Married at First Sight South Africa Season 2 has officially come to an end, but one person who continues to capture the hearts of viewers is Portia Baloyi. Her emotional journey, from marrying a stranger to facing heartbreak and rediscovering herself, has become one of the most talked-about stories from the season.

Now streaming on Showmax, the reality series followed four couples who met for the first time at the altar. Among them were Portia and Bongani Luvalo, whose marriage was filled with both sweet moments and painful lessons. Though their union didn’t last, Portia says she wouldn’t change the experience because it helped her grow.

Speaking about her time on the show, Portia reflected honestly, saying, “It’s been a rollercoaster, to be honest. Coming into this, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I also didn’t expect it to be this intense. You’re marrying a complete stranger and then you have to figure each other out in front of the whole country. There’ve been amazing moments, don’t get me wrong, but also real challenges. It’s stretched me emotionally and spiritually, but I’ve also grown so much.”

Through the ups and downs, Portia learned valuable lessons about herself. “There are things I’ve already learned about myself, like how I deal with certain situations. I’ve also learned that I can communicate better when I give myself space to breathe first, instead of reacting. So yeah, a lot of personal growth,” she shared.

When asked how she felt heading into the show’s reunion special hosted by Relebogile Mabotja, Portia admitted she had mixed feelings. “Eish… mixed emotions, hey. I was nervous but also curious to see everyone again and hear their stories. I’m proud of myself for showing up fully and being true to who I am. I didn’t hold back and that’s something I’ll always stand by.”

After the cameras stopped rolling, Portia and Bongani continued to navigate their relationship privately. “We’re still figuring things out, to be honest. It hasn’t been easy but we’ve had some real conversations since filming ended. We’re not where we were on decision day, that’s for sure,” she said.

Watching herself on television was another challenging but eye-opening part of the experience. “Yo, that part was wild! It’s one thing living it, but watching yourself back with everyone else’s opinions flying around? It’s hectic. I cringed a few times, not gonna lie. But I also had moments where I was like, ‘You know what, Portia, you handled that well.’ Seeing myself from the outside gave me perspective and helped me understand how I come across to others. It’s been humbling, for sure.”

Since confirming her divorce, Portia has focused on healing and rebuilding her life. “At this point, I think both of us are focused on healing and moving forward individually. What the future holds, only God knows, but right now, my priority is peace, growth, and rebuilding myself from a place of strength and grace.”

Looking ahead, Portia is stepping into a new phase of life, one filled with faith, purpose, and peace. “I’m stepping into a new chapter, one centred on purpose, faith, and self-discovery. I want to focus on my work, my passions, and the things that truly feed my soul. I’ve been through so much, and now it’s about rebuilding, refocusing, and realigning with the woman I’m becoming.”

Before wrapping up, Portia left a message that sums up her journey perfectly: “I take full accountability for my part in everything that’s happened. I’ve learned, I’ve grown, and I hold no bitterness. My truth is that I loved deeply, I tried, and now I’m choosing peace over pain.”