Once Upon a Time in Soweto Now part of Johannesburg, Soweto was one of the new towns established for black Africans who had been forcibly evicted from the main city of Johannesburg. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships. Soweto was one of the towns that fiercely resisted the apartheid regime in South Africa. Wendy was just the right age of going to school, but her parents thought delaying her another year could save them two troubles. First, it would allow Mama Rita to keep her new job. Second, the little money for her school fees could be used to help pay their cottage rent. Wendy had been her mother’s babysitter for one whole year. She had been taking care of her younger brother, Bill, ever since she turned five. But now the home employed little girl felt an urgent need to go to school. She did not care about leaving her job. After all, she was never paid a penny. Worse was the fact that, she was beginning to lose face at Sunday school. Even though she was naturally clever and smart, her inability to read simple Bible verses was beginning to prejudice her against the other kids who would sing and tease: Poor Wendy, Bill’ sister The miserable babysitter Home alone nursing all day A miserable terrible baby Wendy knew she had to go to school no matter what. At some personal sacrifice, she had stayed home a whole year to take care of her brother, but now she sensed she couldn’t continue doing herself any more injustice. But she had not forgotten about the situation of her mother as well as of her dad. She was a sensible and a thoughtful child who knew she shouldn’t wish to live like other kids in Soweto, for her mom had no money and her dad had been imprisoned by the apartheid government because he was opposed to their racial policies and had openly supported Mr. Mandela, a man they feared more. Wendy had other problems besides staying at home. One of her peers who had turned a traitor was her namesake: Wendy—also called Chaka. It was to distinguish Wendy from Wendy Chaka that the children composers sang: “Poor Wendy, Bill’s sister.” Wendy’s mom came back from work to find her little industrious girl with sad face. “Is anything wrong, my sweetheart?” Mama Rita asked getting very anxious. “Everything is wrong,” replied Wendy. “Mom I’ll be seven in March and haven’t seen a classroom yet. I can’t read like my peers and everyone at Sunday school now thinks I’m dumb.” “No!!! Not at all dear, you’re not dumb. In fact, you’re the brightest and the smartest kid in the whole of Soweto. Everyone knows that for sure. Forgive your friends. They never really understand what is going on. Once you get started at school, you’ll outshine them all.” Mama Rita confidently said balancing Wendy’s sorrow with some joy and hope. Mama Rita left very early to work the next morning and Wendy with all her resentments had to take good care of her brother. Soon, it was evening and Bill, after eating began to cry. Wendy looked sternly into his eyes to warn him not to; and instantly, they reminded her of their father, Mr. Biko, who was now in a top security prison in Robben Island where he had no family or a friend— except God and time. Wendy looked gracefully at those beautiful black and white eyes set below the big and bushy eyebrows. She felt truly happy for the first time in many weeks and right away composed Bill a lullaby off head: Little Bill will never weep Unless he is off to sleep He will sleep and snore and dream He will sleep sound and well Till mom returns from the stream And press the switch of the bell By the time Wendy repeated the song, Bill was already snoring. Wendy opened the bedroom window for fresh air. And as she gazed at the world outside, she knew that things may not change for the next few days, weeks, and perhaps months or years. But she believed that someway somehow, freedom would come and things would get better some day. 2012 Write International*joe adu-gyamfi* all rights reserved facebook/writeinternational
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:04:44 +0000
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