Veteran South African actress **Manaka Ranaka** moved the nation to tears when she attended her late daughter **Katlego Ranaka’s** graduation ceremony and accepted her degree on her behalf. The *Generations: The Legacy* star, best known for her role as Lucy Diale, proudly celebrated her daughter’s academic milestone despite the heartbreak of her absence.
Katlego, Manaka’s firstborn daughter, **passed away on 23 January 2025** from natural causes — just months before she was set to graduate. Over the weekend, Manaka honoured her memory at the university’s graduation ceremony, where Katlego was posthumously awarded her qualification in **Animal Farming**.
Taking to Instagram, Manaka shared an emotional video from the event, accompanied by a heartfelt caption that read:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ1JG2BjMso/?igsh=MWUzamxlNHJkZTQxNQ==
> “Mother of a graduate🎓. So proud of you, my angel 😇. You did well. 🥰🤗. A whole qualified animal farmer.”
The moment stirred deep emotions among her followers and fellow celebrities, who filled the comment section with messages of love, strength, and condolences.
Actress **Dawn Thandeka King** sent her support, writing, “Sending lots of love and hugs, Sthandwa sami,” while another fan commented, “Yoh! I’m feeling all the feels. Great job, Mama — you kept her spirit alive. Congratulations!”
Many commended Manaka for her bravery and grace, acknowledging the pain of losing a child yet choosing to celebrate her daughter’s achievements. “No mother should go through this. Love and light,” wrote one user, while another shared, “She’s rejoicing in heaven. You made her proud, Mama.”
The graduation comes shortly after Manaka held a **tombstone unveiling** for Katlego earlier this year — another deeply emotional moment for the Ranaka family. The actress has continued to honour her daughter’s memory through social media tributes, describing her as a “bright, loving, and determined young woman” who was passionate about animal science and agriculture.
In an earlier post marking what would have been Katlego’s **25th birthday**, Manaka shared a touching video montage of her daughter with the caption:
> “Happy heavenly birthday, my baby girl. I will love you beyond eternity.”
Fans and industry colleagues have praised Manaka for her openness about grief and motherhood, noting that her journey has resonated with many parents who’ve lost children.
Manaka’s courageous act at the graduation symbolised both **a mother’s undying love** and a **celebration of her daughter’s dreams fulfilled**, even in her absence.
Social media was flooded with messages of comfort and admiration:
> “It was sad to watch, but we are proud of her. She’s rejoicing in heaven. May her soul continue to rest in peace,” one fan wrote.
Despite the heartache, the ceremony served as a **powerful reminder of resilience, love, and remembrance**, proving that a parent’s pride endures beyond life and death.
As one follower beautifully put it:
> “Katlego may not have been there in person, but her spirit walked that stage.”
**– By Rae Seleme | Edited and rewritten for clarity and depth (approx. 500 words)**
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