Latest news with #NelisaNtabeni
News24
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News24
‘I chose uNelisa': Married at First Sight star reflects on customary marriage discovery
Married at First Sight: Mzansi stars Nelisa Ntabeni and Palesa Mphaki face unexpected marriage dilemmas. Nelisa is grappling with revelations about her husband's previous customary marriage, while Palesa struggles with mismatched expectations and challenges like polygamy talks. Despite setbacks, both women explore love, boundaries, self-worth, and the rollercoaster of being thrust into the spotlight. What would you do if you found out your new husband was previously customarily married to someone else, and it's unclear whether they followed due process to dissolve their union? That is the dilemma Nelisa Ntabeni found herself in on Married at First Sight: Mzansi after hearing that her new husband, Themba Khosa's, ex was not happy that he married a stranger on a national TV show. She posted an out-of-context image, leading fans to believe that she had already left Khosa; however, many said she may have been referring to an ex when she shared a photo of herself holding luggage with the caption: 'I packed my bags [and] left him. Never looked back. I chose uNelisa.' When congratulated for her decisions and quizzed by fans about what she thought about the revelation, she wrote: 'Ndisacinga girl! Ayilulanga. Mara, how many South African men pay Lobolo even for multiple women [and] never marry them? Then sonke sikwi sthembu mos... singooo 1... noo2... noo3!' she wrote, letting fans know that she's still thinking about the matter and that it is not okay. She also questioned the definition of marriage if several men pay lobola or customary fines (colloquially called 'damages') for the mothers of their children. Ntabeni argued that several people are effectively in polygamous marriages if paying lobola for a person you have a child with is considered a customary marriage. 'My baby daddy paid Lobolo partially for me but, when he married someone else, I had to accept... sivana ukufa today nomkakhe coz I had to get ready for the fact that my boy was about to gain a 2nd mom,' she added, explaining that the father of her child married someone else even though he paid lobola for her. 'Ewe siba hurt, but we need to be bigger than that for the sake of abantwana.' In what fans viewed as a veiled comment directed at her husband's ex, she said she developed a good relationship with her child's stepmother despite being hurt about not being the one getting married because she had to do the right thing for her son's sake. When another fan asked her to give her marriage with Themba a fighting chance, Ntabeni commented: 'All I can say is... he's a good man who made mistakes... and the mistakes were not against me... they were actually before me. Lots to consider here, but I'm letting God guide me.' Another contestant facing a similar dilemma is Palesa Mphaki, whose journey with husband Tshepo Miya has been anything but smooth, especially after last night's explosive episode, where suspicions of infidelity left fans on edge. Showmax shared the answers from a Q&A with the star to give fans more insight into her journey and what life has been like now that everyone is watching events filmed months ago as she reintegrates back into everyday life outside of reality TV. 'I said yes to Married at First Sight: South Africa for the experience, with the objective of discovering affection through an unorthodox approach,' she says. But nothing could fully prepare her for the whirlwind of emotions that followed, from walking down the aisle with a stranger to navigating the complexities of a televised marriage. She also says watching herself on screen has been surreal. 'It's been a peculiar experience, yet I am grateful for the occasion to observe myself from a distinct perspective,' she admits. Public scrutiny has also intensified as her face becomes more recognisable. 'People are beginning to take notice of me. I'm gradually becoming accustomed to the stares and whispers that surround me. It's quite amusing to observe,' she says with a laugh. The recognition is gratifying, and I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with it.' First impressions become uncomfortable truths When Palesa first locked eyes with Tshepo at the altar, her initial reaction wasn't what fans were hoping for - a couple happy to see the stranger waiting for them at the end of the aisle. However, her feelings about what she got seem to echo those of Portia Baloyi, who has been pretty unkind to her match, Bongani Luvalo. '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,' confesses Mphaki. 'But hey, I know that looks aren't everything, so I was still willing to give it a shot.' However, the challenges of marrying a stranger quickly surfaced. 'The most significant challenge is discovering their darker side, as well as gaining insight into the reasons behind their continued single status,' she says. One of the biggest red flags? Tshepo's unexpected stance on polygamy. TikTok/@nelisa_ntabeni 'The polygamy question truly took me aback. I couldn't understand why he would even bring up such a topic.' Despite the disappointments, she says the show has been a crash course in relationships and self-discovery, which reinforced valuable lessons about self-worth. 'Being on the show taught me that not everyone is completely honest in their actions and movements. It was a real eye-opener. 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.' Though her marriage was rocky, she said she enjoyed watching fellow cast member Makoto's journey. '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. Especially because I know the show is not scripted.' Although her TikTok account makes it apparent that she developed a strong friendship with Makoto, her off-camera bond with the rest of the cast varies. 'I have conversations with Makoto nearly every day, and I engage in frequent discussions with Nelisa. However, Portia's communication with me is dead.' Married at First Sight: Mzansi airs every Sunday at 18:30 on Mzansi Magic and is available on Showmax directly after the broadcast.
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.'
