It's so rare to see stories like this in the news - this young man is awesome!
Gran gets a special thank-you
26/09/2008 08:40 - (SA)
Potchefstroom - A matric pupil will always cherish his matric farewell photo, because it reminds him of a very special woman in his life - his grandmother.
Thulani Letsie, 18, of Potchefstroom Technical High School, was in Grade 8 when he decided to invite his grandmother, Evelyn Mompei, to his matric farewell.
Evelyn, a retired principal from Ventersdorp, raised Thulani after his parents died in a car accident when he was 10.
Thulani lives in the school hostel during the week, but spends weekends and holidays with his grandmother and his aunt, Julia Mompei, in Ventersdorp.
Thulani waited until two weeks before the function to officially invite his grandmother. By this time, she was constantly asking who he was going to take as his partner.
Dress made for her in secret
Every time, he answered that he was taking "a very special person". He even had a dress made for her in secret.
Thulani said: "We took her measurements while she was sleeping. I gave her the dress two days before the matric farewell. Fortunately, she liked it."
Even his friends didn't know who he was taking. It was a big moment when he walked into the room with Evelyn at his side.
"Everybody was shocked. My granny was in tears, but she actually enjoyed it. And now all my friends are saying they, too, should rather have brought their grannies."
And what does granny have to say?
"It was a big surprise (the invitation to the matric farewell). The other children hugged me spontaneously; they were so happy to see Thulani's granny with him."
Aah ! makes one all nice warm and mushy inside to read this stuff .. Thanks Cherry ...
Wow,Wow,Wow! Wonderful story Cherry. Now there's a wonderful young man with respect, love and guts. I'm sure he would get the odd remarks from his fellow matrics who has another idea of the matric farewell. I salute him. bravo
I have decided that I am going to look for the good news in the future; I am gatvol with the negativity. It's quite mindblowing to read the hatred and vitriol of News24 reader comments on the pages where readers write articles - scary that we are such an angry nation!