SEBENZISA IKHONO LAKHO - By Samukelisiwe Zwane

Written By: Samukelisiwe Zwane

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Presenting an evocative short story by Samukelisiwe Zwane, "Sebenzisa Ikhono Lakho," featured in the Short Story category of the esteemed Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This narrative, rooted in the power of talent and determination, explores the journey of a young girl transforming her life through her skill in sewing. Samukelisiwe's work beautifully reflects the theme of realizing one's potential and using it to navigate life's challenges.

About the Work

"Sebenzisa Ikhono Lakho" is a heartfelt story about the unyielding spirit of a young girl named Nokuthula. Through vivid storytelling, Samukelisiwe Zwane portrays themes of perseverance and empowerment. The narrative is rich with cultural imagery and emotional depth, illustrating how Nokuthula's dedication to her craft becomes a beacon of hope and success. The work champions the message that talent, when nurtured, can lead to profound personal and community transformation.

SEBENZISA IKHONO LAKHO

Original Submission by Samukelisiwe Zwane

SEBENZISA IKHONO LAKHO

Ikhono liyisiphiwo esivela kuMdali okufanele sisetshenziswe. Wonke umuntu uzalwa efumbethe ikhono lakhe kube kuye ukuthi ukhetha ukulisebenzisa noma liba ngumhlobiso nje empilweni yakhe.

UMaMkhize wayehlala endlini encane yodaka eMnambithi, lapho kuhlala khona iphunga lobulongwe nephunga likaphalafini. Indlu yayincane, kodwa umshini wakhe omdala wokuthunga wawuhlala njalo ekhoneni, ugcwele uthuli.

Indodakazi yakhe UNokuthula eyayifunda ibanga leshumi, yayingakhulumi kakhulu. Kodwa izandla zayo zona zazikhuluma. Uma isikole siphumile, yayihlala phansi, ithathe ibhulukwe lika mama elidabukile, isike, ithunge, kuvele isikhwama esincane esivulekayo esihle.

“Nokuthula, yeka ukudlala ngalezi zindwangu,” kwasho umakhelwane ngelinye ilanga “Lento oyenzayo izosibangela amagundwane.”

UNokuthula akazange amnake umakhelwane, kunalokho waqhubeka kakhulu nomsebenzi wakhe. Kwaze kwaba ngulwesihlanu, ngehora lekhefu. Uthisha wakhe wesiZulu, uNksz Sithole, wabona isikhwama ayesithungile.

“Nokuthula, ubani othunge lokhu?”

“Kuthungwe yimi Memu”

UNksz Sithole akazange ancome nje. Wathatha isikhwama, wasibeka etafuleni labanye othisha.

“Niyabona? Leli akulona ikhono lokuzilibazisa. Isinkwa sokuphila lesi.”

Balibabaza ikhono likaNokuthula abanye othisha, ubuhle besikhwama ayesenzile sabenza bahlabeka umxhwele.

Ngobusuku bangeSonto, ugesi wahamba eMnambithi njengokujwayelekile. UMaMkhize wayekhanyise ikhandlela. UNokuthula wathatha ucingo luka nina wathwebula izikhwama ezintathu ayesenazo, wazifaka ku-Facebook Marketplace wabhala: “Izikhwama ezenziwe ngesandla R80- eMnambithi”

Abantu bazithanda kakhulu izikhwama zakhe. NgoLwesibili, ucingo lukaMaMkhize lwakhala. Inombolo angayazi. UNokuthula wayefake inombolo kanina esikhangisweni njengoba wayengenalo ucingo oluthi yena.

“Sawubona, ngingu Nobuhle. Ngibone izikhwama zakho. Ngine-baby shower e-Acaciavale ngoMgqibelo. Ngidinga izipho ezingu-20 zabantu abazayo. Ungakhona ukungenzela lokho? Ngizokukhokhela u-R3000.”

Isandla sikaNokuthula saqhaqhazela. U-R3000 kwakuyimali yesikole sonyaka wonke.

“Yebo, ngizokwenza.” Washo, nakuba umshini wokuthunga wawugcwele uthuli futhi enendwangu eyodwa nje.

Bobabili, umama nendodakazi basebenza. UMaMkhize wasika, uNokuthula wathunga kwaze kwasa. NgoMgqibelo ekuseni, UNokuthula waboleka imali yokuya edolobheni kumakhelwane, wagibela itekisi esehambisa izikhwama kwikhasimende.

UNobuhle wavula izikhwama, wathula isikhashana.

“Nokuthula… lezi zinhle kakhulu. Ngilinde.”

Wathatha ucingo lwakhe, waqala i-video call. Eceleni kwakukhona owesifazane omhlophe.

“Mama, bheka! Nansi intombazane ebengikutshela ngayo. Lezi yizikhwama zayo.”

Lowesifazane wathi: “Sisebenza ne-Ladysmith Art Centre. Ingabe ungakwazi ukusifundisela amanye amantombazane?”

UNokuthula akazange nje athole i-oda. Wathola umnyango wempumelelo.

Namhlanje, usezivulele igalaji elincane kubo. Amantombazane amgamashumi amathathu eza njalo ngoMgqibelo ezofunda ukuthunga. Akawabizi ngabafundi kodwa uwabiza ngosomabhizinisi.

UMakhelwane wafika egalagi likaNokuthula. Wabona umsindo wemishini eminingi, iphunga letiye, amantombazane ehleka.

“Namanje usakholelwa ukuthi ikhono lami alibalulekile, lizobanga amagundwane?” Kwabuza uNokuthula ephethe isikhwama esisha esenziwe ngendwangu yesikole sakhe esidala.

Umakhelwane wathi: “Cha mtanami, ngiyaxolisa. Lento yakho ingifundise ukuthi ikhono alilona iphupho. Yimbewu. Uma ungayitshali, ngeke ize ikunike izithelo.”

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event that celebrates the diverse voices of writers worldwide. This competition serves as a platform for both emerging and established writers to showcase their talent and share their unique stories. It is an opportunity to engage with a global community, fostering creativity and literary excellence.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Samukelisiwe Zwane for sharing her inspiring short story, "Sebenzisa Ikhono Lakho," with us. Her participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 highlights the power of storytelling in celebrating and nurturing talent. We are grateful for her contribution and look forward to more of her compelling narratives.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.