Imbango Yezizukulwane

By N.R Gumbi

Kuhlala kukhona ukungaboni ngaso linye phakathi kwabantu abaphila impilo yesimanje kanye nalabo abafuna izinto zihambe ngokwesiko lesintu. UFuze yena wehlukile ngoba noma eyisifundiswa nje uwathanda kabi amasiko akhe. Into emfakela ugqozi kakhulu ngumlando kamkhulu wakhe uPhakimpi. UPhakimpi wayephila ngenkathi izwe lingakangenwa yimpucuko yamanje. Emkhankasweni wakhe wokungafuni umlando ukhohlakale, uxoxela umzukulu wakhe uLwazi, ngalezigigaba zikaPhakimpi. Izingxoxo zabo ziveza ubudlelwano obuhle phakathi kwempilo yakudala nempilo yanamuhla. ULwazi akazibukeli phansi izinto zakudala, kunalokho uthole indlela yokuzisebenzisa esikhathini samanje. Halala! Lwazi, bayokubamba phambili abanejubane.

• Language: English
• Publisher: N.R Gumbi
• Release date: Oct 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005301941

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N.R. Gumbi

Copyright © 2021 N.R. Gumbi

First edition 2021

Published by N.R. Gumbi 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.

N.R. Gumbi

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Cover illustration by Elanie Bieldt

Uhla Lokuqukethwe

Isahluko Sokuqala

Isahluko Sesibili

Isahluko Sesithathu

Isahluko Sesine

Isahluko Sesihlanu

Isahluko Sesithupha

Isahluko Sesikhombisa

Isahluko Sesishiyagalombili

Isahluko Sesishiyagalolunye

Isahluko Seshumi

Ngithi angibonge kakhulu engilosini yami uLeonie McManus, eyathunyelwa nguNkulunkulu ukuthi izongisiza emalungiselweni alencwadi. Bekunzima kakhulu, ngaphandle kwakhe ibingeke ize ibe khona le ncwadi. Ngiyabonga kakhulu Leonie ngenhliziyo yakho enhle kanye nesineke obe naso kimi. Sengathi ubudlelwane bethu bungephele.

Isahluko Sokuqala

UNdoda nomndeni wakhe, unkosikazi wakhe Matsidiso, kanye nabantwana babo abathathu, uLanga okungowokuqala, kulandele uNonsikelelo bese elanywa ngumfanyana uLwazi okungowokugcina; basemotweni kuyiwa ekhaya lapho uNdoda ezalwa khona, eThalaneni. Baphuma kude le e-Sandton, eGoli lapho behlala khona. Bathe ukuthi thushu nje egqumeni iSangweni, uNdoda waphefumulela phezulu enziwa ukukhululeka. Kade kusile phela eshayela, eGoli basuke kusese kuseni kakhulu. Manje usebona izinkalo zalapho inkaba yakhe yasala khona. Ubuso bakhe baswabuluka, amehlo ayaluza wagcwala injabulo. Inhle kabi le ndawo yaseThalaneni, uyazibonela nje nawe. Izindlu zakhiwe kahle sengathi kukhangiswa ngazo. Eziningi zicakwe ngomcako omhlophe bese ezansi ziphethwe ngomcako onombala oluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka; abanye bazigqize ngomcako omnyama. Abantu lo mcako bawuthenga edolobheni eMdlovana, eGreytown ngesiLungu, ezitolo zamaNdiya. Ezinye izindlu kweminye imizi zipendwe ngopende abamibalabala njengoba sekwabakhona opende nje namuhla. Izindlu zakhiwe zaba ngolondo, ezinye zakhiwa zaba yizikwele. Zifulelwe ngotshani phezulu kanti ezinye zifulelwe ngothayela. Umuzi wakwaHlengwa wona uphahla lwawo lufulelwe ngama-tiles ngoba phela banezimali, ngabantu bamabhizinisi akhonjwa le eGoli. Kule mizi izindlu zangasese naziya ezansi kwezingadi. Ingani lapha konokhesheni akufani nale emakhaya angempela emaphandleni. Imizi eminingi ayinazo izindlu zangasese. Uma ufuna ukuzikhulula uyahamba uye le ngaphandle komuzi, endle, ibhizinisi lakho uyolenzela khona. Futhi le emaphandleni abantu bakhona bavele bazichithele amanzi ngemuva kwezindlu noma bazishonele othangweni lo muzi. Zonke lezi zinto azilona ihlazo, indlela ejwayelekile yokuphila lapho. Ungeke uzibone usubanjwa ngamaphoyisa ethi weqa umthetho uzikhulula obala kubona wonke umuntu. Waboshelwa khona lokhu uHloniphani edolobheni eMdlovana. Wayeseqhuba imbuzi kade eziminyela amponjwana, wazichithela amanzi kanti uzikhululela othangweni lo muzi womLungu. Sabelesela isimaku senkosikazi yomLungu simkhuza sibika nalo mhlolo awugilayo. Kuthiwa unkosikazi womLungu walunguza ngefasitela emthethisa, yena waphendula ememeza. "Hayi suka, shathaphu wena magriza mani! Angisiyena umfana wakho wasengadini mina. Nibulawa yile ngqondo yenu ye-aparteyti la. Nxi! Uma ningabafuni abantu abamnyama, hambani nibuyele le emazweni akini lapho niphuma khona. Izwe lo babamkhulu bethu leli. Aagh! Hayi suka mani!" Esho ediyazela ethintitha ebuka ezansi ebhulukweni evala noziphu. Ngapha kanti lo nkosikazi useshayele amaphoyisa. Ngalelo langa uHloniphani Nzuza walala esitokisini, ethweswe icala lokwephula umthetho wokuziphatha ngendlela eyiyo emphakathini. Kodwa nakhona emaphandleni izindlu zangasese ziyanda futhi nohulumeni useyabakhela zona mahala. Yizo njalo izinkomba zempucuko nempilo yesimanjemanje lezi.

UNdoda wayehlisa amafutha imoto, washayela kancane ehla ngomgwaqo sengathi uhlonipha umhlaba wakubo. Umgwaqo akafuni ukuwugandaya ngesivuthevuthe sesivinini sezimoto zaseGoli. Lapha eThalaneni kunomgwaqo owodwa omkhulu bese kuba neminye emincane ephuma kuwo iphambukela emizini yabantu. Imizi yonke ibiyelwe ngocingo. Ezingadini izitshalo ziluhlaza cwe nakhu phela kuse hlobo. Imizi eminingi inezihlahla zamapentshisi kanye nokotapheya. Uyazibonela nje ukuthi abantu bakule ndawo bayakuthanda ukulima. Buka-ke ngoba abantu abaningi bazilimela ngezandla, bathi ugandaganda kaZakwe awubizi uyaxexebula. OkaMpiseni ushibhile kodwa akalimi kahle futhi uyadelela. Abawuvali umlomo abantu ngoMpiseni. Bathi akeyisi weqa izinyawo zenkosi. Selokhu athenga lo gandaganda wakhe, umuntu akasamazi nokuthi uyini. Usezenza umLungu omnyama uqobo lwakhe! Ikhehla lakwaSithole nalo selokhu lambabaza lokho. Alimkhohlwa ngendlela alikhakhabeza ngalo elithuka phambi kwabantu ethi; khamani wena madala mani! Ngenye yezinto lena ezenza baqome ukuzibambela ngezabo izandla, bakhohlwe ukuncengana nabantu. Abantu kule sikhathi sanamuhla sebaphela ubuntu.

Into kaNgcobo yayinyonyobisa kancane imoto isiyodlula ngasemishini. Le mishini ngeyama-Roma eKhatholika, njengoba behla yona ingapha kwesokunxele. Kule mishini kuhlala umLungu, uFather John. Nguye yedwa umLungu ohlala lapha phakathi kwabantu eThalaneni kodwa yena akagqizi qakala ngalokho. Bayamusho-ke abantu khona la, bathi umfundisi wemikhuba. Basho bathi ukukholwa lokhu kuye sekwaphela nya kwasala ukhololo wodwa omhlophe entanyeni! Kunamahemuhemu athi akasayigcini yonke imithetho eyishumi ebalwa ‘ku-Eksodusi-20’ eBhayibhelini. Iyakhonjwa ingane emzini wakwaMtolo. Kuthiwa isaKhalashana, impofu kakhulu isho ngezinwele ezimayabuyabana sengathi uboya bekati. Phela ufuzo luyazibika bantu basekhaya! Ingani umfana lo, kaMjibha Mhlongo. Lo mfana oshayela amatekisi khona la endaweni. Wayesemphikile umshana kababa uMkhize. Waphika waze walala ngomhlane, ethi akakaze ngisho athandane nayo le ntombazane, ‘futhi akayona ne-type yami,’ esho echiza. Kanti ingane izozalwa inofuzo lwakhona kwaMhlongo; lwamashiya angalingani. Wayithi nhla nje ingane uMkhize, wayithi thasi, eyiqukula isagoqwe ngebhayana lelo eliphuzi. Wayithi kaxa ekhwapheni elengise imvubu ngesandla. Wagqishazela nosana oluzelwe eluhambisa kumfana kaMjibha. Wafika khona wambuza ukuthi ‘yini le?’ Ekhomba ngomunwe la mashiya aloluswana alugodle ekhwapheni, la mashiya afana ncamashi nawa lo mfana kaMjibha, uSenzo. USenzo waluthi nhla usana. Wakhexa umlomo. Esabakaza nje engazi athini, uMkhize wamngenela emgaxa ngemvubu. Kwaze kwasiza ukuqhamuka kukayise uMjibha wayilamula.

Eduze kwemishini kukhona isikole semfundo ephansi, iprimary. Isikole lesi savulwa yilo isonto leli lamaRoma eKhatholika. Le sikole sizungezwe imithi emikhulu kagamthilini, le mithi mide ikhotha isibhakabhaka. Izingane zesikole zithanda ukuhlala ngaphansi komthunzi walezi hlahla ehlobo lapho selishisa likhipha inhlanzi emanzini. Ngezansi maqondana nale sikole kukhona indlu yomthwalampilo, iklinikhi. Le klinikhi iseyintsha, ayikaqedi minyaka mingaki yaba khona lapha endaweni. Ingakabikhona bekufika umahambanendlwana, i-mobile clinic ngolwasemzini. Kanti abanye bebegibela ibhasi noma amatekisi baye esibhedlela eMdlovana. Noma isikhona le klinikhi abanye basagibela baye edolobheni lapho kunodokotela weNdiya abamkhonze ukufa, uBamjee. UBamjee bathi ungcono kabi ngoba uma ucela umjovo uvele akuhlabe nje ngenjekisheni angalokhu ekubuza ipasi nesipesheli njengalama nesi aseklinikhi. Amanesi aseklinikhi akubuza imibuzo eminingi, kwesinye isikhathi ugcine ungasawutholanga kwamjovo lowo. UBamjee bamncoma bathi akapopoli uyahlola, isipopolo uze asibeke nasedolweni lakho uma ukhala ngamadolo. Baqhosha bathi ‘uphuma lapho usuthi dolo ubukuphi?’

UMatsidiso lapha emotweni azwakale eshaya oluncane uhleko olwenza umyeni wakhe ambheke ngehlo lokumbangala. Leli hlo akubuka ngalo umuntu kube sengathi ukubuza ukuthi ‘kanti usuyahlanya yini wena?’ UNdoda ambuze ukuthi uchazwa yini ehleka yedwa nje. UMatsidiso amchazele ukuthi njalo nje uma ebona le klinikhi usuke akhumbule indaba amxoxela yona, embandakanya ubaba uMkhize kanye nale klinikhi. Uphumasilwe onguMkhize, kuthiwa wamthela ngemvubu unesi kuyo le klinikhi, kusuka kuyo le mibuzo engathi shu. Ingabe kwaMkhize lowo wayebekwa yini eklinikhi? Phela yena ungumuntu wamasiko akazingeni izindaba zamanesi nodokotela. Akalubhadi ngisho esontweni. Nguye lo Mkhize owabhaxabula umfana kaMjibha ngemvubu. Mhlawumbe wathi elele iphupho lakhe lamkhomba eklinikhi. Kwazi bani?

Ungubani igama lakho baba? kubuza unesi.

O! Ufuna liphi ntombazane yami ngoba maningi. Phela mina anginalo igama elilodwa sengathi ngiyinkomo. Kepha vele ubhale leli abangibiza ngalo uMuntu. Ehhene, thana nje Muntukaziboni, isibongo Mkhize. Ehhene yisho kanjalo nje. Unesi athi ukumoyizela ebhala phansi. Aphinde asikaze uMkhize ngomdanti omunye.

Uneminyaka emingaki baba?

He-he! Wangibuza omunye umbuzo-ke manje. Ebegu! Uthi ngisayikhumbula khona ukuthi mingaki? Phela yinto engingayinaki nje leyo. Selokhu ngagcina ukuyibala kudala ngisakhula ngesikhathi ngisabamba amatoho le, eThekwini. Kodwa ikhona yona epasini, bheka ngoba kwalelo pasi angizanga nalo. Bengingazi lizodingeka. Vele uthi nje sikisti fayifi, ehhene bhala kanjalo nje mtanami. Kuchaza uMafohl’esibayeni onguMkhize esephekula nezandla. Unesi sekuthi akaphubuke ahleke. Aphinde amchukuluze futhi.

Ukugula kwakho baba kuqale nini?

Mameshane! Ukube uyazi mntanami. Ngizokuchazela ukusuka nokuhlala kwendaba. Kuqale nje ngemuva kokufika kukaZakhele umfana wami omdala. Ubefika ephuma eGoli lapho asebenza khona. Kwangena ukufa, kwaqala ngokudumela uTamatisi, inkomazi yami. Sayithola isithe dindilizi esibayeni insengwakazi yami madoda. Sathi sisamangazwa yilokho kwangena kuye umfana lo uZakhele. Yena lo engithe uyinkosana yami usebenza eGoli. Sathi sithi, ebegu! Nakhu sekuhlaba mina-ke. Asho abheke phansi uKhabazela enikina nekhanda kubonakala ukuthi ukhathezeke kakhulu. Wethuswa lapho ukugigitheka kwenesi selehlulekile ukuzibamba. Wathukuthela wavutha wulaka uMkhize. Wagxuma wama ngezinyawo, wamkhwelela ngemvubu unesi. Unesi wamemeza ekhala egubudela etshobela ngaphansi kwedeski akade ebhalela kulo. Onogada bangena begijima bezolamula. Wasuka lapho uMkhize ethetha efunga egomela ethi ngeke baphinde bambone eze lapha ekilinikhi ezodelelwa yilezi ngane ezingenanhlonipho. Anginasikhathi sezitshudeni mina, uKhabazel’engavuk’ethuneni! Laba abasakholelwa kakhulu ekulashweni kwesintu abanasikhathi salamanesi alokhu ekubuza ngesigulo sakho ukuthi siqalenini kwathini kwathini? Bona baya ezinyangeni noma ezangomeni. Bathi isangoma uthi ungena nje sikutshele zonke izindaba zakho, ngemali encane kabi futhi. Uma ungenamali uvele ukhiphe nje inkukhu eyodwa noma zibembili. Uphuma lapho nomuthi wokuncinda, owokuphalaza, ukugquma kanye nokuchatha. Hhayi le mithi yaseklinikhi ebalwayo.

Uma udlula eklinikhi ngale komgwaqo kwesokudla, kunesikole semfundo ephakeme, i-high school. Umgwaqo lona uhamba njalo ugwintshoza njengenyoka uze uyophelela le kude lapho kuphela khona imizi. Akunasiphithiphithi sezingane zesikole lapha emgwaqeni njengoba kungamaholidi. Eduze kwalesikole kukhona umuzi wakwaNzuza. AbakwaNzuza banesitolo egcekeni. Le sitolo, yisitodlwana nje esincane kodwa silayisha zonke izinto ezidingwa wumphakathi walapha eThalaneni. Kuyatholakala futhi nazo zonke izinhlobo zenyama kulesi sitolo sakwaNzuza. Utshwala bukhona nabo. Ufica kuphuzwa kuhleziwe ovulandi wasesitolo. Enye yamadodana kaNzuza, uHloniphani, yaliwa amabele kabi. Nakhona lapha ekhaya umthola esephuzile, esephoxa eselwa nabantu abazothenga esitolo. Kwesinye isikhathi uma esangweni noma othangweni lwakubo adelele abantu abahamba emgwaqeni. Uvele unkeme ngoba uNzuza ungumuntu ophansi futhi ozilungele. Nonina wakhe, uMaKhubu, intombi yale eNyukhasela, yinkosikazi yejoyini. Nabanye abantwana balapha ekhaya baziphethe kahle bayahlonipha. Nguye yedwa uHloniphani ophume eceleni okwembongolo kaJani enensumpa ekhaleni. Igama lakhe leli akalilandelanga nhlobonhlobo.

Yindawo eyinkangala lena, ayinawo amahlathi ngaphandle kwalezi hlahla ezitshaliwe. Ayinazo futhi nezintaba kodwa inamagquma nawo futhi angatheni. Njengoba izinto sezaphucuka, nalapha uhulumeni sewafaka ugesi, namanzi asekhiwa ezimpompini. Abanezimali bafaka amapayipi okudonsa amanzi bafake umpompi egcekeni nasezindlini ngaphakathi, ungafunga uthi kusedolobheni. Izinkomo kodwa azikho kahle lapha eThalaneni, iyabalwa imizi enazo. Izimbuzi nazo seziyabalwa. Abantu uma bezenzela imisebenzi sebezithengela zona le epulazini le Jalimane abalibiza ngokuthi uMathand’ezincane. Bamubiza kanjalo ngoba bathi uyinhlobo kaFather John, uthanda ukudlalidlalisa okungama ntombazanyana okusebenza lapha epulazini lakhe. Sebaze bametha izibongo sengathi wenza into enhle. Bamhasha bathi: ‘Mathand’ezincane ngob’ezindala zimbangel’u fehlane.’ Ubaba uMkhize ngokungawudlali umshini, wanele wezwa nje ukuthi uMathendezincane ubetoboza umshana wakhe, wathi uKhabazel’engavuk’ethuneni! Maqede wathatha isagila nemvubu yakhe washo phezulu ehhashini lakhe waqonda epulazini le Jalimane. Kuthiwa iJalimane lase ligijima lintaza emasimini alo kamoba kwaze kwasiza amadoda asebenza khona epulazini, amgoba uMkhize. Nakhona lapho kuthiwa wayesesiphisele phezulu kuMxosheni oyinduna kuleli pulazi. UMxosheni esesho ngepanyaza elikhulu phezu kweso langakwesokunxele.

Isizathu sokuntuleka kwemfuyo kule ndawo yaseThalaneni senziwa wukuthi izingane aziselusi kodwa seziyafunda. Abadala bona sebeyasebenza, akusenamuntu wokwelusa impahla. Empilweni yamanje nezidingo zayo indaba yemfuyo ayisekho nkamunkamu. Abalobolayo nabo sebekhipha emakhukhwini. Umuzi kuqala kwakuwumuzi ngemfuyo, indoda yayaziwa ngesibaya sayo. Namuhla umuzi usuwumuzi ngemali. Lafa elihle kakhulu. Eduze nakwaNzuza kunesithabathaba somuzi kaMfaniseni Ngcobo, ubaba kaNdoda. Uyazibonela nje ukuthi akuwona umuzi wesichathalalana lona, umuzi kaFuze, indoda edla kusale. Useneminyaka ahlala lapha kodwa inkaba yakhe ile kwaHlabisa. Walethwa umsebenzi lapha eMgungundlovana emva kokuphothula izifundo zakhe zobuthishela ekolishini lama thishela, eShowe. Wafika wayithanda le ndawo yaseThalaneni, nenkosikazi yakhe usukasambe wentombi kaManqenqeba, uZakithi, wakwaZiqubu owokuzalwa khona lapha. UZakithi kwakungunesi noma esathatha umhlalaphansi nje. Wayengunesi owayesebenza kumahambanendlwana, kulapho ahlangana khona noFuze, uMfaniseni Ngcobo.

Imoto yoNdoda isisondela ngasekhaya, kwazwakala uLwazi eqhuma phezulu ngezwi lokujabula, "Look there, nanguya ugogo nomkhulu!" esho egxuma efuna ukuvela ngefasitela amemeze kodwa uLanga wamdudulela phansi ethi akayeke ukuphapha sebezokwehla. ULwazi umkhonze kabi umkhulu wakhe kanti noFuze uyazifela ngomzukulu wakhe. ULwazi uphapha ngoba uyababona oFuze nentombi kaManqenqeba, nampaya egcekeni sebeyimigxusha yamapali babalindele; bayibonile imoto ithushuka egqumeni. Yathi ukuma nje egcekeni, uLwazi waphuma emotweni eqhasha kuhle kwenhlamvu yesibhamu. Waziphosa kumkhulu wakhe embamba emnkonkoshela. UFuze wambamba wamqukulela phezule emqabula.

UFuze umuntu okhaliphile emsebenzini wakhe. Njengoba esezothatha umhlalaphansi nje sewaba nguthisha omkhulu kuso lesikole semfundo ephakeme. Ngisho nomuzi wakhe akusashiwo ukuthi kukwaNgcobo kodwa sekuthiwa nje ‘kuKwathish’omkhulu.’ UFuze ungumhlonishwa lapha endaweni. Uyindoda ende enomzimba okahle nje edle ngomkhaba omkhulukazi. Abantwana bakhe bade bekhala bethi kodwa baba yini ngomkhaba! Akewehlise phela. Yena ubaphendula athi Akenihlukane nomkhaba wami, anazi yini ukuthi kudala umkhaba bekuwuphawu olukhombisa ukuthi indoda ihleli kahle iyasutha emzini wayo. Njengoba enomkhaba nje uNgcobo, isishwapha kuthe pheshe! wena owabona indlovu. Bathi abakhulumayo, abazi bezinto, umkhaba lona yiwo owenza le sishwapha ngokudonsa yonke inyama lena engabe isezinqeni. Uyabukeka ebusweni. Ihwanqa leli lihlale ligundwe kahle ligcotshwe namafutha licwebezela. Usho ngamehlo akhe amakhulu sengathi awenkomo. Uthi uma esewahlahla la mehlo okuyizingane kwethuke kabi. UFuze noma eyisifundiswa kangaka, uwukhonze kabi umlando namasiko akubo. Into angayenzi ukuhlabela amadlozi ngoba uthi uyikholwa yena. Kwesinye isikhathi uma engekho umfundisi esontweni lakhe, kucelwa yena ukuthi ashumayele. Nakulokhu bayambabaza, bathi uyiciko kabi, bakhuza bathi akashumayeli uyaqeqebula. Ngelinye ilanga wayeshumayela ngobubi botshwala. Ethi sekunabantu abakhonze utshwala ngalendlela yokuthi njalo uma bephuma emsebenzini sebeqala otshwaleni ngaphambi kokuthi baye ekhaya. Isidakwa sakwaNdaba kuthiwa sathi lacu.

Hawu yimi lowo baba mfundisi. Waze kanjani kodwa? Cha uyabholofida ngempela. Nsuku zonke ngiphuma emsebenzini ngiqale kwasisi uBetty, espotini. Ngihlala lapho ngiphuza ngize ngiye ekhaya sekusebusuku. Ngiyathembisa kusukela namuhlanje ngeke ngisabuthinta utshwala. Ngempela kusukela ngalelo langa uMsizi akaphindanga wabuthinta utshwala. Abafundisi namakholwa bamkhonzile futhi bayamhlonipha uFuze. Kanti nabantu bamasiko bamthanda kabi ngolwazi analo kwezomlando namasiko. Uthi uma esekhuluma ngomlando wakubo umbone esegxumgxuma, esikaza, evika ubala. Ungafunga wayekhona ngenkathi kwenzeka le zinto axoxa ngazo. Ikhono lokuxoxa izindaba uliphiwe. Lapha esifundeni saseGreytown uyisilomo esikhulu esidume ngokuhlela imicimbi yesintu nemincintiswano yendlamu kanye neminye imidlalo yesintu njengokweqhatha abafana balwe ngezinduku. Abantu basuke bakhungatheke ukuthi lolulwazi olunzulu kangaka uluthathaphi. Yena ubaphendula athi wafunda kubabamkhulu wakhe uPhakimpi.

"UMdondoshiya kaFuz’afulele!

Ujuquza ngenjula sengath’isizenze.

Ugala likaNtabaziyamhlahlela alibaze ngomqumo wasoDakaneni.

Somzucuzucu ozucul’amakhand’ezinsizwa nohodoba

Babathakathi beququbel’emhlane yamakhonde nomathananazana.

Kwaze kwakhal’uZaqheqhe waseMaNyandweni,

Wathi, ugqogqoshwe yini wemsokoci ndini

Hamba uyoshona juba bayokunqunt’amaphiko phambili.

OkaNgcob’ulalis’ingonyam’obafuthi

Uyidle ngegala yagalazela nina nisathi nithi yithi thithi.

Umashush’impi ngesimukuza segala

Kwaze kwangxam’izingwazi qede zagwija

Akabulalang’uxam’uxakile na okaNgcobo?

Cha! Ubulal’ingweny’ugegeb’eNkolokotho

Kwabubul’iziziba!

Imbang’isatet’ emhlane kaxamu

Mazond’ubuwula!

Kuyogcina mina! Ingoduso yona ngeyami!

Abalalele-ke sebememeza bethi ‘musho!’ UPhakimpi wayephila ngesikhathi izwe lingakangenwa yimpucuko kakhulu kanti uFuze wazalwa ngesikhathi ama-missionaries esengenile endaweni evula izikole. Uyise wakhe wathanda ukumusa esikoleni naye wakuthanda ukufunda, waqhubeka nakho kodwa engakhohliwe lapho aqhumuka khona. Ngendlela azimisela ngayo kulemicimbi yezikole, insudi nothayi ukuthi dalakaca lapha phansi, avunule ngezakubo. Asho ngomdada webheshu lakhe elimakhwifikhwifi nezinjobo zalo ezinde. Ekhanda usuke esehlome uphaphe lo msila wesakabuli, lube lulokhu lupheshethwa wumoya lubhebhezela luya lena nalena. Ungeke usamthinta esetatazela elungisa izinto okufanele zilungiswe, ibheshu selintaza emoyeni. Kukhona abakholelwa ekutheni leli bheshu ajwayele ukuhloba ngalo, kwakungelakhe umkhulu wakhe uPhakimpi lona ahlale elanda ngaye. Abantu abaningi bamthandela ukuthi ungumuntu ozithele phansi. Ukufunda kwakhe akakuthwali ekhanda njengothisha uNgubane okhuluma isiNgisi ngisho nase mihlanganweni yomphakathi. Bakhala kanjalo nje ngothisha uNgubane ngoba uthanda ukuthi uma ekhuluma nabo umuzwa esethi as you know my good people. Kancane kancane as you know my good people. Sebaze bametha igama bathi ‘uZinoguphuli.’ Into kaFuze idlisela kabi ebantwini ngobuciko bayo, ithi ifuze umkhulu wayo. Uthi umkhulu wakhe uPhakimpi wayemkhonze okubi, engaconseli phansi okweconsi. Ayikho into ayengamxoxeli yona ngezigameko adlula kuzo esakhula. Wayembiza bahlale phansi kwesihlahla esasisegcekeni lakubo, amkhinindele zonke izindaba. Uthi yena ukhule elandelana nomkhulu wakhe noma kuphi lapho eya khona. UPhakimpi wamshiya nomlayezo wokuthi lezi zindaba amxoxela zona ufuna ukuthi angazikhohlwa. Kuyothi esekhulile akhethe umzukulu wakhe amxoxele zona. Lezi zindaba ufuna zingakhohlakali emndenini kodwa zixoxwe izizukulwane ngezizukulwane. Waphinda wamnika nezikhali ayelwa ngazo kulezi gigaba zakhe, wathi akabozidlulisela kulowo mzukulu ayomkhetha ukumxoxela ngalo mlando wakhe. Wamdonsa ngendlebe ethi zize zingalahlwa! Lezi zikhali yigala, induku, umkhonto kanye nehawu. Lapha kwaNgcobo lezi khali azithintwa muntu ngaphandle komnikazi wazo. Endlini yokuphumula lapha emzini wakhe, kunokhamba olukhullu okuhlala khona lezi zikhali. Ihawu lona liqhiyamiswe kulo lolukhamba. Uma uzithi nhla ngamehlo lezi zikhali, uyazibonela ukuthi kade zazilwa izimpi lapha emhlabeni. Nalapha endlini futhi izinto eziningi okuhlotshiswe ngazo yizinto zesintu. Odongeni kulenga izingqoko ezincane, izinkezo, amahluzo, izicephu ezincane ezihlotshiswe kahle. Uyazibonela nje ukuthi lo muntu uyaziqhenya ngendabuko yakhe. Intombi kaManqenqeba seyahluleka ithi izama ukufaka amavasi esimanjemanje okuhlobisa kanye nokufaka izimbali, seyavele yathobela umthetho. Lolu khamba afake izikhali zakhe kulo uFuze, yizibizo azifuna kwaMthethwa kubo kamakoti kaNdoda. Kuthiwa abakwaMthethwa behla benyuka befunana nalolukhamba olwabizwa yinto kaNgcobo. Balihamba lonke iGoli lutho ukuluthola. Akusilona nokhamba lolu yingangamela yembiza engangobabamkhulu. UFuze wathi ebiza izibizo zakhe, wafuna imbiza enkulu emnyama ehambisana nehluzo elihlotshiswe kahle kanye nenkezo yakhona. Intombi kaManqenqeba yambuza ukuthi uzozenzani zonke lezi nto ngoba akuphiswa tshwala nje lapha ekhaya? UFuze wathi ufuna izinto zakhe yena, uzohlobisa ngazo lapha endlini. Kwala noma esethi ‘hawu baba! Zizohlalaphi lezi nto sekuvele kugcwele kangaka lapha endlini yizo lezi nto zakho?’ Phinde ukhukho lwamuka nomoya. UFuze wathi angijiki. Babezokuthathaphi-ke konke lokhu eSoweto. AbakwaMthethwa bagcina sebezikhalela bamcela ukuthi akabize okunye esikhundleni salobhazabhaza wembiza. UFuze washaya ngonyawo phansi, ethi ufuna lokhu akufunile yena, akazukutshelwa ngamambuka aseGoli ukuthi enzeni. Konje sebahlala esilungwini baze bakhohlwa yimvelaphi yabo. Yingakho nje bethi bengamaZulu bethe izingane zabo amagama ‘Matsidiso,’ Matsidiso Mthethwa. Yini yona leyo! UMatsidiso noMthethwa kuhlanganaphi? esho echaya izandla. UMthethwa wagcina esebona ukuthi ufike kwangqingetshe la, wakhalaza kumkakhe ethi uNgcobo akabatshele uma engafuni indodakazi yakhe iganele kwakhe. Amthusa lama zwi umama kaMatsidiso. Wahlebela uMatsidiso ukuthi uyise uthini. UMatsidiso wayidlulisela kuNdoda. UNdoda ngempela waqhamuka nesu, wathi abahambe bayolubheka kwaMayemaye edolobheni, nakanjani bazoluthola khona. Nakhona lapho babuya belambatha. Baze baluthola kwaNongoma, selubiza enhle imali lena sekuhlangene neyokukhokhela imoto eyayiluthwele.

Namuhla kwaNgcobo inhlokomo isho phezulu kujatshuliwe. Baze baphuza nokulala kungavumi bahlukane. ULwazi walala evithikile wukukhathala waze wethuswa yizwi likamkhulu esemumemeza emvusa. Angithi umkhonzile vele. Umkhumbuza yena nomkhulu wakhe uPhakimpi. Ujabula kabi eselalele uLwazi emxoxela ngezindaba azibona kuma-film kanye naku-tv. Akugcini lapho, uze asukume, agxumagxume elinganisa le nto akhuluma ngayo. UFuze abuke anikine ikhanda echazeka. Yiyo le nto eyenza ukuthi akhethe uLwazi ukuthi kube nguye umzukulu azodlulisela kuye izindaba zikaPhakimpi. Impela nguye lo mzukulu afuna adlulisele umlando wakubo ezizukulwaneni ezizayo. Lo mzukulu wakhe ufuna ukumfundisa futhi ngezi nto zesintu. Ayimphathi kahle indaba yokuthi intsha yamanje ayisazi lutho ngemvelaphi yayo. Uzomfundisa uLwazi khona naye ayodlulisela lolulwazi ezizukulwaneni ezizayo kanjalo nabo futhi baludlulisele kwabanye ukuze zixoxwe yizizukulwane ngezizukulwane. ULwazi uneminyaka eyishumi kodwa uFuze umncoma athi uhlakaniphise okukachakijana kaMjololo. Akanamanga nalapho ngoba uLwazi uhlakaniphe lokhu okweqile. Esikoleni uphuma phambili njalo nje kangangoba waze weqiswa ku-grade-3 wayiswa ku-4, ‘u-genious’ uma besho. ULwazi ingane yakuma-suburb, ufunda esikoleni esizimele nesixubile ngokohlanga, i-private school. Ukhuluma kakhulu isiNgisi hhayi isiZulu sakubo noma esifunda nje esikoleni. Akazi lutho ngamasiko esintu. Uphila le mpilo ephilwa yizingane zanamuhla. Izingane zanamuhla zisikhipha ngamakhala isiNgisi kodwa ziyahluleka ukukhuluma izilimi zomdabu, azazi lutho ngemvelaphi yazo. Unjalo-ke noLwazi, kodwa uFuze akezwa mshini ngaye, uziqokele yena ukudlulisela umlando wakubo. Ufuna akhule ‘ewazi amaqiniso.’ Ukholelwa ekutheni unobuciko bomuntu omdala ekuxoxeni indaba. ULwazi uhlala etshela umkhulu wakhe uFuze ukuthi yena uma esekhulile uzoba yi-actor kuma-movies aphambili. Aphinde athi uzozenzela ama-movies akhe futhi. UFuze uhlala ezama ukufundisa uLwazi izinto zesintu. Kuwumqansa nokho ukumfundisa njengoba engasazi kahle nesiZulu lesi, kanti nezamasiko ziyamlahlekela. Ufiyoza amehlwana athalalise abheke le sengathi akekho kule nto eshiwo ngumkhulu wakhe. Uyamuzwa usethi "Yini le mkhulu? Wowu! mkhulu that is so cool. Nami ngiyakwazi ukwenza iZulu dance mkhulu. Esikoleni sometimes kuba nosuku lwama-culture ehlukene. Kubamnandi kabi mkhulu sengathi ungabona. Siyadansa sisine futhi, kube khona nabawinayo." Ukhuluma aze amlinganesele umkhulu wakhe ukuze abone kahle ukuthi esikoleni sakhe benzenjani.

"Mina mkhulu nginayo le nto efana nalena eyenziwa nge-skin sama animals."

Usho ini, ibheshu mzukulu? sekubuza uFuze.

"Ya mkhulu, ibheshu. UMiss Hlophe osifundisa isiZulu wasinika wona, but wona enziwe ngendwangu, awafani naleli lakho mkhulu. Linezi nto ezilengayo la, so, elula izandlana ekhomba lapha ezinqulwini zakhe, It’s cool heyi, ungayibona mkhulu." Ankenteze futhi exoxela umkhulu wakhe ukuthi wawina kanjani edansa isipansula. Achazeke lapho uFuze.

Uyabona wena mfana wami, kubo bonke abazukulu bami, wena wafuza umkhulu wami uPhakimpi awangamshiya. Hhayi suka bo igagu lansondo. Anikine ikhanda emoyizela. UFuze waxoxela uLwazi ngesifiso sikamkhulu wakhe uPhakimpi. Wamtshela ukuthi usenqume ukukhetha yena ukuthwala umlando kakhokho wakhe uPhakimpi awudlulisele phambili ezizukulwaneni ezizayo. ULwazi kwamjabulisa ukuzwa ukuthi kune zindaba azoxoxelwa zona. Izingane phela zithanda kabi ukuxoxelwa izindaba. Uzithola sezithule zingquluze amehlo zicijise nezindlebe zilalele umxoxi wendaba.

Uyalubona lolukhamba olukhulu mzukulu? Ekhomba ngomunwe ingangamela yokhamba lwakhe. Yifa lakho leliya, engiyokushiyela lona sengifile. Ulugcine kahle nezikhali zalo eziphakathi. Izikhali zeqhawe ukhokho wakho uPhakimpi.

Ho,ho mkhulu! kubabaza uLanga sakuhleka. "Uchitha isikhathi sakho, akazi lutho loyo. Njengoba ukhuluma naye nje, yena uzicabangela ama-cartoon ahlale ewagqolozele kwi-tv nakuma-film. Futhi nje…"

Kahle wena Langa, musa ukusiphazamisa. Isemqoka kabi le nto engifuna ukuyixoxa noLwazi. Unjalo-nje usuzenza ngcono sengathi wena awubabuki labo popayi obagxekayo. Ngiyazi nihlala nibagqolozele nonke nifa yinsini. Ngiyakuthanda nawe mzukulu wami, kodwa okwamanje, njengoba sengishilo; isemqoka le nto engifuna ukuyixoxa noLwazi. Kuncenga uFuze.

Ya! Mtshele mkhulu. ULanga mina uhlale ethi ngimncane, angazi lutho. Akhulume kanjalo abheke uLanga sengathi uyamqhoshela ukuthi naye namuhla unomuntu omlwelayo. ULanga angayingeni leyo. Uyamazi phela uLwazi uhlala enkonkoshele i-remote ye-tv neyama-computer games. Bahlala bewabanga naye lama-remote kwesinye isikhathi isimo sishuba kuze kulamule abazali babo. Noma kunjalo, uLanga aqhubeke nokuzenza ngcono phambi kukamkhulu wakhe.

"Heyi musa ukuphupha wena. Yini oyaziyo vele, ngaphandle kwama-cartoon nama-computer games? Ubuka ubagqolozele ungasacwayizi nokucwayiza. Uze ungezwa noma sekukhulunywa nawe. Kupikla uLanga ebuka nomkhulu ukuthi ulalele yini lama qiniso awasho ngoLwazi. Umkhulu akazi nje ukuthi yini lena emenza athathele uLwazi phezulu kangaka. Kuphinde kukhuze yena futhi uFuze. Asondele kuLanga amdonse ngengalo athi akaphume endlini uyabaphazamisa. Asukume ngokukhononda uLanga kodwa wamxwayisa umkhulu wakhe ethi, kulungile mkhulu ngiyaphuma, kodwa uyongikhumbula ngelinye ilanga ukuthi ngasho ukuthi lo, ekhanda lakhe kuduma ama-cartoon kanye nama-computer games." Esho ekhomba uLwazi nge-cell phone yakhe eyophuma ngomnyango. ULwazi aduduze umkhulu wakhe ngeliphansi.

"Ungamlaleli uLanga mkhulu, nasekhaya uhlala enza so. Ucabanga ukuthi uwu-clever yedwa mina nama-friends ami asazi lutho."

Myeke wena mzukulu wami, ngelinye ilanga uyobe esechazelwa nguwe zonke lezi ndaba engizokutshela zona ngezigigaba zegala likamkhulu uPhakimpi. Ngigcine ngisathi kuwe loluyakhamba lumumethe umthombo wolwazi ojulile ngokhokho wakho uPhakimpi. Wayengubaba kababa wami, okusho ukuthi… kuphazamise uLwazi ngokujabula.

"Oh wait! Ngiyazi mkhulu ukuthi kusho ukuthini uPhakimpi umkhulu wakho nawe. Like mina nawe." Kusho kuqhoshe okuwuLwazi. Achazeke lapho uFuze aze ambambathe ekhanda ngesandla. Amncome ukuthi uhlakaniphe ngempela. Asukume ambambe ngesandla balandelane bayohlala phansi eduze kokhamba lolu akade emkhombisa lona. Akhiphe igala okhambeni, abuze kuLwazi.

Yini lena mzukulu?

Le? esho ekhomba ngomunwe, "yi-walking stick yakho mkhulu." Ephendula ngokuzazi. Esho ngale lizwi sengathi uthi hawu ungaze ungibuze umbuzo olula kangaka mkhulu wami.

Le mpendulo kaLwazi ingamethusi uFuze. Athi nje ukuhleka kancane bese echazela uLwazi ukuthi yigala leli. Igala wuhlobo lwesagila. Kwakuyigala likamkhulu wakhe uPhakimpi ayekhonze ukulwa ngalo. Zimsuke uNgcobo, abonakale ebusweni ukuthi akasekho lapha, usekude le ‘lapho lingani khona lin’amazolo’ kwazisholo inganekwane.

Aqhubeke.

Umkhulu wathi kimi: "Mfaniseni! Uyalibona leli gala. Umakadekwasebona. Ukube liyakhuluma belizokugeqela amagula ngazo zonke izigigaba elahlangabezana nazo. Ngimfunge uNtombithini kababa umafungwase wakithi. Leli gala ngalibazelwa umalume uGxabalembadada. UNtabaziyamhlehlela ngob’uhlahlele izihlahla ngezembe kwaze kwavela ubunqunu bukaNjemane. Ngangiseyibhobhodleyana ngaleso sikhathi." Wathi umalume wayembona ukuthi uzokhula abe yiqhawe, ngakho wathi uzombazela isikhali esiyomsiza kakhulu lapho sekukubi. Umalume wakhe kwakuwumbazi odumile endaweni. Lesi sagila wasibaza ngesihlahla somnqumo. Isihlahla somnqumo, silukhuni kabi yingakho lesi sagila siqine kangaka. Athathe igala alinikeze uLwazi ukuthi azizwele ngokwakhe ukuthi liqine kanjani. ULwazi alithathe alibambe alinyakazise elisa phansi phezulu nasemaceleni. Aphinde amchazele ukuthi imfihlo yalo isekhanda laso. Ikhanda limahedlehedle okusho ukuthi li-rough, lakuthola nje, lizokushiya nengozi enkulu emfoma igazi. Athathe isandla sikaLwazi aphulule ngaso igala lapha ekhanda emzwisa lamahedlehedle akhuluma ngawo. ULwazi ambheke emoyizela. Ujabulela ukuzizwela ngokwakhe le nto echazwayo. Uqinisile umkhulu, alikho smooth leli khanda li-rough ngempela! Uma beqeda lokho, umkhulu watshela uLwazi ukuthi manje usezoqala amxoxele ngalezi gigaba zikamkhulu wakhe. Kufane athule manje, alalele kahle ngoba uthweswe umthwalo wokuthi azidlulisele ezizukulwaneni zakhe lezi ndaba.

Ayiqale-ke indaba kaPhakimpi.

Impi yokuqala kaPhakimpi noPhondo

Abafana ngesikhathi sakudala bebeqhathwa balwe bazwane amandla. Abafana abancane bebelwa ngezinswazi kanti uma sebekhulile bebelwa ngezi nduku. Abafana bebeqhathwa umfana owayebizwa ngokuthi yingqwele futhi engumholi wabo. Ingqwele bekuba ngumfana obehlula bonke ngokulwa, bekujwayelekile ukuthi ingqwele ithi ukuba ndadlana kunabafana laba ebaphethe. Abafana babeyilalela ingqwele futhi beyihlonipha. Ngelinye ilanga kade kudliwa iphaphu, ingqwele izwakale ithi.

We Phondo, uPhakimpi uthi wena ungumfana! Isho ngokuthalalisa iqosheme ivungula ngameva emazinyweni, nakhu phela bekudliwa inyama. UPhondo wakwaSibiya azithulele angakunaki lokhu okushiwo yingqwele.

Habe! Ngikhuluma nawe wena Phondolwemfene. Awuzwa ukuthi ngithini? Ngizokuphindela futhi. UPhakimpi uthi wena ungumfana omncane. Isisho icasukile manje ngoba lo mfana uPhondo ukhombisa ukwedelela ngokungenzi le nto eyishoyo. Ithathe ameva ebivungula ngawo iwatshinge esikhotheni. Ihlikihlele izandla otshaneni isula amafutha enyama. Empeleni uPhakimpi akayishongo le nto eshiwo yingqwele kuPhondo, yindlela nje ezama ukuba qhatha ngayo.

Angeke ngilwe mina namuhla ngoba unyawo lwami lubuhlungu, lubhinyike izolo ngesikhathi ngeqela uBhelebhele, inkunzi yase yakithi. Awukhethe omunye. Kuzilandulela uPhondo ngokunganaki.

Heyi wena Phondo, musa ukulokhu ucasha ngesithupha. Vele uvume ukuthi uyamsaba uPhikimpi. Kuchwensa uMabutho omunye wabafana.

Uyangesaba vele, ngimfung’uNtombithini kababa. Kade phela ngakubona ukuthi uyangesaba. Sukuma lapho phansi wena kesizwane amandla. Ufukamele amaqanda yini lapho phansi kwakho. Uyisikhukhukazi? Wabika imbiba wabika ibuzi! Sekusho uPhakimpi. Ukhuluma nje useme ngezinyawo, usephethe ngesandla ihawu nenduku yakhe. Induku uyayivilizisa, uyazaza kuyasho ukuthi usengene emandleni okulwa.

Ngiyasho nje ukuthi ngilimele kanti awuzwa yini. Kusho uPhondo ngezwi lokunengwa.

"Umnqol’ogombetsheni umachob’izintwala zikanina!

Umnqol’ogombetsheni umachon’izintwala zikanina!"

Kucula abafana begida beshaya nezandla bebheke uPhondo. UFuze naye njengoba exoxa nje usesukumile ushaya izindla uyagidagida sengathi uPhondo nangu phambi kwakhe. ULwazi uyabuka, uyagegetheka, agcine esegida naye njengomkhulu wakhe. Abuze kumkhulu wakhe ukuthi kanti lo mculo owokudelela yini. Umkhulu wakhe amchazele ukuthi lo mculo owokuchukuluza umfana aze acasuke alwe ngoba engafuni ukubizwa ngegwala. Ngempela-ke kwamcasula lokhu uPhondo. Akalona igwala yena. Asukume ngesivuthevuthe athathe induku yakhe nehawu zitholane phezulu noPhakimpi. Kwaba ongaphansi ongaphezulu kwaze kwezwakala yena futhi uPhondo esezibika.

Maluju, maluju, maluju bo! Kwanhlangazimbuka nomoya kuPhakimpi, waqhubeka nokubhambabula uPhondo kwaze kwalamula yona futhi ingqwele. Ingqwele yathethisa uPhakimpi ukuthi ubesaqhubekelani nokushaya uPhondo ngoba ubeseshilo ukuthi maluju. Wayesopha esiphongweni uPhondo esethukuthele amehlo esebomvu kungasacaci noma abomviswa yile mizila yegazi eyehla esiphongweni noma enziwa ukuthukuthela. Lokhu kwaba ukuqala kwenzondo phakathi kukaPhakimpi noPhondo. UPhondo wafungela uPhakimpi wathi uqale uthuthuva angeke alukhone.

Uyabona wena namhlanje uluqalile uthuthuva. Ubhememe umlilo kazokhele. Akobe uzokwazi ukuwubhula lo mlilo! Asho maqede ashaye gqi ngonyawo phansi, lona lolu athe lubuhlungu. Ahline. Ukucasuka sekumenze wakhohlwa nawukuthi lulimele. Asuke ahambe. Abazikhulumayo izindaba bathi uPhondo wangenwa yinhliziyo embi kusukela lapho. Abanye bathi hhayi le nhliziyo embi uyithatha kunina uMaZondo.

"Hawu mkhulu, badlala ngaye lo Phondo. Ku-right abe nehliziyo embi. Umkhulu uPhakimpi wabukisa ngaye phambi kwabanye abafana. ULanga uthi uma wenza kanjalo usuke umklasa umuntu, umbukela phansi." Sekuphazamisa uLwazi. Anikine ikhanda uFuze ekhombisa ukungavumelani nomzukulu wakhe. Athi yena phela uPhakimpi akavesanga wamsukela uPhondo, yingqwele eyabaqhatha. Akukhona ukuthi wayembukela phansi uPhondo. Mhlawumbe-ke wathatha ngamawala esengenwe ngamadlingozi akabe esamuzwa noPhondo esecela uxolo.

Iphinde iqhubeke indaba.

Inhliziyo kaPhondo yaba yimbi wazonda yonke into. Kuthiwa esekhulile eseyinsizwa, wayedlula ngakomunye umuz, izinja zakhona zaphuma zamkhonkotha ngoba vele phela izinja umsebenzi wazo lona wokukhonkotha. UPhondo kwamcasula lokhukukhontwa, inja wayisakaza ubuchopho ngesagila yalala khona lapho unomphela. ULwazi wathi lacu wababaza.

"Ha! Yafa inja mkhulu? Tsho-tsho! Abantu bakwa-SPCA abambophanga yini. Abambizelanga amaphoyisa amthathe amuse ejele? Akuvumelekile ukubulala izilwane. Oh! That was cruel mkhulu." Esebeka