35 Brilliant Bonang Matheba Quotes on Self & Work
“When you get to a certain age, you need to ask yourself what you want out of life. You can achieve whatever it is you want to achieve.” – Bonang Matheba
Bonang “Queen B” Matheba is a media personality, television and radio presenter and a successful business woman in South Africa. She started building her great career from the age of 15.
Her Big Break: Bonang Matheba earned her first big presenting role in 2007 at the age of 20.
Before this role came along, Bonang had been rejected by several shows. To make things worse, she had to audition 5 times for her first big presenting role before she got it.
Despite being rejected several times, Bonang kept trying and refused to take ‘no’ as a final answer. In celebration of her resilience and persistence, here are some of her most brilliant quotes.
Table of Contents
Bonang Matheba quotes on success and work ethic
- “Success comes from consistency, authenticity and being yourself.”
- “Focus on yourself, your dreams, your goals and your ambitions.”
- “Every job is important. Every pay cheque is important.”
- “You need time, planning, consistency and focus.”
- “If you are honest, thorough and professional, people will listen to you.”
Bonang’s new film/ documentary
In 2019, Bonang Matheba released Public Figure, a film/ documentary that she co-produced. The film/ documentary (Public Figure) investigates the lives of influencers (including Bonang) from around the world, as well as the psychological and addictive effects of Social Media in today’s society. You can buy Bonang’s film here.
Bonang Matheba quotes on self-improvement and hard work
- “To be good, you need to learn from the best.”
- “You have to want to do better than yesterday.”
- “Find something that forces you to be a better version of yourself.”
- “Find ways to grow and stay relevant.”
- “The only way to get the good things in life is to work very hard.”
Bonang Matheba’s Book
In 2018, Bonang Matheba released “From A to B”, a book about her rise to the top. You can buy the second edition of Bonang’s book here.
Bonang Matheba Quotes on self-awareness and handling negativity
- “Sometimes, people mistake quietness for stupidity.”
- “Find your centre, ignore the noise and do your own thing.”
- “Return hate with love. Kill them with kindness and bury them with success.”
- “Don’t leave loose ends. Finish what you start.”
- “It’s important to know what you’re good at, and what you’re not good at.”
Bonang Matheba quotes on starting and taking chances
- “What you want to achieve, start with you.”
- “Do what you can with the little that you have.”
- “Dream big, write it down and work towards your dream every day.”
- “Shoot your shot. Take a chance. “
- “If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”
Bonang Matheba quotes on responsibility
- “No one owes you anything.”
- “Your success is your own personal responsibility.”
- “Your parents don’t have to help you.”
- “Waiting for somebody to come help you is dangerous.”
- “Remove delusions of grandeur and stop being self-entitled. Do some actual work.”
Bonang Matheba quotes on women, marriage and men
- “Men are threatened by a lot of things.”
- “A man’s ego is the tiniest thing in the world.”
- “A marriage is about sacrifice, selflessness and consideration for your partner and children.”
- “Building a family means that you can’t always do what you want to do.”
- The world is ready for women and their stories. The world is ready to hear what women have to say.
Bonang Matheba’s Positive Affirmations
- “I celebrate myself.”
- “I am a peaceful person.”
- “I am very strong.”
- “I know what I want and I am firm.”
- “I am a woman who knows herself.”
Related Post: 20 Bold Bonang Matheba Quotes
Quotes adapted from Bonang Matheba interview on Real Goboza. Photo Credit: Bonang Matheba Twitter – https://twitter.com/bonang_m
I am currently in Grade 12.I want to pursue a career in media(acting) and business and Marketing , I come from a disadvantaged village called “Delportshoop” In the Northern Cape. I’d like you guys to help me with a thing or two as how to get to the media industry and so on. Delportshoop is full of people that lost hope in dreams and ambitions and the poverty line is high not talking about the unemployment rate. I believe I can make a change in my hometown. I’d really appreciate your help, I got all the motivation from Miss Bonang Matheba as she’s my role model and I want to thank her for that.
Hey Dimakatso! Thanks for sharing. If you plan on going to university or college next year, make sure you apply for what you love and what you’re good at (e.g. media studies). But, if you can’t afford to go to university or college, don’t worry. The world has changed and technology is making things easier and better (for those who are willing to put in the work). Today, anyone with an internet connection can ‘make it big’ even if they don’t have a degree. Look at Bonang, she chose to pursue a career over getting a degree and it paid off big time. Here’s how Bonang’s career started: (1) she enrolled for presenting classes while in high-school (which she went to after school); (2) she got a casting agency to represent and guide her through the industry requirements and (3) she went to many auditions until she struck it rich. You can do it too! I believe in you! The best part is that you can learn everything you need to know via the internet. I’d recommend using YouTube to learn how to become a great presenter, actor and public speaker. You can also get a Udemy course on this (Udemy has ~R100 specials from time to time). Then, create a portfolio by starting a YouTube channel. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it is great for practising what you have learned. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. The best part is that all of this can be done from your phone. If you work better in a group setting, you can get a group of your friends who are interested in the same thing and you can do this together. I’ll be here cheering you on! Shout if you need help. Xoxo, Ofentse
This is an important part of every girl who is growing, this is essential for us women as beings of this world and knowing when to really strike resiliently in the world that is somewhat threatened by our existence. I was looking for a job and a man was a manager as per patriarchal dominance tradition and I could see right through him how threatened he was when I introduced myself to him and what I do as if i wasn’t supposed to hold it as prestige as it is cause what I am studying is not just a qualification but a part of who I am, what I am passionate about, what I truly believe as a God-granted gift.
The place was so empty and in my visions I felt that my presence can create that zest of vibrations because I am a very outgoing person. I love hosting, broadcasting generally bringing the light towards something that seems to have remained in the dark forever. The place was in Sandton, right in the same complex as Lexi’s eatery opposite the 94.7 building. I was dismissed right away just after confessing that I don’t have a tangible c.v but a digital one and I can take their email and send it through.
The guy thought I was being smart with them and did not understand that times have totally changed. To cut the long story short I left the place and remembered that patience is virtue. I may not get what I currently want which is capital to begin some of the projects I long to create but by far I am heading to a much better state of my own career as I already have the courage to not present myself as small to fit the corporate status quo but enter as a celebration of who I truly am bountifully.
This is to keep passing the bait of never allowing us women to be in situations that make us seem like we should always submit to a man’s tiniest egos, just so they can feel dominant in our presence. There’s a yin a yang and that’s an ancient strong depiction of great harmony we should be in not in the 80% – 20% level of mindset most men created in various industries just because of their patriarchal dominance.
Yours faithfully
Khanyisile Mamojele
Thanks for sharing your story, Khanyi. It’s so unfortunate that misogyny and patriarchy are the order of the day in our society. You’re right, women are powerful beings and there are men who struggle with accepting that fact but that’s their problem. I love how you know and embrace your strengths! Keep that fire! Keep that passion, gurl! Just like Queen B, your resilience will make ay for you because you, my dear sister, are destined for greatness. Xoxo, Ofentse
I am currently in grade 10. I want to pursue a career in media(acting), business and I wanna be a Self Employed Lawyer, I live at Mahlasedi Park but originally from a village called “Ga-Matlala (Juno)” In Limpopo (Polokwane). Seeing A lot of people unemployment in my neighborhood really made me realise that I have to work hard to pursue my dreams in my career. I am really into fashion so I wanna open a fashion boutique and Bonang’s Style really inspires me alot. So I’ve started saving my pocket money so that it’s not difficult for me to get capital to start my boutique. I’ve been going for drama lessons so that I have an experience in drama and it shouldn’t be difficult for me to get in the acting industry. And I’ve been making researches about law so that I can have more knowledge about it. I really believe I can achieve my goals, and Bonang Matheba has been my role model since and I appreciate having people like her on the media. And I go by the motive…“Do what you can with the little that you have.” &
“Your success is your own personal responsibility.” By Bonang Matheba.
Hi Thando, thank you for sharing your story. I am rooting for you to achieve all your goals and dreams. You’ve got this! Like Bonang said, “Dream big, write it down and work towards your dream every day”. Go forward and conquer, girl! Xoxo, Ofentse
Hello I am Vero orginally from Limpopo but currently in Pretoria growing up i used to stand in the mirror and talk to myself (TILL TODAY I STILL DO THAT).I would create wonderful stories some of them i took them from a storie on the FM radio called Ikhwekhwezi FM..we had no tv so i listened to that.before i moved to pta i wasnt exposed to poetry . I moved to pta i got to a knew school in town .I had an assimgment (i was in gr 3) to master a poem and present in in class on a certain day ,i only got my mom”s assistant when i learned it and able to say .i got to class that day and i said my english teacher was impressed to a point were she asked my principal to listen to me .She was delighted and made me join the pretoria speech festival and i got a goldplus competing with other talented young poets .basically i always wanted to a media influrncer and public speaker ,but i hided tht cause of the religous family i grew in .when i was asked what i want to become when i grow up i woud say an CA or pharmacist .but today i want to become a pharmacist and a media influencer .Being on media framed as the best pharmacist and media influencer .Now you i probably wondering why am i writing all of this i want to start a business as a teenager that will help me to get sponsorship from any company and brand so i can work my way up to the media industry without having to study for it.And also having to act for a play or series.This will help me to be able to build my own shows through experience for working as an actress.I am asking for assistance on what i can do please kindly email ur reply
Hi Vero 🌟
Thank you so much for sharing your story — I loved reading it! You clearly have a powerful gift for storytelling and a big dream, and I’m so proud of you for being brave enough to say it out loud 👏🏾
Here’s my simple advice to get you started:
Start small and start now – Use your phone to record short videos where you speak, tell stories, or act. Post them on TikTok or Instagram. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.
Pick a name for your brand – Something fun, catchy, and true to you. Use it across your platforms so people start to remember you.
Tell your story often – Just like you did in this comment. Brands and sponsors love to support people with a clear dream and purpose.
Ask for help – Keep reaching out like you did here. Maybe start a page where people can follow your journey or even donate (like a Patreon or a simple Instagram page with your vision pinned).
Balance your goals – If you want to study pharmacy, do it! But also give yourself space to grow in media too. You don’t have to choose just one.
You’ve got something special, and if you stay consistent, people will notice. I believe in you! 💫
With love,
Ofentse