Zimpapers Logo

Mr Steal Your Grandma: Irvin Randle

Hold on to your grandmas because one hot grandpa is coming to Africa.

The America-based Irvin Randle aka “Mr Steal Your Grandma” caused a stir on social media recently when pictures of him looking rather youthful for a 54-year-old man surfaced on various social media platforms. He immediately received love from the ladies and rubbed some men the wrong way with all the attention he was receiving.

Now, the fame has earned him a trip to Durban, South Africa. The trip will apparently be paid by the eThekwini Municipality, but it is not clear how his visit will benefit ratepayers. Randle will be part of the Essence Festival, to be held in Durban later this year. But the city is keeping mum on how much it will spend in bringing the 54-year-old American to Durban.

eThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said: “The Durban edition of the Essence Festival is still in the planning phase. All relevant information will be communicated in due course.”

Randle set the Internet alight recently after posting a series of pictures showing off his muscular frame and trendy style – sporting a greying beard.

The teacher from Texas in the US has since gained himself an army of online followers in South Africa and most African countries, who have swooned over his pictures.

Durban officials have apparently invited Randle to South Africa as part of the city’s drive to emulate the New Orleans Essence Festival. This comes after city officials visited the 20th anniversary of the festival in New Orleans last weekend, where Randle participated.

The Essence Festival will be hosted by the municipality between November 13 and 19. The event will present international performers and speakers to entertain and inspire, as well as local artists and experts to discuss a variety of subjects aimed at empowering women and their communities.

Randle’s Twitter page has, however, not been that popular with some South African men.

“If Irvin Randle could come to South Africa, it is bye-bye girlfriends to their boyfriends,” Brian Major Maphalala wrote.

“There’re many things the municipality can do with the money they’ll be spending on Irvin, although there’s nothing we can do as the officials have decided. But they should know it’s not sitting well with us as locals,” Zukhanye Dzingwa posted on Facebook.

But, unfazed by jealousy and criticism he has received from some South Africans, stylish Randle has told the “young men” to up their game if they want women’s attention.

“Young men, instead of hating, wake up and go to the gym. I’m all yours, ladies. “. . . young men, drink plenty of water, don’t smoke, have protected sex, drink natural juice mostly, eat a lot of vegetables and healthy food, sleep early, wake up early. The way your body needs water everyday is the same way it needs exercise. You can do it, too. A healthy life is all you need.” — Online