From rewarding brave journalists, to hobnobbing with the boldly dressed, then throw in a book launch by the epitome of black excellence ...
That sums up my week on the social circuit.
First, an awards ceremony where everyone who cracks an invite walks away a winner.
The Brave Journalism and Media awards were held on Wednesday evening at a fitting location, the former home of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in Houghton.
Brainchild of Alan Ford, these gongs are sponsored by home-grown pharmaceutical giant Adcock Ingram as part of its campaign to recognise courageous South Africans.
This was the fourth rendition of the awards, and on the night 32 journos including eNCA’s Heidi Giokos (wearing a pretty tangerine dress bought while in Greece for her sister’s wedding), friendly SAfm breakfast host Stephen Grootes, 702’s Clement Manyathela and Mandy Wiener, veteran SABC Morning Live anchor Leanne Manas and Business Day’s Sashni Pather were recipients.
Even I scored a trophy, which came in the form of a giant Carrol Boyes drinks cooler, quipping that I was stumped to be included in such distinguished company considering the only brave thing I do is call out bad dress sense.
I said hello to seasoned journo Yusuf Abramjee and caught up with one of the tiniest newshounds around, Devi Sankaree Govender, who says she’s “still chasing uncles down the road” in her current gig as the host of an e.tv show which bears her name.
I also chatted to Gareth Cliff, whose online broadcaster Cliff Central is still going strong — it turns nine in May next year.
Foodwise, we were treated to updated versions of Madiba’s favourite dishes, including a mouth-watering oxtail stew on a bed of mash potato, fiery prawn curry and a mushroom and samp risotto.
A touching moment was when Hlubi Mboya picked up the posthumous award of her sister, the late raconteur and media personality Kuli Roberts.
And entertainment came courtesy of witty repartee by still the most famous white woman in South Africa, Evita Bezuidenhout, who is sporting grey locks after lockdown prevented her from visiting her hairdresser.
On to someone who knows very well the highs and lows that come when you the media spotlight shines on you, having featured on radio, TV and magazine covers for making history, and who found the strength to claw back when things got tough.
In 1987 in the midst of apartheid, Nonkululeko Gobodo became a household name as the first black female chartered accountant in South Africa. She would later co-founded the country’s largest black-owned accountancy firm, SizweNtsalubaGobodo.
On Thursday evening, in an auditorium at GIBS Business School in Illovo, Joburg, she enraptured us with her story at the launch of her book, Awakened ... to my true self, which she wrote and self-published.
We are welcomed by Luleka Mzamo, the school’s head of communications and stakeholder management, before my fellow Brave Award recipient, Clement Manyathela, takes to the stage as the evening’s host.
“This book has been a long time coming,” says the radio man, going on to admit that reading it had a “massive impact on my life, allowing me to go on my path of healing”.
And when Nonku, or Mama Gobodo as I prefer to call her, comes forward, she shares that healing is the central theme in Awakening, while exploring subjects of gender and race, business and leadership.
This, though, is a surprisingly unvarnished account of her journey.
“I thought, people are expecting this [to be an] inspirational book, but I have had a life of ups and downs, [so] I decided I am going to tell it all — the good, the bad and the ugly ... I want young people to know that life is full of ups and downs, but you can rise up again, rebuild again,” she tells the audience, which includes her children Gcina and Chule, and her former business partners.
By this stage I am late for my other engagement that evening — the opening of the first local store bearing the name of a French fashion king who is said to have left his entire fortune (estimated to be at least $195m — about R3.5bn) to his cat.
Karl Lagerfeld reigned as head designer for fashion house Chanel for 35 years, while his eponymous label is a slightly more affordable luxury offering strong on tailoring and sometimes punctuated by his iconic drawings.
The unveiling of the first stand-alone South African store bearing his name in Sandton City turned out to be a rather cramped affair with more than 200 warm bodies invited.
Picking up a flute of Prosecco at the bar, I greet singer Tamara Dey and Somizi Mhlongo’s former bestie Thato “TT” Mbha, who are both dressed in the label.
In walks a rather tall gentleman who turns out to be Jeremiah Ogbodo, the hugely popular Nigerian stylist better known as Swanky Jerry, who has a rather rude bodyguard who I spot pushing photographers out of the way.
Ouch!
Next I say hello to actress Pearl Thusi, who is there with her daughter Thando Mokoena.
“What don’t most people know about your mom?” I ask Thando.
“She loves staying at home,” she answers.
“Thank you so much for being part of a historical night for the Karl Lagerfeld family,” announces Pearl, when she addresses us as the night’s MC before Melina Lambrakis, from the Europa Art Group, which was responsible for bringing the Lagerfeld brand to South Africa, says a few words.
Meanwhile, Asanda Lusaseni Mvana, better known as Msaki, goes on to perform.
And, surprisingly, despite the cramped conditions, we had no problem staying hydrated. I was also impressed that the delicious canapés, including herb-crusted beef and roasted tomato in mini kataifi nests, grilled chicken slivers on Parmesan crisps, freshly shucked oysters and bowls of gnocchi in Napolitana sauce, kept coming to make sure our bellies were filled.
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