School finishes early on Friday, supposedly so that students have more time to prepare for their exams starting the following week. The real reason, however, is that Mr Morovhi has called a special meeting of all the teachers, the Governing Body, and members of the Learners’ Representative Council.

(These last two are something of a joke at Tšwelopele High. Since it was formed three years ago the SGB, with the local Chief as chairperson, has barely functioned. Firstly, all the elected members are men, and most work far away and return home only a few times a year. And secondly, when they realised that they had to do voluntary work with very little glory their enthusiasm quickly faded. This, together with Mr Morovhi surrendering responsibility, had given Mr Pootona much control over management of the school. And he certainly didn’t want a strong LRC, so he made sure that it remained ineffective.)

The Chief has come on behalf of the SGB and there’s a lone representative of the LRC, an unpopular Grade 12 student whom Mr Pootona had ‘elected’ President.

Mr Morovhi looks rumpled, as always, but there’s a newfound determination in his posture that only the older teachers at the school remember. He gets straight to the point: the purpose of the meeting is to inform those present of the circumstances regarding Mr Pootona’s suspension. He explains that an allegation of sexual assault of a learner by Mr Pootona was reported, and substantiated by a preliminary investigation. Shock and disbelief ripple through the meeting. He then points to Ms Seanego and refers to her as the, “courageous, role-model teacher who brought this matter to my attention”.

Ms Seanego is not pleased to be singled out in this way – she hears grumbling from some of the other teachers – and she’s confused by the Principal’s words of praise. He knows it’s going badly for Mr Pootona, she thinks, and he wants to take the credit. But she’s wrong.

Mr Morovhi then confesses that he had not taken the girl’s story seriously. He had, to his “everlasting shame”, chased the girl and Ms Seanego out of his office, and it was Ms Seanego who had reported the matter to the District Office.

In the stunned silence that follows this announcement he goes on to explain that, as a result, he too is being investigated for misconduct. He will certainly be disciplined, perhaps even lose his post as Principal.

“And I deserve to be disciplined! I failed to uphold the educators’ code of conduct. I failed to follow Department procedures. I failed to support one of my teachers. And, most serious of all, I failed one of my learners in a time of crisis. But until we know what is to happen to me, I am still the Principal of this school and I intend to perform that duty to the best of my ability.”

Mr Morovhi sits down, his back straight and his head up, ready for whatever is coming. The silence drags. People begin to shuffle nervously. Then Ms Seanego gets to her feet and begins to clap. After a moment’s hesitation others follow her lead, though not all with the same sincerity.

*****

Teachers are as human as anyone else so, although Mr Morovhi had stressed confidentiality, by Saturday morning the news that Mr Pootona’s suspension is linked to sexual assault has spread throughout the village. Naturally everyone is curious to know the identity of the girl, and it doesn’t take long for this information to leak out. As chair of the SGB, the chief had been given a copy of the Charge Sheet, which he showed his wife, in the strictest confidence. She told her sister, again in the strictest confidence, and she told her best friend. And in no time the whole village knows that it is Kefentše Maleka who is accusing Mr Pootona.

It’s the hot gossip of the moment and everyone has an opinion:

“Hai, it’s highly impossible, such a respectable man? Never!”

“Gape dikatawane ga di na di (Rapists have no) ‘R’ printed on their foreheads. Even fathers can rape their children. We might never know.”

“Ga se tše di le tee (It’s not only this one). Do you still remember there was a rumour about a pregnant girl who left the village and another one who committed suicide? This shows that we’re not involved enough in school matters. That’s why these things aren’t taken seriously.”

“But how does one get involved if you are not a teacher?”

Ma-Maleka has had very little contact with other adults since the problems started at home, so she doesn’t hear any of these discussions. But on her walks to collect wood she notices people pointing and whispering, and one or two of her old friends have even stopped her to express their sympathy. She just nods and walks on, her mind buzzing with conflicting thoughts. On the one hand she is worried that Kefentše will get into trouble and bring more problems on the family. On the other she feels a growing pride in her daughter’s determination.

But she can’t avoid the woman who walks into her yard on Sunday afternoon. Kefentše has gone with Tshereletšo and the other children to fetch water, so she’s alone. The woman, Ma-Ragele, apologises for trespassing then confesses:

Ma-Ragele: Ma-Maleka, I am here about this Pootona business. I want to speak as one mother to another. I … I … am the mother of the girl who committed suicide some years back. My girl Rachel. And, yes, Pootona was involved. But he was not the reason my daughter killed herself.

Ma-Maleka: Oh Lord … what … what are you saying?

Ma-Ragele: I blame myself for her death. She came to me and told me Pootona was abusing her, but I didn’t believe her. I refused to talk about it. And the next morning… I’ve kept this secret for so long, but now that news is flying about Pootona I feel strengthened to stop history repeating itself. I know it’s difficult, that tradition says sex matters must remain hidden. I know it’s not my business, but I hope you believe and support your child – because she needs you now more than ever!

That night, when the children have gone to bed, Ma-Maleka asks Kefentše to sit with her in the kitchen. They talk late into the night, even though Kefentše is in the middle of writing exams.

***

Tell us: In your community is it still difficult for parents and children to talk and be more open and clear about sexual matters?