Though his birthday falls in November, Britain’s King Charles III officially celebrates it in June, when the weather is typically more agreeable in the UK.
But for the 500 or so of us invited to Thursday evening’s festivities in Pretoria, it was less summer garden party and more winter coat-wearing weather, thanks to the biting chill in the air.
Not long after arriving at the David Wager-designed house — set on an expansive plot in Waterkloof Ridge and the official residence of the British high commissioner to South Africa — I recognise Yvonne Chaka Chaka, dressed to ward off the cold in a brown furry coat.
The Princess of Africa, as she is fondly known — in recognition of her success in the music industry for more than three decades — has something to celebrate herself.
“We finally got funding from the government for the awards,” she says, referring to the Backing Vocalists and Sessions Musicians Awards, which the Umqombothi and I’m in Love With a DJ hit-maker started back in 2015 to shine light on the often neglected and unrecognised behind-the-scenes artists who are the backbone of the recording industry.
Mama Yvonne was in conversation with Phil Molefe, the chair of the South African State Theatre, when I notice businessman Martin Kingston — the head of lobby group Business for South Africa — walk in holding hands with a lady I haven’t met before.
Jessye Lapenn, I learn, is the former US ambassador to the AU, who served as a diplomat on the continent under Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and who returned to our shores in November last year “for love”.
Martin was, sweetly, warding off the cold himself with a multicoloured scarf from local brand Urban Flock, which Jessye had found at Victoria Yards in Joburg.
Romance was also in the air for British-South African actor and filmmaker Tom Datnow and his fiancée Kathryn Crosby, who have a royal twist of their own — they’re set to wed later this year at the magnificent Hampshire, UK mansion that King Charles II acquired for his beloved mistress Nell Gwyn.
A teaser for Tom’s upcoming film Poachers Moon — which features an impressive cast, including Generations actor Thami Mngqolo, Kwenzo Ngcobo and South African-born Hollywood actor Stelio Savante — was flighted on the night.
“It’s about two childhood friends who grow up in rural South Africa and after 15 years going their separate ways in life come back on opposing sides of the rhino-poaching crisis,” explains the actor about the film, which was shot in part on his family’s Kimberley-area farm.
On to the official proceedings, and we are entertained by the Windybrow Arts Centre’s marimba band and the Maharishi Institute Choir.
Antony Phillipson, the British high commissioner, begins his speech on a sombre note, calling for a moment of silence in memory of the Air India tragedy after a plane carrying 242 passengers bound for London crashed just minutes after take-off.
He then moves on to highlight the enduring ties between South Africa and the UK, which of late have been underscored by a flurry of royal visits. In a clever nod to that connection, the evening’s menu featured fare from a beloved South African brand popular in the UK.
“Let’s go for a cheeky Nando’s — I’m told that’s a popular phrase among the youth,” quipped Antony, prompting laughter from the crowd, which included Robbie Brozin, co-founder of the fast-food chain.
While I’m partial to a serving of peri-peri chicken, I do prefer those previous occasions when the grub served had a more English twist (think mini beef pies, coronation chicken and Irish beef and cabbage stew).
However, I did relish a slice of the raspberry and rose-flavoured birthday cake, emblazoned with the South African and British flags.
Celebrations of another sort — this time for the country’s most-admired household names, revealed at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands listing, held at the JSE in Sandton on Friday evening.
These awards are the brainchild of Thebe Ikalafeng, the go-to-guy if you’re looking to get a handle on marketing across the continent. The event was held in partnership with our sister publication, Business Day, and Brand South Africa.
At the event, emceed by Sulungeka Dazana, MTN came up trumps (the mobile network received seven gongs, including Grand Prix: Most Admired African Brand); Woolies was recognised with Grand Prix: Most Admired South African Brand (anyone else wondering why they’ve stopped sticking prices on their fruit and veg?); and streetwear brand Galxboy was recognised as one of the country’s most admired.
We listened in on a fireside chat between SABC group CEO Nomsa Chabeli and Pule Molebeledi (CEO of Arena Holdings, which owns the Sunday Times) were impressed that deputy minister in the Presidency Kenneth Morolong is an avid supporter of local brands (down to his MaXhosa socks.)
But the night’s most stirring moment was undoubtedly when Absa’s group chief marketing and corporate affairs officer Sydney Mbhele was recognised with the Africa Brand Leadership Excellence Award.
Sharing an anecdote about being too shy to speak up at university due to his limited grasp of English — and paying tribute to the mentors who believed in him before he believed in himself — the marketer is a living embodiment of the payoff line he has championed since stepping into the red bank’s top role just two years ago.
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