanzi abilayo emhlane, washo
103
ukugxhuma akotele ku Lindani. Wakubona lokho
uLindani kwenzeka, walalela ipipi lakhe ukuthi
lihamba kuyiphi indawo ekujuleni kwenquza ka Lwazi.
Izandla zika Lwazi zaseziqinile ngemuva
kwamahlombe ka Lindani wawungafunga ukuthi
izinzipho zokhozi zibambe itshwele, waqhaqhazela
amathanga nomzimba wahefuzela ngathi ubuya
emjahweni wezintokazi eziqhudelana ngendebe
yomhlaba.

Wamudonsela phezu kwamabele akhe engafisi ukuthi

lesikhathi simedlule sokulalela ukuthunda kwakhe
kokuqala emhlabeni, wezwa igolo lakhe linamfuka liba
manzi ngangokuthi kwaze kwehlela ezithendeni
zezinqa zakhe. Lwasho phezulu uvalo ku Lindani
ngesikhathi ezwa kudikiza phakathi namabele ka
Lwazi eshawa uvalo futhi nomzimba wakhe unyakaza
ngendlela emangalisayo, wakhe wama nokufenda
ezama ukuthi engawavali amehlo ngoba ezimisele
ngokubona konke okwakwenzeka phakathi kwakhe
no Lwazi. Esekubonile lokho kwamenza waqhanyelwa
kakhulu kunakuqala, wayengakaze empilweni yakhe
yonke abone umuntu wesifazane ezizwa ngalendlela
uma elele naye uLindani. Kwakungesiyo nje kuphela
inhliziyo ka Lwazi eyayikhombisa ukujabula kodwa
nomzimba wakhe wonke, indlela owayenyakaza ngayo
lapho kungena kuphuma umthondo ka Lindani egolo
lakhe kwakungathi umugwaza umzimba wakhe wonke
104
ngendlela owayepaquza ngayo. Eziphula iqolo lakhe
epeqa ezelula ngathi uzwela ubuhlungu khona lapho
ngathi uzwa umhlane uyaluma noma isisu sakhe
sihanjwa zintuthwane.

Amehlo wona ayevaleke ngathi awasoze avuleka futhi,

uLindani yena wayezama ukuthi engawavali amehlo
akhe ngoba kwakumuchaza kakhulu ukubuka uLwazi
enyakaza ngalendlela futhi nomthondo wakhe
wawuzwela obunye ubumnandi, nokho wayezibuza
ukuthi kwenziwa yini ukuthi engachami ngokushesha
ku Lwazi ngoba kubobonke abantu besifazane
owayeke walala nabo ngaphambilini wayengayiqedi
imizuzu eyisihlanu esigabeni sokuqala. Ku Lwazi
kwakuhlukile konke, wezwa amehlo akhe evaleka
emuva kwesikhathi eside beshikashikana no Lwazi
izinzipho zika Lwazi zimunwaya kamnandi emhlane
wakhe kungaphumi nelilodwa igama emlonyeni ka
Lwazi ngaphandle komphefumulo owawuhambisana
nezwi.

"MMMMH MMhhhhh ooooohhhhh shuuuuuuu

hoooooooooooh!"

105
Kwakuvele kube ngathi kuduma ikhanda ku Lindani
mayezwa lowomkenenezo wezwi lika Lwazi lihlaba
ezindlebeni zakhe, futhi wayengangabazi ukuthi
uLwazi lona wayemuthokozela phakathi kwamathanga
akhe. Yaphambana ngemuva kwezinqa zika Lindani
imilenze ka Lwazi yakhiyelana ngezinyawo zakhe,
babambana ngathi bawa ebhilidini eliphakeme kakhulu
bobabili bayesaba angazi ukuthi ubani ozothinta
umhlabathi kuqala.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
HOOOOOOOOOOOH!"

Kumemeza uLindani eqhaqhazela phezu kuka Lwazi

emufenda ngamakhulu amawala, wamubamba
ngemuva kwezinqa zakhe ngathi ufuna
ukumuphakamisela phezu emususe kwikhawushi
amuqukule andize naye. Wakotela kuye no Lwazi
ngesikhathi ezwela amagagasi egijima eqolo lakhe
negolo lakhe liphenduka likhombisa ukuphefumula
kwashisa izindebe zakhe zoma wazama ukuzikhotha
kodwa kwafana. Waze wazibamba ngamazinyo
angenhla udebe lwakhe lwangezansi ngathi kukhulu
ubuhlungu abuzwayo, ikhanda lakhe lase ligamanxe
ehlombe lika Lindani behlangene ngezihlathi.

106
"AWEMAH! HAWUUUUHU!!! HOOOOOO Wuuuu
Wuuuuuu AAAAhh!!!"

Kumemeza uLwazi ebambelele ku Lindani

emunamathele ngesibumbu sakhe, no Lindani
enamathele engene ngomthondo wakhe wonke egolo
lika Lwazi waze wabhajwa ngamasende. Ayekhombisa
ukushwabana amasende ka Lindani aphinde eluleke
ngesikhathi ephusha isidoda esidilivela egolo lika
Lwazi, kanti yoni inquza ka Lwazi yayilibamba ngathi
iyalinambitha ipipi lika Lindani. Bobabili abakaze
bawuzwe lomuzwa ngaphambilini, bawa ngemizimba
yabo phezu kwekhawushi ikhathala ikhombisa
ukuphelelwa amandla. Balala ngathi bafile bebambene
kanjalo izandla zika Lwazi emhlane ka Lindani
emukonkoshele, kanjalo noLindani izandla zakhe
zaziphambana ngaphansi kuka Lwazi.

Wabonakala enyonyoba uMbali eyongena emotweni

yakhe yohlobo oluphambili sekuyizikhathi
zantambama, etofozana nefoni yakhe ngokukhulu
ukukhombisa ukuntshontsha lokho. Eqalaza engaqedi
wama ngathi ushawa ugesi lapho ebuka inamba ka
Lindani efonini yakhe eyikhombe ngesithupha sakhe
kuloluhlobo lwamafoni amasha, athintwa ngeminwe
107
angenawo amabhathini. Kwase kusele ukuthi ayithinte
ngaso isithupha leso ukuze azoshayela uLindani,
kwasekumnyamana phandle kodwa nezibani
zaphandle zase zikhanya lokho okwakwenza ukuthi
imoto yakhe ikhanye phakathi kubonakale konke
okwakwenzekayo emotweni. Washawa uvalo uMbali
wavele wabeka ifoni yakhe phansi ngaphandle
kokushayela uLindani, wawa ngesiphongo sakhe phezu
kwesiteringi semoto yakhe ekhala edlala imicabango
eyayigijima ekhanda lakhe lapho ezibuza ukuthi kahle
kahle yena ufunani empilweni yakhe.

Yebo, wayemuthandile yena uLindani kodwa futhi

yayingekho into engenzeka phakathi kwabo bobabili
ngoba uMbali lona wayeshadile enendoda
engusomabhizinisi omkhulu lapha endaweni
yaKwaZulu-Natal. Babenomuzi khona edolobheni
ngasolwandle endaweni yase Meerensee lapho kuhlala
khona ondlebe zikhanya ilanga kuphela nabanye ke
abantu abansundu abadla izambane likampondo,
wayecabanga kabanzi ukuthi uzokwenzenjani uma
engabanjwa ukuthi ujolela uThemba ngoba
wayemuthanda kangaka nje futhi emenzela noma yini
ayidingayo. Kwahlengezela izinyembezi lapho
ecabanga ngakho konke asekwenzelwe ngu Themba
selokhu waqala nje ukuba lapha emagcekeni ako
Mbatha. Kodwa ngoba wayemuhalela uLindani futhi
naye wayekufisa nje ukuba seduzane kwendoda
108
enomzimba omuhle njengoka Lindani, wayehlala efisa
ukuzwa ukuthi kunjani ukubanjwa indoda enezinyama
izimasela, wayefisa ukuzwa nje ukuqina kwazo, ukuthi
kunjani ukuqamela esifubeni esinezibele ezithensile.

Phela wayegcina ngokubona komabonakude

ezithombeni kunezinsizwa ezinemizimba emihle
ngokulingene kamnandi. Abelungu lapha
emasabhabhini babenazo izimasela kodwa umzimba
wabo ungalingani, kodwa konke kwavele kwaphelela
ku Lindani ngosuku lokuqala nje emubona umzimba
wakhe wawulingana kahle izimasela zona zihambisana
nomzimba wakhe nesisu esincane ngathi asikho.
Wayevele ebikelwa ukuthi kungenzeka ukuthi kuno
sikisiphekhi ngaphansi kwehembe lakhe
owayeligcokile ngosuku owayemusiza ngalo esaluni
elimele.

"Kwanele manje ngemicabango engayi ndawo,

kuphakathi kokuthi ngiyaya ku Lindani manje noma
angiyi sdalo phela angaze abuye uThemba mina
ngibhizi ngidlala imicabango engeke ingisize ngalutho."

Kusho uMbali ekhuluma yedwa emotweni yakhe,

wacosha ifoni yakhe wayivula yakhanyisa ubuso bakhe
109
wakhomba inamba ka Lindani eyayiphezulu wabe
eseyithinta ngomunwe wabeka endlebeni walinda,
yakhala kaningi ifoni ka Lindani kodwa lutho
ukubanjwa. Waphinda futhi wafona ephindelela waze
wathi esefona okwesithathu, wezwa kukhona umuntu
onokha ewindini lemoto yakhe wathuka yawa ifoni
yayongena esihlalweni sangemuva. Waphenduka
ngokushesha ebuka ewindini, wazithela phezu kobuso
buka Themba esehline ngathi uxhoshwe insipho
emehlweni. Waqalaza isikhathi uMbali washawa uvalo
uma ebona ukuthi usehlale amahora amabili wonke
lana ngaphandle emotweni elibelwe ukucabangana
nokuthi afone noma engafoni. Sekuze kwabuya
uThemba emsebenzini ophuma ngehora leshumi
ebusuku, kodwa ke nokho usebenzela khona lapha
eduze ehabha vele akuthathi sikhathi ukuthi afike
emzini wakhe.

Kwaba ngathi uyaphupha uLindani, ephupha ifoni

yakhe ikhala wanyakaza kancane naye esekhohliwe
ukuthi ulele phezu kuka Lwazi. Wezwa kungathi
kukhona omuphephetha ipipi, wathuka waphaphama
waqalaza wabona umnyango wasekhishini uvuleki
sekumnyama phandle. Mayebuyisa ubuso bakhe
wabona uLwazi ungaphansi kwakhe ulele kamnandi
izandla zakhe zimubambe ngemuva uLindani,
waphakama wazibuka ngezansi epipini lalimanzi
kwehla uketshezi egolo lika Lwazi okukhombisayo
110
ukuthi ikhani liphuma ipipi lakhe phakathi.
Wakhumbula ukuthi konje ulale beqeda ukubhebhana
washawa amahloni kancane wezwa ikhanda lakhe
lisinda ngathi uphethwe ibhabhalazi, wasukuma phezu
kuka Lwazi ngesineke enzela ukungamuphazamisi
wayokhanyisa ugesi waphuma wayoqoqa izimpahla
zakhe phandle wabuya nazo sezigcwele ubhasikidi
wezimpahla wangena wavala umnyango wasekhishini.

Wabuyela eduze kwekhawushi wafike waguqa

ngamadolo eduze kuka Lwazi wamubamba ngesandla
sakhe phezu kwehlombe wamunyakazisa kancane,
kodwa lutho uLwazi ukuvuka. Waphinda futhi
wamunyakazisa ebiza igama lakhe ekhulumela phansi
ngathi uyehleba.

"Lwazi! Lwazi!"

Wavula amehlo uLwazi wamamatheka lapho

ephendukela ngaku Lindani emubuka ngamehlo
agcwele ubuthongo.

"Hey Lindani, kwenzakaleni?"

111
Esho ngezwi eliphansi kanti ithanga lakhe elilodwa
lisaphezulu lapho kuncikwa khona mawuhlezi
kwikhawushi elinye lilele phezu kwekhawushi
umlenze uqondile, waziqalaza ezwela umoya obandayo
esibumbu nasezinqeni. Washawa amahloni lapho
ebona ukuthi isibumbu sakhe esinonile singaphandle
wathuka wavuka wazidonsa ingubo yakhe eyehlisela
ezansi, wazibamba ubuso ngezandla zombili ngathi
uyabusula enamahloni.

"Hhayi akwenzakalanga lutho Lwazi, sivele sajumeka

salala khona lana ngemuva koku…"

Kusho uLindani abuye asabe ukuqhubeka nokuchaza

ngokwenzekile phakathi kwabo bobabili, wasukuma
wama ngezinyawo wangazi ukuthi enzenjani noma
ahlale eceleni kuka Lwazi okanye ahambe amushiye
yedwa khona lapho kwikhawushi ngoba phela
wayengazi noma naye uzomenza njengazo zonke
izintokazi aseke wahlangana nazo lapha edolobheni
selokhu ebuyile nje. Wamushiya elele yedwa uMbali
ngemuva kokuthi bebhebhene, uLethu yena akazange
amukhulumise sdalo ngemuva kokuthi bebhebhene.
Lokho kwakumucabangisa okufanayo naku Lwazi.

112
"Ngicela uhlale phansi Lindani."

Kusho uLwazi ephakama ebamba uLindani ngezandla

zakhe zombili ngenhla kwamahlombe, wathi
ukushawa uvalo uLindani ngoba wayengakulindele
ukuthi uLwazi akhulume naye kamnandi ngaleyandlela
ngemuva kokubhebhana bengathandani. Wamubheka
emehlweni uLwazi, ayesabomvu amehlo ka Lwazi
esakhungethwe ubuthongo. Basondelana ngobuso
baqabulana uLwazi ephusha ulimi lwakhe eluphosa
emlonyeni ka Lindani ngaphambi kokuthi kuvalelane
izindebe zabo, wacimeza uLindani no Lwazi wacimeza
babambana banamathelana. Wezwa izinqa zakhe
zibanda uLwazi amathanga akhe efudumala ngathi
kukhona okumuhambayo, wathuka wadedela uLindani
wabuka lapho behlezi khona wabona kumanzi
wazithinta ngemuva kwezinqa zakhe wezwa
kunamfuka sabuya isandla sakhe sinamafushana
anamfukayo.

"Hawu Lindani, ngeke kumele ngiyogeza ngincolile

phela mina. Kanti intombazane akumele ihlale incolile
neze nje, angifuni ukukunukela futhi lapha endlini
yakho. Ngicela ukulungisa lomonakalo esesiwenze lana
kulosofa bese ngiyogeza, kodwa okwamanje ngicela
113
wena uyogeza ukuze mina ngizokwazi ukulungisa
lomonakalo esiwenze kulosofa."

Kusho uLwazi ethukile ebheke usofa osalelwe isidoda

sika Lindani, lokho kwagcwalisela imicabango yakhe
ngo Lwazi ukuthi uyintokazi ehlukile ngempela
kwezinye izintokazi. Wayengakungabazi ukuthi
uLwazi ukhuliswe kahle ekhaya kubo ngemfundiso
okuyiyona yona, wazizwa eyindoda emadodeni
uLindani. Akasichithanga isikhathi wahamba
wayongena ekamelweni lakhe, wathatha izimpahla
ezihlanzekile zokulala wazibeka phezu kombhede
wakhe zishwabene zinjalo wase engena endlini
yokugezela washaya ishawa isikhashana eside ezibuza
imibuzo eminingi ukuthi uzokwenza njani manje ngo
Mbali no Lethu ngoba wayezwa ukuthi inhliziyo yakhe
isithanda uLwazi manje. Noma kunjalo kodwa
impendulo akayitholanga, kwakuzothatha izinsuku
ukuthi aphume nesinqumo kulento ngoba
kwakusekuningi owayengakwazi ngo Lwazi.

Wavala amanzi eshaweni wathi ukuma imizuzwana

enzela ukuthi amanzi avuze emzimbeni wakhe
ngaphambi kokuthi ayozisula ngethawula elikhulu,
wavula umnyango weshawa kugcwele isitimu samanzi
ashisayo phela kwakusasebusika. Wavula ifasitela
elincane lasendlini encane kwashaya umoya obandayo
114
sadamuka isitimu, wathatha ithawula elikhulu
wazisula umzimba nezinyawo zakhe. Waphuma
eseyoshintsha izimpahla zokulala, wafica amaphijama
lawa abewabeke phezu kombhede ese ayiniwe amahle.
Waqalaza ecinga uLwazi kodwa akekho ekamelweni,
wamoyizela uLindani wavuma ngekhanda. Wagqoka
wafaka lezimpahla bezigqokile kubhasikidi
wezimpahla, waphuma ezilungisa ngenhla isikibha.
Wezwa kukhala amanzi ekamelweni abelele kulo
ngayizolo, nakanjani kwakungu Lwazi ke lowo
wamoyizela wadlula ehlela ezansi ngasekhishini.
Wafica ukudla kunqenqa isitimu sokufudumala,
uLwazi esekufudumeze kabusha.

Wahlala etafuleni waqala ukudla wasukuma ethatha

ipuleti lakhe eyohlala kusofa efuna ukubukela
umabonakude, kwamumangaza ukubona ukuthi nosofa
ebebelele kuwo no Lwazi wawusulungisiwe ngathi
akaze kwenzeke lutho kuwo.

"Lwazi ungubani wena kanti? Awusiyo nje ingelozi

ethunyelwe emazulwini?"

Kusho uLindani ekhuluma yedwa, kwehla unyembezi

olulodwa esweni lakhe lesinxele. Kwakuyizinyembezi
115
zenjabulo, phela akaze aphathwe kanjena empilweni
yakhe yonke. Waphuma ekamelweni ulwazi esegqoke
kahle enye yezingubo zokulala wase ebhinca ithawula
ngezansi, kwakungathi ugqoke ishethi ngenhla
ngezansi ubhince ithawula kuphela. Wehla eyothatha
ukudla phezu kwetafula lokuphekela maqede
wayohlala eduze kuka Lindani owayehlezi kuwo losofa
okade belele kuwo. Babukela umabonakude wadla
uLwazi wathi esezoqeda wasukuma uLindani
wayobeka isitsha sakhe wabuya no asikhilimu efufake
esitsheni sakkhona esincane nesipunu, wafika
wawubeka phambi kuka Lwazi wase emuphuca ipuleti
lakhe lokudla wamangala uLwazi ukuthi
kwenzakalani. Wabona ngo Lindani ethatha isipunu
abedla ngaso ulwazi wakha ukudla epuletini
wamamatheka uLwazi ejabuliswa ukubona ukuthi
uLindani ufuna ukudla naye ukudla kwakhe, wathuka
lapho ebona isipunu siphakama epuletini singayi
emlonyeni ka Lindani kodwa sibheke ngasemlonyeni
wakhe futhi sisondela ngokushesha okukhombisa
ukuthi wayemufunza uLindani.

Wahlukanisa imihlathi uLwazi evula umlomo wakhe

ededela isipunu ukuthi singene emlonyeni wakhe,
wasivalela wasidonsa sabuya sodwa uLindani
wamamatheka uLwazi ezibamba umlomo ngesandla
sakhe sesinxele emangele. Wafunzwa ukudla kwaphela
waphuziswa isiphuzo esibandayo maqede wafunzwa
116
u-asikhilimu owawuphezu kwetafulana elaliphambi
kwabo, kwehla izinyembezi ku Lwazi lapho kugida
injabulo enhlizweni yakhe. Wazizwa ekhululeke
kakhulu kunakuqala, wayesethole injabulo ekugcineni.
Baqeda ukudla bahamba bobabili beyowasha izitsha
kusinki wasala ezisula uLindani lapho uLwazi
ephuthuma ukuqoqa ukudla okwakusetafuleni ekufaka
efilijini. Babambana ngezandla wacisha ekhishini
uLindani banyuka bebheke phezulu esitezi bobabili,
bama phakathi nawo amakamelo bezibuza
ngemicabango ukuthi sisekhona yini isidingo sokuthi
balale ngokwehlukana? Wadedela isandla sika Lindani
uLwazi wangena ekamelweni obekulele kulo uLindani
ngayizolo emudedela ukuthi yena abuyele eyolala
ekamelweni lakhe langempela.

"Ulale kahle Lindani namuhla angazi ngingathini

kodwa ungenze ngazibona ukuthi ngibaluleke
kangakanani njengomuntu wesifazane, angiseyona
intombazanyana nje kodwa sengingusisi wangempela
futhi ngiyazigqaja ngokubonana nawe. Uyindoda
elungile Lindani, ngalokho uJehova uyokukomelisa
ngempilo ende futhi ethokomele."

Kusho uLwazi efulathela uLindani engena ekamelweni,

wavala umnyango ngaphandle kokulindela impendulo
ka Lindani. Konje yayikhona yini impendulo
117
eyayidingeka kulokhu okwakushiwo ngu Lwazi?
Ukuthi "ngiyabonga"? Vele wayengeke agcine lapho
uLindani, waphenduka naye wangena ekamelweni
lakhe wavala waqala endlini yokugezela eyoxubha
amazinyo akhe. Waqeda waphuma wavala umnyango,
wathi mayephenduka ebheka embhedeni wakhe
wazithela ku Lwazi ehlezi phezu kombhede ka Lindani
emise idolo elilodwa leli elingaku Lindani omunye
umlenze uqondile. Ezimboze ngethawula abelibhincile,
wamamatheka wabuka uLindani.

"Ngeke ngikudedele ulale wedwa Lindani kumakhaza

kangaka, woza uzolala eduze kwami."

Kusho uLwazi edonsa ithawula eliphakamisela

phezulu kwavela izibhuakabhuka zakhe zamathanga
ezibusheleleze, lelishethana owayelibona uLindani
kwakuyingubo yokulala emfushane egcina ezithendeni
zezinqa zika Lwazi. Waphelelwa amazwi uLindani
wasondela kancane embhedeni wagibela ngedolo
walala eceleni kuka Lwazi, waphenduka naye
babhekana emehlweni.

"Lindani angifuni ukukukhohlisa nokukuchithela

isikhathi, ngiyakuthanda kusukela ngiqala ukukubona
118
ngangazi ukuthi wena ungowami. Angifuni ukuthi
uzibuze imibuzo eminingi ukuthi kwenzakalani
phakathi kwethu sobabili, ngiyakuthanda mina futhi
ngifisa ukuthi umntwana wami akhuliswe nguwe
njengobaba wakhe. Ngiyazi ukuthi noma ngingafa
kusasa kodwa ngizobe ngimushiye ezandleni
ezifudumele."

Kusho uLwazi ebambe isihlathi sika Lindani, wathi

uvula umlomo wakhe uLindani efuna ukuphendula
wavele wamufaka ulimi emlonyeni uLwazi baqabulana
wavula amathanga uLwazi wamudonsela phakathi
uLindani ingubo yakhe yokulala yazinyukela yona.
Wezwa efudumala kamnandi uLindani phakathi
namathanga ka Lwazi.

Bathi ukuma kancane uLwazi ebuka uLindani

emehlweni kodwa lutho ukukhuluma, wayelindele
ukuthi kuphume izwi uLindani kodwa ke nokho
akazange athole nelilodwa igama. Kunalokho wezwa
izindebe zakhe sezifudumala futhi esemuqabula
uLwazi, naye wabuyisela eqabula uLwazi. Wezwa
amasende akhe ekhukhumala ngokushesha
eseqhanyelwa, ngenxa yokuthamba kwebhulukwe
lokulala, kwabalula kakhulu ukuthi uLwazi awuzwe
119
umthondo ka Lindani ukuthi usuvukile ngesikhathi
usumugudluza umunamathela esibumbu sakhe
esasingaphandle ingubo isihlezi ngenhla kwezinqa
zakhe. Wayenganandaba nokho ngoba vele inhloso
yakhe enkulu kwakuyikho ukujabulisa uLindani,
waphuthuma ngesandla sakhe phakathi nesibumbu
sakhe kanye namasende ka Lindani ayengaphansi
kwebhulukwe lokulala. Wasifaka isandla sesinxele
sibheke ngakuye wanele wafika phakathi nesibumbu
sakhe nokuqala kwebhulukwe lokulala lika Lindani
wasiphendula isandla sabheka ngaku Lindani sivulekile
ngathi ukhangeza ukudla akunikwa umama wakhe
osewadlula emhlabeni.

Amehlo ka Lindani avuleka wonke lapho ezwa isandla

sika Lwazi simuphulula amasende akhe angaphansi
kwebhulukwe lokulala, wamugudlulela eceleni
uLindani ngoba wayazi ukuthi ngeke akwazi
ukubamba umthondo ka Lindani ngokuthanda kwakhe
uma engaphezulu kwakhe. Amathanga ka Lwazi
ayemakhulu, ebushelelezi futhi enezimasela
ezihlangene, wawungafunga ukuthi uyajima noma
udlala ibhola lomnqakiswano. Kwaba ukuqamela nje
ngehibusi lakhe uLindani ethangeni lika Lwazi
lesokudla, wezwa isandla sika Lwazi simudlalisa
kamunandi umthondo wakhe ngathi siyawunwaya
ngaphezulu kwebhulukwe lokulala.isandla sokudla
sika Lwazi samudonsa ngemuva kwentamo uLindani
120
simubuyisela emlonyeni wakhe uLwazi baqhubeka
nokuqabulana. Waphefumulela emlonyeni ka Lindani
uLwazi ngesikhathi ezwa ukulinda komthondo
owawunyakaza phakathi nesandla sakhe,
wasiphakamisa kancane isandla sakhe ngathi uyasisusa
emthondweni ka Lindani. Wabuye wasiphusha saya
ngezansi sangena ngaphansi kwebhulukwe lika
Lindani, wawuthola ulenga umthondo ka Lindani
uqinile ukhombe yena uLwazi.

Wadonsa umoya ngathi unemibuzo eminingi

azoyibuza, lasala kanjalo ibhulukwe lika Lindani lihlezi
ngezansi kwezinqa wawudlalisa kancane futhi uLwazi
umthondo ka Lindani wase eshintsha indlela
awudlalisa ngayo. Wathi ukuwuthinta ikhinqi
ngomunwe wakhe wagxhuma uLindani ngathi
uzondiza kwanqamuka nokhisi wabo, wahefuzela
uLindani waphakamisa ikhanda lakhe ngathi uzobuka
phakathi nodonga olwalingenhla kwamakhanda abo.
Wathuka kancane no Lwazi ngoba wayengazi noma
umulimazile yini uLindani, kodwa wabona engasho
lutho wamubamba ngemuva kwezinqa ngaso lesandla
esikade siqhalisa umthondo wakhe, kwangena isandla
sokudla kwaba isona esesibamba umthondo ka Lindani
wawukhomba enquza yakhe eyayivalekile izindebe
zayo. Phela wayeqeda ukugeza noma wayesechamile
kodwa izindebe zenquza yakhe zazikufihlile lokho
wawungafunga ukuthi ezengane encane, wathi
121
ukuwugudlisa phezu kwezinsa zakhe ezincane
umthondo ka Lindani ngokukhulu ukucophelela
lazibuyela lona ikhanda lika Lindani waxhuma umlomo
wakhe koka Lwazi baqabulana ngokuphuthuma ngathi
bayalwa ngemilomo.

Bacimeza bobabili esalalele lowo mlingo uLindani

owawenzeka epipini lakhe owawuvele kube ngathi
kukhona umuntu omuphala emhlane kancane kancane
lapho uLwazi ehambisa umthondo phezu kwezinsa
zakhe, wavele wawuphushela ezansi kancane uLwazi
umthondo ka wahamba phezu kwezindebe zenquza
yakhe. Wayeseqonde ngathi ushawe ugesi uLindani
elindele ukuthi umthondo wakhe ungangena noma
inini phakathi egolo lika Lwazi kodwa wawujikisa
uLwazi ngaphambi kokuthi uyogijima ngaphandle
kwegolo lakhe. Zanxapha izindebe zenquza ka Lwazi
zivuleka zadedela amafutha amhlophe ayevaleleke
ngaphansi kwazo, kwafudumala ikhinqi lika Lindani
ngokushesha wezwa nomthondo wakhe sewushelela
kamnandi kanti usugijima phezu komsunu ka Lwazi.
Wavula amehlo uLindani wabuka uLwazi ngaleso
sikhathi wanqamula ukhisi wabo, akazange awavule
amehlo uLwazi ngemuva kokunqamuka kokhisi wabo.
Izindebe zakhe zazinyakaza ngathi uyahlisa, ikhanda
lipaquza ngathi alinantamo.

122
Isandla ngemuva kwezinqa zika Lindani sasimubambe
ngqi, sinyakaza kancane sidlalisa isihlathi esisodwa
sezinqa zika Lindani. Waphinde wehla umthondo
nesandla sika Lwazi wayolunguza egolo waphinde
wanyuka kwaba ukufika ngaphansi kobhontshisi ka
Lwazi, izinyawo zakhe zagxhuma zahlala ngemuva
kwezika Lindani emunyathela ngemuva kwamadolo.
Waphakamisa umzimba wakhe uLwazi ngathi ufuna
ukunamathelana no Lindani waphinde wawehlisa
ehambisana nokunyakaza komthondo phakathi
nezindebe zenquza yakhe. Noma kanjani akusiyona
lento eyayenziwa ngu Lethu ku Lindani lena, ngendlela
uLwazi owayeyobayoba ngayo wawungafunga ukuthi
umthondo usuphakathi ngempela. Wawuphusha futhi
ewehlisa umthondo uLwazi njengoba kade enza,
inquza yakhe yase imanzi ngalendlela engakaze
ibonakale kwase kumuhlophe ngisho izinza eziphezu
kwezindebe zenquza yakhe. Washelela umthondo
ngathi uyawa kanti usehlulekile ukuzibamba uLwazi
ngemuva kokuwuphushele ezansi umthondo akabange
esabuya nawo, wahayiza ngathi unyathelwa ithaya
lemoto uLwazi wabamba uLindani ngezandla zombili
ngemuva kwezinqa wamukotela.

Akathandanga ukulindisa intokazi uLindani, waqala

wanyakaza kancane ephakamisa izinqa zakhe ezehlisa
efenda. Yayimanzi inquza ka Lwazi ngendlela yokuthi
akabuzwelanga ubuhlungu njengalesikhathi besaqala
123
ukubhebhana esofeni, kodwa wayezizwa ejabule futhi
umzimba wakhe ungathi uyakitaza ngangokuthi
wazithuka esehefuzela ngomlomo kuphuma nezwi.

"Mmmh mmmhhh haaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaaa aaaaaaah"

Equmela phansi uLwazi ngathi usaba ukuphazamisa

omakhelwane, kusenjalo waphusha izandla zika
Lindani wazibeka phezu kwamabele akhe
ayizindumbuluza agcwele isifuba. Zawabamba
zawaqinisa izandla zika Lindani ngathi uyawakhama
kuzophuma ubisi, wakweqa amehlo uLwazi ngathi
umuntu ophelelwa amandla esibhedlela. Wakhamisa
laphakama ikhanda lakhe ngathi ufuna ukudla
ihedibhodi ngomlomo wakhe, wabona ithuba uLindani
lokuthi naye ake azame ezinye zezinto owayezenza
nesithandwa sakhe sakudala uMpume Sibiya. Wehlisa
ikhanda lakhe wahlala phezu kwentamo ka Lwazi
ngezindebe zomlomo wakhe wamuqabula entanyeni
enyuka nayo kancane kancane engamile ukufenda
kwakhe, kwakuhambisana konke akwenzayo uLindani
ngoba phela wayebukeka engajahile neze ngesikhathi
efenda. Wayehamba kancane engene ngomthondo
wakhe wonke egolo lika Lwazi uze ubhajwe
ngamasende linyakaze phakathi igolo lika Lwazi
kululeka izindonga zegolo libuye zifinqane zijabulela
umthondo ka Lindani.
124
Izindebe zika Lindani phezu kwentamo ka Lwazi
zazihamba zize zibuye ngasekuqaleni kwezinwele
zakhe, wayezwa ubumnandi obumangalisayo uLwazi
kwakungathi ubhejwa abantu abathathu bonke
abaziyo ukuthi umuntu ngamunye ubhekene nayiphi
indawo phakathi kwegolo lakhe elaligcwele umthondo,
amabele akhe ayenamathelwe izandla ezimbili
ezazibhizi nezingono zakhe zibuye zimubambe
umzimba wamabele akhe ngathi ziyawakhama, bese
kuzoba intamo yakhe eyayiqabulwa kamnandi.

"haaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaaaa aaaaaaaah aaaaaaah

mmmhnaaaa!!"

Lavele lazinyukela izwi lika Lwazi waqala

ukuzamulela phezulu, kwavele kwaduma ikhanda ku
Lindani phela ayikho into eyayimuqhanyelisa
njengezwi lika Lwazi nanendlela owayenyakaza ngayo
mabebhebhana. Waveza ulimi kancane uLindani
walugijimisa phezu kwentamo ka Lwazi lapho
emuqabula, waphendula ikhanda uLwazi eyobayoba
kuhle kwexoxo elithelwe ngosawoti. Zaphakama
izandla zakhe zabambe ikhanda lika Lindani ngesineke
zahambisana nalo ngesikhathi liphenduphenduka
phezu kwentamo, waphakamisa umlenze wakhe
125
owuwodwa uLwazi wawunqaka ngesandla sakhe
sokudla. Kwaba ngathi uyamubongela ke lapho
uLindani, wakhuphula isipiti sokufenda watshekisa
umzimba wakhe ngathi ulalela kulomlenze wesinxele
owawugamanxe kowakhe umlenze wadedela ibele lika
Lwazi lesokudla wabamba lomlenze ondiza emoyeni.

Wafenda ngathi umthondo uwuthumela ehibusini lelo

lomlenze ondiza emoyeni, wavula amehlo uLwazi
wabuka uLindani emehlweni ngathi umangele.
Wabamba intamo ka Lindani wamudonsela ebusweni
bakhe wamuqabula ngamawala babambana ngathi
bahlanganiswe ngomayibuthe, wazithuka esenyakaza
kancane no Lwazi evekuza ngaphansi kuka Lindani
lokho okwakwenza ukuthi umthondo ka Lindani
ungene wonke ugcwale ikhona lakhe njalo nje
mayefenda ewufaka egolo lika Lwazi umthondo wakhe.
Wachama ephindelela uLwazi eduzane, waze wafisa
ngathi engakuzwa lokho nakulolu olunye uhlangothi,
wayengasazi phela uLindani noma kulungile yini
ukuthi ashintshe isitayela. Ngokukhulu ukucophelela
uLwazi wamubamba uLindani wamuphushela kulo
lolunyawo olundiza emoyeni, waludedela no Lindani
wabuyisela izandla zakhe phezu kwamabele ka Lwazi
wawadlalisa izingono ngokushesha umthondo wakhe
usuhamba kancane ngathi ushaya isilomoshini wena
owabona imuvi kumabona kude.

126
"Hawuuuuu Aaaaaaah Oooooooh Aaaaah!"

Kumemeza uLwazi esanganiswa umsebenzi wezandla

zika Lindani phezu kwamabele akhe, okunye nakho
kwakumuhlanyisa uLwazi kodwa amabele akhe wona
wayefundiswe kahle uLindani ukuwadlalisa. Impela
kwakumele amubonge uMbali owamubonisa ukuthi
amabele athintwa kanjani ngoba wayemusanganisa
azulelwe inqondo uLwazi, waphakamisa lomunye
umlenze wakhe uLwazi wesinxele wawundizisa
emoyeni wadonsa ikhanda lika Lindani waliphushela
phezu kwebele lakhe. Zazicijile izingono zika Lwazi
zibheke phezulu ngathi amabele etshitshi ligodola
ebusika emdlalweni, wayiqhwanda ngolimi uLindani
eyodwa yezingono zika Lwazi kwathi akasangane.

"Eeemfuuuu Uuweeeehhhh!"

Edonsa umoya ngathi uyawuphanga uLwazi

esanganiswa ulimi luka Lindani olwalugijima phezu
kwengono yebele lakhe lesokudla eqamele kulo.
Waqala futhi ukufenda njengasekuqaleni umthondo
ewubhekise kulelinye ikhona lika Lwazi, wachama
127
ngaso leso sikhathi uLwazi waqhaqhazela wabamba
ikhanda lika Lindani walicindezela phezu kwebele
lakhe. Wathi ukuvaleka umlomo namakhala uLindani
waphelelwa umoya engasakhoni ukuphefumula ibele
lika Lwazi ligcwele ubuso bakhe wama nokufenda
wachama ulwazi walalela nezimpempe ezazikhala
ekhanda lakhe wapaquza uLindani ekhombisa
ukuvimbeka waphuhla uLwazi laphakama ikhanda
lakhe wadonsa umoya mawala amehlo akhe
esemhlophe qwa. Kwehla unyembezi olulodwa ku
Lindani esweni lesokunxele, wahleka kancane uLwazi
wavele waphusheka umthondo ka Lindani waphuma.

Waphelelwa ubuthongo uLethu phakathi kwamabili

ngemuva kokuphupha ulindani emufulathela, wavuka
ehefuzela ngathi ubephupha ehujwa isilwane
esesabekayo. Wasukuma wama ngezinyawo phezu
kwawo umbhede wakhe wabamba ikhanda esejuluke
nokujuluka ebusweni, waqalaza ebuka izindonga
zekamelo lakhe engakholwa ukuthi ubephupha
ngempela. Wehla phezu kombhede waphuma
ngomnyango ebheke endlini encane, wangena wavala
umnyango wabambelela ngezandla zombili kusinki
wokuwasha izandla. Uvalo lwathi ukumushaya esaba
ukuzibuka esibukweni, kungathi inqondo ihambile
ehefuzela emangele futhi exakekile. Kwaphakama
128
kancane ikhanda lakhe evale amehlo wabhekana
nesibuko esisodongweni esincane esiveza ubuso
kuphela esiyisivalo sekhabethe elincane elibeka izinto
zokugeza. Wawavula kancane amehlo wabuka
esibukweni wamamatheka, wazithinta ikhanda lakhe
elalishuqulwe ukuvikela umluko wakhe obizayo.

Kwabuya amathemba eziduduza ngenhliziyo ukuthi

ubephupha futhi konke lokhu akubonile ephusheni
kungamampunge, phela ithemba lakhe lisamile ukuthi
yena noLindani basazoba ndawonye futhi bazoba
umndeni ojabule.

"Noma kanjani Lindani uzoba ngubaba womntwana

wami wena, angeke ngimithele enye indoda
ngaphandle kwakho."

Kusho uLethu ekhuluma nesibuko, wawungafunga

ukuthi umi phambi kwakhe uLindani umutshela lawa
mazwi. Wazihleka lapho ekhumbula ukuthi ukhuluma
yedwa ngangokuthi waze waphimisela wahlekela
phezulu, waze wathuka wazibamba umlomo ngesandla
sakhe. Wavula amanzi empompini wawakhongozela
ngezandla zakhe zombili wawasha ubuso bakhe
ngamanzi abandayo, wama wazibuka ubuso bakhe
129
bugijima amanzi eyoconsela phansi wamamatheka.
Wayejabuliswa ukubona ubuhle bakhe
esibukweni, wazisula ubuso bakhe masinya wavala
amanzi wasula naphansi lapho beme khona maqede
waphuma esebuyela ekamelweni lakhe.

"Lindani! Lindani!"

Kumemeza uLwazi ezintathakusa enyakazisa uLindani

kodwa lutho ukuvuka umfoka Mbambo. Wayeshaya
obude ubuthongo ekhathele ngemuva kokubhejiswa
kamnandi, wabona uLwazi ukuthi uyahluleka ukuvusa
uLindani wavele wavuka ngesineke enzela
ukunganyakazisi umbhede wabuyisela kahle ingubo
ukuze engambuleki uLindani. Waphuma ekamelweni
wavala ephethe ingubo yakhe encane ngesandla
abeyigqokile, wangeka kuleli elinye ikamelo wazivalela
ngaphakathi waphosa ingubo yakhe phezu kombhede
wayongena endlini yokugezela. Wavulela amanzi
ashisayo eshaweni wawalinga ngesandla ukuthi ashisa
kangakanani, wezwa esabanda walinda isikhashana
kodwa lutho ukushisa amanzi kunalokho ayefudumele.
Akabange esazihlupha ngokuvulela abandayo wageza
ngawo lawo mpompi okhipha ashisayo kuphela.
Waqeda ukugeza wama esibukweni wazibuka
umzimba wakhe omanzi ugijima amanzi wamamatheka
wacabanga ukuganga kodwa, lokhu ahlale ekubona
130
komabonakude izintokazi zizithela ngamanzi
zigqokile wanikina ikhanda wadonsa ithawula
wazesula umzimba wonke.

Akabonanga uLindani ukuthi uselele yedwa

embhedeni, wayekhathele ngempela phela
kuyakhathaza ukubhebhana nomuntu okubusisayo
enhlizweni futhi umzimba wakhe negazi lakhe lizwana
nelakho. Waphuma ekamelweni uLwazi esegqoke
ingubo yakhe esenuka kamnandi wehla izitebhisi
ebheke ekhishini, isikhathi sasikhomba ukuthi ihora
lesithupha ekuseni kodwa ke ngenxa yokuthi
kwakusebusika kwakusemunyama phandle. Waqonda
ngasemnyango wasekhishini uLwazi wampumputha
odongeni ecinga ibhathini lokukhanyisa, wabona ngoba
sekukhanya ukuthi uselitholile. Wamamatheka
wadansa kancane edlalisa isifuba sakhe esigcwele
amabele, wangena ngemuva kwetafula lokuphekela
wakhipha amabhodwe wawabeka ngaphandle,
wawawasha waqala ukulungisa isidlo sasekuseni
washaya izibiliboco zomhlaba waqeda lapho
wakhumula iphinifa lokupheka waligaxa esipikilini
sakhona esifakelwa odongeni wakhuphuka ebuyela
ekamelweni eyovusa uLindani.

Kwathi engena nje emnyango wafica uLindani ezisula

umzimba ngethawula elikhulu kwavele kwamucacela
131
ukuthi kade egeza, wamamatheka wamubuka kancane
ngamehlo amancane ngathi uyozela. Wabheka phansi
ekhophozela, wazifihla ukhalo nobudoda bakhe
uLindani lapho ebona uLwazi etheleka endlini
engalindele.

"Ngiyaxolisa ukukuphazamisa kodwa bengithi

ngizokuvusa ngoba bengizitshela ukuthi usalele."

Kusho ulwazi ebheke phansi, wavele wamoyizela

uLindani lapho ebona ukuthi impela lana uthole
umakoti wakusasa kodwa ke wayengazi noma kumele
amutshele manje ukuthi uyamuthanda noma alinde
kancane kuhambe isikhashana. Wabhinca ithawula
wasondela ku Lwazi, wamubamba ngezandla zombili
wamubuka emehlweni emoyizela.

"Ngiyabonga ukuba nawe kuyisibusiso kimi, ngithe

ngiyavuka ngabona ungekho ngase ngithi angigeze
ngokushesha khona uzothi mawubuya nje
ngikwamukele ngezandla ezifudumele futhi
ezihlanzekile ngoba angifuni ukukunukela he he he."

132
Kusho uLindani echukuluza uLwazi ngama gama
okugcina, wamamatheka uLwazi wamubuka
ezinhlamvini zamehlo wathi ukuqinisa izandla zakhe
ebamba ezika Lindani.

"Awuve unochuku njalo, uzothini mina mase

ngikunukela ke? Haha"

Kusho uLwazi encokola naye etshekisa umlomo wakhe

kancane ngathi uyachiza, wavele wahleka uLindani
wamudonsa emusondeza eduze kwakhe. Babambanela
eduzane banamathelana ngesingezansi nangezifuba,
babukana kancane wawabalekela amehlo ka Lindani
uLwazi wabheka eceleni.

"Ngiyakujabulela mina ukunukelwa nguwe Lwazi,

ngoba njengamanje awuve unginukela kamnandi.
Uyakwazi ukukhetha amakha azokwenza uzwakale
njenge mbali eqhakaze namuhla engakahlalwa
nangeyodwa inyosi lena. Sondela lana mbali yami
yohlobo oluphambili."

133
"Ngiyakujabulela mina ukunukelwa nguwe Lwazi,
ngoba njengamanje awuve unginukela kamnandi.
Uyakwazi ukukhetha amakha azokwenza uzwakale
njenge mbali eqhakaze namuhla engakahlalwa
nangeyodwa inyosi lena. Sondela lana mbali yami
yohlobo oluphambili."

Kusho uLindani ngezwi eligcwele injabulo esondeza

uLwazi ngekhanda kuye, bahlangana ngemilomo
baqabulana ngesineke ngathi bayasaba ukuthi
bazoncibilika njengeqhwa. Wezwa kukitaza phakathi
namathanga akhe uLwazi, wavele wawahlukanisa
kancane ngathi uyagxhamalaza. Wanamathela
uLindani ezoshayisa esibumbu sika Lwazi ngobudoda
bakhe obabuphusha ithawula. Wehlisa isandla uLwazi
wasibeka okhalo luka Lindani wamudonsela kuye
ngathi akanelisekile ukuhlangana kwabo ngesinga
phambili sabo, wezwa kushisa igazi lakhe
waphefumulela emlonyeni ka Lindani. Wanamathela
naye uLindani ephusha umphambili wakhe
ewunamathelisa ku Lwazi ngathi ufuna ukushiya
umaka, wazithuka esefenda kancane khona bemile
kanjalo.

Lokho kwamusanganisa uLwazi ngangokuthi waze

wachama wazisola ukuthi ubeligqokelani iphenti lakhe
elisha elafika kanye nezimpahla owazithengelwa ngu
134
Lindani, labamanzi ngaso leso sikhathi iphenti
likanokusho waze wafisa nokuthi amucele ukuthi ame
kancane khona ezokhipha iphenti kuqala ngoba
wayezwa ukuthi liyamosheka kodwa wesaba ukwenza
lokho. Waqinisa isandla sakhe ngemuva kokhalo luka
Lindani emudonsa emuqinisa ngathi ufuna
ukumuvalela phakathi namathanga akhe, zehla izandla
zika Lindani zangena ngaphansi kwengubo ka Lwazi
wezwa ethinta iphenti kwagxhuma inhliziyo yakhe
phela kade wayefisa ukuthi ake ehlise iphenti ku
Lwazi.

Wanele wezwa ukuthi kunephenti wavele wadonsa

ingubo ka Lwazi wayiphakamisela phezulu efuna
ukuyikhipha ngenhla, bama kancane ukuqabulana
esacimezile kancalo uLwazi waphakamisa izandla
zakhe wayikhipha ingubo uLindani wayiphosa phezu
kwesitulo esisekhoneni lekamelo lakhe. Kwaba
ukuphendula nje ubuso bakhe ebhekana noLwazi
wamuhlala ngezindebe zakhe uLwazi baqhubeka
nokuqabulana, wacimeza uLwazi naye uLindani
avaleka amehlo. Wabamba ithawula ngesandla
esisodwa uLwazi walihlubula waliphosa phansi
baphushana bebheke embhedeni, wafika uLwazi
waphusha uLindani wamuwisela embhedeni
ngomhlane wase emkhomba ngesandla sakhe
esinyakazisa emutshengisa ukuthi akakhuphule
nezinyawo zakhe zibe sembhedeni. Wayelele ebheke
135
phezulu uLindani, wagibela uLwazi wahlala phezu
kwakhe maqondana nomthondo ka Lindani
owawusuqinile uqhansa imithambo ngaphandle.
Walala phezu kwakhe ngokusaba ngoba ezitshela
ukuthi uzomusinda uLindani, wasondela ngobuso
baqabulana wavele wamubamba uLindani
wamunamathelisa kuye ngokukhulu ukukhululeka
lokhu naye uLwazi wadedela umzimba wakhe
wanamathela ku Lindani ngamabele nesisu.

"Mhhhhhh Mncwaaaaa Mhhhhhh Mncwaaaaa"

Kuquma uLwazi ezwa kugijima igazi lakhe umzimba

wonke, wafaka isandla phakathi namathanga akhe
ayegamenxe emaceleni kwamahibusi ka Lindani
wabamba umthondo wawuqondisa egolo lakhe
wawufaka wagcwala igolo ngaso leso sikhathi wahlina
ebusweni ngathi usontwe ingalo uzwela ubuhlungu.

"Ooooohhh Shuuuuh"

Ezamulela phansi ngathi uyesaba uLwazi, wasikhipha

isandla sakhe wabuyela ngobuso bakhe ebusweni buka
Lindani baqabulana babambana beginqana embhedeni
136
bephendulana ngathi bayashosha phezu kombhede
kodwa bengafendani, umthondo wawuzifendela wona
ngesikhathi bephendulana. Babambana banamathelana
wabuyela ngaphazulu uLwazi wabeka izandla zakhe
emaceleni kwekhanda lika Lindani waphusha izinqa
zakhe waziyisa emuva wena owabona itekisi lihlehla
elenkeni. Wabuye wazidonsa izinqa zakhe ngathi
ufuna ukuyothinta inkaba ka Lindani ngomsunu
wakhe, wabuye wahlehlisa izinqa zakhe futhi
umthondo wagcwala igolo lakhe wabheka phezulu
wacimeza wazamula.

"Oooohhh mmmmh shiiiiiii mfuuuuuuuuh haaaaaaa"

Wayobayoba uLindani ngaphansi ebamba izandla,

amabele, umhlane ka Lwazi engazazi naye ukuthi
ufuna ukumbamba ngakuphi. Wafaka isandla sakhe
uLwazi ngaphansi kuka Lindani wamubamba ngemuva
kweqolo wamudonsa ngathi uyamuphakamisa
emukhombisa ukuthi akafende, naye ke wazifica
wanyakazisa iqolo lakhe ehambisana nokunyakaza
kuka Lwazi.

"Uuuuuuh Oooooh Uuuuuh"

137
Kuzamula uLindani ngaphansi abuye aphakamise
intamo nekhanda lakhe aqabule izingono zamabele ka
Lwazi, wachama kathathu uLwazi ngaphambi kokuthi
baphenduke uLindani abe ngaphazulu kuka Lwazi
nokuyilapho kwaba ngathi bayasangana ke bobabili
sebefendana ngesikhulu isivinini ngangokuthi baze
bajuluka emizimbeni. Wabhoncuka umthondo ka
Lindani waphakama kancane ngesifuba sakhe esisusa
phezu kwamabele ka Lwazi efuna ukubuyisela umpipi
phakathi egolo, wathuka mayebona ukuthi iphenti lika
Lwazi alikhishwanga babhebhana nje usaligqokile
iphenti.

"Hehehe!"

Kuphunyuka uLindani ehleka, waphakamisa ikhanda

uLwazi wamubuka emehlweni eshawa amahloni
amancane waphakamisa umzimba wakhe wafaka
isandla phakathi namathanga akhe wagudluza iphenti
walibuyisela eceleni yasala obala inquza yakhe walifaka
ipipi uLindani maqede balandelana ngemizimba bewela
phezu kombhede wabamba izinqa zika Lindani uLwazi
ngathi umufendisa ngazo efefuzela.

138
"Mmmhh Mmmmh kodwa Lindani uyangihlanyisa
yazi!"

Kumemeza uLwazi esho echama ngaso leso sikhathi,

lamanzi kakhulu igolo lakhe waze wamhlophe
umthondo wawungafunga ukuthi usechamele phakathi
uLindani, naye akubanga sikhathi esingakanani
wasidedela isidoda sakhe sagcwala igolo lika Lwazi.

"OOOOOOOH! OOOOOOOOH! Ngi…. NGIYA….

OHHHH HAAAAAA."

Wayezama ukusho okuthile uLwazi kodwa

akakwazanga ngenxa yokwakwenzeka phakathi
kwegolo lakhe, wabamba uLindani wamucindezela
kuye naye wachama futhi uLwazi esanganiswa
umthondo unyakaza kamnandi phakathi egolo lakhe.
Baqeda lapho balala kancane bebambene kanjalo
besakhokha umoya, emuva kwesikhashana bavuka
bayongena eshaweni bageza baqeda behlela ekhishini
bayolungisa ukudla futhi badla ngoba kwasekubanda.

"Ngiyabonga Lindani ngokungigcina ngijabulile,

uyangisanganisa yazi ngathi kukhona owakutshela
139
ukuthi ungithinte kanjani ukuze ngizozizwa
ngisezulwini elincane. Ngiyabonga kakhulu Lindani."

Kusho uLwazi ebambe isandla esisodwa sika Lindani

beqhubeka nokudla, wamoyizela uLindani ngoba
wayezizwa ngendlela efanayo wayengasazi ukuthi
uzothini yena ukuphendula kulokhu okwakushiwo
ngu Lwazi wavele wavuma ngekhanda. Wamamatheka
uLwazi wabheka phansi, waqhubeka nokudla kwakhe
baqeda ukudla wathatha izitsha uLwazi waziwasha
wabuyisela efilijini okuhlala efilijini kanjalo nokuhlala
emakhabetheni kwabuyela emakhabetheni.

"Ngiyabonga nami Lwazi ngakgo konke nje

osungenzele khona selokhu wafika lapha endlini
namuhla sihlanganisa usuku lwesithathu sindawonye
kodwa ngathi sesihlale ndawonye iminyaka emithathu
yonke. Angingabazi ukuthi ungumama oqotho Lwazi
kwindodakazi yakho."

Kusho uLindani ebuka uLwazi emehlweni bencike

etafuleni lokuphekela. Wavele wamuphusha uLwazi
emamatheka emubhekisa ngasezitebhisini ezinyukela
ekamelweni lakhe.

140
"Awuhambe uyoxubha ugqoke uye emsebenzini
Lindani ngingaze ngikhale mina ngingasavumi ukuthi
uhambe ungishiye ngedwa lana endlini kikikiki."

Kusho uLwazi ephusha uLindani ngemuva wena

owabona umuntu exosha omunye, bahambe
belandelana uLindani phambili uLwazi ngemuva
behleka bobabili behamba bedlala abuye anqabe
ukuhamba uLindani enze ngathi ufuna ukuphushwa
ngu Lwazi bahleke kumnandi kunjeyaya.

Uyazicupha uMbali usheshe wavuka namuhla phela

usuku lwangomsombuluko, futhi ubalekela nokuthi
uthemba angaze aqale phansi amubuze
ngalensambatheka amutshele yona ngayizolo ngemuva
kokumuthola ezivalele emotweni edila nefoni. Phela
uMbali lona uye waqamba amanga wathi ubecabanga
ukumenzela isimangaliso ngokuthi ayomuhlangabeza
emsebenzini ingakho nje behlezi emotweni ecabanga
kaningi ukuthi uma ehamba neyakhe imoto vele
kuzofana nokuthi udlala ngesikhathi ngoba
akazukulithola ithuba lokuthi abe naye uThemba kanti
ubefisa nje ukushayelelwa umyeni wakhe. Ngakho ke
ubehlezi emotweni ecabanga ukufonela izimoto
eziphuthumayo izomulanda endlini iyomubeka ehabha
141
emsebenzini wakhe uThemba, naye uThemba
wakukholwa lokho ngoba phela uyamethemba umfazi
wakhe futhi akaze nje sdalwa amuthole esephutheni
ingakho nje wayenganqeni ukumuthengela izimoto
zika nokusho.

Naye kwakumuthokozisa uMbali ukubona ukuthi

umkhwenyana wakhe uyamuthemba ngalendlela,
ngakho ke wayezolisebenzisa ngobuchule lelo thuba.
Waqeda ukuzilungisa wabuyela ekamelweni lakhe
nomyeni wakhe wafika waqabula uThemba esihlathini
ngoba yena wayesalele, maqede waphuma wavala
umnyango. Wazithela kumamezala esehleli
edaningilumu ebukela izindaba zasekuseni ku SABC 2
Morning Live.

"Sawubona mama, unjani namuhla?"

Kusho uMbali ebingelela unina ka Themba,

waphenduka kancane unina ka Themba ebheka
ngasephaseji lapho kwakuqhamuka ngakhona uMbali.

"Hawu yebo makoti, ngiyaphila wena unjani ngane

nyami? Awu usulibangisephi ekuseni kangaka?"
142
Kubuza unina ka Themba emubuka ngenhla
kwezibuko.

"Ngisaya edolobheni mama, ngifuna ukulungisa ifoni

yami iwile izolo ngesikhathi ngithuswa uThemba.
Kodwa ukudla sengikulungisile sekusele ukuthi nje
nikhiphe ku hhovini okunye kusefilijini."

Kuphendula uMbali ekhombisa inhlonipho ehlikihla

izandla.

"Oh, ayi kulungile makoti usuyohamba kahle. Hhayi

nalamafoni enu esimanjemanje azele aquleke nje
ngokuyishaya nje ngempama eyodwa hahaha!"

Kusho unina ka Themba encokola nomakoti

wakwakhe.

"Haha kodwa mama ungiqedelani ekuseni kangaka,

siyakhula phela thina futhi izinto ziyashintsha
143
asisenzeli ukufona nje kuphela ngamafoni kodwa
asisiza ukuthi singaphathi izinto eziningi, sesikwenza
ngawo amafoni lawa okuningi njengokukhokhela
izindlu, ugesi, amanzi kanye nazo izimoto lezi."

Kuphendula uMbali egigitheka.

"Ayi ke, mawusho njalo makoti angingakubambezeli.

Mawubuya nje uzofika sengikulindile emini
sengikhumbule ukuzihlalela nawe nje sizidlele
lamancono, ndlelanhle ntombazane."

Kusho umama ka Themba evalelisa ku Mbali eqhubeka

nokubukela izindaba, aphume uMbali ezibuza ukuthi
kazi yini lena ayifihlayo umamezala wakhe ngoba phela
akaze engamudinga kangaka selokhu wagcagcela lapha
kwa Mbatha kodwa ke anganaki lutho. Ayongena
egaraji adumise imoto yakhe ashekhe ukuthi amalambu
akhe asebenza kahle yini bese engena phakathi ahlale
elinde ukuthi imutshele ukuthi isikulungele ukuhamba
imoto, nokungabanga sikhathi esingakanani lakhanya
ilambu kwasho nomsindo omutshelayo ukuthi
seyilungile inkini. Wahlehla ephuma egaraji
wacindezela ibhathini lavaleka igaraji waphuma
ngesango wahamba, wayengazazi naye ukuthi
144
uyakuphi ngoba nekhanda wayekaze esanda kulenza
nje. Manje yini eyayizomenza ukuthi abuyele esaluni
ngoba phela iyona ndawo eyayizomusiza ukuthi athi
ukuchitha isikhashana esalinde ukuthi uLindani afike
emsebenzini wakhe. Waqhamuka nesu esasendleleni
lokuthi uzoya kokwenza izinzipho zakhe okuncono
ukuze ezothi ukuhambisa isikhathi ngaphambi
kokuthi afonele uLindani. Nangempela wenza njalo
wafika esaluni besanda kuvula nje oLethu, wangena
esemamatheka.

"Sanibonani mantombazane, ninjani kodwa namuhla?"

Kubingelela uMbali engena esaluni kunosisi abathathu

abalungisa amakhanda kuphela.

"Hawu Mbali oeh, Kunjani kodwa?"

Kumemeza uSabathile ejabulela ukubona uMbali,

wagijima wavula izandla zakhe bahagana bejabule
bobabili.

145
"Uzokwenzani lana namuhla ngoba phela usanda
kuthenga ikhanda elisha wena elikanokusho hahaha?"

Kubuza uSabathile ngokuncokola, wavele wahleka

kakhulu uMbali.

"Awukahle we-oeh kanti akusamele ngivakashe nje

ngizobonga ukuthi wangiluka kahle futhi nje izinsizwa
zonke lana ngaphandle ziphenduka nami mangihamba
ungafunga ukuthi akaze nje ngilimale sdalo,
ngiyakuthanda wena ntombazane yazi mina nawe
sohlukaniswa ukufa inkos' impela."

Kusho uMbali egigithela encokola no Sabathile.

"Ayi mina ngiyafa nje ibhabhalazi oeh ngiphuze

kakhulu izolo bengikomunye umshado ngiyosebenzela
khona ukulungisa abaphelezeli kanye nomakoti,
bekungeve kukuhle kanjena base ke bengicela ukuthi
ngiphuze nabo ngemuva komshado. Ayi mntakama,
ngiyaqala ukubona utshwala obuphambili
ngaleyandlela bukhishwe nje ngathi kukhishwa isizulu
qwe qwe qwe!"

146
Kusho uSabathile nezwi ngathi liyasha exoxela
umngani wakhe ngempela sonto yakhe, lapho uLethu
ngathi ushawe isitilokhi ngendlela ahline ngayo. Akaze
akhulume kakhulu selokhu efikile ubhizi nje
nezincwadi zakhe abazi ukuthi ubalani kangaka
namuhla ekuseni nje kusa. Iqiniso lithi naye wayengazi
ukuthi ubalani kodwa wayezama ukungacabangi
ngalento emehlele ebusuku.

"Lethu ukahle kodwa ntombazane wabukeka

ungemuhle nje namuhla?"

Kubuza uMbali ngokuphapha, wavele amubuke

kancane uLethu wangaphendula waziqhubekela
nakwenzayo naye uMbali wangamunaka ngoba ezama
ukumunika isikhathi sakhe. Kwaphela isikhashana
uSabathile no Mbali besaxoxa kamnandi, washo ukuthi
ufuna ukwenza izinzipho uMbali wamuhlalisa phansi
uSabathile esitulweni sakhe sokusebenza waxhuma
itafula lakhona lokwenza izinzipho baqala emuhwaya

147
ngamafeyila akhona. Bathi bengasanakile bezwa ngo
Lethu esethi.

"Ngiyaphila mina Mbali, ngiyaxolisa ukuphendula

emuva kwesikhashana kodwa bengisabhizi kancane
kukhona ebengingakutholi kahle lapha ezincwadini
zami."

Wavele wamamatheka uMbali ekhombisa ukungabi

nankinnga, baqhubeka nokuxoxa bonke no Sabathile
engawuvali umlomo ngalomshado abeye kuwo, kwathi
emuva kwesikhathi kwapaka imoto ka Lindani
ngaphandle wehla waqonda esaluni…

Babukana emehlweni bonke bethuswa ukubona imoto

ka Lindani emnyango, watatazela uLethu ebamba
eyeka amaphepha ewasusa ewabeka endaweni eyodwa
ezama ukuzenza umuntu obhizi. Babukana uSabathile
no Mbali, kwanqamuka inkulumo nezindaba
ebezihamba phambili zomshado oyisimanga, wabheka
phansi uSabathile elindele ukubona okuzokwenzeka
ngemuva kokungena kuka Lindani esaluni.
Wagigitheka uLondiwe lapho ebona ukuthi labosisi
ababili basenkingeni, kodwa ke nokho kwakuyisazelo
nje ngo Mbali. Wayengakhombisi kudideka noma
148
ukuphatheka kabi noma ukudideka ngoba wayazi
ukuthi uLindani lona noma kanjani uzobheka yena
lapha esaluni.

Yangena insizwa engu Lindani esaluni kwathuleka,

yabingelela izintokazi zonke ngaphakathi ngaphandle
kokukhetha ngamagama.

"Ngiyanibingelela zintokazi ezinhle esaluni, phela nina

ningabadidiyeli bobuhle bonke emhlabeni ngaphandle
kwembokodo angeke sibe abantu abajabulile
ngalendlela."

Esho uLindani ema ngasetafuleni lika Lethu, washawa

uvalo uLethu wacishe waquleka esaba ukuthi
kungenzeka uLindani lona avele ayithi bhudlu lendaba
eyenzeka phakathi kwabo bobabili. Waqhaqhazela
kwaze kwawa ifoni yase saluni wayibuka iphansi
kodwa lutho ukuyicosha ngenxa yovalo nokudideka
okwakumudla ngaphakathi. Wavele waphahluka
egigitheka uLondiwe, esehluleka nokuzibamba laho
ebona uLethu ethithizisa okwengane encane.
Wacasuka wafa uMbali ebona ukuthi uLindani
unakana no Lethu yena akamunakile,
wayengakhombisi nokuthi uke wamubona nje lapha
149
esaluni. Imibuzo yayisiminingi ekhanda lakhe ezibuza
ukuthi kwenzakanali phakathi kuka Lindani noLethu,
nakanjani wayengangabazi ukuthi bayathandana
labantu bazama ukufihlela yena nje kwaphela ngoba
akahlezi ekhona phela lapha esaluni. Ngemuva
kokufika kwaleyo micabango ekhanda lika Mbali
wavele wabipha ngathi unukelwa indle esaluni,
wayengasafisi nokuba laphana esaluni. Wayefisa ngabe
usehambile kodwa naye engazi ukuthi ehamba nje
eyakephi ngoba endlini wayeshiye uThemba
owayezomuxaka ngemibuzo eyikhulu mayeke wafika
nje endlini esasekhona.

"Ngizelapha Lethu ukuzolanda ijakhethi lami, phela

angibange ngisalithatha ngaloluyasuku."

Kusho uLindani ebuka uLethu emehlweni, wathuka

uLethu waqalaza ukuthi ngabe bayezwa yini ozakwabo
lenkulumo ekhulunywa ngu Lindani. Wabamba
ikhanda ngathi liyaluma, wabheka phansi eyaluzisa
amehlo ngathi ucinga lona ijakhethi lika Lindani
kodwa kwakungenjalo ngoba akazange alikhiphe
laphana etafuleni lakhe lokusebenzela.

150
"Ngiyaxolisa kodwa alikho lana, ngicabanga ukuthi
lasala ehhovisi."

Kusho uLethu evula isicalo esiwuhhafu esivala itafula

lakhe lokusebenza, waphuma ngaphandle wagxhila
ngamehlo uLIndani emlenzeni ka Lethu ngesikhathi
uphuma ngemuva kwetafula lokusebenzela. Phela
wayeqiniseka uLethu ukuthi imilenze yakhe ihlala
ishefiwe ukuze izohlala ibushelelezi futhi icwebezela,
wayengumuntu ongazithandi iziboya uLethu ngoba
ngisho amakhwapha akhe kwakungathi awengane
encane wawungaze ulikhothe ngisho ngolimi.
Kwalandela omunye umlenze ka Lethu ophakanyiswe
izicathulo zakhe ezihambela phezulu kodwa
ezinesithende esihlangene, izinqa zakhe zaziphusheke
zaya phezulu kanti nengubo ayeyigqokile yayibuveza
bonke ubuhle bamathanga akhe akhanyayo ngebala.

"Si… Si… Singa?"

Kusho uLethu ekhomba indlela kodwa uLindani

wayengasezwa lutho kuduma ikhanda esanganiswa
umzimba ka Lethu oyisimanga, wanikina ikhanda
uLindani wazibamba isiphongo ngathi ikhanda lakhe
liyasinda noma udokotela oshekha ukushisa
151
kwekhanda lesiguli. Walandelana noLethu bayongena
ehhovisi, wafika wajika phakathi uLethu eshiya
uLindani ngaphakathi emile kanjalo. Waphuthuma
etafuleni lakhe lokusebenza wayothatha isikhwama
sakhe wabuya naso ngokukhulu ukushesha, wafika
wasibeka phezu kwetafula isikhwama wavala
umnyango.

"Kungani ungangifoneli Lindani, awuzihluphi

ngokwazi ukuthi kwenzakalani ngami. Selokhu
wangibhebha nje awuzange ufise ukwazi ukuthi
ngizizwa kanjani ngokwenzakala, kodwa unayo nje
indaba ngokuthi ngizizwa kanjani mina?"

Kubuza uLethu esondela ku Lindani emubamba

maqondana noziphu webhulukwe lakhe, waqumba
ngokushesha umthondo ka Lindani lapho ethintwa
izandla zika Lethu. Wezwa uLethu ukuthi
useqhanyelwe uLindani wavele wamubamba
wamusondeza kuye, bahlangana ngemilomo
baqabulana babambana ngesihluku ngathi izimpahla
zizovele zidabuke. Waphefumulela phezulu uLethu
ezwa kufudumala umzimba wonke negazi lakhe
ligijima ngathi likuthela wayeka womgwaqo,
waziphakamisela yena ingubo yakhe uLethu wayibeka
okhalo bahlehla ndawonye bebambene bayoncika
ngetafula njengomgqibelo. Waziphakamela yena
152
uLethu kulokhu wahlala phezu kwetafula wavula
imilenze, uLindani wayelandela noma yini owayeyenza
uLethu kuye wayevaleke amehlo ebuka amathanga
abushelelezi ka Lethu phambi kwakhe. Wakhipha
iphenti uLethu walilahla lena eceleni wahlekeza
amathanga akhe wadonsa uLindani wamuvalela
phakathi namathanga.

"mm… mm….!"

Kusho uLindani enikina ikhanda ekhombisa ukunqaba

phela wayazi ukuthi kukhona abantu lana esaluni futhi
wayeyindoda ezihloniphayo uLindani kodwa ke
uLethu yena wayenganandaba ngoba wayazi ukuthi
isaluni yakhe lena futhi akekho umuntu onelungelo
lokungena laphana ehhovisi lakhe ngaphandle kwakhe
uLethu. Akazange ayinake ke leyo uLethu eyokuthi
uLindani ukhombisa ukungahambisani nalento
eyenzakalayo yena wayejahe ukuchama nje kuphela
ngoba wayeqhanyelwe futhi hhayi kancane.

Wayefuna ukubhejwa uqobo hhayi indaba

yokukhohliswa ngomunwe noma ukuncelwa,
wayefuna ukuwuzwa ugijima phakathi ezibindini zayo
inquza yakhe.
153
Wathi esamubambile kanjalo uLindani ezimisele
ngokuthi baqedane khona laphana ehhovisi, wezwa
izindla zika Lindani zimuphusha ngenhla
kwamahlombe akhe waqalaza ngokwethuka
ephakamisa ubuso bakhe ebuka uLindani emehlweni.
Wadideka ukuthi kwenzakalani ngoba
wayengakungabazi ukuthi uLindani lona
wayekujabulele ukuba naye ngokwendlulile futhi
nakanjani wayesafisa ukuba naye babhebhane kahle
kungajahiwe. Ayikho into eyayimujabulisa kakhulu
uLethu njengokuthi uyena owayeshaya umthetho
ngokubhebhana kwabo kodwa ngathi izinto
zasezimujikela. Wahlehla uLindani umthondo wakhe
usamile kanjalo uphusha ibhulukwe lakhe, wakhotha
izindebe zakhe uLethu wehla phezu kwetafula
isibumbu sakhe sisobala sishawa umoya obandayo
wemishini yokupholisa ehhovisi. Wayengasawuzwa
kwawona lowo moya obandayo uLethu ngendlela
owayeseqhanyelwe ngayo, into okuyiyona owayeyizwa
kahle ukudikiza kwenquza yakhe eyayibalisa ifuna
umthondo phakathi kwamathumbu ayo.

"Lalela Lethu. Ngizele ijakhethi lami kuphela lana

esaluni lakho. Ngicela unginikeze ijakhethi lami
ngihambe kukhona umuntu ongimele endlini,
ngijahile!"
154
Kusho uLindani ephakamisa izwi lakhe, wathuka
uLethu waqalaza wazidonsa ingubo yakhe eyehlisa
ngokushesha. Wavuma ngekhanda ephakamisa
nezandla zakhe ezivule ngathi ucela umaluju empini,
wazilungisa uLindani lehla ngokushesha ipipi lakhe.
Waphenduka uLethu waya ngemuva kwetafula lakhe
wavula ikhabethe wakhipha ijakhethi lika Lindani
wamuphosela lona, wazilahla phezu kwesitulo
inhliziyo yakhe igijima ishaya ngathi izophuma
ngaphandle wawungafunga ukuthi kunomjaho
wamahhashi esifubeni sakhe.

"Ngiyabonga, usale kahle Lethu."

Kusho uLindani evalelisa evula umnyango wase hhovisi

ephuma evala umnyango, zamubuka izintombi zonke
esaluni ziphenduka naye kubonakala nje ukuthi
kugijima imibuzo emakhanda azo lezintokazi. Wathi
uyaqalaza uMbali wayengasekho esaluni isitulo sika
Sabathile sokusebenzela sasesisele sodwa naye
engasangabonwa. Waphuma eshaya kancane uLindani
ebheke emotweni yakhe nokwathi mayefika eduze
kwayo ephuthaza ukhiye wakhe wabona uSabathile
eyamele emotweni yakhe ezithinta izinwele zakhe
ngathi uyazilungisa. Wathukia kancane waqalaza
155
ezitshela ukuthi kungenzeka ukuthi no Mbali
usakhona lana bebemulindile ukuthi aphume ehhovisi
lika Lethu. Waphenduka uSabathile wabheka ngakuye
uLindani, watatazela uLindani eshawa amahloni
wabheka eceleni ngathi ulahlekelwe inqondo.

"Yazi bhut" uLindani ngangizitshela ukuthi uhlukile

kwamanye amadoda, ngendlela nje owawungiyala
ngayo efonini sisanda kubonana. Ungifundisa okuningi
ngempilo kodwa manje akuselula ukuthi
ngikwethembe konke lokhu owawukukhuluma kimi,
angazi noma ngizoke ngiphinde ngibe naso yini
isikhathi sokukhuluma nawe sibhekene
njenganamuhla. Nginamahloni yazi futhi nje ngizibona
ngiyisilima esiphindwe kaningi ukuvumela umuntu
ofana nawe angene enhlizweni yami ngize
ngimuthathise okukha bhuti wami ngingamazi
nokumazi, NXI! Uyanyanyisa yazi!"

Kusho uSabathile ngokucasuka nokuhluthukelwa

inhliziyo, asuke ahambe ezodlula ngaku Lindani esesha
ngathi akamuboni no Lindani acishe amushayise. Avike
uLindani kuqathake ijakhethi lakhe, aphenduke abuke
uSabathile eshwabuzela nezinqa zakhe zidansa
kancane lapho eshesha eyongena emnyango wase
saluni. Waslala edidekile kanjalo uLindani ezibuza
ukuthi kazi kwenzakalani ngomngani wakhe omkhulu
156
kangaka, phela uSabathile uyena abemuthemba
kakhulu laphana esaluni. Kodwa ke
wayezokwenzanjani ngoba naye wayengalazi icala
lakhe wabona nje ngaye uSabathile esemehla emusho
ngalamagama angawazi ukuthi aqhamukaphi.

"Kuyacaca ukuthi namuhla akulona usuku lwami,

amabhadi ayangilandela. Ngizosebenza kanjani kodwa
usuku lwami selonakele kanjena?"

Ekhuluma yedwa uLindani emile eduze kwemoto

yakhe, wagoba wacosha ijakhethi lakhe walithuntutha
wakhipha ukhiye wemoto yakhe waciphiza ibhathini
wayivula wangena phakathi wathi ukuhlala kancane
engakayidumisi imoto. Emuva kwemizuzwana
wanikina ikhanda waphosa ijakhethi lakhe esitulweni
sangemuva, wadumisa imoto wahamba eyoqala
umsebenzi wakhe.

Wathi mayevuka uThemba wazithola ukuthi usele

ulele yedwa umakoti wakhe akasabonwa, wahleka
kancane wehla embhedeni wakhe wanyonyoba ebheke
endlini yokugezela emoyizela ehambe eqalaza ngathi
iphoyisa lizulela izigebengu. Wabamba ukhiye

157
emnyango wawuphendula ngesineke wavula wangena
masinya wavala futhi.

"Wangena uRambo!!!"

Kumemeza uThemba engena endlini yokugezela,

wadumala lapho ebona kungekho muntu phakathi
phela wayezitshela ukuthi uzomufica phakathi uMbali
ngoba akasebenzi phela. Wayengakulindele ukuthi
usengaphuma ekhaya ekuseni kangaka, wayethi ufuna
ukumumangaza ngemuva kwesikhathi eside
bengasabhebhani ngenxa yokusebenza kanzima kuka
Themba okumenza ahambe endlini ekuseni kakhulu
aze abuye ngezikhathi zantambama endlini esezodla
isidlo sakusihlwa alale ethi ukhathele
engasabhebhanga. Manje ke lokho kuyamudla uMbali
ngoba usemncane futhi muhle kanti nasezinkundleni
zokuxhumana abafana abancane bamuncoma njalo
bemubize ngawo wonke amagama amunandi lawa
uThemba akangasamubizi ngawo. Lokho kumenza
abemanzi njalo ngoba usuke esezizwa ukuthi
usayintokazi encane.

Waphuma endlini yokugezela uThemba esedangele

ebheke phansi, akagqokile ushaya ngesudu yesele.
158
Umthondo wakhe omkhulu uyalenga ngathi imvubu,
wayephiwe phela umfoka Mbatha umthondo uze
wagoba ungafunga ukuthi umsila wehhashi ngendlela
owawumukhulu ngayo. Wathi mayephakamisa amehlo
akhe ebheka ngasembhedeni wazithela ku Mbali ehlezi
ephambanise imilenze kuhle kwezintokazi ezishaya
izithombe emabhukwini. Wayegqoke ishethana elide
elingathi liyinethi kuphela kanti futhi wayengabhodile,
amabele akhe ayengaphandle ewabona ngisho izingono
uThemba ngoba wayesiphushele ngaphandle isifuba
sakhe izandla zakhe zingemuva kweqolo lakhe
ebambelele ngazo phezu kombhede.

"MaMbaliza wami, usukhona mamazi. Yazi bengibheka

wuuu……"

Kusho uThemba akawaqedelanga amazwi akhe uMbali

wamuqhweba ngomunwe wokuqala ngokukhulu
ukuganga lokhu, wezwa umthondo wakhe uThemba
uvuvukala wabangathi uyasinda ngathi uzovele
ukhumuke uwele phansi. Wathi mayesondela
ngasembhedeni, wabona imilenze ka Mbali ihlukana
kuvela ubuso benquza yakhe enganazo izinza.
Waqhanyelwa wafa uThemba isibhombolozi sakhe
sama sabheka phezulu, wathi ukudonsa umoya uMbali
lapho ebona umthondokazi ka Themba usubheke

159
phezulu ngokushesha phela wayezitshela ukuthi
usazolokhu emukinakina ukuze uvuke njengenjwayelo.

"Mhhhh!"

Kuquma uMbali phezu kombhede, wanele wagibela

ngedolo lesokudla uThemba phezu kombhede
wawavula wawahlakaza amathanga uMbali. Wabeka
izandla zakhe uThemba emahibusini ka Mbali ngathi
ufuna ukuzihlanganisa ngeminwe ngemuva kwezinqa
zakhe, wamuphakamisa kancane ngezinqa emusondeza
ebuseni bakhe washoshela ngakuye no Mbali.
Wancwila ngobuso uThemba phakathi namathanga ka
Mbali wacimeza uMbali wabheka phezulu
wabambelela ekupheleni kombhede ngesandla sakhe
sesinxele, esinye sabamba umqamelo kwesokudla
sawushwabanisa. Noma nje zazingakamuthinti
nokumuthinta izindebe zika Themba enquza yakhe
uMbali kodwa wayesevele ezigoqa esebucabanga
ubumnandi azobuzwa make waqala uThemba
ukumukhotha inquza.

"Shuuuuuuuu!"

160
Kusho uThemba emuthulisa umakoti wakhe ebona
eyobayoba phezu kombhede, yena ngokwakhe
wayezitshela ukuthi mhlampe kwenziwa ukuthi
kudala wagcina ukuthintwa uMbali. Wakhipha ulimi
ngaphandle walugijimisa phezu kwezindebe zenquza
ka Mbali, ngathi luyamukitaza ulimi eluthintisa ngathi
luyavevezela uThemba ulimi lwakhe. Waqhaqhazela
amathanga uMbali washo ukumuvalela phakathi nawo
amathanga uThemba, wabuye wazikhuza
esesanganiswa ubumnandi owayebuzwa uMbali.
Wayesevele emanzi ephelile endleleni yonke kade
ecabanga ngo Lindani, walushaya ulimi lwagudla
izindebe zenquza ka Mbali uThemba lwaya
lwayothinta umsunu ka Mbali waqhaqhazela
waphakamisa ikhanda lakhe wazibuka phakathi
namathanga ngathi akakholwa ukuthi uThemba lona
omudla inquza ngomlomo namuhla.

"Mhhhhhhhh, Yebo Sthandwa sami.

Wuuuuuuuuuhhhhh AAAAhhhhhhhh!"

Kumemeza uMbali kwaduma indlu yonke wathuka

uThemba esabela ukuthi unina uzozwa ukuthi
bayabhebhana lana ekamelweni, wamudedela kancane
uMbali wahamba wayokhiya emnyango uThemba
wathi mayebuya wavele wasukuma embhedeni uMbali
wagxhuma wabamba uThemba wamudonsela
161
embhedeni. Walala ngomhlane uThemba wabheka
phezulu wabamba umthondo wakhe omkhulu uMbali
wawuphosa emlonyeni ngathi uzowuhlafuna,
wawukhotha ngamawala ngathi ulwa nawo wayeze
awufake uhhafu emlonyeni wakhe kuthi akaphalaze
akhwehlele azisule umlomo ngesandla sakhe amathe
akhe awasulele kuwo umthondo ka Themba ewenza
ubemanzi umzimba wonke.

"Mncooo Mncwaaaa Mncoooo!!!"

Kunanela umsindo womlomo ka Mbali emunca

umthondo ka Themba, wawukhipha emlonyeni
wawushaya ezihlathini zakhe ngathi uyazijezisa
ngawo. Wavula amehlo wonke uThemba ewakhipha
ngaphandle, wezwa kushisa amasende wabamba
isandla sika Mbali ngathi uyazixolisela. Wabona lokho
uMbali wawubuyisela emlonyeni wakhe wawukhotha
ewumunca ewukhipha ewufaka emlonyeni, wathi
esawuphushela phakathi emlonyeni wakhe wavele
wabhonga uThemba.

"Oooohhh Hooooooh!!!"

162
Wayededela isidoda sakhe sagcwala umlomo ka Mbali
akakwazanga ukusikhipha uMbali sagwinyeka cishe
sonke kwababa umphimbo wakhe ugcwala
usawotshana wesidoda sika mkhwenyana wakhe,
wabhoncula umthondo ka Themba emlonyeni wakhe
ngathi isipiringi wayozishayisa odongeni wacishe
wawa. Washala umthondo ka Themba usindizisa
emoyeni esinye isidoda esaqhubeka nokuchama
(tshahhh tshahh) emoyeni. Wakhipha amehlo
ngaphandle uMbali ekhombisa ukwethuka, umphimbo
wakhe wawubaba usawoti kodwa futhi
wawumuqhanyelisa kakhulu kunakuqala. Wathi
uzama ukusukuma wawangezinqa, waqalaza lapho
uThemba ulele ubheke phezulu isidoda sigcwele
emathangeni akhe nasemkhabeni wakhe umthondo
wakhe usanyakaza ukukhombisa ukuthi usuqedile
ukuchama kodwa wukawi usabheke phezulu.

Wabambelela kwihedibhodi yombhede uMbali wahlala

ngamadolo phezu kombhede amathanga akhe evevezela
ngathi uzovele awe ngaso leso sikhathi. Waziqinisa
waphuthuma ehamba ediyazela ebheke endlini
yokugezela eyothatha ithawula elikhulu wabuya
ephefumula ngomlomo wahlala embhedeni eceleni
kuka Themba wamunika ithawula ukuthi azesule yena
wadonsa umoya ezama ukubuyisa amandla akhe
ngaphambi kokuthi aqhubeke nokwenza umsebenzi
wakhe. Wayeqhanyelwe impela futhi wayengeke
163
abencono engakabhejwa ngoba wayemanzi sekuze
kujuza ujusi begolo ngaphandle ezindebeni zenquza
yakhe, waqeda ukuzisula uThemba waliphosa phansi
ithawula wadonsa uMbali enganakile wabuphosa
phezu kwakhe. Wathi uphakamisa amehlo uMbali
wabona ukuthi usengaphezu kuka Themba yanyakaza
kancane inquza yakhe ibikelwa ukuthi lesisigxhobo
siyangena manje noma kanjani.

"Woza lana sthandwa sami"

Kusho uThemba ebamba uMbali emuhlalisa kahle

phezu kwakhe, wawuqonsisa umthondo wakhe egolo
lika Mbali wangena ngekhinqi wavala amehlo uMbali
ngathi uzwela ubuhlungu kanti uzama ukwamukela
ukuthi ungene kahle umthondo ka Themba.

"Haaaaaaaa Hawe mah! Mhhhhh!"

Kuquma uMbali ngaphezulu kuka mkhwenyana

wakhe, wawuncenga kancane uThemba umthondo
wakhe efenga ngathi umuntu opendayo elokhu
enyakaza kancane ngaphansi. Kwawela phezu kwesisu
sakhe okungu Mbali kuvale amehlo, lalimanzi
164
ngamawala igolo lakhe uMbali. Lokho kwamusiza
ukuthi umthondo ka Themba ushelele ungene kahle
ungamulimazi nakancane, kusenjalo uMbali wadedela
futhi omunye ujusi wakhe igolo lakhe lijabulela
ukuzwa ubaba engena ekhaya. Wavele waphenduka
uhlanya ke lakho uMbali watshikizisa izinqa zakhe
ehambisana nokunyakaza kuka Themba,
bahlangabezana behlangana phakathi noma
wawungakangeni wonke umthondo ka Themba kodwa
wayesewuzwa kahle uMbali ukuthi uhamba
ezindaweni ezijulile manje.

"Aaaaaah Haaaaaa Ooooh Yaaaaaah Uuuuh!!"

Kuquma uMbali ngaphezulu kuka Themba, bafikelwa

ukushisa ngokushesha bajuluka bobabili. Bafendana
kwanyuka isivinini waqala ukuphakamisa isingenhla
sakhe uMbali kwaba ngathi uhlala phezu kwawo
umthondo ka Themba wangena kwasala ikota
ngaphandle wahayiza uMbali wasukuma uThemba
wamubamba umlomo ezama ukuvala umsindo wabo
ukuthi ungazwakali kunina ka Themba. Wabona
uMbali ukuthi uyahluleka ukuzibamba ngoba
lomthondo uvele ugcwale igolo lakhe ngathi ngeke
lisaphefumula, wasusa isandla sika Themba emlonyeni
wakhe ngolaka olukhulu wamubamba ikhanda
wamuqabula ngamawala waqhubeka nokufenda
165
ezichoma kuwo umthondo ka Themba wachama
kaningana ngokushesha.

"Awuuuu Waaaze wamnandi mkami, ooooh mmmh!"

Kuquma uThemba esanganiswa inquza ka Mbali,

babhebhana baphendulana kwaba uMbali ngaphansi
uThemba waba ngaphezulu wawusephakathi
umthondo wanele wahlala ngomhlane phezu
kombhede uMbali waqala ukufenda ngokushesha
uThemba ewuphusha wonke umthondo wakhe
phakathi egolo lika Mbali. Wawakhipha wonke
amehlo ngaphandle uMbali ngathi ushawe isitilokhi.
Wachama wavevezela wasishaya phakathi isisdoda
uThemba wahefuzela wawela eceleni balala kanjalo
bobabili.

Kwavele kwamucacela uLethu ukuthi akaselutho ku

Lindani, lokho kwamuphatha kabi ngangokuthi waze
wakhala ehhovisi lakhe waze wafikelwa ubuthongo
walala ngesihlathi phezu kwetafula lakhe waze
wacishe wajumeka. Wayenamahloni okuphuma
ehhovisi ngoba wayengazi ukuthi utheni uLindani
kubasebenzi namakhasimende ngesikhathi esephuma
ehhovisi ediniwe egane unwabu, kodwa ke kwakumele
166
ephumile ngoba kunomsebenzi okwakumele uqhubeke
kanti futhi kwakungusuku lwango Msombuluko.
Wasukuma esitulweni sakhe eqalaza ebuka ukuthi
akasimoshanga yini isitulo ngobumanzi benquza
yakhe, kodwa ke ngenhlanhla enkulu
wayengasimoshanga neze isitulo sakhe. Phela kunzima
ukususa loluketshezi kwileda ngangokuthi kuze
kufanele ukuthi uyothenga umuthi wakhona wokusula
ileda ukuze izobuyela esimeni sayo.

Wazilungisa ingubo yakhe wazibuka esibukweni waze

waphenduka wazibuka ngemuva ezinqeni zakhe,
wazibona enganalutho olusolisayo wavula isivalo
waphuma ebuyela etafuleni lakhe lokusebenzela.
Wayesekhohliwe nya ukuthi konje iphenti lakhe
ugcine elikhiphile futhi akazange anake nokuthi liwele
kuphi ngesikhathi elilahla, wayengezwa nje nakancane
ukuthi akasaligqokile iphenti ngenxa yokufudumala
kwenquza yakhe emanzi. Impela ukube kukhona
umlisa thize owayengafika kuye athi ukumubuka ngeso
elikhombisa ukudinga inquza wayezovele amudunusele
khona laphana phambi kwabantu esaluni azitike ngaye
aqede.

Mayeqeda nje ukuhlala esitulweni sakhe esingemuva

kwetafula lokusebenzela waphakamisa amehlo wabona
bonke abantu abazolungisa amakhanda nabasebenzi
167
bakhe bamubuka kabi. Waqalaza ngemuva kwakhe ebe
azi kahle ukuthi ngemuva kwakhe kukhona udonga,
ezitshela ukuthi kungenzeka ukuthi babuka umuntu
ongemuva kwakhe hhayi yena. Akazange abenandaba
nokho wavele waziqhubekela nomsebenzi wakhe
ngoba yena wayengakuboni okubhedayo kukho konke
akwenzile, phela uyamuthanda uLindani futhi nje
ngabe bamenza isilima bonke labasebenzi bakhe
babengathi babengakuboni lokho.

"Njengoba bengisakutshela ke mngani wami, ayi

angikaze ngithokoze kanjeyana empilweni yami.
Uyakwazi ukuthandwa unkulunkulu ngangokuthi aze
akwenzele okuhle kodwa ngemuva kobuhlungu
osebukudle iminyaka kodwa ekugcineni lapho
sewuzitshela ukuthi kuphelile ngawe kuvele
kuqhamuke isixazululo."

Kusho uSabathile exoxa no Londiwe bebe beluka

izintokazi ezingamakhasimende, nabanye ozakwabo
babhizi bayaluka oyedwa uwasha amakhanda alaba
abebezoqaqa amakhanda abafuna ukuluka okusha.
Waphakamisa amehlo uLethu mayezwa lawo mazwi
wacwayiza kaningi, elindele ukuthi kukhona umuntu
ozomutshela ukuthii baxoxa ngani labosisi ababili
kodwa lutho ukwenzeka lokho. Kwamuphatha kabi
lokho kodwa wazama ukuziqinisa wabheka phansi
168
waqhubeka nomsebenzi wakhe ebheka ebhukwini
lakhe nakwi khompuyutha yakhe ukuthi bangaki
abantu asebengenile ukuzolungisa amakhanda
kusukela ehambe wayozivalela ehhovisi. Wathuka
lapho ebona ukuthi isiningi kakhulu imali eseyenzekile
ngokunyamalala njue kwakhe amahora ambalwa,
wahleka kancane wabuka uLondiwe no Sabathile
exoxa wafikelwa ukujabula ngaphakathi.

Babexoxa bonke esaluni namakhasimende kuphuma

izindaba, kodwa kwakungabuye kube mayelana nani
makungekho mayelana nabafana phela? Zazihleka
ziqhephuka izintokazi lapho zikhuluma ngamapipi
abafana, wazithola no Lethu esethe ukukhohlwa ngu
Lindani kancane esehleka izindaba ezingahlangene
naye. Lwaphela ngokushesha usuku, kwashaya
isikhathi sokuthi bagoduke. Baqala ukushanela
nokukorobha esaluni, bathi sebeqeda kwaqhamuka
umzala ka Sabathile owayesuka emakhaya
ezovakashela umzala wakhe ngoba emuthembise
ukumutholela itoho.

"Sanibonani, ngicela ukubuza ukuthi ngabe ikhona

esaluni ka Lethu lapha?"

169
Kubuza umzala ka Sabathile ngoba engamuboni
umzala wakhe kulezintokazi ezaziphambi kwakhe,
babukana emehlweni oLethu bebuka ukuthi lensizwa
igqoke ngendlela ekhombisayo ukuthi eyasemakhaya
futhi iphethe nesikhwama sezimpahla okukhombisayo
ukuthi iyavakasha. Wadideka uLethu ngoba
wayengalindele muntu ozomuvakashela kodwa kwathi
ukufika nemicabango yakhe encolile esecabanga
ngokuqhanyelwa kwakhe okuke kwamudla kanzima.

"Yee… Yebo, ikhona esaluni ka Lethu lapho. Ngabe

ubani ofuna ukwazi?"

Kuphendula yena uLethu uqobo edidekile,

ingakaphenduli lensizwa kwaqhamuka uSabathile
emnyango ongemuva ebuya ukuyochitha amanzi.
Wathi mayephenduka wabona umzala wakhe ebheke
phansi enikina izandla ezama ukucabanga ukuthi
uzoqala kuphi mayechaza ngoba kwakungenzeka
ukuthi uSabathile lona wayengakayiphathi eyokufika
kwakhe lapha edolobheni.

"Hawu, MZALA!!!"

170
Kumemeza uSabathile ngenkulu injabulo lena,
wadedela ibhakede khona lapho phansi wagijima wayo
bamba umzala wakhe wamanga maqede wathatha
isikhwama sakhe wasibeka phezu kwetafula.
Zabukana izintombi lezi zibona uSabathile ejabulise
kwengane encane, base beqhubeka nabebekwenza
ukulungiselela ukuthi kuyavalwa phela esaluni.
Wadonsa umzala wakhe uSabathile wayomuhlalisa
esitulweni wase esiza izintokazi, baqeda wase ebabiza
ukuzobazisa ku Mzala wakhe.

"Ayi ke mantombazane, ngu Xolani Menzi Khumalo

lona umzala wami. He he ngiwasho wonke nje
amagama akhe ngoba ngifuna ukuthi umuntu
azikhethele alithandayo igama. Usazoba khona lapha
edolobheni nje isikhashana, kodwa ke nizomazi
kancono kusasa ."

Ethula umzala wakhe ezintombini uSabathile, zajabula

izintokazi zamanga ngokushintshana zizibika zona
amagama azo kwaze kwagcina uLethu. Wasondela
uLethu wazisho igama lakhe okwesibili wamubamba
uXolani wamanga, lamudida iphunga lesiqholo sika
Xolani elalisho ukugqabula amakhala ngathi uzifuthe
ngesiqholo sasendlini. Wavele wakhwehlela uLethu
wamudedela, waxolisa waqamba amanga wathi
uphethwe umkhuhlane babukana emehlweni
171
uSinothile no Londiwe mabezwa uLethu eqamba
amanga phambi kwabo. Wabona uSabathile ukuthi
kukhona okumuphazamisile uLethu, wamulandela
bayongena ehhovisi. Zavalelisa lezi ezinye izintokazi
ezihlala eMzingazi ngoba zaziphuthuma izimoto futhi
zazazi phela ukuthi usabathile lona akahlali ndawonye
nazo, kwasala uLondiwe ngoba yena wayehlala
Esikhawini.

"Awusho ke mzala, ubekwa yini lapha

esiphithiphithini?"

Kubuza uLondiwe ebuka uXolani emehlweni, eveze

amazinyo akhe aluthotho ngaphandle.

"Ayi impela isiphithiphithi lesi yazi kudala kanjani

ngifikile lapha kodwa ngilokhu ngihamba ngibuza nje
ngesaluni yezimanga, buka nje cishe ngahlwelwa
ngingakamutholi umzala."

Kusho uXolani ngaphandle kokuphendula umbuzo ka

Londiwe, wavele wagegetheka uLondiwe mayezwa
ukuthi insizwa yonke lena isiduke yaze yancama lapha

172
edolobheni. Wazithuka esehleka naye uXolani, kanti
ubekusho ngokukhubeka lokhu okumehlele.

"Uyaqala yini ukuza lapha edolobheni wemzala?"

Kubuza uLondiwe esukuma ethatha isikhwama sika

Xolani phezu kwetafula eyosibeka ngasemnyango.

"Ngingasho ngithi ngiyaqala ngoba selokhu ngagcina

ngisemncane ukuza lapha edolobheni mina, uyazi ke
nawe ukuthi kunjani ukuhamba indawo ubanjwe
ngesandla."

Kuphendula uXolani ehleka ebuka uLondiwe ezohlala

eduze kwakhe.

"Yazi nginecebo ke mina, ngizokufundisa idolobha

nelokishi bese wena ke ungifundise impilo
yasemakhaya nesizulu sangempela. Kuzwakala kanjani
lokho?"

173
Kubuza uLondiwe etshekisa ikhanda lakhe ebuka
uXolani. Wathi engakaphenduli umfoka Khumalo
kwaphuma uLethu no Sabathile ehhovisi, behambe
bekhulumela phansi.

Wasukuma kuqala uLondiwe ngoba wayazi ukuthi

noma kanjani kwasekuyindlela, wasukuma no Xolani
walindela ukuzwa ukuthi umzala wakhe uzothini.
Wahagana no Lethu uSabathile base bephuma yena,
umzala wakhe noLondiwe behamba. Wavala isaluni
uLethu maqede waya ebhange wayofaka imali,
wayongena etekisini ebheke eMpangeni lapho ethatha
khona amatekisi abheke ekhaya kubo eNgwelezane.
Bafika bangena etekisini eyayisisho ukugcwala
oSabathile, kwasekusele indawo yasemuva kuphela
ukuthi igcwale itekisi.

Kanti ke abantu abazwani nokuhlala esitulweni

sasemuva etekisini, ngakho ke babebaningi abantu
ababemile phansi belindele ukugibela itekisi
elandelayo. Bakhetha ukungena khona esihlalweni
sasemuva bobathathu, kwaba uSabathile ngasewindini,
walandelwa ngumzala wakhe kwasekuba uLondiwe.
Sekumnyama phandle erenkeni sekukhanyisa izibani,
banele bahlala wagona isikhwama sakhe umzala ka
Sabathile. Kwaqhamuka enye insizwa ababejwayele
ukugibeka kanye nayo eyayizithandela uLondiwe
174
kodwa lutho ukuyiqoma uLondiwe lensizwa igama
layo kwakungu Samkelo. Yagibela lensizwa yahlala
ngasewindini eduze kuka Londiwe, yavalwa itekisi
yaduma yaphuma erenkeni baqala ukukhokha abantu.
Waqala uSamkelo exoxa no Londiwe wase ebingelela
naku Sabathile, yathi ukuncokola lensizwa bahleka
bonke nabanye abagibeli bahleka.

Babukana kancane uSabathile no Xolani, wavele

wabheka phansi uSabathile wase phakamisa amehlo
ebuka isikhwama sika Xolani esasihlezi phezu
kukaziphu wakhe. Wacabanga ukuthi lesisikhwama
simuhlihlile kancane, phela laba bobabili bakhula
ndawonye emakhaya futhi bashiwa abazani
besabancane. Bakhula behlala no gogo wabo
okunguyena owayebondla ebenzela konke empilweni,
isikhathi esiningi babejwayele ukulala ndawonye
ngoba ugogo enganakile ukuthi sebekhulile. Babeke
bebhebhane izikhathi eziningi ekhaya, wathi
eseshonile ugogo wabo basala bobabili kuphela bephila
ngemali yesibonelelo sika hulumeni abayibhaliswa
osonhlala kahle.

Lapho basebebhebhana njalo ngathi izithandani kuze

kulamule ukuthi uSabathile abe sezinsukwini zakhe,
ngenhlanhla ke enkulu babelisebenzisa ijazi
lomkhwenyana ngoba babazi ukuthi kungab ihlazo
175
ukuthi bamithisane. Waqalaza ngaku Londiwe uXolani
wabona enganakile ezixoxela nalelisoka elalimeshela,
wehlisa isandla sakhe uXolani wabamba amathanga ka
Sabathile wathuka kancane uSabathile babhekana
emehlweni.

"Akunankinga mzala."

Kusho uSabathile ekhulumela phansi, wavele wavula

amathanga akhe ewahlukanisa ingubo yakhe encane
yasemsebenzini yavele yamulahla kwalunguza iphenti
lakhe elimhlophe. Wasifaka isandla uXolani safihla
iphenti lika Sabathile elalimulunguza, wanyakazisa
umunwe ngaphezu kwephenti ngathi uyamunwaya
ngawo. Wavele wacimeza uSabathile waphosa ubuso
bakhe ewindini enzela ukuthi kunganakeki
okwenzakalayo, wasidlalisa isandla phezu kwephenti
lika mzala wakhe uXolani isikhashana wezwa
lifidumala iphenti liba nomswakamo. Wasiphakamisa
kancane isandla sakhe umunwe wagijima maqondana
nomsunu ka Sathathile.

"Mhh Mhh!"

176
Kuquma uSabathile kuphuma nezwi ngaso leso
sikhathi, wathuka wakhumbula ukuthi konje
basetekisini abekho bodwana.

"Mhh ngeke mzala leyo okhuluma ngayo izokwenza

kubonakale izinto eziningi phela, bekusencono
usasezansi ngasemanantshini. Umsebenzi awutholakali
phela uma sebazi ukuthi unomatikuletsheni kuphela,
yehlela ngezansi nje konke kuzohamba kahle sizofika
isikhathi sokuthi unyukele ngenhla kodwa hhayi manje
uzoziqhatha nabantu."

Kusho uSabathile elahla umkhondo wokwenzakalayo,

banganaka nabantu noLondiwe wayesexakeka ukuthi
bakhuluma ngani kodwa umsindo owayewuzwile
wawumethusile nokho. Ngemuva kwenkulumo ka
Sabathile wakhululeka ngoba wazitshela ukuthi
okusho ukuthi ubenqaba noma ephikisana no mzala
wakhe. Kwabamnyama itekisi isingena ku thela
wayeka womgwaqo, waqhubeka nokunyakazisa
isandla sakhe uXolani esehlisela ngezansi phela uyena
kuphela owayezwa ukuthi inkulumo ka Sabathile
ithini. Wenza njengokusho kuka Sabathile
enkulumweni yakhe eyingwijikhwebu, isho
ishosholoza itekisi imgwaqeni ovulelekile. Nomsindo
womgwaqo wawusho phezulu kanti nodilayiva
wayedlala umculo kamasikandi, etekisini akekho
177
owayenake omunye ngoba noLondiwe lalimubelesele
ishende lakhe limukhinca ngamagama.

"Huuuu Huuu Huuu."

Kuquma uSabathile ezama ngakho konke

okusemandeleni akhe ukuthi engazwakali ukuthi
uphefumula ngamandla kodwa kwakungekho
ukuzibamba ngoba uXolani wayeyazi ngisho ecimezile
inquza ka Sabathile. Phela base beneminyaka
bebhebhana, futhi babengazisoli ngalokho.
Wasinyakazisa ngokushesha isandla sakhe uXolani
enwaya maphakathi nomsele wenquza ka Sabathile
ngangokuthi wayezwa ngathi umunwe usugijima
phakathi uSabathile ngendlela owayesemanzi ngayo.
Iphenti lakhe lase linamathele lithe ne esibunjini sakhe,
wavula iwindi kancane ngakuye enzela kuthi ukushaya
umoya ngoba wayeseshiselwa futhi izithukuthuku
seziqala ukuqhuma ngeziqu zoboya.

"Shuuuuuu Haaaa."

Eqhubeka nokuzibamba uSabathile, wazithuka

esefenda ubala efenda isandla sika mzala wakhe
178
esilandela ehambisana nokunyakaza komunwe
owawugijima phezu kwephenti lakhe umuthinta
iqhuzu. Wayengasenandaba nokuthi umuthinta kuphi
manje ngoba wayeseyochama uSabathile, ezwa kushisa
amehlo ngathi ayabila kwamnyama kakhulu kuvele
kumnyama. Waqina waphusha izinyawo zakhe
waziqondisa wanyathela ubhuti owayehlezi
ngaphambili kwabo, zaqhaqhazela izinyawo zakhe
waphefumula ngathi ukhincekile uyafa. Waphusha
isandla sakhe wasifaka ngaphansi kwesikhwama sika
Xolani ephuthuma umthondo wakhe owawusuqinile
uphusha udansisa isikhwama esigcwele izimpahla.

"Ayi ngeke kuyafiwa phela lana ngeke elingaka!"

Kuphunyuka uSabathile kumnyama amehlo esalalele

ukuphenduka kwenquza ifuquza ikhiqiza ujusi wakhe,
waphenduka uXolani wabuka ngakuye wasisusa
isandla sakhe ngokushesha wavele wathuka uSabathile
wadonsa esakhe naye isandla ededela umthondo ka
Xolani ongaphansi kwebhulukwe.

"Usho liphi ke mzala ngoba yonke lendawo nje ibiyelwe

ihlathi, mungasala lana ngeke usaphuma ngendlela nje
izigxhobo eziqine ngayo kuyabonakala nje. Futhi
179
nemisele isimanzi ngoba kuyizikhathi zantambama
nje."

Kuphendula uXolani, ethumela umlayezo kumzala

wakhe ukuthi usejahe kufikwe endlini ukuze
amubhukude ngomthondo, waqalaza eshubile
ebusweni uSabathile ebuka umzala wakhe inqondo
isahambile esadidwe ukuchama. Wake wathula
isikhashana engakhulumi lutho, waphendula ikhanda
lakhe wabheka ngasewindini wakhipha umoya ngathi
umuntu okhathele waze wagoqa umlomo waziluma
izindebe zakhe.

"Ayi bona ubusika buyayenza indaba mzala, buka nje

manje sekumnyama kanjani. Mina nje sengijahe ukufika
endlini ngilale ngiyafa phela manje amakhaza yazi
ngathi ngithelwe ngamanzi."

Kusho uSabathile engamubuki nokumubuka uXolani,

yajika itekisi ekhilosini lase Dlangezwa yehlela
Esikhawini kwaqala ukukhanya etekisini sekukhanyisa
izibani zasemgwaqeni. Wazilungisa ingubo yakhe

180
uSabathile wahlala kahle, wabona kuphenduka insizwa
eyayihlezi phambili esitulweni esilandela esabo.

"Awuve ugxhobana kamnandi kodwa sisi wami,

sengokuyekela ubuhle bakho nje. Kuyacaca ukuthi bese
ulele nanka namehlo akho esebomvu ngendlela
emangalisayo."

Kusho lensizwa ehlezi ngaphambili kwabo, avele

abheke eceleni uXolani enzela ukuthi kuphendule yena
uSabathile ukuze lensizwa ingacasuki ngokugxhobeka
ngoba phela bekuyiphutha lakhe uXolani okope
uSabathile etekisini futhi phambi kuka mngani wakhe
nabagibeli angabazi nokubazi. Wavele wamamatheka
uSabathile wabuka lensizwa emehlweni ngathi
uyayifensa.

"kanti lutho bhuti wami bengingalele kodwa bengisaba

nje kuphela, ngibhekana naleyonkinga njalo
mangigibele itekisi izohamba ngothela wayeka
iyongena ku N2 ngoba ngiyayisaba imoto egijimayo.
Ingakho nje ugxhobeke ngephutha, ngiyaxolisa
kakhulu."

181
Kusho uSabathile baphenduke kancane abantu
bemubuke lomuntu osaba imoto, nodilayiva abuke
esibukweni esingasekhanda lakhe. Axakeke uLondiwe
ukuthi ukhuluma ngani uSabathile ngoba bahlala
begibela naye nje, akaze angayiphatha eyokuthi
uyayisaba imoto egijimayo kodwa akhethe ukuthula
angayingeni ngoba efuna ukubuza masebehlile. Yadlula
amarobhothi itekisi ingena elokishini kuhambe kusala
abantu, bona bayokwehla ngasendlini ka sabathile
lapho eqashe khona. Wehla naye uLondiwe bayongena
endlini ka Sabathile, wayefuna ukwazi ukuthi uzolala
kuphi ke uXolani ngoba phela uqashe ikamelo elilodwa
uSabathile.

"Uzomlalisa kuphi ke umzala ntombazane ngoba

uqashe indlu eyodwa nje?"

Kubuza uLondiwe egigitheka enganakile ukuthi

kwenzakalani phakathi kwabo bobabili uXolani no
Sabathile, wavele wahleka uSabathile wabuka
uLondiwe.

"Sizolala nje sobabili lana embhedeni phela thina

sifundiswanga ukuganga futhi ke siyigazi elilodwa
salala ndawonye sisabancane nje kuze kube manje.
182
Ngaphandle ke mawucabanga ukungilalisela yena
umzala kwakho ngingakujabulela lokho ngizonibona
ekuseni mina."

Kuphendula usabathile ngokuncokola, wavele wahleka

uLondiwe. Phela uyazi ukuthi uSabathile ugcwele
ukuzisanganela nje ekhanda lakhe futhi ke
wayemethemba wayazi ukuthi ngeke kwenzeke lutho
phakathi kwakhe nomzala wakhe noma ngabe babelala
ndawonye.

"Ayi khululeka ntombi bengizibuzela nje mina

akukhona ukuthi ngifisa amashidi ami ayogibelwe
ngumuntu wesilisa uyazi phela nawe ukuthi
akungenwa laphana kwami, kungena mina kuphela
namantombazane umuntu wesilisa nje ujika emnyango
hehehe."

Kusho uLondiwe, wayedume kahle nakhona lapha

emqashweni uLondiwe ngokuziphatha kahle phela
wayengakaze abonakale nomuntu wesilisa noma ke
ebonakale ekhuluma nefoni ekhuluma ekhombisa
ukuba semathandweni. Ngaphandle kokufinela umama
wakhe futhi nakhona kwakuvele kucace ukuthi
ufonelwa ngunina ngoba wayethanda kabi ukumubiza
183
njalo "ma" , isikhathi esiningi uyaye abatshele ukuthi
indoda yakhe isebenzela le kwelikabhanana futhi
uzoyilinda ize ibuye. Izinsizwa ezihlala lapha
emqashweni sezazama zonke inhlanhla kodwa
akulunganga, kwabacacela bonke ukuthi akazimisele
ngokuqoma uLondiwe lapha Esikhawini.

Wahlala phansi uSabathile edlala imicabango ngokuthi

ngempela uzoyenza njani indaba yakhe nomzala wakhe
ngoba phela kwakumele ukuthi betholane futhi
bedelisane kodwa ngemuva kokukhuluma no Londiwe
owayemethembile futhi kakhulu kwakungelula ukuthi
balale nje endlini ka Sabathile bobabili kungabi ndaba
zalutho. Wathi ngemuva kokuphuma kuka Londiwe
waphuma naye egijima emulandela, wamufica esavula
umunyango wendlu yakhe uLondiwe bangena kanye
kanye.

"Yazi Londy phela ngiyakhumbula manje ukuthi lana

kusemqashweni kanti nalabantu abahlala lana
abangazi mina nomzala wami, ngiyabona manje ukuthi
uqinisile. Ngizobonakala njengesifebe sokugcina lana
emqashweni, ngicela ungisiza mnganami."

184
Kusho uSabathile ku Londiwe, wavele wamubuka
wamamatheka umngani wakhe. Wahlala phansi
elindele ukuzwa ukuthi ngabe kumele asize kanjani
yena.

"Konje mina ngizosiza ngani ke mnganami?

Ungangitsheli nje ukuthi ufuna mina ngilale nomzala
wakho ngoba akusoze kwenzeka lokho haha."

Kusho uLondiwe encokola no Sabathile, bahleke

bobabili baze bapansane. Waphenduke uSabathile
abuke eceleni ebalekisa amehlo akhe kwaka Londiwe,
waphefumulela phezulu ezama ukuqunga isibindi.

"Mngani wami ngicela ukuthi mina ngizolala lana

endlini yakho ukuze umzala ezokhululeka alale lapha
yana endlini yami."

Kusho uSabathile ngaphandle kokubuka uLondiwe

emehlweni, wayengayilindele neze impendulo enhle
evela ku Londiwe ngoba wayemazi ukuthi ungumuntu
ozazisayo kakhulu.

185
"Khululeka mnganai wami ungeza uzolala lana kwami
akunankinga, phela angivakashelwa ndoda mina."

Kuphendula uLondiwe emamatheka, bahagana

noSabathile baqeda babukana emehlweni. Wasukuma
uSabathile waphuma endlini eshiya uLondiwe ezenza
ophuthuma ukuyophekela umzala ukuze azodla.
Kodwa ke vele wayeyophekela yena umzala ukudla
kwakhe futhi ezokudla ngaphambi kokuthi alale.
Wasala uLondiwe wagibela phezu kwamabhodwe
akhe, noSabathile wangena wavala umnyango endlini
yakhe waziphosa phezu kuka Xolani baqabulana
ngokushesha ngathi kade bahalelana. Wakhumula
ingubo yakhe uSabathile yandiza emoyeni yayowela
phansi nomzala wahlubula ezakhe izingubo basala
benqunu bobabili, wagibela ngaphezulu uSabathile
walala phezu kuka mzala wakhe wabamba umthondo
wawuphosa egolo lakhe wezwa kukitaza egolo.

Wathuka woma uXolani lapho ezwa umthondo wakhe

usuphoseka egolo lika mzala wakhe ngaphandle kwe
comod, wagxhuma wamuphushela eceleni wacishe
wawela phansi uSabathile.

186
"Mzala asikwazi ukulala ngaphandle kwejazi,
khumbula phela ukuthi kungaba ihlazo elingakanani
emakhaya makungazwakala ukuthi izintandane
zimithisene. Ngiyakucela mzala wami asifake ijazi
ukuze sizithokozise kahle ke."

Kusho uXolani ekhiphe wonke amehlo ngaphandle

ngenxa yokwethuka, wavele wabheka phansi
uSabathile wabamba ubuso bakhe ngezandla zakhe
zombili wathula ngathi akekho. Abagqokile bobabili
omzala kanti umthondo ka Xolani wona usuphelelwa
umndlandla ngenxa yenkulumo emqoka
ayeyikhulumile, walinda imizuzwana ezitshela ukuthi
kukhona uSabathile azokwenza ngalenkulumo yakhe
kodwa lutho ukusukuma uSabathile eyolanda ijazi
phela lelo owayekhuluma ngalo uXolani. Wafikelwa
ukudideka uXolani kodwa wangazi noma amubuze
umzala wakhe ukuthi kwenzakalani noma kwakumele
athule nje kanjalo aze asukume uSabathile ayolanda
ijazi kuphela yena aqinise ikhanda lakhe ngokuthi
ngeke balale ngaphandle kwejazi? Wavele wagudlula
uSabathile walala eceleni kwalapho kwakuhlezi khona
uXolani, wabheka phezulu imilenze yakhe ihlukene
ngathi ulindele ukuthi agibele ngaphezulu uXolani
babhebhane.

187
"Mzala anginalo ijazi ngikhohliwe ukuwathenga, phela
mina angilali namuntu wesilisa lana edolobheni.
Ngigcina ngawe nje kuphela ukuzithokozisa ngocansi,
ngakho ke angisiboni isidingo sokuthengana namajazi
azohlala lana endlini yami angasebenzi ngingaze
ngizithuke sengidleke ngendlela engingayibonanga
ngoba sengizama ukukhalela imali yami ethenge lawo
majazi angeke asebenze."

Kusho usabathile ngaphandle kokubuka umzala

wakhe, wathi eqeda nje ukusho lawo magama
wasukuma uXolani wabheka ngaku Sabathile
ekhombisa ukuphatheka kabi nokuzwelana naye
umzala wakhe. Wayengasenandaba ekulungele ukuthi
noma bangabhebhana ngaphandle kwejazi ngoba
umzala uyayibika inkinga yakhe futhi yayizwakala
kahle kamhlophe. Wathi uyasondela ugibela
ngaphezulu kuka Sabathile wavele wamubamba
uSabathile wamuphushela eceleni.

"Hhayi Xolani, asilinde kube kusasa okuncono

ngizolithenga ijazi edolobheni ngibuye nalo okuncono."

Kusho uSabathile ebambe umzala wakhe ngasokhalo

emuvimba ukuthi angagibeli kuye, wagcwala
188
intukuthelo uXolani ngoba phela wayeseqhanyelwe
kakhulu futhi ngemuva kokuthi wayezibukela nje
izindebe nomsunu wenquza ka Sabathile kuhlezi obala.
Wayeqhanyelwe efa uSabathile ngaleso sikhathi kodwa
kwakungekho owayengakwenza ngoba unembeza
wakhe wase umudla ngemuva kwenkulumo ka mzala
wakhe. Wasukuma uSabathile wazisula inquza yakhe
emanzi ngethawula lakhe lokugeza wagqoka
amaphijamu okulala wase elungisa ukudla waphakela
umzala wakhe naye waziphakela maqede wabuyela
embhedeni wahlala eduze kuka Xolani babambana
baqabulana isikhathi eside.

Wezwa isandla sika Xolani sesigijima phakathi

namathanga akhe, kwavele kwafudumala umzimba
wonke walidedela ithanga lakhe lesokudla laqhela
livulela isandla sika Xolani ukuthi singene phakathi
namathanga sizenzele umathanda kodwa
wayeqinisekile ukuthi angeke babhebhane. Kusenjalo
wezwa isindebe zenquza yakhe zivuleka, kwakitaza
umsunu wakhe wafudumala kwaluma izingono
zamabele. Wathi ukuvula amehlo enqamula umqabulo
wakhe no Xolani, babukana emehlweni lapho
umthondo ka Xolani usengaphandle akazange agqoke
sdalo. Wawubamba wagcwala isandla uSabathile
wawubamba ngathi uzophunyuka waqinisa isandla
sakhe, waphusha umunwe wakhe omude uXolani
wawufaka phakathi egolo lika Sabathile wavele
189
wacimeza bahlangana ngemilomo baqabulana futhi.
Wayekopa ngokushesha uXolani esidlalisa phakathi
isandla sakhe ngomunwe egolo lika mzala wakhe.

"Mhhh Mhhhh Ohhh WUUUUh Aaaaah!"

Kuquma uSabathile eceleli kuka Xolani, waqala

ukunyakazisa isandla sakhe naye eshayisa umthondo
ka Xolani indlwabu ngokukhulu ukushesha ngathi
ufuna ukuthi achame manje. Baqhubeka nokuqabulana
baphushana bobabili begibela ngokuphelele embhedeni
bebambene ngepipi nenquza, walala wabheka phezulu
usabathile washintsha isandla uXolani wafaka
esokudla egolo lika Sabathili wasigoqoza phezu
kwamalebe wasiphosa phakathi egolo wasikhipha
wasihambisa phezu kobhontshisa ka Sabathili.

"Aaaaaaah Haaaaaaah ooooooooh mmmmh!"

Kuquma uSabathile ehlekeze amathanga umzala wakhe

ezitika ngokumubhebha ngomunwe, wezwa inquza
yakhe ibamanzi kakhulu uSabathile lapho evula ameho
akhe ebuka umthondokazi ka mzala wakhe ubheke
phezulu uqhansa imithambo. Sewucwebezela ngathi
190
iwisa phela usokiwe awuve umuhle futhi uhalisa
umthondo osokiwe ngoba yonke into ivele ihlale obala
kucace bha. Wezwa kuxega amadolo mayebuka
umthondo ka Xolani, wasiphakamisa isandla sakhe
ewudedela umthondo waphimisela isandla sakhe
ngamathi wasibuyisela phezu kwawo umthondo ka
Xolani sijuza amathe wawagcoba phezu kwenkande.
Wasiphenduphendula isandla sakhe phezu kwekhanda
lomthondo kamzala wakhe wasinyakazisa ngathi
uyalimasaja iqhuzu lekhinqi, ngokushesha ehambisana
nokukotshwa kwenqua yakhe. Wacimeza bahlangana
ngemilomo futhi, wezwa umzala wakhe esemukopa
kabuhlungwana ngathi ulwa nayo inquza yakhe.

"OOOOOHHHH HOOOOOOOOOO!"

Wamemeza kwaduma indlu yonke uXolani wathuka

uSabathile wavula amehlo, wezwa umthondo ka Xolani
unyakaza ngokushesha esandleni sakhe naye
esephakama ngathi uyasifenda isandla. Wathuka
esebona kuqhasha ubisi lubheka phezulu eqhaqhazela
umzala wakhe, isandla sika Xolani sangena sonke egolo
lika Sabathile wezwa ethinteka kwenye indawo
uSabathile naye wacimeza wasangana wamemeza
wachama ngaso leso sikhathi kwaqhasha izinkanyezi
ebusweni bakhe wahefuzela ngathi uphelelwa
amandla. Bahlala isikhashana bengadedelani.
191
"Mmmh ngiyabonga mzala, usungisizile cishe
ngaquleka."

Kusho uSabathile eqabula umzala wakhe esemanzi

amaphijamu akhe okulala ethelwe isidoda sika mzala
wkahe. Wavuka wathatha ithawula lakhe lokugeza
wasula umthondo ka mzala wakhe wase ezisula inquza
naye.

"Aybo ntombazane ngiyalala phela mina manje, kunini

nginokha lana emnyango wena ulibelwe ukuzamula
nokubanga umsindo nomzala wakho!"

Kumemeza uLondiwe ngaphandle emnyango wendlu

ka sabathile, bathuka bobabili wazimboza ngengubo
uXolani wagqoka amaphijamu amasha ngokushesha
uSabathile wathatha ukudla kwakhe
nomakhalekhukhwini wakhe wavele wazikhanyela.
Mayethi uyabona ihora leshumi ebusuku wathuka
wacishe wawa.

192
Akazanga noma uLondiwe uzwe ekhaliswa ukuchama
noma uzweni, kodwa noma ngabe yini owayeyizwile
yayingalungile ngoba phela wayenomzala wakhe
endlini uSabathile manje kwakungenzeka kanjani
ukuthi abange umsindo wabantu ababhebhanayo
enomzala wakhe endlini? Kwaba ngathi ulahlekelwa
inqondo uSabathile ngemuva kwalokho wavula
umnyango engasalungisanga nakahle amaphijamu akhe,
waphuma waphenduka wabuka umzala wakhe ngeso
elimbi. Wavala umnyango wahamba elandela
uLondiwe ngokukhulu ukwesaba nokwethuka
wayeselindele igama lokuqala elalizophuma emlonyeni
ka Londiwe. Asikho isikhathi owesesizonda empilweni
yakhe njengalesi sokungena avale umnyango endlini ka
Londiwe ngoba wayazi ukuthi kuningi
okwasekumulahlekele ku Londiwe. Isithunzi sakhe
ikakhulukazi, nokwenza uLondiwe wayeyintokazi
eziphethe kahle ngalendlela yokuthi babebonwa
bengabangani abafanelene bobabili ngoba naye phela
uSabathile akajoli lapha edolobheni noma Esikhawini
elokishini lapho behlala khona.

Wathi engena emnyango nje uSabathile wayesehlezi

phezu kombhede uLondiwe egoqe izandla ekhombisa
ukuthi kukhona akulindele ukukuzwa ku Sabathile,
wangena enwabuluka waphenduka wavala isivalo
ngemuva kokubeka ukudla kwakhe etafuleni lika
Londiwe. Wathi ukuma ngemuva kokuphendula
193
ukhiye emnyango wabamba isivalo ngathi sizowa
esacabanga ukuthi uzoqala ngaphi nje mayethi uqamba
amanga ku Londiwe ukuze engayinaki lento ayizwile
noma ngabe yini owayeyicabanga. Kwathi
mayephenduka ngokwesaba ephakamisa izandla zakhe
ngokukhombisa ukuthi ufuna ukuchaza ngokuzwakele
kwenzeka, wabona uLondiwe esezigoqe ngengubo
eseshaya obudala ubuthongo.

"Londy! Usulele njalo?"

Kubuza uSabathile kodwa lutho impendulo

wayeseshaya obudala ubuthongo uLondiwe,
kwamucacela uSabathile ukuthi uvuke ebuthongweni
uLondiwe ngoba eyolanda yena esephaphame wabona
engakaziki endlini kanti nasemnyango wayengakhiyile
phela. Kwakungaze kungene okwabafana kuzitike
ngaye. Akabange esadla nokudla kwakhe uSabathile
wavele wangena embhedeni naye walala ngoba vele
wayesekhathele ukuchama kwakumukhathazile
kwamucoba, Kwaba ukungena ngaphansi kwengubo
wavele wabudonsa ubuthongo walala.

"Mmh Themba wami, awazi bese ngikukhumbule

kanjani nje."
194
Kusho uMbali ebingelela uThemba engena emnyango
ephuma emsebenzini phela wayephuma ngehora
leshumi ebusuku njalo nje emsebenzini. Wamoyizela
kancane uThemba mayebona uMbali egqoke ingubo
yokulala encane kanokusho wabona ukuthi kuzomele
aphuthume ukuyogeza khona ezobuya azitike
ngonkosikazi wakhe ngaphambi kokuthi alale. Wathi
mayesondela wagxhuma wahlala kuye uMbali ngehagi,
babambana isikhashana bengadedelani. Vele phela
kwasekusele bona bobabili bebhekile unina ka Themba
waselele kudala ngemuva kokuphuza amaphilisi akhe
oshukela amaningi, aye vele amucobe ahambe ayolala
njalo mayeqeda ukuwaphuza ngemuva kokubukela
iGenerations.

"Mana mntakwethu ithi ngiyogeza kuqala ukuze ke

sizohlangana ekamelweni senginuka kamnandi
njengamanje ngijulukile phela uyazi nawe imishini
iyashisa laphayana emsebenzini sihlala sijulukile nje
njalo."

Kusho uThemba ezama ukuphushela uMbali emuva

kodwa kwaba ngathi uyadlala ngoba uMbali
akakhombisanga ukuyizwa leyo eyayikhulunywa ngu
Themba, kunalokho wavele wasondela ngamakhulu
195
amawala bahlangana ngemilomo basho beqabulana
ephusha ulimi lwakhe uMbali eluphosa emlonyeni ka
Themba ngaso leso sikhathi. Washiselwa igazi
uThemba waqhanyelwa wadedela isudukesi lakhe
lomsebenzi phesu kukasofa, wabamba uMbali
ngaphansi kwezinqa wamuphakamisa wamuqabula
ehamba naye kancane ebheke ngasephaseji
elaliphumela ekamelweni labo. Wathi lapho esezoliqala
nje iphaseji eguduze phakathi nalo, walula izandla
zakhe uMbali wabambelela odongweni bavimbeka
bama waxakeka uThemba ukuthi kwenzakalani bama
ukuqabulana.

"Mh Mh Sthandwa sami namuhla ngifuna

ungimithisele khona lapha edaningilumu, asikaze phela
silwenzele ucansi kwenye indawo ngaphandle
kwasekamelweni lethu nje njalo. Ake senze okusha
namuhla mntakwethu."

Kusho uMbali elenga emoyeni, waqalaza uThemba

wavele wathambisa izandla zakhe wadedela uMbali
wayohlala ngezinyawo phansi kukhaphethe.
Wakhombisa ukwethuka okukhulu uThemba ngemuva
kokuzwa lawa mazwi ephuma emlonyeni ka Mbali.
Wabona uMbali ukuthi kuzoshuba mayengabuzwa
ukuthi uyazelaphi lento owayekhuluma ngayo ngoba
phela naye wayezisholo ngowakhe umlomo ukuthi
196
abakaze bayenze no Themba. Wayecabangani nje
ngempela naye uMbali aze akhulume lento ku Themba?

"Ngiyadlala sthandwa sami ukuthi kade nje ngibukela

esinye isithombe somkhuba ngase ngifisa ukuthi
sizame into entsha namuhla."

Kusho uMbali ngokuzisola wathatha isudukesi lika

Themba lomsebenzi wahamba phambili ebheke
ekamelweni labo, wake wama uThemba engakazi noma
amulandele umakoti wakhe noma amuyekele ahambe
yedwa ukuya ekamelweni yena asale ebukela
umabonakude aze aye ekamelweni eseyolala. Waqalaza
kancane uMbali efuna ukubona ukuthi kwenzakalani
ngoThemba. Lwamushaya uvalo lapho ebona ukuthi
uThemba wayesasele edaningilumu engamulandeli.

Wayelele kamunandi uLindani nesithandwa sakhe

uLwazi bebambene kamnandi ngalobo busuku babelale
bengabhebhananga ngoba babezama ukuthi
bengazijwayezi ukubhebhana njalo, isikhathi
sasesihambile impela ngoba kwase kuyihora leshumi
nanye ebusuku lapho uLwazi ephelelwa ubuthongo
ngemuva kokuzwa ukufudumala kamnandi komzimba
ka Lindani owawumunamathele ngemuva kwakhe.
197
Kanye nezandla ezazimubambele eduze ezinezimasela,
wazithuka esemamatheka yedwa uLwazi wathi
ukuphulula ingalo nga Lindani eyayingaphezulu
kwakhe kanti enye wayeqamele phezu kwayo. Izinqa
zakhe ezinkulu zazinamathele emthondo ka Lindani
kanti futhi wayewuzwa umthondo uqamele phezu
kwezihlathi zezinqa zakhe.

Wawungavukile nokho nokwakuwenza ukuthi

uthambe futhi ube mncane kakhulu kunenjwayelo
umthondo ka Lindani, wavele wavula amehlo ngoba
kumucacela ukuthi ubuthongo bakhe buphelile
uLwazi. Waphenduka kancane eqalaza ngemuva
kwakhe lapho kwakulele khona uLindani kodwa
wayelele obengane encane uLindani, ephefumulela
phezulu futhi edonsa okukhombisayo ukuthi
wayeziphuphela nje engazi nokwazi ukuthi uLwazi
akalele usenkingeni. Waqunda isibindi uLwazi
wanyakazisa izinqa zakhe kancane wena owabona
ikhanda linikinwa okukhombisa ukuphika.
Wawugenda ngezinda zakhe umthondo ka Lindani,
noma wayengalala kodwa imizwa isebenza ubusuku
nemini ayilali kanye nomzimba wakho mawulele.

Wanyakaza kanye nokunyakaza kwezinqa zika Lwazi

umthondo ka Lindani uyaluza maphakathi nezinqa
zika Lwazi, noma wayenza ngakho konke
198
okusemandleni akhe uLwazi ukuthi kungabonakali
ukuthi lento wayeyenza ngenhloso ethize kodwa
kwamusiza ukuqeda ubuthongo buka Lindani. Wanele
wezwa isandla sika Lindani sinyakaza wazenza
umuntu obephenduka uLwazi ngoba enamahloni
okuthi wayezothini uLindani ngoba phela
babevumelene ukuthi angeke baze bebhebhane
ubusuku bonke. Wazilalisa ezenza umuntu
osebuthongweni uLwazi walala wathula engawavalile
amehlo, kwathuleka ngemuva kwakhe wanganyakaza
uLindani kodwa umthondo wakhe wawusuqine ngathi
ukhuli olwehlule imbazo. Wayewuzwa noLwazi
umunamathele phakathi namaqhuzu ezinqa zakhe
ufudumele ude unyakaza kancane uvukuza ukhombisa
ukuthi usuqhanyelwe ngokuphelele, inquza yakhe
yayisimanzi ngokweqile ukuqhanyelwa. Impela
wayengasadingi ngisho ukuqabulwa wayesewufuna
phakathi umthondo ka Lindani, kodwa ke
wayezokwenza kanjani lokho ngoba phela wayesaba
futhi ezenza umuntu osebuthongweni oziphuphela
kude kakhulu.

Esalindile kanjalo ukuzwa ukuthi uLindani

uzomuthintathinta noma uzovele azibe alale, wezwa
ukuphefumula kuka Lindani kukhuphuka
okwakuzwakala ngokusobala ukuthi usebuyelwa
ubuthongo bakhe. Kwamuphoqa uLwazi ukuthi
akaphinde aqhamuke nelinye iqhinga ngokushesha
199
angaze alahlekelwe ukuqina kwalelipipi elalimugudla
ezinqeni zakhe, ukuqina kwalo kwakumenza
aphelelwe amandla kwasekuluma yonke into
emzimbeni wakhe. Izingono zazingamuniki ukuthula,
iqolo lona kwakungathi lihanjwa isibankwa,
angisayiphathi ke eyomsunu wakhe kwakungathi
uzovele uqhephuke ngendlela owawudansa ngayo.
Wanyakaza kancane ngathi uyaziphakamisa izinqa
zakhe ewukala umthondo ukuthi ukude kangakanani,
wanele walizwa lapho likhona ikhinqi lika Lindani
wavele waziphakamisa izinqa zakhe ngathi uyaziphula
iqolo ufuna ukuhlanganisa amaqhuzu ezinqa zakhe
nomhlane wakhe.

Wakhululeka umthondo ka Lindani washelela

waqonda wakhomba uLwazi, wathi mayebuyisa izinqa
zakhe uLwazi wezwa kushisa igolo ngathi liyadikiza
kanti kwasekuphoseka umthondo phakathi.
Zazivuleka ngokushesha izindebe zenquza yakhe
zamukela uLindani ukuthi angene ngokuthanda
kwakhe.

(Mfici Phruuuffff)

200
Kunanela umsinjwana wenquza emanzi lapho
ithokozela umthondo, wezwa isandla sika Lindani
sizogamanxa ngasemabeleni akhe simudonsela emuva
emzimbeni ka Lindani. Akabange esalokhu enanaza
uLwazi naye waphakamisa kancane uhlangothi lwakhe
olwalulele phezu kombhede wagudlukela ngakuye
uLindani banamathelana. Bathi ukuma isikhashana
bengafendani umthondo wanyakaza phakathi egolo
lika Lwazi livukuza likhombisa ukuthi liyajabula,
wezwa kuqhasha izinkanyezi emehlweni akhe uLwazi
wavela wazinikela wanyakaza kancane ngathi usaba
ukuthi bazobanjwa. Wamulandela no Lindani efenda
behlangabezana behlangane ngezinqa
nangesingaphambili sika Lindani. Waphendula
ikhanda lakhe uLwazi wabheka ngemuva kwakhe
ebuka uLindani ngamehlo akhe ayegcwele ingqanyelo
yodwa, uLindani wabona umbhalo othi (NGICELA
UNGIBHEBHE STHANDWA SAMI!) wasondela
ngobuso bakhe bahlangana ngemilomo baqabulana.

"Mmmmh Mncwaaaa Mmhhhhh Mncwaaaa!"

Kukhala imilomo yabo beqabulana ephefumulela

emlonyeni ka Lindani uLwazi, wavele wanyusa isipiti
sokufenda uLindani lapho ezwa ulimi luka Lwazi
lwenza oludume ngazo. Wavula amehlo uLwazi
wabuka uLindani ezinhlamvuni zamehlo akhe
201
bagqolozelana bobabili, amehlo ka Lwazi kwakungathi
ayaphenduka wena owabona umuntu eklinywa
elahlekelwa umoya. Ayeba mhlophe ngathi akasaboni
abuye abuyele esimeni sawo kwamuqhanyelisa
kakhulu ukubona lokho uLindani phela ayikho into
eyayimuqeda njengokubukela uLwazi ekhombisa
ukujabulela ipipi lakhe njalo nuje mabebhebhana.

"Aaaaaah lapho k…..hee Lind…. Ooohhhh hooooo

mmmmhh!"

Babefendana ngokukhulu ukushesha benamathelene

uLwazi eziphusha izinqa zakhe ezithumela emthondo
ka Lindani kanti naye ngokunjalo wayewuphusha
umthondo wakhe ewuthumela egolo lika Lwazi,
bafikelwa isifudumezi ngokushesha bayiphusha ingubo
yayowela phansi basala bengambethe. Wanele
wachama uLwazi waphakama wahlala ngamadolo
nangezindololwane embhedeni, akatshelwanga muntu
uLindani ukuthi akaphuthume ngemuva kuka Lwazi.
Wachasa ngamadolo uLindani eya ngemuva kwezinqa
zika Lwazi wafika wamubambela okhalo wabuka
ubuhle begolo lika Lwazi elaliveza umbala
wangaphakathi ipetukile iphume yonke inquza
ngaphandle imubiza ngomubala wayo opinki.

202
Wadedela ukhalo luka Lwazi ngesandla esisodwa
sokudla wabamba ngaso umthondo wakhe uLindani
wawukhomba egolo lika Lwazi, wathi ewubeka nje
ngekhanda lawo wavele kwangathi uyahlanya uLwazi
waphusha izinqa zakhe wawugwinya wonke ngegolo
umthondo. Wadedela umzimba wakhe uLwazi
wanamathela ngamabele phezu kombhede eshiya
izinqa zakhe emoyeni zicijile zilindele uLindani ukuthi
asipanishe noma ngayiphi indlela owayethanda ngayo.
Wafenda kabili kathath8u uLindani wachama uLwazi
wacishe wawa eqhaqhazela amathanga ngathi
uphelelwa amandla waphendula ikhanda lakhe wabuka
uLindani eceleni kwethanga lakhe elalimuvimba ukuthi
abone umzimba wonke kodwa wakwazi ukubona
ubuso bakhe.

"Haaa Haaaa Haaa Mncuuu Hooo Hoo!"

Ephefumula ngamawala uLwazi ngomlomo wakhe

ungavaleki, wawungafunga ukuthi uphuma emjahweni
wonyaka wonke. Wawuphindisela uLindani umthondo
waqala ukufenda futhi kulokhu wathi ukuqinisa
umzimba wakhe efenda kuze kukhale izinqa zika
Lwazi.

203
"Bhaaa Bhaaa Bhaaa!"

Lapho wayede eyobayoba uLwazi ngathi wayezwa

ubuhlungu obunzima, wezwa kushisa umzimba wakhe
wonke wachama futhi uLwazi. Wavele waphusha
uLindani ebhoncula umthondo, waphuma umthondo
ka Lindani usaqonde njengothi lomkhonto ubheke
phezulu unconsa ujusi wegolo lika Lwazi wanele
wabona lokho uLwazi ukuthi usemanzi ngalendlela
waqnanyelwa kakhulu wayefusa ukuphinda achame
futhi ngaphambi kokuthi kuchame uLindani. Wadonsa
isandla sika Lindani wamulalisa phezu kombhede
wabheka phezulu uthondo owawujuza uju
olumhloshana wabheka phezulu, wagibela ngaphezulu
uLwazi wazichoma kuwo umthondo ka Lindani
waphakamisa ikhanda lakhe uLindani wabamba
ukhalo luka Lwazi waluthandela ngezandla zakhe
zombili. Wafenda ngokushesha ekhona ngaphansi
wavele wasangana uLwazi lapho umthondo ukuthinta
kwezinye izindawo.

"Hawuuuu Ohohoho Shuuuuu Haaaaa!"

Ephefumula ngokukhulu ukutatazela uLwazi umzimba

wakhe unyakaza wonke unyakaziswa ukufenda kuka
204
Lindani owayemuphunduza ngomthondo ngaphansi.
Wanyakaza naye uLwazi ngathi ugxhuma phezu
kwakhe uLindani behlangabezana umthondo uncwile
uze ubhajwe ngezinhlamvu zamasende egolo lika
Lwazi. Lokho kwamenza ukuthi achame ngokukhulu
ukushesha kunalokhu abekulindele futhi wangakwazi
ukuzibamba waphusha ikhanda lakhe lapho echama
wabamba uLindani wamuqabula ngathi uyamuluma.
Baginqana embhedeni balala ngezinhlangothi
babhekana emehlweni bafendana, uLindani encwile
phakathi namathanga ka Lwazi efendela phakathi
ngaphansi kwakhe kunethanga lika Lwazi elalimenza
azizwe elele kubuthofothofo. Emuva kwesikhashana
bachama bobabili babambana bagonana balala
kwasheshe kwasa.

Wavuka kuqala uLwazi njengenjwayelo wayokwenza

ukudla kwasekuseni ngemuva kokuthatha ishawa
elishisayo elalimuqeda ukukhathala liqaqa imithambo
yonke nokucobeka komzimba wakhe. Wathi mayevuka
uLindani ekhathele engazazi nokuthi ungubani igama,
wezwa edonswa iphunga elinuka kamnandi lesidlo
sasekuseni esasinqenqa.Kwavele kwamucacela ukuthi
nakanjani uLwazi wayesevukile, phela wayelishaya
ibhodwe uLwazi engalidlalisi. Wayefisa ngisho
ukuncinda iminwe uLindani mase eqeda ukudla
okuphekwe izandla zika Lwazi. Wawungafunga
inkosimpela ukuthi usewotela lohlobo oluphambili
205
uLindani ngendlela owayedla kamnandi ngakhona,
angisaphathi ke eyokuthi wayedla ukudla okuphekwe
ngu Lwazi aphinde adle kwayena uLwazi naye
emnandi ngokwakhe.

Kwakucace bha ku Lindani ukuthi uLwazi lona

wayengumuntu lona okukade wayemudinga empilweni
yakhe futhi noma kanjani phela wayezimisele ukuthi
amushade uLwazi imizwa yakhe yayimulahle ngendlela
owayezizwa ngayo makuhlangana amehlo akhe naka
Lwazi endlini. Wavuka uLindani embhedeni wathi
lapho ezama ukuma washawa inzululwane wadiyazela
wawangezinqa phezu kombhede. Wanikina ikhanda
kancane waqalaza kodwa akabonanga muntu, kwasho
kuqhamuka ulozolo lomucu ugudla ngesitebhiso
ugijima phakathi nephaseji uzophoseka emalweni lika
Lindani.

"Amandla Angawakho!"

"Nobuncwele Bungobakho!"

Inkazimulo Yakh' Igcwele AmaZulu!"

"Nomhlaba Haleluya!"

206
Kwakusho uLwazi ngezwi lakhe elalinkeneneza
kamnandi ezindlebeni zika Lindani, wazizwa ethola
amandla okuphakama embhedeni wanyonyoba
engagqokile enjalo ephuthuma emnyango efuna
ukuyobona uLwazi esho lomhlabeleli owawubusisa
inhliziyo yakhe. Waphuma wehla ngezitebhiso
ngaphandlo kokubanga umsindo uLindani wayoma
wancika ngasekupheleni kwazo izitebhisi wavala
amehlo wabheka phezulu walalela izwi lika Lwazi
elalisho kamunandi ngangokuthi waze wakhohlwa
nokuthi akagqokile uLindani. Emuva kwesikhashana
weza uLindani umlolozelo womculo usuthanda
ukushona phansi ngathi wayesephumile ekhishini
uLwazi, kwamuphazamisa kakhulu lokho ngoba
wayesakuthokozela ukulalela izwi elalimubusisa.

Wavula amehlo wehlisa ubuso bakhe ngokushesha

wehlela esitebhisini sokugcina waqalaza ngasekhishini
kodwa akabonanga muntu ngemuva kwetafula
lokuphekela kanti nomnyango wawuvaliwe,
ungakhombisi nokuthi mhlasimpe uke wavuleka.
Ingqondo yakhe igcwele ukudideka, waphenduka
wabuka ngasewindini elaliqondene nezitebhiso
elikhulu. Wathuka wacishe waquleka lapho ebona
uL:wazi emephambi kwakhe emugqolozele
engasacwayizi nakancane. Kunalokho kwacwayiza
yena uLindani kaningi ngathi wayexhoshwe isihlabathi
esiphephulwe ngumoya ozivunguvungu.
207
"Lindani, ngabe konke kusahamba kahle?"

Kubuza uLwazi ngokukhulu ukudideka nokumangala,

ebheke uLindani emehlweni eseshubile nasebusweni
kwakucacile ukuthi akaneme neze. Koma amathe
emlonyeni ka Lindani wangazi nokuthi aphendule
athini ngoba nakanjani wayebona ukuthi uLwazi
kunenxenye yalento owayeyibona eyayingamuphathi
kahle neze.

"Hhayi… Ukuthi nje…. Wena Lwazi mani….. Ngi…."

Ebanjwa amalimu uLindani wayengazi nokuthi iliphi

igama okumele alikhiphe kuqala ngoba ayemaningi
naye ezibuza imibuzo eminingi ekhanda lakhe
owayefisa ukuthi aziphendule kuyo kanti neka Lwazi
imibuzo yayidinga izimpendulo. Ikhanda lakhe lavele
lasangana wabheka phansi ngaphandle kokuphendula.
Wamubuka emehlweni uLwazi wanikina ikhanda
lakhe wakhuphuka ngezitebhisi wadlula kuye
uLindani wamugudluza kabuhlungu.

208
Wayengazi naye uLindani ukuthi kumele athini ku
Lwazi ngoba wayengasaqondi kahle ukuthi yini
lengaka eyayicasula uLwazi kukho konke okwenzekile
ngoba nakanjani wayebona ukuthi akukhona phela
lokho ukuthi ubelalele umculo wakhe, kodwa ke
wayezomubuza kanjani ngoba wayevele enze
okuphambene kwasekuqaleni ngokuthi acashe engaveli
obala. Ikakhulu kazi wayengagqokile okukhomba
izinto eziningi ezazicabangisa uLwazi.

"Lwazi! Mana Lwazi! Akusiyona lento oyicabangayo."

Kumemeza uLindani elandela uLwazi ngemuva,

wayegijima nawo umthondo wakhe ulenga ushayisana
namathanga akhe. Wangena ekamelweni uLwazi
wahlala phezu kombhede wafulathela wabheka
ngasewindini, zehla izinyembezi emehlweni. Wangena
uLindani ehefuzela eqedwe isitebhiso azinyuke ngegiya
eliphezulu, phela wayengazimisele nakancane
ukulahlekelwa ngu Lwazi. Washaya kancane engena
ekamelweni esezibambe umpipi wakhe ngezandla
zombili ngathi uwufihlele umuntu ongawazi noma
ongakaze awubone, wayesondela kancane enokwesaba
ngathi inja ibanjwe ehhokweni lezinkukhu.

209
"Ngicela ukuxolisa kuwe Lwazi, ngiyazi bekungamele
ngihambe nqunu endlini kodwa…."

Esazama ukuchaza uLindani wavele wasukuma

uLwazi wavula uwodilophu wakhipha isikhwama
semali phezulu eshalofini samusinda sacishe sawela
phezu kwakhe kodwa waqhela saphahlazeka phansi.
Waphenduka esehlinile izihlathi zimanzi izinyembezi,
wabuka uLindani emehlweni.

"Bengikwethembile Lindani ngithi uyindoda eyehlukile

kubobonke labosathane kodwa manje sengiyabona
ukuthi ngiyisilima esiphindwe kaningi,
ngingamuthemba kanjani nje umuntu wesilisa
empilweni yami ngoba bonke bayafana akusoze
kwashintsha lokho."

Kusho uLwazi ngokucasuka ebamba ikhanda ngathi

liyaluma, ngathi wayeselindele ukuthi ake asondele nje
uLindani eduze kwakhe. Wavele waphenduka
uLindani efulathela uLwazi ngemuva kokuzwa
lamazwi ayephuma emlonyeni ka Lwazi wahamba
esephoxekille. Wathi mayefika emnyango wama
kodwa wangaphenduka wabuka emnyango.

210
"Lwazi angisiyo indoda engalungile mina, nami
bengingathandi ukuzithola sengisekhishini ekuseni
kusa nje kodwa ngiyawuthanda umculo wakho. Angazi
nami kwenziwa yini ngoba nginele ngikuzwe ucula nje
kuthi angigijime ngiyoma ngemuva kwakho ngikubuke,
bengisaba ukuvela ngoba ngizitshela ukuthi uzothuka
ungibona ngingagqokile sengime ngemuva kwakho."

Kusho uLindani ezama ukuchaza ngesigameko esehlile,

wabheka phansi uLwazi wamazisola ngamazwi
asewashile. Wathi mayephakamisa amehlo uLindani
akasabonwa emnyango, kwamucacela ukuthi
nakanjani usevele wahamba ngenxa yokuphatheka
kabi. Kwamuphatha kabi uLwazi ukubona ukuthi
usecasule umuntu abemethembile futhi okunguyena
omukhathalele empilweni. Waphuma ekamelweni
eshesha eyongena ekamelweni elingalali muntu
eyobheka uLindani, wathi esavula nje umnyango wabe
eqala inkulumo yakhe.

"Lindani ngiyazi ukuthi ayikuphethe kahle lento

engiyisho kuwe kodwa benginga…"

211
Wama washokheka lapho ebona ukuthi ukhuluma
yedwa manje, wayengekho uLindani ekamelweni.
Kwakukhala amanzi eshaweni okukhombisa ukuthi
wayegeza, wahlala phansi uLwazi walinda ukuthi
mayephuma nje uzoqala ukubeka amazwi akhe
okuxolisa. Waphuma uLindani ehamba ezisula ikhanda
wama ngaphandle kweshawa efihleke ubuso
ngethawula elikhulu ayezisula ngalo ikhanda.

"Lindani ngiyaxolisa, akukuningi engingakusho kuwe

ngaphandle kokuthi ngiyaxolisa ngamazwi
angaqondile engiwakhulumile. Ukuthi
sengihlukumezeke kakhulu empilweni manje
ngiyashesha ukucabanga kakhulu makukhona
engingakuboni kahle, kodwa ngicela ungixolele
kakhulu bengingaqondile ukukufanisa nayo yonke
lemikhuhlane yamadoda."

Kusho uLwazi esukuma embhedeni ema ngezinyawo

ebuka uLindani eseze wama naye ukuzisula ikhanda
ngoba efuna ukuzwa konke okwakushiwo ngu Lwazi.
Wasondela embhedeni uLindani wahlala phezu
kwawo wadonsa umoya kakhulu ngathi ukhathele,
waphenduka wafulathela uLwazi. Waxwaya uLwazi
lapho ebona uLIndani emufulathela, kwamucacela
ukuthi akakazukumuxolela kodwa wayesafuna

212
isikhathi sokucabanga. Waphenduka naye uLwazi
efulathela ebheka ngasemnyango.

"Angithandi ukufaniswa nabo bonke abantu lana

ngaphandle mina Lwazi, selokhu ngakwazi mina akaze
ngikucabangele ukuthi uyintombazane ekhohlakele.
Noma ungenzani ngicabanga into enhle kuphela
ngawe, ngiyazethemba mangiseduze kwakho Lwazi.
Ungenza ngijabule ngaso sonke isikhathi, mina
ngiphila ngenjabulo selokhu ngathola wena futhi nje
angisoze ngakukhalisa mina Lwazi."

Kusho uLindani maqede wathatha ikhefu wathula

isikhashana, waphenduka uLwazi wamubuka ngemuva
emamatheka.

"Ngoba ngiyakuthanda Lwazi, angifuni nokuchaza

ukuthi kwenzeke kanjani kodwa khona ngiyakuthanda
lokho ngiyakwazi."

Wezwa inhliziyo yakhe iphola ngathi ithelwe

ngamanzi aneqhwa uLwazi waqhaqhazela izindebe
zakhe, Wathi uyakhuluma langaphuma izwi wagcina
ekhamisile kanjalo.
213
Bavuka ekuseni oSabathile bageza ngokushintshana
khona endlini ka Londiwe, waya endlini yakhe
uSabathile ngoba eseyolanda okokugqoka. Umzala
wakhe wayesalele nangaso leso sikhathi ngoba phela
wayengakawutholi umsebenzi kodwa ke ngethemba
lokuthi uSabathile wayemutshembisile ukuthi
uzolithola itoho ngapha esilungwini wayekwazi ukuthi
kungenzeka lingapheli ngisho isonto engakawutholi
umsebenzi. Waphuma ngokushesha uSabathile ebheke
endlini ka Londiwe eyogqoka baqeda bahamba
bayovalelisa ku mzala endlini ka Sabathile waphuma
kuqala uLondiwe wayoma emgwaqeni elindele khona
umngani wakhe ngoba wayesachazela umzala wakhe
ngemishini yokulungisa ukudla ukuthi isebenza
kanjani. Ngenxa yokwesaba ukubambezela umzala
wakhe uXolani wavele wavuma ukuthi uzwile konke
okwakushiwo ngu Sabathile. Ngenjabulo uSabathile
wamuqabula emlonyeni isikhashana wase evalelisa
waphuma endlini ephuthuma emgwaqeni ukuyogibela
itekisi eyayizobabeka emoli bese bethatha itekisi
elibheke edolobheni eRichards Bay.

Wayengaka khululeki uSabathile ngokuphelele ku

Londiwe ngoba phela wayegcine engamutshelanga
ukuthi wayezweni ngayizolo emnyango wendlu yakhe,
lokho kwakumudla ngaphakathi ngoba phela baye
214
bethi nhliziyo enecala ayikutholi ukuphumula. Kanjalo
ke neka Sabathile yayingakutholi ukuphumula
wayelalelisisa yonke into eyayikhulunywa ngu
Londiwe aze ayihlaziye ukuthi ayihambisani yini
nokwenzeke phakathi kwakhe nomzala ebusuku.
Ngoba wayenganake lutho usabathile ekude
ngemicabango wabona itekisi isifikile edolobheni,
wathuka esegudluzwa ngu Londiwe. Wathuka
waqalaza, wezwa uLondiwe ekhuluma kodwa
engamuzwa nokuthi uthini. Wanikina ikhanda lakhe
kwayilapho ezwa izwi likamshayeli likhulumelaphansi.

"Yenzani into eyodwa phela mantombazane,

ngiyasebenza mina lana angizile ukuzodlala."

Wasukuma wehla etekisini uSabathile exwayile,

amehlo ewakhiphe wonke ngaphandle. Wakhombisa
ukumangala no Londiwe wamugqolozela emehlweni.

"Yini ngitheni? Khona ebengikukhuluma yini?"

Kubuza uSabathile eqalaza, wamudonsa ngengalo

uLondiwe bawela umgwaqo bayoma ngapheshela
belinde izimoto ukuthi livale ilobhothi noma zinciphe
215
ukuze bazokwazi ukuwela. Wavele wazibona
uSabathile ukuthi uyazisanganisa ngoba lo Londiwe
akamubhekile ngathi akazi nokuthi lidumephi nje.
Wakhohlwa yikho konke bahamba bayongena esaluni
baqala ukusebenza, kusenjalo kwangena usisi
wokuqala ezoluka ku Sabathile. Wajabula uLethu
ukubona ukuthi imali isiqalile iyangena njalo bevula nje
ngakho kodwa, waqhubeka nokulungisa isitulo sakhe
uLondiwe waqeda kwafika izintombi zase Mzingazi
zababingelela zalungisa izindawo zazo kwaba ukuqla
kosuku oluhle ke lokho esaluni.

"Yazi namuhla nginukelwa imali emkhaleni nje

bangani, Aybo asiyenzeni yenzeke lento namuhla
umuntu angalala ebhejiwe nje ngalemali esizoyenza
namuhla."

Kusho uLethu ehleka kakhulu encokola

namantombazane, wagigithela uPhindile ongomunye
wabasebenzi base Mzingazi wama kancane
nokulungisa izinto zakhe zokusebenza.

"Ayi awenze phela mphathi umuntu wafa indlala yazi

kunini ngagcina ukubona indoda inqunu!"

216
Washo uphindile bahleka bonke esaluni,
kwakumakhazana phandle ingakho babezikhulumela
ngemikhuba yodwa ngoba kwakuyihona ndlela yabo
yokubiza amakhasimende leyo makumakhaza bayazi
phela ukuthi izintokazi zithanda kabi ukukhuluma
ngomukhuba makumakhaza. Nangempela akubanga
sikhathi esingakanani kwasekungene izintokazi
kwagcwala izitulo wonke umuntu wayebhizi abanye
behlezi belindile ukuthi baqede abalukayo nabageza
amakhanda ukuze nabo bathole usizo. Kwakuxoxwa
izindaba zabantu nezabo osisi ukuthi babhejwa obani
kuphi, nangamaphathi otshwala bedakiwe. Kumunandi
kungekho ongaxoxi, kuze kupantshwane. Kanti
uLethu yena ayikho into owayeyijabulela
njengokubona imali ingena esisefweni abantu bengena
bephuma esaluni.

Kwashaya izikhathi zasemini uXolani wavuka,

wayeselambile kudinwe ithumbu liduma libanga
umsindo. Walungisa amanzi okugeza waqala
ngokugeza wathi lapho ephuma eyochitha amanzi
ngasempompini zaphuma izintombi zancika
ngeminyango zimulunguza zizibuza ukuthi ungubani
phela ufike ebusuku ngayizolo abaningi abakwazanga
ukumbona. Mayephenduka naye ebone kunyakaza
amakhethingi ukuthi kukhona abebembuka aze abe
217
namahloni ngoba phela wayegqoke isikhindi
sangaphansi esincane kuphela (boxer) wazitshela
ukuthi kungenzeka ukuthi isona lesi esenza abantu
bamubuke. Waphuthuma ukuyongena endlini
wangavala umnyango waqala ukuzama ukulungisa
ukudla kodwa akakwazanga ngoba wayenenkinga
yokuthi konje uqale kuphi wagcina kuphi uSabathile.
Wazama ukwenza isinkwa ngomshini wakhona sasha
kwanuka indlu yonke.

"Hhaybo kwenzenjani sizoze sishe nendlu?"

Kumemeza uNomusa ohlala kamakhelwane ka

Sabathile, wayeza ngokukhulu ukuphapha ezitshela
ukuthi uSabathile akayanga emsebenzini. Wavele
wangena endlini ka Sabathile enganokhanga, egqoke
ingutshana yokulala emfushane eyinethi ngaphansi
yasiba ngathi inejazi ngaphezulu enamabhande
ngaphambili engawabophile kwawona. Waphakamisa
amehlo uXolani wazithela phezu kuka Nomusa emile
ngasemnyango, intokazi esho ngamabele amakhulu
kanye nomzimba obushelelezi amathanga ansundu
ayehlezi obala kanti yayingabhodile futhi kodwa
idilozele kuphela.

218
"Ngiyaxo… Ngiya… Bengithi."

Kusho uNomusa ezama ukuchaza ukuthi ubezitshela

ukuthi ngumnikazi wendlu kodwa akukhulumekanga
kuye. Wathi uzama ukuphensuka washelela
kusimende owawupholishwe ucwebezela ushelela
futhi, egqoke izicathulo zasendlini. Wabela phezu
kombede wacishe waphuka intamo, wavela wathuka
uXolani wagxhuma wamubamba ngezandla zakhe
eziqinile.

Wawushelela umzimba ka Nomusa ngenxa yengubo

yokulala owayeyigqokile ecwebezelayo, phela yakhiwe
ngendwangu ethambile futhi yekhethelo. Izandla zika
Xolani zayithola indawo emzimbeni ka Nomusa
owawungaphansi kwengubo emfushane yokulala,
ngoba kwabukeka ngathi wayengasazimisele
ukuzisusa kuye ngemuva kokumusiza ukuthi ahlale
ngezinqa embhedeni esecishe washayisa ngesiphongo
kusimende. Wayezoba yini nje ngempela eseyintokazi
enhle kodwa enepopo esiphongo, abafana base
Esikhawini beyisa kangaka wayezobabhekelwa
ngubani ngempela? Waphendula ubuso bakhe
wabheka uXolani, yayimoyizela into engapheli insizwa
lena ilindele leligama vele elalizophuma emlonyeni ka
Nomusa noma kanjani mayevula umlomo wakhe.

219
"Ngiyabonga bhuti, angazi ukube bewungekho
bengizoba yini nje kulosimende ngobuso bami."

Kusho uNomusa esakhombisa ukwethuka ebusweni

bakhe, wamubamba ngathi uyamugona uXolani ezama
ukumenza akhululeke. Wahlala imizuzwana esifubeni
sika Xolani uNomusa esiphakeme, isandla sakhe esinye
sasibambelele phezu kwesibele sika Xolani.
Wayewuzwa umlilo ukhandeka phakathi
kwamathanga akhe uNomusa kodwa wathatha ngathi
mhlawumbe kwenziwa ukwethuka kwakhe. Waze
waqala ukunaka ngoba esezwa kufudumala iphenti
lakhe ngaphansi ukuthi usemanzi, imicabango yakhe
yaqala ukudansa ihambisana nokushaya kwenhliziyo
ka Xolani eyayivalelwe izindonga zesifuba eziphezulu.

"Ngicabanga ukuthi sekumele ngi…"

Kusho uNomusa ezama ukuqhamuka nesu lokubaleka,

ehlehla kancane esifubeni sika Xolani kodwa kwavele
kwahlangana amehlo abo ngesikhathi ephakamisa
ubuso. Kwasha izwi ngaso leso sikhathi wavele wasala
ekhamisile wangazi ukuthi uzoqhubeka ethini.
220
Wasondela kancane uXolani ehlukanisa izindebe
zakhe ngathi uzoncela isiqeda.

"Nami ngicabanga ukuthi amanzi ewolintshi angeke

abe nankinga."

Wayedlala ngenkotha uXolani phela insizwa

yasemakhaya ikholelwa ekuphicaphiceni intokazi
ukuze ithole ekudingayo, wathi esazama ukuphendula
uNomusa kwahlangana izindebe zabo wezwa izindebe
zika Xolani zigcwala umlomo wakhe. Ngaphandle
kokupaquza wazamukela wazivalela phakathi
nezakhe, zahlukana zaphinde zahlangana izindebe
zabo. Basondelana kakhulu kunakuqala kwafudumala,
babambana izandla zika Nomusa zagamanxa
emahlombe ka Xolani kanti ezakhe uXolani zangena
ngaphansi kwejazana leli elihambisana nengubo
yokulala eyayigqokwe ngu Nomusa zabamba ifiga ka
Nomusa.

"Mmm Mmncwo Mncwa."

Kwakukhala izindebe zabo bobabili beqabulana,

ngaphandle kokusebenzisa ulimi kuwukudlala
221
kwezindebe nje kuphela. Waqethuka kuqala uNomusa
wamulandela uXolani ngaphandle kokuhlukana
kwemilomo, akekho owayesakhumbula ukuthi konje
umnyango awuvaliwe. Baginqana embhedeni
kwakhuphuka izinga lokuphefumula ku Nomusa
esephefumulela emlonyeni ka Xolani eze ezamulele
phakathi.

"Mmmh Ooh Mmmh Mncwaaa!"

Baphenduka waba ngaphezulu uNomusa wezwa kuba

ngathi kunesikhuni esimuthinta esibumbu,
kwahlasimula igazi umzimba wakhe washiselwa
wajuluka ikhala. Wayecimezile kodwa inhliziyo yakhe
ifisa ukuthi avule amehlo. Kwakungenzeki ngoba naye
wayezithokozela izindebe ezazigcwele umlomo wakhe,
futhi nezandla kunento ezazimenza yona okhalo zize
ziyobuya phezu kwezinqa zakhe. Wezwa ngathi
kushaya umoya kakhudlwana uNomusa kanti
useyamuphendula uXolani umubuyisa ngaphansi
kwakhe, wezwa lesigxhobo sesimunamathele phezu
kwephenti lakhe imilenze yakhe yazihlukanela uXolani
wangena phakathi nayo.

"Mncuuuuh Haaaaa Mmmh Haaaaa!"

222
Kwakhuphuka isivinini kukho konke ababekwenza
ngaleso sikhathi wazithuka esebambe izinqa zika
Xolani uNomusa emudonsa ngathi uzomunamathisela
ngomuthi wezicathulo ukuthi engasasuki phezu
kwephenti lakhe. Wezwa kugudluka iqolo lakhe
ngathi kuhamba isondo lebhala emhlane, kwakitaza
ubhontshisi wakhe kanti useyachama futhi. Lapho laba
manzi iphenti lakhe ngendlela akangakaze ayibone
ngaphambilini, wayezizwa ngathi uthelwe into
eluketshezi hhayi ukuthi kwakungolwakhe. Ngemuva
kokuchama kwakhe washawa amahloni ngangokuthi
wayesaba ukuthi uXolani amuzwe esemanzi
ngaleyandlela kanti futhi ukuchama kwakhe
kwasekumusizile. Wanqamula ukhisi wabo waqhelisa
ikhanda lika Xolani wamubukela phezulu.

"Ngicabanga ukuthi kuzomele ngihambe manje,

ngiyaxolisa kakhulu kodwa kumele ngiyolala
ngiyasebenza ebusuku."

Kwakusho uNomusa ebuka uXolani ngamehlo abomvu

adabukisayo, kwakuthi akaqhume ukucasuka lapho
uXolani kodwa ayikho into owayengayenza phela
intokazi mase icela indlela wayengeke ayibambe
ngenkani isedolobheni lapha wayengalala ebaliwe
223
ezitokisini. Asukume kancane ngokungabaza lapho
umthondo wakhe ubheke phezulu umile ibhulukwe
ngathi lizovele liqhume uziphu uhlakazeke.

"Oh, Aaa… Hhayi…"

Kwaphela amathe emlonyeni ku Xolani engasazi

nokuthi uzoqala athini mayekhuluma, wavuka
uNomusa wazilungisa ingubo yakhe wehla embhedeni
wama ngezinyawo wazilungisa ikhanda.

Akabange esamubheka uXolani wavele waphuma

wahamba, wasala wabamba ikhanda ngezandla zombili
uXolani wabheka phansi inhliziyo yakhe ishaya
ngamandla. Wezwa kunezicathulo ezaziza ngasendlini
ka Sabathile waqalaza wabuka ngasemnyango, kwavela
uNomusa wamoyizela uXolani elindele ukuthi angene
ngaphakathi uNomusa baqhubeke lapho begcine
khona.

"Igama lami ngingu Nomusa, ngingajabula ukukwazi

nawe."

224
Kusho uNomusa encike ngomnyango wendlu ka
Sabathile, wangabaza uXolani ukusho igama lakhe
futhi wazizw ecikeka nje ukuthi lentombazanyana
iqonde ukumenza isilima yini. Ingafike imushiye
endlini eqhanyelwe njengohlanya bese izofuna ukwazi
igama lakhe? Wayengathembi ukuthi ukubuzwa
kwegama lakhe ngabe kwakuhambisana nento enhle,
waphendula ikhanda lakhe wabheka
ngasemabhodweni abezama ukuwafudumeza.

"Oh, hhayi igama mina ngingu Xolani noma uMenzi

Khumalo."

Kwakuphendula uXolani ngokudangala inhliziyo

seyishone phansi kanti nomthondo wakhe
ungazibekile ke wona phansi uqhanyelwe hhayi
kancane, into eyayingamusiza ukuzishayela indlwabu
kuphela ngoba inquza into owayengeke ayithole kwase
kumucacele lokho.

"Ngiyajabula ukukwazi Xolani, sengizoxhawula kusasa

okuncono senginolwazi ngawe. Ngiyaxolisa
ukukushiya kanjena kodwa iyonanto engasisiza
sobabili leyo."

225
Kwakusho uNomusa esemnyango, wavele wabheka
phansi uXolani engazimisele ngokuphendula. Wathi
lapho ephendula ubuso eqalaza emnyango
wayengasekho uNomusa esehambe kudala. Wasukuma
wavala umnyango uXolani ngaphandle kokuwukhiya
wabuyela embhedeni wahlala kancane wabuye
wasukuma wama ngezinyawo waqalaza umthondo
ubheke phezulu ngathi izohlephuka ibhokisa yakhe
owayeyigqokile. Waguqa ngamadolo wadonsa enye
indwangu encane eyayingemuva komnyango
wayindlala phambi kwakhe wehlisa ibhokisa wayeqa
ngamadolo wasala nqunu. Waqalaza okokugcina
wagobisa intamo ebuka umthondo wakhe owase
uqhansa imithambo ngaphandle ukuqhanyelwa.

Wawubamba ngesandla sokudla wangathi

uyawumasaja waqethukisa ikhanda wabheka phezulu,
isandla siqhubeka nokuwumasaja umthondo wakhe.
Avaleka amehlo kwabuya isithombe sakhe no Nomusa
besaqabulana sibuye sime wena owabona umuntu
ephethe ilimothi ebukisisa isithombe esidlala
kumabonakude noma kwi glamafomu. Wayeze
asondeze amabele ka Nomusa eduze ngamehlo
enqondo lapho ewabona ngathi aphambi kwakhe,
saqala ukukhuphuka isipiti sesandla sinyakazisa
umthondo siwulula sibuye siwuhluba. Wayeze afende
226
kancane naye lapho isandla sihamba kamunandi phezu
komthondo wakhe.

"Mmmm Oooooh Mmmmm Oooooh!"

Equma uXolani ezidlalisa umthondo ngesandla sakhe,

wayezibona esephakathi egolo lika Nomusa
emubhebha hhayi kancane kanti nezwi lika Nomusa
wayelizwa ngokwenqondo ekhala ecela intethelelo.
Ejabuliswa umthondo omudla kamunandi futhi wayeze
ewuhangabeze, wayaphakamisa isipiti ngokushesha
ngathi ukhokha isibhamu sohlobo lwe (Palm Gun)
wayeshesha ngathi uxhunywe kugesi lapho
engasacabangi nokuma. Uma kwakungena umuntu
laphana wayeyomane amulinde aze aqede kunokuthi
ayekele lento owayeyenza, wakhohlwa nawukuthi
usemqashweni futhi akuwona nowakhe.

"OOOOOOOOOH! HUUUU HAAAAAA!!!"

Wamemeza kakhulu kwaduma indlu yonke kwaze

kwananela nothayela lapho ekhihliza isidoda
esimhlophe sagcwala phezu kwendwangu, esinye
sagcwala esandleni sakhe owayezidlalisa ngaso
227
umthondo wakhe. Akazange ame ukuhlikihla
umthondo wakhe waqhubeka noma isidoda sesiphuma
saze samuthela nasemathangeni kukapaka lesi
esasigcithekela esandleni sakhe. Waqeda lapho wehlisa
ikhanda lakhe wavula amehlo, wezwa inhliziyo ngathi
incwile emafutheni efikelwa ukunyanya nokuzisola.
Wayeshawa inzululwane encane wake wama kancane
wanganyakaza ededela umzimba ukuthi ululeke igazi
ligijime ngokuthanda ukuze ezozizwa encono, kwase
kumnyama amehlo evele evaliwe.

Wasukuma ngaso leso sikhathi wathatha indwangu

eyayiphambi kwakhe wasula ngayo isidoda
esasichithekele kusimende ka Sabathile opholishwe
ucwebezela, wadonsa ithawula lakhe lokugeza
wazisula ngalo emathangeni nomthondo wakhe.
Wageza izandla wawasha ithawula lokugeza wase
egcina ngendwangu lena owayesula ngayo isidoda
phansi. Waqeda waphuma wayochitha amanzi
phandle, esebuyela endlini wezwa kukhona izwi
eliqhamuka kamakhelwane wakhe lomuntu
wesifazane.

"Iheeee wuuuuuuuu! Ayi bandla!!"

228
Akazange azihluphe ngalowo muntu omemezayo
ohlekayo, wayongena endlini ka mzala wakhe wabeka
indishi wahlala phezu kombhede wayesahefuzela
inhliziyo ishaya ngamandla ngathi ihambisana novalo.
Ejuluka nesiphongo kufika ukushisa, wasukuma
embhedeni wavula icabha ukuze kuzoshaya umoya
endlini.

Wayengazi ngisho ukuthi uhlala kuyiphi indlu

uNomusa futhi wayazana kanjani no Sabathile, inkinga
enkulu ukuthi wayengadlile intokazi eyayingamusiza
kwakunguye uNomusa lowo kodwa ke ngoba kwase
konakele wayengeke esakwazi ukumucela ukuthi
azomulungisela lomshini wokufudumeza ukudla.
Kwamuphoqa ukuthi akavele ayingene inyama yomile
injalo ngoba wayezohlala ngendlala phela uma
engaphika nemishini angayazi nokuthi isebenza
kanjani. Waqeda ukudla walala embhedeni umnyango
engawuvalile, wajumeka ethathwa isithongwana
ngenhlanhla ngenxa yokukhathala okwamufikela
ngemuva kokuthulula isidoda esiyisikhihli.

ULethu wayedlala imicabango emsebenzini ngendaba

yokubona imali ingena ngendlela exakile kanti
namakhaza awazibekile phansi, wagcine eqhamuke
necebo lokuthi kuzomele asivumele isicelo sika
Sabathile sokuthi umzala wakhe ayosebenzela esaluni
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ukugunda amakhanda abantu ukuze bezokwazi
ukuthola namakhasimende abesilisa ngoba phela
kugcwala abantu besifazane kuphela esaluni yabo.
Wcela uSabathile ukuthi adlulise umlayezo kumzala
wakhe ukuthi noma kanjani ngakusasa kwakufanele
ukuhti abe sesaluni ukuzoqala umsebenzi. Bavumelane
ngokuthi uzoqala ngokuba u-cleaner walaphana
esaluni bebe bemfundisa umsebenzi ukuthi wenziwa
kanjani, ukuze bezoqiniseka ukuthi yonke into ihamba
ngendlela mayeqala nje ukusebenza ngesonto
elalizolandela.

Wahlala yedwa uLethu ngemuva kokuhamba

kwabasebenzi bakhe ecabanga ngokuthi
kuzomuphatha kanjani ukusebenza no Xolani,
wangena ehhovisi lakhe wavala umnyango wahlala
phezu kwesitulo sakhe waneka imilenze phezu
kwetafula lakhe legilazi. Kwadlala izithombe zika
Xolani esemile phambi kwakhe ezibambe izimasela
zakhe eziqinile, ephethe uhalakasha lomthondo waze
wathuka kancane wavula amehlo wahleka yedwa lapho
ezibona ubuphukuphuku ngoba phela uyacabanga
kodwa uyathuka ngathi uphambi kwakhe.

Wavele wanxapha wasukuma esitulweni uma ebona

ukuthi uzoze azone futhi lapha ehhovisi, waqinisela
wahamba wayothatha isikhwama sakhe wavala
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wakhiya isaluni wanikela ebhange sekuhlwile
wayofaka imali maqede wanikela elenke yamatekisi
eseyogibela. Endleleni akupheli ukucabanga ngo Xolani
kubuye kuvele isithombe sika Lindani khona lapho
anikine ikhanda uLethu. Imibuke insizwa ehlezi eduze
kwakhe azenze umuntu owozelayo ofikelwa
isithongwana, wayebona phela ukuthi vele itekisi
isazothatha kude ukuthi ifike Empangeni ngoba
kuqhelile. Wafikelwa iqhinga lokuthi uma engazama
ukuzenza umuntu owozelayo engayithola indlela
yokunakwa ilensizwa eseceleni kwakhe.

Yapnele yaphuma itekisi ekukhanyeni wazidiyazelisa

uLethu eziphosa ngekhanda ehlombe lalensizwa
eyayihlezi eduze kwakhe. Yasheshe yafikelwa
isithombe lensizwa sokuthi kwenzakalani, yasiphusha
isandla sayo yasigudlisa emathangeni ka Lethu,
wawavula umambane amathanga ededela isandla
salensizwa ukuthi sigijime kahle phezu kwamathanga
akhe ngaphandle kokuphazamiseka. Sekumunyama
etekisini iyashosoloza kukhala umgwaqo kanti
ngezikhathi zantambama akekho onaka omunye,
lensizwa isigudlise isandla sayo isinyakazise ngathi
iyasinwaya isibumbu sika Lethu. Kuthi akaqhume
uLethu lapho ezwa ukuthi iphenti lakhe
liyayiphazamisa lensizwa phela asikwazi ukungena
kahle isandla ngenxa yokuthi sasivinjwa yilo iphenti

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wayesefisa ngathi ngabe kuhle ukuhti ulikhumule
walishiya ehhovisi iphenti lakhe lelo.

Yazama nokho lensizwa ukuliphushela eceleni kwathi

ukuvela ubhontshisi wakhe ngaphandle yawudlalisa
sakuwuqhwanda lensizwa iwunwaya, wezwa kushisa
izindlebe uLethu kwathi akahayize ngesikhathi isandla
salensizwa sinyakaza ngokushesha esezwa uLethu
ukuthi useyathunda yavele yafika itekisi ekukhanyeni
yasidonsa ngokushesha lensizwa isandla sayo izama
ukusifihla ukuthi kungabonakali ukuthi bebenzani
bobabili.

Isiphakamise isandla sayo lensizwa isibeke emakhaleni

ihogela iphunga lenquza ka Lethu ize icimeze kancane
ibheke phezulu. Kwakuquthile phela okungu Lethu
kuzenza olele, lensizwa iyona ehlezi ngase windini.
Bafika edolobheni Empangeni behla abantu yase
imuvusa uLethu lensizwa nayo yenza ngathi ubese elele
ngempela. Waziquthisa imizuzwana uLethu wavele
wehla umshayeli wetekisi ekhuluma nabanye
abashayeli owayebafica elenke. Waphakama kancane
uLethu wakhipha iphenti lakhe waleqa lasala phansi
wehla kuqala yasala lensizwa yalicosha yalihogela
phambi kwakhe khona limanzi linjalo.

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Wamamatheka uLethu ezizwa evukelwa kakhulu
kunakuqala lapho ubhontshisi wakhe ngathi uzovele
ubhoboze amathanga ngendlela owase uqine ngayo,
balandelana uLethu ehamba phambili ebheke etekisini
elizomubeka elokishini lakhe eNgwelezane.
Wamulandela nalomlisa phela wayeseyizwe kahle
inquza ishisa eminweni yakhe futhi wayengeke
esakwazi ukulinda kwakumele ukuthi ayithole khona
lapho noma kanjani. Wayengamane ehle ngisho lapho
engazi khona uma nje ezogcia ebhebhisiwe lokho
kwakuyomujabulisa kakhulu. Wabona uLethu ukuthi
kubhizi ulayini wabantu abagibelayo mude futhi
kuzothatha isikhathi esamile elindele ukugibela.

"Ngicela ungiphelezela ngifuna ukuyochama ngale

ngemuva kwerenke yase Esikhawini."

Kusho ulLethu amathanga akhe eqhaqhazela

engasakwazi ngisho nokuzimela, nangempela
balandelana nalensizwa bebheke khona lapho kuma
khona amatekisi athatha abantu abaya Esikhawini
kodwa nawo ayesephelile. Eceleni kwakhona
kunezihlahlana ezisethunzini elimunyamana, bancwila
khona ngokwehlukana iphenti alisekho vele ku Lethu
futhi nomoya wayengawuzweli ngenxa
yokuqhanyelwa inquza yakhe ishisa bhe. Bahlangana
nalomlisa khona ngemuva kwesihlahla babambana
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baqabulana lensizwa yamubamba ngamandla uLethu
yamundizisa emoyeni yamugona emoyeni umthondo
wayo usulenga gaphandle.

Wayengakulindele lokhu okwakwenzeka uLethu

kodwa impela akukho owayengakwenza ngoba
lensizwa yayikhombisa ukuthi sekunesikhathi
iqhanyelwe futhi imuhalela uLethu lona. Esamangazwe
indlela izinto ezazenzeka ngokushesha ngayo wezwa
kufudumala izindebe zenquza yakhe zaluleka ziqaqeka
kuphuma ubisi luhlangabeza umthondo walensizwa
ushibilika ugcwala igolo lika Lethu. Kwathi
akamemeze kodwa wazibamba esekhumbula ukuthi
konje bacashile lapho bekhona abanayo neze imvume
yokubhebhanela ehlathini bangaboshwa nokuboshwa
mabengatholakala bebhebhana lapha ngoba indawo
yomphakathi.

" Mmmh Aah Aaaah Shuuuuuu AAaaaaah!"

Kukhala uLethu ezama ukuzibamba ukuthi

engamemezi kodwa kwakufana nokuthi udlala
ngesikhathi sakhe ngoba phela lensizwa
yayiwubusheka umthondo egolo lakhe kwakungathi
uzophuma ngomlomo ngendlela yayiwushaya ngayo ize
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izimelele ngaso isihlahla esincanyana ababecashe
ngaso. Ubhejwa kangaka nje uLethu ulenga emoyeni
kanti futhi akasenandaba nokuthi kwenzakalani ulalele
lomthondo owawumugijima ezibindini zegolo lakhe
ngaphandle kwe condom.

"Mmmh OOOOOhhhh Wuuuuu!"

Kubhonga lensizwa isikhombisa ukuthi iyachama

ayobayobe uLethu ezama ukupilingana phela akazwani
nokuchanyelwa egolo uLethu uyakuqinisekisa lokho
ukuthi akwenzeki ngoba uzimisele ukuthi engatholi
umntwana nomuntu akangakazi noma ukulungele yini
ukuba ngubaba wengane. Yamudedela lensizwa ngoba
izitshela ukuthi mhlampe wayefuna ukufenda naye,
wama ngezinyawo uLethu wabambelela esihlahleni
wafulathela lensizwa yeza ngemuva kwakhe wadunusa
uLethu ezikhipha zonke izinqa zakhe negolo.
Yawufaka umthondo lensizwa wagcwala igolo yafenda
ngokushesha ibambelele ngemuva kweqolo lakhe
uLethu. Wavekusa naye uLethu efenda ehlangabeza
lensizwa yaze yakhalisa kwehhashi isiqhaqhazela
itsheka incika kuye uLethu isisishaya isidoda wadons
kakhulu izinqa zakhe uLethu yasishayela phezu
kwezinqa zakhe uLethu isidoda lensizwa.

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Bazisula ngamapheshana okusula izandla
ayesesikhwameni sika Lethu, bahamba bayohlangana
kulayini wezimoto eziya elokushini, baqhamuka
sebenuka kamunandi phela lamapheshana okusula
izandla anamakha amunandi futhi aphambili.

"Igama ngingu Simanga."

Kusho lensizwa izibika ku Lethu ilindele ukuzwa

igama lakhe uLethu ezibika naye ngokuthokoza kodwa
lutho akazange athi vu uLethu wazithulela nje kwaze
kwafika itekisi bagibela bahamba baze behla
ngokwehlukana engashongo lutho uLethu. Phela
wayeyintshontshela nje lensizwa hhayi ngoba
wayefuna ukuthi kuthandwane. Wafika ekhaya kubo
wabingelela abazali bakhe kanye nosisi wakhe
omuncane wase wageza walala.

Ubuya emsebenzini uThemba umakoti wakhe akekho

endlini futhi mayemufonela ucingo akalubambi,
udinwe uyafa uThemba. Wahlala edaningilumu
elindele ukubona ukuthi uzobuya ngobani isikhathi
futhi uzoqamba amanga ethi uvelaphi? Ngemuva
kwesikhathi esingange hora waqhamuka uMbali,
ehamba emamatheka ephethe ibhokisana elincane
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nefoni yakhe esandleni uhamba uyabhala umqhafazo
uyabonakala ukuthi nakanjani usemathandweni
nalomuntu amubhalela umuqhafazo. Wayesheshe
waphuma phela emsebenzini uThemba ngoba
ephuthuma ukuzobonana nonkosikazi wakhe ngoba
kumakhaza, kodwa wathola ukuphoxeka ngokuthi
amuthole engekho ekhaya. Wathi engena nje emnyango
uMbali wazithela ku Themba esediniwe egane
unwabu, waqalaza uMbali engazi ukuthi uzoqala
ngaphi mayechaza ukuthi uphumaphi.

"Ngikunika impilo encono, izimoto, amafoni abizayo,

izimpahla kanye nenjabulo wena iyonandlela
ongikhokhela ngayo lena?"

Kwakusho uThemba ediniwe eqhuma, wathula uMbali

wangaphendula ngobe ehlonipha umyeni wakhe futhi
wayazi ukuthi ukukhuluma kwakhe kungaqhubezela
izinto phambili ngoba wayengazi noma usethole
imininingwane yini ngokwake kwenzeka phakathi
kwakhe no Lindani.

"Ngiyaxolisa sokhaya kodwa ngiphuma lapha

edolobheni ukuyocosha isipho phela sokugubha usuku
lwethu lomshado."
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Kwakusho uMbali ebambe ibhokisi elibhekise ngakuye
uThemba wakhe, wavele wanamahloni uThemba wathi
uzama ukukhulume efuna ukucela uxolo kodwa
wamuvala ngezindebe zakhe uMbali baqbulana.
Wamuqukula uThemba ebheke naye ekamelweni labo
bangena bavala umnyango babhebhana kwaze kwasa
ekuseni.

Zazihamba kahle izinto phakathi kuka Lindani no

Lwazi ngakusasa bavuka baya emakhaya kubo ka
Lwazi eNseleni ukuyolanda indodakazi ka Lwazi,
bazohlala ndawonye esilungwini emzini ka Lindani
njengomndeni. Wayejabule kakhulu uLwazi ukubona
ukuthi uLindani uzimisele ngempela ngaye futhi
wayemethemba, bathola emuva kwezinyanga ezintathu
ukuthi uLwazi wayezithwele. Nokwaba injabulo
enkulu ku Lindani ngoba kwakuzoba umntwana
wakhe wokuqala.

Sabathile nomzala wakhe kwabahambela kahle

ngemuva kokuthi umzala athathe umsebenzi wase
saluni waze wathandana no Lethu, owamusuza ukuthi
athole umsebenzi oncono khona edolobheni kanti
uLondiwe yena waqhubeka nokuziphatha kahle…

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THE END

Written by : Lindani Mbambo

Company : cA.vEe Entertainment

Contact : 0793306967

E-mail : ca.veedjcandy@gmail.com

Facebook : Lindani X Mbambo

Instagram : lindanixmbambo2

Twitter : @djcandyvee

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