There Was A Meeting in Heaven Last Night
By Joseph Kaifala

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Hear ye, Hear ye!
Did the town crier not pass through your town tonight?
There was a meeting in Heaven last night
What meeting do you speak of, Eyes of the Dead?
Chief Albert Luthuli was there
I said what meeting do you speak of, Messenger of our Ancestors!
Oliver Tambo was in attendance and he sat with Mandela
Chris Hani was there, too, and he sat at the feet of Old Luthuli
Ruth First and Joe Slovo were there!
Then the child...

John Garang fought for many years for South Sudanese to have their own republic, but he died just before that dream came through two years ago, and the taste of independence has only just acquired savor before Africa’s newest republic joined the company of comrades in the power struggles that continue to keep Africa on the low ends of all major sociopolitical indices. As Christmas Eve celebrations ensure around the world, there are talks of mass murders and displacement in So...