Were You There?

When they came across the streets of Soweto
Did you join them?
Did you join their struggle?
Did you see their commitment?

When the police drove through the township
looking for them,
Were you there?

Those were the students in 1976
Fighting for our Education,
but what are we doing now?

Many died, others in exile
But we were left with freedom of Education -
and actually,
we are not using it fruitfully.

Can you absorb their thoughts of revolution,
though life is good for you?
Can you defend their plans of armed struggle,
though you are a pacifist?

Can you pray for them,
though you are a Communist?
When armies opened fire across the streets of Soweto
Were you there?

They fought hard for this Education,
but now they are not here to inherit it.
We were supposed to inherit this Education,
but now, what do we get?

Many drop-outs,
young girls falling pregnant
before age ...
Is there any future in that?

I am a young woman
who has come to tell you about Education.
I have come to show you the bigger picture.
I have not seen a school like LEAP before.

Once, I was in public schools.
Now, LEAP is my school.
They have shown me care,
shown me what to be grateful for.

Open your eyes!
Wise up!
Here is the change.
Grab it, and let no one take it away from you.

Be a LEAP student,
and seize the opportunities.
Take the excellence with you.

-Asithandile Ngebulana