The carriage is a bit crowded as we enter. The train is on time. Is this a fresh start with new intentions for 2017? Would this be maintained?

“Ek is nogal ’n bietjie laat,” a lady says to the commuter next to her. In return she just nods and smiles politely. The train gains momentum; stretches its legs almost suggesting: Today I’m gonna be on time.

The lady continues: “Ek soek plek vi’ my klonkie. Die skole is vol. Ek haloep al heel wiek ron,” looking affectionately at her son of about nine years old. With a shy glance he looks around puts his hands in his pockets and leans against his mother. She places her hand on the side of his face and pulls him closer.

This seems to have triggered the interest of the lady next to her and she responds by saying. “Ek het net soe gesukkel met my kind. Gelukkag het ek haar ingekry, maa’ hulle is ampe’ veetag in ’n klas.” The eyes of the lady holding her son widens at hearing that.

“O gonna Piet, my good lord!” she exclaims.

“Ja die skool is twie teachers short maa’ hulle is innie process om die situation te address,” the lady explains.

“Ek het laasjaa’ apply maa’ hulle lat nou wiet die skool is vol. Die klong moet nou van voo’ af nuwe vrinne maak en aan alles gewoon raak,” the mother explains while affectionately caressing the boy’s cheek. She looks at him and whispers to him: “You’ll survive, hey boy?” Without looking up he nods approvingly.

The mother continues: “Die principal sê hulle gaan plek maak, maa’ nog niks lat wiettie. Ek kan mossie die kind by die huis hou, niks doen, my arms vou, en vi’ hulle waggie,” she says with concern in her voice.

At Mutual station commuters gather at the door waiting for the train to come to a halt. A man looks at his watch for a moment. A wry smile appears on his face. Did the watch smile at him first?

“Mommy are we getting off at the next station?” the boy softly asks his mom.

“Yes my boy,” the mother replies.

The lady next to her looks at him; smiles and says: “Shame he’s a sweet boy, hulle moenie soe met hom maakkie.”

He looks at the lady for a moment; she smiles, but he quickly shifts his eyes to his mother.

“Yes, he’s clever too. I’m positive that he’ll be fine. It’s a pity I can’t have him in a private school because he’s dedicated to his schoolwork and the results show. I just trust things will work out fine,” the mother says with pride. She then adds: “For a single mother of three kids, things are a bit tough sometimes.”

The boy almost gets onto his mother’s lap, puts his arm around her and whispers: “Before daddy closed his eyes, he made me promise him that I’ll look after you one day.”

The two ladies’ jaws drop almost simultaneously. They look at the boy in total disbelief.

Both, at the same time open up their handbags, each grabbing a tissue to wipe away the tears.

The boy looks through the train’s window with an ‘I’m-gonna-do-this’ look on his face.

The smog hangs low over the station as we enter; the aftermath of the fires on the Table…but the sun is silently shining through.

***

Urban Dictionary

klonkie – The Afrikaans word for “little boy”. It is the diminutive form of “klong” which is a word for boy originating from the time slavery at the Cape. It presumably comes from “klein jong” with “jong” being a “young male”. Though derogative in origins, it is now used affectionately.

haloep – The Afrikaaps word for “hardloop” which is the Afrikaans word for “run”.

wiek – The Afrikaaps word for “week” which has the same meaning in Afrikaans and English.

ron – The Afrikaaps word for “rond” which is the Afrikaans word for “round /around”.

veetag – The Afrikaaps word for “veertig” which is the Afrikaans word for “forty (40)”.

laasjaa – The Afrikaaps word for “laasjaar” which is the Afrikaans word for “last year”.

vrinne – The Afrikaaps version of “vriende” which is the Afrikaans word for “friends”.