4.4 THEMATIC DISTRIBUTION
4.4.3 CHEATING
Ntuli observes that in human beings there is a bad tendency to cheat and take 'short cuts' to success. This is done in various ways. In most cases a person decides to get 'easy money' by cheating on others who are vulnerable and defenceless. Ntuli abhors this and uses this theme to put across a strong message to the listeners that crime does not pay.
In Umshumayeli , for instance, a man poses as a preacher who is a close acquaintance of reverend D.D. Dlamini. He claims to have been robbed and needs money to reach his destination. Two victims sympathise with him and offer financial help. Fortunately the cheater is caught when he is about to pounce on the third victim and is immediately
Inthis play, Ntuli emphasises that crime does not pay. He echoes the same waf?ing in Lala Ngokuthula where Ndelu shows his magnanimity by donating a casket for his deceased friend. Later the family discovers that the grave has been tempered with. An investigation gets underway and the family insists that the grave be dug open. To their dismay, they find that the casket has been stolen. Ndelu is shocked and promises to donate another one. This again demonstrates his generosity. MaShezi, however, is . suspicious and recalls that she had written a note and put it inside her husband's casket. To everyone's amazement, this note is found inside the casket that Ndelu has donated to replace the stolen one. He is immediately arrested to prove that one can't cheat every body all the time.
Umtitilizo explores yet another popular form of cheating. Dolly has problems with her studies and decides to buy examination papers so as to pass with flying colours. This is costly for her poor mother who is a single parent, but at last they manage to buy the set of question papers. At the exam room Dolly is devastated to learn that she bought the wrong exam paper.
The above serves as a warning which Ntuli conveys through this play. He warns the listener that it doesn't pay to take short cuts in life or try to succeed through cheating and unscrupulous means. Ntuli condemns these unbecoming practices and points out the problems that one may land in. This theme is used by Ntuli to emphasise that all those who cheat eventually get caught and suffer the painful consequences of their evil deeds.
4.4.4 POLmCAL CHANGES
This is another theme that Ntuli uses to show that there are political changes that our country is undergoing. These changes have a bearing on the citizens of our country and is reflected in their behaviour. Such changes are explored by Ntuli in his plays which show his concerns and awareness about the current events and state of affairs that prevailinour country.
Inguquko. as the title suggests, is about the changes of a political nature in our~ountry
before the democratic elections of 1994. The youth in particular feel entitled to play a vital role in these changes. This is the case with Nduduzo whose political views differ from those of his parents. His father has been forced to resign from his position as a township councillor because the masses feel that councillors are the puppets of the government. Nduduzo and the local youth raid, burn or pelt with stones the homes of . all the 'sell-outs'. Nduduzo's father is one of those whose houses are attacked.
Nxumalo's house is also attacked by Nduduzo and his friends. Nxumalo uses his gun to protect himself and Nduduzo gets seriously injured in the ensuing battle. His leg has to be amputated as a result of this confrontation.
The statement that is being made by Ntuli in this play is that it doesn't pay to defY the will of the masses and to resist political change. This is a lesson Nxumalo learns in a painful way. Nduduzo's fate demonstrates the need for sacrifices to ensure that victory and freedom is attained.
The dangers of opposing the masses is also highlighted in Elamanqamu. The youth have called for a stayaway to mourn the death of their fallen heroes. Those who oppose this are going to be punished. Maseko defies this call and his house is burnt down. Thoko is spared because she obeys the voice of the masses. Ntuli paints a different picture, however, in Azikhwelwa. Ndoda has struggled for ages to get employment. At last he is employed and is expected to start the following day.
Unfortunately this coincides with a call for a mass stayaway. Ndoda's desperation forces him to defY this and travel on foot to work. On the way he is accosted by the local youth that have been stationed at strategic points to deal with those who decide to go to work. Ndoda kills one of his attackers who unfortunately happens to be his cousm.
The theme of this play shows that Ntuli, like most of us, is concerned about the effects of stayaways which often result in job losses. Ntuli feels that people should be allowed to exercise freedom of choice, especially when their welfare is at stake. He condenms
that there are serious repercussions for this. This is evident in the fact that Themba dies for standing on Ndoda's way to get a job that he so desperately needs.
InIsorniso, we find MaZulu in a pathetic situation. Her community has been struck by a terrible drought that has killed al1 the cattle and ruined al1 the crops. The fact that MaZulu is a widow exarcebates her woes and plight. The only remaining hope that she . clings to is ZinhIe, her daughter who is away at university. MaZulu's dreams are shattered when ZinhIe arrives with the tragic news of her expulsion from university.
She cannot believe that ZinhIe has succumbed to political pressure and sacrificed her future by not defYing those who called for class boycotts:
MAZULU: Nawe ubunalabo ebebetelekile?
ZINHLE: Phela Mama kulukhuni ukuba umuntu ame yedwa ngoba...
MAZULU: Ngithi nawe ZinhIe ubuhIanganyele kule nyakanyaka okhuluma ngayo?
ZINHLE: Bengingeke ngaphuma eceleni Mama.
(Ntuli, 1988:6)
MAZULU: Were you also among those who were on boycott?
ZINHLE: It's difficult for one to stand alone because...
MAZULU: I am saying, were you also taking part in the chaos that you are talking about?
ZINHLE: I could not be an outcast, Mother.