South Africa Poetry

Road from Now

Poetry by Mayihlome Tshwete

Mayihlome Tshwete was born in South Africa in 1982. He never had the opportunity to be a child because of the racial problems in the country and his parents' involvement in trying to change the system. Mayihlome had to learn at a young age to be mature and to find a way to deal with all the pressures of the apartheid system. The following poems address issues he, and many other South Africans, deal with still. His poems, although some touching on very discouraging issues, are also a sign of great passion and hope for the country now having overcome many obstacles but having many still looming ahead. Mayihlome wrote these poems in honor of his father, a freedom fighter and government minister, Steve "Thangana" Tshwete. Steve Tshwete was imprisoned with Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners on Robbin Island before the end of apartheid. These poems are published in a book of his poetry Road from Now.

South Africa, although a country that represents great diversity and hope, has many problems that must still be overcome. The apartheid system was ended in 1994 and Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black president of South Africa. Although forgiveness has brought both whites and blacks together as never before, the remaining problems of poverty, HIV/AIDS, and increasing crime leaves much to be done. Racism is slow to change and other issues still haunt the country, however, South Africa has become, to many, the country in Africa that represents hope. Despite all the problems, Mayihlome particularly mirrors the idea of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Leaders Great

Recollecting images of resting soldiers,
As I look at faded pictures
Of those missing,
Those who stood against the greatest opposition.
Driven only by vision.

My memory dwells on the moments of their lives
When their actions gave the masses hope.
I think of them, the dying breed
Forever grateful they were never silent.

Their voices were heard while in exile
And from that cold, distant island.

Now we hear their voices as leaders of a great land,
Though, sadly, some have lost their breath
By hands of time or cruel, violent death.

All for the sake of the cause.
To open opportunities' doors
To people who knew nothing but racial wars.

Today, because of them,
We can proudly say:
"That's the way it was"

My appreciation goes to the dying breed.

Discussion questions

* What opportunities do you think Mayilome was talking about
* Are there still opportunities that people do not have because of their skin color?
* What is the point of this poem?
* What is the most important line, which says it 'all' to you?
* Whom do you think he is talking about? Consider his background. Is there still hope for South Africa and for any other country in Africa or is the "dying breeds" death the end of all hope?
* Is this poem only a tribute to Mayilome's heroes or is it also asking the new generation to speak up?

African Renaissance

Can you hear voices of time
speaking to our hearts
in golden tongues of African Renaissance?

Words painting images of re-birth:
an elevation,
a creation of our own paradise.

Imagine golden cities increase
our economy harmonizing peace
to the ears of raging poverty.


Africa, harness your property
our economy harmonizing peace
to the ears of raging poverty.

Africa rise!
feed our hopes
with accomplishment.


Discussion Questions

* How does this poem connect the past and the present?
* How does it connect the problems in South Africa and the changes that have occurred?
* What has been done and what still needs to be done?
* Does this poem show signs of pride or despair or both in South Africa?
* Do you think Mayihlome believes the problems can be overcome?

A Country for All

Blurry visions of a perfect tomorrow get clearer by the day,
There is hope in what tomorrow will display.
Visions based on fallen soldiers' words
their dreams build hope

South Africa, breathe on this patriotic commitment,
Motivate my vision,
My consciousness:
Make me a catalyst.

Unity sutures the battered body of this nation
But only in action:
Unity needs you and I to join hands
Let's heal yesterday's wounds together,
Give purpose to empty, needy palms.

Let's all be orphans to apartheid and seek a solution
Let's all be children of revolution.
A country for all:
Together we stand, divided we fall.
A country for all.

If I could plant my words as seeds
In tomorrow's soil
I would water them with hope and ambition
And grow wide crops of my vision
To feed my people's minds.

My words would be eaten
By those who hunger for more than just existence.

My words would be nutrients
Serving as growth's blueprints.

My words to the soul
Would be like sunrise to one's eyes
A promise of sunlight

Seeds rise to feed the soul
Forget not your purpose:

Erase misery's bonds
Overflow into cups of pleasant times
Feed my nation on fruits of thought:
The taste of endless possibilities.

Discussion Questions

* Does Mayihlome have reason to hope?
* Is hope an important feeling that makes change happen, or does it just let people down?
* Is the unity of South Africans, of black and white, possible?
* Is the unity of black and white in America and in the rest of the world possible? Has it already happened?
* Do you think knowledge is important for change? How? What kind of knowledge would change discrimination?