Child of Africa

by T. M. Clark

  Bongani increased his pace. They had run almost the five kilometres of the protection zone, but still had a few hundred metres of uneven ground to cover. The shoreline came into view. Tichawana’s boat was still anchored, but they couldn’t see him anywhere.

  They approached the boat with guns ready, sweating and breathing heavily.

  Bongani looked around. ‘Blood smear on the left of the boat. Look at all the spent doppies on the ground.’

  ‘Over here,’ Joss said. He could see the lion’s footprints in the sand, then the lion had crouched down. It hadn’t gone any closer to the boat, but after a while, it had padded away into the bush at a leisurely pace, dragging its back foot. Not scared away.

  ‘A lion threatened him here, but I think it was a croc that got him there,’ Bongani said as they walked to where he had seen the blood and the bullets. ‘Look at the size of this slide mark – this croc was huge. He did not stand a chance.’

  ‘You think he is definitely dead?’ Joss asked.

  ‘For his sake, I can only hope so. There are better ways to die, even for an evil man like my half-brother.’

  CHAPTER

  35

  A Shifting View

  Joss sat next to Peta, Bongani, Mitch and Amos. They had their feet up, watching Mandlenkosi as he fished in Kariba. The leopard was slower tonight, cautious. As if the recent activity in the area had rattled him too.

  He’s got plenty of company, Joss thought. The area had been rocked by the hand grenade, and many shots had been fired. This had been a targeted attack, bringing back terrifying memories for many of the people in the area.

  The TV was on in the main room as they waited for the news.

  ‘It’s on,’ Lwazi called and turned the sound up so they could hear outside.

  ‘The South African police today arrested Korean crime queen Sook Lu Liang on charges of trafficking in humans, blood ivory and rhino horns. A joint international operation ensured that Ms Liang and her colleagues were arrested, and there will be investigations into further allegations against her. Ms Liang is expected to be extradited to Europe for trial with no chance of bail.’

  ‘I’ll drink to that. One less vampire to suck the good out of Africa. Tonight all the elephants and rhino can sleep a little more soundly,’ Mitch said as he raised his glass.

  ‘Hear, hear.’ They clinked their glasses.

  Bongani nodded. ‘I heard from Gideon; he is still trying to cover our tracks from going into Gwanda Camp.’

  Joss grinned. ‘I would rather face the slap on the wrist they’ll give us for that than know that our kids were there a minute more than they needed to be.’

  ‘I agree,’ Bongani said. ‘I think that he is also doing his best to protect the kids who came back. Ensure their lives return to normal as soon as possible.’

  Peta cleared her throat. ‘I’ve spoken to Hillary in Brussels. She wanted to know if Reason could have a copy of the map with the crosses on it. I haven’t emailed it yet.’

  ‘Why not?’ Joss asked.

  ‘Damo and the British Military already have the map. We know the villagers who asked for those crosses are telling the truth. I don’t want them spooked. Nothing can be done about them until the president dies, so giving the map to others at this stage is a risk. He could potentially desecrate the areas. I’d rather we just keep a seal on it for now.’

  Bongani and Amos nodded in understanding.

  Joss shook his head. ‘You need to hand it over – it’s bigger than us. These are professionals. They’ll archive that map and when the time is right, they’ll use it to get justice for the people buried there. If you hold on to it, it’ll make you a target of the people who were responsible for the Gukurahundi. If they find out, they’ll kill you. If nothing else, the last few months have proven that too many people in this country are still spying on each other and living in constant fear. Don’t allow yourself to be one of them. Remember, they won’t hurt you, but they will use those close to you to get to you. Like your dad and Tsessebe.’

  ‘Joss is right,’ Mitch said.

  ‘I’ll think about it,’ Peta said.

  Joss shook his head. ‘There is nothing to think about. If you won’t hand it over, we put Damo in touch with Reason directly. ICC will probably love his skills anyhow, and he can always do with the work.’

  ‘That’s a better idea. I think that Damo deserves to get something out of helping us all the time,’ Peta said. ‘And I don’t feel like I’m betraying the trust of the people by handing the map over.’

  ‘Good.’ Joss smiled and squeezed her hand. ‘I’d feel heaps better if you’d do that, and they can continue. We are too close on the ground. It’s not safe for any of us to hold that type of information.’

  ‘I’ll happily organise for the link-up between them for you, Peta,’ Mitch said.

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘So now that this is over, what else is new and wonderful in the world?’ Amos asked.

  Everyone laughed.

  ‘My sabbatical year is almost over, and I’m resigning,’ Mitch said.

  Joss looked at him with raised eyebrows. ‘Never thought you’d leave the commandos.’

  ‘I think I’m getting too old to be fighting for a government, mate,’ Mitch said, then smiled. ‘But the only thing I know how to do is fight. So perhaps it’s time to be a soldier for myself instead; use my skills to help in a different way. From what I’ve seen here, Zimbabwe needs all the skilled marines it can get to help save its wildlife. Don’t think I’m going to be any good at following other people’s orders; I’m too used to being in charge. I need to strike out on my own.’

  ‘Strike out on your own and do what?’ Joss asked.

  ‘Start an anti-poaching unit that trains the guards, so we can send a tender to the Matusadona and Chizarira Game Parks, and privatise that part of their operations. Fight the war against the poachers at a higher level than they are able to now.’

  ‘You serious?’ Peta asked.

  ‘Deadly. I believe that if the government pays me the contract fee that they pay their guards now, and I get overseas investors and donations, we can protect those areas even better. If I start a military-style anti-poaching school like they have in South Africa, that’ll supplement the income and help the cash flow.’

  ‘That’s a huge undertaking,’ Joss said.

  ‘That’s why I’m counting on your support. I’ve approached a few guys from our unit, and they’re keen. There are even some veterans in the States who have expressed interest in coming over, and they don’t want huge pay, just enough to live on. They want to be useful again.’

  ‘So how do we fit in?’ Joss asked.

  ‘I need a base to operate out of until we get the contract inside the game parks. I spoke to Bongani and he thinks that setting up across from Bishu is best – it’s closest to Chizarira and this way, the villagers will have peace of mind that we’re there to help protect them too.’

  ‘I love the idea of being able to send the anti-poaching guards to you for better training. I know a heap of other parks who’ll back your idea and support you,’ Peta said.

  ‘Awesome. Having the support of the local parks is what I’m going to be relying on,’ Mitch said.

  ‘I guess you won’t be leaving us then, which is fantastic news. I’m kind of used to you being around,’ Joss said.

  CHAPTER

  36

  Home is Where You Belong

  One month later

  Joss was still in bed when he heard the elephant’s call. He reached for the phone and pushed redial.

  ‘Mmm? Just five more minutes,’ Peta begged.

  ‘Ndhlovy has brought you another customer.’ He knew he was smiling but he couldn’t help it, hearing Peta’s sleepy voice on the phone. He adored waking up to her in person when she was with him, and he missed it when she was away in one of the parks, but phone calls were better than nothing and they could cope with being apart. Many couples spent less time together tha
n they managed to carve out of their schedules, and he couldn’t imagine his life without her being a part of it.

  ‘You sure?’ she asked and yawned.

  ‘Yup,’ he said.

  The baby monitor chirped with gurgling noises. Sophia was awake.

  ‘Can you hear that? Sophia can hear her too,’ he said.

  ‘Awww, give her a special cuddle from me when you go get her. Let me know what injury Ndhlovy brought this time, so I know what supplies to bring with me, and hey, I guess this means I’m coming home early this week,’ Peta said.

  ‘I guess it does. You going to bring your dad and Tsessebe again? He seemed to be fine last time he visited.’

  ‘No, there isn’t time to prep him, and he doesn’t handle sudden changes in his routine so good.’

  ‘No problems. I still get you.’ Joss grinned as Sophia gurgled a little more on her monitor.

  ‘Guess you should go get her, and I should start moving. I might as well have the pleasure of waking Mitch at this ungodly hour so he can make the trip with Amos and I.’

  ‘That should be interesting. Remember to stay back when you throw the water.’

  ‘Water, oh, that is an idea. Thanks. See you soon. Love you.’ He could hear the laughter in Peta’s voice.

  ‘Love you too,’ he said even though he knew she was already distracted, and the phone was silent in his hand.

  Joss got into his wheelchair. He could already hear Lwazi picking Sophia up and talking softly to her. There was a light knock on his door.

  ‘Come in, Lwazi,’ he said.

  ‘Good morning. She can hear the elephants.’

  ‘I believe she can,’ Joss said as he kissed Sophia’s forehead. ‘Good morning, my beautiful girl.’

  He was rewarded by Sophia blowing raspberries at him.

  ‘Would you mind getting her ready while I do the same?’

  ‘Sure,’ Lwazi said as he took Sophia back to the nursery.

  Joss listened to Lwazi’s constant stream of chatter to Sophia. He smiled. Despite what Lwazi had gone through, he seemed to have come out the other side stronger. Determined to achieve in life, but more than that: extremely protective of everyone around him. He was talking to a counsellor via Skype once a week, and Joss was happy with that. He knew that you could not rush the healing process.

  ‘Your favourite friend is here to visit again … come on, let us get you out of that ...’

  Sophia made more gurgling sounds and then gave a tinkle of laughter as Lwazi tickled her.

  Joss showered and got ready. He could hear Ndhlovy calling outside now, not just her mumbles but trumpeting, as if announcing that she was there and waiting for him. He collected Sophia from Lwazi on his way past the nursery. ‘You coming too?’

  ‘I would not miss it,’ Lwazi said.

  Joss grinned and put his hand on his shoulder. ‘You okay?’

  ‘Better each day. I miss Ephraim, but I keep thinking how lucky we were that you came for us.’

  ‘I’ll always find you, Lwazi; you’re part of the family.’

  Lwazi hugged him and Sophia. ‘Everything will change soon.’

  ‘It will. Just remember that no matter what happens, Bongani and I will always be here to protect you.’

  Ndhlovy trumpeted again, as if telling them to hurry up.

  ‘Come on, best go greet her before she tries to come in the back door,’ Joss said as he walked into the kitchen and stepped out, the smell of elephant strong on the morning breeze.

  They walked into the stable area where they were beginning to construct a taller enclosure made especially for the elephants, so that Peta could have a clean space for her procedures on the patients Ndhlovy brought them. An elephant sanctuary: a safe haven for the injured, and an attraction that would help make Yingwe River Lodge even more appealing to the tourists.

  Sure enough, there was Ndhlovy, protector and matriarch of her herd. With her was a tiny baby elephant. The other elephants were all outside the stable area.

  Ndhlovy greeted Joss, Sophia and Lwazi. Sophia giggled and reached out her hands to the baby who was by Ndhlovy’s side.

  He looked closely at the baby. The little calf seemed fine. It was curious and Ndhlovy was reassuring it; however, Joss could feel that something else was happening here. The little elephant approached and, with its ears forward, extended its trunk towards Sophia. Ndhlovy carefully reached over the impatient calf and put the end of her trunk into the child’s chubby hands first, greeting her.

  ‘You’ve had your baby,’ Joss said.

  Ndhlovy rumbled, the sound vibrating through Joss’s hand as he stroked her. He looked between Ndhlovy’s front legs and, sure enough, he could see milk-filled teats. As if to prove that the baby knew what he was looking for, it reached up to its mother and latched on.

  ‘Congratulations, Ndhlovy,’ Joss said as he put his forehead against her trunk. Sophia put her forehead against her too, and she giggled out loud.

  ‘Dada. Lovvy,’ she said.

  Joss stilled. ‘Did you hear her? Lwazi, did you hear her?’

  ‘I heard. And who am I?’ Lwazi asked, pointing to himself.

  ‘Wazi,’ Sophia said, then nodded. ‘Lovvy.’ She put her head back against the elephant.

  Tears ran down Joss’s cheeks. He tried to talk but his throat was choked up. He cleared it and tried again. ‘You talked, Sophia.’ He hugged her to him, and she spoke again.

  ‘Dada. Dada. Dada.’

  The baby elephant finished its snack from its mother and went back to Lwazi.

  ‘Can we call the baby Khwezi?’ he said as the baby’s trunk wrapped around his hand.

  ‘“Bright morning star”, nice name,’ Joss said. ‘Is it a boy or a girl? Get down and check – it’s easier for you than me.’

  Lwazi laughed as he bent down. ‘It’s a boy.’

  ‘Ndhlovy, you have a son,’ Joss said as she came back to touch him, stroking his arm. Sophia blew a raspberry at Ndhlovy, and she turned her attention to Sophia for a while.

  Bongani walked into the stable area.

  ‘Hey, you’re home, I thought you and Madala were still at your meeting in Bulawayo,’ Joss said.

  ‘We got in early this morning. I suspect he is still asleep, but I heard the elephants walk through the village, so I came to say hello.’

  ‘How was the meeting?’ Joss asked.

  ‘Later,’ Bongani said, then he smiled as Sophia clapped her hands at him in her signal that she wanted to be held. He took Sophia in his arms and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

  ‘Gani, Gani,’ she said.

  ‘Did she just try to say my name?’ Bongani asked.

  Sophia giggled. ‘Gani, Gani. Lovvy. Baba.’ She pointed to the baby elephant.

  Joss nodded. ‘She’s just started talking, and her first word was “Dada”.’ He couldn’t contain his smile.

  ‘Lovvy,’ Sophia said.

  ‘Meet Khwezi. Ndhlovy brought her own baby to meet the family this morning.’

  ‘That is wonderful news,’ Bongani said as he greeted Ndhlovy and was introduced to her baby with the same ceremony as Ndhlovy had shown the others.

  Joss’s phone rang. ‘Hey, Peta—’

  ‘What did she bring in? I’m packing supplies and—’

  ‘Her baby,’ Joss said. ‘You were right when you said she looked ready. This is a social visit, as far as I can tell. Khwezi is a healthy, delightful baby boy.’

  ‘That’s not fair. Take photos and send them to me. I’m on my way. I want to meet him. Do you think she’ll stay around?’

  ‘I think she’ll wait for you. I suspect she’ll probably go snack on the moringas for a while before she heads back into the park. We can hear her herd already down at the water’s edge close by.’

  ‘We’ll be there just after lunch. Mitch said he was making his way there as fast as he could. He’s bringing some guys who need to learn to respect elephants, so you’re going to be in for an interesting time. Don’t let him scare her
off before I get to say hello to her and the new baby.’

  ‘I’ll try my best.’

  ‘See you soon.’

  ‘Bye.’ Joss hung up. ‘Peta, Amos and Mitch are coming to meet Khwezi.’

  ‘I am starving; do you mind if I take Sophia and we go grab breakfast in the lodge?’ Lwazi asked.

  ‘Good idea. Bongani and I will meet you there,’ Joss said as Lwazi bounced down the path towards the lodge with Sophia.

  Bongani stood next to Ndhlovy, scratching her ear.

  ‘And?’ Joss asked.

  ‘The lawyers think it will work. If it is done legally, Lwazi will be the next chief in this area. I need to adopt him before he is sixteen. His grandfather signed the papers. He was happy knowing that Lwazi would be looked after should anything happen to him. He is extremely proud that his grandson will be my heir.’ Tears filled Bongani’s eyes. ‘It is not the way I thought that I would ever get to have a child, but this was a good solution.’

  Ndhlovy wiped away his tears with her trunk.

  ‘Do not stress, girl, these are tears of joy,’ he said. ‘We can never prove that my brother is alive or dead. He will be classified as simply missing, as there was no body recovered. If he ever decides he is heir, the lineage is now clear. Myself, then my son. That sounds so alien, especially since his grandfather is still alive and well, and I had to ask him if he would want this position within my family. But it is such a relief to know that all my people will now know they have a leader in training and that their traditions will be looked after. They will have a new champion to look to when I am gone.’

  Joss put his hand on Ndhlovy’s trunk. ‘What if you should find someone to marry? Have your own child? You are not that old.’

  ‘The lawyer asked me the same question. And I will tell you what I told him: perhaps it might happen. But I will then be too old to guide that child on how to be a fair and just chief, and he would be very young to shoulder the responsibility of all these people. Lwazi will be almost fifty when I am ninety. Almost the same age I was when my father passed this torch to me. A man younger than that should not have to bear this burden. It will be a big responsibility, but it will be one that he will have trained for, and be ready. I will not change my mind on this.’