We are woken up by the smell of smoke. There’s something burning, and people screaming. 

“Fire!” Voices scream.

My parents rush out, and wake us up. Lizo jumps into mom’s arms. Dad puts on his jacket, mom is already dressed.

“Get dressed.” Mama says to us.

Nhlanhla pulls on a trackpant over her nightie, and a jersey. I wear my tracksuits too. Mama wraps a blanket over Lizo and his Ben10 pajamas.

We walk outside, there’s people from the other side. They’re caring torches, singing loudly.

“Burn them! They’re dogs!” They chant.

“Operation Hambani!” They sing.

It’s 23:00. Why are these people not asleep. They set the grass on fire, and soon the grass starts to catch onto the shacks, people run out carrying their babies and suitcases.

“We are dying!” The people from my community cries.

“Burn! Burn! Burn!” The people sing.

Papa is on his phone, Mama hands Nhlanhla Lizo and she rushes into our shack, to salvage our clothes and she comes out with a suitcase and our schoolbags.

Lizo is now crying

Papa tells us that uncle Philip will come get us. 

We wait and watch as people go crazy all around us.

“I’m sorry, guys.” Dad is almost sobbing.

Mama assures him that it’s not her fault.