Andile hung his head as he stepped into Rose’s kitchen. “Askies, Mama Rosie. I didn’t mean–”

“Never mind. You’re a good boy. Just don’t bang on people’s doors like that. It’s bad manners na.”

“Okay, dankie, Mama Rosie. But I don’t feel like a good boy; that’s why I need your help. Mara, I don’t have any mon–”

“Hayi suka. Did I say anything about money?” Rose clicked her tongue. “I get my payment and rewards in other ways. Sit down and tell me how I can help you.”

Andile sat down on the same chair Pinky had occupied. “Mama Rosie, everyone, like, says you do the magic that help people in trouble. I’m in trouble.”

Rose chuckled at the mention of magic; laughter lines creasing the corners of her eyes. She sat down opposite Andile. “Magic, neh?” She leaned forward. “Tell me about this trouble.”

“Yoh, Mama Rosie. I’m friends with everyone mos, even the nyaope boys. But now, they’re trying to get me to use nyaope too. And they rob people and break into houses. Last week they broke into Ausi Lindiwe’s spaza. Don’t tell anyone I told you.” Andile dropped his head into his hands. “I don’t want to do daai dinge, Mama Rosie. But they are threatening to hurt me if I don’t start smoking nyaope and robbing and stealing with them.”

“What do you want to do with your life?”

“I dream of going to varsity. I want to be a teacher and help the kids here. Expose them to more, you know. Careers. Help them apply to varsity, get bursaries, en so aan.”

“Never say never. I hear you’re a good student. You’re in Grade 11. You can apply for a bursary. I know someone who can sponsor you. You have to work hard though, and get excellent grades.”

Andile sat up straight on his chair, his eyes bulging from their sockets. “Seriaas? I can do that, Mama Rosie. But what about the nyaope boys?”

Rose thought for a second then snapped her fingers. “You tell those boys you don’t have time to be with them. You have to distance yourself from them.”

“Ag, they don’t listen to me.”

I’ll tell those boys he’s helping me in the kitchen, she thought. They listen to me. Rose sat back in her seat and peered at Andile through narrowed eyes. “You smoke cigarettes?”

“Ja, Mama Rosie. But I want to stop with the entjies.”

“That’s a good idea.” She reached into her secret cupboard and took out five tiny, transparent, plastic packets; four containing a single white tablet and one a brown one. “Here’s some magic to help you stop. You take the brown one immediately with a white tablet. Then take a white one every week on the same day. You come back next month for more. Come every month until I tell you to stop.”

“Hawu, Mama Rosie,” Andile gawked at Rose as he took the packets. “If you can help me then can’t you help them stop doing nyaope?”

“I can. But they have to come to me and ask for my help. You must want my help for it to work.”

“I will tell them. I will tell them Mama Rosie’s magic can help them.”

Rose chuckled as she led Andile to the door. “Stay a good boy. And remember to come back again.”

“Dankie, dankie, Mama Rosie.”

“Sala kakuhle, Andile. Go, go, go.” Rose ushered him out the front door as someone knocked on the back door. “It’s a busy night. No rest for the wicked.”

 ***

Tell us what you think: Do potions and/or muti work for things like Andile’s problems?