Local youth redefine success: embracing passion over convention

A new generation of local youth are breaking free from traditional career paths to pursue their passions. They are carving out unique identities in a landscape traditionally dominated by corporate employment. Monishka Govender spoke to three trailblazers - aged from 23 to 31 - who have defied societal expectations to pursue their dreams.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

Shaun Mahabeer, a former business intelligence analyst, left the corporate world two years ago to pursue his passion to become a life coach, using social media to show his journey.

The 31-year-old was born in Greytown, where he spent the first 18 years of his life before he studied at the University of Cape Town. He now lives in Johannesburg.

“My career has never been a straight line. I've worked in multiple roles across different industries and business sizes. Through it all, I’ve gained a broad skill-set that I continue to use in various combinations today.

“I didn’t really leave any career. I just evolved. I chose to move away from work that felt out of alignment with my truth. In 2022, it was that clarity that gave rise to my coaching business.”

Mahabeer is now a spiritual and life coach.

“I help people who feel stuck in the wrong life to pivot into clarity, courage and peace. I launched my coaching business in 2022, took a pause in 2024 to explore other opportunities, and resumed after my audience on TikTok began to grow and ask for guidance. That’s when I created Total Freedom Coaching.

“My business is an online coaching practice. I work primarily via Zoom with clients around the world. My work is focused on guiding people through identity shifts, mindset work, and deep inner alignment. I offer three coaching paths.”

He said his inspiration to change careers was due to the corporate world not making him happy.

“To be honest, conventional careers have never appealed to me. They often reflect someone else’s idea of safety, success or identity. I’ve never wanted to be like everyone else. I wanted to be myself, fully and unapologetically.

“My current path was always the way it was meant to go. It’s just that I found this way later in my life, compared to those that are raised to follow their dreams.”

He came to the revelation during his second corporate job.