Siziwe Character Analysis in Mother to Mother

Mandisa’s youngest child and only daughter, and Dwadwa’s only biological child. Both Lunga and Siziwe accuse Mandisa of preferring their older brother, Mxolisi, to them. This is partly true, as Mandisa objectively does give Mxolisi more attention than her other two children. However, this is because Mandisa deeply resents Mxolisi for ruining her life and blames him for his own surprise conception (Mandisa and her then-boyfriend China never had penetrative sex, but got pregnant anyway). Mandisa gives her eldest son more attention to make up for holding such a fierce grudge against him.

Siziwe Quotes in Mother to Mother

The Mother to Mother quotes below are all either spoken by Siziwe or refer to Siziwe. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

The Legacy of Colonialism and Apartheid Theme Icon

As I step out of the door minutes later, I hastily throw out a couple of reminders: what they’re supposed to do for me that day around the house, what food they’re not to touch. “And remember, I want you all in when I come back!” Not that I think this makes any difference to what will actually happen. But, as a mother, I’m supposed to have authority over my children, over the running of my house. Never mind that I’m never there. Monday to Saturday, I go to work in the kitchen of my mlungu woman, Mrs Nelson; leaving the house before the children go to school and coming back long after the sun has gone to sleep. I am not home when they come back from school. Things were much better in the days when I only had Mxolisi. […] To remind them of my rules therefore, each morning I give these elaborate, empty instructions regarding their behaviour while I am away. A mere formality, a charade, something nobody ever heeds. The children do pretty much as they please. And get away with it too. Who can always remember what was forbidden and what was permitted? By the time I get back in the evening, I am too tired to remember all that. I have a hard time remembering my name, most of the time, as it is. But, we have to work. We work, to stay alive.

Related Characters: Mandisa (speaker), Lunga, Mxolisi, Siziwe, Mrs. Nelson, Dwadwa

Page Number and Citation: 8-9

Explanation and Analysis:

Mandisa subscribes to the idea that a parent’s identity, and specifically a mother’s, is tied to the way she manages the lives of her children. Although Mandisa recognizes that her children rarely listen to her, and understands that it is difficult for her to be a hands-on parent because she has to spend so much time out of the house earning money for her family, she still feels as though she must put on a performance of being a more controlling, more engaged parent. She feels her children’s behavior is her responsibility, and so she must do her best to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. A

Wednesday is a school day. However, not one of my children will go to school. This burdensome knowledge I carry with me as a tortoise carries her shell. But, it weighs my spirit down. Two days ago, the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) ordered the school children to join Operation Barcelona, a campaign they say is in support of their teachers who are on strike. Students were urged to stay away from school, to burn cars and to drive reactionary elements out of the townships. Flint to tinder. The students fell over each other to answer the call. Now, anyone who disagrees with them, the students label “reactionary.” This has struck stark fear in many a brave heart. One student leader has publicly announced, “We wish to make it clear to the government that we are tired of sitting without teachers in our classes.” These big-mouthed children don’t know anything. They have no idea how hard life is; and if they’re not careful, they’ll end up in the kitchens and gardens of white homes ... just like us, their mothers and fathers. See how they’ll like it then.

Related Characters: Mandisa (speaker), Siziwe, Lunga, Mxolisi

Page Number and Citation: 10

Explanation and Analysis:

Mandisa feels responsible for her children’s wellbeing, and she feels it is her job to help guide them in their choices so they have the potential for a bright future. Unfortunately, as a mother, she can only do so much. Mandisa knows that education is the key to success, and finishing one’s schooling can open up professional and financial doors in the future. However, as hard as she tries, she cannot make her children go to school, and she cannot guarantee the schools they attend are actually good. This knowledge, Mandisa explains, “weighs [her] spirit down,” knowing she can only Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non

Were he to leave school before finishing high school, he would be sorry for the rest of his life. He would be part of the thousands upon thousands of young people who roam the township streets aimlessly day and night. That is how Mxolisi stayed long enough in school to become a high school student.

Unfortunately, it is in that high school that serious problems started. Mxolisi got himself involved in politics. Boycotts and strikes and stay-aways and what have you? Soon, he was a leader in students’ politics and many who didn’t know his face knew his name.

These children went around the township screaming at the top of their voices: LIBERATION NOW, EDUCATION LATER! and ONE SETTLER, ONE BULLET! And the more involved in politics he got, the less we saw him here at home.

Related Characters: Mandisa (speaker), Mxolisi, Siziwe, Lunga

Page Number and Citation: 161

Explanation and Analysis:

Mandisa frequently worries about her children’s educations. She understands, as someone forced to drop out of school as a teenager, that she was denied opportunities both because she was a young mother, and because she didn’t have a full education. She wants better for her sons and daughter, and warns them of the consequences of dropping out of school. Unfortunately, however, her words and warnings aren’t enough. As a concerned mother, she is less powerful than a large-scale youth movement dedicated to improving the school system, but in the end destroys it. Many of the chants the children use are Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et

Siziwe Character Timeline in Mother to Mother

The timeline below shows where the character Siziwe appears in Mother to Mother. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Family, Tradition, and Obligation Theme Icon

...Guguletu, Mandisa leaves her home. Before she leaves, she wakes her children. The younger two, Siziwe and Lunga, meet her in the kitchen for coffee and bread. Mxolisi, her oldest son,... (full context)

As Mandisa walks home, she continues to worry about her children, especially her daughter, Siziwe. The street is swarming with people, and she struggles to push through the crowd. Someone... (full context)

Mandisa arrives at home, and asks Siziwe where Mxolisi and Lunga are. Mandisa realizes that Siziwe, a girl, is more vulnerable than... (full context)

Lunga is home, but Mxolisi is still missing. Mandisa is upset that Siziwe is not more concerned by her brother’s absence. Mandisa acknowledges that her younger children accuse... (full context)

Mandisa reflects on how Dwadwa, although only Siziwe’s biological father, is kind to all of her children. Still, she is unable to apologize... (full context)

...by police officers. Dwadwa jumps out of bed and pulls on a pair of pants. Siziwe runs into her parents’ room and hides in their bed. Mandisa comforts her, as the... (full context)

...to a man named Dwadwa, with whom she has her third child, a daughter named Siziwe. Mandisa appreciates that Dwadwa is “solid, steadfast, [and] predictable.” (full context)

Mandisa is happy to examine Lunga and see his injuries are only superficial. Siziwe, however, who was physically uninjured, is emotionally devastated. Mandisa goes to care for her daughter... (full context)

Mandisa picks up Siziwe from where she is squatting and shaking in the kitchen and carries her to the... (full context)

Siziwe and Lunga are relatively safe, and Mandisa finally gives herself a moment to feel “fear... (full context)

Back in the present, Mandisa wakes up in the afternoon from a long nap. Siziwe is already awake, and tells Mandisa that Mxolisi still hasn’t returned. She reports that boys... (full context)

Language, Storytelling, and History Theme Icon

Mandisa forces herself to eat with Siziwe, but is interrupted by the sound of a car outside—a surprising sound in Guguletu. A... (full context)

Siziwe Character Analysis

Siziwe Quotes in Mother to Mother

Chapter 2 Quotes

Chapter 8 Quotes

Siziwe Character Timeline in Mother to Mother