Me Poem by Phillip Nine Mafunga

I grew up in the days of great transition
In the days of great African minds
In the days when General Tongogara was the name of great inspiration
The name that got enemies trembling
I grew up in the days of great revolutionaries Like Samora Moises Machel
The days when even poetry was revolutionary
Yes, I grew up in the days of Dambudzo Marechera
The days of Mazwakhe Mbuli and Mutabaruka
Now you can surely guess my source of influence

I grew up under Ian Douglas Smith of Rhodesia
An international pariah state that succeeded against all odds
Yes, I can tell you about the Special Branch and Selous Scouts
The days of racial segregation and white supremacy
The days of Whawha and Chikombela
I grew up to know that freedom does not just come to anyone
The days of boycotts and passive resistance
The days of ZIPRA and ZANLA forces
I grew up in the days Angola and Mozambique got their independence

Yes, I grew up in the days of great change
The days when everything was dynamic
The days when the world was on the move on all fronts
The days when cassettes replaced vinyls
The days when CDs replaced cassettes
Yes, those were my days and I have seen it all
I have seen the advent of the computers
The cellphone revolution
I have pretty much seen it all
Please do not guess my age!



Phillip Nine Mafunga
30 July 2019