For Latoya Stella, the past two years have not just been about building a music career, they have been about survival, discipline and holding on to a goal she has carried since childhood.
In a recent TikTok video, the singer-songwriter shared a personal reflection on her journey studying Chartered Accounting (CA) at the Namibia University of Science and Technology while simultaneously navigating a demanding performance schedule across the country.
She described the decision to pursue both paths at once as “the craziest journey” of her life.
“Two years ago I decided to embark on the craziest journey of my life and that is I decided to do music and C.A… CA is really one of those demanding courses.”
What started as an ambitious plan quickly became a matter of survival and after losing funding, Stella said music became the only way she could sustain herself through university, making it impossible to step away from either path.
“My life changed immediately when I lost funding and I had to turn to my music in order to support myself financially in school… I couldn’t leave music at all.”
She added that she was caught between two high-pressure commitments and ultimately found herself constantly negotiating time between lectures, rehearsals, travel and performances.
“It was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do… I remember just being faced with a choice either to leave music, but then I wouldn’t be able to see myself through school.”
Latoya Stella added that the result was a routine defined by exhaustion, where sleepless nights became normal and personal time nearly disappeared.At the same time, the stakes remained high. She said that getting into the CA programme had already required years of focus and determination, making the thought of quitting difficult to accept.
“It was really hard for me just to make it into the CA program… I couldn’t even see myself giving up. I told myself I am not repeating a module, I am not writing any second opportunity exams.”
She also explained that while managing her studies, her music career was also gaining momentum and with increased bookings meant frequent travel, often forcing her to shift between performance and study mode within hours.“
Last year I was one of the most booked female artists… I had to travel to different towns with my books, study backstage. told myself I cannot leave my degree… I have to see it through. It’s something I’ve wanted since grade 8.” She added.
Stella’s story highlights a broader challenge within Namibia’s entertainment industry, where many artists are forced to build their careers without consistent financial backing or structural support.
For emerging musicians, success often depends on balancing creative ambitions with academic or professional commitments. In her case it seems that music became both a passion and a necessity.
Her journey reflects a growing reality among young Namibian creatives. Pursuing art is rarely a singular path, but one that must exist alongside stability, discipline and, often, personal sacrifice.
