BONA, derived from the Zulu greeting to a multitude of people, 'Sanibona' - directly translated as 'we see you' - forms the premise of this publication, by Tebo Mpanza
‘Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.’ – Tom Stoppard
This is my 10th entry. It’s not 100 or 1,000, but it feels like something—a start, a small milestone to me. Does this make me a writer? I’m not sure about claiming titles and all that. I know writers—trained, skilled and experienced writers. I wouldn’t put myself in that club.
James Dowd, in Write Dumb, says: ‘To be a writer you must write. Writing takes simplicity, care, and unique and personal experiences. It takes time, not talent.’ That’s the part I’ve been thinking over—it takes time, not talent. Maybe that’s the key. Maybe writing isn’t about titles or accolades but about showing up, putting pen to paper (in this case finger to trigger), and letting the words do the work.
When I started this Substack, I wasn’t trying to build a platform or grow another thing. That’s exhausting. In fact, I feel tired even now writing that. I just wanted to write down thoughts that my son might one day read—things his father was thinking about around the time of his birth and beyond. I didn’t know if I’d stick with it, or if anyone would read it, let alone resonate with it.
But I’m glad I started.
Starting something new is daunting. You feel the weight of the gaps in your skills, the voices already out there, ‘what if this, what if that’. What if I don’t have anything to say? What if no one cares? Dowd’s advice comes back to me: ‘Simplify your thinking, calm your ego, strip away external forces, and write.’
These 10 entries, among other things over the years, have taught me that showing up matters more than having everything figured out. That clarity often comes in the doing, not the waiting. That sharing—even when it feels messy or incomplete—can lead to connection, maybe even healing.
What’s surprised me most is you. Some of you have sent messages, shared your own reflections, and encouraged me to keep going. It’s reminded me that we all carry something. We all have stories—even when they feel tangled or unresolved. Sharing them—writing them down—can make space for clarity, connection, and perspective.
This isn’t about writing the perfect entry, or even getting it all right. If I waited for that, I’d never do anything. It’s about trying. Trying something different, putting something out into the world, and seeing how and where it lands.
So whether you’ve been here from the start or you’re jumping in now, thank you. Thank you for reading, for reflecting, and for reminding me that words matter. I don’t know about nudging the world, but maybe BONA so far can be the nudge you need to start something, anything. Start by starting.
And shoutout to my readers in Texas and Florida.
You're here, you're writing. You're a Writer.
This is awesome to see. Keep at it -- don't overthink!!!