For South Africans by a South African (and every light – hie on the Flats)

Sometimes I am ashamed to be South African,

Ashamed to be Capetonian,

A laaitie from the Flats,

Tryina be a light - hie on the Flats.

I live in a country where the unemployment rate

affects half the working age,

Where we burn down our resources to express our rage.

I live in a city where neighbourhoods are riddled with more bullets than jobs.

Where gangsters walk hand in hand with the cops.

I live on the Cape Flats and these aren’t fake facts.

My people die every day - no protection but Zuma still takes tax.

Sometimes I am ashamed to be South African.

Ashamed to be Capetonian,

Emotionally bled out and evident in our acts

Watching the death of the light – hie(s) on the flats

I live in a country where corruption and greed precede,

Where greed is like meat and those who don't steal can't eat.

I live in a city where the blood of the innocent flows freely,

Where taking the life of another comes easily.

I live on the Cape Flats where life’s a race,

Rats killing each other,

Feeding fat cats,

while the son of a mother

weeps and wears black.

Sometimes I am ashamed to be South African.

Ashamed to be Capetonian,

But I'ma custodian

Protecting my light - hie on the Flats.

- Distressed Citizen