From a Brit R&B star making a surprise appearance at a shades-heavy party to a former polo player making a big splash in a city that has shown him flames; this week the Mother City proved why it’s still summertime party central for the local and international jet set.
First up, a swish party hosted by Sunglass Hut in the sprawling garden of the Alphen Hotel in Constantia Valley, and which featured one of my musical faves, Craig David, whose snap we are barred from publishing in this column (more about that in a bit).
Called the Season of Wonder, the eyewear retailer pulled out all the stops to show off its latest range with some lucky fish (read: influencers with gazillions of followers) chauffeured into the venue in Hummer-limos.
As I make my way inside, I greet Jo-Anne Strauss, the former beauty queen-cum-businesswoman and influencer who, like me, is a stickler for showing up on time. As guests start filtering in, JoJo and I check out the shades, which include retro-style Burberry Margots and Versaces with the Italian house’s distinctive Medusa logo on the temples.
Down the stairs leading to the green oasis, I spot someone who Love Island UK fans might not recognise at first glance. That’s Jordan Hames, who has ditched the boy-next-door look he sported on the 2019 series for an edgier style, showing up in a mesh top, Gucci pleated skirt and sleeveless windbreaker.
Jordan tells me it’s his first time in the country and was looking forward to marking the occasion by getting tatted up. He arrived with model Millie Hannah, equally on trend in one of those lace-trimmed negligee dresses that were all the rage in the 1990s and are hot again.
Around the corner I spot influencer Sarah Langa filming content while near the pool actor Thapelo Mokoena is taking pics of his wife Lesego-Tshepang.
“Good husband first rule: Take the damn picture,” Thapelo quips.
On to saying hello to actress Khanya Mkangisa and Amanda du Pont, fresh from earning kudos for her turn in local horror flick The Domestic, before the official programme starts with a performance from local musician O’Ryan Winter. A product presentation follows before guests whip out their phones as Seven Days singer Davids appears on stage to perform a few of his hits.
Mind you, his managers, JEM Music Group, were less fussed about Instagrammers posting pics of the five-time Brit Awards winner on their social feeds than they were about the snaps that lensman Michael Walker took at the function.
Having been asked to submit the pics taken for this column for approval, they inform us they’re “walking away” from letting us publish them.
Boo hoo!
Next it’s Cape Town’s party of the year, and judging by the size of the crowd, the unending fountain of French bubbles and the coup of getting Black Coffee to wow the crowd, restaurateur Nicky van der Walt spared no expense to mark the opening of Tang at the V&A Waterfront.
Considering that Ritz Hotel debacle, there was pressure on the restaurant entrepreneur to prove that the Joburg success of his take on Japanese izakaya meets Cantonese cuisine wasn’t a one-hit wonder.
Everywhere you turned was a familiar face — from winemaker Anthony Hamilton Russell and his stylish wife Olive to Atlantic seaboard queen Denise Dogon, who at 74 years old is back in the real estate game having sold Dogon Properties a few years ago.
“The fidelity fund was issued to me and my new company, Denise Dogon Property Consultants, yesterday,” Denise tells me.
On to the rare sight of businessman Romeo Kumalo not running a marathon and without his media mogul wife — Bassie was away and asked him to show face on her behalf.
Next, I say hello to the glam crew from the night before, Thapelo and his wife, along with Amanda, Khanya, and Sarah who were all lapping up the atmosphere and Tang morsels such as shiso truffle oysters, tuna tataki and chicken yakitori.
A dramatic Chinese dragon dance, symbolising the ushering in of good luck and blessings, kicks things off before MC Taryn Louch tells us, “Today, we celebrate luxury and taste ...”
Next, we hear from Nicky’s new business partner, Brian Mosehla who, along with Lunga Ncwana, has filled the gap after the shock passing of Nicky’s dear mate, Mvelaphanda dealmaker Mark Willcox.
And when Nicky comes up to join his “mchanas”, he admits that “sometimes, Cape Town has tested me”.
“I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a very long time. I always wanted a landmark here — came close. You know, fall down two times, get up three times. This is a new chapter in my life,” he says.
And when Nathi Maphumulo, the man known all around the world as Black Coffee, hits the decks, not only does the crowd inside go wild — onlookers on the boardwalk outside also enjoy the chance to party to the Grammy award winner.
Foodwise, we get to sample more Tang signature dishes from chef Vixa Kalenga, such as buttery black cod and irresistible caramel fondant. And the night ends with another high, as we all wish Nicky’s wife, Lee-Anne Liebenberg, well on her personal milestone: the beautiful former model turns 40 the following day.
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