It’s Monday and Themba has called the crew to a meeting.

“Thanks for Saturday guys. Everyone was impressed about our performance, especially the judges. We’ve now got an invite to perform at the opening of the Soweto Theatre!”

Zama and Teboho look at each other and smile as they are told about performing at Soweto Theatre. Zama then asks Themba to make sure it’s true.

“Really Ta Mthimbane, as all the boys are surprised. Hey you know when me and Teboho were passing by the Theatre we talked about performing there one day. It was like … our dream…”

Themba reassures them its fact and tells them that they will have to rehearse harder than ever for this as it is a great opportunity.

Hloni stands up and announces to the crew: “It’s time now that the people see that Soweto’s got talent!” and they all jubilantly chant their victory song.

Themba then causes them to erupt in more victory chanting: “Guys, because you know that we won R7000, each guy gets R1000 and the remaining will be saved in the group’s account. I’ll see you later for rehearsals!”

Teboho rushes back home, and hides nearly all of the money under some of his folded clothes. He needs some to spend though.

Let me take a R100 to buy something to eat for my mother, he thinks, locks the door and heads to the hospital.

*****

“Excuse me Sir, I’m here to fetch my mother Pontso. She was in this ward in that bed.” The doctor quickly searches her list for people who are due to leave.

“Can you give me a moment? She is not on the list. I think she must have left with the first group in the morning because the list I have here is for the second group, who have just left.”

He can’t help being anxious, thinking, wondering if she’s dead, when he hears a voice behind him.

“Teboho, I’m here my boy!” She’s standing swaying as she holds onto a chair.

“Oh you have found her,” says the doctor as she returns.

“Yes doctor and thanks. I’m relieved now to find my mother alive.” Teboho takes his mother’s bag and they leave.

“Mama, I think we should buy something to eat. I’ll get us pap and steak takeaways.” Teboho takes out the hundred rand note.

“Teboho! Where did you get that money?”

“Mama, you know the dream I had the last time about the group winning the competition? It worked out the way I saw it in the dream. We won R7000, and Themba gave us R1000 each!”

Teboho enjoys his mother’s amazed and proud smile and they set off slowly for the take-away place.

After eating at home, Teboho gives Pontso her medication. “Thanks my boy. Now I’ll relax a bit.”

“OK Mama, it’s time for me to go to the rehearsal anyway. I’ll see you later.”

“OK my child. Thank you!”

On his way to the rehearsal, he meets up with Kedibone. Seeing her he can’t stop re-living the joy of their discovery of each other. As they hug and kiss, he feels again how he felt when they made love. He wishes he could repeat that, right now. A rush of tenderness wells over him as he looks into her eyes. What would I do without you? he wonders.

“How’s your mother?”

“She’s fine. Let’s hope she realises this time that alcohol is not good for her. That it’s just creating more problems.”

“It’s good to hear that. And yes, let’s hope.”

“I’ll see you after rehearsal, plus I have a surprise for you!” he says, smiling.

“Mhhhh … I wonder what that will be?” she responds teasingly, and plays with a strand of her hair. “See you later then Tebza!”

*****

After rehearsal Teboho returns home, calling out, “Mama I am back!”

There’s no response. Pontso is not there and the clothing he hid his money in is neatly folded but his money is not there.

His mind starts racing: Oh no! Don’t tell me she’s taken my money! And she’s drinking again? Is she back at Lemon Twist? After all I’ve done for her!

Arriving at the shebeen he finds a group of boys who used to dance pantsula. Phumlani calls to Teboho as he enters.

“Dankie ke majaivane. Tebogo is a dancer. ”

Teboho’s eyes are running across the room like a headless chicken as he looks for Pontso.

“Come and join us majaivane.”

“No thanks.” He walks on, into the room.

Phumlani drunkenly gets up to stop him, grabs at him. “No man majaivane come and join us; booze is on me.”

Teboho is serious, annoyed. “I said no.” He snatches Phumlani’s drink and throws it on the floor.

“Guys see what this boy’s done to my drink? Majaivane now that you have broken my drink you will have to buy us a crate!” Phumlani shouts to his friends.

The pantsula boys surround him, grab him and lift him up to search him but they only get a few cents. Phumlani yells for them to hold Teboho as he tries to force him to drink some alcohol. Teboho closes his mouth and fights to escape but the boys tighten their grip on him.

“Themba thinks he can change every pantsula in Protea South, saying that he doesn’t want a dancer who drinks alcohol. Yet I made that group to be where it is today!” yells Phumlani.

The boys try again to force Teboho to open his mouth. Furious, he lashes out and punches one youth on the cheek. In an instant it’s a brawl and Teboho feels the sticks and fists fall on his body as the gang mean business. They beat him but Teboho continues to fight back.

Then Kedibone enters; she’s shocked when he sees him and screams, “Teboho! Stop it! They’ll hurt you! Stop it now!” But Teboho fights as if a devil has got into him. “Teboho! Please stop what you doing. Please!”

But he’s lost to her. Her hand clasped over her mouth, she moves back, unable to watch. A minute later, she’s gone.

In minutes Masabata and her bouncer have taken control and chase the boys out. “Don’t ever come back here!” She turns to Teboho: “You listen boy: I don’t want people coming here to fight!”

“Mama I’m sorry. I was here to look for Kedibone and Phumlani and his boys attacked me, tried to force me to drink.” He wipes his bleeding nose.

“Kedibone’s crying! Please go and find her and talk to her because I don’t know what you’ve done to her. She’s my niece – like a daughter to me! I don’t want you upsetting her. I thought more of you Teboho! What’s got into you?”

Bruised and sore, Teboho staggers down the dusty road.

“Kedibone? Where are you? Please?” But there is no answer.

***

Tell us what you think: Is this the end of Teboho and Kedibone’s new relationship? Has Pontso stolen his money?