We were first introduced to Hulisani as Cece on YoTV when she was just a cute teenage girl who was a role model for most young girls, fast forward to 2014, Hulisani is still a role model, but with way more than what she had back on YOTV. She is now a young career woman taking the corporate world by storm. We sat down with her to find out what she has been up to since she left our small screens. 
Please tell us about yourself, your upbringing and dreams you had as a child?
I’m just a girl from ekasi with big dreams. I grew up around uGogo and my cousins and I was always a loud and bubbly child who just loved to play, but also worked hard in and around the house. I started cooking for the whole family at a young age out of pure enjoyment and love and that very much is still the kind of person I am today. Growing up I had dreams of being a chartered accountant or something in accounting. I loved numbers, I loved school and I loved learning.
When and why did you change your name from Cece to Hulisani?
After I left YoTV in 2008 it was one of my goals to move from Cece to Hulisani because I felt that my years as a child star were over and reverting to my first name would assist in making that transition to being a “grown-up”. Vodacom Millionaires definitely helped to cement that new positioning and I love being referred to as Hulisani Ravele now. There’s just something so beautiful, so grown and so proud about it.
How do you balance maintaining who you are as a person in the midst of all the industry hype?
I have a wonderful support structure of family and friends. They never once treated me differently because of my fame and it’s such a blessing to have that.
We haven’t seen you on TV in a while, what have you been working on?
I was off television to focus on my corporate ladder climb and boardroom ambitions. Growing up I always wanted to emulate my aunts who were in the corporate world and travelling. After completing my BCom marketing management degree at UJ in 2008, I worked at SABC1 as a publicity intern and then I looked after new media when it was introduced at the channel. I moved on in 2010 and joined Praekelt Consulting, a digital agency, as an account exec. I then moved up the ranks as the CEOs Professional CEO and when I left in February 2014 I was a project manager. So that’s where I’ve been, but I also did voice-overs, a radio show on UJFM, and of course Vodacom Millionaires.
What’s the craziest rumour you’ve heard or read about yourself?
I was dating DJ Cleo. Lol! Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great guy mara not for me. 
What’s been one of the most unexpected things about fame/ stardom?
I’d have to say the fact that people think you’re not human and that they can say anything about you and you won’t react. Especially when they do it in person, they do it in such a cowardly way because you’ll be walking and then a few metres behind or ahead of you, you suddenly hear someone shouting: “Ah, there’s that loser chick from gimme YoTV! Kwaa kwaa!” I mean, really?
What do you do away from work? How do you relax?
I love to cook and to spend time with my friends and family. I’m also obsessed with a few series. *hides*
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I have a few tattoos…
Name five things that you love the most?
God. Family. Friends. Working my vision. Travel.
Tell us the secret to maintaining your fabulous hair and skin?
Take the time and make the time to do the things that seem tedious i.e. cleansing make-up off your face no matter how late or how lazy you are and basing your scalp – all these little things make a big difference. I’ve learnt the hard way, especially with my skin. I’d get so lazy and say “ag, it’s just one night”, a lot of those “one nights” build up and then you have a severe break-out on your hands. I’m on the straight and narrow now, hahaha!
Please tell us about your most embarrassing and proud moments?
Embarrassing…hmmm, that’s hard because you know when you’re doing live television on a show like Wildroom what makes you good is being yourself, with all your mistakes. I’m so past that point in my career and I’d have to say getting embarrassed is very difficult. Prior to that though, I once fell hard on the field while I was running down the grandstands in primary school. My dress flew up and everyone gathered around me. I pretended to be badly injured (even though I was fine) because I didn’t want everyone laughing at me. Lol! They were genuinely worried. Proud moments include hosting the live broadcast of Tata Madiba’s 84th birthday in Polokwane and just being told every day that you’re doing a great job or that your work inspires me is something to be proud of and is equally humbling. 
What and who inspires you?
I’m inspired by a lot of people and in different ways. I’m inspired by people I work with, my other half, my friends, my family, even ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Two people who stand out are my mother and Oprah. My vision, the will to succeed and to inspire others just by being myself and working hard towards my dreams also inspire me greatly.
How have you managed to keep your life private?
I’ve always been a firm believer in the notion that you control what you want people to know about you. It’s simple things like declining interviews with my other half and in my home. I don’t feel the need for people to know this. If I want to post something that lets you into my life, it’s a choice that I make. How often I do it and how I do it is again my choice.
What are your future plans?
Well, for the near future, I really want to make my new show I Am South African on ANN7 a great success. I’ve always been asked when I’ll be coming back to TV full-time. I’ve been told: “we’ve been waiting for so long” and now that I have done so with this show that I truly believe in, I want to do it to the very best of my ability.
We see you will be hosting the Just Curious love conference. How did that come about and what can people expect from you on the day?
I bumped into the concept of Rob Hill while I was going through my Instagram timeline and a friend had posted a picture of his current offering, The Audacity of a Good Heart with a high recommendation. So I was like hey, what will it hurt. I downloaded it and from the very first track I heard I was like: “Who is this guy? Where has he been all my adult life?” I started tweeting and instagramming a lot about him and then Lelo Boyana commented on my post saying she was bringing him to SA and I was like, I will be there! When the tickets went on sale I bought them immediately and Lelo and I started chatting offline. I was just excited that she was bringing him and wanted to help any way I could, and boom, I’m hosting the Love Conference. People can expect to leave with a changed heart and a touched soul. He just speaks so honestly and candidly and brings you “aha moments” with everything he says. You have to be there!
