My parents both claim on doing the honours of naming me. No one really wants to be left behind I guess. I was named Nande because I am the first child. My name means ‘spread’ or ‘multiply’ so basically it was a call for productivity to my mother, I figured. It was also hope of my mother once again bearing children for my dad – and she did.

Every time I get to mention my name people always assume its incomplete, especially Xhosa speaking people. I always get mistaken for a ‘Zenande’ which sounds more polite and more like a request, unlike Nande which is more of a command.

Whenever someone calls my name they have to harden their tongue – two times max – against the palate to give the emphasis the letter ‘n’ requires.

I consider my name a blessing and the utterance of goodwill. I like when things work out and prosper for good. All I have for my name is a dictionary definition, nothing else. But I have my own meaning. It’s a sentimental one with a deep meaning – fly, rise and spread like a house on fire. I am Nande Funda.

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This piece of writing was created as part of the WritingMe Writing Clubs with Sophumelela High School, Western Cape. Find out more here.