Latest news with #Tshepo
IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Married at First Sight SA: Makoto spills the tea on the show, her co-stars and being a newlywed
Makoto Phumodi, who didn't hold back as she gave the inside scoop on her Married at First Sight South Africa journey, from why she signed up for the experiment to what really went down with Tshepo, her husband and everything in between. Image: Showmax The second season of Married at First Sight South Africa has taken Mzansi by storm. Whether it's on X, Instagram or TikTok, viewers can't stop talking about what's been unfolding and we're only halfway through the season. Airing every Sunday at 6.30pm on Mzansi Magic and streaming on Showmax, this season introduces a fresh panel of experts and a bold new group of singles willing to say "I do" to a stranger. The couples taking part in this social experiment are Palesa Mphaki and Tshepo Miya, Makoto Phumodi and Nkuleleko Mahlangu, Themba Khosa and Nelisa Ntabeni, and Portia Baloyi and Bongani Luvalo. Now legally married, they're figuring out married life in real time, and it hasn't been smooth sailing. From baby mama drama and questions around polygamy to heated conversations about religion and sex, this season is on fire. In Sunday night's episode, the wives gathered for drinks at Nelisa's place and jaws dropped. Bombshells were dropped about their husbands, and the fallout has just begun. The ripple effects are already making waves, and we're bracing for what's still to come. We recently caught up with Makoto Phumodi, who didn't hold back as she gave us the inside scoop on her Married at First Sight South Africa journey, from why she signed up for the experiment to what really went down with Tshepo, her husband and everything in between. What made you decide to take part in Married at First Sight South Africa? I decided to take part in Married at First Sight Season 2 because I wanted to try something different, I wanted to look for love in an unconventional way. What was going through your mind the moment you saw your husband at the altar? When I first saw him, I was like, "I've seen this face before." We had seen each other in the past, and that was really interesting to me because I did not know what to expect. How did you mentally prepare to get married to a stranger? I mentally prepared myself to get married to a stranger by simply being open to the unknown, that is all you can do, there is no manual to this experiment. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ You and Nkululeko had a disagreement on your wedding night. How did that moment make you feel? The fight we had on our wedding night started when he said I must leave my church and go serve at his church, so by the time he started being hyper-religious on screen, I was already upset. The Bible says that a man must provide and a woman must submit, right? Imagine being asked if you're willing to submit, but you don't even know if the guy is willing to provide emotionally, financially, mentally, or physically, so I was taken aback by that. But as you have seen, we moved past that. The conversation around sex between you and your husband sparked a major debate online. Is intimacy a dealbreaker for you in a relationship? Intimacy is important to me. If we can't connect emotionally, it won't work. My husband didn't believe in foreplay or kissing when we first met so those are the things we had to learn about each other and overcome. Tshepo has made a few comments about you. What's the story behind the tension between the two of you? My husband confided in Tshepo a lot. Our argument happened off camera when Tshepo said I shouldn't be asking my husband about his whereabouts, 'Monna ha a botswe o tswa kae.' He was basically saying Nkululeko can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and I shouldn't ask anything. When I reacted to that comment, he called me disrespectful.
The South African
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Palesa Mphaki opens up about love, and reality TV
The second season of Married at First Sight South Africa is making waves every Sunday on Mzansi Magic and Showmax. The show returns with four brave couples: Palesa Mphaki and Tshepo Miya, Makoto Phumodi and Nkuleleko Mahlangu, Themba Khosa and Nelisa Ntabeni, and Portia Baloyi and Bongani Luvalo. Each couple agrees to marry a stranger selected by relationship experts, according to The Citizen. This unique reality series, a spinoff from the globally acclaimed franchise. It captures their journey as they meet for the first time on their wedding day, hoping to find love. This season introduces a fresh team of experts, including marriage and relationship coach Linda Yende and others. They help guide the couples through the highs and lows of their new marriages. The show has been trending intensively, with an episode spotlighting emerging tensions between Palesa and Tshepo. Palesa revealed her worries about Tshepo's admiration for polygamy and suspects he might be unfaithful. She said, 'I didn't enter this experience out of desperation. If I want a cheating man, the streets are there.' This moment marked a pivotal point in their marriage drama, with Palesa feeling unsettled by Tshepo's behaviour. Palesa candidly shared her experience on the show: 'Watching myself on screen has been peculiar, but it has allowed me to see myself differently. People recognise me now, and I am getting used to it.' She added that the biggest challenge of marrying a stranger is uncovering sides of them you never expected. 'The polygamy conversation surprised me. I couldn't understand why he would bring it up,' she said. She also praised the storyline of her fellow couple, Makoto and Nkuleleko, appreciating how their journey challenges social perceptions. Off-camera, she maintains regular contact with some cast members but admits that her communication with Portia is nonexistent. Fans of the show can catch new episodes every Sunday at 6:30 PM on Mzansi Magic or stream them on Showmax. Palesa urges viewers to keep watching, promising, 'The storyline is full of surprises, and there's so much more to come.' This season promises compelling stories and raw emotions, reflecting the vibrant and complex nature of relationships in South Africa today. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Polygamy, drama and secrets: Married at First Sight's Palesa spills the tea
From polygamy bombshells to fiery confrontations, season 2 of 'Married at First Sight South Africa' has viewers glued to their screens Palesa Mphaki opens up about her rollercoaster marriage, her co-stars, and the truth behind the trending moments. Polygamy talk shakes the altar Season 2 of Married at First Sight South Africa is one of Mzansi's most talked-about reality shows, trending on X every Sunday night. This season introduces four brave couples who agreed to marry complete strangers chosen by relationship experts. Among them are Palesa Mphaki and Tshepo Miya whose relationship has been tested by unexpected revelations, including Tshepo's openness to polygamy. Watch: Trailer for Married at First Sight Mzansi S2 In the latest episode, Palesa's suspicions of infidelity surfaced after Tshepo's remarks about admiring polygamy. 'The polygamy question truly took me aback. I couldn't understand why he would even bring up such a topic,' she told The Citizen. Why she said 'I do' to a stranger Palesa says she joined the show 'for the experience, to discover affection through an unorthodox approach'. When she met Tshepo at the altar, she admits to being 'slightly shocked' by his appearance. 'I had said I wasn't into super skinny guys, but I hadn't anticipated meeting a pretty chubby dude. But looks aren't everything, so I was still willing to give it a shot.' Adjusting to married life on camera The reality of marrying a stranger has been more challenging than Palesa anticipated. 'The most significant challenge is discovering their darker side and understanding why they've remained single,' she explained. Watching herself on TV has been 'peculiar', but she's grateful for the opportunity to reflect. She's also getting used to public attention. 'People are beginning to take notice of me… I appreciate those who are bold enough to approach and acknowledge me. The recognition is gratifying.' ALSO READ: Anthony Hamilton, Joe Thomas and Zonke light up Women's Day concert at Wanderers Stadium, despite technical glitches Lessons in love and trust Being on the show has taught Palesa some hard truths. 'Not everyone is completely honest in their actions and movements. It's taught me the importance of setting healthy boundaries and standing up for myself while still being respectful.' Her favourite journey to watch this season? Makoto and Nkululeko's. 'There's something incredibly compelling about focusing on those who are misunderstood or misjudged by society. Especially because I know the show is not scripted.' Behind-the-scenes bonds (and breakdowns) Off-camera, Palesa chats with Makoto almost daily and has regular conversations with Nelisa, but her connection with Portia is 'dead'. Why should viewers keep watching? 'Because the storyline is brimming with potential developments, and one can only anticipate the surprises that await those who remain engaged. The road ahead is filled with intrigue and uncertainty.'
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- The Citizen
No trace of 2 men believed to be trapped in Clewer mine shaft
No trace of 2 men believed to be trapped in Clewer mine shaft A tense and desperate search continues for two men believed to be trapped deep inside a sealed-off abandoned mine shaft near Clewer. Among the missing is 45-year-old Tshepo Motsiye, who vanished over two weeks ago after reportedly entering the disused Greenside Colliery mine for illegal mining activities. Since their disappearance on June 13, families, police, mine officials, and local community members have launched an ongoing search-and-rescue operation. However, the effort has been severely hampered by the extreme hazards posed by the mine's unstable and toxic environment. As the hours turn into days, anxiety and desperation continue to mount, particularly for Tshepo's family, who are still clinging to hope for his safe return. According to Captain Vusi Mnisi of Vosman SAPS, Tshepo was last seen leaving home, telling his girlfriend that he was heading to 'Vosman Circle'. When he failed to return and stopped responding to calls, his girlfriend raised the alarm and contacted his family on June 17. 'Tshepo just didn't come back,' said his sister, Nomsa Motsiye. 'We were worried immediately, but still held on to hope. Then a man came to our house, claiming he had been underground with Tshepo and others, but that Tshepo and another man got trapped.' Thungela Resources confirmed that on June 18, they were notified by concerned family members that two individuals from the local community may have gained unauthorised access to a sealed-off underground section of Greenside Colliery. Breaking news | No trace of two men believed to be trapped in an abandoned mine Read more here: #emalahleni #Vosman #SAPS — WitbankNews (@WitbankN) June 23, 2025 Despite extensive efforts led by SAPS Search and Rescue over the weekend, the whereabouts of the two missing men remain unknown. Hulisani Rasivhaga, Head of Communications at Thungela Resources, said, 'We are cooperating fully with SAPS, the affected families, and all relevant stakeholders to support the ongoing investigation and search.' Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
Investigation uncovers child exploitation in South Africa's illegal mines
Representative image A recent BBC investigation has uncovered disturbing accounts of the exploitation of children within South Africa's illegal mining industry, where minors trafficked from neighbouring countries are subjected to forced labour and sexual abuse by criminal groups operating in defunct gold mines. The revelations surfaced recently following a police operation launched at an illegal mine near Stilfontein in December 2023. Authorities cordoned off the site, leading to the rescue of dozens of underground miners, including 31 children. All were reportedly undocumented migrants from Mozambique. According to South Africa's Department of Social Development, 27 of the children were repatriated in November. Survivors, aid workers, and researchers describe a pattern of abuse, with children often recruited under false pretences, stripped of their documents, and left vulnerable to exploitation underground. One of the survivors, Jonathan (name changed for safety), recounted spending six months in a closed mine, where he observed minors being mistreated. 'I used to see these kids in the mine- 15 or 17 years old,' he said, quoted by BBC. 'They were taken advantage of, and it wasn't safe for them." He said some minors, desperate for survival, accepted risky conditions in exchange for basic necessities. Other witnesses, including a miner interviewed under the alias Tshepo, confirmed similar experiences, stating that younger workers were particularly vulnerable due to their lack of power and protection. According to mining researcher Makhotla Sefuli, criminal groups deliberately target children due to their perceived compliance and lower cost. 'Their passports are taken away, and once they're inside the mine, it's almost impossible to leave,' he said. Aid organisations working with the rescued children report severe trauma. Gugu Xaba, CEO of Save the Children South Africa , said that many minors were manipulated and exposed to harm over extended periods. 'They were promised jobs but faced exploitation instead,' she said. 'Some witnessed or experienced incidents that deeply affected them.' The exposure of these abuses follows the launch of Operation Vala Umgodi ('seal the hole') in December 2023, a government initiative aimed at disrupting illegal mining operations, which are estimated to cost South Africa over $3.2 billion in lost revenue annually. During the Stilfontein operation, police restricted supplies to the underground miners in an attempt to force them out. The ensuing humanitarian crisis prompted court-ordered intervention after footage showed malnourished individuals pleading for assistance, according to BBC. Despite the scale of the problem, no formal charges have yet been announced related to abuse allegations.
