Mother to Mother

Mandisa thanks Skonana for the information and begins to think through what she's just heard. She can't believe anyone would come to Guguletu voluntarily, and remembers when she first heard that the government might force its black citizens to resettle. While helping her mother serve ginger beer to a group of customers, Mandisa overheard one of the customers, Tat'uSikhwebu, mention the government's plans. Mandisa herself was too young and naïve to pay much attention to Tat'uSikhwebu's claim, and although the rumor quickly spread, most others in the community were initially disbelieving.

Months later, however, "the rumor, all grown and bearded, armed with the stamp of the government, returned" (55). Mandisa is outside playing with her friends and her brother Khaya when they hear a plane flying overhead. Looking up, they see the plane dropping something, which turn out to be pieces of paper informing the residents of Blouvlei that they will need to move next month. Mandisa, upset, shows the message to her parents, and the adults in Blouvlei call a public meeting—the first of several that take place over the next few weeks.

Despite appeals to the government, however, the residents are forced to relocate in September.