A few days after the Nkosi has left dawn brings wailing and screaming in the village.

“They have burnt it all! They destroyed it all!” sob the women, as they lament some still-burning huts, and the destroyed village granary.

“Does anyone have evidence of who did this?” ask the generals. A young man tells them he woke to see the shadowy figures race through the village, and recognised it was the neighbouring tribe who were responsible.

“What are we to do now?” the village elders question.

Manqoba answers with a call for vengeance.

“But the Nkosi said we should not act without his agreement,” argues Mmeli.

“Should we wait for the Nkosi when we don’t know when he will return? While the rival tribes sees us as weak, and now leave our people hungry? Or should we strike back and get their surplus so our children do not go hungry. And save our pride!”

Mmeli thinks for a while, and eventually agrees. They gather the warrior men and prepare to take revenge on the neighbouring tribe.

Later they return, triumphant. They bring the food that had been stolen, and more. The village organises a victory celebration.

While this is going on, the Nkosi Madoda is coming home from his retreat. As he walks behind the hill near the village, he hears what sounds like a celebration. The Nkosi is puzzled. He climbs up the hill. As he reaches the top he looks down at his village … and what he sees troubles him. Soon he boils with anger, as he descends the hill.

The celebration is in full swing and everyone is jubilant. Magigithela is at his best, dancing. All are unaware of the coming wrath of the Nkosi.

No-one notices the Nkosi entering the village. “What is this?!” the Nkosi yells. Drums stop, the women are silenced, the men freeze, while still the half-drunk Magigithela is dancing, unaware of the Nkosi’s arrival.

“Who stopped the music?” Magigithela questions the people, finally growing quiet when he sees the furious Nkosi.

The Nkosi reaches the centre of the crowd and calls for an answer from Ndaba kaPhinga, who passes blame on to the generals. Mmeli and Manqoba are called to the Nkosi.

“Why did you act without my authority?!” They are silent. The Nkosi repeats the question: “Why did you act without my authority?”

Mmeli is about to answer, when suddenly the Nkosi slaps him. Mmeli looks down submissively. Manqoba tries to defend Mmeli, but is also met by the Nkosi’s slap. But, Manqoba keeps eye contact with the Nkosi, before he eventually looks down.

The crowd stares. The silence is absolute. The Nkosi orders the burning of everything they have taken from the next village, except the food. The council members are not happy, but the Nkosi leaves for his chambers.

Minutes pass, then one by one the crowd disperses, leaving the two generals standing in the centre.

“The Nkosi has his reasons,” says Mmeli, trying to mitigate the humiliation. Manqoba is angry. He walks away from Mmeli, who returns home to Mbali.

“I heard,” Mbali tries to comfort her husband.

“My wife, sometimes the Nkosi puzzles me, but I am his general, his servant. It is my duty to obey him.”

***

Tell us: Do you agree that a military general must always follow orders? Is it good or bad that people under a king must always be submissive?