From the Mandela Bay Jazz Legacy Festival, NMB Pride 2018, the second annual Imibala Arts Festival, to the annual DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards all the way in Sandton, what a busy weekend it was! And to think that this weekend will be just as busy – if not more – gives Skinnerbek hot flushes of excitement.
If anyone was waiting for the right time to let loose and join in the festive fun, no time will be more perfect than this weekend.
Your Skinnerbek jetted off to the annual DStv Mzansi Viewer’s Choice Awards in Sandton on Saturday, where the who’s who of the industry sported their best wear. From Uzalo’s Nkunzi, The Queen’s Zenande Mfenyana (Goodness), Skeem Saam’s Clement Maosa (Kwaito) to the beautiful Simphiwe Ngema, Hlomla Dandala and Renate Stuurman, who was shy to let the media take pictures of her on the black carpet with her Beau Vuyolwethu Ngcukana (Schumacher) – name an SA celebrity and they were there. While I would love to tell you more about the well-delivered show and Mo’ghel’s (Bonang Matheba) show-stopping dresses, I believe you watched enough of the show on TV. What you didn’t see, however, is 2017 DStv MVCA Favourite Comedian winner Summary, who had us rolling on the floor during commercial intervals.
Meanwhile, in the Bay, my minion hopped from one event to another, starting with the 2018 Nelson Mandela Bay Pride march at the Donkin Reserve. Skinners was disappointed to hear that the march was not well-attended. I’m told the march, which started at the Donkin, down Govan Mbeki Avenue and back to the Donkin, was silent and less vibrant than previous ones. Hairstylist Andile Yhoyhon was spotted rocking a blue hairdo, while the likes of Lynton Radloff and organiser Kuhle Baart led the pink-wear dominated march with determination. My minion tells me the official after-party in Newton Park’s Zazu did not see a good turnout either but another at Posh Lounge in Central was reportedly packed!My busy minion moved on to the Imibala Arts Festival at the Grand Hotel in Central, where the set-up, crowd and performances by event founder Tarynne Swarts, Udaka and others matched to perfection.
From watching artists Bamanye Ngxale and Uthando Baduza singing and jamming like there was no tomorrow, my minion moved on to the Mandela Bay Jazz Legacy Festival at the PE Opera House, which also drew quite a crowd.
The festival apparently involved an awards presentation which the crowd seemed uninterested in as they chattered away the minute it stopped. The performance lineup included Msaki, Nduduzo Makhathini and Lefa Mosea.
I’m told Mosea’s performance was as disappointing as his haircut. Make sure Skinnerbek and her minions don’t spot you looking shady at the groove this weekend.
Ciao!