Miss E.N. Matyumza Poem by Kawake Sipelo Vuke

Forgive me Miss Matyumza for barging in uninvited,
But something is sucking my blood from the inside;
It is our youth; they are fooling one another-
Some say education is just the waste of their time.
Pour them a glass from your wine of wisdom;
Let them have a feast at your table of braveness.
You swore that even if they can cut off your leg,
You will stand for the truth on one leg.
Even in hell among Lucifer and his demons,
You stood for the truth, and nothing but the truth.

You're a principal with principles that prescribe life,
Your teaching skills cleanse the brains of Zingisa students-
With their uniforms sweeping on this thorn full earth,
Your dream is shining on their minds and forsaken souls.
Your power rules and commands even the stiffest hearts.
You voice like lion roars, calls for undivided attention
On those noisy corners of the assembled hall, silence rules,
And your Catholicism chases away demons that prey on your students.
Respected, strict, yet your harsh rules lead to a fruitful living.
Not even a teacher nor a student tempers with your principles of education.

As they are searching in the green forest, and lost
They will never forget the milk you breastfed them
That brainwashed their minds and gave them the whiteness
That suits a university life, with the bows that you gave them
That makes them vibrant archers in hunt of knowledge and skills.
As they are swimming in the deepest ocean on earth,
You have taught them how to throw their twine nets of fishing.

You gave them parental care, you gave them love,
You gave your students guidance; you are their surrogate mother.
University life is a ball and chain, university life is a can full of worms,
Yet with your teaching and lessons this road is a freeway.
Yes, with you teachings and lessons we break the back of the beast.