She wakes up every morning and says, “Good morning, South Africa.” She lives with her mother who is HIV positive. She’s a lesbian and a teacher. Her name is Noluntu. She cares for her mother who was a prostitute in her early life. Doctors can’t do anything for her, except give her pills.

When Noluntu wakes up and says “Good morning, South Africa” you would swear she was talking to God Himself. She has such a beautiful smile on her face. After greeting the day she goes to the bathroom to brush her teeth and then she goes to check on her mother. But this day she hears a knock on the door. When she opens it there is a man standing on the doorstep. He looks worried.

He says to Noluntu, “Hi, child, can I perhaps come in? By the way…” he breathes deeply trying to calm himself. Noluntu lets him inside and offers him some water. “Sir, you were saying…?” she is interrupted by her mother, she sounds worried, she has heard that her daughter is talking to someone in the kitchen. “Lulu, who is that? Is everything OK?”

The man is relieved to her Noluntu’s mother’s voice. “Yes Ma, it’s all right. I’ll be with you just now.”

She looks at the older man. He is more relaxed now, and smiling. Then he says to Noluntu, “Oh, child, by the way, I’m Frank.”

“Nice to meet you Mr Frank. Wait a minute.” She pauses. She has heard that name before. “ Are you Frank Mzibuko?” she asks him. He is surprised.

“That’s me,” says Frank.

“What can I do for you?” She relaxes now that she knows who he is.

“I’d like to see your mother, If I’m not asking too much, please child.” Before Noluntu can answer her mother is standing next to them.

“Frank?” That’s all she can say. She can’t believe her eyes.

“Mom, what’s going on here?” Asks Noluntu. “You’re supposed to be in bed.” Noluntu was afraid that people would keep their distance if they found out her mom was HIV positive, and that she was a lesbian. She knew how little her community understood. According to them if you’re HIV or you arne’t ‘straight’ you are a devil. But Frank had heard that Noluntu’s mom was sick and he had come all the way from Soweto to Cape Town to see her.

“Petunia? Wow, is that you?” They stared at each other and Noluntu felt invisible suddenly.

“I’ll leave you mom. If you need me I’ll be in the other room.” She was worried about her mother’s condition.

“I’m fine, young baby. I’m okay, really. You go and get ready for work, or you’ll be late.”

“Aren’t you living in Johburg,” Petunia turned to Frank when Lulu had gone.

“Yes, I’m still in Johburg but I came to visit my nephew,” he didn’t really tell her the truth as to why he was in Cape Town. Instead he began telling her about his long trip and his grandchildren who always gave him trouble. He made Petunia laugh. She felt young again.

“So, um, how is your wife doing?” she asked him. All of a sudden Frank dropped the mask that hid his feelings. “Frank, is it something I said?” Petunia knew Frank better than he thought.

“No, it’s not you. It’s …my wife died two months ago. But…we were no longer still in love.”

“She was sick…or…?” But Petunia could not finish her question. Frank interrupted her. “Yes, she was sick” he said quickly. “She had ovarian cancer.” Petunia could see he was close to tears now. “I’m fine…” he said, “Don’t worry.”

“I’m so sorry Frank.” Petunia touched his arm in sympathy.

Just then Noluntu came to say goodbye. She was on her way to work. “Mom do you need anything before I go?” She asked, texting something on her phone.

“No, but I’d like you to come home early today. I think it’s time, don’t you think so Frank?” she looked at Frank and Noluntu could see they shared something secret. Noluntu had seen Frank’s name in her mother’s diary. So this guy was important to her mother.

“Yes, it’s time,” said Frank.

But Noluntu couldn’t wait til after work, “What’s up?” she asked. They looked at each other.

“How did you know my name was Mazibuko?” asked Frank. Noluntu started to panic. They would find out that she had read her mother’s diary. “Well I ….does it matter?” she stumbled on.

“My gir,” her mom took her hands. “This man is….well he’s your father.”

Noluntu looked at Frank again. She had suspected that but she hadn’t wanted to jump to conclusions. “You’re my father, but how…?”

“I met him before…” her mother hesitated. She was ashamed of having had to be a prostitute to keep them alive. …”he said he’s marry me, but his family never like me. According to them I’m a witch! They were ignorant. My grandmother was a sangoma.”

“Wow, you never told me that,” Noluntu wondered what else her mother had kept a secret.

“Our families wanted…well they wanted me to get rid of you.” her mother looked down, she couldn’t meet Noluntu’s eyes. “They were elders, we just agreed with them about everything, we had to.”

“But, I am here.” Noluntu felt the tears welling up in her eyes. She didn’t understand this. How could they not have a say in their lives. But those were the old days when you had to say yes, even if your heart didn’t agree. “How did you keep me?”

“Well, Noluntu. Your late aunt was kind enough to take me away from my family to stay with her. Frank has always known that you were alive but he didn’t dare come near me,” Said her mom.

“Frank…Dad,” the word sounded strange, but she tried it again, “Dad, do you want to say something?”

“Just sorry, for not being in your life for such a long time.” That’s all he could say.

“I’m not angry at you.” said Noluntu slowly, “Welcome home.” She went to hug her father. Nothing could have made Petunia happier.

“Thank you, thank you, my girl,” said Frank.

Noluntu hesitated before she went out of the door to catch the taxi to work. She looked back at her mom and her dad. Frank had been brave to come and tell his story, maybe it was time for Noluntu to tell hers.

***

Tell us what you think: Will Noluntu be able to tell her parents?