Mother Dearest,
You’ve been with us since the very beginning
You’ve seen us grow and followed us to our graves
You are a mother of strength; a mother of wisdom
A mother of compassion; a mother to all
You’ve been shot; you’ve been beaten
And for such a long time; you’ve been ill
However, defeat is unfathomable
And every day you rise up; like a phoenix from the ashes
Shrugging off the pain; of inhuman lashes
Mother, people still look down on you
They think your scars make you ugly
They look at you
But their vision is obscured
Mother, you are the foundation of this house
Standing alone without a spouse
And even though we rebel and turn you grey
Rest easy
Your children are united today
This poem, penned and recited by Bernie Uche during the Africa Unity Day in Oman captures the pride that the people of Africa have in their continent. By ascribing feminine characteristics such as “mother of compassion” to the continent, Bernie leaves no doubt that Africa has enough resources, both physical, human and intellectual, to nurture her children.
The poet recognizes the fact that Africa has been ill as a result of being “shot” and “beaten” by bad publicity. This illness has sometimes been of the continent’s own making, just like the phoenix in classical mythology would burn itself.
Indeed, authors in this issue pay tribute to Africa’s immense wealth, which they argue has not been fully beneficial and realized due to a number of factors such as gender disparities, lopsided priorities, over-reliance on foreign aid, weak science and technology infrastructure and counterproductive laws among others.
Like Bernie, they are optimistic. Defeat is not Africa’s lot. Like the phoenix, Africa is rising up from the ashes of humiliation, failure and betrayal with renewed vigor to assert her voice in the global arena.