MATOME LE MMABULEPU

SUMMARY

The novel is based on real life issues experience by people close to the writer. The names of people and places have been changed to protect their identity. The main character is a fictitious figure-Nkgege-who was born in a poor family in Matome, Zebediela. Born in the poorest family, he was committed to his studies, from infacy, and passed his standard 6 in flying colours at Matome Primary School. His parents- Fire and Ngwana Tladi-sold their donkeys to see him through his secondary school education at Matladi High School. At Matladi he also acquitt4ed himself well. His teacher training was funded jointly by the Zebediela Ndebele Tribal Authority and the STD bursary.

During the winter school holidays, when he was completing his teacher training, he was converted to “born againism”. Mosadi-a pretty young woman from the neighbouring village also claimed to have had the same experience. As she was a nonprofessional, after marriage, Nkgege funded her studies until she qualified as a teacher and got her employed. The two lived happliy until Nkgege became unemployed. She subjected him to the worst abuse and evicted him from their house in Mokopane. She died tragically in a car accident with her boyfriend on the N1 north of Polokwane. The same night Nkgege died from a heart attack under the bridge near Fruit and Vegetables, which was his permanent home after eviction, after the police informed him about the tragic death of his wife. The writer praised Matome and Mmalebulepu for the permanency of their bond in adverse weather conditions over the years and encourage them to continue to be exemplary. This was in contrast to Nkgege and Mosadi’s marriage which was short lived and transitory.

MATOME LE MMABULEPU