Fresh faces, familiar stakes: Married At First Sight Mzansi S2 embraces SA traditions
Eight new singles, including credit analyst Nelisa Ntabeni, actor Makoto Phumodi, and finance professional Themba Khosa, will marry strangers chosen by an expert panel.
Following season one's low success rate, producers applied significant lessons with enhanced casting processes, including psychometric assessments.
The countdown has officially begun for the debut of Married At First Sight Mzansi season 2, premiering Sunday, 6 July, on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and Showmax.
Season one featured couples Thami Nyandeni and Zithobile Sibaya, Thabang Mvuyane and Makhumo Ngobeni, Sebenzile Ngwenya and Boitshepo Mashetla, and Khutso Mokoena and Litsoanelo Seturumane. Unfortunately, only one couple remains together from the four—Thabang and Makhumo.
A panel of experts matches the couples using analysis applications to determine compatibility. Returning from last season is gynaecologist and sexologist Dr Mpume Zenda, who will be joined by new faces: marriage and relationship coach Linda Yende, conflict resolution expert Khanyi Yende, and counsellor and author Thabang Mashego. Pastor Xolani Hlitana will serve as marriage officiator and counsellor.
The Brides:
• Nelisa Ntabeni (39) - Credit Analyst
• Makoto Phumodi (32) - Full-Time Actress
• Portia Baloyi (34) - Flight Attendant
• Palesa Mphaki (33) - Credit Control Supervisor
The Grooms:
• Themba Khosa (38) - Finance and DJ
• Tshepo Miya (37) - Senior IT Specialist
• Nkululeko Mahlangu (32) - Logistics business owner
• Bongani Luvalo (36) - Entrepreneur
Connect Channel CEO Kopano Cowen previously revealed to News24 that the new season has been reimagined for local audiences by incorporating distinctly SA marriage customs and family dynamics. Beyond adapting an international format, the production team has woven in cultural elements like lobola negotiations and family approval, reflecting South Africa's diverse heritage across 11 official languages.
Cowen emphasised that they had significant creative lessons from the first season, providing a much stronger foundation.
'Married at First Sight is a format which has been produced all over the world, and we wanted to make sure we stayed true to its core format pillars while also including elements that are uniquely South African. We know that South Africans don't marry people; we marry families, and the process always starts with the man sending a letter to the woman's family declaring his intention to pay lobola. If the woman's family does not respond favourably, the marriage might be dead in the water. This is the extent to which our successful nuptials depend on family buy-in and acceptance.'
'Casting for a show like Married at First Sight Mzansi requires a nuanced approach because one wants to ensure our participants are diverse, mature, and engaging. Our process included all the relevant background checks, psychometric assessments, health screenings and compatibility interviews because we seek to make sure each applicant doesn't have any red flags where criminal records, etc, are concerned.'
'In season 2, we knew that we wanted to bring some of these stakes into the show by creating more opportunities for families to express how they felt at the actual weddings and before. We wanted to remind the viewer of their own authentic experience with marriage, allowing lots of space for resonance.'
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'Of course, the viewer can expect many twists and turns on the show; the stakes are high, and the participants are agreeing to be part of something totally unconventional. Romantic relationships are complicated enough without cameras in one's face every day, and this is what creates the tension and conflict that underscores most dating and relationship reality formats.'
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