What a week! Sheesh, who knew long weekends meant double the work for gossip girls such as myself.
It all started last Friday evening when your girl thought she would swing past business guru Vusi Thembekwayo’s book launch at NMU and, perhaps, catch a tip or two on how to make the most of this mgosi business.
From the moment I walked in and saw people had taken out their best suits for the event, I realised I might have taken it all too lightly wearing my cap and takkies . . . but then again, who dresses up for a book launch?
The launch saw Bay entrepreneurs such as Thapelo Kuze and DJ Bobzit show up in their numbers to hear what the “Black Dragon” had to say.
Skinners can only hope they heard something beyond the author’s twang which had me zoning out every now and then.
Just when I thought I had seen it all with a certain someone’s outfit, she had me be begging the ground to swallow me when she showed up to facilitate Thembekwayo’s send-off breakfast on Saturday morning, wearing a navy dress with a rather visible pink stain on it.
As if that was not enough, Thembekwayo himself showed up more than an hour late to his own breakfast, in lime sneakers, sweat pants and a white shirt . . . someone please call the fashion police!
Following this trauma, I just had to swing past Shisa African Restaurant in the hopes that the Mandela Bay Fashion Week media launch would attract people with at least some dress sense.
While no one really stood out, Skinners did notice that our golden boy Laduma Ngxokolo sure has become, in the words of Siya Kolisi’s female fans, a type.
I can’t tell whether it’s because the bank balance is getting fatter or because of the fame – perhaps both! – the brother is glowing.
Because there’s only one of me, my minions had to step in here and there, starting with Vusi Nova’s concert at Nangoza Jebe Hall last Friday night.
Now you all know how much the Bay loves its other golden boy, so you best believe they showed up in their numbers.
I’m told the venue was a talent hub as the likes of The Soil’s Ntsika Ngxanga, Jessica Mbangeni, Asanda Mqiki and Mthatha’s 047 set the stage on fire.
While the concert was mad fun, I do wonder if any of you know a certain Zingisa M, whom, it sounds to me, is convinced he’s famous.
My minion tells me this rather confident oke got the shock of his life when she asked him who he was.
It seems he may be misinformed about his own fame (or lack thereof).
Sorry bro, if Skinners and her minions don’t know you, you’re really not that famous.
I’d love to tell you more, but this girl’s still got some places to go gossip and gobble.
Ciao!
Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN
TIME TO TALK: Violet Lupuwana, left, Boniswa Mokorotlo andTracy Weeks catch up at Remo’s ahead of the Two for 1 Tuesday market in the Baakens Valley this week
Picture: LOUISE LIEBENBERG WITBOOI
TIMELESS FINDS: Stallholders Irma Walsh, left, and Megan Cullum, centre, attend the Little Vintage Fair hosted by Carmen Sporke at Vintage PE in Westbourne Road on Heritage Day, on Monday
Picture: SALVELIO MEYER
SWEET OCCASION: Guests, from left, Grant van Niekerk, Anton Kerdey, Swadheen Sharma and Peter Edmondson celebrate the 80th birthday of Cadbury at Savages in Park Drive last Tuesday
Picture: WERNER HILLS
ICONS IN ART: The Nelson Mandela Bay department of education held an event to celebrate the ‘Legacy of our icons Madiba and Albertina Sisulu’ at the Algoa College in Struandale last Thursday. Attending the event, from left, are Jordan Jacobs from Machiu Primary School, Sivenathi Zantsi from Gelvandale Primary School and Vusi Mtshizana from Samuel Nongogo Primary School
Picture: LONDEKA DLAMINI
BRIGHT SONGBIRDS: Musicians Jessica Mbangeni and The Soil member Ntsika Ngxanga at the Vusi Nova vs St Stephen’s Church concert at Nangoza Jebe Hall on Friday, where they performed
Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN
HERITAGE CELEBRATION: Lorraine Date Chong, left, and Winny Singmin make traditional dough at the Chinese Food Fare held at St Francis Xavier Church on Heritage Day
Picture: MIKE HOLMES
BIG CATCH: Joe Fish team members, from left, Babes Sahluko, Jason Camons, Danielle Goeda, head chef JP de Meillon and Julius Darison celebrate winning the calamari cook-off at the calamari festival in St Francis at the weekend
Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI
FIT AND FAB: Enjoying a women’s doubles event at Wembley Tennis Club in Mill Park on Saturday are, from left, Samantha Flack, Gerda Botha, Colleen Driescher and Janette Crouch
Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI
FOR THE FANS: Springbok player Cheslin Kolbe meets fans, from left, Zachary Forbes, 5, Ruth Wells, Cassidy Booysen and Amaris Wells at a meet-andgreet session at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday
Picture: BRIAN
BIG MOMENT: Springbok player Damian Willemse signs fan Taylynn Dick’s shirt during a meet-andgreet session at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday, as Bertho Dick looks on
Picture: WERNER HILLS
KWANOXOLO STYLE: Eva January, left, Thobani Konza and Nomazotsho Mshweshwe at the heritage day celebration held by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality at the George Botha Hall in KwaNoxolo this month
Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI
MENTAL HEALTH MEETS ART: Psychiatrist Reino Verster speaks at the opening of the Forget-me-not art exhibition at the GFI Gallery on Saturday, held in collaboration with the Eastern Cape branch of Alzheimer’s South Africa
Picture: FREDLIN ADRIAAN
READY TO ROLL: Frederick and Son Food Truck staff Gracious Kufandirori, left, Siyabonga Adam and Olwethu Mvula wait for patrons at the 2 For 1 Tuesday market in Baakens Valley