The Bachelor SA: Fairy-tale ending for Marc and Marisia

In the special season finale of M-Net’s popular reality dating series The Bachelor SA on Thursday night, Bachelor Marc, 37, handed the final rose and a beautiful Jack Friedman ring to shy speech therapist Marisia van Wyk, 24, as a symbol of his love and commitment.

The dreamy fairy-tale moment took place behind a spectacular African sunset at the five-star luxury game reserve Kapama.

During the final Rose Ceremony, Marc had the tough time of choosing between his final two ladies, Bridget and Marisia. In an interview with Jason, Marc said he will be basing his final decision on whether he can see himself growing and having a family with the chosen one.

Unfortunately for travel agent Bridget, 31, her love journey with Marc had come to an end. During the intense emotional breakup, Marc reminisced on their journey together and why he fell in love with her before breaking the devastating news. “But, our journey does end here,” he said.

Bridget was at a loss for words and held back the tears as she thanked Marc and wished him and Marisia well.

Marisia, Marc and Bridget. Picture: M-Net

As Marisia arrived – ambivalent of what was about to happen – Marc knew he made the right decision. He looked into her eyes and confessed his love for her.

“Marisia, you know the first thing I noticed is how beautiful you are. And then, you made it so difficult to get to know you, because you ran away from me. ”

And then we went on our dates together, and every second I spent with you I wanted to spend more time with you, and that date when you came off the horse, it triggered something in me and I realised how much I care for you. I think we make a great couple.”

Marc reached for his pocket and pulled out a gorgeous custom-designed pear-shaped one-carat diamond ring from Jack Friedman and said: “I really am falling for you, and I want to ask if you will accept this as a symbol of a relationship that I think is so amazing and I would like it to keep going forward.”

To which an emotional Marisia responded: “I will.” A romantic kiss followed.

Marisia and Marc. Picture: M-Net

“Okay, so, uhm wow, I don’t have words. I think I came onto this journey, and, uhm, yoh, it’s been tough. But if anything, I’ve really fallen for you. And, I don’t know, there’s just something with you that I have never felt with anyone before, which is good for me.

“And I know there is this age gap, but it doesn’t really mean anything to me because I think my feelings for you mean so much more. So, I just want to focus on that and focus on us and then hopefully grow together,” Marisia said before they romanced into the sunset.

The fairy tale continues for the loveable couple.

“We both thought it would be a great idea to move in together during the lockdown,” said Marisia. “You know, when you’re not seeing each other and it’s the beginning of a relationship, it’s hard to build that trust and to have that trust going without knowing that that person’s there. Because you can imagine, any relationship, in the beginning, you spend as much time together as possible.”

Viewers also got a sneak peek into their lives, as Marc and Marisia shared special video moments of their daily routine and what they have been up to since their dreamy moment in Kapama.

Marisia and Marc. Picture: M-Net

“Ever since then I think we’ve grown as individuals but also together and for me that’s such an important thing. Not only growing together but also encouraging each other to grow as individuals.”

Marc is pleased to no longer be SA’s most eligible bachelor. He is looking forward to the journey ahead and just experiencing life – just the two of them – “there’s a lot to happen, but I’m very happy with how we are, together”.

Bridget is happy and wishes Marc and Marisia well. “It’s been so long since that happened in my life that I did cry a lot. I mean, of course I was upset. It’s only natural and normal for me to be upset about the situation.

“I’ve had the time to kind of heal and move on and ja, I’m in a good place and I’m happy and I’m happy for them and I love both of them. So ja, I’m not angry. I don’t want to fight with him, because I don’t hate you, Marc,” she said candidly during an interview with Marc and Jason.

The Bachelor SA season 2 was screened on Thursdays at 7pm on M-Net Channel 101. DStv Premium viewers can also catch all the romance on Catch Up, or stream the episodes live via mobile devices on DStv Now.

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