'Beauty and the Bester': South Africa's most shocking love & crime story
The biggest crime story about rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, and the once picture-perfect celebrity doctor, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, South Africa has ever seen is about to hit your screens. Friends, family, and experts all attempt to answer the question that still haunts South Africa: How did a respected and highly celebrated doctor become entangled in one of the country's most shocking criminal scandals?
The biggest crime story South Africa has ever seen is about to hit your screens.
Netflix has officially announced the release of its explosive new true crime limited series 'Beauty and the Bester', landing on 12 September 2025.
At the heart of the series is Dr. Nandipha Magudumana - once a picture-perfect celebrity doctor with a glossy social media life that screamed success.
She was admired, followed, and even envied.
Behind the glamorous selfies and inspirational captions, something darker was brewing.
A dangerous entanglement with South Africa's most notorious criminal, Thabo Bester, the convicted rapist and murderer who pulled off one of the most audacious prison escapes in recent history.
The man was declared dead after a supposed prison fire, only to resurface alive and strolling through Sandton City with Dr. Nandipha.
Once again thanks to the individual who took this picture at Woolies that day otherwise we wouldn't be here , Thabo Bester would probably still be out there and free pic.twitter.com/P1FCAQUv33
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) April 13, 2023
That one photo of the pair casually shopping sparked a national frenzy and a manhunt that spanned borders, ending in their dramatic captuire in Tanzania.
Suddenly, the woman once celebrated as a role model found herself handcuffed next to a convicted killer.
'Beauty And The Bester' peels back the layers of this chilling saga in a three-part deep dive that blends courtroom footage, never-before-seen investigative material, and exclusive interviews with those closest to the couple.
Friends, family, and experts all attempt to answer the question that still haunts South Africa: How did a respected doctor become entangled in one of the country's most shocking criminal scandals?
The series promises an inside look at how the "Bonnie and Clyde of South Africa" spiralled from Instagram-worthy perfection to a front-page nightmare.
This is more than just a documentary; it's the story of beauty, betrayal, and a bond that stunned the world.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.