The tragic story of Nomfundo Tyhulu, a 27-year-old woman brutally murdered in September 2011, continues to haunt South Africans more than a decade later. Tyhulu, remembered as a vibrant, loving young woman, fell victim to the violence of Thabo Bester, whose name has since become synonymous with some of the country’s most shocking crimes.
On 21 September 2011, Tyhulu was staying at a B&B in Sunset Beach, Cape Town, when her life was tragically taken. Reports from the time indicate that she was stabbed in the chest by Bester following what appeared to be an argument. The young woman, who had her entire future ahead of her, died at the scene, leaving behind grieving family, friends, and a community shaken by her untimely death.
Tyhulu’s murder was not just another statistic in South Africa’s troubling record of gender-based violence (GBV). It stood as a harrowing example of how women remain disproportionately vulnerable to violent crimes. Her death sparked public outrage, with many highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections for women and accountability for perpetrators.
Bester, often referred to in the media as the “Facebook Rapist” for luring victims through online platforms, was convicted of multiple crimes, including Tyhulu’s murder. His conviction brought some relief to her family, but it could not erase the immense pain caused by the senseless act.
For Tyhulu’s loved ones, her memory lives on as a reminder of the bright, compassionate young woman she was. Friends described her as kind-hearted and ambitious, with dreams that were stolen from her in an instant. Her story has become part of a wider call for South Africa to confront the reality of GBV and demand justice for victims who can no longer speak for themselves.
Over the years, the case has resurfaced in the public eye, especially as Bester’s later escape and re-arrest brought renewed attention to his violent past. Each time, the name Nomfundo Tyhulu is spoken, it is a stark reminder of the life he ended and the family he left in mourning.
Today, Tyhulu’s story resonates as more than just a crime report. It is a symbol of resilience for her family, a painful chapter in South Africa’s fight against femicide, and a call to action for society to protect women from violence.
As South Africa continues to battle the scourge of GBV, the memory of Nomfundo Tyhulu reminds us that behind every headline is a human being whose life mattered.
