It was masks off and hats, fascinators and crowns on at the 126th running of the R5m Durban July handicap at Greyville racecourse on Saturday.
With the race having taken place in front of empty stands for the past two years, punters and the social set could once again hobnob on the famed lawns. And, with the lifting of the mask mandate and other restrictions, the annual thoroughbred dash was expected to attract about 35,000 punters.
This year also saw the race secure a new headline sponsor which saw fit to include TikTok, YouTube and Instagram influencers among its VIP guests.
Now, those aren’t the sort of folk who this column would regard as A-listers, so I headed to the marquee village on the other side of the track for a bit of celeb spotting.
The first folk I run across are a trio who flew all the way from the Philippines to watch the race — uber-wealthy Manila socialite Tessa Prieto-Valdez and her friends Pepper Teehankee and Yvette Fernandez. “We’re going shark-cage diving tomorrow,” Pepper tells me.
Tessa tells me her OTT feathered headdress was by Ken Samudio.
On to bumping into two besties — Nomalanga Shozi and Shamiso Mosaka.
Nomalanga, who four months ago gave birth to daughter Baby Mayi, stopped traffic in a rust-coloured tulle dress by Excelsior Lusso. She said her friendship with Shamiso has grown thanks to their TV work for Paramount Africa. “She’s the face of MTV and I’m the face of BET.”
Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo arrived with an entourage to accessorise his dramatic silver and gold outfit and made his way to the Afrotainment marquee. “My stylist Obakeng designed it,” he told me.
“Queen of racing” Fundi Sithebe accessorised her red dress with sneakers. “I’m practical,” she said of her footwear choice for a day when many guests trot from marquee to marquee.
Jessica Nkosi, on the other hand, finished off her outfit by Namibian designer Roberto Scholtz with a pair of black angel wings.
Wearing my other hat as a designer, I was roped in by Adidas to dress Generations actress Zola Nombona in an outfit celebrating Orlando Pirates’ 85th anniversary.
Foodwise, the ultra-luxe Champions Room boasted the day’s most impressive menu, starting with a breakfast that included salmon bagels and a parfait of granola, yoghurt and fresh berries.
Freshly shucked oysters with lemon tapioca pearls displayed on floral ice balls formed part of the lunch menu, while later on a harvest table featuring wild-mushroom gnocchi, beef fillets with balsamic cream sauce and chicken Mandalay quinoa salad was on offer. Vegans were catered for with a creamy butternut and sage lentil lasagne dish, while those with a sweet tooth enjoyed Lindt balls and homemade chocolate truffles.
After the big race, won by Sparkling Water, partygoers headed to the Boomtown marquee (tickets ranged from R850 for entry only to a whopping R3,900 for VVIP entry), which boasted an impressive line-up including pop queen Shekhinah, Nasty C, Sjava and Ami Faku.
Meanwhile, amapiano fans were well served at the Afrotainment marquee, from where Metro FM DJs Proverb and Lerato Kganyago broadcast live.
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