Pretoria locals give their take on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a precious moment to spread love, spend quality time with a loved one and show appreciation and gratitude for the special people in our lives.

It is a reminder to cherish the beauty of relationships, whether with a partner, family member, friend or even ourselves.

Rekord visited the different corners of Pretoria to understand how residents felt over the day and what plans they had installed for their celebrations of love.

Pretoria east locals reflected on Valentine’s, its importance and the magic of the day

Erika Prinsloo said “I think Valentine’s Day can be a sweet way to acknowledge love, but it doesn’t have to be extravagant. It’s a good idea because it’s a reminder to slow down and appreciate your partner, but it shouldn’t be the only day love is shown.”

She said the nicest thing a loved one could do to make her happy would be a heartfelt letter – “words often mean more than gifts. Thoughtful gestures as well, like making a favourite meal or planning a simple, meaningful experience, can be the best way to celebrate.”

Temosho Phala said “Celebrating love isn’t confined to a single day for me; it’s a daily expression of my devotion. Whether it’s cooking my partner a delicious meal after a long day or providing a relaxing massage, it’s the simple things that make her smile that are the most meaningful. My heart is filled with love, and I cherish each moment we spend together. She knows that I will always be there for her, making sure she feels appreciated and loved every day, not just on Valentine’s Day.”

Jolandi Wynne said “Love is a constant flame that illuminates my life, and Valentine’s Day is but one of the 365 opportunities to share it. After exchanging vows on October 19, 2024, my husband and I began our journey of daily gratitude and joy.

“One unforgettable Valentine’s celebration was when he whisked me away to a candlelit dinner complete with fresh flowers and a scrumptious home-cooked meal that touched my heart as much as it delighted my taste buds.

I celebrate Valentine’s and share this spirit of gratitude beyond just our relationship, I spread warmth by giving my friends, family, and co-workers little gifts and chocolates.”

PJ van der Merwe said “I believe in celebrating Valentine’s Day but not going beyond. I celebrate it through small, special thoughtful gestures like having a picnic at the Botanical Garden and just spending quality time with my loved ones. People tend to commercialise Valentine’s and go beyond spending so much while you can just make your partner happy by little things that matter to them the most.”

Blessing Sekulane said  “I believe that love is not a fleeting moment to be celebrated on Valentine’s Day only but it’s a fuel that keeps us going every single day.

“Whether you are with a partner or surrounded by friends, family or colleagues, spreading this universal language of compassion and care is a powerful force that binds us all together. One special moment of warmth that truly touched me was when a loved one surprised me with a treasured T-shirt I’d long coveted, a thoughtful gesture that put a strong focal point of the essence of love.”

Locals in the north of Pretoria shared mixed feelings about the annual celebration of love.

Traditionally marked by romantic gestures, flowers, and heartfelt messages, Valentine’s Day has evolved into a day that stirs a variety of emotions in the community.

Pretoria North locals offered their unique perspectives on what the day meant to them.

A 35-year-old Lebo Suping sees the day as a special time to reconnect with her partner.

“Yes, I do celebrate Valentine’s Day and I think celebrating this day is a good idea because it’s a special day where we celebrate our loved ones.

“I buy my partner some gifts, show him love, and I like to be treated special, and he must also treat me in a way that any woman would like to be treated on Valentine’s Day,” said Suping.

Lorraine de Lenge said she always celebrates this day with her husband, whose birthday is also on Valentine’s Day.

“I’ve got no choice because it is also my husband’s birthday. We are approaching 35 years of marriage, meaning we’ve celebrated Valentine’s for the past 34 years.

“It is the only day where love is in the air, and we’ve seen in the past years where people are proposed to on this day,” said De Lenge.

She said she loves being taken out to a nice restaurant.

“We normally do a braai with my husband on this day, and I buy him gifts just to show him love and tell him I appreciate him.

“I’d encourage people to show their partner more love and make the day special,” said De Lenge, smiling.

While some residents embrace the tradition, others feel that Valentine’s Day has lost its original meaning.

Calvin Chinzou (25) expressed frustration with the commercialisation of the day.

“Nowadays, Valentine’s is one-sided. Everything is about money now. If you don’t buy expensive gifts or go out for fancy dinners, it feels like you are doing it wrong.

“Women make this day about themselves, forgetting that in a relationship, there are two people that deserve to be treated equally,” said Chinzou.

He mentioned that he prefers chilling at home with his partner on Valentine’s rather than going out.

“I buy her flowers, a teddy bear and a lot of sweet treats. But for me, as the man in the relationship, I’ve never received any gift from my partner till this day, and I’m the one who’s always buying.”

For some, Valentine’s Day is not exclusively about romantic love.

In Pretoria West and Central, here is what locals had to say:

Neetsie Thabane says she celebrates Valentine’s Day every year.

She says commemorating a day for love reminds us of just how precious and beautiful love can be. It forces us to take a moment from our busy life, breathe in, and remember the parts of ourselves that make us human.

“For me, the day transcends the love between only two people; it’s love that has travelled through generations to find us in the present moment.. I usually get my boyfriend his favourite stuff,” she says.

Bruce Bowale said he thinks Valentine’s Day is a good idea because it is the time to celebrate romantic love, friendship and admiration for your partner, family and friends.

He says he has already been spoilt by being taken to a movie and getting a mug as a gift. He likes to give flowers and teddy bears and taking his loved ones out for coffee or breakfast.

Itumeleng Gift Mombezi said he thinks celebrating Valentine’s Day is a good thing because it is an international day on which everyone gets an opportunity to express love to their loved ones.

“The best way to treat my loved ones is through small picnics at the park because picnics also show signs of love,” he says.

Humbulani Netshianane and Khensani Sithole also said they love to celebrate the day, as it is a day to express love and affection towards one’s partner.

Humbulani said he felt very spoilt when “she made me breakfast full of love, after taking this I felt energised for the whole day and ya, I felt happy”.

His plans for this year include a romantic dinner: “We like to prepare a fancy meal at home with candlelight and our favourite wine.”

In Mamelodi, here is what locals had to say:

Bongaan and Seipei Ramontja from Mamelodi said they do celebrate Valentine’s Day. “We believe it’s a special day to affirm love to the other.”

Bongaan said actually Valentine’s Day should be celebrated every day because it is all about love, the love that has elements of communication and romance. There are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day but said he wants to surprise his wife with a weekend away.

Thabo Kgotsi and Precious Mhlambi from Mamelodi believes that celebrating Valentine’s Day is a good idea because it’s a time when they each get to show appreciation for the other.

“Even though Valentine’s days is all about love, I don’t believe there should be a specific day when you should celebrate your loved ones,” said Mhlambi.

“Every day should be Valentine’s Day,” Kgotsi added. He said he is planning a nice romantic getaway to take time off and relax.

The couple further said the most important thing to them is to teach their children what love is and how to love each other.

ALSO READ: How to celebrate Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank

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