Mama Joy overwhelmed with love as French husband surprises her from afar

Mama Joy overwhelmed with love as French husband surprises her from afar! South African sports superfan Mama Joy Chauke is no stranger to the limelight, but this time, it’s her love life — not her passionate stadium antics — that’s capturing hearts across the nation. Mama Joy, well-known for her vibrant spirit and unwavering support for national teams, is currently basking in the glow of affection from her French husband, Nicholas “Papa Joy” Pitaud, who continues to go the extra mile to express his love, even from across continents.

In a tender and unexpected gesture, Papa Joy recently surprised his wife with a bouquet of flowers delivered from France, leaving her both stunned and teary-eyed.

“I was surprised when I received the flowers,” Mama Joy told TimesLIVE.
“He went to the florist shop and they brought them to me. It was a surprise to me as I’m not used to receiving flowers, but he’s doing it after all. It’s a dream come true to have him.”

Mama Joy overwhelmed with love

A Love Story Born in France

The couple’s romance began during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. What started as a cross-cultural spark quickly turned into a full-blown love story, culminating in a traditional Xitsonga wedding in September 2023. Since then, despite the physical distance between South Africa and France, their bond has only grown stronger.

Now 51 years old, Mama Joy says the thousands of kilometres separating them don’t feel like an obstacle. Thanks to their strong emotional connection and daily communication, their love continues to thrive.

“I don’t feel the distance,” she said.
“We are only unable to touch each other, but we do other things together. We share everything we do every day. If I want to see him, we video call. We talk for more than three hours during the day.”

Learning Love Anew

Mama Joy is quick to describe her husband as romantic and emotionally present — a man who’s completely changed how she sees love.

“He taught me what love looks like. Now I know how to love. He has shown me how to love someone and I was able to love him back. It feels good. It’s my first time to have a man like him,” she beamed.

The simple things — like surprise gifts, heartfelt messages, and quality time over video calls — are what make their relationship so special.

Embracing Cultural Differences

One of the unique aspects of their relationship is the merging of South African and French cultures, especially when it comes to food. Mama Joy candidly admitted that adapting to French cuisine wasn’t easy at first.

“I remember when I was in France, there’s a lot of food I didn’t like. His mom made medium-rare beef and it didn’t look well-cooked. It seemed as if I didn’t like their food,” she recalled with a laugh.

But with time and a bit of effort, things improved.

“Now I know how to cook their food because she taught me how to cook different dishes.”

Despite their cultural backgrounds, language has never been a barrier, with the couple comfortably communicating in English.

The Future Together

When asked about starting a family, Mama Joy said that having children isn’t currently on the agenda.

“For now, we are not talking about having children. We are enjoying life together and other things together — and sexually, we are happy,” she shared openly.

Looking ahead, the couple is eagerly anticipating reuniting later in the year. Papa Joy is expected to return to South Africa in September, and again in December, just in time to celebrate both of their birthdays.

Their story continues to inspire, showing that love knows no borders, and even when separated by oceans, true affection can find its way home — sometimes in the form of a bouquet of flowers.