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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 April 2025
zenzile: Yah, I’m telling you, Nkulunkulu, I’ve seen more plagues, floods and diseases here in KwaZulu than even Moses did during his time on this earth. Angiqambi amanga. [Beat.] Even this Covid, what-what … There were many older people dying around me in this hostel. I got sick with it too. My results were positive, but it was only for a few days before I was better again. Yah, even Covid version 2019, version 2020 … 21 … 22 visited my body and then decided it was not safe for it to live in there … It packed its bags to move in with the next-door neighbour instead. [Chuckling.] Even that thing was scared of me. Ngiyakuchazela!
She applies Vaseline to her arms and legs before covering herself in the dressing gown.
zenzile: I’m still here after all these things. Ma Twala says, ‘Ay, Sis Zenzile, you are not made like the rest of us. You will live past the Judgement Day. Uma sekuphele konke uyosala wedwa la.’
The other day I even asked one of Dudu's boys, Sizwe, while he was helping lay those bricks for me there in Ipharadesi, to also dig my grave for me. Angisenawo amandla okuyimbela umgodi ojule ngaleyondlela. I asked Sizwe to dig it there next to my new house beside the graves of my ancestors. Ngamtshela ukuthi akomba umgodi oshona phansi ngempela ngoba ngiwumuntu onenkani … ngiyoba nayo ngisho sengifile.
I’ve given my child instructions that – if she does not go before me – then she must pack that soil very tightly and pour concrete on the top so not even the summer rains can release me. No, they must make sure that once they put me inside … that is that … I never return to life again. Yah, kuyofanele benze isiqiniseko sokuthi bangilalisa ngibheke phansi ebhokisini ukuze ngingabuyi nje ngizoba idlozi elibi.
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