Society - December 2022

SOCIETY

Crystals, candles, white roses and silver set the scene for an elegant and fitting atmosphere at The President Hotel to celebrate the winners of the 10th annual Distell Inter-Hotel Challenge. One of the most validating features of this challenge, focused on hospitality sector skills transfer and mentorship, is the way prize winners commit to mentor and encourage their colleagues –passing the baton of excellence to a new generation each year.

Wine steward judges Jean Vincent Ridon (Sommeliers Academy) and Sandy Harper (CWM) together with Eric Leong Son (Distell acting corporate affairs director), Distell Inter-Hotel Challenge Wine Steward of the Year Pieter Bekker (Taj Cape Town), Phumza Rengqe (Distell marketing manager: corporate brand), and Juan Wolmarans (Hotel manager of 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa and Red Carnation Hotels).

Food and wine judge Marlvin Gwese (Group Sommelier Liz McGrath Collection), head concierge Muchi Gubwe (Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel) with winning concierge Elmar Schreiner (The President Hotel) and third place concierge Jade Arries (Taj Cape Town).

Micarlo Malan (South African National Youth Development Agency) with Pieter Bekker (Taj Cape Town).

Malan presented “The Wonga Award” to Jeremiah Govender of Beverly Hills Hotel, and he received an online bursary with the International Hotel School to further his business aspirations.

Executive chef Juan Neethling (Southern Sun, The Cullinan), wine steward Mark Abrahams, Hot Chef Fuad Martin, F&B manager Nathan McMiles (54 on Bath), general manager Jacques Moolman (Southern Sun, The Cullinan), pastry chef Eon le Roux with executive chef Shaun Munro (Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani) and assistant general manager Robin Hawkins (Southern Sun, The Cullinan).

DeVerra Auret (La Creuzette, Boussac, France) and Chantal Van Den Bergh (Lancewood) together with the Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year, Eon le Roux (Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani).

Mentor of the Year Rudi Liebenberg with his team comprising pastry chef Qira Matthews (Scanpan Excellent Kitchen Practice winner and runner-up Ultimate Lancewood Pastry Chef of the Year), Hot Chef Isaac Chitter (runner-up Best Chef) together with Siphelele Mgoloza (third place Kitchen Aid Africa Bio-Wheat Baker of the Year).

Annette Kesler (Showcook), Debbie Hall (The Hall Collection) and mentor Distell Inter-Hotel Challenge Wine Steward of the Year 2020, Keegan Terry (Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town).

Charles Wyeth (Distell acting group head: sustainability), Yushar Stuurman, Eric Leong Son (Distell acting corporate affairs director) and Bjorn Luciano Salsone.

Phumza Rengqe (Distell marketing manager: corporate brand) with Chania Morritt-Smith (Showcook.com).

Distell Inter-Hotel Challenge Chef of the Year Senzo Mlambo (54 on Bath, Southern Sun Gauteng Team) will intern with the global Valor Hospitality group, travelling to the US.

Kitchen Aid Africa Best Team was awarded to the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa this year. Pastry Chef Janisha Parbhoo, executive chef Christo Pretorius, barista Shaun Mki, Hot Chef Nicole Theunissen, hotel manager Juan Wolmarans, F&B manager Omayya Ismail with baker Gina Marziani and wine steward Zolani Dantile. In addition, the team scooped the Best Food & Wine Pairing award for their dessert and Kitchen Aid Bio-Wheat Baker of the Year.

Glamour Magazine SA hosts annual Women of the Year aWards

Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards (#WOTY2022) made an epic return on Saturday, November 19, after a two-year hiatus. Hosted at the picturesque Boschendal Wine Estate and by invite only, the pink carpet affair was attended by the who’s who on the social scene and VVIPs.

Zanele Sibiya (Mrs Globe South Africa), Simphiwe Majola and Trish Vermeulen (Femme Exec 2022).

Tashline Jooste, winner of the Tech Game Changer Award 2022.

Loveline Leo of Real Housewives of Cape Town and Shaune Kyama.

Shudu Musida, winner of the Mental health Game Changer 2022 Award – sponsored by Nivea.

Root4skin respresentative Idalia Sousa accepted the Beauty Game Change 2022 Award on behalf of Dr Vanessa Lapiner.

Siba Mtongana, winner of the Game-changing Entrepreneur of 2022 Award.

Rabia Ghoor, winner of the Next-Gen Game Changer 2022 Award.

Tashline Jooste, winner of the Tech Game Changer Award 2022.

Jackie May, winner of the Sustainability Game Changer Award 2022.

Estherderm representative Meagan Olevano accepting the Game-changing Actress 2022 Award on behalf of Thuso Mbedu.

Peace Hyde, winner of the International Media Game Changer Award 2022.

Premier fishing celebrates 70 years of excellence

Premier Fishing recently celebrated its 70th anniversary at a grand gala dinner held at Pigalle Restaurant in Green Point, Cape Town. From humble beginnings in 1952, the Level-1 BBBEE fishing company is one of SA’s leading sustainable fishing companies and has grown into an internationally recognised brand with several verticals, a fleet of fishing boats, loyal staff (some even celebrating their 40-year tenure with the company) and an enviable reputation for delivering quality products and customer service. The milestone anniversary was officially heralded with simultaneous festive gettogethers in Cape Town and Gansbaai, and attended by staff from across the company. Remarking on Premier’s 70 years in business, newly appointed CEO, Sooren Ramdenee said: “It has not taken me long to realise that I have stepped into a company that truly values its people. It is this spirit, which resonates throughout every level of the organisation that has carried the company forward through all the ups and downs of business life in the 20th and now 21st century”.

From left, Billie-Jean Hardenberg, Maureen Smith, Hassan Sonday, Rochelle Koert and Soraya Kalam.

Coris and Toni Meyer.

Balungile Saneliswe and Patrick Mbiko (Talhado).

From left, Deon Killian, Ruan Botha, Etienne Badenhorst and Nazeem Davids (Marine Growers).

A posthumous award was presented to the former director of transformation at Premier Fishing and anti-apartheid activist, Johnny Issel. This award was accepted by his son Fidel and was presented by Dr Iqbal Survé, chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings.

Dave Van Niekerk and Leanne Hawkins.

From left, Long Service Awards: Fredrick Johan Pieters (35 years), Moesina Anthony (37 years), Sooren Ramdenee (Premier Fishing CEO), Samuel Sedidi (35years) and Maureen Smith (45 years). Wallace and Dolly Mgoqi.

Lawrence and Valentine Dzvova .

Brent and Jade Otto.

From left, Rushaan Issacs, Sooren Ramdenee, Friedrick Johan Pieters and Dr Iqbal Survé.

Pieter and Liesl Greef.

sa’s GQ men of the Year awards shines

South Africa’s most anticipated event, GQ’s Men of the Year Awards, affectionately known as ‘MOTY’, recognises the most inspirational and influential men and women shaping our cultural landscape. The fourth annual GQ MOTY Awards took place on December 10 at The Leonardo in Sandton, Johannesburg, in association with Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilège and Standard Bank South Africa. It was a momentous opportunity to celebrate the men and women that made the world a better place – during a time when we needed it most. The star-studded evening was hosted by none other than David Goliath and Unathi Nkayi, and celebrities and social influencers dazzled with their stylish fashion looks and charm.

Annie and Larry Hordes.

Donovan Goliath, MC for the night.

Lebohang Morake with his wife Pretty Samuels, together with Sello Maake KaNcube and his wife, Pearl Mbewe Maake KaNcube

Nandi Madida. Unathi Africa, MC for the night. Hennessy bar patron.

Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira. Judith Sephuma.

the mercury’s 170th birthday and relaunch of KZn network

Photographer: MOEKETSI MAMANE African News Agency (ANA)

Celebrating The Mercury’s 170th birthday and the relaunch of KZN Network are Fei Mingxing, Chinese Consul General in Durban; Philani Mazibuko, editor of The Mercury; Andrzej Kiepiela, co-ordinator of KZN Growth Coalition; Palesa Phili, CEO of Durban Chamber of Commerce; Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda, mayor of eThekwini; Moses Tembe, co-chair of KZN Growth Coalition; and Vivian Reddy, chairperson of Edison Power.  Fei Mingxing, Yogas Nair, Li Wenjun, Kiru Naidoo and Devi Rajab.

Dr Sheetal Bhoola and Aakash Bramdeo.

Sharlene September, Steve Marshall and Alta Keyter.

Peter Thembane, Joseph Hlengwa and Judy Naidoo

Sandile Mdadane, Vukani Mbhele, Lindiwe Khuzwayo and Mluleki Mntungwa.

the 1860 commemoration of the first arrival of Indians in south africa

Shantal Naicker, Jane Pillay, Morga Reddy and Shirley Rampersad Ranjith Choonilall and Vijay Naidoo

Indra Pillay and Jane Poovalingam

Nimmi Maharaj and Pundit Satish Maharaj

Priya Arran and Vino Arran

Sushi Pillay, Chico Pillay and Kubashni Ramanjalu

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