Celebrities give their tips for lasting love

TV series in the Valentine’s Day spirit

WITH Valentine’s Day around the corner and February being the month of love, SABC 3 is celebrating love and marriage with a four-part documentary series, Celebrated Love, beginning on February 11 at 7.30pm.

Celebrated Love is produced by Doreen Morris and Sandra Kriek of Blue Zone Media in Johannesburg and explores the love stories of four prominent South- African couples whose marriages have stood the test of time, proving that love can still flourish in contemporary times.

Given the rise in divorce, Celebrated Love explores how relationships can survive and even thrive through the highs and lows of long-term commitment through the marriages of Sonia and Matthew Booth (the ex-Bafana Bafana and Bidvest Wits soccer star, and his author and radio-host wife), Heinz and Alettè-Johanni Winckler (the talented singer/songwriter and his entrepreneur wife), theatre and television royalty Des and Dawn Lindberg and the radio and TV personalities, Thabo “T- bose” and Mapaseka Mokwele.

Using the marriage vows to guide the narrative arc, the show investigates how each couple has managed to keep their vows alive.

The first episode explores the marriage and relationship of Matthew and Sonia Booth.

This couple had odds stacked against their relationship from the start, yet today they share a strong bond, and have built a loving home for their young sons, Noah and Nathan.

Heinz Winckler was the first winner of South African Idols, but fame couldn’t prepare him for the life-changing meeting with his now wife, entrepreneur Alettè-Johanni.

Their marriage has been tested with health, financial and communication challenges which they have resolved by reverting to the basis of their relationship: their shared faith.

South African theatre royalty, Des and Dawn Lindberg, give viewers a rare look into their private lives as an entertainment power couple who have shared every aspect of their lives for over 50 years.

Thabo (T-Bose) and Mapaseka Mokwele started dating when both worked at Radio Metro. A decade later, they work at the same radio station, Kaya FM, and are husband and wife.

They talk candidly about their professional and personal journeys, and what holds them together.

PICTURE: SUPPLIED Celebrated Love will explore the marriage of former footballer Matthew Booth and author, model and radio host, Sonia.

Heinz Winckler