Latest news with #Bester
Daily Maverick
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Breaking waves and barriers: Kira Bester's rise as a surfskiing trailblazer
She has paddled her way to global stardom and now has the Olympic Games in her sights. Kira Bester (23) befriended the ocean at the age of four, when her father took her there for the first time. She hasn't looked back. Her love for the sea has grown with each passing year, to the point where she has made it her office as the surfski world champion. Bester is the reigning overall women's world champion after clinching gold in the Under-23 category of the Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in 2024. Her time of 1:43:39 during the 21km race was marginally better than the 1:44:01 that her compatriot, Michelle Burn, managed at the annual competition. What exactly is surfskiing? It's a paddle sport that combines the thrill of competition with the beauty and power of the sea. Competitors traverse open watercourses using long, sit-on-top kayaks known as surfskis to see who can cross the finish line quickest. Despite fending off competition from senior compatriots such as Burn and Melanie van Niekerk for the title of the world's best woman surfskier, Bester believes she has not tapped into her full potential. 'That hasn't really set in. I don't feel like I'm on top yet, even though I have claimed the world title. I don't feel like I am the big dog,' Bester told Daily Maverick. 'I still feel like I'm an up-and-coming little person, which is funny considering what I've done already.' What exactly has she done? Besides kayaking to world supremacy, that is? In April, she was crowned national champion after clinching gold during the South African Surfski Championships. Just days after that, Bester teamed up with Van Niekerk for victory at the Prescient Freedom Paddle, South Africa's premier doubles ocean race, around Robben Island. Then in May, Bester added the Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships to her already impressive catalogue. She defeated compatriot Jade Wilson as well as Spanish paddler Thais Delrieu to claim the overall victory in Villajoyosa, Spain. Yet Bester, who was born in Pretoria, insists that she is far from achieving the goals that will truly cement her name in the history books. 'I haven't really disrupted anything yet. Obviously, I've made people have to train a bit harder and made them push themselves a bit harder, which is cool,' she said. Los Angeles dreaming Her biggest goal? Just like many athletes who have come before her, Bester dreams of competing at the Olympic Games, and she has her sights firmly set on the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Her coach of four years, Peter Cole, says this will be her most daunting achievement. 'Qualifying for the Olympics as South Africans is hard,' he said. 'You're up against countries that have huge budgets and their departments of sport put a lot of emphasis on Olympic disciplines. The money that is thrown at Olympic athletes is huge.' 'It's quite hard from our point of view because there isn't really funding for [the 'smaller' sports], unless you've actually been to an Olympics and you've won a medal,' said Cole, who is a former surfskier himself. 'So, it's a long road. I tell her to just focus on what's coming up. 'She has a huge opportunity to defend her title in South Africa [for example]. There aren't many people who get to race a World Championship in their home country. 'She has an opportunity to do that in October in Durban. For me that is the first goal, which will open a few more doors from a funding point of view.' Humble beginnings Despite the challenges she faces as she paddles towards cementing her legacy, environmental scientist Bester could not have imagined that she'd be in the position she currently finds herself in. Having been introduced to life-saving when she was nine years old, she eventually gravitated towards surfskiing. This was to improve on her skills as a life-saver — something she took up after moving to the Western Cape, where she lived in Melkbosstrand, then later in Gordon's Bay and Strand. 'One of the events in the life-saving field, the competitive field, is paddling. 'So when I was growing up, I was doing a lot of life-saving and I wanted to be really good at it. So, I decided to put a lot of energy into my surfski paddling,' she said. An epiphany After participating in a few races over the years, Bester's epiphany that she could actually compete with the best in surfskiing came in 2023, when she triumphed at the Gorge Downwind Champs, held on the Columbia River in the US. Although the water is now her second home, the former University of Cape Town student said she has constantly had to battle herself and her mind — especially when she is in the middle of the ocean — on her journey to success. 'There's this little voice that comes out, like in the cartoons where you have that little devil on one shoulder and the little angel on the other. There's one telling you that you can't do this. 'And then the other one is saying, 'You can, you've been training so hard for it.' 'You go through these phases when you are doing a race like the world championships,' Bester explained. 'You are pushing yourself so hard that you don't think you can go any more. 'In my case, the positive voice usually ends up overpowering the negative one.' Bester added: 'You have to really train for that, not just physically, but mentally. You have to train to conquer that little voice in your head. 'Because in all things in life, you always have that little voice that says you can't do it. And then you need to be able to tell yourself that you can, because you've prepared for that moment.' DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
The South African
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Well-connected? Thabo Bester claims to know these celebs
With his charm and gift of the gab, Thabo Bester has repeatedly deceived the public into believing he was a hotshot businessman. The convicted criminal is also thought to be well-connected to several celebrities and politicians who have directly or indirectly crossed paths with him. Thabo and his co-accused, former girlfriend Nandipha Magudumana and seven others, are facing a slew of charges, including aiding his 2022 prison escape, running fraudulent businesses, and violating multiple bodies. His trial is set to begin on 10 November at the Bloemfontein High Court. In 2023, Thabo Bester was first linked to celebrity aesthetics doctor Nandipha Magudumana. However, his 'contact list' reportedly contains many more prominent names… Through his own admission and via media reports, these celebrities' names have been linked to Thabo Bester… In 2012, a year after his sentencing for rape and murder, Pearl Thusi went public about coming came face to face with the man dubbed the 'Facebook Rapist' in a chilling encounter. In a police affidavit shown to Sunday World , the star revealed how she had survived an attack by the convict. Pearl allegedly introduced Bester to actor Tumisho Masha and later singer-turned-preacher Kabelo Mabalane. Masha later told the media that Thabo Bester was a 'textbook definition of a psychopath'. In a letter written from prison in 2013, Bester claimed he had been 'abandoned' by his celebrity pals and wrote about feeling 'loneliness, rejection, and judgment.' In the letter, Thabo Bester name-dropped a reported friendship with media personality Bonang Matheba. Addressing the star directly, Bester wrote: 'I was the one who believed in you from the days of UJ (University of Johannesburg). Through me, you got your dream job. From that Fiat to Mini, I was with you.' Thabo Bester once claimed to be close friends with Bonang Matheba. Images via YouTube screenshot/ Instagram: @bonang_m He added: 'It's ok because God knows me, and I love you as a sister in God…Bonang, God bless you with more work'. Bonang reportedly clapped back at Bester's wild allegations. She told the media: 'This is bizarre because I don't know him at all.' In investigations published by GroundUp, Thabo Bester ran an elaborate, multi-million rand scam while in prison. Under an alleged accomplice – he registered an event and production company called 21st Century Media in 2018. This, while he was imprisoned at the Magaung Correctional Centre for his murder and rape sentence. The company held a grand launch party at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, attended by celebs like Amanda du Pont, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and politician Mzwanele Manyi. Bester – using the alias Tom Motsepe – told his company employees and the public that he was based in New York. He also claimed that he was related to SA billionaire Patrice Motsepe. In a video clip that has since gone viral, Nomzamo Mbatha and Thabile Ngwato were captured singing Happy Birthday to 'Tom,' who was seen laughing via a video link. Following his rearrest in 2023 alongside Nandipha Magudumana, Thabo Bester's name was once again linked to several more high-profile people. On the X platform, actress Simz Ngema and businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize were accused of visiting Bester in prison. Both women vehemently denied the allegations of knowing the criminal. Simphiwe Simz Ngema clapped back at allegations linking her to convicted criminal Thabo Bester. Images via Instagram: @simzngema/ Twitter: @am_blujay The same year, a seemingly Photoshopped image of Bester with former president Jacob Zuma went viral on social media. Ironically, the Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi – who labelled the image a 'malicious attempt to tarnish the former president' – has been criticised for being duped by Bester years earlier. In 2018, Thabo Bester's fraudulent company, 21st Century Media, posted images of an event titled the 'Women In Media Conference.' The event had a star-studded line-up: Bonang Matheba was booked as the MC, and US actresses Taraji P. Henson, Halle Berry, and singer Ashanti were advertised as speakers. Local actress and media mogul Connie Ferguson and presenter Claire Mawisa were also billed to appear. But things took a turn for the worse when the women were alerted to the scam a month before the event. They have all denied being booked for the event. In 2023, investigative reporter Karen Maughan told Newzroom Afrika that a 'well-known celebrity' was linked to Thabo Bester. She alleged that a 'billionaire' businesswoman had visited Bester at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. 'We've been phoning a number of the people who've been visiting him, and a number of the people he listed as contacts – including a very well-known celebrity, who we know. We've seen her on TV', she said. She added: 'He was receiving visits from a woman who he claims to be this successful billionaire after the start of his relationship with Nandipha, which began in 2017'. 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.
The South African
4 days ago
- The South African
Thabo Bester gets his day in court: Trial date set
After more than two years of public outrage, intrigue, and international headlines, the trial linked to convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester's dramatic 2022 prison escape is officially heading to court. The high-profile case will be heard in the Bloemfontein High Court from 10 November 2025, where Bester and eight remaining co-accused will face a host of serious charges related to the audacious breakout from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, a privately operated prison managed by G4S. The accused face charges including fraud, corruption, assisting an escape, defeating the ends of justice, and desecration of a corpse – all stemming from a plot that saw Bester fake his own death and disappear from custody, only to be recaptured in Tanzania in 2023 alongside his partner, Dr Nandipha Magudumana. In a surprising turn during pre-trial proceedings last Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew charges against John Masukela, a former G4S employee. The prosecutor, Amanda Bester, offered no explanation for the decision, stating only: 'We can excuse him, and he can go in peace.' Masukela was released without objection from any legal representatives in the courtroom. The escape captivated the country when it was revealed in April 2023 that Thabo Bester had allegedly burned a corpse in his prison cell to fake his death. The story quickly evolved into a national scandal when it emerged he had been running businesses while in hiding, prompting public fury, resignations at G4S, and urgent debates about private prison oversight in South Africa. The case has also drawn intense public scrutiny due to the involvement of Dr Magudumana, a once-celebrated medical professional whose dramatic fall from grace included allegations of corpse smuggling and helping Bester flee the country. With just under five months until the trial begins, legal observers expect a courtroom showdown that could expose deep cracks in South Africa's prison system, security protocols, and accountability measures. The proceedings are likely to involve extensive testimony from correctional officials, forensic experts, and digital crime specialists. The trial is expected to last several weeks and could ultimately define public confidence in law enforcement and judicial transparency in the aftermath of one of the country's most shocking prison scandals. 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.
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Thabo Bester escape case: Charges against former G4S employee withdrawn
Jabulile Mbatha 17 June 2025 | 17:35 Picture: EWN JOHANNESBURG - Charges against a former G4S member in the Thabo Bester escape case have been withdrawn by the Bloemfontein High Court. Motanyane Masukela was accused of aiding convicted rapist and murderer Bester with his escape. He appeared alongside Bester, his partner Nandipha Magudumana, her father and six other accused in the Bloemfontein High Court on Tuesday for a pre-trial hearing. The court provided no reason for the decision to drop charges against Masukela. He is the fourth former G4S employee to have charges against him withdrawn in this case. Three others were released in October 2023. The judge presiding over the matter, Lani Opperman, sent Masukela home. 'Accused number five, Mr Motanyane John Masukela, the matter is withdrawn against you in terms of section six of the Constitution of the Criminal Procedure Act, you may stand down,' said Opperman.
The South African
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Palace to prison: How did Nandipha meet 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. 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 murder, 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!' 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 murder, 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. 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.
