Well done Gold Circle , 5 months to go

And already front page news

Durban models, Terry-Lynn Upton wearing an outfit by designer Terrence Bray and her husband, Calvin Steel Upton, both of Ice Models, dress to impress for this years Vodacom Durban July, while the horse, Royal Champion, by trainer Jeff Freedman, helps set the scene at the Greyville racecourse. Picture: Gcina Ndwalane


By BARBARA COLE


Durban - Racegoers and fashionistas won’t just be going to the Vodacom Durban July this year, they’ll be cruising to the biggest social event on the South African calendar.

And that is because the 2015 theme is “The Captain’s Table” – which is what many a cruise liner passenger hopes to be invited to.

“It gives them the chance to up their game and dress to the nines, just like people do at the Vodacom Durban July,” said Ken Tweddell, Gold Circle’s marketing manager, who, as usual, has come up with a special poem to capture the theme.

People had been asking about this year’s theme since August, said Tweddell, who officially launched the 2015 theme today.

Fashionistas are expected to go overboard when they get wind of it, for while the “era is irrelevant”, the underlying message is “posh”, which gives them plenty of scope.

Men are certain to be shipshape too, with Tweddell predicting there will be some who opt for a nautical look and jaunty headgear.

As for the thousands of punters, they will be hoping their ship comes in and that they back a winner on raceday: July 4.

“I have long said that there are many parallels between the excitement of being on a big ship and the race,” said Tweddell, who says the theme continues Gold Circle’s efforts to raise the bar.

“People spend a long time getting ready for the race. There’s a lot of activity beforehand and a lot of expectations, just like going on a cruise. You might hope for an invitation to that special marquee, just like getting that sought-after invitation to the captain’s table,” Tweddell said.

“Like cruise ships, we too have to prepare to receive thousands of people and to cater for and entertain them.”

This year’s poem The Captain’s Table explains:

“The anticipation mounts, the crew are prepped and ready

The passengers are welcomed, the excitement… yes, it’s heady

The cruise ship’s mighty horn booms, we’re off on our way

We jostle for position, to enjoy this thrill-packed day

We’ll party with old friends, maybe make some new

Dress posh to impress, who knows who we’ll bump into

But what we’re really after, the ultimate it seems,

The exclusive gilt-edged invite, the one you see in dreams

The era is irrelevant, it’s always been the same

When one’s invited to The Captain’s Table, one has to up one’s game

Dress is all important, whether you be King or Queen

You’ll feel like a celebrity, the place to see… and be seen

Crystal and silver will shine, splendid food and fine wine

The Vodacom Durban July – a massive ship, sail with us, enjoy the trip.

Gold Circle on the ball re marketing and advance notice already had links for the big day and will be booking flights etc soon and it's a nautical theme and I have my captains hat from the Vaal river so the head is covered
lol

The first thing I saw on that front page was "Mugabe's stamp on the summit" :blink: