Wine, rain and more wine
08 September 2015
Mother Nature had her own ideas on Friday night but this did not deter hundreds of wine lovers from attending the 11th edition of the Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown.
As the heavens opened up and unleashed bucketfuls of rain to welcome spring, wine flowed non-stop inside the iconic venue, marking the start of what is arguably Soweto’s No 1 social event.
Organised by Morara Wine Emporium in partnership with Joburg Tourism, the City of Johannesburg-owned tourism entity, the three-day festival once more lived up to expectation, what with more than 80 different types of wine to be sampled. With so many wines on offer, visitors were spoilt for choice.
Member of Mayoral Committee for Economic Development Clr Ruby Mathang mingled with the wine connoisseurs as he moved from stall to stall surveying the different types of the graped bottles. Several big wigs from the tourism, business and political sphere were also there.
Clr Mathang said he was impressed by the standard of the festival. He said the event showcased Soweto and Johannesburg as all-year round tourist destinations.
“We are honoured to be part of this important lifestyle event, which kick-starts the Tourism and Heritage Month. It is events like these that prove we're a key tourist destination,” he said.
Apart from the wine, it was a night of high fashion, good food and music. For the first time in its history, the festival afforded local fashion designers the opportunity to exhibit their creations in a number of special stalls. Also on display were several innovations used for street vending. In the end, everyone had a good time.
“We can’t wait for next year,” said shebeen queen Pinkie Mthimkulu of Orlando West, Soweto. “We will definitely be here again.”