“So what do you think if we move Babalwa from 2F to 2C? She seems to be stronger than the other students in 2F,” said Ameer, the Level 2 computer lecturer.

He had only joined the college four months ago, but he had become quite at home with the systems and students. He was unaware that he was ruffling the feathers of most, if not all, of his colleagues with his know-it-all attitude. He was speaking to Nomhle, one of those whose feathers he had ruffled, and she was sorely tempted to poke him in the eye with one of her quills.

“Yes, I think she’d be better suited in 2C, she’s definitely far more capable than the students in 2F. I’ll email the principal today and tell her what you suggested, and that I agree with you,” she said.

“Actually, I think she’s not as good as the students in 2C, so maybe she should stay in the weaker class,” Ameer remarked.

This was typical of the style of his conversations, and it really got Nomhle’s goat. What the? Why ask for my opinion and then totally disregard it? Nomhle thought to herself. She was under the impression that she hadn’t spoken her last thought aloud.

Then Ameer said, “I was just asking how you felt about the idea. I’m not disregarding your opinion.” There was just the tiniest hint of sarcasm in his tone. This would be the last time he would ever speak to any of his colleagues with such disdain and arrogance. What Nomhle did next gave him whiplash, diarrhoea and nose bleeds for a week. Not really, but it could have.

***

Tell us: What do you think Nomhle did to Ameer next?