Hip, hip, hooray for the Arch

Despite the disappointment over the Dalai Lama visa, celebs paid tribute to Desmond Tutu on his 80th birthday

There was the Idols finale and a Tambo breakfast, but the highlight of this week's social calendar was no doubt happening in Cape Town, where the who's who of Powerville gathered for Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's 80th birthday celebrations.

U2's Bono, Mamphela Ramphele, Judge Sisi Khampepe and struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada were among the guests who arrived for the Arch's Friday afternoon picnic.

And it was never going to be a mere picnic in the park. I suppose after a week of high drama over the Dalai Lama's visa, or rather non-visa, the Arch certainly deserved to celebrate his birthday in spectacular fashion.

About 500 guests arrived at the exquisite Waterford Estate, with its rolling lawns and lavender groves, in Stellenbosch, outside Cape Town, where Tutu partied with family and his mostly famous friends.

The fountain area of the 120ha estate, co-owned by Dimension Data chairman Jeremy Ord, was awash with white umbrellas and white wooden chairs, and guests enjoyed a simple but lovely buffet of roast lamb and chicken, potato salad, bean salad, corn and assorted breads. A lovely setting and very little extravagance.

Spotted dancing on the lawn to live "Sophiatown tunes" by Abigail Kubeka and Dorothy Masuka was Ramphele, who wore a bold African-print kaftan.

At one stage, the Arch himself stepped in to make the circle bigger - doing some impressive moves that put some youngsters to shame. Is the man really 80?

The birthday boy spent little time at his table - leaving Bono to handle things - and, instead, mingled with his guests, occasionally posing for pictures with some.

Guests travelled to the Stellenbosch picnic in luxury buses following a church service at St George's Cathedral attended by, among others, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who I thought was brave to show his face after the Dalai Lama debacle.

Thank goodness the party was for a man of the cloth. Had it been my party, I would probably have been tempted to have my bouncers sort him out. Motlanthe arrived looking dashing, with heavy security in tow.

Guests also included some unknowns from afar - I was asked to allow people to enjoy the affair in "private" - as well as a group of gogos and mamas all the way from Soweto.

Also spotted were some of the Tutu grandchildren, including Lungi Morrison, who is based in the UK and who organised the bash, and his daughter, Naomi, who lives in Nashville in the US. I heard she brought along a party of 10 friends from the US for the occasion.

Nkhensani Nkosi of Stoned Cherrie came with hubby Zam, and looked stunning in a purple dress, although it was her stylish mohawk that turned heads. I thought it was funky for a mom of four to sport such a hairstyle and show some leg.

Totally Tambo

Rachel Tambo's champagne breakfast provided a delightful Tuesday morning with plenty of perky summer dresses on the lawns of Shepstone Gardens in Orange Grove in Jozi.

Mrs Dali Tambo's function was in aid of mental health, and I was impressed that her hubby was one of the few guys who braved the gals' do. He knows a good thing when he sees it and even commented that I looked way too glam to be a journalist.

Rachel set the tone for the morning with her floral shift dress and matching trench from Hobbs in London. Guests included former model Nakedi Ribane, who took my breath away in an olive-green, African-inspired long number with the most fabulous cream hat.

PJ Powers, who seemingly doesn't age, looked equally lovely in white linen and leopard-print baggy pants. Mind you, she did ask that we not show her sneakers - they were Converse takkies. Sorry, PJ, but I thought it was a funky touch.

Uyanda Mbuli arrived late after apparently getting hopelessly lost . Poor thing probably does not usually have to venture into Orange Grove.

Anyway, she later confessed that she was late because she had spent her morning working on a campaign to raise funds for those affected by the tornado in Duduza township. Two worthy causes in one day - nice one, Uyanda.

Decor: 7/10

Round tables covered with white damask tablecloths, brightly coloured carnations as centrepieces, accompanied by silverware, under white-and-green-striped garden umbrellas.

Food: 7/10

Highlights were a lemon soufflé cake topped with dill crème fraiche, smoked salmon trout with a delicious avocado, tomato and spring onion salsa.

The vibe: Fantastic

Especially the breast-cancer-detection demonstration by sexologist Professor Elna Macintosh. A breast cancer survivor, actress Lillian Dube, assisted with the prop - a male model!