Oh, my honey... where do I even begin!?

This one is definitely one for the books.

One of the most outstanding highlights of my entrepreneurial journey... no, of my life... was the day I got to gift none other than Viola Davis. Yes. The Hollywood Royalty herself, no introduction needed.

It took me a long time to even share this story because I wanted to hang on to the memory like a secret treasure, but I realised moments like this are meant to be spoken about, not just because they’re special, but because they remind us of how God works in the tiniest, most intricate ways.

So let's go back to August 2023, when I found out Viola Davis was in South Africa. I think she was shooting the G20 movie. I had been following her on Instagram, and between her posts and a little confirmation from the grapevine, I knew she was here. In passing, I told my husband, “How awesome would it be if I could gift Viola Davis!”

Fast forward a few days, it’s her birthday. She posts a picture of cakes she’d been gifted, and one of them had “The One & Only” written on it. My investigative skills are pretty dope if I do say so myself, and suddenly, light bulb moment, she must be staying at The One & Only Hotel! Beaming with excitement, I thought, "Wow God, are you saying what I'm thinking you are saying?"

First, I thought about gifting her, and now it's really her birthday and you’re showing me where she is. That can't be a coincidence.

My plan was simple: I’d prepare a beautiful gift box and wait for her at the hotel, hoping I don’t get chased away by the staff and actually do run into her. But my husband, ever the strategist, said, “Wait. I shouldn’t really be saying this, but…I know where you can actually meet her.” See, he’s a doctor, and by divine orchestration, he knew through a colleague that Viola and her husband Julius would be coming into the hospital, and he would be able to create a perfect opportunity for me to gift her in a more intimate setting.

Now honestly, as much as I was ecstatic about the opportunity, I was also super nervous. I was wondering if this wasn’t too invasive and didn’t want to intrude on someone’s private life, especially while in the hospital, but something in me knew this was God aligning everything. So I trusted Him.

I spent that weekend carefully curating Viola’s gift. I didn’t want it to just be a box; it had to be a reflection of my heart, my work, and South Africa. I included three books:

• ‍I Am Wo(man) by Lindelwa Mokgoro: a spiritual book about identity and finding your womanhood in alignment with how God intended it. I feel like in today’s day and age, as women, we almost lose our identity.
• Killer Cop: The Rosemary Ndlovu Story: A true-crime book about Rosemary, a South African woman who became a serial killer by killing her partner and at least five members of her family and hiring hitmen for some of the murders to cash in on their insurance policies that she set up for them. (I thought Viola, with her How to Get Away with Murder brilliance, might find it fascinating.)‍
• Rise, the memoir by Siya Kolisi: a powerful local story of making something of yourself despite the struggles you may have faced or grown up in.

I added African jewelry, handmade earrings, candles, aloe creams, Amarula, and an ornament. All authentically African. This box was heavy with love and actually heavy, period! I usually do one book in a box, but this box had three!

The following week, on a Tuesday, my husband called me to let me know that I needed to get ready and come into the hospital. The way it happened felt like divine intervention. I remember driving to the hospital, heart pounding, I had butterflies, feeling like I was about to go on stage, and very nervous. When I arrived at the hospital, walking to the ward, I was sweating. The nurses were so sweet; they greeted me, "Ah, Dr. Mahampa's wife, we've been waiting for you. You can have a seat here, and we'll call you when she's ready." Oh my goodness, my nerves doubled up. ‘How did I even get here?’ ‘Please don’t mess this up.’ Every thought running through my mind. I sat there waiting, praying, wondering if this was really about to happen. I started getting so hot that I had to take my denim jacket off... and then I looked up.

God speaks again....

Right in front of me was a mug on a desk that read: “For I know the plans I have for you. Jeremiah 29:11.” One of my favourite verses. Goosebumps. In that moment, I just knew God was saying, “Relax, my daughter. I’ve got you.” This affirmed for me that God facilitated this whole plan, it was all GOD 🙌🏾🙏🏾

10–15 minutes later, the nurses called me to let me know I could come in. My husband met me in the passage and walked with me into the room. There she was. THEEEE Viola Davis. Standing beside her husband, Julius.

I cannot describe the warmth in that room. Julius was such a kind, welcoming man. You could tell instantly he is her rock, her backbone. A power couple, but not the flashy, intimidating kind. The grounded, loving kind. They welcomed me in as if I wasn’t a stranger holding a heavy gift box with shaking hands. He was like, "Come, come in. Oh wow, this is so nice. Come take a photo… no, the sunlight is not great there, stand over this side." And Viola… her smile was EVERYTHING. My goodness, her smile lit up that hospital room like the sun itself. I couldn’t even get words out. I just kept calling her “Auntie Viola,”because in that moment, that’s what she felt like. Family. You wouldn’t expect these A-listers to be so inviting but Viola Davis and her husband, Julius are SO down to earth.

We took pictures, we laughed, I tried to get words out but I stuttered, and my husband kindly stepped in to explain my business to her while I tried not to faint. I handed her the gift, and she received it with such grace and gratitude. That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t just giving her a box. I was offering her a piece of me. My passion, my work, my culture, my South Africa. And in return, she gave me a memory I'll cherish forever.

That day reminded me that when you put your heart into something, when you dare to dream, and when you trust God's timing, the most unexpected doors will swing wide open. As my Father God says in Matthew 7 7–8: "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

I didn’t force this; I whispered a little prayer, I wished it, and God did the rest, aligning every single step. It wasn't just a career highlight. It was a divine appointment, and I'll cherish this moment always.

Love,

B 🫶🏾