Sophie Lichaba: A Rare Queen That Deserves To Be Celebrated.

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.



Sophie Lichaba has been bracing us with her ultimate talent and pure unique acting on our television screens for decades now. You cannot mention Generations and forget to talk about Queen Moroka. As that was her character's name which serious owned and smashed - literary, every scene she was involved on at that time when Generations. She was definitely part of the golden era of Generations. Although she left Generations, she's a multi-skilled woman and had other things to do in her life. Apart from acting, she's an entrepreneur, a presenter, woman of God and an amazing parent, wife, just to name a few. She's a great all round family woman. I truly feel she deserves her name to be put out there with the stars nor icons of our South African film and soapies, in fact the acting industry. Her effortless work in the industry earns the points to be an icon. Hence it's important that we thank her now for all her contribution in the acting and television industry and beyond.

I also noticed that she was now being body shamed on social media due to her weight loss. It has been so serious that many people think she was dying. As I was going through the comments I realized how heartless certain individuals are in this world. No-one deserve such treatment from fellow human beings, it's just inhumane for humans to behave in a manner that offends another person. I figured out that she has diabetics, which has been truly devastating to her health and all she needed from the public was just support. Especially in these tough and testing times, she didn't need to be judged by the public. Hence I wrote this piece to just show her how much she's still loved and appreciated in this country.

Sophie you have a strength of a real woman is shown through her harder or worst times in life.
You're forever a true Queen and a Godly woman.
Your talents and roles you played has changed us positivity one way or the other.
Your impact has been felt Darling.
You're a legend in our hearts.
A friend in our lives.
You're a woman and a half.
You're an icon.
You're a role model.
You're everything we need and more.
Your presence is always in a room.
You don't have to seek for attention as the eyes always on you.
You're gorgeous, smart and easily approachable.
You really know how to entertain your fans.
You always look the part in anything that you do in your life.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Always now that you're not alone in this fight.
You have good and loyal fans behind your back.
We hope that you recover fully and continue doing the things you love.
We will forever love and appreciate you.
Keep on blessing us with your talent.

Here's More Information About Diabetes:
Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood. You can also have prediabetes. This means that your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also cause heart disease, stroke and even the need to remove a limb. Pregnant women can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes.
How can I prevent or delay getting type 2 diabetes?
If you are at risk for diabetes, you may be able to prevent or delay getting it. Most of the things that you need to do involve having a healthier lifestyle. So if you make these changes, you will get other health benefits as well. You may lower your risk of other diseases, and you will probably feel better and have more energy. The changes are
⦁ Losing weight and keeping it off. ⦁ Weight control is an important part of diabetes prevention. You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 10 percent of your current weight. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, your goal would be to lose between 10 to 20 pounds. And once you lose the weight, it is important that you don't gain it back.
⦁ Following a healthy eating plan. It is important to reduce the amount of calories you eat and drink each day, so you can lose weight and keep it off. To do that, your ⦁ diet should include smaller portions and less fat and sugar. You should also eat a variety of foods from each food group, including plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It's also a good idea to limit red meat, and avoid processed meats.
⦁ Get regular exercise. Exercise has many ⦁ health benefits, including helping you to lose weight and lower your blood sugar levels. These both lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. If you have not been active, talk with your health care professional to figure out which ⦁ types of exercise are best for you. You can start slowly and work up to your goal.
⦁ Don't smoke. Smoking can contribute to insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. If you already smoke, ⦁ try to quit.
⦁ Talk to your health care provider to see whether there is anything else you can do to delay or to prevent type 2 diabetes. If you are at high risk, your provider may suggest that you take one of a few types of ⦁ diabetes medicines.

(Diabetes Information Was Extracted From:- https://medlineplus.gov/diabetes.html)

Happy Worker's Day.

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.



You're probably not given the recognition you deserve for all your hard work.
You burst your ass off for the work you do.
You put so much blood, sweat and tears in your work.
You have sleepless nights, early mornings and even late nights at times.
You even drag yourself to work at times even if you just don't feel like going to work.
You literary eat, breathe, think, feel, dream your work.
You've sacrificed a lot for your work, and you continue doing that each and everyday.
You even report to work even if you're not hundred percent well.

You even borrow money just to go work at times as the salary has been depleted.
You don't let your challenges and flaws affect your work.
Even though your work is the most undermined profession in the world but you don't let that discourage you. As you do your work with love and respect.
You're intelligent and successful in your own way.
You're someone's hero.
You're an icon living.
Your work puts food on the table and looks after the whole family.

At times you put yourself last due to your many responsibilities at home and work.
You put sauce in that work dress code. You own it.
You constantly talk about the work you do and how proud you're to be part of a working class.
It's a pity your pay check don't reflect your effort you put into your on a daily basis.
You're the biggest asset in the company.
You maybe paid less than what you deserve but that doesn't make you less of an asset with the company.
You're a valuable worker.
You have been nothing but loyal to the company.

All your work will never go unnoticed, you will get your green light of being regarded as the greatest at what you do. Just be patient and everything will work out.
Also please out about anything that you're not happy about in your workplace.

Is This Really Freedom?

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.



Is This Freedom? 
Is this your idea of freedom?
Don't get me wrong I am grateful for being in a so called democratic country.
Then again again are we really living in a democratic country?
What's so visible nowadays that shows we're living in a democratic country?

Is This Really Freedom?
Being locked up in our homes, not knowing what will happen in this country.
In fact not know what our government will do with our lives.
I never thought I would saying this but our survival is based on the actions of our government.
We're afraid of the unknown, is this how you envisioned your freedom on the 27th of April 2020 will be like.

Is This Really Freedom?
We have so much inequalities within our country.
The rich are getting richer day by day, meanwhile the poor are getting poorer all day everyday.
The government funds put in place to upgrade our communities are misused by our so called leaders.
Leadership isn't something you get involved in for the sake of getting money.
Leaders lead by example not by default or corruption.
Each leader before coming up with an decision, he/she should this question: How is this going to benefit the citizens of my country?

Is This Really Freedom?
A lot of people are starving each day and they don't know when their next meal will come from.
Others don't even have homes nor shelters.
The employment rate keeps on increasing at all times.
The country struggles with water and electricity as certain provinces don't have full access to such resources.
The education system has failed a lot of people within our country.

Is This Really Freedom?
Our rights are messed around with by certain individuals that feel they're above the law.
Politics run the whole country and if you not at the top or within the political circle, you get nothing.
We don't even a freedom of speech, as we need to watch what we see and whom we say it to within the country.
The media cannot publish the truth as it has to obey certain rules within the governance.
Seriously, no-one can be trusted with doing their jobs within government.
Most people within the government are all talks but no actions. Full of empty promises while the citizens are suffering to lack of competency from our certain government officials.

Is This Really Freedom? 
We really got a long way to go to fix our own mistakes and poor decision making skills.
Although we maybe in this mess but we can still come out of it as better people.
We can definitely learn from each situations and challenges that we come across each day in our country.
I just hope we all work together to achieve more success as a country and finally reach that status of having freedom.

You're Not Alone TNS.

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.



After I saw a rare video of TNS crying live on Instagram, I felt touched by what he was going through and most people could relate in such situation.
TNS explained on his video that he feels that his life is at risk as there's a group of Durban artists that want him dead.
On his the video, he also explained that he has no-one on his corner, as he doesn't have a family. Since he grew up as an orphan. He said the artists can take the music but leave him. Basically he was reaching out for help from anyone. TNS just needed someone to talk to and help him out with the situation at hand. I then decided to dedicate this piece to him...

It was sickening to see you cry like that on social media.
I seriously felt your pain as I washed that Instagram video.
The hopelessness, anger and helplessness was written in your face.
I was a bit emotional too as watching the video.
As your story was very touching and relatable.
You're a young man who was fighting to leave a poverty stricken life and build your own life that you need and dreamt of when you were a child. 
I am sorry for what has  happened to your TNS.
It's okay to show your emotions.
And what you're going through.   
Every person has a breaking point.
You've shown us that nothing is impossible in life with your success.
You've made us dance with your music.
You're nothing but a pure talent that we should protect as South Africans.
You're the future of our South African Music.
Stay strong young king.
Everything is going to be okay.
Keep praying.
We love and cherish you TNS.
Keep blessing us with your timeless music.
Take care Bhari.

Also please download his latest hit single on all digital music platforms called Ibhari.

I'm A Proud Virgin.

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.



My name is Puleng Nkosi from Durban in South Africa. Just to be honest it hasn't been easy for me to remain a virgin throughout these years, in fact this year I'm turning 22 years in October. It is through self discipline, self love and support from my friends and family that I can still call myself a proud virgin. I feel that my virginity is very  sacred to me and I can't just give it away just like that to any man I meet in my life. It's something that I hold dearly in my heart and it's very special to me. I do get a lot of guys asking me out, most of them just want to break my virginity and runaway.

I also been getting a lot of peer pressure from people. I've been told that I don't know what I've missing out on, meanwhile other people don't believe that I'm a virgin, also I got some good people cheering me and begging me to stay a virgin until marriage. I can say that I get a lot of mixed emotions or vibes from different people, but it depends on their take on virginity. I'm cool with it though, I'm used to it now and at the end of the day everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I put pride on my virginity and it has became my treasure as I have to constantly make sure that I don't give it away that easily.

I would really like to keep it like this until I meet my husband and I'll then loose my virginity in my marriage. For now though I just need to focus on myself, my studies and building my legacy. Make sure that I make something out of myself. I will continue going to the Reed dance that takes  place every year in September whereby we get checked if we're still virgins or not. It's also massive event in KwaZulu Natal, I also love just rubbing shoulders with fellow virgins, dressing up in my traditional attire, singing and getting all the advice from the elders especially the King. It's just a wonderful event to attend as you leave as a better person.

My advice to other fellow virgins out there, please continue loving yourselves unconditionally and you don't need a man to validate your existence on earth. Just keep it moving and make yourselves, your families and friends proud. Remember your'll are role models too, please handle yourselves with care. Focus on your goals and visions by making sure that your'll finish your studies at school.

"My Breasts Are Perfectly Imperfect."

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.

 


I recently just saw this beautiful woman called Lelethu Bunu Poney who posted on her social media about her breasts and how it has been a struggle over the years to accept that she has bigger breasts than other women.

This is a touchy subject to most women across the world. As breast form part of the woman's beauty, especially when they look in the mirror. Most women don't want their breasts to be too big or too small, they just want that perfect middle size breasts. Also, they don't want their breasts to be saggy too, hence many women do a boobs job or you can call it breasts surgery. Whereby they spend a lot of money trying to make their breast perfect. This can involve increasing or decreasing the size of their breasts. We see this being mostly done by our porn stars and celebrities.

I feel that despite how the breasts of a woman look shouldn't determine her sex life. Even if a woman has a child or children, married or not married, dating or not dating, her breasts have nothing to do with her beauty or past relationships. We need to normalize having any size of breasts in our communities. I mean like to let the women know that it's okay to have big or small breasts. We also need to stop judging other women's breasts, it's none of your business if she has big or small breasts. We need to stop adding more pressure to other people's insecurities. If you got nothing good to say about her breasts, do us and yourself a massive favour by keeping your comments to yourself.

An Open Letter To COVID19.

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.

Corona Oh Corona...
I stand before you sickened by your actions.
I am quite disappointed by what you've done to our people, our communities and our countries.
We just cannot live in peace and harmony ever since you came to our households unannounced.
You on our minds, body, even on our different media platforms.
You're the talk of the town.
Are you proud of your what you've to us?
Aren't you exhausted of the results of your birth?

Corona Oh Corona…
I'm devastated by constantly hearing your effects on people's lives.
The world is at war with you.
Can't you feel the pressure of being on everyone's prayers, minds and mouths?
The bad thing is that no-one has the answers to fight you.
The world has came to a stand still.
We've been introduced to lockdowns and quarantine.
We were never ready for such things.

Corona Oh Corona… 
Our schools closed.
Most people are not working at the moment
Meanwhile others are working from home.
We don't know what will happen tomorrow but we still live in faith that we will defect you.
The deaths and heartache you’ve caused will come back to you.
By fire or by force we will overcome your suffering and pain.
Our healthcare, protection and essential services are working tirelessly.
Please stop it now Corona, we don’t like it.

Problems.

Written By SivuyileTshalana.

It's really important to have a clear mindset on what you want to do each day. You cannot wake up in the morning and complain about what is not going right in your life. How about you put actions to your complaints? Actually start solving your problems, instead of talking about them to people and thinking they will go away. It's utter important to face your problems face-to-face nor man-to-man and show them you above them.

Problems are actually challenges that are meant to grow you as a person. Despite whatever problems you currently facing, ask yourself this: how bad can it be? What can I learn from this problem? How can I use this problem to my advantage to better myself and other people? On the real, many people own their own businesses and innovations because of their problems that they overcame. A problem only leads you to the right direction that you never thought existed. With that being said, we all need to learn to see problems as opportunities to success. We cannot afford to let our problems drag us down, that means they've won the battle and we can't give our problems victories as they will always haunt us. We can't put our problems in front of us, because we going to continuously trip and fall on top of our problems. Let's not let our problems dictate how we live our lives and our future endeavors in life.

Every person should try by all means to look beyond their problems and be stronger than their problems going forward in life. We cannot walk with our head held high with our problems on our minds. We need to have a fresh start to each day and manifest our goals and visions. Everyone wants to make something out of their lives and throughout all of those actions, there will be problems along the way. What matters is how we deal with them.

Short Story: The Bravest Moment Of Her Life.

Written by Sivuyile Tshalana.

The way Zanele was raised at home by her parents was to become an ideal woman that valued her parents teachings and respects everyone. Zanele's happiness came last, because all she wanted was to make her parents proud. Firstly, her parents constantly bought her skirts and long dresses as well as all the typical girls clothes. To be honest she did not really feel comfortable in girls clothing even though she was a girl. She accepted the clothes with open hands and a fake smile on top. Zanele was more into boys clothes, and she used to steal her brother's pants and wear them when her parents were not around as they used to work most of the time. Zanele's brother had a lot of clothes so he hardly noticed if one pant was missing. He was always away most of the times. If he was not at school, he was  playing some sport somewhere or chilling with his girlfriend or friends. Zanele and her brother were not really close as they used to fight over typical things many siblings fight about, like chores but through it all they loved each other unconditionally. One thing they made sure of was to never fight or argue in front of their parents, as they both loved and respected them like any other child would that's living in this world.

As much as she enjoyed seeing her parents happy but deep down she was not, as she was living two lives. At home she was her parents little girl, they always  told her one day she will get married to a good man, have a big and happy family and she will have a wonderful life. She did not really entertain such comments as she would just laugh it off and just say she was not ready for that lifestyle anytime soon as she enjoy her family right now. Zanele's parents did not pressurize their daughter to get married as they enjoyed having her around and they told her to focus on her studies and be a better somebody going forward in life. They did not want her to be dependent on a man for any sort of income to get her going. Zanele's parents had this ideal life for her which she played along with but her problem was her sexuality. She was a lesbian, the way she carried herself around women, she had feelings for them and when with men she would feel like part of them. They spoke the same language which was women's language - as they always spoke about which girls they were into and the men welcomed her as part of them. This goes back to Zanele's childhood as she always enjoyed having male friends more than female friends. She was always herself when she was with her male friends, and started  wanting to dress and behaving like them. Zanele's male friends enjoyed her company and for the fact that she used to set them up on blind dates with the most beautiful women. Zanele's family was the only one's who did not know that she was a lesbian, as many people knew her secret. They were very judgemental towards her and that made her even more doubtful about talking to her parents about her sexuality.

A couple of days later she just told herself that she was going through with it, and she called a meeting and told her family about the big secret that she was hiding from them. She also apologized for not being the ideal girl that they wanted as parents. Zanele's brother stood up from the chair, gave his sister a hug, whispered on her ear that he knew as he was told by other people but he will support her all the times. Zanele's father just walked out and left them sitting in the lounge. Zanele's mother tried to comfort her daughter, told her that she will always love her and all will be alright. As they were both in tears and her mother told her that her father will come around one day but she got her support as well as her brother's caring support. Zanele thanked them for understanding and she also agreed that this situation is very hard to digest. She will always love her family and they will adjust to her new lifestyle. Zanele also added that her sexuality does not change anything, she will always be their daughter and her brother's sibling. She will still do what she has to do for her future to be brighter. Although life had to go on, Zanele's father did not accept her at all and made sure he avoided her most of the times.

What Is Love?

Written by Sivuyile Tshalana.

In this day, and age we all need love and we must love back at the same time. In order to love, we must firstly understand the term love. The word love is overused these days by certain people to meet their needs and wants without even thinking about the other person involved. There are different aspects that make up love.

Love is unconditional, whereby you love a person based on your true feelings and not loving the person based on their materialistic things.

Love is inner beauty. It is a person's personality and looking at the person's heart.

Love is also spending time with your loved ones. Taking time off your busy life and to be with your loved ones.

Love is having no expectations. You give love because it benefits you not financially but emotionally.

Love is beautiful, it makes you feel happy, it makes you smile and gives you a different perspective of life.

Love is unique. It is something that we all have but very few of us do not fear showing it.

Love is not just an emotion, it is a way of life.

Love is equal. People must have the same level of understanding and feelings. In order for love to be not alone but pure.

Love has no boundaries, no privacy, sees no colour, does not discriminate and has no specific age limit. In other words love seeks no perfection.

Love is giving, caring, patience, sacrifices, trustworthy and transparent.

Bible Definition: Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy, love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil. Love never fails. (Take from the New Testament Psalms and Proverbs. 1 Corinthians 13:4, 5 and 8. Page 320).

Love is more than just a romantic thing.

Love can be explained in many ways, but only shown in one way by actually loving.