It's only two episodes in, but Mzansi Magic's (DStv 161) recently launched romantic talk show, Sunday Sexy Love, has everyone talking about its celeb participants. Its host, comedian, actor, and presenter Tumi Morake chats to News24 to give us the inside scoop.

Morake says the show is aimed at celebrating love, taking a deeper look at why local celebrity couples are considered "couple goals," and gives viewers a chance to see their favourites being "naughty and vulnerable".

The selection process included looking at who are the country's most loved and talked about couples and finding out if they would "come play". 

These couples include Ntokozo Mbambo and Nqubeko Mbatha, as well as Mpoomy Ledwaba and Brenden Praise. So far, viewers have seen DJ Tira and his wife, Gugu Khathi and polygamist Musa Mseleku with two of four of his wives – Thobile and Mbali Mseleku. 

"Gugu and Tira's longstanding relationship before his first marriage was a surprise – the amount of heartache and then trusting the man with your heart later on," Morake says. "I loved their story." 

"The Mselekus are like a well-oiled machine outside the dramas highlighted in their reality TV show (Uthando Nes'Thembu). The amount of care, support, and respect between them is quite a thing to witness, especially behind the scenes." 

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She adds that if it were not for the 24-minute slot, Mzansi would be brought to tears and realise "how much gentler we need to be with our stars". 

"Overall, it was how playful these couples are when they let their guard down." 

Private time with your favourite celebs

One of the show's elements is a card game in which the couples ask each other vulnerable and spicy questions, such as what they love most about their partner and what turns them on most about each other. Morake says they took "extra caution" when they selected the questions asked in the game. 

"There's always a bit of concern when dealing with people's intimate moments, especially with famous couples. But the show took extra caution when dealing with the card games to make sure they feel comfortable but, most importantly, introspect the good side of their relationship," she explains. "The show intends to give a viewer a private time with their favourite celebrity couple and inwardly learn a thing or two to keep their spark alive." 

Another segment they paid attention to was the selection process of the friend or loved one who delivered a message to the couple during another segment of the show. Morake says the selection process was "intense". 

The show also has an in-villa sexologist Dr Mpume Zenda who gives the couples tips and tricks for improving and expanding their intimacy. 

"Since she is proficient in spotting verbal and nonverbal intimate moments, she has the best tools to engage with the couples and then relate the message in a non-threatening manner to better enhance moments they take for granted," says Morake.

"After her findings, Doctor Mpume then sets up an activity that will make the couple discover other pockets of love and intimacy in their relationship." 

Having been married for almost 13 years, Morake said she has also learned a few things to keep the spark alive in her relationship and marriage. 

"Breathing space is important, forgiveness is important, and always keeping those communication lines [open] makes it easy to tell if there's a spark that needs reigniting or if the fire is still going strong," she says.

"We let each other be; that is the ultimate breath of life in any relationship." 

A quick blitz of the most talked-about entertainment news curated daily by Bronwyn McKay.

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