The Longest Night
Tonderai Chiyindiko
‘inspired’ the Afrophobic violence which targets black foreign nationals in South Africa.
...and it rained all night.
A cacophony of sounds each hitting the tin roof at precise intervals, partially removing the choking dust of the toxic Afrophobic fumes which gutted the land of the South.
Down drains into the deep underbelly it could not reach; even the hearts of those who just yesterday pledged 'We Are Africa' and other hollow slogans were not spared.
Those whose 'love' for Mugabe, Lumumba, Sankara and many other 'palatable Africans', was more palpable than for those who come from there.
However, theirs could not be washed off because without it they knew not who they were…
Yet we kept saying that we too are from here, until our voices went hoarse and got drowned out by the toyi-toying mob baying for blood, whose blood-curdling war chants reminded us that over here they sing and kill to song.
...and it rained all night.
A cacophony of sounds each hitting the tin roof at precise intervals, partially removing the choking dust of the toxic Afrophobic fumes which gutted the land of the South.
Down drains into the deep underbelly it could not reach; even the hearts of those who just yesterday pledged 'We Are Africa' and other hollow slogans were not spared.
Those whose 'love' for Mugabe, Lumumba, Sankara and many other 'palatable Africans', was more palpable than for those who come from there.
However, theirs could not be washed off because without it they knew not who they were…
Yet we kept saying that we too are from here, until our voices went hoarse and got drowned out by the toyi-toying mob baying for blood, whose blood-curdling war chants reminded us that over here they sing and kill to song.
Tonderai Chiyindiko is a professional actor, theatre reviewer, workshop facilitator, arts and culture writer and creative industries consultant. As an immigrant from Zimbabwe, he has navigated the perils of being on the margins and is passionate about articulating the ‘African foreigner in Africa’ experience on various platforms.
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