Reality TV star and entrepreneur Ratile Mabitsela recently opened up in an emotional interview on the Engineer Your Life podcast, where she spoke about navigating public life, the painful loss of her husband, and the strength she has found through support from strangers.
Ratile, known for her appearance on The Mommy Club, lost her husband, Lehlogonolo Mabitsela, in February. The family of Lehlogonolo confirmed the heartbreaking news in a press statement issued later that month.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother and son, Elias Lehlogonolo Mothapo Mabitsela,” the statement read.
Lehlogonolo was a respected businessman and the CEO of Mothapo Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd. He also served as chairperson of the Mothapo Group and held membership in several professional engineering societies.
While the news was deeply painful, Ratile has continued to share her journey publicly. On the podcast, she explained why she chose to be part of The Mommy Club, saying it was a decision she made with purpose.
“With me wanting visibility I have no regrets. Absolutely no regrets I was very conscious when I chose to do this. I was doing it for myself by myself,” she shared.
Ratile also spoke about the overwhelming support she has received from the public during this difficult time. Despite the pain of losing her husband and being in the public eye, she has found comfort in unexpected places.
“The public as much as like you wake up to sad news and you are the talk of town and you’re going through a lot the public has shown another side. The public had been sending me prayers in DMs. They’ve been on my side without me having to say nothing,” she said.
“I cannot tell you how I’m just grateful to a bunch of strangers who are just standing and rooting and praying and just saying, ‘I woke up with you in my heart and I prayed for you last night.’ I don’t know how to explain it but I think when they say it takes a village to raise a child some parts of me are so broken that it needs that kind of village.”
She added that the support she’s felt has helped her stay strong even during her darkest moments. “Like I am out here walking looking strong I feel like there’s an entire nation behind me. Prayers, love and good wishes I’ve seen it and I’ve felt it at times where I thought that I would have the worst to deal with, so much that the worst feels like nothing.”
Ratile also spoke about how she and her children are working through their grief and adjusting to a new life without her husband.
“I’m healing every day. I’m in therapy, my kids are all in therapy—we do at least once a week. We’re trying to keep up with the new normal and trying to create new traditions for just the four of us,” she revealed.
Her story is a touching reminder of the power of community, therapy, and personal strength in the face of overwhelming loss.
