Sweef | Alles op ‘n Sondag – Zulfah Otto-Sallies | English Summary

Sweef en ander Verhale

Alles op ‘n Sondag – Zulfah Otto-Sallies

Written in Kaapse-Kleurlinge Afrikaans, a Cape Townian vernacular form of Afrikaans, Alles Op ‘n Sondag follows the Sunday routine and general life of a Muslim protagonist describing how different his Sunday is compared to the general “Lazy Sunday” concept that has been heavily popularized in contemporary society. The hustle and bustle of the Bo-Kaap on a Sunday features various sights, smells and even tastes, as people sell koeksisters to passers-by, with their hands caked in the pleasant sight of flour. All the colours present create a rainbow of sorts, with the bright colours of the houses of the Bo- Kaap minstrels being compared to the dollhouses that children play with. The protagonist creates a very visceral experience as he also details the richness of the vernacular he hears on days like this, with various sounds and voices decorating the air with their vibrations. The protagonist is proud of the community of which he is part, saying that it is one of beauty, gossip, grief, joy and the protective hand of God.

The protagonist describes his home life, starting out by highlighting his mother’s Sunday wear that she wears to Masjid. This particular Sunday is important because his mother and sister have Masjid in Longmarket Street. His sister, Saadika, has similar Sunday wear, neatly hanging with shoes to match. He is jealous of his nine-year-old sister receiving a Barakah – with assorted snacks inside while his thirteen-year-old self is unable to receive one because unlike his sister, the main character is not called by his mother to help to cut up orange leaves for the purpose of distribution during Moulid. The main character hates the concept of a female Moulit. According to him, Saadika is treated like a princess by their mother. However, he says it’s beyond him because this work is “feminine work” and therefore he can’t be called to do it the way she is.

He and his father have to pack a lot of heavy boxes into the car – cool drinks, food and miscellaneous items. The main character notes that they get to eat some delicious food at the Masjid. He can’t go with them because he is a boy; however, he does have to help them sell koeksisters. The main character is very angry at the fact that his little sister gets to enjoy tasty treats just because she is a child – he’s tired of her being “spoiled” because she is the last-born.

At a Masjid, the scene looks to the main character, much like in the Middle East – much like Mecca. The main’s mother is the leader of the Moulid, and he is proud of his mother’s leadership. His family organises the Moulid, and this is why their Sundays are always so busy. He has to help his mother sell koeksisters after the event. He is envious of Saadika because she gets to go to the Moulid and not merely as help. At the event, they have so many different types of good food, and they get Barakat (packets of treats) afterwards. However, he enjoys the fact that he and his father have the house to themselves on this specific Sunday. His irritating little sister Saadika is at the Moulid with their mom. Despite this “happy time”, his dad takes his Sunday nap, leaving him to watch TV on his lonesome. Not that he misses Saadika and his mom or anything – he’s just thinking about the Barakat and how stingy Saadika isn’t going to give him any of it, not even a single sweet.

A Barakat contained in blue cellophane paper, a little basket filled with nuts, fruit, grape juice, cookies, pastries, tarts, chocolates – everything little kids like Saadika enjoy. Jealousy aside, the narrator thinks his little sister looks cute with her basket of flowers. The Jammah walks through Bantam Street to get to the Masjid.

Outside his house, he can see the Jammah proceeding to the Masjid, hearing all sorts of different sounds. One of these sounds is of his friends beckoning him to come outside. Mailie, Byrie and Dout stand right outside the TV room window with big smiles, waiting for the narrator to come out. Since his family organises the Moulid, his friends are trying to solicit Barakats for themselves and won’t take no for an answer. His friends run off to the Masjid, and as soon as his foot enters the doorway, he and Saadika make eye- contact. It’s over – his mother will know he was at the women-only Masjid! He and the boys quickly run off, and he goes straight home, fear coursing through his veins.

At home, his dad slaps him for running off without telling him he would be leaving the house. His dad lectures him about safety, the opening and closing of doors, the ever- present danger of thugs – despite the safety of the Bo-Kaap, his father tells him to trust no one. Despite the fact that he went to the Moulid, his dad keeps it a secret and so the narrator is satisfied, offering to make tea in return.

However, the narrator is convinced Saadika snitched on him for being there and thus he won’t even be able to get his share of his mother’s Barakat. When Saadika returns, she gives her brother a sly look before darting off to her room with her Barakat. This year’s Barakats are big. When she returns to the TV room, the narrator is sure she’s going to brag, but instead Saadika tells her brother that the Barakat is for him – she asked Aunty Tiema to put one together for him too. He blushes in embarrassment, perhaps also out of disbelief. He sees his mother standing behind her, smiling, and he sees his father also smiling at him. This year is special because he got his own Barakat. His mother, father and sister all start laughing and, now that he’s calmer, the narrator laughs too.

SummariesKeroshan Pillay1 Comment