Mabel’s short stories have been published in a variety of journals and anthologies.
A Pastoral Acceptance
Short Story | samfiftyfour Journal | Aug ’24
“This is Life.
A want finally becomes a have—only to then shift into an irritation or worse a curse.”
A Prototype Uncoded
Short Story | Love Me Tender Anthology | Nov ’23
" I was not quite ready for my first encounter with Meisie. Here I am, Bra Bot-o, at your service, as chilled as can be. And Meisie, in full baddie gear, struts into the apartment and then the master bedroom with a tired, blunted tut-tut.
I sit up, eager for the challenge. I try to ignore the clunky years of worn baggage and distress that Meisie drags in behind her. She refuses to acknowledge me. I, the legendary Bra Bot-o, am lost in her lazy sweep of the room."
Jars For Nights Like These
Short Story | Fluid! Short.Sharp.Stories | June 23
"I guess I asked for it. Catherine’s bright city office was no match for the darkness I dragged along this morning, my cute polka dot three-quarter pants and bright yellow cardigan barely able to mask my mood.
This morning I woke up in complete darkness, at least it felt like it. It was as if I was at the bottom of a ship losing a tug of war against raging waves and currents. I had to fight the nausea, vertigo, and emptiness pulling me down. I had to. I have bills to pay. It’s going to be another day babalaas, hungover, but glowing at work."
We Are Everywhere
Short Story | Iskanchi Press | June 23
“You can tell a lot about someone by the company they keep. My disclaimer: I did not know people in Joburg actually followed up to do coffee sometime. In Cape Town it was merely a polite thing to say in between awkward moments. Also, I needed to get out of my aunt’s house, even for an hour. It is close to the end of my second month back in Johannesburg and I have only ‘we regret to inform you’ emails to add to my Cape Town pile. Everyone has forgotten about Covid.“
A Quantum Leap of Faith
Short Story | Our Move Next | Jan 22
“Bobby was feeling a high he had been chasing ever since, in the quest to fit in, he had reached out to finally accept the smoking lightbulb and tasted his first fumes of Tik. The wind grazed past his head as the fifteen-seater Quantum taxi hurtled down Main Road.
The high was so pure, he began to see a circular rainbow growing ahead of them. “
What The Body Does Not Forget
Short Story | Imbiza Journal II | Sep 21
“I focus on the woman administering the anaesthesia and imagine if Ntombi on the equally rusty bed on the other side is entertaining any doubts. Our final goodbyes were said at the entrance with hugs so tight. Holding back tears, we both whispered thank yous. No contact, post procedure, that is the only rule we were given, they must think seeing my body in someone else would make me regret and come asking for a refund.
They do not know us.”
Jozi Is Calling
Short Story | Joburg Noir | Jacana Media | Sep 21
Excerpt from ‘Jozi is Calling’
“She is back. It has been over two decades. Her voice shows no sign of time passed, somehow it sounds clearer than before. “Makeba”, Gogo says, just three syllables, the ones I have only ever heard from her. “Makeba”, me always the shadow to come after it, the name making people assume I am bigger than I am.
After the accident, Gogo had gone silent but now she is back and the lump within my chest is growing, threatening to balloon and burst. I know this is not something I should mention to anyone.”
On A String and a Prayer
Short Story | Isele Magazine | Sep 21
Excerpt from ‘On A String and a Prayer’
“How does a plane disappear?
The question Neria wishes the barrage of messages clogging her phone would answer. The vibrations, powered by the turmoil between her relief, guilt, and anger, are relentless but unhelpful. Memes, GIFs, and jokes with no balm of resolution. “
Writ by Mabel 