Lion of Soweto

Chapter 41

Conscious that Bandele won't take it kindly should Mrs Malvin slip off his hands, Molefi won't leave anything to chance. He sets eyes on a visit to the University of Johannesburg to see how Sheline interacts with other students on campus. The visit will give him an idea of how she'll receive Bandele when he meets her on Sunday. Besides that, he'll pick a few hints about the lady's personality.

For once, Molefi poses like the owner of the Range Rover SUV while the driver steers the wheel. "This is an experimental visit," he says, beaming to the driver.

"Okay. Mr Bandele."

The men dissolve into laughter as they drive on. They arrive at the school exactly 12:25 pm on a Wednesday. After parking in the allotted space, they walk for twenty minutes to the Department of Journalism, Film and Television. Luckily, Sheline and her classmates just wrapped up the second lecture for the day. She's chatting with a group of ladies when Molefi beckons on her. "Hello."

Sheline doesn't recognise the face but still walks up to him. "Yes."

Now close with the young lady causing a ruckus in Bandele's castle, Molefi acknowledges Sheline's undeniable beauty. What a dark pretty girl with a peaceful persona! He notices the ring on her finger but waves it aside – Bandele doesn't care about such. "Have we met before?" Molefi observes the puzzle on her face. "I think I've seen you somewhere around Soweto."

"I'm not sure. I don't think we've met." Sheline sounds polite.

"Well, I just want to ask for the office of the faculty head."

She points towards a white building nearby. "Just over there."

"Thanks." Molefi turns around briskly, exiting the campus. The girl is soft-hearted, a friendly soul who won't snub a stranger, let alone a rich man cruising an expensive car.

He returns home fulfilled. His script is now complete. It's left for Bandele to act it out.

***

Sunday morning, Sheline leaves for church with Margaret and her kids, walking to the bus-stop waiting for a taxi that will take them to Jabulani.

"Can't we look for a Presbyterian church in Orlando here?" Sheline asks, frowning. Taking a taxi to a church fifteen kilometres away is becoming arduous. It's only half-past seven and the sun is already baring fangs. The situation is usually worse on their return when the sun shines at full blast while they await a taxi to bring them home.

"Many of my old friends go to Jabulani. And I like our pastor's lively sermons."

"Oh." Sheline touches her forehead to see if sweat is gathering.

Unbeknown to them, Pono's informants are around sending messages to the castle, providing vivid descriptions of the churchgoers' attires and shoes.

***

Sunday morning at the Polemann Castle, Molefi places gift packages on the back seat of a Toyota ForeRunner SUV. He then puts his boss on alert that Sheline has left for church. Bandele got up earlier than usual and is ready to attend the same service. He's been singing 'Hosanna in the Heavens' all morning in a manner Pono and Akida find amusing.

"Don't forget our agreement around midday." Molefi reminds the Marshal at Jabulani taxi rank, having paid them yesterday for which they screamed in joy. He has no doubt they'll do the needful.

Decked in a pink suit and a black bow tie, Dapper-looking Bandele hops into the ForeRunner at half-past eleven, his perfume challenges the car spray. The number of people he'll bring back to Orlando informs the choice of the vehicle. "You're not going with me?"