In the Limelight: Lerato Maphatsoe, channelling pain into power and birthing new dreams

Joburg based Lerato Maphatsoe has transcended many challenges and developed several high profile businesses in the male dominated sectors of transportation of passenger and luggage and in wine tourism with an innovative shuttle service. Maphatsoe who grew up in Soweto, navigated marriage to the high-profile Kebby Maphatso. The former defence minister and his marital misdemeanours brought her in for public scrutiny. In the aftermath of his death, with grace and fortitude, she refused to be pigeonholed as a victim.The resilient entrepreneur is also a TV personality. She is an exec producer and a cast member of the Showmax reality TV series, Widows Unveiled. The series follows the lives of five women who were married to public figures who passed away- and who have to deal with the controversy over their deaths which has been highly intrusive in their private lives. Working on the series, she “developed a sisterhood” with her “cast mates, on and off set”. The sassy and dynamic Lerato Maphatsoe (50) talks about her work, the resilience and determination which has steered her in charting her growth – personally and in business – channelling pain into power and birthing new dreams:

TCR: What gave you the idea, and inspired you, to start your business, Logistics & Transportation? Can you tell us about this cross-border passenger and luggage transport business?

Lerato Maphatsoe: I got the idea from a family friend and he introduced me to other business associates who were already part of the cross-border transportation sector. After conducting my due diligence, I was satisfied with my research. I strongly believed that it was something I’d succeed in and I have. We offer both passenger and luggage transportation to neighbouring countries which we are officially permitted to do.

TCR: Dovetailing with Logistics & Transportation, you started a transportation business venture in the Cape Town Winelands. What does this business offer?

LM: The transport business in Cape Town is a shuttle service which safely and reliably transports visitors and tourists to and from various wine farms and entertainment destinations found in the glorious Cape.

TCR: Part of your diverse CV is that you served in the Johannesburg Metro Police Department from 2005-2014. Can you talk about how working with the police has informed your code of justice and wanting fair play in life?

LM: I held various positions in the Johannesburg Metro Police Department during the years that I served there. However, the one seat of service that informed my Code of Justice was the position I held in Internal Affairs as an Investigating Officer. It taught me key things to look out for, especially in how peace officers can continue to uphold the law and serve the public of South Africa. During my tenure in this department, I sharpened my experience in understanding fair play and the meaning of mutual respect.

TCR: You started these business ventures, two years ago, after the death of your high-profile husband, former defence minister Kebby Maphatsoe. There was considerable controversy, in the aftermath of his death. Can you tell what inner tools of strength you drew on to put aside gossip and focus on being an entrepreneur – putting your energy into leadership and business?

LM: I drew strength from my children when it dawned on me that I was now their only surviving parent. I was now faced with the sole leadership role of making financial decisions for the family. In the midst of all this, I had to be strong and resolute as I was facing legal and financial issues regarding how the court would fairly rule on parts that included the children he had gotten out of marriage. It has been a testing time but it has revealed to me who I am, and how I could channel pain into power which birthed new dreams in me, and I have been so proud to action those, leaving a new legacy for my family.

TCR: Can you talk about the Showmax reality TV series, Widows Unveiled, which follows the lives of five women who were married to public figures who passed away? You are an exec producer and a cast member. Instead of being demur women, embarrassed by the bad behaviour of their dead husbands, the women in the series have claimed their voices and spaces. Comment, please?

LM: Widows Unveiled was therapy for me, because during shooting I had to relieve my pain all over again, but fortunately I developed a sisterhood with my cast mates, on and off set. We held each other’s hands throughout our breaking moments.

As the cast of Widows Unveiled, we have different stories to share. Not all cast members had to deal with the bad behaviours of their late husbands, some of them are celebrating the great memories they are left with.

In my case, I had to deal with a lot of his out-of-wedlock children and my in-law’s rejection. I learned to finally accept that there is nothing I can do to change the past regarding the consequences of his actions.

I then made a long thoughtful decision to share my journey and story with the public in the form of a reality series. I knew that some of the themes that would be shared on the show would have universal themes, such as grief, and I wanted us to go on the journey of healing together. That was when the Widows Unveiled concept was birthed.

The objective was to create a platform for widows to share their different stories and Showmax gave us that platform to champion in sharing our stories.

TCR: You have spoken about the need to create platforms for women to share their stories, and grief and the TV series nails that. Anything you can share about the power of your resilience, in juggling business in a male-dominated world, the glitz of showbiz and keeping your offspring close at all times?

LM: What I can share is that as women, especially Black women, we don’t have to be strong all the time, as scripture says, for everything there is a season. Sit in your season and go through it, whether it’s a season for laughter or of crying, joy or surrender. Sit in it and surrender to what it needs to teach you or build in you.

That’s my definition of resilience and it is what has helped me get through my seasons. I try to lean into support where I need it. The TV show, raising my children, and the business, all need me to be centred, resolute and in my joy, so I try to show up in that way.