Shades of Doubt

By Nhlanhla Lloyd Damoyi

Shades of Doubt is a collection of fiction short stories aimed at entertaining, informing and inspiring readers about life in this world especially in the new South Africa. The stories are based on authors' observations of the changing world. In Earth Incorporation, the recent discovery of four earth-like planets poses a threat of invasion of these planets by humans? What if the leadership of G10 nations is female-led? Will the female leaders behave like their male counterparts by colonizing these planets?In The Initiates, a young boy is desperately seeking to be circumcised in order to gain respect of his friends. He is assisted by his uncle who has not undergone the surgery. What happens if the boy find out that his uncle is not yet a man according to their culture? Do the matter gets that far? In the Shades of Doubt, four young girls are playing games in the park next to their school in order to kill time while waiting for their school transport. In the midst of playing the game, differences of opinion arise over their identity and the role of leaders in society. Will the girls still be friends the following day? What Comes Around Goes Round is about a serial killer stalking young unemployed women through false promise of connecting them to jobs. He is caught and killed in the process of trying to escape from the police custody. But the killing spree continues. Is there a copy cat killer out there? In The Sibaya's of Patheni in Richmond is about a family living in a village of Patheni in Richmond. A weekend of marriage of their daughters reveals the mysteries and the history of the town. In the Zombie Tales, a group of Zombies is planning to take over the suburb but they have to go through the local priest and local healer first. Will the forces of darkness overcome the forces of light? In The Job Interview, a highly qualified young professional effort of gaining employment is seriously challenged by an experienced Human Relations Director without qualifications. What happens when they meet face to face after the young professional is recommended by the Interviewing panel not once but twice. Will the Human Relations Director approves his appointment? In Marius Swanepoel, The Bouncer a former Apartheid Intelligence Officer who breaks ranks with his community in order to make amends for the mistakes of his previous life. On his own, he struggles to attain the same life style of his previous life but find solace in a new religion. Is the karma of his previous life weak enough to allow him to survive his new life? In An Angel, road carnage, especially during the last week of August 2015, draws the attention of the media and the society at large. Prayer meetings are organised to ask God to come to their aid. But people are not aware there's an Angel in their lives that has been sent to remind people the decision to stop road carnage is in their hands.
In The Prodigal Prince, a deposed unpopular Prince Batho Bamme of Bakwena tribe wishes to return to the land of his ancestors to prepare for his death. But people are still angry with him for his greed that denied the tribe access to their mining remittances that came through the ownership of the land in the North West Province. Will the reigning young Price able to convince his people to let bygones be bygones?
In The Patriots, two university friends meet again in the new South Africa after ten years of separation. With an anti-apartheid background, the friends seek to claim back their ant-racial identity in a society that still uses old Apartheid identities in order to redress the imbalances of the past. Are friends able to successfully navigate the challenges of a racially based society through customs rather than segregation laws?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Oct 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514464045

Nhlanhla Lloyd Damoyi

Nhlanhla Lloyd Damoyi (NL Damoyi) is a self-published poet of two books, including The Daughter of Zulu and Wear Your Dreams Like Your Skin. His latest collection of stories, Shades of Doubt is a collection of non-fiction short stories that deal with contemporary issues faced by the people living on the Southern tip of Africa. Nhlanhla Lloyd grew up in Alexandra, a township in the rich Northern Suburb of Sandton. He attended school at Carter Primary School and Alexandra Secondary School where he passed his Matric. He graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University; Master's in Arts in Social Policy from the University of Durban-Westvile and Master of Business Administration from Bond University (Australia). Nhlanhla Lloyd is the Managing Director of Sengenyathi Enterprises (Pty) Ltd. He lives in Johannesburg. Check out his website www.damoyinl.com

Book preview

SHADES OF DOUBTS

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Nhlanhla Lloyd Damoyi

Copyright © 2015 by Nhlanhla Lloyd Damoyi.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2015916714

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5144-6405-2

      Softcover      978-1-5144-6403-8

      eBook      978-1-5144-6404-5

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 by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/21/2015

Xlibris

800-056-3182

www.Xlibrispublishing.co.uk

696547

CONTENTS

THE INITIATES

EARTHLING INCORPORATION

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

AN ANGEL

HOW TO LOSE THE NATION’S HAIR

MARIUS SWANEPOEL, THE BOUNCER

SHADES OF DOUBT

THE SIBAYA’S OF PATHENI IN RICHMOND

THE JOB INTERVIEW (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)

WHAT GOES ROUND COMES ROUND

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

WHAT LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

THE PRODICAL PRINCE

THE ZOOMBIE TALE

A TASTE OF HUMILITY

THE PATRIOTS

We all have the ability to carry our load

-African Proverb

THE INITIATES

T habo Mlambo left the Gresswold Senior School boarding school in a hurry on Friday afternoon for the compulsory home weekend visit. He had fulfilled his duty as a Grade 9 Prefect of ensuring his school mates had left with their parents. Walking towards Louis Botha Avenue, he caught a taxi at a terminus near the first Nando’s chicken company owned store in history. Alighting at corner Reverend Sam Buti Road and 4 th Avenue, he walked fast en route for his granny place at 64-4 th Avenue. His mind was so occupied he walked past his best friend, Thato without noticing him at their usual hang-out place. He found his granny in the kitchen washing dishes:

Granny, did you ask uncle Sizwe to set up an appointment at the Clinic? were his first words after greeting her granny.

He is due home around five o’ clock granny kept on dipping plates from soapy water into sterilized water before wiping them.

Please help me, I am tired of being called names he was fidgeting with his Smartphone.

What names? Granny grabbed his grandchild’s phone to draw his full attention.

They call me a boy Thabo tried to wrest back his phone from Granny.

Of course, you are a boy at fifteen Granny reclaimed the smart phone from Thabo.

A boy’s boy? Thabo was ashamed to be caught out playing games on his phone instead of surfing the net for his homework

Why Granny gave his grandson a know- it- all look.

Because they say I am not a man Thabo pretended to be shooting for a penalty.

Of course you are not man granny asserted her authority.

They say I am nothing Thabo focused his gaze on the television screen.

They are wrong Granny stood in front of the television screen.

I must become a man soon Thabo kept his gaze on the floor.

You will become a man in few years’ time Granny moved back to the kitchen to place a plate in a sink.

I must be circumcised to gain my friends’ respect Thabo retrace the remote control to switch channels.

How do they know you are not circumcised? granny poked her head into a lounge.

They found out in a boys’ way Thabo lowered the television volume.

"Boys’ way is a stupid way; you know that, don’t you? Granny continued with her house chores.

Please granny, ask Uncle to help me to become a man Thabo screamed as Simphiwe Tshabalala scored a goal in a replay of the last weekend televised soccer game.

He will be here soon granny tidied the kitchen sink.

There was a knock at the door,

Come In

Uncle Sizwe walked in.

Afternoon all Uncle Sizwe removed the cap from his head in respect of his mother’s house-rule.

Talk of the devil. Granny moved out of the kitchen to join his visitor in a lounge.

Tell him granny Thabo moved closer to his granny.

Tell me what? Sizwe searched for a clue in his nephew’s facial expression to anticipate the question.

He’s been nagging me about becoming a man? granny answered.

"Why do you want to become a man? Sizwe settled on a sofa next to his nephew.

My friends are making fun of me Thabo shifted to make room for his uncle.

Okay, I will help you. Where’s his birth certificate? Sizwe turned to his mother for an answer. He knew how difficult life can become, when you are not regarded as a man by society one lives in. He had lived two third of his life being treated like a boy by his compatriots.

It’s in my bedroom granny wiped his wet hands with a dry cloth.

I will fill in your form as your guardian. Be ready tomorrow morning. We are going to the clinic to get the job done Uncle Sizwe told his nephew.

Don’t we have to make an appointment? Thabo responded.

It’s on first come, first serve basis. We have to be at the clinic by seven in the morning Sizwe rubbed his neck with his fingers.

I am ready Thabo sighed with relief. Tea with scones was served after the agreement was reached. After some small talk, Uncle Sizwe bade his family goodbye for his Friday afternoon jog at the Men’s Hostel soccer field at corner 4th Avenue and Alfred Nzo Streets.

The next morning at six-thirty, Thabo and his uncle joined groups of workers and school pupils at corner 4th Avenue and Rev Sam Buti Road that were walking towards Pan African Mall. They turned left at Third Street stepping past a Shell Garage and a run-down South African Police Services barrack until they reached the Circumcision Clinic at the corner of Arkwright Road and Third Street. They noticed a group of young boys in the company of elders waiting in the queue at the reception hall. The spotlight fell on a short sturdy boy in the company of his mother. He was telling his mother that he wanted to go home. His mother was remonstrating with him, telling him she was not prepared to sacrifice another day of work for his sake. But mum, we can come back next week or next month the boy was telling his mother.

That what you said to me last month. Please stop wasting my time. Wasn’t you that requested for this thing the boy’s mother tighten her grip around her son’s hip.

Didn’t you hear that scream from there the boy was pointing towards a door leading to the surgery.

"I heard nothing of that sort. Did you hear anything from there?’ the woman was asking a man in front of her in queue. She was holding her son more tightly.

I heard nothing the man said.

The boy broke loose and tried to run away from the clinic. Two men in the queue ran after him. They caught him within a short distance from the clinic. It took three grownup men and her mother to subdue him. He was carried into the clinic screaming on top of his voice. The short skirmish broke the monotony of standing in the queue. Everyone in the reception area broke up in a laugh.

Thabo’s turn came up. He bravely walked into a surgery and it was over in a short while.

How was it? the uncle asked.

It was nothing. I did not feel any pain Thabo adjusted his walk to ensure his trousers did not touch the new scar on his body.

Well done Sizwe supported his nephew’s brave effort to become a man. They walked back home. A normally short walk home took a bit longer. Arriving home, Thabo slipped out of the house unnoticed to join his friends at Sol Mabilu shop verandah. He warned his friends the days of disrespect were numbered.

I have done it he challenged the group.

Show us his friends dared him. They formed a shield around him to create privacy in a public space. As soon as they saw the dressing of the scar, the boys whistled and clapped hands:

Welcome to the men’s club his friends told him. Words of congratulations lifted Thabo’s spirits removing all doubt about the need for a surgery. He was now a man among men in the eyes of his friends was all that mattered at that moment.

Back home, Uncle Sizwe was about to make a very important decision of his own. He knew there was no more place to hide anymore. His time was up.

Early in the morning, he drove to the Circumcision Clinic. He was recognized by the Receptionist as one of the parents who had brought their boys for the cut. Is there anything wrong with your boy’s cut she wanted to know.

Everything is fine with my boy. I came here on my behalf he answered.

Do you mean you have not done it? she asked.

Sort of he answered.

Have you done it or not she pressed on.

I have been close to doing it he insisted.

If you have not done it yet, then you need to fill in the forms she answered as she handed over the form to him. He filled in the forms and handed it over to the Receptionist. The waiting room was almost full. Uncle Sizwe was the only man above the age of thirty five in the hall. He was not bothered by it. He was only concerned about his health. He knew condoms were not complete on their own to safeguard him. He also knew circumcision could help him a bit, that is, if the science of it was truthful. The final answer, he knew, was in the change of behavior. Complete abstinence or perfect honesty stood before him like a red flag in a bull ring. His personality was drafted around his manhood. He was the envy of other men that desired his ability to attract women like a magnet. None knew more than Uncle Sizwe of the price to be paid to live a life based on feeding human desires. The path of such an existence eats away the brain capacity to seek harmony between the heart and its environment. It results in the death of morality, humility, peace and everything that make up the life we pray for. Only a few Initiates are nourished to a life worthy of praise from the heavens.

The receptionist ushered Uncle Sizwe to the surgery. As he entered the room he noticed a technology to be used on him. It was quick and painless. He felt only the discomfort. He moved over the dispensary where he was handed over the painkillers and ointment. On reaching his car, he took out his journal and wrote down the following:

19/09/ 2014: the shame is over. The next challenge: to be in control of one’s’ desires.

EARTHLING INCORPORATION

A convoy of cars was driving down Main Street of Mayfair heading towards Brixton Cemetery in Johannesburg, led by a blue brigade motorcade. Her Excellency, The President of South Africa’s car was a Black SUV, with bullet-proof windows. The cars reduced speed on entering the graveyard until they stood in front of a grave number CK 293 with a head stone written: In Memory of Nokutela Dube nee Mdima 1873-1917, wife of Rev. John L. Dube, First President of the ANC.

The President was ushered towards the surviving members of the Langalibalele Dube’s family who were seated under the shade of a tree. After exchanging pleasantries, the President asked to be left alone to hold a private conversation with her late role-model. She sat on a garden chair placed on the feet of the grave and began to speak: Comrade, we have accomplished the first leg of the journey. Stay with us as we undertake the second phase of our journey her Excellency said.

The election of Nokuthela Johnson as a first woman President of South Africa came about with the changing views of society about the competency of female leadership. It took hundreds of years to get there despite the demonstration of female leadership during the struggle for freedom. Elderly men with short memories carried scars from the lashing they received from women they defied to patronize government owned beer halls in the fifties. Women understood then, alcohol muted the strong yearning for liberation by the sufferers of doom. With unity achieved across cultural and political boundaries, women were able to use their majority to elect a female candidate that stood for a meaningful change in society. War was declared on ideology and poverty.

500 light years away from Earth, a gathering of enlightened energies met to discuss an invasion of their space by a Kepler Telescope that was stealing information about their world. The presence of an intruding technology was noticed by a friendly neighbor who relayed her discovery to her Spiritual Leader. Within days, a gathering was convened by the wise people from the neighboring planets. The Great Spiritual Leader rose to address the gathering: "Great People of the Galaxy; People of great wisdom; people that are not male or female; nor Black or White, Green, Red or Brown.

You are not flesh or bones. You are not an image or imagination. Therefore, you cannot be seen by a naked eye. You are the noise of the greatest silence; the whispers of Big Bang. Your minds carry the secrets of the universe from Top to the Bottom. You are the dew on the ground; the algae on the bottomless sea and the endless sky above us. You are the positive force that survived the calamities that are destroying Mother Earth through foolish acts. People of the Galaxy, it is time for you to come to the aid of Mother Nature. It is time to stand up for your beliefs. If we allow Earthlings to enter our world in great numbers, our universe may soon feel the vibrations of Earthlings slaughtered in the name of Compassion. Floods of tears will rise from the four corners of the Galaxy and the fire of Hell will pollute our universe. The screams of women and children will cause harm to your hearing. Lawlessness will become your law if you allow it. Great People, your civilization is threatened by the exploration of these Earthlings who are looking for New World to conquer. We have seen the results of their work in the new Worlds they conquered from time immemorial. We are regarded as weak because our non-egoistical souls make us vulnerable. We bear no arms to defend ourselves. We dare not surrender to brute force. Our minds are our greatest weapon. Today, you are called upon to come up with means to dissuade Earthlings from invading our planets. Is there a person in our midst who has a plan to save our civilization?"

From the back of a room, the Energy Light began to speak:

"All is not lost, Great One. Our intelligence has informed us the Earthlings of North, South, East and West of Mother Earth are in the process of a revolution. We are told the seven of the G8 nations are in the process of electing the Wheel Turning women to lead these nations to highest forms of civilization. The new leaders want to reclaim the lost wisdom of great teachers of the past, present and future. The women leaders are still as nurturing as ever; competent as any other being; and successful in keeping their world intact in spite of the challenges they are faced with. Womenfolk have triumphed over envy of