The Power of a Seed

By Fikile Dlamini

Mary Chikunda is at the height of her career as one of the most influential politicians in her country. She is intelligent, has a veracious love for young people and is not afraid to tackle issues head on. However, despite her success, she is weighed down by a secret she has kept hidden for years...

A chance encounter on a local breakfast show leads her down the path of self-discovery. It is only when she is finally able to face her past, that she realises that the young broken Mary was making a difference long before she came into any position of power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fikile Dlamini
• Release date: Aug 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005631826

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The Power of a Seed

The Power of a Seed

Fikile Dlamini

Copyright © 2021 Fikile Dlamini

First edition 2021

Published by Fikile Dlamini Publishing at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Fikile Dlamini using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Karen Runge for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

FIKILE DLAMINI

[e-mail]

Scripturs are taken from the

HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION™

Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Used by permission of International Bible Society

You are divorced, aren’t you?

I’m not sure what my marital status has to do with this discussion, sir, Mary answered the caller.

You so-called ‘modern women’ encourage children to rebel against cultural norms. You tell them they don’t need husbands, that they can make it on their own as you are doing. You encourage them to dress in a manner that exposes their flesh because you say they have the right to express themselves. I am a man and a little older than you so let me tell you this; when children walk around naked they are in danger of being abused.

Sir, your comments seem to be about your perception of me. This is not what this discussion is about. It is about the plight of children in our schools. This is not a problem I created. It was in existence before I came into office.

The radio host, Richard Zembe, let it play out.

I’m still making my point. When these children are raped or abused you blame the men. You should be teaching children to dress in an appropriate manner instead of—

Hello? Hello? People, please make sure you have enough airtime before you go on air, Richard chuckled. His bald head glistened under the studio lights. His red, Number 13 basketball jersey hung over his shoulders. Welcome. If you have just joined us, the Minister of Education, Ms Mary Chikunda, is with us on the breakfast show this morning. She is making headlines for cracking down on male teachers who are sexually abusing students.

The Ministry seeks to stop all forms of abuse, Richard, by all perpetrators—whether male or female, Mary said. It just so happens most cases reported to the Ministry are of sexual abuse by male teachers.

No one will dispute sexual abuse is wrong, Minister Chikunda. However, you have been criticised for stripping these offenders of their teaching licenses. Many believe it is too harsh a punishment. He read from a newspaper segment on his desk, There’s a male teacher quoted in the Times saying your actions against him were unfair and vindictive. How would you respond to these accusations?

"I cannot comment on individual cases, Richard. The Ministry does its best to ensure that all procedures are followed when holding hearings for teachers. A teacher is able to appeal if they don’t agree with the outcome of their case. They can even take their case to the highest court in the land if they wish to do so. Sexual abuse is a crime punishable by law. Our policy requires teachers who have been found guilty of