Grade 10, Basa Combined School
Nandipha stumbles into the bathroom, carrying the bucket filled with hot water for her daughter, Xoli’s bath. She pours the water into the bathtub and as the steam fills the small bathroom, she grabs the 250ml bottle of Dettol and pours it in the water.
“Mama, you’ve been humming that song for the past week. Could you please sing any other song from her album?” Nandipha has been singing Lira’s, “Feel Good,” since she heard it on the radio last Monday, on her way to work.
“What can I say, Darling? The song gives me hope.” Nandipha and Xoli perform their usual morning routine.
As soon as they are out of the RDP house they call their home, Nandipha remembers something that may be life-changing for her daughter. They cross the busy street and start walking.
“Darling, I am considering something, but honestly, I don’t want to get our hopes up. I’m sure you’ve heard of the scholarship Corinthians Academy has launched for girls like you.” Corinthians Academy is a very prestigious school in this part of the world. It has top-notch facilities that cater to all types of students; a high pass rate which of course was a pull factor for Nandipha and a teaching style that she just knows Xoli would adapt to and enjoy.
“Mama, you don’t have to stress yourself out. I heard the advert on the way back from school. It does not cover the uniform or the stationery and knowing our situation, money would be tighter than it already is. Let’s just leave it alone. See you later, Mama.” Nandipha walks to the taxi rank and gets in the taxi going to Germiston. She has a boss to beg.
She arrives at the gate and presses the button on the intercom so she can be let in. After pressing the button, Martin opens the gate. “Ah, my Mango Juice. Give me a chance and let Xoli have a chance to have a father figure,” Martin says while attempting to look attractive. Martin is Congolese and has three wives and seven kids. This wasn’t the only thing that annoyed Nandipha about him — it was his arrogance; it was because she had never heard him talk about his family; it was because he reminded her of the man who impregnated her and did not care to answer her calls after she broke the news to him.
“Martin, in the politest manner, don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. You should worry about the family you left behind. Have a good day.” She walks to the house and meets Esther Van Wyk, her boss. She has a love-hate relationship with her boss. She loves how Esther is unlike the other white people she has met and has a humble nature; she hates how Esther is not aware of all the luxury she is engulfed in. Nandipha spends her working hours cleaning and managing the flow of a household that isn’t her own. She prepares the meals for a man she isn’t married to; she washes and irons designer clothes that she could only wish were her own.
“Ah, Nandi, you’re here. I think you should apply for the Corinthians Academy scholarship. Xoli deserves this.”
“Sis’ Esther, I was about to talk to you about that.” Nandipha grabs her broom and starts sweeping. She can’t look into Esther’s eyes as she asks her boss for a favour that would cost her four months’ worth of her salary. Her dignity is hanging on a thread. “Sis’ Esther, I don’t want Xoli to feel as if she must let an opportunity like this go because of who her mother is. I want her to have a chance at a better life — a life I can only admire from afar. So as a mother, I am asking for money to buy my child a sense of purpose in this world.” Esther dabs her now tear-stained cheeks. She holds Nandipha’s hands and simply nods.
After thirty minutes of a silent drive, Nandipha and Esther arrive at the Academy. Nandipha gives the receptionist her cell number after filling out the application form. That night, Nandipha can’t get a wink of sleep. At 06h30 her phone rings, which is odd as it is her day off.
“Ms Makubela. Hello?”
“Yes, Ma’am. This is the receptionist from Corinthians Academy. We’re calling to let you know that your daughter has been accepted into the Academy. She may start attending on Monday. Congratulations, Ma’am. ”Nandipha is lost for words. “Darling… you got in.”
It is now Monday and Esther and Nandipha watch as Xoli walks through the gates of the school, wearing the navy-blue blazer, cream-white tunic and shoes Esther added as a bonus while they were at the shop.
“Thank you, Sis’ Esther. Thank you,” she says as she sobs.