1. Transforming moments Gcina Mhlophe
Setting:
Eastern Cape - perhaps 1970s.
17 and in Std 9.
High school where girls can be boarders – dormitory.
Visit to Tsolo (Transkei)
Title – epiphany of illumination / from Miss Ugly to Miss Perfect!

2. Characters
Story teller – Miss-ugly-top-of-the-class. She develops – changes.
Sizwe.
Father Fikeni (kind)
Cira - imbongi

3. Summary – main points
Starts with the fundamental change that young girl undergoes – teenagers. Poor self-image. Ugly with terrible voice. Surprised – handsome boy befriends her. Minister – says she has a resonant voice – needs praise. Sees imbongi performing. Inspires her. New self-confidence and direction. Feels special.

4. Plot development
Opening – narrator is academically successful.
Complications: poor self-image. Boy asks her out – tells him to leave. Other girls are hostile.
Climax: inspired when she sees imbongi performing.
Resolution: inspired – writes her first poem and enjoys performing it.
Now knows – transforming moment.

5. Themes
Special moments in our lives / Golden moments / ONE event …
Importance of praise and encouragement.
The transformation needs to be done internally.
Talent development.
The terrible voice becomes
resonant – ideal for poetry.
The ugly duckling becomes the beautiful swan.

6. Themes Independence Some Themes: Transformation; ambition and purpose;
acceptance and change;
insecurity versus confidence
Climax
Cira – praise poet; the narrator drew inspiration from him.

7. Need to know
Title: A reference to the total transformation the narrator undergoes.
Setting: The Eastern Cape probably in the 1970s.
Characterization:
Narrator – Poor self-image (at the beginning of the story) – refers to herself at
“Miss-ugly- top-of-the-class”; inner conflict – dismissed from school choir – thinks boys will not be interested in her; intelligent; transforms – good self-image by the end of the story.
Sizwe – the narrator’s boyfriend; rugby star; persistent; accepts the narrator with her flaws
Father Fikeni – church minister; has a positive influence on the narrator; invited her to visit his family in Tsolo for the weekend