Amazing race for romance
OR Amazing Race fan Daniel Naidoo, pursuing his true love was akin to life imitating art. When the 28-year-old customer relations officer decided he wanted to marry his girlfriend, Jadine Samson, his creative side took over, culminating in an Amazing Proposal that blew the 23-yearold “clueless” admin clerk off her feet.
He created a make-believe contest similar to the reality television game show, in which teams of two people race around the world in competition with other teams, using clues in each leg to get to their next destination or to perform a task.
Naidoo, from Shallcross, called his contest Couple’s Journey, with the main prize being a dream wedding.
“I always wanted to enter the Amazing Race and I wanted to do something unique for Jadine,” Naidoo told POST, just days after pulling off his unusual feat in Durban, bagging himself a future bride in the process.
Naidoo said he got Samson’s mother to give her the entry form, which he had made at the printers.
“Jadine was excited to enter. I told her it didn’t seem legit. But she was keen and we filled out the form together. The brief was to tell them (the organisers) about your unique love story. We prayed about it and she told me to post it.”
Naidoo said he then set up a Couple’s Journey e-mail address and sent an e-mail to Samson, informing her that they were selected along with eight other couples: “She was thrilled.”
Naidoo said he hired a group of people to help get his plan into action. “On the morning of the race, I had a table and banners set up to make it look real. We also had branded backpacks filled with goodies.
“But I arrived at her home late and Jadine was upset; she didn’t want to participate and was in tears. I convinced her, and when we arrived at Moses Mabidha (Stadium), we were informed by the ‘officials’ I hired that we were late. Jadine was not happy.”
Naidoo said their first ‘clue’ led them to the Japanese Gardens, where they had to separate Astros (sweets) in different colours to get the next clue. The couple then travelled to the Durban museum, Mini Town, Woolworths in Durban North, Umgeni Bird Park, and Wilson’s Wharf finding more clues.
Naidoo said the final destination was going to be uShaka Marine World. “But we were early so I insisted the next clue was at Westville Zoo. There is no zoo and we drove there for nothing.”
Naidoo said they finally went to the uShaka entrance and found a man standing with an envelope. “He told us we were the first couple and Jadine was thrilled.
“We ran to Milky Lane and were informed by the DJ and a presenter I hired that we were the second couple. Jadine was upset and blamed me for being late.
“We also had to carry evening clothes for the dinner, so they asked us to change. Our parents were hiding in the shops.”
Naidoo said he pretended he forgot his phone in the changeroom and that’s when their parents and a troupe of dancers, went on stage.
“By this time Jadine knew something was up, and asked her mom. She was in tears. I got down on one knee and asked Jadine to marry me. I told her how much I loved her and she said ‘Yes’.”
Naidoo said he was thrilled and got goosebumps because of the support from the crowd.
He said he was “mesmerised” when he first saw Samson at a church camp in September 2014. “We don’t attend the same church, but her granny and mom sometimes visit. There was a church camp and after much persuasion from her family and my friends we went.
“We didn’t talk, but I asked a mutual friend at the end of the camp for Jadine’s number, with her permission.”
Naidoo said she agreed and they began chatting then dating from January last year.
In November, he decided he wanted to propose to her.
Samson, from Morningside, said this was one of the biggest things to happen to her.
“I was shocked and excited and I felt very special. He planned everything so well.”
The couple plan to marry in 2018. Duke’s Combo, DLI Hall, July 24 at 7pm:
Durban Playhouse, July 23 at 3pm: