Nomaswazi

by Busisekile Khumalo

Dumped at the altar, shame and the bitter taste of rejection drive a teenage girl from the sheltered rural lands of Swaziland to the hard streets of Johannesburg. Forsaking the riches of her former life, she manages to build herself up from bartending to the respectable offices of a reputable law firm. Her tranquility is shattered when the same arrogant devil who almost drove her to suicide through his rejection, comes back into her life, claiming and marking her as his wife.
Nomaswazi is forced to come back home a prodigal daughter when her father's health takes a turn for the worst. Her father had always cocooned her from the harsh truths of her birth but even he couldn't protect her from the revelations which await her in the rustic hills of Maphalaleni.

Genres: Romance, Love, Romantic, Young Adult, Fantasy, African American Romance, Princesses

354 pages, Hardcover

Published May 31, 2019

About the author

Best-selling author of The Harvard wife, Nomaswazi, Lola's Heart and Fallen Candle

Reviews

[Thobeka Nzama]

My first problem with this book, and many other modern contemporary SAn writers is the non-attention to detail. This relates to grammar and setting of the scene. There were many instances where it was evident the book was either not proof-read at all, or it was not a thorough job. It makes me feel like authors are so eager to release their product, they don't take the time to do a confirmation check on the quality of the product they're releasing into the public.

That being said, I think the book does a good job of remaining current and relevant while having that classic romance factor. I appreciate how it speaks on themes such as racial issues in the office, sexual harassment, mental health, toxic families and family members, the imperfections of our elders, and all these hard topics we should be having conversations about. Although, sadly, it's all on a superficial level. I absolutely LOVE how the Swati phrases weren't translated within the text (there is a dictionary at the back though, for readers to understand the phrases).

I like how Busisekile put Nomaswazi in a position of dominance (taking over her father's place as community leader). I like even more that it was only the males in her immediate circle who believed in and supported her (not counting her great aunt because she was a given anyway and she came much later, and yes counting the half brother, Lenhle, because I believe deep in his heart he was rooting for Nomaswazi when he wasn't being abused by his sister). I also liked how we weren't sold the dream of a relationship that instantly worked out and was just roses and peaches from the onset - they actually had to do some work, on themselves individually and the companionship together.

So why 2 stars? Because I like a good story with plenty background, character development, emotional depth; and I feel romance novels are limited in this regard. They're very monotonous and predictable, and it's just the fault of the genre itself. Specifically this book: the background was shallow, character development didn't really get you to a point where you understand the characters - mostly we're just speculating on their thought processes and feeling and reactions, plot had gaps and ideas introduced had little to no build up or further focus. Also with the descriptives of characters, thoughts, feelings - like put me in the person's shoes - and I didn't get that.

But all in all it was an okay read.

[Zinhle Ngidi]

About the book:
When her father showed her a picture of the husband (Hlongwane) that she was supposed to marry at the age of 17, she fell in love with him same time. Even when she overheard the groom’s side calling her a fat cow, she continued with the wedding plan. When her supposed to be husband stopped the priest on their wedding day and rejected her in front of their guests that almost drove her to an early grave.

The story starts 6 years later where Nomaswazi was in Johannesburg after running away from Swatiland after the rejection. After 6 years their paths crossed again. When Nomaswazi narrates her story you will hate Hlongwane with all your being. Even when they meet 6 years later, he is a control freak, a womanizer and a sex addict. Seeing them reconnecting you will hate Nomaswazi because after everything the guy has put her through and we find her falling all over again.

Her past left her self-conscious of how she looked, she lost lot of weight while at it, trying to avoid to be a fat cow that she was once called. Her past was not only rejection from Hlongwane but her siblings too that ill treated her without any mercy. She ended up cutting herself whenever she felt depressed, she believed pain was part of her life. She was also told she was the reason their mother died as she died while giving birth to her.

You will start warming up to Hlongwane when you understand why he rejected her, how broken he was at the time, and start appreciating him more knowing that he would have abused her had they got married the 1st time. I wish all broken men can be like Ntsika Hlongwane and not commit until they deal with their demons.

(Looking at the front cover of the book) - I wonder if it was intentional or not but Analyst- Minenhle kaMaNgidi had this to say. “A woman that has suffered, that feels incomplete, that does not feel she is worthy to be loved” Yes some say she looks disabled, is it not how we feel on the inside when they rip our hearts out and feed on them? When we feel rejected and unworthy!
Back of the book- when she rediscovered herself, went through counseling, she is standing with confidence, standing tall, and laughing out to the world. She has the whole world in her hands.

Back to the story, that is where Nomaswazi ended, at the top and as the chief of a village with the love of her life next to her. This time they get married out of their own will. They both dealt with their demons and realized they loved each other from Swatiland to South Africa and back. By the way she is a 24 year old virgin that only started tasting adult stuff on her wedding night.

The book addresses issues like depression, crime, rape, bulling, abuse, family secrets, death and many more

About the author
Busisekile has blessed us yet again after her 1st book The Harvard wife. A very talented author that also started sharpening her skills on facebook. Thank you MaKhumalo firstly for a free copy, for your time writing for us and your storyline is great girl. Well done!!!

[Rishile Mabasa]

I received my book around 5pm and immediately began my journey, 8 hours later I was attending the much delayed wedding of queen Nomaswazi and Hlongwane.  Here are some highlights for me:
Nomaswazi takes you on a journey of Nomaswazi and her left-you-at-the-alter-but-you-are-my-wife Hlongwane. The journey begins with Nomaswazi telling us about herself and the unfortunate event that saw her run away from home. Her bethron husband, Hlongwane, randomly shows up at her work place one day, putting a spin into life as Swazi knows it.

I am not surprised that even after years later Nomaswazi is still infatuated with her "husband", more like a silly crush for the good looking man who left her at the alter, else she wouldn't have been so welcoming. I don't even know how to feel about her remaining a virgin (I'm not saying she shouldn't have, but in the setting this means so much more) she's even willing to give it up to the man "she hates" despite her thinking "she's saving herself for her husband (well Hlongwane is too🤣) I feel like she was trying to prove to herself and him that the body change has made her desirable, no one can jilt her now, even after calling her a cow, she wins. And she sees him rejecting her as" even after looking this good, nigga still don't want me"

I loved the jump from Swazi's POV to Hlongwane, that was a much welcomed twist seeing as there are two sides to a story

The story is true to the words "everybody's got a story to tell", both Nomswazi and Hongwane are recovering from their childhood pains and as much as he hurt her, had he married her then, he would completely destroyed her. At the perfect point in their lives they came together and together they healed.

But wow Busisekile is a wordsmith, her use of language and tone, she manages to engross you in the story, you become a part of it, secretly whispering at Nomaswazi to be careful, to play it safe, and you cry with her when death strikes. You feel every emotion. From the days of The Havard Wife, to Her Silent Screams and all the random projects in between, Busisekile had found a place in my heart. I love watching her grow and I am looking forward to seeing, well reading, more of her masterpieces.

[Yvonne Maphosa]

A beautiful story of a young woman discovering herself. I liked how relatable Nomaswazi was, she's not the common over the top girl. I love the research that went into this book and the solid storyline, the themes of Swati culture, matriarchy and patriarchy. It's a beautiful, easy read. The author outdid herself in this one.

[Anita]

What do you do when you rejected and left in the alter by a handsome arrogant man who called you a fat cow, as any young maiden Nomaswazi was humiliated and she ran away from home (Swaziland) . Nomaswazi went to Johannesburg (South Africa) in persue of a new start and a better future but little did she know her past will come back with a Hot Adonis so-called-husband claiming her as his wife.. Wait did i mention his hot🔥🔥🔥 and he came gun blazing playing the hero. PLEASE NOTE: I HATED HIM AFTER READING THE FIRST FEW PAGES.



Without revealing any spoilers, Nomaswazi was a great read and i couldn't put it down because i wanted to find out why Hlongwane ( That's the hot arrogant so-called-husband surname, he is all alpha and commands respect that's why i am using his surname to address him) left Nomaswazi in the alter. The book is about Forgiveness, family feuds, body shaming and so much more issues that affect an everyday women and men. I loved that the author dived into such issues and still managed to make the book a RomCom well that is my opinion.

Nomaswazi had me scoffing, grinning like idiot wanting revenge but then 60% /50% ( I didn't study Mathematics) into the book i was in tears, Jesus i was not ready for the twist that involved Hlongwane, i wanted to hug him and tell him he is great man. THIS PART OF THE STORY WAS REALLY HARD AND PAINFUL TO READ, I MEAN JUST THINKING THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY FICTION BUT THAT SOME WOMEN SON IS OR HAS GONE THROUGH THIS ALL IN THE NAME OF BEING A STRONG MEN GUTS ME. I had already forgiven him when he took charge and went all alpha on Nomaswazi making sure she went back home to....... *no spoilers😊* but that part about Hlongwane past showed me his vulnerable side made me melt and i was ready to plan their second official wedding. #Sniff #Sniff.........

WAIT...... I HAVE TO SAY I HATED NOMASWAZI SISTER, I WAS READY TO COMMIT NOVEL MURDER THROW HER OVER THE CLIFF 😂😂🤐🤐

Moving on..... What i loved most about the book besides the romance and sex 😉... Is when the couple went back to Swaziland and i was in awe of the description of Swaziland, the way the author describes the mountains and the village landscape it made me want to go to Swaziland and see all the places mentioned in the book and i will probably score my self a Hlongwane who knows😍😍

I gave the book ⭐⭐⭐⭐ because not only was it well written but it managed to capture me and had me wanting more but i feel like they were more issues that needed to explored and more groveling to be done, I wanted him to be on his knees while wearing his tailored suits but one thing i can't take away from him is his love Nomaswazi.

Note Author: Thank you for giving a Local book boyfriend ❤️❤️ #Hlongwane

[Sindiswa Hlubi]

A phenomenal gripping storyline of love, hate & addiction relationship among siblings, greed, lies, true revelations towards the end and a cliffhanger as to who killed Zamaswazi? Hope Miss Busisekile Khumalo will have a follow up read to complete her storyline..

[Angie]

I loooved this book. I don't even have a lot to say about it, I just really enjoyed reading it.

[Sinazo Blue Nontlanga]

A great love story that I enjoyed, I'm so blessed.

[Toni]

If I could give this book zero stars, I would. I went into it so excited — the synopsis promised a rich story about family, culture, love, and personal transformation. What I got instead was something that read like a rushed Wattpad draft filled with clichés, toxic relationships, and disappointingly shallow writing.

From the beginning, I struggled with how underdeveloped the characters were. There’s little to no depth, especially between the two main characters who are somehow expected to carry the emotional weight of a second-chance love story — despite being literal strangers forced into an arranged marriage. The book writes them like exes trying to rekindle something real, but there was never anything real to begin with. It felt contrived, forced, and entirely unearned.

The main character, Swazi, is written as deeply insecure and passive, and her internalised misogyny (referring to other women as “skinny hag” and “Miss Legs”) was jarring. Her actions — especially her willingness to forgive a man who admitted to graping a 16-year-old!!!— were beyond troubling. And not just forgive — she’s ready to throw herself into his arms minutes after that confession. Even before the context of that story is revealed, her response is romanticised. What does that say about how we’re taught to view abuse when it’s dressed up as “complicated love”? As a society, we claim to stand against gender-based violence, but stories like these — where abuse and love coexist — blur those lines in dangerous ways.

Then there’s the tired, offensive trope of the “ugly” plus-sized girl who’s only seen as worthy of love once she’s lost weight and become “pretty.” It’s lazy. It’s harmful. And it could’ve been an opportunity to show something fresh — a complex journey of a woman grappling with self-image, rejection, and the loneliness of city life. That story could have been powerful. But it was sacrificed for empty plot twists and weirdly written sex scenes (yes, the man named his penis… why?).

The male lead, Hlongwane, is your stereotypical toxic black man wrapped in wealth, trauma, and control issues. He’s entitled, emotionally manipulative, and infantilises Swazi constantly. His love reads more like lust and ownership than anything healthy or believable.

Even the writing style left much to be desired. The dialogue is unrealistic, the pacing jumps from 0 to 100 without buildup, and every major emotional or plot development feels unearned. The most interesting part of the book — the lobola scene with the sister and the babies — is never really explored in depth. Like everything else in this book, it’s rushed and underwhelming.

I’ve noticed a troubling trend in a lot of South African contemporary fiction — the romanticisation of toxic behaviour, with the local setting used as a crutch to make the story ‘juicy’. But a local setting doesn’t excuse shallow writing and harmful narratives. We deserve better stories — ones that treat love with care, handle trauma responsibly, and don’t expect us to root for abuse.

This book was, honestly, a disappointment in every way. It could’ve been a powerful story about healing, personal growth, cultural conflict, and self-love — but instead, it became yet another South African novel romanticising toxic nonsense. And for what?

[Refiloe Sharon]

Wow
What an arousing book.
I cried and laughed while reading this book but it was the emotions in the book which made it worth reading. The lack of Self Confidence Nomaswazi had about her body. I practically don't blame Hlongwane for what he did to Swazi but at the end he managed to fix his mistakes. I simply love your book, it managed to surpass my high expectations and be nothing at all like I expected. My heart just poured of out as l reached the the last few pages of your book.
It was indeed beautifully written at it reached out into the depths of my soul
#AmForeverMarriedToNomaswazi

[Zanele Patricia Mbatha]

Haibo! Busisekile mfethu, what a captivating book this is. It’s about forgiveness (including self forgiveness), self acceptance and most of all, LOVE! I know it’s crazy, but I’m eagerly waiting to meet my Hlongwane who will love and worship me like Ntsika did Nomaswazi.....ooooh🥰🥰🥰 the charcoal-eyed devil 😈. Thank you for narrating this story so beautifully MaMbulazi, well done sisi 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[Mable Makofane]

I didn't want the book to end, it one of the amazing love stories. Busi did her research based on Swati culture and the book its well written , its really makes the story feel tangible to the reader.


About the Book:

The book its about a younger lady(Nomaswazi) who ran away from home after her fiancé(Hlongwane) left her at the altar. But he never stopped caring for her, he knew everything about her and after 6 years he came for her. Nomaswazi was forced to come home when her father was very ill.

I loved the part where they spent time at Zambali at one of Hlongwane's apartment. This is where Hlongwane showed his lover for Nomaswazi,

I hated the part where the Hlongwane's Twin brother hit Nomaswazi so bad and there is part of how the boys grow up, its more like its Ok for them to behavior like that because the father took them to a camp when they were young and had to do bad things. Hlongwane was always protecting his brother.

[Thuli]

The story is great and mature - as are her other stories: The Harvard Wife and Silent Screams. Busisekile's writing is mature and does not insult the reader's intelligence with unrealistic themes.
Busi is well researched.

An observation I have made of Nomaswazi and the works by the author is that she writes about healing under the guise of a romantic/love story. Busi your genre is HEALING not ROMANCE - they should create that genre for you.

The underlying romantic story is the escape I seek when I read a romantic story.

I love that even then, my own healing journey was reflected in fractions when I read in Nomaswazi, and I could comfortably reflect on my own journey under the kind light Busi casts on issues. This helps me understand myself more, and be kinder to myself as a result.

I love your work Busi. Keep going.

[Keneilwe Ntsweng]

Busisekile Khumalo is an excellent writer, you get drawn to her books. This particular book WOW! Reading Nomaswazi was like being there and experiencing the life of this young soul who got hurt and was left with a low self esteem and confidence. You don't feel like it's a book. The story line is in tact you don't get lost and left wondering. I enjoyed reading about Swazi & Hlongwane's journey. I cried at their life's experiences and also at how they ended up in each other's arms again.

The book taught me about letting go of the past and about forgiviness. Yesterday I read it again for the 5th time and I was still fascinated like the first day I read it. This by far is my best book for 2019. Looking forward to many more books from Busi..

Well done Busi, keep doing what you do best ❤️

Ps: We need 2 pages of Swazi & Hlongwane's nights of passion😂😂

[Vimbai Natalie]

Nomaswazi! What can I say? Firstly I would love to thank the author for penning such a fresh authentic African story. For a young girl who grew up reading Mills and Boons, reading about people with the same color as me makes all the difference in the world. Nomaswazi was a book that took me on a roller coaster ride and through it all it made me confront my own issues as a black woman. I loved the love story and how everything turned out to be alright in the end. Busisekile is such a talented author and that breed of authors is rare.

[Ntombi Letlojane-Sibande]

This book kept me on my toes. From the first chapter I kept on turning the pages.
I was amazed by Hlongwane's patience for waiting for years to get married to his bride.
Nomaswazi is a woman who can be relevant to most women nowadays. We might work hard to lose weight or get accepted by society but those demons would haunt us in future.
I love each and every chapter it is really a page turner.
Thank you Busi for sharing your work with us.

[Kesekeleteng Yvonne]

This is not the first book by this author that I read. Besides being a page turner, i loved how well researched the contents of this book are. I learned so much about the Swazi culture, the places and the characters generally. Her writing is one of a kind, easy to read and understand (without referring to the dictionary every now and then).
My friends are just hooked - thanks to the author.

[Rachel]

You know nomatter what you do or what you go through you can never run away from your past ,someday it will always come back to haunt you,yes she then fell inlove with someone that called her names but we cant fight destiney

[Tsholofelo]

I actually enjoyed reading Nomaswazi, because it was different from all these other books that have sex from beginning to the end of the book.

[Nompilo Buthelezi]

The book is very interesting

[Claire Hondo]

Swazi and hlongwani was too raw for me with so many emotions had to put it down alot but yaa what a read
Thanks Busi for such a fantastic book

[Thobeka Mhlongo]

Nice stuff

[Vuyisile Poswa-Nindi]

Love, love, love the book. It’s so intriguing and so refreshing. Was a really great read

[Liteboho]

I have both novels of the Harvard wife and Nomaswazi l love thm and will treasure them for ever. Sis l love your writing.

[Akei]

Awesome!!!!

[Sandisiwe Gxaba]

Your father, the man you love and respect, arranges for you to marry the most breathtakingly handsome man you’ve ever laid eyes on. Tall, dark, and dripping in God-like charm, Hlongwane should’ve been a dream come true. But then, he opens his mouth and shatters your fragile self-esteem with one cruel statement: “I’d never marry a fat pig like you.”

As if your sister’s relentless bullying hadn’t done enough damage, he says it in front of everyone. Yet, ever the dutiful daughter, you still walk down that aisle, only for him to publicly humiliate you further. At the very last second, he decides he can’t go through with the marriage, leaving you alone at the altar, your heart crushed and your dignity in shreds.

What do you do? You pack your bags, leave your homeland, and move to Johannesburg, the city of gold, determined to rebuild yourself far from the shame, the heartbreak, and him.

Fast forward a few years, and you’ve shed the weight—but not the scars. You’re gorgeous, yes, but no amount of beauty can undo years of being broken down. Still, life has to go on. You’ve got a decent job as a receptionist, a humble apartment in the heart of Joburg, and a quiet, steady life. That is, until the man who left you humiliated at the altar shows up.

Hlongwane.

He walks into your office looking sharp in a suit that only amplifies his god-like aura. But to you, he’s still the man who ripped your heart to shreds. As fate would have it, he intervenes at just the right moment, saving you from an inappropriate colleague who’s crossed every boundary. It’s a knight-in-shining-armor moment, but you’re not ready to thank him just yet.

Hlongwane isn’t just here to save you from a sleazy coworker. He’s here to make amends, to win back the woman he once called unworthy. But can he?

Swazi, once the bubbly, confident daddy’s princess, is now a guarded woman. Her father’s request for her to return home and lead her people adds another layer of pressure. And Hlongwane? He’s tasked with bringing her back. But Swazi isn’t making it easy—not for the man who crushed her spirit.

Their dynamic is messy, raw, and oh-so-human. Hlongwane fights to rebuild Swazi’s shattered confidence, battling his own demons in the process. He’s no perfect hero, but his determination to make things right stirs something undeniable.

This story is a masterclass in family dynamics, cultural expectations, and the intricate dance of redemption and self-worth. You’ll root for Swazi to find her strength and decide if Hlongwane’s love is worth the risk. And Hlongwane? He’ll have you questioning whether a man who’s made the ultimate mistake can truly make amends.

Dive into this whirlwind of love, betrayal, and second chances. Is it a classic enemies-to-lovers tale or something deeper? Can Swazi forgive the man who left her broken and find herself in the process? And Hlongwane—will he prove that love, when fought for, can heal even the deepest wounds?

[Lufuno Lhallu]

A Review of Nomaswazi by Lufuno LhallU Khonza

Love as the centre of all things beautiful; Restoration, Healing, Light and Liberation.

In Nomaswazi, we are let in the life of a beautiful dark skinned Nkosathana, that navigates life mostly embedded by the unconditional love, warmth, comfort of a father, a daughter's first love, shield and protector but drippled with childhood traumas, rejection, acceptance and belonging or lack thereof mostly attributed by colourism and what society deems beautiful. What makes the book profound is that it touches on topics that are mostly sensitive and controversial in our homes. We are taught to be less confrontational when confronted with such. Sibling rivalry is rife and venomous in our households, it breeds on lifelong traumas and hatred that we can never be our sister's keepers. It leads some to doom while others chose liberation.

However, the book's strong theme which I believe is LOVE stands out.

Summarily, Nomaswazi's love is the epitome and foundation of all women's love. A love that sees no bounds, love that endures, loves that restores.

A man as troubled as Hlongwane, conflicted and consumed by demons that stretch far as his childhood; man thirsty of his father's love and approval, a man still yearning for his mother's warmth, we see a man that is slowly and steadily coming to light, a man that has come in touch with love so rare, love so rare that what he deemed to be dead, feelings of humanness come alive. We witness the love of two troubled souls that lead each other out of the darkness, love that makes one "completely and utterly consumed by another". What initially started as part of custom and tradition, Nomaswazi and Hlongwane's love story blossoms into so much more.

In this book, Busisekile is changing the narrative of love, it is as if she is telling her readers that Black, African men are capable of loving purely and real. That they are capable of atoning and becoming better and redeeming themselves. In the end, we witness a father and a son starting afresh, starting anew. Not forgetting the past but referrencing it for a better future.

To all beautiful African women, may it always be affirmed that you deserve to be loved how you want to be loved. May each of you get your Hlongwanes without the scars, traumas, darkness and damage. May you experience soft love. May nothing convince you otherwise.

Happiest Birthday Ma'Khumalo. Continue being the light that shines upon others. You truly are a blessing!!!

This is my first book review. Hopefully, I captured the message you wanted to tell from this book.

[Minenhle]

Bullying
Our main character suffers a lot under her sister's hand (will not include her brother because he was a puppet). She does not only get bullied at home but this also happens at school. What's worse with her sister is that she is abusing her for the sin's of her mother, Tandzazile, who is not even at fault. So the bullying has no valid reason except for SINS OF THE PARENTS FALL TOWARDS THE KIDS, which drives me crazy. But i dont know how to review a book so ignore my rantings.

Rejection
At some point, i understand Ntsika's reason for rejecting Swazi in the first place. Yeah it broke her heart and she nearly killed herself, ran away from home, but her departure made her learn to be independent and fierce and fight for what's hers. If Ntsika had married her that time, she would've been more heart broken because he would've used him only for the mines.

Relationships
Swazi's relationship with Akhona looked promising but she downright disappointed me, but them our gender always want nice things for themselves. I don't like how Akhona treated Swazi after meeting Ntsika but bitches be jealous and nasty.

Overall, the whole book was well written. It made me cry at some point, especially the part where Swazi's dad died because i remembered my late father. 5 stars for this one❤⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Amanda]

This is just an amazing Read. When it arrived on my door step I immediately started With it and I didn't even want to put it down. I had to take it to school with me and I really didn't want it to end.
Busisekile really did an amazing job and I would like to read more of her books.

About the Book:
Nomaswazi,a young girl who was to be married off to her father's friends son. Swazi loved him the From the pictures as he thought he's what?Her night in shining armor;the One. But he had to leave her at the altar which broke her.
Firstly I hated Hlongwane and I really couldn't wait to read his point of View. When he started to want Swazi back I thought like Swazi would be so stupid to take him back but I really understood his character throughout the Story and I loved him;70% though since I didn't fully trust him but he was great. I even hated how Swazi was handling things,the pranks she got from Hlongwane's twin and she would run away without knowing Hlongwane's side of the Story;Man that was yooh.
I didn't even want Zamaswazi to die,I wanted her to see her sister's happiness.

All in all,the Story was great and I didn't even regret reading it. I would read it all over and over again.

[Refiloe]

A beautifully written story about a young girl who navigate through life after being rejected by a suitor found by her father. The story takes an interesting turn when the suitor makes a comeback years later.

Zama the valian who touched my heart,when she said "You only lost a mother that you don't even know,while I lost both my parents the day you were born....." I realise that parenting style has a major impact on kids. Having being introduced to the dark side by the mother who died when she was at a tender age,she needed Sobhuza but he failed being there while he was busy protecting Swazi fueling the hate planted at Zama's brain instead of bringing the kids together in the absence of the bitter woman.

I love that the book touches on mental health issues and put to shame those who still call it "The white man disease ". It shows the importance of taking care of ones mental health and this is clearly articulated by Swazi and Hlongwane's journey from the time we learn why he left her at the altar,how everything Swazi went through affected her to the time they start therapy and the people they became after therapy.