The Johannesburg Press Club today announced that it will be making a Special Award to the very much organised and internationally acclaimed Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout, former Ambassadress (Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Emeritus) to the former bantustan Bapetikosweti of the old South Africa. Mrs. Bezuidenhout is getting this Very Special Award for her contribution to winning awards and creating news over many decades.
In the new South Africa Evita is still the most famous and busiest white woman as she juggles family, a challenging career and a demanding social calendar. In 2010 her best-selling cook book Evita’s Kossie Sikelela was shortlisted for the Gourmand Awards in Paris.
“In the spirit of being both a former and a contemporary personality”, says JPC Chairperson Clare van Zwieten, “we were pleased to accept the generous offer from Dimitri & Debra Vardopoulos, owners of one of Greenside’s most charming restaurants, now known as Milos but, formerly, by the name of Mandragora, to host this very special lunch for the JPC.”
During lunch this award-winning writer and diplomatic power broker will speak to JPC members about Evita’s BlackBessie, a common-sense practical journal, and your perfect organiser. In the age of BlackBerrys, iPods, iPhones and such, Evita Bezuidenhout presents her own version of surviving electromagnetic blackout, or just a technologically challenged state of mind: Evita’s BlackBessie is a journal with a difference that includes an abundance of entertaining photos, wisdoms and very practical advice from the most adored white woman in South Africa.
Taking a page from Tannie Evita Blackbessie, as well as advice from their many patrons and media food critics, Dimitris and Debra, realised that their excellent food had to be complemented by an even better name. Mandragora was simply more than any mouth could chew! So, to make things more palatable, it was decided to name the restaurant after the beautiful Aegean island of Milos. “The Greek island of Milos in the Cyclades is a surprise for those who are adventurous enough to take a detour from the other popular islands. Milos, in Greenside, also always will be a place of excellent food, great fun and good-hearted people.”After having been bestowed the JPC Very Special Award Mrs. Bezuidenhout will officially be known as The Rt Hon, Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout, Esquiress: Rt because she is always right but not right-wing; honourable because she has always been such; and, an Esquiress – a title of dignity which ranks way above that of gentlewoman!
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Signed copies of Evita’s BlackBessie are available from Book League in Darling (they also post nationwide and internationally). Cost is R180.00. E-mail bookleague@telkomsa.net or phone 022 4923153.
Book details
- Evita’s BlackBessie by Evita Bezuidenhout
Book homepage
EAN: 9781415201589
Click here to buy online (English)
- Evita se BlackBessie by Evita Bezuidenhout
Book homepage
EAN: 9781415201596
Click here to buy online (Afrikaans)
