Buhle at Bloubergstrand

"Buhle was one of many gogos parenting a third or even fourth generation of children, whether or not they were flesh and blood. Massively high unemployment rates and concomitant social disruption make it very common for young adults to leave that responsibility to elderly relatives.

Buhle personified her name, whether in the Xhosa or the English form. She'd introduced herself as Beauty when we'd first met her.

Jacobus would no doubt bring in some article of clothing to be mended while his technicians worked on her leg-braces. I could probably look forward to a couple of yards of some interesting fabric she'd set aside for me. And we wouldn't be surprised to find a new doily or runner or neat repair somewhere."

(Buhle's name sounds something like bush-l-eh if you slip your tongue to the side while making the "sh" sound.)