Thank you

Brian & Manka

Celebrating a journey, gratitude for the future

Together since 2009. A decade of shared life. Two master’s degrees. One very good day, spent with the people who matter most.

Saturday 12 September 2026 · Eikenhof Estate, Stellenbosch

See the photos A note of thanks

A note of thanks

You made it a day to remember

To everyone who came — from around the corner and from across the continent — thank you. You dressed in colour, you brought the warmth, and you turned an afternoon we had planned for months into something that felt completely effortless.

Two degrees, one long afternoon on the lawns, and the people who carried us, challenged us and cheered us on, all in one place. We could not have asked for more.

The photographs are below. We hope they bring the day back for you the way they do for us.

With love and gratitude,
Brian, Manka & Barakaeli

If you asked about gifts

Several of you asked how you might send a gift. Truly, your being there was the gift. If you would still like to mark the day, we would be honoured if you gave to Rare Diseases South Africa instead, to help families find the support, care and hope they need.

Give to Rare Diseases South Africa

Photos from the day

The day, in pictures

A few of our favourites from the afternoon. Tap any photo to see it larger. The full album has been shared with guests directly — if it has not reached you, just ask us.

With thanks

The people who made the day

None of it happens without the people behind the scenes. If you are planning a celebration of your own, we would happily recommend every one of them.

Our story

A good long way, together

We met in 2009, and since then life has been equal parts full, funny and wildly ambitious. Our roots travel across the continent: Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, with nearly two decades in Cape Town. We have collected places, people, stories and a son, Barakaeli, who keeps us on our toes and keeps us laughing.

The last few years gave us a particular kind of adventure. While raising a family and working, we each took on postgraduate study at the same time: Brian an MBA, and Manka a Master’s in Development Finance. People are right when they say that studying can stretch every part of a household. We survived deadlines, late nights, unread messages, brave cups of coffee and more than a few ‘whose turn is it?’ conversations. Somehow, it made us stronger.

We graduated together on 9 September, and the gathering that followed was our way of holding the pause button for a moment. We wanted to eat, dance and be grateful with the people who carried us, challenged us and cheered us on. Thank you for being part of our journey — and for making the future feel like something worth celebrating.