Palace to prison: How did Nandipha meet Thabo Bester?

From successful, savvy businesswoman to wanted woman: Here’s how Nandipha Magudumana crossed paths with Thabo Bester…

Nandipha Magudumana’s appearance in court alongside her co-accused Thabo Bester has left many South Africans wondering what went wrong for the former doctor.

Known for her glamorous appearance, successful businesses, perfect family life, and beautiful homes, many believe that the woman in the dock is a shadow of her former self.

Nandipha and Bester are currently facing charges of orchestrating his 2022 prison escape, defrauding the public, and violating multiple bodies. They appeared at the Free State High Court for a pre-trial hearing, which has been postponed to 19 September.

NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA’S COURT APPEARANCE SHOCKS SOUTH AFRICANS

While Thabo Bester appeared as suave as his charming personality, Nandipha Magudumana looked gaunt and run-down in the courtroom.

Bester – has has been previously convicted of murdєr, rape and fraud – wore a black stylish coat and a pair of trendy spectacles. Nandipha – who donned red lipstick and a hoodie – displayed hollow cheeks and expressionless eyes.

Her appearance quickly became a trending topic on social media.

Entertainment reporter Phil Mphela posted on  X: “A whole DOCTOR, wasted her life on this.  Thabo Bester is gaining weight while she is withering away”.

Businesswoman and PR exec Farah Fortune agreed, posting: “Look at Nandipha. Next time you wanna do stupid s**t to please a man”.

Fellow X user @BedworthTimes added: “ Look at the glow-up turned glow-down. Sis has aged fast. Prison will humble even the baddest baddie. Not for the faint-hearted, shame!”

WHERE DID SHE MEET THABO BESTER?

According to GroundUp – which broke the news of Thabo Bester’s prison escape – Nandipha Maguumana began visiting the convict in prison in 2017.

At the time, Bester was serving three concurrent life sentences, which he was handed down in 2011 and 2012. They were for two counts of rape, one count of murdєr, and armed robbery with aggravating circumstances.

“She visited him several times over the coming years. There was even one booking on Valentine’s Day”, claimed journalist Daniel Steyn in Showmax docuseries Tracking Thabo Bester.
Thabo Bester and his lover Dr Nandipha reunited in the dock. Image: Twitter @LindA_MniSii/@pmcafrica
However, in her sworn statement since her arrest, Nandipha claims she met Thabo Bester at Wits University in 2006, where he allegedly studied theology. The Department of Home Affairs has since revealed that Bester only has a grade 7 education.

Nandipha also claims that she and Bester began dating in 2017, and he paid lobola for her in 2020.

In 2022, weeks after Bester’s escape, Nandipha approached the Free State High Court, claiming she was Bester’s “customary wife”. The doctor had demanded to collect his “body” after the prison fire, where he had faked his death.

Meanwhile, Nandipha married her lawful husband, Mkhuseli Magudumana – also a doctor –  in 2013.  The former couple shares two daughters together: Ayana and Aziza.