I hear a lamentation from the distance.

This is a lamentation of a woman,

She’s weeping so bitterly that’s so sad!

In her arms carried a corpse of her son.

She says: “we were living in peace,

But now everything is torn into pieces!”

They gave birth to fifty-four children,

They had an abundance of live stock,

They were rich in minerals resources;

They were living in harmony!

The problem began when hosting a stranger.

Europe came in as their guest,

They showed him ubuntu-hospitality.

Without knowing that he’s a spy an enemy!

He took my husband to war,

He took some of my children to slavery.

He took all our possessions our belongings:

Like silver, gold, copper, oil; iron ore

They shared it amongst themselves.

I’m left alone with my children, we’re starving!

They forced us to speak their languages,

Which are: Afrikaans, English, French; Portuguese

They turned my family upside down,

Now my children are fighting each other!

Our land was like green pastures

But they turned it into a wilderness.

I’m left alone totally with nothing!

I’m a widow now, my husband died.

Mother Africa She’s weeping for her power.

She’s weeping for her peace and security.

She’s weeping for her children sold in slavery.

She’s weeping for her economy.

She’s says: “rejoice you barren woman!”

Because you’ve never experienced labor pains.

Rejoice you woman, woe onto me!

You don’t know how is like to lose a husband!

You don’t know how is like to lose children!

Pestilence, civil wars, prejudice; starvation,

All conspire against her like plagues.

Mother Africa she’s weeping saying: woe onto me!

This iron yoke on my shoulder is too heavy!

As a woman she got to be strong.

She is facing the devil in the eyes.

But children will grow up no matter the cost;

And they’ll wipe all her tears out.

Then she’ll feel the blessing of belly,

Mother Africa she still have a hope.

Written by:

Sthembiso Sydney Msezane