Saturday, November 30, 2013

Short story: Spanners and mealies

Spanners and Mealies in Bloekom Road

Oom Sakkie worked on his Isuzu van. His legs stuck out from underneath to reveal crumpled pants and battered shoes that were on the edges of useful existence. “This bladdy bolt! Pass me that brake fluid. It’s in the boot or cubby”.

He was talking to Doeff, a huge baobab of a man who wore a natty bib type overall and a red T-shirt inside it. “Jislaik. You are really sukkeling with that damn thing. How long your car’s been on the blocks?” he shook his head and shuffled towards the boot.

A women’s voice shouted from a window – it was Aunt Joyce, who was married to Oom Sakkie, calling from the house: “Hey, come watch the TV. It’s about Mandela; he’s coming out of jail. It’s like the bladdy opening of parliament.” The voice went softer, as the face turned inward to get the action. “I’d never thought I’d fokken see the day. Die boere gaan kak.” The voice trailed off.

“Ja, I know,” Doef was answering anyway. “Yarrr, that ou is like a king, the leader of chiefs!” Bending under the car, he passed the brake fluid to Oom Sakkie. The old man didn’t respond. Sounds of exertion mixed with the clang of metal-on-metal came from under the car. “This thing can never beat me, stubborn as it is. It hasn’t got a mind or a heart like me.” Spoken through gritted teeth, the words sounded as if they had been bent and skewed in a vice.

“You can hear on the news”, said Doeff, “they are even starting to call him mister and doctor.” Another voice broke in. “They will never release him. I don’t trust the Boers.” It was Pops, a first year student and Oom Sakkie’s nephew who had just strolled up. He was the first person ever in the street, or the district for that matter, to make it to first-year university. Doeff’s voice was chastising but also triumphant: “Have you been sleeping, studying or what? Yesterday already they announced the man would be out of the mungs today!” Directing his voice under the car, Doeff added: “These lighties want to talk politics but know bugger-all about what’s going on.”

“Boycotts, boycotts.  That’s all these students know,” Uncle Sakkie said, wrenching away as he spoke. “Can they help you fix a car?  Never.  Can they do some work cleaning up the yard?  No. All they want is money from you.” Rhythmic squeaking now suggested the bolt was finally loosening its teeth from the bakkie’s frame.

Pops felt like defending himself against the accusations but thought better of it. He put his hands on his hips and, for a second, twisted the corner of his mouth. He was more concerned with catching up on developments. “What time? Where is Mandela being released, Doeff?”

“Get inside there, boytjie.” The big man enjoyed his moment of superiority.  His thumb pointed sideways to the house where a muffly electronic voice leaked through the off-white lace curtains.  “It’s on TV now.”

The boy dashed off. Doeff told himself to remember to watch television the main news bulletin later. He would be a mamparra if he missed it. He had a reputation at his worksite for being in the know, the guy with the last word on what really happened after everyone else dabbled in hearsay and buzz.

“So what do you think of all these things Uncle Sakkie,” Doeff asked, as under the car knees bent and the body scraped further underneath, probably to tackle another intransigent bolt..

“If you ask me,” said Oom Sakkie, “I’ve known those boer-ous for a long time. They will never change. Them give up the colour bar?  Never.” He took a pause from his work, and said. “I’ve worked with whites for years and years. They will never throw away their privileges. But things are better now. Verwoerd, Vorster, first class bastards. Things are better now.”

“But what about this Mandela, Oom Sakkie? They skrik for him, what do you think of him?” asked Doeff.

“Mandelas, Tutus, haikhona. Look, these lighties – Pop’s mates – tell me that it’s our own people. But, no thanks. Things will be worse. There’s no unity, man. Too many bulls in the same kraal. Look at Pietermaritzburg, what’s happening there! It’s like Shaka, Dingaan and Mpande all over again,”

Doeff laughed his deep-chested laugh, so loud it carried down the street. He thought: “Old people can be so out of touch, so backward sometimes.” But he could never say so to an older person. Still, it was funny and he laughed heartily. He had known Oom Sakkie for many years, before the edges of his hair had begun to turn grey-white. The old man had grown up in the Transkei and spoke fluent Xhosa alongside English and Afrikaans. Doeff had never seen Oom Sakkie treat any person disrespectfully, unless they had wronged him. His fair-mindedness applied to even to complete strangers. Doeff remembered the zapping he got from the old man after he swore at workers who, having never worked with cement before, were slow and messy in helping him spade concrete for a driveway he was building. Calling him aside, Uncle Sakkie had told him: “Stop your nonsense. These guys are getting really angry at your swearing. You don’t like your foreman calling you a hotnot or an idiot, do you?”

-----

The light wasn’t fading yet in Bloekom road, but the horizontal rays clearly signalled that daylight was on the wane.  Oom Sakkie, his hair, overall and parts of his shoes dyed with red-brown sand, emerged only once from under the bakkie, to plod off in search of the loo.  Doeff felt it his duty to stay with his uncle – even if he did not actually stain his hands with grease from the old Isuzu. He regaled Oom Sakkie with his wealth of knowledge and advice: how to get a house built cheaply – his plans to subcontract – what make of cars are best – how to deal with a son who was in and out of jail. Once or twice Doeff shuffled his feet and wiggled his shoulders to the beat of the township pop music that blared from a nearby house.

Every now and again Oom Sakkie would say: “Hell, thanks, Doeff, you’re really helping me out. None of my damn four sons are to be found when I need a hand. Football is their god.”  Doeff winced slightly at the appreciation – because he knew that passing spanners, screwdrivers and brake fluid and keeping conversation did not really count as help, especially not for a hefty man with ample knowledge of cars and mechanical things. He said: “It’s nothing Oom. I would actually fix this thing for you. But I’m waiting for another ou. Wants me to check his stove – only one plate’s working. Why don’t you leave it now? Stop working and I’ll do it for you next week. “

“No, don’t worry, “ Oom Sakkie said. Nice as Doeff was, his frequent postponements were well known in family circles. “Must have this thing on the road by Wednesday.  That’s when Vic – you know, the bloke who gives me a lift to work – goes on leave.”

From time to time people passed, some greeting the two, but because it was a cul de sac, the street was quiet. A railway line ran behind the houses and then, about 500 metres along, bent to run at right angles to Bloekom Road. Further up the street a few youths toyed with a plastic ball – a body leaned backward as a foot extended to knock the ball; a head stretched forward as the ball thudded against a forehead. Some played cautiously, clearly wanting to keep their clothes clean, keeping to the outer edges of the circle. They were there for the company or to kill time, but they had other things on their mind.

------

The sun glistened sharply just above the roofs of houses on one side of Bloekom Road and the street itself was almost covered in shade. Oom Sakkie and Doeff were still in leisurely conversation about one of the old man’s daughters and the trouble she was having with her man when suddenly they heard a commotion down the street.

They could make out taunting, jeering voices, contending with a half-angry, half-pleading voice. Doeff and Oom Sakkie could make out the mealie-vendor in the middle of the road. Doc was a wiry man in his mid-forties who was well known in the street. “Bring those damn mealies back. I not in the mood for monkey games,” he was saying. A youth held out the mealies, grinning at Doc. As the frustrated old man lunged, the youth jerked the mealies back. Doc’s arms and bodies crashed into the youth, but the mealies were already passed backwards into another boy’s hands. Oom Harry and Doeff spotted Gunner, a youth who was first making a reputation as much as a goal scorer as in fist- and knife-battles. Gunner was shoving Doc who had collapsed into him and saying: “Keep away from me, you stupid old man. I’ve got nothing of yours”. Doc chased after one youth and then another. But the two mealies were passed along like rugby balls. Doc turned to see another youth reaching into his two wheel push-cart; with a swift action he swung around and lunged, catching the jacket of the boy. His right hand came up fast and hard, hitting the boy’s cheek.

“Now you asked for it, you crazy bugger,” said Gunner as he looked at the trickle of blood on his younger brother’s cheek. He was self-assured in situation like this – an attitude backed up by a well-honed torso and tight biceps. As he moved to the mealie-seller, three of his mates also closed in. Doc braced himself, fists up, but his confidence was beginning to crumble. He was kicked from behind, then hit with a stick from the side. He tried to break through a gap in the four – to try and make a run for it. But a well-timed trip sent him flying heavily into the stony road surface.

The four moved in like crocodiles on a calf. Doc winced as a shoe dug into his back, another clicking hard against his jaw. As the blows multiplied, Doc saw himself at the top of Bloekom Road a short while ago, wondering whether to skip this short dead-end street. He had many other customers in other streets and it was getting late. Then he saw himself leaving home that morning. His last born, Nelson, twelve years old, was at the gate; they talked about attending a soccer match together the next day. These recollections retarded the pain of the kicks for no more than a flash of time.

It was all happening very fast. “Shit,” Oom Sakkie said, and moved towards the feud, Doeff close at his heels. The blows, hard and stinging, caught the youths by surprise. Most of them backed off, with the exception of Gunner who picked up a stick and, closing in on Doeff, took a swing. It was a hopeless attempt. Doeff blocked, grabbed Gunner’s shirt front, and simultaneously kicked his feet so he scudded into the dust. Doeff grabbed the stick, and was pointed it menacingly in the fallen lad’s face. Gunner propelled himself backward and made a scramble to his feet.

“Fuck you Doeff. We’ll get you.” Gunner’s mouth was spurting expletives. “You think you’re the damn mayor. Don’t forget you killed a man.” It was true that Doeff had killed someone five years before; but he had pleaded self-defence and walked free. Since then, and more so since his marriage, the big many has opted for a quieter life, attending the odd football match, drinking a beer at home, and using his wit to play the know-it-all in the workplace. But Doeff still hurt inside at the mention of the terrible incident.

“Voetsek!” Doeff called out, feigning to sprint after the boys and Gunner. The boys, breathing rapidly and dusting themselves, pulled back even further, disempowered despite their insults. Up the road, Mrs Gama leaned from her window and shouted at the troublemakers: “Shut up and go home, we’ve had enough of your nonsense.” The swearing died down abruptly and the boys stalked off, talking among themselves.

Oom Sakkie said: “Rubbishes. Bloody disgrace to Bloekom Road”. Doc had gotten off the ground, flustered, bruised, a cut on his hand and sore in various body parts, but he wasn’t badly injured. Doc said: “Here Mr Sakkie,” and pulled 6 mealies from his cart. Oom Sakkie shook his head. “Don’t worry man. I don’t want to do you down. In any case, I bought some mealies in town yesterday.” Doeff looked up from dusting his shoes with his hanky. “Hey Doc, I’ll have some. Just two, for me and the wife.”

Doc turned down Oom Sakkie’s invitation for a bit of first aid treatment – an offer of plaster, a pain tablet, some ointment – from inside the house. He had to go immediately, Doc said, and asked to park his two-wheel cart in the yard, on the side of Oom Sakkie’s house. After leading the vehicle into the yard, Doc transferred the mealies into a sack which he then slung across his back. It was darkening in Bloekom Road as Doc headed up the road in search of a taxi and Oom Sakkie began to pack his tools away.
 
Frank Meintjies (circa 1993).

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Rihanna in South Africa: Johannesburg show a great dissappointment

When will music stars from overseas stop dishing up second rate shows for us?
 
Not all visiting stars treat South African audiences in this way.  It’s just some who believe they can “third worldise” us. They jet in to sunny South Africa, wallow in the adulation, deliver a half-hearted show … and go on to places with audiences that they seemingly respect more.
 
The Rihanna show (13 Oct 2013 in Johannesburg) was a massive disappointment.
 
There was a great deal of hype in the run-up. Newspapers covered her touchdown in the country with front page stories. Squadrons of youth and women got into some serious “styling” and trekked out, many hours before the start time, to FNB Stadium for the show.
 
But her Navy (fan base) and others who attended the show were left short changed.
 
There were many hiccups in logistics and arrangements. Although golden circle people were let into the venue on time, the gates opened as late as possible for others.
 
Following the gate number printed on my ticket, I had to walk almost 180 degrees to the assigned seat.
 
Also, there were major traffic snarl-ups with one newspaper reporting delays of several hours. The organisers again chose not to make use of the Rea Vaya – although this innovative bus system is perfect for bringing audiences to the stadium, no buses ran to the venue for this event.
 
After a 40 minute delay, Rihanna eventually appeared on stage. She did not connect with her audience. True, she did repeat “hello Johannesburg” numerous times during the evening, to my daughter’s amusement – and reminiscent of a performer from a foreign land who is unable to communicate in English beyond a few words. For the rest, she seemed to be in her own world, self-involved and distracted. My daughter – who has come to expect ‘spectacle’ at big shows – commented that Rihanna did not bother with a change of outfit. A change of glad rags is neither here nor there for me, but I did take note that her largely black outfit turned her into an unidentifiable speck on stage, especially when surrounded by a dozen or so dancers similarly dressed in black.
 
Rihanna went through a full programme of songs, including some older numbers such as Umbrella, which drew wild and expectant cheers from the crowd. However, the sound quality was iffy, especially in the beginning. And throughout the show the vocals seemed flattened out and less than crispy. Back in the car on the way home, a radio station played one of Rihanna’s hits. The radio version was much clearer and the production values infinitely better than the same song that crashed out of the speakers at the venue just a short while before.
 
Rihanna danced energetically – a kind of party on stage with her musicians and backing dancers – but her singing was passionless. Her multitasking apparently failed her – the more dance moves she dished out, the more she seemed to detach from the singing..
 
It is hard to tell whether Rihanna synced or not – many believe she did. But certainly, her passionless singing seems consistent with someone syncing. Audience members danced along but a portion, sensing that they weren’t being blown away, began trickling out before the show ended.
 
All in all, a rather tired show by an uninspiring Rihanna.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Poem for Nelson Mandela on his latter years

go hard, go easy;
the hills set
in the folds of an orange afternoon
a country rises from the mist
in the morning

ah, rolihlahla
who has taken the seed
that you have sown?
did roots germinate
as tendrils of young minds?
do children, some plump & others wasted
smile & nod, do they know?

the people, the times, the lives
those hoping, those without hope
the literate & illiterate
those with a light in the eye
those dimmed as winds gusted & skies hung low
the hunger, the want, the
weariness from despair of the millions unborn
   you came & to them
   you spoke words
   of truth & relevance

the child in you
fought with sticks
the inner young man donned boxing gloves
& later (there was)
a street-fighter

an activist
for freedoms of a people

the cattle, swaying heads & drowsy eyes
have grazed
lowing and clattering;
in the neighbourhoods
children have played
& now they must come indoors
to the flickering light, to warm glows
to a hearth, connected
to the ages

your great work
is begun
your great work is a tall tree
on a hill
your exploits have reached a pause
on the crest of the amotola

on a nearby hill
a figure in the mist
that looks like you
like the man
from the house of dalindyebo
mouths words
isixhosa, afrikaans, isizulu, setswana, sepedi, sanscrit, song of the khoi… 
so many tongues
the languages of love
eyes to the distance
to the spaces & to the gazes within
in this dream, i am a bird
bearing a twig
a green slip

a man
wearing a barbed wire crown
a shirt woven from veld flower
& a formal dark pants
a tall man, stood on a hill
looking out
on a sea of land
mzansi, afrika, the world?
is he calling, signalling, beckoning, waving ... ?
‘for now, my work is done,’ he said

Frank Meintjies

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Zimasile II

(the music of Zim)

fusion of sound
& fusions of ears

smoke curls
rapt attention
of my guts
of waiters & squat black speakers
& urban rats
so used to blighted areas
of town, less used
to moments of transcendence

a bellowing, a roar, a thrumming
then, understated as a squeak
a glinting on buffed metal
& spray of spit & spirit
through the reeds

cheeks distended
& eyes looking out
from between hills of sounds, between
phalanx of instruments

a breaking apart, a dismembering
of reality
into constituent parts
my sore soul
revealed
then rhythmic chorusing, a wholeness

a sea, a flow, a warm wind
over the savanna
in your eyes

momentarily, the enlivened soul
lies rocking
in a cradle of sound

Frank Meintjies

Monday, January 14, 2013

Voice

(This poem was written around June 2012. It is anchored around the remarkable talent and influence of Whitney Houston, who died in February 2012. More broadly, it refers to the impact of popular culture on young people in popular neighbourhoods, impoverished settlements and working class communities ).

voice sinewy, voice bird-skin tough
voice that journeys
& turns
& pirouettes
on boardwalks

in the lane, between the flats
in the location
or in the flattest Cape
present, in the thirteen-year-old
that sings herself beyond her limits
beyond uneven fences
beyond the wasteland

whitney, roaming the land
one foot in a hotel bath
another on a stage
a smile, breaking through the make-up
another day
dawns
best-friend real

voice elongates
flexes
as it wanders
the cosmos fields
down lanes
over streams
between the homesteads
voice that burns the fields, orange flames

in the gorges
between high buildings
at the all-night shop
at the troyeville garage
by the alex hairdresser
& the internet shop with its old computers
beyond the bars
beyond the soullessness

in nights of elegance
voice canters on, covers ground
rises
whirls & wheels
dips back
to caress
the grubby streets

Frank Meintjies