As ze Germans and tourists celebrated the world-famous Octoberfest in Munich and across the country, our German department decided it was time for an Octoberfest celebration to mark the 2nd anniversary of the German website (www.rhinoafrika.de) and their amazing growth from a handful of people to a whole department! And it was just an excuse for a party and kegs of Weissbier – but just the excuse we needed!
Sprechen sie Deutsch? Click here to check out our German website!
So on a sunny afternoon in Cape Town, instead of a drizzly day in Munich, we managed to rustle up a faded collection of Lederhosen (leather trousers) and Dirndl (a maiden’s dress) and get our own bout of drinking and debauchery under way. With enough kegs of Weissbier and Helles Lager to intoxicate a small army, there was no shortage of alcohol!
As our German colleagues took delight in sampling their country’s finest brews and boasting about the superior quality of German beer, us South Africans just nodded quietly and sipped our beers slowly. It was better that way.
We had a gargantuan feast in the middle of proceedings: a spit braai (barbeque) of lamb, roasted slowly until tender off the bone, and complimented by a collection of vegetables and salads. There was also a cocktail bar for the non-beer drinkers – unlike in Germany, beer drinking is not a mandatory requirement for citizenship in South Africa. Unfortunately.
A live band was in place to ensure the music kept coming and a collection of one-hit wonders and old-school tunes persisted for the rest of the evening. Our financial manager Jeanne threw away the books and then blew us away with her wonderful voice – thank god for Rhino Africa she didn’t pursue a singing career! Dancing consisted of swaying drunkenly from side to side and bellowing out lyrics (badly of course) and our accountant Carlo doing his Michael Jackson ‘Moonwalk’ impression (rather well actually)!
The beer continued to flow like wine, the band continued to play like a carnaval and any thoughts of work were banished as Germans and South Africans came together under a banner of Weissbier & Bratwurst (ok, there was no bratwurst but there should have been).
Best dressed couple certainly went to Frank, our German copywriter, and his wife for their traditonal garb while our boss David and Gregg won awards for the most pornographic outfits (less said the better). Best dancing performance goes to Carlo and worst dancing display goes to Bjorn, the lone Dutchman who toppled many a girl and guy on the night!
All good things come to an end – at least before they start again. And so after a veritable smorgasbord of beer and barbeque, a symphony of music and mayhem and a cacophony of chaos and colour, our Octoberfest 2008 ran dry. Until next year that is.
Keen to visit Cape Town or anywhere in Africa? Contact us to plan your tailormade trip!
