Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-9pm4c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T12:59:41.742Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Scene 2 - The Post Office

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 July 2022

Get access

Summary

MAMPOMPO: And there was this small window.

Light dims. She turns and knocks twice on the imaginary window upstage centre. SDUDLA, as OLD LADY, enters, bumping MAMPOMPO.

MAMPOMPO: She is supposed to be open now.

MAMBHELE turns, changes into PRETENTIOUS WOMAN and joins the queue. The women queue, waiting for the post office to open, eyes fixed on the tiny window. They push and shove.

MAMPOMPO: Molo. [She waves and pushes backwards.] Sontombi [pushing forward]. How are you today? Good. Good. Are you also coming for this? [She indicates money.] This is my fifth month now coming here. [OLD LADY hits the person next to her. MAMPOMPO falls backwards.] My fifth month – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. I was very worried about my children. [She faces the audience.] What are they going to eat tonight?

PRETENTIOUS WOMAN is pushed by OLD LADY.

OLD LADY: Ah, it's very hot in here. I can't take it any longer. How long have you been here Noni sisi?

Both face forward, OLD LADY trying to get air.

MAMPOMPO: Long time I’ve been here, Granny.

OLD LADY: She should have opened by now.

MAMPOMPO: Who sends you money?

OLD LADY: Mm? I can't hear, my child.

MAMPOMPO: Who sends you money? Ngubani okuthumelela imali?

OLD LADY: My son.

MAMPOMPO: Where is your daughter-in-law?

OLD LADY: Mm?

MAMPOMPO: Where is your daughter-in-law? Uphi umolokazana wakho?

OLD LADY? UseKapa. She's in Cape Town with her husband. I’m looking after my two grandchildren. Please people, stop making this noise, otherwise I won't hear her footsteps when she is coming. You know [she pushes to the right], my son promised to send me money last month but I didn't get it, that's why I am here. [She pushes PRETENTIOUS WOMAN, who is getting visibly angrier.]

MAMPOMPO: Ahh.

Distracted, she turns to the window.

OLD LADY: I don't know what happened to him.

PRETENTIOUS WOMAN: How long must I stand here like a fool waiting for my money? Makhulu sukundiphusha. Don't push me! Five years ago I left you people like this and you’re still the same. Nothing changes here in the Transkei.

She exits with a flourish.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Wits University Press
Print publication year: 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

  • The Post Office
  • Phyllis Klotz
  • Book: You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock / Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokotho
  • Online publication: 16 July 2022
Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • The Post Office
  • Phyllis Klotz
  • Book: You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock / Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokotho
  • Online publication: 16 July 2022
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Post Office
  • Phyllis Klotz
  • Book: You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock / Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokotho
  • Online publication: 16 July 2022
Available formats
×