A TRIBUTE TO MANDELA KAPERE

 My brother and friend, as difficult as it may be, I accept your departure with a sad mood;

Your heart and spirit was always to ensure that all the youth are enabled to provide food;

I had hopes of your ascension to the political office;

Yet now I have to make peace with you in a coffin;

I will surely miss our conversations about how we aimed at shaping the future;

And our ambition's of cultivating the policy framework so that their minds we nurture;

This piece I decided to write as a free flow;

As it was a blessing that you I had to know;

So that I can keep with me your impact;

You stayed forever true to our dual pact;

The good die young;

As came the death's stung;

Having heard I kept praying for your families strength;

You did achieve your goals and went that length;

I equally pray for your wife and children;

I am sure that from you, they did learn;

To remain goal orientated and focused on the bigger picture;

As life will one day remain the only and ultimate teacher;

We have decided to accord you a state funeral;

Well deserved as your life was lived not as a criminal;

When you achieved the law maker status, we applauded;

Your perseverance and fortitude that now you were loaded;

With what we spoke about as youth in our economic fight;

To ensure that all those that come behind us are not denied that right;

Rest in peace eternal my brother;

May God give peace to your mother and father;

May God further grant peace to those who are bereaved;

As you left us way to early for the maturity to be achieved;

I will miss your inputs as my comrade;

Yet now your legacy in the world we will parade;

It's further sad that, to pay my last respect I won't be there;

Don't think for one moment that it's because I don't care;

I loved you with an enteral love in Christ;

Now our memories forever frozen in frost;

I still had so much to share;

Now I have to lay it bare;

Your encouragement and time made for me I will cherish;

You left a mark that will never have a stain of blemish;

Your spirit remains rooted and alive;

Your push of inspiration for us to thrive;

Will remain with us till eternity;

To keep your agenda alive we remain many;

Rest in peace my brother and friend.