Angelique De Villiers, a South African living in Botswana, says while love partners would be spending lots of money in entertainment spots during Valentine’s Day today, she would be listening to this kind of soothing music with her neighbours at her farm. She explains that Valentine’s Day is the time to promote happiness and to emphasise the power of love. “What people should know is that this day is not only about love between couples, but love for one’s neighbour too,” De Villiers says.
Today, February 14 is a day commonly reserved for lovers. To those who are in love, it is a day to exchange presents and give full attention to a loved one. Since the beginning of the month, shops, restaurants, florists and other businesses have prepared to cash in on the day. Hotels and guesthouses are preparing to make a killing as partners date each other. Newspapers are pregnant with adverts to guide lovers where to find specials from meals to building supplies.
But to the likes of De Villiers, this is a time when people should be showing love to anyone - not just their partners.
In Francistown, the youth were hustling for the best looking roses and attractive love cards. Some go hand in hand and enter shop after shop to buy what they would need on Valentine’s Day. Twenty one-year-old Bonno Ngaka popularly known as DJ Colestraw is one of the people who believe in Valentine’s Day. He says it is a day for a good time with loved ones and to write love messages to each other. Though he says he would be out on official duty, he cannot miss to email her girlfriend a lovely message.
Another lovebird, Dineo Kereeditse of Palapye says Valentine is a normal day to her though with a bit of difference. She reveals that there is no year that passes without her arranging something to mark their love affair. “In this particular day, we go out and enjoy our love in romantic places like Kasane,” she says.
She explains that they have good moments together apart from Valentine’s Day, which is special. She usually gives her man small presents but this time, she disclosed that she has budgeted for something valuable.
She says she has bought the presents and is waiting for the day to arrive and hand them over as a surprise. She says she is not cheap. “I do not need roses but something with a longer life span,” she declares.
However, she reveals that this time, she has bought beautiful car cushions for her special man printed in red bold letters ‘For someone I love’.
White Stanley, who disclosed that he had not been celebrating Valentine since he fell in love with a beautiful woman in 1999, says this time, he would oblige. “For the first time, I would be taking my fiancé to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to give her maximum love.” He stated that he has read magazines on how to handle a woman and it is his chance to implement what he has learnt.
He is not worried that he spent a lot of money last Christmas. “Money is not a problem, this has been on budget.” He says he expects something in return from her lover.
“I would buy myself candles, a bottle of champagne, some roses and stay alone at home,” says a shy looking woman who prefers anonymity. She points out that she does not have anyone to celebrate the day with. But this cannot stop her from enjoying the day.
However, there are other conservative Africans who do not believe in copying western cultures. Keven Robert is a strong believer in African tradition and says Valentine’s Day is copied from the West. Therefore, he could not celebrate something that he does not understand. But he said if his wife suggests that he does something for her, he would not refuse. “There is no harm in buying her something but she has to convince me it is really important,” he says.
To people like Agnes Ranko, Valentine’s Day has no significance. She says it is pointless to waste money buying expensive gifts for someone she wakes up with from the same bed every morning. “We know that we love each other everyday,” she stresses.
