I am Ubuntu

I am made of struggle..

centuries of blood, sweat and tears.

I am made of hustle..

Everything the white man fears.

I am Krotoa's legacy.

The Khoi woman who defined her own destiny.

My hair bends to the waves of the ocean,

and my skin glows the colours of the mountain.

My heart beats to the rhythm of the klopse

and my soul seeks the guidance of my ancestors.

I am made up of Koeksister's on Sunday morning,

The pepper briyani on Friday afternoons,

Boeber on Thursday evenings,

and Nicknacks from the bhai on the corner.

I made of jive and double-o at the family functions.

I am that poring you hide from the ooragge family members

and the gatsby you enjoy on weekends.

My strength comes from my family,

they're willingness to always support and stand by me.

My resilience comes from my heritage,

something I am not ashamed of but able to leverage.

My courage comes from my culture;

a variety of languages, skin colours and point of view's perfectly sculptured.

My will power comes from my religion,

I put my trust in Allah for every decision.

I am the consciousness of Steve Biko,

I am the power of Saartjie Baartman,

I am the bravery of Imam Abdullah Haroon,

I am the intelligence of Karima Brown.

I am the Salt River streets

and the signal hill outline,

I am the woman standing before you.

I am Ubuntu.