The secret tent
Far from the Durban July’s stampede of fashion criminals, the A-listers found a refuge full of bubbly, writes Thembalethu Zulu
THE clip-clop of thoroughbred hooves. The soft hiss of ill-informed women in stilettos sinking into muddy plains. Hit-and-miss get-ups — and even a presidential turn-up. Must be the Vodacom Durban July!
Now in its 117th year, the VDJ (as dubbed by social-media butterflies) is the official frontline of the war between South Africa’s most outlandish fashion criminals.
That said, Greyville is also the scene of a more vicious, albeit more underground war — the bunfight for private marquee invites. This year’s hottest ticket got you into marquee number 12.
Global Events and luxury champagne house Moët & Chandon partnered with multi-millionaire Mabheleni Ntuli, who has hosted an event for the “it crowd” in his personal tent at recent editions of the July.
Thankfully, the password for entry wasn’t the correct pronunciation of the bubbly’s name. As Patrick Leslie, brand manager for Moët informed me, the “t” is in fact not silent, since the name is of Dutch origin.
The stamp of approval for the 12 VVIP guests were bespoke bracelets based on the logo that appears on the champagne cork — regular plastic armbands are just so passé.
In this spirit of opulence, Moët gushed down a magnificent installation of glasses: when the precious liquid was poured into the top glass, the overflow trickled down into the glasses below until all the glasses were filled. Yay!
A-list guests included the statuesque Johanna Mukoki and a rather sedate Pearl Thusi. I briefly chatted to TV presenter Amanda Du Pont, who is a keen rider and has been into horses since girlhood. Zodwa Msimang of Ikhono Communications, who doesn’t seem to age (Riaan Cruywagen tendencies?), was having a girls’ day out with her chum Koo Mhlongo of Function Image. And Grazia ’s ex-associate editor, Mokgadi Seabi, proudly displayed a rather risqué tattoo.
Host Ntuli is notoriously media shy and no amount of Moët or Hennessy could break his resolve. All very Jay Gatsby, don’t you think? This day-night game went on for well over 10 hours, with the last revellers filtering out at about 10.30pm, obeying new rules at the July to end the festivities before the witching hour. Party poopers.