Yesterday

- Mamma?

- Yes, my child?

Why am I not a bird?

- A bird?

- Yes, a bird.

What do you mean, my daughter?

Why can't I fly like a bird?

Because you are not a bird.

Because you are you.

What if I was a bird?

You're not a bird.

But if I was a bird...

if you were a bird, we could fly...

and be there quickly

and not have to walk so far.

Well, you are not a bird, my daughter.

Yes. But why?

Beauty, you ask too many questions.

Hello.

- How are you?

- I'm fine.

We are looking for the village of Rooihoek.

I am from that village. It's that way.

How far is it?

Not too far. But not close, either.

We have been traveling for about two hours.

- Two hours?

- Yes.

Is there a school there?

A school?

We are teachers.

In search of a school where we can teach.

We have been looking for a long time.

How long?

Two years. And a bit.

Two years? That is a long time.

Do they need teachers in your village?

I don't know. You shall have to ask.

Thank you.

If it is as far as you say,

then we best be going.

Go well.

Hello.

- Is this the queue to see the doctor?

- Yes.

Thank you.

Where are you from?

- Rooihoek.

- Rooihoek?

That is far.

Yes, it is far.

Have you been waiting long?

Since 7:
00 this morning.

- So early?

- Yes.

But there are still so many to go.

Yes. It is better to come early.

Will the doctor see us today?

The doctor will only be able to see people...

up to here.

The rest of you will have to go home...

and come back next week.

I told you. It is best to come early.

Before the sun.

You see...

we've waited a long time.

We've been here for so long.

Mamma, when is Daddy

coming home again?

Only next month, my child, on the 25th.

- Is that a lot of days?

- Yes, that's a lot of days.

Do you think he will buy a motor car?

- A motor car?

- Yes, a motor car.

Motor cars cost a lot of money.

How much is a motor car?

A lot.

How much is a lot?

A lot lot.

Anyway, I thought you wanted to be a bird?

I know, but a motor car would be fine.

Have you heard? Kunene's widow

got four numbers in the lotto.

- Four?

- Yes.

She paid a visit to the sangoma

who told her to play number seven.

She did and it worked.

It was one of the four numbers.

How much did she win?

One hundred and twenty rands.

Is that all?

I thought you won a lot of money

if you got four numbers.

It has to be all six.

She only got four.

How much do you get for six numbers?

A million rand!

Sometimes two million.

- A million rand?

- Yes.

For six numbers?

Imagine, such a lot of money.

What would you do if you won a million?

I don't play.

Yes, but if you did?

I don't know.

Turn Beauty into a bird.

What do you mean?

Nothing. Goodbye.

What did the doctor say?

I did not see him.

But you went to the clinic?

Yes, but it was full.

I have to go back next Tuesday.

Perhaps you will be feeling better by then.

Perhaps.

Hello.

Hello.

Have you heard about Kunene's widow?

Four numbers! I've heard.

- Mamma?

- Yes, my child?

Where does the river go?

What do you mean?

Where does it start and where does it end?

It starts in the mountains...

and ends in the sea. I think.

In the sea! It goes all the way to the sea?

I think so.

How does the river flow...

between here and the sea?

Does it go up the mountain?

No. Water can't go up a mountain.

Only down.

So it won't reach the sea?

Not if there is a mountain in the way.

Then it won't reach the sea.

Now enough of all these questions!

There is still a lot to wash.

Pass me the board.

Be careful.

Don't look so frightened, my child.

It is only a cough.

We need to start planting before it gets dark.

Get the seeds quickly.

Mamma. I am hungry.

I'm hungry.

Should I peel an orange for you?

Here you go.

Thank you.

The doctor can only see up to here.

The rest of you, go home.

Please. I'm from Rooihoek.

I have to see the doctor today.

I'm sorry, but she can only see up to here.

You will have to come back next week.

But I am sick.

I am sorry. There is nothing I can do.

Come back next week.

Hello again.

Hello. Where is your friend?

She's lucky.

They needed a teacher in your village.

- You are from Rooihoek, aren't you?

- Yes.

- What about you?

- I was not so lucky.

What will you do?

Keep looking until I find some luck, too.

I hope you find it soon.

Look after my friend. She is a good woman.

And a good teacher, too.

Are you all right?

I am fine.

Are you sure?

I'm sure. I'm trying to see the doctor.

I am fine.

- Go well then.

- Go well!

This is the only pump in the village,

but the water is good.

Also, if anything's happening

in the village...

this is where you can find out about it first.

The Chief will never allow it.

You know what happened the last time

one of our men married...

a girl from the Misamangu clan.

There was a war for three years.

See?

Well, the white flag is flying high...

and proud above his hut.

And proud above his hut.

He must like his new wife very much.

I have never seen a flag so high.

Not only a white flag, I hear.

A red one, too.

He's a cheeky boy, that one.

It's not enough that he's causing problems

by wanting...

to get married

to one of Misamangu's daughters...

but he's already advertising

for another wife.

Exactly!

He must have a spear between his legs.

I don't like it. Trouble is all I see.

What do you say, Yesterday?

If they are in love, they are in love.

There's nothing much

anyone can do about it.

Look here.

It's true, he likes the ladies

too much, that one.

Thank you for walking with me.

We can go together again tomorrow.

I fetch water every day.

- I'll see you tomorrow then.

- Thank you.

She's playing down in the field.

Thank you.

Mamma, wake up!

Mamma, wake up!

Mamma, wake up!

Somebody please help me!

Tell me...

how long have you had

this falling sickness?

This is the first time.

The first time?

I have been trying to see the doctor.

I have not been well these past few weeks.

The doctor?

At the clinic in Kromdraai.

Why did you not come and see me?

And what did the doctor say?

I have not seen him yet.

Not seen him?

It is difficult.

There are always so many people.

And still you did not come to see me?

No matter. I'll examine you.

Blow.

If you do not trust me,

you should not have come.

You should have waited until the day,

whenever that day arrives...

that the doctors at the clinic

decide to see you.

Do you understand?

Now blow three times.

There is too much anger.

You must let go of the anger.

I am not angry.

You are. I can feel it.

Here, here and here.

You carry it on your shoulders.

I am not angry.

I cannot help you...

if you do not let the anger out of your body.

But I am not angry.

You see how it makes you sick?

What do I have to be angry about?

Why do you ask me this?

I am not angry.

I can treat you...

but if you do not let this anger go,

then it may not work.

- Do you understand?

- Yes.

Inhale.

Hello.

I heard what happened.

I heard you collapsed.

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