Victory’s Mandate Poem by Boitumelo Oliphant

Victory’s mandate
Tats and Tutsis of the Bantustan native deter my horizon as millages on my yard-speed unfold,
Today I behold the glory apparent on my fellow African’s fate, because of the watch of this day… 1976
On the outskirts of oblivion, I observe the heart of the day as my brother, my saviour steps into a Zloty Street in Soweto,
It was so quiet I tell you, so quiet like a dead man’s chest, as one lady puts it,
As peace enquired of our where abouts, a black voice begun to stunt a bellow,
Screams and shakes of abomadala na bomagrisa blipped at harmony’s erdge… sizani bo! Were legos that shook our belts.
My saviour laid there as we embraced a whip from our dethroners.
The mystery of my master’s absentia is a KABOOM to date,
Let the grave embrace your aroma my leader for you have served your mandate
And let us make you proud today as we live your dream
Thank you Hector Pieterson