Freedom

I am SCREAMING! Again, I scream. But, nobody seems to be paying attention.

I am slowing disappearing, slowly.

People are not hearing my voice,

Are not seeing my personality,

Are not seeing me.

Slowly, I am disappearing.

In a room full of people,

My screams become merely a whisper,

A whisper that somebody has deemed unimportant.

My importance has dwindled.

My life.

Hhmmm.

I SCREAM.

Can anybody hear me?

Is anybody listening?

Does anybody care?

There's laughter,

And jubilation all around.

However, unheard, I am screaming.

Can you help me?

I AM SCREAMING .

Are you listening?

Can you hear me?

Can you help me?

The author, Senzo Dhlomo, is a 23-year-old student at the University of Cape Town, whose creative contribution, titled Freedom, is being published as part of Youth Tube: By The Youth, For The Youth.

It is Sowetan's unique, Youth Day spirit-filled way of reaching out to South Africa's youth, most of whom go unheard, unacknowledged and unrecognised.

Send us your original poems, drawings or essays via e-mail to tellus@sowetan.co.za. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.

This youth-affirming project is initiated by Sowetan Live colleague Razia Pillay, which she was insipired by a similar project done by New America Media in the US.

You can send us a short poem, a little rap act, short video presentation, picture story, prose or any artistic expression; and these should address topics including:

• What it means for me to be broke,
• Potential,
• If I was a youth leader, this is what I'd do/change,
• Growing up in the hood,
• Am I privileged if I have everything?
• My role model is . because .
• What my grandmother has taught me,
• Every scar has a story,
• Peer pressure,
• Freedom,
• Growing up with granny,
• Daddy's girl,
• I'm over this celeb/hobby/ booze/guy . because .
• Rebelling against everything,
• My first kiss, and
• Getting a piercing and or a tattoo.

The best work will be published in the Sowetan Nation Building section on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Submit your work via e-mail to tellus@sowetan.co.za or drop it off at: Avusa House, 4 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Please mark it "For Attention Razia Pillay at Sowetan LIVE".