SA's flower show host was pickled among the proteas

QUEEN Elizabeth did not make a stop at the South African exhibit at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. Just as well - because the VIP at the exhibit was drunk.

Tami Sokutu, chairman of the National Biodiversity Institute, whose role is to promote South Africa's floral heritage, had been due to welcome guests at the award-winning exhibit in London.

Sokutu yesterday conceded that he had been drunk at the show, but denied behaving inappropriately.

The queen often makes a point of visiting South Africa's exhibit, but Buckingham Pal-ace said it would be wrong to say that the stand was a scheduled stop for her this year.

The assistant press secretary to the queen, Hannah Howard, said: "While some initial planning is made of the queen's general route at the Chelsea Flower Show on the advice of the Royal Horticultural Society, the event is a relaxed one and much of the itinerary is spontaneous."

The Royal Horticultural Society, which was alerted to Sokutu's state on the day, did not respond to inquiries.

Sokutu was also too drunk to be allowed near guests at a party in South Africa House after the show.

The show was held in May, and details of the incident emerged only this week.

South Africa won its 33rd gold medal this year, also the centenary year of the Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens. The show was attended by several members of the royal family, including Prince Charles, Prince Harry and Prince Philip.

Sokutu is an executive at African Bank and a former director-general of the Department of Public Works. The National Biodiversity Institute is a statutory body whose mission is to "champion the exploration, conservation, sustainable use, appreciation and enjoyment of South Africa's exceptionally rich biodiversity for all people".

Sokutu said his behaviour had been blown out of proportion and had nothing to do with the queen's no-show.

The institute's CEO, Tanya Abrahamse, said she had received no formal complaint.

Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesman Clayson Monyela confirmed an encounter between Sokutu and security at South Africa House, where a function was held to celebrate the gold medal.

Among the guests were Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille and DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko. Sokutu was due to address the function.

"Sokutu came to the mission a day before the function highly intoxicated and insisted that he be allowed access to the function. The security informed him that the function was to be held the following day," said Monyela.

"On the day of the function Sokutu's name was not only not on the list, but he was, according to security, again highly intoxicated when he arrived. They requested that he wait until they verified the credentials - which they did from [corporate officer Moeketsi Khoahli]. Khoahli, according to security, confirmed that Sokutu was their guest, but since he was not in a position to perform his task on the night, they agreed that the security could keep an eye on him. He then decided to leave."

Sokutu said: "The fact that a few of us were drunk and I happened to be the chair and therefore noticeable ... I mean it was a show, a number of us had had wine and all that. With the combination of wines and alcohol that we were all drinking, I was kind of not quite focused, so to speak. But I'm not aware of me being involved in any incident that was out of the ordinary."