Harvey and me

Thanks for the exposé of Harvey Weinstein. I had a very odd encounter with him a year ago and I shrugged it off, thinking the guy was just weird.

I was in Brentwood, Los Angeles, and my friend and I stopped at an eatery. She dropped me off outside and went to park the car and told me she’d see me inside.

As I opened the door, this really big man stepped out and smiled at me. I smiled back and he thanked me for opening the door, so I said, “No problem and you’re welcome.”

He stopped and said “Your accent is lovely, where are you from?” So I replied, “South Africa.” He seemed very interested and asked me more questions. Then he put his hand out to take mine and asked me for my name. I didn’t know who he was but gave him my name. He then told me his.

The weird part was that as he held my hand he was stroking it. Like a cat. It totally creeped me out.

Then my friend arrived and he let go of my hand, smiled at her and said, “Enjoy your visit.” Then he touched me on the shoulder and gave it a squeeze before he left.

My friend thought I knew him because he seemed so familiar with me. When I told my friend his name she seemed to go into shock and told me he was a big movie producer and laughed, saying I was hobnobbing with the rich and famous. I just shrugged it off.

I forgot about the encounter until I read your article today. I was totally shocked at the thought that the man had even touched me. I thought you should know that it’s not only Hollywood actors who’ve had encounters with this man. GENIE DRISCOLL, DURBAN NORTH

SThe Harvey Weinsteins of the world aren’t restricted to Hollywood. They can be found all over the world and they prey on young, vulnerable women because they can. The men are usually in a position where they have the power to make or break a woman’s career and they exploit that fact.

As women we should stand up to these men and not be scared of the consequences. That’s the only way they’ll learn to respect us. RUWAIDA BENTING, EMAIL