INDEPENDENCE

Freedom but in chains, 
Decades of judicial freedom, 
But the caprices and cacophony
of corruption hold us captive.

Decades of mental slavery, 
Who will redeem us?
Misery, pain and shame mock at us, 
Hell on earth.

Our tongues are powerful
to wage war with the teeth and lips, 
Our fists enfeebled by fear of death, 
In our match box houses, 
Hunger slaps our faces. 

Our thumbs blamed
for what we see, 
Who did this to us? 
Should we expect another messiah? 

Each transition of power 
is like from frying pan to fire, 
We are suffering and smiling;
weak to carry placards. 

We are sycophants, 
Ready to be slaughtered, 
On the altar of greed and corruption, 
Independently dependent. 

Our past elites were patriots, 
Whose selfless services 
are monumental in our minds, 
Their souls frown at our crawling stage. 

Though many departed elites 
whose fingers are stained 
are wailing in purgatory, 
Impatiently waiting for saintly prayers. 

On this auspicious day, 
We celebrate the lion of Africa, 
Whose strength is weakened 
by religious apartheid, tribalism and ethnicity.