There is never a dull moment in Johannesburg, to add to it’s vibrancy and busy activity, Heineken is hosting the UEFA Champions League viewing experience with the media, celebrities and socialites of this town. 23 April was the first night of a few to come, where all these esteemed personalities and business people experience this tournament in grand style at a mansion with their favourite beverage Heineken in tow.

Last night”s match was between Barcelona and Bayen Munich and yes unfortunately Barcelona lost to the Germans in a 3-0 score. Broken hearts for Barca fans and great delight for the Germans and their fans.

Heineken’s brand executive Avukile Mabombo was one of the many people spotted at the event, beautifully put together by Melanie Ramjee and her team.

Highveld Stereo DJ Anele Mdoda, TV personality Minnie Dlamini, Kaizer Chiefs’ goal keeper Itumeleng Khune, Comedian David Kau, Social Commentator Khaya Dlanga, editors Siphiwe Mype, Kodjo Baffoe and actress Weza Solange as well as Rappers JR and Shugasmakx were there with their pretty partners.

Day one was awesome and filled delicious eats and beverages as well as great company. DJs Sphe and Naves later hit the decks and provided great entertainment for the soccer lovers at the venue. We look forward to the rest of the tournament and all it brings, hopefully Barcelona will recover from this blow and come back guns blazing.

Although this cricket sensation is no stranger to the spotlight the recent introduction of Xhosa commentary by SuperSport has once again placed him in the public eye. JucyAfrica sat down with him a while ago to find out what makes him tick.

How would you introduce yourself to someone who never met you?

Hi my name is Monde.

What are your thoughts on the celeb scene is SA?

It’s becoming more broad as years ago it was mainly sportsman and politicians. It’s becoming more like America where you can become famous without doing much.

Do you think of yourself as a celebrity?

No, not really.

We only ever get to see the glam parts of your job, are there any downsides to being as awesome as you are?

There are no real downsides to who I am, maybe sometimes the travelling and living out of a suitcase gets to me.

What advice do you have for young men who want to follow in your footsteps?

Hard work, dedication and you must love what you do.

As a black cricket player do you feel like you are making history?

No I don’t feel like I am making history. I think Makhaya Ntini has made history and opened the doors for the rest of us black cricketers.

What are your thoughts on all the scandals in local and international cricket over the past few years?

It’s unfortunate that it has happened and hopefully we would not be hearing of that again as it is not good for the game.

Any misconceptions or rumours about you that you want to clear up?

No, not that I know of.

How do you deal with people who cross the line or overzealous fans?

I just ignore it and don’t take it to heart.

What do you like to do to relax?

Watch movies, listen to music and hang with friends. 

Tell us 4 Africans everyone should know?

Nelson Mandela, Frankie Fredericks, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Kofi Anan 

Who do you think is Jucy?

Meagan Goode

What is your favourite food?

Butter Chicken

What would you spend your last R50 on?

Food and Airtime.

Favourite type of music?

Rap/Hip Hop

 You have already achieved a lot , what are your next goals?

To play for South Africa again.

 Are you involved in any charities or initiatives to give back?

Not me personally, but the Cobras who I play for are involved in charities.

Follow Monde on twitter @zondecks

If you are looking for an exhilarating polo experience in an urban setting, with celebrity glamour, fashion and dynamic horse prowess this weekend, then you should be at The Inanda Club in Sandton. The Inanda Club will be hosting the  2012 Inanda Africa Cup polo tournament from 20 to 22 July 2012, Sunday 22 July 2012 being the open day to the public and the prestigious Championship Finals.

Following last year’s success, the 2012 Inanda Club Africa Cup promises to be a fantastic affair that showcases the prowess and skills of some of the best horsemen on the continent. Participants at the knock out tournament will include representative teams from African nations as far afield as Nigeria and Ghana, as well as numerous local teams and a development side. Previous years reports prove the success that Inanda Africa Cup has enjoyed, with last year’s one showing that more than 3 500 people were seen going through the Inanda Club gates to watch the polo tournament.

Josina Machel with Basetsana Khumalo at last year’s tournament

While the polo players show off their skills on horseback, the social elite will undoubtedly display the latest trends in African fashion. There will also be a groom’s race and the test of ‘horse power’ where a thoroughbred pony races against a high performance vehicle.

Khanyi Mbau “Queen of Bling”

Activities kick-off at 10h00, with the final game set to be played at 15h00.  Tickets are priced at R100 per car and can be purchased at the gate on the day. There will be a range of culinary delights and beverages available to purchase on site.

The South African Sports awards 2011 took place last night in Sun City.  The full story of what went down will follow soon.  Here are the winners:

Administrator of the year award – Danny Jordaan

Volunteer on the year – Silver Malele

Federation of the year – Swimming SA

Photographer of the Year – Lefty Shivambo

Journalist of the year – David Isaacson

Indigenous games star of the year – Eastern Cape Ntonga

Newcomer of the year – Chad le clos

Sportsman of the year with disability - Lucas Sithole

Sportswoman of the year with disability - Kgothatso Montjane

Sports star of the year – Hashim Amla

Sportsman of the year – Cameron Van der Burgh

Sportswoman of the year – Noko Motloung

Coach of the year – Frans Ludeke

Team of the year – Blue Bulls

Steve Tshwete lifetime achievement award :

Ernie Els

Danny Jordan

Molefi Oliphant

Irvan Khoza

This might make me sound like an alcoholic but trust me,I am not. Saturday morning around 10 o’clock, I was at the SAB World of Beer in Newtown as they had invited us for the inaugural Carling Black Label Cup experience between the mighty Kaizer Chiefs and that Pirates team. As most would know by now, “that team” with the shortest players won via penalties thanks to Itumeleng Khune missing a crucial penalty on the Chiefs side. I don’t know why ladies like that guy, after that kick they must know, “ke kgomo” (he kicks like a rugby player).  I secretly laughed when Mpho Maboi, one of the few celebs we got to hang-out with said, “he usually takes free kicks and he’s not a bad kicker of the ball”. Damn skippy I thought, he takes them before the halfway line, if it wasn’t for the renovations at the FNB Stadium, that ball would have fallen right inside Nasrec Expo centre.

Gabi Ndebele, Sydney Mekgwe and Mpho Maboi

Anyways, back to the experience, most of the guests arrived slightly late but no one could resist the free brooze. The likes of Flabba, Shuggasmax, DJ Gobbs were all in the house, enjoying their champion beer. Besides the media faces, it was also nice to see Selae Thobakhgale and Jafta Mamabolo aka Mateu wa Generations, have their first stadium experience. Oddly enough,  Selae had Amakhosi’s  new t-shirt on which has earned them the nickname “Zebra Force” from Flabba, while Jafta wore a tie as usual. We made our way to the stadium in buses  just  after lunch just in time to catch TKZee’s performance at the Black Label beer garden. Our not so royal “ghettoness” came out as those who could dance did so to the old school jams while poor celebs were getting mobbed and taking pictures with their fans.

David Modise and Jafta Mamabolo

There’s something about dusty shoes that I just don’t like , they made us not think straight as we took a tour around the stadium looking for a suite which was right in front of the garden. I have become so comfortable of watching games from the suites, besides the biltong, I enjoy their food and this time all the meat they had was cooked in Black Label. nothing new, as I have cooked with beer before. Pity “The Wild” actress Faye Peters, couldn’t experience that as she is a vegetarian. She also looked like an overcooked broccoli after the game as her team had lost. As much as Chiefs played a B team, they still lost and I most certainly didn’t enjoy the talks from those big mouthed Pirates supporters which we had to still travel with back to Newtown in the bus. Some of them even offered us hugs, otherwise a great Saturday spent with good company all thanks to SAB and Carling Black Label.

Lelo Boyana and Katlego Mokoena

Faye Peters and Ofentse Mogotsi

by:Just Denis

Known as the “Sport of Kings”, polo is a fast-paced, adrenalin-induced equestrian sport and the Inanda Africa Cup is poised to become one of Jozis most prestigious events on the social and equestrian calendars. Following last year’s success, the 2011 Inanda Club Africa Cup promises to be a fantastic affair that showcases the prowess and skills of some of the best horsemen on the continent.  Participants at the knock out tournament will include representative teams from African nations as far afield as Nigeria and Ghana, as well as numerous local teams and a development side.

While the polo players show off their skills on horseback, the social elite will undoubtedly display the latest trends in African fashion, and visitors can meander through the Luxury Lane section and enjoy a glass of Veuve Clicquot, chocolates, oysters, sushi, international coffees and African arts, crafts and jewellery. There will also be some entertainment for the kids to enjoy, as well as a groom’s race and the test of ‘horse power’ where a thoroughbred pony races against a high performance vehicle.

Another key feature of this year’s event will be the VIP Fundraising Gala Dinner, hosted on Saturday 30 July 2011, with its aim to raise much-needed funds for the Inanda Club’s chosen beneficiaries, the Alexandra Aids Orphans and the Highveld Horse Care Unit.

Tickets to the Inanda Africa Cup Polo are priced at R100 per car and can be purchased at the gate on the day.  Everyone is welcome to join in and witness this equestrian sporting spectacle and social event of the year. The 2011 Inanda Africa Cup polo tournament is from 29-31 July.

Randlords was a good place to be this Wednesday as Gauteng took a step closer to honouring top achievers in sports within the province.  After years of absence, the announcement of the Gauteng Sports Awards was made earlier in April this year to honour top sportsmen and women and after numerous nominations by parties involved across various sporting codes including the public, the final nomination list was narrowed down and announced. The are 12 categories in total and the awards ceremony will take place on the 23^rd of June at Emperors Palace in the East Rand. The nominees for the Sportswoman of the year include Nomonde Magagula (karate), Michelle Marais (figure skating) and Mignon du Preez (cricket). Meanwhile the Sportsman of the year nominees are AB de Villiers (cricket), Gurthro Steenkamp (rugby) and Roland Schoeman (swimming).

MEC Lebogang Maile

The MEC of Sports, arts, culture and recreation Mr Lebogang Maile said that they were happy with the response and that they are not only looking to just honour top achievers but also the development of sports in general among those boxing development.  A partnership has been development to build 3 gyms within the province and upgrade golf courses including the one in Soweto. Besides the upgrade and accessibility of facilities, Mogale City will see development of the 3^rd biggest project in the province after the Gautrain and Gauteng Online that needs 3 billion rand’s to build, the Gauteng Sports Village.

Event MC’s Fezile Makhaya and Mpho Maboi

The party vibe was very  chilled after the formalities and short speeches. Food and drinks were kept afloat by the organisers while singer Pebbles and her band performed soothing sweet melodies. Those that stayed a bit longer than usual got to experience the likes of DJ Nutty from Metro FM and the Naked DJ behind the decks. Besides a couple of oldies that pitched at the club, these are some of the faces that were spotted:

Sophie Ndaba

Lunga Shabalala

Khabonina Qubeka

Nutty Nys and Miza

Jafta Mamabolo

Mpho Maboi and Beatmaker

By: Just Denis

The AND1 Streetball team took some time off and hung out in Soweto on Tuesday.

Vilakazi street was the meeting point. Our celebs who enjoy the game of Basketball chilled with the AND1 team over lunch and drinks.

The AND1 team took the opportunity to visit Nelson Mandela’s old house and got schooled on a bit of history of South Africa and our Former President.

The AND1 Team

Team getting schooled

Just before lunch the team took to the streets and one of the players Dupree showed off his skill. Jumped over a car and dunked the ball! He tried it twice and finally on his third attempt he dunked it. We weren’t allowed to take pictures though.

Dupree pulled off that major move

*sigh*

Kuli Chana, DJ Vigilante

Dj Fanatic and AKA

Siyabonga Ngwekazi

Tibz

Shoutout to KP for organizing the event. Here he’s hanging out with Dupree

AKA getting some game in with legend  ‘Hot Sauce”

Hey Hot Sauce

Fun times had by all. If your in Durban check them out from the 12th to the 14th.

Street ball sensational team AND 1 landed in the country at midday this Tuesday for the basketball tour in SA and in Mozambique courtesy of DSTV and Dark Child Productions. The team from the US is currently in Maputo for their first game in the “motherland”. They will also perform in Joburg on Sunday the 8^th of May at UJ’s Soweto campus and in Durban on the 14^th of May at the Durban Westville campus.

Their tour which is mainly to promote basketball in this country also serves as social responsibility where  young stars are motivated to live positively, saying  no to drugs and irresponsible alcohol usage. Phillip Champion best known as “Hotsauce” for his mad skills on the court says they are here to play competitively against our guys and his aim is make a man do crazy moves that he wants him to do.

“Hotsauce”

Dennis Chism aka “Spyda” who joined the team back in 2003 says their main aim is to win, entertain and defend. Tickets are available at the door for R100 to see the likes of “Baby Shaq” and “Dupree”, doors open at 1pm. There will also be performances from the likes of Proverb and Kwesta alongside DJ Calvin  from the UK.

“Dupree”

by Just Denis

This weekend is a very special one. No its not my birthday yet. But it is when the Veuve Clicquot masters swings into town for the first time. This means all my Pretty Woman fantasies are about to come true! Not the ones involving thigh high boots, blonde wigs or picking up older guys on the street. I’m talking about the gorgeous scene at the polo day and that unforgettable polka dot dress *sighs*

So on Sunday the 17thof April at the Val de Vie estate in Paarl all the things that make my heart beat a little faster will be in one venue. Being me I would make the drive purely for the champagne but luckily there is more than that going on.

In between the preview and main polo matches there will be a Boules tournament on the polo field where celebrity guests will be playing against media and polo guests for great prizes such as Hermes fragrances.

As usual at these events when attention is not on the field all the focus will be on what people are wearing. Ladies are encouraged to dress up and wear glamorous hats or fascinators. There will also be a pampering station where you can get your hair done, make up fixed and even buy a hat to finish off your outfit.

Good looking people, the sport of kings, great fashion and plenty of champagne on tap. A day in the country has never sounded better!