Can you feel the gloves tonight at movie under African skies?
● Everything the light touches might be his kingdom, but could Simba and his clan bring a warm glow to a crisp Joburg night?
That was what I wondered as I made my way to the Country Club Johannesburg on Thursday evening for the local premiere of Disney remake The Lion King.
The local wing of the Tinseltown studio thought it best that we brave the cold for an outdoor screening of the live-action blockbuster.
We were warned to dress snugly and comfortably for the occasion — not the ideal get-up for those who want to draw attention when traipsing the red carpet.
One of the first to arrive sensibly dressed was TV presenter Roxy Burger, followed not long afterwards by Donovan Goliath, who had to contend with an injured right foot.
“I broke my foot skateboarding. Lesson learnt,” said the comedian, who will be undergoing surgery in two weeks’ time.
TV personality Masechaba Ndlovu brought along her 10-year-old son Lungelo, a budding animation filmmaker.
Someone who drew inspiration from the film in her outfit, which included a long caramel cape with a painting of a lion, was broadcaster Relebogile Mabotja.
Mind you, I was more interested in finding out how fresh her breakfast was, now that Thato Sikwane, better known as DJ Fresh, has been shafted from the Metro FM breakfast show for using the swear word msunery on air.
“It’s as fresh as I am, getting up so early in the morning,” she giggled.
Then there was Maps Maponyane, who turned up with It girl K Naomi (“We’re not together,” she assured me) and Enhle Mbali, who as usual arrived without DJ Black Coffee, and in a tiered, tulle confection that screamed hakuna matata (no worries) to the elements.
“How boring would the red carpet be if we all wore coats,” she pronounced.
Up comes artist Moonchild Sanelly, on cloud nine after making it onto the soundtrack to the movie, compiled by Beyoncé.
“Crazy that’s it’s finally out. I’m honoured to be Beyoncé’s bitch,” she cooed.
Then there was someone whose Twitter roar has been tamed now he’s back with his baby’s mama. That’s Kiernan Forbes, better known as AKA, who, though he arrived with squeeze DJ Zinhle Jiyane, kept a safe distance between them around the cameras.
You’ll want to know about the movie and for that I’d suggest you read my erudite colleague Tymon Smith’s take at the bottom of this page.
But what I will say is, Beyoncé’s song Spirit soars.
John Kani’s Xhosa-speaking Rafiki gave me the warm and fuzzies but, ironically, it was two of the flick’s token whities, Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner, the voices of Pumbaa and Timon, who stole the show for me.
During the film’s iconic opening sequence we were treated to a roaring live performance by Lebo M and there were blankets and beanies to try to keep the cold at bay.
Another nifty touch was roving waiters with backpack beverage dispensers, serving us hot soup.