Meet Thuli Madonsela’s Kids: Wenzile Una and Mbusowabantu Fidel

Thulisile Nomkhosi “Thuli” Madonsela is a renowned South African advocate, law professor, and former Public Protector, celebrated for her steadfast dedication to social justice, human rights, and democracy.

Born on September 28, 1962, in Johannesburg, she is currently 62 years old. She grew up in Soweto, with her family roots tracing back to Swaziland (now Eswatini), making her of Swazi ethnicity.

Raised by her parents, Bafana Madonsela and Nomasonto Madonsela, who were informal traders, Thuli experienced a humble upbringing. She has one known sibling, a brother named Musa Madonsela.

Her early education took place at Nonto Primary School in Soweto and at a Seventh-day Adventist Church School in Swaziland. She later completed her secondary education at Evelyn Baring High School in Nhlangano, Swaziland, between 1980 and 1983.

Madonsela’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts in Law from the University of Swaziland (1987) and an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand (1990). These qualifications laid the foundation for her remarkable legal career.

On a personal level, Thuli was married, but her husband tragically passed away while their children were young. She raised her two children, Mbusowabantu Fidel and Wenzile Una, as a single mother while pursuing her demanding career. In 2018, she announced her engagement to public relations consultant Dick Foxton, though no further updates about their wedding have been publicly disclosed.

Professionally, Thuli Madonsela is best known for her role in drafting South Africa’s post-apartheid constitution and serving as the country’s Public Protector from 2009 to 2016. Her fearless investigations and advocacy work earned her both national and international recognition.

Wenzile Una Madonsela

Wenzile Una Madonsela, the daughter of Thuli Madonsela, has carved her own path while echoing her mother’s commitment to social change. A law student at the University of Pretoria, Wenzile is pursuing a degree that aligns with her mother’s legacy in law.

Her involvement in activism is evident through her role as secretary-general of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) student branch at the university, where she has been vocal about issues such as the poor administration of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

In 2015, Wenzile made headlines when she claimed her mother supported an EFF project to address student accommodation issues, though Thuli clarified that her support was as a mother, not in her official capacity as Public Protector.

Wenzile’s personal life has also garnered attention. In a traditional ceremony in KwaZulu-Natal, she married Khulekile Msimang, and the couple welcomed a daughter named Melo Msimang.

As a grandmother, Thuli Madonsela drew inspiration from Melo for her first children’s book, Melo’s Kingdom, co-written with Wenzile, Khulekile, and Zedekiah Msimanga. The book, launched in 2020, weaves African proverbs and biblical principles to instill values like honesty and courage in young readers. Wenzile’s contribution to the project reflects her creative and principled upbringing, shaped by her mother’s emphasis on integrity and service.

However, Wenzile’s relationship with her mother has not been without challenges. In 2022, Wenzile publicly accused Thuli of “subtweeting” her on social media, calling her mother’s actions “toxic” and expressing frustration over their strained communication.

Mbusowabantu Fidel

Mbusowabantu “Wantu” Fidel, Thuli Madonsela’s son, has had a quieter public presence but has nonetheless left his mark. In 2012, at a young age, Mbusowabantu made headlines when he took his mother’s official state-issued BMW X6 without permission and crashed it in Moreleta Park.

The incident, which occurred while Thuli was asleep, was a challenging moment for the family. Thuli handled it with characteristic integrity, committing to pay for the damages and ensuring her son faced consequences without special treatment. This approach reflected her belief in accountability, a principle she upheld both as Public Protector and as a mother.

By 2016, Mbusowabantu had matured significantly, expressing deep admiration for his mother’s work. In an interview with Marie Claire, he praised her as surpassing even the leaders who fought for South Africa’s liberation, saying, “I look at the leaders who fought and died for the liberties I now freely enjoy and as much as I appreciate and admire their courage, I feel they fall short of my mother.”

His words highlight the profound impact Thuli’s dedication to justice had on him, shaping his perspective on leadership and responsibility.

Mbusowabantu also contributed to discussions on democracy and freedom, notably during a 2017 panel at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). Alongside his brother-in-law, Khulekile Msimang, he argued that democracy and freedom are interconnected, emphasizing the need for inclusive leadership to address socioeconomic disparities.