Nkosi sekelela lomhlaba

For this world is built on the backs of women

And without us this world stands to go barren

Women aren’t just born

They are raised, created, moulded into these fine creatures we call women

We are men with a womb

We are mater pieces created from the ribs of men, a simple sketch

We were never created to be enslaved by men

Nor were we created to lay on our backs, birth children

And be where the pots and pans are

We’re not meant to be stepping stones for men

See, most of us are the reason why true men exist today

We are strong, brave, courageous

There’s no need for us to wait for a men to save us

Or put on the perfect fitting glass slipper on us

Because we are superheroes

We are as hard as rock

No wonder they say wathint’ abfazi wathint’ imbokodo

But sometimes we can be soft and mushy as mud

Because we allow ourselves to feel

We make homes out of houses

Children out of seeds

We are creators

And have the ability to do anything a man can do

Sigamaqawekazi

If I was to raise a girl into a women,

I would remind her

She is smart

She is powerful

She is a champion, a worrier, a winner

She is intelligent, victories, beautiful

And she is enough

She will always come first even if she’s last

She is strong and can do anything a man can do

She is not her skin colour but wears in with pride

She is not her race but will win the race

Her small hands can create big things

She should dream big because the can be anything, do anything

If she wants to fly I will learn with her

Because I want her to know, she is never too old to learn

I want her to know that heartbreak will come and so will failure too

But know that my arms will always be open

She will stand up and give it another try until she wins

Because when doors close, others open

And if it seems like all the doors are locked, try the window

I will reminder her to go on her knees, close her eyes

And have faith, believe again

I will raise a woman