MAPULA-THERAI

NQUEEN
I
NTRODUCTI
ON

I
twasahotsummerdayi nleSothoMaser uand
queenmot hermaBot l
ewasi nl abouraboutt
o
givebir
thtohersecondbor nchi l
d.Shewasi n
theroom screamingherlungsoutbecause
l
abourpainswer eunbearableforher.Inthe
room shewaswi ththemi dwifeandt woofher
trust
edpalacemai dens.
Outsideki
ngLer
umoandtheel
derswer
e
anxiousl
ywai
ti
ngfort
hear
ri
valoft
hepri
nceor
pri
ncess.
KingLer
umo:Shehasbeeni
nther
eformor
e
than4hour
s
nowandst
il
lnoupdat
e,what
coul
dbe
t
aki
ngsol
ongbecausei
canhear
t
hatmy
queeni
sinpai
n.
El
der1:Icanf
eel
yourpai
nmyki
ngbutt
her
eis
not
hing
wecandoatt
hemomentbutt
owai
t
andl
et
nat
uret
akei
tscour
se.
Elder2:
Iheary
oubutwhent
hepr
incewasbor
n
the
queenwasonl
yinl
abourf
or2hour
s,
whyi
sthis
onet
aki
ngt
hisl
ong?
Whi l
etheyweresti
l
l t
aki
ngweatherchanged
outside,
darkcl
oudsstart
edtofor
m andwi nd
start
edblowingsohardthatt
heroofofthe
palacestar
tedmoving.
El
der3:
* Whi
sper
ing*l
ookatt
hisweat
her
,
maybethe
 ancest
orsar
eangr
ywi
thusf
or
somet
hingorthe
babyi
sal
readydead.
El
der4:
Thatwoul
dbegoodnewsf
orus.
El
der3:
Whatdoy
oumean?
El
der4:
Imeanwecanuset
hebabybei
ng
deat
hto
accuset
hequeenofbei
ngawi
tchand
y
ouknow
whatourl
awssayaboutwi
tchesi
nthe
ki
ngdom.
Elda3:Iseewher
ethi
sisgoi
ng,
thenf
inal
l
your
cousi
n
cant
akeov
eraski
ngandwewi
l
lber
ich.

St
ayt
unedf
orwhathappensnext
.
pl
easei
nvi
tey
ourf
ri
endandi
wil
lbepost
ingt
he
f
ir
sti
nser
twhenIhav
emor
efol
l
ower
s.

#l
oveadmi
n
i
nser
t1

Theweatherwasget ti
ngworseout si
de,the
windwassohar shthatthepeopleofthev i
l
lage
star
tedgetti
ngscared.Somet ookthei
rchil
dren
andhidthem underthebedswhi l
ethewomen
satongrassmat sandmenont hebarstool.Al
l
si
tti
nganxiousl
ywai t
ingfort
hewor stto
happen.

Attheroy
alhouseinthethroneroom theking
andhisel
derswereal
sowor ri
edaboutwhat
couldbether
easonforsuchast orm asiti
si n
summerandst or
msar eexpect
edi nwinterand
i
nsummeronl ywarm summerr ainisexpected.
Ki
ngLerumo:
Godsofmyancest
orswhatcoul
d
bethe
r
easonbehi
ndt
his,
pleaseshowus
t
heway
andpl
easesav
eourpeopl
efr
om
what
everi
t
i
sandpani
shmei
nst
ead.
El
der3:Don'
twor
rymyki
ngev
ery
thi
ngwi
l
ltur
n
outasi
t
shoul
d.*
smi
l
ing*
Elder1:Whatar
esmi
l
ingaboutMosi
a?Ar
eyou
knowt he
ey
eoft
hegods?
Mosia:
Iam nott
heey
eoft
hegodsbutal
liam
say
ingis
thatev
ery
thi
nghappensf
orar
easonand
t
hegods
 ar
eal
way
swat
chi
ng.
El
der4:Mosi
aisr
ightbesi
desnot
hingcanev
er
happeni
n
t
hisv
il
lagewi
thoutt
hegod'
sappr
oval
.
El
der2:Watsi
baoatenawenaMosi
ale
Motsoeneng*you
knowyouar
eannoy
ingMosi
aand
Mot
soeneng*
pl
easeshuty
ourmout
hsi
fyouhav
e
not
hingbett
er
t
osayunt
ilweheart
her
easonbehi
nd
t
his
pr
edi
camentf
rom ourchi
efpr
iest
.
Mot
soeneng:
Oat
ell
ajoal
ewenaLehasa.
..
KingLer
umo:
ENOUGH!
!*shout
ing*i
wil
lnot
havemy
el
derbi
cker
ingl
i
keschool
boy
s.
NowSer
it
i
goandcal
lthechi
efpr
iest
Mot
aungatonce.
Ser
it
i:Mor
ena*
MyKi
ng,
bowi
nghi
sheadbef
ore
l
eavi
ng*

Insi
dethehutwherehutt
hequeenwasst
il
l
enduri
nglabourpai
ns.
Themidwi
fe:
It'
sti
memyqueeny
oucanpush
now.
Withoutalteri
ngawor dthequeendi dast ol
d,
pushingandscr eamingatthesamet ime.After
afewmi nut ealoudbabycryfil
ledther oom and
i
tther ai
nst ar
tedpouri
ngoutside.Hailstone
droppedfrom thesky,windblowingev erso
hardandt herainpouri
ngheav y
.

Mi
dwi
fe:
It'
sagi
rl
!!
*exhamedt
hemi
dwi
fe*
congrat
ulati
onsmymyqueen* shesaidtaki
ng
thebabyandcl eani
ngherupandputtingheron
thequeen'schest*Ler
atogoi
nf or
mt heking
andtheelders.
Ler
ato:
Rightawaymme*
mot
her
*

Leratorant
othet
hroneroom toinfor
mt heking
butwhenshegotthereshewasal r
eadywet
becauseofhowharditwasraini
ngout si
de.She
gotitandbowedherheadinrespect.
KingLer
umo:Speakyoungmai
den,
whatnews
haveyougotf
oryourki
ng?
Ler
ato:
Myki ngmme*mother*askedmet o
comeandi nf
ormyout
hatyouwereblessed
wit
haprincess.
Ki
ngLerumo: Ket
shohol
onobaKoena,
Malekel
eke,
Mai
l
a,Mangoat
hel
a,bat
hobasaj
i
ng
 sengoat
hwanebaj
angpol
okwe
ef
elet
sing*
say
inghi
scl
annamepr
aisi
ngt
he
ba
Koenaf
ort
hegi
ft
*goy
oung
mai
denand
wonder
ful
news.
Ler
ato:
Mythanksmyki
ngandi
wil
ltakemy
l
eavenow*
shebowedherheadandl
eft
*
Chiefpri
estMot aungst
andingout
sidethe
thr
oner oom wit
hr ai
npouri
ngonwi t
hhis
mokot l
ana*thebaguseforthebone*hangi
ng
onthesi deofhi
sl ef
tar
m.
Motoung:Kehoel
etsal
onebaToung
bahahl
alel
i
,bat
ho
basaj
i
ngl
ebesel
akgomoet
soane,
l
elona
 bakoene,mal
ekel
eke,
mai
l
a
mangoat
hel
a,batho
basaj
i
ngsengoat
hwanebaj
ang
bol
okoe
ef
elet
sing.*
cal
l
inghi
scl
annamesand
t
he
baKoenassummoni ngt heancest or
s*
hewenti nsidedrippingwetst andi ngint he
middleofther oom f acingtheki ng.Mor ena
ofuamni mphoekgol okaj enu, badi mobahay enu
bahoneil
ekgosi kgadi yapula.Hot lohakajenu
retl
anonakal ebakal ahayeandel emot soare
hantlehobanengl etlall
ahal ekay ephoso
kayena.*Myki ngyougotagi fttoday ,the
ancestorgav eyouar ainqueen, start
ingf r
om
todaythislandwi l
lpr osperbecauseofherbut
youmustt reatherwel lbecausey oucr yifyou
evermakeanymi stakeswi thher .
Ki
ng:
Wet
hanky
ouey
eoft
hegodbutwhatdo
y
oumean
wemustnotmakesmi
stakeswi
thher
?i
mean
becauseev
erychi
l
dget
snaught
ywhen
gr
owi
ngup
andhast
obedi
sci
pli
ned.
Mot
oung:Ihol
dnoknowl
edgeofwhati
tmeans
myki
ng,
butt
her
eisa
deepermeani
ngt
oitbutf
ornowt
hat
i
sal
lthe
ancest
orsgav
eme.
Ki
ng:
Myt
hanksey
eoft
hegods.
Motoaung:
Onemor
ethi
ngmyki
ng,
youmust
namethe
chi
l
dMapul
athent
her
ainwi
l
lst
op
af
ternami
ng
 t
hef
utur
equeen.
Ki
ng:Letmegodot hatnow*t
hekingl
eftand
wenttothehutwherethequeenandpr
incess
ar
eandst oodout
side*
I
sitsaf
etoent
er?
Midwife:I
tissafemyking,youmayent er.
*said
themidwifefrom i
nsi
det heroom andtheking
enter
edandsawhi squeenlayingonthegrass
matwi tht
hepr i
ncessinherarms.Shelook
ti
redanddr ai
nedandthatbroket heki
ng'
sheart.
King:
Mybel
ovedqueen,
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngmy
dear?
y
oudontl
ooksogood.
QueenMabot
le:
Am wel
lmyki
ngj
ustabi
tti
red
not
hinga
goodsl
umbercan'
tfi
x.
Ki
ng:Thati
sgoodthenmydear,
mayihol
dmy
pr
incesspl
ease?i
am her
etonamehersothat
therai
ncanstopandam suremypeopleare
afr
aidtheyhav
eneverseem such.
*hetookthe
pri
ncessandheldheri
nhisarmsandasmi l
e
curvedontohi
sli
ps,l
ooki
ngathisgif
t.
Queen:
Whattoyoumeany
ouhav
etonameher
fort
herai
ntost
op?
King:Wewi lldi
scussthatwheny ouarewell
restedmyqueen.Thepr incess'
snamei s
Mapul at
her ai
nqueen,anamegi vent
oherby
ourancestors*t
hekingwentout si
dewiththe
chil
dandst oodintherai
nwi ththepri
ncess
heldup*Mapul atherai
nqueen*hel d*

Immediatel
yaft
ergoi
nginsi
detherainstopped,
thewindalsost
oppedandthesunbegun
appeari
ngfrom t
heskyl
ikei
tneverrained.

pl
easecont
inuet
oinv
itepeopl
e,t
il
lnextt
ime.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t2

Thefollowi
ngdayt hekingandqueenar ein
thei
rchamber ,i
t'
ssti
llearl
yinthemor ningand
thekingisawakelookingathi sbeauti
fulqueen
wonderingwhathehasdonet obeblessedwi th
suchabeaut i
fulqueen,aprinceandapr i
ncess.
Whilethekingwasst i
lladmiri
ngthequeenshe
wokeupandwhensheopenedherey esshe
wasmetwi ththoseoft heking.
Queen:
Mor
ninggr
eet
ingsmyki
ng.
Ki
ng:Mor
ninggr
eet
ingsmyqueen,
howdi
dyou
sl
eep?
Queen:
Wonder
ful
mydearandi
am wel
lrest
ed.
King:
Thatisgoodt
ohearmydear,
Iwas
thi
nki
ngthataft
er10dayweshoul
ddoa
ceremonytof
ormal
l
yintr
oducet
hepr
incesst
o
thepeopl
eandtoot
herki
ngdomsaswell
.
Queen:Butbef
orethatmydeari
wouldl
i
keyou
t
oexplainwhatyoumeantbywhaty
ousaid
yest
erday.
King:
*smil
i
ng*Ihol
dnoknowl
edgeofwhaty
ou
speakofmydarl
i
ng.
Queen:Mykingi
splayi
ngwithmenow,iknow
becauseoft
hatmischi
evoussmi
leony
ourf ace.
King: Mabot
leyoucall
i
ngthekingofthisbig
kingdom mischi
evous?myqueeny oulooking
fortroubl
eitel
lyou*hesai
dthatinaplayful
voiceandhugesmi l
eonhisface*
Queen:Mykingt hepri
ncessi sgoingt owake
upsoonandt hemai denswi l
lstar
tknockingon
thatdoorbr
ingingwaterforourbat h,soi
suggestyoustartt
alki
ngbef oreallthat
happensorMosi aandot herelder
sal sobudge
i
ntothepalacelooki
ngf oryout ogowi tht
hem
f
orpal
acedut
ies.
King:
Okay ,
Okayi heary
ou.Motaunginf
ormed
usthatthepri
ncesswasablessingt
ousf r
om
thegods.
Queen: Butall
chi l
drenofthi
skingdom ar
ea
blessingfr
om t hegodswhatmakest he
princessspecial?oristheti
tl
esheholdsthe
reasonshei sspecial.
King:Thati
swhati am tr
yingtogett
omy
queen,thepri
ncessisspecial
notbecauseof
theti
tlesheholdsbutbecauseshewaschosen
bythegodsast herai
nqueen.
Queen:*eyespoppedout*OhmyGodmyki ng
doyouknowt hatthel
astrai
nqueenseeni n
Lesot
hoasawhol ewasthegreatqueen
Moetapeleandnowmydaught eri
soneaswell
.
doyouknowwhatagr eatr
esponsibi
l
ityl
ayson
ourshoulder
sbecauseofthis?
Ki
ng:
Cal
m downmyqueen.
..
doy
our
emember
thestoriesweheardgr owingupt hatt herai
n
queenhadpower sbey ondmeasur eandthat
shehadacr ocodi
lebyhersi deev ery
wher eshe
goes.Thatmeanst hatshewasoneofusa
Mokoenabecausecr ocodilesbelongi nourclan
andshei st
heonet hatchoset hepr i
ncessto
takeafterherandwecan' tquestiont he
decisi
onsoft hegodsf ortheyarewi se.
Queen:Iunder
standmykingi
am justworri
ed
aboutt
hekindofpowersheholdsandifshe
wil
lbeabletohandlei
t.
King:Wewil
lhel
pherwherewecanmyqueen
andwhenwef ai
ltheeyeoft
hegodswil
l
consultt
hegodstoshowustheway.
*whil
esti
l
ltalki
ngthepr
incesswokeupand
star
tedcr
ying,t
hequeenwenttocheckonher
*
aknockcamet hrought
hedoorandtheki
ng
wenttoopen.
Ler
ato:
Mor
ninggr
eet
ingsmyki
ng
King:
Mor ni
nggreeti
ngsyoungmai
den,
youmay
comei nandputthewateri
nsi
de.
Ler
ato:Thankyoumyking*shewenti nsi
de
fol
l
owedbyt woothermaidens,
onecar ry
ing
waterfort
heki
ng,oneforthepri
ncessand
Ler
atocarri
edwaterf
orthequeen.theyputthe
waterdownandhurri
edtothedoor.
Queen:Lerat
opl
easebr
ingmeacr eam t
hathas
ali
ghtsmel l
iwi
l
lbeusi
ngitunt
ili
stopnursi
ng
t
heprincess.
Ler
ato:
Iwil
lbri
ngitr
ightawaymyqueen*she
bowedherheadandleft
*

Thekingandqueenwentaboutt
hei
rdail
y
hygi
enerouti
neandwhendonethequeenfed
thepri
ncesswhi
let heki
ngwasget
ti
ngready
fort
hemor ni
ngfeast.
King:Ar
eyour
eadyf
ort
hemor
ningf
eastmy
queen?
Queen:Iam r
eadymyking,
let
sgobefor
ethe
el
dergetheretost
eal
youawayfort
heday.
Theywenttot heeat i
ngchamber,t
hekingsatat
theheadofthet ableandthequeensatnextto
him.Themaidenscomei nandservedthem,
theyat
eandt heki nglef
tforhi
sroyal
duties.

UNKNOWN:

Howcany
oul
etsuchat
hinghappenMosi
ahuh?
Mosia:Osekewal ekawaboal ennakarioboa
l
emor awahawu, kel ekahot
osawenamona
wenaoiketsasethothowobanengl ewena
oatsebahorenekesenanakoy ahoetsonnto
*Dontyoudarespeakt omelikey ouspeaki
ng
toyourson,i
am tryingtohelpy ouhereandyou
arebusyact
ingl
i
keafoolknowi
ngv
erywel
li
hadnotimetodoany
thi
ng*
-Don'
tworryt
here'
ssti
l
lti
metoactbutwe
mustplancar
eful
lyonwhatt
odonext.
Motsoeneng:
Don'
tfor
getwhatt
hechi
efpr
iest
sai
daboutthechi
l
d.
-Idon'
tcar
eaboutwhathesai
dbecauseitwil
l
bemeaningl
essi
fwepullt
hroughwi
ththeplan.
Mosi
a:Butt
heplanmustbedonebef
oreshe
r
eachesmatur
it
yorel
sewearedoomed.
-Keat
sebahoreotlabokotsikanakoeo*i
know
shewil
lbedangerousbyt hen*andshewil
l
smell
uscomi ngfr
om ami l
eawayandwipeour
gener
ati
oncleanbyjustraisi
ngherfi
nger
.
Motsoeneng:Thenwehav etomakesurethat
weconv i
ncethekingtogethermarri
edbefor
e
shereachesmaturit
yandeveryt
hingel
sewill
fal
li
ntoplace.
-
*smi
l
ing*ker
atat
sel
aonahanangkay
ona*i
li
ke
t
hewayyouthi
nk*
Mosi
a:Harey
engbannar enalemosebet
si
omongat
aeretsoanet
singhowuyetsa*Let
sgo
men,wehavealotofwor ktodo.
Themenl
eftandwentt
hei
rsepar
ateway
s.

St
ayt
unedf
ormor
e.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t3

Thekingcamebackf r
om hisr oy
alduti
esv er
y
angry,
r i
dinghishorseatfullspeed,hestopped
atthegatesoft hepalaceandwenti nsi
dewi th
hi
sper sonalroyalguardrunningaft
erhim.
Ki
ng:
Mol
eleki
askt
hemai
denst
obr
ingme
bat
hingwat
ernow.Iwi
l
lbei
nmychamber
.

Molel
eki
rantowher
ethemai
dswer
ebusy
doi
ngwashing.

Molel
eki
:Bri
ngbat
hingwaterf
ortheki
ngnow,
youwil
lfi
ndhiminhischamber.
Hewal
kedawaybumpi
ngi
ntot
hequeen.
Queen:
Mol
eleki
keng?
*Mol
eleki
whati
sit
?*
Moleleki
:Myqueenthemeet i
ngthekingwent
tothismorni
ngdidn’
tgosowel l
,Idon’
thaveal
l
thedetai
lsbutsomethi
ngreal
lybadmusthave
happenedbecauseheev enl
eftt
heelders
behind.
Queen:
Hel
eftt
heel
der
sbehi
nd?
Mol
eleki
:Yesmayqueen.
Queen:
OkayMol
eleki
Iwi
l
ltakei
tfr
om her
e.
Molel
eki
:Okaymyqueen.Iwi
l
ltakemyl
eav
e
now*hebowedhi
sheadandleft*

Thequeensawt hemaidencar r
yingbathing
wat erfortheki nggoi
ngt owardshischamber
andshecal l
edhert obringthewat ert
oher .She
tookt hewat erandaskedt hemai dentol ook
afterthepr i
ncesswhi l
eshet akesthewat erto
theirchamber .Shegoti
nandputwat erbasi n
ont hef l
oorthenwentandt ooksomecr eam
andbat hingt owel.

Queen: Comemyki ngletmehelpy ouwitht

hat
tensi
ony ouhave.
*heldoutherhandt ohim,he
tookitandwenttositonthechairnearthebed.
Thequeent ookthetoweldipiti
ntothewater
andrubbeditonhisshoulders.
Queen:
Tel
lmewhatmademyki
ngsoangr
y?
Ki
ng:
Theki
ngofRomot
lakoaneki
ngdom i
sev
il
myqueen.
Queen:
Whatdi
dthegr
eedyPedi
dot
hist
ime.
King:Wewentt oameet ingther
esincehesent
wordr equesti
ngitandIaskedMot soenengand
Mosi atogowi thmesi ncetheyweretheonl
y
onesav ail
ableatthatmoment .Whenwegot
therePedi t
oldusaboutt hedealhewantsusto
gointo.*thekingputhi sheadonhishandsand
rubbedithardinfrustr
ation*
Queen:
Whatwasthedealaboutmyki
ng?I
meanam sur
eitmusthav
ebeengoodthat
ki
ngdom i
sver
ywealt
hy.
King:
*Angry*Theyar
eonl
yweal
thybecause
theysel
lpeopl
e.
Queen:*eyespopped*whatdoy
oumeant
hey
sel
lpeoplemyking?
King:
Exactlythatmyqueen,doyouknowt hat
i
soneoft hereasonstheyonlyhaveweal
thy
andmi ddl
eclasspeoplei
nthatkingdom?Itis
becauset heysell
thosewi t
hnot hingandno
onet odefendthem tosomeSout hAf ri
can
contactwhopay sthem mi l
li
onsf orthem.I
don’ttal
kaboutv i
rgi
nst heygetabi l
li
onj ustf
or
oneandhewant smet odot hesamet omy
people.Whot hehelldoeshet hi
nkhei s?God?
Orthegods?Andwhodoeshet hinkIam?To
sel
l mypeopl el
ikethatjustbecauset heyhave
nothing?
Queen:Am glady out urnedhim downmyki ng,
wedon’tdot hathereandwenev erwil
l.YesI
knowwedon’ thaveal otofjobshereandI
knowourpeopl earest ruggl
ingbutthati sno
reasont
osel lthem off.Besi
deswehav ethe
pri
ncessnowourki ngdom wi l
lprosperjustli
ke
thegodssaid.
King:Youri
ghtmyqueenbutwhati
nfur
iat
esme
i
st hefactt
hatmyownelderswant
edinonthat
deal.Imeanwhatki
ndofelder
sdoIhave?
Queen:
Don’
tmi
ndt
hem myki
ngt
heyar
ejust
greedyandt
hatgreedisgoi
ngt
obet
hei
r
downfall
oneofthosedays.

Amont
hlat
er:

Thekingdom wasv erybusymai densgoingup

anddowncooki ngot hersserv ingdrinkstothe
gueststhathadal readyar r
ivedf orthe
pri
ncess’sintr
oduct ion.Themenwer ebusyby
thekraaltal
kinganddi scussingaboutwhi ch
cowtosl aughterfort heevent .Theki ngwent
towardstheot hermenandpoi nt
edt hecowhe
wantedfort heprincess.

King:That
’st
hecowIwantsl aughter
edand15
sheepstogowithi
t.Iwil
laskmyqueent otel
l
themaidenstosl
aughter25chickens.
Mosi
a:Mor
enadon’
tyout
hinkt
hati
sjusta
wast
eofl
i
vest
ock?
Ki
ng:Thatisnothi
ngcomparedtowhatt
his
ki
ngdom wil
lhavebecauseoft
hepri
ncessandI
wantwhatisbestformyoneandonly
pr
incess.
*smil
ing*
Mosia:Don’
tyouthinkt
hiswil
lmakethe
pri
nce’
sheartheavy?Imeanbecausehenev
er
gotthi
sonhisintr
oducti
on.
King:Mosiahowwi l
lthepr
inceknowhowhis
i
ntroduct
ionwaswhenhewasj ustababywhen
i
twasdone?Unl essyouwantt otel
lmethat
youaretosharethatinf
ormati
onwithhi
m.
Mosi
a:No.no.noMorenaaketshojwal
o*nono
nomykingthat
’snotwhatam sayi
ng*
King:
Itbet
ternotbeorelseIwil
lknowitwas
youandIwillhav
ey oubani
shedfrom t
his
ki
ngdom.*hewal kedawayleav
inghim wi
thhi
s
mouthhungopen*
Insi
det hechambert hequeenwasf i
nished
dressingup.Shewasdr essedi nherroyalatt
ir
e
andf inishedofwi t
hr oy albeads.Shewasnow
readyt ogoandwel comet hei
rguestsast hey
keptar rivi
ng.Bigandsmal lki
ngdomswer e
i
nv i
ted.Butt hequeenwaswor riedbecausethe
weat herwasbeaut i
ful andsunnywi t
hnosi gn
ofrain.Theki ngenter edandl ookedathi s
queenadmi r
ingherbeaut y .Butthequeenwas
deepi nt houghtobli
vioust ohispresenceinthe
room.Theki ngwentt oherandt ouchedher
shoul derturningherar ound.

Ki
ng:
Myqueenwhatseemst
obet
hepr
obl
em?
Queen:
Not
hingmyki
ngam f
ine.
King:Buty
oudon’tl
ookf
inemyqueeni
nfact
youlookbother
ed.
Queen:Iam worr
iedabouttheweathermyki
ng,
youknowthatinorderf
orthiscer
emonytobea
successweneedtherai
n.Am af
rai
dthatwe
mayhav edonesomet
hingwrongandthe
ancestor
sareangr
y.
King: Don’twor rymyqueenIknowt hatt
he
weat herisnoti nourf avorf
ort
hiscer
emony
butIhav efait
hi nthegods.BaKoenakebatho
bapul e,bathobamet sing*ThebaKoenaare
rai
npeopl e,creaturesofthewat
er*andthey
willnevert ur
nt heirbackononeofthei
rown
that’
snotwhot heyar e.

Theki ngsaidal lt
histoconsol ehi
squeenbuti n
actual f
acthewasal sowor ri
edaboutt he
weat herandhehadnoi deawhatt odot of ix
thepr obl
em.Theki ngandqueenwentout side
towel comet heirguestsandshowt hem t othei
r
respectedseat s.Thekingandqueenoft he
baTloungki ngdom, oneoft hewealthiestand
biggestkingdom ar oundarrivedatthebaKoena
kingdom.Ri dinginoneoft hemostbeaut iful
carri
ages,pul
l
edbyt womostbeauti
ful
,heal
thy
andwel lt
akencareofhor
ses.Whenthey
steppedouteveryki
ngandqueentherewas
envious.

KingLerumoandhi
squeenmett
hem hal
fway
towelcomethem.
Ki
ngLet
si:
Mor
ninggr
eet
ingsmyol
dfr
iend.
KingLerumo:Morni
nggr
eet
ingmyf
ri
end,
how
havey oubeen?
QueenKgomot so:Morni
nggreeti
ngsqueen
maBotle,
pleasetakemetotheotherqueens
becauseyouknowwhenol dfri
endsstar
t
tal
ki
ngwewi llst
andhereti
l
lthesunsets.
QueenmaBotle:
Mor ni
nggreet
ingsmydear
queenandIknowwhaty oumean.Pleasecome
thi
sway.*t
heywalkedawayleavingt
hekings
tal
ki
ng*
KingLet
si:
Oldfr
iendit’
sal
mosttimefort
he
ceremony,ar
ewewai ti
ngforot
herki
ngdomsor
arewegoingtostartnow?
KingLer
umo: Act
uall
yoldf
ri
endy
ouwerethe
onlyonelef
ttoarr
ivesonowwecanst
art
.
KingLetsi:Ihearyou,buthowareyougoi ngto
start
?Imeant hatIknowt hi
sceremony
requir
esr ainbuttodaythesunisoutandt he
birdsaresingingtheirbeaut
if
ulmelodies.
May bey oupickedawr ongdaytodot his.
KingLer
umo: Thati
swhatIhavebeenworr
ied
aboutoldf
ri
endbutIknowt hatt
hegodsofthe
l
andar ewatchi
ng*

Astheywerebusydi
scussi
ngt
hemat
tert
he
chi
efpri
estwal
kuptothem.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Mor
enakenako*
myki
ngi
t’
sti
me*
hewal
kedawayandt
heki
ngsf
oll
owedbehi
nd.

Whi let
heywer ebusyi nthehutwi t
ht hequeen
holdingthepr i
ncesandt hechiefpriestburning
pef oprai
singandsummoni ngt hebaKoena
ancestors.Thekinghadaheav yheartworried
aboutwhatt heotherki
ngdomswi ll
sayabout
this.Whil
et heywer ebusyoutsidepeopl ewer e
busygossi pingabouthowt het heceremonywi l
l
takeplacewhent herei
snor ain.Oneoft he
kingswhowasst andi
ngcloset othedoor
spoke.
King:Thisisawast eofourtime,
noceremony
willt
akepl acehere.Weallknowthatt
heseare
rai
npeopl eandt odayt
hereisnosignofit
.I
couldhav ebeenbusysorti
ngoutmyki ngdoms
affai
rsthant hi
s.
KingLet
si:Noonefor
cedyout
ocomeheresoi
f
youfeell
ikeyouwasti
ngy
ourti
methegat
es
ar
eopen.

Hekeptqui
et,
justt
henthechi
efpri
estcame
outoft
heroom andaddr
essedthecrowd.
Chiefpri
est
:Royal
ti
espl
easemoveawayf r
om
thedoorsothatwecanplacet
hepr
incessfor
theceremonytobegi
n.
Ki
ngPedi
:Howi
sthatgoi
ngt
ohappent
her
eis
norai
n.
Chi
efspr
iest:
Idon’
tar
guewit
hfool
snowmov
e
awaysothatwecanbegi
n.

Thecrowdmov edawayf r
om thedoormaking
spacefortheprincesstobeplacedon.The
chi
efpriestwentbackinsideandaskedthe
queentoundresst hepri
ncess.Thequeendid
astol
dbutal l
thiswhileshewasshakinginfear
ofwhatwasaboutt ohappen.Whenshewas
doneundr essingt hepr i
ncessl eavingheri nher
birt
hdaysui tsheandt heki ngwer einstruct edto
bothhol dt heprincessandgopl aceher e
outsideont hespot .Wi theachst ept heyt ook
towar dsthedoort heweat herwaschangi ng
outside,dar kcloudsf ormi ngandassoonas
thest eppedoutt herainf ell
.War m quiet
summerr ai nfel
lf r
om t heskyandev eryone
therewasshockedbywhatwashappeni ng.The
kingandqueenputt hepr incessdownont he
fl
oorwi thr ainpour i
ngonher ,
thechi efpr i
est
praisi
ngt heancest orsandt hepri
ncessbusy
maki ngbabysoundssmi l
ingenjoy i
ngt her ain.

Staytunedf
ormore.Sor
ryf
oranyer
rorsam
usingsomeone’
sphoneandshewantsit
.

Don’tfor
gett
oli
ke,
shar
eandi
nvi
temor
e
people.
#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t4

Afterawhi l
ethechi efpr i
esti nstruct
edthe
queent otakethepr incessi nside.Shedi das
toldandassoonasshest eppedi ntothehouse
ther ainstopped,cloudscl ear edandt hesun
cameout .Peoplewer estill
shockedandal lthe
kingswhohadpr i
nce’ srequest edtohav ea
wor dwi thkingLerumo.Theki ngasked
Mol elekitotel
lal
l t
heki ngst hatwantt omeet
withhi mt ogointot het hroner oom wherethe
meet i
ngwi l
lbeheld.Theki ngcal l
edasidehis
eldersandwentt ot heguest schamber .
King:Myel
dersIr
equest
edy
ourpresenceher
e
toaskyoutocomewithmeforamomentt oa
shortmeet
ing.
Mosia:Butmykingthissupposedtobea
cer
emonyf orthepri
ncessnotformeeti
ngs.
Can’
titwaitt
il
lnextweek?
King:Noitcan’tanditwil
lonl
ybeforashor
t
whileIal
sodon’ twanttorui
nthedaybyhav
ing
endlessmeetings.

Theyleftandwenttothethr
oneroom.The
otherkingswereal
readywai
tingi
ncl
udi
nghis
ol
df ri
endMotloung.
KingLer
umo: Gr
eet
ingsagai
nmykings,Idon’
t
wantust owast
eany t
imesi
ncet
hisisnota
gooddayt obehav
ingmeeti
ngs.
KingPedi
:Greeti
ngLer
umo,weknowandI
beli
evethatnoneofuswantt
owastey
ourt
ime.
KingLetsi:
Iwil
lgett
othepointol
dfri
end,al
lof
usherehav eonethi
ngincommonandt hatis
weal lwouldli
ketoar
rangemarri
agebetween
yourprincessandourpri
nce’
s.Soyoucan
choosechil
dki
ngdom y
ouwoul
dli
ket
omar
ry
yourdaught
eri
nto.
KingLesego:I
fyoudeci detogowithmyprince
thenyouknowy ourpr
incesswil
lbewellt
aken
careoff.Mykingdom i
st hesecondlar
gestaft
er
thebaTloungkingdom.
KingLerumo: Iheary oumyki ngsandIknow
thatthisissomet hingt hathasbeenpr acti
ced
l
ongbef orewewer ebor nbyourforefathers.
Howev erIwoul dlikef orustoputthemat t
eron
holdforal it
tl
ewhi lethenwecanr evi
sitifaft
er
theprincesshav er eachedmat uri
ty.
Ki
ngLet
si:
Wel
lsai
dol
dfr
iendandIt
hinkt
her
e
i
snothi
ngmor
ewecandoatthemoment.
KingLer
umo:Thenmeeti
ngadjourned,l
et’
sgo
backoutther
eandenj
oythefesti
vit
ies.

Ever
yonewentout,f
oodwasservedanddr
inks.
Peopl
eenj
oyingthemsel
ves.Theki
ngwentto
fi
ndhisqueenashel astsawherduri
ngthe
ceremony.Hefoundherwi t
hthemaidens
giv
ingthem i
nstr
uct
ions.Sheturnedandwas
metwiththeli
vi
ngey esofherki
ng.
Queen:
Myki
ng,
shoul
dn’
tyoubewi
tht
heot
her
ki
ngs?
Ki
ng:
Ishoul
dbutIcamet
ocheckonmyqueen.
Queen:Youdi
dwell
butIam busyatthe
momentmyking.Bythewaywhatwast he
meeti
ngaboutandwhydidn’
tmyprincecome
home.
King:Themeetingwewi l
ldiscusslat
eron,
as
forthepri
ncetheschooldidal l
owhimtobeoff
schoolastheyareprepar
ingf orexams.
Queen:
OhhowImi
ssmypr
ince.
King:
Imi sshi
mtoomyqueenbutwewi llhave
towaitunti
lhi
sschool
holi
daytoseehi
m.Now
l
etmegobackanddon’ toverwor
kyourself
.
Queen:
Iwon’
tmyki
ng.

Hekissedherf
oreheadandl
eftt
ojoi
nhi
s
guest
s.

Unknown:
-Mosiayouhav
etomakesurethatt
hisdamn
pri
ncessi
smarri
edofbef
orehermaturi
ty
cer
emony .
Mosia:
Keatsebaandket
laet
saj
wal
o*i
know
andIwil
ldojustt
hat*
-YouandMot soenengkeepsayi
ngt
hatbut
nothi
nghasbeendonet husfar
.Mov
equickl
yor
wearealldoomed.
Mosi
a:Youal
soneedt
ohel
pus.
-Howam Isupposedtodothatwhenam
bannedf
rom st
eppingfooti
nthi
skingdom?
Mosi
a:Usey
ourconnect
ions.
-Iwillgoandvisi
tngakayaniy
aMoeyaneng
keatsebaotl
arethusa*Iwil
lgoandvi
sitthe
witchdoctorf
rom Moeyanenghewil
lhelpus*
Mosi
a:Paki
samonnaar
enanako*hur
ryupman
wedon’
thavet
ime*
-Iwil
lcont
acty
ouwhenIcomebackl
atert
his
eveni
ng.
Mosi
a:Hol
oki
l
etsamay
a*okeygo*

Hel ef
tandMosi awentbackintothepalacet
o
fi
ndMot soeneng.Hefoundhim andcalledhi
m
asi
deandi nfor
medhi m oft
heplan.Theyboth
agreedtokeepaney eoutforthemy st
eryman
whenhecomesbacki ntheevening.

Lat
erthataf
ter
noonthemyst
erymanar
ri
vedin
Moeyanengandwenttoseet
hewit
chdoctor
.
Hearr
ivedathi
shutandt
ookofhi
sshoesand
wenti
nside.
Wi
tchdoctor
:Kengj
wal
e?Obat
lang?
*whatnow?
Whatdoyouwant?
-Iwantsomethi
ngthatwil
lmakemydearhal
f
brot
heragreewi
thevery
thi
ngMosiaand
Motsoenengsay.
Wit
chdoct
or:
Youknowt
hatwi
l
lrequi
rer
oyal
bl
ood.
-Youcantakemi
neory oucansacr
if
icet
he
pri
ncessi
fyouwantIdon’
tcare.
Witchdoctor:Isti
ll
wanttol i
vesoIcan’ tuse
thepri
ncessbecauseshei shighlyfavor
ed.
Yourswil
ldof ornowbutt heef fectwon’tl
ast
mor et
hanaweeksi nceyouar enotpureblood
sowhatevery ouwantt odo,youdoi twi
thi
na
weekofusi ngit.
-Iunder
stand.
Witchdoctor
:Nowgi v
emey ourhand.*het
ook
hishandandcutitandsqueezedhisbl
oodi
nto
abowl andmixeditwit
hsomeoi l
sandgavei
t
tohim.Nowr ememberonlyaweek.
-Yesaheady
out
hef
ir
stt
ime,
her
eisy
our
money.
Wi
tchdoct
or:
Puti
tont
hef
loor
.

Heputt
hemoneyont
hef
loorandl
eft
.

Pl
easel
i
ke,
commentandi
nvi
temor
epeopl
e.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t5

Lat
erthateveningthef
esti
vi
ti
esweresti
l
lgoi
ng
onbutotherkingsandqueensfr
om ot
her
kingdomshadal r
eadyl eftonl yafewr emained.
Mosi aandMot soenengwer eont helookoutf or
themy steryman.Justast heywer e
compl ainingabouthowt i
redt heyareofwai t
ing
andt hel ongdayt heyhad.Ast onewast hr
own
attheirdi r
ecti
on,theygotst art
ledbecauseit
wasdar kout,theylookedateachot her
wonder i
ngwhocoul dbet hrowingtonesat
them.Anot herstonewast hrownandt hey
decidedt ogoandi nvestigat eandtheysawt he
mant heywer ewai ti
ngf orbyt hebushes.
Mosia:Otl
arebol
ayakapel
o*y ouwi
l
lki
l
luswi
th
heartat
tack*whatar
ey oudoi
ngthr
owi
ng
stonesl
ikeaboy?*whisperi
ng*
-Whatdidyouwantmet odo?Towalktowar
ds
thepal
acegateandtalkt
oyouabouthowwe
aregoi
ngtobewitchtheki
ng?
Motsoeneng:Wedon’thaveti
mefort
hisnow
someonemi ghtseeus,whatdoy
ouhaveforus?
-Taket hi
sbat hwi thitanddon’tdryyourf aces
wheny oudonel etthem dryontheirownt hen
takeal it
tl
ebi tandappl yi
tonyourey ebrows
butonl ydot hiswheny ougoingtohav ey our
meet ingswitht heki ng.Youhaveaweekt o
conv i
ncet hekingt ochooseapr incef orthe
princessandagr eet omar r
yheroffat16.
Motsoeneng:
Ler
umoisast
ubbor
nmanhe
won’tj
ustagr
eet
othi
s.
-Ar
eyoustupidorwhat,
thismutiwi
llmakehi
m
agr
eewit
hy ouonevery
thingyousuggest
.
Mosia:
Goodnowwecanev engethi
mt oagr
ee
onthedealofsel
l
ingpeopl
ewithPedit
henwe
wil
lberol
li
nginmoney*smi
li
ng*
-Nodon’ttothatfocusont hi
sonlyandwhen
am ki
ngt hatwil
lbet hef
irstdealIsi
gnbutthen
wewon’thav etoshar et
hepr ofi
tsandthe
peopl
eIwi ll
bewor kingwitharefrom Ni
geri
a
andtheypaywaymor et
hant heSouthAfri
can
guy
.
Motsoeneng:
Doy outr
ustt
hisNi
ger
ianguyof
your
sandwher edidy
oumeethim?
-Idon’
tknowhi
m personall
yIknowhisbrother
Iwaswithhimi
nprisonandIsavedhisli
fe
whil
ehewasbeingattackedbyotheri
nmates.
Sohewi l
lbemyconnectionwi
thhisbrot
her.
Mosia:
Don’
ttel
lmeareyoutal
ki
ngaboutthe
guy
swhogotarrest
edforr
hinohor
npoaching.
-
Yest
hat
’soneoft
hem
Mosia:
Manbecar
eful
thoseguy
sar
e
danger
ous.
-Iknowwhatam doi
ngnowy
oudoy
oupar
t
andIwil
ldomine.

Hesaidthatandhelef
tthem t
here.Theywent
thei
rsepar
atewayseachonet hi
nkingabout
howdangerousthoseguysarebutconsoled
t
hemsel
vesbytheamountofmoneyt
heywi
l
l
makef
rom t
his.

Thatnightint
hekingandqueenschambert he
queenwashav inganightmare.Shewas
walki
ngt owar
dt heeat
ingchamberbutstopped
i
ntrackswhensheheadpeopl etalki
ngi
nside
butwhatmadeherst opwasnott hevoi
cesbut
whattheyweresay i
ng.
Voice1:Theki
ngmustdi
eorthepr
incess,we
can’thavebot
hoft
hem her
ecausi
ngpr obl
ems.
Voice2:Whatev
erwedot
hepr
incessmustgo
wecan’thav
eherher
eshewi
ll
destroy
every
thi
ng.
Voi
ce1:Your i
ghttheki
ngwon’
tbemuchofa
pr
oblem butwhataboutt
hechi
efpr
iest
?
Voice2:Hewillhav
etogoandbeachiefpri
est
somewher eel
sebafat
sibashot
amonna*we
don’thav
eenoughancestorsman*t
helaughed
Thequeenfel
tasifshewasbeingpull
ed,
she
j
umpedandalmostf el
lof
fthebed,shewas
sweat
ingandbreathi
ngheavy
.
Ki
ng:I
t’
sokaymyqueenam her
e,i
twasj
usta
dr
eam.
Queen:
Buti
tfel
tsor
eal
andam scar
edmyki
ng.
Ki
ng:
Whatwasadr
eam about
?
Queen:Ihear
dvoi
ces*t
hequeent
oldhi
m
ever
ythi
ng*
King:
Don’tworrymyqueennot hi
ngwi llhappen,
youknowt hatnoonecanhar mther oyalfamil
y
andbesi
desonl yaroyalcanharm anotherroyal
andther
ear enootherroyal
sinthebaKoeana
ki
ngdom exceptforusandqueenmot her.
Queen:Yourighti
twasjustadream,l
et’
sgo
backtosleepbutIonl
ywishthatIhavea
peacef
ulslumberthi
sti
mear oundbecauset
he
pr
incesswi
l
lwakemeupear
ly.
Ki
ng:
Goodni
ghtmyqueen.

Aweekl aterthekinghadbeenhav i
ng
headaches, hehadagr eedonmar ryingoffthe
pri
ncesst ohi soldfri
endssonPr i
nceThabi so
Mol oif
rom t hebaTloungki ngdom.Todaywas
Fri
dayandt hedayoft henegot iat
ions,theking
wokeupf rom hisslumberwi thanexcr uciat
ing
headachehecoul dn’tev enopenhisey es
properly
.Thequeenwokeupandf oundt heking
sit
tingont hebedandy oucouldseehewasi n
painjudgingbyt hegainspoppi ngf r
om his
forehead.

Queen:
Sunr
isegr
eet
ingsmyki
ng,
howar
eyou
feel
i
ng?
King:
Sunri
segr
eet
ingmyqueen,Iam notwel
l
thi
sheadachei
sworset
odayIcan’
tevenopen
myey
espr
oper
ly.
Queen:
Iwil
lgoandaskthechiefpri
estt
omake
yousomet
hingwecan’thav
ey ouli
kethi
stoday
whenyouhavevi
sit
orscoming.
King:
Iwoul
dappreci
atet
hatmyqueen,ony
our
wayoutpl
easeaskthemaidenst
obri
ng
bathi
ngwat
er.
Queen:
Iwi
l
ltakecar
eofi
tmyki
ng.

Shel ef
tandfirststar
tedatt
heki
tchent
oask
themai densforbathingwat
ert
henwenttothe
chiefpri
esthutandl ucki
l
yhewasawake.She
announcedher selfandhecameoutandmet
heratthedoor .
Chiefpri
est
:Sunri
segreet
ingsmyqueen,
what
br
ingy ouheret
hisear
ly?
Queen:
Greeti
ngschi
efpri
est
,theki
nghasbeen
havi
ngheadachesf
oraboutaweeknow,at
f
ir
sti
twasnotbadbutt
odayi
tiswor
se.
Chiefpr
iest
:Letmegety
ousomet
hingf
orhi
m
thenmyqueen.

Hewenti nsidethehutandcamebackandgav e
thequeensomemedi cineandgav eher
i
nstructi
onsonhowt ouseit.Thequeenlef
t
andwentbackt othechamber ,whenshegot
ther
et hekingwasdonet akinghisbathand
wasbusydr essi
ngupinhisr oy
alatt
ir
e.She
gavehi mthemedi ci
neandaskedhi mt ol
ay
downabi t,thekingdi
dast old.

Laterthatday,
thelobolanegot i
ati
onswentwel l
andthepr i
ncesswast radi
tional
lymar r
ied.Now
theyhadt owaitf
orhert oreachther i
ghtageso
thatshecanbesentof ftohermar italhome.
Thekingwasal sofeeli
ngmuchbet terthe
headachehadsubsi ded.
Ontheot hersi
deMosi a,Motsoenengandthe
mysterymanwer ecelebrati
ngthesuccessof
t
hefirststepofthei
rplan.Every
thi
ngwasgoing
wel
lont heirsi
deallt
heyhadt odowaswai tf
or
t
herighttimetomov eont othesecondstepof
t
heplan.

Seey out omorrowroyal

ti
es,
pleasedon’
tfor
get
toli
ke, share,
commentandpr omotethepage
toother s.Wearesti
ll
newandIwoul dli
keusto
growt ogetherint
hisj
ourney.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t6

16y earsl
ater
,thepr
incesswasdoinggrade10
studyingi
nSout hAf
ri
ca,CapeTownt obeexact
andshewasnow16y earsofage.Goeshome
onlyonschool holi
day sbuthasabody guard
withheraspert heking'sinst r
uction.Prince
Tokeloherbr otherwasnow26y earsoldand
ownedhi sownl awfir m withhispar t
nerand
bestfri
endLebohang.Theki ngdom has
prosperedov erthey ears,thepal acewas
renovatedandi t'
sbignowandl ooksl i
kea
vil
lageoni t
'sown.Theyal soowndi f
ferent
farmsandt radei nli
v estock,cropsandhav e
sharesinacoal mine.t hev i
ll
ager salso
benefit
edal otf r
om al l t
hedev elopment s,t
hey
renovatedtheirhutsandsentt heirchil
drento
schoolafterthenewschool cl
osert othev i
l
lage
wasbui lt
.

Thekingwassitti
ngoutsi
delat
eintheeveni
ng
withhi
sroyalguarddi
scussi
ngthei
rjour
neyto
thecapi
talt
hefoll
owingdaywhenamessenger
i
nterr
uptedthem.
Messenger
:Mor
ena*
Myki
nghegr
eet
ed
bowi
nghi
sheadasasi
gnofr
espect
*
Ki
ng:
Asy
ouwer
e
Messenger
:Ibr
oughtanot
efory
oumyki
ng
Ki
ng:
Wher
eisi
tcomi
ngf
rom?
Messenger
:Iholdnoknowledgeofthatmyki
ng,
amessengerdressedint
hebaTloungatt
ir
e
dr
oppeditoffandlef
twit
houtsayi
ngawor d,
myking.
King:
Thati
tal
ri
ght
,youmayt
akey
ourl
eav
e
now.
Messenger
:Myki
ng*
bowedhi
sheadandl
eft
.

Thekingopenedandreadthecontent
sand
couldn'
tbel
i
evewhatwaswr i
tt
enont hel
ett
er.
Heleftandwentt
of i
ndthequeen.Hefoundher
l
ayingonthebedreadi
ngabook.
Ki
ng:Myqueenpleaser
eadthi
slett
erandt
ell
methatwhati
thoughtir
eadinther
eisnot
tr
ue.*hesai
dthathandi
ngthelat
tert
othe
queen,t
hequeentookthel
ett
erandreadi
t.
Queen:hel
elehel
elehel
ele!
!!
!*hol
uli
lat
ing*
thesear
egoodnewsmyki ng,sotheyare
comingtomorrow.
Ki
ng:Howcanthi
sbegoodnewswhenIhav
e
noknowl
edgeofi
t?
Queen:Idon'
tunderst
andmyki ng,whatdoyou
meany ouhavenoknowl edgeofthepri
ncess
gett
ingmarri
edwheny ouweretheoneheading
herl
obolanegoti
ati
on?
Ki
ng:
Idi
dnosuch!
!*heshout
ed*
Queen:
Butmyki
ngy
oudi
dand.
..
Hecutherof
f
King:Iam t
ell
i
ngy
outhati
didnosuch,
now
explai
ntomewhenthi
shappened.
Queen:I
twaswhent
hepr
incesswasamont h
ol
daftert
hewel
comi
ngceremony*thequeen
t
oldhi
m ev
eryt
hingbutt
hekingdi
dn't
r
emembertheevent
sthatt
ookplace*
King:Ihol
dnoknowl edgeofthi
s,y
esido
remembert hecer
emonybutt heweekaft
ert
hat
i
sbl anktomeandi don'tknowwhatcoul
dhave
happened.
Queen:
May bet
heheadachesdi
dal
otmor
e
damagethanit
hought
.
King:Whatheadachesdoy
ouspeakofmy
queen?
Queen:OhmyGod*shesai dwit
hherhandson
herhead*mykingyouhadheadachesthat
weekanditgotworseonFri
daythatIwentand
gotyousomemedi ci
nefr
om thechi
efpriest
andaftert
hatyouweref
inesowedi dn'
tmake
anyt
hingofit
.
King:
Idon'
tunder
standwhatcoul
dhave
happened,
coul
ditbethatt
hepri
ncesses
powersaff
ect
edmesomehow?
Queen: Idonott hi
nksomyki ng,thechiefpr i
est
wouldhav eseensomet hi
ngbuti sitsuchabad
i
deat hatt hepri
ncessismar r
y i
ngThabi so, i
meanhei sagoody oungman, grewupi nfront
ofus,wentt oschoolandfi
nishednowheowns
amar ketingcompanywher eweal somar ket
ourownbusi nessinandhisfatherisyourol d
fr
iend.
King:Thatisnotwhatisbotheringmemy
queenbutt hefactt
hatiagreedf orhert
obe
mar r
iedbeforeshereachedmat urit
yandthe
factthatsheissti
ll
inschool.Icannotdot hat
tomypr incess.
Queen:
Herf at
herinlawi
syourf
ri
endmyki
ng
makehim seereason.
King:Letmecal
lhim andtal
ktohi
m andmay
be
canceltomor
rowifheagrees.

Theki
ngt
ookouthi
sphoneandcal
l
edki
ng
Let
si.
Ki
ngl
etsi
:Gr
eet
ingsol
dfr
iendandsoont
obei
n
l
aw.
Ki
ngl
erumo:Gr
eeti
ngsmyf
ri
end,
thei
nlawpar
t
i
swhyi cal
l
edyou.
Ki
ngl
etsi
:Pleasedon'
ttel
lmet
her
eisapr
obl
em
ol
dfr
iend.
Kingl
erumo:Therei
snopr
oblem,Icansaythat
butIwouldli
ketomakeasuggesti
onregar
ding
themat t
erofourki
d'
smar
riage.
Ki
ngl
etsi
:Iam al
lear
s.
Kinglerumo:Si
ncethepri
ncessisoutoft
he
count r
yandissti
ll
inschooliwaswonderi
ngif
youcanal l
owedhertofini
shschoolatl
east
grade12andbyt henshewoul dhaveal
so
reachedmat ur
it
y.
Ki
ngl
etsi
:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkoft
hatoldfr
iendbuti
wasmerel
yhonouri
ngourar
rangement.But
thi
sisnotsuchabadidea,imeantheprincei
s
educat
edandsuccessfulatt
hesamet i
meandi
don'
twantmydaughterinlawtofeelsmallor
beunderminedbyot
hers.
Kingl
erumo:Thanky
ouol
dfr
iendIappr
eci
ate
yourunder
standi
ng.
Theysai
dthei
rgoodby
esandhungup.
Kingl
erumo:Heagr
eedmyqueenandIam so
rel
iev
ed.Butwehaveanot
herpr
obl
em.
Queen:
Whatpr
obl
em i
sthatnowmyki
ng?
King:
Howdowet el
lTokeloaboutt
his?you
knowhowheiswhenitcomest ohi
ssisterand
howdowetell
thepri
ncessthatint
woy ears
ti
mesheisget
ti
ngmar r
ied?
Queen:Youdeal wi
thTokel
oandi wi
ll
tal
kto
thepri
ncesswhenshecomeshomef orschool
holi
day.I
twon'tbeeasybutyouhavetot
alkto
Tokelosoon.
King:
Letmecall
him nowandsummonhi
mto
thepalacet
omor
row.

Tokelowasbusyi nhi
soffi
ceprepari
ngfora
meet i
nghehast ogotowhenhi sphonerang,
heignoreditandcont
inuedwit
hwhathewas
doi
ng.Aknowcamet hroughafewmi nut
es
l
aterandhesummonedt hepersonin.Hi
sP.A
Palesawalkedin.
Pal
esa:
Mypr
incet
heki
ngi
sont
hel
i
ne.
Tokel
o:Howmanyti
medoihav
etot
ell
younot
tocal
lmepri
nceatwor
k?
Pal
esa:
I..
Iam.
.
Tokel
o:I
t'
sokayPal
esey
oumayl
eav
e.
Shewal
kedoutandt
hepr
inceanswer
edt
he
cal
l.
Pr
ince:
Mor
ena*myki
ng*
Ki
ng:
HakeMor
enahowenamor
akent
atao*I
am nott
heki
ngt
oyouson,
iam y
ourf
ather
*
Tokel
o:Iknowthatfat
her.Whatdoiowethis
pl
easureofhavi
ngthekingofthebaKoena
ki
ngdom call
me?
King:
Eerson,i
wanttoseeyouatt
hepal
ace
tomorrowi
t'
simport
antthaty
oubeher
e.
Tokel
o:whati
swr
ongf
ather
?
King:
Youwill
hearev
ery
thi
ngwheny
ouget
heretomor
row.
Tokelo:
Butf
atherihavebusi
nesstorunand
cli
entst
osee,ican'
tj
ustupandleavewit
houta
reason.
King:
Whichpar tofi
tisi
mpor t
antdi
dn'
tyou
hearTokel
o?andbei ngcal
ledbytheki
ng
shoul
dber easonenoughforyou.
Tokel
o:Butf
ather.
..hall
ow..
fat
her?Wowhe
hunguponme, what ev
eritismustreal
l
ybe
i
mportant
.Palesa!
!*hey el
l
ed*Palesacame
r
unni
ng.
Pal
esa:
Youcal
l
edmesi
r.
Tokelo:Yes,
cancelal
lmymeetingsfor
tomorrowandcallLebohangt
or unt
hingsi
nmy
absence.
Pal
esa:Iwil
ldothatsi
rbutwhataboutMr
Lef
uthahisabigcli
entwecan'
tjustdr
ophi
m.
Tokel
o:Tel
lLebotogotothemeetingonmy
behal
fandifheaskst
ell
him am goingt
othe
pal
acetomorrow.
Pal
esa:
Okaysi
r*shel
eft
*

Tokel
owaswonder i
ngwhatcouldbeso
i
mpor t
antt
hatthekingwouldsummonhi mto
thepal
acei
nt hemiddleoft
heweek.What
coul
ditbethatcan'
twaitt
il
ltheweekend.

Thatwasaquest
ionhekeptaski
nghi
msel
f.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t7

Thenextmor ni
ngTokel owokeupearlytoget
readyforhisj
ourneytothepal
ace.Hewokeup
anddidhismor ni
nghy gi
eneandputhis
travel
l
ingbagintothebootandmadehi swayto
thepalace.Af
teranhourandhalfdri
vehe
arri
vedatthepalaceandtheguardsopenedfor
him.Hispersonalguar
df r
om thepal
acecame
tohelphim wit
hhisbag.
Tokel
o:Dumel
aTi
i
set
somonna*goodmor
ning
Ti
iset
soman*
Ti
i
set
so:Dumelamonnaoj
wang?
*mor
ning
manhowareyou?
Tokel
o:Kepet
semonnahaonal
etho,
ohokae
morena?*am goodmant
herei
snopr obl
em,
wher
eist
heki
ng?
Ti
i
setso:
Hisintheeati
ngchamberhav
inga
morni
ngfeastwit
hthequeen.
Tokel
o:Iwil
lgojoi
nthem t
hen,pleaseputmy
baginmychamber .*wi
ththathefeltt
ojoint
he
ki
ngandqueeni nt
heeati
ngchamberf orthe
morningf
east.
*
Dumel
angbat
soadi
*gr
eet
ingspar
ent
s*
Ki
ngandQueen:
Dumel
aTokel
o*gr
eet
ings
Tokel
o*
Tokel
o:Lepet
sej
wangkaj
enu?*howar
eyou
today
?*
Ki
ng:
Repetsemonnaoj
wang?*wear
efi
ne
manandyou?*
Tokel
o:Keapelalenneket
soer
weket
lal
afel
a*
am wel
ljusthungry*
King:
Eatsonsothatwecangot
othet
hrone
room andt
alk.
Themai densservedhim,theyateandthe
maidensclearedthetabl
ewhi l
ethekingand
pri
ncegot othethroneroom total
kandt he
queenwentt oherchambert ocallt
heprince
si
nceitsbeenawhi lesi
ncetheylastspoke.

I
nthet
hroner
oom:
Ki
ng:
Howi
sbusi
nessson?
Pri
nce:Businessi
sfi
nefat
her,
wej ustsi
gned
upnewcl i
entsandwearebusyincourtalmost
everydaywhichiswhyi
haven'
tbeent othe
palacel
atel
y .
Ki
ng: Iunderst
andsonandi
am proudofthe
many ou'vebecomeandhowwellyouaredoi
ng.
Butnowy ouneedtogetmarr
iedandgiv
eus
grandchil
dren.
Pr
ince:Fat
herpl
easedon'
ttel
lmeyouhav
e
al
readyarr
angedmarr
iageforme.
King:Nomypr inceiam justsayi
ng,but
mar ri
agehasbeenar r
angedf ort
heprincess
andshei sgett
ingmarriedsoonafterher
mat uri
tycer
emony .
Pri
nce: *fumingwit
hanger*Yousai
dwhat?
,
fatherdoy ouunder
standhowyoungMapul
ais
formar r
iage?
King:Iunder
standmypr
incewhi chiswhyi
askedthatshegetsmar
riedaftershefi
nishes
grade12andhadhermat uri
tyceremony.
Pri
nce:Whoi st
hisi
diotyoudecidedt
omarry
mylit
tl
esistert
o?doessheev enknowabout
thi
sbecauseshedidn'tsayanyt
hingt
ome
wheni spoketoher?
King:Shei
smar r
yingprinceThabisoofthe
baTloungki
ngdom, yoursist
erwil
l bewell
taken
careofandLetsii
smyol dfr
iendsoshewi l
lbe
i
ngoodhandsandhewant shertoconti
nue
withherst
udieswhichisalsoagoodt hi
ng.
Prince:Thabiso?Thabi
sof at
her,hee.
..
am sorr
y
dearf at
herthatisnotgoingtohappenandwe
cant akencareofMapul aandsendhert o
school our
selvesshedoesn'tneedThabisofor
that.
King:Iwasn'taski
ngf oryourper
missi
onjust
mer el
yinfor
mi ngyouofsomet hi
ngthati
sa
donedeal andwi l
lhappenwhent heti
me
comes.*hest oodupandwentt othedoorthen
turnedlooki
ngatt heprinceandsai
d*
Ify
ouknowwhatisgoodforyouthenyou
bett
erf
indy
oursel
fapri
ncesstowedbefor
ei
arr
angemarr
iagef
oryouaswell.
*wit
hthathe
l
eft*

Thepr
incewasfuminghewentoutt
hedoor
goi
ngtohispar
ent
'schamber
.
Pri
nce:
Mothericametosaygoodby
e,icantbe
her
eanylongerbuti
wil
lcomebackwhenthe
pri
ncesscomeshome.*heki
ssedher
for
ehead*iwi
ll
call
okay.
Queen:Tr
ytocal
m downandcallmewheny ou
okaysothatwecant
alk.Il
ovey
oumyprince.
Pri
nce:
Ilov
eyout
oomot
her
,saygoodby
eto
fat
herf
orme.
Queen:Iwi
ll
andr emembery
ourfat
herlov
es
youandyoursi
stersomuchneverf
orgett
hat
.
Pri
nce:Iwontmot
her,
iam j
ustangr
yri
ghtnow
andineedti
metoprocesst
his.
Queen:
Alr
ightt
henkeepwel
l
.

Thepri
ncelef
tandonthewayheconnectedhis
phonetot
hecarandcall
edthepri
ncess.I
trang
afewti
mesbef or
esheanswered.
Mapula:
Thepr
inceofthebaKoenaki
ngdom*
sheanswer
edsmil
ing*
Tokeol
o:Thatwar
msmyhear
tpr
incess,
howi
s
myf
avour
it
epr
incessdoi
ngt
oday
?
Mapula:Am youronl
ypr
incessdearbrot
herbut
iam wellandsti
ll
doi
ngwellatschool
.Howis
mybrotherdoing?
Tokel
o:Iam wel
lpr
incess,
hum pr
incess.
.?
Mapul
a:Isenseaheavyhear
tfr
om y
oubr
other
,
whati
sbotheri
ngyou?
Tokelo:
Nothi
ngpri
ncessj
usttir
ed,pri
ncessi
wantedtoaskhowyoufeelaboutarr
anged
marri
ages?
Mapul a:Mothergr oomedmef r
om earlyage
brother,shetaughtmeofourt r
aditi
onsand
customssoar rangedmar ri
agesisoneoft he
thi
ngst hatprincesandpr i
ncesseshavetodo.
Sot oanswery ourquesti
onbrotherarr
anged
mar ri
agesdon' tbothermeandwhenmyt i
me
comesIwi l
lbemor ethanreadytomakeour
parentsandourpeopl eproud.
Tokel
o:Whoar
eyouandwhathav
eyoudonet
o
myl
i
ttl
esi
ster
?
Mapula:
Ihavegr
owndearbrot
herandithi
nk
bei
ngawayf r
om homeandmother
'sheart
fel
t
hugshel
pedmegr owbothment
all
yand
emoti
onall
y.
Tokelo:Damnt hatwomangiv
esthebesthugs
though,butiam proudoft
heyoungwomany ou
arebecomi ngpri
ncessandpl
easebehaveand
don'tdi
sappointme.
Mapula:Iwon'tdearbrot
her
,iam apri
ncess
af
terall
andi havetoleadbyexample.
Tokel
o:Good,
ihav
etogopr
incessam dr
ivi
ng
andil
oveyouokay
.
Mapul
a:Il
ovey
out
oobr
other
.
Tokel
o:Donthesi
tat
etocal
lmewheny
ouwant
total
korneedsomethi
ngokay
.
Mapula:
Iwi
l
lremembert
hatbr
otherandmy
t
hanks.
Theysaidthei
rgoodby esandtheprince
conti
nuedwithhisdriv
e.Hewasnowf eel
i
ng
muchbet t
eraft
ertalki
ngtot hepr
incessbut
sti
l
lwanttodohi sowni nvesti
gat
ionon
Thabisoandhiskingdom.

Unknown:
-Hebannalej
wangkgannt
e?*whati
sitwi
thy
ou
people?*
Mosi
a:Kengjwale?obuakaeng?*whati
sitnow?
andwhatar
ey outal
kingabout
?*
-Am talki
ngabouttheshitthatishappeningi
n
thepalace,whydoihavet ohearthatthedamn
pri
ncessisgetti
ngmarriedaftermaturit
yfrom
otherpeopleandnotyou?
Motsoeneng:Oboakaengmonna,
*whatare
youtal
kingabout*weal
lknowt
hatthepr
incess
i
sgett
ingmarr
iedt
hismont
h,t
hat
'
swhatwas
agr
eedupon.
-Oskaboamasepawenaot
seeng?
*dontt
alk
shit
,whatdoy
ouknow?
Mosia:
Stopi
tyoutwofight
ingamongst
our
selv
esisnotgoi
ngtohelpwit
hanythi
ng.
Nowpleaset
elluswhatyouhear
d.
-Mysour cefrom i
nsidethepalacetel
l
smet hat
mydearbr otherandhisf r
iendagr
eedthatthe
weddingwi l
lonlytakeplaceaft
erthepri
ncess
fi
nishesgrade12andy ouknowwhatt hat
means.
Mot
soeneng:
Shewoul
dhav
ereachedmat
uri
ty.
Mosi
a:Whi
chwi
l
lrui
nourpl
an.
-Nowyoucat
chi
ngon,nowi
ftheweddi
ngis
nowgoingt
otakepl
acenowthent
hatwil
l
meanchangeofpl
ans.
Mosi
a:Whatdoy
ouhav
einmi
nd?
Motsoeneng: Anditbet
terbegoodbecauseam
notwil
li
ngtol ooseever
y t
hingandyoual
lcan
seehowpr osperousthekingdom i
snowandi
wantinont hat.
-Leav
eitt
omei wil
lshowmybrotherwhoiam
andwheni am donewithhi
mthepeoplewil
l
seethati
am abet t
erkingt
hanhewill
everbe.
Mosi
a:Il
i
ket
hesoundoft
hat
.
Mot
soeneng:
Nowletshitthem wher
eishur
ts
t
hemostandmakeitfast.
-Nowy
out
alki
ng.

Theyallcont
inueddri
nki
ngexpensi
vewhisky
anddiscussi
ngmor edet
ail
saboutthei
rpl
an.

Youknowwhatt
odor
oyal
s.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t8

Tokel
oPov
:

Ifi
nall
yar r
ivedinthecapitalandiwast odamn
ti
redafterdriv
ingtoandf rom thepalace
withoutrestnowi needit.It'
sreal
lybeenal ong
daybutbef oreirestineedt ocontactLebo.I
di
aledhisnumberandwai tedforhimtoanswer .
Lebo:
Sur
e
Tokel
o:Theyar
rangedmar
ri
agef
ormypr
incess
man
Lebo:Yhoomant hati
sbadbuty
ouknewt
his
wil
lhappensoonerorlat
er.
Tokel
o:Ipr
eferl
aterman,
she'
smyl
i
ttl
esi
ster
.
Lebo:
Iknowman,
sowhoi
ssheget
ti
ng
mar
ri
edt
oanddoessheknow?
Tokelo:Shedoesntknowmanbutwheni spoke
tohershedidn'thaveaprobl
em atal
lwi
th
getti
ngmar r
ied,sai
dmothergroomedherf
rom
earl
yageandwhent heti
mecomesshewi l
lbe
ready.
Lebo:Wowmanthati
ssomat ur
edofher
.
Anywaywho'
stheunl
uckybast
ard?
Tokel
o:Thabi
sof
rom baTl
oungandwhydoy
ou
sayunl
ucky?
Lebo:Isai
dthatbecausethedudedoesntknow
youandhowr uthl
essyoucanbe.Isn'
thethe
guythatownsamar keti
ngcompany ?
Tokelo:
Hebetterbecl
eandudeorhewil
lmeet
thethemight
yGhostandidon'
tknowift
hey
arethesamepersonbutiwi
llf
indout
.
Lebo:Don'
tgoal
lGhostonhi
my etman,
fir
st
fi
ndoutwhoheissothatwecandealwi
thhim
accor
dingl
y.
Tokel
o:Yeahyouri
ght,butam wor
ri
edabout
Tsi
etsimanifhefi
ndsoutthathi
sfut
urewif
eis
marryi
ngsomeoneelsethenwariswhatwewil
l
haveonourhands.
Lebo:Let
'smakesurehedoesntfi
ndoutyet
unti
lwehaveallt
hefact
sabouttheguythenwe
wil
ltakeact
ionaf
ter
.
Tokel
o:Okay,
letmecal
lTool
stodi
gupsome
i
nformat
iononhim.
Lebo:
Sur
emankeepmeupdat
ed.
Tokel
o:Sur
eman.

Ihangupandcal
l
edTool
s,i
trangonceandhe
answer
edli
kehewaswai
ti
ngf ormycal
l.

Tool
s:Ghost
Ghost
:Sur
eman,
ihav
eaj
obf
ory
ou.
Tool
s:Am l
i
steni
ng
Ghost
:Iwanty
outodi
gupev er
ythi
ngon
Thabi
soMoloi
andhi
skingdom.
Tool
:Consi
deri
tdone
Ghost
:Sur
e.
ihungupandwentt
olaydownthinki
ngabout
whatTsi
etsi
wil
ldoaft
erhehear
saboutthi
s.
YouseeTsi etsiisPapi '
ssont hegr eedyking
whosel l
speopl e.YouseeTsi etsi,
meandLebo
werei nv arsitytogetherandatt hattimewe
werewi l
dandcar ef
ree.Thet hreeofuswer e
bestoff riendsandhei ntroducedust osome
guyswhosol dussomeweedanddr ugstosel
l
atschool .Itwasf unatf ir
standwemadeal ot
ofmoneywhi chhelpedmeal otwi thpaying
extratutor stohel pandatt hattimet hepalace
wasnotasbi gandpr osper ousati tisnowand
mypar entscoul donl yaf f
ordtopayf ormy
studiesnott heex tr
at utorsandi neededt hem.
Sowhent hatdeal cameal ongi thelpedmeand
iwaspassi ngmymodul eswi thflyi
ngcol ours.
Ever ythingwasgoodunt il wewentt oNi ger iaon
school hol idayt ohav esomef unandt omeet
withournewsuppl ier.Wewentt hereandi twas
funf orabout3day shav i
ngf unandsi te
seei ng.Thenpr oblemsst ar t
edaf terwemett he
suppl i
er,wewentandmetwi tht heguyand
ever ythingwentwel l butt henwhenwewer e
supposedt ogett hemer chandi sethet heguy
saidhef oundoutt hatTsi etsiandIwer e
pri
ncesandt hathewant smor emoneywhi ch
wedi dn'thav eorhewi llsendusbackhomei n
bodybags.Thepr obl em wast haticoul dn't
i
nv olv emypar entsandmyki ngdom wasnotas
bigandr ichasTsi et si'
ski ngdom.SoTsi etsi
calledhi sf atherandhi sf at hercameand
offer edmeadeal toconv incemyf atherwhen
thet imecomest ochooseTsi etsi t
omar ryt he
pri
ncess.Iagr eedbecausei want edtogetout
ofther eandt heywer emyonl yopt i
on.But
thi
ngswentsout haf tergr aduat ionwhenTsi etsi
want edust oforgetaboutdr ugsandoi l andgo
i
ntohumant r
affickingandpr ost it
uti
onofgi r
ls
becausei thasal otofmoneybuti didn'tagree
tothat ,ihaveasi sterandi canti magineher
beingsol dandt hatwasi tbet weenus.We
turnedi ntoenemi esbecausenowwewer eon
dif
f erentsi des,mi newasdr ugsanddi amonds
whi lehi swashumant raffi
cki ngand
prost ituti
on.Butweagr eedononet hingt hat
thedeal imadewi t
hhi sf atherst il
lstandsandI
agreedbecausei nt hisbusi nessamanonl yhas
hiswor dtolivebyandi couldn' tbreakmi nei
hadt okeepi ttoav oidwarbet weenus.Now
thi
spr oblem thatmyf atheral readyar ranged
mar riagef ormysi sterwi thsomeoneel seand
l
obol ahasbeenpai dsot herei snot urni ngback
unlessi f
indsomet hingshadyaboutt his
Thabi soguy .
What
everhappensi
hopet
hepr
incesswi
l
l
f
orgi
veme.

Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t9

Ghost*
Tokel
o*

Iwaswokenupbymyr i
ngphoneandIwas
madashel l
.Whohast hegutstowakemeup
fr
om mypeacef ulsl
umber?Any waywhoam
ki
ddinghuh,Iwill
neverhaveapeacef ul
sl
umberfrom nowonunt il
Tsietsii
snomor eor
unti
lwereachsomesor tofagreementwhichI
doubtwil
lhappen.Nowbackt omyr ingi
ng
phone,It
ookitfr
om thebedsidet
abl
eand
checkwho’scal
li
ng.Damni t
’sTool
sandI
answerimmediatel
y.
Ghost
:Tool
?
Tool
s:Bozza
Ghost
:What
’supman?Tal
ktome.
Tool
:Ihav
ethei
nfoy
ouaskedf
or.
Ghost
:And?
Tools:
Hiscleanbozzayaka,
Imeanever
ythi
ng
abouthim andhi
skingdom i
scl
eanandl
egal
too.
Ghost
:Didy
oudigdeep?Idon’
twantany
thi
ng
sur
pri
sesman.
Tools:
Ididn’tj
ustscratchthesurf
acebozzaI
dugdeepandhi sallcleannothi
ngoutofthe
ordi
nary.Butwemi ghthaveapr obl
em.
Ghost
:Whati
sit
?
Tools:Il
ist
enedt osomeoft herecordingsfr
om
thebugwehav eatTsietsi
’scr
ibandheandhi s
fatherar
ethinki
ngofv isi
ti
ngyourfatherwith
regardstothemar r
iageproposalforyour
pri
ncess.Theysayi t
’saboutti
met heyr ev
isi
ted
theissuesinceitwasputonhol d.
Ghost:
Shi
tremasepengmonna*weareindeep
shi
tman*letmecallhi
mjustt
ohearwhathe
hastosay
.
Tool
s:Sur
ebozzay
aka

IhungupanddialedTsi
etsi
’
snumberandhe
pickedupaf
tersometi
me.
Tsi
etsi
:Ifi
tisn’
tthepr
inceoft
hebaKoena
ki
ngdom, whatcanIdoforyouOLDFri
end?
Heemphasizedt
he“OLDFRI
END”par
t,God
knowsIwanttoki
ll
thi
sguyj
ustf
orhi
s
cocki
ness.
Tokel
o:Heyman,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Tsi
etsi:Don’
tbef
ooledbyt
heol
dfr
iendpar
twe
notf
riends,nowt
ell
mewhatyouwant.
Tokelo:
Ijustwantedt ofi
ndoutifthepr i
ncess
oftheMoey anengkingdom hasasuit oryet?I
meanam aski ngyoubecausey ourkingdom is
cl
osertoher sandyourfatherandhershav ean
al
li
ance.*Ihopehebuy sthi
sshitandspi l
lthe
beansbecauseIcan’ tst
andbeingnicet othis
pi
eceofshi t
*
Tsi
etsi
:hahahaha,sorr
ymanIdidn’tmeanto
l
aughbutit’
sfunnybecauseIwasgoingto
marrytogi
rlbutnahyoursi
steri
sabetter
opt
ion.Howismyf utur
ewifeanyway.
Tokel
o:She’sokaymannowpleaseanswermy
quest
ion.*thi
sguyisst
all
i
ngandIdon’thav
e
ti
meforthis*
Tsiet
si:What?Theoldmanwant
s
grandchi
ldr
enalready
?
Tokel
o:*Iwasnowget ti
ngpissedbutIhadt
o
hol
dmy sel
fifIwanti
nformati
onf r
om hi
m*
Hee*fakelaugh*youhav enoideamanhe
sayshi
sgetti
ngold.
Tsiet
si:If
eelf
oryoumanbuttoansweryour
questi
onthatgir
lhasnosui
tor
sy ety
ouwil
lbe
thefi
rst
.List
enmanIhopey ourememberour
dealbecausewearegoingt
oy ourpl
acet
his
weekend.
Tokel
o: *therewegonowy outel
l
ingwhatI
wanttohear *Idi
dn’
tfor
getmanbutyoucan’t
gothi
sweekendy ouhavetogi
vemetimeto
sweettalktheoldmanfir
stbef
oreyougothere.
Tsi
etsi
:Fi
ne,y
ouhavethi
sweekendandnext
weektoworkyourmagi
cbutnextweekendwe
goi
ngther
e.
Tokel
o:Sur
eman.

Ihungup,
nowal
lIhav
etodoi
stof
indawayt
o
dealwithhim bef or ethingsgetoutofhandand
whatwi llworkonmyf av ori sthef actt
hathe
doesn’tknowam ghosthet hinksIwor kforhim
welleveryonei nourci rclet hinksIwor kforhim
sinceIalway sintroducemy selfashi sri
ght
handmanwhenIhav et omeetwi ththem to
closeadeal .Every onei sscar eofmewel l
Ghostandt hefactt hatt heydon’ tknowwhohe
i
swel lthat’
sanot herpr obl em f orthem.Imean
youcan’ tfi
ghtanenemyy oudon’ tknownow
cany ou?Mor eespeci all
yaghost .Enough
aboutthatIneedapl anandf ast.Igottomy
studyandwor kingont hepl an.

Tsi
etsi
POV:

Tokel
othinksam st
upidwell
notaboutthe
pri
ncessbecauseIknowhisfat
heri
sjustl
ike
minewheni tcomestomarri
ageImeanall
Kingsar et hesamewheni tcomest othei r
successor s.Buthet hinkshecandel ayt he
i
nev itablebyst all
ing, Iwi llmar r
yhissi ster
whet herhel i
kesi tornot .Hissi st
erisv er y
speci alhighlyf avor edwel lthat’
saccor dingto
fatherandt hechi efpr i
est .ButIcoul dn’ tcare
l
essaboutt hatal lIcar eabouti showbeaut i
ful
shei s,especi allynowt hatshe’ sgrown.Isaw
herinSout hAf ri
cai nwat erf r
ontwhenIwentt o
meetwi thmycont actf orbusi nessbutTokel o
thi
nksIdon’ tknowwher eshei s.Mxm f oolbutI
knowshemi ghthav epr otection,Imeanshe
can’tbei naf oreignl andwi thnopr otect i
on,she
i
spr incessaf teral landmypr i
ncess* smi l
es*

Fat
herwal
ksi
nanddi
stur
bsmyt
hought
s.
Ki
ngPapi
:Whathasgotmypr
incesmi
l
ingal
one?
Tsi
etsi
:Ohnothi
ngfat
herj
ustt
hatbusi
nessi
s
boomingandam cont
ent
.
KingPapi
:Am gl
adsonandam proudofy
ouf
or
taki
ngsuchgoodcareofbusi
nessinmy
absence.
Tsi
etsi
:Thanky
ouf
ather
.
KingPapi:Ithinkweshouldpostponeourvisi
tto
thebaKoenaki ngdom si
ncewehav etobei n
CapeTownt osuperv
iseourmerchandisegoing
toMexi cothisweekend.Wedon’ twantany
mistakesthisoneofourbi gshi
pment sandI
wantev eryt
hingtogosmoot hly
.
Tsiet
si:
NO!!
*shout*Imeannofatheryougoto
thebaKoenaki
ngdom andIwil
ltakecareof
thi
ngsinSout
hAfri
cainfactam fl
yi
ngoutthi
s
eveni
ng.
Ki
ngPapi
:Ar
eyousur
eson?
Tsi
etsi
:Yesfatherandbesi
desIwanttocome
backandgetthegoodnewst hatt
hewedding
datehasbeensetformyweddingtothe
pri
ncess.
Ki
ngPapi:Spokenlikeatr
ueMor ol
ong*he
smil
es*don’tworryIwill
takecar eofLerumo
j
ustmakesur ethedealgoeswel l,
Iwanta
pr
ivat
ejetam ti
redoftraveli
ngwi t
heveryone
el
sebesidesit
’snotsafetravelwithalotof
moneywehav eal otofenemi es.
Tsi
etsi
:Thatwi
l
lbeni
ceandconv
eni
entf
orus
fat
her.
Ki
ngPapi
:Goodnowgomakemepr
oud.
Thenhewal kedoutandl eft
.Seemyf atherand
Ihav eagoodf at
herandsonr elationshipbut
wheni tcomest obusinesshi
sr uthless.Hecan
evenkillmejusttoproveapoint ,Ilovemy
fatherbutam scaredoftheruthlessbusi ness
man.Any wayletmegoandmakemyf ather
proud.

Pl
easeshar
e,l
ike,commentanddon’
tfor
gett
o
i
nvi
temorepeople.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t11

Mapul
aPOV:

I
t’smyl astdayofexamsandam al r
eady
packedandr eadytogohome, myf li
ghtisat
4PM thisev eningandIcan’twaittobehome.
AsmuchasImi sshomeIdon’ tmi sshowIwi l
l
havetochanget hewayIspeakt obemor e
formalandpr incessli
keorr oyal
likeifyouknow
whatImean.Buthomei swher ethehear ti
sno
mat t
erhowbi gorsmallbutwhenl oveli
vethere
youarehome.That ’swhyImi ssmyhome, i
t’
s
fi
ll
edwi thloveandwar mt h.Anywayam about
towritemyl astpaperandIknowIal r
eady
passedbecauseam wr it
ingEnglish.
Phew,am doneandam goi
nghome.WhenI
walkedoutKweziwaswait
ingf
ormeasusual
.I
walkeduptoherandweshareahug.
Mapul
a:am sogonnami
sst
hesehugs.
Kwezi
:Real
l
yfr
iend?Onl
ymyhugsandnotme.
Mapula:
Yourhugsar
eyoumyfri
endand
besi
deswewillWhat
sAppev
eryday
.
Kwezi
:YeahButIwi
l
lmi
ssy
ourwei
rdsel
flol
.
Mapul
a:Real
l
y!Agai
nwi
tht
hat
?
Kwezi
:Am sor
ryf
ri
endbutpl
easedomeaf
avor
.
Mapul
a:Any
thi
ng
Kwezi
:Pleasef
ri
endIbegofy
oudon’
tfl
oodt
he
whol
eleSothowit
hrai
n.
Mapul
a:Real
l
yKwezi
?
Kwezi
:Yesf
riendImeanphel
awenay
oucr
y
andi
trai
ns.
Mapul
a:Yousonotmyfr
iendany
more*Isai
d
t
hatandstar
tedwal
ki
ngtowar
dsthegat
e*
Kwezi
:*l
aughi
ng*am sor
ryf
ri
end.
Mapul
a:Fi
ne,
Icantbel
i
eveam goi
nghome.
Kwezi:Ican’
tbel
i
eveIhav
etowaitti
l
lschool
cl
osest ogohome.MydadwantstoseeifI
passedphelahewant
smet obealawyerli
ke
hi
m.
Mapula:Mydriv
erwi
llpi
ckupmyreport
becauseam notwai
ti
ng,Imi
ssmyfamilyt
oo
muchespecial
lymymom andbr
other.
Kwezi:Ohbutyourbrotherf
ri
endmakesme
wishIwasbornear l
y.Thehotnesstheguyhas
yhoo*shesai
dt hatfanni
nghersel
fwithher
hand*
Mapul
a:Let
’sgogr
abal
atel
unchbef
oreIgo.
Kwezi
:Nowy
out
alki
ngandy
oupay
ing.
Mapul
a:Fi
neLet
’sgo.
Wewentt ospurandgotourl atel
unchand
Kwezi i
nsistedidoal i
ttleshoppi
ngbeforeIgo.
Wedi dourl i
ttl
eshoppingbutIonlybought
decentmaxi dr
essesbecauseam goinghome
andam apr i
ncessIhav etosetanexample.But
Kwezi doesn’tunder
standbecauseshedoesn’t
knowt hatam apr i
ncess, wel
lnobodyknows
exactl
yonl ymydr i
verandbodyguar dknow.

Am nowsi t
tingonapl anewai t
ingforitdepart
andam stil
lemot i
onal aftermygoodby ewit
h
Kwezi,am sogonnami ssher.Iputmyhead
phonesonandam of f
.Fewhour slaterIl
anded
i
nleSothoandt heai rfeelsdiff
erentsomehow
l
ightandrejuvenat
ing.It akemybagandwal k
outandIspotmybr otherandhi sf r
iendLebo
l
ookingaround.Istoodt hereandsmi l
ed
l
ookingatthem.Idi dn’tknowhowmuchI
missedmybr ot
hertill
now, hefi
nallyspotsme
andsmilest hatheartwarmingsmileofhi
sand
am cont
ent .Iwalkupt othem andheli
ft
sme
upandspi nsmear ound,Lebodoesthesame
andIcan’thelpbutgi ggl
e.
Tokel
o:AwuaLebowhydoy
ouhav
etocopyme?
Lebo:Don’
tbej
eal
ousmanshe’
smypr
incess
tooyouknow.
Tokel
o:Butam herbl
ood.
Lebo:
Soy
out
hinkbl
oodi
sthi
ckert
hanour
bond?
Tokel
o:Yes!
Lebo:Please,Tel
lhi
m pr
incesswho’
syour
favor
it
ebr other
?
Mapula:Am notget
tinginv
olvedguy
sbutIlov
e
youboth.
*Ikissedthei
rcheeksandstar
ted
walki
ngtowardstheexit
*
Lebo:Shamemanam sorr
ybutit’
sbet
ter
becauseshedi
dn’
tsayt
oy ourf
ace.
Tokel
o:Shedidn’
tsayitt
oy ourfacebecause
shedi
dn’twanttobreakyourheart.
Lebo:
*laughi
ng*oahl
any
a*y
oucr
azy
*

ThedrivetothepalaceislongbutIwast oo
exci
tedtoev ennotice,
butaswewer eget t
ing
cl
oserandcl osertothepalacemymood
changed.IfeelsomewhatsadandIdon’ tknow
whybecauseImi sshome.May beit
’sbecauseI
l
eftKwezi al
one.
Tokel
o:Areyouokaypri
ncess?
*hewasl ooki
ng
atmethroughthemir
rorandIwassit
ti
ngatthe
backwit
hLebowhohasbeenont hephone
wit
hsomecl i
entsi
nceweleftt
heair
port*
Mapul
a:am okeybr
otherbutImi
ssKwezi
.
Tokel
o:Howi
syourGhanai
anf
ri
endany
way
?
Mapula:
She’
snotGhani
anbr
othershe’
sXhosa
andshe’
sokay.
Tokel
o:Wel
lshel
ooksGhanai
ant
ome.
Mapul
a:Ohbr
otheri
fonl
yyouknew.
Tokel
o:Knewwhat
?
Mapula:
Nothi
ngjustgi
rl
sstuf
f*Ismil
ed
t
hinki
ngaboutwhatKwezisai
dabouthi
m*

Wef i
nal l
yarri
vedatthepalaceandt heguar ds
openedf orusandt hemaidenst ookourbags.
Motherwasst andi
ngbythedoorwi thahuge
smileonherf acebutmymoodwaswor senow
andIf eell
ikecryi
ng.ButIholdthetears
thi
nkingaboutwhatKwezi sai
daboutf looding
l
eSotho.Ir antomymot her’sar
msandshe
giv
esmeoneofherbesthugsandIf eelri
ghtat
home.

Queen:
Mypr
incess!
!*smi
l
ing*
Mapul
a:Myqueen!
!*smi
l
ingback*
Queen:Howi smypr i
ncessdoi
ng?Am sor
rywe
coul
dn’tpi
cky ouupfrom t
heai
rpor
twehada
meetingwit
ht heel
dersandhadsomepalace
duti
estoattendto.
Mapul
a:Iunder
standmot
her
,wher
eisf
ather
?
Queen:
Thekinghasyett
oret
urnf
rom hi
sroy
al
dut
iesmypr
incess.
Mapul
a:Okaymotherl
etmegoshower
,we
hav
ealottotal
kabout
.
Queen:Butf
ir
stt
ell
mewhatl
aysheav
yony
our
hear
t?
Mapula:Ohmot her
*Ij
ustcr
iedandIdon’
tknow
whyIjustfeel
sosadli
kesomethingbadi
s
abouttohappen*
Queen:Don’tcrymypr i
ncessam herenow,go
takeashowerandwewi llt
alkaf
teryoudone.I
havetogotelltheheadofstufft
hatam cooking
toni
ghtbutthissuddenrainisworr
ysomet he
kingi
ssti
lloutthere.
Mapula:Aboutthatmother,It
hinkIcausedthe
rai
nwi t
hmyt ears,
Idon’tknowhowi thappens
butthi
sisnotthefir
stti
mewhenIcr yitr
ains.
Am wor r
iedmotherbecauseIholdno
knowledgeofwhatishappeningtome.
Queen:Worr
ynotmypr i
ncesst
heki
ngandIwi
l
l
expl
ainev
eryt
hingaf
terdi
nnert
oni
ght.
Mapul
a:Okayt
henmot
her
,letmegof
reshenup.
QueenOkaymypr
incessandwel
comehome.

Iwenttomyr oom tofr

eshenupbutwor
ri
ed
aboutwhatthiscryi
ngandrai
nmeanandwhat
mymot heri
sdoi ngtot
ellme.

Youknowwhatt
odopeopl
e.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t10

Mapul
aPOV

Iam sot i
redoft histi
meofy earCapeTowni s
toohoty oufeel l
ikeyoumel tingnott oment i
on
wheny ouwear ingt hi
stypeofuni f or
mt hatI
hav etowear .Butam l uckybecausei t’
s
Nov emberandam wr iti
ngmyexamsbutnex t
weekal lt
hiswillbedoneandam goi ngstr
aight
homeaf terexam, am notwaitingf orschool
st o
closeandbesi desbei ngt i
redImi sshome, my
mot her’scookingandnoshedoesn’ tcook
everydaysi ncet hereisacookathomebut
whenam ar oundshecooksf orme, saysshe
doesn’tgett otakecar eofmeenoughandI
mi ssthebeaut yofnat ure.OhmyhomeTowni s
peacef ulnotasbusyasi tisher e.Am donewi th
mypaperandnowam wal ki
ngoutoft hehall.
WhenIgotoutsi
demyoneandonlyfr
iend
Kwezi
l
omsobutIcallherKwezi
iswai
tingfor
meoutsi
de.Iwalkt
oherandweshareahug.
Mapul
a:Fr
iend,
howwast
hepaper
?
Kwezi:Gi
rlyouknowam notgoodwi t
h
accounti
ngitmademesweatbutt hoset
utor
ing
l
essonsy ougavemeki
ndofhel ped.
Mapul
a:Am gl
adIcoul
dhel
pfr
iend,l
et’
sgoit
’s
t
oohotouther
eandmydriv
eri
salreadyher
e.
Kwezi
:Let
’sgotothebeachgetsomei
ce
cr
eam j
usttocool
down.
Mapula:Let
’sgoandchangewi
l
lpi
ckupwhen
am donethenwego.
Kwezi
:Gr
eatLet
’sgo.

WewentourseparatewaysKwezigoi
ngtoher
tr
ansportandIwentt
omine.Igoti
ngreetedmy
dri
verPuleandIwasofft
omyf l
atinCl
if
ton.
Letmet ellyouaboutmy self,am l ightski nned,
tal
lbutnott oot all,size34ont hewai stbutt hat
i
sbecauseoft hehi psIhav ewi t
hmyf lat
tummy .Iam r eser vedandIl ov emyown
companywat chingmov iesandst udy i
ng.Kwezi
i
st hesamebutwedogooutsomet i
mesbut
eachoneunder standswhent heot herneeds
theirspace.NowKwezi i
sal somedi um si ze
andhasal oudv oice.She’ sadar kbeaut yt hat
onewhoal way scal lsmewei rdbecausewhenI
crayitrainsandt hathappenedl i
ke3t i
mes
whileIwaswi thher .Thef i
rstt i
mewaswhen
MrThompsonourmat ht eacheraskedmef or
myassi gnmentandIf or goti tathome.Idi dit
andpr intedi tbutf or gotitnextt ot hepr inter
whenIwentt oschool andMrThompsonsai dI
wasj ustanot herbl ackf or ei
gnst udentwho’ s
onlygoi ngt obr ingabadnamet ot heschool
andhet oldmet ogetoutofhi scl ass.Hi s
wor dshur tmesomuchbecauseIr eall
ydi dn’t
meant of orgett heassi gnment ,soIwent
alr
eadytear yey edandKwezi wentoutwi t
hme
andwhenIgotout sideIj ustcoul dn’thol dmy
tearsandt hemomentonef ellfrom myey es
dropsofr ainf elltooandt hemor eIcr iedt he
mor erai
nf ell
.I twasl i
ket heuni v
ersecoul dfell
mypai nandt her ainwasasi gnt hatsomet hing
orsomeoneoutt herewaswat chingandcr y
ing
withme.Thesecondt i
mewaswhenIwasat
themal l
andIsawt hepr incef r
om backhome
oneofmybr other sfri
ends.Hegr eetedmebut
whenIgotcl osert ohi m ashewasaboutt ohug
meIhear dcr y ’
sofwomenaski ngandbeggi ng
forwhoev eritwasnott ohur tthem.Thei rcr i
es
weresol oudt hatt heycutdeepi nr oot sofmy
heartandmyheadwaspoundi ngandIcoul dn’t
handlethecr iest hatIendedupl ettingouta
l
oudandexcr uci atingcryandi mmedi atelyhai l
storm wasuponusr aininghar dbi gr ocks
hit
ti
nghar donmybody ,thewayt heywer eso
hardandpai nf ul whent heyhi tmybodyt heyl eft
brui
sesIt ellyoubutt henextdayt heywer e
gone.SoIwasonmykneescr y i
ngandt he
princepi ckedmyupandt ookmei nsidet he
storet ogetawayf rom thest or m andKwezi
comf ort
edmebecauset hemor ethatprincegot
closet omet hel oudert hecr iesandt helouderI
cried.Peopl ewer elookingatmewi t
hpity
may bethinkingIgothur tbyt hehai loutside.I
fi
nal l
ycal medmy selfandst oppedcr yi
ngt he
storm st oppedt oo.Thet hirdt imewel l
ther ei
s
thisboyatschool Ihaveacr ushonandhe
askedmet ogof ori cecream wi thhim af ter
school .Iknowwhaty out hi
nki ng, yesam a
princessbutam al lowedt ohav ef unwi t
hboy s
asl ongasIdon’ tl
ett hem def lowerme,
Mot her ’
swor dsnotmi neandt hatwomancan
giveadv i
ceIt el
l you.Any waymeandt hisboy
Chr i
swentf orouri cecream.I twasf unandwe
gotal ongj ustfinet hent hepr incessoft he
school wit
hherf ri
endsdeci dedt oshowupand
Isawt hem f i
rstbef oreChr i
sdi dandIcoul df
eel
somehowt hatt heywer eupt onogoodsoI
quicklytookoutmyphoneandt extedKwezi
tell
inghert hatIneededherqui cklyandIsenti t
withmyl ocation.Iputmyphonei nt hepocket
andcont i
nuedwal kingbutInewi ftheyev en
tri
edt odosomet hingf unnymybodyguar dis
notf arbehindbutt hisisgi rlsst uffthat ’
swhyI
textedKwezi .Chr isandIcont i
nuedwal kingand
theycameandbl ockedourway .Byt henmy
moodwasal readyat0. 00per cent ,
Li na“ the
princess“ki ssedChr ist hent urnedt olookat
meandsai dChr i
swhatAr ey oudoi ngwi thher?
Imeany oudon’ twantt aintedbl oodi ny our
fami l
ynowdoy ou?Iwasst il
l t
ry i
ngt opr ocess
whatshemeantbyt aint edblood.Whenshe
saidy ouknowy ourf atherdoesn’ tliket hose
peopl e.Shesai dt hatlooki ngatmedoi ngup
anddown.Iwassohur t, butIhel dmyt ear s,
I
feltsowor t
hlessandsmal l.Chr isturnedt ome
andt oldmehi ssor r
ybuthehast ogobecause
Linawi llt
ellhisf at herifhedoesn’ tandt heyf el
t
mest andinghur tandconf used.Any wayKwezi
gott herefewmi nutesaft
ert heyl
eftandwhenI
sawherIr ani ntoherarmsandcr i
edagainas
soonasIcr i
edt herai
nstartedpouring.Kwezi
comf ort
edmeagai nandt oldmet hatLinais
raci
standj ealousthatChrisaskmeoutandnot
her.SoIcal medmy sel
fandt herai
nst opped,
sighseewhatImeanwhenshesay sam wei r
d?
ButIal sodon’ tknowwhatcausest hatbutIwill
definitel
ytellmot herwhenIgethome.

AnywayIgotreadyandwentandmetupwi t
h
Kwezi.Wepickedherupandt hedriverdropped
usinwaterf
ront.Wewentf oricecream and
tookawalkont hebeach,whi
lewewer esti
ll
walki
ngKwezi stoppedandIstoppedt ooand
l
ookedather.
Mapul
a:Awuaf
ri
endwhyar
eyoust
oppi
ng?
Kwezi
:Gi
rli
sn’
tthatt
hepr
incewemetatt
he
mall
afewmonthsback?
Mapul
a:Wher
e?
Kwezi:Thereheisstandi
ngatthebal
conyof
thatbui
ldi
ng,theonenexttot
heguywi t
hbig
tummy .
Mapula:OhmyGodi
t’
shi
m,l
et’
sgobackIdon’
t
wanthimtoseeme.
Kwezi
:WhyFriend?Doy
ouhav
eacr
ushonhi
m
orsomet
hing?
Mapula:
NoKwezi Idon’
thaveacrushonhi
m
butsomethi
ngabouthimisnotr
ight.
Kwezi
:Notr
ightl
i
kehow?
Mapul
a:Idon’
tknowbutIdon’
twantt
obe
cl
oset
ohim nowlet’
sgobefor
eheseesus.
Kwezi
: i
fyoudon’tknowt
henam surei
t’
ssome
str
ongfeeli
ngsyouarefi
ght
ingf
ortheguyhuh*
shewinks*
Mapul
a:it
’snotthatf
ri
endtrustmebutwhatI
f
eelwhenam aroundhimisdark.
Kwezi:
Idon’
tknowwhaty oumeanbutwhat
yousai
dsoldme,am nevergoi
nganywher
e
neart
hatguyandknowinghowweirdyouare
hemightj
ustbeseri
alki
ll
er.
Mapul
a:Idon’
tknowfr
iendbutIr
eal
l
ydon’
tli
ke
howIf
eelaroundhi
m.

Weleftandwentaboutourdayandwhenwe
weredonelateintheev
eni
ngwewenthome.
AssoonasIgoti nIwentt
omyr oom t
ost
udy
formytestnextweekam wri
ti
ngEconomi
cs.

Tsi
etsi
POV:

Somypr i
ncessi
srunningawayfrom menow, I
wonderwhatsheknowsbecauseIknowt hey
sawmeandam sur etheythi
nkIdidn’
tsee
them.I
fTokelot
oldhertostayawayfrom me
thenhehasanot herthingcomi ng,Imi ghtjust
kidnaphert hengopayl obolatoherpeopl e.
Thatwayt heywon’ thav eachoi cebutt obless
ouruni on.Imeanr onabaSot hor arwal
a
*meani ngukut hwala*t hatgirlismi neandmi ne
aloneandIdon’ tli
kethatshor tshewas
wear ing,goingaroundshowi ngmyasset st o
Sout hAfricanboy s.She’sapr i
ncessf orgods
sakewhet hershei sinaf oreignl andornot .
Fatherbet tercomet hroughf ormewi t
ht hisor
Ngiy amthwal a*am takingher *y esIbeen
l
ear ningsomeseQhot sa*y esIhav ebeen
l
ear ningXhosa*
I
t’
sgetti
ngdar
kletmegoandpr epar
eformy
meet
ingwit
htheMexi cans.Idon’
twantt
o
messthi
suporfatherwillki
ll
me.

Youknowwhatt
odopeopl
e.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t12

Mapul
a:

Iam hav ingapeacef ulsl

umberandam
dreami ngaboutpeopl eplotti
ngagai nstfather
andI .Thesepeopl eseem closet ousbutIdon’ t
knowwhot heyar eandt heirplansar enotcl ear
buttheyar euptonogood.Thedr eam changes
andIseemybr ot herandLeboi nsomegun
fi
ghtbutwhati sst rangeisthatt heyar efighti
ng
againsthi sotherf r
iend.Am wokenupbya
knockonmydoorandIr olloutofbedt oopen.
Myper sonalmai deni sstandingt herewi t
ha
smileandIsmi lebackt henmakewayf orherto
comei nside.
Mai
den:
Greet
ingsmypr
incess
Mapul
a:Gr
eet
ingsKgomot
so
Kgomotso:
Mypr i
ncesst
hequeenaskedmeto
tel
lyout
hatdi
nnerwil
lbeser
vedi
n5mi nuet
s.
Mapul
a:AwuaKgomotsokannt
ewhatt
imei
sit
?
*NoKgomotsowhatt
imeisit*
Kgomotso:
*laughing*i
t’
sal
most6PM i
nthe
eveni
ngmyprincess.
Mapula:
Okaythenmyt
hanksandt
ell
thequeen
Iwi
ll
ber i
ghtt
here.
Kgomot so:
Iwi l
ldojustthatmyprincessandI
wil
ltakemyl eavenowi fthepr
incessdoesn’
t
havethi
ngf ormet odo.
Mapul
a:Not
hingKgomot
soy
oumayl
eav
e.
Kgomot
so:
Myt
hankPr
incess.

Shel ef
tandIquickl
ywenttothebathroom to
freshenupthenwentdownstair
sinthedining
room andthetablewasal
readyset.Theking
andqueenwer ealr
eadysitti
ng, onlyt hepr i
nce
andIwer emissi
ngatthet able.Iwal kedi nand
greetedt heki
ngandqueent hent ookmypl ace
nexttot hequeen.Theprincear ri
vedj ustaf ter
meandt ookhi
splacenexttot heki ng.Mai dens
servedusandweat eincomf ort
abl esilence.
Afterdinnerwewentt othelivingr oom andt ook
ourseat s.
Ki
ng:Mypri
ncesspleasecomeandpr
oper
ly
gr
eetyourf
ather*
smili
ng*
Iwentandshar
edahugwi
thmyf
ather
,ohhow
Imissedhi
m.
Mapul
a:Youseem t
ohav
eagedal
otf
ather
Ki
ng:Iknowmypr
incessbecausey
ouandy
our
br
otherhav
eal
sogrownup.
Mapul
a:Butam onl
y16f
atheram st
il
lyoung.
King:
But16yearsagoIwantalsoy
oungmy
pri
ncessbuty
ou,yourbr
otherandt
heki
ngdom
addedsomey ear
sontome.
Queen:Butwear
eagi
nggr
acef
ull
ymyki
ng
*smil
es*
Tokel
o:Iwillt
akemyl eav
enow, Ineedmyr
est
walki
ngthesegroundsexhaust
edmeandI
for
gothowbigt hepal
acegroundsare.
Mapul
a:Thatonl
ymeansonet
hingbr
other
.
Tokel
o:What
?
Queen&pr
incess:
Youdontexer
cise!
King:
Laughing,onwel
lmypri
nceyouhear
d
them andIhappentoagr
eewi
ththem.
Tokel
o:Noty
out
oof
atherpl
ease.
King:
Am sor
rymypr
incebutt
het
rut
hhur
tsI
know.*l
aughi
ng*
Tokel
o:Ineedt
ogetmarr
iedsot
hatmywi
fe
coul
dtakemysidei
nsuchsit
uat
ions.
King:
Thatwon’tbesuchabadideamypr i
nce,
thequeenandIarenotget
ti
ngyoungerandwe
wouldli
ketoseeyoubothmarr
iedbefor
e
j
oini
ngt
heancest
ors.
Tokel
o:Iwi
l
lthi
nkabouti
tfat
her
.
King:
Thatisal
lIaskmypr
incebutwhat
ever
youdoy oumustmakesur
ey ouwedbef
orethe
pri
ncess.
Tokel
o:Iwi
l
lfat
her
.
Mapula:
Mot
her,
Fat
herandyoubr
other
.Iwoke
upfr
om mysl
umberwi
thsomenews.
Ki
ng:
Whatmessagehav
ethegodsgi
veny
ou
mypri
ncess?
Tokel
o:Thechi
efpr
iestmustgonowwedon’
t
needhi
m.
Ki
ng:
Whywoul
dyousayt
hatmypr
ince?
Tokel
o:Wehavethepr
incesstobri
ngus
messagesf
rom t
hegods*laughi
ng*
Mapul
a:Br
other
?Mot
herpl
easet
alkt
oyourson.
Queen:
Hei
shi
sfat
her
ssonmypr
incessbut
hav
enowor
ryIknowwher
etogethi
m.
Tokel
o:Awuamot
hery
oucan’
tdot
hatam y
our
onl
yson.
Queen:IcanandIwi
l
l.Shei
sal
somyonl
y
pr
incess.
Tokel
o:Okayt
henmot
hery
ouwi
nIwi
l
l
apol
ogize.
Mapul
a:Thatapol
ogywi
l
lcosty
oudearbr
other
.
Tokel
o:OhdearGodAm bankr
upt
.

Thekingandqueenwerel aughingthi
swhole
ti
mewat chi
ngthei
rchil
drenget ti
ngalongand
teasi
ngeachother
.Itwasr eal
lyasightto
behold.
Ki
ng:
Pri
ncesst
ell
usaboutt
hemessage.
Mapula:
OkayfatherIwasdreami
ngabout*she
t
oldthem ev
eryt
hingaboutthedr
eam andt
he
i
ssueofhercri
esandr ai
n*
King:Wehavetogoseet
hechiefpr
iestat
sunri
setohearwhatt
hegodsaretr
yingtotel
l
us.
Mapul
a:Whataboutt
hisr
aini
ssue?
Queen:Wewil
lexpl
ainever
ythi
ngatsunri
se
toget
herwi
tht
hechiefpri
esthewil
lhavemore
answerst
oyourquesti
ons.
Mapul
a:Al
ri
ghtmot
her
.

Meanwhi l
eTokel owasquietthi
nki
ngaboutt hi
s
dream andheknewwhati tmeantf orhi
m.That
wariscomi ngbetweenhisgangandTsi etsi
’s
gangandt hereisnothi
nghecandot oav oidit
.
Heal soknowst hathi
sfat
hercamet othe
palaceandt heyknowaboutthepri
ncessbei ng
mar r
iedtoanother.Nowhisjustwonderi
ng
whatt hei
rplanis.
BaRol
ongKi
ngdom:

I
nthethr
oner oom Tsietsi
andhisfat
her
Ki
ngPapiaresit
tinginther
ediscussi
ngt
he
matt
eroftheprincess’
smar r
iage.
KingPapi
:Tokelohasmadeafoolofme,
that
boydoesn’tknowwhoIam Isee*hi
svoi
cewas
l
owbutst ern*
Tsi
etsi
:Hemadeaf ool
ofthebot
hofusf
ather
butworr
ynotIhav
eapl an.
Ki
ngPapi
:Whatpl
ani
sthat
?
Tsi
etsi
:Iwi
llaskourMexicancont
act
sto
ki
dnapherandtakehertoMexico.
KingPapi:That’
sagreatplanbutdon’tt
akeher
toMexicobr i
ngherherethendef l
owerherthen
retl
aromelamahadi hobonaandabanoy et
sa
l
etho*wewi l
lsendadowr ytothentheywon’t
doany t
hingaftert
hat*
Tsi
etsi
:Il
i
kei
tfat
herIwi
l
lor
gani
zei
t.
Ki
ngPapi
:Don’
tmessup.
Tsi
etsi
:Iwon’
tfat
her
.

Theyshar
edahandshakesmi
l
ingateachot
her
.

Youknowwhatt
odopl
ease.

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t13

Mapul
aPOV:

Thefoll
owingdayIwokeupbefor
esunri
se
becauseroyal
sdon’
tent
erthechi
efpr
iest
’shut
aftersunriseonehast owaitforhimt ocometo
them.Imademywayt otherestroom anddid
mymor ninghygiene.Whenwal kedout
Kgomot so*myper sonal
mai den*wasmaki ng
thebed, shebowedherheadandgr eeted.
Kgomot
so:
Sunr
isegr
eet
ingsmypr
incess
Mapul
a:Sunri
segr
eet
ingsKgomot
so,
howar
e
yout
hismorni
ng?
Kgomotso:Iam wel
lmypri
ncessandIhope
thatt
hepri
ncessisal
sodoi
ngwell.
Mapul
a:Iam v
erywel
lmydearmai
den.
Kgomotso:Am gladmypr incess.Doest
he
pri
ncesshaveanythingspecifi
cshewouldl
ike
towearthi
smor ning?
Mapul
a:Justt
akeoutsomethi
ngappropri
atet
o
wear
,Iam goi
ngtothechi
efpr
iest
’shut.
Kgomotso:Iknowj
ustwhatt
otakeoutf
ory
ou
mypri
ncess.
Mapul
a:Takei
toutwhi
l
elot
ionmybody
.
Kgomot
so:
Yesmypr
incess.

Shewal kedintot
hewal ki
ngclosettolookf or
somet hingformetowearwhi leIl
oti
onmy
bodyandputonmyundergar ments.Shecame
outwi t
hal ongsl
eev emaxidressandsandal s
becauset hemorningbreezewasunkind.Iwor e
mydr essputconditi
oneronmyhai rto
rej
uvenat emycurl
sandIl ookedatmy sel
fi n
themi rr
orandam glowing.Imademyway
downst arsandwhenIr eachedtheli
vingroom
thekingandqueenwer eal
readyontheirfeet
waiti
ngf ormyarri
val.Weexchangedsunr ise
greet
ingsandmadeourwayt othechief
pri
est’shut.Wearriv
edandhei nvi
tedusin.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Sunr
isegr
eet
ingsy
ourmaj
est
ies.
Us:
Sunr
isegr
eet
ingschi
efpr
iest
.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Whatbr
ingt
her
oyal
fami
l
ytomy
hutt
hismor
ning?
King:Weareher
ebecausethepri
ncessseeks
answersandIal
soseekanswersoran
i
nterpr
etat
iont
othemessagesher ecei
ved
fr
om thegodsaboutme.
Chiefpriest
:Noneedtosaymor eMorenaka*
myki ng*hestar
tedburni
ngpefo*meaning
i
ncest *andprai
singt
hehisandthebaKoena
ancestors.
KeboalelonabaKoena, Malekel
eke,Maila
mangoathela,Bat
hobasaj ingsengoathwana,
baj
angpol okoeefeletsi
ng,di
koenat sametsi
ng
boanglenna.Hepr aisedtheancestorst
hen
madesomewei rdsounds.Hel if
tedhishead
andlookedatus.
Chiefpri
est
:Royal
s,thegodshav ereveal
eda
l
otoft hi
ngsoneofthem beingthatthe
pri
ncess’smatur
it
yceremonymustgoonf or3
days,twoofwhichshewillspendintheri
verto
r
eleaseherpower
s.
Queen:
Idon’
tnotunder
standchi
efpr
iest
,you
meantotel
lust
hatherpowersarest
il
ldormant
.
Chiefpri
est
:Notalloft
hem myqueen, fornow
shepossessesonlythebasicsofherpowers
l
ikeseeingvi
sionsbuttheywon’tshowclearl
y
whatistohappenandshecancont r
olsherain
withheremoti
onslikewhenshecr i
esitwil
lrai
n
anwhenshei shappyev er
ythi
ngaroundher
blossoms.
Queen:
Iunderst
andnow,
doy ouhav
eany
thi
ng
t
oaskregardi
ngthi
smyblossom?
Mapula: Ijustwanttounderstandthepar
tof
mehav ingpower smyqueenandt hepartof
goingtot her i
veronmymat urit
yceremony.The
rai
npartwascl earbecauseithappensever
y
ti
meIshedt ears.
Chiefpr
iest
:Youarether
ainqueenmypr i
ncess,
thethi
rdonethebaKoenakingdom hasaf
ter25
yearssincet helastrai
nqueenjoinedthe
ancestors.Seet herainqueenischosenbyt he
godsandt heyonlychooseonewi ththepurest
ofheart.Onet hatdoesn’thaveasingleevi
l
boneinherbody .Theotherpower st
her ai
n
queenpossessesar eonlysharedwithher
duri
nghert i
mewi ththegodsatthesacr edriv
er
ofthealli
gat or
s.
Mapul
a:Nowam scar
ed,doest
hatmeanam
goi
ngtobeal
l
igat
orfoodonmymat ur
it
y
cer
emony?
Chiefpri
est:
Don’tbescaredmyprincesst
hey
won’teatyou,y
oucommandt hem andyouthei
r
queentheyobeyy ourcommand.
Ki
ng:Weunderst
andchi
efpr
iest
.Nowwhat
ot
hermessagesdidt
hegodsgiv
eyou.
Chi
efpr
iest:Morenaka*
myki ng*Thereisadar
k
cl
oudhoveri
ngar oundyou,
plotsarebei
ng
madeagainstyouandyourthronebutthegods
didnotreveal
whoisplott
ingagainstt
hethr
one
j
ustthatit
’speopl
ecl
oset oyou.From nowon
youhavetobeextracaref
ulMorenaka* my
ki
ng*
King:Whocouldbeaf terthethrone?Ibel
ieve
thatIhavebeenagoodki ngtomypeopl eandI
servethem wel
l.Whywoul dtheywanttoplot
againstme,againstt
het hrone?
Chi
efpr
iest
:Gr
eedmyki
ng,
greed.
Queen:I
sther
eany
thi
ngwecandot
opr
otect
our
selv
es?
Chi
efpr
iest:
Nothi
ngwasr
evealedt
omeasy et
j
ustbecaref
ulofwhoy
oushareimpor
tant
newswit
h.
Ki
ng:
Whatoft
hepr
ince,
ishei
ndanger
?
Chi
efpri
est
:Thaty
ouwil
l havetoaskt hepri
nce
myking,
iti
snotmysecrettorevealbutfornow
hei
ssafethati
sal
lIam all
owedt osay .
Ki
ng:Al
ri
ghtt
henchi
efpr
iest
,gooddayandwe
wi
llt
akeoutl
eav
enow.

Wewal kedoutgoi ngi nthemai nhousef orour

mor ni
ngf east ,wegott hereandt hepr i
ncewas
alr
eadyt her ebusyonhi sphone.Hest oodupt o
showr espectt ot heki ngandqueen.Fat hersat
attheheadoft het able,mot hertookherseat
besidehim, Itookmi nebesi deherandt he
pri
ncebesi det heki ng.Themai denscamei n
andser vedus, weat eourf eastinsilence,each
oneconsumedbyt heirthought s.Iwaswor ri
ed
aboutbei ngi nt hatr i
v erfort wowhol eday s,
thatri
veri sscar yandi salway sfullofalli
gators.
Thewat eri sgr eenont hesi desbutcl earinthe
middle,Imeanwhati sthat ?Hai Ihavenev er
seenar iverl i
ket hati nmyent i
reexistenceand
noonedar est ogot hereandIam supposedt o
spendt wowhol eday sint here?Hai IthinkIwill
havetoputmyaf f airsinor derbef or
eIgo
IncaseIdon’ tcomeback.Whatdi dthechi
ef
priestev enmeant hatam t heirqueen?I
under standt herai
nqueenpar twhichst
il
l
scaresmebutcommandi ngdeadlyanimalsi
s
anot herthing.Maraam t ooy oungtodieyhoo.
Wef i
nishedwi t
hthef eastandwentour
separ ateway swit
hnoonet alki
ng.

Tokel
oPOV:

Themor ningfeaststartedandendedwi th
awkwar dsil
ence.Iont heot herhandam scar ed
ofwhatt hechiefpri
estmi ghthav erevealed
regardingmeandmybusi ness.Nowf at her
wantst oseemei nhisst udyandam sweat i
ng,
myf athercanbev er
yscar ywhenhewant sto
andcanal sobet henicestper soninthewor ld.I
guesst hat’swhatmakeshi m agoodki ng.I
makemywayt othest udybusywi pingmy
handsonmyj eansbuti t’
snothel pingbecause
theykeepsweat ing,that’
showscar edIam of
theconversat
ionam aboutt ohav e.Iarr
ivedin
thestudyandknocked, heinvit
esmei nandI
walkedinandcl osedt hedoorbehi ndmebutI
alsowanttokeepi topenincaseIneedt o
escapefrom thi
sman’ sbeatings.Istoodin
from ofhi
sdeskandhi sbusydrinkingwhi skey
,
hisnotevenlooki ngatme.
Tokel
o:Fat
hery
oucal
l
edme.
King:
Sit*hesay
sinal
owbutster
nvoice,
enoughtomakemequi
ckl
ypull
achairand
takemyseat*
Ki
ng:
Tokel
oist
her
esomet
hingIshoul
dknow
Tokelo:
*ohGodIdon’tknowhowtoanswer
that
,doIsayyesorno?Am goingwit
hnoand
seewherethi
sisgoi
ng*nof at
her*Isai
dthat
l
ookingdown*
Ki
ng:
Lookatmewhenam t
alki
ngt
oyou.
*Il
ookedathi
m andhi
slookdoesn’
tgi
ve
any
thi
ngaway*
King:
Nowmant oman,f
orgetam t
hekingjust
tal
ktomeasyourf
ather
,whatisi
tthatyouare
keepi
ngf
rom i
sTokel
o?
Tokel
o:FatherIhol
dnoknowledgeofwhaty
ou
speakof*seenowIevenhavetobri
ngmyA
gamewheni tcomestoaddr
essingthi
sman
whenhisli
kethis*
King:Tokel
owhatkindofaki
ngwi
l
lyoube?A
l
ieroranhonestki
ng?
Tokelo:
Itwi
lldependonthesit
uat
ionfat
her,
somesituat
ionsneedforonetoomitt
het r
uth
whereassomer equi
recomplet
ehonesty
.
Ki
ng:
Sowhi
chsi
tuat
ioni
sthi
s?
Tokelo:Theonet hatdeserv
est hehonestt
ruth
Father,howev erIcannotrevealthet
ruthasyet
andIr equestthatthekinggivesmet imeandI
promiset hatIwillr
evealthetruthwhenthe
t
imei
sri
ght
.
King:Youareol
denoughtoknowwhatyouare
doingandIbeli
evet
hatIhav
erai
sedyouwell.I
f
i
tistimeyouneediti
sti
mey ouwi
ll
get.Buton
onecondit
ion.
Tokel
o:Namei
tFat
her
King:Youwil
lnotgetyourselfkill
ed,
the
baKoenakingdom doesn’thaveanotherpri
nce
totakeoverfr
om mei fsomet hingwereto
happentoyou.Iam tr
ustingy ourwordonthis
asamanandasmyson.
Tokel
o:Myt hanksFatherandIgi
vey
oumy
wordthatIwil
lnotletyoudown.
King:Thatisal
lIneedandIhopeLebohangi
s
doinghisjobasyourri
ghthand.
Tokel
o:Hi
sdoi
ngagr
eatj
obFat
her
.
King:Goodandnoonemustknowt
hathi
syour
chosenprot
ector
.
Tokel
o:Nooneknowsfat
herev
ery
oneknows
hi
m asmybestfr
iendonl
y.
King:
Good,
keepi
tthatwayandyoumaytake
yourl
eav
enowIhavesomewor ktodo.
Tokel
o:Myt
hanksmyki
ng.

Il
eftthest udyandwentt othekitchentoget
somewat er.Iopenedthefr
idgeandt ooksome
water,pouritinaglassanddr ank.Yhoothat
wasclose, nowIneedt osortoutt hi
smesswi t
h
Tsi
etsi andsoon.

Youknowwhatt
odopeopleandifyouGoodI
mightgi
vey
ouanot
heri
nsertbef
oreosleep.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t14
Thabi
soPOV:

Soam t ol
dt hatam get ti
ngmar riedint woy ears,
appar entl
yt heyar ewai ti
ngfort hepr incesst o
fi
nishgr ade12andal sor eachmat urity.Am
sayingt heysaybecauseIwasn’ tinvol v
edi nt he
decisionsmaki ng, notthatIcareany way
becauseIhav eagi rl
fri
endbutIcanonl ytake
herasmysecondwi f
eandt hatwi llonlyhappen
aft
er3y earsofmar ri
agewi t
ht hepr incess.Let
mei nt r
oducemy self,
mynamei sPr i
nce
Thabi soMol oi ofthebaTl oungki ngdom.Iam
24y earsofage, mypar entsareki ngLet siand
QueenRenei l
weMol oi ofthebaTl oungki ngdom.
Ihav easi sterandhernamei sPr i
ncess
Keabet soeMol oi,19y earsolddoi ngherf ir
st
yearinGener alManagedatUJi nJohannesbur g
SouthAf r
ica.Iownamar keti
ngf ir
m andAm i n
arelat i
onshipwi thBoi tomelo,shei sal so24we
meti nhighschool anddat edt i
lltoday .Wehav e
beendat ingf or6y earsnowandt odayam
goingt ov isi
thertot ellheraboutmymar ri
age
toprincessMapul aoft hebaKoenaki ngdom.
Fatherandt hechiefpr iestsayshe’ sspecial and
theytoldmeaboutt hewonder sthatt ookpl ace
atherwel comi ngceremony ,thingsaboutr ain
andst uffwhi chIdon’ tbelievebutf at
hersay s
sheist he3r ainqueent obechoseni n25y ear s.
Butshecangoandmakei trainsomewher e
elsebecauseIhav esomeoneIwantt ospend
myl i
fewi th.ButIdon’ thav eachoi cenowsoI ?
NoIhav et omar ryherl ikeitornot .Any wayam
driv
ingt oBoi tomelo’spl acet oseeherandgi ve
herthenews.Iknowt hiswi llbreakherhear t
butIhopesheunder stands, Ican’tloseherand
Iloveher .Ipar kmycari nthedr ivewayand
makemywayt othef rontdoor .IknockandShe
opensandsmi l
esatmeandIcan’ thelpbut
smi l
eback.
Boi
tumel
o:Myl
ove
Thabi
so:
Heybabe*i
kissherf
orehead*
Boi
tumelo:Comeonin*shemadewayf
orme
togoinsi
de*any
thi
ngtodri
nk?
Thabi
so:Justmetsi
fel
a*j
ustwat
er*shewent
i
ntothekit
chenandImademysel
fcomfort
abl
e
i
ntheli
vingroom.
Boi
tumelo:Her
eyougo*shegiv
est hewat
erin
agl
ass,Itakei
tandpl
aceitonthecoff
eetabl
e*
Thabi
so:
Howar
eyoubabe?
Boi
tumelo:
Am well
lov
ejustner
vousabout
whatyouaregoi
ngtotel
lmeandyousounded
ser
iousso.
..
Thabi
so:BabeyouknowthatIl
oveyouri
ght
andthatIwi
ll
neverdoanyt
hingtoi
ntent
ional
l
y
hurty
ou.
Boi
tumel
o:YesIknowt
hatbutnowy
ouscar
ing
me.
Thabi
so:
BabeIcomebear
ingbadnews.
Boi
tumel
o:Igat
her
edasmuch,
nowt
ell
me
whati
sit
?
Thabiso:MyFat
herhasarrangedmarr
iagefor
mewi thsomepri
ncessbutthegoodnewsi s
thatam onl
yget
ti
ngmar r
iedintwoyears.
Boit
umelo: *angry*youaregett
ingmarri
ed
Thabisotosomeoneel seandnotme.Therei
s
nogoodnewsi nthisyouaresti
llget
ti
ng
marri
edtosomeoneel seandnotmewhet her
i
t’
sin2y earsor10y ousti
ll
goi
ngt omarr
y
someonet hatisnotme.
Thabiso:BabepleaseunderstandIhav
eno
choi
cei nthi
sandy ounewt hatthi
swil
lhappen
soonerorlater
.Am royal
tyafteral
l.
Boitumelo:
SobecauseIdon’
thavebl
uebl
ood
thatgiv
esther
ightt
ohurtmet hi
sway?
Thabi
so:Boi
tumeloam notl
eav
ingyouwewi
l
l
st
il
lbetoget
herandIcantakeyouasmy
secondwi
fe.
Boi
tumel
o:OkayIcanbey oursecondwifeand
wecangetmarri
ed6mont hsafteryour
weddi
ngtothepri
ncess.
Thabi
so:
Nobabethatwon’
twork,am onl
y
al
lowedt
omarryyouaft
er3year
sbeing
marri
edt
othepri
ncess.
Boit
umelo:WOW Thabisojustwow,sowhatwill
Ibedoinginthat3yearswhil
eyouplayhappy
famil
ywithyourpri
ncess.
Thabiso:Wewon’
tbeplayi
nghappyf
amil
ybabe,
Iwill
stil
lbewi
thyouandIpromi
seIwon’
t
touchher.Iwi
l
lst
il
lbeyour
sunti
lwemakeit
offi
cial
.
Boit
umelo:Howdoesshel
ook?Pl
easedon’
tfal
l
forherpl
ease.
Thabiso:Idon’
tknowwhatshelooksli
ke,Ihav
e
nevermetherandIpr omi
seIwon’tf
allf
orher
youhav emyheart.Il
oveyouBoi
tumelo.
Boi
tumel
o:Il
ovey
out
oobabeandIdon’
twant
tol
oseyou.
Thabi
so:
Youwon’
tloosememyl
ove.
Boi
tumel
o:Okaysowhenar
eyoumeet
ingher?
Thabi
so:Idon’
tknowandIdon’twantto.BabeI
havet
ogetgoi ngFat
hersummonedmet othe
pal
aceandy ouknowIdon’tl
i
kedri
vingatnight
.
Boi
tumel
o:Okaybabel
etmewal
kyouout
.

Shewalkedmet omycarandwesai dour

goodbyesandIleft.Idrovetothepalaceit
’s
onlyanhourdriv
ef rom thecapit
alandam glad
mybabyunder standsthiswholething.Af
teran
hourIarr
ivedatthepalace,theguardsopened
formeandIdr ovein.Iam welcomedbyt he
queenandweshar eahug.
Queen:Thepr
inceoft
hebaTl
oungki
ngdom,
welcomehomeson.
Thabi
so:Gr
eet
ingsmot
her
,myt
hanksandhow
i
sthequeendoing?
Queen:Iam wel
lmypr
inceandhowi
smy
pr
incedoing?
Thabi
so:
Ver
ywel
lmot
her
,wher
eist
heki
ng?
Queen:
Inhi
sst
udywai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
Thabi
so:Letmegoseehimthenmot
herandI
wil
lseey
ouf ort
heeveni
ngf
east.
Queen:Okaymypri
nceandIwillgoaskt
he
maidenstopr
epar
ey ourchamber.

Shel
eftandIwentt
ofindtheking.If
oundhi
m
i
nhisstudyandwesharegreet
ings.
Thabi
so:
Fat
hery
ousummonedme.
KingLet
si:Yesmyprince,Ihear
dthatthe
pri
ncessisbackforholi
daysandIthinki
t’st
ime
youmet .
Thabi
so:Whati
stherushFat
her
?Imeanwe
havepl
entyoft
imebefor
etheweddi
ng.
KingLet
si:
Iknowmypr incebutyoucanuset hi
s
ti
met ogettoknoweachot hersothaty
ouare
notcompletest
ranger
swheny ougetmarr
ied.
Thabi
so:
Ihearyoufatherbuti
sitokayi
fwe
don’
tmakethemeetingformal?Idon’
twantt
o
makeheruncomfor
table.
KingLet
si:Thati
sfinemypr i
nceyoucanmeet
herkadit
hokobekengetlang*youcanmeet
withherduri
ngthewelcomebackcer emonyof
theboyscomi ngfr
om i
niti
ati
onschoolnext
week*
Thani
so:Thati
swhatIhadinmind,
Fat
hercanI
seeapict
ureofhersot
hatIknowwhatshe
l
ooksli
ke?
KingLet
si:
Ofcoursecomelet
’sgoaskthe
queenforit
,ohshebeaut
if
ulandgi
fted.
Ididn’tanswerthatbecausei di
dn’tknowhow
to.Wewal kedoutandmetmot herinthel
ounge
fatheraskedaboutt hepictur
eandsheshowed
meonherphone.Shei sabeaut yi
ndeedbut
onecannev erknowwi t
ht hesepri
ncessesthey
arespoi l
tandnev erwanttowor kforanyt
hing.

Boi
tumel
o:

ThabisothinksIwi l
lj
ustsitbackandwat ch
somepr incesstakehim awayf rom me.He
mustt hi
nkagai n,Ii
nvest
edy earsi ntothis
rel
ati
onshipandam notaboutt ol etsome
pri
ncesssi del
ineme.Nev erisay ,Thani soi
sa
goodman, lov
ingandcaring.Hisoneoft hefew
goodoneswhoknowhowt otakecar eofa
womanandam notaboutt olooset hat.He
tal
ksaboutmar ry
ingmeaf ter3y ear s,hemust
bejokingandhewi l
lmarrythatpr i
ncessaf ter3
year
snotme.Mot
herwi
l
lhav
etodosomet
hing
aboutt
his.

Unknown:

Theyar
emeeti
ngatthei
rusualspotandi
t’
s
hi
m.MosiaandMotsoeneng.
-Bannaket
soer
idi
tabat
semonat
e*menIhav
e
goodnews*
Mosi a:Di
tabatsemonat
etsaengdi
ntho
disatsamaihantl
e*whatgoodnewswhen
thingsarenotgoingwel
l*
-Hakot
hol
eomamel
e*j
ustshutupandl
i
sten*
Motsoeneng:
Boamonnaarenal
etsat
sikaof
ela*
t
alkmanwedon’ thav
ethewholeday*
-Soononeofmymeet ingswi
thmy
acquai
ntancesImetKi
ngPapi
and.
..
Mosi
a:Don’
ttal
ktomeaboutt
hegreedyPapi
whenwehavepressi
ngmat
ter
stodiscuss.
-Couldy oujustshutupandletmef ind?*they
keptquiet*nowasIwassay i
ng,hewasangr y
tal
kingabouthowTokel obetr
ayedhim andhow
mybr ot
hermar ri
edhispri
ncesstosomeel se
andnothi sson.SoIspoket ohim asideand
tol
dhim aboutmypl anandhet ol
dmeabout
hisandwedeci dedtojoi
nforces.
Masi
a:Whati
shi
spl
an?
-Tokidnapt
hepri
ncessandl
ethi
sson
defl
owerhert
hensenddowryt
omydear
brot
her.
Motsoeneng:hahahahaot
lashwaLerumo
empakeay i
ratapl
anyeu*l
aughingLerumowi
l
l
di
ebutIlikethepl
an*
Mosia:
Thent
her
ewi
l
lbenomor
epr
incessi
n
ourway.
-That
’swhatam t
alki
ngaboutnownoonecan
st
opus.

Theylaughedandcont
inueddi
scussi
ngt
he
detai
l
s.

Youknowwhatt
odo.Goodni
ghty
ourmaj
est
ies.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t15

Mapul
aPOV:

Lastweekmot herinfor
medmeaboutmy
arr
angedmar ri
aget opri
nceThabi sooft he
baTloungkingdom.Iam finewi t
ht his,
imeani t
i
ssomet hi
ngihavebeenpr eparedf orsinceI
was9y ear
sold.Ij
ustdidn'tt
hinkthatitwi l
l
happensoonaf teri reachmat ur i
tybutt her eis
nothi ngi cando.Ihopehi sagoodman, yesi
knowhewon' tlov emet hef ir
stdaywemeet
buti justhopewewi l
l beci vil
izedt owar dseach
otherandmaket hismar ri
agewor k.Mot her
say st hekeyt oahappymar ri
agei shonest yand
communi cat i
onandwi t
houtcommuni cati
on
therei snohonest yort rust.Ihopet hiswor ks
onmymar riage.It'stheweekofdi thoko*t he
comi nghomeoft heboy swhowentt oiniti
ation
school *ialway sat tendt hi
st or epresentt he
royal fami l
ysi ncemybr ot hermov edt ot he
capital andt heki ngandqueenbusywi thr oyal
duties.Iam dr essedi nmyr oyal atti
redwhi ch
willbeseshoeshoe*t heSot hot raditi
onal
dress*seanamar ena*t her oyal blanket *le
modi anyeo*t het raditional Sot hohat *some
sothor oyalbeadsandwhi tetomi es.Ihav eon
myr oy albaKoenat iaraonmyheadandmyhai r
i
sl etl oose.Ilookedatmy selfint hemi rr
orone
l
astt imeandwentdownst airs,iam v ery
excit
edaboutt heevent
,imeanany onewhohas
beent osuchev enwouldknowhowf unitisand
evennowi couldhearmedi di
etsane*
hululat
ing*from outsi
deandsongs.I t
'sa
j
oy ousdayi ndeed.Igetdownst ai
rsandrunto
thedoorandt hequeencallsmeback.
Queen:
Don'
tyougr
eetnowpr
incess?
Mapul a:
Myapol
ogi
esmyqueenidi
dn'tseeyou
sit
tingther
eandit
houghty
ouhadl
eftforyour
royalduti
es.
Queen:Soi
fihadl
eftmypr
incesswoul
dhave
l
eftt
hispal
acewit
houtmai
densandguards?
Mapul
a:Myapol
ogiesagai
nmother,i
am j
ust
usedt
obei
ngalonesoitendt
oforget.
Queen:Iknewy
ouwoul
dforgetsoior
ganised6
maidensand4guar
dswel
l5wi t
hthedri
verto
gowithyou.
Mapul
a:Myt hanksmyqueenbuti
woul
dli
ket
o
t
akehorses.
Queen:Alr
ightmypri
ncessi
wil
ltel
ltheguar
ds
t
opr epar
et hehor
sesonmywayout.
Mapula:Mot
herpl
easedon'
tputt
her
oyal
s
beadsandbl
anket
sonthehorses
Queen:Thatwon'tbepossi
blemypri
ncess,i
n
sucheventspeoplemustbeablet
oidenti
fyyou
andthehorsesyourideon.
Mapula:
Alr
ightmother
*sheki
ssedmy
f
oreheadandlef
t*
Iwaitedforabout20mi nut
esandt hen
Kgomot socamet ogetme.Wewentout side
andmyhor seswer er
eadyandsomeoft he
maidensandguar dswer ealr
eadyont hem
waiti
ngf ormeandKgomot so.Wewentont he
horsesandmadeourwayt otheev ent
,two
guardswer eridi
nginfrontthenmeand
Kgomot soaf t
erthem andt heothersatt he
back.imustsaymyhor selooksbeautiful,we
arr
iveandpeopl eboweddowni nr espect .Isee
alotofroyalsherebutmostlypri
ncesandno
pri
ncesses.Welltheyaresupposedtobehereif
boysfrom thei
rkingdomsalsowenttoini
ti
ati
on
schoolwit
hour s.Butiguesstheyonl
yatt
end
whentheyar ethehosts.

Thabi
soPOV:

Iwokeupear lythi smor ni

ngtomakemywayt o
thebaKoenaki ngdom becausei squi t
efarfrom
mykingdom soi hadt obeher ebefore
bashemane* theboy s*comeback.Soi came
herefortworeasons1t osupporttheboysfrom
ourkingdom sincet heycameher ef ori
nit
iat
ion.
Letmet el
lyou, thesot hopeopledon'thave
multi
plehostsf ort heiniti
ati
onifonekingdom
i
shost i
ngever ynei ghbour i
ngkingdom sends
thei
rboystot hatki ngdom sot hattheycanbe
toget
her,whichi swhyy oualwaysseeal otof
them whent heycomi ngf rom t hemount ain.
Wel li madei therebef oret heboy sarrivedand
nowt heyar ehereandnowf ormysecond
reason.Mysoont obequeen, whi chi don' tsee
bytheway ,yesroyal sst ayt oget heri
nt hese
event sbutt hereareal otoft hem sonowam
onlyl ooki
ngf ort
hei rroy almar ki ngsfrom any
cart hatispar kedher ej ustt oseei fican' tspot
thei
r s.Ohmani hopeshecomesoral lthis
woul dhav ebeenf ornot hi
ng.Af terawhi leof
l
ooki ngagi veupdi thokodi aqal ajwale*t he
ceremonyi sst ar
ti
ngnow* .whi leconcent rating
ont hef i
rstboyt ost andupt osi nghissongand
sayhi spr ai
ses.Itwentsi l
entandwheni looked
aroundpeopl ehavet hei rhandsbowedandi
l
ookbehi ndmeandi seehor seswi thal otof
mai densandguar ds.Asmi lecr eepsinmyf ace,
don'taskmewhyi don' tknowbecausei can' t
evenseeherpr oper l
y.Byt hewayherpeopl e
aregoi ngcr azyitshowst hatt heyl oveher .Ilet
herset tl
ei nandaf teraf ewmi nut esImakemy
waytowar dsher.Ihavet
oseeifsheisas
beaut
iful
asshel ooksinherpi
ctur
e.Igettoher
andgreeted,shesmi l
edandgr
eetedback.God
she'
sbeaut i
ful
.
Princess:Iam PrincessMapul aMohapi and
thisismyf ather'
skingdom*shei nt
roduces
her sel
fwithasmi le,il
ikehowshesai d'my
father'
skingdom' itshowst hatsheknowsher
kingdom iswi t
hherhusband.notl i
keother
princesseswhocl aimt hei
rf at
her'
skingdoms
ast hei
rs*
Thabiso:Pr
inceThabi
soMoloi
ofthebaTl
oung
kingdom.*hereyespopout
,am sur
eshewas
toldaboutme*
Princess:
Pleasur
etomeety oumyprince*she
bowedherheadi nrespect
,damnshet i
cksall
theboxes,sheshowsherhusbandrespectand
notdemandi tbecauseidi
dn'tbowwheni
greetedher*
Thabiso:Pl
easureisallmyfuturewi f
e*i said
withasmi l
eandshebl ushesandsmi les.God
hersmi l
eisbeauti
fulandherey esjustdr awyou
i
nl i
kemagnet .Aggetholdofy ourselfThabiso,
i
repri
mandmy self.
Thabiso:
Pleasemaketi
meforustomeetand
gettoknoweachothermypri
ncess.
Pr
incess:Unfort
unatel
yiam l
eav
ingnextweek
myprince,am goingbackt
oschool
.
Thabi
so:
Thatisdi
sappointi
ng,i
ficoul
dmaybe
cometoSouthAfr
icaforbusi
nesswouldy
ou
meetupwit
hmef orcoffeemaybe.
Pri
ncess:
Iseenoprobl
em i
nthatmypr
ince.
buthowdoy ouknowigot
oschooli
nSouth
Afr
ica?
Thabiso:Thekingtol
dme.Cani pl
easehave
theprincessescont
actdet
ail
ssothatican
contactherwhenam thatsi
de?
Pr
incess:
Notapr
obl
em*shegav
emeher
numberandi sai
dmygoodbyesandwentt
o
enj
oytherestofthecer
emony.

Tsi
etsi
:

Tosayam pi ssedwoul dbeanunder statement,

isawmywi f
ebusyt al
kingtothatgoodf or
nothingThabi so.Whot hehelldoeshet hinkhe
i
s?IsawMapul af i
rstandnowsi ncehepai d
l
obol ahethinksshe' shishuh.Wellhisgot
anotherthingcomi ng, i
willt
akeherawaywhi l
e
hisstil
lbusysmi li
ngandhi ssuchaweakman.
Howcant heychoosehi m overamant hatcan
protecther?wel li
ftheycan'tgivehertomet he
properwayam t aki
nghert hehardwayandno
onewi l
lstopme.

Pleasecont
inuethesupportandinvi
ti
ngmor
e
people.Iwi
l
l postagai
ntoni
ght,enj
oy.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t16

Mapul
aPOV:

Daysturnint
oweeks, weeksi ntomont hs, Iwent
backtoSAandi t
’snowJuneandam wr i
tingmy
l
astpaperoft hemidy earexams.Imustsay
thi
ngshav ebeengoingwel lonmysi de,the
pri
nceandIhav ebeeni ncont actsi
nceIl ef t
.He
checksonmeev eryday ,whichi swhatIpr ayed
fort
hathisatleastcivilwit
hme.Kwezi andI
aregoingtothemal lt
ospoi l ourselv
eswebot h
j
ustreceiv
edourmont hlyall
owances.Shest i
ll
doesn’
tknowam apr incessandam pl anni ng
ontell
i
nghert oday,she’sbeenagoodf riendt o
meandal wayshasmybacksoi t’
sonlyfai rthat
sheknowsev erythi
ngaboutme.Wear r
iveat
t
hemal
lwegot
opr
imi
andpl
aceouror
der
s.
Mapul a:
Fri
endIhavesomet
hingtotel
lyouand
pleasetryt
ounderst
andmyreasonsfor
keepingitf
rom y
ou.
Kwezi
;Don’
tscar
emef
ri
end
Mapula:
Therei
snot
hingt
obescar
edabouti
t’
s
not
hingbad.
Kwezi
:Thent
ell
meal
ready
Mapula:Okayheregoesmynamei sPr i
ncess
MapulaMohapi ofthebaKoenaki
ngdom in
l
eSotho.*
isayallt
hiswithmyeyesclosed
becauseIdon’
twantt oseethel
ookshehas*
Kwezi
:Li
kear
eal
pri
ncessori
sjustaname
Mapula:Yesam arealpr
incessandIkeepi ta
secr
etbecauseam inaforeignlandaloneso
i
t’sf
ormysaf et
yand..
.*beforeIcoul
df ini
sh
Kweziscreamsear
ningussomest aresf r
om
thepeople*
Mapul
a:Hayi
Kwezi
Whati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou
st
opscreami
ng.
Kwezi
:Hai f
ri
endl
etmebehappyi t
’snotevery
dayWecommoner sgettobeint
hepr esenceof
roy
alt
yletal
onebefr
iendswit
hthem.
Mapul
a:Hai
youcr
azyf
ri
endy
hoo
Kwezi
:That’
swhyyoul
oveme.Tel
lmewhen
ar
eyougoinghome?
Mapula:
Fri
dayf
ri
endsoIhav
etwoday
sto
spendwit
hyou.
Kwezi:Howaboutwespendt
hehol
i
day
s
toget
her?
Mapul
a:Iwoul
dliket
hatfri
endbutIhav
etogo
homeormybrotherwil
lcomepickmeup
hi
msel
f.
Kwezi
:Nofr
iendyoudon’
tgeti
t,Iwantt
ogo
wit
hyoutoseeyourhometown,meetnew
peopl
emaybefi
ndmy sel
fapri
nce*shewinks
andIl
augh*
Mapula:Thatwouldbenicef
ri
endjustaskyour
parent
sandiftheyagreeIwi
llt
ell
mymot her
thatam comingwit
haguest.
Kwezi
:Gr
eat
!!Mypr
inceher
eIcome
Mapul
a:Hai
boKwezi
youal
readyhav
eapr
ince
wai
ti
ng?
Kwezi:
Youneverknowfr
iendXhosapeopl
esay
i
ntongaent
lei
gawulwaezizweni
Mapul
a:Doesn’
tthatappl
ytomen.
Kwezi
:Toev
ery
onewet
hu.Let
’sgo.

West oodupset tl
edthebil
landleft
.Wewer e
l
aughi ngandt alki
ngandsuddenlytherearegun
shots.Peopl erunningar
ound,somel ayi
ngon
thefloor,other
sscr eami
ng.Whi l
eKwezi andI
stoodt hereshockedbyt hescene.Wear e
broughtbackt ooursensesbyast i
ngont he
backofournecksandwebotht
urntolookat
whatthati
sthenBOOM l
ight
soutforus.

Tsi
etsi
:

Ihavebeenwai ti
ngandpl anni ngthekidnapping
for6f ullmonthsandt odayi sthedayIt akemy
wifehome.Wehav ebeenwat chingherr out
ine
forthepast6mont hsandt odaywewer e
planningont aki
ngherj ustasshear r
ivesather
house.Butmybeaut if
ul wifedecidedtogot o
themal l
inst
eadofherhouse, wehadt ochange
theplanabi tbutitwasnotat rai
nsmash.It old
oneofmyguy stheonet hatwaswat chingher
tofollowherandwewi l
lmeethi mthere.We
gotther eandwewer ewat chingherlaughing
andt alki
ngwi t
hherfriend.Imustsayt hat
fri
endofher sisbeaut i
fulandwi l
lmakemeal ot
ofmoneywhenIshi pherof f.Wewat chedand
wai tedf oramomentwhent hebodyguar d
l
eav esf rom hisspotbuthenev ermov es.Ri ght
att hispoi ntIthinkt hepl anwon’ twor kbecause
theyar eleavingandwef ollowt hem andt he
bodyguar disnott oof arbehi ndbutdoesn’ t
makei tobv ioust hathi swi tht hem.It akemy
gunandshoothi m ont heshoul der .Hef allsand
chaosst art
s,wer unt owar dst hepr incesswhi l
e
oneofmyguy spoi ntsagunatt hebodyguar d.I
i
nj ectthem wi thsedat i
v esandwet aket hem
away ,forintot hecaranddr ov eof f.Thej et
fatherboughtwi l
lcomei nhandyandi t’
sr eady
andwai ti
ng.Wear edr i
v ingl ikewebei ng
chased, whi l
emyt echguywi pest hef ootage
from t hemal landmypol icecont actsar e
drivingi nfrontofusescor ti
ngi st otheai rpor t
sot hatnot rafficcopsst opus.Imustsayt he
planwassol idandwear enowi nt hej etwej ust
tookof f.Iputt hepr incessandherf ri
endi nt he
room t hati sint hej et.Itr ansf erredt her estof
themoneyt omycopf ri
endsandsentFat hera
messagetomakesuret heguysarewait
ingf
or
usattheai
rport
.ThenIsitbackandajoyawell
deser
vedglassofwhiskeytocel
ebrat
emy
achi
evement.

Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n
Tokel
oPOV:

Ithasbeenav erybusy3coupl eofmont hsfor

me, LeboandIhav ebeenbusywi thcli
entsand
courtforthepast3mont hs.Ifam notincourt
am wi t
hacl i
entandi fam notwithcli
entsam
busyatt hewar ehousesortingoutaplanfor
Tsietsiandhisf at
her.Whichneedsal otof
attenti
on,Imeanonecannotj ustactwheni t
comest oPapihehasMexi cansonhissideand
theyareruthless.SoIhadt ohav easol idpl an.
Ourpersonal phoneshav ebeenof ffort hepast
3mont hsbecausewedon’ twantt or unar i
sk
ofbeingbuggedandourconv er
sat ionsl istened
to.Ihavebeenoutoft hehousebef oresunr ise
andr et
urningaftersunset .Ihav en’tspokent o
mypar entsorsi st
ert hiswhol etime.Butt hey
knowam busyandIt oldthem Iwon’ tbe
avail
abletil
lfurt
hernot i
ce.Butt odayIhav et o
callmysisterbecauseIbeenhav ingbad
dreamsaboutherf ort hepastt woday s.It ook
outmyphoneanddi aledhernumberbuti trang
unanswer ed.Thati ssounl ikeherandshe
shouldbear ri
vinghomet hisev ening, Itookmy
personalphoneandopenedi tandy oucan
guessthenumberofmessagesandv oi
cemai l
s
thereareaf t
erbeingof fforsol ong.ButIwi ll
dealwiththatlater.Idialedt hebody guar d’s
numberj usttochecki fev erythi
ngi sokaywi th
mysi st
er.Heanswer edbef oreitev enr angl ike
hewasal readywai ti
ngf ormycal l.
BG:
Bozzay
aka,
thankGody
ouf
inal
l
yret
urned
mycal
l
s.
Tokel
o: Ar
ewel
osi
ngr
espectf
orourbosses
nowMi ke?
Mike:Am sorr
ybozzabutIhavebeentr
yingto
getholdofyoufort
hepasttwodays.It
ried
yournumbertheoff
iceandeventheki
ng.
Tokel
o:Whati
ssour
gentt
haty
ouhadt
ocal
l
theki
ng?
Mike:Iwasshotandt
heyt
ookt
hepr
incess
and..
.
Tokel
o:WHATTHEHELLDIDYouJUSTSAY?*
Iwaspissedandangr
y*
Mi
ke:
Theyt
ookherbozza
Tokel
o:When?
Mi
ke:
Twodayago
Tokel
o:Tel
lmeevery
thi
ng*IhadtobecalmifI
wantal
lthedet
ail
ssothatIcanf
indoutwho
t
ookher
*
Mike:
Theywer
eatt
hemal
land*het
oldme
ev
erythi
ng*
Tokel
o:Okayt
henstayput.
*Idi
dn’twai
tforhi
m
answerIdr
oppedt
hecallanddi
aledLebo*
Lebo:
Sur
e
Tokelo:
Theytookt
heprincessmeetmeatt
he
warehousei
n20mi nuet
s.
Lebo:
Goti
t.

Ihungupandwentt omycardr iv
ingl
ikea
maniactothewarehouse.Godpl easeprotect
mysister,
ohGodmyf atherwill
kil
lmeIneed
sortt
hisoutbefor
efatherfindsoutorhewi l
l
nevertr
ustmeagainwi t
hany thi
ng.Igottothe
warehousesamet i
measLebo, wewenti nwith
noonet al
king.
Tokel
o:Tool
s!
Tool
s:Bozza
Tokel
o:Tr
ackt
hepr
incessnow!
!*Ishout
ed*
Tool
s:Sur
ebozza
Tokelo:
Bequickt
imei
snotonoursi
de*I
st
artedpaci
ngupanddown*
Tool
s:Bozzashe’
sinbaTl
okwaki
ngdom.
Tokel
o:What
?
Tool
s:Yesbozza
Tokel
o:Leboami
nut
e?
Lebo:
Lounge?
Tokel
o:Sur
e

Wewentt otheloungeandIt
oldt
heguy
sto
di
sappear.WesatandIpourussomesi
ngl
e
moltwhiskey.
Tokel
o:Manifmysisteri
satbaTl
okwai
t
meansTsi
etsihasherandit
’st
imewetake
act
ion.
Lebo:
Yesbutwecan’
tgoi
nbl
i
nd
Tokel
o:Theghostdoesn’
tneedeyesatleast
notnowandwedon’ thav
eachoice.Wecan’ t
tr
ustTsi
etsi
nottodoany t
hingt
omysi ster
.
Lebo:
Hemi
ghtj
usthur
thert
ospi
tey
ou.
Tokel
o:Wegoi
ngi
ntoni
ghtgett
heguy
s.
Lebo:
Sur
e

Lebolef
ttoorganizeandbr
ieft
heguy
swhi
l
eI
putt
ogetherastrategy
.

BaTl
okwaKi
ngdom:

Ki
ngPapi
:Whati
syourpr
obl
em Tsi
etsi
?
Tsi
etsi
:Whatdoy
oumeanFat
her
?
Ki
ngPapi
:Whyhav
en’
tyoudef
lower
edt
hatgi
rl
?
Tsiet
si:ButFat
hery
oumovedherf
rom t
hat
room andIcameheret
oaskwhereyouputher
.
KingPapi
:Dearl
ordam Ir
aisedaf
ool
,wher
e
andwhywoul dImoveher?
Tsi
etsi:Idon’
tknowFatherbutfort
hepastt
wo
dayswhenIgot heret
ot akeherIal
waysfi
nd
herfr
iendandnother.
Ki
ngPapi
:Youmeansheescaped?
Tshepo:
Idon’
tknowFat
her
Ki
ngPapi
:Fool
!!Let
’sgocheck

Theywentoutt hethroneroom tooneofthe

room t
heykeptheri natthebackofthepalace.
Theygotthereandt heguardthatwasthere
openedforthem.Theywenti nandMapul aand
Kweziweresitt
ingont hebedeachone
consumedbyt heirthought
s.
Ki
ngPapi
:Whati
sthi
sTsi
etsi
?
Tsi
etsi
:Idon’
tknowwhatishappeni
ngFat
her
butIswearshewasnothere.
KingPapi
:Guar
d!!*heshout
edf
ort
heguar
d
andhecamer unni
ng*
Guar
d:Myki
ng
KingPapi
:Didyoulett
hey
oungmai
densoutof
thi
sroom atanyt
ime?
Guar
d:Nomyki
ngt
heyhav
ebeenher
ethe
whol
eti
me.
KingPapi
:Di
dthepr
incecomeher
ethepastt
wo
days?
Guard:Yesmyki
ngandhewasher
ethi
s
morningaswel
l.
KingPapi
:Youmayl
eav
eandy
ou*poi
nti
ngat
Tsiet
si*l
et’
sgo.
Theywentbackt
othet
hroner
oom.
Ki
ngPapi:Idon’
tknowwhatisgoi
ngonherebut
Iwanty
out odowhaty ouhavet
obytoni
ght.
Areweclear?Oryounotmanenoughtodoit
.
Tsi
etsi
:Itshal
lbedoneFat
her
.
KingPapi
:Goodnowgo,
youwast
edenough
ti
meal r
eady.

Heleftandwenttohischamber.Hesatont he
bedwonderingwhatmightbehappening
becauseeveryt
imehewentt othatroom t
he
pri
ncesswasnotthere,onl
yherfri
endwasand
hecheckedthebathr
oom andstil
lshewasn’t
ther
e.
Tsi
etsi
:Whatwitchcraf
tist
his?Wher
ethehel
l
di
dthatpr
incesshide?

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t19

Mapul
a:

Thispr inceist aki

nghi stimeadmi ri
ngmy
nakedness. .
.hi
sey ear eevenr ednow, hel ooks
andbehav esli
keasnake, thewayhekeeps
l
ickingmycheeks, neckandni bblingonmyear
l
opes.Godi fIgetoutofher ealiveIpr omi seI
willforgivehim andl etyoubet heonet ogi ve
thepuni shmenty ouseef it.
.*i
sayasi lentprayer
*Iknowsomeofy oumustt hinkam cr azyfor
want ingt oforgivehim butnotf orgivinghi mis
notgoi ngt ochangeany thingandhol dingont o
grudgeswei ghsheav yonone’ shear tandone
neverf indspeaceandpeacei swhatIneedi n
myl ife.Nowhi sslowlytakingof fmyunder
garment sandi fIhadhopeofbei ngf oundand
rescuedIwoul dappr eciatethet i
mehi st aki
ng
ri
ghtnow...
hopingmyr escuerswi l
l comej ustin
ti
mebef orehedoesany thing.
..
.’don’ tcrydear
wifeIwil
lbegent l
e’ hesay swhisper inginmy
ear.
..Idi
dn’tevenrealizeIwascr yingbecause
am inmyheadt r
yingtobl ockevery thingout .
..I
don’twanttorememberanyoft his, thatisifI
wil
lcomeoutoft hisalive.

Wehearcommot ioncomi ngfrom out si

de
foll
owedbygunshot sbutt hi
smani snoteven
bothered.Mycheeki snumb. .
.t heonehe
punchedmeonandhi sbusyr ubbi ngitsoftl
y..
.’
I
didn’
tmeant otohur ty oumyl oveandam sor ry
aboutthis.I
twillnev erhappenagai nforaslong
aswebot hshalll
ive’ hewhi sper sagain..
.The
gunshot skeepget ti
ngcl oserandcl oserbut
thisguysisstil
lnotbot hered.
..ohGodsofmy
ancestorspleasepr otectKwezi f
rom what ever
i
sout sideandIhopeam nott heonl yone
hearingthi
slikethecr i
esandv oicest hatIsti
ll
hearev ennowt hatthismani sont opofme.
Hisbusysqueezi ngandsucki ngmy
breasts...i
t’
sr ainingt hesl owqui etrainout si
de
resembl ingmyt ears.Ipul l thi
sman’ s
dreadlockst r
y i
ngt ogethi m offmeandhe
groansandsay s‘ mmmm babyy ouli
kei t
rough’ t
henhesqueezedmybr eastssohar d
andnowIcan’ thel pbutscr eam i npainandt ry
towi gglemywayoutofhi sgr i
pandt her ai
n
hitsharderont her oof .
..hest andsupandgi ves
met hehar destsl apev erandIswearIsaw
starsrightt hereandt hen...damnnott hesame
cheek!!..Godam sur eIhav ebruisesandhi s
fi
nger smappedonmyf acer i
ghtnow.Whi l
eI
wasst illshockedhol dingmycheekt ear s
fl
owi ngdown, thedoori st ickedinandi topens
andmadet hatbangi ngsoundwheni tcamei n
contactwi tht hewal l..
.andI ncameLebo
foll
owedbymybr other...Theyl ookatmeon
thebedcr yingandnaked. ..Tokel ochar gesto
thepr i
ncehepunchedhi m andpushedhi m
agai
nstthewal
lchockinghi
m...whi
leLebo
comest ome,t
akesthesheetswrappedmeup
andpickedmeupbridalst
yleandheadedfor
thedoor.
Lebo:Cl
oseyourey
espr
incessIdon’
twanty
ou
toseethi
s.
Mapula:
..*
closemyey eandlaymyheadonhis
chest
*Lebopl easef
indKwezi,shei
noneoft
he
roomsattheback.
Lebo:She’
sal
readyi
nthecarpr
incessdon’
t
worry
.

Isighi nrel
iefandnod...waithowdi dtheyf i
nd
us?...andwhywasmybr othercarryingagun,
wast hatevenTokelo?Imeant helookinhi s
eyeswascol danddar k..
.Tokeloissweet, ki
nd
withabi ghear t
..
.butthatintherewasnotmy
bother .I
shepossessedorsomet hing?Iwill
hav et oaskLebowhathappenedt omybr other
.
Wegettot hecarheplacedmecar eful
lyi
nthe
backseatandIopenmyey esandIwasmetby
mydarkbeaut y.
..sheat
tacksmewi thahug
andIholdonf ordearl
if
e..
.she’
ssafe,t
hank
Godshe’ssafe.
Kwezi
:Ar
ey ouokay?Di
dhedoany
thi
ngt
oyou?
Whyareyoubrui
sed?
Mapula:Onequesti
onatat
imeKwezi..
.am okay
andhedidn’
tgettheti
metofi
nishwhathe
star
ted.
Kwezi
:ThankGodandt
hebr
uise?
Mapul a:Hehi
tme. .
.*Ilookawayandst arted
cryi
ng*Kwezi heldmet i
ghtbr ushingmyback
andt hemoreshedi dthatitwasl ikeshe’s
sayingleti
tall
out..
.Icriedsohar dandt herain
outsidewasdoingwonder s.Am cr yi
ngthinking
whatt heuseofthepower sIhav eisifIcan’t
protectmysel
f..
.wear edr i
vingandt hesi l
ence
andt ensi
oninthecarist oomuch.Lebo
r
ecei
vesacal
landheanswer
s.
Lebo:
Chi
ef
.
..
..
..
.
Lebo:Idon’
tthi
nkit
’sagoodideat
ocometo
thepalacet
hekingwil
laskt
oomanyquest
ions.
.
..
..
..
..
Lebo:Letmecal
lTokel
oandIwi
l
lgetbackt
o
you.

Hedr opst hecal lbutdoesn’tcal

l Tokeloand
cont i
nuesdr i
ving...
.wear enowpassi ngt he
j
unct iongoingt othepal ace,wel
l Iguesswear e
goingt oTokel o’
sapar t
menti nthecapi tal
..
.I
l
ooki nf r
ontit’stoodar konlytheheadl i
ghtsare
hel
pi ngusseet heway ,thereisaf i
gurer i
ghtin
fr
ontofusandLebosl owsdownandt akesout
hi
sr unf r
om t hegl ovebox.Hest opsandget s
out..whenIl ookcl earl
ysincetheheadl i
ght sare
onIseet hatthefigurei
nfrontofthecaristhe
chiefpri
est.Igetoutofthecarholdingonto
thesheetsot hatitdoesn’
tfal
l.
..mindyouam
bearfootandi t
’smuddybecauseoft her
ain.
Kwezi opensthewi ndow.
Kwezi
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Mapula:
Thatisourchi
efpr
iestam goi
ngt
ohi
m
Iwi
ll
ber i
ghtback.
Kwezi
:Can’
tyouseehi
m wheny
ougethome
andnother
e?
Mapula:
Ihav
esomet
hingt
oaskhi
m andi
t
can’
twait
.

Il
eav eherandnotwai tforhert
osay
somet hingelse.Leboandthechi
efpri
estare
busyar guing.Igetcl
osethechi
efpr
iestkeeps
quietandLebot ur
nstolookbehi
ndhim..he
seesmeandhur ri
estome
Lebo:
Princessgobackt
othecar
,it
’scol
dand
wetouthere.
Mapul a:
NoLebo!Andy ou*pointi
ngatthe
chiefpri
est
*whatisthepointoft
heancestors
givi
ngmet hesepowersifIcan’
tusethem t
o
protectmysel
f?
Chiefpri
est:It
oldyouthaty
oucanonl
yaccess
al
ly ourpowersaft
eryouhavegonet
othe
sacredriver
.
Mapula:Doyouknowhowl ongi
twi
ll
beti
ll
the
cer
emony ?I
t’
say earandafewmont
hsand
whatifsomethi
nghappenstomebet
weennow
andthen?
Chiefpri
est
:Everyt
hingthatwil
lhappentoyou
fr
om nowunt il
thenisall
owedbyt hegodsto
prepareyouforwhatyouarestil
lgoingt
oface
wheny oucomebackf rom theri
ver,
incl
udi
ng
whathappenedt oyounow.
Mapul
a:Sot
heynewandl
eti
thappen?Whati
f
LeboandTokel
odi
dn’
tcome?Whatt
hen?
Chiefpriest:Youaret hechosenonef ora
reasonandt hegodswoul dnotletyoube
shamedandnotdoany thingabouti t
.Whaty ou
needt oknowi sthatmor eiscomi ngandy ou
needt opr epar
ey ourself.Focusony ourvisi
ons
toseewhati sgoingt ohappensot hatyoucan
betterprotectyourself.Princessyoudon’ thave
todependonot hersf orpr otect
ingcallupon
yourguar dianandshewi l
l assi
styouwi t
h
anything.
Mapul
a:Whatguar
dianar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Chiefpri
est:Ican’
ttel
lyout hemattersofthe
godsatt hi
shour ,
wewi l
l t
alkwheny ougetto
thepalace.
..nowar eweleav i
ngtogetherorwe
goingtostandher eal
lnightlebal
oi*withthe
witches*
Mapula:Ineedsometi
metogetov
erwhat
happenedandIwill
beatt
hepal
aceint
woday
s.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Al
ri
ghtmypr
incess.Saf
etr
avel
s.

Thenhedi sappeared.
..
heistal
kingabout
wit
chesy ethedisappearsl
ikeone,whatsup
wit
ht hi
sman?Wegobackt othecaranddr ov
e
tothecapital
..
.am exhaust
ed,mycheeki ssore
now,mybodyi sti
redandmyf eetareful
lof
mud.Ijustneedabat handagoodsl umber.

Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t20

Nar
rat
ed:

Tokel
owasl
efti
nther
oom wi
thoneofhi
sman.
HechockedTsi et
siunt il
hisey esstartedrolli
ng
backandhi sgr i
ponTokel o’shandt r
yingt oget
hi
m of fhisneckloosen. .
.snakewentt ohi m and
spoket ohim whisperinginhi sear’kil
l
inga
crownedpr incewil
l onlybringbadl uckt oyou
Ghost ,t
hinkabouty ourthroneandy ourpeopl e’
hel ethi
m goandTsi etsicollapsedont hefloor.
Stickswentt ocheckhi spul seitwast herebut
i
twassl ow,helookedatGhostandnodded.
Theywentoutt hedoorandKi ngPapiandhi s
guar dswerestandingt herewi thgunspai nted
att hem.
KingPapi:
Getthepr i
ncenow!!
*heshout ed*the
guardsrushedinsi
det ookTsi
etsiandrushed
himtothef ami
lydoctorshousethatwasnot
farfr
om thepalace.Ghostandsnakesawt hat
theywereoutnumber ed..
.sot
heysurrendered.
Ki
ngPapi:Well
..
well
..
well
..
.soy
outhoughti
twi
l
l
bethateasycominginandoutofmyhouse
di
dn’tyou?
Ghost
:Tel
li
twas
KingPapi
:That
’sWhaty
outhought.
..seeoneof
mypeoplewhohappenstobeamongsty our
groupofmeninfor
medmeofy ourplanandI
demisedaplanofmyown..
hahahaha. .
.geni
us
ri
ght?
Ghost
:Ify
ounewmypl anthenwhydidmy
peopl
egetoutofher
ewiththepr
incess
unhar
med?
KingPapi :
Youdon’ tgetdoy ouhahaha*
l
aughingt hatcol dandev i
ll
augh*l etmet ell
you..
.thepr incessisnott heoneIwant edbut
mysonwant edhersot hatiswhyIsai dhe
mustbr ingherher ewhenhet oldmeabout
ki
dnappi ngher .Iknewt haty ouhav eat r
acker
onherImeanwhatki ngorpr incemeani ngy ou
whoi sinvolvedi nthisbusinesswor l
dlettheir
sist
erbesof arinaforeignlandwi thout
securi
tyandt rackersonher .
..soyesmyson
l
ookedf ort het r
ackerImeani t’
sthef i
rstthi
ngI
taughthimthatwhenst eal
ingsomethi
ng
alwaysremovethetracker..sohedi
djustt
hat
andher emoved3imagehahahai monna*
man*y oumadey oursisterahumangadget
haha.
Ghostwasveryannoyedbythisman’slaugh
butwhatmadehisbloodboilwasthefactthat
oneofhisownsoldhim outandhecouldn’t
waitt
ofindoutwhoitisandfini
shhi
m.
KingPapi :AsIwassay i
ngwhenIt oldmy
cont actaboutt hetrackersbeingremov ed,he
toldmeaboutt heonei nherjaws...
seeIhav eto
applaudy ouont hatbecauseInev ertaughtof
thatandev ery
oneknowst hati
stheGhost ’
s
stylebutt heny ourmanhahaImeanmyman
whichy oualsopayt oldmey ouareGhost ’s
ri
ghthandman.Wel lthatIfoundinter
esting..
.I
meanwhowoul dwor kwi t
hGhostandy etbeso
sloppyhuh?Cl earl
yhedi dn’ttr
ainyouwel l.
Ghost
:Ohhedi
d*hesai
dthatwi
thasmackon
hi
sface*butt
hiswasanar
gentj
obso.
..
KingPapi:OhIwillwi
pethatsmackofy our
face.
..youthi
nky oucandoubl
ecr ossmeand
getawaywi thit
?NoboyIdon’tplayli
kethat
andIwillhavetomakeanexampl eoutofyou,
sothateveryfoolwhoeventhinksofdouble
crossi
ngmeknowexact l
ywhatt oexpect.
Ghost:
Didyoureal
lyt
hinkIwoul
dhav
esol
dmy
si
stert
oyourret
ardofason?Comeon!
KingPap:Ohyoushoul
dhavedonejustthatto
avoidal
lthi
sbutheyit
’st
oolatenow.
..check
forhist
racker
s*hetoldt
heguards*theydidas
tol
dandf ound2onhisbodyandonehishis
j
aw.
Ghost
:Sowhatnow?Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oki
l
lus?
KingPapi
:OhnobutIwon’tpromiset
hatthe
Mexicanswon’
t.
..
.hahaohmanIwi shyoucoul
d
seethelookonyourfacer
ightnowhaha
Papitookhi sphoneandcalledhispeoplethen
wenttot hecaranddr oveoff.Theguards
sedatedGhostandsnakeandcar riedthem t
o
thecar.Theydr ov
et otheai
rportfoll
owingPapi
.
Theygott otheairportandwenttot hepri
vat
e
entr
ancef orjet
s..
.tookthetiedupghostand
sti
ckstot hejet
.Papi madeacal lt
ohis
Mexicanf ri
ends.
Ki
ngPapi:Sucami
no*hi
sonhi
sway
.Speaki
ng
i
nSpanish*
Mexican:
Bienest
aremosesper
ando*Goodwe
wi
llbewaiti
ng*
KingPapi
:graci
asaprecioelfavor*thankyouI
appreci
atethefav
or*hedr oppedthecalland
drovebackhomel eavi
ngtheairportasthejet
tookoffwit
hGhostandsnake, wit
hthem
heavil
yguardedandtiedup.
KingPapi
:Theydon’tcal
lmethunderfornothi
ng
andIdidn’
tjustbecomeking.
..Ihadt
okillmy
brot hert ogether eandnowam bei ngt estedby
kidsmysonsage?Nxx*Hecl ickedhi stongue*
hisgoi ngt oknowwhoI , Ghostwi llknowwhoI
am andi fhewant stoplaywi t
ht hebi gboy s
andgett omyl eaguehehast oshowhi sf ace
andst ophi dinglikeawoman. ..
.ev enthatweak
kingLer umowi llknowme, Iwil
l kil
lhisai rthen
killhim sot hathi shalfbrothercant akeov er
from hi m. ..Ilikehim hismor elikemeandnot
weakl ikeLer umo.LeSot howi llknowand
wor shipt hegr oundwewal kon, togetherhi m
andIwi l
l rulesidebysi deandt akeov ert his
whol ecount ry.*smi l
ing*oham goi ngt oenj oy
this...
.

Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t21

Mapul
a:

Day sturnintoweeks, weeksi nmont hswear e

backi nCapeTownwr i
ti
ngmyendofy ear
examsandnexty earam doi nggr ade12am so
excited.Wel laf
terthewhol ekidnappingthing
wespent3day sinthecapi t
alwi t
hLebo
breathingdownournecksl i
kewewer egoingto
disappeari fhedidn’tkeephi sey esonus.I n
that3day swenev ersawTokel owel astsaw
himi nBaTl okwa...
sighIguessmybr otheris
ashamedoft hewayIsawhi m anddi dn’
twant
met oseehi minadi f
ferentway .Ifonlyhe
knewt hatIdon’ tcareaboutwhathedi dam just
gratefulhecameandsav edus.Lebowant ed
met ot alktosomeoneaboutwhathappened
sayingt hatitmusthav et raumat i
zedmebut
whathedoesn’ tunder standi sthatpeopl ewho
gett r
aumat i
zedar et hosewhodon’ twantt o
acceptt hatint hi
sl i
fet hingshappengoodand
badandt hatal lwehav et odoaspeopl eis
acceptf orgiveandmov eon.Doi ngt hatdoesn’ t
meany ouwer en’thur tort hatwhathappened
didn’tmat t
erbuty oudoi ngitsot haty oucan
heal andmov eon.Sowewentt othepal ace
whi chKwezi wasgoi ngcr azyov er,Ithinkright
therewhent heguar dsopenedt hegat etot he
palacef orust hat ’
swheni tsunkint oKwezi
thatam ar ealprincessandwhenmymai dens
calledmepr incessandbowi ngtomeKwezi
wentcr azy.Hahaohmyf r
iendbat hong*
peopl e*
.Weendedupenj oyingourt i
mei n
LeSot hoandKwezi spoket oherpar entsbut
theywoul dn’tlistenunt i
lmyf at
herspoket oher
fatherandev erythi
ngwasokay .Isawt hechief
priestandhet oldmet hatIhav eaguar di
ant hat
Icansummoni nt i
mesofneedorwhenIneed
clarit
yaboutmyv i
sions.Hesai dhernamewas
Ngwedi *meani ngt hemood*Sohet ol
dmeal lI
hav etosayt osummonNgwedi i
ssay‘ Ngwedi
abaKoenamot serelet siwakgosi gadiMapul a
etloomamel ekgosi gadi ahao*Moonoft he
baKoenapr otectorofqueenMapul acomeand
l
istent oyourqueen* .Wel lIhav en’tt
r i
edthat
yetbecauset herehasbeennoneed.ThePr i
nce
oft hebaTloungki ngdom camet omypal acet o
visi
t .
..
Hesai dhecoul dn’ tgetmeont hephone
forday sandsi ncei tshol i
dayhet houghtIhad
myphoneof ftoenj oymyt imewi thmyf ami l
y..
.
Ididn’ttel
lhim whathappenedIj ustgav ehi m
mynewnumber .
..ohLeboboughtusnew
phones.Hev isitedev eryseconddaywhi l
eIsaw
backhomeandwhatIl i
kedabouthi mi st hathe
didn’tleaveoutKwezi inhisplanswhenev erwe
hadt omeetwi thmehewoul dbr inghisf r
iend
whowassmi t
tenbymybl ackbeaut ysowe
woul dspendt i
met oget heral l
4ofusi twasf un
reallyandthepar entswer et hri
ll
edsay i
ngwe
wi l
lmakeagr eatcoupl ewhenwegetmar ri
ed..
.
Idon’ tknowaboutt hatbutIenj oyhiscompany .
Oham t oomuchi nmyheadt hatIforgetIhav e
plansKwezi wi l
lkil
lmei fsheget sher eandam
notdone. .
.wear emeet ingthepr i
nceandhi s
fri
endKel etsot oday ,
yepy ouhear dhahat hey
arri
v edinSAy esterdayandt odayt heyar e
takingusoutsi ncewenotwr i
ti
ngandt heyar e
stayingt i
llwef i
nishwr i
tingnextweeksot hat
wecangobackhomet ogether.Imi ssmy
brother..
.sighnophonecal l,notextnot hingand
i
t’sbeen6mont hsnow.Thi sissounl ikehim
butLebosay shisbusyandwi thcal lwhenhe
hast ime.Tal ki
ngaboutLebohi sbeenchecki ng
uponmeev eryday3t imesaday .
..atf i
rstit
wasannoy i
ngbutnowam usedt oi t
,ithas
becomeourt hing..
.thereisaknockont hedoor
andIgoandopenedKwezi pushesmeasi de
andgoti n.
Mapul
a:Hell
otoyout
ooKwezi
andam f
ine
t
hanksforaski
ng.
Kwezi
:Hel
l
oaengwenaMapul
a*hel
l
oforwhat
Mapul
a?*younotr
eady
.
Mapul
a:Iwil
ltakeaqui
ckshowerandy
out
ake
outmyoutf
itt
hatwayIfi
nishqui
ck
Kwezi
:Oahlanya*youcr
azy*whotoldyout
o
st
ayinyourheadthisl
ong?Yout
hinktoomuch
manhayi
Mapul
a:Doy
ouwantmet
ofi
nishont
imeornot
?
Kwezi
:Fi
negoandIwi
l
ltakeouty
ourcl
othes.

Irantothebathroom,tookashowerandwent
tothebedroom gotdressedandpackmystuff
onmybagandj ustaswewer eaboutt
osita
knockcomest hroughandthepri
nceis
standi
ngtherewi t
hasmi l
ewhenIopened.
Thabi
so:
Aft
ernoondearpr
incess
Mapul
a:Af
ter
noonmypr
ince
Thabi
so:
Ist
hepr
incessr
eadyt
ogo?
Mapul
a:Yesmypr
ince

Wewentoutsi
deandgotinthecart
heycame
wit
handtheguar
dsbothhisandminedrov
e
behi
ndandsomeinfrontofusandwewereof
f
toGodknowswhere.

Boi
tumel
o:

Thabisohaschanged, hi
sdistantnow...hesay s
i
t’sWor kkeepinghim busybutIdon’tbel ieve
him.Hewentandmetwi ththepr i
ncessand
whenIaskedhi m howshelookshebr ushedme
off.Hecomest ovisi
tbutneverspendst he
nightany moreandkeepsmaki ngexcuses
aboutear l
ymeet i
ngsoritwi l
lbeKeletsot hat
callshi
m andhehast oleave.Wehav en’tspent
qualit
yt i
met oget
hersincehewentt ov isithi
s
fatherthatday.Ihavetogoandseemamashe
willknowwhatt odo.Ev ennowThabi soi si n
Sout hAf r
icaandt oldmehi sphonewi l
l beof f
ti
llhecomesbacki n3weekst i
me. ..whenI
askedhi m whyhi sphonewi l
lbeof fhet oldme
hewi llbebusyandwon’ thavet imef oraphone.
Letmedr i
vet omymot hers.Ipackedmyphone
i
nmybagandt ookmycarkey sandhousekey s
l
ockedt hehouseandl eft.Thedr i
vet omy
mot hersi snotl ong, Igott hereandpar kedon
thedr iv
ewaysi ncehercani spar kedi nmy
spot .
..Acart hatThabi soboughtf orher ,
I
rememberwhenheboughti t.
.Iwast hrowi nga
surprise50bi rthdayf ormymot herandIdi dn’t
haveenoughmoneyt obuyheradocentgi ft
andThabi soof f er
edt obuyi tandhebought
thatcar .Mot herwassohappyandsowasI ..
.
butnowwear egoi ngt ol ooseourmeal t
icketif
wedon’ tactf ast ,
y esam wor kingbutmy
teacher ssal ar yisonl yenought opaymycar
rentandgr ocer iesf ormy self,Thabi sot akes
careofmot her sgr ocer iesandev erythi
ngel se.
Whowouldwanttoloseapersonli
ket hat
?Not
meIneedhim.Igottothedoorknockedand
mot
heropened.
BMot
hoer
:Ngoanaka*mychi
l
d*
Boi
tumel
o:Mama
Bmother
:kenaoetset
ear
eboe*comei
nand
makesomet easowecantal
k*
Iputmybagdownandwenttothekit
chento
makesometeaformymotherandtookitt
oher
.
Boi
tumelo:
Ojwangl
erat
olaka?*howar
eyou
mylove*
Bmot
her
:keaphel
ananawena*am f
inenana
andy
ou*
Boi
tumel
o:Keaphel
amama*am okaymot
her
*
Bmother
:Oj
wangmogony
anawaka*howi
smy
soni
nlaw?*
Boi
tumel
o:hi
sokaybuthi
sther
easonwhyI
cameher
e.
Bmot
her
:What
’swr
ongnana?
Boit
umelo:Thabisa’
sfat
herarr
angedmarr
iage
forhi
m wit
hsomepr i
ncessandhewant
sto
takemeashi ssecondwife.
Bmot
her:That
’sGoodi
tmeanshest
il
lwant
s
andl
ovesyou.
Boit
umelo:
Mamay oudon’tgeti
t,hei
sonly
al
lowedtotakeasecondwi f
eafter3year
sof
marri
agewiththepri
ncess.
Bmother:Wewill
sor
tthatoutandhewil
lmar
ry
youfi
rsteveni
fyoudoiti
ncourtbuty
ouwil
lbe
hisf
ir
stwife.
Boi
tumel
o:Thati
sift
hatwi
l
lev
enhappen
Bmot
her
:Whatdoy
oumean?
Boit
umelo:Thabisochangedaft
erseeingthat
pri
ncess,hi
snolongerthesame...
doesn’t
spendtimewithmeandIhav etobet heone
cal
li
nghim becausehedoesn’tcal
lmeany more
hi
sforev
erbusy
.Hesay
sit
’sbusi
nessbutI
don’
tbel
iev
ehim.
Bmot
her
:Let
’swai
tti
l
lsunsetandIwi
l
lfi
xthi
s.
Boit
umelo:Bol
oimama*witchcr
aftmother
*
whendidyoubecomeoneanywaybecausef or
aslongasIcanremembery
ouhav eal
way s
beenachurchgoer.
Bmother:Ihavebeenonesincebefor
eyouwer
e
bor
nandkemmewaker ekewotsi
areand
kemoloibosiu.*Iam achur
chwomanbyday
andwitchbyni ght
*
Boi
tumelo:
Chisamamaor
eoar
apel
a*y
ou
say
ingyoupray*
Bmother:NoIgotochur
chtocheckonmynext
vi
cti
m andmonitormyexi
sti
ngones.Ker
apel
a
eng?*prayforwhat*
Boit
umel
o:Tj
okeut
saba*y
hoam scar
edof
you*
Bmother:Asyoushoul
d.*theyl
aughedand
cont
inuedtal
kingwai
ti
ngforsunset*

Youknowt
hedr
il
l.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t22

Boi
tumel
o:

It
’ssunsetandIspentt hedaywi t
hmymot her
j
usttalki
ngandcat chi
nguponst uff
.Nowi t
wast i
met ogetonwi thwhatIcameher etodo.
Iwalkedt othebackroom wher emothers
shri
neisandshewasal readybusydoingher
thi
ng.Itookofmyshoesof fandwentin,sat
onthegr assmatandwat chedmymot herdo
whatshedoesbest .
Bmother
:lookyouknownomutif
edonthe
pr
incewil
lworksoIwantyout
ogivemea
pi
ctur
eofhimtouse.
Boi
tumel
o:Ihav
eiti
nmybagIwi
l
lbr
ingi
tnow.
Iwentbackt
othehouseandt
ookthepi
ctur
e
fr
om mybagandwentbacktother
oom.
Boi
tumel
o:Her
emot
her
Bmot
her
:Youseet
hiscl
aypot
Boi
tumel
o:Yesmot
her
Bmot her:Youwi llkeepitunderyourbedand
neverletany oneseei t
,thi
smut iinthi
splasti
c
yougoi ngtobat hwi t
hitfor7day sandthis
Vaselinemi xtur
ey ouaregoi ngtouseitasyou
bodylot i
onf r
om nowon.Pl easefol
lowthese
i
nstructionsandi fyouforgetsomet hi
ngcallme
andIwi llexplai
n.
Boi
tumel
o:Yesmot
her
.
Bmot
her
:Remember7day
s
Bmot
her
:Yesmot
her
.

WhenweweredoneItookmythings,
sai
d
goodby
etomymotheranddr
ov ehome.

Lebo:

It
’sbeen6mont hsl ooki
ngf orGhostandsti
ll
nothing..
.Idoubthisevenalivenowandt hati
s
stressingmeout .Ifeell
ikeIfail
edhim ashis
protectorandIfail
edt heking.LetmecallTools
tof i
ndouti fhesomet hi
ngf ormeregardi
ng
Ghost .Idial
edhisnumberandhepi ckedupon
thef i
rstri
ng.
Tool
s:Ter
minat
or
Lebo:
Thatdon’
tfeel
rightwi
thoutGhostman
Tool
s:Igety
ouman
Lebo:it
’sbeensi
xmonthsman6mont hs
withoutknowi
nghiswhereabout
s.Wet
ri
ed
everyt
hingandst
il
lnot
hing.
Tools:
Butwedidn’
tcont
actourNi
ger
ian
associ
atesy
et.
Lebo:
Shi
tyour
ight
,letmecal
lcal
lthem now.

Ihungupandcal
l
edUcheourNi
ger
iancont
act
.
Uche:
Ter
minat
or
Lebo:
Uchemyman,
wehav
epr
obl
em.
Uche:
What
’sup?
Lebo:
Ghosti
smi
ssi
ng
Uche:
Iknow
Lebo:
Youknow?
Uche:
Yesandhi
sinMexi
co
Lebo:
Wehav
etogogethi
m man.
Uche:NoGhosti
sgoingt
otakehi
msel
foutof
thi
s.Youj
ustsi
tti
ght
.
Lebo:
Ican’
tdot
hatmanheneedsme.
Uche:ThenIwil
lmakey ousi
tti
ght
.Whenhave
youeverseenGhostneedhel
ptogetoutof
sit
uat
ionsli
kethi
s?
Lebo:
Nev
er
Uche:Wel
lthat
’sy
ouranswerandshuty
our
mouthabouthi
swhereabout
syouguyshav
e
mole*hehungup*

Idon’tknowhowIwi llbeabletositandwait
whenIknowwher eGhostis,butthenagainI
don’tknowwher eexactl
yinMexicohei sandI
can’tgoinbli
ndnowcanI ..
.thisi
sMexi cowe
tal
kingaboutandthishasPapi writ
tenallov
eri
t.
Thismol epar
tmakesmybl oodboilam sure
that’
showGhostwascapt uredandnowam
goingtofindoutwhoi ti
s.
Ghost
:

I
t’
sbeenwayt ool
ongsi
nceIarri
vedhereandI
don’
tevenknowwhatdayi
tis.Ineedt
of i
ndout
whatdayiti
sandthemont
h.Theguardcame
wit
hfood.
Ghost
:Ol
aquedi
aes*heywhatdayi
sit
?*
Guard:
El20deNov
iembr
e*i
t’
sthe20
November*
Ghost
:Gr
aci
as*Thanky
ou*

Theguar
dl ef
t,soIhav ebeenhereforthatlong.
DamnmanIhav etogetoutofher eandget
hometospendChr i
stmaswithmyf ami l
y.See
whenwef i
rstgotherewewer etorturedevery
dayandstarved.Thi
swentonf oraboutaweek
ti
l
lIhear
dt heguardstalki
ngaboutt hei
rboss
want inginont hedi amondbusi nesswi th
Ghost ..
.SoIt oldt heguar dsIwant edt ot al
kt o
thei
rboss.Whodeci dedt ocomeaf ter3day s,
mindy ouwewentst il
lbeingt orturedandduet o
thattor t
ur eIlostsnake, mybr ot heroneoft he
fewpeopl ewhounder st oodmeandnowhi s
goneal l
becauseofPapi *angr y* .Afterthen3
daysIwasmor eweakandl osingmor eener gy
bythesecond.Ihadcr ackedl ipsbecauseof
dehy drationandhunger .HecomeandIt oldhi m
thatam Ghost srighthandmanandIcanhel p
him geti ntot hedi amondbusi ness.Hesai dhe
willdohi sr esear chbef oreagreei ngt oany thing,
butaf terthatdayIst artedget tingfoodand
water .Alsot akenoutf orsunl ightonceaweek. ..
thathasbeenmyr outinef orthepastmont hs
andam hopi ngt hisguyhasal l t
hei nformat ion
thatheneedsnowt oletmeoutofher e.Butt he
tort
ur edidn’ tstopbutnowi twasdi fferentthey
mademef ightot herpeopl e.Iwoul df ightwi th3
ormor epl easeadaybutIdi dn’tmi ndbecause
theywer
ehelpingmekeepfi
tbutIIl
ostafi
ghtI
wouldbebeatenandgetonl
yonemealinst
ead
ofthe2Iusuall
yget
.Theguardcameback.
Guar
d:El
jef
evieneaver
te,
asi
quepreparat
e.*
t
hebossiscomingt
oseeyou,
sogetready*he
l
eft
.
Thismightbethebestdayofmyl if
e,thedayI
gettogohomeori tcouldbethewor stdayof
myl i
feandIdie.Ei
therwayIwil
ltakemy
chancesandtrytokeepthepromiseImademy
fat
her.Iwonderhowev er
yoneisdoingback
home.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t23

Ghost
:
Ihav
ebeenwai t
ingthisguyforalongtimenow
andam surehewant smet osweatbeforehe
comesandgivesmewhat evernewshehasf or
me..
.Ij
usthopei
t’sgoodnewsoratl east
somethi
ngIcannegot i
ate.Iwasbroughtback
byaguardhit
ti
ngt hebarswithhisst
ick.
Guar
d:Lev
ant
ate*st
andup*
Iqui
cklyst
oodupandwai
tedandf
ewmi
nut
es
theguyappear
ed.
Boss:Comoestassenormanoder
echa*how
ar
ey ouMrri
ghthandman?*
Ghost
:Est
oybi
enyt
u*goodandy
our
sel
f?*
Boss:
Est
oybi
en*am f
ine*
Ghost
:Doyoumindspeaki
ngEngl
i
shmy
Spani
shi
snott
hatgood?
Boss:Notatal
l.
..Ihavedonemyr
esear
chandI
havecomet oaconclusi
on.
Ghost
:Andt
hati
s?
Boss:
Wai
tformet
ofi
nisht
heny
ouspeak
Ghost
:Okay
Boss:Youdon’tl
ist
endoy ou?..
.asIwassaying
Ihavecomet oaconclusionandy ouhave3
opti
ons.
..
1Youpayme10di amondsasasign
orgoodfait
h,2yougetGhostt osignthi
s
contr
actagreei
ngtowor kwi thme, 3y
oudie.So
which2doy ouchoose?
Ghost
:OneGhostwon’
tagreetoworkwith
someonewhohasti
eswithhisenemies.
Boss:
Whi
chenemi
es?
Ghost:Ki
ngPapi
,hei
sGhost’
senemyandhe
won’twantt
oassoci
atewi
thsomeonewho’
sin
busi
nesswit
hhim.
Boss:
Okaywi
l
lcutt
ieswi
thhi
m.
Ghost
:Iwi
l
lneedpr
oofoft
hat
Boss:
Notaprobl
em yougeti
tbef
orey
ou
l
eave.
..any
thi
ngel
se?
Ghost:Giv
ingy oudi
amondswon’ tbeaproblem
butyouwillgetthem attheair
porti
nLeSotho.
I
nf actIwil
levenorganizeforGhosttogi
veyou
15and5i sabonus.
Boss:Il
ikei
t.
..youwi
l
lgetpr
oofofcancel
led
dealwit
hPapi i
n3daysandweleav
ef or
LeSothoin7days.
Ghost
:Why7day
?
Boss:Justasafetymeasur
eandaftery
ouget
proofofcancell
ati
onyouget1onephonecal
l
toorgani
zeev er
ythi
ng.
..
ent
ender
?*
underst
and?*
Ghost
:Si
*yes*
Boss:
Looki
ngf
orwar
dtodoi
ngbusi
nesswi
th
Ghost
.
Ghost
:MayIaskwhyi
t’
ssoeasyt
odr
opPapi
?
Boss:
Diamondsaregoi
ngt
omakemeal otof
moneyandlegal
l
ytoo.
..
soi
t’
sjustbusi
ness
not
hingper
sonal
.
Ghost
:Iunder
stand.
Boss:
Good,
seey
oui
n3day
s.*l
eft
*

Iwassoexci
ted,
final
l
yIgett ogohome.
..howI
missedmyfamil
yandf r
iends.

Boi
tumel
o:

I
t ’
sbeen7day ssinceIstart
edusingthemut i
mot hergavemeandImustsayi t’
sdoing
wonder s.EveryguyIcomeacr ossjustwant sto
takemeout ,othersj
ustpayformymeal sand
theot heroneImetatt hegaragepaidforaf ul
l
tankofpet rolformycar..
.Iam solovi
ngt he
benef i
tsofthis,Iwonderwhymot herdidn’tt
ell
met hatt hi
sishowi tworks.
..buti
tdoesn’t
mat ternowdoesi t?No!Iwillj
ustusethistomy
advantage.Ri ghtnowam onmywayt oseemy
crushthebossofMot aungConst ructi
ons. .
.I
havehadacr ushont hisguysi ncev arsit
ybut
henev ernoticedmebutt henIkindoff orgot
abouthim whenImetThabi so.Butnowt hat
Thabisoi sfooli
ngar ound, Icanalsodot he
sameandi twon’ thurtany oner i
ght?Iar ri
vedat
hisoffi
cebui ldi
ng,par kedmycarandwent
i
nsidesway i
ngmyhi psal lthewayt ot he
recepti
on.Ment hatsawmest oppedwhatt hey
weredoi ngandl ookedatme, hahat hat’show
goodmymot her’smut i
is.Igottot her ecepti
on.
Aft
ernoonmam IhowcanIhel
pyout
oday
?
Sai
dt her
ecept
ioni
st
Boi
tumel
o:Am her
etoseeMrMot
aung
Doy
ouhav
eanappoi
ntment
?
Boi
tumel
o:Nobuthi
sexpect
ingme.
Am sorr
ymam buthisi
nameet
ingr
ightnow
andIcan’tdi
stur
bhi
m.
Boi
tumel
o:Fi
neIwi
l
lwai
t.
Pleaset
akeaseatoverther
e*poi
nti
ngata
couchinthewai
ti
ngarea*andIwentandsat
downandgotbusyonmyphone.
Voi
ce:
Aft
ernoonbeaut
if
ull
ady
Boi
tumelo:Aft
ernoon*Ianswer
edwi
thout
l
ookingathim*
Voi
ce:
Doest
hel
adyneedanyassi
stance?
Boit
umelo:*Il
i
ftupmyheadtolookathi
m.
Mmm hisnotbad,notbadatal
lbuthi
snotmy
tar
getatthemoment.*Am wai
tingf
orMr
MotaungandIwastoldhi
sinameet i
ng.
Voice:
Don’tworr
yIwil
ltakeyoutohisoff
ice,a
beauti
ful
ladyl
ikeyoushoul
dn’tbekeptwait
ing.
Boi
tumel
o:OkayThankMr
..
.?
Voi
ce:
Lecho.
..Kat
lehoLecho
Boitumel
o:Ni
cet
omeety
ouMrLechoand
thankyou.
Kat
leho:
Kat
lehowi
l
ldoandi
t’
sapl
easur
e.

Wet ookt helif

ttot he4thfl
oorandwewal ked
toacor nerofficewr i
ttenMotaungatt hedoor
andKat l
ehoknockedandopenedt hedoor..
.
Therehewassi t
ti
ngi nhisdesklookmor e
handsomet hanev er,heli
ft
edhisheadand
wentbackt owhathewasdoi ngandaf t
erafew
minuteshel ift
edhi sheadagainandourey es
met,weshar eamomentandhet urnedhis
att
entiont othegent l
emanhewaswi th.
Motaung:
MrLewesdoy oumi
ndi
fwecont
inue
t
histomorr
owaft
ernoon?
MrLewes:Notaprobl
em andbri
ngt
hecont
ract
becausei
t’
smylastdayheret
omorr
ow.
Mot
aung:
Thanky
ouandIwi
l
ldot
hat
.
MrLewes:
Seey
out
omor
rowt
hen.
Hewalkedoutbutnotbef
orehel
ookedatme
andwinkedbefor
egoingoutt
hedoorand
cl
osi
ngitbehindhim.
Motaung:
Ist
her
esomet
hingIcandof
ory
ou
MrLecho?
Kat
leho:
Nosi
rIj
ustbr
oughtt
hel
adyher
e.
Mot
aung:
OkayIcant
akei
tfr
om her
e.
Kat
leho:
Okaysi
r
Hestoodt herelooki
nglostnotmov ingor
showinganysi gnthathemi ghtmov e.Mynight
andshini
ngamorst oodupf rom behindhi
s
deskandpushedKat l
ehooutt hedoorand
l
ookedit.
..mi ndyouhisdoingallthi
swi t
hout
sayi
ngawor d.
Mot
aung:
Let
’ssi
ront
hecouch
Boi
tumel
o:Sur
e
Mot
aung:
Any
thi
ngt
odr
ink?
Boi
tumel
o:Jui
cewi
l
lbef
ine
Hewalkovert
ohisdeskanddialanumberand
tol
dtheper
sontobri
ngtwoglassesofjui
ce
andhecamebackandjoi
nedmeont hecouch.
Motaung:
Longt
imenosee,
howhav
eyoubeen
Tumi?
Boi
tumel
o:Ihav
ebeenwel
l
,Ican’
tcompl
ain
andyou?
Mot
aung:
Am good,
sowhatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?
Boi
tumel
o:You
Mot
aung:
Am f
lat
ter
ed.
..butwhy
?
Boi
tumelo:Ithi
nki
twasamist
akecomi
ng
her
e..
.Iwil
ltakemyleav
enow*Ist
oodup*
Mot aung:NonoTumi don’ tl
eave,Idi
dn’
tmean
toof f
endy ou,i
t’
sjustthatit’
sbeenawhi l
e
sincewel astsaweachot herandIwas
wonder i
ngwhatt hepur poseofy ourv
isi
twas.
Pleaseforgivemef oroffendingyou.
Boi
tumel
o:If
orgi
vey
ou
Mot
aung:
Thanky
ouandpl
easest
ay
Boi
tumel
o:Okay
Motaung:Thankyou..
.IhopeIwon’
toffendyou
bysayi
ngthisbutyouaremorebeauti
fulthan
thel
astti
meIsawy ou.
Boit
umel
o:Am l
i
kewi
nedar
li
ngIgetbet
terwi
th
ti
me.Haha
Mot aung:Veryfunny,butonaseri
ousnoteyou
arebeaut i
fulandIwouldliket
otakeyououtfor
dinnertonightsothatwecancatchupoutsi
de
theoffice.
Boi
tumel
o:Thatwouldbenice.
..pi
ckmeupat7
andIwi
ll
sendy out
headdress.
Mot
aung:
Thanky
oubeaut
if
ul.
Boitumelo:LetmeleavenowandIwill
seey ou
thiseveni
ng.*Istoodupandhedidtoo,hewas
standi
ngsocl osetomet hatwewer
ebr eat
hing
thesameai r*
Mot
aung:
Am sor
ry
Boi
tumel
o:ForWhat
?
Mot aung: Thi
s*heki ssedme.Theki sswas
sl
owandpassi onate.Thewayhewashol di
ng
mewasl ikehewashol dingsomethingso
precious.Hislipsaresoftandal i
tt
lewet.He
pull
edoutaf t
eraf ewmi nutesandlookedint
o
myey es*
Motaung:goodby
ebeaut
if
ul,
seey
out
his
ev
ening.
Boitumelo:By e*Ileftwithasmi l
eonmyf ace,
whenIgoti ntotheelevatorIl
ookedatmy sel
fin
themi r
rorst hereandIcan’tbeli
evehekissed
me.Ican’ tbelieveLesalaMotaungkissedme!
Godnotev enThabi somakesmef eelthi
sway ..
.
butLesalai snor oyal,
yeshehasmoney ,power
andstatusbutt hatwon’tgetmet herespectI
needf r
om t hepeopl eonlyaroyalpri
ncecan
givemet hat .
Cont
inuet
oli
ke,
shar
eandcomment
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t24

GhostakaTokel
oPOV

It
’sbeen3weekssi nceIhav ebeenbackhome
andbusi nessisboomi ngbot hmyl awf i
rm and
mydi amondbusi ness.TheMexi cancar telkept
theirpr omisetheycutt ieswithPapi andt hen
fl
ewmebackhomewher eImetupwi t
hLeboat
theai rportwhobr oughtt hediamondsf orthe
Mexi cans.Ialsowentt hrought hecont actand
signedaf t
erbecausei twasar eallygooddeal .
Todayam meet i
ngLeboatt hewer ehouse, he
call
edmet otellmet hathef oundcul pri
twho’s
beenwor kingf orPapibuthedi dn’
tsaywhoi t
was..ohIcan’ twaittogetmyhandsont hat
sonofabi tch,am gonnamakehi m wishhewas
neverbor n.Iam drivi
ngtoThewer ehouse
dri
vingslowl i
steni
ngtojazzthinki
ngofway st
o
tort
urethatmot her
fucker.If
inall
yarriveand
Leboisout sidenexttohiscarsmoki ng,he
l
ooksst ressedandIwonderwhoi sthisnigger
thatcostmesnake.Igotoutoft hecarand
walktohi m.
Ghost
:Lebza
Lebo:
Sur
eGhost
*hesai
dinal
owt
one*
Ghost
:What
’supman?
Lebo:
Comeseef
ory
our
sel
f
Ghost
:Thatbadhuh?
Lebo:
Let
’sgoman
Wewalkedi
nsi
deandal
ltheguy
swerethere
i
ncl
udi
ngtheguyswhoar
ealwaysoutt
herewe
cal
lthem t
heeyesandearsoftheorgani
zati
on.
IwonderwhoIam kil
l
ing.
..t
hesenigger
slook
scar
ed.
Ghost
:Pr
otect
ors!
Them:
Sur
ebozza
Ghost
:Di
ntsang?*What
’sup*
Them:
Nexbozza*Not
hingboss*
Ghost
:Ar
eyousur
e?
Them:
Yeahbozza
Ghost:Okaythen,we’
ll
y ouar
eal
lher
etoday
becauseoneofy ousoldmeoutt
oanenemyof
theprot
ector
s.
Theguysstartedwhisperi
ngwit
heachot her
andall
lookingscaredbecauset
heyknowhow
Ghosti
s.Event hosewhoknowt heydidnothi
ng
werescareddoubtingthei
rowninnocence.
Ghost
:Sil
ence!
!*t
heguyswentqui
et
i
mmedi at
ely
*..
.Nowtel
lmewhohasthebal
l
s
tobetraytheGhost ,
theorgani
zati
on,our
famil
y...WHOHASTHEGUTSTODOTHAT? *
quiet
!Looki ngateachotherwonderi
ngwho
couldbest upidenoughtodothat*
Ghost
:Okay
,sonoonei
stal
k..
.ri
ght
!
Ter
minat
or!
Lebo/
Ter
minat
or:
Sur
eboz
za
Ghost
:Who’
sthecul
pri
t?
Ter
minat
or:
Tool
!
Ghost
:What
?
Terminat
or:Tool
sistheonebozza,
hebetrayed
you,usandthefamil
y.*hesai
dthatsounding
sodisappoi
ntedandhurt
*
Ghost
:Tool
s!!
Tool
s:Bozza
Ghost:I
sthist
rue?*hewasal sodisappoi
nted,
Tool
swasoneofhi strust
edguy sandhe
tr
ustedhim wi
thhisli
fe.He,snakeandLebo
wer
ehi
sgot
oguy
s*
Tool
s:Idon’
tknowwhathistal
ki
ngaboutbozza
andyouknowIwouldneverdothat
.
Ghost
:Ter
minat
or
Ter
minat
or:
Bozzay
aka
Ghost
:Onal
epr
oof
?*doy
ouhav
epr
oof
?*
Terminator:Surebozzat
hisway*ledthem t
o
thecomput erroom wher
eheinstall
edacamera
andal i
steningdevi
ce*
Ghost:
Playit
*Lebopl
ayedthetapeandonly
musicstar
tedpl
ayi
ngnothi
ngincri
minat
ing
Tool
s*
Tool
s:It
oldy
out
hatIdi
dn’
tdot
his.
Termi nator:Don’tcel
ebrat
ey et
*hewent
outsidei nhiscartookhiscomput erandwent
backi nside*Iknewy ouwer egoodwi t
h
comput ersandInewt hatwheny oufindt
his
whiledoi ngy ourweeklysweepofdev i
cesyou
wi l
lfi
ndt heonesIinstal
l
edwhi chi
swhyI
tappedy ourphoneaswel lasyourpersonal
comput er .I
fal
lofyoucouldlookatthescreen
youwi llseethehisbankstat
ementshowi ngthe
transferthatcamef r
om aPT.
Ghost
:WhatdoesPTst
andf
or?
Ter
minat
or:
Papi
Tlokwa
Tool
s:Thatmoneywasnotf orpay
menttosell
yououtbozzaitwaspaymentforapri
vat
ejobI
didf
orhim andyouknowwet akepri
vat
ejobs.
Ghost
:Makesense*hesai
dthatabi
trel
i
eved*
Terminat
or:
OkayIgetthat
,whatdoyoumake
ofthi
s*heplayedther
ecor
dingwher
ePapiand
Toolsweretal
king*
Papi
-areyousur
eIcantr
usty
out
opul
lthi
sof
f
andthaty
ouwon’tsel
lmeout
?
Tool
s-ofcourseyoucan,lookmanIal
sowant
toberi
ch,Tokel
oisaprinceofaver
yweal
thy
ki
ngdom andhealsoownsalawfi
rm andwhat
dowehav e?Not
hingbutt
hepeanut
shepays
us.
Papi-okayt
henj
ustmakesuretheydon’
tfi
nd
outIneedyouontheinsi
degi
vingi
nfor
mation
andthemoneywil
l keepcomi
ng.
Tool
s-SureIwi ll
sendyouthedetai
lsofthe
operat
ionbutgethim onhiswayout,Iknowhe
wil
lbetoof ocusedonyoursontothinkof
anyt
hingelse.
Papi-sendi
tandIwilldeposi
tthemoneyi
n
youraccountonceIhavehim..
.
Ghost
:ENOUGH!
!Iheardenough..
.st
opt
his*
Ter
minat
orst
oppedtherecor
ding*
Tools:Am sorr
ybozzaIwasjustgr
eedyplease
bozzaIwi l
lspyonPapif
oryouandy oucanget
yourrevenge.
Ghost:
DoIoper at
eli
kethatnow?Actual
l
ydon’
t
answerthat
,butanswerthi
s..
.Di
dInotbuil
da
houseforyourmot
her?DidInotsendy our
si
stert
oschool?DidInotfi
ndy ouinthemi nes
str
uggl
ingtomakeendsmeetandgav ey oua
j
ob?DidInot sellyousharesinmycoal
companybecauseyousaidy ouwere
passi
onateaboutt
hat?DidInotgiveyoua
pi
eceoflandbackinthevil
l
agef oryout ouse?
Whatmor edoyouwantfrom mehuh?
Tool:youdidall
thatbozzaandam sor
ryfornot
appreciat
ingandbeinggreedyf
ormorethanI
al
readyhav e.
Ghost
:Enough,bringtheacidandbucketNOW!
*hewasangry,disappoint
edandhurt*theacid
wasbrought
,bucketandchai r
.Tool
swason
hi
skneescryi
ngandbeggi ngforfor
giveness
butal
lhi
spleasfellondeafears.
Ghost
:Shutupandtakeitl
ikeaman.
..
*he
l
ookeduptryi
ngtocontr
olhist
ear
,hewashurt
t
hatheisaboutt
oloseasecondbrot
heral
li
n
t
heshotperi
odofti
me*
Toolsgotupandsatont
hechai
randputhi
s
feeti
nsi
dethebucket
.
Ghost:Youwil
lnotbet
iedupandy ouwi
llnot
takeoutyourf
eetfr
om thatbucketandy
ouwi l
l
notcry.
Tool
s:Iunder
standt
herul
es..
.butIhaveone
l
astr
equestpleasef
orol
dtimessake.
Ghost
:Sur
e
Tools:Iwouldli
key
outosentmybodyhomeso
thattheycanlaymetor
estnextt
omyfather
.
Ghost
:Finebuty
ourballsandwoodaregoi
ng
t
oPapi..
.maybehewillextendhi
sandmaybe
j
ustmaybehewillhav
et heball
stof
acemelike
aman.
Tool
s:Al
ri
ghtIcant
aket
hat
.
Ghost
:Itwasn’
tannegot
iati
on,givemet he
aci
d*oneoftheguysgavehimt heacid,hetook
i
tandpouritonTool
sfeelsandhegr oanedas
theaci
dat
ewayhi
sfl
eshpenet
rat
inghi
s
bones*
Ghost :Itrust edy ouwi t
hmyl if
ebuty ouwer e
thefir
stonet oputmei nt hef i
ringline.Snake
l
osthi slifeandhi sbl oodi siny ourhands, what
i
swor sei st hathi sf ami lydidn’tgett he
opport unityt ogi vehi m abef i
tt
ingbur i
albut
worrynotIwi l
lbr i
nghi m homehewi l
lgeta
propersendof f.Ialmostl ostmyl i
fei nMexico
becauseofy ouandf orwhat ?Money ?Money
thatIcoul dhav egi vent oy ouwi thnoquest i
ons
askedbuty ouchoset obet raymei nsteadof
asking.*al lthiswhi l
ehewascr y i
ngwi thv ei
ns
poppingonhi sf oreheadandLebowasal so
sil
entlycr yi
ngi nt hecor nerbecauset hose3
guyswer ehi sl ifeashehasnof ami l
y ,t
heywere
hisfami lyandnowhel ostsnakei nthehands
oftheMexi cancar tel andi saboutt ol oose
anotherf orbei nggr eedyandst upid*
Ghostpour
edmor
eaci
dont
hebucketf
il
li
ngi
t
upt oTool
skneesandal l
thisti
mehisgroaning
i
npai nwit
htearsf
all
ing.Hisfeetwer
ealready
fi
nishedbytheaci
d,Ghosttookaknifeand
gaveittohi
m.
Ghost
:Cuty
ourbal
l
s,y
oudon’
tdeser
vet
hem.
Tool st ookt hekni feandpl aceditont opofhi s
thighst henpul ledhispant sandunder
gar ment sof f
.Hel ookedatGhostandaskedf or
acl oth, hegav eittohim andheputi tinhis
mout h.Hest ar t
edcut t
inghisballstoget her
withhi smanwood, hewasbi tinghardont he
clotht ear sflowi ngandhishandscov eredin
blood.Hef inishedandt hrewhi sasset sont he
fl
oort oget herwi ththeknife,hewasget ti
ng
weakerandweakerashewasl oosi
ngal otof
blood.Lebowentout si
debecausehecoul dn’t
takei tany mor e,Ghostwasbr okeninside...he
alsowant edt ogetoutoft her ebuthecoul dn’
t
becausehi smenwer ethereandasal eaderhe
neededt of i
nishwhathest artedandnotshow
weaknessi
nfrontoft
hem.Ashehadshown
t
hem enoughbysheddingt
ear
sinf
rontoft
hem.
Ghost:Taketheball
sandwr apt
hem upni
cely
thensendthem toPapiwit
hanotthatsay
s’
foundyourspyandIthoughtyoucoul
duse
those’
*oneoft heguysimmediat
elyt
ookthem
awaytodoasi nstr
ucted*
Ghost:Cleanthismesst hensendhi mtoour
themor t
uary,tel
lthem t
ocl eanhim upand
noti
fyhismot her.Shewillt
akeitfrom thereand
i
fanyofev erbetraymey ouwill
meetwor se
fai
ththanhis.
..yourfamilywon’tev enhavea
boneofy ourbody .UNDERSTAND! !?
Them:
Sur
ebozza
Ghost
:Nowcl
eant
hisup!

Hegotoutoft
her
ewentstr
aightt
ohiscarand
dr
oveoff
,hewenttot
hebeachhissaf
eplace.
Ghost:Howcoul dToolsdot histome?How
canhebet raymel iket
his?Hewasmybr ot
her
forgoodnesssake.Whycoul dn’thejustaskme
formor emoneywhenheneededi ti
nsteadof
choosingther outeheknewv erywel
l wil
lsend
himtohi sgraveifheev ergotcaught.AsIwas
busytryingtoprocessthismyphoner angandI
tookitoutofmypocketandcheckedwho’ s
call
i
ngandi twasmypr incess.Asmi lefi
ndsit’
s
wayt omyf aceaut omatical
l
y .
Ghost
:Pr
incess
Mapula:
What
everyouDi
dwaswr ong,
youar
e
notGodandi
t’
snotuptoyout
ojudge.
Ghost:
Whatar ey outal
ki
ngaboutpri
ncess*I
knewexactlywhatshewastalki
ngaboutbut
shecan’tpossi
blyknowwhatIjustdi
d*
Mapula:
Allam sayi
ngi sthaty
ouhav etogo
homeandwasht hebl oodony ourhands,t
he
chi
efpri
estwi
llgiv
ey ousomet hingtouseand
Tokel
opeopl
egetbet
ray
edev er
ydayandyou
don’
tseet
hem spi
l
li
ngbloodbecauseofi
t.
Ghost:Ho.
.howdidyouknow?*hewasshaki
ng
becauseheneverwantedhi
ssist
ert
oknow
thatsi
deofhim*
Mapula:i
tdoesn’
tmat t
erhowIknow, Imight
haveseenthi
stoolatethi
stimebutnexttimeI
won’tandIwil
lbetheonecalli
ngt
hepol i
ceon
you.NowdoasIsayandt r
ytofor
giveyoursel
f.
Ghost
:But
..
.*shecuphi
m of
f*
Mapula:Nobut
sandyouwi
llt
akecar
eofhis
f
amilyforasl
ongast
heyl
iv
e.*shehungup*

Whatthehellwasthat?Iknowthepri
ncesshas
powersbutIneverknewt heyweret
hisst
rong,
howdoIf acehernow?Sheknowsmet hereal
mewi t
houtthemask.Ihav etogohomeanddo
whatshetoldmebef oreshegetsher
eon
Fri
day.Istoodupandwentt ot
hecarand
dr
oveof
ftot
hepal
ace.

Comment ,
li
keandshare.Ghostr
eadersyou
guy
saredemot i
vat
ing.Onecanneverknow
howtheyaredoi
ngifthereisnof
eedbackgiv
en.
Toevery
oneelsemyt hanks.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t25

Nar
rat
ed

KingPapi
,Unknown,MosiaandMot soeneng
weremeet i
ngatthei
rusualspott
odi scuss
furt
heraboutt
heplan.
KingPapi
:Theplanwehadfai
ledmanasa
resul
tyest
erdayIgotapar
cel
f r
om y
our
nephew.
Unknown-whatpar
cel
ist
hat
?
Ki
ngPapi
:Manwoodofmyi
nsi
demanf
rom hi
s
or
gani
zat
ion.
Unknown-y
ounevert
oldmemynephewhas
suchbal
lst
opul
loffsomet
hingl
i
kethat
.
KingPapi:
Idon’tthi
nkit
’shi
m,hist
ooweakf
or
thatIt
hinkit
’shisassoci
ateGhost
.
Unknown-Whydoesi
tseem l
i
ket
hisGhost
scar
esyou?
Mosia:Noman,wecan’
tbefocusi
ngonthat
whenev er
ypl
anwecameupwi thfai
l
ed.We
shoul
dbeworkingonasol
uti
onnotdwellon
whatwas.
Motsoeneng:Annnakebat ladimi
ll
iontse
oret
sepisi
tsetsonaesingmasipaanaleboang
kaona*i Iwantthemill
ionsyoupr
omi sedus
notthi
sshityoutalki
ngabout*
Unknown-Rel
axIal
readyhaveaplanbutam
goingt
oneedyouMosi aandMotsoenengt
o
execut
eit
.
Them:
Wel
i
steni
ng.
Unknown-Mycont actintheroy
alhousetel
l
s
met hatthepr
incessiscomingbackthi
s
evening,
soIsayweki llhert
oni
ght.
Ki
ngPapi
:Ar
eyoust
upi
dorwhat
?
Unknown-Idon’
tappr
eci
atepeopl
ewhocal
lme
st
upid
KingPapi
:Thenexpl
ainhowtheyar
egoi
ngto
kil
lthepr
incesswi
thguardsi
never
ycor
nerof
thatpal
ace?
Unknown-IsaidIhaveaplandidn’tI
?Nowshut
upandletmef ini
sh..
.asIwassay i
ng,Igotmuti
fr
om thewitchdoctorinMoeyaneng..
.hesaid
al
lwehav etodoi sburni
tandleaveitatthe
gateoftheplaceandwaitunt
ilit
’sfi
nished
burni
ngthenputonmaskssot hatyoudon’t
i
nhal
eit
.
Mosi
a:Whatdoesi
tdo?
Unknown-itwil
lmakeev ery
oneinthepalace
fal
lasl
eepandt hatwil
lbeyourchancetokil
l
thepri
ncessinhersleepbysuff
ocati
ngherand
noonewi l
lsuspectathing.
Mot
soeneng:
Oaboaj
wal
e*nowy
out
alki
ng*
Ki
ngPapi
:Whataboutt
hecamer
as?
Unknown-Myassociat
ewilldi
sabl
ethem f
rom
thei
nsidethenputt
hem backonwhenyou
havelef
t.
KingPapi:
Greatpl
an,
butdowehav
etoki
l
lher
?
Imeanshecanmakeusgoodmoneyifwesel
l
heroff.
Unknown-Yeswehav etoherpowersgrowas
shegetsclosert
omaturi
tyandifwedosel l
her
offwewil
l l
osemorethanwegai nbecauseno
mancant ouchher.
KingPapi
:Whatdoy
oumeannomancant
ouch
her?
Unknown-ThebaKoenar ai
nqueencanonlybe
touchedbytheoneshe’spromisedtoandev
ery
othermanthattouchesherwil
ldie.
KingPapi:Damnt hatmeansIwouldhavelost
mysoni fdef
loweredher
.Wecanbl indt
he
ancestorssot hatt
heywon’tseeherand
protecther.
Mosi
a: NotThebaKoenaancest or
s,t
heyare
t
oostrongforthatbecausetheyhave2fal
l
en
r
ainqueensont heirsi
deandtheycontr
olt
he
mostpowerfulforcesofnat
ure.
KingPapi:
Okaythenwesel
lherorgansonce
she’sdeadsothatwecanpr
ofitf
rom thi
s.
Unknown-Youri
ghtbesi
denothi
ngwill
hur
t
Lerumomorethannotevenbury
ingher
daught
er.
Theyl
aughedandcont
inueddr
inki
ngand
f
inal
i
zingt
hei
rpl
an.

Mapul
a:

Ijustarr
ivedattheairportam soti
red.Am wit
h
princeThabisoandhisf ri
end.
..wearewaiti
ng
forthebagsbutt heprinceseemsf arawayin
thoughts.Iwalkuptohi m andtouchedhis
shoulderandhemov edaway .
Mapula:
Am sor
rymypr
inceIdi
dn’
tmeant
o
st
art
leyou.
Thabi
so:Noyoudidn’
t,mandoy oumi nd
bri
ngi
ngmybagst omypl aceIhavetorush
somewhere?*sai
dreferr
ingtohisfr
iend*
-Sur
emannopr
obl
em.
Thabiso:Surewi
llseeyoul
aterman.*i
twasli
ke
hecouldn’twai
ttogetoutofther
e.Iwasso
confusedandabithurt
.Imeanhespent3
weekswi
thmei nCapeTownandassoonas
welandi
nLeSothoit’
sli
kehecan’
tgetaway
f
rom mefastenough*
Mapula:
Thanksagainf
orhelpi
ngmewi
tht
he
bagsandIwil
lseeyouaround.
Lesego:
Notapr
obl
em.
..her
eal
l
yli
kesy
ou
Mapul
a:What
?
Lesego:
Thabi
sohel
i
kesy
oual
ot.
Mapula:
Butt
hat
’snotwhatIsawaf
ewmi
nut
es
ago.
Lesego:
Hisbeengonefor3weeksam sur
e
ther
eissomeemergencyatt
heoffi
ce.
Mapula:
Yeahright
..
.seey
ou*l
eftandmet
Lebooutsi
de*
Mapul
a:Andwher
eismybr
other
?
Lebo:
Hel
lopri
ncessam fi
neandy
our
sel
f*he
sai
dinasar
casti
cvoice*
Mapul
a:Am sor
ry,
howar
eyoudearbr
other
?
Lebo:That
smor
eli
kei
tam f
ineandhowar
e
you?
Mapul
a:Am Okayjustt
ir
ed,
Ijustneedashower
andagoodslumber.
Lebo:Serv
esyouri
ghtf
ortaki
ngalat
efl
ight
andnowwear eonl
ygoingtogett
othepalace
ataround10PM
Mapula:IknowandItookt
hisfli
ghtbecause
Kwezwant edustogoforaspartreat
ment
bef
oreIleftandt
hatt
ookhalfthedaysoIhad
nochoice.
Lebo:OkayLet’
sgo...ohandy
ourbr
otheri
s
busyprepar
ingforcourtt
omorr
ow.
Mapul
a:I
sthatr
ight
?
Lebo:
Yes.

Idi
dn’
tanswerbecauseIknewhewascov
eri
ng
forhim, Tokelojustdoesn’twanttofaceme
afterthephonecal ltheotherday.Anywayt he
dri
v etothepal acewasv erylongthatIended
upf all
ingasleepont heway .Iwaswokenupby
Lebot ell
inghimt hatwehav earri
ved..
.Igotout
oft hecarandt heguardst ookmybags.Mot her
waswai t
ingupf orme.
Queen:
Mypr
incess!OhhowImi
ssedy
ou
Mapul
a:SunsetGr
eet
ingsmot
herandIhav
e
mi
ssedyourcooki
ngtoo
Queen:
huhpr
incessonl
ymycooki
ng?
Mapula:
hahaam onl
yjoki
ngy
ourhighness,
of
cour
seImissedy
ouandwhyar ey
ounotasleep?
Queen:HowcanIsl
eepwhenmypr
incessi
s
st
il
loutther
e
Mapula:
OkaymotherIheary
ou,nowlet
’sgot
o
bedandwewil
lcatchupatsunr
ise.
Wewentupt hestai
rsandwenttoourseparat
e
rooms,Igotinandtookoffmyclot
hes..
.tooka
showerandwentt obed..
.assoonasIlayedmy
headont hepil
lowIdri
ft
edofftosl
eep.
Out
sideoneofthemaidensmadeacal
l
,itr
ang
t
wicebefor
ethepersonpickedup.
Maiden:
She’
sher
eandthel
ight
sinherr
oom
andthewhol
epal
acej
ustwentoff
.
Unknown-OkayIwil
lcally
ouwhenwegett
her
e
toswit
choffthecameras.
Mai
den:
Okay
.

Shedroppedthecall
andwenttoherquar t
ers
tolaydown.Shemusthav ef
all
enasleep
becauseshewaswokenupbyherr i
nging
phone,shecheckedtheti
meont hewatchthat
i
shangingont hewallandi
twasmi dni
ght.She
answeredthecall
.
Unknown:
Swi
tcht
hem of
fnow!
Mai
den:
OkayIwi
l
lcal
lyouwheni
t’
sdone
Unknown:
Good
Shedr oppedthecallandti
ptoedtothecontrol
room andwhenshegott heretheguardonduty
wasasl eepwithhisheadphoneson.Shewas
carefulnott
omakeanoi seandwentt othe
controlsandswitchedoffthecamerasthen
ti
ptoedoutoft heroom toherquart
ers.Shegot
thereandmadeacal l
.
Mai
den:
It’
sdone
Unknown-Gr
eatj
ob
Shedr oppedthecallandlayedonthebad
waiti
ng.OutsideMosi awasatt hepalacegat e
burningthemut iwhi
leMot soenengwasatt he
backoft hepalacedoingthesamet hing.I
t’s
wasdar ksot heguardsdidn’tseet
henand
besidesthepalacegateisqui t
etal
l tomat ch
thebigsurroundingwall
soft hepalace.They
waitedforaf ewmi nutestil
lthemut iwasdone
burningandt heypeakedt oseei ft
heguar ds
werest i
llst
anding,allt
heguar dswer eont he
fl
oorbot hfrom thebackt othefrontofthe
pal
ace.Theygoti ntogetherwiththemy stery
man, theywentt othefrontdoorwhi chwasl eft
openf orthem bythemai denandgoti n.
Unknown-Thispl
aceismor
ebeaut
if
ulinsi
de
thantheout
side,
Ican’
twai
ttol
i
vehere.
Mosi
a:Wai
tti
l
lyouseet
het
hroner
oom.
Unknown-Showmewehav
eti
meandal
lthese
fool
sareasl
eep.
Mosi
a:Comewi
thme

Theywalkedtot
hethr
oneroom wi
tht
he
mysterymanbusyadmir
ingi
t.I
nsi
det
he
pri
ncess’
sroom.
Voi
ce:
Pri
ncess!Pr
incess!
Mapul
a:mmm
Voice:
Wakeupandr
unpr
incessy
ouar
ein
danger
Mapul
a:mmm Okay
Theper sonsawt hatshewasnotwaki ngup
andt hepersonpul l
edheroffthebedandshe
fel
l.Shethengotupandwi t
hherey escl
osed
andwal kedtothecl osetandfellonthefl
oor
andsl ept
.Theper sondroppedclothesont op
ofherandcov eredherwi ththem thencl
osed
theclosetdoorsanddi sappeared.

Youknowwhatt
odo.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t26

Nar
rat
ed
Aft
erthemyst
erymanandMosi afi
nished
admir
ingt
hethroneroom theywentbacktot
he
l
oungewhereMot soenengwas.
Motsoeneng:
Whattooksol
ong?AndIthought
wearedoingthej
obandyouar
estayi
nginthe
car
.
Unknown-Andmisst
hechancet
oseet
he
beaut
yofmypalace?
Mosi
a:hebannanako*heymant
ime*
Unknown-Ri
ght
!Leadt
heway
.
Theywentupt hestair
swi t
heachonegoi ngto
adiff
erentdirect
ionsot hattheycansearchf
or
thepri
ncess’sroom sincenoneoft hem newit
.
Mosiafoundi tandcalledtheothers,
thedoor
wasnotl ockedsot heypushedt hedooropen
andwenti n.Theylookedatt hebedthenat
eachother.
Unknown:
Sear
chf
orhernow!
!!
Theonewentt othebathroom tocheckwhil
e
theotherwenttothewalkinclosetbutheonl
y
sawapal eonclothesonthef l
oor.Themyst
ery
manwaschecki ngunderthebedandbehi nd
thebi
gcur t
ainsofthesli
dingdoorleadi
ngto
thebalcony
.Noneoft hem foundher.
Mosi
a:hoay
omona*She’
snother
e*
Unknown:
Didanyofy
oucheckt
hatr
oom?
Mot soeneng:That’
saclosetwithapil
eof
clot
hesont hefloorandIthinkyouhavefi
real
l
thosemai denswheny oukingtheyarel
azy.
Unknown:
NotnowMot
soeneng!Let
’sgo
Theywentouttheroom,wentdownst air
sand
wentoutthemaindoor.Themy st
eryman
cal
ledthemaident
ocomeout ,shewentt o
wheretheywerest
andingandthemy steryman
askedhertol
eadthewayt oherquart
ers.They
gotther
eandhestartedsear
chingforthe
pr
incesst
her
ebutcoul
dn’
tfi
ndher
.
Unknown:Omof
it
li
lehokae?
*wher
edi
dyou
hi
deher?
Maiden:
Ihol
dnoknowl
edgeofwhaty
ouspeak
of
.
Unknown: Iwi
l
lasky
ouonel
astt
imeandyou
bett
ergivemeananswer
.Wher
edidyouhi
de
thepri
ncess?
Mai
den:
Idi
dn’
thi
det
hepr
incessshe’
sinher
r
oom.
Unknown:
Nowmyownpeopl
eli
etome.
..okay
.
Hetookoutakni f
eandst abbedthemaidenin
herst
omach, tooktheknif
eoutandwi pedi
ton
hercl
othestheninstr
uctedtheother
stofol
low
hi
m.Theyf ol
lowedhim andf el
tthepal
ace.

Thabi
so:
Idon’
tknowwhati
swr
ongwi
thmebutt
he
momentIsetf ootatt heai rportIlostmy
sensesandal l Icouldthinkaboutwas
Boitumel o.Howcoul dl leaveherf ort hi
slong?
Thatwomani smyl if
eandIl oveher .From the
ai
rpor tIdr ov
est rai
ghtt oherpl aceandwhenI
gott here,Isawacaront hedrivewayandi t’
s
nother sorhermot hers.Iwonderwho’ scariti
s,
Igotoutofmi neandwal kedt othedoor .
..but
befor eIknockIhear dlaught ercomi ngf r
om
i
nsideandIcoul dhearaman’ sv oice.Iknocked
andwai ted.Shet ookhert i
met oopen.
Boi
tumel
o:Babe.
..hey
Thabi
so:
CanIcomei
n?
Boit
umel o:
Ohsur e*shemadewayf ormet
o
walkin.Theguywassi tt
ingont
hecouch
dri
nkingwhiskeyandheseemedt oo
comfortabl
eformyl i
king*
Boi
tumelo:
Thabi
sot
hisLesal
aandLesal
athi
s
i
sThabiso.
Lesal
a:Pleasedt
omeetman. .
.wai
tar
eyounot
thepr
inceofbaTloungki
ngdom!
Thabi
so:
YesIam andy
ouar
e?
Lesal
a:TheownerandCEOofMot
aung
const
ruct
ions.
Thabi
so:
AndWhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eMrCEO?
Lesal
a:Ishoul
dbeaski
ngt
hesamet
hing.
Thabi
so:Thi
sismygi
rl
fr
iend’
shousesoIhav
e
ever
ythi
ngri
ghtt
obehere.
Lesal
a: LastIcheckedIwasBoi
tumelo’
s
boyfr
iend.*saidthatget
ti
ngcl
osert
oThabi
so*
Boit
umelo:Enough!
!*sheshouted*y
outwo
shouldst
optalki
ngaboutmel i
keam nother
e.
Them:
Sor
rybabe*t
heysai
datt
hesamet
ime*
Boi
tumelo:Shutupbothofyouandli
stent
o
me*theysatdownliketwonaught
yschool
boys*nowthisiswhati
sgoingtohappen,
you
twoaregoi
ngt osharemeand..
.
Lesal
a:What
?Am notdoi
ngthatbabeam not
shari
ngyouwit
hhi
m oranyone.
Boit
umelo:Whoeverhasaproblem wi
thwhat
am sayi
ngcanleave.
*theysatther
equiet
l
ookingather*nowifnoneofyouareleav
ing
thenwewilldi
scussascheduleofwhogetsto
seemeandwhen.
Thabi
so: SinceIwasher
efi
rstIt
hinkIshoul
d
getfi
rstprefer
ence.
Boit
umelo:Okayt
henwhi
chday
stoy
ouwant
Thabiso?
Thabi
so:
Tuesday
,Fr
idayandSunday
Boit
umel o:Lesalayouwi l
lonlyseemeon
Monday s,Wednesday ’sandSat urdays.
Thursday’saremi neandy oudon’tcomeher e
wheni t
’snoty ourday.Ifyoumi ssyourdayyou
wil
lwaituntilanothertoseeorcont actme.
Thosear eyourday syoupl anthem howy ouli
ke
andofcour seIhav easay .
Them:
Under
stand.
Boit
umelo:
Nowt hatweunderst
andeachot her
Iwouldl
i
kef oryoutoleav
eThabisosince
Lesal
awasher efir
standIwil
lseeyouony our
days.

Istoodupandt ookmycarkey sfr

om thecoffee
tableandBoitumelowalkedmetothedoor.
Kissedherforeheadandleft
.Idi
dn’
tli
kethe
factthatIhavetoshareBoit
umelobutIwil
ll
et
i
tslideandf i
ghtformyqueen.Shewil
lbemi ne
againandmi nealone.

Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t27
Mapul
aPOV

Itunedandmybodyi ssor e..

.whendi dmybed
gett hishar d?Mot herhast obuymeanewone.
Itryt omov ebutitseemsIhav ealotof
blanket sonmeandi t’shot .
..Itri
edr emov i
ng
thebl anketandpeakedmyheadout ,onlyto
realizet hatIhaveapal eofcl othesont opof
me. ..Ilookar oundam i nmycl oset...
howdi dI
gether e?Becauseam sur eIsl eptont hebed.I
standupbutaheadachehi t
smehar dandIf al
l
onmykneesandcl osedmyey eandIsoonasI
dot hatIseebl oodint hepal aceal otofi tand
i
t’satt hest affquarters.Istandupandst art
ed
sayingmyancest ralpraises...Icalloutt he
baKoenawhi legetti
ngoutoft hecloset ,outof
myr oom al lt
hewaydownst airs.Ipasst he
diningr oom andt hequeencal lsmyname, I
don’ tli
st enIconti
nuewal king.Sher unsaf t
er
mef oll
owedbyt heki ng,Iwal kedoutoft he
palaceal
lthewayt othechiefpri
est’
shut,
mi nd
youIam bar efootwearingmyshor tni
ghtdress
wit
hnogown. .
.welli
didn’thaveti
met ol
ookf or
i
t.Igottothehutandt hechiefpr
iestmeetsme
atthedoor.Ihav en’
tstoppedsayingthe
baKoenapr aises.
Mapul
a:Prepar
esomethi
ngt
ocl
eanset
he
pal
aceandmakeitqui
ck.
Chiefpri
est:Myqueen*hebowedhi
sheadand
Ijustwalkedaway.Idon’
thav
eti
mefor
formali
ti
es*
Thekingandqueenar erightbehi
ndbutthey
arenotsayinganyt
hing.
..Iwalkedtothemiddl
e
ofthepalaceyardandcalledouttheguar
ds.
Mapul
a:Guar
ds!
!*t
heycamer
unni
ng*
Them:
Mypr
incess
Mapul
a:Gotot
hemaidensquar
ter
sandsear
ch
eachr
oom t
hencomeandtel
lmewhatyoufi
nd.
Them:
Yesmypr
incess
Mapula:
Bequi
ckaboutit
.*theystar
tedr
unni
ng
al
lthewayt
othemaidensquart
ers*

Allt
histimeaspaci ngupanddownsay ingour
prai
sesandt hisheadacheisgetti
ngstr
onger
andst r
ongerandit’
slikemyheadi sgoi
ngto
expl
ode. .
.Ican’
tevenopenmyey esnowthat’
s
howt err
ibl
eitwas,Ifeelhandsonmy
shouldersandKgomot sowhisper
s.
Kgomotso:Putonyourgownmypri
ncess.*
j
uststr
etchedoutmyarmsandshehelpsme
puti
ton*
Aguar
dcomestousrunni
ngandwhenhegot
t
oushewentononekneeandbowedhi
shead.
.
Mapul
a:Speak!
Guar
d:Mypri
ncesswefoundabodyofoneof
t
hemaidens.
..she’
snomoremypri
ncess.
Ki
ng:
What
?
Guar
d:Yesmyki
ng,
she’
sal
readycol
d.
Queen:OhbathobaKoeneng!Hoet
sahalaeng
moMur eneng?*ohpeopleofboKoena!Whatis
happeni
nginthi
spalace?Shesai
dthatwithher
handsonherhead*
Thechiefpri
estarriv
edwi t
hmor eguards.They
wenttothemai densquarterstomov ethebody
toanotherr
oom. .
.ar oyal
messengerwasal so
senttothehomeoft hemaident osummonher
parent
st ot
hepal aceimmedi at
ely.
Queen:
Howdi
dshemeetherend?
Guar
d:I
tseemsshewasst
abbedy
ourhi
ghness
Ki
ng:
Checkt
hecamer
as
Mapul
a:Youwon’
tfi
ndany
thi
ng.
King:Am notevengoi
ngt
oarguewit
hyou.
..
twoguardsfoll
owmet ot
hecontr
olr
oom*they
foll
owedtheking*
Whentheygott
othecontr
olr
oom t
hecamer
as
wer
eonandwor ki
ng.
.themorni
ngguar
dwas
ondut
y.
Ki
ng:
Showmel
astni
ght
’sf
oot
age
Theguar drewindedthetapesbutt
hefootage
thatisther
eendsbef or
emi dni
ghtandaft
erthat
thereisnothi
nguntil
5AM.
Ki
ng:
Whowast
heguar
dondut
ylastni
ght
?
Guar
d:Thabomyki
ng
King:
Callhim andal
ltheot
herguar
dstothe
meetingroom...y
ou*point
ingataguar
d*run
andcallt
heeldersNOW!

Theguardswentoutrunninggoingtodowhat
theywer
etold.Outsi
det hechi
efpri
estwas
busycl
eansi
ngt hepalacewithmuti
.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Myqueen,
it’
sal
ldonebutweneed
toslaught
erasheept
ocompl
etel
ywashoft
he
blood.
Mapula:ThatwillbeorganizedandIwant2
sheepsonef orcleansi
ngthepalaceandonet
o
complet
et heprince’scl
eansing.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Myqueen*bowi
nghi
shead*
Queen:Myblossom l
et’
sgoi
nsi
desot
haty
ou
cantakeabath.
Mapul
a:Okaymot
herIwi
l
lgo.
Queen:Iwil
laskt
hecookt
omakey
ou
somethingt
oeat.
Mapul
a:Myt hanksmotherbutam notal
l
owed
t
oeatunti
lthecleansi
ngisdone.
Queen:Okaymyblossom,
gobat
handputon
somethi
ngdecent
.
Mapula:Al
ri
ghtmother.
.pl
easecal
lTokelot
o
comehomenowbecauseIwanthi m herewhen
thecl
eansi
ngtakesplace.
Queen:
Iwi
l
ldot
hatnowmybl
ossom gobat
h.
Mapul
a:Myt
hanksmot
her
.

Iwentupst airstotakeabat h.
..am drai
nedbut
theheadachei sbet t
ernow.Ijustarri
vedand
alr
eadyt her
ear eproblemsint hi
spalace.I
t ’
s
l
ikethesepr oblemswai tunti
lam homet hen
everyt
hinggoeswr ongallatonce.IhopethatI
will
gettoenj oymyhol idaybecausenexty ear
therei
snor estf orme, metr
icisnochi l
d’
spl ay
.
Inthemeet i
ngroom t
heel
ders,chi
efpri
estand
thekingarether
ewaiti
ngforal
ltheguardsto
comei n.Theyfi
nal
lydi
dandthekingstart
ed
themeet i
ng.
King:Sunr
isegr
eetingsmypeopl
e..
.Iam sur
e
thatall
ofyouarewonderi
ngwhyIcalledyou
hereatsuchshortnoti
ce.
Mosia:
Eamor
enakeng?
*yesmyki
ngwhati
s
i
t?*
El
der:Mosiayouhav ebeenanel
deri
nthis
ki
ngdom foryearsandyouknowbett
erthant
o
i
nter
ruptyourkingwhil
espeaki
ng.
Motsoeneng:Ketl
alaf
elaar
eajaj
wal
e
ar
emonat ehantl
e*it’
shungerwedi
dn’
teatso
wearenotokay *
King:
Iunderst
andmyel
der
sbutIwouldli
ke
youtogi
vemeachancetospeaksothatwe
cangetoutofher
e.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Cont
inuemyki
ng.
King:
Right
!Ical
ledyouhearbecausewewoke
uptooneofourmaidensdeadbodyandwhatI
wantyoutohelpmeaskt heseguardsinfr
ont
ofyouwheretheywerewhenal l
thi
shappened
andwhathappenedtothefootageoflastni
ght
?

Theguar dslookedateachother
,al
lscar
edof
thekingsreacti
onwhenhef i
ndsoutthatthey
fel
lasleeplastnightandwor
stofal
lonthe
f
loorandnotknowi
nghowi
thappened.
Mosi
a:Guardsy
ouheadt
heki
ngpl
easeanswer
f
oryour
selv
es.
Tony :*contr
ol r
oom guard*myki ngandel ders,
Iam onl ygoingtosaywhatIsawt hismor ni
ng..
.
whenIwoket ogoreli
evethenightguar dinthe
controlroom Isawtheot herguardsont hef l
oor
sleepingandIwentar oundandwoket hem up.
Theywer edirt
yandont hefloorbutdidn’tknow
howt hathappened.Ialsowentt ot hecontrol
room andsawt hesamet hingwitht heguard
there.
Ki
ng:
Sononeofy
ouknowwhathappened?
Them:
Nomyki
ng.
Ki
ng:
Youhear
dthem el
der
s.
El
der:
Isaywelett
hem gowhil
ewecontinuet
o
i
nvest
igat
ethematt
er.
*theyal
lnoddedi
n
agr
eement.*
Ki
ng:
Okayt
henmeet
ingadj
our
ned.
Theyall
wentt
hei
rsepar
atewaysandtheking
wenttomai
nhouseandfoundthepr
incessand
hi
squeenseat
edinthel
ounge.
Mapula:Fat
herpl
easedon’
ttr
ustanyoneiny
our
counci
landalsot
heguardsdi
dn’tdothi
s.
Ki
ng:
Doy
ouknowwhodi
ditmypr
incess.
Mapula:Thepersondoesnotresi
dei
nthe
palacebutIal
sofeelli
kehehasaconnect
iont
o
thepalaceandastrongone.
Ki
ng:
That
’sconf
usi
ng.
Theyconti
nuediscussi
ngt
ryi
ngtof
igur
eout
whatexact
lyhappenedwhenTokel
oenter
ed.
Tokel
o:Theki
ng,
queenandpr
incessoft
he
l
and.
Ki
ng:
Greet
ingsmypr
ince,
howar
eyou?
Tokel
o:Ver
ywel
lFat
herandhowar
eyou?
King:
Wearetr
yingsonbutchall
engessuchas
thi
sonear
ereal
lydepressi
ng.
Tokel
o:Icanimagi
nethestr
essFather
.Ist
her
e
anyt
hingtheki
ngneedsassi
stancewit
h.
King:
Yes,assi
stt
hemenoutt
her
et ochoose
andslaught
ert
wosheepsf
ort
hecleansi
ng.
Tokel
o:l
etmegochanget
hen.
Mapula:
Bef
oret
hatdearbr
other
,mayIspeak
wi
thforamomentoutsi
de?
Tokel
o:Maybewhenam donewi
thmydut
ies
pri
ncess.
Mapul
a:NowTokel
o!
Tokel
o:Younotev
encrownedqueeny
etbut
youal
readygi
vi
ngorder
s.
Queen:
Stopi
tyout
wo!
King:Mypr i
nceshedoesn’tneedacr ownt o
gi
v eordersbutpr
incessyoust i
ll
youngt r
yto
speakwi t
hrespectwhenaddr essi
ngy our
el
ders,Tokel
oist
hefutur
ekingofthi
ski
ngdom
andhedeservesr
espectespeci
all
yfr
om t
he
pri
ncess.
Mapul
a:Iunder
standfat
herbutbr
otherwhatI
hav
etosaycan’twait
.
Tokel
o:OkayLet
’sgot
othegar
den.
Wewalkedtot
hegar denandIwasfol
l
ow
behi
ndhim.MyheartwasheavyandIcanst
il
l
seebl
oodonmybr other
shands.
Mapula:BrotherIknowwhaty oudi dandIsee
bloodony ourhands.Nowt hechiefpr i
estis
goingtocleanseyoubutIdon’ twantt oever
seebloodony ourhands.Asf athersaidyouar e
thefutur
ekingandwhaty ouar edoingwi llonly
bringbadlucktothekingdom andy ourpeopl e.I
knowam y oungandal lbutam st il
lyourqueen
chosentopr ot
ectthiskingdom andy ouwill
l
istentome.
Tokel
o:Iunder
standmyqueenandIwi
l
ldoas
t
hequeeni
nst
ruct
ed.
Mapula: Mythanksbr ot
her.Youwillal
sohave
toconfesswhaty ouhav ebeenupt o,toyour
kingbuty oucandot hatony ourowntimebut
notaftermymat uri
tybecauseIwi l
lbef or
cedto
reveal
secr et
sthatarenotmi netoreveal.
Tokel
o:Iunder
standmyqueen.

Ilef
thimther
eandwentbacktothepalace.Am
real
lyangr
yatmybr
otherforwhatheisdoing.

Nowthereasonfort
hesheepisthatt
heSotho
peopl
eusesheepforal
lthei
rri
tual
sandcows
whenit
’sr
equir
ed.

Youknowwhatt
odo.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t28

Ki
ngLet
siPOV

It
’sbeenamont hsi nceThabi socamebackand
henev ersetf ootint hepal ace.Henev ercalled
orev ensentwor dtous.Mypr i
ncehasal way s
beenawel lbehav edy oungman, yeshenaught y
j
ustl i
keanyot herchild, drankalcohol j
ustli
ke
anyboyatt hatagewoul ddoexper i
ment i
ng
witht hingstry i
ngt of i
gur eoutwhatwor ksf or
youandwhatdoesn’ t.Hesneakedi ngi r
lsint he
palacej ustlikeanyot herboybutt hroughall
thatheal way sli
stenedwhenwespoket ohim
andchangedhi sway s.Hegr ewupt obeagr eat
youngman, busi nessmanandsont ous.He
didn’tev enfightmewhenIt ol
dhim aboutt he
arrangedmar ri
age, allhesai dwas‘ Inewt hi s
daywillcomeFat herandIam pr epar edt odo
whatisexpect edofmeast hepr inceoft his
l
and’butnowmysondoesn’ tevencomehome
orcal
lusj usttof i
ndouthowwear edoi ng.All
thi
siskill
ingmywi femor ethani tbot her sme,
hedoesn’tansweranycal lsfrom hi sf ami ly
member snotev enfrom hissister .Talking
aboutthatone, she’shomef orthehol idaysand
am hopingshewi ll
getthrought oherbr other
whenshegoest oseehi mt omor row.Ihopeshe
doesbecauseIdon’ tli
kewhathasbecomeof
myqueen. ..
she’sashadowofher selfandt here
i
snothingIcandoabouti t.Inallthosey ear sof
marri
ageIhav enev erf
ail
edt omakemyqueen
happyorev enputasmi leonherf acebutnow
myseedi shur ti
ngherandIf eel hopel ess.Iget
i
ntothehouseandIseemyqueenwat chingtv
orshal
l Isaythet vwatchingherbecauseshe
wasdef i
nitel
ynotconcent ratingonwhat ever
wason.
KingLetsi
:Myqueenpl
easedon’
thur
tyoursel
f
l
ikethisLesegosai
dhewasokayandhis
healt
hy.
Queen:IknowwhathesaidLet
sibutIwantt
o
seehim mysel
f*shest
art
edgetti
ngtear
yeyed*
KingLetsi
:Okaythenmyqueenhowaboutwe
sendthepr i
ncesstherenowtoseewhathi
s
reacti
onwillbethentakeitf
rom t
her
e.
Queen:Cal
lhermykingshe’
sst
il
li
ntowndoing
hershoppi
ng*shel
ookedatmewithey
esful
lof
hope*
KingLet
si:
Okayl etmedothatnow*Imadea
callt
otheprincessandl
ucki
lyshewassti
l
lat
thecapi
talbutwasabouttoleave.
*

Tokel
o:

Thi
shasgott
obet
hel
ongestdayev
er.Ineed
somet hingtoeatt henheadhome.Iwentt othe
mallandIsawt hemostbeaut ifulwomanIhav e
everseen.Ourey esmetandweshar eda
moment ..
.shewasdi sturbedbysomet hi
ngand
shereachedf orherbagandt ookoutherphone
andspokef oraf ewmi nut esandal lthistime
am wat chingher .Itwasl ikeshewasdoi ng
somet hingthatwasnev erdonebef ore, t
heway
shehel dthephoneandt hewayshemov edher
l
ipswhi leshewast al
kingwasj ustar t.Ihav e
neverbeenagi r l
fri
endper sonbecauseofmy
l
ineofwor k,Inev erwant edt ocommi tandput
someone’ schi l
datr i
skbutwi thher,Iwi l
l not
evendat eherIwoul dwi f
eherr ightaway .I
wonderi fshewoul dgi vemet het i
meofday ..
.
waitwhyam Isuddenl yi nsecure?..
.meTokel o
thepri
nceoft hemostr espectedki ngdom i n
LeSothomadei nsecur ebyawoman.Imean
am oneoft het op3bestl awy ersinthecount ry
andIrunt hemostsuccessf ul l
awf ir
m and
othercompani esaswel l.Whatdoet hi sgirl
havet
hatissospeci al
?Ilookuptothe
di
rect
ionshewasst andinginbutshewasno
l
ongerther
e...shi
tIgotlosti
nmyt hought
sand
l
osther.Imightaswellgetfedandheadhome.

Thabi
so:

BoitumeloandIwer estil
l goingst rongbutt his
arrangementwehav edoesnotsi twel lwithme
butIwon’ tl
etthatMot aungguyt akewhat ’
s
mine.Ihav ebeendoi ngr esearchonhi mt rying
tof i
nddirtonhimt ouseatmyadv antagebutI
cameupwi thnothing.ThenIr eali
zedt hatthis
i
snotmyar eaofexper t
isesoahi redapr ivate
i
nv esti
gatortofol
lowhi m ar oundanddi ginhis
backy ardbuthecameoutempt yhanded.The
secondoneaswel l cameupempt yhanded,
thatmademet hinkt hattheyar eonhi spay rol
l
soIst oppedusingt hem.Lesegot ell
st hatam
l
oosingitbuthedoesn’ tunderst
andt hatlov
e
canmakey oudocr azythi
ngs.Thingsy ounever
i
magi nedy ouwouldf i
ndyourselfdoi
ngandam
doingthem formyl ove.Boit
umel oohmy
Tumi!..
.Iam busycat chi
nguponwor ksince
everyonehasbeencompl ai
ningaboutme
droppingtheballbutam justtoobusy .
..
ther
eis
aknockont hedoorandIgotupandopened.
Thabi
so:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Pr
incess:
NoHel
l
o,nohugnonot
hing?
Thabi
so:
Stopwast
ingmyt
imeandt
ell
mewhat
youwant
.
Pr
incess:
Icamet
ovi
sitmybr
other
Thabi
so:
DidIi
nvi
tey
ou?
Pr
incess:
NobutImi
ssedy
ou
Thabiso:
whenIdi
dn’tanswery ourcal
l
swas
becauseIdi
dn’
twanttobebot heredandnow
youcomehere.Whatdoy outhinkchanged?
Pri
ncess:Wel
lam notgoi
nganywher
esodeal
wit
hit*shepushedmeasideandgotin.
.I
swearthi
sgir
list
esti
ngme*
Thabi
so:
Whoi
nvi
tedy
oui
n?
Pr
incess.
..
*qui
et*
Thabi
so:
Am t
alki
ngt
oyou
Pr
incess*qui
et*

Mybl oodboil
ed,whodoesshet hi
nksheis
comingtomyhouseuni nvit
edandont opof
thatshedisr
espectme?Iwal kedt
oherand
grabbedherarmr oughl
y.
Thabi
so:
Isai
dgetoutofmyhouse
Pr
incess:
AndIsai
dam notl
eav
ing
Iwishshedidn’tsayt
hatbecauseIfound
myselfbeat
ingherup,shewasont hefloor
cry
ingandbeggi ngmetostopbutitwasl i
ke
shewasaddi ngfuelt
othefi
re.If
eltli
keam
bei
ngpul ledbackandi lookedback.
..itwasthe
guardshol dingmeandal ookedont herefl
oor
andmysi sterwaslayi
ngthereli
fel
ess.Her
bodycov eredinblood.
..No!no!no!Whathav eI
done..
.Iwentdownonmyknees. .
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t:29

Boi
tumel
oPOV

I
t ’
sThursdayandmydayt or el
axwithoutaman
nexttome.ButImustSayi l
ikethecompet i
ti
on
betweent heset
wo. .
.eachonewant st odo
mor ethantheother,t
hegiftsIhavebeen
getti
ngareamazi ngandexpensi vetoo.My
phoner i
ngsandIr eachforitfr
om thecoffee
tableandcheckwho’ scall
ing.
Boi
tumel
o:Thabi
soi
snother
e
Lesego:
Whatt
hehel
ldi
dyoudot
ohi
m!
Boi
tumel
o:hey
,heyheyjustbecausehi
snot
her
edoesn’
tmeanIdidsomet hi
ngtohi
m.
Lesego:
Iknowhi
snott
her
ebutIwantt
oknow
whatyoudidt
ohi
m.
Boi
tumel
o:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutLesego?
Lesego:Am t
alki
ngaboutt heobsessi
onhehas
overyou,t
hefactthathedoesn’tgohomeand
thefactt
hathebeathissistert
oapalp..
Boi
tumel
o:What
?Thabi
sowi
llnev
erl
ayahand
onRenei
l
weandyouknowi
t.
Lesego:Thatwasbefor
eyoumadeafoolof
hi
m anddat edanot
herguyt
henmadehim
shareyouwi t
hhim.
Boit
umel
o:Whathappensi
nmyr
elat
ionshi
pis
noneofy
ourbusi
ness.
Lesego:
It’
smybusi
nessi
fiti
nvol
vesThabi
so
becauseIam hisfr
iendandpr ot
ectorbuty
ou
deci
dedtobrainwashhi m andgethimisol
ated
fr
om every
onei ncl
udinghisfamil
y.
Boi
tumelo:
Ididn’
tfor
cehimtodoanyt
hingand
youcan’
tblamemef orhi
sact
ions.
Lesego:Wai
tunt
ilhebeat
syouupthenmay
be
youwill
knowwhot obl
ame*hungup*

Thiscan’tbegood, Thabisoi sagoodmannota

womanbeat erespecial
lynothi ssist
er,helov es
andr espect
shert oomucht odot hat.What
couldhav ehappened? .
..coulditbe..
noi tcan’t,
couldit?OhmyIneedmot hertoexplainaf ew
thi
ngt ome, Itookmycarkey sandheadt ot he
door,lwentoutandl ockedbehi ndmet hengot
thecaroutanddr ov eoff.Whi l
edrivi
ngt omy
mot hershouseLesego’ swor dsareringingin
myhead’ waitunt
ilhebeat syouupmay bey ou
wil
lknowwhot oblame’ noIcan’tbet oblame
forthi
s,motherneversai
dany
thi
ngabouti
t
beingdangerous.
Igottomymot her
shousewentoutt hecarand
walkedtothedoorandknocked.Sheopened
andinvi
tedmein.
Bmother:Thabi
somustbekeepi
ngy
oubusy
becauseIhardl
yseey
ou.
Boi
tumel
o:Yeshehas
Bmot
her
:Sowheni
stheweddi
ng?
Boi
tumel
o:Wehav
en’
ttal
kedabouti
tmot
her
.
Bmother:
Whatar
ey ouwait
ingf
ornana
becauseti
mei
srunningout
?
Boi
tumelo:Mot
hercanwenottal
kaboutthat
now?Icamehereforsomet
hingel
se,
please
l
et’
sstar
tther
e.
Bmot
her
:Sot
alk
Boit
umelo:
Mot
hercoul
dWhaty
ougav
emebe
danger
ous?
Bmother:
Itdependswhaty
oumeanby
danger
ous
Boit
umelo:
Imeanaggr
essi
veandendup
beati
ngsomeone.
Bmot
her
:Di
dThabi
sobesty
ou?
Boi
tumel
o:Nomot herbuthedi
dbeathi
ssi
ster
upandIhearShe’
snotinagoodcondi
ti
on.
Bmother:
Didyouuset
hemut
ithewayI
i
nst
ructedyouto?
Boi
tumel
o:Yesmot
herIdi
d.
Bmother:Thenther
eshoul
dbenoprobl
em, hi
s
si
stermighthavedonesomet
hingt
oreal
ly
upsethi
ml i
kethat.
Boit
umelo:That
sarel
i
ef.Motherwhydi
dn’
tyou
tel
lmethatthi
sthi
ngworksonallmen?
Bmother:I
tdoeswhi chiswhyImadey outhat
potunderyourbedsot hatt
heonethatis
meantforneverleav
esy oursi
deandalways
st
ayconnect
edt
oyou.
Boi
tumel
o:ohIunder
standnowandam happy
wit
hther
esul
tsespeci
all
ynowthatIhav
etwo
menwholoveandsupportme.
Bmot
her
:Boi
tumel
o!Whatdoy
oumeant
wo
men?
Boitumelo:WellwhenIsawwhateff
ectithad
onmenIdeci dedtot
rymyluckonmyv arsi
ty
crushandi tworkedl
ikeachar
m nowheand
Thabisoareshar i
ngmeandevenhavea
schedule.*smi l
i
ng*
Bmother
:BOI
TUMELO!!Soy
ouar
ethecauseof
Thabi
so’
saggr
essi
on?
Boit
umel
o:Howam It
hecoursewhenyouj
ust
tol
dmethatt
hemutii
snotdanger
ous?
Bmother
: Yousost
upidsomet
imesandI
wonderwhyIpaidsomuchmoneyforyout
o
st
udyifyousti
ll
goingtor
emai
nanidiot
.
Boi
tumel
o:Motherst
opinsult
ingmeandt
ell
mehowam thecauseofthis.
Bmot her:WellMissTeacher
*shesai
d
sarcasti
call
y*Thatmut i
wasmeantforone
persononlyandt hatper
sonwasThabiso,
whichiswhyIbi ndedthetwoofyoubutwhen
yougotinv ol
vedwithsomeoneelseyou
changedhowi twassupposedtowork.
Boi
tumel
o:ButHowMot
her
?
Bmother
:Wellnowit’
snol ongergoi
ngtomake
himthepuppythati
sjustgoingtofol
lowy
our
rul
esandnotaskquestions.
Boi
tumel
o:Howi
shegoi
ngt
obet
hen?
Bmother:
Nowhedespi
sesany
thi
ngl
oveand
af
fect
ion.
Boi
tumel
o:Buthel
ovesme
Bmother
:Nohedoesn’
thi
sjustobsessedwi
th
yousi
ncehecan’
tgety
ouforhimselfashewas
supposedt owhenIbi ndedy ou.Hisnowangry
andver ydangerous..
.Hecan’ tcontr
olhi
mself
whenhi sangr yhedestr
oy sandr egr
etsl
ater
whent hatdamagei salreadydone.Ast i
me
goesonspi ll
ingbloodwi l
lbet heonl
ythi
ngthat
cal
mshi m downandam af r
aidy oual
sonot
safe.
Boi
tumel
o:HowcanInotbesaf
ewhenam t
he
onewhousedt
hisonhi
m?
Bmot her
:Yesy out heonewhousedt hisonhim
andy oualsotheonewhochangedhowi twas
supposedt owor k.Alsot
hef actt
hatheisnot
theoneIncont rolwhenthishappensmeans
thathecanhur tyouandonl yreal
izel
aterwhen
i
talreadydone.
Boi
tumelo:ThenIwil
lj
ustst
ayawayf
rom hi
m
toprot
ectmy sel
f.
Bmot
her
:Youcan’
tbecauseoneofy
ouwi
l
ldi
e.
Boi
tumel
o:Why
?
Bmother
:Didyounotli
stent
oawordIsai
d?I
bi
ndedyoutwoandonecan’tli
vef
orl
ong
wi
thoutseei
ngtheother
!
Boi
tumel
o:Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?
Bmot her:Wer
en’
tyoutheonet hatsaidyou
wantedt obewit
hhimt henwhenIhel pyoudo
thatyougoaroundlookingforothermen?You
creat
et hi
smessandy oushoul dhavejustt
old
met ohelpyougetthi
sot herboyyouseeing.
Boit
umelo:Mot
herhowcanyouputmyl
if
ein
dangerl
iket
hati
fyouknewt
hatthi
swoul
d
happen?
Bmother
:GetourofmyhouseBoi
tumel
oyouso
ungr
atef
ul
Boi
tumel
o:ButMot
her
..
.
Bmother
:Don’tButMothermeBoi
tumel
oget
out
!Ontl
waelahampemxm *y oumessi
ngwi
th
me,shecli
ckedhertongue*
Ist
oodupandt
ookmykey
s.
Bmother:Oskagot
lamonaAndolahle
moshemnewaneorThabi sootl
alebol
ayo
bobedibal
ona!*Andleavet
hatboyorThabi
so
wil
lki
ll
y ouboth!
*sheshout
ed.

Whatam Igoi ngtodonow?Ican’ tbewi th

someonewhomi ghtbeatmeupandnotev en
knowhowhedi di tafter
.ButIalsocan’ tl
ive
him becauseIdon’ twanttodie..
.Ialsodon’ t
wantt olooseLesal a,
Ilovehim andi fIknewI
couldgethimt henIwoul dhav eusedt hemut i
onhim andnotThabi so.WaitIdidn’task
motherwhatwi llhappeni fIdestr
oyt hepotlet
mecal lher.
Boit
umelo:
Mot
herWhatwi
l
lhappeni
fIdest
roy
thepot
?
Bmother:
Thenyouwill
bothgomadbecause
youarebi
nded*shehungup*
Thiscan’
tbehappening,whatam Isupposedt o
donow. .
.ohIgotit
,Icanbeni cetohim and
makesur eIdon’
tmakehi m angry
...
Icanalso
tel
lhi
mt hathecancomeany ti
mehewant st
o.
Yesthatwil
lwork*smi l
es*

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL:

ThebaTloungkingandhisqueenwal kintot
he
hospit
alaf
terbeingcal
l
edbyt heguar ds
i
nformingthem ofwhattranspired.Thabi
so
wasnotinsightashedidn’tgowi t
htheguards
tothehospit
alwhentheambul ancetook
Reneil
we.Hejustaskedhishousehel ptocl
ean
themessthenwentt ohisstudy .
Theguardsstandi
mmedi
atel
yaft
erseeingthe
ki
ngandqueen.Theywal
kedtowherethey
werest
anding.
Queen:
Howi
sshe?How’
smypr
incess?
Guar
d:Wedon’
tknowmyqueen.
Queen:
WHATDOYOUMEANYOUDONT
KNOW?*sheshout
ed*
Ki
ng:Cal
m downmyqueenam surethedoct
or
di
dn’
tupdat
ethem becauset
heyar
enotfamil
y.
Queen:
Thengocal
lthedoct
ornow!
Anur
sewhohear
dthecommot
ioncamet
o
t
hem.
Nur
se:
Yourmaj
est
ies*bowedherhead*
Queen:Getthedoct
orherenowwewantan
updat
eont hepri
ncess’
scondi
ti
on.
Nurse:Iftheki
ngandqueenwoul
dn’
tmind
comingwi thmet ot
hepri
vat
ewai
troom and
waitforthedoctort
her
e.
King:Justgi
veusthedi
rect
ionst
othepr
ivat
e
waiti
ngareaandyoucangogetthedoct
orfor
us.
Nur
se:
Yesmyki
ng*shegav
ethem di
rect
ions
t
henwentt
olookf
ort
hedoct
or*
Aft
erwai
ti
ngforaf
ewmi nutest
hedoct
orcame
i
nandtheyimmedi
atel
ystoodup.
Doct
or:
Myki
ngandqueen*bowi
ng*
Ki
ng:Yesdoct
or,
cany
out
ell
ushowt
he
pr
incessi
sdoi
ng?
Doct
or:
Notgoodmyki ngbutshewi
lll
i
ve.She
has3brokenr
ibsandaconcussi
on.
Queen:Ohgodsofourancest
orsmydaught
er,
myprincess*shecr
ied*
Ki
ng:
Howl
ongwi
l
lyoukeepherher
edoct
or?
Doct
or:
Thatwil
ldependonherheal
i
ngpr
ocess
buti
tmayberoughl
y2-3weeks.
Ki
ng:
Okay
,Mayweseeher
?
Doct
or:
Ofcour
secomet
hisway
.
Theywentoutwi
ththedoct
ort
ot hepr
incess’
s
wardandwhentheygoti
nthequeencouldn’
t
contr
olthet
earsstr
eamingdownhercheeks.
Reneil
we’sf
acewasswol l
enandhereyes
l
ookedl i
ket
heycouldn’
tevenopeneveni
fshe
tr
iedtoopenthem.Herarmisbandagedand
herheadaswell.
Queen: Ohmypr incess,am sosor rymybaby
forsendi ngyouintot heli
onsdan.Iwasso
focusedonget ti
ngy ourbrotherhomet hatI
neglectedt oassesst hesit
uat i
onbefore
sendingy outher
e.Pleasef orgi
v ememy
princess* shewascr y i
nghol di
ngherhand*the
kingbr ushedherbackcomf ort
ingher
.
Doct
or:*cleari
nghisthroat
*It
hinkweshoul
d
l
etherrestfornowandy oucancomeseeher
agai
nintheaf t
ernoon.
Theywalkedoutoftheroom anddrovetoone
ofthei
rproper
ti
esinthecapit
altheoneLesego
st
ay si
n.Theywerenowsi t
ti
nginthelounge.
Queen:
Myki
ngpl
easecal
lthepal
aceandget
t
hechi
efpr
iestheresothatwecansor
toutt
his
i
ssuewi
thThabisoonceandforal
l.
King:Youri
ghtthi
shasbeengoi ngonforf
ar
toolong*t
hekingcall
edthepalaceandoneof
themaidensanswersthelandl
i
ne*
Maiden:BaTl
oungpal
acehowmayIbeof
assi
stance?
Ki
ng:
Mai
den,
Mai
den:
Yourhi
ghness
Ki
ng:Pl
easegocal
lthechief
spri
estandt
ell
hi
m Iwantt
otal
ktohim atonce.
Maiden:
Rightawaymyki
ngholdon*t
heki
ng
wai
tedforafewminut
esthent
henphonewas
pi
ckedup*
Chiefpr
iest
:Ihav
ebeenwait
ingfort
hisf
or
weeksnowandt her
eisnot
hingIcandothe
godsarequiet
.
Ki
ng:
Ify
ouknewaboutt
hist
henwhydi
dn’
tyou
war
nus?
Chiefpr
iest
:Iwasn’
tal
lowedt
o,thegodssai
d
youwill
knowwhent heti
meisri
ght.
Ki
ng:
NowIknow,
sowhatdowedo?
Chiefpr
iest:
Allt
heyareshowingmeissome
ki
ngdom, itl
ookspoorbutthepeopl
eseem
happy.
King:
Whi
chki
ngdom i
sitsot
hatIcangot
her
e
now?
Chiefpr
iest
:Idon’
tknowbecausei
twasnot
rev
ealedtome.*hehungup*
Ki
ng:
Hel
l
o..
.hel
l
o..hehungup.
Queen:
Whatdi
dhesay
?
Ki
ng:
Thatt
hegodsarequi
etandal
ltheyr
eveal
i
ssomepoorsmal
lki
ngdom wit
hhappypeopl
e.
Queen:Maybet
hati
swer
ewewi l
lfi
ndhel
pfor
t
heprince.Doy
ouknowt
hiski
ngdom?
Ki
ng:
Nobecauseal ltheki
ngdomsar oundher
e
ar
ewellof
f,theymightnotbethatr
ichbythey
ar
edefi
nit
elynotpoor.
Queen:Ohmygod,howwi l
lwefi
ndhel pfort
he
pri
nceandwhyhavethegodsf orsakenus?*
shecri
ed*mysonisloosinghi
smi ndandmy
pri
ncessi
sinhospi
talandwear etoldabout
somekingdom wedon’tknow*shecr i
eseven
more*
Theki
ngdoesn’
tsayany
thi
nghej
ustcomf
ort
s
hi
squeen.

Seey
ouagai
natsunset
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t30

Mapul
aPOV
It
’sbeen3weeks, holiday swer eov erandIwas
backinCapeTownandst art
edmygr ade12
andithasbeenexci ti
ngsof arbutt hewor kload
i
st oomuch.Lucki lyKwezi andIhav etutorsand
theystartedtutori
ngust hefirstdayschool
opened.Ev eryt
hingisgoi ngwel l
formeandI
enjoyedmyhol idaybackhomebutev ersince
thi
sy earstart
edIf eellikeadi ff
erentper son.I
havebeenhav i
ngt hesedr eamsaboutt he
pri
nceofbaTl oungandIal way sseeacl aypot
undersomebedandwhenIl ookclosel yatithi
s
faceappear sinthatblackwat erthatisi nthe
pot,t
henIwakeup. .
.whatbot hersmei sthe
factt
hathenev ercont actedmeev ersi ncewe
gottoLesegobacki nDecemberandt hewhol e
DecemberIdi dseeorhearf rom him. .
.sohow
doIcont acthim andt alktohi m aboutt his
dream Ihav ebeenhav i
ng?Andt her eisanother
dream ofanol dwomannott oool dmay be
aboutt heqeeensage, thiswomani salway s
wear ingacl oakandi ssur r
oundedbyot her s
andt heyal way sbowf orherwhensheent ers
thiscav eli
kepl ace.Thenwhenshet akesher
seatt hosev oicesIhearst artandt heyal way s
sayt hesamet hing‘inherbl i
ndnessshehast o
best opped’ Idon’ tev enknowwhati tmeans.I
don’tknowwhosebl i
ndnesst heyar etalking
aboutandaf tert heset wodr eam oneaf terthe
otherIwakeup.Atf i
rstIwasscar edandI
woul dspendmyni ghtwat chingmov i
esor
l
isteningt omusi corst udying, Iwoul ddot his
j
ustsoThatIwoul dn’tfallasleep.Iasked
mot hertoaskt hechi efpr i
estaboutt hedr eam
butshet ol
dmehesai d’tellthequeent ouse
herpower sshedoesn’ tneedme’ Iknowr i
ght !
LikeIwoul dbeaski ngf orhi shel pifIknewhow
touset hesesocal ledpower s.Sot hesedr eams
hav ebecomeanor mf ormenowandIsl eep
throught hen,theyar esomesor toflullabyf or
menow.Butt hepr ince’sonei sbot heringme
andIcan’ thelpbutt hi
nkheneedsmyhel pbutI
alsofeel likeifher eall
yneededmyhel phe
woul dr eachoutt ome.Kwezi andLesegohav e
beengoi ngst rongandam happyf ort hem.They
makesuchagr eatcoupl eandt heyar egoal sI
telly
ou.Theyar et hekindofcoupl epeopl eenv y
andt heki ndpeopl ewoul daskf orrelationship
adv i
cef rom.Speaki ngofKwezi shedead
asleepnextt ome, wewer est udyingbutshef ell
asleephal fwayt hroughandmyf riendl ovesher
beaut ysleep.It oldheraboutmymat ur it
y
ceremonyandshesai dshewant st obeont he
program andwhenIaskwhatshewi l
l bedoi ng,
shekeepssay ingt hatIwi l
l seeont heday .
Speaki ngaboutmycer emonyam al way shav i
ng
dreamsorshal lIsayv isionsofhowi t’
sgoi ngt o
bel i
keorhowi tshoul dbedone. ..Idon’ tknow
reall
ywhi chonei swhi chbutt hisiswhatIsee. .
.
remembert hechi efspriestsai ditmustgoon
for3day s?...Wel linmydr eamsorv i
si onsI
spend4day si nt hatr i
verandcomeouti nday5.
Scaryr ight?Whost ayedunderwat erf ort hat
l
ongandnotdi eandbecomef oodf orwhat ever
creaturest hatl i
veint here?Noone!Soam
probabl ygoingt odiet hereandi fitwer eupt o
meIwoul dhav enev ercamebackher eand
spendasmucht imeasIcanwi thmyf ami ly
becauset hismi ghtbemyl asty earwi tht hem.
Nowbackt ot hecer emonysoi nt hisv ision, al
l
thi
st i
meIspendunderwat eram al way swi th3
oldwomennott hatoldbutt heyseem ol der
thant hequeen.Soeachoft hesewomenhav e
analligatoral way sf ol
lowingt hem ar oundand
whent heysi ttheyar er i
ghtt her enextt othem.
Thent her eist hisbigoneal sot hati st herebut
i
tdoesn’ tmov earoundwi tht hewomeni t
alway ssi t
sinonepl ace..
.hahaIt hinki t’
sl azy
thatone.Al l thiswasscar yf ormet hef i
rstt i
me
i
thappenedsomucht hatIwascr yingaski ng
thosewoment ot akemehomebutt heykept
tel
li
ngmet hatIhome.Thatmademecr yev en
mor ebecausemyhomehasnoal l
igat ors
exceptt heonesi nthesecreter i
versot heytook
myhandsandIwokeupwi thmycl ot
heswet
l
ikewasr ainedonandt earsi nmyey es.St r
ange
ri
ght?SoIdon’ tknowwhoi sgoingt oinform
thesepeopl ethatt
hisishowt hi
swhol ething
shoul dbebutam sur ethechi efpri
estknows.
Thatoneknowsev eryt
hing.Butnowt hose
visi
onsordr eamshav ebecomeanor mt oojust
l
iket hedr eamsoft hepri
nceandt hatwoman.
Any wayl etmegetupandpr eparesomet hingto
eatbecauset hisoneisgoingt obehungr y
whenshewakesup.

Boi
tumel
o:

Welli
t’
sbeen3weekssinceThabisoturnedint
o
ananimalandmyli
fei
sal i
vinghel
l.Int
hese3
weekshehaskil
l
ed5peopl eandnoIdon’ t
meanbeatImeancoldblooded,6feet
under groundki lledandnotj ustki l
ledbut
brutallykil
ledt hesepeopl e.Becausewhent hey
aredi scover edt heyl ookl i
ket heywer ekilledby
awi l
dani mal asar esul tthepol i
cear ei nsear ch
ofawi ldani mal thatmi ghtbel ackingar ound
somewher e.Isayheki ll
edt hosepeopl e
becauseev eryt imehet hosebodi esar ef ound
i
nt hemor ni ngIf i
ndhi m ont hedoorst ep
asleepandcov er edinbl oodt hendur ingt heday
wehearnewst hatabodywasf ound.Am
scaredandIcan’ tsleepatbecauseIdon’ tknow
i
fonedayhewi llcomeandf i
nishmeof f.Ihav e
askedmot herf orhel pbutshesay sshei s
blockedbuti st ryingev er yt
hingshecansosor t
thisout .Butshe’ stakingt ool ongpeopl ear e
l
oosi ngt heirliv esoutt hereandam scar edof
l
oosi ngmi ne.Lesal ahasbeenv erysuppor tive
throughal l thisbutIcan’ treallytalktohi m what
exact l
yi sbot her ingme.Ihav est oppedgoi ngto
Wor kbecauseam scar edt oleav et hehouse
andbumpi ntoThabi sowhenhi sonhi skill
ing
spree.Sot odayam goi ngtohishomet otalkto
hispar ent
s.Yeahy ouhear dri
ght,todayam
meet ingthekingandqueenf orthef i
rstt
ime...
Theymustt aketheirsonandl ockhi m up
somewher ebecauseIcan’ tt
akei tany more.Am
almostatt hepalaceandi t’
slatebecauseIgot
l
ostaf ewtimesunt i
lsomef arm wor kers
dir
ect edme.Nowam her eandtherei sno
turni
ngback.Idr i
v eclosetothepal acegat e
andt heguar dsstopme.
Guar
d:Gr
eet
ingsy
oungmai
den
Boi
tumel
o:Gr
eet
ings
Guar
d:Howmaywehel
pyou?
Boi
tumel
o:Iam her
etoseet
heki
ngandqueen.
Guar
d:Dot
heyknowy
oucomi
ng?
Boit
umelo:Nobutpl
easet
ell
them i
t’
sabout
thepri
nce.
Guar
d:Okayl
etmegoannouncey
ourv
isi
tto
them.*t
heguardlef
tandwenti nsi
dethepal
ace
toannounceBoi
tumelo’
sv i
sit
,hegotther
ethe
kingandqueenwereseatedinthethr
oneroom*
Guard:Myki
ngandqueen*bowshi
sheadi
n
respect
*
Ki
ng:
Whatbr
ingsy
ouher
ethi
slat
e.
Guard:
Therei
say oungmaidenatthegat
eand
shesaysshehasnewsregardi
ngthepri
nce,
my
ki
ng.
Ki
ng:
Letheri
n*theguar
dlef
tandafew
mont
hslat
erhecamebackwithBoi
tumel
o*
Boi
tumel
o:Goodeveni
ng*
theki
ngandqueen
l
ookedateachot
her*
Queen:
Whi
chki
ngdom ar
eyouf
rom?
Boit
umelo:Iam notfrom anykingdom butmy
mymot herandfatherarefrom Botswana
ori
ginal
l
ybutcameher eforwork.
Queen:
Wel
li
tshows.
Boi
tumel
o:Idon’
tfol
l
ow
Queen:
y ouwoul
dn’
teveni
fyouwant
edt
o..
.so
youhavenewsaboutmyson?
Boi
tumel
o:Yes.
Queen:
So?
Boit
umelo: Oham sor r
y..
.ThabisoandIusedt
o
datebutthingsdidn’
twor koutandaf ewweeks
backIsawhi m againandt heconditi
onhewas
i
nwasnotgood.Hel ookedlikesomeonewho
haslosthismind.
King:
Wealreadyknowthatbutt
hanky
ouf
or
comingt
oinform us.
Boi
tumel
o:Thati
snotal
l
.
Queen:
Whatel
secoul
dther
ebe?
Boi
tumelo:Havey
ouheadaboutdeadbodi
es
bei
ngfoundlef
tri
ghtandcent
erandi
nevery
cor
nerofthecapi
tal
?
Queen:
Yesandt
hepol
i
ceandr
anger
sar
ein
sear
choft
heani
mal
.
Boi
tumel
o:Am af
rai
dthatani
mal
isy
ourson.
King:What?Doy ouknowtheconsequencesof
accusingthepr
inceofsuchandtomake
mat t
ersworseyouaccusehiminthepresence
ofthekingathi
shome?
Queen:
Thener
veoft
hisgi
rl
!
Boit
umelo:Iwisht
heywereonl
yaccusat
ions
buttheynot
hingbutt
hetr
uth.
Queen:
Doy
ouhav
epr
oof
?
Boi
tumelo:Nobuteverymorningoft
hose
ki
ll
i
ngsIwouldfindhim sl
eepi
ngonmydoor
st
epcov er
edwit
hbloodt henduri
ngthedaywe
wouldhereofadeadbodybeingfound.
Ki
ng:I
MPOSSI
BLE!Wer
aiseagoodboynota
ki
l
ler
-Shespeakst
het
rut
h!
Theyal
ltur
nedt
othedoorandt
hechi
efpr
iest
wasst
andi
ngt
her
e.
Queen:
Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?
Chi
efpriest
: Am t
heey
eofthegodsandthi
s
wasjustreveal
edandIcametoinf
ormyou.
King:Thegodsf inal
lyspokeaftersol
ong,my
thanks.KelebohalonabaTloung,pedi
kgatl
atloponnjapokojwe,Thole,Phof
olo,
namaneny amatsana*saidhisancest
ral
prai
ses*
Ki
ng:
Tel
luswhatt
hegodssaywemustdo.
Chiefpr i
est:Thepr
incehast obebr oughtback
home, youaretosendguar dst ogethim but
theymustonl yt
akehim atsunr iseashei sver
y
danger ousatnight
.Taket his*gi vetheking
somemut i
*theymustblowt hatonhi sfaceas
soonast heyseehim andhewi llf
allasl
eepso
thatitcanbeeasyt obringhi m herewi t
hno
trouble.
Ki
ng:
Iwi
l
lar
ranget
hati
mmedi
atel
y.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Anddon’
tlett
hisonego*poi
nti
ng
atme*
Boi
tumel
o:What
?
Queen:
Whymustwekeepher
?
Chi
efpri
est:
Thegodssayshe’sinv
olvedbut
werenotcl
earhow,buttheydi
dtel
lmet hathe
wil
ldi
eifheisfarf
rom t
hemaidenfortoolong.
Ki
ng:
Didt
heysayhowwecanhel
phi
m?
Chi
efpri
est
:Ther
ainqueeni
stheonl
yonet
hat
canhel
phim.
King:
Buttherainqueenwasfrom baKoenaand
shenolongerli
ves.Ori
sther
eanot herone?
Chiefpri
est
:Thatwil
lber eveal
edi ndueti
me..
.
therai
nqueenisneverrev eal
edt oanyoneunt
il
sheiscrowned,onl
yherpeopl eknowofher
exi
stenceandnooneel se.Sosi nceshewas
notreveal
edmeansshe’ sstil
lyoungandhas
notreachedmaturi
ty.
King:
Canthequeenbechosenany
wher
eel
se
butbaKoena?
Chiefpri
est:
Anywherethegodsseefi
tbutso
farithasonl
ybeenthebaKoenawhoare
chosenbutthisonei
ffrom t
hepoorki
ngdom I
keepseeing.
*hewalkedawayandwhenhewas
closetothedoorhetur
ned*
Chi
efpri
est
:DoasIinst
ructedanddon’tlether
goormakeheraguesti
nt hepalace.Heraura
i
sdark.Hel
eft

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t31

Ki
ngLet
siPOV
I
t ’
sMar chandi tmar ks3mont hssi ncet he
princeoft heki ngdom l osthi smi nd.Hehasn’ t
got t
enbet terandi twor ri
esmebecauseIhav e
noot hermal echi l
dt otakeov erfrom mewhenI
j
oinmyancest ors.Whi chmeanst hecr ownwi l
l
got oanot herf ami lyandt hatwi llalsomean
thatIhav ef ail
edasaki ng,aman, af ather,a
husbandandt hatIhav ef ai
ledt heonesbef or
e
me.Thi ski ngdom hasal way sbel ongedt othe
baTl oungbutnowi tseemswear eloosi ngit.
Thepr incessgotoutoft hehospi tal attheend
ofJanuar yandshest ayedt heref ort hewhol e
mont h.Butwhenshewasdi schar gedshewas
heal t
hyandt hebr ui sesf aded...shewentback
toschool nowt ofini shof fhercour se.Shewi ll
begr aduat i
ngi nDecemberi fshedoes
wel l
*smi le*mychi ldr enhav ebot hmademe
proudasaf atherev enaf terthishappened.I
believ ethisi sthewor kofmyenemi esbuti f
theysucceedIknowt hatmyki dswi llbeableto
takecar eoft hemsel vesbecauset heyhav ean
educat ion.Am j ustwor riedaboutmyqueen, my
l
ov elywi feandt hemot herofmyki ds...sheacts
strongbutIseet hel ooki nherey esev erytime
shecomesbackf r
om v isi
tingThabi soandi t’
s
thesamel ookshehadwhenhermot herdi ed
thedayaf terourweddi ng, thesameoneshe
hadwhent heki ngherf atherwaski lledt wo
yearsl aterandIdon’ tli
ket hatlook.I thur tsme
becauseIknowshehasgi venupsomehow.Am
sitt
ingi nmyst udyget tingmybusi nessesi n
orderbecausenowany t hi
ngcanhappenanda
manhast ober eady.Thewor stpar tist hatmy
ancest orsar equiet, howdoesamanr una
kingdom wi thoutt hegui danceoft hepeopl e
whohav edonei tbef ore.Sot hopeopl esayt sela
etsejwakebaobai tsamai l
engpeleandXhosa
peopl esayi ndlelay aziwangabakhebay i
hamba
oriny athiibuzwakwabaphbi l
imeani ngt heroad
aheadi sknownbyt hosewhohav et rav eledit
beforeandi nmycasemyancest or sar ethe
oneswhohav ebeenwher eIam todayandhav e
facedthesameorsimi
l
archal
l
enges.Butnow
theyarequi
etl
iket
heyhav
egivenuponmeand
ont hi
ski
ngdom.
-Iknowwheretofindt
her ai
nqueen.*thechi
ef
pri
estsaysasheenter
smyst udywithout
knocki
ng.Idon’
tunder
standthi
sman
sometimes*
Ki
ngLet
si:
Wher
e?
Chiefpri
est:BaKoena*hi
ssocoolabouti
t.I
real
lydon’tunder
standt
hisman*
Ki
ngLet
si:
Arey
ousur
e?
Chi
efpr
iest
:Thegodsdon’
tmakemi
stakes
Ki
ngLet
si:
ButbaKoenaki
ngdom i
snotpoor
.
Chiefpri
est
:Buti
twasNotalwaysr
ichi
tgot
ri
chaf ewyear
saftert
hequeenwasbor
n.
Ki
ngLet
si:
Idon’
tunder
stand
Chiefpr
iest
:Thepri
nce’
sbet
rot
hedi
sther
ain
queenandtheonlyonewhocanhel
phim.
Queen:
What
?*shesai
dst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
*
Chiefpr
iest
:Yesmyqueen.*thequeendi
dn’
t
sayanythi
ngelseshet
urnedaroundi
nahurr
y*
Ki
ng:
Myqueenwher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Queen:
Tosav
emyson
Shetookherkeyandlef
t.Thekingwant
edt ogo
aft
erherbutt
hechiefpr
iestst
oppedhim and
tol
dhimtolethergoanddowhatsheneeded
todo.

BaKoena:

KingLerumoandhi squeenwer esi

tt
inginthe
dini
ngar eahavingacupofcoffeet
alki
ngabout
theydayt heyhadandhowt henewbusiness
dealstheyhavependingshouldbehandled.
Queen:
Iwi
l
lmi
sst
hepr
incesst
hishol
i
day
.
KingLerumo:
Whyi
sshenotcomi
nghome
again?
Queen: Awumyking,youknowshe’sdoing
grade12andtheyhaveholidaycl
assestomake
suretheyarer
eadyforthei
ryearendexams.
King:OhthenIwil
lmisshert
oobutam
planni
ngonspendingsomethi
ngwit
hTokel
o
thisEast
erhol
iday
.
Queen:Thatsgoodmyki
ngandbesidesi
t’
s
beenawhi l
esincey
ouguysspentt
ime
toget
her.
King:Iknowandam planningonbri
ngi
ngupthe
mar r
iagethi
nghedoesn’tseem t
owanttot
alk
about.
Queen:Hetakesaftery
ou.Rememberyoul
eft
mef orawholeyearaft
erwegotmarr
ied
cl
aimingtohaveabusinesstof
ocuson.
King:haha.
..HowcanIforgethaha.
.butwhenI
actual
lyspentti
mewit
hy ouIfelli
nloveandam
hopingt
hatmysonget
stoexper
iencet
heki
nd
ofloveweshar
e.
Queen:
I..
*theguar
dbudgedi
ncut
ti
ngherof
f*
Guar
d:Myki
ngandqueen*bowed*
Ki
ng:
Speak
Guar
d:ThequeenofbaTl
oungi
sout
sidemy
ki
ng.
Queen:Letherin*t
heguardlef
tandafew
minut
eslaterthequeenofbaTl
oungwalkedi
n*
QueenT:
KingLer
umoandQueenMabot
le
QueenM:
Welcomesyourhi
ghness,
towhatdo
weowethepl
easur
e?
QueenT:
Canweseatdownpleaset
hemat
terI
cametodiscussi
sdel
i
cat
e.
QueenM:
Ofcourse,
haveaseat
*theysatdown
andamaidenbr
oughtt
hem t
ea*
Ki
ngLer
umo:
Isev
ery
thi
ngal
ri
ghtwi
thmyol
d
f
ri
end?
QueenT:
Everythingi
salri
ghtwi
thhi
m butthe
onewho’ssi
cki sthepr
inceandhi
sthereasonI
cameheretoday.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
Whati
swr
ongwi
tht
hepr
ince?
QueenT:*
tearyeyed*t
hepri
nceoft
hekingdom
hasbeensickfor3monthsnowandisnot
get
ti
ngbetter.
QueenM:
Whatdot
hedoct
orssay
?
QueenT:Thedoct
orscan’
tdoany
thi
ngbutt
he
queencan.
QueenM:Tel
lmewhattodomyi
nlawandIwi
l
l
doit
,wearefami
l
yaft
erall
.
QueenT:Sorr
ymyqueenbutImeantt herai
n
queen.Thechiefpr
iestsai
dshe’
stheonl
yone
whocanhelpint hi
smat t
er.
KingLer
umo:Ohmyqueenbutthepri
ncessdi
d
notcomebackhomet
hishol
iday,
it’
s
somet
hingt
odowi
thschool
.
QueenT:*sheWentonherkneesi nfrontof
them*pleasemyi nl awsgetherhome, myson
i
sgoi ngtodi eandwewi l
lloosethekingdom.
Mysont urnedi ntoaki l
lerinashortperiodof
ti
me, heattackedhi ssisterandlandedheri n
hospicethenf r
om t herehewentont okill
i
ng
otherpeople.Wegothi m homebutwehadt o
l
ockhi m upsohedoesn’ tkil
lanymore
people.
..
thewal lsoft heroom hislockedinto
haveascr atcheslikeawi l
danimal wasinthere.
Ki
ng:
Whatdoy
oumeanheki
l
ledpeopl
e?
QueenT: The5bodiesthatwerefoundinthe
cit
y,histheonewhoki l
l
edt hem.Amai denwho
seem tobeinvolvedint
hiscamet oinf
orm us
aboutitandthechiefpri
estconfi
rmedit.*al
l
thi
stimequeenMaBot l
ewasi ntear
sandso
wast hebaTloungqueen*Pleasegetthe
pri
ncesshome.
QueenM:LetmecallTokel
otogoandfetch
her
.*shestoodupandwenttotheki
tchento
makeacalltoTokel
o*
Tokel
o:QueenMot
her
*heanswer
s*
QueenM:TokelomysonIwantyoui
nthenext
fl
i
ghttoSAt ogett
hepr
incesshome
i
mmedi at
ely
.
Tokel
o:ButMot
hershehashol
i
daycl
assesshe
can’
tcomehomeuntil
December.
QueenM:To.
.kel
o*voi
cebreaki
ng*pl
easeget
herhomeasfastasyoucan,pl
easesonIbeg
ofyou.
Uponhear
ingt
hesadnessi
nhi
smot
her
svoi
ce
Tokel
ogotwor
ried.
Tokelo:Shewi
ll
behomebytomor
row
aft
ernoonmotherIpr
omi
se.
QueenM:Thankyouson.*shehungupand
wenttot
helivi
ngroom t
oinfor
mt oki
ngand
queenofbaTl
oung*
Ontheothersi deTokelomadeacal l t
othepilot
togetthejetready.Thesamejethi sparents
knownothingabout ,hetookhi
skeyand
i
mpor t
antdocument sanddrov
et ot heair
port
onhiswayt ogetthepr i
ncesshome.Hewas
worri
edsickaboutwhatcoul dbether easonfor
thequeentosuddenl ywanttheprincesshome,
buthedidn’twanttoaskquestions.

Mapul
a:

Isleptlikeababyl astni
ght.Nodreamsofthe
pri
nce, thewomani nacloakortheceremony.
Buti t’
sSunr i
senowandIhav etowakeupbutI
don’ twantt oopenmyey esbecauseam so
ti
red.Gr ade12Wor kist
oomuchandImi ss
home.May beit
’sbecauseIneverspenta
holidaywi t
houtmyf ami
ly.Well
letmegeta
shower ,Iopenmyey esbutit
’ssti
lldar
k,Irub
them wi t
hmyf ist
sandopenedt hem againbut
sti
lldark.Iscr
eam assoonasIr eali
zethatam
bli
nd, Iscr
eam sol oudthatIhearrainpouri
ng
outsideandr i
ghtthenmydooropenand
someonecomesi n.
Guar
d:Pr
incesswhat
’swr
ong?
Mapul
a:Ican’
tsee
Guard:
Ofcourseyoucan’tseemypr i
ncess
youreyesar
eclosed.Openthem andlookat
me.
Iwasscar
edt
oopent
hem i
ncaseIam r
eal
l
y
bl
ind.
Guar
d:Pl
easemypr
incessopeny
ourey
es.
Iopenmyey
esandi
t’
sst
il
ldar
k.
Mapula:
Ican’
tseeyouAusti
nam bl
i
nd*Il
et
outanot
herexcr
uci
ati
ngcry
.
Mapul
a:Am bl
i
ndAust
in!Am bl
i
nd.
..
Youknowwhatt
odopeopl
e.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t32

Tokel
oPOV

Ij
ustarri
vedinCapeTownandcal l
edAusti
nt o
comewi t
htheprincesstotheair
port,
lact
ually
don’
twanttoleavetheairport
.Iwanttogo
homet ohearwhatisgoingonbecauseam v ery
worri
edaboutthequeenandt hewayshe
soundedwasv er
yst r
ange..
.notstr
angebutsad
andhurti
ng.Myphoner i
ngsandi t
’sLebo.
Tokel
o:Sur
e
Lebo:
Younotaty
ourpl
acewher
ear
eyou?
Tokel
o:I
nSout
hAf
ri
caf
etchi
ngt
hepr
incess.
Lebo:
ButIt
houghtshehadcl
assest
oat
tend.
Tokel
o:Thequeensentmeandshesounded
l
ikeshewascryi
ngman.
Lebo:
Itmustbeser
ious.
..hur
ryback.
Tokel
o:Ipl
ant
o..
.l
ookmanIneedahugef
avor
Lebo:
Namei
t.
Tokel
o:Cany
ougetmeaf
oot
agef
rom t
hemal
l
?
Lebo:
Dat
e?
Tokelo:ThedayIwasincour
trepr
esent
ingMr
Matlalaandcheckbet
ween4and5PM
Lebo:
Sur
eIwi
l
lcheckt
hedat
eony
ourdi
ary
.
Tokel
o:Iwoul
dappr
eci
atet
hatman.
Lebo:
Sur
e*hehungup*

Whati
staki
ngAust
insol
ong?Letmecal
lhi
m
agai
nitr
ingsandhepi
cksupi
mmedi
atel
y.
Aust
in:
Bozza
Tokel
o:Wher
ear
eyou?
Aust
in:Att
hehousebozzabutt
her
eisa
pr
oblem.
Tokel
o:Whathappened?
..
.wher
eist
he
pri
ncess?
Aust
in:Ithi
nkyoushouldcomeseeforyoursel
f
bozz
a.*!Ihangupandgotoutofthejetr
ushing.
Gottothecaranddrovestr
aightt
othehouse
i
gnori
ngal l
traf
fi
cli
ght
s.*
Inl
essthan20mi nuet
sam att hehouse,got
outandruntothedoorwithoutevenlocki
ngthe
car
.IknockedandAustinopened.
Tokelo:
Whereisshe?*bef
orehecoul
danswer
Ihearhercr
yandrushtoherr
oom*
Tokel
o:What
’swrongpri
ncess?*Iseenothi
ng
wrongwit
hher,
haithepr
incesshasdrama.*I
will
berightbackokay*Iwentouttheroom and
askedAustinforachangeofclot
hesbecause
am abitwetfrom t
her ai
noutsi
de.Igetthe
cl
othesandchanget henwentbacktot he
dramaqueen.
Takel
o:Nowwil
lyout
ellmewhat’
swrong?And
whyareyoul
ooki
ngatthedoori
nst
eadofme?
Mapul
a:Am bl
i
ndbr
other
,Ican’
tseey
ouor
any
thi
ng.
Tokel
o:Don’tj
okel
i
ket hatpr
incess,getupand
l
et’
sgohome. .
.motherneedsyout here
i
mmedi at
ely
.*shestart
scryi
ngal loveragai
n*
Aust
in:
BozzacanIseeyoui
ntheki t
chen?*I
l
ookuptohim andhehasaser
iouslook.Iget
upandwalkoutwi
thhi
mt ot
hekitchen*
Tokel
o:’
Whati
sit
?
Aust
in:She’
stel
li
ngthet
rut
hbozzasher
eal
l
y
can’
tseeanythi
ng.
Tokel
o:!
Whathappenedandhowl
onghasshe
beenl
ikethi
s.?
Austi
n:Shewokeupli
kethatt
hismorni
ngbut
whenshesleptl
astni
ghtshewasfi
neandeven
cooki
ng.
Tokel
o:Getherst
uffreadywear
egoi
nghome.
..
thechi
efpr
iest
swillknowwhatt
odo.
Aust
inwenttogett
hepri
ncess’
sstuf
fwhil
eI
wenttoherandhel
pherputhergownon.
Tokel
o:I
t’
sgoi
ngtobeokaypri
ncess,weare
goi
nghomeandthechi
efpri
estwil
lhelpy
ou.
Mapul
a:Okay
Tokelo:Nowpleasedon’
tcr
y.*
shewipesher
tear
sandi pi
ckherupandAustinopenedthe
doorformeIgotoutandwedr ovetothe
air
port.

Mapul
a:
It
’sr eallysadt obebl i
nd,am t oldt hatwe
travel edbyj etandIcoul dn’ tseet hebeaut yofit,
allIcoul dfeel wer etheleat herseat sIsaton.
Get tinghomeseemsl ikeit’
st akingf or ev erthis
ti
mear ound, may bei t
’sbecauseIcan’ tlookout
thewi ndowt hist i
meandadmi ret hebeaut yof
myhomeTown.Appar entlywear riv
edl atel ast
nightbutIont heot herhandcan’ tev ent ellthe
differencebet weenni ghtandday .Tomei t’
s
alway satni ghtbutt hedifferencei st hatIdon’ t
ev enhav eamoont olightupmysky ,it’sal l
dar k.Tokel osai dweshoul dspendt heni ghtat
hispl acei nt hecapi talafterwear rivedbecause
accor dingtohi mi twast ool atetodr i
v ehome.
All thist i
meIhav ebeenqui etnotsay ing
any thingt oany one,ImeanwhatcanIsay ?My
l
ifei sr uined...Ican’tsee, Ican’tgobackt o
school andf inishmyeducat i
onandt hewor st
par tist hatIwi llhavet odependonot her sto
assistmeatal lt
imes.Ican’ tseemymot her
s
beaut i
ful smil
eany mor eort hebeaut yoft he
palacegar denorev ent hebeaut yoft hesun
comi ngoutatsunr i
set ogr aceuswi thi ts
presentorev ent hemoonatni ghtt hatbr ings
somel i
ghti nthedar kni ghtgiv ingushopef or
yetanot herdayl ight.Youseet het hi
ngabout
themooni sthatwheni tcomesoutatni ghtto
l
ightupt heskyi t’
slikei t’
sther et ogi veus
hope...thatnomat t
erhowdar kt heni ghtmay be
therewi l
l besomel ightandnomat terhowbad
yourlifeisbutt herei sal wayshopef orsome
l
ight.Itmi ghtnotcomer i
ghtawaybuti t
’s
comi ng,butonmysi deIdon’ tev enhav ehope
ofseei ngagai n..
.Imeanmybl indnesscameso
suddenl yl i
kedeat hst eali
ngal ov edone, itdoes
notgi v
ewar ningt oany onei tjustcomesand
takeswhat ’shis.Thenal lt
hepeopl el eftbehind
areleftbr okenbey ondr epairandt hat ’showI
feelri
ghtnow.Am br oughtbackf rom t hought s
byTokel ot ell
ingmewehav ear ri
v ed.
Tokel
o:Comepr
incess,
wear
ehomeandal
l
shal
lbewell
.
Mapul
a:Spokenl
i
keat
ruepr
ince.
Tokel
o:hahabl
i
ndornotIcanst
il
lsmacky
ou.
Mapula:hahanoti
nmymot
her
shousebr
other
f
orgetit
.
Tokel
o:Fi
ne!Nowl
etmegety
oui
nsi
de.

Hepickedupbr i
dalsty
leandtookmei nside.I
canfeelmothersscentget
ti
ngcloserand
cl
oser,ohhowIwi shicoul
dseet hesmileshe’s
weari
ngrightnow.
Queen:
Mypr
incessi
shome!
Mapul
a:Gr
eet
ingsMot
her
Queen:
Comegivemeahug*Tokel
oputsme
downandIj
ustst
andt
her
ewait
ingfort
hehug
tocomeandIdon’
twantt
omov
eincaseIt
ri
p
andfal
l
*
Queen:
Tokel
owhati
sgoi
ngon.
Mapul
a:Am bl
i
ndmot
herI
..
.*i
cry
*
Tokel
o:If
oundherl
i
ket
hiswhenIar
ri
ved.
Queen:Putmypri
ncessonthecouchandt
ell
meev er
ythi
ngt
hathappened.
Tokelopi
cksmeupagai nandput smeont he
couch.Seethisri
ghther
e..
.beingpickedupand
al
lthi
sIdon’ tl
i
keandit’
sbecauseIoncehad
myey esightandIknowhowi tfeel
st osee.
Queen:
Tel
lmewhathappened.
Tokel
o:If
oundherli
kethi
smot herandIdon’t
knowwhathappened.Maybeshecant el
lyou.
Queen:Mybl
ossom pleaset
ell
mewhat
happenedmypri
ncess.
Mapula:
it’
ssi
mpl
emother,Iwentt
osl
eepat
ni
ghtandwokeupyest
erdaymorni
ngandmy
wor
ldwasdar
k.
Queen:Ohmygodmypr i
ncess,
Tokel
ogocal
l
yourf
atheri
nthet
hroner
oom.

Tokel
ogotupandwentt
othethroner
oom.The
ki
ngwasbusywitht
heaccount
ant.
Tokel
o:Gr
eet
ingsy
ourhi
ghness
Ki
ng:Greeti
ngsmypr
ince,
hav
ebr
oughtt
he
pr
incessback?
Tokelo:Yesfat
herandt
hequeenr
equest
syour
presenceatonce.
Ki
ng:
Tel
lthequeenIwi
l
lbet
her
eassoonas
wear
edonehere.
Tokel
o: I
t’
sapressi
ngmatt
ermykingandi
t
requi
resyourat
tent
ioni
mmediat
ely
.
Ki
ng:*t
heki
nglookedathissonsfacebuti
t
di
dn’
tgi
veany
thi
ngaway *okayletusgo.
Theywentoutandwal
kedi
nahur
ryi
nsi
det
he
mainhouse.
Ki
ng:
Whati
tis?
Queen:
Thepr
incessi
sbl
i
ngmyki
ng
Ki
ng:Whatdoyoumeanshe’
sbl
i
nd?
..
.pr
incess
whati
sgoingonmyl
ight
?
Mapul
a: Yourli
ghthasgonedar
kFather
..
.only
dar
knesslivesherenowasIhavel
ostmyey es
si
ghtyester
daymor ni
ng.
King:
Youwillal
way sbemyl i
ghtforasl
ongas
youli
vemypr i
ncessandYouwi ll
alwaysbe
yourmother
’sblossom butworr
ynotam sur
e
thi
sistemporar
y .
Mapula:Mythanksf
orthecomfor
ti
ngwords
Fat
her.Cananyonegetmethechi
efpr
iest
pl
ease.
Tokel
o:Iwi
llgoandgethi
m.*
wentoutt
othe
chi
efpri
est
’shut*
Chiefpr
iest
:Whenwi
l
lthequeenst
opdoubt
ing
herpowers?
Tokelo:Iholdnoknowledgeofwhatyouspeak
ofandal lIcameheretodowasrequestyour
presenceint hepal
ace.
Chiefpr
iest
:Ial
readyknowwhyy
ouher
emy
pr
ince.
Tokel
o:Al
ri
ghtt
henshal
lwebeonourway
?
Chi
efpri
est
:weshal
l
*theywal
kedt
othepal
ace
andgoti
nsi
de.
*
Tokel
o:Hi
sher
e
Ki
ng:Eyeofthegodswehav
eapr
obl
em t
he
pr
incesshasgonebl
ind.
Chi
efpri
est:
Shehasnotgonebl
i
ndshecansee
per
fect
ly.
Mapul
a:ButIam bl
i
ndandcan’
tseeany
thi
ng.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Becauseyouarebl
ocki
ngwhatyou
ar
esupposedtosee,t
hisi
showy ouar
egoing
t
obeuntil
youcompl
etet
hetaskaheadandI
mustsayt
hati
tisat
oughone.
Mapul
a:Whatt
aski
sthatandwhycan’
tIseet
o
compl
etei
t.
Chi
efpri
est
: Justcal
luponyourguar
dianand
al
lshal
lberevealed*helef
t*
Mapul
a:Pl
easet
akemet
omyr
oom.
King:Butpri
ncesswearest
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ort
he
doctortocheckonyou.
Mapula:
Modernmedici
newon’thelpt
hisi
sa
matt
erfort
hegods.Nowpleasetakemetomy
r
oom IhaveWorktodo.

Tokel
otookmet omyr oom andItoldhi
mt o
l
eaveandcloset hedoor.HeleftandIwentto
si
tinthefl
oorandcal l
eduponmyancest orsby
sayi
ngthei
rpraisesbutnothinghappened.I
wasgetti
ngfrustrat
ednowbutt henI
r
ememberedthechi
efpr
iestsay
ingIshoul
dcal
l
myguar
dian.
Mapula:Ngwedi
yabaKoenamot serel
etsewa
kgosi
gadiMapul
aet l
oomamel ekgosigadi
yahao*Moonoft heBaKoenaprotect
orofthe
rai
nqueen.Comeandl i
stent
oy ourqueen*
Theai
rintheroom changedi
twasnowl
i
ght
andpeacef
ul.
Voi
ce:Kgosigadi
adi
Koenakemona*queenof
t
heal
li
gatorsam her
e*
Mapula:Myt hanksf
orgr
aci
ngy
ourqueenwi
th
yourpresence.
Voice:Whenev
ery
ouneedmypr
esenceIwi
l
lbe
there.
Mapul
a:Mythanksnowpl
easeexpl
ainwhati
s
goi
ngonwit
hme.
Voi
ce:Fi
rstcanyouopeny oureyes*di
dastol
d
andIqui
cklycl
osedthem againbecauseI
want
edt
ounseewhatIal
readysaw*
Voi
ce:Iwon’tdoany
thi
ngt
oyoumyqueen
pl
easelookatme.
Mapula:
Ionl
ysawanal
l
igat
orher
ewher
ear
e
you?
Voice:Openyoureyesanddon’tbeafrai
d*I
openedmyey eandtheall
igat
orisst
il
lther
e
andwhenIl ookclosel
yit
’sthesamelazy
al
li
gatorIsawi nmydreams.
Mapul
a:I
sthaty
ou?HowcomeIcanseey
ou?
Voice:Yesit
’smeNgwedi yourguardianand
youcanseemebecauset hat’
swhatt hegods
wanty outoseeandf r
om nowonwhenev ery
ou
requestmypr esenceyouwil
lnotonlyfeelme
butyouwi l
lseemeaswel l.
Mapul
a:Ngwedi
whatdot
hegodswantmet
o
do?
Ngwedi
:Theygav
eyouagi
ftofbl
i
ndnessand
wi
tht
hisgi
fty
ouwi
l
lbeabl
etoseeany
thi
ng.
Mapul
a:ButIcantseeNgwedi
.
Ngwedi:Openyourheart,
mindandsoul.
Releaseal
lthenegati
vi
tyandyouwi
llseewhat
thegodswanty outosee.

Iclosedmyey esandspokei nhear

t’IMapula
therainqueenher ebyacceptmyf ai
thandam
heret oservey ou.Pleaseshowmet hewayand
guidemet hrought hi
s’Itookadeepbr eathand
rel
ax ed.Theai raroundmechangedandIhear d
thesoundsoft hewat erfall
andIopenedmy
eyes.Iseet hatam backatt hewaterfal
land
i
t’stheoneIsawi nmydr eam.
Voi
ce:
Wel
comehomemyqueen
Iturnedaroundandt
he3womenIsawinmy
dreamswer esit
ti
ngt
her
ewit
hthei
ral
l
igat
ors
besidesthem..
.
Mapula:Myt
hankst
hispl
acei
sbeaut
if
uland
peacef
ul.
Woman: Yesi
tis,
Iam Nyol
odithefir
strai
n
queenandthi
sismetsiwabaKoenathesecond
rai
nqueenandthisi
sBohomi babaKoenathe
thi
rdrai
nqueen.
Mapul
a:Ar
ethosey
ourr
eal
namesy
our
maj
esti
es?
Nyol
odi
:Nothesearethenamesgivent
ousby
t
hegodsaft
erourcoronat
ionandyouwil
lget
your
saf
teryourowncoronat
ion.
Bohomi:Nowbackt othematterathand,you
aregi
venthi
sgiftsothatyoucangoanddef eat
thebi
ggestwit
cht hatl
i
ves.Sheistheleaderof
thewi
tchesandnoonehasev erdefeat
edher.
Mapul
a:Whatmakesy
out
hinki
ngIcan?
Metsi:
Becausey ouar
et heonl
yonewitht
he
powert oseeherandthatgi
vesyouan
advantage.Seewit
hthatgif
tyoucanseeand
sensethedar
kpower
saswel
lasseeal
lthe
wit
ches.
Bohomi:Yourdut
yistodefeatt
hewi
tchdest
roy
thepotandsavethepri
nce.
Mapul
a:i
sthewi
tchthewomanIsawi
nmy
dr
eamswithacl
oak?
Nyol
odi
:Yesshei
stheoneandt
hatcl
aypoti
s
t
heoneyouhavet
odestroy
.
Mapul
a:Thenaf
tert
hatIcansee?
Nyol
odi
:Yesy
oucan.Gohomenowallwi
l
lbe
r
eveal
edandyouwi
llknowwhatt
odo.
Bohomi
:AndRememberyourguardi
anwill
al
waysbewit
hyoutoassi
styouinthi
sjourney
.

TheytouchedmyhandsandIopenedmyey es
andIcanfeelam backhomeevent houghI
can’
tseeitbutIseeNgwedisi
tt
ingont hefl
oor
nextt
ome.Thi sisgoi
ngtobeal ongjour
ney
i
ndeed.

Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t33

Boi
tumel
opov

Ihavebeeninthi
spalacef or3mont hsnowand
Imustsayli
fehasnotbeenbadatal l.They
gavemear oom inthemai densquartersand
theroomsherearebig,eachonei stwo
bedroomsaninsuitbathroom acloset,abig
openspacekit
chenandl i
v i
ngr oom.Yesmy
houseisbi
ggerthanthi
sbutt hi
sonei sstyl
i
sh
andmodernwithlaminatedf l
oors.Iam all
owed
tomov ear
oundthepalacebutam notal l
owed
toleave,Ihaveamai denwhobr ingsmef ood
everydaybuti snotal l
owedt otalkt
ome. ..i
n
facteveryoneher edoesn’ tsayawor dt ome
andIam l onely.Imissmymot herandLesal a, I
wonderi ftheyarelookingf ormebecauseI
can’tcontactthem sinceal lmygadget shav e
beent akenaway .Yest hisplaceisbeaut i
ful but
tomei tf
eelsli
keapr ison, Ial
sohav en’tseen
Thabisosincet hedayIcameher e.Iknowhi s
herebecomet heysaidt hattheywi l
lpickhi m up
thefollowingdayandIwonderhowhi sdoi ng
now.

Ki
ngLet
si:

Themor edayspassthemor eIlosehopeof

gett
ingmysonback.Myenemi esarealr
eady
pl
ottingandIcanfeel
it.Thepri
ncessof
baKoenawassupposet ohavear r
ived
yester
daybutwehav en’theardwordfr
om t hem.
Myqueeni ssti
llnotherusual sel
fbutwhich
parentwouldactnormal whil
ethei
rchi
ld
wither
saway .Wear esitti
nginthethr
oner oom
andeachoneofusi sdeepi nthought
sandi t
’s
nothealt
hyespeciall
yf ormyqueen.
Ki
ng:
Myqueen
Queen:
Myki
ng
King:Whatwasthearrangementaboutt
he
pri
ncess,ar
ewesupposedt otakeThabi
so
therewhenshearr
ivesorshewillcomeher
e?
Queen:Wedidn’
tdi
scussthatmykingbutI
t
hinkshewil
lcomeheresinceIhav
einfor
med
t
hem ofthepri
nce’
scurr
entstat
e.
King:
Okaysother
ehasbeennowor
dfr
om
them t
oyou.
Queen:NotyetbutIhav
ehope.Butwhydon’
t
youcallLer
umot ofi
ndouti
fthepr
incess
arr
ived?
Ki
ng:Letmecall
now*Idi al
edhisnumberand
heansweredonthesecondring*
Ol
dfr
iendhowar
eyoudoi
ng?
.
..
..
King:
Wear
etr
yingandt
aki
ngeachdayasi
t
comes.
.
..
..
.
Ki
ng:Iwil
lol
dfri
end,
Iwant
edt
oaski
fthe
pr
incessar
ri
ved?
.
..
..
.
King:Thati
sgoodnewssowhencanweexpect
her?Thingsar
enotl
ooki
nggoodher
e.
.
..
..
.
King:What?Butshe’
souronl
yhopeandthe
onlyonethegodsshowedus.Whatwil
lwedo
now?
.
..
..
.
King:Al
ri
ghtol
dpl
easel
etmeknowofany
change.
.
..
..
.
Ki
ng:
Keepwel
l
.
Idr
oppedthecallandlookedatmywife,how
doItel
lhert
hatouronlyhopeofgett
ingour
sonbackisbl
indandwehav enoi
deaifshewil
l
beabletoworkl
ikethatornot.
Queen:Whatdi
dhesay
?*GodhowdoIanswer
t
hat?*
King:
Thepri
ncessi
shomemydearand.
..
*she
cutsmeoff
*
Queen:Ohthanksthegodsam sur
ebytoni
ght
wewillhav
eoursonback.Ohthankyougods
ofbaKoenaforbl
essinguswi
ththequeen.
King:Mydeart
hati
snotal
l
,thepr
incessis
bl
indandhedoesn’
tknowi
fshewillbeabl
eto
help.
Queen:
Wai
t,whatdoy
oumeanshe’
sbl
i
nd?
King:
That sWhatLerumosaid.Apparentl
ywhen
theprincewentt ofet
chhershewasbl indand
accordingt ohershewokeuplikethattheday
befor
ey ester
day.
Queen:
Ohl
ordi
t’
str
uet
hatwheni
trai
nsi
t
pour
s.
Ki
ng:Don’
twor
rymyqueenam sur
eshecan
st
il
lhel
p.
Queen:
How?Shei
sbl
i
ndLet
si.
King:
Thegodswoul
dn’
thav
eshownhert
ousi
f
shecoul
dn’
thel
p.
Queen:
May
bey
our
ight
.

Wesatl iket
hateachoneconsumedbythei
r
thoughts.Whati
fthepri
ncesscannol
ongerdo
anythi
ngnow, whatwil
lhappentomyson?
BaKoenaKi
ngdom:

Mapul
a:

Iwokeupt hismorningref
reshed,that’swhat
beinghomedoest ome.Iev enforgotAm bli
ng
becauseIopenedmyey esandt ri
edtogetout
ofbedandIf el
l.That’
swheni tdownedonme
thatam st
il
lbli
ndandIcoul dn’tst
opl aughi
ngat
myst upi
dit
y.Thedooropensandsomeone
comesi nandam guessingt ohelpmeand
checkifam notloosi
ngmymi nd.
Kgomot
so:
Pri
ncessar
eyoual
ri
ght
?
Mapul
a:ohKgomot
soi
t’
syou
Kgomotso:Yesmypr incessit’
sme,ar
eyou
al
ri
ght
?*am stil
llaughing,godmyli
fei
saj oke
andwhof or
getstheyar ebli
ndMarahehaha..
.
ohgodam stupidandam sur eabli
ndperson
woul
dbeatmeupr i
ghtnowaskingmehow
st
upidcanIbetof
orgetmysit
uati
onst
oapoi
nt
ofembarr
assi
ngal
lbli
ndpeople*
Mapula:Am al
ri
ghtdearmaiden,i
t’
sjustt
hat
yourpri
ncessf
orgotshewasbl i
ndandgotout
ofbedonherownandf el
l.Howst upi
disthat
?
Hahaha
Kgomot so:Youarenotstupi
dmypr i
ncess,you
for
goty ouarebl
indbecauseyouonlylostyour
eyesight2daysago.Youar enotusedtoityet
andyouhav ealongwayt ogobeforeyoureach
thepointwhereyousaythatyouhaveaccepted
yoursit
uati
onandy oureadytoli
vewithit
.
Mapul
a:Wisewordsdearmaiden,pl
easehel
p
metothebathr
oom Ineedtobathandsee
whatt
hisdayhasinstor
eforme.
Kgomotso:
Leanonmemypr incess*Ididas
tol
dandwewalkedt
ot hebat
hroom andshe
mademeseatonthetoil
etwhil
eshepr epar
ed
t
hewat
er.
*
Kgomot
so:
Thewat
eri
sreadymypr
incess.
Mapul
a:Myt
hanksKgomot
soIwillt
akei
tfr
om
her
eandIwi
l
lcall
youwhenam done.
Kgomot
so:Alr
ightpr
incessIwi
l
lgofi
xyourbed
andl
ookforsomethi
ngf ory
outowear
.
Mapula:Myt hanks*shewentoutandI
undressedwhilesit
ti
ngsothatIdon’
tfal
lthen
fel
twher et
hebat hwasandit’
snotfarfr
om the
toi
l
et,soIgotinandst ar
tedbat
hing*
Mapul
a:NgwediabaKoenaar
ey outher
e?*
moonoftheBaKoenaareyouther
e?*
Ngwedi:
Am heremypri
ncessbutIdon’
tknow
whythepri
ncesswoul
dcallmewhil
ebathi
ng.
Mapula:ComeNgwedi
!Yourv
oicesoundsl
i
ke
thatofayoungmai
densomynakedness
shouldnotbot
hery
ou.
Ngwedi
:YesIam amai
denandy
ouwi
l
lsoon
seemet
ransf
orm.
Mapul
a:Yout
ransf
orm?
Ngwedi
:Yesmypri
ncessIdoandam t
heonl
y
oneofmykingwhocan.
Mapul
a:Whyonl
yyouandnott
heot
her
s?
Ngwedi:Becauseam specialj
ustli
keyouand
becausetheenemi esoft
hepreviousrain
queensusedt hei
rprot
ect
or st
ogett othem and
fi
nall
ykil
lthem.Theycansenset hescentofan
al
li
gatorandactfastandthat’
showt hewi t
ch
ki
ll
edall3r ai
nqueens.
Mapul
a:Sot
heywer
eki
l
ledbyt
hesamewi
tch!
Ngwedi
:Yesmypr
incess
Mapul
a:Doest
hewi
tchst
il
ll
iv
e?
Ngwedi
:Yesmypr i
ncesssheistheoney
ou
hav
etodefeatorwearealldoomed.
Mapul
a.I
sshet
heonei
nacl
oak?
Ngwedi
:Yesmypr
incess.
Mapul
a:JustHowol
dist
hiswitchImeanifshe
l
iv
edintheti
mesofal
l3prev
iousqueensshe
mustbeold.
Ngwedi
:Sheisoldbutdri
nki
ngbl
oodmakes
herl
ooknotevenol
derthan50.
Mapul
a:Ohmygodt
hisi
sbad.
Ngwedi
:Iknowpr
incess
Mapul
a: Soi
fyoutr
ansf
ormi
ntoahumanshe
won’
tbeabletosensey
ouandyouwi
ll
beabl
e
t
oprotectmebett
er.
Ngwedi:Yesmyprincess,
Iwil
lal
waysbe
humanwhenwegooutbutIwi l
ltr
ansfor
m
backint
oalli
gat
orform whenweinthepalace
becauseiti
ssecur
ed.
Mapula:
Thati
sver
yint
erest
ingNgwedi
andI
can’
twaitt
omeetyoui
nhumanf or
m.
Ngwedi
:Soonaf
tery
ourcor
onat
iony
ouwi
l
lbe
abl
etoseeme
Mapula:
Okayt henletmegetoutofher
e*
Ngwedidisappear
sandIcallKgomotsoto
assi
stme.*

Kgomot
soassist
edmeandsheputmei
nfr
ont
ofamir
rorandst
art
edwi
thmyhair
.
Voi
ce:
Openy
ourey
espr
incess
Mapul
a:Kgomot
sodi
dyousaysor
ry?
Kgomot
so:
Nopr
incess.
Mapul
a:OkayIt
houghtIhear
dsomet
hing.
Voi
ce:
Youdi
dnowopeny
ourey
es.
OhmygodhowdoIanswert
hisper
sonwit
h
Kgomot
soher
eshe’
sgoi
ngtothi
nkam cr
azy.
Voice:
Youdon’thavet
oopeny
ourmout
hto
answerIcanhearyou.
Ohl
ordi
treadsmi
ndsnowwhatam It
odo
Voi
ce:
Pri
ncessi
tisINy
olodi
Openy
ourey
es
OhNy ol
odi
!Pl
easeannouncey
ourpr
esence
nextt
imeyouscar
edme.
Nyol
odi
:Asyouwishnowopeny
ourey
esIhav
e
t
oshowy ousomethi
ng.
Iopenedmyey esandIseet hemirrorandwhi
le
l
ookingIseeapal ace, Idon’
tknowi tandIseea
maidensi t
ti
nginar oom lookingdeepi n
thoughts.ThenIseet hesamemai denina
dif
ferentroom put
ti
ngacl aypotunderthebed.
Theni twentdarkagain.
Nyol
odi:
Followthosepi
ctur
esexactl
yli
keyou
sawthem andgettothepotanddestr
oyit
.
Ny
olodi
Whi
chki
ngdom i
sthat
?
Nyol
odi:
Yourguar
dianwil
lshowy
ou,
nowgo
t
here’
snoti
met owaste.
Ist
oodupandwhenIl ookar
oundIseeNgwedi
per
fect
lyandIseeashadowalsoi
ntheroom
andIassumei
tKgomot
sobutIcan’
tbesurel
et
measkhertol
eavet
hensoIcanbesure.
Mapul
a:Kgomot
soy
oumayl
i
venowam f
ine.
Kgomot
so:
Myt
hankspr
incess.

Theshadowmov
edt
othedoorandl
eftOkayi
t
washer.
Mapula:
NgwediLet’
sgowehav
etobeatt
hat
ki
ngdom immedi
atel
y.
Ngwedi
:af
tery
oumypr
ince.

Iwalkedoutmyr oom andam seekingthe

palaceli
keam lookingati tt
houghsomel aser
ornightgoggles.Iwal keddownthestai
rsall
thewayt othelivi
ngr oom andIseetwo
shadowssitti
ngt here.
Mapul
a:Announcey
our
sel
f
Queen:
Iti
sIy
ourmot
herpr
incess
Mapula:
AndIassumeFat
heri
stheonesi
tt
ing
nextt
oyou
Ki
ng:
Cany
ouseeuspr
incess
Mapula:Onl
yshadowsofyoubutIwil
lexpl
ain
l
aterr
ightnowIneedyoutoorgani
zeadriv
er
f
orme, guardsandmai
dens.
Queen:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngmybl
ossom?
Mapul
a:Ihav
eaki
ngdom t
osav
emot
her
Queen:
Butyoudidn’
teaty
etandwhi
ch
ki
ngdom i
sthat
?
Mapula:Iwi
l
leatwhenIf
eelhungr
ymot herand
Idon’
tknowtheki
ngdom butIf
eell
ikeam here
tosavei
t.
Ki
ng:
Butmyl
i
ghtI.
..
Mapul
a:Pl
easeFat
herdoasIsay
Ki
ng:
Alr
ightl
etmegett
heguar
dsr
eady
.
Hewal
kedout
.

Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t34

BaTl
okwaKi
ngdom

Unknown,KingPapi,Mosia,Motsoenengand
Tsi
etsiar
ehav ingoneoft hei
rusual meeti
ngs,
al
lgather
edt ogetheratbaTl
okwaki ngdom.
Theyaresit
ti
ngi nthethroner
oom andt he
mysterymani sangrythatal
lhi
spl ansdidn’
t
work.
Unknown-Am t
ir
edofwai
ti
ngar
oundwhi
l
ethat
pri
ncessget
sst
ronger
,Ineedmycr
ownandI
needitnow.
KingPapi:
Howar eyougoi
ngtogeti
t?Imean
youcan’tjustwal
kint
hereandaskf
orit
.
Mosi
a:Act
ual
l
yhecan
Unknown-Ican?
Mosi
a:Yesy
oucanAndt
hisi
show.
Motsoeneng:Youneedt
hesuppor
tofmajor
it
y
el
derstosupporty
ougett
ingt
hecrown.
Mosi
a:Yesandy oual
readyhav
ethesuppor
tof
3nowyouneedonemor efr
om t
heot
her3then
youwi
llgetwhatyouwant.
Unknown-HowcanIconvi
ncetheot
her
s?They
al
soseemedloy
altoLerumo.
Ki
ngPapi
:For
cet
hem t
osuppor
tyou.
Unknown-how?
Ki
ngPapi
:Doesanyoft
hem hav
eki
ds?
Mosi
a:Yestheyall
dobutSeramehasason
t
hatworksr
ightherei
nthefarmsasaf
oreman.
Ki
ngPapi
:Myf
arms?
Motsoeneng:
Not
hebaKoenaf
arm nextt
o
your
s.
Ki
ngPapi
:Tsi
etsi
gogethi
m.
Tsi
etsi
:Ri
ghtawayf
ather
.

Tsietsil
eftf
orthefarmsandt heywer enotf ar
from wherethebaTlokwapal acewassi t
uated.
Het ookguardswi t
hwhenhel eft.
..hegott here
andheaskedoneoft heworker swhot he
foremanwasandt heyshowedhi m.Hewentt o
him andaskedhimi fhecouldcomewi thhimto
helphim wit
hsomet hingatthebaTl okwaf arm..
.
Nowsi ncenoonecansaynot oroyaltyhewent
wi t
hhim buttheroadsledtot hepal aceandnot
thef ar
m.Hewant edt oaskbutwasaf raidof
whatmi ghthappent ohim sohedeci dedt o
keepquietandletthi
spl
ayout
.Theygottothe
palaceandtheytookhimtot
hethroneroom
andwhenhegott her
ehesaweldersofhi
sland
andhadsomehope.

Tsi
etsi
:Her
ehei
sfat
her
KingPapi
:GoodWor
kson,nowyoungmanwho
hasacell
phonei
nyourhome.
-Mysi
sterhasonemyki
ngandmynamei
s..
.
KingPapi
:Ihav
enouseofyournameyoung
manbutIdohav euseofy
oursi
ster
scel
lphone
number.
-CanIaskwhatt
heki
ngneedsi
tfor
?
Ki
ngPapi:Mysonneedsawi
feandy
ouhav
ea
si
ster
,needIcont
inue?
-Nomykingher
eist
henumber*hegav et
he
numbert
oTsiet
siwhopunchedi
tinhi
sphone*
Tsi
etsi
:Goti
t
KingPapi:
Taketheyoungmant
otheot
her
room andaskthemaidenst
ogi
vehi
m
somethingtoeat.
Tsietsiwal
kedoutwiththeyoungmant othe
otherroom andaskedthemaidentogivehim
foodandalsoinstr
uctedtheguardsnottolet
him outofthepal
acethenwentbackt othe
throneroom.
Mosia:
Makethecal
landgivemethephone*
Tsi
etsi
didast
oldandhandedthephonet
o
Mosia*
Youngmaideni
t’
sel
derMosi
aam l
ooki
ngf
or
yourf
ather
.
-Waitamomentmyelder
*hewai
tedamoment
andSerameanswer
ed*
Ser
ame:
Mosi
akeng?
*Mosi
aWhati
sit
*
Unknown:
Oham notMosi
abutIam y
ournew
ki
ng.
Serame:Wehaveakingandwear
einnoneed
foranewoneandevenifwedi
dwehavethe
pri
ncetotakeov
er.
Unknown-Seet hat’
swher eyouwr ongandam
notgoingtoexplai
nmy sel
foverthephonebut
al
l am say
ingi
st hatyouwi l
lsupportmebeing
crownedkingintoday’smeet i
ng.
Ser
ame:
Whatmakesy
out
hinkIwi
l
ldot
hat
?
-Unknown: BecauseIhaveyoursonwhom I
tookfrom t
hef ar
msandhi sdoingagoodj ob
therebythewayandIwi l
lmakesurehekeeps
hisjobwhenam ki ngandnotbanishyou..
.but
thatwill
onl
yhappeni fIdon’
tendupki l
l
inghim
whichdependsony ou.
Ser
ame:
Iwantt
otal
ktohi
m
-Unknown:Ihav
eabet t
eri
dea,supportmethi
s
eveningandyouwil
lseehi
m soonaf t
eram
crownedhow’sthat
?
Ser
ame:
It’
snotl
i
keIhav
eachoi
ce
-Unknown:Noyoudon’
t,
seey
out
hisev
eni
ng*
droppedthecal
l
*

Unknown:Gent
lemanwear
eaboutt
ogetwhat
wewanted.Haha

Mapul
a:

IjustgottothebaTloungkingdom am atthe
gatewai t
ingfort
heguar dstoannouncemet o
thekingandqueen.NowIhav ethi
sheadache
andi t
’sgett
ingworse.Iclosemyey esandhold
myhead.
Ngwedi:Pri
ncessy ouhavet
ost
opfi
ghti
ngit
becauseit
’sgoingtocausemor
eheadaches
j
ustbreathandr el
ax.
Mapul
a:Buti
thur
tsNgwedi
Ngwedi
:St
opbei
ngst
ubbor
nandl
ett
he
messagecomethrough.*IdoastoldAnd
pi
ctur
escameflooding.Iseeamanbeing
cr
ownedbymyf atherandadarkcloudhover
ing
ar
oundthepal
ace*
Mapul
a:Ngwedi
theki
ngdom i
sindanger
.
Ngwedi
:Iunder
standmypri
ncessbuty
oucan’t
l
eavewi
thoutcompeti
ngt
hetaskyouweresent
t
odo.
Mapul
a:Theny
ougoandpr
otectt
hem.
Ngwedi:I
tdoesn’
tworkl
iket
hatpr
incess,
I
pr
otectyouandIgowhereyougo.
..
remember
whathappensatthepal
acei
smeanttobe.
Mapul
a:Okayt
henIj
usthopenohar
m wi
l
l
cometothem.

Thegat
ewasopenedandsomet
hingpushed
metogotother
oom Isawi
nthepict
ures.I
hear
dpeopl
ecal
li
ngoutmynameandIdi dn’
t
l
i
sten.I
twasl
i
keIdi
dn’
thav
e
Control
overmybody
,Isawt
hemai
densi
tt
ing
ther
e.
Mapul
a:Guar
dsbr
inghert
othehousenow!
Guard:
Am sor
rybutwedon’
ttakeor
der
sfr
om
you.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Doasshesay
s.
Guar
d:Yeschi
ef
Theguardt ookt
hemai denandfol
lowedmet
o
themainhouse,mindy ouam st
il
lseei
ng
shadowing.Wegotthereandthekingand
queenwer eonthei
rfeet.
Queen:
Pri
ncesswel
come
Mapula:Mythanksmyqueenbutimust
apol
ogizef
ornotbeingabl
etoseeyou.
Ki
ng:
Buty
ouwal
kedi
nher
eony
ourown
Mapul
a:Yest
hat
’sbecauseIcanseebutonl
y
shadowssoIcan’
ttel
lwho’
swho.
Queen:
But
..
.
Chiefpr
iest
:Enoughaboutt
hatdoy
ouwanther
todowhatshecameher etodoorj
ustt
alk.
Mapul
a:Themai
dent
heyj
ustbr
oughti
n,wher
e
i
sshe?
Queen:
Righther
emyqueen
Mapul
a:Mai
denwher
eist
her
oom y
ouputt
he
cl
aypoti
n?
Boit
umel
o:Ihav
enoi
deawhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
about
Mapul
a:Am nother
etopl
aygamesnowwher
e
i
sther
oom?
Boit
umelo:
Isai
dIdon’
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ng
about.
Mapula:Okay
,Ngwedipl
easeshowy
our
sel
f
andhelpmewi t
hthi
s.
Ngwedi:Am goi
ngtobei
nal
l
igat
orf
orm my
pr
incessandit’
sri
sky
Mapula:
Thegodsdidn’tsendmeher
efor
not
hingtheywil
lpr
otectusnowshowyour
sel
f.
Makesuretheyseeyou.
Ngwedi showedhersel
fandev er
yoneranout
theroom exceptt
heking,queenandthechief
pri
estandofcourseBoitumelowhowas
corner
edbyt hebi
galli
gatori
nf r
ontofher
.
Boi
tumel
o:Pl
easedon’
tleti
tki
l
lmepl
easeI
begyou.
Mapul
a:Iaskedy
ouaquest
iondearmai
den
Boi
tumel
o:IswearIdon’
tknowany
thi
ng
Mapul
a:OkayNgwedi pl
easedoasyouseef
it
wi
thher,
Ireall
ydon’
thaveti
me.*Ngwedi
wal
kedclosertoBoi
tumelowit
hhert
eet
hout*
Boi
tumel
o:OkayOkayIwi
l
ltel
lyoupl
easemake
i
tst
op.
Mapul
a:Idon’
thav
eal
ldayMai
den
Boi
tumel
o:I
t’
sinmyhouseatt
hecapi
tal
now
pl
easemakeitst
opcomi
ngnearme.
Mapula:NgwediSt
op*Ngwedi
stoppedand
di
sappearedagai
n*
Queen:Youcameheret
oinf
orm usaboutour
sonyetyoutheonewhodi
dthi
stohim?
Chi
efpr
iest
:Ther
eisnot
imef
ort
hatl
et’
sgo.
King:Bef
orey
ougomakesurey oubr
ingher
backheretof
acet
heconsequencesofher
acti
ons.
Mapul
a:Wewi
l
lmyki
ngbutf
ornowwehav
eto
go.

TheytookBoi
tumel
oandmadet
hei
rwayt
othe
capi
tal
.
BaKoenaki
ngdom:

Thekingandqueenar esi
tt
ingi
nthel
iv
ingr
oom
wai
ti
ngf oral
ltheelder
stocomefort
he
emergencymeeting.
Queen:
Ihopet
hepr
incessi
sal
ri
ght
King:Shei
sdon’tworr
yam sureshe’sat
baTloungandLetsi
wil
lkeephersafe.
Queen:Ihopeso,shesti
l
ltooy
oungf
oral
l
t
heseresponsi
bil
i
t i
es.
King:
Thegodsdidn’
tmakeamist
aket
hey
knowexact
lywhattheywer
edoi
ng.
Guar
d:Myki
ngt
heel
der
sar
eher
e.
King:
OkayIwil
lbethere*thekingworehis
crownandwenttothethroneroom whereall
theel
derswer
egathered*
King:Myelder
swhatwassour
gentt
hat
couldn’
twaitt
il
ltomor
row.
El
der
:That
swhatIwantt
oknowaswel
lmy
ki
ng.
Ki
ng:
Mosi
awhati
sthi
sal
labout
?
Mosi
a:Oht
hisi
snotmymeeti
ngmykingbutI
dohav
esomeonewhowoul
dli
ketoaddr
essus.
Ki
ng:
Whoi
sthat
?
Unknown:
It’
sme*hesai
dent
eri
ngt
her
oom*
Ki
ng:
Andy
ouar
e?
Unknown-Let
habol
abaKoenay
ourol
der
br
other.
Ki
ng:
ButIdon’
thav
eabr
otheram anonl
ychi
l
d.
Let
habo:
Noy
ounot
.
El
der
:Howi
sthatpossi
ble?
Lethabo:Well
takeaseatandl
i
stenbecausei
t’
s
alongstory
.
King:
Wedon’
thav
eal
ldaynowt
ell
uswhaty
ou
herefor
?
Lethabo:Calm downbr other..
.ourfatherwas
i
nvolvedwi t
hmymot herbef oreourgr and
fat
herfoundhi m awi fe,nowhecoul dn’tmar ry
mymot herbecauseshewasnotf r
om ar oy al
family
.Soy ourfathermar r
iedanotherwoman
andleftmymot herpregnantbuthedi dn’tknow
butIfeelli
keifhecar edf ormymot herhe
wouldhav eknown.Mymot hernamedme
LethabolabaKoenabecauseshesai dIbr ought
herhappiness.NowIgr ewupwi thhercal ling
meaMokoenabutt hemanIcal ledmyf ather
wasnotaMokoenabutaMot aungandshet ol
d
memyf atherwast heki ngoft hi
sland.
Elder:Wehav
etocal
lthechi
efpr
iestt
over
if
y
this.
King:
Guardgocall
thechiefpri
est*t
heguard
di
dast ol
d*i
tsgoodtohav eyouhomebrot
her
andIthankt
hegodsforleadi
ngy out
ous.
Lethabo:
Ohyouwon’tt
hankt
hegodswhenI
takewhat’
sri
ght
ful
l
ymine.
El
der
:Whatdoy
oumean?
Lethabo:
Thethr
oneIcameforit
..
.itwas
supposedtobemineandam her
eforit.
El
der
:Thatwi
l
lnothappen
Let
habo:
Wewi
l
lsee.

Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t35

BaKoenaKi
ngdom

Inthethroneroom theel
der
s,t
hekingand
Lethaboar ewait
ingfort
hechi
efpri
esttoar
ri
ve.
Sil
encef i
ll
edtheroom andMosiaand
Mot soenengaregivi
ngeachot
herlooksand
smil
emi schi
evousl
y.Thechi
efpri
estgotinand
ever
yone’sheadstur
nedandlookedatthedoor.
Chi
efpri
est
:Hespeakst
het
rut
h,hei
sthel
ate
Kong’
sson.
Ki
ng:
Whati
sthenextst
epnow?
Let
habo:Youareauselesski
ngLerumo,how
canyounotknowtherulesofyourown
ki
ngdom?
Elder
:Therei
snoneedf orthat,t
heki ngiswel l
awareoftherul
esofthi
ski ngdom buthel ikeall
ofusherearewonderi
ngt hesamet hing.You
saidyoucameheretotaket hethroneandt he
nextstepwil
lbetov
ote.
Ki
ng:
Sot
henl
et’
svot
e.
Mosi
a:Ar
ey ousur
eaboutthatmyki
ng?Imean
your
unariskofl
osingi
tal
l
.
Ki
ng:
Whathast
ohappenwi
l
lhappen.
El
der
:OkayLet
’sv
ote,
all
thosei
nfav
orof
havingLerumor emainkingrai
seyourhands*
helookedar oundonl ytofi
ndoneperson
i
ncludinghimsel fwiththei
rhandsup.
*allthose
i
nf avorofLet habobeingcrownedasthenew
ki
ng*hel ookedar oundagai
nandfound4
peoplewiththei rhandsup*Seramewhywoul d
yousuppor tthismadness?
Serame:Heist
heol
destandthecr
ownwas
supposedt
obehisi
nthefir
stpl
ace.
El
der
:Hisbloodi
snotpur
eweneedapur
ebl
ue
bl
oodasking.
Mosia:Ahal
fbloodwascr ownedint
his
ki
ngdom befor
eandt hatonewasworse
becausehi
smot herwasroyal
tyandhi
sfat
her
wasonlyachief
.
Motsoeneng:
Andt hi
shereisrel
atedtothis
famil
ybyhisfat
hersbloodandhisancestors
areherehi
speoplearebaKoena.
Let
habo:
Idon’
tknowwhyy
oudwel
lont
his
becausethevot
essaidi
tal
landIwantmy
coronat
iontobetomorr
ow.
Elder
:Wecan’
thavei
ttomorrowbecauseit
’s
tooshor
tnot
icet
oinvi
teal
ltheotherki
ngdoms
Lethabo:WhosaidIwantal
lKingdoms?..
.Iam
notlooki
ngforanall
i
ancehereallIwanti
smy
peopleherenooneelse.
Elder
:Myki
ngy
ouhav
ebeenqui
etwhati
syour
takei
nthi
s?
Let
habo:Makenomist
akedearel
deram t
he
ki
ngherenotLer
umo.
KingLer
umo:Theki
nghasspokenandIwi
l
l
takemyleav
enow.
Lethabo: Notsofastdearbrother
,Iwantyou
andy ourfamilyoutofthepalacebytheendof
thedayt omorrow.
El
der
:Youcan’
tdot
hat
.
Let
habo:
Ijustdi
dandwho’
sgoi
ngt
ost
opme?
El
der
:Wear
edoomed
Lethabo:I
fyoufeelthatwayt
heny
oucanj
oin
yourkingandleave.
El
der
:chi
efpr
iestwhati
syourt
akei
nthi
s?
Chi
efpri
est:
Iserv
ethethr
oneandwhoev
ersi
t
oni
t.*hesai
dthatandl
eft
*
Let
habo:
Wel
lthenIguesst
hemeet
ingi
sov
er,
Ler
umoshowmemyr oom.
Ler
umo:
Thi
sway
.
Theylef
tandwenttothemainhouse,Ler
umo
showedLethabooneofthebi
groomsi nthe
palacet
henwentbacktohiswi
feintheli
ving
room.
Lerumo: Mabotl
eThatWhichyousawismy
brotherandthenewkingofthi
ski
ngdom.
Mabot
le:
What
?How?
Lerumo:i
t’
salongstorybutheismybr
other
thechi
efpri
estconf
ir
medi tandhi
scor
onati
on
i
stomor
rowandwear
eli
vi
ng.
Mabotl
e:It
rustyoutodot
heri
ghtthi
ngforal
l
ofusandIwill
getthemai
denstopackf
orus.
Lerumo:DothatandIwil
lcal
lTokel
otogett
he
houseatthecapi
talr
eadyforourar
ri
val
.

Tokel
o:

Ihav ebeenl ooki

ngf orthisgir
lforaweekoh
bythewayLebof oundt hefootageandt ookher
facet herethenmyguy sdidaf aci
alrecognit
ion
tosear chwhoshewasandam happyt oreport
thatmyqueengoesbyt henameRenei l
we
Mol oi.ButIam goingt ocallherKeneil
we
becauseshewasgi vent omenotev eryoneelse.
Am l ay i
ngonmybedf acingtheceili
ngthinki
ng
abouthowam goi ngt otrackherdown. .
.Ineed
tofindherandsoon.Ij usthopeshef rom a
royal famil
ybutev enifshe’snotshewi l
lbemy
queenandt hemot herofmychildren.Myphone
ri
ngsbr i
ngingmebackf rom myt hought
s..
.I
reachforitonthebedsidetabl
eandl ookatand
i
tsf at
hercall
ing.Isi
tupstr
aightlikehecansee
meandanswer ed.
Tokel
o:Theki
ngofbaKoenaki
ngdom
Lerumo:Notany moreson,l
i
stenIwantyout
o
getthehousereadyyourmotherandIar
e
mov i
ngtothecapitalandwewil
lbether
e
tomorrowevening.
Tokel
o:Fat
herWhati
sgoi
ngon?
Ler
umo: Iwi
l
ltel
lyouthef
ullst
oryt
omorr
owf or
nowall
Icansayisthatam nol
ongert
heking
oft
hisl
and.
Tokel
o:OkayIwil
lgett
hehouser
eady
.Wher
e
i
sthepri
ncess?
Lerumo: She’
sonamissi
onfr
om thegodsand
myt hanksforremi
ndi
ngme,cal
lherandtell
hernottocomebackhereandmeetusatt he
houset
her
ewhenshe’
sdone.
Tokel
o:Keepwel
lFat
herandIwi
l
lseey
ou
tomor
row.
Ler
umo:
Iwi
l
lson.

Thisi
snotgoodnotgoodatal
l
.Thepr
incess
wil
lhavet
oforgi
vemebutIwil
lki
ll
whoeverdi
d
thi
stomyfamily
.

Mapul
a:

Wegottothecapitalandwentt othi
slady’s
houseandwhenwegott hereIaskedthe
guardst
okeepandey eonherwhi l
eIgodo
whatIcameheret odo.Iwenttothebedr oom
andIkneel
eddownandl ookedunderthebed
andther
eiswast heclaypot.Ipul
leditoutand
l
ookedatit
,ther
ei sablackli
quidinthereanda
pict
urethatisnotcl
earduetomyey esightthat
i
snotclear.Iopenthewindowandt hr
ewt he
potoutandi tf
ell
andbrokeintopi
eces.My
workhereisdoneandIst ar
tedwalki
ngbut
somethi
nghel dmeback.Theai ri
ntheroom
changeditwasnowhotandmademyhear t
heavyandt hehai
ratthebackofmyheadst ood
up.
Voi
ce:Well
wel l
well
..
.It
houghtt
heywere
l
ayi
ngwhent heysai
dtherewassomeone
comingf
orme.
Mapul
a:Whoar
eyou?
Voi
ce:Yourworseni ght
mar
echil
d*Ilook
cl
osel
yattheper sonandmyeyessawclear
ly
nowanditwast hewomaninacloakthewit
ch*
Mapul
a:Wi
tchesdonotscar
eme*okayIdon’
t
knowwher
eIgotthecour
agetosayt
hat
.*
Voice:ohbuty
oushoul
dbescaredchi
l
d
becauseIdon’
tpl
ayandyoucanaskal
lthose
whohavetr
ied.
..ohwaitt
heyal
ldeadhaha*
shel
etoutanev i
ll
augh*
Mapul
a:Wel
lbr
ingi
tonol
dwoman.
Voi
ce:Leav ewhil
ey oucanchild,
am gi
vi
ngy ou
achangeandIhav edefeatedt
hemost
powerf
ul ofthem al
l.
..evenrai
nqueenstr
ied
andfai
led.
Mapul
a:Wel
lIam whoIam andam notabout
t
obeinti
mat
ebytheli
kesofyou.
Voi
ce: Thatsi
t!!*sheshout
ed*Iwi
l
lnotbe
di
srespectedbyachild.
Mapula:
Yourpr
obl
em ist
hatyou
under
esti
mateme*okaywhydidIsaythat
?I
meanwhatpowerdoIhaveagai
nstthi
sthi
ng?*
Voice:ISAIDIWILLNOTBEDI SRESPECTEDBY
ACHI LD!!
!*sheshoutedthentheai
rgotwar mer
andthewi ndinsi
dethehousegotsostrong
thatitt
urnedeveryt
hingupsi
dedownandt hen
i
tstopped.Thewomanwasgoneonl yagiant
snakest
oodbef
oreme*
Voi
ce:
YouluckyIdon’
tfi
ghtdur
ingday
li
ghtbut
ber
eadyam comingfory
outoni
ght.
Mapul a:
*nowshet ur
nedintoasnake?Atal
king
snaket otopitoff
..
.thi
sisreal
lynotapl
easant
sight
.Wel lIwil
lbewaiti
ng*Iturnedr
oundand
feltt
her oom.
Mapul
a:Let’
sgo*theGuardsf
oll
owedmet
o
t
hecarwiththemaiden.

Thi
sisgoi
ngt
obeal
ongj
our
neyandIhopeI
sur
viv
eit
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t36

Mapul
a
Wel eftthatev eningandwentt oTokelo’shouse
wher eLebost aysandIaskedLebot ol ookaf t
er
themai denandgi v etheguar dsandmai dens
room tosl eep.Heaccommodat edev eryonebut
Ihadt oleav ewi t
hNgwedi becausesomet hi
ng
i
nmet oldmet opr ayf orstrength.Ngwedi
suggestedwegot ot hef orestandprayt here
sincetherewasnor ivercloseby .Oneoft he
guardsdr oppedust her eandIaskedhi mt o
l
eav eandt hatIwi l
l callhim whenIneedt obe
pickedup.Wegoti ntot heforestandIl ayed
downat owel thengotonmykneespr aying.
Ngwedi waskeepi ngguar dwhi l
eIpray ed.
Mapula:DearLord,Fatheryouknowmyhear t
andyouknowev ery
thi
ngaboutme.Youknew
mebef or
eIwasbor nandy ouknewmewhi l
eI
wasinmymot herswombandy ousti
ll
know
metot hi
sday .Icomebef oreyouwithnothi
ng
i
nhandt oofferbutmyhear t..
.Fat
herIam
youngy etam f acedwi thsomany
responsibil
it
ieswhi chIdon’ tknowwher et o
start,
ononehandIhav ewi tchest odef eatand
ont heotherhandIhav eaki ngdom t opr otect
andi t
speopl e.Ifeel i
twithinmeFat hermy
kingdom isindangery etIcan’ tdoany t
hingt o
protectitsoIasky out opr otecti tformeand
givemest r
engt htoseet hist hr ough.I t
’s
enoughnowFat hery ourpeopl ehav esuf fered
enoughatt hehandsoft hiswi t
chandi t’sti
me
toputast opt oit.FatherIneedy out osendmy
ownangel fr
om abov etoassi stmei nthisf i
ght.
*Icont i
nuedpr ayingunt il
Isai dament hen
somet hi
ngt oldmet ocal lupont hebaKoena
ancestorsaswel lbecauseIwi llneedal lthe
helpIcangett odef eatthisol dwi t
ch.
Mapula:BaKoenamal ekeleke,
mai l
a
mangwat elabat
hobasaj i
ngsengwat oana
baj
angpol okweefel
etsing.NyolodiyabaKoena
kgosi
gadi yapul
ayapi
lekekopal ekopane
kenthuseolwanalesose*Ny ol
odi ofbaKoena
thefirstr
ainqueenpleasecomet ogetherwith
othersandhelpmef ightthi
sthing*Iconti
nued
prayingti
llt
heearl
yhour softhemor ningthen
sleptabit.

Tokel
o:

Lebocal l
edmet hismor ningt ogoandseehi m.
Am onmywayt her eandhopi ngthishas
nothingtodowi thbusinessasIdon’ thavetime
todeal wit
hatt hemoment .Myf ami l
yneeds
meandt hatiswher emyat tenti
onwi llbe.Last
nightIfoundoutt heelderMosi a,Mot soeneng
andSer amebet ray edmyf atherint hewor st
wayandv otedhim outsuppor tsomeguyIdon’ t
knowbutIwi l
lfindoutf rom fatherwhohei s
thendomyownr esearcht oseewhathemi ght
havehadont heel derstotur nont heone
personwhonev ergav eupont hem.Fat her
workedhar df ort hatki
ngdom, ev enwheni twas
poorhest i
llwoul dn’
tgiveuponhi speopleand
madesur et hatt heywer ewell
t akencareofand
nowt heygoanddot hi
s?Peoplef or
getquick
andev endogsar ebettert
hanhumanswheni t
comest oloy alty.IgottoLebo’spar kedand
wentinsideandIwasshockedt oseehim
havingbreakf astwi t
hsomeoft heguar dsfrom
thepalacebef or
eIt houghtfat
hersai dImust
fi
xtheot herhouseandnott hi
sone.
Tokel
o:Dumel
angbanna*mor
ningman*
Them:Dumel
aTokel
omonna*mor
ningTokel
o
man*
Tokelo:
Ithoughtyouguy
sar
esupposedt
obe
attheotherhouse.
Tony
:Whathousemypr
ince?
Tokel
o:Pl
easecal
lmeTokelowear
enotthe
ki
ngdom her
eanddidn’
tyouguy
scomehere
wi
thf
ather
.
Lebo:ThatwhyIcal
l
edyout
heywerewit
hthe
pri
ncessandshetol
dmetokeept
hem here
unti
lshecomesback.
Tokel
o:Wher
edi
dshego?
Tony:
Idr
oppedheroffatt
hefor
estl
astni
ght
andshet
oldmetoleaveandshewil
lcont
act
mewhenshe’sr
eadytocomeback.
Tokelo:Okaythenbutwhenshearri
vesdon’
tgo
backtot hepal
aceLebowill
takeyoutothe
otherhousewhereFatherwil
lbe.
Tony
:Sur
eman
Lebo:
Tokel
oawor
dbef
orey
oul
eav
e?
Tokel
o:Okay*Ist
oodupandwentt
otheback*
Lebo:
Manwehav eanenemyandit’
scoming
fr
om theNiger
iansi
deUchesai
dthatthe
womani soneofthetopdogsi
nNigeri
a.
Tokel
o:Awoman?Nowwehav
etodeal
wit
h
women?
Lebo:Iknowwedon’ tdealwi
thwomenbutthi
s
oneisablackwi dowandwecan’taf
for
dto
underest
imateherli
ketheother
sandendup
l
oosingevery
thingbecauseofit
.
Tokel
o:Doyoumindhandl
i
ngt
hatwit
hUche
am busywi
thfami
lyatt
hemomentbutwhen
youneedmeletmeknow.
Lebo:
Whati
sgoi
ngonman?
Tokel
o:Theki
ngwasvot
edoutandt
odayt
hey
ar
ecrowninganewki
ng.
Lebo:
What
?Howdi
dthathappened?
Tokel
o:That
’sWhatIwanttohearmysel
fbut
wil
lhavetowai
tforf
athert
ogetthef
ullst
ory
.
Lebo:Okayt
henl
etmeknowi
fyouneed
anyt
hing.
Tokel
o:Sur
e.
BaKoenaKi
ngdom:

Thedayoft hecor onat ionandcr owningoft he

newkingwasher e.Ev er yoneint hekingdom
wasinformedandt hepal acewasf ullofpeopl e
whocoul dn’tbeli
ev et henewsandwant edt o
seeforthemsel vesi fitwast r
ueornot .Ler umo
andMabot l
ewer epackedandr eadytogo.
Maidenswer ebusywi thcooki ngandpr epar ing
l
astmi nutethings.Thechi efpr i
estwast here
butwasqui etal l
thist imei ncludingLer umoand
Mabotle.ThedaywentbyandLet habowas
crownedt henewki ngofBaKoenaKi ngdom and
i
tseemedl i
ket heonl ypeopl ewhower ehappy
aboutthiswer eMosi a.Mot soenengandt he
onlyki
ngt hatwasi nvitedKi ngPapi andhi s
pri
nceTsi et
si.Afterev erythingwasdone
Lerumoandhi swi fedr ov eoutt hepalace
makingt hei
rwayt ot hei rnewhome.
Notedi
tedAm sor
ryf
oranyer
ror
s.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t37

Mapul
aPOV

Aweekl aterandam st ill

inthisfor estfasti
ng
andpraying.Butnowam begi nningt ofeelweak
asIhavenoteat ensi ncelastweekWednesday
andtodayi sthef ol
lowi ngweekona
Wednesdaywhi chmar ksawhol eweekof
sl
eepingint hewoodsonat owel andnoteat i
ng.
Thewi t
chnev ershowedbutont hesecondday
her
eIhear dsoundsofhy enas,theysounded
cl
osebutNgwedi wasont helookoutandIf elt
saf
ef orsomewei r
dr eason.Butt hehy enas
camebackev eryni ghtafterthatl iket heycame
t
ochecki fIwassti
l
lhere.Whi chwaswei
rdbut
whocanpr edi
ctwil
danimal s?
...
Myphonedi
ed
alongtimeagoandIdon’ tknowhowam going
t
ocont actt
hedri
vertopickmeupwhenIl eave
t
hisplacetomorr
ow.
Voi
ce: Ti
redofprayi
ngyet?*Iqui
cklystoodup
andturnedaroundbecameInewt hatvoicebut
Idi
dn’tseewhereitcamef r
om.Anditsounded
abitfurt
hert
hanwher eIwas*
Mapula:Ngwediwherei
sshe?Ican’
tseeherI
seeonlymovingtr
ees.
Ngwedi:Thisisnoti
met odoubtyourabi
li
ti
es
nowmypr incesspl
easeconcentr
ateand
remembery ouweregivent
hisgif
tsothatyou
canbeablet oseewit
chesli
keher.*Godwhy
didt
hiswitchhavetocomewhenam t his
weak?*
Icl
osemyeyesandrelaxed.
..aft
eraminuteI
coul
dsenseev
eryt
hingthingthatmovesinthe
for
estfrom t
reest
ocrawli
nginsectsandIfel
t
heavyenergyfr
om adi
stanceonthetopr i
ghtof
thefor
estandIopenedmyey es.
..
thereshewas
i
nhercloak,she’
sonatreeandsheseemst o
bealone.
Mapula:Youwi l
l breaky ourbonesont hattree
oldwoman, getdownf rom there!*Iy el
led.I
somehowf eelr
ej uvenatedandIhav eallthe
ener
gyint hewor ldthatIdon’ tevenknow
whereitcamef rom butwher everitcamef rom I
don’
tmi ndam justgr ateful
.
Witch:OhIseeyouhaveeyesofhy
ena,y
ou
shouldhavetol
dmewear echangi
ngfor
msso
thatIcanchangei
ntomine.
!*sheyel
l
edback*
Mapula:Am nowi
t chIdon’tchangeformsbut
thati
syourthi
ngsoIwon’ tholditagai
nstyoui
f
youchangeform.
..buttel
lmesomet hi
ngwhich
animalarey
ougoingtochangei ntotoday?
Wi
tch:
Am doneent
ert
aini
ngy
oul
i
ttl
egi
rl
!Get
readyt odiehahaha*sheletoutanev ill
augh*I
wat chedheratshecamef l
yi
ngf rom downt he
tree..
.fly
ingveryf
asttowardmydi r
ecti
onandI
heldmyposi t
ionwait
ingforhertocome. ..she
gotcl oserbutwhenshewasaf ewf eetaway
from wher eIwasstandingsheflewbackl ike
shewasbei ngthr
ownbysomet hingandf ellon
thef l
oor.
Mapul
a:Ngwedi
didy
oudot
hat
?
Ngwedi :Nobutt hi
spl aceispr otectedsi nce
youwer epr ayingher eallt
hebaKoenacr eatures
areher eevent heangel your equest edi shere.
Concent r
ateandy ouwi ll
seet hem.*Iqui ckly
focusedandscannedmysur roundingandIsaw
agirlthatl
ookedabout12y earsol dwi thbig
wingsonherback, theguardianal li
gat orswer e
alsotherewi ththeirqueensbesi det hem but
whatwasst rangewher etheel ephant s.Iturned
myf ocusbackont hewi t
chandsheseemedt o
bestruggli
ngt ogetup*
Witch:Ohli
tt
legi
rly
ouwil
lneedmoret
hanthat
tokil
lme.Getoutfr
om t
hatprot
ect
edpl
aceand
comef aceme.

Shedi dn’thavet
osayi ttwiceIwalkedcloserto
herandshechangedi ntoahy enaandcame
chargingt ome.Shegothol dofmyl egand
sunkherhy enat
eethintoitandt hr
ewme
againstthet r
eeandIfell
...sheletoutthat
i
rri
tati
ngl aughofhersthenmadehy enasounds
pacingupanddownwat chingmegr oaninpai
n
onthef loor.
Ngwedi:Myqueeny
ouhav
eal
lthehel
pyou
needr
ighther
euseit
!!
!
Mapula:Ical
luponyourpowersNyolodi
yabaKoenaloanal
ennakgosigadiyapul
a*i
call
uponyourpowersNy ol
odioftheBaKoenafi
ght
withmer ai
nqueen*
Wi
tch:
Youcandobet
tert
hant
hatIki
l
ledt
hat
onef
ir
stsoshe’
snot
hreatt
ome.
Igotupf r
om t hegr oundandIcoul dsee
Ny ol
odi besi desmewi thherguar dianal ligator.
.
wewentchar gingt ot hewi tch,wef oughtand
foughtbutshewast oost rongf orNy olodi andI
couldsenseherst rengt hl eav i
ngher .I
remember edt hatt heycoul dr eadmymi ndandI
spokei nmymi ndt elli
ngNy oloditoi nst ructher
guardiant ogof orthehy ena’ stailwhi l
eI
distr
actitfr om t hef r
ont .Shedi dn’tast oldandI
wentf orthehy ena’sneckandi tpushedmet o
thegroundwhi l
eIwentdownIdi dn’ tletgoof
theneck. .
.itwasscr atchi ngmewi thi t’
sf ront
poursonmyar msandam bl eeding.Ny ol odi’
s
guardianwentf orthebackl egandandcr ushed
i
twi t
hi t
st eet h, thehy enaj umpedt ot hesi de
nowst andi ngont hreel egsasonewasl efti
n
themout hofanal ligator .Itspatitout ,ispoke
i
nmyheadagai ntel l
i
ngNy olodi t
or estand
summonedNgwedi t
omysi det oassi stme. .
.
whi l
eIwasconcent ratingont hathar shwi nd
blew, itwassost rongi tfel tli
kei twasgoi ngt o
blowmeaway .WhenIl ookedati t,i
tf or
meda
bigt ornadocomi ngst raightf ormeandpul l
ing
mei n.Nextt hingIknowt het wobi gel ephant s
wer ebesi desbl ockingt het ornadot henNgwedi
threwf i
reballsatit .
..andgr oansandsoundsof
paincamef rom insidet het ornadoandi tdi ed
down. ..thewi tchwasont hef loorwi thher
cloakonf ir
e, shejumpedandt urnedi ntot hat
biggeensnakeIsawatt hatmai denshouse.
Whi leIwasst ill
lookingatt hat , wi t
hspeedof
l
ight ningthesnakewr appedi tsel faroundmy
bodyandt i
ght enedit sgr ipcr ushi ngmyphones
i
nt hepr ocess.ICl osemyey esi npai nandI
saidal i
ttl
epr ayer*Fat herJustt hi soncel etme
hav ethepowerofanangel anddest royt his
evil*from ther eIdon’ tknowwhathappenedbut
whenIopenedmyey esIwasi nt heai rwith
wingsonmybackandt hesnakest i
llwrapped
aroundmyl egst omywai st .If l
appedmywi ngs
andwentdownt othegr ound.Assoonasmy
feettouchedt hegr oundt hesnaket ightenedi ts
griponmyf eett oapoi ntwher eIcoul dn’ tstand.
Igrabbedt heneckoft hesnakeandsqueezedi t
fordearl i
feasIwentcr ushingont hegr ound
andNgwedi wentf ort het ailandsunkhert eeth
i
ni t.
..nowt hesnakewast r
y i
ngt obr eakf r
ee
buttwoguar dianscameandeachsunkt heir
teethintot hesnakesbodymaki ngi tweaker
andi tsgri
pl oosenonmyl egsandIf eltit
getti
ngweakerf rom theneckwher eIwas
holdingaswel l.Theguar diansbr oket hesnake
i
nhal feachonel eavingwi thapi ece, Ngwedi
withat ailandi wit
ht heheadot herswi thpieces
ofitsbody ...wet hr
ewt hepi ecesont hegr ound
andt heytur nedi nt
ool dhumanr emai ns.They
burntr i
ghtbef oreourey esandt urnedi nto
blackashes.

Icoul
dn’
tgetupf
rom t
hegr
oundany
mor
emy
bodywasi npainandIcouldn’
tmove.Iwas
sl
owlylosingconsci
ousnessbecauseam
l
oosingbloodfrom myleg.
Angel
:Shewon’tmakeittothemai
nroadon
herown,Iwil
lcar
ryherandoneofy
ousend
wordforhert
obepickedup.
Nyolodi
:Iwi
l
ldoi
t,Ngwedi
gost
aywi
thherand
keephersaf
e.
Ngwedi:
Yesmyqueen, l
et’
sgo*Ionlyhead
bit
sandpiecesofwhattheyweresayingasI
wasdri
fti
nginandoutofconsciousness.If
elt
l
ikeIwasbeingpickedupandli
ghtsout*

Ler
umo:

Wear
esit
ti
ngint
hel
i
vingr
oom hav
ingt
eawi
th
mywi
feandson.
Tokel
o:Fat
herIr
ecei
vedwor
dthatt
he
Europeansdroppedusoncoaldealastheysay
theycan’tworkwit
hsomeonewho’s
i
nexperiencedbecausehehasal
readycost
them money .
Lerumo:Igotthesamenewsfr
om t
he
supermarket
swesupplyourcr
opst
o.
Mabotl
e:Am sorrytosaythismyhusbandbut
yourbr
otherwi
lldestr
oythatkingdom anddri
ve
t
hepeopletothesamepov ert
ytheycamefrom.
Ler
umo:Noneedtobesorrymydearbecause
i
t’
sthetr
uthandwhatworr
iesmeisthatweare
ent
eri
ngwint
erandther
eisnosi
gnofr ai
n.
Mabotl
e:Thegodsar
eangr
ybutIdon’
tknowat
who?
Ler
umo:
youcansayt
hatagai
nmydear
.
Tokel
o:FatherIwi
llnotsi
tbackandwatchmy
homewitheraway..
.Iwill
dosomet hi
ngabout
thi
smanst art
ingwi
ththoseelder
s.
Lerumo:Youwil
ldonot
hing!
!!Doyouhearme
nothing*hi
svoi
cewasveryster
nandthat
scaredTokel
o*
Tokel
o:YesFat
herIheary
ou.
Lerumo: Goodnowam goingtolaydown,cal
l
Lebof ormeandtell
himthatIrequesthi
s
presenceatonce.
Tokelo:YesFat
her*Iwalkedt
ot heroom t
o
nap.Isuddenl
yfeel
sosleepyIcan’tkeepmy
eyesopen.Assoonasmyheadhi t
st hepi
l
lowI
dri
ftofftoagoodsl
umber .
*
Iwassleepi ngpeacef ul
lyandsuddenl yIam on
theroaddriv i
ngt owardst heforestandwhenI
wasi nthemi ddleoft her oadri
ghtatthemiddl
e
oftheforestt hecarengi necutandt hecar
stopped.Itryt ostarti
tagai nbutitwoul
dn’t
start
.Igetoutoft hecargoi ngtothebonnetto
checkbutIst opi nmyt racksasIseean
all
igat
oritlookedj ustli
ket heonesf r
om the
baKoenasecretri
verandIwalkclosert
oitandI
sawbloodont hefl
oor.Iwentcl
oserandIsaw
mypr i
ncessandshe’sbarel
ybreathi
ng.Iwake
upsweatingandIputinmyshoesandhal fran
totheli
vi
ngroom.
Mabotl
e:Mydeary
ouhaveonl
ybeenasl
eepf
or
10minuet
swhatwokeyouup?
Lerumo: Thepri
ncessneedshel
p..
.Tokel
o!!.
..
Tokelo!
!!*Ishoutedandhecamedownst air
s
runni
ng*
Lerumo:Takethekeyswegoi ngt
opi
ckupthe
pri
ncess*hedi
dn’taskquest
ions,
het
ookthe
keysandweheadt othedoor*

Hisdr i
vi
ngfastonther
oadheadingfort
he
forestandhisi
gnori
ngallt
hetraff
icl
i
ght
sbutI
don’tcareri
ghtnowmylightneedsme.I
nless
thanhalfandhourwearethere.
Ler
umo:
STOP!I
t’
sri
ghther
e!*hest
oppedt
he
carandwegooutandr unt owar dsthepl aceI
wasshownandt her
eshewas. ..lookinglifel
ess
i
napool ofblood.Tokelorunsaheadand
pickedherupwi thoutsayi
ngawor dandr anto
thecarandam r unningbesi deshi m.Wegett o
thecarwhi chwasnott oof arfrom wher ewe
foundherandIopenedt hedooratt hebackand
hepl acedherincareful
ly
.Iwenti nsidetheback
withherwhi l
eTokelohur r
iest othef rontand
droveof f
.
Ler
umo:Geti
stot
henearesthospit
alherpulse
i
sweak.*hedi
dn’
tanswerjustdr
ovefaster
.*

Am sit
tingherelookingatherli
fel
essbodyin
myhands, shehasabi gbi t
eonherlegand
scrat
chesonherbodyl i
keshewasf ight
ingwil
d
ani
mal s.Godsofmyancest or
spleasehelpher
,
youcan’tsendhert odoy ourworkandtakeher
fr
om me.Pl easesav eher
.
Youknowwhatt
odo.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t38

BaTl
oungKi
ngdom

KingLet
siiswithhisel
der
sinthethroneroom
whil
ethequeenwentonherpal aceduti
es.They
aredi
scussingall
i
ancesanddealstheyhave
pendi
ng.

‘
IheadthatLerumohasbeenr
emov
edaski
ng
ofbaKoena’saidanel
der
Ki
ngLet
si:
What
?
‘
YesIheadt
hathi
slongl
ostbr
othert
ookov
er
asthenewkingandchasedLerumoandhis
famil
youtofthepal
ace’
saidanotherel
der
KingLet
si:
Clearl
yhisnolongerl
ostifhe
managedt otakethecr
ownf rom hi
sbrot
her
andIthoughtLerumowast heonlychi
ld.
‘
Appar
entlythi
soneisjustabast
ardchi
ldwho
wasbornoutofwedlockandfrom acommoner’
sai
danotherel
der.
‘
WhatIdon’ tunderstandi showcant heelder
s
ofbaKoenal etsomet hingliket
hishappenwhen
Lerumohasbeennot hingbutagoodki ngto
them al
lthosey ear
s’ saidtheelder
.
Ki
ngLetsi
:Clear
lyt
hiswaspl
annedandpeopl
e
cl
osetoLerumower ei
nonit
.
‘Iwouldn’
tbesur
pri
sedisPapiwasinvolv
ed
becausehewastheonlyoneinv
itedtothe
coronati
on’
KingLet
si:
Papishoul
dbecareful
oft
heseshady
deali
ngshisi
nvol
vedinbecausei
twon’
tend
wel
l
.
‘
Let
’sj
ustsi
tbackandwat
ch’
sai
danel
der
‘Howcanwesi tandwatch?Youknowthatour
queenisfr
om thatki
ngdom’sai
danot
herelder
Clear
lypi
ssed.
KingLetsi
:Iwoul dn’
tworr
ytoomuchaboutt hat
becauseev enifLerumodoesn’tgethi
scrown
back,Itdoesn’tchangeanyt
hingbecauseour
queeni ssti
ll
from aroyalf
ami l
y.
‘
Your i
ghtmyking,wherei
sthepr
ince?It
’sbeen
awhilesi
ncewel astsawhi
mi nt
hekingdom’
askedanelder
.
KingLetsi
:ThePri
ncehasbeenbusywit
hthe
newbr anchhisopeni
ngi
nSouthAfri
ca.
‘
Ohthepeopl
eofthi
skingdom wi
ll
bel
uckyt
o
hav
ehim asaki
ng’sai
danelder
‘
Akingthatknowshowtot r
adeisal
waysa
bl
essi
ngtothekingdom andit
speopl
e’sai
dan
el
der
.
Ki
ngLetsi
:Whydoesitsoundl
i
kemyelder
s
pr
eferthepri
nceov
erthei
rownki
ng?Don’
tdo
melikeLerumonowhaha*hesai
djoki
ngl
y*
‘
Nomykingit
’snotl
iket
hatwearej
ust
admi
ri
ngthepri
nce’
sgoodWork’
sai
danel
der
‘
I
ndeed‘
sai
danot
heri
nagr
eement
KingLet
si:
Iknowmyel ders.Let’
sbeonourway
orelsewewill
sither
ealldayt al
ki
ngi
fwedon’t
l
eav enow.
‘
Andmywi f
ecookedsoIhav
etogethome’
an
el
dersai
d
‘
Likeourwi vesdon’ tcook’sai
danot
herjoking
astheymadet heirwaytothedoorl
aughing..
.
theki
ngwal kedt heelder
st ot
hegat
eandt urn
walki
ngt owar dst hemainhousewhenaguar d
camer unningt ohi m.
‘
Myki
ng*bowedhi
shead*
’
Ki
ngLet
si:
Speak
‘
Myki
ngt
hepr
incei
saski
ngf
ory
ou’
Ki
ngLet
si:
Takemet
ohi
m atonce.
Theywalkedtothebackofthepal
acetowar
ds
theroom wher
et hepr
incewaskept
.Theguard
openedthedoorandthekingwenti
n.
KingLet
si:Myprinceyourequest
edtoseeme
andwhyi sther
ebl ackst
uffal
lovert
hisr
oom ?
Thabiso:
Fat
hermythanksf
orcoming,Iknow
youareabusymanandIappreci
ateyou
makingthet
imeforme.
KingLetsi:Iwillal
way
smaket i
meforyoumy
pri
nce, youar emysonThabisoandthepr
ince
ofthiskingdom.Asy ourf
atherIwi
ll
always
havet i
mef oryou.
Thabi
so:
MythanksFatherandforputt
ingup
wit
hme.Ical
l
edy ouherebecauseIvomited
thi
sblackthingthaty ouseehereandIwas
wonderingifthekingwoul dmov emeto
anotherroom whil
et hemai denscl
eant
hisone.
KingLetsi
:Thismightmeanthatthepri
ncess
hascompl etedherworkandyouarehealedmy
son.*saidexcit
ementevi
dentinhisvoi
ce*
Thabiso: EvensoFatherwecan’tbesureof
anythingbecauset hepri
ncessi
snother eto
confirmt hi
shersel
fandIdon’ttr
ustmy sel
fout
ther
eamongstmypeopl enotunti
lam surethat
thi
st hinghasleftmybody .
KingLetsi
:Thereisonlyonewayt ofi
ndout,
we
willputyouinanotherroom andseeifi
tcomes
backt hi
snight
.
Thabiso:
Pleasekeepther
oom lockedFather
becauseIwill
neverbeabl
etoforgivemyselfi
fI
hurtanyofmypeoplebecauseofthist
hing.
Voi
ce:
Youwon’
ttheevi
lhasbeendefeat
ed.
*
webot
htur
nedt
ol ookt
owardsthedoorand
t
hechi
efpr
iestwasst
andi
ngt
her
e*
Ki
ngLet
si:
Howdoy
ouknow?
Chiefpri
est:Youhavegott ost
opaski ngthat
questi
onwhenIt elly
ousomet hing.Iknowt he
samewayIal waysknowt hi
ngs.*hesai dthat
andleftusstandi
ngt her
e.Wel ookedateach
otherandlaughed*
Am gladmysoni sokaybuthewi l
lhav ealong
waydeali
ngwiththegui l
tofthel
iv
eshet ook
butIhavehopethathewi l
lcomeoutoft hi
s
unharmed.Theprincessistr
ulyablessingnot
onl
ytobaKoenabutt oal
lofus.

BaKoenaKi
ngdom:

KingLethabo,Mosia,Motsoeneng,Ser
ameand
theotherelder
sareinthethroneroom t
o
discussmat t
ersoftheki
ngdom.
KingLet
habo:
Whyhav
eyoucal
ledmehereand
don’twast
emyti
meIhav
epressi
ngmatt
ersto
attendt
o.
Serame: Morenaka*myking*wecall
edyou
herebecausewear econcernedandthepeopl
e
arescared.
Elder
:Yesmyki ngtheyarescaredbecausea
l
otofthem l
ostt hei
rjobsatthefar
msandal so
thosedri
vi
ngthedel i
veryt
ruckshavelostt
heir
j
obsbecauset hingsarenotgoingwellf
orusat
themoment .
Ki
ngLet
habo:
Speakf
ory
our
sel
vesnotme.
Serame:Whatdoy oumeanmyking?Because
asfarasIam concernedthemat
ter
sthataf
fect
theki
ngdom aff
ectyout oo.
El
der:Hisr
ightmyking, t
hingsaregett
ing
worse,wehavelostthecoal t
ender,
wehav e
l
ostthesupermarkettenderandtotopitoffi
t
l
ookslikewearegoingt ohavedraughtasther
e
i
snosi
gnofr
ainandcr
opsar
ewi
ther
ing.
Ki
ngLethabo:
Whatmakesy ou3thi
nkIcare
whathappenstot
hiski
ngdom ori
tspeopl
e?
Ser
ame: Buttheyarey
ourpeopl
emyki
ngand
asthei
rleaderyouhavet
ocomewit
hsolut
ions
tot
hesepr obl
ems.
Ki
ngLethabo:Theni
ftheyar
emypeoplet
hey
wi
llhav
et ohustl
eli
keIdidt
ogether
e.
Elder
:Butmykingy oucansol
vethese
probl
emswi thourhel
pofcourseandmake
sureyourpeopl
edon’tgobacktopovert
y.
KingLethabo:Tel
lmewhocamet omyr escue
whenIwasi npover
ty?Whogav emesol ut
ions
tomypr oblems?Whot ookthei
rti
metomake
surethatIgetoutofpover
ty?.
..
don’
tcomeher e
andtellmeaboutpeoplewhower eneverthere
formeormymot herwhenweneededt hem
most .
Ser
ame:
Myki
ngt
hesepeopl
ear
enotatf
aul
t
becausetheywer enotther
ewhenal lthat
happenedandt heydidn’
tevenknowabouty our
exi
stenceincl
udingtheking,yourf
atherhimsel
f
sowhymustt heybepuni shed?
KingLethabo:Isai
dIdon’tcareaboutthose
peopleandi ft
heydon’twanttostarv
et heywi
l
l
havetogetupandmaket hi
ngshappenand
stoplookingatother
sforsoluti
ons.
Serame:
Theancest
orswon’
tbehappyabout
thi
s.
KingLethabo: Don’
ty oudar etal
ktomeabout
them [theancestors]!!
*heshout ed*theyarenot
myancest or
sbecausei ftheywerethey
woul dn’tt
hem havel eftmet oalif
eofpov ert
y.
Nowi fyouallhavenot hingbett
ertosaythen
l
eav e.*theeldersstoodupandwal kedout.
Mosia:
ButLet habowear eal
sogoi
ngtol
oseif
t
hingsdon’tchanger ememberwemakeour
moneythrought hesedeal
s.
KingLet
habo: Don’
teveraddressmeasLethabo
everagai
n!!Iam sti
l
lyourking.Nowthet
woof
yougotyourmi ll
i
onsandy ouareri
chsowhy
areyouwor r
ied?
Motsoeneng:
Becausemoneyisnothi
ngi
fther
e
i
snotmor ecominginandr
ightnowwedon’t
hav
emor ecomingin.
Mosia:
AndRemembery
ouchasedmoneyout
oft
hiskingdom.
Ki
ngLet
habo:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Mosi
a:YouchasedoutLer
umo
Mot
soeneng:
Whatdoeshehav
etodowi
tht
his?
Mosia:Hehasevery
thi
ngtodowi t
hthi
s
becausethetwobusi
nessesthatmadealotof
moneyarehisownpersonalbusi
nessbuthe
employedpeopl
eofthi
skingdom toworkfor
hi
m.
Ki
ngLet
habo:
Thenhemustsi
gnt
hebusi
nesses
tomebecauseevery
thi
ngt
hatbel
ongst
othi
s
kingdom i
snowmine.
Mosi a:Youwrong,t
hosebusi nessesdon’t
belongt otheki
ngdom theyareLerumo’s.He
startedthem i
nhisfi
rstyearofuniver
sit
yand
mai ntai
nedthem t
othisday.
KingLethabo:Si
ncethemoneyt ost
artthose
businessescamefrom t
hiskingdom t
hent hat
meanswehav eashareinthem.
Mosia:Nowedon’ tbecausehedidn’tuse
moneyf rom thiski
ngdom, f
ortheradiostat
ion
hedidapr esentati
onforaGerman
busi
nessmanandhel i
keditsomucht hathe
sponsoredhim andf r
om theprofi
tsheopened
theconstruct
ioncompanyt hatisnow
competingwi thMotaungConstructi
on.
KingLet
habo:Fi
nehecankeephisbusinesses
butwewi l
lmil
kthi
skingdom dr
ythenleave
thosepeasant
stostar
vetodeath.
*thetwo
noddedi
nagr
eement
*

Mapul
a:

Myheadi ssor e,l

egisev enwor seinf actmy
wholebodyi ssorefrom beingt ossedar ound
l
ikeabal l
.Itr
yt oopenmyey esbutt heyar e
heavy,keepthem closedandl istened.Ihear
soundsofwat erandbi rdssinging..
.am Ist i
ll
in
thefor
est?..
.wher edidthewat ercomef rom?I
havethesequest i
onsbutnotananswerand
nowIdon’ thaveachoi cebutt oforcemyey es
open.IdidandIscanmysur roundingsandmy
eyesfi
ndNgwedi si
tt
ingatherusual spot..
.
MaraNgwedi oatsoafabathongt jo*ButNgwedi
i
slazypeopl eyho*
Ny
olodi
:Wel
comebackmypr
incess.
Mapul
a:Myt
hanksmyqueenbuthowdi
dIget
her
e?
Nyolodi
:Technicall
yyouareatthehospit
albut
wet ookyourspiri
ttohealyou.Youhavebeen
thr
oughal otwithdefeat
ingthewitchandbei
ng
bit
tenandsquashedbyhersnake.
Mapul
a:Ohmyqueendon’tr
emindmet
hepai
n
i
nmybodyisal
readydoi
ngthat
.
Ny ol
odi:Youwil
lbebetteri
n3days,her
edri
nk
this.
*drankthewaterandthepai
nimmediat
ely
disappeared*
Mapul
a:Whatki
ndofwat
eri
sthat
?
Ny ol
odi:Heal
i
ngwat er,i
twasmyspeci
ali
ty
whi l
eIwasstil
lal
iv
e, Iwoul
dusei
ttoheal
people,theot
herqueenusedthesunwhil
ethe
otherusedtherai
nbuty ouhav
eallt
hepowers
combi nedandmore.
Mapula:
Am honoredmyqueen,pl
easeshow
mehowt ouseitt
ohealmysel
fIhaveschoolt
o
gobacktoandakingdom t
osave.
Ny
olodi
:Fi
rst
lyIwi
l
lheal
yout
hist
imebuty
ou
wil
lbetaughthowt ouseyourownpower s
duri
ngyourcoronati
on.Secondlyt
hekingdom
i
snotforyoutosav ethati
sy ourf
ather
sduty
all
youhavetodoi shelphim whenhisbackon
theThr
one.
Mapul
a:Whatdoy
oumeanbackont
het
hrone?
Ny ol
odi:l
etmeshowy ou,gi
v emey ourhand*I
didast ol
dandshet ookmyhandandt oldme
toclosemyey es..
.IdidandIsawev er
y t
hing
thathappenedinthepal acedur i
ngmyabsence.
Ialsosawourpeopl esuf fer
ingandt hefarms
wer edryli
ketheywer ehitbyt hebi
ggest
droughteverandIsawpeopl edyi
ngandt her
e
wasaf uneralaft
ertheot her.Iopenedmyey es
andNy olodiwasnol ongerhol di
ngmyhandand
Idon’tevenknowwhenshel etgo.
Nyolodi
:Youal
readyl
eani
ngt
ousey
ourpower
s
al
ready.
Mapul
a:Wer
en’
tyout
heonewhoshowedme
t
hat
?
Nyol
odi
:NoIcanonlyseet
hepastnott
he
f
utur
ebutyouseeboth.
Mapul
a:Ihav
etogohomesoon.
Ny
olodi
:Iknowsl
eepnowy
ouneedr
est
.
Icl
osedmyey
esandf
ell
asl
eep.

Li
ke,shar
eandcomment.Myghostr
eader
s
pl
easeletmefeel
yourpr
esence.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t39

LeboPOV

Tosayt
hingshav
ebeenhect
icf
ort
hepast
weekwoul dbeanunder statement .Fi
rstIhad
todeal wi t
ht hi sthr eatt hatisaf terUcheandi f
she’saf t
erUchet henshe’ saf terussowehav e
beenwor kingdayandni ghtt of indoutwhoi ti
s
whatt heirint entionsar e.Al lweknowi st hati t
’s
awomanbutnoonehasev erseenher .She’ s
anotherghostandI fourGhostwasn’ tsobusy
withfami lyissueswewoul dhav egot tent his
l
adyal ready , butIcan’ tbot herhi m wi tht hisnow
canI? .
..thent herei st hisissueofmypr incess
beinghospi talizedandt hatkillsme.Mapul a
hasbeenmysi stersi nceshewasbor ni nf act
theroy alfami l
yhav ebeenmyf ami lyev ersi nce
Ilostmypar ent swhi leIwasst illinhighschool
andt heyt ookmei n.Theki ng, yeshemi ght
havebeenr emov edf rom hi sthr onebuthewi l
l
alway sbeaki ngt omeandt omanyot her s.
Thatmant ookmei nandsentmet ouni v ersity
withTokel oandev erythi nghedi df orTokel ohe
didforme.I fheboughtacarf orTokel o, he
wouldbuyonef ormeaswel landwhenwe
fi
nishedschool heaskedmet obeTokel o’
s
protect orandhi schi efwhenhebecomeski ng.
Thatal onewassomet hingspeci altome
becauseIcomef rom not hing.Het henbought3
housesher einthecapi tal,hegav e1t oTokelo
onet omeandonewasf orthef ami lywhent hey
areatt hecapital.Hegav eTokel othe
const ructioncompanyt omanagewhi lehegav e
met her adiostation.ButTokel oandIcame
toget herandopenanot hercompanyBoss
Publ i
sher s..
.Thatiswher ewel aunderourdi rty
moneybuti tismanagedbyThapel o.Then
Tokel oal sohast hel awf irm whi l
eam mor e
handsoni nthedi amondbusi ness, sowear e
well offandi tallthankst ot her oyal myfami l
y.
Youseei nthisfami l
yIwasnev ersideli
nednot
evenoncewhi chi swhyi tpainsmet oseemy
sist
ert hatway .Doct orsdon’ tknowi fshewill
walkagai nandt hebi teinherl egkeeps
produci ngsomesmel l
yf l
uidwhi chneedst obe
drainedev eryhour .Butit’sonl ybeenadayso
thereishope.Am dr ivi
nghomenowt oseei f
theguy s[
theguar ds]andt hatBoi tumel ogirl ar
e
okay ,
seet hatonehast ogosoon, t
hatgi rlhas
beenseduci ngmeev ersinceshegott omy
house.She’ ssost upidshet hinksIwi llfal
lf or
hertri
cksaf teral
l she’sdone.Mxm She’ scr azy.
Igothomegotoutoft hecarandwal kedt ot he
doorandopenedt hencl osedi tbehindmeand
walkt otheloungeandt hisgirl i
ssitti
ngt her e
withashor tnightdr essandy oucoul dtellshe’s
notwear ingunder garment s.Herf eetareonmy
coffeetable,thi
sgi r
l i
stest i
ngmef orreal .
Lebo:
Gety
ourbi
gfeetof
fmyt
abl
e
Boi
tumel
o:ComeLeboam notgoi
ngt
obr
eaki
t.
Lebo:
yout
hinkt
hisi
syourhousedon’
tyou?
Boi
tumel
o:Nobutwecanmakei
tour
s*she
smi
lesseduct
ivel
y*
Lebo:
Gir
lStopWhatyoudoingnowbecause
i
t’
snotatt
ract
ivei
nfacti
t’
sdisgust
ing.Soget
yourski
nnybehindof
fmycouchandgoputon
someclothes.
Boi
tumel
o:Youcan’
tinsul
tmet
hentel
lme
whatt
odo.Youarenobossofme.
Lebo:
yout
est
ingmer
ightnow
Boi
tumel
o:i
t’
snotl
i
key
ouwi
l
ldoany
thi
ng.
Lebo:Okay *i
grabbedherbyherar m andpulled
hertothespar ebedr oom,shov
edheri nand
cl
osedt henlockedt hedoorbehindme, l
eavi
ng
ascreami ngwitchinsidebangi
ngt hedoor.
*

Thisgi
rldoesn’
tknowwhatawaitsher,
she
mustembr acetheroy
alt
reatmentshe’
sgett
ing
becausewhereshe’sgoi
ngitwil
lbehellf
orher
.

Tsi
etsi
:
Ihav ebeenwai ti
ngf ormyf ather sappr oval all
myl i
fe,Ihav edoneev erythingheaskedofme
withoutaski ngquest ionsorcompl ainingbut
nev erdidIgett oheart hewor dsIhav ebeen
year ni
ngf orsi ncemymot herdi ed.Letmet ell
youaboutmymot hert hequeenoft hi
sl and.
Shewast hemostsweetandl ov ingwoman,
whoal way shadawar m smi l
eonherf aceand
shewasl ov edbyev eryonei nt heki ngdom.I
don’ tevenknowwhatshesawi nmyf at her
becauset hatmani shear tless, bitt
erandev il
.I
knowsomemaysayt hatam exact l
ylikehi m
butam onl yachi ldseeki nghi sf athersat tention,
appr ovalandmosti mpor tantlyhi slove.Butmy
fatherisnott hatkindofper son, nev ersaidhe
l
ov edmenotev enonce.It houghti fIdid
ever yt
hingheaskedhewoul dlov ememor eand
givememor eat t
entionbutno, moneyand
powerar emor eimpor t
antt ohi m.Butt henI
l
ear nttolov ewhoIam andwhatIdo.Ienj oy
takingal ifeandwat chingaper sont akingt heir
l
astbr eathandmyol dtimef av ori
test r
angling
someoneandf eel them losingai randener gyas
Itightenmygr i
par oundt hei
rneck. ..best
feelingev er.Seef athert aughtmehowt oki l
l
from anear lyageandwest artedwi thanimal s.
Wewoul dgohunt ingt ogetherandhewoul d
shoott heani mal wi thasedat iveandt i
eit’
sl egs
toat reewai tforitt or egainconsci ousness
thenhewoul daskmet ost r
angl eittodeat h.He
usedsay ’
feelthepul seasi tget sweakerand
weakerandnev erl etgot i
lli
t’sgone’ i
twas
scar yatf i
rstandIwoul dhav eni ghtmar esand
mot herwoul dal way saski fsomet hingwas
bot her i
ngmebutIwoul dsaynobecauseIwas
scar edofmyf ather .Butt henIgotusedt oi t
anddamnwasi tfun...Ilearntnott of eelfear
butt oembr aceandenj oythemoment .Ki
lli
ng
peopl ewasnot hingbecauseIwasal r
eadyused
toki ll
ingandt heyar enodi fferentfrom ani mal s.
Butnowi t’
st i
meIst andonmyownt wofeet
andgetoutofmyf ather sshadow.Papi hast o
diet hesamewayheki l
l
edmymot her,hemight
hav enotki l
ledhim wi t
hhisbar ehandsbuthi s
actionsl edhert ohergrave.Theonl yperson
thatev erlovedmeuncondi ti
onall
y.Nowi t
’shi
s
turn, Iwi l
lkil
lhimt hentakeov erhi
st hroneand
hisbusi nesses,het aughtmewel landIam my
father ssonandwegetwhatwewantnomat t
er
theconsequences.Heal wayssay s’thereare
alway scasual t
iesinawar ’hewi l
lbeno
differentj ustanothercasualtyandIwanthi mto
diebymyhand.
Peoplewil
lknowandr espectmethenaf teram
donewithPapi am goi
ngaftermyqueenev eni
f
Ihavetoki
llthathusbandofherstogetherwith
herbrot
herbutshewi l
lbemi nei
nt heend.

Letmest artonmypl anofaction,Papii

fiwas
youIwoul dsleepwithoneeyeopenbecause
am comingf oryou.Likef
atherli
kesonbutam
abetterv
er si
oncreatedbyhim andf uel
edby
angerandhat
red.

Li
ke,
shar
eandcomment
.

Thi
sisshor
tbutIf
igur
edIshoul
dgiv
eyoua
l
it
tl
esomethi
ngtosaygoodni
ght.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t40

3Mont
hsl
ater
:

Mapul
a

Wel
lam backinCapeTown, i
t’
sJuneandam
wr
it
ingmymi dyearexams.Eversi
nceIcame
backKwezi andt hetut orhav ebeenhel pi
ngme
catchupwi t
hmywor ksi nceImi ssedoutona
l
otwhi leIwasaway. ..someofy ouar e
wonder ingwhathappenedandhowIendedup
here.SoIwasi nhospi t
al for4day sorshal lI
saymybodywasatt hehospi tal andIwas
beingheal edbythequeensi nt hesecr ete
place..
.don’taskmewher ei tbecauseIal so
holdnoknowl edgeoft hathowev erIdoknow
thatit’
sunderwat erwhi chIl ear ntthati swher e
IwillbewhenIgof ormymat uritycer emony .
..
ThatisifIwi l
lhav eoneduet ot hecur rent
events.AsIwassay i
ng, thequeenNy olodikept
givi
ngmeherheal ingwat erwhi let heot her
queenkeptbur ni
ngmywoundwi ththesun, t
hat
i
soneexper ienceIdon’ twi sht ogot hrough
everagai nbecausei twasl iket hef ir
esofhel l
wer eunleashedonme, itwasl iket hequeen
pull
edt hesuncl oseranddi rectedi tst r
aightto
myl egs.Itburntmyl egst oapoi ntthatI
compl ainedbecauseIcoul dn’tt akeit
anymor e..
.mi ndy ouwhi leam bur ni
ngitwasl ike
am gluedt ot hegr oundandcoul dn’tmov eand
whenIl ookedatmyl egliquidwascomi ngout
ofitandNgwedi keptoncl eaningthewound
thencov eritwi thsomel ief.Butont he3dayI
wasokayheal edandt hebr uisesonmybody
wer egone.Bef oreIl eftIhadt oaskwhatt hose
elephantswer eont hatdayandt hequeent ol
d
met hatthebaTl oungancest orssenttheir
guardianstof i
ghtwi thme.SoIwokeupf r
om
thehospi t
al andIwasdi schar gedsincet he
doctorscoul dn’tseeany thingwr ongwi thme.I
wentbackhomebyhomeImeant hecapi t
al
sincewedon’ thav eaki ngdom any mor e.My
mot herwassohappyt oseemeandIwas
happyt oseehersi nceIdi dn’tgettospendt i
me
withherwhenIgothome.Oht hemost
i
mpor t
antthingt hathappenedwasme
regaini
ngmyey esightwhenIwokeupf rom the
hospitalandt hatwar medmyhear t
.
Thefoll
owingdaywokeupear lyinthemor ning
andaskedmymot hertopackf ormeasIhad
gotobaTloungki
ngdom tocheckont heprince
andtakebackthemaidenBoi t
umel oIheadher
namewasandIl at
erleantthatshewast he
daughteroft
hewit
chIkill
ed.Ifshewas
somebodyelseIwouldfeelsorryforherbutI
don’
t.

Tokelodr oppedmeof fatLebo’shouseandI

tooktheguadsIcamewi thandt hemai denand
mademywayt obaTloung.Itwasi nt heearly
hoursoft hemor ni
ngaround4AM, Ileftatthi
s
ti
mebecauseIhadaf l
ightt
hatwasdepar t
ing
from LeSothoat10AM andIcoul dn’tmi ssit.
Wegott hereandstoppedfurtherfrom t he
palaceasi twaswhatIwasi nstruct edt odo.
Wewal kedallt
hewayt othepal aceki ckingthe
mor ni
ngdewwi thourbarefeet.
Wegott hereandtheguar dsletmei n,theking
wasawakeandImetupwi t
hhi m.Het oldme
thatthepr i
ncewasf i
neandheal t
hyandIwas
glad.Iinst r
uctedhimt ocleansethepr i
nceand
thepal ace,heaskedi fIdidn’
twantt oseet he
princeandIsai dno.Imeanwhywoul dIwantt o
seehi m, hewascol dtowar dsmet henIhadt o
bebl i
ndandf i
ghtwit
chesbecauseofhi m.YesI
forgivehi m butIdon’
tthinkIwantt omar ryhim
any mor e.Any wayIwentbackhomeandmy
bagswer ereadyforme,soIpr eparedmy sel
f
andl eft.

Sonowam hereprepari
ngtogooutforsome
fr
eshairwi
thKwezi.I
t’
sbeenawhilesi
nceI
wentoutandIhav
ebeenbusysinceIgother
e
catchi
ngupwit
hschoolwork.Sonowit’
sme
ti
me.
Kwezi:Woul
dy oufi
nishup!Youar
eoneof
thosepeopl
ethatgi
vewomenabadname
y
azi
*youknow*
Mapula:
AwuKweziIdi
dn’
ttaket
hatl
ongand
am r
eadynowl
et’
sgo.
Kwezi
:Pl
ease!
!YhoIev
engott
ir
edofwai
ti
ng.
Mapul
a:Ar
ewegoi
ngornot
?
Kwezi:Ofcour
seweare*
wewentoutl
ocked
thedoorandgoti
ntot
hecarandmydr
ivert
ook
usthethemall
*
Mapul
a:Spurorpr
imi
?
Kwezi
:Spurwi
ll
do*wewentt
ospurgotat
abl
e
andawait
ercameandt
ookouror
der*
Kwezi
:SoTel
lmehowi
spr
inceThabi
so?
Mapul
a:Hi
sOkayIguess
Kwezi
:Whatdoy
oumeany
ouguess?
Mapul
a:BecauseIdon’
tknowKwezi
.
Kwezi
:Hasn’
thecont
act
edy
ou?
Mapul
a:Nohedoesn’
thav
emynewnumber
andIaskedmyf
ami
l
ynott
ogi
vei
ttohi
m.
Kwezi:
Mapulathati
syourhusbandweare
tal
ki
ngabouthereandhi
sbeenaskingLesego
toaskmetogivehimyournumber.
Mapula:
Ihopeyoudi
dn’
tgi
vehi
m andIreal
l
y
don’
tthi
nkIwastomarr
yThabi
soanymore.
Kwezi:
Lookfr
iendIknowhedisappoi
ntedyou
buthewasnotinhisri
ghtmindpl
easegivehi
m
achancetodorightbyyou.
Mapula:
Looki haveforgi
venhi
m alongti
me
agoandIholdnogr udgesagai
nsthi
m butI
don’
tthi
nkIcanmar rysomeonewhowasnot
complet
elyhonestwithme.
Kwezi
:Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?
Mapula:
Thegir
lthatbewi
tchedhi
m washi
s
gi
rl
fr
iendandhenevertol
dmeaboutit
.
Kwezi
:WOW!Sohowdi
dyouf
indout
?
Mapul
a:WhenIwentt
osav
ehi
mfr
om hi
s
gi
rl
friendandhermother
,thatr
eal
l
yhurtKwezi
butIhadt ohel
pbecausethati
swhatIwas
i
nstructedtodo.
Kwezi:
WOW f r
iendIunderst
andwher
eyou
comingfr
om but..
.*shewascutof
fby
someonegreet
ing*
Voi
ce:
Ladi
es!
Us:
Hel
l
ow
Voi
ce:
Mindi
fIj
oiny
ouzi
nkosazane?*l
adi
es*
Us:
Nowedon’
t
Voi
ce:Gr
eat
..
.Igamalami ngi
wuNtsikay
omuzi
Zul
u.*mynameisNtsikay
omuziZulu*
Kwezi:Pl
easedt
omeetyouNtsi
ka.
..
Am
Kwezil
omsobutyoucancal
lmeKweziandmy
fr
iendher
eisMapul
a.
Ntsi
ka:Awuintombi
yomsut
huneyomXhosa
ni
hlanganakuphi
?*wowaSothogir
landa
Xhosagirl
howdidyoumeet
?*
Kwezi
:Wemetatschool
.
Ntsi
ka:Mpandeyomuzikababayi
ni
ungakhul
umi*Rootofmyf at
her
scompound
whyareyounottal
king*
Kwezi
:Shedon’
tunder
standZul
u
Nt
sika:
Oham sor
rymyl
ady
Mapul
a:I
t’
sokayIunder
stand.
Nt
sika:
Idon’
twantt
osoundfor
wardbutmayI
pl
easehavet
hebeaut
if
ull
ady
’sphonenumber
?
Mapul
a:Whatf
or?Youdon’
tev
enknowme?
Ntsika:Becauseam leavingthi
safter
noon
goingbackt oDurbanandIdon’ tknowwhenI
wil
l beinCapeTownagai nandIwouldliket
o
keepi ntouchwit
hthel ady.
Mapul
a:But
..
.*wascutof
f*
Voice:Nkosanakumelesisheshesi
ngaze
sishi
wey i
ndiza*mypri
ncewehav etohurr
yso
thatwedon’tmi sst
hefl
ight*
Nt
sika:
Ngi
yeza*am comi
ng,
theguar
dlef
t*
Kwezi
:Soy
ouar
eapr
ince?
Ntsi
ka:Yesf r
om oneofthekingdomsinKZN
butthatisnotwhatIpr
idemy sel
fwith.
*he
tur
nedt oMapula*myladypleasegiv
emey our
numberIbegofy ou.
Mapul
a:Okayi
t’
s*shegav
ehi
m hernumber*
Ntsika:Well
Ithanky oumyqueen,
Iwil
lcont
act
you.Keepwel l
ladiesanddon’
tworr
yaboutt
he
bil
li
t ’
salr
eadytakencareof.
Us:
Thanky
ou*hel
eft
*
Kwezi
:Wellf
ri
endi
fitdoesn’
tworkoutwith
Thabi
soyouhavet
heZuluprincer
ighther
e.
Mapul
a:Don’
tjokel
i
ket
hatf
ri
end.

WellNtsikai
sav er
ygoodlooki
ngman,
att
ract
ive,wel
lbuil
twi
thabeautif
ulsmi
lethat
showshi sper
fectwhi
tet
eeth.YesInot
icedbut
t
hatmeansnot
hing.

Ler
umo:

Ler
umoi sstressedandhasn’tbeensl
eeping
well
forthepast3mont hs.Helostweightand
hasdarkcir
clesunderhi
sey esandgreyhairon
hi
shead.

Ifeelli
kethewal kingdead, mydr eamsar e
keepingmeawakeatni ghtmyancest orswant
met ogobackt ot hev i
l
lageandsav emypeopl e.
Ov ert
he3mont hst hingsatt hev i
l
lagehav e
gonef r
om badt owor se,Isayt hevil
lage
becausei tnolongerf eelsli
kemyki ngdom and
myhomeany mor e.Ihav elearnttoacceptmy
l
ifeasi ti
snow, Iwasmor ehandsoni nmy
businessesandmywi feopent hebeaut yspar
shealway swant edt henthesedr eamsst ar
ted.
SincethenIhav eknownnor estbecauseI
refusetogobackt hereandsav ethosepeople.
Theychasedmeoutl i
keathief,
betrayedme
andnowt heyaredy ingandsuddenl yam good
enought omaket hingsr i
ght?WhenIwas
remov edaski ngthegodswer equietnowtheir
peoplearedy ingandt hei
rkingdom isperi
shing
ri
ghtbeforet hei
rey es.Nowt heywantLerumo
togosav et heday?Thatwi l
l i
thappen, my
brothercansav ehispeopleandhi skingdom
am done.

Queen: Lerumolookatyou,youaredy i
ngmy
dearhusbandpl easeputasi
dey ourpri
deand
gosav ey ourpeopl
eandsavey oursel
fint
he
process.
Lerumo:
Thatwil
lnothappenMabot
leandI
’
d
rat
herdi
ethangobackthere.
Mabot
le:Wel
lam sorr
ytodisappoi
ntbutdeat
h
i
sonethi
ngyouwon’tgetasthegodssaid.
Ler
umo:
Thenl
etmesuf
fert
il
ltheygi
veup
Mabot l
e:OmanganagLerumooatseba*youare
stubbornyouknowthat*
andyouar esel
fi
sh,
don’tyouseethaty
ouarehurt
ingus?
Lerumo:
Mabotlepleasemywi feIbegofyoulet
thi
sgoand..
.*t
heywer edi
sturbedbyaringi
ng
phone*answerthephoneplease
Mabot
le:
Nowear
est
il
ltal
ki
ng
Ler
umo: Pleasemywifepickupthephoneand
wewil
ltalklater
.*Mabot
ledidastol
d*

Conv
o:

Mabotle:
Ohmybl
ossom,
howar
eyoumy
pr
incess?
Mapul
a:Am Fi
neMot
her
,wher
eisFat
her
?
Mabotl
e:Hisri
ghther
emypri
ncesshol
don*
shegavethephonetoLer
umo*
Mapul
a:Fat
her
Ler
umo:
Howar
eyoumyl
i
ght
?
Mapul
a:Notwel
lFat
her
Ler
umo:
Whati
sthemat
termypr
incess?
Mapul
a:YouareFat
her
,whydoIhav
etobe
shownbythegodst
hatyousi
ck?
Lerumo:Idi
dn’
twantt
oworr
yyoumypr
incess
butIwil
lbefi
nedon’
twor
ryy
oursel
f
Mapula:Noy ouwon’
tbeFat
herforaslongas
youkeeprefusi
ngtogosaveyourpeopleand
youwill
looseTokel
o
Ler
umo:
Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?
Mapula:
Tokel
owil
ldiei
nthenext5daysify
ou
don’
tchangey
ourmind,
thatwi
llbeyour
pani
shmentForabandoni
ngy
ourpeopl
e.
Ler
umo:
Idi
dn’
tabandonany
onet
heychaseme
out
Mapula:Iknowthatfat
herbutt
heyneedyou
now,Tokeloneedsyoutosavehim andi
need
mymat uri
tycer
emonyt obedoneathome.
Goodbyefather
*shedroppedthecall
*

GodsofbaKoenawhyar eyoupani shingmei n

suchamanner ?Hav en’tIservedyouwel l
?
Haven’tislaught eredbeastsandper formed
yourri
tualst hewayy ouwant edthem done?So
whydidy out akemycr ownandmyki ngdom
from meandgi veittosomeonewhodest r
oyed
i
tandnowt hati t
’snolongerwhati tusedt oyou
wantmebackt heretostartfrom scratchagain?
Allmyhar dwor ky outookfrom meandgav eit
tosomeoneel seandnowi t’
sgonedownwi th
thefl
oodsandnowImustgobackr ebuildit
?
Yesmyhear tbl
eedsfort
hepeopl
eofbaKoena
butyoutookthem awayfr
om me.Soplease
givemetimetolivemyli
fewi
thmyf amil
yand
groom mybrothertobet
heki
ngy ouwanthim
tobe.

Hishear twasbl eedingbuttheancestorswere

quietjustl
iketheyal wayshav ebeenforthe
pastmont hs.Theyonl yspoketohiminhis
dreamsbuther ef usestogivein.Nowhisson
willhavetopayf orthesinsofthesamepeople
thatturnedtheirbacksonhi m.

Don’
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
commandshar
e.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t41

Ler
umo

TodayIcall
edTokel
ot ohaveserioustalkwit
h
hi
m, mantomanmay behewi l
lunderstand
wheream comingfr
om bot hasamananda
l
eader.I
tisabeauti
fulhotdayandwear e
si
tt
ingoutsi
deinthegardenhavingacol done.
‘
Fat
hery
oucall
edmeandPleasedon’
ttel
lme
y
ouaredyi
ng’
saidTokel
o
‘
Iti
snotmyti
meyetsont
hegodsst
il
lwantme
her
e’Ler
umosai
d
‘
ThatisgoodnewsFatherbutIam concer
ned
aboutyourheal
th’
sai
dTokelo
‘
Don’tbeconcernedaboutmyhealthsonIwill
befine.Iact
uall
ycal
ledyouher
et odiscusst
he
causeofmyi ll
nesswhichi
snotreal
lyan
i
l
lness’
Ler
umosai
d
‘
Ifi
t’
snotanill
nesst
henwhati
sitFat
her
?Are
youconcer
nedaboutwhati
shappeni
ngback
home?’AskedTokel
o
‘YesIam wor ri
edaboutmypeopleandthe
kingdom butwhatisreal
l
ybother
ingmearethe
dreamsinf actonedr
eam’ Ler
umosaid
‘
Whati sthedream aboutfat
her’
Lerumo
thoughtaboutthi
sdream thati
skeepinghim up
atnight,adr
eam thatwil
lbehisdownfall
ifhe
doesn’tdowhatisrequir
edofhim.
‘
ThebaKoenaancest or
swantmebackhomet o
savetheki
ngdom’ hesaid‘Sowhatisthe
probl
em?’Tokeloasked. ’
tel
lmet hi
sson,how
wouldyoufeeli
fy ouwer estri
ppedofyour
company,betr
ayedbyy ourownempl oyeesand
thenwhenthecompanyi sfacingbankr
uptcy
youarecal
ledbackt osav eit
’askedLerumo.
‘
TobehonestFat herIwoul dbev er
yhurtand
disappoi nt
edbutmor ei mpor tantlymyego
woul dbebr ui
sed.I nf actIwoul dn’tgobackj ust
topr ov eapoi nttot hem’ answer edTokel o’that
i
spr eciselyhowIf eel aboutt hisson, If
eel for
mypeopl eandmyhear tbleedsf orthem but
whatbot hersmei showqui cklymypeopl e
turnedt heirbacksonme.Myownel der s
betray edme, afterev er ythi
ngIhav edonef or
thatki ngdom ov ert hey ears.Theymeeta
personwhocl aimst obemybr otherf oroneday
andt heygi vehi mt heki ngdom onasi lver
platter.Thatr eal l
ydoesn’ tconcer nmemuch
butwhatki ll
edmewasbei ngchasedoutofmy
home, mychi ldren’shomeandt hatiswhat
woundedme.WhenIt ookov eraski ngt hat
palaceonl yhadt wor ondav el
sandIbui l
titto
whati tistoday ,Ibui l
ti tformypeopl eandmy
children.Ibui ltitsot hatev enwhenIst epdown
thequeenandIcanmov etooneoft hewi ngs
sot haty ouaski ngcanhav et hemai nhouse.
Whatwoul di thav ecostt hem t oof ferusoneof
thewi ngsi nt hepalacet hant okickusoutl ike
dogs? ’Sai dLer umoandt hepai nwasev identin
eachwor dhesai d.’
Iunder standFat herandI
don’tblamey ouforfeel i
ngt hi
swayanyman
wouldf eel exactl
ythesamewayy oudor ight
now’ Tokel or epli
es‘ ButifIdon’ tgoback
you..
.youwi l
lpaythepr ice’saidLer umo
soundi ngpai nedbythis.‘ whatdoy oumean
fat
her ?’ AskedTokel o.‘ Thegodswi l
ltakey ouif
Idon’tobl i
geandIdon’ twantt ol osey ou.You
aremysonandIl ovey ou,thiswi l
lalsokillyour
mothersoi fIgoIwi llbedoi ngitf oryoujust
l
ikeanypar entwoul ddo.Sacr i
fi
cef ortheir
chil
dren’ Lerumosai d.

‘
Fat herIknowy oudon’tknowt hi
sandy ouwil
l
bev erydisappoint
edinme, i
nf actam
disappointedinmy sel
fbutIfeelli
keIhaveto
tellyouthis.Chi
ldr
enalsohav etosacri
fi
cefor
theirparentsandIam mor ethanwi l
l
ingtodo
so.Fat herIhav et akenmanyl i
vesinmyl if
eand
Iknowt hiswillhur ty ouandy oumi ghtfeel l
i
ke
youf ailedasapar entbutIwanty out oknow
thaty ouhav ebeennot hingbutagoodf ather
andr olemodel f
orme, butwhatam t ryi
ngt o
sayis, ify oudon’ twantt ogobackt hendon’ tgo
back, lett hegodst akeme, whati sonel ife
compar edt ot heonesIt ook?Yousacr i
ficeda
l
otf orusandnotev enoncedi dy oucompl ain.I
f
youf eel likethisisy ourt imet odowhatmakes
youhappyt henam mor ethenhappyt o
contribut etoi tasy ouhav edonesomanyt imes
formeandy ourpeopl e.wedon’ tevenhav et o
tel
lMapul aandmot her’saidTokel o.‘You
mightt hinkIdon’ tknowwhaty oudobutIdo’
Lerumosai d.‘ Youdo? ’AskedTokel ocl early
surprisedbywhathi sf atherjustsaid.‘YesIdo
knowPapi camet ot ell mewhathappened
whiley ouwer est il
l atschool butbackt henI
hadnomeanst orescuey ou.YesIhadt he
compani esbutal lthatmoneywentt othe
kingdom soIkeptqui et’‘
butwhydi dn’tyousay
any thingal l t
hesey ear s?’AskeTokel o
quizz i
cal ly.‘Ifiguredy ouwi llt
ellmewheny ou
ready ,butenoughaboutt hat .WhatIwanty ou
toknowi st hatIam pr oudofy ouforkeepi ng
yoursi st erandussaf e.Mosti mpor tantl
yI
appr eci atethef actthaty oudi dn’tdoal lt
hose
thingsi nf rontofy ourpeopl e.Agoodki ngnev er
showshi ssecr etstot hewor ldtoseeast hey
willusei tagai nsty ou.Soam pr oudofy ouf or
noti nv olvi
nganyofusi nanyoft hi
s.’Lerumo
said.Tokel of eltgoodaboutwhathi sfather
saidbutwasal soashamedofhi sacti
onsev en
thoughhi sfathersai dsomegoodwor dstohi m,
hest i
l
l feltguiltyandexposed.‘ Sofatherwhat
i
sy ourdeci si
on?Ineedt oknowsot hatIcan
putmyaf f
ai r
si nor der .
’‘Amanshoul dalway s
hav ehi saf fairsi nordernomat t
erwhat
becausedeat hcomesunexpect edlyli
keat hief
atni ght .Butdonotwor r
yy ourselfaboutdy i
ng
atleastnotf rom t his’Lerumosai d.
‘
Iheary ouf atherbutal way sknowt hatal lwe
wantisf ory out obehappy ,all3ofuswanty ou
happy’ hesai d‘ don’tforgetLebo, hahat hatone
i
ssuchababy ’‘Iwasact ual lycountinghi min
thosepeopl e, whenIsai d3ImeantMapul a,
LeboandI ,mot hercansor ty ououty ourself’I
l
aughedatt hatst atementknowi ngexact l
yhow
capablemywi feisofput tingmei nmypl ace.
It’
sactual lyint hosemoment sthatifal
l deeper
i
nl ovewi thher .Thatwomannev erceasest o
amazeme, j
ustwhenIt hinkIcan’ tpossiblylove
herany mor ethanIdoshegoesanddoes
somet hingt hatwi l
lmakemef eelli
kea
teenagerwi thr aginghor mones.‘ Yourightson,
yourmot heri smor ethancapabl e.Tellmehav e
youfoundy ourqueeny et’ Iaskedwi thmy
eyebrowr aisedex pectinghi mt osaywhathe
alwayssay s(am notr eadyy etfatherbutwhenI
am Iwi lltellyou)‘ Actual l
yFat herIhaveandam
surey ouwil
lapprove’ wel l t
hisisasur prise,thi
s
maidenmustbesomet hingspeci altost eal my
son’sheartli
kethat.‘ Ihav et omeett hi s
maidenandt hankher , Inev erthoughta
bachelorli
keyouwi llev erset tl
edownanddon’ t
worryaboutmyappr ov albuty ourmot her ’s’
‘youwi l
lmeetheri nduet imef at
her.Am not
worriedaboutmot herIwi lluseherbl ossom t o
soft
enherup’ hesai dwi t
hasmi l
e,thankt he
godsmysonf oundhappi nessandt hesmi l
eon
hisfaceshowj usthowmuchhehasf allenf or
thi
smai den.‘hahay ouar ecr uelson, howcan
youwantt ousemyl ightl ikethat?’‘wel lfather
amanhast odowhatamanhast odo.You
knowhowy ourwi f
eisandam notaboutt o
pokeabear ’‘
hahaheyt hati smywi fey ou
tal
kingabout’Ihithim ont heshoul derpl ay ful
ly
andhel aughed.

Thi
sdemot
ioni
fIcancal
li
tthatgav
eme
somet hingInev erhad.Ti mewi thmyson,
Tokel ogr ewupknowi ngt hathisf atherhas
otherr esponsi bili
tiesinhi slif
eandt hatmade
him mor edet ermi nedt obei ndependentanddo
thingsonhi sown.YesIwasdi sappoint edwhen
IfoundoutaboutwhathedoesbutIal so
blamedmy selffornotbei ngther emor eforhi m.
Iknowt hatheneededonmor ethanone
occasi onbutIwasn’ tt hereforhi m, asIwas
busyt ryingt obui l
dast rongandweal thy
kingdom f ormypeopl e.ButIam gr atef ulthat
hedoesn’ tr esentmef ornotbei ngt heref orhim
andIam al sogr atefulf orthi
st imeIspentwi th
bot hmysons, beingaf athertot hem.I fIgo
backt obei ngki ngIwi ll gobackahappyman,
am apr oudf ather,mysonwasev enwi lli
ngt o
sacr i
fi
cehi msel fformeandt hatal oneshowed
mehowmuchhel ov esme, butam notaboutt o
beAbr aham andsacr i
ficemysonast here
mi ghtnotbeabeastatt hetopoft hemount ai
n
tosav ehi m.
Thabi
so:

Ihav ebeenbur iedi nmywor kev ersi nceIgot

better.Iwant edt ocat chupandf i
xt hemessI
havecr eatedandal sotryandav oi
dt hinking
aboutt hepai nIcausedt hewomanIl eantt o
l
ov eandappr eci ate.Mybet rotheddoesn’ teven
wantt ot alktomeandIdon’ tblameher .The
wayIact edwasnotr ightwet herIwant
bewi t
chedornotshedi dn’tdeser vewhatIdi d.I
wishshecoul djustgiv emeachancet o
apologi zet oherf ormybehav ior.Sigh. ..A
knockcamet hrought hedoordi sturbi ngme
fr
om myt hought sandIshout edal azycomei n
andLesegocamei nwi thbagsf rom st eers,am
guessi ngit’slunch.
‘
Ibr
oughtl
unch’hesai
d‘yeahsure,
butam not
r
eal
l
yhungr
y’‘Iknowyounotreal
l
yhungrybutI
woul dreallylikey ohtoeatsot haty oucanhear
whatIhav et osay ’hesay s.‘What ev eritisam
notinterest ed’ Isayabi tannoy ed,whycan’ the
j
ustl eavemeal one?‘ Ohwel lthenIwi l
l keep
mymout hshutaboutt hei deasIhav ef ory outo
winy ourqueenback’ hesai dandst artedeat ing
hisfood.‘ Comeonman, youknowIwoul ddo
any t
hingt ogethert oatl eastl etmet alktoher ,
eveni fshedoesn’ tsayany t
hing,justt al ki
ngt o
herapol ogizingandt hanki ngf orforwhatshe
hasdonewoul dbemor ethanenoughf orme. ’
RightnowIwoul ddoany thingt ogetmywi fe
back, IneedherandIam not hingwi thouther .
She’smyl i
f eandImeant hatliterally.Isay
‘Jeezmannoneedt ocr yabouti t
, Iwi l
l help
youbecauseam agoodf r
iend’ hesay swi t
ha
smi l
eonhi sf ace.I fIdidn’ tneedhi m Iwoul d
wipet hatsmi leof fhisf ace.Mxm.‘ Fine!So
whatdoy ouhav einmi nd? ’Iaskwi thabi tof
excitement .‘ wear egoi ngt oCapeTownt his
afternoon’ Lesegosai d‘ howar ewesupposed
togetaf l
ightatthist i
me?Besi desIhav e
meet i
ngi nthemor ningwi ththeedi tors’Lesego
shakeshi sheadl ookingdown. ’Iwasn’ tgoi
ng
tosayt hisbutify oudon’ tgot herenowy ouwill
l
osey ourqueen’ hesay s‘Ialreadyl ostherman.
Waitwhydoy ousai dt hatli
key ouknow
somet hingIdon’ t?’Iask‘ wellIspoket oKwezi
l
astnightandshet oldmet hatsomeZul u
pri
ncei smaki ngmov esonherandshedoesn’ t
seem tomi ndand. ..
’what ?AZul upr i
nceafter
mywi fe?Hewi l
l hav eherov ermydeadbody ,
am notl oosingthatwoman. ’Andwhat ? ’
Iasked
‘Andwhat ?’Her epeat edandIknowhedoes
thatwhenhi shidingsomet hing.‘ Noman
Lesegoy ousaidand, andy oudi dn’tfi
nish.What
i
si t
?’Nowam wor r
iedaboutwhatmor ecoul d
therebe.‘ WellKwezi toldmet hatshedoesn’ t
wanttomar r
yyouany morebecausey ouwer e
notupf rontwi t
hheraboutt heBoi tumel othi
ng’
DamnBoi t
umelo!Youst i
ll
causi ngpr oblems
evenwheny ouar elockedi nthedungeonwi th
ther ats.’Imessedupbi gt imedi dn’tI?’Isay
disappoi ntedI nmy sel f‘
Yesy oudi dbuty oucan
stil
lfixthis’hesai d.Icanf ixthisbuthi snot
say i
nghowbecauseam outofi deasr ightnow.
‘Arey ougoi ngtot ellmehowory ougoi ngt o
keepmei nsuspense’ am annoy edr ightnow.
‘hav en’tyoubeenl isteningt oawor dIsai d?’He
asks‘ Ihav emanbutgi vemesomet hi
ngsol id’I
say‘ wel lthesolidpar ti
sy our st of i
gureout .I
hav ebookedusaf li
ghtt oCapeTowndepar ti
ng
thisev eningat5pm’ clearlypr oudofhi msel f
.
‘Whendi dy oudot hat ?’Iask‘ AfterIspoket o
Kwezi andshet ol
dmet heZul upr i
nce’ ‘So
Whatar ewest il
ldoi ngher e?Let ’
sgoback’
Lesegol aughedget tingupf r
om t hechai r.

Am comingf oryoumyhear t,
Ijusthopeyouwill
gi
veusanot herchance.GodsofbaTl oung
pl
easebewi thmeont hi
sjourney,am goi
ngto
getyourqueenandIneedy oubymysi de.The
womanwhohasmyhear ti
snotjustanyother
woman, shei
saqueen, y
ourqueen,yourchil
d
theeyeandearofthegods.Thehighlyfav
ored
oneandIcannotjustgother
ealone,Ineedyou,
yourpri
nceneedsyou.

Li
ke,
shar
eandcomment
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t42

Mapul
a

‘
Ngwedi whycan’ tIfeelmyl egs?’ ‘
Idon’
tknow
pri
ncessbutl ookovertheret hatelephantcan
hel
pcar r
yy ou’‘Butwon’tthosel ionsstandi
ng
i
nfrontoft hem harm us?’‘Thatisupt oy ou
pri
ncess,remembert hi
sisy ourjourney,i
fyou
l
ett hel ionsst andiny ourwayy oumi ghtnotgo
home’ ‘butIhav etogohomeNgwedi theyneed
me’ ‘theydon’ tonlyneedy oubutt hei rqueenas
wel l’‘
Ngwedi wherear ey ougoi ng?Ngwedi
don’ tleav emeher e!!Ny ol odimyqueenpl ease
helpme! !BaKoenawher ear eyou? ...Iwokeup
sweat i
ngandbr eathingheav y.Itwasadr eam,
sigh!Thankt hegodsi t’sonl yadr eam, butwhat
doesi tmean? ..
.Ngwedi abaKoenamot ser eletsi
wakgosi gadi Mapul aet lomamel ekgosi gadi
ahao[ moonoft heBaKoenapr otect oroft he
rainqueenMapul a,comeandl i
st ent oy our
queen]‘ Aty ourservicemyqueen’ saidNgwedi .
‘Pr otectorIneedy ourhel pwi t
hadr eam Iwoke
upwi th’Isay .‘Youmeanawar ningmy
princess’ shesay s.Ohwhathav eIdonet o
angert hegodsnow? ’IAskabi twor riedoft he
answerImi ghtget,Idon’ twantt ol iveschool
agai nandi fIhav etosav esomeonepl easel etit
beher e.‘ Youhav enotdoneany thingy etmy
princess‘ sheanswer ed.Imustsayam r elieved
thatIdon’ thav etogoany whereandt hatt he
godsar ehappybutIcan’ thelpbutwonderwhat
thewar ni ngi sabout .‘
ThenWhati sthiswar ning
about ?’Iask.‘ Youhav et wopat hsbef orey ou
tochoosef rom mypr i
ncess’ shesay s.Why
can’tNgwedi j
ustbecl ear ?Whydoesshehav e
tospeaki nr iddles?Hai tjo’PleaseTel lme
mor e’isay ,hopingt hatshewi l
lbecl eart his
ti
mear ound.‘ AsIsai dy ouhav etwopat hs
beforey ou, onei sownedbyt hel i
onsandonei s
ownedbyt heel ephant s’shesay sandInodand
i
ndicat ewi t
hmyhandf orhert ogoon.‘ The
onepar twi llbri
ngy ouhappi nessbuty ouwi ll
havet osacr ifi
cey ourpeopl et ogeti tandt he
secondpat hwi llal
sobr ingy ouhappi nessand
youwon’ thav etosacr ificeany thingf oritbut
youwi llhowev ercont i
nueusi ngy ourgi f
tst o
helpot her s’shesay s.Idon’ tgetwhatpat hs
she’stal kingaboutandIwantt oknowmor e.
‘Soi fIchooset heonepat hIwon’ thav etouse
mypower s? ’Iask, nott hatIdon’ twantmygi ftI
j
ustwantt oknowmyopt ions.‘ No, theywi llbe
takenawayf rom y ouast heyar emeantt ohel p
yourpeopl eandi fyouchooset hatpar tt hen
youwon’ thav et hem any mor e’shesay s‘ So
Tellmewhi chpat hisr epresent edbyt hel ions
asIt hinkIknowwhi chr epresent st he
elephant s? ’Iask.Ineedt oknowsot hatIcan
makeani nformeddeci sion.‘ sorrymypr incess
butt hati sal lam al l
owedt osayatt hemoment
butr emembert hegodsbel ievei ny ouandt hey
don’twantt odi ctatehowy oul i
v ey ourl i
febut
theyar egi vi
ngy ouopt i
onsf ory out ochoose
whichi sr i
ghtf ory ou’ shesay s.Iunder stand
Ngwedi Ireal l
ydobutt hisisconf usingt ome.
‘myt hanksmydearpr otector’Isay‘ Ther ei s
noneedt ot hankmemypr i
ncess, Iam y our
guar dianandt hisiswhatIam her ef or’ she
says.HahaNgwedi canbemodestsomet imes,
wet hershei ssupposedt odot hisornoti twon’t
hurtt oshowsomeappr eciati
onbecause
withoutherI ’
dbei nt hedar k.‘Myt hanksdear
protectorfordoingsuchgoodwor kandIwi l
l
seey ounextt i
me. ’Isay‘ hav eapl easantday
mypr i
ncessandy ouhav eav isit
or’shesay s
anddi sappears.Whati sNgwedi t
alki
ngabout
now? ..
.Whi l
eIwasst i
llthinkingaknockcame
through,Iwonderwhot hati sthisearly.
..Iwent
toopenandt herehei smyhandsomepr ince.
Hehasn’ tchangedonebi t
, Iforgotjusthow
goodl ookinghei sormay bei t’sbecauseI
hav en’
tseenhi mi nawhi l
e.Hebr oughtme
backbysnappi nghi sfi
ngeri nf rontofmyf ace.
Mapul
a:MyPr
ince,
Sunr
isegr
eet
ings.
‘
Sunr i
segreeti
ngsmypr i
ncessandam sor r
yto
wakey ou.’
Hesay s‘it’
sokaymypr i
nceIwas
awake. ’
Isay‘mayi pleasecomei n?’Heasked.
Hel ooksnervousri
ghtnowandIdon’ tknow
why .Imovedandmadewayf orhimt ocomei n,
Iclosedthedoorandf oll
owedbehi ndhimt o
thelounge.‘CanIoffertheprinceanything?’I
asked.‘Justwatermypr incessthanky ou’he
says.Idon’ tknowwhatThabi soi sdoi ngher e,
hel ooksner v ousbuthi spr esencecommands
respect .Godwher eisKwezi whenIneedher ? .
..
Iwentbackt ot heloungeandgav ehimt he
wat erandsatont hecouchopposi t
ehi m.He
placedt hegl assont hecof feetabl eandl ooked
atme.‘ Howhav eyoubeenmypr incess? ’He
asks, Iwonderwhyhedoesn’ tgett ot hepoi nt
becauser ightnowIneedashower .‘Iam wel l
mypr inceandIcanseet hatthepr i
ncei sal so
doingwel l.’Isay .‘Iam notwel lmypr incess’ he
l
et ’
soutadeepsi ghandcont inued.‘Icame
heret oapol ogizef ir
stfornotbei ngupf ront
aboutt her elati
onshi pIhadwi thBoi tumel o.
Secondl yfort hewayIt reatedy ou, Iwi llnotsit
hereandbl amewi t
chcraft.Bewi tchedornotI
shoul dn’thav eignoredy out hewayIdi d.Yes
theonl ythingonmymi ndt hemomentIset
footinLeSot howasher .Am sor rymypr incess,
pleasef orgiveme. ’Hepleads‘ MyPr inceI
forgav ey oual ongt imeagof orthewayy ou
wer ewhenwegotbackhomeev enthoughI
wasconf usedf orav eryl ongt i
me, wonder ing
whatImi ghthav edoneorsai dt oupsety ou.
ButwhenIf oundoutwhathappenedIf orgav e
youwhol ehear t
edly,butwhatIst r
uggl edt o
forgivey ouf orisnott rust i
ngmeenought o
under standt haty ouhadal i
febef oreme. ’Isay,
‘Iam sor rymypr i
ncess, keepi ngitfrom y ou
wasnotmyi ntention,shewasj ustnot
i
mpor tanttomeatt het imeandIsawnoneed
totelly oubutnowIr ealizethatIwaswr ong’ he
saysandIunder standhi m.‘ Iunderst andmy
pri
ncebutt rusthasbeenbr okenbet weenus
andi twi l
ltakesomet imet orest or
eit.Ast he
sayinggoes, ittakesaf ewmi nutestot rust
someonebutwhent r
usti sbr okenitt akesy ears
torest oreit.
’ Isayandhel ooksatmewi thout
sayingany thi ng.‘Mypr incessIam mor et han. .
.’
myphoner ingsandhel ooksatme.Iknowt hat
i
sNt sikacalling,hisbeencal li
ngmeev er y
mor ningandsendi ngtext sfort hepastt wo
daysandthi
sishisti
met ocal
l
.‘i
fthepri
nce
wil
lexcusemeIwoul dl
i
ketoanswermyphone’
Isai
dandhel ooksatmeandnods.Ianswermy
phonewalki
ngt ot
hekit
chen.

Conv
o:

Mapul
a:Goodmor
ningNt
sika
Ntsi
ka:
Goodmorni
ngMpande,
howdi
dyou
sl
eepmyqueen?
Mapul
a:Ver
ywel
lthanky
ouf
oraski
ngandy
ou?
Ntsika:
Isl
eptver
ywel l
becauseIspoket
oyou
beforeIsl
ept
.*Iblush*
Mapul
a:Iwi
l
ltaket
hatasacompl
i
mentt
hen.
Ntsi
ka:Takei
tasmor ethanj
ustacompl
iment
myqueen.Youbeingcalmnessint
omyli
feand
Iappr
eciat
eyouforthat
.
Mapul
a:Myt
hanks,
event
houghIdi
dn’
t
any
thi
ng.
Ntsi
ka:
YouDoalotmor
ethany
oucanev
er
i
maginemyqueen.
Mapul
a:Okayt
heni
fyousayso,
uhm..Nt
sikaI
hav
etogoandwewill
tal
ksomeotherti
me.
Ntsi
ka:OkayMpandeyomuzikababa[
rootofmy
f
atherscompound]
keepwell
.
Mapul
a:By
e.

Idroppedt
hecallandwentbacktot
helounge.
Thabisowassi
tt
ingwhereIlef
thi
m andIwent
tositwher
eIwassi t
ti
ngbef
ore.
‘Mypr i
ncesspleasedon’tgiv
euponus, Iknow
thatyouabeaut i
ful
womanandy ouwillhavea
l
otofsuitorsbutIaskthatyoupleasegiveusa
change’hesayswi t
hapleadingtone.‘my
pri
nceasIsaid,Iforgi
vey oubutyouwil
l hav
e
toearnmyt rustbackandasf orusIr eal lydon’
t
know.’ IsayandIseepai ni nhi sey es, Thabi so
carri
eshi semot i
onsi nhisey es.Hegoesdown
andkneel si nf rontofmeandam shocked.‘ My
heart,pleasedon’ tgiveuponmej usty etmy
pri
ncess, taket hi
sat estofhowt hingsar e
goingt obewhenwemar ri
edandhowwear e
goingt oresol vet hem.Mypr incessIam st i
ll
goingt odot hingst owi l
l pi
ssy ouof fwhenwe
aremar r
iedbutIpr omi set oal way s
communi cate, consi deryourf eeli
ngsandspend
myday st ryi
ngmyv erybestt omakey ouhappy .
Mapul ay ouhav emyhear t,youst olei tt hef i
rst
dayImety ou.Thewayy oucar ri
edy our self
,
howy ouspokeandmor eespeci all
yhowmuch
yourpeopl elov eandadmi r
ey ou.If oundmy self
want i
ngt oknowmor eabouty ouandt he
reasonsy ourpeopl eadmi r
edy ou.YesIgot
ti
met oknowy oubutt henaf tery ousel flessl
y
helpedmeaf teral lt
hatIhav edonet oy ou
provedt omet haty ouar etheonef orme.Not
thatIwasn’tsurei nthef irstplacebutwhaty ou
didmeantmor et ome, youhav emoral
sand
pri
ncipl
einf acty oupossesst hequal
it
iesofa
queenandnotj ustanyqueenbutabaTl oung
queen,mosti mpor tantlymyqueen.Am l iterall
y
onmykneesdoi ngsomet hi
ngIhav enev er
donebeforebutf oryouIwi lldoital
lmyqueen
younamei tandIwi lldoi t.’
Am speechless
ri
ghtnow,Iopenmymout ht osaysomet hing
butwordsf ailme.‘ youdon’ thavetosay
anythi
ngrightnowbutIwi llcomebyev er yday
unti
lyouhav esomet hingt osayt ome’ hesay
thengetsup, ki
ssedmyf oreheadandleft.

WowIr eall
ydon’
tknowwhattosayrightnow,
Thabisoisagoodmanandsoi sNtsi
ka.Iguess
thesearethet
wopathsandIhavetochoose
one.MyhusbandThabisoorNtsi
katheZulu
pri
nce.
Manzi
niKi
ngdom i
nKZN:

Ntsikaissitt
ingatthediningt ablehaving
breakfastwithhisfatherkingSbani sezweand
hismot herqueenNkany ezi
.Hi ssmi l
i
ngal one
whileholdingaf or
k,hispar entslookathim
theneachot her,wonderingwhatcoul dbe
maki ngthepr i
ncesmi l
easNt sikaneversmiles.
Hisav eyserousper sonandhi sbeastisnot
fri
endly.
Ki
ngSbani
:Wasi
nekawedwanj
eyi
ni?*
you
smil
i
ngalonewhati
tis?
*
Queen:
OhIwaswonder
ingt
hesamet
hing.
Ntsi
ka:
Ithi
nkam r
eadyt
osett
ledownnow
f
ather*
hesayst
hatsmil
i
ng*
Ki
ngSbani:Act
uall
yThati
swhatthequeenandI
weregoingtotal
ktoyouaboutbutam gl
adyou
ar
ealreadyopentothei
dea.
Ntsika:Iam mor
ethanopenf
atheri
nfactIam
readyandIcangetmarri
edeventomorr
ow.*
hesay swithawidesmi
leonhisf
ace*
Queen:Ohgoodandy
ouwi
l
llov
ethepr
incessI
choosefory
ou.
Nt
sika:
What
?
KingSbani:
Awuyi
nimanje?*Whati
sitnow?
*I
thoughtyouwant
edthi
s.
Nt
sika:IdoFat
herbutnotwi
thsomer
andom
pr
incess.
Queen:
Sodoesthatmeany
oual
readyhav
e
someonei
nmind?
Nt
sikasmi
l
esandl
ookedathi
smot
her
.
Ntsika:
Yesmot
herIdoandIt
hinkmybeast
agrees.
Ki
ngSbani
:Okaysowhi
chki
ngdom i
sshef
rom?
Ntsi
ka:Idon’
tknowbutshei
snotfr
om here,
sheisaSothowomanandIdon’tt
hinkshe’
s
r
oyal
ty.
KingSbani:Usuy
asanganakemanj
e,i
ntombi
yomSot hophothati
snotevenr
oyal
?*y ou
mustbecr azynow,aSothowomanthatisnot
evenroy al
*
Queen:Nt
sikamyson,
youarethepr i
ncethe
nexti
nli
nefort
heManzini
throne,youcan’t
marryacommonerandourtr
aditi
ondoesn’t
al
lowit
.
Ntsi
ka:
WellthenIwil
lbet
hefi
rst
,
Mpandeyomuziwil
lbemyqueenandnoone
el
se.
Ki
ngSbani
:It
houghty
ousai
dthegi
rlwasSot
ho
whyi
shernameMpandeyomuzi
?
Ntsi
ka:Shei sSothoandhernamei sMapula
butIcallherMpandeyomuzi kabababecause
shewillbetherootthatpul
l
st hisfami
lyand
thi
skingdom together
.
Queen:
Howdoy
ouknowt
hatNt
sika?Thegi
rl
i
sacommoner
.
Ntsika:Motheri
nt hepastt woday sthatIhav e
beent al
kingtoMpandeIhav ebeencal m, happy
andsmi li
ngfornor eason, whi chissomet hingI
neverdo.Mpandei smyl ight, mycal mness, my
artbecauseherbeaut yisnotonet obe
compl ementedbutonet hatisl ikeartthatisf el
t
andIf eelwit
hMpande, Ihav ef eeli
ngsmot her
becauset hat
’swhatmyar tdoest ome.Ev en
mybeastagr ees,heissubmi ssivetowar ds
Mpande, hervoi
ceal onehasawayofkeepi ngit
calm andhappyandIwon’ tloset hat.
KingSboni
:Youhav eknownthisgir
lforonl
ytwo
daysandalreadyyouarefeel
ingthi
sway ?Hayi
thelovepot
ionshegav eyouisstr
ong.*Ntsi
ka
bangsthetable*
Ntsi
ka:
Don’tyoueverandImeanev ercall
my
ar
tawitch.Mpandeisagoodwomanandshe
wi
llbethequeenofthi
skingdom oryouwill
l
oseme.*hesai di
nav er
yst er
nvoicethengot
upandl
eft
*
Queen:
Manzi
niIdon’
twantt
olosemyson.
Ki
ngSbani
:Weneedt
hechi
efpr
iestandf
ast
.

Li
ke,
shar
eandcomment
.

Hav
eagoodsl
umber
.

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t43

Manzi
niki
ngdom

KingSi
banisezwewentoutofthemainhouse
tothechi
efpriest
’shut
,hewantedt
ogettothe
bott
om oft heprobl
em witht
hepr i
nceandhe
wasgoi ngtodoany t
hingtomakesur ehe
doesn’tlosehi
ssonandt hefutur
ekingofhi
s
ki
ngdom.Hegott her
e, t
ookoffhi
sshoesand
wentinside.
Chi
ef:
Myki
ng,
whatbr
ingsy
ouher
e?
King:
Myhousei
sonf
ir
ewi
seoneandIneed
answers.
Chi
ef:Whatseemst
obet
hepr
obl
em sot
hatI
canconsul
t?
Ki
ng:
Thepr
inceoft
hisl
andi
sbewi
tched.
Chi
ef:Mykingy
ouknowthatthepri
ncecannot
bebewit
chedhi
sbeastpr
otectshi
m.
King:Butnoonesai danythi
ngaboutitbei
ng
i
mmunet oLeSothomut ibecausethemaiden
responsi
blei
sfrom LeSothoandt hebeast
seemst obecalm aroundher.Theprinceeven
goesaroundsmi l
ing.
Chiefpr i
est
: Okayyouhaveconvi
ncedmel et
’s
throwt hebones*tookhisbonesandsaid
praisesthenaskedt heki
ngtoblowintot
hebag
withbones, shakesitt
henthrewtheboneon
thematmadeofani malski
n*
Chi
ef:
Mmm y essi
yav
uma*weagr
ee*i
yhooo!
!
Vumanibo*doyouagree*
Ki
ng:Si
yavuma*weagr ee*thechiefpr
iest
wentonreadi
ngthebonethenturnedand
l
ookedatthekingsmi
li
ng*
Chi
efpr
iest
:Thepr
incedi
dwel
lmyki
ng.
Ki
ng:Thepri
nceoft
hislandi
sbewi
tchedbya
Sot
hocommonerandy outel
lmehedidwell
?
Whatareyousmoki
ng?
Chief
: I
fyoucoul
dletmefi
nishy
ouwoul
d
understandwhyIsai
dhedi
dwell.
Ki
ng:
Goi
nthen.
Chi
ef:
Wel
ltheancest
orsshowedmet
hegi
rl
andherbl
oodi
sbl
ue.
Ki
ng:
What
?
Chi
ef:
Shehasbl
uebl
oodmyki
ng
King:Thati
sint
eresti
ngatleastsheisroy
albut
thenagainhowcanaSot homai dencalmthe
breast?Li
onsarenoteasi
lycontrol
ledandyou
knowv erywel
lwhatIhadtogot hroughto
fi
nall
ygetmywi fe.
Chief
:Iwast
hereIknow,
butt
hispr
incess
seemstobefav
oredalot
.
Ki
ng:
Whati
sshef
avor
edf
or?
Chi
ef:
Thegodsdi
dn’
trev
eal
thatbutwhat
ever
i
tisi
t’
spower
ful
.
Ki
ng:
Wel
lthati
sint
erest
ing.
Chi
ef:
Thati
snotal
lmyki
ng.
Ki
ng:
Tel
lmewi
seone.
Chi
ef:
Thi
sMai
deni
ssof
avour
edt
hatshehas
br
east
sonbot
hsi
despr
otect
ingher
.
King:Herbeast
scan’
tbeaspower f
ulast
he
l
ions,wearetheki
ngsofthejungl
eandwerul
e
whereverwego*hesaidsoundingver
ypr
oud*
Chi
ef:Buty
ouar eweakagai
nstal
lfor
cesof
nat
urecombined.
King:
don’tt
estmeSibi
ya!Whatar
eyout
ryi
ng
tosayaboutmyancest
ors?
Chi
ef:
It’
snotwhatIam say
ingi
t’
swhatt
hey
ar
eshowingme.
Ki
ng:
Expl
ainy
our
sel
f.
Chief
:Thegirlhasingwenya[all
igat
ors]onthe
ri
ghtprot
ectingher,ontheleftshehas
el
ephants,atthebeckshehas3mostpower ful
womenandi nfront
?...
Wellyouwon’ teven
bel
ievemei fItoldyou.
Ki
ng:What
everi
tisam sur
eifwon’
tshockme
asmuchaswhatyouhavealr
eadyr
evealedhas
shockedme.
Chief
:Wellt
hisismor ei
nterest
ingandv ery
powerful
.Noteventhemostpower fulchiefs
haveeverbeenblessedwithsuch,i
nmyent ir
e
exi
stenceIhaveneverseensuchandi nf acti
fI
weretomeetherIwoul dhav et
obowbef ore
herassheisabov eme.
Ki
ng:
PleaseTel
lmewhyy
ousayt
hat
?
Thechiefpriestl
aughsali
ttl
easI famazedby
al
lthathehasbeenshownandt heexci t
ement
hehasaboutal lthi
s.Notf
orthepr i
ncebutfor
hi
mt oact uall
ysayheoncemett hemost
powerfulpersontoeverwalkTheear t
h.
Chief:Shehasanangel l
eadingher!Doy ou
knowwhatt hatmeans?*thechiefpri
est
couldn’tcontai
nhisexci
tement*sheisleadby
anangel ay ounggir
lwit
hbigSnowWhi t
ewi ngs.
Theangel i
swalki
ngbeforeherasisshei s
queenguar dedbythemostpower fulcr
eatures.
King:Thisi
sinter
est
ingindeed.Pl
easethrow
thebonesagainIhavetobesur eaboutthi
s.*
thechiefpr
iestdi
dastoldandwhathesawl ef
t
him withhi
sjawdropped*
Chi
efpr
iest
:Ihav
etomeett
hismai
den.
King:Canyoujustt
alkt
omeandst opwi
tht
he
excit
ementoverthi
ngsIdon’
tknow.
Chief:
WhatIseeherei
sbey
ondwhatI
previ
ousl
yimagi
ned!Thi
smaideni
sagod
hersel
f.
King:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
oshar
ewi
thmewhaty
ou
know?
Chi
ef:
Am sor
rymyki
ngbutwhatwasreveal
ed
tomethi
sti
meissosur
real
thatImy
selfdon’
t
bel
i
eveit
.
King:
DAMNSI BIYA!
!Youmi ghtbetheeyeof
thegodsbutIam st
il
lyourkingandyouserv
e
meandt hethr
oneofthiski
ngdom.Nowt el
lme
whatIneedtoknowandst opwastingmyti
me.
Chief:Myapol ogiesyourhighness,Ijustgot
carri
edawaybecauset hisissomet hingthat
hasnev erhappenedbef ore.Howev erIwi l
lnow
gettothepoi nt,apar
tfrom theprotectionshe
hasshecanal socontrolthesun,rainand
storms.Basicall
yshecandoany t
hing.
King:Ihav etotalktothepr i
nce.Myt hanks
wiseone*t hechi
efpr i
estdi dn’tev enseet he
kingleav i
nghewasst illl
ookingatt hebones
notbelievingwhathej ustsaw, asar esulthe
gatheredt hebones, putthem backi nt hei
rsack
thensaidt hepraisesandt hrewt hem agai n.He
tookhist i
mel ookingawayf rom t hem hopi ng
thatwhenhel ookedatt hem t heywi l
lshow
somet hingdiff
erent.Hef inallyl
ookedaf tera
whileandt hebonessai dthesamet hing.*
Chiefpr
iest
:Godsofmyancestorsy oucannot
showmesuchwonderandnotl etmeatl east
beinthepresenceofi
t.Thi
sissomet hi
ngy ou
haveneverdonebefor
ebutnowy ouhaveandI
knowal otofmykindwil
lwantt
oseethisand
may bebetrai
nedbyherasshei
ssomething
biggert
hananykingdomsbeast
s.Ibegofyou
l
etmeseeherj ustonce.

Mapul
a:

Am stil
l shockedaboutt heev ent
sthatoccurred
earl
iertodayasar esultIendedupcal li
ngKwezi .
Ineedt hedistracti
onandanewper specti
ve
fr
om someoneout sideofthi slovet
ri
angleifI
canev encallitthat.
..Kwezi badgesinshouting
mynameatt het opofherl ungs.
Mapul
a:Awuf
ri
endwhyar
eyoushout
ing?
Kwezi
:HeyDon’
taskmethatjustcomesi
t
downandtel
lmewhathappened.
Mapula:
OkayButFi
rstdoy
ouwantsomet
hing
t
odrink?
Kwezi
:Heystopwast
ingt
imeandcomet
ell
me
whati
sgoingon.
Mapul
a:OkayOkayj
eezi
mpat
ientmuch?
Kwezi
:Heyiwena[heyyou]youknowIshoul
d
bespendi
ngti
mewi thmymanr ightnowbutI
comerunni
nghereforyou,sopl
easetal
k.
Mapul
a:Butfri
endwebot
hknowy
oucamef
or
mgosi
[gossi
p]
Kwezi
:Ofcour
se!Nowspi
l
l.
Mapul
a:Wel
lwher
edoIst
art
?
Kwezi
:Thebegi
nni
ngi
sal
way
sagoodst
art
.
Mapul
a:Youri
ght,soIhadadream l
astnightor
i
ntheearl
yhoursofthemorni
ngandint he
dr
eam...
[shet
oldherever
ythi
ngaboutthe
dr
eam andwhatitmeans]
Kwezi
:Yhof
ri
endt
hati
sdeep.
Mapula:
Tel
lmeabouti
t,asi
fthatwasnot
enough,
Thabi
socamehereearl
yint
hemorni
ng
t
oapol
ogi
zeandexpl
aint
hingst
ome.
Kwezi
:Ohwowt hati
ssosweetofhi m,ImeanI
tr
avel
edallthewayfrom LeSot
hojustsothat
hecanexplainhi
mselfandfixt
hingswit
hy ou.
Hisakeeperfri
end.
Mapula:Iknowdearandi nhisapologyhe
soundedsosi ncer
e,hi
swor dswerelikeones
fr
om thoseguy sonthoseromanticmov i
eswe
usetowat ch.
Kwezi
:Yhot
hisguyi
sgoodf
ri
end.
Mapula:Youhavenoi deafri
enditwasli
kehe
wasreadingascr i
ptwri
ttenforaromanti
c
l
ovinghotguyfrom asoapoper a.Hesaidal
l
t
hatpouringhisheartouttomeshowi ngmehis
vul
nerabl
eside.Itwassosweett hatwords
f
ail
edme.
Kwezi:
Soify
ouf
eltl
i
ket
hatwhati
sthe
pr
oblem?
Mapul
a:Tr
ustf
ri
end,
itdoesn’
tmat
terhow
manyromanticwordshesaysandhowsweet
andspeechl
essheleaveme.Therei
sthatpar
t
ofmethatwondersifhewil
ldi
sappoi
ntme
agai
n.
Kwezi:Fri
end!Hiswordsmightbet hosefrom a
soapoperaactorbutthi
sisnomov ie,i
t’
sreal
l
ifeandinreall
if
epeopledisappointeachot her
al
l t
hetimebutthatdoesn’
tmeant heycareany
l
essabouty ou.Howmanyt imesdoy outhink
ourparentsdi
sappoi
ntedeachot her?
Mapul
a:Pl
ent
y[Isai
dinalowt
oner
eal
i
zingj
ust
howri
ghtKwezi
sounds]
Kwezi :Exactl
yButtheynevergaveupjust
becauset heyweredisappoint
ed.Ever
y
rel
ationshiphasitsupsanddownsbuti t’
supto
ust ofi
ghtf orwhatwewant .Don’
texpectto
haveasoapoper akindoflovewit
houtputti
ng
i
nt hewor k,youworkthenreaptherewards.
Mapul
a:Igetwhaty
ousay
ingf
ri
endbel
i
eveme
Ido...i
ftherewasnooneel seIbel
ievethatI
wouldhav egiventhepri
nceanotherChance
withoutthinki
ngtwiceabouti
tbecausehe
reall
yisagoodman.
Kwezi
:Fri
endhowlonghaveyouknownt
his
ot
herguyandwhatexact
lydoyouknowabout
hi
m besi
deshi
m beingapri
nce?
Mapula:Nothi
ngr
eal
l
yButwecangett
oknow
eachother
.
Kwezi :
Iknowt haty
oucangett oknoweach
otherbutremembert hesay
ing‘ ratherbewit
h
thedev i
lyouknowthantheoney oudont’whatI
meani sthatyouknowThabi so,yeshemadea
mi st
ake,whodoesn’t?Areyougoi ngtobethe
kindofqueenwhor unsatthef i
rstsignof
troubl
e?
Mapul
a:Nof
ri
endy
ouknowam notl
i
ket
hat
.
Kwezi
:Buty
ouar
eli
ket
hatt
oyourhusband?
Mapul
a:Hi
snotmyhusbandy
et.
Kwezi:
Am sor
rybutwebot
hknowt hati
sbul
l
sh$$&t
.Hepai
dlobal
aandthatmakesyouhi
s
wif
e.
Mapul
a:YesIknow.
..
Butt
herei
sNtsi
ka,hi
s
sweet
,car
ing,
makesmelaughandam f
ree
ar
oundhim.
Kwezi :Fi
rstl
yev eryguymakesy oufeell
ikethat
wheny oujustmet ,secondl
yhedoesn’teven
knowy ouareaqueenoft wobigkingdoms
backhomeandy ouhav epower
sandy ou
mar ri
ed.Allthoset hi
ngshedoesn’tknowand
thatiswhyy ouf eel f
reewit
hhim becauseyou
feelli
key oucanl iveali
fethati
snotyoursfora
while.
Mapul
a:I
sthatsobadt
hough?
Kwezi:Mapulayouaresmarterthanthat,
you
heardthatyouwil
ll
oseyourpower sifyou
chooseNt si
ka,
whatdoy outhi
nkwi l
lhappento
yourpeople?Whataboutyourfather
skingdom
thatisal r
eadyatt hemer cyofyouruncle.You
werecr yi
ngnotsol ongagot ell
i
ngmehow
heav yy ourheartisbecauseyourf at
herspeopl
e
aredy ingandy ourf at
herdoesn’twanttogo
andsav ethem.I fyouloseyourpower syour
peopl ewi l
lsuff
erev enmor eandIknowt hat
youwi llneverbehappyknowi ngthatothersar
e
sufferingoutther ebecauseofy ou.
Mapul
a:Iknowf
ri
endbutwhodoIchoose?
Kwezi:Accordi
ngtomet hereisnocompar i
son
betweenThabisoandNtsika.TomeNt sikais
notevenaf act
orbutIwil
lnottel
l y
ouwhatt o
do.Foll
owy ourhear
tandasy ourfri
endIwil
l
supportyouwithwhatev
erdecisionyoumake.
Mapula:Thanksf
ri
endIappr
eciateyouradvi
ce
and.
..
[therewasaknockonthedoorandKwezi
wenttoopenandcamebackwi thThabiso]
Kwezi
:Wel
lIwi
l
lleav
eyout
woal
one.
Mapul
a:Thanksf
orev
ery
thi
ngf
ri
endandIwi
l
l
cal
lyou.
Kwezi
:Any
timef
ri
end,
bye.
Thabiso:Iknewthataski
ngyoutogooutwi
th
memi ghthavebeentoomuchtoasksoI
rentedmov i
esforustowatchandIgotusa
picnicbasket
.
Mapul
a:Youshoul
dn’
thav
e
Thabiso:
YesIshouldhave,nowmyl
adywoul
d
youbesoki ndandgomakeuspopcornswhi
l
e
Ifi
xtheplaceforourpi
cni
c?
Mapula:
Sur
e[Iwentt
otheki
tchent
oget
st
art
edonthepopcor
n]
Ifini
shedwi tht
hepopcor nandwhenIwentto
thelounget heli
ghtswereoffandcandl
eswere
l
it.Cushionswer escatt
eredonthefl
oorwit
ha
fl
eecebl anketi
nt hemiddle,
apicni
cbasket
withallsortsofgoodiesinsi
de.I
twasreal
ly
beautif
ul andnewt ome.
Thabiso:
Youdon’
thav
etosayany
thi
ngj
ustsi
t,
eatandwatcht
hemovie.
Inoddedthenwentandj
oinedhim.OhhowI
wishIcouldj
uster
aseal
lthathappenedandgo
backtothehappypl
acewewer eonceinbefor
e
wewenthome.

Tsi
etsi
:

Ihavebeenbusywi thmypl ansi ncePapi l

eft
forsomebusi nessandohboyi shei nf ora
surpr
isewhenhecomesback.Fat herwi l
lknow
thekindofmonst erhecr eatedand
unfortunat
elyforhimitwi l
lbethel asttimehe
seesitbecausehewi l
lsoonj oi
nhi sancest ors.
Am sur eevenmot heriswaitingf orhimt ogive
heranswer stothequestionsshenev ergotto
askandIwi llhel
phergett hem.
Ihav
eal
readygi
vent
heguar
dsandmai
densof
f
fortwoday s,onei st hedaybef orehear r
ives
andt hesecondi st hedayofhi sar ri
valandhi s
l
astdayonEar t
h.Mypl ani ssolidandIknowno
onewi l
l questiont hepr ince.Andwhenhi s
founddeadbyt hehel pIwon’ tbeher easIt old
them am l eavingandt her ewill
benoonei nthe
palacesot heydon’ thav et owor k.Am planning
onaski ngt heguar dst ot akemet otheai r
por t
beforet heytaket hei rof fdayssot hatthey
thi
nkIl eftthenatni ghtam comi ngbackt ot he
palacet owai tandki l
lthatmonst erIusedt o
callafat her.
Letthegamesbegi nPapiandIam goingto
beaty ouaty ourowngame.Youshoul dhave
knownt hatsometi
mest hestudentasper
ses
themast er
,butyouwill
lear
ntthatthehardway
andy ouwon’ tevengetthechancetoshare
yourwi sdom withother
s.
Youwill
regr
etevert
reati
ngmebadlyandyou
wil
lseetheworkofyourowncr
eat
ionjustyou
wai
t.

Li
ke,
shar
eandcomment
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t44

Ler
umo

It
’sbeen3weeksandImustsayt hatIam
sl
eepi ngpeacefullyatnightandIhav eregained
myst rengthandnowam r eadytogobackand
getwhat ’sr
ightf
ul l
ymi ne.Wel l
af t
erthetalkI
hadwi thmyson, IburntAfricanincestand
accept edmyf ai
th.Iaskedmyancest or
st o
sparemysonsl i
feandhel pmer egai
nmy
strengthsothatIcangobackandgetmymy
peopleoutoft hatmi sery.Sincethatdayt he
dream Ihadbeenhav ingst
oppedandf oronce
afteralongtimeIhadapeacef ulsl
umberand
fr
om t hatdayonwardsIhav ebeenregaini
ng
myst rengthandputt
ingtogetheraplanof
actiontogetmykingdom backandhel pmy
people.

Mysonshav ebeenagr eathelpinallthatand

theyev enofferedtodonat esomef undst othe
kingdom andhel pbuil
dr oadsandi mpr ove
someoft hei nf
rastr
ucturethathasal ready
beendest royedsuchast heschool thathas
beenv andalizedandt hecl i
nic.Weev engotone
ofthebi gphar maceuticalcompani esinMexi co
todonat esuppl i
esandmedi cinestothecl i
nic
andLeboof feredtoext endtheclini
cint oa
hospitalwithdiffer
entwi ngs.

Myqueengotoneofhercl
i
ent
swhoi
sadoct
or
tousehermedi calstudentresidencet odot hei
r
residencyatourhospi tal
oncei thasbeen
renov ated.Tokel oalsogotCubandoct orswho
volunteeredt ot rai
nourcur r
entdoct orsand
i
mpr oveourheal thcaresy stem.Todayam
goingbackhomewi thmysonst oputt hepl an
i
nact i
on, Iwi
ll beusi ngmyconst r
uct i
on
companyt ohel pwi t
hbuildingmat erial
sand
usev i
ll
agepeopl etowor kont hepr oject.My
queeni sst ayingbehi ndandshewi llonlygo
backonceev ery t
hingisundermycont rol.

Wear edriv
ingtothebaKoenaki ngdom busy
tal
kingabouttheplanswehav eandhowmuch
theywill
helpourpeople.Theconv ersati
ondi es
downwhenwepassourf armsandsawhowdr y
theyareli
ketheyhavebeenabandonedf or
years.Noworkersinsightandthecondi tion
theyinweighsheavyonmyhear t,
Ihav ebeen
soconsumedwi thmypr i
dethatIdidn’tev en
real
izethatt
hingshavegot
tent
hisbad.If
eelso
self
ishandnotwor t
hytobecal
l
edthekingof
thi
skingdom.Nowondermyancest or
swer e
angry.

Tokel
o:Don’twor
ryfat
her,
allt
hiswi
llbe
anci
enthi
storyi
nthenextfewmonths.
Lebo:
Yeahwewillgett
hiski
ngdom backint
o
i
tsnormal
stat
e..
.Noitwil
lbemuchbet t
erthan
whati
swasbefore.
Lerumo:Itr
ustyouboy sandIknowt hatwewi l
l
getthi
skingdom it
’srespectanddignityback.I
t
j
ustweighsheavyonmyhear tthatthingsgotto
thi
spointandallbecauseofselfishpeopleli
ke
myself
,mybr ot
herandt heelders.
Lebo:Don’ti
ncludeyour
sel
finthesame
sentenceasthosepeoplef
atherbecausey
ou
arenothi
ngli
ket hem.
Ler
umo:
Ohbutam exact
lyl
i
ket
hem.Youseei
f
Idi
dn’
tpr
otestwhenIwastol
dtocomeback
homethi
ngswouldn’
tbet
hisbad.
Tokel
o:Iunder
standthaty
oufeel
gui
lt
ynow
aboutal
lthi
sbutyouherenow,wear
ehereand
thati
sall
thatmatter
s.
Lerumo:
Myt
hankssonsf
orhel
pingmewi
th
thi
s.
Lebo:
Noneedt ot
hankusf
athert
hisi
sour
homeandwear emoret
henhappytohel
pputi
t
backtoget
her
.
Tokelo:YesButIwi l
lnotbel
enientwit
hyour
brother
,y ouwil
lfor
givemefatherbuti
fheeven
tri
estost andinourwayIwon’tbeheld
responsibleofwhatIwil
ldo.
Lerumo:YouDoWhatyouwantwi
tht
hatman
butdon’
tkil
lhi
m..
.Guar
dst
opthecar
!

Theguar
dst
oppedt
hecarandt
her
ewasa
womanwi thachil
dsitti
ngi nt
hemi ddleonthe
gravelroad.Thekingsteppedoutoft hecarand
wentt oher,thewomanl i
ftedherheadandsaw
theking.Shequicklybowedherheadi nr
espect
.
Woman:
Myki
ngwel
comebackhome.
Ler
umo: Mythanksdearwoman,
whyar
eyou
si
tt
inghere?
Woman: Iwascomingfr
om thecli
nicbecause
mydaughterissi
ckmykingbutwedi dn’
tget
anyhel
past her
eisonl
yonenursewor ki
ngand
toomanypeopleneedi
ngassist
ance.
Ler
umo:
Wher
ear
etheot
herwor
ker
s?
Woman: Theystoppedworkingbecauset
hey
haven’
tbeenpaidforthepastmonthsmyking
andtheonlyonelefti
sthatonenurse.
Lerumo:
Andt heonewho’
swor
kinghasshe
beenget
tingpai
d?
Woman:
Nomyki
ngshej
usthasagoodhear
t
andcoul
dn’
tsi
tandwatchourpeopl
esuf
ferbut
shei
soutofsuppl
i
es.
Ler
umo:
Whati
syourname?
Woman:
MaLer
atomyki
ng.

Lerumot ookacl oserlookatMaLeratoandher

daughter,t
heirskinlookspaleandtheirl
i
psare
cracked.ThisbrokeLer umo’
sheartevenmore.
Lerumo:Tokel
ogi
vethi
swomant hefoodwe
boughtonthewayandwater
.*Tokel
odidas
tol
dandt hewomanwasveryhappyand
gratef
ul*
MaLerato:Mythanksmyki ng,wewi l
l eatwhen
wegethomeandsav esomef ormyhusband.
Wehav en’
teatenindaysandmyhusband
keepsgoingtothebaTlokwaf arm everydayin
hopesofgetti
ngaj obbutnothing.*MaLer at
o
wasnowi ntearsandLerumo’shear tbroke.He
tookouthisphoneandcalledthef i
nance
managerofhi scompanyandaskedhi mt osor
t
outsomef undsandhewillsendsomeonet o
getthem.Thenhecal ledthemanageri nhis
constructioncompanyandt ol
dhimt otakea
tr
uckandsomemen, goandgett hemoneyand
buygrocer yhamper sandhav ethem deli
ver
ed
tothepal ace.Hedroppedt hecallandoffer
ed
MaLer atoal if
ttoherhouse.*

Mapul
a:

Wel li
thasbeenagood3weeksThabi soandI
hav ebeenspendingeverydaytoget her,
goi ng
tothepark, t
hebeach,moviesandsomet imes
j
ustst ayi
nandcookt ogether.Lesegowent
backhomeaweekagot otakecar eofbusi ness
sinceThabisodecidedtostayunt i
lam done
withschool t
hengobackhomet ogetherformy
ceremony .Ihav
ealsobeenTal kingt oNtsika
everydayandhei sjustthesweetest,
wenev er
l
abeledourr el
ationshipsonowIj usttakehim
asgoodf ri
end.Ialsof i
nall
yagreedtogoona
for
mal datewi t
hThabi soandKwezi ishelping
megetr eady ,
infacthewi l
l beher
eanymi nute
now.Am wear i
ngar oyalblueeveni
nggown
withgoldhighhillsandals,agoldcl
utchand
goldearri
ngs.

Kwezi
:Youlookamazi
ngf
ri
endThabi
sowi
l
l
dr
opdeadthemomentheseesyou.
Mapul
a:Yout
hink
Kwezi
:No,
Iknowhewi
l
lmel
t.
Mapul
a:yeahbutam sonervoust
hismyf
ir
st
t
imegoingonaf or
mal dat
e.
Kwezi
:Rel
axev
ery
thingwil
lbefi
ne.
[ther
ewas
aknowandKweziwentt
ogetitandcameback]
Kwezi
:Hi
sher
eandgi
rlhi
sfl
ames
Mapul
a:OkayOkayLet
’sgobef
oreIchangemy
mi
nd.
Kwezi
:Nothappeninglet
’sgo[wewentoutof
myroom i
ntothelaungeandhestoodup.He
wasweari
nganav ysuit,
brownshoes,hi
s
dr
eadl
ocksnicel
ytied.Helookssohandsome.
Kwezi
:Hell
ow!Isoneofyougonnasay
somet
hingoryoujustgonnadr
oolal
lni
ght
?
Thabiso:Am sor
rybutIwasdist
racted,
youl
ook
gorgeousmypr i
ncess,
wordscan’teven
descri
behowy oulookri
ghtnow.
Mapula:Mythanksmypr
inceandy
oul
ook
handsome.
Thabiso:Mythankspri
ncess[hislooki
ng
str
aightint
omyey esasifsearchi
ngfor
somet hi
ngandIjustgotl
ostinthem]
Kwezi
:Haipeopl
epleasegoam donewiththi
s
[hel
aughedandhet ookmyarm andhockedit
i
ntohi
sandwewal kedoutanddroveoff
]
Hedr ov
eusintoblueswater
shotel
andwe
walkedinandwewer eshowedourtabl
e.He
openedachairformeandhewentandt ookhi
s
seat.
Thabi
so:
Didi
Tel
lyouhowbeaut
if
uly
oul
ook?
Mapula:
Yesy
oudi
dbuti
won’
tmi
ndhear
ingi
t
agai
n.
Thabiso: Wel
lyoulookbeaut if
ulmypr incess[I
blushed]Ihavesomet hi
ngf oryou[her eached
i
nhi sjacketpacketandt ookoutar ectangular
boxandhandedi tt
ome.It ookitandopenedi t.
Ifoundt hemostbeaut i
fulheartshaped
necklacewiththelett
ersMTi nthemi ddleof
theheart.
Mapula:WOW t
hisi
sbeaut
if
ulmyt
hanksmy
pr
ince.
Thabi
so:
Am gl
ady
oul
i
kei
t.MayIputi
tony
ou?
Mapul
a:Yesplease[hetooki
tandwentbehind
meandhelpedmeouti ton]whatar
ethese
l
ett
ersf
or?
Thabi
so:Mapul
aAndThabiso[hekissedt
he
backofmyneckthenwentbackandtookhi
s
seat
]
Mapula:Thanky
ouit’
sveybeaut
if
ul.[ouror
der
cameandwest art
edeati
ngoverl
it
e
conv
ersati
on]

Nt
sikay
omuzi
:

Ilefthomet hatdayandwentt ooneoft he

apar t
ment sIstayinwhenam notatt hepalace.
Theapar tmenti sinuMhl angarocks,
Iwasj ust
tooangr yatmypar entstogobackhome, unti
l
fathercall
edmeandt oldmeIcanmar ry
Mpandeandnowam I nCapeTownt osur pr
ise
her.Wehav ebeent alkingever
ydaybutnowI
j
ustmi sshertoomuchandIwantust oputa
l
abel onourr el
at i
onshipandMay bet
akeherof f
themarketi fsheal lowsme.Nowam onmy
waytohot el r
est aurantt ohav esomedi nner
andIwill
seeMondet omor r
owsi ncei t’
sal r eady
l
ate.Iwalkedi ntot her est aurantandt hewai ter
showedmemyt able,hegav emet hemenuand
tookmydr inkor derandf elt.Ilookedatt he
menubutt henIhear daf ami li
arl augh, Iliftup
myheadandIsawheront hef arend.Looki ng
sobeauti
ful, Godt ookhi st imemaki ngmy
queen,withherev erythingi sini tsrightpl ace
andhersmi lej ustkill
sme.OhMpandey omuzi
kababayouwi llbehomewi thmesoon, wai tam
sohypnotizedbyherbeaut yt hatIdi dn’tnot ice
theguynexther .Hebet ternotev ent ryitthati s
myqueen, Ist oodupandwal kedt ot heirtabl e
andMpandesawmeandsmi ledandIsmi led
back.Ir
eachedt heirtableandgr eetedlooki ng
atMpande’ sbeaut i
ful smi le.

Nt
sika:
Goodev
eni
ngMpandey
ami
Mapul
a:Goodev
eni
ngNt
sika
Nt
sika:
Howar
eyoumyqueen?
Mapul
a:Am wel
landhowar
eyou?
Nt
sika:
Goodnowt
hatIseey
ou.
Mapul
a:Idi
dn’
tknowy
oui
ntown.
Ntsi
ka:Ij
ustar
ri
vedandIthoughtIwi
l
lsurpr
ise
youtomorrowbutt
henIsawy ouandIcoul
dn’t
r
esist.
Mapula:
Okaythen..
.ohletmeint
roduceyouto
pr
inceThabi
so,Thabisothi
sispr
inceNtsi
ka.
Ntsi
ka:Ni
cet
omeety
ouman,
whi
chki
ngdom
ar
ey oufr
om?
Thabi
so:
BaTl
oungki
ngdom i
nLeSot
hoandy
ou?
Ntsika:
Manzi
niki
ngdom KZN.Whatbr
ingsy
ou
here?
Thabi
so:OhIcamet
ospendt
imewi
thmy
bet
rot
hed.
Ntsi
ka:What?NoMpandepleaset
ell
met
hisi
s
ami st
ake,
PleaseMpandeyami
ngiy
akucel
a[am beggi
ngyou]
Mapul
a:I
t’
snotami
stakeNt
sikaam sor
ry.
Nt
sika:
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
met
hisMpande?
Mapul
a:Thi
swasnotsomet
hingIcoul
dtel
lyou
ov
erthephoneNt
sikawemetonceremember?
Thabi
so:
Whydoy
oucal
lherMpande?
Ntsi
ka:Stayourofthi
s.[isayi
nlowbutv
ery
ster
ntone,myangerisraisi
ngj
ustbyl
ooki
ngat
hi
m andmybl oodboils.
ThenIl
ookatMpande
andIfeeldef
eated.Iwentdownonmykneesin
fr
ontofher]
Ntsi
ka:Mpandey amiIcantloseyounotwhenI
havejustfoundyou,pleasegivemeachancet o
l
ovey ou,iknowthatyouar epromisedto
anotherbutam herenow, tomakey oumy
queen,toloveandmakey ouhappy.Pleasegiv
e
uschancepl easeMamokoenai begofy ou.
Guar
d:Nkosanapleasegetupapri
nceof
Manzi
ni begsnooneespeci
all
yacommoner
,
nowpleasegetupmypr i
nce.
Mapul a:
Nt si
kagetup, hisr i
ghtapr i
ncedoesn’t
beg[Igotupandt ookherhandsi nmi neand
l
ookedather ]andy ou[l ookingatt heguard]are
commoner snotpeopl e?...pleasedon’tever
l
ookdownonpeopl ejustbecausey outhi
nky ou
areinahi gherlevelthant heyar e.Commoner s
arepeople, y
ourpeopl eandbei ngar oyalguar
d
doesn’tmakey ouroy al.Youar eacommoner
j
ustlikethem.Nt sikaIwi llcallyoutomorrowso
thatthethreeofuscant alk.
Thabiso:Pl
easedon’ tevertouchmywi f
elike
thatinmypr esenceandy ou[guar
d]sheisnota
commonerbutar oy
alpr i
ncessoftheBaKoena
Kingdom andsoont obequeenoft hebaTloung
kingdom.IfIeverheary ouaddressmyqueen
l
ikethatagainy ouwill
regretit
.[theyl
eft
]
It
urnedt
olookatt
heguar
d.
Ntsi
ka:
Youandy
ourbi
gmout
h!Whoaskedy
ou
t
odowhatyoudi
d?
Guar
d:Noonemypr
inceandam sor
ry.
Ntsika:
YourSorrywon’
tchangeanythi
ngandi
f
Il
oseMpandebecauseoft his,
Iwil
lkil
lyou
beforethatSot
hopri
ncegetstoyou.Mxm

Il
efthimthereandwentt
omyr oom.Ican’t
l
oseMpandenotwhenIj ustf
oundher,sheis
myev er
ythi
ng.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t45

Thabi
soPOV

TosayIwashur
tbyt
heev
ent
sofl
astni
ght
woul dbeput ti
ngi tl
ightly,
iwascr ushedandi t
doesn’ tmakei tbetterthattheZulupr i
ncei s
easyont heey esandgoodwi thwor ds.WhenI
hear dthatt hisNt sikaguywasmaki ngmov es
onmyqueenIhadt ocomeandgetbackwhat
i
smi ne,nott hatIdidn’ttrywhenIwasback
homebuti twasn’ tthesamesi nceshedi dn’t
wantt ogi vemeachancet otalktoher .Butnow
thingshav ebeengoodbet weenusandIdeci de
tost ayputunt i
lshei sdonewi thschool sot hat
wecangobackhomet ogether
.Thingswer e
goingwel l ti
ll t
heZul upri
nceshowedupandI
won’ tli
eandsayt herewasnoconnect ion
bet weent hem becauset herewasandt herei s
nodeny ingt hatshehasasof tspotf orhi m and
thatalonei sdi scouragingforme.Nowwehav e
thismeet ingt odaywhi cham al soinvit
edt oand
am gr atef ult hatshedoesn’ twanttohi det hings
from mebutIcan’ thelpbutwor r
y.Thismeet i
ng
canei thermakeorbr eakus.ItriedallthatI
coul dtomakeherseet hatam seriousaboutus
andnowtheball
ishercour
t.Myphoner
ings
andi
t’
sthequeen.

Thabi
so:
QueenMot
her
,howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Queen:Am doi
ngwellsonbuty
ounot
,tel
lme
whatthepr
oblem i
s.
Thabi
so:If
eelli
keam l
osingt
hepri
ncess
motherandther
eisnot
hingIcandotomake
herst
ay.
Queen:Youdon’
thavet
omakeherstayson,
whenawoman’ smindi
smadeupthereisno
changi
ngit
.
Thabi
so:
Whatshoul
dIdomother
?Ihavel
earnt
tol
oveMapul
aandlosi
ngheri
snotanopt
ion.
Queen:Tel
lmewhatmakesy
ousosur
ethat
youaregoi
ngtol
oseher
.
Thabi
so:ThereisaZulupr
incesheseemst
o
haveasoftspotforandt
odaywearemeeti
ng
wit
hhi
mtofindawayf
orwardbutam dr
eadi
ng
goi
ngt
othi
smeeti
ngbecauseImightl
oseher
.
Queen:Whatmusthappenwi
ll
happenmy
pr
ince,
gotothemeetingwi
thyourheadhel
d
hi
ghbecauseyouhavedoneal
lyoucouldnow
i
t’
suptoher.
Thabi
so:
Ihav
etogoandpi
ckherupmot
her.
Wasther
esomet
hingt
hequeenwant
edt
otal
k
about
?
Queen:
Nomypr
inceIwasj
ustchecki
ngi
n
t
hat’
sall
.
Thabi
so:Al
ri
ghtt
henmot
herkeepwel
landpr
ay
forme.
Queen:
Iwi
l
lson.Keepwel
l
.

Itookmycarkey sanddrov
etoMapula’
shouse
topickherup.BaTl
oungIhavetri
edt
ogetyour
queenbacktoy oubuti
t’
sprovi
ngtobedif
fi
cul
t
andi
fIcan’
tgetherhomepl
easef
orgi
veme.

Mapul
a:

LastnightsdinnerwithThabi sowasv er
ynice,I
enj
oy edmy selfandhemademef eelspecial
,I
am inlovewi t
hmyneckl aceasi ti
sthef ir
st
j
ewel ryIeverrecei
vedfrom aman.Wel lnow
am wai ti
ngforhimtopi ckmeupsot hatwe
cangoandmeetwi thNt si
ka, ohNtsikaisso
noble,hestil
lsentmeagoodni ghtandagood
morningmessageev enaf terwhathappened.
Whyar ethegodsmaki ngt hi
sdi f
fi
cultforme?

Kwezi:Thereisnot imetobethinki
ngtoomuch
nowf r
iend.Allyouhav et
odoi sputoneof
thoseguysoutoft heirmiser
yandstop
stri
ngi
ngt hem along.
Mapul
a:HaveIt
urnedi
ntosuchabadper
son
nowfr
iend?
Kwezi:
Younotabadper sonMapul ayoujust
conf
usedandit
’sunderstandable.ImeanI
woul
dbeconfusedmy selfifIhadtwooft he
mosthandsomeandpower fulmenf i
ght
ingfor
me.
Mapula:Ohfr
iendyouknowj
usthowtoli
ftup
myspiri
tandgivemehopeevenwhenIhave
none.
Kwezi:That
sWhatf r
iendsarefor.
..
letmeget
thedooryourpr
incehasjustparkedoutsi
de.
Mapula:
Okayt henl
etmeal sotakemybag.[I
t
ookmybagandf oll
owed.IfoundThabi soi
n
t
helounge,hegreet
edandwewentout .He
r
eal
lydoesn’tseem l
ikehi
susual sel
ftoday.
]

Thedri
vet
othehotelwher
eNtsi
kastay
sis
qui
etandt
ense.Iguesswear
ebothconsumed
byourthoughts.Wemeet ingatNt si
ka’shotel
room becausewewant edsomepr iv
acyand
Thabisosaidi
twasnotagoodi deatomymeet
atmypl acesothat’
swhywecameher e.We
gotthereandtooktheelevatortothet hi
rdfloor
whereisroom is,
theel
ev atorpingedindicati
ng
ourarri
val.WegotoutandThabi sotookmy
handinhisandhelditt
ightl i
kehedoesn’ twant
met orunawayf r
om hi
m.Wegott ot hedoor
andknocked.Ntsi
kaopenedf orusandi nvi
ted
usin.

Ntsi
ka:
CanIgety
ouany
thi
ngt
odr
ink?[he
of
fer
ed]
Mapul
a:Somewat
erwoul
dbef
inef
orme.
Thabi
so:
Whi
skeyneat
Ntsi
ka:Comingr
ightup[hewenttogetusout
dr
inksandcamebackandjoinedus]Well
where
dowest ar
t?
Mapula:Idon’tknowbutIguessIwi llst
art
si
nceIcalledy oubothhere.Ntsikaf
rom the
shortperi
odoft imethatIhaveknowny ou,you
havebeennot hingbutamazingt ome.You
makemel aughandIam f reearoundyou,yes
wenev erl
abeledourr el
ati
onshipbutIseey ou
asagoodf r
iend.
Ntsi
ka:
ButIwanttobemor
ethanaf
ri
endt
o
youMpandeyami.
Mapula:
IknowbutIam al
readypr
omi
sedt
o
anot
her.
Ntsi
ka:
IknowthattoobutIal
soknowt hati
f
youwantedt
oy oucanrej
ecthi
sproposaland
wedtheoneyourhear
tdesir
esandI’
dliketobe
t
hatone.
Mapula:Nt
sikaIwasalr
eadywarnedthati
fI
choosetobewithyouIwil
ll
oseeveryt
hing
i
ncludi
ngmyf amil
yandIcan’
thavethat.
Nt
sika:
Mpandewecanv
isi
tyourf
ami
l
y
any t
imey ouwantt o.Pl easeMpandey ami ,
sibanesoManzi ni,mawey inganezami ,
ngiyakucel aMamokoenangi nikeithuba
ngikuthande.Ngi yazi ukuthi asazani kahl e
kodwai ntlizi
yoy ami ikhethewena, Please
mawabongi yacelasthandwasami nginike
i
thubangi kut
hande.Omanzi nibayakudi nanami
futhingiyakudingankosazane.[ PleaseMpande,
l
ightoft heManzi niclan,mot herofmyki ds,
pleaseMamokoenagi vemeachancet ol ove
you.Iknowwedon’ tknoweachot herwel lbut
myhear tchosey ou, pleasemot herofchi ldren
myl ovegi vemeachancet olovey ou.The
Manzi niclanneedsy ouandIneedy oumy
princess.]
Thabiso: Idon’thavefancywor dstosaytoyou
mypr incessbutt heloveIhav eforyouis
profound, thati
swhyIam goi ngt oletyoumake
thi
sdeci sionony ourownwi thoutputti
ng
pressureony ouandIwi l
lsuppor ty
ouwi t
h
what
everdeci
sionyoumake.Il
oveyouso
muchtokeepyouwi thmewhenyounothappy
,
tomeyourhappinessmatt
ersmoret
hanmy
own.
Mapul a:
Ihearbothofyouandmythanks
ThabisoIappreci
ateyourwor
dsandNtsi
kaam
sorr
ybutIcan’tdothi
s.
Ntsi
ka:CanIpl
easeasky
ouonet
hingbef
ore
youdecidet
owrit
eusoff
?
Mapul
a:Ofcour
se
Ntsika:
Comet oDurbanwithmef ort
he
weekend,ngif
unauboneisizwesoManziniAnd
i
fy oudon’
tfeelwel
comeory oudon’
tfeel
li
ke
youbelongthenIwil
llety
ougo.
Mapula:Onthecondi
ti
ont
hatThabi
socomes
wi
thmeandf orust
oremai
nfri
endsnomatt
er
whathappens.
Nt
sika:Dealwel
iv
ethi
seveni
ngift
hati
sokay
wi
thy ouandcomebackt
omorrow.
Mapul
a:Thabi
sowhatdoy
ousay
?
Thabi
so:It
oldyout
hatIwi
l
lbewi
thyoual
lthe
wayandifyouwantt
ogoam mor
ethanwil
li
ng
togowit
hy ou.
Mapula:I
t’
ssettl
edthen.Let
’sgopacka
changeofclot
hes.
Nt
sika:Meetmeatt
heai
rpor
twewi
l
lbet
aki
ng
myjet.
Thabi
so:
Sur
e.[wel
eft
]ar
eyouAl
ri
ght
?
Mapul
a:Iam moret
hanAl
ri
ghtandt
hanky
ou
f
orbei
ngcivi
lbackt
her
e.
Thabi
so:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
oumypr
incess.

IwonderwhatDur
banhasi
nst
oref
ormebutI
wil
lsoonfi
ndout.

Tsi
etsi
:
Myf atheriscomi ngbackhomet odayandmy
planisinmot ion.Ican’twaitt oseehisface
whenhet akeshisl astbreath.Il
eftthepalace
yester
dayj ustli
keIpl annedbutIwentbackat
sunset.Speakoft hedev i
lherehecomesnow,
am lookingthrought hewi ndowast hecar
driv
esi nandpar k.
Ki
ngPapi:Wher
ear
etheot
herguar
dsand
maidens?
Guar
d:Idon’
tknowmyki
ngbutIcangoand
fi
ndout
.
Ki
ngPapi
:GoandIwantt
oseet
hem i
nthe
morni
ngwhenIwakeup.
Guar
d:Yesmyki
ng.[hel
eft
]
Hiscoming,
letmepourhim somewhiskeyso
thatwecantoasthi
sdepar
ture.Heopenedthe
doorandIwelcomehim wi
thaglassofwhiskey
.
KingPapi
:OhsonIneededthat,
howi sbusiness?
[thi
smanandmoneyhai ,heforget
sthathis
goingtodi
eandli
veitbehi
nd.Hedidn’teven
askhowIam buthisaski
ngaboutbusiness]
Tsietsi
:Busi
nessi
sgoodFat
herandIhopey
ou
sealedthedeal
.
Ki
ngPapi:Ial
waysdo...Am sosl
eepy
,Imustbe
moreti
redthanIthought.
Tsiet
si:Sl
eepthenFatherandIwi l
lseey ou
wheny ouwakeup.[Igoandst andbyt hedoor
asIwat chhim st
umbleandfinall
yfellont he
bed.Itooktheropeandtiedhisfeettot hebed,
thensatandwai t
edforhimtowakeup. ]
Ican’twai
ttoseethel
ookonhisfacewhenhe
real
izeswhati
sabouttohappen,Papitookal
ot
from meandam justr
etur
ningt
hef av
or .
..
3hour
slat
erhewokeup.
KingPapi:
Tsi
etsi
Whati
sthi
s?Whyam Iont
he
fl
oortiedup?
Tsi
etsi
:Ohf
atherdon’
tyour
emember
?
KingPapi:
Whatam Isupposedt
oremember
fr
om thismadness?
Tsi
etsi
:Cl
ear
lyy
oudon’ tr
ememberbutwor
ry
notIwi
llr
emi
ndy ou.
..r
ememberwhenIwas
l
it
tl
e?
Ki
ngPapi
:St
opt
hisnonsenseandunt
ieme!
Tsi
etsi:
Youusedt otakemehuntingandboy
di
dweki llmanybeaststhi
sway.Remember
howy outoldmetofeelit’
spul
seasitweakens?
KingPapi
:Wel
lam noani
mal
andi
command
youtounti
eme.
Tsiet
si:I
t’
sfunnyhowy outhi
nkyousti
llcal
lthe
shotsbutyourightyounoani
mal but
human...
ohweki ll
edalotoft
hem toobutnow
i
t’
sy ourtur
n.
Ki
ngPapi
:Youcan’
tki
l
lmeam y
ourf
ather
.
Tsi
etsi
:Iguesswear
egoi
ngt
oseeaboutt
hat
nowwon’
tweFat
her
?

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t46

BaKoenaKi
ngdom

Lerumoandhi ssonsgott othepal aceand

therewasnosi gnofguar dsormai densexpect
theonest heycamewi th.Therewasnosi gnof
Lethaboeither,t
hepalacelookedabandoned
andt hepaintonthewal l
swaschi ppedmaki ng
thehousel ookli
keonet hathadbeen
abandonedcent uri
esago.Ler umoaskedt he
guardstogoandgetal lt
heot herpal ace
workersfrom guards,maidens, gardenboy
everyonethatusedtowor katt hepal ace.The
foodhamper swer edeli
veredandTokel oand
Lebowentdoortodoordel
iveri
ngthefood.The
peopleoftheki
ngdom wer
ev er
yhappytohav e
thei
rkingbackandfort
hefoodtheygot.

Lerumowasbusyi nhisstudytalki
ngtot he
suppli
ers,
thebui l
der sandthephar maceutical
companyaski ngt hem tostartworkthe
fol
lowingdayashi speoplecan’twaitanother
dayforservices.Theyallagreedandev erythi
ng
seemedt obegoi ngaccor di
ngt oplan.Lethabo
gotint
oLer umo’sst udyasifhewasbei ng
chasedbysomeone.
Let
habo:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyki
ngdom?
Lerumo:
Icametosaveyourpeopl
esi
ncey
ou
fai
l
edtodoity
oursel
f.
Let
habo:Youhavenobusi
nesswi
tht
hepeopl
e
oft
hiski
ngdom ort
hispal
ace.
Ler
umo:Thi
sismyhomeandnoonewi
l
ltel
l
meotherwi
se.
Lethabo:Don’
ttr
ymeLer umobecausey ou
won’tli
kewhatIwoulddo.Youwer ebanished
fr
om thiski
ngdom forareasonandIneedy ou
outofherethi
smi nut
e.
Lerumo:I
fyouwantl eavebrothergoaheadand
dosobutIhav ewor ktodo.[hesatdownon
hi
schairandst art
edworking.Let
habogotv er
y
angry,
hewentbehi ndthedeskandpi cked
Lerumofrom thechairwit
hhisclothi
ngand
pushedhim againstt
hewal l
.]
Lethabo:Isai
dgetoutofmyki
ngdom now!
![he
shouted]
Ler
umo:OrWhatbr
otherhuh?Whatar
eyou
goi
ngt
odo.
Lethabo:Iwi l
lkil
lyouandbur r
yy ouatt
heback
ofthispalacelikeadogandbel ievemey ou
don’twantt opushmet othatpoint
.Nowt ake
yourragsandgett hehell
outofmypal aceand
ki
ngdom.
Tokel
o:Getyourf
il
thyhandsofmyf
ather[
he
sai
dstandi
ngbythedoorway ]
Let
habo:
hahaorwhathuh,
whatar
eyougoi
ng
todo?
Tokel
o:Youdon’twantt
ofi
ndoutnowgety
our
handsofmyfather.
Let
habo:Am notgoi
ngt
oar
guewit
hachi
l
dand
youLer
umogetoutofmypal
ace.
Lerumo: It
oldt
hatam notgoi
ngany wher
eso
brotherwouldy
oubesoki ndastoletmeget
backt omywork[LethabopunchedLerumoi
n
theface]
Tokelo:Ohnoy oudidn’
t[hesai
dthatal
ready
pul
lingLethabooffhisf
atherdr
aggi
nghim out
ofthestudy]
Let
habo:
BoyI
fyouknowwhat
’sgoodf
ory
ou
l
etmegonow.
Tokel
o:YouknowIr
eal
l
ydon’
tknowwhat
’s
goodformebecauseIhadnoonetot
eachme.
Maybeyoucoul
dteachmeuncle.

Lethabogotreallyangrythathepull
edouta
gunandshotatTokel o,l
uckil
ythebull
etgrazed
hisarm andthatseemedt oawakenGhostas
hewentchar gi
ngt oLethabo.Hewasst il
l
shockedtoseet hathisnephewwasnotev en
botheredbythebul l
etwoundt hatwhenhe
camet ohisgunwayt akenfrom hi
shandand
thrownont heside.Tokelowasnowi nfrontof
him beati
ngthehelloutofhim.Lerumopeaked
from t
hedoort henwentbacki nclosedthedoor
andcont i
nuedtowor k.

Lebocameinsideashewasout si
debusy
tal
ki
ngtotheguyswhower epaint
ingt
he
pal
ace.Whenhegoti nhewasmetbymoans
andgroansofLethaboont
hefloorwit
hghost
himselfbeatingt
heli
vi
ngdayli
ghtsoutofhi
m.
Leboknewi fhedi
dn’
tstopghosthewasgoing
tokil
lLethabo.HewenttoTokeloandheldhi
s
handsbutt hatdi
dn’
tstophi
mf rom ki
cki
ng
Lethabo.
Lebo:
Stopi
tghostt
hat
’senough
Ghost
: Thi
spi
eceofshi
thadt
hegut
stopunch
myfatheri
nfr
ontofme.
Lebo:
OkayButRememberWhatwecamehere
for
,wecan’
taddafuner
alt
oal
lthet
hingswe
havet
odo.
Ghost:Getthist
hingoutofmysi
ghtbef
oreI
fi
nishhim off
.[LeboLethi
m goandhewentup
st
airstohisroom]

Lebopickedupabl eedingLethabogoi
ngoutof
thepal
acewi thhi
m, theguardscametohim an
heaskedt hem t
othrowhi m outoft
hepal
ace
butnotbeforehe..
.
Lebo: Don’tyouev erlayyourhandsonmy
fat
herandi fyouknowwhat ’
sgoodf ory ou
don’tev ersetfootinthispalace.[hethen
punchedhi m sohardt hatLethabolostbalance
andhewentdownhi sbodycol li
dingwiththe
fl
oor.]theguar dspickedhi m upandt hrewhim
outsidet hepalacegat e.Hispri
vateguar d
fol
lowedbehi ndwitht hecarandpi ckedhim up
outsidet hegateanddr oveoff.

Manzi
niki
ngdom:

Thekingandqueenwer esit
ti
nginthelounge
wait
ingf ortheeveni
ngfeasttobeserv
edwhen
thechiefpriestcameinanddist
urbedwhatthey
weretalkingabout.
Ki
ng:
Whati
sthemat
terwi
seone?
Chief
:Theonegr
eat
ert
hanmehassetf
ooton
theZulul
and.
Queen:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Chief
:Thegreat
nessandt hemostf av
oredone
hassetfootontheZulukingdom,warnthe
pri
ncetochangehiswaysashi splanwil
lfai
l
andthekingdom wi
ll
sufferagreatdeal.
Ki
ng:Canyoust
optal
ki
nginr
iddl
esandt
ell
us
whatyouar
etal
ki
ngabout
.
Chi
ef:
Youwi
l
lsoonf
indout[hel
eft
]
Queen:
Whatcoul
dbet
hepr
obl
em now?
Ki
ng:WhatIdoknowist
hatt
hepri
nceisonhi
s
wayhomeandhisbri
ngi
nghi
squeen.
Queen:
Sowhati
swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?
Ki
ng:Idonotknowmyqueenbutt hepri
ncewill
behereanyminutenowbecausehesenta
message20mi nutesagosayi
nghehaslanded
soyoucanaskhi m whatt
hisi
sabout
.
Queen:Ar
eyounotevenwor
ri
edaboutt
he
warni
ngwejustgot
?
King:Ofcourseam worr
iedbutt
her
eisnothi
ng
Icandount i
lthepr
incegetsher
eandexpl
ain
himself
.
Queen:Wewor kedsohar
dforthi
skingdom t
o
j
ustleti
tpari
shbecauseofNtsi
ka’
sobsessi
on.
Youbett
ertal
ksomesensei nt
ohim.
King:Youmaybemyqueenbutam st
il
lki
ngand
yourhusbandandy
ouwill
notaddr
essmet hat
way .
Queen:
Am sor
rymyki
ng,
Iam j
ustwor
ri
ed
t
hat’
sall
.
Outsi
deNt si
ka,Mapul
aandThabi soparked
outsi
detheManzinipal
ace.Theygotoutoft he
carandThabisotookMapula’shandinhisas
theywalkedtothepal
ace.Ntsikasawthisand
didn’
tli
keital
l.
Nt
sika:
Goodev
eni
ngf
ami
l
y.
Ki
ng:
Eveni
ngmypr
ince
Queen:
Iseey
oubr
oughtguest
s
Nt
sika:
Yesmotherl
etmeintr
oduceyouto
MpandeandMpandethi
sthequeenofthi
sland
mymot her
.
Mapul
a:Sunsetgr
eet
ingsy
ourhi
ghness.
Queen:
Sunsetgr
eet
ingsmydaught
er.
Nt
sika:
Andt
hisi
spr
inceThabi
so
Thabi
so:
Sunsetgr
eet
ingsy
ourmaj
est
ies.
Ki
ng:
Greet
ingsson.
Queen:Wellwewereaboutt
osi
tfort
he
eveni
ngfeastpl
easej
oinus.
Mapul
a:Thanky
ouy
ourhi
ghness.

Thechiefpr
iestgoti
nsi
ngi
ngt
hemanzi
ni
prai
ses.
Oomanzi
ni,
ogwabi
ni,
omntungwa.Hewent
kneel
edbef
oreMapul
aandevery
onewas
shockedbyt
his.
Chiefpri
est
:Godsofmyancest or
sIgivemy
thanksformakingmywi shcometrue,It
hank
youforgivi
ngmet hechancetobeinthe
presenceofsuchgreat
ness.
Ki
ng:
Sibi
yay
ouar
escar
ingt
hegi
rl
.
Chiefpr
iest
:Ify
ouknewwhatIknowy ou
wouldn’
tbesayingthati
nsteadyouwouldbeon
yourkneesaswellcoll
ect
ingblessi
ngs.
Ki
ng:
Iwi
l
ldonosuch
Mapula:AndIdon’texpecty
out
omyki
ng,
my
el
derpleasegetup.
Chi
efpr
iest:Mythanksohwi
seone.Mypr
ince
awordplease.
Ntsi
ka:
Thi
swaymyelder[t
heywentt
othe
st
udygoti
nandcl
osedthedoor
]
Chiefpr
iest
:Iknowy
ourplansandam her
eto
tel
lyoutoabandont
hem befor
eyoucause
t
roubl
efory
our
sel
fandt
heki
ngdom.
Nt
sika:
Idon’
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ngabout
.
Chiefpr
iest:
Youknowexactl
ywhatam tal
ki
ng
aboutbutifyouwon’
tli
stent
henpr
epareforf
ar
butnotofmenbutofthegodsandbeli
eveme
youwill
lose.
Ntsi
ka:Thati
smyqueenoutther
eandIwi
l
lnot
l
etanyonetakeherawayf
rom me.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Youhav
ebeenwar
ned.
[hel
eft
]

Theyallwentt
ot hedini
ngtabl
efort
heev
eni
ng
feastt
henreti
redtothei
rrooms.

Iknowit’
sshortbuti
tsbett
ert
hannot
hingbutI
wil
lpostalongeronelat
er.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t47

Manzi
niki
ngdom

Whi l
eeveryonewasasl eepNtsikawasbusy
fi
nali
zinghisplan.Hewentt otheguar dlooking
dist
raughtandofcour sethecaringguardhad
toaskwhati sbother
ingt hepr
ince.Het oldthe
guardthathisfri
endtheonehecamewi thto
thepalaceistr
y i
ngtotakehisbet r
othedf r
om
him,hetoldtheguardhehear dhi m conf
esshi s
l
ov eforherandnowhedoesn’ tknowwhatt o
do.
Guar
d:Butmyprincet
hatisnotal
l
owedi
nthi
s
ki
ngdom i
tisanabominat
ion.
Ntsika:
Iknowthatbuthismyfri
endandi
br
oughthim her
et osupportmewhenI
i
ntroducethepr
incesstotheki
ngandqueen.
Guar
d:Don’
twor
rymypri
nceIwil
lhandlethi
s
wewill
showhi
m howt
hingsar
edonei nthis
ki
ngdom.
Ntsi
ka:Letmegoandtryt
osl
eepbutIdon’
t
knowifIwil
lbeabl
eto.

Ntsikawentt ohisr oom tosleepfeeli

ngpr oud
ofhimsel f
.Thechi efpr i
estsawast hepri
nce
wast alki
ngtot heguar dbuthecan’ tdo
anythingashei snotal lowedto.Theguar dsin
theear l
yhoursoft hemor ni
ngchangedshi fts
andt heoneNt sikaspoket owentaroundt el
li
ng
thev i
ll
agersaboutt hest r
angerinthepalace
try
ingt otakethepr ince’
swi f
etobe.

Thevi
l
lagersgotangryasthi
sisanactof
abomi
nationi
nthekingdom,everyoneher
e
knewthat
.Menandwomenknewnev erto
messwithsomeone’swifeorhusbandoreven
onet hatispromi sedtoanother
.Theygat hered
aroundt hevil
lagesquarewher ethereisatree
i
nt hemi ddl
ewher epeoplewhoar ebeing
punishedar etiedup.Thev i
l
lagerssentthe
guardt oget
herwi t
hothervi
ll
agey oungment o
gogett heper sonbr i
ngi
ngshamet othei
r
ki
ngdom.

Theguar dandy oungmenwentt ot

hepal ace
andt heguardsondut yopenedf orthem af t
er
explaini
ngwhyt heycame.Twooft hem went
i
nsidet hepalacethemai denresponsiblefor
morni ngduti
esshowedt hem Thabi
so’sr oom
thenwentt ocalltheki ngandqueen.Themen
wenti ntot
her oom wher eThabi sowassl eeping
andt ookhim whilehewasst il
linhi
ssl eeping
clot
hes.Downst air
st heymett hekingand
queenandi nformedt hem ofwhatwasgoi ngon.
Theki ngandqueenl ookedateachot hert hen
wentt othei
rroom t ogetdr essedandf oll
ow
behi
nd.

Ntsikawasi nhi sroom gettingdr essedsot hat

hecanal sof oll
owbehi ndwhi l
eMapul awasst i
l
l
asleepsincet het i
mewasonl y6int hemor ni
ng.
Theking, queenandt hepri
ncef oll
owedt he
ment othev ill
agesquar e,
someoft hemaidens
andguar dswhower eonnightdut yalsowent .
Thev i
ll
agesquar ewasf ul
l ofpeopl eand
Thabisowasal readytiedt
ot het r
eei nthe
middleoft hev i
llagesquare.Theki ngaskedf or
thepeople’sat t
ent i
on.
King:MypeopleIknowwhatt hi
smeansasI
havebeenthekinginthi
skingdom f
orquite
somet i
menow.ButIdon’ tt
hinkweshould
j
umpi ntoconcl
usionsbefor
einvest
ingthe
mat t
ert
horoughly
.[oneofthemenf rom t
he
groupspoke]
Man:
Myki
ngt
hismanhasbr
oughtshamei
nto
thekingdom andwedon’thaveti
meto
i
nv est
igat
ewhi l
eheescapes.[
theot
her
s
agreed]
Man: Thi
smani sast r
angerinthiski
ngdom
andwedon’ tknowhi sintenti
onssomyki ngwe
willdowhatwedot opeopl ewhocomeand
disrespectourkingdom.Wewi l
lmakean
exampl eofhim sot hatotherswhot hi
nkof
doingt hesameknowexact l
ywhatwedot o
suchpeopl einourki ngdom.
King:
Mypeopl eIunder
standt
hatbutIcan
keephimthepalacewhil
eweinvest
igat
ethen
takei
tfr
om there.
Man:Hecommit
tedacrimewhil
einthepalace
mykingsowecannotagreet
othatpleasel
et
usdowhatwearesupposedt
o.
Woman: Whyisi
teasyforustopuni
shourown
peopl
efort
hisactandbeleni
enttoastranger
?
Mykingbefai
rtoyourpeopl
eandprotectthem
notst
ranger
s.
King:
Astheki
ngIwil
lal
wayspr
otecty
oumy
peopl
eandIbackdownyoudowhatyouseef
it
witht
hestr
anger
.
Thepeoplewerehappyandst
artedchanti
ng
andsi
ngingsongswhil
etheyoungmanoft he
vi
ll
ageprepar
edsjambokstobeatthestr
anger
wit
h.

InthepalaceMapulawokeupandt ooka
shower.Hechangedi nt
ofreshclothesand
wentdownst ai
rsinhopesofjoini
ngot her
sfor
themorningfeast.Butt
hepalacewasqui et,
sheevenwonder edifshewokeupt ooearl
yor
toolat
e,shewentt otheki
tchenandsawa
maidenbusypr epari
ngthefeast.
Mapul
a:Sunr
isegr
eet
ingsdearmai
den
Mai
den:
Sunr
isegr
eet
ingsmypr
incess
Mapul
a:Whati
syourname?
Mai
den:
Duduzi
l
emypr
incess
Mapula:
OkeyDuduzi
l
eam Mapul
a,Iwas
wonderi
ngi
fyoucoul
dtel
lmewhereever
yone
i
s?
Duduzil
e:Theywentt
othev
il
lagesquar
emy
pr
incess.
Mapul
a:Al
loft
hem?
Duduzi
l
e:Yesmypr
incess.
Mapul
a:Andwher
eispr
inceThabi
so?
Duduzi
l
e:Whoi
sthatmypr
incess?
Mapul
a:They
oungmanwecamewi
thl
ast
ni
ght
.
Duduzi
l
e:I
sheapr
ince?
Mapul
a:YesHei
s[Mapul
asai
dsmi
l
ing]
Duduzi
l
e:OhmyGod,nobodytol
dushisa
pr
inceweonl
yknowhim ast
heprince’
sfr
iend.
Mapula:Noneedtobeshockedhi
sapri
nce
fr
om LeSothoandnexti
nli
nefort
het
hroneof
hi
skingdom.
Duduzil
e:OhmyGodmypr incess.
..ohgodsof
ourancestor
spl
easespar
eus.
Mapul
a:Whati
swr
ongDuduzi
l
e?
Duduzi
l
e:Mypr
incessI
..
.thepr
incei
s..ohGod
Mapul
a:SpeakDuduzi
l
eWhati
sthemat
ter
?
Duduzi
le:t
heytookthepr
incetothevi
l
lage
squar
et obepanishedmypri
ncess.
Mapul
a:Puni
shedf
orwhat
?
Duduzi
l
e:I
twassaidthatheconf
essedhisl
ove
fory
oumypr i
ncesswhil
eheknewthatyou
werepr
omisedtoourpri
nce.
Mapula:
What?.
..Iwasneverpromi
sedt
o
Nt
sikaIam t
hewi f
eofThabiso.
Duduzi
le:
What?OhGodmyprincessy
ouhav
e
t
osav ehi
m ort
heywi
ll
kil
lhi
m.
Mapul
a:Showmey
ourv
il
lagesquar
eatonce.
Duduzi
l
e:Yesmypr
incess.

Duduzil
eAndMapul awentoutoft hepalacein
ahurrygoingt othev i
l
lagesquar e.Ont heway
MapulacalleduponNgwedi ,Nyol odiandother
queens,t
hebaTl oungelephantsandt heangel
.
Astheygotcl osertothev i
ll
agesquar e
Mapula’
sangerwasget ti
ngwor seasshe
real
i
zedt hathebr oughtThabisoi ntoat r
ap.
Windblewheav yasherangerr aises.

BaTl
okwaki
ngdom:

Tsietsiki
lledhisfat
herjustthewayhesai dhe
woul dafterthathelef
tthepal aceandwentto
thecapi t
al.Inthemorningtheguar dsand
mai denswer ebackatthepal acesincethey
wer etoldt ocomeback.Theywer eal lbusywit
h
theirduties,guardsatt hei rpost s,maidens
cleaningt herooms, somepr epari
ngt he
mor ni
ngf eastfort heki ngwhi leotherswer e
cleaningt hepalacegr ounds.Theyhear d
screami ngcomi ngf rom i nsidet hepalaceand
theguar dst hatwer ecloset ogetherwi thsome
oft hemai densr ant ot hedi recti
onoft he
screams.Whent heygott heretheysawt he
mai denwhowassupposedt obecleaningthe
king’sroom st andingatt hedoorwi ththedoor
opened, theguar dsmov edherasi detosee
whatt hepr oblem wasbutt heyst oppedont hei
r
trackswhent heysawt heki nglayingthere
l
ifeless.

Oneoft heguardswentouttoringthebel
lthat
i
sr angandheadal lar
oundthekingdom whena
royalmemberhasf all
en.Thosewhoheardwent
str
aighttothepalacetofi
ndoutwhohasf all
en
betweenthekingandt hepri
nceandt omoan.
Theeldershurr
iedtothepalacetofi
ndoutwhat
hadhappenedandwhent heygotthere,
the
guardsshowedt hem t
heKing’sl
ifel
essbody
andtheeldersinst
ruct
edthem tountiehim and
coverhi
m.

Theel der
swentoutandi nformedt hepeopl e
thatthekinghasf all
en.Thepeopl eoft he
kingdom moanedt heirKingsdeath.Theel der s
i
nst r
uctedt heguar dst ocalltheprincet ocome
backhome, t
heguar ddi dast oldandTsi et si
toldhimt hathewi llbebackhomet hefollowi ng
daysincehewasf arawayandcan’ tmakei t
homet hi
sday .Theguar dinformedt heelder s.
Preparati
onswer emadet olaytheki ngtor est
withhisforefatherst hefollowingweek.

Tsi
etsi
coul
dn’
tst
opsmi
l
ingwher
ehewasand
evenorder
edaf r
enchchampagnefr
om t
he
hotel
tocelebr
atehi
ssuccessandhi
m bei
ng
thenewkingofbaTlokwaki
ngdom.
Tsietsi:NowThatPapi i
sdead,it’
sti
mef orme
togetmyqueen.Imeanwhatki ndofaki ngwil
l
Ibewi thoutabef i
tt
ingqueenbymysi de.Soon
afterthebur i
al,
Iwillbecrownedkingast he
kingdom can’tbewi thoutakingfort
ool ong
andaf terthatam getti
ngmyqueen.Hai l t
oking
TsietsiofthebaTlokwaki ngdom.

Don’
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
shar
eandcomment
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t48

BaTl
okwaki
ngdom
Preparat i
onswer eunder wayforthekings
funeral.Neighboringkingdomswer einf ormed
event houghmostoft hem wer enotinterest
ed
i
nat tendingthef uneral becauseoftheki ndof
personPapi was.Tsiet siwentbacktot he
palacet hefollowingmor ni
ngandhehasbeen
helpingwi t
ht hefuneral arr
angement swhenhe
suddenl yfel
thi seyesheav y
.Hewentt ohis
chambert ogetsomesl eep.Ashealepthi s
mot herv i
sit
edhi m.

‘
Mot
heram sohappytoseeyou,
whyhav
en’
t
y
ouvi
sit
edmeallthi
swhile?
’
‘
Ihaveal
waysbeenher
eson,
youj
ustdi
dn’
t
not
iceme’shesai
d
‘
Itdoesn’
tmat
ternowmot
hery
ouher
e’
‘
Itmatt
ersson,Icameher
etoaskyoutodome
afav
orifitwon’
tbetoomuchfory
ou’shesai
d
‘
Any
thi
ngf
ory
oumot
herIwi
l
ldo’
‘
Pleasechangey ourway
sson,youhavegot
ten
yourrev
enget hr
oughyourf
atherandnowyou
cangobackt othesonIrai
sed.Theonewit
ha
goodheart.Shesaid
‘
ButMot hert
hisi sal
lIknow,afteryoulef
t
thi
ngsgotwor seandam notl ongerthesony
ou
knew.Am akillernowmot herandit’sal
l
becauseofthatman’ hesays
‘
Yeshemadey ouwhoy ouarenowbuty ou
can’
tst
il
lchange,it
’snottoolat
eforyouson
andPapii
sstil
l y
ourfathernomatterwhathe
did.
’
‘
Buteveni
fIdowanttochangehowdoIgoon
knowi
ngthatIki
l
ledhi
m?’Heasked
‘
Hef orgaveyousonj
ustl
i
keIforgavehi
m now
forgi
vey our
sel
fandl
eadyourpeopl
ewith
digni
ty’
‘
Butwher
edoIst
artMot
her
?’Heasked
‘
Youhav
eeducat
ion,
usei
t’shesai
dand
di
sappear
ed.

Tsietsiwokeupf rom hissl umberonl yt of i

nd
outt hathewasn’ tev ensl eepi
ngforlong.He
satonsi tbedwonder i
ngwher etostar t
changi ngandhow? ...al
l heknowsi ski l
li
ngand
humant raff
icki
ngandy eshei seducat edbuthe
neverputhi seducat ioni ntogooduse.He
remember edhowheal way swant edt opr acti
ce
medi cinebutnev ergott hechancet of i
nishhis
residencyandnowi fhewant edtopr actice
medi cinehewi ll
hav et of i
nishhi
sr esidencyand
thatissomet hi
nghewasnotwi l
li
ngt odoashe
fel
tt hatitt
ool at
ef orhim.

BaKoenaKi
ngdom:

Thedev
elopment
sweregoi
ngaccor
dingt
o
pl
anint
hebaKoenaki
ngdom.Theki
ngandhi
s
sonswer edoi ngar emar kablej obindeed.The
vil
lagerswer ehappyaboutt henew
dev elopment sandwer ealsohappyaboutbei ng
backatwor k,r evi
vingt hef armsandpl anti
ng
agai nev ent hought heywer eabi twor riedabout
ther ainsincei thasn’ trainedi nmont hs.Butthe
kingt oldthem t hattheyshoul dn’twor ry
becauser ainwi l
lcome, wel lhisweaponwas
hisdaught er,hewaspl anningonaski ngherto
speakt otheancest orsonhi sbehal fandask
them t obl essbaKoenawi thr ai
n.Butal lt
hatwil
l
bedoneaf tert heweedi ngandpl antinghas
beendone.

Thi
smor ni
ngthebaKoenakingdom wokeupt o
adeadbodythatwasleftri
ghtout
sidethe
pal
acegatewithamessagesay i
ng‘ getoutof
mykingdom ormorepeoplewil
ldie’both
Ler
umoandhi ssonsalr
eadynewwher ethe
messagecamef r
om.Ler umowaswor r
ied
aboutthef actthathispeopl ewi l
lconti
nueto
dieevenwhenhi sheretoprot ectandsave
them.Howev erTokeloandLeboof fer
edtosort
outLethabobef oreheki l
l
smor epeople.
Lerumowasagai nstLethabobei ngkil
led,sohe
askedhi ssonst ocapt urehim andbr i
nghimt o
thepalacesot hathecanbel ockedup.
Accordingt ohimt hatwi l
lgi
vehi sbrother
sometimet ot hinkaboutwhathewant sand
may becomebackt ohi ssenses.

Lerumowasst i
llnotcrownedki ngofbaKoena
yet,t
heeldersof f
eredt odoi ti
mmedi at
elybut
herefusedsay i
nghewi llonlyal
lowtobe
crownedwhent hedev elopment shavebeen
doneandhi skingdom i sbackt owhatitusedto
be.Theeldersagr eed,att hemomentheonl y
hadt woeldersoutoft he6hepr evi
ousl
yhad.
Mosi aandMot soenengt ooktheirf
amil
iesand
mov ed,Seramewast herebutaf rai
dtoshow
hisfaceaftersi
dingwi
thLethaboinvoti
ng
Lerumooutaski ng.El
derNnkelewasoneof
thosewhogotmoneyt otur
nagainstLerumo,
soheal sogothisfami
lyahouseinthecapital
andmov edther
e.

Lerumoistochoosemoreel
dersbeforehi
s
crownedki
ngagainbutt
hatwon’thappenunt
il
theproj
ect
shavebeencomplet
ed.

Manzi
niKi
ngdom:

Mapul awasgett
ingcloserandclosertothe
Manzinivi
ll
agesquar eshenewt hatbecauseof
thevoiceshewashear ing.Thewindwas
blowi
ngsohar dli
keast or
m wascomi ng.
Thabisowaswasal readybeingbeatenwiththe
sjamboksthatl
eftmar ksonhisback,armsand
l
egs.Hewasbl eedingfrom ever
y wher
eas
multi
plepeopl
ewer ebeat
inghi
m up,hewas
l
osinghisstr
engthbutwasalsohopi
ngtosee
hispri
ncessonelastt
imeandtomakesure
thatshewassafe.

Thechi efpriestwasr ightbehindMapul aashe

sawherwhenshel eftthepalace,hewant edt
o
witnessf orhimselfwhatwasaboutt ohappen.
Yest hegodsshowedhi m whatwi l
lhappen
shouldNt sikanotlistenbutseei ngthepowerof
themostpower f
ul beingInpersonwas
somet hinghedi dn’twantt omi ss.Yeshewas
concernedaboutt heki ngdom buttherewas
nothinghecoul ddobecauset hegodshav e
alr
eadyspoken.

Mapulaf
inal
lygottothepeople,
shepushed
t
hroughtogettothefrontandseewhatwas
r
eall
yhappening.Shefi
nall
ygottot
hefrontand
Ntsi
kasawher ,hewant edtogot oherbutt he
queenheldhim back.Mapul asawThabi soon
thetr
eebutonewoul dn’tr
ecognizehim
becauseofallthebruises,t
hebloodandt he
swell
ing.Mapulaonlysawhi sdreadlocksand
wentclosertoseeifitwasr eal
l
yhi m,the
peoplestoppedbeatinghim asshegotcl oser
tohim.
Mapul
a:Thabi
soisthatyou?[t
ear
sst
art
ed
f
all
i
ngaswel l
asrai
ndr opsfr
om t
hesky
r
eci
procat
inghert
ears]
Thabi
so:Pr
in..
.coughs..
.pr
incess.
..coughsand
spi
tsbl
ood.
..ar
ey ou.
..br
eathingheav y
..
.Okay
?
Mapula:
Am Okaydon’twor
ryaboutmeandI
wi
llgetyououtofher
e.

Mapulawasnowcr y
inghardandtherai
nwas
alsoget
ti
ngheavy
.Shecouldn’
tbeli
evewhat
thosepeopl
edi
dtoThabiso,hecoul
dn’tev
en
openhisey
estoseeherduet otheswel
li
ng,hi
s
bodywasdamagedandt hatbrokeMapula’
s
hear
tevenmore.Shecri
edholdingonto
Thabi
sounti
loneofthevil
l
agersspoke.
Man: Remov ethi
smai denf
rom hi
m sothatwe
canfinishwhatwest art
edbef
oretherai
ngets
heavierthanthi
s.[t
heother
schantedi
n
agreement ]

Twoy oungmenmov edclosert oMapul ain

hopesofmov i
ngheroutoft heway .Shet ur
ned
andlookedatev er
yone.Thet woy oungme
stoppedont heirtr
acksasi ftheywer escared
ofher.Shel ookedatev er
y oneherey es
searchingfort hoseofNt sika, hereyesfinal
ly
methi s,shelookedathi mt henhi sparentsand
shespokel ooki ngrightatthem.
Mapula:
YouNtsi
kagotani
nnocentman
puni
shedforacr
imehedi
dnotcommitjust
becausey oucouldn’tacceptt hefactthatiwas
al
readychosenf orhim.Youwi l
lknownopi ece
i
ny ourl i
fe,youwillsuccessful butyouwi l
l
neverknowl oveandy ouwi l
lnev erhaveany
chil
dr enuntilyougot othebaTl oungki ngdom
andconf essyoursins.[sheissay i
ngal lt
his
whileshewascr ying,shecan’ tevenseeNt si
ka
proper l
ybecauseofal lthetear sthatwer e
maki nghersi ghtblurr
y.Shet urnedandl ooked
attheki ngandqueen. ]

Mapula:Youcal lyourselv
eski ngandqueenof
thi
skingdom y etyouar ebeingcont r
oll
edby
yourpeople,notthattheycont rolyoubuty ou
agreedont hepunishmentf ory ourownsel fi
sh
reasons.Yourkingdom shall notprosperonly
yoursonwi ll
hav esuccessbuthewi llt
urnhis
backony ouandy ourpeople.Af t
erthi
sy ouwi l
l
notevenhav emoneyt odor epairsofthe
damageandt hiswill
happenunt i
lyoubot hgo
tothebaTloungkingdom t
oaskf orforgi
veness
butyoumustcomewi th4elephantsthenthey
wil
lcleanseyou.Youwill
alsohavet ogoto
baKoenakingdom toaskthequeenf or
for
giveness.

Thisi
smyv owsuppor tedbyt heGODSOF
BAKOENA, THEGODSOFBATLOUNG, THE
FALLENRAI NQUEENSOFMYLANDANDTHE
HEAVENSUPABOVE! !
!sheshout edandt he
cl
oudsgotdar kertheskypr oducedabl ack
moont hatwasmaki ngthetheskydar kerandit
l
ookedl i
kenightt
imey etitwasst i
lldaylt
ime.
Thepeoplewer eamazedbywhatwas
happeningsowast heroyalfamil
y .Thechief
pri
estwasnotev enbot hered.
Amanf
rom t
hecr
ownspoke.
Man:She’
sawitchsheal
sohastobepuni
shed,
l
ookatwhatshedidtot
heskyandwhoofyou
ev
ersawabl
ackmoonl
i
ket
hatbef
ore?
Peopl
e:Yesshemustbebur
ntgett
het
ir
es!
!!

St
ayt
unef
ormor
e!

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t49

BaTl
oungki
ngdom

Boi
tumel
oPOV

Ihavebeenl ockedupi nhereformont hsnow,I

haven’tseenThabi sosi
ncet hedaytheylocked
meup.Iwi shIcouldseehimj ustonceto
apologizetohimf orever
ythingthatIhavedone,
asforLesal aam sureheev enstoppedlooking
formei fhewasev enlooki
ngformet obegin
with.Mot herohmypoormot her,
Ihopeshei s
okaywher esheis,Iknowshe’swor r
iedsick
aboutmeandIwi shIhadawayofcont acting
herandl etherknowam okay .Iknowt hisismy
owndoi ng, i
fonlyIhadusedthemut i t
heway
mot heri
nst r
uctedIwouldn’
tbeher e.

Mygr eedgotmeher eandIhav enoonet o

blamebutmy selff
orthis.Am sur
eIhav elost
myj obbynow, whenIgetoutofher eIwi llhave
tostartf
rom scratchandr ebui
ldmyl i
f e.Ialso
wantt ostayawayf rom menbecauseIam her e
becauseofamant hatIknewv er
ywel l t
hatwas
nevergoingtobemi netobeginwith,butwhen
thetimecamef ormet ogivehim up,Icoul dn’
t
andnowam her e.Wi t
hnooneorany thing,I
didn’
tevengetanyoft hemenIwant ed.
Wewomenneedt olearnt obei ndependent
becauseThet hi
ngsy ouwor khar dforyoursel
f
noonecant akeawayf rom you, don’tbewitha
manbecausehepr ovidesy ouwi thmat er
ial
thi
ngs.Bewi thamanf orlovebecauseev enif
heleavesy ouonedayy ouwillstil
lsurvi
ve
becausey ouhav eyourownt hi
ngs, yesyouwill
beheartbrokenjustlikeev eryoneelseandy ou
should,y
ouhumanaf terallandnoonewi l
lhold
thatagai
nsty ou.

Takeitfrom me, i
ndependencei sthewayt ogo.
Whichiswhatam pl anningtodowhenIgetout
ofhere,Iam greatf
ulbecauset hesepeopleare
notashear t
lessasIwas.Theydi dn’
tkil
lme,
theyfeedmeandt heymakesur eItakeabath
andhav eachangeofcl othes.Ican’tcomplain
muchexceptf orthefactthatInev ergetoutof
hereandIlastsawsunl i
ghtthedayIgoti nhere.
Idon’
tev enknowwhatdayi tisbutam grateful
am sti
ll
breat
hing,
theysayThabi
soistheonl
y
onewhocansaywhenIgetoutofher ebutIwil
l
waitunti
lhehashealedandr
eadytoforgi
veme.

Greedleadstoyourdownfallpeopl
e,workfor
whateveryouwantanddon’ tdependonanyone.
Iknowt hatj
obsarescarceouttherebuttr
y
oyi
kemel engwaneso[beindependentmysister
]
Iactual
lythi
nkam goingtochangepr of
essi
ons
whenIgetoutofher e,maybedopsy chol
ogyor
someal ongthosel
ines.

I
NSI
DETHEPALACE:

Thekingandqueenhav ejustcamebackfr
om
thei
rpal
acedusties,t
heybothcamebackearl
y
becausenei
therofthem wereThemselv
esthi
s
day.
Queen:
Myki
nghowwasy
ourday
?
King:Ever
ythi
ngwentwel
lmyqueenhowwas
yours?
Queen:Phy
sical
lyIam okaybutIdon’
tknow
whatiswei
ghingonmyspi ri
tbecauseIf
eell
ike
somethi
ngbadisaboutt ohappen.
King:
Ifeel
thesamewaymyqueen,t
hatiswhy
Icamebackearl
ytocomechecki
fever
ythi
ng
wasokayhere.
Queen:
Thati
sstrangebutIcan’
tshaket
his
feel
i
ngli
keam aboutt
ohearbadnews.
Ki
ng:Iknowwhatyoumeanmyqueen,
when
l
astdi
dy out
alkt
otheki
ds?
Queen:IspoketoThabisoyesterdayhewas
fi
nejustworri
edaboutameet inghewasgoing
toatt
end.Reneil
weIlastspoketoherlast
monthwhenshesai dshewi l
lbebusyatschool
andthattheyaregoi
ngt oNigeri
aforsome
proj
ect.
Ki
ng:Wellthenwewi
l
ljusthav
etowai
tandsee
whathappens.
Queen:
Your
ightmyki
ng.

Tokel
o:

Tokelowast alki
ngt oLeboaboutthemyst
ery
womant heywer el ookingf
or,
thesameone
thatwasthreateningUcheandt hei
r
organi
zati
oni nNiger i
a.
Lebo:
What
?Youf
oundherman.
Tokel
o:YesIdi
dandy
ouwon’
tev
enguesswho
i
tis.
Lebo:
Mani
sitsomeoneweknow.
Tokel
o:Theycal
lherBBQ.
Lebo:
Whati
sBBQnow?
Tokel
o:Beaut
if
ulBl
ackQueen
Lebo:
What
?Manbeser
iouswhoi
sthi
swoman?
Tokel
o:She’
smyqueen
Lebo:
Tokelomaancomeon!Whatdoy
ou
meany ourqueen?
Tokel
o:Thegi
rlIaskedy
out
olookf
or
Lebo:
Theonef
rom t
hemal
l
?
Tokel
o:Theoneandonl
y
Lebo:Doyoureal
i
zet
haty
out
heonl
yonewho
hasseenher?
Tokel
o:YepAndam gl
adbecauseIwi
l
lpr
otect
herbet
ter
.
Lebo:
Manthatgir
ldoesn’
tneedpr
otect
ion,
you
knowhowharditwastotr
ackhersothat
meanssheknowsherstuf
f.
Tokel
o:Wear
eamat
chmadei
nheav
enGhost
andBBQ.
Lebo:
YeahButy
ouhav
etot
alkt
oherbef
ore
Uchef
indsherbecauseofyouf
oundherit
’s
onl
yamat t
erofti
mebeforeUchefi
ndsher.
Tokel
o:YeahButIhavetobeupfr
ontwi
thUche
Idon’
twantbadbloodbetweenus.
Lebo:
Yeahy
our
ight
.

Theyconti
nuedt
alki
ngwithLeboteasi
ng
Tokel
oaboutReneil
we.Theguardcameto
them r
unni
ng.
Guar
d:MyPr
ince
Tokel
o:Speakmanwhati
sit
?
Guard:
Farmersfoundanot
herdeadbodyatt
he
far
m withanot
hermessage.
Tokel
o:Whatwast
hemessage?
Guar
d:Thi
sisonl
ythebegi
nni
ng
Tokelo:Okayy
oumayl
eav
eIwi
l
lhandl
eit
.[t
he
guardleft
]
Tokel
o:Toni
ghtwear
egoi
nghunt
ingbr
other
Lebo:
Nowy
out
alki
ng.
Tokel
o:Yeahmant
hisguyi
spi
ssi
ngmeof
f.
Lebo:Hi
snot“t
hisguy
”asy
ousayhi
syour
uncl
ehahaha
Tokel
o:Oahl
any
a[y
oucazy
]hahaha

Manzi
niKi
ngdom:

They oungmenwentl ooki ngfortir

estobur n
thewit chast heysay.Allt hi
swhi l
eMapul aisis
basywi pi
ngbl oodoffThabi so’sface.Theot her
vil
l
ager sarebusyhai li
ngi nsultsather,calli
ng
herthemot herofallwitcheswhoi sgoi ngto
burninhel l
.Somesay“ isentsibeitye
l
ikaphungel auqobo,umt hakathiothakat ha
emini pho”[shehascr ossedal i
nethathas
neverbeencr ossed,
awi tchthatpractices
wit
chcr
aftinbroadday
li
ghtwassomet
hingt
hat
hasneverbeenseenbefor
e]

Mapul awashearingallthattheywer esay ing

butshecouldonlyhearher eandt her easshe
didn’
tunderst
andZulut hatwel l
.They oungmen
camebackcar ryi
ngtwot i
resandpl acedt hem
cl
osert owhereMapul awas.Shel i
ftedherhead
andlookedatthem, t
heol derment ookst i
cks
andwr appedclot
haroundt hem thensett hem
al
ight.Whentheymov edclosertoMapul ashe
gotupandst oodinfrontoft hem.

Mapula:GodsofBaKoena,godsofbaTl
oung,
rai
nqueensofmyl andandtheangel
sfr
om up
aboveIcal
luponyou.ISAYRAISEANDHEAR
YOURQUEEN’ SCRIES!!
!LETTHERAINFALL,
THEWI NDBLOW, THETHUNDERRUMBLEAND
THELIGHTNINGSTRI KE!!
!
Thev i
ll
ager
swait
edlookingandatherwai
ti
ng
forsomethi
ngtohappen.Oneofofthem
l
ookedbehindandsawabi gtornadocomi
ng
str
aightatt
hem.
Man: Lookbehi
ndyou! ![shouted]ever
y onesaw
thetornadoandst
artedr unningbutthunder
rumbledsohardmaki ngt hegroundcrack.They
stoppedthenli
ght
ningst ruckri
ghtinfrontof
them.Thepeoplestartedcr y
ing.
Woman:
Myki
ngsav
eus!
!Shey
ell
ed.

KingSbani sezweandPr inceNtsikatur nedinto

l
ionsandt heywentandst oodinf r
ontoft he
people.Thatseemedt oangerther ainqueenas
shescr eamedandheav yhailst
or m started
droppingheav ystonesont hegroundhi t
tingthe
people.Thel i
onsroaredsohar dbutt hatdi dn’
t
stopther ainqueen,thewindblewsoheav y
mov ingt owardsthem, thequeenswi ngs
appear edandshel if
tedf rom thegroundand
stoodmi dairri
ghtinthemi ddleoft hetornado.
Itgrewbi ggerinthemi ddle,gotheav i
erand
stronger.Wheni twasst r
ongenoughshehel d
upherhandsandal lt
het reest hatwerearound
uproot edexcepttheoneThabi sowast i
edto
andf lewgettingint
ot het or
nadomaki ngit
strongerandmor edanger ous.

Thegr oundwascr ackingev enf urt

her
,roofsof
thehousescl osert othev il
l
agesquar ecouldn’t
holdany mor e.Theyal sof ewast heywere
suckedi nbyt het ornadol eavingthehouses
withoutroof sandr ai
nget ti
ngi nmaking
everyt
hingi nsidet hehouseswetandsome
brokenbyt hehai l
stonest hatwer efal
li
ng.
Peoplewer ecr yingbeggi ngt hekingtoprotect
them, buttheonl yt hi
ngt heki ngseemedt obe
abletodowaschangef orm andr oari
ngnothing
el
seseemedt owork.Herememberedthe
wordsofthechi
efpri
estandwentlooki
ngfor
hi
m.Hef oundhim st
andi
ngnextoneofthe
houseskraal
s.
Chi
efpri
est
:Howischangi
ngf
orm hel
pingwi
th
any
thi
ngmyking?
King:
Ineedyourhel
pwi
seone,
pleaset
alkt
o
thegodsforus.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Youwerewar
nedbutyoudi
dn’
t
l
ist
enandnowther
eisnot
hingIcando.
Ki
ng:Pl
easewi
seonet
hisgi
rli
sdest
roy
ingmy
ki
ngdom.
Chiefpri
est:Yourfi
rstmistakewast othinkthi
s
ki
ngdom bel ongedtoyouandt hesecondone
wasnotl i
steningtotheManzi ni’
swhent hey
spoke.Theygav eyouawar ni
ngbecauset hey
newt hatt
heywer epower l
essagai nstt
his.
Ki
ng:Howcant
hegodsbepower
lessagai
nsta
l
it
tl
egir
l?
Chiefpri
est
:Thati
syourothermist
ake,
underest
imati
ngpeopl
e,don’ty
ouseethati
sno
l
it
tl
egi r
lbutagod?
Ki
ng:
Mxm y
ouar
eusel
ess
Chi
efpr
iest
:Webot
har
emyki
ng,
webot
har
e.

Meanwhi l
et herainqueenwasmov ingwi t
hthe
tor
nadot owar dsthepalaceleavi
nghav oc
wherev ershepassed.Shewasst i
ll
flyi
ngabov e
i
tmov i
ngwi thit
.Roofsflyi
ng,tr
eesupr ooti
ng
andt hegr oundcr acki
ng.Whent hekingsaw
thi
sher anaheadt otr
yandst opherfrom
rui
ningt hepal ace.

Butcoul
dhereall
ymanagetostopther
ain
queen?Findoutont
henextinser
t.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t50

Manzi
niKi
ngdom

Thel ionkingSbani sezweZul uwasnow

standi ngatt hegat esoft hepalacewai ti
ngf or
ther ainqueent ocomesohecanat t
emptt o
stopher .Hecoul dseef r
om wher ehewas
standi ngasshegotcl oserandcl osertothe
palace, theguar dsandmai denshav estopped
wor kingandt heyar enowl ookingatt heangel
fl
yingt owar dst hei
rpal ace.Thequeenoft he
l
andt ookhi ssonandmadet heirwayt o
Mhl angar ocks.Thepr incewasst i
lli
nhisl i
on
form ashecoul dn’tchangeback.Thev ill
agers
l
ef tthev il
l
agesquar esomewentt ocheckon
thedamagei nt heirhousesandt hosewhol i
ved
ont heot hersi deoft hekingdom t ooka
shor tcuttothei rhousest ogett heirf
ami l
iesto
saf
ety
.

Thosewhol ivedclosert othepal acef ol

l
owed
behindther ainqueenweepi ngast heywent
al
ong, witnessingthedamaget hati sbei
ng
caused.Somewher epr ayingt oev er y
thi
ngthey
couldthinkof .Theonewhocal ledt hequeen
nameswasr unningbehi ndt het ornadolooking
upatthequeenapol ogizingf orall t
hatshesaid.
Thequeengotcl osert othepal aceandt he
groundsr umbl edresembl ingt het hunderthat
wasdoi ngitst hi
ngaswel l
.

Itwasli
keallthef orcesofnaturewere
awakened,thebl ackmoonmaki ngthesky
blackasawi nternightwit
hnotst ar
si nsightt
o
provi
deli
ght.Thunderr umblingasifallthe
Afri
candrumswer ebeingbeat enatthesame
timebyallt
heAf ri
canpeople,beati
ngt hem so
l
oudandhar dast hought heycan’tbehear d,
l
ightningplayinglikeanelectr
ici
anpl ay i
ngwi t
h
histoystestingthepowerofeachv ol tthateach
wirecontained, r
ainfal
li
ngasi fwelcomi nga
Sothonewbor nbabyint
ot hewor l
d,shower i
ng
him withblessingsbutthedi f
fer
encewer ethe
stonesfall
ingasi ftheywer ebei
ngt hr ownbya
cowar dtr
yingt okeephisopponentatbay ,as
heknowst hati fhegotcloserhewi llgeta
beatingofhisl i
fe.

Thabisowasl eftaloneont hetree,

thebaKoena
all
igator
sandt hebaTl oungelephantsarrived
soonaf tereveryonel eftandsatsurrounding
thetree.Thabisof eltatpeaceandl etthe
darknessconsumedhi m ashecoul dn’ttakethe
painany more.Theybeathi m upbey ond
recogniti
on,hiswhol ebodywasswol l
enand
bleedingbuthi sfacewasev enworse, one
couldnotev enr ecognizehim becauset he
swel
l
inghadgot
tenwor
se.

Thequeenwasnowj ustaf ewf eetf r

om t he
ki
ngandt hewi ndfrom thet ornadowasso
str
ongandwaspul li
ngev erythingandev eryone
cl
oset oit
.Thekingsunkhi slionpawsand
nai
lsj ustsohecoul dholdonandnotget
suckedi ntothetornadobef orehi m.Hehasno
handst ohol dontoanything, t
heguar dsand
mai denswer elonggone.Theyr aninsi
det he
palacet ohidebutthatdidn’tlastlongast hey
cameoutr unningwhent her oofoft hepal ace
fl
ewawayl eavingonlythewal l
sst anding.

Assoonast heywereoutthequeenr aiseupher

handsagai nandthunderr
umbl ed.Thepal ace
groundscrackedinthemiddlecausingt he
wallsthatusedtobeapalacet ofall
leav i
ng
onlythefoundati
onstandi
ngr esemblingwhat
wasonceapalace.Thefur
nitur
egotdest
roy
ed
asthequeenmovedalongleavi
ngtheki
ngand
hi
speopleinawe.

Shemov edtothef armsdest royi

ngall t
hatwas
i
nsi ght,
forestscaughtf i
refrom thelightni
ng
andt heanimalsnowhadnowher etor un.Li
ve
stockwasf lyi
ngint heai rast heyweren’t
strongenoughagai nstt het ornado,cows,
sheep’s,goats,ev
er ythingwasf l
yi
ngand
getti
ngthrownsof art hattheylandedi nthe
burningforestcatchingf i
rei mmediately.

Aftert
hequeenwasdoneshel oweredher
handsandt het
ornadodieddownbutt hewind,
thunderandrai
nwasst i
llther
e.Shet ur
ned
backandf l
ewtothevil
lagesquar e,
shegot
thereandbowedbeforet heelder
sandt he
all
igat
orstoget
herwit
ht heelephantsstoodand
bowedbef oreheratthesamet ime.Sheasked
Ngweditohel pwit
hther opes,Ngwediandthe
otheral
l
igatorschewt heropewiththei
rteet
h
getti
ngThabisoloose.Hef el
lonthegroundas
soonasther opewasof fhim.

Thequeenwentonherkneesandpickedhim
upthenfewtowar
dsthetheocean,shegot
ther
eandstoodabovethedeeperpar
tofthe
oceanandspoketoherancest
ors.
Rainqueen: Nyol odiyabaKoenakeahohl oka
kgosigadiyaka, baKoenal elonabaTl oung
kealehoel
etsa,ngwanawal onaoal ehoelet
sa,
Kereholonakemona[ Angel ofbaKoenaIneed
youmyqueen, baKoenaandbaTl oungIcal l
upony ou,y
ourchi l
discallingy ouam say i
ngto
youam here]i naf oreignlandwi thnosacr ed
ri
vertotakey ourchildt oforhealing.Iaskof
yout oopent hewat ersandl eadmet oyour
world.
Hewaswr ongedbecauseofmeandnowIwant
tomakei tr i
ght ,
hismybet r
othedandIcannot
l
osehi m now.Thegoodhear tyougav eme
mademeseegoodi naper sonwhohadnone.I
believethiswasmeantt obeorel seyou
woul dn’thav eletithappen, butam her enow
bringingy ourchi l
d, PrinceThabisoMol oi
,the
nexti nli
net othet hroneoft hebaTl oung
kingdom.Ket shohol onabaTl oung, pedi
kgat l
atl
oponnj apokoj we,Thole, pofol
o,
namane, ny amat sana, lonalesaloinglel
ehae
l
eloy alelenaheng, ket shohol onamaaoa,
sbat ha.

Assoonast hequeenf i
nishedsayingthe
baTloungprai
sespleadi
ngwi tht
hem, t
hewat er
openedinthemiddleandt hequeenl owered
hersel
fdowntot heopenspacei nthemi ddle
wit
ht hepr
inceinherhands.Herf eettouched
thedr
ygroundi
nheoceanandsheclosedher
eyesast
hewatercl
osed.Afteraf
ewminut
es
shehear
dthevoi
ceofNy ol
odi.
Nyol
odi
:Openy
ourey
esmyqueeny
ouar
e
home.
Thequeenopensherey esandindeedshewas
i
nt hatbeaut
if
ul pl
acesheonlysawi nher
dreams.All3queenswer ether
e,theytook
Thabisofrom herhandsandattendedtohim.
Ny
olodi
:Donotwor
rymyqueenhewi
l
lrecov
er.
Mapul
a:Idon’tknowwhatIwast
hinki
ng
put
ti
nghisli
featriskl
i
kethat
.
Nyolodi:
Asyousai
dthiswasmeantt
ohappen
nowst opwor
ryi
ngyourpri
ncewi
l
lbefi
nein10
days.
Mapul
a:Myt
hanksmyqueen.
Nyol
odi
:Noneedt
othankuswear
eher
eto
ser
veyou.
Mapul
a:St
il
lIappr
eci
ateal
lthaty
oudo.
Nyolodi
:l
etmeat t
endtothepri
nceandy ou
needtocomehomesoonf ory
ourcoronati
on
becauseyourpowersar
ebeingunleashedand
youneedtolearnhowtocontr
olthem.
Mapul
a:Justacoupl
eofmont
hsmyqueen.
Nyol
odi
:Al
ri
ghtthen,
letmegohelp.[shewent
t
ojoi
ntheother
sasMapularest
ed.]

UMhl
angar
ocks:

QueenNkany eziwaspacingupanddownt he
apart
mentasshewasgoi ngov erwhathad
happenedinhermi nd.Shewasangr yatboth
herhusbandandsonf ornotli
steningand
causi
ngallthishavocintheirkingdom.She
mostlybl
amedhersonf orbr i
ngingsuch
probl
emsi nthei
rli
vesandsheal soblamedher
husbandfornotstoppi
ngit
.Ntsikawas
moaningandgroaningonthefloorashewas
changi
ngbackt ohishumanform.

Hef inall
ychangedandthequeenbr oughthim
watert odrinki
najug,hetookthewat erand
dranki tall
atinonego.Heplacedthej ugonthe
coffeet abl
eandlookedathisangr
ymot her
.
Nt
sika:
Mot
herpl
easesi
tdowny
oumaki
ngme
di
zzy
Queen:
Maki
ngy
oudi
zzy
?Memaki
ngy
oudi
zzy
Ntsi
ka?
Ntsi
ka:Yesmotherandpaci
ngupanddown
won’thel
pwit
hany t
hing.
Queen:Youandyourfatherdest
royedthe
ki
ngdom andourpeoplenowar eleftwi
thout
homes.Howdoy outhinktheywillr
ebuil
dthei
r
houses?
Nt
sika:
Youandfat
herwi
l
lhel
p,y
oudohav
ethe
moneyaft
eral
l
.
Queen:Ntsi
kadoy ouknowhowmuchitwil
l
costt
orepairallt
hedamage?Wedon’
teven
knowifthepalaceisst
il
lst
andi
ng.
Nt
sika:
ButMot herdi
dyouseet
hepower
Mpandepasses?
Queen: Idon’
twanttohearanythi
ngaboutt hat
gir
l,t
hisallst
art
edbecausey oucoul
dn’taccept
thatshewasal r
eadytaken.Thi
sstupidplanof
yoursthatendedupdestroyi
ngourkingdom
wasal lherdoi
ng.
Ntsi
ka: Mot
heryoucantblameMpandef
ort
his
besidesam notgi
vinguponher
,nowmoret
han
evershewil
l bemine.
Queen:OhGodIgavebi
rthtot
hemostst
upid
chil
dever
.Nt
sikadoyouevenheart
hewords
thatar
ecomingoutofy
ourmouth?
Nt
sika:
ofcour
seIdomot
heram t
heonesay
ing
t
hem.
Queen:
Didyouhearthecur
set
hatgi
rlpl
aced
onyou,usandt
hekingdom?
Ntsi
ka:Asl
ongMpandei stheonewhoplacedit
uponme,Idon’
tmindbecauseIknowshewi l
l
l
ifti
twhenshereal
i
zesthatam theonl
yonefor
her.
Queen:i
fyouweretheoneforherwouldshe
havedest
royedourki
ngdom l
ikethat
?
Nt
sika:
Shewasangr
ymot
her
.
Queen:OhGodyoustupi
d!Justl
eav
emysi
ght
andgotcheckonyourf
ather
.
Ntsi
ka:
Alri
ghtButl
ookf oraplacetostayso
l
ongincasethepal
aceisdestroyed.Iwon’tl
i
ve
herewi
thyouandfatherIneedmyspace.

Thequeencoul
dn’
tbel
i
evewhathersonjust
sai
dandsheknewdeepdownthatthi
sisonl
y
t
hebegi
nni
ngoft
hecur
se.

Backatthevil
lagethepeoplewerebusypi cki
ng
upwhatwasl eftofthei
rhouses,worri
edabout
wheretheywil
l gett
hef undstodorepair
s.The
ki
ngwasst andatwhatusedt obet hepalace
gatedefeat
ed,thesightofwhatusedtobehi s
ki
ngdom madehi mregrethi
sacti
ons.Ntsika
arr
ivedandsawhowmuchdamagehasbeen
caused.Hestoppedt hecarnextt
ohisfather
andgotout.
Nt
sika:
Am her
etogety
ouFat
her
Ki
ng:
Thi
sisal
lyourdoi
ng
Nt
sika:
Mydoi
ngFat
her
?Yousai
dmydoi
ng.
Ki
ng:
Yesy
ourdoi
ngandy
oursel
fi
shness
Ntsi
ka:ButIdon’tr
ecall
youstoppi
ngme, y
ou
l
etthi
shappenf oryourownself
ishreasons
Ki
ng:
Andwhatwoul
dthosebesi
ncey
ouseem
t
oknowsomuch?
Ntsi
ka:
Youwantedpowerbey
ondimagi
nat
ion,
well
Fathery
ougotandi
tdest
roy
edyour
ki
ngdom.
Ki
ng:
Finewewer
ebot
hwr
ong
Ntsi
ka:
Noy ouwerewr
ongandIwasn’
t.Soar
e
youcomingornot
?

Thekingdidn’tanswerhej
ustwentaroundto
thepassengersideopenedthedoorgoti
nand
sat.Nt
sikalookedaroundatthedamagethat
wascausedandsmi l
ed.
Ntsi
ka:
DamnIloveMpande, t
hatwomanwi l
l be
t
hedeathofmelit
eral
ly
.Ifshecancauseso
muchdamagetothelandofmyf or
efat
hersjust
i
maginethedamageshecausedinmyhear t
whensherej
ect
edme.
Don’
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
shar
eandcomment

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t51

BaTl
okwaki
ngdom

AWEEKLATER:

Thedayoft hefuneralhadar r
ivedmanypeopl e
attendedthef uner
al,ki
ngsandqueensof
differ
entkingdomscamet opayt heirlast
respectstot hefal
l
enki ng.LerumoandLet si
wer eamongstt hosepr esentatf uneral,
also
Papi ’
sbusinessassociatesbutt heydi dn’tcome
topayr espectsbuttolookoutf ortheir
i
nterest
s.Theywantedtomeetwit
hTsietsi
aft
erthefuner
al t
ofi
ndouthowthebusinessi
s
goi
ngt oworksincePapidi
ed.

Tsietsiont heotherhandhasnotbeenhi mself

thewhol eweek, hedoesn’ tt alktoany one,he
l
ooksl i
kesomeonewhocar ry i
ngt heweightof
thewor ldonhisshoul der sandt heelders
thoughthewasj ustgr ievinghi sf ather
sdeat h
butnot hatwasnott hecase.Hewast hinki
ng
aboutt hischangehi smot herspokeofandhe
wasbat t
li
ngwi t
hhi sthought stryingtofi
gure
outhowt ogoabouti t
.Thef uner alwasdone
andPapi waslaidtor estnextt ohi swi
feinthe
royal gr
av eyar
d.Thef uner al haddi gni
tyatleast
butt hatwasonlybecauset hepeopl ewho
attendedwer enotliket helat eking.

Theel
der
sandt
hechi
efpr
iestdeci
dedt
o
cl
eanseTsi et
si bef or
ehei scrownedki ng,he
agreedt ot hecl eansingbutaskedf orsomet ime
beforet heycr ownedhi m king.Theel dersf elt
sorryforhi m sot heygav ehim aweek, sosoon
afterthecl eansinghepl annedongoi ngona
tr
ip.Notabusi nesst ri
pbutj ustatript oenj oy
hi
msel fandt ryt of i
nddirecti
onforhi sl i
fe.He
neededt i
met ot hinkaboutwhatt odowi tht he
i
ll
egal busi nessesher anwi thhisfather ,he
askedhi msel fift heywilladdv al
uei nt hi
s
changehewant st omakeornot .Changet hat
hehi msel fisnotawar eofwhati twi l
l beasy et
.

Tokel
o:

TokeloandLebowentont hei
rhuntthatday
andt heyfoundLet
habo.Nowhislockedupin
thepalace.Thedevel
opmentsweregoingas
plannedasar esul
tever
yonei
nthekingdom
wasbusy .Thekingandhi ssonsworki
ng
togethert
oimpr ovethei
rkingdom.Tokel
owas
nowonhi swayt ot hecapi
talasoneofhi
smen
i
nformedhi m ofthearri
valofRenei
l
weakaBBQ
andhecoul dn’
tmi ssthechanceofseei
ngher
again.

Tokelowasnowpar kedout sidet herestaurant

hewast oldReneilwewi llbein,contempl ati
ng
onwhet hertogoi norwai toutsideinhi scar
andwal kupt oherwhensheget soutsot hathe
canpr etendliketheyjustbumpedi ntoeach
other.Hedeci dedagai nstthatasher eali
zed
thathemi ghtnothaveenought imet ot al
kt o
heraboutal lthatheneededt hem todi scussso
hedeci dedt ogoinsidet herestaurant.

Hegotinandt
hewai
tercametohi
mt ooff
er
hi
m atabl
ebuthi
sey
eslandedonRenei
lwe
sit
ti
ngaloneonacor nertabl
ehavi
ngaglassof
redwine.Hewalkedupt oherandsher
aised
herheadandtheirey
esl ocked.
Tokel
o:Myl
ady
Renei
l
we:
You?
Tokel
o:Yesme,
mindi
fIj
oiny
ouf
orawhi
l
e?
Renei
l
we:
Notatal
l
,makey
our
sel
fcomf
ort
abl
e.
Tokel
o:OhIthankyoumylady
.Letmeor
dera
dri
nkandgettothepoi
nt.
Renei
l
we:
Oht
her
ear
easony
oucamet
ome?
Tokelo:
Ofcour
se,
Iam notthekindthatj
ust
walkeduptowomeni
nr est
aurantsandaskto
j
ointhem.
Renei
l
we:
Buty
ouj
ustdi
d
Tokel
o:Onl
ybecausei
t’
sy ouandbecauseI
havesomet
hingi
mportantforust
odiscuss.
Renei
l
we:
Okay
.
Thewai tercameandtookTokel
o’sor
der,
they
sattherenotsayi
nganythi
ngforawhil
eunti
l
hisordercame.
Renei
l
we:NowThatyouhaveyourdr
ink,
what
doyouhav
etodi
scusswithme.
Tokel
o:Ri
ght!
..
.letmest
artbysay
ingt
hatI
knowwhoy ouare?
Renei
lwe:Ofcour
sey
oudo,
yousawmeaf
ew
monthsback.
Tokel
o:YesButThati
snotwhatImean.
Reneilwe:Oksoyoualsoknowthatam a
pri
ncessbutletmetelly
outhisIwasnot
keepingitasecr
etIswear[shesai
dina
sarcasti
ctone]
Tokel
o:Ver
yfunnybuti
t’
sgoodtoknowthat
youareapri
ncesst
hatwayIwon’
thave
probl
emswhenItakeyouasmybride.
Renei
l
we:
What
?
Tokelo:Thati
saconv ersat
ionforanot
herday
.
Howev erIdoknowt hatyouareBBQandIdo
knowt hatyouhavebeensteali
ngf r
om my
part
nerthelastcoupleofmonths.
Reneil
we:Okaysowhat?[shesaidtr
yingtoact
coolbutdeepdownshewasi nti
midatedbythi
s
manandt hati
ssomethi
ngt hathasnever
happenedtoherbef
ore]
Tokel
o:Not
hingIj
ustwantt
otell
youtost
op
whatyouar
edoingbefor
eit
’st
oolat
e.
Renei
l
we:
Andwhoar
eyout
otel
lmewhatt
odo?
Tokel
o:Yourhusbandbutmosti
mpor
tant
ly
Ghost
.

Renei
lwe’seyespoppedatthementionof
Ghost,ev
eryoneintheunderwor
ldnewwho
Ghostwasev enthoughnoneofthem hav
e
nevermethi
m butt
heynewnott
omesswi
th
hi
m.
Renei
l
we:
Soy
oumustbeGhost
’sr
ighthand
man?
Tokel
o:Youcansayt
hat
.
Renei
l
we:
OkaysowhatdoesGhostwant
?
Tokelo:Onl
yforyoutost
opwhatyoudoi
ngbut
nottowor r
yaboutwhatyouhav
ealr
eadyt
aken
i
tshallberepl
aced.
Renei
lwe:Iknowwhat“ r
eplaced”meanto
Ghostandam notwi l
l
ingtogodownt hatroad.
Myparentsandbrotherdon’tknowwhatIdo
andIwouldhateforthem t
obei nvol
ved.So
pl
easelet
’snegot
iate.
Tokel
o:Am nother
etonegot
iat
e..
.[
shecuthi
m
off
]
Renei
lwe:Pl
easeIwil
ldoany
thing,myfamil
yis
al
lIhaveandIcan’
tloset
hem please[shewas
al
readyt
ear
yey
edatt
hispoi
nt]
Tokel
o:Noy
ou.
..
[shecuthi
m of
fagai
n]
Reneilwe:Pl
ease,Iwi
ll
stopwhatam doi
ngand
Iwillevengi
vebackwhatIhavetakenbut
pl
easenotmyf amil
y.
[shepl
eadedastears
gracedhercheeks]
Tokel
o:Don’
tcrymyladyplease,
letmefi
nish
whatam say
ingsothatyoucanunderst
and
okay?
Renei
l
we:
Okay
Tokelo:Nowdon’tevercr yagainbecausey ou
hurt
ingme[Renei l
wer esultedtonoddingas
wordsf ai
ledher
]good!AsIwassay i
ngy ouwil
l
stopwhaty ouaredoingandy ouwill
join
Ghost’steam t
hatishowy ouaregoingto
repl
acewhaty ouhaveal readytaken.
Renei
lwe:Ihavenoprobl
em wi
ththataslong
asIhaveguarant
eethatmyfamil
ywillbesafe.
Tokel
o:Youshoul
dknowbynowthatGhost
doesn’
tmakeemptypromi
ses.
Renei
l
we:
YesIdo.
Tokel
o:Wel
lthenwhatdoy
ousay
?
Renei
l
we:
Iwi
l
ltaket
heof
fer
Tokel
o:Goodnowt
ell
mewher
eyouf
rom
pri
ncess?
Renei
l
we:Am sureyoual
readyknowal
lthat
si
nceyouGhost’
sri
ghthandmanandall
.
Tokelo:
Butthi
sisnotGhostri
ghthandman
tal
ki
ngit’
syourfutur
ehusband.
..
nowIwil
lask
againwherear
ey oufrom?
Renei
l
we:
BaTl
oungki
ngdom
Tokel
o:Cany
oupr
oper
lyi
ntr
oducey
our
sel
f?
Renei
l
we:
Fine!
![
annoy
ed]Iam Pri
ncess
Renei
l
weMoloioft
hebaTloungki
ngdom.
Tokel
o:Asi
nThabi
so’
ssi
ster
?
Renei
l
we:
Yes,
Howdoy
ouknowmybr
other
?
Tokel
o:Heismysi
ster
shusbandwel
lfut
ure
husband.
Renei
l
we:Yoursi
steri
stheonewhosav
edhi
m?
Theonef
rom baKoenakingdom?
Tokel
o:Yes
Renei
l
we:
WOW!Smal
lwor
ld!
Tokel
o:I
ndeed

Theyconti
nuedtal
ki
ngwhilehav
ingthei
rmeal,
Tokel
owasmor ethanhappytohavethi
s
momentwi t
hReneil
weandReneilwewasmor e
thanhappytost
il
lbeingoodbookswiththe
Ghostasnooneherincl
udedwantstomakean
enemyofhim.

Somewher
eint
hecapi
tal
:
Mosi
aandMotsoenengaremeet
ingtodi
scuss
t
hesuddendi
sappear
anceofLet
habo.
Mot
soeneng:
Wher
edoy
out
hinkhewent
?
Mosi
a:Ket
lat
sebel
akae?[howam Isupposed
t
oknow?]
Motsoeneng:
Becausehewasmor
ecl
oset
o
youthanme.
Mosia:
Sot hatmeansIknowhiswher
eabout
s?
Youknowv erywel
lthatLet
haboi
s
unpr
edict
able.
Motsoeneng:Iknowthatbutwehav
etofi
nd
hi
m, Ineedtherestoft
hemoneyhepromi
sed
us.
Mosia:
Ineedthatmoneyaswel
l,l
i
fei
nthecit
y
i
snotcheapandwedon’thavei
ncomejust
whatwegotfr
om him.
Mot
soeneng:
Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odoi
fhe
doesn’
tcomeback.
Mosia:
Skayi
nahanant
hweumnna[don’
tev
en
t
hinkaboutt
hatman]
Motsoeneng:I
t’
shar
dnottoman,i
t’
sbeena
weekandbothheandhisper
sonal
guardj
ust
di
sappeared.
Mosia:Let
’swai
tunt
ilnextweekandi
fhesti
l
l
hasn’
tcomebackthenwet akehi
sbusi
ness.
Mot
soeneng:
How?
Mosi
a:Heintr
oducedmeashisri
ghthandto
hi
sassoci
atessotheywon’
taskquest
ions
whenIshowupthere.
Motsoeneng:
Thatsagoodi
dea,
cl
ear
lyLet
habo
t
aughtyouwell.
Mosi
a:I
ndeed

Theyconti
nuedtal
ki
ngaboutwaystot
akeover
Let
habo’sbusi
nessonceMosiawasonthe
i
nsi
de.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t52

AWEEKLATER:

Tsi
etsi

AfterthefuneralIwenttoSout hAf ricaCape

Townt obeexact ,IstayedatSout her nSun
hotelintheCBD.CapeTownCBDi sal ways
busybutt hatwasnotwhatIwast heref or
.On
myj ourneytodiscoveryImetaguywhowas
stayi
ngatt hehotelandhewasAust ral
ian,he
wasi nCapeTownf orbusinessbutImustsay
thatitwaslikehewassentj ustforme.Toshed
somel ighti
nmydar kwor l
d,ifIdidn’tknow
betterIwoul dsayhewassentbymot hert o
helpmeout .Het oldmeabouthi sfathert hat
passedawayay earago, howhelefthi m and
hi
smot herwhenhewasbor nandhowt hey
neverhadar el
ationshipbutlef
tallhi
s
businessest ohim bot hl
egalandil
legal ones.I
askedhi m whathedi dwitht
heill
egal
businessesandhet ol
dmet hathesol dt hem
andonl ykeptthel egalones.

Hesai dhehasnot i
met omanageev enthose
l
egal busi
nessesashehashi sownr estaurant
torun.Sohegotpeopletomanaget hem for
him andallhedoesischeckthebooksoncea
mont h.SoIcontact
edTokeloandaskedhi m
forameet i
ngtoday.SoIjustarr
ivebackin
LeSothonowandam wai t
ingforTokeloasI
didn’
twantt ogohomebef oresorti
ngthisout.
Tokeloarri
vedatmugandbeanwher eIwas
waiti
ngandIgotupandwav edathi m sothat
hecanseeme.Hecameandj
oinedmeatt
he
tabl
e.

Tokel
o:Tsi
etsi
Tsi
etsi
:Sur
eman,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Tokel
o:Okaywher
ear
ethecamer
as?
Tsi
etsi
:Whywoul
dyouaskaboutcamer
as?
Tokel
o:Becauseyouaski
nghowam doi
ngand
webothknowt hati
snotyou.
Tsi
etsi
:Welli
twasn’
tmebutnowitis,
am tr
ying
tochangemanandthati
spartoft
hereasonI
cal
ledyouhere.
Tokel
o:Am l
i
steni
ng
Tsi
etsi
:Iwantt
osel
lyoumyf
ather
’s
busi
nesses.
Tokel
o:Al
loft
hem?
Tsi
etsi
:Noj
ustt
heonest
hatar
eoper
ati
ngof
f
t
hebooks.
Tokel
o:Whyar
eyousel
l
ingt
hem?
Tsi
etsi
:Becauseam goi
ngtobeki
ngnowman
andIcan’
ttakecar
eofthem.
Tokel
o:Buty
ourfat
herdi
ditwhi
l
ehewaski
ng
sowhynotyou?
Tsiet
si:
Change,Iwantt
ochangeandIcan’
tdo
thati
fIcont
inuesel
li
ngpeopl
eoffanddeal
i
ng
drugs.
Tokel
o:Buty
ouknowIdon’
tdealinthose
thi
ngssowhyar
ey ouof
fer
ing?Oristhi
saset
up?
Tsi
etsi
:Thishasnothi
ngt odowithsetupam
off
eri
ngbecauseIwantt osell
tosomeonewho
canchangethesebusinessesi
ntosomethi
ng
bett
erthanwhattheyarenow.
Tokel
o:Iwil
lhavetotal
ktoGhostandsomeof
mybusinessassoci
atesthengetbackt
oyou.
Tsi
etsi
:Sur
emanthat
’snotapr
obl
em Iwi
l
lwai
t
tohearf
rom y
ou.
Tokel
o:Sur
e

Tokelol
eftandTsietsidr
ovehome.Tokel o
call
edBBQt omeetwi thhi
m ungentl
y,thenhe
call
edUcheandi nfor
m him aboutt
hebusiness
thatTsi
etsii
sselli
ng.Ucheaskedhimt ogive
him aweektot hi
nkaboutitandhewi l
lgetback
tohim.Tokelothenwenttomeetwi thBBQat
therest
aurant.
Tokel
o:Myl
ady
Renei
l
we:
Hey
Tokel
o:Howar
eyoudoi
ngt
oday
?
Renei
l
we:
Am Okayj
ustenj
oyi
ngbei
nghome.
Tokel
o:Okaysowhenarey
ougoi
ngt
oagr
ee
formetotakeyouout
?
Renei
l
we:
Am sur
eyoudi
dn’
tcal
lmeher
efor
t
hatMrMohapi
.
Tokelo:
FineButy
ounotgoi
ngbackt
oschool
unti
lyougooutwithme.
Renei
l
we:
Fine!Nowt
ell
mewhyam her
e?
Tokel
o:Iwanty
outolookintot
hebusi
nesses
ownedbyPapiandTsiet
si.
Renei
l
we:
Whatexact
lydoy
ouwantmet
olook
for
?
Tokel
o:Ever
ythi
ng!From t
hei
rassoci
ates,
deal
ersandsuppli
ers
Renei
l
we:
Okay
,mayIaskwhywel
ooki
ngi
nto
them?
Tokelo:
Theyar
esell
i
ngthebusi
nessandt
hey
off
ereditt
oustobuy.
Renei
l
we: Okaysoy
ouwantt
oknowwhatwe
upagainst
.
Tokel
o:YesandIl
i
kehowy
ouused“
we”
Renei
l
we:
Wear
eat
eam MrMohapi
Tokel
o:Yeswear e,
sowhydon’
tyouwantt
o
makeitoff
ici
al?
Renei
l
we:
Tokel
o!
Tokelo:Reneilwel don’tusual l
ydot his,Idon’ t
goondat esandIdon’ tkeepagi rlf
ormor et han
twoday s,Idon’tdor elati
onshipsandIdon’ tf al
l
i
nl ove.Butwi t
hy ouIwanti tall
,Iwantt odr ess
upandgoondat eswi thy ou,Idon’twantt o
spendt woday swi thyoubutIwantt ospenda
l
ifeti
mewi thyou,Ican’tsayIhav ef all
eninl ov e
withyoubutIcansayt hatIt hi
nkabouty ou
everyday ,whenIdon’ tseey ouf ormor ethana
dayIgocr azyandmakeexcusest oseey ou.
Don’taskmewhyIdot hi
sbecauseIdon’ tknow
my selfbutWhatIdoknowi sthatIwantt o
spendev er yminuteofmydaywi thy ou.Please
gooutwi thmepr incess.
Renei
l
wewasi
ntear
sasshehasnev
erhear
d
suchbeaut if
ulwor dsfrom amanbef or
e.She
wasal way sbusywi thschool andwhenshegot
touniversityshewasi ntroducedt otheli
feof
cri
mebyt heonl yf ri
endshehad.Butshemade
ami stakeofhacki ngaRussi anmopboss, he
l
ookedf orherfor2y earsunt i
lhefoundherand
brut
allykilledher.Af t
erherdeat hshecoul dn’t
stopany mor e,shecont i
nuedwi thwhatthey
Wher edoi ngasawayofhonor ingherfri
end.
Shehadnot imef orguy sordat i
ng,allt
het i
me
shehadshespentbet teri
ngherhacki ngski l
l
s
sothatshecanbeabl etohi deinplainsight.

Shegotv er
ygoodov erthey ear
sasar esul
t
companiesheadhuntedherf orherskil
l
s.Butof
coursenooneknewwhoshewasasshenev er
metwi t
hanyclientpersonal
lyandshedi dal
l
herworkelect
ronical
ly
.Sot hiswasv er
ynewt o
herandshedidn’tknowhowt oact.
Renei
l
we:
Idon’
tknowwhatt
osay
Tokel
o:SayWhatisi
nyourhear
tbutpl
ease
don’
tcrymylady
.
Renei
l
we:
Ihav
enev
erdonet
hisbef
ore
Tokel
o:Whatdoy
oumean?
Renei
lwe:
Ineverdat
edbef or
eTokelosoIdon’
t
knowhowt hi
swholethi
ngwor ks.Myar
eaof
exper
ti
searecomputersnotdati
ng.
Tokel
o:Thenwewi
lll
ear
ntoget
hermyl
adyand
wewillmakei
twor
kforus.
Reneil
we:OkaythenIwi
llgoont
hatdat
ewi
th
youiftheof
fersti
l
lst
ands.
Tokelo:Ofcour sei tdoes.Myt hanksdear
pri
ncess,Ipromi set owor khardtoalways
makey ouhappy ,am notsay i
ngIwon’ tmake
mistakesast hisisnewt omebutal lIaski
sfor
youtosetmest r
aightwheny ouseemegoi ng
astr
ayandIpr omi setodot hesame.
Renei
l
we:
Ithi
nkal
lweneedi
scommuni
cat
ion
andt
rust
.
Tokelo:Wel
lIwi
llworkonthet
rustpartbutI
askthatyoubepati
entwit
hmei nthat
department
.
Reneil
we:Onl
yIfyouwil
lbepatientwi
thme
becauseIal
soIhavetr
ustissues.
Tokel
o:Thenlet’
sbeeachother’
sgotoperson,
Iknowitwil
ltaketi
mebutatleastl
et’
str
y.
Renei
l
we:
Thatsoundsgoodt
ome.

Wi
l
lTsi
etsi
real
l
ychangeori
sthi
sal
lanact
?
Fi
ndoutont
hecomi
ngi
nser
ts.

Hav
eabeaut
if
ulandpeacef
ulsl
umber
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t53
NARRATED

It
’sbeen5mont hsThabisowasheal edand
Mapul agotbackt oschool.NowMapul a
fi
nishedwr i
ti
nghermet ri
cexams, sheand
Thabi sodeci dedtostayabitlongerinCape
Townbef oregoingback.Thedat eforher
mat urityceremonywassetf orthe8December ,
sot heywi l
lbegoingbackhomeont hethir
dof
December .Theyhavebeendoi ngwel l
asa
couplewi thnoobstaclesintheirway.Mapul a
wasnotscar edanymor eaboutgoingt othe
sacredr i
verastheev entsofthepastmont hs
havepr eparedherwel l
.

Kwezii
sal
sogoingwiththem backt
oLeSotho
asshesai
dandIquote‘Iwoundntmissitf
or
thewor
ldfr
iendbesi
desIhaveasurpri
sefor
youandi t
’snotsomet hingIcannotj ustsendI
havetobet her eper sonallytodeliverit’
tot his
dayshehasn’ ttoldmewhati ti
s.It ri
ed
everyt
hingev enbl ackmai lbutnot hingwor ked,
soIguessIwi llhavet owai tandseeont heday
l
ikeeveryoneel se.Ihav en’tdecidedwher eam
goingtobest udy ingnexty earyetsinceIwi l
lbe
someone’swi f
eandal l,soIhav et oconsul tmy
husbandbef oremaki ngt hatdecisionandam
notwill
ingtor uinourt imebybr i
ngingt hatup.

ThebaKoenaki ngdom i sbi ggerandbet t

erthan
everbefore.Thehospi talwasopenedand
named‘ DiKoenat saMet sing’meani ng
Alli
gatorsofthewat erorbet teryetwat er
animals.Itisequippedwi thall t
helatest
technology,adv ancel abandl abmat eri
al.I
thas
doctorsfrom Canada, LondonandCuba.They
havedi f
ferentwingsoni tfrom mat ernitywi
ng,
chil
dren’swing,y outhcl i
nic,men’ scli
nic,
chr
oni
cil
l
nesswi
ngandmanyot
her
s.
Thedevel
opmentst
hattookpl
acebr
ought
manyjoboppor
tuni
ti
esfort
hepeopl
eoft he
ki
ngdom aswel
lasthosefr
om t
heneighbori
ng
ki
ngdoms.

Lerumowascr ownedki ngandhechosehi s

newcounci lmadeupofbot helder sandy oung
trustedmeni nthekingdom.Hef eltthi
swayt he
kingdom wi l
lhavebalanceandwi l
lgetwi sdom
tobet terthekingdom from bothsides, young
andol d.Andsof arthi
ngshav ebeengoi ng
reall
ywel l
,newalli
anceswer emadebutnot
wi t
hot herkingdomsbutwi t
hot hercount ri
es
suchasCubat hatistheirbi
ggestsuppl ierof
medi cal marij
uanaoi l
susedtot reatoreaset he
paini ncancerpat i
entsonchemo.Canadat hat
sendst hei
rscienti
ststocomeandconduct
theirresearchandgetpl antsfrom t hefiel
dsof
LeSot hot oproducenewandi mpr ov ed
treatment sfordif
ferentil
l
nesses.ThenLondon
thathasanexchangepr ogram forst udent
s
studyingmedi cine,pharmacy ,oncologyand
forensicanthropology.Allthishasbr ought
uponal otofchangef orbot hthebaKoena
kingdom andLeSot hoaswhol e.QueenMabot le
alsocamebackhomeandst ar
tedawomen’ s
suppor tgroupthatdeal swithallissues
concer ningwomen.

Lerumopl ansonr el
easingLethabobef orethe
princess’scer emonysi ncehehasbeen
behav i
ngwel lduringthisti
mehi sbeeni n
l
ockup.Nooneknowsi fhisreall
ychangedor
busydemi singy etanotherplantotakeov erthe
kingdom.Mosi aandMot soenengmanagedt o
takeov erLet habo’sbusinessesandt heyare
runningt hem t othegroundast heyareonl y
concer nedaboutt heprofit
s,butcoul
dn’ t
carelessabouthowt heyar emade.
Tsiet sihasbeendoi ngwel laski ngandhi s
peopl ear ealsohappywi t
ht hechangeshe
camewi th.Healsopar tneredwi t
hbaKoenai n
someoft hepr oj
ectsthati n-turnbr ought
recogni ti
onandr espectt ot heki ngdom.He
alsor egisteredtodohi sresi dencyatDi Koena
tsaMet singgener alhospital buthewi l
lonlybe
startingnexty ear.Tokeloboughtt he
busi nessesandwi ththef undsTsi etsi
dev elopedoneoft heiroldf arml andsand
turnedi tintoashoppi ngmal lcal
led‘ BaTl
okwa
Bathabi le’Thisal
sobr oughtmanyoppor t
unit
ies
fort hepeopl eoftheki ngdom.

Hehasbeenpr essur
edbyt heeldersf
orthe
pastmonths,Welleversincehet ookoveras
ki
ngtof i
ndhi
msel faqueen, astheysay’aking
wit
hnoqueenhasnodi gnity’howeverTsiet
si
hasn’
tfoundhisqueeny etsinceallhi
sli
fehe
wasgr oomedt omar r
yonl yoneper sonandt hat
i
sMapul a.Butthatwi llnothappenandhe
knowsi t,hehasbeenl ooki ngfr om thepr incess
i
nt heki ngdomshi sbeenbui l
dingal l
ianceswi t
h
butsof arnoneoft hem hav ecapt uredhi m.He
toldtheel derst
hatpr essur i
nghi m willonly
makehi mt akesomeonewhowi l
lcomei ntohis
kingdom andmi streathispeopl eandhewon’ t
hav ethatashehasbeenwor kinghar dhi msel f
tobecomeabet terpersonandhedoesn’ tneed
somewho’ sgoingt opullhim backi ntoadar k
hole.Whi chtheyt hemselv eswon’ tl
ike.Sot hey
gav ehim unt ilt
heendofDecembert ofind
himsel fabr i
deort heywillf i
ndonef orhi m.

TokeloandRenei lwe’srel
ationshiphasbeen
doingwell.Theyar ethecouplepeopleenv y
bothintheunder grworl
dandi nthebusi
ness
wor l
d.Theyturnedt hebusinessestheybought
fr
om Tsietsii
ntoabi gf
ishi
ngcompanysi nce
theyalreadyhadoceanr out est hatcamein
handywhent hecompanyst arted.Theybought
bigandsmal lvessel
sforf ishing, t
heyalso
turnedtheirwer ehousesi ntopr oducti
on
factori
es.Sonowheownsaf ishingcompany ,a
l
awf i
rm,oilcompanyandhi sdi amond
business.Leboi snowi nar el
at i
onshipwitha
girlnamedMol eboheng,asweetandwel l
respectedwomani nthecour troom.Thei r
rel
at i
onshipsisnewbutt heyar ehappyt oget
her.

Boitumeloisanxi ousaboutThabi so’

sar r
ival
as
shehear dthemai denstal
kingabouthim and
hisqueencomi ngbackf orthequeensmat ur
ity
ceremonyt henaweekaf t
eristheirwedding.
Shei shopingthatThabi sowill
releasehim so
thatshecangobackhomeandst artherli
fe.
Sheal socouldn’twai tt
oseehermot heragain
becauseshemi ssedhersomuchandev en
dreamsabouther .
Manzi nikingdom wasnev erthesameaf terthe
i
ncident .Yesr epair
swer edoneandt hepal ace
wasr ebuilt.Theroy alfami l
yalsohadt oassi st
withther epairsoft hev il
l
agershouses.They
managedt odoal otbutt heyr anoutoff unds,
theyonl yhav eonef arm nowsuppor ti
ngt he
wholeki ngdom, r
oadsr emainedgr ov elast hey
couldn’taf f
ordtof i
xt hedamage.Nt sikaisa
wellknownbusi nessmanwhoi srut hlessi nthe
boardroom, everyoneknowsandr espect shi m.
Henev ersetfoodi nt hepalacesi ncet hedayhe
wentt opi ckuphi sf atheraft
erthei ncident.The
kingandqueent ri
edev er
ythi
ngt or eachoutt o
him withnosuccessandt heyev ent ual l
ylethim
be.

Hemarri
edanI ndi
anwomanwhi chhedoesn’
t
l
ovebecauseinhisdef
enseshewill
neverbe
any
thi
nglikeMpande.Shecal
lsherusel
ess
becauseshehasn’ tgivenhi m achildy etthe
doct orssayt hereisnot hingwr ongwi thbothof
them.Hi semot i
onall
yabusi ngherandv er
y
distant,hisnev erhome, alwaysont her oad
goingonbusi nesstri
ps.Heownsa
transportationcompanyt hathasbuses,
shut tl
es,helicoptersforVI Pclient
sandt hose
whocanaf fordthem.Heal sohast hosebi g
l
ongdi stancedel i
verytruckst hather entstobig
compani es.Let ’
sjustsayhi swel l
of f
.

St
ayt
unedf
ort
hepr
incess’
smat
uri
tycer
emony
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t54

Cor
onat
ionday1
MapulaandThabi sohav ejustl
andedi n
LeSotho.Theyarewai t
ingfortheirbagssot hat
theycangot hei
rseparateway sbutpr omi sed
toseeeachot herthefoll
owingdaybef ore
Mapulaistakentot hesacredriver.Thebags
cameandt heymadet hei
rwayoutoft heai rpor
t
TokeloandReneilwewer ewai t
ingout sidefor
them.Tokelopicki
nguphi ssisterandRenei lwe
picki
ngupherbr other
.
Mapul
a:Dumel
angLeSot
ho[hel
l
oLeSot
ho]
Tokel
o:Awupri
ncessareyougoi
ngt
ogr
eet
LeSot
hoinst
eadofyourbr
other
?
Mapul
a:Yeaht
hat
’sexact
lywhatam doi
ng
Tokel
o:Yhoo!SonoIl
ovef
ort
hebr
other
?
Mapul
a:Nope
Tokel
o:Mxm y
ouwalki
nghomeam done[he
at
temptedt
owalkawaybutMapul
aheldhi
s
ar
m]
Mapul
a:Comeonbr
otheram onl
yjoki
ng
Tokel
o:Am not
Mapula:Keaokopahl
eKoenayamentsi
ng[am
beggi
ngKoena]comegiveyoursi
stera
hug[Tokel
owentandhuggedhissi
ster]
Reneil
we:Wearest
il
lher
epeopl
e.[Mapul
a
brokethehug]
Mapul
a:Ohsor
ry,
Hel
l
owam Mapul
ahi
ssi
ster
.
Renei
lwe:Andam Renei
l
wehi
ssi
ster[poi
nti
ng
atThabi
so]
Thabiso:
Andam herhusbandandhi
smy
brot
herinlaw
Renei
l
we:
Weknowt
hat
Thabi
so:
Doy
ou?
Renei
l
we:
Whatdoest
hatsupposedt
omean?
Mapul
a:It
hinky
ourbr
otheri
sbei
ngpr
otect
ive
Renei
l
we:
OfWhat
?
Mapul
a:Thecosi
nesswewal
kedi
nto.
Tokel
o:What
?Wher
e?
Mapul
a:Ohbrother
![shepathi
sshoul
dert
hen
sai
dgoodby
et oThanisoAndRenei
lweand
wentt
othecar.
]
Tokelosawthel ookThabisowasgi vi
nghim so
hedecidedtoleaveaswel l
,notthathewas
scaredofhim butherespectedhim ashis
si
stershusbandandt hebrotherofhislov
er.
Thabi
soandRenei
l
weal
sowentt
othei
rcarand
theyl
eftt
heai
rpor
t.

ThedrivetoBaKoenawasl ongasusual but

Mapulawasenj oyi
ngit.Shewasl ooki
ngatal l
thedevelopment sthathavetakenplaceov er
thepastmont hsandshewaspr oudofhis
fat
herandbr others.Whentheygothome
ever
yonewashappyt ohaveherback, butther
e
wasnot imet ocatchupast heki ngandqueen
werebusywel comingguest swhocamef ort he
ceremony.Kingsandqueens, princesand
pri
ncessesofdiffer
entkingdomswer einvi
ted,
aswellasbusinessassociates.Thepr i
ncess
wasgivenaf ewmi nut
est ofreshenupandj oin
thechi
efpriestfori
nstr
uctionsonwhati st
o
happen.

Inthechi
efpri
est
’shuttheroyalf
amil
ywas
gather
edtoget
herwitht
heirchil
dreni
ncl
udi
ng
Leboastheytr
eatedhimlikeoneofthei
rown.
Chiefpriest:
Mypr i
ncessthisisyourjourneyto
becomequeen, whenyoucomebacky ouwi l
lbe
strangerthanallt
hechiefpri
estscombi nedand
youwi ll
bel i
keagodt othem.Theywi llbow
beforey oubutdon’tl
etthatgotoy ourheadand
startthi
nkingyouarebetterthaneveryone.
Mapul
a:Iheary
oumyel
derandmyt
hanksf
or
t
hewisewords.
Queen:Myblossom,al
l Icansayist hatyou
havemadeallofusproud, youareagoodchi ld
andnowy ouaregoi
ngt ohav eyourmat uri
ty
ceremonyandgetmarriedsoonaf ter.Ever
y
parentwi
shesfort
hisfortheirdaught er
sand
am proudyougavemet hat.Ilov
ey oumy
blossom.
King:
Myli
ght
,haha[hel
aughsfeel
i
ngpr
oud]
youknowwhyIcal
lyoumylight
?
Tokel
o:Becauseyouar
etr
yingt
omakeherf
eel
bet
terabouther
self
.
King:AndwhywouldIwantt
omakeherf
eel
betterabouther
sel
f?
Lebo:Becausesheisugli
ert
hanherhandsome
brot
hers.[t
heylaughed]
Mapul
a:Mot
hert
alkt
oyourki
ds.
Tokel
o:Wear
enotki
ds
Ki
ng:
That
’ssomet
hingaki
dwoul
dsay
.[t
hey
l
aughed]butmyl i
ghtIcal
ly out
hisbecausey ou
aretheonlygi
rlamongstthosetwoidiotsand
youbroughtnothi
ngbutli
ghtint
oourliv esand
thi
skingdom.Continuedoingsomypr incess.
Mapul
a:Myt
hanksf
ort
hewi
sewor
dsmyki
ng.
Chiefpr i
est
:NowThatisoutofthewaythisis
whati stohappentomorr
ow,pri
ncessandIwi l
l
got othesacredri
verbef
oresunri
sebecause
peoplemustnotseeherwhenshel eaves,t
hey
wil
l onlyseeherwhenshecomesbackandt hat
i
ncludesal l
ofyou.
Ki
ng:
Weheary
ouwi
seone.
Chiefpriest
: Youwil
lhavetoprepar
ejwala
kalebekere,kwail
edisweets.[youwil
lhavet
o
prepareAf r
icanbeer,
tobaccoandsomesweet s]
Queen:
Iwil
lgetthoser
eadyandgi
vet
hem t
o
youbef
oreyouleave
Chi
ef:NoIwantthem nowsothatIcanst
art
wor
kingandkebatl
alennkueki
tl
asebet
sa
kay
ona[AndIwantasheept
osacr
if
ice]
Ki
ng:Youwil
lgetal
lthatTokel
oandLebohang
wi
llbi
ngit
.
Chi
ef:
Okayy
oumayl
eav
e.

Theyalll
eft
,TokeloandLebowentt ogetthe
sheep,whil
et hequeenwenttogettheAfri
can
beerandalltheotherstuf
f.Mapul
awentt oher
room t
ocallThabisosincetheywon’tbeseei
ng
eachother.

Conv
o:

Thabi
so:
Missmeal
ready
?
Mapul
a:No
Thabi
so:
Liespr
incess
Mapul
a:OkayImi
ssy
oubutt
hati
snotwhyI
cal
l
ed.
Thabi
so:
Whydi
dyoucal
lmypr
incess?
Mapul
a:Wel
lam l
eav
ingearl
ybef
oresunri
seso
Iwon’
tseey
ouandIwantedyout
oreleasethat
gi
rl
.
Thabi
so:
OkayButcanIseey
out
oni
ght
?
Mapul
a:baTl
oungi
sfarThabi
sohowar
eyou
goi
ngtoseeme?
Thabi
so:Am comi
ngwi
tht
her
oyal
fami
l
ythi
s
eveni
ng.
Mapula;OkayIt
houghty
ouwill
onl
ycome
t
omor rowbutsi
nceyouwil
lbeher
etheny
ou
wi
llseeme.
Thaniso:
Greatt
henIwi
l
lseey
ouwhenIget
ther
e.
Mapula:
Thabisowhyar
eyounotent
ert
aini
ng
t
heissueofthatgi
rl
?
Thabi
so;
BecauseIwantnot
hingt
odowi
thher
.
Mapul
a:Wel
lIwanty
out
orel
easeherand
comewit
hherher
e.
Thabiso:Icanr
eleaseherbutcomi
ngwi
thher
ther
ei snotgoi
ngtowor k.
Mapula:Thi
sisnotabouty
oui
t’
saboutherand
herdest
iny.
Thabi
so:
Whatdoy
oumeanpr
incess?
Mapula:
Herdesti
nyisher
eandhernewl
i
fewi
l
l
st
arther
esobringher.
Thabi
so:
FineButOnl
yBecausey
ouasked.
Mapul
a:Mythanksmypr
inceandIwi
l
lseey
ou
whenyougether
e.
Thabi
so:
Byepr
incess.

Themoodatt hepalacewasaj oy
ousone.Food
wascooked,moreAf r
icanbeerwaspr epar
ed,
guestsshownthei
rchamberandser vedsince
theceremonywil
lbest ar
ti
ngthefol
l
owi ngday.
Laterthatev
eningThabisoandt herestoft he
baTloungcameandhemetwi thhisprincess
eventhoughi twasabr i
efmeeting.Sunset
cameandev eryonewenttotheirchamber sto
getsomer estasi twasgoi
ngt obeal ong3
days.

Inthemor ni
ngt hechi efpr
iestwokeupear ly
,
prepar edf orthejourneyandwentt ot her oyal
houset ogett hepr i
ncess.Butwhenhegott o
herr oom t heprincesswasnott her
e, hewoke
upt heki ngandqueent oaskherwher eabouts
butnoneoft hem newany t
hi ng.Tokeloand
Lebower ealsowokenupbutt heyalsodi dn’
t
know.Tokel owentt oaskThani soifhedi dn’
t
seeherbutnot hing,theguar dswer easkedbut
noneoft hem sawhercomeoutoft hehouseor
l
eav et hepal ace.Nowev er
y onewaswor ri
ed.
Chiefpri
est
: Don’
tdespai
r,am goi
ngt
otheri
ver
toperfor
mt herit
ualandyoumustconti
nue
wi
tht
hecel
ebr
ati
ons.
Tokelo:
Mychi
efpri
esthowarewegoi
ngtodo
thatwhent
heper
sonwear egat
her
edher
efor
i
smi ssi
ng?
Chi
ef:
Stopaski
ngquest
ionsanddoasIsay
[he
l
eft
]

Si
nceever
yonewasawaket
heywentahead
wi
ththedayaspl
anned.

Don’
tfor
gett
oli
keshar
eandcomment
.

Hav
eagoodsl
umber
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t55
Cor
onat
ionday2

Lethabowasr eleasedbyhi sbrothertheday

Mapul aarri
vedi nLeSot ho.Heaskedf oracar
anddr ovetot hecapi t
al,ont hewayhecal led
oneofhi sassoci atesandheupdat edhim
aboutwhathasbeengoi ngoni nhi sabsence.
Lethabowasv eryangryaboutt hisasar esult
hedr oveli
keamani actot hecapitali
gnor ingall
traf
fi
cl i
ghts.Hegott othecapi talanhourear ly
andhemadehi swayt oMosi a’
shouseashe
wast oldhet hathedi dn’tgot othecompany .
Hegott heregotoutofhi scarandwal kedt o
thedoorandknocked, Mosi aopenedandwas
shockedt oseehi m.
Let
habo:
Dumel
aMosi
a.[hel
l
oMosi
a]
Mosi
a:Hel
amonna!Ot
swakae?[heyman!
Wher
eareyoucomi
ngfrom?
]
Let
habo:
Iwi
l
ltel
lyoual
labouti
tlet
’sgoand
getMot
soeneng,
Ihav
eanicebot
tl
eofwhi
skey
wecanhavewhil
ewetal
k.
Mosi
a:Oabowaj
wal
e[nowy
out
alki
ng]
.

Mosi awenti nandtookhi sj

acket.Thenwent
andj oi
nedLet haboint hecar.Theydroveto
Mot soeneng’shousewhi chwasnott oofar
from Mosia’s,thedri
v etherewasaj oyousone
forMosi atr
y i
ngt ot
hi nkaboutthekindofdeal
Lethabohasl andedandhowmuchmoneyt hey
wi l
lmakef r
om i t
.Theypi ckedupMot soeneng
anddr ovetooneoft heirsecr
etmeet i
ngplaces.
Theygotoutmadet heirwayin, Let
habotooka
bottleofwhiskeyandopenedi t.Hepoured3
glassesandgi vethet woment heir
sthenwent
andj oi
nedthem.

Lethabo:Howarethi
ngsgoi
ngthi
ssi
de?[he
askedtry
ingtocontr
olhi
sanger
]
Motsoeneng:
Ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngv
erywel
lI
can’
tcomplai
n.
Mosi
a:Ihav
enocompl
ainsei
ther
.
Lethabo:
Andt
heBusi
ness?Ihear
dyout
ook
over.
Mosi
a:TheBusi
nessi
sdoi
ngv
erywel
land
maki
ngalotofmoney
.
Motsoeneng:
Yes,
ButTel
luswher
ehav
eyou
been?
Let
habo: Well
..
.[hest
oodupandt
ookt
hekey
s
andlockedthedoor]
Mosi
a:Whyar
eyoul
ocki
ngt
hedoor
?
Let
habo:BecauseWhatam abouttodi
scuss
mustnotbeheardevenbymistake.
Mot
soeneng:
Thatmakessense
Let
habo:Wel
lIwasl
ockedupf
ort
hepast5
months.
Mosi
a:Youwer
einj
ail
andwedi
dn’
tknow?
Mot
soeneng:
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
us?
Let
habo:
Iwasnoti
njai
l
Mot
soeneng:Hainowam conf
used!Fi
rsty
ou
wer
einjai
ltheny
ouwerenotwhichoneisit
?
Let
habo:Ineversai
dIwasinjai
lbutIwas
l
ockedup..
.inthebaKoenapal
ace.
Mosi
a:What
?
Motsoeneng:Ler
umooyahl
anyabathong
okwall
aabotewahay
e.[Lerumoiscrazypeopl
e!
Locki
nguphisownbrother
]
Let
habo:Wellt
hat’
snotapr
obl
em am out
now..
..pl
easegetup.
Mosia:Reakaej
wale,
Aobonerey
anwa?[wher
e
ar
ewegoi ngnow,don’ty
ouseewearesti
l
l
dr
inki
ng?]
Lethabo:
Icanseey
oudrinki
ngbutpl
easeget
up.[MosiaandMot
soenengtri
edget
ti
ngupbut
t
heydon’
tseem t
ohav
euseoft
hei
rlegs]
Mosi
a:AwuIcantst
andupmyl
egsf
eel
numb
Motsoeneng:
Imi
net
oo.Howar
eyoust
il
l
st
anding?
Lethabo:WellonmywayhereIpassedbymy
oldfri
endandhegav emesomethi
ngtomake
younumb. .
.butdon’twor
ryl
etast
hehandsar
e
thelastt
obeaf fect
ed.
Mosi
a:Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?
Let
habo:Wotsebaoyahlany
aMosia?[youknow
youarecr
azyMosia]didyoureal
l
ythi
nkIwil
llet
youtwofool
stakewhat’smineandgetaway
wit
hit?
Motsoeneng:
Iwasn’
tinvolv
edint
aki
ngy
our
busi
nessitwasal
lMosia’sdoi
ng.
Mosia:
Mang?Cheleteenaorekil
engkay
ona
kol
oioyi
nki
lekae?[who?Themoneyy ouused
tobuyacarwheredi
dy ougetitfr
om?]
Motsoeneng:
Imi
ghthav
eusedthemoneybut
youtheonewhocamewitht
heplan.
Let habo:
Enough!!Youarebothnothingbut
bloodsuckingoldmen, y
ougoar oundt aki
ng
thingsthatdon’
tbelongtoyoubuty oudon’t
wantt oworkforthem.Whatkindofmenar e
you,
Mosi
a:Menl
i
key
ou
Motsoeneng:
HeyMosiastoptal
king,
wear
ein
nocondit
iontobef
ight
ingback.
Lethabo:
hahahasi fyoucoul
dfi
ghtback,
you
aresouseless.
..bot
hofyou.
Mosia:Wewerej
ustt
aki
ngwhatwasduet
ous
not
hingmore.
Let
habo:Whatwasduetoyou?
...heeewhat
madeyouthi
nkyouhavesomethingthati
sdue
toyou?
Mosi
a:Youdi
sappear
edwi
thourmoney
Let
habo:
Whatmoney
?
Motsoeneng:Theoneyoupr
omi
sed,
yousai
d
youwil
lgiveusmore.
Let
habo:Whatmor edi
dyouwantwhenyou
sawthatwefi
nishedever
ythi
ngi
nthatki
ngdom,
wheredi
dyouthinkIwil
lgetmor
emoneyf r
om?
Mosia:
Youhaveacompany
,youcoul
dhav
e
shar
ethepr
ofi
tswi
thus.
Lethabo:
youknowwhatam sickoft
hisbut
fr
om nowony ouwi
l
lneverstealf
rom any
one
again.
Mosi
a:Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odot
ous?
Let
habo:
justwat
ch.

Lethabotooktapeandclosedtheirmouthswit
h
i
t.Hedidn’tev
enbothertyi
ngt hem because
theywerenumbany way.Het ookaknife,t
ook
offthei
rshoesandsockst henstart
edcutti
ng
offtheirtoesonebyone.Whenhi sdonewi th
thathewentt ot hei rhandsanddi dthesame
withtheirfingers, allthi
swhi l
ethoset wower e
cryi
ngwhi l
et heywat chedast heyl ooseaf i
nger
oneaf tertheot her .Theywer enumband
couldn’tdefendt hemsel ves.Lethabot henwent
totheirlegsandkeptcut ti
ngchunksoft hei
r
fl
eshandt hrowi ngi tont hefl
oor .Therewas
bloodal lover,aftert helegshedi dt hesamet o
thei
rar msandst omach.Thenwentt ot hesink
washedhi shandsandl eftthem t here,bleedi
ng
todeat h.

Kwezi
:

Kweziarri
vedinLeSothothi
sdaysinceshe
didn’
ttr
avelwit
hMapul aandThabiso,si
nceshe
hadtowaitforherfat
herandherdressforthe
ceremonywhichwaspar tofthesurpr
iseshe
hadforMapula.Lesegopickedherupfr
om the
air
portanddrovetobaKoena,shewasexci
ted
forherfr
iendandalsocouldn’
twaitf
ort
he
wedding.

BaKoena:

Thecel ebr ati

onwentonandt odaywast he
secondday .Thechi efpr i
estwasnotbackf r
om
therivery et,ther oyalfami l
yhadt opretendin
frontoft heirguest s.Butt heywer eworried
aboutt hepr i
ncess’swher eabouts,t
heyev en
suspect edLet habobutTokel o’
speopl erulehim
outasasuspectsi nceTokel ohasat ai
lonhi m
sincehel eftthepal ace.Nowal l
hopesof
fi
ndingherwer egone, Thabisowasbesi de
himselfwi t
hwor rybutwast oldtoshowf ace
andpr etendi nf rontoft hepeople.
Mor eki ngdomscamef ort hepr i
ncess’s
coronat ionincludi
ngt hebaTl okwa’ snewking
Tsietsihi mself.Hewassobor edashehasno
fr
iendst otalktojustbusi nessassoci at
esbut
hi
sr elationshipwit hthem wasst r
ictl
ybusi
ness
nothingmor e.Whi lewal kingaroundheended
upint hepal acegar den, itwasqui etand
peacef ul t
here.Hewal kedi nfur t
herand
spottedamai densi t
ti
ngbyher self,
he
wonder edwhoshewasashi snev erseenher
before.Hewentcl osert oherandspoke.

Tsi
etsi
:Beaut
if
uldayi
sn’
tit
?
Mai
den:
Indeed
Tsi
etsi
:Whyareyousi
tt
ingher
ebyyoursel
f
whenever
yoneisoutt
herecel
ebr
ati
ng?
Mai
den:
Icoul
dasky
out
hesamet
hing.
Tsi
etsi
:Tr
ueButasaskedf
ir
st.
Maiden:
Am justmi ssi
nghomet
hat
’sal
land
whatisyourexcuse?
Tsi
etsi
:Wel
lIwasinv
itedandaski
ngIhadt
o
comeandrepr
esentmykingdom.
Mai
den:
ohmyapol
ogi
esy
ourhi
ghness.
Tsi
etsi
:Whatar
eyouapol
ogi
zi
ngf
ordear
maiden?
Mai
den:Fornotaddr
essi
ngthekingwit
h
r
espect
[shespokewithherheadbowed]
Tsietsi
:Itwelldearmai
denIam notoff
ended
pleaselet’
scont i
nuet
otalkandfor
getabout
theformalit
iesforawhil
e.
Maiden:
Am sor
rymykingbutIcannotdothat
andifmyki
ngwill
letmeIwouldli
ketotakemy
l
eavenow.
Tsi
etsi
:Whywoul
dyouwantt
oleav
esosoon?
Mai
den:
Idonotwantpr
obl
emsmyki
ng.
Tsi
etsi
:Pr
obl
emswi
thwho?
Mai
den:Yourqueenyourhi
ghness.Idon’
twant
t
oappearasdisr
espectf
ul.
Tsi
etsi
:Unf
ort
unat
elyorf
ort
unat
elyIdon’
thav
e
aqueenasyet
.
Mai
den:
Oh
Tsi
etsi
:Yesnowpl
easest
ayawhi
l
elonger
.
Mai
den:
Alr
ightmyki
ngi
fyoui
nsi
st.

ThemaidensatbackdownandTsietsi satnext
toherandtheyconti
nuedwit
hthei
rtalk.They
weresocomf or
tabl
earoundeachotherone
wouldsweartheyhaveknowneachotherf or
year
s.

Thechiefpr
iestcamebackandt heking
spot
tedhim andfollowedhimtohishut.He
coul
dn’twai
tany mor eashewantedtoknow
whatthegodsr evealedt
ohim.
Chiefpr i
est
:Asksomeonet ocal lt
herestofthe
family,Idon’
twanttohav etorepeatmy sel
f.
[thekingsenthispersonalguardtogocal lt
he
othersandt heycameatonce]t heywerenow
gatheredinthechiefpri
est’
shutwai t
ingforhim
totellt
hem whatt hegodsrevealedtohim.
Chi
ef:Idi
dther
it
ual
asIwassupposedt
oandi
t
wentwell
.
Queen:
Doesthatmeant
hepr
incessi
sal
ready
wit
hthegods?
Chi
ef:
Ihol
dnoknowl
edgeoft
hatmyqueen.
Ki
ng:Ify
ouhav
enoknowledgeofthatt
hen
whatdoyoumeant
heri
tualwentwell
?
Chief
:Isaythatbecauseal
ltheof
fer
ingswer
e
accepted.
Tokel
o:Sincewehol
dnoknowledgeofsuch
ri
tual
spleaset
ell
uswhathappened.
Chi
ef:
It’
sal
ongst
orymypr
ince.
King:Pl
easemakeitshor
tbecauseIwoul
dalso
l
iketoknowmay beIcanhaveanideaofwhere
myl i
ghti
s.
Chief: Kehlabil
ennkuy annekai behahodi mo
hamoseme, leleberikilanjwalakwai l
edi
sweet s,kaboal ebaholo.Hakeqet amet siail
e
abolehahar etsatsamay adi nthot sadikel
a
kahar eandadi awadi tsamai lehant lefell
a.
Hadi qetamowwakwal ehamokot iwowi mpa
habay aboal ethokakgosi gadi.[Islaught er
ed
thesheepandpl acedi tonagr assmatt ogether
witht heAf ri
canbeer ,
thet obaccoandsweet s.I
thenpl acedt hemati nt hewat erandsai dtheir
praisest henawhol eint hemi ddleoft her i
ver
openedandt hegr assmatmov edt hereunt i
lit
gotsuckedi nt henthehol eclosed.Butt hey
didn’tsayany t
hingaboutt hequeen.
Ki
ng:
Ebi
mahej
wal
e[t
hisi
sdi
ff
icul
t]
Queen:
Whatar
ewesupposedt
odonow?
Chief
:Conti
nuewiththecelebr
ati
onsas
pl
annedandal sor
eleaseheringoodspir
it
s
becauseyourheav
yhear t
smaydel ayherr
etur
n
i
fsheiswiththem.
Lebo:I
fshei
swit
hthem,
real
l
y?I
sthatal
lwe
gottogowit
h?
King:Calm downson,am sur
esheiswitht hem
i
fnott heywouldhaveshownussomet hing.
Let’
sbehappyf orourqueenandbareinmi nd
thatwecannotunderstandorquest
ionthe
way softhegodsfor.
..
Then:
Fortheyarewiseandwil
lnev
erl
eadus
ast
ray.[t
heycutLer
umoof f
]
King:
Yesnowl et
’sgooutther
eandcelebr
ate
thedeat
hofourpr i
ncessandther
esur
rect
ion
ofourqueen.
Them:
haaakgosi
gadi
Mapul
a!!
!
Theylef
tandinf
ormedThabi
soofthenew
devel
opmentsbutsor
tofomit
tedt
hetrut
h.

St
ayt
unef
orday3

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t56

Cor
onat
ionday3

Manzi
niKi
ngdom:

KingSbanisezwewassitt
inginhisstudy
thi
nkingaboutwhattodoaboutt hefactthathe
keepslosi
nghispossessionsandthatincludes
hisson.Hewonderedwhatcoul dhave
happenedtocausethis,
Yesheunder stoodt hat
theywrongedthequeenandherhusbandbut
theywerepunishedgreat
lyf
orthat
.Nowhe
doesn’
tunderstandwhatmoreneedst obe
doneforthi
ngst ogobacktonormal.The
queengotindistur
binghi
mf r
om hi
st hought
s.
Queen:Myking,Idon’tl
ikehowy ouhavebeen
thepastweeks.Pleasetell
whattheprobl
em i
s
mydearhusband, aproblem shar
edisa
probl
em sol
ved.
King:NeedIsaidany t
hingmyqueenwheneven
ablindpersoncanseet hatmykingdom i
s
destroyed,
losti
tsdignit
yamongstother
ki
ngdomsandnowwear elosi
ngevery
businessweev erhad.
Queen:YesIknowt
hatmyki
ngbutwecanst
il
l
fi
xthi
s.
King:Maybeyout
hinkIhav
en’
ttr
iedal
lIcoul
d
toresol
vethi
smatter
.
Queen:
Notev
ery
thi
ngmydearhusband.
King:
Canyouj
usttel
lmeexact
lyi
sitt
haty
ou
thi
nkIhav
en’
tdone.
Queen:
Remembert
hecur
se?
Ki
ng:YesButsheal
readydest
roy
edmy
ki
ngdom.
Queen:YesButf orustobef or
givenshesai
d
wemustgot othatpri
nce’shomet oapol
ogize
andthequeen’shomet oaskforher
for
givenessbutIdon’tknowwhi chqueenshe
wasreferri
ngto.
King:Ithi
nkweneedthechi
efpr
iestt
o
enli
ghtenusaboutt
his
Queen:
Iwi
l
laskaguar
dtogoandcal
lhi
m.

Thequeenwentoutandcal ledt
heguar dand
askedhimt ogocall
thechiefpr
iest.Sheand
thekingwenttotheli
vi
ngroom towai tf
orthe
chiefpr
iest
.Hetookhisti
mecomi ngandthe
ki
ngwasal
readyl
oosi
nghi
spat
ience.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Youcal
l
edf
orme
King:YesIdi
d, weneedclar
if
icat
ionont
he
cursethatgi
rlplacedonus.
Chi
ef:
Youar
est
il
lsetoncal
l
ingheragi
rl
.
Ki
ng:Justt
ell
mewhatIneedt
oknowSi
biy
a
pl
ease.
Chi
ef:
IfIsowi
l
lyoul
i
stent
omet
hist
ime?
King:Whywoul
dIcal
lyouher
eifIwasn’
tgoi
ng
toli
stent
oyou?
Chief:Alr
ightthen,
y ouhavetogoand
apologizetotheprinceandhisfamil
yforal
l
thatyoudi dandhopehef orgi
vesyou.Youalso
havetogoandaskf ort
hequeensforgi
veness.
King:
Weal r
eadyknowt
hatwhatwedon’
tknow
i
swhi chQueenar
ewesupposedtoapol
ogi
ze
to?
Chi
ef:
Thesameonet
hatdest
roy
edt
his
ki
ngdom.
Ki
ng:
Shei
saqueen?
Chi
ef:
Yesshei
s.
Ki
ng:Okaysowecanfindheri
nCapeTowndo
whathastobedoneandthenheadt
oLeSot
ho.
Chi
ef:Thequeeni
snol
ongeri
nthecount
ry,
she
wentbackhome.
Ki
ng:Thati
sst
il
lnotapr
omi
sewecanki
l
ltwo
bi
rdswit
honestone.
Chief:Don’
tgother
ewithatti
tude,
humbl
e
yourselfwhenyougett
here.Rememberyou
wrongedaqueenbutnotjustanyqueent
he
mostpower ful
oneofthem all
.
Ki
ng:
Wewi
l
ldoasy
ousay
.
Chi
ef:
OkayIhopey
oul
ear
nty
ourl
esson.
Ki
ng:
Ihav
eandmyt
hanksf
ory
ouradv
ice.
Theki ngandqueendi dn’twasteany t
ime.They
headedt oNtsi
ka’shouset ogethim sothat
theycangot ogetherbutt heyweredoubt ful
.
Theyknewt hathemi ghtnotev enlistentowhat
theyhav et
oday .Theygott ohisplaceandt he
guardsopenedf orthem af t
ertheytoldthem
thattheyarehisparents.Themai dMar thawent
tocallNtsi
ka.

Nt
sika:
Whati
sitnow?
Mar
tha:
Yourpar
ent
sar
eher
esi
r.
Nt
sika:
Greatwhatdot
heywant
?
Mar
tha:
Toseey
ousi
r
Ntsi
ka:Godyoucanbest upid!Iknowt heywant
t
oseemebutwhatam aski ngis...Youknow
whatleaveIwi
llt
akeitfr
om her e.[Marthal
eft
]
Ntsi
kawenttotheloungeandf oundhi spar
ents
wait
ingforhi
m havi
ngtea.
Nt
sika:
WhatcanIdof
ory
oupeopl
e?
Queen:
OhsonIhav
emi
ssedy
ou
Nt
sika:
Soy
oucamebecausey
oumi
ssedme?
King:
Wecamet
oasky
out
ocomewi
thust
o
LeSotho.
Nt
sika:
Ihav
enobusi
nessi
nLeSot
ho
Ki
ng:
Yesy
oudo.
..
Mpandeasy
oucal
lher
.
Nt
sika:
Youaregoingt
oLeSot hot
osee
Mpande?[heaskedwi
thexci
tementi
nhisv
oice]
Ki
ng:Yeswear
eandwear
eleav
ingnowi
fyou
wantt
ocome.
Ntsi
ka:
Ofcour
seIwil
lcome,Not
hingandno
onecanst
opmefrom seei
ngMpandeyomuzi
.
Queen:
Whydoy
oucal
lhert
hatany
way
?
Ntsi
ka:
NgobauyimpandeyomuziwoManzi
ni
wuyeozosi
hol
aasihl
anganisesi
bey
imbumba
si
ngoManzi
ninj
engengcambuzomut hi
.
[becauseshei stherootoft
heManzini
household,sheistheonewholeadandbringus
togetherasoneast heManzini
clanj
ustl
ikethe
rootsthatholdatree]

Hesaidthatwi thasmi l
eonhi sface,fort
he
fi
rstt
imet heki ngunderst
oodwher ehisson
wascomi ngf rom.Henowunder stoodthat
Mapulawast heonlyonewhocanmakehi s
famil
yandki ngdom whol eagain.Henowf ound
thenameMpandey omuzihissongav eher
befi
tt
ing.Ntsikacamewi t
hhisbagt heymade
thei
rwayt otheai r
port,
theywer etaki
ngthejet
andthatwasaboutt heonlyassettheyhadleft
.

BaKoenaKi
ngdom:

Itwasthethi
rddayofthecoronat
ionandthe
celebr
ati
onsweresti
l
lunderway.Thechi
ef
priestwentt ot her i
veral ongwi thev eryonet o
holdt hecelebrationst here,hopi ngt hatthe
queenwi llcomeoutl ikei twasoncer evealedto
him.Thecel ebrationswentonbyt her i
ver,the
weat herwasbeaut i
ful withal ightbr eeze
blowingev ersoswi ftly.Ev er
y onewasexci ted
toseet hequeenbutnotmor et hant he
baKoenar oy alfami lyandt hebaTl oung.They
couldn’twaitt oseet heiranddaught erinlaw.
Thedaywentonbutt hequeennev ercameout ,
thekingwentt ot hechi efpriestt of i
ndoutwhat
thepr obl
em i s.

King;whatseemst
obetheprobl
em,it’
sal
most
sunsetnowandsti
llt
hequeenhasn’
tcomeout
.
Chief
:Asktheguar
dstoprepar
efir
etokeep
warm andgett
hemaidenstobri
ngfoodfor
every
one
Ki
ng:
Whycan’
twej
ustl
etev
ery
onegot
othe
pal
aceandr
est
.
Chi
ef:
Thi
sisnoti
mef orr
estandbecauset
his
i
swheret
heceremonywil
lbefort
henextnew
day
s.

Theki ngl efthim,addressedhi speopleand

alsoinst r
uct edtheguar dsandmai denst odo
asthechi efpriestinst
ructed.Theall
igators
wereoutoft heriversi
tti
ngr i
ghtattheendof
theriverbent ,
theysatinawayt hatblockedthe
whol er i
vertoanyaccessasi ft
heywer e
mar kingthei rter
ri
toryorpr ot
ecti
ngsomet hi
ng
i
mpor tant.

MosiaandMot soeneng’ swi

veswenttoreport
t
heirhusbandsmi ssingastheyl
astsawt hem
t
hepr eviousdayandhav ehadnocontactwith
t
hem si ncetheyleft.Acasewasopenedandan
i
nvestigati
onwasl aunchedtol
ookint
ot heir
di
sappearance.Let
habowashav ingt
heti
meof
hi
sli
feinabardr i
nking,
celebr
ati
nghisf
reedom
andfi
nall
ygetti
ngridofthoseannoyi
ng,
greedy
ol
dmen.

Tsiet
siandthemaidenwer egettingcloser
toget
her.Theyneversepar
atedsi ncetheday
befor
ewhent heymet ,
theywer ebothenjoying
theceremonynowbutmost l
yenj oyi
ngeach
other
’scompany.Butwhatisf unnyisthatthey
neverbother
edtoaskedeachot her’
snames.

Kwezi wasalsohavingt heti

meofherl i
fe
enjoy i
ngthebeautyoft hecount r
ysi nceshe
nev ergotthechancet oex pl
oreaf t
ert he
kidnapping.Sot hi
swasheroppor t
unityto
expl or
eandwhobet tertoshowherar oundt han
thechar mingLesegoherboy f
riend.Sheal so
mi ssedherfrienddearlybutdidn’thav etimeto
worryaboutherasLesegowasal wayswit
hher
keepingherbusywit
hsiteseeingandal
lsort
s
ofneedtoseet hi
ngsinLeSotho.

Stayt
unedaswecont i
nuewiththecoronat
ion.
Am sorr
yfort
heshorti
nsert
,wor kwashectic
butIt
houghtyouwouldappr
eciateali
ttl
e
somethi
ng.

Wi
l
lseey
oual
ltomor
row.

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t57

Cor
onat
ionday4
Somet imeshumbl i
ngy ourselfbeforeaperson
i
snotabadt hingespeci allyi
fy oursanit
y,
fami l
yandal lthosewhodependandr elyon
youract i
onst osur viveandhav eabet ter
tomor row.Thepeopl eofManzi nidependon
Sbanisezwet heirkingtohumbl ehimselfand
maket hi
ngsr ightintheirkingdom.Butnotonl y
that,Sbanisezweowesi ttohissont omake
thi
ngsr i
ght,heist hepar entaft
erallandhewas
supposedt orepr i
mandhi ssonwhenhedi d
wrong, encour agehi m whenhedi dri
ghtand
helphim backont herightpathwhenhewent
astray.

Butourdear estli
onki ngofManzini coul
dn’
t
bearthet houghtofbowi ngdownt oachi l
d
becausehewast aughtt hatchi
ldr
enobeyt hei
r
elder
sanddoast ol
d.Butwhathef ail
edto
understandwast hef actthatev
enchi ldr
encan
teachtheirelder
sat hingortwo.Inour
communi tiesespecial
lythoseofblackpeopl
e
whetherruledbyKi ngsornot ,
parentstur
nto
suff
erwi t
ht he‘Iwon’tbetoldbyachi l
dwhatto
do’i
ll
nessandt he‘Igavebirt
htoy ouandI
knowbet terbecauseIhav eseenitall
’and
l
astl
ythe‘ youarejustachildwhatdoy ou
know’il
lness.

Allthesei l
lnesseshav ebeeni nherit
edfrom our
forefatherswhoar enowourancest ors,who
sti
lldictatetoust ot hi
sdayandf oraslongas
wet hinkourchi l
dr endon’thavebr ai
nsorcan’ t
besmar terthanus.Thenwewi ll
cont i
nue
fi
ndingour sel
v esi nsit
uationsthatwi l
lmakedo
whatweswor enev ert
odoandt hatistobow
downt oourchi l
dr enli
kewebowi ngt othegods
themsel ves.Don’ tgeti twrongtheki ngknew
andunder stoodv erywellwhatthechi efpriest
saidaboutMpandebei ngagodbutt ohim gods
aret hoset hatlivedbef oreusandnowgui deus
f
rom t
heot
hersi
de.

Thistohi m wasabi tterpilltoswal l

owandno
mat t
erhowhar dhet ri
edt oconv incehi msel f
thatdrinki
ngi twi l
lheal andmaket hingsbet ter
forallt
hosei nv olved.Butst il
lhecoul dn’tsee
himselfactual l
ydr inkingi t.Parentsal way s
choosewhatpar toft het r
utht otelltheir
chil
drenandt elli
ngt hequeenwhatshewant s
tohearwon’ tbeanydi f
ferent ,
childrenar et he
sameaf t
eral landt ohi m shewasnodi fferent
from others.Theyar rivedi nLeSot hot heday
beforeandbookedahot eltospendt heni ght
sinceitwasal r eadyl atewhent heyl anded.Now
theyarehav ingbr eakf astatt hehot el lounge
beforeheadi ngout .

KingSbani
:Wehavetof
ini
shupsowecango,
I
don’twantt
ospendday
shere.
Ntsi
ka:Iwoul
dn’
tmindspendi
ngali
fet
imeher
e
aslongasIwil
lbewit
hiMpandey
ami.
Queen:Sonfr
om whatIheardt
hequeeni
snot
supposedtol
eav eherl
and,
shehast
orul
eher
e
andnowhereelse.
Nt
sika:
Yourpoi
ntbei
ng?
Queen:
Mypointi
sthaty
oual
readyhav
ea
ki
ngdom t
orul
e.
Ntsi
ka:
Fatheri
ssti
ll
ali
veandcanrul
ehi
s
ki
ngdom butMpandedoesn’
thav
eakingand
ever
yqueenneedsone.
Ki
ng:
Weshoul
dgetgoi
ng
Queen:
Yesweshoul
d,Whati
sthenameoft
he
pl
acewegoi
ngto?
Ki
ng:Thechi
efpr
iestsai
dit
sbaTl
oung
ki
ngdom.
Nt
sika:
Theonel
eadbyt
heel
ephant
s?
Ki
ng:
Yeshesai
dsomet
hingaboutt
hat
.Doy
ou
knowi
t?
Ntsi
ka:Nobutareadaboutt
hem onbusiness
newsandtheki
ngofthatpal
aceisaverygood
busi
nessman.
Ki
ng:Noneedt
osi
nghi
spr
aises,
nowl
eadt
he
way.
Nt
sika:
Noneedt
obej
eal
ousnowf
ather
.
Queen:
Woul
dyout
wost
opandgetgoi
ng

Nt sikagotupwi thoutsayingawor dandthe

kingandqueenf oll
owedhi m.Theygott othe
caranddr ov etobaTl oungwhi chwasabout
onl y30mi nutesf r
om thecapi t
al.Theygotther
e
andaskedt oseet hekingbutt heguar dsatthe
gat etoldt
hem t hattheroyalswentt oa
cer emonyt heywer einvi
tedt oinbaKoena
kingdom.Theyaskedf ordirecti
onsanddr ove
ther e.
Ahor riblesmel lwascomi ngoutoft hehouse
wher eMosi aandMot soenengwer ei n.Green
fl
ieswer ecomi nginandoutoft here.Oneof
thenei ghbor swentt oknockbutnoone
answer edbutshecoul dsmel lwhat ev erwas
smel l
ingi nsidefrom thedoorandi twasn’ ta
pleasantsmel lwhatsoev er.Thepol icewer e
call
edandt hehousewasopened, onlyt ofi
nd
decomposi ngbodi esofMosi aandMot soeneng
i
nt hehousewi t
hdr ybloodal lover.Theyst il
l
hadt het apecov eri
ngt heirmout hs.Pi ecesof
theirfl
eshscat t
eredont hef loortoget herwit
h
theirfi
nger s.

Thepeoplewhosawt hiswereshockedbut
mostlyscaredastheyhadnev erseensuch,t
he
poli
cewerealsoshockedbyt hisbecausein
LeSothosuchthingsdidn’
thappen,theyonl
y
sawt hem ontv
.Themor t
uar
ypeopl ewere
cal
l
edtocol
lectthebodi
esandthewi
veswer
e
al
socal
ledt
oi dent
if
ythebodi
es.
WithLet haboitwasBusi nessasusual,hewas
focusingonget t
inghisbusinessbackontr
ack
andcoul dn’tcarelessaboutwhathappened
withthet wool dmeni nfacthedidn’
teventhi
nk
aboutt hem.

BaKoenaKi
ngdom:

Thecer emonywasst i
llunderwaybutt heki ng
request edthatthepeopl egobackt othepal ace
sot hattheycanf reshenupandt hechi efpriest
agr eedbutsai dhewi l
lremai nbyther i
v erand
alsor equestedt hateveryonebebackbyt he
ri
v ert hefol
lowingdaybef oresunrise.Att he
pal ace,mor esheepandcowswer eslaught ered
tomakef oodfort heroyal guest
s.Thef ood
wascookedi nbigpot sandongoi ngwasal ot
ofsingi
nganddanci
ngdonebyt
hehi
red
groups.

Peoplewer ekeptentert
ained,poetsweredoing
thei
rthingoneaf t
ertheotherbutthequeen
waswor r
iedthatbytheti
meMapul aarri
ves
therewillbenothi
ngnewf ort
hesinginggroups
tosing,nonewdancemov esforthedancers
andnonewpoemsf orthepoet sastheywere
askedtoper f
ormt houghouttheDay
entert
aini
ngpeopl e.
Kwezi
:May
oul
ookwor
ri
ed,
whati
sthemat
ter
?
Queen:Ohmychi l
dam j
ustworri
edthatbyt
ime
myblossom comeshomet her
ewill
benothi
ng
newfortheperf
ormer
stoper f
orm.
Kwezi:Worrynotaboutt
hepoem Iwi
l
ltake
car
eoft hatbutIcanal
sotakecar
eofthe
si
nginganddancinggroups.
Queen:
Howmychi
l
dwhent
heyar
eal
way
s
busyent
ert
aini
ngpeopl
e?
Kwezi
:Doy
ouhav
eabi
gopenspaceIcanuse?
Queen:Yesther
eisahal
lIuseforwoman’
s
meeti
ngs,butwhatar
eyougoingtousei
tfor
?
Kwezi:Iwanttot
akeonegroupatat i
mewhile
theother
sareperf
ormingtopracti
cenew
rout
inesfort
hem toperf
orm onthedayMapul
a
comesback.
Queen: Ohthatisagoodideamychildmy
thanksandt her
earemusicinst
rumentsther
e
aswel lasdrumsthatar
eusedbyt heyoungto
practi
ce.
Kwezi
:Thatisperf
ectmaletmegoandt
alkt
o
thegr
oupthatisonbreaknowsot
hatwecan
goandstar
tnow.
Queen:GoodandIwil
laskLebot
oshowy
ou
t
heplaceandgivey
out hekey
s.
Kwezi
:Thanksma
Queen:
Not
hanky
oumychi
l
d.

Outsidethekingwascal l
edtothegatebythe
guardstell
inghimthattherear
egueststhey
don’tknowt hatwantt
oseet hequeen.Theking
wentt othegatetoseewhot heguestsare.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
Greet
ings
Ki
ngSbani
:Gr
eet
ings
Ki
ngLer
umo:
Iam Ler
umot
heki
ngoft
his
ki
ngdom.
KingSbani
:Mypleasur
etomeetyoumyki ng,I
am kingSbani
sezweZuluf
rom t
heManzi ni
kingdom i
nKwaZuluNatal
inSouthAfr
icaand
thisi
smyqueenandt hepri
nceoftheManzini
kingdom.
KingLer
umo: Apleasuret
omeetyouall
,guards
l
etthem inandshowt hem t
otheguest
chamber.[hethenturnedtoKi
ngSbani
]Iwil
lbe
wi
thy
oui
namomentpl
easef
oll
owt
heguar
ds.
KingSbani:
MythanksmykingandImustsay
yourpalaceisr
emarkabl
e.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
Myt
hanks.

Theguardst
ooktheManzinif
amil
ytot
heguest
chamberasi
nstr
uctedandlef
t.
Ntsi
ka:Thi
sisnotevenapal
acei
t’
s.
..y
ouknow
Idon’
thavewordsdescr
ibei
t.
Queen:
It’
sofbeaut
yindeed.
Ntsi
ka:AndyetMpandeissohumbl e,one
wouldswearthatshei
sjustanot
hercommoner
andnotapri
ncessofsuchagl or
iouskingdom.
King:Woul
dyoutwokeepqui
et?Wearenot
heretoadmir
ethepal
ace.Weareher
eforan
enti
rel
ydif
fer
entr
eason.
Ntsika:
Iunder
standbutwhatcoul
dbethe
ceremonybeabout?Imeandidyouseethe
car
soutt
her
e?
Queen:I
t’
slikeonl
yimpor
tantandwe’
l
lknow
peopl
eattended.
Ki
ng:
Shupupwi
l
lyou?

Beforetheycoul
dansweramai dencamei nand
broughtthem r
efr
eshment sandfood.They
thankherandshel ef
t.Lerumowentt of
indhis
queenandhef oundheri ntheki
tchengi
ving
i
nstruct
ionslef
t,r
ightandcenter.
Ki
ngLerumo:
Byt heendofthi
scer
emonyy
ou
wi
llhav
edevelopedgrayhai
r.
Queen:
Youcansayt
hatagai
nmyki
ng.
KingLer
umo:St
opwor
ryi
ngt
oomuchandwe
haveguest
s.
Queen:Iknowwehaveguestst
hati
swhyam
worr
iedandIwantev
eryt
hingtobeper
fect
.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
NoIdon’
tmeant
hoseguest
s,I
meanwehav
eonest
hatj
ustar
ri
vedf
rom Sout
h
Af
ri
ca.
Queen:What?Butwedon’
tknowanyonei
n
SouthAfr
ica,
unlessi
t’
sKwezi
’spar
ent
s.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
Ift
heyar
eroy
alsf
rom KZNt
hen
maybe
Queen:
NoKwezi
isnotr
oyal
KingLerumo:
Thenl
et’
sgoandf
indoutwho
theyare.
Queen:
OkayButfi
rstl
etmeaskthemai
denst
o
t
akesomerefr
eshmentsfort
hem.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
Thati
sal
readyt
akencar
eof
.
Queen:
Okayt
henl
et’
sgo.

Thekingandqueenofthelandwentt othe
guestchambert
oat t
endtotheirguestsandt
o
fi
ndoutwhatthereasonforthei
rvisi
twas.
Findoutwhatthereacti
onoftheBaKoenaAnd
baTloungr
oyalfamilywil
lbewhentheyfi
ndout
thetrut
habouttheManzinipeopl
e.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t58

Cont
inuat
ionofday4

ThekingandqueenofbaKoenawentintothe
guestchambertoj
ointhei
rguest
s.Theygotin
andsettl
edonthecouchopposit
ethem.
KingLerumo:Wel
cometomykingdom once
again,andIwoul
dli
ket
oint
roduceyoutomy
QueenMabot l
e.
QueenM:
Greet
ingsev
ery
one
QueenN: Greeti
ngsmyqueen,Iam queen
Nkanyeziandt hi
smyprinceNtsi
kafrom
Manzinikingdom inKZNSouthAfri
ca.
QueenM:
Apl
easur
etomeety
oual
l
.
KingLer
umo: Towhatdoweowethepl
easur
e
ofbeingvi
sit
edbyroyal
sofsuchaf
arki
ngdom?
KingSbani
:Wearehereseeki
ngtwofami
l
ies
onebeingthebaTl
oungroyalf
amil
yandt
he
secondbeingt
hebaKoenakingdom.
KingLerumo:WellI
fthi
smatteral
soconcerns
thebaTloungthenIthi
nki
t’
sbesttogetthem
i
nv ol
vedinthi
smeet i
ngsi
ncetheyar
ealso
presenttoday
.
KingSbani:Ift
heyareal
soheret
henwewould
appr eci
ateiti
ftheywer
ecal
ledsot
hatwecan
dot hisonce.
KingLer
umo:
Alr
ightt
henl
etmegoandget
them.
Lerumowentinsear
chofhisoldfri
endand
foundhi
mt al
ki
ngtotheotherki
ngs,heasked
tospeaktohi
mi npr
ivat
eforamomentand
theywenttot
hemainhouset ot
alk.
KingLet
si:
Whatseenst
obet
hepr
obl
em ol
d
fr
iend?
Ki
ngLer
umo:Wehaveguest
sthatr
equestt
o
meetwi
thbot
hki
ngdoms.
KingLet
si:
Bybot
hki
ngdomsy
oumeanmeand
you
Ki
ngLerumo:Yespl
easef
indyourqueenand
pr
incesothatwecangoandhearwhatthey
wantandIwill
gofi
ndTokel
otojoi
nus.
Ki
ngLet
si:
Didt
heysaywhatt
heywant
?
Ki
ngLer
umo:Noj
ustt
hattheywanttomeet
wi
thusandt
heyar
eintheguestchamber
.
Ki
ngLet
si:
Alr
ight
,di
dtheyatl
eastsaywher
e
t
heyar
ecomi
ngf
rom?
Ki
ngLer
umo:
From someZul
uki
ngdom i
nSout
h
Af
ri
ca.
Ki
ngLet
si:
Thati
sfar
.Whatcoul
dtheypossi
bly
want
?
Ki
ngLer
umo:
wewi
l
lsoonf
indoutnowl
et’
sgo.

Thetwoki
ngswentthei
rsepar
ateways,
Ler
umotofindTokel
oButhefoundLebo.
Ler
umo:LebohanggofindTokel
oandj
oinme
i
ntheguestchamberatonce.
Lebo:
What
’supol
dman?
Ler
umo:
Boyy ounott
oool
dtogetabeat
ing!
NowgogetTokel
owehaveguest
s.
Lebo:
Okaywewi
l
lbet
her
einaf
ewmi
nut
es.
Ler
umo:
Good
Lerumowentandj oinedt heot hers.Onthe
othersi
deLet sigatheredhisf ami l
yt ogomeet
theguestsbutt heprincesswasl eftbehind.
Theyalsowentt oj
oint heother sbutThabi so
remainedoutsideashesawLeboandTokel o
coming,sohedeci dedt owai tf orthem sot hat
theycangoi ntogether.Theygott ohi m and
theywentin.Hisey eslandedonNt sikaandhi s
famil
y.
Thabi
so:
Whatar
ethesepeopl
edoi
ngher
e?
Ki
ngLet
si:
Youknowt
hem son?
Thabi
so:
Thei
rpr
incewant
edMapul
a
Lebo:Iseenot
hingwrongwit
ht hatImeant
he
pri
ncessisaverybeaut
if
ulmaiden
Tokel
o:Yeahman
Thabi
so:Sowasi
tri
ghtfort
hem t
oli
eandget
mebeatenupbyt
heirpeopl
e?
Them:
What
?
Ki
ngSbani
:Thati
swhywecameher
e,pl
ease
gi
veusachancetoexpl
ain.
Ki
ngLerumo:Not hi
sisnoty
ourkingdom,the
pr
incewil
lexpl
ainthenyouwil
lsayifwhattel
l
s
usistr
ueornot.
Ki
ngLet
si:
Trustmeifyoudidsomethi
ngt
omy
pr
incey
ouwon’tli
vetotel
lthet
ale.
KingLer
umo: Nowallofyousitdownand
Thahisotel
luswhot hesepeopl
eareandwhat
youmeantbyt hem beati
ngyou.
Nt
sika:
Don’
tbesuchababypl
easej
ustsi
t
Ki
ngLet
si:
Didany
onet
alkt
oyou?
Nt
sika:
Eee.
..
Tokel
o:Justshutupandl
i
sten

Thabi
sotookhi
sseatnexttohi
sfatherandso
di
dLeboandTokelo.Tensi
onwasalready
vi
sibl
eint
heroom butonl
yonepersonwasn’t
bot
her
edbyall
thatwashappeni
ngandt
hat
wasNtsi
ka.
KingLer
umo:
SoThabi
soTel
luswhatt
hisi
sal
l
about.
Thabiso:
Wel li
nCapeTownMapul amett hi
s
pri
nceand...
[hetoldthem every
thi
ngthat
happenedbutleftoutthepartofhi
shealingas
hehadnoi deahowi thappenedhimselfashe
j
ustwokeupatMapul a’splace]
KingLet
si:
Howcomey oudi
dn’
ttel
lmeabout
thi
sandwhathappenedtot
hewounds?
Thabi
so:Iam amanf at
herandsoontobe
someone’shusbandandIcannotcomerunni
ng
toyoueveryt
imeam facedwithprobl
ems.
KingLet
si:Iheary
ousonandam proudofhow
youhandledthematterbutt
hatdoesn’
ttel
lus
whyy oupeopleareher
e.
Nt
sika:
Am her
eforMpandeNot
hingel
se.
Tokel
o:Am sor
ryt
oaskt
hisbuti
syourson
normal
?
Lebo:Iwasthinki
ngt
hesame, howcanyoudo
thi
stomysi st
erandherhusbandandsti
ll
come
herel
ookingforMpandeandwhoi st
his
Mpandeany way?
Thabi
so:
That
sHowhecal
l
sMapul
a.
Tokel
o:Ohhel
lno!Nowam cer
tai
nyoucr
azy
Lebo:
Crazydoesn’
tbegi
ntodescr
ibet
hisf
ool
.
QueenN:Hemightbeafool
butheissti
ll
my
sonandthepr
inceoft
heManziniki
ngdom,next
i
nlinef
orthet
hroneofoGwabi
ni.
QueenM:NowIknowhowhegottobeso
st
upid,
youtr
eathi
mli
keachi
ld.

KingLerumo:
Ihaveheardenough!Nowt
ell
us
Sbanisezwewhati
sityouwanthere?
Ki
ngSbani
:Icamet
oapol
ogi
zet
othepr
ince
andhispar
entsforwhatwedi
dtohim.Wehav
e
l
earntourl
essonandweareheret
omake
amends.
KingLet
si:
From meyouwi l
lnotgettoget
peacemysoncoul dhavedied,
woul dy
ou
pl
easebeher eapol
ogizi
ngifhedied?Noy ou
wouldhaveburi
edhim andmov edonwi t
hy our
l
ifeli
kenothi
nghappened.
KingSbani
:Iapol
ogi
zemyki
ngpl
easef
orgi
ve
us.
QueenN:SoIal
mostlostmysonbecausey
our
s
coul
dn’
ttakenoforananswer
?
Ki
ngSbani
:Pl
easef
orgi
veusmyqueen.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
Thabi
sosonwhatdoy
ousay
?
Thabiso:Iwanthim punishedt
hesamewayhe
punishedmef ornoreasonbutthedif
fer
encei
s
thatIdohavereasonsf ormyacti
ons.
Tokel
o:Iwi
l
lhel
pyouwi
tht
hat
Lebo:
Am i
n
Ntsi
ka:
Mpandewi
l
lnev
erl
ett
hathappent
oher
ki
ng.
Thabiso:
Thatsit!!
![hestoodupandsodi d
TokeloandLebo.Theypul l
edNtsi
kaupand
draggedhim outsi
dewithhismotherbeggi
ng
them tol
ethim go]
KingLer
umo:Shutupwoman!Nowt
ell
uswhat
youwantfr
om us?
KingSbani
:Wewoul
dli
ket
oapol
ogi
zet
othe
queenaswell
.
KingLerumo:Wellshe’
snother ebutIhavea
betteri
dea.Guar
ds!!!
[theguardscamer unni
ng]
takethosepeopl
eandl ockthem up.
Ki
ngSbani
:Noy
oucan’
tdot
hatpl
ease[
he
pl
eaded]
KingLet
si:
Wel lsi
ncemydaughteri
nlawi
snot
herewewi l
lkeepyouunt
ilshecomesback.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
YesAndshewi
l
ldeci
dewhatt
odo
wi
thyou.

Theguardstookt
hem awayandl
ockedhi
m up.
Lebo,Tokel
oandThabisot
ookNt
sikatot
he
fi
eld.
..

Fi
ndoutwhatt
heydot
ohi
m ont
henexti
nser
t.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t59

Att
hef
iel
d

Tokelo,
LeboandThabi
sogotoutofthecarand
draggedNtsi
kaout
.Thewayhewassochi l
led
i
twasl i
kenothi
ngwashappeni
ng,heevenhad
asmil
eonhisfaceandthatseemedt
opusht
he
t
ri
plet
sbut
tons.Theydr
aggedhimtothe
middl
eoft
hefiel
d.
Thabiso:Nowthatther
ear
enopeopl
e
defendingyoushowmewhatyougot
.
Nt
sika:
Easynowy
oumi
ghthur
tyour
sel
f.
Tokel
o:Boyy
oudon’
tknowwhowear
esost
op
whil
eyouati
t.
Lebo:Anddon’
tfor
gety
out
alki
ngt
oyourel
der
s
hereZul
uboy.
Ntsi
ka:Letmeeducat edyoumySotho“men”
j
ustbecauseam ZuluandIdon’tgotothe
mountainsorwhateveryouwanttocal
lit
doesn’
tmeanam lessofaman.NowIwi lltel
l
youagaindropthi
snonsenseandwecanal lgo
backandwai tf
orMYQueen[heemphasi zed
the”
MyQueenpar t]Whereissheanyway.
Lebo:
Okayam ki
l
li
ngt
hisdude
Tokelo:Goaheadbr
othercl
ear
lyhel
acks
respect
.
Thabi
so;
Andsav
ethebestf
orl
ast
.
Nt
sika:
Let
’smakei
tfai
r!Onemanatat
ime.
Lebo:
Iwoul
dn’
thav
eitanyot
herway
.

LeboandNt si
kamov estothecenterand
Ntsikat hrewapunchatLebo.Hesmi l
eswi t
h
bloodcomi ngoutofhismout h,hespit
sitand
say s‘notbadf oraboy’thenr
eturnedthepunch
andi tgotNt si
kaf l
yi
ngandcol l
i
dedwi ththe
ground.Thet wower ewatchi
ngasLeboand
Ntsikaf ought .Ntsi
kagotupandwi pedthe
bloodof fhi smout handsaid‘youpunchl ike
bitch’thatal oneseemedt opissLeboof f.He
wentt oNt sikainahurryandtheyfought.

Nt
sikawasf
ight
ingl
i
kear
eal
Zul
uwar
ri
orand
Lebowasf ightinglikeagangl eaderwhodidn’
t
wantt olethisgangdown.Theyf oughtunti
l
Tokelost oppedt hem andsai d‘ y
oufoughtwell
brotherbuti t
’smyt urnnow’ Lebomov easide
andTokel omadehi swayt oNt si
kaandsaid
‘
thisMpandey oukeept alki
ngaboutismy
si
sterandnoonedi srespectsherhusbandand
getawaywi thit’het hrewapunchandNt sika
smiledandanswer edhi m’ wellIwon’
tfi
ghtyou,
butnotbecauseam scar edbutbecausey ouare
myqueensbr other’

ThatalonefueledTokel o’
sanger‘ youwon’t
fi
ghtmebuty ouf oughtherotherbrother?Who
thehelldoyout hinkyouare’Ntsikasmi l
edand
said‘yourbrotherinlawandy ourking’wellhe
shouldn’
thavesai dthatashewokeGhostup.
Ghostwasl i
kesomepossessedmanbeat i
ng
Ntsikatoapul p,wellwhenGhosti sawakeonly
afewcancal m him downsoThabi sosawhow
hewasbeat i
ngNtsikaandaskedLebot ostop
him.Lebowenttohi m andheldhishandsand
spoketohim‘Mokoenamot loel
eMor enaka
bathobashebi
le’
[Mokoenal ethim gomyki ng
thepeopl
earewat ching]Tokelol
ethim go.

Hewentandst oodwithLeboont hesideas

Thabisowal kedtowar
dsabl eedingNt si
ka,he
sawhi m standi
ngabovehim ashewasont he
ground.Hel ookedathi
m andl aughed’ y
ouwill
neverbegoodenoughf orher,sheneedsar eal
manbyhersi deandam afrai
dt hatisnotyou
boy’Thabisogosoangr yandspokel i
ke
somet hi
ngpossessedhi m.
Thabiso:Tot hepoweroft heel ephant
,the
speedofaCheet ahandt heey esofahawk.
Raiseandl endmey ourpower ,i
tisIThabiso
yourprincesetlohol
osaSer amengwanawa
LetsimoTl oungpedikgatlatl
oponnj apoloj
we,
Tholepof olonamaneny amat sana.
[tot hepoweroft heelephant s,thespeedofa
Cheet ahandey esofahawkr aiseandl endme
yourpower , i
tisIThabi soyourpr i
ncegr and
childofSer ameandsonofLet si moThoung. ..
andhesai dhisf oref
atherstot ems]hi sey es
changedcol orandt heywer enowl ightbr own
l
iket hoseofahawkandhef eltli
ght erandat
thesamet imest rongerthanheev erwasbef or
e.
Bloodr ushedt hroughhi sveinsandt hewayhe
fel
tt heitwasl ikehehasast et hoscopeonand
wasl i
steni
ngt ohisbloodr unni ngt hroughhis
veins.

Whathewasn’tawareofwast heallthehawks
fl
yi
ngabov ehi
m andallt
heCheet ahst hat
appearedfr
om nowher
esurroundingt hem.
TokeloandLeboweretheonlyoneswho
seemedt obeawareofthi
sasNt sikawas
l
ookingatThabisowi
thasmi l
eonhi sf ace
t
hinki
nghowst
upi
dcanoneper
sonbe.
Tokel
o:Iguesshi
snotasweakasIt
houghthe
was.
Lebo:
Ithoughtwewillbetheonesprotect
ing
thepr
incessevenaf
tershe’smarr
ied.
Tokel
o:Iguesshegott
hatcov
erednow
Lebo:
Iguesst
heywer
edest
inedt
obet
oget
her
Tokel
o:Theybot
hhav
eext
raor
dinar
ypower
s
Lebo:
Liket
heyar
egodst
hemsel
ves
Tokel
o:Yeahdoyouseehowt
hesecheet
ahs
ar
ebowingbefor
ehim?
Lebo:
Yeah!
!!Manam j
eal
ous
Tokel
o:Iwi
shIhadpower
s
Lobo:
Many ouhaveGhosteventhoughIdon’
t
knowwhatkindofpowerhepossesses.
Tokelo:
Youandmeboth.[
Lebogotbackt
o
real
i
tyfastwi
thhi
sey
espoppingout
]
Lebo:
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay
?
Tokelo:Yeahmanhejustt
akesov
erandf
rom
ther
ei t
’snomoreTokel
o.
Lebo:
Real
l
y?Wow!
Tokel
o:Whati
sitwi
thy
ou,
whyar
eyouf
reaki
ng
out?
Lebo:WOW!!
!Whyam Ifreaki
ngout
?Ar
eyou
real
l
ygoingt
oaskmet hat?
Tokel
o:YeahBecauseIdon’
tunder
stand
brot
her.
Lebo:
Whati
fthatGhostki
l
ledme?
Tokel
o:Whywoul
dhedot
hat
?
Lebo:Youhavegott obekiddi
ngme!!!Am t
he
onewhot al
kstoy ouandcalmy oudownwhen
Ghosttakesoverandallal
ongIthoughtyou
hadcontrolov
erhim butnowIlearnyoudon’
t!
Thatmeansam atr i
sktoo.
Tokel
o:Don’
texagger
ate!Youar
emypr
otect
or
t
hati
swhyy ouknowhowt
ocal
m medownsoI
won’
tki
l
lyou.
Lebo:
Yeahy
ouwon’
tbutt
hef
reaki
ngGhost
might
.
Tokelo:Hewon’t.
..Butmanlookathi
m, hi
s
goi
ngt okil
lthi
sfoolifwedon’
tfi
gureoutaway
tostopthi
s.
Lebo:
YeahButLet
’sfi
rstwat
chandseewhat
hedoesthenwewil
lfi
gurei
toutl
ater
.
Tokel
o:Yeahy
our
ight
.

TokeloandLebomadethemselv
escomfor
tabl
e
sit
ti
ngonsomehaystackwatchi
ngandwai
ting
forwhatThabi
sowi
lldonext
.

Att
hesacr
edl
and:
Mapul
a:QueenNyol
odi
whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me
t
hatThabi
sohaspower
s?
Nyol
odi:Wel
lam notamoTl oungbutIknew
t
hatthosehi
gherthanmewoul dn’
tjustchoose
anobodytobetherainqueenshusband.
Mapul
a:Di
dheknowhehadt
hem bef
ore?
Nyol
odi:Nohispower
sgotrel
easedtheday
yougotherebuthedi
dn’
tknowityet
.
Mapul
a:Howdi
dheknownow?
Nyol
odi
:Hisangerwokei
tupandtechni
call
y
yout
heonlyonewhocanstophi
mj ustl
ikehis
t
heonlyonewhocanstopyouwheny ouangry.
Mapul
a:Howso?
Ny
olodi
:Becausey
ouar
econnect
edmyqueen.
Mapula:Thenhewi
l
lki
l
lNt
sikai
fsomeone
doesn’
tstophi
m.
Nyol
odi:Wel
lift
hat’
swhattheki
ngwantsthen
t
hereisnot
hingIcando.Thatpr
incei
sarr
ogant
andhechooset
hewor
stt
imet
oshowhi
s
arr
ogance.
Mapul
a:Whatdoy
oumeanmyqueen?
Nyol
odi
:Ohnot
hing..
.howdoy
ouf
eel
about
goi
nghometomorrow?
Mapul
a:Deli
ght
edButIdon’
twantmyr
etur
nto
bet
hatfi
ll
edwit
htear
sandsorrow.
Nyol
odi
:ThenSt
opy
ourhusband[shesai
dand
l
eft
]

St
ayt
uned.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t60

ATTHEFI
ELD
TokeloandLebower esitt
ingont hehay stack
thatwasi nthefi
eldreservedf orthecowsand
horsestoeatbutt heymadei ttheirtempor ary
coucht ositandenjoytheact i
onmov iebefore
them.Att hi
stimeNt si
kawasonhi sfeet
determinedtoshowt heSot hopr i
ncewhathi s
madeof .Thabisoont heot herhandwaschi l
led
andlookingatNt si
kawi t
hhi shawkey es,
watchinghim hiseverymov elikeahawk
watchingaf i
shinsidethewat erwaitingforjust
theri
ghtt i
met ostri
ke.

Ntsi
kamov esclosertoThabisoandt hrew
punchbutsi nceThabisohast hespeedofa
Cheetah,hequicklymov esasideandcame
backwithapuncht hathasthepowerofan
el
ephant,hepunchedNt si
kaont heribcage
l
eavinghisribscrackedont heleftsi
deand
Ntsi
kagr oaningli
kewoundedani mal.He
wait
edf orhimt oregainhi
scomposur e,Nt
sika
thenwentt
oThabisolooki
ngpi
ssed,hethrewa
punchatThabi
so’
sfacebuthemov eshisface
outofhar
mswayj usti
ntimebefor
ethepunch
l
andedonhisfaceandcamebackwi t
hhisand
i
tlandedonNtsi
kasideofthef
acebreakinghi
s
j
aws.

Ntsikagr oansi npai nsandspi tsthebl ood

comi ngoutofhi smout h.TokeloandLebower e
busycheer i
ngThabi soon, al
sobusyt alkingon
thesi deli
kef oot ballcomment ators.Af ewboy s
whower epl ayi
ngst ickf i
ghti
ngi nt hefieldssaw
thi
sandcamet owat chbuttheyst oodf urther
astheywer eaf raidoft heCheet ahs.Sot hey
thoughtitbestt ost andf arsot hati ft
heyt ry
anythingt heycanmakear unfori t.Ntsikawas
l
oosi ngthef ightbuthewoul dn’tgi veup, he
stoodandwentf ly
ingt oThabi sot acklinghi m
tothegr ound, Thabi sogotupsof ast,hewas
angryandhegav eNt si
kaapuncht hatsenthi m
f
lyi
ngt
othegr
oundcl
osert
otheCheet
ahs.

Hegr oanedinpainbutwhenhel ookedsi de

way shespot t
edt heCheet ahsandhegotupso
fastmov i
ngawayf rom them butmeet ing
Thabi so’spuncht hatsendshi m backont he
ground.ButnowThani sodoesn’ tgi vehima
chancet ogetup, hegoescl osert ohi m and
startkickinghiml eavi
ngacr ackedbonewi t
h
eachki ck.Thet wocomment ators[ Tokeloand
Lebo]wer esti
llbusydoi ngtheirjobont he
sideli
newhi chiscomment ati
ng.I fonewas
wat chingaboxi ngmat chofwr estlingIwoul d
sayt heyonlylackedar efer
eef ort hismat chas
theyhadt hefi
ghters,theaudi enceandt he
comment at
ors.

Lebo:Mani
fwedon’
tst
ophi
m hewi
l
lki
l
lthi
s
fool
.
Tokelo: Iknowt hatbutlookatt hi
s[Tokelo
mov escl osertoThabi sobutashemov es
closertheCheet ahsmov eclosertohim with
theirteethout.Tokelomov esbackt ohi sseat
andt heymov etotheirori
ginalposit
ions]
Tokel
o:See!
Lebo:Manhecandieforal
lIcare,
Iam not
fi
ghti
ngagai
nstaCheetahwellCheet
ahsinthi
s
case.
Tokel
o:ManRenei
l
west
il
lneedsmesoIcan’
t
di
enow.
Lebo:Ican’
tdi
enowt oomanam too
handsomeforthatandLeSot
honeedssome
handsomeness.
Tokel
o:Iguesshedi
est
hen.
Lebo:
Hediesf
orsur
ebutwehav
ewit
nessedi
n
caset
heyaskwhywedi
dn’
tst
ophim.
Tokel
o:Yeaht
hoseboy
ssawev
ery
thi
ng.
Lebo:
Yeahsowecool
Tokel
o:YeahButlookathowhi
ski
cki
nghi
m
l
ikeasackofpotatoes.
Lebo:Manam nevergett
ingonhi
swr
ongsi
de,
I
havenopower
st odefeatthat
.
Tokelo:
Andy out
hinkGhostcanst
anda
chance?.
..nowayman.
Lebo:
Youwon’
tev
ent
ry?
Tokel
o:Wahlany
akellowanaj
wangdeli
Cheet
ahs[y
oucr azyhowdoIfi
ghtCheetahs]
Lebol
aughs.

I
nthesacr
edl
and:

Mapulahasbeentryi
ngtofi
ndway st
ostop
Thabi
soasshecanseet hathi
sgoingtokil
l
Ntsi
ka,shenewthatshecannotl
eavethe
sacr
edlandti
llshewasreleasedbutshealso
knewthatshecan’tl
etThabisoki
llNt
sikabut
howwasshegoi ngtostophi m?
Sheendedupcal
l
ingNgwedi
andshecamet
o
her
.
Ngwedi
:Myqueen
Mapul
a:Ngwedi
HowdoIst
opThabi
so?
Ngwedi:Whydoy ouwantt
ost
ophim andwho
stoppedt
hatpr
incewhenhewant
edtokill
your
husband?
Mapul a:Ngwedi pleaseIdon’
twantmy
ceremonyt aintedwithbloodandifthat
happensal lpeoplewi l
lthi
nkofaboutmyday
wil
l bethebloodshed.SoIbegy ouifyouknow
awaypl easet ell
me.
Ngwedi:Al
right
,youandYourhusbandare
connect
edsocl oseyoureyeandconcent
rat
e
andwheny ouareconnectedtohi
mt el
lhi
mt o
stop.
Mapul
a:Myt
hanksNgwedi
.

Mapulaclosedherey esandconcent r
atedhard.
Shefir
streachedtheCheet ahsthatwere
surr
oundingthem andshet ol
dthem thati
twas
enoughnowandt heyneedt ostop.The
Cheetahsboweddownandmov edbackal i
tt
le.
Shethenreachedhert wocr azybrot
hersand
tol
dthem thatshewill deal
withthem whenshe
getshome.Shemov edt oThabisobut
somethingwasblocki ngher.

Shet r
iedagainbutnot
hing,shereachedthe
hawksf l
yi
ngabov ehim andtol
dt hem t
ost op
blocki
ngtheirqueenandafterthatshereached
Thabisoandspoket ohiminhismi nd’mydear
husbanditisIyourqueen,pl
easest opthi
sor
youwi l
lki
llhi
m.Ifeelyourangeranditistoo
muchandi fy oudon’
tstopnowy ouwi l
lki
llhi
m,
pleasedoitf
orme, rememberyousaidy ou
woulddoany t
hingf orme?Nowt hisistheti
me
foryoutoful
fi
llthatpromiseandlethim go.
Youar enotl
i
kehi m whichiswhyy ouaremy
husbandandhisnot ’

Shest
oppedandcol
l
apsedont
hef
loor
.Ngwedi
andNyol
odir
ushedt
oher.
Ngwedi
:Yourpur
ehear
twi
l
lbey
ourdownf
all
myqueen.
Nyol
odi
:Whi
chi
swhyy
ouwi
l
lbewi
thhert
o
gui
deher
.
Ngwedi
:Yesmyqueen.

Att
hef
iel
d:

Tokel
oandLebowerequieteachonet
hinki
ng
aboutwhatt
heyj
usthear
dbutnoneofthem
weret
alki
ngorev
enconcent
rat
ingont
hef
ight
any
more.
Lebo:
Mani mi
ghtbegoingcrazybutIswearI
j
usthear
dthepr
incessspeak.
Tokel
o:Ihear
dthesamet
hingandshesai
d
Them: Iwi
l
ldealwit
hyouwhenIgethomef or
thi
s[t
heysaidatt
hesameti
meandl ookedat
eachother
]
Lebo:
Okayam notcrazybutifshecanseeal
l
thi
sam goi
ngt
ot hecapit
altomorrow
Tokel
o:Why
?
Lebo:Am notabouttofacethenewl
ycr
owned
queensoshecant estherpowersonme.
Tokel
o:Am get
ti
ngmybl
ackcar
dready
Lebo:
Am booki
ngherhoney
moon
Tokel
o:It
houghty
ouwer
erunni
ng
Lebo:
Nowayandl
ety
oushi
neal
one?Nev
er
Theyl
aughed.

Thabisoheardwhathi squeensaidtohi m and

stopbeati
ngNt sika,hewasnowl ayi
ngont he
fl
oorwithbloodcomi ngoutofhismout h.He
keptcoughi
ngandgr oaning.Thabisowas
amazedast owhathappenedandhowhi s
queenspoket ohi m whenshe’snotev ent her
e.
Hethoughtthatmay behei magi
nedt hingsor
hismindisplayingtricksonhim.

St
ayt
unef
ort
her
etur
noft
hequeen.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t61

Cor
onat
ionday5
Thet hr
eeguystookNt si
kabacktothepalace
andcalledapalacedoctort
ocheckonhi m.
KingLetsisawthem buthedidn’
tsayawor d,
he
j
ustcont i
nuedwithwhathewasdoi ng.The
parentsweresti
lll
ockedupbuttheywer et
aken
careof,theyweregiv
enwatertobath,achange
ofcloseandfood.

Thenextdayev er
yonegotr eadyt ogot othe
ri
verasinstr
uct edbyt hechi efpriest,people
weredressedi nnicet raditi
onal clothesast hey
weretoldthatthisisdef initelythelastdayof
thecoronati
on.Al lt
hosewhodi dn’tknow
Mapulacouldn’twai ttof i
nal lymeether .Kwezi
wasdressedi nherXhosat raditionalattir
ewith
somebeads, shet oocoul dn’twai ttoseeher
fri
endagain.Thabisowasdr essedi nasui twit
h
hisroy
al bl
anketont opwi t
ht heirtradit
ional
SothohatcalledModi any eo.Theki ngand
queenofbaTl
oungalsolookedlav
ishinthei
r
roy
alatt
ir
esandthatincl
udesthepri
ncess.

ThebaKoenapr i
nce’slookedliketwi nsin
mat chingsuitsandbl anketsov erthem with
theirtradi
ti
onal SothostickscalledDi kot
o.The
kingandqueenal sol ookedgoodi nt heir
tradit
ionalroyalatti
res.Withthequeenwear i
ng
hert r
aditi
onal SothodresscallSeshweshwe
wi t
habeaut i
fulembr oi
deryatthebot tom ofi
t.
Let’sjustsayev eryonelookedt hei
rbest .

Theyallwalkedtot heri
versi
deandgat hered
aroundtheresinginganddancing.Thetimewas
around5AM waybef or
esunrise.Mapulacould
hearthesongsf rom whereshewas, shelooked
atNgwedi andsmi led.
Mapul
a:Thi
sisi
t,wear
egoi
nghome.
Ngwedi
:Techni
cal
l
ythi
sisy
ourhomet
oomy
queen.
Mapula:
Iknowt
hatbutIhavemissedmy
peopl
esomuchandIcan’twai
ttoseethem
agai
n.
Ngwedi:
YouJustmi
ssy
ourmot
her
’shugsand
cooki
ng.
Mapula:
Well
Thatt
oo,
thatwomancancook
youknow.
Ngwedi:
Wel l
Idon’
tknowbutnowIwil
lgett
o
tast
eherfoodsi
nceIcant
ransf
ormint
omy
humanform.
Mapula:Wel
lIcantwaitt
oseethatandIwoul
d
l
ikeyoutobebymysi deduri
ngthecer
emony
butnotasanall
igat
orbutasyourhumansel
f.
Ngwedi:Thatwi
llbemypleasur
emyqueen.
Nowi t
’sti
melet
’sgosayourgoodby
estothe
queens.
Mapul
a:ohhowIwi
l
lmi
sst
hem.
Ngwedi:
Youcancomeher
eany
timeandt
hey
wi
llal
waysbewit
hyou.
Mapul
a:Iknow!Nowl
et’
sgo.

Theywentandsai dt hei
rgoodby est ot herain
queensandl ef
t.Thesongsgotl ouderandj ol
ly
ast hesunwasr aisingfrom t
hehor izon,the
wat erstart
edmov ingandopenedaci r
cleinthe
middl eoftheriverandMapul asur facedf rom
ther i
verri
dingont hebackoft hebi ggest
all
igatorthepeoplehav eeverseen.Shesawal l
thepeopl eastheysangl ouder,dancer sdanced
forthequeenandy oungboy swhi stl
ing.Itwas
ahappymomenti ndeedespeci all
yf orher
fami l
yandf ri
end.Thequeensur facedwear i
ng
hercr ownonherheadandwhatXhosapeopl e
callIt
shobai nhand.Kwezi st
eppesf orward.

Kwezi
:Hoooy
ina!
!!Hooooy
ina!
!!
Bavusenimadodabazobanaikumkanikazi
yabe
Sotho!I
buyi
lei
kumkanikazi
madodai bengezel
a
okwenkwenkweziebusuku!
Mni
keni
itshobal
akheakhokel
eabant
ubakhe!

Ntombe’ekhet
hwengabaphantsibengezanga
mpazamokephof u!Bazamileabaninzi
ukuwisa
kodwawav ukawavuthul
ulakwahlokoma
amazulu,kwavel
isaqhwi
thi,
kwanetha
i
sichot
ho!!

Kumkanikaziyesi
zwesabeSotho,Ntombi
yasemzini
,thembalabani
nzi.Wenaukhokel
a
abantu,
ukhokelenezi
lwanyana,ul
wandl
e
neZul
u.

Ntomb’emdakazanaemazi
nyoakhazi
mla
okwekhephu.Ntomb’
enezi
xhoborwanqa
el
inet
uma.Mhleet
hetha,
mhl eethul
e,mhle
enyat
hel
a.Kodwakumkanikazindakukuf
ihl
aphi
.

Ndiphakathikwabantubasemzi nibethet
ha
ul
wimi endingalazi
yo,ndiweleimil
ambo
nemilanj
anaukuzendi belapha!Inyawo
zi
nenjeke,ingcabazichachambi l
ekodwandide
ndafi
kandazomaaphandi ndodwauXhosakazi
ndi
bongawenakumkani kazi!
!!

Udibanakwam nawendandingazikanti
ndidi
benenengangal
ala!I
gal
elolakho
l
ibonakel
eebantwini
bakho!Phambi l
i
kumkanikazi
phambili
!!
!

Wenauphumaemanzi niukhwelephezukwesi
l
o
samanziabantubej
ongi
l
ebat sho
beenkamalal
a!!
!
Kwezi sangherpraisesasapoetoft heday
fr
om whenshegotoutoft hewaterall
theway
tothepalacewher etheceremonywi l
lconti
nue.
Mapul acoul
dn’tholdhertearsasshesawhow
beautif
ulherfr
iendandwhatshewassay i
ng
was.Yesshedi dn’tunderstandwell
butjust
seeingherfri
endst andi
nginf r
ontofpeople
prai
singherwasmor ethanwhatshehad
i
magi ned.

Theki ng,queenandt hebr

otherswerepr oudof
thei
rnotsol i
t t
lepri
ncess,shehadmadet hem
proudi nmor eway sthantheycani magineand
thesmi lesont heirfacessaiditall
.The
baTloungr oy alfamilywasmor ethanproudof
thequeent heyhadchosenf orthei
rson, whil
e
Thabisocoul dn’twai ttohol
dheri nhisarms
andt ellherhowmuchhemi ssedher.
Mapul aandKwezi wenttochangeasKwezi
saidthatthedr essshewaswear i
ngwasonly
forthepoem shewasdoi ngandt heceremony
celebrat
iondresswasdi fferent
.Mapulawasn’
t
all
owedt obat hforthenex t3dayssoshejust
changedandwhenshewasdonesheasked
Ngwedi totransform sothattheycangoand
att
endt otheguest s.Ngwedi di
dast ol
dand
Mapul awasshockedbyt hebeaut i
fulmai
den
beforeher.

St
ayt
unedast
hecel
ebr
ati
onscont
inue.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t62

BaKoenaKi
ngdom:
Mapul ametupwi thKwezi huggingeachot her
andhappyt hatMapul acamebacksaf e,
but
theydon’thav eenought imet ochatasMapul a
hadt ogoandmi nglewi t
hherguest s.They
wentout sidewher eev eryonei sandt hesong
anddancest art
edagai n,Mapul awentupand
j
oinedherf amil
yont heseat sreservedforthem.
TheKi ngwassi ttingont her ightwit
hTokel o
andLeboonhi ssi deandt hequeenwasseat i
ng
onthel eftandMapul awentt ojoinheront he
chairnextt oher.Af t
erev eryonesettledtheking
gotupandaddr essedhi sguest s.

KingLerumo: Gr
eet
ingsev er
yone,fri
ends,famil
y,
associatesandmyf ell
owkings.Todaywear e
gatheredheretocelebratet
wot hi
ngsoneof
them beingthematurit
yofmypr i
ncessMapul a
Mohapi oftheBaKoenaKi ngdom andt he
secondonebei ngthebi r
thofyetanotherrai
n
queeni nthebaKoenaki ngdom.Thegods
blessedbaKoenawi thyetanot herrainqueen
andt hatqueeni sheretodaybuti ti
snotmy
placetoshowhert oy ou, onl
ythegodscando
that.Nowl etuswel comet hebaKoenachi ef
priesttointr
oducetousourqueenbutbef or
e
thatIwoul dli
ket oi
ntroducet ot hosewhodon’t
knowmypr i
ncessMapul a.Pleasegetupdear
daught ersothateveryonecanseey ou,Mapula
gotupandwav edforthepeopl e.

Thepr i
nceswhower etherewer eamazingby
herbeautyandeachonespoket otheirf
ather
s
aboutaskingfortheprincess’shandin
marri
age.Thef at
herssentwor dwiththe
baKoenamessengert oaskt hekingfora
meeting.Thekingnowcal ledthechiefpri
estto
dohispartofintr
oducingt herainqueentothe
peopl
eandcr owni ngheronceagai n.
Chi
efpr
iest
:Iwon’
ttakemuchofy
ourt
imeby
tal
ki
ngalot,myancestorssai
dtheywi
ll
show
youthequeenthemselvessoIwil
ldomypar
t
andlett
hem dotherest.

Thechi efpr iestst artedburni

ngi ncenseand
calledupont hegodsofbaKoenat orev ealt
he
queent ot hepeopl e.Theweat herchangedonce
agai n,wi ndbl ewandcl oudsformedv eryfast
andi tst artedr ainingbutwhatwasshocki ng
wast hati tonlyr ainedonMapul aandnoone
else.Peopl ewer eamazedbyt hisandt he
father soft hepr inceswhowant edt omar r
y
Mapul awer eal readygoi ngcrazy.Itrainedand
3f allenr ainqueensappear edwi ththeir
guar diansbyt hei rsides.Onecar ryi
ngagol den
royal chai r,onehol dingacrownandone
holdi ngascept er.

Thepeopl
ecoul
dn’
tev
enmov
e,t
heyj
ustkept
theireyesgluedt owhatwashappeni ngbefore
them.Nowt herainwasr aini
ngononl yt
hefour
oft hem,thatbei ngMapul aandt he3f al
l
enr ain
queens.Theonehol dingachai rwalkedtothe
frontofKingLer umoandpl acedthechair
befor ehi
m.Thenshewentandhel dMapulaby
handandmadeherst andi nfrontofthechair,
Ny olodiwhowascar ry i
ngacr owngotclosert o
herandpl acedt hecr ownonherhead.Thent he
l
astonewentt oherandgav ehert hescept
er
thent heyinstr
uct edhert oseat .

Mapulatookherseatandt hethreequeens
boweddownt ohersay i
ng’Mamokoena
kgosi
gadi Mapul
a’[MamokoenaqueenMapul a]
thent
heygotupandst opbyhersi deand
Mapulastoodupandhel dthescept erupand
said‘
hayi
nemupa! !
’[l
ettherainfall
!!
]then
i
mmedi atel
yheavybutquietrainfellf
rom t
he
skybri
ngbackev er
yonet oreal
lyast heywere
stuckinthemoment .Butst
rangel
yenough
noneoft hem ranforcoversoastonotgetwet
,
theyjuststoodtherewatchi
ng.

Ther aingotheav i
erandheav ier.Thepeopl e
wereget ti
ngwetbutnoneoft hem mov edasto
notwantt omi sst heaction,Mapul a’sSnow
Whitewi ngsappear edonherbackt hefall
en
queensguar dianswentcl osertoherandbowed,
el
ephant sappear edandal sobowedbef or
eher
.
Thisactshockedev enthebaTl oungast he
el
ephant swer etheirprotectorsaswel las
Cheet ahsbuttheyl astprotectedt hesecond
ki
ngofbaTl oungandt heywer enev erseen
again.

Thabi
socouldn’
tsitst
il
li
twasl i
kesomethi
ng
waspushinghim behi
nd,hemov edcl
oserto
thequeenandstoodinfrom ofher
,Cheet
ahs
appear edandj oinedt heotherprotectorsont he
groundbowi ng.Thehawkswer eflyi
ngabov e
them, asifthatwasnotenoughshockf orthe
peoplet hesecondr ainqueenpulledthesun
closerinattemptt ostoptherainthatwas
pouring.Mapul al owedherhandsandt herain
stopped, cl
oudscl ear
edandt hesunst art
ed
shini
ngonceagai n.Thequeensdi sappear ed
l
eav i
ngbehi ndt hepr otect
ors.

ThebaKoenar oyalfamilyhadt hei

rmout hs
hangopenast heyhav enev erseensuchbef ore,
yestheyhav ehear dstori
esbutnev erwi t
nessed
i
t.ThebaTl oungr oyal
swer eal
sostillshocked
bytheirprotectorsev entheonest hatwer eonly
knownf rom ther oyalhistorybooksandnow
theywereher ebowi ngbef orethenewqueen.
Theydidn’tknowwhatt hismeansbutt heywere
defi
nit
elygoi ngtoaskt heirchi
efpriestaboutit.
Thecelebrati
onsconti
nueandpeopl e
conti
nuedenj oyi
ngthefest
ivi
ti
es..
.wel
lthey
weremor eli
ket al
ki
ngaboutwhatt heyhave
j
ustwitnessed.Kwezihadtobet akenawayby
Lesegoasshewasst i
ll
inshock,shenev er
knewherf ri
endpossessedsuchpower .Mapul
a
spott
edthet ri
oandwentt othem.
Mapul
a:Br
other
s!
Them Gr
eet
ingsy
ourhi
ghness
Mapul
a:Thabi
soi
t’
sapl
easur
etoseey
ouagai
n.
Thabi
so:Pl
easur
eisal
lmi
nemyqueeny
ouhad
usworri
ed.
Mapul
a:Wel
lthegodst
ookmeear
lybutam
her
enow.
Them:Wear
ehappyt
ohav
eyoubackmy
queen.
Mapul
a:Ohbrot
hersther
espectyoushowme
won’
tsavey
outhisti
me.Nowy ouThabiso,
whatwer
eyout
hinki
ng?
Thabi
so:I
..
.Ihol
dnoknowl
edgeofwhaty
ou
speakofmyqueen.
Mapul
a:I
sthatso?Andy
out
wo.
Lebo:
Whathesai
dmyqueen.
Mapul
a:Ohi
sthathowy
ouwantt
opl
ayi
t?
Thabi
so:OkayhepissedmeoffsoIhadt
oput
hi
mi nhi
splaceonceandforal
l.
Mapul
a:Iunder
standt
hatmydearbutvi
olence
i
snevert
heanswerandexpectmorefr
om you
t
hanthi
s.
Tokel
o:Andy
oudon’
texpectmor
efr
om us?
Mapula:OhIexpectawholel
otandpl
easeget
yourchequebooksready
.
Lebo:Ohbrot
hery
ouhav
eledusi
nto
bankr
uptcy
.
Tokel
o:Me?Whatabouty
out
wo?
Them:Youar
ethel
awy
ery
oushoul
dhav
e
knownbet
ter
.
Tokel
o:WOW sonowam t
hrowni
ntot
hel
i
ons
den.
Mapul
a:Theonl
yli
onsaroundher
earetheones
youl
ockedupandtheoneyoubeatup.
Them:
Wear
eapol
ogi
zey
ourhi
ghness.
Mapul
a:Wel
lIhopey
ouatl
eastt
ookcar
eof
t
hem.
Them:
Wedi
d.
Mapul
a: GoodIwill
dealwit
hthem t
omorrow.
[shel
eftthem andwenttoatt
endtotheguest
s]

Hav
eagoodsl
umbery
ourhi
ghnesses.

#l
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n
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nser
t63
BaKoenaKi
ngdom

Thecel ebrationswentonunt ilsunset,

some
guestsl ef
tandsomer emai nedandwer eto
l
eav eatsunr ise.Mapul aandKwezi shareda
room ast heywant edt ocat chup.Theki ngof
baKoenagott hemessaget hatsomeki ngs
wantt omeetwi t
hhi m andhesetupameet i
ng
forsunriseaf terthemor ningfeast.He
wonder edwhati tistheycoul dpossi bl
ywant
buthisqueenconv incedhi mt hatitwas
probablybusi nessr elatednot hingmore.
Everyonesl eptear l
yast heywer etir
edfrom al
l
thatwasgoi ngon

Atsunri
set hekingwokeupanddidhisdai
l
y
hygi
enepr ocess,hewantedt
obeatthe
morningfeastearlyasheist
hehost
,sohe
want edhi
sguest stofeelwel comedathi s
palace.Theywenttot hedi ni
ngroom f orthei
r
mor ningf
eastandi twasj ustthekingsand
pri
ncespr esent
,themai densser v
edt hem and
theyhadani cefeasttal
kingaboutt he
ceremonyandhowgoodandmaj esti
ci twas.

Aft
erthemor ni
ngf eastkingLer
umoi nvi
tedthe
ki
ngstot hethr
oner oom sothattheycould
di
scusswhat everdealtheyhadinstoreforhi
m.
Theygatheredthereandt heki
ngspoke.
KingLer
umo:Sunri
seGreet
ingsagai
nmyki ngs,
youhavecal
ledandIhavecomet ohearwhat
youhavetosaytome.
KingLehl
ohonol
o:Gr
eet
ingsmyking,
Ihad
thoughtwewouldmeetinpr
ivett
odi
scusst
his
mat t
er.
Ot
her
s:Sodi
dwe
Ki
ngLer
umo:
OkayIheary
oubutwhati
sthe
matterabout,Imeani fi
t’
ssomethingwecan
di
scusst ogetherIseenoneedtomeetoneby
one.RememberIst i
ll
haveotherguest
sinthe
pal
acet oattendto.
KingLehlohonol
o:Wey eary
oumyki ngbutam
onlygoingtoaddresswhatIaskedyouherefor
.
Mypr incewouldli
keyourpri
ncess’
shandin
mar r
iage.
KingTseko:
What
?Mypr
incewi
l
lmar
ryt
he
queen.
KingTomel o:
Leboamasepaf el
a[y outalki
ng
shit
]whowoul dwanttomarrytheirdaughtert
o
yourprinceswhenev er
yoneknowst heyare
womani zerswithhal
fbloodchi
ldrenallover
yourkingdoms.
KingLehl
ohonol
o:Youareonet
otal
kwheny our
pri
nceisthemostwantedmanbythenat
ional
poli
ceforhumantraf
fi
cki
ng.
Ki
ngTshepo:
Mypr
incei
sthemostsui
tabl
e
candidat
ehere,hi
seducat
edandaworl
d
renowneddoctorandwoul
dmakeagreat
husbandfort
hequeen.
KingLer
umo:Letmestopyoual
lri
ghtther
e,t
he
queenwhichyouspeakofi
salr
eadychosenfor
another
.
Ki
ngLehl
ohonol
o:Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?
Ki
ngTseko:
Andwhywer
en’
twet
oldabouti
t?
Ki
ngTomel
o:Andt
owhom i
sshemar
ri
edt
o?
KingLerumo: Fi
rstlyIwouldli
ket oapologizeto
allofyoufornoti nformingyout hatIwas
l
ooki ngforasuitorf ormyprincess.Howev er
thesuitorissomeonet hatwaschosenf orher
asy ouknowt hatt herainqueencannotj ust
mar ryanyone.
Ki
ngTshepo:
Soyouaresay
ingt
hatourpri
nces
ar
enotgoodenoughf
oryourpr
incess.
Ki
ngLer
umo:
She’
smypr
incessbutshei
syour
queenandnoIdi
dn’tsayt
hatbutt
hegods
choosewhothequeenmarri
esnotus.
Ki
ngTseko:
Wewi
l
lseeaboutt
hatnowwon’
twe?
Ki
ngLer
umo: Areyout
hreat
eni
ngmei
nmyown
ki
ngdom Tseko?
Ki
ngTseko:NoIdon’
tmaket
hreat
sli
key
our
br
otherImakepromi
ses.
Ki
ngLer
umo: Alr
ightIhavehear
dallofy
ounow
i
fyouwil
lexcuseme, Ihaveguest
swaiti
ng.

Lerumosai dthatandlef tthem t here,hewas

angryaboutthedi sr
espectTsekoshowedhi m.
Tsekoi sthekingofMi hloloanengki ngdom, he
andLer umogr ewupt oget her.Hei sbknownf or
beingthemostr uthl
esski ngt hatside,most
wer eafrai
dofhim ashei ndeeddi dnotmake
threat
sbutpr omisesandheal waysf ul
fi
ll
ed
them, onewayort heot her .Lerumowasn’ tone
tobescar edjustbyany thingbuthewasscar ed
ofTseko.

Tsekoi nti
mi datedhim somuchbecause1he
hadconnect i
onswi ththepol i
ceand2heki ll
ed
peoplei nbroadday l
i
ghtandnoonewoul ddo
any t
hingabouti t.Hewasnotscar edforhimself
thoughbutf ort hesafetyofhischildr
en, hi
s
princesandpr i
ncessandev enhiswife.Lerumo
wasn’ thimselfatallaft
erhel eftt
hatroom.The
kingsst ayedbehi ndtodiscusswhatshoul dbe
done.
Ki
ngTomel
o:Whatar
ewet
odoaboutt
his?
Ki
ngTseko:
Isayweki
l
lhi
m.
Ki
ngTshepo:Am noti
nvol
vedi
nthatandI
woul
dliket
oleavenow.
KingTomel
o:Ialsodon’twanttobeinvol
v ed,
di
dy ouseehowpower f
ult
hequeeni s?Am not
ri
skingmyli
feforthi
s.[heandTshepost oodup
andwenttothedoorbutbef or
etheycouldstep
outTsekospoke.
KingTseko:Leav
ingwouldmeanki l
li
ngy ou
beforethi
sdayisoverandsendy ourheadsto
yourkingdoms.Ican’
thaveyougoingar ound
tel
li
ngpeopleofourplan.[t
hetwoki ngsnew
exactl
ywhatTsekowascapabl eofandt hey
werenotwi l
li
ngtofi
ndoutforthemselves,so
theywentbackinandt ookt
hei
rseat s.
Tseko:
Isayhedi
esi
naweek
Them:
Aweeki
tis.

Theycont i
nueddi scussingtheirplan.Onthe
othersideMapul ar equestedtoseet heManzini
peopleandt heywer ebroughttoherint he
guestchamber .Buttheyonlybr oughtking
Sbanisezweandhi squeenNkany ezi,t
heygotin
andtookt heirseats.
Mapul
a:Idon’
tseet
hepr
inceher
e.
QueenM:
Hisst
il
lrecov
eri
ngmybl
ossom
Mapul
a:Wel
lthi
sisnohospi
tal
Hisher
efora
r
easonandIwanthi
m her
e.
QueenM:
Iwi
l
lcal
laguar
dtogogethi
m.
Thequeenwentoutandi nstr
uct edt heguards
tobringNt si
ka.Inther oom wasTokel o,
Thabiso,Lebo, Thequeenoft hel andandt he
queenmot her
.Aswel l astheManzi niroyal
family.Theguar dsbroughtNt sikai nandas
soonashi sey eslandedonMapul ahewentt o
herandkneel eddownbef oreherandhugged
her.Thabisowasboi l
ingwi t
hangerbuthe
controll
edhimsel fashepr omi sedhi squeen.
Ntsi
ka:OhMpandey omuzikababa,Mpande
yesi
zwesoManzi ni
,ngi
kukhumbul i
l
e
Mamokoenawami [ohrootofmyf ather
’s
househol
d,rootoft
heManzi ni
clan,Imissed
myMamokoena]hesai dallthi
swhi l
estil
l
huggingher
.
Mapula:Ntsikarespectmyhusbandandmy
mother.[NtsikaPull
edoutoft hehugand
l
ookedatherbef oreget t
ingupandt aki
nghis
seat.Hewasst il
lswoll
enwi t
hbr ui
ses,t
he
doctorsai
dhehad3br okenri
bsandabr oken
nose.]
Mapul
a:Ntsi
kaIwil
lhearf
rom youf
ir
st,
what
doyouhav
et osayf
oryoursel
f?
Ntsika:Mpandey ami ngiyaxoli
saMamokoena
zangengi kwazi ukwamukel aukuthi
ngiphulukanenawe.Uy i
sbanesami , huwe
okhany i
saimpi l
oy ami ,ngisashonamanj e
ukuthingiyakuthandant okazi
.Ngi yazi ukuthi
ukhetheomuny ey i
lokhongi zobuy elaemuv a
ngikuyekeleujabulengobakumi nai njabulo
yakhoibakulekile.[Mpandey ami Iam sor ry
MamokoenaIdi dn’tknowhowt oacceptt hatI
l
osty ou,youar emyl i
ght ,
youl i
ghtupmyl ife,I
sti
llsaythatIlov eyoumyl ady.Iknowt haty ou
choseanot her,thatiswhyIam goi ngt otakea
stepbackandlety
oubehappybecauset
ome
yourhappi
nessisi
mpor
tant
.
Mapula:
Ifor
giv
eyouNtsi
kabuty
oudi dn’
tonl
y
wrongmebutmyhusbandaswellandIwould
l
ikeyoutoapol
ogi
zet
ohim.
Nt
sikal
ookedatThabi
soandshookhi
shead.
Ntsi
ka:Nkosanay amSot houqomi l
engempel a,
humuntulo,umnakekel ekodwasi y
intsi
zwa
l
anaandengekengi xoli
sengathi ngiqoma
i
ntombi.YobeMoTl oung.[Sothopr i
nce,you
chosewell
,thisistheone, youtreatherwellbut
wearemenher eandam notaboutt oapologize
l
ikeam courti
ngawoman.Apol ogies
MoTloung].
Thabi
so:Ihearyouevent
houghIdi
dn’
thear
hal
fofwhaty ousai
dbutyoudi
dlooksi
ncer
e
soIwil
ltakethat
.
Mapul
a:NowThatisov
erNtsi
kay
oudeserv
e
t
hepunishmenty
ougother
ebutthati
snot
whyIcalledy ou.Youwillgobackhomeand
takecareofy ourpeopleandyourki
ngdom.You
will
ret
urnt obeingthesony ourpar
entsrai
sed.
Youaref orgi
ven,unfor
tunatel
yIwon’thealy
ou
becauset hatpainwil
lserveasareminderof
yourwrongdoi ngs.
Nt
sika:
NgiyabongaMpandey
ami
[Thanky
ou
Mpandeyami]
Mapul
a:Andy
ou![poi
nti
ngatKi
ngSbani
].
..
.

St
ayt
uned.
..

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t64

BaKoenaKi
ngdom
Intheguestchambert heManzini royalfamilyis
i
nacor nerwor ri
edaboutwhatcoul dt heyhav e
donenow.Theki ngwasmosti rr
it
at edabout
thefactt hatamar echil
djustspoket ohimlike
shespeakst ooneofhermat es.Nt sikaont he
othersidecoul dn’twaittohearwhatMpande
hast osay .QueenMapul a’
smot hert hebig
heartedqueenwasnowf eeli
ngsor ryforthe
Manzi nipeoplebutsheknewbet t
ert hantosay
somet hing.Youseenoonecanst andagai nst
therainqueenasshei sabovealloft hem and
herwor di sfi
nal,sohermot herwasj ustthere
tosuppor therdaught erbutnottost and
againstherori nterfer
ewi t
hhermeet ingunless
askedt osaysomet hi
ng.

Mapul
a:Youki
ngSbani
sezwewhathav
eyou
comeheref
or?
KingSbani
:Ihav
ecomet oapol
ogi
zef
oral
lthat
hashappenedinthepast
.
Mapul
a:Apol
ogi
zet
owho?
Ki
ngSbani
:Toy
ouandt
hepr
ince.
Mapul
a:Okaygoahead
KingSbani
:Myprinceandpri
ncess,Iapol
ogi
ze
forwhathashappenedbackinmyki ngdom.
Youwer eunj
ustl
yaccusedandIdidn’tdo
anythi
ngtostopitandfort
hatIdeeply
apologi
ze.
Thabi
so:
Per
missi
ont
oSpeakmyqueen.
Mapul
a:Goaheadmydearpr
ince
Thabiso:Fi
rstshei
snotaprincessbutaqueen
andIwoul dli
keyoutoaddr
essherassuch.
Secondlyyourapol
ogysoundsfaketomeandI
can’
tacceptit.
Mapul a:Evenifyouwant edt
oacceptitmy
princeyoucoul dn’
t,
thesepeopl
ear e
disrespect
ful,
Iaskedt hem f
orspeci
fict
hings
tobr i
ngherewhent heycomebutt heycame
emptyhandedandont
opoft
het
hiski
ngst
il
l
thi
nksam st
upi
d.
Ki
ngSbani
:Thati
snotatal
ltr
uemyqueen.
Mapul a:Andthenheli
estomyf ace,your
i
ntentionsweretocomeher eandgiveanempty
apologyt henl
eaveandthi
ngswoul dgobackt
o
normal .Wellf
arf
rom i
tmydearpeopl eand
nowy ourpunishmenthasdoubled.
Ki
ngSbani
:Any
thi
ngmyqueenwewi
l
ldo.
Mapula:Thisismyfat
her’
sKingdom you
di
srespect
edandy ouwil
lhavetobri
ngabul l
andtwohor sestohi
m andapologi
zeforyour
di
srespect
inghim.
Ki
ngSbani
:Itshal
lbedonemyqueen.
Mapul
a:Fordisrespect
ingthequeenoft
his
l
andyouwill
br i
ngmeabl anketmadeof
l
eopar
dskinandIneedt hati
ntwodays.
Ki
ngSbani
:MyqueenIwi
l
lneedmor
eti
met
o
gett
hatasi
tisv
eryr
are.
Mapul
a:Di
dy out
aket
imesuppor
ti
ngy
ourson
i
nhismadness?
Ki
ngSbani
:Myqueen.
.
Mapula:Exactly!Twoday sandthat’
sit
.Forthe
pri
nceofbaTl oungy ouwill
bri
ngagol dand
whit
ecor onati
onr obeandaCheet ahcovert
hat
goeswithit.ForthebaTloungkingandqueen
youwill
br i
ngt hetwoelephant
sIaskedy outo
bri
nginthef i
rstplace.
Ki
ngSbani
:Itshal
lbedonemyqueen.
Mapula:Goodthismeeti
ngisadjournedand
youKingSbanibett
erl
ear
nsomer espectand
thenextti
mey ousetf
oothereyoubet terbe
humble.Nowgetoutofmypal aceandgoget
whatIaskedfor.
Ki
ngSbani
:Myqueen.
KingSbaniandhi sfamil
ylef
tt hethebaKoena
palaceandwentt othecapi
tal t
ost artthe
searchforwhati sneeded.Ntsikaof feredto
helphisfatherfi
ndsomeoft hethings
requestedbyt hequeen.QueenNkany eziwas
quietal
l t
histi
me, losti
nherthought st hi
nking
ofhowt heygother eandiftheywi l
l everbet he
sameagai n.

I
nthebaKoenat
hroner
oom:

Thekingsweresti
l
ldiscussi
ngt
hei
rplanon
howt ogetr
idofLerumoandhisar
roganceas
theysay.
Ki
ngTshepo:
Sohowar ewedoi
ngt
odot
his
wi
thoutt
hequeensknowl
edge.
KingTseko:
Ihavedeal
twit
hsuchbef
oreandal
l
weneedi sseawatermi
xedwit
hthesandfr
om
thesacredri
ver
KingTomel
o:Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odowi
th
those?
KingTseko:Justmixthem andcl
osethem upi
n
abottl
ebutt hatwi
llonl
ywor kf
or5daysbefor
e
thequeenort hegodscatchesonsowehav et
o
usethatti
me.
KingLehl
ohonol
o:PleaseTel
lmeagai
nwhywe
putourselv
esthroughthi
s?
KingTseko:Towipethethear
roganceoff
Lerumo’sfaceandtoshowothersthatwear
e
nottobemessedwi th.
KingLehl
ohonolo:
Idon’
tthi
nkyouneedt
hat
becausepeoplealr
eadyknowwhoyouare.
KingTseko:
Soy oumeanyoust
il
lwantt
o
remainthedoormatofot
herki
ngs?
Ki
ngLehl
ohonol
o:Noam j
ustsay
ing.
Ki
ngTseko:
Pleaseshutupbef
orey
our
uby
our
st
upi
dit
yoffonothers
Theot
herki
ngskeptqui
et.

BaTl
okwaKi
ngdom:

Tsietsiwasbusyupanddownor ganizingthings
forthev i
sitofthemai denhewast al
kingt oat
theceremony .Hest i
lldoesn’tknowhername
orwher eshei sfrom, allheknowsi st hathehas
developedf eeli
ngsf orherandhopeshef eels
sameway .Heaskedt hecheftocook
somet hingspecial andt hemaidenstopr epare
thediningar eaout si
def ort
hem.Heev ensenta
dri
vertogoandpi ckherup.Themai denar r
ived
andwasshownwher ethekingwas.
Tsi
etsi
:Gr
eet
ingsmyl
ady
.
Mai
den:
Greet
ingsmydearki
ng
Tsi
etsi
:Whydoy
ouseem bot
her
edwhati
s
wrong?
Mai
den:
Idon’
twantt
obot
hery
oumyki
ng
Tsi
etsi
:Youcannev
erbeabot
hert
omemy
l
adypleaset
alkt
ome.
Mai
den:
Canwesi
tpl
ease.
Tsi
etsi
:ofcourse,
thi
sway[hel
eadhert
othe
gar
denandt heysatont
hechai
rst
here.
Tsi
etsi
:Nowt
alkt
ome.
Mai
den:
It’
smymot
her
Tsi
etsi
:Whathappenedt
oyourmot
her
?
Mai
den:
That
’st
het
hingIdon’
tknow
Tsi
etsi
:Idon’
tfol
l
ow
Maiden:
Mykingmymot herandIarenotgood
peopl
eandaf
terIt
elly
out hi
sIli
ketogohome
andyouwon’
thavetoseemeagai n.
Tsi
etsi:Am notagoodpersonmy sel
fmylady,
am alsosti
lli
nthepathoftr
yingtochangeandI
won’tjudgeyoubecauseIam alsonotasai
nt.
Mai den:WellIwasseeingaprinceofsome
kingdom andwehadbeenseei ngeachotherf
or
years,Iknewt hathewasgoingtomar r
ya
princesswhent heti
mecomesbutwheni t
fi
nallydidIcouldn’
taccepti
t.SoIaskedmy
mot herforhelp
Tsi
etsi
:Whatki
ndofhel
p?
Maiden:
Well
motheri
sawitch[sai
dandlooked
downashamedandpl
ayedwithherfi
nger
s]
Tsi
etsi
:OkayIwasn’
texpect
ingt
hatbut
cont
inue.
Mai den:Wellshehel pedwitht
hatbutIusedthe
mut iformyownsel fi
shreasonswhicham not
goingt ogeti
ntorightnow.Butattheendt he
tr
uthcameoutl i
kei talwaysdoesandIwas
l
ockedupatt hatkingdom formonthsandt he
dayIsawy ouwast hedayIgotr el
eased.
Tsi
etsi
:Okaysowhati
sthepr
obl
em?
Mai
den:
WhenIgotbackhomeIwentl
ooki
ng
forherbutIcoul
dn’tfi
ndher,thehousel
ooked
l
ikeithasbeenabandonedf ormonthsandthe
neighbor
shav enotseem herinalongti
me.
Tsi
etsi
:Youthi
nksomet
hingmi
ghthav
e
happenedt
oher?
Mai
den:
YesButIdon’
tknowwhat
.
Tsi
etsi
:Tel
lmeabouty
our
sel
f.
Maiden:MynameisBoi
tumeloandIhav
etol
d
youallt
her
eistoknowaboutme.
Tsi
etsi:Howwoul
dyoul
i
kebei
ngt
hequeenof
thi
skingdom?
Boi
tumel
o:Iwoul
dgl
adl
ydecl
i
nemyki
ng
Tsi
etsi
:Whyi
sthat
?
Boi
tumel
o:Yourpeopledon’
tneedar
ott
en
womanastheirqueen.
Tsi
etsi
:Butt
heyhav
ear
ott
enki
ng
Boi
tumel
o:Idon’
tknowaboutt
hatmyki
ng
Tsi
etsi
:Iwi
l
ltel
lyoual
laboutmebutaf
ter
l
unch.

Theywentandsatonthet
abl
esetf
ort
hem and
themai
densservedt
hem.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t65

AWEEKLATER[
Theweddi
ngday
]

Twoday saft
erthemeet ingwiththeManzini
royal
sKi ngSbanibr
oughtal lt
hatthequeen
askedf or,
theonesf orherfat
herandf orher
.
Thent heywenttobaTl oungkingdom andgave
theelephantsaswel lastheprincesrobeand
cover.TodayisMapul aandThabi so’
swedding,
Mapul aspentthenightwi t
hKwezi atahoteli
n
thecapit
al.Theweddi
ngwast otakeplaceat
thecapit
althenof
ftobaKoenaforthebrides
tradi
ti
onalsendof
fbyherparent
st hentothe
baTlounghernewhome.
Mapula:
Am soner
vousaboutt
hisdayit
’sl
ike
somethi
ngisgoi
ngtohappenbutIcan’
tputmy
fi
ngeronit
.
Kwezi
:Ofcour
sesomethi
ngisgoi
ngt
ohappen,
youwi
llbeget
ti
ngmarr
ied.
Mapul
a:Notl
i
ket
hatmanKwezi
but
..
.
Kwezi:
Hayinof
ri
endam notl
ett
ingyoudothat
toyour
sel
fnott
odayandbesi
desifsomet
hing
badwasgoingt
ohappenyouwouldhaveseen
i
t.
Mapul
a:Iknowbutsomet
hingi
snotr
ight
.
Kwezi
:Okaythenl
etmecal
lNgwedi
[Kwezi
wentandcall
edNgwedi
whowasgetti
ng
dr
essedintheot
herr
oom]
Kwezi
:Ngwediy
ourqueensaysshef
eel
sli
ke
somet
hingbadi
sabouttohappendi
dyou
maybeseesomethi
ngorcanyousee
somet
hing?
Ngwedi
:NoIhav
en’tseenany
thi
ngandbesi
des
t
hequeenseest
hingswaybefor
eIdo.
Mapul
a:Butnotal
loft
hem pr
otect
or.
Ngwedi :
YesButthosethatIseefir
starethose
thatyoutur
nablindeyeonbecausey our
efuse
tobeli
evethatt
hepersonresponsiblecan
actual
lybecapableofwhateveract.
Mapula:OkayFi
ne,Maybei
t’
sjustt
hener
ves
abouttheweddi
ng,am l
eav
ingmyhomepeople
am al
lowedtogetner
vous.
Kwezi:Ofcauseyouare!Nowl
et’
sfi
nishupso
thatwedon’tkeepyourki
ngwai
ti
ng.

Theycont
inuedget
ti
ngdr
essed.Att
he
baTloungkingdom themoodwasaj oyousone,
peopleareatthepalacesingi
nganddanci ng.
Otherscookingfort
heguest sthataresoonto
arri
ve.Thekingandqueenar elookinggoodin
thei
rroyalatt
ir
es.Thabisoontheot herhandis
aner v
ouswr eck.
Lesego:Aiam sur
eeveny
ourqueeni
snotas
nervousasyouare.
Thabi
so:
Ican’
thel
pitmanam scar
ed.
Lesego:
Scar
edofwhat
?It
houghty
oul
ove
Mapula.
Thabiso:
ThatIdo,eventhoughIhav
en’
tsai
d
thosewordstoherbutIdo.
Lesego:
ThenWhatscar
esy
ou?
Thabi
so:Idon’
tknowman,am j
ustworri
ed
aboutbei
ngagoodhusbandtoher,
treather
ri
ghtandmakehersmil
eever
yday.
Lesego:
Fort
hemar
efactt
haty
ouar
ewor
ri
ed
aboutthosethingsmeansthatyouwilldo
ever
ythingi
ny ourpowertomakesur eshe
stay
shappyandwel l
takencareof.
Thabi
so:
ThanksmanIneededt
oheart
hat
.
Lesego:Whatar
ebestmanforhuh!Besi
desI
wil
lbether
etokicky
ouontherightpat
hwhen
yougoastray
.
Thabi
so:
Hahay
oucr
azyman.
Lesego:Imeani
tthough!Butany
wayl
et’
sget
going.
Thabi
so:
Yeahsur
e.

Att
hebaKoenaki
ngdom:

Tokelo,Leboandthekingaregett
ingready
.The
queenisalsogett
ingreadythemakeupar ti
sti
s
busywithhermakeupwhi l
etheguysare
cracki
ngjokesandlaughingtoget
her.
Tokel
o:Fat
herwearegoi
ngt
obel
atei
fyou
don’
tgetdr
essednow.
Ler
umo:
Am wai
ti
ngf
ormypant
s
Lebo:
Awu!Wher
ear
ethey
?
Lerumo:Itr
iedt
hem onyester
dayandthey
weretoolongsoIaskedthetai
lort
ofi
xthem
forme.
Tokel
o:Soishebr
ingingt
hem ordi
dyousend
someonetogogetthem?
Ler
umo:
Ithi
nky
ourmot
hersor
tedt
hatout
.
Lebo:Awunntat
e[f
ather]di
dyouseehowbusy
motherwas,
doy outhinksheremember
edto
dothat?
Lerumo:Idon’
tknowbutletmecal lherandfind
out.[Ler
umotookouthisphoneandcal ledthe
queenasshewasget t
ingdressedont heeast
wingofthepal
ace.Thequeenpi ckedupand
Lerumoaskedaboutthepantsbutt hequeen
f
orgott
osendsomeonet
opi
ckt
hem up]
Lebo:
Itol
dyoushef
orgot
Tokel
o:sendaguar
dtogopi
ckt
hem upwear
e
al
readyl
ate.
Lerumo:NoIwill
bemor edelayedifIdothatso
l
etmeputonmyshi r
t,t
ieandjacketthenIwil
l
got hepi
ckupthepantsgetdressedandleave
forthevenue
Tokel
o:Okayt
henFat
herwewi
l
lgo.
Lerumo:IfIdon’
tmakei tinti
memakesur ethat
myl i
ghtgetsmarri
edandbot hofyoushould
handherov erasherbrother
s.Pl
easetel
lherI
l
oveherandam sor ry
.
Lebo:
Hai
oldmandon’
ttal
kli
key
oudy
ing
Lerumo:ButIdoloveherandIlov
ey ouguys
tooandnomat terwhatpl
easeremainasyou
areandalsotakecareofyourmotherf
orme
Tokel
o:Nof
atherdon’
ttal
kli
key
ouwi
l
ldi
e
wher
eyougoi
ng.
Lerumo:
Am sorr
ysonbutIdon’
tsaythismuch
andwhentheti
mecomesImi ghtnotgeta
chancet
osoam tel
l
ingyounow
Lebo:Thankyouf
atherandwewi
l
ltakecar
eof
motherandthepr
incess.
Tokel
o:Butnotnowy
hooam al
readybankr
upt
.
Lebo:Whataboutme?Atri
ptoMal
divesi
snot
acentit
’smywholecompanynowIneedto
star
tfr
om scrat
chimagi
ne.
Tokel
o:Andanewhouseisal
sonotacentsoI
guesswebothhav
etostar
tfr
om scr
atch.
Lerumo:Okayboysyoubothst
art
ingf
rom
scrat
chbutfornowgooneusmustbet her
eto
handheroverandam goi
ngformypantsnow.
Them:
OkayFat
herseey
ousoon.

Theyal
lgotoutatt
hesamet
imewi
thLer
umo
goingtogethi spantsandt hetwinsgoingt o
gettheprincess.Lerumowentt othetailorgot
hispantsandwor ethem t her
et henmadehi s
wayt othev enuebutashewasdr i
vi
nghesawa
truckonther oadlayingoni tssideli
kei twas
i
nv ol
vedinanacci dent .Hestoppedandwentt o
checkwhathappened, hegotther ebutthere
wasnoonei nthetr
uckandwhenhet urned
backtocal lforpeoplet ohelpremov eitont he
road.Tsekoandhi st eam appear edfrom the
bushesint hesideoft heroad.
Ler
umo:Awubannai
sthaty
ourt
ruck,
arey
ou
al
ri
ght
?
Tseko:
Ther
ehegoesagai
nact
inghol
i
ert
hou
Tomelo:Thati
sonet
hingIal
way
shat
edabout
youLerumo.
Lehl
ohonol
o:I
t’
sapi
tyt
hati
tal
lendst
oday
Ler
umo:Lookwhatevery
ouwanttotal
kabout
wecandiscussaf
termydaught
ersweddi
ngnot
nowsoifyouwi
l
lexcusemeIhav
eadaught
er
tohandov
er.
Tseko:SeeWhatImean?Hedi
dn’
tev
eni
nvi
te
ustotheweddi
ng.
Tshepo:
Whatdidyouthi
nkwewer
egoi
ngt
odo
i
fyouhadinv
itedus?
Lehl
ohonol
o:Maybehet
houghtwewer
egoi
ng
toki
dnapthequeen.
Tomel
o:WellIhat
etodisappoi
ntbutthequeen
wasneveri
nourplansbutyouwere.
Tseko:Wel
lThatwasaft
eryour
eject
edour
sons,whot
hehelldoyouthi
nky
ouar et
orej
ect
myson?
Lerumo: TheFatherofthepr
incessy
ouwanted
asy ourdaught
erinlawandIhav eever
yri
ghtt
o
choosewhoshemar r
ies.
Tseko:Seearr
ogancey
etagai
n.OhLer
umoy
ou
don’
tlearndoyou?
Lerumo:Tsekowhenwi
llyouchange?Youhave
beenabullysi
ncewewerekidsandtothi
sday
yousti
llt
hesame.Whatexampledoy ousetf
or
yourson?
Tseko:Ther
ey ougoagai
nthi
nki
ngyouaret
he
besti
nev er
ythi
ng,Ler
umoyoucan’
ttel
lmehow
torai
semysonandhowt obearol
emodelt
o
him.
Lerumo:
May besobutonedayyouwil
lmeet
thesamefai
thPapimetifnotwor
se.
Tseko:Butnotbef
orey
oumeety
our
sdear
Lerumo.

Theyconti
nuedgoingbackandf or
th,
exchangi
ngwords.Atthehot
el Tokel
oand
Leboarri
vedtopi
ckupt hepr
incess.Theygoti
n
andwenttoherroom andknockedandKwezi
opened.
Kwezi
:Youguy
sdon’
twanty
oursi
stert
oget
mar
ri
edIsee.
Tokel
o:Justl
etusi
nKwezi
pleasey
ouwast
ing
ti
me.
Lebo:Andy
our
ightwedon’
twanthert
oget
marri
ed.
Kwezi
:OhLeboy
ouwi
l
lnev
erchange.
Shemov
edasi
deandl
ett
hem i
n.
Lebo:
Ohmypr
incess,
youl
ookbr
eat
htaki
ng
Tokel
o:Thabi
sowillbeweepi
ngl
i
keawoman
whenheseesy ou.
Mapula:Heyleavemyhusbandal
onewi
l
lyou!
WhereisFather?
Lebo:
It’
saf
unnyst
oryIt
ell
you.
Mapul
a:Whati
sit
?
Tokel
o:YourFat
herforgottopi
ckupHi
spant
s
sohehadtostartatt
het ai
l
ortopi
cki
tupand
comehere.
Mapul
a:Soar
ewewai
ti
ngf
orhi
m?
Lebo:
Noheinst
ruct
edustohandy
ouov
erand
tol
dustogi
veyouamessage
Mapul
a:Whati
sthemessage?
Tokel
o:Thathel
ovesy
ouandi
spr
oudofy
ou
Lebo:
Nodon’
tli
e!Hesai
dtellmyli
ghtIl
oveher
ver
ymuchandIwil
lseehersoon.
Kwezi;
Hahahaay
iLeboy
ousuchababyf
or
real
.
Tokel
o:Tel
lhi
m Kwezi
hisgr
owny
ethest
il
l
act
sthisway.
Mapula:l
eaveLeboal
oneyoutwoandy ou
Tokel
odon’tbeakett
lecal
l
ingthepotblacky
et
youbothsitont
hesamecoalfi
re.
Tokel
o:OkayLet
’sgo
Lebo:
hahani
ceone.
Kwezi
:Let
’sgoal
ready
.
Theywentoutanddrovetothevenue.Lebo
dri
vi
ngwithMapulaandtheguardsandTokel o
dri
vi
ngwithKwezi,
Ngwedi andtheguards.The
queenwenttothevenuewiththedr
iveras
pl
anned.

St
ayt
uned.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t66

ATTHEWEDDI
NG

Theguestsareal
readyseatedandwaiti
ngfor
thegroom t
ocomei n.Thabisoi
ssweati
ng
outsi
deandLesegoistryi
ngt ocal
m hi
m down
beforegoingintothechurch.KingLetsinot
ices
thathissonisnotcomi nginandhet oldhis
queent hathisgoi
ngtocheckonhi m.Hewent
outthev enuetothebackpar ki
nglotofthe
churchandsawLesegoandThabi sostandi
ng
nexttot hecar.Hewenttot hem.
Ki
ngLet
si:
Nowmustwewai
tfort
hebr
ideand
gr
oom?
Thabi
so:
Iam comi
ngFat
herIj
ustneeda
moment:
Ki
ngLet
si:
ForWhat
?
Thabi
so:
Justsomet
imet
opul
lmy
sel
ftoget
her
.
Lesego:
Hisscar
ed
KingLet
si:
hahahaIknowexact
lyhowyoufeel
andIwouldbeworri
edifyoudi
dn’tf
eel
thi
sway .
Thabi
so:
Didy
ouf
eel
thi
swayony
ourweddi
ng
day?
Ki
ngLet
si:
Wor
se!Iev
enat
tempt
edt
orunbut
yourgr andf athersawmeandspoket omeand
mademeunder standt hat .
..youknowl etme
quot ehisexactwor ds“ sonamani sallowedto
bescar edespeci all
yonhi sweddi ngday
becausef rom thatdayf or wardhewi llhavethe
responsi bil
ityoftakingcar eofanot herhuman
being,Awomanf ort hatmat t
erandwebot h
knowhowcompl i
cat edt hosecr eatur
escanbe
butal l
y ouhav etodoi slistentothem,
communi catewheny oudon’ tli
kesomet hi
ng,
nevergot obedangr yandest abli
shy ourplace
ast hemanoft hehouse”
Thabi
so:WOW wi
sewor
dsandIf
eel
somuch
bet
ternow.
Lesego:
Makesmewantt
ogetmar
ri
ednow.
KingLet
si:
Boany
aLesego!
![y
ourcr
azi
ness
Lesego]
Nowgoi
nther
eandbr
ingusourqueen.
Thabi
so:
Rightbehi
ndy
ouFat
her
.
Lesegof ixedhistiethenst oodther etalkingfor
afewmi nutesunt i
ltheysawt hecart hatthe
queenwasi nandt heymadet heirwayi nside
thechur ch.Thequeen, hermai dofhonor ,her
protectorandbr othersarri
vedatt hechur ch,
parkedandNgwedi wenti nsi
detot akeherseat .
Asongst artedandKwezi walkedi n,Lesego
couldn’tstopsmi l
inglookingathowbeaut if
ul
hisblackbeaut yis.Thesongchangedand
everyonest oodupt owel comet hebr i
de.Bot h
door swer eopenedandt hequeenandher
brothersappear edoneoneachsi dewear ing
mat chi
ngsui t
s.

Theystart
edwal ki
ngsl
owlytowardst healter
whereThabisowasstanding,hecouldn’t
bel
ievethatthemostbeautif
ulandpower f
ul
womani nLeSothowasgoi ngtobehiswi f
e,hi
s
bett
erhalfandthemotherofhischil
dr en.Atear
escapeshisey eandhequi cklywipesi toffso
thatpeopledon’tseebutitwast ool atetheduo
alr
eadysawandt heygaveeachot herlooksand
smiled.ThequeenMapul a’smot herst oodup
atshokamodi di
etsaneomonat e[hululi
lati
ng
beautif
ull
y]l
ikeapr oudmot herwoul d.She
stoodinfrontofherchil
drenandhul ul
ilat
ed.
QueenM: Boafelaotlafolangwanakaot abol
e
fel
amamaot lar
oka[ t
alkandy ouwi l
lfeelbett
er
mychi l
d, t
ierandy ourmot herwi l
lsew]t hese
arewor dsofencour agementar esaidatev ents
suchast heseordur ingdithokowheny oung
mencomebackf rom initi
ation.Shesai dthose
wordst henmov edasi deandt hequeenand
brother
scont inuedt owal kunt ilt
heyreached
Thabiso.KingLet sihasapr oudsmi leonhi s
faceandhi squeenwasj usti ntears.
Thepast
orcal
l
edforor
dersot
hathecanst
art
wit
hthecer
emony
.
Pastor:
Dearlybel
oved,wearegather
edhere
todaytojoi
nthismanandt hiswomaninhol
y
mat r
imony.Befor
ewepr oceedIwoul
dliket
o
knowwhogi vesthiswomant othi
sman?
Tokel
o&Lebo:
Wedo!
Past
or:
Whogi
vest
hismant
othi
swoman?
Ki
ngLet
si&queen:
Wedo!
Past
or:Thankyou.NowIwi l
laskt
hebothof
you,
areyouhereony ourownaccordwi
thno
onefor
cingyou?
Mapul
a&Thabi
so:
Wear
e!
Pastor:Thanky ou.NowIwi l
lnotwastetoo
muchofy ourtime.Thesear etheonlywor dsI
am goingt ogivey ou,aweddingonlylastsone
dayinfactonl yaf ewmi nut
esandt herestof
thedayi sjustcelebrat
ionswithfamil
yand
fri
ends.Butamar riageisali
feti
me, nowt hatis
l
ongandi tisbetweent hetwoofy ou.Nof amily
orfri
endsar eev erincl
udedinamar ri
age, yes
youcanhav ey ourf ri
ends, yesyoucanv isi
ty our
famili
esbutt heymustnev erhearoft hethings
concerningy ourmar riage.Asy oucanseeher e
thatit
’sonlyt het woofy oustandingher ewi th
menoty ourfr i
endsanddef i
nit
elynoty our
famili
es.Thewor dofGodsay sthatamanwi ll
l
eav ehisfather ’
shouseandgobui ldhisown,
takeawi feandbui l
dahome.Sopar ent
sdon’ t
pesteryourchi ldrenr emembert heyhav etheir
ownf ami l
i
esj ustl i
key oudi dwheny ougot
mar r
iedandchi ldrendon’ tpesteryourpar ents
withyourpr oblemsl ear nt osolvethem ony our
ownwi thoutt het hir
dper son.Communi cate
witheachot her ,tr
usteachot herandl eanon
eachot her.NowIwi l
l giveov ertothebr ideto
sayherv ows.

Mapula:Thabi
sotodayIt akey
outobemybest
fr
iend,
myf ai
thfulpart
nerandmyonet r
uelove.
Ipromisetoencourageyouandinspi
reyouand
toloveyout r
ulyt
hroughgoodt i
mesandbad.I
willf
oreverbether
et ol
aughwi t
hyou,l
ifty
ou
upwheny ouaredownandt oloveyou
uncondit
ionall
ythr
oughallouradvent
uresinl
i
fe
together
.

Ipromi setoloveyouwithoutconditi
ons,to
honory oueachandev eryday ,
tolaughwithyou
wheny ouarehappy,tosupportyouwheny ou
aresad, toguideyouwheny ouaskf or
di
rections,tochall
engeyout obeabet ter
personandal lowyoutodot hesamef orme.To
bey ourbiggestfanandy oureverl
ist
ening
audience.

Ichooseyoutobenoot hert
hanyour
self
,lovi
ng
whatIknowofy ouandt r
ust
ingwhoyouwi l
l
become.Iwil
lrespectandhonory
oualwaysin
all
way sit
akeyout obemyhusband,t
ohav e
andt
ohold, i
ntearsandinl
aught
er,i
nsickness
andi
nhealth.Toloveandtocher
ishfr
om this
dayf
orwardandt othenext
.Il
oveyou

Pastor
:WOW thati
sbeautif
ulmyqueen..
.wel
l
younotminebuthissoIapologi
ze[hej
oked
andthepeopl
elaughed]nowThabisoi
t’
syour
tur
n.

Thabi
so:MyQueen,
Idon’thavemuchwordst
o
saybutIhopey
ouwill
takewhatIgi
veyouasI
am notamanofmanywor ds.
Im inawet hatIgettomar r
yyou, Becausein
thi
smi racleplanet,i
ntheimmeasur able
expanseoft hecosmos, i
nallofthewor l
d,
amongt hebi l
l
ionsofpeople,t
hroughouttime,
somehowwef oundeachother,andinthetime
thatIhav etospendi nthi
swor l
d,Ifeelsuch
grati
tudef orthegif
tthatyouhav ebeenmy
par
tnerandt
haty
ouwi
l
lbemywi
fe.

Forall t
heday sofmyl if
e,todayIaf fi
rm mylove
foryouandhowt osharemyl i
fewi t
hy oui
n
everythi
ng.Tor espectandl ovey ou.Youarethe
mostgor geouspersonIhav eev erknown.Kind,
honestandbeaut i
ful
.Itakey outobemywi fe,
tohav eandt ohold.Insicknessandi nhealt
h,
ti
lldeathdouspar t
.Iloveyou.

Pastor:
Beaut
if
ulvowsindeedandi nfacty
ou
bothrememberthesewor dsforther
estofyour
l
ives.Nowtheri
ngs.[LesegoandKwezi gave
theri
ngandthepastorblessedthem]

Pastor
:Thabisotaketheri
ngandrepeataf
ter
measy ouputitinherfi
nger[Thabi
sotookthe
ri
ng]wit
hthisri
ngItheewed.
Thabi
so:
Witht
hisri
ngIt
heewed[hesl
i
pped
theri
ngi
nherf
inger
]
Pastor:
NowMapulataketheringandrepeat
afterme[sheal
sot
ookthering]wit
hthisri
ngI
theewed.
Mapul
a:Wi
ththi
sringIt
heewed[shesl
i
pped
t
heri
ngonhisfi
nger]
Pastor
:Wit
hthepowerv est
edinmebyGod,
stat
eandthi
schurchIpronouncey
ouhusband
andwifey
oumayki ssthebri
de.

Thabi sowentcloserandcoopedherf aceand

kissedher .Thi
swast hei
rfi
rstki
ssandi twas
magi calforbothofthem.Thepeopleclapped
handsandt hewomenhul ul
il
ated.Theywalked
out,wentt otakepict
uresandwentt othe
recept i
onarea.
Stayt
unedandpl
easedon’
tfor
gett
oli
ke,
shar
e
andcomment.

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t67

Ler
umo

Somewher eont heroadbet weenbaKoenaand

themai nroadtothecapitalLerumoi sst i
l
l
exchangingwordswi t
hTsekoandhi steam.He
i
si rr
itat
edbecausebyt helookoft i
mehehas
alr
eadymi ssedhisdaughter’sweddi ngandnow
hishopingtoatleastcatchther ecepti
onand
giveherdaughterwordsofwi sdom thatonlya
fathercangivehisdaughteronherweddi ngday.
Butt hebull
yTsekoandhi sgoonsdon’ tseem t
o
car
eaboutt
hatatal
l
.
Ler
umo: MyKingsIwil
lhavetoleaveyounow
asIsai
dbeforemydaughterisgett
ingmarri
ed
andIhaveal
readymissedtheceremony.
Tseko:Yousayt
hatl
i
kewecare,
wel
li
ncase
youdidn’
tknowwedon’
tcar
e.
Lerumo:WellIdoandnowam l eavi
ng[he
tur
nedandwal kedtohi
scarbutbef or
ehe
couldopenarockf l
ewri
ghtov erhisarm and
l
andedont hewindowbreakingi ti
ntopieces.A
shockedLerumot ur
nedtolookbehi ndhim and
theguardhewaswi thwasalreadyoutoft he
carandbyhisside.]
Ler
umo:
Whati
sthemeani
ngoft
his?
Tomel
o:Whatdoesi
tlookl
i
ke?
Lerumo:Itl
ooksl
i
keoldmenact
ingl
ike
chi
ldren,
whatisi
tyouhopet
oachi
evebydoi
ng
thi
s?
Lehlohonol
o:Di
dn’
tyouhearust
ell
i
ngy
out
hat
todayyoumeetyourmaker?
Ler
umo:
Andy
ouar
etheonet
oshowme?
Tseko:Am t
iredofthi
s..
.[Het
ookhisgunand
andshotLerumo’sguardonthefor
ehead
shutt
eri
nghisbrai
ns]nowmov e?
Ler
umo:TsekoWhathasgot
teni
ntoyou?Thi
s
i
ssomeone’schi
l
dandhehadnothi
ngtodo
wit
hthi
s.
Tseko:Wel
lhi
sbl
oodi
nony
ourhandsnow
mov e.
Ler
umo:
But
..
.
Tseko:
Nomor
ewor
dsf
rom y
ou.MOVE!
!!

Lerumowal kedwi
thTomeloleadi
ngtheway
i
nsidethebushes,al
lthewaytothemiddl
eof
somef i
eld.Thepl
acewasquietanditl
ooked
l
ikeitwasabandonedbytheowner.
Tomel o:Let’
st akeitbacktooury outhday s
Lerumo, forwardmet hehonorofhav i
ngt hi
s
l
astst i
ckf i
ghtwi t
hy ou.Don’twor ryIbrought
youy ourownst i
ck..
.(hesmi les)youseehow
generousIam? ..
.wecoul dhav ebeengood
fr
iendsbuty oudidn’tseethebi ggerpictur
e.
Lerumo:St
opwast
ingt
imet
alki
ngandgi
veme
thesti
ck
Tomelo:
Ver
ywellt
hen[het
hrewt
hest
ickt
o
hi
m andhecat
chesit
]
Tseko:Showhim howi
t’
sdoneTomelo, Ler
umo
hasalwaysbeenadaddy’
sboyalwaysgluedto
hi
shipandnev erdi
dwhatot
herboysdid.
Tomelo:Thenthi
sisgoingtobeeasy[hedr ew
hi
sstickandwrappedhisshirtar
oundhishand
ti
edthehandtogetherwit
hthestick.Ler
umo
drewhisandhelditl
ikepro]
Lehlohonol
o:Haimi
hlol
o!Ler
umootseba
hotsoarakot
o?[hai
mi r
acl
es!Ler
umoknows
howt
ohol
dast
ick?
]
Tseko:
Daddymusthav
etaughthi
m.

Lerumodi dn’tsayawor dinsteadhestart

ed
hitt
ingTomel orightunderhisarm hi
tt
inghisr
ib
cage, Tomel omov edbackal i
tt
leandcame
backandhi tLerumoont hehip.Thenthefi
ght
started..
.afterawhi l
ef i
ght
ingTsekocouldsee
thatTomel owasget t
ingabeatingofhisl
if
ehe
broket hef i
ght.
Tseko:THATSENOUGH! !
!!
!(heshoutedand
theystoppedwithTomelobreat
hingheavyand
bleedi
ngrightontopofhi
sey e)
Tseko:
Tshepodoy
ouwantt
ofi
ghthi
m?
Tshep:
NoIj
ustwantt
owat
cht
heshow.
Lehl
ohonol
o:Iwanthimtofi
ghtmeandseei
f
hecanfi
ghtaprofessi
onal
.
Tseko:
Ver
ywel
lthen.Thef
loori
syour
s.
Lehlohonolowasapr ofessional wrestl
erback
i
nt hedayandLer umoknewt hat .Heknewt hat
hewasaboutt ogetbeat enbuthehadno
choicebutt of
ight.Tsekot her ef ereehadhi s
guni nhandpointi
ngatLer umo’ sdi rect
ion.The
fi
ghtbet weenLerumoandl ehlohonol ostarted,
theyfoughtandLer umowasf ight i
ngwel lbut
l
ehlohonol owasapr ofessional andheknew
exactlywherethev i
talorgansar eandwhenhe
managedt ohi
thim.Hewoul dl eav ehim with
excruciat
ingpainthatrender edhi m powerless.

Backatt
her
ecept
ion:

MapulaandThabisower ejustcomingback
fr
om takingpi
ctur
esbutMapul awasnothersel
f,
somethingwasweighingheav yonherhear
tbut
nothi
ngwasbei ngrev
ealed.Shetri
ed
contact
ingNy ol
odit
hroughhermindjustl
i
ke
shewast aughtbutshecoul
dn’tr
eachher.
Thabisocouldseethathi
squeenwasnot
hersel
f.
Thabi
so:
MyQueenWhatseemst
obet
he
probl
em?
Mapul
a:Idon’
tknowmypr
incebutsomet
hing
i
snotri
ghtsomewher
e.
Thabi
so:Howdoy
oumean,
doy
ousee
somethi
ng?
Mapul
a:Thatst
hething,
Idon’
tseeany
thi
ngbut
somet
hingiswei
ghingheavyonmyheart
.
Thabiso:
Let’sgetinsi
deandl
i
stent
othe
speechesthendisappear
.
Mapula:
NoIdon’
twantt
odi
sappoi
ntour
guest
s.
Thabi
so:Buty
oudon’tfeel
wellmyQueen
pl
easeletmetakecar
eofy oul
i
keIpromi
sed.
Mapul
a:Okayt
hen

Theygotoutoft hecarandmadet heirwayt o

therecept i
onv enue.Peoplewerehappysi nging
anddanci ng,themoodwasaj oyousonef or
everyonepr esent.Mapul awassear chingf orher
fatherwithherey esast heywalkedt ot het able
reservedf ort
hem butshecoul dn’tseehi m as
therewer emanypeopl eintheroom.Theygot
tothet ableandt ooktheirseat
sandassoonas
Mapul asetsheconnect edwithNgwedi who
wasnotf arfr
om her .Readinghermi ndand
tal
kingt oher.

‘
Ngwedi didy ouseemyf at
herwhenwewal ked
i
n? ’
SheaskedAndNgwedi ’sey ewonder ed
aroundlookingforLerumobutcoul dn’
tseehi m.
‘
NomyqueenandIst ill
don’tseehim’ she
answered.‘Doy ousti
l
l f
eelhispresenceinthis
world?
’ Sheasked‘yesmyqueen,hishearti
s
sti
ll
beat i
nganditisstr
ong’sheanswered.
‘
Lookf orTokel
oorLeboandcal loneofthem
forme’ Sheasked.‘
Rightawaymyqueen’

Ngwedi st
oodupandwentt olookforthe
brot
hers.ShesawTokel ocosywithReneilwe
andshedeci dednottodist
urbandwentt ofind
Leboandf oundhim gi
vi
ngt hecater
ingstaff
i
nstruct
ions.
Ngwedi
:Lebot
hequeeni
slooki
ngf
ory
ou.
Lebo:Yourqueenhasahusbandnowwhat
doesshewantf r
om us?
Ngwedi
:Thatsoundsl
i
kej
eal
ousyt
ome
Lebo:
Ofcour
sei
tis,
thatmant
ookmypr
incess
fr
om me.
Ngwedi:OhGod!pleasej
ustcomet
hequeen
doesn’
tlookwel
l.
Lebo:Youshoul dhavesaidsoint
hefi
rstpl
ace
[Lebor ushesinsi
debutwhenhesawpeople
seati
ngi nsloweddownsoast onotal
armthe
people.Hegott oMapulaandhelower
edhis
headsot hatshecanwhi speri
nhi
sear.
]
Mapul
a:Lebowher
eisFat
her
?
Lebo:
Idon’
tknow,
Ihav
en’
tseenhi
myet
.
Mapula:
Pleasecall
him orcal
lhi
sguar
dtof
ind
outwheretheyar
e.
Lebo:
OkayIwi
l
ldot
hatnow
Mapul
a:Butpl
easedon’
ttel
lmot
herany
thi
ng.
Lebo:
OkayIwil
ltr
yandav oi
dherbecausey
ou
knowifam i
nfr
ontofherIcan’
tli
e.
Mapul
a:Justkeepawayf
rom her
.
Lebo:
Okay
,letmego.

Lebowentoutandcal
l
edLer
umo’
sguar
das
soonashegotoutsi
debuti
tranganswered,he
thencal
ledLer
umoandthesamething
happened.Hecal
l
edTokel
oandhepi ckedup.
Tokel
o:Lebogetawomanpl
easey
hoo
Lebo:
Comet
othef
rontdoornowandcome
al
one.
Tokel
o:What
’sup?
Lebo:
NowTokel
o!(shout
ed)
Tokel
o:Okaynoneedt
obi
temyheadof
f.
Tokel
oexcusehimselff
rom Reneil
weandwent
tomeetupwithLebo.Hefoundhim st
andi
ngby
thefr
ontent
rancel
ookingmiserabl
e.
Tokel
o:Whodi
ed?
Lebo:
Don’
tjokel
i
ket
hatman
Tokel
o:OkayWhati
sit
?
Lebo:
Fatheri
snother
eyetandhi
sphoner
ings
tovoi
cemail
.
Tokel
o:Andt
heguar
d?
Lebo:
Same
Tokel
o:Okayl
etmegetRenei
l
we
Lebo:
ForWhat
?
Tokel
o:Shet
hecl
osesthackerwehav
e
Lebo:
Yeahy
our
ight
,if
orgot
.

Tokelowenttofi
ndRenei
l
we.Backatt
hefi
eld
Lerumowasi npai
nandTsekowasenj
oyi
ng
everyminut
eofit.
Tseko:
Let
’sf
ini
sht
hisbef
oresomeonecomes.
Tomel
o:Howwi
l
ltheyknow?
Tseko:
Youcanbest upi
dsometimes!Wel
efta
bodyontheroadandacarregi
ster
edtoaki
ng
remember?
Tomel
o:Ohy
es,
Iwasenj
oyi
ngt
his.
Tseko:
Lehl
ohonol
othat
’senoughl
et’
sendt
his.
[l
ehlohonol
ostoppedbeat
ingLer
umoand
walkedovert
ohisfri
ends]
Tseko:Far
ewellLer
umoAndI fyouseefat
her
whereyougoingtel
lhi
m hi
slegacyli
vesonand
i
tshall
continueto.
Lerumo:(helookedupandspoke)godsofmy
l
and, i
fam toleavet hisworldtodayplease
grantmeonel astthingasy ourrepr
esentati
ve
andkingofbaKoena.Donotshowmyl ight
whathappenedher e, donotl etherseethe
eventsofthi
sdayandl etmewi thyourhelpbe
theonetopuni shthem.Gr antmemywi sh
baKoena,Iservedy ouwel landnowam aski ng
yougrantmeonl ythi sonewi sh.
Tseko:Haiyout alktoomuchy hoo!!
(heshot
hi
mt wot i
mes, oneshotont heforeheadand
oneont hechest.Ler umowentdownandhi s
bodycolli
dedwi ththeground.Hetookhislast
breat
handl etgo.Tsekowentt ohim and
checkedhispulset omakesur ethathi
sdead.
Tseko:
It
’sdonel
et’
sgetoutofher
e

Theylefthi
mt heregoi
ngtothecarbutt
hen
heavyrainst
artedpour
ingoutofnowhere.
Tshepo:
Nowourdoom st
art
s
Tomel
o:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Tshepo:
Thi
srai
ncanonl
ymeanonet
hing
Lehl
ohonol
o:AndThati
s?
Tshepo:Thatourl
i
v eswil
lsli
pthr
oughour
handsli
kewaterandev er
ythi
ngweownshall
peri
sh.Wehav ewrongedthegodsdear
ly.
Tseko:Youandsuper
sti
ti
ons!Thi
sisnotmy
fi
rstr
odeosoam good.
Tomel
o:YouMay
beButnotus.
Tseko:
Youshutup!

Theywer
enowi
nthecardr
ivi
ngbackt
othei
r
kingdomsbutther
ainmixedwi
thfogmadeit
i
mpossi bl
etoseet
heroadaheadasaresul
t
theyhadtodri
vesl
owwithheadl
ight
son.

St
ayt
uned.
..

Apol
ogi
esf
ort
heer
ror
sifanyIdi
dn’
tedi
tthi
s
i
nser
t.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t68

Att
hev
enue

Tokel
owentinsidet
hevenueandsearchedfor
Renei
lwe.Hefoundherandaskedift
heycould
tal
koutsi
de,t
heyfol
lowedeachothert
othe
doorandt
heyf
oundLebowai
ti
ngout
side.
Renei
l
we:
What
’sgoi
ngon?
Tokel
o:St
il
lNot
hing?
Lebo:
NomanandIhavebeent
ryi
ng.Nowt
hey
gostr
aightt
ovoi
cemai
l
.
Renei
l
we:
Guy
sWhati
sgoi
ngon?
Tokel
o:Wecan’tr
eachf
atherandwear
e
worri
edabouthi
m.
Lebo:
Weneedy
ourhel
ptr
acki
nghi
svehi
cle
andphone.
Renei
l
we:
Ist
her
eapr
ivat
espacewecanuse?
Lebo:
Mapul
a’
shot
elr
oom i
sempt
y
Tokel
o:Gett
hekeyf
rom Ngwedi
.
Lebo:
Sur
e.

Lebogoti
nsi
deandfoundNgwedi
.Askedfora
keyandwentout
,hemetupwit
hTokeloand
Reneilweandtheydrovetot hehotelwhere
Reneilwesepupherst uf
f.Sheaskedf orthe
kingsregi
str
ationandphonenumber ,theygave
i
tt oherandshest ar
teddoinghert hi
ng.Inno
l
esst han5mi nutesshefoundal ocati
onoft he
vehicl
e.
Renei
l
we:
Foundi
t!
Tokel
o:Wher
e?
Reneil
we:Looksl
ikethehi
ghwaybet
ween
baKoenaandtheroadjoi
ningt
heshor
tcut
rout
etothecapit
al.
Lebo:
Ishemov
ing?
Renei
lwe:
Thecarseemstobestandi
nginone
pl
aceandthephoneal
sopingsonthesame
spot.
Lebo:
Am goi
ngt
oseewhatt
hepr
obl
em i
s.
Tokel
o:Am comi
ngwi
thy
ou.
Renei
l
we:
Imi
ghtaswel
lgowi
thsi
nceam
al
readyher
e.
Tokel
o:Whataboutt
hepr
incess,
thespeeches
andthepeopl
e?
Lebo:Thepri
ncessi
stheonewhoaskedmeto
l
ookintothi
ssoam sureshewi
ll
dosomethi
ng.
Tokel
o:Let
’sgot
hen.

Theyr ushedoutt othecaranddr ov etowher e

thecarwas.Att herecepti
onMapul aisfeeli
ng
l
ightheadedandThabi sonoti
cest hatshei snot
wellandhewhi sper
si nt
oherear st el
l
inghert o
getupsot hattheycangoout sidet ogetfresh
air
.Mapul anoddedandThabi sot ol dtheMC
thattheywi l
lbebackandt heyl eav e.Ngwedi
wasbehi ndthem asshealsof eltlike
somet hingbadhashappened.

Theygot
othebackoft
hev
enuewher
ether
e
wasar oom reservedf ort
hem t ochangei n.
Theygoti nandMapul asetont hebedand
Ngwedi nexttoherwhi leThabisosquat sin
fr
ontofherhol di
ngherhands.Mapul agotdizzy
andheldont oThabiso’shandandav isi
on
camet hroughandi twasherf ather.Itwasli
ke
hewasr ightther
eint heroom wi t
ht hem but
onlysheandNgwedi canseehi m ast heywere
bothoutofi t
.

Ler
umo:Myl
ight(hesay
ssmi
l
ingatherand
shesmi
l
esback)
Mapul
a:Daddyy
oumi
ssedmyweddi
ng
Ler
umo:
Iknowpr
incesst
hati
swhyam her
e.
Mapul
a:Whati
sitFat
herwhyam Iseei
ngy
ou
t
hisway?
Ler
umo:
Let
’sst
artwi
thwhatIcamet
otel
lyou.
Mapul
a:OkayDaddyWhati
shappeni
ng.
Lerumo:Myl i
ghtAm sorryIcouldn’tatt
endyour
ceremony,Iwantedt obetherebutf ai
thhadit
’s
ownplan.Myl i
ghty ouaretheonlyonewhocan
seeandcommuni catewithmet ogetherwit
h
yourpr
otector.
Mapul
a:Fat
herpl
easedon’
ttel
lmewhatIt
hink
youar
eabouttot
ellme.
Lerumo: Deepdownyoualreadyknowmyheart
butwhatIwanty outodoisletmef i
ghtt
his
battl
eonmyownandIwanty outoonlyf
ocus
ony ourhusbandanddaughter.
Mapul
a:Fat
herIdon’
thav
eadaught
er.
Ler
umo:Butyouwil
lhaveonesoonPlease
nameherKeabet
swebecausesheismygiftto
youandshewil
lbespeci
alj
ustl
ikehermother
.
Mapul a:Iholdnoknowledgeofwhaty ouspeak
offatherbutwhatIdoknowi sthatIwon’
trest
ti
l
lIfindt hosewhodidthis.[
shewasnow
cryi
ngasi tsunki
nthatherfatheri
snomor e.
]
Lerumo:It
oldyouIwi
llf
ightt
hisonmyownal lI
wantyoutodoisnotcr
yasy ourt
earswil
lonl
y
bri
ngalotofharmtoboththeki
ngdom and
yourpeopl
e.
Mapul
a:Theyar
eyour
stoopapa!Pleaset
ell
me
whodi
dthis?Whatwi
l
lItel
lmothernow?
Lerumo:Don’twor r
yshe’
sst r
ongerthanyou
thi
nkbutLeboandTokel oar enotst
rong
enough.Pleaselookaft
erthem especial
l
ynow
thatTokeloisgoingtobekingandLebot he
Chiefoftheland.
Mapul
a:Iwi
l
lFat
her
.
Lerumo:Bestrongmyl i
ghtl
ikethequeent hat
youareandt r
ustmet odealwiththose
responsi
bleaccor
dingl
y.[hedisappeared]

Thabisohasbeenli
steni
ngt
ohisqueental
kt o
afatherhecoul
dn’
tseebuthefel
tastrong
presencei
ntheroom.Mapulaopenedhereyes
andl
ookedatThabi
sowi
tht
ear
yey
es.
Mapul
a:Hi
sgoneThabi
somyf
atheri
sgone.
Thabiso:Iknowmyqueen, Iheardal
lyousaid
andam sor r
y.(hepull
edhertohischestand
huggedhert i
ghtl
yandshesni f
fsonhischest.
Shecr i
esawhi l
ethenbrokethehugsandwi ped
hertears)
Mapula:
Fat
hersaidIshoul
dn’
tcr
y(shesay
s
wi
pingherf
aveclean)
Thabiso:Iunderst
andmyqueenbutwheny ou
areinfrontofyourpeoplenotwheny ouwith
yourhusband.Usemeatt heset r
yingtimesmy
queen,leanonmesweet heart,
trustthatIwil
l
holdyout i
ghtandnotletgoandt rustt
hatIwill
carr
yy ouandnotletyouf al
l.Youar ehisli
ght
andthatiswhyhecamet oyouf i
rstandhe
knowst hatyouarestrongerthany oucanev er
i
magi ne.
Mapul
a:OhIl
ovey
ou.
..
sni
ff
s..
.t
hanksmy
strengthforbeingher
ewi t
handf orme.Iknow
thi
si snottheidealwaytostar
tourl i
ves
togetherbutIalsoseeitasablessing.
Thabi
so:
Howdoy
oumeanmyl
ove?
Mapul
a:Fat
hersai
dwewill
haveadaught
erand
weshoul
dnameherKeabetwe.
Thabi
so:
Wel l
Icantwai
ttomeether
.(They
bothsmi
le)
Mapula:Am wor
ri
edaboutmot
herandmy
br
others.
Thabiso:Theywi
l
lbefi
nemydear
,wi
thy
ouby
thei
rsidetheywi
l
lmakeit
.
Mapul
a:Ihopeso.
..l
et’
sgoback.
Thabiso:Nowear enotgoi
ngback...
Ngwedi
pleasetellt
heMCt oinf
ormthepeoplethatwe
hav el
eftandtheyshoul
denjoytherestoft
he
celebr
ations.Youwil
lmeetusinthecar.
Ngwedi
:Ri
ghtawaymyki
ng.
Tokel
o,LeboandRenei l
wearr
ivedtowheret
he
carwasparked.Theygotoutbutastheymoved
cl
osertothecartheyfel
tweaklikeener
gywas
bei
ngdrainedoutofthem.
Lebo:
Lookatt
hewi
ndow
Tokel
o:Nolook(pointi
ngatt hemanlayi
ngon
thegr
ound.Theycoul
dn’tseeproper
lywhoit
wasastheystoodabitfarfr
om thecar)
Renei
lwe:Guy
sgocheckwhoi ti
s.(t
heymoved
cl
oserandsawt hei
rfat
her’
sguardwit
habull
et
hol
eonhisforeheadwithdrybl
oodallar
ound
hi
m.
Tokel
o:Renei
lwecall
thepol
ice(shedi
dn’
task
quest
ionsandcal
ledthepol
i
ce)
Lebo:
IfHi
sher
ethenwher
eisFat
her
?
Tokel
o:Let
’ssear
cht
hebushes.
TheyaskedReneilwet ostayinthecar,l
ockt he
doorsandwaitforthepolicewhiletheysear ch
thebushes.Theywenti nandsear chedthe
bushesbuttheycouldn’tfi
ndany t
hing.After
sometimeReneilwecalledsayingthepolice
havearri
vedandt heywalkedbackt other oad
andfoundthepoliceinvesti
gati
ngt hecarand
thebody.
Pol
ice:
Gooddaymypri
nce,
Iam det
ecti
ve
Ramatl
odiandt
hesear
emycol
leagues.
Tokel
o:Iwi
shIcansayi
t’
sapl
easur
ebuti
t’
s
not.
Ramatl
odi
:Iunderst
andmypr
ince.Mi
ndt
ell
i
ng
uswhathappenedhere?
Lebo:Howar ewesupposedt oknowwhenwe
gothere,
foundthisandcall
edyou(hispi
ssed
andit
’sevidenti
nhisfaci
alexpr
essi
on)
Ramatlodi
:Am sor
ryagai
nbutwewanttoknow
sothatwecanknowwhatt henextst
epwi
ll
be.
Lebo:
Youwantust
odoy
ourj
obs?
Tokelo:Idon’
thav
eti
mef
ort
hisIhav
etof
ind
myf ather
.
Ramat
lodi
:Okayl
et’
ssear
cht
hebushes,
Iwi
l
l
cal
lmorementocomeandhel
pus.

Ramat lodicall
edformor eof f
icer stocomet o
thesceneandassi stt hem.Theot hersputa
yell
owt apemar kingt hecr i
mescene.Thecase
wast reatedashighpr ior
it
yast hiswasaki ng
missing.Afterawhi l
emor epol i
ceof f
icers
cameandj oinedint hesear chwi deningthe
hori
zon.Af teranhourofsear chi ngoneoft he
offi
cerscont act
edRamat l
odi ont heradio
tel
li
nghi mt hathef oundt heki ng.Ramat lodi
walkedt owher ehewasandsawt hekinglayi
ng
therefaceup.Het ookof fhisjacketbowed
beforehim andcov eredhim upwi thhisjacket.
Het hencall
edt heofficerswhower ewitht he
forensicant
hropologist sandtoldthem tocome
overtowher etheywer e.TheywentandLebo
sawt hem andfol l
owedbehi nd,hesawt he
detectivel
ooki
ngr atherdi st
urbed.Hisfeetwer e
gluedont hegroundandhecoul dn’
tmov e.After
awhi lehefi
shedouthi sphonef rom hi
spocket
andcal l
edTokel otocome.Tokel ocame
runningandwhenhegott ohim hedidn’
tev en
hav etoaskquest i
onsbecausehi sfacesai dit
all
.

Healsolookedatt hedi r
ectionhewasl ooki
ng
atandsawt heoffi
cialsdoingt hei
rthingand
theni
thithimt heper sontheyar ebusywi t
h
mightbehi sfather
.Heal sost oodther ewit
h
Lebolookingdirect
lywher et heoffi
cialswere.
Theyweret herebutf araway ,t
heyseemedl i
ke
somespi r
itpossessedt hem.Thedet ecti
vesaw
them andwal kedupt othem.
Ramat
lodi
:Am sor
rymypr
incebutt
heki
ngi
s
nomore.
Tokel
o:Howdi
dhedi
e?
Ramatl
odi:
Wesawgunshotwoundsbutwe
can’
tbesureoft
hecauseofdeat
hunt
ilaf
ter
theaut
opsyhasbeenper
for
med.

Theydi dn’tutterawor daf t

ert hatandl i
ke
zombi est heymov edwal ki
ngsl owlytowher e
thebodywas.Theygott hereandLebot ookout
hishandker chi efanddi ppedi tintotherain
wat erthatwasont hegr oundandwi pedt he
bloodof fhisf orehead.Hecl eanedal lt
hedr y
bloodof fhisf acewi t
htearsr unningdownhi s
cheeks.Tokel ounr oll
edhi sshi r
tsleevesthat
wer erolledup, fi
xedhi sshi r
tandbut t
onedi tup
nicelythent ookof fhi ssuitj
acketanddr essed
himi nit.Het hengotupandt ookhi shatthat
wasont hegr ound, dusteditthenputi tonhi s
headni
cel
ycov
eri
ngt
hebul
l
etwound.

Theybot
hgotupaftercl
eani
nghi
m upand
st
oodbefor
ehim,bowedandspoke.
Tokel o: Iwasnev erreadyf ory ourdepar ture
andInev erwi llbe.Iwasnev erreadyt obeki ng
andl eadt hebaKoenapeopl ebutnowIhav eto
be.Yout aughtmewel lfatherandIpr omiset o
fol
lowi ny ourf oot st
epsi nleadi ngt hekingdom.
Justt hismor ningwewer el aughi ngandj oking
togetherandnowweher e.Myt hanksf orthe
goodby ey ougav emeThi smor ningev en
thoughIdi dn’
tt akeitasoneatt het i
mebut
nowIunder standt hatitwasone.Don’ tbesad
i
fIdon’ tcr yaty ourf uneral,knowt hatIwi l
lbe
fol
lowi ngy ourt eachings‘ aki ngnev ershows
weaknessi nf rom ofhi speopl e’sot hesemi ght
bet hel astt earsIshedf ory ou.Il ovey ou
father..
.
Lebo: WhenIl ostmypar ent sat17y out ookme
i
n, mademeabet terperson, f
edme, clothed
me, sentmet oschool andl ov edme.Yougav e
meabr other ,asisterandamot her.Yougav e
meahome, af ami lyandshower edmewi th
l
ov e.Icannev erthanky ouenoughandIr efuse
toacceptt haty ougone, pleasewakeupol d
manandt ellmet hatam nott oool dt ogeta
beating,tellmet ogetmar r i
edandgi v ey ou
grandchildren.Wakeupandsmi l
eandt ellus
wear egr ownandwehav eactt hatway .You
l
eftusf ather ,youl eftyourl eftandr ighthand
men.Whowi lladviseusnow, whowi l
ltel lus
howt obehav easy oungmen?Fat herpl eased
wakeupy ourf amilyneedsy ou,mot herneeds
you...
.ohmot herwhatar ewegoi ngt osayt o
her.Howar ewegoi ngt ot ellyourhear tt haty ou
l
efther !Thatherhal fi
sbeat i
ngal onenowas
theblooddr iedupony ourhal f.Ilovey ouf ather
butIwil
lnev
eraskyout
oRestI
nPeace
becauseIwantyout
ohel
pusfi
ndthosewho
di
dt hi
s.

Theywerebot hcryi
ngmesses, theoffi
cial
s
stoodasi
deal lt
hiswhil
egivingthem ti
met o
saythei
rlastgoodbyes.Someoft hem wer
e
cryi
ngwiththem, t
heirwordspiercedtheheart
s
ofthosewhohear dthem.
Ramat
lodi
:Mycondol
encesy
ourhi
ghness.
Tokel
o:Thanky
ouandy
oucant
akehi
m away
now.
Ramatl
odi
:Shoul
dwei
nfor
mther
estoft
he
fami
l
y?
Lebo:
Nowewi
l
l.
Ramat
lodi
:Ver
ywel
lthen.

Theof
fi
cial
stookt
hebodyandl
eftwi
thi
t.
Tokel
oandLebor
emai
nedst
andi
ngt
her
e.
Them: Theywill
paydearlyf
orthi
s.(t
heysaid
thatandturnedaroundandlef
t)nowtheywere
nolongerTokeloandLeboButTer mi
natorAnd
Ghost.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t69

AWeekl
ater

Todayisthedayt hatmanydi dn’

twi shhad
come,somepr ay edthatitwouldnev ercome,
whil
eotherswishi tcanjustcomet oget
ever
ythi
ngov eranddonewi t
h.Eaitherwayt hi
s
daywasthewor stdayofmanypeopl esliv
es,
fr
om theroyalfamilytothebaKoenapeopl e
andmanyoft hel ateki
ng’sassociates.His
familyremember edhim asal ovi
ngand
supportiv
efather,whilehiswifer
emembers
him asherbetterhalf,herli
feandherhear
t.Hi
s
businessassociatesrememberhi m asagood
businessmanwi t
hagoodhear tandamanof
i
ntegrit
yandpr i
nciples.

Hi
sf ri
endLet siremember shi m ast he
r
easonableoneamongt het wooft hem, theone
wi
tht hegoodi deasandt hebestadv i
cebot hin
marri
ageandi nbusiness.Tohi speopl ehewas
asaviorandnoonecanev erreplacehi mi n
t
heirheartsast heyknowv erywel lthatnoki ng
wouldeverbet hewayLer umowast othem.I t
’s
t
hedayoft hefuneralandt hebaKoenaki ngdom
i
sfil
ledwi t
hpeopl e,onewoul dsweart hatt her
e
wasacel ebrati
onandnotaf uneral.Theki ngof
t
helandwaspay edinhisfinal r
estingpl ace.
Thequeenoft helandMabot l
ewasi ndeed
str
ongerthanwhatherchi ldrenthought ,
she
nevercri
edinfrontofherchi l
drennotev en
whenshewast ol
daboutt heki ngspassing.She
onlycri
eswhenshei sbehi ndcloseddoor s
wherenoonecansee, thenwashedherf ace
andgetoutoft heroom put t
ingonabr aveface
forever
yone.Butinsideherhear tstopped
beati
ngthemomentt heyt ol
dhert hatsheno
l
ongerhasahusband, bloodinherv einsdr i
ed
upandsheher selfdoesn’tknowhowshei ssti
ll
ali
ve.

From t
hatdayti
llnowshemadei tapointthat
shecooksforherfamil
yandcallt
hem tothe
dini
ngtabl
etoeattogether
,ev
ent houghthe
moodwoul dbeasomberoneandt hemeal s
werealwaysfi
l
ledwithuncomfort
ablesil
ence.
Eachonewouldkeepsteali
ngglancesatthe
chairt
hatt
hemanoft hehouseusedt ositon,
wonder
ingi
fthepai
nwil
levergetbet
terand
somewonderi
ngwhatwil
lhappentothechai
r
now.

Mapul aandThabi sower eatbaKoenaf ort he

durationoftheweekbusywi ththefuner al
arrangement sf orthekingbecauseal l Tokel o
andLebowant edwasbl oodofwhoev erdi dthis
totheirfamily.Mapul aev enhadt otalksome
sensei ntothem ast heyusedt ogooutev ery
nightinsear choft hepeopl ewhomur der ed
theirhopeandr easonforl i
ving.Amongt he
peoplet hatcamet othef uneralwasnoneot her
thanNt sikayomuzi Zuluandhi sfat
her.

Thekingwaslaidt
or esti
nt hemostdi gnif
ied
mannerthatl
eftot
herswi t
hmor epainthan
ever,
asthi
swasaf inaleveryt
hingandonl ynow
thatt
heyfi
nal
lyacceptthattheywillneversee
thei
rpreciouskingeveragain.Hewasnot
comingbackandt heyhadt oacceptt hat.His
murderswer epresentatthef uneralbutTseko
wasangr yatthekindofr espectthatLerumo
wasget t
ingev enathisdeath, whil
eTshepo
admiredthekindofper sonLer umowasand
regr
ettedgetti
nginvolvedinthepl antoki l
lhi
m
buthemost l
yregret
tednotsay i
ngany t
hingto
anyoneabouti t

Lehl
ohonolowasaskinghi mselfwhyLer umo’ s
famil
ywasnotbehav inglikepeoplethatj ust
buri
edal ovedone.Hewonder edi fLerumowas
evenlovedbyhisfamily
, hesawhowev eryone
wasbusyupanddownat tendingtopeopl eand
notonthemat tr
essli
keanyot hergri
ev i
ng
famil
y.Whatshockedhi mt hemostwast he
queenthatdidn’
tevenshedat earforherf ather
andsamewi t
hthequeenmot her.Thisall made
himfeelproudofwhatt heydidast ohimi t
showedthatLer
umowasnotlov
edandt
hat
theysav
ehimf r
om hi
sli
feofmi
ser
y.

Latei
ntheeveningaft
erthepeopl
ehavelef
t
theel
derscal
ledameet i
ngwithLeboand
Tokel
o.Theyallwentt
ot het
hroneroom.
El
der:Mypri
ncewecal
l
edbot
hofyouhere
becausey
ouwill
havet
obecr
ownedintwo
weeks.
Tokel
o:Whyt
woweeks?
El
der
:Becausenextweekwil
lbethecleansi
ng
andt
heweekafteryouwil
lbecrowned.
Lebo:
Whyam Iher
e?
Elder:Becausey
ouwi
l
lal
sobecr
ownChi
efof
theland.
Lebo:
How?
El
der:
Thatwhatthepeopl
ewantandt
hatwas
whattheki
ngyourfat
herwant
ed.
Tokel
o:Okayt
heni
tiswel
lwi
thme
El
der
:Good.

TokeloandLebowerebot hscaredoft
he
responsi
bil
i
tytheywi
llsoonhaveandwonder
ed
i
ft heywi
llmakethei
rfatherpr
oud.

I
t’
sshor
tbutIj
ustwant
edt
ocov
ert
hispar
t.
Pl
easef
orgi
veme.

Seey
oul
ater

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t70

3Mont
hsl
ater
Thi ngshav ebeenwel lforThabi soandMapul a.
Theyf inall
ywentt oMal divesf orthei
r
honey moonaf t
erTokel oandLebo’ scoronati
on.
Itwasabeaut if
ul dayindeedf orherasshe
wat chedherbr othersbeingcr owned, butwhat
wasmostbeaut if
ul wast hesmi leontheir
mot her’sface,onecoul dn’tmisshowpr oudshe
wasoft hesonssher aised.Mapul ahasbeen
sickf ort hepasttwomont hs,shei sweak,can’t
keept hef oodsheeat sdownandsheev enlost
wei ght.Thabi sotookhert othedoct orbutthey
don’ tseeany t
hing,heev engotheraspeci ali
st
from Canadabutshet oocoul dn’tseeanything
wr ongwi thher.Accordingt othedoct orshei s
heal thyandf itbutherbodyi ssay i
ngotherwise.
Thabi
so:
Heybeaut
if
ulwi
feofmi
ne
Mapul
a:Am nott
hatbeaut
if
ulany
mor
ebabe.
Thabi
so:
Youwi
l
lal
way
sbebeaut
if
uli
nmyey
es
myqueen.
Mapul
a:ohIt
hanky
oumyl
ove
Thabi
so:
BabeIhav
ebeent
hinki
ng
Mapul
a:About
?
Thabi
so:
Ithi
nki
t’
sti
met
ogot
obaKoena
Mapula:
BabeyouknowIdon’
twanttogother
e,
Idon’
twantmymothert
oseemel i
kethi
s.
Thabiso:YesAndyoudon’twanty
ourbrothers
toseey outhi
swaybecausetheywil
lthi
nkIam
mistr
eatingyoubutam notf
all
i
ngforthattoday.
Mapul
a:Babypl
easedon’
tmakemedot
his.
Thabiso:
Thisam doi
ngforyouandyouwil
l
thankmel at
er.Nowgetupandlet
’sgo.
Mapul
a:Di
dyoumeannow?
Thabi
so:
Not
omor
row!
Mapul
a:Oht
hanksbabe
Thabi
so:
Iwasbei
ngsar
cast
ic
Mapul
a:Iknowt
hatandIwashel
pingy
ou.
Thani
so:
Justl
i
keam hel
pingy
ouwi
tht
his.
Mapul
a:Iseey
oudon’
tlov
emeany
mor
e.
Thabi
so:
That
snotapr
obl
em asl
ongaswego.

Mapul awassul ki
ngal lt
hewayt obaKoenashe
wasn’ tscar edofwhatherf amilywillthi
nkshe
j
ustdi dn’twantt ogot othesacr edr i
ver
becauseshewasaf raiditmi ghtbemor ebad
newsandshewast ryingbyal lmeanst oav oi
d
that.Thabi sodroveherst raighttot heriver
,
stoppedt hecarataf ardistanceasi twasnot
all
owedt odr i
vethere.Hecar r
iedhiswi feinhis
armsandwal kedthere,hedi dn’tli
kehowher
weightf eltinhisarms.Hecoul df eelthatshe
hasl ostal otofweightandt hatdidn’tsitwell
withhi m.Hegotcl oset other iver.
Mapul
a:BabyputmedownIwi
l
lwal
konmy
ownfr
om here.
Thabi
so:
Buty
ouar
etooweakt
owal
kony
our
own.
Mapula:Thi
splaceal
onehasgivenmest
rengt
h
andIcanmanage.Pleasegobacktot
hecar
andwaitforme.
Thabi
so:
OkayButIwi
l
lwai
tunt
ily
ougoi
nthen
l
eave.
Mapul
a:Okayt
hen.

Mapul awal kedt owardsther i

ver,shefelt
rej
uvenat edandener gi
zed.Shewal keduntilshe
reachedt heriverthenturnedbackandwav edat
Thabiso.Hewav edbackt henstartedwal ki
ng
towar dsthecar .Mapulagotcl oset other i
ver
andt healli
gatorst hatar
eal wayst heremade
wayf orher.Sheputherf eetinandf el
tli
ke
somet hi
ngwasdr aini
ngener gyoutofher .She
fel
lonherkneesasshecoul dn’tstandany mor e,
thealligat
orscameandcar ri
edherdeepi nto
theri
verandlef
theri
nthemiddl
efloat
ing.The
wateropenedandshewassuckedinandwhen
sheopenedhereyesafewminuteslat
ershe
sawNy ol
odisit
ti
ngbesi
deher.
Mapul
a:Queenmot
her
Ny
olodi
:Wel
comehomemydear
Mapul
a:I
tisgoodt
obehomemot
her
Ny
olodi
:Yety
oudi
dn’
twantt
ocome
Mapul
a:Iwasaf
rai
dqueenmot
her
.
Ny ol
odi:Youneedtounder
standtwothingsmy
darli
ng,onethi
sisyourl
if
eli
neandwi thoutit
yougetweakerandt woyourenemiesalready
knowandnowmor ethaneveryouareindanger
andy ouhavetobeclosebysothatyoucan
regainyourstr
engt
handbetterpr
otectyoursel
f.
Mapula:MotherIdon’
tunder
stand,
doy ou
meant osaythatam t
hisweakbecauseam f
ar
f
rom home.
Ny
olodi
:Di
dyouf
orgetwhatt
hepr
ophecysai
d?
Mapul
a:Whatpr
ophecy
?
Ny
olodi
:Yourf
ather
’spr
ophecy
Mapula:
NoButam notwit
hchil
dmyqueent he
doct
orsdidev
eryt
estandIam notwi
thchi
l
d.
Nyol
odi:
Buty
ouhav
ebeenf
ort
hepastt
wo
months.
Mapul
a:I
sthatwhati
smaki
ngmesi
ck?
Nyol
odi:
Rememberwhenyourfat
hert
oldy
ou
t
hatthebabywi
l
lbeasspeci
alasyou?
Mapul
a:Yesmot
herIr
emember
.
Ny ol
odi:Wel
ltheBabyisspeci
alandi sgrowi
ng
fastinsi
deyou.Sheisalsosur
viv
ingony our
bloodbecauseyoudon’teatoratleastyou
don’tfeedi
twhatitneeds.
Mapul
a:WhatwasIsupposedt
oeatt
hen?
Ny
olodi
:Yourf
oodwassupposet
obecooked
wi
thseawat
er.
Mapul
a:Whati
stheseawat
erf
or?
Nyolodi:l
etmef i
nish..
.thebabyy ouare
carryi
ngispowerfuljustli
keyou, shewil
lbethe
voiceofmany ,
from theani malstoallt
he
wonder i
ngspir
it
sandbecausei tistoosmall
theeviloneswantt odestroyitbeforei
tisborn.
Mapul
a:WOW Thatissomethi
ngIdi
dn’
texpect
,
sowhatdoIdotoprot
ectmybabyandwhy
di
dn’
tthedoct
orseeanyt
hing?
Nyolodi:
Thati snotachildofthisworl
dbutthat
oftheancest orsandthedoctorsyouspeakof
knownot hingabouttheway sofourancestor
s.
Topr ot
ecty ourbabyyouhav etobeinbaKoena
forthedurationtothepregnancywhichshould
l
astonly6mont hssinceyoualreadytwo
mont hspregnant.
Mapul
a:It
houghtIwassupposedt
ocar
ryt
he
babyf
or9months.
Nyol
odi:
Iti
smade8mont hstothr
owoffy
our
enemi
esastheywil
lalsobeexpecti
ngy
outo
gi
vebir
thonyourni
nthmont h.
Mapul
a:OkaymotherIunder
stand,
mayI
pl
easeaskyousomethi
ng.
Nyolodi
:NoIdon’thavechi
ldr
enofmyown
becausethefir
str
ainqueenswer
enotall
owed
tomar r
ybutyouwereall
owedsothaty
oucan
serv
eahi gherpur
pose.
Mapula:Motheryouhav egott
ostopreadi
ng
mymi ndwhenwear etoget
hersothatwecan
t
alkl
ikenormal peopl
e.
Nyol
odi
:Wherei
sthefuninthat
?Hahaha
nor
malpeopl
eyousay..
.chi
l
dwearenot
nor
malandwewon’tstar
tnow.
Mapula:Iknowhahal
etmegobackt
omy
husband.
Nyolodi
:Gol
i
ttl
eoneanddon’
tfor
gett
hesea
water.
Mapul
a:Iwon’
tmot
her
.

Mapulagotoutofthewaterwithsomuch
energyandsheevenlookedbettert
hanwhen
shewentin.Shewasmor edeterminedt
okeep
herbabysafe.

Tsekohasbeengoi ngcr azyfort hepastmont h,

hetalkst opeopleonl yhecanseeandhekeeps
apologizi
ngf ornor eason.Hi ssonandwi feare
worriedabouthi m andwhatmi ghtbebot heri
ng
him.Theyt ookhimt ot hehospi t
al f
orcheckup
butthedoct orssaidit’sstressandheneedst o
takeiteasy,butwhatt heycoul dn’tunder
stand
wast hathehasn’ tbeenwor kingf oramont h
andt heyareloosingbusi nesssot heycouldn’
t
under st
andwhatt hecauseofhi sst r
essis.

Lehl
ohonol
ohast
urnedi
ntoamonst
ert
hat
goesarounddr i
nkingwit
hcommoner sandbeat
peopl
ef ornoreasoncall
ingt
hem Lerumo.
Whenhi sfi
ghti
nghewoul dal
way ssay‘Iwil
l
beatyouanddef eatyouagai
nLerumoy ouare
nomat chforme’ peopl
einhi
skingdom don’t
knowwhot heLerumohespeaksofisandt hey
bel
iev
et hatsomeonehasbewi t
chedtheirki
ng.

Tshepohast urnedintoasai ntthatgoesto

churchev erydayandst ay
st herethewhol eday
praying.Hedoesn’ tsl
eepatni ghtashekeeps
seeingLer umoaski nghimt osav ehim.Church
i
st heonl yplaceheget st
osl eepf orafew
hourswhenhi sdonepr ayingbutt hemoment
heset sfootinhiskingdom heseeshi m
everywher ebuthedoesn’ tsayany thi
ngonlyin
hissleephespeakst ohim.Heal wayswakes
upsweat i
ngandt hisiswor r
y i
nghi swif
eso
mucht hatshedoesn’tknowwhatt odo.
Tomel ogoest othefiel
dwher et
heyki
lled
Lerumoandst i
ckfightwithsomeoneor
somet hingthatonl
yhesees.Noonehasseen
himt houghast heplaceisdeser
tedbuthiswi
fe
hasbeenwonder i
ngwher ehegoesev ery
mor ningandcomesbacki nthel
atehoursof
theev ening.

Thefourki
ngswerel
osingt
hei
rmindsandno
oneknewwhatthecausewasandtheywer
e
begi
nningt
obethetal
kofthet
own.

Tokel
oandLebower edoi ngwel li
ntheirduti
es
asaresul ttheywenti ntobusi nesswiththe
Sogosunumbr ell
aofhot elstobuil
dahot elin
LeSotho, baKoenat obeex actastheyhav e
manyv isitorsfrom abroadt hathavetostayin
thecapital whent heyareher eanddr i
veupand
downbet weenTsaMet si
nghospi tal
inbaKoena
andtheirtempor
aryhomesi nt
hehot elsi
nthe
capi
tal.Thepeopl
eWel comedthischangeasit
wil
lbringinmorejobopport
unit
iesforthe
peopleofbaKoenaandsur r
oundingkingdoms.

Tsietsiwasdoi ngwel laskingandhi s

rel
at i
onshipwi t
hBoi tumelowasst il
lgoing
strongev enthoughshest i
llhasn’tagr eedto
mar ryhimy et.Tsietsiwasjustleav i
ngt he
hospi t
alaft
erhi sshift,
ohhisnowdoi nghis
residencyatBaKoenahospi talwhi chBoi t
umelo
pushedhi mt odoandnotwai tanyl onger.He
wal kedtothepar kingwhenhesawaman
standingnextt ohiscar .
Tsi
etsi
:Gr
eet
ings
Man:Youhav
etogetherandsoonbef
oreshe
dest
roy
sus.
Tsi
etsi
:Manpl
easegetawayf
rom mycarI
hav
et ogo.
Man:She’
swi
thchil
dandshewi
l
ldest
royusi
f
shei
stobeborn.
Tsi
etsi
:Lookmanyouar
efr
eaki
ngmeoutj
ust
moveIwanttogoam t
ir
ed.
Man:Sheki
l
ledthemotherofy
ourqueen.(
That
seemedtoi
nter
estTsi
etsi
)
Tsi
etsi
:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Man:
Sheist
heonet
hatki
l
ledt
hemot
heroft
he
womanyoul
ove.
Tsi
etsi
:Whoi
sthe“
she”y
oukeept
alki
ngabout
?
Man:Fi
rsty
ouhavetoagr
eetokil
li
ngherthenI
wi
llt
ell
youever
ythi
ng(hedi
sappeared)

Tsietsi
goti nt
ohiscaranddroveoff
.He
brushedof fwhatheheardandsawbecausehe
thoughthewasj ustti
redandhismindwas
playi
ngt r
icksonhim.Buthiswordskeptr
ingi
ng
i
nhi sheadashedr ove‘shekil
l
edthemotherof
thewomanyoulov
e’hewonder
edwhocoul
dhe
betal
ki
ngabout
.

St
ayt
uned.
..

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t71

Mapul awentbackt oThabisoandshet ol

dhim
thattheywer egoingt ohaveachi ld.Hewasso
happyt hathepickedherupandspr ungher
aroundscr eamingt oallwhowoul dl i
stenthat
hewast heluckiestmanal i
ve,thathehast he
mostbeaut i
fulwifewhohasgi venhim mor e
thanwhatanor dinarymancanaskf or.Mapula
couldn’tst
opgi ggli
ngandt hinkingthatshehas
themostl ovingmani nthewor l
d.Shet oldhim
aboutthedanger ssurroundi
ngt heirchil
dand
thatgothim angrybutdi
dn’twantt
oshowt hat
tohiswife,f
orgetti
nghowconnectedtheyare
andthatwhat evereachonefeel
stheother
feel
stoo.

Theymadei ttothepal aceandqueenMabot le

wasbusyf ussi
ngov erherdaught erwhil
e
Thabisowentt of i
ndthenewki ngandchiefof
theland.Hef oundthem i nthethroneroom
discussingmat t
ersrelatedtothepalace.Hegot
i
nandt heysawhi m.Theybr ohuggedandsat
down.
Tokel
o:Many
ouguy
sar
escar
ce
Thabi
so:Ihavenev
erinmyl
i
feseeorhear
da
ki
ngthattal
ksli
kethat
.
Lebo:ohpleaset
ell
him!Maybehewi
l
lli
stent
o
youbecausehedoesn’tl
i
stent
ome.
Tokel
o:Manyouhavegott
ogi
vemeabr
eak
am notusedt
othi
sthi
ng.
Thabi
so:
Wel
lyoubet
tergetusedf
astMrKi
ng
Tokel
o:Youpushi
ngi
tnow,
don’
tfor
getam not
j
ustaking.
Lebo:
weknow
Thabiso:
Andwhi l
eweati t
,whenar
ey ou
get
tingaqueenforthisl
and?Imeanthequeen
mothercannotconti
nue

car
ryi
ngt
hepal
acedut
iesf
ory
ou.
Tokelo:Wel
lpl
easedoasky
oursi
stert
ofi
nal
l
y
agreetobemyqueen.
Lebo:
Ohmany
ouhav
edonei
tthi
sti
me.
Thabiso:
Fuckyoumanam notdi
scussi
ngmy
si
sterwit
hyou
Tokel
o:Soshal
lwedi
scussmi
ne,
yourwi
fe?
Thabi
so:
Ohhel
lno!
!
Lebo:
hahahay
ouguy
sbet
terdeci
dewhi
ch
chi
ckwedi
scussi
ng.
Them:
Your
s!!
Lebo:What
!Whendi
dthi
sbecomeaboutmeso
fast
?
Them:
Youi
nter
fer
ed!
Lebo:Okay,Butonaser
iousnotmanhowi
s
marri
edlif
e?
Thabi
so:
Wel
lThat
’ski
ndofwhyam her
e.
Tokel
o:Weal
lear
s..
Thabi
so:Wejustfoundoutt
hatwear
eyout
o
beparent
sand..
.
Lebo:
Wai
tWhat
?
Tokelo:Whogav
eyouper
missi
ont
ogether
pregnant?
Thabi
so:
Wear
emar
ri
edr
emember
!
Tokel
o:Wel
lst
il
l
Lebo:
Sti
l
lWhat
?Youcanbedum somet
imes
Tokel
o:Am st
il
lyourki
ngLebo
Lebo&Thabi
so:
Yeahr
ight
!!
!
Tokel
o:Fuckthisam marr
yingyoursi
sterand
am sendi
ngdelegat
estheretomorrowsot hatI
canalsobrag.
Lebo:Don’
tjokel
i
ket
hatmanIst
il
lneedmy
brot
her.
Thabi
so:Nowhaty
ouneedi
sagoodwomant
o
mothery
ou.
Tokel
o:Tel
lhi
m.
Lebo:Al
ri
ghtIheardyoubutont
herealnow
guys,
congrat
ulat
ionsmanam happyforyou.
Tokel
o:Met
oo
Thabi
so:
Wel
lwehav
eapr
obl
em.
Tokel
o&Lebo:
Webr
oke!
!!
Thabi
so;
hahahIdon’
tneedmoneyguy
sjeez!
!
Lebo:
OkayButweknowoncesomeonesay
s
t
heyhav
eapr
obl
em i
t’
sal
way
smoneyr
elat
ed.
Thabi
so:
Wel
lthi
sonei
sev
ilr
elat
ed.
Tokel
o:OkayIdi
dn’
texpectt
hat
..
.layi
tonus,
what’
sup?
Thabi
so:Wellaccordi
ngtot
hegodsourbaby
hol
dspower sbeyondhermotherandI
combined.
Lebo:
Whatdoest
hatmean?
Thabiso:TheBabyi
sgrowi
ngf astandgains
morepowereachdaythatpasses, shecaneven
contr
ol hermot
heri
fshewantedt o.
Tokel
o:What
!!
Thabi
so:
that
’snotal
l
Lebo:
Whatmor
ecoul
dther
ebe?
Thabi
so:
Sheissomesortofadoororapor
tal
bet
weenthel
i
v i
ngandt
hedead.
Tokel
o:Sor
ryManButTHATSSOMECRAZY
SHI
T!!
!
Lebo:Whydidn’ty
ouallgoandgeta
Leprechaunforababy
?..
.coul
dn’
tyouatl
east
getav ampir
e.
Thabiso:
Whatdif
fer
encewoul
dithadmadei f
wegotadangerousvampi
rebabythatwil
lgo
aroundsucki
ngbl
oodofpeopl
einthekingdom.
Tokel
o:Yeahy
our
ightawol
fwoul
dhav
ebeen
bet
ter
.
Lebo:Yeahbesidewewouldonl
yhavet olock
herupwhent herei
safull
moon.Iagreea
vampirewoul
dhav ebeenmoredangerous..y
es
ri
ghtbrot
her?
Tokelo:
Yeah(hesay st
hatnoddi
ngi n
agreement.Thabi
sol
ooksatthem andshakes
hi
sheadt hinki
nghowcrazyt
heseguy scanbe)
Thabi
so:
Guy
sfocus
Lebo:
Yeahsur
econt
inue
Thabiso:AsIwassayi
ngthebadspi
ri
tsar
e
aft
ermywi febutmost
lyaft
ert
hebabyshe’
s
carr
ying.

Thetwogotseriousimmediatel
yreal
izi
ngt hat
thei
rsi
sterandniececoul
dbei ndanger.They
keptqui
etforawhi l
eunti
lTokel
ospoke.
Tokel
o:Afr
iendofmineoncetoldmeabout
suchandImustsayit
’snotgood.Al
otof
peopl
ewil
lbelooki
ngforher.
Thabi
so:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Tokel
o:Di
dyouthi
nkLebowasj
oki
ngwhenhe
spokeofv
ampir
esandwolf
s?
Thabi
so:
Yeaht
heydon’
texi
st.
Tokel
o:Justl
i
key
ourbabydoesn’
texi
st.
..
Thabi
so:
MyBabyexi
stmandon’
ttal
kli
ket
hat
.
Lebo:Wellt
heyexi
stasmuchasyourbaby
does.Yourchi
l
d’sbi
rt
hiswri
tt
eni
nt hebookof
vampir
ehist
oryandaccordi
ngt
othem shewi
l
l
betheonetodestr
oythem.
Tokelo:Thespiri
tsar
ethelastthi
ngtowor ry
aboutast heycan’
tdoany t
hingunti
lthebabyis
born.Notunlesstheyconvinceali
vi
ngperson
todot hei
rdirt
yworkforthem.
Lebo:
Wehavetoprepareforwarbuttheonl
y
peopl
ewhocanfi
ghtitareyou,
Tokeloand
Mapula.
Tokel
o&Thabi
so:
Whyus?
Lebo:Youhavepowerstodefeatt
histhi
ngand
remembertrustnoonebecauseri
ghtnow
ever
yoneisyourenemy.
Thabiso:
Wearemov i
nginher
esot
haty
our
si
stercanbebet
terpr
otect
ed.

Whil
etheyweresti
ll
talki
ngtheyhear
d
commotionout
sidesideandtheywentt
ocheck
whatisgoi
ngon.Whentheygott
hereking
Tsekowasbeati
ngaguardtoapulpwhile
maidensweretr
yingt
ostophi
m andothers
scr
eamingforhel
p.
Tokel
o:ENOUGH!
!!(Tsekost
oppedandl
ooked
athi
m)
Tokel
o:Whati
sgoi
ngonher
e?
Guar
d:Myki
nghewantedtogoinsi
debuthe
woul
dnott
ell
mewhohewasandwhenIdi dn’
t
l
ethi
minhestar
tedbei
ngaggr
essiv
e.
Tokel
o:Whoar
ey oudisr
upt
ingt
hepeacei
nmy
pal
aceandwhatareyoudoi
nghere?
Tseko:Am kingTsekoandam heretotel
lyou
thatyourf
atherwasagoodman.(Ler umo
showedupi nfrontofhi
m andasked)
Ler
umo:
Ist
hatal
lyouwantt
osayTseko?
Tseko:ComeonLer umoman,yoursoni
sdoi
ng
wellandyourki
ngdom t
oo.Pl
easeletmebe.
Tokel
o:Heyam notmyf
ather
Tseko:Wel
lam al
sonott
alki
ngt
oyoubuty
our
fat
her.
Lebo:
Guar
dspl
easegett
hismanoutofher
e.

Theguar
dstookTsekoawaybutt
heywer
est
il
l
puzz
ledbyhi
sbehavior
.

Somewher einthespiri
twor l
d,all
thebadspirit
s
weregatheredtogethertryi
ngtofindway st
o
gettothebabywhi l
eot herswantittoli
veso
thatt
heycanusei ttotheiradvantage.Ther
e
wasal otofchatt
ergoingar oundandt he
argumentgotheatedunt il
onet ol
dthem about
Tsiet
siandhowhecanhel pthem getwhatthey
want.
Spi
ri
t:Don’
tfor
getaboutal
lthati
spr
otect
ing
her
.
Anot
her
:Yesev
ensomeofourownar
eonher
si
de.
Another
:Justl
ookforaweakhumanand
possessherthenmakesthem dowhaty
ou
want.
Spi
ri
t:Whydoy
ousaywewhynoty
ou?
Another
:Am notinv
olvedinthis,Iam onl
yst
uck
wit
hy oubecauseoftheli
feIleadandnot
abouttoaddtothat
.IwanttoRestI nPeace
wit
hmyl ovedonesnothingmor e.

Tsietsi
:Thismanhast oshowhi msel
fbecause
Ineedanswer sandIsweartoGodIwi llki
ll
whoev erkil
l
edmyqueensmot herandIwilldoit
thesamewayIki l
l
edPapi.Boitumel
ocomesi n
whilehewasdeepi nthoughts,shewondered
whatcoul dbebother
inghim somucht hateven
hisfacial
expressi
onchangedandhi sj
awi s
clenched.Shewalkedtohim andpathim onthe
shoul
der,het
urnedandl
ookedatherandgav
e
herasli
ghtsmil
e.
Boi
tumel
o:Pennyf
ory
ourt
hought
s
Tsi
etsi
:i
t’
snot
hingr
eal
l
y
Boi
tumel
o:RememberWhatweagr
eedon?
Tsi
etsi
:YesButIcantt
ell
yout
hisbecauseI
don’
twanttoupsetyou
Boi
tumel
o:Tell
meorIwal
k,Iwon’
tbewi
th
someoneIdon’
ttr
ust
.
Tsiet
si:
Okaythensi
t(Boi
tumelowenttosit
nexttohim)amancamet omey est
erdayand
tol
dmet hatsomeoneki
ll
edyourmother.
Boi
tumel
o:Okayi
suspect
edt
hatshedi
edI
meanshewasawitch.
Tsi
etsi
:Nomatterwhatshewasbabe,
noone
hadtheri
ghtt
okill
her.
Boit
umelo:LookIknowi
t’
snotanideal
si
tuati
onbutIdon’
twantyougoi
ngaround
l
ookingf
ortroubl
e,motherknowwhatshewas
get
ti
ngherselfi
ntoandsheknewthatoneday
shewil
ldi
e.
Tsietsi
:Fi
neifyoudon’twantmetodoany t
hing
thenIwon’tbutIsti
lldowantt
ofindoutwho
kil
ledhersothatyoucanalsogetcl
osureand
buryherwithdigni
ty.
Boit
umelo:Doesawitchhavedi
gni
ty?ImeanI
knowshewasmymot herandal
lbutshehas
donewor set
oalotofpeopl
eandIguessone
ofthem gott
oher.
Tsi
etsi
:Idon’
tunder
standwhyyousochi
ll
ed
about,
ifi
twasmymot herIwoul
dwanttoknow
andavengeher.
Boit
umel o:Thedif
ferencebetweenyourmother
andmi neisthatyourswasagoodper sonand
minewasawi tch,whokil
ledandmadeot her
people’
slivesmiserabl
e.Sopleasedon’
t
compar ethetwo.Yesshegav emel i
feandyes
sherai
sedmebutIcan’
thel
pbutt
hinkt
hatI
hadadiff
erentmot
herl
i
fewoul
dhavebeen
dif
fer
entforme.
Tsiet
si:
OkayIgetnowlet
’sgot
othedi
ning
areaandhavesomethi
ngtoeat
.
Boi
tumel
o:Okayt
hen.

Theywentt ot hedini
ngareat ohavethei
r
eveningfeast.AtthebaKoenaTshepoar ri
ves
andaskst oseet heking,guardsannounced
him andwer etoldtolethi
mi n.Hewentinand
wassentt otheguest schamberandTokel o
togetherwit
hLeboandThabi sowenttomeet
withhim si
ncet heywer etogether
.Theygoti
n
andgr eet
ed.
Tokelo:
Whatdoweowet hi
svi
siti
nthel
ate
hoursofthedaymyki
ng.
Tshepo:
Iwil
lfi
rstl
i
ket
oapol
ogi
zef
ortheti
me
mykingbutIwasonmywaytot
hecapi
tal
asI
hav
eamor
ningmeet
ingt
her
eat10AM.
Lebo:Weunderstandthatpartmyki
nghowever
ourki
ngherewant stoknowhowcanwebeof
assi
stancesi
ncey ouarehereandnotont
he
roadtothecapi
tal.
Tshepo:Oh!Am sor
rymyki
ngandchi
ef,
am
gett
ingol
dandam abitf
orget
ful
.
Thabi
so:
Okayweunderst
andbuty
oust
il
lnot
sayi
ngwhyyouar
ehere.
Tshepo:Onsorr
y!HahaseewhatImeanby
for
getf
ul.
..wel
lmykingasIsaidam ol
dandI
can’
tseeinthedarksoIdeci
dedtocomehere
andaskforaccommodationt
il
lsunr
isesot
hatI
canbeabletodri
ve.
Tokel
o:Doesn’
ttheki
nghav
eguar
dst
hathe
cantr
avelwit
h?
Tshepo:
IdobutIseem t
othi
nkthatam sti
l
la
l
adandIcandothingsonmyown.Myf ather
usedtosay‘
nev
erdependonpeoplealotget
y
ourhanddir
tyi
fyouwantt
oseet
her
esul
ts
y
oudesir
e.’
Tokel
o:Okayletmegoanddiscusst
hiswit
h
mychief
,Ihopeyouunder
standit
’sj
usta
saf
etymeasure.
Tshepo:
Iwoul
dbesur
pri
sedi
fyoudi
dn’
t.
Lebo:
Okayt
henmyki
ngwewi
l
lseey
oushor
tl
y.

Tokeloandtheot her
swentoutt othethrone
room.Whi l
eTsheposatt herepr
ayingthatthey
l
ethim staythenight
,seehewasnotgoi ngto
thecapit
albuthewentt herehopi
ngt osleep
thereandmay beLerumowon’ tvi
sithi
m andhe
will
getagoodsl umberthathesodesper atel
y
need.

I
nthet
hroner
oom.
Lebo:
Manwecantl
ethi
m st
ayher
e.
Tokel
o:Whyhi
sjustanol
dman.
Thabi
so:Didyouforgett
hebadspi
ri
tst
hatar
e
aft
eryoursi
sterandmybaby?
Lebo:Andaccor
dingt
owhatDuketol
dus,t
hey
cantakeanyfor
m andthatol
dmanoutt
here
coul
dbeoneoft hem.
Tokel
o:OkayhowaboutIact
ivat
ethecameras
i
nthesparechamberandputaguardi
nhis
door.
Thabi
so:
Can’
twej
ustki
ckhi
m out
?
Tokel
o:Nofat
heral
wayssai
dnev
ertotur
n
awayguestf
oryounev
erknowwhenyouwil
l
needthem.
Lebo:
Okay
!Yourpl
ani
tist
hen.

Theyagreedandwentbackt
otel
lTshepot hat
hecanstaytheni
ght,
hewassohappyt hatthey
evenfel
tbadforwant
ingtot
urnhi
m away .
Tshepopray
edt
hatLer
umodoesn’
tvi
sithi
m
thi
snight
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t72

BaKoenaPal
ace

Tshepocouldn’
tsl eept hatnightbecause
Lerumokeptwaki nghi m upsi tt
ingont heedge
ofthebedaskinghi m whydi dtheyhav etokil
l
hi
m andifwhat evert heykil
ledhimf orwas
worthi
t.Tshepokeptbeggi nghi mtol eavehim
al
oneasheonl yact edbecausehewasaf rai
dof
whatTsekomi ghtdot ohimi fhedidn’tgo
al
ongwi t
hthepl an.Butal lofthatpleadingfel
l
ondeafearsasLer umocont i
nuedtot orment
hi
m.
Tshepo:
Ler
umoam beggingyoupl
easejustl
et
mesleepev
eni
fit
’sj
ustforanhourpl
ease.
Lerumo: Whatmakesy
outhinkt
hatIwi
l
llety
ou
sl
eeppeacef ul
l
yinmyhousewhil
eam i
nacold
grave.Thesameoneyouputmein.
Tshepo:Ial
readysai
dthati
twasnotmy
i
ntenti
onsbutIhadnochoice.
Lerumo:Youalway
shaveachoi
ceandyou
chosethi
s,youmadet
hisbednowlayoni
t.

Theguar doutsi
decoul dheartheconversati
on
Tshepowashav i
nginsidebutitwasmor el
ike
himtalki
ngandpl eadingwi t
hthelat
eking.He
peakedont hewindowt oseewhatwasgoi ng
andhesawTshepoonhi skneesnowpr ayi
ng
thenstoppingandpleadingagainwiththe
unknownper sonhecal l
st heki
ng.Theguard
thoughtthathewasl oosinghismindormay be
hewasbewi t
ched.
Tsi
etsi
:

Tsietsijustarri
vedatt hehospitalforhisshift
hewaski ngbydayandamedi calstudentdoing
hisresidencybyni ght.Boitumelowaspr oudof
themant hathehasbecome, focusedand
ambi ti
ous.Hepar kedt hecaratt hehospi t
al
parkingandgotout ,wenttot hebootandt ook
outhi sbagt henclosedi t
,whenhet urnedthat
manwasi nfrontofhim.
Tsi
etsi
:Don’
tev
ersneakupi
nmel
i
ket
hat
.
Man:Youatt
hehospi
tal
not
hingwi
l
lhappent
o
you.
Tsi
etsi
:Lookwhatev
eryouhavetosayam not
i
nter
estedOkaynowIhavetogettowork.
Het
ri
edget
ti
ngpasthi
m buthebl
ackedhi
sway
.
Man:
Wedon’
thav
eti
mef
orgames,
timei
s
r
unningoutandwecan’
taf
for
dtowai
tany
l
onger.
Tsi
etsi
:Am notagreei
ngtoanyt
hingunti
lyou
tel
lmewhot hi
swomani s,i
fnotpleasef
ind
someoneel
set oyourdir
tywor
k.
Man:Di
rt
yworkyousay
..
.youf
orgett
haty
ou
wer
eonceoneofus.
Tsi
etsi
:‘
wer
e’pastt
enseam nol
ongert
hat
per
son.
Man:
Arey
ousur
eaboutt
hat
?
Tsiet
si:
LookIdon’
tknowyouandyoumesoI
suggestyoumoveoutofmyway.
Man:ButIknowy ou.
..fornowam nother et
o
gi
veahistor
ylesson,therai
nqueenmustdi e
andy
ouar egoingtomaket hathappen.
Tsi
etsi
:What
?..di
dyouj
ustsayMapul
amust
di
e?
Man:
That
’sexact
lywhatam say
ing
Tsiet
si:Manyoumustbeoutofyourmindor
thepersonwhogaveyouthi
sjobdoesn’
tknow
whatthequeeniscapabl
eof.
Man:Weknowwhatshei
scapabl
eoft
hati
s
whyshehast
odi
e.
Tsi
etsi
:Wellt
henfi
ndsomeoneel
sebecause
am notdoi
ngit.
Man:Didyoufor
getsheki
l
ledt
hemot
herof
yourqueen.
Tsi
etsi
:Eveni
fsheki
l
ledt
hepr
esi
dentofSAI
woul
dn’tdoit
.

Tsi
etsitr
iestomovepastthemanagai nbuthe
pusheshissohardhegoesf l
yi
ngt othegr
ound.
Tsi
etsigetsupanddustshimselfthenl
ooked
atthemanwi thasmil
eonhi sface.
Tsi
etsi
:Ify
ouknowmel i
keyousayyoudo,
you
wil
lknowthatIdon’
tdowel
lwit
hthr
eatsmy
f
athercanwi
tnesst
othat
..
.ohwai
thi
sdead.
Man:Iknowhi
sdeadbecausehi
swithusand
boyy
oudon’twantt
oangerthespi
ri
ts.
Tsiet
si:Wel
lIfyouar
eal
ldeadt
henyoustay
thatwayandleavemeal
onebecauseam not
doingit
.
Man:Youaresoweakasamanandking.No
wondert
hatgir
lref
usedt
omar
ryyou.
Tsi
etsi
:Asky ourf
ri
endPapi
howweakIam and
i
fIwast hatweakwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e
wasti
ngy ourti
meandmine?
ThemangotangryagainandpushedTsi et
si
andhisbodycol
li
dedwiththegroundonce
agai
n.Thenthemandisappeared,hegotup
dusthi
mselfandfi
xedhisclot
hing.
Tsi
etsi
:Iwi
llnevermesswit
ht hequeenev er
agai
nespeci
allynotforawi
tcht hatevenher
daught
erdoesn’tcar
eabout.Iknowhowt opi
ck
mybattl
esandt hi
soneisnotmi ne,Papiand
hisfr
iendcangot
ohellandIwil
lj
oint
hem
whenmyt i
mecomesbutam notmessi
ngwi
th
thatgir
l.

I
nthespi
ri
twor
ld:

Themanar
ri
vesandhi
sangeri
svi
sibl
e.
Papi:
Letmeguess!Myweakl
i
nkofason
tur
nedyoudown.
Man:
Doesheev
endeser
vet
obecal
l
edaman?
Papi
:Youbet
hej
udgeoft
hat
.
Spi
ri
t:MayImakeasuggest
ion?
Papi:Youseeweareoutofplansyety
ouar
e
askingtomakeasuggestionl
ikey
ouin
preschool
.Outwi
thital
ready!
!!
Spi
ri
t:Wel
lsi
nceal
lhasf
ail
edIt
hinky
ouwho
hasahumanbodycandothi
s.
Man:
How?
Papi
:Hisri
ght
!Thatgir
lhasagoodheartandit
wil
lbeherdownfal
l,
usethatt
oy ouradv
antage.
Man:
Ist
il
ldon’
tunder
stand
Papi:Howslowcany oupeoplebe?..
.act
i
njuredofhelpl
ess,justanyt
hingtogetyou
cl
oset oherandwheny oucloseenoughjust
gi
v eheroneblowt othestomachandour
problemswil
l eover.
Man:
Letmegoputmypl
ani
ntoact
ion
Papi
:Si
ncewheni
sity
ourpl
an?
Man:
What
ever(hel
eft
)

BaKoena:

ThabisoandMapul
aarest
il
li
nbaKoenaand
todaysheispr
epar
ingt
ogotothecapi
tal
wit
h
Ngwedi andt
hequeenmot her.Theyar egoing
shoppingandal sopassingbyherhouset oget
achangeofcl othesforherandherhusband.As
theywi l
lbestayi
ngatbaKoenaunt i
lthebabyis
born,
t hekingandqueenofbaTl oungdi dn’t
understandthisuntil
thechiefpriesttoldthem
aboutt hedangersurroundi
ngt heirgrandchil
d
andtheyunder stood.

Thedri
vetothecapit
ali
sfi
ll
edwi t
hlaught
er
amongthe3women.Tal ki
ngaboutanythi
ng
andever
ythi
ngtheycanthi
nkof.Mapulasees
themancrosstheroadwit
houtlooki
ng.
Mapula:
Stopthecar!!
!(sheyel
ledandthe
guardhi
tthebreakshardandthecarstops
ri
ghtinf
rontofhim,i
nchesbeforeithi
thim.
MapulaandNgwedi gotoutofthecar)
Mapula:
AreyouAlr
ight(shesai
dasshegot
outandNgwediwasalri
ghtshownt
hedanger
asshequi
ckl
ymov
edi
nfr
ontoft
hequeen)
Themangotangr
ywhenhesawwhatNgwedi
di
dand.
..
..

St
ayt
uned.
..

Justal
i
ttl
eSundaychi
l
l.I
t’
sshor
tIknowbutI
coul
dn’
tresi
st.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t73

Mapul
a

Ngwediwasstill
standingi
nfr
ontofthequeen
whi
lethemanl ookedatherwi
thangerwri
tten
onhi
sey es.Hewentt owar
dsthem i
nful
lspeed
andsentNgwedi
fly
ingt
otheground.Andnow
hewasleftwi
tht
hequeeni
nfrontofhim.
Mapula:Youpeopleneedtostoptr
yingmy
pat
ience,whatcoul
dy oupossi
blywant?
Man:Theonl
ythi
ngconnect
ingt
hiswor
ldand
our
s.
Mapul
a:MyBaby
Man:
Yes
Mapula:
Soy
ouareplanni
ngontaki
ngherhow?
(shesai
dwi
thherey
ebrowrai
sed)
Themandi dn’
tanswerhej ustwentchargi
ngt o
Mapul
a,shest oodhergr oundandwai t
edf or
hi
m.Whenhewasi nchesawayf rom her,
Mapul
ahel duponehandandl i
ft
edhim up.He
wasnowmi dair
,thenMapul aclosedherhand
maki
ngitintoaf i
stchokinghi mintheprocess.
Whatconfusedhermot herwhowaswat chthi
s
fr
om t
hecarasi tunfoldswast hefactthatthe
manwasmi dairandchocki ngyetherdaughter
i
sadi
stanceawayf
rom her
.

Thequeenhasnev erseenherdaughterin
acti
on,yessheknowst hatherdaughteri
s
gi
ftedbutshenevernewt heextentofher
powersandthistoherwasscar y.Ngwediwas
al
readyupandclosetoherqueen, she
connect
edwi t
hher
Ngwedi
:Capt
uret
hespi
ri
tmyqueen.
Mapul
a:Iwanthi
mtof
eel
pai
nfi
rst
Ngwedi:Youareonl
ycausingpai
ntotheman
hepossessedandyouknowhewi l
ll
eavehi
s
bodyandgof i
ndanother
.
Mapulaknewt hatwhatNgwedi wassayingwas
t
hetruthbutshewasj ustangryandt
iredofall
t
hedramasur roundingherl
if
e.Shecaptured
t
hespiri
tmaki ngiti
ntoamar bl
easbigasa
t
enni
sbal l
,themomentt hespiri
twasoutofthe
manhef el
lont heground.
Mapul agav eNgwedi t
ot hespi ritball,Ngwedi
tookt heballandkepti tsafeandt heystil
lneed
tofinditsorigins.Mapul awentt ot heman, she
kneelsbef or
ehi m andcheckonhi mt henask
Ngwedi forther iverwatersheal way str
avels
with.Ngwedi bringsitandt hequeenpoura
l
itt
leinherhandandspr inkl
ei tal loverhisface
andupperbody ,thentakest hel idandf i
ll
itwith
wat erthenmadehi m dri
nk.Af tert hatshecal l
ed
theguar dtocomeandpi ckhim upandputhi m
i
nt hebackoft hecar .Hedi dasi nst r
uctedand
theywer eofft ot hecapital,t
hequeenmot her
wasst i
ll
shockedbutwor dsfailedher ,shehad
somanyquest ionst oaskbutshej ustcouldn’
t
fi
ndt hewor ds.

BaKoenaKi
ngdom:
Tokelo, LeboandThabi sojustfini
shedhav i
ng
theirfeastandar enowont hewayt othet hrone
room.Theygoti nandt ooktheirseat s,Tokelo
tookhi slaptopandconnect edittocheckon
thecamer as.Hepl ayedther ecordingbutata
l
owv olume, hehear dthemanment i
onhi s
fatherthenheuppedt hevolumet ohear
proper l
y.LeboandThabi sosawt hechangei n
hisfacialexpressionandt heywentcl osert o
himt oseewhatwasgoi ngon.Theywat ched
thev i
deosunt ili
tended
Lebo:
Whatdoy
out
hinkt
hismeans.
Tokel
o:Idon’
tknowbutwhywouldhe
apol
ogizetomyfat
heri
nthemiddleoft
heni
ght
.
Thabi
so: Idon’
tknowhowy ouwi
l
ltakewhat
abouttosaybutIthi
nkthi
smanwasi nv
olvedi
n
yourfat
hersdeath.
Lebo:
Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?
Thabi
so:
Youhav
etopayat
tent
iondet
ail
sguy
s.
Li
stentothev
ideoagai
n.(Theyl
i
stenedand
headthesamethi
ng)
Lebo:
It’
sthesamet
hinghesai
dbef
ore.
Tokel
o:Pl
easeTel
li
swhaty
ouhear
.
Thabi
so:Thismanissay i
ngthathedi dn’
thav
e
achoicebuttodoitashewasaf raidofwhat
Tsekomightdoifhedidn’
tfol
lowt hroughwit
h
thepl
an
Tokel
o:Thepl
ant
oki
l
lmyf
ather
Thabi
so:YesAndIt
hinkt
heki
ngi
sgi
vi
nghi
m
sl
eepl
essnight
s.
Lebo:
Ihearyoubutwhywoul
dhecomeher
eif
hewasbeingtor
mentedl
iket
hat
Thabi
so:
Idon’
tknow.
Tokelo:IwantthismanoutofhereLebo
becauseifIgot ohim mysel
fthenmypeople
wil
lwitnesstheirki
ngkil
lri
ghtinfr
ontoft
hem
Thabi
so:
NoIwi
l
ltakecar
eofi
tbecauseLebo
i
snobet
tert
hany
ou,
Lebogetar
ail
onhi
m.
Tokelo:hahahamybrotheri
nlawisl
ear
ning
fastandheev enknowsabouttai
l
s.
Them:
Theyl
aughed.
Thabisowentandoffer
edTsheposome
breakfastt
henescor
tedhi
m outoft
he
premises.

Manzi
niki
ngdom:

Theki ngdom wassur elygett i

ngbackt owhati t
usedt obe, alotofdev elopment shav ebeen
madeandnowi t
’sstarti
ngt ol ookli
ket he
kingdom theyoncehad.Ev ent houghthef arms
wer estil
lbeingprepared, bypr epar
edImean
thesoi l
hadt obepr epar edandgot tenr eady
beforeplantingagain.Sot hatiswhatt heywere
busywi thatt hemoment ,Nt si
kagotdi vorced
hi
sIndianwif
ebutnev
ergotmarr
iedagai
nas
hesti
l
lbeli
evest
hatMpandewil
lcomebackt
o
hi
m.

Thechi efpri
estwasj ustshownofy etanother
greatpowercomi ngwi tht hequeenandwas
tol
dt owar ntheManzi niRoy alfami l
ytonot
i
nter fereasthi st i
mear oundt her esul
tswillbe
fatal.Thechi efpr iesthasbeenhav ingthi
s
war ningf ort
hepast3day sbuthest i
ll
ref
used
towar ntheRoy alfami lybecauset ohim,the
mor ey ouwar nt hem themor et heygoanddo
exact lywhatt heyar enotsupposedoft obe
doing.Hewasi nhi shutt hrowingbones
communi cat
ingwi ththegods
Chief
:Godsofourl and,
omanzini
, oGwabi ni
,
omntungwa.Pleaseletmekeept hisfrom them,
Iknowam y oureyesandearsandIr eportto
youbutyouknowhowt heroyalf
ami lyis.They
areli
kechi
ldrenwhodoexact l
ytheopposi teof
whatyout
ell
them nott
odopl
easel
etmekeep
t
hisfr
om t
heroyal
s.

Whil
ethechiefpri
estwasstill
busyNtsikagot
i
nwithoutannouncinghimself
,thechi
efpri
est
l
ookedathim aratherannoyedbyhisbehavi
or.
Chief:Onedayt
hegodswil
lstr
ikeyouwi
th
l
ighteningj
ustf
orbei
ngdi
srespect
ful
.
Ntsi
ka:Theywillstartwi
thyouforbei
ng
st
ubborn..
.nowcomet othepal
aceatonce.(he
l
eftbef
oret hechiefcoul
drespond)
Chief
:GodsIpraythatt
hiscrazypri
ncedi
dn’t
hearmebecauseifhedidthentroubl
eisyett
o
graceyourwonder
fulki
ngdom.

Thechiefpr
iestwenttothepal
acewi
thaheavy
hear
t,heknewexact l
yhowthemanzi
nir
oyal
fami
lycanbe, especi
all
ywheni
tcometothe
queen.I t
’sli
ket heyareattr
act
edt oherand
bringingtroublestoherthatal
way sleadtot he
kingdom andi tspeoplesuffer
ing.Hegott ot he
palaceandt hewhol eroy
alfamil
ywassi t
ti
ngi n
theloungewai ti
ngforhim.Hegoti ntookt he
grassmathehadunderhi sarm andpl acedit
nicelyont hefloorthensatonitandlookedat
them.
KingSbani
:Thepri
ncet
ell
smey
ouar
ehi
ding
somethingfr
om us.
Chief
:Greet
ingsmyki
ngandqueen.Howar
e
youtoday?
Queen:
Iapologi
zefornotgr
eet
ingwiseone.
Goodday.
..
wear ewell
andhopethesamegoes
fory
ou
Chi
ef:
Thanksmyqueenandam doi
ngv
erywel
l
.
Ki
ngSbani
:NowThatyougotyourgr
eet
ing
pl
easetel
luswhaty
ouarehidi
ng.
Chi
ef:
IfIdot
ell
you,
wil
lal
lofy
ouact
ual
l
ydo
whatIt
ell
yout
o?
Ki
ngSbani
:Weal
way
sdoasy
ousay
Chi
ef:
Alway
s..
alway
syousay
?
Ki
ngSbani
:Fi
neYeswewi
l
l.
Chief
:youhavetoknowt hati
fyouf
ail
t odoasI
askthentheconsequenceswil
lbeworsethan
befor
e.
Them:
Weunder
stand.
Chief:
Thegodswantmet owarnyoutostay
awayf rom t
herainqueenespeci
all
ynowt hat
she’swi t
hchil
d.Theysaysheisdangerousnow
mor ethaneverasshehabeent rai
nedandcan
domor eharmt oprotectt
hosesheloves
Ntsi
ka:Mpandei
swi
thchi
l
d?[
sai
dsoundi
ng
exci
ted]
Chief
:Ther
egoesy ourcr
azyson,Ihopet
his
ti
mey ouwil
ltel
lhi
mt obackoff
Ki
ngSbani
:Thati
sst
il
lthepr
inceoft
hisl
and
andam stil
lki
ng.Iwi
l
lnotal
lowy
out
o
di
srespectmethatwayagai
n.
Chief
:Okay,thekingMaydoahepleaseswit
h
thi
showev erIasktobel
eftoutofi
twhenthi
s
wholethi
ngget stoor
ealf
oryou.

Hest
oodupandl eft.Nt
sikasadther
ethi
nking
t
hati
fthegodskeepbr i
ngingMpandetotheir
l
iv
esi
tmeanst hattheyaremeanttobeandhe
wasmorethanwill
i
ngt ofightf
orheri
fneedbe.
Queen:
Ntsi
ka!
!!
Ntsi
ka:Mot
herwhyar
eyoushout
ingwhenam
r
ighther
e?
Queen:becauseIhavebeencal l
i
ngy oubuty ou
aref
arinthoughts.Li
stenheresonwhat ever
youarethi
nkingyoubetterfor
getitnowbef ore
youendupdoi ngsomet hi
ngwewi llal
lregr
et.
Nt
sika:
Whosai
dIwasev
ent
hinki
ngof
somet
hing.
Queen:IknowyouNtsi
ka,Ihav
ebir
thtoyou
boyandraisedy
ou.SoIknowexactl
ywhatyou
arecapabl
eof.

Ntsi
kadi
dn’
tansweral
lhewast
hinki
ngabout
washisMpande.

Sunr
isegr
eet
ings.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t74

Manzi
niKi
ngdom

Ntsi
kawassi
tt
ingi
nthepal
acegar
dendeepi
n
t
hought
s.Hewasthi
nki
ngofawaytogetI
Mpandey omuzi kababakhe, heal sowonder ed
i
fhewi llev erbeabl etol ovesomeoneel se
besi desMpande.Someonewhowoul d
under standhi m, someonehi sbeastwi l
lsubmi t
tobutt henagai n,hisbeensear chingandev er
y
womanhemeet sbr i
ngsoutt hebeasti nhi m,
ev enhisexwi fethati swhyhedeci dedtopush
heraway .Hedi dn’ tevenknowwhyhemar r
ied
heri nthef i
rstplace.Mpandewast heonl y
womanwhobr oughtj oyt ohishear tandher
smi lewar medhi shear tandwhenshecal l
ed
him’ Ntsikay amuzi woManzi ni’whenhecal l
ed
heri nthemor ningwhi l
eshewasst il
lasleep.
Peopl esawhi m asat roublemakerbutwhat
theydon’ tunder st andist hatoneonl yget sto
fallinlov e2t imesi nhislifeti
me.Thef i
rsttime
will bewi thhisf irstlove,thesecondt i
mei s
afterkissi ngal otoff r
ogsbuti fhel osest hat
l
ov eagai nthenal lhopeofhav i
ngt hatsoul mate
kingofl ov ewi llbel ost.Hebel i
ev esthathehas
kissedal otoff rogsandt hatheal r
eadyf ound
hi
spr
incess.

Ntsikaisthekindofmant hathasal otoflove

togivebuthi sbeastthathegotf r
om hi s
ancestorsispicky,i
twant swhati twant sand
theownercan’ ttoany thi
ngabouti t.Whichis
whyhedoesn’ twanttol ooset hewomanhehas
alr
eadyf ound.Thequeenwasl ookingathi m
throughthewi ndowt hiswhol et i
meandsaw
howt roubledhersonl ooked, t
hi shurtheral ot
andsheknewt hati
fshedoesn’ ttalksome
sensei nt
ohim hewi l
l endupdoi ngsomet hi
ng
stupid.Shewentoutt hehouset othegar den
andsatnextt ohi mincomf ort
abl esilencefora
fewmi nutesunt i
lshedeci dedt obreakt heice.
Queen:
YouknowIwasi
nlov
eonce.
Ntsi
ka:Ialr
eadyknowthaty
ouar
einl
ovewi
th
yourhusbandmother
.
Queen:
Noam noti
nlov
ewi
thy
ourf
atherbutI
havelear
ntt
olov
eandr
especthi
m asmy
husband.
Nt
sika:
Howdoy
oumeanqueenmot
her
?
Thequeensmil
edasthi
swast hefi
rstt
imein
monthssi
ncehersoncal
ledherqueenmother
andi
twarmedherheart
.
Queen: ImeanIwasi nl
ovewi t
haprincefr
om
VhendawhenIwasbacki nuniver
sit
y,my
parentslovedhi mformeandhel ovedmeas
well.Wewer esohappytogetherf
or4good
years,yeshemademeangr ysometimesandI
didtoobutt hemomentwesaweachot herone
woul dforgettheywereevenangry.
Nt
sika:
ThenWhathappened?
Queen:
Hisancest
orshappened.
Nt
sika:
Idon’
tunder
standmot
her
.
Queen:
Wel l
wewentt
ohi
shomeinVhendaso
hecanint
roducemet
ohi
sfami
l
y,t
hefamil
y
l
ov edmeespecial
l
ymymot heri
nlawbecause
shedi dn’
thav
eanydaught
ersonl
yhim andhi
s
brother.
Ntsi
ka:SoWhatwentwronghowdidyouend
upwithfat
herandnott
helov
eofyourli
fe?
Queen:Welli
nVhendabeforeaprincegets
marri
edthebridetobehastobeintroducedt
o
theancest
orstoseeift
heyapprove.Thesame
wasdonet omeandt heancest
orsreject
edme
sayi
ngthatIbelongedt
oanother.
Nt
sika:
Idon’
tunder
standmot
her
.
Queen: WellIdi
dn’ tunder
standmy sel
fwhenI
wastold,ImeanIwasnotmar r
iedandmy
famil
ydidn’tpromi semet oanotherandIhad
nosuitorsonlyMuv hangi
seni.Whenweasked
thechi
efpr i
estt herehesaidmydest i
nyisset
andthatmyancest or
salr
eadychoset heone
formet omar ry.TosayIwashear t
broken
wouldbeunder st atement
.Iwaschat ter
ed.
Nt
sika:
ThenWhathappened?
Queen: WellbothmeandMuv hangi
senididn’
t
wantt oacceptitwast heendsowecameback
togethertoseemychi efpriestbutt
hent he
samewasr evealed.Sowedeci dedtorunaway
andwehadt hemoneyt odoso, weleftand
wentt ostayinFreeStateforawhi l
ethenaf t
er
3mont hswemov edtoBotswana.West ayed
thereforabout2y earsandt heywerethebest
yearsofmyl if
e.
Nt
sika:
Thenwhydi
dyoucomeback?
Queen: Welltheancestorshappenedagain, I
gotsick,verysickandthedoctorscouldn’tfi
nd
anythi
ngwr ongwi thme.Iwasweakand
l
oosingwei ght,Iwaskeptaliv
ebypainpi ll
s
otherthanthatt hedoctor
scouldn’
tprescribe
anythi
ngforme.Onedaywewer ecomi ngfrom
thepharmacyt ogetpai nmedicati
onwhena
dir
tyol dwomancamet ousandsai d’gohome
l
itt
leoneory ouwilldieher e,
y ourancest orsare
angryandhav eturnedt hei
rbacksony ou’ t
hen
shel eft.Wel ookedateachot herwi thnoone
sayingany t
hing,wewenthomeandIwentt o
bed.Thenextmor ningwhenIwokeupourbags
werepackedandr eadyt ogo,Iaskedhi m notto
giveuponust hatIwi l
l getbetterbuthesai d’I
willrathernothav ey ouwi thmet hantohav e
youandwat chy oudet eri
orateanddi ebef ore
me.Iwi llf
oreverlovey ou’thosewer ethel ast
wordshesai dt ome.Wegott ot heai r
por tand
tookdi ffer
entf l
i
ght sandIl andedhomet hena
yearl aterImar r
iedy ourfather.
Ntsi
ka:
WOW mot hert
hati
sdeep,whydon’
tI
knowaboutt
his,
doesfat
herknow?
Queen:Therewasnoneedtotellyout
henbut
nowthereisandyesy
ourfatherknows.
Ntsi
ka:wowInev
erknewf
athert
obean
under
standi
ngman.
Queen:
Wel
lhei
satl
eastt
omeandy
ou.
Nt
sika:
Sowhyt
ell
met
hisnow?
Queen:Becauseyoufol
lowinginmyf ootsteps
butthedi
ffer
enceist
haty ourjour
neywi l
ll
ead
youandthepeopleofthiskingdom t
oy our
grav
es.
Ntsi
ka:Motheryouknowandunder
standwhat
am goi
ngthroughwhydon’
tyousupportme?
Queen: Becauseitwon’tendwellmyson.Tel l
youwhat ,call
Mpandeandaskhert opointyou
totherightdir
ection.Seekherhel
pandadv ice.
Thatgirli
spower fulandcandoany thi
ng,ask
hertoleady outoy ourbri
deandy esyoumight
notlov
eherasmuchasy ouloveMpandebut
shewillgiveyoual lt
heloveandrespect
Mpandewasn’ tabletogiveyou.
Ntsi
ka:
IhearyoumotherandIwil
ltr
yt hi
syour
waybutifi
tdoesn’
tworkam goi
ngaftermy
l
ove.
Queen:
Justtryt
hisf
ir
stt
henifi
tdoesn’
twor
k
t
henwewi l
ltal
kagai
nokay.
Nt
sika:
OkayMot
her
Queen:
Cal
lhernowwhi
l
eIgomaket
ea.
Nt
sika:
Myt
hanksqueenmot
her
.

Thequeensmi ledandl efthi

m.Shewaspr ayi
ng
thathedoesassheaskedandt hatMpande
helpshimf indhisqueenbef orehedoes
somet hingthatwi l
lsendt hem all t
othei
rearl
y
graves.Ntsikasatt herewonder ingifheshould
dowhathi smot hersaidorj ustgoonwi thhi
s
plan.Hedeci dedt ocall Mpandeandhearwhat
shemi ghtsayt othis.Hef i
shedf orhi
sphone
from hispocketanddi aledhernumber .I
tranga
coupleoft i
mesbef oreshepi ckedup.
Mapul
a:Nt
sikay
amuzi
woManzi
ni
Nt
sika:
Mawakheunj
ani
(hermot
herhowar
e
y
ou)
Mapula:YoudoknowthatIonl
yunder
stood
“
unjani“int
hatsent
enceri
ght?
Ntsi
ka:If
orgotMpandey
ami
,Iwasaski
nghow
youaredoing.
Mapul
a:Ver
ywel
lButy
ounotandIknowwhy
.
Nt
sika:
Pleasehel
pmei
fyoucan(hepl
eaded)
Mapula:Am gl
adyoudecidedtol
istentoyour
el
dersforonceandyourplanwouldn’
thav
e
worked.
Nt
sika:
Am sor
ryMpandey
ami
Mapula:I
t’
sokayandy ourbri
deisatKwa
Nongoma, t
hegirlli
veswi t
hhergrandmother
andthecondit
ionstheyliveinarenotgoodsoI
askyoubeagent lemant hatIknowyouare
wheny ougothere.
Ntsika:I
fshei
spoort
henthatmeansshe’snot
r
oy alandIhav
etomarryaroyal
pri
ncess.
Mapul
a:Iknowthatanddonotworr
yherbl
ood
i
spurebutIwil
ll
etyoufi
ndoutther
est
.
Ntsi
ka:Okayt
hent
ell
met
hisonet
hing,
does
sheknowshe’
sroy
al?
Mapula:Noshedoesn’tandthatwil
lbeyour
pr
oject.Hel
pherfindherfamil
ybecauseher
gr
andmot herdoesn’
thaveamucht i
mei nthi
s
worl
d.
Ntsi
ka:
Thi
sist
oomuchMpande,i
t’
sli
key
ou
aski
ngmetogi
veupony
ouandlove.
Mapula:Whatyoufeel f
ormei sobsessionand
youareafr
aidthatyoumaynotf i
ndloveagain
butyouwrong,yourloveisyettocome.Dot hi
s
andyouwillseetheresult
s.
Nt
sika:
Myt
hanksmyqueen.
Mapul
a:Keepwel
lNt
sikay
omuzi

Hedr
oppedt
hecal
lwi
thaheav
yhear
t,hel
oved
Mpandeoratleasthethoughthedidbutwas
al
socuri
ousaboutthisroyalpri
ncessl
i
vingi
n
pover
tyandhewant edtofindoutwhy.
Ntsi
ka:Iwonderwhatt
hestor
yiswi
tht
hisgi
rl
butIam wi
ll
ingtofi
ndout
.

KwaNongoma:

Gr
andmot
her
:Zasembo!
!(shecal
l
ed)
Zasembo: Mah!
!(sheansweredgoi
ngtot
he
backoftherondav
eltheyl
iv
edin,wher
eher
grandmotherwas)
Zasembo:
Mahungi
bizi
l
e(Mot
hery
oucal
l
ed
forme)
Grandmot her:Yebomnt anami,uyaziZasembo
i
sikhat
hi sesif
iki
leukuthiuthol
eumawakho.
(yesmychi l
d,youknowZasembot i
mehas
comef ory outofindyourmot her
)
Zasembo: Chagogowuwenaumawami angeke
ngikhangeleumntuowangil
ahlangimncane
akabhekanokubhekangasemuv a.(
No
grandmotheryouaremymot herandIwillnot
l
ookf orsomeonewhot hr
ewmeawaywhenI
wasy oungandneverl
ookedback)
Grandmot her:Akazangeakul ahleumawakho
nganeyami ,wangi nikawenakubami na
ngangingakwazi ukut holaabant wana,
wanginikezawenaukut hingikukhuli
se
ngikunakekele.Ngi kwenzi l
elokonganey ami
kodwangi mdal amanj ekway ewenaudi nga
umunt uozokunakekel a.(yourmot herdidn’
t
thr
owy ouaway ,shegav eyout omebecauseI
couldn’
thav echildrensoshegav eyoutomet o
rai
seandt akecareofy ou.Ididthatmychi l
d
butam ol dnowandy ouneedsomeonet otake
careofy ou.)
Zasembo:Ngi
yakwazi
ukuz
inakekel
aminamah
wangif
undi
sakahl
e.Mahwubaniowangi
nika
l
eli
gama?(Iknowhowtot
akecareofmysel
f
motheryout
aughtmewel
l
.Motherwhogave
methisname?)
Grandmot her:Walini
kwawumawakho
okuzalayo,ngi
y akhumbulaesit
hi mhlazane
anginikawena, wangit
shelaukuthingingaze
ngikutshi
ntsheigamangobay i
lona
eli
zokukhombi saekhakiniumai si
khathi
sesifi
kil
e.(yourmot hergaveyout hatname,I
remembert hedayshegav eyout ome, shesai
d
Imustnev erchangey ournameasi twil
lbethe
onet oleadyouhomewhent het i
mecomes)
Zasembo:Ahhwemahl omfazii
yahl
anya
angekeuzwe,ngi
zokutholakanj
aniekhaya
ngegamakuphela!Anginasongi
shonesibingo
mah.(ahhmotherthatwomani scrazyreal
ly,
howam Isupposedtof i
ndmyhomewi thjusta
name,Idon’
tevenhaveasur namemot her)
Grandmother
:Imf
undi
sozamiusuzi
khohl
i
we
yhi
niZasembo?(haveyouf
orgot
tenmy
t
eachi
ngsZasembo?
)
Zasembo:Chamah(shel
ookeddown
embarr
assed)
Grandmot her
:Manjeyhini
ngikuzwaukhul
uma
kanjengomunt uomdalakunawe?(sowhyam I
heari
ngy outal
kliket
hataboutsomeoneolder
thanyou?)
Zasembo:
Ngi
yaxol
i
samah(am sor
rymot
her
)
Grandmot
her
:Hambongi
l
andel
aamapi
l
isi
ami
.
(Gogetmypi
ll
s)
Zasembo:
Yebomah(y
esmot
her
)

Shewentinsi
deandgothergr
andmother
’s
medicat
ionandwatert
henwentandgaveitt
o
her
.

Tseko:
Tsekowasl oosi
nghi smi nd,hewentar ound
thekingdom askingf orforgi
venesst oevery
manhewr onged.Ot hersdidn’tevenknowhe
wast heonewhodi dwhatheconf essedt ohave
done.Heal sowentt ot hefatheroft heboyhe
kil
ledandsol dhisorganst ogetmoneyt ostart
hisbusiness.Mot l
akwanesawhi m comi ngand
gotoutofhi skraalandmethi m halfway ,hegot
tohim andbowedbutTsekost oppedhi m.
Tseko:
Ishouldbetheonebowi
ngt
oyou
MorenaMotlakwane.
Motl
akwane:
Noki
ngbowst oacommonermy
ki
ng,i
t’
sanabomi
nat
ionandapuni
shabl
e
cr
ime.
Tseko:Nnt
ateMot
lakwanekekopatsoarelo
nntat
emoholo(MrMotlakwaneIapologizemy
el
der)
Mot
lakwane:
Ket
soar
eloy
aengMor
enakay
ena
oyi
kopang?(Whati
sthef
orgi
venessy
ouar
e
aski
ngformyki
ng)
Tseko: Iki
l
ledyoursonMrMot lakwaneandI
soldhisorgansandusedt hemoneyt ost
artmy
business,for
giv
emepl ease.(hewasonhi s
knees)
Theol
dmanlookedathi
m astear
swere
fl
owi
ngdownhisol
dwr i
nkl
edcheeks.
Mot
lakwane:Doy
ouatl
easthav
ehi
sbonesf
or
metobury?
Tseko:
YesIdo,
theyaresti
l
lburi
edi
nthesame
pl
aceaburi
edhi
mi nyearsago.
Motlakwane:Wherei
sthat?(hewascryi
ngthis
wholetime,t
hinki
ngabouthi
ssonwhodi edata
youngage.Hewasonl y14year
sonlyandnow
hewoul dbe23,9wholeyear
snotknowing
whathappenedt ohi
sson)
Tseko:
Int
hepal
acegr
avey
ard,
pleasef
orgi
ve
meIbegofyou.
Mot l
akwane: Thegodsar ealreadypunishing
youf oryourcri
mesandIhopet heydomor efor
whaty ouhavedone.Youwat chedmel oose
my selfandeveryt
hingIownedl ooki
ngf ormy
son.Iev ensoldyoumyf ar
mt ogetmoneyt o
l
ookf orhi
m, mywifebl amedmef orhi
s
disappearancebecauseIsenthi mtothef arms
tolookf oracowandnev ercameback, sheleft
me.buti tdoesn’
tmat ternowj ustshowme
wher emysoni ssot hatIcanbur yhim with
dignity.
Tseko:
Am r
eall
ysorr
yandyoucancomet
ake
hi
sboneswhenevery
ouwant.
Mot
lakwane:
Pleasel
eav
emyhouse.

Tsekoleft,
helookedli
keahomelessman
exceptthathewascleanbuthi
sbehavi
orand
hisment al
stat
esaidotherwi
se.
Ihopei
t’
slongenough.

Hav
eagoodsl
umber
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t75

UKNOWNKI
NGDOM:

Thequeeni sl
ookingdownnotknowi ngwhat
mor et
osayt oherhusbandanymor e.Hehas
beenaskingheraboutthei
rdaughterbutthe
queenstil
lmaint
ainsherstor
yofherbei ng
dead.Thekingisfur
iousbecausehehasbeen
dreamingofhispri
ncessaskinghi
mt obri
ng
herhome.Whathewant snowisjustherbones
sothathecanburyhernexttoherf oref
athers,
butthequeendoesn’tevenwanttohearofi tas
shesay
sit
’spai
nful
tot
alkabouti
t.
King:MyqueenIbegofMamCi rhapleasetel
l
mewhathappenedtomypr incess,
shei snot
l
etti
ngmer est
,shewantstocomehomepl ease
nkosi
kaziy
aseMaMpi ngeni
.
Queen: Yout alkasifam enjoyingthef actthatI
l
ostmypr incess,wellam notandi fy oudi dn’t
knowam mor ehurtthanany onecoul dev er
i
magi ne.Hur tthatIdidn’
tgettor aiseher ,hurt
thatIonlyhel dherforafewmi nutes, hurtthat
youdon’ tseet hatt
hequeenmot herist he
reasonwhywedon’ thaveourdaught erandhur t
thatmyownhusbandi sbl
indt othet ruth.
King:Yousti
llonaboutmymotherbei
nga
witchthatki
l
ledthepri
nceandthepri
ncessof
thi
skingdom?
Queen:
YesIam.
Ki
ng:Khandi
xelel
emf azi
ndi
niungavanj
ani
wenaxakunothiwaunyokol
i
gqwirhaelabul
ala
abantwanabakho?(Tel
lmewomanhowwould
youfeeli
fpeoplesai
dyourmot
herwasawi
tch
thatki
ll
edyourchi
ldr
en?)
Queen:Thesamewayy ouar
efeel
i
ngnowbutI
woulddoanythingtogettot
hebott
om ofi
tand
pr
otectmychildren.
Ki
ng:
Stopt
alki
ngasi
ftheyst
il
ll
iv
e!!(y
ell
ed)
Queen: Nobaungangxol authinikumkani kodwa
l
ont oayizuj
ikainyaniyokubasingenabantwana
njekwelikhayakungenxakamamawakho.
(evenify ouyellmykingbutt hewon’ tchange
thetruththatthereasonwedon’ thavechil
dren
i
nt hishouseisbecauseofy ourmot her.
)
Queenmother
:Ndi
batyi
lenj
engokuuzot hini
wenangal
onto?(Iki
ll
edthem sowhatar eyou
goi
ngtodoaboutthat
?)saidthequeenmot her
comingi
ntothet
hroneroom wheretheywer e.
Ki
ng:Motherpl
easedon’tt
alkl
i
ket
hatyouwi
l
l
gi
veherandotherpeopl
eammunit
ion.
Queenmot her:Li
keIcar ewhatpeoplethi
nk,
l
ookIt oldy ounott omar r
ythi
sthingandnow
yearslatershei ssti
llt
hesamewhi l
e
Nomakhosazanai shappyinhermar ri
ageand
haschi l
drent hatshouldhavebeenmy
grandchildrenbutbecausey ouchoset hi
sthi
ng
Idon’thav egrandchil
drentocallmyown.
Ki
ng:
Mot
hershei
sst
il
lmywi
fe.
Queen:Whenyoureyesfi
nall
yopenpleaselet
meknow, unt
ilt
hentheonlyt
hingmeandy ou
wil
ltal
kaboutistheki
ngdom.(Shel
eftthem
t
here)

Likeaforestatatnight
,darkandscar y
.Likethe
fogont hemount ai
nsthi
ckandmy ster
ious,li
ke
thewaterinthelakecalm coll
ected.Atf i
rst
glanceitdoesn’
tseem deepbutwai tti
llyouput
yourfeetinthenyouwillseethedept hofi t
.
Likeatwoheadedsnaket hathidesthesecond
headsot hatoneconcentratesonthefir
stand
whent heythi
nktheyhavedef eat
edit,
the
secondheadappear swher ethetai
lwas
supposedt obeandbiteyoul eav
ingit
’svenom
thatwil
lsendyoutoy ourdeathinamat terof
minutes.

Likeazombi ewal kingnexty oubutwhenl ook

upt ofindt heheady oucan’ tseeitasi tisso
l
ongort allthati
tseemsl i
kei t
’sheadr eaches
thecloudspi er
cingt hrought hem andl ooki ng
ov ert
hem.Li kethezombi eswewoul dsee
growingupi nther ural ar
eas, wherey ouwoul d
becomi ngf rom theshopst hataremi l
esaway
from yourhomet hati twoul dliter
allytakey ou
anhourt oandf rom t heshops.Wheny ouwal k
backandi t’
salreadydar kyouseet histhing
wal ki
ngbesi dey ouwheny oulookony ourside
butwheny oulookupt hereisnohead.Att hat
momenty oudon’ twai tforany onetot ellyou
whatt
odobuty
our
unasf
astasy
ourf
eetcan
car
ryyou.

Thatishowt hequeenmot herofthiskingdom

i
s, unpredictable,undefi
nable,unscrupulous,
connivingandasdanger ousast hetwoheaded
snakeoradoubl eedgedswor d.Youlookatone
sidewhi l
et heot hercutsyousodeepy ouwould
feelli
feli
terallyleavi
ngy ourbody ,
byt hatti
me
youar ealreadywr i
ti
ngy ourwilli
nyourhead
andshar ingal lyouhav eamongt hose
deservinginy oureyes.Yousayal lyour
goodby esandonl yhopet hatyourlovedones
knowhowmucht heymeant oyou.

Thequeenoft helandisaprotect
or,sheisli
ke
mot herhenprot
ecti
ngitscheeksfrom bei
ng
eatenbyahawk.She’ sli
keaphoeni xwhenshe
rai
sesupf rom t
heasheshermot herinlaw
al
waysput
sherinandshe’sli
keandEagle
whenshef
lys.SheiswhatWeAfri
canpeople
cal
li
mbokodoar ock,
sol
idandupbreakabl
e.
Whi l
et heki ngi sli
keoneoft hosement hatar e
givenkor obelaorl ovepor ti
onsot hatt heycan
beusedl i
kepr ogrammedr obotsthatnev ersee
any t
hingwr ongf rom ther equestsitsowner
makes.Hel istenst oany thi
ngandev erything
hismot hersay sanddoesexact lyashi st old.
Nowev enaf ool knowst hatnoonecanbewi tch
aroy alexceptf oranot herroyalmemberbuthe
willneverseet hatnowsi ncehisunderaspel l.
Nowi twassai dthatt hepr i
nceandpr incessof
thelandwer eki ll
edbecauset heywer et heones
whower egoi ngt odef eatt hebiggestwi tchev er
l
ivesi nt hekingdom j ustbybei ngther e.That
wast heonl ypowert heywer egivenort askt o
defeatt hewi tchandbr ingbackt hefor merki ng.
From wher e?Nobodyknows.
Manzi
niki
ngdom:

Ntsikawaspr epari
ngt ogot okwaNongomat o
searchforthisgi r
l,hedoesn’tbeli
evethatther
e
couldev erbeany thingbetweenthem buthe
wasonl ygoingt heretohel pherfi
ndher
parents.Hei salsodoi ngthatbecauseMpande
i
st heonet hataskedandhewascur i
ousin
fi
ndingoutt hest orybehindherpov er
tyandnot
knowingt hatshe’sr oyal
.Hismot hergoti
nto
hisroom andf oundhim packingaduf f
elbag.
Queen:
Wher
etot
hisear
ly?
Ntsi
ka:Well
Itookyouradvi
ceandMpandei
s
sendi
ngmet oNongomat ofi
ndaroy
al
pri
ncess.
Queen:
Butther
ear
enoki
ngdoms
kwaNongoma.
Ntsi
ka:
That’
sthethi
ngMot
hert
hegi
rldoesn’
t
knowshe’
sroyal
.
Queen:
How?
Nt
sika:
That
sWhatIam goi
ngt
ofi
ndout
.
Queen:Okayt
henpl
easehur
ryandbr
ingmy
daught
erhome.
Nt
sika:
Awumah
Queen:
Yeshawu
Nt
sika:l
etmegogety
ourdaught
ert
hen
Mankosi
.
Queen:Manjeul
i
ndeni
(nowwhatar
eyou
wait
ingfor
)
Nt
sika:
Awungi
yahambav
ele(am goi
ng)

Ntsi
kawentonhi swayheadingtoNongoma,
buthefir
stwenttohisapar
tmentinMhl anga
thenwenttoNongomai nsearchofhisqueen.
Hespentthewholedaygoingf r
om houset o
housethatseemedtobeinnotsogood
condi
ti
on.Hef i
nal
lygaveupandwasdr iving
backtoMhlangai
nhopesofgoingbackt
he
fol
lowi
ngday,whenhesawamai denonthe
roadandst
oppedinhopesofaski
ngher.
Nt
sika:
Greet
ingsdearmai
den
Mai
den:
Greet
ings
Nt
sika:
Iwaswonder
ingi
fyoucoul
dhel
pme
Mai
den:
WhatcanIdof
ory
ou?
Ntsi
ka:Am l
ookingforamaidenthatl
i
veswit
h
hergrandmotherandIwastol
dtheyli
vear
ound
herebutam notsurewher
e.
Maiden:
Whatdoy ouwantwi
tht
heol
dwoman
andhergranddaughter
?
Ntsika:
Iam af
rai
dIcan’
ttel
lyouthat
,iti
s
betweenmeandt hef
amilyt
hatIseek.
Maiden:Wenaveleyouthi
nkam thatst
upidas
totel
lyouwherethepoorol
dwomanandher
granddaught
erl
iv
e?Iknowy ouri
chpeopleand
yourri
tual
sandyoualwaystar
getthepoor
peoplefort
hat
.Wellnotthi
sti
me,
Iwi
l
lnotput
thosepeopl
eindanger.
Ntsika:
Iam notathr
eatt
oanyonedearmai
den
Ipromiseyou.Youcanev
encomewi t
hmeif
youdon’tt
rustme.
Maiden:Hayimay bether
eisabi
gstupi
dsi
gn
wri
ttenonmyf orehead!Nowyouwantmeto
putmy sel
findanger.
Nt
sika:
Please(hepl
eaded)
Mai
den:
Mxm (shecl
i
ckedhert
ongueandl
eft)

Ntsi
kahadnochoi cebuttogobacktoMhlanga
si
nceitwasalreadylat
ebuthepromised
hi
mselfthathewon’tstopunt
ilhef
indsher
.

Lehl
ohonol
owasahomelesspersonwhowas
al
waysaroundt
hebaKoenaki
ngdom the
guar
dswerenowusedtohim andtheywoul
d
givehi
mt heirlef
toverfood.Athi skingdom his
queenandpr incewer elookingf orhim andev en
fi
ledamissingper sonsr eport.Whi l
eTomel o
wasstil
lastickfighterfi
ght i
ngwi t
han
unknownper son,boy swhousedt akethecows
tothefi
eldshav ebeenwat chi
nghi m everyday
andnowt hishasbecomepar toft heirrouti
ne
thatwhi
lethecowseatgr asst heywi l
lbe
watchi
ngt hi
sol dmanst i
ckf i
ght i
ng.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t76

Unknownki
ngdom

I
nt heMsanar i
vert
hekingoft
helandlay
ed
buriedbyhi
squeen.Thekingl
eadhispeopl
e
fr
om t hepr
esentkwaZul
uNatalar
eatoDedesi
thenfrom Dedesi t
oMsanar i
verwher ehelayed
resttothisday .Allt
hosewhower epr esent
duringhistimest il
lrespecthimforhishar d
worki nleadinghispeopl e.Msanariverisa
tri
butaryofMbasher i
verinMthathint he
EasternCapewhi cht heXhosapeoplecal l
Impumakol oni.AtMsanahi sgeatpalace
accommodat ed.Mergedandassi milated
vari
ousf ragment sfrom Amabonv ana,
Amav undleandAmampondomi seand
Amamf engut obuildhiskingshi
p.

Ev ent hought hetribeshadt hei

rownki ngsor
traditionall
eader st heyvotedhim astheir
primar yl
eaderandki ng.Eachtri
becont inued
doi ngt hi
ngsaccor dingtothei
rway s,butstil
l
remai nedundert hel at
ekingLangal i
baleleof
emaMpi ngeni.Thosewhost il
lpai
sehi m orthe
cur rentkingwoul dsaysi zweesikhokelwe
ngukumkani uMpi nga, uMawawa,
uBholokoqoshe,intomntana,ingakhul
uboya
seyi
lungeleabadala.Nowf orthosewho
understandthesear et
hecl annamesand
prai
sesofoft heaMampi ngaorOoMpi ngacl
an.

They oungregener ationoft helateki ngof

abaThembui ntheTr anskei astheboor emense
call
editbutint hepr esentdayi t’
scal ledthe
EasternCapebyt heWest erner
sandi t’
scal
led
ImpumaKol onibyt heXhosapeopl e.Now
Zasembo, Let’sstartbyunpacki ngt hemeani ng
ofthisroyalmai densname.Thename
Zasembomeanswomenoft heol denday s,
womanoft het wentiethcent ur
y, womenof
i
ntegrit
y,womenofpr inci
ples,womenofhonor ,
womenl i
keourgr andmot hers,t
hosewhost il
l
carryorcarri
edThemsel v
eswi thi ntegrit
y,
respectandat -
mostdi gnity
.
Theki ndsofwomanweusedt olookupt o,
thosewhousedt okeepahomet oget hersingle
handedl y,
thosewhonev ercompl ai nnomat t
er
howhar dthegoi nggot ,thosewhent heywoke
upint hemor ningAndt hei rfeettoucht he
groundt hedev i
lwoul dsay‘ ohshi tshe’s
awake’ thosewhot heirwal kcommanded
respectandwor dst hatcameoutoft heirmout h
wouldbui ldayoungper soni nsteadof
destroyingher.Theoneswhonev erjudgedbut
i
nsteadgav econst r
uct i
vecr i
ti
cism, theynev er
tookt hebadorsomet hingf rom someonewi th
outleavinganot her.Thewomenwhost oodup
forwhatt heybel i
evedi n, oneswhosuppor t
ed
eachot herwhent heirhusbandswoul dleave
homet ogoslav eint hemi nesoft heGaut eng
Province.

Kwanyamaay
iphel
ikuphel
aamazinyoendoda
(wher
ethemeatdoesn’
tfi
nishonl
ytheman’s
teethwoul dfinishf r
om eat i
ngt hemeat )
abaf aziabebequmaamahl azoamadodabo
bawakhut haz ekuz eisi
di masawosi ngar huqi
nemazi zezi njazi sindwangamabel e
awehl i
sil
ey ongat hi ngumdl ezanaev uzelwa
ngamabel eemsebenzi umnt wanaesendl ini,
azivaleleengot siniakhameamabel eawabeke
amaxol oekhaphet shunget hembal olotshi sa
ubisi amabel eni .(Womenwhousedt ocov erfor
theirhusbandsi ncompet enciesandsuppor t
them sot hatt hei rdignityremai nsrest ored.So
thatt heirdi gnitydoesn’ tgett ai
nt edlikethe
breast sofanur singdog, li
keanur singwoman
withbr east sl eaki ngofmi l
kwhi leatwor kand
thechi ldisathome.Thosewhowoul dlock
themsel v esi nt her estroom andpumpt hei r
breast sandputapeal ofacabbagel i
kean
Afri
canwomanwoul ddoi nhopesofdr yingt he
l
eaki ngmi lkf rom t hebr east)
That ’
swhatt henameZasembost andsf or,her
twinbr other
snamewasZamaMpi ngawhodi ed
atbi r
th.Hisnamemeantt hemenoft heMpi nga
clanashewast hefi
rstbornsonoft hecur rent
king.Howev erhewassentt oanear l
ygr aveby
thosewhof earedhisgiftandcouldn’
trisk
havinghi m growupanddest r
oythem.Whi chi s
thesamet hingtheythoughttheydidtohi stwi n
sister.Thequeenmot herwasinameet i
ngwi th
herassoci ates.
Queenmot her
:Youcal
l
edusher eQhawekaz
i
nowy ouquietl
ikeamouseti
ptoei
nggoingt
o
steal
cheesef r
om t
hetr
ap.Tal
kwomanIdon’ t
haveallday.
Qhawekazi
:QueenMothert
hingsar
enot
l
ooki
nggoodf orus.
Queenmot her
:Sonowy ouarewait
ingformeto
sayconti
nue?OkaythenQhawekazi si
nceyou
aret
hebossar oundhere,pl
easeconti
nuewe
arel
ist
eningohgreatone.(shesaid
sar
cast
ical
l
y)
Qhawekazi:Myhumbl eapologi
esqueen
mother.
..asIwassay i
ng,Ihavebeenheari
nga
hear
tbeat i
ngeversostrongl
yandaccordi
ngto
myintelthehear
tisthatofpurebluebl
ood.
Queenmother:Ar
eyounott
alki
ngaboutmy
dearhusbandshear
t?
Qhawekazi
:Noqueenmot her,
theheartoft
he
ki
ngisbeati
ngfaint
lyandweakwhi lethi
sonei
s
beat
ingstr
onglyandev ersopowerf
ul.What
amazesmei sthattheyarebeati
ngatthesame
paceasthekingeventhoughthekings
hear
tbeati
slowandweak.
Queenmother:I
tcan’
tbe,thekingdom hasno
otherl
i
vingrel
ati
vesexceptformyhusbandand
son.
Qhawekazi
:Iknowmyqueenbutt hisonei
s
cl
earasdaythatthehear
tbeati
sthatofaroy
al
memberandt hatofapur
eblueblood.I
t’
s
rhyt
hm makesmeweakl ikethatof
Senzangakhonaourlat
eroy alpoetanddrai
ns
myener gyever
yt i
meitbeatslikethevoi
ceof
thelat
ekingHintsa.
Queenmother:I
mpossibl
e!!
!(sheyel
l
edpaci
ng
upanddownt herondelmakingherfel
l
ow
wit
chesscared)
Queenmother:I
famemberofar oyal
family
l
ivesinthi
sdaythenwear eall
doomedandt he
prophecyofSenzangakhonawil
lcometrue.
You!!Nozi
nyawanadidy oumakesurethatthe
pri
ncessdiedli
keIaskedy out
o?
Nozi
nyawana:
Yesqueenmot
herIdi
d.
Queenmot
her
:Ar
eyousur
e?
Nozi
nyawana:
Ye.
..Shest
utt
ered.
..
yesqueen
mother
.
Queenmot
her
:Whyar
eyoust
utt
eri
ng?
Nozi
nyawana:
Not
hingqueenmot
hery
ouj
ust
i
nti
midat
eme.
Queenmother
:Ohtrustmei fyoumadea
mist
akethatdayy
ouwi llr
egretit
!AsIwi
llmake
youwatchasawipey ourwholefamil
yri
ghti
n
fr
ontofyou.

Nozinyawanakeptqui etthinki
ngaboutt hatday,
sheremember slighti
ngt hemut it
hatwasgoi ng
tosuffocat
ethepr i
ncesst odeat
hbutt henshe
star
tedcryi
ngsomucht hatsheleftherthere
forafewmi nutes.Sheremember sgoingback
totherondelandf i
ndingt hebabyquietandst i
l
l
wrappedupi nthesamesackshewr appedher
upin.Soshewassur ethatshedi ed.

Zasembowasi nthegar denandanoldwoman

askedhertogotothef armerthatwassit
uat
ed
i
noneoft henei
ghboringv i
ll
agestogether
goatthatshel
eftt
here.Shewentandt he
farmergaveherthegoatshewassentt oget,
shewalkedbutont heroadshegott hi
rstyand
stoppedatthest
ream todri
nkwat er.Sheput
thegoatthatwasinasacknextt otheriverand
wenttodrink,
shefini
shedandt ookthesack
andoutitonhershoulderandwentonherway .
Whenshegott otheoldwomanshegav eher
thesackbutwhent heoldwomanopenedi t,
therewasnogoatbutapi ginthesack.

Shewasconf usedbyt hi
sasshesawt he
farmerputthegoatki dint hesackandshe
didn’
tunderstandhowapi gl
etgotinthere.The
oldwomanwasangr yatherandaskedhert o
takethepigbackandbr inghergoat .Shetook
thepigthatwasi nsi
det hesackandcar ri
edit
onhershoul derandwal kedback, whileonthe
fi
eldshestar t
edbeatingt hepigwhi l
einthe
sackandkeptsay i
ng’cacaubauy ibhokhwe
okanyeuy i
hagu’ (showy oursel
fifyouagoator
api
g.Anelder
lymanshowedandsai
d‘ i
twi
l
l
onl
yshowitstr
uenat
urewhenyougethome
mypri
ncess’

Zasembowokeupsweati
ngandbreat
hing
heavyf
rom t
hest
rangedr
eam shej
usthad.
Zasembo: Whati sthi
snow?Yi ningamaphupho?
Phelami naangi seyenaumunt uophuphay o
mangi l
elengiyalalanjekuphel a,manj eyini
le?
Iphupholizeli
phi ndaphindepho( What ’
swith
thedreamsnow?Imeanam nott hekindof
personthatdr eamswhenIsl eep, whenIsleepI
sleep,nowwhati sthis?Ar ecur r
ingdream? )
shewonder ed

Shedeci dedt
owakeupsinceitwasalready
sunrise.Shewor
eadresssheworet he
previousdayandwentt
ofetchwaterfr
om t he
stream, t
heti
mewasaround5AM, shewal ked
tothest
ream walkingbarefootkickingmor ni
ng
thedewandt hedropsfrom itr
unningdownher
l
egs.Herfeelfr
ozenf r
om themor ningcol dbut
thi
sdidbotherherasshewasusedt oi tbynow.
Shegottotheriverandgotwat erthenwal ked
backtothehouseandst art
edwi thbr eakfast.
Nothi
ngfancybutasof tporri
dgemadeoutof
maizemeal t
hatwaspr eparedfrom cor nshe
gotfr
om theneighborsfar
msasapay ment
aft
erweedinghisfarm.

Shecookedt hesoftporridgeononesi dewhi le

sheputwat eronthesidef orhergr andmot her’
s
bath.Whent hewaterwaswar m enoughshe
pourediti
ntoabasinandt ookitt oher
grandmother,shewakeherupt otakeherbat h
whileshewentbackout sidetof inishpreparing
thesoftporri
dgeforthem andputwat eront he
sideforherownbat h.Shef i
nishedwi ththe
porri
dgeandwentbacki nsidether ondavel and
tookt hedi
rt
ywat erhergr
andmotherusedt o
bathanddisposedi tt
hendishedoutporr
idge
forherandtookittoher.Thenshewentback
outsideandpouredherownwat ertobath,she
smokecomi ngoutofthefir
emadeherey es
tearyassheblewoni ttorevi
veit
.

Shef i
nal lyrevi
vedthef i
rethenputat hr
ee
l
eggedsi ze3potwi thwaterandsal ttopr epare
papi nf orlunch,asshesawt hattheweat her
wasnotgoodandmi ghtrai
nint heafternoon.
Soshedeci dedtoalsomakel unchasshe
mightnotbeabl etomakef i
reandcookdur i
ng
thedayi fitrai
ned.Shewentt ot hesmal l
gardent opickwhati scall
edunomdl omboy iby
Xhosapeopl e,
basicall
yit’
ssomesor tofv eg
l
ikepl antt hatgrowsoni t
sowni nthegar den.
Sheputi ni nwaterthenwentandt ookherbat h,
aftershewasdoneshedi shesoutsof tpor r
idge
forher selfandwentt ojoinhergr andmot herin
t
hehouseandat
e.

Thegr andmothercouldseethatshewasnot
herselfandshedecidedtoaskwhatt he
problem coul
dbesinceshewasal waysa
bubblyperson.
Gr
andmot
her
:Whati
sbot
her
ingy
oumychi
l
d?
Zasembo:
Ohnot
hingmot
her
,justoneoft
hose
days.
Grandmother
:Youf
orgett
hatIknowy
oumy
chil
d,nowtal
ktome.
Zasembo:Well
Mother2thingshavebeen
bother
ingmebuti
fam t
ot ellyout
henpromi
se
nottoworr
ytoomuchaboutt hem.
Gr
andmot
her
:Ipr
omi
semychi
l
d.
Zasembo:
WellIheadfrom Si
zakel
eyest
erday
thatamandri
vingabeauti
fulcarwasal
lover
Nongomalooki
ngf oramaidenthatl
i
veswith
hergrandmother,
howwebot hknowthather
e
thereareonl
y8houseswi t
hgrandmother
s
l
ivingwitht
heirgr
andchi
l
dren.
Gr
andmot
her
:So?
Zasembo:Si
zakelesai
dhewentt
o4ofthe
housesandevenaskedhert
oshowhi
mt he
pl
acebutsherefused.
Grandmot
her
:Am goi
ngt
osayi
tagai
nmychi
l
d,
youhavet
ofi
ndyourmot
her
.
Zasembo:
Ngi
yakuzwamah(
Iheary
oumot
her
)
Grandmother
:Nowtel
lmeaboutt
hesecond
t
hingthatbot
hersy
ou.
Zasembo:Welli
twasadream l
i
ke.
..shet
old
heral
laboutt
hedream.
Gr
andmother
: It
hinkt
heoldwomanandthe
manlooki
ngforusareconnect
edsomehow.
Zasembo:Awumahwubani
otheufunathi
na
(ohmotherwhosai
dhewaslooki
ngforus?)
Gr
andmot
her
:Thul
auzobona(Wai
tAndsee)

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t77

Nt
sikaPOV:

Youknowwheny oulovesomeoney oudo

everythi
ngi nyourpowert oshowt hem y our
l
ov e,notjustsayitbutactoni tandthat’swhat
Ihavebeendoi ngthispastweek.Goi ngupand
down, toandf r
om Nongomaandam exhaust ed.
It
’sbeenaweekofmedoi ngthesamet hing,
dri
v i
ngthesamer oadandl ookingforthesame
people.Butnowam l ef
twithonehouset ogo
butam t i
redandi fMpandewant smet ogo
backshebet t
ertellmeunderwhi chr ockam I
supposedt
olookf
ort
hel
ostpr
incess.

I
maginemeawhol epr i
ncelooki
ngforlost
peopl
eli
keam inchargeoft helostandfound
depar
tmentataretailstor
e.Letmecall
Mpande.Ntsi
kadialedthequeenandshe
pi
ckedupont het
hirdr i
ng.

Conv
o:

Mapul
a:Nt
sikay
omuzi
woManzi
ni
Nt
sika:
Mpandey
ami
..
.howar
eyoumyqueen?
Mapul
a:Am doi
ngver
ywell
myprincethank
youf
oraski
ngandhowareyoudoing?
Nt
sika:
Notsogood
Mapul
a:If
igur
edasmuch
Nt
sika:
Awukumel
engenzeni
umangi
ngamt
hol
i
phelangikhat
hel
eYomuzi(whatmustIdowhen
Ican’tf
indher?Am t
ir
edYomuzi)
Mapula:Youknowyourl
anguagemademeget
anappjusttotr
ansl
atewhatyousaybecauseI
knowthatever
ytimewetalkyouwil
luseyour
l
anguage.
Nt
sika:GoodThatwayIwon’
thav
etor
epeat
myself
.
Mapula:Veyf
unnyNt
sika,nowgetupandgodo
whatIaskedt
imeisr
unningout.
Nt
sika:
Act
ual
l
yThati
swhyIcal
l
ed
Mapula:IknowwhyyoucalledNtsi
kaand
sometimesIwishy
ouwoul dn’tbot
hercall
i
ng
becauseIknowwhatishappeningwithyou.
Ntsika:
Awungekepho, umuntuuzokhul
uma
kanjaninomunt
uohleziesazi
konke.(aino
howi sonesupposedtotalkt
osomeonewho
alr
eadyknowsev er
ythi
ng)
Mapula:
Ntsi
katodayi
sthedaythaty
ouf
ind
hernowgobeforei
t’
stool
ate.
Ntsi
ka:KodwaMpandey ami
wenaungenza
uJesuuqobongeke.(ButMpandey
amiyouact
l
ikeam Jesus)
Mapul
a:Youwasti
ngt
imenowgo!(she
dr
oppedthecal
l
)

Ntsikal ooksathi sphoneandshakeshi shead.

‘
Youknowpeopl el i
kemyqueenneedt ol earn
torespectaman, akakhoumfaziovelealahl el
e
i
ndoday akhengef oni.(nowomanj ustdr ops
thecal lonherhusband)butmybeasti si nlove
withexact lythat
.Haukodwamadodaumf azi
woManzi ni(ohmant heManziniwif
e)l etmego
andl ookf orthelostpri
ncessbefor
emywi f
e
call
sandbi tesmyheadof f
.Ntsi
katookhi scar
keysanddr ov et
oNongomaonceagai n..
.after
45mi nutesofdr ivinghefi
nall
yarri
vedatt he
houset
hathedi
dn’tgotoandanol
dwoman
wassit
ti
ngout
sideunderatr
ee.

Ohl ordpleasedon’ tletthisbet hehouse, i

fitis
thenMpandei smistaken, aqueenoft he
Manzi nikingdom cannotcomef rom sucha
place.‘Behav eyourselfNt sikabeagent leman
thatIknowy oucanbe, don’ tlety ourar r
ogance
standi nthewayofdest iny ’well Imustbegoi ng
crazynowsi tt
inginthiscarscanni ngt hi
s
environmentt hatIhearMpande’ sv oiceinmy
head. .
.gr
eat!Justgr eatMt sikayoumanagedt o
makeaf ool ofyourselfinf rom ofot her
peopl e’
shousei fIcanev encal l thi
sahouse.

Igotoutofthecarandmademywayi nt
owhat
l
ookslikewasthey ar
d,butnowit’
sjusta
brokenfencewit
hwi r
eslayi
ngti
redont he
grassandthepolesthatusedt
oholdi tt
oget
her
hav
ebrokeninhalf
.Iwal
kedcl osertotheold
womanlookingatmeprobablywonder i
ngifI
hav
elostmindorsomethi
ngbecauseoft he
wayIhavebeenlooki
ngaroundt hi
splace.
Nt
sika:
Sawubonamah(Gr
eet
ingsMot
her
)
Gr
andmot
her
:Gr
eet
ingsson
Ntsi
ka:
Hauamauyakwaziukukhul
umai
singi
si
(ohmothery
oucanspeakEngli
sh)
Grandmot
her
:Boyt
ell
mewhaty
ouwanti
nmy
house.
Nt
sika:
Am sor
ry,
mayIpl
easesi
t?
Grandmot
her
:Goahead(shesai
dpoint
ingat
t
hewoodenbunkchai
randIsatopposi
teher
)
Ntsi
ka:MotherIwil
lnotbeataroundt hebush,
f
ir
stIwouldliket
ointr
oducemy self
..
.myname
i
sPrinceNtsi
kayomuziZulufrom. .
Grandmother
:TheManzi
niKi
ngdom,
whatcanI
doforyouGwabini
?
Nt
sika:
Am sur
pri
sey
ouknowmyki
ngdom.
Grandmot
her:
Ididn’tgetol
djustbysi
tt
ingon
t
hischai
rsunbaking.
Nt
sika:
Wellam herel
ooki
ngf
oragi
rlwhol
i
ves
wi
thhergr
andmot her
.
Grandmot
her
:Whatdoy
ouwantwi
thmy
daught
er?
Ntsi
ka:Accordi
ngtothebaKoenar
ainqueenI
am supposedtotakeherhome.
Gr
andmot
her
:Whatel
sedi
dthequeent
ell
you?
Ntsi
ka:
ThatShei
sofr
oyal
tybutshedoesn’
t
know.
Grandmother:Ifyouwantmet obeli
evewhat
youaresayingt heny
ouwillhavetoprov
etome
t
hatthereal r
ainqueentol
dy outhi
s.
Ntsi
ka:Fi
rsti
woul
dli
ketoknowifIhavethe
r
ightHouseandi
fsowherei
sthemai den?
Gr
andmot
her
:Youar
eatt
her
ighthouseand
t
hemai
denwentt
othest
ream.
Ntsi
ka:Howwouldyoulikemet oprovet
hat
whatam sayi
ngist
hetruth.(befor
eshecoul
d
answermyphoneri
ngsandi t
’sMpande,
I
excusemysel
fandanswer ed)

Conv
o

Nt
sika:
Mpandey
ami
Mapul
a:Gi
vet
hewomant
hephoneNt
sika
Nt
sika:
Whi
chwoman?
Mapula:Theoldwomany ouWit
hnowgi veher
thephone.(Maraam bei
ngbull
iedhere,
fir
st
formytimeandnowmybel ongi
ngs.Iwent
backtotheoldwomanandgav eherthephone.
)
Gr
andmot
her
:Hal
l
o..
Mapul
a:Gr
eet
ingsmydearel
der
Gr
andmot
her
:Gr
eet
ingsmychi
l
d
Mapula:Mot
herIdon’
thaveti
mebutIwanted
t
otell
y out
hatyouhavetotel
lhert
het
rut
h.
Gr
andmot
her
:Iheary
ouchi
l
d
Mapul
a:Iknowyouwant
edpr
ooft
hatIsentt
he
Manzi
niPri
ncet
here
Gr
andmot
her
:YesIdi
d
Mapula:Verywel
lthen..
.am sorr
ytosaythis
butyouwill
beinthelandofy ourancest
orsi
n
thenext3days.
Grandmot
her
:Iunder
standbutIhav
eone
questi
onf
oryou.
Mapul
a:Am l
i
steni
ngmot
her
Grandmother
:Wi
l
lmydaught
erbesaf
eisshe
goesback?
Mapul
a:Ipr
omi
set
obewi
thher
.
Gr
andmot
her
:Myt
hankschi
l
d(shehandedt
he
phonebacktoNt si
kabutwhenheanswered
Mpandealreadydroppedt
hecal
l.Heputhis
handsupinsurrender
)

Gr
andmot
her
:Youl
oveherdon’
tyou?
Nt
sika:
Mor
ethanany
thi
ng
Gr
andmother:Youdoknowthatshei
slov
edby
manybutchosenforone?
Nt
sika:
Me
Gr
andmother:I
fshesenty
ouher ethenam
af
rai
dthatyounott
heonef orher
.
Ntsi
ka:Iknowt
hatbutmyhear
tref
usest
o
accepti
t.
Grandmother
:Whenyourchosenonecomes
alongyouwil
lfor
gett
hesocalledl
oveyout
hink
youfeelf
orher.
Iverymuchhat epeopl ewhomeetmef ortwo
minutes,knowaf ewt hingsaboutmet henallof
asuddent heyarequal i
fiedtogi
vey ouadv i
ce
onhowt oli
veyourl
ife.Thi sol
dwomanr ight
hereisdoingexactl
ythatandIdon’ twantt o
entert
ainher.Iwasbroughtbackbyanangel i
c
voiceofsomeoneGr eet ingandIturnedtolook.
Themai denisbeauti
ful indeedbutsheneedsa
l
itt
lemakeov er.

Mai
den:
Greet
ings
Nt
sika:
Greet
ingsdearmai
den.
Grandmot
her
:Int
roducey
our
sel
ftot
hepr
ince
nana:
Mai
den:
Thepr
ince?Li
kear
eal
li
fepr
ince?
Ntsi
ka:
Yesl
i
kear
eal
li
fepr
ince(Godshe’
sso
r
ural
)
Mai
den:
Am sor
rymypr
ince,
mynamei
s
Zasembo.
Ntsika:Wakwabani Si
bingo?(Whati syour
surname? )Idon’
tknowi fshe’sbl
ushingor
whati sgoingon,Imeanbecauseshe’ sdark
andl ooki
ngdownpl ayi
ngwi thherfi
ngers.
Zasembo:Mypr
incewhati
sasur
namewhen
youcanonl
yhaveaname.
Nt
sika:
Idon’
tfol
l
ow
Zasembo:
ImeanIdon’
thav
easur
namemy
pri
nce.
Grandmother:
Pleaseleav
eusnowson,Ihave
t
ot al
ktomydaught erandexpl
ainaf
ewthings
t
oher .YoucancomebackonTuesdaynext
week.
Ntsi
ka:
Verywell
thenIwil
ltakemyleav
e.I
t
wasapleasur
emeetingy
oubot h.

Il
eftandgoti
ntomycaranddr
oveof
f.I
fthi
sis
myqueent henam int oodeep,thi
sgi
rlhasno
background, nosurnamenot hi
ng.Butthename
soundsXhosasoshemustbeoneandi fsheis
thenIcan’tev enbegintoimaginewhatmyl i
fe
wouldbel ike.Imeanl ookatMpande’sfri
end
Kwezi,thatgirli
scrazynowi magineonewi t
h
nobackgr ound.

Unknown:

-Isai
dIwantBBQhereatonce, i
tshoul
dbe
easyforyoutof
indhernowsincesheand
ghostseem t
ohavedisappoi
nted.
Guy
:Butbosst
hat
’showt
heyr
oll
-
Idon’
tcarehowtheyr
oll
Ineedtofi
ndherso
t
hatshecanhel
pmegett oghost
.
Part
ner:Youmusthaveadeathwish,
whoi
n
thei
rri
ghtmindwouldgoaf
terthoset
wo?
-
Meandam goi
ngt
ogett
hem.
Par
tner
:Whatdi
dtheydot
oyouany
way
?
-Ghost
srighthandmantookmywomanf r
om
meandnowshe’ swi
thanot
herbecauseofhi
m
andhisfamily
.
Par
tner
:Inothel
pingy
ouf
ightf
oranot
her
woman.
Lethabo:
Ohbutyouwill(hesai
dget
ti
ngi
nsi
de
theundergr
oundwearhouse)
Par
tner
:AndWhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e.
Lethabo:Wellanenemyofmyenemyismy
fr
iendandbesi desIhav
eascor
etoset
tl
ewit
h
myl i
tt
lenephew.
Guy
:Soghost
sri
ghthandi
syournephew?
Let
habo:
Yes!Doy
ouhav
eapr
obl
em wi
tht
hat
?
Guy:Nojustr
emi
ndmenev
ert
ogetony
our
badside.
Let
habo:ohj
ustshutup,nowyouneedasol id
pl
antopenet
ratethatki
ngdom becausethi
sis
akingwetal
ki
ngaboutandnotj ustanyki
ng
butghost
sri
ghthandman
_
Let
sdr
awhi
m outofhi
scomf
ortzone
Let
habo:Mypointexactl
yandtodothatwe
havet
otakethegir
lfr
iendandIknowhisgoi
ng
towantt
oplayhero
-Mypl
ani
scomi
ngt
oget
her
Let
habo:Oskabamolekowena(don’
tbea
nui
sance)i
t’
snotyourpl
anbutour
s.
-OkayIunder
stand

St
ayt
uned.
..

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t78
NONGOMA

Theoldwomanwassi t
tingont hegr assmat
i
nsidetheNowf al
li
ngapar trondav el,aplace
theycal
lhomeandt hei
rsaf ehav en, Theyhav e
j
usteatenthei
rsunsetf eastandt hewomani s
worri
edaboutwhatZasembowi llsayaf tershe
tel
lsherabouthowshegother .Ifitwer eupt o
hershewouldn’tt
ellherany thi
ngbutbecause
shewasal r
eadytoldthatshewi lldieinthenext
coupleofdaysshedoesn’ thav eachoi cebutto
tel
lherandhopethatsheunder stands.

Zasemboont heothersi
dehasbeenwor ried
si
nceshesawt hatmanear l
ier
,shewor r
iedt hat
hergrandmot
herhadar r
angedmar r
iagef orher
andthatman.Yesthemani seasyont heey es
andshewouldn’tmindgett
ingmarri
edt o
someonel i
kehim butshei sworr
iedabouther
grandmotherandwhowi l
ltakecareofheri
f
shewer etogetmar ri
ed.Sheisoldandfrai
l
,she
alsodoesn’thaveanyonebesidesher,t
hatis
whyshehopest hatshedidn’
tarr
angemar r
iage
forherasshewoul dhatehav i
ngtoarguewith
herinhersituat
ion.

Grandmot
her
:Zasemboudli
wayini
nganeyami
?
(ZasemboWhatisbot
her
ingyoumychil
d?)
Zasembo: Nothi
ngMotheram justworr
ied
abouty ourhealt
h.Wehav ebeentothecl i
nic4
ti
mest hisweekandallthemedi cat
ionwegot
doesn’tseem tobeworking.(sheissayingthat
i
nhopest hathergr
andmot herwoul
d
understandthatshesti
l
lneedsher )
Grandmother:
Ohchild!Don’
twor
ryy
ourself
aboutthatIwi
llbef
ineinacoupl
eofdaysand
youmydeary ouwil
lhavetogoonajourneyto
di
scov
ery
our
sel
f.
Zasemboi snowwor ri
edthatwhatshewas
afraidofisreall
yhappeningandher
grandmot herseemst ohavemadeuphermi nd
aboutsendi ngherof fandthatworri
edheral ot
.
Allsheknowsi showt otakecareofhernota
man, sheneverhadaboy f
ri
endinher22y ears
oflifeandnowshewi l
lhavetolearnever
y t
hing
aboutmeni nmar ri
age.‘Iwonderifmy
husbandwi l
llovemeandt r
eatmet hesame
wayast hemanIseeonTV’ sheusedtowat ch
tvatherf ri
endQi ni
sil
e’shouseandwoul dsee
l
ov escenesandwoul dwonderifshewill
ev er
hav eal ov
elikethat.

Gr
andmot
her
:St
opl
i
vingi
nyourheadZasembo!
Zasembo:
Ngi
yaxol
i
samah(am sor
rymot
her
)
Grandmot
her:
It’
sokay
,nowf
ocusonwhatI
havetot
ell
you.
Zasembo:
Am l
i
steni
ngmot
her
.
Grandmother:
Zasembomychi
ld,af
ewday
s
agoItol
dy outhaty
ouwi
ll
havetofi
ndy
our
mother.
..
Zasembo:AndIsaidIdon’
twantt
ofindher
mah, i
fsheneedsmethenshewil
lfi
ndme
hersel
f.
Gr
andmother
:Shedoesn’
tneedy
ouatt
he
momentbutyouneedher
.
Zasembo:Angi
mdi
ngi
minamah.(Idon’
tneed
hermother
)
Grandmother:Yesyoudonowl isten.Iwasonce
anurseandwor kinginMthatha, Iwasmar r
ied
backthenbutmyhusbandwasnotf ai
thful
to
meatal l
.Hi
sl oyal
tytomeendeday earaft
er
wegotmar ri
edbecauseIcoul dn’tgiv ehima
chil
d,myinlawst ol
dhimtogooutt hereand
getthem adaughterinl
awt hatwi l
lextendthe
famil
ybygivingthem gr
andchildr en.
Zasembo: Nowyouwantmet ogothr
oughthe
samething?Am Sorr
ymotherbutIwoul
drather
dieher
ewi thy
ouofhungert
handiesomewher e
el
sewithheartbr
eak.
Gr
andmot
her:Ukhul
umangani
manj
e?(What
ar
eyout
alki
ngaboutnow?
)
Zasembo:Iknowyouarr
angedmar
ri
agef
orme
andthatmanandIwil
lnotmarr
yhi
m.
Grandmother
:Idi
dnosuchthi
ngandItoldyou
manytimesthatwheny
oudon’tunder
stand
somethi
ngaskandnotjumpint
oconclusi
ons.
Zasembo:Am sor
rymother,
mymi ndj
ustr
an
wil
dwheny ousai
dtohimthathemustcome
backinafewdaysbecauseyoust
il
lwantt
o
expl
aint
hingstome.
Grandmother
:Thatwasnotaboutmarri
agebut
yourfamil
yspeci
fi
cal
lyy
ourmother.Nowlet
mef i
nish.
Zasembo:
Youcancar
ryonmot
herandam
sor
ryf
ordi
stur
bing.
Grandmot her :i
t’
sal r
ight,nowasIwas
saying..
.myhusbandl ostint
erestinmeasa
womanandhi swifebutmost l
yforgotthevows
hemade‘ forbet terorwor se’Iwasatmywor st
thatti
mewi thhisf ami l
ytheonesi deandhis
mistressest heot herandmymar ri
agewas
fal
li
ngapar t.Hel eftmewhenIneededhi m
mostandki ckedmeoutofmyownhome.I t
wasear lyi
nt hemor ningandIwasgoi ngto
workwhenhecamei nandandt ookasui t
case,
whenhedi dt hatIthoughtGodhadanswer ed
mypr ayersandt hismanwasgoi ngtoleaveme
i
npeace.

Iwenttotheki
tchenandl efthi
mint her
oom to
packinpeacewhileImadebr eakf
astbecause
whenIgettowor kitgotsobusythatonedidn’t
evenhaveti
mef orbreaks.Imadethebreakfast
di
shedforhim andmy self
,inmymi ndIwas
thinki
ngt hatwast helastmeal hewi l
lshare
withme.Li tt
ledidIknowt hatIwast heone
goingandIwast heonehav i
ngal astmeal with
him andinmyhouse.Hecamet ot hekit
chen
satdownandIser v
edhim.Heat eandf i
nished
thenlookedatmeandsai d.‘Ioncelovedy ou,
youknowt hat?Youwer ealway smyf i
rstchoice,
yesIhadt woot herwomenIwasseei ngatt he
ti
mebutnoneoft hem wer easdecentand
dignif
iedasy ouwer e.I
ny ouIsawawi feand
mot herofmychi ldren,
awomanIwoul dgr ow
oldwi t
hbuty oufailedme.Wheny ouleave
pleasetakey ourbagsandnotcomebackher e’

Bythatti
meIwasal readycryi
ngthinki
nghow
canamant hatclai
mst ohavelovedmeso
muchgi veuponmel ikethat
,howcanhebl ame
mef orsomethingIhav enocontrolover
?But
nonetheless,Itookmybagsandt ookat axit
o
work.Thetaxidroppedmeof fandIdraggedmy
bagsintothehospi
tal
,putthem i
nourchangi
ng
room thenwenttot
hehospi t
alchapel
topray
.I
prayedsomuchpour i
ngmyhear touttoGod.
WhenIopenedmyey estherewasawoman
nexttomewear i
ngahospi t
algownandshe
waspr egnant
.

Shesai dshehear dmepr ayi

ngasshewas
si
tti
ngt wor owsawayf rom meandshet hi
nks
wecanhel peachother .Shetoldmeabouther
mot herinlawwhoki l
ledherf ir
stbornchildjust
aft
ershegav ebir
th.Nowshei sabouttogi v
e
bir
thint henextmont handi sworri
edt hatshe
wil
l dothesamewi t
ht hesechildr
en.Shewas
carryi
ngt winsandshewant edtokeept hem
safe.Iaskedherhowsheknewhermot heri
n
l
awwast heonewhoki ll
edthechil
dandshe
saidshehadadr eam abouti tandlat
era
sangomaconf i
rmedi t
.Iaskedherhowt hiswi l
l
workandt oldmeshewi llhi
remeasher
personalmaidandIwill
beresponsiblefor
taki
ngcareofhertil
lshegi
vesbirt
ht henImust
takethechi
ldrenandrunawaywitht hem.

Zasembo:
Soy
our
anawaywi
tht
hechi
l
dren?
Grandmot her :Letmef inishchi l
d..
..ourplan
wassol idandIgr eedbecauseshewasgoi ngto
givemesomet hingInev ert houghtIcouldhav e
andt hatisachi ld.ITookcar eofherf orthetwo
day sshewasi nhospi t
al,shewast herealot
sinceshewascar ryi
ngt winsandwer egi
v i
ng
heral otofpr oblemsandshedi dn’twantt ori
sk
l
osingt hem.Shebookedmei nt
oaB&Bf orthe
twoday st henont hethir
ddayshewas
dischargedandIqui tmyj obandl eftwithher.
Whenwegott othepal acenoonequest i
oned
thenewmai dast herewer emanymai dens
wor ki
ngint hepal ace.
Zasembo:
Apal
ace?Youwor
kedatt
hepal
ace?
Grandmot her:YesAndYesnowl etmef i
nish.
..
soIt ookcareoft hequeenwhi chIonl yfound
outshewasaqueenwhenwegott othepal ace.
Shewoul dtakemeev ery
wher eshewentand
hermot herinlaw?OhmyIdon’ tevenknow
howt odescribeher ,
thewomani sev i
lherself
andIwoul dn’tbesur pri
sedifshewast hedevil
s
wife.Buttheki ngi sabeauti
fulsoul andhi s
peoplelovehim, buthetoolookedl ike
someonewhowaspossessedbecausehe
woulddoany thinghismot heraskedofhi m wit
h
noquest i
onsasked.

Thetimecamef ort hequeent ogivebi

rthandI
wasint heroom,thequeengav ebir
tht
o
beauti
fulandhealthychi
ldr
en, aboyandagi r
l.
Whichshenamedsoonaf t
ereachonecame
out,
Irememberwhent hefirstonecameout
andItoldheritwasaboyshesai di
nherweak
voi
ce‘ t
hatoneisZamaMpi nga’ andafew
minutesl
ater
,5minutest
obeexactagir
lwas
bornandItol
dherit
’sagir
landshesai
dthat
oneisZasembo.
..

Zasembo:
What !
!!Mot
herar
eyout
alki
ngabout
meoranotherZasembo?
Grandmot
her
:Whywoul
dther
ebeanot
her
Zasembo?
Zasembo:
Mot
herdoy our
eal
i
zet
haty
ouj
ust
sai
dIwasapr
incess.
Grandmot her:Yesnowl etmef i
nish
princess.
..soaf t
erthechildr
enwer ebor nher
mot herinl awcamei nwit
hawomanshewas
closetohernamewasQhawekazi .Theytook
thechildrensay i
ngt heyaregoingt ocleanthem
up, t
heylef tandthequeent oldmet ofoll
owthe
queenmot herandmakesur eherchi ldwassafe
butwhenIgott owher eshewast her oom was
fullofsmoke.
Zasembo:
Wasi
tbur
ning?
Grandmother:Nobutsomemut iwasbeing
burntandIheardhersay‘ goj
oinyourbrot
her
Mpingaandam sorrytodot hi
stoy oubutI
havenochoice,Il
ovey oubuti
fy ougrowupin
thi
spalaceyouwilldestr
oymeandIcan’ tl
et
thathappen’
Zasembo:
Whatdi
dyoudo?
Grandmot her:Ipeakedi nt her
oom andthe
babyalreadyhadf oam comi ngoutofhismout h
soIturnedbackandwhent of
indQhawekaz i
whowaswi t
ht hebabygi rl
.Isawherstanding
bythemai densquar tersandIsneakedi ntoto
room wher eshekeptt hebaby ,thesmokewas
ther
ebuti twasnotl i
ket heonei ntheroom
queenmot herwasin.Iwentbackoutandback
i
ntomymedi calbagandt ookaaddit
iveand
sedatedapi gletandputi tinasackli
ket he
babywas.
Zasembo:
What
!Whoputababyi
nasack?
Grandmot her
:Wellthequeenmot herand
Qhawekazi di
d,thesackcov eredthewhol e
bodyl eavingtheheadpeakingoutandIdon’ t
knowwhybutIassumei twasf orthechildren
toinhal ethesmokeanddi e.WhenIgott ot he
room t hebabywasal readyweak, Itookthe
chil
dr eplaceherwiththepiglet,covereditup
andt iedthesackandt ookthechi ldtomy
chamberandexami nedher.Shewasf inebut
shei nhaledsomeoft hesmoke, Iwrappedher
upi nat owelandplancedherundermybed
sinceshewasasl eepbecauseoft hesensitiv
eI
gav eher .

Iwentbacktothequeenandinf
ormedherof
whathashappened,shedi
dn’
tshedatearshe
j
ustaskedoneoft hemai
denstobri
ngherthe
babyclot
hessheboughtsoshecandressthe
chi
ldr
enwhent heycomeback.Themaiden
wentandbr oughttheclot
hesthenshetoldher
togogett hebabiesfr
om thequeenmot herand
whenshel eftshegavemeacar dandpi
n.Then
gavemet hebabycl ot
hesandt ol
dmeshewi l
l
call
herbrotherNcibanetocomegetmedur i
ng
thenightandthatImustbepreparedtoleave
andgof arawaywi tht
hechil
d.

Thequeenmot herandherf ri
endcameback
andt ol
dt hequeent hatthechi l
drendiedafter
bir
thbecauset heycoul dn’tstopcryingunti
l
theydied.Onet earescapedt hequeensey eand
shewi pedi tandaskedf orfuneral
arrangement st obemadeandshel ookedatme
saidshewant edmeoutoft hepal acebecause
Shebr oughtmet heretotakecar eofherand
herneedsbutIf ail
edher.Youshoul dhaveseen
thesmi lesont hequeenmot herandherf r
iend
whent heyl eftthatr oom itwasl i
kedt heywon
thelottery.Aftert heyleftthequeenapol ogized
andsai
dshesai dthosethi
ngssothatnoone
woul
dquestionmydi sappear
ance.Eveni
ng
cameandNci banecameandt ookushereand
si
ncethenIneversawany onefr
om thepalace
agai
n.

Zasembo:Sot hat
’swhyIonl
yhav
eaname,so
thatpeopl
edon’tknowwhoIam.Sowhati
smy
i
dentit
ymot her
?
Grandmot
her
:Youar
ePr
incessZasembo
Ndamane.
Zasembo:
Andmyki
ngdom?
Grandmother
:ThatIcan’
ttel
lyoubutt
heman
whowasher ewil
lhelpyoufi
nditj
ustpoi
nthi
m
t
ot heri
ghtdi
rect
ion.
Zasembo: Thanky ouMot herf
ort
ell
i
ngmewho
Iam andam gr ateful
ofthewomant haty
ouare,
Ineverdoubtedt hatyouweremymot her
becauseofthel oveandcar ey
ougaveme, y
ou
raisedast rongwomanMazondoandam
grateful.Yousentmet oschool andpaidmy
fees,int henextmont ham graduat i
ngandaft
er
Iwi l
lfi
ndaj obandt akecareofy oujustl
i
keyou
didwi thme.Am happyt oknowwher eIcome
from butIwi ll
notgol ooki
ngf orwitcheswhenI
hav eanangel r
ighthere
Grandmot
her
:Ohchi
l
d!Am af
rai
dyouwi
l
lhav
e
t
ogo.

Zasembodidn’
tanswerher
,shewasworri
ed
aboutgoi
ngtothatpl
aceonl
yt odi
eatt
he
handsofhergr
andmotheraft
erbei
ngsaved
fr
om them y
ear
sago.

Apologi
esfornotposti
ngyester
dayIhadto
at
tendawor kfuncti
onandcamebackr eal
l
y
l
ate.Butworr
ynot ,
todayIwil
lbefeedi
ngyout
o
makeupf orthedaywelost.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t79

I
NTHECAPI
TAL

Oneoft heTokel o’
smenj ustgoti ntot heir
war ehouse, hethoughtbestt ocheckont heir
peopl eont hegroundt oseewhati sgoi ngon
theresot hathecangi veghostt heweekl y
report.Hecheckedev eryonet hrought heir
trackersandal sot herout estheyhav et ravell
ed
ov erthepastweek.Thi st hingoft racking
peopl estartedaftertheTool ssaga, het hen
checkedont heguy swhohav etailsont heir
enemi est oseeift hereisany thingnewt here.
Hesawt hattheonet aili
ngLet habor ecent l
y
wentt oanunknownl ocat ion,onedi fferentfrom
theonesheusedt ogot o.Hedeci dedt ocall
hi
m andf indoutwhati
shappeni
ng.He
automatical
lydi
aledhi
snumberthrought
hei
r
system andhepickeduponthef
irstri
ng.
Guy
:Sur
e
But
tons:
Sureboy.
..Ipi
ckedupanewl
ocat
ion
onyourt
racker
,mi
ndf i
l
li
ngmein?
Guy
:Notatal
l
,Iwasaboutt
ochecki
nany
way
.
But
tons:
Outwi
thi
t
Guy:Well
Ifoll
owedt heuncl
etowhatseems
l
ikeanundergroundwarehouseandhemetup
withsomeguyst her
e,am notsur
ewhatabout
becauset
hewar ehouseseemst obesound
proof.
Buttons:I
fthewarehousewassoundproof
thennothinggoodishappeni
ngi
nthere.Letme
i
nform ghostandcheckinift
her
eisnew
acti
vityonthatend.
Guy
:Sur
e
Butt
onshandupandcal ledTokel
owhowas
busywiththeel
derstogetherwi
thLebo,
hetook
outthephoneandcheckedt hei
dthenhandedit
overtoLebo.HelookedattheiDthenwentout
toanswer.
Lebo:
Tal
ktome
Butt
ons:Termi
natort
heguytr
acki
ngtheuncl
e
j
ustinfor
medmeofsomenewdev el
opments
andIthoughti
tbestt
oyoutel
lyouguys.
Lebo:
Goon!
But
tons:
Wel
l
...
(het
oldhi
m al
ltheyknow)
Lebo:Okeyt
henst
artdi
ggi
ngandl
etknowwhat
youfi
nd.
But
tons:
Sur
e

HehungupandLebowentbackinsi
dewher
e
t
hemeeti
ngconti
nuedbutbef
orehecoul
dsit
heandTokeloshar
ealook.Notj
ustanyl
ook
butonethatsay
sther
eisasmokeandsoon
fi
rewil
lburn.

Reneilwehadj ustleftthesal onandwasnowon

herwayt otheparkinglott odr i
vetobaKoenato
vi
sitherboy fri
endandnowKi ngofbaKoena
ki
ngdom.Shewentt othepar kingandgott oher
car,openedt heboott oputhershoppi ngbags
i
nandcl oseditandwal kedt ot hedri
ver ssi
de.
Gotinanddr oveoutoft hemal l
,shedr ovef
or
about30mi nutesbef oreshehear dsomeone
cl
ear i
ngt hei
rthroatinthebackseatofhercar .
Shet urnedbackandsawamansi tti
ngt her
e
andwonder edhowhegoti nbecauseshe
l
ockedt hecarandshedi dn’tseehim whenshe
gotin.
Man:
Nowpr
incessst
opr
ighther
e
Renei
l
we:
Whoar
eyouandwhatdoy
ouwant
?
Man:Someoney
oushoul
dnev
ermeetev
enby
mi
stake.
Renei
l
we:
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
Man:Wellmybosshasasurpri
sef
oryou,
now
getoutoft
hecarsothatwecangoandmeet
hi
m.

Reneilwegotoutoft hecarandst artedwal ki

ng
i
ntot hebush, shewonder edwhatcoul dTokel o
havei nmi ndnowsi ncehehasbeensendi ng
herfrom adv ent uretr
ainingtotheothersay i
ng
thatpeopl ewhoar ecloset oghosthav et oget
propert r
ai ni
ng.Soshet houghtthiswasoneof
thetrainingsshehadt ogett hrough.Shedi dn’t
worryabouthowt heguygott heintohercar
becausei fhewassentbyTokel oorghost
himselft henhewoul dknowhowt ohacki nto
hercar .Theywal kedfurtheri
ntothef orestand
stopped.
Man:Am af
rai
dfr
om her
eIwil
lhav
etobli
nd
fol
dyouasIdon’
twanty
outoseewher
ey ou
aregoi
ng.
Renei
l
we:
Ist
hatnecessar
y?
Man:
Iwoul
dn’
taski
fitwasn’
t.
Renei
l
we:
Okayt
hendowhaty
ouhav
etodo.

Themanblindfoldedherandtheywalkedf
or
about20minuetsbefor
etheguyhelpedherget
i
ntosomethingthatl
ookedli
keadrainandtook
offt
hebli
ndf ol
d
Renei
l
we:
Wher
ear
ewe?
Man:Woul
dIhav
ebli
ndf
oldedy
oui
fIwant
ed
yout
oknowwherewear
e?
Renei
l
we:
JeezIgeti
tnoneedt
obei
rr
it
ated.
Man:
Justgoal
readyIdon’
thav
eal
lday
.
Reneil
wedidn’
taskmorequest i
on,shej
ust
conti
nuedwalki
ngunti
ltheygottoasteeldoor
thatl
ookedli
keabankv olt
.Themanpunched
i
nt hecodeandthengotitandthedoor
automati
cal
lycl
osedbehindthem.
Man:Tel
lmeyougother
..
..(sai
damansit
ti
ng
ontheof
fi
cechai
rbutf
acingtheot
herway)
Man: SurebossIgother
..
.(t
hemant urnedhis
seataroundandReneil
we’seyespoppedasshe
didn’
texpecttoseewhatorwhowasi nfrontof
her)
Renei
l
we:
You!
!
Man:
Yesme!

Nt
sika:

Ntsi
kawasbusyt
aki
ngoutcl
othest
owearas
hewasgoi
ngtoNongomatoseeZasemboor
thelostpr i
ncessashecal l
sher .Heset tl
edfor
ri
ppedj eans, aT- shir
tandsomesneaker s.
‘ubabaangangi l
ahlelangaphandl euma
enokuzwaukut hinii
nkosanay akhei ziphat
hisa
okwenj alangaphandl e.(myf atherwoul dthr
ow
meouti fhewer etof indoutt hathispr i
nceis
behav i
ngl i
keadogoutt here)Imeani t’
sonlya
dogt hatgoesar oundl ooki
ngf orbonesnot
Princesespeci allynotme.Buther eIam
becauseoft hel oveIhav eformywi fegoingto
placesInev erdr eamedofgoi ng,lookingfor
somel ostpr incesst hatIdon’ tevenknow
wher eitbelongst oorhowt of i
ndwher eit
belongst o.

Imeant hegi
rlonlyhasaname, howmany
peoplehavet
hatnameandhowi nGodsname
i
sonegoi ngt
of i
ndpeoplewithonlyaname?
Haikodwaabant ubayahl
anyalangaphandle.
(hainopeoplearecrazyoutt
here)nonet he
l
essletmego.Imeant hewomani seasyon
theeyessoam l ookingf orwar dtot hat.Ntsika
wentoutoft hehouseanddr ov etoNongoma
andgott her eaf t
er30mi nuets.Zasembowas
busyout sidebl owi ngthef i
ret r
yingt or evi
veit
,
Ntsi
kasati nhiscarandwat chedher .She
openedt het hreel eggedpott hatwasont hefi
re
andtookaspoonst i
rr
ingwhatwasi nside.
Ntsi
kar ealizedt hathecameempt yhandedand
deci
dedt odr i
vebackt ot hemal l
andgett hem
afewt hings.

Hest ar
tedthecaranddr ov etogatewaymall
andgott hem groceri
es,f
ewi temsofclothi
ng
forbothZasemboandhergr andmotherwit
h
thehelpoft heshopassistantofcourse.He
thenwentandboughtagasst oveforthem t
hen
boughtKFCchi ckenacool dr
inkandsomemi ni
l
oav esforthem toeat.Aft
eranhourhewas
doneanddeci dedt odri
veback.30mi nuets
l
aterhewasparkedatt
hesamespotinf
rontof
t
hehousebutthisti
mehegotoutandwentto
whereZasembowas.
Nt
sika:
Sawubonant
okazi
(gr
eet
ingsdear
mai
den)
Zasembo:
Greet
ingsmypr
ince
Nt
sika:
Howar
eyout
oday
?
Zasembo:
ThesanewayIwasy
est
erday
Nt
sika:
Andhowwast
hat
?
Zasembo:Bl
ackasy oucansee.(nawu
mcholwaengi
sukelaboManzi
ningisi
zeni
ngi
ngamenzil
uthongobaakusenamunt uLana
vel
e)herei
sanabandonedpersontryi
ngmy
pati
enceManzi
nipeoplepl
easehelpmenott o
doanythi
ngbecausesheisal
readyfi
nished)
Ntsi
ka:ngi
yakuzwakemcholwa,
(Iheary
ou
abandonedone)canyoupl
easehel
pmewi t
h
thethi
ngsinthecar
?
Zasembo:Fi
rst
lyam notabandonedand
secondl
ywhatthi
ngsarethose?
Ntsi
ka:
Ifyounotabandonedl
i
key
ousayt
hen
whoareyourpar
ents?
Zasembo:
..
.?
Ntsika:Nazoke(t
hereyougo)nowbeagood
l
it
tleabandonedpri
ncessandhelpmewi
ththe
st
uffi nthecar
.

Zasembohuf
fedandstoodupandwenttothe
car
,shet
ri
edtoopenitbuti
twaslocked.
Ntsi
ka:Hayichaphel
aumauyophul
il
e
uzoyi
bhadal
ashame.(heyi
fyoubreaki
tyou
wil
lpayfori
t)
Zasembo:
Wenaawuvul
iyhi
niseyi
zokuphuka
nj
e(thenwhyar
eyounotopeni
ngit)
Ntsi
ka:
Aveunenkaniy
esel
esel
ebo(y
ouar
eas
st
ubbornasafr
ogItel
lyou)
Hethenopenedthebootandtookoutt he
gr
oceri
esandhandedthem toZasembowho
wasshockedbywhatsheisseeingasnoone
ev
erboughtthem gr
oceri
esbeforeandi ft
hey
wantedsomethi
ngtheyhadtowor kforit.
Ntsi
kagotcl
osetoherandwi pedhertears.
Ntsi
ka:Musukukhal
amcholwawami kuzol
unga
yezwa(don’
tcrymyabandonedoneeveryt
hing
wil
lbeokay)
Zasembodi dn’
tanswershewasj ustamused
byhi minsisti
ngoncall
inghermchol wa.They
wenti nsi
dewi thev
eryt
hingandt he
grandmot herwashappyandgr ateful.They
haven’teatenKFCi ny
earsandt histot hem was
Christ
mas.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t80
BaKoenaKi
ngdom

Thequeenmot herMabot l
ewasbusypr eparing
forherwoman’ smeet ingandt odaywasa
specialoneasshewasbei ngv i
sit
edbyf our
otherqueensf r
om di fferentkingdoms.
Appar entl
yonehast hesomepr oblem wi ththe
womenofherki ngdom andwant stoseehow
thequeenofBaKoenadoesi t.Whi l
et heot her
threesaidtheyhav epr oblemswi tht heirKings
andnowar elookingf orev erysolutiont heycan
fi
nd.Appar entl
yonesKi ngi sact i
ngl ikea
homel essman, whi l
et heot herisgoi ngar ound
thekingdom bringingshamet ohi msel fandt he
royalhouse.Whi l
et heot herdi sappear swi t
hout
atracet hewholeday .

Mapul
agoti
nther
oom whil
ehermot
herwas
f
ini
shi
ngdr
essi
ngup.Shesatont
hebedand
l
ookedathert
hrought
hemi
rr
or.
Mapul
e:Queenmot
her
Queen:
Yesbaby
Mapul
a:Tel
lmewhoi
she?
Queen:
Who?
Mapul
a:Themanaboutt
orepl
acemyf
ather
Thequeenlaughedali
tt
leremember
inghow
j
ealousherhusbandwouldbewhenshelooked
goodgoingtoherpal
aceduti
es.
Queen:
Heypl
easedon’
tactl
i
key
ourf
ather
her
e.
Mapula:
Am justaski
ngbecauseIwanttobe
t
hefir
sttobeintr
oducedtohim andappr
ove.
Queen:Whywoulditbey
ouwhoappr
ovesand
notyourbr
other
s?
Mapula:
BecausedearqueenmotherIam t
he
babyofthef
amil
yandam t heonewhowill
appr
oveev
enLeboandTokel
o’swi
ves.
Queen:hahadon’tletLeboheary
ousaythe
“baby“partbecauseaccordi
ngtohi
m hi
sthe
baby.
Mapula: Agr andpasti
l
lcl
aimi
ngtobethebaby,
haimot herIdon’tknowwhereyougotyour
sons.Theot heronehasbeencrownedkingfor
moret hanfourmont hsnowbuthisnoteven
mentionedt akingaqueen.
Queen:
Leav
emyki
dsal
onepr
incess.
Mapul
a:Yhooy
oust
il
lcal
lthem ki
ds?
Queen:
Yest
heyar
emyki
ds
Mapula:
Well
thenmot
herf
orgett
hem gr
owi
ng
upshame.
Queen:
Theywi
l
lwhent
heyar
eready
Mapula:
Okaybutwherear
eyougoingbecause
Iknowyoudon’
thavepal
acedut
iestoday
.
Queen:
Am j
ustgoi
ngt
othewoman’
smeet
ing
butt
odayam bei
ngv
isi
tedbyt
roubl
edqueens.

Whent hequeensai dthatMapul e’seyes

changedcol or ,t
heyturnedf r
om whi tetogreen,
blue,r
edandbl ack.Shewasl ikeapossessed
person,thequeenmot herlookedather
becauseshest oppedtalkingandshesawher
daughterstar i
ngatherdi r
ectionwi t
hherey es
poppedout .Shewasn’ tev enblinkingbuther
eyeskeptchangi ngcol or
,shegotscar ed
becauseshedi dn’
tknowwhatwashappeni ng
withherdaught er.Tearswer efal l
ing,shecall
ed
amai denandaskedhert ohur r
yandcal lthe
kingandchi ef .Themai denranoutgoi ngtothe
throneroom, shegoti nwithoutannounci ng
hersel
fandwentst rai
ghtt owher eTokelo,
TheabisoandLebowher esitti
ng.
Lebo:
Pleaset
ell
mey
ounotbei
ngchasedbya
ghost
Mai
den:
Nomychi
ef
Tokelo:
Thenwhatmadey
oubadgei
nher
eli
ke
that
?
Maiden:Thequeenmot
hersentmet
ocal
lyou
shesaidyoumustgett
her
eatonce.
Thanks:Wher
eisshe?(t
heywer
eal
readyon
thei
rfeet
)
Mai
den:
Inherr
oom.

Theydidn’twai
tforhertosayanot herwordas
theywentoutrunningwithLebobei ngfi
rstout
thedoorthenTokeloandThabi sofoll
owing
behind.Theygottothepalaceandr anupt he
stai
rs,budgedintothequeen’sroom andst ood
bythedoor .
Lebo:Motheri
fy ouwer
etest
inghowf
astwe
canrun,
Imustt ell
youIwon.
Tokel
o:Becausey
oucheat
ed.
Thabi
so:Yeahy
our
anoutf
astbef
orewecoul
d
saygo!
Theykeptquietwhent heyreali
zedthatthei
r
motherisnotsayingany t
hing.Theylookedat
eachothert
henherandt henfollowedhereyes
toseewhatshewasl ookingat.Theysaw
Mapulasit
ti
ngt herewithherey eschanging
col
or.
Thabi
so:
Pleasedon’
ttel
lthespi
ri
tsgott
oher
.
Queen:
Idon’tknowson,
oneminutewewer
e
t
alki
ngandthenextshewasl
i
ket hi
s.
Thabisowentt oherandsquatt
edi
nfrontofher
try
ingtoconnectwithherbuthewasblocked.A
fewmi nuetspassedandMapulaspokebutnot
i
nherv oice.
Mapula:Boy
showar eyou?(t
hetwol
ookedat
eachothert
henbackatMapula)
Mapul
a:Iseethatsomethi
ngsneverchange,
l
etmeleaveyouthenyouwil
ltal
kwheny oufeel
l
ikei
tbutfornowletmefocusonmyhear t
.My
l
ove,myqueen,howareyoudoingmot herof
mykidsandqueenoftheland?(t
hequeen
coul
dn’
tstopcryi
nghear
ingherhusbandsv oi
ce)
Mapul
a:DonotcrymyqueenandIdon’
thav
e
muchti
mepleasetal
ktome.
Queen:
Ler
umohow.
..howar
eyouher
e?
Lerumo:Thatdoesn’
tmatt
ernowbutwhat
mat t
ersi
sthatam her
etotellyout
hatdon’
t
tr
ustthewomeny ouaregoingtomeettoday
anddon’taskmewhyy ouwi l
lknowsoon.
Queen:
OhhowImi
ssy
ouLer
umo
Mapul
a:Imi
ssy
out
oomyhear
t
Lebo:Fat
heri
fthati
syoutel
lmet
heonet
hing
thatonl
ymeandy ouknow.
Mapula:
Doy
ouwantmet
osayi
tinf
rontof
peopl
e?
Lebo:
Ify
ouar
emyf
athery
ouwi
l
lknowwhatt
o
doi
nthi
ssi
tuat
ion
Mapula:Wel
lam deadanywaysoIwillj
ustsay
i
t.Lebomysonyouar eafr
aidnoafr
aidisnota
ri
ghtword,
youarescarednoareter
ri
fi
edof
spi
ders.
Theother
slookedatLeboandhi
sfacesai
dit
al
l,
theyburstoutl
aughi
ngathi
m.
Mapula:
Boy sleavemysonal one,Tokel
oand
Leboyoubothar edoingwel li
nthekingdom
andThabisothanky oufortakingcareofmy
l
ight
.Loveyoual lespeci
all
yy oumyhear t
.

Hest oppedt al
kingandaf t
erafewmi nutes
Mapul a’seyeswentbackt onormalbutshe
didn’trememberany thi
ng.Theywentt othe
chiefpr i
esttotel
lthem whatwashappeni ng
andhet oldt
hem thatsincethequeenishaving
apor talforababyspiri
tscanuseitthroughher
mot herandt hepersonthelateki
ngconnect ed
wit
hwast hebabynotthequeen.Thati
swhy
Thabisocoul
dgetthr
oughtoMapul awhenhe
wantedtoconnectwi
thher,t
hebabyblocked
hi
m.

It
hinkIhav
emadeupf
ory
est
erdaynow.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t81

Nongoma:

It
’sWednesdaymor ningandZasembowokeup
earlyinthemorni
ngt odoherchor es,
shewent
tof etchwat
erwalki
ngwi t
hf l
ipfl
opskicki
ngthe
mor ni
ngdew,wit
hitsdropsrunningdownher
l
egsandf ogsothi
cklikeawi nt
ermor ni
ng.She
fetchedthewaterandwal kedbackhome, she
gotthereandl i
ghtupthegasst oveNtsika
boughtforthem andboywasshehappynott o
bemaki ngfir
einthiscoldmorning.Sheputt he
wateront hestoveandapotsof tporr
idgeon
thesidebecausehergr andmotherlovesher
softporri
dgeinthemor ni
ngbutshedeci dedto
makecer ealforhersel
f.

Shel ookedatt heti

meandi twasnow6: 30i n
themor ningandshewonder edwhyher
grandmot herwasnotawakey etbutshe
thoughtshewasj ustresti
ngherol dbones
sincei twasev encoldoutside.Shedi shesout
cereal forherselfaft
erwar mi ngthemi l
k, she
thenwentandsatont hebunkchai rand
cov eredher selfwit
habl anketwhi lesheat e.
Shef inishedt henwentout sidet ocleanthey ard,
shecl eanedandwhenshewasdoneshewent
topr eparebat hingwaterforhergr andmot her
becauseshedoesn’ teatuntil shehasherbat h.
Shepouredthewar
m waterint
othewaterbasi
n
andtookitt
ohergrandmother
.Kneel
ednextto
hermattr
essandcall
edforher
.

Zasembo:
Mot
herwakeupandbat
h
Si
l
ence.
..
Zasembo:Mahngiyaziukut
hiukhathelekodwa
kumeleuvukeudl
euzoselaamapili
si wakho.
(MotherIknowthatyouareti
redbuty ouhave
towakeupandeatsot hatyoucant akeyour
pil
l
s)
Sil
ence..
.(
Zasembowasnowget ti
ngworri
edas
sheuncov eredt
heblanketstoseewhatis
goingon,sheuncoveredthem thenshookher
towakeupbutherwhol ebodymov ed.She
start
edcryingbeggi
nghert owakeupbutshe
wouldn’t
.Shestoodupandwentout si
detocal
l
forhelpandoneofherneighbor scomerunni
ng
foll
owedbyherhusband.
Neit
her:Yhini weZasembowamemezaekuseni
kangakakuf ebani?(whatisi
tZasembowhyar
e
yel
li
ngearlyi nthemorningwhodied)
Zasembo: UmaakavukimakaVusingizame
konkekodwaakav ukingisi
zengi
yakucela(my
mot herisnotwaki
ngupVusi ’
smot herandI
tr
iedev ery
thi
ngbutshe’snotwakingup,please
helpme. )shesai
dthatcryi
ngholdingontoher
hand.
Vmot her:kul
ungil
ewent ombi musukukhal a
ubabaVusi uyambhekamanj euzophuma
asi
tsheleukuthikwenzakalani(alri
ghtmygi r
l
don’tcryVusi’
sfatheri
sinsidechecki ngonher
andhewi l
lcomeoutandt elluswhati sgoing
on)byt hi
st i
meotherpeoplehav ealr
eady
gatheredaroundandVusi ’
sf athercameout
andZasemboandhi swi
fel ookedathi m andhe
shookhi shead.
Zasembo:BabaVusiuvuki
l
eumah?(Vusi
’
s
fat
herdi
dmymot herwakeup?
)
Vusi
father
:Ngiy
axoli
santombikodwaumah
wakhousesishi
yi
le(am sor
rymygirl
buty
our
motherhaspassedon)
Zasembo: No!No!Uzovukaumahangake
angishi
yemina.Yi
thingiy
omv usauzovuka
uzobona(No!No!Shewi l
lwakeup, mymot her
wil
lwakeup, shewil
lneverl
eaveme.Letmego
andwakeherupy ouwi l
lseeshewi l
lwakeup.)
shesaidthatwipi
ngoffhertearsandshe
walkedint
othehouset owakeuphermot her.
Nei
ghbor
:Izongcwat
shwangani
?(howi
sshe
goi
ngtogetburi
ed?)
Another
:Angazimanimf azi
phelabayasokol
a
l
abantuabanalunt
onje.(Idon’
tknowwoman
becausethesepeopl
earepoorandt heyhave
nothi
ng.)
Vusi
Mot
her
:Ni
ngazi
hluphi
ngal
okouNkul
unkul
u
uzoli
vezai
cebo(don’
twor
ryy
our
sel
vesabout
thatGodwil
lmakeaplan)
Neighbor:Nawumntuezenzaungcwel engcwl
e
bo,sowenaucabangaukuthiuNkulunkulu
uzokwehlaemazul
winiazosi
zala?Hay i
sugangawena.(hereisapersonactingholi
er
thanthou,soyout
hinkGodwi l
lcomedown
from heav
entohel
pher e?Heydon’tbesill
y.
)
Anotherneighbor:
Uyahl
anyauyaziukut
hi
kuzodingekathi
nalanamacent
anaet huukut
hi
si
size(she’scrazysheknowsthatwearethe
oneswhowi l
lbeneededtohel
dher ewit
hour
cents)
Zasembowasst
andi
ngbythedooroft
hei
r
housel
ist
eni
ngt
othi
sargument
.
Zasembo:
Kwanel
emanj
e!!
(enoughnow!
)she
shout
ed
Zasembo:Mymother
sbodyi
snotevencoldyet
butyoupeopl
ear
ealr
eadyar
gui
ngaboutthe
funeral
whichnobodyaskedy outoarr
angeor
helpwithanyt
hing.I
fyoudon’thaveanyt
hing
bettert
otalkaboutt
henpleaseleave.
Nei
ghbor:Umausixoshauzosi
zwahubani?
Ungazohl
anyalawenanganengobaawazi l
utho
nj
e(Ifyouchaseusoutwhowi ll
helpyou?
Don’
tbecrazyherechi
ldbecauseyouknow
not
hing)
Zasembo: Ngiy
aziukuthiumahudi nga
ukuhlonishwaandni naenenzi loko
njengamanj esongiyanicel
angi ngekaze
ngiphulukanenesimiloukuthinihambe.(Iknow
thatmymot herneedstober espect edandyou
arenotdoi ngthatri
ghtnow, soIasky oubef
ore
Ilosemymanner stopleasel eave)

Theylef
tmumbl
i
ngsomet
hingamong
themsel
ves.
Nt
sika:

Ntsi
kawasst
il
lasl
eepwhenhehadadr eam,i
t
wasli
kehewasbackinLeSothowithMapula
t
alki
ngwhenshesuddenl
ygotserous.‘
whatis
i
tMoande?Di
dIsaysomet hi
ngwrong?’
‘nobutZasemboneedsyou,wakeupandgoto
hernow’‘butwear
esti
llt
alki
ngher
e’‘pl
ease
Ntsi
kawakeupandgot ohersheneedsnow
morethanever.
Hewokeupsweat i
ngandwonder i
ngwhatt he
dream wasabout
,whil
ehewasst i
llt
hinki
nghis
phonerangandhepickedi
tupfrom the
bedsi
detabl
eandcheckedthecall
eranditwas
Moandecall
ing.
Nt
sika:
Mpandey
ami
Mapul
a:Nt
sikay
omuzi
!
Nt
sika:
Whyar
eyour
aisi
ngy
ourv
oiceear
lyi
n
t
hemor
ning?
Mapul
a:Ntsi
kaItol
dy out
ogetupandgot
o
t
hatgi
rlsheneedsyou.
Ntsi
ka:
Hayichat
hisgi
rlal
way
sneedsmeand
youonl
ycal
lmewhenit’
saboutheram t
ir
edof
her.
Mapul
a:Iunder
standthatNt si
kabutnowi
sno
ti
metobenursi
ngy ourfeeli
ngsgonowshe’s
al
onewit
hadeadbodyi nt hehouse.
Nt
sika:What?Sheki
l
ledsomeoneandyouwant
met ogother
eandbeimpli
cat
ed,nowayam a
pr
inceaft
erall
.
Mapula:
Youareapri
nce,shei
saprincessand
am aqueensonowasyourqueenIcommand
youtogother
eatonce!
Ntsi
ka:Damnthatsoundssosexy !Andyou
sai
dmyqueenGodhowIwai tedtohearthose
wordsnowIonlyneedtoheary ousaythet
hree
magicwordsandam setforl
i
f e.
Mapul
a:NTSI
KA!
!
Ntsika:Noneedt oshoutmyqueenam goi ng
yhoumunt uuy ozeafeyil
emicholwai hluphayo
(yhoaper sonwoul ddiebecauseoft hose
abandonedpeopl ewhoar ealway sabot her)
Mapul adi
dn’tanswershedr oppedt hecalland
Ntsikawokeupandt ookaqui ckshowerand
drovetoNongomaandhegott here30mi nuets
l
ater.Hegotoutofhi scarandwhenheent er
ed
they ar
dhewasmetwi t
hanexcr uciati
ngcr y
andher anintothehouseandgoti n.Hewas
metwi thacryingZasembodr essingher
grandmotherwhi l
ehertearswer efall
ingonher
deadbody .

Nt
sika:
Whati
sgoi
ngondearmai
den.
Zasembo: MyMot herdi
ed,
shel
eftmeallal
one,
shedidn’
tevengivemeachancetosay
goodbye.Shelef
tmebhut i
andIdon’
tknow
whatIwillbewi
thouther(
shesai
dcr
yingev
en
hadhiccups)
Ntsi
ka:
Shhhhhkuzol
ungay
ezwa,
(shhhhi
twi
l
l
al
lbealr
ight
)

Hav
eagoodsl
umber
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t82

Nongoma

Ntsi
kawasr eal
lybotheredbyZasembo’ scri
es,
hercr
ieshurthim andtheonlythi
nghewant ed
todowasmakei tbett
erforher.Maybetake
awayherpainifitwouldmakeherf eelbet
ter.
Hekeptrubbingherbackt el
l
inghereveryt
hing
wi
l
lbeokay
.
Zasembo: Ihearwhaty
ouaresayi
ngbut
nothingseemst obeal
ri
ghtf
rom wher
eam
standing.
Nt
sika:
Letmemakesomecal
l
sokay
?
Zasembo:
Okay
.
Ntsikawentoutsi
detomakesomecal ls,
he
fi
rstcal
ledthepol
iceandreport
edthedeath
thenhemadeacal ltohi
smot heratt
hepalace.
Sheansweredont hethi
rdri
ng.

Conv
o:
Queen:
Ntsi
kay
amawakhe
Nt
sika:
Mot
herhowar
eyou?
Queen:
Get
ti
ngol
dwai
ti
ngf
ormydaught
eri
n
l
aw.
Nt
sika:
Wel
lmaht
hat
’swhyIcal
l
ed.
Queen:
Whati
sthemat
terson?
Nt
sika:
Mot
herIneedy
out
odomeaf
avor
pl
ease.
Queen:I
fit
’sregar
dingthequeent
henam sor
ry
sonbutam notdoingit
.
Ntsi
ka:Nomahi thastodowit
hy ourdaught
er
i
nlawasy oucallher
,pl
easedothisformeand
Iwil
lexpl
ainev
erythi
ngwhenIgethome.
Queen:
WhatcanIdof
ory
ou?
Ntsi
ka:Ineedyoutosend5mai densand3
guardstoNongomaandaskt hem tobri
ng
enoughgrocer
iestof
eedav i
ll
ageandgive
them acowandt wosheeps.
Queen:
What !ar
eyouar
rangi
ngaf
uner
alor
payi
nglobol
a?
Ntsi
ka:Afuneralmother
,nowasIsaidIwi
l
l
expl
ainev
erythingt
oy ouwhenIgethome.
Queen:
Okayt
henl
etmegetonwi
thi
t.
Nt
sika:
Ineedt
hem her
ebymi
dday
.
Queen:Al
ri
ghtsonpl
easeshouti
fyouneed
somethi
ng.
Nt
sika:
Iwi
l
lqueenmot
hermyt
hanks.
Queen:
Takecar
eofy
our
sel
fson.
Nt
sika:
Iwi
l
lmot
her
.

TheyhungupandNtsi
kawentbackto
Zasembowhowasst i
l
lcr
yingt
alki
ngtoher
deadgrandmot
her
.
Zasembo: Kodwamahungi shi
yakanjani
ungangi
bonangaumangi gqokaisidanga,
uhambakanj ani
ungabonangai ndlu
engi
zokuthengelayona?Kodwaungakhat hazeki
ngi
sezokuthengelaindluyakhofuthi
ngi
yakwethembisaangakei val
wenj engoba
wawufuna.(butmot herhowcany ouleaveme
wit
houtseeingmegr aduate,howcany ougo
withoutseeingthehouseIwasgoi ngtobuyfor
you?Butdon’ tworr
yIwi l
lst
il
lbuyyourhouse
andIpr omiseitwil
lneverbeclosedjustl
i
ke
youwant ed.

Thepoli
cearr
ivedoutside,t
heywer equickt
o
comebecauset heywerecalledbyaprinceand
theydi
dn’
twantt okeephim waiti
ng.Theygot
i
ntothehouseandgr eetedthepri
nce.
Of
fi
cer
:gr
eet
ingsmypr
ince.
Ntsi
ka:
Greeti
ngsof
fi
cer
,di
dyoucomewi
tht
he
f
orensi
cteam.
Offi
cer
:Yesmypr
incet
heywi
l
lbear
ri
vi
ngi
na
fewminutes.
Ntsi
ka:
Okaythenmythanks,l
etmet
alkt
othe
l
adyoutsi
dey
oudoy ourthi
ng
Of
fi
cer
:Al
ri
ghtmypr
ince.
Ntsi
kaandZasembowenttoNtsika’
scar
,they
gotinandNt
sikawi
pedhertear
sandhugged
her.
Ntsi
ka:Kuzol
ungayezwaIwil
ltakecar
eof
ev
erythi
ng(itwil
lbeal
ri
ght
)
Zasembo:
Thanky
oumypr
ince.
Ntsika:Cal
lmeNtsi
kabutjustfort
heti
me
being.(Zasembosmil
edthroughhert
ears)
Zasembo:ThankyouNtsi
ka,Idon’
tknowwhatI
wouldhavedonei
fy ouwerenother
e.The
nei
ghborswereal
readygossi
pingaboutt
his.
Ntsi
ka:Bat
handaizindabalabobayekel
enje
uzobona(theyl
i
kenewst hoseonesjustl
eave
them andy
ouwillsee)
Zasembo:
Thanky
ousomuch.
Nt
sika:
Whendoy
ouwanthert
obebur
ied?
Zasembo:
Assoonaspossi
ble.
Nt
sika:
OkayIwi
l
laskt
hemor
tuar
ytospeedup
wit
htheaut
opsy
, sot
hatshecanber
eleased
onti
mesothatyoucanburyher
.
Zasembo:
Iwoul
dappr
eci
atet
hat
.
Ntsi
ka:Iwoul
dalsol
i
ket
otakey
ouwi
thme
unti
lthef
uner
al.
Zasembo:Thati
ssomethingIcannotagreet
o,I
havetobeheresi
tt
ingonthemat t
ressand
gri
evi
ngformygrandmotherbecausenoone
el
sewill
.
Ntsi
ka:
Iunder
standbutcanyouatleastal
l
ow
metotakeyoushoppi
ngforcl
othesforthe
f
uneral
.
Zasembo:Youdon’
thav
etodot
hatIwi
l
lwear
whatIhav
e.
Nt
sika:
Iinsi
st.
Zasembo:
Am Al
ri
ghtIpr
omi
se.
Ntsi
ka:Yaziukudi
lanabachol
waabazenza
ngconakuyadinanje(younowdeal
ingwit
h
abandonedpeopl
ewhot
hinkt
heyar
ebet
teri
s
exhaust
ing)
Zasembo:
Finey
oucant
akemeshoppi
ng.
Nt
sika:
Anddoy
ourhai
r
Zasembo:
Whati
swr
ongwi
thmyhai
r?
Ntsi
ka:
Everyt
hing!Nowlet’
sgosot hatyoucan
si
gnthepaperworksothattheycantakeher
.

Theywentt otheforensi
ct eam andsingedthe
paperworkthentheyl ef
tforgatewaymal lt
o
gi
veZasemboamakeov er.Ntsi
kasenta
messaget ohismothert otell
theguardst o
str
etchthetentandputt hefakelawngr ass
i
nsideaswel lassetupt hechairsandforthe
maidenstocleanupt hehouseandt r
ytomake
i
tpresentabl
e.

BaKoenaki
ngdom:
Thequeenmot herwentt ohermeet i
ngaf ter
whathappenedt hequeenst hatcame
appar entl
yhav epr obl
emswi ththei
rkingsas
theysai dandal lthequeenadv i
sedthem was
thattheyshoul dgoandseeaseersot hatshe
cant ellt
hem whati sgoi
ngon.Oneaskedi f
theycoul dseet her ai
nqueenbutqueen
Mabot l
erefusedsay i
ngthatthequeeni sbusy
consul ti
ngandwon’ tbeavail
ableforsomet i
me.
Theyl efttofi
ndaseeri nMoeanengki ngdom t o
helpt hem fi
gureoutwhati shappeningwi t
ht he
kings.

Tokel
owasi nthethr
oneroom wit
hLeboand
Thabi
sotalkingaboutwhathappened.Laughi
ng
andteasi
ngLebof orbei
ngafrai
dofspider
s.
Hisphonerangi twasanunknownnumberso
hethoughtitwasoneofhi smencall
ingtogiv
e
hi
m anupdat eonwhati sgoi
ngonint he
busi
nesses.Hepi
ckedupt
hecal
l
.

Conv
o:
Voi
ce:
YeahTokel
o
Tokel
o:Whoi
sthi
s?
Voice:Thatdoesn’tmatt
erri
ghtnow,what
mat t
ersisthatIhaveyourgi
rlandboyi
sshe
tummy .
Tokel
o:Pr
ayt
hatIdon’
tfi
ndy
ouor
..
.
Voi
ce:
Orwhathuh?

Lebowasal
readytr
acki
ngt
hecal
lusi
ngoneof
Renei
l
we’st
racki
ngsyst
ems.
Tokel
o:Justt
ell
mesheOkayman
Voi
ce:
Shei
sfornow
Tokel
o:Okayt
henwhatdoy
ouwant
?
Voi
ce:
IwantBoi
tomel
o
Tokel
o:NowWhot
hehel
li
sBoi
tomel
o?
Voice:Easyti
ger!Youdon’twantmyf i
stst
o
accident
all
ylandony ourgir
l’
sface.
Tokel
o:Okay!Okayam sor
rynowexpl
aint
obe
mewhoBoi t
omel oi
s?
Voi
ce:Sonowyoudon’ tknowwhoBoit
omeloi
s
af
tery
oupeoplelockedherupformont
hsthen
af
tery
ougi v
ehertotheKingofbaTl
okwaona
si
lv
erplat
ter
.
Tokel
o:Ar
eyouser
iousr
ightnow?
Voi
ce:
Asahear
tat
tach
Tokel
o:But
..
Voice:
Nobut
sy ouhave8hourstobringher
backtomeoryourgi
rldi
es.(hedroppedthe
cal
l)
Tokel
o:Tel
lmey
ouhav
eal
ocat
ion.
Lebo:Ofcour
seIdoandt
heguy
sar
eal
ready
onthei
rwayther
e.
Tokel
o:Howf
ar?
Lebo:5minuet
soutIsentt
heonesont
he
ground.
Tokel
o:Gr
eatIhavet
ocal
lTsi
etsi
thatgi
rlhas
totel
lmewhothisi
s.
Thabiso:I
fyouaret
alki
ngaboutt
heBoit
omel
oI
hadlockedupthenwehavetobeprepar
edf
or
anyt
hing.
Lebo:
Youarenotgett
ingi
nvol
vedi
nthi
s,y
ou
wantMapul
atokil
lus?
Thabi
so:Ibr
oughtBoit
omeloi
ntoourl
i
vessoI
am i
nvol
vedli
keitornot.
Tokel
o:Fi
nel
etmecallTsi
etsi
andLebot
ell
the
guyst
hatIwantwhoev
erthi
sisal
iv
e.
Lebo:
Am Oni
t.
Tokel
owentout
sidet
ocal
lTsi
etsi
,i
trangt
wice
andhepi
ckedup.
Tsi
etsi
:Tokel
o
Tokel
o:Wehav
eapr
obl
em man
Tsi
etsi
:Tal
ktome
Tokel
o:Someguykidnappedmygi
rlandsayhe
wantsyour
sinexchange.
Tsi
etsi
:What
?Whoi
sthat
?
Tokel
o:That’
sWhatIwashopingy
oucanfi
nd
out.(babelunchi
sready
,sai
dBoi
tomel
oon
thebackgr
ound)
Tsi
etsi
:Letmeputyouonspeakersowecanall
di
scussthi
s.(heputhi
sphoneonthespeaker
)
Tsi
etsi
:Goaheadwear
eli
steni
ng.
Tokel
o:Boi
tomelosomeguykidnappedmygi
rl
andsayshewantsyoui
nexchangeandIwould
l
iketoknowify
ouhaveanyideawhoi tmi
ght
be?
Boi
tomelo:Ihavenoidea,
Ihav
eal
way
sbeen
wit
hTsietsisi
nceIgotout
.
Tokel
o:Thi
sguytal
kedabouty
ourl
ockupand
youbei
ngwithTsi
etsi
aft
er.
Boitomel
o:Theonlyotherper
sonIwaswith
beforeIwaslockedupwasLesalaMotaungof
theba..
.
Tokel
o:Taungconst
ruct
ions.
Boi
tomel
o:Yesdoy
ouknowhi
m.
Tokelo:
Am abusinessmanIknowev
ery
one
thatmatter
s.(hehungup)

Tokel
owentbacki
nsi
de.
Tokel
o:I
t’
sLesal
aMot
aung
Thabiso:
Ifhistheonewhoownsaconstr
uction
companyt henhisnotdoi
ngt
hisal
onebecause
thatguyi
sgoodsomeonemustbebehi ndthi
s.
Lebo:
Let
habo!
Tokel
o:Ohhi
sdeadt
hist
ime,
theancest
orswi
l
l
for
giv
eme.
Mapul
a:Youwil
ll
eavehi
mtome(sai
dMapul
a
st
andi
ngbythedoor
)

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t83

Nongoma

I
t’sSat urdayt hedayoft hefuneraland
Zasemboi slooki
ngliket hepri
ncessshei s.She
i
swear ingoneoft hedr essesthatNt sika
boughtf orher,i
t’
sabodyhuggi ngbl ackdress,
abl ackbl azerandar edmuf fl
erandr edblock
hil
l.Shel ooksbeaut i
fulindeed.Ntsikapaidf or
thewhol efuneral
,heboughtacasketf orthe
grandmother ,t
hegr ocer
iesforthefuneraland
therepair
st otherondav el
thattheguardsand
maidensr epair
ed.Theguar dsfixedtheroofof
therondav elwhil
et hemaidensf i
xedthewal l
s
ofitwithmudusi ngi tassomesor tofcement .
Thenusedoneoft hosecolorf
ul mudstonest o
makewhatt heyuseaspai ntandpai nt
edthe
rondavelbeigeandputabr ownl i
neatthe
bottom ofit.

Thehousel ookedpr esentable,thef uneralwent

wellanditwassadi ndeedbutonl yfor
Zasemboasmostoft hepeopl ewhoat tended
hadtheirownagendasf orbeingt here.Some
camet oseehowt hef uneralwillbeandI fther
e
wil
lbefood, other
scamewi ththei rdaughters
toseethepr incet
hatt heyhear dwast hereand
hopi
ngt hatoneoft heirdaught ersf i
ndf avorin
theeyesoft hepri
nce.Af t
ercomi ngbackf rom
thegavey ar
dt hemai densser vedpeopl et he
foodtheymade.Acowandt wosheepswere
slaught
eredandal otoff
oodwasmade, the
peoplewereamaz edbythisbecauset
heydon’
t
knowwher eZasembocoul dhavegott
enthe
moneyt odoallt
heset hi
ngs.

Other
ssaidthatshesoldherselftogetthe
moneytodoal lt
hethingsshedi datthefuner
al.
Oneofthewomanwhocamewi thherdaughter
wenttoNtsi
katoi nt
roduceherself
.
Woman:
Greet
ingsmypr
ince.
Nt
sika:
Greet
ingsdearwoman.
Woman:Youcancal
l meMangcobomypr i
nce
andt
hatoner
ightt
heretalki
ngtothosetwo
womenismybeauti
fuldaughterNomcebo.
Nt
sika:
Shei
sbeaut
if
uli
ndeed.
Mangcobo:
YesSheisAndnowwear el
ooki
ng
f
orsuit
orsf
orhersi
nceshehasbecomeofage.
Nt
sika:
Am sur
eyouwi
l
lfi
ndherasui
torsoon.
Mangcobo: Yes,shewasfri
endswithZasembo
whilesti
l
latschoolbutZasembost ar
tedsel
l
ing
hersel
ftomakeendsmeetsoIt ol
dmy
daughtertostopbeingf
ri
endswi t
hher.
Ntsika:Yazi ukuthiniwenasal ukazi ndini
uma
njengikhengakuzwauwaphi ndal awomazwi
komuny eumunt uuzowukhombaumuzi
onotshwal a.(y ouknowy ouol dwomani fIev er
heary our epeatt hosewor dstosomeoneel se
youwi ll
seewhatam capabl eof )Zasemboi sa
decentandr espect f
uly oungwomananduma
ungibhekileMi nangi ngabhekal onomconj wana
went ombi yakho?Ungi bhekekahl eMi naand
ayisozey ashadal entoy akhoi senomama
othakathaemi niil
angal ihlabeumhl aba.Phinda
ukhulumengoZasemboKabi uzoy i
bona
i
nkosanay oManzi ni,ngi zokutshengi samina
salukaziawungazi .
(Ify oul ookingatmey ou
thi
nkIcanev enlookatt hatdaught erofy ours
wit
hskinnylegs,l
ookatmecar eful
ly,andthat
thi
ngofyourswillnevergetmar r
iedforasl ong
asshehasamot herl
ikey ouwhopr actice
wit
chcraf
tinbroadday l
ight.Tal
kabout
Zasemboagai nandyouwi l
lseethepr i
nceof
Manzini
,Iwil
lshowy ouol dwomany oudon’ t
knowme)

Mangcobo:Iwasn’
tsay
ingthati
nabadwaymy
pr
inceIwasjustt
ryi
ngtowarnyouaboutt
he
ki
ndofpersonZasembois.
Ntsi
ka:Cont
inuedearwomanpl
easecont
inueI
dareyou.
Mangcobo: Butmypr i
ncehowcouldshehav e
pai
df orthis?Imeanl ookathowthehousehas
beenrepaired,thecasketandnowallt
hisfood.
Doy outhinkaper sonli
keherwit
hnothingcan
aff
ordallthis?
Nt
sika:
ShecanI
fshei
sfr
iendswi
tht
hepr
ince
andincasey ouwer ewonderi
ngIpai df oral
l
thi
sZasembodi dn’thavetosellherselftopay
forit
.Nowi fy oudon’thaveany t
hingbet t
erto
sayabouteitherZasemboort hedeceasedt hen
takelanomconj wanawakhouhambel a(take
thatskinnythingofy our
sandl eaveher e)

Ntsi
kaleftt
hewomanst
andi
ngt
her
ewi
thher
j
awdr opped.
Ntsika:Thiswomani stesti
ngmypat i
ence, how
dareshet alkaboutmyqueenl i
kethat,am the
onlyonewhocancal lhernamesnooneel se.
Wait!Di dIj
ustsayshe’smyqueen?NoMpande
i
smyqueen, Zasemboisjustafri
end,an
associateorwhat ev
eryouwantt ocal
l i
t.Yes
shei sjustafri
endandIcan’tpossi
blyhav e
anythingwithher.

BaKoenaki
ngdom:
Tokel
o,Lebo,
ThabisoAndMapulaweresi
tt
ing
i
nthethroner
oom waiti
ngfort
heguyswho
weresenttor
escueReneil
wetocal
lwit
han
updat
e.Whenaguar dcamein.
Guar
d:Per
missi
ont
ospeakmyki
ng
Tokel
o:Gr
ant
ed
Guard:Mykingt
her
earepeopl
eatthegat
e
request
ingt
omeetwit
htheroyal
famil
y.
Tokel
o:Wher
ear
etheyf
rom?
Guar
d:It
’st
hekingofMal
uti
andhisqueen,t
he
ki
ngofMohlol
oanegandhi
squeen,King
Tomeloandhi
squeenandkingLehl
ohonol
o
andhi
squeen
Lebo:Thatsoundsli
keanar
myt
heyj
ust
missi
ngagener al
.
Thabi
so:
Gener
alTokel
olet
sgoseewhaty
our
tr
oopswant
.
Tokelo:Youguy sar
enev erser
ious.Yougoand
showt hem totheguestchamberandwewi l
lbe
ther
eshor t
ly.
Guar
d:Myki
ng(hebowedandl
eft
)
Mapula:
Thosepeoplearenotherewi t
hgood
newsandwhattheyhav etosayisnotpleasant
andyoumightnotl
ikeitbutIaskthatyoutry
andbehaveyour
sel
v es.
Lebo:
Thatcanonl
ymeanonet
hing.
Tokel
o:Youknowsomet
hingwedon’
t.
Thabiso:
YesButr
eal
l
yguy
sbehav
eandt
hink
ofyourmother
Lebo:
Ifi
thastodowi
thmot
hert
henIcan’
t
promi
seanyt
hing.
Mapula:Youdon’twantyourpeopletoseet hei
r
l
eaderskil
li
ngpeople,
royalstotopitoff
,letthi
s
beandallowthegodstot akecareofitand
bef
oreyouasky esIdidaskandt heansweri s
no.
Lebo:
FineIwi
l
lgocal
lmot
her
.
Tokel
o:YesAndy
ouwi
l
lmeetust
her
e.

Theywentt ot heguestchamberwhi l
eLebo
wenttoaskt heguar dtocallt
heirmother.At
theguestchamber ,Greeti
ngswer eexchanged
byTokeloandot hers.Leboalsogotinand
exchangedgr eeti
ngsandt hesamewasdone
whent hequeengoti n.Si
lencefil
ledt
her oom
unti
lLebospokebecausenowt hesmell
comingf r
om Lehl ohonolowasunbear able.
Lebo:
Letsgetonwi
thi
tpeopl
ewehav
eot
her
commitmentst
oatt
endto.
Tokel
o:Thechi
efi
sri
ght
,thesoonerwegett
his
donethebet
ter
.
Tseko:Iwill
fir
stl
i
ketoext
endmythanksMy
ki
ngf orseei
ngusatsuchshor
tnot
iceandI
thi
nkIspeakforevery
oneIcamewi t
hher
e
whenIsayweapol ogi
zef ort
hepai
nwehave
causedther
oy al
family.
Tokel
o:Whatpai
nist
hat
?
Tseko:
Am.
..cl
ear
ingt
hroat
..
.we
Tomelo:Manstar
ttal
ki
ngorIwi
l
l,t
hismani
s
notgi
vingusr
est
Lebo:
Whatmani
sthat
?
Tomel
o:Ler
umo.
Tokel
o:Thi
sist
hepar
twher
eyouexpl
ain
your
self
.
Tseko:
Thati
swhatIam aboutt
oexpl
ain.
Lebo:
Sogetonwi
thi
t
Tseko:
Eeerweki
l
ledLer
umo.
Tokel
o:Whoexact
lyki
l
ledhi
m (hewasget
ti
ng
pi
ssed)
Tseko:
All
Ifus.Ishor
thi
m
Tomel
o:Ist
ickf
oughthi
m
Lehl
ohonol
o:Iwr
est
ledwi
thhi
m.
Tshepo:
Iwat
ched
Lebo:
Whatwast
hest
ickf
ightf
or?
Tomel
o:Tor
emi
ndhi
m oft
hegoodol
dday
s.
Tokel
o:Andt
hewr
est
li
ng?
Lehl
ohonol
o:Iwant
edhi
mtof
ightl
i
keaman.
Mapul
a:AndYouwhowat
chedwhydi
dyou?
Tshepo:
Idi
dn’
twantt
obei
nvol
ved.
Mapul
a:That
’sfunnybecausey
ouwer
e
i
nvol
vedfr
om thestar
t.
Queen:Whydi
dyouhav
etoshoothi
m?You
peopl
earesi
ck.
Tseko:
Weapol
ogi
es
Queen:
Whynow?
Tseko:
hisnotgi
vi
ngusr
est
,hehasmegoi
ng
aroundmykingdom aski
ngf
orfor
giv
enessto
thoseIwr
onged.Hemademel oosetherespect
ofmypeople.
Tomelo:Hemakesmegotothatf
iel
dever
yday
tof
ighthi
m andam t
ir
edmybodyissor
e
Lehl
ohonolo:
Hemakesmer esentmyown
pal
aceandpeopl e.Igoaroundli
vi
ngli
kea
homelesspersony etIhav
eakingdom anda
pal
ace.
Tshepo:hegivesmesl
eepl
essni
ght
saski
ng
whydidn’tIsavehi
m.
Queen:Whydi dyouhavetoki
ll
him?Couldn’
t
youjustbeathim upandl
eavehim al
i
ve?
Tseko:
Wear
esor
rymyqueen.
Queen: Guards!
!!!(sheyel
ledandt heguards
camer unning)takethesepeopl est r
ipt
hem
nakedandmaket hem hol
dt heBaKoenaf l
ag
andt aket hem aroundthekingdom f orthem t
o
apologizet othepeopleoft hiskingdom anddo
t
hesamewi
tht
hei
rki
ngdoms.
QueenK:
Pleasemyqueent heyarealr
eady
bei
ngpunishedenoughdon’tmakethem do
thi
s.
QueenT: Yesremembertheseareourhusbands
andfatherstothei
rchi
l
dren,pl
easedon’tput
them t
hrought hi
s.
Queen:Wil
lthei
rfor
giv
enessbr
ingbackmy
husband?
QueenK:
Nobut
..
.
Queen:
Nobut
s!Guar
dsdoasIsay
.
Tokel
o:Thequeenhasspokennowpl
ease
l
eave.

Thequeenslef
tandt
heguar
dswentt
ocar
ry
thei
ror
ders.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t85

UnknownKi
ngdom:

Thequeenoft hekingdomsj ustcameback

from herpal acedut ies,shesatont hedi ni
ng
tableandt hemai denser vedhersome
refreshment s.Thequeensatt herewonder i
ngif
shewi l
l ev erseeherpr incessagai n,howshe
l
ooksl ikenowandi fshegr ewupbei ngl ovedor
i
fsheev enwentt oschool .becausesheknows
ver ywel l t
hatmoneychangespeopl e,another
thingt hatwor riedherwasi fherhusbandwi l
l
ev ergetbackt ohowheusedt obe.She
remember edinl ovet heywer ewhent hey
star t
eddat ingunt ilhehadt ot akeov eraski ng,
thenaf terhewascr owned, hehast ot akea
queent or ulebyhi ssideandhi smot herhas
al
readychosenNomakhosazanat obehis
queenbutherefusedt
omar ryherandtol
dhis
motherthathewouldrat
herstepdownthan
marrysomeoneelse.

Thequeenmot herthenhadnochoi cebutto

approvetheunionbutshemadei tclearf
rom
thestartt
hatshedoesn'twantherasher
daughterinl
awandt hatwil
lneverchange.
Shet henfellpr
egnantwi t
ht heirf i
rstchil
d, a
pri
nceandt heywerebothhappy .Thechi ldwas
bornheal t
hybutthemomentt hequeenmot her
tookhim, shenevercamebackwi thhi m and
saidhedi edbecausehecoul dn'tst op
cryi
ng.Thequeenhadahar dt i
meaccept i
ng
thatanddeci detotakeitfurther.Shewentback
toherv i
ll
ageandaskedt hechi efpr iestwhat
hadhappenedandhet ol
dhert hatt hequeen
mot heristheonedoi ngallt
hi sandt hatwhen
sheget sbackhome, not
hingwast hesame, her
kingwasnotherki ngany morebutsomeone
sheher sel
fdoesn'tknow.Theki ngcamei nand
mi ndyoutheyhav en'tbeenacti
nglikeacouple
sincethatday,t
heyonl yspokeabouti ssues
relat
ingtothekingdomsonl yandnothingabout
them.
Ki
ng:
MamCi
rha
Queen:
Sil
ence.
..
King:MamCi rha,Ncibani
,Nojahol
o,nkosi
kazi
yasemaMpi ngeni,mamawabant wanabam,
ndical
authethenam st handwasam,
andisat
handingokuxakunj ephakat
hikwam
nawe.(hecal ledherbyherclannames, mother
ofmychi l
dren, pl
easetalktomemyl ove,idon'
t
l
ikehowt hi
ngsar ebet weenus.)
Queen: Youknowi usedtol
oveitwheny oucal
l
met hat,i
tusedtowar m myheartbutnowit
doesn'tdoanythi
ngtomeandy ouknowwhy ?
Ki
ng:
Pleaset
ell
me
Queen:Becauseyouar
enol
ongert
hemant
hat
usedtosaythatt
ome.
King:Idon'
tknowwhati
shappeni
ngt
omebuti
askthatyoudon'
tgi
veuponme.
Queen:Ifidi
dn'
tgi
veupal
lthosey
ear
sagoi
won'tdoitnow.
Ki
ng:
Thanky
oumyqueen.

Thequeenwonderedi
fthingswil
levergoback
tonor
mal ori
fshewil
levergetherhusband
andchi
ldback.

Nongoma:

Zasembowassit
ti
ngi
nherhousepacki
ngaway
thi
ngst
hatbel
ongedt
ohergr
andmotherwhen
Ntsi
kacamein.
Zasembo:
Greet
ingsmypr
ince
Nt
sika:
Greet
ingsdearmai
den.
Zasembo:Idi
dntthi
nki
wil
lseey
out
oday
,what
bri
ngsyouhere?
Nt
sika:
Ihavesomet
hingf
ory
ouf
rom y
our
gr
andmother
.
Zasembo:
Whati
sit
?
Ntsi
katookoutblackinv
estmentcardfrom hi
s
wall
etandhandedittoher.Shetookitand
l
ookedatNtsikawithquesti
oni
ngey es.
Ntsika:Yourmot hergavey ourgrandmot hera
l
otofmoneyt ot akegoodcar eofy ou,which
shedi dbutafterpayingoffallthemoneyt hat
wasneededf oryouruniversit
yinadv anceshe
tookall t
heremai ni
ngoneandi nvest
edi tand
thi
si sthecardandpi ntot hataccountandone
ofthecompani essheinvestedhermoneyi ni
s
myl ogisti
cscompanywhi chisdoingv erywell
bythewayandy ouyoungl adyhav ealotof
moneyi
nthataccount
.

Zasembowasnowcr yi
ng,shecoul dn'tbeli
eve
thathergrandmot herdidthatforher.she
preferr
edtost ar
vethant ouset hatmoneyand
thattoherwasmor ethanwhatshecoul dhav e
askedf orbecausehergr andmot hertaughther
howt obei ndependentandt hatisthegr eatest
giftanywomancoul daskf or
.
Zasembo: Thanky oumypr inceforhavinga
goodhear tbecausei fy ouweresomeoneel se
youwoul dn'thavegi venmet hemoney .Youhad
every
thing, t
hepi nandt hecardbutyoudidn't
cheatmeoutofi t
,insteadyougav ei
ttomeand
didexactlyasr equestedandi thankyou.
Ntsi
ka:Nowyouaregoingtomakemecr y
pr
incess.Wel
lnowiwanty out
othi
nkabout
whatyouwanttodowiththatmoneybuti need
ananswerbynextweekaftery
ourgraduati
on
aswewi l
lbel
eav
ingf
ort
hequestt
osear
chf
or
yourki
ngdom.
Zasembo:Youwil
lhav
emyanswert
henbuti
wouldal
soli
keyoutohel
pmemanagemy
i
nvestment
s.
Ntsi
ka:
Ialreadypr
omisedyourgrandmot
her
t
hatiwil
l,
sonowl etsgooutforl
unch.
Zasembo:Youandgoingout.Youdont
under
standthati
dontli
kebeingar
oundpeopl
e.
Ntsi
ka:Idounderst
andt
hatbutaspr
incessyou
wil
lhavetobearoundal
otofpeopl
e,sorather
getusedtoi
tnow.
Zasembo:
Okayt
henl
et'
sgo.

Zasembochangedandt heyleft
.Zasembowas
beginni
ngtoli
keNtsi
kabutshedi dntwantto
getherhopesupasshedi dntknowwhathef el
t
forher,
ifhef
eltanyt
hing.I
tcouldbethatheis
j
usthel
pinghernot
hingmor
e.

Thisoneisdedi cat
edto:
NthabisengMor aj
ane,
thefi
rstpersonwhyshar e(sorryifispel
tany
ofyournameswr ong)YodzMant sunduOv ay
o,
MakhubuNt habyNthabi
seng,LeighAnneand
MausaDl aks.

Mor
eisy
ett
ocome.
..

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t84

BaKoenaki
ngdom

Theguar
dsdidasi
nst
ruct
edbyt
hequeen,they
st
ri
ppedtheKi
ng’
snakedasi
nbi
rthdaysui
t
nakedandgav eeachoneaBaKoenaf lag.They
wentoutt hepal acewi thmai densandot her
palacest af flooki ngatt hem.Theywer etoldt o
recit
et hesewor dsast heygoal ong‘ weki l
led
thegreat estki ngev erl
iv ed,aguar dianoft his
kingdom andar epresent ativeoft hegods.We
sincerelyapol ogi zeBaKoena, weask
forgi
venessohgr eatki ngLer umo’ .Theywal ked
aroundt heki ngdom wi ththeguar dsr i
ding
horsesbehi ndt hem, boy sf r
om t hekingdom
pickedupst i
cksandkeptbeat ingt hem ont heir
oldwr i
nkl edl egs.Womanpi ckedupst onesand
start
edt hr owi ngt hem att heirdirection,one
stoppedt hem andaskedt heguar dst oawar d
herachancet osaysomet hi
ng.Guar dsst opped
andwai t
edf ort hewomant osaysomet hing.
Woman: Youcally
oursel
vesrepresentat
ivesof
thegodsandguardiansofyourkingdomsy et
youkil
ll
ikewolv
es,suckbloodlikevampires
andyourgreedi
sThatofawi tch.Lerumoi n
thiski ngdom wasnotonl yaki ngbutasont o
theol derwomenoft hiskingdom, agrandfat her
tot hechi ldrenoft hiski ngdom, anol derbrot her
tot hey oungmanoft hi
ski ngdom andmost
i
mpor tantlyapr ot ector.Ler umot ookthis
kingdom f rom not hingandf ory ear she
struggl edt ogeti ttowher ehewant edittobe,
buthenev ergav eup.Hewassel flessandhe
tookhi sowncompanyandi nvest edhisown
hardear nedmoneyt othiski ngdom.Youdi dn’ t
j
ustt akeaki ngfrom usbuty out ookawayt he
airthewebr eathe, ourlivelihoodandour
prot ector .Tot hequeenmot hery out ookawaya
husbandandaf atherhi schi ldren.Todayi sy our
l
astdayandy ouwi lldieapai nful deathatt he
handofy ourownpeopl e.(
Al lt
hi stimewhi le
shewassay ingthi sshewascr ying)

Theymov
edonandastheygoal
ongtheywere
thr
ownwi
thst
ones,
beatenwi
thst
icksandspat
on.TheyleftgoingtoTseko’skingdom andas
soonashewasspot t
edamessengerr antothe
pal
acet oinformthequeenbutshehadl ocked
hersel
fupi nthepalaceasshedi dn’twantto
seetheshamet hathasbefal
lenherki ng.The
messengert henwentandr angthebel l t
hati
s
heardbythewhol ekingdom, t
hisbel li
sonly
beatenwhenar oyalmemberhasf al
lenorwhen
someonecommi t
sanabomi nation.Thepeopl e
wentoutinnumber sbecausetheywant edto
fi
ndoutwhi choneoft hetwohashappened.

Whent heysawt heirkingdom andwhathewas

confessingtoaswel last heguardsbehind
them ri
dingonBaKoenabr andedhorses,t
hey
gotangr y,
moreangr yt hantheywerewhenhe
wasgoi ngaroundconf essinghissinsaround
thekingdom.Youngmenf r
om thekingdom
pickedhim outfr
om t hef ourmenanddr agged
himt othesquare,puthi mi nthemiddleand
t
heyaskedt
hechi
efpr
iestt
osaysomet
hing.
Chiefpri
est
:Mypeopl e, si
tti
nghereinfrontof
usi samanwecal lourki ng,ourl
eaderandone
thatwassupposedt opr otectusi
nt hi
s
kingdom.Howev erasy ouknowt hatourking
hasdoneal otofbadt hingstomanypeopl ein
thiski
ngdom butappar entl
yheev encrossed
bordersandthatiswhyhi sher et
oday.Am not
heretopassjudgmentuponhi m,Yout heones
hiswrongedwilldeci
deont hebefit
ti
ng
punishmentforhissi
ns.

Man:Thankyouwi
seone,
Isuggestt
hatt
he
peopl
ehehaswrongedmustdeci
deonhowto
puni
shhim.
Theoldmanwhosesonheki
l
ledst
oodupand
spoke.
Oldman:
Hekil
ledmyson,sol
dhi
sorgansand
buri
edhi
m amongstt
hebonesoft
hefall
en
ki
ngs.Isayhemustmeett
hesamef
ait
hmy
sonmet.
Man: It
hinkt
hatismoret
hanenough
puni
shmentforhim.Deat
hhedeser v
esand
mayt hegodsfor
giv
eusandhi mforwhatwe
areabouttodoandforal
lthathehasdone.I
tis
wellmypeople.

Thepeopl epi ckedupst onesandot herspicked

upst i
cks,whi leot her
swer ecar ryi
ngwhi ps.
Theyst art
edbeat inghim wi t
hst i
cks,others
throwi ngst onesathi m whi l
eot herswhi pped
him.Thi swentonf orsomet imewhi l
etheot her
3ki ngswat ched, theywant edtoescapeandr un
fort heirli
vesast heywonder edwhatwi ll
happent ot hem whent heygott otheirown
kingdoms.Butt hatwasi mpossi bl
east he
guar dswat chedt hem li
keahawk.Thepr i
nceof
thel andwasal sowat chingthis,heshedsome
tearsashewat chedhowhi sfatherwasbei ng
beaten,hewascruelyesbuthewasst
il
lhi
s
fatherandhewishedthathehadl
edabett
er
l
ifebutitwastoolat
enow.

Thequeenremai
nedi
nthepalacecr
ying,
the
pri
ncegoti
nandhewenttoherandcomf or
ted
herasshecri
edonhi
schest
.
Queen:
Isi
tdone?
Pr
ince:
Whi
chpar
t?
Queen:
Bot
hoft
hem.
Prince:Welli
fyouaski
ngifevery
onesawhi
m
wal ki
ngaroundnakedadmitt
ingtoki
l
li
ngaki
ng
theny es.
Queen:
Ishede.
..
dead?
Pr
ince:
Yesmot
herhi
sgone.
Queen:Wehav
etopr
epar
eabef
it
ti
ngf
uner
al
forhi
m.
Pri
nce:Nomot her
,si
ncefat
hercommittedan
abominat
ionandwasshamedamongt he
peopl
ehewi l
lnotbeburi
edaskingbuta
commoner .
Queen:
Overmydeadbody
!!
!
Pr
ince:Mot
herbecar
eful
ofwhaty ouwi
shf
or,
l
etthi
sbedonethewayit
’ssupposedt
o.
Queen:Tsekowast
hekingher
e,aleaderand
myhusband.Hewil
lbeburi
ednexttohis
for
efat
hersandnoonewil
lst
opme.
Prince:
Don’tsayIdi
dn’
twar
ny ou,
remember
fatheri
swher ehei
snowbecauseofhi
s
stubbornness.
Queen:
Iam noty
ourfat
herbutaqueenoft
his
l
andandwhatIsaygoes.
Pri
nce:
Youandfatherar
ejustt
hesame(he
sai
dandlef
tthequeenther
e)
Queen:IfMabot l
ethinksshecanshamemy
husbandandgetawaywi thitthenshehas
anotherthi
ngcomi ng.Iam QueenMponengof
theMalutikingdom,wifeofkingTsekoand
daughteroft hegr
eatkingMonor eng.Nobody
walksallovermeandgetawaywi t
hit.

Theguar dsmov edonwi t

hthethreekings
goingtoTomel o’skingdom andunf or
tunat
ely
forhim hiscr
iminal mostwantedsoni shome
andthemomentt heygottothegrounds,his
sonspeopl ewentandi nf
ormedhim.Hel oaded
hisgunandt ookahor seandmett hem hal
fway,
hestoppedr i
ghtinf r
ontofthem andgotof fthe
horse.
Thabang:
Tomel
o!Whati
sthi
s?
Tomel
o:Son.
..
Thabang:
Hey!!
!Don’
tyoudarecal
lmeson
becauseyoudon’
tdeser
vetobecall
edaf
ather
.
Tomel
o:Butam st
il
lyourf
atherThabangand
youwi
l
lrespectme!
Thabang:Whodoy
out
hinkwi
l
lrespecty
ou
aft
erthi
s?
Tomelo:Justtakemeawayfr
om heresonand
aft
erafewy earsal
lthi
swi
l
lbeforgot
ten.
Thabang:
Youri
ghtTomeloi
twi
l
lbe.(het
ook
outagunandpoi
ntedathi
m)
Tomel
o:Sonwhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Thabang:Sendmygreeti
ngtograndmotherand
tell
herImissher
.(hethenshothim poi
nt
blank)
Thabang:Theshowisoverpeoplenot
hingto
seehere.(hebuthi
sgunonhi sbackthen
cl
imbedonhi shor
seandrodeoff)

Theguar
dslef
tandnowt
heyonl
yhadtwo
ki
ngswit
hthem ast
heot
hert
wohavealr
eady
l
osttheirli
vesint hei
rownkingdoms.The
remaini
ngt woTshepoAndLehl ohonolower
e
beggingtheguar dstolett
hem go, pr
omisi
ng
them goldandmoneybutsi ncetheBaKoena
guardsalreadyknowwhatt her ai
nqueenis
capableoft heydidn’
tbudge.
Nextst opwasLehl ohonol o’ skingdom, but
unfortunatelyf orhim wor dshadal r
eady
reachedhi ski ngdom aboutwhati sgoingon.
Peopleal readygat heredatt hesquar eand
hangingr opeswer epr epar ed.Theyl efttwo
boysatt heki ngdomsent ranceandassoonas
theygott her etheboy st oldt heguar dstobr i
ng
himt othesquar e.Theguar dsagr eedandt he
boysleadt heway ,theygott hereand
Lehlohonol owast akenandar opewasput
aroundhi sneckandt hechi efoftheki ngdom
addressedt hepeopl e.

Chi
ef:
Hest
art
edact
ingl
i
keahomel
essman
goingaroundt hiskingdom aski
ngf orf
oodand
weall t
houghtt hathewasbewi t
chedbutnohe
tookani nnocentkingslif
e.Lethim behanged
accordi
ngt otheway sofourland,beatt
he
drums.
Drumswer ebeatenandthechai
rwaskickedas
theropetightenedaroundhi
sneck.The
BaKoenaguar dsdeci
dedtol
eaveastheyfel
t
thattheyhaveseenenoughdeathsfortheday.
Guard:Ihopeforyoursakey
ourpeopl
ewi
l
lbe
l
enientwithyou.
Tshepo:Am scaredyesandall
hopeof
survi
vi
ngt hi
saregone.Ihav
ewi t
nessedmy
fr
iendsdieinfr
ontofmeandIknowt hatt
he
samef ai
thawaitsme.

Theguardsshookthei
rheadsandwentahead
tohi
skingdom t
hatwasnotf arf
rom
Lehl
ohonolo’
skingdom.Theygotther
eand
Tshepodidthewalkofshameandwasbeat en
andspatonbyhispeople.Hissonthedoctor
cameandaskedi ft
heguardswoul dbewil
li
ng
tol
ethim speaktohi
sfatheronelastti
me
befor
ethepeoplekil
l
edhim.Theguar dsagreed.
Pri
nce:Youhav ebeenagreatfat
hertomeand
agreatkingtothiski
ngdom andIthanky
ou.
Youhav edonewr ongandyourpeoplewi
ll
j
udgey ouharshlyandam sorr
y.
Tshepo:
SonIhavebeenbeatenenoughpl
ease
takemeoutofmymisery.Pl
easegiveme
somethi
ngtoj
ustRestI
nPeace.
Pr
ince:
Butf
ather
..
.
Tshepo:
PleaseSongr
antmemyl
astwi
sh.

Theprincewenttohismedical
bagandt ook
outalethal
inj
ecti
onthati
susedformost l
y
pri
sonersondeathrow.Hacarri
esitar
ound
becausehewor ksatcour
tsheisthedoctor
thatadmi
nistersitt
othepri
soner
s.Hewent
backtohi
sf atherandhuggedhimtheni
nject
ed
him.
Pr
ince:
Ilov
eyouf
ather
Tshepo:
Ilov
eyouson.
Hemovedawaygoti
ntohi
scarandlef
twhile
t
heki
ngfel
lonthegr
oundlosi
ngst
rength.

Theguar
dsl
eftgoi
ngbackt
othei
rki
ngdom.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t86

BaKoenaki
ngdom

Tokel
o,Thabi
soAndLeboWher
einthethr
one
room.Theyhadj
ustgot
tent
henewsaboutthe
fourkingsdeathsandt heyweremorethan
happyt hatt
heymett hesamef ai
thasthei
r
father
.Acallcamet hroughanditwasoneof
theguy scal
li
ngandLebopi ckeditup.

Conv
o:

Lebo:
But
tons!
But
tons:
Termi
nator.
..
wegothi
m and3ofhi
s
guy
sbutthepr
incesswasnother
e.
Lebo:
Shi
t!
!Iknewt
hiswoul
dn’
tbet
hiseasy
.
Tokel
o:Shi
tLebowhat
’supman?
Lebo:
Lookbut
tonstaket
hem t
othewar
ehouse
andwewil
lmeetyouther
e.
But
tons:
Sur
ebozza
Tokel
o:Giv
emet hephoneLebo(Lebogav
e
hi
mt hephone)
Tokel
o:But
tons!
But
tons:
bozza
Tokel
o:Ar
etheyt
alki
ng?
But
tons:
Nobozzat
heyar
enot
.
Tokelo:
Takethem t
othewarehouseanddon’
t
worryIwil
lmakethem si
ng.
But
tons:
Sur
ebozza

TheyhungupandTokelolookedatLeboand
LebolookedatThabi
soandhejustshrugged
hi
sshoulders.
Tokel
o:Howdowedoi
t?
Thabi
so:
Ican’
tli
etomyqueeni
t’
spoi
ntl
ess.
Lebo:
Letsaskhert
odeal
wit
hmot
herwhi
l
ewe
goout.
Thabi
so:
Shi
tandmypar
ent
sar
ecomi
ng.
Lebo:
Sonowy
ouwantt
obebr
east
fed?
Thabi
so:Bohlany
aLebo.(yourcrazi
nessLebo)
nomani t’
sbeenawhilesi
ncetheysawusf or
saf
etyreasonsofcour
sesotheywant edto
comebyandseei fwearesti
lldoi
ngwel l
.
Tokel
o: Letyourqueentakecar
eofthem and
am suretheyaremor econcer
nedaboutherand
thebabyt hanyou.
Thabi
so:Your
ightbesi
desmysi
sterneedsme
ri
ghtnow.
Tokel
o:Youmeanmyqueenneedsusr
ightnow.
Lebo:
Idon’
thav
eaqueensoI
’
llst
ay.
Bot
h:No!
!
Lebo:
Why
?
Thabi
so:
Weneedy
ouman.
Lebo:Thenst
opt
alki
ngabouty
ourqueens
pl
ease.
Tokel
o:Hai
youneedawoman!Wecan’
thave
thi
sanymor
eandwhotol
dyoutodumpthatgi
rl
any
way
?
Lebo:
Igotbor
ed.
Thabiso:OhLebo!IthinkyouneedMapul
ato
consultthegodsforyouandmay bet
akeyouto
thesacredriv
ertocleanseyou.
Tokel
o:Agr
eed!Imeant
hisi
snoton.
Lebo:Conti
nuet
alki
ngaboutmeandwomen
andIstay.
Tokel
o:Fi
negogetMapul
a.
Thabiso:Noneedt oshe’
shere(thetwolooked
ateachot herthenthedoorbutnothi
ng.Then
theyburstintolaught
er)
Tokel
o:Peopl
ear
egoi
ngcr
azyIt
ell
you.
Mapul
a:Myhusbandi
snotcr
azy
Lebo:
Wher
edi
dyoucomef
rom?
Tokel
o:Bol
oiausimot
sear
e!!(wi
tchcr
aftsi
ster
i
nbroaddayl
ight
)
Mapula:Nomanbr ot
herIwasjustoutsi
de!
AnywayIcamet otel
lyouthatyoucango
motherandIwil
ltakecareofanythi
ngthat
comesthrough.
Lebo:
Howdi
dyou.
..
Tokel
o:Youst
il
lhav
etoask?
Lebo:
No
Aphonecal
lcamet
hroughandLebopi
ckedup.

Conv
o:

Lebo:
But
tons!
But
tons:
Wehar
e.
Lebo:
Sur
e.

Lebo:
Let
sgo!
Tokel
o:Ri
ght
!
Thabi
so:
Onecar
?
Them:
Yeah!
Mapula:Ohmywordcany ouguysst
opact
ing
l
iketwinsandgoal
readyandpl
easenobl
ood
spi
ll
.
Tokel
o:Thati
cantpr
omi
se.

Theyleftgoi
ngtothewarehouse.Queen
Mabotlewaspicki
ngfl
ower satthepal
ace
gardenandheardever
ythi
ngherchildr
ental
ked
about.
Queen:Somychi l
drenarenotwhoIthinkt hey
are,myboysarekil
lersandmyblossom
supportst
hem.YesIl i
kehowtheysuppor teach
otherbutwhatIdon’tgeti
swhatdoesmy
blossom meanwhenshesay snokil
li
ng?Wher e
aretheygoi
ngtoandwhoar et
heynotallowed
t
oki
l
l?Di
dthei
rfat
herknow?
Mapul
a:Heknewandsuppor
tedt
hem.
Queen:
WasIt
hinki
ngoutl
oud?
Mapul
a:Nomot herbuty
ourthought
swereso
l
oudthatIhear
dthem wit
houtyouspeaki
ng.
Queen:
pleasetel
lmemychi
l
drenar
enotcol
d
bl
oodedmur der
s.
Mapula: Mother!Yourchil
drenloveyouandthey
woulddoany t
hingtopr ot
ectthosetheyl
ove
evenifitmeanski l
li
ng.YesIknowy oudon’tl
ike
thatbutneverdoubtt hattheyhavegoodhearts
andtheydon’ tgoaroundki l
li
ngpeople.
Queen:Ohmybl ossom!Whendidyougrowup?
Butmyt hanksmyblossom f
orbei
ngtheref
or
them andIknowthatyouwil
lgui
dethem.
Mapul
a:Myt
hanksmot
her
.

Whi
l
etheywer
est
il
ltal
ki
ngMapul
afel
tdi
zzy
andthenextminut
eshewasont hegr
ound.
Thequeencall
edforassi
stanceandshewas
takeni
nsi
dethepalace.

Thet hreearri
vedatt hewar ehouse,par
kedout
ofsightandwenti nsideandt heguyswere
stut
teredar oundwi theachonegoi ngabout
thei
rbusi ness.TokeloandLebowentar ound
checkingwhateachonewasdoi ngwhi l
e
Thabisowaschecki ngt hebooksandwhent hey
weredonet heycalledButtons.
Tokel
o:Tal
k!
Butt
ons:Ther
oom i
sreadyandsetupwi
th
ever
ythi
ngyoumi
ghtneed.
Lebo:
Nowwet
alki
ng.
Butt
onsl edthewaytotheroom andwhent
hey
gotthereLesalawasti
reduponachairand
whent hedooropenedhelookedupandsaw
them.
Lesal
a:I
fiti
sn’
tthepr
inceofbaTl
oung!Andhi
s
puppet
s.
Tokel
o:Am off
endedbuty
ouknowwhatt
hisi
s
notmyfight
.
Lesal
a:Sowho’
sfi
ghti
sit
?
Tokelo:
Tsiet
si!Hetooky
ourwomansot
hisi
s
hi
sfightnotmine.
Lesal
a:Wher
eist
hatdamnki
ng?Wher
eishe!
!!
(heshout
ed)
Lebogoti
nfol
l
owedbyTsiet
siandwhenhegot
i
nhiseyemetLesal
aandhesmiled.
Tsi
etsi
:Ihopet
hepar
tyhasn’
tst
art
edy
et.
Tokel
o:Youj
ustont
ime!(hesmi
l
es)
Lebo:Anyt
oyi
nthi
sroom y
oucanuseandwe
wil
lleav
eyout
oit
.
Tsi
etsi
:Myt
hanksf
ort
hegi
ftmyki
ngandchi
ef.
Tokel
o:Thepl
easur
eisal
lour
smyki
ng.
Lesal
a:Ever
yoneknowsyouki
ngsandprinces
butnowisnottheti
me.Ohonemorethi
ngask
thi
skingofyour
stounti
emeandfightl
i
kea
man.
Lebo:
Wellthi
sishi
spart
ysotechnical
l
yhe
doeswhathewantsandwedon’thaveasay.

Theywalkedouttotheot herroom thathadt he

3guysLesalawasf oundwi th.Theywer ealso
ti
edtochair
s,eachoneoft hem tooktheir
chai
rsandsatrighti
nf r
ontoft hem.
Man:Soarewesupposedt
obescar
edofa
st
aredown?
Tokelo:T!Howabouty ouaskquesti
onsandif
theydon’tanswerTerminat
orst
artscut
ti
ng
somet hi
ngandIwi l
ldothesame.(Thabiso
noddedi nagreementandsodidLebo)
Thabi
so:
Wher
eist
hepr
incess?
Si
l
ence.
..
.
Lebopull
edoutakni
feandst
art
edcut
ti
nga
chunkoffl
eshofhi
sleg.
Thabi
so:
Whoi
swor
kingwi
thy
ou?
Si
l
ence.
..
..
Tokel
otookacigarcutt
erandcutof
ftwo
fi
nger
softheoneinfrontofhi
m.

Thiswentonf orqui t
esomet imebecausenone
ofthem wer etalking,unti
l Tokel
ocal l
edforacid,
event hatdi dn’
twor kunt i
l t
heothertwosaw
whati tdidt otheirassociat eandstartedtal
ki
ng.
Het oldthem abouthowLet habocamewi tht
he
whol eplanandhowhepl ansont akingbackt he
kingdom t hatTokel o’sfathertookfrom him.
Tokelocal ledhissi sterbutshedidn’tpickupso
theydeci dedt ogobackhomeandt alktoher
there.
Mal
uti
Kingdom:

Thequeenwasdet er
minedtoshowqueen
Mabot l
ewhoqueenMponengofMal utii
s,she
headaboutt hewit
chdoctorfr
om Moeaneng
ki
ngdom andt hismorni
ngshewasgoi ngther
e.
Thet imewas3:20intheearl
yhouroft he
mor ningwhenthequeenti
ptoeddownt he
stairsandwhenshepassedtheki t
chent he
princesawherwhilehewasint hekit
chen
get t
inghimsel
faglassofwater
.
Pr
ince:
Mot
herWher
eary
ougoi
ngatt
hishour
?
Queen:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngupatt
hishour
?
Pr
ince:
Iwasget
ti
ngwat
erandy
ou?
Queen:
Ihav
eaner
randt
orun
Pr
ince:
Att
hist
ime?
Queen:
Doer
randshav
easpeci
fi
cti
me?
Pr
ince:GoMot herbutremembernotal
lthat
walksatunGodlyhoursispur
eofheart
.
Queen:
Idi
dn’
tasky
ou.

Thequeenl ef
tandt hepri
ncewenttohisroom.
Thequeengoti ntohercaranddroveoutofthe
palace,shedroveforabout20minuet
swhen
shesawsomet hi
ngont heroadandstopped.
Shegotoutandwentt ocheckandfoundaman
standingontheroad.
Queen:
Arey
ouOkay
?
Man:
Mor
ethenokaymyqueenbuty
ounot
Queen:
Am f
inet
herei
snopr
obl
em,
whyar
e
youher
eatt
hist
ime?
Man:
Looki
ngf
ory
oumyqueen.
Queen:
Looki
ngf
orme?
Man:YesbecauseIhear
dthaty
ouwant
r
evengeontheBaKoenaqueen.
Queen:Howdoy
ouknow?
Man:
Iknowev
ery
thi
ngandIcanhel
pyou.
Queen:
How?
Man:Theonlywayt
ogettoamotheri
sthr
ough
herchi
l
drenandIwi
llhel
pyou.
Queen:
Geti
nthecarsot
hatwecandi
scuss
howtogoaboutt
his.
Man:
Wit
hpl
easur
emyqueen.

Theygoti
ntot
hecarandl
eft
.

#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t87

Att
heai
rpor
tKwezi
arr
ivesi
nLesot
hot
o
surpri
seherf ri
end, theyhav ebeen
communi cat
ingandt heymi sseachot herbut
shemi ssedhert oomucht owai tforhert obe
safeenought ot ravel,soshecamet ov isither
andanot herthingist hatsheandLesegobr oke
up.Lesegoi sleav i
ngf orCanadaandhet old
Kwezi t
omov eonashedoesn’ tknowwhenor
i
fhewi llcom back.Sot hatisanot herreason
whyKwezi neededt obecl osetoherf riendat
thi
smoment .SheaskedLebot opickherup
andforhi mtokeepherar riv
al asecretf rom her
fri
end.Shewal kedoutofar r
ivalsi
sleandwent
togetherbags, shegott hem andwal kedout
meetingLeboatt heent rance.
Kwezi
:I
fiti
sn’
tLebot
hebi
gbaby
Lebo:
Iwi
l
lnev
erdenyt
hat
.Howar
eyou?
Kwezi:
Am wel
lthanky
ouf
oraski
ngand
your
self
?
Lebo:
Am goodnowt
hatIseey
ouhav
e
mat
ured.
Kwezi
:ThenIfIhav
emat
uredt
henIsuggest
youdothesame.
Lebo:
WhenIfi
ndawomanwhowill
under
stand
myloveandr
espectf
ormymot
hert
henIwil
l
growup.
Kwezi
:Getmar
riedandf
inal
l
ymov
eint
oyour
wi
ngatthepal
ace?
Lebo:
Thatandmor
e

Theyar
enowdriv
ingt
oBaKoenaandt
alki
ngon
thewaycat
chi
ngup.
Kwezi
:Whenyousayt
hatandmor
ewhatdo
youmeanexact
ly?
Lebo:
Gir
lar
eyouhi
tt
ingonme?
Kwezi
:Pl
easeam j
ustmaki
ngconv
ersat
ion.
Lebo:
Wel
lWhatIwantt
odomor
ethan
anythingisgetagoodwomanwhoi sgoingt o
l
ov eandt reatmer ight,onet hati
snotgoi ngto
beint i
midatedbymyl ov eformymot her,one
who’ sgoingt obet hemot herofmychi l
dren.I
meanam notget t
ingy oungerandIdon’ twant
mot hertoleav euswi t
houtseei ngandnami ng
thewomant hatwilll
ookaf terhersonlongaf t
er
she’sgone.Iwanthert omeetherandappr ove.
Kwezi
:WOW Inevert
houghtIwouldseetheday
whenyouspeakl
iket
his,
yousurpri
sedLebo
andIhopet
hatonedayourwishescomet r
ue.
Lebo:Whatareyourwi
shesordr
eamsor
desi
res,
whateveryouwantt
ocalli
t.
Kwezi :
Wellmydr eamsisnotdi
f f
erentfr
om
yoursasIalsowantsomeonewhoi sgoingto
understandthatam adaddy’
sgirlandthatam
l
oudandsomet imestoohonest.Isaythat
becauseal otofpeopl
edon’twanttobet ol
d
thetruthbutwhytheywanttohearandam not
l
ikethat.
Lebo:Il
i
kethataboutyou,onedoesn’
thaveto
wonderwhatyouthinki
ngorwhatyoulikeor
don’
tli
ke.Doyouwantkids?
Kwezi
;OhyesIdo,Iact
ual
l
ywantt
ohav
e4i
f
Godandthegodsall
ow.
Lebo:Thenletsasky
ourf
ri
endt
ocl
eanseus
becauseifseemsweneedit
.
Kwezi:
Ohmywor
dwhot
oldy
ouweneeded
cl
eansi
ng?
Lebo:
Mybr
otheri
nlaw.
Kwezi
:HahahaThabi
socanbecr
uel
somet
imes.
Lebo: Youl
aughingnowbutwaitunti
lyour
fr
iendsstartt
alki
ngaboutthei
rhusbandsin
fr
ontofy outhenyouwill
feelt
hevoidlef
tby
l
onelinessi
ny ourhear
t.
Kwezi:
YesIunder
standwhatyoumeanand
ever
yonedeser
vesacompanion.Someonet
o
shar
ethingswi
th,
Yesonecanhav
efr
iendsbut
i
t’
snotthesame.
Lebo:
YeahIknowwhaty
oumean.

Theysharedamomentt hensil
encefi
ll
edt he
carwhichlef
tKwezi t
hinki
ngaboutifthe
connecti
onshe’sfeel
ingwithLebori
ghtnow
wasbecauseofherbr eakupwi t
hLesegoand
nowshe’sproject
ingontoLebo.Leboont he
othersi
deiswonder i
ngifKwezihasalways
beenthewomanheneedsi nhisli
fe.

BaKoenaki
ngdom:

Whenthet hr
eegott
ot hepalaceaftertheylef
t
thewarehouset
heyfoundMapul a,thei
rmot her
andNgwedi i
nMapula’
sr oom andwhent hey
askedwhatwasgoingont heyjustsaidMapul a
neededrestsot heydidn’ thaveti
met otalkto
herbutshet oldt hem sheknows.Thabi sowas
angryaboutt hef actthathecan’ tconnectwith
hisqueennowbecauset hebabyi sblocki
ng
him,hedoesn’ tlikethef actthathecan’tfeel
whenshe’ ssickany mor ebutatt hesamet i
me
wasex ci
tedaboutt hegr owi ngbaby.Hewant ed
somucht ogot ot hedoct ortof
indoutwhatt he
genderisandf orhi squeent ogetchecked.But
theyweret ol
dt hattheyhav etokeept hebaby
andthequeeni nasaf eenv ir
onmentanda
hospit
alisbreedi nggr oundf orspir
it
s.

KweziandLebogottoBaKoenaandNgwedi
sawthem andaskedtospeakt
oKwezii
n
pri
vat
e.
Kwezi:
Ohgir
l,Idi
dn’tev
engr
eetthequeenyet
am bei
ngcal
l
edf orsecr
etmeet
ings,
whatis
goi
ngon.
Ngwedi:Myapol
ogi
esKwezi
butt
hisi
s
i
mportant.
Kwezi
:I
sMapul
aAl
ri
ghtandt
hebaby
?
Ngwedi
:Cal
m downshei
sal
ri
ghtandt
hebaby
t
oo.
Kwezi
:Them Whati
sit
.
Ngwedi:Iwouldl
i
key outogethermi ndof
f
thi
ngs,
shehasal otofresponsi
bil
i
tiesand
she’
snotcoping.
Kwezi
:Li
keWhat
?
Ngwedi
:Thebaby
,thespi
ri
ts,
heruncl
eandt
he
ki
ngdom.
Kwezi
:OkayIunder
standnowmayIpl
easego
seemyfri
end?
Ngwedi
:Ofcour
set
hisway
.

Ngwedi
AndKwezi
wentandseeMapul
aand
shewassohappyt
oseeher
.Shemi
ssedher
aft
eral
l
.
Mapula:Fr
iendIknowyoujustgother
eandt
he
breakupbutIhavetopassonamessagefor
you.
Kwezi
:Okeysayi
tsot
hatwecanmov
eont
o
cat
chi
ngup.
Mapula:
Yourdest i
nylay
sint
hehandsoft
he
oneyouleastexpect.
Kwezi
:Whatdoest
hatev
enmean?
Mapul
a:That
’sal
lam al
l
owedt
osay
.
Kwezi
:OkayTel
lmehow’
smyni
eceornephew
i
sdoing?

Theyconti
nuedtalking,l
aughi
ngandcatchi
ng
up.Tokel
oont heothersideisworri
edabout
hi
sBBQ(Beaut i
fulBlackQueen)Andsoonto
behisbri
de.Butnowshe’ sinthehandsofa
cr
azypersonli
keLet
haboandy
ethi
stol
dnott
o
doanyt
hing.
Lebo:
Pennyf
ory
ourt
hought
s?
Tokel
o:ThisLet
habot
hingi
sdri
vi
ngmecrazy
manandt hepar
tofmekeepi
ngmydist
ancei
s
al
sofrust
rati
ng.
Thabiso:Youhav etoli
stentoy
oursi
ster
,
dangerishoveringaroundyouandi
fyoudon’
t
l
ist
eny ouwillgetburnt.
Tokel
o:Damit!
!(hesai dbetweenhisteet
h,
cl
earl
ypissedandf r
ustratedbyal
lthati
sgoing
on.Al
lhewantsi sproofoflif
ebutnohisuncles
deci
dedtogoof ftheraider.
)
Lebo: Lookguy sIunderst
andthatyoubothar
e
frustr
ated, Imeant hi
sisyoursist
erThabi
so
thatwear et al
ki
ngabouthereandy ouTokel
o,
youf eelresponsiblefornotbei
ngableto
protectherandal l
ofthatisnormalbutwecan’
t
goagai nstt hegods.
Tokel
o:YeahIknow.

Tsietsiwasl eftatthewar ehousebeat ingup

Lesalabutheunt i
edhim becauset hiswashi s
wayofexer cisi
ngt hechangehi sbeen
preachi ng.Sot heyf oughtli
kement hatthey
weref ightingf orBoitomelo,butLessla’s
problem i snott hathel ov
esBoi tomeloorhi s
j
ustj ealousoft hefactthatshemov edon.He
l
ikedi twhenshehadacr ushonhi m backi n
universityandhekeptaney eonherov erthe
yearsbutnev ermadeamov e.Tsietsiont he
otherhandhasr eali
nlovewi t
hBoi tomel o,she
under standshi m andnev erjudgedhi mf ort he
thi
ngshi sDonei nhispastandt heyunder stood
eachot her.

Mal
uti
kingdom:
QueenMponengwaspr epari
ngf orher
husbandsf uneralandbyt hi
stimeshewas
al
readypossessedbyt hespiritshemett hat
ni
ght.Allshecoul dthi
nkofwashowt ogett o
Mapulasincei t
’stheonlywayt ogettoMabot l
e.
Shewantedhert ofeelthepainshef eltwhen
herhusbandwasbr utal
lykil
led.Evenaf t
ershe
beggedhert oforgivehim shest i
llwentahead
andbroughtsuchshamet oher .Thekingdom
andherpeopl e.
Shewant stot
akeherrevengef orall
thepain
shehascausedher.Ontheot hersidethe
peopleref
usetoatt
endtheirkingsfuneral
and
thatal
oneismakinghermor eangr y.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t88

TWOWEEKSLATER
Likethef loodsonar ainyday ,soheav ythati t
washesawayt hecr opsandsomet imeswashes
awayt hef oundat i
onsofpeopl e’shouses
l
eav i
nghav ocbehi ndasi tgoes.Li kethesnow
onawi nt erdayt hatseemssowhi t eand
i
nnocenty ett hedamagei tcausesi sbeyond
measur e.Zasembo’ sbi ol
ogical gr
andmot her
causedal otofdamagei nal otofpeople’sl i
ves,
Zasembodi dn’tgett hechanceofbei ngr aised
byherownmot her,shedi dn’tgetthechancet o
beembr acedbyher ,shedi dn’tgetthechance
ofhermot hersi ngingherl ul
labyatnight,she
didn’
tgett ohearherr eadingherbedt i
me
stori
es,shedi dn’tgett opl aydressupwi thher
andfinallyshedi dn’tgett ohearhersayIl ove
youort hatam pr oudofy ou.

Nowjustaweekagoshedidn’
thav
eanyone
cheer
ingf
orheronhergr
aduati
onday
,al
lshe
hadwasast rangerwhohadnor el
ationtoher
what soev er.Ithurthert hatwhi l
eother
graduat eswer etakingpi ctureswit
ht heir
fami l
iesandget t
inghugsf rom t
heirmot her s,
hear i
ngt hewor ds‘ Iam pr oudofyoumychi l
d’
madeherr ealizejusthowmuchsheneededher .
Evenhergr andmot herbecauseherl oveand
suppor tisal lshenew, butinsteadshewas
alone, noneoft hem wer et heretoseeher
successbutatt hesamet imeshewasgr ateful
forNt sikaandhi ssuppor t
.Zasembonev erl eda
l
ifeofl uxury ,herlif
ewaspov ert
yandhar dshi ps
alltheway ,yettodayshei st ol
dthatshei sa
princessofsomeki ngdom shedoesn’ tev en
know.

SheaskedNt si
katodor esearchf orherin
openingupachildr
en’shomet hatwillal
so
i
ncludeawoman’ shomeont heot herside.She
sai
dt hatwastheonlywayhergr andmot her
’s
housewi ll
remai nopenandbecauseshedi dn’t
havechildrenofherownt hi
swi llbehergi f
tt o
her.Tofinall
yhav ethathousef ullofchil
dren
shewant edi nli
febutcoul dn’thav e,Ntsi
kat ol
d
herthattheywi l
lhaveev er y
thingt heyneedon
thesubjectwhent heyretur n.Thisweekt hey
havebeent r
aveli
ngallov erlookingf or
Zasembo’ sfami l
ybutsof arnol uck.Theyl eft
Durbanandheadt oEastLondon, theysear ched
thewholeEastLondonbuthadnol uckin
fi
ndingtheki ngdom.

Theymov edf r
om theretoPortElizabethbut
alsohadnol uck,
theymov edfrom t her
eto
MaclearthenEugiebutstil
lnothing.Theytook
thisr
outebecauset heyknewthatt hisi
swher e
Xhosapeopl ecomef rom.Nowt heyar eont hei
r
waytoMt hathabutnowZasembohasl ostall
hopeofev erfi
ndi
ngherpar ents.Ntsikacould
seeitinhereyesthatsheisloosinghope, she
keptl
oosingitwi
theachci
tytheypassed.She
i
snowl ooki
ngoutthewindowast heydrove
andNtsikadeci
dedtosaysomething.
Ntsi
ka:Ntom’ent
ley
hini
wathul
akangaka.
(beaut
if
ul l
adywhyareyousoqui
et?
)
Zasembo:
Ngi
yacabanganj
e.(am j
ustt
hinki
ng)
Ntsi
ka:
Don’
tthi
nky
out
oomuchi
t’
snotgood
f
oryou.
Zasembo:
Iknowt
hatbutIcan’
thel
pit
.
Nt
sika:
Mindt
ell
i
ngmewhaty
out
hinki
ngabout
?
Zasembo:Alotofthi
ngsbutmai
nlybecauseI
am st
art
ingt
ol osehopeofev
erf
indi
ngt hese
peopl
e.
Ntsi
ka:Thsepeopleasyousayareyourparent
s
andpleasedon’tl
osehopebecausewewill
defi
nit
elyf
indthem i
nMthathaandam sureof
i
t.
Zasembo:
Howcany
oubesosur
e?
Ntsika:Becausewehavebeent oall
theplaces
thathaveXhosapeopleinandMt hathai
st he
l
astoneandam sur eevenift
heyar enotaliv
e
atleastwewi l
lfi
ndyourr
elat
ives.
Zasembo:WhatIft
heydon’twantmeNt
sika?
Whatifmygrandmotherst
il
lwantst
oki
l
lme?
Ntsika:Zasemboy ouhav emet oprotectyou
andangekengi yekel
eumunt unomauy hini
kuwenaukut hi akuhlukumezenomaakuzwi se
ubuhlungungi khona.Ngi f
ungaoManzi niukuthi
akukhomunt uozakuhl ukumezangi yafunga
ngiyagomela.( Iwil
lnotl etanyonewhat ever
theyaretoy out ohur tyou,notwhi l
eam her e
andIswearont heManzi nicl
anthatnoonewi l
l
hurtyou.Ipromi se)

Zasembosmiledalitt
lethinki
ngabouthow
sweetwhatNtsikaJustsaidisanditwarmed
herhear
tbutdidn’
thavet hegutst
ot el
lhi
mthat
.
Ntsika:Seey
ouevenhaveasmi
leonyourface
whichiswhatIl
i
ke.Youhaveabeaut
if
ulsmile
Zasemboandnev erl
etany
onet
akethataway
fr
om y ou.
Zasembo: NgiyabingaNtsi
ka,
angazi bengi
zoba
yhi
ningaphandl ekwakho.Ngi
y abonga
ngempela.(thanky ouNtsi
ka,Idon’tknowwhat
wouldhavebecomeofmei fy
ouwer enother
e.
Thankyour eal
ly.)
Ntsika:
Thankmewhenwef i
ndy ourpar
ent
s
becausewear eget
ti
ngint
oMt hathanowso
braceyour
selfmcholwawami (myabandoned
one)
Zasembo:hahahaIwaswonder
ingwhent
he
real
Ntsi
kawillcomeout
.
Ntsika:
Youknowmet oowell
,nowl
et’sfi
rst
fi
ndaB&Bsot hatwecanrestandf
reshenup
beforewegolooki
ng.
Zasembo:
Dowehav
eto?
Ntsi
ka:Doyouwantt
omeetyourpeopl
e
l
ookingli
keahotmessbemyguestbutam
f
indi
ngaB&BbecauseIwantt
olookgood.
Zasembo:
Why
?
Ntsika:Becausey ounev
erknowwhoy oumight
meet ,ImeanImi ghtmeetmyqueenher eandI
don’twanthert orememberourfi
rstencount
er
withmedi rtyandsweaty.Nott
oment i
on
smel l
ingli
keapi g.
Zasembo:
Finey
oumadey
ourpoi
nt,
let
’sf
inda
B&B.
Nt
sika:
Yesmam

Zasemboshookherheadsmi l
i
ng.Theydrove
aroundlookingforaB&Bandtheyfoundonein
townandbookedt oor
oomssot hatt
heycan
haveapl acetospendtheni
ghtaswellwhen
theycomebackf r
om l
ooki
ngfortheunknown
kingdom.
Unknownki
ngdom:

Qhawekazi wasbusyst eeringt hecal abasht hat

wasf ull
ofbl ackl i
quidmi xedwi thsomeher bas
wheni tbrokei ntopieceswhi l
esi tti
ngont he
groundandt heliquidspill
edal l over.
Qhawekazi quicklystoodupandwentoutt he
mudhutr unningt othepal acet ol ookf orthe
queenmot her.Shegott hereandaskedt he
guardswher eshewasandt heyt oldhert hat
shewasi nt hepal acegar den, shewentst raight
thereinahur ryandgott oherandbentdown
withherhandsonherkneest ryingt ocatchher
breath.
Queenmot her:Yi
ntoni
ngawewabal
ekangat
hi
uleqwazizinj
a(whatisitwi
thy
ourunni
ngli
ke
youbeingchasedbydogs)
Qhawekazi
:QueenMot
herr
ightnowi
snott
he
ti
mef oryoursar
cast
iccomment
s,wehav
ea
probl
em andIneedyoutocomewit
hmer i
ght
now.
Queenmot her:Andizuxelel
wanguweuba
mandithiningathinguwei kumkanikazi
apha,
uyayi
li
balaindawoy akhowenangamany e
amaxesha(Iwi ll
notbet oldbyy ouwhattodo
asifyouaret hequeenher e.Youtendtofor
get
yourplacesomet imes)
Qhawekazi
:Hewethuawuzubay i
kumkanikazi
i
xeshaeli
deubaawuzi,
konakelemfazindini
phakamasambe.(youwil
l notbequeen
motherf
orlongi
fyoudon’tcomewi t
hme,
womanwear eint
roubl
egetupandl et’
sgo)
Queenmot
her:Whathappenedt
hatyoucan’
t
handl
eonyourownforyoutoberunni
ngtome
wit
hever
yli
tt
lethi
ng.
Qhawekazi
:Eveyl
i
ttl
ethi
ngyousay
!Ist
he
cal
abashbraki
ngl
it
tl
etoyou?
Queenmot
her
:Whi
chcal
abash?
Qhawekazi:Theoneandonlycal
abashthat
preservesyourpowerandpl
acei
nthiski
ngdom
andt heunderworl
d.
Queenmother
:Keepyourvoi
cedown!Let
’sgo
bef
orethewholepal
acehearswhaty
ouhav et
o
say.

Theywentoutoft hepalacegar deni nahurry

goingtothegatebutbef oretheypassedt he
chiefpri
estshuthecameout ,wear i
nghis
tr
aditi
onalclot
hingthatchiefpriest swear.Thi
s
seemedt ocatchtheattentionoft hequeen
mot herandQhawekazi asthechi efpri
est
hasn’tspokeninyearsbecauset heyblinded
him andnowseei nghiml i
ket hi
swasashock
tothem.Theyst oodtherewat chinghi m ashe
wentandst oodinthemi ddleoft hepal ace
grounds.
Chiefpr i
est:NditshokoMpi nga,ooMawawa,
Bholokoqoshe, intomntwanai ngakhul
uboya
seyil
ungeleabadal a.NdibuleleooCir
ha,
ooNci baneoonoj aholondisit
hicamagu
zinyanyazakomkhul u.(hecalledtheki
ngsclan
namest ogetherwi t
hthequeensandsai dhis
thankst othem)
Chiefpri
est
:Thechosenonehassetf oothome,
theonethatwi l
l setthiskingdom freehas
arri
ved,t
heonet hatwi ll
chaseoutt heev ilt
hat
l
ivesinthi
skingdom i nhumanf or
m.Thegods
arehappyandt hewi tchesarewor r
iedbecause
j
udgementdayhascomef orthem.Fi nall
ythis
kingdom wi
llknowpeaceandt heey esthat
wer ecl
osedwi llfinal
lyopen.Myt hanksgr eat
ancestor
soft hiski ngdom, af
teryear sofnot
seeinganyt
hing, ofmaki ngmebl i
ndandmut e
formypastfailur estodayy ouhaveopenedmy
eyesandmout h.
Queenmother
:Whatisgoi
ngonhere?We
bli
ndedthi
spersonandhehasn’
tseenany
thi
ng
foryear
snow.
Qhawekazi
:26year
stobeexactbutasIsai
d
t
hecalabashi
sbroken.
Queenmother
:LetsGo!Ihav
etoseewhaty
ou
ar
etalki
ngabout.
Theyleftthepal aceinahur r
ygoi ngtothehut
theywor kinanduponar ri
valthequeenmot her
sawt hatindeedt hecal abashwasbr oken.She
askedQhawekazi whathappenedandshet ol
d
herallthathappened, shegotsoangr ybecause
thatonlymeantonet hingandt hatisaseedof
theroyalfami l
yhassetf ootinMt hathajustli
ke
thechiefpriestsaidbutwonder edwhocoul dit
bebecausesheki l
ledal l
theonessheknew
about.

St
ayt
uned.
..
.
#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t89

MTHATHA

Nt si
kaandZasembower ebusyf r
esheningup
sot hattheycanbeont heirwayinsearchoft he
kingdom.Nt si
kawassittingont hebedaf ter
get t
ingdr essedthinki
ngaboutwhatZasembo
saidabouthergr andmot her.Hegotwor ried
thinkingwhatwi l
lhappeni fheisnotablet o
protectherandhedeci dedt ocall Mpandet o
askf oradv iceandguidance.Het ookhisphone
anddi al
edhernumberandi trangacoupl eof
ti
mesbef or eshepickedup.

Conv
o:
Mapul
a:Nt
sikay
omuzi
woManzi
ni
Nt
sika:
Mpandey
omuzi
woManzi
ni
Mapul
a:Howar
eyoumypr
ince?
Ntsi
ka:Am doi
ngv
erywel
lmyqueenandhow
ar
ey oudoi
ng?
Mapul
a:Am f
ine,t
owhatdoIowet
hepl
easur
e
ofr
ecei
vi
ngthiscal
lfr
om y
ou?
Nt
sika:
Ineedadv
iceMpande
Mapul
a:Am l
i
steni
ng
Ntsi
ka:
Wel
lwei
nMthat
hanowandIhavea
f
eeli
ngwear
egoi
ngt
ofindherpar
ent
sher
e.
Mapul
a:Thati
sgoodnews
Ntsika:YesButtherei
saproblem,her
grandmot herwantedt
okil
lherthati
swhyshe
wassentawayandnowgoi ngbackthere,
we
don’tknowwhatt oexpect
.
Mapul a:Don’tyouworryherancestorsare
shieldi
ngher ,t
hiswasthetimesetbyt hem for
hertocomebackhomeandshe’ snotal one,
shehasy ouandy ourbeast
,hergrandmot heri
n
thelandoft hegods,thechi
efpriestofher
kingdom andt hequeenofthekingdom her
mot her.
Nt
sika:
Thati
sr eassur
ingandt
hanky
ou
Mpandedon’
tforgetus.
Mapul
a:Iwon’
t,vi
sitmewheny ouguy
sare
donewi
thyourquest,Iwantt
oseeZasembo.
Ntsi
ka:
Iwast
oldt
onev
erl
ett
woofy
our
womenmeet.
Mapul
a:That’
scrazybutIwasn’
texpect
ing
any
thi
nglessfr
om you.
Nt
sika:
Thathur
t
Mapul
a:By
eNt
sika
Nt
sika:
ByeMpande.
TheyhungupandNtsikawentoutt
o
Zasembo’
sroom sothatt
heycango,hegot
ther
eandknockedandZasemboopenedthe
door.
Zasembo:
Isi
tti
me?
Nt
sika:
Yesnowgr
aby
ourbagandl
et’
sgo.
Zasembo: Verywell
then.(Zasembowentback
i
nsideandt ookhersli
ngbagandwentout
l
ockingt hedoorbehindherandheadedout .But
beforetheycouldpasst herecepti
onNtsi
ka
decidedt ostopandaskt herecepti
oni
st)
Nt
sika:
Gooddaydearmai
den
Maiden:Gooddaysi
r,howcanIbeof
assi
stance?
Nt
sika:Wellweareher
edoi ngresearchon
di
ff
erentkingdomsandtheircul
turesbutnow
wedon’tknowhowmanyt herearearoundher
e
sowecanpl
anpr
oper
lyonwher
etost
art
.
Mai den: Wellher ewehav emanyki ngdomst hat
consistofdi fferentclans, li
ket heAmabomv ana
kingdom, Amf enguki ngdom, Amampondomi se
kingdom, Amabhacaki ngdom butal lthese
kingdomsar el eadbyoneki ngbutst i
llpracti
ce
theirowncust om andbel i
efsev enthought he
primar ykingiski ngMpi ngaofoneoft he
biggestki ngdom her etheki ngdom wasonce
l
eadbyki ndHi ntsakaKhawut aWhonowl ays
buriedi ntheroy al buri
al sit
ei nQunu.Thenhi s
sonki ngZwel i
nzi mat ookov erandleadthe
peopleunt i
lhisancest orscal l
edforhim andi t
i
sbel ievedt hathel aysbur i
ednearMbasher iver
.
Zasembo:Whywasn’
theburi
edwithhi
s
for
efat
her
sinther
oyalbur
ial
sit
e?
Mai den:
Wel lsomebeliev
et hattheki
ngisnot
deadbuti t’
sbeenmanyy ear snowsoIguess
thatwasj ustarumor.Butnowt heamaXhosa
kingdom isleadbythelatekingssonking
Zwel
i
banzi
MbagauMpi
nga.
Ntsika:Ithi
nkthati
swhereweshoul dst
art
seeingthatit’
sthebi
ggestki
ngdom andleads
otherkingdoms.Wehav etoannounce
ourselv
esbef orewegoonsot hatt
he
homest eadhasknowledgeofusaroundthe
ki
ngdom.
Mai
den:
Thatwi
l
lbewi
se.
Zasembo:
Myt
hanksdeary
ouhel
pedusal
ot.
Mai
den:
Itwasapl
easur
e.

Ntsi
kaandZasembowentoutt othecarand
tookoutagpstofi
ndthelocation.Hetapped
onitandthel
ocati
onwasr evealedanditwas
about45minuet
sfrom wheretheywere.
Nt
sika:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng.
Zasembo:
Exci
tedandscar
edatt
hesamet
ime.
Nt
sika:
Whatbr
oughtupont
hosef
eel
i
ngs?
Zasembo:Wellam exci
tedbecauseIgett
o
meetthepeoplewhogav ebir
thtomebutam
scaredt
hatmygrandmot hermightwantt
o
fi
nishwhatshestar
ted.
Ntsi
ka:Worrynotabouther
,shei
sofno
si
gnif
icanceint
hismatter
.
Zasembo:
Okayl
etsgobef
orei
tget
stool
ate.
Nt
sika:
Yesmam.

Thedr i
vetotheamaXhosaki ngdom wasa
quietone,Ntsi
kat hi
nkingaboutway sinwhich
toprotectZasemboi sitcomest ot hatand
Zasembot hinkingabouthowhermot herlooks
l
ikeandherf ather.I
ftheywillwelcomeherwi th
openar msorhur therbydoubt i
ngherand
chasingheraway .Shewonder edi fshehad
sibl
ingsandiftheywi l
lacceptherast heirolder
sist
er.Allt
hesequest i
onswor ri
edherev en
mor e.Wellt
hef earoftheunknowni stheone
thati
sbotheri
ngherthemost,
r i
ghtnowshe
feel
svulner
ablebecauseshei
soutofher
comfortzoneandenteri
ngaplaceof
uncert
aint
y.

45mi nuet
slatert
heygottotheki
ngdom and
stoppedinfr
ontofawomanwhol ookedl
ike
shewascomi ngfrom thef
armsjudgi
ngbythe
cropsshewascar r
ying.
Nt
sika:
Gooddaymah.
Woman:
Gooddayson
Nt
sika:
Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Woman:
Am v
erywel
lthanky
ouf
oraski
ng.
Ntsi
ka:
Wewer ewonderi
ngifyoucoul
dhelpus,
wearelookingfort
hepal
aceofamaXhosa
ki
ngdom ledbykingZwel
ibanziMbanga.
Woman:OhHayi
younotfar,
justgost r
aight
t
hisr
oadandt
urnri
ghtontheTj unct
ionandgo
str
aightdownandther
oadwi
l
lleady
oust
rai
ght
tothepalacegat
es.
Nt
sika:
Thanky
oumah.
Woman: I
t’
sapleasur
ebutmayIasky
oua
quest
ionyoungl
ady?
Zasembo:
Yesmah.
Woman:
Arey
our
elat
edt
othequeen?
Zasembo:
Whydoy
ouaskmah?
Woman: Becauseyouaretheyoungerver
sion
ofourqueenandatfir
stIthoughtyouwereher
butthenwhentheyoungmanaskedaboutt he
palaceIt
ookasecondl ookandthat’
swhenI
reali
zedt
hatyoulookl
ikeherbutyounger
.
Nt
sika:Nomahwear efrom Durbanf
rom
Manziniki
ngdom wear
ej usther
eonbusi
ness.
Woman: Oh!Iunderst
andanywaythequeen
doesn’
thavechil
drenandhersibl
i
ngsareonly
pri
ncesbuttheyareoldermahl
awumbikufana
kwabant
u(may
bepeopl
ejustl
ookal
i
ke)
Ntsi
ka:
Thanky
oumahwewi
l
lbeonourway
now.
Woman:
Okayson.

Nt si
kaandZasembodr oveoffandZasembo
washappyt hatshedoesn’
thavet owor
ryabout
sibli
ngsnotli
ki
ngherbutwonder edwhyNtsi
ka
l
iedt othewomananddeci dedtoaskhim.
Zasembo:
Whydi
dyoul
i
etot
hatwoman
Ntsi
ka:Becausewedon’tknowwhotot
rust
heresoI’
dratherbesaf
ethansor
ry.
Zasembo:
Your
ight
.

Att
hepal
ace:

Thechi
efpr
iestwasgoi
ngar
oundt
hepal
ace
burningAfri
caincest(i
mpepho)t heki
ngand
queenwer estandingoutsi
dewat chi
nghim.
Theywer eamazedbyal lthi
sbecauset hechief
pri
esthasn’tdonet hi
sinyear
s, t
hisbrought
hopet othequeenwhi l
ethekingwasst anding
therelooki
nglikeawetdog.Hewentcl oserto
thechiefpri
esttoseekanswer s.
Ki
ng:
Wiseone,
whatar
ethegodssay
ing.
Chief
:Thatyoumustpr
epareafeastbecause
theseedofamaMpingawil
lbehereanymi nut
e
now.
King:
Butwedon’
thav
echi
l
drenwi
seoneand
youknowthi
s.

Thequeendi dn’
taskanyquestionswhenshe
heardthi
s,shewentt othestuf
fquar t
ersand
askedthemai denstostartmakingabigfeast
andthenshewentt othef ar
m wor ker
sand
askedthem toslaughter2cows, 2sheeps,2
goatsand20chi ckens.Shealsosentthe
messengert ogoaroundt hekingdom
announcingthefeastthatwil
lbeatthepalace.
Shei sdoi
ngallt
hiswi t
hhopet hatmaybethe
godsar ebri
ngi
ngherdaught erback.Ever
yone
i
nt hepalacewasupanddownbusypr eppi
ng
forthefeast
.

Chief
:Iknowy oudon’thav
echil
drenmyking
butam justt
ell
ingyouwhatthegodstol
dme.
Ki
ng:Thi
sisst
range,
wherei
sthequeenmother
maybeshewil
lshedsomeli
ghti
nthi
sregar
d.
Chief
:Iti
sbet
tert
hatshe’
snother
emyki
ng,
tr
ustmey oudon’
tneedherher
e.
King:Butshei
sthequeenmot
hershehast
obe
here.
Chi
ef:
Queenmot
heri
nwol
fcl
othi
ng(he
mumbled)
Ki
ng:
Didy
ousaysomet
hing?
Chief
:Nojustt
hatyouhavetocal
ltheel
der
sso
thatt
heycanbepresenther
etoday
.
Ki
ng:
Ican’
trememberthel
astt
imeIspoket
o
myel
ders,
dowesti
llhavet
hem?
Chi
ef:
Mypoi
ntex
act
ly.

Thekingwenttohispersonalguardandasked
hi
mt ogocallt
heelderstothepal ace
i
mmedi at
ely
.Thenhewentt othehouseand
changedi
ntohisroyalat
tir
edwhi chhedidn’
t
evenrememberthelastti
mehewor ei
t.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t90

AmaXhosaki
ngdom
Thequeenmot herwasgoi ngcr azyint hathut
withQhawekazi ,
shekeptonbl ami ng
Qhawekazi forbei ngcarelesswi t
ht hecal abash
thenbl ameswhoev eriscomi ngf orbeingso
hiddenf rom hert hatshecoul dn’tgettoher .
Bot hsheandQhawekazi wer est artl
edbya
knockt heydi dn’texpectfrom t hedoorandt hey
l
ookedateachot her,wonder ingwhocoul dthat
beasnoonecomest herebecauseev eryone
thinksit’sanabandonedhut .Queenmot her
signaledwi t
hherheadf orQhawekazi togo
opent hedoor ,
shewentandopenedi tand
therest andoneofherenemi es.
Queenmot
her:
Ufunantoni
aphamaMgci
na?
(whatdoyouwanther
emaMgcina?
)
MaMgcina:OhwellIj
ustcametoseeifwhatI
heardwasthetr
uthbutj
udgingbyyour
grumpi
nessit
’str
ue.
Qhawekazi
:SoWhatI
fit
’st
rue?
Queenmot
her
:Qhawekazi
!
!(shesai
dina
r
epri
mandi
ngvoice)
MaMgcina:
WellI
fit
’st
ruet
henweal
lknow
whatt
hatmeansri
ght?
Queenmother
:Nooneisst
rippingmeoffmy
powersandIcanst
il
lwint
his,Ialway
sdo.
MaMgcina:SoWhoareyougoi
ngtoki
l
lnowt
o
secur
eyourplaceont
hehi
ghchai
r?
Queenmot
her
:Thati
snoneofy
ourbusi
ness!
MaMgcina:Youcanalwayskil
lyoursony
ou
knowandkill
i
ngawhol ekingwil
lgi
veyouthe
powert
or ul
eoveral
lwitches.
Qhawekazi
:Ar
eyoucrazy?I
fweki
l
ltheki
ng
whowill
taket
heseathuh?
Queenmot
her
:That
’sWhatshewants,
fort
he
ki
ngshi
ptogotoAmabomvanaastherewi
llbe
nooneonoursi
detot
akeover.
MaMgcina:Thatwon’
tbeabadt hi
ngreal
l
ybut
f
ornowletmegot ot
hepalacei
tseems
what
everisgoingonwil
lbebig.
Qhawekazi
:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
MaMgci na:Soni
valel
eneaphanj eanazikwant
o
eyenzekakomkhulu,uyi
kumkani kazi
enj
ani
kanti
?(soy ouher
ebehi ndcloseddoorsbut
youdon’tknowwhati shappeningatthepal
ace,
whatkindofqueenmot herarey ou?)
Queenmother:Akhontoi
nokwenzekakomkhul
u
ndi
ngekho.(nothingwil
lhappeni
nthepal
ace
wit
houtmypr esence)
MaMgci na:Wagqibel
angokosana, t
hina
si
meny i
wekomkhulukuthwakukhoi thekokazi
mnt akamamainyamai dl
alaabantwana.(it
usedt obeli
kethatdear,
wear einvi
tedtothe
palaceweheardthattherewil
lbeabi g
cel
ebr at
ionandalotofmeat)
Queenmot
her
:Unot
she!(
Nev
er!
)
Qhawekazi
:Hewethuhambov akwenzekani
si
ngabi
sebumnyameni.(heygoandhearwhat
i
sgoingonsothatwear enotint
hedark)

Thequeenmot herwasangr ythatshehadt o

hearaboutt hemat terofthepalacefrom an
outsider .Sheal sodidn’tl
ikethefactthat
everythingi snotgoi ngaccor di
ngtopl anand
alsothef actthatanunknownseedi scomi ngt o
destroyher .Butshev owsthatthepersonwon’ t
makei ttot hepal aceasshewi llgotot he
under wor ldaftersortingoutthenonsense
happeni ngatt hepalaceasshecal lsit.Shegot
thereandsawherdaught erinl
awi nst
r uct
ing
themai densonwhatt odo, shewenttohert o
askwhati sgoi ngonev enthoughshewast he
l
astper sonshewantt otalktobutatthe
momentshehadnochoi ce.
Queenmot
her
:Ndov
ukazi
(myqueen)
Queen:Yhooumhl olaokany
endivai
zint
o!Wena
undi
bizendovukazi?Yhoomiracl
eoram I
hear
ingthi
ngs?Youcal lmeaqueen?)
Queenmother:
Kanti
awuyi
yoikumkani
kazi
yal
apha?(areyounott
hequeenhere?
)
Queen:That
’sthet
hing,youneversawmeas
one.Youonl
ysawNomakhosazanaast he
queenofthi
slandevenaftershegotmarr
iedso
excusemeifam shocked.
Queenmother
:mmm,
nowt
ell
mewhati
sgoi
ng
onhere?
Queen:
Wel
lsi
ncey
ouwer
eni
ceIwi
l
ltel
lyou.
Queenmot
her
:So?
Queen:
Sowhat
?
Queenmot
her
:Hai
boTel
lme.
Queen:Oh!Youwi
l
lexcusemeIhav
eal
oton
mymi nd.
Queenmot
her
:Ar
eyout
ell
i
ngmeornot
?
Queen:Right
!Thechi
efpri
estt
oldustoprepar
e
afeastbecauseaseedofamaMpingais
coming.
Queenmother:Thati
sst
rangebecausey
ou
havenochil
dren.
Queen:
Yesbecausey
ouki
l
ledt
hem.
Queenmother
:mxm (shecl
i
ckedhert
ongue
andwalkedaway
.

ZasemboandNt sikaarr
ivedatthepalacegates
andNtsikaspoketotheguardsaskingtosee
theki
ngandqueen.Theguar dwasl eavingto
announcethei
rpresencetotheroyalfamil
y
whenthechiefpri
estcamet othegaterecit
ing
theki
ngsandqueenscl annames.
Chi
ef:Ndit
shokuni boMpi
nga,ooMawawa,
Bhol
okoqoshe,ntomtwana,i
ngakhuluboya
seyi
l
ungeleabadala.Ndi
ngani
li
balanganani
maCirha,
ooNcibane,ooNoj
aholo.Ndikhwaza
ninazi kumkazi zangaphi l
i,zidweshanani
zidweshakazi ,ukumkazi uHi ntsakaKhawut a,
uZwel inzi
ma!Ndi thimawashukume
amat hamboi f
ikileinkosazanay amaMpi nga
madoda!Kwat shokwaded’ ubumny ama
kwav elaukukhany a!Vul ani amasangoangene
makwedi ningob’ akadingi kuchazwangoba
yinzalelwaney alapha.(t hechi efpri
estrecit
ed
thecl annamesandsai d’ Icallupony ouking
HintsakaKhawut aandki ngZwel ibanzi
!Isaylet
thebonesmov ebecauset hepr i
ncessof
amaMpi ngahasar r
ived, man!Andt hedarkness
mov edgi vi
ngwayt ot helight !Openthegat es
andl etherinbecauseshedoesn’ tneedt obe
announcedbecauseshei soneofus)

Theguardsdi dn’
twasteanyti
meopeningthe
gateswhent heyheardthechi
efpr
iestspeak
l
ikethi
s,theking,queenandqueenmot her
werestandingtherewit
hthequeenmot her
holdi
ngherbreathandf orthefir
sttimepr aying
thatthechi
efpri
estwaswr ong.Theki ngwas
j
ustlost,t
hequeenwashol dinghert ears
becausesheknewv erywellwhent hechief
pri
estsaidthepri
ncesshasar r
ivedhemeant
herdaughterhasfinall
yfoundherwayback
home.Nowev er
ything’
sey esaregluedt othe
carthati
sparkedwai ti
ngforwhoev erisinther
e
togetout.
Nt
sika:
Thi
sisi
t!
Zasembo:
Am scar
edNt
sika.
Ntsika:Understandabl
yso!Imeany ouare
goingt omeety ourparentsf
orthefirstt
imeat
theageof22, butwit
hwhatt hechiefpri
estsai
d,
Iwoul dbetthatyoualreadywelcomedandy our
ancestorsseem t obewi t
hyou.
Zasembo:
Thi
smeanswear
eint
her
ightpl
ace.
Ntsi
ka:Ofcour
se!Nowl
et’
snotkeept
hem i
n
suspense.
Zasembo:
Okayl
etsdot
his.

Ntsi
kagotoutoft hecarandwentt othe
passengersideandopenedupf orZasembo
andtheymov edtotheothersideofthecarto
thesidewheret heroyalf
amilywasst andi
ng.
Theyf acedt
hem andt hequeenst ear
sr an
downhercheeksasshesawherdaught er
.For
thefir
sttimeiny ear
sshewashappyand
content.
Nt
sika:
SunsetGr
eet
ingsy
ourmaj
est
ies
Ki
ng:
SunsetGr
eet
ingsson.
Nt
sika:Iam pr
inceNt
sikay
omuzi
Zul
uoft
he
Manziniki
ngdom i
nKZN.
Ki
ng:Apl
easuretomeetyoumypri
nce,Iam
ki
ngZweli
nzimaMbanga,
Thati
smyqueenand
mymotherthequeenmot
heroft
hiski
ngdom.
Nt
sika:
Apl
easur
etomeety
oual
l
.
Queenmot
her
:AndWhoi
sthi
s?
Ntsika:
Ohmyapol ogi
esdearqueenmother,
ThisisZasembo.(theairl
eftt
hequeenmother
andshecouldn’
tbreathebutdi
dn’
twantto
showi t
)
Queen:Pr
incessZasemboMbangat winsist
er
ofZamaMpi ngaMbangaofamaXhosaki ngdom.
Welcomehomemypr i
ncess(saidthequeen
proudl
yandwi t
htear
sinhereyes)
Ki
ng:
Yousai
dwhat
?
Queen:
Ngumntanawet
hul
oZwel
i
nzi
ma(t
his
i
sourchil
dZweli
nzi
ma)
Ki
ng:
Njani
(how?
)
Queen: Notoutside,
pleasel
et’
sgoinsi
deso
thatIcanexplainandam sureourpri
ncessal
so
seeksanswer s.

Theyal
lmov
edi
ntot
hepal
aceandt
hequeen
mothersai
dshewillmeett
hem i
nside,
Ntsi
ka’
s
beastwasawakeandreadytoatt
ackandthe
queenmothercoul
dsensedthat
.

I
NTHEMi
STI
CALLAND:

Theki
ngZweli
banzi
waswokenupbyhi
sfat
her
ki
ngHint
sa.
Hint
sa:VukaMpingaixeshalobaugoduke
l
if
iki
le.(wakeupMpingat heti
metogohome
ascome)
Zwel
ibanzi
:HasThatwi
tchofawomanIcal
l
ed
awif
edead?
Hintsa:
Nosonbuttheonewhowi l
ldefeather
hassetfootkwaXhosaandshewil
lneedy out
o
defeatyourwi
fe,
shecan’tdoi
tal
one.
Zwel
ibanzi
:Al
ri
ghtt
henf
atherIwi
llgo.Pl
ease
don’
tfor
getme,hel
pmefightt
hatwomant hat
managedt
oputmeher
eforsomanyy
ear
s.
Hint
sa:OoMpingabonkebanawenyanaHamba
ngokunonyanawakhouyakudi
nga.(all
the
Mpingaclani
sbehindyouson,goyoursonal
so
needsyou)

St
ayt
uned.
..
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t91

AmaXHOSAki
ngdom

Thequeenmotherwasstil
lout
sidetryi
ngto
demiseaplantodest
royZasemboandget
backthepowersheoncehadoverev er
ythi
ng
andevery
oneintheki
ngdom.Shet hought
abouthowZasembosur vivedandt heonly
answershegotwast hatQhawekazi wasthe
onewhosav edherbutshedoesn’ tknowhow,
butshewasmor et handet erminedt ofi
ndout
andnobodydi sobey edheror dersandgetaway
wit
hit.Butnowshewant edtofindoutwhat
andhowZasembomanagedt oescapeandi t
wasmor ethancl eart hathermot herthequeen
wasinvolv
edi nwhat everitwas.Shewentback
i
nsideandev eryonewasseat edinthelounge
anditwasqui et
.
Queenmother:Whyar
eyounothav
ing
r
efreshments?
Queen:
Wedi
dn’
tthi
nkaboutt
hatqueenmot
her
.
Queenmot her:
Okayletmegomakemygr and
daughterandthepri
ncesomeref
reshments
befor
ewest ar
t.
Queen:
NO! !(sheshout
ed)y
oushouldsi
tdown
andIwil
laskamai dent
ogogetthem.(t
he
queenst
oodupandwenttoaskamaident
o
bri
ngref
reshment
sandcamebackt
ojoint
he
other
s)
King:
MaMci r
hapleaseexpl
ainhowmy
daughteri
sal
ive.
Queen: Khawumetatakendibuzeumnt ana
i
mpi lo,
Zasembokamamaunj animntanam and
unjaniuGlor
ia(pl
easewaitmyhusbandIwant
toaskmydaught erhowshe’sdoing,Momoy s
ZasemboHowar eyoumychi ldandhowi s
Glori
a?)
Zasembo:Am wel
lmythanksf
oraski
ngandwe
buri
edgrandmot
hert
woweeksago.
Queen:
Am sor
ryt
oheart
hatchi
l
d.
Ki
ng:Nowthaty
oudonewitht
hegr
eeti
ngstel
l
ushowshe’
sali
ve?DoesZamaMpi
ngaalsol
iv
e?
Queen:NoZamaMpi ngawastheunfor
tunat
e
one.HoweverZasemboli
vesbecauseofGlor
ia.
Ki
ng:
Glor
iay
ourper
sonal
mai
dthaty
ouf
ir
ed?
Queen:
Ineverf
ir
edher
,It
oldhert
oleav
ewi
th
Zasembo.
Queenmot
her
:How?
Queen:
Rememberwhenwel
ostMzuki
si?
Ki
ng:
Yes
Queen: Wellaft
erthatIwasn’ tmy sel
f,Ir
efused
toaccepthispassi ngbecauset omei twasj ust
toost r
angeandIwant edt ogett othebottom
ofit.SoIwenthomeandImetupwi thmy
kingdomschi efpri
estandhet oldmet hat
Mzuki siwasusedasasacr ifi
ceandt hatwhenI
comebacknot hingwil
l bethesameandi ndeed
whenIcamebackhomenot hingwast hesame.
Youhadchangedandt hechi efpri
estwasmut e,
thekingdom wascont roll
edbyt hequeen
mot her.
Ki
ng:
Howdi
dIchange?
Queen: Iwil
lnotanswerthatbecauseyouwon’t
knowi tevenIdoexplai
nittoyou.Nowy ears
wentbyandwewer ebl
essedagainwithtwins,
mypr egnancywasacompl i
catedoneasa
resul
tIspentmostofmyday sinhospi
tal.
Ki
ng:
Youspentday
sinhospi
tal
?Wher
ewasI
?
Queen: Youwer eherebutt oobl i
ndedt osee
any thing.Nowi noneofmyhospi talv
isit
s,it
wasamont hbeforeIgav ebirt
h,Iwentt othe
hospi tal chapeltoprayf orsafedeliv
eryandf or
thesaf etyofmychi l
dren.WhenIgott herea
womancamei n,anur seshesatt wor owsi n
frontofmeandshepr ayedcryingandpour i
ng
herhear toutt oGod, sheprayedsohar dand
painf ull
yt hatIevenfor gotwhatIwentt hereto
do.Shewasaski ngGodWhyhenev ergav eher
children, whyhel ethermar r
yamant hat
abusedherandt hrewheroutofherhome
becauseshecoul dn’
tgi v
ehim childr
enandwhy
givi
nghersuchhor ri
bleinlawst hatmadeher
l
ifemiserabl
e.IttouchedmyheatandIt hought
i
fIwant edmychi ldr
ent obesaf eIneededher
andsheneededchi l
drensoIappr oachedher .I
tol
dherev er
ythingaboutmeandt hesuspi cions
Ihadaboutthequeenmot herandt oldhert hatI
will
hireherasmyper sonal maidenandi ndeedI
didthatandwasnotquest ioned.

Shet ookgoodcar eofmesi nceshewasa

nurseandIdi dn’thavetobei nhospit alevery
weekunt i
l Igav ebirt
h,ZamaMpi ngacamef i
rst
andInamedhi mi nkosanaZamaMpi ngaanda
fewmi nutesl aterint
ombi Zasembowasbor n
andIwassohappyt hatmychi l
drenwer ebor n
healthy.Butt hequeenmot herandherf ri
end
Qhawekazi camei nandt ookt hechildren
sayingt heyar egoi ngtochanget hem andbr ing
them back.Butt omet hatwasl ikethedayIl ost
Mzuki siandIaskedGl or
iat ogocheckont hem,
shewentandcamebackandt oldmet hatthe
queenmot herwasbur ningsomet hingt hat
madeZamaMpi ngahav ewhi tef oam t hatcame
outofhismout handbyt hel ookoft hi
ngshe
wasal r
eadydead.Inev ershedt earsj ustaone
l
onet ear,wipedi tthenaskedi fZasembowas
okayshesai dt hatshemanagedt osav eher
whil
eQhawekazi wasout sidebyt hemai dens
quart
ersandr eplacedt hebabywi thapi gl
et.
ThatishowZasembowasr escued, thequeen
motherlikealway scamei nandt oldmesome
stor
yabouthowmychi ldrendi ed, thatni ghtI
askedGlor i
atot akeZasembof arawayand
nevercomebackher eunt i
lthet i
mewasr ight
.

Itol
dhert oneverchangehernamebecause
thati
showshewi llfi
ndherwaybackhome.I
gavehermybl ackcar dthatmyfathergaveme
beforeIcameher e,Ialsoaskedmybr ot
her
Ncibanetotakeherandt hebabyawayand
nevertel
lmewher etheywentbecauseIknew
thatIwillputthem indanger .Ndi yaxolisa
Zasembomnt anam ngongakukhul isi,
ngongabikhoempi lweni y
akho, ngongabi kho
ngosukul akhol okuqal
aeskol weni nangonga
bikhoxaugul ausi vakabuhlungu, yonke
l
emi nyakandabekai t
hembal am kuGl oria
ndithandazaumhl anezolokuThi xoukuba
akukhusel ekway enoGlor i
aakuphat hekakuhl e.
Ndixolel
emaMpi ngandikoni l
e.( Am sor ry
Zasembomychi l
dfornotr aisingy ou, fornot
beinginy ourlif
e,fornotbei ngt her eony our
fi
rstdayofschool andf ornotbei ngt herewhen
youwer esi ckandhur t
ing.Al lthesey earsIput
myt rustinGloriaandpr ayeddayi nanddayout
thatshet reatsyouwel landf orGodt opr otect
you.Forgiv ememaMpi ngaf orIhav ewr onged
you)

Bythi
sti
meZasembowasacr yi
ngmesswi t
h
Ntsi
katr
yingt
ocal
m herdown.Thequeen
motherf
eltl
i
ket hegr
oundwoul
djustopenup
andswal
lowherandt heki
ngwel
lhewasjust
hi
susualsel
f,LOST!
King:Nj
ani ungandi
xelel
i
?Nj aniungcine
umntwanawam i mfi
hloiminyakaengaka?
Ungambul alaumntuwogqibaul al
eubut hongo
ebusuku.(howcannott el
lme?Howcany ou
keepmychi l
dasecretallt
hesey ears?Youcan
ki
llapersonandst i
llsl
eeppeacef ul
lyatnight
)
Queen: Youknowwhat ?Mymi stakear eno
wor sethany oursjustbecauseIam woman, but
Iwanty out oknowt his,Iam amot herf i
rst,
your
wifesecond, aqueent hirdandadaught erfort
h.
Myf i
rstpr i
orit
ywast opr otectmyki dssince
youcoul dn’tevenprotecty oursel
ff r
om y our
mot her, howwer ey ougoi ngtopr otectus?You
fai
ledmeasahusbandandy oufailedasa
fatherandasaki ngbuty ounev ernotev en
oncehear dmesayhur t
ful t
hingst oy oubut
todaybecauseIchoset opr ot
ectmychi ldyou
seemeasahor r
ibl
eperson?NoIwi
l
lnot
acceptthatnotf
rom y
ouandnotwhenmy
mistakearenoworsethanyour
s.
King:Am sor
rymydearqueenIam just
confusedandcaughtoffguar
d.Idi
dn’tmeani
t
thatwayam real
l
ysorrymamCi r
haomhl e.
Zasembo: Idon’tcarewhathappenedal lIwant
totelly
oui sthatam happyt ohavefoundyou,
mymot herorgrandmot hertomet ookgood
careofme, shetaughtmehowt obehonest ,
i
ndependentandhar dwor ki
ng.Shetookmet o
schoolandshowedmewi thuncondi
ti
onallove.
Myt hanksdearmot herforprot
ecti
ngme, i
fI
cancallyoumot herofcour se.
Queen:
Ofcour
seyoucancal
lmemotherand
am moret
hanhappyt
obecall
edamother(she
smil
ed)
Ki
ng:
Whataboutme?
Zasembo:
Ohf
athery
ouar
est
il
lbl
i
ndedand
eveni
fIweret
osharewi t
hyouhowhappyIam
toseeyou,
youwil
lnotrememberwhenyou
comebacktoyoursenses.

Thequeenmot herwasmov i
ngsl owlytothe
doortr
yingtoescapeandNt sikachangedf or
m
i
mmedi atel
yblockingherwayandshe
scr
eamedbacki ngawayfr
om t hedoorbecause
shehasnev erseenthi
sbefore.Ev ery
oneinthe
housewasscr eamingexceptfort hechi
ef
pri
est
.
Chief
:Cal
m downdearroyals,
thisist
hebeast
ofamaZulupri
nceandit
’sprotecti
ngthe
pri
ncessf
rom theev
ili
nthishouse.
Zasembo: How?(Ntsi
kaorthel
i
onmov ed
closertoascar
edZasemboandlowedhi shead
l
ooki ngst
rai
ghti
ntoherey
esandZasembof elt
thewar mt
hinthem.Thequeenmothersawt hi
s
asawayt oescapebutwhenshesteppedouta
huger umblehappened,i
twassostrongthat
eventhegr oundandthestr
uctur
eofthepalace
mov ed.Thequeenmot hergotsoscaredt
hat
shemov edbackint
othehousewiththespeed
ofli
ght ni
ng.

St
ayt
uned.
..
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t92

AMAXHOSAki
ngdom

Therumbleoutsidegotsol oudscar i
ngthe
peopleinthepalace,maidensrant othei
r
quart
ersandtheguar dsdidn’tknowwhatt odo
astheyarealway stol
dnev ertoleavethei
r
postsforanyt
hing.Butthepoorguar dswer e
scar edbecauset heyar ehumant ooandthey
didn’tknowwhatwasoutt hereofiftheywil
l
managet odefeati t,ifitcamet othat.Anoice
fr
om out sidemadet hechi efpri
est,t
hekingand
Ntsikagoout si
det ocheckonwhatwasgoi ng
on.Whent heygotout si
det heysawal otof
peopl erunni
ngt othepal acel i
ketheyarebeing
chasedbywi l
dani mal s.Theywer estil
lst
unned
byt hiswhenthef irstgr oupofpeopl egotot he
palacegat esandst artedshout i
ng.‘Mykingl et
usinorwewi llal
l die!!’

Thekingwasi nhislostst atethathedi dn’t

knowwhatt odoorsayt othepeopl e,upon
seeingt
histhechiefpr i
estor deredtheguar ds
toopenthegat esandl etthepeopl ein.The
palacewasv erybi
gasi twast hepr i
mar y
palacef
orallthekingdomst hatwer ear oundso
i
twasbui l
tinawayt hatitaccommodat esat
l
east2000peopl ebesidest hest affquar t
ers.
Theroyalfami
lydidn’thaveachancetoaskt he
peoplewhatwasgoi ngonasmor epeoplekept
pouri
ngin.Thechiefpriestsuggest
edthatthe
gatesbekeptopenast her
ewasnouse
keepingt
hem closedasmor epeoplewere
comingin.

Finall
yt helastnumberofpeopl ecamei nand
theNt sikamanagedt okeeponeoft heyoung
mansot hathecant ellt
hem whati sgoingon.
Thegat eswer eclosedandt hechiefpri
est,
Ntsikaandt hekingwentt othey oungmant o
seekanswer s.Mi ndyouther umblewas
soundi ngcloserandcl oserandt hi
stimethe
windev enpickedupanddar kcloudsstart
edto
form.Theywentt otheyoungmant hatwas
heldbyt heguards.
Ki
ng:
Youngmant
ell
uswhati
sgoi
ngon?
Youngman:
Myki
ngwear
eal
lgoi
ngt
odi
e!
Ki
ng:
Weheary
oubutwhyorf
rom what
?
Youngman:
UMbasher
iver
!
Ki
ng:ButuMbasher
iveri
ssof
arhowcanwebe
ki
l
ledbyit
?
Youngman:
Myki nguMbashei sover
fl
owing
andthewat
erismov i
ngtothisdir
ect
ionandit
i
stheonecausingthi
srumble.
Ki
ng:
Thatcan’
tbe!
Chief :AmaMpi ngaony anyil
e,aqumbeasi sifu,
khumbul akwedi niuyihloulelepha,khumbul a
kwat hiwai l
ixamhl alafi
kakuzony akaza
umhl aba, kugqumeamaZul ukuphakame
abaf i
leyo.Ni ci
ngalomi niif
ikil
e.(amaMpi nga
areangr y,t
heyar eupset ,r
emembersony our
fatherlay sburiedthere,remembert heysaid
whent het i
mecomest hegr oundswi l
lrumbl e,
thet hunderwi llst
ri
keandt hedeadwi l
lri
seand
Ithinkt hatdayhascome.
Ntsi
ka:Ohpl
easedon’tt
ell
meam aboutt
osee
ghost
sinthi
skingdom.
Chi
ef:
Buty
out
urni
ntoanani
mal
so.
..
?
Ntsi
ka:Yeahgoodpoi
nt!Sodower unorj
ust
waitandseei
fwhattheyaresay
ingist
rue?
King:Whatgoodwil
lrunni
ngdo?Becausewhen
deathknocksnoonecanescapei
t.
Ntsika:
Alsotr
uebutIwoul
dwantt
odi
eatl
east
t
ryingtosurv
ive.
Ki
ng:
Arey
oual
way
sli
ket
his?
Nt
sika:
LikeHowMyki
ng?
Ki
ng:
Findhumori
nev
erysi
tuat
ion?
Ntsi
ka:WellI
fam tomeetmyf or
efat
hersand
godIdon’twanttoar
ri
vether
escreaming,t
hey
wouldchasemeawaysoI ’dr
atherdi
ewitha
smil
eonmyf ace.
Ki
ng:
Andt
hesmi
l
eisf
or?
Nt
sika:
Tol
ookgoodofcour
se(hesmi
l
es)
Chi
ef:
hahahIl
i
ket
hisboy
.

Outoft heblueNt si
ka’ ssmi l
et urnsi
ntoan‘ 0’
hisshockedbey ondmeasur e,thechiefpri
est
wast alki
ngont hesi deexpl ai
ni ngwhyhel i
kes
Ntsikabutthenher ealizesthathi st
alki
ngal one
withnooneanswer i
ng.Het urnst ol
ookat
Ntsikaandheseest heshocki nhisfaceand
turnstolookatt hedi recti
onheandt hekingar e
l
ooki ngatandsawt het hewat ercoming
strai
ghttothepal ace.Thewav ewassobi gl ike
theTsunami t
hathitI ndonesiai n2004.The
wav ewassobi gi tcov eredthewhol ekingdom,
i
tcamewi thaloudnoi sel i
ketheonet heocean
wav esmake.

Thet
hreemov edbackali
tt
lebecausewhat
wasi
nf r
ontofthem wasneverseenbef
oreand
i
twasscary.Theguardsdi dn’twai
ttobetold
whattodoastheystartedr unni
ngtowardst he
pal
acetojoi
ntheothers.Theki ngmov ed
for
wardandthechiefpriestlookedathim and
shookhi
shead.
Chief:Mykingjustbecauseyouarenotinyour
sensesrightnowdoesn’tmeany oushouldki
ll
yoursel
f,theki
ngdom stil
lneedsaki
ng.
King:Iam wellonmysensesohgr eatoneThi
s
hereistheworkofooMpi nga,ooMawawa,
Bholokoqoshe,ntomntwanaingakhuluboya
seyil
ungeleabadala(herecit
edhisclannames
mov i
ngf or
wardandt hechiefpr
iestwas
amazed)
Ntsika:
Goodpeopl eitwasni cemeet i
ngyou
butnowIt hi
nkwehav etosayourgoodbyes.
Ohandi foneofy oumakei tpl
easetel
lmy
queenmot herthatIloveherandt el
lMpande
thatthi
sisallherfaultbutIfor
giveher.
Chi
ef:
Thisisnotthet
imeforjokesmypri
nce
wemightactual
l
ydiebecausethegodsofthi
s
l
anddon’
tplay.
Ntsika:Nodearwiseone!Thi
sinfr
ontofmeis
nothingcomparedtowhatIhaveseenbef
ore.
Chi
ef:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Ntsi
ka:
ImeanthatIhaveseenwor
set
hant
his
andMpandewasresponsi
ble.
Chief
:Whoi
sthi
sMpandey
oukeept
alki
ng
about?
Nt
sika:
Shei
sther
ainqueenf
rom LeSot
ho.
Chi
ef:
Issher
eal
?Imeandoessheexi
st?
Ntsi
ka:YES!Andthat’
showImetyourpr
incess
shesentmet ohertohel
pherf
indherf
amily
butnowisnottheti
meeee!!
!
Chief
:Whyar
eyoushout
ing?(Ntsi
kawas
al
readymovi
ngbackast
hewav ewasmuch
cl
osernowtothegat
eandthekingwassti
ll
movingfor
wardsl
owlyandZasemboappeared
outofnowher
e)
Zasembo:Fat
herpleasecomeback!
!(she
shout
edandthekingturnedbutmov
edforwar
d
agai
n)

Zasembomov esforwar dtowardshi minhopes

ofst oppinghi m andwhenNt si
kasawt hishe
alsomov edf or wardt ost opZasemboandt hen
thewav egott ot hepal aceandi tst oppedr ight
i
nf rontoft heki ng.Theki ngwasl ooki
ngr ight
atitandt hensomet hinghappenedt ohim, he
startedseei nghi slifeflashingthrought hewav e
l
ikehewat chi ngt v
.Hef i
rstsawt hetimehi s
fathersspiritwascapt uredbyhi smot her,the
ti
meshegav ehi mt hepot i
on,whatshedi dn’tt
o
hischi l
drenandev erythingelseupunt i
lthisday
andaf terthatt hewav emov edtot hetopoft he
palacegat esandt heki ngmov edoutoft heway
sti
l
lshockedbywhathesawandy
eshewas
backonhissenses.

Hemov edoutoft hewayandt hewav eent er

ed
thepalacegetti
ngl owerast hewat ergetsinto
thepalacegroundsunt il
itrevealedhisfather,i
n
theclotheshewaswear ingwhent heyt ookhim,
hewasal sodr
ylikehewasnotcomi ngf r
om
i
nsidethewat er
.Theki ngandt hechiefpri
est
wereshockedbyt hisandsower ethepeopl eas
theycameoutt oseewhatwasgoi ngonwhen
therumbl ewentqui et
.
Zweli
banzi
:Don’
tbealar
medmysonforIhav
e
ret
urnedandal
lthaty
ouhav
eseeni
sthetrut
h.
Ki
ng:
Howf
ather
?
Zwel
i
banzi
:ThesanewayIshowedy
ou
Ki
ng:
Howcoul
dmot
herdoal
lthat
?
Zwel
i
banzi
:Wecanaskher
.(t
urnedandl
ooked
atZasembo)
Zwel
ibanzi
:Wel comehomentombiZasembo
MbangaprincessofamaXhosaki
ngdom.
Zasembo:Myt
hanksmyki
ng(shebowedher
headshowi
ngr
espect
)

Thequeenmotheral
socameoutandmov ed
thr
oughthepeopl
esothatshecanseewhat
wasgoingon.Shemovedcloserandsawher
husbandtal
ki
ngtoherson.
Queenmot
her
:You!(shesai
dcl
ear
lyshocked)
Zwel
i
banzi
:Yesmydearqueenme
Queenmot
her
:Butho.
..
how?
Zwel
ibanzi
:Younevert
houghtIwi
l
lcomeback
fr
om whereyoukeptme?
Queenmot
her
:I.
..
I.
..
(shef
aint
ed)
St
ayt
uned.
..

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t93

AMAXHOSAki
ngdom

Everyonewasshockedandconf usedbywhat
thelatekingsaid.Heckt heywereshockedt hat
hewasst andingrightinfrontofthem and
somef aintestalongwi ththequeenmot her
whileotherswer est i
llspeechl
ess.Whent he
queenmot herfaintedthef or
merking
Zwelibanzi,t
hecur rentkingZwelinzi
ma, the
chiefpri
estandNt sikalookedateachot herand
theformerki ngshookhi shead.
Zweli
banzi
:Cansomeonet
akethequeen
mothertot
hehouseandever
yoneel
seshoul
d
gobackhome.
King:Whatshoul
dwedoabouther
?(poi
nti
ng
atthequeenmother
)
Chi
ef:Don’
tworrymykingherhusbandand
gr
anddaughterareheret
odealwithherbutnot
i
nfrontoft
hesepeople.
Nt
sika:
Let
snotf
orgetherf
ri
endQhawekazi
King:Ohdon’
tworr
yshe’
salr
eadyher
ebutIwi
l
l
tel
ltheguar
dstonotl
etherl
eavet
hepal
ace
grounds.

Thepeopleleftgoingbackt othei
rhousesand
thosewit
hhousest hathav ebeendamagedby
thewaterthekingpr omiset oplayforrepairs.
Thepeoplewer ehappybot habouttheki ngs
generosi
tyandt hathepr omisedt orepairthei
r
house.Everyoneleftandt hekingandot hers
wenttothehouse.Whi letheguardsbr ought
Qhawekazi i
n,shecoul dn’tevenlookatt he
ki
ngsintheeye.Shesatdownont hegrassmat
andthefor
merki ngaskedforwaterandthe
maidensbroughtthewater
.Het ookthewater
andpoureditonthequeenmot her.
Zwel i
banzi
:Wakeupnowmydar l
ingy oucan’
t
dienow!NotwhenIj ustarr
ivedhome.(t he
queenmot herwokeupandl ookedar ound
scanninghersurroundings,shewashopi ngthat
whatshesawwasj ustanhal l
ucinati
onnot hi
ng
mor e.Butwhenhery eslandedonherhusband
allhopewasgone, shet hensawQhawekazi
andgotupwi ththespeedofl i
ght ni
nggoingto
her,sheheldherbyherneckst rangli
ngherand
pressingheragai
nstt hewall.
Queenmother:
Thisisally
ourfaul
t!!
!(she
shout
edwhilestr
angli
ngher.Allt
hepeopl et
hat
wereint
heroom justsatbackandwat ched)
Qhawekazi
:NdiyakemaanNokuzolasibhaqi
we
akhont
osizophi
ndasiyenzeAndnokundibul
ala
kwakhoakuzuji
kanto(leavemealonemaan
Nokuzol
a!Wehavebeencaughtandt
her
eis
nothi
ngwecandoandevenkill
i
ngmewon’t
changeathi
ng)

Thequeenmot herl
oosenedhergr iparoundher
neckandQhawekazi r
emov esherhandsonher
neckandstart
edcoughinguncont r
ollabl
y.The
queenmotherwaslookingev er
ywher ebesides
thepeopl
eintheroom, shewast hinki
ngof
waystogetoutofthetroubleshe’sinbutitwas
notusebecausenothi
ngcamet omi nd.
Zwel
i
banzi
:Ar
eyoudone?
Si
l
ence.
..
Zwel i
banzi
:Imeanwehav etogetthepointof
all
t hi
sbutweclearl
ydon’twanttodistur
bt he
witchesandwedef i
nit
elydon’twanttobeon
thecrossfir
ebecauseweknownot hingabout
beingawi t
chandtheirfi
ghts.
Ki
ng:
Truet
hatf
atherbutIhav
etwoquest
ions
f
orYouNokuzol
a..
.(
shecuthi
m of
f)
Queenmot
her:Am st
il
lyourmot
herZwel
i
nzi
ma
andyouwi
llr
espectme.
Nt
sika:Wondersshal
lneverend!Sosaysthe
Ni
gerians.Doy
oust i
l
lwantrespectaf
teral
lthi
s?
Queenmot
her
:Youar
eanout
sidersost
ayout
ofi
t.
Nt
sika:
Youthreat
enZasemboandyouwant
metostayoutofi
t?Youmustbedel
usi
onal
!

Zweli
banzi
:Youev
enwant
edtoki
l
lmygr
and
daught
er?Theonl
yonewehav
e?
Queenmother
:Thi
sthingrighther
eisonlyher
e
t
odestroymeandthiskingdom!Nothinggood
wil
lcomeoutofherbeinghere!Markmywor ds!
Zweli
banzi
:NoyoumarkmywordsNokuzol
a
becauseaf
terwedoneher
eIwi
l
l ki
l
lyouwit
h
mybearhands.
King:
Isai
dIhavequesti
onsf
ory
ouNokuzola
andIwantanswer
s...
nowwhydi
dn’
tyoufeed
memut i
?
Queenmot
her:
Itwasn’
tmei
twasQhawekazi
whogavei
ttoyou.
Qhawekazi:Hay iHayiHayiawuzubekait
y ala
kum ndingenzanganto.Nguweondi phetheyo
andandenzintongaphandl ekwemv umey akho.
(Nonono!Youar enotgoingtoblamet hison
mewhenIdi dn’tdoanythi
ng,youaretheone
who’sinchargeandIdon’ tdoanythingwithout
yourapproval.Shesaidthatwit
hherhandson
herhead)
Queenmot her
:YaziawulothembaQhawekazi
uyandij
ikel
angoku.Uli
belendingubani
?(you
knowy ouarenottobet r
ustedQhawekazi,y
ou
tur
ny ourbackonme, didyouf or
getwhoIam?)
Qhawekazi
:Hay
ikal
okusuli
bal
asilaphanj
e
kungenxay
obauphel
elweawusenamandla(no
dear
,wear
eher
eBecausey
oul
osty
ourpower
s)

Theotherswer ej
ustlooki
ngatthem l
isteni
ng
tothei
rbicker
ingandt hequeengotti
redofthi
s
bicker
ingbetweenthem anddecidedtosay
somethingbecauseshet ooneededanswers
fr
om hermot heri
nlaw.
Queen:MykingAm sorryforthi
sbutam ti
redof
thi
sbicker
ingbet
weent hesetwo.Queen
motheram ti
redofthi
spleaseansweryourson
andstopputti
ngblameonot her
s.
Queenmother
:Youonetotalk!Youfail
edasa
mother
,youfai
ledt
oprotectyourchi
ldrennow
youcomehereaski
ngmenonsense.
Zasembo: ENOUGH! !Youwil
l notaddressmy
motherthatwayaf teryoukil
ledherchi l
dren
andmadey ourownsonawal kingzombie.
From nowony ouwillanswert hequesti
ons
askedandy ouwi l
lnotdiver
ttheat tent
ionto
anyone.Ilostthechancet ogrowupinmy
homewi t
hmypar entsbecauseofyourgreed
andIwillnotcont i
nuetoletyoumakingaf ool
ofeveryoneher e.(shesatdownandt hought
‘howonear t
hdi dIgetsuchcouragetosayall
thatt
ot hiswitch,Godshe’sgoingtoki
llme
now’)

Zweli
banzi
:Youhear
dthepri
ncessnowstar
t
tal
ki
ngwomanwedon’ thav
eallday
!(hesai
d
wit
hacommandi ngvoi
ce)
Queenmother
:Igav
ey outhatmutibecausey
ou
areasst
ubbornasyourfatherandIneededy
ou
tobeusel
essformetoachi evemygoals.
King:Whydidn’
tyoutakemeli
keyoudi
dwi
th
fathersi
nceyousai
dam justl
i
kehim?
Queenmot
her
:Theki
ngdom neededaki
ngandI
coul
dn’
taf
for
dthet
hronegoingtoamaMfengu.
Zwel
i
banzi
:Ubhadl
i
kenj
enobakukanci
nci
,
nokoobubugqwirhabakhoabuy i
xuthanga
yonkeingqondoyakho.(youhaveabr ainev
en
i
fit’
sli
ttl
e,atl
eastthi
switchcr
aftofyoursdidn’
t
completel
ytakeyourbrai
n)

Ki
ng:
Andwhatdi
dmychi
l
drenev
erdot
oyou?
Queenmother:
Ineededr
oyal
bloodtosecur
e
myplacei
nt heunder
worl
dandyourchi
ldr
en
gavemethat.
King:(Tearyeyed)Whatdidmywi
fedot
oyou
becausey ouneverl
ikedher?
Queenmother:Shewastooclev
erf orherown
goodandlikedaski
ngalotofquestionsabout
thi
ngsthatwerenoneofherbusiness.
King:
Sowasitall
wort
hit
?Ki
l
li
ngmychi
l
dren
andtaki
ngf
atheraway
?
Queenmother
:Foral
ltheseyear
s!(shesmil
ed
asift
hinki
ngofsomethingr
eall
ygood)all
theseyear
sIhav ebeent hebestwi tchi
nt he
underworl
d,notonlythatIwantt hesecondi n
chargeandallIneededwasj ustonemor eroyal
bloodtosecurethepositionofaqueen.Tor ul
e
overall
witchesandtober espectedwithevery
witchbowingatmyf eet.(shesai dallt
hiswhile
smi l
i
ng)

Zweli
banzi:Thixoawunantloni
mf azi
ndi
niude
uncumengat hiuthethaint
oentle,
ohbawo
ndandimthathaphilosat
hanawomf azi
.(God
youdon’thaveshamewoman!Youev ensmil
ing
asifyoutalki
ngaboutsomet hinggood,ohl
ord
wheredidIgett hi
sdev i
lofwoman)
Chi
ef:
Ukhalaakuncedi
ubi
sil
uchi
theki
l
e(no
usecr
yingoverspi
ll
edmil
k)
Zwel
ibanzi
:Ar
eyoudonewi
thy
ourquest
ions
son?
Ki
ng:
Yesf
ather(hesai
dwi
thsadv
oice)
Zweli
banzi:Sukhat
hazekanyanakuzol
unga
ngokundikhona(don’tbesadsonam herenow
ever
ythi
ngwi l
lbeokay)
Zwel
ibanzi
:Nokuzola!Wandi
thwebul
elani
i
minyakaengaka,ubudi
ngantoni
?(Nokuzola
whydidyouholdmecapt i
veallt
heseyears,
whatdidyoul
ack?)
Queenmother:Power !Il
ackedpowerandIwas
notgoi
ngt obey ourshadowf ort
herestofmy
l
if
eandifIwant edthingstochangeIhadto
makethingshappenmy sel
f.
Zwel
i
banzi
:Okay
!Whatdi
dyourpowergety
ou?
Queenmot
her
:Respect
!(shesai
dpr
oudl
y)
Zweli
banzi
:Respectofwitchesbecauseyou
al
readyhadtherespectofthepeopleoft
his
ki
ngdom.
Queenmot
her:ThatwasnotenoughandI
wantedmoreandIgoti
t.
Ever
yonewasquietprocessi
ngallthathas
beensai
dandmostst il
lcouldn’
tbeli
eveit
.
Zasembolookedateveryoneanddecidedto
askonequesti
onthatnobodyasked.
Zasembo:Whatdi
dyoudowi
thmybr
other
s
remai
ns?
Queenmot
her
:Whi
chone?
Zasembo:
Bot
hoft
hem.
Queenmother
:hahah(shel
aughedt
hatev
il
l
aughlooki
ngupasifshewasamazedby
somethi
ng)
Queen:
Whati
ssof
unny
?
Queenmother
:Allofy
ouare!Imeanyouwal
k
overMzuki
siever
ydayyetyoudon’
tknow
hahaha!
!
Zasembo:
Wher
eishe!
!
Queenmot
her
:Pal
acegat
e!Hahahy
ho
akunzi
ma(y
hoi
tist
ough)

St
ayt
uned.
..
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t94
BaKoenaki
ngdom

Tokelowassi ckandt ir
edoft hehideandseek
Lethabowaspl ayi
ng,what’swor seisthathis
si
sterkeepst ell
inghimtowai tbutt odaykingor
nothisgoingt of i
ndhisqueen.Thabi soalso
seemsf r
ustratedbutnotaboutRenei lwebut
abouthisqueenandchi l
d.Hesay sdangeri s
comingandi twon’ tbegood, hesay salotwi l
l
happenandal otofbloodwi l
lbeshed.Mapul a
hasbeenint hemy st
icall
andf oraweeknow
si
nceshecan’ tseeawest erndoct orshewas
tol
dshehast ogotothemy sti
callandoncea
mont hforaweek.Shei sinherfourt
hmont hof
pregnancyandshecan’ twaitt
omeether
pri
ncessKeabet swe,anamegi ventoherbyher
grandfatheraf
terhedied.

Tokel
owasbusyinhischamberpr
epar
ingfor
themissi
onhi
sgoingtoWhenLebogotin.
Lebo:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Tokel
o:Dr
essi
ngup.
Lebo:
Iseet
hatbutwhy
?
Tokelo:
Soy ouwantmetogoaroundnakedl
i
ke
thoseKingswhokil
l
edourf
ather?
Lebo:Youknowveryt
hat ’
snotwhatImeant
,
butIknowthatat
ti
rei
sf oramissi
onandIam
sureyounotgoi
ngtodisobeythequeen.
Tokel
o:Thequeenasyousayi
soursi
sterLebo
andshe’
syoungert
hanus,soIcanmake
deci
si
onswi
thouther
.
Lebo:
Mandon’
tsayIdi
dn’
twar
nyou.
Tokelo:
Am justsofr
ust
ratedman!Myqueeni
s
outther
einthehandsofthatcr
azymanand
heredoingnothi
ng.
Lebo:
Buty ouar
elooki
ngforherandy
ouwil
l
soonfi
ndher.Imeanyoughostmanyoucan
fi
ndanyone.
Tokelo:
OfcourseIcanfi
ndanyonebutIhaven’
t
beenlooki
ngbecauseMapulasai
dtol eav
eitt
o
her.Nowam regr
ett
ingdoingt
hat,
it’
sbeen
weeksLebo.

Lebo:Iunderst
andyourf
rustr
ati
onmanIdobut
goingonthismissi
onwon’thel
pinany
wayjust
tr
ustMapula.
Mapul
a:Youshoul
d!(shesai
dcomi
ngi
n)
Tokel
o:Whendi
dyoucomeback?
Mapul a:
JustnowmykingandIwoul
dli
kethe
kingtochangeandgoatt
endtot
hematter
sof
thekingdom andIwi
l
lbeonmywaytofind
Lethabo.
Lebo:
How?
Mapul
a:BecauseIknowwher
ehei
s!
Lebo:
Needhel
p?
Mapula:NoIcant akecar
eofthisal
one,t
he
godsareangryandt i
redofLet
habosoit’
sti
me.
DonotworrybrotherRenei
lweisunhar
med.
Tokel
o:Goodl
ucksi
sterpl
easebesaf
e.
Mapul
a:Al
way
sbr
other
.

Mapulal
eftt
heroom goi
ngtoher
stochange
andsheandNgwediweregoingt
oget
her.
Thabi
sowentinther
oom andNgwediexcused
them.
Thabi
so:
Myqueen
Mapul
a:Myki
ng
Thabi
so:
Howar
emyt
wof
avor
it
ewomendoi
ng?
Mapula:
Wear efinebutdon’
tletmot
herhear
yousaythatbecauseshethi
nksshe’
sthe
f
avori
teone.
Thabi
so:Mot
herwil
lunderst
and.NowIwant
youtobecar
eful
outther
eandpr ot
ectourbaby
.
Mapula:Iwillbe!Nowt al
ktoyourchil
dsothat
heshedoesn’ tblockyousoyoucanconnect
wit
hmesoy ouknowwhenwei ndanger.
(Thabisolif
teduphershirtandbrushedher
tummyki ssi
ngi tint
heprocessandMapul a
wasgigglingli
keaschool gi
rlbei
ngkissedby
hercr
ush)
Thabi
so:Mypr incess,mysecondl ov
e,now
don’
tbejealousorangr ybecausemommyi s
myfir
stlovebecauseshecamei ntomylif
ef i
rst
hahabutwor r
ynotmypr i
ncesswheny oucome
youwil
lhaveall ofdaddy’
sattent
ionandlove.
ButIwanty outodosomet hingformemyl ove,
pleasedon’tbl
ockdaddybecauseheneedst o
knowt hatyouandmommyar esafeatal
lti
mes
andsot hathecanbey oursuperheroandsav e
youwheny ouindanger.Nowt akegoodcareof
mommyokay(heki ssedhert ummyandgotup
andkissedhiswife’
sforehead)
Thabiso:NowIknowy ouar
etherai
nqueenand
all
butt omeyouaremywi f
e,mybabyandmy
dutyistoprot
ectyouandourbabysoIaskt
hat
youconnectwithmewheny oufeell
i
keyou
can’thandl
edthesit
uati
ononyourown.
Mapul
a:Iwi
ll
mylovedon’
twor
ry.Nowl
etme
goandgetmyuncl
e.

TheysharedakissandMapul awentoutwith
herhusbandholdinghands.Tokel
oandLebo
werealr
eadywai t
ingoutsi
dewithNgwedi.They
wishedthem wellandtheygotint
othecarand
l
eft.Anhourlatertheywer eatthecapi tal,
and
Mapuladirect
edt hedr i
vertothewar ehouse
whereLethabowasandhedr ov ethere.They
gotther
eandNgwedi changedi ntoheral l
i
gat
or
for
m andMapul aknockedbutnooneopened,
sheknockedagai nandst il
lnothing.Shemov ed
asi
dewhi l
eNgwedi breathesfir
eont othedoor
andMapul akickeditopen.Whent heygot
i
nsideeveryonewasont heirfeetincl
udi ng
Let
habo.
Mapul
a:Iknocked
Let
habo:
Ihear
ddearni
ece
Mapul
a:Icamef
ory
ouuncl
e
Let
habo:Sot
heki
ngdeci
dedtosendawoman,
noachil
dtodohi
sjobf
orhi
m.
Mapul
a:Ohuncl
eyouhur
tme
Let
habo:Now!Now!Pr
incesst
hatwasnot
meanttohur
tyou.
Mapula:
Am fl
utt
ereduncl
ereal
l
yandIwi
shI
coul
dstaybutt
imeisnoti
nmysi de.
Lethabo:Iunderstanddearpri
ncebutwhatI
don’tunderstandishowy oupl
anonget t
ingme
tocomewi thy ou?Imeany ouonlyhav
ey our
l
itt
lepether ewhil
eIhavemenwi thguns.
Mapula:
Youkeephur
ti
ngmeuncl
eandIdon’
t
l
ikei
t.Nowwherei
sRenei
l
we?
Lethabo:Ohyoucametov i
sither
?Mxm you
shouldhavesai
dthatsooner.Guysbr
ingt
he
gir
l.(twoguyswenttothebackandcameback
withReneil
we)
Let
habo:
Seey
oursi
steri
nlawi
sunhar
med.
Mapul
a:Pl
easeunt
ieher
.
Let
habo:
Not
hatIcannotdo.
Mapul
a:Isai
dpl
ease.
Let
habo:AndIhead!Nowt
ell
mewhowi
l
lbe
payi
ngformydoor.
Mapula:
Ngwedi
pleasetakecar
eofthesemen
anduncl
eyoumightwanttomoveaside.
Let
habo:
What
?Wh.
..
.

Hedidn’
tfi
nishbecauseNgwedi st
artedby
j
umpingononeoft hemenholdi
ngReneilwe
ri
ppi
nghisthroat.Theot
heronewasl onggone,
whil
etheotherswentandtooktheirgunsand
cameback,aimingatNgwedi.
Mapul
a:NowThati
snotaf
airf
ight
.
Let
habo:It
oldy
out
haty
oucan’
tbr
ingapett
o
agunfi
ght.
ThisgotNgwediangr
yasshejumpedon
Lethaboandcomingbackwi
ththechunkofhi
s
arm.
Let
habo:Whatt
hehell
!!
!!
!(heshout
edinpain
wit
hbloodoozi
ngoutofhisar
m andithur
tli
ke
hel
l)
Let
habo:Whatar
eyouwai
ti
ngf
orki
l
lthi
spi
ece
ofsh$&@t!
Theguy sstart
edshoot i
ngsatNgwedi andin
speedofacheet ahMapul adewherSnowWhi te
wingsandcov eredNgwedi unt i
ltheguy s
stoppedshooting.Shegotupwi thherey es
changingcolor,atthismomental otofthings
hadalreadytookov er
,fr
om cheet ahst o
el
ephant s,f
rom thattoangels, fr
om t hattothe
goodspr it
sprotectingherbabyLer umo
i
ncluded.Theguy swerescaredbutcoul dn’t
mov ebackbecauseLet habot heirbosswas
busybarkingorder satthem tell
ingt hem to
shoot.

Thefi
ghtstar
tedwi t
hMapul aandal l
her
ani
malsandangel sbacki
ngher .Aswel las
Ngwediandthe3l at
erainqueens,Ny olodi
,
Bohomiandall.Shewentflyi
ngt otheguy swi
th
gunsastheystart
edshooting,shecov ered
her selfwi
thherwingsandgoti nt hemiddl
eof
them openi ngherwingssl i
cingthem inhalf
witht hewings.Let
habohadnev erseensuchas
ar esultheattemptedtor unbutNgwedi was
standi ngguardandhedi dn’twantt obebeaten
agai n.Mapulagotshotont hewi ngandshe
groanedi npainli
keawoundedani mal
.She
roar edli
keacheetah,shest oodt hereand
calledouttoherpeopl e.
Mapula:Tot hef
all
enr ai
nqueensr aiseandheal
me!Tot heangelsupabov ewakeupandl ead
me!Tot hecheetahsofbaTloungwakeupand
l
endmey ourpower s!Totheal
li
gator sof
BaKoenaIsummony ou!I
tisIyourqueen
MapulaSeneshapul asabaKoenaker ehaene
pul
a!!
!!(usisIyourqueenMapul at heonewho
makest herainf
allandIsayletther ainf
all!
!!
)

Innoti
methunderroar
edout
sidef
oll
owedby
str
ongwindandthenahal
estormfol
lowed
shortlyaft
er.St
onesasbi gasat ennisbal
l f
all
from theskyandlightningst r
ikesli
keitwas
showi ngoff.Ev
eryti
mei tstri
kesitwouldhit
ri
ghti nfr
ontofLethaboandt hismadeLet habo
soscar edthathewethi msel f.Mapula’
swing
healedandshewasnowf lyi
ngabov etheguys
andt heyputdownt heirgunsandwentdownon
thei
rkneesbowi ngatt hef eetofthei
rqueen.
Them:KgosikgadiMapula!!Seneshapula
sabaKoena!
!Haenepula!!(theyall
saidi
nunion
whilet
heywereont hei
rkneeswi ththei
rhands
bowed.Bynowonl yafewoft hem r
emainedas
al
l t
heother
swer ecuti
nhal fbythequeens
wings)
Mapula:Rai
se!
!(theyallgotupandstoodbut
notlooki
ngatherintheeyesbecausehereyes
keptchangi
ngcolorandtothem thi
swasv er
y
scary)
Mapula:
Getyourbossinthecarout
sidenow!
(shesai
dinavoicethatwascalmyetster
n.
Theguysrant
owhereLet
habowasstandi
ng
androughl
ypi
ckedhi
m upcar
ryi
nghi
mt othe
car
)
Man:Si
esmanyouevenwety
our
sel
f!What
ki
ndofabossar
eyou?
Mapula:
That’sBecausehisnoboss,
nowgoi
n
t
hereandcleanupt hatmess(t
heywenti
n
r
unningtodoast ol
d)
Mapula,
Renei
lweandNgwedi gotbacki
ntothe
carandNgwedichangedi
ntoherhumanform.
Let
habo:Hell
no!
!Oaloy
awena(y
ouar
eawi
tch
sai
dLethabotoNgwedi
)
Ngwedi:Notawi
tchbutapr
otect
orofour
queen.
Let
habo:Andyouchangef
rom aKoena
(al
li
gat
or)tohumanandyouwantmeto
bel
i
evethat?
Ngwedi
:Buty
ouj
ustsawi
t!
Let
habo:Ineedahospit
alIt
hinky
ourVenom i
s
makingmehalluci
nat
e.
Mapul
a:Nodearuncl
ey oudon’
tneedahospi
tal
,
whaty
ouneedisav i
sitt
othesacr
edri
ver.
Let
habo:
No!No!Nott
her i
ver!NoIwi
l
ldo
any
thi
ngbutnott
heri
verplease!
Mapula:
It’
soutofmyhandsnowuncl
ethe
godswil
ltakecar
eofi
tnow.Renei
l
weHoware
you?
Renei
lwe:Am fi
nejusti
nshockandIdon’
tthi
nk
Iwil
levergetusedtoyourpower
s.
Mapul
a:Idon’
tthi
nkIcanmy
sel
f.

TheydrovetoBaKoenawit
hLet habobeginni
ng
Mapulanottotakehi
mt othesacr edri
ver
!Hi
s
hear
dal otofst
ori
esabouttheriverandhewas
notwil
li
ngtobeanexamplef orothers.
#l
oveadmi
n

I
nser
t95

BaKoenaki
ngdom

Mapul a,Ngwedi AndRenei lwearr

ivedat
BaKoenaandKwezi ,Lebo, Tokel
oAndThabi so
werewai ti
ngout si
def orthem.Assoonast he
carstoppedRenei l
wegotoutandr ani nt
o
Tokelo’sarmsandhehuggedherbr ushinher
back.Mapul awentt oherhusbandandhugged
him.Ngwedi wentwi tht heguardtol ockup
Lethabount i
lthequeensay swhatwi llbecome
ofhim.Lebowasst andingnextt oKwezi asthe
l
ov ebirdswerehuggi ng.
Lebo:
Wemightaswel
lhugour
sel
vessi
ncet
his
i
sahuggi
ngcompeti
ti
on.
Kwezi
:YeahYouri
ght(t
heyshar
edahugand
Tokel
otur
nedandsawthem)
Tokel
o:Whatar
eyout
wodoi
ng?
Lebo:
Huggi
ng!
Tokel
o:Why
?
Lebo:
Wedi dn’
twantt
obel
eftoutoft
he
competi
ti
on
Tokel
o:ButKwezi
wasnotki
dnapped
Lebo:
Iknowbutwehuggi
ng.
Thabiso:
hahahaohmanam donewi
thy
out
wo.
Comemybeaut if
ulwi
fel
et’
sgogety
ou
checked.
Tokel
o:ComeMybeaut
iful
pri
ncessl
et’
sget
youcl
eanedup(sai
dTokel
otoRenei
lwe)
Lebo:
ohhellnowenotbei
nglef
toutoft
his
competi
ti
on.Comemylovel
yBeaut
if
ulKwezi
l
et’
sgogetsomesnacks.
Tokel
o:hahahgetawomanman!
Lebo:
Youmustbebl
i
ndcour
seIal
readyhav
e
oneonar
m.
Kwezi
:Tel
lthem Lebo
Mapul
a:Ohwowy
oungl
ovehaha
Kwezi
:Youonet
otal
khaha

Theyallwenttheirseparateway swit
hThabiso
taki
ngMapul atochecki fshe’sokayandthe
baby.Tokelotaki
ngRenei lwetohischamberso
thatshecanbat handchange.ThenLeboand
Kwezi wenttothekitchent ogetsomesnacks.
Theywer esit
ti
ngi nthekitchencounteronhi
gh
chair
seatingsomechi ps.
Lebo:
Let
sGot
othemov
iest
omor
rowni
ght
.
Kwezi
:Why
?
Lebo:
Gir
ldon’tactdumbwit
hme!Whatdo
peopl
edointhemov ies?
Kwezi
:Wat
chamov
ie
Lebo:
Exact
ly!So?
Kwezi:Okaythen!Besidesitwil
lbegoodtobe
outther
e,Imeant hepersonIcamet oseehas
beenbusyandIunder standherduti
essofrom
nowonMrLebeny ayouwi l
l bemyenter
tai
ner
fort
hedur at
ionofmyst ay.
Lebo:Withpl
easur
emyl ady(Kwezismil
eand
hersmilewar
medLeno’ shear
twonderi
ngwhy
onlynowishenoti
cinghowbeauti
fuland
charmingKweziwas.)

Aguar
dcameinwhi
l
etheywer
ebusychat
ti
ng
andl
aughi
ng.
Guar
d:Gr
eet
ingsmychi
ef
Lebo:
Greet
ings
Guard:Ther
eisaqueenofMalut
iatt
hegat
e
request
ingt
oseethequeen.
Lebo:
Letheri
nandoutheri
ntheguest
chamber
.
Theguardlef
tandwhenLebowasaboutt ogo
upstai
rstocall
thequeenMapulaandThabi
so
camedownt hestai
rsrunni
ng.
Lebo:
Whati
schasi
ngy
out
wo?
Thabi
so:
Gett
hewor
ker
stosaf
etynow!
Lebo:
What
?
Mapul
a:Lebothewomanisnotal
oneshehas
br
oughtal
ltheevi
lspi
ri
tswi
thher
.
Lebo:
Theny
ounotgoi
ngoutt
her
e!
Mapula:Ihav etoortheywil
lki
llmotherand
ever
yonei nthispal
aceandIcan’tLetthat
happen.(whi l
etheyweretalki
ngTokeloalso
camer unning)
Tokel
o:Somet
hingi
snotr
ight
Lebo:
Weknowt
hat
’swhyweher
e
Thabiso:Let
scalltheguardst
ogettheworker
s
tosafetywecan’thavethoseevi
lspi
ri
ts
possessingmorepeoplebecausetheywil
lbe
morepower ful
.

Kwezi calledaguar dandhewasgi ven

i
nst ructionst ot el
lallt
heot herst
ogot othe
staffquar t
er stoandl ockthemselv esinthere.
Theguar dwentoutandt ol
dev er
y oneandt hey
l
ef tdiscreet lytotheirquart
ersandt heyknew
bet t
ert hant oquest iontheroyalfami ly
,sothey
j
ustdi dast old.Thequeencamedownst air
s
andwast oldwhatwasgoi ngonandwast old
tor emai ni nherr oom nomat t
erwhat ,shewent
backupandst art
edpr ay
ing.Thechi efpri
est
camei n.
Chi
ef:
Iti
sti
memyqueen
Mapul
a:Al
ri
ghtLet
sgo.
Theywentout si
deandwhent heygotthere
queenMponengwasst andi
nginthemi ddleof
thepalacegroundswithspi
ri
tsmov i
ngar ound
her,butonl
yMapul aandThabisocouldsee
them.
Mponeng:Wherei
sMabot l
e?(sheaskedwi
tha
voi
cethatwasscr
atchyandbol
d)
Thabi
so:
Whati
sity
ouseekf
rom her
?
Mponeng:
Thatisnoneofyourbusi
nessbut
wor
rynotthewhower eal
l
ywantishere.
Thabi
so:
Whomi
ghtt
hatbe?
Mponeng:
You!(shesai
dpoi
nti
ngatMapul
a)
Mapula:WellIam her
e!HowmayIbeof
assi
stance?
Mponeng:
Youhav
ewhatbel
ongst
ousandwe
wanti
t!
Mapul
a:Whatmi
ghtt
hatbe?
Mponeng:
Stopwi
tht
hegames,
yourmot
her
hadmyhusbandki
l
ledandmyf
ri
endswant
yourbaby
.
Mapul
a:Takeheri
fyoucan!(sheconnect
ed
wi
thThabi
soandtoldhi
mt ogetready
)

Thabisosummonedt hecheetahsofbaTloung
andthehawks.Theyst ar
tedfl
yi
ngabov ehim
andthecheetahsbehindhim.Mapulawas
al
readyinposit
ionandsowast hechiefpri
est.
Lebo:Okaynowy ouguysarenotplay
ingfair
!I
meany ouallhavescaryani
mal sandspiri
tsand
wehav enothi
ng,howt hehell
arewegoi ngto
fi
ghtagainstthat
!
Tokel
o:Truemanandam mov
ingawayIdon’
t
wanttheanimal
sconf
usi
ngmefort
heenemy.
Lebo:
YouAndmebot
h.
Theysai
dandmovedasidest
andi
ngabi t
fur
therf
rom t
heot
her
s.Kweziwaslooki
ngout
t
hewi
ndow,
scar
edf
orherf
ri
endandt
heot
her
s.

Thespi ri
tsstartedmov ingtryingtof i
ndaweak
persont heycanpossessbutnoneoft heones
therewer esot hef i
ghtstart
edast heywer e
angry .Somewentf orthechiefpr i
estwhi l
e
otherswentf orThabi so,Mponengwi thot her
spiri
tswentf orMapul amost lytargetingher
tummy .Shedr ewherwi ngsandcov eredher
tummywi thonewi ngwhilefighti
ngwi thone.
Thef ightwasi ntenseandLebocoul dn’ ttakeit
any mor e.Hewentchar gingtoMponengi n
attemptt oprotectMapul a,butthespi ritssent
himf lyingandl andingont hekr aalearni ng
somecut sfrom thewoodst hereashef el
l.
Kwezi sawt hisandr anoutbecauseshecoul d
seet hatot herswer etoobusyt onoticeLebo.

Shewentt
ohi
m andwhenshegott
her
eshe
sawt hatapieceofwoodhaspier
cedthrough
hisskinfrom t
hebackcomingoutint
hef r
ont
ri
ghtonhi sri
bcageandwasloosingalotof
blood.Shewenttothestaf
fquart
ersandcall
ed
twoguar dstocomeandhelpher,t
heycame
runningpicki
ngupLeboandgetti
nghiminto
thepalace.

Iknowi
t’
sshor
tbutmyphonei
sfl
at.
..
.seey
ou
duri
ngt
heday!

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t96

Cont
inuat
ion

Kweziwasinsi
dethepal
acewit
htheguar
ds
andthequeentr
yingt
ostopLebo’
sbl
eedi
ng
wound.Theycoul dn’
tev encal
lthepal ace
doctorasshewasast hehospitalandt hey
wereafrai
dt oputherli
feindangerj udging
from t
hesituat
ionoutside.Thequeenaskedf or
towelsandwat ertocl
eant hewound, the
guardsbroughtthewat erandshecl eanedthe
woundwhi l
ehisheadwasl ayi
ngonKwezi ’sl
ap.
Shewasacr yi
ngmessasshekeptbr ushing
Lebo’sheadtell
inghimt ohangint here.

Outsidet herai
nqueenandt heot herswer e
fi
ghti
ngal oosingbattl
e.Thespi ri
tswereov er
power i
ngt hem andwer edet er
mi nedtoleave
thepalacegr oundswi t
hwhatt heycamef or
.
WhileMapul a,ThabisoAndt hechi efpr
iestwe’r
e
deter
mi nedt omakesur et hattheypreventthat
from happening.Tokelowasbl eedingallover
from beingbeat enbythingshedoesn’ tev en
see.Hegotsoangr ywaki ngupghostandwel l
ghostwokeupbutt hi
swasnott heusual ghost,
theusualghostwashishardheaded
grandf
atherLerumo’af
atherbutt
hisghostt
hat
tookoverwasLer umohimself
.

Hisey esturngr eenbutnotanor di

narygreen
butanemer aldgr een,t
heywer esparkli
ngand
mesmer i
zingtol ookatwi tht heNakeday ebut
thatgav ehimt hepowert oseewhathewasup
again.Somet hingi nhimt oldhi m howt o
captureaspi ri
t,hedi djustt hat,hewentt oone
ofthespi r
itsfoughtwi thitt henletitenterhis
bodyinhopesofpossessi nghi m butinturnit
burnttransferr
ingi t
spowert ohim.Nowhehad
thepoweroft hreeghost si nsideofhim, his
grandfather,hi
sf atherandt hisunknownghost
thathasnowbeenv anquished.

Mapul
agott
ir
edofthi
sbecauset
herewer
ejust
t
oomanyofthem t
ofi
ghtandshewasget
ti
ng
ti
red,
it’
sunderstandabl
ebecauseshewasj ust
i
naf i
ghtearli
eronandnowshei nanotherand
totopthatoffsheispregnant
.Shetouchedher
sli
ght
lyvisi
blebell
yandconnectwiththebaby.
Mapul a:Theportalofwonderingspiri
tski
ndl
y
awokeandaddr essthem!Iam speakingtothe
spir
it
soft hemosthi gh!Thehigherpowerthat
controlandcommandsusal l
!Riseandputyour
peopleinorder!Shecl osedhereyesandtheair
aroundherwasnowl i
ghtandr efr
eshi
ng.She
openedherey esandt heywer easwhi t
eas
snow, noblackwhat soeveri
nt hem.She
openedhermout handspoke.
Mapula:Wonderingspiri
tsoftheunderworldI
speaktoyouasy ourking!Yourpurposeher ei
s
nottokil
lbuttoseekanswer stothequestions
thathol
dy ouhere,t
ofindpeaceandt ranquil
li
ty.
Ifyouconti
nuethisfi
ghtyouwi l
lbedestroyed.
Spi
rit
s:I
nthelandoft
hedeadwef
ollowy our
rul
esbutint
hisworl
dwemakeourrulesandno
onecanstopus.
Mapul
a:That
’swher
eyouwr
ong!
!
Shesai danddr ewherwi ngswi thherhai rnow
changedcol orandt heywer ewhi teassnow,
theylookedl iket heywer ef r
ozenandl onger
thanbef ore.Shehel dupherhandandThabi so
andt hechi efpriestmov edasi de, shehel dup
herhandst henputt hem onherchestmaki nga
crossandt hencov eredherwhol ebodywi ththe
wingsandspanar oundl ikeawheel ofaf ast
mov ingcar ,creatingat ornadoi nthepr ocess
mov ingtowar dst hepal acegat esandt hespi r
it
s
foll
owed, remai ningwasMponengandt he
othersfighting.Thabi sof oll
owedhi squeen
ri
dinginacheet ah’ sback, holdingont oi t
sf ur
anditwasr unningf astl
ikeitwaschasi ngi ts
prey.
Thequeenmov edtotheforestwit
hthetornado
wit
hheratthetopofitspinningar
ound.She
gotther
ethenopenedoneofherwi ngsand
spoketothespi
ri
tsthatfoll
owedher.
Mapul
a:Sur
rendernoworpar
ishf
orev
er!(she
yel
l
ed)
Spi
ri
ts:
Nev
er!(
Theysai
dinuni
on)
Mapul
a:Ver
ywel
lthen!
Shebeganspi nningbutnowaddi ngf ireandi ce
tothet ornado.Nowi twasmov ingasai r,
ice
andf i
rebutwhatwasamazi ngwast hateach
oneoft hesemov edsepar atef r
om t heot her.It
mov edf asterasshespan, creatingabi g
tornadooft hecombi nation,sucki ngt hespiri
t s
i
nt hepr ocessandupr oot edtrees.Oneoft he
biggestint hef orest,theywer ealsof lyi
ng
aroundt het ornadoandaseachspi ritwas
capturedi twast hrowni ntothewhol eat r
ee
wasupr ootedf rom followedbyat r
eeont op
wi
thei
therf
ir
ear
oundi
tori
ce.

Allthespi ri
tsgotthr
owni nt hoseholeswhere
thet r
eeswer eandthetreesont opandwhen
theywer eal ldoneMapulawentt oeachofthe
treesbindingt hespi
ri
tsfor ever
,whenshewas
doneshemadeherwaybackt othepalaceand
uponar r
ivalshesawt hatTokeloandt hechief
priestandNgwedi haddef ectedthespiri
tst
hat
remai ned.Onl yMponengwasl eft
.
Mapul
a:Ngwedit
akehert
otheriv
erandIhav
e
t
otendtomybrother
swounds.
Ngwedi :Rightawaymyqueen.(Ngwedi t
urned
i
nt oherhumanf orm scaringMponengi nthe
process,shet ouchedhershoul derand
disappearedwi thhergoingt otheriver
.Shegot
thereandputMponengdown. )thenshewent
andbowedbef oretheall
igator
st hatwere
gatheredbyt her i
verandspoke.
Ngwedi :DiKoenatsamet si
ng(all
igat
orsofthe
wat eroranimalsofthewat er
)hereisan
offeri
ngtoy oufrom thequeen.(shethen
pushedascr eamingMponengt otheall
igat
ors,
eachonewentf ortheclosestpi
eceofherbody
theycanf i
nd.

Mapul awenti ntothehousewi t

hev eryone,she
wasst il
lthesamewi thwhi tef r
ozenhai rand
whiteey eswi t
hwi ngs.Shewentt owher eLebo
wasandt heclosershegotshef elthisheart
beatwasget ti
ngweaker .Shepi ckedaf eather
from herwi ngsandt ookt hewat ertheyusedt o
cleanhiswoundwi t
h, waterthatwasdi r
tyand
fullofbl
oodandpour editintoaj ugt henused
thet i
poft hefeathertost i
rit.Whi leshewas
stir
ringshepr ayedov erthewat erandbecame
clean,shepour edsomei ntot hef eatherand
askedKwezi toopenhi smout handshedi dn’t
.
Mapul
a:Igi
vet
oyout
hel
i
fey
oual
readyl
ost
backtoyou(shemadehi m dr
ink)Igiv
eback
theairt
hathasandcont i
nuestoleaveyouback
(shemadehi m dr i
nkagain)theangelsofthe
Lordandyourguar dianfr
om upabov egiveyou
l
ife(shemadehi m dri
nkonelasttime)sheput
herhandsont hepi eceofwoodst ucki
nhim
anditfr
oze,shet henbrokeitf
rom boththe
backandthef ront.

Shethenputaf ingerintheopenwoundbur ni
ng
theremaini
ngpi ecefrom i
nsideandmov edhi m
tolayonhissideasshepl acedherhandont he
woundf rom t
hebackandashesoft hebur nt
woodcameout .Shet henpl
acedherhandson
bothsidesofthewoundandheal edi t,
then
askedtheguardst otakehimt ohischamber
andthatshewi l
l gocheckonhi ml at
eron.
Thabisocouldfeelthatshewasget t
ingweaker
withallt
hepowert hatsheused, hetookhert o
thei
rchamberandpl acedheront hebedf orher
t
orest
.

Kwezi wenttoherr oom t

obat ht henaf terthat
shewentt oLebo’ schambert olookaf t
erhim.
Tokelowaswi thReneilwewhowasal sobusy
taki
ngcareofhi swounds, shewasabi tscar ed
ofhim becauseoft heemer aldcol orofhisey es
butthenshet houghtthathewi l
l tellherwhen
theti
mei sri
ght .Butwonder ediftheywi lleven
changebackt oi t
snormal color
.

St
ayt
unedf
ormor
e!

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t97

AMAXHOSAki
ngdom
Inthepal aceev eryonewasst illshockedby
whatt hequeenmot hersai d,thequeenoft he
l
andcoul dn’tstopcr y i
ngbecauset raditi
onallya
newbor nbabyorast i
llbornbabyi sbur i
edby
theel derwomenoft hef amilyonl yamot heris
notinv olvedsinceshej ustgav ebirthandt hey
don’twantt oputmor est r
essonhert hatiswhy
onlyel derwomanbur ythechi ldandt hequeen
mot hernewt his.Letmet el
l y
ousomet hingy ou
all
di dn’tknow, backi nt hedaywomendi dn’tgo
tohospi talstogi vebi r
thandy est herewer e
hospi tal
sbutourel der sdidn’tbel i
evei nthat.
Theybel i
evedt hatwomanwer emor ethanabl e
ofgiv i
ngbi rt
hint hecomf ortoft hei
rhomes
beingt akencar eofbyel derwomanwhohav e
givenbi rt
hbef or e.

I
fachil
dwasasti
llbor
nbutourpeopl
esay
(
uzel
weedi
niwe)t
hechildwoul
dbewrappedup
i
nabl anketandbur i
ed(egoqweni )i nstacksof
fi
rewoodj ustunderi t.Thatpl acewasknownt o
beawoman’ ssacr edpl acejustl i
keakr aal was
knownasmen’ ssacr edpl ace.Nowt hiswas
becauseonl ymenwer eall
owedt oent erakr aal
butnotboy s(amakhwenkwe)t hispl aceis
beli
ev edt obesacr edbecauset hati swher e
sacrificesfort heancest or
swer emadebymen
i
nt hef amilyandanot hermanwasnotal l
owed
toent eranot her’skr aal becauset hi swoul dbe
disrespect fultot heancest orsoft hatcer tain
fami ly.Evenwheni twast i
mef ort heboy st ogo
toinitiati
onschool , t
heywi l
lbet akeni nt
ot he
kraal byt hemeni nthef ami l
yandt hosewho
shar edt hesamecl annamesast hef amil
yand
agoatwi l
lbesl aught eredt oaskt heancest ors
forthei rprotectionandgui dancet hr ought heir
j
our ney .

Nowwi
thawoman(i
goqo)ort
hest
acksof
fi
rewoodwasawoman’ spl acewher eal otof
theirsecretswer ebur i
edandt hatincludedt he
burialsit
eofst i
l
lbornbabi es.Nowmendi dn’t
knowoft hisbecauset heywer enotal lowed
therejustaswomendi dn’tknowandst i
lldon’t
knowexact lywhati sgoingoni nini
t i
ation
school sorwhati sbei ngdi scussedbymeni n
thekr aal
.Nowt hatwast her easonwhyt he
queendi dn’taskquest i
onsaboutwher eher
chil
drenwer ebur i
ed.Sheassumedt hatthey
wer ewher et heywer esupposedt obeandt hat
i
sundert hest acksoff ir
ewood, whi chisal so
whyshedi dn’ taskquest i
onsaboutwher et hey
wer eburied.ButwhenZasemboaskedandt he
trut
haboutt hequeenmot herwasr evealedshe
wasmor et hancur i
oust of indout.Whenshe
saidthathersonsr emai nswer eburiedi nthe
palacegat eherwor l
dcamecr umblingdown.

Shewascr
yingl
i
keshej
ustl
ostt
hechi
l
dren
nowy etithasbeen26y earsagobutt hepainof
howt heyburiedt hem madei tfeel l
ikeithad
j
usthappened.NowkwaXhosat heysayaman
doesn’tcry(indodaay i
khalii
khalela
ngaphakathi)Butt hekingcouldn’thol dhis
tear
s,hecr i
edf ort hechil
drenhislosti nthe
handsofhi smot her,hecri
edfort hey earshi
s
l
ostwi thZasemboandhecr i
edfort hey ear
she
wasmadeawal kingzombi ebyhisownmot her
.
Theformerki ngl ookedatt hi
swomanheonce
call
edawi felaughi ngatthepainandt earsof
thei
rsonandt hatt ur
nedhishear tintostone.

Zasembo:Ar
eyouhear
ingy
our
sel
f?Ar
eyou
evennor
mal?
Queenmother
:Normalyouask!Weletmeputi
t
i
nawayt hatyouyoungst
ersunder
stand,
normali
soverrat
eddearbutpoweri
s
ever
ythi
ng.
Zweli
banzi
:Whereint
hepal
acegat
edi
dyou
bur
ymygr andson?
Queenmother:
Righti
nthemi
ddl
ewher
e
ever
yonewalks.
Zasembo:
AndWher
eisZamaMpi
nga’
sremai
ns?
Queenmother
:AskQhawekazi
Becausei
asked
hert
oburybothchi
l
dren.
Ki
ng:Qhawekazi
!!(hesaidinal
owbutv
ery
st
ernandcommandi ngvoicemaki
ng
Qhawekazi
jumpal i
ttl
e)
Qhawekazi:
Eee.
..
Myki
ngeee(she’
sscr
atchi
ng
herhead)
King:
Womanifyoumakemeasky
out
hesame
thi
ngagai
nyouwil
lregr
eti
t.
Qhawekazi:
Theyar
e..
.Imeanhei
s..
..i
sunder
yourbed.
Ntsi
ka:
What!!Ay
iIusedtosayZulupeopleare
badasswi
tchesbutnoyoupeopletakethecup.
Imeantheytaket
heirvi
cti
mstoemkhathi
ni
(wherewit
chesgather
)butyouhi
dethem i
n
pl
ainsi
ght.
Zasembo:
Wher eandhowdi
dyouputhi
m
undert
hequeensbed?
Qhawekazi: Theti
mewhent hequeenwasbeing
nursedbackt ohealthIt oldthemaiden
responsibl
ef orcl
eaningt heirroom t
hatIwil
l
takecareofi tasIwant edt hequeentobemor e
comf or
table.Shedidn’tar guewithmeasIhav e
beenaf ami l
yfri
endfory earssoIdiditt
hen.
Nt
sika:
Afami
l
ywi
tchy
oumeannotf
ri
end.

Zweli
banzi
:Qhawekaziandy
ouNokuzol
awe
ar
egoingtot heki
ng’
schamberandy
ouwil
ldi
g
uptheremains.
Queenmother
:Noshewi
l
lbecausesheburi
ed
hi
mt her
eandIwil
ldi
guptheoneIbur
ied.
Zweli
banzi
:Iwasn’
taski
ngy
ouwomanIwas
tel
l
ingyou.Nowlet
’sgo.
Theyallgotupandf ol
lowedt hetwot otheking
andqueen’schamber ,
Qhawekazi mov edthe
bedandt herewasacar petunderbutonecoul d
seethatitwascutinthemi ddle.Sheremov ed
thecutpieceandputitaside,thentheyhelped
eachotherremovethepl anksthatweret her
e
asthefloorwasallwooden.Theyr emov ed
them andwhatwasonceasi lvertr
unkwi tha
l
otofdustandr ustonitappear edtheytookis
outanditwasclockedwi thakey .

Thef ormerki
nginstr
uctedthem toopent he
trunkandQhawekazi askedamai denfora
breadknifewhichshebroughtandsheopened
thet r
unkandtheremainswer ethereinapot at
o
sack.Thekingaskedhert oopent hesack
whi chshetor
esinceitwasoldandt helit
tle
princesremai
nswer ereveal
ed.Thequeen
f
aint
eduponseei
ngt
his.
Queenmot her:YaziQhawekaziumuncuno
wonderkwakungasebenzi mayezanj e
kulomf aziwenawazomkhusel angamat hambo
ony anakhe!Ubucingant oni
?Hey i
Hay i
awubhadl angangeke(y ouknowQhawekazi
youar estupid!Nowondernomut iworkedon
thi
swomany oupr otect
edherwi t
ht hebonesof
herson!Whatwer ey out hi
nki
ng!Hai noyouar
e
stupid.)

Qhawekazi: Wenaubuxelelebaniubalent
o
i
zomkhusel a?Nam bendi l
andelaeziny
aweni
zakhokubanaweungcwabei nkosana
egayi
thiniyakomkhulu.(AndWhodi dyou
i
nformt hatthiswil
lprot
ecther?Iwasf ol
lowi
ng
i
ny ourfootstepssi
ncey ouburiedthepri
ncei
n
thepalacegat e)
Queenmot
her
:Akhol
ont
oaphauf
unauzenza
bhetel
engathiwenaufenei
ndawoengcono
yokungcwaba(therei
snosucht hi
ng,
youj
ust
wantedtoshowy ouarebet
terbyfi
ndi
nga
bett
erplacetobury
)
Zweli
banzi
:ENOUGH! !
!(heshout
ed)guards
taket
hisandputiti
nthethr
oneroom anddon’
t
l
etanyoneinther
e.
Guar
d:Yesmyki
ng.
Zweli
banzi
:Youtwol
etsgot
othepalacegat
e
sothatyoucandi
gupmygrandson.

Theyallwalkedt othegat ebutt hequeendidn’t

go,notbecauseshedi dn’twantt obuttheking
saiditwasbestshest ayedinoneoft heguest
bedroom andr est.Whent heygott othespot
thequeenmot herst oppedwal kingandt he
othersdidtoo.Thef ormerkingaskedt he
guardstoleavet hei
rpostandt heywi l
lbecall
ed
whent heyareneeded.Thechi efpriestcame
wit
hashov elandgav eittothequeenmot her
,
shetookitandstarteddiggi
ng.Shedugand
dugmay befourfeetthenasackappear ed,
sameliketheonet heyfoundinthebedroom,
shetookitoutandopenedi tthentheremains
werereveal
ed.

Theki ngaskedaguar dt ogooutt hem i nthe

throner oom.Theguar ddi dast oldandt he
queenmot herpouredbackt hesoi lintothemi ni
grav e,whendoneshet hrewt heshov elaside
andst oodther el
ookingatherf ami l
y .Theking
request edt hatsheandQhawekazi bel ockedup
i
nt hepal acehol di
ngcel lsandt hattheywi ll
be
deal twithaf t
ereveryt
hingwasdone.Thechi ef
pri
estsai dt heyfir
stneededt ocl eanset he
palacebot hinandout .Sl aughteracowt o
appeaset heancest or
s, thent heycanbur ythe
childrenint heroyalburial si
tewi ththeir
forefathersandwhent hatwasdoneacow
shoul
dbesl aught
eredt
oint
roduceZasembot
o
theancest
ors.

Theyal lagreedthatthewor kwi l

lstartt
he
fol
lowi ngdayandaskedev eryonet ogotobed
andt heywi l
lmeeti nthemor ningbutZasembo
andNt sikarefusest osleept hereandsai dt
hey
wil
l comebacki nthemor ni
ngandt hechief
pri
estsawi tbestZasembodoesn’ ttakemore
badl uckfrom thepal ace.
SheandNtsi
kal
eftgoi
ngtot
heB&Bthey
bookedt
ogetsomerestast
heyhadalongday
.

St
ayt
uned.
..
.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t98
AmaXhosaki
ngdom

Thef oll
owi ngdayNt sikaandZasembower e
get t
ingr eadyt ogot othepal ace,Ntsikawasa
bitsadt hathi sj ourneywi thZasemboi scoming
toanend, sohedeci dedt hathisgoi ngt otry
andf indouti fZasembof eel
sany thingf orhi
m.
Ashehasdev elopedfeel i
ngsf orher,heal so
didn’twantt ol eaveZasembobehi ndashehas
grownsocl oset oher.Heev enthoughtofhow
calm hi sbeasthasbeenar oundZasembobut
alsowonder edi fitwasbecausehehadt ohelp
herorwasi sbecausei twascont entwi thher.
Het houghtofal lthemi stakeshismadewi th
Mapul aandhedi dn’twantt orepeatt hesame
withZasembo.Sohedeci dedt hatifZasembo
feltthesamewayhedi dthenshewi llshowi t
somehowbecauset hi
st imehewasdet er
mined
tokeephi ski ngdom saf eandact uallydot he
ri
ghtt hi
ng.
Zasembo’
sjourneytaughthim alotabout
peopl
eandnowhedi dn’
twanttoputhi speople
i
ndangerbecauseofhi sownsel f
ishreasons.
Whil
ehewasst il
ldeepinhisthoughts
Zasemboknockedandheshout edalazycome
i
n,shecameinandgr eetedbutsawt hatNtsika
wasnothi
mself.
Zasembo:
Youseem mor
eti
redt
hanIam.
Nt
sika:
YesIam ButIwi
l
lbef
ine.
Zasembo:
Alr
ightt
hen(si
l
encef
oll
owed)
Ntsi
ka:Youknowwear ecomingtotheendof
t
her oad,
aftert
hisceremonyyouwil
l bewit
h
yourfamil
yandIwillhavetogobackt oKZN.
Zasembo:YesAndAm gr
atef
ulf
orev
ery
thi
ng
thaty
ouhavedoneforme.
Nt
sika:
Itwasapl
easur
e.
Zasembo:
YouknowIst
il
lhav
etheor
phanage
t
obui
l
dri
ght
?
Ntsi
ka:HowcanIforgetthat
,youcanbuya
phoneandcal
lmeany ti
mey ouwantandIwil
l
beavai
labl
etoassi
styouany t
hing.
Zasembo:Iknowt
hatbutIwashopi
ngwego
backtoget
her.
Ntsi
kasmi l
edandlookedather
.Hewant edto
askhersobadlyaboutherf
eeli
ngsbutalso
worr
iedthatmaybeitwasnottheri
ghtti
me.

Nt
sika:Youcancomewi t
hmeandIwil
lbe
morethanhappytoaccommodat
eyou.
Zasembo:
Thanky
ouandIr
eal
l
yenj
oyedt
his
ti
mewithyou.
Ntsika:Ididtoo(theywer el
ookingateach
otherintensel
yandNt si
kacouldn’tholdhi
msel
f
ashewentcl oserandkissedher.She
respondedt othekissandNt si
kapulledout
af
terawhi
l
e)
Ntsi
ka:Am sorry
!Ididn’tmeantodi sr
espect
youli
kethatandIknowy oudon’tfeelt
hesame
wayIdoandIdeepl yapol ogi
zeforthi
sandit
won’thappenagainam. ..
(Zasemboshuthi m
upwithanotherkissthenpull
edout )
Zasembo: Idon’
tknowwhatam feel
ingf
oryou
becauseIhav enev
erhadaboyfr
iendbef
orebut
i
tfeelsgoodandIdon’twanti
ttoend.
Nt
sika:
Youdon’
t?
Zasembo:
NoIdon’
t
Ntsikahuggedherandkissedherfor
ehead.
Theywer ebothhappy.Theywentandate
breakfastandmadetheirwaytothepal
ace.

Whentheygottheret
hechiefpriestwasr eady
tobegi
ncleansi
ngthepalace,everyonewasup
andbusyprepar
ingever
ythingfortheceremony .
Theywer etakent othehouseandt hechi ef
pri
estdi dhisthing, l
ightedt hei ncestandspoke
totheancest orst henbegancl eansi ngthe
palacefrom insidet henout .Whent hatwas
doneagoatwassl aught eredtoappeaset he
ancestors.Thent hef amilywentt ot her oyal
burial
siteandt wogr aveswer eal readydugup
forthetwopr i
nces.Thegoat swer esl aughtered
ri
ghtther eforbot hoft hem st artingwi th
Mzukisi’sgoatsi ncehewast heol destandt he
onewhodi edf i
rst.Ev erythi
ngwasdonef orhim
accordinglyandhewasbur i
ed, thent heydi dthe
samef orZamaMpi ngaandhewasal sobur ied.

Theywentbackt ot hepalaceandwashedt heir

handsandt hechiefpriestgaveever
yonemut i
towasht hebadl uckwi t
h.ZasemboandNt sika
weregivenr oomsinthepal acet
ouse,theyall
wenttother oomsanddi dasthechi
efpriest
i
nstruct
edt hem everyonemetbackinthe
l
ounge.
Chief:Nowt hatev
eryt
hingi
sdoney oucanhave
somet hingtoeatt
henintheaft
ernoonwecan
slaughterthecowtowelcomeandi nt
roduce
theprincesstotheancest
ors.
Queen:ButIwantsomethi
ngbigforthe
pri
ncessandinvi
teal
ltheki
ngdomssi nceshe
nevergotanycer
emonyandt oi
ntroduceherto
every
one.
Zweli
banzi:Youcansti
l
ldothatmydaught er
butnottoday.Today
’sj
ustf
orthef amil
yand
thenaft
eryoucanplanwhereverceremonyyou
wantforher.
Queen:
Iunder
standmyki
ng.
King:Zasembomydaught erIwantt oapologi
ze
forevery
thingthathappenedher eandalsoask
youtoforgivemef ornotbeingthereforyou
andnotpr otect
ingyouasaf atherwheny ou
neededmet o.
Zasembo:Ial
readyf
orgaveyoufat
herandaf
ter
ever
ythi
ngIwil
lbegoingbacktoKZNwi t
h
Ntsi
ka.
Queen:What ?No!(shewasalreadyteari
ngup)
Idon’
twantt oloseyouagai
n,IknowIwasn’ t
ther
efory oubutIwouldl
iket
obet hereforyou
now.Pleasedon’tgomydearpr i
ncess.(tear
s
werealreadyfal
li
ng)
Zasembo:Motherdon’
tcr
yam onl
ygoi
ngther
e
toful
fi
ll
apromiseImadetomygrandmot
her
andthenIcancomeback.
Ki
ng:
Whatpr
omi
sei
sthat
?May
bewecanhel
p.
Zasembo: Ipr
omisedherthatherhousewil
lnot
beclosedandinorderfori
tnottobeclosedI
deci
dedt obuil
danorphanagethereanda
homef orabusedwomen.
Zweli
banzi:
Thati
snobleofy
oumypr i
ncess
andwecanassistyouwit
hanyt
hingt
hatyou
mightneed.
Zasembo:
Myt
hanksgr
andf
ather
.

Theycont i
nueddiscussi ngtheor phanageand
eating,l
aughingandj okingtoget her.Thet i
me
camef orZasembot obei ntroducedt othe
ancestors,t
hecowwassl aught eredaf ter
Zasembohadt opokei twi thaspearandi t
madet hesoundt hatev eryonewasexpect ing
andi twasslaughteredaf t
er.Thecer emony
wentonbutnotal l wasdone.I ntheev eni
ngthe
formerkingZwel i
banzi askedt heguar dsto
bringthequeenmot herandherf ri
endandt hey
did.
Queenmot her
:Ohy oufinal
lybackt
oyour
senses,goodriddance!Giv
emesomef oodso
thatIcaneatthengobat handrest
.
Zwel
ibanzi
:Foody
oucangetbuti
twi
l
lbey
our
l
astmeal.
Queenmot
her
:Younotgoi
ngt
odepr
ivemeof
f
oodnowdearhusbandwi
l
lyou.
Zweli
banzi
:Nobutyouwi
l
lbet
hef
oodt
o
beet
lesandmit
es.
Queenmother
:Zwel
i
banzi
youcantki
l
lyourwi
fe
l
etaloner
oyal
ty.
Zwel
ibanzi
:OrbutIcanAndyourremaini
ng
fami
lyhasbeeninf
ormedandt heywil
lbeher
e
anymomentnowsoy oubet
tereatup.
Qhawekazi
:Soam If
orgiv
en?ImeanIwasonl
y
fol
l
owingheri
nst
ruct
ions.
King:
Youar
ejustasmucht
oblameasshei
s
andyouwil
lbothmeett
hesamefai
th.
Qhawekazi
:Butmyf
ami
l
y..
..
myhusbandand
ki
ds
Queen:Yourhusbandhasbeeninf
ormedhis
alsoonhiswayandy ourki
ds?Youshoul
dhave
thoughtaboutt
hem befor
ekil
li
ngmine.
Thet woat ebutthef oodwasnotr eall
ygoing
downast heywer ewor r
iedaboutt heirdeaths.
Theirfamiliesarr
ived,Qhawekazi’shusband
couldn’tevenlookather .Theroyal f
ami l
y
i
nf or
medt hefamili
esofev er
ythingt hetwodi d,
Qhawekazi ’shusbandwasangr yanddi sgusted
bywhathi swi fehaddone.Het ookaspearand
stabbedQhawekazi intheheartrightoutside
thepalacegat esasi twaswher etheywer e
standing.
Husband:Thi
sisforallt
hebloodyouspill
ed,
fort
hequeenstearsandf ormychil
dren
becauseonedayyouwoul dhavekil
ledthem
thesamewayy oukil
ledtheroyal
seeds.
Qhawekazi:For.
..
for
giv
e..
m..
me!(shecl
osed
hereyes)herhusbandwit
hthehel
pofher
brot
hertookthebodyandputiti
nthebackofa
tr
uckanddr oveoff.
Brot
her:
Iwill
notbur
yawit
chandIdon’
twant
mynieceanephewtoknowtheki
ndofper
son
thei
rmotherwas.
Husband:
Iwil
lnotburyt
hist
hingmy
sel
f,i
t
deser
vestobeburnt
.
Brother
:Thenl
et’
stakehert
othef
orestand
burnher.
Thehusbandnoddedinagr eementandthey
drovetothef
orestandburnther.Backatthe
palaceThequeenmotherwasbeggi nghe
husbandandunclesnottokill
herandpromised
tochangebuttheywouldn’
thearofit.
Uncl
e:Youkil
ledyourgr
andchi
l
drenli
keyou
werekil
l
inganimal
sandy ouwi
llbeki
ll
edli
ke
onetoo.
Zwel
ibanzi.Ev
eryonewhowant
stocomewi t
h
mustgetintothetr
uckandwegotothef
orest.
Guar
dsgett hedogsready
.
Theguar dsgott hedogsr eadyandev eryone
wenti ntothetr
uckandt heydr oveoff.Upon
arr
ival t
otheforestt hethequeenmot herwas
ti
edt oat r
eeandt hedogswer eorderedto
att
ack.Thedogsdi dexact l
ythat,t
heywer e
bi
tingandscr atching.Thiswentonf orawhile
until
thequeenmot herdiedbecauseshewas
l
oosingal otofbl ood.Theyl eftherthereand
wentbackt ot
hepal ace.

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t99
BaKoenaki
ngdom

Lebosti
llhasn’
twokenupy etandi
thasbeen
twodays.Mapulawenttocheckonhi m and
tol
dthem thathewil
lwakeupwhenhi sready
butKwezi wasn’
thav
ingit
,sheinsi
stedadoctor
becall
edintocheckonhim andindeedthe
palacedoct orwascal led.ShecheckedonLebo
andsai dthesamet hingthatMapuladid,that
hisokayandj ustneedsmot i
vati
ontowakeup.
Kwezi hasbeenwaki ngupear lyint
hemor ning
togoi ntoLebo’ schambert ocheckonhi m.
Thismor ningwasnodi f
ferent
,shetookabat h
andwentt oLebo’ schamber .Shegotinandsat
ont hebednextt ohim andspoket ohim.
Kwezi:Leboyouhav etowakeupnow, i
t’
sbeen
twowhol edaysandit’
slonel
yher ewithouty our
j
okes.Idon’tknowwhyIf eelsoconnect edto
youallofasuddenbutwhat everthi
si sIwant
todiscoveri
twithyou.Nowwakeupev eryone
missesy oubutImissyoumor e,youhav eto
wakeupbecausey ouowemeamov i
edat eand
youwer esupposedtobemyent ert
ainerforthe
durati
onofmyst ay.
Lebo:WomanIwi
llbuyy
out
hewhol
eci
nemai
f
i
twill
getyout
oshutup.
Kwezi
:Leboy
ouawake!(shesai
dexci
ted)
Lebo:
NotSol
oudwomanIhav
eaheadache.
Kwezi
:Sor
ryam justexci
tedt
hatyouwokeup!
Anddon’
teverdothattomeagain!
Lebo:
Womankeepi
tdownIj
ustwokeupf
rom
acomaher
e.
Kwezi:Youwerenoti
nacomaLeboj
ust
unconsci
ous.
Lebo:
Samet
hing!
Kwezi
:Justdon’
tev
erdot
hatt
omeagai
n.
Lebo:Iwil
ldothatoverandov
eragai
njustso
thatIcanhearyousayhowmuchy oumissme.
Kwezi:
Icansayt
hatwi
thy
oual
i
veandwel
lMr
Lebenya.
Lebo:
Pleasesayi
tagai
nMr
sLebeny
a
Kwezi
:Ohwownowam aMr
swhatanupgr
ade.
Lebo:
Icanupgr
adey
ouev
ennowi
fyouwoul
d
haveme.
Kwezi
:Whatar
eyousay
ingexact
lyLebo?
Lebo:
ThatIwantyout
obemygirl
fr
iendand
soonwif
eift
hingsgowel
lbet
weenus.
Kwezi
:Idon’
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Lebo: Yousaidy
oudon’
tknowwhaty oufeel
andy ouwouldli
ketodi
scovert
hatwithmeand
am askingyoutocomewithmeont hejour
ney
ofdiscovery
.
Kwezi
:Idon’
tknowLebo.
Lebo:
Kwezi
l
omso
Kwezi:Di
dyouhav
etocal
lmebymyf
ull
name
though?
Lebo:
Yesbecausei
tdoesn’
tgi
veoutt
heful
l
meaningofy
ournamewhenshort
ened.
Kwezi
:Youknowt
hemeani
ngofmyname?
Lebo:YesKwezil
omsomeaningt hesunri
se
grazeandIwantyoutobemysunr ise,
sunset
andmi ddaysunj
ustshi
ningt
hroughmyl i
fe.
Pl
easebemysunshi
neKwezi
l
am.
Kwezi:Kelebohabahaesokahontl
i
setsawena,
kelebohemor enaModi
mol eMapul
aka
orekopantsaandnkarat
ahobalewenamorena
Lebenya(It hankmyancestor
sforbri
ngi
ngyou
tome, Ial
sot hankGodandMapulaforbri
ngi
ng
ustogetherandIwouldlovetobewithyouMr
Lebenya)
Lebo:YourSot
hoi
simpr
ovi
ngandt
hanky
ouf
or
havi
ngmemychocolat
eface.
Kwezi
:Youarenotv
erygoodi
nthi
sromance
thi
ngLebo.
Lebo:
Thent
eachmeMr
s.

Theywer elaughi
ngandt al
ki
ngwhent he
maidencamei nandaskedi fshecanbringthei
r
breakfast
.Kwezi askedhertobringsomet hi
ng
l
ightforLebo.Themai denwentbacktot he
ki
tchent ogetfoodf orthet
wo.Theot herswere
si
tti
ngont hedi
ningr
oom t
ablehavi
ngthei
r
morningfeast
.Whenthemaidenwasaboutto
passwiththetr
ayoffoodMapulast
oppedher.
Mapula:
IsKwezihav
inghermor
ningf
easti
n
Lebo’
schamberagai
n?
Mai
den:I
tseem theybot
har
emyqueen
(Mapul
asmiled)
Tokel
o:Waitdi
dyouaskt
hatonpur
pose?I
s
Leboawake?
Thabi
so:
Whatdot
hinkgr
eeney
es?
Tokel
o:Nowyouguysarecruel
whydi
dn’
tyou
tel
lmemybrotherwasawake?
Mapula:Butwej
ustt
oldy
oumygr
eeney
ed
br
other.
Reneil
we:Don’
tmindt
hem mygr
eeney
edman
theyarej
ustpl
ayi
ngwit
hyou.
Tokel
o:Butbabeyoual
sojustsaidgr
eeney
ed
(theal
lbursti
ntol
oudl
aughter)
Tokel
o:Youknowwhatam goi
ngtoseemy
brot
heryoual
lcansi
ther
eandconti
nue
l
aughing(hest
oodupandfoll
owedthemai
den)
Renei
lwe:
Am sor
rybabeIdi
dn’
tmeanit!(she
shout
edbehi
ndhim whi
l
esti
lll
aughi
ng)
Tokel
o:Butyoust
il
llaughi
ng!(shout
edback
andtheyl
aughedevenlouder
)

Hemadehiswayt othewestwingwhereLebo’
s
chamberwas,hegotther
eandhecouldhear
thel
aught
erallt
hewayf r
om t
hecorr
idorandhe
wenti
nwithoutknocki
ng.
Tokel
o:Mybrot
heri
sawake!(hesai
dst
andi
ng
bythedoor
)
Lebo:
Youknowi
twi
l
ltakemor
ethanapi
eceof
woodtoki
l
lme.
Tokel
o:Idon’
tdoubti
tbr
other(hesai
dget
ti
ng
cl
oser)
Lebo:
WHOW holditr
ightt
hereanddon’
tcome
anycl
oser
!Kwezical
lMapulanow!
Kwezi
:Why
?
Lebo:Mybrot
heri
spossessedgoandcal
lthem
now!(Kweziwasdeadwit
hlaught
er)
Lebo:Womanst oplaughi
ngthi
sisser
ious.
Mapula!!
!!Thabiso!
!!
!(heyel
l
edandKwezi
coul
dn’tstoplaughing)
Tokel
o:Lebooarasamaankeengkawena
(Leboyoumakingnoisewhat’
swr
ongwit
hyou)
theot
herscamei nr
unning.
Mapul
a:Lebowhat
’swr
ong?
Lebo:
Hel
pmybr
other
!
Mapul
a:What
’swr
ingwi
thhi
m?
Lebo:Hispossessedbyt hoseevilspir
it
s!Look
athiseyes!Theyaregreenandnotj ustany
greentheevilsnakeki
ndofgr een!(theothers
couldn’
tholditanymore,theybustoutintoa
l
oudl
aught
erhol
dingt
hei
rtummi
es)

Lebo:Cansomebodyletmeinonthej
oke
becauseIdon’
tseeanythi
ngf
unnyaboutthi
s
heneedshelp(shamehesoundedsoseri
ous)
Mapula:
Okay!(shesaidstil
lholdinghertummy)
l
ongstoryshortyourbr
otherdiscoveredthe
ext
entofhispowersduringthebat t
lewit
hthe
spi
ri
tsandthatiswhyhiseyesar eliket
hat.
Lebo:
DamnandImi
ssedt
hat
.
Kwezi
:Iwi
l
ltel
lyoual
labouti
t.
Lebo:
Nowt hat
’snotf
airnowit’
sonl
ymeand
youwit
houtpowersbabeall
thesepeopl
edo.
Renei
lwe:
WellIal
sodon’thav
epower
ssoI
guessam i
nyourgroup.
Them:
Babehuh?
Mapul
a:I
sther
esomet
hingy
ouguy
swantt
o
t
ell
us?
Lebo:Orat
adit
abaausi
tjo!(y
oul
i
kegossi
p
si
steryhoo)
Tokel
o:NowIthinki
t’
sti
mewedi
scusst
he
el
ephanti
ntheroom.
Lebo:Right!Thabi
soyouknowwel i
keyoubut
thepalaceistoosmalltoaccommodat
ey ou,
yourwifeandy ourel
ephant.Sot
heel
ephant
wil
lhav etogot ot
hezoo.
Tokel
o:Whatt
hehel
lar
eyout
alki
ngaboutnow?
(theot
her
swerel
aughi
ng)
Lebo:Yousai
dwehadtodiscusstheelephant
andtheonl
ypersonwhohaselephant
si s
Thabi
so.
Thabi
so:
NowIcoul
djustknocky
oubacki
ntoa
coma.
Lebo:
HearThatKwezi
Iwasi
nacoma
Kwezi
:YesIhear
d!Nowl
etmel
eav
eyouand
gohel
pmother.
Mapula:Youdon’
thav
etol
eav
efr
iendi
t’
sno
secr
et.
Kwezi:
Not hankyoubecausethethingsy
ou
guysdealwit
harescaryandIsti
ll
likemy
sl
eep(shesaidandlef
t.

Tokelo:Ri
ght!AsIwassay i
ng,wehavetodeal
wit
ht heLethaboissuethegodshavebeen
vi
sit
ingmeandt heyarenotpl
eased.
Mapul
a:Metooandnowt
hatLeboi
sawakewe
candoi
ttoday
.
Thabiso:
Let
snodel
ayi
tanyf
urt
her
,let
’sgo
changeandgo.
Lebo:
Yeah!Youguy
sgetoutIwantt
ochange.
Renei
l
we:
Buty
ouneedt
orest
.
Lebo:
Gir
lIhavebeenresti
ngfort
woday s.And
Iwon’
tmissthi
sforanythi
ng!Soam goi
ng.
Tokel
o:Okeyt
henl
et’
sgo.
Lebo:
Wai
twher
ear
ewet
aki
nghi
m?
Mapul
a:Ther
iver
Lebo:
Damnalli
gat
orfood!Idon’
twantt
obei
n
hi
sshoesr
ightnow.
Tokel
o:YouAndmebot
h

Theyallwenttheirseparat
eway stogochange,
afewmi nuteslat
ertheymeti ntheloungeand
Mapulaaskedt heguardstobr i
ngLethabot o
thecar.Theybroughthim andtheydrovetot he
ri
ver.I
twasnotf arandtheyhadt oleavethecar
abitfurt
herandwal kedtherestofthedistance.
Theygott her
eandLet habowaspl eadi
ngwi th
them tolethi
m go.
Let
habo:Mynieceandnephew!Mybrot
her
s
chi
l
drenpleasel
etmegoandIpr omi
seIwi
ll
nev
erdothisagai
n.
Mapul
a:I
t’
snotupt
ousnowuncl
e.
Cont
inuat
iont
ofol
l
ow

#l
oveadmi
n
Cont
inuat
ion

Lethabowaspleadingwit
hhisnieceand
nephewtolethim gobuttheywerehavi
ngnone
ofit.
Let
habo:Mynieceandnephew!Mybrot
her
s
chi
l
drenpleasel
etmegoandIpr omi
seiwon’
t
dothi
sagain.
Mapula:I
t’
snotupt ousnowunclelook(she
poi
ntedattheriv
erthathadaholeinthemiddl
e
andtheall
igat
orsthatal
readygat
heredther
e
wait
ing.
Lethabo:
Pl easeam beggingy oupl
easedon’
t
takemet hereplease.(hepleaded)
Tokel
o:Noonewill
takey outher
e
uncl
e..
(Let
habocuthim off
)
Lethabo:Ohthankyoudearnephewy
ouwon’
t
regrett
hist
hanky ou.
Tokel
o:Isaidnoonewillt
akeyouther
ebutt
hey
wil
l(hepuntedtotheall
i
gator
sthatwere
comingcloserandcl
oser)
Let
habo:Nopl
easedon’
tlett
hem t
akeme
pl
ease.

Theyall
stoodbehindhi
m astheal
l
igat
orsgot
cl
oserandcloserandLet
habomoving
backwards.
Mapul
a:Ngwedipl
easeaccompanyhi
m and
gi
vemygreet
ingst
ot hequeens.
Ngwedi:Myqueen!(shebowedherheadthen
tr
ansformedi
ntoherall
i
gatorfor
m andpushed
Lethabofr
om behi
ndandhef el
l)
Theotheral l
igat
orstookhi
m, wit
heachone
hol
dingapar tofhi
m withi
tst eet
handNgwedi
l
eadingt hewayt otheopenpar toftheriv
er.
Theall
igatorswer enoteat
inghi m andLethabo
hadhope, theygottothemi ddleandthe
al
li
gatorslethim goandhesanki ntothehole
anditclosed.
Lebo:Iexpect
edmor ef
rom thi
satl
eastf
or
them t
obitehim her
eandthere.
Tokel
o:Yeahmet
oowhatadi
sappoi
ntment
!
Mapula:
Doy ouguyswantt
oknowwhatwi
l
l
happentohi
mi nther
e?
Lebo:
Noi
fyougoi
ngt
otel
lusi
twon’
tbet
he
same.
Tokel
o:Yeahsowhat
’st
hepoi
nt?
Mapul
a:Look

Theyal
ll
ookedatherassheconcent
rat
edon
t
heriv
erandafterafewminutesthemyst
ical
l
andappear
ed.Itshowedthequeenssi
tti
ng
t
herewit
hLethabokneel
inginfr
ontoft
hem.
Bahomi:Youknowyourbl
oodi
snotpur
ebl
ue
yetyouwentfort
hethr
onewhy
?
Let
habo:
Becauseofgr
eedandam sor
ry.
Nyol
odi:Youpl
ott
edt
oki
l
laki
ng,
yourown
br
otherwhy?
Let
habo:
BecauseIwant
edt
het
hrone.
Bahomi
:Ev
ent
houghy
ouknewi
twasn’
tyour
s?
Let
habo:
Yespl
easeIapol
ogi
ze
Nyol
odi
:Youplot
tedtoki
l
lther
ainqueenand
t
hecurr
entki
ngwhy ?
Let
habo:Becausetheywer
eint
hewayofme
get
ti
ngthethroneandIhadtor
emov
ethem.
Bahomi
:Evem thoughyouknowt hatt
het hr
one
wassti
l
lnotyours?(Lethabogotannoyed)
Lethabo:
YesAndwhydi
dn’
tYoupeopl
edo
anythi
ngwhenIt
ooki
tthef
ir
stt
imeifIdi
dn’
t
deservei
t?
Bahomi
:Hewi
l
lnev
erchange.

Bahomi AndNy ol
odiandt heotherqueen
l
ookedateachot herandnodded.The
protect orswentt oLet haboinahur r
yand
beforehecoul dgetupt heywer ealr
eadyi n
frontofhi m.Eachonewentf orapartofhis
bodyt heycoul dreachf ir
stri
ppinghim apart
andt heykeptgoi ngback.Ont heoutside
Tokel o, LeboandThabi sower esohappy
wat chingt his,t
heywer eevenplayi
ngt hei
r
comment atorgamewi thTokelocomment ati
ng
forNy ol odi’
sprotector,Lebowas
comment atingforBahom’ swhil
eThabi sowas
comment atingforLesedi ’
sprotect
or.They
woul dcommentl ikesoccercomment atorsas
eachpr otectorwentf orachunkofl ethabo’s
f
leshunt
ilt
her
ewasnot
hing.

Mapulastoppedandthethr
eehadthebi
ggest
smil
esont hei
rfacesl
ike5yearol
dst
hatj
ust
gotanicecream.
Lebo:
Thatwasf
un!
Thabi
so:
Tel
lmeabouti
t.
Tokel
o:I
tfel
treal
l
ygood
Mapul
a:Youguy
swi
l
lnev
erchange.

Theywalkedbackt
ot hecarwhi
ledi
scussi
ng
whathappenedandlaughi
ngathowLethabo
wasbegging.

Hav
eagoodsl
umber
:

#l
oveadmi
n
I
nser
t100

BaKoenaki
ngdom

Thequeenmot herMabot l
edeci dedi twast ime
foracel ebrationsi ncetheyhav ebeent hrougha
l
otl ately.Shewant edthisdayt obeadayof
celebrations, celebrat
ingfriends, fami l
yand
associ ates.Onl ythosewhof iti
nt othat
categor ywer ei nvit
ed,amongstt hoseinvited
wasNt sikayomuzi Zulu,ZasemboMbanga,
from thosewhocamef r
om f ar,Kwezi ’
spar ents
wher ealsoi nv i
tedandhercousi nScel o.Wel l I
knowt hatev eryonedoesn’ tknowScel obuthe
i
soneoft hepeopl ewhohadacr ushonMapul a,
heusedt oseeherwhenshewoul dv i
sitwith
Kwezi buthemadehi msel finv i
sible.Helov ed
herf r
om adi stancebutsi ncehewashomef or
holidaysheal sowant edt ot agal ongwhent he
f
ami
l
ysai
dtheywer
egoi
ngt
oLeSot
ho.

Theev entwasav erysophi sti

cat edone, media
wasi nv i
ted,theRoy alfami l
yofbaTl oung
kingdom wer ei nv i
ted,theKi ngofbaTl okwa
kingdom wasal soinv i
ted,associ atestheywor k
withi nthehot el dealwer einv i
tedandt hat
i
ncludedt hosewhower einvolvedi nthemaki ng
ofthehospi tal aswel l
ast hosef rom abroad
whov olunteeratt hehospi tal.Ev ery
onewho
mat teredwast obet here.Theev entwascal led
theBaKoena’ sf i
rstannual ball
.Aannouncer
wasal sother et oannounceal ltheRoy alsas
theyar ri
ve,thechefandhi sst affdidn’tsleep
thepr eviousdayast heywer epr epar i
ng
desser tsfort hedayandt odayt heywokeup
earlytost artwi tht hecooki ng.

4mor
echef
swer
ehi
redt
owor
kwi
tht
he
currentf ami lycheft heyhav e,theydidn’twant
tohi r
eanycat eringcompanyast hatwoul d
openagapf ort heenemi esandt heydecidedto
doev ery thingi nhouse.Thepal acegar den
wher et hebal lwi ll
behel dwasdecor ated
beaut ifullyf ort heev ent,inf actthewhol e
palacel ookedbeaut i
ful withall t
hedecor ati
ons.
Thewomenwer ebusywi tht heirmakeup
beforedr essi ngupf ortheev entwhiletheguy s
wer edr essi ngupi nLebo’ schamber .Themood
wasaj oy ousoneandev er y
onewashappyand
excitedaboutt hedayahead.Mapul aaskedt he
dri
v erst ogopi ckupNt sikaandZasembof r
om
theai rpor tandt heot hert opickupKwezi ’s
parent s.

Theladieswerelooki
ngv er
ybeauti
fulint
heir
eveni
nggownswi t
hMapul aweari
ngar oyal
bl
ueev eninggownwithat r
ain,
Kwezi weari
nga
Yell
owev eninggown,Reneil
wewear i
ngablack
eveninggownandt hequeenmot herwear i
nga
sil
vergr eyeveninggownwi t
hlacear ms.The
guyswer ealsolookingv eryhandsomeand
readytoeat .Wi t
hThabi sowear ingabl uesuit
andpeacht i
eandabr ownhatwi t
hbr own
shoesandbr ownbel twit
hbr ownl eathergloves,
Tokelowear ingachar coalsuitacheckbl ack
shirt
,blacktie,blackshoesandbackbel t.Lebo
wear i
ngwhi tepant s,whiteshirt
,bluejacket,a
brownt ieandwat chandt oppedi toffwith
blackshades.Heev enshav edhisbear d.

Mapula:
Mot
hery
oul
ookbeaut
if
ulandso
young
Kwezi
:Gi
rlshei
smaki
nguseatdustIt
ell
you.
Reneil
we: I
nthatdr
esspeopl
ewi
l
lthi
nkshe’
s
youroldersi
ster
.
Queen:
Thenam changi
ng
Mapul
a:Whatnot
heguest
sar
eaboutt
o
ar
ri
vedandwehav
etor
ecei
vet
hem.
Queen:Wellam notthequeenofthi
slandnow
am thequeenmot hersoyoumyqueenand
yourbrot
herthekingcanrecei
veandwelcome
theguests.
Mapul
a:WOW i
sthathowi
twor
ksnow?
Queen:
Yesnowgot
hepeopl
ear
ewai
ti
ng
Kwezi
:Tshi
taqueenmot
her
.
Renei
lwe:
SoWhatar
eyougoi
ngt
ochangei
nto
queenmother
?
Queen:
Youwi
l
lseewhenIar
ri
venowgo.
Theyal
lwentoutl
aughi
ngandmetupwi
tht
he
guysi
nthedini
ngroom.
Lebo:WOW Ifthi
sishowy oul
adi
eslookthen
am host
ingeventsev
erymonthsothatIcan
seeyoulooki
ngli
kethat.
Tokel
o:Imi
ghtj
ustsuppor
tyou,
lookatmeand
myqueenmatchi
ng.
Thabi
so:
Noyoueat
ingdustgr
eeney esl
ookat
myqueenmat
chi
ngwithherhusband.
Mapul
a:Okayweareal
lmatchi
ngbutnowyou
andIMrki
ngaregoi
ngtorecei
veguest
s.
Tokel
o:Whatwher
eist
heev
entor
gani
zer
?
Renei
l
we:
She’
schangi
ng
Lebo:
Why
?
Mapula:Becausewet
oldhershel
ookedyoung
i
nt hedr
essshewaswearingsoshedeci
dedto
change.
Lebo:
Youshoul
dst
oppl
ayi
ngwi
thmymot
her
Mapula.
Thabi
so:
Leav
eMyqueenal
oneLebo.
Lebo:Tokel
otakehisqueenandgorecei
vethe
guest
sandwewi llseewhathewil
lbragwit
h.
Thabi
so:
That
’scol
dbr
a
Tokel
o:Ser
vesYour
ight
Thabiso:Youst
il
lhav
egr eeney
est hatar
e
broughtoutbyt
hatsuity
ouwear i
ng.
Lebo:Nowhisf
ashi
onpol
i
cewhoknowwhat
bri
ngsoutwhat
.
Mapul
a:Lebol
eav
emyhusbandal
one.

Theylaughedandt hetwowenttor eceivethe

guests.Theotherswenttothegardenand
mingledwiththeguestst
hatwer ealreadyther
e,
i
twasmost l
ybusinessassoci
ates.The
announcerstart
edannouncingtheroy alguest
s
astheyarri
ved.
Announcer:
Ladiesandgent
lemen!Royalsand
associ
atespleasewel
comePrince
Ntsi
kayomuzi Zul
uofManzi
nikingdom and
Pri
ncessZasemboMbangaofAmaXhosa
ki
ngdom.
Thetwowentinandgr
eetedTokel
owhil
e
Ntsi
kawentandgaveMapulaabighugpi
cki
ng
herupandspinningheraround.Zasembogota
l
itt
lejeal
ousbythisasNtsikahasneverhugged
herli
kethatbef
oreorhasnev erseenhimthat
excit
edtoseeher.Lebosawt hisandpatt
ed
Thabisoontheshoulder
.
Lebo:Theregoesyourqueenbei
ngst
olenr
ight
underyournosehahaha.
Thabiso:
TheZulupr
incedoesn’
tscar
edmeI
gotthegir
landImar
riedher
.
Lebo:
Mxm
Thabi
so:
hahahhowdoy
oul
i
ket
hathaha

Nt
sikaputMapul
adown.
Mapul
a:Wel
lThathugsay
sital
l
.
Nt
sika:
Imi
ssedy
ouMpandey
omuzi
Mapula:
Iknowt hatbutwi
l
lyouev
erst
op
cal
l
ingmet hat
?
Nt
sika:
Noy
ouwi
l
lal
way
sbeIMpandey
ami
Mapul
a:OkayIbet
tergetusedt
oitt
hen.
Ntsi
ka:Pl
easeDo.Letmei
ntr
oducetoyou
pri
ncessZasemboMbangaButyoual
ready
knowthat.
Mapula:YesIdo(sheandZasemboshareda
hugandshewhi speredi
nherear
’don’
tworr
y
youwill
getmoret hanahugfr
om hi
m okay.
Zasembonodded)
Mapula:
Apleasur
etof
inal
l
ymeety
oui
nper
son.
Iam Mapul
a.
Ntsi
ka:Nonono!Thati
swr
ong,
Shei
sMapul
a
t
herainqueen.
Zasembo:
Apl
easur
etomeety
oumyqueen.
Mapul
a:Goi
nandenj
oy.

Theannouncerannouncedt
henextr
oyal
sto
arr
ive.
Announcer
:Letuswel cometheKi
ngof
BaTl
oungandhi squeen(thepeopl
ecl
apped
fort
hem astheyarr
ived)
Announcer
:Letusal
sowelcometheki
ngof
BaTlokwaandMissBoi
tumelo(hewasal
so
welcomed)
Ever y
onear r
ivedev enKwezi’parentwiththe
cousin.Everyonewashav i
ngf unlaughing,
eatinganddr inking.Kwezi’scoursingScelohas
hisey esfi
xedonMapul a,hewasl ooking
dapperi nhismar oonsuit,womencamet ohi
m
try
ingt omakesmal ltal
kbecausehewasa
catchr eal
l
ybuthewasn’ thavi
ngi t.Kwezi’
s
fatherhadhi sey esf i
xedonLeboandKwezi
andhewasn’ tliki
ngi t.
Kwezi
mot
her
:NoBr
iandon’
tev
ent
hinkabouti
t.
Bri
an:
ButKwezi
isyoungandt
haty
oungman
seemsol
dert
hanher.
Kwezi
mot
her
:Leav
ethechi
l
dal
oneandKwezi
i
snot5year
soldshecanchoosewhoshe
want
stobewit
h.
Br
ian:
FineIwi
l
lleti
tgof
ornow.

Theywer ebothlooki
nggoodi ntheirevening
wear.Thequeenmot hergracedthem wi thher
presenceswearingablackdress.Itwasagood
eveningindeedfi
ll
edwithlov
e, l
aughterand
goodcompany .

#l
oveadmi
n

ENDOFSEASON1