Later in 2019 before the world’s biggest pandemic, tragic news happened. Death knocked on the mighty doors and took away the one with a benevolent heart, Nobantu’s grand mother. It was in the morning when Nobantu woke up from her bed, scratched a few fly bites and stretched her arms. Caught by wonder, the smell of her grandmother’s freshly baked amagwinya( fatcakes) didn’t hit her nostrils. She yawned and sang loud, “Oh it’s a wonderful day”. 
As she stepped out of her room, there was total silence and she wondered where her granny was. Just near the old shelf laid an old lady so cold and not moving. Her grandmother was gone. People of the village heard the loudest cry and ran to see. When they got there they received bad news. Isalukazi sesihambile!

The family was called and funeral preparations started. Her granny got buried four days later.

It is true when they say “ezimbi azipheli”. Just before Nobantu went back to school, she received tragic news about a young girl who recently got raped. All she thought about was how justice can be served. Many questions rumbled in her head. As always, she walked with confidence and greeted everyone with a smile. No matter how pitiful they were towards her. 

“Sawubona Bab’Mthembu,” Nobantu greeted bab’Mthembu who’s the school handyman. 

“Yebo mtwanami, ukahle?” He asked.

“Ngiyaphila baba, k’dala singabonani,” she said as she stood next to him and held his hand tightly. Bab’Mthembu has been the most kind and inspiring man in the village. He’s been everyone’s favourite.

“So tell me, did the police find the people who…eh… you know?” he asked without mentioning the last words.

“Who raped me? It’s fine you can say it Baba. Detective Martin said uzobuya kimi and since then i never heard from him,” she replied with a long face.

“Yazi mtwanami it’ll be best if you go and ask ukuthi how far are they with catching le migulukudu. Did you hear about umtwana ka Ses’Maria?” he asked.

“Oh ngizwile baba, Yaz kubhlungu kanjn ,”She said as she checked her wrist watch. ” Yooh Baba ethi ngihambe before i get late.”

“Uhambe kahle Mtwanami.”

Nobantu hurriedly went to class. As her teacher came in she said something that triggered everything that happened on that night. Nobantu felt that moment as if in the present. 

“Nobantu! …Bantu!!!” called her teacher, Mrs Khoza, as she slammed on the table.

“Oh!… yes ma’am” Said Nobantu, looking confused just from her thoughts.

Mrs Khoza realised that Nobantu was not with them. Her thoughts were so far away. She asked Nobantu to follow her after class. 

Just as the period ended, Nobantu followed Mrs Khoza. 

“You may sit down,” She directed.

“Enkosi ma’am,” Nobantu thanked her.

“I called you here because I saw that there’s something that is bothering you. Is everything okay at home? ” she politely asked.

“Uhm… ehh,” Nobantu mumbled.

“It’s fine hunny. I know that losing someone who’s close to you really hurts. You can feel free to….” 

Before Mrs Khoza could finish her sentence Nobantu intervened. “No ma’am, It is not that. I’m fine” She said with a fake smile.

Then there was a hard knock on the door and Mr Bhuda entered with a tall dark skinned and 18 years old boy who’s doing grade 8 at the school. 

” I’m sorry ma’am. i didn’t know you had company. This young man here is giving me hard nuts in class. I’m tired of him,” said Mr Bhuda.

“Yey Mfana, Wenzeni ke manje?” asked Mrs Khoza loudly and angry.

” Angenzanga lutho Mina ma’am,” said the boy, Bongani.

His voice, his tone and his accent was what Nobantu recognised. She slowly stood up and asked” Who are you?”

The boy couldn’t look Nobantu in the eye . There was fear in his eyes and the silence in the room bought more tension. 

” Ma’am, this boy was caught trying to pull up a skirt of another learner in class. I want him out of the school”, said Mr Bhuda.

“So that’s the best you can do?” asked Nobantu in fear and in tears. She then ran out office, took her bag and ran home.

She left everyone in the office shocked except Bongani because he knew what he is capable of and that his days are near to end.

Nobantu got home and burst into tears. She wanted him to get punishment for what he did. She told her mother and they both went to the police station. She told detective Martin about the boy. She told him that she recognised his voice.

Without wasting time, later that day. Detective Martin went to Bongani’s home. Did he know that Bongani is the son of John Maimela(one of the wealthy men in town and one of Detective Martin’s friends)?.

He was surprised that Bongani was the son of John. The minute he got there, John saw that as a visit from his friend. He didn’t expect to hear such news. The detective asked for Bongani and he asked him questions about his where abouts on that night of the rape. Bongani lied and his father protected him.

Detective Martin started to work less on the case. He told Nobantu to let go of everything as they don’t have proof. What does that tell us about the responsibility of police in our country? Wasn’t he supposed to be part of the suspects? It is sad that he and his friends were seen as innocent.

“Where is justice? Buphi ubulungiswa? ..”

No justice was served! Will Nobantu give up or fight for her justice? There’s more to find out.