Onkarabile Mokoto (37), a resident from Tshepisong, recently published a new body of work titled Don’t Quit Your Job Yet, which reflects on unemployment issues in the country, while also providing insight on profiting from side hustles and passions while working a full-time job.
The author of nine books and public speaker was born in Mahikeng, North-West, and moved to Johannesburg in 2003 to pursue his music passion, and says that people tend to quit their jobs with the hopes of monetising on their gifts, passions, purpose or side hustles – leaving most frustrated when they realise that these ‘side-hustles’, as he puts it – cannot pay the bills.
“A lot of people are quick to quit their daytime job and venture into other projects while they are not ready or stable, and this tends to demotivate people in the pursuit of their dreams,” Onkarabile said.
Onkarabile, who currently works as a waiter at a hotel in Sandton – is always ready to lend a helping hand to his community, and always strives to provide a solution to a problem – he says that the idea manifested from his past mistakes, and as a reflection on his personal life which placed him at a point where he felt the need to empower others.
While other written works encourage people to quit their occupation should they wish to follow their ultimate passions, this book acknowledges the fact that a full-time job is ‘but a means of survival and not necessarily living’.
While the book also encourages people to do what they love, he notes that is important for people to work to a point where they cannot work anymore, only then should they proceed to other avenues, knowing that their bills are taken care of.
“I always encourage people to say that there is a life beyond your passions. Treat your job as a blessing, especially in our current economy. I know it is not easy working for someone,” he said.
He attributes the high levels of unemployment in South Africa to ‘graduates being too choosy’ of the projects they wish to undertake, therefore leaving the gap in the job market.
The book is available to the public and can be obtained from Onkarabile, who can be reached on 084 841 6104.
