Book review 16: Coming in From the Cold Bonang Francis Mohale 

Coming in From the Cold by Ntate Bonang Mohale is one of the birthday gifts I bought myself. I believe one of the greatest forms of self love is investing in yourself and knowledge remains one of the greatest investments anyone can make. 

I have been eyeing this book since last October. Coming in From the Cold is Bonang Mohale’s third published book and I made a promise to myself that I would read it before the end of 2026. Personally, it  is one of the best books I have read this year. 

I have developed a growing passion for following African leaders and reading about leadership. The opportunity to learn from African leaders is never wasted. Ntate Bonang’s book is one of many that affirm my belief that ethical leadership is rooted in the principles that govern one’s life. Leadership indeed is a responsibility,  not a possession and is evident throughout Ntate Bonang’s life. 

From a young age, Ntate Bonang understood what leadership meant. He  took up photography as a young man to help support his family. Leadership was never merely a title for him; it shaped how he lived his life. This is what true leadership should entail– the willingness to put others first and to live a life of purpose. 

As an emerging leader, reading Coming in From the Cold  challenged  me immensely. It  confronts the difficult realities of leadership and reminds us that creating a positive impact requires continuous inner work. To positively influence others while simultaneously working on yourself , in itself, something worth celebrating. 

What stands out most in Ntate Bonang’s life is not simply the positions he has held, but the positive influence he has had on society. Of the many lessons his book offers, the one that resonates with me most is the importance of positive influence. 

One of the areas where Ntate Bonang has made a lasting contribution is education. 

Education is a significant sector that is gradually being overlooked by young people and at times, by society itself. Rising youth unemployment has left many graduates frustrated and disillusioned. South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis has contributed to growing youth disengagement, leading many to question whether education is still worth pursuing.  

“Is education worth the investment?” has become a common question across social media platforms. 

Ntate Bonang reminds us why education continues to matter.  

During colonialism and apartheid, legislation such as the Bantu Education Act deliberately limited the intellectual development of black South Africans. Access to quality education was unequal and curricula were designed to prepare black learners for lives of labour rather than leadership. Education became a tool of exclusion, while legislation was used to silence ideas and restrict intellectual freedom. 

Although apartheid legislation was dismantled in the 1990s and democracy transformed access to education, many structural inequalities remain. 

Higher education continues to play a critical role in transforming post-apartheid South Africa. Its  value extends far beyond preparing people for the labour market. It equips individuals to reshape narratives within their communities, develop solutions to social challenges and inspire hope. 

Higher education is the birthplace of  pioneers. It provides the knowledge that enables us to contribute meaningfully to society, whether through entrepreneurship, public service, research, innovation or community leadership.  Education has the power to help shape our destinies. 

Pursuing higher education should never be interpreted as a guarantee of an easy life. Rather, it should equip us with the knowledge, critical thinking and resilience needed to pursue our purpose. When employment opportunities become limited, education should encourage us to ask a different question: How can I use what I have learned to contribute meaningfully to society?  

This is what Ntate Bonang accomplishes so powerfully in Coming in From the Cold. He challenges young people to view education not as the end of a journey, but as the beginning of a purposeful life.  

Thank you, Ntate Bonang for reminding me that education remains one of the greatest investments we can make. Education has opened doors, broadened my perspective and exposed me to opportunities. I would have never experienced otherwise.  I may not yet be where I hope to be, but I am who I am today because of education. 

I look forward to reading all your books, continuing to show up and using education to help transform lives

Your book has left a lasting impact on me and I sincerely hope to meet you one day Ntate Bonang.

Thank you for writing and thank you for your life. 

Khuphuka Mohale!

Book 16 of 2026 

Powerful and life changing read.

Phiwe Mncwabe is a pan-African storyteller, blogger and founder of Botlhale Hub Afrika.

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