Freedom of speech

What is freedom of speech? Freedom of speech; according to my understanding;  is the ability to voice out what you believe in, whether vocally or in writing without being judged and fearing for the safety of your life.

But, where does freedom of speech end? Does one's freedom of speech pertain bridging those of others? Does the fact that one person is allowed freedom to say what they do or don't like mean that it is then okay to diss the freedom of others to express themselves the way they see fit? Let's say; for example; you have an intolerance for a certain religious group. Does your right to express this reign over the right of the next person who belongs to that group?

Where does one draw the line? How do we decide what freedom of speech or any kind of freedom for that matter is? Who decides that it is okay for one to have more freedom than another? Or, is it all about some humans being more equal than others?

As a blogger, I have freedom to say what I like, whether it be a fact or opinion. However, after the recent attacks on a French magazine's employees allegedly by a religious group offended by the magazine's satirical take on their religion, I have found myself asking the question: when does free speech become so personal to another that the only way they can make you see things from their point of view is by resorting to violence to get their displease across.

When do we draw the line?

By QueenTroll

Do things differently...............

So I've been meaning to pen this down and I finally have it figured out….

·         Past Hurts have no bearing on your future, don’t focus on them:

2012 was my worst year ever, lost my house and had my car repo but got it back within the month. My biggest mistake was learning not to be frank about my needs and assuming that through sheer hard work people will reward you. It doesn't work that way boo, we need to always fight for our little corner in life and never be apologetic for doing so, especially if you have put in the hours. That was my best experience and lesson yet, and today I’m reaping those rewards. Sometimes you need to put in the hours, get paid those peanuts but understand what the vision is. I wanted to leave so badly but nothing was happening, until I understood I had not reached the pinnacle in that phase yet.

·         I’m team J-LO , love and love again, stuff what people say:

Ok, no judgment, but ladies (and gents) there is no harm in going for what you want. When you think you cannot love again, you realize there’s still some capacity in you. I beg O’ don’t be hard on yourself, its different every single time because no two people are the same. I have that one friend that gets me through and through, and the reason is simple…do what your heart wants ngoba you will either do it in hiding or regret. So who are we kidding?

Oh and when you decided to date an ass of a man…own up and make your peace. If he is not your cup of tea, walk away from it otherwise buckle up and understand what you’re looking to achieve. Once again, no one is there when you sit behind closed doors calling, texting etc.

·         Never get comfortable, acknowledge it but don’t relax, ever!

Can I urge all of us to update our Linkedin accounts, please!!!!! Be selective about who you follow, use that platform to inform and educate yourself about the industry that you are in. You will soon understand or at least gain some insight on what recruiters do. Be your own recruitment agent by marketing yourself smartly. Stay clear from treating it like Facebook, NOT the same platform and pretty please don’t inbox people for the heck of it.

Will do an in-depth article on this later on in the month…all I’m saying is that you need to treat yourself as a brand, one that is respectable and has a formidable truth to it. No point accepting every Tom, Dick and Harrison on your profile…be strategic. Ask yourself this question….is this action getting me any closer to my goal or is it a hindrance?

By Snapster

Tradition- modernized or misunderstood

Over the weekend, twitter was abuzz with debate over Minnie Dlamini's traditional uMhloyana ceremony. A Zulu traditional ceremony usually performed for young women as they cross over to womanhood. Traditionally; according to social network opinion; it is performed for a young female when they start seeing their monthly menstrual cycle.

Why the outrage over Minnie's ceremony? Well,  most people think it is very disrespectful of Minnie and her family to modernize culture and perform a botched ceremony for the cameras since Miss Dlamini was rumored to have been traditionally married to Itumeleng Khune last year and a whopping 1 Million Rand was paid in exchange for her hand in marriage.

She is no longer a young woman therefore she should not be doing it as it sends out the wrong message to people who might also want to perform this ceremony for the wrong reasons therefore missing the entire point to the whole uMhloyana ceremony meaning.

In her defense, Minnie came out saying that it is more of a family tradition than a Zulu tradition, therefore people must swerve and stick in their lanes as they didn't know what they were complaining about.

So I ask, when was tradition ever about family rules over tribal rules? Are traditional ceremonies not done the same throughout the tribal group? Help me understand bandla

By Queen Troll

Feminine care: pads, menstrual cup or tampons

From puberty to menopause, most women go through a monthly menstrual cycle. We dread it, call it names and hate the little extras such as mood swings, weight gain and discomfort that it brings with it. As if these inconveniences aren't enough, one has to choose what form of sanitary ware to use. Growing up there were pads and tampons as options but lately there is a new thing called the menstrual cup. I have put together a bit of an FYI to help highlight some of the pros and cons of each product.

Pads: famous form of sanitary ware. Fuss-free and usually the first available options for young women when they start their menses. They come in different sizes and absorbency options. The disadvantage of using them is that when left for a longer period they tend to leak and if not used correctly can shift off underwear and make wearing them uncomfortable and may leave the user's clothes soiled. Chances of getting TSS (toxic shock syndrome) are low when pad are being used as the periods actually leave the body onto the pad.  

Tampons: the most comfortable and widely used amongst ladies who have past their first stage of periods. They're comfortable and discreet and do not hinder a user from taking part in normal day to day chores and activities. However, women who use them tend to experience problems such as TSS from leaving the tampon in too long or even when the clots are unable to leave the body due to the fact the tampon blocks off passage and therefore allows no escape of the clotted blood out the body. It is also said that the bleach used on the tampon may be the reason why women who use tampons find themselves with genealogical problems and heavy bleeding during their cycle.

Menstrual Cup: this one is more of an organic option. When I first saw it online I thought nah, this won't take off, but it looks like I don't know everything. It is a tiny flexible silicone cup that you insert into your vagina to collect menstrual fluids. It is reusable, so u basically just collect, empty, wash and re-insert. I haven't tried this option of sanitation and my verdict is still out there on this one.

What methods do you ladies prefer? Please shed more light on your preferred method.

By Queen Troll

Happy New Year

Haaaaaaaaapyyyyyyyy (booooy I love saying this!!!) Hello friends, welcome back to TOLAH. The festive is over and I would like to welcome all of you ladies that have made it into 2015. Not everyone has made it nor was it due to our smartness that we are all still here. With all this being said, I would like to open with a short prayer, please allow.

Dear Lord.  As the year begins, I would like to start by thanking you for saving us to see the new year. Lord, I ask for your guidance and protection in the new year. For myself, family and TOLAH fam, including Ncane. I ask that you help us stay trolling in the name of the holly trolling spirit and for Wickey, Lebo and guest Trolls to find your house dear Lord. Not forgetting Lord, that you deliver some from the hands of the dhedhis into the loving hands of their right-aged peers. May the midnight, 3am & 6am brigade keep the prayers going. Last but not least dear Lord, I ask that you turn the pre-situations that trend in this house into main-situations.

In the name of the TROLLS amen.

By Queen Troll