Five things the Buhle Mkhize‚ Gigaba saga teaches us about relationships
More than two years after a New York-based stylist‚ known as Buhle Mkhize‚ began revealing details of an alleged secret affair with Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba‚ the story is still grabbing headlines.
Mkhize has hit back after a confessional interview conducted on eNCA with Gigaba's wife Norma in which she was asked about the affair and its impact on their marriage.
While Mkhize had said she would delete her Twitter account after Tuesday night‚ she continued to tweet on Wednesday‚ saying she stood by everything she has said. The stylist has also threatened to release recorded phone conversations‚ leaving those on Twitter salivating for more.
As Mzansi watches, Norma posts collage of herself with Malusi The Gigabas are presenting a united front after receiving massive backlash after Norma Gigaba's controversial interview aired on eNCA earlier this week.
This latest threat has shone a light on how messy things can get even years after an affair has ended. Here are five lessons we can all take away from the saga:
1. Once the cat is out the bag‚ it’s out!
According to relationship coach Phillipa Levitt‚ if your dirty laundry is already aired to the public‚ you do not necessarily have control over what people make of it.
“If you are prepared to air it‚ so should you be prepared for the attention it gets. It is important to guard the information you give out and protect the integrity of your relationships‚” Levitt said.
2. Third parties are a symptom of what is already wrong between a couple.
Levitt is of the view that “it takes two to tango”. Therefore it is important for couples to look no further than themselves to find the root of the problem.
Norma and Malusi stand tall after Buhle attack, grab sushi in Cape Town If you thought Norma Gigaba was about to respond to the social media storm after her infamous interview on eNCA or to the woman who claims she had an affair with her husband, Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, think again.
“It is unlikely that a third party would have emerged and prevailed between them if everything was going well‚” she added.
3. Your reputation precedes you.
The public will always perceive you based on your actions.
“Public figures need to realise that their reputation speaks for their credibility and when their credibility is being questioned through their own doing or that of others‚ it can form a perception in the mind of followers‚ which is not necessarily the reality‚” said Paula Quinsee‚ relationship expert.
4. Men get away with cheating.
According to Quinsee‚ we live in a society that is intrigued by gossip and drama and places labels and stereotypical images out there that make certain behaviour acceptable (for a man to have a “side woman”).
Should Gigaba's private life have any effect on his political career? While South Africans seldom take into account the personal lives of politicians when it comes to choosing leaders‚ the international community is not so forgiving.
“So the perception is he hasn’t done anything wrong. Rather the two women are in the wrong as they are not conforming to the norm (that men cheat) that is required or expected of them‚” she said.
Some might argue that Norma Gigaba's knowledge and inaction may be a silent endorsement of the situation‚ suggested Debbie Bright‚ counselling psychologist. “There may also be some weight given to the idealistic notion that women have each other’s back‚ and a sense of betrayal of the archetypal sisterhood‚” said Bright.
Gigaba's ghosts from the past come back to haunt him Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba's personal life could become serious business if he is asked to explain claims by his ex-mistress about his relationship with the controversial Gupta family.
5. It is not over until it’s over.
Depending on the extent of the emotional connection between the cheating parties‚ and the function that the liaisons serve‚ there is likely still affection between each romantic set.
“It is easier to preserve the man as good‚ and attack a relative stranger‚ than to feel the full magnitude of the betrayal by a trusted intimate partner‚” said Bright.
- TMG Digital/TimesLIVE