Ukuthwala (carry the weight)

By Londeka / Issue 20

In Nguni, it means to carry,
Carry, the weight of your forefathers names and the cosmics within them.
Carry, the sweat of dead bones that only dared to speak in the language of soil and water,
Carry, the memories weaved into flesh,
Reek of those cattle jokes and farmers
Plant yourselves into the very ground,
the God moon stars thrusted
themselves on.
Carry, what is mine, yours and theirs.

LONDEKA MDLULI is a South African born writer, who is of dual nationality. Though she was born in South Africa, she doesn’t shy away from her Zimbabwean heritage.