It’ sa sister thing for Cyril
● It’s bound to be a momentous occasion if the prez finds time in his tight schedule to make an appearance.
Then again, when the event honours three of our soil who have shattered barriers — and is arranged by a women’s empowerment group founded by a dynamic former first lady — it’s a no-brainer to clear the diary.
On Thursday evening, the South African chapter of the International Women’s Forum (IWFSA) held its annual get-together, the Hall of Femme awards, to celebrate “the excellence of extraordinary women”.
It took place at the swish Rosebank premises of the night’s sponsor, Standard Bank.
On the ground floor I greet reputation-management specialist Janine Hills as well as Joan Joffe and Dot Field, both former Vodacom executives.
In walks Zanele Mbeki, who founded the local wing of the IWF — which connects more than 7,800 women leaders across 34 countries and six continents — 23 years ago. The elegant former first lady, who has a fondness for Tiffany Blue (this time a silk two-piece with a striking black-jewelled medallion hanging from a neck chain) comes up to greet me.
The deputy president of the IWFSA, Nolitha Fakude — chair of Anglo American and president of Minerals Council South Africa — has brought along her son Phila, who is a bit of an entrepreneur himself.
The organisation’s head, the formidable Irene Charnley — a former trade unionist who is now a big player in telecoms — arrives seconds later.
Into the nearby auditorium for the first half of the night, where MCs (and IWFSA board members) Basetsana Kumalo and Charmaine Houvet welcome us.
“I have to tell you, it is a galaxy of stars that I am looking at tonight; ladies, I think you should give yourself a round of applause,” said Bassie, dressed in a shimmering emerald Gavin Rajah creation.
Next, Irene delivered the welcome address.
And what better way for the night’s three honorees — Ugandan activist Winnie Byanyima, advocate Mojanku Gumbi (who in January was appointed as a UN special adviser) and former IEC chair Brigalia Bam — to be recognised than by having poet Lebo Mashile lyrically praise them with spoken word.
“If we were ever to understand the formation of this nation, the restless nature of democracy, it will be through your eyes, your heart, your mighty pen and your skin. It will be through the history that you have created, and lived,” is how Lebo lauded social and gender activist Brigalia, 90, who couldn’t attend in person.
For the second bit of the evening (dinner with President Cyril Ramaphosa), it is upstairs to where the boardroom wing has been converted into a stunning dining venue. I find myself at a table hosted by Bassie with entrepreneur Ipeleng Mkhari, Nozipho Tshabalala (whose Instagram profile describes her as a “conversation strategist”), Rajah (one of the few other blokes who cracked an invite), Investec’s Dina Diamond and psychologist Dr Dorrie Weil.
We savour a three-course meal that starts with smoked beetroot served on a bed of labneh (creamy, tangy Lebanese strained yoghurt) with pistachio granola and a green apple sorbet cleanser. Mains are a choice of grain-fed beef or a tad-toodry pan-seared salmon, both served with fondant potato and roasted veg.
The mood lifts as No 1 joins us, seated at a long table with Irene on his left and Zanele directly across.
Between courses, Uncle Cy addresses us, recognising those present including “my older sister” Zanele, Irene — whom he first met in their National Union of Mineworkers days and whom he describes as “my other sister ”— and Gwen Ramokgopa, the treasurer-general of the ANC.
“Gender equality is a constitutionally enshrined principle, and a fundamental human right as well as an economic imperative. We can only achieve sustainable and inclusive growth in our country, and on the African continent, when women are socially, politically and economically empowered,” he said.
Who else turned up? Gwen Nkosi, who runs construction company Phehla Umsebenzi; former Land Bank head Helena Dolny; Yvonne Chaka Chaka; and Thandi Orleyn, the BP Southern Africa chair, who was at a reception earlier where the president hosted the visiting Dutch royals.
The Cruz vodka South African Fashion Week opening party at Aurum restaurant in The Leonardo in Sandton on Wednesday night was a lot more raucous. I came across the oh-so-stylish Blue Mbombo creating content for her social feed at the luxury car dealership, Thobela Cars, at the entrance to the building. “I am always in those long trails, but this time I didn’t want drama but something which says, ‘Old money. I am not trying too hard,’” said the reality TV star about her beaded tangerine two-piece pantsuit by Scalo. Looking like she’d just climbed off a Harley was Nina Hastie, who tuned up in a leather biker jacket teamed with a leather miniskirt. “This is probably the last time I am going to get to wear a leather skirt before summer hits,” said Nina, who finished off her outfit with a giant sapphire-encrusted ring created by her sister, Lilja, from her Journey collection. I was confused that a party for a homegrown fashion fest would choose a “New York, New York” dress code, but Gigi Lamayne relished the chance to draw inspiration from a famous Manhattan tourist attraction.
“I’m channelling the Statue of Liberty,” said the rapper.