The Chief's Daughter

Her father is about to decide who she must marry but Ntokozo is in love with her childhood friend, Zwelithini

- TSHOLOFELO DIRETSHOLOFELO DIRE

NTOKOZO had always wanted to get married, but not like this. Her father would pick her husband for her and like the itchy back she had from the leopard skin she hugged around her body tightly, it was all part of the responsibility of being the daughter of a chief.

She sometimes had to wonder if there’d ever be a time she’d do something that pleased just her.

Right now she’d give anything to be wearing a flowy summer dress that didn’t make her itchy with sweat.

But she’d be considered high and mighty for wanting to dress like that.

Her eyes travel to the end of the hall to look at the three suitors who were brought in for her to choose from.

Bhekizizwe was from Mahlabathini. Both his parents were doctors and he was a business major.

Shaka – son of chief Zinande from Makhanyakude – was an accounting graduate and her father’s favourite. Baba and Shaka’s father were old school buddies.

And then there was Zweli, an engineering major and the love of Ntokozo’s life.

The only boy who’d ever truly known her for who she really is – an ordinary girl who has dreams of being a writer and likes eating chicken feet and mashed potatoes.

Not some perfect delicate flower that needed to be taken care of by a man.

ZWELI had been her boy-friend for the past year and her friend since they were kids. His mother had worked for her father for decades and they lived close by. It was only natural that the two young people’s friendship blossomed into something more.