Ratile Mabitsela opens up about grief, healing and showing up for her cubs
Mapaballo Borotho
Reality TV star and model mom, Ratile Mabitsela, has opened up about her journey on grief and the strength it takes to continue showing up for her children while pursuing her dreams and maintaining her mental health.
Speaking at the Mental Matters SA event, Ratile shared heartfelt reflections on navigating deep personal loss while remaining present for her ‘little hearts’.
She emphasised how unprepared one can be for such a journey and how important it is to normalise conversations around grief and mental wellness.
“This topic should be covered in Life Orientation. It’s vital information that I feel should be readily available in schools, to the public, parents, clinics—everywhere. I wish we could have it on a much bigger scale,” she said.
Earlier this year, Ratile’s husband, Lehlogonolo Mabitsela, passed away shortly after their twins’ birthday.
A month after his burial, Ratile took to Instagram to express how heavy the journey of grief remains, thanking friends, acquaintances, and her online community for supporting her and her children—whom she affectionately refers to as her precious trio.
Now going by her maiden name, Ratile Boitumelo Mabotja, she rose to popularity through her appearance on The Mommy Club, where fans admired her poise amid the show’s usual drama.
In her recent Instagram post, Ratile thanked Mental Matters SA for allowing her a safe space to speak about grief and parenting.
“I’m in my time-to-heal era—choosing growth, grace, and God’s timing above all,” she wrote. “This journey isn’t just about finding my own light. It’s about using my voice to ignite healing in others too.”
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