Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Did you do it alone, “Tata”?

My humble apology,
allow me to ask,
perhaps an unfair question,
to such a stalwart, such a great leader
but “tata” I am left with disbelief
these people tell me you are different
they tell me you freed mzanzi
by yourself or with a little help
but I can hear these people
telling their offspring
that “You” are not like us
that “You” are a saint
a man send from straight above
to free the silly nation
that cannot count
add or multiply
“Tata”, is it true
that you are greater than your skin
that you did not take from your forefathers
that you had no brothers holding your arm
as you wrestle the beast
with your bare hand
that you walked the long walk by yourself?

I do recall the names of other legends
nation builders, even your own mentors
and as I recall the many names
I wonder, when did you became the greatest
and the rest become the smallest
the forgotten soldiers of the one movement
the very movement that today landed a golden spoon in your family mouth
the one movement that I remember was meant to free Africa and its offspring
perhaps I skipped a chapter in history
or maybe I am just miseducated