What we can learn from Trump and thinkers, leaders from Africa

Africa’s troubles are lessons to be learned from. They are meant to be experiences that will inform our future. Afrika’s future, Azania’s future, this continent’s future.

What will you be remembered for, what will your legacy be is the question I want to pose to the youth, each and every individual, male and female, poet and politician on the African continent?

I am beginning to understand the components of the promulgation of the Group Areas Act and the early role of the missionaries in South Africa, I am also beginning to understand the role of the mission schools in early education in South Africa, the role that it played in shaping the psyche and intellectual faculties of our leaders. Leaders who came out of Robben Island and the University of Fort Hare.

We must understand the past, in order to revise the history books, in order to write about the Black majority we must come to terms with the psychotic and brutal regime of apartheid, the heinous crimes and atrocities committed during that time. Colonialism is indigenous genocide, ignorance is intellectual genocide.

The ANC leaders have shown us that leaders are human. Donald Trump has also shown that he is only human. Leaders are also capable of making mistakes, of appearing arrogant and corrupt and flouting the law but it is leaders that must remember that it is the citizens that have the vote, and that it is the vote that puts them into power.

I have a Pan Africanist outlook now, Pan Africanist point of view, a Pan Africanist perspective. It was the father of the PAC and movement, Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe, who said that there is only one race, the human race. What can be learned in a contemporary South Africa from the political organisations that went underground during apartheid? Where are those leaders now? What is important for the boy child and girl child to remember, and here I am speaking about our future historians, is that we as the African continent, and as South Africa (see not a divided South Africa, but a united country), can no longer rely on the West.

Trump humiliated Cyril, and in effect he was also saying that he wasn’t going to acknowledge what took place to the Black majority of this country during apartheid, and neither was he going to acknowledge the Cradock Four, Vlakplaas, assassinations, and the imprisonment, detainment and torture of political activists and freedom fighters. I wondered to myself if Trump even knew of the existence of George Botha, Steve Biko and Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe as he sat across from Ramaphosa.

Trump had the attitude of a White Supremacist but I still admire him. I admire his work ethic. But I reiterate this, that the leaders that come to power when there are always tensions and geopolitical transitions taking place in a global scenario that have been left over from a previous administration are not perfect. Trump wasn’t in that moment operating like the leader of the free world, he was instead behaving like a school bully on the playground.

I look at Trump’s history. I look at his childhood. I look at his brother Fred Trump Junior. I look at the brother that Trump said in his own words in a speech that had a better personality than he did. Time and time again you will find that in the lives of remarkable men who change the course of history by sheer will, tenacity, determination and vision there has been some occurrence or incident of pain and suffering that has radically transformed their thinking and outlook on life. (I also abhor smoking and the drinking of alcohol just like the American President.)

It is time now for South Africa to stand on its own two feet and no longer can we rely on the West, or look to Europe. As I have said before, this is the time of the African Renaissance, for African leadership to revise the history books. The African continent needs South Africa, and organisations like NWASA (the National Writers Association of South Africa), we need to remember intellectuals and thinkers past and present like Lebogang Lancelot Nawa, Credo Mutwa, Patrice Lumumba, Frantz Fanon, Ibrahim Traore

It is time for our future revolutionaries to pick up the pen and not the gun. Education for the nation starts with the imagination, the most important nation on earth.

LINNAEUS GENESIS

God is existence.

In God’s image are beetles,

amoebas, and men.

APPLE BLUES

Look at me: bold, fat as an apple.

Here I am, bald, fat as an apple.

But don’t value goods just by their wrapper.

Old as your father, that’s what you said.

“You’re old’s my father,” is what you said.

But that’s no bother, not decrepit yet.

May look like a wolf, pitted and ugly.

Big bad old wolf, grizzled and ugly.

Feed me love enough, tame as a puppy.

You think I’m a shit, I make your garden grow.

I may be a shit, but I make your garden grow.

When you need a prick, let me be your rose.

(Lean me against your marrow like a giant midget jumbo shrimp. Hold my poor minute against all infinity like any other parasol you’d prop against a hurricane. A gossamer-armored middleaged scholar in swimming trunks, let my steady frailty hold the frailty of your own, let my cardboard walls withstand the world’s assault.)

Look at me: bold, fat as an apple.

Look at me, bald just like an apple.

Don’t value the goods just by their wrapper.

If you break your compass, I am true north.

You lose direction, here I am, true north.

And when you end your wanders I’m fire in your hearth.

If I’m silent, don’t have much to say.

I’m kind of silent, not a lot to say.

Just like my violence, words left yesterday.

Horny old bastard, last grape on the vine.

Horny old bastard, the end of the line.

Wrinkled and blasted grape a-makes the sweetest wine.

TANTRIC ALCHEMY

a.

LUNAR ILLUMINATI

Moonlight albedos

us. We together ourselves,

purified by night.

b.

EROTIC CONIUNCTIO

Our oneness complete,

I applaud stiff rubedo.

The coming of the dawn.

c

DIURNAL REPAIR

Sun’s citrinitas

fixes the constituents

nigredo broke down.

SALLY

A thaw wind stole softened in

and walked its shadow down the wall,

unedged this heart of flint.

Yes, this hunchback which I am

exhibits its Olympic plaque 

like one more oriflamme. 

You renew dry blooms like a spring.

The I-as-eunuch whom you know 

has fixed his battering

ram, dug his sword from the mould.

This dragon hiding in my skin

must now expose his gold.

Dead still limbs tortured to bud.

At last this dark tyrant deposed.

Hurt earth unfroze to mud.

Freezing night can’t sleep so long 

as flowers burst in firework 

and larks upon the spring.

Mountains take off robes of snow 

and rivers caps of ice 

as spring’s wind begins to blow.  

TIDAL

I scavenge driftwood,

shells, and pebbles from the beach.

The ocean beyonds.

a groaning mid-afternoon loss of Thou



beginning to suspect he's not the target audience



before expulsion
a bit 
of the Pater Noster



 'don't write that down...you're the only one 
who doesn't know it'
 


discovering another Jovian moon in the ice cream truck's jingle



when children are eating the wild grasses



scent of crushed sage off the bare shoulders of a stranger



above the skeevy gas-station urinal 
a tally-ho senryu



when the lime-green hummingbird thrummed in the air between us



before Les Mots
I could play Wipe Out
on the surface of the sun



Milarepa...
when she says
'rebuild over there'

Andrew Brindle (plain)

Christina Chin (italic)

after the sirens

slogans and marches

a breath, then a choice

decisions made without 

parliament consent 

voices echo

through algorithms and bots

truth grows silent

chips export ban 

see you at the new low

screens glow of wars

streamed in high definition

who can look away

they blame the victim 

and praise the aggressor 

borders close

yet the seasons change

and the river flows

stopping deportations

because they need workers

rich men dream of Mars

yet here, our hopes

burn in the dust

no funds for 

the homeless 

UZBEK GIRLS — THE MIRROR OF THE NATION

Ismoilova Gulmira

Master’s student at Termez State Pedagogical Institute

Uzbek girls are the heart of the people, the honor of the nation, and the delicate bridge between tradition and modernity. Since ancient times, they have held an important place in society through their modesty, patience, intelligence, and kindness. Looking back through history, the courage of Tomiris, the devotion of Barchinoy, and the wisdom and eloquence of Uvaysiy prove the immense strength and spirit of Uzbek women. Today’s Uzbek girls are the descendants of these great ancestors — they have found their place in science, art, sports, education, and every sphere of life.

For us, national identity is not merely about clothing or decoration; it is the dignity in the heart, the honesty in the conscience, and the devotion to language, people, and the honor of the Motherland. The Uzbek girl’s words reflect sincerity, her gaze — modesty, and her walk — upbringing and grace. While mastering modern sciences and digital technologies, she remains faithful to her national values, to the spirit of her ancestors, and to the lullabies of her mothers.

The girls of Surkhandarya are the vivid embodiment of this national identity. This land — from ancient Termez to the picturesque Boysun, from sunny Denov to pure Sherobod and proud Oltinsoy — is a cradle of kindness and resilience. The eyes of Surkhandarya’s daughters reflect pride, their hearts — honor, and their speech — sincerity. They are hardworking in life, loyal in family, and active in society. Their modesty is upbringing, their patience — strength, and their love — the most beautiful virtue of the nation.

Today’s Surkhandarya girls are as brave as Tomiris, as wise as Uvaysiy, and as devoted as Barchinoy. They take pride in mastering modern knowledge and finding their place in the digital age. Yet, their greatest treasure is preserving their identity and national spirit. For the heart of an Uzbek girl will always remain bound to her mother’s lullaby, her homeland, and her people.

The girls of Surkhandarya are the living continuation of history, the pride of the nation, and the bright promise of the future. In their eyes lies hope, in their hearts — love, and in their honor — the dignity of the entire Uzbek people. As the descendants of Barchinoy, Tomiris, and Uvaysiy, they remain today the pride of the nation and the ornament of our Motherland.

One by One Becomes One

‎

‎If I had not held your hand

‎Human life would have remained incomplete

‎The world would have remained in the shadows

‎The light of the moon would not have come to the earth

‎The grasshopper’s wings would not have written

‎My first love letter.

‎

‎If I had been alone

‎Poetry would not have been born in my heart

‎Spring would not have come to this heart

‎The cuckoo would not have called in the depths of my heart

‎The river of life would have lost all its waves

‎No one else would have awakened in my heart.

‎

‎If I didn’t keep my eyes on you,

‎Who would make flowers bloom in the desert?

‎The seven colors would remain unknown,

‎The flock of birds would lose their language,

‎The Himalayas would float in mute tears,

‎My poetry notebook would remain empty.

‎

‎If I had not met you,

‎The path of love would have been unknown.

‎Who would have gathered happiness under the canopy ?

‎Who would have achieved the melody on the harp of the mind?

‎The sea would have flown in all directions.

‎A pile of sighs would have accumulated in the vast void.

‎

‎I understand by holding your hand

‎One by one becomes one

‎Looking into your eyes I understand

‎Two by two becomes two.

“Every school is a foundation of the future”. Fifth Secondary School, located in  Andijan region Kurgantepa district, Khujatepa, is a good example of a foundation.

It was created in 1991. As time goes it is shaping knowledge capacity as well as soft skills and triggers new generations to step forward with great faith. Head teacher Ruzikhon Usmonokhunova’s devoted hard work  and the collaboration of school team enhance its success in making opportunities for students.

Improving students’ intellectual capability is a priority. Students take part in annual Subject Olympiads and get good results for the region. Taking into account the quality of education, the school also attaches great importance to physical education and sports. Sport days are held regularly, and various competitions are organized among students. Each student wears a sports uniform and actively participates in competitions. This forms a healthy spirit of movement, team spirit and the desire for victory in students.

Fifth state Specialized Secondary School does not give up its leadership in the implementation of innovative ideas and life. It is noteworthy that a system of self-government for all students has been established. A clear proof of this is the election process among students. The most active and talented students are selected and, using their own schools, ideas and votes, elect a school president. The president of the school and his or her team improve school life, creating a comfortable and productive environment for students. This system serves to improve responsibility, initiative and leadership qualities in students.

The school’s main focus is on two subjects; physics and mathematics, which allows students to gain knowledge at a high level. Students actively participate in various Science Olympiads, intellectual games and many programs, consolidating their knowledge.  This paves the way for creating a more comfortable and advanced educational environment for students. The new school building is equipped with modern technologies, opening up even wider opportunities for students to learn. Today, this school has become a center of science, sports and innovative ideas. The unity of teachers and students, selfless work and wise management of the leadership are taking the school to greater heights. We believe that every student who graduates from this school will grow up to be not only educated, but also spiritual, patriotic and a well-rounded person who can contribute to the future.

I am Mukhammadjonova Ugiloy.
I am a 9th grade student at this school. I am proud of my school!