The Echos of Silence episode 1

The excitement of a birth is a special moment for both the mother and the father. Tau didn’t know that his son was a writer, an author. Both of them were chatting and sat in front of the veranda. “I am so glad, I am going to be a father,” Tau smiled. “Our relationship is so special and powerful,” Mantwa chuckled. “I will be back after my day off. I need to go back to work.” Tau was working as a security officer at Mangaung. Mantwa met with him at Mangaung in the mall and felt so interested in him. “So soon?” Mantwa asked. “This is work, my dear, I don’t have a choice.”

“Okay, my love, I will take care of this child. Don’t forget to bring some money for diapers. You can see that this life is difficult,” Mantwa said. It was a moment of happiness between them. “Baby, I will come this coming weekend,” Tau smiled and hugged his girlfriend.

At that moment, Tseleng watched them and felt jealous, and she interrupted them. “It must be nice to have this moment,”  Tseleng said, chuckling. “What are you talking about?” Mantwa asked. “You know exactly what I am talking about,” Tseleng said. Tau was surprised. “My love, what is she talking about?” Tau asked, looking amazed.

“I saw your boyfriend somewhere?” Mantwa froze. “You must be out of your mind,” Mantwa clicked her tongue. “Baby, don’t stress yourself,” Tau touched Mantwa. “Stay away from my girlfriend,” Tau pointed Tseleng with a finger. “I want you to know the truth, and you need to believe me,” Tseleng said.

“That child she is carrying is not yours,” Tseleng laughed. “You are a witch! Stay away from us,” Mantwa shouted. “Is it true?” Tau asked. Tau didn’t have a backbone; he believed everything coming out of Tseleng’s mouth. Tseleng outplayed them and created a fake story. “She is lying, don’t believe her,” Mantwa sobbed. Tseleng turned away and left them. “You need to find the father of this child.”

“How could you?” Mantwa asked. “You heard her, and you also freaked out. It shows that you know something,” Tau said. “Baby, look, Tseleng is jealous, and you don’t have to believe her,” Mantwa insisted. “I am leaving.” Tau left, and Mantwa was heartbroken.

After giving birth to a boy, Lefa, Mantwa took Tau to the doctor for the DNS test. Tau accused Mantwa of cheating. “You are not ashamed, you cheat on me. What if the child is not mine?” Tau asked. Mantwa was frustrated and felt like something was stabbing her in the heart. “How could you? This is your child.”

“I doubt it, you bought the DNA,” Tau said. Mantwa’s tears rolled down, looking frustrated.

“Why would I do that?” Mantwa asked.  The doctor arrived, carrying documents and sat down.

“I am sorry for keeping you waiting.” Mantwa held  Tau’s hand, and Tau folded them.

“No, doctor.”

“Without wasting any time, the results show that Tau is the father of this child, the results is 99,9%. This is the proof that you are the father, sir,” Doctor Smith said. Tau stood up. “You are out of your mind. I know this woman cheated on me!” Tau shouted. “Please, sir, sit down.”

“Hey! I am not sitting down. This woman bribed you,” Tau shouted and pointed at a doctor with a finger. “I am asking you to sit down. I need to explain this,” Doctor Smith insisted. Tau didn’t sit down; he left and slammed the door. Mantwa wailed, and tears went down.

Mantwa decided to go out for job hunting; she was in the suburbs, knocking at every house. Mantwa saw an open gate and decided to enter. “Hello, ma, I am not looking for a job,” Mantwa said. She was wearing torn clothes. “You can’t just show yourself without introducing yourself,” Said Patricia, the owner of the house. Patricia looked at Mantwa from toe to head. “My apologies, I am Mantwa,” Mantwa tried to shake her hand. “If I give you a job, I am going to pay you R500 per month,” Patricia insisted. Mantwa didn’t like the fact that Patricia would pay her little money. “How about raising the money? I have a son, and I am a single parent. His father rejected him.”

“That is none of my business. Do you need a job or an argument?” Patricia asked. Mantwa felt so down, she  didn’t know whether to take the  job or what. Mantwa had no choice; she accepted the offer.

“No problem, I will take the job,” Mantwa said. “Right, arrive here at 7 o’clock tomorrow.” Mantwa nodded and left.

Mantwa realised that she had many debts, and it was difficult for her to pay them. Mantwa was doing her laundry; it was warm and windy, and a young girl approached her. “It’s been 6 months, and you haven’t paid me,” Mmamokete said. “I just got a job, and I will pay you monthly until I settle my debt. Please hear me out,” Mantwa said, with a shaking voice. “You must be out of your mind, you are testing my patience!” Mmakoteke shouted, she passed and headed to the house. “Where are you going?” Mantwa followed her. “I am taking anything in this house; you owe me. I am going to sell them,” Mmamokete said, grabbing a kettle. Mantwa was angry, and she grabbed her hand, pulling her outside the house. “This is my belongings, you can’t do that!” Mantwa shouted.

“Hey! I am not your friend, I will slap you!” Mmamokete shouted, pointing her finger.

“Try me!” Mantwa said, lifting her skirt. Mmamokete slapped her. Mantwa picked up a stone, threw it at her, and Mmamokete avoided the stone. She jumped over the fence and ran away. “I will show you, you moron,” Mantwa said.

Lefa was around 12 years old when he attended school. His mother struggled to buy him a new uniform, Lefa was wearing worn-out shoes, and bullies labelled him a "fool". It was during break time, Lefa was sitting alone, thinking about his poverty. “Yes, you fool who wears torn-out shoes,” bullies laughed.

“Please leave me alone, guys,” Lefa sobbed. “Just look at him, you are useless in this world,” Thabo said, one of the bullies. Lefa stood up, and they grabbed him. “Where are you going? You are stupid and a fool.” Lefa cried. Thabo grabbed his lunchbox, opened it and discovered that it was pap and peaches. “You are eating pap and peaches,” Thabiso mocked him. Lefa became furious; he was shaking. You could see that he was ready to fight. “I told you to leave me alone, leave before I do something that I will regret!” Lefa shouted. “You are just bluffing,” Thabo said. Lefa grabbed Thabo and bashed his head against the wall. Thabo bled. Thabiso ran away. Lefa realised that he had a problem with anger.

Mantwa became ill; she was lying in bed and having difficulty breathing. “My son, please make me a porridge,” Mantwa said, her voice was not clear. “Please don’t die, ma,” Lefa said, wiping his tears. Lefa had to learn how to cook, which was difficult for him after his father rejected him. It was difficult for him and a tragic moment for him. Lefa tried to hide his poverty from the neighbour; he was 10 years old when his mother passed away. It was a difficult  moment for him. Will Lefa survive this cruel world?

Brian Makara, 2026.