Freedom Day, 13 Years

South African symbolsThis post is my tribute to those who died, may it not be in vain:

Steven Biko, Neil Aggett, Victoria Mxenge, Albert Luthuli, Chris Hani, Hector Pieterson, Nkosi Johnson.

“Asimbonang ‘umfowethu thina
Laph’ekhona
Laph’wafela khona.”
— Asimbonanga, Johnny Clegg —

“(we have not seen our brother
In the place where he is
In the place where he died)”

To those who lived through pain, but got to see the fruits of their toil:

Nelson Mandela, our icon.
Oom Bey, the Afrikaner who stood against his own people. The minister that stood against his own religious order and remained faithful to Christ.
OR Tambo, Joe Slovo.

“O Siyeza, o siyeza , sizofika webaba noma
O siyeza, o siyeza, siyagudle lomhlaba
Siyawela lapheshaya lulezontaba ezimnyama
Lapha sobheka phansi konke ukhulupheka.”
— The Crossing (Osiyeza) Johnny Clegg —

“(we are coming, we are coming, we will arrive soon
we are coming, we are coming, we are moving across this earth
we are crossing over those dark mountains
where we will lay down our troubles)”

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1 Comment »

 
  • Antonia says:

    I would like to add my personal favourite to your list of icons: Desmond Tutu… I think he and Oom Bey had a lot in common.

 

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