Ball gowns and bow ties for charity
The theme was Hollywood Oscar Awards and guests did not disappoint as they pulled out all the stops for the charity event
RED carpet, tuxedos, gloves and ball gowns were the order of the day at the annual Black Tie event held at the Aviator Hotel on Friday night.
The theme was Hollywood Oscar Awards and guests did not disappoint as they pulled out all the stops for the charity event.
The gala dinner, organised by couple Prudence Sihlangu (30) and Tebogo Bulane (34) is not just a night of entertainment but is also aimed at raising funds for those in need.
“With funds raised we want to send a child to school in 2016 and we have also managed to organise a bursary from Boston College, Kempton Park, worth R15 000 for one learner,” said Sihlangu.
Proceeds, she said, would also go towards a mentorship programme for Grade 11s in Tembisa.
Last year at the launch of the event, about 50 pairs of school shoes were collected for underprivileged children.
Sihlangu said the school shoes drive would be an ongoing initiative.
The programme for the evening included motivational speakers, poetry and dance.
“We want people to be entertained, motivated, and to have fun and eat good food while networking,” said Bulane.
“We don’t just want it to be a fun night out, but we want people to leave with something valuable, that’s why we bring in the motivational speakers,” added Sihlangu.
Every year the couple, with a few of their friends, give back as part of their 67 minutes on Mandela Day.
They wanted to come up with more ways of giving back and decided to host a gala dinner.
“It started as an event for our couple friends, an opportunity for them to dress up, spend time together, and network and also give back to the community of the East Rand,” explained Bulane.
“After word had gotten out that we wanted to host this event, they started asking us when the ‘black tie’ is? And that’s basically how the name came about.”
“Most people never get a chance to dress up, and so that’s why we want to give them an opportunity to wear their bow ties and ball gowns,” added Sihangu.
“This year we decided to go big. We started crawling, walking, running and now we’re flying,” joked Bulane.
He added that they were teaching people ‘ubuntu’ through the event, and that the more you get the more you should give.
“We want to really impact the community,” his partner Sihlangu reiterated.
With a total of 56 guests Sihlangu said it had been tough organising the event but she was glad the turnout was great.
“I’m feeling so emotional, but I feel so good. I like bringing change to other people’s lives, it fulfills me to see children smile and be happy,” stated Sihangu.
The couple agreed that they shared the same sentiments.
“We’ve got the same vision and that’s why were together,” Bulane playfully boasted.
The two would like to thank the following people for their contribution to their charity initiatives and to the event: MCs Siphesihle and Anna Sithole, Mthobisi Ndaba, Sibongile, Aviator Hotel management, Brian Makine, optometrist Lebo Nhlabathi, Molefe’s production, BeautyBox (Centurion), Glamour’s Beauty Spa, hair and nails (Tembisa), Boston College (Kempton Park), Supa Ngwao Dance Project (Tembisa) and the Philosopher, the prophet, the poet.
