That evening, when Thenjiwe returned from work, Samkelo told her how it turned out that the job he had got was actually a scam. Thenjiwe wasn’t so sympathetic though.

“What are you going to do now? I mean, if the work that you came here for no longer exists you should go back home,” Thenjiwe blurted out.

Samkelo had some money that he was going to use to help Thenjiwe with the groceries during his first weeks with her. He used the money to buy the ticket for the first bus home the following day.

“I am so sorry, Babe. I don’t know what to say. People are just so cruel out there,” Nozi said when Samkelo told her over the phone about the scam, and that he was going back home.

On Wednesday morning he was back in the Eastern Cape. Nothembile hugged her son and told him everything was going to be okay.

“I am sorry about your savings BraT,” Samkelo said, looking at his older brother.

“Don’t sweat it, little brother. At least you came home alive. Some people lose their lives in these scams,” Themba said.

Then, a few days after returning home, Samkelo received a phone call from Derek. He hadn’t contacted any of his university friends in a long time.

“Hey, Sammy. How are you holding up man?” Derek said.

“What can I say dude? I am just hanging in here, man. Yourself? How’s work?” Samkelo said, trying to act strong.

“Work is great, dude. Are you still job hunting?” Derek asked.

“Yeah, dude. But now I am thinking of accepting any job offer, never mind my qualifications,” Samkelo sighed.

“That’s wonderful!” Derek exclaimed.

“That’s wonderful? What do you mean that’s wonderful?” Samkelo retorted.

“Whoa, easy, easy, dude. I spoke to my dad about a friend of mine who is desperate for work. He has just fired some dude for theft. He said you can start working next Monday. I was afraid it was too late. I thought you already had a job, that’s all,” Derek said.

“Are you serious?!” Samkelo screamed, jumping up and down. Themba and Nothembile couldn’t wait to hear what the phone call was about.

“Yeah! Dude, we will be working together for as long as you keep supplying me umcombothi,” Derek joked.

“Hey, don’t start with me Derek. Bye, dude. Let me share the good news with my family!” Samkelo exclaimed and dropped the phone.

Themba and Nothembile were thrilled that Samkelo had a genuine job this time. Then he phoned Nozi and told her that he was going to work for Derek’s father in PE. She was happy that their wish to be close to each other was granted.

“Why are you people making so much noise,” Gcobani interjected, coming into the house.

“I got a job! I got a real job this time!” Samkelo continued to yell, while none of them bothered to answer Gcobani.

“Congratulations! Nyana, I knew you’d get a job. This calls for a celebration,” Gcobani said, throwing himself on the couch. Everyone in the house looked at him with unwelcoming eyes. “Well, I see I am no longer welcome in my brother’s house. I will leave. Samkelo, do you still remember what we talked about on the day of your graduation celebration?”

“No, Uncle. I forgot all about it when you called me worthless. You really should leave now,” Samkelo said. Gcobani walked out, shamed.

Themba went outside for a smoke and Samkelo followed him.

“Bra T, I know I have been disrespectful to you and I am sorry. Thank you for being supportive of me, in spite of my behaviour towards you,” Samkelo apologised.

“You are my little brother and I will always have your back,” Themba said, patting his brother on that same back.

“Anyway, what were your savings for? If you don’t mind me asking,” Samkelo asked.

“I want to go back to university, but I want to save up for myself. I regret not finishing up my degree. I wasn’t as strong as you. I was easily influenced by bad friends at the university,” Themba explained, crushing out his cigarette butt.

“I wouldn’t say I was strong, Bra T. I credit my degree to your mistakes because I learned from them,” Samkelo said, as they walked together back into the house. The lunch time news was airing.

Lungelo Ndamane, a 37-year-old man in Cape Town who is suspected of defrauding hundreds of desperate job seekers, has been arrested in his home in Belhar. Lungelo used the name John Thompson, the HR Manager of a bogus company called Robertson Labs, to earn the trust of his unsuspecting victims. It is said that he interviewed them as Sandile Tshabalala, colleague of John Thompson. Ndamane will be appearing in Bellville Magistrate Court next week, Tuesday.

“At least this Lungelo guy won’t be defrauding any more people,” Samkelo commented, as he relaxed on the couch and began counting the days left before he started his first job. Once again, his future looked promising.

*****

Tell us: What do you think this story is saying about family ties?