Online Reporter
As “Married at First Sight Mzansi” prepares to return for its third season, viewers can expect another group of hopeful singles to take a leap of faith and marry strangers in the search for lasting love.
The hit reality series returns to Mzansi Magic on July 5 and will once again see relationship experts tasked with matching couples before they meet for the very first time at the altar.
One of the experts returning for the new season is relationship specialist Thabang Mashigo, who says her decision to come back was simple.
“I believe in love and in matchmaking as a feasible concept to achieve it. Real connections are rare, but rare connections are real. This is the right platform to test that hypothesis,” she said.
For the relationship expert, the process goes far beyond matching people based on chemistry or attraction. She shared that the experts spend time examining relationship histories, communication styles, life goals and psychological factors before pairing participants.
One of the biggest misconceptions viewers have about the show, according to Mashigo, is believing that the experts can predict exactly which couples will succeed.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and that deserves to be respected. However, the matchmaking process is based on expertise that is clinically and psychologically informed,” she explained.
She also addressed criticism that often comes from viewers who disagree with certain matches. While she respects differing opinions, Mashigo says the process is rooted in professional expertise and informed by psychology and relationship science.
“Above the matchmaking process, nothing supersedes the state of the heart, and that always presents itself for adjudication. At times, science cannot examine the heart,” she said.
According to Mashigo, one of the most important ingredients in a successful match is willingness.
Without focusing on instant chemistry or sparks, she believes strong relationships are built by people who are willing to discover each other, compromise and choose consistency.
“A strong match is assessed on the basis of willingness. Willingness to discover the character traits that teach you to compromise and the behaviours that need to be unlearned as a means to embrace the love that is envisioned.”
She added that many people place too much emphasis on finding someone exciting instead of finding someone dependable.
“Most importantly, it is the willingness to choose consistency over chemistry, reliability over romance and someone who will show up for you rather than simply providing the ‘sparkles’.”
When pairing couples, Mashigo says the experts pay close attention to the difference between what participants want and what they actually need.
While many people may desire an attractive partner, she believes qualities such as kindness, dependability and emotional maturity are far more important for long-term success.
The team also spends time exploring the reasons people have applied for the experiment and whether they are genuinely ready for marriage.
Away from the show, Mashigo believes many people unknowingly sabotage their own search for love.
She identified dependency, seeking validation from others and ignoring red flags as some of the most common mistakes people make when entering relationships.
“Many people seek a partner to fill an emotional void, cure loneliness or provide a sense of worth. Healthy relationships are usually built between two individuals who already have a reasonably stable sense of self.”
She also warned against falling in love with a person’s potential instead of who they currently are.
“People often become attached to who they hope someone will become rather than who that person currently is.”
As for season three, Mashigo hinted that viewers are in for surprises. She revealed that some of the couples exceeded expectations and showed resilience during difficult moments.
“It’s beautiful to see a couple go through a rough patch and still choose each other. This season, we have certainly been surprised.”
Reflecting on the new group of brides and grooms, Mashigo said many arrived carrying unresolved experiences from their past, while others had strong expectations about what they believed they deserved from a relationship.
“Notions of true masculinity and femininity were challenged. What does marriage in South Africa look like in this day and age? ‘Married at First Sight’ tells us the truth.” – IOL
