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Poetry: This Is Why I Chose Silence

By Kwanele Khumalo

With a mindset full 

Like granaries full of harvested maize.

A spark of thinking,

Like a lightning

Or bullets fired by an

Angry, crazy soldier.

I thought of building,

A fortified community.

With buildings,

Stronger than mountains.

I throw stones and bricks to,

The comrades,

For them to use

In building.

They attack me,

With those same

Bricks and stones.

They don’t answer the questions,

They question,

Dispute the answers

Killing the only,

Black bull remaining,

In the community

If I speak,

They grumble and jeer.

Who bewitched,

My beloved kinsmen,

How should I survive

With one eye,

Among the blind

Folded people?

***Mntungwa kaMbulazi***

[ssba-buttons]

Nyaladzi Lester Kole

My full name is Nyaladzi Lester Kole, and I come from Plumtree, Zimbabwe. My educational journey began in primary school, where I attended three different institutions: Mlomwe Primary School for my early grades (1 to 3), Nopemano Primary School for my middle years (4 to 6), and culminating at Thekwane Primary School for my final primary year (Grade 7). For secondary education, I continued my studies at Thekwane High School, navigating Forms 1 to 6, where I developed a deeper appreciation for learning and personal growth. Following my secondary education, I pursued higher education at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), where I earned a degree in Media in Publishing Studies and proudly graduated in 2021. Professionally, I've had the privilege of working with a variety of organizations, gaining diverse experiences that have enriched my career. I began my journey at College Press, where I honed my skills as a copy editor. I then took on the role of personal assistant at Nomina Music, developing organizational and communication skills. My passion for storytelling found a home at CURE Children's Hospital of Zimbabwe, where I engaged with children through creative narratives. As a project manager at Vision to Africa, I coordinated efforts to bring impactful projects to fruition before transitioning to my current role at Scrivener as a publisher and writer, where I combine my love for literature and publishing. Beyond my professional life, I consider myself a multifaceted creative. I have explored various artistic avenues, including graphic design, photography, and music production. In the realm of music, I produce under the moniker Stainless Kole, where I express my musical creativity and collaborate with others to create unique sounds.

2 thoughts to “Poetry: This Is Why I Chose Silence”

  1. Aw, this was a very good post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a good article… but what
    can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t seem
    to get anything done.

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