It’s a cool autumn afternoon, a few months since the day Sphiwe and Zinhle got high from the ‘lean’. They have grown fond of each other and sometimes hang out after school. School work has also progressed, the first term exams are just two weeks away. With the school workload increasing Sphiwe, Zinhle, Thabo and two other classmates – Samke and Thando – have formed a study group that meets after school every day. Today the study group is discussing their English setwork, a play titled ‘My Children! My Africa!’ by Athol Fugard.

“I personally think Mr M is an interesting character. I believe he is right when he says education should be used to bring different races together and change societies,” argues Thando.

“Everything that belongs to the white race is set to corrupt us! I don’t trust any of their education, economies or even their religion!” says Thabo.

“Come on, guys. That is not the answer to the question asked here. The question asked is ‘If change is to take place, should it be done radically or passively?’ Let’s stick to this question,” says Sphiwe.

“Change should be done violently, Sphiwe. Just look at Amaoti,” says Thabo. He stands up, his hands gesturing wildly like politicians do when riling up a crowd. “Look at Amaoti! Look at all these criminals! These dusty roads! These shacks! These dusty patches of sand we call playgrounds!”

“But Thabo, we should be focusing on this book right here, not Amaoti,” says Sphiwe, poking the book with his finger.

“Thabo is making a practical example, Sphiwe. It’s an example that will make it easy for most of us to remember what we are discussing,” says Zinhle.

Thabo nods with a grin of satisfaction. “Thank you, Zinhle. So Sphiwe, the people of Amaoti have been asking the ward councillor to do something about the dire living conditions in our area, but he has done nothing. Go to the suburbs, like Phoenix, you’ll see how different it is there. Everything functions properly in Phoenix. Sometimes the waterkan truck doesn’t come to bring us water here in Amaoti! And we all know that the ward councillor only got his position through corruption. Most of the people in our ward voted for Phunju, not the current ward councillor. That’s why I say violence is needed to demand change! We are much like Thami’s community in the book. Thami is a brilliant character who learns that change should be done radically.”

Thabo sits down. There is a smug look on his face as he looks at his classmates taking a moment to consider what he has just said.

“Speaking of corruption, did you guys hear that the guys who were charged for raping and murdering that girl in Masikane have been acquitted? Guys it’s either the law is failing us, or this is pure corruption,” says Samke.

“What? How come they got acquitted?” asks Sphiwe.

“The judge said it was due to lack of evidence,” says Samke.

“What!?” says Zinhle.

“Yes, my friend. That’s also what I heard,” says Thando.

“But there were witnesses who came forward who said they saw that girl with those two men! Those two men were the last people to see her alive. People who were at the tavern that day said she left with those men!” says Zinhle. “And one of those guys was on parole for a similar crime here in Amaoti. Everyone in Masikane knows that.”

“Why would she be in a drinking spot with a known rapist? We have to also take responsibility for our actions, guys!” says Thabo. “Some people deserve what they get.”

Samke’s eyes widen in shock. Thando stares at Thabo with a look that says ‘Why would you say something like that?’

“Deserve what, Thabo?” asks Zinhle.

“The way these girls dress these days … It’s like they are asking for it! Just look around here in Amaoti! You see girls wearing shorts that don’t leave much to the imagination, and tights that squeeze out their butts! Yet they know very well that sex crimes are high in this area. They know that rape is an epidemic in our country and Amaoti especially. You also do it, Zinhle! You dress provocatively, showing your body!”

“Hhayi bo! Thabo don’t say that! It is disrespectful!” Sphiwe cries out.

“The truth tastes bitter my friend. It is very rare to find it on anyone’s menu. Nobody likes it!”

“Enough, Thabo!” says Sphiwe.

“Well, it is what it is,” Thabo shrugs.

The girls are fuming. Thabo doesn’t have a care in the world.

Sphiwe reads the room quickly. “How about we call it a day for today? Tomorrow we can pick up where we left off,” says Sphiwe.

They all take their backpacks and leave. Sphiwe walks out with Zinhle.

“Look, I’m sorry about what Thabo said, he can be a jerk sometimes. He lets too much radical politics ruin his head,” says Sphiwe.

“No, I didn’t take him seriously,” says Zinhle.

Mr Khuzwayo’s red Hyundai i20 approaches them as they exit through the school gate. He lowers the driver’s window, glances at Sphiwe and quickly shifts his focus to Zinhle.

“Zinhle, come here. We need to talk,” says Mr Khuzwayo with a smile.

Zinhle gets in. She waves at Sphiwe and the rest of the study group as the car drives off.

***

Tell us: What do you think about Thabo’s statement that girls shouldn’t dress provocatively?