This woman is called Estah
Once upon a time I found myself on the precarious edge of a deportation, or imprisonment if the judge decided my hair was too knotty.
I had a month to appeal for my student Visa, I had no cash and my emotions run high between rash regrets, why didn't I just get married when the offer was on and despondent self pity oh no this is not happening again! I have to start over from nothing and why did I even get started in the first place!
We sat in a hotel room in Singapore. I sat on the floor. She lay on the bed, Tlotlego lay flat on the floor completely asleep. Tlotlego has a gift of sleep. She can fall asleep on the kitchen counter and she would be fine.
' The last time they pulled me out of an exam room I broke down and could not say anything.' Said I.
" I want you to go and talk to them like an adult, and state your case, refer to your grades." Said she.
I didn't have much practice
I had never been sent away from school for lack of fees, ever.
But I went and stated my case and got into the line up for scholarships.
A year later, Estah rang me. I was in some undisclosed location. My mental and emotional health quite a mess.
Hurt and completely destroyed and probably even running for my life.
She said I'm sending you cash to come back to the city. She did.
I wasn't ready
I needed to be alone in the open fields to clear my mind.
I got back to the city eventually wit ya clear mind and lighter emotions and Estah called to say she had a job for me.
Who does that?
Who is alive to support your mad schemes for decades?
But That's what she has always been, someone who has always seen my potential.
And put faith in me.
So last week she sent her daughter to my salon. My first hair treatment client.
I believe if I started selling charcoal Estah would order a gunia of charcoal and then look for a maize roasting trader and give it to him.
In 1997, my mother brought me Nivea lotion. I couldn't tell the difference between it and Vaseline Solea or whatever else was there to apply on my legs. But Estah saw it and told me: That's a very good lotion you have. We were in primary school.
In 2009, Estah took me to an expensive restaurant and said: order the Cabarnet Sauvignon, it's not too sweet and she was right. It's the only wine I recognize.
And all my life I don't think I'll ever meet someone that's got it together as she has, yet she remains modest.
In spirit of the Cisster Brand let me hear those bookings coming in..
