Nkululeko Mahlangu On Makoto: “It Breaks Me to See Her Destroy Herself”

Married at First Sight South Africa continues to deliver gripping reality TV every Sunday at 6:00 PM on Mzansi Magic, also available to stream on Showmax. The experiment pairs complete strangers as husbands and wives, following their marriages in real-time. This season, four couples — Palesa Mphaki & Tshepo Miya, Makoto Phumodi & Nkululeko Mahlangu, Themba Khosa & Nelisa Ntabeni, and Portia Baloyi & Bongani Luvalo — have been navigating the unpredictable journey of love, trust, and compromise under the spotlight.

Now nine weeks in, the show has already served family drama, unresolved baggage with exes, power struggles, and raw conversations around intimacy. But one of the most striking revelations has come from Nkululeko Mahlangu, who has been quietly wrestling with the challenges of his marriage to Makoto.

In an exclusive sit-down, Nkululeko revealed the emotional toll of watching his wife’s behavior unfold on national television:

“Watching my wife embarrass herself thinking she’s belittling me but truly ruining her own image. It breaks me to see her destroy herself like this.”

Faith, Silence, and Self-Discovery

For Nkululeko, joining the show wasn’t just about finding love — it was about finding a wife rooted in humility and faith. “When I first saw my wife, I was happy,” he recalled, “but I wanted to know if she was a humble and God-fearing woman, because those qualities are very important to me.”

To prepare for the journey, he leaned heavily on prayer and fasting, determined to walk into the experiment with a clear mind and open heart. That faith has become his anchor as challenges mounted. “I’ve really matured and I know which battles to fight,” he shared. “I also learned silence is power; not every conversation needs your attention.”

Highs and Lows

Despite the difficulties, Nkululeko insists the marriage has brought moments of joy. “The happy moments I shared with my wife were my favourite,” he said, reflecting on the connection they did find. But the lows — particularly public conflicts — have been difficult for him to witness.

His honesty about the pain of seeing Makoto’s actions has struck a chord with fans, highlighting just how raw and real the Married at First Sight SA experiment can get.

Looking Ahead

When asked if he wished he had done anything differently, Nkululeko hinted that there’s more to come. “Yes, there are some things… but I’m just waiting for the reunion to speak more openly on them. You’ll just have to stay tuned in to see how it all plays out.”

Despite the turbulence in his own marriage, Nkululeko admits he enjoys watching the journeys of the other couples — especially Nelisa and Themba, as well as Portia and Bongani.

And his advice for fans? Don’t blink yet.

“People should continue watching the show because there’s still so much to be expected, and unforeseen twists and turns. Hopefully they will see things done in the dark come to light.”