Chapter 1
MY FATHER'S REVENGE: MNYAMANA THE BLACK ONE
CHAPTER 1
It's a Friday in the evening the sunset in the township of Lokhuzane high school the sports are field with loud cheers and music blasting.
The sun was dipping behind the roofs of eKasi, casting gold over the field. School kids packed the sides of the field, some standing on crates eating Kota , others balancing on walls shouting "Yiyo-Yiyo", dancing, and hyping the cheerleaders.
She was in the center of it all.
Zanokuhle Mavundla.
With that baby faced glow, red lipstick, and curls bouncing with every move, she owned the stage like it was made for her.
“Tom London somulandela”
The speakers boomed amapiano. She danced they twisted, twirled and did splits ended up twerking.The boys lost their minds.
From the edge of the crowd, a man stood silently, arms folded.
Black overalls with work boots still dusty from the garage and his eyes fixed on one person only Malome Vezi her father. He didn't smile much doesn't approve of some dance moves but tonight he had no choice ,his eyes were soft because Zano was all he had left in this world her mother left in a bad tragedy was killed by a mob of gangster when they were busy shopping and that time Zano was just months old she didn't remember that much their car was hijacked.
After the match, Zano jogged over to him, sweat glistening on her forehead.
“Tata!” she beamed, wrapping her arms around him.
Vezi handed her a cold Coke. “That was not bad just next time no shaking your behind, my girl. You killed it.”
She popped the cap, took a sip. “I wanna be on TV one day. Like, ‘Zano Mavundla with the likes of Brenda Fassie Top Choreographer’ kind of vibe.”
He nodded. “And I’ll be in the front row. Like always.”
Elsewhere...
Behind the school block, three boys stood in shadows they were laughing and plotting.
Balele Dladla stared at Zano like she was a prize he’d never afford.
“You like her, neh?” Mbulele, his older brother, lit a cigarette. “You want in the crew, mfethu? You earn it by removing your weakness meaning her.”
He handed Balele a gun.
“Tonight. After the game. Prove you’re not weak!"
Later that evening...
Zano walked toward the shop at the corner, earphones in.
Grocery list in hand. Humming a beat. Dancing as she walked.
Life was good for her and her dad . She didn’t see the shadow behind her.
Didn’t feel the footsteps until
“Zano,” a voice she turned it was Balele he was shaking and sweating holding something behind his back.
“Yoh Balele…? She lowered her earphones volume Are you okay?”
Then he suddenly grabbed her and dragged her in between two shacks. She tried kicking and screaming but he punched her on and on her face bloody from her nose and music kept playing in her ear.
Then the crew came rushing in cars Mbulele ,Razor, Manga and T- Boze his brother Mbulele said "We are here why she still breathing? Don't waste our time you want in remove your weakness ".
Then Bang after Bang then silence it was pool of blood.
Vezi had just stepped out to call her until he heard the shots and ran he was too late but until he saw on the dirt her eyes were wide and her chest still and blood soaked her cheer uniform.
“Zano!”
He dropped to his knees, lifting her body, trembling.
Her lips moved once.
“...Tata…” Then nothing.
The police came.
People pointed fingers.
They saw him with her body.
Him screaming and covered in her blood since the was no evidence they took him away.
No one ever found out what really happened people of Lokhuzane failed Zano like they failed her mother. Headlines father killed his own daughter that was it and sentenced to prison for 25 years.
7 YEARS LATER
Prison gates open and a man walks out with no smile ,no soul and no name anymore.
Only whispers.
“Mnyama.”
The shadow of revenge.
And he’s coming for every man who touched his daughter’s death.
