RONNIE KASRILS: The day Homeboy found out the truth about Baba
'Baba was bearded and wore a balaclava cap. Homeboy was of lighter complexion, bearded too, the hood of his waterproof coat covering his head'
This is an extract from A Simple Man - Kasrils and the Zuma Enigma', by Ronnie Kasrils, published by Jacana Their vision impaired by soft rain and mist, two shadowy figures lurk in the bush, peering through binoculars into the descending gloom, as they scan the border fence. "Just the weather for violating the frontier, eh Baba [Father]," one mutters to the other, and they quietly chuckle (as lads do) at the sexual connotation. "Yebo, mFana'kithi [Yes, Homeboy]," agrees the one addressed as Baba, "like amaRussia used to say: bad weather is the guerrilla's best friend." "Some would rather be in bed with the 'blanket'," Homeboy responds; and the two chuckle at the army slang for the comforts of a sweetheart. "Let's hope the Swazi men are doing the 'thing' on a night like this," says Baba, "instead of sniffing around the border," which gets them chuckling again. "Sniffing the blanket!" and they struggle to control their laughter. There was no sign of the dusk patrol along the frontie...
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