Countless people grow up dreaming of the perfect wedding, and it all starts with the proposal. Whether you’re the one popping the question or the one being asked, it’s always a magical moment, and many people plan out fairy tale-style proposals in the most romantic settings. Sometimes, however, due to life’s random circumstances and situations, proposals can take place in more unique and out-of-the-ordinary locations, and that’s what happened for this South African couple.
Hector Mkansi and Nonhlanhla Soldaat got married in 2012, but it wasn’t the wedding they’d wanted. They felt pressured into getting married too soon, and they didn’t have enough money at the time to pay for the ceremony and rings they’d always dreamed of.
In the end, their wedding was a simple and formal affair without much in the way of romance or excitement. Ever since that day, Hector vowed that someday, he’d give his wife the wedding she always wanted. So, earlier this month, he planned a very special proposal for his bride, in a rather unusual location.
Hector chose a KFC fast food joint in Gauteng to pop the question, getting the employees to deliver the ring along with the couple’s food before getting down on one knee to ask Nonhlanhla to marry him all over again.
She burst into tears, overwhelmed with joy at the surprise of it all, with staff and other diners cheering happily at the surprise occasion. It was a wonderfully touching moment, and a video of it quickly went viral online.
Unfortunately, the response wasn’t as positive as the couple might have hoped. Many people joked and jeered at Hector and Nonhlanhla, with some saying that a KFC was a terrible place to propose and saying Hector had no class, without really knowing the full story.
Fortunately, the kindness and goodness in so many people shone through in the face of the hate and bitterness. And before long, big companies, including KFC itself, were joining in on the fun, trying to find out more about the couple and get in touch with them to offer them all kinds of freebies!
KFC posted a tweet about the story, asking people to help them find the couple for a ‘Finger Lickin’ Good surprise’, and various other companies around South Africa started offering wedding outfits, honeymoons, jewelry, and even free groceries.
Meanwhile, famous South Africa celebrities like Zakes Bantwini and Ami Faku were commenting on the story and offering to visit the couple and even perform live at their wedding.
It was a pure outpouring of love and generosity all across South Africa, and the couple couldn’t believe what was happening! Hector had saved up as much as he could for the second wedding, planning a special but small event to celebrate his and Nonhlanhla’s love, but with all the amazing gifts and freebies from so many companies and stars, he soon realized that their big day was about to become far more special than he’d ever imagined.
The couple later released a statement thanking the people of their nation for their generosity:
Thank you, South Africa. Your kindness has truly warmed us. We would have never imagined that our love story would have touched so many of you. It’s a wonderful story and a fine example of how great people can be, especially when love stories are concerned.
We’re sure Hector and Nonhlanhla will have the happiest possible day and wish them all the joy in the world!
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#KFCProposal pic.twitter.com/IFyOppLLCw
— Kateka malobola (@Kmalobola) November 8, 2019
