Actress, broadcaster, and media personality Hulisani Ravele has officially begun a new chapter in her life — as a master’s student at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), part of the University of Pretoria. She shared the exciting news with her followers in a heartfelt Instagram post that revealed just how meaningful this moment is for her.
“Masters student!” she announced. “About a month ago I was accepted into the GIBS MPhil specialising in Change Leadership programme and my freckles have been twinkling with joy ever since.”
Hulisani didn’t hold back on describing just how tough the journey to this point has been. She explained that the application process wasn’t easy, especially the psychometric test. One part of the test asked her to calculate which currency performed better during inflation. “Aowa lena! This section of the test hurt my feelings so much, that after completing it I closed my laptop and took a nap! (Don’t laugh!)”
When she finally received her acceptance letter, she says she cried out of relief, joy, and deep gratitude. This wasn’t her first time trying to apply — she’s been wanting to study for her Master’s degree for six years, but every attempt was met with challenges or delays.
She recalled how one university required her to find a supervisor before applying. She did all the steps, but still never managed to submit the application. Another time, she reached out to her former lecturer, Dr Jenni Underhill, who agreed to be her reference. Even during a trip to London in 2019, Hulisani shared her dreams with Dove brand partner and Professor Dr Phillippa Deidrichs, who encouraged her. But nothing ever worked out — until now.
“I’m sharing this background because when we see someone celebrating a win, we don’t always see the struggles behind it,” she said. “The bruising ‘no’s,’ the false starts, the delays that feel like denials.”
She now believes those delays were for a reason. “My ancestors were trying to start me on their own curriculum… I freaken get it now.”
Being accepted into a globally respected, triple-accredited business school like GIBS was not something she saw coming. But she believes everything in her broadcasting career led her to this point. Her thesis will focus on making impactful change in the media industry — one that brings in billions but often leaves creatives struggling. “How, Sway!?” she joked.
Hulisani admitted she was nervous about studying in such a top-level academic space, especially coming from a creative background. But during orientation, the Dean’s words comforted her: “Each one of us was chosen to be here. That means we already have what it takes to succeed.”
Someone recently told her, “I love how you allow yourself to evolve,” and she agrees. “This MPhil programme is going to allow me to expand my horizons within the broadcasting world and beyond.”
And of course, she ended her post with a shoutout to brands and partners: “I’m self-funding my studies, so please keep those MC, speaker and campaign bookings coming, okaday! Danko is thank you!”
