4 days ago
Palesa Mphaki on Married at First Sight S2 – ‘Not everyone is completely honest'
Four couples who meet at the altar are bound to have the whole country talking.
Married at First Sight South Africa Season 2 has shown couples Palesa Mphaki and Tshepo Miya, Makoto Phumodi and Nkuleleko Mahlangu, Themba Khosa and Nelisa Ntabeni, and Portia Baloyi and Bongani Luvalo traverse through life as newlyweds, getting to know each other and ultimately falling in love, with the help of relationship experts.
However, cracks are already beginning to show in some of the relationships, as seen with Palesa and Tshepo.
On joining the social experiment series and seeing herself on screen, Palesa says, 'I said yes to Married at First Sight South Africa for the experience, with the objective of discovering affection through an unorthodox approach.
'Watching myself on screen has been a peculiar experience, yet I am grateful for the occasion to observe myself from a distinct perspective.'
Viewers were waiting to see sparks fly as the couples first laid eyes on each other at the altar, but for some of the couples, it might not have been love at first sight.
'When I first laid eyes on Tshepo, I was slightly shocked. I mean, I had said I wasn't into super skinny guys, but I hadn't anticipated meeting a pretty chubby dude at the altar. But hey, I know that looks aren't everything, so I was still willing to give it a shot,' Palesa explains.
But it all came to a head once Tshepo started to bring up his interest in polygamy, a subject that Palesa was adamant about never breaching again.
'The most significant challenge when it comes to being married to a stranger is the aspect of discovering their darker side, as well as gaining insight into the reasons behind their continued single status,' Palesa revealed, an ominous note to what could be a dissolving marriage for the pair.
When it came to the topic of polygamy, the event organiser admits, 'The polygamy question truly took me aback. I couldn't understand why he would even bring up such a topic.'
The latest episode of the series showed what could be more cracks in Palesa and Tshepo's relationship when she suspects that her husband might be cheating on her.
'Being on the show taught me that not everyone is completely honest in their actions and movements. It was a real eye-opener,' Palesa says.
She continues, 'It has taught me the importance of setting healthy boundaries and not allowing others to take advantage of my good nature. I have learned to stand up for myself while still being respectful and considerate of others. Overall, my time on the show has been a valuable learning experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally.'
Fans eagerly await each episode as they bear witness to the complex pairing of newlyweds Makoto and Nkululeko, who both have shared their deep traumas and the winding path to healing individually and as a couple.
Palesa looks forward to seeing where their journey takes them, and says, 'I am truly savouring and relishing the journey of Makoto and Nkululeko. There is something incredibly compelling about focusing on those who are frequently misunderstood or misjudged by society.
'Their stories and experiences add depth and richness to our understanding of the world, and I find great value in paying close attention to their paths. Especially because I know the show is not scripted.'
Palesa adds, 'I have conversations with Makoto nearly every day, and I engage in frequent discussions with Nelisa. However, Portia's communication with me is dead.'
