The Bachelor SA Season 2 will only make its debut early next year, but M-Net has already announced Marc Buckner, 36, as the handsome new man of the hour.
According to the show’s producers, Marc was handpicked by the team. In a statement to the media, the producers shared their belief that Marc truly is searching for love and that he is in the right frame of mind to settle down.
As for the season ahead, Marc is an outdoor and sports fanatic, so he’s looking forward to pushing the boundaries when it comes to date activities.
Although he admits he’s not watched much of the reality TV series, Marc feels it may be a little better to dive in slightly blind.
Marc about his past, his career, and his adorable rescue dog, Luna…
ALSO SEE: 5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Our November Issue
You’re based in Cape Town, but where are you originally from?
I’m originally from Durban, but I’ve been in Cape Town for 20-odd years (although in-between I’ve done lots of travelling), so Cape Town is home.
Where are some of the places you’ve travelled to?
I’ve travelled for almost 25 years, so there are so many places. I’ve been to Russia and South America. I used to spend half of the year outside of the country up until recently.
You’re 36 now. Do you feel this is the right time to settle down?
Definitely. It’s largely why I’ve cut down on the travelling and changed my career. When I was younger, I thought I would have settled down by now already, but maybe 36 is better.
And how did you change careers?
I’ve moved from modelling into the property and trading sectors. But I’m open to any other opportunities – who knows what may happen? I’m always looking for something new.
What are your expectations from The Bachelor SA and why did you become part of this show?
In life, I normally just go for things, so I haven’t given it too much thought, but that’s what makes it so exciting. I’m not expecting anything in particular except for the producers choosing all of the contestants. I’m very excited for the first episode of the show where I’ll meet everyone for the first time.
The show isn’t filmed in Cape Town, so what are you going to miss most about home while you’re gone?
Cape Town as a whole. I’ll definitely miss family and friends, but I’m going to make new friends. I’ll miss the mountains and ocean. I actually thought about it yesterday while walking my dog, Luna.
Can you tell us a little more about Luna?
Luna is the newest addition to the family. She’s about nine months and she’s my emotional support.
By participating on this show, the producers help you find love, but what you also lose in return is some of your privacy. How are you preparing for that loss of privacy as you essentially become a public personality?
Hopefully I’ll get a lot of support along the way. I know the M-Net team will be helping me with all of that. But I’m not going to change. Unfortunately, I have started escaping slightly. I can’t go to my local gym anymore, for example, so I’ve been going outdoors onto the mountains.
Do you have a specific ‘type’ of partner that you’re interested in, both career-wise and physically?
So career-wise, it would be amazing to meet someone who is very driven, yet still has time to travel and enjoy life. I do like very sporty people, because I myself am very sporty. In this sense, it would be nice to meet someone who has similar interests.
ALSO SEE: Top 10 Running Tips For Beginners
What about the opposites attract possibility?
Well this is true. You don’t want to meet someone who is exactly identical to you. It’s great to have someone different, who will also motivate you to try different things. I’m really going into this with an open mind. Clearly, I don’t have the answer yet.
Have you watched any episodes of The Bachelor and know what you’re getting yourself into?
I haven’t watched much. I did catch up on a few episodes recently, so I think I have a good idea of what the whole story will entail, but I’m not sure if I should watch more. I really want to go into it as myself and not change anything about me for the show. And ultimately, I’d like to find the woman of my dreams.
What was your longest relationship in the past and why didn’t it work out?
My longest relationship was four years and there was a bit of difficulty with the travelling. I was travelling a lot more back then. There was some negativity and jealousy, but I’m a different person now. I feel like I’m more mature now, too. I’d like to meet someone who is also mature and who could also handle things like travel and jealousy (if there were to be).
ALSO SEE: Save On These Local Getaways To Historical Destinations
Are you going to do anything specific to make sure that you actually do end up with someone? Looking back at the last season, it didn’t work out, so what will you do to make sure that doesn’t happen again?
The dates will be set up in a way to hopefully get an idea of the person’s personality more intimately. I haven’t thought about the dates just yet, but I’m happy to push the boundaries when it comes to date activities. I believe there will be more time assigned to all of the dates than in the last season, as well as off-camera time set aside for the final six or five ladies so that we can spend time together and get to know each other better.
What do you dislike in a partner and do you have what it takes to look into someone’s eyes and say there will be no rose for them?
What I’ve noticed in my experience of dating is that people often portray something different in the beginning. At first, they might say they are up for something you enjoy doing (like kayaking) until three months down the line when you realise that they actually don’t. Through the dating process on the show, I’d like to make these discoveries as early as possible.
Am I brave enough to say no? Well, I’m going to have to be. That’s also one of the most difficult parts of being in a relationship – to say no. If you have feelings, yet you think your lives and goals don’t align, you’ll have to say no.
The second season of The Bachelor SA is set to air in the first quarter of 2020 on M-Net, DStv channel 101
By Features Writer, Marike Watson
