DANGER - GEVAAR - INGOZI

I have been all around the country and I have seen all sorts of DANGER signs. We all know the skeleton in the yellow triangle, we are also aware of the exclamation mark encased in a yellow triangle too, but no one speaks of the orange street lights of Mthatha.

6 pm, at the end of each day, they never miss their cue. They come on and breathe life into Utah, that is what Mthatha my city is called after dawn. Those lights bring forth the evil that has been breeding throughout the day.

The roar and stampede that filled the streets during the day from folks doing their shopping is now replaced with dead silence that is disturbed by a howling dog now and then.

The municipal worker that swept the pavements have clocked off and the night-shift is taken by the gentle winds that blow the grid shaped town from east to west.

I have seen people who are terrified of the dark seek comfort from twilight as they wish the amber street lights could go off and the town turn pitch black. If you have never prayed and appreciated the sun before then you have never walked the streets of Utah after dawn.

“HOSH”
Would echo the streets, bounce off the buildings and vibrate in your ears from an unknown direction. Immediately you would know that your smartphone, wallet and any branded clothing item you may have on are no longer your property, they have been lent to you and the owner is coming to collect what belongs to him.

Your soul shuts off and your body provides no energy whatsoever fro your legs to flee as you fall into despair. A small boy pops out of nowhere and greets you “hosh madala, may we have what belongs to the streets of Utah”.

You look down at this young fellow and your heart fills with false hope, as you think you can upper hand him and flee. But then another one pops up, then another one, then another one, then another and another. After a few moments you lose count as your heart pumps until it pisses itself.

“Am sorry GROOTMAN” are the first words that stutter out of your mouth as you apologies for sins you haven’t committed and praise this young man. No matter your religion, at that moment, he is your god.

If you ever find yourself in the streets of Utah after dawn and the orange lights are on, trend carefully. Should it happen you bump into the Big Nuz, don’t hesitate to hand over what belongs to the streets of Utah, because if you do, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital will accommodate you for the night, that’s if Gwiliza Funeral Service doesn’t take you to your New Home.

#Mzukhology