IMPORTANT CAVEAT: in the early to mid 2000’s my love for Africa intensified, in particular, East Africa. At that time I read Yoweri Museveni’s book entitled “What Is Africa’s Problem?”. I was very impressed by Museveni’s apparent desire to improve East Africa and the lives of his Ugandan peoples. He wanted to fight corruption and had started by ousting the despot Idi Armin.
However history has shown that he is no longer fighting corruption but has fought against the Rwandan Army in the Congo at the expense of the Congolese and it is reputed that his aim was to extract wealth from the Congo by stealing its minerals. Thus I no longer admire this man who was mentioned as the “Good Man” in this poem.
At the time I could see people and knew one or two of them, in particular my best friend Kanuth, who I labelled “the new Africans”. By that I meant that these people were striving for a better Africa even though they are not necessarily politicians. They, however, promote education, industry and commerce in their own way and without corruption and by supporting democracy.
So, I have changed the last two lines of this poem to mention “Kanuth Tarimo” who is working only to support his family and to provide the best education possible for both his two boys and two girls. This poem is dedicated to him now.
A Good Boy, and a Good Man.
Deep brown pupils amidst huge, white, wide open eyes
shimmer like the stars at night.
Sparkling white teeth beam a hearty smile
that dimples craters into his plump round cheeks.
His face, with its perfectly smooth, and flawless, coffee complexion
emanates impressions of love and happiness.
He is just four years old.
In the shade of a mango tree he sits on the dusty floor,
legs crossed, head propped up with one arm, elbow on his knee.
His tee-shirt, which his mother keeps very well,
shows all the usual hallmarks of a cheeky little boy –
dust marks, finger paint from the juicy melon just eaten,
a little hole in the side, encircled by a ring of dried blood
(it wont be the last time that he play fights his best friend).
If only those acacia thorns were not so painful!
This little boy may be a cheeky imp, but he is a new Ugandan.
He is happy, secure, and has a hope that his parents never had.
Soon, at school, he’ll have the chance to grow up and save Africa.
Thanks to the first honest, non corruptible, Ugandan president,
Mister Yoweri Kaguta Musevini.
Thanks to the honesty of all “New Africans”,
such as my friend Kanuth Tarimo.
Copyright © 01.06.2007 – Kevin Mahoney