A South African Valentine’s Day Story with a Difference

It’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday…and one of the most romantically inspiring posts on facebook at the moment is that in which a young man from Rustenburg has described an encounter he had two days ago with an elderly gentleman, which left him believing in true love.

Karabo John Moa – whose post has been shared over 5,000 times – said that whilst shopping at Centurion Mall in Pretoria for a Valentine’s Gift card or present for his mother, he bumped into a “wonderful oumie”.

“He greeted me and complimented me on my look and asks me where did I buy my bowtie cause he’s currently looking for a black bowtie to match his shirt for Valentine’s – he’s planning on taking his lovely wife for a special dinner for Valentine’s.”

Karabo says he was so touched that an 89-year-old gent would still want to “look G for his wife” and thinking it may be “the Great Gentlemen’s Last Valentine’s”, he took off his bowtie and gave it to the man, telling him “Oum, I highly doubt that you would find such a bowtie in this store…you can gladly have mine.”

He says the man begged to pay him for it, but he declined, saying he wanted the man to look classic on Valentine’s and that it was his blessing to him.

Karabo says the man finally took it and started crying. And then he got emotional and teary too.

“He looked me in the eyes and said ‘son, in 10 minutes with your kindness you have managed to give me a totally different perspective of black people…I wish I bumped into you earlier in my life. Thank you son. I’m 89 and today you inspired me to be a better person and love my neighbour as I love myself.”

He says he thanked the man and said: “Sir, you inspired me more than you can imagine… because of you I believe in true love…

“He hugged me and asked if we could take a picture – he wants to show his wife where he got the bowtie from on Valentine’s… I honestly thank God for blessing me with such an opportunity to bless others and also to be touched and inspired by such a wonderful and loving soul…”

Read Karabo’s original post here.