Buyambo

Walking as fast as we could, Ntombentle and I finally reach the top of the mountain behind our kingdom. We left home as early as a young Thembu lady could to watch the diplomatic ships get closer to our shores. Normally they arrived on different days at a time, but this morning I woke up from a dream that showed three magnificent ships moving in one direction. So, when we were done with our morning chores, my best friend and I went out to see if my dream could be what I interpreted it to be. “Are you certain this means the ships will arrive together Yami?”, asks Entle. “I am. And I will walk up this mountain every day until they arrive to see if it’s true.”, I replied.

Out of breath, Entle and I take a seat on my favourite rock on the mountain. The cool breeze blowing lightly up here helps cool us down. This makes me miss coming up here with my Mother on a warm day to enjoy the quiet nature and admire the flowers that are all over the mountain. This was her favourite place in our kingdom, which is quite interesting since her and the mountain’s names mean the same thing, although the names are different due to language. Queen Palesa and Nontyantyambo, both names meaning flower.

Ntombentle and I sit and talk for hours, whilst we make bead jewellery. It has been a long time since we could just enjoy each other’s company far from the royal guards, after the attack that happened 2 years ago. That day changed our kingdom and it also changed me. I have more responsibilities, but I more cautious around strangers. We all are. Our Kingdom is trying to move on, but the mourning and loss can still be felt in the quietest of spaces. Laughter is a rare occurrence, but the sadness is less heavy than the day before.

We sat on the mountain until just before sunset. The ships did not arrive today, but tomorrow is another day. I cannot help wondering why I am so interested in this year’s arrivals, but something feels different, and I cannot wait to find out what that is. We make our way down and go our separate ways into our homes. As I enter the gate, I can see my Father, King Zwelibanzi and brother, Prince Ntsika standing by the garden talking. I walk up to them and say:

“Molweni Tata noNtsika, ndibuyile. Bendicela ukukha umbona endizowupheka ngoku emalanga?” (Hello Dad and Ntsika, I’m back. May I please pick corn to cook this evening?).

As uTata embraces me he replies: “Akho ngxaki, hamba uyokha Ntombi yam. Ubuye phi namhlanje? Khange ndikubone imini yonke” (No problem, go ahead my Girl. Where did you go today? I did not see you all day)

“Bendiye kuNontyatyambo noNtombentle, Tata. Besiyophola senza neentsimbi” (I went to Nontyatyambo with Ntombentle, Dad. We went to relax, and we also made beads).

Though not a man of many words, my brother pulled me away from his embrace and gave me a knowing look. My Mother was the only one who knew about my dreams, but I know Ntsika suspects that I have been hiding something from them. He is probably waiting for me to say something, or he is working on figuring it out. That’s just how he is. Had this been Nkokheli, I would have been interrogated about why we had to go up the mountain to do what we normally do from the comfort of our backyard.

A short conversation later, Tata and bhuti omncinci (little brother) went into the big hut in the middle of the yard and I went to pick some corn so I can get dinner started. I may be a princess, but I am also a daughter at home. So, like any other daughter in the kingdom, I cook and clean for my family, with the added responsibilities of being a princess.

The rest of the evening was spent with family, enjoying dinner, and catching up on each other daily activities. In all that, I could not forget my dream and what lay ahead tomorrow and the days to follow. Something is about to happen, but is it bad or is it good?