A party fit for an emperor

Some names were hard to pronounce, but this week's events had style and substance

WITH the summer holidays upon us I was lucky to attend two special outdoor functions this week. First I had a substantial dose of royalty at Japanese National Day in Pretoria, marking the 78th birthday of Emperor Akihito; then it was business bigwigs at the Soul City Institute's inaugural charity golf day.

Tuesday afternoon saw plenty of fabulous women in traditional Japanese garb and sophisticated summer numbers at the Japanese embassy. Upon arrival we were met by the ambassador, Toshiro Azawa, and his lovely wife Shizuko.

A local Japanese choir opened the event with the national anthems of Japan and South Africa.

I overheard fellow guest Frene Ginwala commenting how impressed she was at how the choir managed the vernacular parts of Nkosi Sikilel' iAfrika. Ginwala, 79, who really looks good for her age, wore a beautiful blue sari and matching earings.

Deputy Police Minister Maggie Sotyu, who apparently attended on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, was delighted to bump into "Mama Ginwala", the first person she met when she arrived in parliament as an MP many years ago.

Azawa used the occasion to thank South Africans for their support in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake which hit the country in March.

He also taught us how to offer a toast in Japanese when he encouraged all of us to say kampai to Zuma's health and wellbeing and to friendship between the two countries.

There were plenty of local royals, including King Leruo Molotlegi of the Bafokeng and two of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini's children, Princess Ntandoyesizwe and her brother, Prince Mandlesizwe.

I asked her why their names were so difficult to pronounce and spell. Ntandoyesizwe laughed and said I should ask the king. I might just do that one day.

The event drew a huge crowd of foreign dignitaries, including British high commissioner Nicola Brewer - oooh she looked very chic in a grey shorts suit.

Also in attendance was United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa, politician-turned-businessman Roelf Meyer, and Ben Ngubane.

I also had a chat with a stylish Keiko Ichikawa in a blue, raw silk dress complemented by a cream bag and matching shoes. She confessed that she forgot to pack her kimono when she moved to South Africa where hubby is working for the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

My highlight though was meeting a few young Japanese volunteers who are teaching in rural South Africa.

Kota Ino is teaching electrical engineering at Ehlanzeni College in Mpumalanga and Yohsuke Kataoka teaches science at Mthimba campus in Hazyview.

The menu of sushi, tempura prawns and deep-fried sweet potato, among other things, went down well although I struggled with my first taste of sake, the traditional Japanese drink.

THE next day I was out at the Houghton golf course to watch mainly corporate guests of the Soul City Institute tee off. Not nearly enough golf fashion from the ladies, but one Brazilian weave worn by businesswoman Kedibone Mooi did make quite an impression.

The Soul City do continued with a gala dinner - both functions were in aid of various charities, including HIV initiatives.

Organisers did a sterling job with the decor for the dinner at the clubhouse at the golf course - silver and black with dashes of red around the room.

We were treated to a kiddie fashion show - the youngsters showcased clothes by Marianne Fassler, Naartjie and Ackermans - and plenty of entertainment by the master of ceremonies, comedian/ventriloquist Conrad Koch, who came puppet in hand. The night was about raising money for a good cause so various sports memorabilia, Brian Sher paintings of Nelson Mandela and five-star hotel vouchers were up for grabs.

I must say it was very disappointing that a microwave was auctioned off for around the same price as the Mandela paintings. Apparently similar paintings fetched as much as R25000 at a Cape Town auction ... yet the three were all sold for less than R2000 each. Shocker really, especially since the microwave was sold for R1800.