They say I'm not South African,
They say I'm not South African,
they say I come from Europe,
but flower, to me, means protea,
much more than dainty tulip.
For all my lack of history,
South Africa's my place:
her statesmen, sports and jollities,
are those whose paths I trace.
I eat potjiekos and koeksisters;
mieliemeal, not maize.
A taxi means a minibus,
with crazy, weaving ways.
Wolves and deer are mythical,
at least from far-off lands:
elephants and aardvark,
roam my mental plains and sands.
My money's made of rands and cents,
my rugby team's the Bokke,
so with my land proudly I pray.
Sikel'iAfrica. - By Charlotte Hillebrand, who featured in the poetry category, for contestants aged between 16 and 19.