They shouldn’t lose it
their language
the language they speak
first

(never you mind
the language they speak
out in that assembly
that brings much mirth
and general comic relief)

They shouldn’t lose it
we hear as the last word
on SABC2’s Vusaseki
which I catch the end of

(just home am I
from the local library’s
Friends of the library meeting
out here on the Cape Flats)

They shouldn’t lose it
their first language
the language they speak
in favour of English
(as she is spoken)

They shouldn’t lose it
it has equal status here
and is equal too to all
our 11 official ones

Some have it that
we oppress ourselves
thinking we are inferior
because of the language
we speak at home

(then it’s off to school
to speak in the other
while we think in our first)

They shouldn’t lose it

Have you

(SABC2’s Vusaseki brings forth a stimulating discussion / debate on language / indigenous language / the use of language, Tuesday evening 6 November 2018.)