Sincamulamave's social club sends panic to old social clubs leaders

Dear Sikuta

Happy day my friend. It’s been a long while since we spoke. I hope you are doing fine and you survived the shooting and the burning that ravaged your beautiful happy hills village.

Today I decided to pen this letter to check your understanding of the ongoing division in our village. I heard that mkhulu Sigavuza is being pushed out by some young directionless individuals who claim to have heard from ancestors that he was no longer fit to lead this village. I am happy my friend that what is happening in the village is what we have always warmed mkhulu Sigavuza about. It is clear that some of the “wise men” around him have become birdbrained. Their lack of intelligence has opened doors to these opportunists who now believe they can offer something better to the village.

My friend, it has not come as a shock to me to hear some of mkhulu Sigavuza’s family members claiming to support those standing against him. Phela you will remember that when we grew up our grannie Dzalasile has always been bitter about mkhulu Sigavuza being appointed head of the village. If you go 20 years ago she even claimed that her mother was entitled to be the one in charge of this village, calling on mkhulu Sigavuza to allocate resources to all of them as siblings of our late grandfather. Indeed, it was through her call that the village had to include all of them in the annual pay role and also the purchase of those porch cars for all of our ancestor’s wives. We have always said that Dzalasile was a spoiled child, who feels entitled to the village resources without contributing anything in return.

Now back to the developments taking place in the village, it is surprising that all of a sudden Sincamulamave has decided to form his own social club, but still basing it on the same village structures. The only noticeable change is that it confirms the fears that some of the village elders had that he wants to forcefully take over the village from mkhulu Sigavuza. They have described the action of forming the social club as being ambitious, especially from Sincamulamave who is considered a rebel and fugitive of the law.

Just yesterday, I spoke to one of the leaders of a certain social club that has been in existence for the longest time. He lamented the decision by Sincamulamave to form his own social club while they thought he would be mobilizing people to join the already existing ones. This has divided the leaders of the different social clubs as some feel that the newly formed club will attract more people due to it being positioned around the already existing structures. I and you know that Sincamulamave is a very popular, clever guy and had huge support even during the community social events because of his dances. It is because of this that he is able to win so many people and would not compete with anyone in as far as his club is concerned. The social club leaders are itching with pain and worried about the new developments. Their main worry is the declaration by Sincamulamave that his social club wants to totally remove mkhulu Sigavuza from his position as head of the village, and take over the leadership, ahead of the village dialogue. They would definitely not want to be seen to have been overtaken by the new social club as they have been operating for more than 40 years now. The brewing tension should concern all of us now in the village. My main worry is what would happen if mkhulu Sigavusa can resign from leadership in this village. Do we have capable leaders from any of these social clubs to lead the village forward, in case we lose the old man?

Before I sign off my friend, I am reminding you that the village is currently not in a position to do anything because of mkhulu Sigavuza in seclusion. This means that the anticipated dialogue is going to be delayed until February. I am not sure about the plan for social clubs this December as we want to enjoy the holidays peacefully. Maybe because you are closer to Sincamulamave request him to keep the volume low from his social club this time around as we want to rest. We are all concerned about his two friends kept in that kraal, and we are hopeful that they will soon be released.

Thanks, my friend. We will talk next time.

Your friend

Mayendana