The fear of the man is for the power of the WOMAN.
The violence in the man is the shame in his heart:
So he’s a boy at work where they shout him around;
his manhood is trampled; his pride is destroyed.
But he’s a man again when he beats her down;
He’s the man again when they cower and cry.
Yes, he’s a man again – restored to his own!
The violence in the man comes from the shame in his heart.
*
Who gave us the life so we can live, anyway?
Who sits up nights till all coughs go away?
Who keeps us safe from the pest and the plague?
Who do we talk to when growing up comes knocking?
*
Come on, Mama! It’s Time to Rise!
It’s YOU who go around from door to door;
It’s YOU who go begging to char and to chore.
It’s YOU who take the blows that are meant for us;
It’s to YOU we bring home that first-class pass.
It’s to YOU we sing soft tear-songs at night,
It’s to You we promised: WE’ll make it right!
*
It’s time, Mama! It’s Time WE Rise!
The fear of the man is for the power in women.
*
Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo! *
(*You strike a woman; you strike a rock.)
*
[Dis sommer nonsens ‘n vrou lat haar so slat! Slat trug! Slattie jong, trug! Jy sal sien – hy sal nooit weer slattie!]
August 2020
Alex Marshall hails from Heidelberg in the Western Cape. He was a teacher at Trafalgar High School in District Six, whereafter he taught English at Masibambane High School in Kraaifontein. He was an activist for South African sports; has a great interest in history, and holds a master’s degree in Philosophy from UCT. Alex is passionate about reflecting on his community in his writing.
