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ketso · 2 years

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Episode 23

I'm in my office right now putting in a million hours of work because this weekend, we are in KZN for Mthunzi's mother's wedding. This year has honestly been a busy year. Next year is going to be just as hectic because Khanyi goes to university. I was so scared that she'd tell me that she's going to Tholoana Kingdom because of Teboho's and Maboko's son. But she said she wants to keep her options open. To be honest, I've lived in Tholoana Kingdom and I've been close enough to business and government in Tholoana Kingdom to know that Khanyi would do well there. Black businesses are promoted there. They are appreciated and there is legislation that will actually motivate her to be a savvy businesswoman and student. The education is tops! That university is excellent. In second year, they already have you doing internships. They work with the government to ensure this happens, so government has vacant roles that are specifically reserved for interns. By postgraduate level, students are tapping into employment and/or business. Opening a business in Tholoana Kingdom comes with the tax of committing to hire young professionals. South Africa could definitely learn a lot from the Tholoana Kingdom system. Khanyi wants to study a commerce degree, focusing on analytics and accounting. I already know she's going into business. Thomas is her mentor and she already has a good neck for it.

She and Thingo are starting a sneaker line. She is extremely hands-on and has met with so many sponsors and designers to come up with the best look and feel for the line. I've been asked to do the branding and marketing on it. The sneakers will range from sports to lifestyle. Today, we are actually shooting the concepts and advertisements for them.

They have further developed tracksuits, t-shirts, sweaters, tennis dresses, netball dresses, gym underwear and gym tights. They further developed gym equipment. It's going to be a solid brand attached to fitness and I'm already getting calls about collaboration. Fortunately, we do have the money to do this on our own, so we don't need the funding. We want them to develop their brand as is first before collaborating on stuff.

Thomas and Mthunzi have sourced space where we used Ramaru Holdings to build a gym. That gym will also be the brand of the sneaker line. When Thingo and Khanyisa finish from school today, they'll join us and we will start shooting. Naturally, our models are the NFR Legends as well as the Legends that have retired, but have made one hell of a mark in soccer history. The boys are here at the village and are in the hotel rooms of the village with their families. Their kids will be modelling the kiddies' line and the wives will actually have a real job now and model the female line.

We plan to launch this brand after the final matric exam that they both write. I've actually given Thingo and Khanyi offices in my space. They come here to do homework and actually do work on all of this. I'm proud of them. I really am.

"Mphathi", Mthunzi walks into my office and says.

"Mphathi wami. Kunjani?" Me.

He looks around my office. It's the fitness line concepts all over. I should actually stop calling it a sneaker line. It's a fitness lifestyle line.

"You must be so proud of your boys. They are doing so well", I say.

"I need Zothile to shape up just as well, then I can rest." He says.

We laugh.

"You've worked so hard with them, Mphathi. Thingo is also so motivated. I really have to say thank you. Siyabonga babekazi wezingane", he says.

I smile. I'm just so proud of them. Nothing gets me going like people who know what to do with an opportunity.

"Anyway, how can I assist you?" I ask him.

"I was coming to check if I can put another briefing on your desk? It's for the insurance products." He says.

He hands me a file and I accept it. I start looking through the file as I ask him questions. Then I say, "I will get Miranda's team to take the lead on this."

He nods his head.

I can tell that he has something that he wants to say to me. But, he's not being forthcoming about it.

"Mphathi, is everything okay?" Me.

He sits down. Okay, it's serious.

Thomas walks into my office.

"Hey baby", him.

"Hey love." Me.

We kiss then look at Mthunzi.

"Mphathi?" Me.

"I have a favour to ask, please." He says.

Thomas sits down.

"I've spoken to Thomas about this, but we are three CEOs and we all need to buy in. My brother was retrenched from his job. He is looking to sell his things to get through -

"Mphathi, you know you don't need to ask, right?" Me.

This guy!

Sbo works here. Rofhiwa works here. Of course, his brother can work here. As long as his work ethic is where we need it to be.

"Ngiyabonga, Mphathi." Mthunzi says.

"What does he do?" I ask.

He smirks at me. Thomas is already laughing. Hawu?

"HR". Mthunzi says.

"Yoh!" Me.

We all laugh.

"We are interviewing for an HR Director at the moment. Is he experienced enough for the role?" I ask.

"He was actually Managing Executive for HR where he was at." Mthunzi.

"Hai ke. He's our Director then. I guess the most important question here is will he be okay to be led by Mfundo because we are planning to make Mfundo the CEO for support functions around here... and until then, will he be okay to report into you because his line management is all three of us, not just Thomas and I." Me.

"I hear you, Mphathi. I did tell him what the structure is like here and what we'd expect of him. He's in HR, so he has a PHD in professional conduct. If it becomes an issue, we will flag it." Mthunzi.

"Hai ke, let me phone the HR person who was setting up these interviews. Forward me his CV, so I can add it to the pack. At this point, it's just process. The job is his." Me.

"Ngiyabonga, Mphathi. Ramaru, thank you." Mthunzi. Such a nice man. He has dedicated his life to Ramaru wealth... he should demand putting his family on, not be so humble about it. But that's why he is who he is and that's why we love him so much.

"What time do we leave tonight?" Thomas asks.

"We are scheduled to finish shooting at 10pm. We will drive through the night." Me.

"Okay. Thank God the negotiations and signing celebration is Sunday. We were not going to be good for a celebration for tomorrow." Mthunzi.

We chat a bit more about business and personal stuff, then when Khanyi and Thingo knock on my door, it's time to get the show on the road.

We actually spent twelve hours shooting. Thingo and Khanyi were the leads in the concept. Thingo led the skateboard life and Khanyi led the life of a chilled student, comfortably making her way through her responsibilities each day. Khabane then showed up and offered to be part of the shoot and concept as well. He was here with Banathi, Mohale and Tholoana. I wonder!

But people had fun shooting. We had the mom who had to manage kids - comfortably in style. We had an entire soccer line (socks, accessories and soccer boots). There are sports sneakers and stylish sneakers. We all had to be part of it - including the parents. I let Koena have creative director say and experience as well. She's Thingo's mother. This baby is her grand baby just like it's mine. We wrapped up at 2am then everyone retired to their hotel rooms at the village. We've booked it for them for the weekend - food and entertainment fully paid for... just to say thank you. They also got to keep the clothes and speakers they were shooting in - promoting the brand before the launch for us.

We had people who could ride bicycles, ride the bicycles... then we gifted all the kids on set kiddies' bicycles from the line. We definitely did shoot those too.

Thingo brought his friends and they were shot skateboarding with the skateboards of the line. The last shoot was at the gym. Housewives working out in the gym clothes upstairs, the men working out on the lower level in the male gym line... all parents looking over the kids playing in the gym pool dressed in the kiddies' swim line. My team will be busy with post production and I’ll be viewing advertisements, commercials and campaigns by the end of next week.

Now that we've wrapped up, we are on our way to KZN. The Ramarus and the Msomis are travelling together. In our V300, it's Thomas, Mthunzi, Koena and I. We are driving with Zothile, Gundo, Ranwedzi and Rendani. We are also travelling with Mbali and Liso. We have the twins, giving the new parents a chance to breathe. We are obviously all being driven.

In the second V300, it's Reahile, Rofhiwa, Khanyisa, Thingo, Mfundo and Nene. I wonder... that noise and vibe. Thankfully, Mohau is passing out. He loves sleeping. I fed him and burped him. Now he's well on his way to lala land. Koena fed Mulalo, burped her and now Miss Mulalo Mohale is buzzy and wide awake. She's never liked sleep. Like ever! We all want to sleep. The kids are sleeping. Thomas and Mthunzi are possibly dozing off too. Mulalo has Koena and I awake and entertaining her. Yoh hai!

...

My mom is preparing to go to work and I'm busy making her breakfast. I am listening to music as I prepare this breakfast. There's a knock on the door as I'm moving as fast as I can with my moonboot. Today is a bit cold and rainy, so I'm in a bit of pain today. I'm moving slightly slower than usual.

I make my way to the door. I open the door and there's a teenage girl with a big ass bag.

"And then? Ke wena mang?" I ask her. I'm very puzzled.

"Motshabi. I'm looking for my mother. Ba re this is her home."

"And who's your mother?"

"Rehumile Sedibe", she says.

When did Humi have a child now? And this thing is grown and wreaks of attitude.

"Are you going to let me in? It's cold and raining out here." She says.

I step aside and she walks in.

"Woooohhhhhh! This place is so cold hle." She says as she puts her bags on the ground and gets comfortable. I'm just staring at her in awe.

"It smells so nice in here. Are you making food?" She says.

"Not for you." I say.

"Hawu bathung! Please include me in the plate. Bathung!" She says.

"Tshepi, ke mang ko -

My mom pauses as she stares at this girl and I.

"And then?" My mom asks.

"So vele no one knows about me? Phone Rehumile Sedibe and ask her if she's ever had a child." Motshabi says.

"Heh eh wena! U reng nah? Rehumile u nale ngwana?" My mom is in proper shock.

"Phone her." Motshabi.

"Where exactly have you been all this time?" My mom asks her.

"An orphanage. Rehumile dumped me there after she gave birth to me. In homes, when we get to a certain age, they kick us out. So, I started breaking into the office to try find information about my biological mother. I ran away before I could get kicked out. I found that my mom is Rehumile Sedibe and this is her home. She gave me away because she was fourteen when she got pregnant. There was no information about my father."

"FOURTEEN?!" My mom and I both say.

"She was in boarding school at that time. And -

My mom is thinking hard now.

"Rehumile?" My mom wonders to herself.

"Phone her." This girl keeps saying.

"Retshepile, mphe phone yaka", my mom says.

I just give her my phone because I don't know where her phone is and like I said, I'm in pain.

My mom dials Rehumile's number.

"Tshepi, so early in the morning?" Rehumile says as she answers the phone.

"Rehumile, ke mme wahao." My mom.

"Mama, keng?"

"Itla hhaye. Today!"

"Mah?"

"I said COME HOME! TODAY!"

Then she hangs up.

Eh!

"If you don't want me here, I can -

"No. Retshepile, take her to Rehumile's room to settle in. I'm sure she's tired. Shower then go to sleep. We will speak later." My mom.

"Actually, I'm too nervous to sleep. I'll just settle in and behave until Rehumile gets here." She says.

My mom just looks at her.

So awkward!

I lead moghel into her alleged mother's room. She walks in and admires the pictures on the wall. I actually see her ready to cry. Maybe this feels like she's entering a phase of knowing her mother. I'm actually feeling a bit bad for her now. Why would Humi keep this a secret?

"I'm Tshepi. I'm the second born. So, I'm your mamane. We have one more sister, but she's in university. Her name is Reannetse." I say.

"So, you are deadbeat middle sister that's still stuck at home with no life or no career?" She says.

"Giiiiirrrllll, pump the breaks on the attitude please! That's the only way that this is going to work!" I say.

"Sorry." She says.

"Are you always this rude?"

"Kinda. Survival skill for anyone growing up in that environment." She says.

"I see". Me.

"What is she like? My mom. What is she like?" She asks me.

"She's a cool chick. But obviously, I've experienced her as a sister, so we fight a lot. But you'll experience her differently as a mother." I say.

"What is she like with her other kids?"

"She doesn't have any biological kids – well, except for you now. She's raising her husband's kids because he's in jail. But we all thought she couldn't have kids. That's what she told us. We've always advised her to go the IVF route. But I guess we now know why she wasn't into that idea too." I say.

She nods her head.

"I'm going to go finish up breakfast. Get settled then come have a plate." Me.

She nods her head. She seems a bit emotional.

I let her be and make my way back to the kitchen.

I get into the kitchen and I find my mom crying. This day is going to be a lot for me. Way too much.

"Mama, why are you crying?" I ask her.

"Why would Rehumile hide this from us, Retshepile?"

"I don't know, mama. Akere that's what we will ask her when she arrives?"

"Did you see how much she looks like us?"

She does look like us. She has very strong Sedibe genes.

"Aren't you going to work?" I ask her.

"How can I mara, Tshepi? I need to deal with this."

What is she going to do? But ke...

"Well mom, she's grown up in a bad environment and she just needs a lot of love right now. She has some attitude adjustments to make, but more than anything, love will do it." I say.

My mom seems to be calming down from the crying.

"She looks so much like Phatsi, hey." I say.

"Habuhluku!" My mom says.

"Well mama... the only person who can answer our questions is Humi. When she gets here, we will put our questions forward." I say.

...

It is 8pm when Rehumile arrives. Motshabi and I are washing the dishes together. We actually bonded a bit today. I like her. She's funny and weird. She even had me walking around this township, as slow as I am. I haven't done that in a very long time. I used to walk these streets. But since I got a car, I drove on the streets. Today, I felt so proud to be showing her my turf and getting to know her.

I hear my mom yelling at Rehumile now. Motshabi is suddenly nervous, getting emotional again.

"I'm coming", I say.

She nods her head.

I limp to where my mom and Rehumile are. She brought the brats she didn't birth with her.

I didn't realise that Motshabi is right behind me. We walk in and catch her saying, "She was a mistake, mama. A mistake! That's why I kept her away. I'm sorry."

"A mistake, Rehumile? A mistake? Why didn't you bring her home? Why didn't you tell me, at least?" My mom.

"I didn't want a child, mama. I didn't want that man's child." Rehumile says.

"Is that why his name was not on the adoption documents?" Motshabi.

Rehumile looks our way.

There is ABSOLUTE SILENCE NOW.

"Why did you let her stay here?" Rehumile says as she breaks the silence.

"What was I supposed to do? Throw her away like you did?" My mom.

"I did us all a favour. I kept her away. If you want to keep her here, that's your business and I want no part of it." Humi.

"Uska tlo re hlanyetsa wena, Rehumile! Are you mad?!" Mom.

"I DON'T WANT HER! I DIDN'T WANT HER THEN AND I STILL DON'T WANT HER NOW!" Humi.

"THEN YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE OPENED YOUR LEGS FOR MEN AT THE AGE OF FOURTEEN!" Mom.

"I WAS RAPED! I DIDN'T OPEN THEM WILLINGLY!"

Silence.

I'm holding Motshabi in my arms now. She's falling apart. She's about my height, so I've pulled her into a hug.

"You think I want to raise a constant reminder of how I was violated?" Humi.

My mom is falling apart again.

...

Humi slept over. She slept in Nnetse's room because Motshabi slept in her room. Yesterday was a lot. I hope that today is a better day.

I take a bath and dress up in a simple maxi dress.

I think about phoning Phathudi, but I decide against it. I don't even know why. I'm just not in the mood to talk to him.

I walk into the kitchen and find Humi drinking coffee. She stares at me as I limp in. I look at her.

"The normal thing to do is to greet when you walk into a room and find people in it." She says.

"Hello Rehumile." I say.

She's quiet.

"The normal thing is to greet back when someone greets you." I say.

She looks at me with a skemp look.

Whatever!

I start taking out some ingredients to prepare to make breakfast for everyone. This one has always had chefs, so I don't think she knows her way around the kitchen. Plus, even when we were growing up, she was the worst with the pots.

"Duncan is allergic to eggs", she tells me. Duncan is one of her stepchildren.

"I don't care to know. My niece is Motshabi. The ones you accept at the expense of not accepting your own child, I don't care about." I say.

"Retshepile!"

"You know what, Rehumile... you will never have another child! You've cursed your own womb! How could you treat Motshabi like that? How could you say those things in front of her?" Me.

"You don't understand."

"And I don't want to understand. You are evil, Rehumile! You made that poor girl feel like shit and like she doesn't deserve you. Actually, you are the one that doesn't deserve her. She didn't choose to be born. If you felt the pregnancy was something that you didn't want, why didn't you just abort her? Dithaka tsa hao di tseba mnyako wa-abortion. But no! You had the baby and gave her away... do you think you can just wish a baby away?"

She looks at me as if she'll throw the coffee on me.

"Move!" I yell at her as I push her out of my way.

"I'm leaving now", Motshabi's voice says. I look up and I see her at the door with bags.

"Motshabi, where are you going now?" I ask her.

"I don't know. I didn't want to be a painful reminder to my mother about her being violated." She says.

"Motshabi, please don't go. Please. We will figure this out." I say.

"I don't want to -

"Mama!" I yell for my mom. I leave the kitchen to fetch my mom to come and deal with this.

"Mama!" I yell again. She meets me in the passage.

"Motshabi is leaving", I say.

"To go where?" My mom says, making her way to Motshabi.

Silence. I'm standing behind my mom now.

"Motshabi, take those bags back to your bedroom." My mom.

"No koko. I think-

"I wasn't asking. Take them back." My mom sternly says.

Motshabi looks at my mom then at me. Then she heads back to the bedroom with her bags.

"If you are not going to fix this, Rehumile... and if you are going to push this child out of her home - throwing her away all over again, you get the hell out of my house. Do you understand me?" Mom.

Humi says nothing.

"You will not bring a bunch of kids that are not even my children to sleep in this house, then push the one that's actually mine away. O skang'hlantsa! Please. You either ship up and fix your mess or you VOETSEK! Do you understand me?!" My mom is beginning to sound scary now.

Humi is still stating at her.

"Rehumile Sedibe, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Mom.

Humi nods her head.

"Good." Mom.

...

It's about 10am now and the lobola negotiations have just ended. My uncle (mom's brother) led them with people he found somewhere in his family looking for something to do on a Sunday morning. I'm uncomfortable enough knowing that my mom is someone's cherry. I was not going to sit there and start putting a price on her hand in marriage. No ways! None of my brothers wanted to be part of that neither.

I'm not sure what's happening now, but I know that the wedding will still be today.

I'm outside with my stunning wife chatting about a few things. The kids are still asleep. Fikile, Nene and Rofhiwa are all busy with something. Ramaru left with Mfundo and Reahile to get something - I don't know what.

"Mama is happy, baby. She's like a teenager in love." Koena says.

"I know. But it's weird. I wish I could go to sleep and wake up then all of this is done. I'm so glad I'm not the one giving her away. It's such days that I'm thankful I'm not the first born." I say.

She starts laughing at me. Then she says, "Why is this so uncomfortable for you? You've never had an issue with Ntate Skhakha mos."

She's so cute when she says Ntate Skhakha.

"Why mina ungang'bizi Ntate Msomi?" I say, smiling at her.

She starts blushing and says, "Because I call you other things that I wouldn't call Ntate Skhakha".

I laugh aloud.

"Just be happy for mama, babe. At least now you can all move on with your lives and be comfortable knowing that mama is not alone here. She's with a life partner and they are taking care of each other." She says.

"As long as she doesn't get pregnant. It's fine." I say and she bursts into laughter. This is really not funny.

"Dumelang", we hear her mom say and she's with a date... a date that could possibly be my age. I know I'm quite older than Koena, but a man my age is considered ibhobhodlwana for her.

I want to die of laughter right now. And Koena's face could be an entire meme.

"Bathung, hello. Kea dumedisa, leyathula?" The mom.

"Mama, kunjani?" Me.

"Kea phila ngwana waka." The mom.

Koena is still a meme.

"Koena, bengithi -

Fikile is here, she notices the mom, stops talking to Koena, hugs the mother and says, "Kunjani mah? U-right?"

"Kea phila, nana." The mom.

Fikile notices that Koena has CHANGED.

It's taking everything inside of me to not burst into laughter.

"Ni-right?" Fikile asks.

"I don't know. Nna ke-right. Mthunzi u-right. Koena? U-right?" The mom.

She's gas-lighting my wife now. And I'm not happy about that.

"Ke mang oe?" Koena asks her.

"This is my boyfriend, Richard Mukwevho." The mom.

"Eh ndaa", Richard.

"Hai wena. Uskang'phaphela." Koena says to him.

Fikile intervenes and says, "Ba re mini?"

Kana she's a Venda wife. She can relate in language.

Richard seems happy.

"Can we talk?" The mom says to Koena.

Koena walks off with the mom, leaving Fikile and I with Richard. Fortunately, Thomas comes back with Mfundo and Reahile. He kisses his wife first before acknowledging anyone else.

Fikile then says, "Love, this is Richard Mukwevho. He is from Venda too. He is here with Koena's mom. Richard, this is my husband, Thomas Ramaru."

Thomas and Richard have a conversation in tshiVenda. It is a loud conversation and they are laughing. So Richard has found a friend.

...

We are now all getting dressed for the wedding. The cars will arrive to take us to the venue. Koena is still pissed off. We are in my bedroom, changing. Let me maybe give her sex.

"Baby." Me.

"Hmmm?"

"Why are we upset, love?"

"How could my mom disrespect my father like this?"

"Koena, come here." I say.

She doesn't have her shoes on yet. She looks at me.

"Woza", me.

She walks towards me and lands in my arms.

I hold her.

"Ubaba has been gone for more than ten years now. Umama uyaqala ukuletha indoda around you. How long do you want her to mourn, my love?"

"Does she have to move on with a Ben10 though?"

"Well, apparently they know how to look after women... you know... you would know. You are sleeping with his age mate."

She laughs.

"Men my age know what to do with a woman. Your mother is a visionary. She didn't go for a Skhakha like my mom."

Now she laughs aloud.

Good.

After we've both had a good laugh, I say, "Love, what's really going on? Richard seems like a cool guy."

"I guess I'm just worried that I could be losing her too. Mohavi passed. Keba passed. I don’t know where Maphito is. My dad passed. It's been me and her for a very long time. Richard probably comes with family and other stuff that will keep mama away and I'm not sure if I'm ready for that." She says.

"I don't think they've been dating for a week, love. It's very possible that they've been together for some time now. Mama wouldn't just bring him here to meet us if it were something fresh. So, if we haven't had issues yet, who's to say issues will happen now?" I say.

I see her thinking about what I'm saying.

"Besides, you'll always have me and these boys we have... you have a makoti now and you are a granny yourself to two people."

She starts laughing.

"You'll never be alone, Koena Zelda Msomi. That much, you can bet on. Mama is not moving from you, she's finding her own path too. You have a family. She probably feels like she's a feature in it. She wants her own joy too - not just share in yours. Just like you convinced me to accept who Skhakha is in mama's life, I'm asking you to do the same with Richard and mme." I say.

She hugs me tighter.

I love this woman. She should never feel alone for as long as I'm here with her.

"Timer!" That would be Mfundo shouting through our door.

"Yebo?"

"The cars are here. We need to go. Mah still needs to do gogo's makeup." He says.

"Ngiyeza Mfundo", Koena says.

We come out of our hug and we get the show on the road.

...

We've just come back to the house. The wedding was nice. My brother's and I are chilling with all our wives in the TV room. Skhakha's kids are also here with their partners. The Ramarus are also here. The Mohales are here. We are chilling in the TV room and talking shit, mentally preparing ourselves for the drive back to our lives. I've taken my shoes off and have my legs on a leg rest. Koena is sitting on top of me. The things I want to do to her!

We all put money together for Skhakha's and my mom's honeymoon. They went to the airport straight after their ceremony. Their honeymoon will be six months long and they'll be traveling through twenty countries. It was our gift to them. My sister, Nonhlanhla, offered to stay with the house and look after it. She will be here with her kids. That gives us some relief.

"How would you guys feel about us buying Mr and Mrs Skhakha a house?" Skhakha's first born daughter says.

We are all quiet. I'm waiting for my first-born brother to say something!

"What's wrong with this house?" Nonhlanhla asks. She was never going to remain silent. She’s technically the first born anyway. Our order is Nonhlanhla, Zakhele, Bafana, me then Sihle, our youngest sister.

"Nothing. It's just that... your dad bought this house for your mom and we don't think it's appropriate for our father to live in another man's house. So, if we buy them a house, it's theirs together." Sizakele says - Skhakha's first daughter.

"My dad bought the house yes, but my siblings and I put it a lot of work to make it what it is today. Ikhaya lethu leli." Sihle, my other sister says.

"Nathi sifuna ukuthi when we visit ubaba wethu we feel ukuthi sisekhaya. This doesn't feel like our home." Another daughter says, Rachel. When my brothers and I gossip about how weird she is, we call her Sik'ama-razar.

"Does your mother not have a house you can call a home?" Sihle is going there.

There is silence.

Koena looks at me. I'm not going to say anything.

"Hai kabi, kodwa your mom is a married woman now. Surely you all knew ukuthi that would come with change. As a Skhakha bride, it's unfair for you to expect my father to live in a Msomi house. Msomi is the surname of her deceased husband, it's not even her maiden surname. No guys, respect my dad. Is he really supposed to sleep endlini eyavum' amadlozi wakwaMsomi?" One of the sons say. His name is Themba.

"But your father knew that he was with a woman who was previously married, has her own things and has children who will probably not agree with what you are saying." Nonhlanhla.

"So, there's no compromise in any of this? Umama wenu is no longer a Msomi." Sik'ama-razar says.

"The compromise is that we agree to what you are saying and shame, we are disagreeing with a higher grade. Did my mom ever tell you that she wants to leave her house?" Sihle.

Silence.

"Maybe this should be a conversation between umama noSkhakha. We are going to fight lana and this will boil down to what they see as the right thing to do for them." Zakhele.

No one says anything. We all just look at each other.

"And until then, this is my mother's house." Nonhlanhla says, reporting from a scene of violence for reason.

"That’s exactly why they need a new house together. Must this be your mother's house? We want a place where even our dad can say "it's my house". Is that so wrong?" Sizakele.

"Our house is not going anywhere, Sizakele." Sihle.

"Ngicela kulindwe uSkhaskha nomama. This is their conversation to have. Angazi nje ukuthi nina ningenaphi." Zakhele.

"Don't talk to us like that." Themba.

"Ungazong'phakamela wena!" Zakhele.

They are standing up. Okay, it's on!

"Umama wenu lana unikene ngesibunu sakhe, breaking my parents apart and now sizodelelwa yini lana!"

What the fuck did this guys just say?!

All I know is that I'm standing in front of a guy I've punched to the floor and there's a full on fight happening here. Thomas, Mfundo and Reahile are pulling us all apart. Even Thingo. The women are standing aside and are in shock. Now I notice that Nonhlanhla and Sihle were also part of the fight.

"Nizosidelela in our own home? Amahloni?! This is why you want to buy them a house?! So you can disrespect our mother and us then be able to say you can do that because it's your father's house?!" I yell. I'm actually angry!

Some bodyguards walk in, scaring the hell out of Skhakha's kids. I always forget that Reahile travels with bodyguards until they just show up out of nowhere.

"Get the fuck out! Ningaphinde nibuye la! This is not your home!" I say.

"Lalelani la nina -

"Eh baba, VOETSEK!" Me.

Koena holds me, trying to calm me down I suppose. Reahile signals to the bodyguards to get these fuckers out of here. The bodyguards remove them and they try to not go down without a fight, on some "Don't touch me!" Or "Don't push me!" But they leave.

It's just us now. Even our friends have left the room and are chilling outside with all the kids. It's just my brothers, our sisters, our wives and I in the room. Koena is holding my hand.

"Mama is not selling the house!" Nonhlanhla.

"She won't sell it. If she leaves, she will leave it to one of us or all of us." Zakhele says.

"Where are we going to spend our Christmases now? At Skhakha's house with his ugly children?" Sihle.

"You do know they are your siblings now, right?" Zakhele's wife says.

She says things like that for no reason. Her and Sindi were very close and she's never liked Koena because of that. Her name is Refiloe.

Philile, Bafana's wife, and Koena are close. They look at each other as Refiloe says this.

"Ungasiphapheli wena!" Nonhlanhla.

"I'm just saying... whether Christmas is here or kwaSkhakha, they will be there. They will never miss out on an opportunity to rub you all up the wrong way - you and umama. They think umama is the reason their parents are not together anymore. They think she's the ho in all of this. If you think it will be smooth moving forward, bring those bodyguards everywhere you go. Kusazoshuba!" She insists.

We all know she's telling the truth, she just needs to read the room, the situation and tap into her sensitivity a bit. We don't want to hear that right now.

"Umama is landing in Dubai kusasa around 7pm. Can we all be available for a conference call with her? She needs to know about this and know how we feel." Sihle says.

"You are such a lastborn Sihle. Grow the fuck up!" Refiloe.

"Refiloe, yini vele? Yini? Ufun' ukubona'ni?" Sihle.

"Even if you get angry... your mother is on her honeymoon and you want to disturb it with this? Like really? USkhakha nomama must now be stressing about the fact that their kids don't get along while on their honeymoon? What do want them to do? Hai man! Grow up!" Refiloe is insisting on this.

"Bhut'Zakhele, ngicela ukhuze umkakho! Ngicela umkhumbuze ukuthi la kulendlu, ungene ngenkomo - akayona ingane ya la! Please just remind her before ngim'hlohla ngempama!" Sihle.

"Hlohla! Hlohla! I want to see you try!" Refiloe.

"Refiloe, STOP IT MAHN! AWUME MAHN!" Zakhele.

"Hai, le ngane ya kini ingijwayela kabi, Zakhele. Hai!" Refiloe.

Then Nonhlanhla drags Refiloe by her wig. Refiloe falls to the ground screaming and Nonhlanhla just drags her saying, "Hlohla le mpama, mntakamah!"

"Hai mahn! Hai mahn! HAI MAHN! HAWU!" Zakhele.

His wife is instantly left alone.

"Seniyahlanya?!" Zakhele.

Bafana and I look at each other. Our wives are in a corner together.

Refiloe gets up from the floor, charges towards Nonhlanhla and slaps her.

Yoh, a fight breaks out!

This time, I just sit down and watch because wow! Even Zakhele sits down.

Koena and Philile say something to each other. When Sihle joins in the fight, making this two against one, Koena and Philile get up and actually stop the fight. Then they take Refiloe outside with them. It's just Zakhele, Bafana, Nonhlanhla, Sihle and I now. Just us three brothers and our two sisters.

"Nhlanhla, you'll stay here for now. We'll deal with this when mom comes back", Zakhele says.

"Sihle will stay with me." Nhlanhla says.

"And your husband? Me.

"We are getting a divorce", Sihle says.

Eh! That's why he didn't come to the wedding.

"Okay then it's fine. Kukini la. You don't have to explain yourself. Ubuya nezingane?" Bafana.

She nods her head.

Both Nhlanhla and Sihle don't work. How is this going to work?

"How much help do you need? Financially?" I ask.

They are both quiet.

"Are the fathers of your children paying school fees?" Bafana asks.

"We are still in court. Until the case is done, he's not sending a cent my way", Sihle.

"He's never paid for school fees. My kids have always been in a no fee school. Fortunately, my two old ones are working now. Last born is in the no fee school." Nhlanhla.

I'm actually angry! Why don't they tell us this? We have money. We can help them!

"Why mara ningakhulumi? And by work, you mean what exactly, Nonhlanhla?" Zakhele.

They are quiet. I don't even want to know.

"The house is paid up. I've always paid the rates and taxes. Zakes has always bought the grocery and Bafana has always given mah her stipend for the month. This will continue. I'll pay fees for your kids. Put them all in a good school here in Umhlanga then liaise with Koena for payment." I say.

They smile.

"I'll send you guys money to get you through the month." Zakhele.

"I'll sort the kids out with anything extra that the schools will need. I'll also send you one of my cars that you can use to be mobile." Bafana.

"Ngicela nikhulume. We are your brothers. We have money! We can help! Please. We don't feel good knowing you are suffering when we can more than afford to help." I say.

"Siyabonga bobhuti", Sihle.

"Nhlanhla, I'm taking one of your kids. We will put her through university next year. This year, she'll find a tutor so she can focus on upgrading." Zakhele.

"I'll take another one", Bafana.

She starts crying.

"Angazi ukuthi ukhalelani because you should've said something a long time ago and we would have helped. Why did you let the kids suffer?" I ask.

I'm actually angry.

"Besingafuni ukuhlupha, bobhuti", Sihle.

"Well nihluphile. These are our kids too. We don't even want you running after men. We are here!" Zakhele.

"Cabanga nje... it took Skhakha's kids to disrespect us and you to fight nomakoti for us to have this conversation? REALLY?!" Bafana.

Now they are quiet.

"How have you been affording lawyer fees, Sihle?" I ask her.

"Sis'Koena helped me." She says.

"Now you have my wife lying to me? Go call her." Me.

"Cha bhuti-

"Call her". I insist.

She jumps and goes to fetch her.

After a few minutes, Sihle walks in with Koena.

They sit down.

"Why didn't you tell me that Sihle is struggling?" I ask Koena.

"She asked me to give her an opportunity to tell you herself. Until then, I helped with paying for her car, the kids' fees and lawyer fees... and just some money to make sure she doesn't suffer." Koena.

I'm grateful for my wife. Truly, I am. But honestly, WHAT THE FUCK?!

"Bhut'Mthunzi, I'm sorry for not saying anything and for asking Sis'Koena to not say anything." Sihle.

"Ngiyabonga sthandwa sami", I say to Koena. But we are going to talk about this.

"Nonhlanhla, how have you been living?" Me.

Now she's scared to say anything.

"Nonhlamhla?!" Zakhele barks.

"Sis'Philile", Nhlanhla says.

"Go call her", Bafana.

Indeed, she does.

Now we are shitting on all these women. We are family. We carry each other. There's no shame in asking for help and it shouldn't be a secret. We don't need a WhatsApp group for that. Then we tell Nhlanhla to prepare her kids - the ones leaving with Bafana and Zakhele. We now need to head back home.

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