This archive report was first published on 25 August 2019.
Published on August 25, 2019, by Mwalimu Andrew, a writer for the Nation.
My wife Fiolina and I have been together for a long time, and I thought I knew her well. But when she started talking about getting a job with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), I began to feel uneasy.
It all started when Fiolina graduated from Mosoriot TTC. I had always thought that she would remain mine forever, but then Alex, a colleague of hers, came into the picture. He would often hover around us, and I suspected that he had an interest in Fiolina that went beyond academics.
As the term went by, I realized that my true enemy in the school was Kuya, who was being favored by Bensouda. But Alex regularly voted on my side in staffroom squabbles, and we started warming up to each other.
However, some colleagues whispered to me that I should be careful with Alex, as he was aiming for the deputy's job that I held. But I didn't lose focus - anyone who would help cut Kuya to size was welcome.
Two weeks ago, Fiolina came to me excitedly, holding a newspaper with a headline that read 'TSC to hire 5,000 more teachers.' She said, 'Roundi this tusipitwe, let's do everything to get the job this year.'
But I had my reservations. 'It's difficult,' I said. 'They hire based on year of graduation, and we have people who graduated in 2011 or even in 2009 but are still unemployed. Sembuse wewe wa 2016.'
Fiolina was determined, and I eventually agreed to support her. But when she told me that Alex had promised to introduce her to someone who would help, I was skeptical.
'You know too well about Alex,' I said. 'Let's stop pretending.'
Fiolina denied knowing anything about Alex, and I realized that I had no concrete evidence against him. I was just acting out of fear.
Eventually, I agreed to let Fiolina go with Alex to meet the person who would help them. I just hope nothing happens to the love of my life, and that she gets a job. Or else Alex should start looking for another school.
