Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Deputy President of South Africa, Phumlize Mlambo-Ngcuka (left), and South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), executive president, Ignatius Sehoole, at the association's annual dinner and inauguration in Standton, Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

Johannesburg, South Africa:

Celebrities such as Jimmy Cliff, Rita Marley, Jessie Jackson, Quincy Jones, Roberta Flack, the late Johnny Cochran, Richard Branson, Evander Holyfield and Nina Simone are among those who gravitate towards Johannesburg's Wandie's on their visits to South Africa.

Second only to Nelson Mandela, Wandile Ndala's face is the most popular in South Africa and the thousands of business cards, bank notes, photos of celebrities and poetry plastered on his walls prove this is not wishful thinking.

So famous is Soweto's hot spot that if you go to the township best known for its freedom fighters and on your return are asked, "Did you go to Wandie's?" and give a negative answer, the response will be, "If you haven't been to Wandie's you haven't been to Soweto."

With the capacity to accommodate some 200 people both inside and out, when The Gleaner visited the restaurant/ bar/joint on Wednesday evening, the place was almost empty, except for the proprietor who sat among three of the country's most influential men: Khehlo Mthembu, chairman of Gauteng Tourism, Lucky Nkosi of Nhlanhla Communications and Dudley Mekgoe of Ethnic Art.

African fare

Proprietor of Soweto's most popular joint - Wandie's, Wandile Ndala (second left standing); Dudley Mekgoe (left) of Ethnic Art; Khehlo Mthembu (seated centre), chairman of Gauteng Tourism; and Lucky Nkosi of Nhlanhla Communications having several glasses of wine on Wednesday.

However, after two glasses of Fleurdu Cap Cabernet Sauvignon, the place was transformed into a bevy of patrons who came to sample Wandie's all-inclusive buffet of pap (a Tswania staple food), steamed bread (dumpling), sugar beans, tripe, beef stewed curried, liver with fried onions, curried lamb and oxtail - all part of a wide array of African fare.

"People come here for the food, the atmosphere and our well-known gold class service," said Wandie, as he shared the winning smile that showed an exotic looking gold-filling in his mouth.

The next stop was a more formal setting - the The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants' (SAICA) annual dinner and inauguration ceremony in Standton, Johannesburg.

Held under the distinguished patronage of the South Africa's most powerful woman, the country's Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, getting into this event meant metal detectors and heavy security.

Job well done

Those without invitations stood outside the ropes and watched the women as they outdid themselves in their finery. As for the Deputy President, a chic business suit was enough to stand at the lectern and address the eminent team of accountants.

Keeping to the organisation's theme 'Discovering the Gold of Human Potential', Mrs. Mlambo-Ngcuka congratulated the new female president, Hester Hickie, who had taken up the helm and commended outgoing chairman, Trevor Peterson, for a job well done.

An eloquent speaker, the deputy president encouraged the vibrant group to continue their 'Hope Factory Project' which is geared at alleviating poverty in South African households.

The project, which provides skills development, has empowered many small black business entrepreneurs, so far it has affected 1,500 people.

Saxophonist Kathy Delmer and the Buskaid Ensemble provided an excellent combination of entertainment throughout the evening.