27 April: The Chronicles of Freedom Day

The 27th April, marks Freedom Day in South Africa. The first day that all races in South Africa were allowed to cote for the first time in history. The day that we look at, 21years later, and say it was the official last day of apartheid. The day that started the entire rainbow nation notion.

But, has it's significance changed? Has freedom moved from being a right to being a bearer of an entitlement attitude amongst the young, prevously disadvantaged and the poor? Has the freedom made our people dependant on the system or more independent in realizing the opportunities present and for them to wanna reach out and grab? Who exactly is free and from whom? Previously disadvantaged people used to be employees to the minority groups, doing labour for minimum pay, this has changed and we are now considered "equal" is said environmnet. But, is this what freedom was supposed to achieve?

I am not asking because I am being silly, I ask because we are apparently free, yet I struggle to see from what exactly. Here are the reasons why:

1.  Racism - every time I am in the North West province, a reality check gets slapped in my face. I am black and inferior when that side and encounter a white person. It is almost expected for me to shrink a bit.

2. Poverty - the slums are not going anywhere. Instead, there are more and more squatters occupying fresh land so often.

3. Economic freedom - lol. Another reality check. I work hard, have more experience in the company and am now qualified for what I do, so when my non-black colleague got a higher positin that I was set for without meeting the requirements it made me look around. I realised that that's how things get done. I was told so in not so many words.

4. Dompas system - people still get asked for their I D's at taxi rank so that the cops can ensure they're not illegal foreigners.

5. Dating - I was never ready for my boss and another colleague to burst out laughing at a white woman holding a black man's hand at a restaurant. They didn't look embarassed either. The comments that followed made me leave early.

How do you see freedom? Does it mean anything to you? For the trolls older than freedom, what is the one change that you look at todat and back then that you sit and wanna thank struggle heroes for? Or do you simply see these days off work as a reason to chill, relax and go on holiday? Who cares what they are for, anyway?

By Queen Troll

TOLAH Book club: My Father, My Monster by McIntosh Polela

A captivating true story about a young boy who's forced to grow up almost overnight when his seemingly perfect life gets turned upside down without warning nor explanation. McIntosh takes you through a journey of having to adapt in the cruel unforgiving world where not only did he have to battle the harsh new environment but also had to deal with bullying and absolute poverty, a far cry from his once comfortable care-free life where they never had to worry about basics such as food and clothes but has to also play protector to his sister.

In this book, we read how a young boy battles an identity crisis, dealing with betrayal from the very person he once considered a hero of his life and how the patience that it took for him to plan and eventually get to a near truth in discovering what might have happened in his family that eventually led to him and his sister becoming orphans and hustlers for basic life.

After reading this book, I found myself asking how one can go through what he did from being a vandal, a near school drop out and being a bully for survival to a successful journalist and later on an influential man in society. The determination mainly driven by him wanting to succeed merely because he had to get to the bottom of what took away his happy life. There are moments where I wish I could get into the book and give his paternal family a slap or two and others where I just wanna hug him for being such a responsible loving person to his sister. In all this, he does not lose his integrity or respect for his elders.

I loved this book. Best I read this year.

By Queen Troll  

Nana's favorite things

I have a few things that I have discovered are gems and I feel it would be criminal not to share with you what they are. These are things I have tried/tested that I feel will make a person's life a lot less stressful.

Lip Service

First of all is my personal and absolute favorite, Rimmel London's Provocalips. I have seen a lot of "long lasting" lip colors that need constant reapplications and last a little less than 3 hours. This gem, I put on and forget about it. it doesn't even rub off on anything. you can kiss and never have to worry about boo's lips being stained. I love that I can get the matt look by not applying the Lock and shine bit and that even the lock and shine doesn't make me look like I ate fat, it stays natural looking. I also did a hair test where if the weave blows on the lips, the gloss doesn't stick to it. Winner!!!!! It comes in a variety of hot colours too.

Bad Breath rescue

- The Breath freshener spray. I got this from woollies. I buy a spray a month; well used to; because I keep one in the car and another in the purse but the one in the car seems to grow legs. It is not even expensive and the way the chewing gum after eating stint is set up in my mind, I find this a better option. I am not saying I have breath issues without it, all I am saying is I can now control what comes out of my mouth when meeting with people. 

- The hot water bottle. Winter is here and I am so much skin and bones with minimum fat that without this item, my work life becomes extra miserable. So, I just fill up my bottle and put it on my lap. Yes it has downs to it because it gives me those funny veins that you get if you keep sitting too close to the fire but I would rather deal with that than the cold. The normal bottle is actually quite cheap but the one I have now was bought for my by some ex, one of those gifts that you don't understand why they were bought for you in the first place.

My Companion

- The winter boots. I have started to slowly take out my warm clothes and the boots were the first to come out. To confuse the enemy,  I am only wearing the half boots for. But fear not, the full boot is soo ready to come on. One only ever wears boots for all of 3 months in a year so when I got mine, I tried to look for bargains that are of not such a bad quality. I got my boots at season's clearance sales because I don't see why I should pay up to a thousand rands just for one pair of boots.

Half boots

Nana's soup base

 Soup. I like making my own from scratch using those soup pack veggies you get from the shops. They are quite inexpensive and can range from R10.00 to less than R30.00 and you can add anything to it. I add meat of course or chicken and depending on what I have in the cupboard I play around with the flavors with one rule of never ever adding packet soup to the mix. I have googled a pic of what the soup packs I usually buy look like.

- Vaseline, Leggings and wool stocking. How can I forget my stipends. If you see me in winter, I have got vaseline and either leggings of wool stocking under whatever I am wearing. I am not afraid to admit to being the queen of layers in the cold season shem.

What are your favorite things this winter?

by Queen Troll

SAMA Awards

When QT sent me a message on Sunday night asking me to do a post on the SAMA's I was a bit skeptical because I am not a writer but I thought urgh them dotis are always trolling on me so I might as well.

The SAMAXXI took place on Sunday night at Suncity in the North West. Even though they were better than last year, still the sound wasn’t great. . Live shows I guess. Performances kicked off with AKA, then Mdu took stage. Haven’t seen labhuti in ages (didn’t rumours say he was very sick, down and out?), well he looked healthy and looks like he’s been stuffing himself with lots of pap and KFC. The MC *sigh, I was excited when they announced that HHP was going to MC but my excitement didn’t last long. He was boring to the core throughout the entire show. I felt like he was trying too hard, but then again he said he never MC’d any big events before, well something along those lines. LKG was interviewing artist backstage, she was wearing a bling bling dress better than her previous Metro FM Awards mess of an outfit.

The soil performed Suzan, I am still trying to figure out why people like them, they are horrible singers. Simphiwe and her afro and Kurt Darren performed some song together. S’fiso and Loyiso sang bayede.. or siya phambili no Jeso, hai I don’t know the name of the song mina. Qadashi, L’vovo, KO and Kid Ex performed. I felt like Hashi’elimhlophe wanna be and L’vovo’s performance was rushed, like I didn’t hear what they sang. I love the energy that L’vovo always brings to stage, but singing ke December when it’s actually April, wasn’t on at all.. Kwaito artist thou. Prime Circle performed one of their songs, not their best performance but ne bale daar. Nyovest nyovest did his thing, KILLED it, I give him performance of the night. Say whatever you want about Cassper but that guy brings life to stage, he knows his crowd and he delivers. Beatenberg performed and collected awards. To think I never knew them until they worked with DJ Clock. Okae vele DJ Clock? 

They played KO’s caracara to close of the crappy broadcast. No closing act, ku rough shame. #DearMTN

Honestly the Awards were boring, well for me. SAMA’s need some balling sponsorship with enough cash injection to improve the dullness of the show. As tweeps said it was like watching Live AMP / Skyroom Live/ Afro Cafe, not impressive at all. No efforts were put in when they showed pictures of those who have passed on, like why weren't there any artists singing a tribute song? With no warnings they just showed us the pictures. Can one of your dzhedies sponsor the SAMA’s hle? We can’t be subjected to such show next year.

Here are some of the winners:

Best Dance Song – Black Motion

Best Kwaito – Professor

Best Afrikaans Pop – Riana Nel

Best Pop Album – Beatenberg

Best Traditional Faith Music Album – S’fiso (he called his wife Kim Kardashian Ncwane)

International Achievement Award – Wouter

Best Rock Album – Aking (I must say one of the guy looked drunk, he was actually drunk)

Best Collaboration Album – KO

Life Time Achievement – Mandla Spikiri,  Mdu Masilela,  Zim Mgqawana

New Comer of The Year – Cassper Nyovest

Duo or Group of The Year – Beatenberg

Female Artist of the Year – Bucie

Male Artist of the Year – AKA

The Album of The Year – Beatenberg

Kia Record of the Year – KO

Congratulations to all the winners.

Ps I am sure you have all see the pictures in the comment section of Monday's post, hence lack thereof on this article.

by PomposS

Weekend Roundup: Anything goes

I had a horrible weekend, so won't bore you with the details.

Tell us about yours.

Anything goes

by Queen Troll