We reached Mkhulu and the three women bent over him. He was foaming at the mouth and blood was streaming from his nose.

MaNgobese was the first to speak.

“Sbongile,” she said to my mother, “hurry and call Baba Mdletshe then.”

I was happy that MaNgobese was trying to stay calm and at least pretending to be a good person.

“Ningatatazeli uzolulama, uMkhulu” (Don’t panic, Mkhulu, will soon be well), MaNgobese said. She seemed so polite and kind now and I wondered how she managed to be so strong with Mkhulu unconscious, especially after the tongue-lashing from KaZwide.

KaZwide, who knew her fellow wife better than anyone, was unconvinced and again spoke harshly.

“MaNgobese, stop pretending and zip that hole you call a mouth, shameless woman,” she said indignantly. MaNgobese realised that by trying to be someone she was not, KaZwide would gain power over her and keep on insulting her, calling her evil and hurtful names.

“KaZwide, I’ve heard enough of your insults, now let me talk. First of all, why are you dragging my son in to this? Are you waging war on me, ha? Neither of your daughters are married, and Sibongile here even managed to shame this family by sleeping with a married man and falling pregnant with this little bastard you call your grandson? Please, don’t push me – just don’t do it because you are going to regret it, I swear.”

I looked at my mother, tears were running down her cheeks too now. I hadn’t known my father had been married to someone else and that my birth had shamed the family. Even though I was an embarrassment, I knew Mkhulu and KaZwide cared about me deeply.

“Bantu abadala ngiyanicela yehlisani imimoya” (My elders, please calm down), my mother said. “We need to get help immediately for (my father). This bickering will not get us anywhere – instead we are going to be the laughing stock of our village. Is that what you want?”

MaNgobese smiled and said: “Of course not, but I will not let your mother insult me.”

I was in awe of MaNgobese. Even though Mkhulu was so sick, she would not let the matter rest. What was the matter with her?

KaZwide couldn’t take MaNgobese’s sweet attitude and, ignoring her, she turned to me and said: “Nkanyezi, hurry and call Sangoma Mdletshe. We must act fast.”

***

Tell us: What causes rivalry between wives?