Durban - Racegoers and fashionistas won’t just be going to the Vodacom Durban July this year, they’ll be cruising.
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,” 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 on Monday.
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.
Daily News