THE RISE OF TUMELO CHAPTER 03 ITUMELENG I thought I’d die from eating that creepy man’s food, but I’m still here – alive, and weirdly, a little less scared. He’s such a weird, unnerving guy, and I still don’t understand why he’s keeping me locked up in this basement. He comes down here like clockwork, … Read more
THE RISE OF TUMELO CHAPTER 02 “SUNDAY MORNING.” Boipelo is pacing around the lounge like a caged animal, her eyes darting towards the door every few seconds, as if expecting Itu to walk in any moment. Nthabiseng, on the other hand, seems eerily calm, seated on the couch with a glass of wine in her … Read more
THE RISE OF TUMELO CHAPTER 01 “15 YEARS AGO” The sun hung low, a warm glow seeping through the thin curtains. Tumelo lay on his back, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. Beside him, Zibuyile intretched lazily, hair scattered across the pillow. Two months into their relationship, today was their first time together. It … Read more
UMFAZI WAKWA NDWANDWE WRITTEN BY L . P . MBHELE INSERT 025. _KAGOENTLE NDWANDWE _ The morning after our return, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off. Ziyanda was MIA, and I wasn’t exactly broken-hearted about it. I figured she’d gone back to her usual sulky self. I left Nhlanzeko snoozing in … Read more
UMFAZI WAKWA NDWANDWE WRITTEN BY L . P . MBHELE INSERT 024. _ZIYANDA MTUNGWA_ I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window, the morning sun streaming in through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I stretched, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. Today was a new … Read more
UMFAZI WAKWA NDWANDWE WRITTEN BY L. P. MBHELE INSERT 023. _KAGOENTLE NDWANDWE_ As I sat in the car, the silence was like a thick blanket smothering me, making it hard to breathe. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was trapped in some kind of weird, messed-up dream. The landscape outside was a blur of … Read more
UMFAZI WAKWA NDWANDWE WRITTEN BY L. P. MBHELE INSERT 022. _NARRATOR_ The beauty of the sunset covered the household in KwaZulu Natal, casting an orange glow all over the place. People were coming from work while others were still going to work, and every child went back to their homes. A black car drove into … Read more
UMFAZI WAKWA NDWANDWE WRITTEN BY L . P . MBHELE INSERT 021. _LUMINJALO SKHOSANA_ I scrolled through tiktok, watching Kago living my life makes me wanna vomit, makes me very angry. I shouldn’t have left, I should have stayed and got married to the Ndwandwe guy, Kago wouldn’t have married him. I clicked my tongue, … Read more
UMFAZI WAKWA NDWANDWE WRITTEN BY L . P . MBHELE INSERT 020. _ZIYANDA MTUNGWA_ I sat down facing mom and dad, they called me to talk to me. And I have a shoot in 30 minutes so better hurry coz I don’t want to be late for my shoot. “Umithi Ziyanda?”, I popped eyes all … Read more
UMFAZI WAKWA NDWANDWE WRITTEN BY L . P . MBHELE INSERT 019. _NARRATOR_ The moon was full on the sky, with the shining of the stars on the side, making the streets to be more brighter. Nhlanzeko parked his car, he looked at Cebo who wasn’t fully healed from the accident but already playing detective … Read more