Disney+ launch was no Mickey Mouse affair

Imagine a party where three of the country’s most iconic buildings turn blue and fireworks light up the sky as more than 400 top entertainment VIPs watch the live feed in awe.

Everywhere you turn is a well-known face, with entertainment including acrobats, dancers and an electrifying performance by a young diva who drew global attention after singing alongside Beyoncé on her hypnotic track My Power.

It was no Mickey Mouse affair when the  Walt Disney Company rolled out the blue carpet to flip the “on” switch for its streaming service Disney+ in SA.

We were summoned to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand on Wednesday evening for the official launch.

In the parking lot I bump into actress Zikhona Sodlaka, dressed in a flowing yellow and black Imprint maxi dress.

“Winter is such a waste of fashion,” she laments as we make our way into the building illuminated with the famed Disney logo.

After temperature and vaccination checks it is up a flight of stairs and on to the Jody Scheckter Paddock Area and viewing deck where waiters proffer blue cocktails.

I spot a host of celebs including singer Donald Moatshe, Azania Mosaka and her daughter Shamiso, influencer Tshepi Vundla and her rapper partner, JR, and Lorraine Moropa in a red feathered number, her hair finished off with Minnie Mouse-like red ribbons and a hairpiece sculptured to mimic the famous Disney cartoon character’s ears. 

On to meeting TV’s hottest hunk right now, Kwenzo Ngcobo, who happily disrobes in his role on The Wife, and who turned up with his little sis, Sinothile, whom he calls “Snow White, because she’s a princess”.

Sweet!

By that stage, all we had had to line our bellies was popcorn — albeit with gourmet toppings like truffle oil or Parmesan thyme.

So a bit over an hour later we are grateful to be led into another part of the venue where we could tuck into a buffet of cheeses, breads, antipasti and crudités before the night’s official start.

We also get to take in a performance by Busiswa, who sings that Beyoncé song she performs on the Black is King soundtrack, and are wowed when the screens cross live to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Soweto which all feature CGI projections of Disney programmes.

One bloke whose get-up deserved to be projected on those screens was radio man Tbo Touch, who turned up in a Gladiator-inspired dress complete with a “sword”.

“I am here protecting the industry,” proclaims the broadcaster who, like many of us, was horrified by bumbling arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa’s R22m flag project.

As for the grub when we finally get served?

I sample Egyptian beef kofta with cumin and za’atar (a nod to the Egyptian-inspired series Moon Knight) and mini salmon poke bowls while the dessert table features macaroon towers, meringues and red velvet cupcakes.

The sugar fest was inspired by the flamboyant reality TV lives of Kim K and her family, who jumped shipped from E! to Disney for their latest show.