They are one of South Africa’s favourite couples.
Actors Stephanie and Hungani Ndlovu recently opened up about their relationship, challenges, and joys on The Festive Get-Together in The Life Artois on Mzansi Magic (DSTV channel 161) on the episode titled Love Conquers All.
Speaking to Drum, Stephanie and Hungani share how their challenges have shaped their relationship. This time of the year is also all about celebrations, food, and spending time with family, which is all they have on their minds.
“We have been fortunate in the last three years to spend time together during the holiday season with both our families,” Hungani says.
This holiday, they plan to go down to Shady Beach for Hungani’s Parents’ Day in Umhlanga. “We will be having Christmas together. Last year, we did the same, it’s a family tradition for us to go down to the coast and enjoy Christmas Day with family and kids,” Stephanie adds.
They always down tools and prioritize their families this time of the year.
“The main priority for us is to spend time with family and if we can spend time with both sides of the family whether individually or together that is what we like to do.”
They also enjoy good Christmas roasts this time of the year.
“We have a variety of roasts. Including casseroles, curries, stews and it’s really a fest,” Stephanie says.
Read more | 'I never prayed so much in my entire life' - The Ndlovu's celebrate being new parents
“Steph’s family is really big on cooking,” Hungani adds. “My family is not (big) on cooking and when we spend time together, it all just works out nicely. It’s a great family dynamic that works well because we enjoy cooking on Christmas eve,” Stephanie adds.
They are new parents to baby Rulani Iyana Ndlovu and look forward to also being showered with gifts for their baby.
“Definitely gifts and seeing what parenting will be like. I am very much all about having our own little family traditions outside of our combined families. But that will come as time goes,” Hungani says.
The two met on the set of the telenovela, Scandal! and through their YouTube channel have become one of Mzansi’s loved couples.
They openly talk about marriage, careers, family, and, having just had a baby, how making time for each other is so important to keep the relationship fire burning bright.
“It was not love at first sight. Steph was trying to hook me up with her cousin,” Hungani says.
“We met when I auditioned for the role of Romeo and she was the resident casting director at the time. Even that wasn’t like an official meeting, that was me walking into the room to audition,” he adds.
“We met officially when I got the job and were on the same set. I was a loner. She offered me to sit at her table because she was the only person I knew from the audition. That is essentially how we met,” he adds.
“We got talking and she realised she liked me more for herself than for her cousin,” he banters.
They dated for three years before getting married and there was no pressure.
“Definitely not from our families and each other. We spoke about marriage very early in our relationship. On our first date to be exact,” Hungani says.
“For us, it was a thing of wanting to make sure each person understands the road we want to journey. We think when you step into a relationship its’ important to lay your cards on the table to know what you are getting yourself into,” he adds.
While all couples face challenges, Stephanie and Hungani work hard to make their relationship healthy.
They jokingly say how Stephanie is the boss and makes their union solid.
“Stephanie makes it work, full stop,” Hungani jokes. “A boss!” she adds.
Read more | ‘Three years later and forevermore’ – The Ndlovus open up about marriage ups and downs after 3 years
“I’m joking. We both make it work. We are still growing in this area, but we have come a long way in the area of communication. That is one of the key things that played a big role in making our marriage work.
“Being able to even talk about uncomfortable things that we don’t wish to address and understanding that through communication you’re able to iron out things,” Stephanie says.
“And Steph’s prayers,” Hungani adds.
When a conflict arises, they have learned to communicate.
“We haven’t nailed the art of communication and dealing with conflict, but we speak it out. I usually need time to cool off and Hungani wants to address things now. That in itself can cause conflict but being honest, and transparent helps.”
When they first introduced their families to each other, they immediately got along.
“I think we are the most blessed in that area. With our families, it was definitely love at first sight.”
