IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE STARS - AN ACCOUNT OF LIVES IMPACTED BY 'EVERYDAY ADVERSITIES.' PART 9.

These difficulties in school was despite the fact that Kazaliwa did not have any delays in reaching his development milestone. He was climbing stairs, walking and riding his bike at what were then very early ages. As well as being a good reader. 

And yet, by the time he was five years old, Kazaliwa was having very bad days at school. In his diary, dated 24th November 1994, 

Mfanyazaki wrothe that “Kazaliwa had a terrible day at school. So much so that it was “very, very, sad” and he could’nt tell me about it, only his mother.” 

He said that Mrs Lelkin “told him off” and that “she was very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very upset with him.”

The following day the school was telling Mfanyazaki, again, that his son was having a difficult time in school. 

That he had no friends, because he plays very hard, which was a factor in his isolation.  

And that he was hitting like a 10 or 12 year old, instead of as a 5 year old. The school cited the need to work with him to help him to play softer and being less aggressive and frustrated.

Kazaliwa’s behavioural problems from his Junior and Primary School did not abated. 

When he made the already known to be difficult transition that children tend to experienc when they transfer to Secondary School. 

In addition to the difficulties Kazaliwa was having with making friends in school and complying with his teachers’ requests and attempts to gain his compliance.  

He would have had to, upon moving to secondary school, coped with the emotional trauma which he was to be confronted with. 

When his favourite paternal uncle was diagnosed with what was to transpire to be terminal cancer. 

With him having to be treated for it for about 18 months before he died, Kazaliwa was to make many a visit to see his uncle, in the company of either or both of his parents, and his older brother, Mzaliwa. 

Who was to know what impact the trauma of seeing his favourite uncle being terminally sick, could or would have on the young Kazaliwa? 

He would also have to cope with his maternal grandfather being taken seriously ill, and, at one point, appearing to be at the point of dying. 

To be continued!