‘She Chose Love’: South Africans React as Bizana Woman Marries Malawian Boyfriend After Leaving SA

• A South African woman from Bizana who left SA with her Malawian boyfriend during the anti-illegal immigration movement married him in Malawi
• The woman converted to Islam as part of the marriage and has shared videos saying she is happy and at peace in her new country
• The couple is now reportedly sorting out paperwork to return to South Africa legally

MALAWI - A South African woman from Bizana in the Eastern Cape, who became a household name when she publicly backed her Malawian boyfriend during the height of the anti-illegal immigration movement, has now married him in Malawi and converted to Islam.

Social media user @jackson_rem shared the update on 25 August 2026, revealing that the couple had recently wed and that the woman had adopted Islam as part of the marriage. In the photos and videos circulating online, she appeared joyful and settled in her new life.

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Bizana woman repatriated to Malawi with boyfriend

The woman first went viral when she stood her ground against those calling for the repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals from South Africa. She made it clear she would not abandon her partner, who was in the country without legal documentation, and the two eventually left South Africa together for Malawi.

Since repatriation, she has been vocal on social media about her experience, posting videos in which she says she feels at peace in Malawi. She also noted that she was not asked for documentation when she moved there. Her posts have continued to draw attention back home, with many South Africans following her journey closely.

Now married, the couple is working through the paperwork that would allow them to return to South Africa together, this time through the proper legal channels.

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Mzansi weighs in

The update sparked strong reactions on X:

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@PatriotRza wrote:

"In one video they said they are fixing their papers so that they come back legally to stay 😔"

@MissLuu_nje said:

"No, she chose love so she needs to stay in Malawi with her in-laws. Malawi is her new home, she needs to embrace it."

@Oscarkhomotsoh shared:

"People can make mistakes, change their lives and choose a different path. If they're sorting out the paperwork to return legally with her husband, let the process take its course."

@MariaMotlalile commented:

"South African women will end this country 🤞"

@Infonomics_SA added:

"Well done to this couple. A woman follows her husband wherever he is. The others must do the same."

SA woman caught trying to follow Malawian lover

Briefly News also reported that a KwaZulu-Natal woman was caught at a repatriation site after falsely claiming to be Malawian, in an apparent attempt to follow her lover out of South Africa through an official deportation process. The incident came to light twhen Home Affairs Acting Chief Director Albert Matsaung said the woman arrived at the Musina temporary repatriation site alongside her Malawian partner and told officials she was also from Malawi. Her plan was to use the voluntary repatriation process as a backdoor exit from the country.

Source: Briefly News