Do not weep for me.

I did not just die.

Like a grain of wheat

I fell to the ground and multiplied,

Bringing forth a generation

Of black women,

Conscious, militant and proud

Now awakened from the slumber

Induced by racism, patriarchy

Rank materialism and conspicuous consumption

Now dressed in black with doeks

A multitude of raised right fists

With a single cry

‘Amandla!’

Do not weep my children

I am in a better and beautiful place.

Were it your time

I would gather all of you

Whom I love dearly

And bring you here to stay forever.

Zenani with her spirit in all its beauty

Was waiting to welcome me

Together with Tata

With that broad smile that reaches his eyes

‘Welcome home Zami!’ he said.

All of my family,

Kalushi, Chris and Helen are here too*

With the other comrades

Miriam and Hugh are jamming

Together with Bob Marley

In the name of the Lord.

Do not weep my people

Though you pierced my heart

with a thousand arrows

Careless words

Unleashed from a bow strung with the lies

Spun by the enemy.

Though you do not see me now

You will see me in a little while

When He returns

Then the liars too will mourn

Just as the Jews will mourn

For the one they pierced

Like one mourns a first-born son.

For what they did to me

They also did to my Lord.

Do not weep.

Do not mourn.

I’m the one who tries.

The road I chose

Was a hard one

Paved with sorrows

Birthing a nation is hard

If it takes a village to raise a child

Raising this nation will need all of you.

To feed the hungry

Clothe the naked

Visit the sick and those in prison

Do this for the least of your brothers and sisters

Do it for my Lord

Do it for me.

Do not weep all of you

Now the wagging tongues are stilled

The strivings have ceased

I fought for liberty on earth

But in this place,

I am truly free.

©️ Nomathemba Pearl Dzinotyiwei

*Solomon Mahlangu, Chris Hani and Helen Joseph