Think like an African in Africa

A letter to a part of me who may forget where she comes from...

Dear me, think like the xhosa girl that you are,
One who comes from the amagcina tribe, otyhopho, onokwindla, oxhamela,
One who is able to speak more than six languages from her country,
One who sang suikerbossie during Volkspele,
One who has attempted ukuxhentsa but, failed due to a lack of rhythm.
One who knows that her roots being planted in Africa is no mistake.

Dear me, think like a girl who knows how to handle cows,
One who remembers clearly that standing in front of them is not how to do it,
Remember those involuntary lessons that your father gave you
when he was trying to get them into the kraal.
Remember how that is your least favourite place in the entire yard.
Not because of the unpleasant smell of the dung but,
because it just isn't.

Dear me, think like a girl whose home is surrounded by mountains,
Think of the beautiful blanket of snow that covers them in winter,
Think like a girl who was granted with the opportunity to admire nature at her best,
Think of the bright stars that you used to gaze at, remember the dreams they gave you,
before those stars disappeared when you moved to places surrounded by street lights.
Something that people from the West came with as part of 'development'.

Dear me, you may forget all the above but, please do not forget to think. Most importantly,
Think like an African in Africa

As published on social media network, Facebook, on 24 October 2013.