Scene 12 - The Blockade

Summary

The cast makes the sounds of Casspirs, Hippos and the singing of ‘Die Stem’.

MAMPOMPO: Nazi! Nazi! A Hippo! They are coming to our township like a line of ants. [She sings ‘Die Stem’.]

SDUDLA: What law is this? What race of men? What is this? You make weapons to give you the strength that you lack; you enslave us, whip us, use chains or guns at your pleasure. Do you think we are cows to go on bearing children for you to yoke or kill? What you are unable to create you destroy.

MAMBHELE: Hey! White boy, what are you thinking of, as you sit there like a king on top of the Casspir? Have you forgotten your black mother, who cleaned up your vomit when you were sick?

MAMPOMPO: Or dried your tears when you were crying? We kissed the sores and scratches on your small body to make them better, because your white mother was too busy playing tennis, or shopping.

MAMBHELE: How many of your shit nappies have I changed? You have shown us what you want in our township … killing only!

MAMPOMPO: Our children grow up with hate and fear.

MAMBHELE: They have spoilt our children. They have shown them things that children shouldn't know about. To kill without respect for a human life.

MAMPOMPO: They have torn our families apart – everything is upside down.

MAMBHELE: It is the children who are telling the parents what to do.

MAMPOMPO: Didn't I tell you about these children? Running around the township, no mothers to look after them. Growing up with no laws.

SDUDLA: These, my children, who spill blood as easy as saying voetsek; created by the system and the men in blue who protect it. These are not the children who we laboured to give birth to and held in our arms but the monsters created by the system of oppression.

MAMPOMPO: Thula, thula. I hear voices.

MAMBHELE: There is someone speaking from the bird in the sky.

MAMPOMPO: I can't hear what he is saying – thula! Thula!

SDUDLA [going to sit on a drum]: Ag man, once they speak from the bird I know that they are only giving us orders. Don't listen to them.