Sage Francis – “UBUNTU” song, video + fundraiser

My trip to Durban and the surrounding rural areas was organized by people who were filming a documentary on a community of people who were receiving alternative treatment along with their normal ARV (anti-retroviral) treatment. I joined a group of national and international poets whose task it was to make a connection with the children and communicate their story to the world. Toward the end of my stay I wrote a song called UBUNTU (Water Into Wine) which I was initially hoping to release as a companion piece to the film. The documentary will probably do a much better job of explaining the vast array of emotions we all went through, but as it still isn’t completed I figured it might be best to just release the song now.

The artwork for UBUNTU is a portrait of Nonoti, one of the younger girls who made a deep and everlasting impression on everyone she met. We lost Nonoti to HIV-related complications earlier this year, so along with the children I name in this song, and all the great people I met during my stay in Durban, a special dedication goes out to her (R.I.P.)
If you’re ever given the opportunity to visit Africa and provide a helping hand, I highly recommend it. You will learn more than you could ever imagine about yourself, humanity and the world in general. You can view pictures of my trip to South Africa and the children this song is about by clicking here.

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UBUNTU (Water Into Wine) LYRICS:

Ntokozo wants a yo-yo. A yo-yo. A yo-yo.
She learned about the ups and downs.
The kiddies want a photo. A photo. A photo.
I let them take my camera so they can make their rounds.
Thandiwe want’s some paper. More paper. More paper.
She’s the boss. She draws Christmas trees with snow.
I’m taking ’em home. All home.
To the snowmen to show them what I think they need to know,
About Zinhle, Sfundo, Zakheni,
Snetemba…survivor…a promise made to many.
An army of old souls in a battlefield of scattered ashes,
Lost ancient wisdom, and ignored AIDS symptoms.
UBUNTU. What’s good for me is good for you.
These brave soldiers combat the enemies of truth.
In a broken system with an open wound that will never heal,
If we just accept the way it is and never deal.
An infection can spread to the head if you let it.
Don’t let it affect the way you think…like “this is it.”
Oh, this is it? That’s all there is for all these kids?
These warriors? A never ending waiting list at an orphanage?
As water drips in the bucket, I could add another drop,
But I’ve got a feeling…that drop won’t fix the leaky ceiling.
If the leak gets fixed, what about when the roof collapses?
Six siblings sleeping on a single mattress.
UBUNTU. What’s bad for you is bad for me.
Zinhle, Sfundo, Snetemba, Zakheni,
Ntokozo, Thandiwe, stay strong…be brave,
I’ll make sure this world knows your names.
You were born on the front lines of a country that isn’t mine,
With a virus I don’t have, our family has no ties.
Nevertheless, I see you.
Sawubona. Yebo. Unjani? I’m fine.
I’m just praying for science to turn water into wine.
I’m just praying for science to turn water into wine.
I’m praying we’re not just left with prayer all the time.

Ntokozo wants a yo-yo. A yo-yo. A yo-yo.
She learned about the ups and downs.
The kiddies want a photo. A photo. A photo.
I let them take my camera so they can make their rounds.

I’ve seen townships stand proud in the freeze-frame of a motion picture.
I’ve seen kids risk exposing themselves to a social stigma.
In the name of breaking patterns and cycles of ignorance.
Hearts full of hope, eyes full of innocence.
These are heros. Now I call to the heads of State,
Recognize greatness when it’s in your face.
I traveled half the globe to see boys and girls stuck,
Without assistance. You insisted on hosting the World Cup?
That ain’t love, brother. What happened to you?
You beautified the parts of the city that tourists travel through.
You built a gorgeous stadium that can’t sustain itself,
Flexing superficial muscles in a false display of wealth.
Your most important resources need major help.
Think of how the medication and information on AIDS is dealt.
Beautify the way you save yourself,
For God’s sake, for human sake, for the sake of public heath.
One medicine drop in a bucket eventually evaporates.
The socks I bought Zakheni won’t fix fractures or breaks.
It’s not my suffering. It’s not my needlessly complex infrastructure.
It’s not my culture. Nevertheless I see you.
Sawubona. Yebo. Unjani. How YOU doin’? I’m fine.
I’m just praying for science to turn water into wine.

Ntokozo wants a yo-yo. A yo-yo. A yo-yo.
She knows about the ups and downs.
The kiddies want a photo. A photo. A photo.
I let them take my camera so they can make their rounds.
Thandiwe want’s some paper. More paper. More paper.
She’s the boss. She draws Christmas trees with snow.
I’m taking ’em home. All home.
To the snowmen to show them what I think they need to know,
Along with this praise poem and every child’s photo.
Inspiration given by Zinhle, Sfundo,
Thandiwe, Promise, Zakheni, Ntokozo,
The kids call me “Big Show” — that’s better than no show.
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Many thanks to Phil Cooper for hooking up the artwork. The list of people to thank for their help and hard work is quite long actually. Much love to you all. Updates to come!
– Sage