Chad ‘thinking’ about matric dance

A huge support of people arrived at OR Tambo to welcome back Team SA, from the London Olympics. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 14/08/2012

A huge support of people arrived at OR Tambo to welcome back Team SA, from the London Olympics. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 14/08/2012

Published Aug 17, 2012

Share

Johannesburg - Our Wardrobe has offered a dress. Lexus has jumped in with a sports car. Highveld FM DJ Darren Simpson wants to MC the event and has offered DJ maestro Vin Dysel’s skills on the decks.

But Melanie Olhaus’s dream matric dance with Olympic golden boy Chad le Clos may not become a reality after all.

On Thursday, Le Clos’s dad Bert said his son was still thinking about the idea and would check his schedule before making any decisions.

On Tuesday, Glenvista High School pupil Melanie, 17, was at OR Tambo International Airport to see Team SA’s swimming medallists.

And she was armed with a very special poster: “Chad, will you be my matric dance date?”

Below the words were two faces, side by side. One was Melanie’s, and the other was that of the two-time Olympic medallist.

Melanie screamed: “Will you be my matric dance date?” And Le Clos answered: “Ja, I think I can do that.”

Since then, Melanie has been showered with attention from well-wishers and businesses keen to sponsor the big evening.

“I didn’t actually think I must ask him, it was more like a support thing. I didn’t expect him to say yes,” Melanie said.

The teenager has swum the Midmar Mile and says she has always loved swimming.

“I watched every one [of his races]. When he won I started crying and when he got his medal I also cried,” she said.

“I think I would be very nervous [on the night of the dance], but I’m such a big fan, I think I’d find something to talk to him about. “We would probably just talk about swimming the entire night,” she added.

The attention she’s getting is overwhelming.

“It’s quite strange. It never happened to me before. I’m still just so excited, it still feels like a dream to me. I just hope that it works out… [My friends] are so happy, they can’t believe it. But some of them are very jealous.”

There is one problem.

Melanie is not sure if Chad will contact her.

If not, she plans to take the plunge and contact him herself.

The date of the dance is September 29 – and if Melanie’s dream comes true, she will be whisked to her matric ball with a modern-day prince on her arm.

If not, she will ask a friend to accompany her. - The Star

Related Topics: