Seasoned broadcaster, MC and impactful conduit of conversations, Hulisani Ravele cultivates beauty in every space she occupies. Here, she lets us into her evolution and Spiritual journey, and offers her take on her exciting collaboration with Glade on the ‘Make Africa Bloom’ campaign.
As she shares more of her childhood memories, it becomes apparent that her home was filled with love and joy. “I grew up in a home where there were cousins everywhere. My granny’s house was a four-room house, but it didn’t feel overcrowded. We’d make sleeping arrangements on the floor, getting creative by placing sponges to sleep on, while others would be on the couch. Those are some of my fondest memories.”
Although Hulisani was born in Soweto, she says she feels more connected to her roots in Venda. “I’d look forward to going to Venda during the school holidays. Being in Chiawelo meant spending time with all my other cousins who lived in different parts of Soweto, but Venda was also amazing because I got to see my paternal cousins. I’d either go there with Makhadzi (my aunt) or with my cousins. I’d travel by bus and because my grandparents’ place is on the main road, the bus stop is right by the gate. My grandparents also owned a convenience store, which was affectionately called Ha-Ravele, so it was used as a landmark.”
Hulisani’s love for broadcasting can be traced back to her childhood home in Chiawelo. Sharing her fascination with television, she says she thought that if she could climb in through the back, she’d be on TV. “My mom shared with me that whenever we drove past the SABC studios in Auckland Park in a taxi, I’d ask her when she’d take me there. As a smart kid, I was able to make that connection.”
Hulisani notes that, unlike other industries, there’s very little longevity in the entertainment industry. Creatives have to pursue multiple ventures to survive. Through her master’s course, she’s hoping to unpack some of these challenges. “I want to look at what’s happening around the world and propose solutions that are viable and sustainable for our local market. Hopefully I get to leave a legacy that adds many more Hulisanis, because we shouldn’t be the anomaly. Talent like me, who run their business like a business, who move like a business, have the plug-ins that I have, shouldn’t be the anomaly.”
Hulisani’s spirituality weaves through her life, often emerging in her reflections. “It began in 2018 when someone told me I have a calling over my life. Although I’d heard this before, I dismissed it,” she shares. Raised in a Christian home, she had no frame of reference for African Spirituality, which fuelled her initial fears. “I believed something would only affect you if you believed in it. But when this was revealed to me [that I have a calling over my life], I found the courage to learn more.”
She shares that she leads with prayer when connecting with her guides, and refers to the Bible as well. Despite her resolve, her spiritual journey has been subject to ridicule. “This was also partly the reason I left Twitter (now X). I never returned because I didn’t want to experience this journey while I was still processing people’s opinions.” Affirming the excruciating parts of her journey, Hulisani can stand in the fullness of it.
Hulisani tears up as she reflects on everything she’s endured to reach this point. As we part ways, she says, “I don’t let things end me. We’re meant to flow, but we often find ourselves fighting more than flowing. As a child of water, it’s about ease — embracing what is and accepting it.” Remaining open and in flow allowed Hulisani to lean into her spiritual journey. Resurfacing from a difficult hiatus, she realises that she’ll always be growing. Sewn in her for 10 years, Hulisani affirms that she will birth her dream of creating a space for people to feel seen and heard — and she will realise it in 2025. It’s about trusting God’s timing.
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