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Naledi's House is Numbered
The government has ordered that numbers be painted on the houses of black families so that their removal from the village in four weeks "can be done in a proper, orderly way" (pg 6). -
Unexpected Kgotla
After Naledi and Dineo go to the farm where Nono works to tell her about the painted houses, an unexpected kgotla is held in the church. Chief Sekete tells the villagers that the government wants all blacks to move back to their "homelands." Most of the villagers are outraged, especially Mma Tshadi and Saul Dikobe. -
Politics at School
During the middle of the school day, Taolo shares his opinion on the white rulers of South Africa. He asks, "Why shouldn't we be free to make our homes wherever we choose, live with whomever we want?" (pgs 44-45) Naledi is so moved by Taolo's words that she speaks her mind to the headmaster. -
A Cowardly Chief
Chief Sekete abandons his people out of fear. Mma Tshadi says, "A chief should protect his people. but now he wants protection from them." (pg 57) -
Ashes, Ashes
An unknown being burns down Chief Sekete's house, catching the attention of the strict police who come "to find the terrorists who burned [the] chief's house." (p. 71) -
Trickery
Meeting is called to elect students to represent the group's struggles. It is disguised as a prayer meeting. Students distract Mr. Molaba by popping his front tire. -
Trouble
Mma Dikobe shares her knowledge about the current status of her husband and son. The police believe that whoever set his house on fire is also responsible for firebombing a police station. Who is it going to be? -
March, March, We All Fall Down
Naledi and the rest of her school were marching for their choice to not move away from their home in addition to peacefully opposing apartheid. Many of the elementary schools students came too. After a little while, police showed up and beat the kids. (Pg. 108- 113) -
Worries, Worries, and More Worries
Naledi told Nono what happened at the march. Nono displayed mixed emotions that Naledi could not read. Tiro was not back from the deadly march and everyone was frightened. Nono would barely talk to Naledi. You could see the fear and worry in her eyes. -
The Police are Coming - HIDE!
Naledi went to go visit Mma Dikobe. When they heard the police coming, Naledi decided to hide. The police released Taolo and his father, but there is a catch. Taolo's father (Rra Dikobe) will be on 24 hour watch at his house so he cannot leave his house. -
Money, Money, Get it Fast
When Naledi and Nono were waiting in line for their pension, Nono is looked down upon by the officials and kicked out of line. She was helped up by Mma Kau who had stepped out of line to help her. After lifting her grandmother up, she realized something. Where were they going to get money for food? With Nono sick, they were going to have to live off their meager earnings and support from the village. -
Destruction
Naledi was speeding with Dineo on her back after a long hard day of work. When they get close to the village, she sees Nono sitting on a pile of rocks by a bulldozer. Their church had been destroyed. -
See ya later, Alligator
After investingating why the village's water tap was turned off, Taolo and Naledi found a jeep parked outside of the Dikobe house. Naledi tried to warn Taolo that the soldiers in the jeep may have come for him, but it's too late! The soldiers race towards Taolo, drag him to the jeep, and zoom off. -
A "Messed Up" Celebration
Everyone is sick with worry wondering where Taolo is, but they soon rejoice when he returns with Saul. Celebration of Taolo's return turns into sorrow when the police barge in on the village's "illegal" meeting and shoot Saul Dikobe. -
The Time has Come!
The police barged into Naledi's home like hungry monkeys looking for food. It was time, time for the move that the villagers had hoped would never come. Naledi, Tiro, Dineo, and Nono are forced to leave their home and are only allowed to gather a handful of their personal belongings. All of the evicted families were confined to their yards like dogs in a pen. -
Demolished
Naledi's home is demolished right before her eyes. It was "reduced blow by blow into a pile of rubble before the bulldozer moved on to its next target" (p. 221). The sights of destruction lead to the creation of a powerful blade of anger that will aid Naledi in the difficult times ahead. -
Chain of Fire
The villagers find out that Rra Thopi has been taken to the same fertile land that Chief Sekete and his family were permitted to settle on. Naledi does not know if Poleng has left for boarding school yet. She starts to question whether her old friend will "stoke the same fire" that will "help strengthen the chain that was now her only lifeline" (pg 231). -
News from Soweto
