Former Miss Rwanda, Jolly Mutesi, recently shared a cautionary tale of almost becoming a victim of a scam orchestrated by the “Facebook Rapist” Thabo Bester and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana. The duo tried to lure Mutesi to Cape Town to present a fake Netflix show alongside celebrities Kylie Jenner and Drake for an annual salary of $3 million.
The Scam
Mutesi was approached by Arum Holdings, where Magudumana serves as CEO and Bester as the chairman, using the alias TK Nkwana. Although excited about the prospect of working with well-known celebrities, Mutesi remained skeptical and asked for due diligence to be done. She requested the company’s profile, official invitation, and hotel booking be presented to the authorities to investigate the offer’s legitimacy.
The Saves
After completing due diligence, the authorities advised Mutesi only to accept the invitation if everything about the company appeared to be a scam. However, Mutesi credits the Rwandan Embassy in South Africa for saving her from the unknown intentions of the duo.
Advice to Young People
Mutesi advises young people not to trust anyone who presents an opportunity without thorough investigation. She also stresses the importance of doing due diligence and researching all options offered, especially those in the public eye. Mutesi believes that young people must seek advice and remain safe.
About Jolly Mutesi
Mutesi is a patriot and a philanthropist. During her reign as Miss Rwanda in 2016, she made it to the Top 25 finalists in Miss World 2016’s Beauty With A Purpose competition. In addition, she organized local debate competitions and entrepreneurship advisory sessions that enhanced her public perception and made her stand out locally and internationally.
Future Projects
Currently, Mutesi is one of the judges for the Miss Rwanda contest. She plans to release a new documentary film about her life, highlighting her real-life struggles and clarifying the accusations against her, including allegations of skin bleaching and being harsh to contestants during the Q&A pre-selection stage of Miss Rwanda contests. She believes the film will inspire other youths and help correct misconceptions about her.
