Champion swimmer Tatjana Smith was gifted with a R100 note. Picture; Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers.
A priceless moment of a fan gifting Olympic Gold medalist Tatjana Smith with R 100 as a reward for her exceptional performance at the Paris Olympic Games has warmed the nation collectively.
IOL Sport’s Michael Sherman captured the moment as a woman posed with Smith, handing her a R100 for chocolate and declaring proudly her joy at meeting the swimming star.
“I wish I could give you more,” said the woman, telling a gushing Smith she was beautiful and proud of her.
Smith and some members of Team South Africa, including the 4x100m relay silver medalists Bayanda Walaza and Bradley Nkoana, landed at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, where they were welcomed with love by thousands of fans.
The retiring Smith won two medals in Paris, making her South Africa’s top achiever.
Following the spontaneous moment South Africans took to X, formerly, Twitter to hail the moment as a true South African moment.
SABC sports anchor Xoli Zondo said Smith, who will pocket R 600,000 from SASCOC after her heroics in Paris, will now have R 100 extra in her bank account.
“This is so cute Tatjana will now pocket R600 000.00 from SASCOC for winning a gold and silver at the Paris Games Plus R100.00 from an adorable Auntie ❤,“ she posted on X.
This is so cute 🥹![CDATA[]]>😭❤️
— Xoli Zondo (MBA) (@XoliswaZondo) August 13, 2024
Tatjana will now pocket R600 000.00 from SASCOC for winning a gold and silver at the Paris Games
Plus R100.00 from an adorable Auntie 😍❤️ https://t.co/wLMOCbTmIr
@SteviePSport said the moment was a true South African moment.
“A truely South African moment 🇿🇦♥️
A fan gave Tatjana Smith R100 to thank her for her performance at Paris 2024. Said she wishes she could give more,“ she said.
A truely South African moment 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦♥️
— Stephen (@SteviePSport) August 13, 2024
A fan gave Tatjana Smith R100 to thank her for her performance at Paris 2024. Said she wishes she could give more.
Sport hey 🥹pic.twitter.com/wpmc1DqOHJ
While @Currency_King said the moment reminded her of his grandmother as she too would also give him a note or two when he did well in something.
“A moment…. 😍… Took me back to the days, when my grandma would would slide me a note or two, when I did good or was about to leave her place”
A moment…. 😍… Took me back to the days, when my grandma would would slide me a note or two, when I did good or was about to leave her place 🥹
— Mr T - Modern Malume (@Currency_King) August 13, 2024
@_Ceeyus_G Said if she were Smith she would frame the R100, as it was given with love.
“I would frame that R100 bill. That’s given with pure love and with genuine blessings. Having such aunties in your life in a blessing”
I would frame that R100 bill.
— Aloy_SiusMG (@_Ceeyus_G) August 13, 2024
Thats given with pure love and with genuine blessings.
Having such aunties in your life in a blessing....
On Facebook, Angelo Loock said: “Absolutely beautiful, that R100 speaks a Billion words 🙏 Political leaders leaving these athletes to fund themselves should be embarrassed”.
Celeste Naude remarked: “Why does this bring tears to my eyes..A sincere beautiful heart”.
Jaco Claassen said: “This made me smile. Its got nothing to do with money. This is spontaneous excitement”.
John Peter Andrews said: “Wonderful gesture of kindness. That R100 is worth more to that woman than 1 million given by someone who has billions”.
IOL Sport