Shadows of Khaya Secondary

 Many things are happening in this world, especially when it comes to bullying other learners and teachers in the school. Being a high school teacher is so difficult. Khaya Secondary School was a vibrant school with smart learners, and the principal was so strict. The school was resourceful, and its culture was to make learners more educated so they could achieve more in the future. Thabo T-Bone Mthembu was a learner who was feared, and every learner did not feel safe around him; he used to bully classmates and Nandi Zulu.

His home was not a good environment for him because his parents struggled to sustain a better life and future for him; his father was an abuser. “Hey, you woman! Where have you been?” Dlanini asked Thabo’s father, who was always arrogant and bitter. “Please stop, you are scaring a child,” Malerato said. “Don’t tell me about this moron; he is not smart, even the kids laugh at him,” Dlamini said.

“You must not belittle this child; one day he will become something so big and take us out of this poverty.”

“Like mother, like son, you are useless, and I don’t know why I married you,” Dlamini said. Thabo became furious. “Pa, you won’t say that again,” Thabo sobbed. “I am your father, and you ought to listen to me. The fact remains, you are useless,” Dlamini said. Thabo sulked and headed to his bedroom; he was too emotionally drained. “My husband, I know you want him to be educated, but you can’t take your stress out on him,” Malerato advised. “Look at this house, it is not in good condition, and this child of yours wastes time by going to school.”

“Stop it! Thabo will become like other learners,” Malerato shouted. “How many times must we wait?” Dlamini asked. “Mocking this child will bring nothing but trouble,” Malerato said and left. Thabo was a slow learner; his father used to mock him because he was expecting his child to pass, and  Thabo disappointed him several times. Thabo needed someone patient with him.

Nandi Zulu was a smart girl, and she was so soft; she was standing at the front of the learners, presenting a speech. Everyone applauded for her except T-Bone. “Mxm! You think you are smart,” Thabo said, and the class murmured. “One day, you would become like me, keep on trying,” Nandi said softly. Thabo stood. “I know this school favours you, unlike us, because this school does not care about me.”

“Mthembu enough!” Mr Sibiya reprimanded him. “Nandi, you like to act like a computer, but look at you, you are so ugly, and you look like a clown when presenting a speech,” Thabo laughed. Nandi cried and went out.

A class teacher was not impressed by Mthembu’s behaviour, and he called him outside. “I don’t like your behaviour,” Mr Sibiya said.“What have I done?” Thabo asked. Mr Sibiya pointed him. “You keep behaving like this, and I will have you expelled.” Mr Sibiya went inside the class, and T-Bone followed him, looking so down. “Alright, class, who is next?” Mr Sibiya asked. No one wanted to stand for the presentation; they protested. “Mr Sibiya, we are not impressed with Mthembu’s behaviour,” Nkosi said. “Thabo needs to apologize to Nandi,” another classmate said. “I didn’t insult her. Why must I apologize?” Thabo asked, getting ready to cause havoc. “All of you shut up, this is my class and I spoke to Mthembu,” Mr Sibiya shouted. The class kept quiet. “Mthembu, you need to apologize to Zulu,” Mr Sibiya added. T-Bone stood and went out; he didn’t bother to apologise.

During break time, T-bone made a big mistake by creating a fake social media account and impersonating Nandi Zulu, stealing her images, and started to write unusual messages. “I have got her, you will know me well,” Thabo chuckled. It was a normal day until Thabo tagged everyone. Thabo posted a nude picture.

Nandi Zulu was eating and heard her phone ringing, so she answered it. “Hello friend, do you still remember our assignment?”

“My friend, check your phone on Facebook,” her friend Nokuthula freaked out. “You sound so scared. What is wrong?” Nandi asked. “It seems someone hacked your Facebook account.”

“Thanks for letting me know,” Nandi hung up the phone and found out that someone had impersonated her. “No, man, this is insane,” Nandi said, holding her phone.

Nandi tried to find out who could do that. She approached Thabo. “How could you?” Nandi asked, ready to cry. “I don’t follow,” Thabo said. “Don’t act surprised, I know you impersonated me on Facebook and posted nude pictures.”

“I know nothing about social media. How can I do that?” Thabo acted surprisingly. Mr Sibiya saw Nandi Zulu and summoned her to the principal's office. “Nandi, come to the office right now,” Mr. Sibiya said, looking angry.

The principal was furious and waiting for Nandi Zulu to explain himself. “What is this?” Principal Roberts asked, showing Nandi the pictures. “Sir, someone impersonated my Facebook account,” Nandi said. “I trusted you, you have disappointed me,” the Principal said, serving her with the letter of suspension, “you are suspended with immediate effect. The school will conduct the investigation,” Principal served her. “I swear to God, sir,” Nandi cried. “Get out of my office,” the Principal said. The principal took Nandi’s phone to conduct the investigations.

Nandi’s parents went to the school to meet with the principal, and they found the principal typing on his laptop. “I have realised that you have suspended my daughter,” Said Mrs Zulu. “I am so sorry about what happened to your daughter; however, your daughter has posted nude pictures on his social media and I don’t want my school’s name dragged through the mud,” the Principal insisted.

“My daughter is a respected person; she won’t ruin her name like that.”

“People are already spreading news about her behavior, and remember, your daughter is a learner here.”

“Did you conduct the investigation regarding that?” Asked Mrs Zulu. “Yes, we did. If your daughter is innocent, she is free to come back to school.”

“I hope so, because if this is all a lie, all hell will break loose,” Mrs Zulu said.

Thabo was sitting in his home and eating, and Lungi saw him and decided to confront him.

“I know your tricks,” Lungi said. “What are you talking about?” Thabo asked, looking so surprised.

“You have been bullying Nandi. I know it’s you who created the social media account.”

“You must be out of your mind. Why would I?” Thabo asked. “Look, man, you are a bully and every school learner knows that.” Thabo became angry and approached Lungi. “If you don’t want to be my friend, it is better to end this friendship!” Thabo shouted. “What happened to you?” Lungi asked.

“You are asking me a stupid question,” Thabo said. “I am asking you to delete that account and apologise to Nandi,” Lungi insisted. “Over my dead body, do whatever you want to do.” Thabo was full of himself, and he didn’t realize that he had a problem. Lungi decided to distance himself from him, and he told the principal that Thabo was the one who impersonated Nandi Zulu. Thabo was expelled with immediate effect after the investigation, and the Principal made a public apology. 

Brian Makara.