DECEMBER
Filemon Liyambo - Namibia
About the author:
Filemon Liyambo is a Namibian writer and former newspaper columnist for the
Namibian Sun Newspaper. He has also contributed social commentary articles for
the New Era Newspaper. A qualified geologist, he is now an educator. His work was
included in Erotic Africa, an anthology of short stories published by Brittle Paper in
December 2018. He is currently working on a novel.
Episodes / sub-episodes
1. September's arrival from the U.K. (p84 — 86).
2. December's psychiatric condition. (p86 - 88).
3. Ezekiel Shikongo's dreams and taboos. (p85 - 90).
SYNOPSIS
December is a story about a girl named December, unconventionally, by her father,
Silas Shikongo. The story is set in a town in Namibia.
December has a younger brother named September. According to their
grandfather, Ezekiel, there are traces of idiotism in September, his grandson, for he
takes after his youngest brother, Josef.
December nurses September when he is young, but there is a mishap in which she
injures the boy accidentally with hoe, and the boy bleeds. Flhe old man then forbids
her to eat chicken, saying that is how things are. September suspects that his
grandfather is hiding something because he cannot explain the reason clearly.
However, the two siblings are academic geniuses.
Suddenly, just before joining a Teachers Training College, December develops a
psychiatric condition and her grandfather, Ezekiel, insists that she is bewitched and
there are dark forces behind it. He takes her to the hospital and dumps her there.
September, who now studies in the U.K., visits his sister at the hospital, but the
nurse intercepts him for being late. However, Tshuuveni, a supervisor, and a familiar
face appears and begins talking with him. This light chat makes the nurse calm, and
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the guards are sent away to allow him some time. The nurse softens when she
learns that September is December's brother who studies abroad.
September finds his sister in a horrible condition, but they have a warm moment,
and he hands her the gifts: a jersey, a pen and a book full of puzzles, a t-shirt, and
yummy chips from KFC.
Meanwhile, Tatekulu, their grandfather Ezekiel, has dreamed of a pond where
leopards drink and Josef is seated on the edge, eating. A search party is sent, and
Josef is found at the exact place in Ezekiel's dream.
The next day, September buries his grandfather, with his secret, next to his father in
the village graveyard.
Questions for reflection on 'Title' of the story and themes
1) How relevant is the title of the story, December?
2) Does the Naming convention of Silas Shikongo affect his children?
3) Why do you think Ezekiel refuses to tell why he forbids his granddaughter to
eat chicken?
4) Do you think Josef gets lost? Explain.
5) What does the Union jack symbolize in the story, December?
6) Explore and analyze the following themes in December.
i. Mental illness and child neglect
ii. Superstitious beliefs and taboos
iii. Healthy living, eating
iv. Hope/optimism
Thematic concerns
+ Consequences of superstition on mental illness
o December, the story's title, is also the central character's name. The name is
given to her by her father against his own father's wishes, who calls it
idiotism. Conventional or not, this naming creates confusion and distortion
of facts simultaneously. (p85- 86).
o The story itself is mixed with a patched-up plot which renders the storyline
unclear. The plot is not linear. Like in most Namibian, there was indifference
towards those who didn't reside there. Sticking out was a serious crime: (p84
- 90).
o When Ezekiel Shikongo faces death and illness, anxiety, fear, and despair
creep in, engendering adherence to delusions that have no logical or
scientific explanation and lead to superstitious behaviours caused by a false
notion of the causes. (p84 - 90).
o It is rooted in human ignorance and significantly affects people's culture and
health, prevents them from beginning restoration, and harms individuals
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and society. The mundane illogical beliefs derived from ignorance cannot be
proven objectively and scientifically. Ezekiel forbids December to eat
chicken due to the mishap. (p85 89).
o The extended family of Ezekiel grapples with hereditary ill patients (Josef and
December), and the old man blames their mental illness on superstitious
thoughts such as "evil eye" or "dark forces."
o This pandemonium is created by Silas, December's father, to show his
divergent opinion and disbelief in his father's taboos. (p85).
o Their disagreement, therefore, gets complicated when December is born in
September and September in July. Then when September returns from
abroad, his grandfather dies in October. (p86).
o Ezekiel refers to the naming as 'idiotism', and indeed his younger brother
Josef exhibits traces of the problem when he starts to lose track of time in
his teens; days of the week are a blur to him. The fact that September is
absent-minded at times complicates the matter more. (p84 - 86).
o Ezekiel's superstitious belief could be premised on an archaic generational
and cultural illusion that other forces cause problems. (p86).
o Josef eventually loses himself. He is lost for a month. In his dreams, Ezekiel
tells where exactly to find him but does not say what he is eating until he
exits the life stage. Ezekiel's death signifies the end of the old traditions and
the beginning of civilization. (p89).
o When September breaks the news to his grandfather that he will study
abroad two and a half years earlier, Ezekiel is happy. September had cried.
"My sister..." (p88).
o The old man reassured him. "I will take care of her." "She's been at the
hospital for six months. (p88).
o Superstition makes him believe that mental illness is caused by other forces
not normal or conventional in nature. He takes her to a traditional healer,
and she comes back looking skeletal as if the healer had tried starving out
the voices in her head. (p88).
o Ezekiel represents intensely superstitious African people who turn to
indigenous treatments such as charms and witchdoctors to treat their
illnesses. Modern technologies have not been able to reduce their
superstitious tendencies. (p88)
o "There is no brother listed in her file," the nurse said. "Only a grandfather."
This is child neglect. (p88).
o Superstitious thinking becomes harmful when it enters the health domain,
affects people's well-being, and becomes part of the family's health beliefs.
The values that society believes affect the quality of life and treatment choice
during illness. Ezekiel's beliefs affect all family members. (p84 - 90).
o
Hope/optimism
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• Their life of hope begins when September arrives at the hospital from the U.K.
December, who is at the hospital probably being discharged to start her life free of
her grandfather's superstitious interference. (p87).
Remember when September comes from Europe, he brings December a T-shirt with
an imprint of the Union Jack, representing modernity or a form of enlightenment.
But still, this is confusion on ideologies: between
colonialism and civilization.
• The T-shirt is precisely the same as the one December had ripped up all those
years before to stem September's bleeding. This implies that her ordinary life is
restored by her brother's hope and concern for her well-being. (p89).
• The two reminisce their puberty days when September got himself a puppy named
Kali to keep off boys who pursued December when she was younger. Tshuuveni
enquires whether September is bringing home an oshitenya from overseas, but he
says he still hasn't found the right girl. (p87).
Professional medical practice should be relied on to guarantee the quality of life,
control and treatment of diseases, and complications is not a secret to anyone.
The medical fraternity should fight these superstitious thoughts to lower their
adverse consequences. will bring hope. Hope is also symbolized when it rains after
Ezekiel Shikongo's burial. Then Josef is also found. (p89, 90).
CHARACTERS
1. Citing evidence from the text, describe the character traits
of the following characters.
a) December
b) September
c) Ezekiel Shikongo
d) Silas Shikongo
Style and Language use
1. What does the coming of September from Europe and the dying of Ezekiel in
October symbolize?
2. How is sarcasm employed in Filemon Liyambo's December?
3. Examine the use of irony and paradox December.
BOYI
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Gloria Mwaninga- Kenya
Gloria Mwaninga is a fictional writer from Kenya. Her story
'Boyi' captures the occurrences of the 2005 land war in Mt. Elgon.
points to guide interpretation
a) Land war and its effects:
b) Demand for land protection fee
c) Recruitment of young men into the militia
d) Murder/ killing of people- consider how the militia kills
e) people while the government forces the killing of militia members.
f) People are forced to flee their homes/ Displacement of people
g) Betrayal
h) The pain and suffering that the people face due to war and the rise of the
militia.
i) Traditions
Title
The title of the story- 'Boyi' is borrowed from the main character's name, who is the
brother to the narrator. Boyi is recruited into a militia group and ends up dead when
the Armed Forces troops come to flash out members of the militia.
CHARACTERS
a. Boyi
He is the brother of the narrator- A fifteen-year-old boy recruited into a militia group
when his parents are unable to pay the land protection fee and the betray fee that
the leader of the militia demands.
He grows and rises in rank to become the right-hand man of Matwa Kei, the militia's
leader.
He is presented as a jovial, sociable, and outgoing person who always engaged in
games and played tricks with his sister.
He is reportedly killed by Armed Forces troops sent by the government to flash out
the militia to end the war.
b. The Narrator
Boyi's sister, through whom the story is told, is keen and observant as she can note
the things that happen in her family and even outside the family and report them in
the story. She had a close relationship with Boyi thus is greatly affected by his
recruitment to the militia and devastated once she learns of his death.
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She senses Boyi's death when the huge Nandi flame tree at the front of their house
falls.
c. Baba
He is the father to Boyi and the narrator. He aided the government representative,
who gave land to strangers by giving him a panga and makonge ropes, thus being
considered a traitor by the militia.
He hands over his fifteen-year-old son- Boyi, to the militia group leader when he is
unable to raise the 40,000 fees demanded from him.
d. Mama
she is the mother to Boyi and the narrator, and the wife to Baba. She is deeply
affected when Boni is handed over to the militia by Baba.
she remains hopeful that Boyi will escape the militia and come back home.
e. Matwa Kei
He is the leader of the militia group. He is presented as a ruthless, vengeful and
brutal person who demands that Baba should pay 10,000 land protection tax and
30,000 betrayal tax failure to which the militia would show Baba smoke without
fire.
f. Chesober
He is Baba's friend who taught at Chepkurkur Primary School.
He delivers news that the militia had a long list of people who had aided the
government exercise to divide the people's land to strangers.
g. Chesaina
He is an old friend of Baba who works as a watchman in a grain depot, far away in
Chwele market. He brings news to Baba,s family that Boyi was now a marked man
since he was Matwa Kei's, right-hand man.
h. Simoni
He delivers a copy of the Nation newspaper, which contains news about Boyi's
death.
SYNOPSIS
Gloria Mwaninga's story, 'Boyi', is a contemporary story about forming a militia
group to revolt against land allocation to strangers. The story heavily alludes to the
Mt. Elgon land war in Kenya that began in 2005. The Sabaot Land Defence Force
militia group was formed to protect the land of the Sabaots from being invaded by
strangers. Still, the militia ended up causing harm and suffering to its people. real
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group was led by Wycliffe Matakwei hence the name of the militia leader in the
story- Matwa Kei.
Told in the first-person narration voice, the story 'Boyi' opens with the narrator
remembering how their Baba pushed Boyi to the Matwa Kei when the militia leader
came to demand 40,000 land protection tax and betrayal tax which he could not
raise.
Matwa Kei is the leader of a militia group formed to protect the people's land when
the government decides to divide the peoples' land and give some of it to
strangers. Baba, the writer's father, is considered a traitor by the militia since he
lends the government's surveyor apanga and makonge ropes.
News breaks out that the militia has begun attacking government representatives.
The narrator's family lives in fear of this attack to the extent that they block the
sitting-room door with sacks of maise and beans. The narrator and Boyi laugh about
it as they feel that the militia would not harm them. However, the narrator recalls
how the militia came to their home and demanded money. Baba offers to give them
everything he owns; his savings, a hunting gun, Sony transistor radio and even
promises to sell his bull to save his family. However, the militia group declines,
forcing Baba to hand over his son, Boyi, to the militia.
After Boyi is taken away, Mama starts behaving like a mad person. She, however,
lives in the hope that Boyi would return by escaping from the militia. The narrator
recalls how at first, neighbours would visit them often to console them, but later
they stopped coming.
Later, Saulo visits the family to inform them the government had launched
"Operation okoa Maisha" and had dispatched a troop of two hundred armed forces
men to flash out the militia. next day, Baba and his cousin Kimutai dig a shallow
grave at the back of the house to burry a banana stem wrapped in a green cotton
sheet believing that his son is dead. Mama refuses to participate in escorting Boyi's
spirit away.
Seasons passed as the brutality of the militia rose. They would cut up people and
throw the bloodied bodies in the rivers, pit latrines, and public wells. They would
forcibly recruit boys as young as ten years and even started taking girls to go and
cook for them. Cases of rape also increased. As a result, people lived in fear making
many of them run away to Bungoma and Uganda.
After the army troops arrive, Chesaina, an old friend of delivers news that Boyi had
become a marked man since he was Matwa Kei's, right-hand man. news further
devastates Mama and the narrator, who spends the night in Boyi's bed.
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The following day, Simon visits the narrator's house. He delivers the Nation
Newspaper, which bore the news "Ragtag militia leader killed by the Army forces" It
now dawns on the narrator that her brother is no more.
She rushes to the parents' bedroom and hands over the newspaper to Baba to read.
Upon reading the news, Baba crumples to the floor while Mama's laughter is heard
piercing the morning dawn. Surprisingly, even after Simoni's description of how
Boyi was thrown out of an aircraft by Sah-gent, Mama does not weep but speaks
Boyi's name softly as she sits on his bed while Boyi's sister lets tear roll down her
face. As the story ends, the narrator explains how she sensed Boyi's death when the
Nandi flame tree at the front of their house fell.
Styles and Plot related questions
1. How has the narrator used flashbacks in the story?
2. Briefly describe Mama's behaviour after:
a) Boyi is handed over to Matwa Kei
b) Baba and his cousin Kimutai dig a grave to bury a banana stem
c) Chesaina's news that Boyi was a marked man
d) News about Boyi's death.
3. What is the implication of the dream used in the story?
4. The narrator gives a detailed description of what happens when the long rains
fall (pg 94). Explain how symbolic the description is.
5. Explain the use of irony in the story.
EPISODIC ANALYSIS OF ISSUES
Episodes
l. The demand of the Militia- pg 91-92
ll. Life after Boyi left- pg 92-93
Ill. Operation Okoa Maisha pg 93-96
IV. Boyi's death pg 96- 97
Thematic Concerns
Traditions
Belief in Djinnis- The community in the story believes in the presence of powerful
evil spirits known as Djinni. This is seen when Mama talks to the visitors who
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frequent their home once Boyi is taken away. She tells them, 'How Boyi saved her
marriage by confirming that Djinnis did not tie up her womb.' Pg 93.
The people also practice the ritual of burying a banana stem to send death away
where a person disappears and their bodies are not found. The narrator reports
how Baba and his cousin Kimutai dug a shallow grave and buried a banana stem
wrapped in a green cotton sheet. The father muttered, "Death, take this body. ..
Take it, and do not bother my home with your visits again." Pg. 93 This ritual is
performed after Saulo's story that the government has launched Operation Okoa
Maisha, where armed Forces troops are sent to flush out militia members. It shows
the fear of the people that the operation will lead to more deaths.
The people are also seen to hold on to some superstitions. The falling of the huge
Nandi flame signifies something significant was bound to happen. The narrator sees
this as a bad omen while the mother thinks it means the end of evils for her family 'I
knew it was a bad omen even though Mama came out of her room jubilantly
declared that the evil which was to come to our house had been struck down and
swallowed by the Nandi flame, pg 96.
Land War And Its Effect
The story is rooted in a revolt resulting from the government dividing land and
giving it to strangers. Ihe revolt leads to forming a militia group to counter-attack
the governments' decision and fight those who collaborate with the government.
The militia has various effects:
They demanded the land protection tax. They had chopped off the heads of the
families if one did not give them money (pg.92).
The recruitment of young men to the militia. Boyi is recruited by force to the militia
because Baba has given him out since he cannot afford to pay the money
demanded: "Hold on to the boy until I find you forty thousand land protection tax,
and then I will have him back" (pg. 91).
So many other young men had been recruited into the militia. Mama says, "Had his
ears not caught stones of neighbour's son recruited by the militia?" (pg.92). The
militia goes from house to house, forcefully recruiting boys as young as ten years
page 95.
People living in fear- The villages of Kopsiro, Savomet, Chepkyuk all live in fear ..a
thick yellow fog of fear over them." (pg. 95)
People fail to work
Farmers did not clear their shambas for the second planting of the maize crop
because the militia stole young crops from the fields and goats from their pens (pg.
95).
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The narrator's friend, Chemutai, said that the narrator's breast grew too fast
because she had spent too much time outside ....... instead of working chap chap
like a normal musaa tree girl (pg.95)
Murder/brutal killings
The militia cut up people and threw their bloodied bodies in rivers, pits, latrines,
and public wells (pg. 92). The people say that they even cut off their necks.
The narrator overhears Baba being told that those recruited have to go back home
and kill a close relative so that their hearts are strong to kill others (pg. 95) Boyi is
killed for being part of the militia (pg. 96-97).
Displacement of people from their land and homes
"People flee from their homes since there is a mass exodus to Bungoma and
Uganda' page 95
Lack of schooling
The narrator says nobody went to school anymore because of the war. She spends
her days under the Nandi flame tree with half-closed eyes (pg. 95)
Suffering
The writer points out clearly how society goes through suffering as a result of the
war:
Mama experiences emotional suffering when Baba gives out Boyi to the militia to
be recruited since the family could not afford the forty thousand land protection
fee. The writer says that madness had entered
Mama's eyes the day baba pushed Boyi to Mativa Kei. She tore off her kitenge and
started shouting at Baba, telling him that he was sick in the head if he thought Boyi
would return (pg. 91).
Mama did not eat her food and starved in the days that followed, muttering to
herself. Her ugali would remain untouched until a gusty brown film formed. The
narrator had to throw it away to the chicken coop. She also continued engaging
herself in monologues (pg. 94).
The narrator also experiences pain and suffering. She felt queasy once Baba
informed them that the militia would have killed them for not giving out the forty
thousand land protection tax. The narrator felt as if someone had pulled her insides
out through her nostrils.' (pg. 92).
When they were informed of Boyi's death, she cried bitterly. She let the tears roll
down her face and soak her blue silk blouse and purple boob top (pg. 97)
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Baba suffers when forced to hand over his son Boyi to the militia. He experiences
agony when Mama questions him since he knew very well if he didn't, he risked his
family being killed by the militia. 'He sat there and held his rage firmly with his
hands. He pulled his lips to a narrow thread like a line drawn on his dark face by a
ruler.' (pg. 92)
When they are informed that Boyi is a marked man, Baba goes through some
emotional torture. For the first time, the narrator saw her father crying "That day I
saw Baba's tears..." (pg. 96)
The community undergoes suffering because of the war as some of the people are
brutally murdered the militia cut the people and threw their bloodied bodies in
rivers, pit latrines and public wells' (pg. 96).
Some of the militia are said to kill close relatives so that their hearts are strong to
kill others. The militia forgets its initial objective of protecting the land. Instead,
"Now they even cut off our necks" (pg. 95)
The militia also rapes their blood relatives who give birth to babies (pg.
Betrayal
The writer points out how some people betray others in society. Baba betrays his
community by assisting the government representative with a panga and makonge
ropes when the government divides the people's land and gives it to some
strangers (pg. 92).
The militia betrays the community it was meant to fight for by meting out evil on the
people whose land they are fighting. The narrator overhears their neighbour Koros
telling her father
"They forgot that they were to protect our land from being given to those lazy
strangers. Now they even cut off our necks" (pg. 95)
The government betrays its people by dividing their land and giving it to strangers
leading to the formation of the militia.
Questions
1. War leads to suffering. Using illustrations from the story show the validity of this
statement.
2. How effectively is Imagery used in the story?
3. Describe the role of Baba inthe Story;
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CHEQUE MATE
Kevin Baldeosingh - Trinidad
About the author:
Kevin Baldeosingh was born in1963 in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad. He is a
newspaper columnist, author, and Humanist involved in many controversial social
issues. He has worked with the Trinidad Express, Newsday and the Trinidad
Guardian. He worked for 25 years in the field of journalism.
Episodes /sub-episodes
1. At the bank, with the teller.
2. Back to her apartment.
3. At the company office, with Randall.
SYNOPSIS
Cheque Mate is a story about Sukiya (Ms Chansing), a poor damsel from Penal, the
Caribbean island of Trinidad, and her boss, Randall A Credo, of the Amerindian
tribe. She is on the platinum credit cards queue and intends to deposit thirty million
dollars (five million U.S. dollars), but there is a mistake that throws her into panic
and dilemma.
Sukiya is an executive corporate secretary recently promoted, and her salary raised
tenfold. Fifty thousand dollars go into her savings account each month-end, but the
money does not show her actual income. She avoids the bank manager, for she has
accumulated more and more, and her deposits are pretty frequent and high. Mr
Randall makes these five million cheque payments for fear of cleaning by offshore
accounts hacker’s syndicate. The teller advises her to open a U.S. savings account
and return the following day.
As she drives her posh car back to her apartment, she is Obsessed with the five
million dollars but pleased and relieved that she has successfully handled an
awkward situation. She has to check her private records before seeing her boss,
Randall. She weighs all possibilities of legal investigations, discovery and
embarrassment but finally convinces and assures herself there is no cause for
worry. She romanticizes what she could do with such vast sums of money,
especially her residential abode.
Randall has her as a corporate secretary who draws up contracts, studies
conveyances and writes legal opinions. However, her critical role, for which she is
handsomely paid, is to create loopholes in such documents, including the sale of
the methanol company to the Chinese government. Randall is also a major
campaign contributor. Thriving in such an environment, the poor girl suddenly
turned prosperous, is delighted that she has accumulated a lot.
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After confirming that the sums and dates on the cheques are correct, she goes to
see Randall for an explanation. Then the truth about the trick unfolds: the money is
a fee for keeping her mouth shut on the Chinese methanol deal which Sukiya
undervalues the shares by 50 percent. At a time when technology can be used to
conceal fraudulent secrets in cryptographical codes, it now dawns on Randall that it
can also be used to reveal them. It is a fraud Sukiya has to deal with herself or
together with her cheque mate, Randall, thanks to her cyberspace technology skills.
Title of the story
1. How relevant is the title of the story, Cheque Mate
2. Who are the cheque mates in the story?
3. Why are cheques preferred as their payment modes?
4. How do the cheque mates exploit contracts' complexity and detailed nature to
commit fraud?
5. Explore and analyze the existence of the following themes:
a. Corruption / Fraud/ bribery
b. Deceit and Betrayal
c. Loyalty cheques
Thematic Concerns
Corruption / Fraud/ bribery
The banks and government will surely unravel and nab the cartel's underhand deals
in cryptocurrency camouflaged in the cheque deposits and contracts. (p108).
The first eyebrows are raised when the bank teller repeats the question, "Ms
Chansing,? Do you want the 'thirty million dollars' deposited in your savings account
or would you prefer to open a U.S. dollar account?" (p98).
The official deductible salary standard for top executives does not show in her
actual income through platinum credit cards.
Sukiya has accumulated over ten thousand dollars, an amount she deposits five
times every month. (p99). She avoids encounters with bank managers for a bank
manager might wonder how a fifty-thousand-a-month salary becomes seven million
dollars in savings within six years. He would know enough to make some educated
guesses. (p99).
The bank teller reminds Ms Chansing that the cheque is for five million dollars, U.S.
equivalent to 30,242,000 Trinidad and Tobago dollars. (p99).
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She is responsible for moving vast sums through various channels when the oil and
gas boom starts and money flows into the company. Sukiya will need to provide the
source of funds, of course. (p101).
Randall had watched too many movies where unrealistically cunning criminals
cleaned out businessmen's offshore accounts by hacking into them. (p100).
Ironically, when Sukiya, a lawyer, is hired as a corporate secretary to detect and
close financial loopholes in documents, she gets paid the largest cheques for
creating such loopholes. (p103).
The five million cheques she gets she assumes is her fee for having drawn up for the
sale of the methanol plant by Randall. It could be a surprise bonus. But now,
according to Randall, it is her fee for keeping her mouth shut during that deal. (p101
— 107).
Then the truth about the trick unfolds: the money is a fee for keeping her mouth shut
on the Chinese methanol deal which Sukiya undervalues the shares by 50 percent.
(p107, 109).
• It is a deal that the Chinese considered protocol even with the bribe. (p103).
• It is clear that the frauds committed, both inadvertent and deliberate, are
rewarding, but eventually, the perpetrators will have to pay dearly.
She is almost at the point of betraying herself, insinuating in her mind her readiness
to offer herself unto Randall, for he is a man. Sukiya wants every advantage if the
meeting turns into a negotiation. (p105).
Deceit and betrayal
Eventually, Ms comes to terms with the reality that all this time she has worked for
the company under Mr Randall A Credo was a disguised syndicate for which she will
face the force of the law.
When investigations are done, she will have to defend herself as to how she has
accumulated all this wealth over a very short period since she started working as a
poor young girl from Penal. Now she swims in opulence, affluence and
prosperously apparently does not need money as millions of dollars accumulate in
a desk drawer. (p104 - 105).
When she examines the cheques, the sums and dates are all right, signed by
Randall and countersigned by herself. (p105).
She could put various clauses into contracts to achieve certain ends or prevent the
other party from attaining certain ends. (p106).
However, she has been duped and used as a conduit for Randall's fraudulent deals.
Ihrough the valuation report, Sukiya signs the document without reading it properly
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or because Randall tells her to do so. Further, Randall himself forges his signature
using Sukiya's pen. This form of deceit and betrayal sharply undercuts her. (p107 --
108).
Margaret, Randall's executive assistant, is paid more than most managers in the
company's subsidiaries. She knows more about Randall's dealings than anyone else
in the company, including Sukiya. (p106).
Loyalty cheques
It seems everything throughout the story is conducted in terms of cheques. Asked
about the cheques' amounts, the figure runs automatically through her head. (p101).
Sukiya has to fly from Trinidad to Grand Cayman to deposit cheques to her account
every two months. (p 104). She keeps both her Us and T. T. cheques in the same
drawer, which is how the mix-up occurs. (p105).
CHARACTERS
Citing evidence from the text, describe the character traits of the following
characters.
a) Sukiya
b) Randall
STYLE AND LANGUAGE USE
l. How is sarcasm employed in Cheque Mate?
2. How symbolic is the title, and how does the duo execute their corrupt syndicate?
3. How is dialogue used to achieve revelation of the rotten ills of the cheque mates?
4. Why should corruption be made unattractive to perpetrators?
Sample answered essay Questions
Question 1:
Ninema is an admirable character. Support this from Vrenika Pather's 'Ninema'
20marks.
Ninema is an outstanding character who is liked by many of the people she
associates with. We see many good traits that she portrays in the story "Ninema".
To start with, Ninema is presented as a principled person. She does not let the
behaviours and traits of others change what she believes in. Her business manner is
unique only to her, and she does not change it to fit or be like others. Although she
was one of the traders, something about her was different.
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She ran her business with an iron fist which made some people like her while others
disliked her, -Tie people's reactions do not affect her as she remains herself. 'The
ladies in the stalls admire _her mainly because they had gotten compromised at
work and home.
In addition, Ninema is admirable since she is organised. She plans her work early
enough, making it easy to run her business.
She wakes up early in the morning to reap the herbs that she takes to the market for
the day. She organises her herbs in an appetising way, which draws many
customers to here She does not chat with other ladies aimlessly, which would waste
her time. She plans to ensure the stall is organised before she takes her breakfast.
Once her stall is ready and only when ready, she takes sips ofthe tea she had
brought. Her meals are packed early in the morning, which points to this organised
personality. She packs tea and some sandwiches that she takes for lunch.
Nlnemaås also admirable since she is skilful wise, She handles different customers
masterfully, thus making her earn their loyalty. She can handle Mr Chinran,
infatuated with her, by treating him with respect and appreciation instead of
encouraging his infatuation. She also handles Mrs Singh firmly but respectively,
thus winning her even though Mrs Singh is difficult and troublesome. Ninema's
ability to entice a new customer by offering an extra bunch of mint for free shows
that she is skilful in business, thus making her admirable as a trader.
Lastly, Ninema is seen to be courageous, making her admirable. When a man
sexually harasses her, she does not let him go scot- free. She follows the man who
pinches her erect nipple and hits him with the only weapon at hand — her Chumpal,
which makes the man too astounded to react. The other women hawker jeer and
cheer as Ninema repeatedly hits the man. She even gives him extra hits on behalf of
all the women, thus depicting her as the fighter of her rights and those for others.
By following the man and hitting him with her sandal, Ninema shows her courage.
From the story, Ninema is genuinely seen to be admirable due to her courageous,
skilful, organised and moral nature.
Question 2
When one is given power, he/she should use it onlyforgood but more often
than not people use it for wrongpurposes. Support this statement basing your
argument from Naguib Mahfouz's 'A Man of Awesome Power'
Many people who are in powerful positions or who have been gifted with some sort
of power tend to abuse it. Instead of utilizing it for improvement of the society at
large, they use it for their own selfish interests or to punish those that have
wronged them. same scenario is seen in 'A Man of Awesome Power through a
number of illustrations.
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We see Tayyib al- Mahdi utilizing the power given to him for revenge. This is not a
good a way of power utilization as it causes harm to others. Tayyib realizes that he
has power to order things to be and he sets out to utilize the power to change' his
country. However, the first episode where he utilizes this power shows that he is
utilizing it to hit back at a person who offends him. The driver of the taxi that he
hails suffers his wrath for refusing to stop. When Tayyib is on his way to the heart of
the town, he hails a taxi but the driver simply waves a hand at him in haughty
refuses. Tayyib's irritation makes him stare at the rear wheels of the taxi and the
two explode suddenly.
He ignores the voice that reminds him that he should only use his power for good
and lets his anger control him. This act of revenge was deliberate since as Tayyib
bypasses the driver he feels that he has taught the man a lesson. By utilizing his
power to hit back at the taxi driver, Tayyib shows that people with power use it for
wrong purposes.
We further see wrong utilization of power where Tayyib causes the man in the bus
to suffer stomach pains. Although the man had physically attacked a woman,
causing him to suffer stomach cramps not justified. Tayyib encounters a
confrontation between the man and a woman in a public bus and the man ends up
slapping the woman. Just like the incident with the taxi driver, Tayyib lets his anger
control him where he focused it on the man's stomach and immediately the man
suffers severe cramps that cause him to moan and scream in pain. The pain is so
intense that an ambulance had to be called to fetch him•
Allowing his anger to control him and causing pain to the man who had slapped a
woman is a vengeful act which is wrong thus showing how people with power use it
for wrong purposes.
Beside, Tayyib uses the power bestowed on him to interfere with the radio
presentation by causing the presenter to start sneezing. While seated in the café, he
hears a radio announcer expounding on the developments that were to be
expected in the future. Tayyib feels that the announcer should report on what has
been achieved yet instead of giving false hopes to the people. Tayyib thus decides
to cause some sneezing to attack the announcer since it was the only way to stop
him.
Soon after, the announcer develops massive sneezes that prevent him from
carrying on with the presentation. Tayyib feels happy and victorious after the
unexpected conclusion of the announcement. Although his desire is to purify the
broadcasting sector, the approach of causing massive sneezing to the presenter is
harmful and thus wrong.
Lastly, Tayyib is seen to use the power given to him to satisfy his sexual passion and
desires. Tayyib utilizes the power to make a woman that he is attracted to notice
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him. While he is seated at the tea garden planning how to effectively use his power,
Tayyib notices a beautiful woman approaching the entrance of the garden. The
woman does not notice him at first and Tayyib thinks of how through his powers he
can cause her to be head -over-heels with him. He then sends her a hidden message
and she responds to him. He sees nothing wrong with satisfying his desires as a
way of repairing himself. He closes his note book and they surrender to fate, This is
an immoral act since Tayyib is married to Haniya whom he had remained faithful to
throughout their marriage.
People gifted with power should strive to use it only for good purposes and not to
cause pain and suffering to others or for immoral deeds like Tayyib did.
Question 3
Some cultural practices do not add value hence should be done away with.
Show the truthfulness of this assertion basing on Eric Ng'maryo's 'Ivory
Bangles'. (20 marks)
Culture keeps people together and governs their way of life thus is important.
However, there are some traditions that are of no benefit and in some cases such
traditions cause harm to people who continue to embrace them as is the case in
Ivory Bangles]
For this reason, such traditions should be discarded. Polygamy is one such cultural
practice that has continued to be embraced yet it has no value. We realize that the
community in the story holds in high esteem this practice. As such, a man who does
not ascribe to it is seen to be a topic of discussion:
This comes out clear where the old man who is a respected Chief's councillor is
talked about because he had only one wife. According to the story, it was unheard-
of for someone as powerful as the old man- a small chief, to have only one wife,
However, this value is seen to have no value since the old man is happy in his
marriage and he really loves his wife to the extent that he gifted her twenty-four
ivory bangle Besides, the riddle used by old man when responding to the Chief's
demand that he marries another wife shows that polygamy causes harm. The
riddle's interpretation A wife, a co-wife, witchcraft and death points to the harmful
effects of the practice. As such, polygamy
should be abolished as it causes harm and adds no value. Another cultural value
that has no value is believe in the seer and the act of seeking his guidance. The old
man goes to seek the advice of the seer after noticing some blood specks in the live
at he goat that he slaughtered, He does this since his people, believed in him as
their tribal seer and their priest. We also see how valued he is when the old man's
wife dismisses his demands. The old man harshly rebukes her telling her that the
seer is the mouthpiece of their departed fathers, we however {see that this belief
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does not add value since some of the advices given are bound to cause harm. The
advice given to the old man by the seer supports this as the seer tells him ‘That the
pebbles demand that he beats his wife and send her back to her father's home.
According to the seer, the pebbles are jealous of a happy wife- a woman
unmolested by her husband. This shows that this believe in the seer is of no benefit
but rather causes harm.
The superstitious belief that having blood specks in a goat's liver is a sign of
something bad about to happen does not add any value, Tris is not based on any
proven basis but is just a traditional belief. The old man goes to consult the seer
since he had noted some blood specks in the liver of the goat he had slaughtered.
The belief is so strong that the man does not agree with the wife's dismissal of the
seer's demands. According to the wife, the seer was hitting back at her for turning
down his marriage proposal. This argument that had been used previously does not
appear believable at this time as the old man reminds the wife that the seer did not
put blood specks on the goat's liver.
Wife battering is another cultural practice that the people hold in esteem yet it
causes more Karm than good. When the old man consults the Seer about the blood
specks in the liver of the goat he had slaughtered, 'the seer's pebble disclose that a
wife was going to die since the spirits were jealous of a happy wife, a woman
unmolested by her husband until old age. This (Shows the value attached to wife
molestation. To avert the death, the old man is asked to give his wife the 'ritual
beating before sending her back to her parent's home. Although the old man offers
to give a number of goats to avert the catastrophes, the pebbles keep demanding
for the ritual beating forcing the old man and the wife to come up with a plan of
tricking the pebbles. The harmful effect of the ritual beating is seen through Leveri,
the wife to the old man's son. The wife remembers how her daughter-in-law had
been beaten to a fingernail's distance to her grave by the son. This shows that the
ritual beating can almost cause death hence the reason it should be discarded.
Although culture is a glue that holds people together, some of the outdated
practices should be gotten rid of as the cause more harm than good.
Question 4
War causes a lot of harm and thus should be avoided at any cost. Validate this
statement basing your illustrations from Chimamanda Adichie's 'Ghosts' (20
Marks)
Whenever parties engage in some form of fighting, there are grave implications
that follow as is seen in Ghosts' where the civil war that happened in July 6, 1967
cause suffering and pain to the people.
To start with, war is seen to cause displacement of several people. Many people are
forced to run away from their country and their homes when the civil war broke.
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Prof. James and Ikenna's meeting takes James down the memory lane where he
recounts how they were forced to evacuate Nsukka in a hurry in July 6, 1967 when
the war began. Through their conversation, we learn that Ikenna has lived in
Sweden ever since the war began and has only come back to Nsukka recently. He
discloses that he was flown out on Red Cross planes just like many other children
had been airlifted to Gabon. Prof. James did not escape the displacement since he
and his wife, Ebere had to move to America when the war broke out. Many people
are seen to have been forced to leave their motherland as a result of the civil war.
secondly, we see that war leads to loss of lives. Several people had their lives cut
short due to the civil war that broke out. The return of Ikenna comes as a surprise to
Prof, James since Ikenna was thought to have died in the war. It is no wonder that
Prof initially thought of throwing a handful of sand at him just like his people did to
ensure that it was not a ghost. Actual loss of life is seen through Ikenna's family.
While explaining to prof the reason why he never returned to Nsukka after the war,
Ikenna tells him that his whole family was killed when Orlu was bombed during the
war thus he had nobody to come back to. It is not just Ikenna who lost loved ones
but Prof too. His first daughter Zik died in the war. He tells Ikenna that the war took
Zik. It is no wonder they named their second daughter Nkiruka which means: what is
ahead is better.
Thirdly, war is seen to cause massive destruction and loss of properties. When Prof
James and his wife first returned to Nsukka when the war ended in 1970, they notice
major destructions that had occurred. Prof recounts how they found their house and
items destroyed. His books were lying in front of the gate, his Mathematical Annals
torn and used as tissue paper, the bath tab used as toilet and their photos ripped
and their frames broken. The massive destruction of their house was too much that
they had to be assigned a different house in a different street to avoid seeing their
old house. In the process of their house being destroyed, they lose their Piano that
belonged to Ebere. Prof also remembers the landscape of drove back to Nsukka
after the war. The massive destruction a recounted by Prof shows how destructive
war is.
Lastly, war causes psychological and physical suffering o live with nightmares the
victims. Those who experience war and sad memories of it. Prof James is seen to
have lived with the memories of the war. He easily remembers every detail of the
war as he recounts it to Ikenna. Ikenna has suffered psychologically as is seen from
the fact that he lost all his family in Orlu hence the reason he does not return to
Nsukka.
His psychological suffering is further seen from the fact that he never remarries
after the war took his wife. Further evidence o psychological pain is seen where Prof
observes how his people avoided the topic of war and if they engaged in it, it was
with some vagueness. The naming of their second daughter Nkiruka- what is ahead
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is better, also shows the pain that Prof and Ebere: were trying to avoid. The people
also suffer physical pain. Prof.James remembers how a wounded soldier was
shoved in their car on the day they returned to Nsukka«
War causes loss oflives, displacement ofpeoplej and destruction of properties
among other effects. People should thus strive to live in harmony and avoid it at all
costs.
Question 5
Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts.
Justify the validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi's
Incident in the park. (20 marks).
Across the world, over centuries, the behaviour of some of the police officers has
caused dire repercussions. Sometimes this happens due to excessive use of force or
simply wrongful application law and policies, but majoriy this occurs as a result of
impolite
Incident in the Park shows how city dwellers, hawkers and loafers find themselves
in conflicts with the police over flimsy and petty reasons often ending unpleasantly.
When the two constables accost the fruit peddler, he gets startled and confused.
They demand for his licence and identity card which he obviously doesn't have.
Then he offers five shillings which doesn't seem good enough as one constable
shrugs. This means that at times if the offer were attractive, they would have
accepted it and left him.
The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove him along the
street to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matters
even more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more. It throws him into more
panic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a
"tyrant". He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can afford of me
but all his entreaties fall on deaf ears. They remain unimpressed saying nothing
until he breaks away and flees into the crowded city.
The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shouting for help
from the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man intercepts
him and another man lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and there as a
suspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch. No one seems
to care to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens as
he pleads for mercy. 7his is where he meets his 'verdict' which is death. According to
the crowd, 'justice' is administered. The mob universally condemn him without
plausible evidence.
By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversible
and fatal. Flie mob has already killed him for being a "thief". They who are supposed
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to ensure public safety an security have aided the killing o/a hardworking hawker
by their silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated
the man Politely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public lose
confidence in the police. after investigations the truth will come out and it will be
hard to trust the police.
In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizen could be averted if the
police handled matters with courtesy and sobriety.
Question 6
A Silent Song — Leonard Kibera.
Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using
illustrations from Leonard Kibera's A Silent Song. (20 marks)
The character of an individual tells more than what they actually say. Mbane's
brother, Ezekiel, preaches water and takes wine. He is so devoted to God as a
preacher, but neglects Mbane, to agonize in the streets for a long time until he
almost dies.
When he brings Mbane to his hut claiming to rescue him from the barbaric city in
order that he can see the light of God, the blind beggar starts to feel more lonely
and miserable in the desolate environment. lhe desolate hut is not a habitable place
for him as it has a flea-ridden floor. One wonders why he cannot live with his own
brother in his own house! This action tells that the preacher does not love his
brother.
It ironical for Ezekiel to keep preaching to his blind brother about Christ and
salvation instead of first saving him from the harsh street beggary. Ezekiel seems to
have already judged him as a sinner and that "Christ" will come down from heaven
to do the good to him. Mbane dies miserably without much help from his brother.
This is least expected from a man of God who should Have preached to his brother
through actions of care and concern.
Ezekiel portrays religious hypocrisy since Christians would not throw insults and
abuses to God's people when they don't agree with them on some issue, or when
they do not show that they believe in Jesus Christ. When Mbane shows no interest
in Christ, his brother tells him he is worse than a Judas. EIT1is lack of patience for a
Christian, especially a preacher, is not morally acceptable.
Another action that tells of the preacher's action is the meaning in his silence later
as Mbane nears his death. Christians, good men and women on a Christmas
morning, also display pretence in the way they curse and call him names instead of
bringing the good knowledge of Christ to him. They claim, in his hearing, that he is
an able-bodied person, only crippled more daily by the idleness of leisurely
86 | P a g e
begging. He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and
lameness. At times, self-pity overcomes him. To him, the God of the Gospel and
religion are comforts beyond his reach as a cripple. His God is his only hope of
deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. The people's actions discourage him
about Christianity which they profess but not practice.
In conclusion, the true gospel is the action of an individual because it is more
practical than mere words. Actions work and satisfy the heart more than
proclaiming the word ofGod.
Question 7
Incident in the Park -- Meja Mwangi.
1. Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts.
Justify the validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi's
Incident in the Park. (20 marks).
Across the world, over centuries, the behaviour of some of the police officers has
caused dire repercussions. Sometimes this happens due to excessive use of force or
simply wrongful application of the
law and policies, but majorly this occurs as a result of impolitel interactions
between the two parties.
Incident in the Park shows how city dwellers, hawkers and loafers find themselves
in conflicts with the police over flimsy and petty reasons often ending unpleasantly.
When the two constables accost the fruit peddler, he gets startled and confused.
They demand for his licence and identity card which he obviously doesn't have.
Then he offers five shillings which doesn't seem good enough as one constable
shrugs. This means that at times if the offer were attractive, they would have
accepted it and left him.
The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove him along the
street to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matters
even more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more, It throws him into more
panic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a
"tyrant". He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can afford a fine
but all his entreaties fall on deaf ears They remain unimpressed saying nothing until
he breaks away and flees into the crowded city.
The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shouting for help
from the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man intercepts
him and anotherman lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and there as a
suspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch, No one seems
to care to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens as
he pleads for mercy, This is where he meets his Verdict' which is death. According to
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the crowd, 'justice' is administered. The mob universally condemn him without
plausible evidence.
By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversible
and fatal. The mob has already killed him for being a "thief". They who are supposed
to ensure public safety and security have aided the killing of a hardworking hawker
by their silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated the man
politely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public lose
confidence in the police. after investigations the truth will come out and it will be
hard to trust the police.
In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizens could be averted if
the police handled matters with courtesy and sobriety.
Question 8
A Silent Song — Leonard Kibera.
1. Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using
illustrations from Leonard Kibera's A Silent Song. (20 marks)
The character of an individual tells more than what they actually say. Mbane's
brother, Ezekiel, preaches water and takes wine. He is so devoted to God as a
preacher, but neglects Mbane, to agonize in the streets for a long time until he
almost dies. When he brings Mbane to his hut claiming to rescue him from the
barbaric city in order that he can see the light of God, the blind beggar starts to feel
more lonely and miserable in the desolate environment. The desolate hut is not a
habitable place for him as it has a flea-ridden floor. One wonders why he cannot
live with his own brother in his own house! This action tells that the preacher does
not love his brother.
It ironical for Ezekiel to keep preaching to his blind brother abou Christ and
salvation instead of first saving him from the harsh street beggary. Ezekiel seems to
have already judged him as a sinner and that "Christ" will come down from heaven
to do th good to him. Mbane dies miserably without much help from his
brother. This is least expected from a man of God who should have preached to his
brother through actions of care and concern.
Ezekiel portrays religious hypocrisy since Christians would not throw insults and
abuses to God's people when they don't agree with them on some issue, or when
they do not show that they believe in Jesus Christ. When Mbane shows no interest
in Christ, his brother tells him he is worse than a Judas. This lack of patience for a
Christian, especially a preacher, is not morally acceptable.
Another action that tells of the preacher's action is the meaning in his silence later
as Mbane nears his death. Christians, good men and women on a Christmas
88 | P a g e
morning also display pretence in the way they curse and call him names instead of
bringing the good knowledge of Christ to him. They claim, in his hearing, that he is
an able-bodied person, only crippled more daily by the idleness of leisurely
begging. He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and
lameness. At times self-pity overcomes him. To him, the God of the Gospel and
religion are comforts beyond his reach as a cripple. His God is his only hope of
deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. lie people's actions discourage him
about Christianity which they profess but not practice.
In conclusion, the true gospel is the action of an individual because it is more
practical than mere words. Actions work and satisfy the heart more than
proclaiming the word of God.
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