Mbeko has just poured steaming water into a bucket. He adds some cold so that he can wash. He’s at home alone. His mother has just left to catch the train on which she will be selling her sweets and chips. His sister Zinhle left earlier because she has to walk thirty minutes to get to Sun Ray High School.

There is a knock on the door.

“I hope you’re ready now. Remember the interview starts at 8.30. We can’t afford to be late,” Xolani shouts from behind the front door.

“Ngena, bhuti. I’ll be ready in ten.”

“Hmmm! You act like you are from another planet, bro,” says Xolani.

He is wearing brand new jeans, an apple green shirt and a black leather jacket. His shoes are shining. He takes a seat on the couch and drops his backpack on the floor. Mbeko is still washing. Xolani can hear the water splashing.

“I hope you have already had your breakfast. We don’t have much time left,” Xolani chides.

“I’m nearly done.”

Mbeko jumps out of the washing space, covering himself with a faded navy blue towel.

Xolani gives Mbeko the clothes he took to iron for him the day before. They are nicely folded.

“Hmmm! Fresh!” Mbeko exclaims, smelling the folded clothes. In a few minutes, he is dressed and ready to go, in a plain white shirt with grey collar and cuffs. His pants are brown, his jacket grey. These are the same clothes he wore to his matric dance last year, except for the jacket. Even the black and grey shoes!

“How do I look? Do you think I stand a chance?” he asks Xolani.

“Certainly. Ya king, bro. As far as I am concerned every employer would want you. Eish! I am starting to feel nervous. Let me go empty my bladder before it explodes,” Xolani says, going to the toilet outside.

Mbeko double-checks that he has his CV in his bag. Everything is in order. He checks the time on his cellphone: 8.02.

“Time to go!” he calls to Xolani.

They walk towards the main road. The sky above them is a pale blue with orange-tinged edges, and scattered white clouds. All in all, it looks like a great day, except for the cold wind that is slapping their faces from time to time. They are both hiding their hands in their pockets, and they can see the white air they are breathing out, looking like cigarette smoke.

Mbeko and his family have been in this area for so many years. However, it is only now that he is struck by the contrast between the side of the road where he is staying, full of shacks, and the opposite side. Its enclosed by a high white wall, behind which are nice big houses. His only connection to this affluent side is when he goes to Tony’s to get his and his mother’s cellphone charged.

Tony and Mbeko were both in Grade 12 last year and were very close friends. Now Tony is studying Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town. His father is a photographer who spends most of his days travelling. His mother works for an Estate Agency in the area.

Even now, Tony visits Mbeko in his shack from time to time. In the beginning, Mbeko used to feel embarrassed when he came, but now he knows that Tony is a humble person who considers people for who they are, not what they have. Some rumour has it that Tony is actually dating Zintle, Mbeko’s sister. People can imagine things!

As for Mbeko, his wish has always been to do something that can uplift poor people, like those living in his area. Right now, this dream seems to be as far as the moon. His family is all that matters now.

***

Tell us what you think: Can people really be true friends across a wealth divide like this?