Welcome to My South Africa
A poem by Lynn Ruv (17)
Welcome to my South Africa
Where we do not fear gunshots and knives
My South Africa
Where my sister prefers giving up her life
Due to pressure
Caused by teenage pleasure
Where pregnancy at the age of 15/16 is a norm
Where she depends on R400 donated by SASSA to raise a kid
Welcome to My South Africa
Where we breathe and eat Poverty
Hustling is Killing our Mothers sisters and aunts
Welcome to my South Africa
Where culture, tradition and respect for elders has lost its Value
Welcome to My South Africa
Where our parents have given up on the idea of us being successful
Welcome to the Youth Site
Where we live and breathe just for the sake of it
Where death seems to be the only way out
Welcome to my South Africa
Where our youth is depressed
by different things
Nobody knows of
Where our caregivers are too blind to notice
Welcome to my South Africa
Where my sisters have to give up their pride and shame their bodies as means of survival
Welcome
You are very much welcome
To the dusty roads
So filthy and there’s smoke
So dark it’s our souls
Noisy we’re screaming
Crying for help
Understanding and care
Welcome to our South Africa
Where Our youth Does not dream of change but death
Where desires goals and dreams are unfulfilled
Welcome to my South Africa
Where youth is just a 5 letter word
Welcome to my South Africa
Where the number of Youth decreases by the day
Welcome to my South Africa
where YOUTH is just a word
With no Meaning