By Buziwe Nocuze
A 23-year-old man has been warmly welcomed back by the Mzamomhle community in Gonubie with a memorable and dignified ceremony.
But for several months, Ayabonga Nyame’s family were worried he would never be able to return home.
In November 2022, Nyame went to initiation school without his parent’s permission. He was tired of being undermined and bullied by other men.
“I couldn’t take the bullying and embarrassment anymore. I knew my parents didn’t have money and they would not allow me to go if I had asked first.”
When other initiates returned to their homes in December, he was left without food. “I stayed three weeks without food, and it was the most difficult time of my life but better than being undermined and bullied because I knew that I would go back home as a man.”
But if it weren’t for the Mzamomhle community he would still be in the bush, maybe starving to death. On Tuesday last week, the community didn’t have water, and residents who were forced to use the bush to relieve themselves came across an initiate there.
“I saw a group of women walking in the bush. I called them but they ran away. Then I went closer and called one behind. I pleaded with her to listen to me, but she said she could not come closer because she is a woman and not supposed to talk to me,” Nyame said.
The woman heard the desperation in his voice and decided to listen to him. “I told her my story and asked her to help so that I could go home. She promised to come back but I didn’t expect it would be this huge.”
The woman approached the community for assistance and people came together to help the young man.
“I appreciate everyone who made it happen for me to come home. Now I am a man, and I have got my dignity back. Without them, I don’t know where I would be today. Maybe I would’ve been stuck in the bush forever.”
When Bongiwe Sifolo, 37, saw Nyame she ran away because she was afraid. “He kept calling and begging me to listen to what he had to say. I’m glad I stopped to listen, even though I was afraid. The community didn’t hesitate to assist him because they understood the pain of being stuck alone in the bush and becoming a laughing stock.”
Lindelwa Tshentu couldn’t believe it when community members started coming into her house with food and clothes. “As a mother, I couldn’t sleep knowing my son was out there alone, but there was nothing I could do because we were struggling.” She didn’t think there would be food at her son’s homecoming, but she was pleasantly surprised.
“He would still be out there if it were not for the community. Now he has clothes and everything a new man needs.”
Solomzi Dyantyi, a community member, told Scrolla.Africa that after hearing about Nyame’s plea, they knew that, as a community, they needed to do something.
“We couldn’t continue our lives when we knew someone out there was stuck and needed our help. I am glad we came together, contributed with what we had, and made his homecoming memorable.”
Pictured above: Ayabonga Nyame
Image source: Supplied
