Amahle is an African (Zulu) term that stands for strength and resilience. The play depicts the protagonist's traumatic experiences, societal oppression, and personal struggles. The conclusion may be tragic, notwithstanding, her strength is a virtue worth celebrating.
Here's the first part:
Girl: Please tell me
Woman: I can't. I shouldn't!
Girl: why?
Woman: You are not ready to know what happened
Girl: I am. Please tell me… Mom, please I want to know
Woman: (She takes a deep, weighted breath. Her eyes well up with tears as she exhales, the weight of her secrets threatening to consume her. With a resolute inhalation, she mutters) It all begun when I was your age. A celebration had the day. While it was in its last moments, and people were bidding their farewells, three men sat and talked.
Mr Ahmed: So, where is she, Mr Nonso?
Mr Nonso: She's the one dancing with those children… Gift! Come over here.
Gift: Yes Papa. Good evening sirs!
Mr Nonso/ Father: There's someone I want you to meet. His name is Mr Ola.
Gift: Good evening Sir!
Mr Ola: Good evening my dear
Father: So… go and pack your things. You'll be living with him henceforth.
(She's never known such confusion like this. Fear trickles down her heart as she feels the seriousness in her father's voice. She can't utter a single word so she leaves their presence)
Gift: Mama! Mama! Papa is sending me away from the house! Mama… Say something please! The man outside wants to take me away… Mummy!
Mother: (With teary eyes full of regret) That's… That's how it has always been.
Gift: Mummy, please don't let them take me away. Don't let them do this to me. Please!
Mother: Go to your husband's house, Gift. You don't belong here anymore.
Woman: That same evening, I was taken to my husband's house and I have never set foot in my father's compound since then.
(Fighting through the tears, she struggles to say) Three years later, the man I was married to joined his ancestors. I had no child yet. We hadly spent time together. It was always him journeying one country to another, always on a business trip. He died in a plane crash. Then… Then…
Girl: (with concern written all over her face) Then… What happened next? And how was I born? Please tell me!
Woman: Few days after we got the news of his death, his brothers gambled over me and the highest bidder… Your father got the price— me.
(Deep sob) He… he wannt… He wanted me just for s**. That was all we did! He said his brother was foolish, for not knowing what to do with a woman. He would beat me and tie me up if I said I was tired or refused him.
(her body shaking with sobs, overwhelmed, she weeps) Eventually, I ran away. I couldn't bare it anymore! Everyone I met for help told me to go back to him. Some said, “That's how it's always been between a man and his wife”. My close friend even said to me, “Gift! If he doesn't beat you, he doesn't love you”. I was left to fend for myself. I scrambled around looking for any work that'll fetch peanuts to sustain us.
How do you think it will would end?
Let me hear your suggestions
Follow and stay tuned for more
