Letter: Ballito Bridge

Herman Grobler of Prince’s Grant penned this poem:

It starts with fear, uncertainty, bewilderment.
He worries, frets, uncertain and confused.

But then it starts.
I will not allow, I will not let
The dark, the evil consumes me,
nor touch my wife, my kids, my family, my friends.
Inside his being, his soul, his heart,
the power of his ancestors rises…

All pioneers, patriots, powerful!
It rises to the surface;
Takes control.

This feeling, knowledge, pledge:
“Not on my watch”!

The courage controls the fear.
He tells his wife, I have to volunteer.
She looks him in the eye, sees the flint.
I am proud of you, my hero,
I will back you till the end.
It is time, I know you can’t stay.

When he arrives in the bridge, he is not alone.
The numbers swell, expand, form,
A new core is born, ready to face any storm!
Organised, calm, resolute, firm,
We know they will not budge, will not retreat.

Shoulder to shoulder, side by side,
Tired, hungry, stressed, giving their best.
They succeed, protect, keep safe those they love.
Magic happened!

Unintended, unexpected, they became a group.
Comrades, friends. powerful, energised
Focused, and indestructible!
“NOT ON OUR WATCH”!

We salute you and respect you.
You created a new South Africa
Powerful, energised, focused, and indestructible!
We salute you and respect you.

You created a new South Africa
New hope
A new sense of belonging.
WE SALUTE YOU