It was raining men at the Cosmopolitan Sexiest South African Men for 2012 on Thursday night. I wanted to join the screaming women, but my voice failed me because of a hectic social week during which I went from doing crazy stunts at the Bar One man-hunt reality TV series launch to the Public Sector Excellence Awards and the launch of a cookbook by Nelson Mandela's chef, Xolisa Ndoyiya.
The country's sexiest men gathered for the prestigious award at the trendy Movida club in Rivonia, Sandton.
Naturally, I was excited, as it could only be a feast for the eyes. The hunks included Top Billing presenter Janez Vermeiren, Capetonian trail runner Ryan Sanders and rugby player Lukhanyo Nontshinga.
Not knowing the Afrikaans music scene, I was a bit surprised when singer and actor Bobby van Jaarsveld took the title. He's not what one would call a hunk, but I must admit he's very cute.
It was nice to see designer David Tlale, who had a send-off party later that evening.
He's off to New York Fashion Week to showcase his autumn/winter collection - what he described as a simple, basic, ready-to-wear range.
I also had a lovely chat with Idolscontestant Crushanda Forbes, who was accompanied by a good-looking fellow she insisted was just a "friend". She said she was releasing an album in April and was doing gigs back to back.
But back to the hot dishes - and I don't mean the rather boring finger snacks. My favourite Cosmo man was Mr September, Dylan Savage. A non-practising dentist, he lives in Cape Town and is a professional model and blogger. He told me he was a vintage boy and liked Johnny Depp's style. A man of few words, but a "savage" without his shirt.
Earlier that afternoon, I made a quick stop at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, where Madiba's chef of 20 years, Xolisa Ndoyiya, launched her book of recipes she'd been cooking for the former president and his family.
Madiba's daughter Maki and some grandchildren, Luvuyo, Ndileka and Ndaba, attended to support Xolisa. Luvuyo said Xolisa was more than just their cook, describing her as a mother figure and "part of the family".
Ndileka read a letter from Graça Mandela, who could not attend the event. "Our home is warm and welcoming because of you. Be assured of our deep appreciation of who you are to us," it read. What a wonderful tribute!
Xolisa assured us that there were no secret ingredients, except that she cooked her food with love.
We sampled some of the dishes she had prepared for Madiba over the years, including a delicious yellow mango and rice salad, chicken peri-peri livers with potato bread, tripe, oxtail served with creamed potatoes and de-boned roasted garlic chicken with french beans.
A great event, but it was rather unfortunate that Maki threw a mini tantrum when I asked her to pose for a picture with the foundation's chief executive, Achmat Dangor. Wonder what that is all about?
The Bar One man-hunt launch invitation was a big adventure from the start. We were not told of the destination, only warned to take extra clothes and dress casually.
Celebs included SA WAG Sonia Booth, Lorna Maseko from Top Billing, 5fm DJ Bad Boy T with his wife, Unathi Msengane, Rosie Motene, the ever-elegant socialite Carolyn Steyn and the show's presenter, Ursula Chikane.
After a two-hour drive, we arrived at Thaba Marula Adventure Camp outside Brits and did some hectic stunts. We went on the ejection chair, a "bosveld foefie slide" that threw us into the dam, a super-tube slide, rope bridge over the water and raft building.
I had to laugh at Carolyn's reaction on the tube: "Oh my God, oh my God, I am about to die! Oh, God, this is so scary!" A very human reaction from one of the most elegant women I know!
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