Welcome to Afrikan Afire!

A blog that contains writings by various writers from diverse backgrounds. Some write simply others challenge your vocabulary's very limitations, even others in languages you may not understand - we will hopefully translate soon...

Explore the words here and hopefully you may send us something for posting on this forum.

Digest . . .


all posted material retains copyrights of the respective authors, and where not stated copyright is to BF Media

©2010 BFMedia

Sunday, December 12, 2010

AfroConscious


Title: AfroConscious
Author(s): Multiple authors across Africa
Genre: Poetry/Articles
Pages: 42
Publisher: Self published
Year of Publication: 2010
ISBN: 9780 626 49084

AfroConscious
U WRITE WHAT U LIKE

A compilation of contemporary Poetry Fiction Non-Fiction Reviews Features Art from across the African landscape
South Africa Mozambique Ghana Nigeria

CONTENTS

The rebirth of Kweku Ananse - Kofi Anane Kyeremeh
To her - Fadil Ishak Dapilaa
Filial love - Luzuko Gongxeka
Trapped Gagged Tongue tied - Zinzi Voyiya
Throw It Away - Kofi Anane Kyeremeh
Lest we forget - Vuyokazi S. Yonke
Christianity - Fezekile Futhwa
am i just another? - Emmanuel Ekosse
She is you -- Tsepo Gumbi
The court jester - Xolile Sizephe
Father Figures - Siya Ayanda Mbuyazi
Imagine - Olawale Adineran
Rationalizing with I - Sibongisiwe Sibeko
Sunday Confessions - Ouma Mokwana
Memory, be silent -- Danny Hanson
One Peace - Tshepo Tshabalala
Ke mo bonetse - Mpho Matsitle
Mental circumcision - Sechaba Keketsi

Features:
Sparkling women - Vuyokazi S. Yonke
Consciousness - Karabo Mkhabela

Book review and interview:
Waking Up Dead (Roger Smith) - Tshepo Tshabalala

Illustrator - Ivan Muhambe
Compiler - Vuyokazi S Yonke


Everyone has a story. Here is the platform to share yours in your own words. Write what U like!




The publication is available from Vuyokazi in Cape Town and around Johannesburg on the 16-21st December 2010.
Order by email: uwritewhatulike@gmail.com
R30 cash. R40 incl. postage



You have heard all the hype through the Facebook group: Afrikan Poets and Writers, now its time YOU believed the hype- The Book IS out!
Formerly known as U WRITE WHAT U LIKE, has now been christened as AfroConscious, you can own the first issue- it is a must have collection from youth all across the landscape of Africa!

The reason for the name change?
I was telling Ms Lunika from the National Library about this project and I mentioned the name U write what U like, and she said: "Couldn't you be more original?"
Then the name AfroConscious just materialised and I've gone for it.

I hope you enjoy this African feast of words!




The illustration on the front and back cover appear courtesy of Ivan Muhambe (Mozambique)

Friday, December 3, 2010

pointz ->

“When making a fire people like to join you, when cleaning the ashes you are often alone”

“When the music changes, so does the dance”

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Con Fused - running with scattered thought

The generation stood staring down the cannon's barrel, (Pro found us, lost in generation)
oblivious of the already burning fuse - the Con Fused with youth's muse

Standing in line awaiting 'personality handouts' from MedIA's gloat
gluttons seeking more than they unfair share end up celebrated figures (celebb/Caleb)
like most mass produced goods in today's world - shelf life is limited
expiry date comes with increased sales, and the figure's demise fuels the money machine
staged funerals for the sacrifice must be disguised

still it thrives and many ready lost lives for past futures
sutures infested and choIce was just another historical terminology
whose meaning remains a charade, youTH lost in spent memories

child soldiers, hungry babes,disease, seemingly sidelined
marketed for more gain and increased MedIA points
children sold for public CITY
and 3rd world country divisions (1st World? 2nd?)
yet the world remains one . . . do we all suffer?

so feelings point in no direction and lives remain a found illusion
where do youth find themselves when Examples are buttered easily
accounting to none, mourning loss of their spines
sold the people for mines, yes?
Bees buzzed many but few got the honey, funny?
where do youth find a way, when means are used to bait them . .

.. ..

A lost peoples wanting for their Own back, distracted by what they seemingly lack
A lost Culture Amnesiac, from infused imported unrealities, return to the basic


not HIstory, OurStory quells ConFusion - Know yours

Friday, August 13, 2010

Just In Case

by Kiah Lola Ashaolu on Friday, August 13, 2010 at 10:33am

I see them flock around you. Svelte young beauties with bouncy pointed breasts. Board stomachs without scars. Thighs that are stretch mark free. Faces that are alien to the ravages of time. They flock around you despite the gray beard and the belly that i have nursed all these years. They are drawn by the wealth that is visible in your every nuance. In case you forget and somehow decide they are better than your wife of 27 years, remember this.

In case you ever forget. And i know that it is possible that you will. We are human after all. Susceptible to amnesia - self-inflicted and sometimes through means we have no control over. Who knows if we shall escape that horror that is Alzheimer? Or the numerous accidents that can steal our memories and leave our pages blank? Memories are as vulnerable as our bodies. Who knows if tomorrow might bring seas of sorrow or despair, wealth or abundance to wash away all memories of all that i am to you?

In case you forget, the wrinkles on my face are from years of worrying about you those nights you stayed out late, those days you couldn't face the dawn because of pain and despair, those times you were grieved in your spirit and unwilling to face whatever life had to offer. In case you forget, the laugh lines near my lips are from the joy you brought me over the years, the laughter you drew from my lips with your clumsy advances to win my heart, the clowning you engaged in to elicit a smile from my face when all other efforts had failed.

In case you forget, the stretch marks are from the four children i have borne you. The scar across my stomach from the last one that you so wanted to be a girl. I suckled and nourished them from the bowels of milk nature gifted me with. That should explain the sagging breasts.

In case you forget, i make the best jollof rice. Its all you ever eat. It is your best meal and years of cooking it has made me into a plump woman and no more the svelte girl you met on the streets of Akoka. The cook must taste the meal first after all. If salad had been your favorite meal, it would be a different story altogether.

In case you forget, my eyes are dimmer and i wear glasses because i cooked for five long years with firewood. You couldn't afford better then. Now we have all the shiny stuff in the kitchen but back then i had the firewood, my hands, my lungs and my eyes to make your meals.

In case you forget, i love you. I have loved you for the best part of my life. I will never love again like this. Never like this.

Most of all, in case you forget, my father is still very good with his guns and my brother, the one that never liked you,is a Major in the army now and he is acclaimed for being a sharp shooter.

Just in case you forget...

© Damilola Ashaolu 2010

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Maybe Oneday

Their intentions to serve, so they say,
Is the people’s plight, the people’s cause
And, that only, is the whole prophesized truth.

In the name of the masses, the down-beaten dusty masses
Promises are made of better tomorrows, in a land,
Where the sun has fully risen, and left all, equal.

But, when the windows to opportunity become draped
In the colors of affiliation, where are we to fit in,
With our hue-less faces, and, black n’ white selves.

When what is given to Caesar does not go to Rome,
Who will hold us to ransom when we bear the right
To cry theft from tattered, rat chewed pockets.

When all that we stood for has been lost,
Aren’t our seeking hearts not justified to trek the miles, and,
Knock for answers from doors, which have raised the questions.

When the sword is empowered, to put the pen on the leash
For shunning the hand that never fed it. Is Freedom really,
A reality one can believe, truly does exist?

When choice becomes a Two-Way street between two devils,
Where are to run to, except be taken in by the one,
Masquerading in the lesser evil.

When we have screamed our lungs out, what are we to do?
Except hope that tomorrows yet to come, those wielding our fates,
Will see the lines, creasing our chiperoni beaten faces.

© 2010 Cozmik Da Wordsmith

Hear and See The Other Side

What Peace and Joy We would Enjoy, If Only
We Could Hear and See The Other Side Of The Story!
What Harmony We Would be With God and Man If Only
We Could Hear And See The Other Side Of The Story!

Oh, The Other Side, The Other Side Of The Story
What have You Done To Mankind?
Pain And Agony, Needless Tears And Sleepless Nights!
Oh, The Other Side, The Other Side Of The Story!

What Stress Free Life We would Live If Only
We Could Hear And See The Other Side Of The Story!
What Heartache Could Be Avoided If Only
We Could Hear And See Other Side Of The Story!

What Peace and Joy We would Enjoy, If Only
We Could Hear and See The Other Side Of The Story!
What Harmony We Would be With God and Man If Only
We Could Hear And See The Other Side Of The Story!

Oh, The Other Side, The Other Side Of The Story
What have You Done To Mankind?
Separation From Family Members and Friends!
Oh, The Other Side, The Other Side Of The Story.

Not Waiting To Hear and See The Other Side Of The Story
Causes Us To lose Important Relationships
Not Waiting To Hear And See The Other Side Of The Story
Causes Our Loved Ones Heartbreak and Even Untimely Death.

Oh God Deliever Us From Impatience and Being Judgmental
Grant Us Grace To Listen And Wait To Hear And See The Other Side Of The Story
To Save Our Loved Ones From Heartbreak and Resentment
Oh, The Other Side, The Other Side Of The Story!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Apartheid Machine - Botha's View

A little background on how interracial violence especially amongst Afrikans by Africans is catalyzed... even today such mechanisms are in place in many Afrikan states...



Botha's Speech - 1985

THE FOLLOWING is a speech made by former South African President P.W. Botha to his Cabinet. This reprint was written by David G. Mailu for the Sunday Times, a South African newspaper, dated August 18, 1985.

"Pretoria has been made by the White mind for the White man. We are not obliged even the least to try to prove to anybody and to the Blacks that we are superior people. We have demonstrated that to the Blacks in a thousand and one ways.

The Republic of South Africa that we know of today has not been created by wishful thinking. We have created it at the expense of intelligence, sweat and blood. Were they Afrikaners who tried to eliminate the Australian Aborigines? Are they Afrikaners who discriminate against Blacks and call them Nigge*rs in the States? Were they Afrikaners who started the slave trade? Where is the Black man appreciated?

England discriminates against its Black and their "Sus" law is out to discipline the Blacks. Canada, France, Russia, and Japan all play their discrimination too. Why in the hell then is so much noise made about us? Why are they biased against us? I am simply trying to prove to you all that there is nothing unusual we are doing that the so called civilized worlds are not doing. We are simply an honest people who have come out aloud with a clear philosophy of how we want to live our own White life.

We do not pretend like other Whites that we like Blacks. The fact that, Blacks look like human beings and act like human beings do not necessarily make them sensible human beings. Hedgehogs are not porcupines and lizards are not crocodiles simply because they look alike.

If God wanted us to be equal to the Blacks, he would have created> us all of a uniform colour and intellect. But he created us differently: Whites, Blacks, Yellow, Rulers and the ruled. Intellectually, we are superior to the Blacks; that has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt over the years. I believe that the Afrikaner is an honest, God fearing person, who has demonstrated practically the right way of being. Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that behind the scenes, Europe, America, Canada, Australia-and all others are behind us in spite of what they say.

For diplomatic relations, we all know what language should be used and where. To prove my point, Comrades, does anyone of you know a White country without an investment or interest in South Africa? Who buys our gold? Who buys our diamonds? Who trades with us? Who is helping us develop other nuclear weapon? The very truth is that we are their people and they are our people. It's a big secret. The strength of our economy is backed by America, Britain, Germany. It is our strong conviction, therefore, that the Black is the raw material for the White man. So Brothers and Sisters, let us join hands together to fight against this Black devil.

I appeal to all Afrikaners to come out with any creative means of fighting this war. Surely God cannot forsake his own people whom we are. By now every one of us has seen it practically that the Blacks cannot rule themselves. Give them guns and they will kill each other. They are good in nothing else but making noise, dancing, marrying many wives and indulging in sex. Let us all accept that the Black man is the symbol of poverty, mental inferiority, laziness and emotional incompetence. Isn't it plausible? therefore that the White man is created to rule the Black man? Come to think of what would happen one day if you woke up and on the throne sat a Kaff*ir! Can you imagine what would happen to our women? Does anyone of you believe that the Blacks can rule this country?

Hence, we have good reasons to let them all-the Mandelas-rot in prison, and I think we should be commended for having kept them alive in spite of what we have at hand with which to finish them off. I wish to announce a number of new strategies that should be put to use to destroy this Black bug. We should now make use of the chemical weapon. Priority number one, we should not by all means allow any more increases of the Black population lest we be choked very soon. I have exciting news that our scientists have come with an efficient stuff. I am sending out more

researchers to the field to identify as many venues as possible where the chemical weapons could be employed to combat any further population increases. The hospital is a very strategic opening, for example and should be fully utilized. The food supply channel should be used. We have eveloped excellent slow killing poisons and fertility destroyers. Our only fear is in case such stuff came in! ! to their hands as they are bound to start using it against us if you care to think of the many Blacks working for us in our

However, we are doing the best we can to make sure that the stuff remains strictly in our hands. Secondly, most Blacks are vulnerable to money inducements. I have set aside a special fund to exploit this venue. The old trick of divide and rule is still very valid today. Our experts should work day and night to set the Black man against his fellowman. His inferior sense of morals can be exploited beautifully. And here is a creature that lacks foresight. There is a need for us to combat him in long term projections that he cannot suspect. The average Black does not plan his life beyond a year: that stance, for example,should be exploited. My special department is already working round the clock to come out with a long-term operation blueprint.

I am also sending a special request to all Afrikaner mothers to double their birth rate. It may be necessary too to set up a population boom industry by putting up centres where we employ and support fully White young men and women to produce children for the nation. We are also investigating the merit of uterus rentals as a possible means of speeding up the growth of our population through surrogate mothers.

For the time being, we should also engage a higher gear to make sure that Black men are separated from their women and fines imposed upon married wives who bear illegitimate children.

I have a committee working on finding better methods of inciting Blacks against each other and encouraging murders among themselves. Murder cases among Blacks should bear very little punishment in order to encourage them.

My scientists have come up with a drug that could be smuggled into their brews to effect slow poisoning results and fertility destruction. Working through drinks and manufacturing of soft drinks geared to the Blacks, could promote the channels of reducing their population. Ours is not a war that we can use the atomic bomb to destroy the Blacks, so we must use our intelligence to effect this. The person-to-person encounter can be very effective.

As the records show that the Black man is dying to go to bed with the White woman, here is our unique opportunity. Our Sex Mercenary Squad should go out and camouflage with Apartheid Fighters while doing their operations quietly administering slow killing poison and fertility destroyers to those Blacks they thus befriend.

We are modifying the Sex Mercenary Squad by introducing White men who should go for the militant Black woman and any other vulnerable Black woman. We have received a new supply of prostitutes from Europe and America who are desperate and too keen to take up the appointments.

My latest appeal is that the maternity hospital operations should be intensified. We are not paying those people to help bring Black babies to this world but to eliminate them on the very delivery moment. If this department worked very efficiently, a great deal could be achieved.

My Government has set aside a special fund for erecting more covert hospitals and clinics to promote this programme. Money can do anything for you. So while we have it, we should make the best use of it. In the meantime my beloved White citizens, do not take to heart what the world says, and don't be ashamed of being called racists. I do not mind being called the architect and King of Apartheid. I shall not become a monkey simply because someone has called me a monkey. I will still remain your bright star... His Excellency Botha."

Sunday, June 20, 2010

lost remixes - cover versions

the sound emanates
lazily tumbling out from hungry bellies
a haunting bellows forth
Vuvuzela's lament

Rumbling around a mere reminder
unobtrusive significance
Shape up or ship . . .
the Vuvuzelas lament

Lamentations for fallen
some dead and/or buried
yet educating from beyond grave's faces
other's sacrificially chasing pig's skins

OurStory lost culture
now we happily
replace toyi toyi for diski and remixed 'waka's "

Toyi emoncipated bodies and physicalities
yet Diski further reeks ecconomic slavery
world machine tools - foolish Tom-foolery

kumbaya?

He that eats out of dustbins is not without an inheritance.

The chill of the biting cold winter morning pierce course, broken flesh
familiar, is the feel of crusty bread against cracked lips.
Banished from regular civilization are the modern day 'lepers' of society.
Such is the culture of a brainwashed generation.
Vast amounts of information passes through the eye of a needle within a split second
Action arrives before understanding.
Shallow reasoning takes away from the experience of learning.
A culture of greed, leaves the weak impoverished and the truth becomes a formula-
'a means to an end'
The environment is merely a reflection of filthy hearts and the weather a precipitation of clouded thoughts.
The scent of peace lingers in the distance, yet the stench of chaos is ever present.
Lamentations of the poor fall on deaf ears and their pleas are without pardon.
A reduction of man to canine existence is a mystery unraveled through history.
Plain truth can be heard in the sparks that fly from fires that light up the slums.
City whores run governments from their knees and determine legislature on their backs;
tho their status remains unchanged.
The lies and deceit of the rich & powerful, is pitched against the
nobility and humility of the poor & weak.

© 2009 J Allotey

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Poly's Eerie Belly - Emon Fire

Eerie as motions slowed, symbols en-route directing caution
Impeding the dual passage was ‘impending expansion’
Robotic control- stop!
Go! Rumbling and we crawled into a steady cruise
Jolted into semi-consciousness by the odd imperfection on the uneven tarmac

Awakening – music by delegation
I-open to distant lights beckoning

Welcome is orchestrated by a cosmic spattering of rushing lights
Feverently they seemingly dizzify, Acting ‘Town Criers’
Question Cries out allowed,
Yet Answer lies just beyond yonder
frustrated Myopia then fuels Mr Antics
Ohh Man the trixx (poly in nature) of Empty Vessel’s expongent Bursts
So we now encounter noise – Termed Blackholes Back Hose

Suppressing all ideologies of illumination
Enlist Porn, of which few dare ingest

Youth them minds need condomise , protection on the future
Mass conception buttered into play-play, greenhouse researchers
From half-baked exhaustHeAD . . .

Lights out Again! Till enlightment
I PaUsE!!