Valentines competition: Meet Brassel Ndlovu and partner

IOL is offering one lucky couple the opportunity to win a dinner and overnight stay at The President Hotel. Seven couples have been shortlisted for the prize. 

Winners will be announced publicly on Friday. IOL is calling upon its loyal readers to help it choose the most deserving couple for this competition. This is their story in their own words.

Couple 6: Brassel Ndlovu and partner

I met him in the most unexpected way—stuck in an elevator during a citywide blackout. I was a dreamer, painting stories with my words, while he was a realist, grounded in logic. We were opposites, yet something about that shared moment of uncertainty sparked a connection neither of us could ignore.

Our love grew despite obstacles. My past heartbreak made me cautious, and his demanding career often stole his time. There were late-night arguments, missed anniversaries, and moments when walking away seemed easier. But love isn’t about ease; it’s about choosing each other even when the road is rough.

One winter, I fell ill. The doctors weren’t sure if I’d recover fully. He, once hesitant to express his emotions, became my rock. He read my favorite books aloud, filled my hospital room with wildflowers, and reminded me why love is the most powerful force of all. I, in return, fought with every ounce of strength because I knew love like ours was rare.

When I finally stood on my feet again, he proposed—not in an extravagant setting, but in the very elevator where we first met. “No matter how dark it gets,” he whispered, “I will always find my way to you.”

Our story isn’t perfect, but it’s real. It’s about resilience, about choosing love despite the storms. And that’s why I deserve something special—because love that endures hardship isn’t just beautiful; it’s extraordinary.