Grandfather Jack hated retirement, but everyone told him to slow down so he only went into the office in the afternoons. He was walking the sprawling green gardens wondering when he had gotten so old when his Grandson surprised him.

“Hi, Grandpa.”

“Jacque, what are you doing here? Aren’t you meant to be at school?”

“Grandpa, we did help stop apartheid, right? Our family?”

“Whoa, where is this coming from?”

“Will you answer the question please?” Jacque was desperate to hear a yes from his grandfather, otherwise, everything he had known about his family was a lie.

“Hold on, call Slyvia to bring us some drinks,” his grandfather ordered, but when Jacque did not move, Grandfather Jack yelled for Sylvia to come and asked for two lemonades. Sylvia came rushing back from the mansion with drinks and served them. Jacque couldn’t help but notice (something he had never really thought about) that Sylvia, their maid, was black. And so was all their staff. He started thinking about what Noni had said… Do you know what actually went on in those mines, what they did to their maids? Jacque started feeling guilty for a crime he did not commit.

“Please Grandfather, answer my question.”

“Ah yes, your weird question out of the blue. Is this about that girl you are dating, Nonx is it?”

“Grandfather Jack, please. What was our role during apartheid?”

“Jacque my boy, that was a very difficult time for everyone. Blacks and whites alike. I mean, not in the same way for the black South African’s ofcourse, but a difficult time for humanity, nonetheless. I would say we were figuring ourselves out. I won’t lie to you and tell you that this family did not benefit from apartheid, we did, and we are still reaping the benefits…”

Jacque felt his stomach clenching. His grandfather continued to say, “but we were also a massive part of bringing the apartheid regime down. It was not easy for white people to stand up back then because it meant that you were ostracised from the community. But there were many whites who did not like the racist laws, we even had our own marches but if you were seen to side with the blacks, you were treated with discontent. So as the Venters we waited until we were powerful enough and were untouchable. Our voice made a significant difference.”

“Really?”

“Yes, we were involved in some of the discussions in setting up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The aim of the court was to make sure that everyone who was a victim of violence during that time could come forward and share their pain. And those who perpetrated violence could come forward too, share their testimonies but they would not be prosecuted.”

“Wait, so the perpetrators didn’t get punished?”

“You have to understand, the country was so divided. If the whites who came forward were punished, then no one would come forward and the cycle of violence would continue. People, blacks and whites needed healing and a way forward.”

“So, our family was actually helping?”

“Yes, but we were just one small part. It took a lot of people to bring about a new South Africa. The focus of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was to give people the space to air everything, and people came together to make peace. I am not saying it is the fairest system, but at least as a country, it is the first step in moving forward. That’s why each year on December 16, we commemorate this day with a public holiday.”

Jacque took the first sip of his drink; he was overwhelmed with relief. Of course it was not great that his family gained from apartheid but they did everything they could to help end it as well. So what had Noni been talking about?

“Nonx mentioned something about you specifically doing something to her grandmother, who was a maid back then.”

His grandfather’s hand shook as he put the glass of lemonade down.

“What did you say?” his grandfather croaked.

Jacque repeated himself slowly.

“What did you say her grandmother's name is?”

“I don’t know her name but here is a photo of her from Nonx’ Instagram account.”

Grandfather Jack leaned in and stared at the photograph for a very long time before he whispered, “after all these years, it really is her.”

“Noni said you did something horrible to her, what did you do?”

“Horrible to her? I would never have hurt her. No, she broke my heart. I was in love with her.”

Noni had just finished dishing the food into plates and was about to give everyone a bowl of water to wash their hands when there was a knock at the door. She rolled her eyes, who would be rude enough to come and visit at supper time? She had had an awful day at school. She could not focus on anything and she noticed that Jacque was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he was so happy they had broken up that he went to get another girlfriend, she joked in her head, but the thought made her cry. So she tried to stop thinking about him.

She went to open the door with a dishtowel over her shoulder and got the shock of her life when she saw Jacque AND his grandfather standing at the door.

“We are so sorry to barge in like this, at this time, but I was wondering if we could see Mary?” Grandfather Jack asked her. Noni struggled to find words, and her father came to the door to salvage the situation. Noni’s father was impressed to have Jack Venter at his doorstep! He had only ever read about him or watch him on TV and now he was here, to see his mother? He had a few questions before he let the man and his boy in.

“Don’t mean to be rude Mr Venter,”

“Call me Jack,”

“Jack. What would you like to see my mother about?”

But before Grandfather Jack could answer, Gogo was at the door, opening it wider. Noni was half expecting her to kick him, or scream, but instead, she smiled and let them both in. Khulu glared from the corner of the room and then started yelling “You will not let that - ”

“Stop it now, you will be civil to our guests please,” Gogo interjected and quickly calmed Khulu.

“Don’t be rude, take a seat. Noni, dish up for them…” her mother was saying. Noni shook her head and whispered in isiXhosa, “But it's pap, white people don’t eat pap.”

Then Grandfather Jack responded in isiXhosa, “yes we do, and we love it”.

Everyone received a plate with pap, veg and beef pieces and they ate in silence, including Khulu who surprised Noni the most. Noni and Jacque sat down on the floor next to each other because there were no more available chairs.

“It’s good to see you Jack,” Gogo said, smiling widely at Grandfather Jack. They stared at each other for a long time, it was as if everyone else, including Khulu had disappeared for them.

“I am sorry to just barge in like this Mary. I had to see you with my own eyes. You are still very beautiful.”

At this Khulu stood up and raised his stick, “I will not sit here for this!”

“Honey, I am sorry. I think it’s time for everyone to know. Noni, this is what I wanted to tell you yesterday.” Gogo reached into her handbag and pulled out a photograph. It was of her in a cute polka dot dress with a white man holding hands. It was her and Grandfather Jack!

“We were madly in love,” she turned to her husband, “I’m sorry honey, I didn’t know how to tell you the truth. But when I got pregnant, I knew nothing good would come out of it. It would be the end of Jack and his family, and they were doing all they could in the fight. I was still so young, so, I left him without saying goodbye.”

“You were pregnant? We have a child?” Grandfather Jack’s eyes opened wide.

“No, I lost the baby. But I had already met Jasper, and I lied to him about how I got pregnant. He has hated you and your family since. But when I saw my dear grandbaby is in love with a Venter, and she was not going to be with him because of loyalty to a lie…I decided I would confess today. Jasper, I am so sorry.”

Noni’s Grandfather slowly stood up from his seat, shook his head in sadness and signed deeply before placing his hand on top of Gogo’s. “I love the life that you and I have created, that is all that matters to me. But this will take me some time to deal with. See you in bed.” He nodded to everyone in the room, then gave one long nod to Grandfather Jack before he walked out.

Grandfather Jack stood up and moved to a sofa closer to Gogo, “do you mind if I sit here?”

“No, go ahead Jack, I think you and I have a lot of catching up to do.” The two of them started talking quietly, lost in their own little world. Noni watched her grandmother laughing and it made her smile.

“Gogo,” she said interrupting them, “does that mean you don’t mind that I am dating J?”

“No, my little one, love is a beautiful thing, no matter who it is between.”

“Mum, Dad, I want to tell you that Jacque is my boyfriend.”

Noni’s mother rolled her eyes. “We have known for years, it's obvious. We were just waiting for you to be ready to tell us. Now, go to the spaza and see if you can buy everyone something sweet for dessert.”

Noni leapt up, she was so happy! Her parents were okay! “Um, Mum, it's dark, can Jacque walk with me?” she knew she was pushing her luck but was pleased when her mother said, “Yes, but hurry up”.

When they were outside Jacque laughed, “I told you that your folks would be thrilled.” He kissed her forehead, and they walked off into the darkness, hand in hand.