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ketso · 1 year

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Episode 58

I'm chilling in the dining area of my house, going through some paperwork regarding the new house that my family and I will be moving too. With everything that's been going on, my plans with my family haven't changed. And I've made a decision to not feel bad about it. Thabang and I spoke to our kids about the changes that are about to happen. They are excited - slightly annoyed that they'll be driving a bit further from home to school - but they are fine to downgrade. With my royal house housing benefit, I will not be paying any bond. I will also not be paying for my Hyundai Tuscon. Thabang and I traded in our BMW X7 for a Golf 7. It's cheaper. We were even able to pay it off so we don't pay instalments monthly. This will also help with petrol for Thabang driving up and down.

He has the king's ear about his plan to start his resort. I'm proud of him. No lie. We was able to put a down payment for the land where the resort will be. Now the project to create the resort is what will happen next. We are looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to it for him.

"Morafe", my mom says, touching my shoulder.

I've been deep in thought. Yoh! Deep in thought and reading all this paperwork. My mom and my sister's kids are still here at the house with us.

"Dumela mme", I say.

The kids have gone to school - my kids. Thabang is still serving his notice, so he is possibly at his office.

"I've made us some tea. I thought that we could maybe have a conversation", she says, putting coffee in front of me.

I accept the coffee and say thank you.

She sits down in a chair next to me. She also has her cup of coffee.

"Rafe, I know that you didn't have a good relationship le ausi wahao. And maybe I'm to blame for that because I was much more harder on you than I was on her. I contributed to her being irresponsible while not paying attention to the consequences of that - that one day, she would be your problem. No child deserves to carry the responsibility of parenting another child. And I'm sorry that I didn't do my bit to ensure that Mmaletuka was an independent and self-sufficient woman - especially so that she could look after her children."

I'm still quiet because I need to understand where this is going. Oksalayo, I'm not taking on her kids. It's not happening.

"Morafe, I'm an old woman now. I don't have the strength to look after children anymore. I can't take these kids."

"So who must take them, mama?"

She looks at me.

"I'm going through changes myself. And le nna I've hit rock bottom before. You and Mmaletuka did nothing. I had to dust myself off, take my kids and find a way to carry on. Now I must take on two more kids? I even took your child. I'm raising her for you even though you couldn't raise my kids for me when I needed you to... when I even begged you to. I must show you and Mmaletuka mercy that both of you combined couldn't even show me? I'm not a better or bigger person, mme. From a very long time ago, I had to make a plan to accommodate myself and my two kids. That's all I've ever had room for."

"Morafe, I'm asking you, hle. I'm begging you."

"Mme, put these kids in a boarding school. There are good boarding schools in Tholoana Kingdom with programs that are designed to do what we can't at home. They will visit for holidays. Sometimes they will visit you. Sometimes they can visit us. But they cannot live with me. I don't have the capacity. As it is, I'm moving to a smaller house. Ba tlo robala kai? Or keng? My kids must give up their comfort for bana baMmaletuka? It's not happening. I'll pay for their fees. I can take care of them from that perspective. But more than that, I have nothing mama. I have nothing left to offer them."

"Am I responsible for pelo yahao empi so?" She says.

Now she's offending me. And she needs my money. She seems to be forgetting that.

"You can call me whatever you want to call me. But bana baMmaletuka -

"Ka setso, they are your children now. Are you aware of that?"

"Mme, boarding school or they go and live with you at a house that I find for you. They'll attend school there and re tla bona ho re reyetsa jwang from there. That's my stance. It's up to you to decide what's best."

She shakes her head at me with disgust.

And you know what, it's fine!

...

Two weeks later.

Today, my mom is moving into her new house. Last weekend, we took Mmaletuka's girls to boarding school right here in Taung. They are not far from where my mom is staying. It's an all-girls boarding school. Each grade stays together... so they'll see each other, but they don't live together. I bought them uniform, civilian clothes, luggage bags, toiletries and school bags. They were upset, but they'll get used to it.

Mama yena...

We found a three bedroom simplex in a retirement area. As we are unpacking her things, so many of her neighbours are coming in to greet her and welcome her to the village. They have all day programs here to keep her healthy, fit and entertained. She even has TV in here.

"How will I find a man living in this place?" She asks me.

Meme and I laugh.

"You'll find a rich one here, mama. Not the broke and married ones with unnecessary drama from Maja Perre." Meme says.

We all laugh.

"But can they perform in bed? Are they taught well past their money?" My mom.

Meme and I are so done. We are deep within laughter.

"Maybe I need a Ben10 watsiba... someone who is still flex and can keep a woman like me happy and satisfied." My mom says.

"Mama, you've been through enough. Let us take care of you. See this as an opportunity to retire to a vacation. Sleep late. Wake up even later. Take part in activities. Start golfing. Drive your golf-cart everywhere. Just relax mama. If you meet someone, great. But if you don't, it's okay. Just let us take care of you." I say.

"I need the two of you to promise me that you'll always love and respect each other. Clearly, you are the two children I got right. Please... don't ever turn on each other. Your relationship must never be what it was with Mmaletuka. Ke a le kopa banyana baka." She says to us.

We both just hug her.

We understand where my mom is coming from. She's already lost a daughter... brutally so. We are all she has left.

...

“Motho waka”, Thabang says to me as we settle into our bed, preparing to wish the day goodbye.

“Yes, my love?”

“Are you sure about this? You know, we’d adjust if you really want us to live with Mmaletuka’s kids. I just don’t want you to have any regrets about any of this at a later stage.” He says.

“That’s sweet of you, but I’m sure. Thabang, we are swamped. Where are we supposed to find room and capacity to take on so much more than what we can handle?”

“Love… these things are… it’s one of those things we can never plan for but they just happen. And we deal with them as they happen.” He says.

Now I’m getting irritated.

I look at him.

“What if it were Mosetsana and Tshenolo in these kids’ shoes, baby? Would you want your sister to just -

“First of all, my sister would have done nothing! Absolutely nothing! So don’t sit there and make it seem like I’m ill-treating her children when I’m spending way much more than what she would have to make sure my kids landed okay. Mosetsana and Tshenolo could have easily been in that position. Their father has attempted to murder me multiple times - at times in front of Mosetsana and Tshenolo. Mama knew. Mmaletuka knew. Do you think they did anything about it? They did nothing. They couldn’t even accommodate me in that house that they lived in just so that I could hide my kids from that man. I had to be a mother and find a way to make sure that my kids are fine. Let’s say I did die. Let’s say he succeeded in murdering me. Do you know what would have happened? They wouldn’t have even got that man arrested. They’d have let that man take my kids - probably rape Mosetsana like all the times he had raped me… maybe even let him take them to Zimbabwe and mama as well as Mmaletuka would have been okay with never seeing my kids again. So as far as I’m concerned, I’ve done so much more for her kids than what she did for mine when they needed her… and so much more than what she would have done had it been me that died.”

He stares at me.

“You can judge me all you want, Thabang. I’m not living with those kids.” I say.

“I’m not judging you, baby. I just didn’t realise how much pain you were carrying inside of you - and anger towards your mother and your sister that you cannot let go of.” He says.

“I’m trying my best! I don’t even want to give them R10 yaborotho. Every fibre of my being wants nothing to do with Mmaletuka and her kids. I didn’t even want to spend my money to bury her. I know for a fact that she would have never done for me what is suddenly expected of me to do for her and her kids. But all of you judge me. You make me feel like shit. I wake up each morning with an internal war brewing inside of me because the part of me that wants nothing to do with this is fighting with the part of me that has a duty to deal with this. Do you know how exhausted I am by the time I go to bed because helping my mom and these kids brings me absolutely no peace?! Like, absolutely none! I can’t even sleep at night. I dream about Mmaletuka. She is just looking at me and not saying anything. I’m the one who’s just telling her how much I do not want to do any of these things. I wake up every morning feeling so exhausted. I just… Thabang… anyone who believes I’m a bad person can go to hell.”

He pulls me into a hug.

He cuddles me.

At some point, I fall asleep.

…

Family: the most selfish yet entitled group of people that you’ll ever come across in your life. They are probably the people that are least deserving of your love, kindness and generosity… but they demand it the most. Not just the financial part of it, but your entire spirit and being.

I hate what Morafe is going through… I hate it because I actually truly understand it. Look at where I am with my own family? I admire people who have mastered the art of cutting off family members. Truly, I do. I think that if this were normalised in life, statistics around mental health and murder would go down by more than 60%. I actually am a firm believer that the average person is most likely to be murdered by a family member than by a complete stranger.

A knock on my office door disturbs my intent to phone Morafe and check up on how she’s doing.

I look up.

It’s Mmakabelo.

I thought they were still in prison.

She notices how surprised and annoyed I am to see her.

“I come in peace”, she says.

I look at her.

“Can I come in?” She asks me.

I shrug my shoulders.

She walks in and sits down on an available chair across my table.

“We have signed the divorced papers”, she says as she hands me an envelope.

“We were told that this was the condition from you for you to pay bail for us.” She says.

“I don’t know where you got that from, but I didn’t even pay your bail.” I say.

“Moholo Khotso said -

She realises I genuinely don’t give a fuck.

“Maybe he was just doing Morafe a favour. Morafe is close with his eldest daughter”, I say to break the awkwardness.

“He also said that if we agree to leave Taung and Dithabeng, you and Morafe would drop the charges.” She says.

“Again, I have no idea what you are talking about.” Me.

“We will leave, Thabang. Nna, mama, Mahali and everyone else. Papa will give up the chieftaincy as the royal house has requested. Please just drop the charges. We have kids. They need us.” She says.

“What about Mmaletuka’s children? You know, the ones that you’ve now left without a mother?”

She looks away from me.

I’m still staring at her.

“We messed up, Thabang. We know that we messed up. There’s absolutely nothing that we can say or do that will truly express how sorry and regretful we are. At this point, I’m honestly throwing myself at the feet of your mercy and am asking for forgiveness and mercy on behalf of the family.”

I look at her.

She looks at me.

“What happened, Mmakabelo? You were not this person when we got married. Yeah, it was an arranged marriage and we’ve been through shit. But you were not this thing that I now see before my eyes. What happened?” I ask her.

She actually lets a tear slip out of her beautiful big eyes that just always look curious about something.

“I fell in love with you, Mothipa. The marriage stopped being about duty and started being about so much more. But, you cheated. You were never home. And before I knew it, there was another wife that I had to accept. You stopped touching me and resorted to just fucking me for babies. My body became the Mothipa baby-making machine… so if you couldn’t give me a baby, someone else had to do it. I had to find a way to be dutiful again. And I did find a way. I did. Then Morafe came. And I saw your capability to love. To truly and unreservedly love. I’ve been in so much pain because that love wasn’t with me. The pain became desperation and I’ve been trying to find my way back to being human again ever since. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the role that I played in all of this. I’m sorry for the role that I played in bringing you to your knees like this.” I say.

She looks at me with so much relief on her face.

I get up from my chair, make my way around my desk, then I hug her… comforting her.

She just cries in my arms… weeps.

I suddenly hear someone clear their throat. It’s Morafe. She’s looking at us. I let go of Mmakabelo.

“I didn’t realise that you were busy”, she says.

“No baby… I… we were just…”

“I’ll see you later.” She says then walks out.

I just feel like shit now.

“Mmakabelo, you have to go.” I say.

She nods her head.

She leaves the divorce papers.

“This is really awkward, but I really need money for -

I just give her an envelope of cash that I find in my desk. There must be about R20k in there. I just need her out of here.

“Kea leboha.” She says then finally leaves.

I couldn’t even think straight for the rest of the day. The minute the clock struck 4pm, I left the office.

I’m arriving at home now.

It’s my kids that greet me first with so much excitement. I return the excitement half-heartedly because I need to talk to their mother.

“Where’s your mother?” I ask them.

“She said she has a headache. She’s sleeping.” Tshenolo says.

Eish.

“Let me go check up on her, okay?” I say.

They excuse me.

As I make my way up the stairs…

“Abuti Thabang”, Meme.

I look at her.

“Mahali was here.”

Fucken hell!

“Did you bail them out of prison then give them R20 000 to leave the country so that they don’t pay for what they did?”

“What?!”

“Morafe told me to pack my stuff. She’s already packed for the kids. She’s busy packing her things now. This is the worst kind of betrayal! We are leaving you.” She says.

Now I sprint, making my way to my main bedroom.

The door is locked.

Yerrrr!

“Morafe!” I loudly say as I bang on this door.

She doesn’t say anything.

“Morafe, open this door!”

Nothing.

“Morafe!”

Nothing.

I break the door and march in.

Bags are all packed vele. She’s not even looking at me.

“Morafe, what’s going on?” I ask her.

She doesn’t even look at me or speak to me. She just paces around the bedroom, packing things.

“Morafe, ke buwa le wena.” I say, grabbing her arm.

“DON’T FUCKEN TOUCH ME! GET YOUR FUCKEN HANDS OFF ME!” She screams at me.

“Morafe, since when do we talk to each other like this?” I ask her. I’m actually hurt that Morafe, of all people, is talking to me like this.

“SINCE YOU GO AROUND HELPING PEOPLE THAT MURDERED MY SISTER, BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE THAT I GREW UP IN AND LEFT MY MOTHER WITHOUT A HOUSE!”

“I didn’t do any of that.”

“UMAKA! WHY ARE YOU LYING?! I SAW YOU AND YOUR FIRST WIFE IN EACH OTHER’S ARMS, REMINISCING ON WHAT USED TO BE AND FINDING SOLACE IN FINDING EACH OTHER AGAIN!” She’s shouting and crying at the same time. The door is broken down and the kids are at the door watching all of this.

“That’s not what was happening, Morafe.”

“I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME!”

“I do love you.”

“YET THAT’S HOW YOU HOLD SOMEONE WHO HAS PUT ME IN THE SITUATION THAT I WAS IN YOUR ARMS CRYING ABOUT JUST LAST NIGHT?!”

I don’t know why, but that statement attacks my soul. It’s not even a true reflection of what was happening.

“I thought I could do this, Thabang. I thought I could be with a polygamous man. Clearly, I can’t. Technically, you did nothing wrong. All your wives deserve what you give me. Mmakabelo is going through a hard time and she needed that hug and the money you gave her. But it hurts. I’m hurting in places I never even knew existed inside of my body. You comforted her over murdering my sister! You were there for her after she left my mother homeless and my nieces orphans. I can’t forgive you for that. I cannot.”

“Morafe, baby… that isn’t what happened. Please. You need to unpack all of this stuff, sit down, calm down and allow me to have a conversation with you about the events of today.”

“I’m done, Thabang. I understand that you have to support them throughout the situation… so I won’t be able to be your wife while you do that. My family suffered here. My family is still suffering. And for the record, I called the police on them. I just received confirmation that they’ve been arrested at the border for violating their bail conditions.”

What a fucken mess!

…

I’m waking up on the couch. I couldn’t stop Morafe last night. She left. She took the kids and left. I drank myself to sleep. If I didn’t drink, my heart would’ve stopped beating. It was just too shattered.

“Ntate Mothipa, you have some guests”, one of the domestic workers say to me.

Before I can even enquire on who my guests are, the guys walk in: Ntuthuko, Senzi and Keith.

“Gents”, I say.

“You look like you’ve been hit by a train”, Ntuthuko.

“I take it you’ve heard”, I say.

“She’s staying at my place while Wandi and I are at my dad’s house”, Senzi.

“Are they okay? Morafe and the kids?” Me.

“Morafe was crying all night. Mme Thabi had to sedate her so she could sleep.” Senzi.

“What?!”

“Look, my dad and Moholo Khotso are talking to her. We know that you didn’t bail those people out of jail. That they can speak to. But the hug and the 20k? What is that about?” Senzi.

Yoh!

“Mmakabelo came to drop off divorce papers”. Me.

“So the hug was to say thank you?” Keith.

“Ndoda, Morafe told Tamia that if she didn’t walk in when she did, you would’ve fucked MmaKB on your desk.” Ntuthuko.

What the hell?!

“How did she reach that conclusion? Mmakabelo was crying in my arms.” Me.

“The words used were ‘the hug was enduring’. Nasi!” Ntuthuko.

“I need to see Morafe.” I say.

“Just let her cool off a bit.” Senzi.

“It’s just… I asked Mmakabelo how she ended up becoming so vindictive. This is not who she was when we first met. She told me I was to blame because I didn’t love her nor did I reciprocate the love that she had for me. I felt bad that I’m the one that fucked her up. And chances are that I did the same to Mahali. So I apologised and comforted her pain.” Me.

“By giving her an enduring hug and almost fucking her on your desk?” Ntuthuko.

“I DID NOT -

I catch the guys laughing. This is not the time for jokes.

“Lalela ndoda… ngeke akulahle lo muntu. But the trust is a bit weirdly strained. What was the 20k for?” Ntuthuko.

“She needed money for a taxi”. I say.

“Taxis cost 20k now?” Keith.

I just look at him.

“You’ll need to just tell her all of this.” Senzi.

“Hai hai hai, eh baba! For what?!” Ntuthuko.

“It’s the truth!” Senzi.

“Ey! All Morafe needs to know is that KB brought divorce papers, uThabang wabonga. The hug was wrong kodwa he was relieved ukuthi konke sekuphelile. Lezi zokuthi they were talking about loving and not loving and not reciprocating what what… unnecessary information! No one you love wants to hear that shit. The 20k was so that his dad, his multiple wives, children and grandchildren could have R500 each to survive until they make another plan. 20k for a taxi will get you divorced, sbali sami. Don’t behave like ushayiwe ngesigcwala mdidi! Lungisa umuzi wakho!” Ntuthuko. I actually agree with him.

“Tell her the truth, Thabang. You did nothing wrong. If you are honest, she will believe you if these people keep coming back and don’t give you peace. She needs to know that she can trust you. If you are honest now when the truth is not pretty, she will not doubt you when the truth is a little nicer.” Senzi.

“I’m with Senzi on this one.” Keith.

“Eh baba… Morafe is not the woman that analyses when the truth is pretty or ugly. You know your wife! Ipantsula leliya elibuya emasimbeni ngamadoda. You don’t deal ne-pantsula using i-curriculum lase-private school… abo ugly truth nabo pretty truth. Don’t over share shit that will be of no benefit to your relationship!” Ntuthuko.

“The truth is the truth and it shall set you free - no matter how ugly the truth is.�� Senzi.

“Mfundisi! Ziphathe kahle! Uzochitha unshado!” Senzi.

They are both just giving me a headache. Honestly.

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kerriskatheotstudent · 1 year

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Blog 5

Cultural Humility.

Hello. Lotjani. Sawubona. Dumela. Hallo. Molo. Axuveni. (Buick, n.d.)

Braai’s, ancestors, milk tarts, flipflops in 15-degree weather, sangomas, bunny chows and rugby games. These are just a few examples of the various features of our South African culture. With 11 official languages and a population of diverse magnitude, South Africa is bursting at the seams with various exciting cultural backgrounds, that constitute our Rainbow Nation. Bearing this in mind, it is safe to say that the experiences, values, and cultures of our people are intertwined daily.

Often, interacting with a fellow South African is gloriously wondrous in that we are awarded the opportunity to view into an open window of that person’s cultural standing. This allows us to learn about and understand that which forms the individual. But ... what happens when that individuals’ cultural beliefs oppose your own or just seem downright unfathomable? Cultural humility. “Cultural humility is a practice of self-reflection on how one’s own background and the background of others, impact teaching, learning, research, creative activity, engagement, leadership, etc”. (University of Oregon, 2021)

As an occupational therapist in training, it is easy to identify the need for cultural humility in my professional handling. Being able to identify, acknowledge and accept cultural differences between oneself and your patient, is a massive progressive factor for the prognosis of therapy for that individual. Cultural humility in the healthcare workforce is significant in that it enables the formation of meaningful relationships, whose underpinning is respect and understanding. These meaningful relationships thus enable the provision and implementation of client-centred holistic intervention. Through the implementation of cultural humility, patients can collaborate effectively with the therapist as to what their goals are. From seeing that the therapist is understanding the cultural significance that this goal may hold for the individual, the patient is made more motivated and compliant with therapy, keen to achieve their goals within their cultural framework.

As a student, I have been given the opportunity to collaborate with numerous patients in a practical setting. Each of these patient’s advance from diverse ethnic groups, cultural backgrounds, religions, and races. From this experience, I was quickly able to identify the gaps between my patient’s and I. One of my patients in my previous year of fieldwork declined my services in speaking about the critical life events that have gravely impacted his well-being. He refused. Why? Does he not think therapy will help? Does he think I am not equipped with the professional capacity to handle such information?

No! According to this patient’s culture, as a male, speaking about your feelings and acknowledging that you are not okay is culturally frowned upon. Men were expected to be strong irrespective of how hard and uncomfortable they may feel. I quickly learnt that not all teaching styles, assessment forms and intervention programs could be followed step-by-step. I understood the importance of personalising your therapy to your patient in context. I understood the significance of cultural humility. (Naber et al., 2021)

I was able to understand how culture does not just affect our thinking patterns, but also the way we carry out simple daily activities (eg. The praying method in religious expression may be different for a Christian versus a Muslim). Culture is vast and so should our therapy be in context. From adhering to cultural humility, the skillset of an occupational therapist become vast and most effective. Cultural humility ultimately works in the best interest of the patient and therapist itself, inevitably leading to improved therapy for the patient.

References

Buick, K. (n.d.). How to say “hello” in all 11 of SA’s official languages. You. https://www.news24.com/you/Archive/how-to-say-hello-in-all-11-of-sas-official-languages-20170728

CHEA - Cultural Humility. (n.d.). CHEA. https://www.chea.upenn.edu/cultural-humility/#:~:text=Why%20is%20Cultural%20Humility%20important

Naber, A., Adamson, A., Berg-Poppe, P., Ikiugu, M., Tao, H., & Zimney, K. (2021). Using Embedded Encounters to Promote Cultural Humility in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Education. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2021.050113

University of Oregon. (2021, August 16). What is Cultural Humility? The Basics. Equity and Inclusion. https://inclusion.uoregon.edu/what-cultural-humility-basics

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royztv · 4 years

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Animação e composição VFX - DUMELA.TV

#animacao #composicao #dumela #2019 #institucional #politica #publicidade #royz #motion4food

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darkartsgallery · 6 years

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Okzharp and Manthe Ribane - Dear Ribane

#dumela 113

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justbebackbeforethekick · 2 years

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Listen,

I’d been looking for what I recall as three or four different fics for a bit. I’d entered key words, remembered phrases - anything to find them. I finally found what I thought was one of them. One where Eames has a nickel allergy that Arthur innocently remembers from a past job. However, Eames thinks Arthur checked his medical records and is upset. Later it comes out that Eames had a sixth finger removed as a child which did not go smoothly, leading to his permanently damaged little finger. Already there’s a lot going on here - it being a touchy topic for Eames as it’s a familial deformity that once saw a great great aunt burned as a witch because of it.

I mean, it’s a lot of backstory, so rich.

Then I wanted to find a fic where Arthur encounters a former lover on a job just after he starts a relationship with Eames and she, in a moment of pique, outs him. I distinctly recall the extractor saying that outing was unacceptable.

Then, I wanted to find a fic where Arthur finds out Eames is a theatre actor and he’s pretty serious about it. He attends a play, meets Eames theatre circle, including the resident lecher who immediately puts a move on Arthur. I remember the line Eames says when he walks in, that’s how much I enjoyed this fic and how much it stuck with me. Eames said, “Ah ah, mustn’t touch.”

Imagine my pure, feral glee to find out that ALL of this fleshy back-storytelling happens in the SAME FIC!

I’d been remembering one single story this whole time, not 3 or 4 different ones. And how I found this story was by remembering the Setswana greeting used in the fic - “Dumela mma” - popping that in quotes with Arthur/Eames and ao3 into google and crossing my fingers. It worked and now I can share with you this fic I highly recommend — the wonderful I’d Look Good on You by Brangwen

Absolutely on of my faves.

#arthur/eames #arthurxeames #arthur x eames #inception #dream husbands #inception fic finder #inception fic rec #arthur/eames fic rec #inception fandom #brangwen

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missmxrcy · 4 years

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“Dumela, gogo.”

“O kae, ngwana ka?”

There was a second of silence, Mercy sighed into the phone. Whenever they spoke, her grandmother would call Mercy a child at least once, and it seemed the old woman would never get bored of it, now laughing with a couple of hearty coughs to follow. “You are annoyed so easily!”

Mercy rolled her eyes. “And you’re so annoying. What do you want?”

“A ah, don’t talk to me like that.”

Mercedes didn’t even respond. With her earphones in, she continued her stretches as her grandmother spoke.

“Mercy-mercy, are you still doing your dancing? A friend of mine said that she saw you dance a few weeks ago.”

“Yes, you know I’m still dancing.”

“Still? I thought that you would go back at- I thought you would have your old job by now.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t SHIELD reformed? Your dancing is just a hobby. You need to go back to a proper job.”

“Dancing is- I’m getting paid to dance, it’s a job. And I like it.”

“Mercy-mercy,” Oh Lord, here we go. “When I was growing up, if you were good at something, you had to use it to help your family and your community. If you couldn’t help the community, they send you somewhere else where you can help.”

Mercy shook her head, wanting to laugh. It wasn’t the first time her grandmother was encouraging her to make use of her talents in espionage, but it was becoming amusing. Did her gogo miss being a spy so much that her only purpose now was to tell her granddaughter to become one? “My dancing helps the community.”

Not a second was wasted in her grandmother’s reply. “How?”

Her smile soon faded. “I inspire young people to dance.” No you don’t, you dumbass, you’ve barely been to any workshops the past term.

“No you don’t.” The craggily voice was swiftly cutting away at the pretence Mercy had built for herself. “You are dancing only because you like it. You said so.” Mercy began to walk slowly around the living room, thinking on those words, and waiting for the the next critique to come her way. Her grandmother liked to be dramatic.

She rolled her eyes again. It was a shame there was no audience to appreciate how extravagant her reactions were. “Why do you want me to go back there so badly?”

“Ankiri o rile- you said you would get me back home. You think Wakanda is going to notice you in that no-name little company?”

Defeated too easily, and not wanting to argue anymore, Mercy gave an answer she believed. “...no.”

#drabble #koko #gogo said #‘ stop being a lil shit + stop wasting your talents ‘

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tshepiso-rebaone · 5 years

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ha ke ile gae, pula e na ka legadima

Ha pula e na ka matla ko gae, nkgono wa ka o rata go opela difela, a re re didimale re reetse pula ha e rora

Gwa didimalwa ko tlung, o e mo kapileng mo tseleng, pula- o tabogela legae

Ha ke itse gore le baka keng batho ba ma afrika ba tshaba metsi

ha go na le maru a mantsho- nkgono wa ka a re ke nnoga ya metsi

nnoga ya metsi ko Bodibe e tswhana le di folk tales, ke watermeis e ne e dula ko nokeng ya Bodibe pele pele

Ke santse ke sa itse gore is it scientifically logical mare go dumela gone ke a dumela ka gonne lefatshe ha le bereke ka go tshwana ko magaeng

Rona bana ba di rights re tlalogangya structural racism and violent masculinity ya ka dira, ko Bodibe basadi ba lwantshana le boloi.

Unfortunately, nna ke: "tsene thata mo di bukeng".

Tsa setso le tsa go itsi go tlhompa bagolo, go reetsa bagolo, go dira mmereko wa bosadi wa go apela banna, o ba tlhatswetse di washen, o ba iynele diaparo. Tseo tsone ha ke dumelane le tsone, nna molao wa me ke black feminism. Ke sheba le fatshe go tswa mo dilong tse ke di dumelang.

Ke dumela gore bagolo ba tlhompiwa, ee, mare setso le go nagana lefatshe le eme mo seemong se se ngwe ga go thusi tswelopele. Lefatshe le tsama ka dilo tse di kwadiwang mo di bukeng.

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fakazavibes · 4 years

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Soul Brothers Album, Song - All Music

Soul Brothers Album, Song – All Music

Soul Brothers Albums songs Mp3 Download. Fakaza Vibes bring the Soul Brothers Albums Mp3 from Best South African singer.

Best Soul Brothers song is the latest free song Give it All from the artists and Fakaza have made it available for our fans.

Soul brothers uthembeni na

Ikhekhe

Imithente – Ungiyane

Abazali – David Masondo

Nilindeni

Udlala Ngami – David Masondo

soul brothers…

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shuufly · 4 years

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Made another character...Ephraim Dumelas, an eccentric drow transmutation wizard who runs a shop where he fulfills magical requests.

Art and character by me, do not use.

#dnd #my ocs #dungeons and dragons character #dungeons and dragons #drow elf #drow #wizard #original character #character design #fantasy oc

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that-kats · 6 years

Video

Having the opportunity to witness and experience the creative hurricane/force that is @manthe.ribane on more than one occasion is a priveldge. We didn't know how to gift her and thank her for feeding our creative souls.. After much deliberation the #ribanechallenge was born.. #love #appreciation #diy #nofilter #dumela #dearribane #thearemorevideos #weloveyouribane #thecreative #joinin Canvas @mtnbushfire 🎹🎷🎤📸@kwena_sesame @amielindiwe @graymatterza @kirstenarendse @mbuso072

#dumela #dearribane #ribanechallenge #joinin #nofilter #appreciation #weloveyouribane #love #diy #thecreative #thearemorevideos

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4x4community · 1 year

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Dumela to Sango

Forum: Zimbabwe Posted By: rehcram Post Time: 2023/04/16 at 08:28 PM http://dlvr.it/SmZrnL

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ketso · 1 year

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Episode 16

We've got into a good routine. My daughter is happy. My son is growing and he's talking a lot more. I was worried about Tshenolo a bit. I even considered taking him to therapy. He just became a quiet child that is difficult to read. He realised that speaking about his father made Mosetsana sad and me angry. So he stopped. But I could tell that he misses his dad. To me, that meant I protected him from the trauma that Bryan brought into our lives. I wish I could say that I protected Mosetsana as well. I failed and now she hates her father. But I’m glad that they are both in a better place right now.

My sister is struggling to adjust to a predominantly white school when all she knows are village schools. But she attends extra English, extra Science and extra Maths classes. I encourage her every day that she will come right. What I love about her is that she doesn't give up. She's come back defeated so many times. All she did was sleep with me in my bed crying, but after her good cry, she wakes up determined to try again. I love that about her, and I make sure that I tell her. Every time I tell her that, she thanks me for choosing better for her.

I sleep with my son in my bedroom. Mosetsana and Mmamello are old. They need their space. So, they each have their own bedrooms. Tshenolo has a cot in my bedroom, but he insists on sleeping on the bed with me.

It's Wednesday. I've just finished bathing and bathing my kids. We run into the kitchen and Mmamello has prepared breakfast. We eat our breakfast quickly. Meme and I quickly wash the dishes then we lock the house up. I go on a taxi with Tshenolo then Meme takes a different taxi with Mosetsana. We all hug each other then say goodbye.

"Mama", my son calls to me as we sit in the taxi. He's sitting on my lap. Since I paid for two people, I put our bags where he should be sitting. I paid for the seat.

"Yes papa?" Me.

"I like living with Mamane Meme." He says.

"I'm glad, papa. She likes living with us too", me.

"When is she taking me school like she takes Mosetsana?"

"You don't want mommy to take you to school anymore?"

He shakes his head.

"Why?"

"Because you don't buy me sweets when you leave me at school. Mamane Meme buys Mosetsana sweets."

I actually feel like laughing. But I search for a sweet in my bag. When I find it, I give him one.

"Yes!" He yells.

Everyone in the taxi looks at us.

I just shake my head.

We arrive at the corner we typically get off at after about an hour. We climb off the taxi. He is holding his bag and I'm holding mine. I hold his hand then close the door. We walk for about five minutes then we are at his creche. He sees his friends and runs off. I go to his teacher to leave his bag. He does that. He runs off to play and drops his bag for me to take it to his class. Imagine. I don't even get kisses anymore.

Now, I walk to work.

By the time I get to work, I'm feeling a bit bushed.

"There you are", I hear Mofomahadi Thabi say.

"Dumela Mofomahadi." Me.

"Hi. Bona, I need you for something. What's your day looking like today?" She asks me.

"I'm just managing the guest wing." I say.

"Can you give that task to someone else?" She asks me.

I nod my head.

"Good. Please do that then meet me and morena at the car", she says.

I wonder!

I manage to ask my assistant to take over for me for the day. She doesn't mind. I think she's sleeping with one of the Mohale kids. But it's none of my business.

I indeed meet the royal couple at their very luxurious chauffeur-driven car. I don't even know what this car is called. A staff member wearing white gloves opens the door for me and I head inside. I'm now sitting opposite mofomahadi and morena. I have never been more uncomfortable in my life.

"Are you comfortable?" Morena asks me as he sees me taking this all in.

The car starts moving.

I nod my head and swallow some spit.

"You got a promotion", mofomahadi tells me.

"But I just started working here last week", I say.

"Yeah. But you come highly recommended by Maphuthi Ngwenya. Do you know who that is?" Mofomahadi.

"Wandi's mother?" Me.

"Yeah. But to us, she's a good friend to the throne. So, her recommendations are taken seriously", Mofomahadi.

"Oh. Well, kea leboha mofomahadi. Ke leboha ho mme nahane". I say.

"You thank me by being damn good at your job. You are now a royal assistant. My royal assistant to be exact", she says.

I don't even know what that means.

"Your benefits will include medical cover, a housing allowance of eight thousand rands a month, and you'll need a car. We are going to pick up a car for you now. You need to be able to just get around. You will have a car allowance of seven thousand rands a month as well." She says.

I don't have medical aid, so this is brilliant for my family and me. I pay five thousand rands for my house every month. I don't even have a car and I don't think I need an expensive one.

Morena seems to be reading my mind because he says, "We know you pay five thousand rands for your house every month. Now, you won't pay anything at all. We've taken the three thousand rands balance and added it to your petrol card. So you have an access of three thousand rands a month on your petrol card".

Modimo waka. I'm in so much disbelief.

"You also get school fees allowance. So we will be paying eighty percent of your kids' school fees." Mofomahadi says.

I'm actually going to faint.

"I don't know what to say. Truly, thank you", I say.

"Well, we look after our people. Promise us to never desert us for South Africa ever again. Oh, and you'll obviously get a handsome bump in your salary as well." Morena.

Now I'm shaking. They see it.

"The bad news is that you'll truly earn all of it. There will be times where you'll need to work extra hours. We have drivers that can fetch the kids for you when you are busy. Work starts at 7:30am for you. I'll give you lunch around the time you have to pick up and drop off your kids. But you have to be back and you knock off when we are done. Your work will be in the royal house and at my office in the government offices. You will, from time to time, be required to assist the king as well. But under no circumstances do you assist his second wife. And under no circumstances do you sleep with my husband. You touch him and I'll personally fetch your abusive and shifty baby-daddy from across the dodge borders then leave him at your doorstep. Don’t be confused by what he whispers in your ear when he comes onto you. I have more power than what I’m given credit for and I have no problem exercising it as and when needed. Do you understand me?" Mofomahadi bathung! I don't even look at her husband like that. He actually laughs at what his wife has just said to me. But this is not funny to me at all.

The car stops. The door is opened by the staff guy in white gloves. I exit first. The royal couple climbs off after me. Mofomahadi gives me a list of things to get through today then tells me I can knock off as soon as I'm done. Tomorrow, she expects me at 7:30am. I agree. The royal couple gets back in their car and leave. I'm led to the car dealership by another staff member. It's a Hyundai car dealership.

As I step in, a black Hyundai Tuscon is waiting for me. It even has a sunroof. The interior is black and leather. I am informed that the royal couple put down a HANDSOME instalment for this car. So, with my car allowance, I pay nothing for it. I'm in so much shock. I actually cry as I drive away from the dealership. Is this really happening? To me? Nna? Morafe Letuka? I'll actually fetch all three of my kids today from school, take them to Spur for dinner. They've never been there. They'll be so excited. Then this weekend, we will go see my mom, Mmaletuka and Mmaletuka's kids.

Yoh, I'm in tears!

God bless Wandi and her family in ample abundance!

...

I finish my work by 3pm. This includes the debrief call for the day with Mofomahadi. I've even taken initiative to familiarize myself with her diary for tomorrow just so that I'm prepared for her day. I did the same for Morena as well. I'm going to use that car seat that Bassie gave me and put it in here for Tshenolo. I'm so excited. I feel like a child with a new toy.

I fetch my son first because he is down the road from my workplace. He's first angry at me that I fetched him early and he was in the middle of a game with his friends. But he's super excited when he sees the car. I'm instantly forgiven for taking him out of a game with his friends.

"Can I sit in the front?" He asks me as I put his back in the boot. My big, clean and beautiful boot.

"No papa. You are a baby. You have to sit at the back with a seat belt on. When we get home, we will put your car seat in the car so that you can be safe when we drive." I tell him as I buckle him into the backseat.

"But I'm a big boy now. I don't need to have a baby seat in the car." He protests.

I just drive off.

The trip is him convincing me to not have a baby seat in the car. He promises me that he will always have his seat belt on and he will always listen to me. I'm just laughing. I don't understand what his issue is with car seats. They are cute.

We get to Mosetsana's school. We see Mosetsana holding onto Meme's hand, and they are walking to get taxis. I slow down when I reach them and hoot the car. Tshenolo rolls his window down - I don't know how he managed to learn that so quickly - then he waves at them and says, "We have a car now. Hop in!"

They are first in shock. Then they snap out of it and run to the car.

"Bags in the boot, please." I say to them. I open the boot and it automatically opens.

Bona! I'm so happy with this car hle.

They put their bags in the boot. Meme closes the boot. She helps Mosetsana into the backseat and buckles her in. Then she sits in the front seat and buckles herself in.

"This car is wow, mommy. Is it ours?" Mosetsana.

"Yes baby. I got a promotion at work and it comes with this car. Now I can drive you guys to school every morning and fetch you in the afternoons. But I have to work longer hours. So you guys have to be at school much earlier now. Will that be okay?" Me.

"School gates open at 6am, so we will be safe. But I'll wait with Mosetsana until enough of her friends have arrived. Then I'll walk to school", Meme says.

"Kea leboha hle, ausi waka." Me.

"I'll fetch you guys after school. But when you have Sport, you have to tell me I'll take lunch when you are all ready to go home. But I'll have to go back to work and work until late sometimes. Will that be cool with everyone?"

"How late?" Mosetsana.

"I don't know, baby. But please be good for mamane. I don't want problems. Else I take the car back to work and we go back to using taxis."

"Okay mommy", Mosetsana and Tshenolo say.

"So today is one of the last few days I get to be home this early, so I'm thinking I can treat my three favourite people in the world to an evening at Spur."

"Yaaaaaay!!!!!" They all say, even Meme.

"So we go home, we change and we go eat? When we get back, it's homework, bathtub and bed." Me.

They shout for joy again. Even Meme. I'm winning.

"Then this weekend, we will go to Maja Perre and share the car with mama and Mam'holo Mmaletuka." I say.

"And see Thabang again", Mosetsana says then giggles.

Bathung!

Meme also laughs.

"We have to be nice, Morafe. We have to let him in our car like he let us in his", Meme says.

Mosetsana laughs.

I just giggle and drive on.

...

I've been thinking about Morafe a lot this week. I was even thinking about her at Tumelo's wedding. Tumelo told me to snap out of it. He was convincing me that Morafe is not worth it. There was enough war when I took on a second wife. But Morafe would be my love. Tumelo asked me if I thought she'd accept being one of many wives as opposed to the only wife. Honestly, I don't know. And when I get the opportunity to do so, I'll ask her. But I just have this thing that won't leave me that keeps telling me that if I don't give my all with Morafe, I'll never get over the "what if".

"Papa, o siame?" My wife says. I'm with my second wife today. Her name is Mahali. We have two kids together.

"Ke siame. What's up? Did you need me for anything?" I ask her.

"Nah. I just came to tell you that I've just put the kids to sleep. So if papa is feeling a bit hungry, I'm ready for him." She says.

I smile at her. Shame, she's very cute. She blushes.

"I'm going to go out for a drive to meet up with a friend. But I'll be back within three hours. Can I wake my beautiful wife up then come and collect on that offer?"

She smiles at me.

I get up from the couch, kiss her then head out.

I use my black Ford Ranger to head out. I drive towards Tau. That's where Morafe stays. It's a Friday night. I'm hoping that she isn't the partying type. It is 10pm, so I'm also hoping that she isn't in deep sleep.

As I drive into the township that I dropped her and her kids off at, I dial her number.

It rings unanswered.

I dial it again. This time, she answers after a few rings.

"Hello?" She sounds very sleepy. I don't even know what to say. I haven't spoken to her since that day I dropped her and the kids off here.

"Hello?" Her again.

"Morafe, hi. Kenna. KeThabang." I finally say.

"Oh okay. Dumela. Can I help you?"

"I'd like to see you."

"Heh eh wena! Ka nak'oe?"

"I know it's late. But I have to see you. Please." I say.

"Okay. But I'm in Tau."

"Yeah. I'm outside your gate", I say.

"What?! Really?!"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'm coming. I'll open the gate and the garage. You can drive in."

"Sho."

Indeed, the gate opens electronically. This is different. When I dropped them off, it was a manual open. As the gate closes, the garage opens electrically. Heh bathung!

I drive into the garage. On the other side, a black Hyundai Tuscon is parked. What's going on here?

I'm not sure if I should chill in my car or what.

The door going into the house opens. She stands at the door. She has a night gown on. She uses her hand to signal that I should come into the house.

I climb out of my car and head into the house. Her kids are watching TV with her sister. They are watching a movie.

"Hi Abuti'Thabang!" Mosetsana greets me first.

The son is passed out on the couch.

"Dumela Abuti'Thabang", Meme greets me.

"Hey guys. How are you? Why aren't you sleeping?" Me.

"It's a Friday. We get to sleep at 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays", Mosetsana.

"I see", me.

"Mom got a promotion at work. And it came with a new car. Did you see our car?" Mosetsana.

"I did. It's a very nice car", me.

"But she works late hours now. But she's working for us and we are happy", she says.

Ja, this child talks!

"Mosetsana, watch your movie. I'm going to talk to Thabang in the kitchen", Morafe says.

Now she's gone from my sight.

Morafe leads me to the kitchen. She's already prepared coffee for us.

I sit down around the kitchen island. She sits opposite me.

"You aren't watching the movie?" I ask her.

"I was asleep. I'm tired." She says.

"You are working longer hours now?" Me.

"Yeah. I'm Mofomahadi's assistant now. It's definitely more demanding than being a manager to their guest wing", she says.

"Well congratulations. Rea ho lebohisa", I say.

"Kea leboha." She says.

We have a moment.

"You said you wanted to talk?" She says.

"Yeah. I can't stop thinking about you. I needed to see you."

"I thought you forgot all about me and met someone new to charm", she says.

"So I've charmed you?"

She blushes.

"You really don't remember me?" I say.

Now she stares at me more attentively.

"Buffalo High? The guy you always walked with to the bus stop, but never paid attention to? I bought you gifts every Valentine's Day, even after I left the school. And you still didn't want to be my girlfriend", I say.

"No way! Thabang Mothipa? Ngwana wa-letona? Kgosana kaofela?"

I chuckle.

She laughs aloud. Then she says, "You've grown so much. You even look so different."

"Hawu, ne ke le mubi?" I ask, also laughing.

"You were just short and had the biggest bum to ever exist on a guy", she says.

We just both laugh hard. Her tummy starts hurting and she gets herself a glass of water.

"You know, I still want to walk next to you all the time and buy you gifts all the time", I say.

I can just see that I caught her off guard.

"Well, if you truly are ngwana waletona, it means you are married to at least two women. Everyone knows that letona has no unmarried son. And everyone knows that letona is a proud promoter of polygamy, especially with his kids. Didn't one of you marry another wife this past weekend"

"Wow, you really keep up with letona", I say.

"I did grow up in a village that he rules over. Everything about him is shoved in our faces by force… to a point where our mothers warned us against marrying into your family", she says.

Fair argument on the first part of her statement, but I enquire on the second part, “What’s wrong with our family?”

“Women like us are out of your league.” She says.

That’s actually a disgusting view. We are all people, aren’t we?

"So how many wives do you have?" She asks me.

"Two."

"Both were chosen for you?"

"Just the first one. The second one I impregnated and had to marry."

"How many kids?"

"Six".

Her eyes!

"So, my role would be what exactly?"

"To be my third wife and final wife." Me.

"Wena na, Mseleku. Am I supposed to be the wife who believes that's true? And when you come requesting another wife, I'm the wife who will hate you and threaten to leave you?"

I actually laugh. I can't believe she took it there.

"Look Thabang, I do think you are a nice guy. And to answer your question, you did charm me. But I'm not naive. I have two kids that are not biologically yours. Meme is now my third baby as well. So, I'm not exactly royal wife material. Your family will make sure that I'm not your last wife. Either that, or they'd insist on separating me with my kids so I can birth yours. And only yours would be the ones that I'd be allowed to live with. I can't do that to my three babies. Re tswa very far le bana baka and I just couldn't do that to them. Ever. I can't."

I look at her.

I really wish she could change her mind. I could protect her. But I do understand what she's saying.

"So, what am I supposed to do with all these feelings for you?" I ask her.

"Le nna I have feelings for you. We just have to be adults and not act on them. That's the difference between us and animals. Plus, I told you that I'm not ready for a relationship." She says.

"What if we just dated?" I propose.

"Dated? Like mjolo?"

I nod my head.

"You want me to be your mistress?"

"I want you to be my girlfriend", I say.

"A girlfriend to a married man is a mistress. And there's nothing cute about that."

I stand up and walk to her side of the kitchen island. I stand in front of her.

"Morafe, I've loved you since re le bana. You've never given me a chance. If it were up to me, I'd phone letona first thing in the morning to send out cows to your family so you could be mine - something I've wanted for years. You still don't want that. Now that you've told me that at least, you want me - even if it's not as a husband, I'm not letting that go. I'll be your boyfriend. I'll be your mistress. I'll wait for you to be ready. And when you are ready to be my wife, I'll take you and all three of your kids. They'll be my kids. And no one will separate you from them. No one. I'll protect you. That much I promise you."

She looks away from me.

"Please Morafe." I say.

"Can I think about this? Please?" She says.

I nod my head and say, "Sure. But please, think towards the yes answer."

She laughs.

I smile at her.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" I ask her.

"I'm going to Maja Perre with the kids tomorrow. We will be back on Sunday." She says.

"Okay. When can I see you?" I ask her.

"Can we just chat telephonically? Then we can decide when we are both available? It's just that my schedule is so hectic lately, I don't even have control over my own time." She says.

"Okay. I'm a patient man. I waited years for you. I'll wait another ten years if I have to. You will be my wife, Morafe. O tlo bona", I say.

She laughs.

"Ke kopa ho lo robala hle?" She says to me.

"Sure. Ke lo robala le wena?"

"Bye Thabang!"

I laugh.

She walks me out after I've said goodnight to Mosetsana and Meme. Her son is still passed out on the couch. I don't understand why they are just not taking him to bed.

"Will you be in Tau for the weekend?" She asks me as I'm in the car and she stands outside the door.

"Why?" I ask her.

"It's just... there was a break-in attempt yesterday. Thank God we installed our security system. It went off and the guys ran away. I'm just worried that if someone is watching the house, they could try while we are away, you know? So if you are around, could you please come by and check the house when you get a minute?" She's so scared.

I step out of the car and hug her.

"Le shup?" I ask her. She seems a bit shaken.

I feel her nodding her head.

"I can sleep over here if you need me to. I'll sleep on the couch", I say. She's still in my arms.

"I have to live without you, Thabang. We were just slightly shook by the experience. I’m worried because I work longer hours now, which means the kids are here alone for a long period of time. It's getting scary." She says.

"I'll be here all weekend looking out for you, I promise. But if the alarm goes off again, call me. I mean it, Morafe."

"I will", she says.

"Okay."

"Drive safely, okay?" She says.

She gives me remote controls to her gate and garage. She tells me she will leave the door in the garage leading into the house open so I can inspect inside the house. I nod my head. I finally drive off.

Honestly, I'm not in the mood for sex with anyone tonight. I just go to my apartment in Tau suburbs.

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