Hlelolwenkosi POV
" Sithi halala
(sithi hawu )
Halala hee
(halalaa)
Sithi yeyy
(sithi yeyy halala )
Aningibongiseni
(sithi hawu )
Sekuzekwahlangana
(halala )
Animbongiseni
(sithi hawu..... )" The maidens sang
At first I was not comfortable with the thought of walking around with my breasts out and my butt line out but when I saw how comfortable the other maidens were and how confident they were, I knew that I was honestly making a mountain out of a mole hill.
My bridesmaids ( izimpelesi) were wearing blue skirts and white, blue and lime green traditional beads while I was wearing a white velvet skirt with white traditional beads from my head to my toes mind you our skirts were only 2 cm long. We were told to sing from the river till we arrive esgcawini and wow the maidens knew how to sing and it was like the closer we got home the louder they sang.
Everyone in the village was outside looking at us as we were singing and dancing and that honestly boosted my confidence. When we got home , we sang at the gate while waiting for my uncle to come. It really didn't take long for him to arrive but when he eventually did arrive, my bridesmaids ( izimpelesi )and I went inside the yard leaving the other maidens but they had to remain outside while I went inside emsamo with my uncle and grandmother. My uncle is literally the head of the house so he is the one responsible for the appeasing to the ancestors and being in charge of the ceremonies.
" Sibiza nina bo Nyambose, bo Dingiswayo, o Magaga ansibansiba , Donga Dilika , Inyokane hlazana, umabonwa' bulawe, Mfolozi emnyama inketha bawelin, nabawelayo bayayiqokelela , Nina bakahlamba kangicelani ngoba angiceli lutho lwamuntu , Gondongwane umalala nomnwe engquza ,Sqim ,
Wena olugagayi luhlabi ngaphi ngoba phela luhlaba ngale Thulisa kuyozwakala Nkonyane yenkosi , Hlangalezwe ,Nina bakaXaba kaMadangu kaNkomo enenekazi izothandana nayiphi na , izothandana neyakithi oyengweni kubaze Jobe kaZikhali , Mageza ngobisi lwenhlu abanye begeza ngamanzi ,Amabe enkosi , Nzimezimnyama , Nina baka Geza kaJakada Maphoswa kubaze ,Nina basezansi Sihlabathi solwandle Mazila Mbolwane , Ndabezitha! Siletha nayi ingane yenu uHlelolwenkosi. Siyabonga ngokuyikhusela ingane yenu. Sizakini namhlanje ngenkulu intokozo , uHlelolwenkosi usekhulile , useyintombi maka qhubeke aziphathe kahle, azihloniphe , futhi azithande. Simucelela ikusasa eliqhakazayo ne Nhlakanipho. " My uncle said
My uncle said a lot but what amazed me was the part where he said our clan names, like wow he said them all with no stuttering not that he is someone who stutters when speaking but it was my first time hearing him reciting our clan names and I must say that I am actually proud of him.
" Malume please don't tell me ukuthi lesosphandla esami ? " I said
I know that I am asking a rhetorical question but I really can't wear two goat skins already the one that I have smells.
" Hai wena anginaso isikhathi sokudlala letha isandla. "
I gave him my right hand.
" Hlelolwenkosi yini usudakiwe ?" He said
" Malume what do you mean ?"
" Did your father pay the damages? " He said
" Ncaa Malume "
" Pho kungani ungipha isandla esikaboyihlo?"
" Ngiyaxolisa Malume I really didn't know. " I said
" Nx niya dina bo Hlelo " he said
Yoh never say you know a person you know my uncle is someone who is always bubbly even when there he is not okay with something, he address it in a respectful manner but today Yoh but I guess there is a first time for everything. I can't wait to see my people especially Sihle even though I am a bit angry at them but I am prepared to let it all pass.
I was smeared with inyongo on my legs , hands, and my forehead. I was also supposed to taste it and damn that thing is so bitter, I can still taste it in my mouth. I was then given the lecture of not dating and blah blah blah, you guys know it. By the time to they were done I went outside to meet my bridesmaids (izimpelesi) and proceeded to esgcawini.
I was not aware that I have to dance esgcawini alone and not only dance but also start my own song. Apparently because everyone came because of me , I have to show them that I know what I am doing.
" Ngiyabonga bazali bam
( ngiyabonga bazali)
Whee mama no gogo
( Ukhulise kanzima)
Ngoba nikhulisile
( Khona manje sengiyayibona )
Sengiyayibona..
(sengiyayibona impumelelo )" I sang
The song means a lot to me especially after everything that I have been through. The song made sense to me since it is a song in which a child like me sings to show gratitude to her parents and that's exactly why I chose the song.
Three hours later
Finally I can eat. I had a long day but it was all worth it considering the money that I received from everyone especially my mom and grandmother. I have not yet counted it but I am sure that the money is close to a five thousand rands.
" Ntombazane ,I am so proud of you. " Ms Nyawo said
" Thanks a lot for coming at least out of everyone from Johannesburg you came. " I said
" Kanti didn't your friend come?"Â She said
" Nope as you can see you are the only one that came but it doesn't matter. " I said
" Don't worry child but ke I just came to inform you that I am on my way back to Jozi. " She said
" Oh okay safe travels ,it's just that I am very tired I just want to sleep kodwa from now I am rich. "
" ( Laughing) Hai ke sisi orich bye" She said
" Bye" I said
My so called husband to be didn't come. I saw no one with the sign which means that the ancestors agreed to my suggestion and I am glad they did but my friend Busisiwe didn't come as well as Siphosihle and her brother and neither of them informed me , so much for being friends. After ms Nyawo left, I decided to go to my grandma's room / my room and as I was on my way to the house, I was disturbed by a boy that looked very young.
" Sawbona sisi I have been sent to give you this. " He said
" Hi boy who sent you?" I asked
" Sisi I was told not to say anything. " He said and left
The boy gave me an envelope and on the envelope it was written from NkosiyaboZulu. I really didn't know what was inside but was very curious to find out. I went straight to room and took a shower. Well that shower was exactly what I needed especially after the day I had. Honestly speaking I am really hurt , I won't lie because none of my friends made it or bothered to inform me in time.
My heart felt really heavy but I thought it was because I didn't open the envelope in front of my eyes but I was wrong.
From Nkosiyabo Zulu
Happy sweet sixteen Hlelo hope you enjoyed your day. I am honestly really sorry for not coming to your celebration and honestly speaking It was on purpose. Hlelolwenkosi I am now a prince soon to be king which makes uSihle a princess. I can't afford to around people of your caliber.
I would really appreciate it if you could leave us in peace in fact I have never liked you. I was just pretending for the sake of my sister like who would like a fat bookworm like yourself. I am always wondering who will ever marry you that person would be very cursed.
If I ever hear anything about you looking for my sister I am going to make sure that you suffer in the most painfullest way.
Enjoy your miserable life fat bookworm.
End of the letter
I can't believe my eyes, I can't believe it. I was made a fool. I feel so humiliated after all the work I did to gain my confidence. This letter broke me into pieces and I will never ever forgive him.