The Decoys

By Samkelo Jikwana

The Decoys is a tense drama that exposes how tavern owner Dalisidima and his son Lindani misuse the music talent and beauty of Nomazwe, Nomasakhe, and other young beautiful girls to attract customers. Scores of people, they hope (including the young people at the church next door) will be attracted to the beauty and entertainment at Dalisidima tavern and buy lots of alcohol. Lindani comes up with a plan to destroy Pastor Mthetho's reputation. He bribes Nomazwe to sleep with the Pastor and then open a rape case against him. At the same time, Nomasakhe cheats on her boyfriend. The discovery of this pushes the story to an unexpected climax. The story is laced with greed, wealth, competition, cheating, betrayal, rape, and love. When the ironies and clashes are finally turned upside down you'll be left speechless, emotional, and a little wiser than before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samkelo Jikwana
• Release date: Mar 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201666828

Book preview

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The Decoys

A drama in 5 Acts

by Samkelo Jikwana

First edition 2022 All rights reserved

© 2022 SAMKELO JIKWANA

Published by the National Library of South Africa’s Centre for the Book

ISBN 978-0-620-98460-7

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the copyright holders

Editor: Linda Fisher

Typesetter: Rob D Fisher

Cover Design: Rob D Fisher

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Index

Act 1

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Act 2

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

Scene 6

Act 3

Scene 1

Scene 2

Act 4

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Act 5

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Cast

Dalisidima Mbombo Tavern owner

Nomasingcambaze Mbombo Dalisidima’s wife

Lindani Mbombo Dalisidima’s adult son

Ncekelela Zabunjwa Dalisidima’s cousin

Sizombonga Zabunjwa Dalisidima’s cousin

Nomazwe Sihlahla 20-year-old woman singer

Nomasakhe Ziqhamo Nomazwe’s friend

Sinephupha Ngxamile Nomasakhe’s first boyfriend

Nosikhumbuzo Ngxamile Sinephupha Ngxamile’s mother

Bonani Vutha Sinephupha Ngxamile’s friend

Similo Ntaba Sinephupha Ngxamile’s friend

Pastor Mlungisi Mthetho Heaven Road Church Pastor

Mqapheli Mthinjwa Heaven Road Youth Church Member

Zinike Magxa Heaven Road Youth Church Member

Constable Mark van Tonder SAPS Police Constable at Beauty Hillock police station

Sithethise Bulula Nomasakhe’s second boyfriend; a resident of Cape King township

Asim Mirza Paramedic

Detective Rooi Moos SAPS Detective at Beauty Hillock police station

Act 1

Scene 1

It is evening. Beauty Hillock, Cape Town. Tavern owner, Dalisidima Mbombo, his son, Lindani and other tavern workers are at the Mbombo house discussing the tavern’s progress.

Dalisidima: People, I have no other way of putting this, we have a crisis. I’ve been racking my brains trying to find a solution but I keep coming to the same decision.

Ncekelela: Cousin, we thank you for always including us in the tavern’s decision making. Your actions make us feel more important, not only as part of your family but as part of the tavern as well. Very few black business people involve their workers in the decision making of their business. Some call a meeting only to scold their employers, but not you. On behalf of all of us here I again say thank you. I’m sure everybody will agree