Grade 10, Rena le Lona Creative Centre
In Soweto, in Johannesburg, lived a dark-skinned girl named Oyintando. She lived with her entire family except her dad, because he had passed away. Life was a bit tough. Oyintando’s mom was not employed and the situation at home was tough because they only had two breadwinners who were the two uncles. One of the uncles was disabled, and the other one was an accountant.
Their life was ordinary, but there were some ups and downs. Sometimes the uncle that was working couldn’t help with providing for them, because he also had a family of his own to provide for. The other uncle who was disabled had a grant that came only once a month, and it wasn’t much because most of it had to cover his hospital bills. Oyintando had this very rich aunt, and the aunt hated Oyintando with all her heart because she was dark-skinned and their whole family was light-skinned. To the aunt, Oyintando was cursed with dark skin.
One day the crippled uncle magically healed. All of the family members were shocked, but the grant money would stop and they were all devastated, but very happy that the uncle had healed. Months had passed since the uncle magically healed and the family got terrible news, the working uncle was fired at work because he was framed by one his colleagues for stealing money, which of course he didn’t. The family began to think they were cursed because the uncle who was unemployed was now divorced by his wife who took their child away as well. The unemployed uncle had no source of income and his house was being repossessed, so he had no choice but to move in to his family house which was already packed with family members.
One day Oyintando’s mom suggested that they should go to the rich aunt and ask her for some money, but the uncles refused and there was an argument in the house. Then Oyintando’s mom turned to Oyintando and shouted at her, saying that she was the cause of all her sufferings and their life being miserable. The uncle who was disabled pulled Oyintando’s mother and slapped her right through the face and said, “The child has a gift from God and is not the cause of this situation.” It was the rich aunt’s decision to leave them poor. Oyintando’s mom was furious and she left the house.
Later that night, as they were eating dinner, Oyintando suggested that they should go to the street and ask for donations from people. Oyintando’s mom had too much pride and refused, saying it was nonsense. She stormed out of the dining table, leaving Oyintando hurt. However, her uncles quickly comforted her, praising the idea as brilliant.
The next day they all woke up and went to town and asked for donations, and Oyintando’s mom was left alone at home because of her stupid pride. Later that day they returned home and they found Oyintando’s mom sitting and waiting for them in the dark. She said, “Wow, you really took this brat’s idea and went to the streets and begged for money. What an embarrassment!” She had them wondering what was wrong with her because she was a beautiful lady, but she was starting to be like the rich aunt.
The next morning Oyi’s mom left very early and that was very unusual for her. She actually went to the rich aunt house to ask for money, but the rich aunt’s response shocked her. The rich aunt said she should abandon her daughter. Oyintando’s mom was shocked. Oyintando’s aunt said she despised her daughter Oyintando. The mother ran out of her sister’s house and ran home until she got to her bedroom and cried all night. Her brothers and Oyintando were very worried.
The next day Oyintando’s mom made breakfast for everyone. At the breakfast table she apologised and told them what happened and begged for forgiveness. The family was shocked but they understood and forgave her and they said, “Everything is in the past, let’s focus on the future and unite as a family because we need each other more than ever now.”