We are in Africa
and Oaklands High
is all abuzz
on World Food Day

We are in Africa
for a celebration
of the 2017 matriculants
their achievements
and of those still to come

We are in Africa
down South here
where there is hunger
and malnutrition
(one in every four children
here go hungry each day)

We are in Africa
the Olde School’s
principal reminds us
as Vicky Sampson’s
African Dream is played

(the valedictory ditty
is a colonial reminder
as is so much else)

(I wonder what
my mom would have said
she who did her time
in the old building)

We are in Africa
I am who I am because
and you are who you are
(though Uhuru is not yet)

We are in Africa
and Africa is in us