(Overview)
This thought-provoking poem tackles the pressing issue of drug and substance abuse, comprising seven poignant stanzas. It begins by shedding light on the shocking method of drug trafficking, where individuals are coerced into swallowing drugs at the source and then expelling them at the destination, all in an effort to evade law enforcement agents. Then, it delves into the world of cocaine, describing its distinct colours, modes of administration, and
devastating effects on the user. Heroin’s addictive nature and severe health consequences are highlighted. Marijuana’s consumption through edible products is addressed as a concern. The darker side of the drug trade and its lucrative business are explored. The poem concludes by urging humanity to unite against drug and substance abuse. It emphasises the need for collective action to combat this problem. Those struggling with addiction are encouraged to seek help from healthcare professionals. It also highlights the alarming reality that former old-age homes are now repurposed to accommodate patients struggling with drug and substance abuse.


Title: Imikhobamizwa
Poet: Beatrice Lantern
Language: IsiNdebele
Location: Masvingo

Kenje wena waz’ ithiwa yizidakamizwa.
Uyawuqonda kuhle nje lumhlol’ osubulel’ umhlaba?
Ngokucwayiza kwelihlo bawundizis’ ufinyelel’ emagumbini wonk’ omhlaba!
Abomtheth’ uyabahoza, bayawubona ngaph’ ungumswenya nje!
Phel’ izisu zabantu yiw’ amasak’ okuwuthwala lumhlolo!
Imikhobamizw’ ikhob’ umunt’ aphenduk’ umkhoba.

Igwayi lamakhala bengilazi linsundu, elikasekaZenzo ngelinye – lilunwabu!
Usungalifica limhlophe nke, liluthuli, lilithanga, limnyama khaca kumbe lisasiduli.
Izolo bebelicupha ngezandla belifol’ emakhaleni.
Mhlaba buk’ usekaZenzo, elakh’ ulihweba ngesigubhu sebhilo!
Angathand’ ulidla ngejekiseni!
Angaphuz’ ukulifol’ usekaZenz’ umilwa yizithuthwane.
Angaliswel’ uginq’ ahlanye, afe, ayengcwatshwa.
SekaZenz’ igwayi lakho lilezenzo tshiyana lalo!
Impel’ uzawuthwala ngesifub’ umhlaba ngecocaine yakho le!

Nant’ ijah’ elimajahamabili, bathi lona ligiya ngeheroin.
Limile, loma nko ngesikhathi lisikiz’ ukuhamba – bathi listikhile!
Muvana litshombuluke.
Izihlathi ngezesalukazi – sezibuzan’ amavuko!
Umlomo ngumhom’ omnyama tshu, lelokudlis’ umuth’ izinyo kalisekho!
I-Broncho kudala yawaqeda wonk’ amazinyo! Futhi bakithi, asazi!

Nang’ uSmanje lamaqhwayiban’ enwel’ unuka khuth’ imbanje.
Kahamb’ uSmanj’ uyadiyazel’ uqhub’ umhlambi wembuzi!
Unina wamkhuza ngokubhem’ imbanje, wazibon’ ukuhlakanipha.
Nang’ ethath’ imbanj’ ezixhwathis’ umsobho wazo wavubis’ isimodo,
Lamascones awathengisel’ abantwana besikolo!
Kambe wenzan’ ubulal’ ikusasa yoluntu Smanje?

UnakaZa ngal’ ukhaliswa ngumjombo,
Uth’ izidakamizwa yiz’ ezingamzuzis’ imali ngokuphangisa.
Wazizingela, wazithola, waziwoda, wazithengisa.
Wanotha-ke wafa ngemali yengcekeza!
Babhuz’ abantu kwakhe, kwabangafuni kubonakala kwasebenz’ insendlu.
Insendlu zabongwa ngaz’ izidakamizwa lezo labontshengu.
Kunath’ ontsheng’ okungabafana kuhle kuthi ntshengu kuwela le!

Na – ngu – ya, umfanyana kaGrade 1,
Uthi lob’ engelamal’ uzazilibazisa ngakwenelisayo.
Uthwel’ ipheph’ elikhulu lamaZephe, uth’ uxotsh’ inkengane ngamaZephe, khohlwa!
Izinto ziyazenzakalela lapho! Sekuginqe tshitshi, kuhlengezel’ izinyembezi!
Nanzelelisa, thol’ ukuthi kuzihwebel’ iglue! Kuthi kumnand’ ukudakwa.
Mfanyana kaGrade 1, wazini ngokudakwa wen’ useselichaphazi nje?

Mahlabezulu nant’ udubo selusihanqile.
Kasibambaneni silwise lesisil’ esesiqothul’ imbokodo lesisekelo.
Usapho luyaphel’ ikusasa siluvilibane.
Osesehlulek’ ukutshiyana lezidakamizwa kaye kwabezempilakahle bayemnceda.
Obekugcinw’ asebeluphele sekubhuz’ amajaha lezintomb’ asebegqilazwa yizidakamizwa.