Fat shaming unacceptable as happy couple get engaged
After their first Zoom date in 2020, Siyabonga and Pauline are getting married.
Dating apps are a great way to e-meet people and can be useful - especially when you're in lockdown. It's no secret that online dating apps can be a little questionable at times - only because it gets a little creepy - but every now and then you find your perfect match.
In 2020, little did we know that our lives would be one big virtual interaction after another as COVID-19 brought the world to a standstill.
In fact, according to Business Insider, dating apps like Match Group and Tinder saw a surge in downloads in 2020.
Read more: Guy creates the "best Tinder profile of all time"
For Pauline Moeketsi and Siyabonga Tembe, it was the beginning of a fairytale love story and now, a year-and-a-half later, they're engaged.
On Pauline's 31st birthday (5 January 2022), she was surprised by her now-fiancé with a memorable proposal.
After putting it on my vision board, I knew that it was the year that I was going to meet the man of my dreams. We had to settle for our first date being a virtual date via Zoom. We did an online escape room and a couples quiz. When restrictions were lifted, we met in person. We went on a few dates, and after about two months, he asked me to be his girlfriend by surprising me with balloons and cupcakes with the words, 'Will you be my girlfriend?' on them.
Not only is this one of those fairytale love stories, but also a fairytale moment as Siyabonga pulled out all the stops to make the moment as special as possible.
Read more: Dating lingo 101, here's what you need to know about love in 2022
He surprised me by taking me to a private cinema, where there was a red carpet and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. We watched my favourite movie, 'Deja Vu'. When the movie ended, I walked out, he asked me to watch a screen which was in the foyer. At the end of the video, he asked me to turn around, and when I did, he was on one knee. I couldn't hold the tears back.
The Best Day of My Life. She said Yes 💍🐄 pic.twitter.com/gwErqTky3P
— Siya (@SS_Tembe) January 5, 2022
Read more: "I'm in love with my colleague but should I make a move?" - KZN listener
The story did take some unnecessary turns, with social media users accusing Pauline of dating him for 'monetary' reasons. Basically, calling her a 'golddigger', but other social media users quickly jumped in and squashed the negativity. Some users also took to social media to body shame Siya and call him fat - totally unacceptable behaviour.
Try to unfat .you are too fat .also NEVER SIMP
— Mzee Wa Kazi (@AlbertoOkile) January 7, 2022
If you were broke she wouldn't even talk to you mate. That's a fact. But that's the reality these days. It's not because you're fat & ugly, it's because you're a man & you're expected to have money before a beautiful girls can look your way.
— Mr. Wolfgang🐺🇿🇦 (@amukelani_ab) January 7, 2022
The fact that it’s mostly men under that newly engaged couple’s post insinuating the lady is only with him for his money is 100% projection,but also goes on to show how many men have low self esteem and know they have pretty much nothing to offer besides things of monetary value.
— Cup.of.Tia (@Tia_Mokoka) January 7, 2022
We're all for a good love story, especially a little lockdown love.
We wish Pauline and Siyabonga an amazing journey and we can't wait to see the wedding photos.
Have you ever used a dating app and had it turn into something special?
Main image attribution: Siyabonga Tembe/Twitter