A Global Citizen gathering in Ghana
● From gin and French cuisine under the trees on the banks of the Blaauwbankspruit River, to tucking into seafood at a ritzy restaurant in Ghana’s vibrant capital nestling on the Gulf of Guinea, this was a memorable week on the social whirl.
Let’s start at the end. On Friday night, rather than moseying with Mzansi’s celeb set, I found myself in Accra at an exclusive dinner attended by philanthropists, business titans, social activists and Ghanaian political royalty.
This high-level reception was co-hosted by Global Citizen (the activist entity that famously brought Beyoncé to Soccer City a few years ago), the Five Foundation (an advocacy group committed to ending female genital mutilation) and Harith, one of the largest investors in infrastructure across the continent.
We were gathered at NsuomNam, a seafood and fish restaurant that recently opened in the vibrant West African city.
I was in town to attend the return of Global Citizen’s festival on the continent, and this time it was set to be held on Black Star Square, a sprawling space that is often the site of the country’s independence celebrations.
After having my name checked at the gate and inside amid tight security, I mount the stairs to the double-storey building housing the eatery.
That’s where I greet Warren Wheatley, a director at Arena Holdings (the company that owns this newspaper), and his glamorous wife, Tatum Keshwar.
I pick up a tequila cocktail and mingle among the crowd, among whom I am surprised to spot another familiar face.
Jeff Radebe, who happens to have the honour of being SA’s longest continuously serving cabinet minister in our democracy, up until he left government in 2019.
Are you on hiatus? I ask, to which Jeff replies: “I am still a member of the ANC.”
On to meeting our oh-soglam South African high commissioner to Ghana, Grace Mason.
Grace is wearing a gorgeous dress by Ghanaian designer Christie Brown sporting ruffles, a corset and a sheer back revealing what appears to be a large rose tattoo.
Pointing out that she’s the first envoy I’ve met with such visible body art, the blonde diplomat smiles.
“Of course, you have a younger breed of ambassadors — younger female ambassadors who are changing the posture of diplomacy to inspire the youth,” says Grace.
Next I meet Nigerian billionaire businessman Tunde Folawiyo and his fashion designer wife, Reni.
I learn that Tunde holds the chair for Global Citizen in Nigeria.
Then it’s hello to someone whom I do see on the Joburg social circuit — actress Rami Chuene, who is wearing a gorgeous print dress from South African label Cynthia Foss, before in walks Global Citizen’s newest Africa patron, Tshepo Mahloele, and his wife, Dolly.
Now, for the sake of transparency, I should point out that I can indirectly thank Tshepo for bringing me to Ghana.
We all snack on canapés such as seared tuna on plantain squares and seafood ceviche before heading inside where we are served starters including confit eggplant and slowcooked kingfish on a bed of purple garri (a sort of couscous-textured starch made from cassava tubers).
In terms of the night’s official bits, there’ sa fireside chat (that’s the trendy word for panel discussions, these days) with women activists before speeches including a keynote address from Tshepo in which, to rousing applause, he calls on everyone to become
“the ancestors we want to be” by “making the conscious choices that future generations need us to”.
We also hear from Global Citizen board member Fran Katsoudas and the organisation’s cofounder, Michael Sheldrick, while the president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, surprises us by making an entrance, telling us that he sees the festival as “an opportunity for us to speak [directly] to young people of the continent”.
From Accra to an artful experience in a 30ha park less than an hour from Joburg.
The Bombay Sapphire Art of Botanicals experience in collaboration with new art collective Wasomi was one of those pretty-as-a-postcard events that stand out from the rest.
After all, what could be more magical than enjoying a three-course feast under the trees followed by an ethereal performance in a rolling park peppered with intriguing art.
The “immersive experience” began last Sunday when a lucky few of us were shuttled from Melrose Arch in Joburg to Farmhouse 58, an almost off-grid property on a sprawling reserve that features a “regenerative agriculture” farming operation.
The following day, that gin in a blue bottle whisked us off to the Nirox Sculpture Park next door for a do highlighting the sustainable sourcing of the botanicals that give this premium gin its distinctive taste.
With gorgeous actress Nambitha Ben-Mazwi as our MC, guests including Minnie Dlamini, photographer Trevor Stuurman and influencer Olwethu Leshabane savoured a sumptuous lunch prepared by Gemelli chef Leon van Deventer, paired with cocktails created by the gin’s sustainability ambassador, Leighton Rathbone.
While Bacardi’s Avukile Mabombo told us why the gin brand is so passionate about creativity, Wasomi co-founders Shelley Mokoena and Tebogo Ribane chatted about their women-focused creative endeavours.
The day ended with a performance by Tebogo, featuring models, dancers and hot new singing sensation Sio, before guests walked around to view the sculptural art by Fathema Bemath, Mmabatho Mokalapa and Nindya Bucktowar.
I particularly enjoyed Nindya’s work, Reef Fragmented, which comprised black and terracotta pieces in a moving homage to the disappearing reefs of the Indian Ocean.