“Hurry, hurry, Thandeka,” Gogo Sophie said.

I had forgotten to set the alarm, and I was so late for school that I did not even get a chance to eat breakfast. I wore my school uniform at the speed of a truck driver, then I quickly moisturised and combed my afro, then kissed Gogo Sophie on the cheek, and off I went. On my way to school, I ran like I was taking part in the cross country Marathon. It was like nothing had happened to my knee, and while I was running, a voice next to me shouted my name.

“Thandeka! Wait,” the voice said. It was Buhle, and I wondered what she wanted. “I want to apologize for what I said yesterday. I didn’t mean it, so ngiyaxolisa. You actually deserve going to that school. I mean, look at how smart, beautiful, and strong you are,” she said with a cheerful spirit.

“There’s no problem, just let me get going, I’m very late,” I said.

After walking away from Buhle, I forced my body into the bus, and took a sigh of relief as I sat down. I thought it was was going to be Déjà vu, wherein the bus always leaves me behind. Having to walk from Soweto to Collins Secondary School was no joke, and even though kind people would always offer me lifts, you never know if you can trust them or not. With GBV being what it is these days, it is not safe at all.

While the bus was moving, the bus driver, Bab’ William, called my name, and while I was going to him, I wonder what got him to be in the colourful mood he was in. “You’re one of a kind, very brave and strong, and we need people like you,” he said.

I was amazed and terrified by what he said. It was actually the second time I had been complimented like that by an unexpected person. While I was talking to Bab’ William, I heard the patting of hands coming from students of Collins Secondary School in the bus. I wondered if I had won an award or something. Maybe they were pranking me, but I would never fall for their prank. So, after getting off the bus, I kept on walking and never gave them my attention.

While I was walking, a hand gently grabbed my shoulder from behind. “Stop,” Kagiso said, and I was confused.

“But why?” I asked, and while I was waiting for a response, colourful posters started popping up with the words ‘we are sorry!’ written on them.

I was surprised by it all. I never thought that a day like that would ever come, but I wondered where Mr Swart, David, Sofia, John and Eric were. All those students I mentioned had given me a tough time in Grade 8. You can think of all sorts of torture and hatred, and they had done them to me. But, as I wondered, I hoped their hearts would find the desire to forgive and love again.

After a while, Emily came to me crying, and she hugged me. “I’m sorry, okay,” she said with a sweet voice.

I had never seen that gorgeous and sweet side of Emily before, and she made me emotional. “I forgive you,” I said.

“Sisters?” Emily asked.

“Sisters!” I replied with excitement.

After a while, I softly spoke to Kagiso. “And what’s all this, is it kind day?” I asked.

“Nope, not at all. Mr Kagiso actually took a video while you were speaking yesterday and uploaded it on social media. He first sent it to the school’s magazine, since his so called ‘friend’ Jessie is the leader there. People were actually talking about how brave you are, and I’m actually sorry for not listening to you when you said we must speak up,” Lesedi said.

“It’s fine, Lesedi, as long you’re happy, then I’m happy,” I said. “So, Kagiso is the reason behind all of this? Wow, thank you brother. I actually have another announcement to make.”

After speaking to Kagiso, he signalled for everyone to listen up.

“Thank you guys for this,” I said. “And I think you’ve taught yourself to love and be kind to one another. I don’t think we must end here, though. I, as Thandeka Mabaso, will start a movement called The Voice Movement, and it is a movement or, rather, a platform where you will be taught to love each other because, like Nelson Mandela said, ‘it always seems impossible until it’s done’. Different cultures, religions, and languages will also be taught, and you will also be taught the meaning, consequences and typed of racism and colourism so that, the next time when you’re oppressing others, you know the meaning and consequences of your actions. If you know those consequences, then it’s going to be in your own hands whether you put it to good or bad use. Amandla!”

After speaking, I raised my fist in the air and it stood firm and strong. Kagiso and Lesedi shouted ‘Awethu’, and all the students joined in with their ‘Awethu’, but it came with their Sandton twangs.

“So, who’s willing to join me?” I asked.

“May I be the first?” Mr Swart said, coming from the school hall.

“Mr Swart!” I shouted in shock.

“I should have known that what I was doing was totally wrong, so please find it in your heart to forgive me. Also, to you Kagiso and Lesedi, I’m sorry.”

It was the first time I had had that kind of conversation with Mr Swart. It was not easy for all of them to come and apologise, because love does not grow in one day, and hatred does not disappear in few minutes.

*****************

“Here’s our Queen,” Maskhosana said while holding her phone. She was with Gogo Sophie, and they were standing on the red shining stoep.

“I saw everything, mntwanami,” Gogo Sophie said. “I’m proud of you.”

“That was a big step you took, young lady,” Maskhosana said.

“Here’s Thandeka,” Dineo shouted. She was a 9 years old child who lived across the road from me, but the big words she knew amazed me, and she was a genius. “You’re my hero. Because of you, I learnt not to oppress anybody, whether they are dark or light. We are all Africans, and we must not run away from the truth.”

“Our little comrade, Thandeka!” Gogo Sophie said.

“Dineo, you must tell people about The Voice Movement so that we can be able to tackle and defeat racism and colourism. You’re going to be my sidekick, right?” I said.

“Definitely, bye. What did Gogo Sophie say? Oh wait, I remember, ‘my little comrade!’” Dineo said, hopping out of the Mabaso household with excitement, ready to tell the world about the movement.

Racism and colourism is real, and it is up to us if we want to end it or not. Let us rejoice, support, and love each other. It may not be an easy journey, but we can do it if we take it one step at a time!

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