Banele (330 days / 47 weeks) 01 00:08:43

Banele | Celebration, Drive, Holding/impinging (environment), Pleasure, Presence/absence, Siblings, Thinking, Thriving

Banele is sitting on the couch with his sisters when mom arrives home after a few days of staying at the guesthouse where she works. This happens fairly regularly. She greets each of the children at the front door with a handshake and when it is Banele’s turn she takes him from Sihle and kisses him and goes to sit down on Banele’s couch. Siyabonga and Sihle report to mom that Banele has started walking. “Without holding onto anything?” mom replies – “I want to see”.

The table is moved from the middle of the living room to make space and everyone sits around encouraging Banele to stand and to walk. The siblings report detailed observations on how he likes to walk; encouragement for him to stand up; laughter and his hesitancy and wide-legged stance. Banele’s confidence in standing upright grows over the minutes, with all eyes on him. He pretends to cough and everyone says “sorry” in response, he bobs around, tongue protruding as Siyabonga comments about how much Banele is enjoying the music. Mom laughs as she watches.