in the poem, it is clear that the author is critical of Johannesburg, the city in which the poem is set. The poem is composed of oppressive images, such as traffic flowing in the sick and dreamers dy

"Johannesburg" by Lesego Rampolokeng is a dark, evocative poem that comments on the harsh realities present in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. Through the usage of striking imagery and powerful metaphors, the poet captures the sense of urban decay, social unrest, and the struggle for survival in this concrete jungle. The imagery in the poem reveals a city tainted by deception, superficiality, and danger. In the first stanza, the poet refers to Johannesburg as being "Paved with Judas gold" (line 2), alluding to the biblical figure, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for money. This image of betrayal and dishonesty sets the tone for the rest of the poem, highlighting the theme of corruption within the city. Furthermore, the line "Dreams come here to die" (line 4) paints a grim picture of the city as a place where aspirations and hopes are extinguished quickly, leaving only despair. In lines 5-8, the poet uses the imagery of "the sick/ Vein of life" (lines 5-6) to liken the flow of traffic to a diseased and fragile blood vessel. This metaphor suggests that Johannesburg is contaminated, structurally unstable, and prone to eventual collapse, with its inhabitants heading blindly towards "our own extinction" (line 8). The following stanzas work to highlight the uncertainties of life in Johannesburg, using a mixture of imagery and metaphor to convey a sense of desolation and fear. Lines 9-11 portray the people "Swaggering to disguise/ Our staggering heart-treads," illustrating the false bravado and sorrow that is masked by those who call the city home. The imagery of the "glass towers" and "green pastures of wealth" (lines 14-15) describes the facade of opulence and success that the city projects, in stark contrast to the pervasive inequality and desperation experienced by many of its residents. The poet points out that even wealth cannot offer security, highlighting the bleak reality that "Nothing is secure" (line 17) in Johannesburg. In the final stanzas of the poem, the imagery of rushing to die without ever truly living (lines 21-24) underscores a sense of hopelessness for those who struggle to survive and merely "exist" in the city. This is further reinforced in lines 25-30 when the poet speaks of "the wise come out winning," while the rest are left "Feet first/ As pawns of evil hand or ogre eye," suggesting that only a select few can successfully navigate the complex social and economic landscape of Johannesburg. Lastly, the poem leaves us with the chilling image of "the fringe/ Of our own insanity" (lines 31-32), further emphasizing the grim reality faced by the city's inhabitants. To conclude, the poem "Johannesburg" by Lesego Rampolokeng uses vivid imagery to portray a city marked by discord, despair, and an uncertain future. The images of corruption, betrayal, disease, and decay create a potent depiction of a city grappling with the harsh realities of urban survival and societal collapse. The poem serves as a powerful commentary on the social inequalities and struggles present in Johannesburg, resonating with readers on an emotional level and urging them to question the values and structures upon which their own societies may be built.