Parties & Celebrations
Spotlight on Cape Town
I was in Cape Town during the World Cup for the quarter-final game between Argentina and Germany. While I was there, I felt immense pride, and witnessed such national glory as the spotlight of the world was on South Africa, and the country exceeded everyone’s expectations. Many people were skeptical about the efficiency of the new airports and stadiums, but we were all not only pleasantly surprised, but impressed. The new O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is truly world class, and probably the most state of the art on the continent. Architecturally, the stadiums are spectacular and well thought out with the most state of the art of everything! Going to a game and being in a stadium with 64,100 people is very exciting. It was a fun and memorable game too. I noticed organized security everywhere, and despite all the rumors, I felt incredibly safe.
The buzz was amazing. I stayed at the Molori Cape on Clifton Beach and felt like I was on a stunning boat on the ocean.
The night before the match, The One and Only Cape Town hosted a party for almost a thousand gorgeous and glamorous people. From there, we made our way to Fez Nightclub with its African House musical beat.
My favorite dinner was at Pigalle restaurant where I ate a spectacular mixed grill of Portuguese-style seafood, including queen prawns, langoustines, and a Cape crayfish tail. Heaven!!!!
The day after the game at the One and Only Club in Cape Town, we launched our charity, Turning Point Foundation, with a screening of our first movie made in [hard core] Polsmoor Prison with prisoners as actors, about the adolescent life of Julius Caesar. The film is the first part of a rehabilitation project to teach inmates and kids in townships skills in the arts to prevent them from entering prison and from becoming repeat offenders when released from prison.
From there, I spent a couple of days in the bush unwinding and relaxing before heading back to New York.
I am proud to call myself a South African -– my country did a great job which I sincerely hope is sustained. It can only serve them well in the future.
As always…more to come!
