ACT 2 SCENE II

MANGI’S HEARING.

The wait for the night was finally over. It was not only Mangi and Mukunda that were anxiously waiting, the whole village was too. News and rumors in Barwa are like a pregnant cow. No matter how hard the cow tries to hide, its breast will show off its secret. They are no secrets in Barwa.  No one was late for the meeting, present in the meeting were the eight elders, Mukunda and Mangi and close family members.

ELDER 1

Good evening fellow elders, heir to the chieftainship and the family. We are gathered here today because of situation that has arisen. A few of weeks ago new teacher joined us. She is no different from other teachers only that she was not raised and modelled by our own people’s values and beliefs. It has therefore, come to our attention that the heir to our chieftainship has developed a close relationship with the mistress that includes buying of a bed, frequent visits and special treatment at school. While on the other hand they has been talk and murmuring around the village on why such is happening. And most are saying the mistress’s relationship with the heir to the throne is a threat to our beliefs and values as the Barwa people. Therefore a request has been sent to ask Mangi to end whatsoever relations he has with the mistress, take back the bed he borrowed her and give her proper treatment she deserves. I will allow the council to pass its verdict on the matter.

ELDER 2

We hear your case and plea, who amongst us is standing for the plea?

MUKUNDA

I am.

ELDER 2

On what grounds?

MUKUNDA

On grounds to protect and preserve the reputation of the royal family, preservation of our culture and consideration of the views and interest of the Barwa people.

ELDER 3

I am also standing in support of the plea. We all know what kind of a people we are. And for a long time we have carefully watched and made sure that we protect our culture. Part of protecting our culture is being distant with other cultures lest they contaminate our long preserved way of doing things. Mangi will be ordained chief soon and as earlier discussed we raised that it is important that he marries. If he marries a foreign woman, how would you think our own daughters will look at themselves. Is it not a disgrace to our wives that they failed to raise a woman worth to be married by a chief?

ELDER 4

I hear what all of you are saying and all your points are valid. Yes it is of great concern that the young man has fallen in love with a strange woman. We all love our culture and want to protect it. I also want to do that. But we should consider one thing; the values do not make the people. It is the people that make the values. Because Mangi has fallen for a foreign woman does not mean they are no woman in Barwa. They are still beautiful but the heart sees more than beauty. We cannot stop a man when he has found love. I would like to hear from Mangi himself what he has in his mind. Do you agree to the allegation being laid against you?

MANGI

Good evening elders and the family. I have heard your plea and concern. I am still  loyal and patriotic to the Barwa.  I will not deny any allegations that have been laid on me all are true. Yes I have fallen in love with a strange woman. None of this was meant to offend my sisters and your daughters. It was not my will that my heart was captured I too fell into this trap they call love.

ELDER 1

Since you have heard from Mangi himself, we can now pass on the judgment. As spoken earlier we said Mangi should be refrained from having any close relations with the mistress, he returns the bed he gave to the mistress and treats her as other mistresses would be treated. We will vote.

As planned Mukunda was able to win votes and Mangi asked to return the bed.

MUKUNDA

What if Mangi does not follow the conditions we have agreed on today?

ELDER 2

A chief cannot rule without the blessing of the elders and the approval of the people. I suggest Mangi chooses wisely. Its either you put your long kept history in a risk or you let her go. On that note we can go back to our homes rejoice and rest for there is a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

There was neither laughter nor beer after the meeting every men went straight to their homes.

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ATC 2 SCENE I

In a plot to revenge the deed that his brother had done, Mukunda organised a secret meeting with the elders.

MUKUNDA

Fellow friends, elders and fathers of our beautiful lands I thank you for coming here tonight. I know some of you might be wondering why I called you secretly, it is because I trust and believe that the future and success of the Barwa people lies within you. Friends we have been betrayed not only betrayed but been embarrassed by our own. For a long time the people of Barwa have been a proud people always careful to protect their culture, heritage, values and beliefs.  But look what our own brother has done, Mangi, he has put shame to our own daughters by falling in love with the foreign mistress. Mangi will fall in love with the foreign mistress, they will marry make love and have a child. By then he will be chief. The boy will grow to be a man and one day he will succeed his father. But I swear to you that the mother will not forget her people slowly foreigners will flock into our once beautiful land. They will take our daughters have our lands and eventually rule our sons.

ELDER 1

The truth has been told gentlemen. We hear your story Young man but what is your plea and what would you want us to do?

MUKUNDA

Thank you once again for being attentive. Let me present my plea to you. The major reason why for generations we have always had the tribal council is so that it monitors and maintains the values and beliefs of our people. Our values are at a threat if Mangi falls in love with this mistress.  Therefore I request that we agree for the sake of the Barwa people that Mangi has no more relations with the mistress or whatsoever. To please the people of the Barwa he returns the bed he gave to the mistress and he initiates her transfer from the school.

ELDER 2

We hear your plea son and it is true. We will put the interest of the people first before we put that of one man. However it will take the vote of the whole tribal council to agree on what you have suggested to us.

MUKUNDA

I am aware of that and that is why I called you here tonight. I plead for your vote tonight.

ELDER 3

What if Mangi does not adhere with the conditions?

MUKUNDA

Then he will be left with one option. The values of the Barwa people say if anyone is a threat to what we have died for and always believed in, may that individual be counted as a traitor and be treated as an alien. Therefore we cannot be ruled by a foreigner. He will have to step down as Chief.

ELDER 1

Mukunda you are just like your father. I saw the pain and hate when your father failed to be chief. You chose us because you knew we were loyal to your father. We will give you our vote but the fight is yours not ours. We will protect the interest of the people not that of self ambitions and glory.

MUKUNDA

Thank you so much. I want to protect what our forefathers have protected and I will make sure that no one not even Mangi himself can destroy it.

Secret meeting ends

At Mangi‘s homestead, a knock at the door

MANGI

Who knocks there?

RANGO

It is I Rango son of Mango, loyal as ever I will not change. My eyes have seen and my ears have heard every word. Allow me therefore my chief into your lovely homestead to sit and sip a hot cup of tea while I share these tidings to you.

MANGI

Rango, Rango my friend I would have fallen into a trap unless you had warned me. I would have not known who my enemies are but you uncovered their malice and hypocrisy. Who else can I trust except for the almighty Rango, all reliable and trustworthy? What brings you to my homestead this early my friend?

RANGO

Chief I hear that Mukunda is planning a war against you.

MANGI

What war?

RANGO

Yesterday at night Mukunda with some members of the tribal elders whose names I am yet to find out held a secret meeting. In the meeting the main agenda was about your relations with the foreign mistress. Mukunda is furious. He regards you as an enemy, a liar and a backstabber. I am not sure what the full discussion was all about but whatever Mukunda is plotting is big.

MANGI

He is wounded and hurting. I know why he hates me but I cannot avoid what fate has done to me. What do you suggest we do Rango?

RANGO

I think the tribal council will call up a meeting very soon. Mukunda is furious and the whole village is talking about you and the foreign mistress. This was a matter of time before all this happens all we need to do is to be prepared. I would love to know one thing chief?

MANGI

Yes.

RANGO

Do you love the mistress and you willing to fight for her?

MANGI

I do not know I guess I will find out.

A knock at the door

MANGI

Come in.

Enter one of the tribal elders.

MANGI

OH it is good for a man to have visitors this early it is sign that he is still alive. Good morning elder.

ELDER

Good morning Mangi, good morning Rango. I see Rango you have found yourself a new home.

RANGO

No sir, is it not right for a man to wake up early to check if his neighbors are alive worse of his chief?

MANGI

Rango is more than welcome in this house he is family more than a friend. What brings you to my homestead this early?

ELDER

I bring news from the tribal council. They request that in the evening we meet for an urgent meeting.

MANGI

What is the agenda?

ELDER

I am not sure of the agenda but I hear it is your brother Mukunda who brought all this up.

MANGI

If the elders insist I will be available.

ELDER

Thank you Mangi I will see you at the meeting tonight.

After a small talk both visitors leave, leaving Mangi in deep thought.

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ACT 1 SCENE VII

Mangi only trusted Rango. He was his eyes, his spy and secret counsellor. Rango loved Mangi a lot and he had intertwined his life with his. The day Mangi died he would die also he had no other life. A message was passed to him that Mangi wanted to see him. He made his way there before Mangi had arrived.

MANGI

Rango, Rango my friend I would have fallen into a trap unless you had warned me. I would have not known who my enemies are but you uncovered their malice and hypocrisy. Who else can I trust except for the almighty Rango, all reliable and trustworthy?

RANGO

You called me chief?

MANGI

Yes I did. Someone visited my heart today. For a long time I thought I had sealed it so well and I only had the key to open or close it but I fooled myself.  I had gone to see the new mistress. She is beautiful. I have never seen such beauty amongst my own country man. Now I know why Mukunda was a changed man that night. I have been changed too.

RANGO

He…he...He, what else can change a man except for love.

MANGI

Love happens my friend love happens. Normally we do not choose who to love, love chooses for us. We forget the boundaries, we forget the limitations with love all things are possible.

RANGO

Chief, are you in love with foreign mistress?

MANGI

I do not know Rango; I guess I will have to find out. What I need you to do is to watch Mukunda for me make sure he does not get close to the mistress and also protect the mistress no one should hurt her. When the sunsets today and when no one is walking I want you to take one of my unused beds to the mistress.

What else can change a man except for love? The news of the foreign lady had been preached in every hill and valley of the Barwa lands. People talked about it in the morning, at the beer halls, at church and around the fire at night. The story was different now; it was now about two brothers that fell in love with a foreign mistress. One of them was a chief.

WOMAN 1

Woman of Barwa, where has your beauty gone? Where has your art of capturing a man’s heart gone to? Have you stopped bathing, have you stopped smiling and have all your breasts fallen.  Where were the young Barwa women when the foreign mistress captured the heart of our sons? Has beauty and love in our land fallen so short that an outsider has to come and give it to our sons? Or it’s your laziness and rush to open those legs not knowing that the secret to capture a man’s heart is not hidden within those legs but it’s inside your heart. Where is love?

WOMAN 2

MaKhumalo, the women are still there and they are beautiful. They have always been beautiful and they will always be beautiful. I cannot believe it that Mangi has also fallen prey to this woman’s device. Our last hope has failed us.

WOMAN 3

Has the woman fallen in love with both of them?

WOMAN 2

No

WOMAN 3

Then how do you know that the brothers have fallen for her?

WOMAN 2

The same way we found out that you were in love with Siziba. You cannot keep a secret in Barwa. What you do beneath the hills will be sung at the mountain top. What you hide under water you will find on the surface. Mangi is a changed man also.

WOMAN 3

Woman you have not answered me. Who is in love with the mistress and who does the mistress love?

WOMAN 2

We do not know but rumor tells us that the brothers are at war. They both want the same woman but there is room enough for one only. It has been heard that Mukunda has been getting support from a few tribal elders to plot a coup on Mangi’s chieftainship. While Mangi on the other side is using his position and influence to protect the mistress.

Woman 1

Pity of pities, who has bewitched our sons? What is it that this woman has that our sons have not seen amongst our daughters? This is not only a shame to our people, it is a shame to us woman for we have failed to raise a queen for our king. My heart is heavy I have little to say let me go back home to my sons.

They all carried their water home. They did not talk much that day only thoughts reigned in their minds.

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ACT 1 SCENE VI

Before the shadows had gained the full form of their reflection and before the dew had turned to water Mangi was up already. He did not want to be so late that people would see him and raise eyebrows neither did he want to be so early lest he finds her still sleeping. The distance from Mangi’s home and the teacher’s compounds was not far. It was good enough for one to ponder on whatever he will say when on the road. Just as planned Mangi arrived at the cottage to find the mistress awake and with a few people noticing his presence.

A knock at the door

RACHEL

Come in

MANGI

Good morning ma’am I am looking for Mistress Rachel Phiri.

RACHEL

I am Rachel Phiri.

He stood there as if he had seen an angel, her beauty had captured him.  At once Mangi knew why his brother had changed. What else can change a man except for love? She was not only lovely or beautiful she had a power in her that no man could resist. It was the eyes the voice the smile the breast and the way she spoke that puzzled Mangi.

MANGI

My name is Mangi. He did not want to tell him more about who he was so he preferred a low profile. I am one of the senior teachers at the school.

RACHEL

Oh so you have come to take my bed also. Unfortunately you are late you will have to take me.

Both laugh

MANGI

No. I have come to welcome you to the school in person. You know Dileki is a busy school I might not get the chance to do that during classes.

RACHEL

You know I am not liked in this village. I have been treated as an alien. I have been called names, stones have been thrown at me and of late my bed has been taken away. Thank you so much for coming to see me. I hope as the senior teacher you will consider putting me into your next meeting agenda.

MANGI

Yes Miss Phiri.

For the first time in his life Mangi found himself humbled by a woman. He was so submissive. All his arrogance, ego and pride had disappeared. The conversation continued for a long time and without notice the sun was above their hands.

MANGI

I think I should be going now. I have stayed long enough

RACHEL

Thank you for keeping me company I am a very lonely girl in this village.

MANGI

It is my pleasure.

Leaving was painful he hoped he would stay for a while. He hesitantly made his way to the door, wanting to say something, he stood for a little and turned to face the mistress then he spoke.

MANGI

I will send some people to bring you a new bed. Let no one know about it.

RACHEL

Thank you so much I am grateful.

Then Maru left.

What else could change a man except for love? That which happened to Mukunda had happened to Mangi too. He had a lot in his head but one thing in his heart; an open door. He quickly sent a word that Rango should meet him in his house. He had to have focus and strategy to handle the matter.  

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