US stars get to see how SA parties
● After visiting London and Paris, it was the turn of Johannesburg to host a group of American thespians to an unforgettable night of beef and bubbles. It’s not every day that an exclusive dinner includes a Zulu lesson, but when there are South Africans at the table, you should expect nothing less.
The cast of the BET miniseries The Bobby Brown Story were in Johannesburg last weekend to promote the show. Leading man Woody McClain, who plays Bobby Brown, was accompanied by his co-star Gabrielle Dennis, who plays Whitney Houston. Joining them was Yetide Badaki of American Gods, who was in town for Comic Con Africa.
Before any small talk, it was apparent that the only thing on everyone’s mind was food. Heeding the advice of actress Nomzamo Mbatha who arrived fashionably late, McClain ordered steak which looked like lobola on a plate. Portions at the upmarket Pigalle in Melrose Arch were more than generous.
There was no shortage of champagne, only the finest wine was served and those who ordered seafood were presented with the Indian Ocean, which left the actors wideeyed. Parts of the night felt like a remake of Miriam Makeba’s Click Song with Nomzamo and Nomalanga Shozi trying to teach their new American counterparts some Zulu.
Yetide seemed not to mind herself with the young thespians as she rocked her beige felt hat throughout the dinner.
Nomzamo, who any onlooker would have thought was the host of the evening, was dressed in a caramel bandage decolletage dress. She ensured there was never a moment of awkward silence. Even though their itinerary was packed, including a safari on Sunday, and they were booked on an evening flight back to the US, they were all keen to see what a night out in Johannesburg looked like and how South Africans partied.
Shozi, who’s yet to get her taste of international audition rooms, seemed to lap up the advice. The 23-year-old known for her role in Rhythm City is working on a new show for BET, which she contractually wasn’t allowed to tell anyone about.
With the dinner proceedings out of the way it was on to pre-drinks at a trendy bar, followed by a VIP booth at a Sandton nightclub. Cognisant of the 9am safari the night didn’t get raucous, but fun was had.