with Craig Jacobs Galloping into a sparkly summer

● Johannesburg’s biggest horseracing event galloped out of the stalls when the Betway Summer Cup was held at Turffontein Racecourse last Saturday.

And, with “Golden Summer” this year’s theme, it was a sparkly affair.

Through the grounds, past stilt performers in their fancy costumes and a stage where Lady Zamar was due to perform later on, I headed to the escalators inside the main building to the Aquanaut Room, where operator 4Racing was hosting its VIP guests.

One of the first people I spotted interpreted the theme literally by showing up in a gold and lace gown. That was onagain-off-again Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse.

“You’re like a cat with nine lives,” I pointed out to the medical doctor and politician, who seems to face votes of no confidence as often as Eskom sheds electricity.

“I think so. I am convinced,” she responded.

On to saying hello to another politico, the sweet Gauteng MEC for infrastructure development & property management, Tasneem Motara, before greeting the day’s golden girl, Fundi Sithebe, who was there as CEO of 4Racing.

Like Mpho, Fundi is wearing a long gown — hers by Parkhurstbased label Excelsior Lusso. Someone who stood out in the sea of gold was Kaya FM business presenter Gugulethu Mfuphi in a striking orange and red two-piece. I also got a chance to catch up with Kaizer Chiefs’ Jessica Motaung, who was fresh from a trip to Italy, where she signed a sponsorship deal with a Turin-based sportswear brand which had previously been linked to the soccer team in the early 1990s.

Jessica, though, was more keen to talk about her three thoroughbreds, Harold The Duke, Lady Zultanite and Brave Viking, which had competed in a race earlier in the day.

As guests tucked into a hearty feast which included ploughman’s platters, butternut and beetroot salad, roasted beef rump, chicken curry and caramelised red onion and lentil moussaka, I headed back out onto the greens. A newish addition to the race day was marquees set up on the track to add to the party mood — one called Summer Garden and another the Voguish marquee, which seemed to be party central. That’s where racegoers were entertained by DJ Zinhle and later amapiano artist Boohle.

Another artist who has lit up quite a few anthems in the homegrown electronic dance music genre left me dumbfounded at the other event I attended later that day.

This was the 43rd edition of Miss Soweto, the beauty pageant sponsored by White Star which has, over the years, catapulted winners including Basetsana Kumalo and Lerato Kganyago into the spotlight.

It was hosted by 2009 Miss Soweto runner-up Refiloe Motsei and Afternoon Express presenter Thabiso Makhubela, and the judges included broadcaster Bridget Masinga, Sowetan S Mag editor-in-chief Emmanuel Tjiya and someone who still turns heads with her signature ponytail, Phuti Khomo, the former Miss Teen.

The pageant was won by 24-year-old Tsakane Sono, a mental health occupational therapist who hails from Tshiawelo and wowed us all with her answer to the question, “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams. What does that mean to you?” posed by Emmanuel.

A lot less thrilling was having to wait for Abo Mvelo hitmaker Daliwonga, who must have missed his cue for appearing on stage.

The 28-year-old Soweto artist, sporting a T-shirt from Balenciaga (that French brand which later during the week faced a backlash over its tasteless ad campaign) only appeared halfway into the playing of one of his songs.

Ouch!