Actress and businesswoman Tebogo Thobejane has stepped into a new chapter of her life, one defined not by fame or beauty, but by fierce advocacy and resilience.
Following a turbulent period marked by a shooting attempt on her life, intense cyberbullying, and constant character attacks, the socialite has officially unveiled the Botlhale Foundation, a platform aimed at tackling digital abuse and gender-based violence (GBV).
Breaking her silence, Thobejane reflected on the trauma that nearly pushed her into the shadows.
“I am a survivor,” she said.
“I survived a targeted shooting, an act meant to silence me. I have survived the brutal weight of online bullying, defamation and relentless character assassination. I’ve been mocked, humiliated and threatened, not just as a public figure but as a mother, a woman and a human being.”
Instead of retreating, she chose to fight back, not just for herself, but for every woman who has ever been shamed, silenced or abused.
“Through it all, I found purpose in my pain,” she added.
The Botlhale Foundation, inspired by the Setswana word for “wisdom” is more than just an organisation.
Thobejane describes it as a movement that will provide a safe space for women, children and marginalised voices affected by bullying, violence, and public shaming.
The initiative is set to champion digital accountability, advocate for policy change, support survivors, and offer mental health resources, all while sparking meaningful conversation through education and storytelling.
“My story is not unique, and that is the tragedy. Many women suffer in silence. I no longer will,” she declared with determination.
Calling on the public, civil society, and potential partners to stand behind her cause, Thobejane said:
“This is more than a foundation. It is a voice for the unheard, a shield for the vulnerable, and a call to action for a country that must do better.”
