Award-winning broadcaster, producer, and media powerhouse Relebogile Mabotja is stepping into a bold new chapter as the host and associate producer of Untied, a revealing new talk show set to premiere on Showmax on 24 June. Known for her ability to lead thoughtful, emotionally resonant conversations, Mabotja is at the heart of this groundbreaking series, which delves into the deeply personal — and often taboo — topic of divorce.

Produced by GOAT, the team behind Unfollowed and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa, Untied focuses on the stories of South African women in the public eye who have lived through the dissolution of their marriages. But for Mabotja, the show is much more than just a talk show — it’s a healing platform, a mirror for society, and a deeply personal journey.

“It Was Meant to Be”

While Mabotja didn’t initially land the production pitch for Untied, fate had other plans. “It’s quite funny,” she recalls. “My company and I pitched the show and didn’t get it. Later, the team came back and asked me to host. It only made sense for me to also join the production side. The universe aligned. It felt like it was meant to be.”

That alignment speaks volumes to Mabotja’s career ethos — a balance of intention, intuition, and impact. As both host and associate producer, she plays a key role in shaping Untied’s tone, structure, and emotional depth.

A Safe Space, Not a Spectacle

One of Mabotja’s greatest strengths is her ability to foster vulnerability without exploitation — a quality that sets Untied apart from gossip-driven celebrity interviews. “I’m extremely intentional about the space I create,” she says. “Whether it’s a public figure or someone the audience has never heard of, I approach every story with care, openness, and respect.”

That energy permeates every episode. “I use vulnerability as a superpower,” she adds. “People open up when they feel seen — not judged, not sensationalised. And that starts with me holding the space from a place of empathy.”

Conversations That Heal

Mabotja sees Untied as a vehicle for more than just storytelling — it’s about healing and empowerment. “There are so many unspoken experiences around divorce — trauma, shame, disappointment. This show lets women speak truthfully about how they became ‘untied’,” she explains.

And while the stories are from women, the impact is universal. “Love, betrayal, heartbreak, rebuilding — these are not just female experiences. They’re human experiences.”

The Personal Cost of Holding Space

Hosting Untied hasn’t come without its emotional toll. “There’s not a single episode that didn’t move me,” Mabotja says. One moment, in particular, nearly brought her to tears. “We spoke about the loss of a child. As a parent, I can’t even imagine. It was one of the hardest moments on set.”

Still, she believes in leaning into the discomfort. “These conversations aren’t easy, but they’re necessary. You can’t facilitate healing if you’re afraid to feel.”

Redefining Womanhood After Divorce

A major theme of Untied is the societal double standard women face post-divorce — a topic Mabotja doesn’t shy away from. “Society grooms girls to become wives, tying their value to being chosen and staying chosen,” she says. “So when a marriage ends, the woman is seen as having failed. That narrative is outdated and dangerous.”

Through Untied, Mabotja aims to challenge and reshape that conversation. “We’re not just sharing stories. We’re shifting culture.”

A Career Without Limits

For Mabotja, Untied represents just one of many lanes she’s navigating in a multifaceted career that spans broadcasting, business, and advocacy. “I never imagined I’d be doing all this,” she reflects. “At one point, I wanted to be on Broadway. Then I wanted to be a lawyer. But I’ve always been curious. That curiosity has led me here — to tell stories that matter.”

What She Hopes Viewers Take Away

At its core, Mabotja hopes Untied leaves audiences more compassionate and self-aware. “If people walk away with a little more empathy, a little more insight into their own relationships and choices, then we’ve succeeded.”

With her heart, her voice, and her vision steering the show, Relebogile Mabotja is turning Untied into more than just compelling television — she’s creating a cultural touchpoint for how South Africans think about love, loss, and life after “I do.”