Thomas Aquinas Sithole

Fireside Tales Thomas Aquinas Sithole

Set in a southern African kingdom, Singita is a young princess whose idyllic life takes a dramatic downturn after her father is assassinated. Singita harbours a suspicion that her uncle Maanda, who becomes regent, had played a leading role in her father's death. Behind an impassive exterior, Maanda is a megalomaniac who cunningly manipulates those around him to achieve his ends. When Maanda discovers that Singita suspects him of regicide, he hastily arranges her marriage to the ruler of a distant, subordinate nation, effectively exiling her. In spite of her exile, Singita strives to expose Maanda and scupper what she believes are his plans to usurp the throne that rightfully belongs to her young brother Gavi, whom she had spirited away to safety in the aftermath of their father's murder. Nothing seems to come of Singita's efforts to frustrate Maanda's plans as he looks set to take over everything that had once been her father's. All appears to be lost for Singita when Gavi is apparently murdered in the land of his refuge. In the belief that Gavi had died, Maanda prepares to ascend to the throne but his plans unravel when Gavi turns out to have survived the attempt on his life. Undeterred, Maanda browbeats his way to being declared king nonetheless. A civil war pitting Maanda against Gavi's proponents erupts shortly thereafter. Against the odds, Singita plays a crucial role in the war that ends with Maanda's demise and the restoration of the throne to its rightful occupant.