There is renewed hope for the Makhene family after Gontse Makhene, younger sister of actress and singer Letoya Makhene, returned home following months of treatment at the LADGAC Rehabilitation Centre.
A close family friend has confirmed that Gontse is back with her family and doing considerably better after years of battling drug addiction, which reportedly began during her teenage years.
“She is finally home, and it is such a beautiful thing to see. She looks good, she is clean, happy and, most importantly, she seems to have a new sense of hope. The family is relieved to have her back. They know recovery is a journey, but this is a very important beginning,” the family friend told Buzz Life News.
Gontse’s rehabilitation journey became a major talking point on the Makhene family’s reality show, The Makhenes, which aired on Mzansi Magic. Her family, including her father, veteran musician Blondie Makhene, and sisters Letoya and Pauline, had been desperately trying to get her the help she needed.
Gontse’s struggles have been a source of heartbreak for the family for many years. Her father previously revealed that she had been battling addiction for more than 20 years. Her challenges became particularly concerning after the death of her mother, Agnes, which was described as a turning point in her life.
The Makhene family has endured years of heartache as they watched Gontse’s addiction take hold of her life, with repeated attempts to get her back on her feet proving difficult. Her struggles reportedly created painful moments within the family, who were left worried about her safety as she drifted between the streets and unstable living conditions.
Her father, veteran musician Blondie Makhene, and her sisters, including Letoya and Pauline, have spoken about the emotional toll of trying to help a loved one battling addiction.
Gontse’s situation also exposed the complicated reality of addiction, particularly when trauma, grief and substance abuse become intertwined. Despite the setbacks, the family continued searching for ways to get her professional help, eventually turning to Moloto and the LADGAC rehabilitation team.
Her struggles also saw her spend extended periods away from home, reportedly living on the streets of Johannesburg and in rundown buildings in the inner city. In previous accounts, friends and family expressed concern about her living conditions and repeated attempts to convince her to return home.
During the reality show, Gontse also opened up about painful personal experiences, including alleged sexual abuse and aspects of her relationships, including her relationship with a girlfriend. These revelations offered viewers a glimpse into some of the trauma and personal challenges she has faced.
With the family increasingly worried about her wellbeing, they eventually reached out to anti-drug activist Mr Moloto, who works with the LADGAC Rehabilitation Centre. He and his team visited the Makhene family to assist with getting Gontse into treatment.
Her departure for rehabilitation was emotional, with the family rallying around her despite the difficulties surrounding the decision. She was also found hiding drugs in her clothing shortly before leaving, highlighting the challenges she was facing at the time.
The intervention was documented on The Makhenes, which premiered on Mzansi Magic in April 2026 and gave viewers an intimate look into the family’s struggles with addiction, trauma, strained relationships and healing.
Her return home is therefore not just a personal milestone but an emotional moment for relatives who have spent years hoping to see her reclaim her life.
For the Makhene family, Gontse’s return home represents an important milestone after years of uncertainty and painful experiences.
