My first time experience, aweful

Sometime last week, i posted something on my facebook page that read "A government that fails to pay its civil servants is unfit to rule."

This was just after academics and non- academic staff at Nust declared a strike citing governments failure to pay them their dues. It was the very same week where the University of Zimbabwe declared a strike, resulting  in students at the Zimbabwe's oldest university demonstrating in solidarity with their lecturers.
Initially, i posted that because I believe that the manner in which a government treats its civil servants is one of the many yard sticks that can be used to evaluate its competency.

When i posted that statement, i had no idea that it will generate so much interests amongst my Facebook friends, neither did i anticipate some insults from those whom we do not share the same views.

As the debate was raging over what I'd posted was raging on, a Marwala Gumbo Tawanda Brian got all emotional and took it to my inbox where he accused me of making fun of him on my wall post.

Annoyed by this behaviour and how he was getting personal, i told the him that no one forced him to comment on my post and that if the debate is fast becoming too much for him he should "just shut up." I also told him to stop messaging me and comment on my post and show the whole world how myopic and irrational he is. 

The Facebook message i received

I never anticipated the kinds of insults that followed this message. I assumed that he will be sensible enough and realise that it is totally unnecessary to get emotional over a Facebook post but alas! I only added fuel to a  raging fire.
This Brian guy literally called me an "MDC whore" and threatened to come after me for criticising the government.
Since i joine Facebook in 2010, id never encountered such hatespeech. This was my first time and i admit, it was an awefully scarey experince.
For a moment, i was shocked. I wondered where such insults and hate speech were emanating from. I had just been branded a "whore" for exercising my freedom of expression.
It was at this point that I realised that I was being threatened by an anonymous face for exercising my freedom of expression. It was at this very moment that it hit me that my life could be in danger and I was really scared. I dont know him but what does he know about me? What gives him the power to threaten me like this?
 Out of fear, i blocked the guy so that he may never see or comment on my Facebook post. But by the time i blocked him, it was too late as he had already posted another insult on my

I then went on an "unfriending spree" where i literally unfriended all my Facebook friends that use pseudo names and those that i do not know even though we share a lot of mutual friends.
But as soon as i'd accomplished  my mission, i realised that my efforts could have been in vain because if I am under surveillance, the person monitoring my online activities could be that one person that i least expect. But honestly, when will people learn that you just don't go around insulting people because you don't share the same view with them?
When will they learn that it is improper to insult people online?
When will they learn that hate speech never solves anything?
And since when does criticising the government constitute to being an MDC supporter or "whore"? Some things demand logic an the ability to approach certain issues objectively and the ability to put your emotions and political affiliations aside.
I refused to be intimidated.You may insult me all you want but i will continue toexercise my freedom of expression as enshrined by Section 61 of the Zimbabwean Constitution.

How Angelina Jolie's experience can help you fight cancer...

I was heartbroken when I learnt that Angeline Jolie had a surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes as a preventative measure against cancer?

In 2013, she underwent a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer and barely two years down the line, she has undergone another surgery to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. Just how much does one  have to go through to fight cancer?

Jolie and Pitt- CNN

Jolie, a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, carried a high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, hence her decision to undergo these surgeries. Her decision might sound extreme but cancer experts have said she is spot on.

Jolie's aunt, and grandmother all had ovarian cancer, and her mother had breast cancer as well. 

 Plus, Jolie who is 39 years old has a gene mutation of the BRCA1, that gives her about an 87% chance of getting breast and ovarian cancer sometime in her life. The decision to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes seemed the best course.

She first shared her experience on the 24th of March on The New York Times on her Diary of a Surgery

Having had her fallopian tubes and ovaries removed means that she cannot bear more children. However, Jolie already has six children, three whom are adopted.

Her decision to publicly share her story has resulted in women who share the same experience with Angeline, sharing their stories. It has also resulted in the "Angeline effect" which has seen an increased number of women in America going for genetic tests.

It has also sparked important conversations about women's health and some important decisions.

I am definate that you will conquer this battle and  Like you said " my children will never have to say: 'Mom died of ovarian cancer'."
In Zimbabwe, we may not have the necessary equipment to test for BRCA1, but you can be screened for breast and ovarian cancer around the country.

I encourage women in Zimbabwe and across the African continent, especially those with who have a family history of breast and ovarian cancer, to go for cancer screening so that cancer is detected whilst in the early stages. 
It is important that the disease is detected whilst in the early stages to increase your chances of successfully fighting cancer.

Free cervical cancer screening is done in government hospitals across the country. Visit you nearest hospital to find out how you may be assisted.
 The Zimbabwe Cancer Programme, does free cervical cancer screening offers Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC). Centres in Bulawayo include United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Mpopoma clinic, Mpilo Hospital and some private surgeries.

For more information about cervical cancer, you can read Dr Brighton Chireka's column on  the newzimbabwe website 
The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe also offers valuable education about all forms of cancer. You can visit their official Facebook page for more information.

Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble

Lungile Radu, presentin this years contestants- The Herald

I have never been a huge fan of Big Brother, let alone a fan of Big BrotherMzansi, whose season one premiered last year.

But when the second season  of Big Brother Mzansi premiered on DStv Channel on Sunday and Monday, it surely caught my attention.

Five couples were introduced on Sunday and the other five were introduced on Monday. 

This season theme is Double Trouble, and judging from the theme itself, the show promises more drama and nothing else but drama alone and is sure to get me and most Big Brother lovers glued to our seats 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This year’s contestants auditioned as pairs. They auditioned as boyfriends and girlfriends, friends, siblings, spouses, cousins, you name it.

Couple 4: "The exes"- Thembi and Adams Double Trouble- The Sowetan

One thing is certain for sure. By the end of this season, some would have lost their friends or lovers, others will strengthen ties, and others would exit the house stronger than ever, having strengthened their bonds during their stay in the Big Brother house.

This year’s big brother Mzansi is diverse, and with a total of twenty contestants living under one roof, drama will unfold, and so will cracks some relationships will also become apparent.

This year’s winners stand a chance to win a whooping two million Rands. the couples will however be split during evictions  because only individuals will be nominated.

To view the rest of the Double Trouble Contestants,  click here.

To vote for your favourite housemates, tune in to DStv Channel 198 and 199.

You can also follow the action on Twitter @BBMzansi or like the official Big Brother Mzansi Facebook Page.