She wakes up in the wee hours of the morning from a nightmare, it appears, which sees her panting and exhausted, emotional for some odd reason. She looks at the time.

It’s 03h45 am.

Monday morning.

About 45 minutes before her alarm goes off. Barking dogs can be heard in the horizon.

Her first instinct is to kneel down to ask God to be with her and her children. And her eldest son, who has an important meeting to attend to later on the day. She does just that – prays hard until it’s almost time for her to go to work.

04h30am – Time to wake up to prepare for her daily grind.

It’s yet another opportunity to go into the livelihood battlefield, where she needs to stomach the day and all its requirements for her to be able to put some food on the table for her children. As a single parent, a story that so many of the children of the land can relate to, it’s that much harder to fend for a family alone.

She is proud of the brave decision she has had to make over the years, although many people have labeled her as daft over it. She has learnt to stand up from a table that was no longer serving her well. It took years for her to be brave enough to take that stand. Now, she’s experiencing peace and harmony in her own home. Although at a livelihood cost, hence the need for her to wake up early and go hustle for it emakhishini (at the suburbs).

That’s where she makes her living, though not a lot, but enough for her and her children.

Lunga is the eldest at 17 years, about to matriculate soon, a very smart kid. One of the top ten candidates poised to do well in his class. Lunga is very quiet and obedient, loves nature and playing chess. Then comes Bongi, the only girl in-between two boys who is in Grade 8 going to 9 and then it’s the last born, Nkosi, who is in Grade 5.

Her life, her pride, her world, her treasure. Her children.

She thanks God each day for them, through a prayer and hopes that one day, they will be able to understand why their father is no longer staying with them. Why they are no longer living the same lifestyle as before. Something’s had to give. Their peace and freedom came at a price – one, she’s willing to pay for with her hands, time and sweat, even if it’s the last thing she ever does.

She remembers her Madam, all of a sudden and how much work awaits her as soon as she lands at 54 Klopper Street. She’s willing to do her best and give it her all, it’s her bread and butter after all. In fact, more than her bread and butter. The Cunnington’s have been nothing but good to her and it’s been years since she’s started helping them at their residence. It’s a job she does not take for granted.

Her eldest child longs to be a Physicist. She does not even know what a physicist does but knows it’s what Lunga always talks about and with his passion for physics and Maths. She is certain that he’s on the right track although her worry is on not having enough funds to help cover for his studies from next year onwards…Lord knows how’s expensive University fees are lately and she’ll have to work many years to cover those costs while paying up a hefty loan – this, she’s already considering. It’s the only choice, there is no other way. Anything for his first-born, who’s showing signs of being determined to continue with his studies further. She wants Lunga to make something of himself. Leave his own legacy.

She gets up after that passionate prayer to prepare for the day. Prepares the school clothes for Nkosi and gets ready to head for the bus station. Having to leave her kids all alone in the house as she departs for work, tears her apart but is something she unfortunately has to do. She kisses Bongi on the cheek as she usually does and leaves the pocket money for the day with Lunga by gently placing it under his pillow, which instantly wakes him up.

“Ma, I need to walk you to the bus stop. Let me quickly get dressed.”Lunga says as he wakes up.

“You don’t have to, it’s cold and dark outside.” his mom responds.

“I insist.”Lunga responds as he gets out of bed. And then soon, both leave the house, making sure that they lock the main door and gate.

Mom then makes a quick prayer as they leave. In no time, a crowd of people gather around the bus top. These are people who usually catch the first bus to town together with Lunga’s mom. There’s chit-chat here and there, a hot more life to the silence that was so loud before.

“You can go back home now, Lunga. The bus is almost here and there are people waiting here for it with me. It’s safe. You have a long day ahead of you.” Mom says to Lunga.

“So do you, mom. Have a safe trip to work. I love you.” Lunga responds and then quickly embraces his mom, who is moved by the gesture. As Lunga walks back home, she makes another prayer for his protection and gratitude for his eldest son.

Lunga then returns home safely at about a couple of minutes after five am, relieved that he was able to walk his mom to the bus top. There have been a number of incidents that have taken place lately which have revolved around criminals targeting those out on the streets in the wee hours of the morning. Lunga takes an hour’s rest to wake up just after six am to help prepare for the day. Lunga then wakes up his siblings after he’s done. Soon, Bongi and Nkosi are ready to start walking to school.

Lunga has an important meeting lined up for him later that day. He’s been preparing for it for some time now and today, was thee day. As soon as his siblings were out and on their way to school, he started preparing for his journey.

Back at the Cunnington’s, Ma arrived safely, on time and soon got occupied with her duties for the day. Keeping the household in check and in order was her main mandate and she took pride in that. As soon as she could get settled, Belinda Cunnington (the mother or aka Madam of the house) got a chance to ask her about her children.

“Selina, how are your children doing?” Belinda enquired, “You haven’t been updating me a great deal about them lately.”

Selina then began chatting about her children and strayed glowing as she relayed the story and before you knew it, Belinda suggested the following, “We need to send your son some money, he may need it. The place he needs to go to today, is quite far.” then she takes out her phone and enquires with Selina how she’d prefer Lunga to get the cash.

“Enkosi (thank you), ma’am. You didn’t have to.” she responds.

She then made a call to Lunga regarding this latest development and then continued with her work. As soon as she completed what she had to do for the day, Belinda allowed her to leave earlier than normal. “I want you to be home in time to welcome your son back, in case there is some good news for you guys to enjoy. Please update me as soon as you can?” Belinda said to Selina as she bid her farewell for the day.

That trip back home, felt like it took forever with the traffic that was starting to develop as many people were making their way home from the city center. She could not wait to get back home to her children and cook them a nice meal. As soon as she arrived home, all her children were at home and this caught her by surprise, seeing that she had thought she’d get home a bit earlier than usual.

As soon as she settled down, Lunga approached her with feedback on how his day went.

“So, Ma, as you know. I went for the interview today. Thank you for the extra cash that I received during the day which helped me to get you this.” Lunga then hands his mom a small box of chocolate.

“Enkosi Thixo (Thank you, Lord.)” were the only words she could utter at that moment, seeing that she was overcome with emotion.

“I got the bursary, mom. You don’t need to worry anymore about paying for my fees next year. I got the bursary on the spot. They were impressed with me and I relieved and happy now that I will achieve my dream of being a physicist from next year as a result of this.” Lunga revealed, which instantly brought tears down his mother’s eyes.

“Imisebenzi yemithandazo kanye nezinyembezi zakho, Ma. (it’s the work of your prayers and tears, mom).” Lunga said as she embraced his mother, tightly this time around.

Dedicated to all single parents and youngsters out there, striving to further their studies in the midst of dire challenges. May your fire and parent’s prayers open up the way for your dreams.