Watching Netflix’s Beauty and the Bester was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. The series dives into the shocking story of Thabo Bester, a convicted rapist and murderer who staged an audacious prison escape, and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, the once-respected medical professional who became his accomplice.

While the series is gripping and well-paced, I found myself constantly reflecting on Nandipha’s role in the entire saga and questioning the narrative that paints her as a victim.

For me, it’s hard to see Nandipha as someone who was entirely manipulated or coerced. Yes, Thabo Bester is known to be a master manipulator, but Nandipha was an intelligent, accomplished woman at the peak of her career.

She must have fully understood what she was doing when she helped him escape. From sourcing corpses to staging Thabo Bester’s fake death and running off with him across borders, these weren’t the actions of someone who had no choice. These were deliberate decisions. It’s impossible to ignore the fact that she risked her career, her reputation, and even her family for him, all while seemingly being complicit in his schemes.

The series tries to balance the perspective, showing how Bester’s charm and control may have influenced her, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Nandipha wasn’t simply a victim. She had agency in her actions. She was a highly educated woman who knew the risks and consequences of what she was doing.

The fact that she continued to align herself with a man who was not only a convicted criminal but also deeply dangerous speaks volumes. Whether it was love, infatuation, or a thirst for excitement, it doesn’t absolve her of responsibility.

What struck me most was their life on the run. They lived lavishly, flaunting their wealth and status on social media as if they were untouchable. That lifestyle didn’t look like someone being held hostage or manipulated—it looked like someone who had made a choice to live outside the law. For me, that sealed the idea that Nandipha wasn’t powerless; she was a willing participant in this chaos.

Beauty and the Bester left me both fascinated and disturbed. It’s a cautionary tale about toxic relationships and how far people will go when blinded by love, obsession, or ambition. It also challenges us to think critically about complicity and how we define victimhood. For me, Nandipha had a choice. She wasn’t just caught in Thabo Bester’s web—she actively helped build it.

Watching this series made me reflect on how even the smartest, most capable people can make devastating decisions when their judgment is clouded. It’s a gripping story, but one that leaves you with more questions than answers.o