The storm surrounding South Africa’s controversial former doctor, Nandipha Magudumana, has taken yet another dramatic turn. For the first time since the scandal involving her and convicted criminal Thabo Bester shook the nation, her estranged husband, Mkhuseli Magudumana, has spoken out publicly. His reflections on the saga came to light during Netflix’s gripping new docuseries, Beauty and the Bester, which premiered in September 2025.
A Husband’s Long-Awaited Voice
Nandipha Magudumana and Mkhuseli tied the knot in 2013 in what was described as a lavish wedding. The couple later welcomed children together, seemingly building a stable family life. However, that image began to crumble when reports of Nandipha’s involvement with Thabo Bester—dubbed the “Facebook Rapist” and a convicted murderer—emerged in 2023.
For years, the public speculated about Mkhuseli’s perspective, but he remained silent. Now, through the documentary, he has finally shared his truth.
Speaking emotionally, Mkhuseli revealed that he no longer recognises the woman he married. “This is not the Nandipha I know. This is not the woman I married or the mother of my children. Something I cannot explain got hold of her,” he said. His words painted a picture of betrayal and heartbreak, describing the deep disconnect between the woman he loved and the woman now entangled in one of South Africa’s biggest criminal scandals.
The Children Left Behind
Mkhuseli also shared a painful detail about the last time his children saw their mother. According to him, the last encounter was in 2023 when Nandipha dropped them off at school. Since then, their lives have been marked by uncertainty and absence, while their mother remained embroiled in investigations and court cases.
Nandipha’s brother, Nkosinathi, also contributed to the docuseries, recalling his own conversations with Mkhuseli. He said he had reached out to ask how he and the children were coping. “He told me he doesn’t know this Nandipha. The woman we are seeing now is not the sister I grew up with. Even the children deserve answers, at least to hear their mother explain herself,” Nkosinathi said.
Who Is Nandipha Magudumana?
Once celebrated as a brilliant medical professional, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana’s fall from grace has been both shocking and tragic. She studied at the University of the Witwatersrand and worked at Edenvale Hospital before moving to Far East Rand Hospital, where she built a reputation in anesthesiology, dermatology, and plastic surgery.
However, her medical license was later revoked, and she eventually landed behind bars at Kroonstad Prison in the Free State. Today, her name is synonymous not with medical excellence but with one of the most sensational scandals in South African history.
Beauty, Bester, and Beyond
Netflix’s Beauty and the Bester not only explores the relationship between Nandipha and Thabo Bester but also shines light on the ripple effects their alleged affair has had on families, friends, and even celebrities. Media personality Pearl Thusi, for instance, shared her past encounter with Bester in the series, further illustrating how far-reaching his web of deception has been.
As the world awaits the highly publicised trial of Nandipha and Thabo, set to begin in November 2025, Mkhuseli’s words remind the public of the human toll behind the headlines. For him, it is not just a story of crime and scandal but a deeply personal loss—the loss of the woman he once knew and the stability of the family they built together.
About the Author
