We know her as the “Water” hitmaker, the Grammy winner, and the global face of Amapiano, but Tyla Laura Seethal almost traded the stage for a hard hat. In a recent revelation that has stunned fans and the South African academic community alike, Tyla shared that if her music career hadn’t skyrocketed, she was headed straight into the world of Mining Engineering.
It’s a far cry from the glitz of the Met Gala, but it proves that behind the viral dance moves is a “Tiger” with a serious brain for Jozi’s most industrial sector.
Why Mining Engineering?
Growing up in Johannesburg—the “City of Gold”—the mining industry is part of the local DNA. Tyla explained that she was always a strong student, particularly in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
- The Academic Edge: Before her career went global, Tyla was a diligent student with a penchant for math and physics. She didn’t just want a “job”; she wanted a challenge that reflected the industrious spirit of South Africa.
- The “Joburg” Influence: Mining remains a cornerstone of the SA economy. For Tyla, choosing this path was a grounded, practical choice that aligned with her family’s values of education and hard work.
- Problem Solving: Engineering is all about finding solutions under pressure—a trait Tyla now uses to navigate the high-stakes international music industry.
The Turning Point: Chasing the Dream
While she was prepared to hit the mines, Tyla’s heart was always in the studio. She spent years balancing her schoolwork with late-night recording sessions and social media covers.
“I always knew I wanted to do music, but I’m a South African girl—we always have a backup plan!” she joked during the interview.
Her parents initially encouraged the “Plan B” to ensure her future was secure, but once “Water” began to ripple across the globe, the hard hat was officially retired before she even got to the site.
A Role Model for the Smart & Stylish
Tyla’s revelation is more than just a fun fact; it’s a powerful message to her young fans (her “Tigers”). She proves that:
- You can be multi-faceted: You don’t have to choose between being creative and being academic.
- Education is cool: Even while chasing a dream, having a “Plan B” grounded in a difficult field like Engineering shows incredible discipline.
