My Name by Maoleng was Selepe
Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa
Look what they have done to my name...
The wonderful name of my great-great-grandmothers
Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa
The burly bureaucrat was surprised
What he heard was music to his ears
"Wat is daai, se nou weer?"
"I am from Chief Daluxolo Velayigodle of emaMpodweni
And my name is Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa"
Messia, help me!
My name is so simple
and yet so meaningful,
but to this man it is trash...
He gives me a name
Convenient enough to answer his whim
I end up being
Maria...
I...
Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa
Questions
- What does the bureaucrat do in this poem?
- Why does he do this?
- What word best describes the poet's feelings? sadness, anger, humour, irony. Explain your answer.
- Write a short paragraph discussing the following statement. You may agree or disagree. "The bureaucrat's behaviour was typical of Apartheid officials' disrespect."
Writing Exercise
Write a letter of complaint by the poet to the bureaucrat's boss complaining about his behaviour towards you.
