I remember when I was young
There were forests
Where people could not chop
Lands where their animals
Could not graze
Kuba yayiyekaRhulumente.*
It perplexed me
That this unseen man
Could own so much
Command more respect than God.

One day over the ridge
Emerged people riding
And men of the village
Took to their heels
And vanished in a forest.
Grandpa a retired teacher
Had remained dignified
On his ancient chair near the kraal.

The party sauntered
Through our property.
With granny and children of the house
We came to sit next to him
Watched the horses
Deposit their luggage
Near the kraal.
Grandpa was a big man
But he was dwarfed by the White man
Whose stomach made him look
Like a full-term python.
They were clad in khaki,
Shiny brown boots
With legwear;
Hats like tortoise shells
Swords dangling on their sides.

I don’t know what talked with grandpa.
After they had gone
He told us
YayinguRhulumente.*
For many months after
People remained perturbed.

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1. YayiyekaRhulumente (they belonged to the government).
2. YayinguRhulumente (it was the government).