Skinnerbek hops on board for tourism
Beer tour, African dishes part of heritage celebration
EVERY gossip gal needs a dose of dazzle on a Saturday so last weekend I tootled off to the Sun restaurant at the Boardwalk for the launch of the African Movie Academy Awards. No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you: these awards will be held in Port Elizabeth later this year.
The founder of the awards, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, and film director Joseph Dako, were there. I was not entirely sold on Peace’s choice of footwear: she could have done better than those flat shoes to look the part.
Dako, however, did look super-cool in his all-white Nigerian outfit.
Neil Barker – who seems to be popping up all over the place nowadays – looked suitably glam and Michelle Campbell, whose agency is involved on the organising side, opted for simplicity in jeans and a tee.
It was disappointing that we had to wait for more than 30 minutes as some of the guests decided to stick to African time. Hello, people, it was Saturday morning and we all had things to do.
I later waltzed my sexy behind to Kwa Ngqoko, which was the place to be as they had their Gqom (Kasi rave music) session on. It was packed to the rafters as always and the DJs, who were all the way from Mthatha, Cape Town and East London, did not disappoint as they had patrons dancing the night away.
Chief Ngqoko was at his usual elegant self. There were a lot of pretty young women who, for a change, were properly dressed. Big up to that, girls!
Hip hop DJ Laz Ola got everyone singing along to his tunes. For a change DJ Ayas, from MVP, was enjoying the Gqom music and enthusiastically shook what his mama gave him. The party went on until 7am the next day. . . needless to say on Sunday the shades were on.
I had another fun assignment this week: Tuesday’s Hop On beer tour arranged by Nelson Mandela Bay Tour- ism as part of Tourism Month. Who can say no to free beer, especially the good stuff? Not this one, though I have to confess I still like my cider best.
We met at the Bridge Street Brewery and were ferried by bus to the Grand Hotel; there were some speeches and then we had lunch.
Anele Qaba, executive director of economic development, tourism and agriculture, was not wearing his usual navy suit (I am sure he has many of those) and it was refreshing to see him in something else.
Also on our itinerary was the Beer Yard, where we tasted three craft beers that went down well with most of the group.
Tourism marketing manager Titus Chuene was his usual jolly self, though rather loud at times. I wonder what was in his craft beer?
Then there was his photographer, Anele Papu, who took selfies to another level.
I nearly choked on my bread, which featured beer as an ingredient, when Anele refused to taste it as he feared it would make him drunk.
Is there no limit to some people’s silliness? It’s just bread.
Though the tasting was enjoyable it did get off to a sluggish start at Bridge Street Brewery. I doubt they were ready for us as we waited for 30 minutes before we could start with the tasting.
On Wednesday night I was again back at the Boardwalk, this time for the launch of the South African dinner at the Bayside Pantry in honour of Heritage Month.
The food was yummy, especially the samp and beans with beef stew. The Bay Fm presenters came out in their numbers and were in the company of their station manager, Angelique Graaf.
Luzuko LZK Qoba looked like he’s been working out this winter while Roch-Lee Bloem looked sexy and beautiful in her long black dress with killer slit that showed off her toned thighs.