Bride-to-be blown away by public proposal
Roomful of romantics cheer as music teacher kneels at his girl’s feet
AN annual women’s awards ceremony came to a halt last month in New Brighton when music teacher Simphiwe Madywabi, 41, took to the stage and went down on one knee to honour his girlfriend Mpho Mnweba with a surprise wedding proposal.
After the MC announced a special award that was not on the programme she called a bewildered Mpho, who did not at first realise the MC was calling for her until she mentioned her surname.
“I thought they were calling another Mpho and at the time he [Simphiwe] was not at the table so I assumed he had gone to the bath- room. As I walked to the stage he came out of nowhere and started speaking and confessing his love to me in front of everyone.
“I then thought that he was just honouring me as his woman till he knelt down.
“I could have died then and there,” she said.
“It was a surprise indeed. I was so shocked that I could not even walk off the stage properly . . . I kept asking him to hold my hand.
“He had to bring me a glass of water afterwards just so I could get over the shock and gather myself,” said the former Capetonian, 34.
The entire hall of guests at Vision4 Women’s Beyond the Balance Sheet awards gala dinner erupted with cheers, ululations, clapping and happy dances.
Edge Financial Group financial advisor Mpho moved to Port Elizabeth in 2011, and met Simphiwe just over a year ago.
“Marriage was always on the cards but I just did not expect it to happen like that,” she said.
Simphiwe said that he knew from the second time that he had gone out with Mpho that “she was in fact the one”.
“Towards the end of our conversation, she suggested that we close the office door, hold hands and pray. I knew right there and then that this is the one,” he said.
The pair have both been married before but are determined that this time around it is for life. The music teacher said: “I don’t see any fears – all I know is that I love her.
“I have seen things and situations in my life and through them all I have learnt to trust in God.
“All I know is that she is God-sent to me. ”
The lovebirds plan to get married next year but nothing has been decided as they still need to plan everything as soon as Mpho gets over the “shock”.