Wednesday 23 April 2014

WHEN MANDELA WAS FREED!

(Tribute to Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and to a free South Africa, written through the eyes of an eight year old)

When Tata Mandela was freed
God smiled, that I know!
The sun was shining bright
No speck of cloud in sight!

I was then only eight
An innocent, little lad
Yet Tata was so great
My dad had told me all!

It was a special day
Something different, something new!
There was a sound of cheering,
hooting and that of drums.
South Africa came alive
Mandela free at last!

Comrades chanting slogans
"Viva, Mandela, Viva!"
Chaos all around
My hero free at last!

I saw his smiling face
As I stood glued to the screen
No more anger, no more hate,
South Africa, do unite!

Quietly I said a prayer
Thanking Him for my friend
I then looked in his eyes,
"Wish I could touch his hand!"

© Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule, 2014
(All rights reserved)
Posted by at

31 comments:

  1. Overton-New London23 April 2014 at 11:04

    Yvonne, you're such a empowering and creative writer. Thank you for sharing a bit of 'you' with us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. HN23 April 2014 at 14:34

    Wonderful to read this tribute from a young child's point of view and really get a sense of that truly awesome day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown23 April 2014 at 14:41

    Thanks a lot, Han. I'm also learning a lot from great creatives such as yourself. You're a true inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  4. christina houen23 April 2014 at 17:02

    This is lovely, very fresh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown23 April 2014 at 22:22

      Thanks, Christina! I am encouraged! God bless!

      Delete
  5. Joel Savage24 April 2014 at 10:29

    Beautifully written, mixed emotional and inspirational poem, which reveals a history of domination and freedom of a great man who ever lived. "My dad had told me all" but being part of the generation to see Mandela before answering God's call to rest peacefully, makes this poem special.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown24 April 2014 at 10:34

    Thanks, Joel! Humbled by your comment...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ann Herrick25 April 2014 at 07:50

    Very inspiring and so well written!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Unknown25 April 2014 at 08:15

    Thanks, Mama Ann! God bless!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Unknown26 April 2014 at 04:05

    I am feeling inspired after reading this. Great writing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown26 April 2014 at 04:21

    Thank you very much, Tata Tom! I am humbled...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wynn Bexton26 April 2014 at 22:25

    This brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unknown27 April 2014 at 02:07

    Thanks, Mama Wynn! Love and blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bethany Bull28 April 2014 at 08:51

    Liked your poems, I found them very sweet and meaningful, touching!! well done

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown28 April 2014 at 08:54

    Thanks, Bethany! Blessed by your comment!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Catharine Otto28 April 2014 at 21:00

    A vibrant, beautiful poem! Mandela did seem to have let go of all his anger and hatred, a truly remarkable thing considering how many years he had lost away from his wife and children.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown28 April 2014 at 21:14

      Thanks for your comment Catharina. Tata Mandela taught us the power of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. He was an ambassador of peace!

      Delete
  16. Unknown29 April 2014 at 11:35

    Yvonne’s poem is truly an undertaking into her creativity and self-expression. I found comfort in reading this refreshing and heartening poem. It revealed Yvonne’s strength and ability to understand the situation at an early age with the help of her father. This is an inspiring poem suitable for anyone. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown29 April 2014 at 13:06

      Beautiful comment, Andrea! God bless! And thanks for supporting me in my writing career!

      Delete
  17. Unknown29 April 2014 at 13:15

    The narrator in the poem is fictional, yet the content of my tribute represents my experience of that memorable day!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Unknown29 April 2014 at 19:08

    I love your poetry keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nancy5 May 2014 at 08:17

    I like your poetry.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Unknown6 May 2014 at 04:39

    Very nicely said :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Unknown6 May 2014 at 05:08

    Thanks, Andy! God bless... :-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Unknown6 May 2014 at 08:28

    Very good, I really liked it :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Unknown24 June 2014 at 01:51

    Your Poetries are Really Amazing...!!! Congrats !! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Unknown24 June 2014 at 09:37

    Thanks so MUCH, Omkar! Encouraged by your comment!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)