First comes marriage…
Alyssia Birjalal asked the newly married couple why they took this unconventional route
SHOWS like Date My Family, Take
Me Out Mzansi and Dinner Date South Africa, have proved to be a hit with South African viewers, but what happens when you skip the dating and enter straight into a marriage. A marriage of two strangers. This is the format for Married At First Sight South
Africa, the local format which has had viewers hooked for weeks.
Curious to know how and why contestants would enter a show like this, we spoke to newly married couple Khensani and Patric and found out from a psychologist the effects of this kind of arrangement.
Why did you choose to enter such a show? Was there a personal reason or did you think it would be fun? Khensani: I entered Married at First
Sight South Africa because it is an unconventional way of marrying someone and I love all things unconventional.
I was keen to see, if I got chosen, what partner a team of experts would match me up with. And dating is so messy, so I got to skip the messy bit and walk straight down the aisle.
Patric: I entered because I was struggling to find the right lady, who was also ready for commitment and I thought I’d let the experts try to find me a match.
Did you watch the previous season, and what were your overall thoughts?
K: I watched the previous season and I thought that the singles were so brave. It was unique seeing something that I had been watching be produced here at home.
P: No, I hadn’t watched season 1 when I entered.
What would you say was the highlight of the show? K: The honeymoon and sharing a space with a stranger.
P: It has been a great opportunity to learn lots about myself and I have enjoyed the experience.
Were there any low moments in the show that made you say, ‘okay, I should not have done this’?
K: The low moment so far was at the wedding, when I heard that my mom was extremely emotional. She had just had a health scare and the last thing I wanted to do was adversely affect her health because I decided to do something unconventional. P: There have obviously been low moments, but it is a growing experience. You’ll have to tune in if you want to know what those lows were.
When you were paired, what were your first thoughts and reactions? K: It was overwhelming. My first thoughts were “he is tall, I need water and where did all my saliva go?” My first reaction was to hug him because I do hugs and a handshake would have been awkward to give to my fiancé. P: My initial thoughts when I saw her walking towards me, was that she wasn’t the kind of lady that I would normally go for, but I thought let me give this marriage a chance.
I believe the experts must have matched us for a reason and she might be a great person.
What did your families have to say about your decision to enter the show and marry a stranger? K: My family knows that I am a risk taker and I like doing things unconventionally. They were initially shocked but were then supportive throughout the entire selection process and all the way down the aisle. I know that they will continue to support me. P: My family was shocked initially, but they then gave me their blessing and were supportive. Do you now believe in love at first sight? K: No, I don’t believe in love at first sight. I believe that I am sapiosexual so I fall in love, predominantly, with the mind and it is difficult to do that at first sight but rather after a few conversations. P: Yes, I do believe there is love at first sight. If given the chance, will you do it again? K: Yes, in a heartbeat. P: Yes, the experience takes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to learn more about yourself and about other people.
Catch Married At First Sight South Africa on Lifetime (DStv Channel 131) at 8.50pm every Friday, with repeats throughout the week.