A blue light placed centre stage swivels round and three shadowy figures run on stage making the sound of a helicopter. The three women huddle together centre stage continuing the sound of the helicopter. They focus on the light in fear, then split up and run in different directions, continuing the sound. SDUDLA runs upstage on the rostrum, MAMBHELE downstage right, MAMPOMPO downstage left. A dim light comes up on SDUDLA, who is standing upstage centre.

SDUDLA [speaking over the sound of the helicopter]: In the dead of the night there comes a plague bird …

MAMPOMPO: Hateful bird!

MAMBHELE: Ugly bird!

SDUDLA: … that runs above the location. The whistle blows, the people fear, mothers hush their children back to sleep, lock the doors. They creep, for that bird takes away our innocent sons and daughters. [During the speech the helicopter light fades.] At the heart of the location the bird lands. Quietness fills the whole location, weeping mothers protect their children as chickens protect their chicks from the hawk.

The sound of the helicopter breaks through and the women run around the stage looking for their children.

All is quiet.

SDUDLA [anguished]: Nyanisa, Nyanisa, Nyanisa, my child.

MAMBHELE: Titi, uphi? Titi, where are you?

MAMPOMPO: Mendo uphi na lo mntwana, Mendo uphi?

MAMBHELE: Hide, Titi. Come and hide, my child!

MAMPOMPO: Hide, Mendo. Hide, hide!

SDUDLA: Hide, Nyanisa, hide!

MAMPOMPO [a cry]: M-E-N-D-O!

SDUDLA: There was a full moon in the location. Knocking at the door was the man without pity. He took my child – when I gave birth to her I was happy for a moment when pains of labour arrived for I thought I was delivering a baby, but I wasn’t. It was a victim of oppression.

MAMPOMPO and MAMBHELE mime picking up stones to throw at the helicopter. The women begin to sing, pointing at the helicopter.

ALL: Le ntaka, Ndizal’ abantwana, Ndizal’ amakhosi Iya kufik’ ibatshabalalise.

Blackout.