Is it bold or foolish to build a career around what you love? The advice to follow your passion career or not, has sparked endless debate. For some, following your passion is a guiding light. For others, it feels like a luxury they cannot afford. Yet for Keleabetswe Langa, a creative South African who once believed her artistic gifts were just hobbies, choosing passion has been nothing short of transformational. Her story proves that your purpose might not be “out there” but quietly waiting within you.
Keleabetswe’s journey began in high school, where she would spend hours learning songs, writing plays and drawing, often staying up all night with a heart full of joy and not an ounce of fatigue. “Whenever I was creating,” she says, “I felt like a bird that was flying.” But like many South Africans, she believed these gifts were just that—gifts to enjoy in her spare time, not something you build a life around.
She studied for a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in International Relations and Public Policy at the University of Cape Town. She later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies with a focus on Entrepreneurship. Though her qualifications were valuable, there was a quiet, persistent longing: to live out her true purpose as an artist.
The “follow your passion” mantra is often presented as an all-or-nothing choice. But the truth is far more layered. Here are some unexpected pros and cons to consider as you navigate this deeply personal path.
Pro: Passion gives you stamina
When you are doing what you love, work feels lighter. Keleabetswe recalls staying up until dawn on arts projects without feeling drained. This kind of energy is hard to fake and even harder to sustain in careers driven only by obligation.
Bonus insight: Passion often drives excellence. When you care deeply, you naturally push boundaries and innovate. Employers notice this.
Con: Passion does not always pay straight away
Creative industries and purpose-driven work can take time to become financially sustainable. It can feel uncertain. Keleabetswe took a risk after graduation by applying for roles in media, not knowing where it would lead. There were no guarantees—only faith and courage.
Wise approach: Study. Skill up. Get real-world experience. These don’t kill your passion, they strengthen it. Your gifts are not fragile—they’re adaptable.
Pro: Purpose opens doors that no CV can
After committing her career to God in prayer, Keleabetswe landed an opportunity with the National Film and Video Foundation. She worked with an American producer and his wife, both highly accomplished. That role marked the start of her journey in the media space, affirming her sense of calling and reminding her that, truly, nothing is impossible with God.
What’s often overlooked: When you pursue purpose, you draw the right opportunities. Alignment matters. Purpose positions you.
Con: Passion can evolve
What excites you today might not be what sustains you ten years from now. That’s not failure—it’s growth. The idea that you must find one fixed passion can become a trap.
Try this instead: Follow what energises you and be open to how it shifts. The deeper theme—your desire to create, solve, uplift or lead—can take many forms.
Pro: Passion multiplies when shared
Keleabetswe writes, “I wish I had taken the risk sooner, the risk of using every gift inside of me for the benefit of others.” This is the power of choosing passion—it becomes more than personal fulfilment. It becomes a contribution.
Hidden truth: Passion is not selfish. When used wisely, it becomes a gift to others. Your calling is not just for you—it is often for your community, country and future employer.
So, follow your passion, career or not?
The answer lies somewhere in the tension between purpose and practicality. You do not have to pick one and abandon the other.
Instead:
Study something meaningful. Education builds options.
Identify what comes naturally and brings you joy.
Ask more profound questions about how your gifts can serve others.
Work hard. Pray harder.
Take small, consistent steps. That leap of faith often begins as a quiet decision.
Keleabetswe’s story is not just about finding a job she enjoys. It is about coming alive, trusting the gifts inside her and choosing to walk a road less travelled.
The world does not just need more graduates. It needs graduates who are alive to their purpose. Whether you're still in high school, freshly degreed or wondering what now, let this be your encouragement:
You are not a mistake, and neither are the gifts inside you. So, follow your passion, career or not, but do not ignore it.
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