Silindeokuhle woke up early in the morning to check her phone for any messages from school she applied at. With her high marks and high APS she got accepted in all the schools but all she wanted was to go to Wits. She told her mother in the morning that all the schools she applied at accepted her and her funding is also approved. Her mother was not excited she was sad she sat down with tears flowing off her eyes. Silindeokuhle sat next to her and asked what is the problem.

Her mother started from explaining to her of how the villagers have treated them like outcasts because of them living in poverty and how men in the village disrescted her father and made him feel less of a man. There is something that could actually change all that and put this miserable life they’re living to a stop. Her mother told her about arranged marriages and how they are the ones normally lasts and are quite fruitful.

Silindeokuhle was quiet in confusion asking herself why her mother all of a sudden telling her all these because she is way too young to be married and she is also not even seeing anyone at the moment neither have any interest in anything that has to do with relationships or arranged marriages as she is supposed to further her studies.

Silindeokuhle’s mother: My daughter the King has 6 wives and all of them failed to bare him a male child.

Silindeokuhle: We all know that mom…(said Silindeokuhle in confusion.)

Silindeokuhle’s mother: There is no easy way of asking you for this, even your father made up his mind. However, as a woman talking to you woman to woman I think it’ll be easier for you to understand other than being it a male which is your dad to talk to you about this.

Silindeokuhle: I really don’t understand where you’re going with this mom. Is the King taking another maybe that’ll give him a male child?…wait even if that’s the case how is it our problem? Mom am I missing something here?

Silindeokuhle’s mother: My dear daughter just know you will always be our beautiful flower and everything we as your parents decides to do is from the goodness of our hearts and we’re looking out for this family.

Silindeokuhle: So why is dad now against me going to university when he knows very well I worked so hard for this opportunity what really changed his minds?…(cried Silindeokuhle.)

Silindeokuhle’s mother: My daughter, you are our only ticket to be out of this poverty…(se keeps quiet for a second.)…Well the King asked for your hand in marriage in an exchange of making your dad his right man and he’ll pay him good for your bride’s money. He will gain respect and power which is what he always wanted and our family will live in better conditions as you will be a queen of the village and everything you wishes for will be granted.

Silindeokuhle: I never thought my own parents could sell me to an old man just for money. Am I really an item? Mom what about my dreams?…(cried Silindeokuhle.)

Silindeokuhle’s mother: I know this is heartbreaking, but look at the good side. We will be in better living conditions and your father will he a happy man, don’t you want that for you father? Are you okay with how men in this village are treating him?…(begged Silindeokuhle’s mother.)

Silindeokuhle stood up and went her bedroom. She imagined everything she ever wished for. She saw a picture of herself in University, attending her lecturers and finally graduating after 7 years of studying. She saw herself building a name for her family. Her putting some respect on her father’s name as him known as a father of a Medical Doctor. She smiled with tears falling off her face when she then shifted her imagination to now her as the 7th wife. She saw faces of the other 6 wives frowned and unhappy about her marriage to the King. She saw herself pregnant and fat, the King insulting her if that child is not a male she should go back to her father’s house and never come back here because she’s nothing after all she was brought here for fulfilling her job which is to give the King a Prince.