WHAT THE STREETS HAVE TO SAY

Having born, bred and still raised in the Soweto streets, my mind has a recollection of the stories that its rusty, coloured walls have to say about it. In my 23 years of living, I can pretty sample up the occurrences that are typical of a Soweto home. Four generations can be easily found inside one home; from the grandmother to her great-grandchild. The first and last born siblings, with 8 others in between, living comfortably in the same house. The typical Soweto home: dining room by day and bedroom of 3 by night. The downside of it though, is that you have to be the first to wake up before makhelwane comes and asks for di-teabag. The forever wasted uncle, who knows English more than anyone else in the house. Who can forget the famous painting of the woman and her child, who at some point, everyone thought it’s their aunt and cousin until you see it in four other houses.

 Rainy days are the best; they Create a beautiful genre of music from a combination of sounds from your asbestos and Mkhukhu wa ko next door.

Street names are simultaneous with the popularity of bozza ya kasi eo, the ultimate story-teller, who basically knows the happenings of the street at any given time. Major birthdays, like sweet 16 and 21st are celebrated with a big tent and the hottest dj line-up. The party ke 6 to 6,and trust that the dj will close his set ka 'Goodbye' at exactly 6am,provided bo maberethe don't make their unanticipated visit at 2am. And shem, never think the neighbors will complain about the party because a family member must have had petitioned house to house about the upcoming event. Children of the same age group automatically become a clique that has its own fluit and slang. The ones from boarding school are treated as outsiders for the first few days of their June holidays, but their greatest advantage is the diversity they have, so they win in both the home front and the street front. We will all know uguthi u jola no bani,via the game and everyone best know your boyfriend is a no-go area before o shapiwa ka stena. The unspoken rule is that no girl must be seen standing with a guy because every parent has the right to question (read embarrass) when they see you. Then there's always going to be that guy who gets fought over, but will still date both of you girls, because he's a prick like that.

Soweto homes birth 'feminists’, who will stand up against that guy and will make sure the others know hore ke stop-nonsense. Speaking of stop-nonsense, it’s the name of the famous gate where Soweto kids write 'graffiti' of the word 'sex' so as to prove rebellion. The streets are marked with circles, for a game of diketo and scotch. A game of Ludo on the floor is a sign that the street is dominated by boys. A bonus of the street is a house that has sefate sa diperekisi, because bosigo we plan alliances to go raid the tree. Pray that you don't get busted because yours is a belt lashing until you reveal who else is part of the gang. Every kasi has its own gang. Who would forget the famous gangs like the CCB - Crazy criminal boys. Apparently, as a girl, you would never roam the street after 6pm,alone; otherwise, you’ll find yourself inside 325is ya tjaro.

 

 

 

Then comes Friday night: Spikos night. The only day you don't get to cook and there are less dishes mo skotlolong. The entertainment to close off the week is bo tjaro spinning their BMWs ko corneng and you'll be reminded with a reeking smell of burned tires and di fluit of those with a fascination of adrenaline. All this remains a pandemonium for the old people. Saturday morning, we sweep the yard. You must know that it’s an anomaly to wake up after 6am as you're deemed lazy and every mother will come and codessa at your house. After that,ke stoep. Prize goes to the adept one on the basis of how shiny the stoep is. Then we enjoy the rest of the morning with the famous kasi breakfast,magwinya le snoekfish. Fun times.



The walls of Soweto are great storytellers. The streets have birthed Kings and Queens who are proud of their upbringing. Soweto homes have the most apocryphal stories, and no one dares to question them because they are that good.