(The Marcus family is gathered together in their living room. Everyone is happy as they celebrate Lwando’s graduation.)

David: (Clears throat) Son, I’m very proud of you, keep it up. I want you to become the CEO of Marcus Constructions one day.

Lwando: (Giggles) No dad, I’m a lawyer, not a businessman. Why don’t you groom your daughter so that one day she could become the CEO of the family business?

David You know what, I’ve given up on your sister, there is nothing good she does. Firstly, she failed matric last year and she refused to write the supplementary exam. What should I do?

Zinzi: I don’t care about matric. I will do modelling instead and I’m sick and tired of people telling me how to live my life.

David: Modelling? You’re not serious.

Zinzi: I see dad, you don’t love me. All you care about is Lwando and his degree. (She cries)

David: Go and get your own degree so that I can be proud of you.

Portia: No, no let’s not talk about this now. We all agreed that Zinzi is suitable for modelling so we must give her support not…

David: Excuse me? I will not do that. I will support her when she starts to dream about going to university. I really don’t understand this child, I mean nowadays…

Zinzi: (Angry) Keep your lecture to yourself dad, I don’t need it.

David: Don’t talk to me like that. I’m advising you about life, but you decide to disrespect me.

Portia: Zinzi is a grown lady now, she can decide what she wants to do with her life.

(The family helper interrupts as she brings the food).

Nina: Sorry to interrupt, the food is ready.

Portia: (Shouts at Nina) Put it down and leave, you’re disturbing us!

Nina: I’m sorry Madam. (She rushes back to the kitchen).

Lwando: Mom, you don’t have to be hard on her, she didn’t do anything wrong.

Portia: Shut up because you don’t know our issues.

Lwando: What is wrong Mom?

Portia: She is stealing my things and she does not do her job accordingly.

Lwando: Oh, before I forget, I think we should congratulate Sis Nina on behalf of her daughter, Dineo.

David: What about her?

Lwando: She’s doing her first year in Medicine at the University of Cape Town, I saw her on my graduation day. (He smiles)

Zinzi: I know where you’re going with this, you want me to feel bad and I don’t care about Dineo’s achievements.

David: Are you saying that Dineo is doing medicine at UCT? But why did Nina keep this from us?

Portia: Are we going to talk about a maid’s daughter now?

Zinzi: Ask them mom. (She leaves the room).

Lwando: I’m sorry if you’re offended by my announcement. I was just congratulating Dineo since I know her.

Portia: You should think before you speak, because now you’re hurting my daughter. (She follows Zinzi to her bedroom).

Lwando: I’m coming now to apologise. (He follows his mother to Zinzi’s bedroom to apologise).

(While David is alone in the living room, Nina disturbs him).

Nina: Oh, I’m sorry Mr Marcus, I thought madam was here. I wanted to say that I’m going home now.

David: Where did you get the money?

Nina: Excuse me?

David: You heard me, why didn’t you tell me that Dineo is studying and where did you get the money to register her at university?

Nina: It’s none of your business and you don’t have a right to ask me such questions.

David: (He gets up and comes closer to Nina) I told you several times that you should inform me about Dineo’s life.

Nina: (She fumes) Let me tell you this, money does not buy love. I don’t care about your wealth. I know how to work hard and provide for my family.

David: You mean being a maid and selling fruit and veg is working hard? (He laughs.)

Nina: (Angry) Why are you laughing? Or you’re laughing because you don’t know your role!

David: Please don’t shout in my house.

Nina: Oh, you’re scared that your family will hear me? I’m not scared of your family. I will go now and tell them the truth!

David: You don’t have to do that, just go. We’ll talk tomorrow.

Nina: I need more money and R2000 is not enough.

David: (He pushes her towards the door) Just go. I’ll add another thousand.

Nina: You better! (She leaves the house).

***

Tell us: Do you think it’s right that parents should tell their children what to become?