Exploring love for better or worse

The marriage coaches talk to star couples about common relationship problems and offer expert advice

MZANSI Magic’s latest show, For Better or Worse with Mo and Phindi, is a lifestyle show that distils a variety of unusual challenges, including the contentious subject of managing money as a couple.

The show features some of Mzansi’s best-known couples such as Caiphus Semenya with Letta Mbulu, and Tumi Morake with Mpho OsieTutu.

While the couples reflect on the strength of their love, they also look back at the trials and tribulations they have encountered.

Each couple share their heartfelt reflections on lessons learnt from married life and how money can emerge as a sore point.

The show gives viewers hope that money issues can be overcome through the power of unity and proper financial planning.

Monwabisi and Phindile Grootboom said they created the show back in 2017.

“Professionally, we are marriage coaches, and we’ve been working with couples and families for the past seven years.

In that process, we’ve been dealing with a wide variety of challenges married couples are faced with,” said Phindile.

“Many would either easily throw in the towel and opt out, while others believed theirs were unique challenges they couldn’t escape.

“We also found – and this is still the case – that people seldom apply their thoughts on what the vow ‘for better or for worse’ actually means.”

Monwabisi said they developed the show in order to get married people to understand that, first, they are not alone, and that no marital challenge is insurmountable.

“In other words, there’s no such thing as ‘irreconcilable differences’ as long as both partners are willing to put up a fight to save their relationship,” he said.

He added that the intent of the show is to restore dignity to the institution of marriage and achieve family cohesion as well as nationbuild.

The couple pointed out that the show addressed a range of topics, including finances, health and childless marriages.

Phindi revealed that one of the things that they had learnt over the years and wanted to share with viewers is that romantic love is probably the weakest foundation on which to build a marriage.

“It’s impossible to find true love before marriage.

“That kind of love you grow into, in the safety of the commitment of marriage.

“The person you choose to spend the rest of your life with in marriage has the power to change the course of your life 180 degrees, thus affecting the very purpose for which you live. Choose wisely!”

For Better or Worse with Mo and Phindi airs on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) on Tuesdays at 9.30 pm.