The New South Africa

At the southern part of this continent called Africa
Is a land rich in resources
Its wildlife, its minerals, its people
Just some of things that make it regal
Landing in the city at the airport OR Tambo
Is how many are introduced to its magnificent wonder
The history rich in lessons and literature
It should be an adventure, I'm sure many ponder
For those returning home or traveling within already know
That not all that seems to glitter is gold
As 30 years into democracy one may wonder
Did anything actually change at all?
A country that has so much land and resources
Yet no opportunities exists for those who are part of it
A land that has sports teams delivering the best
Yet women walk around with the nagging notion of 'Am I Next?'
We were taught we are all equal before the law of the land
Yet many of our leaders' ill will is only punished with a slap on the hand
South Africa belongs to all who live in it
Yet the ones without a place are of a certain race, it's distinct
Our news feed, never a boring day I will say
As daily, crime escalates at an alarming rate
The Rainbow Nation is where I live, or at least I thought
But now you could swear I am in an episode of Narcos

My heart is pained daily as our potential goes to waste
As we function daily in a society that leaves our mouths with a sour taste
Many of us know this is the land we have
And to repair it is something for which we must take a stand
We are a people, I say, who are richly blessed
iNkosi isisikelele otherwise we'd be somewhere else
Our children didn't ask for this and we need to consider
That they deserve a chance to experience something different
But the land will not fix itself, no that's not possible
It's time for us to stand and for our minds to wrestle
With the desired dream once dreamt and the reality daily met
With how our aspirations are ideals we can never forget

Yolande Godlo