When Thami and Zithobile first met each other at the altar, they felt blindsided. 

Physically, their surprise spouse represented a trait they had never considered in a potential life partner. That is, a bigger woman for Thami, and a ‘yellow bone’ for Zithobile, whose primary appeal lay with the classic ‘dark, tall and handsome’ archetype. However, once they had gotten past their inital tastes, they began looking forward to the rich possibility of discovering a soulmate in a place they had least expected.

And with a joyful sense of surrender to the present moment, the newlyweds proceeded with their vows and devoted themselves to each other. 

As the days went by, Thami and Zithobile’s marriage would inspire a wave of conversations online. Some were concerned about how the pair seemed to consistantly bump heads – disagreeing on the smallest things – a constant hill that always steeped into conflict at a snap of a finger. There were also whispers about a perceieved lack of chemistry, which was fueled by Thami’s own revelation that Zithobile seemed insistent on tactically avoiding the consumation of their marriage. A back and forth about physical intimacy ensued, and the couple shared their journey openly in couples therapy. 

But on the other hand, Thami and Zithobile have been lauded for their organic vulnerability. In many ways, their willingness to lay it all on the table has been seen as a solid foundation for building a lasting relationship. Instead of sugarcoasting things or putting up appearances to present a unified front for viewers, therapists and fellow couples, the newlyweds wore their hearts on their sleeves. While on the one hand, their authenticity drew the most vigilant reservations for many who came along their compelling journey, it also garnered them signicant support, admiration and support from a growing numbers of shippers who are rooting for them to soar. 

At the heart of their troubles lay a number of unresolved issues. In the beginning, Thami and Zithobile seemed to clash around a number of issues - once leading to Thami sleeping outside of their marital home. This is something they addressed in therapy, with the new husband being encouraged to find healthier ways of navigating conflict in his marriage. He, on the other hand, pointed out that Zithobile had preferred sleeping in a seperate room – which he considered to be the same charge as sleeping outside. 

Throughout their three months on Married At First Sight Mzansi, Thami and Zithobile have had to overcome differences on several issues, including the fact that Thami is primarly based in Dubai in the UAE. How was this going to work for them? There was the ‘issue’ of Zithobile’s perceieved hyper-sensitivity. Often, Thami lamented that Zithobile’s constant crying made him feel like she’s unhappy. 

In the weeks that followed, the couple seemed to slowly find common ground. By the time they formally met each other families, it had been clear that they are working towards something beautiful. 

Watch Married At First Sight Mzansi every Sunday at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161.