Internationally known and acclaimed for the tribute poem she wrote, which inspired the French Senate to return the remains of indigenous South African woman Sarah Baartman, Diana Ferris is a writer, poet, performance poet and story-teller. Her work has been published in various collections and some serve as prescribed texts for high school learners.
She is a founder member of the Afrikaanse Skrywersvereniging, Bush Poets, and Women in Xchains. Diana has attended numerous literary festivals, locally and abroad, The Netherlands, Suriname, Singapore, the USA, France, Sri Lanka, North and South Korea. Most recently returning from Instanbul and Diyarbakur. She is the recipient of the Ministers Award from the Western Cape Provincial Department of Arts and Culture, for the contribution she has made to the empowerment of women. Her collection, I've come to take you home, is due to be published in 2010.
She came home on a giant bird
resting on its wings
flying into the future
framing the past
excavating pride
hidden behind
the imprisoned mind
She touched the ground
without a sound
where those who were waiting
howled a cry
"oh why?"
Soft her reply
"I had to die
So you could defy"
She sleeps in a valley
while we who are awake
must destroy every tale that is fake.
We salute you Saartjie,
for you had to die
so we could defy.
