Free Starlight in the Ring by H. N. Quinnen Page B

rhetorical question, to live hoping for change and help myself survive. However, some days are different.
    From Betty’s Diary, 20 th January 1964

Chapter 4
The Apartheid Laws
January 1964
    I ’m still at home in Skoonfontein Farm for holidays. My mum is sitting outside, chatting to other people from the nearby farms. They have finished eating their meals – dumplings and roast lamb. Lots of dishes are left on a tray for washing up later. I help myself feeling very pleased to have such a lovely lunch today.
    It’s bad of me to be happy because Baas’ sheep died delivering a lamb. Whenever an animal dies, Baas gives it to us to eat. We have loads of meat and we’re also able to share with other farm labourers. Well, I can’t help it; one man’s meat is another man’s poison.
    We’re having a kind of a celebration today with our visitors sitting outside having a barbecue, although my parents are unable to entertain them fully. The smoke is thick in the atmosphere, and the smell of barbecue is mouth-watering. Sadly, my Mum and Dad are unable to stay with our guests; that’s a shame.They pop in to see that everybody is all right, eating meat, peaches and drinking homemade ginger-beer, and then return to their usual farm-jobs. Baas should be happier since they are not neglecting their duties. A bowl of yellow peaches is put in the middle of the circle, for those people who want to help themselves. Aunty Rose starts singing songs in her distinctive voice, one after another, and the others join in. I stand by the door listening and watching them sing
Happy Skoonfontein
and dancing with sweat dripping down into their eyes. They don’t seem bothered by this, as they wipe it off with the back of their hands. Others blow their noses, and wipe off their hands on the grass or their clothes.
    Happy Skoonfontein! Home to our Elderly!
    We love you; we thank you.
    Happy Skoonfontein!
    I’m happy for Skoonfontein, ha-ha-ha! I’m happy for Skoonfontein,
    oh-ha-ha-ha! Happy Skoonfontein!
    We’re happy with you!
    Here to stay; and to die.
    Happy Skoonfontein!
    I’m happy for Skoonfontein, ha-ha-ha!
    I’m happy for Skoonfontein, oh-ha-ha-ha!
    A young man, half naked, with a red cap on, is playing an accordion. He plays with his eyes shut but manages to press all the buttons, playing a beautiful melody. The farm-workers appear happy, dancing many different kinds of dances. I’m fascinated with one where they form a circle and then take turns dancing in the middle, doing all kinds of tricks, lifting their legs up, one after another. Some men are great at vibrating their bodies from their legs to their shoulders. Women tend to concentrate on moving their waists.
    “Huh, what are you doing?” The volume of the music is sohigh and to make things worse some people are aiding the rhythm, yelling, “yep, yep, yeah.” I shout louder, “No” putting my right hand under my chin, surprised as Uncle Dover goes behind Aunty Maud’s back, moving his waist towards her buttocks and then drops his upper body to the right and left. They receive a round of applause. I find it absolutely disgusting for grown-ups to dance like that. Uncle Witvoet turns his head, waves at me, before filling a glass with ginger-beer. He finds a space and sits down drinking.
    Both men and women take turns beating the drums. These are made from cut diesel containers, and then covered on both sides with dry cattle skin. They paint them bright colours and attach a strong string to go around the neck and hold them up. Women shake improvised tambourines. They dance alone and in pairs, gently smacking each other’s backsides. They are very loud. It’s a real happy day in Skoonfontein for them.
    As for me, I know what I want – to be in school daily and hear Mistress Barlow shout, “Children, read your books. You need the best possible education!” Miss Barlow is a tall skinny lady with a friendly, echoing voice, sharp nose and grey curly hair. She often wears