The African Cat Who Changed My Life

Memories of a special friend Simunye — An excerpt from upcoming memoir

Back in 1996 I was making my living as a singer/entertainer.

I was offered an 8 month gig in Sun City, South Africa to perform at a resort called The Palace of The Lost City.

I took the job mainly because of the huge salary. I was also offered a ‘prestigious’ role —the finale — of this multi million dollar production show called ‘Beyond Belief’.

I needed the money at the time. Honestly, I really wanted the money so I could gain freedom from my controlling husband of 6 years who had been traveling with me.

My instincts told me not to take him with me on this long gig, especially in a foreign country because his behavior had become more erratic and violent. But, of course he wanted desperately to come along and did his best to coerce me into taking him.

I dreaded it with my whole soul. But, for various reasons I went against my gut and agreed to take him along.(More in my upcoming memoir.)

It was a horrifying few months at this gig as his violence escalated. Even though I sang every night in the show (happy songs ironically), I was a shell of a person.

Depression had enveloped me.

Every night after the curtain went down and the show ended, all the cast members waited at a bus stop for a shuttle bus to take us back to our ‘flats’. (The producers of the show arranged for the cast members to have one bedroom apartment/flats which were a few miles behind the resort.)

I looked forward to this solitary walk every night when the bus dropped me off near my flat after the show.

It cleared my head to walk alone with the stars and the moon.

This quiet meditative walk down a deserted tree-lined moonlit back road after leaving the hustle and bustle, loud clang clang of the slot machines, the opulence and glamour of the big casino showroom, the back stage hustle, the big audience etc. — was a welcome dichotomy!

Some nights getting off the bus it was just me, the crickets and the darkness.

Here I was an American girl in a foreign country walking in the barren African bush guided by an intense orange moon and star filled sky...

During this time I was in a very dark place. I suppose I accepted my fate. I was now living with an abusive husband and had to continue doing so for many months — all while keeping up the charade with the cast members and continuing to sing my part of the show with ‘feeling and gusto’.

By this time my violent husband had become more violent. He drank more booze, smoked more marijuana and took more Ecstasy. He choked, pushed, punched and yelled loudly at me almost nightly — before showtime. Some of the names he called me were whore, cunt, bitch and M oTHeR F**CKIN C.

These names were flung at me before I’d go out on stage. In the theater world it is well known that is against protocol to freak someone out or throw someone off their concentration before they go on stage — but, he did it constantly.

I was living in hell but my plan was to take the large amount of money I was saving from this show and leaving this jerk as soon as this gig was over (which was in a few months). This was my plan but, you know that quote “IF YOU WANNA MAKE GOD LAUGH TELL HIM YOUR PLAN?”

One night as I quietly got off the shuttle bus after the show, I saw a beautiful fluffy black and white cat looking at me. She had the most intense blue violet eyes.

We stared at each other.

I walked over to her and reached down to pet her neck. What a sweetie!! She nudged my hand with her head. I felt happy to be in the presence of a beautiful gorgeous cat! Just being near a cat at this vulnerable time in my life felt healing.

This cat started strutting confidently down the road like she just KNEW where my flat was! I followed her. She looked back at me a few times and made a slight movement with her head which seemed like a suggestion to follow her. I laughed and started walking a few steps behind her.

When we got to my flat door she stopped, looked up at me and wagged her tail as I got my keys out to open the door.

It felt otherworldly. I mean here is this furry creature somehow sent down by a higher force to be my companion. Did she sense I was in a depressed state and that I could use a cats presence? It seemed that way.

Of course I brought her in to the flat. She followed happily behind me nuzzling my ankles. I poured her a bowl of water, put it down and watched her slurp it up quickly. She jumped up on my couch to make herself at home with a contented smile.

I was content too.

That night she laid on the bed next to me purring with her paw on my hand, as we both fell asleep.

I slept better that night than almost any night I could remember.

The next night after the show ended I got off the shuttle bus and she was again standing across the street wagging her tail in the same spot — like she knew the exact time the bus would drop me off!

She nuzzled my legs, turned and like a dedicated soldier started walking towards my flat — just like the day before. She was walking me home. My furry escort.

I felt I had been adopted and I was happy about it.

I named her Simunye after I saw a commercial on the South African TV using the slogan “Simunye’ which means “We are One”. I found this name appropriate for us.

I spent 6 months performing in this show at the Palace Resort. Simunye stayed at our flat with me and my husband the entire time. I was so happy to get home after each show to spend time hugging and cuddling with this lovable creature.

I took pictures of her and sent them home to friends and family. I was more excited about having my new ‘fur-child’ than anything else.

Throughout this 8 month gig most nights after the showroom closed my husband would go out drinking at the Casino bars. He drank more heavily and got even more violent as the months progressed but Simunye was always there to keep me company — and I think to remind me of the goodness and beauty in life.

We continued to sleep paw on arm.

Almost every night I couldn’t wait to get off the shuttle bus because Simunye would be waiting for me like a dutiful crossing guard. It became our habit to walk together the short distance from the bus stop and up through the tree laden path while the bright orange moon hung low — seemingly guiding us amidst the star littered landscape.

We were one with the gorgeous African sky.

Thinking back on it now it was like a movie set with this cat walking in front of me silhouetted by the moon and me following dutifully behind.

Many nights while walking home I would look up at the moon and ask the Universe questions:

Why am I in this unbearable situation with this abusive man?

How did this happen?

Why am I so lifeless now even on stage singing?

Why do I not care anymore about my music career or if I ever sing again?

Simunye was the brightest light for me during one of my darkest times. My shred of sanity.

When the run of the show finally ended I had to leave to go back to the United States. One of the hardest things I’ve ever done was arranging to give Simunye to one of the stage hands in the show. He loved cats and promised me he’d take care of her.

I cried buckets of tears when he picked her up in his car. I waved goodbye as he drove away with Simunye staring at me from the back seat carrier.

I still tear up thinking about that day. I cried for maybe 2 days straight.

Even today I remember Simunye fondly. I use her name Simunye as my password for many of my websites etc.

It has been over 20 years and I still haven’t forgotten this wonderful furry friend.

My current boyfriend Bob and I now have a black and white cat named Fluffy who resembles Simunye. So, maybe Simunye is somehow still alive and well living through Fluffy. Who knows…

I know she is living in my heart and will always be the African Cat Who Changed My Life.

THANKS FOR READING! contact: [email protected]

Michelle Monet has published 5 non-fiction books including 4 Poetic Memoirs. Her upcoming Memoir is about her life in show business. She is also writing a Musical based on her life.

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