Mr Langa immediately spots Thembi as a new face in class. “Since it’s our first time together this year, and I see we have a new face, let’s introduce ourselves. Tell us something interesting about you – a favourite movie, or hobby, or share something that happened in the holiday.”

When it comes to Thembi’s turn she stands up, feeling all eyes on her. Don’t be nervous, pretend you are debating. She tells herself the words she says before a debate: Fearless! You can do it!

“I am Thembi, the ‘new face’…” she says, and signals inverted commas with her fingers. “I love debating – I always have. My dad says when I was little I used to have an opinion on everything.” She hesitates, thinking of her dad so far away now, and the next words catch in her throat.

“Debating … helps you discover your voice; it helps you to be an independent, critical thinker…” The class are staring at her. “My favourite movie is ‘The Great Debaters’. I saw myself in it and it inspired me.” She stops, looking at the blank faces in front of her. “As you can see, I love talking,” she says quickly and sits down.

“Thank you, Thembi,” says Mr Langa. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a debating club in our school–”

“But Sir, maybe it is about time we start one,” Cindy interrupts. Mr Langa chuckles.

“Is anyone interested in debating, class?”

There is silence. Finally, a boy at the back breaks the silence. “We are cool with our soccer; this debating thing it’s for coconuts, not us kasi kids.”

“Xoli, you know what I said about judging others,” says Mr Langa, looking at him sternly.

Thembi feels defeated; she wants to disappear.

“Don’t give up,” Cindy whispers to her. “I have an idea, friend. Let’s go to Mrs Mthembu at lunch and hear what she says.”

Thembi feels warm at being called ‘friend’. Perhaps she really has made a new friend on her first day at school.

Cindy is right. When they tell Mrs Mthembu about the debating club she loves the idea. “It will also help improve the quality of your oral presentations. I am more than willing to assist you ladies. I’ll speak with the principal when I have a chance.”

“You see,” says Cindy and squeezes Thembi’s arm. Maybe it won’t be so bad here, Thembi thinks.

When Thembi gets home, Granny is sitting on the couch listening to the radio. “Yhu, siphuma kade esiskolo, I’ve been missing you. Switch off the radio and come sit next to me.”

“Stop exaggerating, Granny. You probably enjoyed your alone time.”

“How was school?”

“It was better than I thought, Granny, but I missed my friends. I guess change … it’s not easy.”

“You are strong, mzukulwana, like your mother. Even though your parents are going through divorce, their love for you will never change. You are their one and only angel.”

They cuddle each other. Thembi feels warm. She has always believed that Granny has superpowers; she can read her mind and she always know how to make her feel better.

***

Tell us: What do you think of Cindy?