Simon Chilembo

THELLA HE…!

Ke thelleleng
Ke le ‘tloholo sa Waloba
Morena Bende
Motumbuka seja tau
Ke le letsibolo la Lisebo moradi’a Mabote
Sebentsha letsatsi
Setla ka ngwedi?
Khanya mora’ Chilembo
Di tshereyane noha tsa marabe
O bontshe ditshaba tsela!

SLIDE THEN!

(Why must I slide and fall
When I am
Headman Bende
Tumbuka man
The-Lion-Eater’s grandson
When I am son of Lisebo, Mabote’s daughter
The one who shines the sun
The one who comes with the stars?
Rise and shine
Son of Chilembo
Turn puff adders into harmless fools
And show people the way)

©Simon Chilembo, August 20, 2012