“They said you would fall,but were surprised when you were rising.The said you would fail,but were surprised when you were succeeding.They said you would break,but were surprised when you kept it together.The said you would deteriorate,but were surprised when you were flourishing.”

Matshona Dhliwayo is a Zimbabwean writer and poet. Their work explores themes of identity, colonialism, and the African experience, blending poetic language with sharp social commentary. Known for their evocative and often provocative verse, they challenge conventional narratives about African literature.