Married At First Sight: SA
Married At First Sight: SA sends contestants to the chapel to meet their partners and get hitched.
Married At First Sight: SA Season 1 Fridays (from 3 February) Lifetime (*131) 20:50
Are you brave and bold enough to meet your soulmate for the first time at the altar? Well, for six singles (whose identities we can’t reveal just yet), that’s exactly what’s about to happen in the six-part reality series Married At First Sight: SA (2017current). It’s based on the US series of the same name that first aired in 2014, which in turn is based on a 2013 Danish reality show called Gift Ved Første Blik (Married At First Glance). The hopefuls will say “I do” to the man or woman they meet on their wedding day – it’s a huge commitment, a gamble and filled with emotion, but the three couples are holding thumbs that they have been matched right.
THE TEAM
Four experts are in charge of matching and supporting the pairs through their new love journey, including… Psychologist Neo Pule works to understand relational dynamics and facilitate personal development. Relationship specialist Paula Quinsee provides personal coaching and emotional intelligence skills. Sexologist Dr Shingai Mutambirwa helps couples explore their sexuality and sexual interests. Financial advisor Winnie Kunene assists couples with reviewing their finances as well as managing their assets together.
THE HOST
While the experts use their knowledge and experience to determine the best way forward, host Sam Cowen is both mediator and confidante. As a former radio personality for talk radio station 702 in Joburg, Sam’s got the right mix of people skills for the job.
“It’s felt like I was part of three stories and run the gamut of emotions with all of them,” she reveals. “I have watched six people, all of whom came into this process with different expectations, through their highs and lows. I’ve cried with them and laughed with them. If I’ve taken anything from this, it’s that I’ve seen that people can only be who they are and that when the romance becomes the real, it doesn’t matter where you are or who you are with, we all face the exact same conflicts as partners.”
DOWN THE AISLE
In the first episode (3 February), the six participants are told that a match has been found. Then comes preparation time for the wedding, but they don’t find out who they’ll be tying the knot with until episode 2 (10 February). After exchanging vows and committing to a life together, the couples head off on honeymoon in episode 3 (17 February). Fast-forward to the season finale episode 6 (10 March) and the three pairs decide if they want to stay together or walk away as singles again.