Gugulethu Khumalo was born with a rare disease. Her right arm was shorter than the right, and not functioning. When the years passed, and she was ready to go to school, her fear of being unable to write was eased. Her teacher, Ms Mthembu, encouraged Gugulethu to use her left hand instead. She also suffered from speech disfluency, making her uncomfortable speaking. She became withdrawn and anxious. Her health deteriorated rapidly in the first term of her Grade 12 schooling at Morning Side Girls High School. Gugulethu lagged in her schoolwork.
Though she was reflective, Gugulethu was self-conscious about her condition. Feeling despondent, she approached Ms Mthembu and informed her of her intention to drop out.
\u201cThat\u2019s not an option, Gugu,\u201d said Ms Mthembu. \u201cYou\u2019ll not do that to yourself.\u201d
Gugulethu\u2019s speech improved since undergoing speech-language pathologist sessions. Ms Mthembu observed her student\u2019s progress and was delighted by the potential Gugulethu was showing. She mixed freely with other students and was eager to join the school\u2019s debating team. Gugulethu was passionate about social issues. She was critical of people who discriminated against and stigmatised the disabled. Ms Mthembu listened intently to Gugulethu arguing about how society regarded disabled people as a liability.
\u201cFor too long,\u201d said Gugulethu in controlled emotions, \u201cdisabled people are being neglected by society. People who live with disabilities are not charity cases.
They\u2019re proud men, women, boys, and girls of this country.\u201d She paused, to allow sustained applause and shouts of \u201cWa bua ngwanyna, you\u2019re now talking girl,\u201d from the crowd.
\u201cThese people,\u201d she had said, \u201care like me and you and they must be treated with respect and dignity. They, like everybody else, aspire to be active in the growth of our economy. They don\u2019t aspire to be beneficiaries of social grants. They also want to create jobs; they aspire to be the Patrice Motsepe and Oppenheimer of this country.\u201d
Ms Mthembu was determined she would not let such brilliant intellect wane like a flower in the desert sand. She ensured Gugulethu did not miss her homework and other assignments. Without fail, she delivered the day\u2019s lessons and other study materials to the student\u2019s homes.
Later, Miss Mthembu encouraged Gugulethu to enter the Annual Presidential Essay Writing Competition.
\u201cWhy me Ms Mthembu? I\u2019m sure there\u2019s some more suited students cane competition,\u201d said Gugulethu.
\u201cYou\u2019re right. You\u2019re one of those students.\u201d Miss Mthembu\u2019s voice was firm, but tender.
The competition\u2019s theme was: \u2018If you were the President, what would you do for your country?\u2019
Gugulethu relented and won the first spot at the provincial level and joined the other nine students for the national finals.
The President invited the finalists and their teachers to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. She needed the learners to familiarise themselves with the Head of State\u2019s daily activities.
The President was taken aback when Gugulethu could not make out her right hand but pointed at her un-functioning right arm for the President to shake it.
After she had met the finalists, the President summoned Ms Mthembu to the boardroom. \u201cHow could you, Miss Mthembu? That girl can hardly speak properly. Did she win the competition?\u201d
\u201cLike all eight of them\u201d. There was a trace of defiance and annoyance in Ms Mthembu\u2019s tone. She could not imagine how the President felt Gugulethu had cheated to be in the last leg of the competition.
\u201cBut how possible is that? She\u2019s disabled,\u201d said the President.
Ms Mthembu drew a long breath in exasperation and shook her head. \u201cGugulethu is not incapacitated, Madame President\u201d. There was a trace of annoyance in Ms Mthembu\u2019s tone. She could not imagine how the President, a woman, and mother of three, could be so na\u00efve about people living with a disability. \u201cShe lives with a disability. I\u2019m sure we all have an impairment of some sort. Gugulethu is not an exception.\u201d
The President\u2019s eyes narrowed, her cold and hard stare piercing Ms Mthembu. \u201cI hope you\u2019re right, Miss Mthembu. Because if not, you\u2019ll have a lot to explain.\u201d
Miss Mthembu was determined she would not allow people with prejudices to discourage Gugulethu. The President was not an exception.
The disabled were capable, Miss Mthembu was assured, intelligent, and even smarter than most normal people. If need be, she was prepared to lose her job protecting her student.
\u201cI can assure you, Madame President, I\u2019ll have nothing to explain after Gugulethu Khumalo\u2019s presentation.\u201d
The two women hurried out of the boardroom. \u201cWell, boys and girls,\u201d said the President scanning the group in front of her. \u201cNow that you all seem to be eager to be \u2018the President\u2019 for a day. Each one of you will sit in that chair.\u201d She pointed towards the black leather and swivelling hair behind her desk. , \u201cI want you to tell us what you would do to improve the quality of the lives of South Africans.\u201d
Tension swirled inside the room. Both the teachers and students were provided with a video of the provincial finalists\u2019 presentations. She was articulate. The learners believed that Gugulethu\u2019s presentation was \u2018out of this world\u2019. Her essay was based on climate change and the environment. The participants were convinced that the Morningside Girls High School student would win the first prize.
The students gazed at each other, they shrugged and murmured amongst themselves.
\u201cYou can talk on anything you wish,\u201d said the President, \u201ceducation, employment, or service delivery.\u201d
Ms Mthembu and Gugulethu\u2019s gazes locked. The teacher noticed Gugulethu\u2019s eyes coated with a beam of confidence and the student let her customary warm smile cross her face. Ms. Mthembu nodded and Gugulethu lifted her hand.
The students applauded, and Gugulethu smiled at them and nodded in appreciation. She limped in a measured gait towards the desk, moved around, and sat in the chair. She placed the page on which she had scribbled some notes, on the table.
\u201cWow!\u201d She wiggled her body, testing the comfort of the chair. \u201cIt feels like I\u2019m the real President,\u201d said Gugulethu.
The group erupted into a burst of amused laughter, clapping their hands and ululating. But the President remained muted and stone-faced.
\u201cAs President of this country, I\u2019ve noted how climate change is negatively affecting young people and children.\u201d
There was roaring applause, foot stomping, and whistling from the students. She allowed a smile to cross her face.
\u201cYoung people and children around the world are feeling anxious about climate change. They are even frightened that humanity is doomed,\u201d A satisfactory smile crossed her face. \u201cThey\u2019re right to feel that way. Governments and political leaders are doing little to adequately deal with the challenges of climate change.\u201d
Without blinking, the President\u2019s wide-opened eyes were fixed on Gugulethu. It seemed like she was looking at someone else, not the girl who stunned her only a few moments ago. Someone who could not shake hands with her. Someone she had believed could hardly speak properly. And even doubted her capabilities to enter an essay competition.
\u201cMore than ever before,\u201d said Gugulethu. \u201cMy government will encourage and support young people to become more active in the fight against climate change.\u201d She paused, allowing the applause to die down.
Gugulethu noticed Ms Mthembu brushing away a tear with her finger. The tear had trickled down her apple-shaped dark face. A broad smile moved across the President\u2019s face, she glanced at Ms Mthembu and nodded in approval.
\u201cI\u2019ll in any way possible, as the President of this country, encourage and urge young people to speak up and get others to join in taking action. It\u2019s one of the quickest and most effective ways to make a difference. Talk about climate change. Urge members of your church, your communities, friends, and relatives to go green\u2026\u201d She paused and surveyed her audience. \u201cAnd I would like to urge young people to appeal to leaders to act now.\u201d
Gugulethu warned the planet was in trouble, whistle world leaders were fiddling with their fingers. She said they were oblivious to how climate change was hurting the mental health of young people throughout the world. She encouraged young people not to lose hope, and encouraged them to remain committed to their goals to change the world for the better.
In her private thoughts, the President admitted her error of judgment and her prejudices. She pressed her eyes shut, in recollection of her high school days. One of her classmates had a stuttering impediment but had a melodic voice, and was a soloist in the school choir. Clapping her hands, the President hurried towards the desk and held Gugulethu in a bear hug.
For the second time, the President summoned Ms Mthembu to the boardroom. \u201cListen, what I said to you about that girl, must remain between us.\u201d There was a conviction in the President\u2019s tone.
Ms Mthembu nodded. Her eyes blinking, she stared at the President in admiration for accepting her error of judgment. The President moved forward and embraced the teacher.
T he students later toured historical and heritage sites including the Cradle of Humankind.
A week later, the Pretoria City Hall was packed to capacity. The schools that were eliminated in the early stages of the competition were also invited. Parents and relatives of the students attended. The audience cranked their necks as the nine finalists walked down the aisle, there was sustained applause as they walked up the stage and sat down in two rows.
The program director stood next to the podium, holding a piece of paper in his hand. On the far right side, Gugulethu noticed three judges, two men and one woman, and an unoccupied chair.
\u201cAre they the judges?\u201d asked one student from the Western Cape.
Gugulethu glanced at her and nodded. After a while, the fourth female judge walked in and occupied the vacant seat. She glanced sideways at her colleagues and whispered something.
\u201cLadies and gentlemen,\u201d said the programme director, \u201cthe moment we\u2019ve all been waiting for, the President of the Republic of South Africa.\u201d
The President walked in followed by two women clad in striped black suits. The President wore a red long dress, her hair cut short. The audience rose and applauded, she acknowledged the reception by waving. In her long strides, the President ascended the stage. She waved at the nine finalists.
The President stood beside the podium as the chaplain ascended the stage. He conducted the service that included the Lord\u2019s Prayer. Everybody sat down after the singing of the National Anthem.
The woman in a black suit handed the President a folder. The Head of State glanced at the nine students and smiled.
\u201cI\u2019ve been informed,\u201d the President cleared her throat, \u201cby the judges that their task was difficult. They told me that every one of you is a winner, but in terms of the rules of the competition, only three of you will walk away with the prize.\u201d
The judges had briefed the President that the selection was tough. The competitors focused on critical issues. The competitors lamented the appalling state of education. The violence at schools and learners\u2019 behavioural patterns. Some pointed out that the South African President needed to convene a Head of States summit. They suggested the gathering would deal with conflicts that have left millions of women and children displaced on the continent. They also stressed the growing number in some African countries of child soldiers.
\u201cI\u2019ll start with the third prize winner.\u201d
\u201cI wonder who could be that?\u201d said a competitor from the Western Cape as he brushed his sweaty palms.
\u201cAmila Rasool from Kwazulu-Natal\u201d. The Midlands High School girl shook hands with the President as she handed the student the prize. Nontobeko Jiya of St Joseph High School in Port Elizabeth won the second prize.
The room remained silent as the competitors glanced at each other, wondering who could be the possible overall winner.
\u201cAnd the winner of the Annual Presidential Essay Writing Competition is\u2026\u201d
The audience shouted the names of the remaining provinces and stomped their feet on the floor. Ms Mthembu covered her face with both hands and prayed in silence.
The President turned to look at the competitors and allowed a smile to cross her heart-shaped and smooth face. \u201cGugulethu Khumalo from Morningside Girls High School\u201d.
After the cheering had died down, the President left the stage followed by the two women in black suits. The eight competitors clamoured around Gugulethu, embracing and kissing her. It was about twenty minutes before midnight when Ms Mthembu left Gugulethu\u2019s hotel room. ,
Now pensioned, Mrs Mthembu pressed her cell phone hard against her ear. \u201cOh\u2026 yes, Ms Khumalo, I would be delighted to be at Gugu\u2019s graduation ceremony. No, don\u2019t bother, I\u2019ll pay for my plane ticket.\u201d
She joined the Khumalos when they flew to Cape Town for their daughter\u2019s graduation.
Gugulethu graduated cum laude with, a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology. Surrounded by colleagues, friends, and well-wishers, Gugulethu wrapped her arm around Ms Mthembu. \u201cIt\u2019s all thanks to you, Ms Mthembu. You encouraged me to soar up like a bird, to be free and become anything possible I wished to accomplish.\u201d
Fortune smiled on Gugulethu, she was accepted on an internship at the Department of Correctional Services. Soon thereafter, she considered enrolling in a Master\u2019s Degree with the University of South Africa.
That Saturday morning her phone rang as Gugulethu was walking out of her bedroom. She turned back and walked in hurried strides toward her dressing table.
\u201cHello\u2026 yes, it\u2019s me, Madame President\u201d. Her body trembled, she held the cell phone tight in her sweaty hand and she sat on the end of her crumpled bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She wondered where the President had got her number. But she wouldn\u2019t dare ask her, after all, she told herself, she was the Head of State. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Gugulethu Khumalo was born with a rare disease. Her right arm was shorter than the right, and not functioning. When the years passed, and she was ready to go to school, her fear of being unable to write was eased. Her teacher, Ms Mthembu, encouraged Gugulethu to use her left hand instead. She also suffered […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[24,25,12],"class_list":["post-120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-short-stories","tag-dinner","tag-gugu","tag-love"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=120"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":121,"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120\/revisions\/121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thabomooke.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t have any plans. Yes, Madame President, I\u2019ll send the details of my location.\u201d
Gugulethu wobbled out of her bedroom. Her father was slumped on a couch and her mother entered the room. She drew a long breath. \u201cThe President has invited me for dinner at Mahlamba Ndlompfu\u201d.
Her parents, eyes opened wide and exchanged glances of disbelief.
\u201cWhy telling us now?\u201d said her father.
\u201cJust got the invite now, Dad. She called me on my phone.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t even know how she got my number.\u201d
\u201cDid she tell you what the invite was all about?\u201d asked her mother.
\u201cDidn\u2019t ask. She\u2019ll be sending her driver to pick me up at 6:30 pm.\u201d
Gugulethu gazed through the window as the black BMW 737 drove up the hill, past the blanket of green lush lawn and trees towards the majestic house. It was a double-story, white structure reflecting the tradition of a city and farm.
The President wore a pair of jeans with an African print top. She wore a light touch of makeup that enhanced her oval eyes and her hair customary cut short. She sat at the end of the long table. Her son and daughter sat on her side. Gugulethu sat next to the President\u2019s youngest daughter.
Dinner was roasted lamb, rice, and vegetables.
\u201cMy mother never stops talking about you,\u201d said the President\u2019s son, Nkululeko. He observed her round face, smooth, with a chocolate brown complexion. Her large black eyes sparkled like they would light the darkest corner. She had long shapely legs and her body, observed Nkululeko, was the creation of a master craftsman.
Gugulethu guessed he was of the same age, 21. Maybe 22? She wondered. He was tall and broad-shouldered and wore a pleasant smile that seemed to be permanently plastered on his dark face.
\u201cIn fact,\u201d Nkululeko cut a piece of meat in his plate, and mid-way towards his mouth, he put down the fork on the table. \u201cSoon after your presentation, I read your essay on your school\u2019s Facebook page, quite an impressive document on climate change.\u201d
\u201cThank you,\u201d said Gugulethu.
\u201cMmm\u2026I also read it. I guess it is the literature for a Nobel Peace Prize,\u201d said Nomathemba, the President\u2019s daughter.
\u201cThat\u2019s the reason I\u2019ve invited you for dinner. I have read your essay on people living with a disability.\u201d The President cut in. She wiped off her mouth with a white cloth serviette. A proponent of the advancement of young people, she also pushed for the generational mix in public service. She believed the younger generation would bring about advancement and professionalism in public service whistle gaining experience from their elderly colleagues. \u201cI want you to work for the Department of Social Services.\u201d
Gugulethu\u2019s mouth opened wide with astonishment, and at that, Nkululeko glanced at her, his face beaming with a smile.
\u201cYou\u2019ll work in a unit that will advise and implement policy on people living with disabilities,\u201d said the President.
\u201cI\u2019m doing my internship\u2026\u201d
\u201cI know about that,\u201d said the President. \u201cYou\u2019ll start in your new position, as Director General, by the end of the month.\u201d
\u201cI don\u2019t know what to say. Thank you, Madame President.\u201d
After dinner, the President excused herself, saying there were urgent matters of the state she needed to attend. Nomathemba disappeared without making an excuse. Nkululeko and Gugulethu sat in the spacious living room, watching television and having soft drinks.
\u201cYou reckon it would be too early to congratulate you on your new position?\u201d
\u201cThey\u2019re people more suited\u2026\u201d
\u201cCome on Gugu, you\u2019ve all it takes to succeed. The brains, you\u2019ve been just modest.\u201d
\u201cOK, enough about me. Let\u2019s talk about you.\u201d
\u201cWell, I run my television production company.\u201d Nkululeko also informed Gugulethu that he studied at the London Film School. He also worked for an Advertising Agency before he started his company.
The President disrupted their conversation as she entered the room. \u201cGugu, you\u2019ll let me know when you\u2019re ready, I\u2019ll ask the driver to take you home. Night, see you soon.\u201d
\u201cNight Madame President. Thank you for everything.\u201d
\u201cNight Mum, I\u2019ll let you know when Gugu is ready,\u201d said Nkululeko.
It was about 11 pm when the driver stopped outside the gate of Gugulethus\u2019s home. He opened the door for her and Nkululeko slid out from the other side. He held Gugulethu\u2019s hand as they sauntered towards the door. They stood for a moment talking and exchanged telephone numbers.
\u201cCan we have dinner later in the week?\u201d said Nkululeko.
She remained muted, not sure she had heard him properly.
\u201cNot at the President\u2019s home. I\u2019ll come and pick you up, say 6:30 pm.\u201d He kissed her on the mouth and walked away.
It was her first kiss. Gugulethu\u2019s knees knocked against each other, and she leaned against the front door of her parents\u2019 house. Her voice trapped at the back of her throat, she wanted to scream at him and ask; \u2018How the hell am I supposed to know what love is?\u2019 But he had disappeared into the shadows of the night.
Nkululeko was not thrilled by the frills of his mother\u2019s political status. Soon after dating Gugulethu, he threw his carefree youthfulness into the President\u2019s security network. Often he would sneak out of the Presidential residence to spend time with Gugulethu at her parents\u2019 house. Sometimes, they go to a restaurant for dinner.
After Nkululeko had picked up Gugulethu from her parent\u2019s home that evening, under pretext, Abbey Khumalo strolled to the kitchen. He pretended to help his wife in preparing dinner.
\u201cKu khona o ku shaya amanzi phakathi ko Gugu na lo mfana ka Mgameli<\/em>, Something is going on between Gugu and the President\u2019s son.\u201d He glanced at his wife his eyes dancing with curiosity.
\u201cThe feeling is mutual,\u201d said Thulisiwe. \u201cWhat do you think we should do? Sit her down?\u201d
\u201cI don\u2019t think it is a good idea. Maybe it is still early, let\u2019s wait and see.\u201d
Nkululeko and Gugulethu were not bothered by their circumstances. Their backgrounds had no bearing on their relationship. He believed the concept of social status material frills was meaningless. He was convinced it was more so because their generation was more enlightened.
However, Nkululeko and Gugulethu had created a room to poke fun at each other about their interests in the arts. He was an ardent fan of Rap music, and science-fiction films, whereas Gugu, was into stars such as Mariam Makeba, Nina Simone, and Barbra Streisand. That afternoon, Nkululeko received a delivery. He had ordered one of Gugulethu\u2019s favourite Barbra Streisand albums, Memories.
He switched on the wiper blades of his car as raindrops fell on his windshield. His head turned sideways and smiled at Gugulethu. She reciprocated his warm and lazy smile. He selected the track, \u2018Kiss Me in the Rain\u2019, on his car stereo.
Eyes opened wide in astonishment. \u201cIs this for real?\u201d asked Gugulethu.
\u201cI know how love this singer.\u201d
She was lost in the music until Nkululeko stopped by the gate of the presidential residence.
\u201cWhat\u2019re we doing here?\u201d asked Gugulethu.
\u201cIt\u2019s about time our parents know that we\u2019re dating.\u201d
\u201cYou never cease to amaze me, Nkululeko. Don\u2019t you think it is still early\u2026?\u201d
\u201cLove transcends time, and tonight it has done so.\u201d Nkululeko slid out of the car, walked around, and opened the door for Gugulethu. \u201cWe had not planned to fall in love when you came over for dinner with my mother. I fell in love with you. And it is not a figment of my imagination, a delusion of my dreams. This is real.\u201d
She nudged him on his rib cage. \u201cDon\u2019t you dare be philosophical with me?\u201d
Gugulethu had not been to Mahlamba Ndlompfu after she had had dinner with the President. She had travelled to Cape Town twice for the President\u2019s State of the Nation Address but had never talked to the Head of State.
The President dashed out of the study after a brief discussion with one of her bodyguards. She was livid.
The bodyguard had informed her that for some time now, Nkululeko had been sneaking out of Mahlamba Ndlompfu without a bodyguard. Her nose flaring, she stopped in her tracks when she entered the living room and noticed Nkululeko, Gugulethu, and Nomathemba watching TV. She drew a long breath and in silence asked herself; \u2018has he found love, and that is why he has been sneaking out of Mahlamba Ndlompfu?\u2019
\u201cMy, my\u2026 no wonder the concerns about the security breach. Nkululeko, you\u2019ve some explaining to do.\u201d She glanced at Gugulethu, and a-sided smile crossed her face. \u201cTo what do I deserve the honour Gugu? Evening. Nice to see you.\u201d
\u201cEvening, Madame President, I\u2019m delighted to see you,\u201d said Gugulethu.
Nkululeko twirled with his fingers, and his voice hoarse. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mum. Anyway, Gugu is not having dinner with the President tonight\u2026\u201d
The room became silent like an old graveyard. The President stared at his son and glanced at Gugulethu. But she could not read their faces.
Nkululeko glanced at Gugulethu and stared at his mother. There was a lazy smile on his face. \u201cI have an announcement.\u201d He reached for Gugulethu\u2019s hand. \u201cI\u2019m dating Gugu. We\u2019re dating Mum.\u201d
With a broad smile on her face, the President felt like a mother holding her newly delivered baby in her arms. And she rationalised; who am I to tell my son whom he can and cannot love? Love flies on the wings of freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n