Bay party-goers have a ball as Afcon kicks off the good times

THINGS have started getting hectic for your Skinnerbek – not that she's complaining as your galloping gossip gets to rub shoulders with the who's who from celebs to politicos to African soccer bosses.

On Thursday yours truly made her way to the Bay's Feather Market Centre for the Afcon gala event also attended by representatives from foreign associations.

Skinnerbek is a sucker for good things and I was seriously impressed with the African decorations from the start.

People were dressed to the nines and the visitors looked colourful in their traditional outfits.

Executive mayor Zanoxolo Wayile also looked fly in his black safari outfit and the province's premier, Noxolo Kiviet, also opted for a black dress – you know, you can never go wrong with that reliable black number!

MEC of Arts and Culture Xoliswa Tom went for a more traditional look and was beautiful in her white umbhaco.

Pity about the long speech but after it guests were entertained by the Takuma dancers of which the MC joked that if there are teams that are not fit, they can lend them a few people from the Takuma troupe.

Ooh my word! An official who introduced the mayor and his wife made Skinnerbek want to dive behind the drapes!

She kept on saying: "The mayor and her wife".

Oops. I mean we all know English is not our mother tongue, but couldn't she perhaps write down her speech next time?

Moving right along, there were also warrior dancers who left your Skinnerbek sweating. For a moment I thought I was watching WWE. The fitness of those guys is truly on another level. The food, traditional Xhosa dishes, was spot on.

January is always a month of decisions and we always make New Year's resolutions that we never keep.

But some of us do. Businesswoman Michele Lehy has left the friendly city for the bright lights of the city of gold. Armed with an invite to a summer pool party, I donned my cozzie for an afternoon of leisure with beautiful people.

With the shindig set on manicured lawns around a pool, there were familiar faces everywhere and the diminutive dynamo flitted from guest to guest and welcomed them. Dr Riette de Lauwere and family were among the guests – these two have a friendship of philanthropy from the days of being fund-raisers for the EP Child and Youth Care Centre.

From the snacks to the spit braai of organic meat, I was in food heaven. Cheers to you Michele, hope you bring as much sunshine to your new home as you did to the Bay.

Saturday night meant party time as supporters filled the beachfront party haunts. With skimpy dresses and tight vests, it was a summer's night in Africa but whatever happened to the independent woman paying her own way? Skinnerbek witnessed a woman throwing herself on a visitor for "free drinks" only for it to turn out badly with her lying on the sidewalk being kicked around by the drinks buyer. Shame on you dude.

Yours truly went to Cubana where Metro FM's DJ Lulo Cafe and Pastor were playing. You know Cubana never disappoints when it comes to beautiful women – all of course in their featherweight outfits and killer heels.

But hey, the men were eye candy too, let me tell you. A veritable sweet shop!

I think it's high time Lulo Cafe relocates to PE as he is forever here anyway.

This handsome one certainly did not disappoint as he had us dancing to his tunes.

With our first two Afcon matches done and dusted the following night, Cubana saw DJ Fresh on the decks. I must say the man does know how to turn the dance floor into a space of moving bodies.

With so much orange from the day, it was great to see beautifully turned out people, tasteful and classy. For once, the service was fluid – my dora came as if it was on a conveyer belt. Fresh cosied up to a beautiful woman – there was not even space to put a menu between them! Eavesdropping (as every good skinnerbek should) I heard they were reminiscing about good old days.

Now until we meet again, keep those invites coming in for your Skinnerbek!

ýWatch out for your Skinnerbek column in Friday's Leisure section of The Herald next week, we are on the move!