Africanitis Poem by Kenneth Maswabi

A dreaded disease
Ravages across Africa
Bringing the continent to its knees
Whole nations are capitulating
Under the weight of this epidemic
Our future generations are doomed
By this brain sucking illness

Africanitis
A disease of the brain
Characterized by psychological inferiority complex,
Dependence syndrome
And inability to take charge
Of one’s own destiny

Millions are fleeing
Rejecting their inheritance
Shedding their African responsibilities
In exchange for European comforts
A warm cup of coffee in the morning
In place of a bucket full of milk
An African exodus
Is taking root in the Mediterranean

The dreaded disease
Has replaced accountability with corruption
Productivity with laziness
A culture of excellence has been uprooted
By the erupting canons of dictators
The blood of our children
Washes the shores of our rivers

Africanitis
A disease by Africans for Africans
We are grazers
Always looking down on the grass
Never thinking of options
Or coming up with solutions
We have contaminated democratic institutions
Polluting our governments
With our evil intentions
Throwing opportunities
In our moment of greed

The only solutions found
Xenophobia
Genocide
CIVIL WAR
RAPE
Tribalism
Religious extremism

Africa
The beautiful continent
Brims with all sorts of riches
Diamonds and gold
Wildlife…
History…
Capturing the eye from Cape to Cairo