Swimming Team Rescue

It's the youth world. The future is of the youth and so they have to protect the present day to have tomorrow.

It’s always good when my father is back from work. For once I am happy with my siblings who are running around the table and I am okay with it because everybody is happy in the family. My mother is humming her favourite song as she prepares food for us while I am helping her with the plates. My father is sitting on the table with two of my youngest siblings. The other two twins, Timothy and Tomas are playing around the table and patting people on the head as they run past them. I can tolerate this today because my father is here and for some days, I am not going to be their skeleton. I know it is just the matter of time before they start the fight but I am rather enjoying the moment.

We are now sitting around the table with empty plates in front of us. Everybody has finished eating and we are all listening to father’s stories about the mine. Timothy suddenly volunteers to gather the plates from the table. Sooner than I had thought, a plate hit me hard on the head and I squint and everybody in the room laugh. I close my eyes for a moment and my youngest little sister, Ana starts jumping over me.

"Wake up Tina; mama wants her food."

Argh! Can’t I just enjoy my dream for once?

I blink at the window and realise that it’s already twilight. I stumble into the kitchen and find all of my family in there. My mother is sitting at the far end of the table watching television and my brothers and sisters are sitting on a mat in front of the television. They are all watching in silent as a beautiful lady is reading the news on our only television in the country, TV Lesotho. Ana comes in behind me singing on top of her lungs.

Everybody in the room turns and screams at her.

"Ana! We are watching news."

Ana giggles and hides behind my mother who is pretending not to hear the shouts in the house.

"The Police department report for this week says that ten kids including the right honourable former Prime Minister Mr Robert Misa’s daughter have been saved from drowning by The Lesotho Swimming Rescue Team. Two of the ten kids have died after being admitted in ‘Mamohato Memorial hospital where the other eight are still under the care of the doctors. The number of the drowning children has increased as last week’s report showed only four kids. The police give notice to all the parents to take a great care of where their children play as it is highly dangerous to play near the water in this rainy period. Please stay tuned for the next show as it features Mrs Lebelo, the captain of the Lesotho Swimming Rescue Team."

"Ok! Everybody up, I have to prepare dinner" I say as I try to walk between my siblings’ feet.

"Sorry Tina but I have to watch Nozi, she is my hero." Tim says.

"Wow! I want to be saved by this Lady." Tom says as the picture of Nozipho Lebelo appears on the screen.

"You wouldn’t dare." My mom says to Tom.

"Don’t worry mom. He won’t throw himself in the water…I’ll throw him." Tim says quickly so mum won’t hear correctly what he said.

Mom stares at Tim with her "I am about to swear at you" stare.

"Mum!" Ana says and covers her ears with her hands.

We all laugh at her. I start pouring food in the plates as the theme song introduces the next show on TV. I give everybody their food and sit on the chair next to mum. We all focus on the hero of the week, Nozipho Lebelo as she is being interviewed.

                   … �™…

 

The Lady on the Television starts introducing the show and the topics, beside her sits Nozipho Lebelo as the main guest. She sits with her feet crossed and her hands on top of her knees. She is wearing a red full dress that matches together with her red high heels. She is wearing a nervous smile on her face. She is not used to being on television and the situation that she is in for now makes her even more nervous than she already is.

I can do this, Nozipho thought as she straighten her shoulders and set into a wider smile. Her only motivation is that she is the hero of the nation, not only for saving the daughter of the former Prime Minister but also many other children affected by this irremediable calamity that has struck the whole kingdom from the last three months. The cause of Nozipho’s nervousness is that people actually think that children are drowning because of these floods for rain that began since Christmas, little did they know that it was something planned by cruel people who think only for themselves.

Stop, Nozipho thought, I have to stop thinking this or else I will lose it during the interview. For the second time now, she straightens herself and flashes a beautiful smile to the man behind the camera. The presenter starts talking,

"Today on our show we have the most inspirational and hero of the week, Mrs Lebelo. We all know Mrs Lebelo for her current heroic rescue to the children drowning with her team of Lesotho Swimming Rescue Team. Today we are talking with Mme Lebelo as an individual. Welcome to our show Mrs Lebelo, It is an honour to have you here."

"Thank you mme, I am glad to be here" Nozipho says with a smile on her face.

"Please tell us who exactly Nozipho Lebelo is. Tell us about her." The presenter says looking directly at Nozipho.

                      … �™…

"Ah, they are asking stupid questions. I want to know how she saved those kids." Tom says.

"Maybe she used the kiss of life" Tim jumps in.

"Tim…Tom…" I call them as a warning, but as usual they challenge me.

"Tina?" They chorus my name.

"Can you close your mouths; we are trying to listen here." I say in a polite way because I don’t want to raise anything when it’s Nozipho on TV.

"Oh come on Tina, it’s not like you don’t know who Nozipho Lebelo is. We all know she is your tutor." Angelina, my other sister who comes after me says.

I say nothing because I already know where this goes. Every time I get into arguments with Ang (Angelina), it has to end by fighting. But fortunately I can do that with my tutor speaking on TV.

I have joined Nozipho’s swimming class since two years back and I have become one of her best students. I have also won a several medals in competitions and that gave me an opportunity to have a license so I can join any swimming Rescue Team anytime.

Ever since I joined Nozipho’s classes, she has treated us like her own children, especially me. I think it’s because I am the poorest in the class. I come from the family of five kids and my father works at the mine when my mother doesn’t even work. Every kid in my class comes from a rich family. It is either a father or a mother who works at the government or rather both. But also I happen to be the most talented; I guess that’s also the reason. Having to be this close to Nozipho for so long, I also know her like my own mother.

Looking at her now on TV, I think something is wrong with her face. What could have happened? Did she maybe get hurt when rescuing those kids? Oh no! I hope not, or else she won’t swim again. I will ask her tomorrow when we meet for class.

"So exactly how did you rescue all this children? What’s your strategy? Your team has been successful all along." The presenter asks Nozipho.

"Our strategy is very simple. When we set out the team for the rescue, we part into three groups. The first group starts from the starting point where the accident happened. The second group comes up from the end of the river. And then the last group starts from our speculated location where we anticipate they might be, judging by the pace of water and how long they have been in there." Nozipho answers.

"Wow! That seems like a lot of work. So Ladies and gentlemen, that’s how our heroes have been up to in this last six weeks to rescue our beloved brothers and sisters. That is all for today ladies and gentlemen. But before we bounce, I would like us to take a moment of silence in the memory of those kids who lost their lives in this unfortunate accident."

The presenter and Nozipho bow their heads and I did the same. I slightly turn my head to everybody in the house and got very surprised to see that all of them have done the same, even my mother. When the presenter starts talking again, I stood up and started collecting the dishes from everyone in the room.

"Ok! TV off, time for bed everyone." My mother said and claps her hands twice.

"But mom, it’s Friday. There is no school tomorrow." Ang complains.

"But mom, it’s Friday." Ana cover Ang up.

"I don’t care. I am tired." Mother rises from the chair.

"Can we watch? We are older and we go to bed later." Tom says looking up at mother with improvised innocent face.

Mother looks down at them for a minute. They are all looking up at her with broad grins. Ana is also nodding sheepishly at mother. Mother and I laugh and she turns to her bedroom. 

"Good night everyone," she says, "And Ana, I expect you in bed by half past eight."

"Good night mama." We all say in chorus.

                    … �™…

 

The interview didn’t go so bad, Nozipho keeps trying to convince herself as she drives into the gate of her house. The interview ended an hour ago and now she parks her Mercedes in front of her four-roomed house where she lives with her fiancé, Steve. She locks the car and heads to the house. Before she could touch the door, someone called out to her.

"Ms Lebelo, excuse me." It is the voice of a man.

Nozipho watches as the man comes from the night’s darkness just from the left corner of the gate. He is wearing the old black suit with an ID card hanged around his neck.

"I’m sorry to bother you at this time ma’am. I work for Moeletsi Oa Basotho (Basotho Advisor) newspaper and I would like to Interview you for our paper as the hero of the nation." The man says.

"Look Sir, I’m not really in the mood for other interview now. I am off duty and it’s really late. I want to rest." Nozipho says to the man.

"No it’s alright. I can give you my card and you call me whenever you are free. But I really hope it be this very week." He produces a business card from his jacket and handed it to Nozipho.

Nozipho studies the card for a moment and smiles at the man. He nods respectively at her and turns to go. Nozipho gets in the house and find Steve serving the food on the table.

"Hmm… Just what I need. I am starving." She pecks him on the cheek and goes to the sink to wash her hands.

Steve sits down at the chair, "You have to. It was a long night for you. And you did great."

"You think? I was afraid I would say something that I shouldn’t say." Nozipho also sits down and the start eating.

"You said everything right. Did you get escorted?" Steve asks.

Nozipho shook her head," No, that would have caused question. But I did get the warning that you were been watched."

Steve put his spoon down and looks Nozipho with disbelief," No, You didn’t!"

Nozipho nodded and continue eating. Steve raises his spoon slowly and starts eating. His mind seems else where from the room and Nozipho knows what he is going to say.

"We have to do something," Steve starts. 

"No!" It’s her turn to put the spoon on the table now,"Not this again please, Steve. You are still not safe." Nozipho says convincingly.

"We can talk to this reporter. Who you just saw. He can help us tell the people what’s really happening. We can’t go on like this." Steve says.

"I’m just doing my work Steve. What’s wrong with that? This will pass soon enough." Nozipho says.

"When is soon, Nozi? Nobody knows. Do you think the former prime minister will give in just like that? No way! This is going way too far. And are you really doing your job when you are actually cleaning up the government’s mess with the threat of prosecuting your fiancé? Is that how you choose to help people?" Steve says.

"What do you want from me then, Steve? I am rescuing drowning kids, at the same time protecting my family. What else could I do?"

Nozipho pushes the food from her and places her hands on the table. Steve also pushes his food aside and reaches out and takes Nozipho’s hands.

"Hear me out and let’s help me, you and all those kids." Steve says softly to her, "Do you know when again will the prime minister strike the kids?" Nozipho shakes her head no. "Ok! What you have to do is find out when the next accident will be and when. I will take it from there."

"What are you going to do?" Nozipho asks.

"Don’t worry. I won’t do anything stupid. And you are going to have to talk to that reporter. You did take his number, right?" Nozipho nodded. "Good! Let’s eat and sleep. You should be tired."

They finish their food and get ready to sleep.

                         … �™…

 

We have been in the class for almost an hour now and Nozipho hasn’t started the class. Could it be that something is really wrong. I arrived late today and they said she has been in her office all this time talking on phone. Maybe she is on another interview. Most kids are absent also today. I really hope nothing is wrong.

"Hey lonely kid, are we having a class or not today?" One of the most popular girls in the class, Teri calls out to me.

I busy myself with the zip of me schoolbag. I don’t like being picked out by her of all the people because she really pisses me off but then she is older so I can’t fight her.

"I’m talking to you loner." She is standing in front of me now and for the millionth time; I wish I could push her into the swimming pool behind her. 

"Nozipho is in her office. You go to her if you want a decent answer." I say with a cracked voice, still looking at my bag.

"Cant you see that I am asking you?" she says.

"Don’t you get tired picking up on Tina, Teri?" Nozipho walks into the room and walks to where I am standing with Teri.

"No ma’am. We were just having a normal girls' argument." Teri stumbles as she moves away from me.

Nozipho looks down at me and I continue looking down at my bag. "It doesn’t look like that to me. But it doesn’t matter because I need both of you and Lira there for something. I want you to your best behaviour because I have been called at the prime minister’s office so I am going with you"

"What about the class ma’am?" One of the kids asks.

"The class is dismissed. I will see you all next week. I am sorry for this but I didn’t know that I would have to go today." Nozipho says to the whole class.

We gather around and make the prayer and head for the exit.

                         … �™…

 

The prime minister’s office is too much for what I had hoped for; many people going around and many offices. I wanted to see the prime minister but then the security guy didn’t allow us so we were sent into the waiting room and we given the sweets like were kids. Nozipho wanted us to spy the offices. She didn’t really feel us in but I could sense that something was completely wrong. Our job was to listen to the conversations around the room and if something about the drowning kids comes up, I should listen to that attentively. I kept going to the door and peeking out to see if there were any securities out there. But it turns out that the security is only near the prime minister’s door. That won’t be problem because I don’t need to go there.

After a minute or so, I mutter to Lira and Teri that I am going to the bathroom and then head out. They come right behind me and we check if there was anyone on the hallway. No one. We separate our ways and they choose me to go to the security guy.

"Don’t go too far to the security." Teri whispers at me.

"Why don’t you go if you know so much?" I whisper back and she gives me a dump face expression.

I walk slowly and listen to the first door. The second that I listened, I heard it but then the door opened. I look up and find myself standing in front of the big man with a big tummy.

"What are you doing, kid? How did you get in hear? Are you listening to our conversations?" The big man throws me with questions. Halieo/Swimming Team Rescue/8

I try to answer but words fail me. He pulls me harshly by the hand and drags me towards the prime minister’s office. I know where this is going and I have to come up with something.

"I am really sorry sir. I got lost from my mother’s office. I was going to the toilet and they only said it’s this way." He keeps walking. God! "I was actually listening if it’s the toilet." He pulls me even harder. "My mother is the secretary."

He stops and looks down at me. I keep his stare. After a moment, he releases my arm. "Why didn’t you say so? The toilet is that way. Don’t go wondering around like this or else people will say that you are spying. And that will get Floury in trouble."

He set off without any other word. I lean against the wall and catch my breath. Shuu! That was really close. I watch the man go all the way up to the hallway until he vanishes far into the other room. I walk back toward the first room and stand in front of it. I made sure that nobody is moving from anywhere before I could move closer and listen.

                    … �™…

 

It’s Wednesday, the day of the fall of the government. I am feeling rather numb, not from the fact the we are about to be blown off into Mohokare river by the government with the daughter of the former prime minister and could die from the process; but the fact that if this plan backfires, my mother and my whole family will be prosecuted by the prime minister. For what I know, this plan can’t go wrong. Everything is on its place. Steve ordered everything from TV reporters to the police. He is the politician and so he had he way in convincing the media to be ready at the border of Masianokeng where Mohokare River meets up with Maqalika River, which is where the event has to happen.

The bus that will be drowned is fifteen minutes from the spot and it is filled with some of Nozipho’s students who felt brave enough feel like jumping from the drowning bus, I included. We kept making prayers in the bus until we are ten minutes to the spot. Suddenly I wished I didn’t volunteer, this is very scary that I don’t think I can make it. Teri is sitting near me shivering like she has caught cold. I feel sorry for her. She has been really quite ever since we got in the bus, but then everyone was quite. Nobody felt like speaking except when we are praying.

The driver witches the radio on and suddenly the man on the radio starts talking about the coming of the new Lesotho, where the bloodsuckers will be locked in darkness and never see the light again. I raise my head to listen better to the man. But then I see it; the car that has to take us down. It is a big truck. It comes straight to us as it overtakes the government car in front of it. Our driver tries to prevent the collision but has no where to go. He sways the steering wheel to the river but then we all cry out. For a moment, I saw us flying into the river but then our bus turned and hit the government’s van which turned violently and hit the truck.

Everything went silent. Nobody moved or talked for a while. I tried to move from my seat but then I saw blood coming down from my forehead. We made it. We exposed the whole government. Then I heard my head spinning. I closed my eyes and tried take in the pain in my head but then I faded into darkness. 

                          … �™…

 

We are sitting on nice chairs in the studio of the Lesotho TV and we are being interviewed as the heroes of the country. We are in a very long show as we have to elaborate on our story.

After I heard from the now former deputy prime minister’s office that there will be a collision that included the school bus that has the now prime minister’s daughter with the unknown truck; and that the daughter will soon be discovered unfound as Nozipho will take her to the now former prime minister, Steve made an appointment with the reporters and announced the fall of the former prime minister. Then Nozipho’s students set out to be in the bus as they can swim and also the forged prime minister’s daughter into the bus.

It turns out that the main reason for all these is that the former prime minister wanted to put down the prime minister because the coalition government isn’t going as planned and if there is going to be other elections, the opposing party will definitely take the rule.

Everything went well. We are the famous kids and now I happen to be in a popular group with cool kids.

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

An enjoyable story about this rescue team which does wonderful things and a glimpse into your family life and some of their favourite things or characters. Good job and people on.....:)....