Maroka is his mother’s only child. They have been together since Moroka’s father decided that he would not be a father when Moroka was born. At seventeen years old, he was too young but promised to look for a job and earn monthly money to send for his baby’s care. Moroka’s mother was also young and had to raise Moroka alone. Today, Moroka’s father is a father of ten-year-old twins. He is loyal in sending Moroka money every month but has no time to visit or spend time with him as his father. Some mothers would be happy and say, ‘At least he sends money so that the financial burden on your household is less.’
But Moroka’s mother does not understand this school of thought because she believes that money alone does not raise children and that a father’s love builds character and responsibility in everyone…

Moroka’s words continue to hurt his mother after she drops him at school. Her reasoning about Moroka not joining any extra mural activity at his new school is clear and straightforward: Moroka is not supposed to lose focus on his schoolwork since this is his first year in a big school.

She is on her way to work and thinking of many ways she is going to punish him if she doesn’t see him at their usual meeting spot after school. She feels like her son has changed overnight. Dirontsho recalls the days, years ago, when Moroka was only five years old and kept following her wherever she went and did everything she wanted him to do.
‘Things have changed now; see how he has the confidence to talk to me like I am his playmate and not his mother.’ she thinks to herself as she enters her workplace.
‘Will Moroka be waiting for me after school?’ she wonders.

*

Moroka’s mood at school is like that of a cat that’s been doused with water. He avoids speaking to anyone in the classroom until it is time for a break. When the bell rings to signal break time, he’s the first to leave the classroom, running so fast to go under the tree where he normally meets and eats his lunch with his best friend, Botshelo.

His best friend comes behind him, trying to catch up with him.
“Hey, Lion, wait for me,” he says, breathing heavily. “What’s going on with you today? You’ve been quiet since we entered the classroom in the morning. Even when Themba the comedian, made a joke, you were quiet and did not laugh at all.”

“Could you ask your mother to let me come and live with you guys?” asks Moroka.

“You are full of jokes. You know very well that your mother will never allow you. Besides, our house is too small for your stinking feet.”

Moroka jumps over and grabs his friend’s hand with all his might.
“My feet do not smell! Apologise!” he says.

“Sorry, sorry, Lion, let my hand go… why do you want to leave your home?” Botshelo asks, seeing the frown on his friend’s face.

Moroka sighs. “You do know that I’m a gentle person, but my mother wants to kill me by taking away the only thing I love in my life.”

“Your mother loves you very much. Why don’t you try to talk to her?”

“You do not know Mother, not the real one. You remember that players that are going to be representing our school will be selected at the school rugby field today?”

Botshelo nods.

“My mother told me not to go because rugby will interfere with my studies.”

“Sorry, Lion. What are you going to do?” asks Botshelo, grabbing his friend’s shoulder to comfort him.

“I told her that I am going. I am applying her teachings. She taught me that people who follow their dreams and push can change their lives and those closer to them.”

“Friend, I understand but I am scared of your mother. You know her anger is like lightning. If I were you, I would not make her too angry.”

“My friend, you know how much I love rugby; how I even spent my school holidays just watching rugby matches on television every day this past holiday,” says Moroka.

“I have an idea: why don’t you scare your mother and say you will commit suicide? That way she will agree to your demands.”

What age group is eligible to be selected for the school’s rugby team?