In the dusty village of Mookane, a stunning girl named Seabe was born to Temba and Nosipho Madikedzela. She was the third born of a family of five; three boys and two girls. A gorgeous baby with marble eyes. Seabe grew up to be a beautiful teenage girl full of life. She was intelligent and outstanding in her schoolwork. She was the best student and every teacher was impressed by her performance. Her parents were very proud of her; especially her father, Temba.
Temba was a well-structured man, tall with wide hips, and broad shoulders and wide eyes. He had a husky, loud voice. He was a hilarious person who brought laughter to his home whenever he was around. He loved his family and was always praising them for the little things that they did. Temba was a soldier and always made sure his family was taken care of. Seabe was his favourite child.
After Seabe completed her primary schooling at the age of twelve, she was admitted to Parwe Secondary School in Mahalapye.
“My Princess, you made the Madikedzela family proud today,” Temba said with excitement, throwing and catching his daughter in mid-air.
“Thank you, Dad. You are my biggest hero,” Seabe answered, feeling dizzy from the throw as her father brought her down.
“You deserve to be pampered. Name your wish” .
“Can I sleep on that? I will tell you tomorrow,” quipped Seabe as she ran to meet her mother, who was coming from the land.
“Anytime, little Princess,” Temba said, while grinning and rubbing his hands before walking away to meet his wife.
Seabe could not contain her happiness. She helped her mother put down the bucket she was carrying on her head. Before her mother could even congratulate her, she was telling her all the million things she wanted her father to get for her.
“Mom, do you think Dad would buy me a guitar?” Seabe asked, as she lowered the bucket.
“I never knew you liked music. Where is that coming from?” asked Nosipho puzzled and giggling.
“It has been my dream all along. I sing in the shower every day, haven’t you been listening to me?” Seabe said, laughing and hiding her face with her hands.
“I do, but I never thought you were considering being a musician. You never even discussed it with me once,” Nosipho laughed.
“During the school vacations when I visited Dad in Gaborone, he took me to a BDF Concert meant to raise funds for charity. There was a young lady who meticulously played the guitar. I was impressed by her brilliance. Ever since that day, I have wanted a guitar. I want to be the best lady guitarist in Botswana.”
“Your father will buy the guitar, my girl. You are his favourite princess.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
The following day, Nosipho, Temba and Seabe went shopping in Mahalapye. Mahalapye was the shopping centre for people from Mookane, Dovedale, Dibete, and Mmaphashalala. It was considered a small town. Mookane is sixty kilometres from Mahalapye. Seabe was very excited. This was her first shopping trip with both her parents.
Early in the morning the day following, Seabe was woken by her father’s car engine roaring in the compound. The car had a booster and made a very loud and irritating sound. All the natives of the town called it Big Engine. Whenever Dad drove, it sped around the village roaring like a hungry lion and children would be cheering as it passes by their yards.
“Are you guys ready?” Temba asked, putting his leg on the clutch column and revving the car.
“Give us a few minutes”, Nosipho shouted as she went outside the house, still wrapping her headgear.
“I’m done Dad,” Seabe answered, as she opened the car door and took her seat.
“I want to reach Mahalapye before it gets hot,” Temba said.
“Mom, hurry up, please.”
Temba drove out of the compound and went to the tarred road. The journey to Mahalapye started.
“Daddy, do you know how much I love your driving?” Seabe said, tapping her father’s shoulder.
“Really? Thank you, Princess.”
“I love it even more when we are with Mum.”
“I see, you still haven’t told me what you want as a present; remember you said you would tell me today,”Temba said.
“Oh yeah, I want a guitar.”
“A guitar! You, guitar?!” Temba exclaimed, laughing.
“Remember the day you took me to the BDF in concert? I was impressed by how well the lady who was playing the guitar did. I never told you, but I loved her and wanted to play the guitar like her. I have been practising in the shower every day with my toothbrush,” Seabe answered, licking her lips and jumping on the car seat.
“Wow! I didn’t know I had a Tracy Chapman in my house,” laughed Temba as he put his hand on the steering wheel and hooted.
“Now, you know Dad, am I getting the guitar?”
“Yes !”
“Yippee! Yeah! You are an amazing dad. I love you for being my father. Thank you.”
The trip to Mahalapye was very exciting. Seabe bought the guitar. Nosipho bought all the household items she needed. Temba was happy that time was managed wisely and that she would be able to go to the cattle post afterwards. As they returned to Mookane, Seabe was singing all the way, and her father pleaded with her to keep quiet as it was distracting his driving.
“Are we ever going to make another trip to Mahalapye?” Temba asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Yes Dad, when you take me to my new school in two weeks.”
“Oh, God! Will you be playing this guitar?”
“Definitely.”
Later in February, Seabe was accompanied by her father to start her junior secondary classes in Mahalapye. She was going to start a new life away from her family and that demanded that she live with her aunt.
This would be the first time in her life that she would be staying away from her parents. She was confused, angry, and at the same time, elated that she would be starting a new life and meeting new friends. Temba introduced Seabe to her aunt, Dibaga. Dibaga had a very beautiful smile and hugged Seabe. She took her luggage and ushered her into her new room.
“Hello, Niece! Welcome to Mahalapye,.Feel at home and ask for anything you want, but most of all, study hard at school”.
“Thank you, Auntie, I will be a good girl and promise to study hard. Can I play my guitar during the weekends?”
“Yes of course! This is your home now.”
The following day, Seabe was dressed in a sky blue uniform: new black shoes, white socks, and a navy blue jersey. Her father drove her to school. When they arived at school, they walked to the principal’s office and exchanged pleasantries with her and other teachers. The principal was introduced as Mrs Malefho. She told Temba that school fees were two hundred and fifty for the entire year and can be paid fully or in three installments termly. Her father took out his wallet and paid the school fees for the entire year.
“Dad! I didn’t know you were rich enough to pay for my entire school fees for a year,” Seabe stuttered, playing with her hair.
“I am not rich, princess. I am only doing my duty as a father”, Temba explained, holding Seabe on her head and hugging her in front of the principal.
“I am touched, Dad, we are not rich, but you paying my school fees has left an indelible mark on me,” Seabe murmured as tears yelled on her face.
“I am proud of you my princess, this is the only way I can show it.”
“Look over there Dad, some students came to school barefooted, while I’m in full school uniform, and have fully paid school fees. This is amazing,” Seabe couldn’t contain her happiness anymore; she broke into tears.
Temba Madikedzela died twenty-one years ago. He was a rare breed. He was a father by his deeds. Today, Seabe Madikedzela is a successful woman and a well-known guitarist.
A father’s touch always leaves an everlasting footprint.
Read – A Ghost Embrace – A Short Story by Halla Immaculate, Tanzania
Nice piece
A beautiful story, my sister@Gokatwemang sololo
good read more so I relate with places mentioned herein, coming from Botswana myself around the localities mentioned. This could go a long way in teaching school youths the proper writing format, grammar and techniques.