Every night I say the Kalimah.
I bear witness that there is no God but Allah.
And that Muhammad is his messenger.
I know why I must say it.
At least I know that I was taught to say it.
*
But “bearing witness”, those words are my own.
Because I bear witness to things no other kid says out loud.
Like when Abee interrogates Mommy and disciplines her with a belt.
Or wait, first his fist, then his belt, then instructs her,
To undress in their bedroom, and then he does the same and then enters her.
*
I bear witness to even the part where Mommy wakes up the next morning,
In a honeymoon state, like… she enjoyed it.
Oh, she definitely enjoyed it.
*
The only child syndrome is a curse.
The only child is alone and bears witness,
Through the crack of the bedroom door,
A sick truth to how she possibly was conceived.
*
Nobody can tell me about “bearing witness” ‘coz no one knows what I have seen.
*
(Extract from a work-in-progress.)
Image: JGF News – Scenes of Kalk Bay
Tasneem Daniels has a 10-year combined portfolio in media, education, arts and entertainment. Tasneem formed part of the first group of playwrights to take up residence at the Jakes Gerwel Foundation (JGF) Paulet House. Here she wrote Miela’s Box, a show collaboratively produced with the JGF in 2020 that debuted on stage and radio stations nationally. Tasneem’s play lead to a career in TV and radio programming with Suidooster (kykNET), An Nur – The Light (SABC 3), Radio 786 (100.4 FM) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in collaboration with Bush Radio (89.5 FM). Miela’s Box made a comeback on internet radio in 2024 with Cape Flats Radio and Radio Eersteriver. Tasneem also writes for LitNet, and she is writing her first musical after completing the How to Make a Musical Masterclass in 2019 with David Kramer at the Baxter Theatre. Her interests include tracing her Cape Malay / Indonesian roots and using her travel pursuits to develop her creative businesses.
