Deep into the icy waters of the Atlantic
Somewhere around the Cape of Storms
encaged by rocky beaches all around
assaulted by piercing winds from the Banguelo
like an island ship... lies the Island of the Damned.

There it was where the colonial vehicles crashed
on their infamous voyage of theft and plunder,
to rob the priceless treasures of Monomotapa
leaving a bloody trail to mark their mission -
Thaba Bosiu, Isandlwana, Bambatha.

The house of Ndlambe was razed
thebabes of Shaka were routed
the tears of Sekhukhune filled valleys
the blood of Moshoshoe cried murder!
as Makana lay chained on the Island of the Damned.

The 1912 overture sounded near and far
summoning marshalls and generals to one table
joining te children of Africa under one flag
there to plan one strategy - one command
for the alignment of the fighting forces.

Unkhonto we Sizwe today is the battle cry
rallying all to answer the clarion call
vakani izwe lifile it says to all
as ther gallant fighters to arms take
fingers are crossed on the Island of the Damned.

All victims of the leper are locked there
the germ-carrier roams freely outside
seeking new innocents to suck new blood
yet soon the monster will be crushed
and life will the same be again
even on the Island of the Damned.

By Tokyo M.G. Sexwale

Robben Island
1979

From "Voices from Robben Island", compiled and photographed by Jurgen Schadeberg, Raven Press