The blue taxi

Giggles in every corner of the street, beaming of fresh faces and without asking—everyone knew that, that time has hit their horizons once again. The sun shone differently during this time, it added more liveliness in the children’s hearts.

The parents had prepared their spirits so that they match the current state of the atmosphere.

Cars of men who had been away almost the whole year due to working in town hooted at the children who sprung everywhere- like little kangaroos. The older children sat under the bamboo tree—with idle eyes, hiding from the scorching sun that seemed to give the little ones vibrancy. You’d see some of the bouncy children running towards their mothers, fascinated by what was in the Shoprite plastic bags that they held on both hands.

This day gave hope to the homeless man who lingered in the shebeen’s entrance where men crowded in with merriment in their laughter.

With all the proceedings of the day, all that Nathi longed for was the arrival of Pastor Eden and his sons who always came during this time of the year, they always bought with them a tree that was felicitously adorned with luminous lights that unfailingly gave the children goggling eyes.

“Nathi! Let go of that chicken, you going to kill it by holding it that tight.” Nathi’s mother hoarsely shouted from the kitchen door, busied by peeling potatoes to make a salad – customary for this time of the year. Nathi was fazed.

The chicken failed to fly and just resorted to running back to the cage where all the other chickens sat obliviously.

‘’Since you have nothing to do, go to the Tuck-shop and ask MaNandi to give you green pepper, I will pay her tomorrow” Nathi tried to retort but he gave up after thinking of all the times he had tried retaliating against his mother and all those times always made him think twice.

He snatched his cap from the table and ran to the tuck-shop.

Normally on this day, the morning is long and hot but people are rest-assured and not bothered by the heat because on this particular day the Lord always brings showers from the heavens. Nathi once asked Pastor Eden why rain was always guaranteed on this day.

“You see, rain symbolises life and God brings rain when he is happy with his people and the rain today will reflect God’s pride of his son’s birthday”

Nathi assimilated every word that Pastor Eden uttered and with every word he was enchanted by the one coming next. He recalls how much joyful he was last year this day- Pastor Eden came with his blue VW taxi that was loaded with big speakers and a big green tree.

Congo, Veli and Brian- all sons of Pastor Eden, squeezed in the taxi with bags filled with confetti that they always sprinkled on the small heads that came to embrace them and tell them that they have passed their grade- they were given lollipops and those who didn’t pass would shyly balance with one side of their body on the taxi and the three brothers would banter them and sprinkle more confetti on the heads.

They came from Cape Town, Pastor Eden and his sons. Every December they went to different townships in Soweto to teach the children about the bible especially the nativity story as it was relevant during the time they came. And for the past two years they have been visiting Nathi’s township--Naledi.

After their meal at home , children would collect in the community hall and would be welcomed with gifts. Last year Nathi got a diary that is now filled with stories he wrote about the moon, stars and Jesus.

“Nathi thenga! Buy. What do you want?” MamNandi impatiently waved her hand across Nathi’s face and the boys who sat on the rock, smoking dagga snickered.

‘’ Sbali! Are you thinking of the food that mommy has cooked for you?” One of the boys with an unbalance rizla in the corner of his mouth coughed out the words. Nathi knew the boy, he was Themba.He lived just opposite his house and he was an orphan. Themba used to come to their house for food and Nathi’s mother always scold him about bunking school and he would agree with everything Nathi’s mother said but Nathi knew that was only because he wanted food and after the meal he was going to go back to the rock and smoke dagga.

‘’ MamNandi, Mother asked if she can get green pepper, she will pay tomorrow” Nathi plucked up courage to say every word and MamNandi without saying anything sighed with a hint of annoyance and went to the back of her shop to get the green pepper.

‘’ wait for me!” Themba shrieked, struggling to pull himself from the rock.

Walking aside Nathi

“What time should I come to your house?’’

‘’ I am not sure when my mom will finish cooking but early afternoon is my best bet’’

‘’ Are you going to come to the hall when Pastor Eden arrives?” Nathi softly smiled, with suppressed excitement.

‘’ of course! Who would ever not come? Free food and gifts are to be welcomed with both hands Baba!”

‘’ It’s not about that’’

Nathi didn’t just go to the hall for food and gifts, he enjoyed the coming together of all the children from his street. The songs that Pastor Eden and his sons led them to sing gave him a sense of freedom, he would forget that his father had abandoned him and his mother. For some reason when he sang along he felt like he was not alone anymore, he felt a presence that covered him with wings and he would instantly experience a father’s love.

If you happy and you know it, clap your hands

‘’ Remember when Pastor Eden told us the story of the man who had everything, many gifts, many foods and many friends but he felt empty in his heart? “

‘’do you remember?” Nathi was now jumping up and down out of excitement, facing Themba’s front.

‘’ Yes of course! Now stop with this jumping around like a dog’’ slightly annoyed, Themba moved away from Nathi’s face that started to feel invasive.

‘’ So it’s not about food and gifts, I don’t know exactly what it is about but life is more than that” now reserved, Nathi bounced back to his initial side of the road.

‘’ Now you not making sense” Themba arrogantly shrugged his shoulders

With a big smile on his face Nathi stuttered

‘’ Nnn..Nnn..Now you will understand’’

A big blue taxi turned the corner, the plastic with green pepper hit the floor and Thembi’s jaw seemed to follow the direction of the plastic.

Nathi flashed away—away to the big blue taxi.