Thirteen cents (2000)

Thirteen Cents is the debut novel of South African author K. Sello Duiker. It was published in 2000 to critical acclaim and immediate success in South Africa and abroad, winning the 2002 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book, Africa. The first edition of Thirteen Cents outside South Africa was published by Ohio University Press in 2013 as part of the Modern African Writing series with an introduction by Professor Shaun Viljoen.

The novel is set in post-apartheid South Africa and depicts the brutal reality of South African street children. As a crime novel and bildungsroman, it follows the 12-year-old orphan Azure and his efforts to survive on the streets of Cape Town amidst an underworld of gangsters, drug use, violence, and prostitution. The novel addresses serious themes including sexual exploitation, corruption, and drug use. As a social-political novel, it critiques the ongoing social injustice in post-apartheid South Africa.

Plot summary

Azure is a 12-year-old orphan with astonishing blue eyes and dark skin. At the opening of the novel, it is revealed that he left home three years ago after the murder of his parents. Azure roams the streets of Sea Point in Cape Town. His typical day consists of a lot of walking, a bath at the beach in the morning, parking cars in the city during the day, and sleeping near a swimming pool at night. He is well aware of other street kids whom he claims are deep into evil. Azure introduces his nine-year-old friend Bafana in chapter one who, unlike Azure, is into drugs and chooses to roam the streets even though he is not homeless. Liesel is also introduced in chapter one. She is a prostitute who sells joints to Azure and lives under the bridge along with "skollies", gangsters, and drunks.

Azure earns most of his money by prostituting himself to "moffies", which is the term used to refer to gay men. Azure gives his money to his older friend Joyce to put into a bank account for him. She insists on it as she tells him she knows how banks work. Azure calls Joyce "Auntie" out of respect and promises her he will never become part of a gang. He stays safe on the streets with the protection of Allen, a gangster pimp who works at Green Point. Allen is depicted as controlling and excessively violent. Azure cannot do anything with his own money unless he discusses it with Allen. It is through Allen that Azure realizes the power in money.

One day, Azure goes under the bridge to visit Liesel but finds that she is not there. He instead spends time with Sealy, a gangster who also lives under the bridge. Soon, the gang leader Gerald pulls up in a car and calls Sealy away. When Gerald returns, Azure accidentally calls him Sealy. Gerald is immediately infuriated that Azure has compared him to a "kaffir" (a native black man) when he prides himself on his light skin. In his fury, Gerald assaults Azure and Azure runs away.

Azure finds it difficult making money through prostitution. He keeps his distance from the bridge and remains constantly on guard for the sight of Gerald's car. Azure is too afraid to venture into town as he might face Gerald. He is also avoiding Allen because he hasn't earned any money to give him, as well as Joyce because he is too embarrassed to show himself dirty and without shoes. Still looking to make money, Azure stays around the park in hopes that he will be picked up by a "moffie". Eventually one arrives and rewards Azure with 50 rand for his services.

Azure heads over to Bree Street to meet up with his friend Vincent. Vincent informs him that Gerald has been looking for Azure. He advises Azure to stop hiding and go directly to Gerald. Vincent states that Gerald believes himself to be white only because he has straight hair and light skin. It is from this that he derives his power and is therefore envious of Azure's blue eyes.

Azure decides to take Vincent's advice and confront Gerald. He goes to his shack and finds Sealy sitting outside. He asks Sealy where Gerald is before Sealy suddenly begins to brutally assault Azure, telling him that he must do this because Gerald is watching. Azure is severely injured. After Gerald forces Azure to wash his car, he calls on his other followers to take Azure to the hospital. At the hospital, they lie to the doctors and say that Azure was beat up by a store owner for stealing.

After his hospital visit, Azure is taken to a brothel in Salt River where he is locked inside a small room for three days. He tells himself that the adults around him only abuse him to make him stronger. Azure becomes weak from hunger and abuse. However, he believes he is becoming stronger as a result of the mistreatment he faces from adults. During Azure's stay in the brothel, he is forced to perform sexual acts with other men. Richard, his host, changes Azure's name to "Blue" because of his eyes.

Vincent explains to Azure, after his release from the brothel, that Gerald is extremely dangerous. He portrays Gerald as a big T-Rex. Later, Gerald confronts Azure under the bridge. Gerald explains that he killed Azure's parents in order to make him stronger. He also explains that Richard and his friends forced themselves on Azure only to make him feel what it's like to be a woman. Gerald tells Azure to never go back to Sea Point.

Azure soon discovers that Joyce has stolen his money. He decides he cannot trust anyone, especially with his money. In the moment, Azure uses the remainder of his money to purchase a bomber jacket with an orange lining despite Gerald's warning that only he is allowed to wear this colour. In response, Gerald threatens him and saws off the cast on his leg. Azure manages to escape and runs down the main road. Driven by madness, Azure climbs Table Mountain where he settles himself inside a cave.