Reality TV star Ratile says she experienced drama for years before it was public

News24

30-04-2025

Though they presented a united front for two seasons on The Mommy Club, Ratile Mabotja, famously known as Ratile Mabitsela, and her late estranged husband Lehlogonolo Mabitsela were putting out a lot of fires behind closed doors. When he died by suicide in February, the two were separated and in the process of divorce.
Before his death, during separation and after his death, there were claims made about the former couple. Many flocked to her interview with Lungelo Mdletshe on the Engineer Your Life podcast. This was the first time she had an interview after the death of Mabitsela.
Names were not mentioned in the interview, and neither the presenter nor the beauty queen were specific about situations. However, there are those who know that, since her The Mommy Club fame in 2023, Mabotja's private life and battles have been made public. The drama followed her till her estranged husband's death and burial.
As cagey as she was in the interview – and some subjects were avoided, with the host saying it was too early – some things were addressed and she opened up about her loss.
Speaking about the loss of her estranged husband, Mabotja said the public had showered her with love and support during the difficult time. Though she presented a strong front, she had the nation behind her at the time she felt as if she had to deal with the worst.
Asked about her recovery, the beauty queen said she was healing every day, adding that she and her children were in therapy, which they attended once a week.
"[The loss] left me traumatised. More trauma than anything. Having to also feel the absence. We would have conversations with the kids. Now we constantly have to revisit it. It's a journey," she said.
She explained:
He will always be the father of my children, whether we were married [or] divorced. There will not be any other person who will say now this is the father. I really do think that he did mean a lot to my children, and there are certain things that need parents. I don't want to see my children break down because [dad is not there].
Mabotja said she was not the only one who had lost someone; a mother lost a son, people lost a brother and uncle. She hoped that they would support one another because what they had in common was grief, however, her family came through for her.
"I am grateful for my family, each and every one of them. There are two of his aunts who came through proper, and I am grateful for them. The people that mattered showed up."
In the interview, she hailed her mother as the most supportive mother, who has always been there for her.
Speaking about the drama before and after the death of her estranged husband, Mabotja said that was the negativity she had witnessed over the years, but it was only being made public now. She said this was not new for her, but she constantly chose to walk away for her peace.
She said:
Sometimes winning a fight means walking away and being okay with walking away. If you have to get in the mud, it's probably going to hurt you more than it hurts the other person.
Even though her name was dragged, she said she did not need apologies from anyone.
Having gone through all the pain, the businesswoman said she still believed in love.
THE MOMMY CLUB
The interview touched on the two seasons the reality TV star spent with The Mommy Club on Showmax.
Just like the current cast members, the former The Mommy Club cast member pointed out longer hours of shooting. Mabotja said the show took her away from her children, and she felt guilty for not spending quality time with them. She said every time the show aired, she would be anxious because some things she shot were omitted during editing.
The former Mrs South Africa contestant shared about the new chapter of her life, saying she was taking up mentoring and pageant coaching, especially for young people in townships.