Namhlanje makaguxane
Amaxok’omabini.
14Kuba o Funz’eweni
Bashumayela
Abangakwamkeli ku Congress 60
Bakwenze indaba ze sizwe.
15Imkile i Natal Congress
Ngenxa yabo
Imkile kwane Free State
Nantsiya ne Koloni izintlantlu ngentlantlu. 65
16Maxeke, B.A., speaks out.
Long he stood downwind
watching their antics,
and in the end he turned his back.
17We’re urged over the edge, 70
says Maxeke, B.A.,
by those who run blind,
with no home to turn to.
18Maxeke, they claim,
is selling the nation; 75
but they sold it off
a long time ago.
19They scuttle Africa:
down there the big guns
of Congress are roaring, 80
pounding away at their very own ranks.
20Thus Maxeke, B.A.,
ancient teller of tales.
He forces down today
those urging us over the edge. 85
21Hawulele! Hule!
The boil came to a head today,
wonders erupted like pus
mixed with P.E.’s blood.
22We stumbled in starting! 90
We seek a ford!
We won’t bury our heads,
afraid to speak out.
23The nation’s ill served by those heroes
who lurk in their lairs like wild beasts, 95
heedless of others,
betraying our trust.
24Wake up, Makgatho, the air’s in motion!
Why can’t you tell
where the wind comes from 100
or where it’s blowing?
16Uti ke yena oka Maxeke (B.A.,)
Ungasemoyeni
Imikwa yabo kudala
Ayikangela wancama.
17Uti oka Maxeke (B.A.,) 70
O Funz’eweni abasazi
Nalapo mabapate
Bayeke kona.
18Bati oka Maxeke
Utengisa nge sizwe 75
Kanti kudala bona
Basitengisa kuqala.
19Yatshona i Afrika ngabo
Kuba nenkanunu ze Congress
Nandzo zigquma 80
Ziqekeza amabandla.
20Uti ke oka Maxeke (B.A.,)
Umdala okade ubalisa
Namhla o Funz’eweni
Uyabotula ezintabeni. 85
21Hawulele! Hule
Latsitsa namhla ibhunga
Igazi lase Bhayi
Libuya nezimanga.
22Sifunze! Kakubi! 90
Sifuna! Izibuko!
Asikusela ezadungeni
Ngokoyik’ukuteta.
23Isizwe asiwafuni amaramnca
Avele ngomx’ak’emngxunyeni 95
Angenantlonipo ngumntu
Nangatembekiyo.
24Vuka! Nto ka Makgatho
Wapepeza na Umoya?
Ungawazi apo uvela kona 100
Nalapo usinga kona?
25Congress is split by those in Jeppe
urging us over the edge,
crows who pick it over,
scratching the ground for seed. 105
26Maxeke, B.A., speaks out.
Today he swathes
all their deeds
in a baffling mist.
27Why is Congress 110
put to the torch?
Where are the visions
of those in sympathy?
28I’m warning you all!
The nation’s sinking 115
while you look down,
fumbling for matches!
29There could not be
a matter more grave:
there are some who believe 120
they alone are the people.
30So wake up, Makgatho,
and seek a ford:
you’re getting a whiff
of the stench that sinks 125
the ship of the nation.
So peace, it’s up to you!
25I-Congress iqekezwa
Ngo Funz’eweni base Jeppe
Abamana beyipanda
Bexel’amahlungulu. 105
26Uti ke oka Maxeke (B.A.)
Uyayicima namhlanje
Imisebenzi yabo
Njengelifu eligqingqwa!
27Itsha nganina 110
Indlu ye Congress?
Azi babebone ntonina
Osivuma-ngamehlo.
28Lumkelani! Iyatshona
Inqanawe ye sizwe 115
Nina nisalibele
Kukuqwit’ezidosheni!
29Bekungekonto ikakade
Ibingade igqite nto
Kubantu abazicingela 120
Ukuba bangabantu bodwa
30Vuka ke Nto ka Makgatho
Ufune Izibuko
Nango umoya ukuq’ola
Wevumba elitshonisa 125
Inqanawe ye sizwe
Camagu ke! Mahlala bemsusa!
Mgqwetho launches an attack on L.T. Mvabaza for comments about her published in the Congress newspaper Abantu-Batho. Having previously adopted a stance critical of Congress, Mgqwetho here rolls up her sleeves and takes her gloves off.
4 The woman poet and Abantu-Batho