During The Years That I Have Lived In South Africa Poem by Gert Strydom

I have witnessed heroes and monsters
among both white and black men

I have seen men of integrity and spirit,
I have seen robbers and liars,
have witnessed the acts
of brutal selfish politicians,

have done my duty to my country
beyond the call of patriotism,
have served in the military when called upon,
have paid my taxes when due,

and like most other South African men
have been a mortal
caught up in turbulent times,
in a havoc of events

that threatened to destroy society,
that stripped away the way to earn a living
and although most people do not realise it
our country is on the brink of devestation,

with robberies, torture, killings and rape
going totally out of control,
with the police being either helpless,
or totally inadequate, not able to do their duty.