So we travel the same road our forefathers traversed before,
but only differently now, the race slows down to a leisurely pace,
past dreams and visions fall upon our heads like snow flakes,
and cherished ideals lie strewn on the ground like winter frost,
cold comfort as we ponder how we came to lose the war we won

The path to power was sketched by Shaka and Moshoeshoe with foresight,
was designed by Isaka ka Seme and Plaatjie with dedication,
was delicately crafted by Lembede and Luthuli with patience,
was painted red with the blood of Mohapi and Biko as supreme sacrifices,
and was walked upon by Sobukwe, Tambo and Madba with distinction

Yet the selfsame convictions we now trample upon like discarded dirt,
and from our steady footsteps they rise like dust to dim our hindsight
while all our insight evaporates like mist before our own eyes

And still, portraits of our patriots are become like fading silhouettes
that slowly disintegrate amidst the Mpumalanga early morning mist

Yesterday's heroes and heroines are substituted for today's villains
as ideals and convictions are sacrificed for convenient alliances,
and everyone beds anyone for momentary pleasures and gain

Mammon takes over the mammoth relay race laid before us,
and we scramble, and scrape and scratch each other for crumbs
falling from the table, and the tables are turned around and around,
my yesterday's comrade is my enemy, and my yester year's enemy is my friend

Character is assassinated for fleeting fortunes and treasures,
material possessions suffocate the impoverished conscience,
our collective consciousness continually suck on this opiate
and its formerly fortified defenses and fortitude slowly dissipate

Yet still we trudge along the same old footpath and travel with hope,
in search of the footprints of yesterday's sages who walked along the road,
even though laden with many detours, some of us determine not to distract,
for tomorrow we will gather and stand at the cross – roads

And for the sake of coming generations and those gone before,
I pray that we all will know which way to go,
God help us all!