April Fool’s pranks not always funny
LAST Wednesday, April 1, traditionally known as April Fool's Day, Express asked some Polokwane residents how they spent the day and if they were pranked.
POLOKWANE – LAST Wednesday, April 1, traditionally known as April Fool’s Day, was a day filled with pranks whereby people pulled their best and worst pranks on others. Articles from various publications got people talking and some people had forgotten that it was April Fool’s Day.
Express asked some Polokwane residents how they spent the day and if they were pranked.
Thabo Ralethata said he appreciated the day because it was the only date on which one was allowed to play pranks on others. “My friend called to say my house was burning. I was at work at the time and so busy that I had forgotten it was April 1. I panicked but before I could hang up the phone he said he was only joking.”
Dovhani Munyai said this time around he was not a victim. He said he usually fell for the pranks that his friends and family pulled on him. “I don’t like the fact that people turned serious issues into jokes because others may forget to tell you that it was only a joke. I have since started pranking others and enjoy it.”
Tshepo Maseko said at least one’s sense of humour came into play on this day. “I called my friend pretending to be the owner at the company he had applied for a job for; I told him he got the job and I could tell from the way he was speaking that he was really excited. I only told him it was a joke hours later and he was very disappointed in me.” Maseko said no one had pulled a prank on him.
Alfred Kwenaite said he did not understand why people celebrated April Fool’s Day because it seemed to be a day that people lied to each other.
“I would not appreciate it if someone lied about my mother having suffered a heart attack and being admitted to hospital. People must never tell lies about such serious and sensitive issues.”
He said he did not celebrate this day, but he had been a victim.
Gloria Moloi said she was cautious on this day as people tended to prank others over serious matters.
“Some years ago I was told that my sister was arrested because she had beaten a learner and that I had to come to the police station as soon as I could. It was hard to believe but because she is a teacher I had to console myself that it might have happened by mistake.” She says she immediately called her mother to tell her the news only to find that it was a joke.
