Gugu Gumede Wishes Her Mother Was Here to See Her Success

South African actress Gugu Gumede has shared an emotional message about her career journey and the people she wishes could have witnessed her success.

In a heartfelt video on TikTok, Gugu spoke about how grateful she is that people are finally seeing her talent as an actress after years of waiting for the right opportunity.

She said, “What a time to be alive. Do you know sometimes you will be really sitting in your corner and just waiting. I have set in my corner for so many years, since 2013 waiting for this moment to really show my artistry in this manner. I’m just so grateful and I just can’t believe that not just South Africans but the world has got to see my capabilities as a performer.”

Although she is thankful for the support she has received, Gugu admitted that there is one thing missing from this special moment. She said she wishes her parents could have been there to celebrate her achievements with her.

“In this moment, all I can think of is, I wish my mother was here to see this. I wish I had a father who had been present that would have been here to see this. Just to have a parent that will say ‘I see it.’ But nevertheless, thank you guys. Thank you guys for being happy for me, even for eGagasini. I’m so grateful.”

Gugu recently impressed audiences with her role as Joyce Gomora in The Polygamist. The series received praise and recognition beyond South Africa. She is now starring as Phumelela Dube in eGagasini: Waves of Change, where her performance has also been widely praised.

The actress lost her mother, Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi, in 2021. She died of cardiac arrest linked to COVID-19 after being admitted to Umhlanga Hospital in Durban.

In June 2026, Gugu also shared why The Polygamist is such a personal project for her. She wrote, “To He who is faithful to keep His promises, I say ‘Thank You Father’.

“My mother was a product of polygamy; then as a young woman in politics, she met my father – a polygamist. She fell in love and had two children with him. Although they remained great friends until his passing, she had ultimately decided that polygamy was not for her, and had married someone else.”

She explained that the topic of polygamy has many different sides, especially in South Africa, and that these stories are often told from a man’s point of view.

“There are so many layers to this subject, especially in South Africa; but we often see it being told from a man’s perspective. In this show, we see how the choices of one man affected all those around him, especially the women in his life. We also come to see how the women ultimately take back their power. This has been the role of a lifetime.”

Gugu’s emotional TikTok message has touched many fans, showing that while she is grateful for her growing success, she still wishes her mother had been there to witness one of the biggest moments of her acting career.