Lion of Soweto

Chapter 32

At 1:43 pm, Bandele gets off the bed with a throbbing head. He rubs his eyes and then touches his forehead, sniffing the competing fragrances oozing from waiting ladies. They should be about sixteen in total. Some of them have woken up three hours ago.

"Did you sleep?" Bandele asks Akida who towers above all.

"A little, boss."

Suppressed laughter spreads across the room from those who heard Akida snore. But each considers it not in her place to interfere between boss and subordinate.

The Soweto Lion casts a studied glance around the room, recalling names, places of meeting and the circumstances surrounding how he met each person: Lerato, Zama, Surya. Dineo, Letitia, Ngozi, Nadia, Angela, Bola, Nomfundo, Portia, Lucia, Cynthia, Nokia, Bridget and Maria. Chatters from ladies in the lobbyroom filter into the bedroom. Bandele's grin widens as he sits up.

"Akida! We did it."

"Yes, boss."

"Wooow!" The ladies yell and screech like midnight wolves on the prowl. Those in the lobbyroom take the screeching to new heights and that jolts up the few still slumbering.

"A massive party – the best in sixty years!" Surya says, clapping and swinging her head.

"Best in a hundred years." Dineo corrects her.

The praise prompts Bandele to count on his fingers how many people in Soweto can organise such a lavish party. Only about four or five. He's indeed a strong man who never wavers. A man who can do and undo. A king in the midst of minions. A saviour to the people of Soweto.

He jerks forward, pushing out of the bed. "Where is Molefi? He must come and say those things he used to say to me. That boy knows how to make my head swell."

Despite Molefi's absence, the businessman sees the need to praise himself, just like a lizard that jumps off a cliff only to start nodding in self-adulation. Bandele furrows his brows, places a hand on his chest and takes a long stare at the wall as he mutters with an effort. "Who feeds over five thousand people in the history of birthday parties in this country?" He rises to his feet. "For sure no one has done it before, ever!"

He, Bandele, fed and entertained guests till they swooned. People enjoyed themselves so much they couldn't ask for more. Ladies of all shades kowtow at his feet, some begging to be married. Yet he looks away as if they mean nothing. Who in Soweto can lavish half-a-million on a mere bash without going bankrupt? He alone, Bandele, can attempt such. How else will he prove that he's a moneymaker par excellence? A trend-setter. A trailblazer. A lion like no other.

His braggadocio shortens on recalling Rudo's jibe. Ordinary Rudo thinks he knows too much, just because he operates in the shipping sector? Why should getting a wife bother people so much? He can marry twenty women in one day and divorce them the week after if he so desires.

But looking at his situation more objectively, Rudo has a point. Very soon he, Bandele, will be forty at which time he's supposed to have children of his own. Despite Rudo's uncouth utterances, it was nice to see him and his family. His children are good-looking and healthy.

Looking back, at forty Sbu-de-Sergeant was already taking him to school. His rampaging libido is taking the better of him. How long will he continue to change ladies like a pack of cards? This castle is due for a queen. And around him are some of the choicest damsels in town. Why can't he just close his eyes and choose one?

Can he trust any of these gold-diggers as a partner? A wife? These who aren't ashamed to share his bed with others? These who stay back twenty-four hours after a birthday bash? These aren't the types that'll stay with one man. There's no way he'll select from this group.

"Ladies!"

"Yes, dear." Many choruses, amid other terms of endearments.

Bandele plods to the window. Eyes follow him around like students watching their teacher in a classroom. He won't give them money, and that's not because they're all buoyant in their own little way. He'll rather let them know they don't stand a chance with him.

Looking into the distance and narrowing his eyes, Bandele gnashes his teeth as if pained by the words he's about to utter. "All of you must leave and go home now." He says with a kind of resoluteness not known with him.

The ladies spring up almost in unison. This is a man who's always cheerful when in the midst of pretty faces. One who gives them money as if he has no use of it. Why will he now ask them to leave his house? Can it be the huge sum spent on his birthday?

They make for the door one after the other, wearing worry-free faces. There's no big deal missing out on the businessman. Being the one chosen would have been an icing on their cakes. They each had a good time partying here.

Nadia won't just dash away. "When you're back to your senses, you know where to find me." She slams the door to Akida's consternation.

Free-minded babes like Surya drop a casual line. "If you need my services again, please contact me." She sounds like someone who slept over for business reasons.

Dineo lingers a little longer. Perhaps she deserves special consideration for being the youngest. But Akida's scowl gets her on her feet.

Having initially thought Surya is her only rival, she doesn't stand a chance with these super-girls. How will a first-year university student compete with business executives acting humble here at the castle?

Besides, six of her friends didn't get to enter the mansion, despite all the promises she made to them at the university. Her padded shoulders take a plunge as she accepts Bandele for who he is – a womaniser. A lothario.

Dineo departs, whining.

Molefi, who's still going around the mansion, watches with slacking jaws as ladies exit the castle wearing long faces. He'll later find Pono at the garage sleeping on the floor.

"Pono!" Molefi slaps his colleague's legs. "Go and sleep inside the house."

Pono takes his snoozy eyes to the entrance door. But contrary to the innocent posturing he cuts, the lad was busy all night. He only sneaked into the compound around 8 am, opting for the garage area where no one will suspect his shady deals.

At night, Pono and his boys sold packets of sealed liquor and coca-cola to the local stores at give-away prices. His urchin friends sneaked into the castle, carting away wall frames, DSTV decoder, phones and kitchen utensils. Molefi would later show up to curtail their operation. They had to leave.

Bandele shoves aside the theft. In fact, to much acclaim about the standard of the party, he approves Molefi's report on the birthday, promptly making all outstanding payments and replacing stolen items. For the whole of Sunday, congratulatory messages pour in for Bandele and his aides. Those who missed the party express their regrets for not being part of the historic event.