Zilisweenene-Ingxubevange-Simujinga

ZILISWEENENE IN GXUBEVANGE SIMUJINGA ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS AND SHORT STORIES IN TONGA-NDEBELE-NAMBYA

INGWALADI PUBLISHERS BULAWAYO

ZILISWEENENE IN GXUBEVANGE SIMUJINGA ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS AND SHORT STORIES IN TONGA-NDEBELE-NAMBYA

Editors M. MOYO M H. HADEBE A M. PHIRI A. MUDENDA

INGWALADI PUBLISHERS BULAWAYO

Ingwaladi Publishers (Pvt) LTD Bulawayo

First published, 2019 Š Ingwaladi

Publishers

ISBN 978-1-77906-230-7 Typeset Times New Roman 18/12 Cover Design and typesetting By

Ingwaladi Publishers All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, recording, photocopying or otherwise without prior permission from the publisher.

Ingwaladi Publishers Bulawayo

ZWILOMUMWA Unkumi /Unkwali Sikweema/Mulembi Imbongi /Umlobi

Ikumo/Inyaya Tupeto Inkondlo/indatshana

Igwepele Ipeji Ikhasi

Victoria Maitaishe Mudyanembwa Zumbuja Iluba Lyangu Koga Ini? Ibhamba Igulwana Umbhaunuli Wedu Lunyalalo Lyamangwana Ungaliziba?

1 29 44 46 88 121 150

Justice Mugande Kwaacha Buumi Ndweendo We Sizwe Sami Ntandane Bukande

2 34 60 65 151

Purpose Mumpande Bengithi Ngithol’ Uthando Kalikho!

Imibuzo Lanamhla Ngisakuthanda Thando Wangenza Babakazi Ndakabisyayi,Ndakajeyani?

Ukungazi Kufana Lokufa Impande ZikaMthwakazi

8 23 54 87 70 104 120 136 3

Nobukhosi Ncube Yimpilo Uthandiwe

9 30

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Philani Lunga Unsichana Umbhodo Bukukutu Ithekinoloji Kusoziba Kunokwendelana Nokufa Lyamangwana Aungalizibe?

Banyai

4 26 76 96 114 156

Lizom Fanwell Ncube Dadewethu Ukudla Kwethu Umthetho Mnewethu Mgqibelo!

Indlala Mpucuko Ngek’ Ifan’ Imicabango Uthando

12 24 32 42 71 73 78 118 142

Darlington Ndlovu Zwitapato Zwenyika Dada Mandala Kulya Ulichini Kulobolwa Pezhulu Pedunhu Kumatongo Mijimu Mukani

10 52 72 102 116 144 152

Lindani Audrey Mpinami Kubhatana Ishango Yapalala Atinyamukeni!

Lufu

7 36 61 92

Mthukozisi Moyo Guga Sithebe Nkabi Kababa Kafranti Ingozi Thutshu

14 31 80

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Lithi Sizalenzani!

Ikhaya Lami Ngavele Ngabona

91 113 146

Aleck ‘Nchite’ Munkuli Bachitola: Ndimubotu Echikumba Changu 20 Asibonanga Ngasolinye 38 Awumwi Muyiisi Alangane Aakillasi Yakwe56 Mulandi Weta Muntu Muumi 62 Beng’anda Niini 94 Nkunkumina YaBinga 100 Ndiswiliila Mujwaangu 110 Twakabomba Twakatandabala 126 Akaaka Kapeto Ndazumina 160 Methembe H. Hadebe Lathi Singabantu Isikhukhukazi Indlebe Ilahle Ngenjani Lempi?

Ngiluncelile!

22 20 40 45 74 158

Benedict Ayibongwe Ncube Ngididekile Kutheni Kunje?

Umuzi Umhlaba Lo! Dumiso Dabengwa

41 50 109 99 155

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Preface The publication of this anthology coincided with the United Nations declaration of 2019 as Year of Indigenous Languages, an indication of the concern about the rapid loss of ‘endangered languages’. It also comes soon after the introduction of the New Curriculum framework for Primary and secondary schools which emphasises use of indigenous languages in line with provisions of the Zimbabwe Constitution of 2013. However, what is unique and significant about this anthology it’s not that it coincides with anything, but that it is Zilisweenene “They are mixed” (Tonga), Ingxubevange “mixed bag” (Ndebele) and Simujinga “Rainbow” (Nambya). It is not so often that you hear echoes of the Tonga, Ndebele and Nambya ricocheting on the walls of your mind at the same time. The book reminds me of a popular farming practice in Africa called mixed cropping or polyculture in which crops interdigitate so that they grow together and benefit each other in many ways.

Not only do we have poems in Nambya, Tonga and Ndebele published together as one anthology thereby achieving unity in diversity, we also have poems and short stories under the same cover, so that it is not a poetry or short story anthology.

It is a book. It is a book with a shared heritage - where beliefs, customs, fears, hopes, dreams – come to share the same space and tolerate each other. One core value of the authors of this project is respect for linguistic diversity which begins the process of building bridges to trust, mutual tolerance and acceptance, respect and understanding across cultures. If it will eventually become policy that every child in a Zimbabwean school must learn another indigenous language in addition to his own, then reading materials are being produced well in advance.

Willie L Chigidi Professor of Literature 

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(Midlands State University)

Bakwali-Abalobi-Balembi UMthokozisi Moyo uzalwa esiqintini seLupane, eDandanda lapho aqala khona ukufunda eDandanda anduba ayeqhuba izifundo zesekhondari eLuveve High School lakwezinye izikolo zakoBulawayo. Wafundela ububalisi ekolitshini lababalisi eHillside Teachers’ College. Wabuye waqhuba izifundo zeBA eLupane State University kwathi komnyaka ka2014 wagqiba izifundo zeMA in African Languages and Culture eMidlands State University. Ukewabangumbalisi ezikolo ezibalisela iPhumelela, iTennyson Hlabangana leMarist Brothers eDete. Ukewafundisa okwesikhatshana lasemaYunivesithi abalisela phakathi iLupane State University leZimbabwe Open University. Ngesikhathi kukhutshwa lolugwalo uyi-Language Research Assistant eMidlands State University Language Institute.

UMethembe Hillary Hadebe udabuka eTsholotsho, koNgqoya, koMagama. Uzelwe ngo-1991. Ufunde eChinotimba Primary School eVictoria Falls. Uphutshe inyathelo lezifundo zePrimary eMgoqo Primary School, elokitshini leNkulumane. Waqhubekela phambili ngezifundo zakhe zebanga le O’level eMarist Brothers High School, eDete. Esuka lapho-ke wayafunda ibanga le A’level e-Inyathi High School, eBubi. Uqede izifundo zakhe zeBA Honours in History labe Midlands State University (MSU), eNkabazwe kweleGweru.

UPurpose Mumpande udabuka eGwangwaliba, wazalwa ngo1998 eVictoria Falls. Wafunda ezikolo iChinotimba Primary leBoaba Primary anduba ayeqhuba izifundo zesekhondari eMarist Brothers eDete lapho egqibe khona izifundo ze-Advanced Level ngo2016.

Ngesikhathi kukhutshwa lolugwalo ubeqhuba izifundo zeBA Applied Language Studies eLupane State University.

UNobukhosi Ncube wazalelwa koBulawayo ngo1997. waqala ukufunda eManyewu anduba ayefunda eLutsha v

kweleNkayi. Ufunde kwezinye izikolo zeNkayi iZwelabo leGuwe High lapho aphotule khona izfundo zeAdvance Level ngomnyaka ka2015. Ngesikhathi kukhutshwa lolugwalo ubeqhuba izifundo zeBA Applied Language Studies eLupane State University.

ULizom Fanwell Ncube wazalwa ngomnyaka ka1998 eNkayi. Wafunda ezikolo zeMateme primary le Mateme Secondary anduba ayekwenza izifundo zeAdvanced Level eSetshanke esiqintini seNkayi. Ngesikhathi kukhutshwa lolugwalo ubeqhuba izifundo zeBSc Geography and Population Studies eLupane State University. uLizom ungumsekeli kanobhala wenhlanganiso yabalobi yeZimbabwe Academic and Non-Fiction Authors (ZANA) koBulawayo.

UBenedict Ayibongwe Ncube udabuka eMzola, esiqintini seLupane. Uzelwe ngo1997, waqala ukufunda eLozikeyi Primary anduba ayefunda koMgandane, eMzilikazi High School wasesiyagqiba izifundo ze-Advanced Level eTennyson Hlabangana High School. Ngesikhathi kukhutshwa lolugwalo ubeqhuba izifundo zeBSc Geography and Population Studies eLupane State University.

Victoria Maitaishe Mudyanembwa unozwalwa kunaLukuze, kushango yakwaWhange. Wakalayijwa kuSt Mary’s Primary School akoondilila mbeli nozwilayijo zwesekondali kuMarist Brothers kunaDete. Nonshaji kubhiswa iwhalo yeyi wabeta zwilayijo zwe-Advanced Level kuMarist Brothers, kojoba inyaya nekumo zwimomuwhalo yeyi akazukwala elimufomu yabili.

Philani Lunga unozwalwa kunaLukuze, mushango yokwaWhange. Wakalayijwa kuchikolo cheSt Mary’s Primary. Mushule mwezwo wakenda kuMarist Brothers kunaDete kwaakanota zwilayijo zwizwe zwesekondali.

Nonshaji kubhiswa iwhalo yeyi wakabeta zwilayijo zweAdvanced Level kuMarist Brothers Dete. vi

Lindani Audrey Mpinami wakazwala mugole lya1988 kuBH134. Wakata indayijo iye yepurayimari kuchikolo cheJabula, kuJambezi. Mushule mwezwo wakanota zwilayijo zwesekondali kuchikolo cheMosi Oa Tunya kuVictoria Falls yoko kwakata iOdinary Level neAdvanced Level. Wakata zwilayijo zweBachelor of Arts kuUniversity of Zimbabwe nePost-Graduate Diploma in Education kuLupane State University. Wakandilila mbeli akata zwilayijo zweMaster of Arts in African Languages kuMidlands State University.

Lindani Mpinami wakalayija kuchikolo cheMarist Brothers kunaDete. Nonshaji kubhiswa iwhalo yeyi wabeli undayiji kuMidlands State University.

Darlington Ndlovu wakazwala mugole lya1988 kuBH134.

Wakata indayijo iye yepurayimari kuzwiikolo zweSt Mary’s neSongwa, kuJambezi. Mushule mwezwo wakanota zwilayijo zwesekondali kuchikolo cheLukosi Secondary nokuGebhuza kuHwange yoko kwakata iOdinary Level neAdvanced Level.

Wakata zwilayijo zweBachelor of Arts kuMidlands State University. Wakandilila mbeli akata zwilayijo zweMaster of Arts in African Languages kuMidlands State University.

Darlington umulayija kuchikolo cheNeshaya kuHwange.

Nonshaji kubhiswa iwhalo yeyi wabeli undayiji wabalayiji beChinambya kuGreat Zimbabwe University.

Justice Mugande mulembi uchisyuuka alimwi ngumwi wabachikula ulachiyandisyo chakulemba mpawo kali alusyomo lupati lwakuti nyika yoonse mbiizulwa ilakonzya kusongolwa mukwiinda mumalembe. Mugande wakazyalwa alimwi akukomena mudolopo lyaHwange, muchisi chaZimbabwe. Kwalino uchita milimu yakulibeleka iilangene azyakuuzya a kuuzizyania alimwi kali mulembi. Mumazuba aayinda, Mugande wakali muyiisi kuzikolo zitali zyafulumende. Mugande muzuluzi wazyiiyo zyabacheche kumbungano nkwakomba (Sunday school teacher).

Aleck ‘Nchite’ Munkuli wakazyalwa mu 08 Itwi 1981 vii

mugunzi lyakwaMeempa kuKabbaba mumwaami Saba mubbooma lyaBinga. Wakiiya kuSaba Primary kuzwa mu 1989 – 1995, Siansundu Secondary (1996 - 1997), Tinde High (1998 -1999) nkwaka kumaninsizya zyiiyo zyakwe zya `O-level` Mumwaaka wa2002 wakatalika zyiiyo zyabuyiisi kuUnited College of Education, kuBulawayo mpawo mumwaaka wa2015 wakamaninsya zyiiyo zyaBachelor of Education(BEd) (UNISA). Wakayiisya kwaSaba a Chinego Primary mubooma lyaBinga. Mpawo wakazoya kuSouth Africa nkwalikuyiisya kuzikolo zitobela mubbooma lyaHarry Gwala: Siphapheme High (2009), Hluthankungu Primay (2010 - 2016) Impunga High (2017). Mumwaaka wa2018 wakatalikila kubelekela kubusena butegwa Oliver Roland Tambo ku South Africa kayendelezya kuyiisigwa kwazyiiyo zya Mathematicss kubayiisi bazikolo zili kkumi. Muchiindi chakusimbwa kwabbuku eeli Munkuli walikuchita zyiiyo zyaHonours in Inclusive Education aa UNISA. Munkuli mulembi uchisyuuka alimwi uyandisya kulemba tupeto a twaano twakulifulila. Wakalemba bbuku lyakwe taanzi kusimbwa lili atala amusobano uuti Mwana amuntu.

Wakalemba lubo limwi liti Memories of a Foreigner nikuba muchiindi chakusimbwa kwabbuku eeli, lyo telyakalinasimbwa.

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Isandulelo This trilingual anthology confirms and reinforces our multilingualism and multiculturalism that communities have always enjoyed, albeit in the informal sphere. Until this milestone through Zilisweenene-Ingubevenge-Simujinga, the public domain; especially education, media and public administration have promoted colonial-type monolingualism that suffocated the multilingual reality of communities and country at large. With this pacesetting anthology there shall be no more justification for monolingualism either in an indigenous language or worse still in a European language.

The poems and short stories are rich and diverse in content and style making this book suitable for both serious academic readers as well as for casual reading for leisure. In whichever way, one may approach the anthology the knowledge, wisdom and philosophy espoused is not diminished at all. Various themes are covered in all the languages and therefore making the anthology suitable for all regardless of age, gender or social class.

An important milestone that all communities should recognize and embrace is the issue of orthography. It is orthography rather than the languages themselves that may create barriers to interlanguage communication. Those speakers who are already bilingual, and they are many, have long realized the interrelatedness of many aspects of languages of the region. Those interested to learn most of our community languages would find this anthology a very rich resource. Poetry especially, speaks across cultures and generations and this anthology is no exception. It should therefore be a springboard for multilingual education from home to school and the workplace.

While the poems and stories are in Tonga, Ndebele and Nambya they speak beyond these respective cultures and traditions as they reflect and embrace broader humanity. They express ideas, feelings, experiences, desires, anxieties and aspirations that are shared by humanity in general. For that ix

reason, we extol the contribution of this anthology in advancing and promoting Tonga, Ndebele and Nambya languages and cultures but also in harmonising humanity in its cultural and linguistic diversity.

Dr Samukele Hadebe

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Intalisyo Inyika yesu ikkede kilabusena buzumizya mizezo yaandeene awalo kitasaluuli bantu baambuula milaka isiyenesiyene. Eezi zilibonia mukukkala kwabantu antoomwe muluumuno.

Kwaandana kwamilika kwakeeta kwaabana kwamizezo isiyenesiyene, kulisumpula akujatana nkaambo bamilaka isiyenesiyene balaboneka kababelesya amwi mabala a majwi abelesegwa abamilaka iimbi kukwaamba chintu chomwe.

Eezi zipa mpuwo zyachisi zilombozeka aboobo zizyandamene mukwindilila mumilaka isiyene eeyi.

Mumalembe aaya, balembi a basikuyabila mumilaka yaChiTonga, ChiNambya a ChiNdebele bakajatana mukugwisya nkotomakani zyaandeene. Kujatana ooku kutondezya bulyidilano buliwo aakati kamilaka eeyi mukwiinda mubukkale amaponeno aabantu baambuula milaka eeyi. Kujatana ooku kutondeezya kuti aaba mbantu bamwi aboobo nchibakazwa a mutwe wakuti ‘Zisweenene’, kutondezya kuti ChiTonga, ChiNambya a ChiNdebele milaka iinjilene. Twakabomba! Twakatandabala!

Mukubala inyaya nekumo jimomuwhalo yeyi, umwe angayeya kuti posa bakwali bakagala pasi bakabujana zwokukwala. Asi atayimo pe! Ndipo panoboneka kuti bumhizha nokusiyana kwenduji jeCiTonga, ChiNambya, neChiNdebele zwakabumba lukwalo lulobambwa saSimujinga womene. Kupenya kwezhuba nokuna kwevula kunobumba simujinga, unoba chitiko chinoshantisa kuyeba.

Nenzila inokwendelana iwhalo yeyi inendimi inhatu inobhisila pachena buchenjevu bwendimi jilosiyana. Bakwali nabakumi bewhalo yeyi bakatondeja kuti kushangana kwendimi jilosiyana jikalongwa zwibuyanana kunoyebeka saSimujinga. Banakwaina, tambulani iwhalo inolayija akale ibalayija. Inyaya nekumo zwimo muwhalo yeyi zwinota kuti umubala enikise indangalilo jije eyeyisisa pezhulu pozwitiko zwilosiyana zwinowanikwa mushango.

Kulesi sitsha esiyingxubevane, esiqukethe inkondlo lendatshana ezitshiyeneyo ngesiNambya, isiTonga kanye lesiNdebele, abalobi benekile ukwethula indikimba ezitshiyeneyo ngobugabazi obuncomekayo. Ukwelukana xi

kwazo ngendlendlana ezihlabusayo kukhomba ubudlelwano obebukhona ekadeni phakathi kwalezo ndimi ngesikhathi sabokhokho. Khumbulani, ngesikhathi sombuso kaMzilikazi iMbabala umasila ngokuthubela, zonke lezi eziqukethwe kulesitsha bezivele zincelelana amazwi ahlakaniphileyo, njalo zichathekelana imitsho ethile. Hlabezulu, leliqoqo eliyingxubevane limumethe umutsho wokuphakamisa lezo ndimi njalo wesule amalimi athile asetholakala kulezo ndimi.

Ziyamgolomba ozifundayo zibuye zimhaqaze ngobugabazi zikhomba izehlakalo ezithile ezenzeka empilweni yoluntu ngezigaba ngezigaba.

Asifunanga ukuthi sizihlele ngendikimba zazo kumbe ngokuthandela ndawonye ezilotshwe ngolimi oluthile. Iqhono kuyikuba umfundi atshisekele ukufunda lezo ndimi njalo akwabithe ukukwehlukana kwamakhono ethu okuyiso kanye isizatho sokubambana sibe yimbumba ekulondolozeni ilifa esalitshiyelwa ngabokhokho.

Leliqoqo eliyingxubevane, lilakho ukusetshenziswa ngabafundi ezikolweni, emakolitshini kanye lemaNyuvesi ngezizatho zokufundisa lokuhlaziywa kwendimi. Lalo, okhetha ukuzilibazisa kazitike santando!

Ngiphetha ngokubonga abahleli labahlaziyi baleliqoqo ngeqhaza abalibambeleyo ekucolisiseni lapho obekudingwa ukucolwa. Ngibonge kakhulukazi abaloli ngokuphatha lumsebenzi ngokuzinikela kwayo kusukela siwuhlala lumsebenzi. Twalumba loko, Taboka kasa kasa mabhata nshingo makamu. Hlabezulu, yamukelani nank’ umhaha woluju obekade siwulindele ovela kwabatsha. Olocilikicane kazincindele santando. Zikholiseni Methembe Hillary Hadebe (Ingwaladi Publishers)

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Zumbuja ndiVictoria Mudyanembwa Wakazwalwa lini?

Unamakole mangana?

Umutani?

Ukokupi?

Zwose ungazwiziba, koga Umufa lini?

Unoliziba lyamangwana lino na?

Zumbuja!

Mangwana unolyani nkwaina?

Zwaunobimba zwinomuka zwisipo.

Kuzumbuja koga Gala wakabyala nokuti Kudenga akuna nsangu Bangati lyamangwana limo mumaboko awo, koga Bakwaina, kuzumbuja chete.

Iba unzumbuji unozumbuja zwipo pachena Mukuzumbuja zwipo pachena!

Mukuzumbuja zwilizwo.

Mukuzumbuja ichokomende Zumbuja zwipo nkwaina.

Zumbuja zwingatikana Zumbuja nokuta.

Zumbuja uta bubhodo, ube umbhodo.

Zumbuja ulayijwa, ulayijwe.

Zumbuja ushinga, ushinge Ukazumbuja zwibi nkwaina uchotiwa bubi.

Panonhiswa chimwe panosiwa chimwe.

Panova bubi pachabigwa bubi.

Zumbuja!

1

Kwacha nguJustice Mugande

Ngamujule menso amatwi Mubone akuswiilila Amubuke nkambo kwacha Mukajatisyane nzila abamwi Avula mazuba katulibaange Muchisi chesu Chisi chili aluumuno Chisi chilelede milaka yoonse Mwaaka wayinda twakalibantu bomwe Jilo twakazotegwa tulibabi Sunu tegwa tujiigwe Ninzi chichita oobu?

Tulibantu bomwe Bana bamulengi womwe Utafwi kabili mwanawisi Utajayigwi achakajaya wuso Yima uti njii!

Ninzi chichitwa awumwi chitakukachile?

Nkokuli kwenyika bamwi nkubasika Nkutazosiki?

Njiili nzila yabuumi njoyanda Bwaacha?

Chita junza lizibe kuti wakaliwo Sumpula chipo chako Utawusowi mulaka wako Mukati kwezisi zyoonse Ukabe chitondezyo chipati Zisi zyoonse ziyokulemeka Uyokubona kuti woonse muntu Bulowa mbumwi mwanaangu Kuzwigwa nkumwi Akuyigwa nkumwi Bbwazula ubone Nkambo kwacha 2

Impande zikaMthwakazi nguPurpose Mumpande

Ukuqina kwesihlahla sikubonwa ngani na?

Akusimpande zaso na?

Umbone umuntu omutsha Esiba lamahloni ngosendo lwakhe Akafuni lakuzwa ngalo Uthi lumehlisa isithunzi.

O! zabola impande zikaMthwakazi.

Kasizele sibolamathumbu Mthwakazi.

Ngingazi mhlawumbe inkinga ngumhlabathi, Ongasavumeli ukuthi impande zigxile.

Nampo abatsha bajikile.

Okhekhe sebekhuliswa ngesiNgisi.

Lithi isintu sitheni?

Lithi kasilasithunzi?

Oqina ngesintu ngongafundanga?

Oyisikhwica limbona ngani?

Ukufunda sokuyikulahl’ isiNtu? Kanti sivele siyini isiLungu?

Sona isintu lithi sense njani?

Lithi isithunzi saso singaphi?

Maziqine impande zikaMthwakazi.

Awuvunde umhlabathi okhulisa uMthwakazi.

Azithelelwe impande zoMthwakazi.

Jula Mthwakazi!

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Unsichana Umbhodo ndiPhilani Lunga

Taloba wakagala pasi ponzonzo ekabhata idama.

Wakazumyonga mumoyo mishoji ikadona. Wakayeya mawhi obuchenjevu anoti, ‘Chakulamba chakumunula, chakuvuma chakupa undandu.’ Zwizwe zwakabanyanya, kulambana nabanhukaji batatu mugole limwempela.

Wakazwinyalaja nelyokuti unshaji uwe aujakabanhu waswika.

Nezhisho lyendangalilo wakalingilila lyamangwana linopenya. Wakazwisimisa akazununga eyeya izano lyokuta.

Taloba waluba umbisana wakazwalilwa muguta, akakubukila kusha kunaLukuze. Wakabazwalwa nabazwali basijakabelina ingombe kana imbuji zwajo. Kuvila Taloba elintukutuku, bazwali babe bakazwibonela kuti wakabekasiyana nabakulu babe. Unkazwaji uwe, Shalani, wakabalobolwa igole lyaakapeja iwhalo jije jesekondali.

Unkulu uwe Simani wakabezibikana nokuputuka.

Wakabamitisa basichana batatu mubugalo bwokuLubweludile. Taloba wakabehwila iwhalo chete zumwe esinani nazo. Bejanja lilye beyembela kana kuzana manyengwe iye wakabepejisa insamu.

Bakwaina babe bakatanga bonseka asi pubakakonelwa kunshandula kuti ebe saibo bakontambula sokuba kukwe.

Sonhu wakabetubula chikolo, aba muwhalo yechina yesekondali basichana banji bakabonda asi iye wakabebatapula. Wakabebashandula eti, “Zwangu iwhalo chete. Kana uda zwimwe shaka umwe unhu wokuzana naye.” Banhukaji bakabeti bewha yezwi bakabesiyana naye.

Mishaji yakakwenda, myeji ikaba makole. Aswika kukholeji, Taloba wakatanga kuda banhukaji. Sonhu usijakabeziba kulebeleka nabanhukaji wakabefila mumoyo esinobabuja. Wakabezwibuja eti, “Unhukaji unondida uchaboneka ega.” Wakapeja kukholeji ezwibuja alo mwana waBaShoko. Wakawana unshingo mane akaba unkulwana nkulwana weimwe inhabi kuKolali muWhange. Kojoba Taloba wakabeshingila kuWhange, mazhuba manji 4

wakabebwilila kusha madeko, endolala kusha sezwo kunaLukuze kuli pelyo neWhange akale imota jokunyamula banhu jisinonyaja kuwana. Tate namai babe bakashantilwa kasa nokuti inzhala yakatizha munzi, ifuma ikabazhalila.

Mukubhudilila komwana wabo zwakabebanyaja moyo kuti Taloba walubuza lini unkaji womwana munzi wabo. Amai babe bakatanga kuzwibona yezwi bakafila mumoyo nokuti inyaya jalulingana nabana bechinhulume ajijakabelebelekwa nabanhukaji. Bakalebeleka nabasekulu babe baBhayani.

“Nzekulu wangu, ndikubweni wabhudilila mazhuba ano.

Watinyamulila izina lyedu mubugalo yobu,” bakaitanga inyaya baBhayani. “Asi nzekulu ubweni sabana bechinhulume tilolingililwa kuti tilobole. Unkaji womwana umuzha lini? Amachibula nzekulu!” bakabhuza baBhayani.

Taloba wakashandula eti, “Andijanu ndawana unsichana umbhodo”. Basekulu baTaloba bakanangatila kunoswikila unzekulu wabo avuma kuti unoobuza unkaji womwana.

Kwapinda mweji umwempela Taloba wakazibisa basekulu babe kuti wakabedanana naDadani. Bakashantilwa kasa.

Bukukutu bwakaba ipo ndibokuti Dadani wakabeda imali yaTaloba chete esidi Taloba. Taloba paakabona kuti Dadani wakaba ezwishakila imali zwe, wakondamba.

Sekani wakaba unhukaji wechibili kudanana naTaloba.

Yozu zwakatikana mushule mwemyeji mitatu Taloba alambana naDadani. Ludo lwaTaloba naSekani lwakatanga lupisa asi kusolemekeja kwaSekani kwakapalaja ludo lwabo.

Sekani wakabesola bazwali baTaloba eti abajakalayijwa kuchikolo akale balosalila. Taloba wakava abona kuchiko kuti apana kwaaloswika naSekani yoyu. Kudanana kukwe naSekani apana kwakwakaswika. Myeji mina ili yapinda mushule mwokulambana naSekani, Taloba wakadanana naTawana.

Taloba naTawana bakakonana pozuto zwaTawana. Tawana wakabeli unsichana unanediti.

Wakabekonewa kujikamisa ifuba. Biya Taloba wakabeli umbisana ulojikama unanobunhu. Nokudalo bakalambana nebo nokuti abajakabekwendelana pozuto.

Zwakomyonga mumoyo kulambana nabanhukaji batatu munshaji ungaba igole. Wakagala pasi ponzonzo eyeya izano lyokuta. Wakazunyalaja nechichimbe chabakulwana chinoti 5

‘Chakulamba chakumunula, chakuvuma chakupa ndandu.’

Mawhi mashoma akabelebeleka mumoyo uwe eti, “Mwali nemijimu azwijanu zwakupa zonoda”. Limwe iwhi lyakabeti, “Zokulobola atoba zokunawi”. Wakazusimisa elingila lyamangwana ibuya. Basekulu babe nebo bakajiijwa nomoyo nozwakaba zutikana mubupenyu bwonzekulu wabo.

Umwe mweji, BaBhayani nonzekulu wabo bakabhanga lwendo bekananga kuKabandama kunoshanyila amwe makamu abo. Bakatambulwa zwibuyanana kuKabandama.

Bakakwenda belinga banhukaji mulwizi beteka ivula.

Banhukaji bakabeteka ivula belingisisa bechanama kubona zwiso zwibasinoziba. Yakapela imviki bepota unhukaji uchadiwa naTaloba. Payakaswika yechibili Taloba wakabashayiwa mazano akabuja basekulu babe kuti bebwilile zwabo kunaibo kunaLukuze. BaBhayani bakonsimisa unzekulu wabo bombuja kuti chinhu chibuya chinoda kulingilila.

NoBwabili bwemviki yechibili BaBhayani naTaloba bakabeligele ponsenche womulwizi inyaya jipya, pukwakezha banhukaji batatu. Pabanhukaji batatu, unhukaji umwempela wakanakilija Taloba. Unhukaji yoyu wakabeli unshaba. Meno awe akabepenya elimachena twaa, eli nemphundu jamesho akale ekamiduka kunshana. Moyo wakontola Taloba mwana waBaShoko. Taloba wakasiya basekulu babe akenda kubanhukaji akabhuza izina lyonhukaji wakabatola moyo uwe. Nokumwemwetela wakati ndimi Mbhodo. Wakalumaluma Taloba kunoswikila aswincha mawhi awe. Somwana wakabalayiwa muchiNambya, unsichana wakaziya ziya kuvuma pakalepo asi wakalebeleka nenzila yakakutaija Taloba kuti ebebuya.

Kudanana kwabo kwakatangila pasi kukajine kwapisa somoto wembaula. Taloba wakanakilwa eboka mijimu kuti yakabonshandula minamato iye. Ndiyani usijakabeda kudiwa nonhukaji umbhodo? Igole lyakapinda bedanana besijanu balobolana. BaBhayani bakatumila izhendeji kuti likoke moto. Zwakabhudilila sokubambwa kwazo. Mushule mwegole bedanana Taloba naMbhodo bakalobolana bakachada. Kulobolana kwabo kwakabuza lushanto lukulwana munzi waBaShoko 6

Kubhatana ndiLindani Audrey Mpinami

BaNyai ngatibhataneni Titunhumwije lulimi lwedu Ndisu banhu badeni Atizutunhumwijeni!

Bakatilingilila pasi Bakatisindamija kasa Indangalilo jikavumila Lulimi lukajopalala Magalilo akajopalala Ngatibhataneni tose Tinyamukile pezhulu Tikume luji lwedu Tizibikane bo!

Sejimwe induji.

Kubhatana kunesimba Kubhatana kunaludo Kunobuza ishanduko Ngatibhataneni tose BaNyai!

7

Bengthi Ngithol’ Uthando nguPurpose Mumpande

Bengithi iphupho lami lifezekile Besengibonga abaphansi Besengifisa lokunika ubufakazi esontweni Ngisithi “Jabula nhliziyo yami, nangu odalelwe wena” Kukanti ngikhe phansi, bengiphosisa nje Ulikhanka elembeth’ isikhumba semvu.

Wangenza ngakholwa othandweni Wangenza ngadela labangane bami Lemuli yangakithi yeza ngemva kwakho Kodwa namhla ngiqhinqa esentandane ngawe Ungemuk’ isiwiji ngisathi ngiyamumuza Kungani wagijimela ukukholwa, we nhliziyo yami?

Kungani weqela phezulu, ekufikeni kwakhe?

Kungani ungathandabuzanga lokho ayekwethembisa khona?

Wavumelani ukukhulelwa yimizwa yami?

Nanku sengiphendukil’ emhlabeni oqotho ongasiphupho.

Owamaphuph’ ungiphuphele.

Amathemb’am’afiphele.

Sengiwabona amanyala othando Akwenza uthembe umuntu wokuza Uze ukhohlwe lokuzalayo Ubone abakucebisayo belomona Ngempela isala kutshelwa sibona ngomopho Nansi inhliziyo yami isopha.

Ngangingaphuphi ungitshiya Ngangingayibon’ impilo wen’ ungekho Kodwa namhla nanku ngiyaphila Wena ungaphi?

O, yeka lezo nsuk’ ezedlule!

Lembala okungapheliyo kuyahlola.

Bengithi ngithole uthando.

8

Yimpilo

nguNobukhosi Ncube

Ungakhali mfowethu, Lawe dadewethu, Banjal’ abomhlaba, Bantshintsha imibal’ okonwabu Ngoba ngeyal’ umhlaba impilo.

Ungazibuza wenzeni, Izihlobo zikudela.

Abangane bekuxwaya, Usale wedwa nje! Zwi. Pho ngenzeni Mdali?

Akulutho olwenzileyo.

Luthando lwabanengi olupholayo.

Beze kuwe bedinga usizo, Basuke usungaselalo Baluthole kwabanye, Lapho-ke mzawami Bayabe sebeqede ngawe.

Uzihluphelani, uzincwebelani, Ukukhala akusasizi lapho.

Utshilo uMdali, luzaphela olwabanengi.

Kwakuhle-ke jaha, Uwuqedile umjaho, Akukho okubi ngawe, Yimpilo.

Kulenzondo, lobuzenzisi.

Ungakhali yimpilo.

9

Zwitapato Zwenyika! ndiDarlington Ndlovu

Nyik` umpabi zokuti ngana ulemekejwa Koga zwitapato zwizo ndozwitya.

Wakalya matate namamai, Ukalya bazhuzha nemhandala, Ukalya bacheche; Koga awutoguta neni kani?

Wabamitulu isinolabwa, Isinokwejaniswa, tokwenda tibenuka Tiwila yoku noku, Nokuda kwamakumbu abanhu bokunasu Bakalyiwa nawi!

Nyika! Neni usinofuma, Usinokola, iw` uzwishalila Bazhuzha ubapa imhandala, Pesina unhu unokujibisa?

Kukadalo nanasi uchinondila mbeli; Nozwito zuzo zwazhilo!

Ha! Ani biya tite chini Nawi nyika? Bana boozwalilwa kupi?

Imhandala jinozwishantisila kupi?

Bachigele bezwilya moyo pezhulu papo nyika Busiku namasikati.

Atilebe akale bazhuzha; Banozwinshantisila kupi?

Ungandibuja, ungandizibisa Unganditondeja kuti unominya chini Banhu bokunasu, kuti ndikonye Undomo uwo usinalulemekejo Lwechigalo, iganda nendayijo Wakazhulika kukawila batongi, bafumi, banaluzibo 10

balyi bewhalo Basheti, makosha inganga pamwempela Notunyuni, nemhuka, Notupukanana nayizo zwose zwopenyika Ukumukonwa kuzwala michelo yazhilo Nasi ungaleba ungaleba zwinotisa alo?

Zwilingisise, zwifije, O nyika ndokutya.

Ndotya ndilotenhuka ndilohetela nawi Nokuti wandifukula idebwe lyandabekafuka; Idebwe linoba bazwali bangu; Bakulu bangu, bakazwaji namakamu ose; Wabamyanguta ukabakokota ukabaminya.

Wakaba migwagwa-gwagwa, inzila-nzila nokuda kwangu Ndinda yopa nopaya ndilila makamu!

Ndimukusweteleja, benga unshingo uwo yoyu umbi; Wokuzwala lubengo, unobulaya misha kusala inhelela; Unotisiya tilipachena! Asi ita zwilokwelela Zwichandishantisa, ushantise ulokwindimala; Unyalaje ulojeluka moyo, umyangute mishoji yowunolila.

Ngana iwi nyika unditila yechi chililijik, Ndingashiya nawhi, ndikole ndite kudona mafuta; Ndifuje iwi nyika!

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Dadewethu nguLizom Fanwell Ncube

Hawu mntakababa!

Yini ungazinuk' amakhwapha dadewethu?

Kanti ungumhlobo bani womuntu?

Udalwe njani vele?

Ohlangane lay' endleleni ngowakho Ohlangane lay' ebhasini ngowakho Lingahlangan' esibhedlela ligula Lonke yinhlanhla leyo Pho ungokabani wena?

Eqinisweni ulalo na uthando lweqiniso?

Kumbe uthanda wonke ombonileyo?

Ngiqinisile dadewethu ntshintsha ukunyathela Phela ungakhohlwa lokhu, ukuthi umendo Cha‌! kuwe awusekho.

Phela abadala bathi inyoni ayikuntshintshi Ukukhala kwayo.

Ngubani ozakuthatha ulibele lendlela unje dade?

Phela angithi bathi alivuthwa Angiphuphi ekhona ozimisela ukuthatha wena.

Mina ngilenhloni ngawe dadewethu Ebantwini akusahambeki Ngoba ngisesaba ukuthi kuzakuthiwa Nguye umfowabo phela.

Abakhwenyana ngakithi bangangetshebetshebe LikaGwayi loTshangane lihlanganisiwe.

Omunye uthe ngokumbona eMagwegwe wahle Waba ngowakho engakazibiki yena.

Dadewethu ngiyakuhlonipha kodwa ngiyakwenyanya Ngakho umbuzo wami ulapha Iyahlonipheka na int’ eyenyanyekayo?

12

Zulu kaNdaba ngiyabuza Phela ngididekile, ngidiniwe, ngidakekile ngidanile Ngawe dade.

Angazi, qhubeka siyoyicela isivuthiwe.

13

Guga sithebe

nguMthokozisi Moyo

Lafika elingaliyo, uMnumnzana Mathe wazibona eselungele ukuyakhwela ibhasi eya koBulawayo. Loba wayesiya khona koNdongaziyaduma, inhloso yakhe enkulu kwakuyikuyabona udokotela wamathambo esibhedlela esikhulu sase St Luke’s, nanko phela lomkhuhlane usudlalangaye umntomdala. Useze ehamba enyanyatha angathi yinkonyane ezalelwe phakathi kwemvimbi. Uhambo lokuya koBulawayo solumane lwagaxeka nje. Okususe okaGwabalanda phansi luhambo lukadokotela, usesenzela nje ukuthi njengoba esevele wahlaba umfolo wogwendo ebhekise amabombo aZansi.

Kungathini avele atshaye zibe mbili ngetshe elilodwa, kulokuthi abelokhu ehequka osokungaze kumvusele izinyalo, yena evele esengumuntu kadokotela.

Loba wawumpethe kabi umkhuhlane wamathambo, okwasekungumkhuhlane omkhulu kuGwabalanda kwakuyiminakano ayelayo ngendodana yakhe ayeyikhonzile Umnunzane Mathe. Wayeyithanda indodana yakhe uMnumnzana Mathe athi nxa ecabanga ngayo angenwe luqhuqho, ngoba, yayiyisibuko sakhe. Wayethi nxa eyikhangele, kumbe exoxa layo, azizwe esibamutsha, aze akhumbule esanda kuvela sebenza eWenela. Wayeziqhenya ngayo, indodana yakhe kodwa yinye qha into eyayinqinekisa okaMathe. Yayizoganwa nini? Ukucwila kwayo phela yagamanxa ezifundweni kwendodana yakhe eyayiyiyo yodwa, eyayikukhuthalele ukuzibandakanya lezingwalo, kanti abanye abafowabo babekubone kungcono ukuthatha bona buJubheki bukayise, kwazise inengi labo seladliwa zindunduma zaseGoli zaphenduka odelanina lamadelakhaya.

Yebo kambe, yayingakakhuli okuyangaphi linsizwa. UMathe laye wayedonsela ingubo kwelakhe icele, ngoba eseloyisa ukuke abe labazukulu. Kukhona ayekubekele indodana yakhe ayeziqhenya ngayo efisa ukuyenzela khona lisekhona ithuba, funa aze aye kwelezithutha engalitholanga lelothuba.

Wayesezijubele ukuthi kazukulinda esemnyameni, laye uzakwenza lokhu akwenelisayo ukuze agcwalise izifiso zakhe 14

engakayi koNgubokayembulwa khona okunganxuswa muntu.

Inengi labafana abayintanga yakhe uDingi laselithethe kodwa yena wayengasweli lutho. Wayesazi kamhlophe okaGwabalanda ukuthi indodana yakhe iyawabona amaluba omhlaba, loba nje ingakwenzi ubukhwa lokho. Wayeseke wabona ekukhuleni kwayo ukuthi ilayo imizwa yobudoda.

Loba nje ngezinye insuku wayeke afikelwe yikuyisola.

Wayeke akhumbule umnyaka athatha ngawo ipentsheni.

UDingi, wayesele yedwa uyise eye ekhaya ePhasikeni.

Ekuphendukeni kwakhe, wafica indlu ihlanzeke ngokugabileyo okwambonisa sobala ukuthi umfana wayeke waba lesethekeli. Lamakamelo ayehlanzwe wonke ngaphandle kwelakhe kuphela, okwambonisa ukuthi ukhona umuntu obesizana laye. Wayeke ambone futhi uDingi egqoke amakawuso okwakumcacela ukuthi ngawamantombazane.

Okwakumnqinekisa kakhulu yikuthi usezalibala-ke umfana ngezingwalo aze athi uyaphaphama abone angathi umdaka usumtshiyile, abesephonguwela nje entokazini, kanti izacina imphuphisele amaphupho akhe.

Noma uDingi wayelicinathunjana, wayemethemba uyise njalo emkholwa ukuthi lelihlo lobuhle ulalo kanti njalo uyingqavithi, indlela elahlayo leyakhayo uphanga ayibone. Ebantwini khona ulesiphiwo sokukwazi ukufundumuntu lokunanzelela ubuqotho bomuntu.

Lanxa nje kungasimvama ukuthi umuntu afisele omunye ubuhle obedlula lobo azifisela bona yena, uMathe wayeke ethuke esefisela indodana yakhe ithamsanqa elingaphezu kwalelo ayeke azifisele lona yena. Yonke into enhle ayeyibona, yayimkhumbuza indodana yakhe, njalo eyibona ifanele yona. Esasebenza, wayeke ayiphe isizumbulu semali, athi kayiye edolobheni iyedelisa umoya wayo. Aqabuke esesethuka, esenanzelela ukuthi hlezi, isenzo sakhe, simbulalele indodana yakhe yena esithi uyikhombisa uthando.

Lamakhadi ebhanga ayegcinwa nguDingi. Yena wathi ngokuhlala loyise, eseseqotshwana, waphanga wafunda ukuzibonela njalo wabalengqondo evuthiweyo. Kazange wafana labanye abafana bentanga yakhe, abasebengene bacwila ephuzweni beseyibusuku nje. Kazenge futhi athande ukuzibandakanya abemdibi munye lalaba ontanga 15

abasebengumhlambi kazalusile. Ngokunjalo, wakhula engumfana olengqondo ebukhali, hatshi ezifundweni kuphela kodwa lasekwenzeni. Wakhula enjalo-ke elomqondo ohluzekileyo, ethembekile ebantwini lakuyise kanti futhi laye ezethemba.

Lasemantombazaneni ayeke ahlekisane lawo, weyethembeke ngokugabhileyo, abanye kuze kube yibo abakhalalayo, ngoba bebona ukuthi yena labo, ngamanzi lamafutha. Phela inhlanzi kayingeke yezwana lejuba, loba kuthiwa sokwenzekile kwazwana, kungahlangana ngaphi?

Phela ijuba kaliwangeni amanzi kanti ngokufanayo inhlanzi ayingephile ngaphandle kwawo amanzi. Kwakuyiso esikaDingi lamantombazana amanengi ayehlangana lawo.

Ucabanga wenzenje uGwabalanda, yayisizwakalela eduze ibhasi. Waphuma ephethe iphothumende yakhe watotoba elubangise esilindweni sebhasi esasibucwadlana lesango lomuzi wakhe. Lamqhuba inina lakhe, lalo lilayela lokho elalikufisela indodana yalo. Lisitsho lokutsho ukuthi liyikhumbule, ibokuthi ingaze ithole okulithutshana enhlelweni zayo ithi tshampu, izolunguza unina ake ayimunyise.

Walayela ngezwi eliphansi kakhulu uMaSigubudu waze wathi umyeni wakhe, “Hawu! Lawe NakaMaqhawe, uboke uxexebuke utshede uyezibonela ithumbu lakho. Angithi uyamazi umntanakho ukuthi ungumatatazela, uhlala engomiyo yikho nje, sengaze ngabazisa awami amakhiye.” Wayetsho nje esoma uGwabalanda ngoba esazi ukuthi isalukazi sakwakhe esingesalukazi soqobo, asikuthandi koNtuthuziyathunqa.

Yikho nje lasebutsheni baso, sazijubela ukuba ngumbalisikazi wakhona lapha emaphandleni sesize safika ekuthatheni ipentsheni.

Besalayelana yathutsha ibhasi, ihlamvu eliluhlaza, ingadlanga nkotshana zamuntu, yathimula seyimi kubo.

Yamginya uMathe yamuka laye.

Lema inina elinguMaNxumalo labazukulu balo ababili abasebengabongi babo, bayibukela ekamfokaDube iqongisa uthuli isiyasithela.

“Hawu, hawu, hawu! Mfana kithi. Uthini?” kuthatha ijaha lakoMatshazi elingumbhalimatikiti, libona uGwabalanda ehlala esihlalweni esiseduze lomnyango.

“Awu! Siseyini thini Matshazi? Njengoba usibona nje 16

sesingomanyanyatha.”

Atsho nje umdala eqhaqha izinkinobho zejazi lakhe alithenga eJubheki esasebenza eWenela.

“Manje nxa sokukhala lina abafana abancane, thina abadalake?” kusomisa uMatshazi. Ambambathe uMathe emahlombe athathe athi “Wena sibali usemutsha sibili. Useselijaha.

Usakwazi ukugeza utshaye lomqolo kanje, uphathe lephothimende? Akukhangele okusezinyaweni! Angifuni kukhuluma ngejazi.”

Abobotheke uMathe abesesithi, “Awu suka Matshazi, okwangaphi lawe? Sokuyinhliziyo kuphela le. Goba msenge udliwe zimbuzi. Wawungangibona ebutsheni bami!

Kwakuhanjwa nfondini. Ngensuku zami ngisand’ ukuvela eJubheki, ngangingumjibha odl’ ekhefa. Thula wena!

Ngilijaha limajahamabili, insizwa izinsizwa zibuthene.

Ngangilomfana wami esasimuthi nguManzolwandle, isinama samantombazane…”

“Hayi sibali ungathi yinhliziyo.” Amqume umlomo uMatshazi. Esengathi uyanyenyeza athathe athi, “Utshukuthi singakupha ijongosana elinjengaleli usungalala nje kuze kuse kungekho monakalo?” etsho uMatshazi ekhombela enye intombazana ehlezi bucwadlana loGwabalanda. Bayihleke leyo yedlule aze alibale lokumbhalela itikiti.

Baxoxa benzenje kayimanga ibhasi.Ibongolela idabula amagusu isidla amahabula. Ngesikhatshana esingatsho lutho, yema emavinkilini akoGaza. Zazisekhona izihambi lobanje zaseziyingcosana, kwazise phela yayikhona eyayisike yafika yavacula yadla ummango. Zangena izihambi kwekaMatshazi ababemkhonzile ehlala esematheni abantu. Kanti vele yayisafuna abangaki ukuthi igamanxe? Yabaginya, qede wayithimulisa umfokaDube, ababethi nguMthembo othembakeleyo, wayitshaya yalandela ezinye.

Phakathi kwezihambi ezakhwela ibhasi lapha koGaza, kwakukhona iganukazi lakwaMkheswa elalingumbalisikazi khanapho esikolo sikaGogo. Ekungeneni ebhasini, ledlula laya emuva le. Yathi iqambe iyasukuma, lananzelela ukuthi lalihlezi esihlalweni esasidabukile, lefasitela lalingavuleki.

Belo futhi kusemsileni wayo ibhasi, okutsho khona ukuthi yayizakuzwa konke ukukhilikithela lokugadlazeka kwebhasi.

17

Pho izafika injani koNtuthu ngokukhuhluzwa yile bhasi kanti lothuli lweMzola yayizaluthini?

Wasukuma uSineke, wathalathalaza, kwamcacela uMatshazi ukuthi isihambi sakhe kaseneme ngendawo esasiyitholile. Njengomuntu osebenza abagadi, wazithola esemqhwebe kudala emtshengisa indawo engcono angahlala kuyo, ngaphambidlana kwalapho eyehlezi khona. Yahamba ngokuthula intokazi yakwaMkheswa yaze yayahlala eceleni kukaGwabalanda.

Noma nje wayesekhulile okaMathe njengokutsho kwakhe, wayekhule umzimba, hatshi inhliziyo. Phela ubuhle bakuqala uMdali abudalela isilisa yisifazane. Izinsizwa zivuka zigeza nje zigqoke zihambele phezulu, angithi zenziwa yilobobuhle bemvelo. Amajaha adabula amahlathi awele imifula, enyuke lezintaba, alale engadlile, athunywa yizidingo zaso isidwaba.

Ngokufanayo, labo abesintwana baziqhola ngamakha, bazibhude ngezibhuda abanye babo baze babengodoli nje angithi benziwa yiso isilisa. Lasekuhambeni lapha, akuze kwahanjwa amehlo evaliwe, ngoba amaluba omhlaba ahluma aqhakaze ukusa lokuhlwa kwamalanga. Wayemuhle lumuntu.

Ekhanda lapha wayetsho ngenwele ezingamagoda amancane, emnyama khaca. Ngebala yayikhanya intokazi kaNdiweni.

Amehlo la ezimbumbuluza emhlophe qhwa, kubonakala inhlamvu ezimnyama angathi yimitshwankela ewele ochagweni.

Wayelobuso obuyindingiliza, buhlobe ngekhadlana elimiyo lamadebe abomnvana. Izihlathi yayisithi nxa ibobotheka zithi faca, kuvele uthotho lwamazinyo amhlophe okongqwaqwane. Ubude yayiphakathi laphakathi, itsho ngomzimba okhalohlabusi. Pho ubuhle obungaka ngubani angabutshaya indiva?

Izibonela ikhehla elinguGwabalanda yakhululeka intokazi yagcwala ibhavu. Yayisikhathele yikuhamba ilandiselwa izindubo yizinsizwa, ziyibalela amabala engwe. Lamhla yayiwelwe yiyo eyaswazi. Loba nje yayimkhangela imeba ngelihlo umdala, yakunanzelela masinyazana ukuhlanzeka kwalelikhehla elingekhehla eqinisweni. Wazizwa ekhululeka kakhulu uSineke lapho ekhumbula ngoyise uMavava, owayentanganye loGwabalanda loba nje wayengambuzanga ubudala bakhe umdala.

18

Bonela ukubingelelana baphilelana, uSineke kazange ebe esaphozisa amaseko. Waphanga wahwatsha amalenjana amabili esikhwanyaneni sakhe esigaxwayo.Wazibopha ekhanda ngelincane, kwathi elinye lakhona wasezithandela ngalo esenzela ukuvikela impahla yakhe kuloluthuli lwalapha emaguswini. Kwenzeka konke lokhu nje okaGwabalanda kudala eyithetha indaba. Ingqondo yakhe iyathatha iyabeka, seziyihlolile lezinhloli zikaMathe indaba kaMaKheswa, lesigwebo esimfaneleyo usesibekelwe.

Ngeshwa okaMkheswa usemnyameni. Ukungazi kufana lokufa.

Izilungisa yenzenje UMaMkhweswa kayazi ikhohlisana ihlomile. EkaGwabalanda ingwazi iyilolela imikhonto lemihedla, selimi ngakuleliya phetsheya ibutho likaMathe lilinde ukugadla. Ayibuke ngokuyeba lintokazi okaMathe athi ngenhliziyo, lala lulaza sikwengule.

Azilungise uMaMkheswa aqede aze ahlale phansi engagqize qhakala, kanti akazi namhla uzithele othathaweni, imfihlele induku emqubeni ekaGwabalanda. We ntakantaka, ubekelwe amazolo‌

19

Bachitola: Ndimubotu Echikumba Changu nguAleck ‘Nchite’ Munkuli

Nsinga tendakaba oobu ndalikuzoba biyeni?

Chakaba chibotu kumenso aaMulengi, Kuti nsijaniki muluundu.

Pele ndisiyane awamwi malubaluba.

Ndimunike mbuuli ntanda kubuchedo Nduweni webo nundijokola?

Nduweni webo nondiita amazina mazina?

Nduweni webo nonditwanga bube bwangu?

Anikuti kakuli tendakaba oobu ndalikuyoba biyeni?

Ndimubotu achikumba changu, Ndilalyiinya, Ndimaninide, Ndilachikumba chituba amoyo uutuba.

Ndichipo chizwa kuMulengi Nguni uunga ulakaka chipo chibotu chiloobu?

Kansinga tensi ndakaba oobu ndalikuyoba biyeni?

Ime ayebo tuli ganzi lyomwe, Ime ayebo tulibantu bomwe, Miteyo yakusilika ijanwa mumalundu.

Mpo nkambonzi ime nondichita muteyo wakusilika?

Nkamboonzi nondichita nzila yabuvubi bwako?

Nkamboonzi nolansyomo zitalomene?

Ambebo ndimuntu, Biyo ndisiyene chikumba.

Kansinga tendakaba oobu ndalikuyoba biyeni?

Ndimubotu achikumba changu.

Nsiyandi tununkilizyo Nsiyandi kufwidwa nsoni Kabiyo nsiyandi kubetekwa Tee luyando lwaMwami lulizulide kumuntu woonse Aani lwako ulwanzaanisizya nzi?

Ndiyande nkeloobu.

20

Kansinga tensi ndakaba oobu ndalikuyoba biyeni?

Ndimubotu achikumba changu.

Zyoonse zichitwa ndazichita ambebo.

Kuzipekupeku nduujana mweenya wakubonwa KumaYunivesiti njila nkechijana mbului bamwi Nikuba kulaamwi manyika tababuzyi chitupa kuti nkeyabwenda Awaya menso ndibwene buumi bwajuunza, Ayaya maboko ndikubumba buumi butobela.

Awoyu mulomo wangu ndikombela nduwe, Usanduke kuyeeya kwako aatala aambebo.

Ndimubotu achikumba changu.

Ndimaninide biyo tusiyene chikumba Kansiinga tendakaba oobu ndalikuyoba biyeni?

21

Lathi Singabantu nguMethembe Hillary Hadebe

Lithi siyinzalo yenyoka Abalesithuko, sesilolaka Abantu makhaza Omaphila samkhaza Habe…! Lathi singabantu.

Liyimhlobo bani yabantu Abakhangelela abanye phansi Abeyisa imibono yabanye Ngeke, uthi omunye, ‘yisilima’ Umchothoze ngesimakanjani sakhe Umhlambaze ngendalo yakhe Mayuyu, Ukhubazekile Ngumuntu njengawe.

Singabantu, njengani Elikwenelisayo sikuphinda kabili ngenani Uyezwa bethi, ‘ugogekile, Uhlephukile Ucacadekile Ulobuyelele’ Kambe kutshiwo njalo?

Umuntu ngumuntu Isimo sakhe kasichothozwa Isimo sakhe kasidilizwa Khumbulani, akekho owakucelayo Yikho nje ngithi Lathi singabantu.

22

Kalikho! nguPurpose Mumpande

Ukugqoka isigqoko akutsh'ukuth' ingqondo ayikho Ukungabi lebhonga akutsh'ukuthi ngingezwiwa Ukuba yintombi akutsh'ukuthi ngisetshenziswe Ngikhalela ukulalelwa, hatshi ukubukwa Ngikhalela ithuba lokuzithuthukisa Ngikhalela ikusasa elihle Ngikhalela ilungelo lami Kade savalelwa Sivuleleleni leyo minyango Sivuleleleni sibone okungaphandle Sisizeni sifike ngaphetsheya Imicabango, lemibono kukhona Kuphela ithuba nje...

KALIKHO!

23

Ukudla Kwethu nguLizom Fanwell Ncube

Sizw' esimnyama Bantwana bakaMzilikazi Mdak' omnyama ngabomo.

Bantwana benhlabathi Liseyini na?

Isizwe senu lisichithile ngeqiniso Isizukulwane senu sesingomunye Umhlobo ongelagama.

Sizukulwane sikaLobengula usakwazi Na ukudla kwesintu?

MaNdebel' amahle abantwabenu liyabathanda na?

Nxa libathanda kungani libachitha?

Abantwana basayinatha yini inkovu ekuseni?

Basawazi yini umcaba?

Basasazi yini isijeza?

Basawazi yini umxhanxa?

Basasazi yini isitinina?

Nxa bekwazi kuphekwa njani ngani futhi?

Umcaba kangikhulumi Isiswayi wothi ngizithulele Umahluko phakathi wamasi lehiqa lolaza abawazi Ufutho lenkobe abasakwazi Ehe‌ yee! kambe senziwani isizukulwane somdakomnyama?

NgamaNdebele sibili wonala aselamanga Aluhlaza tshoko?

Wo! sizwe sakithi ngiyesaba!

Angihlambazanga muntu Kuphela ngigudlane leqiniso elibuhlungu.

24

Ukuba ngothathekile kulilayile Lithe ngokudla ukudla kwenu elizifundise khona Isikhathi senu sokuphila sancipha Ngokunjalo lafund' ulimi Lathi izalukazi ziyaliloya lina liziloyile Asazi, qhubekani angitsho lithi Sekuyisilamuhla leso Siyoyicela isivuthiwe Sizabona lapho okuyawela khona induku Loxakuxaku.

Yekelani thina esilokhu silengqondo Yendulo siqhubeke layo.

25

Bukukutu ndiPhilani Lunga

Inhambana jinokwila Banhulume balobhata ishaya Banhukaji balobhata matama Lushanto lwashomopala Mishoji yawanda Bejinsondo bamunamata Makukubele awanda Mijimu mwatitukulila na?

Bemijimu bamtebula Kulila kwawanda Imali munyika amuna Imo aichinoshinga unshingilo wayo Banemali nabasina bose banokwendelana Balolayijwa nabasijakenda kuchikolo Bose bakwelana Kwazhala kubhatilana munyika Makamu anoponchana kumishingo Usinegamu wasala Muzwintolo, zwibuya zwimushoba yopezhulu Bana bamushamililka Dade apana zwabezha nazwo Zhingwanangwana banomukila kunshingo Zwibamushingila azwitoboneka Yaba mishingo yezina chete Banolondota imhuli bamuyabula Bana kuchikolo abachina imali yokubalayija Bukukutu munyika, bulemu Ngana Mwali angwinila Zwimutikana azwimo mumaboko edu Shokojangu tichebukeni Atitopaziba patakataika 26

Titondojeni tipakolole Tolingilila kunamwi matategulu edu Zutashangana nazwo zwikukutu Tingapeja mawhi tilila Biya tite chini makamu Kuzunda bukukutu yobu Tizwisimise banhu bomuZimbabwe Tisilile tiligele Mishingo yamaboko ngatibhateni Tisimilile kupiwa mishingo Ngatisimeni zwichanaka Bana bamushayiwa zwokuta Bululunda kwaba kulya kwamazhuba aano Kufweba nokunwa zwinokola waba ungalilo Ndiyo yabamishingo Bamutungamile nyika Toziba Mwali unanamwi Kumishingo yedu Umpepo unchena ngumutungamilile Mutubule kutungamila nobuchenjevu Mwali uchatibhancha Sozwakata kubana bokuIsrayeli Nasubo toda kubona iKenani Yedu inyika imbuya Mwali ngabenasu

27

Isikhukhukazi nguMethembe Hillary Hadebe

Umabekela qanda Umafukamela kuqanda Umanqanda tsiyane Umakekeja sibuzane Nansi indlovukazi yesilugu Ephethwe sagugu Sidalwa mtotozwa…!

Ntombi makhothwa Ozwi lacaco Ogqize wahloma eyomceco Izolo belikhonya iqhude Zihlokome zonke zikude Likhwaza libonakalise ubungqwele Kepha namuhla lizenza elingcwele Eliphungelwa yisikhukhukazi Esithi, ‘lawo ngamanga’ kazi!

Ngoba wena ungumlawuli, sikhukhukazi Siyavuma wesikhukhukazi!

Lapho ukekeja utanasa Ukhwaza uklamasa Onduna nkukhu betshotshobala Banethezela bakithi bagoqe ugedla Kwaxokozela zabuzana ezinye Ngobukhulukazi besikhukhukazi?

28

Iluba Lyangu Victoria Maitaishe Mudyanembwa

Ndinalushanto nolubimbo Kuti izhuba lichabhuda Lichabuda lipenye iluba lyangu Iluba lyangu!

Mwoyo wangu unomwmemwetela Zwinoboneka pachiso changu Ndilidilile na?

Ndilinyamule na?

Lilokosha iluba lyangu zwinopinda indalama Apana chichondisiyanisa neluba lyangu Yaba babengi bamuzha nezwikele Abatoziba kukosha kweluba lyangu Ndite chini biya banakwaina?

Iluba lyangu!

Iluba lyangu!

Lyenda iluba lyangu, Lyakelwa ndikalinga Ngana ndalwisana nebakahabaji!

Ngana ndabhatilila mukushingilila Ngana ndalondota iluba lyangu Ngana, ngana iluba lyangu!

Ngweno lenda, akuchina limwe.

Biya ndite chini?

Bamwe banamaluba obo.

Biya imi ndoma chini nabo?

Biya nditechini, ndime poni?

Iluba lyangu!

Iluba lyangu lenda Iluba lyangu!

29

UTHANDIWE nguNobukhosi Ncube

Uthandiwe Ntandokazi, Akekho othi nkwe kuwe.

Uzenzela santando kuyo yonk’ indawo, Ngoba ngeke avume ubaba.

Ngonjani ongathinta wena gugu labo?

Unjengezibulo lakhe, Nxa bethi cinathunjana, Batsho wena uqobo.

Yiyona nto ekuxabanisa labafowenu, Bakutshiye esixukwini.

Akulanto ongayenza ukukuvimba lokho, Ngoba uthandiwe Ntandokazi.

Zonke zidla ndawonye, Wena ngendlela ephakemeyo, Qekele‌! Wedwa laphaya.

Ngimane ngizibuze pho Sikuthini isizungu?

Uthandiwe bo!

Ukugula kwakho kuyamgulisa ubaba, Anganelisi lokudla.

Ngimane ngizibuze, Kwenziwa yini lokhu?

Kube ngumuntu kube kuyezwakala.

Nkomo kababa uthandiwe, Kangiboni njengezibulo nxa wena ukhona, Icinathunjana ngumuntukazana kuwe, Uthandiwe, wena obethwa ngoNtandokazi.

NKOMO KABABA.

30

Nkabi Kababa Kafranti nguMthokozisi Moyo

Sajabula mhla uzelwe Sath’ uJol’ ulitshaye phansi Sababaza umbala sadla mahlaka Sakuhawukela ukub’ ube yinkunzi Phela ivel’ ikhethw’ ematholeni!

Ngathi ngithol’ inkunzi Ngizotshay’ imvokloklo ngikuqhubez’ emangweni Ngake ngafikelwa yikukwenza inzomba emjahweni Kanti ngikhe phansi!

Bakusola bathi awusimhlobo!

Bath’ uFreyistata ungcono Kwakhal’ ibhadizo lami ngaze ngabubula Kodwa wathula wakhula Sakuthambisa wafund’ umfolo waba lifolosi Lamhla uyinsika yomuzi Kafranti!

Isiphanga sakho singumpheme wokuphephela Kwagula wena, kugula izimbiza lamaseko Mhla ufayo uyoba yini umuzi kababa?

Usengokababa kumb’ usungowakho?

Mhla ufayo sokudl’ inyama na?

Kumb’ ufanelw’ ukusikw’ amahawu?

Uluphaw’ olugqamileyo lomhlambi Ezakithi zaziwa ngawe!

Abakithi basila ngawe!

Isipane siqala ngawe!

Umuzi umi ngawe!

Kafranti nkab’ enkulu OBhulomu laboKresimani Bayini ngaphandle kwakho?

Asikhulumi ngaboGwayimane Ngoba kababonakali ngenxa yakho!

Kafranti nkabi kababa.

31

Umthetho nguLizom Fanwell Ncube

Ngicel' ukubuza kwabaphambili Usekhona yini umthetho badala?

Bona basalaywa yini abantwana?

Phela angithi indlel' ibuzwa kwabaphambili Njalo umlayeli wendlela ngumhambi wayo.

Ngiyabuza usekhona yini umthetho?

Ohhh yaaa‌. satshabalal' isizwe sikhangele madoda!

Kudala kwakumnandi ukuhlala kulesisizwe Imithetho isekhona Intsha ihlonipha abadala.

Kanti konakelephi zihlobo?

Ubumnandi betshukela bezolo bunyamalele.

Lamuhla kuyababa njengesihaqa ukuhlala kulesisizwe Nqinisile akuseyiso isizwe samaNdebele lesi Phela sesihlaba njengameva omlahlabantu Isilahlekelwe yibuntu vel' intsha yakithi.

Badala kodwa lingaphi?

Ngiyabuza lingaphi?

Izolo abantwana bebephiwa iziwiji zabo bangona Kodwa lamuhla bangona kuyabukwa.

Umntwana walamuhla uthi angakhuzwa Anath' umuthi loba ayezibophela Konke lokhu kungenxa yokuswelakala komthetho.

Mhlaba ngiyakwenyanya mina Abantwna uyabaginya Ngikhuluma nje lamuhla abanye ngabathengisa Imizimba ngenxa yokuswelakala komthetho emagumeni.

Umthetho awusekh' emakhaya Umthetho awusekh' elizweni 32

Umthetho awusekh' emhlabeni Langeqiniso umhlaba uyahlaba Uyithethe indlovukazi yesizwe Yahamba lomthetho wayo Phela ibikwazi ukulay' abesizwe sayo abantwana Maye‌ Maye‌ Maye!

Siyakukhalela ndlovukazi woza lomthetho Sikulindile.

Kambe ngubani owayekwazi ukuthi umhlaba Uzaphendukela abantu kanje?

Zinsizwa Makhosikazi Ngiyesaba!

Mama!

Baba!

Ngiyakhala!

Gogo Khulu Ngiyenyanya!

Majaha Zintombi Lenzani emhlabeni wabokhokho benu?

33

Buumi Ndweendo nguJustice Mugande

Mwana`angu, kojatilila majwi aabanyoko Utakatuli milawu yawuso Utanochebichebi Utanoyendi aboonse Bamwi nchobeni nimbelele Nkabela biingi mbasinkondonyokwe Baliswenzya kukunyonka bulowa Balabotelwa na wafwa Sala bakulemeka awalo ubalemeke Ndewuso ndakeenda magobelo miingi Ndakabona akulya zyiingi Ndakapona abantu basiyene Milaka myiingi ndakiimvwa Akwiyambuula Pesi ndakaziba zyakuchita Anduwe mwana`angu uyozibona Pesi ulaachoolwe Nkambo majwi angu ayokuvuba Kolibeteka na koyenda Koyeeya nkozyalwa ankoya Ukazibe kuti na lyakotoka zyambaanzi Akuti na lyazwa kuchitwayi Utakeenwi Nzoka yakeena Eva yakafwa Jula menso ubone Akuti na wakomena Wayanda kukwata utakeenwi abasalazya milomo Aaba bajanika munzila Basimenso menso Mazuba aasunu luyando lulimubulowa Mukalangwe bulowa kamutanakwatana Kuzwidilila kwako nkuzunda kwangu 34

Biingi bayokuziba Bayokuyanduula Uyoba mupati aakati kabo Ulaachoolwe nochila wuso Uchikutondeezya nzila yabuumi Akuti nkondo yabuumi ilwanwa biyeni

35

Ishango Yapalala ndiLindani Audrey Mpinami

Banakwaina!

Ishango yapalala Inyika yedu yapalala tikalinga Apachina chibuya.

Banakwaina!

Ishango yapalala Bana bedu bapanduka Bamela azhezhulu Basichana abachinolayika Bazhuzha abachinolayika Apachina kugajikana pe!

Banakwaina ishango yapalala Banhutana bamulobola batete Bazhuzha bamulobola bachembele Ani ini?

Ndibawhile bashoma Bamuti banhulume bangalobolana boga Bamuti banhukaji bangalobolana boga Amu! Zwinhu zwinonengesa alo?

Chokomende ishango yapalala.

Kushimana kwawanda mujimhuli Kusolemekejana kwawanda mujimhuli Bana basina matate bawanda Imimba jimubhiswa jawanda Bana banogala mumigwagwa bawanda Bakwegulu basina unobalondota bawanda Banakwaina ishango yapalala.

Umpeponi wangiwna munyika?

Umpeponi wabuza lubengo?

Umpeponi wapalaja inyika?

Umpeponi wapalaja jimhuli?

36

Ishango yapalala tikalinga Tinozuta chini yozu?

Tozutula kunani?

Guluzhanje walingana nasu Idenga lyatitukulila

37

Asibonanga Ngasolinye nguAleck ‘Nchite’ Munkuli

Bekuyinkulumo yomlomo Kungadingeki zibhakela.

Besithi sixazulula izinkinga Kungadingeki volovolo.

Besibonisana nje Ngaphandle kwemizwa emuncu, Kungadingeki ozokhala.

Induku ingeyokusebenza Ngoba vele ayiwakhi umuzi, Asibonanga ngasolinye, Bengingeve ngikusola Kodwa bengikubonisa nje.

Bengingeve ngikungabaza Bengithi ngiveza umbono wami.

Yile yesibhamu engenza ngikwesabe.

Hayi ngoba ungelutho Bengithi siyelekelelana.

Hayi ngoba bengikweyisa Bengithi silayana.

Hayi ngoba ngingakuqondi kahle Bengithi ngiyakhuza.

Inkinga asibonanga ngasolinye.

Ukuthi ngihambe phambili Akutsho ukuthi ngiyakuhola.

Ukuthi ngikhethe iqembu lepolitiki thizeni, Wena wakhetha elakho Akutsho ukuthi sesiyizitha.

Besingekho isizatho sokungibulala, Bengithi ngiveza ilungelo lami.

Indaba kube ukungaboni ngasolinye Ukube nje sibekezelelene 38

Ngabe siphila ngokuthula.

Ukube nje silalelene Ngabe asiziphathanga izikhali.

Ukube nje sibone ngasolinye Ngabe sihleli sijabulile.

Bekungeke kusisize na ukubonisana?

Bekungamele ungahlulele, Ngoba ngingowesifazane.

Bekungamele umelane nami Ngoba ngingelawo amandla.

Uthathe ubudoda wabuthwala ngeqoma kungela sidingo, Manje usulahlekelwe okukhona ngokungekho, Ukube nje sibone ngaso linye Ngabe sisahlezi ngokuthula.

39

Indlebe nguMethembe Hillary Hadebe

Indlebe lisela Eleba indaba ibila Liyilonde ibemnandi Ihluzeke iloba iyisidindi Liyithaphe ingakabhalwa Liyizwisise ingakabalwa Ngobumnandi bayo, ifise ukubuzelwa ngumlomo Ngokuphica kwayo, ifise ukuhlanganiselwa zingqondo Iyalalelisisa…!

Iyafundisisa…!

Iyazwisisa…!

Iyacwayisisa…!

Akanye ndlebe, Ulisela eliyimbebebe.

40

Ngididekile nguBenedict Ayibongwe Ncube

Ngizihlalele esihlalweni Ngihlezi ngiyame ngomhlubulo Inhliziyo yami izibule Ngawe Sidumisile MntakaDube Akuvume ngithi sidudla sami Wena udunyiswa yinhliziyo yami Nxa umi lami Ungiqeda amandla ami Bobotheka dali wami Inhliziyo yami ithophele ngothando lwakho

41

Mnewethu nguLizom Fanwell Ncube

Mnewethu uthe ngokutheng' imota Wathi ingwe idla ngamabala ayo Wazitshintshanisa izintombi kwangathi Zingena esambuzini.

Lazo zithe ngokubona yona zafana Lezibungu ezikhangwa yisibane.

Zabuya ngobunengi zingazi ukuthi zizokutsha.

Usuphenduke inyamazana hatshi umuntu Awusafuni kubona isidwaba sidlula eceleni kwakho Ulesibungu ekhanda ngiyabona Mfowethu bakuloyile ngiqinisile.

Loba nje kuthiwa akugeza lingelasiyinga Kodwa okwakho sekuphambili ngiqinisile.

Kanti wehlulwa yini ukubekezela loMunyeza wakho nje?

Wesabeni ukumethemba nje kodwa lokhu?

Ukhohliwe yini ukuthi ithemba kalibulali kubulal' ukuphangisa?

Amanye amadoda usuwakhangelela phansi njengobunyonyo.

Sobohla Manyosi!

Ungakhohlwa ukuthi ubukhosi ngamazolo Njalo elisina muva liyabukwa.

Bazaze babe lakho labo okudlul' imota le ogwaba ngayo.

Phela bon' abakhohlwang' ukuth' ubud' abuphangwa.

Ubuthutha bakho ukhohliwe ukuthi Ikhiwane elihle ligcwala izibungu.

Mnewethu uyisiwula!

Angihlambazanga kodwa ngilayile.

Mfowethu vus' inkophe Mfowethu khalipha kusile 42