There were dating sites on social media called ‘Eskimi’ and ‘Twoo’ where you had to put your details and a picture of yourself online. Tshepo joined them and started to look around for a beautiful woman who matched him. He found two pretty women, one from Thembisa and the other from Soweto. He quickly befriended them and proclaimed his love. The two were interested.

For the first time he met them at different times then he showed them where he stayed. The two ladies slept with Tshepo without a condom several times until they fell pregnant. This didn’t put Tsepo down, he tried by all means to look after his children. It was becoming hard so he gave them R800 each a month that way he could pay rent and bills even. Luckily he got a salary increase.

The two women he met on social media brought in the children when one was two years and the other was two and half years old. He quickly asked for an off day so he could spend it with them. His boss didn’t agree until he lied that one of his children was sick. He travelled to Limpopo to give the children to his mother. He never gave the two mothers the money for support instead he gave to his mother who would be taking responsibility for them.

“Tshepo, you are spoilt brat. This is not how I raised you.” she cried.

Tshepo wouldn’t listen but gave his mother cash to look after his two daughters. His father thought he would still change and hoped so. Tshidi had baby girl making it three children with Tshepo. He walked confidently with an ‘I don’t care’ attitude. His father was out of words and knew he didn’t listen when scolded, so he accepted the situation.

“At least we have grandchildren.” his father bragged.

Tshepo’s brothers and sister were all married. He was different from his siblings. He and Mumsy were the only ones in Joburg, his brothers were in Mpumalanga. His mother said Joburg had changed Tshepo, but he didn’t see it that way. He just wanted to enjoy his life.

“Mumsy hasn’t changed, has she?” his father shouted.

“Tshepo is swallowed by the city of sins. Instead of getting married, he is impregnating the whole place.” she cried.

“Maybe that’s what he wants.” his father said.

Tshepo’s mother never understood what was wrong with Tshepo, she gave up on pushing him to marry. All the women he dated quickly moved on, some only wanted him to give them money.

Back in Joburg, Tshepo still impregnated three women who left the babies on his doorstep. He took them back home. His mother didn’t object and accepted who her son was.

At home, there were seven grandchildren including Tshidi’s. He sent home R5500 to his mother and she made sure they had clothes to wear and food to eat. They all attended school in Bakenburg village. The funny thing was that they all looked as if they were born a year after each other.

Tshepo had an accident at 32 and died on the spot. His sister, Mumsy was notified by the police. She had a breakdown and no one could comfort her because she wailed loudly.

After an hour of processing everything about Tshepo, she called her parents. They were devastated when they heard news. The burial took place in Bakenburg, Mmotong village where he was buried.

“That Joburg took my child away.” his mother kept saying over and over again.

At least the mine compensated his family with a big pay out of R100 000. His mother saved it in an investment bank to prepare for her grandchildren’s future.

***

Tell us: Do you think the fault is with the city or the people in it?