The Letter Reader

Goodbye.

Menzi?

Travel safe.

Do not divorce your husband, my child.

Do not part with him. Stay in the marriage as we did.

Hang on. Everything shall be well. Things always get better.

How can I stay with someone who doesn't want to stay with me?

Muzi no longer loves me.

He doesn't love you?

No, my child. There is still hope.

Stay as we did and be patient, my child.

Even if it means you do it for Siya.

He cannot grow up without his father being present.

And you know what? He is still too young.

He cannot know that his parents are fighting.

Don't forget that kids hold memories,

and they never forget until it becomes a wound.

My grandson, you don't look pleased, my child.

Granny, I want to go home.

My child, what do you mean you want to go home?

This is home as you see it.

There's nothing missing here. It's still home, my child.

What am I going to do?

Please do tell, when last did you hear from Menzi?

He's been quiet.

We last spoke when he left for the city of gold.

So he hasn't written to you?

Well...

everyone knows...

that the city of gold changes men for the worst.

Even the trustworthy ones. I'm telling you, sister.

It's a good thing you came, sir. Your grandchild wrote you a letter.

I think your letter should be in here.

Excuse me. Siya. Siya, my grandson, please help me.

Find his letter so you can read it out to him.

Such a young child can read letters?

Yes, he can.

What is the good sir's name?

Sontsele James Khuzwayo.

Are all these letters mine?

A dark cloud came over us when my husband died.

He used to read the letters. Now they have piled up.

My boy will help with the reading now.

May I begin reading for you, sir?

You may read for me, my son. Read.

"Greetings, Grandfather.

I trust you are well

and that Granny is getting better.

It makes me happy to tell you that I have passed all my modules."

Oh. That's really her.

It's really my granddaughter.

"In this cold weather, I sleep next to a man...

who snores like a pig."

I apologize.

"I miss your body close to me,

keeping me warm throughout the night."

Hello.

May I please have some sugar?

Hello, Nobuhle.

Hello, granny. How are you?

There's a letter for you here.

As we were looking through the stack with my boy,

we found a letter written out to you. Please wait as I go and fetch it.

Hey, Siya.

Look through these letters

and look for a letter written out to Nobuhle Mthembu.

And then you read the letter for her, my child.

Can we go sit over there so I can read for you?

"Hello, Nobuhle...

my love.

I trust you are well.

The candle is about to burn out...

so I will be brief.

I traveled safely on my journey to the city of gold,

and life around here is just fine.

I trust you are doing well.

I miss you very much, my love.

During the night and day...

I'm always thinking about you.

I'll be back home... soon.

Menzi."

Thank you.