Tebogo Thobejane Breaks Down After Mamelodi Shooting: ‘We Can’t Hashtag Our Way Out Of GBV!’

Actress and social media personality Tebogo Thobejane has spoken out following the devastating Mamelodi East shooting, which claimed the lives of two young cousins, Tshiamo Moramaga and Baleseng Moramaga, on 26 October 2025.

Their bodies were found on the side of the road in Extension 17, leaving the community heartbroken and sparking renewed outrage over the ongoing scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.

A Shocking Loss That Hit Close to Home

According to reports, an eyewitness claimed to have heard one of the young women arguing with a man before gunshots rang out. Police later confirmed that a suspect — believed to be the boyfriend of one of the victims — was arrested at a local filling station shortly after the incident.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves across social media, with many users expressing frustration over the unending cycle of violence against women.

Tebogo Thobejane, who has long used her platform to raise awareness around gender-based violence and online harassment, said the news left her deeply shaken.

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“Every time we lose another woman to GBV, it’s a reminder that silence protects the abuser, not the victim,” Thobejane told TshisaLIVE. “We can’t only hashtag and move on. We have to talk, teach, and transform.”

The former Muvhango actress has urged South Africans to take their online activism offline — turning awareness into real-world action.

Tebogo Thobejane From Cyberbullying to GBV Advocacy

What started as a campaign to tackle cyberbullying has now evolved into something much larger. Thobejane’s Bothlale Foundation, originally launched to create safe spaces for young women online, has expanded its mission to fight gender-based violence and promote empowerment through education.

“Ignoring these issues only further protects the perpetrator,” she said. “We need to stand together — not just post condolences.”

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The organisation plans to hold talks with youth groups and schools to address both bullying and gender violence, aiming to change mindsets and equip young people with tools to respond to abuse.

Family Speaks Out: “They Were Building Their Future”

The mother of one of the victims shared her heartbreak in an emotional interview, remembering how close the cousins were.

“They grew up like sisters. They even wore matching outfits,” she said.

She also refuted claims circulating online that the women were involved in transactional relationships, insisting they were hardworking and ambitious. One of the victims was reportedly a beauty entrepreneur, while the other was studying to become a teacher.

As the community continues to mourn, calls for justice grow louder. Residents have vowed to support the family through the court process and push for harsher sentences for perpetrators of gender-based violence.

“These girls didn’t deserve to die this way. It’s becoming too much,” one local resident said at a candlelight vigil held in their honour.

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