In the second week of our residency at the Paulet House, we went on a hike up a mountain somewhere in the Karoo. There were creatures to look out for in the bush: violin spiders, a leopard, baboons. Luckily, we only saw the baboons. They were nibbling on something and playing in a small open veld. One of them sat at the top of a rock, soaking in sunshine, and reading its environment like it’s the first time. Next to her were the children, inspecting something in the grass. They all raised their heads to observe us, just as we were observing them. They were playing. Simply existing. I’ll never see them again, but I am glad I met them at least once.
We proceeded to walk along the trail, full of rocks, thorny plants, and pedestrian ants walking across their road. We crossed the river nervously, jumping from rock to rock, sinking our calves in the water, slipping on one or two things, holding each other’s hands, lifting each other up; being anchors for each other, for these people we didn’t know existed a mere two weeks prior.
We then encountered a tree. I wish I remembered its name. But all I know is that it is 800 years old. When our ranger, Alan, delivered a speech about the tree, I observed its big body, its green leaves, and broad branches. Before we left, some of us opened our hands to greet it. A moment is all we had. We might never see that tree again, but we had this powerful, fleeting moment. There were others before us, 100, 200, 500 years ago who also knew that tree by name, or those who touched it in journeys we don’t know about. I like to think that we are all just greeting each other. I like to think of our time at Paulet House as one infinite hello and I will see you again or see something like you again.
To the loving empath, the good big brothers, the spiritual mother, the beautiful talent with two tongues at her fingertips, to the rock ‘n’ roll chef, and to the fashionista housekeeper who wears a smile on her face like a second coat.
Hello.
I’m glad I found you in this 800th year.
Big thank you to the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and Paulet House for making it possible.
The 800-year-old tree and JGF/LitNet/Huisgenoot Kommadagga Workshop mentor Fourie Botha on the slopes of the Bosberg Mountain Range
Tshegofatso Nkwane is a 26-year-old writer from Naledi, Soweto. After completing her studies in English literature and international relations at Wits University in 2019, she worked for Reos Partners, a global social impact company, for several years as consultant, facilitator, report writer and editor. Managing an international anti-racism project of Médecins sans Frontières and editing the PSET scenarios with JET Educational Services were two of the highlights during this time. She realised that she wanted to tell township stories and write about social justice, and is now a full-time writer and aspiring novelist. To her, the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s call for applications for the workshop ‘felt, more than anything, like an invitation to ask for guidance. As an emerging writer, I know I need a second pair of eyes and the Kommadagga workshop offers that. I have always known that I wanted to write, but I was always shy and afraid of my own voice. I hope that exposure to other writers and the mentorship will contribute to my growth as a writer and allow me to emerge confidently in spaces I have passion for.’
