(It is Monday night at Ntabazinduna township. Samukelisiwe is dreaming, and she is seeing herself through the first person point of view. In the dream, she is walking through a jungle, carrying plastic bags full of groceries. When she looks down at her feet, she sees that they are bare and they are those of a man. When she looks up, she sees Ntabazinduna township. It is semi-dark, but veranda lights provide their fair share of light.
Samukelisiwe takes on the small routes mapping through the houses. Ahead of her, there is a beautiful house with a strong fence around it. Next door is her house, and it is poorly fenced. The veranda light shows its decaying state. She approaches the beautiful house. The gate is locked, but she walks through it. The yard is big, paved well and well designed. She then walks up to the front door. It is also, locked yet she walks thought it too.
Inside the house, the yard lights provide same light. Samukelisiwe is in the kitchen, placing the groceries on the kitchen counter, and then turns to walk into the dining room. She passes the living room and walks through a door into a room lit by four red and black candles. The candles are on a shrine, and there is a red cloth underneath the shrine. A large mirror stands on the wall, and witchcraft artefacts dominate around the shrine.
After a while, Samukelisiwe walks to stand before the shrine, and she sees herself as Thabani in the reflection of the mirror. Thabani is wearing a black plain robe that ends after the kneecaps. She then wakes up sweating, and screaming for her father.)
Samukelisiwe: (Screaming.) Baba, Baba, Baba!
(Her mother walks in and switches on the light, revealing the frightened teenager on the living room floor. She is gripping the blanket tightly, and her eyes are wide open with fright. Tears are streaming down her face freely.)
MaNyathi: (Speaking in a panicking voice.) Yini? What is it? Ukhulalelani?
Samukelisiwe: (Crying and speaking in a frightened voice.) I saw ubaba, and he is alive. Oh MaNxumalo, bamenze umkhobo. They are spiritually using ubaba mama, they have turned him into their witch elf.
(MaNyathi gives Samukelisiwe a look of parental condescending disbelief and empathy.)
MaNyathi: I know you miss your dad, but you have to let it go. It has been nine years now. I miss him too, I even cry sometimes. It is hard baby, but we have to move on. Blaming other people for God’s work is wrong. It was his time, baby. Samukelisiwe ngiyakucela, stop this. Come to church with me next Sunday. There is a youth camp, so maybe you can tag along and free your mind. It has been long since you have been on holiday.
(MaNyathi reaches out to wipe Samukelisiwe’s tears, but Samukelisiwe pushes her hand away.)
Samukelisiwe: (Crying and speaking in a frightened angry voice.) Why don’t you believe me? Dad is alive! oNxumalo are using him.
(MaNyathi reaches out to wipe Samukelsiwe’s tears again, but Samukelisiwe still pushes her hand away.)
Samukelisiwe: (Crying and speaking in a frightened and angry voice.) You never believe me. You never believe in my dreams. Dad is alive, I saw him mama. (She collapses into absolute crying. Her mother hugs her, and tears glow in her mother’s eyes.)
MaNyathi: (Speaking in a comforting voice.) It is okay baby, it will be all fine.
Samukelisiwe: (Crying on her mother’s shoulder and speaking in a muffled voice.) He is alive, he is alive, and they are using him.
MaNyathi: It is going to be alright, baby. God is watching, so do not cry.
(She wipes the tears from Samukelisiwe’s eyes and swallows deep pains.)
Tell us: Do you believe it is possible for people to turn other people into zombies they can use?