Since I am an African living in Africa am usually amazed on how some individuals "pop the big question" .
I agree , when in Rome do as the Romans do. But it's only in Africa where the same Romans bring their culture here and we forget our own.
These scene is constantly being repeated in our society :- a man goes down on one knee in front of his lady and utters this words , will you marry me? This mostly happens in the presence of friends and family but nowadays even in the presence of total strangers. I now think that the the more the strange crowd, the better the proposal. My concern is not about the venue but the words- will you marry me. When directly translated to kiswahili or any Kenyan language it simply says utanioa? Or nataka unioe. I don't see how a grown-ass African man can utter those words. The correct thing to say is I want to marry you, can I please marry you?, here , however sophisticated you are, the man still pays the bride price and takes the bride to his house.
Am I taking this thing too serious? Maybe they do it just for a simple showoff? The ladies are loving it.
In my opinion, the best marriage proposal is when your long term (3years+) girlfriend come to you and says huny I'm pregnant
I stand to be corrected.

"I want to marry you" sounds like an order instead of a request. Hata afadhali ingekuwa "May I marry you?" The reason you are getting confused is coz you are thinking in your mother tongue and typing in English. About the proposal, you need not do it in a crowd or such, you can do it in your own style.

there is big problem here nowadays, if you dont do it in a way that speaks volume or shows off,hehehe iko shida.

Proposing in a football match is very popular. The mido class propose in Dubai, South Africa etc

...and on Churchill Live.