A PARTY ALL AT SEA

If there is anything that shows that our opposition has run out of ideas, it’s the poor EFF. Superb seafood is the ideal antidote for this sad realisation

For a nanosecond I thought President Cyril Ramaphosa was struggling, and that the DA and the EFF might have a chance of unseating him in next year’s election. I really did, particularly when from the lips of business came the words, “Cyril must be decisive.”

I was wrong. If there is anything that tells you that our opposition has run out of ideas, it’s the poor EFF.

Celebrating its fifth birthday, the red onesie brigade was out in full force in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, telling everyone that it has grown. You’ll remember that it was in the Eastern Cape that the EFF said it would “cut the throat of whiteness” by removing Nelson Mandela Bay metro mayor Athol Trollip. He is still in his office, nearly six months after the party began its campaign.

They are achievers, these EFF guys.

Anyway, I know now that Ramaphosa is safe, because the EFF’S Julius

Malema actually doesn’t have anything real to beat the man with. Last weekend Malema accused businessman Patrice Motsepe and his family of state capture.

Malema, excited by the 15,000 supporters in the stadium, said Motsepe used family ties to Ramaphosa and energy minister Jeff Radebe to profit from an investment drive launched by Ramaphosa. As usual there was no evidence, just a big mouth in overdrive.

You have to laugh at these guys.

One day they say Ramaphosa is being used by whites. Now he is being used by blacks (Motsepe). Which is which, exactly? As if this were not enough, Malema went on to say: “Our people are not stupid; they know that Ramaphosa is not in charge, they know that the people that are in change are [public enterprises minister] Pravin Gordhan and [former finance minister] Trevor Manuel.” Wow. Maybe that’s why, according to the latest polls, Ramaphosa enjoys more than 70% support among the same “our people”.

It’s clear that Malema no longer has any interest in a political career based on principle or policy. He is now a comedian. No, actually he is not — a comedian makes jokes. Malema is a joke. One that falls flat on its face.

So off I went to The Codfather in Sandton. It’s a Joburg icon. It was established in 1992 but is at a new venue, and it is lovely to dine there. The sommelier, Bongani Ngwenya, is amazing: his knowledge of wine is encyclopedic, his recommendations spot on and he makes you feel like an expert and connoisseur, whatever wine you choose.

Service is fantastic. Every waiter is keeping an eye on you. You move a muscle and someone appears to attend to you. Very impressive. That’s perhaps because managers are also on the floor.

I have enjoyed the Babylonstoren chenin blanc so much over the past two years, and that’s what I went for.

Bongani said that’s a good choice, making me happy no end.

The Codfather prides itself on its seafood. Given that it was started on the back of a seafood logistics business, you can expect fresh product here. You can go to the restaurant’s seafood counter and choose what you want to eat. Or you can order off the extensive menu, which has loads of other dishes besides seafood.

We shared a seafood paella, which I think is an underrated dish. What I love about paella is that the chef has to bring numerous elements together to make it work. And at the Codfather it was done just so — just perfect.

What a happy discovery the new Codfather is. Maybe there is also a new dawn for our food in Joburg.

It’s clear that Malema no longer has any interest in a political career based on principle or policy

The Codfather ★★★★

3 Stan Road, Sandton Tel: 010-020-0286

★★★★★ Barack Obama ★★★★ Excellent ★★★ Good ★★ Poor ★ Malema