Disruptors, innovators and a yellow-clad living legend
● Take a living legend who has starred in three of Hollywood’s biggest flicks and a 21-year-old from Edenvale who is the first South African to make the Billboard Hot 100 since 1968.
Add a female sports commentator disrupting the world of rugby, a celebrity duo who are the epitome of couple goals and a businesswoman helping us put our chic foot forward. Those are a handful of the
2024 South African Style Awards winners announced at an intimate soirée on Tuesday night.
Sponsored by paint company Plascon, these trophies recognise those rare sorts who stand out in their chosen fields. And, although the glitzy red carpet affair only takes place early next year, the dinner was an opportunity for the winners, select judges and guests to enjoy a pre-event celebration, held at the Zebra Square Collective Car Gallery in Hyde Park Corner in Joburg.
Arriving at the classic and supercar dealership owned by Klaus Grogor, I am introduced to Justice and Fhatuwani Mukheli, who are the recipients of “The Next Big Thing”. I remember the twins from a decade ago when the I See A Different You photographic blog they’d started with childhood friend Vuyo Mpantsha grabbed my attention. Turns out that during the pandemic the brothers decided to create a new vehicle, Studio Mukheli, as “a home for creative practice, healing and purposedriven projects”.
On to catching up with the category’s current winner, Galaletsang Tshungu, better known to gazillions of TikTokers as Halle Robinson. Galaletsang tells me she’s taken to the books to learn how to turn her content creation viral success into a lucrative business — she’s studying for a BCom in general management.
Next, it’s hello to a vision in pink, social doyenne Peta Eggierth-Symes, who is there with hubby, Peter, and has been attending these awards from day dot (they’re now into their 26th year) while, on the other hand, cracking the nod to her first time at the event was chic eNCA presenter Abigail Visagie.
Moving on to that living legend who hails from New Brighton in the Eastern Cape and whose voice millions will recognise as Rafiki in the re-make of The Lion King.
Two months ago I attended Dr Bonisile John Kani’s 80th birthday celebration, after which the great South African actor, whose career spans more than five decades, picked up another accolade to join his Tony and the Order of Ikamanga: an OBE from King Charles III. “You don’t know how wonderful it is to do nothing,” John confesses, when I ask about his schedule these days.
Guests, including previous winners Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Leanne Manas and judges Katie Mohamed, a marketer, and advertising guru Nathan Reddy, snack on canapes like sriracha mayo pulled chicken and tomato and basil bruschetta and sushi before Alan Ford climbs on stage to welcome us all.
Now, this is where my palms start sweating because, as one of the awards’ judges, I join Alan to make an announcement: special recognition was being bestowed on Peta for the role she played through her landmark boutique, Pallu, which, when its posh doors were still open for three decades, was the destination of choice for the famous and well-heeled.
Alan goes on to announce the 2024 winners and, along with the Mukheli twins, other recipients include Motshidisi Mohono, the SuperSport anchor who held our hand during coverage of the Rugby World Cup (Most Stylish Media Personality), Melina Lambrakis for Most Stylish in Business (she runs the hugely successful Europa Art shoe chain, along with a couple of international franchises) while Ponahalo Mojapelo (wearing an outfit eerily similar to the one worn by Moozlie at the Kwesta event last week) picks up Most Stylish Model.
My nod for an A-Lister to watch this year, Senzo Radebe of Shaka iLembe, is named Most Stylish Performing Artist in Film/TV. Most Stylish Designer goes to Jacques Bam while loved-up twosome Dr Musa and his wife Liesl Mthombeni are recognised as Most Stylish Couple. Dr/Sir John is named Style Icon.
Unfortunately, one winner not able to make the soirée was Tyla Seethal, who was in the US promoting her single Water, which skyrocketed to the 15th spot on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. Tyla is named Most Stylish Performing Artist.
On to mingling in the midst of zombies and yellow coverall-decked exterminators at the launch of a cute but ghoulish series which happens to be the first local originally scripted show to flight on global streamer Prime Video.
In Your Dreams, which stars Didintle Khunou, Jesse Suntele and Kiroshan Naidoo as three friends who embark on a supernatural adventure, was launched on Thursday evening at Shepstone Gardens, that popular Joburg wedding venue on the edge of the CBD.
Being a steamy evening, we welcomed mingling outside in the fresh air of the property’s sprawling grounds while sipping cocktails and snacking on arancini balls (made from samp instead of risotto rice), Cape style fish ’n chips and mini bunny chows.
With the dress code cryptically stating “Be a legend and give us your African fantasy”, many, like actor Ben Tjibe and celebrity couple Tino Chinyani and Simphiwe Ngema, channelled West African-inspired style while the night’s host, Melanie Bala wore a colourful Khosi Nkosi dress.
Ravishing actress Khabonina Qubeka opted for a figure-hugging red cocktail number while series lead Kiroshan was notable in a blazer fashioned from sari material.
The evening kicked off with an enthusiastic welcome by praise singer Jessica Mbangeni before yellow pest controllers ushered us inside The Great Hall to watch the series’ first two episodes before they debuted on the streamer on Friday.
And, as if our hearts weren’t racing enough after the on-screen action, a couple of blood-soaked zombies were on hand to give us a skrik as we stepped outside afterwards.