The houses on this side are brick houses, and as soon as I cross the street, our stream of shacks welcome me home. There’s smoke in the air, as we don’t have water and electricity yet.

My mom is sitting outside with her fruit and veg stand. 

“Mama.” I greet her.

“Mbuso, how was school?” She asks.

“Okay. Where is Lizo?”

“He’s inside, napping.” 

Lizo is only 4 years old.

I nod and make my way inside the house. 

I find Lizo sprawled out on his sponge, beside the coal stove. He’s wearing only his underwear. Of course, it is hot. I open the cardboard, and all I see is bread. Atleast.

I take four slices and make sugar water, then start eating. After eating, I do my homework, then start making pap. We will eat pap and sour milk today, I make enough so mama doesn’t have to leave hers for Lizo.

Lizo is now awake, and sitting beside mama at the stall. Mama is telling him a folk story, he is busy interrupting her with his silly questions.

Nhlanhla comes home at 5 o’clock, she looks tired and worn out. Her Woolworth shopping bag has textbooks, while her kings bag has exercise books. 

She throws her bags on the floor and changes into a flowery dress, then washes her socks and white shirt. Then she sits, hunched over our broken table, and starts with her homework. 

Mom comes inside the house with lizo at 18:30. I dish up for them at 8 o’clock, and we all eat till we are full. Papa comes home and eats too.

After dinner, mom and dad disappear behind the curtain, where their bedroom is. We make our sponges on the kitchen/dining area. Lizo has his own little sponge, I have my own sponge, and Nhlanhla has her own. 

Lizo sleeps by the coal stove, I sleep by the door and Nhlanhla sleeps by the curtain.