When we are introduced to Wisani in the prologue she talks about taking a hot bath, eating a lot of chocolates and collapsing into a bed that she can sink into. What comforts do you look for after a long day?
Based on the prologue, what do you think of Wisani?
What do you think of Wisani’s meeting with Mohapi Mofokeng?
Wisani is in a really tough spot when it comes to her money and the health of her family. Do you think she ever had a choice of which one she was going to pick?
Chapter Five shifts to Mohapi’s perspective. At the end of the chapter, he says that Wisani isn’t a problem but a shift. What do you think this shift will be like?
What change do you think Wisani’s mother’s death will bring?
Do you think Mohapi’s grandmother was right in saying “Gauteng women will leave you sleepless, breathless and looking for a grave to hide in” (page 50)?
What do you think of what Mohapi is offering Wisani? Do you think that when he comes to find her, she should follow him?
Wisani realises that Mohapi is not just a part of the story but rather that he is the story. What more do you think she will uncover?
9 responses to “Wisani and the Bafokeng Brothers Day One”
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I think the shift was a monumental moment for Mohapi. A man like him never really bothers with longtime relationships nevermind love or marraige. And I think the moment he laid eyes on Wisani he didn’t even have a choice to how his entire being shifted. The life he has lived up to that moment will now come into question. In the way of would he put her through that kind of danger for them to be together. Or does he do one big last job and choose a life with her. I think both worlds will weigh on him and that will be hard for him to work out but so good for us to see the character development. I think he knows in his core she is going to change his life and his perspective on everything.
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1. My favourite comfort at the end of a long day is a cosy hot drink and reading in bed, with my cats snuggled up with me.
2. Wisani seems like a really good, hard working person who loves her family dearly.
3. I don’t think she had a choice, but I think she would always pick her family over money.
4. I think the shift will be him moving away from his lone wolf lifestyle.
5. I think Wisani might end up leaving university and chasing other dreams. Potentially not the right dreams.
6. Yes, Gauteng girls do be like that. But hopefully it’s because of love and not drama.
7. I think Wisani will benefit from following Mohapi IF she does it for uni. But if she follows him for love, or the idea of it, then it might end badly for her.
8. I don’t think she realises how deep the crime goes and how serious it is. She’ll find out soon though! -
1. After a long day, nothing comforts me more than climbing into my bed with my glorious memory foam mattress. Add a cup of tea, snacks (my snack of choice is chips), a good book or series – and I’m in heaven.
2. I already love her. She comes across as someone who’s trying to hold it all together – very human and relatable. She has a strong sense of responsibility about her and you can she she carries a lot on her shoulders.
3. Wisani’s meeting with Mohapi immediately had my alarm bells going off. You can already tell Wisani is stepping into something very complicated and dangerous, and she has no clue.
4. Wisani hasn’t exactly had a clean choice in the matter. She is operating in survival mode, where every option already comes with a loss. She’s not choosing between good and bad. That’s what makes her situation so heavy, she’s deciding between different kinds of sacrifice.
5. A “problem” suggests something that needs to be fixed or dealt with. But a “shift” suggests movement or a change in direction. I think he thinks of her as someone who is going to change the balance of things around him.
6. Right now, even in crisis, her mother has been the reason for her pushing herself – her mother is an emotional anchor. I think Wisani could be left with grief and a sudden restructuring of her entire sense of purpose.
7. I live in Cape Town, so don’t experience Jozi women often. But, generally, our views and stereotypes about others say more about us, than they do about the other party. Do I want men to fear women on some level ? Abso-freaking-lutely !! Make him look for a grave to hide in, leave him breathless and sleepless for a change !
8. When I was that age, I was fearless, leaning more towards courage and curiosity than consequences. And I would have followed him. Wisani has just lost her mother, quit her three jobs and has been “unburdened” in a way. She is grieving – she is going to want to take risks and do things she wasn’t able to do before – like actually live ! Follow him, girl ! Live life on the wild side for a bit.
9. I think she will uncover an entire underworld and how it connects to Mohapi. What Wisani is stepping into isn’t just a personal relationship or isolated arrangement – it’s a network. That means influence, protection, danger, and consequences that extend far beyond him as an individual. She is definitely going to uncover exactly why Mohapi is feared by all.
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1. After a long day, I want a scalding hot shower that keeps me warm for hours, then I jump into bed 🛌 and cozy up with either a good book or a good series.
2. I think because she had to grow up so quickly and become the breadwinner shes become so strong willed and resilient to life and all its upheavals she doesnt even realise her own strength.
3. It was so strange, the man said maybe 20 words to her and then left, it was as if he was under her spell from the minute he laid eyes on her and all his rational thoughts weren’t able to convert into sentences.
4. I think even if she had a choice she would always pick her family’s health, money is necessary for her but family is her bottom line.
5. I think the shift he’s talking about, is in himself, like theres a shift inside him, he’s not easily impressed by women but its almost as if she calls to him on a deeper level and he’s leaning into that now to see where ut leads him.
6. I think aunt Ellen is coming for that house full force now, but I also think Wisani will get to slow down now and concentrate on school and her brother for abit, I feel like people are going to offer her help, like the monetary donations that came in for the funeral and even if its support with raising her brother, that shes going to accept the help.
7. I think thats an old wives tale that should be taken with a pinch of salt.
8. Being part of a gangster world will be a hard adjustment for Wisani, but if they truly want to be together then they both will need to comprise and make concessions for each other.
9. I think shes going to realise how big of a syndicate he runs and how much of power and control he holds in his hands, I think shes going to be drawn to him, the way he’s being drawn to her now.
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1. Nothing relaxes and comforts me more than a comforting meal with snacks and a drinky drink, any kind of beverage with ice, after a hot everything shower and a face mask. Extra points if there’s a freshly made home baked good.
2. I think Wisani’s exceptionally resilient and so strong. Honestly, I don’t know how she does it without complaining. I think the most human thing for us to do is to start complaining when life doesn’t go our way, and she doesn’t do it. So I’m really, really impressed and exceptionally encouraged by her resilience.
3. It’s really uncharacteristic of people who are part of these dangerous communities and syndicates to openly go and speak to somebody. I’d really like to know his reasoning behind why he did it, but I think it’s really cool that he did it, even though he gave her absolutely nothing to work with.
4. I don’t think she’ll ever choose, but if I had to make the choice for her, I’d definitely say she’d choose the health of her family. I’d rather choose the health of my family over money if it ever came to that. It’s a really easy choice to make, especially if you’re a person who loves your family.
5. Coming from somebody who’s a complete a sucker for a romance it could be that he saw something in Wisani that he wants in a wife or a companion. Maybe he saw that she was resilient. Maybe when he learned new things about her and kind of dove into who she is as a person, what she’s doing, where she’s working he found her to be an interesting person. Maybe his interest was intrigued. Personally think the shift might possibly be good for both her and him.
6. She’ll focus more on herself and her brother now that she has the time to. She’s not dividing her time between her brother, her mother, and her work (and studies) I think she’ll have more time to focus on her studies and graduating, which her brother will definitely benefit from. Obviously, she’ll also have more time to take care of her brother, who’s also kind of sickly.
7. I’m not too sure about that, but the friends that I do have in Gauteng are really strong willed and exceptionally resilient, so I wouldn’t put it past them to prove the phrase true. I’ve definitely had experiences in the past where my besties have done some concerningly diabolical stuff that made me experience a sleepless night 😂😂. But yeah, I don’t know about the grave you’d want to hide in. Possibly. Have you seen my besties angry? 😂 Terrifying.
8. I wouldn’t put it past her to really dive into the whole underworld syndicate situation because her mother just passed away and this guy literally gave her a whole lot of cash. I don’t know whether she’d do it from a place of feeling obligated to because of the money she took from him, even though she didn’t ask for it, or because she kind of needs to do this for her degree. But I think she’ll probably go with him.
9. I think she’s about to learn a whole lot more about life and the way people live in the criminal underworld. Not only that, I think she’s going to learn the good, but mostly the ugly and the bad. She’s probably going to uncover a lot. I feel like there are a few ways this could go. One way is that he becomes good because of her goodness. Another is that she goes morally gray for a morally dark man. Or she realizes that this is absolutely diabolical and ends up running away (super valid).
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1. My comforts after a long day is a nice hot shower, then a cup of tea and a good book before sleep gets the better of me.
2. I love this girl so much. She’s strong, witty, and is hopeful.
3. Wisani’s meeting with Mohapi is such a typical “Mafia way” of meeting. I laughed at it, but I think she handled it well.
4. Wisani is in a position that chose her, rather than her choosing money or the health of the family. It’s clear she loves her mother and brother dearly.
5. Earlier in the chapter he “introduces” us to his brothers, gives us insight into their lives. He is single and he says he has no distractions, “until yesterday”. He’s clearly observant, he noticed things about Wisani that I’m sure other people don’t when they first meet her. He noticed her tired eyes, that she works hard, loves her family, he was intrigued enough to research her. I think he knows she’s not going to be a problem for him, she is not what he expected, she surprised him.
6. I think she will want to make her mother proud, so she’ll continue with her studies and take care of her little brother the way her mother would want her to.
7. I think Mohapi’s grandmother was preparing him for how he will feel around the right woman and that was a good way to describe that feeling.
8. Yes I think Wisani should follow Mohapi when he returns, I think she will learn things she doesn’t understand right now and I think he will ensure her safety at all times.
9. I think all will be revealed when Mohapi returns. Can’t wait!!!
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1) I am the same if I went to our office the first thing I do when I get home is bath. I cannot get comfy before that.
2) My first impression of Wisani is that she is funny! And that her plate is way too full. I feel for her but admire that strength.
3) I imagine she was both scared like Hella freaked out by his whole persona that energy is intimidating but I think she was also intrigued and turned on I think lol
4) No. I don’t think she would ever had chosen her comforts over her family no matter what.
5) I answered this in my previous comment
6) I think she will feel alone and completely lost for the beginning and then realise how strong she is and come into her own. I think that grief and her new life will shape her going forward.
7) No ha! I don’t think that is true completely. However, I do think there are women out there who is in it for money and glitzy things. They are all over though.
8) I have read ALOT of books in this similar genre and I always find it so beautiful and raw when a man like Mohapi falls in love. Yes, I think she should follow him. I think he is surprised by himself and that alone is worth it for all of us.
9) I think she will discover that Mohapi is so much more than the infamous thug. I think getting to know him and being in his life will unpack sides of him even he didn’t know was there. He is about to become a lifetime partner something he didn’t even think was possible maybe didn’t even ever think of at all and so he has no idea who he is in that role so we all in for it. Also she will possibly discover how dark his world really is and how deep that loyalty goes. And I’m here for the whole journey!
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1) A long hot shower, tea, a good book and enough candles to be considered a seance 😂👌🏼
2) She’s immediately relatable and likeable! She carries the weight of her family’s burdens and is at breaking point but keeps pushing because if she doesn’t her little family has no one else.
3) I think this meeting will be pivotal in Wisani’s story. It might seem simple to her but meeting an elusive criminal underboss is anything but “simple”.
4) She’s never had a choice because everything she does is for her family so she will always put them first. It’s heartbreaking how hard she works just to barely survive.
5) I think the shift will be him not focusing solely on his brothers and their criminal lifestyle because now he too has someone that’s fighting for his attention ie. “Shifting” it; and he doesn’t have to be alone anymore.
6) I think it will relieve some of the financial burden on Wisani because she won’t have to pay for all her mother’s doctor visits and medications etc. It will be hard because her mother was her motivation but I also think she will now be more present for her brother and maybe stop working so hard because they’re all they have left.
7) Old people speak with a wisdom and knowledge we may not see nor understand, so yes I am inclined to believe that she’s right.
8) He is offering her a way out in more ways than one. He has made mention of her “tied eyes” more than once and maybe he feels a protectiveness towards her and just wants her to be safe and financially stable. But just how “safe” will she be in his world is the bigger question?! I still think she should go with him. Better to live a life well live and make mistakes along the way than to live with the regret of not having the courage to just take a leap of faith and live your life.
9) I think she will see just how deep his ties to the criminal underworld is and how loyal he is to his brotherhood but she will also see the brutality of why he and his brothers are so feared.
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Based on the prologue, what do you think of Wisani?
I think she is an example of strength and resilience. She is a warrior for her family and shows a lot of love and care whilst taking on a lot of responsibility.
What do you think of Wisani’s meeting with Mohapi Mofokeng?
It was very short and I am wondering why he decided to end the meeting there, almost as if he felt himself starting to share more than he was comfortable with at the time.
Wisani is in a really tough spot when it comes to her money and the health of her family. Do you think she ever had a choice of which one she was going to pick?
I think she is dealing with the cards she has been dealt and seems to be doing whatever she can to help her family. She certainly is not waiting on someone else to save her but taking action to do the best she can for her and her family.
Chapter Five shifts to Mohapi’s perspective. At the end of the chapter, he says that Wisani isn’t a problem but a shift. What do you think this shift will be like?
I think she has intrigued him, especially in how she interacted with him. I think he sees something in Wisani and how she keeps her head up even though he can sense immense hardships.
The shift is likely him taking a real interest in someone else and a desire to protect her.What change do you think Wisani’s mother’s death will bring?
I think it will be two fold- it will be hard on Wisani as she processes the grief of losing her but at the same time feel some relief from the pressure to make enough money to pay all the medical bills.
Do you think Mohapi’s grandmother was right in saying “Gauteng women will leave you sleepless, breathless and looking for a grave to hide in” (page 50)?
I am not sure. I don’t know if I grasp the full meaning of this saying yet.What do you think of what Mohapi is offering Wisani? Do you think that when he comes to find her, she should follow him?
I think he is offering her a choice to become involved in lifestyle and live it for a while at least. I think he cares for her and from what I gather will possibly give her a stronger support in her life and maybe someone she could rely on.
Wisani realises that Mohapi is not just a part of the story but rather that he is the story. What more do you think she will uncover?
I think there is a lot more she will uncover. Possibly that he is a villain for many but maybe not for her. A different culture for one, along all the business dealings he is involved in… hmm lets go fund out 😊
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