A GREEK WITH A WELCOME GIFT

George Bizos was a man whose many small acts of generosity, like he showed to me, weren’t even seen by his millions of admirers

My first one-on-one encounter with George Bizos, whose death is being mourned by many South Africans right now, was memorably hilarious.

In 2007 we were both guests at the Cape Town International Book Fair, there to launch our debut books.

His magisterial memoir, Odyssey to Freedom, a behemoth of 616 pages, and my slim 196page autobiography, Touch My Blood, were both published by Random House.

After the books had been launched, we were allocated nearby tables in a section of the cavernous exhibition centre.

Before we got down to the business of autographing books, I went across to Bizos’s table and introduced myself. We shook hands and exchanged small talk. Then I went back to my table.

I was super excited when people bearing copies of my book came to my table for my signature. I must have signed about 20 books.

Then I noticed something strange. There was a crowd eddying somewhat aimlessly around. What was wrong with these people? Couldn’t they make up their minds as to which reading they wanted to attend in the various halls?

It then dawned on me that each person in this huge crowd held a copy of Bizos’s book. In some cases, people had two or three copies!

And they were all in line, patiently awaiting their encounter with the man who was going to give their books his famous signature. I straightened up at my own table, pen in hand, waiting for my own fans to start flowing.

My wait was in vain. Finally, the line of Bizos’s admirers ended, and the man himself came over to my table with a copy of my book. I was glad to sign it.

“Why don’t we combine tables? You seem lonely out here,” he said.

I was awed. When the next flood of his customers came through, Bizos would say to the admirer: “You forgot to buy Fred’s book. He’s a much better writer than me. Go and get it, he’ll sign it for you. You don’t have to stand in line. Just go, get it and come back.”

Some people actually obeyed his words, perhaps out of pity. But that’s how generous the man was.

So it was fitting that when I took my friend Bongani out this weekend for lunch at Beach

Blanket Bohemia, which specialises in Mediterranean cuisine, our conversation focused on Bizos.

Born in Greece, he would probably have felt at home in this eatery.

I’ve never tried to make my own carpaccio, but I imagine it must be tricky. Many restaurants never get it right. Sometimes it’s too dry, other times too soggy.

At Bohemia they struck just the right balance (R96). Bongani was also pleased with his salmon tartar (R89) — even if I found it a tad too sour.

For the main course, Bongani’s Portuguese steak (R184) was overcooked. Being the polite person that he is, he didn’t remind them that he’d ordered it medium rare.

I enjoyed six prawns (R155) in a creamy beer and garlic sauce.

Because it was pleasant in the openair dining area, we enjoyed our food with beer. Drinking wine during the day, in hot weather, can be tricky.

The vibe was great, indicating that people are gradually emerging from their lairs to sample the spring air.

Beach Blanket Bohemia

Sunninghill Village Shopping Centre, cnr Maxwell Drive and Edison Crescent, Sunninghill, Joburg

Tel: 011-234-2714

Dishal Sooku

Tito Mboweni

Cyril Ramaphosa

Helen Zille

Nosiviwe Mapisa-nqakula

Each person in this huge crowd held a copy of Bizos’s book. In some cases, people had two or three copies