Gran gets a special thank-you
2008-09-26 08:40
Linda de Beer
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."
- Beeld