When I think of my closest friend, I automatically see Jessica Thulisile Mgidi’s face. Ask me ten years ago and the only thing that I could tell you about her would be that she loves to play chess and is a short person. Fast forward to 2016 and I can successfully answer quizzes on her behalf or RSVP to events with her as my plus one without asking her first because 1. I know her schedule well enough to know if she is, in fact, busy or not on the said date and 2. She will probably say yes anyway and then question me as to why I even bothered to ask her. She is also still short and still loves chess.

In High School, Jessica thought that I was a snob who only had white friends. To an extent that was true, I did mostly have white friends and my mannerism may be interpreted as of the snobby nature. My mom worked at the school that we attended, and I had never used public transport until grade 10. I spoke and still speak predominantly English when I am around people apart from my family. Based on what she had seen and heard about me we would never be friends because we just came from two different worlds.

Huli and Jess

Being thrown into a new environment called University does strange things to people friendships, though. You either lose contact with people you thought would be your bridesmaids, or you assign those positions to people you never spoke to at school. The second applies to Jessica and me.

To say that she is everything that I need in a friend would be an understatement. Hence, I call her my girlfriend or sister depending on the situation. There isn’t a single probable instance where I don’t see myself being able to call her and tell her what has happened. If I died today, Jessica would know exactly who was significant enough to say and what to do with all of my journals that I keep.

Hulisani and Jess

We’re in very different circumstances, but somehow the world managed to leave the similar imprints on our lives which made us able to bond more than we can with any other friends that are important to us. I never understood that having a female friend, whether they be in the form of a sister, friend or cousin, could honestly be the best thing that a woman can ever have and hope to have.

So, Jessica, I know that ‘words of affirmation’ is your Primary Love Language and I just want to say right here to you (and the world) that I love you slice, and I plan to love you even when you think I am difficult or too feminist.

Hulisani the Intersectional Feminist. Hopeless Romantic. Lover of life. Blog: http://thatoneabout.weebly.com/

Written by Hulisani Khorombi, Staff Writer, #mygirlsquad