Samora Machel

 

Death!

Death ... damn it!

Were death like a kite

I would have made a catapult

To use it to kill it

To prevent it robbing us of people like Samora;

Were death a lion

I would have looked for a gun

To hunt it day and night

Until I kill it

To ensure it does not strip us of patriots

Like Samora for ever;

Were death able to listen

I would have advised it

To kill the Dlakamas

And the Savimbis and Buthelezis

And Mobutus and Bandas

And all exploiters and traitors

But leave us with the Samoras;

Were death a wild-cat

I would have made a trap to trap it

To catch and kill it

So that it may never steal from us

Heroes like Samora;

Were death a magistrate of justice

I would have lodged an appeal

Against the harsh and brutal sentence

Imposed upon the people of Mozambique

And all African patriots

By the Magistrate Death

Who is merciless

Who has oppressed us

With the accident that has killed Samora!

Were death democracy

We would have demonstrated through out the world

And even beyond

Demanding the return of our beloved Samora!

Were it capable of responding to prayers death

We would have assembled all religions in the world

Praying non stop day and night

Making all sorts of sacrifices

Repenting all sins including those we have not done

So that Samora is returned to us, the great African;

Were God there

Together with the power over death

He or she would not have allowed death

To snatch Samora Machel, the hope of the oppressed

The voice of the poor, the torch of the fighters of justice

At this time

When we really need him

While we depend on him so much;

Sooo ... ah what can I say!

Of all the people in the world

It chooses you, you Samora!

Surely death is brutal

It has neither shame nor love

Death ... death is death!

Were it to have manners and pity and love

It could not have robbed the people of Mozambique

Of Samora Macheli

Today, at the present situation of Mozambique!

Oh my dear brother

The symbol of a revolutionary

The image of patriotism

The example of the leaders we need in Africa

The voice of the exploited and oppressed

Great enemy of the apartheid regime

Communist

Samora

Samora Machel

Is it really you, is it you they have killed?

How can I mourn you brother

How does one cry for such as you!?

Ahhhhh ... what can we say!

Oh valiant soldier of the struggle

For the liberation of our continent

What can I say about you

The beloved and famous hero

Of all who love justice and peace

In the world!?

How should I mourn you

The star of African revolutionaries?

How will I weep for you fellow youth?

They have really hit us hard

The oppressors have stricken us in the heart

True the beasts who rule South Africa

Imperialists and fascists and their puppets

Have hit us hard, too hard

The death of Samora is a great blow to us!

Oh what a great pain!

What should we think what should we say

How should we mourn!

The agony you have left us with comrade Samora

How will we deal with it!?

You criminals, the state of traitors in our country

The fort of Renamo bandits, dogs of imperialism

How can we forgive you traitors of the Black people

For participating in the plot

Of killing Samora Machel?

Dear comrades of Mozambique

Comrades of Frelimo

Patriots of Southern Africa

This death of Samora is not light

It is very hard indeed

It is too heavy to carry, this matter of missing Samora suddenly

But you will carry it, you will carry it all the same

For you must carry it, there is no alternative ...

The cloud of sadness has covered the world of socialism

Wherever there is struggle in Africa

It is raining tears of grief

For us patriots in prison, our hands are on our cheeks

For we will not see Samora again

Although he will be with us for ever our brother

But we will not see him in the same way we used to

In the short life he lived in the world

Samora lived as a human being ought to

He performed his duty

He carried out his responsibilities

He will always be an example to follow

He has a good place in history, he will live for ever

Samora Machel

A true son of Africa

We can't cry over spilled milk

But the breaking of the cooking stick

Is not the end of cooking ugali

The blood of a hero does not coagulate

And the corpse of a patriot stinks not

The picture of a beloved deceased

Is never erased in the brain

We are Samora we are

African revolutionaries we are

We are African communists we are

We are and we will always be

To continue with the struggle

You have left for us

Beloved comrade Samora Machel

Sleep well, rest comrade rest in peace

Aluta continua!

 

Kamiti Maximum Prison        19-10-1986