Latest news with #NelisaNtabeni
News24
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Nelisa and Themba emerge as early fan favourites on Married At First Sight Mzansi season 2
X/Mzansi Magic Married At First Sight Mzansi S2 focuses on mature couples in their thirties, as seen with fan favourites Nelisa and Themba, whose connection captured hearts. Their charm contrasts starkly with Portia and Bongani's cold start, marked by hesitation and family critiques, leaving viewers wondering if love will blossom. Airing Sunday evenings on Mzansi Magic, the show promises drama, romance, and the journey of married life for strangers. The highly anticipated second season of Married At First Sight Mzansi (MAFSM) has begun, and episode one delivered maturity, a smidgen of drama, instant connections, and cold feet. This season features more mature couples in their thirties and a fresh panel of experts tasked with matching strangers in matrimony. This change is in contrast to last season's couples, whose ages ranged from the late twenties to early thirties. On Sunday evening, we saw the first two couples take the plunge and entertain audiences with their polar opposite reactions to their new spouses. For the uninitiated, MAFSM is a social experiment where singles are matched by relationship experts and meet for the first time at the altar. The couples navigate the challenges of married life while being guided by professionals. Themba and Nelisa's magnetic connection From the moment they locked eyes at the altar, it was clear that Themba Khosa (38) and Nelisa Ntabeni (39) were smitten with each other. According to his profile, Themba, a finance professional and DJ from Limpopo, is a hardworking family man with a logical yet optimistic outlook. Nelisa, a driven credit analyst and mother of one, shares his ambition and dedication. Their mutual attraction was undeniable. Both appeared genuinely excited to begin their journey together. Themba appeared flustered upon laying eyes on him, while Nelisa blushed every time she looked at him. Fans are already rooting for these two as the season's power couple, believing that their shared values and maturity could make them a strong match. It will be interesting to discover their personalities, flaws and insecurities as the season progresses, as fans stay engaged to find out whether or not the relationship makes it past the show. Cold feet and criticism mark the start of Portia and Bongani's union X/Mzansi Magic In stark contrast, flight attendant Portia Baloyi (34) struggled to hide her disappointment upon seeing her groom, entrepreneur Bongani Luvalo (36). She's the first contestant we meet on the show, and the first quote we hear from her is, 'I believe looks are important.' Known for her vibrant, confident personality, Portia appeared hesitant, and her sisters didn't hold back with underhanded comments about Bongani's appearance, indicating that looks matter to their entire family. Despite Bongani's kind, protective nature and strong faith, Portia's reluctance cast a shadow over their wedding, leaving fans wondering if she will warm up to him or if their marriage will start on shaky ground the way Zithobile and Thami's union did last season. With two more couples set to say 'I do' next week, the drama is only just beginning. Married At First Sight Mzansi airs on Sunday evenings at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161, and new episodes are available on Showmax from 19:00.
News24
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Fresh faces, familiar stakes: Married At First Sight Mzansi S2 embraces SA traditions
Married At First Sight Mzansi S2 incorporates distinct local customs, including lobola negotiations and family approval processes across 11 official languages. 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.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Connect Channel (@connect_tv) '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.'
