Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Frontispiece
- Introduction
- Zakes Mda: A Director's View
- And the Girls in their Sunday Dresses
- THE FINAL DANCE: A script for a cinepoem
- BANNED: A play for radio
- Characters
- Scene One
- Scene Two
- Scene Three
- Scene Four
- Scene Five
- Scene Six
- Scene Seven
- Scene Eight
- Scene Nine
- Scene Ten
- Scene Eleven
- Scene Twelve
- Scene Thirteen
- JOYS OF WAR: A play
- Act One
- Act Two
Scene Six
from BANNED: A play for radio
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2019
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Frontispiece
- Introduction
- Zakes Mda: A Director's View
- And the Girls in their Sunday Dresses
- THE FINAL DANCE: A script for a cinepoem
- BANNED: A play for radio
- Characters
- Scene One
- Scene Two
- Scene Three
- Scene Four
- Scene Five
- Scene Six
- Scene Seven
- Scene Eight
- Scene Nine
- Scene Ten
- Scene Eleven
- Scene Twelve
- Scene Thirteen
- JOYS OF WAR: A play
- Act One
- Act Two
Summary
CYNTHIA: My little girl, she can't understand why everything has changed. Why her little friends are not allowed to play with her at home any more… Why I sit here at home all day long crocheting babies bootees. I have tried to explain to her, but how can she understand? How can anyone understand?
Last week her school presented a play and she was in it. But I was not there to share in her proudest moment. She couldn't understand why. Other mothers were there. I used to go with her to her school concerts. I used to accompany her to her friends’ homes to attend their birthday parties. I used to take her to the cinema, or to visit grandma in Orlando East. Now I can't do that any more.
[Pause]
Because the law won't allow it.
Next week she will be celebrating her ninth birthday.
She says she would like to have a party and invite all her friends. How do I tell her that a party in this house would be a risky business? I could end in jail.
All her friends have their parties at their own homes. I'll have to think of something. Maybe hold the party at a neighbour's house. And of course I can't be there myself to see her blow out her nine candles and make a wish. The law, you know. How can anyone understand?
The day after the battle with Mrs Van Wyk, I was late at work. There was excitement when I got into the office.
WOMAN: Cynthia, the boss wants to see you.
CYNTHIA: A few minutes late and the boss wants to see me?
WOMAN: Not about that. Something happened. And she looks real mad. Better go into her office at once.
SFX: A knock
MRS VAN WYK: Come in!
SFX: Footsteps coming on mic
MRS VAN WYK: Well, what do you have to say for yourself?
CYNTHIA: Nothing.
MRS VAN WYK: Nothing, eh? A man almost kills himself, and you say nothing.
CYNTHIA: Mrs Van Wyk, I don't know what you are talking about.
MRS VAN WYK: Was it not only yesterday that you were telling me you were not going to handle a certain Alexandra Township case?
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- And the Girls in their Sunday DressesFour Works, pp. 63 - 65Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 1993