People are touched by a story of authentic love

I WAS not surprised to observe the trauma experienced by millions over the alleged separation of actors Will Smith and his wife of four years Jada Pinkett Smith

Even this newspaper carried the report of the imminent break-up to reflect the acute disappointment that people all over the world felt at the thought of the golden couple calling it quits.

The collective sigh of relief at the news that the separation was a malicious rumour seems to have re-established global stability.

If you do not believe that this reported divorce threatened world peace, consider the following submission by a distraught blogger: "I have been following this harrowing story closely. The possibility of a Will-Jada split has darkened my dreams, at times awakened me screaming and streaming with sweat.

"What is the collapse of the euro compared to the rupture of one of Hollywood's most sacred bonds? Will continue to scan for emerging events, on an hourly basis, stunning myself awake with a cattle prod, until satisfied this threatened horror has subsided. This is going to cost me half a year of trauma therapy."

I can understand why this stranger was so gutted! He was not the only one. Everywhere South Africans, who are not even remotely related to the two, were crying, "Oh no, not Will and Jada".

This is the couple that communicates at least five times a day when their careers keep them apart. Jada wisely added that: "The most important aspect of our relationship is that we continue to grow together. You have to be willing to take journeys with your partner. I will throw my career away before I let it break my marriage."

Who will forget Will informing us that they connected intellectually, spiritually and "worked into the comedic side".

He also reminded us of the importance of partaking of the pleasures of the flesh when he said the key to their domestic bliss was "really, really good sex"!

You see when two people find each other and nourish each other for so long, our hearts are scarred and cannot accept the tragic reality that even glorious relationships do end, sometimes.

It was also refreshing to see two talented, beautiful, young and rich people build a marriage that overcame the Hollywood curse of short marriages.

I know, some among us don't give a rat's ass about Jada and Will.

And for some the heart has been so hardened that it cannot feel any warmth at all. But, you see, this is not about these two individuals but about the power of love.

Our own icons, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, were not just famous for their sterling contribution to the struggle against apartheid but they stoodd out as personifications of a durable love that healed pain caused by adversity and political turmoil.

Perhaps the hysteria that resulted in news of the Smith's separation is testimony to the fact that most people are touched by a story of beauty and authentic love.

It is quite telling that people will "oooh and aaah" when they see love manifesting itself even when the characters are not known to the admirer.

Perhaps as human beings our natural inclination and instinct is to love until the world teaches us otherwise.

I suspect that people were not lamenting the demise of the "cute couple" but more the erosion of the hope that some can be successful in love. And Will and Jada represent this success.

Before you dismiss me as a hopeless romantic, consider the amount of time scientists have spent trying to prove the chemical basis for love and how this influences our behaviour.

Even anthropologists, psychiatrists and behavioural scientists have weighed in on the subject and while their findings differ, the overall agreement is that love is good for the soul. It enhances our capacity to connect, empathise and share affection. And all of this is excellent for our cognitive development.

I suspect all these people who demonstrate aggressive behaviour and bitterness in our society would be much better human beings if they loved a little more.

Will and Jada, come on, make us believe in love again!