The concept of marriage is daunting enough, even when you’ve known your partner for years. Yet, what happens when you don’t even know your partner’s favourite colour, let alone their face or last name? Well, it sounds bizarre, but it certainly makes for good TV. However, for Palesa Mphaki, she wasn’t concerned about making reality TV gold when she joined the second season of Married At First Sight Mzansi, but rather to discover affection through an unorthodox approach.
Palesa Mphaki: Married At First Sight Mzansi
The second season of Married at First Sight South Africa has been trending on X every Sunday as one of the most talked-about shows in the country. A spinoff from the Critics’ Choice-nominated franchise, the reality series follows a group of singles who agree to marry partners chosen for them by relationship experts. They meet for the first time on their wedding day, hoping to find lasting love with a stranger.
Alongside Palesa Mphaki and her husband Tshepo Miya are Makoto Phumodi and Nkuleleko Mahlangu, Themba Khosa and Nelisa Ntabeni, and Portia Baloyi and Bongani Luvalo, who are now each navigating life as married couples.
Despite the initial honeymoon period, the latest episode revealed cracks in Palesa and Tshepo’s marriage, which stem from Tshepo’s unfathomable suggestion of polygamy on their wedding night. Following suspicious phone calls from an unverifiable colleague, Palesa now suspects that her new husband might be cheating on her, all while simultaneously attempting to dismiss her valid concerns as insecurities.
Admitting that she was initially surprised upon first meeting Tshepo [“I hadn’t anticipated meeting a pretty chubby dude at the altar”], she was happy to give the experience her full attention. However, she’s also had to grapple with the reality that she is, again, married to a stranger,
“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.”
A Lesson in Love
There are quite a lessons one can learn from love and relationships, especially when getting hitched to a stranger, and for Palesa, some of those lessons have been quite harsh.
“Being on the show taught me that not everyone is honest in their actions and movements”, she says, “It was a real eye-opener.”
In terms of healthy relationships, Palesa has learned the importance of setting healthy boundaries and not allowing others to take advantage of her good nature: “I have learned to stand up for myself while still being respectful and considerate of others.”
Also, while it’s never healthy to compare one’s marriage to others, Palesa reveals that she’s enjoyed watching Makoto Phumodi and Nkuleleko Mahlangu, viewing their dynamic as compelling due to them being 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.”
While she routinely speaks to Makoto, almost daily, and frequently speaks to Nelisa Ntabeni, she admits that her communication with Portia Baloyi is non-existent.
The Wedding Was Only The Beginning
For Palesa, watching herself on screen has been a peculiar experience, yet she remains grateful for being able to observe herself from a distinct perspective. Also, she’s gradually become accustomed to being recognised in public, “I appreciate those who are bold enough to approach and acknowledge me when I’m out and about,” she admits, “The recognition is gratifying, and I’m slowly becoming more comfortable with it.”
With that, Palesa encourages you to tune in every Sunday as the storyline is brimming with potential developments: “The road ahead is filled with intrigue and uncertainty.”
Married At First Sight Mzansi Season 2 currently airs exclusively on Showmax, with new episodes released every Sunday evening.
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