A Seed Grown into a Flower

By Ntombozuko Bota

“I am a peaceful and glorified WOMAN – uNtombozuko, who has grown into a flower.”

Growing up, the author had to face the harshest realities of being raised by a single parent - her heroine, umamam, iqhawekazi – uMama. She is now her proud seed that has risen above the hardships to become a beautiful flower.
This book is written about different seeds that collectively made the author HATE HERSELF, love herself and work on herself.

Every chapter in the book describes a seed that has grown into a flower (the author’s thoughts into chapters) - thoughts that resulted in paragraphs on each chapter, including the good, the bad and the ugly – everything that led her to being the pretty, unique flower that she is today.

The chapters give insight into who the author is and why she is the way she is. Readers may see themselves through her eyes and recognise those parts deep down that have moulded them into who they are.
The words and the book as a whole, were empowered by everyone around the author: family and friends - from childhood to today. The love and support she received in her journey of self-hate, built this proud woman she is today - who is still a work in progress.

The book is everything that the author wrote on her “notes” app. and she thus challenges and encourages everyone to turn their thoughts and writing into a beautiful thing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ntombozuko Bota
• Release date: Feb 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005487836

Ntombozuko Bota

Philanthropist • Founder & CEO: The HOPE Foundation • Motivational Speaker • Financial Accounting Graduate • Project Coordinator • Heart of Gold Competition Winner • Published Author: A Seed Grown Into A Flower • Ubuntu Ambassador • Award Winning Tutor & Peer Educator

Book preview

A Seed Grown Into a Flower

Ntombozuko Bota

Copyright © 2021 Ntombozuko Bota

Published by Ntombozuko Bota Publishing at Smashwords

First edition 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Ntombozuko Bota using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Caroline Webb for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Ntombozuko Bota

[e-mail]

This book is my journey to self-love, my experiences, my scars and pain that made the journey painful, but with a happy conclusion.

This book is for any young person on a journey of self-discovery. It is for anyone who lives with no hope and who has forgotten or does not know their purpose in life.

It is for anyone who needs hope, encouragement and courage to continue believing in themselves and working on their dreams.

This book is my answer to everyone who had questions about why I did (and do) everything that I do. It is my explanation to those who think I had it easy in life. It is my lows and highs experienced in just 21 years.

It is also an open letter of gratitude to my family, whom I cannot thank enough.

Table of Contents

About the Author

1. My Token of Appreciation

2. Looking Honestly at Myself

3. Finding Strength in Weakness

4. My Precious Name: Ntombozuko

5. My Night Best Friend

6. High School and My Push

7. We All Learn Differently

8. Finding and Being at Peace

9. Building Something

10. Support

Dear Friends

My Dearest Father

This book is my journey to self-love, my experiences, my scars and pain that made the journey painful, but with a happy conclusion.

This book is for any young person on a journey of self-discovery. It is for anyone who lives with no hope and who has forgotten or does not know their purpose in life.

It is for anyone who needs hope, encouragement and courage to continue believing in themselves and working on their dreams.

This book is my answer to everyone who had questions about why I did (and do) everything that I do. It is my explanation to those who think I had it easy in life. It is my lows and highs experienced in just 21 years.

It is also an open letter of gratitude to my family, whom I cannot thank enough.

About the Author

I was born on the 24th of June 1999 in Cofimvaba in the heart of the Eastern Cape. It was a Thursday, 15 minutes apart from my twin brother, Zukisani. We were premature.

My father was Mphatheli Bota, who passed away when I was two years old. I have two older siblings – Hlumela and Zolani – and we were raised by our mother, Pumza, in a loving and open family.

In my short life so far, I have graduated with a Financial Accounting degree and been an ubuntu ambassador, philanthropist and inspirational speaker. I have been a mentor, tutor and peer educator, and volunteered selflessly to help others. I have a strong passion for giving back to the community.

I started this journey of writing on my phone when I was 18, recording my life experiences and thoughts. I created a WhatsApp contact who was a ‘ghost’ so that I could write to ‘her’. It is that WhatsApp correspondence which grew into this book.

At the age of 17, I founded an NPO named The HOPE Foundation, with the aim of adding hope to the hopeless souls by being a dedicated person and acting as a link between sponsors and people in need. Today, The HOPE Foundation provides donation services to children at different orphanage homes in Cape Town and surrounding areas. In this way, my heart of gold has touched the lives of thousands of people.

Chapter 1

My Token of Appreciation

I’ve gone to donate new pairs of jeans while I was wearing torn jeans.

I’ve gone to buy food for someone while I didn’t have any food to eat.

I’ve gone the extra mile to provide for someone