Relationships for me almost every time they don’t seem work out for me, I am always the one who always gets dumped, I even thought to myself that I’m a sucker for love yet I had so much love to give.

It was early summer just when I made a move to the power stations surrounding areas for a general worker post in a shutdown that had taken place. It has been three years still unemployed scrapping from the barrel, clothes are weary and one pair of shoes.

It was my brother-in-law who had called me up from home, for me it was a relief since he promised he’d pay rent and buy food, also provide all I need as I move around job hunting.

Well a few weeks passed and I was offered a job of which I started working immediately. For me finding a job was a ray of hope following the fact that I’m a vulnerable child. I lost both my parents at a younger age and those who came before me took care of me especially my sister.

You know the first salary always just vanishes into thin air, you approach the month already with debts hanging over your neck. Well I settled into my own rented room now, since I’ve just had a break, I managed into some fresh clothing and organised cosmetics, confidence and hope started growing and reaching greater heights again, this was definitely a chance for chasing my dreams once again.

Growing up I’ve always seen myself a lawyer, that’s why I’ve chosen an honest life although I come from the belly of the Kasi well know for renowned gangsters “Pienaar” most people call it half jozi.

One day just after knocking out from a long hard day of work, a knock came through my door, I rushed to open, it was two ladies one in her mid 30’s and the other in her late 20’s almost my age, words vanished as I mumbled and before I could speak,”avuxeni? ” She spoke in Tsonga, that was a surprise for me I didn’t know how must I reply so I decided I’m replying in English, ” we’re looking for rooms, could there be an empty room here”? Well our rooms were full by that time and I replied “Well our rooms are full but I do know some rooms around the corner I could take you there,” I said looking at the beauty that stood next to the lady in her mid 30’s as we spoke.

I closed the door and we made an exit through the gate, it was then my chance to actually gather some courage and face my fears and speak my heart this beauty that caught my attention as I opened the door.

“Well ladies, My Name is Nkosi, I really wish you got a room just opposite my door, it would have been nice waking up to see you everyday” I could feel my heart racing and sweat forming head to toe. “Nice meeting you, I’m Jamela and this is my Sister Lamika” answers the lady I’ve been dying to hear her speak. “We’re actually looking a room for a friend, we stay just down by your street, I’m visiting my sister here but it’s still home, relatives” she carries on speaking and it was like music in my ears.

We found the other rooms and they didn’t like them so we returned, on our way back now, I realized this could be the last time I see these ladies cause it’s beens a few months since I’m here but I’ve never met them, “could it be due to work” I thought but I do get some off days, well I used that opportunity, I asked for the lady’s number, she gave me her cellphone number and it wasn’t even a hustle.

A week passed and we met, we decided to be friends, time flew like seconds whenever we were together, the chemistry grew and we converted the friendship into a a romantic relationship. For me I had given up hope for love but came this beauty, bright like a candle in the dark and gave me a new way to see life, everything has been happening too fast and I’ve decided I’ll just go with the flow.

This beauty is really beyond beautiful, a one in a million people type of beauty, she taught me not to forget who I am and when I come from, she taught me a lot of things it’d take a lifetime to share them, to mention a few she taught me the power of partnership, belief, courage, love, sharing and support.

Today I stand here a new student for the enrollment of year 2023 distance learning following I had found what I’m looking for, a ray of hope, a chance to chase those dreams and become a law abiding citizen and use my voice to change where I’m coming from. Not only just hope was restored it came with a beauty Jamela and we’re still together.