The Unapologetic Pursuit Of Multiple Passions | Nkateko Masinga | TEDxPretoria

Remember the first time you were asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Most people think you only have one choice, one passion you can pursue.
In this thought provoking talk by Nkateko Masinga, she explores the link between occupation and identity and the liberating journey of following multiple dreams. Nkateko Masinga is a medical student, poet, author, publisher and theatre actress from Pretoria. Her poetry is published in U.S journal Illuminations and is forthcoming in UK pamphlet press Pyramid Editions in 2018. She is published in Malawi's Nthanda Review, Nigeria's Ake Review, the University of Edinburgh's Dangerous Women Project and is profiled in South African journals Poetry Potion, Any Body Zine, Ja. Magazine and Guillotine Magazine.
In 2015, her work was shortlisted for the ‘Respond’ Human Rights Poetry Award 2015/2016, organized by the United Human Rights Student Network. In 2017 she was a finalist for the 4th Crystal Ruth Bell Residency in Beijing, China. She is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society for outstanding academic achievements.
Nkateko is the director of NSUKU Publishing Consultancy, a company she started to assist aspiring writers to get their work published. She has also written and published three poetry collections of her own.
In August 2017, she founded Pass The Mic, a platform for women in the arts to produce work telling their stories on their own terms.
She has performed in two theatre productions: 'Beautiful Scary Things' (Joburg Theatre, May 2016) and 'Deceived' (SA State Theatre, September 2017) This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 81

  • @cyndrianaa
    @cyndrianaa2 жыл бұрын

    I'm into...reading books, writing, self-development, spirituality, blogging, traveling, yoga, learning languages, photography, philosophy, psychology, playing the piano, dancing, editing, nature & animals AND I couldn't settle for just one thing.

  • @kw1archie

    @kw1archie

    2 жыл бұрын

    Omg this is exactly the passion list that I have! The same 😱 hello twin

  • @cyndrianaa

    @cyndrianaa

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@kw1archie hiiiii, wow that's so cool, sometimes I feel alone with my hundred thousands passions

  • @kw1archie

    @kw1archie

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@cyndrianaa haha! You’re definitely not alone now ☺️ - I always thought I was the only one too. Everybody made me always feel like my multiple passions was a bad thing :(

  • @cyndrianaa

    @cyndrianaa

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@kw1archie Yes, me too. I've been told it's unhealthy and "messy" and that I should just choose one or two. But I believe it's a waste, we humans are able to do so many things so why should we limit ourselves. Keep it up!

  • @RealTv1111

    @RealTv1111

    Жыл бұрын

    I play video games, like to learn new instruments, make songs, practice spanish, philosophy, psychology, graphic design, 3d animation, cod montages, spirituality, boxing/mma, editing, photography, writing, self-development, nature & animals, music videos, traveling. Struggling to find my self.

  • @masha_fera
    @masha_fera5 ай бұрын

    I wanted to become many things in my life: an artist, a writer, a scientist, an architect, a psychologist, a movie director, a VFX artist, a news anchor, a reporter, a professional athlete and so on. I could never focus on one thing, until now. I'm now doing my master's degrees in journalism and am working on becoming a fitness trainer and stuntwoman at the same time. And I also plan to write books at some point in my life. It's exhausting to be like this and you always feel like a freak and as if you don't belong in this world. Everyone else seems to have this one passion in their life which they are good at. Just one thing to focus on... But I can't. This TED Talk made me feel less alone with my struggle.

  • @thru-4061

    @thru-4061

    4 күн бұрын

    Same here 😶

  • @Baucelion
    @Baucelion Жыл бұрын

    I remember my teachers saying to my parents: your son will be great at whatever he decides to do. My parents received that notice with great joy. The thing is I cannot choose just one thing to do. I am philosophy graduate (the most general field of knowledge in which you study from literature to science) that wants to be a good writer, a good painter, a good martial artist... And I find myself having great ideas for things I will never be able to do because I don't have the skill (for example, ideas regarding to films). In the end I've come to terms with myself and accepted that it's not about to excel, it's about what you get along the way. I envy those that say "stick to what you want and don't stop until you get it". I cannot really stick since as I grow I find more and more passions. I'd love to go under a math graduate, learn a few languages (chinese amng them), record a hip hop album... But it's not possible. It's in my nature. I won't be in the history of great whatevers, but why should I care if I only got my life to live and won't get any profit of being in the list of famous personalities... So, go on and play and be creative. And don't let anyone tell you you are too old for whatever. My joy is to look back and remember my paintings, my writings, my photografies and be proud of myself saying "this is me and theese are my footsteps in life"

  • @AjaySurya-kq7fh

    @AjaySurya-kq7fh

    Жыл бұрын

    You really put it beautifully, I feel like I've always felt this pressure of doing just one thing and being great at it... And it's almost impossible

  • @Toopalaylay

    @Toopalaylay

    3 ай бұрын

    Loooove the last sentence

  • @dramaluv2843
    @dramaluv28434 жыл бұрын

    This gives me the courage to follow my multi passions..

  • @Silver77cyn

    @Silver77cyn

    2 жыл бұрын

    Same. 😌

  • @kw1archie

    @kw1archie

    2 жыл бұрын

    Me too❤️

  • @NeleiaWillmack

    @NeleiaWillmack

    9 ай бұрын

    Same (ÔwÔ)b

  • @middusk9540
    @middusk954010 ай бұрын

    I'm into storytelling, voice acting, playing the guitar and piano, writing, books, Illustrating, learning a Japanese, Spanish and filipino, self-development, Content creation, Musician, Comedian, Psychology, Being fit, traveling. I want to inspire people and bring smiles to them. I'm 16 years. working hard and Improving everyday. This video makes me dream my vision better, although it's 5 years old.

  • @gbemisolaoluwasina6711
    @gbemisolaoluwasina6711 Жыл бұрын

    It's interesting to learn that the celebrated philosophers of classical and early modern times were numerous things during their lives. How did we get to overly place attention on specialisation?

  • @Est.1993
    @Est.199310 күн бұрын

    I finally found my community. Certain times it's hard to answer the question "what do you do?" I have learned to share on what's relevant in that scenario. I do photography, videography, music, design, engineering, mixologist, etc. 😊 I feel it's not about what we do it's that these crop of persons are built to thrive in what ever direction. I think of it as water, can exist in different forms, frozen or solid state, gas, liquid, either way it embodies the shape of its container.

  • @talalsallmart1
    @talalsallmart14 ай бұрын

    This comment section feels like my own community in which everyone is just like me😭❤️

  • @shibanisoren3323
    @shibanisoren33233 жыл бұрын

    "I don't have time is equivalent to I don't want to" TRUTH!!

  • @Amber-qe5lb
    @Amber-qe5lb3 жыл бұрын

    I feel like I found my community 😔😭🤍

  • @kxexexaxixoxg3140
    @kxexexaxixoxg31402 жыл бұрын

    She's so well-spoken. Her TED Talk is exactly what I needed.

  • @WeCaredALot
    @WeCaredALotАй бұрын

    She is so beautiful.

  • @PhutiSako-ny4to
    @PhutiSako-ny4to11 күн бұрын

    Finally a community that shares my same problem. I have been at a constant battle with myself and my thoughts. "wanting to do everything". However like she said, it should be within us to make time for the things we love. Its our lives. Your life. My life. Let it be incredible for you. I'm into art, drawing and creativty. Aesthetic video/content creation in which i can bring ideas to life. I've had a strong passion towards football since childhood and still train till today. I want to put my art on clothing. I want to be strong in calisthenics,exercise is essential. I just have to make time for all of these because i most certainly can't do one throughout a whole day.

  • @sadiahluna
    @sadiahluna4 күн бұрын

    Life is about experiences. While you may not be able to do them all in one lifetime, dreaming big is the beauty life. Mastering one thing that could guide you into the next. These people not only have much wisdom to share but entertaining stories also. Thinking expansively is not a disorder, but a pure expression of being the offspring of one of the greatest creators, embodying everything, everywhere, all at once. Life has many aspects, and so do we. When harmonized with practicality it's the greatest thing.

  • @SharlenesJourney
    @SharlenesJourney2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this 🥺 I have multiple interests that’s why I can’t do a 9-5 I want to be my own boss and have multiple careers

  • @growwithpatrice22

    @growwithpatrice22

    3 ай бұрын

    That part.

  • @koilafinau6425
    @koilafinau64252 жыл бұрын

    This gave me courage to pursue my multiple passions ❤️❤️❤️

  • @ladybonezz8017
    @ladybonezz80174 ай бұрын

    Yessss I have so much trouble deciding bc people say so one thing but I want to do multiple things! I want to play music, do tarot readings, spirituality, history, learning, martial arts, working out (hiking, weight training, cardio/aerobics, yoga), learn languages, science, philosophy just so many things.

  • @matchan3962
    @matchan3962 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for speaking about this subject: many people have the expectancy that one gets a profession and excels at it. But, one day I saw a reddit thread about people with great career paths were they had 2-4 different jobs, each one unique and interesting. Damn, I realised I wanted that too. I am in computer science (still unsure if programmer, data analyst or machine learning yet) but some of my passions are: animation, movies and movies critics, art (drawing+animation), nature obaervation and simply trying new things. I wish to at least get a stable work at computef science and art as a gig

  • @kaylazx
    @kaylazx Жыл бұрын

    Since we're listing... I like language learning, speedcubing, juggling, ballet, tap dance, parkour, singing, drawing, and writing, and I want to do aerial silks, ice skating, unicycling, gymnastics/acrobatics, contortion... the list goes on :p

  • @luizacollins2991
    @luizacollins29919 ай бұрын

    I am also a person with many interests and talents such as drawing, painting, cooking, baking, writing poetry, exercise, hiking, reading and writing short stories and music. I have felt guilty at times for having so many passions and interests but now I see that is how God made me.

  • @shibanisoren3323
    @shibanisoren33233 жыл бұрын

    i have to say she is SOOOOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL

  • @josefinasotes796
    @josefinasotes7962 жыл бұрын

    5:19 what would my answer be? I want to be a dancer, a singer, a novel writer, a pianist, a professional volleyball player, a fashion designer and still have time to go to the gym and have a strong and healthy physique, and learn two more languages (besides my native spanish, and well, english), and study psychology. I've already started doing most of them (and became decent at some) but still struggle to juggle them all

  • @thandolwethusithole4706

    @thandolwethusithole4706

    9 ай бұрын

    girrll how do you do it?

  • @solab3075
    @solab30752 жыл бұрын

    One of the best speaches i've ever heard

  • @angelastephen4064
    @angelastephen40642 жыл бұрын

    I’m a med student in 3rd year and I’m so glad to hear this from someone like me who’s been where I’m at

  • @AtliPooe
    @AtliPooe6 жыл бұрын

    Yaaaaaaay sis !!!!! So incredibly proud of you. Super inspiring!!

  • @snoovian7951
    @snoovian79514 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for making this talk, it’s wonderful and inspiring.

  • @sanelendlela5294
    @sanelendlela52945 жыл бұрын

    I am a 1st year Medical Student and i have just watch you video and i can say i'm truly inspired to spread my wing to where at first i didn't think of. Your video Dr Nkateko really opened my eyes, Thanks.........in no time i will be your colleague.

  • @prudencethobye7497
    @prudencethobye74976 жыл бұрын

    This is beautiful, and very inspiring. Well done Nk

  • @kagisoprincesslegodi
    @kagisoprincesslegodi6 жыл бұрын

    Dr Nkateko Masinga I enjoy watching you grow ❤

  • @YasmineDiawara
    @YasmineDiawara6 жыл бұрын

    Waouh!!!! This is so inspiring... and definitely my vision of life. Bravo for this confidence and adventurous feeling that you inspire

  • @seikanelosedibane923
    @seikanelosedibane9236 жыл бұрын

    Absolute Fire

  • @CasualCastle
    @CasualCastle2 жыл бұрын

    This deserves more views

  • @vihariii4754
    @vihariii4754 Жыл бұрын

    She is beautiful and delivered an amazing speech

  • @LeboMollo
    @LeboMollo Жыл бұрын

    Love this talk.

  • @princem8918
    @princem89186 жыл бұрын

    There she go!

  • @nhlamulosithole1358
    @nhlamulosithole13586 жыл бұрын

    Wow dokodela this is powerful

  • @camillehendricks9819
    @camillehendricks98194 жыл бұрын

    This was absolutely lovely ❤

  • @Ikigai747
    @Ikigai7478 ай бұрын

    Beautiful ❤ that's absolutely gold

  • @elizabethakalizzy
    @elizabethakalizzy Жыл бұрын

    Til this day this is extremely valuable and I loved this so much it resonates a lot as to who I am too 💜 thank you 🙏🏾

  • @ryeu8154
    @ryeu8154 Жыл бұрын

    this my first ted talk that i listen to this 2023. and i am very thankful for the last sentences. multipassionate people let's go! fight!

  • @kristalliiite6408
    @kristalliiite64083 ай бұрын

    I looove this so much! I have so many passions and I want to pursue them all!!

  • @AysanTohidi
    @AysanTohidi3 жыл бұрын

    I needed this..thank you ❤

  • @thabodennis
    @thabodennis Жыл бұрын

    Is it only me but I couldn't stop smiling from beginning

  • @hlengiwemasinga8255
    @hlengiwemasinga82556 жыл бұрын

    Yassssss!!! Masinga!! Zihaswha! When the sis be doing the most. 😍❤

  • @hlengiwemasinga8255

    @hlengiwemasinga8255

    6 жыл бұрын

    Nkateko Masinga I love you! ❤

  • @oluwadamilarealeji
    @oluwadamilarealeji Жыл бұрын

    Mhenn... this is right on point.. why not everything...😊

  • @hodododysh5682
    @hodododysh56829 ай бұрын

    A jake of all trades is a master of none. I love sales, marketing i own a store for women clothes, I'm also i part time teacher, I also have my own beauty salon as I'm interested in make-up and hairdressing. I love learning new languages. I am also a reader and a soon writer. I'm also interested in graphic design, content creation, traveling, socializing, psychology, philosophy, self development, dancing, astrology, nutrition, volleyball, handicrafts, interior design, remodeling, styling, public speaking and so on

  • @noelkinz
    @noelkinz3 жыл бұрын

    Hi my name is Noelkinz and I am, An Artist, Writer, music producer, photo editor, video editor, blogger, content creator, web designer, records management, and record label. I found out that if I can mix all those stuff down to one brand I had to create a Single general new term, where all of those passions share something in common so I created something called a Record production studio = A Facility where records are made. this includes writings, (all types of writing including books and blogs) music recordings, video recordings, images, etc. i am currently planing on my brand for that matter.

  • @Shreya-hy2vf

    @Shreya-hy2vf

    2 жыл бұрын

    You are an inspiration. Can you please explain how you honed your skills in each of them..??.. because it get intimidating thinking how I can give time to get better in all the things I love. I am at a crossroad. Please help me out.

  • @thandolwethusithole4706

    @thandolwethusithole4706

    9 ай бұрын

    please can someone answer @@Shreya-hy2vf

  • @swetagupta-themusicalsoul6776
    @swetagupta-themusicalsoul6776 Жыл бұрын

    Stupendous!!!👌 My answer is 'a Multi-hyphenate'.

  • @hlulanibaloyi5503
    @hlulanibaloyi55036 жыл бұрын

    Love this talk, love her

  • @adewunmidamilola_
    @adewunmidamilola_ Жыл бұрын

    I am so encouraged by this. I love the way she talked too.

  • @Thapppie
    @Thapppie6 жыл бұрын

    Yaaas! Babe!!!

  • @matchan3962
    @matchan3962 Жыл бұрын

    10 career choices: im 21 and still see them as viable xD

  • @iceballet
    @iceballet Жыл бұрын

    I wanna do so many things at once like I wanna be a professional singer I wanna be a writter I wanna be a ballerina I wanna be an ice skater I wanna do literally all of them

  • @ck9644
    @ck964410 күн бұрын

    What do you want to be when you grow up ? Me : a creator

  • @clementechs
    @clementechs3 жыл бұрын

    Gn walter

  • @hitesh8383
    @hitesh83833 жыл бұрын

    People: Choose one thing and be good at it 😴😴😴 Leonardo da Vinci: Y'all niggas know nothing bout my thug life 😎😎😎

  • @nnennaonuoha952
    @nnennaonuoha9523 жыл бұрын

    you wont catch her

  • @jamiececilielange5249
    @jamiececilielange5249 Жыл бұрын

    I have tried a lot of things. When I was younger, I thought one of them would turn into a permanent passion, a speciality. I lost interest in most of them, returned to some of them and eventually realised that this explorative way of living was part of my personality. Some of the things I want to try are hard to get near.