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Botho wants justice for women who are victims of rape.
Keeping Score Mon-Thu SABC3 (*192) 21:30
ASA boxing champ Tladi (Solomon Sebothma) is in a bad place following his arrest in mid-July for rape. He’s still in jail, he’s been dropped by his sponsors and worse is on the way at the gym. ASA owner Justice’s (Saint Seseli) daughter Botho (Moliehli Makobane) has taken a stand against rapists and it’s going to upset Tladi on Monday 24 July because “she’s already judged him without hearing his side of the story,” suggests the actress.
TAKING CHARGE
“It hurts Tladi that Botho goes through with her campaign,” explains Moliehli. “Tladi has spent a great deal of time trying to convince everyone that he is not guilty, that he did not rape Pula (Bokang Phelane) and that she’s lying about their night together.” Pula reported the sexual assault to the police but Tladi can’t remember anything about their night of partying. “And it has affected his career,” adds Moliehli. “Tladi’s future is on the line and he could be kicked out of the gym for this, even if he’s innocent.”
The actress adds that Botho feels bad for Tladi on Tuesday 25 July, knowing that he was arrested for something he may not have done. “She’s a person of morals and wants the right thing to be done. Botho is taking the campaign seriously and does her best to keep the ASA and those associated with the gym out of her campaign,” says Moliehli.
BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE
But Botho’s plans backfire on Monday 31 July when Tladi’s mother and gym manager Mmamosa (Sonia Mbele) gets wind of the anti-rape campaign. “Mmamosa wants to protect her son, but at the same time she doesn’t want to be associated with a rapist.” Botho is equally conflicted – her emotions take over and she realises that she’s been burying her feelings for Tladi. “She likes him and she doesn’t want to attack him for being a rapist, especially because it’s still just an accusation at the moment,” says Moliehli. Botho wants to raise awareness of violence against women and make women aware of how they can protect themselves from rapists. Moliehli adds that “nobody in Botho’s immediate circle of friends was willing to take a stand, so she did. It’s not going well though – Justice will have a lot to say to her and Tladi may never speak to her again…”