THINKING ABOUT LIFE

Growing up in poor rural area, where bullying was rife, was one of the most difficult things that were experienced by Sizwe in his life. Even though Sizwe and his siblings were raised by both parents, life at home was so miserable. Both of his parents were unemployed, so sometimes they would all sleep on empty stomachs. Most of their clothes were torn because their parents could not afford to buy them new ones. Sizwe was the eldest. Looking after his younger siblings was his responsibility. During break-time at school, Sizwe had to make sure that his younger siblings had eaten enough from the school kitchen or carried some food to last them until they came back the following  day to eat at school. Food at home was not something they had in abundance. Sizwe was generally known as a quiet person. He spent most of his spare time studying alone. Sometimes he would be at the back of their house at home and classes, sitting alone. Even though he was one of the brilliant stude...

“Wake up! Wake up! Today is a very special day for you, remember! Look how beautiful the day is outside. It shows that my beautiful lastborn daughter is getting married today!”Those were joyful words from my mother, very proud and shouting while opening the windows wide open. I could feel the early breeze hitting my face very softly which woke me up. It was a warm Saturday morning. I could feel that it was indeed a special day. People were already busy moving up and down outside on the yard. Some were singing while doing their respective chores, doing final touch-ups for the big day ahead. Others were getting  everything ready with their beautiful outfits. I could smell and see the smoke outside. Cooking of a large feast was in progress. I was so excited but nervous at the same time. I could not stop thinking silently about a lot of things that might happen. Wrong things. I could not stop asking myself so many questions: What if he doesn’t show up? What if someone s...

Fathers! What good have fathers done for this world that is worth celebrating? How should the children of the world see their fathers in this world filled with so many crises? So, here we are, today is Father’s Day, and we get to reflect once again. This is a day to recognize and honour fathers for the contribution they make towards the lives of their children. Here we talk about mineworkers, teachers, unemployed fathers, and all the fathers who make sacrifices to ensure that their children have a better life. They are often away from home, and this sometimes leads to people failing to understand their role in their children’s lives. Fathers remain the major providers of their families, especially from a financial aspect, but that does not come easily. Some, as workers, experience abuse from their bosses at their workplaces, while others work overtime to bring the best to their children. Others risk their lives to support their children and families. Although in most cases th...

“Oh, you are such a heartless mother, so selfish and an ignorant woman, you are a murderer, you don’t deserve to be part of our family!” That was one of my husband’s aunts shouting, clicking her tongue and spitting towards me while I was passing-by being handcuffed and escorted by the police officer into the police car. My house has become a crime scene. Many people have surrounded the house, some gossiping, while others just stand outside silently, shaking their heads in disbelief every now and then. My husband’s body was carried out of the house by paramedics after they had confirmed his death. I could see my children from a distance crying while being held by my elder sister. “ What have I done ?”, I asked myself silently while crying and regretting it. My husband was a friendly person to many people. He would always lead community protests, speak about how important it is to fight against children and women abuse. He always made sure to present himself as a good man. But insi...

It is half past four in the morning. I can tell it is early because I can hear the first train that is always leaving for the big city I wish to visit one day. The train is my alarm, it wakes me up so that I can go and search for the best spot to find food with just little begging. The night was long due to the cold rain. I feel so cold even now because my jacket has so many holes that bring in the cold, and is no longer helping me the way it used to. I guess it is time for me to go back and search for another one on the rubbish-bin, where most people dispose of their unwanted clothes. It was a special jacket, warm and always kept me warm through every winter cold. Every day is a miserable day for me because it is unpredictable on what I will face. Yesterday it was the worst day because a group of bullies invaded my space and took everything I worked for but today I am hoping for the best since I have to hustle either way. Life on the streets is not easy; we have to do wh...

It all started as a flirt with a handsome man, Lihle, whom she believed was her future husband. They came from different tribes but that did not bother Sihle. They were workmates. Lihle was always her inspiration to go to work because she knew that she would see him. Although they were working in different departments, she always made sure that she would see him, sometimes making excuses for him to come to her office. She loved Lihle but could not tell him since she was still involved with her child’s father (Felix). Even though Felix was staying in another country, he was able to visit Sihle any time. Things between Felix and Sihle started taking a bad turn, but that didn’t bother Sihle much since she felt ready to make a move on Lihle. She did not even bother to beg Felix because she knew that she had someone she had wanted for some time. She started getting closer to Lihle, sometimes even saving his pictures on her phone. Sihle was in the Media department, so she would take pi...