Durban, Creatives and Babes Wodumo Unite At The #Loeries2016

Images by: Gallo images

Creativity unites

I guess if you’re into advertising, marketing and basically in the business of creating wealth as a creative in SA. These awards in some small way should matter to you. Sore losing induces the ‘I-don’t-care-syndrome” and if you feel overlooked in any discipline you tend to rebel as to counter award ceremonies and all other equivalent events.

I am not about to go on about the significance of the Loeries or the rich history they uphold. If you don’t know anything about the Loeries beyond Yfm and Channel O announcements. I suggest while you’re still a student of the creative business, you do your research and find out as much you can about the institutions behind and these prestigious awards.

I want to talk about the culture around the 2 most important days Saturday and Sunday, 6 hours of programming to be precise. Beyond the reward, the hard work and dedication of South Africa’s brightest creative minds lies a thirst of sizable proportions to have to party hard and this tradition has gone on for years.

People in advertising will not shy away from an open bar and what that evokes is a spirit of all kinds of drunken stupers, binge drinkers and other substances I cannot divulge because I do not hold the facts.

When we left Joburg for Durban we were going for 1 of 3 things. Drink our asses to a pulp, meet like minded creatives and celebrate the weird kid who finally became a lucrative adult and lastly to find Babes Wodumo. These 3 very important missions fortunately were completed when we headed to “The Chairman’s Party” at Joe Cools a lovely spot situated in North Beach on O.R Tambo parade. Yfm was the host and Neo Mashigo was the man of the hour, celebrating and serving his final days of a 2 tenure as the Chairman of the Loeries, #Loeries2016.

We proceeded to throw a few back and waited with baited breath as the talented Sketchy Bongo, Aewon Wolf and Kyle Duetschmann set the stage alight. Our mission was clear “Find Babes Wodumo” and right after Dj Tira’s set he let the queen of Mzansi dance out. I let out a few involuntary whims and screams, I mean I could not help myself. And so did many of the gentlemen gathered in awe at the sight of beautifullly flawless Babes Wodumo, i mean she could be flawed but I have no care in the world for such.

Having partied so hard into Saturday. Very little sleep was enjoyed when the phones started ringing again, batteries half charged and we had to huddle for Lunch (another excuse to drink). I was fortunate to be in the presence of Advertising royalty, Mr. Grant sithole. A man who has a number of Loeries under his belt. We headed to the Egg Films party, a very private but fruitful affair. After numerous shots of tequila , G&Ts and all sorts of inebriating beverages we were ready to hop onto another agency party. Our next stop was the FCB party.

Sunday + Channel O Party

Woah! The first point of contact would be the Spitfire shandis on a perfect Sunday afternoon… This is a scenic celebration on Moyo’s at the pier… Prep to gulp a few Sundowners and connect with old friends and new ones, which was eventually the order of the day. We selfied, we laughed and we exchanged contacts in hopes of collaborations in future. Unfortunately the dolphins did not come out to play(My expectations). We wrapped the Spitfire party and we got dressed up, headed to the ICC for the last and possibly the most important ceremony of the weekend. Winners won and losers… well, walked away empty handed.

Unto the newly and neatly renovated club in a very unbecoming part of the city, eGagasini. This is where the last of the fun times would be had. While others held their own after party at Taco Zulu, the masses gathered at this official Channel O party. The line-up was jam packed with SA’s best DJ’s, from Lulo cafe, Vigilante, Dj Tira, KOTW and DJ Fresh.

So ultimately we went down to Durbs, we found Babes at the main event and at the Chairman’s party and we united with the country’s best creative minds. This was the