MELAMINA THE QUEEN

CHAPTER 63

NARRATED

It was early in the afternoon when the body of the late Princess Owenkosi Kufeziwe Zulu arrived accompanied by a convoy. It was a very sad occasion. The whole family was grieving. The worst part was that they never knew the princess and that broke their hearts. The body was accompanied to the grieving room in low traditional hymns and Queen Melamina just sobbed lightly at the sight of the little casket being carried in. She was inconsolable and her cries could be heard even from outside. The men placed the coffin in the space where the candle and picture of the scan were.

Former king Khulisuzulu came forward and burned incense. He went on to appease the ancestors and ask for guidance. When he was done, he looks at MELAMINA. “We will plant the princess at 3 am tomorrow so that she can bloom when the sun rises. Duduzeka, my child. I know this must be very difficult but she is going to be a great ancestor and her light is going to shine brighter than any other light.” MELAMINA nodded and wiped her tears.

The men exited the room and soon after, Zion church members made their way in and started singing. They prayed and then opened the scripture. Their pastor preached and a few women stood up and said their condolences to the royal family. They sang again and prayed before exiting the room. They were ushered to a tent outside where they were served refreshments.

Back in the mourning room, Melamina sat there, looking at the coffin which was now home for her little princess. She could not believe how they got here. She remembered a conversation she had with her mother earlier about how everything went down in the theatre room where she gave birth. She knew there was no foul play but her mind couldn’t help but wonder. She was thinking about a lot of things. Her mind was going crazy. She was brought back to the present moment by Sbo’s wife, Thembisile, touching her.

“Sis Futhy, your mother is asking that you eat something. They will be bringing in some muesli and amahewu. It is compulsory that you drink amahewu since you are breastfeeding.” Futhy nodded. Thembisile permanently moved to South Africa after she tied the knot with Sbo. She still accepted international roles, mostly from HBO and Prime shows. She also still starred in many English films and shows but she was based in South Africa now. She and Sbo welcomed their first son two years ago and the young fella was as troublesome as all two year olds and Mkhuseli made Thembisile swear that she was done with kids for now.

“Thank you, MaNkosi. For everything and for being here with me. And also you, MaMhlongo.” Futhy said starring at Thembisile and Zisanele. “I know this is a cursed place to be and it can bring bad omen, but thank you for your support. I know it’s still early but tomorrow I might not have the strength to thank you.”

Zisanele smiled shyly. She knew there were no hard feelings between her and Melamina, but she still felt a bit weird around the Queen even though Futhy made sure to welcome her with warm arms. “You are welcome, Ndlovukazi. And I am sure if the roles were reversed, you would have been here with us.”

“No I wouldn’t.” Futhy quickly said and they laughed. “My ancestors don’t like places like this. So they have forsaken me and I think I will be able to reconnect with them after I have cleansed. But I am kidding, I would be with you guys even if it means tuning the underground gang for a while.” Thembisile sent a text and a few minutes later, two maids came in with food. They placed a small table in front of MELAMINA and placed her food there. They also gave Thembisile and Zisanele food and they came back to give food to the other women in the room who were wives of Kuhle’s cousins and uncles.

“Aibo, I saw Mam MaDlomo showing Martha how to do idombolo the kitchen. Martha was so confused. She was like ‘why do I have to do this again when there are maids?’ but then she was reminded that during funerals here at home, only the wives handle the cooking. The family is most vulnerable in occasions like these. So it is easy for people to poison us. She was very spooked by that. You should have sent her reaction.” All the wives laughed while Futhy chuckled and ate her food.

Later in the evening, the Cele family and the Mkhize royal family arrived and they started in the mourning room to pay their condolences. When Futhy saw her grandmother, she just broke down. Grandma Cele sat next to her granddaughter and comforted her until she calmed down. They sang and prayed and then went to the where everyone was. Grandma Cele sat next to her and kept talking to her, hoping to distract her a bit.

Gcino walked in at night before the night vigil started. He was carrying artwork covered in a white cloth. He kneeled in front of his sister and Futhy looked at him. Everyone looked at him. He started speaking. “I know you never got pictures of the princes because it is not right to photograph a dead person unless you’re police. So I went to the morgue just to see her and asked mom or one of your baby pictures since Owenkosi looks like you. I drew something for you to display tomorrow and to always cherish. Hope it came out well.” He uncovered the A1 photo and Futhy gasped. She sat up and brushed her fingertips on the painting. She looked at her younger brother.

“Did you show it to Kuhle?” Gcino shook his head. “Please call him.” Gcino smiled and walked out. Futhy admired the picture. She couldn’t believe how Gcino was able to capture Owenkosi so well in this photo. Owenkosi had her eyes opened and she was sucking on her fingers which was the cutest thing Futhy had ever seen. Gcino came back with Kuhle who greeted everyone. “Can we please have the room?” she asked and the women left. Only she, Kuhle and Gcino were left with the body of Owenkosi. “Come Baba Ka girl.” Kuhle came and sat next to his wife. Gcino stood at the door and gave them privacy.

Kuhle was stunned by this work of art In front of him. He touched the photo and gasped. “It is like looking directly at her. My God.” Tears filled his eyes and he just let them fall. “This is the greatest gift anyone could ever give us.”
Futhy smiled and tears fell down her cheeks but she didn’t bother wiping them. “Gcino made it. I will cherish this photo till the day I die. It should be placed in the lounge. We should show the kids this photo.”

Kuhle sniffed and looked at his wife. “You are right.” He looked at Gcino. “Can you please call our kids with Sthulikazi?” Gcino nodded and walked out. Kuhle put an arm around his wife’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “I want a smaller size of this so that I can put it in my wallet.” He mumbled and Futhy smiled. Their kids walked in. “Come and see this.” They all went to the mattress. “This is your sister. She is now an angel and tomorrow she will be joining the ancestors world where she will be watching over you.” He showed them the photo.

“Ubhabha muhle. (The baby is beautiful.)” Milisuthando complimented, smiling at his parents.
“She looks like mom.” Londisizwe said and all the others agreed with him.
“She would have been such a head turner.” Zweli said and both his parents laughed. The little kids continued complimenting the picture.
Kuhlesibonge stood up and went to touch the casket. (Ulale kahle, Wena Ka Phunga noMageba. Ube idlozi elihle.” He said and they all looked at him.

***

There was a night vigil which end at 2 am and they told Futhy to go bath while her mothers bathed Owenkosi’s body and dressed her up in another outfit that Futhy gave them. When Futhy was done, she dressed up in all black with the mini blanket around her shoulders and went back to the mourning room. She found the casket still open and she walked slowly towards it. She stood in front of the casket and looked at her princess. She closed her eyes and said a mini prayer before going back to sit on her place.

After thirty minutes, close family members came to view the body and when they were done, they closed the casket and began singing the traditional hymns. They took the casket and walked out. Futhy and the other women walked out. They started at the throne room and said did a small ritual before heading to the ancestral hut. They burned incense and appeased the ancestors and then headed out. Then they walked slowly to the royal graveyard which was a five minutes walk. The women sat at the entrance with other men who aren’t blood related to the Zulu family while the royal members entered the graveyard.

An ambulance made its way to where the people were. The doctors came out of the ambulance with Sihlophekazi and Futhy cried when she saw her. Sbo came to take Sihlophekazi while Nqaba took Sivikelo. They both walked inside the graveyard and went to Owenkosi’s grave. They had taken Owenkosi’s body out of the casket and they were ow wrapping it with cow skin. They carefully tucked her in. Then they laid Sivikelo inside the grave. She wailed loudly before they removed her and placed Sihlophekazi inside who was napping peacefully. They removed her and then placed Owenkosi and started burying her. Both Sivikelo and Sihlophekazi cried as if they had been waiting for that specific time. The men continued shoving soil in the grave. When they were done, they placed a tombstone on top of the grave and they sat there singing and waited for the sun to rise before exiting the graveyard.

The immediate family members went to bath in the river and after that, they took Sihlophekazi back to the hospital. Having her out in the open like that was already a risk. They went back to the palace where they shaved Zweli, Mahle, Zobuhle, Manelisi, Londisizwe, Kuhlesibonge, Milisuthando and Nomandla’s hair. They then prepared themselves for the memorial service which was going to start at 9 am.
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Rest In Peace, Princess Owenkosi Kufeziwe Zulu.

If you lost an angel, I am sure she or he is watching over you and vouching for you. May you be comforted by that.