In English they say ‘Greetings’
In isiXhosa they say ‘Molweni’
In isiZulu we say ‘Sanibonani’
‘Dumilang’ that’s how they say it in seTswana.

Different languages, one soul
Roll the tongue and feel overjoyed
Click it once, then twice, and admire yourself.

Ndijike, ndiguquke ndibon’ iintlobo ngeentlobo zomzi omnyama.
Bath Ukhamba lufuze imbiza, nam ke ndifuzile.
Out of the blue I change my mind and speak seTswana
Ke re
I am proud of my languages.

I snap my fingers then, ndixhuma-xhume ndizixelel’ ukuba ndiyazingca ngolwimi lwakowethu
Ngiphinde ngithi kwaze kwabamnandi ukwazi.
Then I smile.
These are my languages

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This piece of writing was created as part of the WritingMe Writing Clubs with Sophumelela High School, Western Cape. Find out more here.