Women Are Bloody Marvellous! And Other Stories

by Betty Burton

  I've been saying it for years, and I shan't alter, women are bloody marvellous — they should leave us alone to run the world.

  Love, Jessie

  May c/o101 Chaucer Hall

  Mother,

  The Overseas Baas has given me money to buy clothes and furniture, so I send an extra ten rand, and Esther can have a new dress and socks also. These socks are for church only.

  I have a room without sharing with another girl. Some of these girls want also a room for their own and make trouble. The Concierge Madam is cross with me because of it, and This One she tries to catch me out and is inspecting my room always. She is looking always for signs that I have boys in my room. She will not get me dismissed this way for never will I have any of them.

  The Baas says we shall soon go to Durban for a holiday. It is not usual to go in May, but the Baas does not like hot weather.

  Many Overseas Baases come to the flat but they do not wish to eat English food. My Baas likes only English food. The Madam is letting me do some cooking. I do not like to have another woman in my kitchen, but the Madam is always there. It is very strange, for it is now like I am a proper cook and the Madam is the kitchen-maid.

  I tell her she should go to work in an office like all the other Madams. If she went to work I could have the kitchen to myself. She says I can stay here only if we share the work, even though she so much does not like housework.

  I have said to her that you would not catch me doing House Boy's work, so then why does she wish to do maid's work? That is different, the Madam says.

  She comes into my kitchen all the time and tells of England. It is interesting, but I like my own kitchen. I do not understand her ways. She talks a lot of politics and that sort of things. I do not understand why she bother with this. She has all things — except her own people, who she misses very much.

  Tell Esther that she must not miss even one day without learning some reading or writing. I want very much for her to have a good job when she is a woman. I will never let her be a servant. Tell her this. I shall send postcards from Durban.

  Your loving daughter, Sara

  MayThe Blue Marlin Hotel

  Amanzimtoti, Durban

  Dear Jessie,

  It is out of season but the weather's like a balmy English spring. We swim and sunbathe, and write very short letters.

  When people realize that you are a newcomer, they always ask what you think about their country. I usually say 'It's absolutely beautiful', but that isn't what they mean. What they really want is approval of their lifestyle. Why do those who have the cake not want anybody else to have any, not even the crumbs? I should like to ask why they can't see that they don't have to go on clutching their loot to their bosoms like dying misers, it's a country even richer than ours — and that's saying something, isn't it.

  But I promised my Mum I wouldn't get involved whilst I'm out here.

  Poor old John, it's worse for him, mixing with big business all the time. He's just not IBCC material. It won't last for ever, that's one thing.

  This country — ah but it's beautiful though. If things were different I could happily live here for the rest of my life.

  MayThe Blue Marlin Hotel

  Amanzimtoti

  Dear Auntie Stell,

  Kom gou! Kom kyk! Daar is die berg. We all have to learn this language at school. It means come quick and see the mountain. We came through mountains on our way to Amanzimtoti which is the name of the seaside.

  Love from Simon

  MayThe Blue Marlin Hotel

  Amanzimtoti, Durban

  Dear Grandma Burford,

  I can now read things in two languages. I can read what it says on this beach. It says 'Geen Hound — Geen Swartz' which means that dogs and black people are not allowed. I do not know why they are not allowed except the dogs who make messes everywhere.

  Love from Simon

  The Blue Marlin Hote

  Amanzimtoti, Durban

  Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

  Sara liked getting your letter. If she comes with us she is allowed to sit on the beach for white people. Did you know that Sara is black?

  If my friend Miki came here he would have to go on the black beach. I am not allowed on the black beach. It is not the sand is black, it means black people's beach.

  Miki is not black. Sara says in this country he counts as black. Mum says it is because they have different laws here. How can yellow be black, it is silly.

  There is no shark net on that beach. We have only seen one person on that beach. Sara says the sharks have eaten everybody else. Sara said it was a joke. It is best not to have dogs on the beach. I think everybody ought to have a shark net.

  Some things are not very nice. We saw hundreds of dolphins this morning. They are very nice.

  Love, Simon

  The Blue Marlin Hotel

  Amanzimtoti, Durban

  Dear Stell,

  It's not easy applying one's mind to answering letters where the flying fishes play (truly I can see some now), but I will try. Just a few thoughts as they come drifting over this splendid white beach and crashing surf.

  I worry about my kids. Especially Simon, he's a bright kid and questions everything. Why did we come here? he asks. I don't have an answer he would find acceptable. We're here for the money of course. Future career, job security, children's futures — it still amounts to the same thing. Money! 'We're here because that's how Daddy earns his money.' I should say to him, 'These things are wrong, I'm taking you home', but I won't will I — because of the fear of going back to being poor, because of the mortgage ... because of the money! A share of the spoils.

  Recently he has become quite obsessive about skin colour (which isn't surprising when even park benches are labelled 'black' or 'white'). One of his friends at school back home was a little Japanese kid, and he keeps asking questions about him. Where would Miki sleep? Could Miki go in that door, would he be 'allowed', etcetera, etcetera, and I could cry.

  Sometimes I think that I can't stand much more of it. I already drink far more than is good for me. You remember Mildred Layton ginning her way through The Raj Quartet? Blotting it out. I'm not that bad but I understand those women a little better now.

  As Simon says — some things are not very nice. But then some things are so beautiful that you want to weep. The Draakensburgs, with the sun setting. The Valley of a Thousand Hills, with mists rising. Dolphins leaping in clear blue seas. The more I see of this country, the more I love it, hate it, and feel guilty about being here at all.

  Weep! Cry! Guilt! Hate! Such emotion in an IBCC executive-type wife.

  And ... I am shocked at my own prejudice against Afrikaners. I always find my hackles rising when I hear the accent and language. God's Chosen People! They really believe that they are doing God's will. Odd God!

  They use their own language, even when they know you cannot understand. Then what happens? You retaliate, using your own. There! You see? Animosity and trouble.

  Too much time to think here.

  Much love — in sisterhood as they say,

  Liz

  The Blue Marlin Hotel

  Amanzimtoti, Durban

  Dear Jessie,

  The flowers, the flowers, how you'd love to see them. Banana trees whose black blooms are like 'bird of paradise' flowers in widows weeds, proteas like Muppet Show flowers, and sugar-bushes, proteas, canna lilies.

  Sara knows almost no names of trees or flowers, yet she knows things like make of cars. Ah, but she is my salvation. We talk, talk, talk all day. Do you know what — she can speak four languages yet the pinnacle of her ambition is to be an English-trained cook?

  I hardly see any white people from morning to night. I have been partially admitted into the sisterhood of black women who live in the flats. We stand at the ends of the corridors exchanging small scandals and gossip. It takes me back to my childhood on the council estate. They accept me because of the one thing we have in common — we are lonely and exil
ed from our families.

  But there can never be any getting away from the fact that I am a white, a madam. No getting away from my skin, my privilege.

  Why the hell did I inherit my Grandpa's tendency to be political? It must be great to lie on your back and only see the sky and feel the sun.

  Love, Liz

  From Durban

  Mother,

  I think it is true that the illness you have is the kidneys. I send you this sea water. Sea water contains many things that are good for kidneys. Let Esther drink some also. It is good for making pure blood.

  I will like it better when we get home to the city. For here I must sleep with all the other girls who work in the hotel.

  The food is not good. There are no baths. I use the Madam's bath.

  Tell Esther I insist that she tries harder with her reading. If she does not she will grow up to be a servant only. To be a doctor or teacher she must have education. She must understand the need.

  Your loving daughter, Sara

  Reverend Ototi,

  Do not read this part of the letter to my mother. Please write about how sick she is. I am worried that I am so far from her. Please also make Esther do her lessons. Tell her what it is like to have to be a servant. Tell her there is no dignity. Tell her it is not a good life. Thank you and God's blessings.

  Sara Mashele

  JUNE

  Concierge's Office

  Chaucer Hall

  Dear Madam,

  Now that you have returned from your holiday may I ask you to deal with the matter of your girl's room. It is now several weeks since you took over the non-European servant's room temporarily, will you kindly inform me as to whether you wish to lease it on a permanent basis.

  Doreen Blackmoor, Concierge

  Flat 101

  Mrs Blackmoor,

  In reply to your note, please let me have the necessary agreement.

  Liz Burford

  Concierge's Office

  Chaucer Hall

  Dear Madam,

  You are probably aware that it is not usual for one girl to occupy a room to herself. The non-European servants' quarters only provide enough rooms for two-girls or two boys per room. If your girl shares it will cost only half what you are paying for her just now. She can share with the girl in Flat 108.

  Doreen Blackmoor, Concierge

  Flat 101

  Dear Mrs Blackmoor,

  I wish Sara Mashele to have sole occupancy of the room. These rooms are so small that there is scarcely room for one person, let alone two. Sara has her furniture and other belongings leaving no space for anybody else.

  Liz Burford

  Concierge's Office

  Chaucer Hall

  Dear Madam,

  Non-sharing cannot be guaranteed to servants. When all the flats are occupied they will have to share. Two servants to a room is what is provided.

  Doreen Blackmoor, Concierge

  Concierge's Office

  Chaucer Hall

  Dear Madam,

  I have been informed by some of the Residents of this block that their non-European servants are being unsettled because of the difference in the wages you pay your girl, and the large amount of free time she gets, and having a room to herself.

  I have told them that you are new to this country and do not know the problems that come from over-paying servants, and think that you are doing right by paying high wages. If you give them too much money they do not know how to handle it.

  Some American Residents who moved in just before you started off like this but have now brought their girl's wages into line with the rest.

  If you would like me to call upon you I would be pleased to let you know what is the best way to deal with Bantus and coloureds.

  Doreen Blackmoor, Concierge

  Concierge's Office

  Chaucer Hall

  Dear Madam,

  Please inform your non-European servant that she must use the back stairs unless she is accompanied by a Resident or in charge of children. The front stairs and the lifts are strictly for the use of Residents.

  Doreen Blackmoor, Concierge

  Flat 101

  Mrs Blackmoor

  I understand that you have complained to Sara Mashele regarding push-chair wheel marks in the corridors. As both push-chair and baby are mine, she can hardly be held responsible.

  In future, please address all such complaints to myself.

  Liz Burford

  JULY

  IBCC (SA) Pty

  Victoria Park Road

  Johannesburg

  TO

  Jubert Properties

  Victoria Park Road

  Johannesburg

  Dear Sirs,

  Please take this as confirmation of our telephone agreement to lease a two-person room in the servants' quarters in Chaucer Hall for the use of any domestic servant of our Mr J. Burford.

  Yours faithfully, C.J.Exton — Personnel Manager

  SEPTEMBER

  Orange Gate

  Greenham

  Dear Liz,

  I'm back for a week or two. Some new faces, many familiar ones.

  It's not like you to let people like that dreadful woman get you down. I wish we could just sit down quietly and talk. I need it too.

  They keep coming in and breaking the camps, and sometimes breaking us, but not our spirit.

  If we can't stop the old men in the White House and the Kremlin, what matters skin colour, we shall all be the same — dappled Nuke.

  Come back to us soon. We miss you.

  Stell

  P.S. Gerry and I are breaking up. It's not much of a marriage now I'm so much involved here. Poor old Gerry, he deserves better, but there's no going back is there, once you've committed yourself.

  NOVEMBER

  c/o 101 Chaucer Hall

  Mother,

  The Baas said that I should go home to stay with you for Christmas. I said to him that I wish to cook Christmas food in the flat. If I am to be a trained cook I must learn this.

  Tell Esther I shall listen to her reading when I come home. This will be at the end of November.

  Your loving daughter, Sara

  Cherry Hinton

  Aylchester, Hampshire

  Dear Liz and John,

  It must seem funny having summer in November. Fancy having Christmas dinner in the sun. It would seem funny to me I must say.

  In those newspapers you sent, there did seem to be a lot about shooting in them. It said there was a man shot outside Chaucer Hall. Dad said it probably wasn't the same place, as you live in the better parts where that kind of thing would not happen.

  Do the police out there carry guns? Are there any black policemen? I can't help worrying about you. If all those things are happening it must be like Starsky and Hutch or something.

  Things seem very cheap. I hope it doesn't tempt you to smoke and drink too much.

  Much love, Mum

  Oh, Mum. Yes, what Starsky and Hutches. I have seen them (yes here in this 'best part'), seen a struggle between a detective with a gun and an African with a jagged bottle. Heard shots fired in the next block of flats. Yes, there are black policemen — strutting like their white counterparts, striking out with sjamboks at prisoners in chains. Yes things are cheap. Brandy is cheap, cigarettes are cheap, labour and meat are cheap, and of course the sun is absolutely free. The Good Life!

  101 Chaucer Hall

  Illova

  Dear Mum,

  You do seem to have picked out the worst bits. You get violence in any city. A lot of the trouble is because workers come to the city without Passbooks. The police are always rounding them up and sending them away. They soon come back, because: they have to work somewhere.

  This is a big city — not darkest Africa. There are shops like Marks and Sparks and Woolies here. Mum, please don't worry so...

  DECEMBER

  NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTS

  SIR OR MADAM,

  WOULD YOU KINDLY INFORM YOUR NON
-EUROPEAN SERVANTS THAT AS FROM TODAY (DECEMBER FIFTH) NO VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING. ANYONE FOUND IN THE NON-EUROPEAN QUARTERS WITHOUT A PERMIT, WILL BE ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING. POLICE ARE ASKING FOR ALL CITIZENS TO COOPERATE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISTS. PLEASE SEE THAT YOUR SERVANTS DO NOT BRING UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS ON TO THE PREMISES.

  Doreen Blackmoor, Concierge

  Concierge's Office

  Chaucer Hall

  Dear Madam,

  In reply to your enquiry. To clarify the rules, friends and relatives of non-Europeans are not permitted to visit these premises on any pretext whatsoever. The new rule means that only Residents' servants and my own staff are allowed on the premises. This must be done to protect ourselves and our children from terrorists and natives who belong to illegal organizations.

  I now carry a firearm, and my staff have been instructed to inform me of any person who is on the premises illegally.

  Doreen Blackmoor

  c/o 101 Chaucer Hall

  Mother,

  I have got back here. I told you that it was not necessary for you to worry. I did get Esther safely into my room without the Concierge Madam seeing her. Mabel Nguma was waiting for me as she had said and helped me to hide Esther. Esther is now sleeping.

  At once when I arrived I told the Madam the truth that I have a child. It was a great surprise to her. She cried some when I tell her that I bring Esther to live with me because of your sickness. She has said that I must write at once to let you know that all is well so that you will not worry.