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News - Date: 22 February 2008
The glitter that is associated with Valentine’s Day is fast becoming history; many attribute this to the economy of the country.
No wild, large-scale spending and the exchange of gifts were reported this year. As 2008 is a leap year, women were supposed to spoil their loved ones, but this was not to be. The lull in the celebrations is attributed by many to the perception that women are poor spenders.
For the 43 special couples who share the same birth date as Phalaphala FM, the Limpopo radio station under the SABC combo, the special evening will linger in their minds for many years to come.
The special guests started streaming to the Makwatambani Restaurant at the 2010 Centre in Thohoyandou as early as 17:30. Dressed for the occasion, the couples arrived hand in hand at their specially decorated tables.
As special guests, they were ushered to reception tables with drinks prepared especially for the occasion.
Mr Freddy Sadiki, station manager, said as part of the station’s 43rd celebrations they felt they should do something for their loyal clients, the listeners. "This station would not be what it is today without the listeners and we brought them together, so as to get time to know each other," he said.
Sadiki said most listeners only knew each other by voice and had never met and the dinner was one of the ways they could meet. Sadiki said there was much stress in the world we live in today and people hardly have time for each other. "We tend to take what is dearer to us for granted. Let’s change our mindset and start taking our partners and loved ones seriously," he said.
He urged all couples to make time for each other as it is important for a healthy relationship. He promised that the station would always take care of all its listeners and strives to make them happy at all times. He concluded by thanking all listeners for the role they were playing in building the station.
The regional manager of the SABC Limpopo combo, Mr Victor Ravhuanzwo, said the world would never be a better place to live in if people did not love each other. He said people should learn to live together as one in order to build a better future for the children. "Without love, there will be chaos everywhere, with children on the streets with no parents to care for them," he said. He said a community without love will fail in whatever they do and there will be no development in that community. He called on parents to lead exemplary lives as children would always copy what their parents do, thinking it is right.
There were prizes for the best dressed couples. Couples exchanged gifts and the highlight of the occasion was the surprise exchange of rings between a young couple. A young advocate,Tsietsi Ramatsekisa, knelt down before his sweetheart, Shonisani, with the station management as witnesses and proposed and asked her hand in marriage.
The station management promised a live broadcast of their marriage ceremony which will take place soon.
Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019. He currently writes on a freelance basis, covering human rights issues, court news and entertainment.
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