OUR MAWANA POEMS

Pushing Passion by Tshepang “Stix” Molamu

I am that stick that cannot break,
That stick that binds those brains,
The one that heals, that pricks and sticks,
The one that’s always there.

I’m pushing passion.

I am that stick that makes the paper,
The one that kind of scrapes,
The big the small, the large the round,
Torn and brown and action.

I’m pushing passion.

That stick of my desire,
The one that makes the fire,
The one that hurts your knees and elbow
Making baking blinding crunching bricks, fences and hearts. 

I’m pushing passion.

I am that sticks that cleans your teeth,
The one that helps your breath,
The stick that is your toothpaste,
The one that kind of moves lakes and everything. 

I’m pushing passion.

I am this and that,
Here and there, me and you,
He and she, what and who,
I’m that stick that gives you life.

I’m pushing passion.

My Twin by Oratile Bantsho

My twin,
My wind,
My thoughts,
My world,
She is my twin.

My inspiration,
My hope lifter
And my goal,
Well indeed she is my twin.

Born of the same blood,
Born of the same heart,
Breathing one spirit,
Thinking the same thoughts,
She is my twin.

No world without her,
Neither heart nor soul.
Never imagine the bad,
Because she is Onneile,

My twin.

Untitled by Katlego Maniping

So far away
We’ve come to stay
But anyway
We’ve come to mawana
Down in Botswana
Where there live the tswanas.

Beside the stream,
I hear something scream,
Am I living a dream?
Yes, I lived the week,
The week in Botswana,
The week in Mawana.

Soil—Our Lives by Thabang Mothelesi

It’s amazing how things grow,
And how others flow.
And those that flow
Blow the chances of others to grow.

I feel like crying
‘Cause I know if this goes on,
Things will start dying.

Without soil means without lives.
I’m useless compared to life. 
Is it because I don’t have a wife,
Or because I don’t use hype?

I’m glad I discovered one thing:
Plants and trees don’t grow on oil,
They grow on soil.

What I’m saying is lets preserve, conserve,
Try by all means to slow down erosion,
Because erosion makes soil
Run away from our lives.

Who am I? by Kealeboga Hoti

I am who I think I am,
I’m special,
I’m unique,
I was born out of love
And I do love.
My life is as free as a dove.
I’m never defeated or beaten down
As long as I have hope.
Being in Mawana made me
Realize that
Nobody is like me.
I’m a person who protects
But doesn’t reject.
Someone who always laughs
Like it’s never gonna get tough
When some get enough.
Someone who reflects
But doesn’t affect.
I am who I think I am.
I am a proud African.
I am an individual.

The Animals by Tshegofatso Mokgotha

Not one is dissatisfied,
Not one is demented with the mania of ownership.
Not one is respectable or
Industrious over the whole earth.

They do not swear and whine
About their condition.
They do not lie awake in the dark
And weep for their sins.

They are so placid and self-contained,
Not one kneels to another.

Who am I? by Maswabi Gaelejwe

Who am I?
The question repeats itself,
Knowing it’s not on a shelf.

People might say
It is in a way,
But mostly I disagree
And end at a certain degree.

The question still stands
On his big hands,
Who am I?

Who sees with an eye
The dark secrets unfold
As it gets cold.

All the imitations
Might end with migrations,

But the question is still there.

Are you aware
Of who I am?
Who sees with an eye?

Limpopo River by Neo Moroka

I am the life,
The life of everything.
I am the life of plants and trees,
I am the life of humans and animals.

Everything depends on me,
Me—the Limpopo River.
Me—the one who should be called king,
The king of animals and humans
The king of plants and trees.

I am the world,
The world of fish
And water plants.
I am the world on the outside,
And the inside.

Free Style by Fabienne

free style
tree fly
flee braai

ball game
goal flame
fall claim

dung paper
punk water
mud blender

pasta lunch
vita crunch
rasta punch

dissection
emotion
fixation

Who am I? by Tefo Marabutse

Silence struck my ears as I sat there lonely,
Looking at the harmless, peaceful nature…
How lovely.
I heard them talking about the peace,
And now it is here—I can feel its influence.
I’m trying to describe it but I’m becoming wordless.
I can’t understand how we can destroy something so harmless.
The good news is that I am part of this nature,
But the bad news is that we might not have
Something like this in the future.
I wish I could write a lot more but I cant.
Exploring nature is what I want,
Now as I look up at the sky,
Trying to answer the question,
Why I cant seem to believe my eyes,
But at least today I know, who am I?

Who am I? by Bonolo Moatshe

I am a child, born in Africa,
I am a child raised with morals and values
I am a child made
From the African soil.

I am a young leader
With Africa at heart.
I am the future
Of Africa.

I am who I am
Because of Africa.
I am a proud African,
Standing tall in my route
To success,
With Africa behind my back.

I am an African,
Africa is where my home is,
Africa is my beginning
And Africa is my end.
I am an African.

Who am I? by Nabeelah Roobee Mobara

I am there when you are down and out,
I am there when you are up and about.
When you from I help you laugh,
I share my secrets and troubles and you listen.
I’ll help you find your smile when it’s missing.
I’ll be there when you need a shoulder to cry on,
Or a companion to count on.
I will not judge you, I will not deny you,
I am…
…your friend.

Life by Ontlotlile Otsekeng

Life can be long,
Life can be short.
Life can be fun,
Life can be boring.
Life can be sad,
Life can be full of joy.
Life can be tempting,
Life can be miserable.
Life can be unpredictable,
Life can be glorious.
It all depends on what you want.

Who am I? by Kaelo Maphage

I am the one and only,
I am the beginning and the end.
I am the elation of creation,
I am the demonstration.

I am the only one and that is me,
I am a leader, not a follower.
I am a kind unique person.
I am a special human being.

I am a child of Africa,
I am a child of God.
I am a person that enjoys life,
I am a people person.

I am the one and the only,
And that is me.
That is who I am.

Who am I? by Nina Oremong

I am who I am
I belong to a specie of man
I am a puzzle to humanity
A young girl with morals and integrity

I am a miracle
I am the star of my own circle
The leader of my own tribe
Not forgetting the vibe

I am sweet and kind
With my own piece of mind
I love sharing
Because That makes me loving and caring

I am not a hater
Nor a player
I am a lover
and yes... a fighter

So that's who I am
And you can be my number 1 fan.