From engineer to author in pursuit of purposeful living

Lethiwe Sithole has built a career defined by reinvention. From metallurgical engineer to songwriter and performer, she has now entered the literary space with the release of her debut book, Living on Purpose: How to Achieve That for Yourself as a Career Woman.

Aimed at women balancing the pressures and expectations of professional life, the book blends personal reflection with practical guidance. Sithole says she wants to encourage career women to move beyond people-pleasing and make decisions rooted in purpose and authenticity. Central to the book is a challenge to rethink conventional ideas of success and define it on one’s own terms.

Born in KwaZulu-Natal and later relocating to eMalahleni in 2008, Sithole’s upbringing was marked by hardship and determination. She was 11 when her father died, leaving her mother to raise five children on her own. In spite of the difficulties, education, discipline and strong personal values remained central to family life, principles that would later shape Sithole’s path in corporate South Africa.

Although her career was punctuated by notable achievements, Sithole admits there were periods when progress felt uncertain and direction less clear. It was during one of those moments caught between professional success and personal uncertainty that she turned to a transformation coach, a decision she describes as a turning point in her life.

There, in a series of structured conversations and uncomfortable questions, she began the painstaking work of sifting through her values and reimagining what a fulfilled life might look like. That exercise in introspection did more than course-correct her career, it quietly laid the groundwork for what would become her latest book.

Sithole’s decision to walk away from the corporate world and pursue music full-time initially drew mixed reactions from colleagues. But her bold move soon became a source of inspiration, with many admiring her courage to follow her passion.

She remembers sharing copies of her EP around the office, sparking honest conversations about purpose, authenticity and taking risks. Those moments would later become the foundation for Living on Purpose.

Her writing journey was not without challenges. Sithole wrestled with self-doubt, questioning whether she was qualified to speak on personal transformation. With guidance, she reframed her perspective, recognizing that her lived experiences carried value.

Faith shapes much of Sithole’s understanding of purpose and responsibility. Her daily life is structured around prayer, scripture, fellowship and acts of service, practices she describes not as ritual, but as grounding principles. Central to this is a commitment to serving others, which she regards as inseparable from living meaningfully.

Whether in professional, creative or community spaces, Sithole says she is driven by a consistent question, “How can I add value here?”

Drawing on the creation story in Genesis, which she says speaks to intention and purpose, Sithole also finds inspiration in the life of Jesus, whom she describes as the clearest example of compassion, service and conviction.

She challenges the idea of purpose as a fixed destination, arguing instead that it shifts and deepens through different stages of life. For those who feel uncertain or stuck, her message is straightforward, slow down, tune out external noise and take time to listen inward.

Each chapter of Living on Purpose includes reflective exercises designed to help readers engage more deeply with their own experiences. Sithole stresses the importance of understanding one’s identity and values before attempting to shape a life around them.

“Purpose is not accidental,” she says. “It is meaningful, and it is something we can live with intention every day.”

Through the book, Sithole hopes to encourage career women across South Africa to pursue lives grounded in authenticity, courage and faith.

Living on Purpose: How to Achieve That for Yourself as a Career Woman is available on Amazon for readers seeking to live with greater intention and clarity.