We let you walk all over us as compensation for the dusty roads

We have been nothing but willing to carry the heavy loads that you are

Yet to help us lay down.

Incarcerated by feelings that we are indebted to you,

We have endured the poverty and our children have learnt to do without

The promises that were once too great to doubt.

Though it took lives to end the struggle we continue to struggle to survive

You stab us in the back, our loyalty is the knife that continues to deprive

The black man of a chance to say he is truly free.

You have removed the names of the ‘oppressors’ to create

The illusion that oppression is now under the carpet

In reality, it’s still the same,  only now we  sell our tomatoes and

Trade our chips and sweets on Langalibalele Street instead of Longmarket.

You have given us freedom to march down these roads,

Now named after freedom fighters;  the Bikos and Luthulis

Can you not see the irony in all this?

Time and time again we sing ‘Remember us as we have remembered you’

We cry ‘Render unto us the honour we have rendered unto you’

At the election polls we could have easily surrendered you

But the guilt…

When we even speak of taking a peek at ‘the other side’

Where the grass might be greener you question our demeanor

You taunt us, call us tea girls and garden boys for exercising the right to choose

That YOU fought for…you couldn’t be meaner!

Does it not touch your soul when you see young people jumping fences

Just to get an education?

They remain forever on their toes just to get a sense of elevation

Yet you fill stadiums and toast to success, what is your cause for celebration?

Open your eyes and see the state of the nation before you address it.

She has outgrown the rags you patched in 1994

Her bandaged wound- it’s time to undress it

Hear her, our heroes.

Honour her with hope, wipe her tears

As compensation for the years.

Unburden her children, lay down their loads

So they can freely slide down the rainbow

As compensation for the dusty roads.