Childhood Days Long Walk Original Manuscript (Image #15)

succeeded him as chief of Mqhekezwedni, and Nomafu. A few years after my arrival, Sabata's brother, Nxeko, now chief of Matyenqcina and chairman of the Dalindyebo Territorial Authority, joined us. There were other dependents, mainly from our Madlomo clan. The regent and his wife, No engeland, brought me up with all the love and affection of natural parents and hardly do I remember ever feeling that I was not their child. Troughout they fondly adressed me with the pet name of Tatomkhulu (grandpa). Justice, Nomafu, Nxeko and I ate the same food, dressed equally well and went to the same colleges. During school holidays I became a plough boy, wagon guide, shepherd and some evenings even danced away to the beautiful music and clapping of Thembu girls. Little did I suspect then that one day I would be moved by the singing of Mariam Makheba, Vera Gow, Eartha Kitt and Joothika Roy, and by the graceful movements of Margot Fonteyn and Maya Plisetskaya. Justice, four years older than me, was my first real hero outside of my parents. When we first met he was a student at Clarkebury. He was a good sportsman and excelled in athletics, cricket, rugby and soccer. He was also a singer and a polished ballroom dancer. Tall, well built and handsome, he had a bevy of admirers and an army of critics. But to me he was a saint and I tried to model my own life on his. The powerful hold he had on me later weakened but for quite some time I was under his spell. It was at Mqhekezweni that I first heard of African heroes like Sekhukhune and Moshweshwe, Dingane and Bhambatha, Hintsa and Makana, Montshiwa and Kgama. At first these were somewhat remote figures to me and I was immediately attracted by Thembu heroes like Siqungathi, Mathanzima, Dalasile and Gecelo who defied the orders of their own king and fought