Media Personality Anele Mdoda and her former PA Lungani GumedeMedia Personality Anele Mdoda and her former PA Lungani Gumede. Picture: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa

Media personality Anele Mgudlwa is basking in pride after her former personal assistant (PA), Lungani Gumede, recently graduated from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Johannesburg.

She shared the touching moment on her Instagram page, as she reflected on watching Gumede walk across the graduation stage.

In her message, Anele said she often encouraged him to look beyond his role and think about what would serve his own future.

She also revealed that he eventually made the decision to “choose himself” by pursuing his studies, which led to this graduation.

A video capturing Lungani Gumede’s moment as he walked across the graduation stage. Video: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa

‘When one person dares’

This is how Anele expressed herself about the big moment:

“I think I have finally touched what it must feel like to be those grandparents, parents, families who witness the first, the first to step into a world they themselves were never raised to imagine. I watched my first PA walk across that stage at GIBS Business School and claim a future that is entirely his. And it broke me open in the most beautiful way.

“I have always said to him, “Chap, you can’t be my PA forever, because that would only serve me. What will serve you?” He made the brave call to choose himself, and mine was simply to stand beside him and support the becoming. Lungani Gumede, outside of giving birth to Alakhe… this is the most rewarding moment of my life. To witness someone you met as a runner grow into a man who changes the trajectory of his entire family, it doesn’t get bigger than that. This is what it looks like when one person dares… and a whole lineage rises. Ntinga Ntaka Ndini,” wrote Anele.

Lungani Gumede beamed with happiness as he held his qualification from GIBS. Video: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa

Netizen reaction

Netizens joined Anele in celebrating the moment, reacting as follows:

A comment from a social media user. Picture: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa
A comment from a social media user. Picture: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa
A comment from a social media user. Picture: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa
A comment from a social media user. Picture: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa
All these comments were sourced from Anele Mgudlwa's Instagram post. Picture: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa
All these comments were sourced from Anele Mgudlwa’s Instagram post. Picture: Instagram@AneleMgudlwa

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By Asanda Mbayimbayi

Asanda Mbayimbayi is an award-winning Lifestyle & Entertainment News Editor and Journalist celebrated for her dynamic voice in digital lifestyle, entertainment, and hard news journalism. Honoured with the Galliova People’s Hero 2025 Award for her authentic storytelling and powerful connection with audiences, she continues to redefine journalism with purpose, empathy, and impact. With an instinct for uncovering stories that resonate and a deep understanding of audience engagement, Asanda brings clarity, depth, and heart to every piece she crafts. Beyond the newsroom, she wears many hats — Researcher, Qualified Bible Teacher, Content Creator, Producer, Motivational Speaker, and Book Editor to name a few — using her creative and spiritual insight to inspire transformation through words. Whether leading editorial teams, producing meaningful content, or motivating audiences, Asanda stands as a storyteller driven by faith, purpose, and the power of narrative to connect and inspire.