African Beauty                             
She may be dark                             
But she has a heart
                She has scars
                But she is rare
                She is precious
      Because she is righteous
                  She is brave
      Because she smiles
        In the midst of pain

        She may be dark
          But she shines
        In the midst of darkness
      She may be fragile
        But dangerous
        Her kindness
        Is contagious
        She is black
    Not a monstrous creature
      Black is beautiful
      Oh African Beauty

This poem was written by Buhle Mhlauli, a South African poet, to celebrate the beauty, strength, and resilience of African women.