Married at First Sight SA: Tshepo Spills on Palesa, Makoto Drama and the Explosive Moments Still to Come

Married at First Sight South Africa has been on air for just eight weeks, but the drama has already been non-stop. Every Sunday at 6:30PM on Mzansi Magic (and streaming on Showmax), viewers are glued to their screens, watching strangers-turned-spouses try to build marriages from scratch—and things are only getting messier.

This season introduced a new panel of experts and four brave couples willing to take the plunge:

• Palesa Mphaki & Tshepo Miya
• Makoto Phumodi & Nkuleleko Mahlangu
• Themba Khosa & Nelisa Ntabeni
• Portia Baloyi & Bongani Luvalo

From disapproving families to baby mama drama and rising intimacy struggles, fans have seen it all. And just when you think things couldn’t get more tense, emotions explode—like in the latest episode, which featured the heartbreaking passing of Portia’s father, rising tensions between Tshepo and Makoto, and an unforgettable cast trip that left viewers shook.

We caught up with Tshepo Miya, who didn’t hold back on his time on the show, his marriage to Palesa, and the off-camera dynamics with the rest of the cast.

Why Tshepo Said “I Do” to a Stranger

“I joined the show because my traditional way of starting relationships hadn’t worked,” Tshepo explained. “I thought this would be an ideal way to see what is out there for me.”

When he first saw Palesa, he admits, “I was hopeful. There were so many things going through my mind.”

Cracks in the Marriage

But it didn’t take long before trouble set in. Tshepo revealed that the first red flag appeared during the honeymoon phase, when Palesa insisted he avoid direct communication with women in production and instead redirect them to her.

“I found that strange as we were still getting to know each other,” he said. “That kind of behaviour did raise some eyebrows.”

Behind the Smiles on Camera

While fans have seen highs and lows, Tshepo insists that much of the conflict came from the pressure to look perfect on-screen.

“My wife would say we need to ‘nip issues in the bud’ and make sure we appear okay as much as possible. But I cannot pretend—if I’m not okay, then I am not okay.”

On His Clash With Makoto

Tshepo didn’t shy away from addressing his beef with Makoto either.

“My issue with Makoto came from a few off-screen run-ins. She had conflict with Nkululeko, and I’ve never wanted to surround myself with unruly people who can just say whatever they want without showing respect—not only to their partner, but to us as well.”

What the Experience Taught Him

Despite the tension, Tshepo says the show has made him stronger:

“I’ve learnt that I have tougher skin than I thought. People will always form opinions about you, good or bad, and the only thing you can do is keep showing up as yourself.”

Watching himself on TV hasn’t been easy, though. “I’ve faced a lot of online bullying, but I’m grateful for the support from those who know me, including the gents. The brotherhood we’ve built has been amazing.”

His Advice to Future Contestants

For anyone brave enough to sign up next season, Tshepo has one piece of advice:

“Be prepared for anything. Not all that glitters is gold. Do it for the right reasons, trust your gut instincts, and never depart from who you are.”

👉 With emotions already at boiling point, fans can expect even bigger bombshells in the weeks ahead. One thing’s for sure: Married at First Sight SA isn’t just about love—it’s about survival.