Kefentše has been helping her mother with chores and in the vegetable garden. She worked hard to finish by the time Tshereletšo comes to see her after church. As they walk to their special meeting place, Tshereletšo pours out his news.

Tshere: Everyone knows Pootona has been suspended! I don’t think anyone knows why, but at church this morning the priest was saying things like, ‘a terrible injustice has befallen a leading member of our community’, and telling us that we should support him, ‘in his darkest hour’. This is dangerous, Kefe. If Pootona turns the community against you…

Kefe: So, it’s started. They told me he’d fight back. It’s my word against his; that’s what they said. And they said he might admit to having a relationship with me, but he’d say I asked for it, because of money or because I love him.

Tshere: What! I can’t believe they suspend him and then they tell you this!

Kefe: I also couldn’t believe at first. But they’re not being horrible; they’re just telling the truth. I don’t have proof that he raped me or that he molested me. And you know what I have realised? Reporting him could in the end hurt me more than him. If I can’t prove he forced me, people will think I’m easy, that I did it for money…

Tshere: But that’s so unfair!

Kefe: I have to get the other girls to testify. If there are more girls saying the same thing, that he forced us, they have to believe us.

They talk for hours, planning how to convince Posh and Maki to testify. Then they chat about lighter things, snatching a few moments of relief from their problems.

*****

Meanwhile, on the other side of the village, Mrs Pootona is feeling as if all the problems of the world have landed on her head. Her friends have been phoning, supposedly to offer their support but actually to try and find out the reason for the suspension. She knows they are secretly enjoying her humiliation. And at church this morning, everyone looking at her and whispering – she’s never been so embarrassed in her life!

Mrs Pootona: So, what are you going to do? Le wena you just sit there as if nothing is happening!

Mr Pootona: But sweetheart, you know it’s all lies. She’s just trying to get money.

Mrs Pootona: Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me. Do something! Give her money. Don’t just sit there! People are laughing at us!

*****

Kefentše is feeling more at ease after seeing Tshereletšo, and together making some concrete plans. She’s decided she’s going to speak to Posh tomorrow after school, and on Wednesday afternoon Tshereletšo is going to take her to the shacks where the girl named Maki lives.

Ra-Maleka is keeping to himself, even eating in his room, and if Ma-Maleka has heard any of the rumours about Mr Pootona she hasn’t said anything to Kefentše. They have a quiet supper together, Ma-Maleka taking food to her husband, the children playing and laughing.

After supper, Kefentše settles the girls in their room, and she’s walking back to the cooking hut to wash up the plates when she sees a figure opening the gate to their yard. It’s dark and she doesn’t recognise the figure, but something makes her hide. Just then her mother walks out of the kitchen carrying little Mpho.

As the man opens his mouth and speaks Kefe realises – it’s Mr Pootona!

“Dumela, Ma-Maleka. I’m sorry for disturbing your family so late. I’m Mr Pootona, Kefentše’s Maths teacher. Is Ra-Maleka here? I need to speak with him.”

Hiding her shock, Ma-Maleka bows respectfully and hurries across to the rondavel where her husband is eating. A few moments later Ra-Maleka walks into the yard in his vest, wiping his hands on a cloth. The two men exchange greetings and Mr Pootona asks if they can speak in private.

Kefentše is gasping for air. She can’t believe he’s come to her home! What does he want with her stepfather? She steps quietly, barefoot, across the yard to the side of the rondavel where there is a small window. It’s open.

Mr Pootona: Rre, I am so sorry to bring bad news. It’s about Kefentše. Your child has been telling lies about me, saying that I raped her–

Ra-Maleka: What?!

Mr Pootona: Yes, I was also shocked. She told these lies to a new teacher at school, a young woman, namane ya maloba (a newcomer), who then reported it to the Department, and now they have put me on suspension. So I have to ask if perhaps there are problems at home that–

Ra-Maleka: There are no such problems here!

Mr Pootona: No, of course. Maybe … a boy has got her in trouble?

Ra-Maleka: What are you saying? Kefentše is a quiet girl.

Mr Pootona: Yes, but you know, I’ve been a teacher for many years. I’ve seen this sort of thing many times; a girl getting mixed up with the wrong group and changing.

Ra-Maleka: But why would Kefentše say such things when you are helping her with school fees and the school trip?

Mr Pootona: Ah, you know about… Yes… Well, you see, Kefentše came to me and begged me to pay for her school fees. That’s when she told me about financial problems at home.

Ra-Maleka: That is a private family matter!

Mr Pootona: I know, but Kefentše has always been one of my brilliant students. I couldn’t let financial problems ruin her future. I was just trying to help.

Ra-Maleka: That was kind of you.

Mr Pootona: And you know, I have even, on a few occasions, given her R50 to help in the family.

Ra-Maleka: I know nothing about that!

Mr Pootona: Oh well, maybe she forgot to tell you.

Ra-Maleka: Umm … she lied about the school trip. She said it was free.

Mr Pootona: You see! When they start lying they can’t stop. I’m sorry; I’ve disturbed you enough. I must go. I just want Kefentše to stop with these lies, and to tell the Department that she was lying.

Ra-Maleka: I will talk to her.

Mr Pootona: Ke a lebogo (Thank you). And, Ra-Maleka, I know how hard it is these days; jobs are scarce. I hope you will accept a gift from me from time to time. A sheep, perhaps…

Kefentše doesn’t hear the rest of the conversation. Posh was right, she thinks, this Pootona is too clever. But did her stepfather believe him, she wonders. She couldn’t tell from his voice whether he believed or not. He didn’t sound angry. It was more like he was tired … even sad. Well, she’d find out soon enough.

But Ra-Maleka doesn’t come back straight away. He just stands at the gate long after Mr Pootona has left. Ma-Maleka finishes in the kitchen and puts little Mpho to bed. Kefentše goes to her room but doesn’t close the door. She wants to hear him coming.

When he does come back he goes directly to his own room, and she hears him say to her mother, “I want you to tell me everything you know,” before closing the door. His voice sounds almost gentle.

Kefentše waits for him to call her but he doesn’t, and she eventually falls asleep. In the morning her mother tells her that he has gone to the city to find work, and that’s all she will say.

***

Tell us: Why do you think Ra-Maleka is behaving in this unusually calm manner?