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Question: Critically analyse the poem ''Johannesburg'' by Lesego Rampolokeng Johannesburg my city Paved with judas gold Deceptions and lies Dreams come here to die Traffic flows in the sick 5 Vein of life as we tick With the eternal time bomb Of our own extinction We walk of uncertainty Swaggering to disguise 10 Our staggering heart-treads We’re all recession whipped Into the repression machine Mirrored in the glass towers The green pastures of wealth 15 Are vaults of death Nothing is secure Neither politics nor prayer Can guarantee the future Jo’burg my city 20 Here our birth is a lie We just rush to die Without living Just existing To keep the money belt spinning 25 Only the wise come out winning & the rest Feet first As pawns of evil hand or ogre eye Or else 30 On the fringe Of our own insanity by looking at the conclusion
In conclusion, the poem "Johannesburg" by Lesego Rampolokeng presents a grim and critical perspective of the city, portraying it as a place where dreams die and the prevalent corruption, deception, and social inequalities overshadow the lives of its inhabitants. The poem uses vivid imagery and metaphors to capture the dark and depressing atmosphere of Johannesburg, reflecting on how values such as honesty and hope are rarely found in this environment. The poem highlights the city's systemic problems, as seen in lines 5-8, with traffic symbolizing the city's never-ending cycle of issues and extinction possibly referring to the loss of culture, hope, and humanity. The poem further criticizes the superficiality and insecurity that pervade the city, as those who live there attempt to mask their inner struggles with a facade of confidence (lines 10-12). The rampant injustice in Johannesburg is evident in the contrast between the "green pastures of wealth" (line 15) and "vaults of death" (line 16), indicating the significant gap between the rich and the poor. The poem also underscores the sense of hopelessness felt by the residents, as neither politics nor prayers can ensure a better future (lines 18-19). As seen in the final stanza, Johannesburg is a place where many people experience existential crises and wonder if there is any meaning in their lives beyond material gain (lines 20-25). The poem suggests that only a few individuals succeed in transcending these harsh conditions, while the majority either fall victim to the city's malign influences (lines 26-29) or grapple with their own sanity (lines 30-32). Overall, the poem offers a thought-provoking perspective on the harsh realities of life in Johannesburg, calling on the reader to reflect on societal ills and the importance of seeking meaning and hope in the face of adversity.
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