Reality TV star Ratile Mabotja, widely known for her role on The Mommy Club, has spoken candidly about her ongoing journey of healing and self-discovery following the devastating loss of her partner, businessman Lehlogonolo Mabitsela, in February. The couple shared children together, and his sudden passing has left a profound impact on Ratile and their young family.
In a heartfelt message shared on her social media timeline this week, Ratile reflected on the emotional toll of the past few months while expressing hope for the future. She declared her intention to step into a new chapter of her life, embracing both the pain and the progress that have come with the healing process.
“Taking it one step at a time, embracing every part of my journey — even the unhealed and unrecovered. My story isn’t just mine; it’s testament to resilience, and it’s meant to touch lives forever. I am not what happened to me. Reclaiming Boitumelo,” she wrote.
The post was met with an outpouring of support from fans, friends, and followers of Reality TV, many of whom commended her vulnerability and strength. Ratile’s decision to share her grief and recovery publicly has made her a relatable figure to many navigating similar losses, especially as a mother managing her own pain while supporting her children through theirs.
Ratile-Mabotja
Ratile has since reverted to her maiden surname on social media, a move that some have interpreted as symbolic of her journey toward rediscovering herself outside the grief and trauma she has experienced. While she has maintained her privacy in many respects, she recently spoke more openly in an interview on the Engineering Your Life platform, providing deeper insight into how she and her family are coping behind the scenes.
Ratile Mabotja’s words highlight the reality of navigating grief in the public eye.
“I’m healing every day. I am in therapy. My children are in therapy. We do it at least once a week. We’re trying to keep up with the new normal and trying to create new traditions for the four of us,” she shared.
The months since Mabitsela’s passing have not been without challenges. Speculation has swirled on social media about possible tensions between Ratile and her late partner’s family, with some users suggesting that there have been disagreements over matters following his death. While Ratile has not directly addressed these rumors in detail, she acknowledged the emotional toll the situation has taken on her and her children.
“It left me traumatised. More trauma than anything,” she said when asked how her partner’s death had affected her. “Having to also feel the absence because we’ll have the conversations with the children and now we need to constantly revisit it. It’s a journey.”
Ratile’s words highlight the reality of navigating grief in the public eye. Her experience speaks to the complexity of mourning someone deeply loved while simultaneously trying to create stability for the future. It is a delicate balance—honoring the past while taking steps toward healing and growth.
Despite the immense personal loss and the scrutiny that often comes with being a public figure, Ratile remains determined to move forward. She acknowledged that her life has unfolded in ways she never expected, but she is choosing to focus on personal renewal and inner strength.
“I’m opening a different chapter in my life,” she said. “It may not have been the story I imagined, but it’s mine, and I’m choosing to write it with intention.”
Through her transparency, Ratile Mabotja is helping to dismantle the stigma around grief, mental health, and therapy—especially for women and mothers navigating life-altering losses. Her story is not only about sorrow but also about reclaiming identity, finding purpose after pain, and building a future grounded in resilience and hope.
As she and her children continue to navigate their “new normal,” Ratile is using her platform to remind others that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible—with time, support, and a willingness to confront each layer of the journey.