Denzel and Motlanthe swap seats

Hollywood actor Denzel Washington and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe played musical chairs at a Cape Town restaurant this week.

Washington, who is in the Mother City to film Safe House, rubbed shoulders with politicians and posed for pictures with fans.

He dined on roast almond and caramelised pear salad at Pigalle restaurant in Green Point on Wednesday, shortly after Motlanthe had finished a seafood dinner.

Said waitress Nova Balie: "The deputy president had just left when we reset the same table for Denzel Washington and some other people. There was a lot of security."

The actor is no stranger to South Africa. His portrayal of Steve Biko in Cry Freedom earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor in 1987.

The 56-year-old actor has been looking after his health between shoots, opting for salads and vegetarian dishes.

He had a body massage at the One&Only hotel spa, while his burly bodyguard, who identified himself as "New York Black Man", had a manicure.

Washington checked in to the six-star hotel's presidential suite last week. Staff were instructed to refer to him as "Mr Frost", the name of his character in his latest film.

The movie tells of the ordeal of a CIA agent (played by Ryan Reynolds) as he transports a notorious criminal (Washington) to safety after they are attacked in a safe house.

On Thursday, Washington was spotted at a trendy local club with Zimbabwean mining magnate Mutumwa Mawere.

Owner Greg Stevens said the star had a strictly no-alcohol policy: "What a great guy. One gets caught up in his energy. He is very inspiring, intelligent and wise."

Another witness described Washington as charming: "His only request was that the One&Only hotel get a channel that broadcasts NBA basketball as he wanted to watch games with his friends."

Washington is staying in the hotel's presidential suite, which costs about R55000 a night, for 16 weeks.