Take guests ranging from our most popular Reserve Bank guv to a former Miss South Africa (who, if Madiba had his way, would have walked down the aisle together). Throw in performances by a top comedian and a cool pop band, flowing champagne and food trucks - that sums up the birthday celebration for arguably our No1 patriot.
I meet Colin Coleman, the dapper birthday boy in question, walking into his sparkling home in Morningside, Johannesburg, last Saturday evening where the jol to celebrate his 55th was held.
Many will know Colin as an outspoken member of Business Leadership South Africa (he was on that fateful trip to the UK which saw then finance minister Pravin Gordhan recalled) who believes that, despite the doom and gloom, our country is not beyond repair.
But the local Goldman Sachs head (and businessperson of the year winner at tonight's South African Style Awards) is also a bit of a showman, and his parties are legendary.Guests who cracked the nod included captains of industry like Discovery's Adrian Gore, Sasol's Bongani Nqwababa and former Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni. I ask Tito to pose with a beauty queen I've not seen in a while, and when the guv recognises Kerishnie Naicker, he gives her a hug and says: "You know, Madiba wanted us to get married!"
Kerishnie nods in agreement, and when I ask where our Miss South Africa 1997 has been hiding, she tells me she's been travelling and "doing yoga on the beach in Bali".
Elsewhere I say hello to that lover of short hemlines Judi Nwokedi (proudly wearing a dress straight off the South African Fashion Week ramp) and 67 Blankets founder Carolyn Steyn, whose gigantic emerald ring and earrings match her coat.Then it's a catch-up with Galago footwear entrepreneur Adhiambo Mula-Lauwers, who is there with her mining husband Xavier Lauwers, and David Kau, the funnyman who, along with pop band Beatenberg, are part of the night's entertainment.
My inspiring moment is meeting Colin's folks, from whom he inherited not only his political activism but his zest for life - Mom Audrey is a previous Black Sash national secretary while 91-year-old dad Max only gave up scuba diving last year.
It was sweet to see Colin's kids from his previous marriage - Max and Zoe - join in the celebrations, while hands-down the best dressed on the night had to be Colin's partner (and mom of three-year-old Kyle) Nerina Labuschagne, wearing a gorgeous, flowing printed chiffon Etro gown. The food trucks served pizzas and Balkan burgers and Colin had people partying until the early hours...