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SA's new Bachelor Marc Buckner on dating IRL and finding love on TV

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The Bachelor, Marc Buckner. (Photo supplied: M-Net)
The Bachelor, Marc Buckner. (Photo supplied: M-Net)

Cape Town – Marc Buckner, the new hunk of The Bachelor SA on M-Net, says he doesn't want a woman who is looking to get him into bed but rather out of bed: A go-getter girl who loves to travel and who is willing to experience the adventure of life with him.

Before filming starts in October on the new season, Marc spoke to Channel24 about why he agreed to be the new bachelor, reveals what his friends and family said of his big decision, what type of woman he's looking for, his dog and tattoo, and find out if he's a romantic.

GET TO KNOW MARC A BIT BETTER HERE:

How did this come about? Did you seek out the production company Rapid Blue, or did they approach you, and why did you decide to do this?

Rapid Blue did find me, and that was a few weeks ago. I decided to go ahead because it's the right timing in my life. I managed to put everything aside for a while, and I feel ready to hopefully meet the one. And I'm obviously far more mature than what I was in the past. Now is the time.

Is the Cape Town dating scene difficult, how would you describe dating in Cape Town?

Until recently, I was doing a lot more travelling – spending most of the year out of South Africa. Now I have come back to the country, spending some more time here. Cape Town is ... its ... I think Cape Town is a different kettle of fish. The thing is I'm so busy when I'm home between the different jobs that I do, so The Bachelor SA is an opportunity where I can forget about everything else and instead focus on meeting someone.

What did your friends and family say when you told them you're doing this? Did they have any reservations or suggestions?

A lot of people were congratulating me and were super happy. And some felt that I was very courageous. It's not a usual situation to put yourself in, you know? Obviously, you're putting yourself out there, and it's out in the limelight and on TV. To put it delicately, "brave" is how they worded it.

What qualities are you looking for in a partner?

I'm looking for somebody who is mature and goal-orientated, someone who wants to travel and is like-minded but when I say that, I mean a go-getter, someone who wants to get out there, get me out of bed and who says "let's go create something". That's definitely the person who I would love to spend my time with, or potentially, hopefully, my life.

As a male model, you have some experience with the media and how the media industry works and photography, how prepared do you think you are in taking part in a dating reality show on television?

This is very different from what I'm used to. It's a whole other world, but I'm excited to find myself in a different spot. I feel that when I do that, that it helps me grow and mature. So it's a different world for me. I'm very open-minded and just trusting the whole process.

Would you describe yourself as romantic?

Yes. Absolutely. I have many, many different dates planned. The ultimate date for me is in front of a fireplace - I used to have one in my old home in Cape Town and a fireplace with a glass of wine and an amazing dinner that we've cooked together.

Have you watched the first season of The Bachelor SA and what did you maybe learn?

I've watched snippets of it. I've done some catch-up recently. I don't have any preconceived expectations. There were some fantastic dates, and I think the nice thing about it was that it helped Lee Thompson to discover who he's meeting and likewise on the other side for the date to understand who she is spending her time with and if she would like to continue spending time with him.

Do you think you're a good judge of character? How will you figure out whether women are there for fame, or really there for you?

It's a difficult one. I'm just going to trust my gut with it and the M-Net team as well. I'm hoping that spending time with everybody that will come out.

I see you have a tattoo that looks like Africa on your back. Can you tell me a little bit about the symbolism and meaning and when and why you got it?

You know, you're the first person to ask me, and I'm glad you did. I went to Thailand with my mom; I was living in Germany at the time; I hadn't seen her for a while, so we decided to do a hike over to Burma to the opium farmers; refugees actually. I wanted to get a tattoo done with bamboo, I had something underneath it actually that was a cover-up. So I put the mountains, ocean - which each has its own symbolism, it's own meaning. So the mountains are maturity, the ocean is wisdom. I didn't want words. I wanted something real.

You are an animal lover - tell us more about your pet?

My furry child - that is Luna Lulu Dog. She came into my life about eight months ago, and she's a rescue. She was abused previously. I don't know what she is – maybe other people could tell me. I think Africanis, Whippet, Doberman, probably a bit of everything actually. She does everything with me; goes everywhere with me.

The issue came up during the first season of The Bachelor SA – if you find love, would you be willing to move elsewhere in South Africa, would the woman have to move to Cape Town? Is the location where you'll live or have to live a relationship deal-breaker?

I love Cape Town, but I'm very flexible. I've lived and travelled in and to so many places, and I think that's what helps me to enjoy life but also to grow. I'm open to it. I have lived in Durban previously. So who knows? It would be great to travel to those areas and to see what it's like.

If you would like to be the lady who gets Marc out of bed you still have a chance to enter. Entries close on Wednesday, 11 September at midnight. Click here to enter

READ MORE: From riding a motorcycle to chopping wood - 7 photos of SA's new Bachelor

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