30/06/2025
UMFAZI WAKWA ZULU.
CHAPTER: 01.
ANATHI NSIZWA.
The next day she gets ready to go check up on her grandmother who lives in the neighbouring village. Anathi packs her stuff in a bag then puts on her hat. She holds the bag and walks out of her room. Her father, Muzi, is in the living room.
Anathi: Baba, I’m going to gogo!
Muzi: Okay, nana.
She smiles then walks out of the house. She unlocks the gate then steps outside. She greets the neighbours and people passing by as she walks to where her grandmother lives. She arrives after an hour and knocks on the door.
“Ngubani?” (Who is it?) her grandmother shouts inside.
Anathi: Yi mina gogo, vula. (It’s me, grandmother, open the door.)
The door opens, and her grandmother attacks her with a hug.
Gogo: Mzukulu wami, ngena. (My grandchild, come in.)
They get inside the house. It’s a small yet cozy house. Anathi loves it here. She feels at peace when she’s here or around her grandmother. They settle down on the couch.
Gogo: How is your father?
Anathi: He’s doing good.
Gogo: Mhmm, umancane yena? (Okay, what about your stepmother?)
Anathi: Si kahle ekhaya, gogo. (We are fine at home, grandma.)
Gogo: Ngiyajabula ma'kunjalo keh. (I’m happy if things are okay at home.)
Anathi: Do you want tea, gogo?
Gogo: Kuyashisa for itiye, Anathi. (It’s too hot for tea, Anathi.)
Anathi: I know how much you love tea, gogo.
Gogo: Hai, ngizofaint’a. (I will faint.)
Anathi giggles. Gogo is her mom’s mother. Anathi’s mom was last seen going to Durban, and even now she hasn’t returned. That’s why Muzi decided to move on because Anathi’s mom chose to abandon them.
Gogo: I have a gift for you.
Anathi: A gift?
Gogo: Yes, for you. Wait here.
She grabs her cane then stands up and disappears into her room. After a while, she comes back holding a beautiful box. She sits down next to Anathi.
Anathi: Haibo gogo, uyithatha phi? (Grandma, where did you get it?)
Gogo: Ngiyithengile. (I bought it.)
Anathi: For me?
Gogo: Yes.
She opens the box and takes out a beautiful shiny bracelet, then puts it on Anathi’s wrist.
Anathi: It’s so beautiful. Ngiyabonga. (Thank you.)
She stares at the shiny bracelet on her wrist and runs her fingers over it.
Gogo: Anything to make you happy, mtanam. (My child.)
Anathi: I love you.
Gogo: I love you too, sberere.
Anathi giggles as her grandmother says the word “sberere.”
Anathi: Who taught you that word, gogo?
Gogo: I heard it from this random in the shop when he was speaking to his girlfriend.
Anathi: Haibo, ave uthanda izindaba.
They giggle, then Anathi lays on her grandmother’s lap. Gogo starts to tell her some stories. Later on, they cook while gossiping about the villagers.
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SANELE ZULU.
He just dropped Thandolwethu at her home, then he heads to the supermarket. His mother sent him to get some meat. He’s the third son out of six kids—four boys and two girls. They are a big family, and the eldest daughter is pregnant, a new addition to the family.
Anyways, he arrives at the supermarket. He parks his car, steps out, and walks into the supermarket. He goes to the butchery aisle, finds the meat they sent him to buy, then goes to the till to pay. After paying, he goes to his car.
“Hello bhuti.” A voice calls him. He turns, and a group of girls standing behind him wave at him. He waves and smiles.
“Our friend here has a crush on you,” they say, pointing at one of their friends. She looks down, blushing. Sanele chuckles.
Sanele: Askies sisi, but I’m taken.
He smiles then walks to his car, leaving the squad of friends laughing at their friend. He unlocks the car, climbs in, and places the plastic of meat in the backseats. He starts the engine and drives back home.
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