JOHANNESBURG – Former Muvhango actress Liopelo Maphathe is set to expose the intimate details of her affair with a married celebrity's husband in a revealing new autobiography, “The Journey to Liopelo Maphathe.”
The book, scheduled for release early next year, promises a no-holds-barred account of the actress's life, including the scandalous affair and its devastating consequences.
Maphathe's public relations team, Wisdom Mobile, headed by Pearl Solo Mbewe, has offered a tantalising glimpse into the book's explosive content, sharing extracts with Sunday World that hint at the emotional turmoil and professional sabotage that followed the illicit romance.
“Liopelo found herself on the dunce’s end of the SA entertainment industry’s ruthless sting with the label of ‘mistress’ as her new reputation," reads one extract that reveals the harsh judgement Maphathe faced after news of the affair broke.
"A lifestyle of casual romantic rendezvous is top lifestyle norm for many in the bustling city of Johannesburg, and most get away with once-off flings and affairs, but Liopelo would soon find out that the beau that she rendezvoused with was married to a powerful and influential (words removed).”
The book delves into the alleged actions of the scorned wife, a powerful figure in the entertainment industry, who reportedly used her influence to blacklist Maphathe, effectively destroying her acting career.
“With a culture nuanced by issues of mental health, frustrated single motherhood and disgruntled baby daddies, many have a privilege that actress Liopelo did not – good old privacy," the extract continues.
“When the going gets tough, many reclusively deal with their shame behind closed doors. This wouldn’t be the case for Liopelo, who woke up one morning unaware that her acting career now hung in the balance. She went to bed one night as the envy of many and woke up a blackballed television personality.”
“The Journey to Liopelo Maphathe” also explores the darker side of the entertainment industry, touching on the prevalence of transactional sex and the pressure faced by young hopefuls seeking opportunities. Maphathe recounts her own experiences navigating this challenging landscape, describing a Gauteng far removed from the glitz and glamour she had envisioned.
“She was far away from her home of Lesotho and would soon discover that the city she journeyed to chase her dreams was Gauteng only by name – for her, nothing would glitter yet.”
The extract continues: “The soft underbelly of the entertainment industry is alive with unspoken laws and rules of engagement. Failing to uphold this unspoken honour among peers in South Africa’s entertainment industry has woven many artists and creatives alike into a deceptive web of lusts – to eat or be eaten.”
Described as an “honest and delicate ode,” the book promises a raw and unflinching look at Maphathe’s journey, from her early aspirations to the devastating consequences of her choices. It aims to be a story of regret, resolve, and ultimately, redemption.
The book poses poignant questions about the price of ambition and the challenges of navigating a cutthroat industry.
“What happens when a bright-eyed girl from Lesotho quenches her insatiable thirst for her dreams by going towards purposeful warfare? Who does she lean on when she stumbles and learns? Who does she call when the maverick she always knew, her father, transitions when his little girl needs him the most?”
Mbewe assures readers that the book will leave no stone unturned, providing a full account of Maphathe’s experiences, including the affair and its aftermath. While the identities of the celebrity couple involved remain undisclosed for now, the news crew confirmed their knowledge of the individuals, promising to reveal their names upon the book's release.
"The story of Liopelo is one riddled with shattered dreams rebuilt, identity challenged, and faith restored,” promises the extract.
"As colloquialism would have it, Liopelo soon learnt the levels to this (industry) thing and that refinement in the fire of one’s disobedience is the perfect level-ling ground for the pride of life and the ego. This book is the story of regret, resolve and redemption!”
