"I Lost My Mind": South African Bride Abandoned at the Altar by Long-Time Partner As Revenge
- A South African bride was left heartbroken after being abandoned at the altar on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life
- The young woman shared her emotional story on TikTok, revealing that she was left by her long-time partner in 2024, leading her to seek rehab
- South Africans reacted with mixed feelings to her heartbreaking post, with some offering support while others called for the groom's side of the story
- Briefly News spoke to certified relationship Paula Quinsee about the psychological impact of being abandoned at the altar and how it affects one's ability to trust again in future relationships
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A South African bride was left heartbroken after being abandoned at the altar on what was meant to be the happiest day of her life.
Source: TikTok
SA bride left at the altar as revenge
Taking to her social media account under the handle @mcafro_official, the lady gave viewers an insight into the saddest day of her life.
She posted the video on TikTok on 18 June 2025, which has since gained massive traction online. @mcafro_official expressed that in the year 2024, she was left at the altar by a man whom she claimed to have been dating for a long period.
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@mcafro_official shared how she felt during that moment while talking to her TikTok followers in the caption, saying:
"Last year was devastating."
The bride was all set for her wedding when her groom failed to show up. Guests had filled the venue, the cake was ready, and the decor was immaculate, but the groom never arrived. Despite frantic calls and mounting panic, the ceremony was eventually cancelled.
"He decided to take his revenge on me on the wedding day. I kinda of lost my mind for someone, and I went into rehab," said @mcafro_official in the video.
The footage showed her crying and running away in despair, which moved many people on social media. Despite the heartbreaking moment, @mcafro_official chose to fight for her happiness as she revealed that she had healed, all thanks to rehab. She also warned people to "stay away from Zim men."
Watch the video of the woman being left at the altar below:
Paula Quinsee discusses betrayal and trust recovery
While speaking to Briefly News, certified relationship and founder of Engaged Humans, Paula Quinsee, shared the psychological impact of being abandoned at the altar and how it affects one's ability to trust again in future relationships by saying:
"Being abandoned at the altar is a traumatic experience for anyone and can lead one to experience both betrayal and humiliation at the same time, which can also result in the public nature of this experience intensifying our feelings of embarrassment and abandonment."
The founder of Engaged Humans expressed how one can cope with betrayal in a relationship, particularly when it occurs in such a public and significant way, by adding:
"Seeking help from a professional, such as therapy, to help process abandonment trauma and grief processing. Reframing the event as a reflection of the other person’s issues and their inability to work through them, rather than a reflection on you as not being worthy or lovable. Empowering yourself to see the situation from a position of power and growth rather than getting stuck in a victim mentality."
SA reacts to bride's story of being left at the altar
People in South Africa responded to the woman's story of being left at the altar with mixed feelings as they took to the comments section to share their thoughts.
Xila Em said:
"Tell us the whole story, or should I say we need his side of the story?"
Queenstephiesmith added:
"It's a Blessing babes."
Pascy wrote:
"It doesn’t matter, my baby, life is a journey. God will see you through, and it’s a testimony."
Carmenita replied:
"I'm lost for words...we thank God for keeping and strengthening you, dear."
Source: TikTok
More stories on divorce by Briefly News
- A lady in Mzansi opened up about her life after a tough divorce. She shared a video on TikTok, which left many people in their feelings.
- A young lady who thought she had made her mum proud by getting married shared a moving post apologising to her after things didn’t go as planned, leaving her a laughingstock in her community.
- A young makoti revealed the end of her three-month marriage to her followers online, shocking many online.
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Source: Briefly News
Johana Mukandila (Human Interest Editor) Johana Tshidibi Mukandila has been a Human Interest Reporter at Briefly News since 2023. She has over four years of experience as a multimedia journalist. Johana holds a national diploma in journalism from the Cape Peninsula University Of Technology (2023). She has worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, PAICTA, BONA Magazine and Albella Music Production. She is currently furthering her education in journalism at the CPUT. She has passed a set of trainings from Google News Initiative. Reach her at johana.mukandila@briefly.co.za
Paula Quinsee (Certified Relationship Therapy Educator and founder of Engaged Humans) Paula Quinsee is the founder of Engaged Humans, facilitating connection between individuals and organisations to create a more human-connected world. She is a certified Imago Relationship Therapy educator and facilitator, NLP practitioner, PDA analyst, coach and trainer. Paula is also the author of two self-help guides - Embracing Conflict and Embracing No - as well as an international speaker, advocate for mental health and activist for gender-based violence.
