The autograph

I wake up after all the festivities. I have partied all night long because the south African rugby team won the world championship. "Jaco!" I hear my mother scream. I throw some clothes on me and then I run down the stairs. "Jaco you have to go to the textile factory and work," she said and so I did.

When I came into the building I could feel the smell of hundreds of children sweating their ass off as they did their work. The sound of all the machines was overwhelming. I went to my seat, number 137. I sat down, did my work and Ella the girl that sat right next to me was chattering as always. She was talking about her dream to meet Mandela. Everyone wanted to meet Mandela, every single south African on this planet.

When I was close to finishing my work the district responsible came to me and said: " Jaco I got an extra special task for you today, if you finish it you will get 10000 rands". 10000 rands, 10000 of our own currency. I could live on that for months. So I followed him to his office. I felt like something was alright here. " Jaco this is your job, I want you to find Mandela and get his autograph, if you finish it you get 10000 rand but if you don't finish it you have to assassinate Mandela" he continued " so are you in?" and I knew this wasn't a question, it was an order. So I simply answered "yes" and went straight out, crying because I didn't know what to do, even though I knew what I had to do. I had to go from Primrose the village I live in and then walk the 15 kilometers to Johannesburg. There's just a gravel road leading there and if something decides to stop me I have no way to fight back and no one will be there to help me but I kept on walking and luckily nothing gets me this time.

So here I am sitting outside Mandela's white mansion hoping that he will walk out today. If he doesn't I will sit here for another day and if he doesn't come out then I'll have to leave. The whole mansion was surrounded by trees so I took a few branches and made a sign on the road in front of me that said "Hi I'm Jaco give me money or food if you feel like it" and then I just sat there.

I was looking out of the window as I always do when something special happen. I just sit there and think of how much our country has accomplished but for the first time in my life I saw a child, an African child, waiting to talk with me. I knew that right away. He wasn't here for food, money or anything else. He wants to talk to me. "Madiba", the maid said and snapped me out of my thoughts.

I could hear a silent beep and the sound of the gate opening. I could see the light from the door and the sound of people talking inside but I didn't care about that. I cared about the man that stood before me. Nelson Mandela.

The child that sat outside my door looked like he was gonna go crazy and he kinda did. He told me his whole life story and the problem he stands in right now and the only person that can help him is me and so I did. But I couldn't let him go without a dinner so we shared a little pizza and I drove him home to his hometown, Primrose.

I showed the district responsible the autograph and I got my price, 10000 rands but I didn't care about that because Mandela has done something far more important and nicer. He has given me an apartment for me and my mother and a life supply of food. Nothing can top that.