“But, Mom, all these different people have actually been trying to help me – except that bitch Refiloe, of course! One guy offered to take me to his sangoma, everyone’s praying. Even those guys last night. But, I guess it’s just because they can’t accept our world view.”

Antonia and her mom were talking in the car on the drive to school.

“You’re kind to say that, honey, but I think they were thinking more about themselves. Your beliefs threaten theirs. A lot of belief systems work on fear: if you don’t believe or praise or make offerings or perform the right ceremonies, bad luck will come your way.”

As they approached the school, they noticed people milling in the road ahead. “Oh no – there must have been an accident. Ugh. I don’t want to see blood,” said Antonia, covering her eyes.

“Relax, you big baby. It’s just parents seeing kids off on an outing. I’ll drop you here. I’ll phone Mrs Mnisi about last night when I get to work. Remember: have the courage of your convictions.”

As Antonia walked up the road towards the school gate the people began shouting excitedly as someone pointed – at her! They quickly grouped tightly together, and the random shouts became chanting, louder and louder.

Antonia stopped. Her heart thumped. Sweat broke out on her top lip, and trickled from under her arms. She looked around wild-eyed, for some other target. Were these people really chanting and punching their fists at her? It was true. She began trembling in the blast of their aggression.

Then Meena stopped beside her. “What’s going on, Antonia? Who are these people? I recognise some of the kids – oh Allah – that’s even Mr Badat and Thikkam. I am scared! What are they saying?”

Soon they made out the words: “Godless child out! Go! Go! Go! Godless child out!”

Now they heard feet pounding up behind them. It was Ngcebo and Tanya, who each grasped one of Antonia’s arms protectively. All around, children and parents arriving for school stopped, confused and anxious, and stared.

A dad ran up to the chanting crowd and shook his fist and yelled, disgusted. He was joined by a mother. “Are you mad, Jenny Arend!” she screamed in the face of one of the protesters. “You are yelling at a child!”

“We are protecting all the children of this school! The devil is at work here!” the woman screamed back, her face distorted as she strained to make herself heard.

Then from the far side of the gate Antonia noticed a group shoving through the protesters. As they emerged and came sprinting towards them, Ngcebo cheered: “Heita, guys! Reinforcements!”

Andile, Sindiwe, Ratsebe – and was that Solomon – yes! – arrived excited and panting. Everyone linked arms in a barrier around Antonia and advanced towards the crowd. She felt transformed: strong and calm. She looked straight ahead. She did not even want to know who those few shameful parents and their brainwashed children were.

Now there was a commotion in the school driveway. It was the early staff and pupils, rushing down to see what was happening. They stopped and stared at Antonia and her shield of guardians, a shield that grew bigger and bigger as more children linked arms and joined.

As they reached the protesters, the chanting faltered, the chanters looked uncertain. Then Andile broke away and strode up to confront them.

His voice was loud and firm: “Do unto others as you would have done to yourself!”

Parents, teachers, learners cheered, clapped, high-fived, toyi-toyed and chanted themselves: “Do unto others! Do unto others!”

Antonia broke her forward stare to glance over. She saw all she needed to: one protester’s overexcited face collapse into shame and tears, as she stumbled away to her car. She almost felt sorry for the woman – almost.

“Now that was a lesson to everyone – in so many ways. And I see a future preacher in our young Andile,” said Mrs Tshuma proudly to Mr Dube.

*****

Magdalen and Solomon came to Antonia, shamefaced. “Antonia, I apologise for my part in all of this,” said Solomon. “I started it all in class with those rash words about the devil. I was … I don’t know, just a fool. If I had known the consequences! I have been praying on it, and I feel that I am starting on a new spiritual journey, in … er … a different direction.”

Antonia managed to smile. “Thanks – and thanks for the support out there. It means a lot.”

“And me, Antonia, I apologise too,” said Magdalen. “I look at you now and it’s clear that you can’t be a vessel for the devil. But, oh, I look at all the places where the devil is gaining, where God needs His soldiers. That’s where I belong, in God’s army. So really I am saying goodbye, because I know I will be happier in a convent. I want to do more of God’s work. But you guys will all be in my prayers.”

“A convent? Ja, you have always been very, um, emotional about your faith. So that’s a good move. And I’m OK. Thanks for the apology – I accept it.”

Privately she thought: You are so nun material! But, hey, go for it if that makes you happy.

Then her mood faltered as Andile came up. “Can we talk?”

“Sure,” she said. “By the way, that was an awesome move from you out there.”

“I surprised myself – I think God just gave me the courage at the right time.” Andile spoke with his eyes downcast. “And now I need more courage. I’ve been praying and speaking with my pastor. I know now that my faith is so much part of me that I can’t be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t share it. It’s hard, because …” He paused and looked directly into her eyes, “because to be honest I really was into you.”

It was easier to respond than she had imagined. “Thanks for being honest. I’ve also realised what such a difference in beliefs can mean to a relationship. It can be a deal-breaker.”

She paused, then said, “What the hell, if we’re being honest, I can’t resist asking. Has this whole crisis thrown you and Sindiwe together, you know – romantically?”

He flushed and nodded. “Honestly, yes, I’m … er … looking at her in a new way.”

Antonia felt a pang, but said: “Well, I think she is looking the same way at you.”

And privately, she thought: “Yeah – just like I am looking at Ngcebo in a new light.”

She could hardly hold back a smile remembering him saying, “Coz I like you. I like independent-thinking people.” And she felt a glow as she remembered how he had held her so protectively tight, during the morning’s drama.

The End

***

Tell us: Which of the characters in this story do you identify with most? Why?