It’s Saturday and Teboho’s group is invited to perform at the opening of a fitness gym at the Protea South community hall. The group of five boys is now getting a reputation as the well-named Sitalented Pantsula dance group.
Teboho arrives with Zama. They are a bit late. Hloni, who likes to talk too much, mocks them. “Teboho and Zama, even if we are meeting near your homes you are still late. Stop sleeping guys.”
Zama answers him. “You said we’d meet at nine o’clock, so we are just ten minutes late.”
Themba stops them. “Enough talking guys! It’s time to change. We’re opening the program.”
As the music begins, Teboho thinks how lucky he is to be in this group. Themba is like their father, especially so for Teboho given his situation at home. Themba always ask him if he is good. Zama’s now a close friend. He lives in the same street and invites Teboho for lunch at times and they rehearse their moves, since Zama doesn’t learn easily at rehearsals. Thabang on the other hand only meets them when they rehearse and perform. At his home the family has a shop and Thabang has to sell, but when he’s with the group he likes to joke. Tshepo is talented and he’s an assistant choreographer obsessed with concepts, with creating dance pieces.
When Teboho is with the group he’s in another world – like today – as they kill their moves. The crowd claps wildly as they finish creating havoc on the dance floor.
Teboho looks over the audience – and sees Kedibone’s smiling face! He taps his friend Zama on the shoulder with excitement. Zama is startled.
“Teboho, what’s up? What makes you so excited now?”
“Kedibone! Look – it’s her! I told you she would come back.”
Zama laughs at him: “Oh – the one in your dreams.”
“No Zama, not in my dreams now! Look! There she is!”
Kedibone waves her hand. Zama looks at her and comments: “So this is the girl you have been talking about. Now I see why you’ve been patient. She is beautiful.”
Teboho walks towards her with a tight feeling in his stomach. As she approaches him he’s suddenly unsure if it’s really Kedibone – it seems so unbelievable.
“Hello Teboho! It’s me – Kedibone. Remember?”
She hasn’t changed; well, only her height has changed. She is still dark in colour, with short hair, and she’s slender. Teboho remembers the day when he first saw her.
As excited as he is he asks, “Kedibone, where have you been for so long?”
In reply Kedibone gives him the same smile he saw last time they met and twirls her hair with her finger. “I’ve been away. My aunt found a boarding school; she wants me away from the tavern. And since I saw you in the Jika Majika show I have really wanted to meet you again. Every time I came to your house your mother told me that you’ve gone to perform, or you’ve gone camping with your group.”
“I went to your house and your aunt told me that you dance too!”
“Yes, but I am not as good as you.”
“Can I have small show then? Don’t be shy – just dance.”
Kedibone spins in front of him, mixing pantsula, hip hop, isibujwa, but her moves are not that crisp.
“That’s not too bad Kedibone! With practice you will be really good.”
“So, Teboho, do you think I can join your group if I can learn?”
“Yes, plus when we have a girl we’ll be untouchable.”
“Teboho, my aunt is waiting for me outside. I’ll see you!”
“Before you go … there’s a dance competition next Saturday in this hall. I’ll be so happy if you come.”
For an instant they stand staring at each other. Slowly Kedibone bends towards him and he feels her lips brush against his cheek. Then quickly she says, “I’ll see you!” and runs out. As she disappears, Teboho raises his hand to his cheek and holds it for a moment.
Zama has been watching. “Teboho, my friend, I thought you were scared of girls? You clearly know what you want my friend! Come, Themba is calling us.”
On his way back to the group with the effects of Kedibone’s kiss still running in his veins, he hears Themba tells them that he will need a copy of their birth certificate or identity document.
“We might go to France! At least let’s be prepared.”
He calls Teboho to one side. “Can I see you for a moment?”
“Teboho, it’s really time to tell your mother to organise a birth certificate.”
“I will tell her Themba.”
“Please Teboho. It’s important! You have to get an ID so that I can apply for all of our passports.” He turns to the rest of the crew: “And before you go guys, there’s another local dance competition we have to enter.”
Teboho’s excited and wonders if they can win it. He goes home determined, hoping that Pontso will tell him this time he asks about his family and about the dream.
As he enters he finds his mother sitting quietly in thought. He approaches her gently. “You know Mama, for days I have not been feeling well. I’ve been unsettled. I keep on seeing this man in my dreams.”
“Dreams are dreams my child.” She turns her head away.
“But mama besides dreams I still don’t know my family. All the time I have been living with you, I don’t know who my father is! That’s not OK!”
“Teboho we will discuss this when the time is right. Not today.”
“Mama the answer is right there – in your memory! You need no more time to tell me.” He can’t help his voice rising in anger.
“My God, why is this always coming to me?” She turns away from him.
“Maybe God wants you to tell me who my father is. I need to understand why I am feeling the way I do. If you can just take me to him or his family – please?”
“No Teboho I can’t. Not now.”
“If you don’t tell me, it means that you don’t love me!” Teboho kicks over the stool he was sitting on.
“You know what Teboho? I think the tavern is better than sitting here with you. You just give me stress!” Pontso cries out, and dashes out of the house.
Teboho lifts the hood of his jacket over his head, slips his hands into his pockets and hunching his back he steps into the night. Walking fast, he thinks about his mother. His heart feels like a hard stone.
What is she hiding from me? What is she hiding about her past? Will her past forever have an impact on my life?
What about Kedibone? Do I want to confuse her, get her involved with my mother’s secret past? Will we be lovers?
***
Tell us what you think: How important is it to know your father and your family? Will Pontso ever tell him the truth?