Читать книгу Nations's Bounty - Nontsizi Mgqwetho - Страница 20

Mgqwetho commemorates the passing of a year of frustration, persistent oppression and strife.

11 A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)

The past year fades.

I’m speaking to you, fine African.

Ha-la-la 1923,

what pen can tell your tale?

The year’s passed and left us, 5

there are the signs of its absence;

there’s joy in welcoming

the new.

The year’s passed with news

of all people on earth, 10

their conduct, their cruelties,

recorded.

News of hardship and happiness,

of good luck and ill,

of sickness and health, 15

borne off.

The old year bears its burden,

tales of hardship on earth,

turmoil that’s shaken

the nation. 20

Deceit, double-dealing,

murder, oppression,

testimony for your judge

presiding.

Now the old year’s over 25

we thank you, Lord Eternal,

for guarding us from danger

throughout its course.

11 Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka

Uzakutshona Unyaka elundini

Nditsho kuwe nzwana yase Afrika,

Ha—la—la—1923

Azi singabhala ngalupina usiba.

Wadlula unyaka sewusishiyile 5

Nango amabala ati awuseko

Nendanduluko yokubuka omtsha

Ofikileyo.

Wadlula unyaka wemka unendaba

Zabantu bonke abase mhlabeni 10

Ezokuhlala nokupatana kubi

Ziyokubhalwa.

Ezobunzima nezo zemivuyo

Ezetamsanqa nezi zezamashwa

Ezomkuhlane nezo zokupila 15

Zipetwe zonke.

Utwel’ umtwalo unyakenye lowo

Owobunzima obusemhlabeni

Impitimpiti ezishukumisa

Izwe labantu. 20

Inkohliswano impatwano kubi

Imbandezelo izibulalano

Pambi ko Mgwebi ekangele nina

Ziya kubikwa.

Umnyaka omdala ngoku uyapela 25

Ke Simakade sibulela Kuwe

Kwingozi zonke osigcine kuzo

Unyaka wonke.

Cast out our errors,

straighten our ways, 30

neglect all our sins

in the old year. Mercy!

1923, take the sweet gum

of our African prayers;

1923, with myrrh take our cries 35

to the One on High. Peace!

1923, I’m afraid it can’t be denied

they’re stealing your cattle on the plains;

but, Africans, to you I say:

will you go to the grave with nothing achieved? 40

Will the years pass you by, Greybeard of ours,

with nothing to show for them?

Let the old year be torched today,

let the new shake hands with us all.

Hanewu, 1923, trying year, 45

cross all the pools and leave

with the old year’s pack on your back.

Peace, Elephant browsing homewards.

Those who once longed for you now must abandon you

to the sun and to the moon; 50

greetings, always true to your word.

Mercy, berry bush leaving with witches.

Smooth the way to heaven.

Why are the houses of Africa burning?

Poll Tax, Pass, and Special Permit. 55

Where can we live? Up in the clouds.

Laws outnumber those of Moses.

Why are the houses of Africans burning?

1923, go present your report,

plead our case in elegant terms. Peace! 60

A year’s too fierce to take from behind.

It whips those who know into terror:

people succumb in its clutches,

a shade-screened leopard, dark beast eternal.

Sahlukanise neziposo zetu

Uyilungise yonk’ ihambo yetu 30

Uwalibale onke amatyala

Onyak’ omdala. Taru!

Nantso intlaka yitabate 1923

Eyimitandazo yetu tina ma Afrika

Nantso nemore yitabate 1923 35

Nyusa ngayo izikalo ziye Kopezulu. Camagu!

Zemk’ inkomo zetafa 1923

Akunakupikwa ndilusizi ukutsho

Kodwa manditi kuwe m Afrika

Wozufena gxebe ungeko entweni. 40

Yadlulana iminyaka wa ngwevu yakuti

Kungeko nto iyinto oqamele ngayo

Mazitshe ngumlilo namhla ezomdala

Kungene ezomtsha zibete ezintloko.

Hanewu! 1923 nyaka wendiniso 45

Zicande iziziba umke nezidwashu

Zonyaka omdala uzipose emhlana

Camagu! Ke Ndlovu edla igoduka.

Nababekunqwenela! Mabakuyeke!

Uzokutatwa yi Nyanga zine Langa. 50

Siyabulisa ulifezil’ idinga

Taru ntlakotshane imka nabatakati.

Uzuyigqushe indlel’ eye Zulwini

Zitsha nganina indlu zase Afrika

Akuzi Poll Tax, akuzipasi akuzipeshele 55

Sohlala pina? Sohlala emafini.

Akumiteto! Idlul’ eka Moses

Zitsha nganina indlu zama Afrika

Hamba 1923 uyinike ingxelo

Usitetelele ude ucokise. Camagu! 60

Le nto iyiminyaka ayivelwa ngasemva

Abaqondayo bobeta besotuka

Kulapo umntu atshabalala kona

Yingwe yetunzi umfusa wapakade.

A year’s too fierce to take from behind. 65

It’s a sonorous voice that disturbs,

it’s a messenger, with body steaming,

it’s I-hear-them-cry-not-knowing-why.

People die in the course of a year,

it curses them in passing, 70

a shade-screened leopard, dark beast eternal;

chiefs succumb in its clutches.

Cops, the Morning Star comes with dawn:

present your reports to the One on High;

sing as you go just like the angels, 75

plead our case in elegant terms.

The year’s passed with news

of all people on earth,

their conduct, their cruelties,

recorded. Mercy! 80

Lento iyiminyaka ayivelwa ngasemva 65

Nguzwi linzima elixalis’ abantu

Isisitunywa esiqumis’ umzimba

Undiva sekulilwa wena ungaziluto.

Lento iyiminyaka inene bafabantu

Kuba idlula nje iyasishwabulela 70

Yingwe yetunzi! Umfusa Wapakade

Kulap’ Inkosi zitshabalala kona.

Yapuma Inkwenkwezi mapolisa kuyasa

Yiniken’ ingxelo iye kopezulu

Nicul’ ukunyatela ninge nizingilosi 75

Nisitetelele nide nicokise.

Wadlula unyaka wemka unendaba

Zabantu bonke abasemhlabeni

Ezokuhlala nokupatana kubi

Ziyokubhalwa. Taru! 80