Christina

Christina was a 35-year-old woman who left Zimbabwe in search of work after the economy started suffering. Whites were evicted from their homes and many left the country. It happened in 2005. Many people started to leave for Diaspora. There were many opportunities and better jobs with good salaries there.

Her brother, Tawanda had been in South Africa since years ago when someone told him that South Africa was better than Zimbabwe. Tawanda worked in an industry that packed beans, popcorn, nuts and soya beans. He was a packer at Willard’s Packers and he stayed in Thembisa. Christina had two children and was not married. The father didn’t care about her and the children. Tawanda sent his sister money to join him in Diaspora, hoping to help her relieve some of her troubles.

He waited for the Eagle Liner buses to drop her off at Park station. He was getting tired of standing, until he saw a glimpse of the bus with a paint drawing of an eagle. They embraced each other when they met. Christina was excited to be in the place everyone talked about back home.

They took a taxi to his flat. After relaxing and eating, Tawanda took Christina for a walk in the neighbourhood.

“Don’t worry, sister. I will help you get a job.” Tawanda assured her.

“I hope so brother and thank you.” She replied.

“I spoke to my boss, he will employ you.” He said.

They walked down the street to buy some tomatoes on Nelson Mandela Street. Stalls were on every corner; fresh vegetables, cigarettes, chips and sweets greeted people everywhere they looked. When they got back home, Christina prepared seshebo, the relish they would eat with mealie meal porridge.

“Tomorrow I will take you to work and my boss will see you. I already told him you are a hard worker.” he said, grinding the meat with his teeth.

“Thank you brother.” She smiled.

Christina slept peacefully, with hope in her mind. Tawanda slept in the same room as her but on the floor. He used a sponge as his bed. He respected his sister as Christina was older than him. His freedom was gone, since he could no longer bring in women into his home. That’s all he thought about in his big skull as he tried to fall asleep. What would they say if they saw Christina in his room? They wouldn’t believe him if he said they were related. They would think she was his wife and never believe they were brother and sister. That would be the worse event in his life.

The birds chirping outside woke Tawanda, who boiled water in a big tin, on the two-plate. He shook Christina awake, who took longer to respond. He kept shaking her but she didn’t move. He didn’t want to be late for work.

“You have to bath.” He said loudly.

He poured water in a small bucket and went to the bathroom they shared with two other neighbours. He took a bath fast, the way he liked it. He always said women must bath longer because they were dirtier than men.

When he got back, Christina was still under the blankets. He sighed and shook her again by her shoulder.

“Sis, wake up please. We will be late.” he shouted.

Christina yawned, stretching her hands in the air. Tawanda pulled the blankets on the floor. Luckily, Christina slept with her clothes on. She stood up and poured water in the bucket. She went straight to the bathroom.

Tawanda sighed and made the bed neat and tidy. He rolled his sponge bed and placed it standing,along the wall near the wardrobe. There weren’t fancy things in his house, just a bed, a brown broken wardrobe, two plastic chairs, a television, a small chest of drawers to put the pots and plates in and a small table to put his two plate stove on. He began to dress quickly. He wore his two-piece green work suit. Under the jacket, he wore a white T-shirt. Christina entered when he was brushing his hair. He had his hair cut short.

“Can you give me a few minutes so I can dress?” She asked, wiping her face with a towel.

“OK sister.” He said, holding a brush and shoe polish.

Tawanda went outside and Christina undressed and applied Nivea lotion on her body. She wore her blue skirt and a white blouse. She started to apply face cream so she could apply make-up.

“Sister, you are taking too long.” He entered.

“I have to look good.” She said, brushing her cheeks.

“They don’t care about your make up. It’s just a job interview.” He said, putting back the shoe polish in the wardrobe.

“I need makeup for confidence.” She said.

Tawanda shook his head and sighed. He checked his time and sighed again.

“I will be with you now.” She said.

It took a few minutes to finish what she was doing. Tawanda grabbed his bag from the wall. He checked if he had all he needed. He wore a watch and he checked the time.

“Let’s go.” He said, opening the door.

Christina followed and he locked the door.

***

Tell us: Who do you think takes longer to get ready, men or women? Why?