ChiShona
English
Anna nemhuri yake vakanoshanyira ambuya naasekuru vake kwemazuva mashoma. Vaida kuvaoneka vasati vatama vachienda kunogara kuUnited Kingdom, kana kuti UK semadanirwo ainoitwa navanhu vazhinji. Ambuya naasekuru vake vaigara kune mumwe musha kumaruzevha ekwaSeke, nzvimbo iri kunze kweguta reHarare nemakiromita anogona kuita makumi matatu. Anna akanga ashanya pamwe nababa vake, amai vake, hanzvadzi yake William, munin’ina wake Elizabeth, neimwe hanzvadzi yake diki Tawanda.
Akanga ava mangwanani emusi weMugovera. Ivo vakanga vasvika zuro wacho. Vaizodzokera kumba kwavo kuMarondera musi weSvondo. Vaitarisirawo kuzenge vaina babamudiki Thomas nemudzimai wavo, kuti vose vave pamwechete, anaAnna vasati vaenda mhiri kwemakungwa. Ko, zvinonzi afamba apota; vaigona kuzotadza kuonana kwenguva refu. Mudzimai wababamudiki Thomas, mainini Rumbidzai, vakanga vachiri kujaririrana nevanhu mumhuri. Vakanga vasina nguva refu varoorana nababamudiki Thomas.
Anna and her family travelled to visit her grandparents for a few days. They wanted to bid farewell to them before relocating to the United Kingdom, or the UK as most people call it. Her grandparents lived in a village in Seke communal lands, a place located about thirty kilometres from the capital city Harare. Anna had travelled with her father, her mother, her twin brother William, her younger sister Elizabeth, and her younger brother Tawanda.
It was now Saturday morning. They had arrived the previous day, and would be returning to their home in Marondera on Sunday. They were also also expecting uncle Thomas and his wife to join them, so that they could all spend time together before Anna’s family moved abroad. They say one who has gone away has gone round, to the other side; it could be a very long time before they saw each other again. Uncle Thomas’ wife, Aunt Rumbidzai, was still getting used to the family. She and uncle Thomas had just recently gotten married.
Achitamba panze iwo mangwanani aya, Anna akaerekana arangarira kuti zuro wacho akanga aona mukomana wechidiki pamusha waiva pedyo. Akadana William ndokumuudza zvemukomana uyu. Vaviri ava vakafunga kunomukoka kuti atambe navo. Asi mukomana uyu anenge aitofungawo zvekunotamba naAnna naWilliam; pavakanga vofamba vachienda kufenzi yaiganhura misha yavo, vakamuona akamirapo akavatarisa.
“Ndinonzi Anna,” akadaro Anna, achibhaibhisa mukoma mudiki uyu vava pafenzi. “Iyi ihanzvadzi yangu William.” Tiri mapatya,” akadarozve achibva agegedza. “Ndinonzi Ngaatendwe, asi vanhu vose vanonditi Ngaa,” akadaro mukomama uya mudiki. “Handisati ndambokuonai muchimana chino. Asi muri kushanya?” akabvunza Ngaa.
Vana vakapedza chinguva vachikurukura. Anna naWilliam vakabva vazokoka Ngaa kuti atambe kwavo. Unobva wazoona mhuri yedu,” akadaro Anna. Ngaa akafara zvikuru. “Horaiti, chiregai ndichimbidze kudzokera kumba. Ndinodzoka. Ninoda kunokumbira mvumo kuna ambuya vangu. Uye tichazodawo zvinhu zvekutambisa,” akadaro Ngaa.
As she played outside that morning, Anna suddenly remembered having seen a young boy next door the previous day. She called William and told him about the young boy. The two of them decided to go and invite him to play with them. It seemed the young boy had also been contemplating going to play with Anna and William; as they walked towards the fence between the two homesteads, they noticed the boy standing there watching them.
“I am Anna,” said Anna, as she waved at the young boy when they got to the fence. “This is my brother William. We are twins,” she added with a giggle. “I am Ngaatendwe, but everyone calls me Ngaa,” said the boy. “I have never seen you around before. Are you visiting?” he asked.
The children continued to chat for while. Anna and William then invited Ngaa to play at their side of the fence. “You can then also meet our family,” said Anna. Ngaa was excited. “Alright, let me quickly dash to the house. I will be back. I have to ask for my grandmother’s permission. We will also need some things to play with” he said.
Vachisvika pamusha paasekuru naambuya vaAnna, vakatanga kusangana naamai vaAnna. “Amai, uyu anonzi Ngaatendwe, Ngaa,” akadaro Anna achisekerera. “Anogara pamusha uyo,” akadaro achinongedzera pamusha pavanaNgaa. “Makadii zvenyu, amai. Ndafara kukuzivai,” akadaro Ngaa achiita seari kunyara. “Aiwa, neni ndafara nekukuzivawo Ngaatendwe, Ngaa,” vakapindura amai vaAnna. “Une makore manganiko?” vakabvunza. “Ndine gumi nerimwe,” akavapindura. “Wakada kutoenzana naAnna naWilliam.”
Anna akafunga kuti amai vake vaibvunza mibvunzo yakawandisa. Akanga ongoda kuenda kunotamba. Amai Anna vakabvunza Ngaa zvevabereki vake. Ngaatendwe akanga afirwa naamai vake aine makore mashanu. Baba vake vakabva vazotamira kuSouth Africa vakamusiya, pamwechete nemunin’ina wake, nevabereki vavo. Anna akanzwira Ngaa tsitsi paakanzwa kuti akanaga afirwa naamai. Asi Ngaa wacho airatidza kusabatikana nazvo, ndofunga sekuti zvinhu zvakanga zvava nenguva zvaitika.
When they got to the homestead of Anna’s grandparents, the first person they met was Anna’s mother. “Mother, this is Ngaatendwe, Ngaa,” said Anna with a smile. “He lives at that homestead,” she said as she pointed to the homestead at which Ngaa lived. “How are you, ma’am. Pleased to meet you,” said Ngaa shyly. “Pleased to meet you too Ngaatendwe, Ngaa,” responded Anna’s mother. “How old are you,” she asked. “I am eleven,” he responded. “You nearly the same age as Anna and William.”
Anna thought her mother was asking too many questions. All she wanted was to go and play. She asked Ngaa about his parents. Ngaa’s mother had passed away when Ngaatendwe was only five. His father had later moved to South Africa leaving him, and his younger brother, with his own parents. Anna felt sorry for Ngaa when she heard that he had lost his mother. Ngaa, however, didn’t seem the least bothered, probably because it had been a long time since.
Anna akaratidza Ngaa gotwe remumba mavo. Rakanga riri kumusana, rakaberekwa naamai vavo. Vana vakazoparadzana zvavo naamai Anna vachiti vava kunotamba.
“Wati baba vako vari kuSouth Africa? Ko imi muchaenda rini kunogara navo? Isu tiri kuenda kuUK. Takauya kuzooneka ambuya naasekuru vangu tisati taenda.” Anna airatidza kufara zvikuru achiudza Ngaa nyaya yake yekuenda kuUK. “Aiwa, isu hatina kwatinoenda,” akapindura Ngaa. “Zvino hamuvasuwe here?” Anna akabvunza. “Vanombouya zvavo pano neapo. Asi kugara naambuya naasekuru vedu hakuna kuipa zvako. Vanotipa zvose zvatinoda!” Vaviri vakabva vaseka zvavo vachirovana maoko.
Anna showed Ngaa the last born in their family. He was strapped to their mother’s back. The children then parted ways with Anna’s mother, telling her they were off to play.
“You said your father is in South Africa? When will you guys go and live with him? We are going to the UK. We came here to bid farewell to my grandparents before we leave.” Anna was visibly excited as she told Ngaa about leaving for the UK. “No, we are not going anywhere,” replied Ngaa. “But don’t you miss him?” Anna asked. “He visits occasionally. But living with my grandparents is not a problem at all. They give us everything we want!” The two of them then laughed as they slapped each other’s palms with raised arms.
Baba vaAnna vakanga vari mubishi kubata mabasa epamusha. Vakaona Anna achipfuura nekoko, aina Ngaa. “Anna ndianiko wauinaye uyo?” Ngaa akabva anogpindura, “Makadiiko baba, ini ndinonzi Ngaatendwe, Ngaa. Ndimi baba vaAnna, ndizvo?” “Hongu ndini. Ndiripo zvangu,” vakapindura. “Ko iwe wakadiiko?” “Ini, ndiripo zvangu,” Ngaa akapindura.
Pavakanzwa kuti Ngaa aiva muzukuru wasekuru nambuya Mutasa, baba vaAnna vakafara zvikuru. Mukukurukura naNgaa vakazoziva kuti Ngaa aiva mwana waMike. Vachikura, ivo naMike vaiva bhande nebhurukwa. “Ukangoudza baba vako kuti waona mwanakomana wasekuru Murape, vanobva vaziva kuti uri kureva ani!”
Anna’s father was busy carrying out tasks around the home. He saw Anna passing by with Ngaa. “Anna, who’s that with you?” Ngaa immediately responded, “How are you sir. My name is Ngaatendwe, Ngaa. You are Anna’s father, right?” “Yes I am. I am fine, thanks,” he responded. “How are you?” “I am fine, thank you,” Ngaa replied.
When he heard that Ngaa was grandson to Mr and Mrs Mutasa, Anna’s father was really delighted. As the conversed with Ngaa, he learned that Ngaa was Mike’s son. Growing up, Mike and him were very close. “If you just tell your father that you met Mr and Mrs Murape’s son, he will definitely know whom you mean!”
“Babamudiki naamainini vauya!” ndiWilliam uyo akadaidzira. Anna akabva amhanya ndokusvikoti amainini vake mbunde. “Anna wangu!” vakadaro mainini vakambundirana naAnna. Ivo nababamudiki Thomas vakanga vachitosvika. Ngaa akavakwazisawo. “Ndakuudza kuti uchaona mhuri yangu yese!” akadaro Anna achisekerera akatarisa Ngaa.
“Uncle and aunt are here!” William screamed. Anna ran and hugged her aunt. “My Anna!” said aunt Rumbidzai with Anna embraced. Uncle Thomas and her had just arrived. Ngaa also greeted her. “I told you that you will get to meet my whole family!” said Anna as she looked at Ngaa with a smile.
Anna naNgaa vakamhorosawo babamudiki Thomas vakaga vauya pamwechete naamainini Rumbi. Babamudiki Thomas vakanga vari munin’ina wababa Anna. Vakanga vaberekwa vari vaviri chete. Vachipedza kuyunivhesiti, babamudiki vakanga vakambonogara nemukoma wavo nemhuri yake. Kuyunivhestii ndiko kwavakanga vasangana naamainini Rumbi. Vakapedza makore anenge maviri vachigara nemukoma wavo, vari pabasa ravo rekutanga. Vakazotama zvavo vonogara vega. Izvi zvakagumbura vana vose. Saka pose apo babamudiki Thomas vaishanya, vana vose vaifara zvikuru.
“Chiregai timbonosiya mabhegi mumba,” vakadaro babamudiki. “Kana tichizenge tanyatsogara pasi tochibvunzana upenyu, muchitiudzawo nyaya dzekuchikoro.”
Vava mumba, Anna naNgaa vakapedza nguva vachikurukura nababamudiki naamainini. Anna akazonzwa ambuya vake vava kumudaidza, achibva abuda panze naNgaa.
Anna and Ngaa also greeted uncle Thomas, who had come together with aunt Rumbi. Uncle Thomas was the younger brother of Anna’s father. They were the only children born to their parents. When he completed his university studies, uncle Thomas had gone to live with his older brother and his family. He had met aunt Rumbi while in university. He lived with his brother for almost two years, while in his first job. He later moved to live on his own. All the children had been unhappy about this. So the children were always really happy every time uncle Thomas visited.
“Let us take our bags inside first,” said uncle Thomas. “When we are done and finally settled then we can properly greet each other, and you can tell us all about school.” When they got inside, Anna and Ngaa spent some time talking to uncle Thomas and aunt Rumbidzai. Later, when Anna heard her grandmother calling her, she and Ngaa went outside.
“Nhaiwe Anna muzukuru, ko hauuye ukagara pano uchindibatsira?” vakadaro ambuya. “Handiti ndiko kuti titoonana? Vachizoona Ngaa, ambuya vakashama. “Hezvo! Ko Ngaa uri pano? Saka zvawaona Anna wabva watadza kundikwazisa?” vakadaro vachiseka zvavo. Ngaa akabva avakwazisa.
Anna akashama kuti Ngaa aizivana naambuya vake. Ngaa akanga asina zvake kuudza Anna kuti aiwanzosvikapo aina ambuya vake. “Isu hatitomboziva kuti ndiani anogara paimba iri pedyo neyedu chaiyo!” akadaro Anna achipfipfinyika. “Ko vana vemazuvano muchambobva here pamaterevhizhoni, kana iwo mafoni akazodai kuuya? Zvakaoma chokwadi!” vakadaro ambuya vachibva vatura femo.
Anna naNgaa vakabatsira ambuya vachikurukura nekuseka. Rakanga riri zuva rakanaka chaizvo.
“Anna my granddaughter, why don’t you come and sit here with me, and help me?” said grandmother. “Wouldn’t it be how we could spend time together? n seeing Ngaa, grandmother was surprised. “Oh! Ngaa, you are here? So you failed to come and greet me just because you saw Anna?” she said jokingly as she laughed. Ngaa then greeted her.
Anna was surprised by the fact that Ngaa and her grandmother knew each other. Ngaa hadn’t told her that he frequently visited with his grandmother. “Some of us do not even know the people who live right next door to us!” said Anna as she tittered. “You children nowadays, do you ever leave those televisions, or even those cellphones that have now taken over? It surely is something else!” said grandmother, the he let out a sigh.
Anna and Ngaa helped grandmother while talking and laughing. It was a really great day.
Anna naNgaa vakazoona Elizabeth agere kuseri kwemba. “Musikana iyeye anogara akabata bhuku, ufunge zvako Ngaa!” akadaro Anna.
Havana kumboita hurukuro dzaisvika kure naElizabeth. Vakaona sekunge aingoda zvake zvekushamwaridzana nebhuku rake. Zvekutaura-taura akanga asingagone. Anna aiziva kuti Elizabeth ndizvo zvaakanga ari. Akatorana naNgaa vachibva vaenda zvavo kunoita mitambo yavo.
Later, Anna and Ngaa saw Elizabeth seated behind the house. “Can you imagine this Ngaa, this girl is always holding a book!” said Anna.
They didn’t take much time with Elizabeth. It seemed to them that all she wanted to do was amuse herself with her book. She was not good at having conversations. Anna was aware that that was Elizabeth’s personality. She and Ngaa then left to play their games.
“Ngaa pane munhu mumwe wausati waona,” akadaro Anna vari pakati pekutamba. “Aa! Asi kana uchiziva ambuya vangu, kureva kuti unovaziva. Ndinoreva asekuru vangu.” “Hongu ndinovaziva,” Ngaa akapindura, achipfipfidza.
Panguva iyi asekuru vaAnna vakanga vambobuda. Anna naNgaa vakazovaona pava paya, vachibudikira nepakanzira kaisvika pamusha nekuseri kwemba. Vakabva vavamhanyira.
“Ngaa, there is still one person that you haven’t met,” said Anna while they played. “Oh! But if you know my grandmother, then you know him. I mean my grandfather. “Yes I know him, Ngaa responded with a chuckle.
Anna’s grandfather had gone out then. Anna and Ngaa later saw him approaching as he walked down a small path that led to the homestead from behind the house. They ran to welcome him.
Vanhu vose vakazogara pamwechete kuti vadye. Ambuya naaamai ndivo vakanaga vabika. Yakanga iri minyu yechionekedzo chaiyo! Paiva nemupunga, sadza, nyama yehuku, miriwo yakasiyana-siyana, zvinwiwa, nezvimwewo zvizhinji! Ngaa akambokanganwa zvese zvekuti aisabvumirwa kukwata!
Vapedza kudya, vana vose vakabatsira kubvisa nekusuka midziyo. Vapedza zvekusuka, Anna naNgaa vakagara zvavo vachikurukura. “Zuva rino handife ndakarikanganwa,” akadaro Anna kuna Ngaa. “Ndanga ndisingambofunga kuti ndichanakidzwa saizvi. Taita chionekedzo chaicho!” “Ini ndafara kuti ndawana shamwari itsva,” akadarowo Ngaa. “Asi zvangoipira kuti tichangosangana kudai, kuonekana kwatichaita kuchange kuri kuparadzana zvachose!” akadaro zvakare. “Baba vakati tichazopota tichidzoka. Ndinozokuona chete!” akadaro Anna achiratidza kufunga zvikuru.
Vakaramba zvavo vachikurukura nekutamba. Waingonzwa kuseka nekukakavadzana vachitamba. Amai nababa vaAnna vakambotarisa Anna and Ngaa, vachibva vatarisana vachisekerera. Baba vaAnna vakafunga kuoma kwazvakanga zvakaita kuti ivo nemudzimai wavo vasvike pakuzofunga kuenda mhiri kwemakungwa. Zvaivanetsa zvikuru kufunga kuti vakanga vachazoparadzanisa vana neshamwari dzavo, zvese neupenyu hwavakanga vajaira. Hezvo Vaizezawo nyaya yekuti vana vakanga vachazosangana netsika dzakasiyana-siyana. Vaityira kuti vaizogona kusangana nezvimwe zvisina kuvanakira.
“Ndafunga zano, Ngaa,” akadaro Anna achisimuka akananga kuna amai vake. Akavakumbira kuti vamutore pikicha ari pamwechete naNgaa. “Ndinozokurangarira ndava kuUK,” akadaro Anna kuna Ngaa. Vakatorwa mapikicha mazhinji; pamwe vachiseka, pamwe vachirovana maoko, pamwe vachinyinura. Vaifara zvavo vana. “Iwe Anna wauya nezano rakanaka,” vakadaro mai Anna. “Zvatiri pano tose, iye Ngaa ngaachititorawo pikicha tiri pamwechete!”
Anna akaunganidza vanhu vose kuti vatorwe pikicha. Ngaa akamira pamberi pavo akabata foni muruoko kuti achitora pikicha. Akabva adeedzera, “Munhu wese iti, ‘chibage!'” Vose vakaseka vachideedzera, “Chibage!” Ngaa achibva atora pikicha. Ketye!
They later all sat together and enjoyed the meal that had been prepared by Anna’s grandmother and her mother. It was a really sumptuous farewell meal! There was rice, sadza, chicken, different types of vegetables, drinks, and a lot more! Ngaa totally disregarded the fact that he was forbidden from accepting food at homes that he visited!
After they had finished their meal, all children helped with clearing and washing the dishes. When they were done with cleaning the dishes, Anna and Ngaa sat and talked. “I will never forget this day,” said Anna to Ngaa. “I didn’t expect to have this much fun. We have had a real farewell!” “I too am glad that I have made a new friend,” said Ngaa in return. “It is too while bad that we have just met, and when we part it will be ways for good!” he added. “Father said that we will come back once in a while. I will definitely see you again!” said Anna thoughtfully.
They continued talking and playing. All you could hear was laughing and arguing as they played. At one point Anna’s parents looked at Anna and Ngaa, then looked at each other and smiled. Anna’s father remembered how hard it had been for his wife and him to come to the decision of moving abroad. The thought that he would be taking the children away from their friends, and the life they were accustomed to, really troubled him. He was also uneasy about introducing the children to different cultures. He was worried they would be exposed to some things that could be viewed as unacceptable to them.
“I have an idea, Ngaa,” said Anna as she rose and headed towards her mother. She asked her mother to take a picture of her and Ngaa. “I will remember you when I am in the UK,” she said to Ngaa. They had many pictures taken; some with them laughing, others with them slapping each other’s plams with arms raised, and others with them grinning. The children were happy. “Anna, you have actually come up with a good idea,” said Anna’s mother. “Since we are all here, Ngaa could take a picture us all together!”
Anna called everyone together so that they could have a picture taken. Ngaa stood before them with the phone in his hand ready to take a picture. He then shouted, “Everybody say, ‘maize!'” They all laughed while shouting, “Maize!” and then Ngaa took a picture. Click!
Ngaa akazoshama achiona pakanga pava nenguva. Akabva aonekana nemhuri yose yekwaMurape. Paakanga oenda, Anna akamuperekedza. Vasvika pagedhi Ngaa akati kuna Anna, “Chisara zvako Anna, mozova nerwendo rwakanaka pamuchaenda kuUK.” Anna akasekerera, ndokupindura “Chiendawo zvako Ngaa. Wozosarawo zvakanaka. Asi ndinoziva tichaonana chete rimwe zuva!”
Ngaa was surprised when he realised how much time had gone by. He then bade farewell to the Murape family. After this, Anna then accompanied him has he left. When they got to the gate Ngaa said to Anna, “Goodbye Anna, have a good trip when you leave for the UK.” Anna smiled and replied, “Goodbye to you too Ngaa. Take care. But I know we will meet again one day!”
‘Chionekedzo’ is an original story by Shungu Constance Chidovi. Illustrations used are by Leo Daly, and Magriet Brinkk, and were published under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver.
