On the first day of school after the festive season, Mahube noticed a change in her childhood friend, Tlhong. Normally, they would chat nonstop about how they spent the festive season, the gifts they received, new clothes and even the food they ate. But the jovial Tlhong was wearing a serious sullen face, even Mahube’s silly jokes didn’t tickle her at all.
After school, Mahube asked Tlhong what was wrong. Tlhong narrated her painful ordeal to Mahube. Mahube felt bad for her friend and she decided to help Tlhong. So, she accompanied the scared Tlhong to her home to tell Tlhong’s mother what happened. Tlhong’s mother was happy to see Mahube.
“Good afternoon ma. Please sit down, we have to talk to you,” Mahube said.
Tlhong’s mother chuckled but obeyed. She was fond of her daughter’s friend.
“Ok, tell me what you naughty kids did this time,” she said jokingly.
“Tlhong’s uncle misbehaved with her and we have to go to the police right now!” Mahube blurted out
“You want to… you… you… Tlhong, what is this nonsense?” She asked, her voice rising.
“I, it, it’s true Mama…” Tlhong stammered.
“Remember when Uncle said he had back pain and asked me to massage his back, he, he, he undressed me and touched me inappropriately and, and…” she said, choking on her tears.
“Shut up! Shut up Tlhong! How can you say that about your uncle?”
The matter spiralled out of control and Tlhong’s mother chased Mahube out of their yard, calling her a bad influence to her daughter and warned her never to talk to her daughter again.
Mahube could not sleep that night, she kept tossing and turning. She wondered how she would help her friend without getting her into more trouble with her mother who was so furious. How will she make her understand? She could not ignore what Tlhong’s uncle did, she was so angry with him. She kept thinking about what her grandmother taught her, “Ngwana yoo sa leleng o swela tharing.”
By morning, she had made up her mind to help her friend no matter what.
Seeing the state Tlhong was in at school tightened Mahube’s resolve. She waited by the classroom door for her teacher. When the teacher came, Mahube pulled her aside and narrated the whole story to her. The teacher gave the classwork and called the two girls to the principal’s office. At first, Tlhong was not willing to talk, but Mahube assured her the teacher will help her and she verified Mahube’s narration before their teacher and the principal.
The teacher went with the girls to Tlhong’s mother. Tlhong’s mother was adamant that Tlhong’s story was a figment of her silly imagination. That her brother is a good man, he took them in when Tlhong’s father abandoned them. She blamed Mahube for instigating her daughter against her uncle. She kept saying, ‘if they report him to the police who will take care of them, what will people say’.
The teacher finally calmed Tlhong’s mother down and made her see reason and asked her to think about Tlhong’s wellbeing and future, first and foremost. The police was called in and Tlhong’s uncle was later arrested. After the arrest, the teacher hired Tlhong’s mother to help at her house so that she could take care of herself and Tlhong.
Since the arrest, the school took an initiative and set up a functioning guidance and counselling office. They also invite nurses, social workers and the police to sensitise students on Child Sexual Abuse. This initiative triggered a national response among schools and there is even talk in parliament of setting up a special unit in every police precinct to respond to Child Sexual Abuse as a matter of urgency.
Tlhong has started laughing at Mahube’s jokes again. She goes for counselling every day after school and Mahube accompanies her every time.
Glossary
Setswana Proverb
Ngwana yoo sa leleng o swela tharing
In English
A baby that does not cry dies in the womb.
Meaning
A person who keeps silent about his problems never gets help
Click to Read – Hessy and the Lost Tooth – A Children’s Story by Heidy Motanyane, Lesotho
