I am sorry South Africa
Sorry for the sins of my ancestors
And those of my colour who stood by and did nothing
I apologise knowing that no apology can ever undo what was done
Or ever excuse the horror of it
I am sorry that I only knew what apartheid was once it was over
That I know people who say, “kaffir”
And that I sometimes I get tired of arguing with them
I am sorry about the displacement of your culture
And that you are expected to fit into mine
Which is far from flawless
I am sorry about the rape and murder
The theft and humiliation
The land taken over
The histories forgotten
I am sorry that I was too young to join the struggle
That I only saw it as my own
When I understood that we are all human
That we are all equal
That equal is all we have ever been
And will ever be
And I am grateful
That I stand before you now
Without my illusions
Because now I am free
Published by
Troydon
Troydon Wainwright is a philosopher and Reiki Master based in Cape Town. Born with mild cerebral palsy and dyslexia, Toydon learnt to write as a way to overcome the barriers his dyslexia placed in front of him. “I wrote my way out of dyslexia,” said Troydon, “or at least to the point where reading and writing aren’t a problem anymore.”
During the day he works as an educational facilitator (someone who helps special needs students cope academically and become more independent). At night he dedicates his time to writing. He has won a Nova award for his short story, The Sangoma’s Storm, and been a feature poet at the Off the Wall poetry readings in Cape Town and at Cape Town Central Library. Three of his poems were also included in the anthology Africa’s Best New Poets. He has also been published in the South African Literary journal, New Contrast. One of his Facebook posts, in which he took a stand against racism, has gone viral (http://www.troydonwainwright.com/when-love-went-viral/).
View all posts by Troydon