My name is Lindiwe Bonolo Falla. I go by the name Lindi to most of my friends, but my family and friends call me Bonolo. In the 19 years of my life I’m proud to say I’m a prosperous dynamic young lady whom the world should be ready for.
Getting to this point in my life has proved to be a tough, troublesome and heartbreaking journey, but the fact that I made it to this point gives me more strength to go the extra mile to prove not only negative people, but me, the most important person to myself. I was born in 1990 in Sebokeng hospital, and already then, my life was not easy. My mother was told to wait for the doctor to come in the next morning as none of the nurses could help. She was alone until a nurse did all she could to help my mom give birth to me.
A strong family structure:
The first two years of my life I spent living with my whole family. Grandparents, who lived with all their children, from both my mother’s and father’s side. After my parents got their own place in a suburb in 1992, I believe that, that was when I discovered my own identity, because living with grandparents meant my cousins and I were a unit. When one got in trouble we all got punished. My parents tried their hardest to make things smooth for us, all the while not spoiling me and my siblings. We always knew that a hiding is always waiting for us if we are out of line.
Throughout my school years I always wanted the best, grades, clothes and of course best if not popular groups. Even though that was the case I didn’t really work hard enough, I didn’t want to follow fashion trends, and if I ever felt uncomfortable with friends or had to take any decisions where I had to compromise myself, I was always ready to leave. This gave me the idea that I never knew what I really wanted back then.
When I was young I saw my father abuse my mother once, and that was the first time I realised harsh realities of life. My mother didn’t just accept it and drown in her own tears, and that was the first time I realised that though a man is the head of a family, a woman still has a voice and being victim is a choice.
I studied Development studies at the University of Johannesburg, the institution was fine, Jo’burg was okay, but inside I felt like I was obligated to be there, nothing made sense. There were times I felt numb from everything I was keeping inside myself. I worked at UJ FM and that was when I realised development was not for me. The North West University became my new home. I live at in a vibrant residence, where anything and everything is possible. I’ve been here for eight months and from this environment I have learnt to dream again and I’ve found my voice. I am dusting my wings because I am planning to fly straight to the top.
Hard work, passion and a good work ethic can only empower the youth. My passion is music, dancing and the media in general, hence I’m studying towards a BA communications degree. I have performed on stages with the likes of Mo Molemi and entered a number of competitions including the Shield teens Dance Challenge. I have recently been selected as a vice-chairperson of the North West University dance club, and approached many more offers.
Shyness is not something I possess, but humility is. From this point, I plan to own a production company which I have already started planning with my prospective partners and I also want a clothing line for dynamic youth. Accepting situations because I have no choice is something I don’t believe in. being a designer sometimes means pleasing people or even following trends, I have never been good at following trends and I don’t plan on doing so now.
I believe that I’m a good representative for anyone who is not scared of a challenge, who defies the odds and carries on aiming for the goal that nobody believes in. As far as my future plans go, I am not expecting to get there easily with no struggle and disappointments. I want to be able to look back and say wow, God has carried me a great deal. and my hard work has paid off.
Of all my dreams though, I dream of the day the youth doesn’t just dream, but work on their dreams and do all they can (that’s within the law!) to get there. I want to use Montshepetja to emancipate women, in specifics, and of course it will be my first step in progressing towards my future dreams mentioned above.
3 Comments until now.
LINDI IT IS CONSICUOUS THAT YOU HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE RIGHT AHEAD OF YOU. I AM IN LOVE WITH YOUR REAMS AND TRUST THAT YOU ARE TOO WITH YOUR DREAMS.
Bonolo I have to say that this is a very touching or moving story of your life. Touching in a sense that; it is not cosmetic but very real, it reflects the experiences that most of us encounter almost everyday. It helps a lot to learn about other people’s encounters and dreams in life or with regard to the things they care most about. Education is broad, sometimes we hold great knowledge within ourselves that we are not aware of until we learn to engage with other people on the issues that affects us, issues that keep us awake all night and that is then where realization takes place. I have heard that to realize is fortune.
By going through the above passage on your life I have realized that I have also died a lot of times inside. Dying inside in the sense that the activities that used to give me pleasure and comfort became dull to me. I am grateful that you eventually found what was good for you career wise. A lot of people out here {University of Limpopo} and out there are victims of some other people’s dreams and aspirations, maybe their parents or Peers. It is true that people can die from the inside and still manage to carry on living with that fixed empty smile on their face as a result of holes in their souls. But for how long can one afford to go on living without internal happiness? I conclude that not for long, soon you just breakdown. As you have said one chooses to be a victim in certain instances. Our emancipation is our choice- that is one of the indirect attributes of a democratic dispensation.
I am also glad that you intend to use Montshepetja as your weapon in waging a war on, inter alia, the unfair treatment of women in our communities. Good luck with that, we are here to support each other surely we will support you all the way.
The other interesting part of your life is that you are not shy and that you are also into performing arts. You are a dynamic young lady for real. Good luck with your dreams and ambitions and remember your words; “Hard work, passion and a good work ethic can only empower the youth.” Lastly welcome to the special hall of ‘My Inspirations’.
WELCOME BACK KABELO, LONG TIME NO CHAT AT ALL. FACT, HER STORY IS TOUCHING AND DRIVING AT THE SAME TIME. WOULDN’T WANT TO EXPLOIT IT BY COMMENTING FURTHER THAN THAT.
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