Dr. Nandipha Sekeleni Magudumana is a South African medical doctor and entrepreneur who initially rose to fame through her work in medical aesthetics. However, she later became widely known for her involvement with Thabo Bester, a convicted criminal who escaped prison in a high-profile case. Once celebrated for her professional accomplishments, Magudumana’s life took a dramatic turn when she was implicated in Bester’s escape, leading to serious legal challenges.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Nandipha Sekeleni Magudumana |
| Date of Birth | 15 September 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Bizana, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Partner | Former husband: Mkhuseli Magudumana (married 2013, separated but still legally married); Partner: Thabo Bester |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupations | Medical doctor, surgeon, entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions |
Early Life and Education
Born on September 15, 1989, in Bizana, Eastern Cape, Nandipha Sekeleni grew up in the coastal town of Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal.
From a young age, she aspired to become a doctor, inspired by her mother’s hospitalization at the age of six.
She attended Port Edward Primary School and later Port Shepstone High School, where she was active in sports, particularly hockey, representing KwaZulu-Natal at the provincial level.
Her interest in medicine was further fueled by her proximity to a provincial hospital and her involvement in the Leo cultural club.
Starting at age 15, she worked part-time at a local pharmacy, gaining early exposure to healthcare.
She went on to study at the University of the Witwatersrand, earning a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences followed by a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
Career
After completing her medical degree, Dr. Magudumana began her career at Edenvale Hospital in 2014, followed by a stint at Far East Rand Hospital, where she specialized in anesthetics, dermatology, plastic surgery, and medication administration.
In 2017, she launched Optimum Medical Aesthetics Solutions in Sandton, which quickly gained popularity among clients across Africa, including notable figures like Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.
Originally intended as a stepping stone to fund further studies, the clinic grew into a successful business that empowered other Black women in the healthcare sector.
Magudumana also co-founded VitaPush, a company offering IV nutrition therapy, and co-owned Arum Holdings, which provided healthcare consultancy and IT services.
In 2021, she and Thabo Bester started Arum Properties, a construction company later accused of defrauding clients by failing to deliver on renovation and building contracts.
Her achievements earned her recognition as a finalist in the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans and a spot among the Top 20 Most Influential Young South Africans in 2018.
However, her medical license lapsed in 2021 after she did not renew it with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Personal Life
In 2013, Nandipha Sekeleni married fellow doctor Mkhuseli Magudumana, with whom she had two children, Aziza and Ayana. Although they separated, they remained legally married.
Her personal life became controversial due to her relationship with Thabo Bester, a convicted rapist and murderer.
They reportedly met in 2006 at university, and their relationship began in 2017 while Bester was incarcerated.
In 2022, Magudumana claimed to be Bester’s customary wife, submitting lobola payments as proof, but investigations revealed inconsistencies and falsehoods in these claims.
Friends from her youth describe her as a focused and well-behaved individual who became entangled in a problematic relationship that led to her current difficulties.
Legal Issues
Dr. Magudumana’s legal troubles surfaced in 2022 when she was implicated in Thabo Bester’s elaborate escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre. Bester faked his death by setting a fire in his cell and substituting his body with that of a deceased man.
After the escape, Magudumana and Bester lived together briefly in Sandton before fleeing South Africa. They were arrested in Tanzania in April 2023, found with multiple passports under different names.
Back in South Africa, Magudumana challenged her deportation from Tanzania, claiming it violated legal protocols. However, her appeals were dismissed by higher courts.
She faces numerous charges, including aiding Bester’s escape, murder, fraud, corruption, money laundering, arson, and obstructing justice.
Currently, she is detained at Kroonstad Correctional Centre awaiting trial scheduled for July 2025. She has also approached the Constitutional Court to contest the legality of her arrest and deportation.
Nandipha Magudumana Net Worth
Before her legal issues, Dr. Magudumana was considered financially successful. Her medical aesthetics clinic attracted high-profile clients, contributing significantly to her wealth.
She owned luxury vehicles such as a Range Rover and a Porsche Cayenne and enjoyed an affluent lifestyle showcased on social media.
