Simunye

Today, I am worried about my country and her children. Even more, I am afraid for my continent. Despite my pale skin, blue eyes and light hair, I am an African.

Yes, I am an African.

And when my fellow Africans are bleeding in the streets at the hands of other Africans, my heart cries out.

And innocent people are bleeding in the streets of the very city I live in.

And every one is shocked at the horrors perpetrated against these innocent people. And then the blame game starts. And every one blames criminals, or xenophobes, or poverty. Because they are all to blame, of course. As is colonialism, apartheid, the ANC, the right wing, the high fuel price, lack of jobs and every thing else we want to blame.

But mostly, we should blame ourselves. For playing the blame game, rather than raising - united, simunye, as one - against this.

I am no revolutionary. In fact, I am one of the laziest people I know, and struggle to get a cake to rise.

But I am tired of all the blood. And the violence. And the fear. And the lies.

And maybe it is time for us, as Africans all, to raise our voices together and change our country. If a group of Buddhist monks could march against a large government, what stops us, as citizens of South Africa, the children of Africa, from marching, shouting, saying enough is enough. If every single person that has been affected by crime in this country would raise their voices together, I suspect we could make a noise large enough for someone to listen.

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You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
Ah
ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
- Revolution, The Beatles