Delight as Knysna woman redeems 24-year-old meal voucher

Two sisters, Sue Lloyd (85) and Margaret Rheeder (77), were pleasantly surprised when they were allowed to redeem a 24-year-old voucher for ladies’ ribs and chips at Olde’s Pub and Grill in Knysna.

The voucher, valued at R70, resurfaced as Lloyd was packing to move to St Francis Bay to be closer to her son.

Lloyd discovered the voucher while sorting through her belongings and initially doubted its validity after so many years.

“I was still a young 60 when the voucher was issued, and I can’t even remember how I received it. Twenty-four years ago, R70 was considered a sizeable amount for a voucher of this nature,” she says.

Despite her scepticism, she decided to enquire at Olde’s.

Warm welcome

When she and Rheeder arrived at the restaurant, the staff were astonished, as they had no knowledge of vouchers issued back in 2000.

After some light-hearted banter, the staff contacted the current owner, who is the daughter of the original owner, who has passed away.

To their delight, the sisters received a warm welcome and were treated to ladies’ ribs and chips, with the staff even adjusting the music to their liking.

Lloyd expressed her gratitude, stating that the goodwill gesture far outweighed the voucher’s value, and it was synonymous with the welcoming spirit of Knysna that she will miss when she relocates.

Cherishing her memories of kindness in the community, she also mentioned her upcoming visit to her daughter in France.