Issue 15
Whim
Liesl Jobson
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Nomsa's Whim
After Nomsa Dlamini matriculated, she accepted a bursary to Grey's Hospital.
Mama cheered; Papa grinned at the lobola a husband would pay for a qualified
nurse. Her brothers dreamed of large bags of sweets.
The tall girl packed her suitcase, bought a ticket to Pietermaritzburg and
waved her family goodbye. At the first sight of blood, Nomsa fainted. Charge
Sister Naidoo urged her to eat more pap.
With her first paycheck, Nomsa posed for a modeling portfolio. When an agent
from Black Beauty interrupted a ward round to book her, Dr. Buthelezi
scowled at the mobile's ring. When Nomsa abandoned a patient on a
bedpan, Matron Theron suggested she find another career.
Nomsa's first appearance in The Natal Mercury revealed her in skimpy
gym gear, bearing dumbbells and a blissful expression.
"My daughter's navel for all the world to see?" bellowed Papa when a
smirking neighbor brought him the paper.
The following edition displayed Nomsa waving a wand of celery salaciously
across her lips.
"What fly-by-night foolishness is this?" wept Mama. "Can't you be a
respectable nurse?"
When her face adorned the front cover of Pace, then Bona and
later True Love and Fair Lady, Mama sniffed. Papa beamed.
~Liesl Jobson
Glossary:
Matriculation: South African school leaver's examination
bursury: a sum granted to a needy student
lobola: bride price
pap: traditional stiff maize porridge
bona: Zulu verb 'to see'
Liesl Jobson recently resigned from the SAPS. She teaches primary school
music at Sacred Heart College Observatory. She is studying for a creative
writing MA at the University of Witwatersrand. Email.
© 2004 by Liesl Jobson. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2004 by Cayuse Press. All Rights Reserved.