Madiba Poem by Chukuemeka Akpe

N inety flagship years now unfurled
mapped with the isolations of grief
wrinkled joy of a colourful dream.

E mbezzled freedom to emasculate
rather nurtured spirit in fiery trials
forged courage in furnace of hope.

L eg-irons of steel for restraint
cast iron resolve unfettered
unshackled mind victorious.

S oldier adorned with justice as armour
battled untold injustices with candour
ugly walls of enclaves with ardour.

O mega tenant of an infamous island
landlorded by truncheons of prejudices
fenced with sharp barbs of blind hatred.

N ave of the reincarnation of a homeland
oppressed to painful death by the few
human dignity muzzled as a beast.



M aestro of an untiring symphony
conducted with prickly batons
piercing tunes jarring consciences.

A donis of the Transkei
revered man of the global kraal
father to the children of distant dorps.

N oble medallion as garland for peace
nectar of triumph for the bitter deeds
imbibed in contented gulps with foes.

D idactic tale told with a lifetime:
purpose is living; living is dying
gain, a child of pain.


E nfranchised eyes wept in unison
beholden to the flood too much for tyranny
amputated limbs evoked to walk the new path.


L eadership gracefully robed in modesty
sage repulsed by the charm of power
beacon in a dark tunnel of perpetuity.

A n epoch!