Marry Me

ACT 1

Scene 1

(It is early morning on Saturday. At the home of Mr Manyanyatha Munyai, a group of women enter. The women are Gushumbu, Mrs Nyambodi, Mrs Duludza, Mrs Tshinondiwa, and Mrs Dembe.)

 

Mrs Dembe: (As she greets the guests by lying down on her side with her hands clasped together to show respect.) Aa! How are you doing, people of Bofulamato?

 

Mrs Nyambodi: (She repeats the gesture and greets her back.) Aa! We are doing well; it is we who ask how you are.

 

Mrs Dembe: We are still enjoying our days on this earth. God and our ancestors have shown us favour and goodwill. The only complaint is the flu, which won't go away.

 

Mrs Tshinondiwa: A guest who comes bearing nothing in their hands has information to share. We come bearing news. Please find someone who will be our go-between and help us understand each other.

 

Mrs Dembe: (As she acknowledges the request by clasping her hands and saying Aa!) I have heard and understood your request. I will do as you have asked.

 

Mrs Duludza: (Mrs Duludza enters the room and greets everyone.) Good morning, everyone. How is everything at Bofulamato?

 

Mrs Nyambodi: Bofulamato is still treating us well. The sun has been scorching hot lately. How are you?

 

Mrs Duludza: It is the same here. The sun has been scorching hot—as hot as the desert sun. Soon, we will wear towels on our heads even when we don't have a headache.

 

Mrs Tshinondiwa: We are here today to introduce you to your daughter-in-law, Gushumbu. She is three months pregnant and says your son, Makhonya, is responsible. Thank you.

 

Mrs Duludza: The truth lies in the two people who saw each other naked. A third person will cause a fight. Let us hear what the boy says about this.

 

Mrs Nyambodi: Who knows? The whole country is like this! The authentic young women are those in the past where a man proposed to a woman, got engaged, and then married. When the young man is referred to as ‘the breaker’ because he is the one who will break his wife’s calabash—her virginity. That is yesterday; the way things happen now is something else.

 

Mrs Tshinondiwa: The country has lost its virtue! It has changed completely; even if you yearn for yesterday, it will never return. The taboo happening nowadays is more significant than the mountain of Luonde.

 

Mrs Duludza: To live, is to see! The elders told us we would be left behind and see for ourselves. Isn't that happening? Our culture and traditions are dying!

 

Mrs Nyambodi: Everything starts and ends at the school. The homes are conceived, birthed and built there.

 

Mrs Duludza: You should see them after the afternoon school bell rings. They will walk home together in pairs, hand in hand. Watching this happen will leave you shocked. As they walk together like this, it is the beginning of the home.

 

(Mrs. Duludza, Mr Manyanyatha, Makhonya, Mrs.Nengwani, and Mr. Mishumo enter the visitor's quarters.)

 

Mrs Duludza: My brother! The people here are the Dakwa’sfamily delegation, and they have brought you your daughter-in-law, Gushumbu.

 

Mr Manyanyatha: What does Dakwa do to me? I am an old man. How can I marry a young woman? I am no longer a breeding bull but one charged with ploughing the field.

 

Mrs Nengwani: Let the families grow so we may gain new in-laws.

 

Mr Manyanyatha: I have been friends with Dakwa since we were young boys herding our father's cattle. Today, our children have turned us into enemies. The elders didn't lie when they said that you are fed rotten fruit by the children that you gave birth to. What do you call this?

 

Mrs Seani: Do you know this burden, my son? Gushumbu cannot be my daughter-in-law.

 

Makhonya: I don't know this burden. This burden is a ruse meant to trap me into marrying Gushumbu. She must tell us all her lovers. This burden is not mine alone.

 

Gushumbu: This is your burden, Makhonya! Do not act like you do not know anything. I have never been intimate with anybody else but you.

 

Mr Mishumo: Oh my goodness! What kind of burden is this? How can two different lightning strikes hit the same tree? Whatever is happening here is shocking and unheard of!

 

Mr Manyanyatha: If you got her pregnant, tell us, my son.We will pay the fine.

 

Mrs Seani: Hey, Mr Manyanyatha! Must my son moo like a cow? He is saying that he does not know this burden. You must not force my son to accept the burden that is not his. I will not allow it! Giving birth is painful! It is not like picking flowers from the garden.

 

Mr Manyanyatha: You must take a step back. We want to hear what the boy has to say about this situation. Your temper is going to ruin things and our good relations. Who invited you anyway? Tshivenda does not allow a mother to be present when her son answers for a burden. 

 

Mrs Nengwani: People must stop fighting unnecessary fights. We want to hear what the child is thinking. You must keep quiet because both of you weren't there when the lightning hit the tree.

 

Mrs Seani: Hey you, Mrs Nengwani! Who does not know anything? Are you saying I don't know anything? If I don't know anything, the person who knows is you! Please don't confuse me with a donkey whose greatest sin is to be kind. I gave birth to this child alone, and it was painful!

 

Mr Mishumo: Makhonya, what do you mean when you say you are not alone? Does this mean you used to take turns taking cattle to the river like shepherds? Stop beating about the bush and tell us what you mean! We are not playing when we are here!

 

Makhonya: Uncle, I was only in a relationship with her for three days. How could I have caused her burden?

 

Mr Mishumo: Once a giraffe gets its feet wet, it has drank from the river! An egg does not need many days to fertilise; a girl can get pregnant in only one day. Tshivenda says that the mother is the only one who knows the child's father.

 

Mrs Seani: My brother, have you also been bribed? If somebody bribed you, I ask you to leave my child alone.Please return the money to the people who gave it to you.

 

Mrs Tshinondiwa: We are going to head back now. However, we are leaving Gushumbu here according to her parent's wishes.

 

Mrs Seani: Whose house will she be staying at? I know it won't be my house. I refuse! Take her back with you and hold her for us since her lover is still going to school.

 

Mrs Nengwani: My sister-in-law, to spare the rod is to spoil the child! Do not get in the habit of abandoning your own blood because one day, you will regret your actions and cry as a child would. We have been alive for a long time and have experienced many things.

 

Mrs Tshinondiwa: If you say Makhonya does not know anything about this burden, it is okay! We will meet at the King's tribunal. Let us get up and leave, my niece!

 

Ends.

Scene 2

 

(At Mr Dakwa's home, Mrs Duludza, Gushumbu, and Mrs Tshinondiwa enter.)

 

Mrs Duludza: The Munyai family has sent us back with your daughter. Mr Manyanyatha said you should stay with her while your son-in-law finishes schooling. 

 

Mr Dakwa: Mr Manyanyatha and his wife are disrespectful. How long must we wait for them to come and get her? What happens when their son gets a wandering eye and gets another girl pregnant? What Manyanyatha is doing makes no sense at all.

 

Mrs Tshinondiwa: Exactly! We tried to explain the same to them, but our pleas fell on deaf ears. Mr Manyanyatha's wife is stubborn as a mule and difficult to deal with. She told us to our faces that Gushumbu could never be her daughter-in-law.

 

Mrs Mazala: Some people are condescending and obtuse! They think they are better than everybody else. I don't see what they boast about because their circumstances are similar to my own. They must enjoy playing with my daughter like a football, but one day, they will meet someone with the same heart and ruthlessness as them. God is not a child, nor does he wear short pants.

 

Mr Dakwa: Gushumbu no longer has a room in this house, so I am giving her to them. They should thank me since they don't have a daughter of their own.

 

Mr Duludza: When you deal with that woman, do not be naive like a child. You must be stubborn and brave. You must not allow yourself to be intimidated. Like a bull the ancestors chose, you must not trek backwards when facing an opponent!

 

Mrs Tshinondiwa: This new generation has a wandering eye. What happens when he meets another girl and gets her pregnant? That would mean that any hope of a marriage for Gushumbu disappears. It would be difficult for Makhonya to form other relations when he has a wife at home.

 

Mr Mazala: Another non-negotiable item is that Gushumbu must return to school as soon as her child is old enough. The Munyai family must ensure that my daughter completes her high school education.

 

Mrs Duludza: To give birth is painful and is not like picking flowers. Everyone's experience is different!

 

Mrs Tshinondiwa: We are tired of being taken for fools by the conniving and unscrupulous in morals. Gushumbu must go back and stay at Mr Manyanyatha's household. She is Makhonya's wife! Seani is too forward and impulsive.Someone needs to cut her down to size.

 

Mr Dakwa: There is nothing I wouldn't do for my daughter! I will grab my axe and chop everybody to pieces in broad daylight with a room full of witnesses. I am tired of being taken for a fool! I am taking this matter to the royal council today. Mr Manyanyatha and his wife will answer for their crimes! 

 

End.

 

Scene III

 

(At the Mutamvuni palace, enters the men of the  royal council, King Malapule, Mrs Duludza, Mr Dakwa and his wife, Mr Manyanyatha and his wife, Makhonya, Gushumbu, listeners of the case and Judge Tshipanere.)

 

Mr Tshipanere: The case on the table involves Gushumbu and Makhonya. May the plaintiff stand up and tell this honourable council about the merits of his case. 

 

Mr Dakwa: Honourable royal council! One day, my daughter came and told me that she was pregnant. When I inquired about the baby's father, she told me that the person responsible was Makhonya. Seeing that Manyanyatha and I had been good friends since we were children, I sent a delegation to accompany my daughter to report her burden. When they arrived, Mr Manyanyatha and his wife acted like they didn't know us and denied that their son was responsible for the burden. That is why I have come to the royal council to seek mediation. 

 

Mr Tshipanere: Thank you, Mr Dakwa! At this time, I would like to allow Gushumbu to tell us what happened in her own words. The time is yours, young lady.

 

Gushumbu: Honourable royal council! I am in a romantic relationship with Makhonya. As we speak, I am three months pregnant. My best friend, Sankume, and aunt, Mrs Nengwani, can attest to everything I say. I also have pictures on my phone and WhatsApp messages that we shared.

 

Mr Tshipanere: When did you start dating Makhonya?

 

Gushumbu: We have been dating for two years.

 

Mr Tshipanere: Thank you! I want to call the first witness to testify in this case. Mrs. Nengwani, the time is yours.

 

Mrs Nengwani: (As she praises the royal council and King Malapule.) What Gushumbu is saying is true. Gushumbu and Makhonya are in a romantic relationship. I know this because time after time, they used to visit my house hand in hand.

 

Mr Tshipanere: What did you do as an aunt?

 

Mrs Nengwani: I once sat down with both of them and asked about their plans and intentions. Makhonya told me he was not playing games and would build a family with Gushumbu, his lover.

 

Mr Tshipanere: What do you think should happen in this situation to help us to pass this impasse?

 

Mrs Nengwani: Some people think they can cover up the truth. The burden belongs to Makhonya. If he refuses to acknowledge his role, we must rely on blood tests to find out. I am sure he will come back with his tail between his legs.

 

Mr Tshipanere: Thank you, Mrs Nengwani! At this time, I am calling on Gushumbu's best friend, Sankume, to stand up and tell us what she knows. Tell us everything; our ears are ready to listen.

 

Sankume: Honourable royal council! Gushumbu and I are best friends, and we have no secrets. Gushumbu and Makhonya have been in a relationship for the past two years. I don't know where his denial of the burden is coming from. One thing I can reveal about my friend is that Gushumbu has only been intimate with one person, Makhonya!

 

Mr Tshipanere: The royal council has listened to the plaintiff's case. I call on the accused to state his case.Makhonya, the time is yours.

 

Makhonya: Honourable royal council; I once had a relationship with Gushumbu. It was playful like most kids our age, but as time passed, we ended up breaking up and ending our relationship. The burden that she is carrying is not mine alone. She must reveal all her customers.

 

Mr Mugowatsimbi: No, no, no man! What did my ears hear? What kind of talk is that in the presence of the King and his royal council? What type of pregnancy is formed by two bulls? What the boy is saying is taboo! This young man must pay. He has insulted the King!

 

Mr Mulingawamusuku: Once a giraffe gets its feet wet, it has drank from the river! Mr Manyanyatha must pay a steep fine; his son has insulted the royal council.

 

Mr Tshipanere: The fine imposed by this royal council is nothing less than a living cow with four legs. In all my years as a judge of the royal council, I have never heard anything like this. You are in the presence of the royal council not in a play area for children. When a person defends himself, he must think carefully about his arguments. He can't just make outlandish statements.

 

King Malapule: This case is clear as day! Who has ever heard the things that Manyanyatha's son said here today? A person must control their mouth in front of the royal council. We are not here to play! (Everyone in the tribal court showers the King with praises.)

 

Mr Manyanyatha: Honourable Royal Council! I am short of words and apologise for what my son has done. The elders didn't lie when they said that you are fed rotten fruit by the children you gave birth to. I agree with the punishment, and the cow to settle the fine is available at my kraal. You can fetch it tomorrow morning.

 

Mrs Seani: Hey you, Mr Manyanyatha! Are you feeling well in the head? I can't allow Gushumbu to be my daughter-in-law. If you are trying to preserve your friendship with Mr Dakwa, please don't use my son. I birthed this child alone, and it was excruciating. When it comes to my son, I say no!

 

Mr Manyanyatha: Get away from here! Your mouth will ruin things for us. Keep quiet! Show some respect; this is the Royal Council of Men; you will get arrested!

 

Mrs Seani: Who will arrest me? My namesake is a girl who laughs even if things are painful. I will do things that aren't nice here if you don't know me. I am a little bit crazy.

 

Mr Tshipanere: We have heard you, old lady; take your seat so we can proceed with the case!

 

Mrs Tshipanere: Hey you, Mr Tshipanere! Please don’t make me seem like I'm losing my mind. If you are used to threatening people, you have reached the Park Station today. When it comes to me, think twice!  

 

King Malapule: Police! Do the job I pay you to do. Lock this woman up in prison! Lock her up right now!

 

Police 1: Walk in front of me. You have broken the laws of the royal council! You have disrespected the royal council and King Malapule! (The police say this as they drag her outside.)

 

King Malapule: Young man, tell the truth! Do you know this girl? If you don't tell us the truth, you will follow your mother to prison.

 

Makhonya: I know her! It was my mother who told me to lie. The burden is mine alone. Please spare me. The police must not take me to prison. I will never do it again. 

 

King Malapule: What do you say about someone else's daughter, young man?

 

Makhonya: I promise this royal council that her family can accompany her and come to my home. There is no snake! Gushumbu is my wife. If my mother does not like it, I will build my own house and move to my own stand.

 

End.