Insert...#1 BUKHO: Thando, iHappy Birthday yam izoba nini kanene? ME: Ngolwesthathu kaloku baby. Iza, izonxiba izhlangu sizoba late eskolweni. My name is Noluthando, a 23 year old mother of one boy named Bukho. I got pregnant with Bukho when I was only 17 years old. My family was very disappointed in me, my pregnancy even led to my parents divorcing. Being his only child my father could not bear the shame I had brought him so he decided to leave and start his life somewhere else. My son Bukho will be turning 6 this Wednesday, like mine his father is not present in his life. My mother (bless her) has been my pillar of strength, she practically raised my son for me. Bukho is growing up to be a wonderful boy; he’s just so full of life. I never understood this before but it is true when they say once you have a child of your own they become your whole life, your true source of happiness. BUKHO: Mna andiziboni izihlangu ziphi kodwa. ME: Hay baby khangela, ndisezokwenza ne lunch yakho mna. Uyonqena ke shame umntana endinaye. I think its mainly my mom’s fault, umtefise kakhulu lomntana. Lo ngunyaka wokqala ka Bukho ePreSchool. This is why I decided to move out of my mother’s house, ndifune umsebenzi ndifunde nokuzimela. BUKHO: Thando? ME: uzfumene izihlangu? BUKHO: Nam uzondithengela iCake xa iyiHappy Birthday yam ndiyise esikolweni? uAnele yena bethengelwe iCake, neDrink, saphiwa nee lucky packets. Sagqiba thina samculela iHappy Birthday. ME: Ndiyayazi baby, beku last week. BUKHO: Ndiyakcela torho mntasekhaya ndicela undithengele. As much as I am strapped for cash right now, I loved seeing him happy. I know I cannot ask uMama for money ngoba yena kqala uyasokola. ME: Okay baby, ndizokthengela va. He gave me a quick squeeze and went straight to where his shoes were, wathatha wanxiba and came to ask me to tie his shoelaces for him. Ukumbona encuma ngoluhlobo just brightened up my day. I finished making his lunch and he had already had breakfast so we were good to go. Isikolo asikho kude from where we are staying so we walked to school. When we got there, I hugged him goodbye. Every time I looked at him in his uniform, I couldn’t believe how fast he’s grown. Mna, I work as a cashier in a retail store. When I have an early shift, uBukho ndimlungisa early ndiyomcelela eNext door. Kukho umntana ona 11 ohlala eNext door kuthi ofunda kwisikolo sika Bukho, so baye bahambe bobabini. Xa ndingena a little late like today, ndiye ndimse ngokwam. As soon as Bukho stopped waving and met with his friends ndakhawuleza ndajika ndayoqoqosha endlini before I go to work. I was not very keen on going to work today andiyazi ngoba. After I finished getting the flat cleaned up, I got dressed in my work uniform, which was black pants, a white shirt and staff name tag with black shoes. I do not have many friends in my life kuba ndingafuni zinto ezizakundiphazamisa ekuzameni obubomi ndibufunayo for me and my son. So emsebenzini some of the girls did not like me very much ngoba I always keep to myself. As for iBoyfriend ke, yoh leyo yinto yokugqibela engqondweni. The last time I was in a relationship was when Bukho’s father and I were together ndisafunda e High School. Today I had one customer who instead of paying for his goods, kept asking me ukuba intle lena, intle leya? I tried being polite by assisting him. ME: Sorry, kodwa uthengela umntu ongakanani? Guy: She’s 22. Me: Okay… That top is nice, but its only suitable for certain body types. So uSisi yena unomzimba onjani? Guy: Ufana nawe. Me: okay hahaha then izomfanela. But I doubt those jeans go with it though. This guy just gave me a blank stare. I looked around and the store was not busy so I asked my colleague if akanangxaki na if I help this guy for a few minutes. She smiled and said okay. Guy: Enkosi kakhulu sis’wam. Me: Akho ngxaki wethu bhuti. We looked around a bit, I chose a few outfits I thought a 22 year old would like and asked him to pick from them. Instead of picking he decided to buy everything. Guy: Yazi yinto? Mase ndizithatha zonke ezizinto man, zisuke zantle zonke andikwazi ukhetha phakathi kwazo. Me: Mhmm your girlfriend’s a lucky lady. This will definitely put you on her good books. Guy: girlfriend?!! No!! I’m buying these for my lil sister. Ndisathe xha kuleyo iDepartment. Me: Oh, I see. I went back to my station, seeing that my job with him was done. He followed me and paid for his stuff. Thanked me once again for helping him. Me: It was only a pleasure. I hope your sister likes them. Guy: If she does, ndizothi I picked them out and if akazithandi ndizomzisa apha ndimbonise lomntu bekhetha. Me: Hahaha wow okay After the guy left I was getting dirty stares from my co-workers. Me: And then? What’s with you guys? Nadine: You are just shameless you know… Me: Excuse me? Nadine: Flirting with that guy like that, acting like you were shopping with your boyfriend. Me: And why are you bothered? Do you like him? Nadine: Don’t be silly, jy weet I don’t date black guys. Me: Then honey, why are we having this conversation? A customer came to the checkout points before she could answer. And that conversation was over. This turned out to be one of the longest days ever. As soon as we were done cashing up, I couldn’t wait to get home and just be with Bukho ndim mamele endibalisela about all his friends and teach him how to write. He loved writing, so every evening I make sure I teach him some new words, spelling and then before bed we’d each colour in a page kwi colouring books zakhe.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:57:30 +0000
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