When it comes to wedding proposals, some people take things to a new level of creativity. Who can forget the now-viral proposal of Hector Kansi and Nonhlanhla Soldaat at a Vaal KFC outlet, and now there’s Nando’s couple following their lead.
Nando’s proposal: A Peri-Peri engagement goes viral
A couple from Cape Town has found themselves an online topic of discussion following their viral proposal in a local Nando’s restaurant. Hearts across South Africa melted after various clips and snaps of the happy couple’s proposal began circulating online. Magdalene Martheze, 61, was just expecting lunch at one of Mzsani’s favourite restaurants when her partner Marlon Michaels, 40, went down on one knee.
In an interview with IOL, Martheze explained that she believed they were having a meal together at the V&A Waterfront as a late celebration for Malon’s birthday which was on Saturday, but to her surprise, it ended with a ring on her finger.
“Marlon just celebrated his birthday on Saturday but was working on the day. He also just finished at his job, which he rarely got off from, and he decided he was taking me out for the day.”
As they sat down for lunch, Michaels spoke to a few staff members but Martheze didn’t pay much attention to what was being said.
“As I was seated, I wondered why people were approaching me with her phones. Marlon came up to me and said: ‘Baby please stand’. I asked him why and he asked me to please just stand. I did and that’s when he went down on one knee and proposed,” Martheze told IOL.
The couple, from Milnerton, has been dating for seven months with Martheze calling her now-fiancee, ‘one in a million man.’ Despite their age difference being criticised by some, the happy couple paid no mind to any scepticism.
“Every day, it feels like we have known each other for years. He asked me about marriage before and I told him to be sure, as I have been married before and he has not.”
Both Martheze and Michaels had been single for seven years before meeting each other.
“For seven years, I was not with anyone and I prayed to God for someone. This is the woman I prayed for. When I look at her, I don’t see anyone else. I thought it was a dream and I would wake up from it. But I did not,” Michaels told IOL.
One of the owners of the Nando’s, Reaaz Ahmed told Cape Town Etc that was the restaurant’s second proposal.
“The store is blessed to have such nice staff and patrons, and lots of love can be felt in our store. COVID-19 has made things tough, especially in our industry, and things like these really do life our spirits.”
He added that he felt “blessed and very honoured” to have the Nando’s as the couple’s engagement venue.
Martheze and Michaels are planning on beginning wedding arrangements soon as warmer weather approaches, and hope to have their wedding at a beach.