we sunbath our hopes
at traffic lights
we are all zama-zama here
we dig & drill
our chances
we are all here
with our genocidal scars
tutsi & hutu
ndebele & shona
we seek for warmth
between the great rocks
of the drakensberg mountain
we are all here to wash
our septic wounds
from the healing waters
of uthukela
we are all here
bathed in grey dust
of johannesburg’s deserted
mines
we are all here
with our tattered
dignity
scrubbing
the dance floors
of hillbrow brothels
with our naked bums
we are all here
with no passport
no id
& no asylum
we are all makwerekwere here
selling fruits & vegetables
on kerk street
just to survive
just to survive
just to survive
ZAMA MADINANA is a South African poet, based in Johannesburg. His work has appeared in The Shallow Tales Review, Kalahari Review, , Hotazel Review, Olney, and other literary publications. Zama’s work focuses mainly on love, politics and social issues. In 2021, he won the third prize of the Sol Plaatje EU Poetry Award. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2022.His full-length poetry collection, ‘94 was published in June 2023. In addition to regular performances and readings in Johannesburg and across South Africa, he has performed his poetry in various countries including Botswana, Mozambique, and Lesotho.
