Freedom – The Unfinished Dream.
The shackles have been cast off.
The chains broken.
A people once squashed,
under the jackboot of Apartheid,
are free.
Free at last!
Freedom came on the 27th day in that April of 1994.
Freedom from prejudice.
From institutionalized racism.
From being relegated to second-class citizens.
Freedom came and we danced.
We cried.
We ululated as we elected
our revered Mandela.
President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Our very own beloved ‘Madiba’.
Black and white and brown and those in-between.
The many hues of this nation,
rejoiced as we breathed in the air of freedom and democracy.
Today we pause.
We remember.
We salute.
The brave ones whose sacrifices made this day possible,
on that 27th day of April,
24 years ago.
Today we may dance.
We sing.
We ululate!
We cry.
Tears of joy and tears of loss.
Of remembrance and of forgiveness.
Of yet to be realised reconciliation and of the ghastly memories that still torment us.
Today we pause.
We acknowledge the tasks ahead.
The hungry.
The naked.
The destitute.
Today we reaffirm,
that promise of freedom.
From want.
From hunger.
From eyes without promise.
Today we reflect.
On unfulfilled promises.
On the proliferation of greed.
On the blurring of the ideals of freedom.
Today we say:
We will take back the dream.
We will renew the promise.
We will not turn away.
Today we pledge:
To stand firm.
To keep the pressure on.
To remind those in the corridors of power,
that we the people still need to savour the fruits of the tree of freedom*.
And till that time,
when all shall share in the bounty of democracy,
We shall remain vigilant,
and strong.
And we shall continue,
to struggle.
And to shout out loud,
“Amandla – Awethu!”**
________________
* – final words of Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu before he has executed by the Apartheid regime in 1979
“My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight”.
** – “Amandla – Awethu” means “Power to the People, and was a rallying slogan during the struggle against Apartheid.
Scribbled Verse 
Amazing poem, Afzal, it’s great to hear from you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks to you, friend, and to all – I’ve been away from our wonderful WordPress community for a while. My apologies for this “form” message to all. I shall be back soon. Warmest wishes and see you all sooner rather than later.
Once again apologies for this generic message to all friends here on WhatsApp. I shall endeavour to respond personally to all, once again, sooner rather than later.
Needless to say, all is well. The weight of work and life has me rather busy so unable to be more active on the blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Power to the people. Yes yes remain vigilant. It is necessary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks to you, friend, and to all – I’ve been away from our wonderful WordPress community for a while. My apologies for this “form” message to all. I shall be back soon. Warmest wishes and see you all sooner rather than later.
Once again apologies for this generic message to all friends here on WhatsApp. I shall endeavour to respond personally to all, once again, sooner rather than later.
Needless to say, all is well. The weight of work and life has me rather busy so unable to be more active on the blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much love to you Afzal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and to you too dear dear friend
LikeLike