Thabang Mashigo Returns for Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 3 as Relationship Expert

Mzansi Magic has announced the highly anticipated third season of Married at First Sight Mzansi. The hit Mzansi reality series has become one of the country’s most talked-about shows, consistently trending at number one on X throughout its first two seasons and being at the forefront of many conversations.

A local adaptation of the Critics Choice-nominated global franchise, the series follows a group of singles who agree to marry partners selected for them by relationship experts. Meeting for the very first time on their wedding day, the couples take a leap of faith in the hope of finding lasting love with a complete stranger.

Premiering exclusively on Mzansi Magic on Sunday, 5 July 2026, the new season kicks off with a 90-minute special at 17:30. Thereafter, episodes will air weekly at 18:00.

The season sees the return of the experts viewers have come to know and love. This season’s panel includes relationship expert Thabang Mashigo, relationship coach and officiator Pastor Xolani Hiltana, intimacy expert Dr Mpume Zenda and marriage and family counsellor Bakhe Dlamini, who returns after first appearing in Season 1.

Joining them is a new group of hopeful singles ready to take a leap of faith and put their hearts on the line in the search for lasting love.

The couples will be revealed soon and viewers can look forward to following their journeys as they navigate the realities of married life, build new connections and discover whether love can truly grow between two strangers.

In anticipation of the new season, we caught up with one of South Africa’s most-loved relationship experts, Thabang Mashigo, to get the inside scoop on the matchmaking process, what goes into selecting the couples and what viewers can expect from the season. She also shared what she hopes to achieve as she helps a new group of singles take a chance on finding love.

What made you come back as an expert?

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. When I was called back, my only priority was to serve in the best possible way.

How do you deal with some viewers disagreeing with your matches?

It’s simple. 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. 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.

What makes a strong match on Married at First Sight?

‘Sight’ is not always just about what you see, but rather what you are willing to discover in another individual. 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.

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”.

What are the biggest factors you consider when pairing couples?

We identify whether expectations are based on a person’s romantic needs or their perceived wants. A desire for an attractive and appealing partner is an important want, but having one who is kind and consistently shows up for you is a need that should be prioritised.

Experience and exposure are imperative to successful pairing. However, we also strongly investigate the intentions behind why cast members have applied and why they desire marriage.

Have there been any surprising matches that worked better than expected?

Absolutely. It’s beautiful to see a couple go through a rough patch and still choose each other. This season, we have certainly been surprised.

What are the most common mistakes people make when looking for love?

Dependency and external validation. 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.

People often become attached to who they hope someone will become rather than who that person currently is. This can lead to disappointment and repeated attempts to “fix” or change a partner.

Another common mistake is idealisation and ignoring red flags. Attraction can sometimes overshadow judgement. Signs of dishonesty, disrespect, emotional unavailability, controlling behaviour or incompatibility are often rationalised away in the early stages of a relationship.

What do viewers often misunderstand about the matchmaking process?

One of the biggest misunderstandings viewers have about the matchmaking process on Married at First Sight is that the experts simply pair people based on obvious traits or for drama.

In reality, the process is much more extensive than what is shown on television. The experts consider personality, relationship history, communication styles, life goals and psychological factors.

Many viewers expect the experts to know which couples will work. The experts themselves have repeatedly stated that compatibility does not guarantee attraction, commitment or emotional maturity once the marriage begins. The state of the heart is always a mystery.

Relationship psychologists often distinguish between compatibility and relationship skills. Two people may be compatible on paper, but if one partner is emotionally unavailable, dishonest, unwilling to compromise or unprepared for marriage, the relationship can still fail.

What qualities stood out most in this season’s brides and grooms?

Some were unaware of the impact of their own past. Others felt entitled to love, respect and appreciation without feeling the need to earn it. 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.

Why should people watch?

People should watch because it is authentic vulnerability. The contestants who usually resonate most with viewers are not necessarily the most dramatic, but those who show genuine self-reflection, accountability and a willingness to grow throughout the process.

Being matched with a potentially compatible partner is only the beginning. Long-term success depends on emotional intelligence, timing, self-awareness and the ability to build trust after the match is made.

Married at First Sight Mzansi is the teacher that Mzansi needs to observe to better understand the dynamics of relationships. Stay tuned. It will certainly be an unforgettable ride.

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