Latest news with #BeautyAndTheBester
The South African
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Netflix reveals Dr Nandipha Magudumana's fall in true crime series
Dr Nandipha Magudumana, once admired as a successful celebrity doctor and businesswoman, is now at the centre of a scandal gripping the nation. Netflix's new true crime documentary series, Beauty And The Bester , set to premiere on 12 September. It exposes her tumultuous and ill-fated relationship with convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester. The three-part series chronicles how Dr Magudumana's seemingly perfect life unraveled following her connection to Bester, according to Netflix. Bester infamously escaped from Mangaung Maximum Security Prison in 2022 by faking his death in a cell fire. The documentary traces events from staged celebrity conferences and extravagant lifestyles to a viral photo of the pair shopping together in Sandton City. The photo is what triggered a massive manhunt. Thabo Bester, known as the 'Facebook Rapist' for luring victims online, fled for nearly a year before authorities arrested him in Tanzania in April 2023. Police arrested him alongside Dr Magudumana, his accomplice and partner in the eyes of the law. They extradited both back to South Africa in handcuffs, sparking widespread shock and disbelief. Courtroom footage and exclusive investigative material reveal the bizarre bond between a respected doctor and one of South Africa's most notorious criminals. Friends and family will also share their bewilderment and sorrow in interviews. They struggle to comprehend how Dr Magudumana, a married mother of two who reportedly deserted her family, became entangled in Bester's web of deceit. Police reports and court evidence suggest that Dr Magudumana willingly eloped with Bester. She abandoned her children and legal husband. Lt Colonel Tieho Flyman. Flyman is an investigating officer, described her as a willing partner who rejected claims of being kidnapped or threatened. 'She chose to be with Bester,' he said, emphasising her complicity in the escape plan. The documentary also sheds light on the couple's fraudulent business dealings, including a scam property company. They first met in 2006 in the corridors of the University of the Witwatersrand. From there, their story unfolded dramatically. Their arrest abroad shocked many. Beauty And The Bester promises to reveal a story of manipulation. It is a story of a love turned sour, and corruption, one that has left South Africa questioning how such a dark chapter unfolded beneath their eyes. Beauty And The Bester will resonate strongly with South Africans still grappling with the repercussions of this real-life thriller that unraveled their sense of security and justice. DO YOU BELIEVE LOVE OR MANIPULATION PLAYED A BIGGER ROLE IN THIS STORY? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Pearl Thusi, Happy Simelane, Penny to share their encounters on Netflix's 'Beauty and the Bester'
Actress, presenter and businesswoman Pearl Thusi is one of the South African figures who feature in Netflix's new true crime limited documentary series, "Beauty And The Bester". Image: Supplied Netflix has released the trailer for a new true crime limited documentary series, 'Beauty And The Bester'. The limited series chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, a celebrated celebrity doctor whose involvement with convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester sent shockwaves across the nation. Friends and family open up in exclusive interviews, each trying to make sense of the strange and unsettling bond between a respected doctor and her convicted criminal partner, Bester. The trailer shows: actress, DJ, presenter and businesswoman Pearl Thusi, 'The Mommy Club' reality TV star and businesswoman Happy Simelane and broadcaster and multi-hyphenate personality Penny Lebyane. Penny Lebyane, a South African media personality, was among several local celebrities who visited Magudumana's Sandton-based beauty business Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions. Image: Supplied/Netflix Lebyane, a South African media personality, was among several local celebrities who unknowingly visited the practice of the criminally-accused skin doctor. She has previously been featured on Showmax's "Tracking Thabo Bester. Magudumana was the owner of Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions, a Sandton-based beauty business. Model and TV personality Thusi had an encounter with Bester, the 'Facebook Rapist,' in June 2011 and almost became one of his victims. Simelane previously shared her experience meeting the criminal and claimed she was almost trafficked by him. On Showmax's 'The Mommy Club', Simelane showed videos of their meeting where Bester asked her to 'find people producing luxury content'. Happy Simelane previously shared her experience meeting the criminal and claimed she was almost trafficked by him. Image: Supplied/Netflix Once revered as a successful businesswoman and social media influencer with a seemingly perfect life, Magudumana's meticulously crafted image began to crumble amidst suspicions of her role in Bester's elaborate prison escape and his clandestine double life. The three-part series delves into the events of late 2023 that captivated South Africa, leaving the public to ponder: how did one of the country's most admired women become embroiled in one of its most significant criminal scandals? From staged celebrity conferences and lavish living to the shocking escape of Thabo Bester from Mangaung Maximum Security Prison, it all began to unravel with one viral photo of the pair casually shopping at Sandton City, sparking a nationwide manhunt that ended with their dramatic arrest in Tanzania and extradition back to South Africa in handcuffs. Disgraced celebrated celebrity doctor Dr. Nandipha Magudumana's father Zolile Sekeleni features on the documentary. Image: Supplied/Netflix 'Beauty And The Bester' features courtroom footage and never-before-seen investigative material that peels back the layers of a story where love, manipulation, and corruption collide, culminating in a jaw-dropping incident that stunned the world. The individuals include Marecia Damons, one of the journalists who broke the story and Magudumana's father Zolile Sekeleni. 'Beauty and the Bester' launches on Netflix on September, 12, 2025.
IOL News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Pearl Thusi, Happy Simelane, Penny Lebyane share to share their encounters on Netflix's 'Beauty and the Bester'
Actress, presenter and businesswoman Pearl Thusi is one of the South African figures who feature in Netflix's new true crime limited documentary series, "Beauty And The Bester". Image: Supplied Netflix has released the trailer for a new true crime limited documentary series, 'Beauty And The Bester'. The limited series chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, a celebrated celebrity doctor whose involvement with convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester sent shockwaves across the nation. Friends and family open up in exclusive interviews, each trying to make sense of the strange and unsettling bond between a respected doctor and her convicted criminal partner, Bester. The trailer shows: actress, DJ, presenter and businesswoman Pearl Thusi, 'The Mommy Club' reality TV star and businesswoman Happy Simelane and broadcaster and multi-hyphenate personality Penny Lebyane. Penny Lebyane, a South African media personality, was among several local celebrities who visited Magudumana's Sandton-based beauty business Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions. Image: Supplied/Netflix Lebyane, a South African media personality, was among several local celebrities who unknowingly visited the practice of the criminally-accused skin doctor. She has previously been featured on Showmax's "Tracking Thabo Bester. Magudumana was the owner of Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions, a Sandton-based beauty business. Model and TV personality Thusi had an encounter with Bester, the 'Facebook Rapist,' in June 2011 and almost became one of his victims. Simelane previously shared her experience meeting the criminal and claimed she was almost trafficked by him. On Showmax's 'The Mommy Club', Simelane showed videos of their meeting where Bester asked her to 'find people producing luxury content'. Happy Simelane previously shared her experience meeting the criminal and claimed she was almost trafficked by him. Image: Supplied/Netflix Once revered as a successful businesswoman and social media influencer with a seemingly perfect life, Magudumana's meticulously crafted image began to crumble amidst suspicions of her role in Bester's elaborate prison escape and his clandestine double life. The three-part series delves into the events of late 2023 that captivated South Africa, leaving the public to ponder: how did one of the country's most admired women become embroiled in one of its most significant criminal scandals? From staged celebrity conferences and lavish living to the shocking escape of Thabo Bester from Mangaung Maximum Security Prison, it all began to unravel with one viral photo of the pair casually shopping at Sandton City, sparking a nationwide manhunt that ended with their dramatic arrest in Tanzania and extradition back to South Africa in handcuffs. Disgraced celebrated celebrity doctor Dr. Nandipha Magudumana's father Zolile Sekeleni features on the documentary. Image: Supplied/Netflix 'Beauty And The Bester' features courtroom footage and never-before-seen investigative material that peels back the layers of a story where love, manipulation, and corruption collide, culminating in a jaw-dropping incident that stunned the world. The individuals include Marecia Damons, one of the journalists who broke the story and Magudumana's father Zolile Sekeleni. 'Beauty and the Bester' launches on Netflix on September, 12, 2025.
