For the one who taught me that ideas are meant to be followed
Julian Arthur Thom led a remarkable life.
A gymnast, musician, storyteller, mayor of Phalaborwa (now Ba-Phalaborwa), visionary builder, quiet rebel, husband, father, grandfather – the best grandfather.
He wasn’t perfect, but he was the most alive and interesting person, my person. Always onto something. Always building, writing, planning. He had a way of lighting a fire under your quiet ideas. Start something. Believe in something.
He didn’t just live – he crafted his life, one wild idea at a time.
And he did it without waiting for permission.
When I think about what it means to follow your passion – to truly live in a way that’s creative, intuitive, soul-led – I think of him. He fearlessly chased ideas, even when they didn’t make sense to others. And when something didn’t work, he didn’t spiral – he pivoted. With humour. With curiosity. Onto the next.
I recently stumbled across some of his old notes – bits of paper where he’d left traces of his inner world. Among them, on a newspaper cutting, his campaign slogan from his time in office leapt off the page: “Prosperity Through Thrift.”
It wasn’t just a catchy slogan – it was how he lived. He made beautiful, wonderful things with very little.
But he wasn’t just resourceful – he was intentional. He noticed things. Taught me to love the feel of soil, and to pay attention to the smallest details. To laugh at myself and to not take life too seriously. He taught me patience – although I’m still learning that one.
Most of all, he taught me to trust the unknown.
To lean into the strange, the what-ifs.
To follow the pull, even if no one else gets it.
The Julian of it all is something I carry with me – especially on days when doubt creeps in, or the world feels too small, too rushed, too painfully ordinary. On those days, I ask:
What would Julian do?
And the answer is usually some version of:
- Plant the seed, even if you’re not sure it’ll grow.
- Build the thing, even if no one’s watching.
- Follow your instincts, not the blueprint.
- Be curious and brave enough to try.
This isn’t just an homage to my grandfather – it’s a reminder. We don’t need perfect plans or glossy labels. We need the courage to be curious. To make things. To trust our own rhythm, even if it’s wildly off-beat.
So here’s to Julian. And to all of us who are trying to live with a little more fire, a little less fear.
Because life isn’t about doing what makes sense on paper.
It’s about following what lights you up.
Even if it’s waaaay out there.
Especially then.