Lungelwa studied at both Rhodes University and the AAA School of Advertising, and has worked in the private sector in marketing and advertising before starting a school for street children, Nothemba Crèche, her sewing and knitting company, Zimbatho, and engaging in small-scale farming. 

She has travelled widely, including to the UN Status of Women, the Vatican for mining courageous conversations, the World Economic Forum, and many other fora, including the Spirit of Humanity Forum. 

She is the Director and Co-Founder of the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust, an NGO focusing on education, social justice, and food security. Lungelwa is a narrative researcher and collaborating with AGC academics to capture and highlight indigenous knowledge.