{"id":3123,"date":"2026-08-25T23:58:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T21:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=190288"},"modified":"2026-08-25T23:58:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T21:58:33","slug":"african-voices-pop-the-balloon-or-find-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/african-voices-pop-the-balloon-or-find-love\/","title":{"rendered":"African Voices: Pop the Balloon or Find Love"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the latest episode of CNN\u2019s African Voices, Larry Madowo speaks with Arlette Amuli and BM Matundu, creators of the viral dating show \u2018Pop the Balloon or Find Love\u2019, about building a global digital brand, expanding into new markets, and turning online attention into business opportunities.<\/p>\n

Matundu explains that the idea for the show grew from an online trend he wanted to transform into a more meaningful format. Despite limited resources and no previous hosting experience, the couple launched the programme in 2023, with Amuli taking on the role of host. Reflecting on the early days of the project, Matundu tells Madowo, \u201cLet\u2019s just give it a go,\u201d while Amuli recalls initially doubting the concept would succeed.<\/p>\n

Discussing the show\u2019s rapid growth, the pair explain how short clips shared across social media helped attract a global audience. Matundu says he strategically partnered with large online platforms to promote the first episodes, creating clips designed to encourage viewers to seek out the full programme. Amuli adds that the show\u2019s popularity has since taken on a life of its own, saying, \u201cWe don\u2019t even really have to post anymore to get people, they just do it for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The episode explores how the format has evolved from generating viral moments to creating genuine relationships. Matundu explains, \u201cAt the beginning people was looking at all the viral moments. Now people are actually following the storylines, the true love stories.\u201d Amuli notes that audiences have become increasingly invested in successful matches, revealing that viewers are often disappointed when episodes end without a connection being made.<\/p>\n

Madowo also asks the pair about growing competition following the show\u2019s success. While acknowledging that numerous versions of the format have emerged around the world, Matundu believes the strength of their brand lies in its unique presentation. He says, \u201cOur format is what people<\/p>\n

love,\u201d highlighting the distinctive production style and Amuli\u2019s role as host. He adds, \u201cNobody can host like my wife hosts on the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

The interview also examines the creators\u2019 efforts to expand their business internationally. The pair recently launched a Lingala-language version of the show aimed at Congolese audiences around the world. Explaining the motivation behind the project, Matundu says, \u201cI want to put our country on the map,\u201d while Amuli notes that producing the show in Lingala has helped celebrate Congolese culture and reconnect diaspora audiences with the language.<\/p>\n

Beyond the show itself, Amuli and Matundu discuss the launch of their new dating platform, \u2018Love or Pop\u2019, which incorporates elements of the programme into a mobile application. The app includes features designed to encourage more intentional relationships, including a \u201cmatch-lock\u201d function that prevents users from messaging multiple people simultaneously. Explaining the idea, Matundu says, \u201cPeople just don\u2019t take relationships seriously\u2026 here you have to behave,\u201d while Amuli says the platform is designed for users who are \u201cserious\u201d and \u201cintentional\u201d about finding a partner.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the wider impact of the business, the couple point to the marriages, engagements and long-term relationships that have emerged through the platform. Matundu says, \u201cWe\u2019re changing people\u2019s lives,\u201d adding that successful matches remain one of the venture\u2019s greatest achievements.<\/p>\n

Looking to the future, Amuli and Matundu reveal ambitions to further expand both the show and their dating platform. Amuli says she hopes \u2018Love or Pop\u2019 will \u201cblow all other dating apps out of the water,\u201d while Matundu envisions building a larger business that creates opportunities for others. He tells Madowo, \u201cIt\u2019s about giving back at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Author<\/strong>: Tshegofatso Nkubone from Burson Africa on behalf of CNN<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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In the latest episode of CNN\u2019s African Voices, Larry Madowo speaks with Arlette Amuli and BM Matundu, creators of the viral dating show \u2018Pop the Balloon or Find Love\u2019, about building a global digital brand, expanding into new markets, and turning online attention into business opportunities. Matundu explains that the idea for the show grew …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":118,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[401],"tags":[406,403,405],"class_list":["type-post","category-mypr","tag-africa","tag-entertainment","tag-myprafrica","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/118"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3123\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myza.co.za\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}