There is a belief in Swaziland that there are many treasures, especially the Kruger gold coins of South Africa, hidden in certain places in the kingdom. This money is believed to have been owned by rich white men who were bachelors and had nobody to inherit their wealth when death came their way. Some are believed to have hidden their money in caves or under rocks and many people have tried to find it so as to become instant millionaires.

However, the treasure, popularly known as imali yaPewula (Paul Kruger gold coins) is said to be guarded by ghosts which make sure that nobody gets close to it. In very rare cases, certain people are told the whereabout of the treasure and this is usually manifested through a dream. It is only these people, and nobody else, who can take the treasure. There are many versions to this belief, especially those of the ghosts which guard the treasure and GOGO MANANA will tell us one of the popular ones.

One day Mandla, who lived in the countryside on the way to Hlatikulu, woke up with a smile. "Dad," he shouted, as he got out of bed. "I had a dream last night! I know where the treasure is hidden." His father, who was milking the cows, suddenly came running into Mandla's bedroom. "Are you talking about imali yaPewula?" "Yes," replied Mandla, as his mother, brother and two sisters also came into the bedroom.

Suddenly there was silence in the room. Mandla's mom and dad left the children and went into their room. A few minutes later, Mandla's dad returned and said Mandla should see the local traditional healer who would advise whether or not they could go and look for the treaure without encountering any problems.

When they got to the traditional healer's homestead, Mandla was given something to eat and drink before the healer performed his rituals. "Your son's dream is true," said the healer. "The reason why the dream came to him was to tell him that it is time he gets what belongs to him." The two then left and went to decide on the next step.

Later that day, Sipho, who is the brother of Mandla's father came to the homestead and was told of his nephew's dream. Sipho decided that he, together with his brother, should go and look for the money. It was agreed that Mandla was too young to go with them and hence had to give them directions where the money was buried.

Mandla's father agreed and so Mandla told them exactly where the treasure was hidden. At around 8pm, the two set off, with their spades and pick axes. When they came to the place where the money was buried, they felt that there was no time to waste and so they started digging. After about five minutes or so, they suddenly heard the sound of a train and they paused and asked one another, what was that. "It was just our imagination," said Sipho. "Let's carry on with the job." Suddenly, horses came galloping in their direction and on them were four white men with long white beards and they were all carrying whips.

They wasted no time in whipping the two who ran in different directions. The next morning, when Mandla's dad woke up, he found he was sleeping next to what looked like a grave yard. As he got up, he realised that Sipho was only a few metres away from him. They got up and went back home, which was about 30km away. On arrival, it was agreed that they should return to the traditional healer and find out what went wrong.

"Do not be greedy," said the healer. "The dream came to Mandla and he alone is entitled to take that treasure. Go with the young man and let him do the digging." That night the three set out and Mandla was allowed to do the spade work. Within minutes he was opening a money box, full of gold coins. The family lived happily ever after.