FEB 21- Highway DBN

I was used to seeing people being
really loud or acting like a fan club
around him, so, after that meeting,
I would make a swift exit whenever
he came towards me at events or
when I was at ECR. It was years later
at a photoshoot at the Elangeni that
he told me, “I hear you are leaving
to live in England - we’ll have to do
something about that!” Two days later
in October 2019 we had our first date
(with his daughter and her bestie) in
tow.
What is your love language?
Darren: She gives me gifts in the form
of handwritten notes, and they are
always snuck in without me knowing.
She has a note for everything. For
example, I’ll be in the middle of a gig
and I’ll look for something in my jacket
pocket and find a note from her.
They aren’t generic ones either, so it’s
always specific to that moment. Don’t
tell her, but I think there might even
be some that I haven’t even found yet!
Anna: It’s as if his first thought every
day is, “what am I going to do today
to show Anna how much I love her?”.
He’ll make sure that no matter what,
when I put my head on the pillow at
night, he has done everything he can
to make sure that I know how loved
and cared for I am. He loves to make
me laugh and loves to see me smile.
If Darren/Anna was a drink,
what would they be?
Darren: She would be a screwdriver
cocktail with a twist. Sloe gin, with
Southern Comfort, enjoyed leaning
against the wall and enjoying the
company you’re with. But, since I am
a teetotaller, I will have to go with a
really tall glass of cool water after a
long day!
Anna: I think Darren would be a
longed-for cup of really good strong
coffee. One that is much-needed,
great to wake up to - with a dash of
Darren’s famous nut milk of course!
What was the last message
that you sent to each other?
Darren: “Not long ‘til the weekend
and some rest my love, I love you!”
Anna: A voice note saying “I am
sending you this message for no other
reason than to tell you I love you”!
Photo credit:
Mark Whitlock
Questions for Darren:
What was the first gift that you gave Anna?
Our first date was at Suncoast Arcade, where Anna and I had a dance-off and I
realised that she was not to be messed with! She took all her tickets and bought
goodies for Mouse and her friend. I took mine and bought her a really kitsch ring,
which I gave to her at the end of our date. She still has it in her jewellery box!
How does Mouse feel about ‘young love’ in the house?
She doesn’t like PDAs (public displays of affection) that’s for sure! She adores
Anna and is the happiest person when it comes to spending time with us all
together, but as soon as there is any form of PDA, she either becomes a ninja and
disappears or she does the eye roll that you can feel from across with the room
followed by a big sigh and stage whispering ‘guys, seriously’. She can see dad is
happier and healthier and loves the real sense of ‘home’ we have created.
Questions for Anna:
What’s it like dating one of KZN’s most well-recognised
celebrities?
When we are alone, I never consider him to be anything other than Darren, but
when we are in public, I admire the way that he treats the people who come
and talk to him or ask him for a photo, especially the kids. I know that every
interaction is genuine and that he appreciates every single one of his fans.
Which of Darren’s talents do you love the most?
I love his voice! I’ve asked him to read me everything from a sonnet to articles in
TIME to a shopping list. We had many early dates where we would sit for hours
talking and I would get lost in those conversations - I still do!
What are some of the thoughtful things Darren has done?
I am a huge fan of the Obamas, and Darren knew that I was waiting on
tenterhooks for the Barack Obama book to come out. The moment it went on
sale he was one of the first in line to buy it for me and he even wrote a message
to treasure on the inside! Also, In 2020, I was booked in for spine surgery, 15 days
before we moved into our new home. Darren took care of me every step of the
way with the challenges of COVID 19 while having major surgery, moving house,
and helping me with my daily physio for two months.
It’s hard to imagine that Darren and Anna have only been dating for 18 months
as they move around each other in the kitchen making coffee as if they have
been doing this for years. Once they’re cuddled up to each other on the couch
chatting away and their eyes shine with nothing but adoration, there’s no doubt
that love lives here.
12 Get It • Highway • Berea • Durban North February 2021