Journey to Montagu

The benign influence of pure air covered the entire Montagu area, unlike the contaminated air of Joburg city where I came from. The city of gold had left me with bittersweet memories I chose to wipe out from my mind, however there was one thing I could not seem to forget, which was my mother’s cooking. I especially loved the manner in which she would prepare ”bohobe” they call it in my Sotho language. Made from a combination of flour, yeast, and sugar, served with my favourite.. boerewors. I was certain that I would miss her. Deep down I knew that she would do alright on her own. She was afterall she was a sophisticated, strong, independent woman who was capable of taking care of herself.  

“If your father gives you any troubles you call me alright!”my mother said

She still saw me as her little girl. 

“I will be okay.Dont worry yourself needlessly. I have waited a long time for this moment. All that I need from you is your support and I’ll be fine.” 

My mother sobbed, she squeezed me tightly, then kissed me on the forehead. 

“Be safe my child. May God be with you on this long journey.” She said. 

Before I left, my mother gave me a food container filled with slices of bohobe, another container had tender cooked tripe in it. She waved goodbye as I was driving away with my white sedan car. 

As I entered the cold Montagu area, I noticed heavy mist covering the hex mountains. So white, yet mystical. I developed a great desire to further explore the region. The terrain captured my mind and I immediately developed a desire to climb to the top of the mountains, no wonder I enjoyed hiking.

During my adolescent phase, I had developed a strong yearning of finding my mysterious father. All that my mother had ever told me was how taken aback she was when my father abandoned us, as he seemed like a  noble man, with good morale. My father’s absence made me resentful for a very long time, but the desire to find him was greater than the anger I had towards him. I longed to know him. My desire worsened as I became an adult. One night I had a dream about him, in this dream I was told I would find him in the Hex river mountains. His appearance was unclear, the image was blurry. I told my mother the dream. She believed that dreams carried a message from a higher being, therefore did not withhold my decision to search for my father. The journey to Montagu became a significant mission of mine.

Finding an apartment to rent was not as difficult as I assumed it would be as many options were open for me. Thanks to the internet. I found the best room at an affordable rate, R1000 rand, not  more than that. The room was small in size, the paint on the wall was fading, however there was electricity and the water was safe to drink. 

“There are camera’s  in all the four corners of the yard. If thieves try to trespass, they will definitely get caught. The gate is automated with a a loud alert in case someone tries to force themselves in the gate. Should you need extra security, make sure to contact me before nightfall.” The landlady said. 

“Thanks I think I’ll be okay.” 

On the first night of my arrival to Montagu, I found sleeping to be difficult. The bed was too hard, the  pillows were too soft.  The second night was better, I managed to sleep after playing my music tunes. On the third day, I went to the food market to get fresh vegetables to eat for dinner. The people were friendly,  a tall charming man even offered me a lift home.i turned him down even though he seemed harmless. The fourth day arrived, I began to jog around the neighbourhood for at least 45 minutes then returned back to my small room.