Johannesburg – The much-watched, and often controversial, couple from the Moja Love reality show Isencane Lengane, Thando and Siyacela Dlamuka, have officially ended their marriage.
The announcement, made by Thando herself during an appearance on the Meaningful Conversation with Zandy Mfeka podcast, brings to a close a relationship that has captivated and, at times, shocked viewers for years.
Thando revealed that the decision to separate was driven by years of alleged physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Siyacela.
"Initially he was good, he’d bring me lunch at school but he’s always been controlling. He isolated me from my friends and I wasn’t allowed to talk to boys at school. Eventually I wasn’t allowed to go to school, hence I didn’t finish matric,” she explained.
The marriage, which began when both Thando and Siyacela were just teenagers – Thando 15 and Siyacela 16 – was met with disapproval from Thando’s mother from the start. Thando admitted to ignoring the concerns of her mother and social workers who tried to intervene.
“I was young and naïve, I was deeply in love and I knew nothing about marriage. My mother was against this marriage but I forced my way out. I just didn’t know any better. But today I can see I made a huge mistake. I should not have married him, in fact I’d be far in life if he wasn’t part of my life,” she said.
The relationship had deteriorated significantly over time, with Thando describing a complete lack of intimacy and connection.
“The spark is gone, we’re no longer intimate and we don’t spend time together anymore. We’re more of a brother and a sister. He still protects me, but we both know there’s nothing left for us. We’re emotionally divorced. It’s only a matter of time before I formally call it quits and leave him for good,” she stated.
Their tumultuous relationship has played out publicly on Isencane Lengane, often showcasing Siyacela's controlling behaviour. However, this latest revelation confirms long-held suspicions among viewers about the true nature of their union. Thando's decision to finally speak out about the abuse is a significant step, shedding light on the darker side of their high-profile relationship.
The couple's relationship first gained national attention in 2019 when they married as teenagers. Their story, however, has been far from a fairytale. Five months ago, Siyacela's comments on the show about Thando's sexual performance ignited a public outcry. His frank and disrespectful statements caused significant distress to Thando and her family.
“When he claims my child doesn’t satisfy him in bed and broadcasts it on TV, it’s offensive and insults me. He must never do that again, especially since my brothers and other family members were also watching. My family is furious,” she added, highlighting the pain and humiliation caused by Siyacela's actions.
She suggested that if Siyacela was unhappy, he should address his concerns privately or allow Thando to return home.
Siyacela's response was to express his desire to avoid any further contact with Thando's mother.
“I don’t know how to describe her. I no longer want her in my life, and I don’t even want her near Thando,” he said.
Sunday World reached out to Siyacela for comment on the separation, but he had not responded by the time of publication.
