58.

Xander

Lobola Day

“Shit,” I mumble to myself.

I was standing outside the gate to Nikki’s family home, and I was nervous. Shaking even. I didn’t know what to expect. Xlanti had told me everything that I needed to know but still, I was nervous. I wanted to make a first impression, a good one.

“Don’t worry Xander, we are here for you. just let me do the talking and everything will be fine,” X says.

I nod. Damien places his hand on my shoulder, and I let out a shaky breath.

A few moments pass and two men and a woman step out of the house and stand by the gate. Xlanti puts an R200 through the gate.

“Siyanibulisa badala bam,” Xlanti says.

“Molo nyana wam,” one of the men greet.

“Silapha ukuze sithethe nabadala malunga nelobola kaNikiwe,” Xlanti says.

The three elders look at each other.

“You can speak in English, for the sake of understanding each other.”

“Thank you,” X says and places another R200 through the gate.

One of the uncles comes to the gate and opens it, we walk through the gate