HELLO darlings, me again, you favourite gossip girl, here to bring your weekly dose of Umgosi. There are only so many events Skinners can jam into one weekend but for all my loyal readers, I try my best to make it to each and every one. If I can’t, I send my little minions to do the bidding for me!
Last Friday night I went and checked out the legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the PE Opera House. Granted, they are no longer the “ou toppies” who started the group way back when, but their authentic South African sound has not changed one bit.
The upside of the group getting in new members is you’ve got some in there and any man that can sing is certainly worth my time.
The group was supported by local a capella group Legato. The lead singer and only woman, Lisa Yengeni, got everyone talking with her dance moves. The loud and in-your-face Sylvester Funani was the MC… Who decided to give that man a mic?
Last Saturday your Skinnerbek went to the “So Chef!” dinner where I immersed myself in French cuisine and culture. The food was divine, darlings... and so was the French bubbly. In fact, I thought some of it had gone to my head when I spotted someone who looked just like Jaco Rademeyer, but not quite… I kept looking at him, wondering if Jaco had gained a little weight, until someone told me it was his identical twin brother, Pieter.
On the other side of town my associate was dining in luxury at our former mayor Nceba Faku’s 60th birthday and 10-year wedding anniversary to his beautiful wife, Unathi Faku, at the Great Gatsby- themed party.
The guests of honour stunned in their outfits, while Unathi stood out in her mermaid dress. The who’s who of politics were there, including Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle, Umhlobo Wenene presenter Putco Mafani and the ever-present Theo Klaas.
Nceba’s cousin, the legendary Bay trumpeter Feya Faku, showed everyone why he is still relevant when he played for the couple and the audience.
I spent Sunday nursing a hangover and getting ready for the week ahead. Skinnerbek does not have a blesser kaloku, and this partying life ain’t cheap!
Until next time, my eager beavers, Ciao!
Picture: LIEZEL BARROW, Pro-Design
TEEING OFF: Players, from left, executive mayor Athol Trollip, Dean Biddulph and Daron Mann watch as Alan Childs takes the first shot at the MES charity golf day held at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club this week
Picture: GILLIAN McAINSH
EARLY WELCOME: Sinazo Lobishe, left, and Peggy Ka Calata welcomed guests to a Performing Arts Business Breakfast held at the PE Opera House in the Barn last week
Picture: IINKUMBUZO PHOTOGRAPHY
ALL DRESSED UP: Pumeza Bono and Theo Klaas stuck to the black and white theme at Nceba Faku’s birthday and anniversary party last Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (see Weekend Post tomorrow for more)
Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI
DATE NIGHT: Bay businessman Ed Gutsche and his wife, Taryn, joined the Pioneer Slots’ 1 000 machine celebrations last week at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Picture: LIEZEL BARROW, Pro-Design Photography
GOLF GLAMOUR: BLG Logistics staff, from left, Annelize van Niekerk, Shanel Greber and Maryke Grobbellar volunteered to help at the MES shelter charity golf day held at the Port Elizabeth Golf Club this week
Picture: LONDEKA DLAMINI
XHOSA NOSTRA: Sandile Ntonga and Alime Philiso of Eastern Sounds Chorale sang their hearts out at the Ladysmith Black Mambozo show held at the PE Opera House last weekend
Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI
PICTURE PERFECT: Noel, left, and Glenda Perumal and Litemba Singapi enjoyed Pioneer Slots’ 1 000 machine celebration last week at the Nelson Madela Bay Stadium
Picture: GILLIAN McAINSH
YUMMY AND HEALTHY: Eduan Meyer serves a cauliflower-based pizza at Vovo Telo this week at the coffee shop's menu revamp
Picture: GILLIAN McAINSH
COFFEE BREAK: Vovo Telo hosted a menu revamp this week, with, from left, Eurika Bain, Suzette Meyer and Yolande Kok on the taste test team
Picture: LONDEKA DLAMINI
BOYS NIGHT OUT: Xabiso Zweni, left, and Edgar Muzah listened to the legendary sounds of Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Opera House last weekend
Picture: NOMAZIMA NKOSI
EUROPEAN CHIC: Vanessa Bouvalam, left, and Trina Ermisch enjoyed French cuisine last weekend at the Alliance Française dinner held at Fairview Race Course
Picture: NOMAZIMA NKOSI
FRENCH EVENING: Alliance Française director Charlotte Jarnet, seen with Cengiz Besiktas, hosted a ‘So Chef’ dinner last Saturday night at Fairview Race Course