“They’ve taken all of the jobs,” Bongani spat, with his head down, shovelling forkfuls of food into his mouth. Lungile watched him while she played at eating, but stayed quiet.

“People say that, but is it true?” Bongani’s mother got up and turned off the tea kettle whistling on the stove. “I think people are getting excited about nothing. And you, Bongani, should stay away from them. It will lead to no good.”

Bongani’s head shot up, his eyes flashing left and right with anger. “Keep out of it, Mama! How many more Zimbabweans must come here? They will work for nothing; how can a South African like me expect to ever find a decent job when they will work for nothing?”

“Bongani, please,” his mother pleaded, sitting down next to him and running her hand along his arm. “Please, promise me you won’t get mixed up in all of this. It is not your concern. Things will work out, you will find a job soon enough. You’ve finished your matric now, you will find a job. Please Bongani, promise me you’ll stay out of it.”

Lungile watched her brother and her mother. She knew her brother thought what he was saying was right. He pulled away from his mother’s tender touch. “I need to go out.” He stood up, grabbed his jacket from the hook and headed for the door.

“Please, Bongani, please don’t go,” his mother tried again, but Bongani turned and left.

Lungile sat at the table, pushing her uneaten food around on the plate. She worried about her brother and what he did in the dark, dusty lanes of Alexandra. But she knew that her brother’s activities helped her; they helped her to keep her secret quiet from everyone.

***

Tell us what you think: Is Bongani’s mother right – that what he is going will ‘lead to no good’?