SUPPLIED
Top Billing presenter Bonang Matheba and SAMA award-winning musician Lloyd Cele dressed for the Vodacom Durban July.
Durban – Fifty thousand people, three-quarters of a ton of chicken and 2 500 bottles of spirits are just some of the numbers involved in this weekend’s R3.5 million Durban July taking place at Greyville Racecourse.
Preparations for the glamorous society event are well under way with hospitality providers preparing for clients who range from the avid racegoer to VIPs, including high-ranking politicians, businessmen and entertainment personalities – and even Princess Charlene of Monaco.
This year the Tent Town will be bigger than before as increased demand for hospitality and more allocated space has allowed for 40 hospitality tents – with tickets from R650 to R3 500, said Edwina Brown, coordinator at Events World.
She said long hours were ahead for all those involved in setting up for the big day.
Gill Simpkins, a spokeswoman for Gold Circle, said some days had been “chaotic” but all plans were on track.
Ordinary entrance tickets to the July cost R200, and Simpkins urged race-goers to make use of the Park and Ride system in Sylvester Ntuli (Brickhill) Road, to alleviate parking congestion.
The theme for race day is “Posh! Oh My Gosh!”, and elegantly dressed guests can rest assured their palates will be pleased and their thirsts quenched, Gold Circle has promised.
“Plans are in place to ensure that sufficient stocks are on hand and required staff complements will be available to attend to the thousands Gold Circle will be responsible for in its various sit-down venues where a full buffet is offered, with some 2 100 seated meals already booked,” the organisers said in a statement.
About 15 000 meals will be provided for Gold Circle’s guests – excluding those in private hospitality tents – with 40 chefs putting in long hours in the kitchen.
With no race meeting this week leading up to the July, some of the preparation will begin earlier. However, the real operation kicks into gear on Thursday when staff will be working 11-hour shifts into the wee hours.
They will then return from 1am on Saturday to begin their last-minute preparations.
Included on the food and drinks list are:
* 18 000 bottles of beer, 2 500 bottles of spirits, and 900 bottles of wine;
* 25 000 bottles of cooldrink, 80 litres of orange juice, and 4 000 cups of coffee;
* 8 000 portions of curry and rice;
* 2 200kg of meat – including 750kg of chicken;
* 280kg of prawns, 300kg of crayfish, 2 600 pieces of sushi, and 1 200 oysters;
* 2 500 pies and 2 000 hamburgers.
A limited number of tickets were available on Tuesday, allowing racegoers to watch in the stands or at picnic sites along the track.
The weather is predicted to be partly cloudy with no chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to reach 24ºC.
Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said extra police would be deployed.
The Mercury
