African Writers’ Corner
Untitled
Deborah-Fay Nontokozo
2011-03-31, Issue 523
http://pambazuka.org/en/category/African_Writers/72164
Printer friendly version
There is 1 comment on this article.
They come with cheque books
$30million smiles
And impeccable suits
We,
Poor Africans
Are impressed with their charm
And are happy when they say
“We are doubling aid to Africa”
Applause
Women ululating
We wait for their benevolence
Which like Godot never arrives
They,
With a smug look on their face
Walk away
With lorries, cars, trains, ships and planes
Full of Africa’s resources
They ship them back to us
A few months later
A little value addition
They tell us its civilisation
We,
Poor Africans
Impressed with their charm
Care not to know
That they, our benefactors, have been reaping our harvest to feed us
(Written on 9 August 2009. Women’s day. I m so not pro-aid)
BROUGHT TO YOU BY PAMBAZUKA NEWS
* Please send comments to editor@pambazuka.org or comment online at Pambazuka News.
Readers' Comments
Let your voice be heard. Comment on this article.
Great writing! And such profound truths! How are we ever going to get ourselves out of this perpetual cycle of dependence?
Nonhlanhla @ POWA
Pambazuka News is produced by a pan-African community of some 2,600 citizens and organisations - academics, policy makers, social activists, women's organisations, civil society organisations, writers, artists, poets, bloggers, and commentators who together produce insightful, sharp and thoughtful analyses and make it one of the largest and most innovative and influential web forums for social justice in Africa. 




