The Kwerekwere Saga, Vol. 1: Kwerekwere Saga, #1

By Lookman Laneon

A collection of short stories about immigrants living in South Africa.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lookman Laneon
• Release date: Jul 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9780639919089

Book preview

Aisha Mustn’t Die

S he’s not talking, please come! My neighbour, Memuna, announces over the phone.

Why is Aisha not talking? She’s been battling Malaria for two weeks now. And she took her medication before leaving for school this morning. Oh God! why now when it’s almost my turn on the queue?

I manoeuvre my Honda Civic taxi away from the rank and head back home. Celliers taxi-rank is only three minutes away from my Bourke Street flat. On stepping into my neighbour’s house, I met my eight-year-old daughter lying limp on the sofa. What’s the matter with her? I ask Memuna. 

She returned early from school and refuses to play with other kids. She won’t even talk to anyone.

I stoop closer to the girl. Aisha! Aisha!! I nudge her shoulders, but she only mumbles some vague words.

Her eyes are half-shut and she breathes in gasps.

Has she eaten?

Not since she returned from school.

I lift her off the chair. I’m taking her to the hospital. This is getting more serious than fever. 

Okay. Should I come along? Memuna looks around for her head-tie.

Don’t worry. I’ll manage.

Steve Biko’s Hospital should be my best option because they have good facilities and their staff attend to everyone, regardless of visitors’ status. But the large number of people they receive means it’ll take long before doctors attend to my daughter. But then, other public hospitals are no-go areas. I might be unlucky to fall into the hands of hot-tempered