Isixhosa stories

Ngenye imini uTatomkhulu wayefuna ukusifundisa isifundo sokuthembeka nokuba nombulelo, ngoko ke wasibalisela ibali lengonyama nenkawu …
Ingonyama nenkawu zazihlala kwihlathi elishinyeneyo. Ingonyama yayizula ihlathi lonke phantsi, lo gama inkawu yayihlala phezulu ezincotsheni zemithi. Ngenye imini ingonyama yabona iqatha lenyama libekwe phantsi kwigqabi lomthi webhanana. “Naku ukutya okusimahla nokundizele lula ndingakusebenzelanga,” yacinga njalo.

Ingonyama yasondela embindini wegqabi lebhanana, kodwa yathi nje ukuba ilume ngamazinyo ayo, suka umhlaba wavuleka phantsi
kwayo. Yatshona kuloo mngxuma unzulu ingonyama neqatha elo lenyama kunye negqabi lebhanana.
“Yayingayazi njani ingonyama into yokuba ukutya okusimahla
akusoloko kusimahla; nokutya okufumaneka lula akufumaneki lula njengokuba kubonakala njalo?” watsho uTatomkhulu. “Wayengakwazi njani ukumkani wasehlathini, ukuba umzingeli womba umngxuma onzulu waza wawugquma ngegqabi lebhanana. Emva koko wabeka inyama esazulwini segqabi lebhanana waza igqabi waligquma ngentlabathi ukuze umgibe ungabonakali?”
Umngxuma wawumxinwa kangangokuba ingonyama yayikwazi ukuma nkqo kuphela, imi ngemilenze yayo yangasemva. Ingonyama yazama ukuphuma kulo mngxuma unzulu, kodwa ngomtsi ngamnye umhlaba obomvu wawudilika
udilizwa ziinzipho zayo ize iphinde iyokuwela ezantsi emngxunyeni. Ingonyama ediniweyo yayisahleli apho kuloo mngxuma unzulu ngorhatya ukubona kwayo umsila ugqitha. Loo msila yayingumsila wenkawu eyayitsibe umngxuma.

Ingonyama yakhwaza icela uncedo.
“Kumkani wenza ntoni emngxunyeni onzulu nomnyama kangaka?” yayibuza ngelitshoyo inkawu, ijonge emngxunyeni.
“Ndiwele apha,” yatsho ingonyama ngelizwi elibonakalisa ukuphelelwa ngamandla. “Kudala ndilapha okoko kwakusasa. Nceda undisindise.”
Inkawu yathandabuza yaze yasuka yahamba, kodwa ingonyama yazinga ngokuyicenga. Yathi inkawu engonyameni, “Kuthiwa zonke izilwanyana ezakhe zakunceda, zange ziphile ukuze zikwazi ukubalisa elo bali.”
“Ndiyazi ukuba ukrelekrele ukuba ungakholelwa kubuxoki obuxelelwa ziintshaba zam ngam,” yatsho ingonyama. “Nceda undisindise.”
Ekugqibeleni inkawu yayisizela ingonyama yaza yafaka umsila wayo emngxunyeni ukuze usetyenziswe njengentambo. Ingonyama yabambelela kumsila wenkawu yagwencela, yenyuka yaphuma. Kodwa yathi naxa sele iphumile emngxunyeni yaqhubeka iwubambe nkqi umsila wenkawu.
“Ndiyeke! Andikuncedanga na ndakukhupha emngxunyeni onzulu njengoko ubundicelile?” inkawu yabuza ingonyama.
Kodwa ingonyama yawuqinisa ngakumbi umsila wenkawu. Yathi inkawu xa ijonga ingonyama emehlweni, yabona indlela ingonyama eyayilambe ngayo. “Nceda undiyeke ndihambe!” yakhala inkawu. Kodwa ingonyama yaye iwuqinisa ngakumbi umsila wenkawu.
Ngephanyazo kwathi gqi ixhegokazi. Lalisendleleni eya kwifama yalo ukubona kwalo ezi zilwanyana zibini zixambulisana. Lema labuza ukuba zilwela ntoni na. Inkawu yalichazela indlela ethe yanceda ngayo ingonyama yayikhupha emngxunyeni onzulu.

“Kodwa ngoku ibambe nkqi umsila wam ayifuni
kundiyeka ndihambe,” yakhalaza.
“Ingaba oku yinyaniso?” ixhegokazi labuza ingonyama. Ingonyama yanqwala ivuma. Ixhegokazi lathi kwinkawu, “Dibanisa iintupha zakho uthi, ‘Ngoku ndiza kufa ndifela inceba yam. Ngoku ndiza kufa ndifela inceba yam.’” Ngokwenene ke, inkawu yenza njalo.
Ixhegokazi laguquka labhekisa kwingonyama lathi, “Dibanisa iintupha zakho uthi, ‘Kukho oza kufa efela inceba yakhe. Kukho oza kufa efela inceba yakhe.’” Ingonyama yanyusa inqina layo elingabambanga nto yaphinda oko yayikuxelelwa lixhegokazi.
“Hayi!” latsho ixhegokazi. “Ndithe dibanisa iintupha zakho, kwaye ndithetha iintupha zakho zamanqina omabini angaphambili, uze uthethe la mazwi.” Lo gama ingonyama ithobela umyalelo wexhegokazi idibanisa iintupha zayo, inkawu yaphuncuka yabaleka yemka. Ingonyama yayileqa inkawu yade yakhwela emthini owawukufutshane. Idakumbile, ingonyama yabheka ijonga
kwindawo ababelibone kuyo ixhegokazi, kodwa ixhegokazi lalingasekho apho.
UTatomkhulu wanqumama wasijonga ebusweni, wasifumana sibonakala sichwayitile kuba inkawu isindile kwingonyama ekhohlakeleyo.

Sebenzisa ubugcisa bakho!

Sebenzisani iipleyiti zamaphepha, izikere, amaphepha, ipeyinti neglu ukwenza iimaski zobuso benkawu nobengonyama. Sebenzisa iteyiphu encamathelayo ukuzincamathelisa kwizinti ezinde. Emva koko, zonwabeleni nizenzela umdlalo weqonga osekelwe kweli bali.

“Owu Nkosi yam,” wazicingela njalo umama kaLethabo ehleli etafi leni yasekhitshini. “Ndiza kwenza njani? Ngomso lusuku lokuzalwa lukaLethabo kwaye andinamali yoneleyo yokumthengela isipho.” ULethabo wayemi ngasesinkini ehamisha ingoma lo gama ahlamba izitya. “Mmmm la la ... Mmmm la la.” “Lethabo,” watsho uMama, “lusuku lwakho lokuzalwa ngomso. Ndinganika ntoni?” “Owu Mama,” watsho uLethabo, “Andizazi ukuba ndifuna ntoni na.” “Ndizakukhe ndicinge ngento endinokukunika yona,” uMama utshilo. Dam dam di dam ... dam dam di dam. UMama wayebetha itafi le kancinane ngeminwe yakhe. ULethabo wasithanda eso sandi. “Dam dam di dam … dam dam di dam,” wayeculela ezantsi njengokuba esiya kwigumbi lakhe lokulala. Wakhulula izihlangu zakhe wahlala ebhedini. “Ndifuna ntoni ngosuku lwam lokuzalwa?” wazibuza uLethabo ekhwaza. “Kuyamangalisa ukuba ubuze loo nto!” kwatsho ilizwi.

“Ngubani lowo? wabuza uLethabo esima ngeenyawo. “Ndingaboni mntu nje apha.” “Ndiphantsi kwebhedi!” latsho ilizwi. “Nceda uphume apho!” ULethabo watsibela ebhedini yakhe kwakhona. “Iyuuu!” Apho phambi kwakhe kwakumi isigcawu. Sasimi ngemilenze yaso esibhozo. Yayikhangeleka ngathi zizinti. “Ndicela uxolo ngokukoyikisa!” Isigcawu sathoba intloko yaso. “Igama lam ndinguFelix. Ndisisigcawu esiluhlobo lwe-Anansi”. Umnqweno wosuku lokuzalwa libhalwe

“Mna ke ndinguLethabo. Ndiyawuthanda umnqwazi wakho!” “Enkosi, Lethabo. Umnqwazi lo wam uvela eGhana! Imibala yawo yeyefl egi yaseGhana – ubomvu, umthubi naluhlaza.” “Iphi iGhana?” wabuza uLethabo. “Ikude kakhulu, ise-Afrika,” waphendula uFelix. “Yintoni isigcawu sohlobo lweAnansi?” wabuza uLethabo. “Ndiphuma kusapho lwezigcawu zohlobo lwe-Anansi. Siyaziwa kakulu. Sivela eNtshona Afrika. Abanye bethu bazifumana bengene kwezinkulu iingxaki, kodwa mna andinalo elo lishwa. Okanye ke mandithi, oko akwenzeki rhoqo oko,” utdho ehleka uFelix. “Kutheni ulapha?” uLethabo wabuza. “Undibizile,” watsho uFelix. “Kodwa mna andizikhumbuli ndikubiza nje!” watsho uLethabo. UFelix wahleka. “Ewe nangoku undibizile, ngeliya xesha ubuhamisha, uculela ezantsi. Ngoku ke, nceda uvale amehlo akho, ndinento emangalisayo endikuphathele yona.” ULethabo wavala amehlo akhe ngezandla zakhe. Wayemva uFelix ehamba-hamba apha endlwini.

Kwavakala isandi esazalisa igumbi. Dam dam di dam … dam dam di dam. Eso sandi sasifana neso sasisenziwa ngumama wakhe ngeminwe etafi leni, kodwa sasikufutshane sona kwaye sivakala kakhulu. “Awu, ingaba yintoni bethu?” wavakala esitsho. “Vula amehlo akho!” kukhwaza uFelix. UFelix wayebetha amagubu asibhozo ngaxeshanye. Unyawana lwakhe ngalunye lwaluphezu kwegubu. Amagubu ayenze isangqa, emjikelezile. Intloko yakhe yayijikeleza lo gama abetha igubu ngalinye. Dam dam di dam ... dam dam di dam. “Awu ndiyayithanda!” ULethabo wancuma. Watsiba-tsiba ejikeleza igumbi, ecula lo gama uFelix abetha amagubu. Isandi samagubu kunye nomculo kaLethabo zazalisa elo gumbi lincinane. Sasingqubeka eludongeni, sinyukele esilingini, sihlele ekhaphethini, siziqhusheke eziswini zabo, sinamzelele iinzwane zabo kwaye sihambelana nesingqi sokubetha kwentliziyo zabo. “Lethabo, ingaba konke kulungile?” Umama wakhe wakroba ngaphaya kocango.

“Owu, ewe Mama,” watsho uLethabo. “Bendicinga nje ngosuku lwam lokuzalwa.” Umama kaLethabo wavala ucango wabuyela ekhitshini. “Owu nkosi yam, kazi yinto endiza kuyithini le?” utshilo. “Felix! Uphi?” ULethabo wakhangela phantsi kwebhedi. “Ungaphuma ke ngoku.” “Ndiphantse ndabhaqwa!” utshilo uFelix. “Abantu abadala bayathanda ukundigxotha.” “Nceda undixelele ukuba kutheni uze kundibona,” watsho uLethabo. “Kulungile ke, ndiyazi ukuba lusuku lwakho lokuzalwa ngomso. Ufuna isipho esiyintoni?” wabuza uFelix. “Igubu, Felix! Ndifuna igubu!” Kwangoko uLethabo waziva elusizi.

“Kodwa sele sishiywe lixesha lokulithenga. Zonke iivenkile sele zivalile.” “Ha, ha,” wahleka uFelix. “Cela nje igubu kumama wakho. Cela nje igubu laseNtshona Afrika. Ngoku ke cimela kwakhona ze ucele okunqwenelayo entliziyweni yakho. Usale kakuhle Lethabo!” ULethabo wacimela, “Akwaba bendinegubu,” watsho. Wavula amehlo akhe. UFelix wayesele emkile. “Mama! Mama!” “Yintoni, Lethabo?” wabuza umama kaLethabo lo gama abaleka engena kwelo gumbi. “Mama, ndingathanda ukufumana igubu njengesipho sosuku lwam lokuzalwa!” “Hayi bo Lethabo − igubu?” Umama wakhe wanikina. “Ingabilogubu nje, Mama. Incede ibe ligubu elivela eNtshona Afrika. Watsho ecula edanisa egumbini lakhe. Dam dam di dam! Umama kaLethabo wamamela intombi yakhe icula. Wacinga ngotata wakhe. Wayemkhumbula ehleli phandle egcakamele ilanga. Phakathi kwemilenze yakhe kwakukho igubu elikhulu.

Wayelibetha, ebizela onke amadoda nabafazi belali ukuba beze ethekweni. Kwakuvutha umlilo. Wayencumile ejonge uLethabo, umzukulwana osandul’ ukuzalwa, njengokuba wayelele esingathwe ngunina nje. “Owu, ndiyamkhumbula utata wam,” uMama wacinga njalo. “Kodwa khawume kancinane! Ndisenazo izinto zakhe ezithile phaya esuthikheyisini phantsi kwebhedi yam.” UMama wayifumana isuthikheyisi endala phantsi kwebhedi. “Owu hayini, kuzele izigcawu nje apha kuyo!” wakhalaza uMama. Zithe zakuva ilizwi lakhe izigcawu, zabaleka zazimela. Umama wayitsala isuthikheyisi waza wayivula. Ngaphakathi kuyo wafumana igubu elincinane – elibukhulu bulungele kanye uLethabo. “Owu, enkosi Tata! Ndiyalikhumbula eli gubu! Wawulenzele uLethabo!” Kwakuthe cwaka egumbini lokulala likaLethabo.

Ngokuthe cwaka, uMama wachwechwa waya kwelo gumbi waza wavula ucango. Ukukhanya okuvela enyangeni kwakukhanyisa ebusweni bentombi yakhe lo gama ileleyo. UMama wabeka igubu phantsi ecaleni kwebhedi waze waphuza uLethabo esidleleni. “Min’ emnandi kuwe, Lethabo,” watsho esebeza. “Min’ emnandi kuwe, ngeminqweno emihle evela kum notat’ omkhulu wakho.”

UFeleng inundu wayewathanda amabali. “Mama,” wayesitsho qho ngokuhlwa, “ndicela usibalisele ibali. Ndiyathembisa sizakuya kulala emva koko. Ndiyakucela torho, ndiyakucela!” UMama Nundu wayesazi ibali elinye kuphela, kwaye wayesele ebukruquka kukusoloko elibalisa. Kodwa uFeleng nabanye abantwana benundu babesoloko bemcenga ade alibalise kwakhona. Wababalisela ngokubalasela kwakhe kwigumbi lokuphekela. Wathetha ngohambo lwakhe lwalapho, nangezinto ezinkulu nezingaqhelekanga awathi wazibona ekhabhathini.

“Abantu basebenzisa izinto ezininzi, ezifana neekomityi neepleyiti namacephe,” wabalisa watsho. “Abantu abaqhelekanga ngeyona ndlela!” Uvutho-ndaba lwebali kuxa uMama Nundu wayexelela abantwana ngeentlobo zokutya athe wazingcamla kolu hambo lwakhe. “Kwakukho iingququ zezonka, amaxolo wama-apile, izigaqa zezidudu ezimnandi namagaqa eswekile emva kwesitovu ...” wabalisa watsho.

“Mh-h-h!” badumzela ngamazwi anethemba. “Mh-h-h tana!” Kungekudala amehlo abo atwezeka. Wayefi ke kwisigaba esibi sebali – mhla umntu wazama ukumshwabadela. “Ndabalekela ukusindisa ubomi bam!” watsho uMama uNundu, edlalisa amehlo akhe, lo gama abantwana benundu bengcangcazela, bencwina bedikizelisa iimpondwana zabo ... Oku kwakuthetha ukuba eli lixesha lokulala. Ngenye imini uMama Nundu waxelela abantwana bakhe ukuba bahambe baye kutya isidlo sasemini. “Feleng, nguwe omdala,” watsho. “Uze uncede ujonge abantakwenu.” Amanundu awatyi yonke imihla, ngako oko amancinci ayelambe kakhulu. Balinda bade bemka abantu kwasala kuthe cwaka endlwini. Nganye nganye alambisa aphuma kwiintanda zodonga lwendlu ayehlala kuyo. “Ndilandeleni,” wasebeza watsho uFeleng. “Nize nenze yonke into endiyenzayo.” Enyuka enyuka ngomlenze wetafi le enkulu. Phezu kwayo kwakukho iincwadi ezintathu okanye ezine ezivuliweyo zinephepha neekhrayoni zithe saa apho. “Khangela oku kutya kunencasa kangaka!” wahleka usisi kaFeleng uPhuti. “Intle le nto yokuba abantwana babantu bengamaxelegu!” “Mh-h-h!” batsho bonke abantwana benundu ngelixa besenyuka kumqolo weencwadi. “Mh-h-h, mh-h-h!” Kodwa ngephanyazo, wathetha uFeleng.

“Sanukuzitya iincwadi,” watho. “Yityani le nto endaweni yazo.” Watsho ekhomba umzobo orhoqololo. “Imnandi yona. Inencasa emnandi yekhrayoni.” “Kulungile ke,” batsho abantakwabo. Babelambe kakhulu ukuba bangalwa naye. Ngephanyazo bonke babexakeke ngumzobo − bonke ngaphandle kukaFeleng. Kuqala, wayeqwalasele kwimigcana egosogoso emnyama nakwimifanekiso enemibala eqaqambileyo kumaphepha encwadi evulekileyo. Emva koko wenyuka kuyo, waze waqalisa ukuhamba kancinane nangobunono ngemigcana leyo igosogoso. Kuqala, oobhuti noosisi bakhe babexakeke gqitha behlafuna baze abakuqaphela oko wayekwenza. Kodwa emva kwethutyana, udadewabo omncinci uFifi wajonga waze wabuza wathi. “Wenza ntoni Feleng?” wabuza ngelizwi elikhwazayo, nelitswinayo. “Kutheni ungatyi nje?

Wasuka wancuma uFeleng. “Linda wena, uza kubona,” watsho. “Ndakubuya ndinibalisele.” Ngobo busuku, ngethuba amanundu amancinane ayebuthelene kumama wawo kwithanda eliseludongeni, uFeleng waqalisa ukuthetha. “Ndiyanazi ukuba nifuna ntoni!” watsho uMama Nundu. Wayonwabile emva kosuku oluthe cwaka ezihlalele yedwa ekhaya. “Nifuna ndinibalisele ibali.” Wancuma uFeleng. “Hayi namhlanje,” watsho. “Fifi , xelela uMama ukuba ndenze ntoni namhlanje.” Akuva uMama Nundu ngendlela uFeleng ebewalandela ngayo amagosogoso ebesencwadini ngelixa bona abanye abantwana besitya, umama wakhe wababuxhalaba yile ndawo. “Ubusenza ntoni Feleng?” wabuza. “Bonke abantwana kufuneka betyile, uyayazi loo nto.” “Ndisenokutya nangomso,” watsho uFeleng. “Namhlanje ndenze into engcono nangakumbi – ndifunde ukufunda!” Wacacisa ngendlela ebeyijonge ngayo imibala emnyama ephepheni eyimatanisa nemifanekiso. “Ndiqaphele ukuba bekundixelela okuthile oku,” watsho.

“Emva kwethuba, ndiye ndaqalisa ukukuqonda okuthethwa ngaloo magosogoso ... ngoonobumba, kwaye oonobumba benza amagama xa bedibene. Amagama wona enza izivakalisi, zize izivakalisi zona zenze amabali. Ngako oko ngolu rhatya khawuphumle Mama – lityeli lam lokuba ndibalisele WENA ibali!” Wandula uFeleng wabalisela umama wakhe kunye nabantakwabo ibali elimalunga nomntwana womntu owahamba waya emlanjeni waze wadibana nengwenya. “Yintoni umlambo? Iyintoni yona ingwenya?” lakhwaza inundu elincinci. “Nam andazi,” wahleka uFeleng. “Kuza kufuneka ndikuphande ngomso oko. Kodwa umfanekiso ubonise into enkulu eyoyikekayo enomlomo omkhulu kakhulu.” “Njengomntu!” watsho uMama ebuhlasimla, batsho bangcangcazela bonke abantwana benundu, bencwina bedikizelisa iimpondwana zabo ... Oku kwakuthetha ukuba eli lixesha lokulala.

Kudala-dala kwakukho umvundla owawubaleka kakhulu, usogqitha zonke ezinye izilwanyana zasefama. Wawuzingca, uzidla kakhulu ngamendu awo. Wawusoloko udlisela, uzikhumbuza ezinye izilwanyana ngokuba yimbaleki kwawo.
“Ndibaleka ndishiya nomoya,” wawuqhayisa utsho, uphinda-phinda loo mazwi kumhlobo wawo, uNcanda.
Ngenye intsasa uMvundla noNcanda badibana esangweni elibakhokelela emasimini,
kwasefama apho. UMvundla awuphozisanga maseko, waqalisa ukuqhayisa, “Ndiyeyona mbaleki yakha yakho ehlabathini. Ndibaleka ndishiya nomoya.”
“Andiboni kanjalo mna,” watsho uNcanda ngokuzithemba. “Ndicinga ukuba nam lo ndingakogqitha ngokubaleka.”

“Unwabu olunjengawe?” wahleka uMvundla umsinekele. “Uyaziqhatha ukuba uthi wena ungandodlula ngamendu.”
UNcanda wacinga umzuzwana. Waza wathethela phantsi esithi, “Kulungile. Masibone ukuba ngubani obaleka ngaphezu komnye. Singakhuphisana elugqatsweni ngomso. Siza kubekisa
ukusuka kweli sango siye ekupheleni kwamasimi size siphinde sibuye.”
“Kulungile,” watsho uMvundla. “Andizikubaleka nokubaleka ukuze ndiphumelele, Milenzana miFutshane omdala.”
“Uza kubona,” watsho uNcanda. “Akufuneki ude ube nemilenze emide ukuze uphumelele ugqatso, uyazi. Ndiza kuhlangana nawe kweli sango ngomso, ukuphuma kwelanga. Ndiza
kuluphumelela ugqatso. Kufuneka undithembise ukuba xa ndiphumelele akusoze uphinde undibize ngamagama anjengooMilenzana miFutshane okanye Nwabu, kwakhona.”
“Kulungile,” wavuma uMvundla, uqinisekile kakhulu ngesiqu sawo. “Ukuba ngokwenene ufuna ugqatso nam, uza kulufumana. Ndiyathembisa ukuba andisoze ndiphinde ndithi
Nwabu okanye Milenzana miFutshane – UKUBA uphumelele. Ndiyazi kakade ukuba oko soze kwenzeke. Ndinamendu angaphezulu nakwawomoya. Ndiza kufi ka ezantsi emasimini
ndiphinde ndibuye lo gama wena usacinga ngokusuka. Ngoko ke ndiza kukwazi ukukubiza ngamagama athi Milenzana miFutshane okanye Nwabu kangangoko ndithanda. Ha! Ha!”
UNcanda waxelela umkhuluwa wakhe ngolu gqatso, “Owu zinkosi,” watsho umkhuluwa wakhe, “wenze impazamo enkulu. Yintoni ebangele ukuba ufune ukwenza into engenakwenzeka efana nale? UMvundla unamendu adlula nawomoya. Ngoku uza kukubiza ngamagama afana noNwabu noMilenzana miFutshane ubomi bakho bonke.”
“Ungakhathazeki,” watsho uNcanda, “ndineqhinga. Ndineqhinga elikrelekrele kakhulu. Ukuba uyandinceda, sisobabini singamfundisa isifundo uMvundla. Uza kutsho uyeke ukuzingca nokuqhayisa – kwaye akasoze aphinde andibize ngamagama athi, Nwabu okanye Milenzana miFutshane kwakhona!”
Ngosuku olulandelayo uNcanda wafi ka kuqala kunoMvundla. Njengesiqhelo, wathatha ixesha elide phambi kokuba afi ke apho, kodwa wayelinde enoncumo ebusweni bakhe ukufi ka koMvundla phambi kokuba ilanga lithi chapha endulini.
“Molo, Milenzana miFutshane. Uqinisekile ukuba usafuna ukukhuphisana nam elugqatsweni?
Uyazi ukuba akunalo nelincinane ithuba lokuba ungaphumelela. Ingaba ukulungele kusini na ukoyiswa? Khumbula, ndinamendu awodlula nawomoya,” watsho uMvundla.

UMvundla wawuqinisekile ukuba wawuza kuphumelela kangangokuba wawusele ucinga ngamanye amagama amatsha owawuza kumbiza ngawo uNcanda emva kogqatso. Oku
kwakuza kuba mnandi kakhulu kuwo.
UNcanda wayezincumele ethe cwaka. Wayemile ezipholele elinde emgceni wokuqalisa ugqatso. “Masiqiniseke ngemithetho,” watsho. “Siza kubaleka siye ezantsi emasimini, size siphinde sibuyele kweli sango, akunjalo?”
“Ewe kunjalo,” watsho uMvundla. Emva koko wakhwaza wathi, “Lungani! Phakamani!
Balekani! waza wabaleka kangangoko unakho.
Ngethuba usondela emazantsi emasimini, wawuphelile yintsini. “UNcanda inokuba kungona usazama ukuqala ukubaleka ngoku. Owu, lunwabu ke khona.”
Khawufane ucinge ukuba wamangaliseka kangakanani uMvundla xa uNcanda esithi gqi echulumancile ezantsi emasimini aze athi, “Ndifi ke kuqala kunawe!”
UMvundla wema okomzuzwana. Emva koko wathi guququ wabaleka ubuyela esangweni ngesona santya siphezulu ungazange wabaleka ngaso ngaphambili. UMvundla wawungafane ukhefuzele, uphefumlele phezulu, kodwa ngaloo mini wawukhefuzela, uphefumlela phezulu ubilile uthe xhopho ngexesha owafi ka ngalo esangweni. Wabheka ngasemva. Kwakungekho phawu lweNcanda. Ngeli xesha, wawuqinisekile ukuba
uphumelele. Kanye ngelo xesha kwavakala ilizwi elonwabileyo kwelinye icala lesango.
“Kwakhona, ndifi ke kuqala kunawe!” Yayingenakwenzeka loo nto! Kodwa ngenene nankuya uNcanda, emncumele kamnandi uMvundla.
UMvundla wawungawakholelwa amehlo wawo. UNcanda wayemshiyile elugqatsweni.
Waguquka wemka ucothoza, ukugoduka ujingisa intloko yawo, uthe nyoxo ludano.
Kodwa ingaba wakwazi njani uNcanda ukushiya uMvundla? Inyaniso kukuba zange abaleke kwa-ukubaleka. Wathi nje ukuba uMvundla usuke emgceni usinge ezantsi emasimini, uNcanda wazimela ngasesangweni.

Umkhuluwa wakhe wayesele ezimele kade ezantsi emasimini. Xa uMvundla ufi ka ezantsi emasimini, yayingumkhuluwa kaNcanda owathi gqi wathi “Ndifi ke kuqala kunawe!” UMvundla wawothuke kakhulu kangangokuba zange uqaphele nokuqaphela ukuba yayiyincanda yimbi leyo yayisitsho. Xa uMvundla wawufi ka
entanjeni, ukhefuzela uphefumlela phezulu kwaye ubilile, konke ekwakufuneka uNcanda akwenze yayikukuphuma ngokuzolileyo kwindawo azimele kuyo athi, “Kwakhona, ndifi ke kuqala kunawe!”
UMvundla zange uphinde uqhayise kwakhona – ingakumbi uqhayisele uNcanda. Waba ngumhlobo ongcono kakhulu. Zange uphinde umbize ngamagama amabi uNcanda kwakhona. Kwaye zange uyibhaqe indlela uNcanda awamshiya ngayo ukuze aluphumelele ugqatso.

“Heyi, Thembela!” wakhwaza uMama. “Kuvuthuza umoya ombi phandle. Ngena endlwini okanye uza kungenwa yingqele.”
Kodwa uThembela akakuphulaphulanga oko kuba wayonwabe kakhulu. Iinwele zakhe ziyaphaphazela zinyuke ziye phezulu, zize zithi gqume phezu kweendlebe zakhe. Ilokhwe yakhe yayingathi yikayiti, kwaye uThembela wayeqinisekile ukuba xa ebefuna, ebenokukwazi ukubhabha – abhabhe aye phezulu esibhakabhakeni.
“Umoya uphephezela kamnandi Mama,” uhleke watsho. “Andifuni kungena ngaphakathi.”

“Kunyazelekile ungene Thembela,” uphendule uMama. “Akulunganga ukuba ube
phandle – kuyingozi kakhulu apho.”
UThembela uphakamisa iingalo zakhe azelule emacaleni, aze amana ezinyusa ezithoba okwentaka ebhabhayo. “Kulungile ke, kulungile,” utsho encumile. “Ndiza kungena endlwini.”
Wanele nje ukuba atsho, watsiba. Wanqumla iyadi kwaye eziva ngathi uyabhabha.
Umoya wamgubungela waza wamthwala wambuyisela kuMama, othe wavala ucango esakungena.
“Shu, Thembela! Awudinwanga kokwakubhabha kungakaya ubukwenza? Kutheni ungangeni ebhafi ni uhlambe ngamanzi ashushu uze emva koko uye ngqo ebhedini yakho nje?”
Xa uMama esiza kombathisa uThembela uthe, “Hayi, Thembela, inokuba nguwe kuphela umntu othanda umoya apha ehlabathini.” Phambi kokuba uMama ahambe, uThembela ucele ukuba avule umdiyadiya ukuze abone amafu ehamba, abone nemithi ishukuma kancinane apha naphaya. Uphuze uMama wakhe walala yoyi.
Ngaloo mpelaveki, uMama kwakufuneka aye edolophini, ngoko ke uMakazi uIda kwakufuneka aze kuhlala naye.
“Owu Nkosi yam,” utshilo uMakazi uIda enesingqala, “ndive ezindabeni ukuba kuza kubakho isiphango!”
Amafu afi ngiza esibhakabhakeni imini yonke, kwade kwamnyama ngathi kusebusuku. Emva koko kwaqalisa ukunetha. UThembela akazange akukholelwe oko akubonayo. Kwakusina ngohlobo angazange alubone, kwaze ngokukhawuleza kwakho amadama kuyo yonke indawo. Kodwa uThembela uncumile. Unxibe
isikhwehle sakhe kunye neegambutsi zakhe waze waphuma phandle.

“Hayi, Thembela!” wakhwaza uMakazi u-Ida. “Ngena ngaphakathi ngoku!”
Kodwa uThembela akazange aphulaphule kuba wayonwabe kakhulu. Wayehleka xa umoya umpompa uzalise isikhwehle sakhe kunye nomnqwazi wakhe, ibe ngathi yibhaloni enkulu. “Ukuba ndinokwenyusa iingalo zam,” ugigitheka atsho, “ndingabhabha!”
Kanye ngelo xesha uMakazi uIda uphume ebaleka enxibe igawuni yakhe epinki, waze wamthi hlasi uThembela
wamfunqula, wamngenisa endlwini.
“Akakho umntu owuthandayo umoya,” utshilo uMakazi uIda.
“Uvuthuza ngamandla, uyabanda kwaye awutsho kamnandi nje
kwaphela.”
Wathi xa uMakazi uIda ezokumombathisa, uThembela
wacela ukuba kuvulwe umdiyadiya ukuze akwazi ukubona imithi
ishukuma namafu ehamba. Kodwa uMakazi uIda uthe, “Hayi! Nakanye, ayisoze yehle ke leyo tu!” Wawuvala
umdiyadiya. “Ngoku masithembe ukuba le ndlu ayisayi kukhukuliswa yile mvula,” watsho uMakazi uIda ehlasimla.
UThembela weva izithonga zeendudumo nokunetha kwemvula phezu kwendlu.
Umoya ngoku wawuvakala uvuthuza kwiindonga zendlu. Wawunkqonkqoza emnyango ushukumisa neefestile. Wawungxola ungena ngetshimini, usoyikisa uMakazi u-Ida, kangangokuba wazimela emva kwesofa. Uphahla lwakrekreza aze amaplanga omgangatho nawo atshixiza, nemithi yatsho ngenzwinini yomlozi
onezothe.
UMakazi uIda wakhala, “Owu Nkosi, siza kuphaphatheka sonke!” Kodwa uThembela wayengoyiki. Waxhuma ebhedini wabaleka wehla ngamanqwanqwa.
Ngokukhawuleza wanxiba iigambutsi zakhe wathatha nesambreli sakhe. Emva koko waphuma ngobukroti waya phandle. Umoya wawuvuthuza uvela macala onke kwaye nemvula isina neendudumo zigqekreza esibhakabhakeni.
“Ndim, Moya,” watsho uThembela. “Kutheni unomsindo kangaka? Ingaba ucinga ukuba akukho mntu ukuthandayo? Yithi uyadlala. Nokuba uyangxola kwaye uyabanda, kodwa uyonwabisa kakhulu – kwaye ndiyakuthanda. NDIYAKUTHANDA MOYA!”

Sebenzisa ubugcisa bakho!
Ngephanyazo, zayeka iindudumo aze amafu amnyama emka. Kwakamsinyane nemvula yanika isiqabu. Akujonga phezulu uThembela, wabona isibhakabhaka sityhilile. Inyanga yayiphelele kwaye zonke iinkwenkwezi zimenyezela. Ngoku umoya
wawuphephezela kamnandi kuye, unyusa isambreli sakhe umphuza kancinane nangothando ezidleleni zakhe.
“Enkosi, Moya,” utshilo uThembela. “Enkosi ngokuyidudula imvula.”
Emva koko uThembela waguquka wangena endlwini. Wancedisa uMakazi uIda ukuba aphakame emva kwesofa waze wamenzela ikomityi yeti eshushu.
“Owu Nkosi,” utshilo uMakazi u-Ida, “Andiwuthandi kwaphela umoya.” Kodwa yena uThembela wasuka wancuma.

Kwakusina, idyudyuza nyhani, kwaye u-Amina yena wayekruqukile kwaye enesithukuthezi. Kwakungekho namnye kubahlobo bakhe owayekwazi ukuza kudlala naye kwaye bonke abantu apha endlwini babexakeke zezabo! Bonke abantu babehlala bexakekile! Kwakungemnandanga tu ukuba ngoyena mntu mncinane.
U-Amina wayengqengqe ebhedini yakhe. Wenza unonkqo ngentloko yakhe.
Wasa wanxiba iwigi yakhe, wadanisa. U-Amina wajikeleza ezibhijabhija.
Wabaleka etyhuthuzela. Etyityimba, ezidlikidla. Emva koko wazijula ebhedini yakhe. Akukho nto yancedayo. Wayesakruqukile kwaye esenesithukuthezi.
Ngoko ke, u-Amina wakhupha izinto zakhe zokudlala. Uninzi lwazo yayizizinto awayezishiyelwe naziphiwe ngoodade wabo abadala, nditsho nebhokisi le yokugcina izinto nayo wayeyiphiwe. Wabeka u-Eli, uDassie, uRabbit noMouse ebhedini yakhe. Babeza kuba nethekwana lokuphunga iti xa athe wayifumana itipoti.
Wakhangela ebhokisini kwakhona waze wafumana uYin’a le ngelo thuba. Wayelele elityelwe emazantsi engobozi yomthungo, ezantsi ebhokisini yezinto zokudlala.
U-Amina wamguqula uYin’a le ukuze abone ubuso bakhe, kodwa wayengenabo.

Usizana olulityelweyo olunguYin’a le! Wayemile bungqukuva-buskweri, kodwa wayengenabuso nazingalo okanye imilenze okanye amaphiko okanye umsila, esisibhukubhuku nje.
U-Amina wamhlalisa phezu kwebhedi uYin’a le phakathi kuka-Eli noDassie, baze bajongana noRabbit noMouse. Wayifumana itipoti waze wankinkisha iti, baphunga. U-Eli, uDassie, uRabbit kunye noMouse baphunga bagqiba ngokukhawuleza, ngokunjalo kwano-Amina. Kodwa zange akwazi yena uYin’a le. Phufu, wayeza kukwazi njani ukwenza oko engenamlomo nje!
Ngoko ke, u-Amina wathatha uYin’a le kunye nengobozi yomthungo waya kukhangela umakhulu wakhe.
“Yintoni leyo?” kubuza umakhulu wakhe.
“NguYin’a le,” watsho u-Amina. “UYin’a le ufuna umlomo.”
“Kulungile ke,” watsho umakhulu ka-Amina, “kodwa kufuneka sikhawulezise,
kuba ndixakeke kakhulu kwaye ininzi into ekufuneka ndiyenzile.”
Umakhulu ka-Amina wamnceda wathungela umlomo kaYin’a le; umlomo omhle ononcumo.
“Kwaye uYin’a le ufuna impumlo,” watsho u-Amina. Kodwa umakhulu wakhe wayengasammamelanga tu.
U-Amina wakhangela udade wabo ophakathi, uFozia.
“Yintoni leyo?” kubuza uFozia
“NguYin’a le,” kutsho u-Amina. “UYin’a le udinga impumlo.”
“Kulungile,” kutsho uFozia, “kodwa kufuneka sikhawulezise, kuba ndixakeke kakhulu kwaye kuninzi ekusafuneka ndikwenzile.” UFozia wanceda u-Amina bathungela uYin’a le impumlo, impumlo encinane ephequkileyo.
“Kunye namehlo,” watsho u-Amina. Kodwa uFozia wayesele
engasammamelanga. Ngoko ke, u-Amina waya kukhangela udade wabo omdala, uShireen.
Endleleni eya kuye, u-Amina wabonwa ngutata wakhe.

“Yintoni leyo?” wabuza utata wakhe.
“NguYin’a le,” watsho u-Amina, “UYin’a le udinga amehlo.”
“Akhona endinawo, watsho utata wakhe, “kodwa kufuneka sikhawuleze, kuninzi ekusafuneka ndikwenzile.”
U-Amina kunye noTata wakhe bathungela uYin’a le amehlo – amehlo amabini amenyezelayo angamaqhosha
“Kunye nomsila,” watsho u-Amina.
“Hayi ke, andikwazi kukunceda ngaleyo,” watsho uTata wakhe.
Ngoko ke, u-Amina waya kukhangela udade wabo omdala, uShireen.
“Owu, Nkosi yam,” watsho uShireen, “Uyifumene phi loo nto?” U-Amina uye wamxelela. “Wowu!” watsho uShireen, “Ndandiyenzela wena ndiza kukunika yona ukuzalwa kwakho, kodwa yalahleka phambi kokuba ndiyigqibe.”
U-Amina wanika uShireen uYin’a le. “Owu, Nkosi yam,” watsho uShireen, “ayisentle ngako. Inalo igama?”

“NguYin’a le,” watsho u-Amina, “kwaye uYin’a le udinga umsila.”
Bathe ke, u-Amina noShireen benzela uYin’a le umsila – umsila onoboya otshikizayo! Emva koko u-Amina noShireen bajonga uYin’a le waze yena wabancumela!
“Kunganjani ngesihluthu seenwele zewulu eziphothiweyo entloko?” wabuza uShireen, “kunye neendletyana ezitsolo? Kodwa ke kufuneka uhambe apha kuba ndisaxakekile kwaye ndisenezinto zam ekufuneka ndizenzile.”
U-Amina wathatha uYin’a le waya naye egumbini lakhe waze wamhlalisa phakathi kuka-Eli noDassie bangqamana noRabbit noMouse. Emva koko uye wenza enye itipoti yeti.
U-Amina waphunga ikomityi yanye ngokunjalo no-Eli, noDassie, noRabbit kunye noMouse, kodwa uYin’a le yena waphunga iikomityi ezintathu kuba wayenxanwe kakhulu. Kaloku, kwakukudala kakhulu eyilindile kwaye eyibawela iti!