THE SENTI NEL

Anchored for centuries unknown

Oh majestic Table Mountain
You still watch over Cape Town
Mother city over 400 years
Witness to her violent birth

Ever rising towards the heavens
Only God harbors the truth; our struggle
Surrounded by flora and fauna, a feast for any eye
Amidst shards of piercing rock and raging, icy waters

On blinding, silver, sandy beaches
Small groups of beach dwellers huddle
In your protective shadow; peacefully existing
Indigenous language, culture; ensuring survival

Wildlife competing, mercilessly deleting
Disturbing murmurs rising, you stare in awe
Down below, wondering if harmony and love still aglow
Or does hate and jealousy pierce your table cloth?

Centuries old sounds echo to your summit
Cacophonies of voices confuse and amuse
Lives changing, emotions simmering
Instinct erupting, resulting in violent vomit

Strangers infiltrate, creating fear and curiosity
Their sails shredded, furthering foreign animosity
Your beauty noted, future plans made
Greed their driving force, your shadow to fade

The year 1647, the boat smashing on a foreign heaven
Christened Niewe Haarlem, Hollands pride
It shakes against rock and unseen peril
Ominously spilling onto your foreshore

A dozen fleet of relief joins your grief
The year 1652, Van Riebeeck sent to govern
Greets local inhabitants, exchanges bring relief
Their curiosity accepting, their bodies a fiery oven



Your defences down, your sight welcoming
You marvel at their skills, blissfully unaware
Of Armageddon to come, the future disturbing
Ideas clashing, negotiations unfair

Initial plots of land bargained in 1671
Khoi clans clashing, rebels shunned
Culture poisoned, the deed cleverly done
Dividing a father, mother, daughter and son

Tribal heart lost, creating cultural loss
European domination overpowering, morale lowering
Your essence diluted, young Khoi girls polluted
Politics in motion, traditions no longer suited

Khoi translators employed, healing the void
Including Herrij, Doman and Kratoa
She, taken in by Jan as a child
Her linguistic skills greatly valued

Whispers cause discontent and doubt
Between invaders and indigenous folk
Evas legacy tainted, emotions heightened
You shudder through the chaos and moans

French Hugenots arrive, causing further strife
Your playground invaded, traditions faded
They struggle to establish, Dutch courage too strong
Forcing them to speak another mother tongue

Their language suppressed, identity compressed
Winelands offer a sweet escape
Excluded, creating new identity
Your shadow casting over them

Countless Khoi destroyed by colonists
Your stones shiver, witnessing a cultural, bloody river
Others banished north, halted by the San
Possessions snatched, their fate sealed

Slaves imported from afar
India, Mozambique and Madagascar
The Far East concluding the colonial feast
Child of colour born from a mixed mother



You remain steadfast yet alert
Depending on fair and humane hearts
Sentinel for centuries even millennia
Still a God- given centurion defender

15/10/2014