Thread by @nombonisogasa

#AndrewMlangeni, a story.

It’s 1993. Mlangeni is Head of Transport, ANC HQ. I go to ‘transport’ to book a car. There’s a long & noisy queue of people, mainly drivers,summoned by Mlangeni. He’s on a warpath, checking every requisition, mileage,fuel slips & god knows what else.

Someone is in the office arguing with Mlangeni.

Mlangeni: What did you do with the extra 40 pounds?
Driver: It’s 1993, Cde Mlangeni, we don’t use pounds anymore. Anyway, I used that extra money to put fuel.
Mlangeni: Receipt? Why didn’t you use the card? You’re gallavanting!

The driver says card machine wasn’t working.

Mlangeni: You are not getting money until you bring back that 40 pounds.
Driver: I’m supposed to go to...(before he can finish, Mlangeni kicks him out of his office).

The driver is upset and Mlangeni is not moved.

Driver: I sang about you. You know, all those years in the bush, I sang about you. Sometimes I cried singing about you, wanting to see you free. We toyi-toyied, calling out your name. Now, you treat us like this? I am taking back all those songs, all those times I sang about you.

Mlangeni: And I sat in jail for you. We are not talking about that now. Bring back that 40 pounds.
Driver (frustrated): In jail for all of us, not just me. But singing, I called out your name. I sang your name in the camps. I take back all that. You are difficult!

Mlangeni bursts out laughing and so does everyone. Despite his frustration, the driver also laughs but still insist he will never sing Mlangeni’s name again. #AndrewMlangeni

*gallivanting*