Quo Vadis Africa? Poem by Peter J White

Africa where are you going? Your office bearers
Seem obsessed with personal gain, exposing the lie
Of altruism. Are they the best you can supply?
People of Zimbabwe and Kenya were betrayed
When leaders, defeated in spite of rigged elections, stayed
In office, and you? You sighed, “There’s nothing we can do! ”
Is not people’s breath the wind which spins Mugabe’s mill
Which grinds Kibaki’s corn? And those who did nothing will
They now dishonour those who died,

To save you from anarchy? Why was the law not applied
To candidates voters rejected? Did you fight for this? For this
Return of those who abused you, who feared justice,
Afraid of prosecution? But wait, there’s more, and worse
Trespass against you. Those thrown out were, by the curse
Of foreigners who should know better, nurtured, kept still
In power, able to overthrow the nation’s will,
Through elections where the loser is given back his job!

Is SADC’s, Anan’s interference acceptable because they’re black?
Because the oppressor, flaunting your money for so long
With shopping trips to Europe and Hong Kong
Now can’t be stopped, his chain of office, saying “See the Great I Am! ”
Because his picture hangs on every office wall, though not giving a damn
For you. How is he better than the colonial power
To arrogate the flower of your freedom? Are you saying
“Whites, not welcome! But oppression by our own - that’s OK?

Africa we need you. The world is incomplete without your way
Of life. But not like this. Not corrupt dictators doing as they please,
Mandated as they claim to murder; seize property in your name;
Pulling down the house over your heads; standing in the ruins of your
Country, insisting they did it all for you! Rebuild my friends by Rule of Law,
Human Rights prevailing; the military your workers for defence,
Not assailing you with threats! Above all a servant, master of no one
To lead you, retiring a proud citizen with honour when his term is done.