Edna Molewa's quips might have been the highlight of the Dr P launch, but another politico (though one dumped from her ministry) was the surprise guest when the Business Women's Association of South Africa held a luncheon to celebrate one of the country's finest artistic icons.
Women movers and shakers gathered at the Monte de Dios event venue outside Pretoria on Tuesday afternoon to bask in the company of Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu in a nod to International Women's Month.
Greeted by a traditional performance by young dance troupe Imphosi Zama Nkelela, we are ushered into the venue where Gogo Esther and her flock of artisans from Middelburg are waiting.
Recently installed Bwasa president Happy Ralinala introduces me to the acclaimed Gogo Esther, 82, and in typical groupie fashion I ask if she wouldn't mind posing with me for a pic.
With a cherubic smile she obliges, but as I can't speak Ndebele and my Afrikaans is weak we struggle to make banter before I meet Busi Mhaga of Galencia Properties, the sponsors of the lunch.
In walks someone who looks familiar, and as I shake her hand I compliment the woman, who turns out to be former communications minister Faith Muthambi, on her purple, striped ensemble. She replies: "You know us Vendas, we love our traditional outfits."
She is surprisingly cheerful for a politico who looks set to face parliament's ethics committee for info she allegedly shared with the Guptas.
MC Phumi Mashigo calls Happy to the stage, and she tells us that Gogo Esther is the perfect example of why she believes the economy is a woman: beyond drawing international praise, she supports and uplifts those around her.That is why her organisation is helping this woman raise funds to build a cultural centre in the Mapoch township where she lives in Mpumalanga, thereby helping to preserve her heritage.
Speaking through an interpreter, Gogo Esther puts it all succinctly: "I don't want to leave my community with an empty hand; I want to leave a legacy."
The afternoon certainly proves to be a good step in that direction - Galencia agrees to come on board to help erect the building, while thanks to cash donations, pledges and an auction, more than R250,000 is raised.
Lunch? Typical buffet-style fare of caprese skewers and cocktail quiches as starters, mains of beef roast and stuffed chicken with creamed spinach, salads and butternut sides and Malva pudding for dessert...