Hi @JaCkTive
I cannot speak for all these tents but will toss in a few ideas. From the top of yr post…
As a rule, to hold two adults and packs 3person tent is best. 2pax tent a bit of a squeeze. But check the floor dimensions and the angle of inner wall can play a part. For this inspection of yr options already pitched will help. Alternatively use yr packs as pillows…not comfy.
Buying local really just means supporting China. Some local products are up to par but most are inferior and behind in tech.
A good 4 season tent I’d prefer as you can do more with it. And they’re spec’d tougher, in general. 3 season will be fine for most of SA use though. Buy so you won’t have to buy again.
These imports are becoming hideously expensive. MSR hurts my eyes. I can however vouch for Vango. Scottish designed for heavy weather. I have one and endured heavy winds and 5 days solid rain inside munching droewors, for example, the fly sheet is 5000mm and floor 6000mm HH. look around for deals. Trappers at Woodmead Jhb has some marked down.A Zephyr I think? (Don’t know where you are)
I split my tent up and flat-fold the inner and fly, takes up less space than fat rolled sausage, fly in the bottom of pack, poles on side of pack or down middle inside (to protect them should i fall). Easy access. (my vango is fly pitch first which is another thing vango is good at…ie good so yr inner doesn’t get soaked when pitching in rain). Anyway. Share your tent with yr partner.
I would say a good tent can make or break your trip. Don’t skimp. Save for an extra month or so. Look at geodesic designs, most sturdy. Look for high waterheads on fly and bathtub floor. I like muted colours so as not to stand out. Check that the fly has some kind of rip stop or helix pattern that strengthens it. Fibreglass poles can snap in high winds and shred yr tent. Pockets inside are very useful. Some tents can be pitched all in one, which can be useful. Do research on the fabrics used as lightweight can merely mean they used cheap thin fabric. Take yr time. Think about where you hope to use it, then push the requirements one step further. And, brand names are not always top, worst tent I have is North Face…
If I think of more I’ll post. Best of luck and beware the tent rabbit hole😀