The internet is a double edged sword as it has brought with it both the good and the bad. The bad part includes cyber bullying. Cyber bullying has been made possible by social media as many say the most vile things hiding behind the keyboard, keyboard warriors. Scandal!’s Lindiwe, Nomvelo Makhanya, has been on the receiving end of cyber bullying.
Scandal’s Lindiwe has had individuals say the most heartbreaking things about her online, particularly in 2019. It all got so bad Scandal! had to speak about it and address it on their social media platforms. However, Nomvelo Makhanya has risen above it and is all the wiser for having overcome cyber bullying. This is what she had to say to Drum about it;
“There h!as been a lot of growth since then. I have grown a thick skin because when you are in this industry people can be vile and I have since learnt not to take everything that people say about me on social media too personally. try to engage with people when I can. But if I can see the conversation is not going to be fruitful or the person is just rude then I walk away. Also, nje as a person, ngiyashesha uxola (I forgive easily). I have learnt that forgiveness is not about the other person, but it is about you. So I let things go. Imagine if I held on to it all, I would be a very bitter person.”
Scandal!’s Lindiwe speaks out on bullying
Part of her strength in dealing with bullies stems from the fact that she has been dealing with bullies for a very long time.
“I was bullied about my head a lot in high school and they also bullied me about my voice saying I could not single. So when that cyber bullying happened, it just took me back there. I have to unlearn a lot of things and what I can say is that I know that I am beautiful. It makes me feel so good that other young people can heal through what I experienced and that they can work on their insecurities and get better. So I am happy about turning poison into medicine. I have learnt that when a person bullies you, it is often less about you and more about them. Now I have learnt not to entertain everything I see on the socials.”
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