, metre, and diction, "Johannesburg" might be an attack on the materialism and consumerism seen in modern society.

"Johannesburg" by Lesego Rampolokeng is a somber and thought-provoking poem that criticizes the city and its inherent flaws. The structure of the poem contributes greatly to the overall meaning and impact on the reader. The poem is composed of six irregular stanzas, without any specific rhyme scheme or strict metrical pattern. This lack of structure can be seen as a reflection of the chaos and disorder that is associated with the city of Johannesburg. The irregularity might also represent the instability and insecurity of life in the city. In the first stanza, the poet introduces Johannesburg as a city "paved with Judas gold," indicating deception and betrayal associated with wealth in the city. The theme of unfulfilled dreams is introduced early on, setting a gloomy and hopeless tone for the poem. The second stanza presents the city as a sick and dying organism, with traffic being the "vein of life" that connects its various parts. The imagery of a ticking time bomb of extinction emphasizes the inevitability of demise and despair that the city's residents face. The third stanza introduces the concept of uncertainty in the lives of Johannesburg's inhabitants. Instead of enjoying a comfortable and secure existence, the residents are described as being "recession whipped" into the oppressive system that dominates their lives. The fourth stanza uses the imagery of glass towers and green pastures of wealth to demonstrate the stark contrast between the rich minority and the struggling majority. Highlighting this inequality, the poet declares that "nothing is secure," emphasizing the futility of relying on politics or prayer for a better future. In the fifth stanza, the poet reinforces the notion that life in Johannesburg is a lie – one that is devoid of true living and is focused on a futile pursuit of wealth. Only a select few are able to succeed in this environment, leaving the rest to become "pawns of evil hand or ogre eye." The final stanza concludes the poem with a warning that the inhabitants of the city are teetering on the brink of insanity. This precarious state is a reflection of the challenges, hardships, and societal pressures they face in Johannesburg. In summary, the structure of "Johannesburg" aligns with and supports the poem's central themes of disillusionment, despair, and social inequality. The poem's irregular stanzas, lack of a consistent rhyme scheme, and unstructured metrical pattern reinforce the chaotic and unstable nature of life in Johannesburg. Through this poem, Lesego Rampolokeng presents a brutally honest and critical analysis of the city, forcing readers to confront the harsh realities faced by its inhabitants.