Ikaneng and Ayanda arrived home at the same time as Ayanda’s mom. He lifted Mpilo down and the little boy rushed to hug his mom’s legs. She swung him up and kissed his chubby cheeks, then greeted Ikaneng.

“Hello Ikaneng. How are you mfana wam?”

“I’m fine Mme. I was just walking Ayanda and Mpilo home,” he said, giving Mpilo a fist bump.

“Thank you for bringing my babies home. And thank your mother for taking care of them.”

When Ikaneng left, Ayanda went to take off her school uniform.

“How was school today, Yandi?” her mom asked.

“It was good Mama. But … well … everyone is still talking about the body of the woman found at the park.”

“You children must be really scared; a lot of us adults are too.”

Ayanda didn’t see a need to tell her mother about the fight between Lerato and DK, and add to her worries.

“Mama, I worry about you. You must see if there’s anyone who can give you a lift home when you work late,” she said.

“Don’t worry my baby. The taxi is going to drop us at our homes now. I’m quite safe. And … I have a surprise for you! Look in my room, on the bed.”

Ayanda went to look in her mother’s bedroom and found a big packet on the bed. She brought it back.

“Yivule, open it,” her mother ordered with a smile.

Inside was a beautiful new dress for her, and new shoes for Mpilo.

“Try it on, sibone.”

Ayanda quickly took her pyjamas off and put the dress on. She was so excited she couldn’t get the zip up. Her mother helped her, then sat Mpilo down on the bed and put his new shoes on.

“I know we haven’t spent much time together because I’ve been working so hard. But I thought we could go out this weekend and do something nice.”

“It’s so beautiful! Mama, you don’t have to spend all this money on me,” Ayanda said.

“Does that mean you don’t want the dress?”

“No, I love it. But you work so hard, two jobs, just so we can survive.”

“It’s my job to take care of your brother and you. And I work to be able to spoil you a little too. You’re a good girl, Ayanda, and I’m blessed to have you and Mpilo.”

But Ayanda could see the sadness and worry in her mother’s eyes. She tried so hard to take care of them. Even though they were not well off, they always had everything they needed. Her mother was amazing: taking care of two children and working two jobs with crazy shifts.

Things had been hard since their dad passed away three years ago, but her mother was always there for them. Ayanda could feel her eyes starting to water.

“Ngiyabonga, Mama,” she said, giving her a hug.

Mpilo was clapping his hands and giggling, dancing in his new shoes.

“Yes my baby. Mama is going to take you and Ayanda out for a movie.”

When the family went to bed, Ayanda’s mom phoned Mma Radebe from her room.

“Mkhosi, I wanted to thank you for taking care of my babies,” she said, tearing up.

“You would do the same for me and my children,” Mma Radebe said.

The two women had been friends since Ayanda and her family moved into Phendula Park a few years ago. They were both widows, raising two kids on their own. At least Mma Radebe had Gogo for support, thought Ayanda’s mom. Who did she have?

“I’m here for you, Thandi,” said Mma Radebe, as though to answer her question. “I’ll keep Mpilo here when Ayanda goes for her extra lessons, and I’ll make sure they eat too. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

Then Ayanda’s mom softened her voice and the women talked about the rumours that were spreading in the community. She didn’t want Ayanda to hear from her room, and she didn’t want to wake Mpilo, who was already blissfully asleep next to her. They were both worried about their daughters and wondered who had committed the rape and murder. The only definite facts were that the victim was not from their community, and her family had not yet been found.

“We must pray that they quickly find whoever did this,” said Ayanda’s mother.

“Yes. And they need to fix that damn park before something else happens,” Mma Radebe said.

The women said their goodbyes and ended the call.

Tell us: What kind of person is Ayanda’s mother?