“Lathula ikhehla laphulula intshebe yalo”
(The old man kept quiet and stroked his long beard.)
Brothers of the beard, let us sit together and speak of times past, wisdom learned and solutions for our future.
Let us recognize that within each other we see ourselves.
Let us protect our families from the harms of the modern world.
Let us seek out the wisdom of our ancestors.
We carry much, we hold the stories of the ages.
We must unite our experiences and listen and learn for the future rest on our shoulders and in the wombs of our precious women.
Brothers of the beard, it is our time now.
Let us leave a legacy of love, strength and unity.
Come now… sit together…
Speak your truths.
In our drums and dance and poems we work together as one sound; one force moving forward, bravely into a world, yet unknown.
We hold the wisdom of the elders and the innocence of the children.
I hold your hand in my hand, your heart in my heart.
We carry together, abafowethu ‘ntshebe.
