Long Walk to Freedom

Long walk to freedom,
barefoot, walking around the streets
Not just walking, but running at times,
Not just running only, but
hiding also

Was it running,
running for not being caught?
Was it hiding out of fear?
Running for your life?

Swollen, painful lines of sjambok
in your back,
front
of your body

I'm talking about your flesh here -
never mind your skin.
Horror, suffering, and cries
were the greetings of day to day

Children, wives
crying for their husbands
who had been are are arrested

Long walk to freedom,
people dying day by day
Fighting for democracy

Years and years in prison
There was a person
who willingly spent
27 years in jail

FOR WHAT GOOD REASON?

It was all about being
FREE AT LAST

Now, freedom of speech
is the playing ground of
South African opportunities
Every one scores a goal in them

And free education
I bet no one gets a red card
for that

This all happened after
long walk to freedom
Maqhawe nani maqhawekazi
I salute you!

Nabangama Delakufa
nabangama Gorha nama Gorhakazi,
Kwenjenjwalo ke Ma Afrika Amahle
Makube chosi kubehele!

And God let peace be among South Africans
Heroes,
heroines,
warriors

I salute you
I salute you
I salute you

Really, it was a long walk
to the freedom we have today

-Asithandile Ngebulana