The Nkosi Madoda has arranged a banquet to celebrate their homecoming and as darkness falls, at the centre of the community, in the Royal Kraal, a huge fire is built. The fire lights up the thousand stars in the sky. They float and intertwine, dancing with each other as they ascend to the heavens.

Around the fire the virgin maidens are dancing, showing off their curves as they move, hoping to attract the bachelors of the army who are ready for marriage. The men are dancing too, including Magigithela, who also wants to impress the maidens. The Nkosi and the dignitaries are there. Nkosi sits at the centre, the generals sit beside him.

Drums are beating and the emotion is intense. The shimmering of dancing bodies casts shadows. The Royal Kraal is the place to be seen; to impress.

During the banquet Ndaba kaPhinga gets up to speak. “Wee … the party-spoiler!” exclaims Magigithela. Ndaba ignores him.

“Please. I apologize … I just request your attention,” Ndaba kaPhinga begins, then falters, before continuing. “I was there in the battle … we … me, the Nkosi, the generals, the troop …”

The Counsellor is a good speaker, not a good story-teller. He fumbles. He is losing the crowd, they start talking about their own affairs amongst themselves.

Then Manqoba rescues the Counsellor.

“My fellow man is trying to say we won. But how did we win?” Manqoba has the crowd’s attention.

“It was me, the Nkosi, and the men, stalking through the bush at night while the Sun-dwellers were sleeping.”

Everyone is listening, glued to every word uttered by Manqoba. He ends: “We stood tall in their camp! They left running for their lives, leaving their precious things with us. So believe me, they will think twice before returning.”

The crowd leaps with excitement. Manqoba then triumphantly raises his gala to the people and looks directly into the Nkosi’s eyes, before going and sitting next to the leader.

“Look my Nkosi, everyone is chanting your name. You won your people’s appreciation,” says Manqoba, gesturing to the cheering crowd.

The Nkosi just nods.

“My Nkosi, is there something wrong? I do not see joy in the Nkosi’s eyes,” asks the concerned Manqoba.

“Your speech has inspired my men,” is all the Nkosi says.

“Oh! I see my fault, Nkosi yami (my Chief). I will mind my behaviour in the future.” Manqoba realises he has overshadowed the Chief.

The Nkosi is silent.

Near midnight, Mmeli approaches the Nkosi: “I have a pregnant wife and a daughter. I ask for your Majesty to pardon me to attend to them.”

“You are a good and virtuous father. Please, go to them at once.”

“I will see the Nkosi tomorrow,” says Mmeli as he departs.

Mmeli leaves a smiling Nkosi.

***

Tell us: Will the Chief punish Manqoba for overshadowing him at the celebration?