A Letter To All South Africans Poem by Nangamso Ndikandika

Dear South African
I write this letter with a sad and broken heart
I tried to find answers from God
Guess you are the one who have them
Can I ask you this …?

Why do you hate me so much?
Is it because I am black?
Is it because I am much darker than you in complexion?

Does it occur to you that I too am African?
To me you are like my brothers and sisters
Though not born from the same womb
Any time in need I would assist

Just like in your days of apartheid
It was me who prayed for your liberation
I felt your pain and begged our people to shield you
Because you and I are one

Remember, we are the victims of colonialism
Remember, we are the victims of British war and hatred
Then answer me,
Why are we fighting one another?

A kwerekwere is what you call me
Which I have sadly accepted as my name
Of little knowledge you have
Of me being in your country
Did you ever care enough to stop and ask me?
Why I left my people behind

Sister, it’s not easy
My children are dying
My family sleeps in blood and feeds only of water
We are like vagrants moving from one place to another
Because we do not have homes, there’s no security and comfort
Our land is covered with blood
There no hope but fear of life

Africa was robbed of its gold and diamonds
Look at us now; we are robbing each other of brotherly and sisterly love
Where is the spirit of ubuntu?

Cover me with your blanket
Shelter me with your home
Please do not show me the road

Picture yourself in my situation
It’s not an easy burden to carry
We are being killed by the very same we placed in power
Exploited and bitten till death

Mama Africa is crying and soon
Her soil will reject us all
It will swallow each and every being alive
Stop this hatred and accept me as I am
It was never my choice
To be a migrant and cross your boarder
But circumstances gave me no option

I hope you find this letter in time
Before more blood is shared
And more lives are taken
You and I are made from one soil