By Samuel Rubadiri Their voters charged the polling stationLike a storm they thundered: “Change!” Their feet blitzed. Their hands darkened. The results rained: blue blue blue blue blueThe world watched — us drenched in anticipation SHOCKA landslide victory in Africa? Without coups or killing,Without ballot box fixing. The ousted president cried,PULA! PULA!Soaked citizens rejoiced, satisfied... Continue Reading →
By Dr Teedzani Thapelo When the king died, they wrapped him first in leopard skin,Then in silence, then in the heavy fraud of praise.The drums said mountain.The women said father.The councillors said sun.The cattle lowed as if history itselfHad lost its horn. But beneath the skin, inside the dark republic of flesh,The first priests had... Continue Reading →
By Noah Vale The first time I was here was in my headI’d say maybe three months ago. Today I lay on my bedAnd there was a man outside screaming morbidly at the torment of the demons I too dreadStruggling with loss and drunk thoughts wrapped around those long dead. “You killed my father, there’s... Continue Reading →
By Dr Teedzani Thapelo Every orgasm rehearses death. The body knows thislong before philosophy arriveswith its books and trembling explanations. The old French called itla petite mort—the little death. But beneath African skiesthe body understood alreadythat sex and death drinkfrom neighbouring wells. The same hips that conceive childrenwill one day stiffen beneath burial cloth. That... Continue Reading →
By Samuel Rubadiri Mmankgodi sands testifyNot to rain,But to its passing. The ribcage of gulliesCup hands for water.The rift cries river. The Earth claws upwardTo a barren heaven,Only the wind replies. Samuel Rubadiri works as an English teacher in his hometown Gaborone. If he is not in the classroom, encouraging his students to take up... Continue Reading →
By Noah Vale She left, but at least she left me with materialAnd since then, the ink’s been unapologetic.Batho ba lemogana loetong only once you're dragging limbstoo tired to fake the smile anymore.And I’ve gone from casual rhymesto “A phalana tse re kile re a ne re di letsa!” Because before I spiral into one... Continue Reading →
By Angel Joseph I walk through the world with open eyes–Every crack in the pavement speaks,Every silence hums a secret.I wonder-Do they hear it too?The hush between footsteps,The story folded inside a sigh? A poet’s burden is noticing-To see beyond the surface,To catch the shimmer in the ordinary.But sometimes I ask myself:Is this vision mine... Continue Reading →
By Kago Boitshwarelo I am the eldest daughter –Not self-proclaimed,But it is my birthright, I carry more than just my name,I carry pride,I carry heritage and dignity,A living loom for future generations, I am the deputy mother,I am my father’s echo in higher keys,Draped in a coat of responsibility, I am strength when things fall... Continue Reading →
by Noah Vale She said that man touched her inappropriately.That was a problem to me. I’m conflictedmaybe it’s my mother in me,maybe my father,maybe both. I love her.But something in me kept quiet. When she asked me to speak,I said, “next week.”Or maybe, “I’ll see.” She broke a little in front of me.And I felt... Continue Reading →
By Sethunya Hlobisa Matsie We're in brown and red.When she said read, I spelt.My words coming anchored withinShame tinted cords.Sinking in my seat.Bala! Swallowing breaths and snickering.Muffled laughs breaking the stiff silence.Time is a conspirator,Private schooling accent a dagger,Sweat wetting my white shirt.Bala! At the full stop, I exhale.And pause to listen to my neighbourSpelling... Continue Reading →
